OAK CLIFF ADVOCATE VOL. 19 NO. 1
6 LaDyrian Cole DINING 12 Rosi’s Salvadoran Fusion Cuisine
8 Tlazo Home 16 Friday night heights 18 La Cantera Conservatory 22 Elmwood turns 100
Tlazo Home on Tyler Street offers home furnishings with an emphasis on Latino, predominantly Mexican, design and artists. Read more on page 9. Photography by Lauren Allen.
Learn more about our 100 + choice schools and programs during a Discover Dallas ISD Virtual session!
All Grades | 10 - 11:30 a.m.
President/Editor-in-Chief: Jehadu Abshiro jabshiro@advocatemag.com
Chief Operating Officer: Alessandra Quintero 786.838.5891 / aquintero@advocatemag.com
Digital Marketing & Analytics: Autumn Grisby agrisby@advocatemag.com
Founder: Rick Wamre
214.560.4212 / rwamre@advocatemag.com
Custom Content: Sally Wamre 214.686.3593 / swamre@advocatemag.com
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS
Frank McClendon 214.560.4215 / fmcclendon@advocatemag.com
Catherine Pate 214.560.4201 / cpate@advocatemag.com
Linda Kenney lkenney@advocatemag.com
Brandon Rodriguez 972-754-3942 / brodriguez@advocatemag.com
Kennedy Cox 214-796-8626 / kcox@advocatemag.com
Classified Manager: Prio Berger 214.292.0493 / pberger@advocatemag.com
EDITORS: Alyssa High ahigh@advocatemag.com
Jillian Nachtigal jnachtigal@advocatemag.com
Aysia Lane alane@advocatemag.com
Austin Wood awood@advocatemag.com
Editorial Assistant: Simon Pruitt spruitt@advocatemag.com
Senior Art Director: Jynnette Neal jneal@advocatemag.com
Creative Director/Photographer: Lauren Allen lallen@advocatemag.com
Contributors: Patti Vinson, Carol Toler, Sam Gillespie, Patricia Gerecci
Contributing photographers: Kathy Tran, Yuvie Styles, Shelby Tauber, Victoria Gomez, Amani Sodiq, Austin Marc Graf, Rae Overman, Haley Hill, Jenni Cholula, Austin Gibbs, Brandon Gonzalez, Tyler Robinson
Advocate (c) 2025 is published monthly in print and daily online by Advocate Media - Dallas Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation based in Dallas and first published in 1991. Contents of this print magazine may not be reproduced. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements and sponsorships printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the Advocate. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject ay editorial, advertising or sponsorship material in print or online. Opinions set forth in Advocate publications are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the Publisher’s viewpoint. More than 180,000 people read Advocate publications in print each month; Advocate online publications receive more than 4 million pageviews monthly. Advertising rates and guidelines are available upon request. Advocate print and online publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one print copy per reader. For information about supporting our non-profit mission of providing local news to neighborhood readers, please call 214-560-4212 or email aquintero@advocatemag.com.
LaDyrian Cole’s non-traditional journey to becoming an attorney
Cole is Dallas born and raised, and attended the Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in radio/TV communications.
“I decided I wanted to be in front of the camera and not really behind the scenes, and that’s what got me into actual reporting,” Cole says. “I started my reporting career in Abilene, Texas. I wasn’t there for very long, because, honestly, it just wasn’t a good environment for me. And so after that, I kind of took a break away from journalism and just wanted to see if there was other things out there that could really pique my interest.”
This led to her stint as a flight attendant.
“I worked some odd jobs for a little bit, but then I landed into being a flight attendant, which was something that I always wanted to do, just because of the travel benefits, the people interaction, learning about different people’s lives and things like that,” Cole says. “I was hired by United Airlines, and I was a flight attendant with them for about a year, but that had to be ended, because I then found out I was pregnant with my daughter.”
She ended up in South Korea since her child’s father, who was active duty military, was stationed there. Cole made the decision to spend a couple years in the country together.
“I’m grateful that my daughter, the beginning years of her life, was spent in such an enriching culture,” Cole says. “They have so many fascinating assets about their culture and I enjoyed every aspect of it, honestly.”
She returned to the States in 2018 and dove back into the journalism world as an investigative reporter in Tyler. When her contract at a Tyler TV station ended in January 2020, she decided to leave but wasn’t exactly sure what was next. Two months later, the pandemic hit, and she decided it was the perfect time for law school, which had been in the back of her mind for quite some time.
Story by JILLIAN NACHTIGAL
As a journalist, she would often find herself in courtrooms covering cases and trials. But she was “tired of being on the sidelines” and “wanted to be more involved to have an impact on the outcomes.”
She chose to attend UNT Dallas College of Law. She earned a Dallas Bar Association Judge Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarship, which paid her tuition for all three years and served as VP of the UNT Dallas College of Law Black Law Students Association.
“It was a lot being a single mom, first generation. I’m the first lawyer in my immediate family,” Cole says. “I didn’t know anything about law before coming into law school, and so it was all kind of new to me. The only thing that I knew about was from what I had learned from lawyers covering criminal stories as a reporter. So it was interesting as far as coming back to being a student.”
She graduated from law school last May, took the bar exam in July and found out she passed in October.
In November, Cole began working at a firm she interned with during law school.
“I’m familiar with some of their expectations, how the firm operates, the culture of the firm, and so I’m really excited,” Cole says. “I really liked interning with them. And so, when they offered me the offer to come in as a first-year associate, it was a no-brainer for me, so I’m excited.”
After going down a variety of paths throughout her life, Cole says she is confident that law will be the path she stays on.
“I think that law will, from now on, be the backdrop of whatever I do,” Cole says. “I’ve always said, since starting law school, I can see myself being a professor at some point at a law school. I loved seeing the professors pour into us. And so I would want to have that experience at some point
Tlazo Home brings joyful, Latino-inspired design to Oak Cliff
Since he was 5 years old, Alejandro González has dreamed of opening a bookstore in the south of France.
That dream has been altered a bit over the years, but one thing came true: González is a store owner.
“The concept came from my trips to Mexico and this childhood dream that I wanted to have a store for some reason,” González says. “I would look at my mom’s fashion magazines and they always talked about France, and I loved to read, so I wanted to have a bookstore. But I think I prefer this.”
Tlazo Home was created by González as a home furnishings store with an emphasis on Latino, predominantly Mexican, design and artists. His objective is to provide one-of-a-kind designs, homeware, furniture and gifts while combining contemporary design with traditional artisan methods of manufacturing.
González’s husband, Aaron Boals, has been by his side throughout the process.
“Practically from the moment Alejandro and I started dating, he told me that he always wanted to open his own home furnishings store,” Boals says. “People talk, but I could tell that this was something different.”
Boals says González has an eye for decor and has worked tirelessly at putting the store together.
“He wasn’t always certain of how he was going to make it happen, but the perseverance was there,” Boals says. “That made it easy to get behind, and that has been expressed to me by all of the helpers we have had along the way. Among all of the beautiful objects, when I go into the shop, I see the people and the effort they put in to make this dream come true. I see how it has inspired them to chase after their dreams.”
It may not be France, but 411 N Tyler Street, just west of the Bishop Arts District, is where González found the perfect spot to live out his childhood dream. The store opened in October, and González says he has received an abundance of support from the community.
“I grew up in Oak Cliff. I’ve been here since I was 4 years old,” González says. “I’ve seen Oak Cliff change from what it was when I was a kid, to what
What an incredible year it has been! Thanks to you, our amazing clients and community, we’ve continued our reign as the top real estate team in Oak Cliff since 2000 . Your trust in us is the foundation of everything we do, and we couldn’t have done it without you. From charming bungalows to mid-century masterpieces, helping you buy and sell your dream homes is what we love most.
As we close the chapter on 2024, we’re gearing up for an even brighter 2025! Expect the same dedication, expertise, and passion that have made us a household name in Kessler Park and beyond.
it is now and it’s a wonderful journey. I think that the neighborhood has always had a lot of soul. It’s always been wonderful, and I’ve always seen that, and it’s nice that other people are finally getting to see it too.”
The name Tlazo comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec/Maya, and translates to “dear” or “precious.”
González has 15 years of experience in the home design industry, from sourcing to design to sales, and his passion has led him to Tlazo Home where he is dedicated to finding the right pieces for neighbors’ homes.
González was born in Mexico, and trips to the country through his design work have allowed him to embrace his culture and find passion for design in a new way.
“I worked for a highend modern showroom named Holly Hunt, and when I worked for them, I would go down to Mexico four times a year,” González says. “And during that time, I was meeting all these wonderful artists and designers and architects, and I was realizing that there are just wonderful pieces here. Once I started learning about my culture and I was going down to Mexico, it was really exciting, and it just kind of made me feel proud of where I came from.”
Tlazo Home also features a hand-picked, ever-changing selection of refurbished vintage furniture, lighting, antiques, fine art, tableware, accessories and
collectibles. The brand brings an international, cosmopolitan flare to the products while retaining a casual elegance that keeps it approachable.
González laid out the plan to represent artists and artisans from Mexico around 2020. He left his job at Holly Hunt, but the pandemic halted his plans. He went back to work, and found his opportunity earlier last year.
“I think this would have been a completely different story if I started back (in 2020),” González says. “Now I work with not only artisans in Mexico, but also in Latin America. I work with pieces with artists that are from the UK, India, a little bit more global. There’s a lot of vintage pieces, antique pieces,
because that’s what I know, and that’s what I love. There’s also a lot of modern and a lot of pieces from my culture.”
In addition to selling top-notch home decor pieces, González says he wants people to come into the store and feel joy.
“I feel like it’s time for us to be joyful. There’s been a lot of doom and gloom, a lot of unhappiness, and I think we’re ready for some joy, right?” González says. “So that’s why the colors are a little bit brighter. I think that the colors work very well with the neighborhood as well, like the houses that people have around here, whether you live in Winnetka or down in Bishop or wherever, I think a lot of the pieces can fit right into their homes.”
goal is to keep
Rosi’s is serving Salvadoran tradition with a modern twist
by sharing foods fused with other culinary styles and flavors of
Rosi’s Salvadoran Fusion Cuisine, a family-owned restaurant in the Dallas area, has a rich history rooted in resilience and tradition.
Rosi’s began with founders Rosalina (Rosi) and Jesus Galdamez searching for a better future for their children. Rosi and Jesus migrated to the United States out of a war-torn El Salvador. Jesus came in 1985, Rosi and their son Jose arrived in 1992, and years later their two daughters Daisy and Gladis.
“A lot of people don’t know a lot of the history of El Salvador,” Jose says. “(My father) came to the U.S. pretty much for refuge, because at that time, it wasn’t voluntary, right? Either you fight for the government or they’ll kill you, or they’ll
kill your family. He then brought me and my mom later, like I didn’t get to see my dad until I was 7 years old.”
The family’s famous pupusas — handmade thick corn tortillas stuffed with varying ingredients such as pork or beans — began to create a buzz in the kitchen of a local church in East Dallas, where Rosi used to make them to raise funds for the church. Everyone soon fell in love with them and suggested they open a pupuseria.
“There was a restaurant that was going out of business from someone from the church, and they told my mom, Hey, we want you to buy it,’” Jose says. “Because every time you do events here with the pupusas, it sells out.”
Story by JILLIAN NACHTIGAL
In 2005, Jesus and Rosi opened the first Rosi’s Pupuseria in Garland. Eight years later, after much success and demand, they opened a second location in Mesquite.
Rosi’s rebranded the Mesquite location in February 2020 to Rosi’s Salvadoran Fusion Cuisine after Jose saw the need to keep the culture alive in the United States. He graduated with honors from the best private culinary art school in San Salvador “SCARTS” under the direction of French Master Chef Herve Laurent.
In 2023, the family opened the newest Rosi’s location in Oak Cliff, off of Jefferson and Madison Avenue, owned by Jose.
“Most of the traditional dishes are my mom’s recipes, and me going to culinary art school, I just mix it up a little bit more and make it look a little bit more elegant on the plate,” Jose says. “The actual pupusa recipes and all the traditional things, the soups and all that, it’s my mom’s recipe.
On top of his mother’s traditional recipes, Jose has added some new dishes “with a twist.”
“There are things that I put on there, but it’s basically Salvador and filled with little twists,” Jose says. “That’s why it’s a little bit of fusion. And it’s not fusion between one country and another, it’s just El Salvador.”
In addition to the pupusas, the menu features dishes such as carne asada, parrillada and tacos.
Jose says the Oak Cliff community has been receptive to the food, and there are plenty of customers that return for their pupusa fix.
“A lot of people don’t know that we’re here, but the people that do come, they enjoy it, and they love it, and they want to come back,” Jose says. “That’s what we’re hoping, that we can stay here long enough for lots of people to enjoy the food.”
Rosi’s Salvadoran Fusion Cuisine , 1313 W Jefferson Blvd., 214.200.3070, rosisrestaurants.com
Story by SIMON PRUITT
Photography by LAUREN ALLEN
There’s spectacle, and then there’s high school football in Texas. Sophomore Ki’Zydreeck Faggett knows this better than anyone.
When the Friday night lights shine at South Oak Cliff High School, he does double duty as a member of the Golden Bears’ band and cheerleading team. The 15-year-old has been a member of his school’s band or choir since he was in elementary, now playing drums. He plans to pursue a career as a band director after graduation. This year, he decided to try out for his high school’s cheerleading squad and made the team.
South Oak Cliff cheer coach Getquiea Jones saw Faggett’s dual interests as an opportunity. She’d recently seen a stunt on TikTok combining the two teams, with a drummer hoisted into the air by a group of cheerleaders and spun while playing. Faggett was in for the idea.
Held up by six cheerleaders, they gave it a try in practice.
“It was kind of shocking,” he says. “I didn’t think we would be able to do it that fast.”
The stunt debuted at South Oak Cliff’s homecoming football game to a raucous reaction from the crowd. Faggett says he’s used to the eyeballs.
“I know I get a lot of attention just because I’m a boy,” he says. “I’m used to that.”
But this time was more than ever. He says he’s approached in the hallways and classrooms from fellow students who saw his stunt. The danger of it isn’t lost to him.
“I’m up in the air with a little weighted drum,” he says. “The people below me, plus my weight and the drum. I was a little scared.”
But he continues to do it. Pep rallies, football games, the move is waiting to be deployed.
“I get anxiety, but I get over it,” he says. “Most of the time.”
Story by SIMON PRUITT | Photography by LAUREN ALLEN
Sometime between the 5th and 11th centuries, a cascading migration of Indian artists and artisans made their way to Western Europe. The resulting mixture of two distinct cultures created an ethnic group known informally as the Romani People. They meshed each other’s traditional garb, food and art, creating byproducts that are still seen today. Among the most significant contributions was a new song and dance routine called Flamenco, which is a version of traditional Spanish choreography set to uniquely Eastern rhythms.
In Flamenco, a solo dancer or group of dancers don vibrant dresses and thick boots with nails fastened to the bottom. They’re accompanied by an acoustic guitar player, at least, but oftentimes a full band. The nails on their shoes create a sharp clicking sound, which the musicians follow.
Flamenco remains popular in select regions of Spain, but its American crossover appeal is lacking, at least according to Julia Alcántara, executive director of Dallas-based troupe, Flamenco Fever.
Alcántra has been performing Flamenco for 25 years. In 2015, she made the transition to teaching and spearheaded a series of annual Flamenco festivals in Dallas. The Fever traveled across Texas and the country for performances, with over 70 in 2024 between dance halls, opera houses, the back corners of restaurants or even out on the street.
The group can seem prolific, but it doesn’t feel
that way to Alcántra. To her, Flamenco is being stifled. It already faces an uphill battle towards mainstream popularity given its niche, especially one that tends to lean towards an upper middle class demographic due to increasing prices for lessons and proper materials. It’s also becoming harder for them to find places to rehearse, with some places not offering dance studios and others forcing Flamenco out altogether due to the nails scratching up their floors.
“Most of the cultural centers in Dallas don’t have a dance space,” Alcántra says. “The Latino Cultural Center should have a dance studio. We had one at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center but they redid the floor and said no more dance classes. What is this place for if we can’t do our art from here in Oak Cliff?”
Nevermind the tradition, Alcántra wants to make the historical values of the medium contemporary.
“It glorifies the Hispanic heritage of Oak Cliff,” she says. “It gives them something to be proud of in the face of all this gentrification, and I think it’s important that we preserve that.”
Since its inception, the Flamenco Fever has been a nomadic enterprise. Earlier this year, an opportunity arose to change that. After a chance meeting with a developer, Alcántra was made aware of a 4,600 square foot space in a shopping center on Westmoreland Road, right in the heart of Oak Cliff. She jumped at it.
La Cantera Arts Conservatory was born in October, complete with its own brand new dance floor for lessons and performances. In addition,
Flamenco is rooted in the folkloric traditions of southern Spain, particularly in the Andalusia region, and is considered the most renowned form of artistic expression in Spain.
Alcántra has made the space available for private parties developing a scene for Flamenco in Oak Cliff.
“We are wanting to take a breather,” she says. “We’re hoping this place will be a nice home for us.”
La Cantera received a $14,000 grant from the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture. They’re planning to use this funding to offer more affordable beginner classes and launch a programming calendar this spring. Currently, beginner classes are offered four times a week, for $100 a month. Alcántra says she’d like to implement a limited time $5 class program.
As for the trepidation from people who would want to try but might not be familiar with Flamenco, Alcántra doesn’t mince words.
“Did you know how to swim? Did you know how to drive?” she asks. “You had to go and learn how to do it. Dance is the same. And it’s fun when you’re around other people and everybody is doing it together.”
To Alcántra, that’s what it’s all about. The shared connection that can only be found at the intersection of music and movement.
“The isolation of the digital age is just killing people, emotionally, mentally, spiritually,” she says. “We want people to come and do something other than sit on the couch and watch other people do stuff on TV. Turn off Dancing With The Stars, get over here and get on the dance floor.”
AC & HEAT
LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES
THE HEATING & AC EXPERTS
Installations & Repairs
Emergency Services
24/7 On-Call
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
ALEXANDER HOME REPAIR. AC/HEAT Repair & Install. LIC#28052 469-226-9642 TA CLA67136C 214-710-2515 dallasheatingac.com
ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!
JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE
TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898
!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Top Dollar Paid.1-866 -433-8277
CABINETRY & FURNITURE
JD’S TREE SERVICE Mantels, Headboards, Kitchen Islands, Dining tables. Made from Local Trees. www.jdtreeservice.com 214-946-7138
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
CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky Windows computer. Hardware/Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $100/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 972-639-6413 / stykidan@sbcglobal.net
CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING
ADVANCE STONE ART CREATIONS
Decorative Concrete Overlays. 214-705-5954
BRICK, BLOCK, Stone, Concrete, Stucco. Gonzalez Masonry. 214-395-1319
BRICK, STONEWORK, FLAGSTONE PATIOS Mortar Repair. Straighten Brick Mailboxes & Columns. Call Cirilo 214-298-7174
CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable. Chris 214-770-5001
JOHNSON PAVING Concrete, Asphalt, Driveways. New or Repair. 214-827-1530
Concrete • Driveways Retaining Walls Stamped Concrete
ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC
Master Electrician. Anthonyselectricofdallas.com
TECL24948 50 Yrs. Electrical Exp. Insd. 214-328-1333
TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658
BENJAMINS PAINTING Hiring:18-26Yr.olds, Top Pay- Will Train. In Advocate since 2007. 214-725-6768
EXPERIENCED NANNY 2 months-6 Years Great References.15 Years Experience warconie@gmail.com. 469-987-2172
WANTED: BOOKEEPER
Experienced in Quick books for general construction and home flipping. Send resume or call Ricky:(512) 554-6084 R.Moises.Garza@gmail.com
G&G DEMOLITION Tear downs, Haul. Interior/Exterior. 214-808-8925
4 QUALITY FENCING • 214-507-9322
Specializing in Wood. YourWoodmaster.com
AMBASSADOR FENCE CO. Automatic Gates, Fences/Decks, Pergolas, Patio Covers, Arbors. AmbassadorFenceCo.com 214-621-3217
FENCING, ARBORS, DECKS oldgatefence.co 214-766-6422
HANNAH WOODWORKS
• Decks • Pergolas • Patio Covers Hannahwoodworks.com 469-427-0058 or 214-435-9574
FOR SALE 6 pc Queen bedroom set (solid wood). Separately or together. Good Condition. $1200 for set. 956-645-1747
GARAGE SERVICES
UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES Res/Com. Locally Owned. 214-251-5428
GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS
ROCK GLASS CO Replace, Repair. Single,Double Panes. Showers, Mirrors. 214-837-7829
HANDYMAN SERVICES
DANHANDY.NET Repairs Done Right For A Fair Price. References 214-991-5692
HANDY DAN The Handyman. ToDo’s Done Right. handy-dan.com 214-252-1628
HANDYMAN SPECIALIST Residential/ Commercial. Large, small jobs, repair list, renovations. Refs. 214-489-0635
HANDYMAN WANTS your Painting,Repairs, To Do Lists. Bob. 214-288-4232. Free Est. 25+yrs exp.
HOME REPAIR Small/Big Jobs. Int/Ext. Sheetrock, Windows, Kitchen, Bathroom 33 yrs exp. 214-875-1127
HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606
ONE CALL WEEKEND SERVICES
Contractor & Handyman. Remodels, Renovations . Paint, Plumbing, Drywall, Electrical.469-658-9163
Let Us Tackle Your To-Do List!
And More!
BENJAMINS PAINTING - Professional work @reasonable price. In Advocate since 2007 214-725-6768
TOP COAT 30 Yrs. Exp. Reliable. Quality Repair/Remodel. Phil @ 214-770-2863
RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513
TEXAS BEST PAINTING LLC Resd,Interiors 30Yrs. 214-527-4168
FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. dallastileman.com 214-343-4645
TK REMODELING 972-533-2872
Complete Full Service Repairs, Remodeling, Restoration. Name It — We do it. Tommy. Insured. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com
MONSTER TREE SERVICE DALLAS Certified Arborists, Fully Insured 469.983.1060 Locally harvested wood! JD’s Tree Service
A CHARMING HOME Decluttering + Organizing + Styling acharminghome.co 214-794-6382
RESPONSIBLE TREE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Firewood/Cooking Wood Full service trimming & planting of native trees. 214.946.7138
NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC. Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc. Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident 30+ Yrs.exp. 214-827-0090
& Pets in
Commercial · Organic
• Abetterearth.crw@gmail.com abetterearth.com PLUMBING AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943 ANCHOR PLUMBING Your trusted Oak Cliff plumber for 30+ years. 214-946-1638.
CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996
ESTATE HOME NEEDS TO BE SOLD? Facing forclosure? IG Heron Homes Call Ricardo Garza @ 469-426-7839 NEAR WRLAKE 2/1 DUPLEX. Hdwds, Appl.
A2H GENERAL CONTRACTING,LLC
Remodeling, Painting, Drywall/Texture, Plumbing, Electrical,Siding, Bathroom/Kitchen Remodels, Tilling, Flooring, Fencing. 469-658-9163. Free Estimates.
A2HGeneralContractingLLC@gmail.com
FENN CONSTRUCTION Kitchens And Baths. Call Us For Your Remodeling Needs. 214-343-4645. dallastileman.com
RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247
S&L CONSTRUCTION All Home Services & Repairs. 214-918-8427
Kitchens, Bathrooms, Windows, Doors, Siding, Decks, Fences, Retaining Walls, New Construction New Construction & Remodels FiferCustomHomes.com• 214-727-7075
KITCHEN • BATHS Complete Remodeling and Restoration Design • Build • Detailed Professionals TKREMODELINGTX.COM 972 533-2872
Family owned and operated for over 40 years • Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates www.bertroofing.com 214.321.9341
AGING ROOF? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing Available.1-888-878-9091.
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725
BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation,production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads
DENTAL INSURANCE-Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance -not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258
DIRECTV STREAM - Carries the most local MLB Games! ChoicePackage $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once.HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.)No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405
DONATE YOUR CARS TO VETERANS TODAY. Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800 -245-0398
ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-402-0373
GENERAC Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt. Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-844-334 -8353
GET DISH SATELLITE TV +INTERNET Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-479-1516
HUGHESNET Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live.25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499 -0141
INFLATION is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up.CreditCards. Medical Bills. Car Loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief to find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote.1-877-592-3616
PROFESSIONAL LAWN SERVICE: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833-606-6777
REPLACE your roof with the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install. (military, health &1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234
SAFE STEP North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services WATER DAMAGE
cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809
GARTH ORR - TUTOR Math & Physics grade 8-12. Private Tutoring that works! garthorr.com
We worked with Bart during one of the hottest housing markets in recent history. Bart stuck with us through several offer cycles, and each new house he found was better than the last. His background in architecture and construction is a huge plus. He always has a flashlight in the car and is ready to crawl down below a house. You won’t be disappointed with his skills and work ethic. Thanks Bart for everything! -Maggie M.
BART THRASHER Realtor® bartthrasher@dpmre.com 469.583.4819
Story by JILLIAN NACHTIGAL
ON SUNDAY DEC. 8, OAK CLIFF RESIDENTS GATHERED IN ELMWOOD FOR A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Elmwood Secretary Carson Henderson compiled information about Elmwood and its 100-year history. Here’s the rundown.
Established in 1924, Elmwood is situated in the heart of Oak Cliff. Originally the location of the Tennessee Dairy Farm, the neighborhood is now 1500 homes, a soonto-be renovated downtown district with local services, an elementary school, churches, restaurants, and coffee shops. Elmwood is also home to a 16-acre greenbelt dedicated as
a City of Dallas linear park in 1945. Elmwood began as the Tennessee Dairy Farm founded by Lindsley Waters in 1907. With just 20 cows and covering 640 acres, the dairy was a corporate operation and a modern facility that was the first in Dallas to deliver pasteurized milk in glass bottles, even winning “most sanitary dairy farm” at the 1908 State Fair of Texas.
Remnants of the farm exist to this day, including a house on Brunner Avenue reputed to be the dairy foreman’s quarters and portions of an old stone wall that divided the farm, which are visible along the 1700 block of S. Edgefield Avenue, near Elmwood
Boulevard. After a fire destroyed the farm in 1919, Mr. Waters moved production to Deep Ellum, desiring a near-downtown location in order to expedite deliveries.
In 1924, real estate developer Frank G. Jester purchased the land from Southwest National Bank and platted the Elmwood Addition, selling quality homes in a “park-like” and “restful” setting just outside the southern boundary of Oak Cliff at the time. Construction slowed during the Great Depression but boomed in the postwar years, continuing until the 1950s.
The late 1950s and early 1960s were a time of great prosperity for most of Oak Cliff, with many busi -
nesses catering to the new Baby Boomer generation. One such business, Austin’s Bar-B-Cue on the corner of Hampton Road and Illinois Avenue, reigned as the destination of choice for thousands of diners with its sliced beef sandwiches, fries, coleslaw, beans, ribs, steaks and “to-diefor” burgers.
Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit (killed in the JFK assassination) moonlighted at Austin’s, working security on weekends. Austin’s closed in July 2000 when it was replaced by an Eckerd pharmacy, which is now the CVS.
For a while, Elmwood’s claim to fame was its cameo in Tom Cruise’s 1989 film, “ Born on the Fourth of July .”
Margaret B. Henderson was used for activist and Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic’s high school, while Edgefield Avenue was transformed for two parade sequences set in Massapequa, New York. Tom Cruise later paid for a half-page advertisement in the Oak Cliff Tribune to thank Oak Cliff for its hospitality.
Today, Elmwood is the center of Oak Cliff and its biggest neighborhood with Tudor Homes and Cottages surrounding our Downtown Elmwood, with walking trails along the creek and greenbelt.
Part of Elmwood’s charm has always been its own downtown area with a small business district at the intersection of Edgefield Avenue and Ferndale
Downtown Elmwood has been dotted with local businesses since its inception 100 years ago, including a Texaco, Boyer’s Ice Cream, 7 Eleven, and a fishing and tackle shop. Photo courtesy of Susan Lee and the Elmwood Neighborhood Asscociation.
Avenue. This area features Henderson Elementary School, a collection of unique small commercial buildings, professional offices, restaurants, coffee shops, a Masonic Hall, and several places of worship.
In the last couple of years, there has been the buzzing of new business in the neighborhood. First Olmo Market opened. Then Peaberry Coffee, which is now B-Side Coffee, Oak Cliff Pilates and Herby’s Burgers. Slow and Steady Coffee stands as a welcome marker into Elmwood.
With the City of Dallas passing the historic bond in 2024, Elmwood should continue to prosper in the coming years.
