traffic lights

It can be frustrating to drive through our neighborhoods and have to stop at every single red light along the way. It seems counterintuitive. All the lights should be in sync, right?

Q: How do I get a series of red lights timed properly on my street?

A: Go ahead — submit a request via 311; the answer may be complicated.

Dealing with a traffic light issue that involves multiple intersections is costly and time-consuming. “These are pretty large jobs,” says Van Cook, traffic-engineering assistant in the city’s transportation department. “It’s not an easy business to do.”

Usually, funds come from the North Texas Council of Governments, the federal government or bond packages. Every situation is different, but here’s how it works: Most lights in the city have the same signal cycle, which helps establish a relationship among them to create a smooth and harmonious traffic flow. When studying a particular area, engineers count the cars and put them into a model that promotes progression. They recently completed one such project on Preston from Northwest Highway all the way north past LBJ. “That area has recently been done within the last few years,” Cook says. “So, there shouldn’t be any issues there.” The timing of lights corresponds with rush hour to move cars in and out of Downtown efficiently. So, those traveling during non-peak times may not have as smooth a ride, oddly enough. “It’s not physically possible to provide a perfect traffic flow in both directions at all times. That’s why we like one-way roads. We could do a lot more with one-way roads.” Still, calling 311 is a good starting point. Your streetlights might already be undergoing improvements, or they could be considered for future projects.

—Emily Toman

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– John E.

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Play golf

The Jewish Community Center hosts its 25th annual Erwin Waldman Memorial Golf Tournament, which helps send children to camp. The event is June 11 at Coyote Ridge Golf Club, beginning with a shotgun tee off at 8 a.m. for the morning round. There is a luncheon buffet at 11:30 a.m. followed by the afternoon tee off at 1 p.m. A cocktail reception and awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Golfers can register with sponsorship levels starting at $500. Raffle tickets are $25 each or $100 for five. The funds benefit the Joanie I. Weinstein Camp Scholarship Fund and the Elaine Quint Schrager Preschool Enhancement Fund. For more details, call 214.239.7103 or visit jccdallas.org.

Attend a folk concert

Singer-songwriter Sara Hickman performs at 8 p.m. June 15 at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, a venue that donates a portion of ticket sales to local charities. This time, the show supports Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia research, a rare but fatal lung disorder in infants. Hickman is a social activist, mother of two and also teaches classes on creativity, parenting and songwriting. She is donating $5 per ticket to the ACD cause. Admission is $20-$25. Uncle Calvin’s is inside Northpark Presbyterian Church at 9555 N. Central. For details, visit unclecalvins.org.

Take a garden tour

The Rise and Bloom Garden Tour features four Highland Park homes with ticket sales benefiting The Rise School in Preston Hollow. The tour runs 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. June 2, and admission is $25. Located in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the nonprofit Rise School provides early childhood education to children with developmental disabilities. For more details and to register, visit riseschool.org.

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.