Posts by Alana Harrison
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Andrew Chuggin ‘n’ Runnin’
If you happened to have read Brad’s blog post, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek of Peoples Newspapers’ own Andrew Plock trudging his way through Brew Riot’s first official Chug-a-Run. He did fabulously. We didn’t even notice a squeamish look of, “Oh, I could puke.”
Rumor has it that they’re going to make the beer “chugs” quite a bit larger next year. Guess they want someone to actually throw up. Besides the fun run, the Riot was a blast. The BAD was overrun with beer sipsters. Good time had by all.
By Alana Harrison May. 21, 2012 | 12:18 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Seniors Gone Wild
Who says you have to be young and hip to bust a flash-mob move? In celebration of National Older Americans Month, The Senior Source volunteers proved that aging isn’t about rocking chairs — it’s about rockin’ out.
Yesterday, more than 150 volunteers (55 and older) performed a surprise flash mob to James Brown’s “I Feel Good” for attendees of the Senior Citizens Health Fair at Eddie Deen’s Ranch.
Among the mob dancers who’ve worked for months practicing their routine was 90-year-old Jennie Hines. The Oak Cliff resident volunteers at The Senior Source as a “Senior Companion.” Companions, who are seniors themselves, provide older people with extra physical and emotional care to help them remain independent.
Hines loves volunteering so much she recruited her 65-year-old niece, Ruby Williams, and her daughter, Lillian Clark, to spend a few weeks serving as Senior Companions.
“One of the most rewarding parts about being a Senior Companion is getting close to the family you volunteer with like they are your own siblings or children,” Hines said.
By Alana Harrison May. 18, 2012 | 12:24 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
What’s Cookin’ In The Cliff This Weekend?
Looks like we’re in store for a beautiful weekend…which proves ideal for the Bishop Arts District’s fourth-annual Brew Riot, taking place on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. If you’re into beer, this is a must; if you’re not, we think it’s still a must. More than 80 homebrews will be on tap, as the brewers compete for your vote in the “People’s Choice” category for the best homebrew.
Also on the scene with samples of their latest and greatest: Deep Ellum Brewery, Lakewood Brewery, Franconia, Rahr, and the soon-to-open (at Ft. Worth Avenue and Singleton Boulevard) Four Corners Brewery. And as my fellow blogger Brad Pearson posted earlier this week, there will be a 1.1-mile chug-a-run this year, which could get…um…a bit dicey. We’ll be on the scene to cover the excitement (or disaster). Bonus: Lucky Pierre’s and the King Bucks will be performing. You just can’t miss Brew Riot, guys.
On the hunt for other outdoor more family-friendly activities this weekend? The Stevens Park Estates Neighborhood Association is holding its sixth-annual block party from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Chow down on burgers and hot dogs while mingling with your neighbors. For the kiddos: a bounce house, face painting, games, and balloon animals. And the Wynnewood North Neighborhood Association is holding its “Spring Wander” Saturday evening, starting at 6.
And not to leave out the music scene this weekend. Friday evening: John Pedigo plays at Bar Belmont at 7; Paul Thorn and Etta Britt perform at the Kessler at 8; and Tyla Taylor will sing at Eno’s at 9. Saturday: Elizabeth Cook, Amanda Shires, and Brandon Bolin hit the stage at the Kessler at 8 p.m.; The Cush + Menkena perform at The Foundry at 8 p.m. On Sunday Austin Lucas and Glossary will play at The Foundry at 7:30 p.m., and Audio Alchemy will rock out at Kessler Park United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m.. Trust us — it’s not your average church music.
By Alana Harrison May. 18, 2012 | 7:00 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Congrats To Oak Cliff Preservation Awards
Fire House No. 15 under construction as it was being transformed into the new Oak Cliff Gloria's Restaurant
A mega congratulations is in order for Oak Cliff for winning FOUR Dallas Preservation Achievement Awards at last night’s awards ceremony at the Majestic Theater, put on by Preservation Dallas. Gloria’s Restaurant, built in the old Fire Station No. 15 building, won for best Commercial or Institutional Rehabilitation/Adaptive use. When Gloria’s relocated just a few blocks down from its original restaurant on Davis, the architects and owners were intent on maintaining the structural integrity of the fire house, including the original brick walls and even the fire pole.
Good Space’s “Cottages of Eighth Street” (collectively 305/312/416 W. Eighth St. and 314 N. Bishop Ave.) also won in the best Commercial or Institutional Rehabilitation/Adaptive use. David Spence was on hand to collect the award.
DART’s police headquarters (formerly the Monroe Shops) won in the Sustainable (or Green) Project award, and a special Stewardship Award was given to the W.H. Adamson High School Alumni Association and DISD board trustee Eric Cowan for their work in ensuring the historic school building was preserved.
By Alana Harrison May. 17, 2012 | 11:49 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Catch Audio Alchemy At KPUMC
Gary Lynn Floyd, Denise Lee, and George McCullum of Audio Alchemy
If you’re not at Brew Riot on Sunday afternoon (or you go early), check out Audio Alchemy at Kessler Park United Methodist Church at 5:30 in the main sanctuary. Alchemy is the fusion of Dallas-based artists Denise Lee, Gary Lynn Floyd, and George McCullum, as they combine their individual talents into a soulful blend of smooth jazz, R&B, and pop.
Lee is a singer and actress from St. Louis, Mo.; MuCullum is a fifth-generation saxophonist and band leader from New Orleans; and Floyd is a singer, songwriter, and actor from Houston.
“Audio Alchemy brings the best of all their worlds together into a one-of-a-kind mix that will rock your body and lift your soul,” said a spokesman from Kessler Park United Methodist.
This one-hour concert is free and open to the public, and children are welcome. Not your average church music, eh?
By Alana Harrison May. 17, 2012 | 11:20 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Know A Graduating Star? Nominate Them For Golden Oaks Scholarship
Do you know a high school senior who resides in or attends school in Oak Cliff and has the desire to attend college? If so, please nominate that special senior for the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce’s Golden Oaks Scholarship.
The scholarship program awards $1,000 to graduating seniors who are either enrolled in an Oak Cliff high school or are OC residents. Recipients will be selected by the Chamber’s Education Committee, and scholarship winners will be notified by May 25.
You still have four days to submit your application for the May 21 deadline at 3 p.m., so don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity. The scholarships will be awarded on June 1.
Click here to review the applicant qualifications and instructions for applying for the scholarship. If you’re part of an organization that would like to make a contribution to this scholarship fund, donations can be sent to the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. Simply make you tax-deductible check payable to the Oak Cliff Chamber.
Hat’s off to OC seniors and best of luck!
By Alana Harrison May. 17, 2012 | 8:00 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Yes, 1976 Is On Its Way
Back in April, we made a passing mention that the hip We Are 1976 store (located on Henderson) would be opening a second store in OC.
According to Michael Amonett and Rick Barton, the rumor is indeed true. The store is tentatively set to open some time in July/August of 2012 in the former Make & Made space at 313 N. Bishop.
“I hope you will all join us in welcoming them to the District,” Amonett said.
Toward the beginning of May, 1976 at last signed the lease for their second locale in the Bishop Arts District.
“We cannot be more excited to be able to expand and to be a part of such a great Dallas neighborhood,” a store spokesman said. “It is our goal to continue to support Dallas’ creative community by bringing thoughtfully designed gifts, art prints, homewares, jewelry, stationary, books, and toys from Dallas and all over the world.”
In addition to the fab goods, the new store will have enough space to create a dedicated “workroom” for printmaking and creative collaboration. Eventually, the store will offer printmaking workshops and custom-design work.
For those on the other side of the Trinity, don’t despair. The Henderson store is there to stay.
By Alana Harrison May. 16, 2012 | 7:00 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
What’s Cookin’ In The Cliff This Weekend?
Absolutely, check out the Trinity River Wind Festival tomorrow, starting at noon. Bring your fam, friends, your pup, and a picnic lunch and enjoy celebrating the beauty and spirit of the wide open spaces along the Trinity River. You can fly your own kite or just enjoy watching the kite “show”; check out hot air balloons and para-gliders; meet a variety of birds and interesting animals from the Dallas Zoo and the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center; and hear a beautiful Wind Symphony concert. For the kiddos, bounce houses, clowns, and face painting will be on the scene. Big bonus: It’s all free!Another option for the little ones in your life? Head to the Hampton-Illinois Library tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. and hear Sharon Perdasofpy talk about Native American culture. Your kids will even get some dance lessons from Sharon.
If you’re in the mood for some rather unusual “art,” head to 502 N. Clinton Ave. where Erica Felicella will be confined in a 4-foot by 3-foot by 6.5-foot Plexiglass case. The artist will be on display in the box for 48 hours, beginning today at 5 p.m. Felicella will write single sentences on slips of paper, crumple them, and then drop them in the box. By 5 p.m. on Sunday, she should be surrounded by paper. Hmm…interesting? Art or spectacle? You make the call.
On the music scene: Tonight, Rebirth Brass Band and Thaddeus Ford will be performing at the Kessler at 8; Bill Longhorse will be at Bar Belmont at 7; and John Tipton is singing at Eno’s at 9. Tomorrow night, Anders Osborne and Hunter Hendrickson will be at the Kessler at 8.
By Alana Harrison May. 11, 2012 | 6:00 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Wanna Dine Divine Tonight?
Excuse the last-minute notice, but if you’re in the mood for a special meal tonight, head to Campo Modern Country Bistro at 1115 North Beckley Avenue. The newish restaurant has teamed up with Cedars Social‘s exec chef Kyle McClelland for a delish seven-course dinner tonight.
The feast includes oysters, foie torchon, live diver scallops, pan-roasted Alaskan halibut, beef “two ways,” artisan cheese, and strawberry cremeux. Bev bonus: Cedars Social’s Jules Pagan will be behind the bar showcasing hand-crafted cocktails to complement each course.
Be prepared to dish out $65 for the grub and an additional $30 for the toddies. The bar opens at 6 p.m.; dinner starts at 7. For reservations, call 214-946-1308, and be sure to tell us how tasty it was.
By Alana Harrison May. 9, 2012 | 1:42 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Who Am I?
So, we bet you can guess who the man behind the mask is…but can you tell us where this gem of a portrait hangs in OC? Hint: Vanilla SkyBy Alana Harrison May. 9, 2012 | 1:23 pm | 5 Comments | Comments RSS
