Tal Morrison fund awards $12,000 to high school runners

Running legend Tal Morrison was at White Rock Lake Saturday hosting the Tal Morrison Classic 15K and 5K. Morrison founded the Cross Country Club of Dallas in 1969. Today it’s called the Dallas Running Club and has 4,000+ members. He also founded the Dallas White Rock Marathon, which still runs each December, and The Half, a half-marathon held each November at White Rock Lake.

Funds raised each year at The Half (now called The DRC Half), as well as other Dallas Running Club events and through private donations, go toward the Tal Morrison scholarship fund for DISD students who run high school cross country, running club board member Chris Stratton says.

Saturday, Morrison, 89, presented $12,000 worth of scholarships: $3,000 each to Jonathan Maldonado from Thomas Jefferson High and Andrea Melendez from Hillcrest; $2,000 each to Jose Puentes from North Dallas High and Selene Salina from Samuell High; and $1,000 each to Jesus Estebane from Sunset High and Sharvell Davis from A. Maceo Smith High.

The highlight of my morning (aside from crossing the 15K finish line) was spending a few minutes chatting with Mr. Morrison who told me about his experience running the Boston marathon when he was in his 50s. He says that as he was running, he remembers asking a group of spectators—college kids—how far it was until to the infamous Heartbreak Hill, and “they told me I’d already run over it,” he laughs. He finished that marathon in 3 hours, 15 minutes — not too shabby. 

And … this just in: The Dallas Running Club was selected best running club in Texas and the DRC Half Marathon was selected best half marathon in Texas for 2009 by Competitor magazine. Kudos!

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:27 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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Friends of Northaven Trail in the works

Last March, I first told you about the Northaven Trail — and the community support group that would likely follow. Well, that time’s arrived. Dallas park board member Lee Kleinman is heading up the new group, which is having its first meeting Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Cindi’s off N. Central Expressway.

During the meeting, Kleinman will discuss the group’s primary role: to maintain and beautify the trail. It will also be a chance for interested neighbors to get themselves organized, as board members and officers will be needed. The meeting is open to anyone in the neighborhood who is interested, no RSVP required.

The group will operate much like the Friends of the Katy Trail and the Friends of the Prestonridge Trail. Both of these groups have helped groom these otherwise ho-hum trails into crown jewels, more like vertical parks really. During a recent podcast, my co-editors and I recently discussed the impact these groups can have. Here’s a link, incase you missed it.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:12 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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Popolos Café closed

After more than 15 years at Preston and Royal, Popolos Café closed late last month after their lease expired, according to the restaurant’s website.

Not only was this one of the few neighborhood spots to offer great live jazz, the food was also consistently good. We featured Popolos’ in our December magazine, which is when I officially became hooked on their pan-roast salmon topped with goat cheese. In the meantime, I’ll have to get my fix over at Preston’s, Popolos sister restaurant where most of the staff got transferred to. Owners are now looking for a new permanent location for Popolos, so I’ll keep you posted on if and when that happens.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 8, 2010 at 06:55 PM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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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 09:56 AM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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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 02:14 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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Restaurant Talk: Zaguan

It’s hard to find good South American food in Dallas, mostly because there aren’t many options. If you’re on the hunt for authentic Venezuelan, Colombian and Argentine food, look no further than Zaguan. This small café is half bakery, half restaurant, and all delicious.

The real draw here, in my opinion, are the cachapas. These sweet corn turnovers are stuffed with your choice of meat and cheese. I recommend something hearty, like the shredded beef and cheese—but you can go for prosciutto or tuna with avocado if you’re feeling adventurous. What arrives is a crispy, sweet crust filled with a savory, ooey-gooey inside. Also, order a side of the plantain chips, which are made in house.

The empanadas are also a signature item here. They offer two varieties: Agrentine, which are made with wheat flour, and Venezuelan, which are made with corn flour. Breakfast is served all day, there’s a coffee bar that offers all sorts of coffee drinks (including some hard-to-find Latin varieties, like Mexican hot coco, and a cortado), and there’s a juice bar where you can all sorts of fresh-squeezed goodness.

But it just wouldn’t be right if you left this place without trying the alfajores, a cookie sandwich that’s made with vanilla cookies bathed in powdered sugar — and filled with your pick of dulce de leche, chocolate, or guava paste. These things are melt in your mouth good, and you can buy packages of them take home, which you’ll want to do. There’s also all sort of cakes, pastries, fresh breads, cookies, and muffins.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 5, 2010 at 10:07 AM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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This weekend: Broadway, shopping, and opera

If you’re in the mood for a little Broadway, the talented kids at Providence Christian School will be performing “Annie Jr.” this weekend. The adorable cast, seen here, has been preparing for this since show since August. Show times are Friday night at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 3. Tickets to both shows are $5.

Swing by West Village and take advantage of the weekend-long sidewalk sale there. Several shops will be clearing out their winter inventory, with some merchandise discounted up to 75 percent off.

Over at SMU, the Meadows Opera Theatre will be present Mozart’s classic Il re pastore. This opera, which is sung in Italian and has English subtitles, tells the story of Alexander the Great who conquers the city of Sidon. Once he’s disposed of the ruling tyrant, he discovers that the true heir to the throne is simple shepherd boy. Tickets are $13, and show times are Friday and Saturday night at 8, and Sunday afternoon at 2 inside the Bob Hope Theatre in the Owen Arts Center. You can call 214.768.2787 for more information.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 4, 2010 at 09:02 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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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 03:28 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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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 03:00 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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Hillcrest and WT White students sign letters of intent today

Several neighborhood athletes signed letters of intent today. After the jump you’ll find a breakdown of where several of our Longhorns and Panthers are heading after graduation -- and congratulations to all these rising stars, and all the people who helped them make it this far.

Continue reading “Hillcrest and WT White students sign letters of intent today ”

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 3, 2010 at 07:40 PM in Advocate Mag, Preston Hollow
  
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