RISD gets $17K Oncor rebate

RISD’s electricity provider, Oncor Energy, recently presented district administrators with a $17,173 rebate check for upgrading the lighting systems at all four high schools: Berkner, JJ Pearce, Richardson and Lake Highlands. The district received another check in 2009 for improving lighting, air conditioning, and roofing efficiency in other district buildings.

The lighting and air conditioning systems installed by RISD crews will save nearly 226,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which translates into a $26,000 annual savings at the current electric rate. That's equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of about 18,400 gallons of gasoline, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:39 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is coming to Richardson

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is opening off Campbell and Custer, in the spot where the old Braums used to be.The Baja-style Mexican eatery has locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, Lewisville, Denton, North Richland Hills, and Lubbock — but this will be the first Dallas-area location.

This is good news for the shopping center, which got most of its traffic from Braums. The only remaining anchor is a UTD bookstore, so ever since Braums left, it’s been a virtual ghost town over there. With Fuzzy’s coming in now, I imagine the traffic there will pick up significantly. The last time I dropped in at Fuzzy’s in Fort Worth, in fact, I waited in line for 20 minutes — and it was worth it. Their food is popular because it’s really, really good.

I’ve contacted Fuzzy’s to find out when we can expect them to open in our neighborhood. I’ll keep you posted.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 8, 2010 at 03:00 PM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Advocate radio: where to get V-day goodies

Valentine's Day is near and that means one thing is on everyone's mind, right? No, not love ... chocolate.

Where in our neighborhood are you likely find the most delicious and creative edible gifts? Advocate editor's dish about it in this week's "What's Up With That?" podcast.  

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 8, 2010 at 09:57 AM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Productivity Killer: E-Trade’s talking babies

OK, so our team didn’t make it to the big game this year, but it’s still shaping up to be a good faceoff — or so I’m told, because I really don’t know anything about football. But hey, at least we still get an excuse to pig out on wings and pizza, and watch all those multi-million dollar commercial bits. This year’s line up has some pretty funny ones, which you can get a sneak peak at here.

E-Trade’s commercials with the talking baby have become especially popular, though honestly, I find them kind of creepy. Equally creepy yet more amusing is their create-your-own talking baby on the company’s website. You pick your baby, pick your voice, and then record a message. You can record your voice via your computer mic, or by calling a number and leaving a voice mail. Once you’re done, you can email it to your friends, so they can enjoy.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 5, 2010 at 02:16 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Restaurant Talk: dinner buffet at Mumtaz

Mumutaz is my go-to spot when I need an Indian food fix, which I’ve written about on this blog. But it wasn’t until a friend told me about the Monday night dinner buffet that I realized I was missing out on one of the best things place.

This buffet, which is offered only on Monday night, is a steal at jut $6.99. They don’t skimp on the spread, and in fact, some of their best dishes are offered. My favorite is the chicken tikka, skewered meat marinated in yogurt and spices than cooked in a clay tandoor oven. You mix that with some basmati rice and throw on a little bit of chutney, and something magical happens. The buffet also comes with fresh-baked naan, soup (I recommend the lentil), several types of salad, and a couple of desserts.

Another handy FYI: If you live nearby, Mumtaz does deliver, and you can place that order online. I’m almost certain they’re the only Indian restaurant in Dallas that does that.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 5, 2010 at 09:39 AM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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This weekend: laugh, dance and jam

This is the last weekend to catch Laughter on the 23rd Floor, which pays homage to the 1950s golden age of American television. That’s running through Sunday at WaterTower Theatre.

It’s the Chinese Year of the Tiger — and technically, it starts on Feb. 14, but UTD is ringing it in early this Saturday night. Starting at 6 inside the conference center there will be dance, music, and traditional art forms. That’s all free, by the way.

Or, you could spend your Saturday night over at the Eisemann Center. That’s when you can catch a throwback R&B concert by Strings of Color.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 4, 2010 at 08:02 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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OCarnivale tickets are gone

Our OCarnivale tickets were snapped up pronto, but we'll give away two more pairs of tickets tomorrow. Otherwise, you can buy tickets here. Thanks to everyone who responded!

• Posted by Rachel Stone on Feb 4, 2010 at 03:27 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Email us for free tickets to OCarnivale Saturday night

Want a couple of tickets to OCarnivale masquerade ball in the Bishop Arts District Saturday night? The first two people to email me at rstone@advocatemag.com will win two free tickets.

• Posted by Rachel Stone on Feb 4, 2010 at 03:01 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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UTD student on Jeopardy this week

You know those brainiacs on "Jeopardy"  who always make you feel incompetent? Turns out one of them lives in our neighborhood, and he’s not even old enough to order a beer yet.

UT Dallas junior Prashant Raghavendran (seen in the center of the photo here) was chosen from more than 7,000 hopeful contestants to compete in Jeopardy’s annual College Championship, which airs this week.

“I’ve had a love for knowledge since I was an infant,” he said. “My parents would teach me countries on a world atlas when I was 3.”

Raghavendran, who is majoring in neuroscience, also has his sights set on "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" My guess is yes, he is.

You can catch Raghavendran on Jeopardy this Friday at 11 a.m. on KTVT-TV (Channel 11). UTD is hosting a watch party during that show at the campus pub.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 3, 2010 at 07:07 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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Richardson students helping Haitians

The Richardson High School Interact Club is joining forces with Lake Highlands and Berkner to collect crutches, braces, walkers, and foldable wheelchairs to send to Haiti. The supplies will be given to the thousands of Haitians who have have had their limbs broken or amputated as a result from injuries they received during the earthquake. If you’d like to help, you can drop off donations at Richardson’s senior office now through Monday, Feb. 8.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 3, 2010 at 05:50 PM in Advocate Mag, Far North Dallas
  
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