T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • Oct. 28 - Nov. 3, 2021
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
I am in love!
WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM
TINY HOUSES and TINY DINING Dallas native addresses housing needs of veterans
By Cheryl Smith
As I watched the interviews of Black men, most of them fathers and some who aren’t; I beamed with pride as they each talked about how they took a stand against the violence in one Shreveport, LA school. The videos of students fighting were enough to turn my stomach. As always my thoughts went to what I would have done had I come upon fights involving any child I fed, clothed and provided a safe living environment for. Just the thought of my child bullying another child, or a teacher, or just the thought of my child being bulled by another child or marginalized by a teacher; were just causes for me to take charge. And that’s what Southwood High School’s Dad’s on Duty (or Dads on Duty) have done — taken charge! Which brings me to my truth. These men in Louisiana have taken on another job; committing to hours of active duty patrolling classrooms, talking to students, and serving as resources for faculty and staff at Southwood; where in a three-day period, 23 students were arrested. Since Dad’s on Duty arrived on campus, not one incident! See MY TRUTH, page 12
From Homes to Dining, Tiny is the way of the future for many. Dallas-based Operation Tiny House is in the forefront of what many consider to be a fairly new concept to Texas, but across the country, as the plight of homelessness and affordable housing becomes more and more challenging, organizations and businesses are coming up with this option.
Enter Valerie Ballard, a native Dallasite who has dedicated a majority of her life to helping veterans. Friday, October 29, 2021, from 3-8p.m., there will be an open house for Tiny Dining Ranch at 7225 University Hills Blvd. in Dallas. At the event, Ballard will introduce the Tiny Dining Experience where patrons can rent out the small facilities for very intimate gatherings. Joined by represen-
Malachi Wideman explodes as Jackson State blows past Bethune-Cookman Jackson State University 42 Bethune-Cookman 12
Plum Market opens at DFW Airport Photos by Jesse Hornbuckle
Valerie Ballard
tatives from Santander Consumer USA Foundation, City and County officials and other nonprofit organizations, attendees will learn more about the concept of Tiny Houses and how to become involved. As a young child, Ballard watched her grandmother who took care of the veterans in the family. Ballard’s father was among those benefiting from his mother’s commitment to serving See TINY HOUSES, page 7
MONTHLY FOCUS OVER
Breast Cancer work continues for Bradford By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines Texas Metro News
As October comes to an end, many people will hang up their pink ribbons until next year. For the millions of people that have been impacted by breast cancer, the changing of the month is just a sign that there is still much more work to be done. According to statistics, about one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. This year, an estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the United States.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
Former TX State Rep. Helen Giddings, CEO/founder of Multiplex, Inc., has partnered with retail giant Hudson to open and operate the one-of-a-kind market and dining experience in Terminal B at DFW Airport. The 2,400 square-foot installation boasts a full-service restaurant and bar featuring expansive open concourse dining, with more than 80 seats, along with a designated area for table service and a grab-and-go marketplace. See PLUM MARKET, page 16
Dallas Mayor tests positive for COVID Dallas Citizens were informed midday Tuesday that Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tested positive for COVID 19. "Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated, and I am only experiencing mild symptoms," he said in a statement, as he expressed concern for the health of his children who are not eligible to receive the vaccine. Mayor Eric Johnson "My wife Nikki, who is also fully vaccinated, has tested negative." Saying that he had notified recent close contacts , as well as his sons' schools, the mayor said he "first began to feel ill late Monday," He canceled my events including presiding over Wednesday's Dallas City Council meeting. "I appreciate your thoughts and prayers on behalf of my family, and I look forward to a speedy recovery so I can get back to work with my colleagues on behalf of the people of Dallas," said Mayor Johnson. "In addition, I want to take this opportunity to again encourage residents of Dallas to get vaccinated if they have not yet done so — and to receive a booster shot when they are eligible. The vaccines have saved lives and can make breakthrough cases, like mine, far less severe."
Congresswoman’s seat a HOT TOPIC! Melissa Bradford with Vickie Yakunin, Senior Manager of Amazon, on North Texas Giving Day.
“We have got to share our stories and break the code of silence in our community. It is important for us to share whatever illness or disease we have experienced with our families and friends, “said four-year breast cancer survivor, Melissa Bradford, who is Chief of Staff for State
Representative Carl O. Sherman. Bradford, who is well aware of the disparities regarding African American Women and breast cancer, is determined to help make a difference in our community. Most recent research reports that the mortalSee BREAST CANCER, page 11
Redistricting is always a hot topic. There’s been heightened interest in a certain congressional seat in Texas since Gov. Greg Abbott signed off on a new map earlier this week. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, Dr. David Wilson – President of The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance & Pastor of Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church, Dr. Anthony Sharp – President of National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Inc & Pastor of Tabernacle
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson
of Praise Missionary Baptist Church, and Rev. Todd Atkins - Pastor of Salem Institutional Baptist Church See CONGRESSWOMAN, page 12