BUSINESS BUZZ

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT’S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

Bragging On Bragg

Captain Jack R. Bragg Jr. retired from the Dallas Police Department recently after more than 41 years of service. We interviewed Bragg in 2014 about his role as dive team commander. When there was a suspected drowning at White Rock Lake or another local body of water, Bragg typically was first on the scene, after Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel. He was one of only two people in the entire Dallas Police Department with the title of captain. Despite the gloomy nature of his work, Bragg’s colleagues say he always has a cheerful disposition.

100 Women Will Make An Impact

A new group for women is passionate about our neighborhood and ready to write a checks for good causes that impact it. Members of 100 Women of Lake Highlands will each give $100 per quarter, pooling their money to do the most good. No bake sales, no raffles. “No shifts to work, no booths to man,” explained founder Crispin Denealt at a recent introduction meeting. Deneault, along with founding board members Beth Arnold, Amy Timmerman, Veronica Deats, Claire Reyes, Lynsey Purl and Gabi Buehring, say they adhere to the old adage by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” At quarterly meetings, members will be invited to make pitches on how to spend the pot. The program is modeled after “100 Women Who Care in St. Louis” and other similar programs. Enrollment for 2016 closed in April, but visit the Women of Lake Highlands Facebook page to learn more about future participation and other news.

Sonic Sweetness

Last month, we reported that a car hop named Duyen “Daisy” Tran, had been shot during an attempted robbery at Sonic on Audelia and Royal. We recently learned that she was pregnant. While in good condition, all things considered, Tran was put on bed rest for several weeks. After learning about her situation, Lake Highlands resident Jim Roberts wanted to help by setting up a bank fund for the injured woman. Tran was grateful but initially resistant to the idea. She told Roberts in an email that

THANK YOU Lake Highlands!

Proceeds from our event will go towards:

‘GROWING MINDS IN LAKE HIGHLANDS’ Crea%ng an interac%ve, kid-­‐friendly space within the Audelia Library

Learn more about the LH Junior Women’s League at

Swiss Avenue Historic District

MO ER’S DAY W KEND, MAY 7 & 8 2016

SATURDAY : 10 AM – 6 PM

SUNDAY : NOON – 6 PM

MOTHER’S DAY MUSIC & BRUNCH IN THE PARK, SUNDAY 11 AM – 2 PM TICKETS AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET LAKEWOOD, TALULAH & HESS IN LAKEWOOD AND AT SAHD.ORG

$20 IN ADVANCE, $25 WEEKEND OF TOUR, 12 & UNDER FREE FOR DETAILS AND TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE, VISIT SAHD.ORG sponsored by she couldn’t accept the money because there were other people who could probably use it more. Her humility and polite efforts to decline only reinforced Roberts’ determination to help Tran and her growing family, so he solicited the help of neighbor Becky Williamson, who knows Tran personally. Roberts says Williamson helped “convey Lake Highlands’ giving spirit and concern about this brave young lady.” When Williamson learned that the community had decided to set up an account for her anyway, she cried happy tears.

FINALLY, MOVEMENT AT LAKE HIGHLANDS TOWN CENTER

It finally seems as though things are coming together at Shops at Lake Highlands Town Center, formerly known simply as lake Highlands Town Center. Watercrest Park, The Haven apartments and Artistik Edge hair salon are in place; Sprouts and Argyle Residential’s new multifamily complex are officially on the way; and other projects are under consideration. It’s all being documented on the center’s new website, lakehighlandstowncenter.com.

Dream Cafe Opens

After months of anticipation, Dream Cafe has opened its third location in our neighborhood, right at the corner of Abrams and Mockingbird., filling the space formerly owned by Fuzzy’s Taco. Owned by Christine Lott, the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu based on made-in-house favorites. Their best known for their popular brunches at sister locations in Addison and Uptown. The outdoor patio has been updated with large tables and twinkle lights to create a comfortable and casual new neighborhood spot.

Dallas City Plan Commissioner Neil Emmons died in his sleep last month. Emmons, 45, had been a city plan commissioner for more than a decade and believed in the importance of historic preservation. In lieu of flowers, Emmons’ family requests that charitable donations be made to the Dallas Endowment for Endangered Properties (Attn: Amanda Surret at Veritex Community Bank, Lakewood Branch, 2101 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75214).

Blake Cronin , a senior at Lake Highlands High School, was recently included in an elite list of local scholar athletes by the National Football Foundation’s Gridiron Club of Dallas. Blake is one of 66 students from schools around North Texas who was honored at the club’s eighth-annual awards banquet in Addison last month. Seven collegiate athletes were also recognized.

Education

Lake Highlands High School got a brand new, state-of-the art digital marquee last month. It was a gift from the Excellence in Education Fund (bett 1er known as Wild for Cats) and the Lake Highlands Women’s League. Messages displayed on the marquee are computer programmable through Dallas ISD’s network. This is thrilling to many. “No more climbing the ladder and praying that no one gets hurt,” Principal Frank Miller quips.