$1 Bubbly but you have to go to FW. But it's still $1 bubbly

Cure for the Summertime "I'm Bored" Effects: Tour Texas Motor Speedway for $8!

Summer is a time for vacationing and fun events. Add Texas Motor Speedway’s facility tour to your list; it’s a must-see! Speedway World, Texas Motor Speedway’s official store, offers tours of the speedway’s 1,500 acre facility.

Enjoy a ride around property in an air-conditioned van with several stops along the way. The tour gets underway with a lap around “The Great American Speedway!™” (Subject to availability.) Then see what it’s like to pull into a pit box on the infamous Pit Road. Follow this with a trip to Victory Lane where you can take a photo with friends and family. It’s the same place where your favorites like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and more celebrated their victories. Then enjoy the breathtaking view high atop the speedway in a Luxury Suite.

Tours are available every day of the week for only $8! Discounts are available for seniors 65+ and children under 12 years old. Speedway World’s weekly hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call ahead to (817)215-8565 and reserve your tour in advance.

72 Hour Challenge - Build a Better Block on Ross Avenue

It's Sunday and It's Time for You to Vote

I know, it's Sunday, and you don't really want to do much. That's why I'm not asking for much. I just want you to go cast your vote for your favorite Tree organization in town. Here's what you need to do

1. Just go log in to Facebook (you were gonna do that anyway)



2. Visit Toyota USA's page



3. Click on the 100 Cars for Good Link on the Left



4. Vote for Texas Trees



5. Done, Go pour yourself a mimosa, you earned it.

Wasn't that easy? Need a little extra motivation? Check out their video:

Music Lineup for Taste of Addison

As if the food weren't a good enough reason to go to Taste of Addison, here's the music lineup that will definitely make a trip up the tollway worth it:

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011
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6:00 Dustin Perkins Band
7:30 Kyle Bennett Band
9:00 Chris Young
10:30 Tracy Lawrence

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011
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1:00 Seryn
2:30 Jace Bersin Trio
4:00 Tiffany Shea Band
5:30 Calhoun
7:00 The Orbans
8:45 Cody Canada & The Departed
10:30 Third Eye Blind

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011
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12:30 Mariachi Rosas Divinas
2:00 IMAJ
3:30 The Killdares

First Look/Restaurant Review: Mesa

I usually have a deluge of emails in my inbox each morning, which I diligently skim to let you know all the best deals, steals, and you know the rest. Then there are the emails that come in later in the day that I might take a little more time to read, and I’m glad I did just that on Friday, as I found out about the soft opening for Mesa. The official opening party is on Wednesday, and it’s worth the trip to the OC.

The location, on Jefferson, makes you double check to make sure you locked your car, but once you’re inside the nicely appointed space, you completely forget where you are. There are few tables, so be glad when you snag one. The dark brown chairs and banquettes coordinate nicely with the orange accent wall and orange bottles of water placed on your table.

Sig-O and I were warmly greeted by the hostess and the chef owner, who continued to check on us throughout the evening. The service was prompt and friendly, letting us know that they weren’t serving their signature cocktails yet, but the bar was a still available. Their cocktail list is impressive, involving a number of house made ingredients that made us want to return to enjoy the bar. After taking our drink order, the server told us that he’d bring out the Surtido Veracruzano , an assortment of appetizers, so we could try a number of things, as well as their ceviche. The plate includes enmoladas, enfrijoladas, platanos fritos, picada and an empanada. The empanada was the standout appetizer, but I’d certainly recommend getting the sampler plate so you can try things on your own. But the ceviche, with house-made tortilla chips really stole the show. The bright flavors seemed to dance in your mouth. I even bargained with the Sig-O to make sure I could have a little extra ceviche.

After the large appetizer we had, Sig-O and I decided to split the Camarones Enchipotlados. Described as whole Galveston shrimp sautéed in chipotle sauce and served with jasmine rice, we found that we had chosen wisely again. The smokiness of the chipotle sauce married well with the tender shrimp. The side of sautéed vegetables included onion, zucchini and corn. Our charming server also brought out some fresh tortillas, which were wonderful. Since we were splitting, I’m sure that bringing three tortillas would have been perfect for one person, but a restaurant pet peeve of mine would be those that bring an odd number of tortillas to a couple. It would just be nice to have them throw in an extra tortilla. Not as much a complaint about Mesa, but just a restaurant comment. You know, it would just help avoid that awkward, “oh, I took the last one, is that ok?” moment.

Since Sig-O and I had split our entrée, and they had two desserts available that night, we opted to try each. The first was Arroz con Leche. It was wonderful, just the right amount of sweetness with the texture of the rice. But the winner for the entire night was the flan. Sig-O isn’t even a fan of flan, yet the plate kept going that direction. I don’t want to sound crass, but this dessert was like sex on a spoon. It was fantastic. With a creamy texture, rich mouth feel and a touch of orange flavor, this will most certainly be on my must have list.

On another note, Mesa has done a very good job of indicating gluten-free and vegetarian options on their menu. It’s always nice to see the attention to detail. I’m so glad that we got to go to Mesa before the crush that will undoubtedly ensue. I’d recommend heading over there ASAP so you can enjoy it too. Check out their site here and make your reservation!

Drive Your Car Like a Racecar

Did you know that racecar is one of those words that is the same word both forward and backward? Go ahead, check it, I'll wait. . . . See? But that's mostly irrelevant to this post.

There always seems to be something fun going on at “The Great American Speedway!”™ This Saturday is the “Laps for Charity” benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway. Instead of watching race cars speed past you from your seat in the grandstands, you get a chance to take the wheel and experience the 1.5-mile superspeedway oval from an entirely different perspective! Come over to Texas Motor Speedway anytime between 5-10 pm Saturday and take your very own car out on the track for three laps behind a pace vehicle. It will cost you only $30 to experience the thrill of the race track and to gain even more respect for your favorite race car drivers. For an additional $10, you can even have your picture taken in Victory Lane! Click here for all the details.

If you want to REALLY make this an experience, you can purchase the VIP Laps Experience for $250. With this purchase, you are guaranteed a reserved time for a five-lap driving session, a photo in Victory Lane, two event t-shirts, a two-week trial membership to The Speedway Club, and dinner for two in The Speedway Club on Saturday evening. Such an amazing deal! Be sure to claim your VIP Laps Experience soon because they are limited and must be purchased in advance! All you have to do is contact Speedway Children’s Charities at (817) 215-8421 and you will be on your way to a great Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Sounds like a good way for my sister to drive her car like a bat out of hell without worrying about those pesky HP cops. Have fun!

Cheap Massage - And It's Not the Sketchy Kind

Want a full hour massage for under $10? Today is your lucky day! Grab one for yourself, your special someone, your mom (mother's day is coming), heck, grab an extra one so you'll have a backup birthday present around.

This deal is only around for a few more days, so go ahead and grab yours: http://www.weeklyplus.com/dallas/spa-and-salon/monalisa-wellness-center-and-spa-1-1261.html

LegoLand is Coming

Winos and Music Lovers Unite

From the Cut & Paste Department:

$29 -- DALLAS SYMPHONY WITH FREE ART WALK AND WINE, REG. $93http://www.travelzoo.com/l/72883938-983916/
Source: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Hear the sounds of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" for50% off. The famous symphony, which was featured in Disney's"Fantasia," will be performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in March.

For $29, Travelzoo subscribers can get a ticket to the Friday, March 18, performance and receive a free ticket tothe Savor Dallas Arts District Wine Stroll prior to the show. This package is regularly $93.

This popular evening event is held in the lobbies of Dallas' biggest performing art venues and includes wine tastings at each stop. The Savor Dallas Arts District Wine Stroll alone costs $35. Seats for the symphony, without the art walk and winetasting are also available on Thursday, March 17, at 8 p.m.;Friday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 18, at7:30 p.m: -Grand Tier ... $15-$29 (regularly $30-$58)-Orchestra Floor ... $30-$49 (regularly $60-$98)-Orchestra Terrace ... $39-$59 (regularly $78-$118) To get this deal, purchase a voucher directly from Travelzoo.

There is no limit to the number of vouchers thatcan be purchased.http://www.travelzoo.com/l/72883938-983916/


Again, apologies that this had to come from the Cut & Paste Department, but unless you want this fabulous blog to go behind a paywall (like a daily newspaper in town that shall remain nameless, cough, DMN, cough, cough), it'll have to do while I do the whole paying job thing. Thanks!

The One Reason You Go to Denny's

is back. Free Grand Slam Tuesday is tomorrow (2/9). So figure out where your closest Denny's is and grab a date for and early Valentine's Day celebration. Oh, and it's only good until 2 p.m., so it's going to have to be a lunch date.

Diddy Does Dallas

Save $10 on the BIGGEST All-Star weekend bash! You’re invited to the granddaddy of Dallas’ NBA All-Star parties, co-hosted by none other than Sean John Combs himself.

Join Diddy and co-hosts Greg Buckner from the Memphis Grizzlies, Josh Howard from the Dallas Mavericks, and local radio stars Terrence J, Rosci, and Monie Love. Plus watch DJs from across the country battle it out.

Save $10 on limited general admission tickets, just look for the box marked Special Ticket Offer at checkout.

Hurry, this offer ends Friday, Feb. 5. www.Ticketmaster.com

Channel your Inner Ricky Bobby

Forget Speed Zone. It's a short-lived thrill on the side of the highway and you've done it 100 times. Ready for the next step? How about North Texas Karting?

It's like a go-kart, but you actually get to shift gears and go much, much faster than those silly child carts. Sure, you'll actually need to buy your own (they've got all the resources for you), but think of the thrill of real racing just inches from the ground. If you've got the Andretti gene, you'll want to check it out. Sounds like good time or a good V-day present for the loved one who loves speed.

A Toast to the State of the Union

Wondering how to make watching the state of the union address fun? How about making it a drinking game? That's right, every time you hear something along the lines of "hopey, hopey, change, change," you can take a drink. If you're wanting something more sophisticated, check out the drinking game these guys made up: http://www.drinkinggame.us

They may have too much time on their hands, but it certainly could make it a more interesting party. Next up, drinking game for the Republican gubernatorial debate in Texas. Shot every time Medina talks about guns or just generally does ridiculous banter. Shot every time Kay looks like stone or waffles on abortion. Shot every time Rick makes some stupid reference to him as being Texas and to Texas being so great that we should be subjected to another term of him. Good luck making it past the first 10 minutes without losing consciousness.

Enjoy the Not Winter Weather

With the next few days being balmy for January stop by the Dallas Arboretum at a discounted rate. Wednesday is buy one admission, get one free; Thursday is AT&T Senior Thursdays with $6.50 admission and 20% off in The Hoffman Family Gift Store.

Sounds like a nice field trip during the work week.