BACK OF THE GROCERY LINE, AGAIN

STUDIES SHOW THAT I’LL BE A REPEAT VICTIM OF LINE JUMPING

A few months ago, I wrote a column about ethics, or what I perceived to be lack thereof, in the grocery store checkout line.

Without belaboring the point, I talked about how I was waiting in a long line when a checker opened the line next door; a free-for-all of people jumping from the back of the current line to the front of the new one ensued, and I wound up exactly where I was originally (stuck in a long line) and with a bit of a sour attitude.

Quite a few of you emailed and called me with your thoughts. Many were sympathetic and, as fellow line-jumping victims, glad to hear the problem didn’t just happen to them.

Several suggested I should have contacted the store manager and set in motion a series of events that might have freed the cashier to take control of the situation next time, rather than letting the inmates run the asylum.

A few were less sympathetic, indicating that maybe I needed to “man up” and move more quickly next time; otherwise, I should just keep my mouth shut.

And a few suggested that what happened deserved something akin to armed rebellion, and that at a minimum, I should have confronted the offenders right then and there to teach them a lesson.

MAKE

Lose

As it happens, I did nothing then, and I’m still queasy about doing something “next time”. After reading a recent study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, however, I suspect there will be a next time. And a next time. And a next time ...

The Josephson study, which surveys more than 40,000 high school students every two years, attempts to identify the ethics and integrity of our country’s students and, by extension, the direction of our country’s honesty and morals.

I’ll let you digest these facts from the survey:

• 59 percent of high school students say they cheated on a test during the past year;

• 21 percent of students say they have stolen from a parent or relative;

• 80 percent say they lied to a parent about “something significant”; and

• 92 percent of these same high school students say they’re satisfied with their own personal ethics and character.

So one in five students has stolen from a parent, four of five have lied to a parent, and three of five have cheated on a test. But nine out of 10 believe their lives still exemplify good morals, ethics and character.

There are a lot of things I could say about what it means when 90 percent of students believe they’re honest even as almost all of those same students have lied to their parents and most of them have cheated (and probably lied about that, too!).

But there’s really not much I can add to this discussion from my perch at the back of the grocery store checkout line, watching people push by to beat me to the newly opened line next door.

I’m starting to think that even if I open my mouth to complain next time, most offenders won’t understand why I’m upset because they don’t consider what they’re doing a breach of ethics, integrity or simple manners.

If they weren’t brought up to understand what they’re doing is wrong, nothing I say is going to change their minds.

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SPECIAL COVERAGE: DALLAS MAYORAL RACE

As Election Day approaches May 14, Advocate editor Emily Toman and publisher Rick Wamre sit down with each of the major candidates for an Advocate video podcast series, going further than the 30-second sound bite to help reveal more about the candidates in an unedited discussion. In several short segments, we explore the big issues with District 12 Councilman Ron Natinsky, former police chief David Kunkle and former park board president Mike Rawlings. Visit prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/elections to find all of our 2011 election coverage, from city council to Dallas ISD, along with commentary from Advocate contributing editor Jeff Siegel.

HANDICAPPING THE MAYOR’S RACE: YARD SIGN EDITION

Drove around Dallas north of Northwest Highway for 90 minutes on Sunday in search of mayoral campaign yard signs. We’ve had several discussions over the years about whether yard signs matter; the general consensus seems to be that they’re one indication of who is doing better than someone else. In this case, I learned that if yard signs matter, this election is a huge yawner.

—JEFF SIEGEL

READ MORE Visit our elections page to read the full series in which Siegel gives regularly updated odds on who will become our next mayor.

Find Events

Let the Advocate help you find fun things to do in our neighborhood! We can also help you get the word out about your own event. Create a listing for free, or receive extra attention with an enhanced Showcase listing. Visit prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/events

WATCH THE PODCAST at prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/elections

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- Dr. Scott Rice, DDS Irvine, CA

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—RON NATINSKY, DISTRICT 12 COUNCILMAN AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE, ON HOW THE CITY FILLS BASIC NEEDS WHILE INVESTING IN EXPENSIVE, VISIONARY PROJECTS

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After a massive heart attack at a small town trade fair, Melvin Jones was rushed to a nearby hospital. His heart had suffered major damage. “They determined that I needed to go to Baylor for further care, which turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Melvin says. It took four years for a heart to become available, but when it did, the Baylor transplant team had him in the operating room within hours. The transplant has given Melvin a second chance at life. It was like being reborn. “I’ve been very fortunate to be around for the birth of my five grandchildren. I’m back to being able to do what I like to do all day long.”

For a physician referral or for more information about transplant services, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or watch Melvin’s story online at BaylorHealth.com/Transplant

Each Monday on the Back Talk blog, we bring you Restaurant Talk, highlighting new neighborhood gems or reminiscing about old favorites. Here are a few recent excerpts:

03.14 RESTAURANT TALK: GOFF’S HAMBURGERS

Most people, especially those who have lived in Dallas all their lives, have probably been to Goff’s Hamburgers at some point. I’m not one of those people – well, I wasn’t until a few days ago when I stopped by the 60-year-old burger joint to try it out. I guess the food has been quite consistent to remain open for all those decades. However, I hear that back in the ’70s, they refused to serve “rebellious” teens with long hair. At least that’s what one colleague of mine said when I asked if he’d been to Goff’s, and he hasn’t returned since being kicked out as a kid. But I’m pretty sure scruffy teens are welcome now. —EMILY

TOMAN

03.07 RESTAURANT TALK: TRY THESE DESSERTS

We have no shortage of sweet shops in Preston Hollow, and if you haven’t tried the desserts at these few, now’s the time. Creme de la Cookie at Preston and Royal has introduced French macaroons, which are almond flour-based instead of coconut based. So, they’re good for our gluten-free friends. Blue Mesa Grill has debuted three new desserts: dark chocolate empanadas with sangria sauce, guajillo-apple pan dowdy with dulce de leche ice cream and sweet potato pan dulces with roasted banana, dark chocolate and dulce de leche fondue.

—EMILY TOMAN facebook.com/PrestonHollowAdvocate DID YOU KNOW Preston Hollow Advocate has its own Facebook page? If not, you’re missing out on an easy way to receive news and tidbits tailored specifically to our neighborhood. Plus, you have three chances each week to win free stuff through marketing director Meredith Moore’s Facebook giveaways:

MISH MASH MONDAY

From Dallas Stars tickets to CDs, you never know what you’ll score from Meredith’s stash of loot.

WEDNESDAY WINEDAY

A free bottle of wine — need we say more?

DATE NIGHT FRIDAY

Win event tickets and restaurant gift cards for a sweet end to the work week.

AVANCE HELPS STRUGGLING DISD FAMILIES, VICKERY MEADOW RESIDENTS

In the March Lake Highlands Advocate we wrote about how homeowners in neighborhoods such as Lake Highlands, East Dallas and Preston Hollow can assist residents of neighboring community Vickery Meadow, which is perhaps Dallas’ highest density and most crime-ridden neighborhood. It is home to 36,000 people, many of them school-aged children.

We visited Hotchkiss Elementary, a DISD school in the Lake Highlands area that offers the Avance program. Avance holds preschool for children — Vickery Meadow is shockingly lacking in preschools — and classes for parents.

A 24-year-old mom at Hotchkiss Elementary told us that Avance changed her life and the way she values her family.

“The most important thing I learned in Avance is that I am my child’s first teacher,” Paula Sanchez says, “and that you only have one life to enjoy time with your children. Now we spend time together. I read to them. I never used to do that. I realize now that they need me.”

—CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

The North Dallas Early Childhood PTA has partnered with Avance, and we are so impressed with the programs they create with their mothers. Just like our group, we all want our children to succeed and thrive in the future. I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to consider Avance.

—BROOKE GREEN, VIA

EDITOR’S NOTE: To learn about volunteer opportunities with Avance, call Anne Thomas at 214.887.9907, ext. 115, or athomas.dal@avance.org. You can also visit vickerymeadow.org.

Spring Herb Jubilee & Salad Dressing Contest

April 2nd & 3rd

Grow organic culinary herbs to turn bland into delicious! Create impressive dishes, sauces and salad dressings for your family with fresh, easy-to-grow herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme and sage

Spring Herb Jubilee April 2-3

4” Herbs only $1.99 ea. Sat-Sun only. Enter your best recipe in our Herb Salad Dressing Contest April 2nd. Details at www.nhg.com.

1st: $100 NHG GC + $50 Snappy Salads GC

2nd: $75 NHG GC + $25 Snappy Salads GC

3rd: $50 NHG GC + $15 Snappy Salads GC

FREE programs all weekend!

Sat. 1pm Starting an Herb Garden

Sat. 2pm Enhance Your Life with Herbs

Sun. 12pm-2pm Texas Worm Ranch

Learn to vermicompost & purchase worms.

Sun. 1pm Building the Best Soil

April 9th –10th 2pm-5pm Dallas Flower Show View award-winning blooms.

April 16th 9am-Noon Daylily Sale

April 17th 10am-5pm Iris Flower Show

April 22nd FREE Earth Day Program!

11am-12:30 Bountiful Backyard Gardens

April 23rd-24th EASTER EGG SAVINGS HUNT Find eggs to save 10-30% off your purchase!

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