Swing By

A License to Drive

Comments (0) Thursday, Mar 4 2004

SAT 3/6

Mark Andersen

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When Jean Van de Velde, victory in sight, blew the last hole of the 1999 British Open, even non-golfers gasped in horror. The poor guy ricocheted one shot off the grandstand, another into the creek and another into a bunker. We'll spare you the other details of the Frenchman's excruciating triple-bogey that lost him the tournament. You, too, may make golf history at the 14th Annual World Golf Expo where you can compete in driving and putting contests, have your swing analyzed, attend instructional seminars and check out the latest golfing gear, March 6-7 at the Dallas Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St. Admission is $8. Call 1-800-831-EXPO.--Michelle Martinez

Spring Fling
Arboretum blooms with record-setting flower power
SAT 3/6

The Dallas Arboretum has long been a favorite destination for inner-city romantic getaways, family-friendly photo opportunities and a rare breath of fresh air in Big D. Its annual Dallas Blooms festival is the beauty peak of the year-round botanical garden. For the 20th anniversary of the festival, the arboretum is breaking its own record with more than 450,000 spring-blooming bulbs. Also on display for visual and nasal arousal are 20,000 azaleas and 70,000 other blooming annuals and perennials including pansies, violas, delphiniums and poppies. Live music fills the gardens on weekends, Mommy & Me Mondays feature extra children's activities and don't be afraid to break a sweat on Fitness Fridays. If your feet aren't ready to traverse the 66 acres of floral fabulousness, then horse-drawn wagon rides are available for $2 per rider. Dallas Blooms 2004 opens Saturday and runs through April 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with early opening on Fridays at 8 a.m. at the Dallas Arboretum, 8617 Garland Road. Admission is $7 or $6 for seniors 65 and over, $4 for children 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and under. Parking is $4. Call 214-327-4901 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org. --Jay Webb

Think Outside the Box
SAT 3/6

On Saturday, 24 men will battle each other in kickboxing matches to raise money for DISD. Sounds like the usual Dallas Observer sarcasm, right? Oddly enough, it's not. In the face of rising education costs and Bush's "Leave No Child Behind" program, bake sales don't cut it any longer, so Rabbit Productions' Night of Champions has stepped in with fists and feet of fund-raising doom. LOOS Field House at 3815 Spring Valley is hosting the event, which is surely the most violent school fund-raiser since Siegfried & Roy's Tigers For Tots Telethon. Four Texas Amateur Contact Karate Association title matches will take place, and, afterward, a 10-man U.S.A. vs. Mexico melee will decide, once and for all, which country is the master of fund-raising disaster. We couldn't confirm by press time if DISD Superintendent Mike Moses will attend and demonstrate his jujitsu expertise, but we're crossing our fingers. Tickets are $15 and up at www.texastickets.com. --Sam Machkovech