Baseball season is in full swing these days, keeping many parents running between practices, games and more practices and more games. But if you leave the field wanting more, or at least an easy way to feed hungry kids, Balls Hamburgers is a great place to make your next stop.
The atmosphere is family friendly and all-American, sort of like a sports bar & grill without the bar. Interesting sports memorabilia line the walls, and multiple TVs show games all day long. In the arcade area, video games and pinball machines help keep the kids entertained.
Don’t think you can watch even one more organized sport? Have our meal outside on the large patio, where you can listen to the birds chirping in the trees instead.
Hamburgers naturally rule the menu, in various sizes and with your choices of extras, along with hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, a few salads and a handful of Mexican offerings. Side items include large baskets of fries and onion rings, plus something called Cheese Bats, which we imagine are fried cheese sticks.
In short, Balls is just what its straightforward slogan says it is: “Fun, casual, and the food is good.”
BALLS HAMBURGERS
4343 W. Northwest Hwy. (at Midway)
214-352-2525
Hours: Sun-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
$, OD
Arts & Entertainment
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Friday, May 2, Jack Hardy and Kristi Kruger; Friday, May 16, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Rachel Bissex ($15-$18); closed May 9 & 23. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are $10-$12 unless noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit www.unclecalvins.org.
Pugsley’s Library Live music on Saturdays: May 3, Heather Morgan and Steven Fromholtz; May 10, Anytown and Mecon Greyson; May 17, Maren Morris and Ed Burleson; May 24, Randy Hopper and Becca Dalrymple; May 31, Rosie Flores. Openers 7-8:30 p.m., headliners 9-11 p.m. 2443 Walnut Hill, 972-243-1111.
Library Exhibit Environment and nature art, Behieh, Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Community
Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.
Imagination Celebration 2003 Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Old City Park for the largest free family arts festival in the metroplex. Includes hands-on arts activities, storytelling and live performances. Performances by Eddie Coker and Sara Hickman. Free, including admission to Old City Park, 1717 Gano.
Israel Independence Day Celebration Sunday, May 4, noon-4 p.m. Bring the entire family to this community wide celebration of Israel’s 55th birthday. Take part in the 17th Annual Bagel Run at 8 a.m. (in the JCC parking lot), then join the celebration at noon. Event features a market, live music and lots of activities for the kids, including an inflatable slide, bounce house, pony rides, obstacle course and more. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For more info contact lbrodsky@jccdallas.org.
Culinary
Cooking Classes and Lectures Tuesday, May 6, two classes, 2 and 2:30 p.m. Chef Domenico Biasi’s mother, Lucia Faggiano from Taranto, Italy, will demonstrate how to make fresh orecchiette pasta from scratch; Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m.-noon, Francee Gribbsby will share her delicious brownies and vegan carrot cake; Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.-noon, chef Leslie Washburne will discuss healthful cooking, using whole grains, soy products and fresh fruits and vegetables; Saturday, May 17, 2-3 p.m., certified herbalist Michael Gadway demonstrates how to eat right for your body type; Tuesday, May 20, 2-3 p.m., Collin’s Pastry Corner demonstrates how to prepare Fruit Galette, a decadent rustic French tart using pate brisee and seasonal fresh fruits; Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Memorial Day Grillathon; Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.-noon, Francee Griggsby demonstrates how to make a healthy potato salad and roasted veggie gazpacho; Thursday, May 29, 6-7 p.m., Ask the Doctor, focusing on how to maximize your body’s natural ability to heal with nutrition; Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m.-noon, great ideas on how to prepare romantic picnic lunches with seasonal fruits and sparkling ciders. All classes and lectures are free and open to the public, although class size is limited. To sign up, call 214-361-8887 or visit the customer service area. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston at Forest.
Savory Gourmet Series The Jewish Community Center and Central Market are co-sponsoring a delectable and savory demonstration of casual food that you can prepare easily at home. May 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Brunch, Lunch and Anything in Between; Wednesday, June 4, 6:30-9 p.m., Company is Coming for Dinner, Chefs from Central Market will prepare a meal at each session. Wine will be included during the evening events. All demonstrations will take place at Central Market, Greenville and Lovers. Each session is priced at $65 or $180 for the series. For information, contact lbrodsky@jccdallas.org.
Kids in the Kitchen Children in the first grade and up can learn to prepare delicious treats that don’t require attention from mom and dad. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact info@jccdallas.com.
Family & Youth
Dallas Children’s Museum Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., Hand in Hand, children and adults play and learn together through fun stories, songs, games and art, for infants through pre-K; Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Junior Masters Gardeners, garden-related activities for 7-12 year olds (pre-registration required); Thursdays through May 15, 11-11:30 a.m., Yoga for Two, yoga for 3-5 year olds with their adults, $10 per child-adult pair; Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., rainforest crafts at Camp Valley View Rainforest event (Camp Valley View membership, $10 per child, required) Valley View Center, Preston at LBJ; call 972-386-6555 or visit www.dallaschildrens.org for information on all events.
Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching and low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
Readers’ Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances planned throughout the year. No memorization required! Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
Movie Time Every first, third (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m. Films that speak to our generation, with an interactive discussion following. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
Preston Hollow Early Childhood PTA meets the fourth Thursday of each month, through April, at Highland Baptist Church, 8202 Boedeker. This year’s guest speakers include child psychologist Nell Bush, Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow and neighborhood resident and portrait photographer Stacy Bratton. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m., with the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Babysitting is available for a small fee. Call Shannon Nealon at 214-360-9742 for information.
Education
Free Moneywatchers Workshop Thursday, May 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. How much allowance is too much? Learn how to tame the “Gimmes” in this informative free workshop, which also covers family budgets and home finance management. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill Way. Call 214-824-6890 or visit www.moneywatchers.org to reserve your space.
Literary
Aubrey Organics Seminar Friday, May 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aubrey Hampton, founder of Aubrey Organics, will sign his latest book, The Take Charge Beauty Book. Samples and product knowledge will be provided, and register to win a free gift basket. Sign up at customer service; class size is limited. Free. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston. For information, call Sonya Cote at 214-361-8887.
Barnes & Noble Author Signings and Discussions Saturday, May 3, 1:30 p.m., Lillian Calles Berger, Eve’s Revenge; Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m., George Yancey and Sherelyn Whittum Yancey, Just Don’t Marry One; Thursday, May 8, 6:30 p.m., Don Goldman, After Life, Life; Saturday, May 10, 1 p.m., Jane Aldredge-Canton, Breaking Free: The Story of a Feminist Baptist Minister; Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., Doug Stanton, In Harm’s Way; Saturday, May 17, 1 p.m., Gary Joiner, One Damn Blunder from Beginning to End; Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Fred Pescatore, The Allergy and Asthma Cure; Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 p.m., Christine Wicker, Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town that Talks to the Dead. 7700 W. Northwest Hwy. 214-739-1124.
Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, May 21, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come for a discussion of Lamb in His Bosom by Caroline Miller. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Book Review Thursday, May 15, 11 a.m. Rae Solomon reviews recent books. For information, contact scane@jccdallas.com.
