Posts by Alana Harrison
-
What’s Cookin’ In The Cliff This Weekend?
This Saturday, you’re in for a boot-scootin’ treat! The Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts is hosting “Texas Stars, Boots, & BBQ” — a talent show and fundraiser. The event will kick off at JD’s BBQ & Grill (305 Centre St.) at 5 p.m., with a happy hour and silent auction. Beginning at 7 p.m., there will be a talent show starring the likes of State Rep. Roberto Alonzo, Councilwoman Monica Alonzo, Constable Beth Villarreal, and a number of other elected officials and community leaders. And at last, the boot-scootin’ boogie dance begins at 8 p.m. Big D’s “Big Shots & Show-offs” (as the coalition has coined the competitors) will be helping the group raise money for scholarships. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple; student and children’s tickets are only $5. For more information, call OCCA at 972-900-1630.For a party of shall we say a different shade, check out Vaudeville Night at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Expect circus freaks, Steve Leach, “Wigouts,” a belly dancer, Judith Ann Anderson and Kathy Smith, Rachel and the Rachettes, Miss Marcy, Brighid’s Greene, and The Texas Vanilla Drops. If you get there early (6 p.m.), enjoy a chillin’ ice-cream social. Hmm…sounds rather interesting.
By Alana Harrison Aug. 24, 2012 | 7:30 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Bribery For School Attendance?
Hmm…enticing kids with money to show up for school? Is this a clever ploy, or the contrary? I’m inclined to go with the latter. For a little background information on what the heck I’m talking about, here’s a press release from DISD:
Two donors have joined DISD School Board president Lew Blackburn’s campaign to encourage student attendance on the first day of school. Supporters pledged an additional $2,000 to Blackburn’s efforts to boost attendance.
Last week, Blackburn issued a personal pledge to award $500 debit cards to three students who show up for classes in DISD on time Monday, Aug. 27. He also issued a challenge to supporters to make matching donations.
“I’m happy to contribute,” said Mark Koch, whose company, Koch Fabricating Machinery, pledged $1,000 to the incentive plan. The North Dallas Chamber added the remaining $1,000 to the attendance incentive.
“I am pleased that Dallas ISD has strong supporters interested in students getting to school on the first day, and every day,” Blackburn said.
A total of 15 students will be randomly selected electronically through the district’s MIS department to receive the incentives. The gift cards will be distributed as follows: Two middle and two high school students will each receive $500 debit cards; one elementary student will receive a $500 debit card; and 10 additional elementary students will receive a $100 debit card.
Is bribing kids with money to attend school a good thing or a bad thing? What do you think?
By Alana Harrison Aug. 22, 2012 | 1:38 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS -
What’s Cookin’ In The Cliff This Weekend?
There will be some mega-fun taking place at Kessler Park United Methodist Church on Saturday with Venture Crew 5’s second annual “Scout-A-Palooza.” The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and goes until 9 p.m. Get ready for ultimate Frisbee, supersoaker fights, zipline rides, caveman golf, tomahawk throwing — to name a few of the fun-filled activities scheduled. There will also be a delish barbecue dinner served, replete with old-fashioned cobbler. Members and leaders of Venture Crew 5 will be on hand to answer questions and share stories about their recent adventures.By Alana Harrison Aug. 17, 2012 | 7:30 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Help Keep OC Beautiful This Saturday
Come on — do your part! Keep Oak Cliff Beautiful is hosting a “Garden District Clean Up” this Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. The targeted area is 10th Street from Zang Boulevard to Tyler Street. Volunteers will help mow and edge sidewalks, pick up litter, trim bushes or trees (with owners’ approval), paint over graffiti, and any other tasks that need doing.
Trash bags, trash “picker-uppers,” two edgers, a lawn mower, and hedge clippers will be provided. If possible, please bring paint to cover graffiti, additional lawn mowers and edgers, and hedge clippers.
To help out, meet at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the corner of Adams and 10th Street at the doctor’s clinic.
By Alana Harrison Aug. 16, 2012 | 3:30 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Want To Be On The Walls of Turner House?
If so, you have about 36 hours to prepare your Oak Cliff-centric artwork and submit it for consideration. As part of its centennial celebration, Turner House will be holding a two-day festival (or sorts) Sept. 21 and 22 — the highlight being the first-ever juried art show/competition to be staged in the house itself. The theme: “100 Years of Oak Cliff Art: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The show is open to artists living, working in, or supporting ZIP codes 75208, 75203, 75211, 75224, and 75233.
Acceptable works include painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, fabric, pottery, and photography. The deadline is midnight tomorrow night (Aug. 17). Each artist may enter up to five pieces for a one-time application fee of $10. Resumes are required, and more details are provided at entrythingy.com. (Click on “list of current calls for entries,” then on “Turner House.”)
The guest jurors are Lisa Taylor, executive director of Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA); Kenneth Craighead, co-owner of Craighead Green Gallery; and Benito Huerta, director of The Gallery at the University of Texas at Arlington. If your work is selected for the show, you will be notified via email by Sept. 7. The grand prize will be a purchase price of $500, and the work will become part of the Turner House’s permanent collection. You could become part of Oak Cliff history!
By Alana Harrison Aug. 16, 2012 | 12:38 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Big Fix, For Big D — For $20 Bucks
We should all know how important it is to spay or neuter our cats and dogs, with the thousands upon thousands of homeless animals in our city. FIDO’s spreading the word to help — Catherine Dodge with FIDO alerted us to “Big Fix, For Big D.”For only $20 smackers you can have your dog or cat spayed or neutered if you live in one of the South Dallas zip codes listed in the flyer on this post. Not to mention that vaccinations and registration are included in the $20.
Trust us. This is an awesome deal. You can pay up to $200 or more to have your pet spayed or neutered. So be responsible to your pet and to OC, and take advantage of this offer if you have a new, “unaltered” addition to your family.
By Alana Harrison Aug. 15, 2012 | 6:07 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Massive Mural To Greet Greiner Students
A group of graffiti artists is creating a larger-than-life mural on the wall above Greiner Middle School's Stevie Ray Vaughan Performance Hall. PHOTO BY ALANA HARRISON
W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Middle School students have something to look forward to on their first day of school, Aug. 27. A group of five graffiti artists is creating an exceptional mural above the wall of the Stevie Ray Vaughan Performance Hall. The artists collaborated with the school and Friends of Greiner on the concept for the mural, creating a theme that encompasses performance, art, academics, and school spirit. Mr. Vaughan himself will even grace the wall.
The artists, as well as Friends of Greiner, aim to teach students to view graffiti in a more positive light — as an art form versus vandalism.
“We definitely want to encourage the positive aspects of graffiti, and the amazing art you can do with it,” said Sean Bone, one of the mural’s artists.
For more on the mural, see Friday’s edition of Oak Cliff People.
By Alana Harrison Aug. 15, 2012 | 3:28 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Fallen OC Firefighters Honored in Ceremony This Morning
A memorial stone was erected in front of Fire Station 26 to honor two fallen firefighters -- Lt. Todd W. Krodle and Vincent L. Davis. PHOTO BY ALANA HARRISON
This morning, two Fire Station 26 firefighters were honored with a memorial service, as well as memorial stones, after they died in the line of duty. Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Todd Krodle was killed when he fell through a burning roof, and Dallas firefighter Vincent L. Davis died from a wall that collapsed on him. Both incidents occurred in West Oak Cliff.
A crowd of more than 100 firefighters, Oak Cliff residents, and family members of the fallen gathered at Fire Station 26 to honor Krodle and Davis. Three granite markers were erected in their honor — two recognizing each officer and a third etched with “A Fireman’s Prayer” to serve and protect. Today was the one-year anniversary since Krodle’s death. Davis was killed in 2002.
City Councilwoman Delia Jasso was at the service and said, “We will never forget the loss.” While, Fire Chief Louie Bright III told Krodle’s widow and Davis’ widow and children, “We stand in the gate any time you need us.”
Read more about the memorial in this Friday’s edition of Oak Cliff People.
By Alana Harrison Aug. 14, 2012 | 5:51 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Griggs To Hold Series of Townhall Meetings
Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm is preparing the proposed budget for the city of Dallas for the next fiscal year (Oct. 2012 – Sept. 2013). This budget will determine how tax dollars are spent on police, fire, code enforcement, streets, parks, recreation centers, libraries, as well as the arts and other important city services.
Councilman Scott Griggs will be holding three townhall meetings to present the proposed budget, and is asking for the public’s input.
Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Park in the Woods Rec Center
6801 Mountain Creek ParkwayTuesday, Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Hampton-Illinois Library (the Black Box Theater)
2951 South Hampton RoadWednesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
West Dallas Multipurpose Center
2828 Fishtrap RoadHere’s a quick look at the 2012 – 2013 budget:
- No tax rate increase
- No sanitation rate increase
- Residential water rate increase of 3.9 %
- Industrial water rate increase of 5.3 % increase and commercial increase of 7.2 %
- Add police officers and firefighters to maintain current levels
- Add $50,000 for Senior Jobs Program
- Same pools and recreation centers will be open
- Library materials budget will increase by $1 million
- Increase AT&T Performing Arts Center funding to $2.5 million
- Historic and conservation districts will be 2/3 funded by general fund
- Add 57 employees in building inspection and 2 to 4 employees in planning
- Increase street maintenance and add $500,000 for bike lanes
By Alana Harrison Aug. 13, 2012 | 4:13 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Kidd Springs Sailfish Rock Championship Meet
Sailfish swim team members Juliet Pulis, Lauren Moffett, and Louisa Hernandez took the top three spots in the girls' 8-and-under backstroke at Saturday's championship meet.
This Saturday, 24 kids from the Kidd Springs Sailfish swim team competed in the city-wide championship meet at the Lake Highlands Recreation Center’s pool. Almost half the team!
Head coach Becky Moffett is thrilled to report that the Sailfish soared past their competitors, taking home more than 11 medals. “Our kids did awesome!” said a jubliant Moffett.
Here are several of the winners:
8-and-under girls’ backstroke:
First place: Lauren Moffett
Second place: Juliet Pulis
Third place: Louisa Hernandez9-and-10-year-old boys’ butterfly:
First place: Jack Pulis9-and-10-year old boys’ freestyle:
First place: Clayton Augsperger9-and-10-year-old medley relay:
First place: Jack Shultz, Seamus Maher, Jack Pulis, and Clayton Augsperger8-and-under girls’ butterfly:
Second place: Lauren Moffett8-and-under girls’ individual medley
Third place: Lauren Moffett8-and-under girls’ breast stroke:
Second place: Olivia Dugger
Third place: Louisa Hernandez15-and-up boys’ breast stroke:
Second place: Jacob VargasBy Alana Harrison Aug. 13, 2012 | 2:08 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS
