2014 May Oak Cliff

CLASS ACT

THE GRACE AND TENACITY OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Radiation oncologist Dr. Raquibul Hannan is offering a new approach to patients whose cancer has spread. By combining his research in immunology with a radiation therapy pioneered here called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), he can stimulate supercharged white blood cells to help patients fight off cancer. These “i-SABR” trials are one of many trailblazing options you’ll find at UT Southwestern. Where scientific research, advanced technology, and leadingedge treatments come together to bring new hope to cancer patients.

To learn more, call 214-645-8300 or visit UTSWmedicine.org

Find us on Facebook

The future of medicine, today.

This is where we’re teaching your body’s immune system to fight off cancer.

TOP 5 MOST-READ STORIES

Conan kicks it in Oak Cliff Restaurant roundup: Pho, cheesesteaks, pizza, Tim Byres cookbook

Photos: Continental Avenue Bridge park

$2.5 million in TIF money for Trinity Groves

QuikTrip to open on Zang this summer

THE DIALOGUE

250 MORE APARTMENTS APPROVED AT SYLVAN THIRTY

“That’s going to take away the Belmont view. They are building them way too high!” — Brandon

Mohon

“As developer Brent Jackson pointed out during the council meeting: ‘If view corridors were protected, nothing would ever get built.’ ”

Wylie H Dallas

“I’m happy for the Burguesa Burger and all the biz they will get out of this expansion BUT that intersection will be a traffic nightmare for all cliff dwellers.” — Scott

Sura

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Sign up for the Advocate’s weekly news digest advocatemag.com/newsletter

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Email editor Rachel rstone@advocatemag.com

WHO CAN BE HEROES?

You’ll probably enjoy this month’s cover story about high school students who have beaten the odds and come out on the “right” side of difficult situations.

It has all the elements of a compelling story: Bad things happening to good people. Neighbors taking an interest in those whom others have ignored. Heroes who have overcome the odds.

And that is the point of each high school senior’s story: Each student has turned lemons into lemonade pretty much on his or her own terms.

We’ve written stories similar to these for the past few years; most people can’t resist reading about those who can’t and won’t be kept down by bad luck, people who have the will and the determination to turn something bad into something better.

The true test of this kind of story, though, is how you and I relate to the hero. We’ve seen what the hero does with his or her life, how things have been turned around against all odds. We’ve read about the causes, the betrayals, the strategies, the hard work and the ultimate victory, of a sort, over what seemed to be a foregone failure.

So the question we then ask ourselves, or at least the question we should be asking ourselves, is: Could we have done as well, given the same circumstances?

Or maybe not “could” we have done as well, but whether “would” we have done as well.

Because reading a story about incredible intestinal fortitude is easy. Reshaping your life while facing down impending failure is a more difficult task and, dare I say, most of us simply couldn’t do it ourselves.

We like to think we could pull the rabbit out of the hat, but the magician who does so has spent literally hundreds of hours learning the trick.

We like to think we could sink the tournament-winning putt or drain the gamewinning shot, but these athletes have given up their lives to practice and plan and prepare to achieve this ultimate goal.

Mostly what you and I do is dream. We don’t put in the time. We don’t do the work. We haven’t faced the situation because, for whatever reason, we haven’t been called to do so.

And those mental gymnastics support a good measure of baseless confidence, leading us to believe that when the bell rings and it’s time to step up, we can be heroes, too. We’ve seen it done thousands of times. We’ve read about and watched plenty of others do it. Who’s to say we couldn’t overcome the odds, too?

It’s something to think about, though. Put ourselves in the shoes of any of the students we wrote about this month, and then ask ourselves that question: Could we have done what they did?

Be honest, now. Could we really have done what they’ve done and accomplished what they’ve accomplished?

I like to think so. But I’m not 100 percent sure.

We like to think that we would doggedly conquer calamity, but many of us have yet to be tested

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

Mostly what you and I do is dream. We don’t put in the time. We don’t do the work. We haven’t faced the situation because, for whatever reason, we haven’t been called to do so.

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publisher: CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

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senior editor: EMILY TOMAN

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editors:

RACHEL STONE

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BRITTANY NUNN

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senior art director: JYNNETTE NEAL

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designers: LARRY OLIVER, LISA DUDLEY

contributing editors: KERI MITCHELL, SALLY WAMRE

contributors: GAYLA BROOKS, SEAN CHAFFIN, ANGELA HUNT GEORGE MASON, BLAIR MONIE, ELLEN RAFF, PAM HARRIS, KRISTEN MASSAD, WHITNEY THOMPSON

photo editor: DANNY FULGENCIO

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photographers: MARK DAVIS, ELLIOTT MUÑOZ, KIM LEESON, DAVID LEESON, JENNIFER SHERTZER

copy editor: LARRA KEEL

interns: JAMES COREAS

Launch

Q&A: Greg Barker

Greg Barker moved to Dallas from Baton Rouge in 1991. And in 2003, he opened Patina Bleu, a furniture rehab shop and interior design studio at Tyler and Seventh. Since then, he has decorated some of the most beautiful houses in Oak Cliff and other parts of Dallas. More recently, his business has expanded to outside of Dallas, and his little shabby-chic studio in Oak Cliff is becoming one of the most sought-after design houses around.

Photo by Kim Leeson

What is your background? Have you always been an interior designer?

I’ve always had my hand in some kind of design, whether it’s visual merchandising, or I worked in a flower shop I’ve always dibbled and dabbled with painting and interior design.

You do a lot of furniture makeovers. How did you get into that?

I’ve always had a love for furniture. I used to go to flea markets — and I still do — and find really cool pieces of furniture and “Gregorize” it, whether it’s doing some sort of woodwork or metal or recovering or re-finishing. I just did a really cool wingback chair. I replaced the legs with wrought iron and recovered it with beautiful fabric.

What would you say your influences have been?

I’ve always been inspired by the Spanish and French influences of Louisiana. It took moving away and going back for me to really appreciate that. The peeling paint, and the Spanish moss and all that stuff, I love going back and seeing all of that.

Are your projects mostly residential?

Yes. I’ve done a few commercial jobs. I like residential because you have more freedom. Commercial is more regimented, depending on what you’re decorating for. Most of my residential clients have a wacky sensibility like I do.

Is this your full-time job?

Yes, but I have another job. I work at American Airlines [part time]. I’ve been there 17 years as a customer service agent.

Nice. So you get flight benefits?

Yes — so I’m doing a house in Austin right now, and I’m going down on Saturday. I’m branching out of Dallas now, and that really helps. But I’ve done jobs from Preston Hollow to Oak Cliff. I’ve had a lot of presence in Oak Cliff. I’m something of a design general contractor … I’m designing and having furniture made. I can do everything in a home-design project.

How would you describe your style?

My style is eclectic, even though I know that word is overused. My philosophy is, every client is different. I try to fit the mold of my client. Who are they? How do they live? I combine my style with theirs. I figure out what they like, and it’s my job to get inside their heads and make their vision come through. But my personal style I’m very moved by French, Italian and modern and mid-century design.

The former Patina Bleu showroom now is leased to Oil and Cotton. Is there a place where people can still shop with you?

My workshop is the building next to Oil and Cotton, and it’s basically like a holding tank for furniture and pieces I might want to use for jobs in the future. My goal is to eventually get it back to a storefront where you can come in and shop, but I am so busy with design that it hasn’t happened yet. People, if they really want to come in, they can call me.

If someone has their grandma’s sofa or something that they want to have fixed up, can they bring it to you?

Oh, yes. I do chandeliers, coffee tables, sofas, Louis XVI chairs, armoires, china cabinets you name it.

How did you learn to do all that stuff?

A lot of it was self-taught. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with some extremely creative people. But if I put my mind to it, I’ll figure it out, either through trial and error, or I will read up on it and figure it out.

How did you decide you wanted to be a designer?

Originally, I wanted to design amusement park rides. For the longest time I was fascinated with roller coasters. From there, that shifted into architecture and basically, I was taking architecture classes, and during the course of all that my mother got sick, and I took care of her. I got a job at a furniture shop in Louisiana and learned a lot there. When I got to Texas, I worked as a visual merchandiser for Foley’s and Neiman Marcus, and with each experience, it had a creative influence it stuck with me and propelled me to now.

BrinG Your own BAnk

What are you excited about right now?

Design! Working with new clients, especially clients that are open to new ideas and are willing to let me introduce them to new things. This job I’m working on in Austin, they are away on their 30-year wedding anniversary. They gave me the keys and budget and said, “Whatever your little mind comes up with, do it.”

Wow! How did they find you?

I did a house in Kessler Park, and the owners of that house are friends with this client’s daughter. After the reveal, the client’s daughter loved it, so she told her mom. She is very quick-witted, and she gets it. She has a wacky sense of humor like I do. She’s very cool. They wanted to see my apartment, and she said, “I want my house to look like your house. Do this to my house.”

Since mid-century modern is kind of your thing, how can people incorporate mid-century design if they have a more traditional decor?

It could be something as simple as a pillow placement or a rug you choose. You can pair a traditional sofa with mid-century lamps. You can mix mid-century chairs in the dining room with more traditional ones the old stuffy rules of yesteryear are out the window. When I flip through design magazines, I’m seeing such a marrying of new and old, midcentury with traditional. The old rules don’t apply any more. In the Austin house, I’m using an old French provincial headboard. I cut off the legs and had someone build a new frame for it. I’m using this hand-dyed velvet Hermes fabric, and it feels very modern.

You don’t have to give up all of your secrets, but where do you shop?

Oh, I find things everywhere, from trash dumpsters to Lula B’s to Antiques Moderne to Give and Take. Scout is a really good place to shop for eclectic funky things. Dulce is a great store.

What inspires you?

I drive across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge a lot. That bridge just inspires me. I see something different every time. You can see it from any point. I just love it.

—Rachel Stone

You’re

Ewok lives in Winnetka Heights with his family, Lisa, Brandon and Ava Mohon. He weighs a little under 3 pounds, is about as tall as a beer bottle, likes short walks on the patio and insists on being held all the time.

Out & About

May 2014

May 3

Cinco de Mayo parade and festival

Festive floats and performers swarm Jefferson Boulevard during the 24th annual event, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade proceeds west from 200 E. Jefferson, ending at Polk. The festival occupies four blocks, featuring a tailgate party, a car show, live Tejano music, disc jockeys, ballet folklorico and local vendors. Jefferson Boulevard, dallascincodemayo.net, 469.463.5689, free

MAY 3 & 10

Art workshop

Learn to use everyday materials to create a headpiece, which can be worn or displayed as sculpture. Artist Chesley Antoinette leads the class at 4 p.m. each day.

Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W. Jefferson, dallasculture.org/ oakcliffculturalcenter, 214.670.3777, free

MAY 10

Boil for the Brave

Support local veterans during The Rosedale Group’s fifth annual crawfish boil 1-5 p.m. Funds raised go toward building and renovating veterans’ homes in Dallas.

The Foundry, 2303 Pittman, rosedalegroup.org, $25 in advance, $30 at the door

MAY 11, 18 & 25

Jazz Under the Stars

Labyrinth Walk Coffee House presents its 2014 jazz series, featuring E-Flat Porch Band on May 11, Chilo and the High Energy Band on May 18, and Lady Diamond on May 25. The shows begin at 7 p.m., and guests may bring their own lawn chairs and refreshments. Unitarian Universalist Church, 3839 W. Kiest, labyrinthwalkcoffeehouse. com, $10-$25

MAY 16

Believing Your Own Hype: Manifesto Writing for Not Necessarily Angry Individuals

Learn to say what you mean and express it in writing during a literary workshop

6:30-9:30 p.m.

Oil & Cotton, 837 W. Seventh, oilandcotton.com, 214.942.0474, $45

May 8 & 29

Barefoot at the Belmont

This month, the KXT summer concert series features Gregory Alan Isakov with Grizfolk on May 8 and Valerie June with Doug Burr on May 29. Doors open at 6 p.m. Belmont Hotel, 901 Fort Worth Ave., 214.393.2300, kxt.org/ barefoot, $25

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

MAY 18

Brew Riot

Oak Cliff’s homebrew competition features an outdoor street festival, food, games and other activities

4-8 p.m. as locals vie for the best homemade beer. You must be a Texas Homebrew Society member to attend. Bishop Arts District, brewriot.com, $25

MAY 23

‘Looking for Johnny: The Legend of Johnny Thunder’

The documentary, which screens at 9 p.m., chronicles the life and mysterious death of the musician who founded New York Dolls.

The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546, thetexastheatre.com, $10

MAY 25

Dallas Margarita Meltdown

Oak Cliff restaurants will compete for $1,000 and the title of “best margarita in Dallas” 5-10 p.m. Attendees can sample up to 32 margaritas. Bishop Arts District, dallasmargaritameltdown.com, $30

MAY 28

Cooking healthy greens

Learn how to work dark, leafy greens into everyday recipes during a cooking class with holistic health coach Kim Wilson Pollock at 6:30 p.m. Urban Acres Farmstead, 1605 N. Beckley, 214.466.1260, urbanacresmarket.com, $35

MAY 29

John Waters: This Filthy World

The acclaimed counter-culture director pays a visit as part of the “Wordspace at the Kessler” series at 8 p.m. General admission is sold out, but standing-room-only tickets still may be available.

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

We’re here to help faith-based communities FIND ways to weave inclusion of individuals with special needs into our North Texas congregations.

The Faith Inclusion Network of Dallas (FIND) is a collaborative network of community leaders, organizations and service providers committed to impacting change within faith-based communities and congregations in the ways individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families find opportunities to fully engage socially, emotionally, academically, spiritually and in service to others.

WEAVING INCLUSION INTO OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES

Free Symposium | June 19th and 20th

Julie Chapman | Project Director | Faith Inclusion Network of Dallas 469.206.1657 | jchapman@JFSdallas.org

Delicious

Spring ingredients

Kale

and chard are so last winter. It’s springtime now, and there is a lot to be excited about. “As we get more into spring, the Texas farms will really come into their fruit,” says Andrew Bell, executive chef of Bolsa. Bell’s new menu incorporates spring ingredients including heirloom red spinach, fiddlehead ferns and baby artichokes. Bell incorporates as much local produce as possible as well as “a tremendous amount of organic product.” Goat cheese gnocchi are served in a light, tangy tomato broth with grilled baby artichokes and heirloom grape tomatoes. It’s a vegetarian dish that is decadent and satisfying without being too heavy. The Atlantic char rillette is a terrine with crème fraiche and smoked fish, served with rye toast points and shallot marmalade. It’s a great bar snack, and speaking of which, Bolsa also has a whole new menu of cocktails, including the Kings Highway, made with bourbon, apricot, mint, orange, honey, tea and bitters. —Rachel Stone

BOLSA

614 W. Davis 214.367.9367 bolsadallas.com

AMBIANCE: MODERN

PRICE RANGE: $7-$32

HOURS:

MONDAY-THURSDAY, 4:30-10 P.M.

FRIDAY, 4:30-11 P.M.

SATURDAY, 10 A.M.-11 P.M.

SUNDAY, 10 A.M.-10 P.M.

TIP: BOLSA HAPPY HOUR IS FROM 4:30-7 P.M. MONDAY-FRIDAY, WHEN ALL THE FANCY COCKTAILS ARE ONLY $5, AND DRAFT BEERS ARE $4.

Above/Goat cheese gnocchi with baby artichokes and heirloom red spinach. Opposite page/The Violet Beauregard cocktail. Photos by Elliott Muñoz

THREE MORE PLACES TO TASTE SPRING

1 Nova

Spinach and fresh tomato pizzas are good for sharing with a spring fling.

1417 W. Davis 214.484.7123

novadallas.com

2 Hattie’s

The Hattie’s house salad is only $9 and comes with golden raisins and toasted pine nuts.

418 N. Bishop 214.942.7400

hatties.com

3 Smoke

It’s not all meat and potatoes, although Smoke certainly does those right. Try the arugula with pecan pesto, pickled beet carpaccio or seared sea scallops for something light and fresh.

901 Fort Worth Ave. 214.393.4141

smokerestaurant.com

JAMES DOLAN, MA, LPC Family &

Counseling

5310 Harvest Hill Rd Suite # 282 Dallas, TX 75230 214-506-0127

www.therapistdallastx.com

Individual and relationship counseling. Adults and Teens, LGBT, Anxiety, Depression and Trauma. Licensed since 1981. Lifelong Oak Cliff resident, call this number for details and Oak Cliff location: 214-629-6315

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER

Tours

2299 County Road 2008 Glen Rose, Texas 76043 254.897.2960

fossilrim.org

Reserve your spot on the Mother’s Day Sunset Safari Dinner and Tour on May 10, 2014. Show your Mom how much she means to you this Mother’s Day with a delicious dinner followed by a scenic wildlife tour at sunset.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS at oakcliff.advocatemag.com.

to

call 214.560.4203

PAINTING WITH A TWIST

SPREADING MOTHER’S DAY LOVE

Let’s spoil all the ladies in our lives with some love and sweets this month. The best way to celebrate is to be with family and friends enjoying a wonderful meal, sitting around the table, and sharing love for one another. As you plan your menu for a simple brunch, lunch or a spring-filled dinner, add these glazed shortbread cookies to share with your special mom. What I love about these cookies is the combination of a buttery, flaky texture and creamy, soft icing for the perfect decoration.

Photo by Kristen Massad

Shortbread cookies

GROCERY LIST

1 cup sugar

2 cups unsalted butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Royal icing

6 cups powdered sugar

3 pasteurized egg whites

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream sugar and butter in mixing bowl with paddle attachment. Add eggs, vanilla extract and lemon zest, and mix on low speed. Slowly add the flour and mix until the dough has come together.

2. Place the ball of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once dough is chilled, roll it out to 1/8 inch thick and cut into 2-inch squares or other desired shape.

3. Bake cookies at 350 F for 12-15 minutes or until light golden on the edges. Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing and decorating.

4. Make royal icing by combining powdered sugar and egg whites in mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes. Icing will become very smooth and glossy. (Add more powdered sugar if you want it to be thicker. Cover icing if not using immediately, or it will get hard).

9. Draw a border around each cookie with royal icing. Once the border is dry, cover the entire cookie with icing.

6. Allow the base icing to dry completely, and then stencil or draw letters onto the cookies. Allow cookies to dry before serving or packaging.

Note: If you do not want to make a traditional royal icing with egg whites, you can replace the egg whites with meringue powder (follow directions on the container).

Makes 75 2-inch cookies

NO EXCUSES

TEENS WHO HAVE OVERCOME INCREDIBLE OBSTACLES TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND LIFE

STORY BY RACHEL STONE | PHOTOS BY DANNY FULGENCIO

Growing up, earning good grades, pursuing a talent and gaining college acceptance is tough, but imagine doing so in the face of abject poverty or an incurable disability or while you are the primary caretaker for a dying parent and your younger siblings. Hellish circumstances can become an excuse for teens to escape down a destructive, pain-numbing path. For a few neighborhood seniors who will graduate this month, however, hardship is reason to strive for a better future. Their determination, support from teachers and administrators, and, perhaps, the ironwill derived from a fight for survival has driven them to remarkable success.

BUT THE 18-YEAR-OLD SUNSET HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SAYS SHE CAN’T

Ramirez always has been that way, growing up with a single mom and younger siblings. But since her mom became ill three years ago, the high school student plays an even bigger role in ensuring that her family stays on track.

Every morning, she drives her younger siblings, 11 and 13, to middle school. Then she drives her 17-year-old brother to school at Townview and drops her cousin off at the DART train before 8 a.m. Then she’s off to school herself.

Ramirez piled on her high school credits so that this semester, she only needed three classes to graduate. Instead of hanging out or working in the afternoons, she typically is running errands, driving grandparents to doctor’s appointments, babysitting her cousin’s toddler.

“My mom always tells me I don’t have to do it, but if I see someone that needs help, I just do it,” she says. “If I say ‘no’ to somebody, I feel bad.”

Ramirez says her dad went to prison when she was 2 years old. Her mom, who is now only 34, worked as many as three jobs to keep the family afloat. One way she made do was a gig with a property management company occupying vacant rental houses in exchange for free rent, but that meant moving frequently. The children rarely stayed in the same school for more than one semester.

Things became more stable when her mom remarried, but by then, Ramirez already was a little adult.

When she was 12 or 13, Ramirez started cutting herself as a way to relieve emotional pain. Her younger sis-

ter found out and told her parents, who sent Ramirez for a week of inpatient care at Hickory Trail Hospital in DeSoto, followed by a year of counseling.

“Now I talk to people who are cutting,” she says. “It was an escape from reality. It took away the pain for a little bit.”

In 2007, her mom had gallbladder surgery that went wrong. She had internal bleeding and a hematoma that was pushing on her liver. But even after those problems were corrected, she still was sick and later was diagnosed with Lupus.

Even though her mom can’t work, Ramirez says, she earns money baking and decorating cakes at home.

“There are times when she can’t walk,” Ramirez says. “But she still wants to do something.”

In addition to cooking, cleaning and shuttling family members anywhere they need to go, Ramirez is a great student, says Sunset counselor Angela Williams-McGill.

Ramirez has such an overwhelming sense of responsibility for her family that she originally had planned to forgo college and start working right after high school so that she could contribute to the household. But her mom, a high-school dropout who started having children in her teens, encouraged her to apply.

Now Ramirez is considering Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas at Dallas, which offered her a $30,000 scholarship. She wants to be a nurse, psychologist or social worker, she says.

HELP IT.

EMMA RAMIREZ SAYS HER PARENTS TELL HER TO LIVE HER OWN LIFE. BE A KID. DON’T TAKE ON SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY.

FROM

Lopez’s two younger siblings were born in Texas, but for years, he lived in almost constant fear of deportation.

As a sophomore, the now-18-year-old Adamson High School student took a job at an east Oak Cliff pizza shop, where the owners paid him about $4 an hour in cash. He couldn’t get a drivers license, and he started losing hope.

“I would get depressed about it sometimes because I didn’t think I would be able to go to college, and that’s something that I really wanted to do,” he says. “I stopped trying because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to get a job or anything.”

Besides that, he doesn’t know anyone in Mexico, so if he had been deported, “I would be lost,” he says.

An estimated 65,000 students graduat-

ing from American high schools every year were brought by parents or guardians into the country illegally as young children. Once their high-school careers are over, their options are limited, especially if they lack ties to their home countries.

Lopez might’ve been one of them, washing dishes, taking fast-food orders or working as a meat packer rather than pursuing college and a career. But last year, he was awarded a two-year student visa, which allows him to work.

It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving kid, says Timmy Martin, automotive technology teacher at Adamson.

Lopez now has early release for his job as a porter at Randall Reed Park Cities Ford Lincoln. And this summer, he will enroll in a two-year program at Brookhaven College

wherein he will earn an associates degree and become a Ford certified technician.

“He’s a kid that’s just really gung-ho about his future, and he’s making it happen for himself,” Martin says.

Lopez says his mom, who suffered poverty and abuse at home in Mexico, encourages him to pursue education and a career. He is hopeful that someday he can become a citizen of the country that is his home through the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, the D.R.E.A.M. Act, which has failed to pass through Congress since it was first introduced in 2001.

Until then, he plans to take his career as far as it can go.

“My dream is to own my own shop one day,” he says.

WHEN HIS PARENTS ENTERED TEXAS ILLEGALLY IN DESPERATION TO FIND A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.

LUIS LOPEZ CAME TO THE UNITED STATES

MEXICO AS A BABY,

Precious cargo

This startup makes hand-built Dutch-style cargo bikes

Story

by Rachel Stone | Photos by Kim Leeson

Bike Friendly Oak Cliff invited bike builder Tom LaBonty to give workshops during its Cyclesomatic celebration in 2012.

Artist Brennen Bechtol of Elmwood, who also is a bike mechanic, took LaBonty’s workshop and learned how to build a simple cargo bike. That was the beginning of what would become Oak Cliff Cargo Bicycles.

The company, which formed last year, recently has built custom cargo built bikes for clients including Toms shoes.

Bechtol started with one handmade cargo bike, the one he made right after the LaBonty workshop. He made it with an old Schwinn he had in his garage and wheelbarrow parts. He started riding that prototype around the neighborhood. It had a little sign that said “for sale,” but that’s about as far as he took it regarding a business plan.

That’s where Jonathan Braddick came in. Braddick, who lives in Kings Highway and has a background in marketing, noticed the “for sale” sign and realized cargo bikes could be a business.

“I said, ‘Hey man, I can help you sell these things,’ ” Braddick recalls.

They started taking the cargo bike on social group rides and handing out business cards.

One of their first big orders was for a coffee bike, essentially an espresso bar on two wheels, for a friend in Colorado. Since then, they have crafted their $10,000 coffee bikes for two other clients, including the one for Toms. They recently have partnered with Rachel Spire of Grapevine-based Regeared, who makes art out of bike parts and also is a carpenter. Spire now is creating all of Oak Cliff Cargo Bicycles’ wooden components, boxes for coffee bikes and, essentially, the “cargo” part of the cargo bike.

For example, their Bonnie Wagon, which has three wheels, in-

cludes a wooden box with bench seats for children. Bechtol and Spire recently built a Bonnie Wagon for a client in Fort Worth who wanted a way to pedal around her neighborhood with little ones in tow. That one sells for about $1,800.

The Oak Cliff Cargo Bicycles studio is off Fort Worth Avenue, very near the Western Heights Cemetery where Clyde Barrow is buried. So naturally, they have a cargo bike named after ol’ Clyde. It costs about $1,100 and is for hauling stuff, not children.

There’s also the Stevie, named for our neighborhood’s great bluesman, which costs $750 and has a platform over the front wheel, perfect for deliveries.

“We’re making handcrafted, affordable, Dutch-style cargo bikes,” Braddick says. “And we’re keeping a lot of stuff out of the landfill.”

That’s because about 40 percent of all the materials used in each cargo bike they make come from old bikes and recycled metal and wood. The box for the first coffee bike, for example, was crafted from old shiplap pine that Bechtol found on bulk trash day in Oak Cliff.

“We try to reuse as much as we can,” he says.

Braddick and Bechtol also welcome clients to bring their own bike frames or other parts to be reused in an order if they wish.

Braddick says Oak Cliff Cargo Bicycles is turning profits. Bechtol works fulltime, and at press time, the company was seeking a fulltime contract welder.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Left/ Brennen Bechtol and Jonathan Braddick with the Stevie, a cargo bike that’s perfect for deliveries. Above/ Bechtol makes a weld on an in-progress cargo bike.

BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

Send business news tips to livelocal@advocatemag.com

Bocce, the restaurant not the ball

A new restaurant, Bocce, was expected to open in Bishop Arts last month. Bocce is a family-style Italian restaurant, in the former Inforzato’s space, from former Whitehall Exchange chef David Rice. The menu will include handmade pastas, four or five sauces, New York-style and Chicago-style pizza, salads, meatball sliders and a variety of sandwiches, including porchetta, Italian beef and meatball subs. Bocce will be open for lunch and dinner ,and BYOB. Rice is applying for a liquor license, but the space has only one restroom, and two are required for a liquor license, says Rice’s business partner and dad, Bob Rice. David Rice’s mom, Donna, and brother Doug also are partners and will be working in the restaurant. They named the place Bocce because the younger Rices are fans of the game, active in the Dallas Bocce League. Originally, they thought they could find space for Bocce courts, but that seems unlikely now, Bob Rice says.

Books with buzz

The Wild Detectives opened on Eighth Street about a month ago and began generating buzz in and outside our neighborhood for its curious concept of marrying books, booze and caffeine. The shop threw a grand opening party last month with live music and opened its expansive back patio. Named after the novel “The Savage Detectives,” by Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño, The Wild Detec-

More business bits

tives also exposes patrons to some South American literary greats, featuring at the front of the shop several titles from Julio Cortázar, the influential Argentine novelist and short story writer. The menu includes coffee (espresso, cortadas, cappuccinos, etc.) and tea as well as local craft beer and wine by the glass. It’s not a bad lunchtime spot either, offering pastries, sandwiches and cheese boards.

Restaurant roundup

Smoke, the upscale barbecue restaurant at the Belmont, is expanding. The owners are planning a second location in Plano. Driftwood has had a change in ownership. Founding chef Raul Flores sold his stake in the restaurant to partner Sal Jafar, and Jafar hired Kyle McClelland, formerly of Cedars Social, as head chef. Justin Holt, who had been running the kitchen at Driftwood, returned to Lucia, where he is co-sous chef with Mike Gibson. Conan O’Brien, who filmed shows at the Majestic Theater during the Final Four, had dinner at Mesa Veracruz twice while he was in town. He also dined at Bolsa and hung out at the Texas Theatre. Stock & Barrel, the new restaurant from chef Jon Stevens in the former Safety Glass building in Bishop Arts, was expected to open in April.

—Rachel Stone

every week on

1 Billionaires Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt donated $2 million to the $123-million Charles A. Sammons Tower at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, which is set to open in July. 2 Cox Farms Market opened at Sylvan Thirty last month.

3 Construction finally is underway on the new Big Lots store on Fort Worth Avenue at Hampton.

Neighborhoods

The Elmwood Neighborhood Association won a $9,000 grant from the mayor’s Grow South initiative for a dog park. The park is planned for the 2100 block of South Edgefield, where the neighborhood association stages monthly popup parks. Two other Oak Cliff neighborhoods also won Grow South grants. The Wynnewood Heights Neighborhood Association received $3,400 for a garden and sign toppers. And Beckley Club Estates won $7,650 for median improvements.

People

The Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce recognized its educators of the year last month. They are: Michael Sorrell of Paul Quinn College, Marshall Brad Dominy of W.H. Adamson High School, Jeremy Ratliff of Bishop Dunne Catholic School, Bridget Bufkin Mathew of Arturo Salazar Elementary School and Vicki Lyons of Child Care Group Bock Early Childhood Center.

Historic preservation

City Council could approve historic landmark status for Sunset High School this month. The City Plan Commission was expected to approve landmark status for the 89-year-old school in April. The Sunset Alumni Association has pushed for landmark status for the school for several years, and preservation architect Marcel Quimby wrote the proposal.

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. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

LAKEHILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

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

ANGLICAN

ALL SAINTS DALLAS / 2733 Oak Lawn / 972.755.3505

Radical Inclusivity, Profound Transformation. Come and See!

9:00 & 11:00 am Sunday Services. www.allsaintschurchdallas.org

BAPTIST

CLIFF TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH / 125 Sunset Ave. / CliffTemple.org

Building everyday people into everyday missionaries for Jesus Christ.

Sunday School: 9:30 am / Sunday Worship: 10:45 am / 214-942-8601

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

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

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

EPISCOPAL

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

Sunday: 8 & 10 am Holy Eucharist, 12:30pm Santa Misa en Español Sunday School for all ages / Children’s Chapel / christchurchdallas.org

METHODIST

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

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

TYLER STREET UMC / 927 W. 10th Street / 214.946.8106

Sunday Worship at 8:30 am and 10:50 am www.tsumc.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

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

“Your Hometown Church Near the Heart of the City.” 10:30 am Contemporary Service / kesslercommunitychurch.com

PRESBYTERIAN

OAK CLIFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6000 S. Hampton Road

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

MILESTONES: LOVE

Accolades fade, but love endures

Ancient Romans erected stone pillars called “obelisks” along roads, typically a mile apart. Each “mile stone” was assigned a number to help travelers know how far they had gone on their journey and how far they had to go. We still use a system of mile markers on highways, and we understand “mile stones” as a metaphor for marking significant events in our lives.

Graduation is a milestone. It can mark the end of childhood, a heading out into the world to pursue further education or a first job. It’s an accomplishment that, oddly, often is mentioned at one’s funeral. Where and when you graduated from high school serves as a milestone, along with college graduation, marriage, big career moments, the birth of children and so on. Whether you reflect on it or not, you’ve already reached many milestones and have many to go. One day (hopefully), the most significant, still-living people in your life will gather and speak about the milestones of your life. What will they say?

Here’s what I’ve noticed: after briefly mentioning one’s significant graduation moments, career moves, accomplishments and accolades, the most moving eulogies speak to how someone loved others and cared for the people around them. In the final summation, love is what matters the most.

Jesus was asked once, “What is the greatest commandment?” In other words, what matters the most in this life? What actions speak best to the heart of life? He quoted words from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

There are three spheres of love: love for God, love for neighbor and love for self. Life is a journey in some sense of learning to love who you are, just as you are, and as you can be. It’s a milestone to know who you are and to love that person. Life also is a pathway to learning to love others. A Catholic monk, writer and activist named Thomas Merton said, “The begin-

ning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image.” And finally, according to Jesus, learning to love God marks life’s road, in all of God’s mystery, with all of one’s heart.

Mahatma Ghandi said, “Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable.” More than any achievement or any power gained, love has the greatest capacity to change the world for good. The apostle Paul wrote, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (I Corinthians 13)

A legacy of love endures when accolades become distant echoes and diplomas turn to dust. May we mark life’s journey well — by learning to love God, our neighbors and ourselves.

Life is a journey in some sense of learning to love who you are, just as you are, and as you can be.

Brent McDougal is pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. The Worship section is a regular feature underwritten by Advocate Publishing and by the neighborhood business people and churches listed on these pages. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

LEARN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK Beginners intermediates; Rice, TCU, DTS ex; John Cunyus 214-662-5494 www.JohnCunyus.com

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

EMPLOYMENT

AIRLINE CAREERS Begin Here. Get Trained As FAA Certified Aviation Technician. Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Job Placement Assistance. AIM 866-453-6204

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

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES

Viva Selena!

Ana Rodríguez takes a photo of Candy Luna, left, and Teresa Luna, right, at the Selena party at Country Burger last month. The party was hosted by Sour Grapes artists collective and featured a car show, Selena-related artwork and music from DJ Sober. Photos by James Coreas

SERVICES FOR YOU

PET SERVICES

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

SERVICES FOR YOU

DISH TV Retailer. Save. Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months)

Free Premium Movie Channels. Free Equipment, Installation & Activation. Compare Local Deals. 1-800-309-1452

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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

JAMES H. DOLAN, MA, L.P.C Therapist, Executive Coach 214-629-6315 coach4lawyers.net. Individuals, couples & teens

OSTEOPATHY—CRANIAL OSTEOPATH For structural or internal problems, head & body, newborn, young child, all ages. Liz Chapek, D.O. 214-341-8742. www.chapek.doctorsoffice.net

TRAVEL

CRUISEONE DALLAS Doug Thompson bigDcruises.com Plan your cruise vacation today! 214-254-4980

JOURNEY WITH JANE for a unique travel experience. Travel dreams become reality. 469-662-5212. journeywithjane.com

In-Home Professional Care

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

“Best of Dallas” D Magazine

Serving the Dallas area since 1994 Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

BUY/SELL/TRADE

GROUND FLOOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Unique Opportunity for Residual Income. A Legacy Company Which Affords You and Your Family Guaranteed Income. Interviews to be Conducted to Launch a Business in Dallas. 401-741-7596 healthandwealthct@gmail.com

TEXAS RANGERS AND DALLAS STARS

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

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

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

20 ACRES 0 DOWN, Only $119/month. No Credit Checks. Near El Paso, Texas. Beautiful Views. Money Back Guarantee. 1-800-882-5263 Ext.81 www.sunsetranches.net

NORTHAVEN AIR & HEAT

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Commercial/Residential. Construction & Remodel www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448

RENOVATE DALLAS

renovatedallas.net 214-403-7247

RONALD L. SIEBLER

Remodeling & Historic Preservation

www.Siebler.com 214-546-7579

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872 Complete Full Service Repairs, Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We do it. Tommy. insured. http://dallas. tkremodelingcontractors.com

TK Remodeling

Your neighborhood remodeler

•Repair •Remodeling •Restoration

•Complete full service

Name it— We do it

http://dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

Tommy 972-533-2872 INSURED

See Our Specials at NorthavenAir.com Call Jim at 972-365-1570

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

THE CABINET CONCIERGE

The Art of Storage. Call 214-821-5900

Email jin@thecabinetconcierge.com

CARPENTRY & REMODELING

ATLANTIS DESIGN-BUILD, LLC

Complete Remodeling. 40 Yrs Exp. Additions. 1 & 2 Story. Kitchens, Baths. Small Jobs To Entire House. Renovation & Design. Full Time Supervision. Licensed/Insured. Free Estimates. 281-761-4648

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS, LLC

Complete Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths, Additions. Hardie Siding & Replacement Windows. Radiant Barrier, Insulation. Bonded & Insured. www.blake-construction.com 214-563-5035

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

CONNER FAMILY BUILDERS Since 1901. Home remodeling & painting. Superior quality, free estimates. Satisfaction guaranteed. A+ BBB Terry 469-338-1202 connerfamilybuilders.com

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

CARPORTS

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

4 U ELECTRICAL SERVICE, LLC We will be there 4 U. 972-877-4183

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

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

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

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

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

FENCING & DECKS

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

4 QUALITY FENCING Call Mike 214-507-9322

Specializing in Wood, New or Repair.

HANDYMAN SERVICES

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

HOME INSPECTION

HOUSE PAINTING

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS, LLC

NEW

TO TEXAS

Imported from Japan Carports, Patio & Pool Covers

JET OF TEXAS

214-288-6242

JetofTexas.com

NO UV, NO HAIL, NO RAIN

CLEANING SERVICES

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

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

CONCRETE/ MASONRY/PAVING

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

BRICK, STONEWORK, FLAGSTONE PATIOS Mortar Repair. Call George 214-498-2128

CONCRETE REPAIRS/REPOURS

Demo existing. Stamping and Staining Driveways/Patio/Walkways

Pattern/Color available

Free Estimates

972-672-5359 (32 yrs.)

CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable. Chris 214-770-5001

FLAGSTONE PATIOS, Retaining Walls, BBQ’s, Veneer, Flower Bed Edging, All Stone work. Chris 214-770-5001

HANNAWOODWORKS.COM Decks,Doors, Carpentry, Remodeling 214-435-9574

EST. 1991 #1

COWBOY

FENCE & IRON CO.

214.692.1991

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

cowboyfenceandiron.com

FLOORING & CARPETING

HASTINGS STAINED CONCRETE New/ Remodel. Stain/Wax Int/Ext. Nick. 214-341-5993. www.hastingsfloors.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES

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

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

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

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

HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606

HONEST, SKILLED SERVICE With a Smile. General Repairs/ Maintenance. 214-215-2582

Complete Painting Interior/Exterior, Stain Etc. Custom Finishes, Custom Texture, Custom Trim www.blake-construction.com

Fully Bonded & Insured. 214-563-5035

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

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

KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

BATHTUB, COUNTERTOP & TILE Resurfacing: Walls, Tub Surrounds, Showers. Glaze or Faux Stone finishes. Affordable Alternative to Replacement! 972-323-8375. PermaGlazeNorthDallas.com

D.R. TILE SERVICE Free Estimates•Wood•Marble•Tile•Travertine Kitchens & Baths•Countertops. 214-536-0045

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

MELROSE TILE James Estrello Sr., Installer 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS

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

•

•

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

25% OFF TREE WORK Trim. Roberts Tree Svc. Insd. 10 yrs exp. 214-808-8925

A BETTER TREE COMPANY • JUST TREES

Complete tree services. Tree & Landscape Lighting! Mark 214-332-3444

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

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

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

JD TREE SERVICE Tree Trimming, Tree Planting 214-946-7138

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

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

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

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

A Better Tree Company

JUST TREES

Your Trees Could Look Like a Work of Art, I Guarantee It. Free Estimates • Work Guaranteed Best Prices on Tree Removal Insured

• Commercial & Residential Tree & Landscape Lighting

• Fence & Deck Call Mark Wittlich 214-332-3444

Locally harvested wood!

JD’s Tree Service

RESPONSIBLE TREE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Firewood/Cooking Wood Full service trimming & planting of native trees. 214.946.7138

PEST CONTROL

A BETTER EARTH PEST CONTROL Keeping the environment, kids, pets in mind. Organic products avail. 972-564-2495

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

TRUE Crime

THE MIRROR WAS SMASHED.

Ester Armstrong was surprised at how she found her car after a hard day of work at an Oak Cliff-area bank. As she walked outside, she saw that her passenger-side mirror had been broken and knocked off, ruining her afternoon.

Unlike other auto-accessory crimes, this did not look as if someone had tried to remove the mirror for resale. The crime has been a major hassle for Armstrong.

“I think someone hit it with a car or just walking by,” she says. “I don’t have the $500 deductible right now.”

Unfortunately, no one left a note to take responsibility for the crime, but the culprit may be stuck with seven years of bad luck.

Sgt. Kay Hughbanks with the Dallas

PLUMBING

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

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

Sewers • Drains • Bonded 24 Hours/7 Days

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

NTX PLUMBING SPEC. LLLP 214-226-0913

Lic. M-40581 Res/Com. Repairs & Leak Location

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

POOLS

LEAFCHASERS POOLS

Parts and Service. Chemicals and Repairs. Jonathan. 214-729-3311

ROOFING & GUTTERS

MEDRANO ROOFING Resd/Comm. Quality Service & Craftsmanship. Free Est. 469-867-2129

NATIONWIDE ROOFING

Fencing, Gutters BBB member. 214-882-8719

Allstate Homecraft Roofing

The Victim: Ester Armstrong

The Crime: Criminal mischief

Date: Friday, March 28

Time: Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Location: 400 block of South Zang

Police Southwest Patrol Division says that this is a pretty common situation and that pursuing the guilty party can be very difficult.

“Utilizing video from businesses may capture the suspect vehicle,” she says. “However, it is more costly to pursue the guilty party in an attempt to hold them responsible. Most deductibles are at a higher cost than to actually pay to get the vehicle repaired.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and author of “Raising the Stakes”, obtainable at raisingthestakesbook.com. If you have been a recent crime victim, email crime@advocatemag.com.

CRIME NUMBERS

women were killed in a home invasion robbery attempt near Illinois Avenue and Cockrell Hill Road April 8 1

man was injured in the incident 0 suspects have been identified

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

How Oak Cliff came to be COMMENT. Visit oakcliff.advocatemag.com/backstory to tell us what you think.

Oak Cliff’s original name, Hord’s Ridge, honored William Henry Hord, one of Dallas’ earliest settlers. His 640 acres, across the river from John Neely Bryan’s cabin and set roughly where the Dallas Zoo is now — rested in front of a “ridge” of sorts. The name made sense then.

Six years earlier, Hord had traveled from his home in Tennessee to join Gen. Thomas J. Rusk in East Texas to assist with Native American issues. Known as a kind and courteous man, Hord was elected as Dallas County’s first county clerk in 1846 and later served as a brigadier general of Texas militia troops during the Civil War — before becoming one of the signers of a resolution to restore all confederate states. Hord, a founder and vice president of the Dallas Historical Association and the leader of the Dallas County Conservative Party, earned the title “judge” when he later became a longtime Dallas County justice of the peace.

When his wife, Mary Hord, became determined to educate the couple’s only daughter at home, she found herself running a boarding school for girls. Attracting young ladies from as far away as White Rock Creek on the north to Ellis County on the south, the schoolmistress was forced to begin charging 12 1/2 cents per day to cover both tuition and board.

Henry Hord became a founder and trustee of the Oak Cliff Cemetery, where he and Mary are interred. The family’s original log cabin was rescued from demolition by Martin and Charlotte Weiss in 1926 and donated to local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 275 in 1947. Of note: John M. Crockett, Mary Hord’s brother, served as the second mayor of Dallas. Also of note: The Hords’ daughter married W. A. Crawford, assumedly the reason for the naming of Crawford Street on the east side of Lake Cliff Park.

In 1886, developer Thomas L. Marsalis bought land that included most of the Hord farm, where he opened his “Oak Cliff” subdivision — Marsalis’ new and more appro-

priate name for the town. The developer understood that naming the area for the stately green oaks on the cliff was more appealing and melodious than the earlier tag. He also developed a park that included a large pavilion where stage shows and summer operas were presented. Later the home of the city’s menagerie, the Marsalis Park Zoo existed until 1985, when the name was changed during a remodeling project.

In 1906, Charles A. Mangold (along with furniture czar John F. Zang) developed Lake Cliff Park, which opened first as “The Llewellyn Club.” The 44-acre playground boasted a roller coaster, water rides, three theaters, a dance pavilion, a Japanese Village and a roller rink.

A testament to all these men, both the zoo/park and Lake Cliff Park remain today.

As shared in an earlier column, residential developers helped pay for the operation of rail lines to and from their subdivisions in a brilliant effort to bring potential homebuyers out to view the lots and new houses being promoted. One of the first in the region was that of the aforementioned T. L. Marsalis, who built the Dallas and Oak Cliff Railway in the 1880s for $250,000 and touted it as “the first elevated railway in the

South.” Actually, the term “elevated” was a bit of a stretch. The only elevated section of the line was the trestle bridge across the Trinity River. The two termini (the eastern terminus at Record and Commerce and the western at Jefferson and Beckley — for a number of years the end of the line) all had ground-level approaches and extensions.

The railway was described as a steampowered rapid transit railway that had canopy-covered stations every two blocks up Jefferson Boulevard, serviced by wooden coaches that Marsalis bought from the New York system — adding to the illusion that his system was “elevated,” like the one in New York City. According to quotes and information from Charles C. Walsh in the book “Dallas Yesterday” by Charles Acheson, the only charge to ride the shuttle railway was 5 cents when passengers traveled to or from Dallas. All residents of Marsalis’s sub-division were allotted annual passes, so according to Walsh, “All Oak Cliff youngsters had a ball in riding the trains without charge in Oak Cliff.” Walsh stated that the rail system had four locomotives that “were of unending interest to Oak Cliff youngsters of the day.” All were

This 2,500-seat Casino theater once was part of Lake Cliff amusement park. When the park closed, developer Charles Mangold relocated the building to Fifth and Crawford where it become the James P. Simpson Studio, which burned down in 1929. Photo courtesy of Joe Whitney

OAKCLIFF.ADVOCATEMAG.COM/BACKSTORY

fueled by coal hauled in from West Texas. (Yes, Texas. Texas is a significant coal-producing state. Who knew?)

In his old age, William Henry Hord moved in with his daughter and son-in-law, who lived in what was called Flanders Heights off present-day Fort Worth Avenue. Business partners T. L. Marsalis and John S. Armstrong made their fortunes in the wholesale grocery world before entering the real estate development business. After forming the Dallas Land and Loan Co. to develop Oak Cliff, the partners had a disagreement and Armstrong pulled out. But he moved north and developed … Highland Park! Marsalis filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and moved to New England, where he lived out his life in relative obscurity. But he is well remembered thanks to the familiar North Oak Cliff street and elementary school, both bearing his name.

Although these early Oak Cliff founding fathers all left their marks on our community, I’m sure they wouldn’t recognize the area today, especially if any of them were standing along Jefferson Boulevard waiting for one of the steam railway trains to the Lake Cliff Amusement Park. But I think they’d be amazed. Perhaps lunch at Trinity Groves followed by a trip over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and a tour of Kessler/Stevens. Yep! I think the guys would be impressed.

YOUR STORIES

Longtime Cliffites recount memories and reconnect on oakcliff. advocatemag.com/ backstory Last month’s column about La Reunion Colony elicited this reader response.

My grandparents were long-standing West Dallasites and I remember several of their friends were from the La Reunion families including the Santerres and the Loupots. It’s always interesting to read the stories of our forefathers and mothers.

—Angeline Churchill

Editor’s note: In last month’s Backstory “Your Stories” section, our response from a reader comment about the old William Brown Miller cabin should have stated that, indeed, the structure was moved to Old City Park. Oak Cliff historical icons Martin and Charlotte Weiss rescued the William Henry Hord cabin and donated it to a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

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. Brooks is one of three co-authors of the recently published books, “Legendary Locals of Oak Cliff” and “Images of America: Oak Cliff”, and writes a monthly history column for the Oak Cliff Advocate. Send her feedback and ideas to gbrooks@advocatemag.com.

Gayla Brooks can date her neighborhood heritage

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