Blinker ethics

During the holidays, it’s every man for himself

There must be hundreds of thousands of parking spaces in Dallas. They’re literally everywhere, covered and uncovered, wide and narrow, brightly striped and barely visible.

There are so many parking spaces that, for the most part, I take them for granted.

But for some reason, that changes during the holiday season, doesn’t it?

The spaces don’t change, of course. They’re still doing what they do best: collecting oil droppings and cigarette butts.

But the perceived value of a parking space in December, as compared with the value of that same space in January, rises exponentially and sometimes catastrophically.

I’ve never understood exactly why that is, even as I confess to participating in the value-inflating process.

The rest of the year, I’m pretty indifferent about one parking space versus another, maybe because they seem so plentiful and welcoming in February and March. But for those few weeks in November and December, the value of a close-in parking space becomes almost unaffordable in terms of the mental anguish required to snag one.

Maybe it’s the endless spooling around and around that helps develop the nasty attitude so prevalent among parking-space scouts during the holidays. To find a space close to a store’s door, you have to be more than lucky and living right: You have to be aggressive and opportunistic and maybe even a little unreasonable.

People who might wave someone else into a space the rest of the year aren’t likely to do that if the next-best alternative is hundreds of feet or several stories away. Fac- ing that choice, the kill-or-be-killed instincts encouraged in video games too often seem to kick in. if beaten to the parking spot by a more aggressive competitor, what can you do?

I’ve been involved in more than a few parking space stare-downs over the years, my hands fidgeting on the wheel as I lock eyes with another driver eyeing the same spot as we both wait for the current occupant to back out, generally at a snail’s pace. Whether I’m the first to have my blinker on or not, there are those people who will try to beat me into the space, even if they morally (in as much as there is morality in hunting for a parking space) have no right to do so.

And if beaten to the spot by a more aggressive competitor, what can you do?

Keying a door or leaning on the horn are possibilities.

Keying a door or leaning on the horn are possibilities, although I suppose those actions don’t really reflect the holiday spirit.

The temptation is always there to hop out of the car and offer the other guy some friendly advice about life, but that type of confrontation generally isn’t going to change the fact that he or she now has a parking space and I don’t.

I’ve even heard of people, particularly selfish people I might add, who send a person to stand in an empty spot and hold it until the car arrives — another idea guaranteed to raise tempers and blood pressures.

There really is no answer to the holiday parking space battle other than common courtesy, but that doesn’t make a parking space thief any easier to forgive or forget.

After all, during a season known for peace and good will, what could be more important than getting into a store five minutes faster?

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Trader Joe’s breaks ground

“Excited” might be an understatement to describe how neighbors are feeling about the future Trader Joe’s on Lower Greenville, which is expected to open first quarter 2013. Here’s how some of you responded to our write-up on the apparent beginnings of construction:

Loved them when we lived in LA, thrilled they are coming here. Like a smaller, more reasonably priced Whole Foods. Though a little on the chaotic side when it comes to parking, checking out, or getting your cart down an aisle. I presume by design for some mad scientist marketing reason.

—Mark Forward via Facebook

The thing most people who have never gone to Trader Joe’s don’t understand is that Trader Joe’s is not like Whole Foods or Central Market. They have their own stuff that you can’t find anywhere else and it’s all delicious and cheap! So, yes, I will go to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods and Target to complete my grocery shopping once the new store opens. Each store has different stuff and different reasons to shop there. —Vera via lakewood.advocatemag.com

No more bribing friends and family to ship us soap:)

—Jessica Link-Malcolm via Facebook

For me, chocolate, and imported olives, sometimes good wine. Wild rice, believe it or not, at excellent prices, at least that is what I remember from when I used to live in a Trader Joe’s vicinity. And one way your life will change? Trader Joe’s will be a destination, yes, people will drive out of their neighborhoods to go there.

—Ellen Raff via lakewood.advocatemag.com

I soo cannot wait ‘til they open!

—Kristy Mazey-Holdervia Facebook

I did venture out of my laid back, quiet neighborhood to see what all the hoopla was about. To say the least, I was amazed. Can’t wait for the Greenville location.

—Diane via lakewood.advocatemag.com

Believe it or not … I’ll take my Natural Grocers in Casa Linda instead. They say hello to me by name! —Amanda Dalton Bowen via Facebook

Don’t watch [the construction]. It’s like watching water boil.

—Grace Grits & Gardening via Facebook lakewood.advocatemag.com

Business briefs

Car wash razed and Kroger fuel station to open: The longstanding self-serve car wash at East Northwest Highway and Lake Highlands Drive/ Plano Road is gone — plowed down sometime in the last couple weeks. Kroger bought the property and spokesman Gary Huddleston tells us construction of a fuel station is underway.

Cane Rosso White Rock to open next spring: Its Facebook page boasts a spring 2013 opening of the Neapolitan pizzeria at the northwest corner of Gaston and Grand, occupying part of the old CJs and including space for “private dining and events and one of Dallas’ biggest and coolest patios.” The handmade Stefano Ferrara oven is already on site. Heretofore, Cane Rosso has had a location on Commerce as well as several mobile ovens at spots such as Times Ten in Lakewood and Green Spot Market.

Frost Bank takes Centennial spot in Lakewood: In the “you can never have enough banks nearby” category, be ready to welcome Frost Bank to the neighborhood. The longtime Texas bank is rapidly completely retrofitting of the 4,600-square-foot former Centennial Liquor space between Mi Cocina and Starbucks at Gaston and LaVista.

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Q&A: Laurie Justus Pace

Picking up a pencil or paintbrush and rendering something pretty doesn’t constitute art, says Laurie Justus Pace, until you put something beyond mechanics, part of your soul, into it. This is one of the more intangible truths Pace, a White rock area native, tries to teach. The painter famous for her colordripping ponies also is interested in helping artists gain exposure through marketing and contemporary salesmanship. Along with longtime friend Debbie Grayson Lincoln, Pace founded the Artists of Texas, through which she gives motivated and talented artists the tools to succeed. Through Jan. 1, 2013, the work of Pace and another 50-plus Artists of Texas members will be on display at the Dutch Art Gallery in east Dallas.

Have you always loved art?

Yes. I started painting in seventh-grade. My mom would have my paintings framed at the Dutch Art Gallery — we lived right behind the shopping center where it is located — and we would donate them to the PBS auctions. In high school, I was one of the founding members of Lake Highlands High School’s first art club, which, I believe, was called “Arabesque.”

But you detoured before becoming a professional artist, right?

Yes, after high school, you know, you leave and you go do your own thing. I went into modeling, then design and graphic art, spent time as a musician and taught art at White Rock Elementary. Eventually, though, I got teacher burnout. I really wasn’t sure what to do. I called another artist friend and she told me to get my materials out — the paints and canvas — and I thought, now what? She helped me get back on the path to being an artist.

How did you move from sitting in front of a blank canvas to being the notable artist you are today?

I read “The Artist’s Way” and began creating again. I did a couple of tent shows and found those were not for me, then a friend asked me if I had thought of selling work on eBay. I figured I could do that. Pretty soon all I wanted to do was paint and sell. Within two years I was making great money doing this. Galleries — even those that had turned me down before now began approaching me. So since about 2005, my work has been in galleries all over the world. My husband, Terry, took early retirement, and he helps with inventory and shipping. I have a studio in our house — we moved to Mount Vernon [on West Lawther] — overlooking the lake, and I keep busy. I love to paint. Last summer I did 100 paintings in 100 days for $100 each. I sold 99 of them!

For those who might not know, what is your style?

My work is my own work, unique in style and exploration. My signature style of painted ponies has been imitated, but it is one I developed through struggling and painting and praying. Through several trials I know I can paint realistically ... but my joy is in my palette knife and how I use it on my canvas. One of the toughest and most important things to teach young artists is that it is not important if Mom and Dad like your work. It is about your personal journey. I could render something and paint it, but if it is an imitation or simply an exercise, it lacks soul and it will not sell. You have to find your voice, validate your own work.

Even beautiful art doesn’t sell itself. How are you helping artists through Artists of Texas and similar groups?

After I started selling, I got back in touch with a high school friend, Debbie Grayson Lincoln. We did a show together, which rekindled her love for art and made us better friends. Together we decided to use the experiences we have had to help other artists to understand how to promote their work. We are selective about membership. These are professionals and they must be computer literate — that turns some away. Four years ago we held our first show at the Dutch Art Gallery, and while many of the Artists of Texas are from the White Rock area, many came from all around, stayed in our homes. We were like a family before we even got to know each other.

Tell us about this year’s show.

I’m doing all my holiday shopping at North Haven Gardens!

I’m too tiny to be mobbed at the mall! This year, I’m finding gifts for everyone on my list at NHG. Garden Coach appointments, terrariums, Fairy gardens, raised bed kits, forced bulbs & more! Gift ideas at NHG.com or when you “like” them on Facebook.

Wall Planters

NEW! Pick a finish. Choose your plants. A unique & easy way to create and maintain an indoor wall garden.

We believe each tree has its own personality that fits your family! Who will you choose this year?

Christmas trees are available the day after Thanksgiving. Fresh greens are in-store this weekend.

Nov. 17th 10am Winterize Your Backyard Flock 11am-2pm Backyard Chicken Sale/Q&A

—Christina Hughes Babb

This is called “Colors of Texas,” and it covers a wide breadth of mediums and styles — abstract, realistic, sculpture … our youngest member, Anton Zhou, is incredible. You really need to come see him. It is a wonderful show; the group deserves the credit.

Answers are edited for brevity.

The ArTisTs of TexAs exhibiT runs through Jan. 1 at the Dutch Art Gallery, 10233 E. Northwest Highway. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 214.348.7350 or visit dutchartusa.com.

Dec. 7th 4pm-7pm Garden Happy Hour 5:30pm Terrariums; 6pm Plant Tulip Bulbs in Containers

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Donate an unwrapped toy … and enter a raffle for a new Schwinn cruiser. Hypnotic Donuts’s second-annual “Hyppie Helpers” toy drive runs through Dec. 16. Everyone who donates to the drive is entered into a drawing for the bike. Bring Barbie dolls, Play-Doh, Legos or action figures, and your name will be entered twice. Drop off toys at the donut shop, 9007 Garland Road. The drawing is Dec. 22.

Buy a custom beaded bracelet … and save a Pomeranian. Neighborhood resident Kimberly Moore, who offers her repurposed vintage jewelry at kimberlymoorerings.com, recently started a nonprofit venture, Paws for Poms. Moore makes beaded stretch bracelets with gold and silver or Murano glass beads. Each bracelet includes a few beads that have paws imprinted on them or are in the shape of a paw. They also can be customized with your dog’s name or initial. The bracelets cost $48 at pawsforpoms.com, and a portion of the proceeds goes to Recycled Pomeranians, recycledpomeranians.com.

Buy a handmade ornament … and support the North Texas Food Bank. The third-annual Half Price Books ornament sale is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 5803 E. Northwest Highway. Half Price Books employees from all over the country send their handmade ornaments to the sale. All proceeds go to the North Texas Food Bank. Last year, the sale raised $1,700, which provided 5,200 meals through the food bank.

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.