out&about

in DECEMBER

12.03.10-12.05.10

WHITE ROCK MARATHON/HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO FREE No one says you have to endure 26.2 miles through the Dallas Arts District, Uptown, Turtle Creek, Highland Park, Swiss Avenue and around the lake. But you can be there to cheer on our neighbors, and observe the spectacle that is the MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon. Race-day activities will take place at Fair Park Dec. 5, beginning with a pre-race worship service at 7:40 a.m., followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Fireworks will kick off the races at 8 a.m., and the finish line closes at 2:30 p.m. Live bands will set up stages at several points along the course, including Hot House at the Granada Theater and Catdaddies on Swiss Avenue. Before the marathon, the Health & Fitness Expo will run noon-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at Fair Park’s Automotive Building, 1010 First Avenue. More than 85 vendors will set up shop, offering information on nutritional and fitness products for running enthusiasts. For more details, including full schedules for the race and expo, visit runtherock.com. —E

MiLy ToMAN

THROUGH 12.31 WHERE TEXAS FINDS ITS COLOR FREE

Scores of Texas artists from more than 30 different cities present an exhibit of original paintings and photography at the Dutch Art Gallery, 10233 E. Northwest Highway, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. All works are for sale. For more details, visit dutchartusa.com.

THROUGH 01.02 MAGIC OF SANTA $10 The annual holiday festival at the Dallas Arboretum features more than 500 Santa Clauses in different shapes, sizes and colors from all over the world set in the historic DeGoyler Estate. Other activities include visits with Santa, a live reindeer, costumed characters and photos. The event is included with general admission to the park, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for children 3-12 and free for children under 3. Parking costs $7. For details, call 214.515.6500 or visit dallasarboretum.org

12.01 CASA LINDA TREE LIGHTING FREE

Casa Linda Plaza presents its holiday tree lighting 5-7 p.m. near the esplanade, featuring the Reinhardt Elementary Choir, Hexter Elementary Choir and “Encore” by Bryan Adams High School. Pictures with Santa will be available for $5, with proceeds benefiting For the Love of the Lake. Highland Park Cafeteria will offer refreshments at the event.

12.01 WRITER’S GARDEN $50-$100 The Writer’s Garden Literacy Series continues with a Christmas brunch with Jennifer Pickens, author of “Christmas at the White House”, 10 a.m.noon at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland. For details, call 214.797.5966 or visit womenscouncildallasarboretum.org.

12.03 LAKE HIGHLANDS HOME TOUR $10$12 The Lake Highlands Women’s League will host its 32nd annual home tour 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at various neighborhood homes. The Holiday Market will be at Highland Oaks Church of Christ, 10805 Walnut Hill, and includes lunch 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., which requires separate $12 tickets in advance. The event raises money for Lake Highlands High School scholarships and community projects. For a full list of homes and other details, call Allison Brown at 214.503.8790 or visit lhhspta.org.

12.8 LHAECPTA MEETING, SWAP SHOP AND MEMBER SOCIAL FREE The monthly gathering of the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA is from 9-11:30 a.m. at Highlands Christian Church, 9949 McCree. LHAECPTA members and anyone interested in joining are encouraged to shop, snack and mingle. For more information visit lhaecpta.org.

View the Holiday Guide at centralmarket.com or pick up a copy at your store.

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE NOIRS ($20) CALIFORNIA>

Call it what you will: Champagne, sparkling wine, bubbly, Cava or Prosecco. But whatever you call it, this is the time of year when the wine with all the fizzy stuff gets the most attention.

In one respect, this is too bad, because sparkling wine deserves to be enjoyed year-round. It’s much more than something to pour on New Year’s Eve. As I learned early in my wine-writing career, sparkling wine pairs with almost any kind of food, oysters to chocolate-covered strawberries to chicken-fried steak.

But even if this is the only time of year you drink sparkling wine, there’s plenty to go around. So take a chance. Try something different. The recession, though it has slowed sales of the expensive, high-end stuff, has been quite helpful for bubbly that costs $20 and less. And there is some excellent wine at those prices. All are available at Central Market.

One other note: Only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France can legally be called Champagne, thanks to trade agreements the European Union has signed with most of the rest of the world. The rest of the non-Italian world calls its bubbly “sparkling wine”; the Italians have Prosecco and Asti.

Here’s an overview of what you’ll find this holiday season: This is the stronghold of the Spanish and their Cava, which usually offers the most value. But I’ve always been impressed by an $8 French wine called Carousel, which has lots of chardonnay fruit and good acidity.

A Washington state wine, Domaine Ste. Michelle, provides quality, though it’s a bit soft. Also look for the cremants — French sparkling wines from the regions of Alsace, Burgundy and the Loire. Only the Burgundian wines are made with the traditional Champagne groups, but each is interesting and well worth a sip.

This is where you’ll find most California sparklers, as well as Champagne. I’m a huge fan of Gloria Ferrer ($20), Iron Horse ($38) and the French Duval-Leory ($44), which is reasonably priced as Champagne goes.

—JEFF SIEGEL

DALLAS

5750 E. LOVERS LANE

MAIN: 214-234-7000

HOTLINE: 1-877-263-1379

PLANO

320 COIT ROAD

MAIN: 469-241-8300

HOTLINE: 469-241-8386

JEFF SIEGEL’SWEEKLYWINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on the Advocate Back Talk blog, lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/blog.