2014 May Lakewood

THE POWER AND PERSISTENCE OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS

When time is precious, the emergency department at Methodist Dallas Medical Center treats all of your emergencies, from tummy aches and twisted ankles to chest pain and life-threatening injuries. And with our QuickER.org online ER check-in service, you can select a projected treatment time and wait at home until it’s your time to be seen. Methodist Dallas was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, recognizing exemplary performance with heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke care.* And now, our highly rated care is also QuickER.

cover Standout students

Five exceptional high school seniors have overcome hardships to become their best selves.

Photos

Pick and choose Dallas ISD is looking for a better way to shake up the schools in our neighborhood.

51

Cooped up Stonewall Gardens is hosting its fifth annual coop tour this month.

58 The great debate To build a restaurant at White Rock Lake or not?

60

Oh, mother!

What’s the story behind the Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Tour? launch 18

Knock knock Artizone, an online farmers market of sorts, delivers local goods right to your front door.

Above/ Tony Kozarevich. On the cover/ Jorge Alvarez:

by Danny Fulgencio

Radiation oncologist Dr. Raquibul Hannan is offering a new approach to patients whose cancer has spread. By combining his research in immunology with a radiation therapy pioneered here called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), he can stimulate supercharged white blood cells to help patients fight off cancer. These “i-SABR” trials are one of many trailblazing options you’ll find at UT Southwestern. Where scientific research, advanced technology, and leadingedge treatments come together to bring new hope to cancer patients.

To learn more, call 214-645-8300 or visit UTSWmedicine.org

Find us on Facebook

The future of medicine, today.

This is where we’re teaching your body’s immune system to fight off cancer.

WHO CAN BE HEROES?

You’ll probably enjoy this month’s cover story about high school students who have beaten the odds and come out on the “right” side of difficult situations.

It has all the elements of a compelling story: Bad things happening to good people. Neighbors taking an interest in those whom others have ignored. Heroes who have overcome the odds.

And that is the point of each high school senior’s story: Each student has turned lemons into lemonade pretty much on his or her own terms.

We’ve written stories similar to these for the past few years; most people can’t resist reading about those who can’t and won’t be kept down by bad luck, people who have the will and the determination to turn something bad into something better.

The true test of this kind of story, though, is how you and I relate to the hero. We’ve seen what the hero does with his or her life, how things have been turned around against all odds. We’ve read about the causes, the betrayals, the strategies, the hard work and the ultimate victory, of a sort, over what seemed to be a foregone failure.

So the question we then ask ourselves, or at least the question we should be asking ourselves, is: Could we have done as well, given the same circumstances?

Or maybe not “could” we have done as well, but whether “would” we have done as well.

Because reading a story about incredible intestinal fortitude is easy. Reshaping your life while facing down impending failure is a more difficult task and, dare I say, most of us simply couldn’t do it ourselves.

We like to think we could pull the rabbit out of the hat, but the magician who does so has spent literally hundreds of hours learning the trick.

We like to think we could sink the tournament-winning putt or drain the gamewinning shot, but these athletes have given up their lives to practice and plan and prepare to achieve this ultimate goal.

Mostly what you and I do is dream. We don’t put in the time. We don’t do the work. We haven’t faced the situation because, for whatever reason, we haven’t been called to do so.

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editors:

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BRITTANY NUNN

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And those mental gymnastics support a good measure of baseless confidence, leading us to believe that when the bell rings and it’s time to step up, we can be heroes, too. We’ve seen it done thousands of times. We’ve read about and watched plenty of others do it. Who’s to say we couldn’t overcome the odds, too?

It’s something to think about, though. Put ourselves in the shoes of any of the students we wrote about this month, and then ask ourselves that question: Could we have done what they did?

Be honest, now. Could we really have done what they’ve done and accomplished what they’ve accomplished?

I like to think so. But I’m not 100 percent sure.

senior art director: JYNNETTE NEAL

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

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interns: JAMES COREAS

month. Advertising rates and guidelines are available upon request. Advocate publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one copy per reader. Advocate was founded in 1991 by Jeff Siegel, Tom Zielinski and Rick Wamre.

We like to think that we would doggedly conquer calamity, but many of us have yet to be tested

Mostly what you and I do is dream. We don’t put in the time. We don’t do the work. We haven’t faced the situation because, for whatever reason, we haven’t been called to do so.

FREE MELANOMA AND SKIN CANCER SCREENING

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but it can be detected in the early stages through screenings when it is most curable. The major risk factors for the disease include a family or personal history of skin cancer, family history of atypical moles, high number of moles (more than 20), and history of excessive sun exposure.

Saturday, May 17

8 a.m. – noon

Call 866-764-3627 for reservations.

9440 Poppy Drive

Outpatient Registration

(Facing Buckner Blvd.)

Free parking

The Dallas and Fort Worth Dermatological Societies, Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society are offering Metroplex residents an opportunity to have their suspicious skin spots checked during this free melanoma and skin cancer screening.

DIGITAL DIGEST

TOP 5 MOST-READ STORIES

ON LAKEWOOD.ADVOCATEMAG.COM

What LEEF means for Lakewood Elementary boundaries

White Rock YMCA secures $3 million for outdoor pool, gym

Update: Developers make their case for a White Rock Lake restaurant

Mata Montessori next fall: Another choice for East Dallas parents?

How to irk your fellow trail users

THE DIALOGUE

on Developers make their case for a White Rock Lake restaurant (see page 58)

NO MEANS NO

“The only real downside is disruption of habitat. Very important indeed. Why don’t they dry run with permitting 5 food trucks, 9-5, weekends only, to sit in the area and test interest/smell/traffic/disruption etc.? (No, I don’t own a food truck!) Use it as an impact study.”

“You don’t need a study to know how it will impact the ecology. Leave the only natural beauty in Dallas alone! There are plenty of other places for your needless restaurant. Maybe you should tear down another historic building but leave the lake alone.”

—Sue Miller

“I’m confused by the outrage over the destruction of nature. Isn’t this a man-made lake?”

—Jay Cutcher

“What White Rock Lake is to the community today is the result of its own natural development and years of decision-making in response to that development. It has become and is most desired as a natural area, an oasis from the urbanization that extends for miles in every direction. Despite the fact that it once had party boats, concession stands and water skiing, it makes no more sense to refer back to that former usage than it does to start drinking the water again.”

—Norman Alston

Lili Ornelas office: 214-808-0242 lili.ornelas@cbdfw.com

Local runners and cyclists offer a sampling of the most irritating people on the trails:

the person who lets his yap dog walk on a full extension of the leash, stretched across the entire trail, especially when this happens at dawn and I can’t see the dog and I trip on the leash and it’s my fault.

—Luke Bateman

people walking, running, or on bikes who don’t look over their shoulder to see what’s behind them before passing another walker, runner, or bicyclist. If they’re wearing headphones when they do it, double demerits.

—Darryl Dickson-Carr

children on bikes, etc. It has become everyone’s responsibility to watch because parents are oblivious.

—Dawn Hosking

the guy on the bike that doesn’t say ”on your left” but comes so close you sort-a brush elbows. Hmm passive aggressive.

—Susan Joiner

people who blow snot rockets without a courtesy look behind them.

—Paul Agruso

We’re making more time for your family’s health.

We’re open late because your health can’t wait at your new neighborhood Methodist Family Health Center –Timber Creek. Methodist Health System has been a trusted Dallas caregiver since 1927, and we are excited to announce that a Methodist Family Health Center is finally in your community. As your new neighbor for life, we’re nearby for all of your health and wellness needs.

Schedule an appointment today at 214-361-2224. To learn more about Dr. Beckstrom and our new location, log on to MethodistHealthSystem.org/TimberCreek.

Appointments are encouraged. Most patients can be seen the same day. Most insurance plans are accepted.

Perry Beckstrom, DO

and New Construction

There’s Always a Solution

“I’ve

Whatever you think you can’t do to increase your home’s beauty, functionality and value, chances are you can do it; and chances are Bella Vista has done it. With today’s best-of-breed renovation techniques, there’s a solution to virtually any design challenge. Use these examples to envision the possibilities in your home:

Challenges:

Compartmentalized kitchen with too many walls and odd angles that cramped the functional space. Dim lighting, lack of functional cooking areas, and antiquated style.

Solutions:

We removed the clipped angles and walls to expand the functional space, updated the cabinetry, ventilation system, appliances and lighting. Even added windows to make this kitchen the functional and entertaining hub our clients envisioned.

Challenges:

Bathroom lacked square footage and usable oor, counter, and vanity space. Needed modern, yet classic style to complement the rest of the home.

Solutions:

We made the space more functional by reorganizing the overall layout. e new design t the home’s existing architecture while adding modern style.

Challenges:

Client needed more square footage and livable space but was concerned about creating a McMansion look that clashed with the surrounding architecture. They also didn’t want to tear up any of their landscape.

Solutions:

We are expanding the living space and beautifying the exterior – in part by building an additional story, all with architectural elements that are consistent with the surrounding community.

For more information on Remodeling or Custom Homes, read our blogs at www.bellavistacompany.com

been told I can’t do that.”

If you’ve ever been discouraged by what seems like an insurmountable renovation challenge, call us. Let’s explore the possibilities together.

Q&A: Amber Dietrich

Lakewood neighbor Amber Dietrich helped start Artizone, a sort of online farmers market, three years ago. Although Artizone has had to make some major changes over the years, Dietrich says the overall vision has stayed the same — to support local businesses.

I’ve heard Artizone described as an online farmers market. Is that accurate?

I don’t think that’s wrong, but I think there’s more depth to it than that. If you go to White Rock Local Market, you’re going to see a lot of the same vendors. We kind-of share vendors, and that’s why people see us as an online farmers market, but we also have other things that the farmers market doesn’t offer, like meat from a local butcher shop or fresh fish. People can get on and order stuff any day, any time. We deliver seven days a

week. We deliver in three or four time slots depending on the day. Tuesday nights and Thursday nights, we also have a pick-up location in downtown Dallas. That came from customers who told us, ‘I’d like to order from y’all, but you don’t deliver to Colleyville, but I work downtown.’

The most challenging thing for us is branding. People don’t know we’re out there, or they don’t get it — how [Artizone] actually affects 100 local companies, or how convenient it is in the sense that you could get a homemade chicken pot pie delivered to the house. There’s different

ways to use it. Also, we change every year.

How so?

We’re three and a half years on the market, and we started with only six vendors, and now we’re at 85. There’s 70-something vendors that are live on the site, and 15some new that we’re bringing on right now.

Obviously it has grown, but has the vision changed?

I don’t think the vision has changed. The short tale of Artizone is we want to support local business, local farmers, food shops,

Amber Dietrich:

Photo by Kim Leeson

artisans, and we want to be an online channel for them, a way to expand their market, and that’s never going to change.

I would say what we found is that we thought we could run a profitable business doing just that, and we found that we can’t. The people who came to us with the first six vendors thought we were very specialty. Maybe if you were doing a Christmas or a birthday party, but it was like a one- or two-time-a year-purchase. After six months, I said, ‘OK, we need things that trigger every day eggs, milk, produce, homemade breads.’

The second big change was when people started saying, ‘We want to support local, but it’s hard to do it when you don’t have the basics.’ That was the change that none of us saw coming: introducing things like Heinz ketchup, mustards, buns. In a way it can be confusing because you look at the site and think, ‘Well, they have all this local artisan stuff, but they also have all this grocery stuff?’ But we found bringing in all these other items that are pantry staples actually increased sales for the artisans because it gave people a way for it to actually be convenient. That was something we spent a lot of time talking about, wondering, ‘Should we do this? How do we balance this? How do we maintain an image?’ And that’s something we still battle with a little bit.

To have things delivered, does that make things more expensive than if I were to pick them up at the store?

It’s a 5 percent difference. If someone has cottage cheese for $10, it’s going to be $10.50 on the website. The delivery fee is $5.59, and if you order $120 or more, then the delivery is free. So if you pay $100 by driving all around the stores, then you’re going to pay $105.

What area does Artizone cover?

All of Dallas, not DFW. As far north as McKinney. We just opened up Rockwall. A little bit in Mesquite, a little bit in Garland, and a little into the west. We’re in Lewisville, but we’re not in Arlington. We did Fort Worth for a little bit, but it was too challenging, so we waited and scaled back. We started in Dallas first. This is the first market, and then 14 months later we opened in Chicago.

—Brittany Nunn

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Browse for used goods... at a neighborhood-wide garage sale to benefit the Lakewood Elementary Expansion Fund (LEEF). Bound roughly by Gaston and La Vista to the north and south, and East Grand and the Lakewood Country Club on the east and west, Lakewood Hills residents join forces for a garage sale starting at 8 a.m. Homes throughout these streets will participate, and some are opting to donate proceeds to the Lakewood Elementary Expansion Fund (LEEF). Go to lakewoodhills. org for more information.

Pull on your gardening gloves... volunteer at the Dallas Arboretum. What’s a better way to enjoy the spring than with the tulips? If you have a green thumb, become a garden and greenhouse worker to help plant, trim, weed and many other tasks. If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry; there are opportunities for everyone. Volunteer in the gift shop, office or visitor services. For more, visit dallasarboretum. org or contact Sue McCombs at 214-5156561 or smccombs@dallasarboretum.org.

Be sworn in...

as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and represent a child in court during one of the bleakest times in his or her life. Go to dallascasa.org, and click the “Become a Volunteer Advocate” page to see the dates/ times for the information sessions, or call 214.827.8961 for more information.

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.

Sugar and spice

The guest bedroom in the Swiss Avenue home of James and Louise Finley is wrapped entirely in a French Renaissance theme: Photo by Kim Leeson

A tale of two homes

The two houses face off on Swiss where they sit almost directly across the street from each other. Both are elegant, historical homes that will be featured on the Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home Tour, but that’s where their similarities end.

One is a Colonial-style home with a French Renaissance-inspired interior. Throughout the house, rooms are wrapped in warm colors and finished with graceful design details, like antique chandeliers, crown molding, patterned wallpaper and even fresco paintings on the wall and ceiling in the dining room.

The home belongs to James and Louise Finley, and most of the furniture was inherited from Louise’s family. “So it’s very sentimental,” she says.

The other home is a white stucco home with a modern, minimalist interior finish. The owners, Joanna and John Hampton, are both architects, and they were interested in the home as a fixer-upper project.

“It was a foreclosure, so we’re still in the process of remodeling,” John explains. But after a year of renovations, the heavy lifting is finished.

The Hamptons had to completely overhaul the entryway, which had major water damage due to a leaking roof. Also, one of the upstairs sunrooms had been gutted in the process of turning it into a bathroom, but the project had never been completed. The Hamptons had new windows installed, and they turned the room into a laundry/workout room. On top of all that, there were no light fixtures in the home.

But all the work has been worth it to get the overall structure of the house, the Hamptons say. The house features spacious rooms that flow well from one to the next.

“We’re inspired by the sort of museumstyle, modern, clean look,” John says.

See these houses and more on the Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home Tour. For tour information, see the calendar listing on page 24.

—Brittany Nunn

Patient

of the Month:

“Dr. Slate is knowledgeable and sensitive

recommended her to many.”

— Julie Gardner

Out & About

May 2014

May 18

White Rock East Garden Tour & Artisans

Take some time to stop and smell the roses during this self-guided tour through neighborhood gardens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and get an eyeful of some local art along the way. There also will be a plant sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alex Sanger Elementary School. Addresses listed on whiterockgardentour.com, pre-sale tickets $12 (May 3-17), day of tour tickets $15

more LOCAL EVENTS or submit your own

LAKEWOOD.ADVOCATEMAG.COM/EVENTS

MAY 2

Dance

Dallas Black Dance Theatre II performs ballet, modern, jazz and African dance at 7 p.m.

St. Matthew’s Cathedral Arts center in the great hall, 5100 Ross, cathedralartsdallas.org, 214.887.6552, free

MAY 3

Native plants and prairies day

Join the North Texas Master Naturalists for their second annual Native Plants and Prairies Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be performances by the Dallas Storytellers Guild, more than 20 booths, a 30-minute wildflower and bug tour at 10:30 a.m., and a series of speakers every half hour.

The Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, dallasculture.org/ bathhouseculturecenter, free

MAY 3

Spring fling

Greenland Hills Preschool hosts Spring Fling at the Hills to raise funds for the school. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be games, concessions, face painting, a cake walk and more.

Greenland Hills Preschool, 5835 Penrose, greenlandhills.org/ preschool, 214.826.2060, free

MAY 3

The Goat Run

It starts at Flagpole Hill with runners’ choice of a 5 or 10k. Following the human run, four teams — which combine man and goat — compete. It is all in an effort to raise money for nonprofits Seed Effect and Empower Sudan, which benefit the war and famine-affected South Sudan region of Africa. (Top fundraisers over the past several months won the opportunity to race with goats). For the goatless, the 10k promises to be one of the toughest in Texas, and special prizes will be awarded to those who climb our neighborhood’s steepest hill the fastest.

Flagpole Hill, 8100 Doran, thegoatrun.com, $20-$45

MAY 10

Lakewood Hills garage sale

Browse a neighborhood-wide garage sale starting at 8 a.m. Some sales benefit the Lakewood Elementary Expansion Fund (LEEF).

Lakewood Hills, visit lakewoodhills.org

MAY 7-24

‘Equally Divided’

Head to the Bath House Cultural Center to enjoy this “all too human comedy about trying to do the right thing when there is an estate to settle,” the website says.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, dallasculture. org/bathhouseculturecenter, $10-$15

MAY 8 -11

‘White People’

Catch ‘White People’ by J.T. Rogers, presented by Pegasus Theatre as a Churchmouse production at the Bath House Cultural Center.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, dallasculture. org/bathhouseculturecenter, $10-$20

Photo by Jeanine Michna-Bales

MAY 9

Diamond Anniversary

Celebrate 75 years with Stonewall Jackson Elementary School during its Diamond Anniversary Celebration and Auction at the Hotel Palomar at 6:30 p.m. There will be dinner, dancing, cocktails, and a live and silent auction.

Hotel Palomar, 5300 E. Mockingbird, stonewalljacksonpta.org, 972.749.7200, $50

MAY 17

Pancake breakfast

Dine at the annual White Rock Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the White Rock Center of Hope, scholarships for Bryan Adams High School seniors, coloring books and crayons for Children’s Medical Center, and other community services. Lakeside Baptist Church, 9150 Garland Road, call Lloyd Marquis at 214.341.0985 for more information, $5

May 10-11

Swiss Avenue

THROUGH JUNE 1

‘Charlotte’s Web’

Discover the true meaning of friendship and life’s everyday miracles during the retelling of this classic story by the professionals at Dallas Children’s Theater. Get caught in Charlotte’s web to save Wilbur, the “radiant” and “humble” pig, and make friends once again with all his lovable barnyard neighbors. Enjoyed by ages 5 and up.

Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, dct.org, 214.740.0051, $13-$26

The annual Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Tour is celebrating its 41st year this May, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, plus a brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s tour features eight historic homes, plus much more. Savage Park, sahd.org, $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Storm damage to your roof? June 13th is the deadline to replace it.

A couple weeks ago, the Dallas area hunkered down while baseball-sized hail and high winds took us by storm. Downtown was spared, but that wasn’t the case in 2012. Many people remember that terrible Texas storm a few years ago. Davette Cheney with Metal Roofs of Texas will never forget.

“I had just moved to Dallas from Oklahoma and I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with all the crazy weather anymore.”

What many Dallas residents don’t know is that after a storm, homeowners may only have up to two years to file an insurance claim for any roof damage. For those with damage from 2012, that potential deadline is fast approaching –June 13.

And Cheney’s team is letting residents know that after this date, any damage found to your roof might be considered “wear and tear,” and the insurance companies won’t have to give you a dime.

“We’re trying to remind folks not to let this potential deadline pass,” Cheney says. Metal Roofs of Texas also is letting Dallas residents know that insurance companies are starting to push homeowners into putting a cosmetic endorsement on their policy that would exclude almost all hail damage to roofs.

“They are trying to limit risk as much as possible,” Cheney says, “which puts you at risk more than ever before. It’s important to know your policy, and if you believe you have damage to your roof from a prior storm then we’re here to help. We offer a complimentary damage evaluation to all of our customers.”

Cheney boasts that Metal Roofs’ “Interlock Roofing System” can withstand up to a grapefruit-sized hailstone.

“It will withstand 165-mph winds, increase your curb appeal, is more energy efficient and saves you money on your electric bill.”

Plus, residents will be prepared if or when grapefruits start falling from the Dallas sky.

Metal Roofs of Texas is one of the largest residential metal roofing companies in North America and the exclusive, certified vendor of this type of roof in Texas. The company focuses on high-end homes and tries to eliminate hassles for homeowners.

So don’t wait for the next hailstorm, and certainly don’t wait past June 13 to take advantage of insurance premiums you pay month after month.

www.metalroofsoftexas.com

• 972.746.2197

Special Advertising Partner Content

Delicious

BONCHON CHICKEN

5500 Greenville, Suite 1300 214.346.9464

AMBIANCE: CASUAL

HOURS: 11 A.M.-11 P.M. SUNDAY-THURSDAY

11 A.M.-MIDNIGHT FRIDAY-SATURDAY

PRICE: $9-$15

TIP: HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS INCLUDE $3 WELLS, $4 HOUSE WINE BY THE GLASS, AND $1 OFF DOMESTIC DRAFTS, 3-7 P.M. MONDAY-THURSDAY.

Nottoo long ago, finding a neighborhood restaurant with international flavors beyond Mexican, Italian and Chinese cuisine proved challenging. Nowadays, selection abounds with local culinary options such as Vietnamese, Thai, a Latin deli, and now: Korean fusion. Bonchon, which opened on Upper Greenville in December, serves various Korean-inspired dishes such as rice bowls, fried octopus dumplings and bulgogi (Korean beef), to name a few. But general manager Stewart Murray says the Korean fried chicken wings are everyone’s favorite by far.

For those uninitiated, these aren’t your typical Southern fried chicken wings, nor are they of the finger-lickin’ Buffalo wing variety. Think of Korean chicken wings as a sort of hybrid between the two crispy, saucy, complex — but just as delightful to devour. The restaurant’s fried chicken recipe originated in South Korea, where founder Jinduk Seh opened the first Bonchon more than a decade ago with the goal of sharing his locale’s comfort food with the world. (Bonchon is Korean for “my hometown.”) To achieve the flavor, Bonchon lightly dusts its wings with flour and water before frying some 20 minutes. Once they’re cooked, the wings are handbrushed with one of two top-secret sauces imported from Korea: soy-garlic or hot and spicy (made with gochugaro, a Korean spice).

The 20-minute wait time has been a gripe for some customers, but Murray says it is well worth it, since the wings are fresh and cooked to order. “We like to call ourselves craft wings and craft beer, and we stand by that.”

Similar to the carrots that often accompany Buffalo wings, cubed daikon radish comes with Bonchon wings, and it sufficiently cools the palate if you choose to go the hot-and-spicy route. Or you can find refreshment while sipping a pint from Bonchon’s horseshoe-shaped bar boasting 18 draft beers, the majority of which are craft beers made in North Texas.

Whitney Thompson

Korean chicken wings: Photo by Mark Davis

VIEW MORE PHOTOS at lakewood.advocatemag.com.

1 Szechwan Pavilion

If you’re looking for a good, old-fashioned Asian buffet, Szechwan Pavilion in Casa Linda Plaza is a neighborhood favorite. 1152 N. Buckner 214.321.7599 szechwanpavilion.com

2 Eggroll Hut

For some cheap Chinese, Eggroll Hut has the works egg roll, wontons, egg flavor soup, and more. 4509 Columbia 214.823.4131

3 Mot Hai Ba

This Vietnamese place in the heart of Lakewood knows how to experiment with flavor. 6047 Lewis 972.638.7468 mothaibadallas.com

We are now open and serving the most delicious seafood in the Metroplex. Come out to our Sunday Brunch under our palm-leaf roof patios and enjoy one of our Sinaloa style cevivches.

May Specials

• Tues - BOGO

• Pastas - $12.99 (excluding seafood pastas)

• Enjoy drinks on the patio

beer/wine Now Open Sunday all day 11:30am-9:30pm

Thurs now delivering dinner orders! Call us!

Bonchon Korean tacos. Photo by Mark Davis

SPREADING MOTHER’S DAY LOVE

Let’s spoil all the ladies in our lives with some love and sweets this month. The best way to celebrate is to be with family and friends enjoying a wonderful meal, sitting around the table, and sharing love for one another. As you plan your menu for a simple brunch, lunch or a spring-filled dinner, add these glazed shortbread cookies to share with your special mom. What I love about these cookies is the combination of a buttery, flaky texture and creamy, soft icing for the perfect decoration.

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.

Photo by Kristen Massad

Shortbread cookies

GROCERY LIST

1 cup sugar

2 cups unsalted butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Royal icing

6 cups powdered sugar

3 pasteurized egg whites

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream sugar and butter in mixing bowl with paddle attachment. Add eggs, vanilla extract and lemon zest, and mix on low speed. Slowly add the flour and mix until the dough has come together.

2. Place the ball of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once dough is chilled, roll it out to 1/8 inch thick and cut into 2-inch squares or other desired shape.

3. Bake cookies at 350 F for 12-15 minutes or until light golden on the edges. Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing and decorating.

4. Make royal icing by combining powdered sugar and egg whites in mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes. Icing will become very smooth and glossy. (Add more powdered sugar if you want it to be thicker. Cover icing if not using immediately, or it will get hard).

9. Draw a border around each cookie with royal icing. Once the border is dry, cover the entire cookie with icing.

6. Allow the base icing to dry completely, and then stencil or draw letters onto the cookies. Allow cookies to dry before serving or packaging.

Note: If you do not want to make a traditional royal icing with egg whites, you can replace the egg whites with meringue powder (follow directions on the container).

Makes 75 2-inch cookies

NO EXCUSES

TEENS WHO HAVE OVERCOME INCREDIBLE OBSTACLES TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND LIFE

STORY BY BRITTANY NUNN | PHOTOS BY DANNY FULGENCIO

Growing up, earning good grades, pursuing a talent and gaining college acceptance is tough, but imagine doing so in the face of abject poverty or an incurable disability or while you are the primary caretaker for a dying parent and your younger siblings. Hellish circumstances can become an excuse for teens to escape down a destructive, pain-numbing path. For a few neighborhood seniors who will graduate this month, however, hardship is reason to strive for a better future. Their determination, support from teachers and administrators, and, perhaps, the iron-will derived from a fight for survival has driven them to remarkable success.

Woodrow senior Abby Quintero always lived in rough neighborhoods, but that hasn’t discouraged her from striving to become the first person in her family to go to college.

“When you live in poor neighborhoods, people always think badly about your future,” Quintero says.

She grew up speaking Spanish in her home, which kept her from being accepted into the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program for elementary school.

At home, things weren’t good for Quintero. When she was in the fourth grade, her parents got into an argument that escalated into abuse.

Quintero, her mom and her siblings moved into a women’s shelter, and Quintero had to switch schools. Her family could stay in the shelter only temporarily, and then they moved into a friend’s home, but that did not last, and they had to look for a more stable place to live.

The situation took a toll on Quintero. She learned English as quickly as possible, and by middle school her conversational English was flawless. Still, she wasn’t able to pass the test required to enter the TAG program for Alex W. Spence Middle School.

“I had a lot of burdens in my life, and that affected me,” Quintero says. “Also, I would always bomb the English part of the test, and that’s pretty essential to get into the TAG program.

“That was very unfortunate,” she recalls. “It made me feel bad about myself because it made me feel like, ‘I’m not good enough. I’m never going to be good enough because my grades are all that I have to depend on so that I can be better than what people say.’ ”

By the time Quintero reached Woodrow Wilson High School, she was frustrated with academia. During her freshman year, she began to rebel.

Not long after that she tried out for the drill team and became a Sweetheart (which is what Woodrow calls the members of its drill team) her sophomore year. Dance quickly became an outlet for her, to “distract her from everything else.”

That’s when she met Lisa Moya King, the dance teacher at Woodrow, who took notice of her.

“I could see that she was a leader because she would be dancing and everyone would be following,” King says. “I said, ‘OK, this

Dr. Simon Says

girl has some potential.’ ”

When King began hearing rumors about Quintero’s behavior, King sat her down for a serious talk, hoping she could make Quintero see that she needed to make a change if she wanted to be successful.

That was just the intervention Quintero needed.

“For a teacher to tell you that they’ve noticed that, that they’ve heard rumors, and to talk to you about it, that was a big deal,” Quintero says, her eyes welling up with tears at the memory.

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“I just burst out crying and said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing with my life.’ I don’t

know what it was about that discussion, but it only took one time.”

Quintero knew she needed to work harder if she wanted to succeed. Plus, she had to make good grades in order to dance with the Sweethearts at football games. Then she became an officer, which was a huge personal accomplishment. It also helped sharpen her natural leadership skills.

“She has these moments of complete abandonment, but also complete control,” King says. “There are a lot of layers to Abby, and it’s going to be fun to see where she goes in life. She has a good work ethic. She looks at what she wants and knows what it’s going to take to get there, but she wants it. She wants to do well.”

Quintero applied for Steven F. Austin State University, where she wants to major in hospitality and tourism. She found out on her mother’s birthday that she was accepted.

“Getting into college is the hugest thing I’ve ever accomplished. All that hard work, getting into college — I cried. It was like, ‘I don’t have to worry about anything any more,’ ” Quintero says.

“ I could see that she was a leader because she would be dancing and everyone would be following. I said, ‘ OK, this girl has some potential. ’ ”

Patricia A. Simon, DDS 1809 Skillman St., Dallas 75206

Scott Carlson

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and

The eyes of the world are on Texas, and Dallas offers so much in terms of business opportunities , a joyful lifestyle with amazing heartfelt people. Having a partnership with Robbie Briggs and the Sotheby’s International Realty brand gives us the platform to take our business to the highest level, connecting people from around the world with beautiful, unique homes in Lakewood and White Rock Lake.

Scott Carlson | c 214.793.9322

scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

Known for keeping clients’ business private and confidential.

6407 Glenrose Ct | $529,000

6854 La Vista Dr | SOLD | Listed for $997,900

Susan Matusewicz | c 214.392.8813 smatusewicz@briggsfreeman.com

Lou Alpert | c 214.738.0062 | lalpert@briggsfreeman.com

6426 Sunnyland Ln | SOLD Kelley Theriot McMahon | c 214.563.5986 | ktmcmahon@briggsfreeman.com

Angela Thornhill | c 214.769.7840 | athornhill@briggsfreeman.com

Scott Carlson | c 214.793.9322 | scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

3406 Oakhurst | SOLD | Listed for $589,000

6934 Tokalon Drive | $1,200,000 6301 Gaston Ave., Plaza 170, Dallas, Texas 75214

Lauren Valek Farris c 469.867.1734 lfarris@briggsfreeman.com

6906 Lakewood Blvd | $1,218,000

5839 Vanderbilt Ave | SOLD 6521 Bob O Link Dr | $919,000

Scott Carlson | c 214.793.9322 | scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

Scott Carlson | c 214.793.9322 | scottcarlson@briggsfreeman.com

Three years ago, we had the opportunity to expand our business nationally and globally by joining with Sotheby’s International Realty. The response, both in terms of growth and opportunities, has been tremendous.

BOTH OF THESE BROKERAGES HAVE RENOWNED REPUTATIONS FOR HAVING EXCEPTIONAL MARKET KNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDING EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER SERVICE TO CLIENTS—MANY OF WHOM HAVE BOUGHT AND SOLD HOMES IN LAKEWOOD FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS.

Our agents have always loved helping people buy and sell homes in East Dallas. When it was time to consider opening an office in Lakewood, we looked for like-minded and forward-thinking brokers who share our commitment to community, integrity and customer service—professionals eager to reach national and global buyers for

their clients.

We found that established neighborhood brokerage Scott Carlson Real Estate and legendary Realtor John Whiteside and Team Whiteside were a perfect fit. Each have reputations for exceptional market knowledge and provide extraordinary customer service to clients—many of whom have bought and sold homes in Lakewood for several generations.

As John said, “I’ve watched for decades as Lakewood has grown and evolved.

Like Robbie, I knew that to serve our clients in the best way possible, we needed the reach and resources of the best global brand,

and that’s Sotheby’s.”

For Scott, the time was right to offer clients the global connections of a worldwide brand. “With the growing number of sophisticated national and international buyers moving here, Lakewood deserves a brand that can reach national and global markets,” he told me.

With our new team in place, we’re pleased to invite you to visit our office at 6301 Gaston Avenue, Plaza 170. The location has 12 real estate professionals, including Scott and John, and others from their respective talented teams.

If I can help in any way, please contact me. I look forward to being part of the East Dallas community.

John Whiteside and Robbie Briggs

Robbie Briggs and Scott Carlson

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

LIFE FOR WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

MICHELLE “POLLO” PASILLAS IS LIKE A MATH TEXTBOOK —

ALWAYS ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

Luckily, the engineer-minded transfer student from Mexico is always up for a challenge.

Pasillas’ dream is to play in the NFL.

He was raised near Monterrey, Mexico, by his mother, stepfather and grandfather. Pasillas’ grandfather spent a significant amount of time in California, and then taught Pasillas and

the rest of the family to play American football.

Pasillas planned to live with his uncle in California for high school so he could play football in hopes of earning a scholarship for college and a chance to be noticed by the NFL. Then his uncle lost his job in the financial crisis of 2007-2008, which put a sudden halt to the plan.

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23 YEARS

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Pasillas continued with schooling in Mexico, learning as much English as he could while he waited for another opportunity.

He had been offered a scholarship to play football for the University of Monterrey in Mexico, but he doesn’t want to simply go to college; he wants to play in the NFL.

Finally, a family friend agreed to let Pasillas stay with her in East Dallas.

“My mom saw the opportunity and said, ‘Go ahead, if you really want to play football. You’re not going to be able to play football in Mexico,’ ” Pasillas says.

So Pasillas received a student visa and moved to Dallas, but his American dream quickly turned into a nightmare, because his host home was rife with drugs and other illegal activity.

“I will never try any drugs because of the situation in Mexico with the drug cartel,” Pasillas says. “I thought it would be safer here, and then I see this. There are people in my country dying for this.”

He got out of the home as soon as he could, instead sleeping at friends’ houses, at school, or occasionally on the streets.

“I don’t want to get caught in the wrong place with the wrong people,” he explains.

In the system change, Pasillas lost several key credits, and his A-average GPA transferred as a B-average GPA, even though he took advanced classes in Mexico. “I was doing calculus as a sophomore,” he says, “but they don’t give me that credit because it’s from Mexico.”

At first, Dallas ISD wasn’t sure what year to consider him, so they started him as a freshman, which allowed him to play for the football team. He proved himself on the field quickly and made the varsity team within a couple of weeks.

After a few months the school figured out Pasillas had so many credits that he was considered a fifth-year senior. Unfortunately, that meant he could no longer play football.

“ It was like, thank God someone understands me! ”

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Pasillas was crushed.

“The whole point of all this struggle was to play football,” he says.

So instead, he threw himself into academics, making college acceptance his top priority with the hope of walking on to the football team. “When I get to college, a 3.2

isn’t going to be good enough. [Colleges] are going to see the same thing — a Mexican kid with bad English,” he says.

Although Pasillas was struggling with English, his strengths are math and science, so he joined the Science, Technology, Engineering Math (STEM) academy at Woodrow.

“I talked with Ms. Sanchez, and she speaks Spanish because she’s from Puerto Rico, and she looked at my transcripts and said, ‘You’re smart,’ ” Pasillas says. “It was like, thank God someone understands me!”

Sanchez advised Pasillas to enroll in AP chemistry and introduction to engineering. He had already learned most of the material that his classes covered, and his teachers began to take note of his excellence. He also joined the robotics team.

“I was in my environment because numbers stay the same,” Pasillas says.

The mindset that gets him through his math and science classes is the same one that propels him through high school.

“You have to solve the problem,” Pasillas says. “I don’t really know what’s going to happen to me; I just know that I’m going to be successful.”

He hopes to eventually go to Texas Tech to play football and major in engineering.

Pasillas’ grandfather passed away two years ago, but before he did, he taught Pasillas a valuable lesson that he clings to whenever he gets frustrated.

“My grandfather always told me, ‘Work hard or go home,’ ” Pasillas says. “I can’t go home, so I just have to keep working hard.”

“ I was in my environment because numbers stay the same. ”

Growing up, it didn’t bother him that his family is different. Everything seemed normal to him until grade school, when it began to affect his social life.

One day he told a longtime friend about his two moms; the divulgence abruptly ended their friendship, Kozarevich says.

“To me, that was a slap in the face, because I didn’t know what was wrong with that,” he says. “And it didn’t stop there.”

Then the bullying started.

Bullies homed in on his love of dance, which he discovered in kindergarten. He took to it because he loved to move, he explains.

He continued to dance in grade school, and when the other students found out, they began calling him names.

“They started calling me gay, and to me that wasn’t a bad thing, but they kept trying to hurt me,” Kozarevich says.

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Kozarevich told his teachers about one particularly aggressive harasser, and his parents even talked with the principal, but he says the school didn’t do anything to help.

Eventually Kozarevich snapped and punched the student. He was almost suspended, but his parents successfully argued for leniency.

After that, the bullying stopped until he switched schools. He began attending Sydney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard in fourth-grade.

“When I found out dance was a class, I immediately went there. There was no question about it,” he explains.

Although he was still called names, he found friends within the dance community, and he began learning how to brush off people’s hurtful comments.

And then came the eighth-grade football players.

“ They started calling me gay, and to me that wasn’t a bad thing, but they kept trying to hurt me. ”

Give Your May Flowers Super Natural Powers

The bigger boys began the usual routine of shoving him into lockers and knocking his books out of his arms, but Kozarevich surrounded himself with friends who backed him up.

He eventually transferred to Alex W. Spence Talented/Gifted Academy, where he met dance teacher Lisa Moya King.

She took him under her wing right away. She moved to Woodrow, and Kozarevich auditioned for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Though he was accepted, he turned it down because he decided not to go into dancing as a profession.

“I didn’t want to go through what had happened earlier on because I was still a little naive about that, and I was also shy,” he says.

Instead he enrolled at Woodrow, which once again put him under the tutelage of King.

During his freshman year, while he was still fending off bullies at school, Kozarevich’s mom, Sue, was diagnosed with stagefour breast cancer.

“It scared me because I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he says. “That’s the most vulnerable you can be. Freshman year, I was starting to get back some of my self esteem, and then it just hit me like that.”

His other mom, Nancy, quit her job to take care of Sue, and Kozarevich started missing school days in order to spend time with them. At first, his grades suffered, but he worked with teachers and managed to complete the semester with all his credits.

Doctors determined that Sue was going to be OK, but about two months later she was diagnosed with skin cancer. They caught it before it spread.

During Kozarevich’s junior year, his mom’s breast cancer returned in the same spot as before.

“That’s when I started talking with Ms. King more about my personal stuff, and she helped me get through it,” he says.

Sue just recently found another lump, but the Kozarevich family is still waiting for the results. This time, they’re confident they will get through it together, just like they have every other time, Kozarevich says.

“It has helped being a dancer, because I feel free. I feel in control when I’m dancing. When I’m dancing on a stage, that’s when I

feel the most in control and the most vulnerable.”

King has been working with Kozarevich on developing his leadership abilities. She’s also helping him learn to balance caring and compassion for things that matter and not caring about the things that don’t.

“A lot of the other boys were looking up to him,” King says, “but he didn’t see himself as a leader. I had to really push him hard to see himself that way. I think it kind of scared him at times.”

Her efforts paid off, and it helped Kozarevich change the way he interacted with his peers at school.

“Now, when I see someone get bullied in the hallways, I’ll be the first person to stick up for them, because it’s not fair that some people end up committing suicide because there was no one to help them,” Kozarevich says.

“I feel like I can make a change and overcome the stereotype of getting bullied.”

But more than anything, King’s class gives him the outlet to express himself.

“He wasn’t afraid to try anything with dance,” King says, “which comes from his upbringing. In dance, he’s very open. He doesn’t hesitate to get out there and try something.”

Even though he didn’t enjoy the visibility that Booker T. students have, Kozarevich was recognized by the Dallas Black Dance Theater, and he began dancing with the Allegra Ensemble.

He also has been accepted into Steven F. Austin and Texas State, where he plans to continue with dance as well as pursue a veterinary career.

“ Now, when I see someone get bullied in the hallways, I’ll be the first person to stick up for them. ”

JORGE ALVAREZ HAS TWO PASSIONS: COOKING AND MUSIC.

FROM BOTH.

Woodrow Wilson High School senior Alvarez says, “It always comes down to money.” But, one way or another, he’s determined to pursue his dreams when he graduates in May.

Alvarez received his love of cooking from his dad, Jose, who was the chef at Celebrity Café & Bakery before he died of cancer in 2009.

Cooking is a family business, and Alvarez is a firm believer in tradition and family legacy. Growing up, his family seemed to enjoy cooking together so much, it fostered a dream in Alvarez to someday become a chef like his father and grandfather.

“I want to make my dad proud,” he explains.

But money is tight for Alvarez’s mom, so she won’t be able to send Alvarez to culinary school. He would never ask her to, anyway.

His other passion, music, began while he was watching a jazz band on TV. Something about the sax player gripped him, and he was hooked. From that moment he

knew he wanted to learn to play.

Alvarez began playing saxophone in sixth-grade. Eventually he ended up in the band at Woodrow, which continued to encourage his love of music. It also became a training ground to cultivate his natural leadership skills.

Band Director Chris Evetts made him one of two drum majors and even awarded him a “best leadership” plaque at last year’s band banquet.

“I chose Jorge for that, easily,” Evetts says. “It’s in his nature to be very adult-like; it’s who he is. He impressed me right away because he was the only kid who would come up and ask me, ‘What needs to be done?’ ”

Band rehearsals and performances take a lot of preparation, Evetts says. Alvarez took the initiative to help load and unload equipment. He even recruited other students to assist, which soon boosted him into the position of loading captain.

When the time came for Evetts to find

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE’S ONE THING KEEPING HIM

drum majors, he encouraged Alvarez to audition.

“It was exactly as I expected: He was very good at leading the other kids,” Evetts says.

Alvarez also worked hard at fundraising by selling chocolate bars in order to pay for private lessons, camps, trips and other expenses. He sold 20 boxes — far more than any other student sold.

A band scholarship would be a gamechanger for Alvarez. Culinary schools don’t have bands, but Alvarez also is considering a career in music education if he can earn a scholarship.

Recently, Alvarez landed a job at Chipotle in order to save for a car. He hopes it will

help him dip his toe into the food industry. Chipotle’s business model of promoting from within and helping qualified employees with their education piqued Alvarez’s interest.

“It’s a step toward the future,” he says.

He also happens to enjoy working there, he says, and has already received recognition for his hard work and determination from higher-ups at the location.

“I’ve got other seniors who don’t even seem to be aware that they should have been looking at colleges. Jorge has already started earning his own money for college,” Evetts says.

“That just speaks to the kind of determination he’s got, that he’s not going to let himself lose. He’s going to graduate, and he’s going to be ready.”

“ I’ve got other seniors who don’t even seem to be aware that they should have been looking at colleges.

Jorge has already started earning his own money for college. ”

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Choi was almost as fresh when he moved to East Dallas less than a year later.

He started attending J.L. Long Middle School, where he took ESL classes to help him get a grip on the language, but he was

struggling.

“I knew a little about how to talk to people, but I didn’t know how to read or write in English,” he says.

He finished the ESL course in a year,

and although he felt he still needed it, his teacher encouraged him to attend regular classes at Woodrow Wilson High School in order to learn more.

“That has been hard,” he admits.

At first, he felt isolated from his peers because of language barriers, and some students even picked on him. Although there were other Asian-American students, none of them spoke Korean.

“I didn’t really have anyone to talk with about my life, so that was stressful,” he says.

He couldn’t visit his friends or family in South Korea because of the terms of his visa, but by 10th-grade, he had the confidence he needed to make friends who helped him understand things about American culture, such as sarcasm, slang and jokes.

He continued to go to tutoring after class, but he’s still slow at reading and writing in English, which is a significant disadvantage to him in his International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.

IB, one of the four academies offered at Woodrow, is known for being workload intensive, but that’s the academy his middle school friends joined, so Choi followed suit.

He did well in the freshman and sophomore pre-IB and AP classes, and he even managed to excel in his junior year of IB classes.

“Junior year I thought, ‘I can do this,’ ” he recalls. “When I got to my senior year, the [classroom] strategy changed.”

He had to do more reading in his history class than he could keep up with, and some of the classroom exercises in English were beyond his capability — particularly the timed analysis of poetry.

He ended up dropping out of IB English and history, but he stayed in IB biology because he enjoys it. Despite the challenges, Choi will graduate in May with a GPA he can be proud of.

Susan Odeski, a college and career advisor at Woodrow, considers Choi “a student of outstanding character and high goals.”

He’s already been accepted to several universities, including UT Dallas. He wants to study biology, or something related to science, so he can eventually go to medical school and become a doctor, he says.

The death of DISD attendance zones?

Changes in Woodrow’s feeder schools could eventually let neighborhood students pick their school, regardless of where they live

Story by Keri Mitchell

Tracie Fraley envisions a neighborhood where families can look around and decide which school best fits their children, rather than being hemmed in by an address.

“If you look at the evolution of education, why have charter schools and private schools become such a popular option?” Fraley asks. “Part of the reason is people want choices, and we don’t give them choices.”

Her words carry substantial weight because Fraley is the Dallas ISD executive director of the Woodrow Wilson High School feeder pattern, meaning that she oversees Woodrow and all of the schools that funnel children there, including J.L. Long Middle School, and Eduardo Mata, Lakewood, Mount Auburn, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and William Lipscomb elementary schools.

Fraley has worked with principals and parents to develop plans for these neighborhood schools so that within three years, academic opportunities across East Dallas could look much different.

“We’re all about choices and options for parents and kids, things that make sense for families and students,” Fraley says.

The proposed changes are partly a result of the realization roughly a decade ago that “there wasn’t a lot of communication or coordination among schools in the feeder pattern,” says Vince Murchison.

At the time, Murchison’s children were at Stonewall, and now are at Woodrow and Long, where he has chaired the site-based decision making committee for six years.

“I feel like we have reached a point where all the schools are much more cognizant of one another than before,” Murchison says. “We’ve finally got our arms around all of them.”

And as academics grow more rigorous at each of these schools, he hopes the outcome is that “the boundaries don’t matter anymore.”

‘Free-flow’ within elementary schools

In our neighborhood are some of DISD’s most sought-after elementary schools. Lakewood and Stonewall, for example, are so popular among parents that both schools are filled to more than 150 percent capacity, with students spilling out into portable buildings.

Other neighborhood elementary schools, however, have room to spare. Lee could hold at least 100 more students, and Mata is roughly two-thirds empty.

Fraley hopes to correct this imbalance. The first big change would be turning Mata into a Montessori elementary. Unlike other magnet schools that are open to all DISD students and require an interview process, Mata’s spots would be reserved for

Woodrow ceremony for new wing: Photo by Danny Fulgencio

students in the Woodrow feeder pattern, making it the first neighborhood Montessori campus in the district, with no entrance requirements.

“Philosophically, if you really study Montessori education, the intent is that Montessori should work for every child,” Fraley says. “We don’t want to create an elitist system where you only get a certain kind of kid. If the program is good, it should work for all kids.”

Students currently at Mata are fourthand fifth-graders who come from nearby Mount Auburn Elementary, a pre-kindergarten through third-grade school. Under the plan, Mount Auburn would add fourthgraders next fall and fifth-graders the following year. (At press time, these changes were uncertain pending a DISD board of trustees vote at the April 24 meeting.)

With the popularity of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Woodrow and Long’s recent designation as an IB school, another logical option is IB offerings at the elementary level. Both Lee and Lipscomb aim to become IB campuses; Fraley hopes to apply for the designation by April 2015 and launch the programs at both schools by fall 2015.

New curriculum also is proposed for Lakewood, Mount Auburn and Stonewall. A science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program at Stonewall would utilize its acclaimed Stonewall Gardens as “the lab,” Fraley says. Lakewood hopes to add an element dubbed “Renaissance learning,” a blending of English, science and the arts.

“Think of Leonardo da Vinci, who was an artist, a writer and a scientist,” Fraley says. “Unfortunately, we’ve been somewhat didactic in how we teach at the elementary level. I’m not saying you’re going to read Shakespeare as a fifth-grader, but you can be exposed to Shakespeare.”

Mount Auburn also plans to add STEM curriculum but with an arts element — STEAM — because “that community loves the arts,” Fraley says. The goal with all three programs is a more well-rounded education.

“We’re not stupid enough to think that a pre-kindergartener is going to come in and want to be an engineer, or even a fifth-grader,” Fraley says, “but we’ve always taught in silos — we’re going to do reading, put your reading away and now we’re go-

Located across the street from the Dallas Arboretum, family-owned Walton’s Garden Center features North Texas’ best selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and more. The fabulous gift store is bursting with fun gifts and beautiful home accessories. Visit Walton’s for the most unique gardening experience.

ing to do math — and we know that’s not how life is.”

Eventually, Fraley hopes that neighborhood families will be able to take advantage of “a free-flow within schools, so at some point you as a community member or parent can say, ‘Gosh, I really want my kid to participate in IB,’ or ‘I want to be down the street from my elementary school because that community school is really important to me.’ ”

One high school and middle school, several options

Woodrow already boasts the IB program and academic tracks for students wanting to pursue careers in fields such as technology, performing arts and business leadership. Next year, it will introduce a humanities strand as an “overarching umbrella that impacts all of these academies, so we aren’t creating scientists who don’t know who Chaucer is, or the difference between a Monet and a Degas,” Fraley says. “It’s a critical piece to be a truly educated, wellrounded person.”

In recent years, Long has rolled out a few new programs that aim to keep middle schools students engaged but don’t necessarily place them on a specific career track. For starters, the global-thinking and –learning IB program already is in full force.

“Unlike Woodrow, that is not a matter of choice. The entire school is IB across the board, 100 percent,” Murchison says.

Pre-advanced placement (AP) courses also are now offered, teaching Long students skills such as “how do you really research something, stick to it, and write a five- or 10-page essay,” Fraley says.

These programs prepare students for Woodrow’s IB and AP courses, and a new Long “advancement via individual determination” (AVID) program targets students “who are very smart but may be first generation college-goers,” Fraley says. “We know they can handle the coursework, so this is setting the stage for what needs to happen when they go to Woodrow.”

“Full-inclusion” classrooms also have been introduced at Long, which takes into account that students from Stonewall, which houses the Regional Day School for the Deaf, enter Long as sixth-graders.

“My background is special education, so it’s always been a concern for me,” Fral-

ey says. “We haven’t historically done the best job for our kids with special needs.”

Instead of a “pull you out and treat you differently” approach, Fraley says special needs students are part of traditional

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

VISIT LAKEWOOD.ADVOCATEMAG.COM TO:

• Learn whether the Dallas ISD board of trustees approved changes to Mata and Mount Auburn elementary schools at its April 24 meeting.

• Read about Mata Elementary’s history, find details about the proposed Montessori curriculum, and find links to enrollment forms.

• Find a timeline for all changes proposed for Woodrow Wilson High School and its feeder schools.

• Learn more about the dual language programs at neighborhood schools.

classrooms that have additional instructors assigned to offer “real-time, on-thespot intervention” as students run into problems. These instructors assist not just students with special needs but all students in the classroom.

“Our special education students in some cases are out-performing kids who don’t have disabilities, so we know it works,” Fraley says of the approach.

In addition, “we are very blessed to have a lot of second language learners in our feeder pattern,” Fraley says, so next year Long will become the only dual-language middle school in the district. Using this method, students will rotate through core courses in Spanish each year as well as take a Spanish language course.

In the past few years, test results have shown these students to be significantly lagging behind all other student groups in the state, district and even at Long, Fraley says, and dual language is the only kind of bilingual instruction “that promises to fully close the achievement gap.”

A future with more choices

School choice has been a hot topic of discussion within DISD, says trustee Mike Morath, who represents most of the Woodrow feeder pattern.

“It just so happens that the Woodrow feeder pattern is just well ahead of the rest of the district in these kinds of choice plans,” he says.

Morath points to other school districts that have successfully implemented open enrollment to families’ school of choice, including Garland and Grand Prairie.

“You have to test into Dallas ISD [magnet] schools, whereas in Grand Prairie, all you have to do is say you want to go there, and they’ll take you,” Morath says.

Specialized curriculum offerings at neighborhood schools “could be a way to help improve student achievement, which is the name of the game,” he says, referencing research indicating higher levels of teacher retention and student achievement in schools that have gone through “a purposeful redesign process.” Plus, giving families choices means they are “not forced to do something just because of their zip code.”

This is especially problematic for poorer families, Morath says.

“Middle- and upper-income families can choose to move or to go to private schools, but lower-income families don’t necessarily have the same choices,” he says.

Likewise, giving parents choices would make our schools more integrated because our neighborhoods are so racially and economically segregated, Morath says.

Historical perceptions of our neighborhood’s schools have been “sometimes deserved and sometimes not,” Murchison says, “and, of course, perception is reality.” He believes, though, that both perceptions and realities have improved tremendously in the last few years.

Long, as just one example, is a “completely, 100 percent different place from first day I walked in there 10 years ago,” Murchison says.

Fraley says that if you stack schools in the Woodrow feeder pattern up to charter or private schools, they are “just as good, if not better.” Having said that, she believes people want options, and considering our neighborhood’s active community members and parent involvement in schools, “it’s prime time for this.”

“If we are meeting the community’s needs, we become competitive,” Fraley says. “I would love for everybody who lives in the Woodrow Wilson feeder pattern, their first choice is one of these schools.”

How to enroll your elementary student in Mata Montessori

Forms are now available for parents interested in their children attending Mata for the 2014-2015 school year. Pick one up at the school, on 7420 La Vista at East Grand, or from any Woodrow feeder pattern elementary: Lakewood, Mount Auburn, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall and William Lipscomb.

First priority will be given to students who live within Mount Auburn Elementary and Mata’s shared boundaries, and then it opens up to students from any of the other Woodrow feeder elementaries. Any remaining spots would open to all Dallas ISD students.

Enrollment does not require an interview process. The school would have 64 spots for each grade, and if more families than that express interest, they would be put into a lottery.

These changes hinge on a DISD board of trustees vote at

the April 24 meeting.

Fraley notes that this first year would give families the best chance to enter the school since kindergarten through secondgrades are wide open, and even preschool spots for 3- and 4-yearolds could be available, if openings are left after DISD serves its state-mandated pre-kindergarten students throughout the district. Upper elementary grades would be added as these students advance through the school.

Parents who live within Mount Auburn’s boundaries need to submit forms by April 30; parents in the overall Woodrow feeder pattern have until May 15. The deadline for DISD parents outside of Woodrow’s boundaries is June 1.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES, visit lakewood.advocatemag.com and search “Mata,” or contact DISD’s office of family and community engagement at 972.925.3916 or family@dallasisd.org.

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

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 pre-reading. At CCDS, we have developed our own science, math, and reading enrichment classes to ensure kindergarten preparedness for every child. We make learning fun!

INSPIRE PEDIATRIC THERAPY

5439 Glen Lakes Dallas Tx 75231 / 469-9641554 / ethurman@inspirepediatrictherapy. com / Inspirepediatrictherapy.com Inspire Pediatric Therapy is excited to offer enjoyable and exciting camps this summer for articulation and language therapy ages 3-5.These intensive four week camps will increase your child’s articulation and language in a fun day camp setting. During each session your child will receive individual and group therapy. Camps include summer themes, rotating centers, snacks and games. Call to register today. Spots are limited. Inspire also offers private speech therapy for all children.

THE KESSLER SCHOOL

Pre K – 6th Grade / 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas TX 75208 / 214-942-2220 / www. thekesserschool.com The Kessler School offers an innovative academic environment that gives students a solid foundation, confidence, and a love of learning. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas; The Kessler School’s mission is to “educate the whole child,” and provides an individualized approach to teaching – meeting the student where their needs are. Students are educated socially through community time, physically through daily PE, academically through a well-rounded curriculum, and spiritually through a fostering of awareness and individual growth.

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.

OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF DALLAS

214-368-1371, ext 238 or carolb@orlcs.com www.orlcs.com At Our Redeemer Lutheran School, your child will receive more than academic excellence and a creative, individualized approach. For over 50 years, our caring, dedicated faculty has introduced positive Christian values—giving students a solid foundation to grow in love and commitment to God, family, community and individual excellence! Our affordable tuition is possible through the loving support of our sponsor congregation, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Call for a private tour and see why students and their families love our school! Limited spaces available for Fall. See ad for more details.

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 fullday 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 on- and 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.

UT DALLAS CHESS CAMP

800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson 75080 / (972) 883-4899 / utdallas.edu/chess ) 2014 Summer Chess Camp Campers learn while they PLAY. Chess develops reading, math, critical and analytical skills, and builds character and self-esteem. Just don’t tell the kids…they think chess is fun! Join beginner, intermediate or advanced chess classes for ages 7 to 13 on the UT Dallas campus. Morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (1-4pm) sessions are available June 9-13, June 16-20, July 14-18, July 21-25 and extended playing classes. Camp includes t-shirt, chess board and pieces, trophy, certificate, score book, group photo, snacks and drinks. Instructors are from among UT Dallas Chess Team Pan-Am Intercollegiate Champions for 2010-2012!

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-ofthe-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.

WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL

100 S. Glasgow Dallas 75214 / 972-502-4400 / woodrowwildcats.org A proven college preparation program and a true high school experience. Woodrow graduates attend, year after year, our state’s and country’s finest colleges including Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU, Tech, West Point, Georgetown, Duke, North Carolina, Princeton and Yale, often with meaningful scholarships. With academic programs equaling the best private and magnet schools, Woodrow’s diverse student body also enjoys a traditional high school offering arts, music, dance, theater, math and science clubs, debate and writing competitions and a broad, inclusive and successful sports program, with cheerleaders and drill team. “It’s all at Woodrow and it works.”

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.

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

As more and more food production horror stories surface in books, articles and documentaries, so does a rising trend in East Dallas — urban chicken coops.

“I’m paranoid, so I like the idea that we know where the eggs come from, and we know exactly what the chickens have eaten,” says neighborhood chicken owner Adam Auensen.

Auensen isn’t alone in his sentiments. Bob Richie, an East Dallasite who has been “raising chickens since before it was cool” and building high-end chicken coops for people throughout Dallas, says more people are raising chickens to control their food source.

East Dallas is leading the pack and has been for decades, Richie says, but Oak Cliff is finally picking up steam with the movement as well.

Urban chicken coops became so popular in East Dallas that five years ago, several neighbors, including Richie, created a neighborhood chicken coop tour to benefit neighborhood nonprofits.

Take a peep at these high-security coops in East Dallas

Peep at the Coops, as it’s so aptly called, is a self-guided tour that attracts thousands of visitors every year. A couple of years ago, Stonewall Gardens took over operations of the tour as a fundraiser for the garden every May.

Most people will tell you that raising chickens is pretty simple. As long as they have water

HOW TO GO:

WHAT: Peep at the Coops: The Urban Coop Tour

WHEN: May 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE: Stonewall Gardens, 5828 E. Mockingbird

HOW MUCH: $10

and chicken scratch to nibble on, they’ll spend most of their days clucking around the backyard, eating bugs and other pesky yard dwellers.

“They just walk around the yard turning bugs into eggs, which is awesome. I don’t like bugs, and I like eggs,” Auensen quips. “So I don’t know why everyone doesn’t have chickens.”

When it starts getting dark, the chickens retire to the roost on their own, and their owners lock them in for the night.

But there is one difficult aspect of owning chickens: keeping them safe. Chickens are virtually defenseless, and pretty much every living creature in the neighborhood wants to eat these feathered friends for lunch.

Coyotes, foxes, neighborhood dogs, opossums and hawks are strict adherents to the “eat more chicken” philosophy. One neighbor’s birds even attracted a bobcat — twice! Luckily, both times the cat was unsuccessful in its endeavors. Heck, even raccoons thrill kill, just to be jerks.

Neighbors refuse to give in to the demands of these greedy midnight snackers, but over the years they’ve had to get creative. Here’s what three neighbors, whose coops will be featured on this year’s coop tour, have wrangled up in order to keep their peeps.

Story by Brittany Nunn | Photos by David and Kim Leeson

The hardest part of raising chickens is keeping them safe from predators.

After

469-964-1554

Urban farmers: Bobby and Jean Bonds

Coop name: Original Bonds Design, or “The MacGyver Coop” Cast of characters: Peggy and Red Tail Security level: Booby-trapped

If MacGyver built a chicken coop, there’s a good chance it would look similar to the coop neighbor Bobby Bonds built in his backyard.

“Everybody hates chickens,” Bonds says. “During the day it’s dogs and cats; at night the rats are always trying to get their feed. Obviously hawks, foxes and coyotes.”

One day Bonds was outside doing yard work when one of his hens had a run-in with a hawk. The hen got away without injury, but Bonds knew he had a hawk problem.

“I’ve seen them at least 10 times in one day,” Bonds says.

To remedy the situation, he strung at least half a dozen nets up around his backyard. The bottom is free flowing, so it dangles in the wind and makes it hard for the hawks to see.

“I was outside admiring my handiwork, and this hawk came from a tree over there,” Bonds says, pointing to a neighbor’s yard. “And bam! They don’t see the nets. They’re supposed to have real good eyesight, but they look right through it.”

Bonds built a “tractor style” coop, a style he learned about through internet research and mishmashed for his own personal use. It has wheels on one end, so he can move it around the yard instead of having to clean the coop.

Bonds used PVC pipe as the bones of the structure, which he can fill with water to

weigh down the coop, and he fixed plastic sheets and hardware cloth to the side with zip ties.

He built a step-up feeder, so the chickens have to step onto a lever in order to get to their food. When they do, the door to the feeder springs opens. Rats and squirrels don’t weigh enough to trigger the door.

“I’ve lost some chickens, so I’ve pretty much learned by mistakes,” Bonds explains.

He found out the hard way that their dogs, Alaskan husky mixes, aren’t chicken friendly. He learned he needed to reinforce the door flap with a metal rod to keep it from being pushed inward. Plus, the plastic siding has taken quite a beating of scratch and bite marks, so Bonds no longer lets the dogs near the coop.

“What I would probably do next time is clad the whole thing with hardware cloth, the roof and everything,” Bonds says.

Bobby and Jean Bonds trapped their backyard to make it hawk proof.

Urban farmers: Adam and Ursula Auensen

Coop name: The White House

Cast of characters: Martha, Jackie O, Eleanor, Ladybird, Betty, Mamie “Mimi” Eisenhower, and Dominique Wilkins Security level: Extra sturdy

Adam Auensen wanted chickens years ago, but his wife, Ursula, quickly put the kibosh on that nonsense.

And then came Pinterest.

When Ursula began seeing creative — and quite frankly, adorable chicken coops on the social networking site, she changed her tune.

“I told him, ‘OK, we can do this if you build me a nice chicken coop,’ ” Ursula recalls with a laugh.

Adam put his construction background to good use and also enlisted the help of Ray Bachelder, a professional coop builder, and viola! The Auensens’ very own Pinterest-worthy chicken cottage was born.

They call their coop “The White House,” and also refer to their hens as “the first ladies” — except Dominique Wilkins, whom Adam named after the re-

tired NBA star.

The coop features a window complete with a flower box, a shingled roof, and even a little red chandelier. But don’t be fooled by the delicate touches; their chicken haven also has several top-notch security measures, which is important since the Auensens’ backyard backs up to a creek.

The nesting box is made of HardiePlank, a heavy-duty cement fiber that looks like wood. As a result, the nesting box alone weighs 400 pounds and took four guys to lift.

The entire coop is anchored in layers of materials, so anything that attempts to dig under the coop will have to go through brick, two inches of gravel, chicken wire, dirt and mulch.

Adam lined the coop with hardware cloth — it’s more durable than chicken wire, and rats can’t chew through it.

“The materials on this coop are actually better than what’s on our house,” Adam says.

Neighbors Adam and Ursela Auensen built a chicken coop that’s both aesthetically pleasing and hyper secure.

CONSIDERING CHICKENS? CHECK OUT THESE TIPS FROM BOB RICHIE

• When building your coop, use hardware cloth, not chicken wire. “Chicken wire is great for keeping chickens in but not for keeping predators out,” Richie says.

• Bury your wire into the ground to prevent predators from digging under the coops. Also, raccoons can climb; so make sure the wire goes all the way over.

• Opossums are mostly interested in eggs, so it’s important to collect the eggs every day in order to discourage them from snooping around. Sometimes they like to nibble on chicken feet, so if your chickens have mysterious scratches on their feet, you might have an unwanted visitor.

• Make a dust bath for your chickens to protect from mites: two helpings of peat moss, one helping of ash, one helping of sand, and a sprinkling of food-grade diatomaceous earth.

• Make sure chickens have plenty of space in the coop. If there’s not enough space, the chickens will pick on each other.

• Provide good ventilation. Chickens don’t need to be kept warm; they need ventilation.

Sunday, May 18 10 am – 5 pm

Forest Hills - Little Forest Hills - Casa Linda Estates

Three unique gardens in each neighborhood & Fabulous Plant Sale

Local artists in each garden • Free water & maps

PRESALE: $12 Buy your ticket in advance and get $3 OFF! (Presale tickets May 3-17)

Buy at these local establishments:

Bake and Play Cafe - 6434 E. Mockingbird, Suite 105 75214

Gecko Hardware - 10233 E. Northwest Highway #409 75238

The Green Spot Market - 702 N. Buckner 75218

Buy online: www.whiterockgardentour.org - use the PAYPAL feature DAY OF TOUR: $15 at all nine gardens

Lakewood Office Space

Urban farmers: Crystal and Josh McKibben

Coop name: Coop John B.

Cast of characters: Party, Bill, Meatloaf, Lizard and Wood

Security level: Teched-out

The McKibben coop isn’t for chickens. It’s for ducks.

This year, it will be the first duck coop ever on the tour because Crystal wants to talk with neighbors about raising domestic ducks.

Crystal says she wanted ducks because they’re “much cuter than chickens.”

“I mean, they splash in the water!” Crystal says. “But I’m the person I want to warn against.”

Like many chicken owners, Crystal has had to learn the hard way how to protect her ducks from the neighborhood riffraff.

Not long after the McKibbens adopted ducks, a bobcat began periodically paying visits to their backyard, but it has never been able to get inside the coop.

Unfortunately, the bobcat isn’t the only unwanted visitor. Earlier this year, the McKibbens’ duck Richard — a female Indian runner duck whom we featured in last year’s pet issue — was killed by a hawk.

“I felt like I was responsible for her survival,” Crystal says. “I feel like I let her down. As a poultry owner, I was told I should expect to lose half of my flock, no matter what. It was a statistic I knew going into it, but when it became a reality, that was hard.”

At the time the McKibbens had only two ducks, but when Richard’s mate, Party, lost

his friend, he became lonely. So the McKibbens allowed some of Richard’s eggs to hatch, and also found two full-grown female ducks to even out the male-female ratio.

They also amped up the fortification to protect against future invasion.

They have a pen made with wooden siding and a wire roof for overhead protection. Inside the pen are two plastic tubs where the ducks can splash around.

Beside the pen, the duck coop is a large domed structure covered in hardware cloth. Inside the coop is a cozy wooden nesting box.

The McKibbens also set up a video camera that live-streams video footage online, so the McKibbens can check it anytime.

As an unexpected yet pleasant surprise, the McKibbens have found they’re not the only ones who enjoy watching the ducks’ shenanigans.

“People from all over the world log in to see, What are the ducks doing?” McKibben says. “It’s fun.”

Even the neighborhood bobcats can’t find a way into the McKibben duck coop.

Update:

Will the White Rock Lake restaurant proposal live or die?

Story by Emily Toman

The long and arduous process that must take place for a White Rock Lake restaurant to ever become a reality still is in its infancy as area residents Lyle Burgin and Richard Kopf continue to present their proposal to neighborhood groups.

So far, anyone who supports the restaurant has not gone to such lengths as those who oppose it in the form of petitions, and the Save Boy Scout Hill website and Facebook page. The notion of permanently handing over parkland is too hard to swallow for many residents around the lake.

Nonetheless, Burgin and Kopf are forging ahead, discussing details they hope will result in a few more open minds. “A big portion of what we’re doing relates to the restoration of the Blackland prairie,” Burgin says. “We want this restaurant to feel like a place that’s been here forever.” Besides preserving native prairie grasses, the developers want to plant more around the site and add an educational nature trail that would extend from the restaurant down the hill, featuring markers to identify the different types of native grasses.

As for the location, Burgin and Kopf say the restaurant and its decomposed granite parking lot of 160 spaces would cover about two and a

A coveted view from Boy Scout Hill:

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

half acres of the hill southwest of Mockingbird and Buckner. The site totals about 14,500 square feet, although opponents estimate its footprint would be much larger, considering the effect on the surrounding area.

One of the chief concerns is that the restaurant could open the door for other commercialization at the lake. Burgin and Kopf insist they’ve chosen the most ideal spot with the lowest impact. “We think this is the best location,” Kopf says, “but we also think it’s the only location.”

The developers suggest that the restaurant would act as a nonprofit similar to Savor in Klyde Warren Park, but they have not released any details about how it would work — such as who would operate it, and what percentage of profits would actually benefit the lake. Enough to make a difference?

“Those are details that are too far into the future,” Burgin says.

Opponents aren’t buying it and have gathered more than 2,000 signatures against the restaurant.

City Councilman Sheffie Kadane says he can’t take an active role in the debate since the proposal hasn’t yet reached the city. But says, “I’m leaning with the neighborhoods. That’s not to say it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

Amid all the noise against the restaurant, Kadane says he has received just one formal letter of opposition from the newly formed White Rock East Coalition of Area Neighborhoods, which includes Old Lake Highlands, Peninsula and Lochwood.

The White Rock Lake Task Force hasn’t taken an official stance on the proposal, pending more information, but the general feeling is negative, says president Michael Jung.

The developers and Willis Winters, the Dallas Parks and Recreation director, have stressed from the outset that the restaurant will not reach city hall without enough neighborhood support. How is that support measured? After years of dreaming up the idea and months of neighborhood meetings, Burgin and Kopf don’t have an answer to that question.

“We haven’t developed a measurement mentality yet,” Burgin says. “That’s what were working on right now.”

STAY IN THE KNOW

Follow the latest updates about the White Rock Lake restaurant proposal at lakewood.advocatemag.com.

A MOTHER’S DAY TRADITION

The activist spirit behind the annual Swiss Avenue home tour

Mother’s Day in East Dallas — quick, what comes to mind? Brunch with Mom? Flowers? How about the Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home Tour?

Though it is a lovely, well-oiled machine now, tales of its formation and the early days of the tour offer a fascinating glimpse at a much younger Dallas.

Little-known fact: Mother’s Day has its roots in the post-Civil War ideals of peace activists Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis. The home tour, too, came about at the hands of activists — the neighborhood variety. Worried residents organized the tour as a reaction to an alarming trend of urban decay on the street. The once elegant face of Swiss Avenue, the first paved street in Dallas, changed after World War II. Rapid growth and the baby boom necessitated the conversion of formerly single-family dwellings to rooming houses and apartments.

“Converting to multi-family use was considered patriotic,” says Virginia Savage McAlester, longtime Swiss Avenue resident and author of a several books on architecture. Over time, though, the changes wrought on Swiss Avenue’s homes created an aura not of stability but of transience. Realtors, recalls McAlester, actively steered clients away from Swiss Avenue properties, even labeling the area as “dangerous.”

Determined to change perceptions, preserve their neighborhood, and earn historic district designation, McAlester and others involved in the Historic Preservation League circled the wagons. “We wanted people to know about our neighborhood,” she says. Thus was born the home tour 41 years ago.

Harryette Ehrhardt, former State Representative and Swiss Avenue resident for 43 years, remembers the first tour, her own home among those opened to the public. “We anticipated a few hundred people and had 2,500,” she says. Adds McAlester, “We were stunned by the large turnout.”

Martha Heimberg was there for the first tour and vividly recalls fun preparations. “Some of us bolstered our historic spirit, dressing up in period outfits. Dorothy Sav-

age, a founding member of the Historic Preservation League, went into her fabulous closet and retrieved beautiful vintage dresses and priceless hats and long gloves that her fashionable mother had worn in the 1920s and ’30s. Virginia McAlester, Dorothy’s daughter, and I had a fabulous time putting our outfits together.”

Those early tours were fun but perhaps a bit “naive,” Ehrhardt laughs. Docents now guide guests through homes, but back in the day, it was “very much a do-it-yourself thing. We had no help to show the house and simply opened it up for folks to wander around as they liked.” And money matters, well, they were a bit more relaxed back then. Ehrhardt remembers counting admission fees with neighbor Virginia Bonifeld. “We went around and picked up money during the weekend, dumped it on her dining room table in front of her open window and counted it out with piles of dollars, fives, etc., no protection from anyone walking by.”

Unfortunately, their trusting spirit didn’t always serve them well. At one of the first tours, a group of filmmaking students from a prominent local university approached them with a desire to make a documentary about Swiss Avenue, its history and the home tour. McAlester said they were thrilled, eager to possess a “great historic record of our neighborhood.” At the students’ request, Swiss Avenue Historic District sprang for 16 mm film for the cameras and even a helicopter for some cool overhead shots. Tour organizers went all out with period costumes and antique cars to lend authenticity to the scene. Students were observed busily filming all

Photo by David Leeson

a secure future for yourself and your loved ones is your primary objective, but if you don’t have a Will, then the State of Texas gets to decide who gets what after you depart this world.

the goings-on, and the tour ended. Weeks passed, no word from the students. Alas, organizers never saw one frame nor heard from the students again. Here’s hoping that one of those students reads this and does the right thing, lo these many years later.

Despite this disappointing episode and the inevitable learning curve involved, Swiss Avenue folks have always heartily embraced the tradition, gladly opening up their homes. McAlester’s house, built in 1917 and in her family since 1921, has been part of the tour at least a couple of times. Though happy to do their part for the tour, McAlester admits getting a home ready for such scrutiny is no easy feat. McAlester laughingly recalls her father, Wallace Savage (mayor of Dallas in the late 1940s) complaining, amid the frantic cleaning, repainting and general fixing up, that they were “going to a lot of trouble to show people how we really live.”

The activist spirit of Mother’s Day lives on in the organizers of the Swiss Avenue Historic District Home Tour. Funds go back into the community: neighborhood schools, branch libraries, the beautiful median running from Fitzhugh to La Vista. And history is preserved: “We think of these homes,” Ehrhardt says, “as in our care for generations to come — not as our personal property as much as ours to take care of for the next generation. The tour is a way of saying thank you to Dallas.”

FOR DETAILS ABOUT

this year’s Swiss Avenue home tour, see page 25.

Patti Vinson is a guest writer who has lived in East Dallas for 14 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 (12) and Will (9). The family often can be found hanging out at White Rock Lake Dog Park with Dexter, a probable JackWeenie.

BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

Send

Closed for business

Emeritus at Vickery Towers is working to relocate its 243 residents with plans to close the facility on July 15. The retirement home, which includes assisted living, independent living and memory care, has operated off Lower Greenville and Belmont since 1968. Spokesperson Summer Hammerle says they wanted to provide a more modernized community (larger commons areas, a movie theater, etc.), but the cost to renovate the old building is just too great. “It’s almost impossible for us to do,” she says. “It’s the right thing to do for our residents.”

Temporary move

Ace Hardware moved out of its location in the Lakewood Shopping Center. Although it’s not coming back to Lakewood Shopping Center, it hasn’t left the neighborhood. Ace has moved to a temporary location while it

More business bits

waits for its new building in Arboretum Village to be finished, says owner Khandoo Nagar. Ace moved to Lakeview Shopping Center (another Lincoln property) at Gaston-Garland-Grand, which is the shopping center where Cane Rosso and the White Rock YMCA are located. Ace is temporarily operating in the space where Premium Title Lending used to be.

Henderson Happenings

Black Forest Biergarten, the latest beer joint at Henderson and McMillan, opened in March next to the old Pearl Cup location. Right next door, The Slip Inn on Henderson hosted its last party in April before it closed its doors for good, and right around the corner, Annie’s Culinary Creations, a boutique-style custom bakery, opened on Henderson at the end of February in the old V Spot location.

—Brittany Nunn

1 Steel City Popsicles is coming to Lower Greenville, offering flavors such as blood orange, pineapple jalapeño, cherry sour cream, chocolate, chocolate chili and hibiscus. 2 Knot Standard , a new fashion showroom on Knox-Henderson, opened in early April. 3 Hope Clothing and Consignment, at 9440 Garland between Starbucks and Natural Grocers in Casa Linda Plaza, is now closed. The shop, which was operated by Austin Street Center, one of the city’s biggest nonprofit homeless shelters, opened in February of 2013. 4 Lakewood sisters Amelia and Leah Starr — a licensed massage therapist and a licensed esthetician, respectively — created Lakewood Body Care on Greenville. 5 Rollngo, the new Vietnamese fast-food restaurant created by the folks who run Bistro B, is now open on Upper Greenville, next door to Humperdink’s.

Black Forest Biergarten

GET IN CONTACT

Emeritus at Vickery Towers 5619 BELMONT AVE 214.452.2359

EMERITUS.COM

Ace Hardware 7330 GASTON 214.821.5680

Black Forest Biergarten 1804 MCMILLAN

214.826.2437

GLASSBOOTBIERGARTEN.COM

Annie’s Culinary Creations

1908 N. HENDERSON

214.328.2253

ANNIESCULINARYCREATIONS.COM

Knot Standard 5207 BONITA

855.784.8960

KNOTSTANDARD.COM

Lakewood Body Care 1811 GREENVILLE 214.998.6735

214.395.8491

LAKEWOODBODYCARE.COM

Rollngo 6110 GREENVILLE 866.765.5123

FRESHROLLNGO.COM

LAKEWOODOAKCLIFF.ADVOCATEMAG.COM/BIZ

Does your congregation have a heart for weaving?

Faith Inclusion Network of Dallas

Building Inclusion in Our Faith Communities

We’re here to help faith-based communities FIND ways to weave inclusion of individuals with special needs into our North Texas congregations.

The Faith Inclusion Network of Dallas (FIND) is a collaborative network of community leaders, organizations and service providers committed to impacting change within faith-based communities and congregations in the ways individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families find opportunities to fully engage socially, emotionally, academically, spiritually and in service to others.

WEAVING INCLUSION INTO OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES Free Symposium | June 19th and 20th

Julie Chapman | Project Director | Faith Inclusion Network of Dallas 469.206.1657 | jchapman@JFSdallas.org

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

RIDGECREST BAPTIST / 5470 Ellsworth / 214.826.2744

Sun. Life Groups 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 am / Wed. Nights 6:00 pm

Pastor Greg Byrd / www.rcbcdallas.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 9:30 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

GET OUT OF DODGE

Are you going places?

Summer plans often include vacations away from home. Whether you board a plane for Europe, a train for Chicago, or a minivan for grandma’s house, taking a trip gets you out of your comfort zone.

Turns out that if you are going places, you may end up going places. Travel not only takes you places, it stretches you in ways that are good for you.

The Bible tells of one journey after another that ends up being soul travel. God called Abram to leave his home in Mesopotamia to go to a land God would show him. So Abram went. That’s all we hear about his decision to leave everything and go. The payoff of that answered call to travel was that he became the father of multitudes and the forebear of the three great monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Jesus forsook a quiet life among kin in Galilee for a showdown with demonic powers that needed defeating. He knew in his bones he had to travel to Jerusalem. It wasn’t vacation; it was vocation. His sacrificial journey taught his followers not to settle. Each of us, too, has to risk security for salvation.

St. Paul’s missionary journeys across the Mediterranean broke the church out of its provincialism. Christianity thus began 2,000-plus years of adaptation to culture. Faith truly is at home in the world only when it refuses to make itself at home in any part of the world.

Homer’s “Odyssey,” Virgil’s adaptation of it called “The Aeneid,” and Dante’s spiritualized rendering of the same theme in “The Divine Comedy” all employ this motif of life as a journey. Great things are learned on the move.

The peril of meeting up with people who live differently from you, who look and

dress and eat differently from your folk, who think and work and play differently from the clan you were reared in, is more promising than the opposite peril of staying put. Never venturing far from home, you breed fear of outsiders, reinforce walls of prejudice, and pass on only local knowledge. When you encounter a wider world, you find that kindness takes you far, that

hospitality to strangers is in your self-interest, and that God is bigger than your tribe.

Travel teaches flexibility. It tests ingenuity. It expands the soul.

Of course, you can travel like you never left home: insulating yourself from the foreigners you visit by staying inside the resort the whole time and never interacting with the people. You can eat at McDonald’s almost anywhere and miss the flavors of foods you would never taste otherwise. You can carry the ugly American brand with you instead of showing off our national spirit of discovery. But what would be the point of leaving home if you don’t really leave home at home?

In the last of his “Four Quartets” called “Little Gidding,” the poet T. S. Eliot hints that it is the God who made us who beckons us to embark on this spiritual journey. “With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling/ We shall not cease from exploration/ And the end of all our exploring/ Will be to arrive where we started/ And know the place for the first time.”

You have to leave home in order to know it.

Great things are learned on the move

Travel teaches flexibility. It tests ingenuity. It expands the soul.

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.

Schools

Woodrow Wilson High School has been searching for a new school logo for several months, due to a copyright infringement complaint concerning the earlier logo. The wait has ended: A father of two from New York submitted the winning bid after coming across the online request for entries from the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation, which sorted through 185 entries from 150 individuals before selecting Michael Condello’s for the $500 first prize. The money was donated by the school’s Alumni Association, the Woodrow PTA and parents Mindy Fagin and Susan Schuerger. “I wanted to create a modern Wildcat that looked different from all the others out there and one that would give Woodrow a unique, sleek identity,” Condello says. “Plus, I wanted to be sure your football team will have a great logo for their helmets.”

Lakewood Home Festival announced the fundraising results for 2013. It was a record year, bringing in $150,000, which was then disbursed among three Lakewood schools: $95,000 to Lakewood Elementary, $40,000 to Long Middle, and $15,000 to Woodrow High.

Community

A year after the terroristic and deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon, members of the White Rock Running Co-op said they were grateful return to the 2014 race. Last year, Lochwood resident James Ayers departed the race grounds an hour or so before hell broke loose. He left Boston last year grateful for he and his wife Amber’s safety (she was waiting for him near the finish line), impressed by Boston’s swift resilience and determined to return. But, like the rest of the day’s marathoners, bafflement and depression trumped a wide range of other feelings. A sub-three hour marathoner, James handily qualified for the 2014 marathon, and the couple decided returning to this year’s race would be a privilege. “Being a part of this year’s race is important to me because of its significance. This particular race seems to epitomize overcoming adversity. The belief that we press forward in life despite difficult situations and circumstances is something that is important to me,” Ayers says. “To see the way the city came together after last year’s horrific events was incredible. I don’t doubt that this year’s race and the events that surround it during Patriot’s day will serve as another chance for the city to move on and become stronger. It will be a special day for the city and one that I am very proud to be a part of.”

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.

WALTON’S LAWN & GARDEN CENTER

Great gifts and home accents for any style or taste. From picture frames, vases, to candles, artwork and wind chimes, you’re sure to find something special for any occasion. 8652 Garland Rd. 214.321.2387 waltonsgarden.com

THE STORE IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

For family celebrations, for gala affairs, for holidays, for everyday… HAPPY EVERYTHING celebrates all of life’s occasions in style. 10233 E NW Hwy @ Ferndale (near Albertsons) 214.553.8850 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 TheStoreinLH.com

GECKO HARDWARE

Chick Days! Start your backyard flock with help from our experts at Gecko Hardware - and ask about our “No Rooster Guarantee”. Like us on Facebook for schedule of chick workshops and specials.

10233 E. NW Hwy @ Ferndale (near Albertsons) 214.343.1971 GeckoHardware.com

YOGA MART

Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts galore. Wrist mala, chimes and carved stone boxes from India and more. Yoga Mart 6039 Oram (at Skillman) 214.534.4469 yogamartusa.com

T.HEE GREETINGS

Announce your Graduate in style. T. Hee offers personalized graduation announcements and invitations plus everything you need for the big event! T. Hee Greetings locations, Lakewood and Lake Highlands. 214.747.5800 t-heegifts.com

Call 214.292.0486 or email foundation@advocatemag.com

Exemplary art students

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) and the Texas Cultural Trust announces the 2014 class of Young Masters, a grant program that provides exemplary art students in grades 8-11 with the financial help they need to pursue advanced study in the areas of visual arts, literary arts, music, musical theatre, theatre, dance and media arts. Five of the students attend Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Sophie Anthony, Meg Mickelsen and Sydney Shreve.

Local BULLETIN BOARD

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.

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

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

DRUM & PIANO LESSONS Your location. UNT Grad. BucherMusicSchool.com or call 214-484-5360, 469-831-7012

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

TUTORING: Writing coach. Manuscript Editor. 20+ years exp. 469-263-7004

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. Job Placement Assistance. AIM 866-453-6204

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES 3108

Seeking Bar Staff. Apply In Person.@ 8500 Arturo Dr. 75228

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

DISH TV Retailer. Save. Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months) Free Premium Movie Channels. Free Equipment, Installation & Activation. Compare Local Deals. 1-800-309-1452

GRAPHIC DESIGN BY SOZA DESIGN Logos, Brochures, Posters & More. wsoza@yahoo.com 214-287-6499

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

Sydney Shreve

Sophie Anthony

Meg Mickelsen

Art for DART

Vivien Behrens, who lives in Casa Linda and attends Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, won Best of Show in DART’s annual city-wide student art contest. Her art will be displayed on a DART bus throughout the summer.

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

Local

Resources

TO ADVERTISE 214.560.4203

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OSTEOPATHY—CRANIAL OSTEOPATH For structural or internal problems, head & body, newborn, young child, all ages. Liz Chapek, D.O. 214-341-8742. www.chapek.doctorsoffice.net

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

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

LOST PET?

Local BULLETIN BOARD

PET SERVICES

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

POOP SCOOP PROFESSIONALS Trust The Experts. 214-826-5009

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. Interviews to be Conducted to Launch a Business in Dallas. 401-741-7596 healthandwealthct@gmail.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 214.560.4203

>> List your lost pet ad for free online.

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 LIQUIDATORS DALLAS Prof. service since 1981 Call Ruth. 972-818-3000. 214-566-3861

estateliquidatorsdallas@yahoo.com

ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATION SERVICES

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

REAL ESTATE

20 ACRES 0 DOWN, Only $119/month. No Credit Checks. Near El Paso, Texas. Beautiful Views. Money Back Guarantee. 1-800-882-5263 Ext.81 www.sunsetranches.net

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

BRIAN GREAM RENOVATIONS LLC

• 1 & 2 Story Additions

• Complete Renovations

• Kitchens/Baths

• Licensed/Insured

214.542.6214

CLEANING SERVICES

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

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

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

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

THE CABINET CONCIERGE

The

Storage. Call 214-821-5900

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

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS, LLC

Complete Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths, Additions. Hardie Siding & Replacement Windows. Radiant Barrier, Insulation. Bonded & Insured. www.blake-construction.com 214-563-5035

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

CONNER FAMILY BUILDERS Since 1901. Home remodeling & painting. Superior quality, free estimates. Satisfaction guaranteed. A+ BBB Terry 469-338-1202 connerfamilybuilders.com

D SQUARED

Design, Build, Remodel, Additions 214-213-2716

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! JCIRemodeling.com

972-948-5361

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Commercial/Residential. Construction & Remodel www.ObrienGroupInc.com

RENOVATE DALLAS

renovatedallas.net

214-341-1448

214-403-7247

RONALD L. SIEBLER

Remodeling & Historic Preservation www.Siebler.com 214-546-7579

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872 Complete Full Service Repairs, Remodeling, Restoration.

Name It- We do it. Tommy. insured. http://dallas. tkremodelingcontractors.com

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

CARPORTS

NEW

Imported from Japan Carports, Patio & Pool Covers

214-288-6242

JetofTexas.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

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

BRICK & STONE REPAIR

Don 214-704-1722

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

BRICK, STONEWORK, FLAGSTONE PATIOS

Mortar Repair. Call George 214-498-2128

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

CLEANING SERVICES

AMAZON CLEANING

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

CALL GRIME STOPPERS - 214-724-2555

Wanted: Houses To Clean & Windows to Wash 20 yrs exp. Reliable, Efficient, Excellent Refs.

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

INGRID CLEANING SERVICES Reliable, Dependable. Habla Español 214-395-1190

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

MAID PRISTINE House Cleaning For Perfectionists. Reliable. Leticia. maidpristine.com 972-971-1571

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

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

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

Business Resources

TO ADVERTISE 214.560.4203

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

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

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

DALLAS CARPET OUTLET Carpet/Wood/Tile. dallascarpetoutlet.com 214-342-1100

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

WILLEFORD HARDWOOD FLOORS

214-824-1166 • WillefordHardwoodFloors.com

FLOORING & CARPETING

Restoration Flooring

HANDYMAN SERVICES

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

HOUSE PAINTING BRIAN GREAM

25+ Years Experience

469.774.3147

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

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

CLEARWINDOWSANDDOORS.COM

Replacement Windows & Doors Free Estimate 214-274-5864

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

#1 AT BIG JOBS. NO JOB TOO SMALL. 40+ years exp. Ron Payne 214-755-9147

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

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

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

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

HOME INSPECTION

KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

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

D.R. TILE SERVICE

Free Estimates•Wood•Marble•Tile•Travertine Kitchens & Baths•Countertops. 214-536-0045

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

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

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS, LLC

Complete Painting Interior/Exterior, Stain Etc. Custom Finishes, Custom Texture, Custom Trim www.blake-construction.com Fully Bonded & Insured. 214-563-5035

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

HANDY DAN “The Handyman” Remodels Done Right. handy-dan.com 214-252-1628

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 WE

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

25% OFF TREE WORK Trim. Roberts Tree Svc. Insd. 10 yrs exp. 214-808-8925

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

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

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

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

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

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)

SERIOUSLY METICULOUS Verdant Grounds. 214-763-0492

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

THE POND MAN Water Gardens

Designed & Installed. Drained & Cleaned. Weekly Service. Jim Tillman 214-769-0324

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

A Better Tree Company

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

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

MICHAEL’S POOL SERVICE

Maintenance & Repair 214-727-7650

ROOFING & GUTTERS

A&B GUTTER 972-530-5699

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

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

NATIONWIDE ROOFING

Fencing, Gutters BBB member. 214-882-8719

Allstate Homecraft Roofing

• Roofing & Remodel

• Additions

• Licensed/Insured

Over 1,000 Satisfied Customers in the Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow, Park

BERT ROOFING INC.

Family

972-746-2197

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 214-560-4203. 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.

JUNE DEADLINE MAY 7

ED & LH

TAILGATE TAKEN.

Sheryl Landman and her husband, John, had been sprucing up the yard a bit just in time for spring. The tailgate on their 2011 Ford pickup was down so they could take out cedar mulch and spread it in the flowerbeds. After a couple of hours of hard work, they closed the tailgate and went inside.

The Victim: Sheryl Landman

The Crime: Auto accessory theft

Date: Monday, March 10

Time: Between 10 p.m. (March 10) and 6 a.m. (March 11)

Location: 9700 block of Van Dyke

A few hours later, that same tailgate was gone.

call 214.560.4203 or email

COSMETIC AND GENERAL DENTISTRY

DENA T. ROBINSON, DDS www.drdenarobinson.com

Rotated for 5-14>>

“My husband just forgot to lock it,” Landman says. “It was just a fluke.”

A neighbor’s camera caught the crime on video, but the identity of the suspect is still unknown.

Because this was the second time this has happened in two years, Landman tends to believe that someone who lives in or works in the neighborhood may have seen the couple working in the yard and taken advantage of them. Replacing the tailgate is not cheap. It has a backup camera and ladder built

8:15 a.m. 13 $5,000

The

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department

in and will cost about $1,750 to replace. Dallas Police Sgt. Keitric Jones of the Northeast Patrol Division says this type of crime is one of many common auto accessory crimes and can be a real nuisance to victims. While there is not a lot residents can do to prevent these offenses, parking in safe locations and secure garages always helps. Police also recommend engraving the VIN of the vehicle somewhere on the tailgate in a non-obvious spot so that it might be recovered.

The Landmans also are taking extra measures by installing a security system and cameras.

This year, we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary serving the East Dallas/ White Rock Lake Community. Thank you for your loyalty and support along the way. Join us on Facebook as we celebrate!

FAGD - Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry 8940 Garland Rd., Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75218 214.321.6441

OPTOMETRIST

DR. CLINT MEYER www.dallaseyeworks.com

Did you know that studies indicate you blink 50% less often when staring at a computer. Staring at a computer for hours, or walking and biking around the lake with lots of allergens in the air can lead to Dry Eye! It can be very uncomfortable and the tearing is distracting and annoying. Let Dr. Meyer help you develop a plan to treat your dry eye, so you can enjoy your normal work, sport, and leisurly activities. Call Dallas Eyeworks today to schedule an appointment. Dallas Eyeworks 9225 Garland Rd., Ste. 2120, Dallas, TX 75218 214.660.9830

FEATURE

Reach our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750

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

Sean Chaffin 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.

The time when a suspect slammed into the vehicle of Sandy Vasquez at Homer and Monticello in the M Streets and then fled on foot. At presstime, the suspects were still at large.

The age of Ethan Vasquez, who died as a result of the crash. His 40-year-old mother Sandy was still in critical condition at presstime.

reward Crime Stoppers is offering for tips about the suspect, who police are pursuing with capital murder charges. Anyone with information should call 214.671.3661.

WE JUST GOT UBER-ED

City staff sides with developers over conservation district re-write

You remember the scandal at Dallas City Hall a few months back? City staff was crafting a new ordinance to regulate (outlaw) the popular Uber rideshare app that offered an alternative to traditional taxicabs. And boy, did the staff’s ordinance stick it to the erstwhile competitor. Turns out, the attorney for taxicabs was ghostwriting the new law. New City Manager A.C. Gonzalez almost lost his promotion because of the clear and obvious bias.

requirements for neighborhoods seeking conservation district status. And, similar to the Uber affair, staff sided with the developers with no real input from the preservation community.

You see, most builders in Dallas don’t like historic preservation or conservation districts. They want to build exactly what they want to build, exactly where they want to build it. Those pesky conservation districts make up an infinitesimal percentage of all homes in Dallas. What are builders supposed to do? Build on the other tens of thousands of lots? Or worse, build houses that conform to conservation district standards?

percent of all property owners. That’s an enormous hurdle. But staff happily sided with builders without any real input from neighborhoods or preservationists. Why impose stricter rules for conservation districts than for any other zoning applicant?

We just got Uber-ed.

Now, the city’s historic preservation community is getting the Uber treatment, with conservation districts in the crosshairs. Staff has been working for the last several years to draft an onerous new process for neighborhoods seeking conservation district protection.

Fortunately for us, East Dallas Councilman Philip Kingston and Belmont Addition Conservation District leader Melissa Kingston uncovered emails between staff and homebuilders emails in which builder representatives describe page upon page of strict new

City staff and the Dallas Builders Association were in full agreement on the most damaging aspects of the proposed ordinance changes. When the DBA demanded that neighborhoods seeking conservation district status obtain the approval of 75 percent of all property owners, staff ensured it was part of the proposed ordinance.

This is a one-two punch in the gut of preservation. In all other requests for zoning changes, zoning ballots are advisory only. The city plan commission — the zoning board appointed by city council — can ignore ballots altogether if they so choose. Now, the DBA and city staff want to make this requirement mandatory — but only for conservation districts.

The DBA and city staff also propose to change how the percentage of “yes” votes is calculated. Right now, in all zoning cases in Dallas, staff counts the “for” and “against” responses as a percentage of the number of ballots returned. But the DBA wants to require conservation districts to have the approval of 75

Looking back, the city tipped its hand long before we knew the staff was colluding with developers. Generally, when city staff members draft new legislation, they first present it to the relevant city council committee to receive feedback: Budget and Finance, Economic Development, Quality of Life, Housing or Public Safety.

Back in 2010, when the staff decided that our CD ordinance (which had worked so well for decades) was, in fact, broken, members briefed their ideas to the Economic Development Committee. Not the Housing Committee, not the Quality of Life Committee. They went straight to Economic Development, a committee that, at the time, was loaded with anti-preservationist councilmembers.

As usual, in Dallas, it’s more about making it easier for developers to make money than improving neighborhoods for the people who live here. You would think that if city staff was changing the way conservation districts are created, it might reach out to the very neighborhood leaders who were instrumental in creating conservation districts. You know, the people who actually know where the rubber meets the road, the ones who can identify any problems in the process and suggest ways of making it better.

You would be wrong.

Looking back, the city tipped its hand long before we knew the staff was colluding with developers.

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.

THE market

DOVETAIL SHUTTERS

Custom Shutters

11649 Chairman Drive, Suite 2 Dallas, TX 75243 214-342-0889 dovetailshutters.com

Hand-crafted by Louis Wiggins for 45 years, In-house fabrication, Hand-crafted dovetail construction, Individually assembled units, Custom color or stain match, Professionally installed

CREATIVE ARTS CENTER OF DALLAS

Create Art+Build Community 2830 Laughlin Drive Dallas, TX 75228 214.320.1275

www.creativeartscenter.org

Discover the artist within at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas (CAC). CAC offers more than 500 art classes and workshops each year in everything from metal to mosaic!

UNREFINED BAKERY

Restaurant

718 N. Buckner Blvd. #154 Dallas, TX 75218 3426 Greenville Avenue #150 Dallas, TX 75206 www.UnrefinedBakery.com

Spring is here, we have all you need for picnics and cook-outs: Buns, cookies, cupcakes, and treats. Free of gluten, soy, dairy, and more, paleo and vegan too!

CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

Home Improvement

Barry O’Brien

972-342-7232

ccrbarry.com

Creative Construction has specialized in bathroom and kitchen remodels, as well as room additions in the Dallas area for over 20 years. Customer references available. Call us for your quote today!

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER

Tours

2299 County Road 2008 Glen Rose, Texas 76043 254.897.2960 fossilrim.org

Reserve your spot on the Mother’s Day Sunset Safari Dinner and Tour on May 10, 2014. Show your Mom how much she means to you this Mother’s Day with a delicious dinner followed by a scenic wildlife tour at sunset.

THE CORNER MARKET

Florist/Deli/M Streets

3426 Greenville Ave, Dallas Tx 75206 DELI 214-826-8282

FLOWERS 214-826-8283 www.cornermarketdallas.com

Texas Waldorf Salad, with toasted Texas pecans and Italian parsley from our rooftop garden, featured in Southern Living’s cookbook. Signed copies available at our store for Mother’s Day gifts. Great selection of cards, flowers, and gifts.

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, MAY 10 & 11, 2014

Saturday, May 10th, 10 AM – 6 PM

Sunday, May 11th, NOON – 6 PM

Mother’s Day Music & Brunch In The Park, Sunday 11 AM – 2 PM

Tickets at area Whole Foods Markets, Talulah Belle in Lakewood, and at SAHD.ORG. $20 In Advance, $25 Weekend of Tour. Kids 12 & Under, Free. For details and to buy tickets online, visit SAHD.ORG. Brunch tickets $22. For brunch reservations, call 214.826.6075.

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