2015 April Oak Cliff

Candidates

(Names are listed as/in the order they will appear on the ballot.)

Place 1

Scott Griggs (unopposed)

Place 2

Adam Medrano (unopposed)

Place 3

Casey Thomas, II

Gerald Britt

Joe Tave

Wini Cannon

B.D. Howard

Place 4

Stephen King

Linda M. Wilkerson-Wynn

Sandra Crenshaw

Keyaira D. Saunders

James Ross

D. Marcus Ranger

Carl Hays

Carolyn King Arnold

Place 5

Jesse Diaz

Rick Callahan

Sherry Cordova

Place 6

Ozumba Lnuk-X

Daniel “DC” Caldwell, I

Lakolya London

Monica R. Alonzo

Place 7

Tiffinni A. Young

Hasani Burton

John Lawson

Kevin Felder

James “J.T.” Turknett

Randall Parker

Baranda J. Fermin

Juanita Wallace

Place 8

Dianne Gibson

Clara McDade

Subrina Lynn Brenham

Eric Lemonte Williams

Gail Terrell

Erik Wilson

Place 9

Christopher Jackson

Darren Boruff

Mark Clayton

Sam Merten

Will Logg

Place 10

James N. White

Paul Reyes

Adam McGough

Place 11

Lee M. Kleinman (unopposed)

Place 12

Sandy Greyson (unopposed)

Place 13

Jennifer Staubach Gates (unopposed)

Place 14

Philip T. Kingston (unopposed)

Place 15 (Mayor)

Mike Rawlings

Marcos Ronquillo

Write-In Candidate(s)

Place 15 – Mayor

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POTHOLES AND POLITICS

The streets are a mess and, in a way, we are to blame

Some of you regularly read our online daily news digest at advocatemag.com or find yourself directed to the site from our Facebook or Twitter feeds. I know this because I received plenty of reaction to an online-only item I wrote a few weeks ago concerning our son’s pothole experience.

I hadn’t expected that particular story to be a readership magnet — no animals, crime or restaurants were mentioned. Little did I know so many of you agreed about the pathetic condition of our streets.

Just a quick recap: Our son was driving home from college, and he wound up beached at a grocery store.

“I blew a tire, dad,” he said. “I’m here in the parking lot, and the tire is completely flat.”

Luckily, he wasn’t hurt, and the problem occurred in the last leg of a 250-mile journey. Unluckily, our car had a blown tire, a bent rim and a messed-up alignment.

$197.01.

That’s what it cost us for a new tire, installation and alignment. I think they threw in banging on the rim or free.

“You’re the eighth person in here this morning with a blown tire from a pothole,” the repair guy told me the following day at 11 a.m.

The pothole he hit was deep and wide plenty of space to suck in a small tire and regurgitate a damaged hunk of rubber and metal.

The good news is that after I noted the issue on the city website (you can also call 311), the pothole was repaired within 24 hours, just as promised for serious street damage.

But my pothole wasn’t the only dangerous street issue, as I found out after hearing from

many of you. Streets throughout the city — north, south, east and west — are in poor condition not only from the March spate of winter weather, but moreso from years and years of neglect. Turns out that while we’ve focused our attention on big-ticket “worldclass-city-type” projects such as the Trinity Toll Road, the Downtown city-owned Omni convention center hotel, and the frequent tax breaks we’ve provided to developers, we forgot about our streets.

As a result, we’re $900 million in arrears on street repairs, meaning that’s how much money needs to be spent — today — to put most of our streets back in good condition.

Sadly, there’s no one to blame but ourselves. For years at budget time, the people who run our city made a conscious decision that replacing worn-out streets wasn’t enough of a priority.

And we kept sending them back Downtown because when voters don’t care, an incumbent rarely loses.

What can we do now?

Saturday, May 9, is the next council election; six councilmen are stepping down because of term limits, two more face challengers, and the mayor also is running for re-election. Other than in North Dallas, lots of races are up for grabs.

We’re offering brief election coverage in this month’s magazine, as well as online (short videos of each candidate) for those who don’t have time to attend a candidate gathering to eyeball them ourselves. Other media outlets are covering the election, too.

So we can do what we usually do — whine, complain and then not vote — or we can pay attention to who is running and take the time to help make the decision May 9 (remember to register through Dallas County by April 9).

Every time we hit a rough patch of street, and every time we run across uneven asphalt or poor striping or a plain old pothole, let’s tell ourselves: This year, we’re going to make a difference.

With so many reminders out there, how can we forget?

Rick Wamre is president of Advocate Media. Let him know how we are doing by writing to 6301 Gaston, Suite 820, Dallas 75214; or email rwamre@advocatemag.com.

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EDITORIAL

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assistant art director: EMILY MANGAN

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designers: LARRY OLIVER, KRIS SCOTT, EMILY WILLIAMS

contributing editors: SALLY WAMRE

contributors: ERIC FOLKERTH, SAM GILLESPIE, ANGELA HUNT, GEORGE MASON, KRISTEN MASSAD

photo editor: DANNY FULGENCIO 214.635.2121 / danny@advocatemag.com

contributing photographers: JAMES COREAS, JACQUE MANAUGH, SCOTT MITCHELL, RASY RAN, JENNIFER SHERTZER, KATHY TRAN, JEANINE MICHNA-BALES

copy editor: LARRA KEEL

reproduced. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the Advocate. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. Opinions set forth in the Advocate are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s viewpoint. More than 200,000 people read Advocate publications each month. Advertising rates and guidelines are available upon request. Advocate publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one copy per reader. Advocate was founded in 1991 by Jeff Siegel, Tom Zielinski and Rick Wamre.

magazine may

Unfinished business

After six years of construction, one man’s incomplete dream home is on the market

Ricardo Torres bought the lot next door to his mother’s house, on Marlborough at Davis, in 2008 and started building his dream home.

And then, he just kept building. He started

with plans for two stories on a little more than half the lot. Then he realized that a third story would offer a downtown view, so he went up one more. A game room could be a haven for his son and nephews,

so he decided to knock through the back wall to build one, taking the house to nearly 5,000 square feet.

At night, the 34-year-old jeweler would dream and plan with his wife about all the

Ricardo Torres started building his dream house in 2009, but he put it on the market last year after he was unable to complete it.:

Photo illustration by Danny Fulgencio

things their home could be. The result is a house that has been under construction for the majority of a decade, and now Torres doesn’t have the money to complete it. He put the unfinished house on the market last year, and now it is listed for $250,000.

Torres started building the house shortly after his father died. He’s done a lot of the construction work himself, and he’s paid cash as often as possible, but he has acquired some debt. His mother took out a $45,000 home-equity loan on her house to help pay for construction, and Torres and his wife have borrowed about $20,000 on credit cards and personal loans. The Torreses pay $200 a month on the home-equity loan, and it’s all interest. In five years, the principal amount hasn’t lowered, he says.

Ask 10 ways why Torres hasn’t finished the house, and a solid answer remains elusive.

“We just thought it would be that easy,” he says. “I wish we could finish.”

A year into construction, Torres lost his job when the company he worked for went out of business, and he had trouble finding employment.

They made mistakes, spending money and time on extras such as custom-made silicone stamps for the concrete driveway, indoor lighting fixtures and furniture before making the house habitable.

City code violations related to construction led to court dates and fines.

Meanwhile, the old apartments on West Davis and Rosemont, adjacent to the house, were torn down, and the complex now known as Bell Bishop Arts went up. Across West Davis, St. Cecilia Church burned and was rebuilt. But the construction site on Marlborough remained.

The unfinished house occasionally comes up among Torres’ L.O. Daniel neighbors, in casual conversation or at neighborhood meetings. Even though the property is unsightly, most neighbors are sympathetic. The only adjacent neighbors are Torres’ mother and a commercial property, which probably has limited the number of complaints.

“It’s been such a nuisance for years that it’s something you just get used to,” says Justin Epker of the L.O. Daniel Neighborhood Association. —Rachel Stone

BEFORE & AFTER

BOOREHM RESIDENCE

430 Monssen

BUILT IN: 1950

REMODELED IN: 2014

THE MISSION: BRING A MIDCENTURY MODERN INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

ThenHarriet Boorhem lived in a 1920 prairie foursquare house on South Winnetka for 25 years. She loved the house, but with its 45 antique windows, it was an energy suck and “hellacious to maintain,” she says. So after her younger daughter left home and Boorhem was nearing retirement, she decided she wanted to move a little further into

the present. So she bought a 1950s mid-century modern house in North Wynnewood at the end of 2013. It was just the style she was looking for, but it had a flat roof that was “a bathtub,” she says. The home was outdated, and the floorplan was compartmentalized. The old swimming pool was a swamp.

Below left: The old kitchen had outdated fluorescent lighting and felt too boxed in. Below: A view from the backyard shows the old concrete facade. Bottom: The modern kitchen now opens into common spaces. Opposite page: The new pool and cedar-plank facade give the house a fresh look. Photos by Danny Fulgencio

NowBoorhem hired her brother’s design-build firm, ArTex Development, to renovate her new house. First, the heavy stuff: They rebuilt the roof with a slope so that it drains, and they installed new ceiling beams. Exterior stucco was replaced with cedar plank for an updated façade that looks far more contemporary. It took about a month of jack-hammering into the slab foundation to change the sewer line, and they installed foam insulation for energy efficiency. ArTex reconfigured the floor plan so that the kitchen would open to the dining room and living room, with floor-to-ceiling views of the backyard. They replaced all the windows with thermal ones similar to what you would find in a modern commercial building. “There are probably not too many people who would’ve gone to the lengths Harriet has to restore this house,” says Mitch Lee of ArTex. Then, the fun stuff: They chose engineered

wood flooring throughout the house and reconfigured the kitchen, installing sleek white cabinetry and Silestone countertops. For the master bedroom, ArTex designed Boorhem’s “dream closet” and replaced the subway-tiled ’50s bathroom. A walk-in shower behind a glass wall requires no step up, which is a signature of ArTex, and Boorhem thinks it’s perfect for a single lady planning to live there into old age. They replaced the old pool and installed a sundeck. As a final touch, they hired Eco High Fidelity for audio/video automation. Boorhem’s brother, Ross, insisted on the high-tech touch for a truly modern house, even though she says she’s still learning how to use it all. The renovations took about 13 months. “The timing was just perfect,” Boorhem says. “It’s a new chapter of my life in Oak Cliff.” —Rachel Stone

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE BOOREHM REMODEL, visit oakcliff.advocatemag.com/photos.

©2015 Equal Housing Opportunity An Ebby Halliday Company

Out & About

April 2015

April 18

Block party

Small Brewpub throws a block party starting at 4 p.m. with Langhorne Slim & the Law, Quiet Company and the Fox & the Bird performing on its new patio behind Jefferson Tower. The kitchen will be serving snacks and dinner specials from the patio bar during the party, which they plan on making an annual event.

Small Brewpub, 333 W. Jefferson, spunetickets.com, $12-$15

APRIL 2-4

‘The Clothesline Muse’

This multidisciplinary theater performance uses the clothesline as a metaphor for women’s work, lives and communities. TeCo Theatrical Productions teams up with Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts for this limited run.

Bishop Arts Theater Center, 215 S. Tyler, 214.948.0716, tecotheater.org, $20-$25

APRIL 5

Orson Welles

“Citizen Kane” shows Thursday, April 2, and Sunday, April 5. “The Magician” shows after the Sunday screening. The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546, thetexastheatre.com

April 27

La Santa Cecilia

Grammy winners La Santa Cecilia return to the Kessler Theater with their new album, “Someday New.”

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org, $16

APRIL 7

‘Nuclear Savage’

This documentary by Adam Jonas Horowitz exposes the truth about the Marshall Islands, where the effects of Cold War nuclear weapons testing by the U.S. military are still evident. Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, 3839 W. Kiest, 214.337.2429, firsttuesdayfilms.org, free

APRIL 8

Local, organic, sustainable

Urban Acres hosts the Sol Conference, designed to help attendees determined how to incorporate sustainable, organic and local products into their lives. Speakers include Joel Salatin, author of “You Can Farm” and other books; Andrea Ridout, host of “Ask Andrea”; and chefs Chad Houser and Graham Dodds.

Oak Fit, 2318 Beatrice, 214.466.1260, solconference.org, $45-$165

Langhorne Slim & the Law

APRIL 10

Roxy Roca

The Foundry hosts free live music every weekend, and this show features Austinbased southern soul band Roxy Roca. The Foundry, 2303 Pittman, 214.749.1112, cs-tf.com, free

APRIL 11

Prom Squared

This annual fundraiser benefits Promise House, an Oak Cliff-based nonprofit that supports homeless and at-risk youth. The catered event calls for partygoers to dress in black-and-white, formal or not, and dance to ’60s, ’70s and ’80s music from Diamondbag.

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org, $75

APRIL 24-25

All-class reunion

The old Adamson High School turns 100 years old this year, and the Adamson Alumni Association is celebrating. A two-block parade will lead reunion-goers to the steps of the school, followed by the reunion luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Rosemary Rumbley is the keynote speaker, and hall of honor inductees are 1923 graduate L. Jon Tinkle, 1965 graduate Lon Oakley, and Eunice Tilley, who taught chemistry at Adamson for 40 years. There is also a golf tournament and dance at the Golf Club of Dallas on Friday, April 24.

Adamson High School, 309 E. Ninth, adamsonalums.com

APRIL 30

Eric Nadel’s birthday

Voice of the Texas Rangers Eric Nadel hosts his fourth-annual birthday benefit. The party includes performances from Jimmy LaFave and Emily Elbert, and proceeds go to Focus on Teens, which helps homeless teens in the Dallas school district.

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org, $20$40

Delicious

SMALL BREWPUB

333 W. Jefferson 972.863.1594

smallbrewpub.com

Dallas

AMBIANCE: BEER GARDEN

PRICE RANGE: $9-$22

HOURS: 4 P.M.-MIDNIGHT, MONDAY-SUNDAY

DID YOU KNOW?

—Rachel Stone

food critics adore chef Misti Norris and her adventurous menu at Small Brewpub. Beer connoisseurs come from halfway-to-Oklahoma to taste the pub’s own brews. And now the pub’s partners aim to make their place a live-music destination. Music always has been in the plans for Small. Even before they opened, the owners threw backyard parties and passed the hat for the bands they invited to play. Soon after their bar and restaurant opened, they began jazz nights on Tuesdays. Then they threw a party on their back patio with live rock bands. And this month, they are putting on a block party with three bands performing (see page 12). They plan to turn an adjacent space into a listening room over the next year, says partner Daniel Bowman. “In general we need more small rooms in Dallas,” Bowman says. “But especially Oak Cliff.” He hopes to book bands that don’t have a big enough following for the Kessler Theater. Much like the Kessler, they’ll only book bands they love. “We’ll have shows maybe once a month,” he says. “They will all be really good so you’re not just filling a calendar.”

SMALL BREWPUB’S PARTNERS FINISHED OUT ALMOST ALL OF THEIR SPACE’S INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION THEMSELVES.

House pasta with malfatti, rye meatball, sunchoke and ham ($10): Photo by Kathy Tran

Best Date Night IN OAK CLIFF

And the winner is …

The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson

Who would’ve guessed the notorious spot where we caught a presidential assassin would become one of the most exciting elements of the Dallas entertainment and art scenes?

And yet, there it is: Movies, live music, comedy, burlesque, a contemporary art gallery, a film festival and more, all outshining the ghost of Lee Harvey Oswald. Aviation Cinemas, a group of four local filmmakers, took over management of the Texas Theatre in 2010, and they just keep making it better all the time.

A crowd-funding campaign in November raised more than $50,000, and the theater bought a digital cinema projector. That opens the door to many more films. Among other things, they now can screen some new remastered films in that format; “Citizen Kane” shows this month, for example.

The Oak Cliff Film Festival, now in its fourth year, is June 11-14. This year, the festival offers a filmmakers grant of $10,000 in cash and equipment to a Texas filmmaker with a work in progress.

The theater also hosts screenings for two other film festivals this month: the Dallas Independent Film Festival and the USA Film Festival.

As for date night, the Texas has something for everyone, plus delightful cocktails and local craft beer, or popcorn and a Dublin Bottling Works soda. Along with Mesa and all the new stuff coming into Jefferson Tower, it’s a veritable nightlife hotspot right here in assassination city.

Runner up: The Kessler Theater

Third place: Bar Belmont

NEXT UP FOR ADVOCATE’S 2015 BEST OF CONTEST: Best tacos. Vote for your favorite at oakcliff.advocatemag.com/bestof

Richland College

12800 Abrams Road, 75243, Parking Lot E

Kidd Springs Park

711 W. Canty St., 75208, Horseshoe Parking Lot

PLEASE DROP OFF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

- electronic items (e-waste)

- televisions

- video games

- cell phones

- computers

- calculators

- printers

- small appliances

- toys and stuffed animals

- documents for destruction (Limit 5 legal boxes. No boxes larger than 15 x 20 and NO binders)

- cardboard

- used cooking oil

- hardback books

- scrap metal

- auto and alkaline batteries

- tires (5 tire limit)

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

DO NOT BRING:

- textiles

- clothing

- shoes

- hats

- purses

- belts

- wallets

- backpacks

- clean styrofoam

- packaging foam

- bubble and shrink wrap

- plastic bags and packaging (without food residue)

NEW ITEMS

- household chemicals or paint

- building supplies

- pharmaceuticals

- furniture or mattresses

First 50 cars will receive two FREE Studio Movie Grill tickets!

For more information call 311 or the Waste Diversion Hotline at 214-670-4475

- new or gently used clean towels or blankets

- tennis balls

- dog/cat toys

- dry and canned pet food

- new or gently used leashes & collars

All pet items will be donated to Dallas Animal Services

Presented by City of Dallas Sanitation Services and supported in part by:

The Original Stamps Building

Here is your perfect opportunity to own a piece of history!

Includes 207, 209 & 211 S. Tyler St.

Situated in the Heart of Oak Cli

Near Bishop Arts

$599,900

Over 9,000 sq ft

Donna Bosse, Broker/Owner

Cell: (214) 707-4299

NANNY’S EASTER BREAD

Since I came from a large family with so many traditions, some of my favorite memories revolve around the recipes my Nanny made for the holidays. Easter has a sweet spot in my heart, and there is not a year that has gone by without her famous Easter Bread — a rich, sweet bread, similar to brioche, flavored with orange and braided to perfection. For a special Easter touch, eggs are nestled into the dough and glazed with a thin sugar coating topped with colorful sprinkles. From my family to yours, enjoy!

GROCERY LIST

Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup vegetable shortening

½ cup whole milk

1 envelope active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)

4 eggs

1 orange, zest and juice

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp vanilla extract

4 eggs (for decoration)

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup whole milk

Sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

Dough:

1. Place flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl with dough hook attachment and add shortening until a course crumb forms. Heat milk in a saucepan until warm to the touch (110 degrees F) and add yeast.

2. Combine eggs, orange zest and juice, vanilla extract and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Slowly add yeast mixture to the flour mixture and knead until it comes together (it will be dry at this point). Add egg mixture a little at a time until fully combined.

3. Knead the dough in the mixer or by hand until dough is soft and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size (approximately 1 hour).

4. Divide dough into two pieces and roll each piece into 24-inch-long pieces. Twist the two pieces together. Form the rope into a 12” round circle, pinching the ends together to seal, and nestle 4 eggs into the dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size (approx 45 minutes).

5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; once the bread is ready, bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown on top. Allow the bread to cool completely before glazing and adding sprinkles.

Glaze:

Whisk together powdered sugar and milk, adding more of either ingredient to achieve the desired consistency. Use a pastry brush to glaze the top of the Easter Bread.

Dave Reichert, President

LUMBER & ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORKS

davishawn.com

MOTHER’S DAY HOME TOUR

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, MAY 9 & 10, 2015

SATURDAY: 10 AM – 6 PM

SUNDAY: NOON – 6 PM

MOTHER’S DAY MUSIC & BRUNCH IN THE PARK, SUNDAY 11 AM – 2 PM TICKETS AT AREA WHOLE FOODS MARKETS, TALULAH & HESS IN LAKEWOOD AND AT SAHD.ORG. $20 IN ADVANCE, $25 WEEKEND OF TOUR, KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE. FOR DETAILS AND TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE, VISIT SAHD.ORG sponsored by

Kristen Massad writes a monthly column about sweets and baked goods. The professional pastry chef graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City and owned Tart Bakery on Lovers Lane for eight years. She blogs about food and lifestyles at inkfoods.com.

Redeemer Chapel, Lake City Colorado

“So much more than lumber... YOUR personal workshop for doors, windows & architectural millwork, for ALL kinds of houses.”

HOME AT 100

This century-old cottage is just perfect for its owners

Story by Rachel Stone • Photos by Jeanine Michna-Bales

At one point during the renovation of their cottage at 303 N. Willomet, homeowners Bill Breedlove and Elena Baca could stand inside and see dirt and sky.

In other words, there was no floor and no roof.

They bought the house in 2000, and for its 100th birthday in 2013, they decided to renovate.

The home was built with balloon framing. “If you ever hear that, run,” Breedlove says.

It was a style of building that was common in the 19th century, when long lumber was plentiful. In balloon framing, the studs run from the dirt to the roof, as opposed to platform framing, where the studs run to the subfloor.

So they had to replace the foundation as well as the studs. Such a dramatic overhaul can give one a bit of an existential crisis — what even is my house?

But after 13 months of construction, the result is a beautiful, modern cottage where Breedlove and Baca plan to stay as long as they live.

They are collectors of modern art as well as Northern African furniture and home accents. Baca is Peruvian but was raised in Cairo. And their home is a seamless mix of modern and traditional.

And by the way, this tasteful home is also a party house. The couple entertains frequently; a few years ago, they threw a big Moroccan party complete with dancers and camels. But the Breedlove-Bacas and their house are always ready for a drop-in guest or a spontaneous gathering as well.

Their huge square dining table seats eight and was constructed from heart-ofpine planks taken from the home’s original floorboards. “When you eat here, you’re eating off the floor,” Breedlove says.

Opening spread: The kitchen dimensions didn’t allow enough space for a center island, so the homeowners created a peninsula between the kitchen and dining rooms. The dining room table is made from the home’s original heart-of-pine floorboards. Opposite page top: The homeowners frequently entertain, and their sitting room offers a space that is inviting and comfortable yet modern. A ventless fireplace separates the sitting room from the dining room. Left: The home’s former master bedroom now is a cozy media room that highlights treasures from the couple’s travels in northern Africa.

Flow basics, flow yoga, flow & meditation, flow & release, yoga for healing, pre/post natal, yoga for children/families. Private lessons, workshops, experience groups, massage therapy and much more! Call today!

The homeowners don’t need to set alarm clocks because the window shades automatically roll up at 7 a.m. every day. Automation also controls heated floors in the bathroom, lights, door locks, TVs and the music system.

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH WELCOMES YOU

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 7:30 PM

“Stay With Me” – A Musical Tenebrae Service

Led by The Chancel Choir

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2-3 PM

Community Easter Egg Hunt

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5

CELEBRATING THE RISEN CHRIST

6:45 AM Sunrise Service

Back Parking Lot

They kept the kitchen fairly small but functional. They opted for a 27-inch refrigerator, built into the cabinetry, in order to stay within the lines they wanted. The small fridge is not optimum for the home’s resale value, and it’s just one example of how they designed the home for themselves.

The home is fully automated, too. Baca and Breedlove don’t set alarm clocks because at 7 a.m., the shades in their bedroom at the back of the house automatically roll up. The bathroom’s heated floor turns on, and a few minutes later, TVs in the bedroom and bathroom switch on to CNN.

They can control lights, door locks, the heating and cooling system, TVs and music system remotely from anywhere in the world. (In case you’re wondering: They once played tricks on a house sitter but felt bad about it later, when the house sitter told them she thought she’d broken something, so they never did that again.)

In the center of the backyard is a small patio with a built-in fire pit and a semi-circular stone ledge. This is where you’ll find the last-to-leave, late-night guests of a BacaBreedlove party. Beyond that is an outdoor bar with two keg coolers and a wine cooler.

Baca’s art studio is inside a small outbuilding that Breedlove says he wouldn’t even step into for 13 years because it was so creepy. Now it is a small, cluttered space with good light where Baca spends time working on collages and other projects. It also has a half bathroom and a loft with just enough space for a futon mattress, perfect for housing the teenagers of out-of-town family, or just taking a nap.

Baca and Breedlove are not just husband and wife, they’re also business partners; they started Pink Jacket Studios, an advertising and design firm, 10 years ago.

Their house on Willomet is a representation of their style and personalities. And it’s just perfect.

10:50-Noon - The Sanctuary Worship Service and Communion Joyous Music by the Chancel Choir, Handbells, Brass & Organ

EAST DALLAS

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

629 N. Peak Street t Dallas, TX 75246 www.edcc.org

Cliff view

This West Dallas house is like no other

Story by Rachel Stone

Photos by Danny Fulgencio

What is that big angular building high on a hill behind the Belmont Hotel?

For the three years it was under construction, this question came up a lot. The short answer: It’s a house.

More accurately, it is the biggest, most energy efficient home in West Dallas. The house, with its cantilevers and glass walls,

Cook moved from one of the city’s most exclusive residences, Strait Lane in Preston Hollow, to take up residence in West Dallas.

has spectacular views of Dallas.

Mary McDermott Cook, chair of the Trinity Trust, decided she wanted to buy the land for her home after having a glass of wine at Bar Belmont one night. She agreed to buy two lots on a handshake with Monte Anderson’s real estate agent.

Late last year, Cook moved from one of the city’s most exclusive addresses, Strait Lane in Preston Hollow, to take up residence in West Dallas.

An advocate for all things Trinity River, she says she believes in the neighborhood.

“I hope it will set a style for the neighborhood,” she says of her new home.

The house, with its central spiral staircase and kitchen the size of a Kings Highway bungalow, is light-years from what was there before.

While it was under construction, the home was nicknamed “dump top” because it previously had been used as an illegal dump. Workers removed more than 100 tires, a motorcycle frame and parts of a hospital bed, among other bulky trash, from the site.

Cook hired Booziotis & Co. Architects to design her home with simplicity and energy efficiency in mind.

Four massive stone pylons define three spaces within the home. One of the three stories is below street grade, keeping the house in scale with its two-story neighbors. Walls of glass define the north and south edges between the pylons, creating a downtown view from every room in the house. From her bedroom, Cook can watch the progress on construction of the Santiago Calatrava-designed bridge named for her mother, Margaret McDermott.

Each window wall has panels that allow cross ventilation. It is designed to be cool in summer and warm in winter.

The home has 8-inch thick concrete walls and high-performance window glass that keeps out heat. Cisterns can collect up to 10,000 gallons of water, so even predicting for future drought, no city water will ever need to be used for landscaping. It also has solar water heaters on the roof.

The flooring is made of bamboo, and the countertops are made of recycled materials, including glass and concrete.

She is seeking LEED certification for the house, which also serves as headquarters for her charity, the Eugene McDermott Foundation.

Why is all this energy efficiency so important?

“Because I believe in it,” Cook says

From Character to Chemistry…

Tuesday Tours

LAKEHILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep.org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

MOUNT ST. MICHAEL MONTESSORI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

3K-8th / 214-337-0244 / msmcatholic.org

Discover Mount St. Michael Catholic School located in Oak Cliff since 1986 (Davis/Cockrell Hill). DFW’s only Catholic Montessori Preschool and 1st-8th Classical Academy offers the grammar and logic levels of the classical trivium along with history, classical literature, Latin, Singapore math, science, fine arts, ballroom dancing, and athletics. MSMCS boasts a diverse student body with small classes. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, daily Mass, and faith-filled teachers ground students in Catholic virtue and tradition. Tuition assistance available. Schedule your Tuesday Tour at 214-331-0244 or f.cedillo@msmcatholic.org.

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

4019 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas 75224/ 214.331.5139 / www.saintspride.com / PK3-8th Grade. St. Elizabeth of Hungary offers a full day curriculum for PK3-8th Grade, including English Language, Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion, Technology, Athletics, Art, Music, Spanish, and Library. Caring teachers enhance curriculum with individualized attention and hands-on interactive participation. St. Elizabeth is a model of diversity, rich, and reflective of the ethnic and economic composition of the community it serves. Join us for an informational school tour and see for yourself how easy it is to become a Saint! Call 214.331.5139 for information.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency

of our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750 want more info about private schools.

BAPTIST

GRACE TEMPLE BAPTIST MULTI-CULTURAL CHURCH

Sunday Worship: English Service 9:30 am / Spanish Service 11:00 am

831 W. Tenth St. / 214.948.7587 / gracetempledallas.org

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

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

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

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

EPISCOPAL

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH / 534 W. Tenth St. / 214.941.0339

Sunday: 8 & 10 am Holy Eucharist, 12:30pm Santa Misa en Español

Sunday School for all ages / Children’s Chapel / christchurchdallas.org

METHODIST

KESSLER PARK UMC / 1215 Turner Ave. / 214.942.0098 / kpumc.org

9:30 am Sunday School / 11:00 Worship / All welcome regardless of creed, color, culture, gender or sexual identity.

OAK CLIFF UMC / 549 E. Jefferson Blvd. / oakcliffumc.org

Young Adult Gathering & Worship “The Cliff” 9:30 am / Contemporary Worship 11:00 am (Bilingual) / facebook.com/oakcliffumc

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

KESSLER COMMUNITY CHURCH / 2100 Leander Dr. at Hampton Rd.

“Your Hometown Church Near the Heart of the City.”

10:30 am Contemporary Service / kesslercommunitychurch.com

PRESBYTERIAN

OAK CLIFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6000 S. Hampton Road

Sunday Worship at 9:30 am & 11:05 am 214-339-2211 / www.ocpres.com

LET IT GO

Learning to forgive

Last year the movie “Frozen” became a national phenomenon. Everywhere in America, children and adults sang the songs from “Frozen,” especially “Let It Go.” For the character Elsa, the song represents a desire to put the past behind her, a kind of running away from painful memories. The song sounds like liberation, but in the end Elsa secludes herself in a castle of ice.

I struggle sometimes with the capacity to let things go. Someone may say a harsh word, or do something that angers me, and I struggle to put this out of my mind. I play the offense again and again in my head, trying to convince myself that I am right or justified in my anger, or thinking that somehow the conflict will resolve if I replay it enough. I may lose sleep, waking early with the conflict in mind.

Ultimately, this pattern demonstrates two areas of my life that need to change.

First, as a person of faith, the pattern demonstrates a lack of trust. I don’t trust God to work out the conflict. Rather than asking for God’s perspective on the situation, and for help to see the best in the person, I would prefer to keep the person in my head as an enemy. This habit reveals that I don’t have the mind of Jesus, who always loved his enemies and trusted God to ultimately vindicate Him.

Second, my way of not letting things go demonstrates a lack of forgiveness. Colossians 3:13 advises, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” This suggests a regular, immediate state of the heart to let go of wrongs, just as Jesus taught his disciples that forgiveness must be a daily practice. When I don’t forgive, I

fail to recognize how much I have been forgiven, and only hurt myself.

I know it’s not just me. Almost every person struggles to forgive and to let things remain in the past. So how can we learn to forgive and let go?

First, we have to remember that forgiveness is a choice and practice. When we forgive, we pay the cost of reconciliation. It’s an intentional act of grace. Second, we commit to resolve things quickly and lovingly. If someone wrongs us, we seek him out immediately to talk things through. We don’t let the sun go down on our anger. Third, we strive to be peacemakers in every relationship, from our closest family members to the grocery store checkout person.

Of course, some wounds go deeper, requiring not just one-time forgiveness, but a steady, humble posture to love someone who has wronged us, or even continues to hurt us. It’s always tempting to isolate, to think that if we ignore our problems, then we can move on. That rarely works. Our problems and past conflicts have a way of following us. And the longer we hold onto them, the colder we become.

When I don’t forgive, I fail to recognize how much I have been forgiven, and only hurt myself.

Brent McDougal is pastor of Cliff Temple 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.

IN OAK CLIFF

To recognize neighborhood Realtors who help promote our community and value our property, we’re introducing the Advocate’s first annual Top 25 Realtors in Oak Cliff special section.

We’ve produced this special section listing the Top 25 Realtors®, in terms of 2014 NTREIS reported sales volume as of Jan. 27, 2015, alphabetically using sales statistics compiled by neighborhood real estate companies and those reported to the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems Inc. (NTREIS), a service of the MetroTex Association of Realtors*. Some database reporting in fact resulted in the inclusion of four additional Realtors to this year’s list. Congratulations to the Realtors who comprise the Top 25, as well as the other Realtors working in our neighborhood and participating in our special section — together, they’re helping make Oak Cliff a great place to live and work.

Joe Atkins

Joe Atkins Realty

Christina Bristow

Dallas City Center Realtors

Thomas Claeys

Nathan Grace Real Estate

Chad Cole

CC Texas Realty, LLC.

Juanita Couch

Couch Realty

Brian Davis

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Ged Dipprey

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Courtney Dunn

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Luxe Group

Crystal Gonzalez

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Luxe Group

Fernando Gonzalez

Al Coker & Associates, L.L.C.

David Griffin

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Kathy Hewitt

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Hewitt & Habgood Realty Group

Steve Habgood, Brian Bleeker, Melissa O’Brien

Chris Hickman

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Paul Kirkpatrick

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Robert Kucharski

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Mitch Lee

Worth Ross & Associates

Roger Lopez

Value Properties

Susan Melnick

Virginia Cook, Realtors

The Melnick Team

Robb Puckett

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Diane Sherman

David Griffin & Company Realtors

Jenni Stolarski

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Clayton Tompkins

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Dori Warner

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Kay Wood

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Keith Yonick

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

*Statistics used to prepare the Advocate’s 2014 Top 25 Realtors list were compiled solely from those submitted by neighborhood real estate companies and sales statistics reported on behalf of and credited to individual Realtors as of Jan. 27, 2015, to the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems Inc. (NTREIS), a service of the MetroTex Association of Realtors. Realtors on the List are listed in alphabetical order by last name and were determined based on sales volume reported to NTREIS in Area 14, which is largely composed of the Oak Cliff neighborhood. Realtors are not required to purchase any advertising or pay any fee to be included on the List; additionally, Realtors not designated as Advocate Top 25 Realtors were offered the opportunity to advertise in the special section. Sales results for some Realtors on the List may include sales made by other members of the Advocate Top 25 Realtor’s team if reported to NTREIS under the Advocate Top 25 Realtor’s name. We attempted to contact each individual Advocate Top 25 Realtor to give him/her the option of having his/her team name and/or team members included with the individual Advocate Top 25 Realtor listing, but not all designated Realtors could be contacted. Past team members may or may not be included on the List if the individually designated Advocate Top 25 Realtor chose to exclude existing team members or Realtors no longer associated with the team. Closed sales volume for the period from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014, is included in the calculations; calculations are affected by the fact that not all Realtors choose to report some or all of their sales to NTREIS, and so-called “hip-pocket” sales, non-MLS sales and sales reported to NTREIS after Jan. 27, 2015, are not included in the calculations used to determine the Advocate Top 25 Realtors. Designated Top 25 Realtors can use the Advocate Top 25 Realtor/2014 logo in future advertising provided that the designated Top 25 Realtor appears in the advertisement; team members listed with the Top 25 Realtor are not authorized to use the Advocate Top 25 Realtor logo without participation in the advertisement of the designated Top 25 Realtor. NTREIS is not associated with the Advocate or the Advocate Top 25 Realtor list and has no responsibility for the Advocate Top 25 Realtor list. Sales statistics used to determine the List are believed to be accurate as of Jan. 27, 2015; the Advocate assumes no liability for inaccurate, unreported or otherwise incorrect information that may have resulted in the inclusion or exclusion of a Realtor(s) from the List. Data for the 2015 List will be compiled on Feb. 1, 2016, for sales in 2015.

Senior Vice President, David Griffin & Company Realtors

Local Resources

TO ADVERTISE 214.560.4203

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

PIANO LESSONS All ages & levels. Over 20 years experience. Oak Cliff area. Call Tim at 214-989-7093

EMPLOYMENT

AIRLINE ARE HIRING For those with FAA Certification. Job placement assistance. Financial Aid if Qualified. Get the A&P training at Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 866-453-6204

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES 3108 Seeking Bar Staff. Apply In Person. @ 8500 Arturo Dr. 75228 TABC Cert Reqrd.

SERVICES FOR YOU

DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 months) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available) Save. Ask about Same Day Installation 1-800-615-4064

Talk about old Oak Cliff

Old Oak Cliff Conservation League volunteers cleaned up the 150-year-old MacAdams Cemetery in March. From left to right, Joe and Donna Spears, Karen Ray, Ellen Kreager, Kevin Acosta, Chris Ray, Deborah Carpenter, Judy Brooks, Hal Prestige, George Roberts, Laura Foss, Sam and Greg Venker, Michael Amonett, Rhonda Turner, Frances James, and Alicia and Joel Quintans

Local BULLETIN BOARD

LEGAL SERVICES

A WILL? THERE IS A WAY Estate/Probate matters. Free Consultation. 214-802-6768 MaryGlennAttorney.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

EAST DALLAS CPA Tax and Accounting For Small Businesses And Individuals Ragan McCoy, CPA 214-202-6525 ragan@eastdallascpa.com

FARMERS INSURANCE CALL JOSH JORDAN 214-364-8280. Auto, Home, Life Renters.

PET SERVICES

PET SERVICES

In-Home Professional Care

Customized to maintain your pet’s routine In-Home Pet Visits & Daily Walks

“Best of Dallas” D Magazine Serving the Dallas area since 1994 Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

BUY/SELL/TRADE

TEXAS RANGERS AND DALLAS STARS

front row seats. Share prime, front-row Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars tickets (available in sets of 10 games). Prices start at $105 per ticket (sets of 2 or 4 tickets per game available) Seats are behind the plate and next to the dugouts for the Rangers: seats are on the glass and on the Platinum Level for the Stars. Other great seats available starting at $60 per ticket. Entire season available except for opening game; participants randomly draw numbers prior to the season to determine a draft order fair for everyone. Call 214-560-4212 or rwamre@advocatemag.com

TOP CASH FOR CARS Any Car, Truck. Running or Not. Call for Instant Offer. 1-800-454-6951

POPCORN MACHINES • PIÑATAS • CHAIRS • TABLES (214)941-7440 - www.pinatacity.com 1705 W. CLARENDON, DALLAS TX 75208

DUKE CANINE Certified Behaviorist & Trainer. Board/Train. Indoor kennels. www.dukecanine.com or 214-529-2598

SMART DOG DALLAS Daycare, Boarding, Training, Chauffeur. 214-884-7529

ESTATE/GARAGE SALES

ALL POINTS PROPERTY SERVICES Estate / Moving Sales. Cleanouts. Moving organization. We Can Help! 972-686-7919

AC & HEAT

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

CONCRETE REPAIRS/REPOURS

Demo existing. Stamping and Staining Driveways/Patio/Walkways

Pattern/Color available

Free Estimates 972-672-5359 (32 yrs.)

FLOORING & CARPETING

N-HANCE WOOD RENEWAL. No Dust. No Mess. No Odor. nhance.com. 214-321-3012.

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

HOUSE PAINTING

MANNY’S HOME PAINTING & REPAIR Int./Ext. Sheetrock. Manny 214-334-2160

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

Serving the Dallas area for over 30 years

We raise our kids here, too!

Family Owned & Operated 972-274-2157

www.CrestAirAndHeat.com

TACLB29169E

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

JD’S TREE SERVICE Mantels, Headboards, Kitchen Islands, Dining tables. Made from Local Trees. www.jdtreeservice.com 214-946-7138

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials!

214-343-4645

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

RENOVATE DALLAS

renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247

TK Remodeling

Your neighborhood remodeler

•Repair •Remodeling •Restoration

•Complete full service

http://dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

Tommy 972-533-2872 INSURED

CLEANING SERVICES

AFFORDABLE, PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

A Clean You Can Trust

Staff trained by Nationally Certified Cleaning Tech. Chemical-free, Green, or Traditional Cleaning. WindsorMaidServices.com 214-381-MAID (6243)

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

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

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

CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable.

Chris 214-770-5001

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ANNA’S ELECTRIC Your Oak Cliff Electrician Since 1978. tecl25513. 214-943-4890

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC Master Electrician. TECL24948 anthonyselectricofdallas.com Family Owned/Operated. Insd. 214-328-1333

EXPERIENCED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN Insd. Steve. TECL#27297 214-718-9648

GOVER ELECTRIC Back Up Generators. New and Remodel Work. Commercial & Residential. All Service Work. 469-230-7438. TECL2293

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

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

EXTERIOR CLEANING

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

FENCING & DECKS

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

4 QUALITY FENCING Call Mike 214-507-9322 Specializing in Wood, New or Repair.

HANNAWOODWORKS.COM Decks, Fences, Pergolas, Patio Covers. 214-435-9574

EST. 1991 #1

COWBOY

CARPET HARDWOODS CERAMIC Quick, Reliable Installation

John: 972.989.3533

john.roemen@redicarpet.com

REDI CARPET

Reinventing the Flooring Experience

GARAGE DOORS

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

HANDYMAN SERVICES

A R&G HANDYMAN Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Fencing, Roofing, Light Hauling. Ron or Gary 214-861-7569, 469-878-8044

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

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

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

Handy Dan

The Handyman “ToDo’s” Done Right Save $25 on Service Call of $125 or $50 on Service Call of $250 handy-dan.com 214.252.1628

KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS Granite, Marble, Tile, Kitchen/Bath Remodels. 972-276-9943 stoneage.dennis@verizon.net

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

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

214.692.1991

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

FENCE & IRON CO. cowboyfenceandiron.com

FLOORING & CARPETING

CLIFTON CARPETS 214-526-7405 www.cliftoncarpets.com

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

LONGHORN FLOORS LLC 972-768-4372. www.longhornflooring.com

Your Home Repair Specialists Drywall Doors Senior Safety Carpentry Small & Odd Jobs And More! 972-308-6035 HandymanMatters.com/dallas

HOME INSPECTION

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

WE REFINISH! www.allsurfacerefinishing.com

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

A BETTER TREE COMPANY • JUST TREES Complete tree services. Tree & Landscape Lighting! Mark 214-332-3444

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

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

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

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

LSI LAWN SPRINKLERS “Making Water Work” Irrigation system Service & Repair. Specializing In Older Copper Systems. LI #13715. 214-283-4673

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

TEXAS HARDY LAWN & LANDSCAPE

Complete lawn & landscape maintenance Commercial/Residential, Oak Cliff resident. 469-337-0371

U R LAWN CARE Maintenance. Landscaping. Oak Cliff resident for over 15 years. uwereisch@yahoo.com 214-886-9202

PEST CONTROL

A BETTER EARTH PEST CONTROL

Keeping the environment, kids, pets in mind. Organic products avail. 972-564-2495

MCDANIEL PEST CONTROL

Prices Start at $85 + Tax

For General Treatment.

Average Home-Interior/Exterior & Attached Garage. Quotes For Other Services. 214-328-2847. Lakewood Resident

Pest-Free · Hassle-Free

• Careful methods

• Respectful service

• State-of-the-art applications

PLUMBING

M&S PLUMBING Quality Work & Prompt Service. Jerry. 214-235-2172. lic.#M-11523

NTX PLUMBING SPEC. LLLP 214-226-0913 Lic. M-40581 Res/Com. Repairs & Leak Location

UPTOWN PLUMBING. Serving Dallas 40 + Yrs. 214-747-1103. M-13800 uptownplumbing.com

ROOFING & GUTTERS

Allstate Homecraft Roofing

MOVING

AM MOVING COMPANY Specialty Moving & Delivery.469-278-2304 ammovingcompany.com

214-340-6969 safehavenpest.com

4-340-6969 fehavenpest.com

PLUMBING

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

# M37740 Insured. Any plumbing issues. plumberiffic69@gmail.com

Sewers • Drains • Bonded 24 Hours/7 Days

*Joe Faz 214-794-7566 - Se Habla Español*

ARRIAGA PLUMBING: General Plumbing

Since the 80’s. Insured. Lic# M- 20754 214-321-0589, 214-738-7116, CC’s accepted.

CAMPBELL PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. 214-321-5943

• Roofing & Remodel • Additions • Licensed/Insured Over 1,000 Satisfied Customers in the Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow, Park Cities Areas

BERT ROOFING INC.

Family owned and operated for over 40 years

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

MAY DEADLINE APRIL 8

ADVOCATE PUBLISHING does not pre-screen, recommend or investigate the advertisements and/or Advertisers published in our magazines. As a result, Advocate Publishing is not responsible for your dealings with any Advertiser. Please ask each Advertiser that you contact to show you the necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform the work you are requesting. Advocate Publishing takes comments and/or complaints about Advertisers seriously, and we do not publish advertisements that we know are inaccurate, misleading and/or do not live up to the standards set by our publications. If you have a legitimate complaint or positive comment about an Advertiser, please contact us at 214-560-4203. Advocate Publishing recommends that you ask for and check references from each Advertiser that you contact, and we recommend that you obtain a written statement of work to be completed, and the price to be charged, prior to approving any work or providing an Advertiser with any deposit for work to be completed.

TRUE Crime

400 block of East Jefferson where three people held up customers and demanded cash from the register of a Subway restaurant

11 p.m.

on Feb. 26 police responded to the sighting of a vehicle matching the suspects’ description, near the Dallas Zoo

2 of the three men suspected in the robbery were taken into custody

This

BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Unlucky dog

Lucky Dog Books had been expected to close its West Davis location April 1. The building owners did not renew the bookshop’s lease after they were unable to pay the full rent for several months. The Common Desk co-working space has leased the building. There is a possibility that the bookstore could relocate to another Oak Cliff space, but only with community support. According to the store’s announcement on Facebook: “…our being able to afford to move may depend in large degree on a couple of things over the coming weeks. First, continued strong sales at the store so that we can be accumulating as much cash as possible to pay for what would have to be paid. And second, whether enough of you are willing to donate some labor for a move in exchange for some ‘book bucks’ so to speak that can be used for stuff in the stores once a move would be completed. This labor would mostly be helping box, move and unbox the stuff on our shelves that we do not sell between now and then.” Lucky Dog Books, which also has locations in Northeast Dallas and Mesquite, opened its Oak Cliff store in May 2012.

Che buono!

Cibo Divino, the concept from Kessler Park residents Daniele and Christina Puleo, could open in a 4,400-square-foot space at Sylvan Thirty as soon as this month. The idea is something like Eatzi’s. Check the statistics: 3,000 bottles of wine for retail sale, 42 cheeses, pizza from an oven built in Naples (and delivery within a 2-mile radius), 12 local craft beers on draft and wine by the glass, a 2,200-square-foot patio, prepared meals (including Daniele’s homemade pasta, plus chicken, turkey and salmon from the in-house smoker), made-to-order panini, and a coffee bar with Lavazza espresso, open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

The Puleos moved to our neighborhood in 2013, and one night just after they moved, Christina had trouble finding a place to buy a bottle of wine. They’ve been working on their concept ever since. Cibo Divino also

will offer wine tastings and cooking classes, among other events. Daniele Puleo is from Sicily, and he and Christina travel to the Italian wine country and Napa Valley at least once a year. They are inspired by “wine culture and community culture,” says Christina, and that’s the vibe they want to bring with Cibo Divino. “We wanted a place that felt like a community,” she says. “You can pick up some good cheese and a bottle of wine and have a picnic.”

Bye-bye Butch’s

Butch’s Transmission shop closed in February, just one month shy of 45 years in business at 810 W. Davis. Butch Rushing, 74, sold the building to Jeff and Pam Dowling. The Dowlings plan to renovate the shop and possibly turn it into a restaurant space. Jeff Dowling is a pharmacist, and Pam Dowling is an interior decorator. They have one son who is an architect and another son in the construction business, and they like investing in commercial real estate. They previously bought and renovated a 1925 cottage on McKinney Avenue, which now houses Cliff’s Bar and Grill, aka the new Loon. Butch’s was a family business: Rushing’s two sons worked with him there, and he had the same secretary for 38 years. The lifelong mechanic started having back pain last year and has had two back surgeries recently.

“We got a fair price for it, and I think everybody’s happy, so that makes for a good deal,” he says.

Vintage shop, vintage building

Zola’s Everyday Vintage, The Cozy Cottage and a hair salon called the Mod Labb are now open in the former Cannon’s Village shopping center on West Davis at Edgefield. A French restaurant from Dallas restaurateur Jean Michel Sakouhi is expected in the corner space on West Davis farthest from Edgefield. Real estate broker Kacy Jones of Kessler Park bought the building with his family in December 2014 and renovated it. They plan to live in one of two second-floor apartments to be finished out above the retail spaces.

1 Antiques on Bishop, from the owners of M’antiques, is now open in the former Cozy Cottage space on Eighth at Bishop. 2 The owners of Ten Bells Tavern snapped up the space vacated by the Amsterdam Bar in Exposition Park, where they plan to open Eight Bells Alehouse

Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development

CAD course provides students with a broad introduction into 2-dimensional computer aided design.

more information call 214-860-5900.

Education

Four La Rondalla students received full four-year university scholarships from benefactor Jorge Baldor The four students, all seniors in Dallas public schools, are Dominique Fleming, Science and Engineering Magnet at Townview High School; Marcos Rivera and Carlos Reyes, Sunset High School; and Luis Castillo, Adamson High School. The students have completed more than three years of guitar and bass lessons in La Rondalla, which is funded by Big Thought and based at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center.

A $10-million addition to Greiner Middle School, expected to open before the coming academic year, will double the school’s size and eliminate the maze of portables that have been in use for decades. Greiner has about 1,600 students in grades 6-8. If it were a high school, it would be a 4A school. The existing school was built for about 800 students. The new two-story wing will add six science labs and 33 classrooms. The school currently has six science labs and 12 science teachers, so the addition means each science teacher will have his or her own lab.

Business

Methodist Dallas Medical Center received a baby-friendly birth facility designation from Baby-Friendly USA Based on the ten steps to successful breastfeeding, the designation recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

People

Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison received the Bill Melton Humanitarian Award from the Oak Cliff Lions Club in March. The award recognizes a person whose “activities, contributions and service to the community best symbolize the ideals of Lionism.”

Parks

Work began earlier this year on a makeover of the streets, sidewalks and pocket park at Rosemont and West Seventh. The $413,000 project includes repaving the streets and sidewalks, landscaping and installing park amenities such as benches and lighting, and improving storm water and sewer lines. The Davis Garden TIF is paying for most of it, $391,592. Another $22,000 comes from the city’s wastewater utility construction fund. The Rosemont Plaza is expected to be completed this coming summer. It precedes the $1-million West Davis sidewalk improvement project.

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THE BOYS OF SUMMER

Oak Cliff was home to pro baseball for about 50 years

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The Texas Rangers celebrate their 2015 home opener April 10. The ballclub’s history goes back to 1972, when the Washington Senators and manager Ted Williams moved to Arlington. But another branch of the club’s family tree makes a direct line to Oak Cliff.

Professional baseball rooted in our neighborhood in the early 20th century, and minor league games were played here for almost 50 years.

At the center of it all was Burnett Field. The baseball stadium, which was renamed several times over the decades, went up in its second location at the corner of Jefferson and Colorado in 1925. It had replaced Gardner Park, which was built in 1915 and burned swiftly to the ground in ’24, just after 6,500 spectators had filed out of the park on a Sunday afternoon. The players, from the Dallas Steers and the Beaumont Exporters of the Texas League, had to run out of the clubhouse half dressed. The Steers played their next home game two blocks away at Riverside Park, home of the Dallas Black Giants of the Texas Colored League in the days of segregated baseball.

The Steers opened their 1925 spring training at Riverside Park, while their new stadium was still under construction. By the time Branch Rickey, who would later become the commissioner of Major League Baseball, brought the St. Louis Cardinals for an exhibition game against the Steers on April 9, the stadium was ready.

On opening day, April 20, the biggest employers in town gave workers with tickets the afternoon off, and special streetcars ran on the Oak Cliff line. Lt. Gov. Barry Miller attended the game on behalf of Gov. Ma Ferguson. Mayors from 20 surrounding towns were invited. Attendance reached about 12,000.

The Steers finished the 1925 season in second place thanks in large part to the leadership of player/manager Snipe Con-

ley, a legendary Dallas baseball player. Conley had been one of the best all-time pitchers in Dallas history. He won 17 games in a row for an earlier incarnation of the Steers, the Dallas Submarines, in 1917. He also batted .309 that year. Conley, a spitball pitcher, made it onto

the rosters of a couple of major-league teams. But the bulk of his long career was spent in Dallas. By 1926, he had played nine seasons here as a player or player/ manager.

In 1941, when Conley was 49 years old, he returned to the Burnett Field mound. During a game against the San Antonio Missions on June 26, 1941, he allowed one run and five hits in eight innings. The Missions came back to earn five runs in the ninth, but the Dallas team, by then called the Rebels, won 11-6. Conley pitched at least three more games for the Rebels that season. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1973, and he died in 1978. He is buried in Wheatland Cemetery, near DeSoto.

Above and left: The Texas League team in Dallas went by several names over the years, including the Submarines, the Steers, the Eagles, the Rebels and the Rangers.

On opening day in 1925 the biggest employers in town gave workers with tickets the afternoon off, and special streetcars ran on the Oak Cliff line. Lt. Gov. Barry Miller attended the game on behalf of Gov. Ma Ferguson.