out&about

in D e C e MB e R

12.04.09

Wit H ers eL eme N t A ry G A rde N d i G iN

The folks at Withers Elementary have been busy. Teachers and parents have spent the past year gleaning grant money for a school garden. They’re now ready to install their first fruit, herb and vegetable patch — but they could use a little help from neighbors who are willing to get their hands dirty. The school needs volunteers at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and the work will continue until the garden is complete. Volunteers are asked to RSVP by emailing parent Kathy Shockley at, bshockley@sbcglobal.net. Everyone is asked to bring gardening equipment, and the school is in special need of wheel barrels. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Withers Elementary, 3959 Northaven, 972.794.5000. —MARLENA CHAVIRA-MEDFORD

12.5, 12.12&12.19

13tH ANNUAL sANtA dAys Free Santa Claus, along with his trustee reindeer Cupid and Comet, will visit the shopping center for a meet and greet. Children are invited to have their photos taken on these Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parents will be given a free Polaroid photo of their children with Santa, but everyone is welcome to bring their own cameras as well. The Plaza at Preston Center, 8300 Preston, theplazaatprestoncenter.com.

12.21&12.22 LiViNG CreCHe Free

Witness a reenactment of the nativity, complete with live animals and elaborate costumes. The living crèche will be 7-9 p.m. in the pecan grove on the church grounds. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston. 214.368.6348, phpc.org.

12.24 mAtZOH BALL

$25-$30 Dallas’ biggest Jewish singles party is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Keeping with tradition, there will be mingling, dancing, a cash bar with drink specials all night, and plenty of kosher food. The party will be 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., and attire is dressy casual. Everyone 21 and older is welcome. Admission is $25 for members of the Jewish Community Center, and $30 for everyone else. Buy a ticket at the door, or online at jccdallas.org. AURA Lounge, 2912 McKinney.

Party Like You Own The Place

W HEN IT CO m E s TO PARTIE s, Popolos know how to do them right. The private space here has its own patio, restrooms, bar and piano, in case the spirit moves you play a Christmas carol or two. That space can fit up to 150 people, or be broken down for smaller groups. And chef Jim Camp has mastered crowd-pleasing entrées like pan-roast salmon, veal picatta and rack of lamb. Pair that with a glass of wine and some good friends, and you’ve got the quintessential holiday bash.

—Marlena Chavira-Medford

P OPOLO s C A fé PRE s TON & ROYAL 214.692.5497 POPOLO s. COm

Pictured: Pan-roasted salmon topped with goat cheese