The sign says hamburgers and pizza, but EZ’s Brick Oven and Grill is anything but your standard burger joint. In fact, customer favorites include rosemary chicken, basil chicken pasta and EZ’s self-proclaimed world-famous beanburger – which puts a new spin on the Frite pie. The San Antonio-based chain opened its Preston Hollow location in 1992, and it has since become a hub for adults and kids alike, drawing in neighborhood families as well as SMU students. The reason? “It’s a fun atmosphere,” says manager Fidel Sanchez. No doubt. The décor, with vibrantly colored booths and bar stools, is a throwback to the ‘50s-style diner, the music is hip and the menu – well, let’s just say it’s peachy keen.

EZ’S BRICK OVEN
AND GRILL
6833 W. NORTHWEST
HWY.
214-750-6677

HOURS: Sun-Thurs
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri & Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
$, WB, OD

Put on your conductor’s hat – the trains have arrived. In addition to Santa and the Scrooge, NorthPark shopping center is also home to the most elaborate toy train exhibit in Texas. Don’t miss this month’s spectacular showcase of more than 40 vintage locomotives chugging simultaneously over 2,500 feet of track. The display spans more than 2,800 square feet and towers 20 feet in the air. Not to mention it’s all for a good cause. Proceeds from the Trains at NorthPark provide close to half of the $1.1 million operating budget for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, an organization that provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children who have traveled to Dallas for hospitalization or medical treatment.

Arts & Entertainment

Pollock Gallery Exhibition Through Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday. The SMU Meadows School of the Arts associate professor of art, Peter Beasecker, will display his recent ceramic works. Free. Pollock Gallery, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, 3140 Dyer, SMU campus. For more information call 214-768-4439.

Music in the Meadows Sunday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. The Meadows Wind Ensemble presents Igor Stravinsky’s classic tale of a young soldier, his violin and the devil. Free. Meadows Museum of Art, 5900 Bishop Blvd., SMU Campus. For more information call 214-768-2516.

Festive Flashbacks Sunday, Dec. 5; Wednesday, Dec. 8; Wednesday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m. More than 200 performers will sing holiday classics, going back 25 years in their song, but also including new twists sure to bring the holiday spirit with their heartwarming sound. Tickets start at $20. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2001 Flora St. For more information call 214-526-3214, Ext. 102.

Bound for Broadway Thursday, Dec. 9-Saturday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. The W.T. White Show Choir presents “Bound for Broadway,” a musical review in tribute of Broadway musicals. Written and directed by Michael Parker. W.T. White Auditorium. $6 at the door. For more information call 972-502-6200.

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Friday, Dec. 10 – Louise Taylor; Thursday, Dec. 23 – Beth Wood, Rick Yost, Gigi Cevantes and Bruce Balmer. All shows $12, unless otherwise stated. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit unclecalvins.org.

Guitar & Art Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. SMU professor and guitarist Robert Guthrie will perform, followed by a panel of artists whose works are displayed in the Barrett Collection. $25 per person, $15 for museum members and SMU students. Box lunch included. For reservations call 214-768-2727.

Disney Magic Saturday, Dec. 11, 1-8 p.m. The Zales Jewelers and Gordon’s Jewelers Dallas Holiday Wish Celebration will feature “Mickey’s Magical Gathering,” a showcase of your favorite Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck, and a special tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season. Free. Dallas City Hall Plaza, 1500 Marilla, Downtown. 214-670-4456.

Circumference of a Squirrel Through Saturday, Dec. 18. Kitchen Dog Theater presents John Walch’s darkly funny play. Tickets start at $15 for adults and $19 for MAG, STAGE, KERA, DART and TGC members and $8 for students. The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, 3120 McKinney Ave. For more information visit kitchendogtheater.org or call 214-953-1055.

The Bruyas Collection Through Sunday, Jan. 2. The French Regional and American Museum Exchange has organized an exhibition featuring Alfred Bruyas’ collection of more than 150 pieces of art from 19th century France. JER Chilton Galleries, 1717 N. Harwood.

Bad Dates Jan. 5-30, Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Julie White stars in this smash comedy of a woman’s bad dates and how she copes with them. Tickets start at $15. Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. For more information visit www.dtcinfo.org or call 214-522-8499.

Presidential Elections Exhibit Through Jan. 20. An exhibition on the history of presidential campaigns in America from 1789 to the present. Free. Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Galleries, Bridwell Library, 6005 Bishop, SMU Campus. For more information call 214-768-3483.

The Barrett Collection Through Sunday, Jan. 30. The first public presentation of Nona and Richard Barrett’s collection of 150 historical works of the Lone Star State, as well as works of Swiss and Czech Modernism. Meadows Museum of Art, 5900 Bishop Blvd., SMU Campus. For more information call 214-768-2727.

China’s Forbidden City Through Sunday, May 29. Splendors of China’s Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong showcases more than 400 artifacts from 18th century imperial China. JER Chilton Galleries, 1717 N. Harwood.

Community

Superintendent’s Search Public Forum Wednesday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. E.D. Walker Elementary, 12532 Nuestra Dr. For more information call 972-925-3900.

Holiday Home Tour Sunday, Dec. 5, 4-8 p.m. Preston Royal Women’s Club’s first annual Home Tour will benefit the Preston Royal Fire Station #41 and Challenge Air. Tickets $12 in advance; $15 at the door of any of the five homes: 6939 Azalea, 6327 Glendora, 7415 Baxtershire, 6924 Azalea, 7621 Mason Dells. For more information call Melanie Bohlman at 214-369-2034.

Salvation Army Angel Tree Through Dec. 12, during regular shopping hours. The Salvation Army Angel Tree celebrates its 25th Anniversary of brightening the holiday season for needy children and seniors across the country. NorthPark Center. 214-424-7233

Holiday Gift Wrap Wednesday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 16, 1-9 p.m. The Visiting Nurse Association will be wrapping more than 3,000 gift bags to deliver to sick and disabled adults and children in need. Spring Valley United Methodist Church, 7700 Spring Valley Rd. For more information call 214-689-2609.

SPCA Adoption Through Dec. 31, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays, noon-6 p.m. SPCA of Texas is celebrating 14 years with this adoption event. Dogs and cats will be up for adoption and merchandise will be available from the Paws & Presents gift shop. NorthPark Center, northeast corner, in front of Foley’s.

Health & Fitness

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 Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Leukemia Society Every 4th Wednesday. All patients, family members and friends affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma are invited to attend these support group programs. Free. Texas Oncology at Medical City Dallas, 7777 Forest, Ste. 400. For meeting times or more information contact Shelby Brangan at 972-354-8303.

Yoga Expo 2005 Saturday, Jan. 8 and Sunday, Jan. 9, 1-5 p.m. For its sixth annual event, Yoga for Life will be holding an expo, consisting not only of varying levels of yoga, but also including numerous activities such as Henna, dance, and tea-tasting. Yoga for Life, 12835 Preston Rd. For more information, visit www.yfldallas.com or call 972-392-9642.

Library

Tree Trimming Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Fun activities at the library every second Saturday of the month. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Preston Royal Book Club Wednesday, Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m. Join a lively discussion of “Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons,” by Lorna Landvik. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-8471.

Library Live! Tuesday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. Learn about Appalachian music as Marsha Webb explores the sociology of this land through its musical traditions. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Leyendo Juntos Saturday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. Celebrity readers from Telemundo TV Channel 39 will present bilingual stories that both children and their parents will enjoy. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376

Seniors

Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For information, contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.