Stopped by some of your favorite neighborhood restaurants and shops recently, such as R+D Kitchen, Taco Diner, Hillstone, and Sprinkles Cupcakes? If so, you must have noticed the large construction project smack in the middle of The Plaza at Preston Center. These blockades, bulldozers, and other building materials are courtesy of the ongoing construction of a five-story office and retail complex. The project, aimed to be completed by winter 2012, will also house the University Park Library and a multi-level parking garage.

How has your shopping been altered? Lucky Dog Bakery, Mel Crews, and Park Plaza Salon reconfigured their floor design to open from the rear entrance. Other shops — such as Corner Bakery Café, American Express Travel, Montana Salon, Occhliali Modern Optics, and Matthew Trent Jewelry Design Studio — have relocated within the Plaza.

Any perks to the mess? A complementary valet system is offered so you do not have to navigate the disarray. Also, a plexiglass viewing area will be added so everyone can see the action.

Oladunni Ogundipe of Hockaday, Spencer E. Williams of St. Mark’s, and Monica Ohawke of Ursuline are among the more than 1,600 black high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. These students now have an opportunity to compete for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $2.4 million.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding program participants. More than 31,100 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $98 million.

With the Episcopal School of Dallas’ homecoming scheduled for tonight, you’d imagine there’d be plenty of signs of school spirit dotting the campus.

Of course, every high school has a homecoming, but I’m willing to bet no other high school has artistic renderings of the founder’s head superimposed on the mascot’s body. Solid effort, Eagles.

Or so I’ve been told via my Preston Hollow google alert. I’ve been trolling the streets of this ‘hood for more than a year now, and I’ve never seen a garage sale of any size. But I can only imagine those expansive homes hold a few unwanted/unneeded items. The Craig’s List ad for this event boasts clothing, action figures, and “ride on toys” along with household items and electronics.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., today and tomorrw

WHERE: 6715 Pemberton Drive

For a very limited time, you can give the gift of a lifetime — a ride on a World War II C-47 airplane! Greatest Generation Aircraft is offering gift certificates for 40-minute flight experiences with a free three-month membership to its flight activity center for $99 per person. These gift certificates can be used immediately or on any of the local flights conducted in 2012. Gift certificates for B-25 Bomber rides are also available at $499 per person. The C-47 holds 16 people, the Bomber holds 6. To purchase gift certificates, call Dana at 817-659-9249 or email greatestgeneration@yahoo.com.

After 11 terms in the Texas House of Representatives, Will Hartnett (R-Texas), announced today he will not go for No. 12.

“My wife and three sons have stood by me during my years of public service, and now I look forward to having more time to stand by them in our family life,” he said in a statement.

Mr. and Mrs. Wade Sperry Goodrich of University Park are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Katherine Goodrich, to Christopher Richard Roby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richard Roby of University Park.

The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising from Texas Christian University. She is currently employed as realtor with the Mathews Nichols Group at Allie Beth Allman and Associates.

The groom is a graduate of Highland Park High School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi. He is currently employed as a field solutions advisor with Cbeyond Communications Inc.

The couple plan to exchange vows on Nov. 5, at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.

Chandler Taylor Rice and Jeffrey Lee Winslow exchanged wedding vows on August 20 in the Chapel at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. The ceremony was officiated by the Reverend Mark S. Anschutz. Music was provided by organist, James Diaz. A reception followed at the Dallas Petroleum Club Sky Lobby.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Alan Rice of University Park. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Albert Taylor of Victoria, Arkansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Harvey Rice of Bentonville, Arkansas.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Arthur Winslow of Georgetown, Texas, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Hutchison Fetter of La Marque, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Worth Ray Winslow of Tyler, Texas.

The bride selected a gown by Amsale. The ivory double silk organza trumpet gown had a side ruched bodice and beaded silk belt. Patti Flowers of Dallas designed an Alencon lace shrug to complement the strapless gown which the bride wore for the wedding ceremony.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. Attending as maids of honor were Christina Connally Crews and Elizabeth Fortune Dale. Bridesmaids included Kirby Diane Gribble, Lesley Russell O’Leary, Brooke Katherine Pearce, Meredith Lewis Perry, Robyn Whitney Sills, Stephanie Browne Snell, and Meredith Renee Wilson. The junior bridesmaid was Caroline Grace Winslow. Members of the house party were: Caroline Sheffield Lidji, Ashley Lynn Rice, Darbie Nowatka Rice, Dafna Bianca Salomon, Margaret Elizabeth Skorburg, Amy Kathleen Wainscott, and Kristina Jo Winslow.

Serving the groom as best men were Thomas Matthew Wainscott and Christopher Finch Wilson. Groomsmen were John Vernon Cantrell III, Paul Christian Plekon, Charles Maximillian Recker, Justin Alan Rice, Brian Keith Rousey, David Lloyd Wiley, and John William Winslow. The junior groomsman was Grant Worth Winslow.

Scriptures were read by Scott Lewis Campbell and Candace Plummer Winslow. Anthony Noel Briggle served as verger, Dr. Claude Brockman Prestidge served as crucifer and Dianne Betts and Susan Russell were acolytes.

The bride graduated from The Hockaday School in 2002. She received her Bachelor of Arts and later, a Juris Doctor, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The bride is an associate attorney with Alexander and Associates.

The groom graduated from Highland Park High School in 2000. He graduated from Rhodes College in 2004 where he majored in business administration and minored in philosophy. While at Rhodes he served as president of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He is employed as manager of contract implementation for MedAssets in Dallas.

After enjoying a honeymoon trip to Greece and Rome, the couple is at home in Plano.