By late Thursday, set-up was nearly completed for this weekend's annual Taste of Dallas Festival in the West End. So be warned: Ross Avenue (past Lamar Street) is already blocked off and will not be reopened until Monday. There are plenty of small parking lots in the area; however, DART may be the smartest way to arrive.

What to expect? Mostly the same as last year, except there will be NBC5's "DFW's Got Talent" contest. Get there at 3 p.m. today and Saturday to perform before judges. Finalists move on to the next round on Sunday and compete to win $5,000. And Jason Kidd will make a cameo during the NBA and Sprite's Slam Dunk Showdown.

Dick's Last Resort had nearly finished setting up the decorations for their tent by 7 p.m. on Thursday. General manager Dana Johnson said the restaurant had been participating for at least the last 22 years. Most of the food they will serve this weekend, like their big pig slider, will cost $2 or $3.

But with temperatures for the weekend expected to top out past the 100-degree mark, we asked Johnson how she planned to beat the heat. "We just have fans and water and a good attitude," she said. Huh? We thought the Dick's staff was supposed to act like, well, you know. At which point Johnson fell back into character: "Stop talking to me, it's hot."

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