Posts by Claire St. Amant

• 
• • Claire St. Amant
  • Assistant Managing Editor
  • Claire began her career at People Newspapers as a staff writer and moved to assistant managing editor in 2012. A graduate of Baylor University and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Ukraine, she is always up for a Sic 'em or a steamed cabbage roll.

• Felicella’s Performance Art Viewable Via Live Stream

  

  Staff Photo: Chris McGathey

  I’ll admit I don’t have a lot of experience appreciating performance art, but I can attest that this live stream is surprisingly captivating. Reporter Andrew Plock, the newest addition to People Newspapers, caught up with Beckley Club Estates resident Erica Felicella before she encased her self in Plexiglass and thought on North Clinton Avenue at 5 p.m. His story appears in today’s edition of Oak Cliff People, but to see how the artist weathers the next 48 hours on display, you need only an internet connection.

  Felicella is spending her weekend in a 4-foot by 3-foot by 6.5-foot case with little more than a case of Ensure Clear, a bench, and a catheter. She will pass the time by recording her thoughts on slips of paper, which she will toss on the floor of her cage case until she is eventually encased in her own thought.

  Bring on the popcorn. This is one movie-marathon that will last you through Sunday.

  By Claire St. Amant May. 11, 2012 | 5:19 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Booker T. Ranks 15th Out of Texas High Schools

  U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of the top 100 schools in America. The No. 1 spot went to the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts grabbed the 15th state spot and a gold medal, in addition to a 134th ranking nationally. Sunset and Adamson high schools didn’t make the state or national cut.

  Although U.S. News is a reputable organization, you should still take their reports with a grain of salt. If you believe everything they’ve written, Highland Park ISD has two high schools, and Thomas Jefferson High School is actually “Thomas Jefferso High School.”

  By Claire St. Amant May. 8, 2012 | 2:11 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Jason Roberts, Women’s Rights Activist?

  Jason Roberts is best-known for his biking advocacy, but the congressional candidate cares about more than two-wheeled transportation. His campaign website carries a disparate list of policy interests. The issues, presumably ranked by priority as there is no alphabetization and Roberts seems unlikely to throw it together willy-nilly, range from jobs to LGBT rights. Women’s rights are third-to-last on the list. But this Facebook ad would make you think Roberts is all about wombs.

  The fact that this ad popped up while I was browsing Facebook probably has more to do with my pair of X chromosomes than Roberts’ campaign platform. If I was, say, a 35-year-old male DISD teacher, I’d probably see an ad touting Roberts’ support of public education. Is this disingenuous campaigning or just a good example of targeted marketing? You decide. It’s the pro-choice way.

  By Claire St. Amant Mar. 29, 2012 | 11:45 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Last Call: Where Do Your Kids Eat For Free?

  I’ve followed up on the lead left by the kind reader in the comments section of this post, but I thought I’d give it one more shot. After calling more than two dozen restaurants in and around Oak Cliff, I was surprised to find only about 10 that offer free kids’ meals on a given night.

  If you’ve snagged free food for your kid at a local eatery, name-drop the business in the comments so they can be featured in Friday’s issue of Oak Cliff People.

  By Claire St. Amant Mar. 12, 2012 | 12:15 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Kids Eat Free Here

  OK, the headline is a bit of a tease, but if it caught your eye then listen up. We’re developing a reader’s guide to the best restaurants in town that offer free kids’ meals. Ideally, we’ll have a place or two listed each day of the week.

  As I lack the requisite children to know this information on my own, I’m calling for back up. Where do you take your munchkins to beat the munchies on the cheap?  Comments are on.

  By Claire St. Amant Feb. 29, 2012 | 7:00 am | 1 Comment | Comments RSS

• Mirror, Mirror on The Wall, Who’s The Most Helpful of Them All?

  Every day, newspapers are filled with articles about violence, crime, and general upheaval. While those stories are undoubtedly newsworthy, I gather from the disdain the American public shows for the media that you’d like to see more positive stories grace our pages.

  We hear you.

  Oak Cliff People would like to recognize the person who donated the most time, energy, and resources in 2011 as its People Person of the Year. However, we need your help. Let us know who you think deserves our inaugural volunteerism award by nominating someone right now. Winners will be announced in our Feb. 3 edition.

  By Claire St. Amant Jan. 17, 2012 | 10:12 am | 2 Comments | Comments RSS

• Four Hours Left to Vote on 2012-2013 DISD Calendar

  The district is deciding between two versions of the 2012-2013 school calendar, and it wants your help in choosing the best one. The original survey deadline didn’t yield as many responses as hoped, so you now have until 4 p.m. to weigh in on this change. In a Mission-Impossible-esque-twist, the link will self-destruct at 4:01 p.m. You have been warned.

  After you’ve reviewed the differences between the two options (outlined in the above link), vote here.

  By Claire St. Amant Dec. 14, 2011 | 12:02 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Winter Writing Contest Offers Prizes

  There’s nothing better than a two-week vacation from school filled with diligent essay writing—or at least that’s what the folks at DISD headquarters are hoping.

  The Winter Writing Contest, which uses the same format as the STAAR test, begins Friday and ends Jan. 6. Third through ninth grade students with the best essays will win prizes including movie passes and restaurant gift cards.

  By Claire St. Amant Dec. 14, 2011 | 10:27 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• STAAR Preparations Aimed at DISD Parents

  It’s no secret that much of a child’s success depends on parental involvement. In that vein, DISD is hosting informational meetings for the new state standardized test, STAAR.

  The test won’t take full effect until Spring 2012, but there’s no time like to present to prepare for STAAR’s increased academic rigor. To learn more about the test, including how your tech-savvy student can use a Wii, iPhone, or computer to prep for it, stop by any of the district’s nine parent workshops Dec. 5 through 9 . All workshops are from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For a full listing, go to the jump. Read More…

  By Claire St. Amant Nov. 30, 2011 | 7:00 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Last Chance to See Bingham at Bar Belmont

  

  Texas Lights by Christopher Bingham

  If you haven’t taken in Art with a View at Bar Belmont, you have 48 hours left to do so.

  The exhibit displays the work of painter Christopher Bingham, whose collections include Texas Lights, About Face, and Seven Deadly Sins.

  By Claire St. Amant Oct. 17, 2011 | 1:47 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS