There are 14 houses on the 2011 Old Oak Cliff Conservation League Home Tour this year, from Winnetka Heights to Oak Park Estates, from 100-year-old homes to mid-century modern split-levels. Two unique stops on the tour feature drastically different styles and influences. Read Rachel’s story about these two homes from our October 2011 issue here.

Labradoodles Doodle and Perry peek through the fence at owner Lou Castro.

Rosemont Elementary School student Braden Moore hangs out on a zip line at Scout-a-palooza in August.

A three-alarm fire at the Solo Cup Co. on West Ledbetter Wednesday resulted in no injuries. All of the employees evacuated with the fire alarms, and it was reported that the fire started when a machine overheated.

Advocate photographer Benjamin Hager took these photos from the scene.

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Some of the city’s best bartenders set up shop in the Bishop Arts District Sunday for the Margarita Meltdown competition. And people from all over the city came to sip their creations.

Nikki Cotten brought us these photos from the event.

Photos by Nikki Cotten

Boy Scouts Troop 5, which is headquartered in North Oak Cliff, hosted “Scout-a-Palooza” at Kessler Park United Methodist Church this past weekend. They invited anyone having interest to come out experience scouting.

Advocate photographer Nikki Cotten checked out the event Saturday, and she brought us this slideshow.

Photos by Nikki Cotten

Pictures and happenings from around our neighborhood.

Early on Saturday mornings, cyclists emerge, all spandexed up with their road bikes for 50-mile treks. Others pile mountain bikes into their truck beds for a morning of dirty work at the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve.

But there is another breed of rider in Oak Cliff. The cute girl. The socializer. The casual pedaler. And now, Saturday morning has a place for them, too.

The Oak Cliff Leisure Riders organized two weeks ago, when it was rainy and cool for once, and about four people showed up to ride. This past Saturday, there were about six. The group hopes to keep growing, and they welcome any kind of bike, adults and children. They meet at 8:15 a.m. Saturdays at Southern Maid Donuts on West Davis.

Advocate photographer Nikki Cotten rode along with the leisure riders Saturday, and she brought us these pictures.

Photos by Nikki Cotten

Several new businesses opened for the Tyler Davis block party this past Saturday. Gallery Bomb and Tom Battles Custom Picture Framing held grand openings. And Bishop Arts Winery, which has yet to obtain the proper licensing to operate as a wine shop and manufacturer, opened its doors to offer samples of wine, snacks and coffee.

The winery opens for business this morning, serving coffee and pastries.

Advocate photographer Nikki Cotten was at the block party, and she brought us this slide show.

Photos by Nikki Cotten

Many involved in the painful, frustrating and necessary process are still around to share their stories.