We all make jokes that our houses are in disarray, that we live in garbage dumps if everything isn't picked up and spotless. It's that whole "My house is a total heap right now, pardon the mess!" thing. But as the Duncanville Church of Christ Mission Team discovered in Managua, Nicaragua, some people can say such things and not be exaggerating. On Tuesday beginning at 6:30 p.m., the team (in conjunction with Project Hope and Christian Relief Fund) celebrates the opening of Eyes of Nicaragua, an exhibition of photographs taken by local artists including Glenn James, Tim Heitman, Karen Stone and Tom Patterson showing through January 2 at the South Side on Lamar Galleries, 1409 S. Lamar St. The photos (taken on a recent trip to a garbage dump where people scavenge for food and fuel and where some live), a presentation, a discussion of plans for an orphanage in Bluefields, Nicaragua, and a housing replica of shelters built by Project Hope will explore strides made to improve the lives of the poor and education opportunities in Nicaragua. Call 214-426-1575. --Merritt Martin
Holiday Cheers
12/22
We're familiar with Shiraz, Merlot and that heinous white zinfandel in a box Dad insists on buying. And we thought we were doing well knowing those. Now we find out there's a slew of holiday wines we never even knew about. Are these so-called Christmas wines we'll be tasting at Chateau Wine Market designated as such because they're steeped in pine or because they have a festive label? We need some answers, people. We'll be getting some in addition to tasty swigs at the market's Christmas Wine Fest on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $10, and that's for wines not from a cardboard box. The market is located at 4514 Travis St. Call 214-528-9463. --Merritt Martin
Fragile Art
12/22
There are two ways to talk about Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass, 5100 Belt Line Road. The first is a sales pitch: "Seventy artists! Thousands of works on display! The average piece going for that low, low price of $24.99 just in time for the holiday season! Come on down!" But that isn't quite right. Yes, 70 artists will display their work through the Christmas season, but go to the studio instead for the novelty of the displays. That's what's impressive. The works themselves--and not their price tags--are worth the trip. There are ornaments in the shape of stars, hearts, teardrops, reindeer, birds and octopuses. One guy has shaped the glass to look like a ribbon, and when light hits it in two spots at once somehow the ribbon is two different colors. The Ornament Extravaganza runs through December 31, and on Thursdays the gallery stays open until 9 p.m. and visitors receive complimentary valet parking. Call 972-239-7957. --Paul Kix
