2024 November Oak Cliff Advocate

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EMPOWERING FUTURES

How the

Concilio

is transforming Latino lives in North Texas

Florencia Velasco Fortner’s calling began at just 7 years old when she found herself in an unexpected role: translating for her older brother in a court hearing.

“I was the only bilingual person in the family,” she says. “I’ve always been short, and so I was 7, but I looked like I was 4. At the end of that, the judge walked around and got down to my level and basically told me something to the effect of, I was really smart and brave and that I could go to college.”

This was the first time that her parents and family were able to think about the possibility of college, and that was the beginning of the pathway of Fortner being the only one in her family to get a college education.

She landed in Dallas for what was supposed to be a year, but after finding a role at the Concilio, she hasn’t looked back. Fortner will be celebrating 20 years with the organization in May.

At the Concilio, Latino families find hope, education and the tools they need to thrive.

At the heart of this mission is Fortner, the president and CEO, whose own journey from the struggles of childhood poverty led to a successful career in community organizing and helping others.

“I grew up in poverty. I was born in Mexico, and it’s different than what we have here in the States,” Fortner says. “I think that’s one of the reasons why my parents came to this country to be able to give me a better life.”

Despite the hardships her family faced, Fortner

Florencia Velasco Fortner is the President and CEO of the Concilio, and she has been with the organization for nearly 20 years.

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looks back on her childhood fondly and recalls her experiences leading her to desire to help others who were in the same situation.

“I’ve heard people say before, ‘I didn’t even know I was poor,’” Fortner says. “I did know I was poor, because I do remember not having enough food to eat, but I wouldn’t change anything because of what I learned and what I gained from those experiences.”

Growing up with older brothers and parents who would do anything to help others, Fortner’s family shaped who she is today.

“My parents were very generous and giving, and they sort of lived Christianity in front of me and what it really meant to love others and help others,” Fortner says. “They took the shirt off their back for somebody that needed it, even though we needed it. If we had a pot of beans and somebody came to visit us, they would add more water to the beans so that there was enough to pass around.”

The main purpose of the Concilio is to offer gold-standard programs that can improve socioeconomic status. This is accomplished through programs in health, education, financial literacy and economic mobility, and they have direct services for parents. The clients — which they call families — are mainly hard-working, low-income families that despite their efforts, and sometimes having two or three jobs, are still at the poverty level or below.

The nonpro fi t organization has served the North Texas area for more than 40 years. They have served 250,000 individuals, and 20,000 parents have graduated from their parent engagement program since 2002, thereby impacting the education of over 24,000 students.

“Our goal is to really provide a warm and welcoming environment for those families, because many of them are in very vulnerable situations,“ Fortner says. “A lot of times they come to this country and they don’t even have an education from their own country of origin, and so they sometimes feel out of place.”

When Fortner first joined the Concilio, they were able to offer services to a couple hundred families a year. Now, they are serving about 20,000 families annually. Last year, they served 30,000.

“I think that early on in the Concilio’s history, we were this little engine that could,” Fortner says. “I’m really proud of the growth, because it’s not just about the numbers, but it’s also about the quality.”

Since COVID, the Concilio began investing in an area they call the Latino Strategy Institute, which aims to change the systems that are preventing Latinos from succeeding in the areas of health, education and wealth.

“Right now, the Concilio is tackling these disparities, both by direct services and by addressing the systemic issues,” Fortner says.

Last summer, the Concilio was named the UnidosUS Affiliate of the Year. The honor places the Concilio among the top of over 300 community-based affiliate organizations nationwide that partner with UnidosUS.

Additionally, the Concilio recently held its Power of Latinos Summit, which brought together thought leaders, innovators, and influencers to drive systemic change and elevate the Latino narrative in North Texas.

Among the many success stories, one resonates deeply with Fortner. A mother who joined Concilio’s programs when her son dropped out of high school ultimately convinced him to return to school.

“(Her son) decided to drop out as a freshman because he was working in construction with his dad, and they all kind of thought like, we’ll make more money,” Fortner says. “They were struggling, and she took our class, and she was able to convince her family, no, you’re going back to school. And he graduated. He actually made it to college, and he was going to become an architect.”

For Fortner, seeing these success stories firsthand is what keeps her motivated to show up for families in need every day.

“I remember thinking how proud I was of the work that we do,” she says. “It kind of fueled me for another 10 years.”

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SIDEWALK SERENADES

The Cockrell Hill trombone player

Joshua Reese has spent more than a decade mastering the trombone, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he found his true stage: a street in Cockrell Hill.

What began as the simple act of sharing his music with a few passersby transformed his life, catapulting him from obscurity to millions watching his performances on social media. With a bucket for tips and his trombone in hand, Reese brings a bit of joy to those who drive by.

“I’m very over-dedicated to my music,” Reese says. “I’ve been a trombone player for maybe 12, 13 years. There was always something about music.”

Life hasn’t always been easy for Reese, who says he struggled with ADHD growing up and had trouble in school. But music was something that always came easy to him.

“In elementary school, they would give us four instruments that actually made noise, and I guess back then in my school they had a thing going where they would give us toys — they wanted to see what kids could potentially play,” Reese says.

“And when I picked up this toy trombone it was like, ‘Yeah, he can actually play that.’ It came naturally. I’m autistic, so like patterns, I have to keep doing it until it sticks.”

In 2020, Reese took to a street in Cockrell Hill to share his talent.

“Everything was shutting down because of the pandemic, and we had our first little snowstorm,” Reese says. “I went to school in Oak Cliff, and I knew after I graduated that I wanted to continue to pursue the instrument, so that’s what I did.”

“I do it for tips, but also, I don’t really do it for the tips. I take tips, that’s why I have the bucket, but overall, it’s really just getting to play for people. I love to share my music. People love it.”

Videos of Reese performing on the street have blown up on social media and given him a following.

“I blew up on Instagram and TikTok,” Reese says. “On TikTok, I think it was six million (views), and Instagram was even more.”

Photography by LAUREN ALLEN

Reese remembers the day it all started, July 25, and things have only progressed since then.

“A wise man told me, if you learn this song, I guarantee if you go out and play it, you’re gonna blow up,” Reese says. “It was a Peso Pluma song, and I learned it, came out and played it, and the next thing you know, my phone was just blowing up, and I was like, what’s going on? I went from 600 followers to 16,600.”

Learning new music comes easily to Reese, who is able to play basically anything by ear. If you pass by him while he’s playing, near the Starbucks on N Cockrell Hill Road, you’re likely to hear any and all types of tunes.

“I try to play something that everyone likes,” Reese says. “I try to mix it up, because there’s a lot of different cultures here with different music. I’m deeply into music, so there’s a lot of music I can learn.”

Reese played all through the brutal Texas summer heat, but his love for music always kept him going even on the 100-plus degree days.

“I’m very dedicated to my instrument, and I think a lot of people actually think I played too much, because that’s all they see me doing,” Reese says. “They’re like, ‘You don’t go out to the movies or something?’”

After playing for so many years, Reese has built up his endurance to the point where he can be out on the street playing all day. He says he often starts around 10 a.m. and can go into the evening hours.

Of course, street playing can attract all kinds of people. While Reese has had his fair share of negative interactions, the response to his music has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I mean, people can be racist,” Reese says. “People can be mean about it, but it doesn’t bother me, because my instrument, it keeps me in another place. It puts me in my own world.”

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Swirled

sugarcrush

Willy Wonka-inspired Swirled Peace makes a home in Bishop Arts

Psychedelic purples and pinks. It’s Willy Wonka and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -inspired. But make it soft-serve, dairy-free and 100% vegan.

Bishop Arts District’s soft-serve spot Swirled Peace is an ode to Sara Saginaw’s childhood.

“I used to watch Willy Wonka as a kid, and I loved the idea of this chocolate wonderland,” she says.

Saginaw and her grandfather would eat dessert out of coffee mugs. That’s why there’s mugs in the shop.

“I love that memory with my grandfather,” she says. “Eating dessert is something everybody likes to do. It’s a family thing, and I wanted to bring that to other people to have that experience.”

In her day job, she works as a full-time Telehealth family medicine physician, so she works at the dessert shop on weekends and evenings. She lives in the district, so it’s a fairly easy commute.

“This is a passion project for me,” Saginaw says.

During the pandemic, she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder.

“I couldn’t walk. I didn’t think I was going to live. That’s what started my plant-based journey. That was the only thing I could eat,” Saginaw says. “Since being vegan, I’m so much better than I was. I feel like I got a new life, because I really thought I was going to die. I wanted to do the things that I hadn’t done, because I didn’t know how much time I had left. I feel more energetic. I’m an ethical vegan and I would never go back.”

She says that the two worlds of being a doctor and a business owner correlate in terms of improving the health and overall well-being of a person.

“I like to help people and make people happy,” Saginaw says. “And so as a physician, I’m trying to help cure their bodies, their minds, help with whatever heals them, and here at Swirled Peace, I’m also helping people feel happy and included, in a compassionate environment where everyone is welcome and whatever dietary or ethical restrictions people have.”

Since she changed her diet for health reasons, she wanted to find a way to make plant-based desserts more readily available for more sweet tooths.

“I didn’t have a place in the community to go have vegan dessert or hang out with my friends late at night, so I saw a gap in the market, and that is something I wanted to provide to Bishop Arts,” she says.

Most of the time, many customers don’t even realize that they’re eating oat milk-based soft serve.

“When people see a vegan-labeled restaurant, a lot of times they have hesitations about it,” Saginaw says. “I think having a place where more people will just walk in and try it, as opposed to having those hesitations, like ‘Oh, it’s not dairy, I don’t want it.’ They just try it and they don’t even know it’s vegan.”

Flavors like Supersonic Strawberry Balsamic and Pecan Praline are rotated every 10-14 days. The plan is to eventually add seasonal flavors. For the 21+ crowd, THC-infused Delta-8 milkshakes and Delta-9 drinks are available.

The toppings are all plant-based as well, and they include a wide assortment of classic toppings including pecans, Biscoff cookies pieces, marshmallows and caramel. Neitly Vegan Sweets, a bakery based in Cedar Hills, sells pastries in the shop.

“Even as an adult, we get to play out fantasies of whatever dessert we want to make, and I think that is fun,” Saginaw says. “We all have a kid inside, and if you feel happy and childlike, you’re going to stay young.”

Swirled Peace, 309 W Eighth Street, 972.863.8447, swirledpeace.com

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LAURA SALVIE SANDRA BUSSEY GED DIPPREY

survivors the

of

This zip code held 85% of domestic and familial violence cases involving women of color

I n October 2022, the Genesis Women’s Shelter gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for the Rally Against Domestic Violence. Jan Langbein, the CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter, was in attendance and stated that amongst the Dallas area, the Oak Cliff zip code of 75216, in her belief, was one of the most dangerous zip codes for women in the city of Dallas.

Two

years later, this unfortunately remains true.

Langbein states that the zip code 75216, as of 2023, held 85% of domestic and familial violence cases involving women of color. According to information obtained through an open records request, there were 413 instances of domestic violence committed against Black people in the Oak Cliff area from January to June of 2024. This violence, Langbein says, has a detrimental impact on individuals and the community as a whole.

“Domestic abuse can wreak havoc on a woman’s emotional, mental, spiritual and physical well-being and often can feel like there is no help or hope, so it is necessary that there are organizations like Genesis close by to meet her where she’s at in her journey,” Langbein says.

When that help and hope is lacking, Black women can end up being further subjugated. According to the Domestic Violence Hotline, Black women are more likely to be criminalized while trying to survive the abuse they endure. Black women are 80% more likely to be convicted for killing their partners while attempting to defend themselves.

Cassandra Wesley, a community outreach manager at Genesis, domestic violence survivor and advocate herself, feels that a component of this disproportionate effect of domestic violence that Black women experience is the idea that they are “stronger.”

“If you go all the way back to slavery days, it was the Black Woman,” Wesley says. “The Black Woman was strong, so she was able to put up with more. And so I think that mentality has come all the way over to 2024. It’s like, okay, so she is strong. Why is she going through that, or why doesn’t she reach out to someone? Because she’s been told all this while that she could handle it.”

Local shelters and outreach resources like the Genesis Women’s Shelter do what they can to provide support for these women and children in need, such as emergency

shelter, therapy and legal services via their onsite attorneys and additional support from the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, along with offering awareness to South Oak Cliff community members around domestic violence.

“We believe spreading awareness, the warning signs, types of abuse, and how to help a friend is critical to not only getting women and children in South Oak Cliff the support they deserve, but shifting the conversation around domestic violence,” Langbein says.

Along with events like the Rally Against Domestic Violence, Genesis also hosts events such as their upcoming Four Part Luncheon series, which provides attendees with an understanding of domestic violence and the role that community can play via their response to domestic violence.

A number of factors can contribute to someone remaining trapped in an abusive relationship, whether that’s safety concerns for themselves, their children or a fear of what can happen when law enforcement gets involved. Financial abuse, according to Langbein, can play a significant role in one’s ability to find resources. This additional factor affects a victim’s ability to leave.

“There can be an array of factors that keep a woman from leaving an abusive home like safety concerns, children or the concerns of getting law enforcement involved, but we have seen that financial abuse can play a large role in her ability to find resources,” Langbein says via email.

Former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings hosted the first Rally Against Domestic Violence on March 24th, 2013. The event had a reported turnout of 5,000 residents along with former Cowboys Quarterback Roger Staubach and running back Emmitt Smith, shining a spotlight on Dallas’ domestic violence epidemic as it grew. The city’s work to reign in domestic violence continued with the introduction of a new plan for their Domestic Violence

“We need to stop asking ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’ and start asking ‘Why does he do it?’”

Unit, implemented by former Chief of Police Eddie Garcia. This new plan included a tier system to address both victims and perpetrators of violence.

According to Langbein, while the South Oak Cliff community as a whole has benefited (violent crime numbers being down) from the introduction of the Violent Crime Reduction Plan, she states that, from her understanding, it has not had a huge impact on domestic violence numbers. They saw 3,700 children and women housed in their emergency housing, Genesis’ site states.

“We know that abuse will not stop until abusers stop abusing. We need to stop asking ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’ and start asking ‘Why does he do it?’ We must all continue to raise awareness about these crimes and hold accountable those that perpetuate them.”

DPD’s violent crime reduction plan seeks to do this, working with the District Attorney’s Office and shelters in the Oak Cliff area along with Genesis Women’s Shelter. For high-risk victims, (if they agree to it) DPD will enroll them in DPD’s High Risk program, which provides legal assistance, counseling and shelter. (The victims) will also be able to work with the District Attorney’s Office to help prosecute the perpetrator.

On her end, Wesley works as a faith community outreach manager, frequently going into churches to directly address the issue of spiritual abuse. The intention, Wesley states, is to help redirect leaders in the church from trying to counsel the victim and abuser. Instead, she suggests outreach to professionals in abuse.

“I go into the churches, I talk to the church’s (members,) if they allow me, about spiritual abuse and what services are provided,” Wesley says. “Because it’s okay for your pastor to pray for you and all of that, but he needs to know the resources to give, and he needs to understand that no, he cannot counsel you and (the abuser). That’s not going to work, and he really shouldn’t be counseling her. These are [the] resources. Let me send you to the professionals.”

Dallas’ domestic violence numbers have, on paper, experienced a change. Prior to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Plan in May 2021, there were 1,337 domestic violence cases among Black people. In 2023, the number dipped to 992. Overall, the cases were at 2,156, a decrease from the previous year’s 2,307.

Genesis works in tandem with DPD’s domestic violence unit to offer training and speaking engagements at local police departments. Former DPD Chief of Police Eddie Garcia is taking part in their upcoming luncheon series, along with the district attorney from the Northern District of Texas.

On DPD’s end, the head of the Domestic Violence Unit Senior Corporal Brian Martinez says that in an effort to reduce wait times, the department has implemented an online reporting system for non-emergency calls. Domestic violence calls are considered high priority.

“The implemented strategies increased availability of patrol officers to respond to calls for service more efficiently and improved response times to high priority calls,” Martinez says.

According to Martinez, since the introduction of this plan in 2021, DPD has introduced more detectives and supervisors to their Domestic Violence Unit.

“The system enhances the Domestic Violence Unit’s ability to identify victims at high risk of lethality in the city. Determining lethality involves assessing various factors, including repeat offenders and seriousness of offense,” Martinez says.

Martinez states that the detectives within the unit are regularly trained in interview and investigation techniques, working on a round-the-clock basis.

Local advocates, groups and organizations offer resources for detectives in the Domestic Violence Unit to review to improve their knowledge in order to best help the women of Oak Cliff.

Moving Forward

relationships we have with our partners, including advocates, shelters, and the District Attorney’s Office,” Martinez says.

Langbein states that families looking to help victimized family members and friends can offer support to keep a victim from being completely isolated, even if the victim is with the abuser.

“It is more valuable than you know to stand alongside her in her experience and provide support even when that means staying with the abuser — she is the expert in her unique situation and knows if it is not safe to leave,” Langbein says. “In fact, one of the most dangerous times a woman can be in is when she exits that abusive relationship. What we always recommend is reminding her that what is happening to her is not okay, and referring her to Genesis so she can receive services that help her heal.”

“It is more valuable than you know to stand alongside her in her experience and provide support.”

In the following years, Martinez stated that they will continue to train and offer resources to detectives and other members of their Domestic Violence Unit. They also hope to further deepen their relationships with the organizations they partner with.

“We will work to continue training and provide resources to detectives and members of the unit, along with our members of patrol who also answer family violence calls with members of our unit, and further strengthen the

Wesley states that local police are given domestic violence training to teach them how to deal with and de-escalate these instances. Additionally, Wesley believes that officers should be retrained every two years.

“Domestic violence has really changed since when I went through it back in the ‘80s,” Wesley says.

“Now you have digital abuse; you have cyber abuse. He’s able to track her on her cell phone. He’s able to put a tag in her car without her knowledge. So (police) need to be trained on that, because it has went from just a landmine now that we have cell phones.”

Helping Victims Get Out

When survivors come into Genesis, they are not always ready to take the final step. Wesley states that in Genesis, they make sure to not force change upon them. Rather, they let them know that when that option is available, they can help the survivors plan a route to escape when they are ready to.

“So let’s prepare her,” Wesley says. “Let’s take the plan with her, and we take her lead.”

A R T

Inside the work of Oak Cliff’s Art Garcia

At 4 years old, drawing the Batman logo on a piece of paper in his living room in the ’60s, Art Garcia knew he was an artist.

AYBR T

“I just had this intuition. I have always done artwork and without the intention of getting seen or known,” Garcia says. “I remember watching Batman, and I would draw the logo that Adam West had on his chest. Ever since that, I knew I enjoyed making art.”

Guided by influential art teachers throughout school, Garcia has grown into an artist who is informed and inspired by the fluxes of social discourse. He creates pieces representing and influenced by topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ+ issues, gun control and domestic violence.

With a small studio on Davis Street, Garcia is a Texas-born artist with over 30 years of experience. He’s been honored in journals and annuals in the United States and Europe. He has produced work for the City of Dallas, Georgetown, Southlake, New Orleans, The Meadows School of Art, University of Texas at Dallas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the US Census.

Garcia earned his MFA from the University of Dallas and is a graduate of the Art Institute of Dallas. In 1998, he founded Graphic Content to support private, public and commercial endeavors. Garcia has guest lectured at the Art Institute of Dallas, the University of North Texas and South Arkansas State University.

Garcia’s often simplistic sculptures tap into his background in graphic design. After going through a rough period in his life, Garcia made a sculpture that would jumpstart the next chapter in his career.

“I went through a divorce, and it had been maybe a good five years of not making art,” Garcia says. “During that time, I tried to create anything and everything, and there was no joy in it whatsoever. There’s nothing that was coming out. It’s like, sometimes you get those lemons that are dry, and no matter how hard you squeeze, there’s no juice.”

This piece, Human Nature , sparked his creativity once again, and he turned his focus to sculpting as that is what he enjoyed most.

“My large body scale of work is Human Nature , and the smaller scale pieces are self portraits — they’re a little bit more whimsical, a little more personal in size,” Garcia says. “The larger ones have more to do with our social interaction with each other and the world.”

Different iterations of Human Nature , which are metal sculptures depicting a human figure, represent different issues and topics happening in the world. One touches on the border wall, one on LGBTQ+ issues and one was inspired by the Pulse nightclub shooting.

These pieces have traveled across the country, from Florida to Colorado, Alabama, Wyoming and California.

“IT’S

being featured in the Mausoleum at the Crown Hill Memorial Park cemetery near Bachman Lake in the Preston Hollow area. In the center of La Ceiba: The Sacred Tree of Life Art Exhibition is Garcia’s piece, which presents a glimpse into spiritual worlds through offerings at the dinner table. Expanding on the traditional offering at the altar, the installation sets a banquet. It becomes a heavenly gathering, honoring 21 distinct lives, people who are buried in Crown Hill

LIKE, SOMETIMES YOU GET THOSE LEMONS THAT ARE DRY, AND NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU SQUEEZE, THERE’S NO JUICE.”

“I created in my mind that Human Nature is going to travel to other areas in the same way that we travel,” Garcia says. “Sometimes they’re tagged. Sometimes they’re not. Color decays, and they’re still living, breathing objects.”

Garcia has also completed Frolic , four serial forms in steel for Fire Station 32 and Adamson Vision, bas-relief murals for Adamson High School in Dallas. Past installations which he has created and managed encompass retail properties including The Riverwalk in New Orleans and Topanga Plaza in Canoga Park, California. Garcia’s emphasis is to create objects specific to the environment they exist.

His newest work is titled The Banquet , and is

Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

“I think I wanted to show the idea of, you know what we might think heaven would look like, and what would it look like if we’re in a mausoleum and we invite those who passed,” Garcia says. “We want to transform the space into, kind of a heaven-like space, and use different white material, everything and anything is white.”

Garcia is also working on a fence for the City of Garland. No matter where his work takes him, he is happy to be creating in any form.

“I really enjoy large scale public artwork right now,” Garcia says. “I have 60 more years in me, and I think I’m going to be like a really cool old age. I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”

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GOLDEN CLEANING SERVICE

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

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

EXTERIOR CLEANING

G&G DEMOLITION Tear downs, Haul. Interior/Exterior. 214-808-8925

FENCING & DECKS

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.com 214-766-6422

HANNAH WOODWORKS

• Decks • Pergolas • Patio Covers Hannahwoodworks.com 469-427-0058 or 214-435-9574

FOR SALE

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

PRO WINDOW CLEANING prompt, dependable. Matt 214-766-2183

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!

HOUSE PAINTING

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

KITCHEN/BATH/TILE/GROUT

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 RESPONSIBLE TREE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Firewood/Cooking Wood Full service trimming & planting of native trees. 214.946.7138

ORGANIZATION

A CHARMING HOME

Decluttering + Organizing + Styling acharminghome.co 214-794-6382

PEST CONTROL

NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC. Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc. Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident 30+

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

REMODELING

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

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

Complete Full Service Repairs, Kitchen & Bath/Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We Do It. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Windows, Doors, Siding, Decks, Fences, Retaining Walls, New Construction New Construction & Remodels FiferCustomHomes.com• 214-727-7075

ROOFING & GUTTERS

BERT ROOFING INC.

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

SERVICES FOR YOU

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

SERVICES FOR YOU

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

FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/onetime $20 copay. Free shipping. Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

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

SERVICES FOR YOU

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

TUTORING/ LESSONS

GARTH ORR - TUTOR Math & Physics grade 8-12. Private Tutoring that works! garthorr.com

A Next-Level Real Estate Experience

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