I Love It When a Plan Comes Together - Sept 30th

It's no secret among those who know me...I have a sweet-tooth. And a particular predilection for Ice Cream in all its varieties.  And, as stated in one of the earliest entries on 365 Things Dallas, I like charity events (usually).  I also like free.

As the character Hannibal Smith from the A-Team was fond of saying "I love it when a plan comes together." And he isn't alone in this sentiment. I, too, love a solid convergence.

Witness today's delicious example:

The 9th Annual "World's Largest Ice Cream Social" benefiting The Make-A-Wish Foundation (and hosted by Cold Stone Creamery) has arrived. This year's Social features 'Kate's Creation.' (Kate is the 11-year old Wish-Kid who formulated this year's featured recipe.)

From 5-8pm, drop into Cold Stone Creamery for a free sample what this whiz-kid/wish-kid concocted in the Cold Stone test kitchens. To me it sounds like apple pie & ice cream. That'll do nicely!

Cold Stone Creamery

Find a location:

www.coldstonecreamery.com/google/stores/store_locator.aspx?q=

Giveaway:
365 Things Dallas has passed the 100 followers mark on Facebook, I am pretty pleased with that considering we are just a week old. 

To move things to the next level, we are going to have a special giveaway when we reach 365 followers.  Help us out by hitting the "Suggest to Friends" button on the 365 Things Dallas Facebook page.

When we reach that number we'll randomly pick a winner from among the followers.  Simple Enough.

I'm Tired of Your Cooking + Giveaway - Sept. 29th

I'm tired of your cooking.

But don't be offended, I'm tired of my own as well. 

Our signature dishes are beginning to, well, lose their flavor and something must be done.
Sure, we could go online or look through your hand-me-down cookbooks. We could (again) flop down on the sofa intending to take notes during Rachel Ray or Man Food, but ultimately end up ordering delivery from Yumi To Go.

But, since you've been asking me why I never take you anywhere, what do you think of taking a cooking class together? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you need lessons...but really, it couldn't hurt. 

To make it simple and because I'm getting hungry again, I've picked a few and they just happen to be at places you already love: Central Market, Whole Foods and Sur La Table to start.

And now through Oct. 8th, Central Market is celebrating with Oktoberfest-themed classes that pair German cuisine with a variety of specialty beers (among others).
Some highlights from just one night's class are:

-German Ham-Wrapped Figs with Marinated Bean Salad & Hazelnuts
-Pork Schnitzel with Chanterelle Mushrooms
-Braised Red Cabbage & Apples
-Homemade Spaetzel
-and a Rustic Pear Tart for dessert

I don't mean to imply that their German Ham-Wrapped Figs with Marinated Bean Salad & Hazelnuts can, in any way, compare to your German Ham-Wrapped Figs with Marinated Bean Salad & Hazelnuts...only that it might be interesting to see how they do it.

We've got some choices, so here's the deets:

Central Market
Various locations
www.centralmarket.com/Cooking-School.aspx

Viking Cooking School

Milestone Culinary Arts Center
4531 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205
phone: 214.217.2818
www.milestoneculinary.com

Sur La Table

4527 Travis Street, Dallas, Texas 75205

phone: 214.219.4479

www.surlatable.com

and something for the kids:

Kids Cooking Company

6025 Royal Lane, Suite 225  Dallas, TX 75230

(214) 265-9949

http://www.kidscookingcompany.com/

If you'd like to be the first to try something from the next potential Top Chef, the Le Cordon Bleu college of Culinary Arts has a student-run restaurant called 'Technique.'

Technique
11830 Webb Chapel Road Dallas, TX 75234
214.647.8500
http://www.chefs.edu/Dallas/Restaurant


Giveaway:

365 Things Dallas has passed the 100 followers mark on Facebook. I am pretty pleased with that milestone, considering we are just a week old. 

To move things to the next level, we will conduct a special giveaway when we reach 365 followers. Help us out by hitting the "Suggest to Friends" button on the 365 Things Dallas Facebook page.

When we reach that number, we'll randomly pick a winner from among the followers.  Simple Enough.

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Sculpture Scouting - Sept 28th

I'm still enamoured by the current weather we're experiencing in Dallas, and it has me looking for any excuse to be outside enjoying it.  But what to do? A walk with the dogs?  Hit Katy Trail or White Rock? Hmmm...

Let's mix it up a bit, shall we?

Downtown Dallas. 

Are you aware it's home to some 30 (very) significant sculptural works of art?  Before you think of pressing the 'lame button,' hear me out.

A walking tour of downtown ensures you thoroughly enjoy this Insane Weather, take in some culture and rather effortlessly work on eliminating that muffin top or belly you've developed. (Or is it just me that noticed something 'new' in the mirror today?)

On the west side of downtown, in the area around the Bank of America building, there are several pieces to see - two are on the 'must' list: 

- Quorum by John Kearney: primarily bronze and automobile bumpers

- The bright red Venture by Russian-American artist Alexander Liberman

At Young & Market Streets, a great piece is Harrow - a motorized cone on a circular track that completes one revolution every 24 hours.  

The area around the Belo building features numerous outstanding pieces purchased by the Belo Corporation and on display to the public. 

Proof that sculture can be more than steel and stone is Neon for Southwestern Bell inside Southwestern Bell Plaza at Commerce & Akard.  Neon is by Stephen Antonakos, who also has permanant public works in San Antonio, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Cologne.

One of the best pieces inside the Library on Young St. is Textured Screen.  Created by Harry Bartia to interact with the air and touch, it creates nearly musical sounds.  Be sure to check it out.  It's at the library...get it?

One that's fairly new to Dallas, but is nearly 100 years old is the Spirit of Communication in the lobby of the Whitaker Tower at 208 S. Akard St. Lovingly referred to as Golden Boy, its considered to be one the best examples of the male form in American art.

The Arts District features too many to list, but all are worthy of your look-see.  Pressed for time?  Head into the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Now, go find your own faves - get your fresh air and develop a raging crush on Dallas' outdoor art scene.  Take a long lunch at work.  Skip the laundry.  Hug a sculpture.  Post it on FB.

The Dallas Foundation provides a pretty handy guide to all this if you'd help with the hunt.

www.dallasfoundation.org/tour/sculptures.html

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The Cult - House of Blues - Sept. 27th

In the spring of 1987, I drove a cherry red Chevy Camaro with a 5-liter engine, T-tops and an awesome sound system. In that car, you could hear me coming from blocks away. 1987 was also my senior year of high school...there were parties seemingly every night.

What a teenager with 'nothing but the future' ahead of him needs is a soundtrack, and, thankfully, that spring The Cult released their 3rd album, 'Electric.' It's loud. The guitars are loud. The vocals are loud. It was very nearly perfect.

I haven't really followed The Cult much since then and I'm only slightly prone to nostalgic whims, but when I saw The Cult listed on the marquee at the House of Blues, the summer of '87 flashed solidly before me. My friend Patrick and I loading the car with beer and cranking 'Electric' on cassette as loud as we could...headed to parties at Danny's parents' place to chat up the girls found sipping their Bartles & James.

It's been more than 20 years since my senior year of high school, and yes, my current stereo is a vast improvement over the model in the Camaro...but I think I'll still pick seeing them live tonight.

The Cult

House of Blues

2200 N. Lamar St. Dallas, TX

www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/dallas/

www.TheCult.us




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The Great Pumpkin Festival - Dallas Arboretum - Sept 26th

This will be a short entry because I have to get outside!!

This past Wednesday was the "official" first day of fall, but for me autumn doesn't begin until the first sub-70 degree day. And Dallasites, that day is here. 

What better way to celebrate fall's fresh temps than by getting out and enjoying it at Autumn at the Arboretum and the Great Pumpkin Festival.

The Aboretum has the world's only Pumpkin Village, has been outfitted with more than 150,000 blooming fall flowers, 40,000 pumpkins & decorative gourds and a hay bale maze (wahoo!). There will also be music from the Art Riddles Jazz Trio on the main stage from 1-4pm.

You survived the brutal heat of summer 2010...today at the Arboretum is the perfect way to re-enter the outdoors and LOVE it.

Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/
$8 - $10




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White Rock Local Market - Farmers, Growers & Artisan Foods - Sept 25th

Have you noticed we're all being told we should eat better? But what does that really mean? Eating less? Eating organic only?

The White Rock Local Market says that local is better, and, having attended this sweet event previously, I tend to agree.

When was the last time you had a conversation with the person who grew your food?

Mental exercise: 
Imagine having a discussion about a peach with the person that grew it, whose very livelihood is growing peaches. He/she can tell you when peaches are best picked (fun trivia), and offer suggestions as to how to store and enjoy them (info to use right away, as you're selecting 6 or so lovely fruits and placing them in a bag). And you can bet the peach farmer will have cobbler and pie recipes to compete soundly with those of your grandma...

Just as a winemaker can tell you so much more about what's in the bottle than the guy at the store, local produce farmers know their stuff, and are typically most happy to impart their knowledge and passion.

The White Rock Local Market offers my fave fruits, in addition to cheeses, tomatoes, melons, vegetables...on and on. Yum.

The event is held just twice a month – on the second and fourth Saturdays. The Market supports only local produce, meat & dairy and artisan foods. And if you are an allergy sufferer, like I am, this is a must...local honey.

So grab your Honey (and your umbrella - fall weather is upon us) and head on over. Today's the day!

White Rock Local Market @ The Green Spot 
702 N. Buckner Blvd. Dallas, TX (Map)
8:00am- 1:00pm
http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com/

The State Fair of Texas - Sept. 24th

You may have heard that the State Fair of Texas starts today. 

Admittedly, the Fair receives puhh-lenty of coverage. So much so that I considered writing about something other than the Fair...but I just kept coming back to IT.

As intended, the Fair has a little bit of everything:

- History (been around since 1886)
- Architecture (largest collection of Art Deco exhibition buildings in the world)
- Music (bands playing throughout)
- Cars (the Auto Show)
- Food (some of which seem designed to kill you)
- People Watching (you won't believe some of it)
- Football (this is the TEXAS State Fair, after all)

Each of these bennies are touted on the news and morning shows.


However, it's the experience of all of these things together that makes the Fair worthwhile, and the adventure is all the better when you attend with friends & family. 

I go to the Fair each year with my niece & nephew. We have certain rides that are a "must" (Crazy Mouse and the Texas Star Farris Wheel), we hit the Auto Show, and, then - there's the annual highlight and super souvenir: I get spot-on caricatures drawn of my niece and nephew together that I frame and hang in my place. We've created a family tradition that will continue as long as they'll gleefully put up with it, and one that brings a bit of warmth and hilarity in interior design to this bachelor's pad.

Now - go on - create your own traditions and eat 'til ya can't stand no mo'!

See ya'll there!

State Fair of Texas

Fair Park
3921 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210 (map)
http://www.bigtex.com/
Exhibit buildings open at 10 a.m. each day and close at 10 p.m. (Friday - Monday) and 9 p.m. (Tuesday - Thursday). Museum hours vary. A couple of gates open as early as 7 a.m. but only the livestock are up and about at that time.

Patio Sessions w/ The Hope Trust - *UPDATE - Sept. 23rd

When a local band is compared to Wilco, Crowded House and the Wallflowers all in the same sentence, I start calling B.S. pretty fast.  I mean, those are some pretty heavy hitters in my book.  Not to mention, I take my Wilco very seriously.

But a complete listen to The Hope Trust, out of Denton, has me convinced and now excited to catch this show tonight at the new AT&T Performing Arts Center for what they call Patio Sessions, a series of free concerts on Thursday evenings throughout September.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center & Sammons Park (the latter located outside of the Winspear Opera House) offer further proof of Dallas' new embrace of outdoor spaces.  And Patio Sessions is a great way to embrace it yourself, take in some great music and casually study the progress & growth of the Arts District.

AT&T Performing Arts Center Presents:

Patio Sessions w/ The Hope Trust
Thursday Sept. 23rd
5:30pm
Sammons Park
2403 Flora St., Dallas TX 75201 (map)
Free

**UPDATE - Patio Sessions is continuing throughout October.

Biscuits for Boobies - Norma's Cafe - Sept. 22nd

To give you a heads up, you will probably see a lot of music events/concert listings on 365 Things Dallas...for the simple reason that you may never have a chance to see that band again. Even if you you follow a group that tours heavily, as I do, you never see the exact same show twice. So I say, catch them while you can. (And I love live music.)

Other types of listings sure to be featured often are charity events & fund raisers. A couple of reasons for this: one being that I want to help if I can by providing some exposure. Secondly, charities & fund raisers are usually working with limited means, and thus really have to be creative with their methods for getting your attention. Meaning more fun for you.

Case in point:

Biscuits for Boobies

Today both Norma's Cafe locations (Oak Cliff & North Dallas) are donating 10% of your total bill to the Susan G. Komen 3Day for the Cure. 

Now you have an excuse to order a "Mile High Pie" and say "Boobies."

Run with it.

Norma's Cafe in Oak Cliff
1123 W. Davis
Dallas, Texas 75208

Norma's Cafe in North Dallas

17721 Dallas Parkway #130
Dallas, Texas 75287

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit Komen.org or call 877-GO KOMEN

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So, here we go.

Inspired by a similar site focused on Austin, (and with the blessing of the owner of that site), I've set out to post a daily offering of what only Dallas can offer on any particular day.
Think of it as a "Bucket List" one day at a time.




Please let me know if there is something I can share with other readers.

I hope you enjoy.





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