🌱 Dallas Zoo Announces Name Of Baby Hippo + 'Lazy Dog' Gives Back

Hi there, Dallas! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the a.m.. High: 72 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

1. The Dallas Zoo has welcomed a big bundle of joy! Hippo Biopelo has given birth to a healthy hippo calf, which debuted to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 6. There, handlers proudly announced that Biopela was the mother of a beautiful baby girl named Kailo! The newborn was named in honor of a beloved K9 patrol dog at Conservation Lower Zambezi based in Zambia. (CBS News)
2. The Lazy Dog Restaurant Chain is giving back this holiday season. The chain restaurant will be selling gingerbread houses to support Habitat for Humanity. The program has been dubbed "Houses for the Holidays." Children will be able to build their gingerbread houses right at the table, then bring them home to show off (or eat!). 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to Habitat for Humanity. (CW33 Dallas)
3. Mocktails are becoming an increasingly popular option at bars and restaurants across Dallas. Whether you don't imbibe ever, or just want a break from all the alcohol-laden holiday celebrations, mocktails are a delicious and smart way to have some fun while staying sober. But with so many bars and restaurants serving up these nonalcoholic treats, it can be hard to decide on where to go. This list provides you with a rundown of some best places to find mocktails throughout Dallas. Happy sipping! (Dallas Observer)

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Today in Dallas:

• Bilingual Storytime: Hora de Cuentos at Prairie Creek Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Dallas Job Fair at UNT Dallas Career Services (12:00 PM)
• "A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story" at Angelika Film Center & Café (2:00 PM)
• Chess For Ages 7+ at Vickery Park Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• First Wednesday Real Estate Mastermind at Regus (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• This Tasteful Tuesday at The Dallas Arboretum, visitors got to learn how to make one-of-a-kind floral arrangements! Click the link to see what's scheduled next. (The Dallas Arboretum)
• Feel like giving back to some grateful dogs? SPCA of Texas is asking for donations for freedom harnesses, collars, and other canine necessities. (SPCA of Texas)
• The University of Texas at Dallas launched a new international education program designed to make studying abroad affordable for all students and encourage participation from more Comets. (The University of Texas at Dallas)
• Galleria Dallas hosted a sensational Holiday Ice Show to benefit The Family Place! What a fun way to support a great cause. (The Family Place)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• Preston Royal Village: Hot Chocolate Crawl (December 7)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.