2011 January Oak Cliff

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ADVOCATE CORRESPONDENT MICHELLE MEALS FELL IN LOVE WITH THE GIANT “C-3PORUSSIAN-STYLE MARSHMALLOWS” ATDUDE, SWEET CHOCOLATE:

Filled with goodies such as cocoa nibs, coconut and cashew bits, prepare yourself. You’ll plop one of these in your hot chocolate and think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

InRussian, these are called “zefirs”. They are dessert marshmallows made with cane sugar, cane syrup and egg whites. Choose between Dude, Sweet Chocolate’s giant Cocoa Puffs and the C-3P0s for a fluffy surprise in your hot chocolate or s’more sandwich. They cost $8 a bag, and they make great gifts, along with a canister of Dude, Sweet Chocolate drinking chocolate. Can there be anything more perfect in wintertime than a cup of hot cocoa mixed with whole milk and topped with a life-sized puff?

Spiceman’s FM 1410

La Duni

Scardello Artisan Cheese

VonGeertsem Butcher Shoppe

Man in the Mirror Perhaps he’s not an accurate reflection

Why do dogs chase their tails, even after they’ve caught them? Why do people with expensive cars intentionally take up two parking spaces in crowded parking lots?

And why does my aging body still do daily battle with acne?

That’s a question I asked myself the other morning while contorting my face in the mirror right before I gummed my oatmeal and applesauce. It’s not exactly a traditional resolution, I suppose, but surely there must be a way to rid myself of facial blemishes in the new year.

The fact that acne is a problem that just now has risen to the top of my list probably says a lot about my life, especially since the issue continued to clog my brain on the drive to work and even as I fired up the computer to see what had filled my inbox overnight.

And then I read the short email: A good friend was apologizing that a golf outing we were planning a few months down the road probably wouldn’t be happening because he just found out he had esophageal cancer.

I read the few sentences in the email a couple of times, not so much because I didn’t understand what he was saying but because I didn’t want to understand. And then I did what most people would do — I Googled “esophageal cancer” because I didn’t know much about it.

And a few clicks into my research, after soberly noting that the most recommended form of treatment involves finding a “clinical trial”, I saw the numbers: About 16,640 new cases of esophageal cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, and about 14,500 people die of the disease each year.

As my friend, a real estate investment guy who single-handedly pulled me through our MBA accounting class, noted wryly when I talked with him later: “I’ve run the numbers, and they aren’t very rosy.”

His wife of 15-plus years took the news fairly well, he said, but their two teenagers sobbed uncontrollably. Surgery was out because his cancer already had snuck over to

surrounding organs, so he was pinning hope on four progressively more aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, four 10-day blocks of hell that my friend said he “hoped to survive” in order to buy enough time for cancer researchers to find a cure for his at-the-moment virtually uncurable disease.

“There are still some things I don’t want to miss in my life,” he said, choking a bit as he spoke the words into his phone.

Hang in there, I told him; I couldn’t think of much else to say. Dealing with cancer is a mostly personal crusade, as much mental as physical, particularly when you know the odds don’t favor the outcome you want.

The conversation ended, the obligatory endof-call greetings were exchanged, and we both cursed his situation without swearing or crying or raising our voices.

I worked my way through the rest of the day, completing my regular tasks and booking future meetings on my calendar and discussing future stories for our magazine. And I went home to fill in my wife about the day’s events.

As the day wound down, I found myself in the bathroom again, staring at the same blemished face that had given me so much pain that morning.

And I decided that maybe I wouldn’t spend so much time looking into the mirror tomorrow, because the reflection looking back at me seemed to be pointing in the wrong direction.

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aDvocate PubLiShinG 6301 Gaston avenue, Suite 820, Dallas, tX 75214 ricK WaMre|presidenttoM ZieLinSKi|vice-president advocate, © 2010, is published monthly by east Dallas – Lakewood People inc. contents of this magazine may not be reproduced. advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the advocate. the publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. opinions set forth in the advocate are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s viewpoint. More than200,000peopleread advocatepublicationseachmonth. advertisingratesandguidelinesareavailableuponrequest. advocate Publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one copy per reader.

There are quite a few things about life that still mystify me, even after all these years.

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 email to rwamre@advocatemag.com.

b ac K tal K: t wo residents of one ho Me connect

After neighbors made an uncanny connection via the Back Talk Oak Cliff blog, Advocate editor Rachel Stone received this email from Yvonne Fritz:

“I just saw the [Old Oak Cliff Conservation League Fall Home Tour slideshow] you produced, and was amazed to see my old home at 1134 Pioneer in Elmwood.

“I am 74, and lived there from the time I was born until I married in 1959. My parents lived there until 1981.”

Turns out the home belongs to Lauren and David Schneider, a young couple who bought the house a few years ago.

The Schneiders have renovated the house. They painted the exterior, changed the front doors, put in some new flooring and cabinets, redesigned the landscaping, and changed up the floorplan slightly. And when they covered up the original medicine cabinet during the bathroom renovation, they wrote a note about themselves, the house and their work on it. And they nailed the note inside the cabinet for some future homeowner to find.

They are curious about the 1925 home’s history, so they were thrilled to invite Yvonne Fritz and her husband, Bob, for an afternoon visit.

Fritz loves the home’s new look. She took pictures of the rooms, asked lots of questions, and told stories. She left the Schneiders with black-and-white photos of the house, as well as a deeper understanding of their 85-year-old home.

Most popular oaK

cliff bloG posts:

1. MENU ANNOUNCED FOR LUCIA, THE NEWEST BISHOP ARTS

RESTAURANT search: crostini //

2. ODDFELLOWS, NEW BISHOP ARTS

RESTAURANT, OPENS, ANNOUNCES

MENU search: Oddfellows //

3. BISHOP ARTS: HOLIDAY FINDS AT INDIEGENIUS search: IndieGenius //

4. SCOTT GRIGGS TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 search: Griggs //

5. RESTAURANT TALK: CEASAR’S TACOS Y GORDITAS NO. 1 search: Caesar’s

Video

Visit oakcliff. advocatemag.com and search: Pioneer to watch a video of the Fritzes’ visit.

you said it

“Why is it that every time we have development coming, we have to shut it down with the ‘historic’ excuse? We have plenty of areas to conserve and keep historic and that is the appeal of Oak Cliff. Oh sorry, North Oak Cliff. It would be nice not to have to drive north for everything that has to do with my kids. Have you been to the parks around the area they are considering? Would you let your 10-yearold walk over there by him/herself? Everybody wants to conserve, but all the upper middle-income moms with little kids go up north to ‘safer’ and ‘nicer’ parks with people they feel more comfortable around.

– NEIGHBOR ON “COMPANY SEEKS GRANT FOR 1-MILLION-SQUARE-FOOT DEVELOPMENT IN OAK CLIFF”

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Q uestion of the Month

What’s something ne W and positive you have planned for the ne W year?

I’m going to help my dear Nigerian friends build a school in rural Nigeria. We broke ground last summer, and this year we hope the Mary Penelope Academy can open in the fall of 2011.

—KELLY L. STERN

Patronizing more restaurants and stores in my neighborhood, North Oak Cliff! —MEGHAN

KINNEY CARPENTER

This is going to be our low-key, local year. Instead of big trips, it will be small indulgences to support the local community. More tiny dinner parties with friends, more cooking together, more day trips. —MELISSA

GROVE

As a human rights lawyer and activist, I’ll be joining the worldwide campaign to eradicate sexual violence toward women and children.

—DR. MADHUMITA PARIDA

More exploring of Dallas! —KERRY SUMPTER

SMITH

Come play With us on faCebook!

“Like” us at facebook.com/ advocatemagazines for the chance to win fabulous prizes throughout the week and to stay on top of the latest neighborhood news.

1134 Pioneer in Elmwood

We asked our Facebook fans ...

LAuNCH

JACOB WATERS is new to Dallas, but the 38-yearold fitness instructor and native of Portland, Ore., already has found his niche here. Last spring, he started Lake Cliff Boot Camp with the tagline: “Get fit without swimming across the Trinity.” He teaches four boot camp classes a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Normally, they meet at the Lake Cliff Park playground, but the classes have been meeting inside Espumoso, the Bishop Arts District coffee shop, until the weather is warmer. Waters live in Winnetka Heights with his partner, Charisse Tasset, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kai Luna.

WATCH A viDEO by Advocate photographer Can Türkyilmaz about Jacob Waters on oakcliff.advocatemag.com.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR?

I’ve been an athlete all my life. I was in ballet and martial arts as a kid. I had a single mom, and my brother and I were very active, so she had to keep us busy. AsI got older, I stayed in tae kwon do and club wrestling. In high school, I was all state in football and third in the state in wrestling. Later, I started doing marathons, and I became a certified personal trainer in 1995.

SO, YOU TEACH A BOOT CAMP. IS IT LIKE THE BOOT CAMP IN “APOCALYPSE NOW”?

No. I’m a Marine Corps veteran, so I know there’s nothing fun about that. I have my own style. There are other ways to motivate and encourage people. You can get the same results with other methods.

YOUR BOOT CAMP IS OUTSIDE AT LAKE CLIFF PARK USUALLY. WHY ARE YOU HAVING IT INSIDE ESPUMOSO NOW?

The family who owns Espumoso are friends of mine. They don’t open until 8 anyway, so we’re just going to move all these tables out of the way and do strength training here. I would do boot camp in bars all the time if I could, but we’re just doing it for the winter. When it’s cold outside, you work harder to warm up, so people get fatigued quicker.

WHAT ELSEHAVE YOU GOT GOING ON?

I’m doing a monthly workout to support a local charity. Starting in January, every month, I will pick a different charity or fundraiser to benefit. It might be a book drive for the library, or something for Dallas Can Academy, Promise House — you know, local stuff. It’ll be the last Saturday of the month, and we’ll try to have them at different locations. It gets people out and about in the neighborhood. They meet their neighbors. It raises awareness about fitness, and it promotes my business. I’m a one-man operation, so I have to really target my audience.

THAT’S A GOOD IDEA. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

I’d like to start doing community boot camps. Like I could do one for Winnetka Heights, Kings Highway and all the neighborhoods. I think it could bring more people out because it’s with people they know, and it’s right in their backyard. —RACHEL STONE

FIND MORE INFORMATION about Lake Cliff Boot Camp at lakecliffbootcamp.com.

Dr. Strong is committed to compassionate, quality eye care. He offers medical and surgical care, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome. He also offers routine eye exams and contact lenses. All ages are welcome, from children to seniors. Our office is conveniently located at Central Expressway and Fitzhugh, just one exit south of Knox/Henderson.

grab-bagLAUNCH

no chemicals necessary

Andrea Bithell scoops up a handful of dirt, puts it in front of her face, and inhales. “Mmm,” she says. “You smell that? That real good mineral-y smell? That’s what you want.” It smells like dirt. But to Bithell, a master gardener who runs a startup gardening company called Oak Cliff Organics, it’s gold. A one-woman operation, Bithell manages the garden at the restaurant Smoke as well as gardens at two Dallas ISD elementary schools. Last year, she took over management of the farm at Paul Quinn College. The small Christian college in South Dallas discontinued its football program two years ago, and turned its football field into a farm. Last fall, Bithell and Paul Quinn students harvested 900 pounds of food. A portion is donated to the community, a portion is used in the school cafeteria, and the rest is sold to chefs, including some in Oak Cliff. The farm’s biggest client is Legends Hospitality Management, which provides cuisine for Cowboys Stadium. All the money earned goes back into the farm, and Bithell has big ideas for it — bees, chickens, a greenhouse, an aquaponics system. A lifelong grower, Bithell started an all-organic diet when she was pregnant with her daughter, who is now 5. That’s also when she quit using chemicals in the garden. Next, she wants to offer rooftop gardens to Oak Cliff businesses. —RACHEL STONE

area home values

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BO JACKSON, a pug, gets comfortable for the big game. His person is ISAIAS TORRES of Oak Cliff.

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out&about

in January

01.07.11 B order B and ItS

$8 Kirby Warnock has spent the last five years investigating what really happened during the notorious bandit raid near McAllen Ranch almost 100 years ago. What he discovered resulted in the acclaimed documentary “Border Bandits”, which screens at 7:30 p.m. at the Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson. The film chronicles the tumultuous time in Texas history and what it means today. As the story goes, Kirby’s grandfather, Roland Warnock, witnessed the raid, aimed at James B. McAllen, who was holding a 14-year-old Mexican girl hostage in his home. Two innocent Mexican-Americans were killed in the process and buried three days later. Recently, Harvard professor Louis Gates discovered that one of the men killed is an ancestor of actress Eva Longoria. The event coincides with the Oak Cliff Cultural Center’s photography exhibit “La Gente de la Revolucion”, commemorating the Mexican Revolution. A Q&A session with Warnock will follow the screening. For more details, call 214.942.4905 or visit borderbanditsmovie.com.

—E MiLy TOMA n

THROUGH 01.15 LIfe on tHe LIne free

Inspired by the public sculpture at Seventh and Belmont, the Davis Foundry studio gallery presents “Life on the Line”, an exhibit showcasing old trolley rails that fed into the Bishop Arts District as early as 1903. Gallery, 509 W. Davis, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or by appointment. For more details, call 214.948.6969.

01.08 poetry readInG free Cliff Notes

Prolonged Media, owned by Carlos and Opalina Salas, will host its monthly poetry reading 8-10 p.m. at Mighty Fine Arts Gallery, 410 N. Tyler. For details, call 214.942.5241.

01.22-02.27

GaLLery openInG free The

Mighty Fine Arts Gallery will feature an exhibition by artists Katie Gelinas, Adriana Martinez Mendoza and Polly Perez. The show opens with a reception 6-9 p.m. at the gallery, 419 N. Tyler. For more details, call 214.942.5241 or visit mfagallery.com.

A guide to dining & drinking in our neighborhood

Delicious.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

THE FIRST COCKTAIL JASON KOSMAS SIPPED was called a watermelon Jolly Rancher. “I didn’t know what was in it, but I was dying to make this drink,” Kosmas says. After researching it, he was surprised to discover that watermelon wasn’t one of the ingredients. That’s when he became interested in bartending. Today neighbors can find him behind the bar at Bolsa with fellow bartender Eddie “Lucky” Campbell, whipping up “geeked-out cocktails”. For example, the BeeKeeper combines tequila, mescal and lime in an absinthe-soaked glass with homemade honey straight from Bolsa’s beehives. The Old Precarious uses persimmoninfused rum, bitters, vanilla tincture, cinnamon and orange oils. The creations pay tribute to the pre-Prohibition era while adding contemporary twists. Kosmas opened the Employees Only cocktail lounge in New York City, ranked No. 8 on the World’s 50 Best Bars by Drinks International magazine. He also co-wrote the bartending book, Speakeasy: Classic Cocktails Re-imagined from New York’s Employees Only Bar Kosmas trained with legendary mixologist Dale Degroff, whom he calls “the James Brown of cocktails. He put the cosmopolitan in Madonna’s hand.” Despite the seemingly complicated recipes, Kosmas knows the drink still has to make sense. “If it’s not accessible to people, if they don’t understand it, they’re not going to drink it,” he says.

—EMILY TOMAN

BOLSA

DAVIS & LLEWELLYN

214.367.9367

BOLSADALLAS.COM

Pictured: Eden’s cup

Three more spots to sip a cocktail:

1 TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE

Lucy Brennan has been noted as one of the nation’s top five mixologists, serving up tasty concoctions like the Sassy Sara with vanilla vodka and pineapple rum, and the blood orange margarita. SEVENTH & BISHOP 214.942.0988

TILLMANSROADHOUSE.COM

2 BAR BELMONT

You can’t beat the view at the Belmont Hotel’s lounge, which offers a variety of picture-perfect cocktails. SYLVAN & FORTWORTHAVENUE 866.870.8010

BELMONTDALLAS.COM

3 BECKLEY BREWHOUSE

This local hideout offers an array of cocktails, including a lengthy martini list. From the Bubble to the Dirty Pickle, there’s plenty to explore here. Beckley & Zang 214.943.8977

BECKLEYBREWHOUSE.COM

MARK DAVIS

CHUBBY’S $ When looking for a restaurant to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all want a place that serves up variety, hearty helpings and even bigger portions of friendliness. The Touris family has developed a recipe that delivers all of the above at a good price. With four locations in the Metroplex, Chubby’s Family Restaurant provides a rustic setting with down home cooking. Catering available.

Locations: 11331 E. NW Hwy. 214-348-6065 and 7474 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 972-298-1270.

TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE $$ODWB

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.

by

ROMEO & JULIET

BOGLE VINEYARDS PETITESIRAH ($10) CALIFORNIA>

It’s difficult to sum up the state of cheap wine as we celebrate the Advocate’s ninth annual Cheap Wine extravaganza and $10 Wine Hall of Fame. More people than ever are drinking cheap wine, thanks to the recession, but I tasted way too much flabby and dull $10 wine over the past year, especially from California. Producers, apparently, were throwing anything in a bottle that they could sell for $10 or less, regardless of quality, in order to lure customers.

So call the 2011 Hall of Fame a mixed bag. We added four wines, but also lost several: La Ferme de Gicon, a red blend from the Rhone, which was lacking this year; vini merlot from Bulgaria and the Lockwood sauvignon blanc, which apparently aren’t available here anymore; and Meridian’s chardonnay, which tasted nothing like last year’s vintage and neatly summarized California’s problems.

The new members are: Chateau Barat, a French rosé that is fruity and minerally; the Casamatta Toscana, perhaps the best $10 sangiovese I’ve ever had; Chateau Boisson, a white French wine with a little lemon and a lot of minerality; and the Anne Aimee Muller-Thurgau from Oregon, a sweetish wine that is also spicy.

Here’s the rest of this year’s Hall of Fame, all available at Central Market: CNW, and a chenin blanc-viognier blend, Chenin Vio, from Vinum Cellars in California. One caveat: These wines are not $10 everywhere, and the CNW seems to be in short supply.

a white wine from Sicily, that is just one of almost a dozen Sicilian wines that cost $10 or less and offer spectacular value.

BORIS

and especially the petite sirah. the Spanish sparkling wine, which comes in brut (dry), extra dry (sweeter than brut) and rosé.

, about $12 for a 1-liter box.

the white blend from Gascony.

—JEFF SIEGEL

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

by giuseppe verdi

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Sung in French with English supertitles

WITH YOUR WINE Chili gumbo

This isn’t quite chili and not quite gumbo, but it’s a quick and easy compromise and combination. Serve this with your favorite $10 wine.

Serves 4, takes about 30 minutes

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 jalapeños, chopped

1 lb ground beef, chili grind

1 16 oz can pinto beans

3 Tbsp tomato paste

1-2 cups water

1/4 cup red wine

2 tsp best quality chili powder

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

1. Saute vegetables in olive oil until soft.Add tomato paste and spices, and cook for a couple of minutes until well blended.

2.Add beef, mix well, and cook for a couple of minutes.

3.Add red wine, water and beans with liquid, and mix well. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 15 or 20 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more water.

4. Serve over rice.

ask the WINE GUY?

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A BOTTLE OF WINE?

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 United States costs less than $10.

—JEFF SIEGEL

ASK THE WINE GUY taste@advocatemag.com

Kessler Women’s Healthcare offers outstanding obstetrical and gynecological care, all sensitively delivered from a woman’s point of view. These five exceptional women physician-partners are experienced in caring for patients from their first exam through the challenges of aging and menopause. In addition to obstetrical care, their services include comprehensive gynecologic care including DaVinci robotic surgery expertise, laparoscopic and in-office surgery, permanent birth control, hormone management and osteoporosis screening. Kessler Women’s Healthcare is dedicated to providing compassionate care for women—by women.

Kessler Women’s Healthcare

1330 N. Beckley Ave Dallas, TX 75203 214.941.7200

Total Hearing Care

At Total Hearing Care, we believe that our job isn’t finished until our patients’ lives are improved. Total Hearing Care’s staff of Audiologists has over 50 years of combined experience in bringing the best possible hearing care to the Dallas area. We will work with you to find the hearing solution that best fits your individual needs and budget. Call us today and you will see that visiting Total Hearing Care is the best way to take the first step toward improved hearing.

Providing urological care for

For Women, By Women

Kessler Womens Healthcare offers outstanding obstetrical and gynecological care, all sensitively delivered from a woman’s point of view. These five exceptional women physician-partners are experienced in caring for patients from their first exam through the challenges of aging and menopause. In addition to obstetrical care, their services include comprehensive gynecologic care including DaVinci robotic surgery expertise, laparoscopic and inoffice surgery, permanent birth control, hormone management and osteoporosis screening. Kessler Women’s Healthcare is dedicated to providing compassionate care for women—by women.

R. Carrington Mason, D.O. | Michael D. White, P.A.-C Allan C. Van Horn, M.D. Jeffrey C. Toubin, M.D. | Siddharth G. Jain, M.D.

PATRICIA LARUE, MD, KECIA FOXWORTH, MD, ROCHELLE MCKOWN, MD, THERESA PATTON, MD, SANDRA LOZANO, MD

oak cliff

A collection of neighborhood gems th At A re better th An the ‘best’

story by Rachel Stone · photos by Benjamin Hager and Can Türkyilmaz

CreaTing a “bes T of” lis T isn’ T really our speed. At the end of the day, who’s to say what is truly “best”? Highlighting one neighborhood shop, restaurant or experience as better than another based on votes or our (ahem) expert opinion tends to be subjective, and it doesn’t allow us to fully appreciate the countless gems in Oak Cliff.

insTead of deClaring The “besT” This monTh, we’re calling attention to the things we love about Oak Cliff — the kinds of things that wouldn’t make it on a broader “best of” list because those of us who live here are among the few who know they exist and who understand their worth.

This s Tory is only T he beginning of our lis T . We’ll be highlighting the things we love weekly on the Back Talk blog at oakcliff.advocatemag.com . We want to hear about the things you love, too. Send an email to thingswelove@advocatemag.com , and you might find your description of a neighborhood gem on our website or in the magazine.

1 Sundays at the Belmont pool

Fort Worth and Sylvan

214.393.2300

belmontdallas.com

When the pool opens in May, and the water is still clear and cool, it’s the best pool in town. Plus, it’s a big ol’ party with DJ Jennifer Miller.

2 Cheap tickets at The Kessler Theater

West Davis and Clinton

214.924.0725

thekessler.org

The Kessler Theater last year brought us Edie Brickell, the Black angels, Junior Brown, Bobby Patterson and many more local and national acts. and the tickets rarely cost more than $15.

3 Old movies on the big screen at Texas Theatre

Jefferson and Zang

214.948.1546

thetexastheatre.org

Since aviation Cinemas took over management last year, the Texas Theatre has shown “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Seven Samurai” — two of the greatest movies of all time. Plus, they’ve premiered several independent films and put on a “Blood Bath Film Festival”. We can’t wait to see what they do this year.

Fun classes

4 Make Shop & Studio

Bishop and Eighth 214.256.3061

themakesite.com

5 Oil & Cotton Tyler and Seventh oilandcotton.com

6 The Kessler Theater

West Davis and Clinton

214.924.0725

thekessler.org

Make teachessewing,screen printing and candle making, among others. Oil & Cotton teaches basket weaving, canning, bookbinding and more. and the Kessler offers music and dance lessons. all three places teach adults and kids.

Watch a video of oil and cotton by Advocate photographer Benjamin Hager on oakcliff.advocatemag.com.

1 Croissants from Rush Patisserie

Eldorado and Beckley

214.749.4040

rushpatisserie.com

Crispy on the outside, light and buttery on the inside. Pick one up from SamathaRush’s storefront or at Urban Acres on West Davis at Clinton.

2 Chocolate soufflé at Zen

Seventh and Bishop

214.946.9699

zensushidallas.com

It’s so worth the 20-minute cook time, and sushi is healthy! Why not splurge on a sinful dessert? This soufflé is on point, so the calories are worth it, too.

3 Truffled popcorn amuse bouche at Tillman’s Seventh and Bishop

214.942.0988

tillmansroadhouse.com

It goes perfectly with beer … and wine … and cocktails and soda and by itself.

4 Burger at Eno’s Tavern

Bishop and Seventh

214.943.9200

enospizza.com

Yes, the pizza is good. And they have the largest selection of beer in Oak Cliff. But this melt-in-your-mouth burger and its buttery bun are the things we think about late at night.

5 Corn in a cup from Jerry’s Supermarket

Jefferson and Illinois

214.941.8110

To theenterprisingimmigrantwho invented corn off the cob with way too much (and yet, just enough) margarine and sour cream served in a Styrofoam cup, we salute you.

6 The redesigned bar at Nova West Davis and Windomere

214.484.7123

novadallas.com

It’s brand new, but it’s so ’50s, and it reminds us of the Edward Hopper painting “Nighthawk”.

W. Jefferson and Llewellyn

214.946.4238

Every year around Elvis’s birthday, Jan. 8,Elvisimpersonatorsmaketheirway to Oak Cliff for a night of “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Teddy Bear”. Make reservations or get there early because the huge restaurant will be packed. This year, there are two Elvis tribute nights planned: Jan. 12 & 19. Besides the fact it serves cabrito every day, El Ranchito is loads of fun.

W. Davis and Winnetka

214.946.2111

normascafe.com

Rub elbows with regulars, and watch the waiters call out orders. Put away the iPhone, read the newspaper, and pretend you’re back in time.

7 El Ranchito’s annual Elvis tribute

8 Dining at the Norma’s counter

1 The sunset viewed from Jefferson Boulevard

We named a school after it.

2 The hills of West Clinton

If a developer tried to build houses on raised lawns today, he would be run out of the neighborhood. But houses on the west side of Clinton in Winnetka Heights, whose lawns are substantially higher than their counterparts on the east side of the street, have almost a regal feel to them and are one of the many reminders that our neighborhood’s history is worth preserving.

3 The dumpster pool

They were annoyed the city closed Kidd Springs Park pool, so neighbors Mariana Griggs and Zac Lytle made a pool out of a trash dumpster this past summer. It didn’t last long, since it had no filter, but we expect more dumpster pools this year.

4 The mannequins on Jefferson Boulevard

When you frame it just right, it’s like you’re in Mexico City.

5 The bunnies of Winnetka Heights

We don’t know how they got here, but there are bunnies, bunnies everywhere in Winnetka Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods.

6 Fruit trees

Peachtrees,peartrees,pomegranates, figs. The weather was perfect last year for productive fruit trees, and in Oak Cliff, they’re everywhere.

7 The Better Block

It’s a national phenomenon that started on little ol’ Tyler Street. Founders JasonRoberts and Amy Cowan have inspired cities across the nation to create a “living charrette” to show the community how one block can be better.

8

Bonnie and Clyde

Sure, they were cold-blooded murderers. But deep down, haven’t we all got a little bit of bank robber in us? Plus, the movie is a classic.

9

The blues

What town is more soulful than Oak Cliff, Texas? It’s the home of blues legend StevieRay Vaughan, and blues men and women still make our ’hood a regular stop thanks to venues like the Kessler Theater and Jack’s Backyard.

10 Unique signage on Jefferson Boulevard

Amongotherclassics,there’sRaven Pharmacy, Taqueria Pedrito and, of course, the Texas Theatre, but Charco Broiler? C’mon. The old-school giant-cowatop-the-steakhouse look is simply too much. Tres chic!

11

The football field at Rosemont Elementary

Rosemont’s lower campus has a downtown view, and it backs up to the Twelve Hills Nature Center and the modern mansions of Kessler Woods. We love its between-the-hedges football field.

EDUCATION GUIDE E

John’s

Episcopal School

through Eighth Grade Co-educational

the

possibilities

www.stjohnsschool.org

LAKEHILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931, www.lakehillprep.org

LIVE LOCAL

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT’S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

So many new restaurantsare popping up in Oak Cliff, it’s hard to keep a handle on it. Oddfellows opened last month, serving breakfast and lunch menus Tuesday-Friday, plus brunch on Saturday and Sunday. oddfellowsdallas.com, 316 W.Seventh.

Lucia, the new restaurant from chef David Uygur and his wife, Jennifer, also opened last month. luciadallas.com, 408 W.Eighth.

Decanter Restaurant and Wine Lounge , which is taking the old Café Madrid space on Eighth Street next to Vera Cruz Café, opens for lunch and dinner in January. decanterrestaurant.com, 408 N.Bishop, 214.789.1296.

Luckie’s Smokehouse, the second in southern Dallas from restaurateur Naht Ngo, was expected to open by the end of December at Clinton and West Davis, across the street from the Kessler Theater. luckiessmokehouse.com.

Lockhart Smokehouse, from Jill Grobowsky Bergus, is expected to open in January at Bishop and Davis in the old Grill 400 spot. lockhartsmokehouse.com.

Southern Maid Donuts opened a new store at West Davis and Tyler after months renovating the former tire shop it now occupies. southernmaiddonuts.com.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 214.560.4203

A new day spa, Elévate, offers temezcal, a traditional Mexican sweat bath that incorporates meditation and aromatherapy. elevatesalonandspa.com, 1215 W.Davis, 214.941.3344.

A new gallery, Studio 109, opened on Tyler Street near Davis last month. studio109fineart. com, 214.907.0309, 413 N. Tyler.

Go Oak Cliff gave $5,000 to the Well Community and $1,000 each to Sunset and Adamson high schools at a holiday party last month. The money was raised during the group’s community events last year.

Rachel Stone is the Oak Cliff and Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate editor. You can send story ideas by email to rstone@advocatemag.com or call 214.292.0490.

DO YOU KNOW

of a neighborhood business renovating, expanding, moving, launching, hosting an event, celebrating an anniversary, offering a special or something else noteworthy? Send the information to livelocal@advocatemag.com or call 214.292.0487.

give a

BaBy’s day out

teresa and Benoît Michaud, Kessler Square residents, photographed their 18-month-old son, Léo, in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with the Oak Cliff Advocate in hand. to advertise ca LL 214.560.4203

EmploymEnt

AIRLINES are hiring. Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Housing available. Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 866-453-6204

NOW HIRING Companies desperately need employees to assemble products at home. No selling. Any hours. $500 weekly potential. 1-985-646-1700 Dept TX-1856

SErvicES for you

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

GLORIA’S FLOWERS & GIFTS All Occasion Flowers. 214-339-9273. 3101 W. Davis, Dallas,TX 75211. Free Oak Cliff Delivery With Mention Of This Ad. gloriasflowersdallas.com For Deals. CC’s Accptd

THE CHANGING STATION Cloth Diapering & Eco-Essentials. 469-575-6837. www.thechangingstation.net

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

Leaders of the pack

The Methodist Health System Foundation, based in Oak Cliff, presented the 2010 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award to pat and emmitt smith during a dinner at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The award recognizes individuals whose commitment and excellence in community leadership emulates the achievements of former dallas Mayor robert s. folsom Pictured from left to right: emmitt and pat smith; a pril Box chamberlain, president and CEO of the Methodist Health System Foundation; and Mark cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner.

Bu LL eti N B oard B

profESSional SErvicES

QUICKBOOKS Having Issues? Free Consultation. Jack Hicks 214-734-4767 jchicks@sbcglobal.net

Website Design

Flash Demos

Graphic Design

RibbitMultimedia .com

214.560.4207

mind, Body & Spirit

OAK CLIFF COUNSELING providing individual, family and play therapy. 214-300-1128 www.OakCliffCounseling.com

pEtS

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

Park Cities Pet Sitter

DAILY WALKS, VISITS, OVERNIGHTS

SERVING DFW SINCE 1992

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Customized to maintain your pet’s routine

In-Home Pet Visits & Daily Walks

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Serving the Dallas area since 1994

Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

Buy/SEll/tradE

DONATE your car, truck, boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3 day vacation. Tax deductible. Free towing. All paperwork taken care of. 1-888-962-1498

DONATE YOUR CAR Free towing. “Cars For Kids” Any condition. Tax deductible. outreachcenter.com 1-800-597-9411

OLD GUITARS WANTED Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Martin. 1920s-1980s. Top dollar paid. Toll Free 1-866-433-8277

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL SUITE Share this prime suite on a partial basis (sets of 5,10 or 20 games) during the 2011 season. Our suite is located directly behind home plate, and each game includes 16 tickets, three parking passes, game day programs, private bathroom, air-conditioned seating, three televisions with cable channels, and a great view of the game and the Ballpark. Great for birthday parties, anniversaries, family reunions and client appreciation events. Email rangerssuite@gmail.com or call 214-560-4212 for more information.

BONDED & INSURED

214.828.0192 pcpsi.com

“BEST OF DALLAS” D Magazine, Observer, Dallas Voice, WFAA

EStatE/GaraGE SalES

ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATION SERVICES

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

rEal EStatE

LAND LIQUIDATION 20 acres $0 down. $99/mo. Only $12,900. Near growing El Paso, TX. Guaranteed owner financing. No credit checks. Money back guarantee. Free map, pictures. 866-465-0177 sunsetranches.com

suBMit your photo. Email a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.

HOME SERVICES tO ad VER t ISE C all 214.560.4203 H

AC & HeAt

A FAMILY TRADITION FOR 60 YEARS

Quigley Heat & Air 214-526-8533

BLUE RIBBON HEAT & AIR Lic#TACLB28522E Best Service - Best Prices 214-823-8888

CArpentry & remodeling

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

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

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

PREVIEW CONSTRUCTION INC.

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

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

RODZ HOME IMPROVEMENT All Home Repairs, Add-Ons, Rehabs. 214-952-8963

ComputerS & eleCtroniCS

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training, $60/hr. 1 Hr. Min. Dan 214-660-3733 Or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

I CAN FIX IT NOW! 214-926-7144 Computer & Network Support. Operating Systems, Hardware, Security & Game Consoles. OMGFixit.com.

ConCrete/ mASonry/pAving

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

eleCtriCAl ServiCeS

ABBA ELECTRIC Fast Courteous Service. Resd/Com. 10% Off for New Clients. 214-886-2202. TECL#20663

ACCURATE ELECTRIC

All Jobs.Panel Upgrades. Free Est. TECL# 27297. Steve. 214-718-9648

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

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

MCCARTER ELECTRICAL SERVICE, INC. We can light up your world or repair your shorts. $50 Off Service Calls. TECL#19347 972-877-4183

New Creation GROUP

Remodel Design Renovation

214-766-2677

www.newcreationgroup.com

• KITCHEN AND BATH SPECIALISTS

• WHOLE HOUSE RENOVATION

IN-HOUSE DESIGN & PLANNING

LICENSED & INSURED

214.341.1448

WWW.OBRIENGROUPINC COM

VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS

CleAning

ServiCeS

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

CLEAN FREAKS Since 2005. Free Estimates. DallasCleanFreaks.com Call Today! 214-821-8888

WINDOW MAN WINDOW

FenCing & deCkS

EST. 1991 #1

COWBOY FENCE & IRON CO.

214.692.1991

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

cowboyfenceandiron.com

Flooring & CArpeting

WORLEY TILE & FLOORING

Custom Marble Install. 214-779-3842

Beautiful Flooring since 1975 WHITE

Hardwood Floors Carpet • Ceramic Tile

Environmentally Friendly Cork & Bamboo Low VOC Wood Refinishing wrfloors@sbcglobal.net 214-341-1667

Willeford

hardwood floors

Superior Quality: Installation • Refinishing Repair • Cleaning & Waxing

Old World Hand Scrape 214-824-1166

gArAge doorS

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

GARAGE DOOR & SPRING REPAIR

HAndymAn ServiCeS

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

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

interior deSign

KIM ARMSTRONG INTERIOR DESIGN www.interiorsbykim.com

Licensed/CID/ASID 214-500-0600

kitCHen/BAtH/ tile/grout

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

TECL20502

972-665-7355

dallaselectricalexpert.com Phones

FenCing & deCkS

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

4 QUALITY FENCING

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

AUTO GATES $2500 alwaysbiltrite.com 469-878-4450. cc’s accptd

972-672-0848 TexasGaragePros.com

20% off with “Advocate Magazine”

glASS, WindoWS & doorS

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

GREEN WINDOW COMPANY 214-295-5405

Specialty in Replacement Windows/Doors

KENNY’S CLEAN WINDOWS Res./Com. Window Cleaning, Powerwash, Etc. 214-881-8061

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks • Cultured Marble • Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

WE REFINISH! www.allsurfacefinishing.com

lAWnS, gArdenS & treeS

25.00 OFF - ALL ABOUT TREES, INC Removals, Pruning, Insured. 972-697-3956

A COMPLETE TREE SERVICE Call Lakewood Tree Service 214-442-3165

BLUE TREE SERVICE Trimming/Pruning Specialists. Insured/Reasonably Priced. Free Estimates. 214-205-7327

IRISH RAIN SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Installation & Repair. TXL#2738 214-827-7446

U R LAWN CARE Maintenance. Landscaping. Your Personal Yard Service by Uwe Reisch uwereisch@yahoo.com 214-886-9202

Jeff Castro 214-337-7097 214-725-1171

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Castro’s Tree Service Call 214-560-4203 to advertise

Lawns,

Salas Services

972-413-1800

JD’s

PesT ConTroL

A

PLumbinG

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

# M37740 Insured. Any plumbing issues. 24 Hours/7 Days. plumberiffic@yahoo.com

Sewers • Drains • Bonded

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

SHEFFIELD PLUMBING We do it right the 1st time. Repairs, Rmdls. Insd. 214-941-8600

PooLs

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

roofinG & GuTTers

GREEN SERVICE COMPANY 214-295-5405

Roof replacement-solar vents & skylights

GUARANTY ROOFING 214-760-3666 Re-Roofing/Repairs/Gutters/Green Options. Free Estimates.www.guarantyroof.com

Th E doo R was w IdE op E n.

Bob Forner moved into his home in 1986, and burglars broke in within the first six months.

It had been 24 years since that crime, and the recent burglary of his home was just as strange.

That first burglary back in 1986, he says, was a bit more concerning because the suspect entered his home, but left with only a bowl of loose change and a pair of binoculars. More than two decades later, a burglar sought out his garage.

The “people door,” as Forner calls it, into his detached garage had been was kicked in, damaging the doorjamb.

“I had gone out for a late lunch with a friend,” Forner says. “We had gone out for some shopping. I pulled into the garage at 4:30, and the door into the garage was open. I thought that was very strange. They must have hopped the fence, and then used bolt cutters on my gate.”

Forner was expecting that the thief had gotten away with more loot this time around; his garage contained quite a few expensive tools. But all that was missing was a 30-year-old circular saw.

Though the saw was old, Forner says he still used it on household projects and repairs. He believes he may have disturbed the burglar as he was pulling into

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the garage because many more modern and valuable tools were left behind.

“It bothered me,” he says of the recent burglary, “but I was glad no one entered the house. If they only stole a 30-year-old saw, I think I’m pretty lucky.”

Forner says he has already repaired the door — and bought a nice, new saw.

Dallas Police Sgt. Monica avila with the Southwest Patrol Division says it is important to make it difficult for burglars to see what’s stored inside detached garages.

“If the structure has windows, covering them from the inside is a great start. you can spray paint them white, or you can put up a layer of white plastic material,” she says.

White is recommended because it is opaque, and yet it allows sufficient light during daylight hours.

“Burglars want to know what they’re getting,” avila says. “If they can’t see what’s inside your garage, their risk of failure is increased. Making it hard for burglars is one of the key security measures to get them to move on and look for an easier target. However, some won’t care, which is reason enough to make certain it’s difficult for burglars to gain entry into your residence or garage.”

The Victim: Bob Forner

The Crime: Burglary

date: Monday, nov. 1

Time: Between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Location: 100 block of Briscoe

Police also recommend using sturdy deadbolt locks and exterior security lighting with motion sensors for homes and garages.

—sean Chaffin

ADVOCATE PUBLISHING does not prescreen, 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.

DELIVERING GROCERIES AND BABIES

THE PARENTS OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD DOCTOR EXEMPLIFIED HOW TO CARE FOR PEOPLE

He moved to Oak Cliff in 1930 when he was 2 months old, along with parents Vernon and Louise. He attended Lida Hooe and Greiner, before graduating from Sunset in 1947, where he played football and participated as an ROTC officer. Before graduating from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, he served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman.

Then, in 1964, Dr. Rodney Moore began his practice in Oak Cliff, where he became the head of the obstetrics and gynecological department at Methodist hospital and president of the Methodist hospital staff, and served on the board of trustees.

He also delivered more than 6,000 babies before his retirement in 2008. No small accomplishment.

But the story doesn’t all revolve around Moore himself.

With parents who made a difference in the lives of hundreds of Oak Cliff residents over the decades, as well as in his own, Moore had a solid example lived out in front of him. Today, children frequently don’t follow in their parents’ footsteps. But with the Moore family, this wasn’t the case.

In 1940, Vernon and Louise Moore opened Moore’s Grocery on the northwest corner of Montclair and Taft. A friendly and capable couple, the Moores were popular merchants who gained the confidence of the community as they worked hard to please their customers. The duo also served the neighborhood by selling household items and dry goods and offering over-the-counter medications, along with the groceries.

“The store offered fresh barbecue daily,” Dr. Moore says, “along with coleslaw and beans. It was available to the customers who wanted to come in and purchase sandwiches. Many of the Rosemont teachers would by their lunches from Dad, and he would also prepare soups and chili to sell.”

With the popularity of the lunch items, the Moores finally took over the rest of the building, formerly occupied by a beauty shop and dry cleaners. And, during the early war years when rationing

was in force, Mr. Moore baked chickens to give to neighborhood women while their husbands were in the service. One mother told Dr. Moore that she and her daughter would have starved had his father not given them a chicken every week.

Superior aged beef and other special cuts of meat also were available, while many neighborhood families ordered Vernon’s turkeys for their holiday dinners, along with standing rib roasts and meat trays for the Kessler area dinner parties. He also catered small rehearsal dinners in the neighborhood, while scores of students regularly flocked to Louise’s famous candy counter.

Beginning at age 12, son Rodney began working at his parents’ business, stocking shelves, serving customers, and working wherever needed. The tenure lasted all the way through medical school and residency training, where his labor included making sausage and hamburger meat during the “night shift.”

“My dad always kept 30 to 40 chickens in a

During the early war years when rationing was in force, Mr. Moore baked chickens to give to neighborhood women while their husbands were in the service. One mother told Dr. Moore that she and her daughter would have starved had his father not given then a chicken every week.

coop, in the back of the store. When customers requested, I would go to the back and kill and dress a chicken, so customers would have a fresh fryer on-demand. This could be done in about 8 to 10 minutes, before they checked out,” Moore says. “Because of my contribution to helping each week, Mom and Dad provided Mary and me with groceries for our family through those years in medical school.”

After a short closing while Vernon served in World War II at the Battle of Okinawa, the Moores continued operating the store until their retirement in 1980. But retirement didn’t suit them at all. A meat market inside H. Boedeker & Son on Lancaster Avenue soon occupied Vernon’s time, before he and Louise opened Moore’s Market on the corner of Stewart and Edgefield, from 1984 to 1993. Then Vernon retired permanently to care for Louise, who was in ill health.

Dr. Moore says he opened his practice in Oak Cliff “so I could be near my family and friends.” Here, he and wife Mary raised four children. After Mary’s death in 1998, Moore married Sharon Heimann, his sons’ third grade teacher at Rosemont — 33 years after they were first introduced. They live in East Kessler.

“I can truthfully say that I enjoyed each and every day of my practice for all 44 years,” Moore reminisces, “and that was due to the wonderful friendships I made with my dear patients. I loved

delivering the babies, and would still be doing so today, if my health allowed it.”

Louise and Vernon Moore modeled to their son how to live a life of community service, generosity to others, and love of family.

From the evidence flowing from the life of Oak Cliff’s Dr. Rodney Moore — Sunset Bison, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, it seems they well succeeded.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION. Read and connect on this column at oakcliff.advocatemag.com/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.

Louise and Vernon Moore man the counter of their neighborhood grocery at Montclair and Taft. PHOTO COURTESY OF RODNEY MOORE