2018 June Lake Highlands

Moving Get

Download the Ebby Halliday Realtors app and discover a variety of innovative search options and filters, making it easier than ever to search for homes while on-the-go.

PERSONALIZATION

The app syncs to your Ebby.com account, making it easy to connect with your Ebby agent and ensuring saved favorites and searches are accessible on your mobile device.

SCOPE SEARCH

Aim your phone’s camera down a street and this innovative augmented-reality search displays available properties, offering additional interactive content and information.

JOURNEY SEARCH

View available properties as you travel through a neighborhood. As with each of the Ebby app’s interactive search functions, you may delve deeper into homes of interest.

MAP DRAW FEATURE

Use your finger to draw an area to include or exclude from your search. (Who said real estate apps can’t be fun?)

Available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android devices

City Councilman Adam McGough page 39

Back pain? Move forward from short-term relief.

Let’s take a more long-term approach.

Texas Health o ers long-term relief from back pain, unlike over-the-counter remedies. Our comprehensive and full-service back and spine programs provide care based on the individual needs of each patient. We o er a wide range of options – from physical medicine and therapies to surgery, if needed. So if you are living with back pain, Texas Health is where your long-term solution begins.

Take the first step by completing the free, online Back Health Assessment.

YourBackHealth.com

№ 1 Brand in East Dallas

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Claims based on 2017 MLS sold volume, Lake Highlands, Lakewood and East Dallas, Area 12 and 18.

OPENING REMARKS

By RICK WAMRE

Guitar man

Something keeps him going, not miles and miles away, but in my sandwich shop

It’s rare to find a restaurant that doesn’t have a television, or 10 televisions, blaring sports or news programs. People seem more interested in watching than listening, so from a business standpoint, banks of televisions make perfect sense.

But in food services, as in all things, there are still a few that buck a trend. One is a sandwich spot we hit from time to time. Around lunchtime, for as long as I can remember, a thin, graying guitarist sits in a corner singing his heart out while flipping the hand-written pages of his songbook.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that “(Sitting On) The Dock of The Bay” is a favorite. Same with Beatles tunes and Eric Clapton. These are songs radio people call “classic rock” at the moment but likely soon will be known as golden oldies.

It’s not my job to pass judgment on this guy’s talent, but one day while chomping through my sandwich and listening to his version of Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower,” I wondered what kind of person spends his lunch hour entertaining disinterested people who, as far as I can tell, would be just as happy watching television.

So I asked.

“Sometimes, there’s very little engagement,” says Bill Martin, 65, who retired after 23 years with Dallas Parks and Recreation striping softball and soccer fields in our neighborhoods.

“I’m there, but I’m not really there. I guess I like that, because I get a little nervous when people are paying attention to me.

“I’m content to be the background ambience. I’m happy to do my craft in obscurity.”

Martin’s story sounds like most of ours, although he is a little shy about telling it. His life has been eventful if not particularly newsworthy.

He grew up in Colorado, bounced among a bunch of colleges without

bagging a degree, somewhere along the line mee ting and marrying a woman he describes as the love of his life.

Marriage didn’t stop his self-described drifting and pot-smoking, and he wound up divorced. So he prayed for help to quit pot, received it, and then remarried his former wife, had a couple of sons, took a job with the city and made it a career.

These days, he and a few buddies play together as the Purple Martins, but you’ll have to look pretty hard to find their music. You can check out William Dale Martin on Reverb Nation. Click on his acoustic version of “Fish Out of Water.”

DISTRIBUTION PH/214.560.4203

ADVERTISING PH/214.560.4203

office administrator: Judy Liles

214.560.4203 / jliles@advocatemag.com

senior advertising consultant: Amy Durant

214.560.4205 / adurant@advocatemag.com

senior advertising consultant: Kristy Gaconnier

214.264.5887 / kgaconnier@advocatemag.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Sally Ackerman

214.560.4202 / sackerman@advocatemag.com

Frank McClendon

214.560.4215 / fmcclendon@advocatemag.com

Greg Kinney

214.292.0485 / gkinney@advocatemag.com

Michele Paulda

214.292.2053 / mpaulda@advocatemag.com

Catherine Pate

214.560.4201 / cpate@advocatemag.com

classified manager: Prio Berger

214.560.4211 / pberger@advocatemag.com

marketing director: Sally Wamre

214.635.2120 / swamre@advocatemag.com

EDITORIAL publisher: Lisa Kresl

214.560.4200 / lkresl@advocatemag.com

editor-at-large: Keri Mitchell

214.292.0487 / kmitchell@advocatemag.com

EDITORS: Rachel Stone

214.292.0490 / rstone@advocatemag.com

Elissa Chudwin

214.560.4210 / echudwin@advocatemag.com

Will Maddox

512.695.0357 / wmaddox@advocatemag.com

Christian Welch

214.560.4203 / cwelch@advocatemag.com

digital manager: Jehadu Abshiro jabshiro@advocatemag.com

senior art director: Jynnette Neal

214.560.4206 / jneal@advocatemag.com

designer: Ashley Drake

214.292.0493 / adrake@advocatemag.com

designer: Emily Hulen Thompson

contributors: Christina Hughes, George Mason, Brent McDougal

photo editor: Danny Fulgencio

214.635.2121 / danny@advocatemag.com

contributing photographers: Rasy Ran, Kathy Tran, Kathleen Kennedy

“I sound pretty good on that one,” he says.

And here’s where he sounds like the rest of us.

“I’m so grateful, after all these years of mistakes and bad decisions, that I’ve been able to make a few good decisions and reap the benefits. The fact that Melissa and I are still together and happy is good enough for me.”

He probably won’t be a big star, it turns out, just a small light on a smaller stage in a sandwich shop, sometimes earning the attention of otherwise-distracted diners willing to be entertained by a guy enjoying life with a guitar and a harmonica.

Rick Wamre is president of Advocate Media. Let him know how we are doing by emailing rwamre@advocatemag.com.

Advocate, © 2018, is published monthly by East Dallas – Lakewood People Inc. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the Advocate. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. Opinions set forth in the Advocate are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s viewpoint. More than 200,000 people read Advocate publications each 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.

ABOUT THE COVER

Our neighborhood has more green space than most, and an updated city ordinance may protect developers from harming nature as Lake Highlands continues to grow.

“I’m so grateful, after all these years of mistakes and bad decisions, that I’ve been able to make a few good decisions.”

SHINING A LIGHT ON A DARK PLACE

Lake Highlands High School teen stars in a film about suicide and depression

Story by ELISSA CHUDWIN I Photo by DANNY FULGENCIO

The statistics startled Kameron Badgers and his grandmother, Deb McAlister-Holland.

As the second leading cause of death in teens, suicide claims the lives of more young people than cancer, AIDS, heart disease, birth defects, pneumonia, lung disease and the flu combined.

Badgers pored over the data, compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before filming “Beyond the Bridge.” The independent film chronicles the lives of three young men combating depression and suicidal thoughts.

Badgers, a 17-year-old Lake Highlands High student, portrays Jacob, a teen who is befriended by a psychologist who lost his own brother to sui-

cide. Jacob discovers the psychologist’s book about losing his brother, and their relationship becomes complicated.

The movie’s intense, complex themes were a hefty undertaking for Badgers, who was the youngest actor involved in the project.

“It was the most heavy one,” Badgers says of his character. “It’s hard to get into that mindset, and I’ve never had to do that that much for any other role. It was a good experience, and I learned from it.”

The film debuted in Plano. The screening was divided into two components. The first part was the fictional tale intended to break stereotypes about mental illness. In the film, the person who needs

“It’s hard to get into that mindset, and I’ve never had to do that much for any other role.”

intervention the most is the one who seems the happiest.

“Several people commented that it changed the way they looked at suicide and depression, and they realized how hidden it could be,” McAlister-Holland says.

The second component included interviews with people living with depression or who are survivors of suicide.

The producers — Matthew Thomas, Ramon Malpica and Lindsey Cummings — wanted the film to show viewers that mental illness isn’t always obvious, and to portray suicide in a way that wouldn’t glamorize it.

“Since I’ve watched the movie, I’ve gained more understanding, more knowledge of the situations, and I think about it sometimes,” Badgers says. “I think about how I can help.”

When Badgers auditioned for the film, he didn’t know much about the role or what it would entail. McAlister-Holland was hesitant, too, about how the role could impact Badgers.

“We talked about it quite a bit before we decided he was going to take it,” she says.

Badgers’ introduction to performing was not on the big screen, but rather the big top. He suddenly moved in with his grandparents as a second-grader. He was shy, so his grandparents enrolled him in a variety of camps to see what piqued his interests. He tried everything from karate to science activities.

He found his niche at Slappy’s Circus Camp, where he learned to juggle knives.

As he’s grown, the demands of the circus have become tiresome, and he’s focused on acting. Just this year he’s performed in four movies and two TV shows.

“I don’t know if I’m going to do it for my career,” he says. “As of right now, I really like it for the most part. It’s a good way to spend time.”

The Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, 214.824.7020, is open 24 hours a day.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE LAKE HIGHLANDS TOWN CENTER

Story

by ELISSA CHUDWIN I Photo by DANNY FULGENCIO

Highlands Town Center.

“I became mayor by definition be cause nobody else was here,” she says.

Before neighbors bought groceries at Sprouts or flocked to Fish City Grill for lunch, Artistik Edge Hair Studio, which Hoover launched 29 years ago, was the first business to take a chance on the emergent development.

The hair salon’s previous location at Abrams and Royal didn’t pro vide adequate space. Two-thirds of Hoover’s clientele are Lake Highlands residents, so she was adamant about remaining a neighborhood business.

Lake Highlands Town Center offered ample space and parking, even though the majority of the development had yet to be constructed. The hair salon opened at the Haven apartments’ first floor in 2015, when many residents wondered if the 70-acre prairie would ever transform into a shopping center.

“We went from seeing parking lots and cars and cars and cars to nothing,” Hoover says.

Now The Lookout at Lake High lands, high-end apartments that cost between $1,125-$2,560 per month, are available for rent. Besides the string of eateries like Taco Diner and Yogurtland, Starbucks is under construction. Negotiations for a bank are underway. The property north of Walnut Hill Lane will most likely become a residential development.

More than a decade has passed since former City Councilman Bill

When it comes to homes in East Dallas, Bella Vista does it all. Need a guest bathroom updated? We’re the ones to call. Dreaming of a new modern kitchen? We can bring your vision to life. In fact, if you want a completely new home, we’re experts at building from the ground up. From small renovations to big new construction, we’re your partners to contact for anything.

The better way to a better home.

“What was originally conceived was very grand, more aspirational than what was commercially feasible.”

THE STORE IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

JACK BLACK! For Dads and Grads...Nothing complicated. Nothing cosmetic. Just superior skincare. Family owned local company.

Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30

10233 E. NW Hwy@Ferndale (next to Rooster’s) 214.553.8850

UP FRONT

2017

TheStoreinLH.com

CITY VIEW ANTIQUE MALL

Get the beach house ready! Check out new finds and pick up some official Annie Sloan® Chalk Paint to freshen up your Summer retreat! Save the dates June 30-July 4th for the Fantastic 4th of July Tent Tag Sale. 6830 Walling Ln. (Skillman/Abrams) 214.752.3071

cityviewantiques.com

Follow us on Facebook/Instagram

ROOSTER HOME & HARDWARE

It’s grill time! Enjoy summer meals with the Weber Q 1200, $199. Most colors are in stock now at Rooster Rooster Home & Hardware.

10233 E. Northwest Highway 214-343-1971

roosterhomeandhardware.com

Blaydes envisioned the Lake Highlands Town Center to be our neighborhood’s pseudo downtown. The development has drastically changed since its inception, and its sustainability is up to neighbors who frequent the center.

“I think, given the circumstances, it’s turned into a very good project,” City Plan Commissioner Tipton Housewright says.

In 2006, Blaydes led a crusade to raze the high-crime apartments on Skillman between Abrams Road and Walnut Hill Lane in favor of a mixeduse development stacked with retail, restaurants and high-end apartments.

“What was imagined was a larger, more dense project,” Housewright says. “The debate and the conflict for the last number of years was how do we dial back the density, the size and scope of the project, and still have something that resembles the town center.”

City Councilman Adam McGough, then recently elected, created a 20-person task force to discuss the town center’s fate. Then Cypress terminated a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, established in 2005 to help finance the project.

Cypress lost taxpayer funding for the project, but it also no longer was subject to strict city requirements, which also included mandatory affordable housing.

With fewer stakeholders around the table, “it really allowed for a fresh start,” McGough says.

“Because of what we celebrate today, Lake Highlands will not become stagnant for our children,” he said during a 2008 groundbreaking ceremony.

Ironically, the project soon turned stagnant. The recession, followed by an ownership change, instigated an 8-year standstill. The property was purchased as a joint venture between Prescott Realty Group and Cypress Real Estate Advisors. Prescott provided the expertise, and Cypress covered the expenses. In early 2014, Prescott and Cypress underwent an “amicable divorce,” says Cypress managing director Bill Rafkin, who took over the project that year.

The development firm reimagined the town center as a village green, with pocket parks, family-friendly restaurants and services such as dry cleaners and hair salons.

“What was originally conceived was very grand, more aspirational than what was commercially feasible,” Rafkin says.

Many city planners advocated for the original plan, which they considered to be more urban.

“It was an interesting journey to get it to point that it was all approved and ready to go,” Blaydes told us recently. “The development is 85 percent of what we intended. I was looking for some residential over the top of retail done on Wildcat Way, so you had a real mix of residential and commercial.”

The tenants who occupy the town center were selected, in part, from the results of an online survey, Rafkin says. Residents prioritized an educational children’s center, yoga and pilates studios, toy store, massage parlor and dry cleaners. Most of those businesses have come to fruition.

“I’d love to have a yoga studio,” Rafkin says. “Other than that, I think we’ve met all the demand.”

Housewright still hopes that the density increases in the future, and that parking lots will be replaced with more development and maybe even a parking garage, similar to Henderson Avenue or portions of McKinney Avenue.

“I still would like this to be downtown Lake Highlands,” Housewright says. “I think it has the opportunity to mature into that over time.”

“I’d love to have a yoga studio. Other than that, I think we’ve met all the demand.”

PLACE IN THE SUN

This Willow isn’t wilting in the summer sizzle. The black Labrador has it made in her shades; her future’s so bright, she has to wear them. Willow lives on the sunny side of life, in the Woodbridge neighborhood of Lake Highlands with her person, Jay Piering. They have a big backyard where “she loves playing with possums in the early hours of the morning. Never kills, just enjoys the ‘playing possum’ over and over … and over and over,” Piering says. Willow also delights in outings to Uptown, where she struts the Katy Trail.

BUSINESS IS SOARING

Photo by DANNY FULGENCIO

Businesses are quickly opening at the Lake Highlands Town Center, which former City Councilman Bill Blaydes envisioned as our neighborhood’s downtown area. The vision for the center has shifted, but it hosts community events, like Sundays in the Park, and plans to construct a trail connecting the Lake Highlands Town Center to White Rock Creek are in the works. Even hawks are swooping in to see the commotion.

JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

LOCAL LEAFY GREENS

Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at White Rock Market, open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The market also offers specialty foods, arts and crafts.

Lake Pointe Church, 9150 Garland Road, goodlocalmarket.org, free

7 things to do in Lake Highlands this June

JUNE 1-9

‘LILLIES’

This French-Canadian play by Michel Marc Brouchard is about a man who meets with an incarcerated childhood friend. The story takes him on a journey into their childhood memories. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, bathhouse. dallasculture org, 214.670.8749, $29

JUNE 1-30

SCULPTURE IN MOTION

Arboretum guests can enjoy the kinetic sculpture of Lyman Whitaker. The wind-propelled copper spinning artworks adorn the gardens this summer.

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, dallasarboretum.org, 214.515.6520, $10-$15

JUNE 3, 10, 17, 24

SUNDAYS AT THE PARK

Take a blanket to Watercrest Park every Sunday evening for weekly concerts. Bring a picnic or grab food from one of the Lake Highlands Town Center’s restaurants before the show. Watercrest Park, 7070 Skillman St., free

JUNE 3

AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR PERFORMANCE

The African Children’s Choir performs a medley of children’s songs, spirituals and gospel favorites. Hear them sing at the 9 or 11 a.m. services.

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, 8525 Audelia Road, 214.348.2133, lhpres.org, free

June 15-July 8

‘HOW I BECAME A PIRATE’

Jeremy Jacobs makes new pirate friends who take him on a high seas adventure while they look for a place to bury their treasure. Enjoyed by ages 4 and up.

Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St., 214.978.0110, dct. org, $23-$30

JUNE 29

FIRE SAFETY WITH SPARKY

Learn about fire safety with Sparky the dog and a fire prevention officer. Children ages 3 and older review home fire drills, smoke detectors, calling 911, and stop, drop and roll. Audelia Branch Library, 10045 Audelia Road, 214.670.1350, dallaslibrary.org, free

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

SUGAR RUSH

Where to get your daily dose of frozen treats

By ELISSA CHUDWIN I Photos by KATHY TRAN

When the temperature reaches 100 degrees and getting into your car feels more like stepping into a sauna, warm apple pie or a hot latte is no option. Lake Highlands has plenty of frozen treats to quell your sugar cravings, so we’ve ranked them to make your decision easier.

Five scoops indicates our best rating. Five scoops for price indicates most expensive.

LAKE HIGHLANDS CREAMERY

9660 Audelia Road, suite 121

Owner Sean Brockette got his start working at Steve’s Ice Cream in Casa Linda during high school. Now his shop has more than a dozen flavors and a pasteurizer. How local? Brockette is a Lake Highlands resident, so this small ice cream shop is as local as it gets.

Lake Highlands Creamery (Photo by Kathy Tran).

ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD

9655 Audelia Road

Founded in Missouri in 1986, Andy’s Frozen Custard is known for its concrete mixers, or frozen custard blended with candy, fruit or syrup.

How local? Seeing as it’s a nationwide chain headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, “not very” would be our answer.

BAHAMA BUCKS

6780 Abrams Road, suite 107

The shaved ice shop boasts 90 flavors, as well as smoothies and sodas.

How local? The national franchise got its start in Lubbock, so at least it has Texas origins.

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Yogurtland brings you scratch-made frozen yogurt and ice cream flavors made from our very own dairy. Mix and match with 30+ toppings to create a one-of-kind treat that is as unique as you are!

YOGURTLAND

You made it to 5 o’clock and you’re probably thinking these shrimp tacos look pretty good. Go ahead, order some. You deserve it. #fuzzystacoshop

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP

@fuzzystacoshop @yogurtland

7170 SKILLMAN ST 972.803.4601

BOBA TEA/COFFEE/SMOOTHIES

I Heart Boba Dallas

Boba tea, a traditional Taiwanese style tea drink that has been modernized to include coffee, smoothies, and slushies flavored to taste. Our featured Viet coffee many customers describe as “WOW, it’s better than Starbucks.”

9090 Skillman, Suite 172A Dallas, TX 75243 214.758.0627

10910 N CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (75/ROYAL) 6760 ABRAMS RD (SKILLMAN/ABRAMS)

GARLAND ROAD

Lounge Here

Come relax and enjoy great food and cocktails at our little hidden gem in East Dallas. And for your listening pleasure, check out Songbird Sundays, 8-11pm. Don’t forget we have Happy Hour Specials every Tuesday through Friday, 4-7pm.

theloungehere.com 9028 Garland Road 214.238.3374

THE GIVING TREES

Lake Highlands loves trees, even if the rest of the city doesn’t

BY ELISSA CHUDWIN

PHOTOS BY DANNY FULGENCIO

Lake Highlands hasn’t yet let concrete swallow the nature surrounding our homes and businesses.

Residents care so much about trees that they’ve memorialized them as artwork and fought off those destroying them with chainsaws. The man who sawed Lake Highlands Park’s Indian marker shaped tree was arrested after neighbors blockaded him until police arrived. If that sounds intense, may we remind you of the White Rock area resident who climbed a tree to prevent Oncor from cutting its branches.

Commercial and residential development threatens the health and sustainability of Dallas’ limited green space. The city’s tree ordinance requires developers to replace trees that have been uprooted because of construction or pay a reforestation fee, but companies often find loopholes to avoid following the regulations. An updated ordinance has been in the works since 2010, and it’s finally slated to appear on the City Council agenda this June.

Home additions and renovations also wreak havoc on trees’ root systems, unless proper precautions are taken. “The soil composition, materials stored, foot traffic will kill a tree three to five years after construction is complete,” says Scott Dahlberg, a Lake Highlands arborist.

Of course, you may not be the tree hugging type, and none of this may matter to you. But considering trees are essential to the ecosystem, the Lorax might be onto something.

Neighborhood tree huggers

nita Sieger frequently drives past her former house at Broken Bow Road to visit two red oak trees.

“They’re kind of like small children of mine,” she says.

Sieger planted the oaks after the death of a hackberry tree in their former front yard. The thought of a tree-less yard was unacceptable to her, but purchasing new trees was costly.

So Sieger became resourceful. She knew DART purchased property from the Knights of Columbus at Northwest Highway. Several trees would die as a result of the construction. She convinced DART to allow her to excavate five trees from the site. She gave three to a friend and planted two in her yard. Sieger moved several years ago, but she still monitors the oaks.

“On my way to work or on my way home, I choose a route that takes me there, so I can check on them,” she says. “I’ve seen them grow from decent saplings to beautiful shade-providing oak trees.”

Neighborhood advocate Amy Martin has been involved in several attempts to preserve neighborhood trees, but is concerned with how few young trees people have in their yards. “In a natural forest, there’s trees of all ages. I wish people would realize their trees are aging and need to bring in new generation before old goes away ... I really like how trees have to bend and adapt to one another. I think that’s a fabulous metaphor to be surrounded by.”

Oncor’s tree trimming practices tend to upset residents, but Jeri Huber took extreme measures to stop Oncor from chopping a tree at her White Rock area home. The 67-year-old climbed into the tree and refused to move until crews threatened to get a restraining order.

Hacking away histree

efore Dallas founder John Neely Bryan settled near the Trinity River and skyscrapers sprouted from plains, the Comanche used trees to navigate trails and mark resources.

The natives tied saplings to the ground with animal hide so that they grew in unusual formations. These Indian marker trees once guided the Comanche to water and shelter, but most are lost to American Indians’ disregarded history. Only nine have been documented in 24 years, according to Steve Houser, a White Rock area native, arborist and Texas Historic Tree Coalition member.

“There were a lot more than there are today,” he says.

A bent pecan tree at Lake Highlands Park near Peavy Road matched most of the criteria to be an Indian marker tree, but ultimately wasn’t old enough qualify. The marker trees must be at least 145 years old, and the pecan tree is estimated to be between 85 and 110.

Neighbors were furious nonetheless when 65-year-old Albert Santos hacked it with a chainsaw. Several Eastwood, Lake Park Estates, Lochwood and Old Lake Highlands neighbors confronted him. One even

blocked Santos with a pick-up truck until five police cars arrived, Amy Martin told the Advocate in 2017.

Santos told the police that the city authorized him to cut stormdowned trees, even though he had no paperwork to prove it. Neighbors assumed he wanted to sell the pecan wood to meat smokers. “A steady stream of residents came by, each one was angry, enraged, even livid,” Martin wrote. “Many gave the perp a piece of their mind. ... It was stressed that although it was not a confirmed Indian marker tree, it was a landmark tree considered significant by authorities and deeply beloved by residents.”

The pecan tree’s lifespan was shortened because of its injuries. “For the tree that lost half its canopy, it regenerated beautifully,” Martin says. Neighbors transformed the wood pieces into art that they auctioned at the Bath House Cultural Center’s Winter Art Mart to raise money for the Dallas Parks Foundation.

“They kept the tree close to the tree,” Martin says. “I have a chunk of the tree with a gnome home built on top of it. It’s completely adorable, but there it is— a giant hunk of tree in my living room.

The beloved tree near Peavy Road isn’t the only recent hacking victim. Lucan Watkins, of For the Love of the Lake, caught two men severing the limbs of another pecan tree near White Rock Lake at Peavy and East Lake Highlands Drive in August 2016.

Trees of yore

nce upon a time, at a cultural center not so far away, a massive elm tree started to hollow.

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department deemed it was time for the sick, yet stately tree to die. Earth Rhythms, a White Rock area organization that congregates for seasonal celebrations, opted to honor the tree. The group organized a memorial that featured songs, yoga and spoken tributes. Some neighbors found the memorial excessive, and others considered it to be oddly sentimental. After the elm was swiftly killed, artist Julia Schloss painted a butterfly on its stump that impressed even the park department. Instead of grinding the remains, an employee attempted to save the artwork. Sadly it broke before it was relocated to the cultural center.

WHY TREES MATTER

• Besides cleaning the air, water and soil, trees contribute to humans’ sense of well-being and quality of life, says Steve Houser, a White Rock area native, arborist and Texas Historic Tree Coalition member.

• Dallas neighborhoods with mature trees, like Lake Highlands, are cooler than neighborhoods without them. The difference can be as much as 11 degrees.

• If you live within 1,400 feet of an expressway, your life expectancy is three to five years shorter because of the particulate matter from vehicle exhaust. Rows of trees can filter some of that matter.

• Just one tree releases more than 400 gallons of water into the atmosphere.

Data courtesy of Texas Master Gardeners

Visit us today for North Texas’ best tropicals, annuals, perennials and more. Step in the store for fun gifts and beautiful home accessories. Also, ask how we can build your outdoor kitchen with one of our propane or charcoal grills.

THE READING RANCH TUTORIAL CENTER

21.4.884.8611 www.readingranch.com info@readingranch.com

The Reading Ranch Tutorial Center focuses exclusively on literacy offering a phonetically based program in reading, writing and spelling enrichment for children (PreK thru 4th grade) and meets individual needs giving them a strong foundation while ‘filling the gap’ for children that need literacy support.

Coming this Fall PreK-AM/PM classes

Summer AM/PM classes (June, July, August)

Open 7 days-a-week New Writing Lab! Intervention or Enrichment

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

BIZ BUZZ

WHAT’S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

RESTAURANTS

Hat Creek Burger Company is the newest addition at The Hill, located at Walnut Hill Lane and Central Expressway. The Austin-based business, which began as a food truck, joins veteran restaurants

Nazca Kitchen and Red Hot and Blue. Hat Creek is just one of many eateries opening at the neighborhood shopping center. Tacodeli and Unleavened Fresh Kitchen recently arrived, with Luna Grill and Snooze A.M. coming soon.

Taco Diner finally is serving customers at the Lake Highlands Town Center. The M Crowd restaurant was completely reimagined with a new menu.

MARKETPLACE

LAKE HIGHLANDS ACUPUNCTURE

Bryan Ellett, L.Ac.

The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for: chronic pain, high blood pressure, depression/anxiety, digestive problems (IBS, heartburn), common cold, allergies and more! Come see why! Now accepting insurance!

DAN “THE COMPUTER GUY”

Computer Repair

972.639.6413

stykidan@sbcglobal.net

Don’t panic! Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky windows computer. Hardware & software installation, troubleshooting, training, $60/hour — one hour minimum.

10252 E. Northwest Highway 214.267.8636

lakehighlandsacupuncture.com

The Hat Creek offers a play yard and a casual, order-at-the-counter kind of atmosphere.

WORSHIP

By GEORGE MASON

Blowing our tops

Unstable fissures in the earth, unaddressed fractures in the heart, and unattended factions within society are all of a kind.

You can’t stop lava flows, though people have tried. That’s the takeaway from one news source covering the devastating eruption of the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Nature explodes when pressure builds deep within the earth with nowhere to go. It blows its top. Molten lava spreads across the landscape doing damage, destroying homes and cars, cooling eventually to leave raggedy black rock atop smooth roads and manicured gardens. Sulfuric dioxide gases spread airborne, killing plants and causing respiratory failure in humans.

Vivid pictures of lava flows in and around Kilauea Estates provoke thoughts of how much damage happens in families, communities and countries when pressure builds and anger brews deep within the recesses of human emotions.

A child who is abused or neglected carries the legacy of being violated into adulthood. The brokenness doesn’t heal on its own. Only patient therapy from trained counselors and acceptance of the spiritual truth that the Divine Parent is a loving and dependable presence will calm the storm within and allow the person to live and love in peace.

American society is blowing its top in more ways than one.

The #MeToo movement has exploded with a righteous vengeance. For too long women have felt powerless over powerful men who controlled their lives and their bodies. Women learned techniques of avoidance and deflection, but often to no avail. They were denied consent and suffered unwanted advances by men who took advantage of their positions.

America’s original sin has been exposed in a new way, too. Racism will not work itself out by whitewashing history. No attempt to ennoble Confederate leaders by reinterpreting monuments as heritage will move us forward when our history of white privilege continues to wreak havoc in black souls. To be clear: Pigment of skin is no indicator of human dignity. Black Americans are finding their God-given voice to say enough. Centuries of oppression and inequality are seen in the lava flows of civil protests and published jeremiads.

The disappearing middle class is losing hope. The value of the worker is disregarded in an age of robotic technology and globalization. Corporate profits that go to wealthy shareholders, rather than being shared with those who bear the weight of labor, fuel desperation. The longing to go back to a better day is really a desire to participate in the prosperity others experience at their expense. Our politics tap the root of hidden anger but offer no salvation, only empty slogans.

Once the lava begins to flow, we have to give it time to cool. Then, instead of bemoaning the lingering mess, we should ask, what brought it about? We can’t cool the earth’s center, but we can listen to one another and commit to a future of mutual respect and shared well-being.

The flow of lava can’t be stopped, but happily and hopefully, neither can the flow of love.

GEORGE MASON is pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church, president of Faith Commons and host of the “Good God” podcast. The Worship section is underwritten by Advocate Publishing and the neighborhood businesses and churches listed here. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.

WORSHIP

BAPTIST

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

Bible Study 9:15 / Worship Services 10:45 Traditional, Contemporary, Spanish Speaking / 214.860.1500

ROYAL LANE BAPTIST CHURCH / 6707 Royal Lane / 214.361.2809

Christian Education 9:45 a.m. / Worship Service 10:55 a.m.

Pastor - Rev. Dr. Michael L. Gregg / www.royallane.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

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

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

BIBLE CHURCHES

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / nhbc.net / 9626 Church Rd.

Sun: LifeQuest 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am / 214.348.9697

Wed: AWANA and Kids Choir 6:00 pm / Student Ministry 6:30 pm

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

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

Sunday School 9:30 am / Worship 8:30 am - Chapel

10:50 am - Sanctuary / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

EPISCOPAL

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH / 9845 McCree Road / 214.348.1345

Worship 8 & 10 am / Family Service 10 am / Sunday School 9 am

Nursery Open for All Services. / StJamesDallas.org

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH / stjd.org

Worship: Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 8 & 10:30 am / Christian Ed Sunday Morning & Weekdays, see calendar on website / 214.321.6451 / 848 Harter Rd.

LUTHERAN

CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA / 1000 Easton Road

A Welcoming and Affirming Church / Pastor Rich Pounds

Sunday School 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am / CentralLutheran.org

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON 503 N Central Exwy / fumcr.com / 972.235.8385 / Dr. Clayton Oliphint

8:45, 9:45, 11:00 am sanctuary / access modern worship 11:00am

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 & 11:00 am Traditional / 11:00 am Contemporary

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

LAKE POINTE CHURCH – WHITE ROCK CAMPUS

Classic Service at 9:30 & Contemporary Service at 11:00 am lakepointe.org / 9150 Garland Road

PRESBYTERIAN

LAKE HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 214.348.2133 8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

9:00 am Contemporary, 9:55 am Christian Ed., 11:00 am Traditional

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Eruptions are evident in Black Lives Matter, #MeToo and the angry middle class

AC & HEAT

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

ALL COMPUTER PROBLEMS SOLVED

MAC/PC Great Rates. Keith. 214-295-6367

Powered by INC. Ductwork • HVAC Insulation • Foam Encapsulation Smart House/Thermostat Service & Sales

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills. Services include Digital Photo Help. Sharon 214-679-9688

BILL’S COMPUTER REPAIR

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

EMPLOYMENT

25 TRUCK DRIVERS TRAINEES NEEDED Earn $1,000 Per Week.Paid CDL Training. Stevens Transport Covers All Costs 1-877-209-1309. drive4stevens.com

AVON AGENTS WANTED StartAvon.com. Reference Code; CHASKIN

GARDEN HELP WANTED Senior Citizen Needs Help With Garden & Landscaping Projects. Hours Flexible. Call Gerry 818-297-7172

FOUNDATION REPAIR

• Slabs • Pier & Beam

• Mud Jacking • Drainage

• Free Estimates

• Over 20 Years Exp. 972-288-3797

We Answer Our Phones

GARAGE SERVICES

Family Owned & Operated

integrity • innovative design • impactful change

Owned & 214- 330 - 5500

214-330-5500 iiirth.com

TACLB29169E

APPLIANCE REPAIR

JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE

TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898

BUY/SELL/TRADE

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models. 2000-2016. Any Condition. Running Or Not. Top $$$ Paid. Free Towing. We’re Nationwide. Call Now 1-888-985-1806

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

CABINETMAKER Design/Build Custom Furniture. Repair, Refinish. 40 yrs. exp. Jim 214-457-3830

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

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

CLASSES/TUTORING/LESSONS

ART: Draw/Paint. Adults All Levels. Lake Highlands N. Rec. Ctr. Days: Mon & Wed. Students bring supplies. Nights: 1xt month workshop, supplies furnished. Jane Cross. 214-534-6829

CLEANING SERVICES

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

AFFORDABLE CLEANING Insd./Bonded. Move In/Out. Routine Cleaning. Reliable. Dependable. Residential/ Commercial. References. 28+yrs. Delta Cleaning. 972-943-9280.

ALTOGETHER CLEAN

Relax ...We’ll Clean Your House, It Will Be Your Favorite Day! Bonded & Insurance. Free Estimates. 214-929-8413. www. altogetherclean.net

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

TWO SISTERS & A MOP MAID SERVICE Reliable Quality Work.Best Rates. 23 Yrs. Exp. 214-283-9732

WANTED: HOUSES TO CLEAN: WINDOWS to Wash: Wkly & Bi Monthly. Great Prices $$. Honest & Reliable. Family owned 15 years. Excellent references. Call Sunny @ 214-724-2555

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

COMPUTER HELP! Viruses, Data Recovery, Upgrades, WiFi Problems, Onsite Tech. 214-533-6216 • WebersComputers.com

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky Windows computer. Hardware/Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 972-639-6413 / stykidan@sbcglobal.net

CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING

BRICK & STONE REPAIR

Tuck Pointing / Crack Repair. Mortar Color Matching. Don 214-704-1722

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

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

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

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

R&M Concrete

Concrete • Driveways Retaining Walls Brick & Stone Work Stamped Concrete 214-202-8958

Bonded & InsuredReferences & Free Estimates

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC Master Electrician. TECL24948

anthonyselectricofdallas.com

50 Yrs. Electrical Exp. Insd. 214-328-1333

BRIGHT LIGHT ELECTRIC • 214-553-5333

TECL 31347 Brightening Homes and Businesses

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

TEXAS ELECTRICAL • 214-289-0639 Prompt, Honest, Quality Service. TECL 24668

TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658

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

PET SITTERS, DOG WALKERS reply to http://www.pcpsi.com/join

ESTATE/GARAGE SALES

WANT TO MAKE MONEY? Richardson Mercantile is looking for dealers who want to join one of the best antique malls in DFW. Need details? Go to richardsonmercantile@gmail.com

EXTERIOR CLEANING

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

JUNK LEADERS Junk,Trash Removal. Interior/ Exterior. junkleaders.com 903-742-5865

FENCING & DECKS

AMBASSADOR FENCE INC. EST.96 Automatic Gates, Fences/Decks Ambassadorfenceco.com 214-621-3217

FENCING & WOODWORK oldgatefence.com . 214-766-6422

HANNAWOODWORKS.COM

Decks, Pergolas, Patio Covers. 214-435-9574

KIRKWOOD FENCE/AUTOMATIC GATES facebook/kirkwoodfence&deck 214-341-0699

LONESTARDECKS.COM 214-357-3975

Trex Decking & Fencing, trex.com

All Wood Decks, Arbors & Patio Covers

WOODMASTER CARPENTRY 214-507-9322

Quality Wood Fences & Decks. New or Repair.

Northlake Fence and Deck

Locally owned and operated by the Mccaffrey family since1980

214-349-9132

www northlakefence.com

FLOORING & CARPETING

DALLAS HARDWOODS 214-724-0936

Installation, Repair, Refinish, Wax, Hand Scrape. Residential, Commercial. Sports Floors. 30 Yrs.

FENN CONSTRUCTION Manufactored hardwoods. Stone and Tile. Back-splash Specials. 214-343-4645

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

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

IDEAL GARAGE DOORS • 972-757-5016

Install & Repair. 10% off to military/1st responders.

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

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

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR frameless shower enclosures • store fronts replacement windows • mirrors 214-349-8160

PRO WINDOW CLEANING prompt, dependable. Matt 214-766-2183

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

HANDYMAN SERVICES

ALL STAR HOME CARE Carpentry, 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. ToDo’s Done Right. handy-dan.com 214-252-1628

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

HOME REPAIR HANDYMAN Small/Big Jobs + Construction. 30 Yrs. Exp. Steve. 214-875-1127

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

ONE CALL WEEKEND SERVICES

Contractor & Handyman. Remodels, Renovations . Paint, Plumbing, Drywall, Electrical.469-658-9163

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 SECURITY

SAFES For Guns, Home or Business. We Offer a Large Selection Plus Consultation & In-Home Delivery. Visit Our Showroom. 972-272-9788 thesafecompany.com

HOUSE PAINTING

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSE PAINTING and Home Repair. Quality work.

Inside and Out. Free Ests. Local Refs. Ron 972-816-5634

A+ INT/EXT PAINT & DRYWALL

Since 1977. Kirk Evans. 972-672-4681

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

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

TONY’S PAINTING SERVICE Quality Work Since 1984. Int./Ext. 214-755-2700

TOP COAT 30 yrs. exp. Reliable, Quality Repair/Remodel Phil @ 214-770-2863

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

KITCHEN/BATH/TILE/GROUT

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS LLC

Complete Kitchen And Bath Remodels. Tile, Granite, Marble, Travertine, Slate. Insured. 214-563-5035 www.blake-construction.com

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. dallastileman.com 214-343-4645

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

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS Granite, Quartz, Marble For Kitchen/Bath-Free Est. stoneage.brandee@gmail.com 940-465-6980

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

Complete Full Service Repairs, Remodeling, Restoration. Name It — We do it. Tommy. Insured. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

#1 WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS

Professionals, Experts, Artists. Trim, Remove, Cabling, Bracing/Bolting. Cavity-Fill Stump Grind. Emergencies, Hazards. Insd. Free Est. 972-803-6313. arborwizard.com

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

CHUPIK TREE SERVICE

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

Looking for local services and don’t have an Advocate magazine handy?

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED DIGITAL CLASSIFIED ADS

Online ads have long been a part of our classifieds, but we at Advocate magazine are always looking for ways to improve. What’s new? Our digital ads now include photos and logos of companies. Plus, they are searchable on Google.

Support your neighborhood by contacting these local companies, who are ready to help you with home and professional services, tutoring, lessons and more.

Pull up our lakehighlands.advocatemag.com, then click on the Marketplace tab. Search the category that you want, then start contacting local services. Thanks for supporting our classified section.

classifieds.advocatemag.com

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

DALLAS GROUNDSKEEPER Organic Lawn Maintenance designed to meet your needs. 214-471-5723 dallasgroundskeeper.com

DALLAS K.D.R.SERVICES • 214-349-0914

Lawn Service & Landscape Installation

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

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

MAYA TREE SERVICE Tree Trim/Remove. Lawn Maintenance. Resd/ Commcl.Insd. CC’s Accptd. mayatreeservice.com

214-924-7058 214-770-2435

NEW LEAF TREE CARE Honest, Modern, Safety Minded. 214-850-1528

PAT TORRES 214-388-1850 Lawn Service & Tree Care 28 Yrs. Complete Landscape Renovation.

RED SUN LANDSCAPES • 214-935-9779 RedSunLandscapes.com

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

WE REFINISH! www.allsurfacerefinishing.com

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

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

PLUMBING

AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521 # M37740 Insured. Any plumbing issues.

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

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

THE PLUMBING MANN LLC

All Plumbing! Since 1978. Family Owned. RMP/Master-14240 Insured. 214-FAST-FIX/ 214-327-8349

POOLS

CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996

LEAFCHASERS POOL SERVICE Parts/Service. Chemicals/Repairs. Jonathan. 214-729-3311

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTING/TAXES Small Business/Individual Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 chriskingcpa.com

C.A.S. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES

Personal/Small Business Help. Payroll,Accounting, Organizing, Consult. Cindy 214-577-7450

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE & INT. DESIGN SERVICES

contact John Cramer, Realtor w/ FireHouse Real Estate Services 214-212-6865

REMODELING

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS, LLC

Complete Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths, Additions. Hardie Siding & Replacement Windows. Build On Your Own Lot. 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

REMODELING

GREEN LOVE HOMES Turnkey Renovations, Kitchens, Baths, Floors, Windows. Free Estimates. greenlovehomes.com 214-864-2444

INTEX CONSTRUCTION Specializing in int/ext. Remodel. 30 Yrs Exp. Steve Graves 214-875-1127

MP ARCHITECTURAL Design & Construction. mattandpaul.com 214-226-1186

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

RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247

REMODELING

Splendid Outdoor Kitchens

We specialize in outdoor kitchens. Call us to fall in love with your backyard 214-208-1801

ROOFING & GUTTERS

BERT ROOFING INC.

Family owned and operated for over 40 years

• Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates www.bertroofing.com 214.321.9341

SERVICES FOR YOU

A PLACE FOR MOM The Nation’s Largest Senior Living Referral Service. Contact Our Trusted Local Experts Today. Our Service is Free/No Obligation. 1-844-722-7993

SERVICES FOR YOU

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY TV, Internet & Voice

For $29.99 Each. 60 MB Per Second Speed. No Contract or Commitment. More Channels, Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. 1-855-652-9304 SKYLIGHTS Installing

ADDITIONS • BATHROOMS • KITCHEN REMODELING BARRY O’BRIEN www.ccrbarr y.com

CREATIVE Construction & REMODELING

General Contractor Bonded & Insured • Excellent References 972-342-7232

DIRECT TV SELECT PACKAGE Over 150 Channels. Only $35/month (for 12 months) Get a $200 AT&T Visa Rewards Gift Card (some restrictions apply) 1-855-781-1565

DISH NETWORK. $59.99 For 190 Channels. $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation. Smart HD DVR Included. Free Voice Remote. Some Restrictions Apply. 1-855-837-9146

EARTHLINK HIGHSPEED INTERNET As Low

As $14.95/month.(first 3 months) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology Stream Videos, Music & More. 1-855-520-7938

IRS TAX DEBTS? $10K+ Tired Of The Calls? We Can Help. $500 Free Consultation. We Can Stop The Garnishments. Free Consultation, Call Today. 1-855-823-4189

Bob McDonald Company, Inc. BUILDERS/REMODELERS

30+ Yrs. in Business • Major Additions Complete Renovations • Kitchens/Baths

See our excellent work at: 214-341-1155 bobmcdonaldco.net

LIFELOCK Identity Theft Protection. Do Not Wait. Start Guarding Your Identity Today. 3 Layers Of Protection. Detect, Alert, Restore. Receive 10% Off. 1-855-399-2089

MY OFFICE Offers Mailing, Copying, Shipping, Office & School Supplies. 9660 Audelia Rd. myofficelh.com 214-221-0011

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.

By ANDY SHAW

A tale of two interstates

Why have optional toll lanes halted LBJ East’s reconstruction for so long?

Frustration filled the room in Arlington where the North Texas Regional Transportation Council meets.

Adam McGough was discouraged. The Dallas City Councilman, who represents Lake Highlands, leaned heavily on his forearms, resting on the U-shaped conference table. On this April afternoon, he was searching for the right words to say about the stalled LBJ East project.

“Every single one of us around this body, and every transportation expert that I’ve talked to, locally, regionally and nationally, knows the right thing to do,” he said. “Our local leaders and our Congressman Pete Sessions know the right thing to do. Even Sen. (Don) Huffines’ own (Dallas County) Republican Convention knows the right thing to do. It’s beyond my rational ability to argue these points.”

One speaker after another followed McGough, all of them sounding dejected and bewildered. They shared a vision of a congestion-free highway, enabled by optional or managed toll lanes. But due to an Austin roadblock, that vision was crumbling.

Every North Texas official around the table, in a rare show of regional unity, was in favor of the plan.

They would to turn Interstate 635 between U.S. Highway 75 and Interstate 30 into a tolerable driving experience, instead of what it is today — something more like the worst 11 miles of craggy, orc-infested road through Mordor. Two managed toll lanes in each direction would relieve congestion and provide a speedy path for those willing to pay. An improved LBJ-Skillman interchange and bridge could infuse economic vibrancy into what is now a wasteland of poorly planned roads. Plus the new reach of LBJ East would boast something its commuters no longer even dreamed about: continuous access roads

the entire way.

But there would be much gnashing of teeth before Dallas found a way to mollify Gov. Greg Abbot and finally move the $1.8 billion project ahead.

How we got here

LBJ East had been in the works for years, and officials thought they had done everything right. The Texas Legislature and regulators in Austin had been blessing managed toll-lane projects for more than a decade. When the Texas Department of Transportation sought input on the topic in November, 92 percent of responses were

Why should a few optional toll lanes kick up such a fuss and shut down the whole project?

in favor of managed toll lanes.

In April, the reality became clear to the Regional Transportation Commission. Managed toll lanes were toast, and so was this project.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign platform included a minor plank to put an end to new toll roads in Texas. Not everyone realized how serious he was about that promise. When Abbott reviewed new road projects last year, he didn’t just put them on hold. He kicked a couple of them out of the state’s 10-year plan for highway priorities.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sens. Dallas Bob Hall and Don Huffines, all Republicans representing North Texas,

carried Abbot’s toll-lane gospel back to their base.

City Councilmen McGough and Lee Kleinman and other leaders responded with a social media campaign and hosted town-hall meetings. At a Lake Highlands meeting in February, McGough asked the crowd if they supported the LBJ East project with its managed toll lanes. All but about six of the 200 people in the room raised their hands. McGough spoke of the torments his wife and his 10-year old son endured just to get to soccer practice. Around 200,000 people share that torment every day.

At the same time, they were negotiating almost nonstop with the governor’s proxy, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Bugg. Neither side retreated from their position on the only real issue: toll lanes. When U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions wrote Abbott and asked him to let the optional toll lanes back into the LBJ East plan, the Dallas team was cheered.

It seemed like the project might wheeze across the finish line. But then Abbott showed how little interest he had in bargaining. He essentially told Sessions to mind his own business. The Governor wasn’t budging.

Managed one way, tortured the other

I’m gliding at a comfortable 75 miles per hour on LBJ’s eastbound Texpress lane. Four o’clock on a Thursday afternoon and at least 300 yards stretch between the nearest car and me. The gently used superhighway under my tires feels the way a new car smells. This is the way to drive.

When the LBJ West project wrapped in 2015, it transformed one of Texas’ worst traffic nightmares – I-635 between I-35 and U.S. Highway 75 – into a driving experience that is almost pleasant. Some are willing to pay a toll for the experience.

Even if you drive with the masses in the free lanes, the added toll lane makes it much better than a few years ago. The improved LBJ’s evil twin, those 11 miles of LBJ East, now seems worse than ever by comparison.

Why should a few optional toll lanes kick up such a fuss and shut down the whole project? When the Texas Lyceum surveys Texans every year, toll roads don’t even show up on the list. But anti-toll-roaders dug in deep. The transportation council believes the congestion-busting potential of the managed toll lanes is at least as important as the few hundred million dollars the tolls will bring in over the next 20 years.

Sen. Hall calls toll roads of any kind “a punitive approach that seeks to control people, punish and discriminate against the poor,” and “a revenue stream to fund unelected bureaucrats’ legal slush funds.” Sen. Huffines told the Advocate by email, “Toll roads and toll lanes are just another way for government to shake-down drivers, picking their pockets for every mile. It’s time for local transportation planners to respect voters and the state policies they put in place.”

With the notable exception of the two state senators, local support was strong

for the LBJ East plan with its managed toll lanes. Councilman Kleinman chairs the Dallas Transportation Committee. He and McGough have led the charge for the LBJ East project, and they’ve repeatedly observed that any opposition seemed to originate somewhere else — in Austin and rural West Texas.

Political technicalities

Is Abbott so passionate about the evils of toll roads? Or is he unwilling to back away from a campaign pledge during an election year? McGough says he is baffled by the blistering assault on the idea of even optional toll lanes.

A few members of the Dallas contingent have suggested that maybe nobody has explained to the governor the difference between a toll road and an optional toll lane. “My 10-year old knows the difference between toll roads and optional toll lanes. We discuss it quite often,” McGough said during that grim April meeting.

In the end, the compromise between the transportation council and Austin came about when Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Bugg persuaded Abbott that that he could “grandfather” the two managed toll lanes that opened on LBJ East in 2016. That way

Abbott could technically hold true to his promise of no new tolls. Transportation council negotiators agreed that they would not come back in the future asking for more toll lanes on LBJ East.

Kleinman says the compromise plan is not perfect, but “It’s 80 percent of perfect. So we should be good to go.” And the local planners will work with their RTC staff engineers to test other, innovative methods of clearing congestion. One possibility that’s been talked about might decrease the number of big rigs on the road in busy periods by actually paying truckers to drive on LBJ only between 3-6 a.m.

Meanwhile, the 200,000 drivers who surrender a small piece of their happiness every day when they venture onto LBJ East can now at least imagine a date in the future when things will be much better. They are eager to see the work start, and so is McGough. He says every month of delay runs up the cost by $5 million, for a total of roughly $30-million so far. Even if things go smoothly from this point, McGough’s 10-year old son will be driving himself to soccer practice by the time it’s done.

Andy Shaw is a former broadcast journalist who writes for the Advocate.

More than 200,000 people travel across LBJ East every day (Photo by Danny Fulgencio).