The highlight of the lunch, though, was when a brisk breeze swirled through the courtyard at One Arts, toppling two large shade umbrellas. One fell on empty tables. The other, which was shading our table, fell onto a two-top across the aisle from us, smashing a glass full of red wine, and threatening the lives of the two gentlemen there seated. They surely would have been decapitated if not for the quick thinking of my good friend Jaap, who lunged backward in his chair and, with his baton hand, managed to steady the sickle-like umbrella before it could do further damage. Bravo!

(Did I mention that I was over-served?)

It’s called Snuff Bottle Court (because of the snuff bottle installation) and will have a wisteria arbor (SHADE!); tables, chairs, wifi; an installation of Hokusai’s Great Wave in plant material on the back wall; lighting and very cool ambiance. We’re inviting Teiichi (Tei An) to come down for events (Late Nights with the DMA, Members’ Previews, etc. and on occasional lunch hours) to serve Japanese hand food and tea. Launches at the Late Night (we call it Zen in the City) on November 20.

Hofland says the space is for programmed events, but they are testing the market to see if maybe the space could work as a regular lunch spot. I say huzzah to that. I walk Flora Street every day to and from work. Now that the Arts District is (mostly) built, it’s time for the next step: street-level spaces that cater to daily life. And while I’m at it, I’m tired of looking at the back of the Belo Mansion, too. (P.S. The Crow has inspired me. My new bar is called Snuff Film Alley.)

Last night, Detective Andrew Chalk busted into a preview dinner at Samar by Stephan Pyles. He files this report.

The Trinity Trust Announces “Bridging the Trinity” with Santiago Calatrava, Award-Winning Architect and Designer of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

DALLAS, Texas, September 18, 2009 – The Trinity Trust Foundation will host a Bridge Fair, “Bridging the Trinity,” celebrating the Santiago Calatrava signature Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge now under construction in the heart of Dallas. The landmark event will be held on the Continental Bridge on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature street artists, delectable delights, musical entertainment and surprise treats. Entertainment includes DJ Lucy Wrubel and the band Boys Named Sue.

Santiago Calatrava, an internationally acclaimed award-winning architect, artist and engineer, is an honored guest. Joining him will be Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and the National Honorary Chairs U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Honorary Event Chairs are Mary McDermott Cook, Lyda Hill, Al Hill Jr. and Alinda Wikert. Lynn McBee is the Event Chair, and Christy Berry is the Host Committee Chair. Williams Brothers Construction is the Presenting Sponsor.

Dr. Gail Thomas, president of The Trinity Trust, said, “This remarkable Bridge Fair celebrates the progress of The Trinity project on the Continental Bridge, which will become a pedestrian bridge once the Margaret Hunt Hill suspension bridge is built. We will also celebrate our ‘Suspense is Building’ campaign to inform the community of this remarkable element of The Trinity project.”

As the designer of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Santiago Calatrava visited Dallas earlier this year and shared his excitement about the arrival of the steel in Texas and what this bridge will do for Dallas, Texas and the United States.

“What makes these bridges unique is that they will become a part of the Dallas skyline,” Calatrava said. “They are the first steps of centering the city, with the Trinity River on both sides, and calling the city back to the river to become a central gathering place.”

The arrival of the first shipment of steel in Dallas is adding to the excitement, and more shipments will be arriving later this year. “The steel has arrived, and the people will become excited once they see the progress of this remarkable suspension bridge,” said Dr. Thomas.

The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is the first vehicular bridge designed by Calatrava in the United States. This world-class bridge will eventually connect Singleton Boulevard in West Dallas across the Trinity River to Woodall Rodgers (Spur 366) in downtown Dallas. This bridge’s central arch will reach 400 feet high upon completion. Pieces of the white arch, which arrived in late July, could begin being hoisted into place by the end of the year. Other elements include a 1,200-foot long span with miles of cable holding the bridge span in place. Once completed, the bridge will become Dallas’ signature landmark for The Trinity project and will replace the Continental Bridge, which will serve as the pedestrian bridge.

A second Calatrava Bridge—the Margaret McDermott Bridge—will start construction at a later date.

Mary McDermott Cook, chair of The Trinity Trust Foundation, said about Calatrava: “Santiago is a talented and brilliant architect and artist, having designed the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, one I recently saw, and many buildings of great artistic significance. He’s also designed award-winning bridges around the globe, and he’s building the first [of] two vehicular bridges in the United States right here in Dallas, including my mom’s bridge, the Margaret McDermott Bridge.”

“Bridging the Trinity” Host Committee includes the following: Dolores and Larry Barzune; Hong and Jim Bass; Christy and Robby Berry; Laura and Dan Boeckman; Nancy and Robbie Briggs; Todd Fiscus and Rob Dailey; Jerri and Stuart Fitts; Ola and Randall Fojtasek; Margaret and Barry Hancock; Melissa and Trey Hill; Muffin and John Lemak; Carol and John Levy; Jennifer and Jim Lincoln; Nancy and Michael Lunceford; Bobby B. Lyle; Nancy Cain Marcus; Laura and Jack Matthews; Lynn and Allan McBee; Janie and Cappy McGarr; Ann Swisher and Michael McGehee; Laura and Butch McGregor; Megan and Casey McManemin; Pat and Bob Meckfessel; Karen and Jeff Morris; Nancy Perot Mulford; Alice and Erle Nye; Lillie and Phil Romano; Deedie and Rusty Rose; Kathi and Scott Shuford; Emily and Steve Summers; Gail and Bob Thomas; Fallon and Robie Vaughn.

A $2 billion public works project, The Trinity project is one of the largest urban developments in the nation stretching 20 miles through Dallas and encompassing 10,000 acres. Plans include a meandering river, downtown lakes, an island, wetlands, hike and bike trails, a whitewater course, riding paths and nature walks through the Great Trinity Forest. The Trinity River Audubon Center is already completed.

Media sponsors are D Magazine, D CEO and People Newspapers.

For more information and to purchase tickets to “Bridging the Trinity,” go to www.bridgingthetrinity.com. Tickets begin at $150 each, and underwriting opportunities are available. For more information, contact The Trinity Trust at 214.740.1616.

About The Trinity Trust Foundation and The Trinity Center:

The Trinity Trust raises private funds to implement the Balanced Vision Plan for The Trinity project in conjunction with the City of Dallas. The Trinity Trust has established The Trinity Center as the gathering place for all civic and non-profit groups working to revitalize the Trinity River in Dallas. It houses the offices of The Trinity Trust Foundation, Texas Horse Park, Groundwork Dallas and Trinity Strand Trail; and hosts meetings, workshops and events for these organizations and the Trinity Commons Foundation. The Trinity Center facilitates collaboration between these entities and the City of Dallas and encourages seamless integration of all the components of The Trinity project. More information can be found by calling 214.740.1616, by emailing info@thetrinitytrust.org, or by visiting www.thetrinitytrust.org.