Author Archive

Swimming pools are difficult to avoid this time of year, especially if you’re under the age of 12. Birthday parties, summer camps and family vacations are just a few places where little ones will inevitably encounter the oversized bathtubs. If your kids aren’t experienced swimmers, make sure they are prepared … more

Burger places are In n Out of our neighborhood, but we’ve found a few that are tried and true. LISTEN HERE.

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We love lunch. But sometimes there’s just not a lot of time for it. Luckily we have some grocery stores and markets around here that offer good hot lunches sans the hassle and high prices that often accompany dining out. LISTEN HERE 

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Have a dream? We do (and some weird ones). In fact we sat around for an hour after this 10-minute podcast discussing them. Fortunately the School of Metaphysics and its dream experts reside right here in the neighborhood. This week Jenny Turkyilmaz, a student in dream interpretation, analyzes our dreams, … more

You hear all the time about bad service — from us, your friends, other blogs and the like — but today we’re talking about those places that actually seem to appreciate our business. Shops, restaurants and other neighborhood businesses that go the extra mile deserve their props, so tell us … more

How do the Advocate editors manage to look so stylish on an editor’s salary? Maybe it has something to do with our intimate knowledge of neighborhood thrift stores. That’s the topic of this week’s “What’s Up With That” podcast, which you can hear HERE.

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Looks as if we’re going to have perfect patio weather this week, so the Advocate editors, broadcasting from the pigeon-populated patio at Matt’s Rancho Martinez in Lakewood discuss our favorite patios, and one of us faces our patio-dining fears. LISTEN HERE.

Related links: Kalichandji’s, Offshores Next Door, Obzeet, Bolsa, Belmont Hotel… more

We’re always talking about food here at Back Talk, so this week we look at the side of grub we don’t always love to think about — nutrition. We chose the day preceding The Biggest Loser casting call at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Cliff, to go out and speak … more

Ready to ditch your car and start getting around by bicycle? Might sound crazy, but that’s what some neighborhood dwellers are doing these days. Bike Friendly groups have formed in Oak Cliff, Lakewood, Richardson, Knox-Henderson, to name a few. Now is the time to get out there, before temps rise … more

Everybody loves a parade … right? Or maybe, they are more trouble than they are worth. With the city’s biggest parade event fast approaching, the Advocate editors sit down to discuss this oh-so vital topic. LISTEN HERE .

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Q:  My street is very dark. How would I go about getting a streetlight installed?
A: Although there is no fee for installing a streetlight in your neighborhood, the installation process can be pretty time-consuming. Here’s how it works:

1.   Call the city’s service request number, 311, and tell the … more

Several months ago, I wrote about the Dallas Tree “Preservation” Ordinance, or Article 10 of the Dallas Development Code — its history, weaknesses and current efforts to update it.

The Urban Forestry Advisory Committee, with members appointed by mayors Miller and Leppert, has been meeting regularly for three years, and … more