Live Loca L

T HE LOWDOWN ON WHAT ’ S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

La c a LL e Doce an D c owboy c hicken ce L ebrate 30 years

Happy Anniversary to La calle Doce ! The beloved Mexican seafood and Tex-Mex restaurant celebrates 30 years on September 15. Not even a fire that caused the Live Oak and Skillman restaurant to temporarily close for eight months in late 2008 and early 2009 could bring it down. c owboy c hicken at Greenville and Lovers recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, too. The Dallas-based restaurant specializes in natural, hormone-free rotisserie chicken, and offers it in the form of platters, sandwiches, salads and tacos, along with comfort food sides.

• La Calle Doce, 1925 Skillman, 214.824.9900, lacalledoce-dallas.com

• Cowboy Chicken, 5315 Greenville, 214.234.0505, cowboychicken.com sL eep e xperts D onates be D s for homeL ess famiLies

C A ju N r ES tA ur AN

Business buzz:

“I was sad to hear of Hector’s on Henderson closing. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for that place.

Alligator Café owner Ivan Pugh is opening a second location of his popular Cajun restaurant in the former Frankie’s Little Europe space in Casa Linda. The original Alligator Café at Live Oak and Carroll has been a best-kept secret in East Dallas for years. The new location will have the same tried-and-true menu as the original plus baby-back ribs, pulled pork, crab claws, voodoo jambalaya and more. “We’re adding more pork dishes to the menu to make it more Creole, plus a full bar, more jazz and blues bands, and a patio,” Pugh says. Pugh describes the intended atmosphere as that of a “nice restaurant in the French Quarter.”

It was my first experience as executive chef, and where I got to realize my vision for my food. I wish Hector the best, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. I have already hired one the waiters who worked with me at Hector’s, so it will be a great reunion!”

DFW-based Sleep Experts has teamed with the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and the Dallas Housing Authority to give less-fortunate families a better night’s sleep. The mattress retailer is donating 50 beds to permanent supportive housing provided by the alliance, which helps homeless families transition from The Bridge homeless shelter to appointed housing. The first delivery of 30 twin mattress sets was to the Mayan Palms Apartments in East Dallas. Family Gateway is working to provide these families and others with fully furnished homes. “Sleep Experts’ gift of mattresses and box springs will provide more than just a place to sleep for formerly homeless children and their families,” says Robert Alberts, executive director of Family Gateway. “Having a bed of their very own will help to create a sense of home, comfort and stability that these children have often lacked throughout their lives.”

Blythe Beck, Central 214’s executive chef, when asked about the closure of Hector’s on Henderson, where she worked her way from sous chef to executive chef

A Woodrow Wilson High School alumnus, Pugh is considering a move back into East Dallas, and he can’t wait to return. “I chose this location because I liked the look of the building and the area’s high traffic,” Pugh says. “This one is going to be even better than the first. This gets my creative juices flowing. You’ve got to keep going further in life, and I’ve been bored.”

• Alligator Café, 4416 Live oak, 214.821.6900. eatgator.com

M Str EE t S DES iGNE r S LA u NCH DENiM LiNE

• Sleep Experts, 3007 N. Henderson, 214.237.5294, sleepexperts.com and meeting their website designers during an airport layover. The business partners say their jeans are comfortable and slimming, and they’re so simple that they’re wearable for years without going out of style. “Of course this is Texas, and it’s so hot. So our goal was to find the perfect fabric for Texas,” Miller says. “It’s your everyday jean because it’s so comfortable.” has opened a Lakewood location on Kidwell. The city-wide martial arts instruction provider offers classes for men, women and children in kenpo karate, jiu-jitsu, aikido, judo and self-defense.

M Streets residents Megan Carreker and Aimee Miller have launched a premium denim line called Hip Chixs Sold exclusively at The Blues Jean Bar in Snider Plaza, Hip Chixs jeans come in two washes (light and dark) and two cuts (the boot-cut “Skinny Bootie” and the skinny jean “Straight and Narrow”), and sell for $181. Carreker and Miller, who were sorority sisters at Baylor University, started working on the line about three and a half years ago. Carreker, a fashion stylist, and Miller, who owns about 70 pairs of jeans, flew to Los Angeles with a few leads and figured out the fashion manufacturing business by trial and error. But they say they were lucky at every step, quickly finding a mentor in L.A.

Do you kNow of A NEiGHborHooD buSiNESS renovating, expanding, moving, launching, hosting an event, celebrating an anniversary, offering a special or something else noteworthy? Send the information to livelocal@advocatemag.com or call 214.292.0487.

Hollywood Heights resident Theresa Worm has been cutting hair in Dallas for 30 years, and one client in particular inspired her to open her new salon, “A client of mine had just been diagnosed with cancer, and she came in holding a wig,” Worm says. “She asked that I cut and style her hair to look like the wig now, before she began chemo, so she and others could get used to the new look.” From that More Than a Wig was born. The salon carries a selection of wigs and wig-care products and specializes in helping cancer patients choose wigs that are flattering to their face shapes and skin tones. “We also offer family hair care, haircuts, coloring, manicures, pedicures, make-up applications and eyebrow services,” Worm says.

MEGHAN RINEY to read weekly updates on neighborhood businesses:

The lab @ lakewood

5304 Junius St., Dallas, TX 75214 / 214.901.4280 / www.thelabdallas.com

The Lab is a fun place for kids to learn about science! Programs include a mix of demonstrations, hands-on experiments and auditory and sensory stimulation in a fun, age-appropriate environment. Servicing all school-aged children, we offer on-site birthday parties, science fair project mentoring, homework help, enrichment classes, school assemblies and Scout programs. Please visit our website for up to date calendar of activities and events, www.thelabdallas.com.

Munger Square Child Care

5302 Junius St / www.mungerchildcare. com / 469.248.2905 Nestled in historic East Dallas, MSCC offers smaller class sizes than most daycare centers for more individualized attention. Infants through preschoolers are treated to a loving, nurturing, safe, clean, esthetically pleasing environment aimed at promoting their physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. The curriculum includes Spanish offered by experienced, bilingual, caring, competent, teachers, who are also CPR certified. Exercise is promoted with indoor and outdoor activities. Children learn about gardening using the center’s greenhouse. Meals are prepared on site using natural ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided daily. Open year round, M-F, 7am-6pm.

SChool of ConTeMporary balleT dallaS

214.821.2066 / 1902 Abrams Pkwy., Dallas / www.schoolofcbd.com. Summer Dance 2011. Two sessions available: June 6-August

13. Toddlers/Youths/Teens classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Fairies & Frogs, Princesses & Princes, Summer Intensive workshops~ Morning, Afternoon & Evening classes available. Register Now! ADULTS, Get in Shape with Dance Workout, Just Barre and Basics Beginner Classes! All levels of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-hop Contemporary & Tap! Professional instructors in a positive environment! Schedule available on-line. REGISTER NOW – space is limited!

SCofield ChriSTian SChool

3K through Grade 6 / 214-349-6843 / www.scofieldchristian.org HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY! Since 1961, Scofield has been helping students joyfully reach their academic potential. The school curriculum continues to include a rich blend of classic literature, writing and phonics instruction combined with a comprehensive math and science program. Caring teachers enhance curriculum with hands-on learning and interactive participation. A student-cultivated garden provides additional opportunities for students to “dig in” to their lessons. Scofield alumni are strong leaders who continue to make an impact in their schools, homes, churches and communities. Find us on facebook for all the latest SCS news. (Scofield Christian School • Dallas)

ST. ChriSTopher’S MonTeSSori

SChool

7900 Lovers Lane / 214-363-9391 / www.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 / www.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.

whiTe roCk norTh SChool

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

Zion luTheran SChool

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / www.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.

Community

The WhiTe Rock Republican Women’s club meets Sept. 15 at Highland Park Cafeteria, 300 Casa Linda Plaza. State representative Kenneth Sheets will speak. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and the program is at 6:30. For details, call Lisa DeWitt at 214.893.6010.

The ciT y is calling foR aRTisTs with public art experience to submit proposals for a grand sculpture at White Rock Lake to commemorate its 100th birthday. The budget is $272,000, which comes from donations and fundraising related to the White Rock Lake Centennial. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 7. For guidelines, visit dallasculture.org/opportunities.asp.

TasTe of gReenville avenue is set for Oct. 29 and has been moved from Lower Greenville to Energy Square, a larger space at Greenville and University. The event, organized by the Greenville Avenue Restaurant Association, features booths offering plates for $3-$6. For details, visit tasteofgreenvilleavenue.com.