It’s a good thing the city put up this sign at the end of Dittmar Place. Otherwise, I might not have realized what I was looking at.

If you wanted more information about the gas drilling controversy, you can get it tonight without leaving Preston Hollow.

I’m at a friend’s house in Glen Meadow Estates (north of Forest, west of Midway), where two ducks have inexplicably appeared on his roof. Anyone else having this problem?

In today’s edition of Preston Hollow People, there’s a story about Kramer and Pershing elementary schools working to beautify their respective campuses with “learning gardens.” Staffer Chris McGathey shot a video of a bunch of Kramer Colts led by parent Lisa Gewax planting a tree.

While I wish we could embed the video within the print product a-la The Daily Prophet in Harry Potter, our tech team is still trying to crack that code.

If the newest figure calculating worldwide population at 7 billion is a cause of concern for you, then head to Midway Hills Christian Church (11001 Midway Road) at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.

A dedicated group of Dallas area residents will engaged in a frank discussion on the growth of the human race and what it is doing to the earth’s resources.

For more information contact Paul Rodgers at paulhrodgers@sbcglobal.net

Arthur Kramer Elementary is competing for a $50,000 grant from Clorox. With just a click of your mouse (and the surrender of a few personal details), you can put the Colts one step closer to a revamped vegetable garden and so much more. You can also Text “Clorox7889″ to 44144. Voting runs through Dec. 9 and allows for one vote with each method daily.

An excerpt from the school’s application reads:

This $50,000 grant would allow us to rebuild our garden, and to add a greenhouse, nature trail, herb garden, wildflower field, rainwater barrels and a chicken yard with coup. The impact of this grant will be so great in allowing students from kindergarten through 5th grade to expand their learning in many ways. They would be able to collect fresh eggs and produce to sell in their own school farmer’s market which would teach them about commerce, agriculture, and provide them with many other learning experiences. Each class will also come up with a special name for their garden bed and select what will be planted each season. This grant would boost school pride as each class would get the whole family involved with the care and maintenance for each of their vegetable beds. We would like to encourage fresh produce in the diets of our students and their families. That is the biggest “seed” we want to plant.

During the Jewish Federation’s 100^th annual Mitzvah Day, which is this Sunday, there will be hundreds of service projects offered throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Here is a guide to the ones most convenient to the Hollow.

For (almost) Teens: The Jewish Community Center

Perfect for pre-teens eager to experience independence. Teen Connection, the precursor to BBYO, is hosting a service project for grades 6-8. From 1 to 5 p.m.

For Foodies: Temple Emanu-El

The next time your stomach grumbles, imagine the pains of those who go without enough food every day. Go to Temple Emanu-El and help make sandwiches for the homeless. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

For Creative Thinkers: Children’s Medical Center

Who hasn’t suffered from the boredom blues while waiting at a doctor’s office? Assemble sheets of word games and crossword puzzles to help adults with sick children pass the time while waiting at the hospital. From 9 a.m. to noon.

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In a narrow vote (7-6), the City Plan Commission approved Prestonwood Baptist Church’s proposal for a 40-foot illuminated cross in the northeast corner of its property at 12123 Hillcrest Road. Four neighbors spoke in opposition to the plan, including former commissioner Carol Scott, who gave an impassioned defense of trees and darkness.

“I can’t understand the illumination and the massive tree removal only to show off a 40-foot cross,” Scott said. “I have it on good authority that this large cross … will make a terrific traffic and accident area.”

Pastor Chris Kouba said the lighting will face the building and is “not intended” to reflect on anyone’s home. He said it will be turned off at midnight, along with the rest of the lighting already on the property.

“The trees we have already done our due diligence on,” he said. “We do have the right to remove any trees as long as it’s tied to a permit, which it is.”

Despite this disagreement, Kouba said the church’s desire is to be “good neighbors.”

“We do not think [the cross] will affect in any way our relationship with the surrounding community,” he said.

If you’re of the tree-hugging variety, the following weekend activity is probably of interest. The Organization of Young Environmental Activists is holding a protest and petitioning the City of Dallas for better, more extensive public transportation.

Greenhill senior Ivan Kumamoto is leading a group of students who are meeting at the DART station in the 8200 block of Forest Lane at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

B-25J Pacific Prowler

UPDATE (9/22/11): This event has been canceled.

Dallas/Fort Worth is rich in aviation history. Greatest Generation Aircraft is a non-profit foundation that restores vintage military aircraft to their original flying condition as a tribute to the military members who flew them and as a living history lesson for their children, grandchildren, and generations to come. You can help keep ‘em flyin’ and have a great time by attending Greatest Generation Aircraft’s 1st Annual Hangar Dance at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum Oct. 1.

Enjoy live music by Buddy’s Big Band, a dance and costume contest, rides in the DC-3 and B-25 Bomber, a silent auction, swing dance lessons, a Toyota Prius raffle, and more! Proceeds from the event will help restore Greatest Generation Aircraft’s WWII CG-4A Waco Glider, Vietnam-era A26-K, and other vintage military restoration projects. You can specify which restoration project you’d like to support!

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