Writer in residence: Kay Honeyman

Kay Honeyman recently penned a book for young adults about a Chinese girl whose immigration to the United States is fraught with heartbreak, desperation and struggle, yet empowered by a Mulan-esque doggedness and resolve, and instances of human kindness. In “The Fire Horse Girl,” the Lake Highlands resident and Fort Worth native displays a seemingly intimate understanding of the immigrants’ journey to America via Angel Island off the coast of San Francisco, which includes languishing for months and even years — enduring medical examinations and interrogations — on the so-called “Ellis Island of the West.” The subject became particularly interesting to Honeyman, a teacher in the Highland Park school district, when in 2010 she began the process of adopting a child from China. “I started thinking about migration and looking into the stories of Angel Island, which were truly captivating.”

As for her main character, Jade Moon, the fiery child born under the dreaded Chinese zodiac sign Fire Horse, Honeyman says the girl resembles some women she knows. “She’s like a lot of women in my family,” Honeyman says, citing the protagonist’s strength and strong will. There’s nothing wrong with a certain amount of willfulness, this middle-school teacher believes. In fact, when her adoption caseworker sent a photo of 3-year-old Jack, Honeyman warmed to the fact that orphanage staffers had checked the box “obstinate” on his paperwork. “I knew he was perfect for our family of pot-stirrers,” she says. Last year Honeyman and her husband adopted a second child from China, and she is working on a second book, which will be about smalltown Texas politics.

2013 Hot Design Trend Forecast

This year’s trends are all about balancing sensibility and practicality with imagination and customization for each homeowner’s style – and lifestyle!

Upgraded Cabinetry

Upgraded, refaced, and refinished cabinetry, designed to accommodate your lifestyle and the specific things you do in your kitchens and bathrooms will become increasingly popular.

Practical Spaces

Rooms are being repurposed from impractical uses like formal dining areas to suit today’s lifestyle needs, including health & fitness, entertainment, and work or study.

Bold Visuals and Creative Textures

Imaginative combinations of classic colors and rich textures with elements that gleam, pop, and sparkle, like mosaic backsplashes and LED lighting will become the new standard.

Energy Star stainless steel appliances, better attic insulation, and leak-proof windows will make remodeled homes not only more beautiful and functional, but less expensive.

Green and Sustainable Materials

Materials free of toxins and harsh chemicals are becoming mainstream. Upgrades include Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) materials to improve air quality, and sustainable flooring.

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

White Rock Lake, Garland Road near San Rafael

as told to Keri Mitchell by Sally rodriguez, Dallas Park and recreation Department’s historian. Photos are courtesy of the Dallas Municipal archives and curated by rodriguez. She authored the book “White rock Lake,” available at area bookstores and through arcadiapublishing.com.

If you notice, Garland Road is just a two-lane road, not the sixlane road it is today. Because Garland Road is so small, there’s more parkland in that picture than there is today, and there was actually a park road that ran parallel to Garland down lower. We used to have a lot of little dirt roads that ran through. There’s now a guardrail at the edge of the trail, and that’s all the space there is. The parkland is very narrow now in most of the area.

This photo was something acquired at an estate sale, and so we have no background information on the picture. We have no clue what the group was gathered for. Behind them is the house, if I’m not mistaken, that used to have a line of rooms in the back, a separate building, and that was the hunting lodge.

(Because of the lack of photo information, city archivist John Slate, who oversees Dallas Municipal Archives, made an educated guess that the photo was taken in 1933-34.) “The cloche or clochestyle hats match the time period, as do the dress hemlines,” Slate says. “Hemlines were higher in the late ’20s, went back down to shin and lower in early ’30s. The one fellow in the white suit would not be out of place in the early ’30s. The fedoras on the men are also on line for about that time. The photos we have of hats on Clyde Barrow and his buddies are very, very similar and are 1933-34.”

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Run chilly … at the Too Cold to Hold run Sunday, Feb. 3 at 8:30 a.m. at Norbuck Park, Northwest Highway and Buckner. The race benefits The Family Place, the largest family violence service provider in the Dallas area. Runners can register for a 10-mile, 5-mile or 5k event online at runproject.org on or before Feb. 2 or until the run reaches its 3,000-person limit. Registration is $45-$55. Participants will receive a long-sleeved navy technical race shirt, and the first 1,000 participants who pick up their packets at the Run On! store, 5400 Mockingbird, will also receive a warm beanie bearing the race logo.

Party like a cowboy … because supporters of Moss Haven Elementary are notorious for themed fundraisers such as last year’s Boogie Nights auction and gala. This year organizers will host a Deep in the Heart of Dallas auction 6 p.m.-midnight Feb. 23 at the Double Tree Hotel, 8250 N. Central. General admission is $50 and reserved seating is $75. A $25 raffle ticket this year gets you a chance at a $10,000 AMEX gift card (that’s $7,500 after taxes, fyi). Only 800 tickets will be sold. Money raised at the event benefits Moss Haven Elementary in Lake Highlands. For tickets contact Jennifer Eckert at jenniferteckert@gmail.com, Sharon Kirkpatrick at sharonkirkpatrick@me.com or Erin Rosebery at erosebery96@sbcglobal.net.

Or shop for a cause … at World of Goods, 10675 E. Northwest Highway. This furniture, clothing and appliance-stocked resale store funds the Catholic Charities of Dallas, which serves 57,000 poverty-stricken people every year. If you want to help, all you have to do is shop. Even better, if you are looking to get rid of gentlyused furniture or clothing, collectibles, or household items, donate them to the store. 214.342.8231.

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.

Brumley Gardens

Roses are red, violets are blue, all Valentine paper goods are 50% off to you! While supplies last!

Brumley Gardens- Lake Highlands: 10540 Church Rd. 214.343.4900 & Bishop Arts: 700 W. Davis 214.942.0794 brumleygardens.com.