Night In The Heights is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Winnetka Heights.  The night is a cocktail party that progresses through three homes of neighbors that have generously agreed to open theirhomes and host neighbors and friends.  We celebrate the food, drinks and culture of the three countries that the hosts have selected to feature.

This year, funds raised from Night In The Heights will be used kick off the building restoration campaign of Turner House, the jewel of our neighborhood that is celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2012.  Passports will be on sale soon, but mark your calendars now. 

In the past few years, the following countries have been featured for Night In The Heights.  Where will we go this year? 

Italy

Germany

France

Spain

India

Ireland

Thailand

Lebanon

Jamaica

Portugal

Japan

Sweden

Arkansas, USA

Argentina

Mexico

Tyler Street United Methodist is celebrating its 100^th Birthday this weekend with a special Celebration Worship Service at 10:50 a.m.  Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, District Superintendent Dr. Clara Reed, and many former pastors and associate pastors will participate in the celebration.  Traditional, gospel and contemporary music will be featured during the service and it will be a great time to hear the beautiful 132 rank pipe organ.

You are invited to attend a roundtable discussion moderated by Bob Stimson featuring Rep. Anchia, Commissioner Dr. Garcia, Councilmembers Griggs & Jasso, and DISD Trustee Eric Cowan discussing education, quality of life, and economic development.
When: Tues. Jan. 17 @ 6:30pm
Where: Hitt Auditorium at Methodist Hospital

Lee Ruiz, Crystal Gonzalez and Chris Barker at the Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Masquerade Ball 2011

Oak Cliff’s Mardi Gras Celebrations are set for the weekend of February 18 and 19.  The festivities include a 5K run to benefit FIDO Oak Cliff, a Masquerade Ball at the Kessler Theater, The Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade, and a crawfish boil.  The good folks at Go Oak Cliff put on what has quickly become Dallas’ favorite new tradition.

Winnetka Heights will once again be a part of celebrations.  Many of your friends and neighbors will take part in the 5K and will be enjoying the ball.  We will also have an entry in the parade.  The parade float committee is already planning another fun theme for this year (clues on this page).  So, stay tuned.  We will need help building the float and preparing for our presentation each of the Saturdays of February 4, 11 and 18.  And we will need a big krewe of neighbors to march along during the parade.  Keep a look out on this board and the “Events” section of the forum for more information.  But, for now, mark your calendars, sign up for the Dash for the Beads and get your tickets to the ball.

Here is the schedule of events:

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, February 18

9 a.m.  Dash for the Beads     Oak Cliff’s only 5k! Register online here http://www.dashforthebeads.org/   Benefits F.I.D.O., a great group working hard to secure a dog park for our area!  It begins and ends in the Bishop Arts District. There is a 5k as well as a 1 mile. Pets are encouraged!

8 p.m.  OCarnivale Masquerade Ball   This is an awesome party at a very affordable price! We’ll be at The Kessler for the 2nd year in a row. The entertainment is amazing. Zydeco Blanco played last year, and we danced all night. Tickets are online at http://mardigrasoakcliff.com/masquerade-ball-2/  You and your special people can have a night out with dinner starting at just $25 a person! There are additional packages available if you prefer reserved seating. The attire is everything from black tie to jeans. Wear what makes your body happy, but don’t forget a mask!

Sunday, February 19

2 p.m.   Crawfish boil and party in the Bishop Arts District   There will be Cajun food and lots of drink for sale in the street! Bring cash.  Unlike last year, we will not be pre-selling crawfish, etc., so get ‘em while you can!

4 p.m.   Parade!        Parade route: W Davis eastbound from Montclair to Madison, then through Bishop Arts.

If you have an opinion on how the City should approach the November 2012 public improvement bond referendum, you have a chance to be heard.  Scott Griggs has asked us to pass on a notcie that a public forum for Oak Cliff residents on the 2012 proposed bond issuance will be on held on February 8, 2012 at at 6pm at Kiest Park.  

The Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association has  submitted to Mr. Griggs a list of improvements needed in our neighborhood that we would like to be included in the bond package.

Teri and Michael have graciously offered to host on January 14th. This is a great opportunity for those of you that are new to Winnetka Heights to meet your neighbors, and for old friends to reconnect. Please respond in the forum post for the wine tasting

Remember, space is limited. The wine tasting is generally limited to 24 guests, although 1 or 2 more may squeeze in. So, sign up early, as the tastings often become “fully subscribed”. Here’s how it works.
Each couple, or pair of neighbors who have teamed up, brings a bottle of wine and a bite to eat that pairs with the wine. As the night progresses, you will introduce yourselves, your wine and your food and we eat and drink one wine and one food item at a time until we are all full and happy!

What type of wine? Anything works. Winos range from aficionados to novice wine drinkers. There is no snobbery. Bring something special or something you just found at the store. While we all enjoy tasting the nice stuff, we also appreciate finding new inexpensive and accessible wines. On any given night, there is a wide range of wines, including whites, red, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.

What type of food? Again, whatever you like! While some people take the opportunity to flex their kitchen skills, it is perfectly fine to bring something store bought or simply prepared at home. Don’t let the cooking keep you away. Just have fun with it. Some tips: Bring enough for about 24 tastes. If your food requires a utensil, plate or toothpick to serve, bring what you need (don’t count on the host having enough utensils or plates). Also, don’t count on the host for any special equipment. You should be able to warm your dish in the oven or microwave, but because of the number of dishes, do not plan to cook your dish at the host’s home.

If you have any questions you can email b.a.roy@sbcglobal.net

Stay tuned …

It is once again time to conduct the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) annual homeless count and census. The census is conducted each year in the last week of January so that Dallas and Collin Counties can collect information on homeless residents.. The information compiled during the census is also used by several interested groups, including non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, media outlets and various departments in Federal, State and local government.

 DATE:                     Thursday, January 26, 2012

 TIME:                     5:30 P.M. sign-in

 LOCATION:              L 1 F North Auditorium

In order to volunteer or to receive more Information, please contact Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance at Phone: 972-638-5627 or E-mail: Cortney.Cunningham@MDHADallas.org