2010 January Oak Cliff

THE

THE ULTIMATE

GUIDE TO THOSE OFF-THE-WALL YET GOOD-TO-KNOW FINDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

ONLY IN OAK CLIFF The Oak Cliff Bicycle Co., in a modest space on Tyler Street, is a recent addition to our neighborhood. Read the bike shop’s story on page 6. PHOTO BY CAN TÜRYILMAZ

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

IN THIS ISSUE

JANUARY/2010 volume 5 number 1_OC

QEB IFPQ

The ultimate guide to those off-the-wall yet good-to-know finds in our neighborhood. PHOTO BY SEAN MCGINTY

FEATURES 6

SPINNING WHEELS Neighbors Ean Parsons and Jeremy Ordaz opened the Oak Cliff Bicycle Co. about six months ago because the neighborhood needed a bike shop.

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2010 HEALTH CARE RESOURCES

12 HOT STUFF

Smoke, the new restaurant at the Belmont Hotel, is our pick for fireside dining — and home-style food that’s too much trouble to make at home.

IN EVERY ISSUE department columns opening remarks4 / grab-bag6 / happenings11 / food + wine12 / scene + heard27 / news + notes30 / crime30 / back story31 advertising dining guide13 / health resources21 / education guide29 / bulletin board27 / home services28

HEALTH CARE RESOURCE GUIDE

OPENING REMARKS

p:214.823.5885 F:214.823.8866 W:advocatemag.com

IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?

Let the man in the mirror answer that question Quite a few years ago, a couple of us were talking with our pastor about how our church was going to fund the coming year. It was a small church, membership was stagnant, dollars were hard to come by, and the two of us had been tapped to devise a plan to squeeze more blood from the same turnips, so to speak. As these things tend to go at a church, the discussion turned to the “tithe” and whether talking about donating a specific percentage of members’ income was realistic, given our daily living expenses and the responsibilities we have to ourselves and to our families, much less to something or someone else. The “how much” part was pretty clear, since 10 percent is the generally

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.

referred-to magic number. But the “how much is enough” question was harder to answer. And then the other guy threw the pastor a curve. “Do I calculate my tithe before or after taxes?” he asked the pastor. “And which taxes count?” He had a point: There are property taxes and sales taxes and gasoline

As it turns out, “how much is enough” is a question that never goes away, particularly this time of year. taxes and all kinds of other taxes, and surely we should get a “discount” for some of these taxes as part of the tithe equation. And as it turns out, “how much is enough” is a question that never goes away, particularly this time of year. Every January, most of us at least toss a glance in the direction of doing something different with our lives. Maybe it’s eating less or eating better. Maybe it’s exercising. Maybe it’s putting in more effort at work or trying to be a

better parent or spouse. We’re expected to break new ground in a new year, so it seems, and we generally give it a game effort for a week or two or three. And then those eternal questions arise again: How much is enough? How much do I really need to do differently, and what difference will it really make? Why can’t I just eat what I want? Do I really need that much exercise? Does my boss deserve my best effort? Can I be a better parent or spouse? If only there was a concrete answer to those questions, so you and I and everyone else could just get on with the business of doing what we need to do to live our lives correctly. As it turns out, thinking back to how the pastor answered the guy’s tax-andtithe question that day, there is at least one take-it-to-the-bank answer. “Well,” the pastor told us, clearing his throat and leaning forward ever so slightly. “When you’re trying to figure out how much is enough,” he said, “look in a mirror, smile widely, and ask yourself what you need to do to keep looking that way all year long.”

DI S T R IB U T ION P H / 214 . 5 6 0 . 4203 A D V E R T I S ING P H / 214 . 5 6 0 . 4203 advertising coordinator: JUDY LILES /214.560.4203 jliles@advocatemag.com advertising sales director: KRISTY GACONNIER /214.560.4213 kgaconnier@advocatemag.com display sales manager: BRIAN BEAVERS /214.560.4201 bbeavers@advocatemag.com senior advertising consultant: AMY DURANT /214.560.4205 adurant@advocatemag.com advertising consultants: CATHERINE pate /214.292.0494 cpate@advocatemag.com NORA JONES /214.292.0962 njones@advocatemag.com MADELYN RYBCZYK /214.292.0485 mrybczyk@advocatemag.com Brandi Stringer /469.916.7864 bstringer@advocatemag.com Patti Miller /214.292.0961 pmiller@advocatemag.com classified manager: PRIO BERGER /214.560.4211 pberger@advocatemag.com classified consultants: SALLY ACKERMAN /214.560.4202 sackerman@advocatemag.com SUSAN Clark /469.916.7866 sclark@advocatemag.com E DI TOR I A L P H / 214 . 29 2 . 20 53 publisher: RICK WAMRE /214.560.4212 rwamre@advocatemag.com managing editor: keri mitchell /214.292.0487 kmitchell@advocatemag.com editors: MARLENA CHAVIRA-MEDFORD /214.292.2053 mchavira-medford@advocatemag.com christina hughes babb /214.560.4204 chughes@advocatemag.com rachel stone /214.292.0490 rstone@advocatemag.com senior art director: JYNNETTE NEAL /214.560.4206 jneal@advocatemag.com assistant art director: Julianne rice /214.292.0493 jrice@advocatemag.com designers: Jeanine Michna-bales, Larry Oliver, contributing editors: JEFF SIEGEL, SALLY WAMRE contributors: sean chaffin, sandy greyson, 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, Sean McGinty interns: ALEX KNESNIK, Lacey Teer Advocate Publishing / 6301 Gaston Avenue, Suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214 RICK WAMRE | president TOM ZIELINSKI | vice-president Advocate, © 2009, 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.

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

ON THE WEB

CENTURY 21 Judge Fite - Dallas

LISTEN UP

Whether it’s what’s happening a city hall or trend we see gaining ground in our neighborhood, we’re talking about it. You can listen to our newlylaunched podcast series every Monday by visiting our Back Talk blog.

816 W Pleasant Run 12.67 Acres Anastasia Semos 469.438.4667

1420-1424 Ferndale 2,006 Sqft. 0/1/0 Ed Abenante 214.883.0995

2848 Woodside 504 1,900 Sqft. 2/2.5/2 Patty Tafoya 214.682.7157

2137 Kessler Ct 2,388 Sqft. 2/2.5/2 Burt Coty 214.893.0356

1820 Kessler Pkwy 2,977 Sqft. 3or4/3.2/2 Shelby Starr 214.536.0825

3225 Turtle Crk 731 846 Sqft.1/1/1 Patty Tafoya 214.682.7157

DISHIN‘ IT OUT

Visit Back Talk every Friday for the latest dish on local dining. We’ll give your our two cents on food, and the scoop on deals and happenings at neighborhood restaurants.

GIMME MORE

We can’t fit every tidbit of neighborhood news in the magazine. Get the best of the website in an e-newsletter, delivered to your inbox every week. Sign up by clicking “Personalize” on the home page.

214.948.9444

2729 Larkspur Ln 1,510 Sqft. 3/2/2 Dean Valenzuela 214.682.7033

836 N. Zang, Blvd Ste.100 Dallas TX 75208 Www.c21judgefite.com

2528 Bayside 3,308 Sqft. 4/4/2 Patty Tafoya 214.682.7157

2300 Leonard #409 2,125 Sqft. 2/2.5/2 Patty Tafoya 214.682.7157

3216 San Marcus 1,233 Sqft. 3/1.5/2 Monty McKnight 214.217.5761

737 N. Hampton 1,786 Sqft. 2/2/2 Shelby Starr 214.536.0825

828 W 7th Street Monty McKnight 214.217.5761

1010 N Edgefield 1,628 Sqft. 3/2/2 Robert Bown 214.803.0071

1408 Boca Chica 3,020 Sqft. 4/2.5/2 Roger Pickett 214.946.4900

600-616 Rayburn 1,845 Sqft. 3/2.1/2 Anastasia Semos 469.438.4667

802 Woodlawn 1,428 Sqft. 3/2/2 Oscar Almaraz 214.455.3873

740 Rainbow 3,761 Sqft. 3/3.2/3+ Shelby Starr 214.536.0825

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PRODUCTIVY-KILLER

Help pass the time your weekend begins with a mindless, yet amusing, diversion. You can find that workweek escape on Back Talk every Friday afternoon.

this month on

Buyers to verify all information. Square footage from tax deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

advocatemag.com/oak-cliff November 2009

LAUNCH

JANUARY 2010

Business partners Ean Parsons and Jeremy Ordaz opened the Oak Cliff Bicycle Co. on Tyler Street about six months ago because there was no bike shop in our neighborhood. Parsons, who lives in Oak Cliff and works downtown at Neiman Marcus, doesn’t own a car. He commutes by bike, which is faster than taking the DART train or bus. Ordaz was a shade-tree bike mechanic who worked as an electrician for about 12 years, but was laid off around the time he seriously began contemplating a bike business. Since they opened the shop in August, Ordaz, whom we interviewed for this piece, has pared down his bicycle collection from 30 or so to about 12.

How did you choose this space?

I had been saving up money so I could buy a commercial space and have a garage. But the lending climate right now is such that you have to put 20 percent down, so even if you can find a $100,000 building, that’s still 20 grand you have to put down. So instead of doing that, I used the money to lease this space, which works fine for what we’re doing. So far, we haven’t taken out any loans.

Got a Launch-worthy idea?

Let us know about it: Call editor Rachel Stone at 214.292.0490 or e-mail launch@advocatemag.com.

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

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(11" x 21") 11/24/2009 5:29:25 PM Dallas Morning News

LAUNCHgrab-bag

more on

JEREMY ORDAZ IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE GETTING A LOT OF BUSINESS. WHAT ARE MOST PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY COME IN HERE?

Paul lost 55 lbs and 14" in his waist Find Your Fitness

Paul Atkinson had too much weight and too little energy. With a disciplined, supervised personal training program, along with consistent participation in a weight loss program, he shed pounds and inches and gained strength. Now he can bench-press 325 pounds. That’s the power of personal training.

People come in looking for commuter bikes, mainly, and vintage bikes because they’ve heard we have a lot of vintage bikes. We get a lot of repair business from people in the neighborhood, and we try to help everyone. A lot of paleteros come through here, and sometimes we’ll take a paleta for payment because they don’t have any money. But if you fix one paleta guy’s bike, then he tells his buddies and they’ll come in and buy stuff.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BIKE COLLECTION. IS THERE ANY ONE BIKE OUT THERE IN THE WORLD THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR — THE COLLECTOR’S HOLY GRAIL, SO TO SPEAK? I don’t look for specific things. Anything that’s unique that I stumble upon, I might want to pick up. I’m not biased as far as cool old bikes. Anything that’s got character. [Later, he changed his answer to “any Rene Herse bike”.]

50% off the enrollment fee when you join, or join with a friend and both receive 75% off.

Call 214.820.7872 or visit baylortomlandryﬁtnesscenter.com

AESTHETIC AND FAMILY DENTISTRY Sarah Tevis Poteet, DDS, PA Dr. Sarah Tevis Poteet is known for her exceptional skills, gentle touch, kind spirit, and the ability to listen to her patients. She was one of a select few to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and is certified to provide IV and oral conscious sedation to make her patients extra comfortable. We offer comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere, and we are conveniently located in Preston Center.

WWW.DALLASSMILEDENTIST.COM 8226 DOUGLAS AVENUE, SUITE 859, DALLAS, TX. 75225

214-363-4414 NOVEMBER 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

To expand and carry more products. I want to have more high-end mountain bikes because I’m really more of a mountain biker than anything else. We want to see more people riding, and lead more rides. We want to have road rides start here. When we get bigger, I want to give clinics — classes related to road rides or fixing flats.

THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS BUDDING BICYCLE CULTURE IN OAK CLIFF. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

R HEALTHRESOURCE

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE SHOP?

There are a lot of parking issues in Oak Cliff and downtown, and it just makes a lot of sense to get where you’re going on a bike. The state fair is 4.5 miles from Oak Cliff. Everything is pretty much less than five miles away. It makes sense to at least have a bike, whether you’re commuting to work every day or just riding for fun. —RACHEL STONE

grab-bag LAUNCH A guide through the maze of city-related questions

How can I request a bus stop closer to my house? What if I’m not able to make the walk at all?

Henry Barber 4305 Ashford Drive JarradtoBarnes 525 Brookside Drive It’s972.949.2625 easier than you might think to get a bus to come closer you, as opposed toNyou walking block 972.733.5391 SOLD $299,900 after block just to get to the nearest bus stop. The entire process may only take a matter of weeks, so it might be to your benefit to inquire about a new bus stop closer to your home. Here’s how it works:

1. First, contact DART. You will need to complete a request form, which will ask for information such as where you would like the bus stop to be, and why it would be beneficial to have a bus stop at that particular location. 7345 Dalewood Lane Bilpuch/Sutton If the new location$257,000 is within a pre-existing bus route, then the process 972.672.8484/214.522.5232 will be a lot easier and less time-intensive. If the location is outside the boundaries of DART bus routes, your request will go to city councilmen, who ultimately will decide the outcome. 2. After receiving the request, DART begins investigating the new location. Its surveyors lookTeresa at factors such as the number of 8222 riders Garland inHenry and around Barber Costa Road 972.949.2625 your neighborhood that the new bus stop would benefit. They also will be 972.381.6044 $1,395,000 looking for potential reasons why a bus stop wasn’t in that location to begin with (such as a history of vandalism, damage, etc.). The surveyors will then come up with an assessment of why the neighborhood doesn’t have Got a maze you can’t find your way through?

5118 Milam Street $445,000

7345 Dalewood Lane

J.L. Forke 972.733.7543

1218 N. Winnetka Ave. 506 Peavy Road $659,000 5118 Milam Street $479,000 $445,000

Phyllis Imbordino

1630 Junior Drive Dr. 6815 Trammel $244,900 SOLD

972.733.9751

Christopher Miller Jeff Mitchell 972.380.3391 214.914.0421

6815 Trammel Drive $244,900

Tricia Weiner 972.380.3897 David Griffin 972.733.8401

9934 Galway Drive David Collier 3. Senior$249,900 citizens and people with disabilities are able to avoid all the hassle 214.536.8517 and take advantage of DART’s paratransit program. The paratransit buses are wheelchair accessible, and offer curbside service to anyone who can’t easily make it to the nearest bus stop. It’s not a service for the lazy, however; paratransit riders must submit the necessary forms (available on DART’s website) and provide a doctor’s assessment. Anyone approved simply needs to provide a schedule of6043 whenGoliad and where he will need 4305Lori Ashford Drive Jarrad Barnes 525 N Brookside Drivepicked Ericsson Avenue 972.733.5391 SOLD $299,900 up at 214.235.3452 on specific days and hours. $629,900

For more information about this or any other transit issue, contact DART at 214.749.3333 or visit dart.org. —ASHA GWIN 9934 Galway Drive $249,900

Bilpuch/Sutton

Email howitworks@advocatemag.com with your question. $257,000 972.672.8484/214.522.5232

Teresa Costa 972.381.6044

Diane Phyllis Sherman Imbordino 469.767.1823 972.733.9751

service, and present those findings to city council. It will then take 10–15 business days for the city to determine whether or not to add the bus stop.

5911 Vanderbilt Avenue SOLD 410 S. Windomere Tricia Weiner SOLD972.380.3897

6550 Patrick Drive $274,500

David Griffin 972.733.8401 Lori Ericsson 214.235.3452

8222 Garland Road $1,395,000

Jason Melton Christopher Miller 214.883.6854 J.L. Forke 972.380.7721 972.733.7543

6043 Goliad Avenue $629,900

300 S. Edgefield Ave. 1422 Sereno Drive $389,900 David Griffin SOLD 972.733.8401

6550 Patrick Drive $274,500

506 Peavy Road $479,000

Christopher Miller

Jeff Mitchell 972.380.3391

6628 Vada Drive SOLD

972.380.7721

6628 VadaAve. Drive 1649 Sylvan SOLD $249,500

Zahn/Borman

David Collier 214.536.8517

1422 Sereno Drive SOLD

Frada Sandler Tammi Lamb 972.949.2920 469.879.9142

Frada Sandler 972.949.2920

5203 Worth Street $625,000 Ave. 106 N. Winnetka 5203 Worth Street Zahn/Borman 214.738.1620/469.939.7935 SOLD $625,000

214.738.1620/469.939.7935 Henry Barber 5911 Vanderbilt Avenue 214.563.9222 SOLD

Visit www.davidgriffin.com Visit www.davidgriffin.com Or Call 214.526.5626 Or Call 214.526.5626

advocatemag.com/oak-cliff November 2009

LAUNCHgrab-bag

What gives? New Year... New Beginnings... New Location!

Outstanding Obstetrical and Gynecological Care for every stage of a woman’s life Full range of women’s healthcare services: • Obstetrics, including sonograms

Kessler Women’s Healthcare was designed to meet the needs of our patients with appointments as early as 7 a.m., as late as 6 p.m., and on Saturday mornings! Annual examinations, gynecologic care, maternity care, ultrasounds, osteoporosis screening and in-office laboratory and surgical procedures are just some of the services offered by Dr. McKown and her partners at Kessler Women’s Healthcare.

• Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery • PMS and Menopause Care • Reproductive Health • Laparoscopic Hysterectomy • In-Office Surgery • In-Office Osteoporosis Screening • Beautiful Environment – Wonderful Patients!

Blvd.

WALK THE RED CARPET ... ... at Cuba Libre for an event benefitting Promise House, the Oak Cliff charity that serves homeless and at-risk teens. The event is Monday, Jan. 18 from 7-9 p.m. at Cuba Libre, 2822 N. Henderson. Tickets include appetizers, specialty cocktails and “paparazzi photographers to capture your moments on the red carpet.” Attire is evening casual. Tickets are $20 in advance at promisehouse.org, or $25 at the door.

To find out more about robotic surgery, in-office procedures or to schedule a convenient appointment with Dr. McKown or any of the physicians at Kessler Women’s Healthcare, call 214-941-7200 today!

Call 214-941-7200 to schedule an appointment.

d. Blv ng Za . N

N. Marsalis Ave.

N. Beckley Ave.

Methodist Dallas Medical Center W. Colorado Blvd. E. Colorado

Dr. Rochelle McKown is a graduate of Texas Tech Dr. Rochelle McKown University Health Science Center and a clinical instructor for the OB-GYN residency program at Dallas Methodist Hospital. Dr. McKown performs minimally invasive robotic surgery utilizing the DaVinci robotic surgical system and believes that “the advantages are amazing.” This physician/educator has provided care for area women for over 19 years, both at Dallas Methodist Hospital and at Kessler Women’s Healthcare’s state-of-the art offices. “Many procedures that used to require a visit to the hospital can now be done safely and comfortably in the procedure suites at our office,” says Dr. McKown.

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

Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7am - 6pm; Fri. 7am - 5pm 1330 N. Beckley Ave., Dallas TX 75203 Patricia LaRue, MD; Rochelle McKown, MD Theresa Patton, MD; Kecia Foxworth, MD; Sandra Lozano, MD

w w w. k e s s l e r w o m e n s . c o m

OR DONATE ... ... to the Twelve Hills Nature Center. This nature center, behind Rosemont Elementary, is pretty cool, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The center accepts cash donations and has a wish list that includes office supplies, laptop computer and software, lumber, and construction materials and equipment. The center also needs volunteers for office work, accounting, grant writing and editing, legal services, mowing, tree service and photography. Get involved at twelvehills.org.

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.

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

happeningsLAUNCH

out&about in JANUARY

01.16.10-02.21.10 ART SMACKDOWN

FREE Houston versus Dallas is a serious rivalry whether it’s Cowboys vs. Texans or 80 percent humidity vs. blue northers. Mighty Fine Arts highlights that rivalry with Houston vs. Dallas Smackdown II, an exchange exhibiting the work of Houston-based artists at the Oak Cliff gallery and El Centro College. Texas Collaborative Arts, a gallery in Houston, hosted the first smackdown last summer, inviting Dallas artists to exhibit in its space. Mighty Fine Arts co-owner Steve Cruz says he had the idea for a Dallas/Houston artist exchange because so many of his friends live there. The two-part show will include 11 artists, which have different styles and represent no one school. Some pieces will show at Cruz’s gallery and some at El Centro. A Jan. 16 opening reception at El Centro will be followed by an opening from 6-9 p.m. at Mighty Fine Arts, 419 N. Tyler. 214.942.5241, mfagallery.com. —RACHEL STONE Sharon Kopriva, “Seeds of Peace”

01.08 JOHNNY LLOYD ROLLINS FREE Johnny

01.08 POETRY READING FREE

Cliff Notes Prolonged Media, the Lloyd Rollins has a critically used bookstore that couple Carlos acclaimed new CD, “Let’s Be and Opalina Salas recently opened Poor Together”. And he’s bring- on Tyler Street, is hosting its first ing his modern rockabilly poetry reading. sound to Jack’s Backyard The reading on Elvis’s birthday. Bank is at Mighty on him covering some Elvis Fine Arts, tunes. The show starts at 9 419 N. Tyler, p.m. Jack’s Backyard, 2303 214.942.5241. Pittman. 214.741.3131 or jacksbackyarddallas.com.

go online

01.08 PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT FREE Decorazon Gallery welcomes

Minmyo Kim, a California-based photographer who originally is from South Korea. Kim is an UnScene National Photography Contest winner. Decorazon Gallery, 417 N. Bishop. 214.946.1003 or decorazongallery.com.

Visit advocatemag.com for a complete list of happenings or to post your event on our free online calendar. Posts will be considered for publication.

advocatemag.com/oak-cliff November 2009

LAUNCHfood&wine

Delicious.

A guide to dining & drinking in our neighborhood

FIRESIDE DINING In a way, Smoke is elegant and polished. Its glamorous fireplace is a good place to find a comfy seat, sip champagne and have a snack. In another way, the place is like a favorite pair of old cowboy boots. At a table by the same fire, diners share pork spare ribs over a couple of cold beers. Floorboards creak. Old wooden pallets mix with art on the walls. Random family photos smile out from their frames. “The silverware doesn’t match all the time,” says chef/co-owner Tim Byres. “We aren’t taking ourselves so seriously.” Smoke, which opened at the Belmont Hotel in September, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on cooking from scratch, serving locally produced and small-batch food, and generally doing things the slow way. It has a 1-acre organic garden out back. Bread and jams are made in-house. The recipes are simple, and cooks let the food speak for itself. Most impressive is the charcuterie work. Byres and staff make whole-hog barbecue. They cure ham and bacon in an onsite smokehouse and string up yards of sweet paprika and fennel seed sausage. “Everything we do is old-fashioned. And it is really cool because it does have this family reunion kind of feeling, and that’s by design,” he says. “This place is not fancy. But we try really hard to deliver on the experience.” —Rachel Stone Smoke Fort Worth&Sylvan 214.393.4141 smokerestaurant.com Pictured: Assorted pickles

Three more places to cozy up by the fire

1 Jack’s Backyard Jack’s has great live music, and the bands sometimes play on a stage near the outdoor fire pit. Fort Worth&Pittman 214.741.3131 jacksbackyarddallas.com

2 ConFusion To enjoy the fireplace at this Thai/Vietnamese restaurant, just grab a seat on the patio. Davis&Van Buren 214.943.5660

3 Eno’s Pizza Tavern While there’s no actual fireplace at Eno’s, the pizza oven is visible from the cozy, candlelit dining room. Bishop&Seventh 214.943.9200 enospizza.com

Food and Wine ONLINE

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

Molly Dickson

Visit our website at advocatemag.com/oak-cliff/dining

SPECIAL ADVER TISING SECTION

The BESTEATS in our neighborhood

4325 BELMONT AVE., DALLAS, TX 75204, 214.824.7036

YOUR GUIDE TO DINING OUT $ MOST ENTREES UNDER $10 / $$ BETWEEN $10-$20 / $$$ ABOVE $20 / CINDI’S NY DELI, RESTAURANT & BAKERY $ A little of everything for everyone! Cindi’s has the best bagels, blintzes, latkes, matzo ball soups and quiches in town. Fantastic breakfast served all day. Excellent home-style lunch and dinner specials. Extensive dessert selections including cakes, pastries, pies and bread pudding. 11111 North Central Exprsswy. 214.739.0918; 7522 Campbell Rd. 972.248.0608; 3565 Forest Ln. 972.241.9204; And now our newest location: 2001 Midway Rd. 972.458.7740.

CIRCLE GRILL RESTAURANT $ New

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Whole Wheat Bran Pancakes the perfect addition to any breakfast. Don’t forget we are also here for dinner three days a week. Pop in and try some of our amazing dinner specials like our Prime Rib or Grilled Salmon. Come Home to the Circle Grill. Sun-Wed 6am-4pm Thurs-Sat 6am-9pm. Banquet Facilities Available. Breakfast served all day. Be sure to make your reservations today for meetings and Holiday Parties. 3701 N. Buckner 214-327-4140

Family Owned & Operated Since 1987

EL TIZONCITO $ Located at Illinois & Westmoreland, this Mexico City taqueria is a Dallas must-visit. The décor offers a casual experience that corrects the misconception of an original Taqueria. The Tacos al Pastor shaved down from the vertical oven and the unique Tamarind Margarita are a musttry. “What a pleasant surprise.” George Bush. “Excellent service complement exceptional food.” Gary Fisher. “Best Tacos in Dallas.” Mico Rodriguez. Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Catering available. 3404 W Illinois Ave. 214.330.0839.

TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE $$ OD WB Tillman’s is a place for really good food, drinks, and music in a fun, casual, come-as-you-are environment. An update on the classic Texas roadhouse with regional menu favorites, familiar tunes and no-one is a stranger hospitality — all energized with a modern take. A combination of both rustic and lush in everything from the menu to the décor make Tillman’s a good-time anytime destination. Bishop Arts District 324 West 7th St. 214.942.0988. www.tillmansroadhouse.com

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www.eatatchubbys.com advocatemag.com/oak-cliff NOVEMBER 2009

LAUNCHfood&wine

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North Oak Cliff’s #1 Listing and Selling Team Kathy Hewitt Steve Habgood Dori Warner Rob Elmore

We are in mourning as we celebrate the Advocate’s eighth annual Cheap Wine extravaganza and $10 Wine Hall of Fame. Osborne Solaz, the Spanish red blend that has been a mainstay of the Hall since its inception, is being fazed out. The corporate term is “selectively distributed in stores throughout the U.S.,” but the reality is that the wine won’t be for sale in the stores where you used to buy it. (Osborne is replacing the Solaz with a brand called TempraTantrum; hopefully, it tastes better than the name.) Otherwise, despite the weak dollar, 2009 was a banner year for cheap wine. The only other wines to drop out did so because the weak dollar pushed their prices above $10 — Falesco Vitiano, which produces a solid rosé, an even more solid white blend and a stunning red blend made of sangiovese, cabernet and merlot. The Hall added five wines: A California chenin blanc from Vinum Cellars called CNW; Notorius, a white wine from Sicily; a red Rhone wine, La Ferme de Gicon; and vini merlot from Bulgaria, which may be the best cheap merlot I’ve ever tasted. Also, look for the 2007 Bota Box cabernet sauvingon, which at $5 a bottle, is a steal. I can’t, however, recommend any newer vintages. Here’s the rest of this year’s Hall of Fame: 7KH ZLQHV IURP &DOLIRUQLD·V %RJOH 9LQH\DUGV and especially the petite sirah. &ULVWDOLQR the Spanish sparkling wine, which comes in brut (dry), extra dry (sweeter than brut) and rosé. &DOLIRUQLD·V 7RDG +ROORZ SLQRW QRLU URVp <HOORZ %OXH PDOEHF DQG WRUURQWHV about $12 for a 1-liter box). 0HULGLDQ·V FKDUGRQQD\ which can be found for as little as $6. 7KH /HV -DPHOOHV ZLQHV and especially the sauvignon blanc, from southern France. /RFNZRRG VDXYLJQRQ EODQF. —JEFF SIEGEL

Christian Johnson Senior Loan Officer

214.763.8767

214.752.7070 View all MLS listings at:

HewittHabgood.com

NOVEMBER 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

JEFF SIEGEL’S WEEKLY WINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on the Advocate Back Talk blog, advocatemag.com/oakcliff/blog.

food&wineLAUNCH

WITH YOUR WINE

New Year’s black-eyed peas Eating black-eyed peas for New Year’s is a Southern tradition that is supposed to bring good luck. But you don’t have to settle for canned beans. Put this on the stove to simmer after lunch, check on it periodically, and you’ll have dinner without much effort. Serve this with your favorite $10 wine.

HEALTH CARE RESOURCE GUIDE

Providing urological care for healthier lives.

1 lb dried black-eyed peas 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 jalapeño, chopped 2 bay leaves Salt and pepper to taste Optional: Ham hock, pork neck bones or turkey neck bones

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Add water to cover the beans by an inch or so. 2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until beans are tender. This could take as little as an hour or as long as three or four hours, depending on the beans. You may also need to add water if the beans look dry.

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OUR PHYSICIANS provide comprehensive male and female urological care for:

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ask the

WINEGUY? Q. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A BOTTLE OF WINE? A. A lot less than you think — about $6, according to Nielsen, which tracks U.S. retail wine sales. Most of the wine sold in the U.S. costs less than $10. —JEFF SIEGEL

>PH QEB TFKB DRV

taste@advocatemag.com

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www.colonandrectalsurgery.net advocatemag.com/oak-cliff NOVEMBER 2009

Helath Care Resources 2009

GROCERY LIST

Serves 4, takes about 2.5 hours

THE

IST The ultimate guide to those off-the-wall yet good-to-know ﬁnds in our neighborhood STORY BY RACHEL STONE

THE MEDIA PERPETUALLY FEEDS THE PUBLIC’S HUNGER FOR LISTS. There are useful lists, such as Oprah’s “Top 10 Superfoods”, Time’s “25 People to Blame for America’s Credit Crisis”, or Esquire’s “Best Bars in America”. Then there are more gratuitous tabulations — Star magazine’s “Best and Worst Beach Bodies”, or The Enquirer’s index of gay and not gay celebrities, for instance. Maybe it’s the order and brevity lists inject into our overwhelming lives, or that they make large quantities of information more digestible. Whatever the reason, the masses enjoy consuming info in the form of neat numbered and bulleted boxes, and the Advocate is here to oblige. In fact, we love lists so much that we’ve compiled a list of lists (sometimes useful, sometimes superfluous) for readers who can’t get enough of them.

JA N UA RY 2010 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

Oak Cliff’s nightlife is blossoming with dives like Trade Winds and the faux speakeasy that is the Thirsty Bear. We keep our bars stocked, and we take our cocktails seriously. These are a sampling of ...

COCKTAILS THAT PACK A PUNCH

1. SASSY SARA AT TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE. We love sassy Sara Tillman as much as we love a good cocktail. The namesake drink of the owner and founder of this longtime Bishop Arts restaurant has vanilla vodka, pineapple rum, limejuice, sweet-and-sour mix and red jalapeño.

2. ASIAN TAN AT BOLSA. This is one of 21 seasonal cocktails at Bolsa, at Davis and Llewellyn. It’s a martini with 209 gin, cucumber, yellow chartreuse (that’s an oldtimey herbaceous liquor) and ginger-infused cognac. They also make an old fashioned with Maker’s Mark that’s infused with blood oranges and vanilla beans. 3. SANTARITA AT SMOKE. The new restaurant at the Belmont Hotel on Forth Worth Avenue and Sylvan has more than just juicy smoked meat. They also have some tricked out cocktails. This one has prickly pear cactus puree (the fruit of a prickly pear is called a “tuna”, but who would order a tuna cocktail?), orangecello and homemade jalapeño jelly. advocatemag.com/oak-cliff JA N UA RY 2010

A speciAl A dvocAte publicAtion

DeSiGn HOME U R B A N

L I V I N G

D A L L A S

What would life in Oak Cliff be without pan dulce and pupuserias? So we don’t have the upscale grocers that other parts of Dallas enjoy, but our grocery stores have corn in a cup. Don’t miss these ...

must-try Hispanic grocers

1. El Rio Grande Supermerket. This Chuck E. Cheese-meets-taqueria at 2515 W. Jefferson features a tortilleria the size of a 7-11, an impressive selection of pan dulce and a hot food line with everything from barbacoa to menudo and hamburgers.

2. Fiesta Mart on Illinois. This enormous new Fiesta Mart is in the snazzy shopping center at Westmoreland and Illinois. They have a good selection of produce, plus low prices.

3. Jerry’s Supermarket on West Jefferson. You haven’t lived in Oak Cliff until you’ve had a taco from the window at Jerry’s.

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JA N UA RY 2010 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

Oh, Whole Foods, how we pine for thee. If Oak Cliff actually nabbed a Whole Foods or similar market, it could change our neighborhood in ways we’re not sure we’d like. But at times, when you need two teaspoons of dried tarragon and not the whole jar, some fancy imported tea or Earth-friendly cleaning supplies, driving across the river just seems so far. Here are our neighborhood’s ...

ON SALE NOW!

BEST ANSWER TO WHOLE FOODS

1. ANN’S HEALTH FOOD CENTER AND MARKET. Ann’s is a huge health food store at 2634 South Zang that draws customers from all over the city. There are several aisles dedicated to vegetarian and vegan food, and everyone there is friendly and helpful. They also serve smoothies and sandwiches.

2. BOLSA FARMER’S MARKET. This monthly event is part farmer’s market, part craft fair with a bit of rock concert thrown in at Bolsa, the restaurant DW 'DYLV DQG /OHZHOO\Q 6KRSSHUV FDQ ÀQG ORFDO honey and garden vegetables. And Tom Spicer sometimes brings his coveted ramps and morels when they’re in season.

ONLINE

WWW.DALLASSUMMERMUSICALS.ORG

VISIT The DSM Box Office at 542 Preston Royal

3. OAK CLIFF COFFEE ROASTERS. Owners Jenni and Shannon Neffendorf sell fair-trade, direct-trade and organic coffee roasted right here in Oak Cliff. It’s for sale at Bolsa and Hunky’s. The Neffendorfs accept orders online or by phone, and they deliver to certain parts of Oak Cliff. Call them at 214.948.5559.

CALL 214-631-ARTS GROUPS 214-426-GROUP

advocatemag.com/oak-cliff JA N UA RY 2010

So many famous people have come from Oak Cliff — Edie Brickell, Tevin Campbell, Yvonne Craig (the original “Batgirl”), Jack Nance (who played “Eraserhead”), and Earl King Gill (the Aggie 12th Man). And there are some famous people buried here, too. Take a trip to these ...

GRAVESITES OF THE FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS

1. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, LAUREL LAND MEMORIAL PARK. The great blues man, Stevie Ray Vaughan, is the biggest rock star to come out of Oak Cliff so far. His original grave marker in the cemetery just off of Interstate 67 was vandalized, and now there is a new one, which reads, “Thank you for all the love you passed our way.”

2. KENNETH E. LYON, DALLAS-FORT WORTH NATIONAL CEMETERY. OK,

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JA N UA RY 2010 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

KNOW MORE THAN THE NEWS

>>happenings >>storefront >>dining >>garage sales >>multimedia

maybe the grave of Lyon, a police RIÀFHU ZKR KHOSHG QDE /HH +DUYH\ Oswald at the Texas Theatre, isn’t that interesting on its own. But this military cemetery, set on a grassy hill at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., is worth visiting.

Our neighborhood’s urban trails have some of the best mountainbiking terrain in the area. Jeremy Ordaz of Bike Friendly Oak Cliff told us about these ...

PARKS THAT ARE REASONS TO TRY MOUNTAIN BIKING

0ET &RIENDLY

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3. CLYDE BARROW, WESTERN HEIGHTS CEMETERY. Infamous old Clyde’s grave is in a shady little cemetery at 1617 Fort Worth Ave., just a few blocks from his childhood home and West Dallas stomping grounds. He is buried next to his brother/gang member, Buck, and their mom and dad.

1. OAK CLIFF NATURE PRESERVE AT HAMPTON AND ILLINOIS. A good allaround trail with technical, intermediate and rocky courses. It’s quick to dry out after it rains, and it’s the closest

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2. BOULDER PARK NEAR INTERSTATE 67 AND RED BIRD LANE. This park has

Fort Worth Ave. Development Group

Website by Henry

the most hills, so there’s a lot of climbing, and it’s a well-designed course that’s not heavily ridden

3. BIG CEDAR MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS AT TEXAS LOOP 12 AND TEXAS 408. A mountain bike destination, this is about 12 miles from the center of Oak Cliff. It has about 8 miles of trail with a lot of hills, plus ladder bridges, jumps and wall rides built in.

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advocatemag.com/oak-cliff JA N UA RY 2010

When it comes to public restrooms, cleanliness is key, but we want to recognize those spots that do a little extra to make your visit comfortable, convenient and, dare we say, entertaining. Here are a few of the ...

places worth a pit stop

1. Jack’s Backyard. Have you noticed the leaf imprints on the restrooms’ concrete floors? Those came from the fig tree in the yard of neighborhood residents and owners Kathy Jack and Susie Buck. (Buck, the executive chef, has been known to use figs from the same tree in her menu items when the fruit is in season.) 2. Smoke. The restaurant at the Belmont Hotel has an all-new mod look, but the bathrooms are pretty much the same — still fabulous. The dual flusher has options for a big flush or a wee flush. 3. Eno’s. The lighting in the bathrooms at this Bishop Avenue pizza joint is as flattering as the rest of the place. And they have good-smelling soap and hand lotion. 4. Hattie’s. We wonder if they bought that sink chest at Horchow — tres chic! But that’s to be expected from this Bishop and Seventh mainstay of Southern comfort and charm.

In case of emergency, it’s a relief that Methodist Dallas Medical Center is • Any neighbors who need a Starbucks mere blocks away, so that we don’t fix can find one as close at the Methodneed to cross the Trinity for treatist Dallas Medical Center lobby. ment. But that’s just one of the ...

advantages of having a hospital in Oak Cliff

• Neighbors can always find their way home — just follow the cross.

The coffee is free and parking is only $1. Call 214.947.4628 to find out more about this 55 and older program.

• Hitt Auditorium at Bishop and Colorado provides a venue for every imaginable city, county and neighborhood meeting. (Plus, free juice and cookies.)

• When the Methodist folks say, “We • Want to take Tai Chi classes, play Bingo, or learn Spanish or how to use a computer? The Methodist Senior Access program offers a range of social activities for neighborhood seniors. Membership has its privileges:

heart Oak Cliff,” they mean it. The Methodist Dallas Medical Center women’s heart health event, “Heart to Heart”, on Feb. 13 at the Women’s Museum will help Oak Cliff women dance their way to healthier hearts. Call 214.947.8181 for information.

What our neighborhood lacks in movie theaters, it makes up for with a sense of history and preservation. Who needs an AMC when we have ...

vintage theaters that showcase much more than blockbusters

1. The Texas Theatre. The best thing about the famous, notorious, historic Texas Theatre is that it’s not a pawnshop. It’s not an empty, decaying building, thanks to the Oak Cliff Foundation, which strives to keep the West Jefferson relic a part of modern Oak Cliff. The theater recently received a new screen and rear projector for digital movie screenings. Next, they hope to buy a curtain and nab performances from the Dallas Summer Musicals.

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2. The Kessler Theater. Gene Autry once owned this theater at 1230 W. Davis, which was built in the 1940s and survived a terrible tornado in 1957. For decades, it was one of those sad, decaying old theaters. But Edwin and Lisa Cabaniss are changing that. The Oak Cliff couple is remaking it into a performance and gallery space.

214-395-7195

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972-935-4169 800 N. Bishop Ave., Suite1 • Dallas, TX 75208 (Two blocks north of Davis) www.BishopArtsMassage.com

gift certificates available! advocatemag.com/oak-cliff Ja n ua ry 2010

We’re proud of Oak Cliff’s hills and tree canopies. Our neighborhood has some of the biggest, oldest and most beautiful parks in Dallas. Here are some of our favorite ...

spots to find zen

1. The labyrinth at Kessler Park United Methodist Church. The labyrinth, which the church at 1215 Turner commissioned about three years ago, has benches where you can read a book or your copy of the Advocate. Walking the labyrinth is a way to pray, meditate or seek inner peace.

2. The labyrinth at Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff. How many neighborhoods can say they have two labyrinths? This one, made of earth and stones, is in a grove on the church grounds at 3839 Kiest, in the shade of an oak tree.

3. Kidd Springs Park. Walk the trails, sit on the grass, feed the ducks. Kidd Springs Park is one of Oak Cliff’s most beautiful green spaces.

JA N UA RY 2010 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

Best dancing waiter Tito the dancing waiter at Tillman’s. If you eat at Tillman’s Roadhouse late on a weekend night, and you’re lucky, you might suddenly hear a Ricky Martin song come over the speakers. Tito the dancing waiter will hop up on the table and shake what his mama gave him while chef Dan works the lights. “It’s his passion,” says restaurant owner Sara Tillman. Don’t forget to tip — passion deserves dollars.

Kudos to whoever had the vision for the Trinity River Project. That’s a lot of vision. Someday, that project might actually come to fruition, and we hope it does. Until then, these public projects are, in our estimation ...

good uses of taxpayer dollars

1. Hampton-Illinois Library. Just when we thought no one cared about books anymore, the city built a cool, modern library in Oak Cliff. It includes a black-box theater for community plays and offers after-school tutoring. 2. Oak Cliff Cultural Center. This new center, which is set to open in March

Online Pricing | 214.507.1231

next door to the Texas Theatre on Jefferson, replaces the Ice House Cultural Center. It’s a performance space, gallery and incubator for young artists. And hopefully, it will bring new energy to Jefferson.

3. The fountain in Lake Cliff Park. Lake Cliff Park, if you can believe it, was like the Six Flags of the 1910s. There were three theaters, a roller rink, swimming pools and a rollercoaster. Now it is a pretty, old park at the gateway to Oak Cliff, and it wouldn’t be the same without the fountain. n

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Home Price snapshot

REAL ESTATE ON THE UP AND UP Our neighborhood’s home sale prices are defying the housing slump dragging on in other parts of Dallas zines. That compares to 17 declines in the first six There’s good news for housing prices in Oak months of the year, and 14 declines in the 2008 Cliff. The final six months of 2009 were much numbers. (For this snapshot, we used sales figbetter than the first six months, as measured by ures through Nov. 30 reported the fifth Advocate Home Price Snapshot, compiled with the Home prices increased to the North Texas Real Estate Information System. We comhelp of Ron Burch at Coldwell pile the snapshot every six Banker. in Oak Cliff in 2009 months. A chart with complete Home prices increased in in three of the four figures for all 22 zip codes is on Oak Cliff in 2009 in three of our website at advocatemag. the four zip codes where we zip codes where we com/home_price_snapshot.) distribute the magazine. That compares to declines in three distribute the magazine. Overall, it looks as if the least expensive neighborhoods did out of four zip codes through the best. the middle of the year. In this, the increases were Elsewhere in the neighborhoods where we disbigger and more widespread than in every other tribute magazines: neighborhood where we publish magazines. • In East Dallas and Lakewood, home prices That’s because the average sale price declined increased 16 percent in 75223. Prices declined in in 15 of the 22 zip codes where we publish maga-

November 2009 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff

the remaining four zip codes, but most percentage drops were in the low single digits and not at the rates that showed up in the June numbers. The number of days a home spent on the market increased in all five East Dallas zip codes. • Lake Highlands continued to be a bright spot, with sales prices increasing in three of the four zip codes. The hikes weren’t much, but this is the third consecutive snapshot where Lake Highlands has done better than the norm. • Prices continued to decline in Preston Hollow, which had held its own in 2008. The biggest decline came in 75229, where home prices dropped 22 percent from their 2008 level. • Far North Dallas was hit even harder, with prices declining in all seven zip codes in which we deliver. —JEFF SIEGEL

SCENE & HEARD

AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE Lynn Sulander and Vicki Patsdauter of Wynnewood took their Advocate to the Australia Zoo.

OFF WE GO Advocate reader and Kiestwood resident Yolanda Tafoya recently flew with the Blue Angels at Alliance Airport.

PR?JFQ VLRO MELQL

Go to advocatemag.com/oak-cliff/multimedia/photo-submit or e-mail a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.

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TEXAS RANGERS SUITE Share this prime suite with other neighborhood small businesses. We lease Suite 218-B behind home plate (check out the location online at texasrangers.com) overlooking the entire ﬁeld. We’re looking for partners to buy 10game shares in for the 2010 & 2011 seasons. The suite includes three parking passes, 12 tickets for each game and a $300 credit per game (ﬁrst year only) for food and beverage service in the suite. Games will be allocated in a lottery process prior to each season, with each shareholder selecting games and receiving an equal chance for Yankees, Red Sox, weekend and other premium games. Email rwamre@advocatemag.com or call 214-686-3595 with questions.

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

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FEB. DEADLINE JAN. 13 advocatemag.com/oak-cliff NOVEMBER 2009

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inTerior desiGn A CLEAN SLATE Bring Life Into Your Home This New Year. Interior & Event Design Services. Tablescapes, Artful Details. Don Moore Interiors and Event Design. For A Free Consultation. dpm0202@mac.com 270-993-0782 KIM ARMSTRONG INTERIOR DESIGN www.interiorsbykim.com Licensed/CID/ASID 214-500-0600 whitecustominteriors.com Special Finishes & Custom Woodworking. Tony 214-392-2505 WINDOWWORKS BY REBECCA Shop At Home For Custom Window Treatments. 214-215- 2981

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Tiles or Sinks WE •• Tubs, Cultured Marble REFINISH! • Kitchen Countertops

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Lawns, Gardens & Trees DALLAS TREE SURGEONS Tree Trimming, Removal & Sales. Free Estimates. 972-633-5462 www.dallastreesurgeons.com HOLISTIC TREE CARE A Full-Service Tree Care Company Chuck Ranson, Certified Arborist c.ranson@sbcglobal.net 214-537-2008 LAKEWOOD TREE SERVICES Total Tree Care - feeding, trimming, removals Free Estimates. Insured. 214-442-3165 U R LAWN CARE Maintenance. Landscaping. Your Personal Yard Service by Uwe Reisch uwereisch@yahoo.com 214-886-9202

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6/23/09

1:17 PM

the children’s center

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January 12

1423 san saba drive, dallas/214.823.2119/ Fax 214.321.4666 / contactus@thechildrenscenterdallas.org / www.thechildrenscenterdallas. org Established in 1951, the Children’s Center provides a way to introduce children to the arts, the joy of learning and the beauty and wonders of our world. Educating the total child, we place emphasis on developing the child’s social skills and independence. Licensed developmental school for children ages 2 1/2 - 5. We have 2, 3 and 5-day programs, depending on the child’s age. Our school day is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Extended day on Tues. or Wed. until 2 p.m. We maintain a waiting list and schedule visits to the school in the spring as space becomes available. For more information call us at 214.823.2119

lakehill PreParatory school leading to success. 2720 hillside drive, dallas, 75214 / 214.826.2931, www.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.

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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 214-5604203. 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.

Feb. DeADLINe JAN. 13

wanna know more about education in your hood?

>>click on storefront/ education advocatemag.com/oak-cliff November 2009

TRUE CRIME

NEWS & NOTES

community The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League brought in about $1,000 selling its bumper stickers with the slogan, “Oak Cliff. Keep it Real.” Now they’re putting the slogan on T-shirts. They’re available in several colors at Alchemy Salon, 317 N. Bishop. The T-shirts are $25, and the bumper stickers are $5. The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League is writing a $10,000 check to Turner House for its roof repairs. It is the largest single grant in the league’s 35-year history. Turner House, which is a clubhouse for the Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts, is one of the four original estate homes in Winnetka Heights. Its original glazed-tile roof needs extensive repairs. The Old Chisholm Trail Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented Ellen J. Taft of Mountain Creek with the 2009 DAR Conservation Award. Taft is a member of the Park and Recreation Board. Even though she has multiple sclerosis, she patrols a one-mile stretch of Eagle Ford Road, picking up garbage — including TVs, mattresses and hundreds of bags full of trash — on both sides of the road. She also has fought homeowners associations and developers in efforts to prevent actions that would encourage soil erosion.

education The W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy recently landed a $5,000 grant from “Fuel Up to Play 60”, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL. Fuel Up to Play 60 aims to make long-term changes in school nutrition and physical activity, and it encourages students to play for at least 60 minutes a day. Greiner will use the money for cafeteria equipment, and to enhance fitness, health and nutrition programs.

@ HAVE AN ITEM TO BE featured? 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_oc_news. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

Got a crime to report or cop question? E-mail crime@advocatemag.com

F O O T T ALL INFLA T A B LE P O LAR B EAR S T O LEN FR O M A LA W N IN O AK C LIFF

FEE T IS T HE AVERAGE HEIGH T O F AN A C T UAL MALE P O LAR B EAR

$35 T O REPLA C E AN INFLA T A B LE P O LAR B EAR LA W N O RNAMEN T

S O UR C E : DALLAS P O LI C E DEPAR T MEN T

The Victim: Winston Tubb The Crime: Burglary Date: Monday, Nov. 23 Time: Between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Location: 300 block of Montclair

The TV was gone, but the dogs and cats were safe.

Winston Tubb is an animal lover. He has lived in his Winnetka Heights home for 17 years, along with his four dogs and two cats. The four chihuahuas are a big part of his life at home. And as well as being a costly crime, a recent burglary also could have impacted the pets. Returning from work one recent evening, the evidence of burglary was obvious. “I walked in and the TV was gone,” Tubb says. “I just thought, ‘We’ve been robbed.’ One of my first thoughts was, ‘Are the animals OK?’” A burglar made off with not only the television, but also video games, a digital camera, cash and an antique $50 bill from the 1800s — a total value of almost $5,500. But Tubb also was concerned that one of his pets had been injured. “The smallest dog was a bit skittish, but she’s OK now. And one of the dog’s eyes was a little red. We think she may have been kicked,” he says. The animals have since recovered, but Tubb is angry that someone entered his home and stole from him. He has not experienced a break-in in almost two decades. “It’s pretty awful,” he says of the intrusion and burglary. Dallas Police Deputy Chief Rick Watson of the Southwest Patrol Division says securing front and rear doors can be a key in crime prevention. He recommends a solid hardwood door with a two-inch deadbolt. “That makes it very difficult to kick in a door,” Watson says. And having a dog, like Tubb does, can often prevent criminals from entering a home. “Dogs are a good deterrent because they make a lot of noise,” he says. “The suspect doesn’t know if someone is at home or if the dog is going to bite.” —SEAN CHAFFIN

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REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD High school reunions remind us what it was like to be young and carefree Ah, high school! Now those were the days. It seems the class reunion trend is gaining strength and becoming increasingly popular in our times, as all the Oak Cliff schools have them in some form or fashion. One recent Sunset reunion had a woman from its ’33 class in attendance, Kimball held a gala and then a 50th birthday celebration, while Adamson holds its all-school reunion each spring. Word is that South Oak Cliff is big on minireunions. In late October, the Kimball ’64 class held its reunion on the Belmont Hotel’s outdoor deck, and I was invited. The night was clear and crisp as old classmates — some who attended school together from elementary through high school — mixed, mingled, kissed, hugged, and took photos. A cloud of laughter hovered over the crowd as earlier experiences were shared, and in some cases rethought, while many former classmates exchanged pictures of children and grandchildren. All the Jimmys and Billys and Tommys were there with the Cathys and Beckys and Linda Sues. There were no Tiffanys or Ashleys or Brandons or Conners. The former teenage girls and sweetfaced boys were now late middle-aged men and women — an assortment of former classmates who spent many an hour navigating their severely crowded school building originally designed for 1,500 students, but forced to cram in 2,300-plus and share three-to-a-locker.

Unlike their mothers, most of the women had careers. Many of the men had experienced business and professional success. The view of downtown Dallas was spectacular. But to me, the view of former classmates reconnecting was more spectacular. As I watched, and in many cases interacted with those who were also my

Class reunions bring back, if only for a few hours, the memory of those days when life was safe and fairly simple — that sense of being grounded and knowing that everything’s going to be all right.

friends (although not in my class), there was a sense of just how blessed we all were to have grown up in Oak Cliff. OK, OK. Not everything in those days was idyllic. We had the Cold War and the bomb drills at school, along with the suggested dog tags around our necks — just in case we were all incinerated from the bomb radiation or whatever. (And after the massive bomb, just who was going to identify us, I’d like to know?) We faced the polio threat, not to menJoin the discussion

tion the 1957 Dallas Tornado, the Lee Harvey Oswald-living-in-Oak Cliff thing, and the constant warning from our folks to stay away from lower Kiest. Without vaccinations, we endured measles, mumps and chicken pox. And then there were those summertime chiggers. Ouch! We had the Trinity River floods, before the levees were built. We also had the opposite: The mid-1950s drought when Dallas tap water wasn’t safe. And then there was “Pete the Python”, believed to have escaped from the Fort Worth Zoo, a thought that terrorized the metro area and made worldwide headlines. But we left all these problems to the adults. We were too busy being Oak Cliff kids and teens ... and trying to have fun. I like class reunions. They heal and reaffirm, especially by the 20th. By then, most everyone’s grown up, and they are what they are. In today’s culture, things change so rapidly and so dramatically that it’s difficult to keep from being overwhelmed by it all. Class reunions bring back, if only for a few hours, the memory of those days when life was safe and fairly simple — that sense of being grounded and knowing that everything’s going to be all right. So the next time you get an invitation to attend your reunion, by all means consider it seriously. Give yourself the opportunity to hug and kiss and laugh and cry and retell stories and take photos. Don’t fret about not having that last minute Botox treatment or about the crash diet you failed to complete. It doesn’t matter. Put on your bifocals, polish your walker, and put fresh batteries in your hearing aids. Go! Enjoy the ride. It’s a spectacular view.

Visit the Advocate blog at advocatemag.com/oak-cliff/blog

Gayla Brooks Kokel can date her neighborhood heritage back to 1918, when her father was born in what was then called Eagle Ford. She was born at Methodist Hospital and graduated from Kimball High School. Kokel is one of three co-authors of the recently published book, “Images of America: Oak Cliff”, and writes a monthly history column for the Oak Cliff Advocate. Send her feedback and ideas to gkokel@advocatemag. com. advocatemag.com/oak-cliff November 2009

Each month we will feature a new baby from your neighborhood in this Quigley ad. This new Quigley customer will also receive a free year of planned service on up to one heating and air conditioning system valued at $300 for his or her family. Submit your baby photos to advocatebaby@quigleyac.com. Applicants must be between 6-18 months. James Lakewood Baby and Future Quigley Customer

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