Out & About

November 2011

Nov. 6 Granger Smith concert

The Lake Highlands High School Wranglers host their third annual Granger Smith concert Sunday, Nov. 6 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Lake Highlands Town Center amphitheater. The event includes performances from the Highlandettes, Wranglers, Wrangler Roundup Kids Dance Clinic, LHHS cheerleaders and local band The Rustics before the former Wrangler-turned-country singer takes the stage. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic to the benefit concert, or try something from the gourmet food truck Culinary Improv.

Walnut Hill & Skillman, lhhswranglers.org, $10

NOV. 5

RISD Spirit Run

The 5k event, where the four high schools compete to see which has the most spirit, is held in Galatyn Park from 7-9:30 a.m. Packet pickup is Tuesday-Thursday the week before at the nearest Run On! location; registration is online.

President George Bush Turnpike & Central Expressway, risdspiritrun. com, 496.593.0241, $10-$35

NOV. 9

LHAECPTA Meeting

The Lake Highlands Early Childhood PTA holds its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Highlands Christian Church, featuring Carla Chavez of Whole Foods discussing easy holiday recipes.

9949 McCree, lhaecpta.org, free

NOV. 10

Literary symposium and luncheon

The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents the fifth annual A Writer’s Garden literary symposium and luncheon 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Dallas Arboretum’s Rosine Hall, featuring Dee and D’Andra Simmons.

8525 Garland, womenscouncildallasarboretum.org, $150

THROUGH NOV. 12

Dia de las Muertos exhibition

The Bath House Cultural Center presents an exhibit highlighting the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The show features altar pieces by Latino artists. 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, dallasculture.org, free

Nov. 6

DRC Half Marathon & 5k

The Dallas Running Club celebrates the 35th anniversary of the DRC Half Marathon on Nov. 6 at Norbuck Park. Race day lasts from 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with the half marathon starting at 8 a.m. The course, which circles White Rock Lake and the surrounding Lakewood area, is open for four hours, so walkers and joggers are welcome. Top finishers will receive cash prizes totaling $5,000. 200 N. Buckner, drchalf.com, $25-$85

Nov. 18-Dec. 22

Madeline’s Christmas

TheDallasChildren’sTheaterpresents “Madeline’s Christmas,” an adaptation based on the children’s book by Ludwig Bemelmans. Performances will be held at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts in the Baker Theater. Children older than 5 are encouraged.

5938 Skillman

214.740.0051, dct.org,

$14-$26

NOV. 17

LHAECPTA Shopping Soiree

Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood

PTA presents its Shopping Soiree, where local businesses, service providers and crafty neighbors set up booths at the Knights of Columbus Hall from 9 a.m.1:30 p.m. and later from 6-9 p.m. 10110 Shoreview, lhaecpta.org, free

THROUGH NOV. 23

Autumn at the Arboretum

More than 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash are helping to usher in autumn, and a little bit of magic, to the Dallas Arboretum this month. Cinderella’s Pumpkin Village and life-sized carriage embody this year’s theme, “It’s a Fairy Tale World.” From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, explore these and other highlights, including the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch, The Great Pumpkin Search, Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Scavenger Hunt and the Hay Bale Maze.

8525 Garland, 214.515.6500, dallasarboretum.org, $8-$12

Delicious

Sweet shops

Cheesecake Love

10230 E. Northwest Highway

214.707.0545 cheesecakelove.com

There’s

PRICE RANGE: $3.50-$35

AMBIANCE: TAKE OUT

HOURS:

11 A.M.-3 P.M. TUES.-FRI; 11 A.M.-2 P.M. SAT; CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

Toman

cheesecake, and then there’s Cheesecake Love. “People are used to going to the grocery store and buying a manufactured cheesecake,” says JoAnn Sitton, owner of the shop at Easton and Northwest Highway. “People love the product that I sell. Every cake is hand-poured with quality ingredients.” It’s all about the crust, she says, a portion of the cake that is often overlooked. Sitton makes a thicker, crumbly cookie crust instead the thin, spongy graham cracker typically used in store-bought cakes. She launched her small business four years ago and specializes in 2.5-inch, cupcake-sized cheesecakes as well as 10-inch cakes. Other than her shop, Sitton’s cheesecakes also are available locally at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in Hillside Village, Sam’s at Park Lane, and Atomic Pie at Walnut Hill and Audelia. Standout flavors include caramel pecan, creamy original and chocolate, which features four different kinds of chocolate on top of an Oreo crust. “My flavors are not too fancy, so I try to make sure the cake itself is high quality,” Sitton says. She also has special varieties for the holidays, such as pumpkin walnut and Irish cream. —Emily

Left: creamy original cheesecake

Below: chocolate cheesecake

1 Casa Linda Bakery

From cookies to Danishes to extravagant wedding and birthday cakes, this neighborhood bakery makes everything from scratch with old family recipes.

10819 Garland, 214.321.0551, casalindabakerydallas.com

2 The Cake Ball Company

Located in the same storefront as Cheesecake Love, these creative treats are almost too cute to eat. Stop by 3-5 p.m. Fridays for happy hour, when cake balls are $1 each.

10230 E. Northwest Highway, 214.559.5788, cakeballs.com

3 Cheesecake Royale

Still got cheesecake on the brain? This Garland Road shop has ties to the family behind Kostas Café, and uses farm fresh eggs and real whipping cream.

9016 Garland, 214.328.9102, cheesecakeroyale.com

We get people playing Tennis, not standing in lines!