G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

Reverend Michael Piazza held a sermon once about how relevant Harry Potter can be to our lives. Yeah, lots of pastors do that and blah blah blah but Piazza is usually too cool for school when he relates a movie to life and Christianity. I’m not the Bible Beating kind but if you have a chance, take a look and listen. Besides, don’t we need more Harry Hype? And if you’re inclined to pass, well then, the trailer is right below for the newest movie. I’m looking forward to watching it. 

I used to love watching Stephan Pyles’ cooking show on KERA. I knew I’d never make any of that stuff but it always looked so good and tasty. Plus it didn’t hurt that he’s cute as a button. Plus, he’s a good guy too all helping people out. If you can throw down $175, you can partake in his goodwill as well. Yeah, it’s a lot but maybe just think about it. You have some time and in the bigger scheme of all things good, it’s not that much. At least, just think about it.

Cathedral of Hope sent this notice out yesterday for a forum that starts in about an hour. My bad for not getting it out sooner. Sounds informative and besides, the Turtle Creek Chorale is opening. Gotta love it.

Faith and Fairness Forum Finding Strength and Tools for Advocacy in Your Faith Tradition Join LGBT leaders and activists from congregations and organizations around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex tomorrow night, June 7, at 6:45 p.m. at the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway, for a spirit-filled conversation among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their friends, colleagues and families about reclaiming faith. Rev. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite Thistlethwaite is the 11th president of the Chicago Theological Seminary. She has been a professor of theology at CTS for 20 years and director of the Ph.D. Center for five years. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ since 1974, she is the author or editor of 13 books and has been a translator for two different translations of the Bible. Rev. Peter Johnson Founder of the Peter Johnson Institute of Non-Violence and the Dallas Common. Rabbi/Chaplin Jeffrey Leynor Plano police chaplin and rabbi for Beth El Binah. Rev. Charlotte Coyle Senior Minister of Midway Hills Christian Church. Speakers for the event, which is co-sponsored by Cathedral of Hope, include Rev. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, president of Chicago Theological Seminary; Rev. Peter Johnson, Founder of the Institute of Non-Violence and the Dallas Common; Rabbi/Chaplin Jeffrey Leynor, Plano Police Department Chaplain and Rabbi for Beth El Binah; and Rev. Charlotte Coyle, Senior Minister of Midway Hills Christian Church. Music by the Turtle Creek Chorale will open the evening.

My church, Cathedral of Hope has their Miracle Project which I’m afraid would be better for you to find out about it here than have me explain. But, they are having some fun stuff coming up. Well, not sure if the first one is theirs but it came in the same notice as their definite event.

Tonight sounds like total fun:

“The Wizard of Oz” Sing-a-Long - May 12, 6-9 p.m.

Another great movie sing-a-long is planned this May. Bring the whole family … and Toto too! Come dressed as your favorite character from the movie and get discounted tickets. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the CoH Fellowship Hall for food, fun and a great family night out. Tickets are available at the event for $10 with costume and $15 without costume.

I’ve been to a Sound of Music sing-along and they can be fun. But these are definitely NOT for cinema sticklers (like me, actually)  where even people who talk through the commercials before the previews will be annoying. It’s not just singing along to the songs, it’s camping it up all throughout the movie. It will probably be the one time you see white people not afraid to talk to the movie. But if you’re up for complete silliness and camp and even unnerviing sing-along divas, I’d have to recommend. 

Then, they invite you to dinner on Tuesday night. Check this out:

Cantina Laredo Supports the 37th Anniversary Miracle Project - May 15, 5-10 p.m.

The Irving Circle Miracle Team invites you to dinner Tuesday, May 15 at Cantina Laredo, 165 Inwood Village in Dallas. It’s simple; all you and your friends have to do is come and eat dinner. No extra charges. No tickets to buy. Just enjoy dinner and fun with friends while supporting the Miracle Project.

When 100 people identifying themselves as supporters of the Miracle Project show up for dinner that night, Cantina Laredo will donate 10 percent of entire restaurant sales for the evening. Please arrive between 5 and 10 p.m. and make sure to let the hostess know you are there for the Cathedral of Hope’s Peace Chapel fundraiser. Large parties should call ahead (214-350-5227) with a number for your table.

Don’t forget: we need 100 people through the door. So please come and join us while we raise some cash … so we can pour some concrete!

Now I gotta find my lion costume.  

Peaceful Vocations was founded two years ago to provide information to high school students who are being wooed by military recruiters. We exist to counter military recruitment and to create alternatives to the heavy military influence in our schools and the North Texas community. PV enables youth to make informed choices about their future and provides information for alternative vocations. Funds raised by this event will be used to purchase materials needed by the organization, such as printing, display materials for counseling offices, and advertising in high school publications.

Saturday & Sunday, March 24 & 25, 9:00 a.m.

Farmers Branch ‘Let the Voters Decide’ Volunteer Weekend
This weekend Let the Voters Decide will be holding its largest volunteer weekend to date to influence the vote on the ordinance requiring landlords to collect proof of citizenship from apartment renters. Volunteers can help to: register voters, conduct outreach in the apartment communities, contact local businesses and distribute yard signs. Meet at the Let the Voters Decide Campaign Headquarters, 2704 Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch.

Sunday, March 25, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Solutions to Violence: Local & Global Nonviolent Action
This is the seventh of an eight-week session discussion group that meets weekly to discuss classics in peace and justice literature. This week’s discussions will be around Local & Global Nonviolent Action and we’ll be looking at the application of nonviolent strategies for social change. These essays are found in Lesson SEVEN. Please join us! We meet at the Dallas Peace Center, 4301 Bryan St, Suite 202. There is no charge. For more information, contact Michele.

Monday, March 26

End the Occupation of Iraq Committee
Keep the pressure on to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Meet at the Dallas Peace Center - 4301 Bryan St, Suite 202 in Dallas - for a planning session with coalition partners, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

To find out about other peace and justice activities in the North Texas area, go to the Dallas Peace Center CALENDAR.

Dallas Peace Center
4301 Bryan St.,
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 823-7793

So if you’re out getting to know your mayoral candidates up close, you have an opportunity to meet another one tonight because I’m sure you already went to the Zac forum on Saturday, right? Cause you want to be a concerned citizen and make an informed choice come election time, yes? hmmmm.

Tonight, Log Cabin Republicans are inviting the community despite their political leanings to meet Dallas City Councilman and mayor hopeful, Ed Oakley and listen as he “updates us on city issues and his vision for the future of Dallas.” Not sure what his thoughts are on Deep Ellum but this guy has some major experience behind him that could make for some interesting remarks.

But hurry, you got less than an hour to get over there. LCR will host Mr. Oakley at Mattito’s Cafe Mexicano, 3011 Routh St. Happy hour at 6:30 with dinner and remarks at 7.

In an admirable attempt to work toward keeping Deep Ellum alive and breathing, The Fine Line is hosting an open forum interview with mayoral candidate Zac Crain and an esteemed panel of local artists and concerned citizens. Although it’s more about why Zac Crain could/should be the city’s next mayor, I believe the inevitable topic of the state of affairs in Deep Ellum will be quite present.

Applause to TFL’s Cindy Chaffin for putting this together. She’s a big time Crainiac but she’s using her powers for good to inform the denizens of Dallas about their city and remind them the power of voting. And Mr. Crain will probably have a lot of questions about this. I assume anyways. So go there, be concerned, be a good citizen…and order a burger. i hear they’re good.

Specifics:

Saturday, February 24th (that’s today kids)
Adair’s

2624 Commerce St.
2 PM
Inquisitive Panel Includes: Reid Robinson / Hal Samples / Frank Campagna, DJ Sista Whitenoise and YOU!