2014 October Lakewood

THE

Methodist Health has joined forces with Mayo Clinic.

Today at Methodist Health System, our patients are experiencing the power of two renowned health care systems–and our ability to take healing to the next level. As the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network in Texas, Methodist and its physicians are collaborating with the physicians of Mayo Clinic, ensuring world-class diagnostics and treatment. Learn how we’re working together at MethodistHealthSystem.org/Mayo.

Angry birds

First thing in the morning at the Lakewood Texaco at the corner of Lewis and Skillman, a Texaco employee ducks outside to feed the pigeons. The location is a family owned and operated gas station, and several years ago the manager asked the employees to give the pigeons bread. Now they feed them birdseed, and employee Claudia Caro says sometimes the birds can be quite demanding, even going so far as to knock against the glass doors when they’re ready for breakfast.

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

COVER:

features

54

Oldies but goodies

Yes, that classic East Dallas restaurant is still around.

cover 36

From gangs to grandmas

What — or who — is behind the dramatic shift in clientele on Lowest Greenville?

21

Sticky fingers

Decades later, the dancing frogs are back on Lowest Greenville.

23

In her eyes

What’s behind the mysterious gaze of the woman on the wall at Vagabond bar?

27

Going for gold

Two of the most competitive baton twirlers in the nation live right in our neighborhood.

29

Natural beauty

For 25 years, White Rock Lake Foundation has been helping maintain our neighborhood’s gem.

Digital Mammograms

You know you should get a mammogram, but do you know when to start? Is it at age 40 or 50?

Should you start sooner? Or later? At Texas Health Resources, we’re here to clear up the uncertainty because when you should start getting mammograms depends upon, well, you. We don’t just look at age, we look at factors like family history, physical activity and lifestyle so you know when the right time is for you and how often you should schedule them. And if you are at risk, we offer comprehensive breast care from diagnostics to support. Let us help you take the guesswork out of breast care. Go online to take the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and schedule your digital mammogram today.

RIPPLE EFFECT

How

Four years ago, our family cat died, and our son desperately wanted a replacement. I knew that a neighborhood veterinarian took in injured pets, nursed them back to health gratis, and then adopted them out.

We checked it out, and there in a small cage was a tiny, couple-month-old threelegged kitten, clipped by a car on a big street. How only its tiny left front leg was injured is beyond me, but the vets amputed the leg and sewed it up.

Today, that cat runs circles around its four-legged adopted brother, and out-eats the bigger cat, too. I guess it takes more energy for three-legged life than four?

And when that cat wants some attention, we’ll feel a tiny bit of pressure on the back of our leg or shoulder, and there it will be, on its haunches, its one good front leg elevated as high as it can reach, beckoning us for a little love.

Without being ground up by a vehicle, this street cat never would have come to live with us. Why it didn’t just die out there goes back to the person who ran over it, the person who found it, the vet and staff who took care of it — everyone’s life impacted by a cat and its injury, and the cat’s life impacted by everyone else.

I thought about this cat when we received an invitation to a party celebrating the doctor who, 40 years ago, cured my testicular cancer. I’ve written about my cancer experience before, so I won’t bore you again with most of the details.

But being invited to a dinner honoring Lawrence Einhorn, the guy who solved the disease, seeing his picture on the card

with no great detailing of his accomplishments, just a “come celebrate with me” note, made me think back to the two times his life intersected with mine, and how my life (and yours) is different because of him.

Had I been diagnosed a few years earlier, I would have faced months of chemo and radiation and then an incredibly invasive surgery involving a cracked chest and hand inspection of my lymph nodes. Back then, I saw a guy who had this surgery a few years after the fact, and he still looked like death warmed over. He lived, but his life was diminished and changed. Forever.

even higher. And again. Still higher.

Normally, testicular cancer doesn’t show up 10 years later, but the oncologist I was sent to in Dallas said that even though CAT scans and X-rays couldn’t find any cancer, we should assume I probably had brain cancer and get started on chemo immediately.

Even as I reached for the consent form, my wife snatched it away. She said we needed to contact someone else.

I didn’t know Einhorn. Had never talked with him. Neither had my regular doctor.

But in the middle of the night, limping along on mental fumes and pretty much convinced I was a goner, I found Einhorn’s email address and sent him a plea.

The next morning, there was an answer.

“That doesn’t sound like testicular cancer to me,” he said. “Send me your tests.”

I did. He looked at them immediately.

“I think you need to come up here,” he emailed. “Let us test you. Let’s be sure.”

So we flew to Indiana, met Einhorn, and he ran a blood test and took a chest X-ray.

His conclusion?

Einhorn’s cure meant that 80 percent of those diagnosed didn’t need the chemoradiation-surgery routine; we just needed two years of monitoring, and if we were lucky, we were done. So I spent two years convinced I was dying, even though at the end of the day, the medical facts said otherwise.

It wasn’t fun, but thanks to Einhorn (whom I didn’t meet then), the ordeal was mostly mental. I still had my health and my energy, and I decided I wanted to get into magazine publishing with my life.

Ten years later, results of an annual blood test to make sure I was cancer-free came back elevated. Significantly.

Over the course of a couple of months, I took the test again. The numbers were

“Some people just have odd test results from time to time. I think you’re one of them. I wouldn’t do anything if I were you.”

I didn’t. No cancer materialized. Einhorn took a nearly mentally broken guy and saved my life.

As it turns out, I would have been “cured” of brain cancer had I taken that chemo regimen, since I didn’t have it anyway, but imagine what that would have done to my body. This job. My family. My life.

Just like our three-legged cat, who knows how many lives would be different today had Einhorn not responded to my email, or had he been too busy to take a look?

We’ve seen Einhorn once since then. He was in Dallas and wanted to have dinner. We bought.

changing one life, even a little one, can impact many

Rick Wamre is president of Advocate Media. Let him know how we are doing by writing to 6301 Gaston, Suite 820, Dallas 75214; or email rwamre@advocatemag.com.

In the middle of the night, limping along on mental fumes and pretty much convinced I was a goner, I found the doctor’s email address and sent him a plea.

“I think you need to come up here,” he responded.

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contributors: GAYLA BROOKS, SEAN CHAFFIN, ANGELA HUNT, GEORGE MASON, BLAIR MONIE, ELLEN RAFF, KRISTEN MASSAD, WHITNEY THOMPSON

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photographers: JAMES COREAS, MARK DAVIS, DESIREE

ESPADA, DAVID LEESON, KIM LEESON, JENNIFER SHERTZER

copy editor: LARRA KEEL

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DIGITAL DIGEST THE DIALOGUE

—the Texas State Historical Association’s records on the bygone days of our neighborhood, still sticking it to the man 132 years ago

—the statement from Cane Rosso White Rock on filling in its patio fountain with plants after the setup became a magnet for adventurous toddlers

“Is this even a crime?”

—M Streets resident Lucy Huang on her clothing and accessories shop, Accents, which recently moved to Mockingbird Station from the West Village

—Woodrow Wilson High School senior Alyssia Borrego, a bystander as police investigated the scene in which a fetus was found in the girls’ restroom; it was later ruled a miscarriage, and no charges were filed

“The fountain could only digest so many swim diapers .”

“On Dec. 31, 1889, the day before East Dallas o cially became part of Dallas, the city council of East Dallas passed $45,000 in street improvements, which Dallas was forced to finance.”

“This is the store we were always meant to be. It’s like coming home.”

Things to see: Tango Frogs

An unsuspecting passerby probably wouldn’t think much of the dancing frog statues on top of the Taco Cabana on Lowest Greenville. He might not even notice the statues at all, with all the other things there are to see on the avenue these days. But believe it or not, those carefree frogs are well accustomed to fascination and are no strangers to controversy. Today they’re back at the scene of the crime, where they once became the focal point of local and national intrigue.

Entrepreneur Shannon Wynne opened Tango nightclub on Greenville Avenue in the early ’80s. Although it was open only for a little over a year, many East Dallasites who lived near Lowest Greenville at the time remember the club fondly.

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

At the time, most of Lowest Greenville’s real estate was inhabited by pawnshops and second-hand clothing stores, but Tango nightclub was hip and glamorous. It catered to the young people who were moving in and rebuilding the homes in the Lower Greenville area.

East Dallas Realtor Ken Lampton remembers the club well, although he says he never actually patronized it. Rather, it was what the club represented that made it so significant.

“Me and my wife were real, certifiable card-carrying yuppies then,” Lampton says. “And we were so pleased when Tango opened up, because we felt like Greenville was finally going to be a place for people like us. Because it was real rough down there.”

However, when Wynne put six 10-foottall dancing frog sculptures by Austinbased artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade on the rooftop, Dallas City Hall wasn’t pleased.

The city claimed the dancing frogs violated the sign ordinance.

Neighbors argued the frogs were art.

Even The New York Times jumped in on the “ribbiting” controversy, questioning in a 1983 article: “Are the frogs signs or are the frogs art?”

But the city didn’t care. The frogs had to go.

Wade went to court over the issue and won, but by the time he won his lawsuit, Tango nightclub had closed.

Lampton recalls feeling like the defeat was a setback for the young people in the area, but they pioneered ahead, continuing to pour money and effort into revitalizing Lower Greenville.

This year, Taco Cabana, which occupies the corner where Tango nightclub once stood, decided to bring the dancing frogs back to Lowest Greenville as part of the recent revitalization of the avenue.

Taco Cabana purchased three of the six frogs, which had been at the Carl’s Corner truck stop on I-35, and in June Wade’s frogs danced their way back to the avenue.

So far, at least, there has been no talk of sign-ordinance violations.

— Brittany Nunn

Mural of Chippy at Vagabond: Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Things to see: Chippy mural at Vagabond

It’s hard to miss the guarded stare of the beautiful dark-haired woman on the wall of Greenville‘s Vagabond bar, with her intense gaze that seems to take in everything and understand it all.

The woman’s name is Chippy, and her troubled past has both intrigued and motivated the owner of the bar, John Kenyon.

Kenyon learned about Chippy from a friend who received a box of Chippy’s diaries many years ago. Her diaries were arranged in two bundles, tied together and labeled: “Bundles from heaven” and “Something from hell.”

“Chippy kept a minute diary of everything in her life, from the time she was a teenager all the way to her death,” Kenyon explains. “Her life was divided into the good parts and the bad parts.”

The bundles of heaven diaries consist largely of details about Chippy’s first love. During the Great Depression, Chippy was a poor girl from Olney, Texas, and her boyfriend was a football quarterback and the affluent son of the city’s mayor. The pair planned to run away together one night, but his father found them out and put an end to the young romance by threatening Chippy and running her out of town.

Armed with a suitcase, Chippy left Olney and began traveling across West Texas, working the oil fields as a prostitute “because there was no other way for her to survive,” Kenyon says. “She became known for the second half of her life. She was really attractive and had really highend clients.”

Chippy’s sorrow-filled story first became the focal point of an album and then a musical. Kenyon learned about Chippy from the album, and decided to dedicate part of Vagabond to Chippy and her knack for survival.

“Her story is about persevering,” he says

—Brittany Nunn

VAGABOND is located at 3619 Greenville. Learn more at vagabonddallas.com.

The entire staff is so positive and kind. I couldn’t ask for a better dentist’s office!” — Shelly Wade

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big di erence for nonprofits

Do dinner out …

and support Troop 64 Lakewood during its 47th annual spaghetti dinner on Oct. 27. For more than 50 years, Troop 64 has provided boys in the Lakewood area with opportunities to grow, achieve and have fun. More than a thousand young men in Lakewood have recited the Scout Oath. They have assisted victims of storms, enhanced local schools, planted gardens and helped build homes. The dinner, which will feature spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and homemade desserts, is at Northridge Presbyterian Church, located at 6920 Bob-O-Link. Continuous serving is from 6-8 p.m. A drivethrough is available starting at 5:30 p.m.

Run your heart out …

in the fourth annual 5k on the Santa Fe Oct. 9. The run supports the Friends of Santa Fe Trail, which raises money for improvements to the Santa Fe Hike/Bike Trail between White Rock Lake and downtown. After the run, there will be food trucks and music by East Dallas neighbor Ronnie Fauss. The non-runner pass is $10, and the runner admission is $40. Plus, your pooch is more than welcome to join the fun. Meet at Randall Park, located at 100 N. Glasgow. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

Go Long …

at the Long Run on Oct. 16 to support J. L. Long Middle School in Lakewood. The fundraiser helps pay for extra materials not supplied by Dallas ISD. Registration and festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. The race is a onemile fun run at 6 p.m., followed by the certified 5k run at 6:30. There also will be food, music and entertainment. The race takes place at J. L. Long, located at 6116 Reiger.

KNOW OF WAYS

that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.

Hard knock life

Passing the baton

Sweat, tears and sequins. That’s what the lives of Lakewood neighbors Shirley Payne and Sheila Rigelsky revolve around.

The mother-daughter duo teaches competitive baton twirling, and if you don’t think baton twirling is a sport, then you’ve never met their students.

Their students put in hours of practice every day, and some of them have been taking classes from one or both of the teachers for several years.

When most people think of twirling, they think of twirlers marching along with the band during halftime, spinning, dancing and flipping a shiny baton. Although that’s an important part of twirling, many serious twirlers aim to

win trophies in local, state, regional and national twirling competitions.

“It’s all about competition,” Payne says.

“It’s a lot of fun, too,” Rigelsky says.

and personal presentation, and it’s good physical activity.”

Shirley Payne began twirling at 10 years old. Her father loved football, but he didn’t want her to be involved in cheerleading or drill team, and she was already taking dance. She began competing around the time she was in high school, and she began coaching around 18.

“Fifty years later, I’m still coaching,” Payne says. “I’ve retired twice, and here I am again.”

“I keep pulling her back,” Rigelsky jokes.

“We always say that twirling teaches so much more than how to spin a shiny stick.

It’s time management, it’s self-confidence

Rigelsky grew up around the world of twirling, but originally Payne didn’t want her to twirl. Payne had a twirling studio

Above and right/ Lakewood neighbors Shirley Payne and Sheila Rigelsky help students perfect their twirling skills: Photos by Kim Leeson.

“Fifty years later, I’m still coaching. I’ve retired twice, and here I am again.”

and a core of 50 twirlers. Plus, Rigelsky’s older sister was a competitive twirler, so Payne simply didn’t have the time to train another one. But some of Payne’s students took Rigelsky aside, taught her the basics, and put her in front of Payne to showcase her newly acquired twirling skills.

When Rigelsky was 15, Payne turned over one of her teams to Rigelsky for her to coach.

“I’ve been teaching ever since,” Rigelsky says. “We have our own students, and we have students together. We have students who are the same ages and in the same divisions.”

The pair is very competitive — not just with others, but also with each other. Both agree that the competitive spirit is what fuels them — or rather, winning over and over again.

—Brittany Nunn

Keeping it clean

Many East Dallasites enjoy the pleasures that White Rock Lake has to offer — walking and biking, birding, boating and beautiful nature trails through the underbrush.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget it takes a lot of time and money to keep the lake looking so beautiful, which is exactly why groups like the White Rock Lake Foundation are so important.

White Rock Lake Foundation is a nonprofit organization that partners with the City of Dallas to raise awareness and monetary support for White Rock Lake, and it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

When founder Jeannie Terilli moved back to Dallas more than 25 years ago, after a stint in Colorado, she began making frequent visits to White Rock Lake.

“And when I saw what a mess it was — trees over the dam just hanging, and trash and stuff growing out of the lake,” she remembers. “The hike and bike trails, everything needed to be fixed.”

She met with the City of Dallas and began asking them what she could do to help. The

city told her about the master plan for the lake, completed in the late-’80s.

The master plan is an all-encompassing approach to the lake that includes beautification efforts such as reforestation or amenities such as hike and bike trails or lighting, as well as dredging, which needs to be done every 15 to 20 years.

After forming an organization, Terilli says she immediately began raising awareness for plan’s highest priority, which was the dredging of White Rock Lake.

It would need to come from bond projects, because a non-profit like White Rock Lake Foundation couldn’t raise as much money as the lake needs.

For 25 years, the White Rock Lake Foundation has continued to campaign for bond issues and raise money to beautify the lake through events such as its annual golf tournament.

Coming up on Nov. 2, White Rock Lake Foundation hosts its second annual Praise the Lake event at the White Rock Lake Filter Building from noon-3 p.m., which includes brunch, a bloody mary bar, a cash bar and a silent auction. For more details, visit whiterocklakefoundation.org.

—Brittany Nunn

Photo by Desiree Espada

Anita St. 1,654sqft 3/2

Out & About

October 2014

Oct. 11- 12

Artists’ Studio To ur

Don’t miss the 22nd annual White Rock Lake Artists’ Studio Tour, a free self-paced tour that gives visitors a peek into the lives and artistic processes of more than 45 artists in the East Dallas area. Tour from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Start at the Creative Arts Center to pick up a map, 2360 Laughlin, whiterockartists.com, 214.320.1275, free

THROUGH OCT. 26 ‘Rapunzel’

Dallas Children’s Theater hosts its hilarious musical take on the classic fairy tale, Princess Rapunzel. Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, dct.org, 214.978.0110, $17-$28

THROUGH NOV. 23

‘The Cycles of the Fig Tree’

Carlos Cázares, a Mexican visual artist specializing in the disciplines of painting, sculpture and graphics, seeks to expose his heart to the light of the Creator, and constantly seeks a way to impress the life of God on his canvases. Through his experimentation with pigments and mineral deposits, he has found that materials such as gold and silver offer a beautiful refraction of light that enriches his work. His abstract works reflect an appreciation of ancient techniques applied in a contemporary setting.

St. Matthew’s Cathedral Arts center, Justus Sundermann Gallery, 5100 Ross, cathedralartsdallas.org, call 214.887.6552 to schedule a visit, free

THROUGH OCT. 30

Concerts at the Arboretum

Every Thursday night, the Dallas Arboretum hosts a different band on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn. Bring your family, friends and your favorite food and drinks, and enjoy a concert overlooking White Rock Lake. All fall concerts are from 7-9 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland, reservations@dallasarboretum.org or 214.515.6615, $15-$17 adult members, $25-$27 adult nonmembers, $10 children ages 3-12

OCT. 3

Silent auction

Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, music and a silent auction. The evening’s proceeds benefit the free public art programs of St. Matthew’s Cathedral Arts. This year’s music is taken from the Cole Porter songbook and will be performed by the singers of the Cathedral Choir and their friends.

St. Matthew’s Cathedral, 5100 Ross, cathedralartsdallas.org, 214.887.6552, $40 single, $70 couple, $300 table of eight

Through Nov. 26

Autumn at the Arboretum

Ready for pumpkin season? The Dallas Arboretum uses more than 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash every year to form its nationally acclaimed storybook pumpkin village, which is on display through Nov. 26.

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland, dallasaboretum.org, 214.515.6615, $10-$15, plus $10 onsite parking

Angela Gallia painting

Pumpkin Village: Photo by James Coreas

OCTOBER 18 • 11AM--7PM

SOUTH END OF LAKE CAROLYN IN IRVING

OCT. 7, 14, 21, 28

Meditation classes

Join experienced teachers Jon and Linda Caswell as they instruct neighbors on how to create peace of mind. The class is from 7-9 p.m. RSVP requested.

Lake Highlands Acupuncture, 10252 E. Northwest Highway, 214.267.8636, donation requested

OCT. 9-25

‘The Two Character Play’

“The Two Character Play” is a rarely produced piece by Tennessee Williams in which two actors arrive on a deserted theater stage and begin to enact the play alone. Soon the actors and audience are treading the fine line between reality and illusion.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, dallasculture. org/bathhouseculturecenter, 214.670.8749, $20-$22

OCT. 9

Santa Fe 5k

Run in the fourth annual “5k on the Santa Fe” to benefit the Friends of Santa Fe Trail. This is the primary money-raising activity to fund projects to improve the Santa Fe Hike/Bike Trail between White Rock Lake and Downtown. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Randall Park, 100 N. Glasgow, friendsofsantafetrail.org, $10-$30

OCT. 16

Long Run

Start stretching for the Long Run. The run is J. L. Long Middle School’s only fundraiser to help pay for extras not supplied by Dallas ISD. Registration and festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. The race is a one-mile fun run at 6 p.m., followed by the certified 5k run at 6:30 p.m. There will be food, music and fun for all.

Deep South Burger

Tuesday!

J. L. Long Middle School, 6116 Reiger, jllong.com, 972.502.4700, early registration is $15 for adults, $10 for kids

OCT. 17-31

‘Night of the Living Dead’

The cult classic “Night of the Living Dead” returns to Dallas Children’s Theater, presented by Teen Scene Players. Radiation from a fallen satellite transforms the dead into flesh-eating zombies, and no one is safe. It’s the 1968 black and white, B-movie horror classic brought to life — figuratively speaking. Enjoyed by ages 13 and up.

Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, dct.org, 214.978.0110, $12-$14

My Family’s Pizza

Throwing a party this season? Let us help with all your catering needs. From football watch-parties to Halloween bashes, call today for scheduling information.

Delicious

SUNDOWN AT GRANADA

3520 Greenville

214.823.8305

sundownatgranada.com

AMBIANCE: DRESSY CASUAL

PRICE RANGE: $8-$24

HOURS: 5 P.M. TO 2 A.M. MON-FRI; 11 A.M.2 A.M. SAT-SUN

Green is everywhere at Sundown at Granada, the beer garden beside Granada Theater on Lower Greenville. Vines weave up the stair railing and planter boxes line the spacious outdoor seating area. Even the name “Sundown at Granada” oozes a sort of Garden of Edenesque radiance. For owners Mike Schoder and Julia Garton, green is the name of the game. Although Sundown’s large selection of beers, specialty cocktails and wines are its moneymaker, the restaurant and bar has made a name for itself with its organic, farm-to-table food options made with grass-fed beef, such as the hearty Shiner Bock brisket bites, as well as its many vegan and vegetarian options, such as the sweet and light hammered goat flatbread. The venue also is known for its free live music every night. From Sunday through Thursday, bands kick o at 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday they start at 11 p.m.

Brittany Nunn

Spicy Southwestern quinoa salad: Photo by Mark Davis

WE WON

Best Coffee IN LAKEWOOD/EAST DALLAS

SWEET & SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TREATS

Halloween is hands-down one of the sweetest holidays of the year and truly one of the best times to bring out your creative side. Sweet treats, healthy snacks, fizzy drinks and the cutest packaging around top off any Halloween party. Here are my top eight ideas to get you started.

1. WITCHES’ STEW

There is nothing fancy about this recipe. Actually, there is no recipe. Just mix together whatever snacks you have in the pantry — such as pretzels, goldfish, candy corn, marshmallows and chocolate chips — to satisfy the hungry witches in your family.

2. COOKIE CRITTER POPS

And the winner is …

Union Coffeehouse

A comfy place to sit, reliable Wi-Fi, and a strong cup of coffee. Union Coffeehouse consistently offers all three, but these probably aren’t the only reasons why Advocate readers voted it best in the neighborhood.

Since opening on Dyer Street two years ago, the church-funded nonprofit coffeehouse has set out to do far more than sling cups of Joe. As soon as you walk in you will notice private rooms complete with whiteboards available for meetings, a stage for weekly open mic events — or poetry slams plus several couches and armchairs for more casual gatherings.

The inviting, communal ambiance is no accident.

Founder and pastor Michael Baughman

(his official title is community curator) says that he has set out to “make the neighborhood a more generous place.”

One way Union does just that is through fundraising. Through the end of the winter, 10 percent of sales will be donated to Dallas-based nonprofit The Family Place.

And what’s good to drink? Aside from fairtrade drip coffee and lattes (flavored with homemade syrup, to boot) there are snacks, green tea lattes and a chai tea that Baughman says has to be the best in Dallas.

Union Coffeehouse, 5622 Dyer, Suite 100, 214.242.9725

Runner-up: White Rock Coffee

3rd Place: Legal Grounds

NEXT UP FOR ADVOCATE’S 2014 BEST OF CONTEST: Best dessert. Vote for your favorite at lakewood.advocatemag.com/bestof

These chocolate-dipped Oreos on a stick will surely spook your guests. Decorate them with black licorice to create spider legs, or add a candy eyeball to make a cute one-eyed monster.

3. CANDY CORN PRETZEL STICKS

Old-fashioned candy corn is a childhood favorite, but with a month full of sugar, you might want to throw something salty into the mix. Candy corn pretzel sticks are dipped in white chocolate with yellow and orange food coloring.

4. TANGERINE PUMPKINS AND BANANA GHOSTS

Halloween gives everyone an excuse to eat endless amounts of candy. Throw in a healthy twist with tangerines and bananas

Union Coffeehouse: Photo by James Coreas

Extraordinary Everyone Deserves the

this Fall

briggsfreeman.com

Fall into Fun: Dallas

Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Cool Thursdays Concert Series

Every Thursday night through October 30, 7pm

Family Fun Weekend

October 25-26

Wear your Halloween best and trickor-treat throughout the gardens. dallasarboretum.org

5K on the Santa Fe

October 9, 6:15pm friendsofsantafetrail.org

Concert for a Cure: The Rustic

October 9, 8pm Kick off Texas/OU weekend right with a VIP party and concert by Jack Ingram in support of Leukemia Texas Research. leukemiatexas.org

Tour de Foliage: Richardson Bike Mart Rent a bike and pedal along paths lined with brilliant fall colors. bikemart.com

Sip the Season: Lakewood Brewing Company Brewery Tours

Every Saturday,12pm

This local hotspot toasts fall with seasonal, pumpkin pie spiced beer. lakewoodbrewingcompany.com

Michelob Ultra 13.1 Marathon: AT&T Performing Arts Center

October 25, 7am

Run the course through the Dallas Arts District, the M Streets, Katy Trail and more. 131marathon.com/dallas

Howl-o-ween at Old City Bark (Park)

October 26, 12pm

Dress your pooch for the season and join the pup parade. dallasheritagevillage.org

Dash the Half: Dallas Running Club Half Marathon & 5k

November 2, 7am

Norbuck Park drchalf.com

Support Pancreatic Cancer Research: Purple Stride DFW

November 8, 8am

Klyde Warren Park purplestride.org

Architecture and Artistry: Lakewood Home Festival

November 14-16

Enjoy a home tour, holiday market, auction and much more while supporting Lakewood schools. lecpta.org/lakewoodhomefestival

By Mary Sedeño

FROM FUN RUNS AND OUTDOOR MUSIC TO BREWERY TOURS AND FARMERS’ MARKETS, FALL IS BRIMMING WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY LIFE AT THE LAKE.

THE ROBBIE REPORT

NEIGHBORHOODS DEFINE COMMUNITY

Great things are happening in East Dallas neighborhoods—from important community groups working hard to strengthen schools to a growing local economy and positive real estate market. Recent figures from MLS are telling us that the average home sales price in Lakewood is $320,000, and homes are selling after just 49 days on market.

It’s our privilege to list many wonderful homes throughout East Dallas neighborhoods, including charming bungalows, contemporary builds and extraordinary estates on notable blocks. In fact, it was our pleasure to offer the top selling home in Lakewood year-to-date, a gracious traditional on lush grounds that listed for $2,549,000.

We know that people, homes, schools and families are at the heart of every community, and we thank you for letting

us be a part the great things happening in Lakewood.

Please enjoy the calendar of fun activities taking place “Around the Lake” and read about exceptional homes of all sizes and design styles that make up the wonderful neighborhoods in East Dallas.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, I am happy to help in connecting you to an agent.

Robbie Briggs President and CEO Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty rb@briggsfreeman.com

We are pleased to announce that Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty is sponsoring two great organizations helping to support and strengthen neighborhood schools.

LAKEWOOD ELEMENTARY EXPANSION FOUNDATION

The Lakewood Elementary Expansion Foundation (LEEF) is on a mission to provide worldclass learning and state-of-theart technology to the neighborhood’s youngest learners. This hardworking and committed group is focused on raising $15,000,000 through a capital campaign to renovate and expand the 1951 structure to include well-equipped and inspiring science, art and music spaces, a leading edge library, amphitheater and new cafeteria Visit leefdallas.org for more information.

LAKEWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA

Each year, more than 4,000 people gather to celebrate distinct design and personality-rich décor at the Lakewood Home Festival. This year the Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty Home Tour will feature six outstanding homes—including an inspired New England cottage design, a 1937 Charles Dilbeck classic, a stately Colonial Revival limestone home and others. The Festival, with runs from November 14-16, is hosted by the LECPTA and raises funds for Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School. The funds directly benefit students through the purchase of school materials, computers and enrichment programs. Visit lakewoodhomefestival.com for information on tickets.

It’s a privilege to be part of a great community that makes neighborhoods, schools and kids the focal point.”

You will thank them.

Becky Frey’s commitment to the Dallas real estate market is best exemplified through the praise and gratitude shown by her clients. With experience, knowledge, an efficient team, and a contageous personality, Becky not only serves her clients to the best business potential, , but goes above and beyond to provide a full-service concierge experience for home buying and selling.

Showing RESULTS to the WORLD

5821 Goliad Ave | SOLD

Kevin Sayre c 214.384.2657 | ksayre@briggsfreeman.com

2417 Brendenwood Dr | $779,000 Brendenwood at Avalon

6854 La Vista Dr | SOLD | $980,000

Scott Carlson c 214.793.9322 | scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

Anne Lasko c 214.597.8842 | alasko@briggsfreeman.com

10338 Country Club Dr | $299,000

6517 Blanch Cir | $599,000

Susan Matusewicz c 214.392.8813 | smatusewicz@briggsfreeman.com

Scott Carlson c 214.793.9322 | scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

6105 Glennox Ln | $448,000

Kelley Theriot McMahon c 214.563.5986 | ktmcmahon@briggsfreeman.com

6258 Prospect Ave | $699,500

Kelley Theriot McMahon c 214.563.5986 | ktmcmahon@briggsfreeman.com

6163 Monticello Ave | $594,000 Lou Alpert c 214.738.0062 | lalpert@briggsfreeman.com

6640 Avalon Ave | $947,000

Kelley Theriot McMahon c 214.563.5986 | ktmcmahon@briggsfreeman.com

SUPPORTING SCHOOLS THROUGH THE LAKEWOOD HOME TOUR

John P. Whiteside c 214.725.5018 jwhiteside@briggsfreeman.com

Kelley Theriot McMahon c 214.563.5986 ktmcmahon@briggsfreeman.com

Bobby Fackler c 214.507.4087 bfackler@briggsfreeman.com

Angela Thornhill c 214.769.7840 athornhill@briggsfreeman.com

Anne Lasko c 214.597.8842 alasko@briggsfreeman.com

Ana P. Ambrosi c 214.551.7583 apambrosi@briggsfreeman.com

Lauren Farris c 469.867.1734 lfarris@briggsfreeman.com

Kevin Sayre c 214.384.2657 ksayre@briggsfreeman.com

Lou Alpert c 214.738.0062 lalpert@briggsfreeman.com

6452 Highgate Ln | SOLD KEVIN SAYRE c 214.384.2657 ksayre@briggsfreeman.com

7151 Wildgrove Ave | SOLD LOU ALPERT c 214.738.0062 lalpert@briggsfreeman.com

7235 Lakewood Blvd | SOLD JOHN WHITESIDE c 214.725.5018 jwhiteside@briggsfreeman.com

2707 Gaston Ave |SOLD Kelley Theriot McMahon

7310 Wake Forrest Dr | SOLD Kelley Theriot McMahon

6424 Glenrose Ct | SOLD Kelley Theriot McMahon

721 N. Glasgow Dr | $519,000 Lauren Valek Farris

6310 Sudbury Dr | $324,900 Lauren Valek Farris

10022 Lakedale | SOLD Lauren Valek Farris

6111 McCommas Blvd | SOLD Lauren Valek Farris

515 Cordova St | SOLD Anne Lasko

1003 Clermont St | SOLD Anne Lasko

9951 E. Lake Highlands Dr | SOLD Bobby Fackler

3401 Lee Parkway #1103 | SOLD Angela Thornhill

4303 Buena Vista St #307 | SOLD Anne Lasko

decorated to look like pumpkins and ghosts, a recipe courtesy of weelicious. com. The kids will never miss the sugar.

5. MARSHMALLOW APPLE CHOMPERS

This recipe, from Lindsay Weiss’ BabyCenter blog, is the perfect DIY craft with simple ingredients: apples cut to create a mouth, marshmallows arranged as the teeth and peanut butter sticking it all together.

6. HALLOWEEN WATERMELON PUNCH

This Frankenstein-green watermelon punch, from the food blog Design Eat Repeat, will satisfy the thirsty monsters roaming around your house on Halloween.

7. FIZZY PUMPKIN PUNCH

This recipe from House of Smiths mixes orange juice, lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice and orange sorbet. You might skip the candy and just sip on this sweet drink.

8. DIY BROOM BAGS

So many wonderful treats need the perfect packaging. Martha Stewart does it with “witch’s broom” party favor bags made with paper lunch bags, sticks and a ribbon of your choice. Simple and sweet.

WHERE THE WILD REALLY ARE THINGS

October

Kristen Massad writes a monthly column about sweets and baked goods. The professional pastry chef graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City and owned Tart Bakery on Lovers Lane for eight years. She blogs about food and lifestyles at inkfoods.com.

The club scene blackened Lower Greenville’s reputation, but neighbors who defended their home turf are starting to see the light

Story by Brittany Nunn | Photos by Danny Fulgencio

At almost 2 a.m. on a weekend in 2006, Angela Hunt sat in the living room of a friend who had called for help.

Her friend lived a few houses down from Lower Greenville, which was a madhouse that night, just like it was every weekend that year. Hunt, an M Streets resident who, at the time, represented the area on the Dallas City Council, couldn’t believe the amount of noise permeating the home. It was out of control.

Then, suddenly, the pair heard glass shatter in the street out front.

“So I run out there and there are these nicely dressed, well-heeled little frat boy shits walking and laughing with a couple of girls,” Hunt recalls.

Hunt yelled at them, demanding to know if they had thrown the bottle, but they just cussed and flipped her o .

Frustrated, she followed the troublemakers down the street and called a Dallas Police sergeant, requesting his help. When the police showed up, they walked the boys back to the house and made the young men apologize.

Hunt introduced herself as a city council-

woman and told them she didn’t appreciate them damaging property in her neighborhood. She asked one of the young men why he had thrown the bottle. He shrugged and answered earnestly, “Well, look around; it’s everywhere.”

“And that really struck a chord with me,” Hunt says. “This broken-window theory, like if a neighborhood has a lot of broken windows or a lot of trash or junk in the yard, there’s this sort-of theory that this is not a well-maintained area. It’s kind of ripe for the picking.”

That’s what was happening to Lower Greenville, Hunt believes. In the early 2000s, Greenville began to experience more and more crime, gra ti and litter, which only served to perpetuate the cycle.

“This kid — who was dressed in this nice, crisp polo shirt and certainly would never throw a bottle on his own street — saw this as a trash heap where he and his friends could come and throw bottles on

the ground, and it wouldn’t mean anything to anybody because this was just a dump,” Hunt says.

That was a lightbulb moment for Hunt, she says. Something needed to change — and fast. The problems were growing worse, especially on Lowest Greenville, the stretch from Ross to Belmont, where police swarmed every weekend in an attempt to stamp out all manner of crime — underage drinking, DWI, assault, murder, robbery, vandalism. Neighbors and business owners who witnessed the worst years first-hand remember it as a “war zone.”

Hunt began talking with neighbors, business owners, landlords and anyone else invested in the area to try to figure out a comprehensive way to shut down crime. Finally, in 2011, city involvement brought Greenville to its knees.

Today, on any given afternoon, Lowest Greenville bustles with daytime activity neighbors picking up a few groceries at Trader Joe’s, meeting friends for lunch at HG Sply Co., or staving off the heat with

a gourmet popsicle from Steel City Pops.

Later in the evening, the avenue continues to draw crowds to its newer, more low-key night scene. After the sun goes down, hundreds of folks perch on the rooftop bars, crowd the picnic tables at The Truck Yard, and stop in for a drink or two at some of the more divey spots, such as The Old Crow or Crown and Harp.

These days, people young and old alike feel safe eating, drinking or shopping on Lowest Greenville at any hour. To some, it’s a shining example of what can happen when a neighborhood comes together.

But even while they bask in the glow of Greenville Avenue’s rebirth, neighbors are still grappling to understand how things spiraled out of control — and working to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

The daytime-to-nighttime shift

Greenville wasn’t always an entertainment district. Like many neighborhood

shopping centers, it originally was developed for daytime use.

Before Central Expressway was built in the 1950s, Greenville Avenue was one of the main roads through Dallas, so Greenville was a major hot spot for shopping and restaurants, conveniently snuggled among residential neighborhoods for walkability purposes.

“If you look at the way Lower Greenville was originally zoned and developed, that was intended to be a neighborhood retail strip,” Hunt says.

The strip consisted mainly of service retailers — grocery stores, convenience stores, barbershops, a shoe repair shop, a furniture store and a smattering of restaurants and clothing stores.

Arcadia Theater, which opened in 1927 where Trader Joe’s is today, was a neighborhood staple. It showed its first “talkie” the same year when a Vitaphone sound system was installed, and neighborhood children would walk a dozen or so blocks to catch a 10-cent flick.

Opposite page: Much has changed but some things have stayed the same on Lowest Greenville, as evidenced by these circa 1930 and present-day photos that look north onto the avenue. (Historical image from the collections of the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division, Dallas Public Library)

Above, clockwise: A sign at the entrance of the Truck Yard encourages patrons to keep it down in respect of neighbors. An ambulance speeds down Greenville Avenue. The treehouse bar gives a panoramic perspective of the the Truck Yard on a Saturday night.

1927: Arcadia Theater opens, showing matinees for 25 cents and feature films for 35 cents. Within two months, the theater begins showing “talkies” when a Vitaphone system is installed.

1929: A&P opens its largest grocery store south of St. Louis, 3,600 square feet, in the 2000 block of Greenville.

In the ’60s, the residential area surrounding Greenville hit an economic decline when young families began moving to suburbs such as Richardson and Plano. Then, in the ’70s, a small wave of collegeeducated young people began moving to Lower Greenville with intentions of restoring the old Tudor and Craftsman homes and bringing the area back to life.

Ken Lampton and his wife, Jane, were among them. They moved to the area in 1979, right around the time investor Lou Reese coined the term “Lower Greenville.” At the time, Lampton remembers, pawnshops, thrift stores and the like were the primary retailers along the strip of Greenville between Belmont and Ross. There were a few bars and clubs, but not any establishments that interested the area’s young folks.

“We wanted to fix up a very old house that was in very bad shape,” Lampton says. “It sounds crazy, but that was our dream. We were like crusaders. That meant that not only did the houses get fixed up, but also that new retail went in on Greenville.”

The gentrification of Lower Greenville was fully apparent by the ’80s. Lampton remembers major turning points, such as investors purchasing the circa 1931 building that houses Terrill’s “as they realized

there was a new demographic coming into the neighborhood,” he says. Another was the 1983 launch of Tango, a glamorous nightclub that occupied the space where Taco Cabana sits today. Though it closed about a year later, neighbors still mention it as a highlight. Even Lampton, who never actually patronized Tango, recognized that the club represented a new era for Lower Greenville: Instead of dusty old pawnshops, investors were opening bars and eating establishments, which meant young people like Lampton, who had taken a gamble by buying property in the area, had made a good investment.

In the late ’80s and ’90s, Lower Greenville slowly carved out a reputation as an entertainment district. The Arcadia Theater became a concert venue, which is how many East Dallasites remember it before the devastating 2006 fire. More bars and clubs began to open on the avenue, drawing people from all over Dallas who were eager to revel in its up-and-coming night scene. Some people consider the ’90s Lower Greenville’s heyday, including Mike Schoder, co-owner of both Granada Theater and Sundown at Granada on Greenville. Schoder began frequenting the strip during the ’90s and early 2000s, when his brother, Kerry, bartended at the now-closed Billiard Bar.

1952: By the end of this year, Central Expressway from Downtown to Mockingbird Lane is fully functional. Before Central Expressway was built, Greenville Avenue was one of the main roads through Dallas.

1960s: Younger families begin moving to suburbs such as Richardson and Plano, and home prices in the lower Greenville area plummet.

“We used to go down there after watching shows at the Granada, at about midnight or 1 o’clock in the morning, you know, have a last drink before you go home,” Schoder recalls. “It used to be all the pretty girls, all the pretty people, all the cool restaurants and bars.”

Neighbor Patricia Carr and her husband moved to Lower Greenville in the ’70s from University Park. She has witnessed the area’s evolution, and even played an active role in its transition, especially during the last six years as the Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association president. For many decades, the avenue managed to maintain a balance between daytime and nighttime business, Carr says. Then, around the turn of the century, she remembers a shift: Bars and clubs could make more money than daytime retail, and soon they dominated the strip between Belmont and Ross. Eventually, irresponsible business owners began to proliferate, Carr recalls. These so-called “bad operators,” as neighbors often refer to them, were known for overserving underage drinkers cheap alcohol.

“The area became known for these establishments, rather than the responsible businesses that were there,” Carr explains, “and the responsible businesses that were there started moving out.”

1973:

1974-1982:

The Arcadia shows Spanish-only films.

1977: The Community Reinvestment Act makes money available for reinvestment in Greenland Hills’ dilapidated housing. A small wave of college-educated young people begin moving to the Greenville area with intentions of restoring the old Tudor and Craftsman homes and bringing the area back to life.

A normal street to Bourbon Street in five minutes’

Lowest Greenville especially began to garner a reputation for selling alcohol to underage drinkers, which attracted more underage drinkers, which brought in more money to the bad operators.

“Bars and clubs are in the business of making money,” says Dallas Police Detective Keith Allen, who has fought crime on Lower Greenville for roughly 20 years. “The way for these establishments to make money is for them to cater to a younger and younger crowd.”

Young people from all over the city flocked to Greenville because they knew they could have fun and get into trouble relatively unchecked.

“From 2005 to 2007, it was mostly an SMU crowd,” says neighbor Lee Escobedo. “I used to spend a lot of time down there in the only three-piece suit that I had. I’d wear it every Saturday night and try to mac on SMU girls — to some success. Some. Stumbled in the street. Got kicked out of bars a lot.”

During that time, Lower Greenville consisted mostly of dance clubs, he says, but the vibe changed in the late 2000s.

“A lot of people started leaving because some of the bars that popped up were becom-

1978: The term “Lower Greenville” enters the vernacular. Later, investor Lou Reese claims he invented the term.

ing notorious for places where drug dealing was going on,” Escobedo says. “The street had a di erent feel to it. There were a lot of people fighting in the clubs, fighting on the streets. It was bad.”

Schoder, too, remembers when the avenue started drawing a “late-night crowd that liked to fight, that liked to pull knives and guns.”

“It got to the point where we wouldn’t go down [to Lowest Greenville],” he says. “You’d be sitting on the patio, and a fight would break out in the street. All of a sudden, it felt like a bit of a war zone. It’s incredible how that can happen so quickly.”

Greenville’s activity was a formula for violent crime, Allen says: “When you have a relatively small stretch of property that’s dominated by alcohol-centric bars and restaurants, and then on top of that you’re catering to a younger group of 18- to 20-year-olds, those were the things that caused the problems,” he says. “The violent crimes that were taking place around closing time were primarily because of the younger groups of people that were being catered to.”

Allen says this type of situation is not unique to Lowest Greenville.

“Anytime you take that model, you could move it anywhere and you’d have the same issues,” he says.

Darren Dattalo with the Lower Greenville Crime Watch says that during the “bad years,”

1983: The glamorous nightclub Tango opens on Lowest Greenville, where the Taco Cabana is today, and caters to the young people moving into the area.

he would head to the Char Bar on crime-watch business and sit in the parking lot to watch the drama unfold.

“The street would seem kind of normal, nothing too bad, and then about a quarter to 2 a.m., you would start seeing the drunks coming out,” he recalls. “Right at 2 o’clock, there was this huge police presence. They would come out with military precision and put cones on the street and start directing tra c, because the street would go from what looked like a normal street to Bourbon Street in five minutes.”

Hundreds of people poured out of the bars onto the street, which resulted in complete chaos for the next hour and a half, Dattalo says, while police tried to direct people out of the area.

“Then all the frustration of all these drunk people out in the street at the same time ended up turning into fights in the parking lot,” Dattalo says. “One night I was out there and there were three unrelated fights going on simultaneously in three di erent areas.”

Some of the bar-goers even pulled knives or guns, he says, and there were incidents of people driving by and shooting at people in the crowd.

As violence escalated on Lowest Greenville, folks living in the surrounding residential neighborhoods grew increasingly concerned about their safety.

Arcadia closes for a time while the owners deal with legal proceedings that follow the showing of the pornographic film “Deep Throat.”

Advertisements from the Dallas Morning News Historical Archives

“Residents were not really inclined to go walking their dogs at night because they were afraid they were going to get mugged,” Carr recalls. Not only were bar-goers being noisy, littering, vandalizing property and peeing in people’s yards, she says, “but there was also a very real physical danger.”

Carr remembers a time when she wanted to host a luncheon at a restaurant on Lowest Greenville, but the other lunch-goers objected, saying the area was too dangerous. She also vividly remembers an email from one man: “ ‘I’m afraid for my children because I go out on my patio on Sunday morning and there are bullet holes in my hot tub.’ And of course, residential property values began to plummet because people didn’t want to live next door to a war zone,” Carr says.

Bringing peace to the ‘war zone’

The city began attacking the crime and bad operators on several fronts. Madison Partners and Andres Properties, who own

almost all of the property along Lowest Greenville, worked to ensure that their renters were good operators, but other Lowest Greenville landlords weren’t as careful.

Back then most of Lowest Greenville had wider lanes, narrow sidewalks and headin parking, similar to the parking you see today in front of The Libertine Bar, rather than parallel parking. “It wasn’t walkable by pedestrians, and it was really ugly and dirty and tacky,” Hunt recalls.

Philip Kingston, who took Hunt’s place on the Dallas City Council last year, says he believes the city is to blame for allowing the streets, sidewalks and other aesthetic elements in the area to fall into disrepair.

“I believe that disincentivized landlords from keeping their buildings up,” Kingston says. “Why would they put money in if they don’t have a reasonable expectation of return?”

This was the recipe for the “broken windows theory” to which Hunt often refers. The avenue looked bad, and so — like a selffulfilling prophecy — it became bad.

2006: The Arcadia burns down before John Kenyon, who opened Nick’s Uptown on Lower Greenville in 1980, could make good on his plans to redo it. Also this year, City Council has the opportunity to designate money to certain projects through the city’s bond package, and Councilwoman Angela Hunt allots as much as she can to Lowest Greenville.

2007: Violent crime on Greenville between Mockingbird and Ross peaks at 98 incidents; among them are 33 aggravated assaults, seven rapes and one murder.

2009: The Lower Greenville Whole Foods closes in March, leaving the avenue after 22 years of operation.

2011: Madison Partners and Brooke Humphries — the brain behind Mudsmith, Barcadia, It’ll Do Club and ACME — propose a Lowest Greenville bowling alley, but neighbors, led by future councilman Philip Kingston, veto the plan, worried that it sounds like an oversized bar.

2013: Trader Joe’s opens its first Dallas location on Lowest Greenville in the spot where the Arcadia once stood.

Lower vs. Lowest Greenville

“Lower Greenville” refers to the stretch of Greenville Avenue from Mockingbird to Ross. The term first entered the vernacular in the late ’70s, when the area was experiencing a rejuvenation of business and an influx of new young residents. Its first appearance in the Dallas Morning News was in a column from East Dallas resident and longtime writer John Anders in January 1978, describing Lower Greenville as “less frenetic and more civilized than its north-of-

Mockingbird counterpart” as part of an announcement that the “spritely new bar and restaurant San Francisco Rose” had opened.

At first it was only a lowercase adjective, as in “lower Greenville Avenue.” But in an October 1980 story titled “Community unity,” writer Glenna Whitley talks about both “Upper Greenville” and “Lower Greenville,” describing the latter as “serene residential areas [alternating] with neighborhood stores, most

occupying structures built long before faceless strip shopping centers became the preferred commercial construction.”

Did this terminology come about organically? (Does anything in Dallas?) Not according to Morning News business columnist Steve Brown, another neighborhood resident who, in May 1983, when he was real estate editor, wrote about developer ShulerReese, “the biggest property holder in the Lower Greenville area.” In the article, Brown notes that “Lou Reese takes credit for much of the turnaround on Lower Greenville — a name he coined.”

“Lowest Greenville” refers to the stretch of the avenue from Belmont to Ross. In March 1983, then-writer and current Morning News columnist Steve Blow describes Lower Greenville as “probably the most successfully diverse area of the city, particularly the stretch near Ross Avenue fondly known as Lowest Greenville.” A month later, entrepreneur Shannon Wynne capitalized on this popular term with an ad campaign leading up to his club Tango’s opening that announced its location as “1827 Lowest Greenville Ave.”

The term “Lowest Greenville” became more sparse in the late ’80s and ‘90s, but returned when the bar scene re-emerged at the turn of the century. During the recent zoning changes, neighbors often used the term “Lowest Greenville” to differentiate the area south of Belmont from the rest of Greenville Avenue, says former councilwoman Angela Hunt. And now that Lowest Greenville is trendy once more, its businesses are forming a “Lowest Greenville Collective.” —Keri

Mitchell

of Lower Greenville crime reporting area

In an attempt to patchwork the problem, the city began spending hundreds of thousands of dollars every year on a heavyduty police presence in the area, Hunt says — just to keep people from literally killing each other. At times, police even went so far as to PepperBall crowds of bar-goers in order to defuse dangerous situations, Allen says.

That happened in front of Greenville Avenue Pizza Company one night, say owners Sammy and Molly Mandell. When a fight broke out and police began spraying, they scrambled to get people inside and lock the doors. “It was crazy down here,” Sammy says of those days. “The clubs were packed out with lines out the door. As a pizza place that was open past 2, every night it was just like, ‘Get ready.’” Some places weren’t even busy until the wee hours, when bars began o ering 50cent shots, they say. “At midnight, all these people would converge on this little strip, get completely hammered out of their minds, and then it would just be complete craziness until 3 a.m.,” he says.

The crime numbers speak for themselves. In 2007 violent crime on Lower Greenville between Mockingbird and Ross peaked at 98 incidents; among them were 33 aggravated assaults, seven rapes and one murder. Those numbers don’t include another 1,077 non-violent crimes. In 2008 public intoxication arrests hit a high of 1,291, and DWI arrests rose to 191.

As police spent nearly every weekend dispersing the drunken mobs, the city concurrently worked to smack down some of the rowdier establishments, but Hunt describes that task as an exhausting and pointless game of whack-a-mole.

“We could attempt to prove that they weren’t really restaurants; that they were really bars, which would require them to get an additional permit from the city. That would give us [the city] a little more authority,” Hunt says.

But as soon as the city took one “restaurant” to court, the owner would shut the establishment down and a brother-in-law or cousin would open up in the same location as another “restaurant,” Hunt says.

“So there was really no legal tool that we had at our disposal to address this in any kind of comprehensive way,” she explains. “It was clear to me that we were playing a

game, and we weren’t half as good at it as the bars were.”

The city needed a more comprehensive approach, Hunt believed, if it ever hoped to make a serious dent in the spiking crime rates. One day while playing around in Google SketchUp, which is basically a design tool for non-designers, Hunt re-created Lower Greenville — only better.

“I looked at what it could be, and it was amazing,” she says. “It was this pedestrian-friendly, fun little street that could be attractive to neighborhoods and restaurants. It could have mom-and-pop antique shops or local restaurants like we had on middle and upper Greenville. The idea of that was very exciting to me, but it was getting there that was the challenge.”

In the city’s 2006 bond package, council members had the opportunity to designate money to certain projects, and Hunt allotted as much as she could to Greenville. She hoped to work with neighbors and business owners to eventually reach a point where it would be worthwhile for the city to invest in major infrastructure improvements.

Hunt partnered with Pauline Medrano, a fellow councilwoman whose district also included part of Lower Greenville, and they approached the major players — neighborhood association leaders, business leaders and property owners. Their plan was to rezone Lowest Greenville, from Belmont to Ross, as a Planned Development (PD) District and force late-night businesses to apply for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in order to stay open past midnight, which would allow neighbors and other nearby business owners to voice their opinions about the restaurants and bars seeking a permit.

Angela Hunt

• SHOP BY RECIPE, ARTISAN OR AISLE •

Arrests in the Lower Greenville area peaked in 2008†

1,291 public intoxication arrests

191 driving while intoxicated arrests

2013

156 public intoxication arrests

33 driving while intoxicated arrests

This would hold businesses known for crime to a higher standard of accountability.

The carrot was that the city would rebuild the area to make it a pedestrian oasis, Hunt says.

“I said, ‘We want to make these improvements, but there’s no way that I’m going to make these incredible and dramatic changes for bars, just to make it easier for the frat guys to drunkenly walk down the street,” Hunt says. “I’m not going to do it, because there are other places in the city where I could put that money.’ ”

If Greenville wanted infrastructure improvements, it had to help her turn her case-by-case whack-a-mole mallet into an all-encompassing rat poison.

Good riddance, bars — hello, Trader Joe’s

Carr remembers about 150 people showing up for the first community meeting.

“There were a lot of people who were against it, and there were a lot of people who were afraid of it. They were afraid it would kill the reputable businesses,” she says. “Some of the business owners who were running responsible businesses expressed concerns, and I don’t blame them. I would have had the same concerns.”

The Libertine Bar, which opened on Greenville in 2006, was hailed as the ideal for how a good neighborhood pub should

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operate. Mike Smith, who co-owns the Libertine, says he “felt fairly positive” about Hunt’s plan because he believed Greenville had incredible potential, but Libertine was held to the same standard and scrutiny as everyone else.

“Anyone could’ve come along and said, ‘No, I don’t like Libertine,’ ” Smith says. “That could’ve happened, but it didn’t. We

had a lot of reassurance from the neighborhood and the city that we didn’t have anything to worry about, that they appreciated our business. But of course when you have money on the line, you get a little bit nervous.”

What really stands out in Smith’s mind is the awkwardness of the first meeting.

“There were people you could point out

and be like, ‘Yeah, that guy is not going to be there. They’re clearly trying to squeeze that guy out,’ ” Smith says.

Because of that, Hunt received a lot of pushback from business owners. So she focused her e orts on working with the primary property owners, Andres Properties and Madison Partners. Hunt says both landlords had been burned by the city previously in a permitting process over parking issues.

“We were very nervous right up to the end,” says Jon Hetzel with Madison Partners. “It puts a lot of private property rights on our end into the neighborhoods’ hands without reciprocating on anything, in our minds. Neighbors weren’t giving us much, and we were giving them a lot of our private property rights.”

But Madison Partners caught on to Hunt’s vision for the avenue.

“We absolutely, 100 percent agreed with the vision. We were nervous about the tool,” Hetzel explains. “Because we had next to no bar tenants, we weren’t necessarily even scared about losing our tenants. We were more concerned about not being able to put in interesting tenants that wanted to be open past midnight that weren’t really operating as bars.”

In other words, Hetzel says, “we were afraid of the baby getting thrown out with the bathwater.” But Hunt promised Andres and Madison “a di erent type of renter” and “a di erent set of clientele that aren’t going to bring the gra ti, trash, crime and noise issues.” The two major players decided to get behind her plan.

“It was challenging to get their buy-in, but we did,” Hunt says. “Without their support, it really wouldn’t have happened.”

She also approached leaders of the surrounding six homeowners’ associations — Lower Greenville, Belmont, Hudson Heights, Lowest Greenville West, Vickery Place and Greenland Hills — and made the same promise.

“When I went to neighborhoods, I told them, ‘I will fight this until my nails bleed. I’ll do everything I can to get this, but I have to know you’re with me.’ And they were, every step of the way,” Hunt says.

It took a lot of twisting, turning and tweaking, but in the end Hunt and Medrano’s e orts came to fruition, and the Lower Greenville Planned Development District was approved in January 2011. By that time,

Courtesy American Association of Orthodontists

drop in reported aggravated assaults

2007

33 aggravated assaults

2013

9 aggravated assaults

many of the “bad operators” had seen the writing on the wall and already closed their doors. In fall 2011, Yucatan (formerly Malibu Bar), Shade, Service Bar and Soprano’s were denied late-hours permits, according to Carr. Four others that had high police activity — Lost Society, 180 Degrees, Sugar Shack and Hotel Capri — just packed up and moved away without even applying for a permit, she says.

For a time, the strip seemed achingly empty, but the city kept its promise to renovate the area. The City of Dallas approved a $1.3 million makeover to refurbish Greenville Avenue and its sidewalks, plus add other aesthetics. Between Bell and Alta, four lanes were narrowed to two in order to widen the sidewalks. Street parking was re-rigged from head-in to parallel. Property owners Andres and Madison even chipped in to help move telephone poles from the avenue’s sidewalks to the back parking lots.

Then, in December 2011, Trader Joe’s, which, according to Hetzel, had been keeping its thumb on the Lower Greenville pulse for more than a year, announced it would make the avenue its first Dallas location. The California-based gourmet grocer was a catalyst for change on the avenue, ushering in a tidal wave of daytime businesses.

In early 2013 hipster coffee shop Mudsmith opened right across the street from where Trader Joe’s was being constructed.

Soon after, paleo-centric restaurant HG Sply Co. opened its doors down the block, and its owners have been building a small empire ever since — the Social Mechanics gym next door, a gigantic rooftop bar, and an oldfashioned soda fountain slated for later this year. Trader Joe’s opening in August 2013 was quickly followed by an announcement from Matt Pikar, owner of Nora Restaurant and Bar, that he and his wife, Rosalind Lynam, would expand their restaurant with a private dining room and rooftop bar. The dominoes continued to fall — The Truck Yard; Dude, Sweet Chocolate; Crisp Salad Company; Blind Butcher; Steel City Pops and three more new restaurants being built next to Trader Joe’s.

“I just love seeing people come back to Lower Greenville,” Hunt says. “I’m absolutely the proudest of that project. A lot of other things in the city happen with or without you, to be very honest. That is something I’m proud of because I feel like I got to play a part in it, and that’s exciting to get to play a part in something that has transformed an area. Hopefully, it will have a long-lasting impact.”

A success story (for almost everyone)

Everything seems to be working out as Hunt hoped. Or better than she hoped, even.

Hunt says she believes Greenville will continue to be successful because the SUP process acts as a partnership between business owners and the city to ensure that no more bad opera-

tors will be allowed within that stretch.

But some people have reservations. Chuck Cole, both a neighborhood resident and owner of Corner Market, has watched the changes quietly. Although his shop is north of the PD, he understands what it takes to run a small business, which makes him wary of the stronghold the city has over Lowest Greenville.

Though Cole thinks the positive changes are great, he worries the current setup isn’t sustainable because “the SUP is running off really good tenants.” Cole believes the bowling alley proposed in 2011 by Madison Partners and Brooke Humphries — the brain behind Mudsmith, Barcadia, It’ll Do Club and ACME — would have been a good addition to the avenue. But neighbors shot it down through an effort spearheaded by Kingston because it sounded like an oversized bar.

Hetzel admitted that it has been “a little harder to lease to businesses, not being able to promise that they’ll be able to open after midnight,” although he says Madison hardly lost any tenants when the SUP process kicked in, except club Shade, which was replaced by Mudsmith.

Because the SUPs help ensure balance along the avenue, Hetzel thinks the process is a good thing overall, although it can negatively impact a business’s bottom line.

“Truck Yard is a good example of a business that could make a lot more money if they were open after midnight,” Hetzel points out, “but they’re closing at midnight, and that’s fine. They’re making tons of mon-

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ey. I think if it was politically realistic, they would stay open after midnight, but I don’t think it is.”

Most of the new Lowest Greenville businesses have been welcomed with open arms, but a couple have had a more di cult time gaining neighbors’ trust. Blind Butcher, which opened where the Service Bar was once located, is one of those businesses. With the rowdy activity of the Service Bar fresh in their minds, nearby neighbors were skeptical of the new craft beer-centric joint no matter how much the owners, who also operate Goodfriend on Peavy, promised to be good neighbors.

When Blind Butcher opened in February, its SUP allowed the restaurant’s interior to operate until 2 a.m., but the back patio had to close at midnight. Since then, almost everyone agrees Blind Butcher is, indeed, a good business. However, a few neighbors aren’t as fond of the patio. When the restaurant owners’ request for a late-night permit went to a public hearing before the City Plan Commission earlier this year, several neighbors testified that they are awakened regularly by voices bouncing o the patio’s walls and into their bedrooms. The commission voted to give Blind Butcher a 1-year trial to keep the patio open until 2 a.m., but when the request went before City Council, Blind Butcher pulled it and instead settled for a 3-year renewal of its current arrangement, which comes with an automatic twoyear renewal if the restaurant keeps its end of the bargain. In essence, Blind Butcher

opted to sacrifice potential revenue in hopes of avoiding a confrontation with the city (and neighbors) for another five years.

Mediterranean restaurant Kush is another late-night establishment that has felt the sting of the SUP backlash. Its late-night permit expired last fall and wasn’t renewed because “the people around us, they all voted against us,” says manager Farhad Ata, whose

family owns the restaurant and hookah bar. Ata blames a fatal stabbing near its 2 a.m. closing time in August 2013. Although the incident didn’t involve Kush, it happened right outside, so neighbors tied the murder to the restaurant, Ata says. Neighbors, however, cite not only the stabbing but also a continued record of violent crime around Kush as their reason for opposing the SUP.

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to be part of the most awarded not-for-profit health care system in Texas

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to be part of the most awarded not-for-profit health care system in Texas

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to be the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth

to all our people whose compassionate care made this possible

to be the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth

to be the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth

to be the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth

U.S. News & World Report examines hospitals for their annual “Best Hospitals” report. We’re proud to announce that for 2014-15 Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas was the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth and was nationally recognized for excellence in six specialties, including: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Baylor Dallas also received “High Performing” recognition in six specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart re-earn this reputation every day, with every patient.

U.S. News & World Report examines hospitals for their annual “Best Hospitals” report. We’re proud to announce that for 2014-15 Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas was the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth and was nationally recognized for excellence in six specialties, including: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Baylor Dallas also received “High Performing” recognition in six specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart re-earn this reputation every day, with every patient.

For a physician referral or for more information, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Dallas.

U.S. News & World Report examines hospitals for their annual “Best Hospitals” report. We’re proud to announce that for 2014-15 Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas was the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth and was nationally recognized for excellence in six specialties, including: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Baylor Dallas also received “High Performing” recognition in six specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart re-earn this reputation every day, with every patient.

3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246

U.S. News & World Report examines hospitals for their annual “Best Hospitals” report. We’re proud to announce that for 2014-15 Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas was the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth and was nationally recognized for excellence in six specialties, including: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Baylor Dallas also received “High Performing” recognition in six specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Ear, Nose & roat, Geriatrics, Gynecology and Urology. And we realize, we have to re-earn this reputation every day, with every patient.

U.S. News & World Report examines hospitals for their annual “Best Hospitals” report. We’re proud to announce that for 2014-15 Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas was the #1 ranked hospital in Dallas/Fort Worth and was nationally recognized for excellence in six specialties, including: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Baylor Dallas also received “High Performing” recognition in six specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart re-earn this reputation every day, with every patient.

See USNews.com/BestHospitals for complete listings.

For a physician referral or for more information, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

For a physician referral or for more information, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246

See USNews.com/BestHospitals for complete listings.

3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246

For a physician referral or for more information, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

See USNews.com/BestHospitals for complete listings.

3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246

See USNews.com/BestHospitals for complete listings.

Now part of Baylor Scott & White Health

Now part of Baylor Scott & White Health

Now part of Baylor Scott & White Health

Now part of Baylor Scott & White Health

Rooftop bar at HG Sply Co.

Kush plans to remain on Lowest Greenville, even though closing its doors at midnight has meant taking a major financial hit.

“Sixty percent of our business happened after midnight,” Ata says. “People would come to Greenville, have dinner, and then come here afterward and have some drinks and hookah.”

The SUP places the power in the hands of the neighbors and the city.

“Everyone wants lights out at midnight, but you don’t want 100 percent restaurants, just like it wasn’t good as 100 percent bars,” Cole points out. “But now that natural market is gone because of the SUP. A lot of the places, like me, I would never ever, ever do that. It would have to be a phenomenal opportunity before I would submit to [an SUP]. If they ever try it up here [further north on Greenville], you will see the fight of the century.”

Blind Butcher co-owner Matt Tobin admits that dealing with a handful of neighbors who dislike the activity on Lowest Greenville particularly because of the recent spike in noise and tra c — has been disenchanting.

However, he says, “we realized where we moved to.” Despite the neighborhood backlash, Tobin says Blind Butcher is “fully on board” with the SUP process.

“We all are,” he says. “You would be hardpressed to find any new business owners down here who have any problems with the way that they got rid of businesses. It’s a good thing. The problem, though, is that the idea was to get out the bad operators. And it did. They’re gone.”

In contrast, Tobin says, “We’re doing a really good job, providing a cool service to the neighborhood, along with other people down here who are trying to make [Lowest Greenville] come back up.”

Lindsay Dyer, also with Blind Butcher, points out the “interesting juxtaposition” of neighbors trying to be proactive so Lowest Greenville doesn’t get out of hand again.

“They’re also retroactively punishing the businesses that don’t want to be a problem at all,” she says. “So they’re scared of what could happen, even though that’s not what’s happening.”

In order to give the business owners a more unified voice, a young woman named Jessica Burnham has been working with them to coordinate a business association. Greenville and its challenges appealed to Burnham as an ideal project for her master’s degree at the University of North Texas, where she is studying applied design research.

Burnham started talking with neighbors last winter, and in February a handful of business owners began meeting somewhat regularly. In March they decided to o cially form the Lowest Greenville Collective.

In August Burnham hosted a party to celebrate the launch of the new website: lowestgreenvilleavenue.com.

A Greenville with ‘grandmas and baby carriages’

For the first time in years, neighbors feel comfortable walking to Lower Green-

An erstwhile tapas bar on Lowest Greenville is symptomatic of the ebb and flow of business on the avenue.

ville. The area has seen a steady decline in crime; as of last year, violent crime had dropped nearly 90 percent since the 2007 peak, and non-violent crime nearly 80 percent.

Carr remembers Pauline Medrano once stating that she wanted to see the avenue “filled with grandmas and baby carriages.”

“And when I walk down the street, I see a lot of baby carriages. I’m the grandma,” Carr says, laughing. “There’s a lot of bike tra c. People walk now. They’re not afraid to walk a few blocks for dinner.”

One day as she waited to cross Greenville, the line of cars trickling down the avenue actually stopped to let her pass.

“It was a whole di erent attitude,” she says. “That would not have happened before.”

The metamorphosis will continue. Because the Lower Greenville PD stretches from Belmont to Ross, Hunt says neighbors can expect to see street improvements — narrower lanes, wider sidewalks, parallel parking, street trees — reach all the way up Greenville to Belmont and all the way down Greenville to Ross by early 2015.

What happened on Lower Greenville could be a template for other Dallas neighborhoods experiencing similar problems, Hunt says — as long as they have the same level of engagement, she adds.

“The incredible neighborhood participation is unique to East Dallas,” Hunt says. “This was the outgrowth of the neighborhood’s vision for the area. It wasn’t just the city coming in with a heavy hand and telling people — neighbors and business owners — what we were going to do.”

Lower Greenville Crime Watch’s Dattalo agrees that success was achieved only through collaboration.

“When we did this, it was not one person ramming it through,” he says. “It was Angela’s idea, and she pulled in a bunch of people. It was a real group e ort to take ownership of a bad situation and make it better.

“Everybody had to give up something that they didn’t like in order to get what we got. It was one of the most consensus-driven efforts that I’ve ever seen in Dallas.”

6011 Melody Lane, Dallas, TX 75231

Quality. Value. Pride.

Dang,

THAT PLACE is still there?

THE FORGOTTEN, OVERLOOKED AND TAKEN-FOR-GRANTED BUSINESSES THAT WE WOULD MISS TERRIBLY IF THEY DISAPPEARED

Story by Brittany Nunn // Photos by Kim Leeson

The latest development here, rumors of a new restaurant there, and closures every other week — such is the typical fodder for business-news talk. But what about those oft-forgotten institutions — the ones that do not beckon with novelty or glamour but, rather, persist quietly, like a patient grandparent, waiting for us to visit? When we do, we are reminded why they endure: because they are genuine, loyal, sturdy and loved. They are a constant in a perpetually changing environment. Periodically, pay a visit to our neighborhood’s oldies. It will make you feel warm and a tad nostalgic. (Oh, and you should probably visit your grandparents, too.)

Melios Brothers Char Bar

Where: 2026 Greenville at Prospect • Type of food: American • Price: $3-$8 (cash only)

MELIOS BROTHERS CHAR BAR is one of those Lowest Greenville establishments that neighbors have become so accustomed to seeing that we almost forget it’s there. Almost. Who could forget the candy-blue building across from Trader Joe’s that vaguely resembles a retro ski lodge from the Swiss Alps? It’s hard to miss and even looks a little out of place among all the new restaurants, bars and retail options that have arrived on Lowest Greenville within the last year or two.

But Gus Melios, one of four Melios brothers who own and operate the restaurant, isn’t concerned about all the competition flocking to the avenue these days.

“I cook the best breakfast in Dallas,” he insists.

The inside of the restaurant has a throwback mom-and-pop diner feel. It’s the kind of place where you can expect to eat a hearty plate of bacon, eggs and pancakes that stick to your bones until dinner. They don’t make places like Char Bar anymore.

The Melios brothers opened Char Bar in the 1970s when they were just young men fresh from Greece. The story goes, according to Gus, that the brothers began traveling the globe while working on cargo ships as teenagers. After doing that for several years, they soon scattered across the United States — Gus and Alex in New York, Tom in Houston and Mike in Philadelphia.

Mike and Tom moved to Dallas and began working at Seven Seas Fish House next to the Lakewood Theater. When the location where Char Bar sits today became available, Alex and Gus also moved to Dallas, and together the four of them snatched it up and opened Char Bar.

The brothers set down roots in Lakewood, sending their children through the Woodrow feeder schools and on to various colleges around the country.

The restaurant has had its ups and downs over the decades, Gus admits, but the brothers have managed to survive the evolution of the avenue. The aesthetic aspects of the restaurant haven’t changed a bit over the years, and the brothers still don’t accept credit cards.

These days the diner opens for breakfast 6-11:30 a.m. and closes after dinner around 9 or 9:30 p.m. Char Bar o ers a di erent special every day, although it’s best known for its breakfast.

Oh, and Char Bar also is known for the friendly conversations you’re bound to fall into with one of the four Melios brothers.

makeSTATEMENT

Pietro’s Italian Restaurant

Where: 5722 Richmond at Greenville

Type of food: Italian

Price: $8-$22 (cards accepted with min. of $25)

YOU COULD DRIVE BY IT A DOZEN times and never notice it’s there, hidden away from the constant flow of tra c on Greenville Avenue by a tall row of corn.

Pietro’s Italian Restaurant has been serving the East Dallas community for more than 50 years. Pietro Eustachio and his parents, Salvatore and Rosalia, originally established it as a pizzeria along Lowest Greenville.

In 1972, Pietro and his wife, Grace, moved the restaurant to Richmond and expanded the concept to an Italian restaurant. Pietro bought the property, tore down the existing duplexes and built the restaurant from the ground up. He also built an apartment above it, where he and his wife raised their children. (So when he says his kids “were raised in the restaurant,” he means it quite literally.)

Pietro has watched neighborhood families grow up. Children who used to visit the restaurant now visit with their children.

“I’ve got people who come from all over Dallas,” he says.

That diehard fan base — the kind that will drive for miles and miles for a plate of chicken Parmesan — plays a big part in the success of the restaurant. It’s the freshly made Italian food, which hasn’t changed a lick in 50 years, that keeps patrons coming back.

Pietro’s family is from Sicily. His brothers moved to Dallas as young men, and soon the rest of Pietro’s family joined them, although Pietro still has extended family overseas.

The 1980s were Pietro’s Italian Restaurant’s most popular decade. Lines out the door would keep the restaurant hopping until 11 p.m. These days the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. Pietro says he hopes to keep the restaurant open as long as possible.

“My customers love me,” Pietro says. “I’ll have a little kid and it’ll be his birthday, and they’ll ask, ‘Where do you want to go?’ He’ll say, ‘I want to see Pietro.’ That’s why I can’t get out of business. I love my customers.”

without uttering a word

“My

Daddy Jack’s

Where: 1916 Greenville at Oram • Type of food: Lobster, seafood • Price: $14-$69

IF

YOU WANDER INTO DADDY JACK’S

New England Lobster and Chowder House one evening, you’ll likely find it bustling with activity.

The dining area is cozy in a way that forces patrons to share elbow space with strangers, which is actually kind of charming. Not to mention, it’s sometimes the source of unlikely friendships, says owner Cary Ray.

“Sometimes people come in here, first-timers, and they’re sitting right next to someone else,” Ray says, “and then before the night is over, they’re friends. It’s a completely di erent experience than you get at most places.”

Ray opened Daddy Jack’s in the heart of Lower Greenville in 1993. “The late ’90s was the last heyday on Greenville, in terms of good businesses,” Ray says. Like all businesses that made it through the recent years, Daddy Jack’s had to weather the changes on Lowest Greenville brought on by spiking crime rates in the late 2000s.

Today Ray is enjoying the revitalization of Lowest Greenville, which he believes was spurred in part by Trader Joe’s opening in summer 2013.

The interior of the restaurant, which was styled after a typical New England chowder house, has a casual neighborhood feel. Although Daddy Jack’s o ers a variety of seafood

tilapia, shrimp, calamari, king crab — it’s best known for its lobster.

“What makes it work is the really highquality cuisine,” Ray says. “It really comes down to the ingredients, buying the best, freshest meat and ingredients. It’s for people who don’t want to dress up but still want great seafood.”

LONG HOURS IN DARK WATERS

For the police officers whose work takes them to the murky depths of Dallas lakes, a successfully completed job usually involves a horrific discovery.

Story by Christina Hughes Babb Photos by Danny Fulgencio

38TH ANNUAL HOME FESTIVAL

Dallas police dive team members train in a Lewisville pool for real-world situations by wearing masks with blackened lenses.

Dallas Police O cer John Boucher spent much of one blindingly sunny May afternoon submerged in White Rock Lake, searching for a man who jumped from Mockingbird Bridge and never resurfaced.

Onlookers reportedly tried to find 24-year-old Jeremy Daughtry — who leapt in on a dare, they said — but it was no use. Under the surface lay 8 feet of inky blackness, a glut of debris and limb-sucking sludge that vastly inhibits movement.

Even with the aid of side scan sonar equipment, Boucher, dive-team commander Jack Bragg and several more dive-team members searched some 16 hours before locating the body. By then, the young man’s parents were at the shore, holding one another; his mother sporadically sobbed.

Divers “bagged and tagged” the young man’s body at the bottom of the lake before bringing him to surface, explains Bragg. They also positioned their small boat in a way that would shield the excavation from onlookers.

This is protocol.

“We have a job to do, but we are also thinking about protecting the loved ones, trying to be as respectful as possible,” Bragg says.

Once Bragg and his team are called to a scene such as this, prospects probably are grim. It means Dallas Fire and Rescue has exhausted recovery e orts.

The first dive, technically, is treated as a rescue, says Bragg, but they have never saved anyone.

“We are looking for bodies.”

The Dallas Police Department Underwater Recovery team is made up of about 22 police o cers who also are specially trained divers. Team commander Jack Bragg, Captain Jack to most, works full time as the coordinator of the dive team, a DPD field-service unit that falls under the SWAT department.

The rest of the divers are posted elsewhere fulltime; two work as patrol o cers at the Northwest, others at Northeast, South Central, and Southwest subdivisions, respectively. Others work narcotics or Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR).

When divers are needed — typically for the recovery of a drowning victim, a sub-

merged vehicle or evidence in a crime — Bragg rounds up available team members. Calls can happen as often as three times in one day or as infrequently as three times in as many months.

Essentially, Underwater Recovery Team members investigate and gather evidence at underwater crime scenes. They wear thick rubber dry suits and about 50 pounds of gear and dive in 20 to 60 minute intervals, depending on conditions. They must be as meticulous and clean as an o cer at any other crime scene, even though the environments in which they work are filthy and unforgiving.

“You want to know what it looks like under that water?” asks diver Daniel Hale. “Here you go.” He holds up a “blackout mask.” The lenses have been painted opaque black. “That’s what you see down there.”

Low-to-zero visibility, one of myriad challenges faced by underwater investigators, forces o cers to feel for the targeted object.

Imagine a job in which getting your hands on a dead body or a body part means success.

“When you are down there, it is di cult to tell the di erence between a foam seat cushion and a human body,” notes Northwest patrol o cer/senior dive o cer Scott Harn. And there are a lot of foam seat cushions in White Rock Lake, remarks another o cer attending a recent certification class.

October 4, 2014 • 11am to 9pm

Lake

Town Center

www.lhoktoberfest.com

For our benefit, Bragg asks the group, which also includes Lewisville divers, how many dead bodies they had touched. “I lost track,” one says. “Too many to count,” another notes.

Logistically, training for public safety diving is formulaic and precise.

It is a Wednesday morning in August when dive-team members gather at a Lewisville Fire Department scuba pool for class. Lewisville is home to one of the country’s more sophisticated dive teams, due to the proximity of Lake Lewisville, Bragg explains. Dive o cers are learning to use new equipment including surface-supply air tanks, which, compared with scuba tanks, will allow longer dives, and a communication box that allows divers to speak

u Kids Zone activities from 11am to 6pm

u Performances by LHHS student organizations

u Beverages provided by Franconia & Times Ten Cellars

Highlands

featuring Charlie Robison & The Orbans & Brave Combo

u Food selections provided by Kuby’s, the Grape, Burger House, Urban Crust, Pokey-O’s, and Social Ice

with and hear an operator on land. Until now, communication between diver and his colleagues on the boat and shore has been conducted via a coded system of rope pulls one pull means, “all is well” while three means, “we found the body,” for example.

Before applying to Dallas’ dive team, an o cer must be, at minimum, an International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD)-certified rescue diver. Police divers-in-training then follow a strict curriculum of schooling and certification that is in line with national standards.

Every dive-team member learns every position.

“Everyone knows every step of every operation,” Bragg says, “and it has to happen the exact same way as it will in the field.”

The team formed less than 10 years ago and operates on a limited budget. “We are not a dedicated unit so we get about $5,000-$7,000 of the SWAT budget and beg for grants and money,” Bragg says. Over the years, usually through grants or donations, they have acquired advanced equipment, but they cannot dive with new gear until they are properly trained and certified to use it. So they continually are brushing up on their skills and learning new practices.

“The dark side of why we have to do all this training is that [police departments nationwide] have killed so many divers,” Bragg says. “The last thing I want to do as a dive team commander is send a live person after an inanimate or lifeless object and lose him. Guys have been hurt. One of our dive captains had a lung embolism that ended his diving career. We do everything we can [to narrow every chance of injury], even

Side scan sonar equipment helps divers locate bodies.

Dallas police diver Daniel Hale enters the water at Lake Ray Hubbard.

though sometimes you can do everything right and still have something go wrong.”

Bragg lifts his pant leg to reveal a severe burn-like scar, the result of a cut that became infected in contaminated water.

Team members pride themselves on operating pragmatically even in the most outrageous situations.

In summer 2010 the dive team launched a hunt in a Preston Hollow pond for evidence linked to a 1983 murder.

“In that little pond, we found six or eight motorcycles and motorcycle parts, a safe, and several weapons including assault rifles and a handgun,” Bragg recalls. “None, by the way, were what we were looking for.”

The job demands painstaking levels of patience. It requires a deeply rooted understanding of procedure and the critical thinking skills necessary to apply it to an infinite variety of high-stake situations, Bragg says.

“We are very methodical. We are grandmas when it comes to collecting evidence slow and meticulous. We aren’t going to be the reason some guy gets o because evidence was mishandled.”

The psychological demands of police diving, one could argue, are as grueling

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as the physical requirements.

Senior diver John Boucher is smoking a cigar. He says he finally quit smoking cigarettes, but he still likes the occasional cigar, and sometimes a drink or two, to help quiet his mind, especially after a tough underwater search.

“The worst, for me, was the first body I personally found. It was a few years ago at Lake Ray Hubbard. Party Cove. The guy jumped o a boat and never came up. I was the second diver and I found the body. When I touched it, at first I thought it felt like a roll of carpet. Then I realized it was the kid. There was an initial rush of anxiety but then the training kicks in and you go right into action.”

Sometimes, due to the darkness, divers experience what they call “mind monsters” that is, the anxiety and dread that threatens rational thinking, Boucher says. Only a large dose of mental toughness can slay these beasts.

Usually, because of their high levels of

skill, experience and training, divers like Boucher are able to launch into action even in the face of horrific circumstance — this Dallas dive team has located a murdered baby, drowned children and a bucket con-

THE market

taining a human head, to name a few particularly disturbing cases, and all of these operations were handled perspicaciously and by-the-book, Bragg says.

Sitting at home, alone with his thoughts

THE CORNER MARKET

Florist/Deli/M Streets

3426 Greenville Ave, Dallas Tx 75206

DELI 214-826-8282

FLOWERS 214-826-8283

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Catering, Catering, Catering. Make your life easier with our crowd pleasing catering platters. Thai Glazed Pork Tenderloin, Huge Gulf Shrimp, Angus Beef Tenderloin and more. Full menu online. Petite Sandwiches above $3.25 ea.

Officers Ryan Hales and Ron Carroll, members of the Dallas Police Department’s dive team, learn to use new surfacesupply air equipment.

A non-profit childcare facility providing Early Childcare Education

• Provides Early Childhood Education to children with special health care needs, ages 0-5

• Family support services such as Financial Education and Parenting Classes

Since 1988, Bryan’s House has been providing children and families in our community with a continuum of care. bryanshouse.org

214-559-3946

after long hours in dark waters looking for a body or a murder weapon, however, Boucher sometimes feels haunted.

“I’ll tell you, it messed with my head,” he says recalling the drowned man at Lake Ray Hubbard.

Like war buddies, divers often turn to one another for support.

“There are always two divers that bring up a body,” Boucher says. “That night we texted each other back and forth.” It doesn’t take much, he says, because each understands what the other is feeling.

Captain Jack’s worst day has to be the day, last May, when the dive team got the call about former assistant police chief Greg Holliday.

“Greg was a friend,” Bragg says. “I worked with him for 35 years. That’s about as close as you can get to having to look for your own family.”

Holliday, 63, had been missing for days. Police, in a Critical Missing Person alert stated that Holliday was possibly suicidal.

Bragg’s men, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department divers, found Holliday’s body, with a self-inflicted gunshot to his head, in a shallow creek near the Preston Trails Golf Club.

“Of course every guy out here has a different worst day, but I’ve gone through some of our police photos from that day, and you can see the stress on our guys’ faces. That day was hard.”

“The police department has psych [-ological counseling services], but this work is

not typical,” Bragg says. “Regular patrol officers, they don’t really understand exactly what our guys go through.”

Several members of the team concur that the bonds they share among themselves are therapeutic.

“We are all friends. They have to be comfortable with and trust the other guys they are down there with,” Bragg says.

“Body recovery is stressful,” Boucher says, “and you get home and try to talk to your girlfriend about it, she doesn’t want to hear it. So you text the guy who was [on the job] with you. That’s sometimes how you get through the night.”

PRIVATE DONATIONS Captain Jack Bragg says he works hard to secure grants and donations and that the team frequently borrows necessary equipment from Dallas Fire-Rescue or from other nearby departments such as Lewisville. The sidescan sonar equipment used to recover Jeremy Daughtry, for example, was borrowed from Dallas Fire-Rescue, Bragg notes. He says private donations — which go directly toward purchasing equipment and training that makes public-safety diving more effective and less dangerous — always are welcome. For more information, email jack.bragg@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us.

Dallas Police Department divers last summer attended a week-long certification class, training with new air-supply equipment that will allow them to spend more time underwater.

BRYAN’S HOUSE

3610 Pipestone & 802 S. Beckley / 214.559.3946 / bryanshouse.org Bryan’s House is a nonprofit childcare facility that provides care and early childhood education for children who have special medical needs who are ages 0–5-years-old. At Bryan’s House families can find a safe and nurturing environment for their children, as well as social services to help them find resources they may need to care for their children. It is NAEYC Accredited and participates in the Texas School Ready Project. Volunteers are also always welcome.

CLAIRE’S CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL

8202 Boedeker Dr., / (214) 368-4047 / clairesdayschool.com At CCDS, we encourage a child’s sense of exploration and discovery in a loving, nurturing, and safe environment. We offer a parent’s day out program with a play-based curriculum fostering socialization, motor skill development, and an introduction to academics for children aged 4mo – 3yrs. Our preschool for children aged 3-5 further develops these skills, along with a more focused approach to pre-math and prereading. At CCDS, we have developed our own science, math, and reading enrichment classes to ensure kindergarten preparedness for every child. We make learning fun!

HIGHLANDER SCHOOL

9120 Plano Rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

LAKEHILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep. org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

SPANISH HOUSE

5740 Prospect Ave. & 4411 Skillman / 214-826-4410 / DallasSpanishHouse.com

Spanish House is a Spanish immersion school with two Lakewood locations for children ages 3 months - Kindergarten. We offer half-day and full-day programs, with extended care available from 7:30am - 6:00pm. We also offer after-school and Saturday classes for PK and elementary-aged students, both onand off-site. Additionally, we have an adult Spanish program for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S MONTESSORI SCHOOL

7900 Lovers Ln. / 214.363.9391 stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL

SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

THE WINSTON SCHOOL

5707 Royal Lane Dallas, Tx 75229 / 214691-6950 / www.winston-school.org If your bright child struggles with things like Attention and Concentration, Executive Functioning and Dyslexia, The Winston School may be able to help. The Winston School has a robust academic program which prepares a student for college while at the same time developing the whole child. We understand bright children who learn differently and recognize their unique gifts and talents. Celebrating and validating these assets with our students enables them to discover who they are, and empowers them to be consistently successful. The Winston School brings hope for today and a road map for tomorrow. Open House: October 16th from 9-11 am.

WHITE ROCK NORTH SCHOOL

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410 / WhiteRockNorthSchool.com

6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

YORKTOWN EDUCATION

5170 Village Creek Drive Plano, 75093 972-733-0800 YorktownEd.com Yorktown

Education is an independent, academically challenging private school for grades first -12. With a customized “Do What You Love” curriculum, students are educated with higher standards at earlier ages. Education is based on performance and not on age or grade levels. Yorktown graduates are in the top 1% of the country for SAT & ACT results and have a 100 percent college acceptance rate, with an average of over $100,000 in college credit and scholarships. Enrolling first through 10th grade for the 2014-2015 school year. Parent tours and student visits are available. Please visit Yorktown’s Open House at 6 p.m., October 21 to learn more about Yorktown’s unique and proven educational experience.

ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

69%

of our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750 want more info about private schools.

BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

Send business news tips to livelocal@advocatemag.com

Pet store in Cantina Laredo spot

After a lot of waiting and wondering, Hollywood Feed confirmed it is opening in the old Cantina Laredo space. Hollywood Feed is a groomer/pet store combo based in Memphis. It plans to open 10 stores in Dallas, according to a post by the Memphis Business Journal. The first two locations were opened earlier this year, one on Lover’s Lane and one on Preston Road. A spokeswoman with Hollywood Feed says she doesn’t know when the Abrams location will open. Hollywood Feed began as a neighborhood feed store in Memphis, according to the website. Although it has expanded to several southern states, they still focus on being a “neighborhood provider of the best natural and holistic pet products.” For more, call 901.452.2506 or visit hollywoodfeed.com.

Elliott’s Hardware comes to Casa Linda Plaza

Casa Linda Plaza’s newest tenant is one of Dallas’s oldest mom-and-pop businesses. Elliott’s Hardware is moving into the storefront between Chili’s and Salons by JC, says Radkey Jolink, director of marketing and communications at the plaza’s leasing company, AmREIT. The 14,593-square-foot space has been vacant for 15 years. It previously housed Parisian-Peyton’s Colberts, a women’s clothing store and one of the original tenants of the historic shopping center. Elliott’s opened its first store in 1947 on Maple Avenue. Today, it has three locations in Dallas, Mesquite and Plano. The store should be open in Casa Linda by the end of the year. For more, call 214.634.9900 or visit elliottshardware.com.

Beads of Splendor moving

After 13 years in Lakewood Shopping Center, Beads of Splendor is boxing up its beads, clasps and wires and moving them to 9047 Garland (the shopping strip with Hypnotic Donuts). Major construction at the new location is finished. All that’s left is the finish-out and the moving, says owner Diana Thatcher. Thatcher hopes to open the new location in midOctober. For more, call 214.824.2777 or visit beadsofsplendor.com.

More business bits

1 Lakewood neighbor Chris Hamilton is opening a liquor and cigar shop on Greenville across from Snu er’s. Leeward Liquor and Cigars aims to be a cozy space stocked mostly with high-end, craft liquor, beer and wine options, with as many Texas-made choices as possible. 2 A men’s retail store opened on Henderson earlier this summer, across the street from the new Houndstooth co ee shop. Bonobos is primarily an online outlet, so the location on Henderson is a fit shop where men of all ages can pop in to be fitted for the favorite outfits they find online. 3 M Streets resident Lucy Huang opened Accents in West Village eight years ago as an accessories shop. Since then, Uptown has changed and her shop has evolved significantly. So when a spot became available at Mockingbird Station, Huang snatched it up. 4 An East Dallas owner is opening The Bohemian Cafe, a co ee shop/bakery, on Oct. 13, which will feature “breakfast lunch and German,” according to its Facebook page. A sign on the front door says the cafe will serve kolaches, co ee, tea, beer, wine and gourmet hot dogs, and will also have live music. 5 Across the street, Clark Food & Wine Co. plans to open soon. The website says Clark plans to create a “dynamic casual neighborhood restaurant serving American tapas, flatbreads, artisan sandwiches and smoked meats.” It will also feature a selection of wines, Texas craft beer and spirits.

CREEPY CURIOSITIES

A Lakewood antique shop provides a window into our neighbors’ strange and eerie hobbies

COMMENT. Visit lakewood.advocatemag.com to tell us what you think.

“The veil is getting thin, my friends, And strange things will pass through.”

This, according to a prolific writer, Unknown, in a poem about “a fine fall day,” hearing phantom whispers and laughter on an autumnal stroll.

No doubt about it, autumn in East Dallas brings changes, and it’s more than just the first respite from the unrelenting heat. As Halloween approaches, pumpkins appear on doorsteps — pumpkins that will wear sinister grins come Oct. 31. All Hallows’ Eve seems to bring out our inner Vincent Price as we gleefully decorate our otherwise ordinary lawns with Styrofoam tombstones and hang plastic skeletons in our doorways.

But long after most of us have packed away the zombie masks and witch hats, some in the neighborhood continue to embrace the creepy, the macabre.

Strange things abound at Lakewood antique shop Curiosities. Owned by motherson team Terry and Jason Cohen, the store displays folk art, funky primitives and, well, curiosities. Sure, you’ll find standard items such as vintage linens, Fiestaware and cast-iron toys from the turn of the century. A few steps away, though, and you’re eyeballing glass eyes. And 1930s medical models graphically depicting eye diseases and facial tumors. Over here is a Civil War surgeon’s kit with sharp, painful-looking instruments. Nearby sits a jar of teeth in a milky liquid. Perhaps you’re in the market for your own electro-shock kit.

The Cohens agree, though, that one of the oddest pieces in their shop is the African monkey fetish, a statuette with a monkey skull and fur. It probably stood guard in an African village and was blessed with magical powers by the tribe’s holy man. The monkey and its mate actually were purchased by a props person for use in the

Nicolas Cage movie “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” After the movie wrapped, the props guy sent them back to the Cohens, claiming the monkeys had “bad mojo.” One of the monkeys sold. Jason says he’s waiting for the phone to ring, expecting the current owner to ask them to buy it back. The other monkey remains in the store, even though Jason would like to add it to his personal collection. His wife, however, has put the kibosh on the idea: “She won’t allow it in the house,” he says with a laugh.

Jason, who lives in Junius Heights, is a lifelong collector and has a particular fascination with Victorian death portraits. Post-mortem photography became a trend during the early days of daguerreotypes, especially for families who couldn’t afford a painted portrait. This less expensive alternative preserved a loved one’s image, and it was often the only photo of the person. That might explain why some photos have

the dead propped up in chairs or standing, some even with their eyes propped open. While some may judge such images to be morbid, Jason says he sees the beauty in them: “It was an interesting way to remember loved ones.”

His mom, Terry, a Lakewood Heights resident, also gravitates to the quirky Victorian era, her collection more focused on mourning jewelry. The Victorians used the hair of the dead to create intricate wreaths that were framed, but they also used a loved one’s hair in jewelry, weaving and braiding the hair into cords upon which they hung lockets filled with locks of hair. Terry explains, “I find them sentimental, comforting.”

Terry also has an interest in taxidermy and recalls a “cool” find by a customer who had been cleaning out a barn: a mummified cat. The Cohens bought the cat, and it sold in a couple of days. Terry’s personal collec-

Curiosities antique shop: Photo by Danny Fulgencio

tion includes lots of exotic birds, and she is especially fond of those enclosed in antique glass domes. She has branched out a bit with other animals, including a couple of mice. Unfortunately, she has one less mouse now since her dog helped himself to a little stuffed snack.

Curiosities sells all manner of taxidermy: bobcats, baby ducks, rattlesnakes, beavers. Longtime customer Liz Simmons, a Hollywood Heights resident, has added an “awesomely creepy” bobcat, coyote, and jackalope to her collection. Simmons insists she is a “total animal lover” but she appreciates taxidermy as a “weird art form” and decided to try her hand at stuffing critters. Known for her holiday displays, she decided to add rats to her Christmas dioramas. Laughed at when she sought instruction on rat taxidermy, she purchased a DVD on how to work on squirrels. The rest is stuffed-rat history. If you see Simmons around the neighborhood, ask her about the taxidermied rat Christmas play she’s working on. And if anyone can tell her where to find a nutria

Another customer, according to Jason, collects “crackly, crusty dollheads and makes unusual creations out of them.” And then there’s the fellow who buys up quack medical devices to use as props in his staged photos, many depicting crime scenes. The Cohens say that lately, quite a number of customers have come in search of human skulls and pickled fetuses. Chances are, the unknown poet would agree: Strange things, indeed.

CITY VIEW ANTIQUE MALL

SAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Fall Flea Market on the Backlot is scheduled, rain or shine, October 25th, 9-5. Fall Storewide Sale starts Wed.10/22 thru Sun. 10/26. Vintage Holiday items arriving daily! 6830 Walling Lane (Skillman/Abrams) 214.752.3071 cityviewantiques.homestead.com

THE STORE IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

Candles, Candles, Candles! Wonderful fall fragrances to choose from in many styles and colors... all made with the finest ingredients. 10233 E NW Hwy @ Ferndale (near Albertsons) 214.553.8850 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 TheStoreinLH.com

T.HEE GREETINGS

The best selection of Vintage inspired Halloween and Fall decorations. 9661 Audelia @ Walnut Hill, Lake Highlands 214.747.5800 t-heegifts.com

YOGA MART

Beautiful batik wrap skirts from India in many terrific colors. Great to throw on over your yoga clothes on your way to dinner. 6039 Oram (at Skillman) 214.534.4469 yogamartusa.com

Patti Vinson is a guest writer who has lived in East Dallas for 15 years. She’s written for the Advocate and Real Simple magazine, and has taught college writing. She is a frequent flier at Lakewood branch library and enjoys haunting neighborhood estate sales with husband Jonathan and children, Claire (13) and Will (10). The family often can be found hanging out at White Rock Lake Dog Park with Dexter, a probable JackWeenie.

ADVOCATE GOODS

More than 200,000 sets of eyes are checking out these items right now. Get your specialty items or featured products in front of your neighbors that love to shop local for unique items. Read online at advocatemag.com/digital

ANGLICAN

ALL SAINTS DALLAS / 2733 Oak Lawn / 972.755.3505

Radical Inclusivity, Profound Transformation. Come and See!

9:00 & 11:00 am Sunday Services. www.allsaintschurchdallas.org

BAPTIST

LAKESIDE BAPTIST / 9150 Garland Rd / 214.324.1425

Worship — 8:30 am Classic & 11:00 am Contemporary

Pastor Jeff Donnell / www.lbcdallas.com

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

All services & Bible Study 9:15 & 10:45. Trad. & Blended (Sanctuary),

Contemporary (Great Hall), Amigos de Dios (Gym) / 214.860.1500

PRESTONWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH / “A Church to Call Home”

Sundays: Bible Fellowship (all ages) 9:15 am /Service Time 11:00 am

12123 Hillcrest Road / 972.820.5000 / prestonwood.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

EPISCOPAL

ST. MATTHEW’S CATHEDRAL / 5100 Ross Ave.

Sunday Traditional: 8:00 & 10:30 am / Adult Education 9:30 am

Servicio en español 12:30 pm / 214.823.8134 / episcopalcathedral.org

LUTHERAN

CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA / 1000 Easton Road

Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am / Worship Service 10:30 am

Pastor Rich Pounds / CentralLutheran.org / 214.327.2222

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH / 6202 E Mockingbird Lane

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

METHODIST

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee

Worship: 8:30 am & 10:50 am Traditional / 10:50 am Contemporary

MUNGER PLACE CHURCH / Expect Great Things.

Worship Sundays, 9:30 and 11:00 am / 5200 Bryan Street

214.823.9929 / www.mungerplacechurch.org

RIDGEWOOD PARK UMC / 6445 E. Lovers Lane / 214.369.9259

Sunday Worship: 9:30 am Traditional and 11:35 am Contemporary

Sunday School: 10:30 am / Rev. Ann Willet / ridgewoodparkchurch.org

WHITE ROCK UNITED METHODIST / www.wrumc.org

1450 Oldgate Lane / 214.324.3661

Sunday Worship 10:50 am / Rev. George Fisk

PRESBYTERIAN

NORTHRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6920 Bob-O-Link Dr.

214.827.5521 / www.northridgepc.org / Welcomes you to Worship

8:30 & 11:00 am / Church School 9:35 am / Childcare provided.

ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN / Skillman & Monticello

Rev. Rob Leischner. / www.standrewsdallas.org

214.821.9989 / Sunday School 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 am

UNITY

UNITY OF DALLAS / A Positive Path For Spiritual Living

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230 / 972.233.7106 / UnityDallas.org

Sunday services: 9:00 am & 11:00 am

UNITY ON GREENVILLE / Your soul is welcome here!

3425 Greenville Ave. / 214.826.5683 / www.dallasunity.org

Sunday Service 11:00 am and Book Study 9:30 am

STRONG IN THE BROKEN PLACES

Good religion doesn’t prevent brokenness but restores it

Ernest Hemingway got it right twice about the human predicament in his novel “Farewell to Arms”: “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.”

The first part of that sentence breaks all our illusions about gliding through life untouched by pain and suffering. In fact, the Hemmingway-typical unpunctuated sentences that follow that sentence punctuate the point even more: “But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”

That the world will kill us all in the end is proved by the occupancy rate of every cemetery. That the world will break us all is just as sure. The breaking foreshadows the killing.

We know what the killing is, but what constitutes the breaking? Crushed hopes, dashed dreams, lost fortunes, missed opportunities, forsaken vows, unrequited love, failed attempts, lingering guilt, damaged emotions, chronic illness, shocking betrayal — need we go on? All of these take the heart out of us; they leave cracks in us body and soul.

Religion is no prevention for the world’s breaking and killing work. Only bad religion promises that if you pray enough, give enough or serve enough, God will put a bubble of protection around you that keeps you from the effects of the world’s work. That’s what got virgins thrown into volcanoes and it’s what gets TV preachers rich. It’s still a lie, though, no matter how loudly or piously you say it.

What good religion teaches instead is that there is a Power at work in the world that is greater than the power of the world. It’s a power that renews and restores. It heals hurts. It gives life after whatever you have known of life has been taken from you.

There’s a Japanese craft called kintsukuroi that translates “to repair with gold.” It’s the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is all the more beautiful for having been broken. More precisely, for having been broken and repaired in this costly way. By means of kintsukuroi, the vessel continues to show where it was broken, but now the very scars that reveal its damage show up as the most valuable part of it.

preachers rich. It’s still a lie, though, no matter how loudly or piously you say it.

The spiritual life teaches us how to live well through suffering and brokenness. It points us to where wholeness and wellness is found.

Admittedly, it has a preventive side: when the Ten Commandments, for instance, are kept, they go a long way toward keeping you from consequences you bring on yourself. Yet, much of suffering and brokenness is the simple product of the “stuff happens” factor. You may be doing everything right and you are hurt or wounded by someone else. You can only control yourself, and even there, good luck with that. You certainly cannot control other people.

Good religion teaches us to find meaning and purpose in our suffering. It’s not an amulet hung about the neck to ward off evil spirits.

When it does its job well, religion mostly works in the afterward of brokenness. It makes us more compassionate, less bitter and yes, stronger in the broken places — afterward.

Only bad religion promises that God will put a bubble of protection around you. That’s what got virgins thrown into volcanoes and it’s what gets TV

George Mason is pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church. The Worship section is a regular feature underwritten by Advocate Publishing and by the neighborhood business people and churches listed on these pages. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.

Zion Lutheran Church and School celebrated a groundbreaking on Sept. 7 to mark the beginning of an expansion, in which new classrooms, a new music room, additional restrooms, a covered drive for elementary and middle school, and new school offices will be added. “Our main goals are to move the middle school up from the lower level into new state-of-the-art classrooms and to create a specialized music room for our exceptional music program,” says Zion spokeswoman Jennifer O’Brien. In addition, the school also plans to include a new full-size gym with facilities and new circle drive for the preschool. The current gym will be renovated in order to maximize its use to accommodate the growing school.

Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church in East Dallas is celebrating 60 years in ministry. Ridgewood is celebrating its anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 26 with worship services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:35 a.m. The guest preacher for the celebration will be Bishop Mike McKee, and there will be special music from instrumentalists, as well as Ridgewood’s adult, youth, and children’s choirs. Following worship the church will gather for a celebration meal in the Family Life Center.

Interested in learning more about adopting from foster care? Hope Cottage, one of East Dallas’ oldest nonprofit adoption agencies, is hosting a free information session. This free event is scheduled for Oct. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Hope Cottage, located at 2801 Swiss. To learn more or to make your reservation to attend, call Christa at 214.526.8721, ext. 216 or email cstewart@hopecottage.org.

HAVE AN ITEM TO BE FEATURED?

Please submit news items and/or photos concerning neighborhood residents, activities, honors and volunteer opportunities to editor@advocatemag.com. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

All about okra

The Promise of Peace community garden hosted the fifth annual Okrapalooza at The Lot in September. Hundreds of guests attended to support the Promise of Peace.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO. Email a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.

most used logo

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

ALL AGES: LEARN PIANO WITH WADE COTTINGHAM LakewoodPianoLab.com Since 1998. 214-564-6456

ART: Draw/Paint. Adults All Levels. Lake Highlands N. Rec. Ctr. Yearly fee. 18-59 yrs-$15, 60+$10 Mon-1-3: Wed 10:15-1:15, Jane Cross, 214-534-6829.

black and white

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

Casa Linda Plaza. Art Classes & Drop In Pottery Painting For All Ages. 214-821-8383. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

GUITAR OR PIANO Fun/Easy. Your Home. 11 Yrs Exp. Reasonable rates. UNT Grad. Larry 469-358-8784

LEARN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK

Beginners intermediates; Rice, TCU, DTS ex; John Cunyus 214-662-5494 www.JohnCunyus.com

MUSIC INSTRUCTION Especially For Young People Aged 5-12. Guitar, Piano, Percussion. ChildPlayMusicSchool.com. 214-733-1866

Learn to draw this summer with Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain ®

Classes now offered in Dallas

Visit our website for location and registration info

www.PerceptionDrawing.com

Brenda Catlett Certified Instructor (972)989-0546

CHILDCARE

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982 Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

EMPLOYMENT

AIRLINE CAREERS Begin Here. Get Trained As FAA Certified Aviation Technician. Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Housing & Job Placement Assistance. AIM 866-453-6204

PET SITTERS, DOG WALKERS Email Recruiting@pcpsi.com

SERVICES FOR YOU

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills. Services include Digital Photo Help. Sharon 214-679-9688 CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

Sign up for our neighborhood e-newsletters and get the neighborhood dish all month long ADVOCATEMAG.COM/NEWSLETTER

SERVICES FOR YOU

DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 months) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available) Save. Ask about Same Day Installation 1-800-615-4064

FAITH -N- LOVE SENIOR/COMPANION SERVICES Provides Non-Medical Caregiving for Elderly. Meal Prep, Errands, Dr. Appts., Bathe, Groom, Light House Duties. Caregivers Background Checked, Bonded/Insured. Yolanda Smith 972-805-7889

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

A WILL? THERE IS A WAY Estate/Probate matters. Free Consultation. 214-802-6768 MaryGlennAttorney.com

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances? No Job Too Small or Big. Call C.A.S. Bookkeeping Services. Cindy 214-821-6903

FARMERS INSURANCE CALL JOSH JORDAN 214-364-8280. Auto, Home, Life Renters.

PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL TRAINING To Suit Your Specific Training Needs.Terry 214-206-7823. terryrjacobs@outlook.com

REED & RIORDAN PLLC Dallas Family Law Attorneys 10000 N Central Expy Dallas. 214-570-9555 reedriordan.com

Thomas Archer, from 3015 at Trinity Groves, and his team “Okra Winfrey” won the gold trophy.

TRAVEL

CRUISEONE DALLAS Doug Thompson bigDcruises.com

Plan your cruise vacation today! 214-254-4980

JOURNEY WITH JANE for a unique travel experience. Travel dreams become reality. 469-662-5212. journeywithjane.com

Row your boat

Lakewood native Cole Reiser (right) and his pair partner Jordan Vanderstoeop competed in the World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.

Photo from the United States Rowing Association Flickr page

iWinning!

Three lucky readers, who took a few minutes to fill out the online Advocate reader survey at advocatemag.com, won a free iPad, courtesy of Advocate Media. Winners are Greg Dale, Bianca Gantt and Danielle Spedale (not in photo), pictured with Advocate marketing director Michelle Meals.

Photo by Danny Fulgencio.

PET SERVICES

DEE’S DOGGIE DEN Daycare, Boarding, Grooming, Training. 6444 E. Mockingbird Ln. 214-823-1441 DeesDoggieDen.com

HOMEGROWN HOUNDS DOG DELI / BAKERY Healthy homemade dog food/treats. 100% goes to rescue. hghdogs.com

SKILLMAN ANIMAL CLINIC Is Your Friendly, Personal, Affordable Vet. 9661 Audelia Rd. #340. 214-341-6400

In-Home Professional Care

Customized to maintain your pet’s routine In-Home Pet Visits & Daily Walks

“Best of Dallas” D Magazine

Serving the Dallas area since 1994 Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

BUY/SELL/TRADE

GROUND FLOOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Unique Opportunity for Residual Income. A Legacy Company Which Affords You and Your Family Guaranteed Income. 401-741-7596 healthandwealthct@gmail.com

OLD GUITARS WANTED Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Martin. 1920s-1980s. Top dollar paid. Toll Free 1-866-433-8277

BUY/SELL/TRADE

TEXAS RANGERS AND DALLAS STARS

front row seats. Share prime, front-row Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars tickets (available in sets of 10 games). Prices start at $105 per ticket (sets of 2 or 4 tickets per game available) Seats are behind the plate and next to the dugouts for the Rangers: seats are on the glass and on the Platinum Level for the Stars. Other great seats available starting at $60 per ticket. Entire season available except for opening game; participants randomly draw numbers prior to the season to determine a draft order fair for everyone. Call 214-560-4212 or rwamre@advocatemag.com

TOP CASH FOR CARS Any Car, Truck. Running or Not. Call for Instant Offer. 1-800-454-6951

ESTATE/GARAGE SALES

CLUTTERBLASTERS.COM-ESTATE SALES

Moving/DownSizing Sales, Storage Units.

Organize/De-Clutter Donna 972-679-3100

ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATION SERVICES

Moving, Retirement, Downsizing. One Piece or a Houseful. David Turner. 214-908-7688. dave2estates@aol.com

214✯823✯2629

BLINDS, SHADES & DRAPERIES

SMARTLOOKS WINDOW & WALL DECOR

Window Treatments & Repair. 972-699-1151

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

Cabinet Refacing, Built-ins, Entertainment/ Computer Centers. Jim. 214-324-7398 www.squarenailwoodworking.com

THE CABINET CONCIERGE

The Art of Storage. Call 214-821-5900

Email jin@thecabinetconcierge.com

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

ATLANTIS DESIGN-BUILD, LLC

Complete Remodeling. 40 Yrs Exp. Additions. 1 & 2 Story. Kitchens, Baths. Small Jobs To Entire House. Renovation & Design. Full Time Supervision. Licensed/Insured. Free Estimates. 281-761-4648

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

FENN CONSTRUCTION Any Tile Anywhere. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

HANDY DAN “The Handyman” To Do’s Done Right! www.handy-dan.com 214-252-1628

KITCHEN AND BATHROOM SPECIALISTS

JCI Remodeling: From Simple Updates to Full Remodeling Services. Competitive Pricing! 972-948-5361

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Remodeling Dallas For Over 17 Years www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448

RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.org 214-403-7247

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872 Complete Full Service Repairs, Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We do it. Tommy. Insured. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

214.560.4203 TO ADVERTISE

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

BRIAN GREAM RENOVATIONS LLC

• 1 & 2 Story Additions

• Complete Renovations

• Kitchens/Baths

• Licensed/Insured

214.542.6214

PayPal ®

WWW.BGRONTHEWEB.COM

BRIANGREAM@YAHOO.COM

TK Remodeling

Your neighborhood remodeler

•Repair •Remodeling •Restoration

•Complete full service

Name it— We do it

http://dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

Tommy 972-533-2872

INSURED

Unique Home Construction

- Design, Build, Remodel - Kitchens & Baths

- New Construction or Additions Many references available

- Licensed, Insured, Member of BBB www.uniquehomebuild.com 214.533.0716

CLEANING SERVICES

AMAZON CLEANING

Top To Bottom Clean. Fabiana.469-951-2948

CINDY’S HOUSE CLEANING 15 yrs exp. Resd/Com. Refs. Dependable. 214-490-0133

DELTA CLEANING Insd./Bonded. Move In/Out. General Routine Cleaning. Carpet Cleaning. Refs. Reliable. Dependable. 28+yrs. 972-943-9280.

IINGRID CLEANING SERVICES Reliable, Affordable. Habla Español 214-395-9629

MAID 4 YOU Bonded/Insured. Park Cities/M Streets Refs. Call Us First. Joyce.214-232-9629

MESS MASTERS Earth friendly housecleaning. 469-235-7272. www.messmasters.com Since ‘91

WANTED: Houses to Clean, Windows to Wash. Free Estimates. Low Prices! Expert and Proficient! No Crews. Call Sunny 214-724-2555. Thank you.

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

YOU HAVE IT MAID SERVICES 972-859-0287 bonded/insured. Youhaveitmaidservices.com

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

ALL COMPUTER PROBLEMS SOLVED MAC/PC Great Rates! Keith 214-295-6367

BILL’S COMPUTER REPAIR

Virus Removal, Data Recovery. Home/Biz Network Install. All Upgrades & Repairs. PC Instruction. No Trip Fee. 214-348-2566

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

IT SOLUTIONS/SUPPORT For Home & Small Business. Parental Controls Speciality. 8 Yrs. Exp. Husband & Wife, Licensed Minister called to His Work. Texas Tech Guru. 214-850-2669

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

BRICK & STONE REPAIR Don 214-704-1722

BRICK, BLOCK, Stone, Concrete, Stucco. Gonzalez Masonry. 214-395-1319

CONCRETE REPAIRS/REPOURS

Demo existing. Stamping and Staining Driveways/Patio/Walkways

Pattern/Color available

Free Estimates

972-672-5359 (32 yrs.)

CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable. Chris 214-770-5001

EDMONDSPAVING.COM Asphalt & Concrete Driveway-Sidewalk-Patio-Repair 214-957-3216

FLAGSTONE PATIOS, Retaining Walls, BBQ’s, Veneer, Flower Bed Edging, All Stone work. Chris 214-770-5001

Swimming Pool Remodels • Patios Stone work Stamp Concrete 972-727-2727

Deckoart.com

R&M Concrete

Concrete Retaining Walls Driveways Stamped Concrete 214-202-8958

Bonded & Insured References & Free Estimates

ELECTRICAL

SERVICES

4 U ELECTRICAL SERVICE, LLC We will be there 4 U. 972-877-4183

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC Master Electrician. TECL24948 anthonyselectricofdallas.com Family Owned/Operated. Insd. 214-328-1333

EXPERIENCED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN Insd. Steve. TECL#27297 214-718-9648

GOVER ELECTRIC Back Up Generators. New and Remodel Work. Commercial & Residential. All Service Work. 469-230-7438. TECL2293

LAKEWOOD ELECTRICAL Local. Insured. Lic. #227509 Call Rylan 214-434-8735

TEXAS ELECTRICAL • 214-289-0639

Honest, Quality. TECL 24668 CCs accepted. TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658

WHITE ROCK ELECTRIC All Electrical Services. Lic/Insd. E795. 214-850-4891

EXTERIOR CLEANING

G&G DEMOLITION Tear downs, Haul. Interior/Exterior. 214-808-8925

FENCING & DECKS

#1 COWBOY FENCE & IRON CO. Est. ‘91. 214-692-1991 www.cowboyfenceandiron.com

4 QUALITY FENCING Call Mike 214-507-9322 Specializing in Wood, New or Repair.

AMBASSADOR FENCE INC.

Automatic Gates, Iron & Cedar Fencing, Decks. Since 1996. MC/V 214-621-3217

HANNAWOODWORKS.COM Decks, Doors, Carpentry, Remodeling 214-435-9574

KIRKWOOD FENCE & DECK

New & Repair. Free Estimates. Nathan Kirkwood. 214-341-0699

LONESTARDECKS.COM 214-357-3975

Trex Decking & Fencing, trex.com

All Wood Decks, Arbors & Patio Covers

EST. 1991 #1

COWBOY

FENCE & IRON CO.

214.692.1991

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

cowboyfenceandiron.com

FIREPLACE SERVICES

CHIMNEY SWEEP Dampers/Brick & Stone Repair. DFW Metro. Don 214-704-1722

FLOORING & CARPETING

ALL WALKS OF FLOORS 214-616-7641

Carpet, Wood, Tile Sales/Service Free Estimates

CLIFTON CARPETS 214-526-7405 www.cliftoncarpets.com

DALLAS HARDWOODS 214-724-0936

Installation, Repair, Refinish, Wax, Hand Scrape. Residential, Commercial. Sports Floors. 25 Yrs.

FENN CONSTRUCTION Any Tile Anywhere. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

HASTINGS STAINED CONCRETE New/ Remodel. Stain/Wax Int/Ext. Nick. 214-341-5993. www.hastingsfloors.com

LONGHORN FLOORS LLC 972-768-4372. www.longhornflooring.com

N-HANCE WOOD RENEWAL. No Dust. No Mess. No Odor. nhance.com. 214-321-3012.

WILLEFORD HARDWOOD FLOORS 214-824-1166 • WillefordHardwoodFloors.com

Restoration Flooring

FOUNDATION REPAIR

• Slabs • Pier & Beam

• Mud Jacking • Drainage

• Free Estimates

• Over 20 Years Exp. 972-288-3797

We Answer Our Phones

GARAGE DOORS

ROCKET GARAGE DOOR SERVICE -24/7. Repairs/Installs. 214-533-8670. Coupon On Web. www.RocketDoorService.com

UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES Res/Com. Locally Owned.214-826-8096

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

A FATHER, SON & GRANDSON TEAM Expert Window Cleaning. Haven 214-327-0560

DOVETAIL CUSTOM SHUTTERS Louis Wiggins 214-342-0889 dovetailshutters.com

LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR custom mirrors • shower enclosures store fronts • casements 214-349-8160

ROCK GLASS CO Replace, repair: windows, mirrors, showers, screens. 214-837-7829

HANDYMAN SERVICES

A R&G HANDYMAN Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Fencing, Roofing, Light Hauling. Ron or Gary 214-861-7569, 469-878-8044

ALL STAR HOME CARE Carpentry, Glass, Tile, Paint, Doors, Sheetrock Repair, and more. 25 yrs. exp. References. Derry 214-505-4830

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

GROOVY HOUSE Is A Different Handyman

Experience! Find Out Why At www.groovyhouse.biz

214-733-2100 • 19 Year Lakewood Resident

HANDYMAN SPECIALIST Residential/ Commercial. Large, small jobs, repair list, renovations. Refs. 214-489-0635

HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606

HONEST, SKILLED SERVICE With a Smile. General Repairs/ Maintenance. 214-215-2582

WANTED: ODD JOBS & TO DO LISTS

Allen’s Handyman & Home Repair 214-288-4232

Your Home Repair Specialists

Drywall Doors

Senior Safety Carpentry

HOME INSPECTION

KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

ALL SURFACE REFINISHING

214-631-8719. Tub/Tile/Refinishing. allsurfacerefinishing.com

BATHTUB, COUNTERTOP & TILE Resurfacing: Walls, Tub Surrounds, Showers. Glaze or Faux Stone finishes. Affordable Alternative to Replacement! 972-323-8375. PermaGlazeNorthDallas.com

HOUSE PAINTING

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSE PAINTING and Home Repair. Quality work. Inside and Out. Free Ests. Local Refs. Ron 972-816-5634 or 972-475-3928

#1 GET MORE PAY LES

Painting. 85% Referrals. Free Est. 214-348-5070

A+ INT/EXT PAINT & DRYWALL

Since 1977. Kirk Evans. 972-672-4681

A1 TOP COAT Professional. Reliable. References. TopCoatOfTexas.com 214-770-2863

ABRAHAM PAINT SERVICE A Women Owned Business 25 Yrs. Int/Ext. Wall Reprs. Discounts On Whole Interiors and Exteriors 214-682-1541

ALL TYPES Painting & Repairs. A+ BBB rating. Any size jobs welcome. Call Kenny 214-321-7000

BENJAMIN’S PAINTING SERVICE Quality Work At Reasonable Prices. 214-725-6768

MANNY’S HOME PAINTING & REPAIR Int./Ext. Sheetrock. Manny 214-334-2160

RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513

ROMEO’S PAINTING Int/Ext. Drywall, Damage Repair. Prep House To Sell. 214-789-0803

TONY’S PAINTING SERVICE Quality Work

Since 1984. Int./Ext. 214-755-2700

VIP PAINTING & DRYWALL Int/Ext. Sheetrock Repair, Resurfacing Tubs, Counters, Tile Repairs. 469-774-7111

BRIAN GREAM

PAINTING & RENOVATIONS LLC • Interior/Exterior • Drywall • Rotten Wood • Gutters

PayPal ®

WWW.BGRONTHEWEB.COM

BRIANGREAM@YAHOO.COM

INTERIOR DESIGN

WALLPAPER AND MORE

FENN CONSTRUCTION Any Tile Anywhere. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

MELROSE TILE James Estrello Sr., Installer 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS

Granite, Marble, Tile, Kitchen/Bath Remodels. 972-276-9943 stoneage.dennis@verizon.net

TOM HOLT TILE 30 Yrs Experience In Tile, Backsplashes & Floors. Refs. Avail. 214-770-3444

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

A BETTER TREE COMPANY • JUST TREES Complete tree services. Tree & Landscape Lighting! Mark 214-332-3444

A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd. 12 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925

A&B LANDSCAPING Full Landscape & Lawn Care Services. Degreed Horticulturist. 214-534-3816

ALL YARD SERVICES Fertilization, Trim, Edge, Color. Com./ Res. 30 Yrs. Exp. Call Brooks. 972-279-3564, 214-923-5439

AYALA’S LANDSCAPING SERVICE Call the Land Expert Today! Insured. 214-773-4781

CHUPIK TREE SERVICE Trim, Remove, Stump Grind. Free Est. Insured. 214-823-6463

COLE’S LAWN CARE • 214-327-3923 Quality Service with a Personal Touch.

DALLAS K.D.R.SERVICES • 214-349-0914 Lawn Service & Landscape Installation

FOREVERLAWNTEXAS.COM George Berre. Quality Synthetic Grass, Free Est. 214-263-0828

GREENSKEEPER Winter Clean Up & Color. Sodding, Fertilization. Lawn Maintenance & Landscape. Res/Com. 214-546-8846

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061

Small & Odd Jobs And More! 972-308-6035 HandymanMatters.com/dallas

Bonded & Insured. Locally owned & operated.

25+ Years Experience

469.774.3147

Hardwood Installation · Hand Scraping Sand & Finish · Dustless restorationflooring.net

Serving Lakewood For Over 15 Years. Upholstery, Custom Draperies & Shutters. free Consultation. 214-718-7281

NOVEMBER DEADLINE

OCTOBER 8

IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR Call Carl. 972-948-4335.Texas Irrigation Lic # 8708

ORTIZ LAWNCARE Complete Yard Care. Service by Felipe. Free Est. 214-215-3599

RONS LAWN Organic Solutions. Not Environmental Pollution. Landscape & Maintenance 972-222-LAWN (5296)

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

SPRINKLER REPAIR SPECIALIST $25Off. 972-226-1925 www.rainmakertx.com LI#7732

TAYLOR MADE IRRIGATION Repairs, service, drains. 30+ years exp. Ll 6295 M-469-853-2326. John

TRACY’S LAWN CARE • 972-329-4190

Lawn Mowing & Leaf Cleaning

U R LAWN CARE Maintenance. Landscaping. Your Personal Yard Service by Uwe Reisch uwereisch@yahoo.com 214-886-9202

WATER-WISE URBAN LANDSCAPES www.TexasXeriscapes.com 469-586-9054

WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS Professionals, Experts, Artists. Trim, Rmv, Cable Repair, Cavity-Fill Stump Grind. Emergency Hazards. Insd. Free Est. 972-803-6313

PLUMBING

A2Z PLUMBING 214-727-4040

All Plumbing Repairs. Slab Leak Specialists. Licensed & Insured. ML# M36843.

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

# M37740 Insured. Any plumbing issues. plumberiffic69@gmail.com

Sewers • Drains • Bonded 24 Hours/7 Days

*Joe Faz 214-794-7566 - Se Habla Español*

ARRIAGA PLUMBING:

Faucet, Sewer, Sink Repairs. Water Leaks. Water Heaters, Gas Testing. Remodels, Shower Pans, Stoppages. Insured. Lic 20754. Since the 80’s 214-321-0589, 214-738-7116,CC’s Accptd

HAYES PLUMBING INC. Repairs. Insured, 214-343-1427 License M13238

JUSTIN’S PLUMBING SERVICE

For All Your Plumbing Needs. ml#M24406 972-523-1336. www.justinsplumbing.com

M&S PLUMBING Quality Work & Prompt Service. Jerry. 214-235-2172. lic.#M-11523

NTX PLUMBING SPEC. LLLP 214-226-0913

Lic. M-40581 Res/Com. Repairs & Leak Location

REPAIRS, Fixtures, General Plumbing, Senior Discounts. Campbell Plumbing. 214-321-5943

SPECK PLUMBING

Over 30 Yrs Exp. Licensed/Insured. 214-732-4769, 214-562-2360

UPTOWN PLUMBING. Serving Dallas 40 + Yrs. 214-747-1103. M-13800 uptownplumbing.com

POOLS

ADAIR POOL & SPA SERVICE

1 month free service for new customers. Call for details. 469-358-0665.

LEAFCHASERS POOLS

Parts and Service. Chemicals and Repairs. Jonathan. 214-729-3311

LOCK’S POOL SERVICE - 469-235-2072

40 years experience. Pool Electrical TICL #550

ROOFING & GUTTERS

A&B GUTTER 972-530-5699

Clean Out, Repair/Replace. Leaf Guard. Free Estimates. Lifetime Warranty

ACE ROOFING Residential/Commercial Roofing & Repair. Call Tom. 972-268-4047

MEDRANO ROOFING Resd/Comm. Quality Service & Craftsmanship. Free Est. 469-867-2129

Allstate Homecraft Roofing •

BERT ROOFING

Family

ADVOCATE PUBLISHING does not pre-screen, recommend or investigate the advertisements and/or Advertisers published in our magazines. As a result, Advocate Publishing is not responsible for your dealings with any Advertiser. Please ask each Advertiser that you contact to show you the necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform the work you are requesting. Advocate Publishing takes comments and/or complaints about Advertisers seriously, and we do not publish advertisements that we know are inaccurate, misleading and/or do not live up to the standards set by our publications. If you have a legitimate complaint or positive comment about an Advertiser, please contact us at 214560-4203. Advocate Publishing recommends that you ask for and check references from each Advertiser that you contact, and we recommend that you obtain a written statement of work to be completed, and the price to be charged, prior to approving any work or providing an Advertiser with any deposit for work to be completed.

ED & LH

THE DOORFRAME WAS DESTROYED.

The Victim: Albert Chia

The Crime: Burglary

Date: Thursday, Aug. 14

Time: Between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Albert Chia and his family made some last-minute plans and left their house for just a couple of hours that Thursday afternoon.

“We were not planning to go out,” he says.

OPTOMETRIST

Location: 5900 block of Ellsworth

After what they came home to, the Chias wished they’d stayed home. The back door was kicked in, and their dogs were a bit scared and running back into their cages. A burglar had damaged two rear windows before breaking through the door.

Inside, the burglar had rifled through drawers in the bedrooms, stealing jewelry and any cash found.

“They left the electronics,” Chia says. “He or she knew exactly what to take.” Stolen property and damages totaled more than $4,000.

Dallas Police Officer Josh Cooper of the Northeast Patrol Division says most home burglars are amateurs looking for easy targets — homes with the least risk of detection, and the easiest entrance and escape. He says burglars look for homes that appear unoccupied and unprotected without adequate locks and lighting.

The best thing one can do to prevent being a target is to make a home appear that someone is around and to make it difficult to get inside.

Sean Cha n is a freelance writer and author of “Raising the Stakes”, obtainable at raisingthestakesbook.com. If you have been a recent crime victim, email crime@advocatemag.com. |

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the number of incidents in August that involved a burglary where the suspect gained entry through a doggie door.

5900

the block of Kenwood where the first incident happened. The second incident happened on the 5900 block of Revere. The third incident happened on the 6100 block of Ellsworth.

911

the number you should call if you have any information about these incidents, or if you notice any suspicious activity in your area.

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department

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For more information call 214.560.4203 or email jliles@advocatemag.com

ELECTION DAY IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

And to change Dallas City Hall, we’ve got to start by asking the right questions

COMMENT. Visit lakewood.advocatemag.com and search Last Word to tell us what you think.

In nine months, we’ll enjoy our biennial rite of electing representatives to the esteemed legislature of Dallas City Hall. It might make your head hurt to think we’ll be hearing about city council elections for three-quarters of a year, but don’t worry. The races themselves won’t heat up until the spring, so until then, our lawns won’t be littered with yard signs, and our mailboxes won’t be overflowing with political mailers. We’ve got a few months’ respite.

So if the inundation of political campaigns isn’t imminent, why do we need to start paying attention now? Because early fall represents that narrow window of time when people mulling over the possibility of running for city council typically decide whether to take the plunge into the rough-and-tumble world of local politics.

People who have been on the fence about running will either go all in or decide their family and career are more important than a job paying $37,500 a year for the honor of beating their head against a wall every Wednesday. It is a difficult decision and not one entered into lightly. My hope, my prayer for Dallas, is that we get some exceptional candidates running for Dallas City Council

in 2015. Because it’s going to be an important year.

Next May, we have a real opportunity to transform Dallas City Hall. Of the 14 council districts, there will be six open seats, two of which are in East Dallas and Lake Highlands (Districts 9 and 10, currently represented by Councilmembers Sheffie Kadane and Jerry Allen, respectively). Six new councilmembers can turn the tide. They can shake up the Dallas City Council and push city hall toward a more neighborhood-oriented, transparent, accountable way of doing business.

If you’re tired of reading about muck-ups at city hall — from fracking to Uber to horse parks to toll roads then now is the time to pay attention. Because if we stand any chance of changing the way city hall is run, we’ve got to have the right candidates. And just as importantly, we’ve got to ask them the right questions.

By way of contrast, here are the wrong questions:

Will you support putting more money toward libraries/parks/my pet project?

Do you agree that 311/animal services/that lady at the city who won’t return my call needs to be more responsive?

Will you work to fix our streets/ street lights/that pothole at the corner of Palo Pinto and Alderson?

Will you hold the line on property taxes/sales taxes/income taxes?

Not surprisingly, the answers will be yes, yes, yes and yes, in that or-

der. These aren’t dumb or unimportant questions; they just aren’t the right questions. They won’t tell us a blessed thing about whether a particular candidate is going to be a change agent or just another chair warmer. It’s easy to “fight” for more police, lower taxes and better streets. (Show me the candidate whose slogan is, “Vote Jones for fewer police, higher taxes and more potholes!”) But if we want to get a sense of whether a candidate will really work to transform city hall, it’s the controversial issues that tell the tale.

So I propose a single question for city council candidates to separate the wheat from the chaff: Do you support the Trinity Toll Road? It’s not that this is an obsession of mine (it is), it’s that this issue so clearly illuminates a potential councilmember’s values and vision for our city. Either they love the toll road and think everything is going swimmingly at Dallas City Hall, or they see the toll road for the boondoggle that it is and want to take our city in a new direction.

If their answer begins with anything other than “no,” don’t think for a second that they’ll be anything other than yes-men once they get elected, bobbing their heads in unison with the mayor and the Dallas Citizens Council.

But if their answer is an unequivocal “no” (and they get extra points if their response begins with an expletive), then they are worth considering. Just make sure to get their answer in writing, preferably in blood.

Angela Hunt is a neighborhood resident and former Dallas City Councilwoman in East Dallas. She writes a monthly opinion column about neighborhood issues. Her opinions are not necessarily those of the Advocate or its management. Send comments and ideas to her at 6301 Gaston, Suite 820, Dallas 75214; FAX to 214.823.8866; or email ahunt@advocatemag.com.

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