2024 April Preston Hollow Advocate

DISTRIBUTION/ ADVERTISING 214.560.4212

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Frank McClendon

214.560.4215 / fmcclendon@advocatemag.com

Michele Paulda 214.724.5633 / mpaulda@advocatemag.com

Catherine Pate

214.560.4201 / cpate@advocatemag.com

Linda Kenney lkenney@advocatemag.com

Brandon Rodriguez

972-754-3942 / brodriguez@advocatemag.com

Classified Manager: Prio Berger 214.292.0493 / pberger@advocatemag.com

Marketing Director: Sally Wamre

214.686.3593 / swamre@advocatemag.com

Chief Operating Officer: Alessandra Quintero 786.838.5891 / aquintero@advocatemag.com

Digital Marketing & Analytics: Autumn Grisby agrisby@advocatemag.com

EDITORIAL

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Jehadu Abshiro jabshiro@advocatemag.com

EDITORS:

Alyssa High ahigh@advocatemag.com

Emma Ruby eruby@advocatemag.com

Kelsey Shoemaker kshoemaker@advocatemag.com

Lillian Juarez ljuarez@advocatemag.com

Editorial Assistant: Simon Pruitt spruitt@advocatemag.com

Digital Editor: Christian Welch cwelch@advocatemag.com

Senior Art Director: Jynnette Neal jneal@advocatemag.com

Art Director/Photographer: Lauren Allen lallen@advocatemag.com

Contributors: Patti Vinson, Carol Toler, Sam Gillespie

Contributing photographers: Kathy Tran, Emil Lippe, Hunter Lacey, Yuvie Styles, Shelby Tauber, Sylvia Elzafon, Lo Kuehmeier, Victoria Gomez, Julia Cartwright

Chief Revenue Officer: Rick Wamre

214.560.4212

ABOUT THE COVER

The Northaven Trail Bridge.

Photography by Lauren Allen.

More namaste.

Joint care that helps you get more out of life.

You have your reasons for taking care of your joints and at Texas Health, we’re ready to help you every step of the way. That’s why more North Texans choose Texas Health than any other health system for their joint care. With our range of programs – from preventative care and physical therapy to nonsurgical options and full joint replacements – you can rest assured you’ll receive quality, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. From our joint care coordinators to specialists on the medical staff of Texas Health hospitals, our focus is to help you recover quickly and get back to what you love. That's how Texas Health cares more.

Take our hip and knee health assessment or find a joint care specialist at YourJointHealth.com.

TOM HOTSIMA

The art of turning pain into beauty

Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER | Photography by YUVIE STYLES

“WE SEE THESE IMAGES ON TELEVISION, BUT NEVER JUST IN YOUR BACKYARD.”

Nearly everyone remembers where they were when a tornado touched down in Dallas on October 20, 2019.

For Tom Hoitsma, he was with his family at his Preston Hollow house. During that night, they lost power and lit candles while acoustically singing, thinking the storm was mild.

It wasn't.

The tornado stole homes, trees and even schools, leaving a path of chaos.

The next morning during his ritual morning walks, Hoitsma and his 12-year-old daughter braved the debris to walk around their neighborhood.

“Everything was pin quiet,” Hoitsma says. “It was so eerie, there was not a bird. There was not a squirrel. There was nothing. It was a dead zone. It was completely quiet.”

They saw a couple outside their completely destroyed home, where they had sheltered against the storm, surviving despite the odds. That day, he collected debris from the storm, paying attention to the look of sharp metal wrapped around each other.

“There's a strange beauty to [natural disasters],” Hoitsma says. “When you see a sunrise coming up over the water, and there's all this flood of metal and boats turned upside down,” Hoitsma says. “There's this sort of sculptural beauty to it.”

For a year, the collected debris sat in his studio, unsure of its purpose. Then, he envisioned a sculpture series.

Hoitsma’s art career spans his entire life. Before he found an ‘aha moment’ for a sculpture series idea with the pliable aluminum debris, he was creating large-format gestural abstract paintings.

“Sculpture was always my first love, but sculpture is hard to make,” Hoitsma says. “I also was told by a gallerist, ‘If you want to starve, make sculpture.’”

Inspired by the resilience seen in his neighbors' survival, Hoitsma began creating metal sculptures. The twisted metal could be a play on the perfect metaphor, he says.

The hunt began to find more supplies to make something he could have more control over. He connected with someone in Deep Ellum who makes customized material from rain gutters, similar to what he saw that morning.

“The process sort of drove the early images, the early sculptures, just trying to figure out how to do it,” Hoitsma says. “The more I did them and made them, the more I failed. I brought the first one [to a gallery] and I was so very excited about it. It was just a mess. It was a total mess. I don't know why I was just so excited. I thought this is so cool. I mean, this is the coolest,” he says.

It was important to him when molding the pieces for it not to have points. It needed to be all connected like an Escher drawing.

“It's all related to this idea of the resiliency of the human spirit and how to articulate that visually,” Hoitsma says.

Over two years, he produced about two sculptures per month, totaling nearly 50, with 14 in inventory, working on commissions for local designers and homeowners.

“I tell everybody, I make house jewelry,” Hoitsma jokes. “It's no more complicated than that. I'm not making a statement. I'm not solving the world's problems. It's supposed to light up a room, it's supposed to bring you joy. And if it doesn't do that, I’ve failed.”

Last fall, Hoitsma got the keys to his new studio showroom in the Design District and on Mar. 7, he had an official opening. It’s a trinity of somewhere to hang his art, have a working area and in the back, a rehearsal space for his musical instruments for his ‘80s cover band.

“You’ve got to make this stuff for yourself,” Hoitsma says. “If you're trying to make something for an audience you’re going to be exhausted, and, well, you're going to fail. Here's the thing: They don't know what they want until I give it to them.”

Tom Hoitsma’s current sculpture series focuses on the art of resilience, inspired by the 2019 tornado.

Zio Cecio’s makes fresh pasta like the la bolognese con fettuccine with a beef and pork ragu.

ZIO CECIO

Food, Family & Francesco Farris

Story by SIMON PRUITT | Photography by KELSEY SHOEMAKER

“I DON’T BELIEVE IN FUSION. FUSION TO ME EQUALS CONFUSION,” SAYS FRANCESCO FARRIS, OWNER OF ZIO CECIO.

He opened the traditional Italian restaurant in 2011, making a home for family recipes he picked up from generations ago. Farris grew up in Sardinia, Italy, eating and working at his family’s restaurant. He recalls the first time he tried to cook those family recipes on his own.

“I was 13 years old,” Farris says. “It was Dec. 31 and I decided to cook for my friends for New Year’s Eve.”

His first dish was a simple pasta cooked with olive oil, garlic and diced spicy peppers.

“My mother used to make it just using one pepper, 3-4 inches long,” Farris says. “I went to the market but I couldn’t find one that size. I found a quarter inch, and thought I needed to use ten of those. The first guy bites it and says it's horrible, disgusting, too spicy.”

He had to prove a point.

“I try it and to be macho I say, ‘You’re wrong it’s perfect,’” he says. “My ass was on fire.”

Farris was long since removed from that dish when he and his brother moved to Houston in the ‘80s. The two worked together closely, eventually opening sister restaurants, Arcodoro and Pomodoro, in the 2000s in Dallas. Their menus paid tribute to the family recipes and traditional Sardinian food they grew up around.

In 2011, Farris decided it was time to go separate ways. He left Arcodoro and Pomodoro’s Oak Lawn locations to open Zio Cecio on Lovers Lane. Inside, everything is a tribute to his family. Generational photos dating back to the 1800s decorate the walls. The menu is comprised of the finest family recipe selections.

“I do what I know,” Farris says. “I don’t try to compete with anyone.”

Pasta at Zio Cecio is all handmade, with fresh herbs prepared on-site. Offerings include traditional dishes like carbonara and bolognese.

The restaurant’s signature Il Pesce Alla Crosta Di Sale Marino is a customer favorite, a sea salt-crusted whole fish that serves one for $49.50. The most expensive dish is a bone-in veal rib, grilled and oven roasted for $60.50.

Zio Cecio focuses on high-end fine dining, make no mistake. Farris views the price point and presentation as an opportunity to share his upbringing and passion with everyone who comes in.

“It’s my job to educate customers,” he says. “I can’t just bring them food.”

As he approaches his 13th year in business, Farris says he has a wide range of regular customers that know to trust him and his kitchen. With everything prepared fresh and in house, no Zio Cecio experience is the same.

“We promise quality but not quantities,” he says. “If we run out, that’s that. Come back tomorrow.”

Above: The nodino di maiale alla pappa reale is a Berkshire pork chop with honey and lemon juice reduction.

Left: The restaurant’s walls are covered with pictures of Francesco Farris’ family dating back to the 1800s. This photo shows Farris’ grandfather and other family members.

THIS HOLLOW WAY HOME BRINGS THE OUTSIDE IN

Most of the time, the first step to anything is finding inspiration.

That was the same case for Sharon Devereux, who started to tear pictures of homes out of magazines of features and designs she liked in a house.

“As it turned out, almost every picture I had torn out it was all from Bernbaum/Magadini Architect houses,” Devereux says.

Architects Bruce Bernbaum and Patricia “Tricy” Magadini have been working together in the Dallas area for 25 years. Each home uses its contemporary environment of natural elements to build off their client’s vision.

When Sharon and her husband Paul met the team, there was an easy connection from the start. They were looking for a property where they could put a dream house. Sharon would find a lot and call Bruce who would run over to the land and start measuring to see if it would work. This happened a couple of times until they found the right one.

None of the mature live oak trees wrapping around the property were sacrificed when putting the foundation down. It did, however, inspire the elements that went into the house.

“There's a very strong indoor-outdoor connection there,” Magadini says. “We took advantage of outdoor space with cement patios on different sides of the house and things that focused on the trees.”

One of the early, and really only, challenges was the steepness of the site. The team worked with landscape architects to manage a balanced look for the front and the backyards.

Among the materials was a rough cut of limestone seen on a couple of the interior walls and along the fireplace wall and some smooth-cut limestone repeats upstairs. The designers used white oak on the cabinetry and the flooring. Most of the house includes rooms with floor-toceiling windows bringing in an abundance of natural light.

The house is almost U-shaped around the backyard which opens to a customized pool. The water feature plays

The interior designer, Rick Ross, drew inspiration from the backyard of the house to incorporate neutral colors into the palette.

Sharon Devereux elaborately decorates the staircase area during each hoiliday, which is anticipated by the neighborhood.

a trick of the eye to make the pool look like it is pressed against the edge of the house so it appears to flow underneath the house and the living room seems to float on top of the reflecting pool.

A zen garden in the backyard was on the wishlist. Interior designer Rick Ross collaborated with the team and landscape architects to match the calm and quiet tones to the interior furnishing palette.

“It's just such a peaceful house,” Devereux says.

Other features in the house include offices for both Sharon and Paul, a golf simulator, a Pilates studio, a living room with a bar for entertaining guests, two upstairs bedrooms with an alcove sitting area and a primary bedroom. Most of the offices and bedrooms can be turned into guest rooms.

The full project took about two years. Six to eight months of designing, 16 to 18 months of construction and was move-in-ready by June 2020.

“When you work with an architect and a good builder and good consultants, designers and landscape architects, you have a project that will be timeless and hold its value,” Magadini says.

The glass stairca se that faces the street is one of the centerpieces. It has a constant rotation of seasonal decorations from life-sized polar bears for Christmas, skeletons for Halloween, bunnies for Easter and even something for the Fourth of July. Whichever season, neighbors stop and stare at the display behind floor-to-ceiling glass like a museum.

“If we don’t decorate, we get complaints,” Devereux shares.

The “fishbowl” look never feels invasive to them. They wanted a home that felt inviting and comfortable for them to host parties and if neighbors see them through the glass and wave, they just wave back.

“It'll be four years in here in June and when we still pull up I’m still like, ‘That's really our house,’” Devereux says. “It always kind of surprises us how much we still love it.”

The house was designed in mind for the couple to host parties.

LOCAL SERVICES

BEST HAIR SALON

WINNER - SALON D

2ND - JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ THE SALON

3RD - THE HAIR BAR

BEST MED SPA

WINNER - OMNI SCULPT MD

2ND - SKINSPIRIT DALLAS

3RD - DERMANI MEDSPA

BEST NAIL SALON

WINNER - ROYAL NAIL SPA

2ND - DELUXE NAIL SALON

3RD - GLOSSLAB

3RD - HILLCREST NAILS SPA

BEST PLACE TO RELAX

WINNER - SPA NORDSTROM AT NORTHPARK

2ND - HIATUS SPA + RETREAT- THE HILL

3RD - SPA HABITAT- PRESTON ROYAL

BEST WELLNESS STUDIO

WINNER - COOPER AEROBICS HEALTH & WELLNESS

2ND - CYL INFRARED STUDIO- PRESTON & FOREST

3RD - ICRYO CRYOTHERAPY + IV THERAPY + BODY SCULPTING

BEST CAR WASH

WINNER - FOREST CAR WASH & DETAIL

2ND - E-Z SHINE CAR WASH & DETAIL

3RD - SHARK MOBILE DETAILING FAMILY

BEST CLEANING SERVICES

WINNER - MAID 4 DALLAS

2ND - PRESTON HOLLOW CLEANING SERVICES

3RD - BREATHE MAIDS OF DALLAS

BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT

WINNER - ECLAT ROOFING

2ND - A JOY OF GRANITE

2ND - TRIBECA PLUMBING, INC.

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN

WINNER - JODELL CLARKE DESIGNS, LLC

2ND - MARY ANNE SMILEY INTERIOR

3RD - LINDA FRITSCHY INTERIOR DESIGN

prestonhollow.advocatemag.com

BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST

WINNER - JUST KIDS DENTAL

2ND - PRESTON CENTER PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

3RD - BEYOND PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

WINNER - PRESTON CENTER PEDIATRICS

2ND - RAYMONA WILBURN, MD

jodellclarkedesigns.com

BEST LANDSCAPING

WINNER - CASA OUTDOOR DESIGN

2ND - TEXAS TREE SURGEONS

3RD - HOLCOMB TREE SERVICE

BEST DENTIST

WINNER - PRESTON HOLLOW SPECIALISTS: DR. BRODY HILDEBRAND

2ND - ALL ABOUT KIDS DENTISTRY

3RD - PRESTON HOLLOW DENTAL CARE

3RD - PRESTON SHERRY DENTAL ASSOCIATES

BEST DOCTOR

WINNER - MARLON PADILLA MD

2ND - SEARS LAURA L MD

3RD - PFISTER JAMES MD

3RD - BRANDON DANFORD MD

BEST MEDICAL CLINIC

WINNER - HILLCREST MEDICAL

2ND - UT SOUTHWESTERN CLINICAL CENTER AT PARK CITIES

3RD - CITYDOC URGENT CARE

BEST OPTICAL

WINNER - L'OPTIQUE OF DALLAS- LINDA R. PRICE, O.C.

2ND - INSIGHT COMPLETE EYE CARE

3RD - V EYE P PRESTON HOLLOW

BEST ORTHODONTICS/ ORAL SURGERY

WINNER - GENECOV ORTHODONTICS

2ND - WHITE ROCK ORTHODONTICS- PRESTON HOLLOW

3RD - RAGAN ORTHODONTICS

3RD - DIAMOND PEDIATRICS

BEST ALTERATIONS

WINNER - J'S TAILOR & CLEANERS PARK

2ND - LUCY'S TAILOR & PRESTON ROYAL CLEANERS

3RD - YOUNG'S TAILOR SHOP

3RD - DIANA'S TAILOR

BEST FLORIST

WINNER - DR. DELPHINIUM

2ND - APPLES TO ZINNIAS

3RD - NORTH HAVEN GARDENS

BEST PET GROOMER

WINNER - KIBBLE PET GROOMINGPRESTON CENTER

2ND - PETBAR DALLAS- INWOOD FOREST

3RD - RUFFIT- PRESTON FOREST

BEST VET

WINNER - PRESTON ROYAL ANIMAL CLINIC

2ND - CORNERSTONE ANIMAL CLINIC

3RD - MIDWAY HOLLOW PET CLINIC

BEST ELECTRICIAN

WINNER - DALLAS ELECTRICIAN EXPERTS

2ND - MISTER SPARKY ELECTRICIAN DALLAS

3RD - AVENUE ELECTRICS

3RD - GRAVITY ELECTRIC

BEST INSURANCE

WINNER - GEORGE HANSON- FARMERS INSURANCE

2ND - NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

3RD - BRENT COOPER- STATE FARM INSURANCE

BEST LAW OFFICE

WINNER - ANGEL REYES- REYES BROWNE

REILEY LAW FIRM

2ND - THE WEBB FAMILY LAW FIRM

2ND - BEESLEY LAW, PC

3RD - CLARK LAW GROUP

BEST SHOE COBBLER

WINNER - THE COBBLER

2ND - ROMA'S BOOT & SHOE REPAIR

2ND - DENO SHOE REPAIR - LOVERS LANE

3RD - DANIEL'S QUALITY SHOE SERVICE

BEST DRY CLEANING

WINNER - BIBBENTUCKERS- PRESTON HOLLOW

2ND - TIP TOP CLEANERS

3RD - TIDE CLEANERS

BEST LOCKSMITH

WINNER - BEE'S KEYS

2ND - AJ LOCKSMITH- DALLAS

3RD - KEYME LOCKSMITHS

BEST PLACE TO WORKOUT

WINNER - COOPER AEROBICS HEALTH & WELLNESS

2ND - ORANGETHEORY FITNESS

3RD - THE BAR METHOD

BEST SPIN STUDIO

WINNER - SOULCYCLE- PRESTON HOLLOW

2ND - CYCLEBAR

3RD - TRUFUSION DALLAS

BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO

WINNER - FBH WELLNESS

2ND - CORE PILATES DALLAS

3RD - CLASS STUDIOS- PRESTON CENTER

Re ltors

AMY DETWILER

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

ALEX PERRY

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

JESSICA KOLTUN

Jessica Koltun Brokerage LLC

SUSAN BALDWIN

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

MICHELE BALADY BEACH

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

ALAN SAHLIYEH

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

JULIE PROVENZANO

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

PIPER YOUNG

Christie’s Lonestar

SHELLY BAILEY

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

KATHERINE BALLARD

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

JASON BATES

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

JULIE BOREN

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

PAM BRANNON

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

MARK CAIN

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

CHERYL CARTER

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

GIANNA CERULLO

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

JING CHEN

DFW Home

LINA CHEN

Preston Capital Realty, LLC

MARC CHING

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

CHELSEA CHIU

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

PENNY COOK

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

CHRISTINE DANUSER

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

STEPHANIE DAVENPORT

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

ROXANNE DIAMOND

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

DANNA MORGULOFF-HAYDEN

Ebby Halliday, Realtors

ERIN MATHEWS

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

RYAN STREIFF

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

LISA BESSERER

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

BECKY FREY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

CHRIS HICKMAN

Ebby Halliday, Realtors

LUCINDA BUFORD

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

STEPHEN COLLINS

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

ERIC NAROSOV

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

PAIGE ELLIOTT

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

BLAKE ELTIS

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

JARED ENGLISH

Congress Realty, Inc.

KENT FREDERICK

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

KAREN FRY

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

CHARME GALLINI

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

JENNY GAMBLE

Russell Trenary, Realtors

RICHARD GRAZIANO

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

CHARLES GREGORY

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

FAISAL HALUM

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

GARRETT HOLLOWAY

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

NANCY HOLLOWAY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

MARLENE JAFFE

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

SIMONE JEANES

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

MELISSA JENNINGS

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

GAYLE JOHANSEN

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

BRADY MOORE

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

CHRISTY BERRY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

TEFFY JACOBS

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

MATT SCOBEE

Iconic Real Estate, LLC

HARRISON POLSKY

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

MARJAN WOLFORD

At Properties Christie’s Int’l

MEGAN STEM

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

JULI BLACK

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

CLIFTON KESSLER

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

BRENT KING

Brent King Group

JAMIE KOHLMANN

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

ERICA KUPPIN

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

NORA KUTOB

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

CHRISTIAN LELASH

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

NORA LING LANE

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

BARDHA LLONCARI

Jessica Koltun Brokerage LLC

JILL LONG

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

MCKAMY LOONEY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

BRIAN MANES

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

SERGIO MANRIQUEZ

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

SHEILA MANRIQUEZ

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

PATRICIA MASSEY

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

CHRISTINE MCKENNY

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

DANIELLE MIO SOGNO

Network Real Estate Partners

MINNETTE MURRAY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

JEANNIE NETHERY

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

ERIKA ORBIN

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

ANGELINA PALLASCH

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

TONY PETRICCIONE

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

POGIR POGIR

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

RALPH RANDALL

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

SHARON REDD

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

BURTON RHODES

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

DAN RHODES

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

KATHERINE ROBERTS

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l

JONATHAN ROSEN

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

JORDAN ROSEN

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

THERESE ROURK

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

ASHLEY RUPP

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

LAUREN SAVARIEGO

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

JOHN SCOGGINS

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

DEBBIE SHERRINGTON

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

CLAY SMILEY

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC

LORI SPARKS

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

RACHEL TROWBRIDGE

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

DAMON WILLIAMSON

Agency Dallas Park Cities, LLC

JENICA WILLIAMSON

Allie Beth Allman & Associates

MICHELLE WOOD

Compass Real Estate Texas, LLC.

HANNAH YSBRAND

Messer Real Estate

‘Top 25’ Agent

Grateful to be ranked as one of the top 25 agents in Preston Hollow. Thank you for helping me reach this personal milestone!

4508

5138

6527

7615

Lisa Besserer

214-543-2940 lbesserer@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Gayle Johansen

214-662-5455 gjohansen@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Pamela Brannon

214-912-1756 pbrannon@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Erica Kuppin

214-263-2178 ekuppin@briggsfreeman.com

214-384-2847 ptcook@briggsfreeman.com ADVOCATE

Penny Cook

Nora Kutob

903-312-0108 nkutob@briggsfreeman.com

Faisal Halum

214-240-2575 fhalum@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Jeannie Nethery

214-803-3787 jnethery@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Melissa Jennings

214-697-0847 mjennings@briggsfreeman.com

ADVOCATE

Ralph Randall

214-533-8355 rrandall@briggsfreeman.com

“As a lifelong Preston Hollow resident myself, it is my great joy to serve you - my neighbors!”

214.680.6432

lori.sparks@alliebeth.com

A STORY FOR EVERYTHING

Where you can find European treasures to a Godzilla figurines

Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER | Photography by LAUREN ALLEN

AS IF STAYING TRUE TO THE THEME,

t he North Dallas Antique Mall replaces one of Dallas’ historic theaters.

look different every time people come in,” Holmes says.

Most people think antique malls are just a collection of grandmother’s leftovers. For 15 years, it’s been more of a haven than a graveyard.

The Park Forest Theatre opened as Dallas’ fifth theater in town in 1965. When it started to feel its age in the late ‘80s, it was reborn into Destiny’s Antique Mall before becoming what it is now, North Dallas Antiques.

There’s a story for everything and the North Dallas Antique Mall has a couple of them.

About 15 years ago, Destiny’s took a pivotal turn when the previous owner died and the landmark was faced with uncertainty.

The current owner and manager Roger Holmes had a booth with his wife Abby under Destiny’s tenure. When the opportunity to keep the antique store alive but under his helm presented itself, well, it wasn’t a hard choice.

“I looked into it and at the time of our lives, it seemed like we could,” Holmes says. “We were slowing down from our other businesses.”

The antique mall was rebranded as North Dallas Antique Mall, but besides the name, not much else changed with many collectors still staying with their booths. From vintage couches and mid-century furniture to high-value artwork, the mall is a testament to its original vision.

Those who rent booths help Holmes keep it fresh by bringing in new items or restaging booths.

“We try keeping a whole bunch of stuff in here and changing it all up and make it

With three stories, the mall is a cornucopia of nostalgia. Upstairs is where memorabilia from the golden age of Star Wars sits alongside more contemporary counterparts like Disney's Frozen characters and iconic horror movies like Psycho .

“We're trying to try to be a store where people want to shop,” Holmes said. “That's why we have an upstairs like we do.”

The community of about 67 collectors, some of whom curate three to four booths each, fills the space with a sense of camaraderie and shared expertise.

Dennie Baker has managed a booth at the mall since Destiny’s days. At 10 years old, she started collecting items by going door-to-door in her New Jersey neighborhood asking neighbors for any items they wanted to give away. It was basically Facebook Marketplace before there was one. Now, a seasoned purveyor of European markets and estates, she brings her travel treasures home to North Dallas Antique Mall.

“We're all pretty friendly,” Baker says. “It's a really good group of dealers and some of us have become friends because we've been here so long together. There's a lot of expertise here in intellect around collecting.”

Baker makes up about six booths at

SCAVENGER HUNT

1. Patrick Nagel painting

2. Intellivisio n II

3. Creature of the Black Lagoon

4. Pink G odzilla figure

5. K atherine Hepburn Bringing up Baby poster

6. Gh ostbusters Slimer toy

7. Be atles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band poster

8. VHS of the original DUNE

the antique mall, most of which are the first ones guests see when they walk in. Baker’s booths include vintage Ralph Lauren, clothes from previous New York Fashion Week events and oriental glassware.

“A lot of different customers like different things,” Baker says. “It's all different, that's what makes the store so great.”

Her professional advice? You’re either a digger or a glancer.

“That's like finding a needle in a haystack,” Baker laughs.

Truthfully, it’s the best way to describe the mall’s entity.

Antiquing and collecting, as Holmes and Baker suggest, is more than a hobby; it's a sustainable choice, a nod to preserving quality and tradition in an era of disposable and fast consumerism.

“I think people don't want to buy what's being offered,” Holmes muses. “They're preserving tradition.”

9. Official Olympic souvenir program

10. Phant om Starkiller action figure

11. Iron Maiden mug

Some people are more motivated to hunt through piles of the past to find old Seinfeld VHS tapes, Mexican art or French coats. Some simply walk by until their eye finds exactly what they need. Each booth is different because every collector has a different style.

While browsing the booths with Baker, a group of men walk in looking for a calligraphy pen.

North Dallas Antiques Mall is more than items collecting dust on a shelf. In an ironic twist, the antique mall, like the theater before it, encourages the tradition of passing things down through generations.

And, yes, those men did find the perfect pen.

A HOUSE SHOULD FIT LIKE A SLIPPER

Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER

SHOULD SLIPPER

The charming neighborhood nestled between Royal Lane and Midway Road can sometimes feel like it’s been plucked from the pages of a storybook.

While Disneyland may be miles away, 1,422 miles to be exact, the magic of fairytales is alive and well here.

In the mid-1950s, developers Robert Gump and William Gaynier sought to create a captivating pull for new homebuyers in North Dallas to purchase forever homes in the new Midway Hills neighborhood. Inspired by the world of Walt Disney, streets used names like Pinocchio, Cinderella, Aladdin, Snow White and Peter Pan.

Early newspaper ads bragged about the new mid-century modern houses designed mostly by Thomas Scott Dean and Cliff May that lined the fantasy-inspired streets.

The reason for naming the streets after iconic characters? Well, one source close to the original developers told the Dallas Morning News in a 2009 article that the developers got permission from Walt Disney himself. Another source said it was because the developer’s children loved Disney movies.

The main consensus?

It was just a fun lure to get people to buy the new houses. Nothing has been confirmed though.

“Dallas was downtown with maybe Oak Cliff and Lakewood. That was Dallas. So to be building a block of homes out in the north in the middle of a cotton field was preposterous,” Pinocchio Lane resident Sherry Zeitman says. “They were the first homes to have modern AC and modern appliances. We all have that now, but it was a really big deal in 1954. These homes were the homes of the future, the homes of new looming atomic living.”

The ‘Rhapsody House’ at 11116 Pinocchio Drive was the model house and the main attraction in the 1955 Parade of Homes, an annual event from the Dallas chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. Each year since 1952, it showcases the latest trends in architecture and design. People came to visit the house and they could request a house to be built.

The neighborhood was rapidly capturing national attention and soon enough, the neighborhood was earning a reputation.

“It’s basically Disneyland for Texas,” Zeitman says.

Today, the appeal of the Disney Street neighborhood is not in the modern appliances, but instead found in the timeless charm, architecture and prime location near Dallas’ shopping centers, airports and schools.

“Put all that together and it is a hot commodity,” Zeitman says.

Not to sound too cliche, but it’s basically a fairytale.

Paul Eckert and his husband Robert Baldwin were looking to buy a house in Dallas after being in Singapore for seven years. They looked at a few homes before moving to a mid-century ranch house near Forest Hill in 2015. After a couple of years, their real estate agent found a midcentury modern house off the market on Cinderella Lane that needed some work.

“It was not a fairytale, she definitely needed her slipper back,” Eckert jokes about the first impression. “We came to look at it and immediately fell in love with it. We always thought it would be cool to live on the Disney Streets so the fact that this was in the neighborhood

was an added bonus.”

The Eckerts found more work needed on their house than expected, but the house transformation project was embraced by them. Despite the construction being bookended by the pandemic, they found a different way to share their project plans with friends and family. A blog for Cinderella Lane was online and Paul shared the house's history, the neighborhood and construction updates.

Both Eckert and Baldwin are mid-century modern enthusiasts. They wanted to stay true to the house’s bones and incorporate authentic supplies for the house, going as far as importing Eichler siding from California to match the rest of the house.

“It's been fun to see others of those homes and to get to know the people who live here,” Eckert says. “The appreciation for the mid-century modern aesthetic care is wonderful.”

Eckert unknowingly assembled a dream team with architect Manolo Banda and interior designer Chryssi Eddy to give the house its full Cinderella transformation moment.

“We wanted to keep the integrity of the house. It was a really cool house when we went in and you can see the detail that went into it,” Banda says.

The Disney Streets were one of the first North Dallas neighborhoods.

The “atomic houses” around Midway Hills were one of the first neighborhoods built in North Dallas. Courtesy of Karlisch Photography.

It was Banda and Eddy’s first project together but since then, have gone on to work on more. Banda has worked on more Disney Street houses and is currently working on another Cinderella Lane house.

The end result at Cinderella Lane saw an old house brought up to the 21st century. Some of the projects consisted of opening up the house more, expanding the square footage, updating the porch and renovating the outside garage into a pottery studio. One of the challenges was working around a 35-foot beam in the middle of the house, from the front

of the house to the kitchen.

“We had a sign in the front and it said ‘putting the slipper back on,’” Banda says. “The idea is that Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White and all these different streets are supposed to be magical and you're supposed to be awed by what is happening here.”

Like most fairytales, this neighborhood had some tension.

During the housing market crisis around 2008, Disney Street neighbors came together to make the neighborhood a conservation district to preserve the

architecture of some of the houses that were being remodeled. At the time, it was dubbed ‘Pitting Snow White Against Some Dwarves.’

“I think what's really sad is when someday the original houses will all be gone,” Zeitman says. “You don't think much of it and then all of a sudden you're the one that's being violated.”

Both sides of the argument made signs for their front yards and websites to emphasize their points (both sites have been taken down). According to the agenda from the October 9, 2010 meeting, the

Neighbors

Disney Streets Conservation District Steering Committee decided to terminate consideration of a conservation district due to a lack of broad support and the absence of a proposal specifically mandating compliance with the California contemporary or ranch home architecture prevalent in the neighborhood.

“I think architects and designers overall should pay attention to what the house is telling you,” Banda says. “These houses present such a great opportunity and they don't want to be scraped. Let's bring them back to life.”

Jenny Kellogg

rallied to change the original middle street name from Humpty Dumpty to Sleepy Lane to match the Disney names.

AC & HEAT

ALEXANDER HOME REPAIR. AC/HEAT Repair & Install. LIC#28052 469-226-9642

AIR SHIELD LLC AC/Heat Repairs, Installs Airshieldpros.com. 214-394-1788

THE HEATING & AC EXPERTS

Installations & Repairs

Emergency Services 24/7 On-Call 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!

TA CLA67136C 214-710-2515 dallasheatingac.com

APPLIANCE REPAIR

JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE

TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898

BUY SELL TRADE

I BUY USED CARS

Sam. Dallas. 469-609-0978.

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Top Dollar Paid. 1-866 -433-8277

SALE: FULL SIZE BED. $400. Bed frame, headboard, box spring, mattress, Good Condition. 469-363-2480

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

SERNAS & BASS DESIGN-BUILD

We design, build & Install cabinets & tops! (214) 354-3074 • aldo@sernasbass.com

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

Cabinet Refacing, Built-ins, Entertainment/ Computer Centers. Jim. 214-324-7398 jhholbert2@att.net

CLEANING SERVICES

ALTOGETHER CLEAN

Relax ...We’ll Clean Your House, It Will Be Your Favorite Day! Bonded & Insurance. Free Estimates. 214-929-8413. www. altogetherclean.net

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

GOLDEN CLEANING SERVICE

Move In/Out. Basic Clean.Res/Com goldencleaningservicetx.com. 214-500–6998.

WANTED: HOUSES TO CLEAN, Organize, De-clutter, or Pack. Sunny 214-724-2555

WINDOW CLEANING Power washing

No Job To Small. 30 Yrs exp. 214-360-0120

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

NEED HELP WITH YOUR COMPUTER, Smartphone or Smart Home? My Tech Guy Harvey. 214-770-2598. harveymccall@gmail.com.

For complete terms and conditions, visit advocatemag.com/ advertisingterms.

CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING

ADVANCE STONE ART CREATIONS

Decorative Concrete Overlays. 214-705-5954

CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable.

Chris 214-770-5001

CONCRETE, RETAINING WALLS 25 yrs exp. T&M Construction, Inc. 214-328-6401

EDMONDSPAVING.COM Asphalt & Concrete Driveway-Sidewalk-Patio-Repair 214-957-3216

FLAGSTONE PATIOS, Retaining Walls, BBQ’s, Veneer, Flower Bed Edging, All Stone work. Chris 214-770-5001

JOHNSON PAVING Concrete, Asphalt, Driveways. New or Repair. 214-827-1530

R&M Concrete

Concrete • Driveways Retaining Walls

Brick & Stone Work Stamped Concrete 214-202-8958

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC

Master Electrician. TECL24948 anthonyselectricdfw.com 50 Yrs. Electrical Exp. Insd. 214-328-1333

BRIGHT LIGHT ELECTRIC • 214-553-5333 TECL 31347 Brightening Homes and Businesses

LAKEWOOD ELECTRICAL Local. Insured. Lic. #227509 Call Rylan 214-434-8735

TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658

WHITE ROCK ELECTRIC All Electrical Services. Lic/Insd.TECL-34002 214-850-4891

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

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

LONESTARDECKS.COM 214-357-3975

Trex Decking & Fencing, trex.com All Wood Decks, Arbors & Patio Covers

HANNAH WOODWORKS

•Decks • Pergolas

•Patio Covers

Hannawoodworks.com 214-435-9574

FLOORING & CARPETING

HASTINGS FLOORS Epoxy Garage Foors

Many colors to choose (flakes optional) Call Nick for bid 214-341-5993 hastingsfloors.com

HARDWOOD INSTALLATIONS Waterproof, hardwood, carpets, tile laminate, & vinyl click. 214-440-6244 . aaa-texas-floors.com

FOR SALE

FOR SALE 6 pc Queen bedroom set (solid wood). Separately or together. Good Condition. $1200 for set. 956-645-1747

FOUNDATION REPAIR

• Slabs • Pier & Beam

• Mud Jacking • Drainage

• Free Estimates

• Over 20 Years Exp. 972-288-3797

We Answer Our Phones

GARAGE SERVICES

UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES Res/Com. Locally Owned. 214-251-5428

GENERAL CONTACTING

A2H GENERAL CONTRACTING,LLC

Remodel, Paint, Drywall/Texture, Plumbing. Electrical, Siding, Bathroom/Kitchen Remodels Tilling, Flooring, Fencing. 469-658-9163. Free Est. A2HGeneralContactingLLC@gmail.com

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR frameless shower enclosures • store fronts replacement windows • mirrors 214-349-8160

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

ROCK GLASS CO Replace, Repair. Single, Double Panes. Showers, Mirrors. 214-837-7829

HANDYMAN SERVICES

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

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 Doors, Trim, Glass. Int/Ext. Sheetrock, Windows, Kitchen, Bathroom 35 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

MA Y DEADLINE APRIL 9 TO ADVERTISE CALL 214.292.0493

Repair, Resurfacing Tubs, Counters, Tile Repairs. 469-774-7111

KITCHEN/BATH/TILE/GROUT

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. dallastileman.com 214-343-4645

MELROSE TILE James Sr., Installer, Repairs. 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

Complete Full Service Repairs, Kitchen & Bath/Remodeling, Restoration.

Name It- We Do It. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

WHERE CAN I FIND LOCAL ...?

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

#1 WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS Professionals, Experts, Artists serving Dallas 15 years.Trim, Removals. Tree Health Care services. Insured. Arborwizard.com. Free Est. (972) 803-6313.

A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd.

18 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925

Lawns, Gardens & Trees

DAVIS LAWN CARE, LLC

580-222-4909 or davislawncare214@yahoo.com

Serving Lake Highlands & Lakewood.

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061

MAYA TREE SERVICE Tree Trim/Remove. Lawn Maintenance. Resd/ Commcl.Insd. CC’s Accptd. mayatreeservice.com

214-924-7058 214-770-2435

MONSTER TREE SERVICE DALLAS

Certified Arborists, Fully Insured 469.983.1060

NEW LEAF TREE, LLC

Honest, Modern, Safety Minded. 214-850-1528

PAT TORRES 214-388-1850 Lawn Service & Tree Care. 28 Yrs. Complete Landscape Renovation. New Fence Install & Brick Repair. Concrete Removal and Gutter Cleaning.

RED SUN LANDSCAPES • 214-935-9779

RedSunLandscapes.com

TAYLOR MADE IRRIGATION Repairs, service, drains. 30+ years exp. Ll 6295 469-853-2326. John

WALTON’S GARDEN CENTER

Stop in for home decor, candles, house plants, succulents and more. It’s time to plan for spring. Call us for design, prep and plantings!

8652 Garland Road 214.321.2387

DALLAS KDR SERVICES

• Lawn service

PEST CONTROL

MCDANIEL PEST CONTROL

Prices Start at $85 + Tax For General Treatment.

Average Home-Interior/Exterior & Attached Garage. Quotes For Other Services.

214-328-2847. Lakewood Resident

MOSQUITO SHIELD 972–850-2983

Imagine A Night Outside Without Mosquitoes

NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC.

Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc. Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident 30+ Yrs.exp. 214-827-0090

"Keeping Children & Pets in Mind" Termite Specialist - Mosquito Mister Systems Licensed · Insured · Residential · Commercial · Organic 214-350-3595 • Abetterearth.crw@gmail.com abetterearth.com

PLUMBING

AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943

PLUMBING

ASK ABOUT

POOLS

972-379-4000 staggsplumbing.co

CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

C.A.S. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES

REMODELING

KEYS AND GRIM

30 years of experience in residential remodeling. “They are the best…and so nice.” ~ Mom keysandgrim.com 214-952-4490

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Remodeling Dallas For Over 24 Years www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448

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

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 1-866859-0405

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply.Promo Expires 7/21/21.1-833-872-2545

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/one-time $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

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

Roofing iding

MOBILE HELP, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Personal/Small Business. Payroll, Accounting, Organizing, Consult. Cindy 214-577-7450

WHERE DID YOUR MONEY GO? Bookkeeping Services for small businesses & Personal. Financial organizing. Quicken & other programs. Sharon 214-679-9688

REAL ESTATE

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

On Staff:

”WE CARE ABOUT YOUR TREES”

• 4 - Certified Arborists

• 1 - Tex- Tech Degreed Ag

• 1 - Tex A&M Degreed Forester

• 3 - Certified Applicators

www.holcombtreeservice.com

214-327-9311

FULLY INSURED Commercial/Residential

ORGANIZATION

A CHARMING HOME

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

ESTATE HOME NEEDS TO BE SOLD?

Facing forclosure? IG Heron Homes Call Ricardo Garza @ 469-426-7839

FOR RENT Little Forest Hills 2/1 Single Family Home w/fence. $1,600mo. $1,600 deposit. Cheryl. 214-235-1399

GARDEN OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

Walnut Hill @ CENTRAL.3 Smaller Suites Avail. Flexible Terms 214.915. 8886

REMODELING

OFFICE SUBLEASE In Bishop Arts. Cool, Quiet. 1,179 Sq ft. 4 rooms + kit / bath, parking. $2,950 + NNNs. 713.302-7722.

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

FENN CONSTRUCTION Kitchens And Baths. Call Us For Your Remodeling Needs. 214-343-4645. dallastileman.com

SAFE STEP North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline 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

TUTOR/LESSONS

WANTED: OBOE TEACHER needed for 14 year old student. Call 214–235-7429

GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES

HOW GRIFFIN HOLTBY CHANGED HIS COURSE

Story by SIMON PRUITT

Photography by VICTORIA GOMEZ

“A year ago, we would’ve been drinking whiskey right now,” says Griffin Holtby inside his home studio.

The 24-year-old rock and roller grew up in Preston Hollow with his adopted family, who took him in at 8 months from his Russian birth mother. At a young age, Holtby began taking vocal lessons. He realized his talent after performing Bridge Over Troubled Water at a local event for child musicians.

“By the end of it, all these women were crying,” he says. “For me, that solidified that I was good at it. I didn’t realize the importance of that moment until I got older.”

From that day on, Holtby didn’t look back. His parents enrolled him in School Of Rock and Zounds Sounds as he continued to build up his range, learn guitar and figure out his sound.

Around 13, alcohol was introduced to Holtby’s life by an older teenager.

“I invited it,” he says. “It’s rock ‘n’ roll. It was like, this is what I’m supposed to do.”

As a freshman at St. Mark’s, Holtby’s vice only worsened.

“I was bringing vodka into class in water bottles,” he says. “I was smoking cigarettes on campus in this little corner I found.”

At 15, his music career appeared to be flourishing. He released a four-song first EP, Infinite , in 2015, just as his body and mental health reached a nadir.

The following year, Holtby was put into a number of rehabilitation facilities, where he grappled with his addictions. When he returned, he enrolled in Parish Episcopal School, only to return to his old ways soon after.

After graduation, Holtby opted not to attend Berklee School of Music, taking a job as the music director of Stan’s Blue Note in Lower Greenville as he began recording with a new band called Fifth Phoenix. During that time, he auditioned for season 20 of American Idol and made it through to the Hollywood round.

“You have to look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘You are the culprit,’” he says. “Then your reality starts to shift.”

Nearly a decade removed from his initial cry for help, Holtby’s priorities have changed.

“I’m someone who wants to make being nice look really cool,” Holtby says.

Holtby is working on his second solo EP.