Tonight, Methodist Dallas Medical Center is hosting a town-hall-style meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Hitt Auditorium (221 W. Colorado Blvd.) to discuss plans and timelines on the hospital’s expansion, including a six-story trauma and critical-care center.

The 248,000-square-foot expanded trauma and critical-care center will include 58 new emergency rooms, six trauma suites, eight surgical suites, a 36-bed critical-care unit, and the ability to expand to 11 stories in the future. The expansion is scheduled to begin construction in early 2012, with completion expected by the summer of 2014.

Further information is expected to be released at tonight’s meeting.

"Is your house on fire, Clark?" "No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights."

Are you doing a tasteful display this year, or are you going for the full-on Griswold? Whatever you decide to do with your holiday lighting this year, you better hurry.

The Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association is recruiting Judgey McJudgersons to pass judgment on your handiwork. The official contest will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Turner House. After participants tour neighborhood displays, votes will be tallied and I’m suspecting adult beverages will be had. Prizes will be awarded for the most tasteful and the most over-the-top displays.

Want to judge? RSVP ASAP to Janet.K.Barter@gmail.com.

State Representative Rafael Anchia, Dallas Methodist Medical Center, and the Kessler Theater are teaming up to host a free children’s holiday concert on Dec. 11 at the Kessler.

The concert will feature Laura Freeman and The Hey Lollies. Tickets are free, but you must RSVP via email or cal 214-943-6081.

Nice, eh? It's David Leonard's "Continental Divide," and you can peruse it and other works at Bar Belmont.

Free Wednesday? All are welcome at an art opening for painter David Leonard, whose “Art With a View” show will run through Jan. 11 at Bar Belmont.

The party starts at 6 p.m.

Can’t make it to the TEDxSMU talk on Saturday? Head over to the Texas Theatre to see the simulcast. This year’s theme is “Disruption,” and you can catch all or part of the event with doors opening at 9 a.m. Food and drink will be available for sale.

Find out more about the speakers and the event at the TEDxSMU website.

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-East Kessler, announced today that he is officially seeking a fifth term in the Texas House. Anchia was first elected to represent District 103 in 2004.

The primary election is scheduled for March 6, with the general election to follow Nov. 6.

Don't wait until the last minute to get the perfect Christmas tree!

The perfect Christmas tree is hard to find. Just ask Charlie Brown.

If you don’t want to search high and low and all around town for the perfect wreath or tree to adorn your home, head to Repotted on W. Davis Street. Owners Jamie Laws and Elizabeth Cummings say this year’s crop of holiday greenery, including both live and cut Christmas trees, is even better than they anticipated.

The Dallas Police Department reports that John Vera, 27, was murdered at Huckleberry’s Bar & Grill at 1 a.m. Saturday. Police listed the victim’s home as being in the 800 block of Centre Street. That’s just a few blocks down from Huckleberry’s, which is at 305 Centre. The only other information in the incident reports was that police found a ringing Samsung phone on the bar.