2010 May Lake Highlands

(RE)MODEL CITIZENS

A NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY COULDN’T RESIST THIS MID-CENTURY MODERN RENOVATION

Oak Trail Villas, on Timberleaf Drive in the Heart of Lake Highlands!

Totally renovated, like-new townhomes in the heart of the city. Relaxed living environment features 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath homes with hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless appliances, custom fireplaces, low-E windows, 13 SEER HVAC’s plus other high efficiency features, and garage or carports. Located on a tree-lined street inside Loop 635. Prices begin at just $168,900. Tour the Model Homes, visit www.OakTrailVillas.ebby.com, or call 214-497-2035. ®

CONTRACT PENDING

The timing wasn’t perfect, but when this family found their dream home, they acted swiftly. Now they plan to stay put. this and cover Photos by WesLey strinGer

g ou T To LunC h

s pend an afternoon — that is, eight minutes of your afternoon — on the patio with the a dvocate editors as they dish about their favorite places to dine al fresco. s earch: a dvocate radio, patio

g ‘ daT e nigh T’ gi V eaWays

a n opportunity to win weekly outings happens on our facebook page every friday at noon. you can’t win unless you’re our fan at facebook.com/advocatemagazines.

g P i CT ure-P erfeCT P e T s

s end your best pet photo to launch@ to enter the a dvocate pet photo contest and for a chance to see your pet on the magazine cover. Please include your name, phone number and zip code with the subject line: “pet photo contest”.

g drea M a Li TTLe drea M Waking life got you stressed? neighborhood experts offer dream interpretations. i n this a dvocate Back Talk video, they answer the “whys?” and “hows?”

s earch: video, dream interpretation

“Have you tried going through the 311 service? I’ve found the city to be surprisingly prompt and helpful with various issues addressed through 311.”

—MarcI Fer MIer, In response to “Bone-dry water Founta Ins on wHIte rock t ra Il” searc H : Bone-dry on

P : 214.823.5885 F: 214.823.8866 W: advocatemag.com

the trumpet of the robot

Years of practice didn’t make me

a

musician

In high school, I played the trumpet. Baseball was my first love, and I would have much preferred playing on a baseball team than lugging a trumpet back and forth to school.

But skill conspired against me, so somewhere around fifth grade, a friend and I wound up with trumpets in our hands.

We attended band class every day, and we were required to practice five nights a week as homework, 30 minutes per day.

And 30 minutes per day is what I put in; not a second more. My mom’s kitchen timer clocked me in, and when the bell went off, I stopped practicing in mid-note, plopped the trumpet into its case, and set off to find out what was on television.

My friend’s house was on the way home, and when I stopped by — no mat-

ter the time of day or night — I’d usually find him with the trumpet in his hands. He didn’t have a timer, didn’t really need one, because he played as long as he wanted, just for the fun of it.

So he was dedicated, and I was diligent. And I would say most students filling the chairs in band class were like me. We were punching the clock, putting in our time and then moving on.

Some of us were members of a smaller jazz band group (extra credit, plain and simple). If you know anything about jazz, you know that it’s music with no boundaries or rules; it just ebbs and flows, seemingly on its own. You have to know what you’re doing to be a jazz musician.

Having labored woodenly and just long enough over the music I had been provided for the prior eight years, I was in trouble.

As the band played behind me, I stared at the wall, my lips jammed into the trumpet’s mouthpiece, and nothing came out. Nothing. Listening to the music, I didn’t feel anything — other than fright. Years of practice had come down to this: I wasn’t a musician; I was a robot.

I slumped down, defeated, and wondered how more than a thousand hours of practice left me so woefully unprepared for my star turn.

Rick Wamre is publisher of advocate Publishing. Let him know how we are doing by writing to 6301 Gaston, Suite 820, Dallas 75214; FaX to 214.823.8866; or e-mail to rwamre@advocatemag.com.

DIS tr I but I o N ph /214.560.4203

The band director liked to give each of us a chance to showcase our talent, so to speak. Whether we wanted to or not, at some point we had to lay down the main track while the rest of the group played background. For the lead, there was no music to follow; the assignment didn’t require specific practice time, and there was no right or wrong. It simply required us to step up and play from the heart, drawing upon all of our years of practice. I believe it’s called a “riff” in the music world.

ADV ert ISING ph /214.560.4203 advertising coordinator: J u DY LIL e S /214.560.4203 jliles@advocatemag.com

And then my friend stood up for his shot, and he literally channeled Louis Armstrong. His music twisted and turned and dropped and climbed rhythmically, and the band fed off his energy and scaled new heights of its own. When he finished, there was an almost audible gasp of satisfaction in the room.

The instrument in my hands was workmanlike but nothing more; the same instrument in his hands was melodic and polished and inspiring.

I’ve often wondered why he was so good, and I wasn’t. In the end, it’s simple: My friend loved what he did, and it showed. I didn’t, and that showed, too.

advertising sales director: KrISt Y GACoNNIer /214.560.4213 kgaconnier@advocatemag.com display sales manager: br IAN be AV er S /214.560.4201 bbeavers@advocatemag.com senior advertising consultant: A m Y D ur AN t /214.560.4205 adurant@advocatemag.com advertising consultants: CAtherINe pAte /214.292.0494 cpate@advocatemag.com

N or A J oN e S /214.292.0962 njones@advocatemag.com m ADe LYN r Y b CZYK /214.292.0485 mrybczyk@advocatemag.com br ANDI Str INGer /469.916.7864 bstringer@advocatemag.com

pAtt I mILL er /214.292.0961 pmiller@advocatemag.com Je NNI fer t hom AS Vo SS /214.635.2122 jvoss@advocatemag.com K At I e J A me S /214-560-4215 kjames@advocatemag.com

classified manager: pr I o ber G er /214.560.4211 pberger@advocatemag.com classified consultants: SALLY ACK erm AN /214.560.4202 sackerman@advocatemag.com

S u SAN C LA r K /469.916.7866 sclark@advocatemag.com

e DI tor IAL ph / 214.292.2053 publisher: r ICK WA mre /214.560.4212 rwamre@advocatemag.com managing editor: K er I m I t C he LL /214.292.0487 kmitchell@advocatemag.com

editors: m A r L e NA C h AVI r A- me D for D /214.292.2053 mchavira-medford@advocatemag.com C hr IS t INA hu G he S b A bb /214.560.4204 chughes@advocatemag.com

r AC he L S to N e /214.292.0490 rstone@advocatemag.com

senior art director: JYNN ette N e AL /214.560.4206 jneal@advocatemag.com

assistant art director: Ju LIANN e r IC e /214.292.0493 jrice@advocatemag.com

designers: Je ANINe mIChNA-bALeS, L ArrY oLIVer, contributing

editors: Jeff SIeGeL, SALLY WAmre contributors: Se AN ChAffIN, SANDY Gre YSoN, bILL Keffer, GAYLA KoKeL, erIN moYer, GeorGe mASoN, bLAIr moNIe, eLLeN rAff web editor: CoLLeeN YANCY /469.916.7860 cyancy@advocatemag.com

photo editor: CAN türKYILmAZ /214.560.4200 cturkyilmaz@advocatemag.com

photographers: robert buNCh, mArK DAVIS, moLLY DICKSoN, C AIt Y CoLVArD interns: ALe X KNeSNIK, CurrAN KeLLe Y, tYLer terreLL, NADIA hILL aD vocate Pub L i S hin G / 6301 Gaston a venue, Suite 820, Dallas, t X 75214

MR e | president to M Z ie

in SK i | vice-president advocate, © 2010, 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.

blog& back talk

HOW IT DOESN’T WORK

Your real title should be “how we would like it to work, but it doesn’t” (“How It Works”, March Advocate). I contacted Councilman Jerry Allen in May 2009 about my sidewalk problem. It took until August 2009 to get into contact with James Dowdy (with City of Dallas sidewalk replacement). When I made contact with him, [I learned] only “bonded” concrete companies can replace a sidewalk according to city rules. Fact is, I could not find one bonded company to repair my 20 inches of sidewalk. So, I followed what you described in your article. I received an estimate signed and returned the forms. After no response, I called for a progress report. I was told that the city contractor should have contacted me the next morning, an unmarked pickup parked in the middle of my street, and a man carrying orange paint marked my sidewalk. I was excited that it appeared something was finally going to be done. I asked the man about the bill; he told me to call his supervisor, which I did, and was told they had no idea why I had not received a bill, but would get one out immediately. That was the end of any contact.

In December, I contacted Mr. Dowdy again and told him that I was going to again talk to my councilman he assured me my sidewalk would be taken care of shortly by a city crew. Later, in January, I was contacted by a different company. I refused to pre-pay them, and wondered what would have happened if I had paid the other company before they closed without completing the work. Does Dallas guarantee their “low-bid” contractors? Weeks later, still nothing.

Your “How It Works” section does not address anything except what the city would like you to believe is true. I can assure you, my experiences are not even close to your article. I have done everything in my power to take care of the problem. The city will be responsible from this point forward.

—STaN COKER, vIa EmaIl

“My kidneys failed me. Baylor didn’t.”

When Aaron Wiley was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, he had few options. “I could do dialysis at a hospital, do dialysis at home or do nothing and probably die,” he says. But at Baylor, Aaron learned that he was a candidate for a transplant. “My wife and I decided it was time to make a change—she became a donor.” After the transplant, Aaron says, “I got my energy back, my mind back, my family back. It’s like a new beginning.” As far as his wife, he says, “she gave me a kidney for Valentine’s Day. How am I gonna top that?”

For a physician referral or for more information about transplantation services at Baylor Dallas, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Transplant.

3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246

Remodeling Talk...

For the Truth about Customer Satisfaction, Talk to the Customer

The Problem: What’s Believable?

When companies of any kind feature testimonials in their advertising, it usually reflects their strong value for delivering customer satisfaction. Sadly though, it’s possible for testimonials to represent the unusually good experience, rather than the rule.

Since we’re not talking about ice cream or a haircut, that’s something to consider when reading a few cherry-picked testimonials. If your home’s renovation isn’t done exactly as it should be, you can’t just “walk it off” or “grow it out”.

There is no “Remodeling Customers’ Bill of Rights”, so how can you choose a firm without jitters? Fingers uncrossed? Four quotes and a success story won’t give you the whole truth. Frankly, even our glowing customer letters, on the “Our Clients” tab at www.bellavistacompany.com, still don’t assure you we didn’t leave out the complaints.

The Solution: Transparency and Access

In 2009, we decided to remove ourselves as a filter and give you direct transparency into our customers’ satisfaction levels. We developed a detailed survey to measure satisfaction with each phase of our process. Results will be updated frequently, and will be our ongoing way of providing you the truth you deserve from any remodeling firm. Here’s how our customers currently grade us:

BELLA VISTA COMPANY

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LEVELS

Contact: 4.5

Meetings & Planning: 4.7

Staff: 4.8

Pace: 4.4

Value: 4.8

The complete survey results are at www.bellavistacompany.com, on the “Our Clients” tab. You’ll see these averages combine for a cumulative 93% overall customer satisfaction rating. Even better, every single respondent circled “YES” to “Would you be willing to be a reference for our future customers?”

Discover the Truth: Talk to Our Customers

BellaVista customers are your neighbors and they would love to talk to you about the project you’re considering. It’s part of the fun in remodeling. We’ll make it easy – just tell us about the project you’d like to learn more about, and we’ll put you in touch with customers who can talk from experience. You’ll get the unfiltered truth, the confidence you deserve, and we bet you’ll even make a new friend in the process.

people, and we enjoyed showing them the gratitude they deserve at our Annual Customer Appreciation Party. See what a great time we all had on the “Our Community Tab” at www.BellaVistaCompany.com.

Lance Tyler and Darin Breedlove, CR, CGR, CAPS, CGP

…we’re not talking about ice cream or a haircut… if the renovation isn’t exactly right, you can’t just “walk it off” or “grow it out”.

LAUNCH

It’s fair to call White Rock Coffee roaster JONATHAN MEADOWSDallas’ best barista because he’s the first person from our city to place high enough in the South Central Regional Barista Competition to advance to the U.S. Barista Competition, for which he was preparing when we caught up with him. To him, java is more than just jolt-inducing potable — it’s an art and a way of life. Here, he shares his coffee philosophy and more.

At what point did coffee brewing become more than just a job for you?

I’ve been working at White Rock Coffee on and off three years now I am the coffee roaster. When I first started, it was just a job, but at some point early on I began to really get interested in coffee. I started learning everything I could about it — about where it was grown, who grows it ... and I learned about the difficulties faced by coffee farmers. So much money goes into coffee in the U.S., but the coffee farmers usually don’t see a whole lot of that. Many coffee farmers in developing countries live in poverty. That started tugging at my heartstrings a bit, and I guess that’s where the passion for coffee really took root.

CAITY COLVARD

more on JONATHAN MEADOWS

SO THIS IS YOUR CALLING?

This is my life. I don’t know where the coffee industry is going exactly, but my next step is going to be to possibly reach out to coffee farmers, travel and fill in some of the gaps to what I have learned. There is sort of a subculture of baristas out there who are pursuing this as a career, rather than just a job that gets them through college (for some it is [just a job] and that’s OK, too) but there’s a culinary and artistic level and philosophical — in a way, we represent all who have gone before us, everyone who has touched the coffee throughout the process.

YOU RECENTLY RECEIVED SOME ACCOLADES FOR YOUR GOOD WORK.TELL US ABOUT THAT.

The regional barista competition is the first time I’ve been in the public eye, competed, and done well. I always felt I was good and knowledgeable about my job, but I’d never really had an outside stamp of approval. I really just went out there and tried my best. It feels good to be noticed.

HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK?

There are 10 regional competitions, and the top six in each advance to the U.S. Barista Championship, and one barista from there will represent the U.S. in the World Barista Championship — last year there were 52 countries represented at the world competition, which goes to show that it is quite a growing subculture. Anyway, you have 15 minutes to prepare three separate drinks for each of four judges — one is your own specialty drink. My drink is a little out there. It’s made with espresso, ruby red grapefruit and raw honey. Most people wouldn’t expect this mix, but it actually pairs well — the grapefruit’s acidity complements the coffee. I had sort of a team of people that helped me come up with it before the competition.

IFI WANTED TO

TRY THE GRAPEFRUIT ESPRESSO DRINK, CAN I DROP BY WHITE ROCKCOFFEE AND ORDER ONE?

Yes and no. Well, mostly, no. There’s a was a promotional event I did [last month] in which I made the drink, and showcased the coffees I most like to use, but under regular circumstances, it is too time consuming, messy, and we’d have to keep fresh grapefruit on hand all the time. —CHRISTINA

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for neighborhood nonprofits

THIS MONTH POUND THE PAVEMENT

at the 3.1-mile NAMI Walk on Saturday, May 1 at 10 a.m. at Fair Park. Lake Highlands-based Dallas National Alliance on Mental Illness hosts the annual walkathon to raise funds and awareness and fight the stigma of mental illness. “[NAMI’s] goal is to help people with serious mental illness, such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, and their loved ones, improve their lives,” executive director Matt Roberts says. Learn more at NAMIDallas.org.

AND RUN OR WALK

the Hope for Battan Cure 5k, 2-Mile or 1k on Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m. at Bachman Lake, 3500 W. Northwest Highway. Lake Highlands residents

Nancy and Scott Lowden began organizing this annual running event after two of their grandchildren Eric and McKenna Lowden were diagnosed with Batten disease, a degenerative brain disease that affects children, and eventually can cause blindness, seizures, cognitive decline, psychosis, loss of speech and mobility, and eventually death. Proceeds from the race, for which you can register at bdsra.leapserve.com, benefit the Batten Disease Support and Research Association. By early February of this year, event organizers had generated about $273,000 for the cause.

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.

John Hancock

Find out — send your best pet photo to launch@advocatemag.com to enter the Advocate pet photo contest and for a chance to see your pet on the magazine cover.

Please include your name, phone number and zip code with the subject line: “pet photo contest”.

When Willie Nelson warned against letting your doggies (it was doggies, wasn’t it?) grow up to be Cowboys, Lake Highlands resident JASON BESTERFELDT didn’t heed. Now he’s got himself a fanatical Wheaton Scottish Terrier who wears nothing but official team gear and answers only to DALLAS, which, fortunately, happens to be his name.

A guide through the mAze of city-rel Ated questions

it is nearly impossible to turn left at the stoplight on my street. how can i get a left-hand turn signal instA lled ?

1. A citizen can phone either 311 or directly call the city of dallas transportation p lanning and engineering office at 214.670.3260. from there, a city employee takes down basic information, such as the intersection in question and the directions in which a turn signal is desired.

2. A city engineer has up to 90 days to take action on the request and will call the citizen to get more information about the intersection in question, including what days and times the intersection’s traffic light seems to cause the most problems.

3. t he engineer then conducts a study of the intersection, taking into account traffic and accident reports from the previous three years, as well as studying the sight lines and available traffic lanes at the intersection.

the best thing about this process is that it is relatively simple and pain free: no outof-pocket money needs to be spent, and no forms need to be filled out. however, from start to finish, the process of adding a left-hand turn signal if approved — can take a long time. if you’re willing to wait, here is how it works:

4. the engineer will compile the findings, and get in touch with the citizen within a month of the study’s completion. if the engineer decides that a turn signal is either not feasible, or not needed, the engineer will explain why. if the engineer instead agrees with the citizen that a traffic signal is needed, then the engineer will file a request. (in the past year, 80 requests for new traffic signals were filed, and five of those approved and installed.) the timetable on when action is taken, however, depends whether the engineer believes a left-hand turn signal is urgent, and on other factors such as available funds that the city has for projects such as these.

5. for more information, call the transportation p lanning and engineering office at 214.670.3260.

—SAM BOHMFALK

Repurpose your Home and Go Green

Do you have a room or closet in your home that is under-utilized? Could you use just a little more space but don’t want to add on or move? Repurposing your home might be easier and more cost effective then you think. Instead of expanding your home, remove a wall between the kitchen and living room to create an open area for entertaining, expand you master bathroom into the linen closet or repurpose the junk room off the garage to a full size laundry room. Using every inch of your home efficiently is easier than you think. By updating your home and repurposing each room for the needs of your family, you can increase the value of your home and reduce your expenses.

Interested in Home Repurposing? Rob Jackson, owner of Servant Remodeling, is an expert. For 23 years he has been remodeling homes in the Metroplex and was recently featured in The Dallas Morning News discussing the benefits of home remodeling without adding square footage. Call Rob at 214-343-1161 or visit www.servantremodeling.com to set up your appointment at their N.E. Dallas showroom and let him show you how efficient and effective a home remodel can be.

Servant Remodeling is a member of NARI (National Association of The Remodeling Industry) and Rob is the current president of the Dallas Chapter. Servant has won an award for Kitchen Remodeling for the last 4 years.

dance relief

The Wildcat Wranglers recently competed in the RISD Dance Off, a charity benefit for Haiti earthquake relief. Lake Highlands was the first school in the district to have a country and western dance team they modeled it after the Aggie Wranglers but now all four RISD high schools have a team of their own. The nearly $2,000 raised will go to Ben and Katie Kilpatrick, RISD graduates who moved to Port-au-Prince Haiti two weeks before the earthquake. They teach history and English to seventh through 11th-graders at Quisqueya Christian School there, and they’ve been helping the people of the devastated island put their lives back together. “We have decided to

Melinda Knecht

Judy Roberts

use this donation to invest in a Haitianrun nonprofit that is sponsoring school tuition, meals, uniforms, supplies, etc. for bright Haitian kids who come from extremely poor families,” Ben Kilpatrick says. “This donation will change a life, or several lives!” Marydel Harris, former Wrangler mom and perennial supporter of Lake Highlands causes, believes in the work the Kilpatricks are doing. “We met Katie two years ago when she was here in Dallas working for the Buckner Foundation,” Marydel says. “She’s an impressive young woman, and I’ve enjoyed reading their blog from Haiti.” Ben graduated from Berkner, and Katie Wilhoite Kilpatrick graduated from JJ Pearce. Get to know the couple at benandkatieinhaiti.com. —CAROL TOLER

ROBERT BUNCH

IS YOUR PET ACOVER MODEL?

Find out — send your best pet photo to launch@advocatemag.com to enter the Advocate pet photo contest and for a chance to see your pet on the magazine cover.

Please include your name, phone number and zip code with the subject line: “pet photo contest”.

WINE ON THE ROOF

$55 The East Lake Pet Orphanage knows how to party. Once a year, they take a night off from saving homeless dogs, sick cats and injured birds to throw a party on the roof. The fundraiser includes live music, a silent auction, wine tasting, food and, of course, a pet fashion show. Because there’s nothing more entertaining than dogs wearing clothes. All proceeds go to support East Lake Pet Orphanage, which is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned and unwanted pets. It’s a no-kill shelter, and it’s always brimming with animals. The shelter also works to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets, and responsible pet ownership. The party starts at 7 p.m. East Lake Pet Orphanage, 10101 E. Northwest Highway. 214.342.3100, elpo.org.

—RACHEL STONE

SPRING MARKET FREE The Bishop Lynch Brigade’s annual spring market, an arts-and-crafts sale, is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 9750 Ferguson Road, bishoplynch.org.

WHITE ROCK LAKE

FESTIVAL $5 The 11th annual White Rock Lake Festival at Boy Scout Hill features classic car collectors, live music and food.

Animal handlers from the Dallas Zoo will be on hand with animals and free passes. It starts at 10 a.m. each day and lasts until 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Proceeds go to White Rock Lake Park, whiterocklakefoundation.org. Register for the White Rock ‘n’ Roll 5k or 10 miler (Saturday at 8 a.m.) and get a free festival pass. Dallasrunningclub.com.

PETER RABBIT’S FLOWER VILLAGE

$7-$10 The newest Dallas Arboretum exhibit caters to young children and their families. The topiary flower houses of Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, Mrs. Tittlemouse and Jemima Puddleduck include interactive elements of the storybook tales. Also during the Summer at the Arboretum festivities are Family Fun Mondays, with face painting and a petting zoo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and younger.Onsite parking is $7.Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road. 214.515.6500 or dallasarboretum.org.

TWILIGHT TUESDAYS

$8-$16 The Dallas Arboretum’s Twilight Tuesday concert lineup for May includes Johnny Reno & the Lounge Kings, Tuxedo Junction, Paul Salos, and Jennifer Baldwin & the Vibes. Tickets are $8 for members and $16 otherwise. 214.515.6518 or dallasarboretum.org.

happeningsLAUNCH

Better teendriving, bigger discounts.

COOL

THURSDAYS $8-$24 The Dallas Arboretum’s Cool Thursday concert lineup for May includes Asleep at the Wheel on May 27. Tickets for that show are $16 for members and children and $24 for non-member adults. Other shows, which are $8 for members and $16 otherwise, are Emerald City, Satisfaction and Havana NRG. The shows are from 7:309:30 p.m., and a ticket includes free parking. 214.515.6518 or dallasarboretum.org.

CARNIVAL OF THE

ANIMALS $12-$23 Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts presents “Carnival of the Animals” at the Dallas Children’s Theater. Call for dates and times, 214.740.0051, or check dct.org. Baker Theater, Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman.

ARBORETUM PLANT SALE FREE

The 8 a.m.-5 p.m. sale includes more than 23,000 plants starting at $2 each. Amateur gardeners and seasoned horticulturists will be on hand to answer questions. The sale takes place at the back of Rosine Hall adjacent to the main parking lot, so no garden admission or parking will be charged. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road.

DALLAS SYMPHONY AT FLAGPOLE

HILL FREE The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s community concerts series kicks off Memorial Day weekend with an 8 p.m. performance at Flagpole Hill. dallassymphony.com.

Shroom Vroom (portabello mushrooms, asparagus, orzo, caramelized cauliflower and feta cheese)

“THE TORTILLAIS JUSTAVEHICLE.” So says Colleen O’Hare of her culinary creations at Good 2 To Go Tacos, which sits in the back of Green Spot Market and Fuels. She and partner Jeana Johnson combine their many years in the restaurant business to whip up all sorts of new takes on the traditional taco. “It’s like ‘Top Chef’ in our kitchen every day,” Johnson jokes. “There’s a lot of artistic interpretation happening.” Case in point: the Chaaty Kathy, Moroccan braised chicken, lentils and quinoa; or the Shroom Vroom, portabello mushrooms, asparagus, orzo, caramelized cauliflower and feta. Local ingredients are key, which means the menu changes regularly, depending on what’s in season. Typically, there are about three breakfast tacos, and about five lunchtime offerings. And should you want to kick things up a notch, there are more than 60 bottles of hot sauce to choose from. —MARLENA

The

here is roasted overnight, making for mighty tender tacos, which come topped with fresh queso blanco and sliced avocado.

This no-frills joint serves up fish tacos that’ll only run you a few

MARK DAVIS

YOUR GUIDE TO DINING OUT

The BEST BE E E AT S in our neighborhood

ANOTHER BROKEN EGG $ FB Another Broken Egg just celebrated its one year anniversary serving the most unique breakfast, brunch, and lunch in Dallas. Come try our updated menu serving oscar benedict, eggs sardou, and the first ever lobster omelette in Dallas. Every Tuesday is Seniors’ Tuesdays, 50 % off your bill. We also do private parties and banquets at night. Enjoy the unique ability to host your private function with the entire restaurant at your disposal. Locally owned by Chris Harwood and Michael Obrien. 1152 N Buckner Blvd (across from Doctors Hospital) 214.954.7182.

BACK COUNTRY BBQ $ WB Over 30 years of Texas-style BBQ. Family dining - 8 different meats, variety of homemade vegetables. Complete catering & custom cooking. Beer, wine, margaritas. 6940 Greenville Ave. 214.696.6940.

CHUBBY’S $ When looking for a restaurant to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all want a place that serves up variety, hearty helpings and even bigger portions of friendliness. The Touris family has developed a recipe that

delivers all of the above at a good price. With four locations in the Metroplex, Chubby’s Family Restaurant provides a rustic setting with down home cooking. Catering available. Locations: 11331 E. NW Hwy. 214-348-6065 and 7474 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 972-298-1270.

SZECHWAN PAVILION $$ FB Szechwan and Mandarin cuisine. Close to 100 items in this reasonably priced menu and buffet. Wonderful selection of grilled steak, shrimp, crab ragoon, sesame chicken, chow-mein, fried rice, egg roll and desserts. Established 1980. Clean and spacious dining room. 1152 N. Buckner Blvd. 75218. 214.321.7599. www.szechwanpavilion.com. PUT

PATIO

JACKSON-TRIGGS VIDALICEWINE PROPRIETORS’ RESERVE 2006 ($20) CANADA>

One of the problems with giving wine as a gift is that we often aren’t sure about what to give. Chocolates and flowers are easy; wine isn’t, given the seemingly infinite number of varieties and styles. That’s why, with Mother’s Day upon us, here are a few thoughts about giving Mom wine and serving wine for a Mother’s Day dinner or brunch.

First and foremost, if you do know what Mom likes, give it to her. That means that if she appreciates white zinfandel, it doesn’t matter what you think about white zinfandel. Second, don’t get too complicated. Just because you were impressed with that cult Napa wine doesn’t mean she will be, especially if she doesn’t drink too many cult Napa wines. And finally, wine should be fun. You don’t want Mom drinking something just to please you on Mother’s Day.

To that end, here are three wines that offer value and that Mom should like:

The quality of this South African wine, especially at this price, always surprises me. It’s more French in style than anything else, with more mineral than fruit and just a touch of lemon zest.

Bonny

Doon’s Randall Grahm is equal parts character and great winemaker, and all of his wines deliver value. This vintage of the syrah has a little more fruit than the previous one, but it’s still complicated, interesting and balanced. This is what California syrah should taste like. Availability may be limited.

Ice wine is one of the world’s great guilty pleasures, and this is no exception. It’s dessert wine, so it’s honeyed, rich and luscious, but the sweetness is much more than just sugary.

—JEFF SIEGEL

JEFFSIEGEL’S WEEKLY WINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on the Advocate Back Talk blog, advocatemag.com/lakehighlands/blog.

WITH YOUR WINE

Tomato and roasted red pepper soup

How many times did Mom make you tomato soup? So why not return the favor? This tomato soup is amazingly easy to make, and it tastes much better than you’d expect (even with canned tomatoes). You’ll never buy a can of the condensed stuff again. It’s a nice match with the Bonny Doon syrah.

Serves four, takes about 30 minutes

1 28-oz can best quality whole canned tomatoes

1 6-oz jar roasted red peppers

1 onion, peeled and chopped

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 ½ c water

2 tsp flour

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1 tsp herbs de Provence

1 tsp sugar

salt and pepper to taste

1. Drain the tomatoes and peppers, and save the tomato juice.

2. In a large saucepan, sauté the onions in the olive oil for three to four minutes over medium to high heat. Then add the flour, mix well, and cook for another minute.

3. Add the water, mix well, and then add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, and cook for 15 minutes. The tomatoes will have broken up, and the soup should be chunky.

4. Let the soup cool for a couple of minutes, and then puree in a blender until it is smooth. Put it back in the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Taste. If it isn’t tomato-ey enough, add a little of the reserved juice. Serve hot.

ask the WINE GUY?

WHAT IS ICE WINE?

Ice wine is wine made from grapes that are left on the vine to freeze. Freezing concentrates the sugar in the grapes, which produces the ice wine’s intense sweetness. As such, it is difficult to make and consequently expensive.

—JEFF SIEGEL

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Thank You to Our Other Contributors

Abrams Royal Animal Clinic, Albertsons, Anonymous, Cake Ball Company, Christy/Norcross/Thomas Realtors, Dallas Academy of Martial Arts, Dallas Ballet Center, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Stars, Estrera Family, GPLP/Graphic Products, LP, Healthy On The Go Casserole, Highland Nails, Janie Christy School of Dance, Jennifer Wilcox/State Farm, Jerry Allen, Jo & Mike Baggett, L&M Freight Services, Lake Highlands Estates Neighborhood Association, LH North Recreation Center, LHHS Boys Varsity Team, Lone Star Yard Art, Messina Hof Winery, Outback Steakhouse, Park Cities Baptist Church Sports Camp, Picasso,s, Prescott Realty/LH Town Center, Reed Wilcox/TWFG Insurance, Republic Title, Richardson Bike Mart, Texas Rangers, The Store in Lake Highlands, Top Golf, Twin Bows

A Special Thanks to the Entire Hoops in the Highlands Committee, Volunteers, and Participants

The Burke Company

design • build • remodel

The A-Team, the Ghostbusters, the Magnificent Seven… The Burke Company. When you need a job of any kind done right, you call the most skilled and experienced team around. The Burke Company has been a leader in the Dallas design, build, remodel industry since its founding by Pat Burke in 1959. Like its fictitious counterparts above, the Burke team has come to inspire an unprecedented level of confidence in its clients thanks to its long history remodeling homes in Dallas neighborhoods and through the numerous national awards from groups as prestigious as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and various industry publications.

Owner Jason Asmar is a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) with the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and Project Developer Abby Keyes holds both Certified Green Professional (CGP) as well as Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designations with NAHB. These certifications affirm The Burke Company’s dedication to providing its customers with the highest level of integrity and quality –from pre-construction planning to project management to saving money (and the environment) down the road.

If you were going to put together a dreamteam of design, build, remodel professionals, you couldn’t ask for a better assemblage than The Burke Company’s in-house designers, architects, builders and project managers like Keyes and construction veteran Clay Knight.

They manage each job seamlessly from start to finish, with an emphasis on communication and a strong rapport with clients. Says Asmar, “We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients and their neighbors. There is no greater vote of confidence in our team’s quality of work than returning to a neighborhood to start a new project.”

For more information, call 214-887-0005. To see some of The Burke Company’s award-winning work, visit their online galleries at www.theburkecompany.com.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

James R.Ampil, M.D. www.wadehuebner.com

Dr. Ampil and the other board-certified physicians at Wade-Huebner Clinic are committed to providing advanced medical care while adhering to traditional doctor-patient values. We treat most acute and chronic illnesses and focus on prevention by offering wellness and preventive examinations. We are on the medical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, and we strive to make our patients’ experience a rewarding one that leads to better health and well-being.

WADE-HUEBNER CLINIC

9301 N. CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY, SUITE 670, DALLAS, TX 75231 214.345.8250

COSMETIC AND FAMILY DENTISTRY

Dena T.Robinson,

Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry

“It’s not just about the teeth, but the whole person. Seeing someone’s oral health improve means their total health has improved as well. The focus at our White Rock Lake cosmetic dentistry practice is on comprehensive dental care.” Let us help you make a difference in your life!

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8940 GARLAND RD., SUITE 200, DALLAS, TX 75218 214.321.6441

OPTOMETRIST

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COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY

Dr Cothern is one of a small distinguished percentage of dentists who have invested in postgraduate training at one of the world’s premiere continuing education institutes, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. We care about you as a unique individual and examine you in a way that together we can understand every aspect of your oral health. In our office we love what we do. NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO SMILEABOUT!

DDS, FAGD

Modern FAMILY

he couple, two successful architects, lived in a Merriman park home — traditional, but newly remodeled to their tastes — with 4-year-old daughter ava, a golden retriever named foster, and another child on the way.

they were perfectly content. settled. well, maybe not perfectly.

the husband, rick Myers, had casually mentioned to his realtor that someday he’d love to find a midcentury modern home in lake highlands. No hurry, though.

Just a week after their new baby, emma, was born, Myers received an email: a too-good-to-be-true, freshly renovated home near walnut hill and audelia

story / Christina hughes BaBB photos / Wesley stringer

This architecturally-minded clan thought they lived in the perfect space, until these updated digs stole their hearts

Bernita Beikmann and Rick

— here with daughters Emma and Ava — found their dream home in Merriman Park in 2007.

A renovation included a major overhaul to the master bedroom, which originally had a large room but only a tiny bathroom. Now both are large.

Beams throughout the ceiling structure accentuate the home’s clean lines.

Myers

enjoy their pastel-inspired bedroom in the new home.

During a recent renovation, the former homeowner converted a closet into extra master-bathroom space.

Ava and Emma Myers

had just hit the market. Myers and his wife, the Realtor insisted, should really take a look.

Wife Bernita Beikmann told her husband, in no uncertain terms, “Whatever you do, don’t go look at that house.”

But Myers says he couldn’t help himself.

“I figured it couldn’t hurt to look,” he says.

After touring the house, he confessed all to his wife, and — pressing his luck — urged her to see it.

She reluctantly approached the home, baby carrier in tow, looking for the slightest imperfection.

“I wanted to find something wrong with the house. Anything. But as I walked through, I was muttering every cartoon curse word I know, because I realized we were going to have to move.”

The mid-century modern dwelling is situated on a brisk incline at the back of a quiet cul-de-sac. Its exterior is modest, but its strong lines and stone façade hinted to the architect that this was a unique find. Light and nature flow into every room through huge windows; the renovation exhibits obvious care, craftsmanship and dedication to top-quality construction materials. Details — such as glass-tiled, travertine-floored bathrooms, and the

kitchen’s glass mosaic counter backsplashes and top-of-the-line appliances reaffirmed to Beikmann that she had found home.

The next night the couple made an offer, and within a few days they had a contract on the house and were putting their Merriman Park home up for sale.

“We understood how difficult it is to find a renovated mid-century modern in this neighborhood.” Beikmann says.

NOT IN OUR YARD

THIS HOMETOUR.

Ron’s Organics is proud to sponsor and maintain the park for the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home & Garden Tour. We will be spreading ALLNATURAL INSECT REPELLENT to all the homes and parks on tour, making it inviting to visit the homes and gardens.

Area’s Largest Organic Garden Center

Moore Life offers yearround organic health care programs to ensure your trees, shrubs, and turf are receiving proper nutrition to remain healthy and vigorous. We also provide insect and disease control to protect your gardens seasonally.

Plus our Enhanced Compost Tea reduces water usage up to 30%!

ServiceS

Moore Life Enhanced Compost Tea

Annual Seasonal Spray Program

Beneficial Insect Release

Root Zone Fertilization

Air Spade Aeration

Horticultural Oil

A wall separating the kitchen from the family area has been repurposed as a built-in entertainment center.

The stone work in the fireplace is repeated in walls and columns throughout the home.

Stairs lead to a kid-centered activity room and office space. back

The new home meshed flawlessly with their taste, while the previous home, even after they remodeled it themselves, never exactly fit their style, Beikmann says.

“In the old house, friends would ask when we were putting curtains up,” Beikmann says. “In this house they understand that

there won’t be curtains.” adds Myers, “It’s like some of our friends have said: this looks like a place where two architects would live.”

The 3,141-square-foot house was built in 1963, owned by the original builder until he died, and then sold in 2007 to a builder who completely remodeled it before the Myers-Beikmann family bought it in 2008. according to Beikmann, the renovation included a major overhaul to the mas-

“This looks like a place where two architects would live.”

ter bedroom, which originally had a large room but only a tiny bathroom. a closet was converted into space used for a roomier master bathroom. Workers installed large windows and glass doors that allow the maximum benefit of natural light.

a wall separating the kitchen from the family area has been repurposed as a built-in entertainment center, flanked by a contemporary fireplace. a n activity room occupies most of the upstairs. But a va, now 6 years old, says that as much as she loves her room complete with toys and a television, she likes the neighborhood’s outdoor accommodations even more.

“In the old house, friends would ask when we were putting curtains up. In this house they understand that there won’t be curtains.”

Local craftsman

Jim Kuchera custom made downstairs shelving that can be seen from the top of the staircase.

Geometrical patterns keep the walls interesting. A stair-step pattern opens a space between the dining and living rooms.

“We can walk to the park!” she says.

The family has added a few of its own touches — local craftsman Jim Kuchera custom made downstairs shelving and an upstairs entertainment center, and wall art is comprised mostly of family photos shot by photographer Andrew Hamilton.

“All in all, we really didn’t have to do anything,” Myers says.

This time, he says, the family plans to stay put for the long haul. “Buying this house was a big commitment, and we will stay here until we are empty nesters,” he says.

“Then I suppose we might reassess.”

Living n the

A stone’s throw from a busy expressway lies a quiet refuge marked by ponds, gardens, foliage and beautiful modern homes

Story By ChriStina hugheS BaBB / PhotoS By roBert BunCh

Urban Reserve founder Diane Cheatham plans to sell her sustainable 3,824-squarefoot home and move to another in the same development.

here most — if they noticed it at all — saw a densely thicketed stretch of land separating Lake Highlands from busy Central Expressway, Diane Cheatham saw 14 acres of opportunity to create a vanguard village of modern and sustainable homes that would attract various types of buyers.

“When I bought [the land], it was thick with trees, jungle-like. I couldn’t even walk through,” says

more! Lunch included. Sign up today!

Cheatham, a former accountant who became a full-time builder at age 40.

Today, about six years after purchasing the acreage just east of Forest Lane, the brush is cleared, and Cheatham’s vision is nearly half-completed. a narrow street (22 feet wide to minimize use of impervious pavement) is sloped for rain collection and curves through an assemblage of crisp contemporary homes varying in shape and square footage — their values range from $300,000 to several million dollars, Cheatham says.

Representing the upper end of that scale is her two-story, 3,824-square-foot home built, as is every aspect of the Urban Reserve community, with an impeccably Earth-friendly attitude.

Rain gardens and a duck-populated pond serve more than simple aesthetics — they filter and reuse rain water, as does Cheatham’s

futuristically shaped roof, whose recycled slate traps 100 percent of roof water before channeling it to an underground tank for future irrigation purposes.

still in the loop. Even though we are near the highway, we don’t have traffic noise.”

It is hushed aside from the faint hum of the DART rail, a few construction workers and city contractors putting final touches on the White Rock Trail, which will wind through pecan and willow trees and along bamboo-filled green spaces.

214-341-0330

®

214-826-0316

In fact, Cheatham loves Urban Reserve so much that she’s building a new three-story home at the northern edge of the subdivision. Before founding this urban neighborhood, she and her husband, Chuck, lived for 25 years in the Oak Lawn area, where she worked on mid-city infill projects. She didn’t want to leave Oak Lawn at first, but now she can’t imagine leaving her newfound refuge.

10233 East Northwest Highway, Suite 438 6441 East Mockingbird

“The move was challenging, but I love being here. When we got all moved in, here’s how I felt …” she takes a deep breath and, eyes closed, exhales with an “ahh”.

“I love the quietness, but we are

The community is only halfway sold at this point — 25 of 50 lots have been sold. One of the most recently completed homes belongs to David and Julie Dempsey. David Dempsey calls Urban Reserve a sanctuary where he hopes to spend the rest of his life.

“We have built three homes; the first two were more traditional. We found this to be a refreshing approach to building a home and were attract-

®

Homes vary in shape and square footage and range in price from $300,000 to several million.

Concerts in the Garden

Hardscapers for the urban jungle.

ed to the energy efficiency aspect,” Dempsey says. (He says his electricity bills have gone from about $650 in his former 3,500-square-foot home to about $150 in his new 2,000 square-foot home).

“The next move from here will be to the cemetery,” he quips.

Based on his experiences, constructing a sustainable home was more complicated than building a traditional home, Dempsey says, but Cheatham pairs clients with architects, dictates design guidelines and oversees the projects from a distance. That made the progression as smooth as possible, Dempsey says.

A sustainable home is designed from the inside out, says architect Dan Shipley, who has built homes in Urban Reserve. Window placement, for example, is a key component that determines both efficiency and appearance.

“You have to strategically place glass in a way that allows natural light into the right spaces but keeps heat out of those spaces,” Shipley says.

Building the home with proper insulation and protection from

Urban Reserve’s narrow streets minimize use of impervious pavement and slope for rain collection, which is later used to water the plentiful plant life that includes fields of slow-growing bamboo.

water damage, and using materials that don’t require too much upkeep are just a few of the myriad elements that go into “smart” building, Shipley says. (He steers away from buzzwords such as “green” or “eco-friendly”.)

“It’s these considerations that drive the way the outside of the house looks.”

The beauty of Urban Reserve lies not only in its eco-friendly nature and visual appeal, but also in the people it attracts. While the character of many subdivisions is determined by its residents’ stage in life, Diane Cheatham says, it’s a little different in Urban Reserve.

“People here are connected based on what they love trails, art, nature,” she says.

“This way, you see a lot of diversity. Our youngest buyer is 28, the oldest is 80, and there’s everything in between. It makes for an interesting place to live.”

Anne Griffin

FAMILY TREE

An ‘out-of-control’ playhouse project brings a bit of magic to one Lake Highlands neighborhood

In the Woodbridge community of Lake Highlands, a single steeply pitched rooftop juts above the rest — it hovers over a stained-glass window that, in the right light, glints from behind thick leaves and branches. The frame, though towering, appears miniature and dreamy — and when you eventually locate its roots, it’s like finding the pot of gold at the base of a rainbow.

When they moved into the neighborhood about eight years ago, Steve and Jeri Wakefield decided to build the treehouse for their grandsons, Lincoln and Sullivan Scott.

“There was an old platform in the tree, and that gave us the idea,” Jeri says. They hired family friend James Curvan to do the job because he loves kids and he is a gifted architect, Jeri says.

ABOVE/Steve and Jeri Wakefield hired friend and architect James Curvan to build the ultimate treehouse in their Woodbridge backyard. BELOW/ A handcrafted wooden toy train and other details compliment the ever-evolving Woodbridge wonderland. PHOTOSBY ROBERT BUNCH

BOY SCOUT HILL

May 1 & 2

“They had the tree for it, so I started by building a model,” Curvan says. “If you look at the model through a tube from the trajectory point, you can see exactly what it will look like in the tree.”

Curvan took about three months to build the initial phase of the treehouse, which he admits with a chuckle, “got a little out of control.”

A doghouse, sized for the Wakefield’s poodle, is situated at the bottom of a staircase that winds from ground to the main level winding stairs, Curvan says, because ladders can be intimidating for kids.

Other details in the design also evidence Curvan’s knack for understanding children. He learned a lot about building for young minds when

doing research in the 1980s for a Montessori school project, he says.

An upstairs door fashioned from an antique organ door opens to a Pergofloored — as well as air-conditioned and electrically lit — room with builtin kid-sized bunk beds, shelving and a window seat. A child’s table with little chairs, books and games invites kids, both young and old, to escape.

Much of the wood used on the main house is from a 19th century bed frame Curvan was working on the treehouse one day when the Wakefield’s landscaper came by lugging behind his truck an old blackwalnut bed, which he planned to take to the dump. Curvan spotted the bed and offered to take it off the guy’s hands. He cut up the wood for building material, situating the headboard over the door to the main gable, and interweaved the rest of the black walnut throughout the project.

A large stained glass window is the work of Jeri’s first husband. Other windows on the main level are made

BENEFITING WHITE ROCK

BENEFITING

ROCK LAKE PARK

Neighborhood children such as 3-year-old Tiffany Fairbanks enjoy spending time in the toy- and trinket-filled treehouse.

PHOTO BY ROBERTBUNCH

Capture, Create, CREATE:

a short video (between 30 seconds and 3 minutes) that showcases the uniqueness of our neighborhood in the theme: “All local, all the time”.

Deadline: Videos must be submitted by YouTube/ web link or on DVD to our offices no later than 5 p.m. July 11, 2010; late entries will not be eligible to win a prize.

VIEW:

Prizes and Details at advocatemag.com/videocontest

Readers will have a chance to pick the winner. Online Voting will be available week of July 12-17 at advocatemag.com

Video winner will be chosen by online viewers. Grand prize for winning video: An air-conditioned luxury box for 16 people, three parking passes, and $300 worth of food credits for the sought after Texas Rangers vs. the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, July 25 (or comparable game, at our option). (Package worth $3,450) Great prizes for the three runners up. (Seriously, we don’t joke about great prizes at the Advocate)

Jeri Wakefield has spent years collecting antiques and crafting art for the treehouse’s walls and shelves. PHOTO BY

from Plexiglas, for safety, but Curvan carved patterns into the surface to “make them more interesting”. Jeri’s artistic touch and eye for intriguing antiques add character and charm to the structure — an antique steel airplane, a handcrafted train and a Franciscan bell from the California missions, to name a few, adorn the treehouse’s rails and ledges.

The house doesn’t rely on any

students of any race, color, religion, gender, and national or ethnic origin.

part of the tree for support, nor has Curvan chopped any of its branches. Instead, the framework rests atop steel columns.

“Unless you look closely, you can hardly notice the columns because I painted them the same color as the tree,” Curvan says. “It is also built so that if any branches fall from the tree, they will fall away from the house.”

During the first phase, Curvan built multiple small “forts” around the base of the tree, which some of the neighborhood kids like more than the big tree house, he says.

“Jeri wanted seven gables — ‘The

ANNE GRIFFIN

House of Seven Gables’, you know? I’ve given her six,” Curvan says.

The treehouse attracts kids from all around, and Jeri says she welcomes its popularity. But as her own grandchildren grew (they are now 7 and 9 years old), she says they “needed more of a challenge”. So each year the Wakefields added something new a climbing wall, a back porch, a gazebo, a cargo climbing net and most recently a zip line that carries brave riders from the top of the treehouse to a pit across the yard.

The treehouse, on its own, is fantastic, but the real magic happens during parties — Jeri has hosted many themed parties for her friends’ children and grandchildren, and the annual Easter egg hunt last month drew about 100 children and their families.

At the egg hunt, Steve Wakefield mingles with neighbors, Jeri good-naturedly shouts directions to the excited kids, and Curvan watches over the bigger kids near the treehouse.

As they zip past him, Curvan smiles and says, “Good turnout. This is the fun part.” —CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

ROBERT BUNCH

THE GOODS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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THE NATURAL INHALER

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MYTH-BUSTING FICTION

In her book, a learning difference isn’t the central theme, but it keeps things interesting and helps shatter misconceptions

In an era where young people live on stories surrounding model-perfect teenagers marred only by boyfriend troubles and the occasional case of vampirism, fiction featuring the types of people you meet in everyday life can be refreshing.

Locally based Grow Wings and Fly Publishing produces adventures, thrillers and fairytales starring characters with learning differences. The books aren’t about those differences, publisher Mike Crowell says. That just happens to be a part of the story. The idea is to “change attitudes, myths and misconceptions that surround the world of children with learning differences,” he says.

Grow Wings and Fly recently published Lake Highlands resident Nancy Davenport’s book “Donavan and the Big Hole”, a “Texas tale” about kids who dig up a mysterious box and wind up in the middle of an adventure. The story is narrated by 14-year-old Donavan, who has Down syndrome, which gives the lighthearted work a uniquely poignant perspective.

For years, Davenport — whose now 32-year-old son, Austin, has Down syndrome — wrote a weekly parenting column for the Richardson News. This

is her first foray into fiction.

“It is a lot more fun than I thought it would be,” she says. “Once I started writing — and I guess I hear writers say this sometimes — the story sort of wrote itself.”

Not only did she enjoy unraveling her plot, but she also had fun weaving in Lake Highlands landmarks — the creek that flows alongside the Merriman Park neighborhood is a big player — and tidbits of history. The central character, Donavan, has a thought process similar to most boys his age, but he doesn’t express himself as easily as others — this is one of the important things Davenport tries to convey to the reader.

Austin, who attended Lake Highlands schools through high school, just married and lives in the area. What does he think of the book?

“Just another one of mom’s projects,” Austin’s mother says. “It’s mildly interesting that his photo appears on the inside cover, but he doesn’t really seem phased by it.”

CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

“DONAVAN AND THE BIG HOLE” is available at barnesandnoble.com or growwingsandflypublishing.com. Some of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to National Down Syndrome Congress.

ROBERT BUNCH

LIVE LOCAL

THELOWDOWN ONWHAT’S UPWITHNEIGHBORHOODBUSINESSES

In case you were wondering when that bank near Home Depot (on Skillman, north of Northwest Highway) is going to open, well, it’s not. The shell of a bank building recently was demolished, and a QuikTrip 1 will be constructed on the site.

Healing Hands Ministries 2 is celebrating its third anniversary. The nonprofit started off as a small medical clinic in Lake Highlands with one volunteer doctor, and was open five or six days a month to a limited number of low-income families who didn’t have medical insurance. The office has expanded to include a dental clinic, and just recently received $25,000 from The Dallas Foundation for additional expansions to its medical and dental services.

Lake Highlands resident Chad Costas of marketing and advertising agency Black

Lab Creative 3 is celebrating his first Dallas ADDY award. Costas, along with partners Brett Dougall, Eddie Hale and John McFarland, recently received a bronze award from the Dallas Ad League for the design and development of the 2009-2010 Baylor Health Care System Foundation Annual Fund campaign. The ADDY awards are the largest advertising competition in the world with more than 60,000 entries annually, and include three levels of judging: local, regional and national. “We always knew we were awesome. Now, with this award, everyone else knows it, too,” Costas quips, then adds, more seriously: “It is truly an honor to be recognized by Dallas’ premier advertising competition for our work.” The partners named their agency

Black Lab Creative to represent the qualities they stand for: loyalty, determination, passion, and spirit. Photos of the partners’ own black and chocolate labradors can be found on their website, blacklabcreative.com including the newest addition, Hale’s new black labrador puppy, Abbey.

Lake Highlands resident Carol Thomas opened Breakaway Sport & Fitness last year after receiving her CI-CPT (Cooper Institute-Certified Personal Trainer) certification. Thomas provides in-home training for women. Sessions are tailored to the individual’s fitness needs and goals, and she can also develop individualized exercise programs for neighbors who don‘t want to work with a per-

sonal trainer, but need direction with their exercise program. Thomas, who was once named the Dallas Morning News Coach of the Year for her work in Carrollton, also works with athletes or teams of all ages on sportspecific conditioning, injury prevention and form improvement. More recently, Thomas started Breakaway Boot Camp, an early morning (6 a.m.) fitness class for women that meets in Lake Highlands. Contact Thomas at 214.802.8932 or ctbreakaway@ gmail.com for information on boot camp or her training services.

Erin Moyer is a Lake Highlands entrepreneur (progenyinc.com) and marketing consultant whose monthly “Live Local” column features the latest scoop on neighborhood businesses. Send Moyer ideas and feedback at livelocal@advocatemag.com.

THE VICKERY MEADOW LEARNING CENTER needs volunteers for its summer session, June 7-July 1. The center is seeking someone to teach English as a second language to adults, Monday-Thursday, 9-11 a.m. An activity club teacher is needed Monday-Thursday 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. to assist adult ESL students with activities. A preschool assistant is needed Monday-Thursday from 9-11 a.m. to read, sing songs, and assist with arts and crafts projects. Contact Amy Glover, adult program director, aglover@vlmc.org or 214.265.5057.

TWO ALUMNAE OF ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL, both named Emily, starred in separate productions of “Beauty and the Beast” recently. Emily Hawkins, a junior at Lake Highlands High School, portrayed “Belle” in her school’s musical in November. Emily Young, who is a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, portrayed “Belle” last month.

LAKE HIGHLANDS RESIDENT Kelly Werther, a Lakehill Preparatory seventh-grader, recently participated in the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., which aims to introduce young people to American history and help them develop their own leadership skills. About 250 students from across the United States were invited to this year’s conference themed “Voices of Leadership: Reflecting on the past to create the future”.

LAKE HIGHLANDS RESIDENTS Jim and Dianne Gray are sponsoring a team in the 2010 VisionWalk, May 15 at QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie. The Walk raises funds to help find cures for diseases such as macular degeneration, retentitis pigmentosa and Stargardt’s disease, which has affected both of the couple’s sons, who are Lake Highlands High School graduates. Donate to their team, the Gray T1’s, at fightblindness.org, or mail checks, made out to “The Foundation Fighting Blindness”, to James Gray, 9102 Windy Crest, Dallas, TX 75243.

LAKE HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 8525

Audelia, is accepting registrations for its summer arts camp, “Captain Noah and the One and Only Zoo Cruise for Twos”. The camp runs July 19-23 from 8:45 a.m.noon. The campers will create a musical production to be performed July 23 at 7 p.m. Registration is $50. More information is available at lhpres.org.

Please submit news items and/or photos concerning neighborhood residents, activities, honors and volunteer opportunities to editor@ advocatemag.com or online at advocate.com/ submit_lh_news. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

WE’RE THE TALK OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

ba P t IS t

fOReSt MeadOW / 9150 Church Rd. / Welcoming the mosaic of cultures living in our neighborhoods / www.fmbcdallas.org

Worship 10:50 / Bible Study 9:30 / Tim Ahlen, Pastor / 214.341.9555

Ga StOn OakS baPtISt / Greenville Ave & Royal Lane

Sunday Worship 10:45 am / Bible Study 9:30 am

www.gastonoaks.org / 214.348.0958

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 c HUR c H e S

nORtH HIGHlandS bIble cHURcH / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

cHUR c H Of c HRIS t

SkIllMan cHURcH Of cHRISt / 3014 Skillman St.

Sunday School 9:30 am / Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Grace Café & Bible Study Wed. 6:00 pm / 214.823.2179

dIS c IPle S Of cHRIS t

e a St dalla S cHRIStIan cHURcH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship Gathering 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. deborah Morgan / www.edcc.org

ePIS c OPal

cHURcH Of tHe IncaRnatIOn / 3966 McKinney Ave / 214.521.5101

Sunday: Traditional 7:30, 9:00, 11:15 am and 5:00 pm

Contemporary 9:00, 11:15 am and 6:00 pm / incarnation.org

St. JOHn’S ePIScOPal cHURcH / 848 Harter Road, 75218

Sunday Worship: 8:00 & 10:30 am / Christian Ed. 9:00 am 214.321.6451 / www.stjohnsepiscopal.org

Inte R- denOMInat IOnal

GRaceHIll cOMMUnIt Y / www.gracehill.cc

10:00 am @ dallas Children’s Theater / Skillman & NW Hwy.

Awesome Kid’s Ministry / Use Entrance Facing Home depot

lU t H e R an

fIRSt UnIted lUtHeRan cHURcH / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

ZIOn lUtHeRan cHURcH & ScHOOl / 6121 E Lovers Ln.

Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 am, Worship 8:00 am, 10:30 am, & 6:00 pm / 214.363.1639 / www.ziondallas.org

M et HOdIS t

l ake HIGHlandS UMc / 9015 Plano Rd. (at McCree)

214.348.6600 / www.lhumc.com / Sun. School 9:45 am

Sun. Worship 8:30 & 11:00 Traditional / 11:00 Contemporary

nOn - denOMInat IOnal

l ake HIGHlandS cHURcH / 9919 McCree

Sun. Classes 9:30 am, Assembly 11:00 am / 214.348.0460

Home groups meet on weeknights. / lakehighlandschurch.org

WHIte ROck cOMMUnIt Y cHURcH / 9353 Garland Rd /214.320.0043

Sun. Bible Study 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 am / Wed. Bible Studies

10:00 am & 7:30 pm / event facilities for rent / whiterockchurch.org

P R e S b Y te RI an

l ake HIGHlandS PReSbY teRIan cHURcH / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

Christian Ed. 9:45 am, 9:00 am Contemporary, 11:00 am Traditional

ne W St. PeteR’S PReSbY teRIan cHURcH / 214.438.0120

Meet at dallas Children’s Theater – Skillman at NW Hwy

Worship: 9:30 am / www.newstpeters.org

nORtHPaRk PReSbY teRIan cHURcH / 214.363.5457

9555 N. Central Expwy. / www.northparkpres.org

New Pastor: Rev. Brent Barry / 8:30 & 11:00 am Sunday Services

UnbelIevable belIef S

T HE LI v E d- OUT RESULTS ARE THE TRULy TROUBLING MATTER

Believing and behaving tend to go hand in hand.

Take end-of-the-world believing, for instance. Some Christians believe that signs of chaos in nature (earthquakes and floods), social disorder (loss of absolute moral standards), and geo-political reorganization (one world government) will precede the second coming of Christ.

Along with this, the faithful expect deliverance via a disappearing act called “the rapture”. Rapture means “to be caught up”, and in this scenario, Christians with the right beliefs will be caught up — literally taken up into the clouds to be with the Lord. They will thus escape the worst of the end-times trauma, leaving behind those who either didn’t believe, or didn’t believe the right things.

What you believe about the end affects the way you live in the meantime. For example, some who hold this view also view the environmental movement as folly since God intends to do away with the earth in favor of heaven anyway. But the New Testament says that God is going to make all things new, not make all new things. The new heaven and new earth promised are the renewal of heaven and earth, not the disposing of earth for the safety of heaven.

Similarly, some cannot fight for a just solution to the Middle East conflict between Israel and the Palestinian because they identify the nation of Israel today with the people of Israel biblically. Israel plays a key role in end times prophecy, including the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. So anything that would undermine Israel’s security would undermine God’s sovereignty.

The Michigan Christian militia, the Hutaree, was arrested last month for plotting to kill law enforcement officials. They believe they were fighting against the spirit of the antichrist, which is represented by the U.S. government. These Christian soldiers of the apocalypse read the book of Revelation as a call to arms, not just as a call to spiritual warfare.

And then this: BusinessWeek reports a new commercial enterprise that appeals to petloving believers in the rapture. Bart Centre, a

New Hampshire retired retail executive and nonbeliever, has set up a service called “eternal earth-bound pets”. For 92 cents per month, he will arrange to have the left-behind pets of the raptured faithful cared for by atheists who remain. Since pets don’t have souls, they won’t be raptured with their believing owners. He already has 100 clients. “I’m trying to figure out how to cash in on this hysteria to supplement my income,” Centre says. The challenge is twofold: He must reassure rapture believers that the pet rescuers are wicked enough to be left behind, and yet that they are good enough to take care of the abandoned pets.

What to make of all this? Not fun, even if aspects of it are funny. Jeffrey Weiss, longtime Dallas Morning News reporter who covered religion for many years, coined his first law of religious relativism: “Every religion is crazy by definition, to a nonbeliever.” But insiders see the logic of their belief and act upon it accordingly.

It’s the acting upon it accordingly that opens the belief to judgment, not the right itself to believe something someone else might think unbelievable. This entire piece could have been done on the vision of the promises of reward that inspire radicalized Muslim terrorists, or on uncompromising Ultraorthodox Israeli Jews who see modern Palestinians as ancient Canaanites to be conquered, or on any number of other violent enthusiasts from non-Abrahamic religions. But it’s always best to attend first to the log in one’s own eye than to the splinter in another’s.

When Jesus answered the question about what is the greatest commandment, he turned two answers into one: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus believed it unbelievable that we could love God rightly while disregarding the wellbeing of our neighbors.

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.

MUSIC MASTERS

Lake Highlands HS students Pearl Lopez, Jennifer Ciocan, Erik Estrada, Kirsten Mathisen, Havilland Voss, Jordan Brooks, Colton Williams, Vincent Zaballa, Jonathan Hawes, Michael Whorton, Martin White, Brian Mauricio, Garrett Wingfield and L uke Wingfield , led by LHHS AP Music Theory teachers Terry Berrier and Max Hearst, took home first place overall in the recent AP Music Theory College Bowl.

EvEnts

BOOK CLUB Needs New Members. Meets 1st Tues, 11:30am, at Lkwood Cntry Club. Enjoy Lunch & Conversation. 214-328-3631

tutoring & LEssons

A+ PIANO TEACHER WADE COTTINGHAM Super Refs. LWood Res. wadewademusic.com 214-564-6456

ART: Draw or Paint. All Levels. L. Highlands North Rec. Ctr. Jane Cross. 214-534-6829, Linda 214-808-4919.

DALLAS COLLEGE & TEST PREP Tutoring: SAT, ACT, THEA, TExES, Math, English. www.dallastestprep.com, 214-341-0076

DANCE-MOVEMENT-SOUND is Dance, Gymnastics & Instruments for boys & girls, 2 1/2 & up. Ballet for 3 & up. 20 yrs exp. Plano Rd./ NW Hwy. near Kroger. Anette Brown 214-893-3715

DRUM & PIANO LESSONS All Ages/All Styles. Your location. UNT Grads. Betty & Bill 972-203-1573

GUITAR, PIANO, YOUR HOME Fun/Easy. 9-Adult. UNT Music Degree. Larry 469-358-8784

VOICE TEACHER with 37 years experience. MM, NATS, MTNA www.PatriciaIvey.com 214-324-5625

Spanish Immersion Classes in East Dallas

Private and Small Group Classes for Adults & Children Spanish Immersion Preschool Mon. - Fri.

5740 Prospect Ave. #1000

DallasSpanishHouse.com 214-826-4410

ChiLdCarE

CUDDLY KIDS Now Open! Hourly/weekly Licensed Care 6464 E. Lovers, cuddlykidscare.com 214-368.KIDS (5437)

EXPERIENCED OVERNIGHT CAREGIVER FOR INFANTS including multiples. References. Kendell 214-346-9220

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982 Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

EmpLoymEnt

AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Zielinski Design is hiring FT sales rep. with experience in advertising/design sales. Please email your resume: tz@zielinskidesign.com or 214-560-4209

ALL CASH VENDING Do you earn $800/day? Local Vending Routes. 25 machines+candy. $9,995 800-807-6485

MYSTERY SHOPPERS! Earn up to $150 daily. Get paid to shop pt/ft. 800-690-1272

TEACHER - East Dallas Developmental Center (eddc.net) now hiring for infants class. eddcad@gmail.com or 214-821-7766

sErviCEs for you

AFFORDABLE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS Life, Health, Dental, Vision. For individuals & Families. 214-628-0605. InsphereIS.com/damon.kearns. The Solutions you Need. The Service You Deserve. Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. 11s000024

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

BUSINESS BOOKKEEPING Yearly Tax Prep, Monthly Service or Quickbooks Set-Up Robyn Young, CFP 214-564-8171

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

HOME HELP for business people & homebound seniors. Warm, friendly, conscientious. Great organizer. Ironing, light cooking, organic gardening, etc. References. Penelope, 469-941-2049.

YOUR COMPUTER GEEK Let Me Solve Your Computer Problems. 25 Yrs. Exp. Hardware/Software Issues/Install. Network Setup, Home & Small Business. $50 per Hr. Mike. 214-552-1323. mikecomputergeek@gmail.com

Pearl... A “Precious” find in Quality Dry cleaning! Now Offering FREE Dry Cleaning Pick-Up & Delivery

sErviCEs for you

(214) 342-bone www.tigerbonepc.com

profEssionaL sErviCEs

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

ATTORNEY - PERSONAL INJURY Free telephone consultation with experienced attorney. Board certified in personal injury trial law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization. No fee unless you collect. James W. Shoecraft, P.C. 214-624-4939.

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances?

No Job Too Small or Big. Call C.A.S Accounting Solutions. Cindy 214-821-6903

CUSTOM RESUMES Any Level or Field. Invest in your career. Katie. 214-499-4289, katie_shahan@yahoo.com

ESTATE/PROBATE MATTERS Because every family needs a will. Mary Glenn, J.D. maryglennattorney.com • 214-802-6768

gI vIN ’ L ARgE

Nine-year-old Robert Bumpass, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children patient and 2009 junior race director, hands the honorary MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon relay baton to 2010 junior race director Ryanne c arr , 7. Executive race director Marcus g runewald and Phil Baker , the marathon’s chairman of the board, presented $362,000 to the hospital.

sUBMIT yOUR PhOTO Go to advocatemag.com/lake-highlands/multimedia/photo-submit or e-mail a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.

BHEALTH RESOURCEBULLETIN BOARD

TO AD v ERTI s E c ALL 214.560.4203

Mind, Body & Spirit

WWW.TRAINWITHJEAN.COM Train On Line Using Your Web Camera. $15 Per Session. 214-886-1459

petS

JONATHANS FRIENDS Complete Pet Services. Your House Or Mine. 17 Yrs Experience. CPR Trained. 214-660-8993

K9 POOP PICK UP Love your dog, but hate the mess? Let us pick it up for you. You’ll love it. Call 214-341-1557 today!

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

THEPETNANNYDALLAS.COM In-home TLC for cats, dogs & birds. Bonded & insured. Ask for The Pet Nanny. 214-244-4330

Park Cities Pet Sitter

Mind, Body & Spirit

ANNE PENMAN Stop smoking, lose weight, reduce stress with laser therapy. 214-503-7955 www.annepenman.com

FOR WOMEN ONLY In Home Fitness Training. Cooper Certified Personal Trainer. 214-802-8932

HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS Motivational, Compassionate & Confidential Sessions Offered To Those Wanting To Lose Weight & Gain A Healthier Lifestyle. Dr. Nicole Mangum, Health Psychologist. 214-692-6666 ext. 311

W.O.W. WE ONLY WAX www.weonlywax.com

Full body waxing for men and women. 214-739-2929

JUNE DEADLINE MAY 5

Buy/Sell/trade

GET 2 COMPUTERS FOR PRICE OF ONE Bad Credit? No Problem. Starting At $29.99/week. Up To $3000 Credit Limit. Guaranteed Approval. 888-860-2421

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL SUITE Share this prime suite on a single-game basis for select games during the 2010 season. Our suite is located directly behind home plate, and each game includes 16 tickets, three parking passes, game day programs, private bathroom, air-conditioned seating, three televisions with cable channels, and a great view of the game and the Ballpark. Great for birthday parties, anniversaries, family reunions and client appreciation events. Email rangerssuite@gmail.com or call 214-560-4212 for more information.

eState/GaraGe SaleS

ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATION SERVICES

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

real eState

DUPLEX FOR RENT Charming 1914 Prairie Style Home. 5426 Alton Avenue. 1 bedroom/1 Bath + Study. Newly Remodeled. 828sf. $765 + Utilities. Call 214-460-1667

EXECUTIVE SUITE Need a single office for your growing business? Check out the Lakewood Tower Suites on the top floor of the Wells Fargo Bank Building, 6301 Gaston. We have a 10-by-14-foot office available for $475 monthly and a 14-by15-foot office for $675 monthly; included are all utilities and a free T-1 internet connection. You’ll have access to a kitchen with icemaker, dishwasher and refrigerator, a shared conference room, covered parking and a secure building environment. We also have a 1,800-square-foot sublease available in the building. Call 214-560-4212 for information.

214-321-4228

JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898

CarpeNtry & remodeliNg

ABATIS CARPENTRY Specializing in Small Remodels & Repairs. Baths, Kitchens, Doors, Cabinets, Etc. Plenty of Refs. Paul, 214-893-3648

BO HANDYMAN Kitchens, baths, doors, cabinets, custom carpentry, drywall & painting 214-437-9730

CARPENTER Custom Cabinets, & Trim, Reorganize Closets, Repair Rotten Wood, Set Doors, Kitchen & Baths, References. Dave. 214-684-4800

DALLASTILEMAN.COM Custom Baths & Kitchen Remodels. 214-343-4645

DAVIS Custom Carpentry & Home Repair/Remodel davis.charles94@yahoo.com 214-608-9171

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

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

METRO CUSTOM CABINETS Kitchens, Offices, Entertainment Centers. 214-538-5600

CarpeNtry & remodeliNg

PREVIEW CONSTRUCTION INC.

HardiPlank 50 Yr. Cement Siding, Energy Star Windows. Kitchens-Baths-Additions & More. 214-348-3836. See Photo Gallery at: www.previewconstruction.com

REMODEL FOR LESS 972-822-7501 www.CuttingEdgeRenovationsLLC.com

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

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

TK COMPLETE REMODELING Carpentry, Doors, Drywall, Paint. 972-533-2872 TACLA28514E

Building Services

$10 OFF 1ST CLEAN A CLEAN SWEEP We Do It All. Pet Sit Also. 469-951-2948 214-938-4284

$20 OFF - MAID 4 YOU Bonded & Insured. Park Cities/M Street Refs. Joyce. 214-232-9629

CINDY’S HOUSE CLEANING 15 yrs exp. Resd/Com. Refs. Dependable. 972-213-8614

KDR SERVICES Residential and Vacant Property Cleaning. 214-349-0914

MAID OF HONOR • 214-683-1856 Cleaning Service & Luxury Auto Detail.

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

THE MAIDS 4 Person Teams. Bonded & Insured. www.maids.com Free Estimates. 800-843-6243

WANTED Houses To Clean & Windows to Wash 20 Years Exp. Reliable, Efficient, Excellent Refs. Sunni 214-724-2555

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

,LLC

Call 214-821-8888 www.dallascleanfreaks.com

Serving Dallas since 2005

ComputerS & eleCtroNiCS

A+ CERTIFIED COMPUTER SERVICE

Business/Home. Repair, Data & Networks Call a PC Pro: Rusty 214-912-0885

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

COMPUTER AND NETWORK SUPPORT

OMGFixit.com. Operating Systems, hardware, security & game consoles. 214-926-7144

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

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

CAZARES CONCRETE Concrete retaining walls, Patios, Driveways, Removal, Sidewalks. 214-202-8958 Free estimates.

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

EDMOND’S PAVING Asphalt & Concrete

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

MASONRY Brick/Stone Repairs. Don 214-704-1722

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ALL ELECTRICAL SERVICES 972-877-4183 Res/Com E19347 McCarter Electrical Service, Inc. $50 Off Service Calls in May.

AMPLE AMPS for home/business. TECL 19031

MHK Electrical Contractors, Inc. 214-675-1375

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC Family Owned/Operated. Insd.19 Yrs Exp.TECL24948 214-328-1333

EXPERIENCED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN

All Jobs. Free Est. Insd. Steve. TECL24978. Fritz Electric. 214-718-9648

FRITZ ELECTRIC Lic. Electrician TECL 24978 30 yrs exp. 214-629-0391

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

LICENSED ELECTRICIAN Res/Commercial 20 yrs exp. Free est. 972-489-1597 Brian

MASTER ELECTRICIAN Lic #TECL 55703. Resd/Comcl. Bonded. Contr Lic# TECL23423.

Trinity Electrical Services. David 214-802-0436

Schedule your service call late evenings/weekends with no overtime charges. 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

‘07,‘08,‘09 CONSUMERS CHOICE AWARDS Making Homes Safer One Call at a Time 972-926-7007 www.ArrowElectric.net Phones Answered

FENCING & DECKS

#1 COWBOY FENCE & IRON CO. Est. ‘91. 214-692-1991 www.cowboyfenceandiron.com

4 QUALITY FENCING

Specializing in Wood, New or Repair. Free Estimates. Call Mike 214-507-9322.

A FATHER, SON & GRANDSON TEAM Wood Fences, Automatic Gates & Decks Call Haven Edwards 214-327-0560

ABSOLUTE TEXAS FENCE

New/Repair Wood Fences. 214-732-0139

AMBASSADOR FENCE INC. Automatic Gates, All Fences. Decks. Since 1996. 214-621-3217

AUTOMATIC DRIVEWAY GATES Installation, Repair, Maintenance, Residential, Commercial. Lone Star Access Control. 214-532-9608

KIRKWOOD FENCE & DECK New & Repair. Free Estimates. Nathan Kirkwood. 214-341-0699

LAKE HIGHLANDS FENCE & DECKS Free Est. Unbeatable Price. 214-674-3858.

LONE STAR DECKS Decks, Arbors, Fences, Patio Covers, TREX Decking & Fencing. www.lonestardecks.com 214-357-3975

STEEL SALVATION Metal Specialist. Welding Repairs, Design, Metal Art, Unique Crosses. Local Resident Over 40 Yrs. 214-283-4673

EST. 1991 #1

COWBOY

FENCE & IRON CO.

214.692.1991

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

cowboyfenceandiron.com

FLOORING & CARPETING

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

ENERGYSMARTIMPROVEMENTS.COM

Window And Door Replacement. 469-358-8137

Specialty In Replacement Windows/Doors

LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR

WHITE ROCK FLOORS

Hardwoods Tile Carpet

LowVOC WoodRefinishing wrfloors@sbcglobal.net 214-341-1667

Willeford hardwood floors

OAK CLIFF MIRROR & GLASS Custom showers, doors, glass, mirrors. 214-747-3717

ROCK GLASS CO Complete Glass & Window Service since 1985. Replace, repair: windows, mirrors, showers, screens. 214-837-7829

WINDOW SASH & SILL REPAIR

Molding and Cabinets. Pete 214-923-5097

WWW.WINDOWCRAFT.BIZ

Free Quote 800-660-5811

HANDYMAN SERVICES

4 SEASONS HANDYMAN

We do it all! Call 469-723-1000

A NEIGHBORHOOD HANDYMAN

FOUNDATION

Beam Fr Estimates Y Exp. 972-288-3797

WeAnswer Our Phones

GARAGE DOORS

ACCESS GARAGE DOOR New Install. Repair/Replace. 24/7 Emgcy. Free Estimates. 214-585-7663 perfectaccessgaragedoors.com

FIREPLACE SERVICES

CHIMNEY SWEEP Dampers/Brick & Stone Repair. DFW Metro. Don 214-704-1722

FLOORING & CARPETING

AUREUS HARDWOOD FLOORS

2010 specials going on now!! 972-207-4262

STAINED CONCRETE FLOORS

New/Remodel. Staining & Waxing. Int/Ext. Nick Hastings. 214-341-5993

WORLEY TILE & FLOORING

Custom Marble Install. 214-779-3842

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

UNITED GARAGE DOORS All Types Of Garage Doors & Openers. Repair Or Replace. Commercial And Gates. 214-826-8096

SINCE 1938

Residential/Commercial | Sales/Service

ALLbrandsofgaragedoorsandopeners

214.348.7242 FREEESTIMATES 9525WhiteRockTrail | Dallas,TX

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

A FATHER, SON & GRANDSON TEAM Expert Window Cleaning. Storm windows our specialty. Haven Edwards 214-327-0560

CUSTOM STAINED/ LEADED GLASS & Repair. 26 years exp. 214-356-8776

EAST DALLAS WINDOW CLEANING Free Estimates. Dependable. Derek. 214-827-7661

Electrical, Plumbing, & Carpentry Call Tim Dodson. 214-824-4620, 214-597-4501

ALL STAR HOME CARE

Carpentry, Glass, Tile, Paint, Doors, Sheetrock Repair, and more. Derry 214-505-4830

BO HANDYMAN Kitchens, baths, doors, cabinets, custom carpentry, drywall & painting 214-437-9730

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS

GarysWorkshops.com. Drywall, Roofing, Framing & Faux Techniques. 817-217-4478

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

KIRKPATRICK Home Service 214-729-8334

MARK GASKILL All Repairs/Remodels. Int/Ext. Skilled. wWw‘74. 972-333-8884 home/business

NEED HELP? FAST! Repairs/Remodel. Chris, Rick. 214-693-0678, 214-381-9549

NO JOB TOO BIG. NO JOB TOO SMALL. 38 years exp. Ron Payne 214-755-9147

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WANTED: ODD JOBS & TO DO LISTS

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MANNY’S HOME PAINTING & REPAIR

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insulation/ Radiant BaRRieR

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

MIKE ALAN 469-576-1636. 25 Years Experience in the Art of Installing Tile.

STONE AGE Granite, Marble, Tile. Kitchens & Baths. Counter Tops. www.stoneagetexas.com.

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TOM HOLT TILE Expert In Tile, Backsplashes & Floors. Refs. Avail. 214-770-3444

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

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A BETTER TREE COMPANY • JUST TREES

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A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd. 10 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925

A&B LANDSCAPING Full Lawn Care, Landscaping, Tree Trimming, Fireplaces & Stonework. Lic #0283917- Degreed Horticulturist 214-221-4421 - 214-534-3816

ALTON MARTIN LANDSCAPING Spectacular Curbside Appeal! Excellent refs. 214-893-2420

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AYALA’S LANDSCAPING SERVICE

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BILLY JACK SPRINKLER REPAIR & INSTALL

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BLOUNTS TREE SERVICE Spring Tree Service

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BUSSEYS LAWN CARE $30 Weekly. Hedges. Clean ups. 214-725-9678

CASTRO TREE SERVICE Quality Work at Great Rates. Free est. Insured. 214-337-7097

CHUPIK TREE SERVICE

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lawns, gaRdens & tRees

DALLAS K.D.R.SERVICES • 214-349-0914

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DAVID’S COMPLETE LAWN CARE And Tree Service. 214-459-7404

EARTHGRAPHICS Landscape Maintenance. Seniors Discount. Glenna 469-995-1495

GREENSKEEPER Fall Clean Up & Fall Color. Sodding, Fertilization. Lawn Maintenance & Landscape. Res/Com. 214-546-8846

HOLISTIC TREE CARE

A Full-Service Tree Care Company Chuck Ranson, Certified Arborist c.ranson@sbcglobal.net 214-537-2008

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

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ORTIZ LAWNCARE Complete Yard Care. Service by Felipe. Free Est. 214-215-3599

PARADISE LANDSCAPES www.ParadiseLandscapes.net 214-328-9955

RONS LAWN Organic Solutions. Not Environmental Pollution. Landscape & Maintenance 972-222-LAWN (5296)

SPRINKLERS, LANDSCAPING, Stone Work, Drainage. Installed and Repair. Call Kevin at 214-535-3352,Lic#7840. www.bigdirrigation.com

TAYLOR MADE IRRIGATION Repairs, service, drains. 27 yrs exp. Ll 6295. Backflow Testing Cell-469-853-2326. John

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214-328-2847

Lakewood Resident

PLumbing

A2Z PLUMBING 214-727-4040

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ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

# M37740 Insured. All your plumbing needs.

ARRIAGA PLUMBING: Repairs, Remodels, Water Heaters, Stopages. Ins’d. Lic 20754 214-321-0589 214-738-7116

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REPAIRS, Fixtures,General Plumbing. Senior Discounts. Campbell Plumbing. 214-321-5943

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MICHAEL’S POOL SERVICE Maintenance & Repair 214-727-7650

PLAYMORE POOLS CO. Design, Construction, Consulting & Renovations. 214-823-0169 www.playmorepools.com

THE POOL LADY Personal/Affordable/Quality Pool Care since 1982. Marsha 214-553-1974

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GREEN SERVICE COMPANY 214-295-5405

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BERT ROOFING INC.

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We

The v ictim: Tori w itherspoon

The Crime: b urglary of a motor vehicle date: Tuesday, march 9 Time: b etween 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. location: 9200 block of moss farm

The purse va N ished, bu T C o NC er N s qui C kly T ur N ed To T heir home.

Tori Witherspoon and her 4-year-old son were out for a good time at the park. They met some friends at the small park in the Witherspoons’ Moss Farm neighborhood. The weather was nice, and it made for a pleasant afternoon in the sunshine.

The park is less than a mile from their house, and as she parked the car, Witherspoon remembers seeing a couple men parked in a grayish SUV behind hers. Not thinking anything of it, her husband David Witherspoon says, she and her son got out and enjoyed their time together. When she returned to her car just an hour later, the window was smashed and her purse was gone.

“They broke the window, grabbed the purse, and they were gone,” David Witherspoon says. “She hid it under the seat, but she thinks she may have accidentally left the handles sticking out. They probably saw that. It must have been the same two people. It was very abnormal.

“Within an hour, they had already made about $400 in credit card charges. I immediately called and cancelled all our credit cards.”

The Witherspoons then had another concern — the possible burglary of their home. Just after the theft, a friend driving by their home called Tori to inform her that two men were parked outside her home. They were in a similar vehicle as the men she suspected had broken into her car.

“They had been scoping out our house,” David Witherspoon says.

Fortunately, the Witherspoons did not become the victims of a home burglary, but are definitely concerned and staying alert.

“We have a burglar alarm, and we’re just staying extra cautious,” David Witherspoon says.

Murphy

Dallas Police Sgt. Keitric Jones of the Northeast Patrol Division says the Witherspoons acted correctly in quickly alerting police.

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“always use the ‘Lock, Take, and Hide’ motto when it comes to vehicles. But if you do happen to get your purse or wallet stolen, call 911 immediately to report the offense, and call to cancel all credit cards and bank cards,” he says. “The sooner you act in regards to the theft, the better of a chance of catching the perpetrators.”

Jones offers some advice for those in similar situations concerned about a possible follow-up home break-in.

“If keys were taken, for example, change the locks as soon as possible. Notify neighbors in regard to the offense, and keep a look out for suspicious people or behavior in the area and call 911 immediately if observed.”

The Witherspoons plan to stay alert — watching for anything out of the ordinary in their own neighborhood.

THE PLOTS THICKEN

As of this writing, inquiries about progress at the Town Center have produced no new information — streets being paved, trees being re-planted, only “horizontal” construction, and still no financing for vertical construction. Instead of holding my breath waiting for a breakthrough, I visited an alternative “development” in our neighborhood.

The Lake Highlands Community Garden is heading into its third summer. To find it, drive to the White Rock Valley neighborhood behind Flag Pole Hill.

From White Rock Trail, head west on Goforth, past the barn. Do not lose faith. The garden is there, behind the old armory building at 7901 Goforth. (Don’t make the same mistake I did, confusing the old armory building with the Muchert Army Reserve Center, the latter located just east of the Dallas Police Northeast Patrol Substation on Northwest Highway. Similar-sounding names, close in location, but distinct buildings.)

From the garden rows, you can look over the edge of the hill and see rooftops, sky and clouds. It’s not high elevation, but on a sunny, clear spring day, it was a special treat.

The various garden plots express the personalities of their keepers, not only in their choice of plants, but in their choice of adornment. Pinwheels spin, scraps of fabric flail in the wind, and at least one fashionable scarecrow guards her ground.

I soon learned that pinwheels do more than look whimsical. They also scare off foraging bunnies and wily birds.

Flowers earn their keep, too. When I admired some blooms planted in Mike Kirby’s plot, he informed me his wife had read that the flowers would be good companion plants for the tomatoes, because they would repel aphids, also known as plant lice.

In the northwest corner of the garden, a bamboo screen shields the “bee sanctuary”, provided by the Texas Honeybee Guild. A peek behind the screen reveals two busy hives. Sure, the bees have a cushy set up, but it isn’t rent-free. They pollinate; plants bear fruit; everybody is happy.

Just when you think the place could not possibly be any greener, somebody mentions the two compost bins, which recycle green waste from the garden into organic compost.

I talked to Heather Rinaldi, who showed me two plots literally bursting with healthy, exuberant vegetation. Heather is Lake Highlands’ resident worm rancher. She employs composting worms (called “red wigglers”) whose natural worm activity (squirming, eating, and producing fertilizer) recycles organic material into a nutrient-dense compost called “vermi-compost”. Heather can be reached at txwormranch. com if you want to hire your own worms (or learn more about worm wine and worm tea, which may not sound appealing to us, but plants go crazy for it).

I also talked to Steve Clary, who pointed to the donation garden in the south-

east corner, which is managed by JJ Pair. Volunteers farmed the donation garden’s 2,000 square feet, and in their first harvest season, donated 480 pounds of food to Family Gateway. In the upcoming harvest season, they plan to send food donations to Operation Frontline, a national organization whose volunteer chefs educate families about cooking and nutrition skills on a tight budget.

M.E. Clary, Steve’s wife, arrived with their young daughter in tow.

“I didn’t know I married a gardener,” she told me, “but this has been great for both of us, for our family and for our community.”

At the time of my visit, winter plants were ending or peaking. I saw a lot of broccoli in bloom, lettuce and cilantro thriving (and going to seed) and Swiss chard.

Just starting were tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash, potatoes, basil and strawberries, to name a few.

In the past year, the garden expanded as 14,000 feet of adjacent paved parking lot was torn up. Plumbing (buried irrigation, in farmer-speak) was installed throughout. Even with the added space, however, the plots already are claimed. To join the waiting list, visit lhgarden.org.

The garden land is owned by the City of Dallas. Costs are funded by member fees and also by a grant from the organic division of Scott’s Miracle-Gro.

Of course, it is apples and oranges to compare the garden to the Town Center. Even so, it’s interesting to note that unpaving a plot of land has yielded so many benefits for our neighborhood.