Artist Courtney Miles works on a piece for her Ross Akard Gallery collection.

If you happen to recall, we did a piece in April about artist Courtney Miles being the latest artist-in-residence at The Fairmont Dallas. For the past three months Miles has resided in the hotel’s 24th-floor penthouse by night and has been working in the hotel’s in-house studio by day in preparation for her month-long exhibit at the Fairmont’s Ross Akard Gallery (that opens tomorrow).

Miles is eighth in a line-up of 10 artists in residence. Next on the docket is Oak Cliff’s Erica Felicella, who you probably recall from her reality live-in-a-box for three days “artwork.”

Katie Norwood, public relations and marketing manager at the Fairmont, explained that the program’s goal is to support local and regional artists who are emerging in their careers. “We’re the only hotel in Dallas that’s doing this,” she said. “It’s our way of giving back to the artists.”

The 35-year-old artist’s work is inspired by images of herself through photography and videography. Miles depicts herself as a celebrity via oil and watercolor paintings, but she’s quick to add that it’s not about materialism. “It’s a comment on our society and how we’re a very celebrity-obsessed culture,” she said. “People might see my work and misinterpret it. But it’s a fun nod toward our obsession with celebrities. It’s really not about me. It’s a persona. Pretend.”

Miles describes her work as a form of “performance art,” which combines painting, photography, video and text. And she always tries to incorporate a dash of neon. “It looks very Dallas. There’s a lot of neon in our city,” Miles said. “Some of my friends call me me ‘Neon Courtney.’ My work reflects that we’re a flashy city, but down-to-earth at the same time. Dallas is the flashy side of my work. I’m the down-to-earth side.”

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Country Burger will soon have another piece of Selena memorabilia.

My wife was in mid-guffaw when I picked up the phone yesterday afternoon. She fought through her chortling long enough to say, “Dan, what’s going on in the House of Representatives?”

The reason for her giddiness? An email from Jesse Bernal in state Rep. Roberto Alonzo’s office. Bernal wanted my wife to know that her June 22 column about Country Burger, in which she mentioned the eatery’s conversion into Dallas’ largest Selena shrine, had inspired Alonzo to send a copy of a House resolution to Country Burger’s management. The 2011 resolution recognized the anniversary of Selena’s death, and Alonzo thought a copy should be displayed alongside Country Burger’s dozens of photos of the slain Tejano singer.

When I asked Jessica to write that column, I never imagined it would inspire legislative action.

After the jump, you can read her column, Alonzo’s letter, and the House resolution.

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THWIP!

Although the Texas Theatre is primarily an art-house cinema, the guys running the historic Jefferson Boulevard venue do love superheroes. In the wake of a successful run for The Avengers, the Texas will begin screening The Amazing Spider-Man at midnight Monday. Not long after that comes The Dark Knight Rises.

While it’s supposed to “cool down” over the weekend (albeit that notion is extremely relative), it might be a good few days to catch some indoor events.

Texas Theatre definitely offers respite from the scorching temps. Friday, check out Bill W. at 5 p.m., Raiders of the Lost Ark (oh such an always-fave) at 7:10 p.m., and Derby Baby at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, you’ve got quite an array: Bill W. at 2:15 p.m., Raiders of the Lost Ark at 4:30 p.m., Cure For Pain: The Mark Sandman Story at 7 p.m., Jamon Jamon at 9 p.m., and Slip Inside This House at 10 p.m. And on Sunday (yes, we know it sounds a little strange), check out Jurassic Live Action Dino Show at 5 p.m.

Stroll through the Haley-Henman gallery or Mighty Fine Arts, where you can get a peek at Jason Cohen’s “Bitchin’ Chimeras” exhibit.

Or hey, if you have a little spare cash…head to the BAD and race from shop to shop for AC optimization. If you haven’t had the chance to check out Neighborhood yet, I suggest you do. It can be a bit pricey, but they have some way-cool stuff.

If the 90-plus temps don’t phase you, Dove Hunter and the Blurries are playing at The Foundry at 9 p.m. on Friday and Alpha Rev will perform there on Sat. at 9 p.m.

Also on the music scene: Greg Reichel will perform at Bar Belmont on Friday evening at 7; also on Friday: Billy Joe Shaver and Robert Ellis at 8:30 p.m. at the Kessler and Gabe Meadows at 9 p.m. at Eno’s. And on Sat. night, The Gourds will perform with Gary Myrick at 8:30 at the Kessler.

And I strongly suggest you head over to La Original Michoacana (415 W. Davis St.) for some much-deserved, oh-so-delish cool treats.

Bunting fever has hit Winnetka Heights full force. Photo Credit: Winnetka Heights' Facebook

With the July 4 right around the corner, Winnetka Heights residents have started the bunting their porches and homes with the American flag. Thanks to their Facebook page — the most active non-business/information facebook page known to man — I was able to see many home fronts supporting the ‘ol red, white, and blue.

According to the site, it’s a an entire movement that started a few years ago. At least eight residents have been trading photos and shopping locations for the bunting since June on the page.

Favorite post title:

“Shut the BUNT door!!”
— Winnetka Heights resident

Great stuff. So much so, that even this guy approves.

Oak Cliff's first head shop opened two weekends ago at 401 N. Bishop Ave.

Just three blocks from where the Bishop Arts District’s storefronts trail off, Boss Tobacco Shop opened without much fanfare two weekends ago at 401 S. Bishop Ave., just steps from Jefferson Street.

Before hipsters who make the small trek from Eno’s to Texas Theatre get too excited, let’s be clear. It’s not the patchouli paradise you’d expect in Deep Ellum or Austin. It’s a tiny space that sells mostly cigarettes and papers. But it does have a modest collection of “water pipes” whose variety is rivaled by the Little Debbie assortment wisely positioned by the entrance.

So far, the store’s faced no complaints from neighbors or the community, said Cynthia Mora, who opened the shop alongside her mother, Louisa, and her sister Lety and her boyfriend, Chris Montez.

“Everyone who’s walked into this store has shown us a lot of love,” Cynthia Mora said. (Note to Highland Park: You won’t ever get this from Craigslisters.)

Note: A reader noted that this isn’t the first head shop in Oak Cliff; one called JayLee’s existed in the ’70s. Thank you! Anyone else with other memories to contribute can contact me at rick.lopez@peoplenewspapers.com.

Although I’m still relatively new here at Oak Cliff People, I’m no stranger to bike lane controversy and how it grinds the gears of both riders and drivers.

But those for and against the restructuring of Fort Worth Avenue for potential bike lanes will have the opportunity to verbally duke it out tonight. The City of Dallas is hosting a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. at The Bataan Community Center.

Go and give your thoughts and insights about the proposed thoroughfare.

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The Friends of Oak Cliff Parks have a project scheduled for Saturday morning. From 8 to 11, more than 100 attendees from a youth conference are supposed to weed, mulch, and plant roses on the south side of Lake Cliff Park. If you can stand the heat (Saturday’s forecast high is only 98), the Friends need master gardeners and other adults to help supervise the young volunteers.

The Friends will set up tents and provide water and snacks. Volunteers will need hats, sunblock, mulch forks, clippers, rakes, shovels, and weeding tools. If you bring your own tools, mark them with your name.

Any questions? Contact Barbara Barbee at brbrb303@aol.com.