Shiny happy patients for over 65

you weren’t wasting him all this time on taking photos of playgrounds and buildings! Clearly, this is his gift. And how long has it been since I’ve seen a coyote mentioned in the media without the attendant fear-based propaganda? How refreshing. I also very much enjoyed the story of the heron rescue by him and Kathy Rogers, two names I’m going commit to memory as I think of the best things about our neighborhood and how fortunate we are to have an environment that will support such an array of wildlife so nearby. I can tell you that, I, for one, will never support anything which would limit or destroy it, including using up more wooded areas for playgrounds or sports fields, or anything which places the unsupportable fears of people above sustaining our wildlife and woods. It’s why I moved here.

—Paula Brown

Love these photos! Have seen most but not all of these critters myself. —J.

Didar

The proposed new Highland Park Rowing boathouse will absolutely destroy an already beleaguered wood duck habitat, which includes breeding and nesting grounds and prime-cover wetland area that have been cared for by the citizens of East Dallas. Better take your pictures quick because if you don’t, the only place your children will ever see these will be on the internet. —F.

Floater

Lovely presentation. It is so important to cherish and protect the sources of nature’s renewal. —Betsy

W.

Thank you. Excellent support for those of us who love this park. —Ted

Bad mother

A little more than a month ago, lakehighlands.advocatemag.com reported that a 32-year old Lake Highlands woman was arrested after attempting to sell her child through an online classified ad. Search: sell

baby

I feel for everyone involved, and this is a solid reminder that our neighbors need help, guidance and assistance. This is why the world needs great foster and adoptive parents. —Mary

Tanner Wilson

Yes, guidance on the birds and the bees. This momma didn’t get pregnant by herself. And where is this baby’s daddy? I feel for and pray for this baby. —TXGSH

Obligatory: “Tear down all the apartments.” Because obviously this woman wouldn’t have done this if she hadn’t lived in an apartment in Lake Highlands. Sarcasm. —Wilson!

Before a bunch of folks go off in judgmental commentary, let’s consider that this is likely a case of a single mother caught in desperate survival. Perhaps unable to find care for the baby in order to be able to work, or perhaps the cost of care cancels out whatever wages she is able to make. Of course, attempting to sell the baby is flat out wrong, as well as illegal. However, this is the reality of Lake Highlands — that there is a significant component of the population in LH that is needy and is experiencing desperation. It is a fact that nearly two thirds of the children who attend RISD schools in LH receive free or subsidized lunches. Would be interested to hear from some of the folks in LH who are actively involved in working to bridge the gap between fortunate homeowners and those who are struggling just to survive. This is not going away!

—LH Since 1991

I hear you. However, if you are having a baby that you can’t care for financially or logistically, you should put the baby up for adoption rather than try to sell it on Craigslist. There are also places where you can drop off a baby safely, no questions asked. Perhaps we need to do a better job publicizing these resources when patients are discharged from the hospital for childbirth (notifying every patient). However, once a person tries to sell another human being, they lose the benefit of the doubt.

—wlubake

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EMAIL EDITOR

CHRISTINAHUGHES BABB chughes@advocatemag.com

Choosing a Remodeler? Go with Your Gut

When we ask customers about the process for choosing a remodeler, they usually tell us that narrowing down to two or three is easy, but making the final decision can be a challenge.

So how do you make that critical decision when each of your candidates has comparable qualifications and experience? Go with your gut.

You’ll be spending a lot of time working with the people you choose to remodel your home. In fact, some say it’s like a temporary marriage; you get to know and depend on one another. You work together and communicate daily, and the quality of the relationship determines your satisfaction throughout the process, and with the end result.

So ask yourself, “Would I enjoy having a close relationship with these people?”

Your answer depends on your personality preferences. You’ll find every type in our industry, including suit and tie-wearing business types who keep you at arms length, fast-talkers who promise the world from the back of their pickup trucks, and casual, yet professional remodelers that seem to be the general preference in our area.

We pride ourselves on being the latter. We’re your neighbors; we shop at the same stores and eat at the same restaurants. We’re approachable and friendly, reliable and trustworthy. We’re here in Lakewood because we like the people. That’s good for building relationships, and for building a customer-oriented business you can feel comfortable choosing when all other factors seem equal.

the MMAfighting snake breeder with a heart of gold

This professional mixed martial arts fighter has dedicated a room of his home to his 40-plus ball pythons. At first blush, Klayton Mai sounds like a man who likes to live dangerously. A real tough guy. But once you talk to the 25-year-old, muscular, 135-pound Lake Highlands High School graduate, you know he’s just a sweetheart who loves his mom, his dogs, his fiance and, yes, his snake collection. “It’s a big misconception that fighters are tough, mean guys,” he says. “All of them I’ve met are humble nice people.” As for the snakes, ball pythons are relatively harmless, he says. Both snake-rearing and fighting take a large degree of fortitude, responsibility and discipline. Mai started martial arts when he was just a kid, lost interest for a few years after his instructor moved away, and picked up wrestling at Lake Highlands High School. Under coach Pete Grieder, Mai got into competitive form. “I loved working out, staying in shape [and] being part of the team.” In college, at the University of Oklahoma, he says he missed that. His senior year, he and a neighbor — wrestling champ Robbie Waller — started a wrestling club at the university. In training, Mai met some MMA fighters and felt pretty good about his performance when training with them. When he returned to Dallas after college to work with his dad at Mai Plumbing Company, he continued mixed martial arts at Octagon MMA gym in Uptown. Before long, he landed a couple of paying gigs, which officailly made him a professional. It’s exciting to get paid to fight, he says, but “it’s not enough to quit the day job.” Long-term, Mai hopes to lead his family’s plumbing business. “But it’s nice to know that if I really want to go take a shot at the big leagues, I can probably get some time off.” It can’t be easy to watch someone attack, punch or attempt to dropkick your son, but Mai’s mom, Carol, has been backing him since his wrestling days. “I know how much he loves this, so I support him,” she says. Mai says his mom actually has been quite enthusiastic about his fighting. “She’s been notorious for getting really into the [match]. She will yell things out even if she doesn’t really know what she is supposed to be saying sometimes yelling things that don’t make much sense,” he says with a smile. The fighter says he’s as passionate about his snakes as he is about fighting. There’s a lot to learn about breeding and caring for the animals, and he says he finds it relaxing to sit in his reptile room and watch the pythons — with their unique colors and designs — move around their aquariums. “I compare it to how some people are passionate about gardening or raising tropical fish. They research and learn how to make their garden grow, and they get enjoyment out of seeing it develop. That’s how I am with the reptiles. I have dogs as pets … I know it’s different. These aren’t really pets like dogs are pets.” Mai plans to marry fellow LHHS grad Hannah Garner in October. And what does she think about her future husband’s hobbies? After all, finding a girl who doesn’t mind sharing a home with 40 snakes can’t be easy. “She supports my fighting,” Mai says. “She’s worried I might get hurt, but she enjoys it. She isn’t as into the snakes as I am, but she is OK with them.”

—Christina Hughes Babb

Danger On The Water

On an otherwise typical sunny Sunday afternoon, a sudden gust swept over White Rock Lake. Paddleboarder Joe Cunningham, 57, along with his 21-year-old son and his wife, couldn’t stay upright. After falling into the lake, the younger man and his mom swam to shore, but Cunningham struggled, witnesses say, for about five minutes before going under. He didn’t resurface until the next morning, when rescue workers pulled his muscular body from the murky water. It wasn’t long before the comments sections of news sites filled with variations of the same question: “Why wasn’t he wearing a life jacket?” By law, only those under age 13 are required to wear a personal floatation device (PFD), but Mariner Sails staffer Mike Stovall, who frequently gives boat demonstrations at White Rock Lake, feels strongly about their use: “You should be wearing them.” There are dangers in any body of water, including White Rock. He says it would be easy even for a strong swimmer to become snagged in an old fishing line — the lake is full of a hundred years’ worth, he says — or to have something unforeseen happen. “People think, ‘I can swim. That’s not going to happen to me.’ ” Some argue that drownings at White Rock are so rare, there’s no need to panic. “I don’t remember any boater, kayaker or rower drowning, ever. So [the Cunningham case is] sad, but there isn’t any need to over-react,” Advocate reader Bob Loblaw notes. Stovall counters that a surge in the popularity of water sports puts more people at risk than ever before. White Rock Paddle Company, which rents watercraft on White Rock Lake, requires customers to wear PFDs. Stovall adds that it’s important, especially for parents of young children, to check that life jackets fit properly. “When someone buys a boat from us, I say there are two things you are going to need with this: a paddle and a life jacket, which I pray you will use.” —Christina

Hughes Babb

FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC, visit lakehighlands.advocatemag.com SEARCH: paddleboard safety

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AUGUST 30TH INVISALIGN EVENT INCLUDING A FREE CONSULTATION

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Painting With A Twist

Express your inner artist! Instructors lead attendees in creating paintings with a featured piece of art, bring nothing more than your imagination, wine or beverage. Perfect for Private Parties as well. 5202 Lovers Ln. 214.350.9911 paintingwithatwist.com

T-HEE GREETINGS

Give your school locker a make-over from basic to beautiful with high-fashion locker decorations that make it easy for you to have an amazing locker! Available at both locations. Lakewood and Lake Highlands. 214.747.5800 t-heegifts.com

La Mariposa Imports

New shipment of Guatemalan bags and totes! Beautiful enough to be called art, yet sturdy enough to be carried everyday. 2813 N. Henderson Ave. 214.826.0069 lamariposaimports.com

Brumley Gardens

Whether by the pool or at the beach, the right accessories are a must! Drop by and see our variety of hats, bags and flip flops that will keep you in style. 10540 Church Road. 214.343.4900 brumleygardens.com Shop Local

The Hospitality Sweet

Now open in the London Café inside Timothy Oulton at Potter Square. 4500 N. Central Expressway. 214.534.2241

PINOT’S PALETTE

Yahoo the kids are back in school! Painting and Brunch, Aug. 27th 9:30 am. Check it out at PinotsPalette.com/Lakewood

The Store In Lake Highlands

Aspen Bay Candles: Chic designs and high fragranced candles…recognized as being the best in the industry. Featured: Capri Blue Volcano. Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30. 214.553.8850 10233 E. NW Hwy., #410. TheStoreinLH.com

Advocate Ornament

The Advocate Foundation’s limited-edition, numbered, and hand-painted ornament; perfect gift for the new home owner or Dallas transplant. Sales benefit neighborhood organizations. 214.292.0486 foundation.advocatemag.com

Once Upon Child

US for back to school tax free weekend: 08/17 08/19! We are buying and selling “gently used” Stuff, including uniforms and accessories! Once Upon A Child - Dallas/Lake Highlands 6300 Skillman St. @ Abrams Dallas, TX 75231 onceuponachildlakehighlands.com