Oil and Cotton expands class offerings
Fertility classes are among Oil and Cotton’s fall offerings. Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
UPDATE: The Preconception & Fertility Optimization series start date moved from Sept. 27 to Nov. 15. Classes will be held each Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., through Jan. 3 (no class Dec. 27).
The ladies at Oil and Cotton Creative Exchange have announced a fall schedule that includes the usual suspects — bookbinding, watercolor painting, photography, silkscreen — as well as a not-so-usual offering: “Preconception and Fertility Optimization” with Dr. Kate Naumes. “There is nothing quite like it available in Dallas,” Oil and Cotton’s Shannon Driscoll says of the class. The seven-week series is the second time Oil and Cotton has touched on the subject. “We tested the idea this spring with five couples, and it was extremely successful,” Driscoll says. Naumes is a naturopath, midwife and primary care physician with a special interest in women’s and children’s health, and the class is for those interested in learning how to enhance their health in preparation for optimal fertility. Naumes suggested the class to Oil and Cotton with the idea of exploring a question each week through art. “I needed help developing and facilitating the art component of each class and thought, ‘Who better than Oil and Cotton?’ ” Naumes says. She teaches how to protect oneself from exposure to substances in the environment that can decrease fertility and harm a developing baby, and the class is meant to be an opportunity to meet other Oak Cliff and Dallas couples with similar hopes and fears.
• Oil & Cotton, 837 W. Seventh, 214.988.9189
The Tamale Company creates a lard-free alternative
Oak Cliff resident Elizabeth Plimmer’s The Tamale Company offers lard-free, gluten free, “boil in bag” tamales. Available at local farmers markets and retail stores such as Ann’s Health Food Store on Zang near I-35, flavors include chicken tomatillo, ancho chili pork, black bean and corn, or bar-b-que beef. Nearly two and a half years ago, Liz’s father, Richard, was searching for his latest culinary venture and stumbled upon the tamale. Plimmer’s family owned some of Dallas’ first hot dog carts in the ’80s and has been involved with a variety of local restaurants through the years. “My dad was searching for a business idea with a simple focus,” Plimmer says. “As he talked to people, he heard that many felt that the tamale tradition was dying with their grandmothers.” Next, Plimmer would like to work her way into large distribution. The Tamale Company now has a tamale cart option, where customers can rent a tamale cart, a “sober worker” and tamales for a party at $50/hour.
• The Tamale Company, 214.233.6392
Neighborhood businesses participating in 2011 Partners Card
Many Oak Cliff retailers are participating in the Partners Card program. PHOTO courtesy of bank of texas
Presented by the Bank of Texas, the 2011 Partners Card is currently available for purchase at partnerscard.org. For the $60 purchase, cardholders receive a 20 percent discount at more than 750 stores and restaurants in the DFW area from Oct. 28-Nov. 6, and 100 percent of proceeds benefit The Family Place and its work toward family violence intervention and prevention. Last year, the Partners Card fundraising effort brought in a record-breaking $1 million. Many Oak Cliff businesses are involved, including Bishop Street Market; Dude, Sweet Chocolate; Hattie’s; Indigo 1745; Zola’s Everyday Vintage and more.
More business buzz
Interior of Tillman’s Roadhouse. Photo by Molly Dickson
Methodist Health System has announced plans for a major facility expansion to the tune of $135 million. The expansion, which includes changes to Methodist Dallas Medical Center, will enhance emergency and critical care. The Tyler-Davis District has launched a new, comprehensive website (tyler-davis.org) that features event listings and store info in the categories of art, music, eat & drink, shop, services, business directory, community and more. Tillman’s Roadhouse recently appeared on the Food Network’s “Sugar High.” The show’s host, Duff Goldman of “Ace of Cakes,” chose to highlight the restaurant’s beloved s’mores. Oak Cliff resident Tom Battles has moved his custom picture-framing store, Tom Battles Custom Picture Framing, to the Tyler-Davis District from its former location in the Dallas Design District.
• Methodist Health System, 1441 N. Beckley, 214.947.8181
• Tillman’s Roadhouse, 324 W. Seventh, 214.942.0988
• Tom Battles Custom Picture Framing, 413 N. Tyler, 214.942.0033
