2011 September Oak Cliff

Best Friends

photo by benjamin hager

ONLY IN OAK CLIFF

The Tyler/Davis block party Aug. 13 marked the opening of several new galleries and shops. Business owners, including Greg Barker of Patina Bleu, above, and Oil & Cotton, below, stayed open late for shopping and socializing.

PHOTOs BY Nikki COTTeN

road trip

It’s an undervalued pleasure these days

It was at about the 3,000-mile point of our 4,100-mile driving journey that our 17-year-old son saw the beat-up little sign: “Hopalong Cassidy Museum” with an arrow pointing straight ahead.

He started laughing, thinking it was another one of the museum oddities we had been keeping track of throughout our trip across 19 states in the Midwest and East, along with the District of Columbia.

We had already chuckled about signs along the road promoting the “Action Figure Museum” and the “National Motorcycle Museum,” among plenty of others. So when I turned the wheel toward Hopalong’s museum, he looked disgusted.

“We’re not actually going to see this, are we?”

“C’mon,” I said. “Hopalong was a real TV cowboy. Let’s do it.”

We were already off the road to refuel the car, and it was a rare day on the two-week trip that we weren’t on deadline to be somewhere.

So we drove around the tiny Ohio town, eventually finding the combination museum and antique shop in a building with tightly and sloppily boarded windows.

That’s the kind of trip we were on, just the two of us, a father-son get-away: part college sleuthing, part baseball watching and part meandering aimlessly.

Being the two least-talkative members of our family, there was plenty of time on the trip to let our minds wander, something difficult to do during hurry-up-and-wait airplane travel. Waiting in line, shuffling through security, waiting in line, jamming aboard the plane, then waiting in line again is tiring, and you don’t really see anything from point to point, unless you count floating high above the clouds as “scenic.”

A driving trip, though, has its own cadence. You control the pace — interstate or backwater roads and you control the stops. You can visit as many or as few McDonald’s as you want. You can compare notes on the stages of public bathroom cleanliness, going all the way from generally disgusting to downright appalling.

And as for scenic: On an endless stretch of highway, you can watch the sky kiss the land up ahead as fluffy clouds float by almost at eye level, something impossible to ponder in a city jammed tight with buildings and lights and smog.

On the monotonous road, cracks in the highway thundering rhythmically beneath the car,

the mind wanders to all sorts of interesting places, many of which have nothing to do with the trip at hand.

As for Hopalong and his museum, despite my

son’s complaints, we parked and walked toward the door, my son visibly slowing behind me as we approached the Promised Land. Then he smiled when he saw the sign on the door: “Closed until next week.” And he jostled me about missing that opportunity for hours and hours and hours. That’s the ultimate beauty of a driving trip. Gas is still expensive. Driving still takes more time and effort than many other ways to get from here to there.

But there’s something to be said for taking a little extra time to get both somewhere and nowhere simultaneously these days.

On an endless stre,tch of highway, you can watch the sky kiss the land ,up ahead as fluffy clouds float, by almost at eye level, somet,hing impossible to ponder, in a city jammed tight with bu,ildings and lights and smog,.

DISTRIBUTION PH/214.560.4203

ADVERTISING PH/214.560.4203

office administrator: JUDY LILES

214.560.4203 / jliles@advocatemag.com

advertising sales director: KRISTY GACONNIER

214.560.4213 / kgaconnier@advocatemag.com

display sales manager: BRIAN BEAVERS

214.560.4201 / bbeavers@advocatemag.com

senior advertising consultant: AMY DURANT

214.560.4205 / adurant@advocatemag.com

advertising consultants

CATHERINE PATE

214.292.0494 / cpate@advocatemag.com

NORA JONES

214.292.0962 / njones@advocatemag.com

PATTI MILLER

214.292.0961 / pmiller@advocatemag.com

JENNIFER THOMAS VOSS

214.635.2122 / jvoss@advocatemag.com

FRANK McCLENDON

214.560.4215 / fmcclendon@advocatemag.com

LIZ BOVARD

972.922.2790 / lbovard@advocatemag.com

classified manager: PRIO BERGER

214.560.4211 / pberger@advocatemag.com

classified consultants

SALLY ACKERMAN

214.560.4202 / sackerman@advocatemag.com

SUSAN CLARK

469.916.7866 / sclark@advocatemag.com

marketing director: MEREDITH MOORE

214.292.0486 / mmoore@advocatemag.com

EDITORIAL PH/ 214.292.2053

publisher: RICK WAMRE

214.560.4212 / rwamre@advocatemag.com

managing editor: CHRISTINAHUGHESBABB

214.560.4204 / chughes@advocatemag.com

editors

KERIMITCHELL

214.292.0487 / kmitchell@advocatemag.com

EMILY TOMAN

214.292.2053 / etoman@advocatemag.com

RACHELSTONE

214.292.0490 / rstone@advocatemag.com

web editor: CHRISTY ROBINSON

214.635.2120 / crobinson@advocatemag.com

senior art director: JYNNETTE NEAL

214.560.4206 / jneal@advocatemag.com

art director: JULIANNERICE

214.292.0493 / jrice@advocatemag.com

designers: JEANINE MICHNA-BALES, LARRY OLIVER, HANNAH DWORACZYK

contributing editors: JEFF SIEGEL, SALLY WAMRE

contributors: SEANCHAFFIN, BILL KEFFER, GAYLA KOKEL, GEORGEMASON,BLAIRMONIE,ELLENRAFF, MEGHAN RINEY

photo editor: CAN TÜRKYILMAZ

214.560.4200 / cturkyilmaz@advocatemag.com

photographers: MARK DAVIS, MOLLYDICKSON, ALISON FECHTEL, BENJAMIN HAGER

interns: LAURACHUCKRAY,MEGHANSIKKEL,NICKIKOETTING, MADELINE STEVENS,TYLERBERRETT

Advocate Publishing 6301 Gaston Avenue, Suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214

Advocate, © 2011, is published monthly by East Dallas –LakewoodPeople Inc. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the Advocate. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. Opinions set forth in the Advocate are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s viewpoint.More than 200,000 people read Advocate publications each month. Advertising rates and guidelines are available upon request. Advocate Publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one copy per reader.

oakcliff.advocatemag.com

EVENTS

Find neighborhood fun at your fingertips.

Click our Eventfinder tab to peruse local happenings. You can also add your own event for free.

See selected upcoming events on p. 11 of this issue, too.

CONTESTS

Like winning?

Click our Contests tab for info on how to score wine, event tickets and dinner vouchers all week.

DAILY BLOG

The most-discussed blog post of the month was:

“Decanter closes after almost eight months in business”

Search Decanter to read this blog post and to tell us your thoughts.

EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

It’s fast and easy. Fill out our online form to receive a weekly News Summary in your inbox. Also sign up for these upcoming, spanking-new newsletters:

DINING, BUSINESS AND WEEKLY EVENTS.

Do you have a story tip or a question? Just want to say hi?

EMAIL RACHEL AT

rstone@advocatemag.com

vIdEO Watch this.

Advocate September 2011

Fall

tw I tt Er

Hey! Are you following us?

It’s an easy way to get our blog and magazine headlines: @AdvOCATe_OC

Mexican Plum Tree: Blooms early spring, very fragrant.

Plant Shade Trees Now!

“Trees: Plant Now”

Staff Favorites include Mexican Plum, Maple ‘Red Sunset’ and Chinese Pistache.

Sept. 24th 10am

SharE US

Does something in this issue make you want to shout it from the mountaintop?

Plant Fall & Winter Gardens Now!

“Fall Veggies”

Sept. 24th 11am

MOBILE Get

scoop

facebook.com/OakCliffAdvocate youtube.com/oakcliffmag

“Spring Bulbs”

Sept. 17th 11am

Tulip, daffodils, crocus, hyacinth, iris and other spring blooming bulbs arrive mid-September! New to planting bulbs? Our experts will help you plan & plant a gorgeous garden.

Your Ultimate Urban Garden Center 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas TX 75230

• 214-363-5316

Plant Spring Now!

LAUNCH

Winnetka Heights

resident and proud dog owner ROBBIE GOOD has a dream of a more petfriendly city. One where lost pets are found, local businesses are always pet-friendly, and dog parents gather at the neighborhood dog park. That’s why Good, along with fellow Oak Cliff residents Michael Reagan and Catherine Dodge, started FIDO Oak Cliff.

WhAT is FiDO OAk CliFF?

The organization’s mission is simple: improve the quality of life for Oak Cliff dogs and their owners. i have two boxers, Baxter, 12, and sookie, 2, and would love to have a local dog park, just like many other Oak Cliff residents. Fidooakcliff.org was built as a forum for lost and found pets, a directory of pet-friendly businesses and a rallying cry for all OC pet owners who wish to create a neighborhood dog park.

WhAT’s FirsT ON The AgeNDA?

Our primary objective is to develop the first dog park in Oak Cliff. right now the area doesn’t have a dog park, but we are building interest and making a nice, strong case for one through our pop-up parks.

yOu helD yOur FirsT pOp-up DOg pArk AT pOlk AND kiNgs highWAy iN mAy. hOW ’D iT gO?

The first pop-up dog park was inspired by Jason roberts’ well-known Better Block projects. The idea was to pick a visible location [showing the city that a dog park is something that people would use] just show up, and ask for forgiveness later. it was a beautiful day, and the turnout was huge. One cool thing that came from the pop-up is it caught the eye of Dallas City Council member Delia Jasso.

WiTh ThAT suCCess uNDer yOur BelT, WhAT’s NexT?

The next step is to do more pop-up parks in a handful of neighborhoods, gauge the response

and choose the ideal location. We got a tip that a local builder might be interested, and there are a lot of decisions left to be made before we submit a proposal: Will the proposed park be on city land or private land? Will we propose an agreement where neighborhood volunteers agree to maintain the space? A dog park doesn’t have to cost the city millions of dollars. There doesn’t even have to be parking ... people could walk there.

WhAT DO yOu see iN FiDO OAk CliFF’s FuTure?

i would like to create committees of passionate dog owners to help with fundraising for popup park materials, discuss other socializing options and assist local animal charities.

—Meghan Riney

watch a video at oakcliff.advocatemag.com/video

easy part. jeremy started perusing thrift stores and estate sales with his brother as a teenager, and he has an eye for picking out cool old T-shirts, such as a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert tee, and other throwback clothing. The Vintagemobile is parked at the Belmont Hotel, 901 Fort Worth ave., every Saturday and Sunday, but you never know where it might pop up. The best way to keep up with it is through facebook.com/ vintagemobile or twitter.com/vintagemobile.

—RaCheL Stone

Come play with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Channel 8’s Dale Hansen in the Oak Cliff Chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament at The Golf Club of Dallas on Monday, September 26th. Check-in begins at 10:00am with a shotgun start at noon.

Call 214-943-4567 for more information.

go frameless!

WHAT GIVES?

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

CHECK IN ONLINE

And help to provide doctor visits for people who cannot afford them. Check in to checkinforcheckups.com by typing in a healthy habit, such as, “Drank water instead of soda at lunch” or “Walked to school.” No personal information is required to check in, not even an email address. And for every healthy-habit check-in, Clorox will donate 10 cents to the Children’s Health Fund. The Dallas Children’s Health Fund provides medical services to underprivileged children. The group serves nonprofits, including Oak Cliff-based Promise House. Users who register on the site using their email addresses earn 20-cent donations for every check-in.

ORUSEAFORK

at Lockhart Smokehouse. Sure, Hill Country barbecue is supposed to be eaten with bare hands. But if you don’t want to dirty your dainty Dallas digits, order a plastic fork for $1 at Lockhart, where the slogan is “No forks! No sauce! No kidding!” They donate the fork money to the Kessler School, which is raising money for a new fire system.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@ advocatemag.com.

out&about in september

09.24.11 DADA GALLERY WALK FREE-$10

This year’s DADA Gallery Walk takes a closer look at the visual art history of Oak Cliff, featuring a tour of the Texas Theatre, an artist gathering and panel discussions. The first is “Oak Cliff Art Then” 10:30 a.m.-noon, and the second is “Oak Cliff Art Now” 1-2:30 p.m. The free gallery walk takes art lovers to exhibits at 40 of the Dallas Art Dealers Association’s member galleries located throughout the city. Admission to the panel discussions is $10, and proceeds benefit the Edith Baker Art Scholarship and Artists Development Fund. For details, call 214.914.1099 or visit dallasartdealers.org. —Emily TOm AN

THROUGH 09.28 ARGENTINE TANGO CLASSES $10$15 Tango Canyengue Dallas continues offering classes at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. Admission is $10 each or $15 for a couple. 223 W. Jefferson, 214.670.3777, dallasculture.org

09.07-10.19 ART WITH A VIEW FREE

Oak Cliff painter Christopher Bingham presents his work at BarBelmont with an opening reception 7-9 p.m. Sept. 7. He has previously shown at the Norwood Flynn Gallery and the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. The exhibit runs through Oct. 19. 901 Fort Worth Avenue, 214.351.3318, belmontdallas.com

09.24 WINE & ART $50-$75 The Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts hosts its annual Wine & Art fundraiser at 7 p.m. at Turner House with the theme Women Artists of the Texas Centennial. The event includes live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and fine wines. Admission is $50 and $75 for the 6 p.m. gallery talk. 401 N. Rosemont, 214.946.1670, turnerhouse.org

09.30 ROKY ERICKSON $30-$35 The Kessler Theater presents Dallas-born musician Roky Erickson, described as one of the unknown heroes of rock and roll. He led the famed Austin band 13th Floor Elevators and most recently collaborated with Okkervil River on “True Love Casts Out All Evil.” Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8. 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org

SimEN JOHAN

DINING ON JEFFERSON BOULEVARD

N ES t LED Am ONG th E th RIF t St ORES and taquerias, Mesa brings an unexpected upscale feel to its spot on Jefferson Boulevard. This is not just another Mexican restaurant. It’s authentic coastal cuisine from the state of Veracruz, specializing in dishes with eclectic and powerful flavors. Chef and owner Raul Reyes reincarnated his previous venture, La Palapa Veracruzana, which operated in the same space. “The food is about the same, but with a more upscale feel,” he says. Reyes spent a year and a half remodeling the restaurant. He built the concrete bar by hand and fashioned tables and chairs out of scrap metal, creating a rustic yet elegant ambiance. Reyes and his wife, Olga, are the masterminds behind the food, engineering dishes like ceviche — an appetizer of snook and shrimp cured in lime juice and topped with tomato, onion, micro cilantro and avocado, served with chips. For something on the wild side, try the Rabo de Res en Acuyo: braised oxtail with hoja santa sauce served with dumplings, yucca and corn on the cob. That’s Reyes’s favorite dish on the menu. After each meal, guests receive a small, complimentary tortito, a cocktail made with peanut butter, Brazilian rum and condensed milk. —Emily

Toman

Pictured: Top: ceviche

Left-Right: ensalada de chayote, owners Raul and Olga Reyes and the Mesa sign on Jefferson

Three more spots to dine on Jefferson Boulevard

1 Char Co Broiler Steak h ou Se

There’s no better place to satisfy a craving for meat and potatoes than this neighborhood institution, which has adorned Jefferson Boulevard for 40 years. Plus, kids eat free on Wednesday nights. Jefferson & Bishop 214.942.6806 charcodallas.com

2 el r an C hito

You can’t go wrong with this family-owned establishment, which is more than just another Oak Cliff TexMex joint. El Ranchito brings the taste of Monterrey with dishes from northern Mexico like cabritos and mollejas. Jefferson & llewellyn 214.946.4238 elranchito-dallas.com

3 Gonzalez reS taurant

Another Tex-Mex favorite, Gonzalez is known for its fluffy homemade tortillas. Stop by on Saturday mornings for a free breakfast burrito when you purchase any regular menu item.

Jefferson & Bishop 214.946.5333 gonzalezrestaurant.com

$3.00 frozen $3.50 rocks

11am-7pm/7 days

NINE WALKS SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND

Wine is complicated enough, what with all of the different kinds of wine and all of the different places in the world where wine is made. So what does the wine business do to make wine even more complicated? Invent wine terms, giving it language all its own.

This is troublesome for anyone who likes wine, experienced or not. Even today, after two-plus decades of doing this, I’ll read a wine description and have no idea what it means. So you can imagine the difficulty wine-speak gives beginners.

How to get around this problem? One way is to stop by the Wine Garden at the State Fair of Texas between Sept. 30 and Oct. 23, where The Two Wine Guys, John Bratcher and myself, will speak again this year. We’ll be at the wine stageMonday through Thursday at 1, 3 and 5 p.m., and will be happy to answer any questions.

The best way? Taste wine, and learn the differences:

Many California

red wines, like Toad Hollow’s Erik TheRed ($15) are fruity, which some wine drinkers often confuse with sweetness. Think of a sweet wine, like riesling, as iced tea with lemon and sugar. Think of fruity wine as the tea with just lemon. The latter is fruity (the taste of the lemon) but not sweet. Does the wine pair easily with food? If so, and if it doesn’t overwhelm the taste of the food, then it’s food friendly. Usually, but not always, food friendly wines have more simple, straightforward flavors, such as a New Zealand sauvignon blanc like Nine Walks ($10). Drink this with summer salads, roast chicken or boiled seafood, and the wine complements the food, which is about as friendly as you can get.

Wineries release a new vintage every year, which is the current vintage. But what happens when retailers haven’t been able to sell all of the previous year’s current vintage? It becomes the previous vintage, and retailers cut prices to get rid of those wines to make room for the current vintage. It’s not unlike what car dealers do — cut prices on last year’s models to make room for the new models. The Australian red blendPillarBoxRed 2008 used to be $12 or $13; you can find it these days, since it’s a previous vintage, for as little as $10.

—JEFF SIEGEL

JEFF SIEGEL’SWEEKLYWINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on oakcliff.advocatemag.com

WITH YOUR WINE

Couscous jambalaya

Couscous, which is actually pasta and not a grain, is usually thought of as a side dish.But taking this approach turns it into an easy main course — and you can use up almost any leftover vegetable or chicken in the refrigerator (the amounts in the recipe for those items are suggestions; this is something you can make your own). Serve any white, food-friendly wine with it.

Serves 4-6, takes 30 minutes

3 Tbsp olive oil

3 c couscous

4 1/2 c chicken or vegetable stock

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1/2 bell pepper chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

4-6 c cooked chicken, shrimp, sausage, or beef

1.Place the olive oil in a large saucepan and warm over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, bell pepper and celery, and sauté until the onions are soft, minutes. Add the garlic and couscous and mix well, coating the couscous with the oil.

2. Add the chicken or other meat and stir. Add the stock and salt and pepper and mix well.

3.Bring to a boil. When it’s boiling, cover, turn the heat to low, and let the couscous steam for 7 to 10 minutes. It should be moist but not soupy.

ask the WINE GUY?

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GRAPE VARIETAL AND A GRAPE VARIETY?

Nothing, really. Varietal is the more technical term for the grape variety.

—JEFF SIEGEL

They’ve got it all — cuteness, charisma and hilarious habits. For their ability to make us smile, we’ve deemed them the neighborhood’s ...

BEST

What makes an Advocate pet edition cover model?

It is not necessarily impeccable breeding or a pretty mug but, rather, a personality — a certain je ne sais quoi that jumps off the page. Our 2011 model pet search garnered piles of adorable photos and amusing anecdotes. These finalists are the non-human neighborhood residents that most captured our hearts.

Emmitt the affable

Emmitt the bulldog was not named after the football player Emmitt Smith. He’s more of a defensive end-type, really.

Weighing70poundsandwheezing whenoverheated,youprobablydon’t want this guy on your fantasy roster anyway. He tore his ACL a few years back, and although he still likes to play ball, he mostly takes it easy.

OwnerMoises Almanderiz moved from Irving to Kessler Highlands in February, and when the weather was still nice, he andEmmitt would sit on the patio at Oak Cliff restaurants. It’s an easy way to make new friends.

“He gets a lot of attention when I take him anywhere,” Almanderiz says.

Emmitt, 7, also likes to take road trips, accompanying Almanderiz on weekend trips to Austin or San Angelo, home of Almanderiz’s alma mater, Angelo State University. Like most bulldogs, he just wants to be around people. He follows Almanderiz all around the house and sits by his chair.

This isn’t the first time Emmitt has gottenmediaattentionforhisgood looks. He also won the Dallas Morning News ’ “Pet of the Week” contest. And he once was a feature on a TV news station.

“He snores a lot, and he makes funny faces,” Almanderiz says. “With Emmitt, what you see is what you get.”

Story by Rachel Stone

Photos by Can Türkyilmaz and Benjamin Hager

lisa Keith’s menagerie

ring the bell at Lisa Keith’s house in Oak park estates, and the chaos begins.

It’s mostly a lot of arfing and yipping and woof-woofwoofing. but step inside, and prepare to be licked within inches of your life by, most likely, a pomeranian named Diego, or possibly a Chihuahua named t eddy. the pointyeared mutt named piglet likely will sidle up in hopes she can teach you all about the art of rubbing tummies.

“All my dogs since I was 3 years old have been from the pound or rescues,” Keith says.

She sometimes fosters dogs, and though she repeats, “you can’t save them all” like a mantra, she personally saves the ones she can. And she often ropes friends and family into taking in others.

Keith and her boyfriend, Nick Jolly, also have three cats. t here is Lily, the black cat Keith found as a stray kitten at Zang and Clarendon. there is Daisy, the “ghost cat”, who rolls through the house for food every morning but mostly stays out in the shed. And then there is Leo, an orange cat they noticed eating their other cats’ food and soon became part of the family.

Leo is the one with the funniest picture. He’s something of an Internet star because of a snap Keith got of him lounging in a cardboard box.

“He looks like he’s waiting for you to bring him a martini,” Keith says.

pig is the one who came up to Keith’s house about 12 years ago with another stray dog, who later was adopted by a friend. pig now sleeps between Keith and Jolly every night, and she snores. She’s also their camping dog, making friends with people, dogs and, once, a horse, during quarterly camping outings.

Keith found t eddy, the Chihuahua, one night at t radewinds Social Club on Hampton. She tried for weeks to find his owner, and when no one came forward, he became part of the family, too. A few months later, he started having seizures and they found, after a trip to the veterinary neurologist (who knew?), that t eddy the Chihuahua has epilepsy. So now he takes medicine at precisely 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. missing the medication by just 15 minutes could throw him into a seizure. So, no matter what, Keith’s alarm clock goes off at about 6:20 a.m. every day. It’s an unintentional signal to all three dogs that it’s time for a treat. And the chaos begins.

Lily was picked up as a stray kitten at Zang and Clarendon, and Leo kept hanging around until he became part of the family. PHOTOS

COURTESY OF LISA KEITH

“All my dogs since i wAs 3 yeArs old hAve been from the pound or rescues”

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Mabel the baby

No matter how many store-bought toys Michael Christopher puts in front of his Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Mabel, she goes for the sticks.

Mabel’sfavoritetoysaresticksthat Christopher picks up on their walks.

ChristopherintentionallygaveMabel an “old lady name”, but she’s just a baby. He bought her for $50 from someone on Facebook in May, when she was just 8 weeks old. Although the 25-year-old has had adopted dogs and cats his whole life, he says Mabel “ranks up there with the best of them.”

The puppy has a lot of energy, and shegetsinto a lotofpuppytrouble. Christopher’s mom, Robbie, sent us a picture of her bathroom, where Mabel had torn up rolls of toilet paper. But she is extremely lovable and popular.

“My girlfriend is starting to think she’s her dog,” he says. “I’m almost afraid she’s going to steal her.”

Mabel is the first dog Christopher has

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PAINTING WITH A TWIST

ever picked out himself. He had decided he wanted a working dog, and he thought he might get a border collie. But the WinnetkaHeightsresidentthoughtit might be cruelly unfair to make a herding live in the city. So he chose a corgi because of “their short little legs.”

Hisfriendswantedhimtoname hersomethingcute,like“Pickle.”But Christopher was looking ahead. He didn’t want to be calling out something cutesy to a full-grown dog. So he named herMabel after the Chuck Berry song “Maybelline” and an obscure reference from “The Simpsons.”

Although it’s not hard to see why a cute name would be appropriate. “Cute” is her dominating descriptor.

“She’s insanely cute,” Christopher says. “It almost makes you crazy.”

WACKYM’S KITCHEN

Wackym’s Kitchen bakes delicious cookies and treats from original recipes using fresh, natural ingredients like real butter and cane sugar. Visit our website to order or find a retail location. wackymskitchen.com

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

HIS FRIENDS WANTED HIM TO NAME HER SOMETHING CUTE, LIKE “PICKLE”

ACQUAINTED SPECIAL: $49

Dental Exam includes oral exam, oral cancer screening, orthodontic consultation and or implant consultation. Consultation and x-rays value $300

Dr. Marneni

HEALTH RESOURCE R

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

400 S. Zang Blvd. #820 214.943.8824

oakheightsdental.com

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.

The shop dogs

There is a note taped to the front door of Fête-ish, the Bishop Arts District gift store,reading,“Pleaseclosethedoor. Puppies inside.”

Puppies!Puppies?

Well, there could be puppies inside, but almost always, there is at least one dog waiting to be adopted.

ThispastApril,theshopstarted a partnershipwithDFWRescueMe, a nonprofit that rescues animals set to be euthanized. Since then, no fewer than nine dogs have been adopted out of the store. They average about one adoption a week.

oakcliff.advocatemag.com

9.17.11

Gardens for Texas landscape design class see website for more info

700 W. Davis St., Dallas 75208 214.948.4770 www.repotted.co

Fête-ishalsohasraisedmorethan $800 for DFW Rescue Me, just by displaying a collection jar at the register.

“It allows us to have sort of a storefront for our organization,” says Ann Mattson, aRescueMe board member.

Mattsontakesturnsfosteringdogs with Fête-ish owner Chad Vogel, store employeeDavidGierschandVogel’s friendKatheeCrough.Theybringthe pups home with them at night, and when the shop opens at 11 a.m., they bring them back to charm shoppers or sleep near the register.

Crough, who lives in Oak Cliff with five dogs, likes to bring the rescue dogs to her house in the morning so they can play with her pack.

Wycliff Avenue Dallas 75219

Bradley Strong, M.D.

Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology

Dr. Strong is committed to compassionate, quality eye care. He offers medical and surgical care, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease,

“It’slikeCesar(Millan,the“Dog Whisperer” of TV) always says,” Crough says. “The pack heals the broken one.”

Some 1,200 dogs come through Dallas AnimalServiceseveryweek,Mattson says. Unwanted dogs and cats roam the streets of Oak Cliff every day. And yet there is a lack of education, or perhaps an abundance of apathy, about spaying and neutering, Giersch says. He hopes their efforts also can help raise awareness about that.

Having adoptable dogs in the store has been a “joy spot” for them, Giersch says.

“We enjoy having the pups around all day,” he says. “It’s been a lovely, joyful way to give back.”

“WE

HAVING THE PUPS AROUND ALL DAY. IT’S BEEN A

JOYFULWAY TO GIVE BACK”

community

THEOAK CLIFFSOCIETY OF FINE ARTS has announced its officers and directors for 2011-12. Scott Chase is the new chairman of the board. Other officers are DianeSherman, membership; Chris Barker, events; Russ Aikman, treasurer; and Carol Hagler, secretary. New board members are Beverly Palmer, Carolyn Dunnigan, KarenChappell and KirkKirksey Returning members are Kenda North, Paula Murphy, Linda Holt, Susan Amason and Denis Duncan.

THEOAK CLIFF LIONS CLUB hosts a meeting noon-1 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Weiss Building at Methodist Hospital, 1441 N. Beckley, with guest speaker RogerEmrich of ESPN Radio. He’s the new in-stadium announcer for the Dallas Cowboys. The meeting is open to the public, and lunch costs $8.50.

THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION approved the 1.6-mile Oak Cliff Streetcar line, finding it would not adversely affect the environment. The $35 million project is being funded by a $23 million grant from the FTA and $12 million from regional toll revenues. DART, which is managing the streetcar project, is expected to hire a design/build contractor and begin purchasing streetcars. The line could be operational by Dec. 2013.

DALLAS PARK ANDRECREATION will host “It’s My Park” Day 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 10 in a citywide community service effort to beautify Dallas parks. Individuals, homeowners’ associations and other groups can organize beautification projects or recycling events that day. The department can also register your project with the city by Sept. 3. For information, call 214.670.8400.

people

DR. GENE VOSKUHL is the new medical director of AIDS Arms, an Oak Cliff-based clinic that provides medical care to AIDS patients. Voskuhl previously served as the clinical director at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. AIDS Arms’ former medical director, Dr. Keith Rawlings, relocated to San Francisco for another job opportunity.

volunteer

THEDALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT offers training for its Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) program during an all-day class 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Dallas City Hall. The program is designed to reduce crime by training citizens to patrol their own neighborhoods and alert police when they suspect a crime is being committed. Participants must be older than 21, belong to an established crime watch group or HOA, and pass a background check. For more details, visit dallaspolice.net.

HAVE ANITEMTO BEFEATURED?

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.

WHAT

DALLAS READS

200,000+ readers

FROM KRISTI WITH LOVE

How one TV news anchor gave of herself and became the story

STORY BY RACHEL STONE

Kristi Nelson sits at the head of her table while a TV cameraman interviews her friends and family members, seated for a Sunday dinner.

Her mother, Jo Helen Nelson, leans over and says, “I’ve been doing a lot of these interviews. I’m getting pretty used to it.”

As a reporter/anchor for NBC DFW, Kristi Nelson is no stranger to the camera. She faces it every day at work, bringing news to the station’s viewers.But this time is different.

This time, Kristi is not just telling the story; she is the story. Nelson, who was born and raised in Oak Cliff, decided earlier this year to give her mother a kidney. She and her mother went into surgery Aug. 18, the day this magazine went to press.

Jo Helen Nelson, 69, has kidney disease, which was brought on by diabetes. So she spends about 12 hours a week in dialysis just to stay alive. It is difficult to convince her to admit it, because Jo Helen does not like to complain.But life with kidney disease is not fully life, she says.

“Of course, it’s still your life, and you still feel happy,” she says. “But you’re tired and listless, and you don’t feel like going anywhere. I do what I absolutely have to get done, but I’d rather be at home lying down.”

No one asked Kristi to donate a kidney to her mother. And she didn’t volunteer right away. In fact, no one in the family had really talked about her

mother’s illness before.

But Kristi knew that her mother was waiting for a kidney, along with millions of other people, and the wait list is at least five years long. Jo Helen had acquired infections through dialysis, which is not uncommon. And Kristi wanted her mom to have a better quality of life.

When Kristi told her childhood friend, Coretta Thomas, about her decision, she said it like this: “I want my mom to live.”

“What child wouldn’t want to do that?” Thomas says. “But that’s a heavy emotional decision right there.”

That’s why Kristi didn’t rush into the decision.Thomasencouragedherto slow down and make sure she was really feeling OK about it. So she told her mom she would give her a kidney, and she would let her know when she was ready.

And when she finally decided to have the surgery, she decided she had to go public with it, too. Putting herself and her family in front of the news cameras was uncomfortable for Kristi. But she

knew their story could help other families dealing with kidney disease.

“As I learned about kidney disease, I realized how little I really knew about it,” she says. “And most people don’t know a lot about it. But it’s a very prevalent disease.”

African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with kidney disease than people of other races. African Americans constitute 29 percent of all kidney disease diagnoses but only 14 percent of the population, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

“I just know that my story will connect with someone out there,” Kristi says.

Not only is Kristi donating the kidney, she’s also taking four to six weeks off work to help her mother recover. She says she’s looking forward to that stretch of quality time with her mom. Jo Helen has everything in the world to look forward to, from shopping to taking trips.

“Perhaps I can go on a cruise,” she says. “I’ve got plans, girl.”

We offer a 10 week training course. Explore how this short-term training can assist you in developing a long-term career as a welder. No out-of-pocket costs. We have a variety of Financial Aid options. You may qualify to take these courses with no cost to you.

Classes are on-going all year long. For more information call 214-860-5900 or

Jo Helen Nelson, left, received a kidney from her daughter, TV news anchor Kristi Nelson. PHOTO BY CAN TÜRKILMAZ

aC & HeaT

A FAMILY TRADITION FOR 60 YEARS

Quigley Heat & Air 214-526-8533

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Repair, Service, Replacement. Honest & Affordable. JB Maintenance. 214-404-1457 LIC# TACLB 17612E

BLUE RIBBON

Heating & Air Conditioning

214-823-8888

$25 Service Call

LIC.#

CarPenTry & remodeLinG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES

Commercial/Retail/Residential Brooks Architecture. 214-478-7608

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS,LLC

Complete Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths, Additions. Hardie Siding & Replacement Windows. Radiant Barrier, Insulation. Get Your Electric Bill Lowered & Stay Cool.Bonded & Insured. 214-563-5035

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

KEN’S RESIDENTIAL REMODELING 214-886-8927. kenscontracting.com

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

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

CLeaninG serviCes

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

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

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

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

ConCreTe/ masonry/PavinG

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

eLeCTriCaL serviCes

ACCURATE ELECTRIC

All Jobs.TECL# 27297. Steve. Accurateelectrician.com 214-718-9648

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

‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ‘10 CONSUMERS CHOICE AWARDS Making Homes Safer One Call at a

TECL20502

972-665-7355

dallaselectricalexpert.com

Phones Answered 24/7

fenCinG & deCks

fenCinG & deCks

CREATIVE METAL SOLUTIONS LLC

Automatic Gates, Fence, Stairs, Stair/Balcony Railings, Wine Cellar Gates. 214-325-4985

EST. 1991 #1

Handyman serviCes

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

Licensed Insured

WWW.MODERNCRAFTLLC.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

OctObER DEADLINE

SEptEmbER 7

#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

FENCE & IRON CO.

214.692.1991 COWBOY

SPECIALIZING IN Wood Fences &Auto Gates

cowboyfenceandiron.com

"You Know Us"

Locally owned and operated since 1980

www.northlakefence.com

214-349-9132

fLoorinG & CarPeTinG

DALLAS HARDWOODS 214-724-0936

Installation, Repair, Refinish, Wax, Hand Scrape. Residential, Commercial. Sports Floors. 25 Yrs.

STAINED & SCORED CONCRETE FLOORS

New/Remodel. Res/Com. Int/Ext. Refin. 15 Yrs. TheConcreteStudio.com 214-320-2018

WORLEY TILE & FLOORING

Custom Marble Install. 214-779-3842

Willeford

hardwood floors Superior Quality:

GaraGe

GARAGE

GLass, windows & doors

LANDMARK ENERGY SOLUTIONS 214-395-9148. Specializing In Replacement

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

insuLaTion/ radianT barrier

LANDMARK ENERGY SOLUTIONS

214-395-9148. Radiant Barrier, Insulation. Free Quotes

inTerior desiGn

HAND CARVED STONE fireplaces, fine art, architectural stone & restoration. DavisCornell.com 214-693-1795

KELLERJACKSONDESIGN.COM

214-277-1430

Licensed Residential/Commercial Interior Design

KIM ARMSTRONG INTERIOR DESIGN www.interiorsbykim.com

Licensed/CID/ASID 214-500-0600

kiTCHen/baTH/

TiLe/GrouT

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 inaccu rate, 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 r ecommends 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 a ny work or providing an Advertiser with any deposit for work to be completed.

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

214-252-1628

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS

Granite, Marble, Tile, Kitchen/Bath Remodels. CJ-972-276-9943 cjrocksthehouse1@verizon.net

WE REFINISH!

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

www.allsurfacerefinishing.com

Lawns, Gardens & Trees

$25 OFF - ALL ABOUT TREES, INC. Removals, Pruning. Certified Arborist. 972-697-3956

ALL SPRINKLER SYSTEMS REPAIRED Arthur

Español*

REPAIRS, Fixtures, General Plumbing. Senior

214-321-5943

M-36580

LEAFCHASER’S

CLASSES,TuToring& LESSonS

BEADS-JEWELRY-CLASSES

214.824.2777 www.beadsofsplendor.com

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

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

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

boN AppE tit

profESSionAL SErviCES

TRY MEDIATION

pETS

214-826-dogg(3644) • urbandog.com

Buy/SELL/TrAdE

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

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.

ESTATE/gArAgE SALES

ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATION SERVICES

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

STOP RENTING Lease Option To Buy Rent To Own No Money Down No Credit Check. 1-877-395-0321

(LEF t) Andrew h oward , b randon c astillo , Aric Whitington and Jerome Ducellier took part in Bastille on Bishop festivities in Oak Cliff.

(b EL o W) Jason r oberts eats curbside during Oak Cliff’s Bastille Day celebration. pHOTOS By CHRiST y ROBinSOn

Live LoCaL

T HE LOWDOWN ON WHAT ’S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

h appy 30th La Ca LL e Do C e; he LLo Dirt FLower S; GooDbye De C anter

Happy anniversary to La Calle Doce! The beloved Mexican seafood and Tex-Mex restaurant at 12th and Bishop celebrates 30 years on September 15. Dirt Flowers’ owner Chris Eudaley has successfully opened his second location Downtown at Main and Ervay and says things are going well. The Bishop Arts-based floral and event design studio offers a clever take on traditional floral design. Decanter Restaurant and Wine Lounge in the Bishop Arts District has closed. Executive chef Tony Gardizi says the decision to close was a result of many factors. “It was the economy, a decline in business from the first few months, plus staffing issues,” Gardizi says.

• La Calle Doce, 415 W. 12th, 214.941.4304, lacalledoce-dallas.com

• Dirt Flowers, 1517 Main, 214.242.9533, dirtflowers.com

n ew CaFé open S in o ak C LiFF

Cu Ltura L Center

Guillaumes’ Gourmet Café has opened in the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. Chef Saul Williams III says the concept is simple: “We are making food that is great on the palate but simple on the mind,” Williams says. “I’ve cooked Italian food for Macaroni Grill, Creole cuisine in Shreveport and barbecue at the White House for President Obama, but here it’s about making basic, no-cook meals that are appealing to all cultures and tastes.” Offering gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches and fresh fruit parfaits, Williams says he’s constantly innovating. “This menu won’t grow roots,” Williams says.

• Guillaumes’ Gourmet Cafe, 223 W. Jefferson, 214.670.3777, dallasculture.org/ oakcliffculturalcenter

Sa Lva Ge hou Se FaS hion DeSiGner open S retaiL LoC ation

Oak Cliff fashion designer and tailor Tracy Popken has opened a retail location for her vintage-inspired clothing line, Salvage House, near the Bishop Arts District on Melba and Madison. Popken, who grew up in Richardson and studied fashion at the University of North Texas, makes ’40s-inspired dresses that are functional and flattering. “I make

things that I want to throw on every day,” Popken says. “My aim is to make everything timeless.” This talented designer with a penchant for the past also offers tailor services. “Everybody has that one item in their closet that they never wear because something is just off,” Popken says. “My clients bring this in, and we discuss the goal — based on how and where the client is wearing the item — and look at ways to make it more flattering and fix its current imperfections. Once I change one piece of clothing, my clients usually go back and see their closets completely differently.” Popken offers unlimited redos on these services. Her retail store also includes a carefully edited selection of vintage furnishings, art, lighting and more.

Salvage House Boutique, 301 Melba, 469.323.9481, salvagehouseboutique.com

Start Ga LL ery Da LL aS open S on Line S tore

The Oak Cliff-based Start Gallery Dallas has launched an online store at startgallerystore.com. Owner Veronika Tkachuk says the gallery believes “that its online presence will help expand the reach of local art and bring more attention to the North Texas emerging art scene,” Tkachuk says. The online store’s selection focuses on professionals and students who are just breaking into the art scene. Local artists are encouraged to submit their work at startgallerystore.com/submissions. Tkachuk is offering Advocate readers a special deal: Enter coupon code ADVOCATE and receive 10 percent off one entire order per person.

• Start Gallery Dallas, 1004 W. Page, 214.918.0274, startgallerystore.com

Ga LL ery bomb brinGS Lowbrow art to tyL er-Davi S

Another recent addition to the art world, Gallery Bomb, has opened in the Tyler-Davis district. Owner Brandon Sellers says the gallery’s mission is to bring together the pioneers and freshest talent of lowbrow art. “My wife and I realized that this genre was missing in the Dallas area, once we visited galleries in New York, LA and San Francisco,” Sellers says. A painter himself, Sellers immediately went on the hunt for the right neighborhood in which to open a lowbrow gallery. “We grabbed a map of Oak Cliff, ate at Bolsa, talked to some local artists, and

Business buzz:

“This recognition for workplace excellence is a proud accomplishment for our employee family. It reflects our mission to not only serve our patients and their families, but to create and maintain a work environment that serves our family of employees.”

Methodist Health System president and CEO Stephen L. Mansfield on being named among the “Best Places to Work in North Texas” by the Dallas business Journal

decided this would be perfect,” Sellers says. Sellers is currently working with other Tyler-Davis galleries to start a regular “Second Saturday” art walk.

• Gallery Bomb, 407 a tyler, 817.793.6266, gallerybomb.com

Lo C khart Smokehou Se now oFFerinG S au Ce

You may have noticed that Lockhart Smokehouse, the barbecue joint with the slogan “No Forks! No Sauce! No Kidding!”, now has both sauce and forks go figure.

General manager Dani Munley says she can explain: At the customers’ request, the restaurant debuted five sauces on Father’s Day and has been carefully analyzing the response since. Right now — free of charge — Lockhart has a traditional Jack Daniels sauce, a mayonnaise-based sauce, a mustard-based sauce, a honey sauce and a spicy sauce to tingle everyone’s taste buds. Soon, the owners will narrow down the selection to one or two of the most popular sauces and will then have them available for purchase. As for the forks, it’s actually a charitable enterprise. Lockhart Smokehouse is currently offering them in exchange for donations toward a new fire system for The Kessler School. Once the “forks for fire pulls” operation has ceased, Munley suspects they will continue to offer forks as a way to gather donations for other charitable organizations and neighborhood causes. • Lockhart Smokehouse, 400 W. Davis, 214.944.5521, lockhartsmokehouse.com me Ghan riney

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.

in genuine colors & special shapes to match your toilet. TETER’S

THE LICENSE PLATE WAS STOLEN — AND HIS PAST WAS VIOLENT.

Seats

TROUBLESHOOTING

An officer rode behind the suspicious vehicle in the Stevens Park neighborhood and ran his plates. The license plate didn’t match the vehicle, and the officer turned on the red and blue lights and siren.

Not only was the license plate stolen, the driver also had outstanding arrest warrants in Dallas and Mesquite and was driving

The Victim: Various

The Crime: Burglary, theft, outstanding arrest warrants and more

Date: Throughout 2011

Time: All hours

Location: North OakCliff

with a suspended license. Oh yeah, he also had been arrested four times for aggravated assault —not exactly a guy you want hanging out in your neighborhood.

patrol in the neighborhoods covered by NOCCUP (Kessler Park, Winnetka Heights, StevensPark, West Kessler, East Kessler and Kessler Plaza). The plan benefits all residents in the area, but donor members also receive the officers’ cell phone numbers for immediate responses.

“We’re an expanded neighborhood patrol with the Dallas Police Department,” NOCCUP board president Audrey Pinkerton says. “The officers focus just in our area, North Oak Cliff.”

The group’s efforts have been reducing crime in recent years, since the patrols began. Simple traffic violation monitoring and reports of suspicious people have led to arrests and crime reduction.

The cuffs went on his wrists and he was taken away. This real crime is exactly how the North Oak Cliff United Police Patrol (NOCCUP, pronounced “knock up”) is supposed to work, a proactive approach to complement traditional policing to help remove criminals from neighborhoods before they commit more crimes.

In November 2007, North Oak Cliff residents had grown tired of crime in their area, and began looking for some solutions. After residents considered several options, NOCUPP was formed — ready to take a bite out of crime. And that’s just what they’ve done.

The group uses donations from residents to lease police cars from the department and hires off-duty police officers to

“They’re able to zero in on people who aren’t supposed to be there,” Pinkerton says of the officers’ work. “The crime levels have come down in all the neighborhoods served.Their goal is to really remove the criminal from the neighborhood.”

In the full first year alone, auto theft in the area was down 60 percent, she adds.

DallasPolice Lt. Gil Garza of the SouthwestPatrol Division says these types of programs have become a big crime deterrent in many neighborhoods.

“Historically, most of the time when we partner up with groups like this, it has worked pretty well,” he says. “Most of the time when we have an expanded neighborhood patrol, it’s a very successful, consistent program.”

For information, visit northoakcliffpatrol. org. —SEAN CHAFFIN

Tax Tip

NOTE TO PROCRASTINATORS!

cpa

CPA

DON’T PANIC. CALL ME, 6301 Gaston Avenue, Suite 800 214-821-0829

BUSINESS BURGLARIES ALONG JEFFERSON BETWEEN ZANG AND POLK 3

2

ATTEMPTED AUTO THEFTS IN THE 2200 BLOCK OF CARNES IN WHICH THE SUSPECT ENTERED THE VEHICLES BY DAMAGING THE SIDE DOORS

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department crime statistics for July 10-Aug. 10

street smarts

On a recent run to Lone Star Donuts on North Beckley, I encountered a never-before-noticed street sign: Oregon Avenue — a “state” street.

It brought to mind one of the questions I often have as I travel around: What is the rationale of naming city streets? I decided to do a little research and, in the process, came up with some interesting finds.

First, Dallas doesn’t have streets named for all 50 states, but there are quite a few. And these state streets are prevalent here in Oak Cliff.

In the Trinity Heights neighborhood, you’ll find the main clustering of “state” avenues: Iowa, Vermont, Idaho, Michigan, Alabama, Louisiana, Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Illinois and Montana (where my grandmother’s house used to be, now underneath the interstate). There’s even Alaska Avenue!

Plus, eight others are in our area: Tennessee Avenue, running south from the Elmwood area to Kiest Boulevard, was named for the former Tennessee Dairy, which operated on the Elmwood subdivision property before being sold for residential and retail development. Makes sense.

But why is Texas Drive — not to be confused with Texas Street (which is near Baylor hospital) — way over in Westmoreland Heights, all by itself? And then there’s the aforementioned Oregon Avenue plus Colorado Boulevard and Delaware Avenue, all located in north Oak Cliff, separated both from each other and from their sister “state” streets over in Trinity Heights. Wyoming Street is in Western Heights. Kansas Avenue and West Virginia Drive both border I-20, but in two different zip codes.

Who makes these decisions?

Now if you want to go around the world,

Oak Cliff offers that opportunity as well. You can visit Montreal, Melbourne, Genoa, Toronto, Tangiers, Touraine, Bahama(s), Toluca, Monte Carlo, Morocco, Acapulco and Moulin Rouge. Also available are Trinidad, Matagorda, Volga, Sumatra, Sicily, Warsaw, Fiji, Crete, Peru, Lebanon and Scotland. Who knew?

You can also travel America when you locate Sedona, San Jose, Ithaca, Nantucket, Sonora, Pensacola, Orlando, Montclair, Ann Arbor and Bar Harbor, Marfa and Presidio (Texas) and even Nob Hill. Want to tour the Pentagon? Cruise Pentagon (Parkway). Want to visit Graceland? It’s in Oak Cliff, too. You can even go to Hollywood!

Then there are the “president” streets: Madison, Adams, Van Buren, Tyler and Polk.

But where is our first president? Washington Avenue hugs the east side of Baylor hospital and Jackson is downtown. (Monroe is out of place, as well, alone in North Dallas.)

Jefferson Boulevard, presumably named for Thomas Jefferson because it originally intersected with Jackson Street in downtown’s Central Business District, now exists only in Oak Cliff. In 1944 the downtown portion of Jefferson was changed to Record Street.

You can also cross the “Atlantic” on the “Mayflower,” stomp at the “Savoy,” cruise down the “Danube,” or paddle the “Neches” or “Sabine.” Go to the Beverly Hills neighborhood and you can climb “Mt. Washington,” “Mt. Everest,” “Mt. Ararat,” and a number of other mounts. And, in the Cedar Crest area, we have the “bird” streets: Cardinal, Canary, Parrot, Eagle and Skylark.

Returning Lt. Comm. Angus Wynne Jr. named the streets surrounding his development, Wynnewood Village, for World War II U.S. naval leaders, battles and vessels: Woolsey, Mayrant, Bizerte, Manus, Nicholson, Grayson, O’Bannon, etc. And some streets further south, off Polk, were tagged for battle sites such as Anzio, Garapan and Salerno.

Across I-35 and south of Saner, the streets reflect WWII military leaders: Nimitz, Bradley, Krueger, Brodie, Mitscher and Eisenhower. Power players, for sure.

Street-wise, some additions around the Cliff have themes. Kiestwood has a slew of “wood” streets, as does Polk Terrace, while Country Club Fairways (southeast of the former Oak Cliff Country Club) has all the golf-related avenues. Travel to Irwindell and you can cruise all the “dell” streets. And Singing Hills, well, sings!

One of the interesting stories I stumbled onto is the renaming of a portion of East Kiest Boulevard. One of the eastern stretches of what is now Kiest was originally tagged “Ukraine”. However, with the Cold War heating up so intensely, the name “Ukraine” disappeared from the map around 1953.

Another story concerns the new houses being built in the early ’60s on what was formerly the lower end of Kings Highway. The homeowners wanted a name change, to separate themselves (and secure their property value) from the upper end of the thoroughfare where, in those days, a significant difference in pride of ownership, construction material, style of home and occupancy were evident. Thus, Timbergrove Circle was birthed, separated from Kings Highway by not only Mary Cliff Road but by name, as well.

With travel so expensive, why not pull out a map or fire-up your GPS and hit the local streets. Gather the family, grab a six-pack of Dr Pepper, and take off ... around Oak Cliff. You can travel the globe in your car or, for the really rugged, on your bike. Oak Cliff has it all!

As a side note: Along with my grandmother’s house on Montana Avenue, my dad lived for a time on Montclair. Growing up, my family actually lived on both Monte Carlo Street and on Acapulco Drive. And, for a brief time around 1970, my parents had an apartment on Pentagon Parkway.

Hear two-time World Champion and Dallas Cowboys defensive legend Tony Casillas speak at the Men’s Health Tune-Up.

Come boost your health at the Men’s Health Tune-Up, a free event at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. You’ll get your engine checked with a free health screening* for hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, and prostate cancer. Physician-experts will discuss issues common with men such as indigestion, erectile dysfunction, and heart, prostate, and colon health. Plus, Dallas Cowboys defensive legend Tony Casillas will deliver the keynote address. We’ll even fuel you up with a healthy breakfast, hearty conversation, and giveaways, including a chance to win tickets to an upcoming Dallas Cowboys game. Register today for your free tune-up and let’s get you revved up for life!