The Refugees play Uncle Calvin’s tonight
Tonight, the Refugees return to perform at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse at 8pm. Their show there a couple of years ago got rave reviews for their mix of country, rock, folk and blues, and they’ll be sharing from their new CD, Three.
The band is made up of three women with 19 solo albums and multiple Grammy nominations among them: Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland (of the 80’s group Animal Logic) and Wendy Waldman (writer of Garth Brooks’ “Fishin’ in the Dark”). Their witty repartee onstage and their blended harmonies should play well in this casual, intimate setting.
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse is held in the Fellowship Hall of Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central Expressway.
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This weekend: Healthy Kids Day, Oyster Fest and J Book Fair
Town North YMCA presents Healthy Kids Day on Saturday to help children stay active and healthy this summer. Activities include dancers, martial arts, jump roping, an inflatable, face painting, McRuff the crime dog, a fire truck, police command unit and more.
Fish City Grill at Preston and Forest hosts Oyster Fest at 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring an oyster-eating contest, crawfish, beer and live music. The event is free, but donations raise money for the March of Dimes. There is still time to register to compete individually or in teams before happy hour Friday. Call 214.891.9979.
The Jewish Community Center’s J Book Fair ends this Sunday with children’s book author Ann Koffsky. At 3 p.m., she’ll present “Noah’s Swim-a-thon” about the magic of Jewish summer camp. It’s free, but RSVP 214.239.7193.
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Mike Rawlings: Can he be mayor at 2 p.m. but not at 3?
I like Mayor Mike Rawlings personally, because he seems to be a guy who talks first and then considers the political implications of what he’s saying. I’m sure that’s probably not precisely true, because he is, after all, a politician to the extent that he’s our mayor, but at least he seems sincere when his mouth is open.
So that brings me to an interesting claim Mayor Rawlings made to the DMN’s Rudy Bush Wednesday: The city’s ethics code “clearly states I’m not prohibited from using my name as long as I don’t use the title of mayor. I just personally feel when I became mayor I didn’t stop being a citizen.”
The City of Dallas code in question — Section 12A-10/Political Activity, subsection (f) — “Elections. A city employee shall not use the prestige of his or her position with the city on behalf of any candidate, political party, or political committee.”
Rawlings is answering ethics complaint questions because he endorsed three candidates for DISD school board. Not surprisingly, one of the spurned candidates believes that regardless of Rawlings’ good intentions, he’s using his “mayor” title to support an opponent.
It’s hard to argue with the gist of that complaint, since it’s not possible for Rawlings to say anything these days without being identified as “Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings”.
After all, who cares what he has to say if he’s not mayor? Then he’s just another well-to-do guy with no particular access to a public podium or TV broadcast, which makes his endorsement (sans any cash donation to a candidate) not worth a whole lot.
True, he said during his campaign he wants to become involved in helping DISD improve — I admire him for trying to become involved, too. But the bottom line is that the guy is the mayor first, and just good old Mike second.
Until he’s no longer mayor, he needs to own the title and quit trying to play both sides of the fence.
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Wine review: 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
One day, perhaps, I’ll figure out how the multi-national wine companies make brand decisions. For example, why would the company that owns Chateau Ste. Michelle also own two grocery store brands, Columbia-Crest and 14 Hands, that make the same kind of Washington state wine that sell for about the same price?
Until then, I will appreciate the value and quality that these wines offer. The 14 Hands ($12, sample, widely available) was just as pleasantly surprising as the Columbia-Crest cabernet was, making it yet another example of the first rule of wine writing — taste the wine before you decide whether it’s worth writing about.
Look for lots of cherry fruit in the 14 Hands, though the fruit is not as sweet as in similarly-priced California cabernets. It also has some heft and the appropriate tannins, and people who are determined to notice chocolate in cabernet will probably pick up a little of that, too. In this, the wine reflects Washington state’s style and terroir, which doesn’t happen much in $12 wine. Though it’s not as big a wine as its corporate sibling, the 14 Hands is definitely cabernet and not cabernet lite.
Call it a safety wine — something you can buy or order when you’re stuck somewhere and the wine selection is decidedly limited. It will pair with most red meat dinners, as well as a very gooey sausage pizza.
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Baker Bros. Deli to open near Preston Center
The deli chain Baker Brothers is opening this July in the Corner at Preston Center, a redevelopment project at the southwest corner of Luther and Westchester.
Rosebriar Holdings acquired the property in April 2011 after the 24-Hour Fitness moved out, leaving empty space for new tenants. The buildings and facades have been redesigned and modernized.
The center is now 87 percent full, says Adam Sumrall, director at Rosebriar Holdings.
Baker Brothers is a fast-casual yet upscale deli that serves oven-baked sandwiches, pizzas and stuffed baked potatoes. It has locations throughout Texas.
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Restaurant talk: Dough announces spring menu
Dough Pizzeria, the Preston-Forest establishment that makes authentic Neapolitan pizza, has just rolled out its spring menu in keeping with its mantra of fresh, local and seasonal Italian fare.
The restaurant expanded here from San Antonio last summer, and the owners have worked to make special dishes just for Preston Hollow. Keep an eye out for the Advocate‘s May issue to learn about Dough and other neighborhood pizzerias.
Now, for the spring menu. Here’s a sampling of what’s new.
Fior di Latte Burrata: house-pulled mozzarella filled with stracciatta, a shredded mozzarella mixed with heavy cream, served with baby heirloom tomatoes, pesto basil and finished with basil oil, salt and pepper, and a side of flat bread
Bocconcini: a combination of house-pulled mozzarella bocconcini, locally grown tomatoes, slow roasted garlic, balsamic and basil pesto vinaigrette and house Pugliese
Veggie pizza: San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made mozzarella, slivered garlic, oak roasted mushrooms, eggplant and peppers
Sausage and Rabe pizza: extra virgin olive oil, ricotta, hot Italian sausage, broccoli rabe and red chili flakes
Spinach and Pancetta salad: baby spinach, a hardboiled egg, gorgonzola, crisp apple, toasted walnuts and warm pancetta vinaigrette
Roasted Romaine salad: oak roasted romaine hearts, crispy pancetta, semi-dried tomatoes, marinated onions and citrus vinaigrette
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DISD trustee candidates debate again April 28
If you missed any of the last few forums with the four DISD District 1 trustee candidates, there’s another chance this weekend.
Michael Greenberg, Elizabeth Jones, Jennifer Levy and Roland Love will square off 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Museum of Biblical Art, moderated by CBS 11′s Steve Pickett. Presented by the Dallas High Schools Alumni Association, the debate includes contenders in all three DISD races (Districts 1, 3 and 9). Mayor Mike Rawlings is expected to attend.
Need a little more incentive? Attendees receive free museum admission after the forum.
Remember, Election Day is May 12. Early voting is April 30-May 8. Find early voting locations here. Here are the Election Day locations.
Update: It was announced this afternoon that “as a citizen” Mayor Rawlings has endorsed Elizabeth Jones in the District 1 race. Let’s recap other endorsements for our district:
Jones also received an endorsement from EducateDallas, National Education Association, Comerica Inc. PAC, the Real Estate Council and MetroTex Association of Realtors.
Greenberg on Friday landed endorsements from former DISD School Board President and District 1 Trustee Ken Zornes and former School Board Trustee and current Texas House Representative Rafael Anchia. He also has received backing from the teacher group, Alliance AFT.
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This weekend: ‘Colors of Life,’ pet blessings and community health fair
"Colors of Life" is the untold story of struggling children around the world. (Courtesy photo)
It’s the last weekend to check out the powerful photo exhibit “Colors of Life” at NorthPark Center, presented by Texas Association for the Protection of Children. The exhibit aims to raise awareness about the plight of needy and abused children around the world. It’s on view near Niemans and Barneys through Sunday.
Central Congregation Church hosts All God’s Creatures Day, a day of pet adoptions and pet blessings 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the church near the Preston Royal Library. Several rescue organizations will be on site. Blessings will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Stop by the community health fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Walnut Hill Elementary. The event features free health screenings, family activities and food.
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$5 flick at Studio Movie Grill benefits Red Cross
To help victims of the recent tornadoes that swept across North Texas a few weeks ago, all Studio Movie Grill locations are hosting a fundraiser this Saturday only.
For $5, you can see “American Reunion” or “3 Stooges,” and 100 percent of tickets sales benefit the North Texas American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
The closest Studio Movie Grill to our neighborhood is at Royal and Central Expressway.
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Would permanent watering restrictions fly in Preston Hollow?
The city council will vote today on whether to make those twice-weekly water restrictions permanent as part of a greater conservation effort. The Dallas Morning News reports that everyone seems on board with it, except for our councilmember Ann Margolin and Sandy Greyson who represents Far North Dallas.
I spoke with Greyson about water conservation in Notes from City Hall recently in our North Dallas magazine. The idea was first suggested back in February and was fairly well received by the council, she said.
However, the North Dallas Neighborhood Alliance, an HOA umbrella group that covers part of the Preston Hollow area, has outlined several concerns about permanent Stage 1 watering restrictions, including the city’s ability to successfully enforce it year-round. Questions loom about how it applies to golf courses, country clubs, churches and gated communities. Also, the Alliance says, the restriction hurts long-time residents who have invested in expansive landscaping. Read the full list of concerns here.
Mayor Mike Rawlings and those in surrounding suburbs heavily support a twice-a-week permanent watering restriction to save water and money for the region. According to the council briefing the ordinance would reduce outdoor water use by up to 16 percent, growing our water supply and preparing for future droughts.
Under the proposed ordinance, you could still water any time with a bucket, hose, hand-held sprinkler or drip irrigation.
Update: The council passed the ordinance. Only Greyson and Margolin voted against it.
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