WE FIGHT UNFAIR.

Genetic Breast Cancer Screening

In battling breast cancer, we take every edge we can get. That’s why the Margot Perot Center and the medical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas are out in front in diagnosis and treatment. We’re the only hospital in DFW with Breast Cancer Risk Assessment (BCRA), an online tool that helps estimate your risk of developing breast cancer. We offer genetic screening and counseling at our Center for Cancer Risk Reduction and Genetics. We’re the rst hospital in North Texas offering Breast Tomosynthesis, 3-D imaging that can identify breast cancer in women with dense or brocystic breast tissue. Treatments range from advanced surgical techniques and reconstruction to radiation and chemotherapy. We do everything we can to give you an unfair advantage against breast cancer, like the BCRA. Take yours online today.

TexasHealth.org/DallasBreast | 1-877-THR-Well

LAKEWOOD BAR & GRILL, LAKEWOODTAVERN CLOSE

Tough times, but all of it relates to business decisions [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Lakewood Bar & Grill closes, Lakewood Tavern to close next month,” Sept. 7]. Why would anyone be allowed to get so far behind in rent to begin with? Does it all boil down to real estate gluttons and irresponsible business owners? With mom-and-pops being replaced by Mi Cocinas, driving the price per square foot up and out of reach, it seems Lakewood is losing some of its charm. Even worse is the loss of music venues, displacing all the fantastic musicians. Progress? I don’t think so. —OLD

EAST DALLAS GAL

At least things are looking up down La Vista. Molly Maguire’s seems to be coming back strong, The Landing is hopping, and lots of regulars at the Pour House will soon be frequenting with the start of football season. I never cared much for LBG. I understand it had a certain draw, but it just didn’t appeal to me. I tried Lakewood Tavern. They were nice enough, but the place seemed way too sterile. I do, however, love me some Cock & Bull — stiff vodka drinks, steaks and blue cheese burgers.

More than one tenant is having trouble making rent. Don’t fool yourself that they are getting rich trying to run these small businesses. They struggle to pay bills. As Lakewood gentrifies, landlords will up the rent even when the mortgage doesn’t change. That chases away places, like the Lakewood Tavern, that give Lakewood its character. —MONTY

Garden Caf And Byob

The cafe’s PR machine is working overtime on this [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Garden Café seeks city approval to serve beer, wine,” Sept. 8]. The fact is there are only 21 parking spaces. Everyone else parks on the street. A residential street. Add alcohol, and more people come. Where will they park? On the street. No Denny’s, no second story, no valet service. None of that can happen. They don’t have enough parking. And they can’t add enough to justify any other use except the current one. —STEVE

Some people in the community don’t see the big picture. What make a city livable are more unique, local establishments, not chain restaurants. We need more decent taverns, even, that cater to a desirable crowd. The other option is an ugly sprawl of more check-cashing places, fast food and pawnshops. —KEVIN

BITTICK

We live two blocks from lower Greenville, and these past few years we have unfortunately seen how much damage a “bad” business can do to the surrounding area. Garden Cafe is not one of those. They are a fantastic example of the kind of small, unique, local restaurant that we need to see more of in East Dallas and the city at large. —ANGELA

TURNAGE

ON MAN’S BEST FRIEND

The one absolutely unselfish friend a man can have, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Old dogs are the best dogs,” Sept. 7]. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds that encounter the roughness of the world. When all other friends desert, he remains. He is your friend, your partner, your defender. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. —ED

WISNESKI

TEA’S UNACCEPTABLE RATINGS

If you are trying to prepare your child for the best possible college, or even just to be an adaptable person who can weather the challenges of the future, you can’t go wrong with Woodrow [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Woodrow: ‘Unacceptable’ or ‘Exceeds Expectations?’ ” Sept. 6]. Woodrow routinely sends kids to the nation’s top schools, and it does so without having Highland Park-like financial and social pressures. —ALEX

The TEA system is set up with the goal of No Child Left Behind. They take that seriously. It is clear that the current system is actually quite effective in motivating schools not to allow the spectacular achievements of their best students to push the challenges of low achievers and at-risk students into the background. However, I believe the biggest problem is the misunderstanding that comes from a good school getting the unfortunate and possibly undeserved tag of “Academically Unacceptable” and the stigma associated with such a designation. —NORMAN

ALSTON

WE LOVE YOUR BACK TALK.

Visit lakewood.advocatemag.com to read and comment on this month’s stories and daily Back Talk blog updates. Comments may be printed in the magazine.

5 Steps for Keeping Your Renovation on Time and on Budget

You’ve been dreaming of expanding your home and finally being able to enjoy the space your growing family needs. Or perhaps a showcase kitchen where you’ll create lasting memories entertaining friends and relatives during the holidays. Maybe even a modernized, open floor plan, an invigorating bathroom remodel, or a custom exterior “facelift”. Whatever you envision, you deserve to have your project completed on time and on budget. These suggestions should ensure a smooth process and a finished result you’ll love when you hire a qualified remodeling company like BellaVista:

1) Request a Written Proposal

Once you have decided on which remodeling company to use, request a written proposal that includes all the key details of your discussions. This establishes your need for accountability, since often, two people remember conversations differently.

2) Get a Fully-Detailed Contract

Successful projects begin with a good contract, but many contracts leave out important details. Make sure yours covers the scope of work, project timetable, payment schedule, project closure procedures (including how to address warrantable items), and detailed specifications for all products and materials. Be sure it includes insurance and permit information, procedures for handling change orders, lien releases, and details on home access and cleanup.

3) Have a Kick-Off Meeting

Without an upfront kick-off meeting at your home, with your salesperson, the Project Manager, and the construction team, conflict will be inevitable. This is the time to talk about your big picture ideas, your needs, and expectations. Get a firm agreement on the schedule of your project and the key milestones involved. Learn what times of day crews will be working, when you and your family can and cannot be present, and how access, cleanup and protection of your property will be handled.

4) Request the Schedule in Writing

Ask for the schedule and milestone details you discussed at the kick-off in writing. This will hold both you and your remodeler mutually accountable to the project’s completion date.

5) Be Flexible

There is no way around this fact: remodeling will cause an interruption of your normal life. Remember to be flexible and attentive in discussions with your Project Manager. A reputable company like Bella Vista respects that it is your home, and choices from material selection to structural options should be yours. Your timely cooperation and decision-making will help to expedite the building process.

No matter which remodeler you choose, we at BellaVista wish you all the satisfaction you deserve during the process, and with the final result. As always, please feel free to call and consider u s for your dream project.

lakewood.advocatemag.com

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