GET EXCITED ABOUT THE XERISCAPE TOUR

If you think “cactus” when you think “xeriscape,” think again. Or better yet, take this free, self-guided tour tomorrow at 9 a.m. You’ll see gorgeous, lush gardens in Plano and Cedar Hill–and the cool part is that they’re all “water wise.” The irony, of course, is that there’s a good chance you may get wet on the tour.

STERLING TEA EVENT AT CULINARY CONNECTION

Here in Dallas, we know that the only way to survive the summer is by pretending it’s winter. Hence our passion for air conditioning. But temperature shock (watch out! it strikes as you walk from your door to your car!) means that it’s teatime–drink it hot indoors, or icy cold alfresco. At Plano’s Culinary Connection, they’re preparing for both. Brenda Sterling Meyers, the founder of Sterling Tea and an inspiration to local female entrepreneurs, will speak there June 30th, accompanied by (what else?) green, black, white, and herbal hot tea, and iced tea, too. Learn a bit about tea and its antioxidant health benefits–maybe you’ll figure out how to stave off that air-conditioning-induced cold. June 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Culinary Connection. 5700 Legacy Drive, Plano. 972-398-9009.

DALLAS REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME

Had an interview this morning with Robert Grunnah, Darrell Hurmis, and Chris Teesdale, the three founders of the Dallas Real Estate Hall of Fame, now in its 20th year. They’re going to put out a book of the honorees this fall and say they want to capture the stories and characters that shaped (and still shape) Dallas today. Like John Stemmons, for instance, who always wore a bow tie and would send bottles of his “special hooch”, “Stemmonsky Distillers Imported Trinity Vodka”, to his friends and colleagues. Or Irv Deal, who had his female brokers wear hot pants in the 70s (nice one). Or the “Godfathers of real estate”, Henry S. Miller and Trammell Crow. These guys have the inside story on all the biggest names in commercial real estate and they’re having a blast putting together these (sometimes) tall tales. Quote I loved from Robert: “DFW developers, in the real estate community, are known as the most honest, straightforward communities in the country.”

FLIP SIDE EXHIBIT AT CERULEAN GALLERY

You know how you claimed to your coworkers that you frequent the Dallas art scene? Well, if you go to the Cerulean Gallery’s June 8th reception for its Flip Side exhibit, you’ll be telling the truth (retroactively is better than not at all). The exhibit features artists Robin Hazard-Bishop, Suzanne Fuqua, and Aaron Kotara, and is so named for the contrast between the three artists’ styles. Hazard-Bishop’s pastel and oil works and Fuqua’s oil Dallas scenes (see Versailles Park at left) take different approaches to landscape, while Kotara creates abstract sculpture with nails, string, wood and other unexpected multimedia. The Flip Side exhibit runs from June 8 to July 17, with an artists’ reception June 8 from 6-9 p.m. 6609 A Hillcrest Ave. 214-739-2583.

ANN SACKS’ TURKISH TILES

Ann Sacks just keeps expanding the world of tiles for us. Even if you’re not planning your own Turkish spa (and why not?), these Iznik tiles are manufactured with the same unique hand-crafted techniques that were used in the 16th century to adorn Ottoman temples. The tiles are made of 85 percent quartz so the finish is satiny and glasslike, and they form a fanciful pattern right out of Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan.”

JANE CORBELLINI’S ETCHINGS

Jane Corbellini had a showing yesterday of some of her etchings that have recently been on display at Gallery 2600, 2600 Hibernia, where gallery owner Diane Dunaway features local artists. I never knew there were so many different print techniques; Jane very patiently tried to explain them. We also got to see her work-in-progress home being done by Susan Palma. Susan’s in China but everyone there was talking about, and eagerly awaiting, the July issue of DHome to see her house, brilliantly photographed by Tim Kolk.

WINE-OH! FRIDAY

Sip, swirl, and spit the best tastings and wine events of the upcoming week:

Best Cellars invites James Beard nominee Sharon Hage of York Street to create a menu around four delicious wines, including Clean Slate Riesling, Olivier Leflaive Les Setilles Burgundy, Jade Mountain La Provencale, and Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano from Tuscany. Saturday, June 2. $10 per person and all featured wines are 10 percent off.

Off the Vine/Into the Glass welcomes owner Patricia Kluge and winemaker Gabriele Rausse of Kluge Estates for a special winemaker dinner this Tuesday, June 4. Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with these outstanding Virginian (yes, Virginia) wines. $55 per person.

Grand Tastings features the wines of Spain and Portugal this Thursday, June 7. Taste what’s hot now from GT’s rutas de vino (wine route), including Cavas, whites, reds, and ports. $19 for wine club members. $23 for non-members. Cheese will accompany the tastings.

30 UNDER 30: 3 HONORED YOUNG REALTORS FROM TEXAS

Never trust anyone over 30, just under! Michael Reese, a salesperson with Keller Williams Frisco Stars in Frisco, joins Courtney Johnson Rose, a broker-manager with George E. Johnson Development Inc. in Houston, and Justin Whitworth, a salesperson with Century 21 Beal Inc. in College Station, as three 30 Under 30 (as in age) top national agents who sell in the Lone Star State.