HPISD CANDIDATES SHARE VIEWS ON ELEMENTARY REDISTRICTING 6
APRIL 2019 VOLUME 39 NO. 4
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PEOPLE’S CHOICE Readers named their favorite places to shop, dine, and get emergency care. PAGE 32
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COMMUNITY Home tour features historic architecture 12
CAMPS Book recalls dad-daughter tradition 42
FAITH Finding the ‘Beauty’ in Alzheimer’s 46
Park CitiesPeople
April 2019 Vol. 39, No. 4 parkcitiespeople.com @pcpeople @peoplenewspapers
2 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
HOLDING A DEBATE IS HARD TO DO
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n the suggestion of Wick Allison, my boss and D Magazine’s Chairman and CEO, we at Preston Hollow People, the sister paper to Park Cities People, decided to host a debate between Dallas City Council member Jennifer Staubach Gates and former Dallas mayor Laura Miller. Naively, I thought this would be simple. In theory, it was: Bring Gates and Miller together so voters in District 13, which is a good portion of our Preston Hollow People readership, could hear from the candidates first hand. It would be good visibility for People Newspapers and an extension of the coverage we have been providing on the subjects at the forefront of the district race: Preston Center, Northwest Highway, and Preston intersection development – issues that also are important to residents in neighboring University Park. And it’s no secret these topics have become a bit contentious. Through some counsel I sought from the events and marketing team at D Magazine (they have loads of experience with events and more specifically this type of event), we determined it would be best to use an online registration so we could track and manage our numbers. We chose a venue based on location (a church in Preston Hollow) and on what we estimated would be plenty of capacity. How wrong could we have been? In less than 48 hours the event was
sold out, so I reached out to the church about adding more chairs in wings of the sanctuary PAT M A R T I N to increase our number f rom the original 180. Those were swallowed up in a matter of a few hours. It turns out WAY more than 250 people wanted to attend. We received panicked urgent messages f rom folks saying, “We can’t RSVP; we NEED to be there.” And of course, I had a conversation or two with the candidates who had heard f rom constituents that they weren’t able to get tickets. I even heard a rumor that the “Free” tickets were being offered for sale at $50 each on Nextdoor, the neighborhood social media platform. At press time we were a little over a week out from the event and were working to secure a much larger venue with more than twice the capacity, and my hope is everyone that wants to attend can. The lesson for me here: Don’t underestimate our communities’ level of engagement. Or maybe readers just want to witness a good fight. Pat Martin, Publisher pat.martin@peoplenewspapers.com
Contents
Crime ............................ 4 News ............................... 6 Community ................. 12 Sports ........................... 18 Business ....................... 22 People’s Choice ............ 32 Schools ........................ 38 Camps .......................... 40 Society ......................... 43 Living Well / Faith....... 46 Weddings ..................... 49 Classifieds .................... 51
EDITORIAL Editor William Taylor Managing Editor Bianca R. Montes Staff Writer Timothy Glaze Sports Editor Todd Jorgenson Production Manager Melanie Thornton
A DV E R T I S I N G
O P E R AT I O N S
Senior Account Executives Kim Hurmis Kate Martin
Business Manager Alma Ritter
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Publisher: Patricia Martin
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4 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Crime
S KU L D U G G E RY of the MONTH
PRETEND POLICE
GUN STOLEN IN UP USED IN CARJACKING Police: Don’t leave firearms in unlocked cars By Bill Miller
Special Contributor
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Beware of calls from frauds pretending to be peace officers, the Highland Park Department of Safety (HPDPS) warns. The scam: A caller, posing as a Highland Park officer, demands payment on a warrant for failing to appear for jury duty. In March, intended victims said the scammer sounded legitimate but became vague, evasive, and increasingly irritated when pressed for specifics. Do not provide such a caller with personal information, Lt. Lance Koppa said. Instead contact dispatch at 214-5215000.
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un advocates say that a firearm is but a tool, and in the hands of a law-abiding citizen, it has a legitimate purpose in protecting people and property. The opposite occurred weeks ago when a handgun stolen from a vehicle in University Park was used in a carjacking, said Officer Lita Snellgrove, police spokeswoman. Records show it was one of five firearms taken from unlocked cars in the city during December: two semiautomatic pistols, a revolver, a .410-caliber shotgun, and an AR15 rifle. The thefts underscore the consequence of owning legal, but unsecured, guns that become tools of criminal activity. “Part of being a responsible gun owner is the need to make sure you know where the gun is and that it’s locked up,” Snellgrove said. “The biggest thing is, don’t
leave them in the vehicle.” Lt. Lance Koppa, spokesperson for Highland Park Department of Public Safety, agreed, adding that knowing the serial numbers of stolen guns would help police recover them. Koppa and Snellgrove urged gun owners to record the serial numbers. “It’s absolutely a call to action,” Koppa said. “And do the same for your camera gear, computers, or other valuable items.” Koppa said thieves are criminals of opportunity, using the cover of night to roam streets and try car door handles until they find one unlocked. With keys inside, they will take the whole vehicle. If not they’ll settle for loose change, credit cards, personal electronics, and guns. Be sure to lock the doors to vehicles, garages, and homes, Koppa said. Police throughout the U.S. say the exact number of stolen firearms is unknowable because many such thefts go unreported.
PHOTO COURTESY U.S. BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
Two Glock 19 pistols, like the one shown here, were among five guns stolen from unlocked vehicles last December in University Park. But in 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, referring to Department of Justice data, estimated that an average of 232,400 were stolen each year during a study conducted over the previous four years. Eighty percent of those guns remained unrecovered. Last year, Highland Park police received three reports of guns stolen, while 17 firearms were taken from cars in University Park. Snellgrove said four of the weapons were recovered, including three
of the handguns stolen in the December incidents that police are blaming on an auto theft ring involving 10 Dallas County teens, ages 16-19. Investigators linked the gun thefts to the group after three members were arrested with two stolen vehicles. “They gave information on the others,” Snellgrove said. “Some are still out and wanted, and some are being held by the juvenile system.” But as of this writing in midMarch, the shotgun and the AR-15 were still on the street, Snellgrove said. Texas law has no provision for holding people responsible for crimes committed with guns stolen from them, Snellgrove said. But, she noted, the law does require Texans to keep their guns locked, hidden, and away from children. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines ranging from $500 to $4,000.
CRIME REPORT FEB. 4 - MARCH 10 FEB. 4 Stolen before 10:24 a.m.: a $500 Glock 9MM handgun and three firearms from a 2016 Toyota in the 3500 block of Stanford Avenue. FEB. 7 At 4:30 a.m., video surveillance from a home in the 4000 block of Livingston Avenue caught the burglary of a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. A Honda Accord stopped, and a burglar got out, forced the back hatch of the Suburban open, and after failing to remove the third-row seat, stole a $180 Baby Trend jogging stroller. FEB. 9 Vandals were busy overnight in Highland Park breaking the windows of four vehicles parked along the 4500 and 4600 block of Abbott Avenue. A white 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, a black 2013 Range Rover, and a white 2014 Porsche Cheyenne all had windows broken
but nothing stolen from inside except for possibly a few coins from the Porsche. A grey 2017 Range Rover had its windows smashed and a backpack containing school books and homework stolen from the backseat. FEB. 11 Reported at 1:52 p.m.: A 60-year-old man wired $8,989.05 to what he thought was the account of the construction company that had been issuing home repairs to his Highland Park address within the 4200 block of Lorraine Avenue. It turned out the account information came from a fraudulent email address. FEB. 12 Here’s one you don’t see every day: Sometime between 5 and 6:30 p.m., a gallon of milk was poured inside a 2018 Mercedes parked at the 4000 block of University Park. The vehicle was left unlocked; there was no sign of forced entry
by The Milkman (or Milkwoman). FEB. 18 A 67-year-old University Park woman is out a 500 ring after the person who took it to get repaired never brought it back. The ring was handed over in the 3600 block of Bryn Mawr Drive and reported stolen sometime before 11:28 a.m. Feb. 18. Here’s hoping the ring is at least fixed. FEB. 28 Last seen around 10 p.m.: A red 2012 Toyota Corolla, valued at $8,000. The vehicle was reported stolen around 11:18 p.m. from the 4200 block of Oak Lawn Avenue. MARCH 3 A pistol was stolen sometime overnight from an unlocked 2018 white Cadillac Escalade parked in the 3800 block of Caruth Boulevard, the owner reported to police at 1 p.m.
MARCH 4 Impounded at 9:54 a.m.: a red 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, valued at $20,000, from the 6500 block of Turtle Creek Boulevard for the failure to pay citations. MARCH 5 Stolen between 1:51 and 7:45 a.m.: a $150 Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun after breaking into a 2018 Ford F-15 parked in the 2900 block of Rosedale Avenue. MARCH 10 The driver of a 2016 Nissan Versa reported at 3:30 p.m. that a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe, during a parking attempt in the 5400 block of Abbott Avenue, backed into her car, doing $300 damage, and then fled the scene. She followed the Tahoe to its new parking spot but didn’t make contact with the driver who entered Highland Park United Methodist Church.
6 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
News
EARLY VOTING RUNS APRIL 22-30 FOR MAY 4 ELECTION
With Paul Rowsey not running, three contend for HPISD Place 4 seat RENEE A. BOTTOMS Professor HPISD resident for 18 months How should the district approach the redistricting of the elementary schools? This is an important topic for many community members. The redistricting of the elementary schools is a sensitive issue for our students and parents. While it may seem a little cumbersome, it may be worth it to have a larger parent group provide input on their preferences. Having such conversations would bring the community together. HPISD must gain the support of its elementary school parents because the decision will impact their children. I am sure the advisory committee will do its best to address the concerns parents have with redistricting, and not everyone is going to be completely happy with the results, but a good amount of transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making will strengthen the district. There is always a middle ground that everyone can work toward agreeing on. What is one thing you would change, or aim to improve, within the district? The one thing that I would aim to improve is the communication between the board of trustees and the community. It feels like a lot of the issues that HPISD was facing in the past could have been addressed if the community had been engaged in the discussions and decision-making in a timely fashion. Granted that we do have advisory committees looking into the decisions that were being made and also parent representatives in sub-committees working on important decisions like redistricting, but not all members of our community are aware of the outcome. We should have more open conversations with the community and seek to open more traditional and non-traditional conversational spaces to address concerns. An informed community will be a supportive community. Transparency is an asset we can use for community outreach and also as a way to leverage more community support in funding contributions.
JAE ELLIS Legal consulting sales HPISD resident for 11 years How should the district approach the redistricting of the elementary schools? Each elementary school is deeply loved and part of a unique smaller community within the district, and changing attendance boundaries will be an emotional and sensitive endeavor. Recognizing that fairness and transparency in the process require substantial community participation, trustees and administrators proposed the creation of a Boundary Rezoning Committee, composed of eight parent volunteers (two from each elementary school), three current trustees, two former trustees, and two community members, with the superintendent and two other school district employees serving as ex-officio members. The committee will recommend to the trustees a boundary plan for all five elementary schools. As a trustee, I would support the process already in place and would encourage members of the committee to consider not just current enrollment numbers, but also a variety of issues and concerns, including potential growth, traffic patterns, travel distance, and safety, in an objective, data-driven, and transparent manner. What is one thing you would change or aim to improve in the district? The state’s inadequate funding of HPISD hinders the district’s ability to attract, hire, support, and retain excellent teachers, and HPISD must rely on the generous support of the community to pay its teachers. Therefore, it is critical that HPISD does an even better job of engaging and communicating with its larger community (including all parents, residents, alumni, and local businesses) to foster even stronger partnerships and support. As a trustee, I would scrutinize HPISD’s budget to ensure that competitive compensation is always prioritized above less essential expenses, and I would work toward even greater transparency around, and proactive communication about, the district’s finances so that our community clearly understands that the district’s critical financial needs are basic and essential.
PHILLIP PHILBIN Attorney HPISD resident for 21 years How should the district approach the redistricting of the elementary schools? The process for determining the new districts should be thoughtful, considerate, and transparent. The district has already started the process by forming a committee of board members (current and former), community members, and educators, led by Paul Rowsey. The district is right to have the committee do a thoughtful and thorough analysis. I am certain some of the factors to be considered will include minimizing the danger of crossing major streets, current and future demographics, flexibility afforded by the addition of additional classroom capacity, and cost/efficiency considerations. As a potential board member, I would evaluate the committee’s recommendations and analysis when completed. What is one thing you would change, or aim to improve, within the district? Communication. HPISD is a beacon of excellence in public schools. Excellent public schools are great for Texas. Excellent public schools are great for property values. Excellent public schools are great for attracting new businesses to our city and our state. Excellent public schools produce life-long learners who are good and productive citizens. Communicating the value of excellent public schools will help with school funding, community pride, and business involvement.
LEARN MORE Visit parkcitiespeople.com to read more about why these candidates are running, how they view implementation of the bond program, and what they see as the biggest challenges.
8 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Preparing Texas For Dramatic Population Growth?
SMU-grad Luce, Texas 2036 work to tackle educational, employment challenges By Tim Glaze
LEARN MORE
People Newspapers Can Texas absorb the ongoing and projected population boom? That’s the question Texas 2036 is tackling. The details of Texas 2036 - a long-term plan to sustain Texas as the “best place to live and do business” through the state’s bicentennial and beyond - are still in the works. Tom Luce, an SMU-alum and member of the Library of Congress Board, is championing the project. Luce spoke about Texas 2036 in February at the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society luncheon, a United Way of Metropolitan Dallas event honoring past recipients of the SMU Erik Jonsson Award for individuals who “epitomize the spirit of public virtue.” Luce won the award in 2004.
You cannot see the wolf. But the wolf is around the corner. Tom Luce Luce founded Texas 2036 with the idea of preparing for population growth, which has been forecasted to increase 40 percent in Texas by 2036. Texas would need to add 4.5 million to 7.8 million new jobs by 2036 to maintain existing employment rates, he said.
Texas 2036, a nonprofit formed in 2016, uses data and strategic planning to help Texans make decisions about the state’s future. Visit texas2036.org to see data, news, and opportunities to get involved.
COURTESY PHOTO
FROM LEFT: Jennifer Sampson, Tom Luce, and Margaret Spellings. The project’s website, Texas2036.org, is regularly updated with the newest data, news, information, state public policy, and other information. Other goals of the project include seeking changes in six key areas: education and workforce, government performance, health and human services, infrastructure, natural resources, and safety and judgment. Job growth and education top the list, Luce said. “Today, only 21 percent of all high school graduates in Texas complete 14 years of ed-
ucation,” Luce said. “In 2036, if you only complete high school, you are destined to a minimum wage job. And if 80 percent of our population only qualifies for a minimum wage job, this economy will not work, period. “You cannot pay enough taxes to make up for that difference. It’s pure economics.” Margaret Spellings, who joined Luce as a panelist during the luncheon, said growing the job market is “putting the money where our mouths are.” “So if we say that everybody needs 14
years of education or more to participate in the American dream, our economy, are we powering up our first-dollar investments around a goal like that? We’re not,” she said. Luce said he has made serving Dallas and the state of Texas his life’s work. After receiving his law degree from SMU, he started his own law firm that centered on multibillion mergers and litigation. His public service has included work on various commissions, including Cancer Prevention and Research Institute and Education Commission of the States. He has also founded and led nonprofits such as Just For Kids, National Math and Science Initiative, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and the Texas Business and Education Coalition. Preventing a loss of jobs and a drop in state economy is his current focus. “You cannot see the wolf,” he said. “But the wolf is around the corner. If you will act now, you can do something about it that will not disrupt society and will not disrupt lives if we’re just proactive.”
10 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Ruling on Hyer Historical Designation Approaches
Demolition timeline remains at risk
TIM GLAZE
Hyer Elementary School opened in 1949. Its architect, Mark Lemmon, also designed Highland Park Presbyterian and Highland Park United Methodist churches. Preservation Dallas put the school on the 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places list.
By Tim Glaze
People Newspapers As May approaches, Highland Park ISD officials are eyeing a return to the Texas State Board of Review for a decision on whether Hyer Elementary School will receive a historic designation. The school’s nomination to the National Register of Historic Places is “concerning” to Superintendent Tom Trigg and HPISD board members, who worry that a possible designation could delay demolition and construction of the school. Having a building named to the National Register does not preclude it from facing demolition, but it is a prerequisite to being considered a State Antiquities Landmark, “which could keep it from being demolished against the wishes of our community, which voted for new schools more than three years ago,” Trigg told board members earlier this year. “We officially opposed the nomination,” he said. “If we are forced to do anything different than what we have planned for Hyer, it would cause a delay for us, and most likely a lot of money.” Highland Park resident David Gravelle, a member of the Texas Historical Commission, helped set the wheels in motion for Hyer’s nomination with a proposal he and others drafted. “I didn’t even do that [in my capacity] as a member of the commission — I set about doing that as a citizen,” he said. “I am and always have been a huge proponent of historical preservation.” Gravelle said any nomination for historical preservation must go through a process: Starting at the individual level, a proposal is made to the THC; if the commission approves, the proposal moves on to the State Review Board; the board then decides if it is worthy of passing on to the National Registry for consideration. “It’s quite a long process, with a lot of different steps,” Gravelle said. Register requirements say buildings, sites, objects, structures, and districts are eligible if they are at least 50 years old – with rare exceptions – and meet established criteria. Houses, schools, hotels, theaters, barns, bridges, and lighthouses more than 50 years old are also sought after by the Register.
Another factor in determining eligibility is whether the building is in recognizably the same form as when it was built. Even if Hyer is so recognized, district leaders remain optimistic demolition could proceed this summer, and a new school could be built in time to open for the fall of 2020. “We’re confident, despite the efforts to place the school on the National Register,” Hitzelberger said. “The design for the building incorporates historical elements of the original Hyer, complements the surrounding neighborhood, and accurately reflects the character and history of HPISD.” “Legacy” committees, as well as faculty, PTA members, students, and former teachers worked to make sure architects embraced the unique elements of Hyer and preserved familiar features in the design for the new building.
If we are forced to do anything different than what we have planned for Hyer, it would cause a delay for us, and most likely a lot of money. Tom Trigg The Hyer Legacy committee’s wish-list of saved elements include the building’s red brick and white trim, the courtyard, and the engraved bricks. Trigg and Jim Hitzelberger, board president, are scheduled to meet with their attorneys before the May decision by the Commission. Hitzelberger added that the amended site plan has already been “unanimously approved” by the University Park City Council. “The community has been very supportive of the design,” he said. Of the district were to redraw building plans, that would be expensive, Trigg said. “We have a lot of architectural dollars tied up there,” he said. “Worse case, we might have needed to – or need to – open the school a year later.”
12 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Community COUPLES’ PERFECT MATCH: A QUINTESSENTIAL TUDOR
See Hurleys’ renovated house, three other homes on historic society tour HOME TOUR
Ted and Camillia Shoemaker COURTESY PHOTOS
This 1924 fieldstone Tudor at 3615 Cornell Ave. is one of the earliest residential projects by Marion Fooshee and James Cheek, the architects for Highland Park Village.
Jack and Kate LaGere Built in 1928, the LaGeres are only the fourth family to occupy this eclectic Tudor home situated at 3524 Saint Johns Drive The homeowners appreciated the possibilities this project presented for implementing their vision to redesign and preserve a classic. BIANCA R. MONTES
TOP: By 1918, noted Dallas architect, Hal Thomson, had finished work on this rare jewel among Dallasarea residences. BELOW: Homeowner Elizabeth Hurley stands in her entryway.
By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers
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ydney and Elizabeth Hurley almost gave up on purchasing an old Tudor-style home in the Park Cities. In fact, they did. After nearly three years of searching for the perfect home – losing out on a couple of possibilities – the couple purchased a plot of land and decided to build from the ground up. Then their phone rang. A real estate agent informed them a 1918 home designed by Dallas architect Hal Thomson was about to go on the market. Located on the prestigious Gillon Avenue on more than half an acre, Elizabeth Hurley said she agreed to view the home, “but we had to be the first one in.” Bedecked with windows that allow light to fill just about every room, the character and charm of the nearly 9,000-square-foothome captivated the Hurleys. “I remember walking in, and
I just fell in love with it,” Elizabeth Hurley said from her living room, where a collection of Eastern European paintings serves as a supreme reflection of the couple’s “traditional with a twist” style aesthetic. “I could see our family in it – it just felt like our family belonged.” While the home’s interior once had more of a French vibe, Sydney Hurley said it wasn’t hard to take note of the home’s understated beauty. “The bones were there,” he said. There are fireplaces marked by famous carver Peter Mansbendel, and in a music room inspired by the first owner’s wife, a music director at The Hockaday School, the artist carved the brackets and busts of Bach and Beethoven in the walls. “They are things people don’t do today,” Sydney Hurley said. “To us, it made the house individually unique.” A prime example of the quint-
essential Tudor style design, other elements of the home includes random colored slate tiles, alternating window shapes, unique masonry details, and cast stone accents including quoins framing the front door. Gargoyles and a pair of 17th-century bronze lion statues acquired in Savannah sit in front. After a 15-month extensive renovation led by Dallas architect Robbie Fusch and Fort Worth interior designer Joe Minton, the Hurleys moved into their dream home 10 years ago. Except for the original hardwood floors and windows, every surface of the home was touched. The upstairs was utterly reconfigured, making the bedrooms bigger and the closets larger for their three daughters and son. The highlight of their renovation – stemmed from endless research of English manor homes – is a family room framed by beautiful pine paneling and soaring beams that spiral up a three-story vault.
Jim and Susan Murray Available records indicate the oldest home on the tour was completed in 1916. The residence at 3657 Stratford Ave. is a representative example of the Greek Revival architectural style.
IF YOU GO What: Distinguished Speaker Luncheon with Candace Evans When: April 10 Where: Brook Hollow Golf Club Tickets: $150 (pchps.org) What: Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society Home Tour When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 Tickets: $20 (online at pchps.org), $25 (at the door) What: Classic & Antique Car Show When: April 27 Where: Burleson Park Cost: Free
April 2019 13
Springtime is Diet Time When April flowers emerge, and grays and blacks and woolens of winter go into the closet, out come florals, cotton, sundresses, and more figure-revealing clothes. For those whose January LEN BOURLAND diets (Dryuary in my case) didn’t shed the magical five pounds, it’s time to consider a diet, yet again. Dieting has been big business since Vogue magazine started editorializing about it in the 1920s when cigarettes were touted as a way to curb the appetite. Most were on a forced diet in the Depression with food shortages, but the post-war boom heralded the grapefruit diet. The boring 1950s gave us the cabbage diet. Ugh! Americans began to fatten up in earnest with processed foods by the 1960s, and Weight Watchers was born. Enter the calorie count and diet food brands like Metrecal and Ayds, the appetite-suppressant candy. With the psychedelic age, diet pills could be found floating about along with Dr. Atkins’ low carb diet. The late 1970s gave us SlimFast, and the 1980s brought Jenny Craig and other branded diet foods. More support groups followed, went out of fashion, and re-entered fashion with Oprah and Fergie. The South Beach Diet had the Clintons on board. Raw food, the Paleo Diet, DASH, veganism, gluten-free diets ensued. Which to follow? Whole30’s not for me. It’s too stringent with no alcohol, or salt, or sugar, or peanut butter. How does a body live? The Mediterranean diet is recommended by my doctor but what they all include is less processed food, less sugar, more olive oil, and fresh veggies. I’m leaning toward the keto diet which is tons of fat and meat like bacon — yes, bacon — and cream and eggs but no carbs. Some alcohol is allowed – just no wine. So I’m giving wine up for Lent ( Just not vodka). Spinach omelets with cream cheese cooked in butter? Yes, just no toast or jelly. Always salad. There is no diet that excludes that. The old Vogue cheesecake diet from my college days would still work. If I don’t have a heart attack putting my body into ketosis (fat burning), I might get rid of some of the “hail damage” er, cellulite on my thighs before wading into the ocean. So that’s my April plan. At least for a while. Len Bourland can be reached at lenbourland@gmail.com
16 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Mother, Daughter Face MS Diagnoses
Robertsons to receive courage award at Yellow Rose Gala
By Marissa Alvarado People Newspapers
S uzanne Rober tson and daughter, Janie, both went to Highland Park High School, both graduated from TCU, and both were diagnosed as young adults with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Both also receive substantial support f rom the men in their family – a family chosen to receive this year’s Dee Wynne Courage Award from the Yellow Rose Gala Foundation for MS Research. The foundation has raised millions of dollars for the research of MS, an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the body. Suzanne was diagnosed in 1981 at age 22 during what she
calls “dark ages of MS” because neither she nor her doctors knew much about it. Janie was diagnosed this past year at age 32. “I had [drop] foot, my lip was drooping, my right side was pretty much worthless,” Suzanne said. She spent two weeks in the hospital. The doctors advised against having children, but Suzanne had two, John Malcolm III, aka Bud, and Janie. Last year, Janie awoke in the middle of the night extremely dizzy and unable to walk. Bud carried her to the car to go to the hospital where she stayed for five days, receiving two MRIs, a CT scan, and a spinal tap. The familiar diagnosis would follow. “I already had a game plan because I’ve seen a multiple sclerosis patient my whole life,” Janie said. Her boyf riend, Dakotah Richardson, visited her in the hospital similarly to how Suzanne’s husband, Malcolm, had in 1981. “Mom told me how she knew my dad was the one,” Janie said. “He was with her every day that she was in the hospital as was my boyfriend when I was in the hospital.” Janie met Dakotah while volunteering for the gala when he brought a donated shotgun from the store where he works.
MARISSA ALVARADO
FROM LEFT: Janie Robertson and her mother, Suzanne, can laugh now about their shared symptoms. “I thought he was going to be a crotchety old man selling a gun when he came up to the event,”
Janie said. “Two days later he asked me out on our first date.” Suzanne and Janie explained
I already had a game plan because I’ve seen a multiple sclerosis patient my whole life. Janie Robertson that “no MS patient is alike,” but the toughest part is the fatigue. “I stay caffeinated most of the day,” Suzanne said. “That helps a bit, but I don’t do anything after about 3 p.m. because sleep is too important.” Another obstacle Janie has
had to overcome is discrimination in the job market. “I utter the words, ‘I have multiple sclerosis,’ and they look at me like I have the plague,” Janie said. “It ’s disheartening because I want to be normal, I want to work again, and I still have plenty to offer.” Another thing mother and daughter have in common: a positive spirit. “We laugh about more stuff now,” Janie said, listing symptoms and other things that only they can relate to. “ You’d cr y if you didn’t laugh,” Suzanne said. Looking to the future, Janie said, “I would love to see a cure found. I definitely see that happening in my lifetime.”
I F YO U G O WHAT: Yellow Rose Gala: Paint the Town Yellow for a Cure! WHEN: 6 p.m. April 13 WHERE: Renaissance Dallas Hotel TICKETS: theyellowrose.org ABOUT: The Yellow Rose Gala Foundation, founded by Dee and Jimmy Wynne shortly after Dee’s diagnosis with MS, became a prominent Dallas social event, raising more than $5.75 million for research from 1986 to 2001. After Dee’s death in 2014, their children reestablished the foundation.
18 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
STEPHENS WORKS TO BECOME EVEN FASTER
HP track star will become latest Scot to join Texas Longhorns By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
J
CHRIS MCGATHEY
Maddy Stephens will pursue another medal at the state meet this spring.
ust like so many young girls in the Park Cities, Maddy Stephens admired the runners on the Highland Park cross country and track teams, hoping to one day join their ranks. As it turns out, Stephens not only fulfilled that goal but has surpassed the achievements of almost all of those athletes she grew up idolizing. Stephens, who already has signed a college scholarship to run at Texas, is hoping to cap a decorated high school career with another trip to the Class 5A state meet this spring. She won a silver medal in the 800 meters last year. “She’s very motivated. When she puts her mind to something, she’s usually successful,” said HP head coach Susan Bailey. “That brings out the best in her.” Her father ran marathons, which first introduced Stephens to the sport. She started jogging with him, then transitioned to racing in
fifth-grade, when she joined a club team at Norbuck Park. She enjoyed cross country more at first, but now prefers the track, where she was a 1,600-meter specialist until her freshman year. That’s when an injury interrupted her training and forced her to change course. “If you have a little bit of speed to go with your endurance, you can be an 800 runner,” Bailey said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have some great 800 kids come through here.” In addition to joining that tradition of half-milers, Stephens also will add to a recent pipeline of HP middle-distance runners to join the Longhorns — following in the footsteps of Jenna Read, Mary Beth Hamilton, and Gabby Crank. While her most noteworthy results have come in the spring, Stephens also was part of an HP squad that reached the state meet in cross country last fall. “Running cross country enables me to do the 800, because then in track I can focus on my speed,” she said. “I think they help
each other so much.” Stephens hopes to lower her time in her best event this spring to under 2 minutes, 10 seconds, which would be a new personal best. It also would best the time of the only runner to beat Stephens at last year’s state meet.
When she puts her mind to something, she’s usually successful. Susan Bailey Meanwhile, versatility and work ethic allow Bailey to enter Stephens in a variety of events, including relays. It fits with the team-first philosophy that Stephens has embraced. “In fifth-grade, I was so excited just to be a part of this team hopefully in the future,” she said. “Now I can see how important it is to be a leader and a role model. I’m proud to be a part of that legacy.”
With Runner-Up Finish, Scots Are No Longer on Thin Ice Sours brings experience, toughness, scoring to Highland Park team
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Robby Sours and his Highland Park teammates are trying to increase the popularity of hockey on campus. They know that — like any other sport — winning is a great way to boost exposure. So when the Scots surged to a runner-up finish in the top division of the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League in February, it was a huge step in the right direction.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said HP head coach Jeff Lewin. “I don’t think anyone expected it. I couldn’t be more proud. It speaks to the kids really taking ownership of the team.” That’s especially impressive considering the Scots’ recent history. In 2017, HP won only one game and finished in last place in the second-tier Varsity Silver division. Last year, the Scots dropped down to Varsity Bronze and barely made the playoffs. “Being exposed to the higher competition made everybody a lot better,” Sours said. “I was motivated this year. I really wanted to see our team do well. I was kind of driven by that.” Sours is one of the more experienced players on the squad. He picked up hockey more than a decade ago when his parents became Dallas Stars season ticket holders. During his freshman year, he gave up soccer to focus on hockey full-time. About half of HP’s players compete on select teams year-round in addition to playing for their school. For example, Sours practices an extra three times each week, and plays an
He has one of those oldschool hockey mentalities. . . When he gets hit, it motivates him to go out there and score. Jeff Lewin Sours, a junior, led the league with 25 goals in 18 games during the regular season, while teammate Alex James added 16. As a team, HP finished in third place in the league’s Varsity Gold division and reached the championship game after upsetting McKinney in postseason play.
CHRIS MCGATHEY
Robby Sours led Highland Park to a runner-up finish with a league-best 25 goals this season. extra game every week, for the Dallas Penguins. He will travel to a national tournament in April in San Jose, California. “He raises the level of play for everybody else,” Lewin said. “He has one of those oldschool hockey mentalities. He’s not one to shy away from confrontation. When he gets hit, it motivates him to go out there and score.” The Scots don’t play any traditional home
games since there’s no suitable ice rink in the Park Cities. However, the number of local youth hockey players continues to rise. So Sours and his teammates will continue to wear their hockey sweaters on game days and tout their accomplishments, in the hopes that fan support will follow. “It’s fun to watch our games,” he said. “When people come out, we play a lot better.”
20 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Lady Scots Gymnastics Sisters’ Act
Competitive Downing girls provide balance for each other
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Sibling gymnasts Katherine and Kennedy Downing have watched one another perform hundreds of routines. But this year, the stakes for every tumble and flip are higher than ever. Katherine is a senior at Highland Park High School, while Kennedy is a freshman. That makes them teammates for the first, and probably last, time. And so both sisters want to make it count. “We get to see each other get new skills and compete together,” Katherine said. “We motivate each other because we’ve got kind of a competitive sister drive.” Although they share a broader common goal — helping the Lady Scots reach the Texas High School Gymnastics Championships in late April — they’re also engaged in a friendly sibling rivalry that has proven mutually beneficial. No matter your score, you don’t want to be beaten by your sister.
skills to Kennedy, the pupil has now surpassed the mentor in many regards. “I try to have an open mind because she knows what she’s talking about,” Kennedy said. “It’s fun to see how much we can grow together.”
They get along better than any of the other sister pairs I’ve had. Brandi Wren
CHRIS MCGATHEY
Katherine Downing claps during a meet. RIGHT: She and sister Kennedy (top) on the balance beam. “There’s no room for mistakes,” Katherine said. “We’re pretty neck-and-neck. If you mess up once, that might be it.” The Downings come from an athletic family. Their oldest sister played volleyball at Highland Park, while their father was a
football player and their mother a gymnast. “They get along better than any of the other sister pairs I’ve had,” said HP head coach Brandi Wren. “Usually sisters squabble, but that’s not the case with Katherine and Kennedy. They’re
very positive kids.” Kennedy, who has a significant height advantage over her older sister, prefers uneven bars and balance beam while Katherine specializes in floor exercise and vault. Katherine said that while she used to teach new
The Lady Scots will host their regional meet on April 16-17, with the state meet scheduled for the following week in College Station. Both sisters stressed the importance of qualifying for state as a team, something HP has done every year since 2013. That would provide a perfect cap to a memorable season that has seen their bond grow deeper through a shared love for gymnastics. “We’re working really hard to make that happen,” Katherine said. “I think we’ve gotten closer. We have two more hours a day to spend together.”
22 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Business
PARK HOUSE: AN EXCLUSIVE PLACE FOR FOOD, FUN
London-inspired private club tops Highland Park Village building By Tim Glaze
People Newspapers
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illing itself as a “daily destination for dining, socialization, and play,” Park House, a members-only club, sits atop the shops in Highland Park Village and radiates exclusivity.
The club has many different spaces and moods, depending on how you are feeling and the time of the day you are at the club. Deborah Scott In fact, like the SoHo clubs in London and Hollywood, there is a non-photography rule enforced to maintain the privacy of its members. The club was founded by two couples: Brady and Megan Wood and Deborah and John Scott. The Woods brought a restaurant background to the partnership with Brady Wood opening several successful restaurants, including Jose’s on Lovers Lane. The Scotts brought inspiration, having recently returned to the area after four years in London. While members of several London clubs, including 5 Hertford, Annabel’s, The Arts Club, and seven SoHo houses, the Scotts began picturing a similar members-only area in Highland Park. “[The clubs in London] definitely had a huge impact on the spaces and design of Park House,” Deborah Scott said. “We wanted our spaces to translate back to Dallas into the amazing Highland Park Village location, surrounded by luxury retail and
An expansive dining room is one of many amenities available to members of the new Park House club at Highland Park Village. residential neighborhoods. We have tried to create a home away from home that was relevant to our Dallas member base and location. We want our members to come often – breakfast, lunch and dinner, late night, and share with their friends. The club has many different spaces and moods, depending on how you are feeling and the time of the day you are at the club.” The Scotts spent six years away from Dallas in London and Aspen, Colorado, and upon returning noticed that North Texas had seen a population explosion, and that many residents, especially young professionals, were looking for a “cool and exclusive” place. “Many of our younger members belong to similar clubs in other cities and understood the concept before we opened Park House,” she said. The club includes memberships for area residents, non-residents (those who live
more than 100 miles away), and juniors (those 30 years old and younger). There’s a cigar lounge, a library, an art gallery, a photo booth, and a set up for a DJ and dancing. Dining reservations are encouraged, and private events are held regularly. Overall, the club covers 18,000 square feet. “It is convenient to where our members work, live, and play,” Deborah Scott said. Members can eat at The Green Room, the club’s indoor dining spot, or grab a glass of spirits at The Cellar, a private room boasting the club’s wine selection. Park House even has an in-house chef providing meals in The Dining Room, which operates as the main eating area for members. “The response f rom the community has been overwhelming,” she said, noting founding memberships sold out in September 2017 and there’s now a waiting list after resident, non-resident, and junior
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membership sales closed in October 2018. “Our members are really enjoying the many facets we offer,” she said. “Dining, social events, programming, live music, DJ’s, and they can walk in and see old friends and new faces.”
H OW M U C H D O E S I T C O S T ? Resident membership: $5,000 initiation for primary member; $2,500 for spouse/partner Non-Resident membership: $2,500 initiation for primary member; $1,500 for spouse/partner Junior membership: $1,500 for primary member; $1,500 for spouse/ partner Annual dues also required Visit parkhousedallas.com for information about the waiting list.
24 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Comings and Goings
Snap151
Mockingbird Station After a successful Fort Worth run, the popular Instagram-sensation is heading to Dallas – for a limited time. The pop-up photo studio will be located between Verizon and Accents from April 5 to May 19 and feature attractions that will pop on social media, including a confetti room, streamers, flamingos, and even a ball pit. Tickets must be purchased in advance at snap151.com.
SNAP151
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COMING SOON Comerica Bank
Snider Plaza A modern-style banking center will open in early June, offering full-service features such as banker connect interactive teller machines, drive-through, and two private meeting/collaboration rooms.
Eleven IV
6417 Hillcrest Ave. Ready to get hydrated? A new intravenous hydration therapy provider is getting
NOW OPEN Sofie Grey
The Plaza at Preston Center Designed for the young lady that’s no longer a tween but not quite ready to raid her mom’s closet, the new boutique brims with everything fashionable from casual to dressy and from trendy to classic.
Sushi de Handroll
The Hill Sushi tacos and lots of tempura options are now being served at one of the newest eateries to join the Walnut Hill Lane shopping center. The Japanese restaurant takes a new take on temaki, serving the traditionally rolled menu item open face in metal taco holders.
ready to open the doors to a Park Cities shop. With an open date yet to be announced, the owners say services will include monthly membership deals, vitamin boost drips, and B12 shots.
Il Bracco
The Plaza at Preston Center Industry vets Robert Quick, and Matt Gottlieb (Houston’s/Hillstone Group) are bringing an Italian-inspired restaurant to the luxe Dallas center this spring. The eatery will offer a fresh take on classic Italian dishes with everything made from scratch.
II BRACCO
SUSHI DE HANDROLL
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019  29
HOUSE OF THE MONTH 4136 Prescott Avenue
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flowing floorplan, 15-foot-high ceilings, and an abundance of windows give this home a light, bright, and airy feel. It boasts four bedrooms, three large full baths, and two half baths plus office/ study space and an open den. The home
PHOTOS COURTESY DALLAS CITY CENTER REALTORS
offers three outside entertainment areas with balconies and terraces on each level. Adjacent to Highland Park, just three blocks from Turtle Creek, and close to shopping, parks, and top restaurants, this is the neighborhood where you want to be.
32 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
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hank you, dear readers, for participating, once again, in our People’s Choice Awards. There’s plenty to love in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow areas, and it’s fun to celebrate some of your favorite places. We asked residents to identify some of their favorites, including places to shop, get brunch, work out, and take four-legged friends in need of medical care. This year, we also chose to expand categories to represent growing trends (like fast-casual eateries) and saw significant reader feedback in the fill-in-the-blank “other”
category where readers could nominate businesses not listed. In fact, reader participation this year was at an all-time high, with more than twice as many voters taking the time to chime in about what they considered the best of the best. Most of the names here should be familiar to you, but perhaps you’ll see a place you want to check out, or you’ll be reminded of one you haven’t visited in a while. The readers have spoken: These are the People’s Choice winners.
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GARDENING STORE Nicholson-Hardie Nursery & Garden Center
Josh and Michael Bracken, who grew up rooted in the nursery business, aim to teach customers how to care for and arrange newly purchased plants and flowers.
CHILDREN’S STORE KidBiz
Your child will be so stylish in these fun fashions; they’ll be the talk of the playground. Now in Inwood Village.
PLACE TO WORK OUT YMCA COURTESY PHOTO
SHOPPING SHOPPING CENTER s NorthPark Center
Consistently ranked among the top five shopping destinations in the United States, NorthPark has defined retail in the Southwest since its opening in 1965.
JEWELRY STORE Bachendorf’s
About to pop The Question? Need just the right ring? The Bock family tradition of creating fine jewelry dates back four generations and more than 100 years.
Sing it with us! “It’s fun to stay (and workout) at the YMCA!”
SPA Hiatus Spa + Retreat
Their Monthly Retreat is great, but why wait a whole month before another trip to relaxation?
YOGA STUDIO We Yogis Lovers
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FITNESS & WELLNESS
ELIJAH SMITH
Talk about flexible: There’s a class available for all ages and experience levels. Namaste!
HOME Weir’s Furniture
Looks like our readers will miss the original Knox Street store until it reopens in a new retail/office tower at the site in 2021. Good news: there are three other Dallas area locations.
ANTIQUES Forestwood Antique Mall
Search among 200-plus dealers for your own piece of the past and bring some vintage style to your today.
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parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 33
FOOD & DRINK It doesn’t have to be Tuesday to enjoy some tacos (and maybe a Mambo Taxi or two)!
BRUNCH Bread Winners Café & Bakery
You’re the real winner when you order the Smoked Salmon Bagel.
NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Inwood Tavern
Make your happy hour even happier with a nice cold beer at the oldest continuously operating bar in Dallas.
SPECIALTY FOOD STORE Eatzi’s Market & Bakery
Traveling to Europe to do your grocery shopping seems impossible, but here you can get the same quality from just down the street.
FAST CASUAL Flower Child
Don’t be fooled by the name of the Forbidden Rice. It’s available for all, especially since it’s vegan and gluten-free.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
MOVIE THEATER s Angelika Film Center & Cafe - Dallas
ER Medical City ER Park Cities
Grab some popcorn and candy, take a seat, and enjoy a classic, blockbuster, or art film.
BOOKSTORE Barnes & Noble
Give in to your sweet tooth and indulge in a heavenly Old Fashioned Six-Layer Chocolate Cake.
Browse the enormous selection of books, games, and magazines, and then attend an event.
FAMILY OUTING Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
UPSCALE DINING Al Biernat’s
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ACTIVITIES
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BAKERY SusieCakes
MARISSA ALVARADO
Enjoy a night of luxury and treat yourself to some of the best filets in town. But don’t forget about weekend brunch or the restaurant’s delectable dessert menu.
Neither we nor our readers ever want to have an occasion to come here, but we’re glad they’re reliable and nearby when we do.
URGENT CARE QuestCare Urgent Care s
FAMILY DINING Mi Cocina
Get in and get out quickly with this patient-focused team of doctors.
Come see one of Dallas’s most beautiful attractions with 66-acres of manicured gardens and activities for the whole family.
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4347 Lovers Lane 6301 Hillcrest
214.521.4803
KEEP IT CLEAN. Support your favorite Park Cities PTA “For the Kids”
34 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
HOSPITAL Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Since its founding 50 years ago, the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas has been dedicated to medical research and education along with the health of its patients.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL/ CLINIC Park Cities Animal Hospital
Make sure you care for your furry best friend(s).
TUTOR The Tutoring Place
Tutors, working on a by-appointment oneon-one basis, help students of all ages understand schoolwork in any classroom subject.
PRESCHOOL Highland Park Presbyterian Day School
Founded in 1952, this faith-based campus partners with parents to educate children ages 12 months through kindergarten in a nurturing, Christian environment.
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SUMMER CAMP s Sky Ranch
Children leave cell phones behind, spend time outdoors, and enjoy a range of traditional and newer camp activities.
HAIR SALON Salon Pompeo COURTESY PHOTO
SENIOR LIVING s Edgemere
This nonprofit retirement community serves a wide range of residents from those seeking independent living to those needing assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, or rehabilitation.
DRY CLEANERS Avon Cleaners
For over 50 years they have made sure your clothes are just as ready as you are.
TAILOR J’s Tailor & Cleaners
Get your clothes tailored by a man who knows how to make custom suits by hand.
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SERVICES
Want to feel gorgeous? Look and feel your best with the help of these highly trained artists.
BARBER Lovers Lane Barber Shop
Book an appointment at this 81-year-old establishment and come out feeling better than ever. FOLLOW ONLINE: parkcitiespeople.com
MARISSA ALVARADO
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 35
PARK CITIES PUBLIC OFFICIALS s
HIGHLAND PARK Lt. Lance Koppa
Koppa, who joined the Highland Park Department of Public Safety nearly 19 years ago, serves as community relations/ public information officer.
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UNIVERSITY PARK Robbie Corder
Corder has worked for University Park since 2004. Before his appointment as the city’s fourth city manager in 2014, he served as director of community development.
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38 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Schools
‘ROUGHING IT’ ON CAMPUS: A UNIVERSITY PARK TRADITION UP All Night expected to draw 300 families to school April 27-28
Fathers and their children arrive ready to camp out at school.
By Jordan Kiefer
Special Contributor
C
amping out on the school grounds has become an annual tradition for University Park Elementary families – one where students don’t mind the extra hours on campus.
Across the street in Curtis Park, activities will include laser tag, bumper ball, tree house bounce, dunk tank, dual slide, dodge ball, face painting, and arts and crafts. After dinner comes live entertainment and sunset with students dancing the night away at the glow DJ dance party, watching a short movie, and then camping out under the stars. “It is also a really fun bonding experience for the dads and family members that attend,” Nunley said. “This community is very close-knit, and I love the relationships that families build with one another while ‘roughing it’ in the city.” The University Park Preschool Association puts on the event, which raises funds that go for teacher support, new technology, and other needs of the school. Planning begins 10 months in advance and involves securing corporate sponsorships, which by mid-March numbered 57.
I Love UP All Night because it’s sooooooo much fun. Reed Neblett “I think it’s fun to spend the night at school,” kindergartner Claire Nunley said. Organizers expect the sixth annual UP All Night to bring out 300 families on April 27-28 for a range of activities aimed at building bonds between families and neighbors. “My favorite part of the event is simply watching the kids have an absolute blast,” said Kate Nunley, Up All Night sponsorship chair and Claire’s mom. “The joy on their faces is priceless.”
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Committees meet to plan food, activities, registration, and sponsorships. Parent volunteers help out in all kinds of ways the week ahead of time. “All of this would not happen without the support of our generous sponsors, volunteers, and our favorite UP principal, Candi Judd,” UPPA president Whitney Zappfe said. In the weeks before the event, fun precursors, including a special students’ lunch and candy cups (fun cups with a “glow” straw filled to the brim with candy and coupons, help build anticipation for the big event. “I Love UP All Night because it’s sooooooo much fun,” first-grader Reed Neblett said. “And I love staying up late with all my friends.”
Research Hall Construction Begins
SMU leaders expect to boost research efforts, especially in the digital arena, with the construction of the Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation. The building broke ground in February at the corner of McFarlin Boulevard and Airline Road, adjacent to Harold Clark Simmons Hall. Completion is anticipated for August 2020. The 50,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research hub will serve as the home to the AT&T Center for Virtualization, the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, high-performance computing and data science, and the Visualization Lab. In addition, Ford Hall will bring to SMU’s main campus the Hart eCenter, which includes SMU Guildhall, the world’s top-ranked graduate game design program. SMU Trustee Gerald J. Ford, his wife, Kelli O. Ford, and The Gerald J. Ford Family Foundation provided a $15 million lead gift to help fund construction of the new building.
SMU Pro Initiative Offers Online Degrees
With a new online initiative, SMU aims to help professionals develop new skills and earn
Larenda Mielke
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certificates and graduate degrees through virtual and in-person classrooms. The initiative includes a new online master’s degree in cybersecurity as well as an online master’s degree in data science. In addition, new online certificate courses in data science-related topics are available. The degrees and certificates represent a transformation of SMU’s continuing education program to SMU PRO, part of the SMU Global and Online division. “In an ever-evolving global economy, professionals must embrace the latest technologies and new skill sets to advance in their careers,” said Larenda Mielke, associate provost, SMU Global and Online. Visit smu.edu/pro for more information.
LEARN MORE Visit uppa.org to learn more about the University Park Preschool Association and UP All Night.
RENDERING COURTESY SMU
Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 39
HPHS SENIOR BOYS CASINO PARTY
The senior boys wore the party’s traditional Texas tuxedo
Andrew Stanzel, Makay Hansen, and Trystan Uphoff
Co-Chair James Lightbourn and Regan Riddle P H O T O S B Y T H AY E R C . O ’ B R I E N
Jack Liston and Andrew O’Brien
Jack Feld, Kathryn Watkins, Padgitt Diehl, Caroline Thomas, Parker Seale, Tatum Meeks, Spencer Borrego, and Maddie Nunneeley
Anna Garrett, Ashley Booe, and Janaki Sunderesan
Ruthie Lightbourn and Julie Seale and their sons James and Parker chaired the annual Highland Park High School Annual Senior Boys Casino Party, which was hosted earlier this year by 149 senior boys in traditional Texas tuxedos at Lakewood Country Club. The fun night, open to the entire senior class, included casino games, a DJ, TV screens for watching sports, dancing, and other activities.
40 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Camps
CSI: A CAMP FOR STEM INVESTIGATION
SMU Lyle School of Engineering offers summer programs By Maria Adolphs
Special Contributor
I
n a trashed meeting room with papers strewn everywhere, tracks of fresh soil, and a blinking computer screen, teammates donned gloves and carefully searched for clues. To the sounds of a clicking camera and sketching on paper, young investigators took measurements and bagged and labeled such evidence as dirt from the floor, a discarded cup, a USB drive, and a handwritten note. The latest episode from the TV show CSI? No. It’s summer camp at SMU — Lyle style. Crime Scene Investigation — one of four camps offered at SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering — is designed to help middle schoolers “open their eyes to see (whether a career in science, technology, engineering, or math) is something they are interested in,” said Kristine R. Reiley, program specialist for K-12 outreach and summer programs.
We typically stick with nonviolent crimes and the various techniques used to solve those. Marissa Infante Reiley has been with the summer programs since 2009 and worked with former Caruth Institute for Engineering Education director
Middle school campers gather evidence as they work to solve a “crime.” Delores Etter to create camps that incorporate STEM disciplines. In the hands-on Crime Scene Investigation curriculum, campers explore fingerprinting, soil and DNA analysis, paper chromatography to determine the type of ink used, and a cyber-security presentation relating to the computer and USB drive left behind. They also hear from crime solving-professionals including a CSI tech from the Dallas Police Department and officers from the SMU Police Department, SWAT, the FBI, and a K-9 unit. A favorite among campers and
staff is a Dallas forensic pathologist. “She captivates the students with real-life stories and photos while explaining some tips to determine a victim’s cause of death in a very age-appropriate way,” said Marissa Infante, a sixth-grade science teacher at The Episcopal School of Dallas who teaches at SMU’s CSI camp. The mock crime scenes campers process aren’t the typical gory scenarios seen on TV, Infante said. “We typically stick with non-violent crimes and the various techniques used to solve those.” The students are enthralled with the idea of processing a crime scene,
and in doing so they learn an array of science vocabulary, math skills, and ways technology can be used to solve and prevent crimes, Infante said. Jonathan Vides, an eighth-grader at William B. Travis Academy, attended CSI camp twice and wished he could go again. CSI camp is for sixth-and seventh-graders so he will attend Advanced Engineering Camp this summer instead. “I really wanted to figure out how to solve problems, and ... know what they did for that job, and what qualifications you needed to do that job,” Vides said.
PHOTO COURTESY SMU
CAMP I N F O R M AT I O N For more information about Crime Scene Investigation and other camps such as Introduction to Engineering, Advanced Engineering, and Engineering Design Experience go to: smu.edu/Lyle/Institutes/ CaruthInstitute/ K-12Programs/ EngineeringCamp//
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 41
It’s Normal To Feel Homesick It’s not uncommon for first-time campers (and even second-and third-timers) to experience homesickness. Homesickness is HELENE ABRAMS good. It means you have a home and parents that love you. Such feelings are a normal part of the camp experience, but not addressing them can significantly affect important life-lessons and social skills. Preparing a child for camp will help them later when leaving for college and gaining independence as they mature. Consider these ideas: 1. Let them help choose a camp. By involving them in the selection process, they’ll be more confident and excited to be there. It gives them a sense of control. 2. Discuss what homesickness is. Tell your child how they might feel when not staying at home and let them know that it’s OK to have these feelings and encourage them to be open with their counselors. 3. Practice sleeping away. A weekend with a friend or family member is a great way to introduce being away from home. Limit communication to give an idea of how it will be while they’re at camp. 4. Encourage new friends. Many children will be scared of not knowing anyone at camp. Some camps match a new camper with a returning one to be a buddy before and during camp.
5. Write letters. Have a letter waiting for them when they get to camp. It will be a great surprise. Write frequently, but never remind them of what they are missing at home. Be encouraging and let them know how proud you are of them for attending camp. Most importantly, remind them to enjoy the summer and have fun. All camps have staff trained to help children cope with homesickness and some children forget all about it within a few days. Typically, counselors will encourage campers to share reminders of home with each other. Talk to your camp’s director to find out how they specifically handle homesickness and include your child in that conversation, too. Do not express your own concern or anxiety about your child leaving for the summer. If they see your strength and confidence about how much fun they’ll have at camp, it will put them at ease. In Homesick and Happy, author Michael Thompson provides an insightful and compelling look at the magic of summer camp and explains why it is so important for children to be away from home – if only for a little while. Camp can be one of the best times of a child’s life — a magical time! Reach Helene Abrams, an advisor with Tips on Trips and Camps, a free summer camp and trip advisory service that helps parents of children ages 7-18 find enriching summer overnight experiences, at 214-484-8141 or helene@tipsontripsandcamps.com.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT CAMP OLYMPIA
One of the most amazing camps in Texas Camp Olympia is the BEST place for boys and girls ages 6-16 to spend their summer and create life-long memories! A Texas summer camp tradition, Olympia offers three-week, two-week, and oneweek camp sessions! For over 50 summers, Camp Olympia has given campers a fun, caring environment, where they can grow in the body, mind and spirit. Nestled right on the shores of Lake Liv723 Olympia Drive, Trinity, Texas 75862 ingston, Camp Olympia has the perfect location for outdoor fun. Campers can choose from over 45 different activities, ranging from wakeboarding to golf to horseback riding. The summer camp experience at Camp Olympia is like no other.
Come try out for our all-star and all-star prep cheer
teams under the direction of our NCA and World Champion coach.
Cheerleading Tumbling Private Lessons Birthday Parties Open gyms
TRYOUTS Week of May 13th
All levels and ages welcome! Your child will learn lifelong lessons and grow as an athlete and person.
Register for Summer Camps today! Keep your kids active and social during the summer months with our camps! All details can be found on our website. www.texasprideathletics.com
6334 Maple Ave, Ste. 350 (214)434-1203
42 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
The Father-Daughter Connection Dad authors books about camping tradition By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers
Lenn Kaptain was looking for a way to bond with his kindergarten-aged daughter when he signed up for the YMCA’s Y-Indian Princesses program. Known today as the Adventure Guides, the three-year experience is designed to strengthen the relationship between children and their fathers. Kaptain, who had done a similar program with both of his sons, said he signed up for the outdoor-focused program with his daughter because he quickly realized how different his relationship was with her compared to his boys. “Dad’s need to be more involved with their daughters and they’re getting further and further away from that,” Kaptain said. “I just wanted to be there.” September 2003 marked the beginning of something special for Kaptain and the group of eight other fathers and daughters that made up Tigua – the tribe’s name. That first Sunday morning, driving home from Possum Kingdom Lake with a sleeping daughter in the front seat, Kaptain reflected on how the girls
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LEFT: Lenn Kaptain poses with his book, 13 Years of Tigua. TOP: Kaptain and his daughter in front of a fire at a campout.
13 Years of Tigua is available for view in all of the Highland Park ISD school libraries, the Highland Park and University Park public libraries, and the historic case at the Moody Family YMCA. It is available for sale at Logos Bookstore in Snider Plaza and Kuby’s Sausage House. BIANCA R. MONTES
were quickly becoming sisters, “but unbeknownst to the dads, we were in the early stages of brotherhood,” he wrote in the opening chapters of his book 13 Years of Tigua. What he didn’t anticipate on that ride home was that he and the other dads would go rogue before spring. The YMCA program, which continues today, is scheduled
The only thing that matters in this whole world is relationships with your family. I just want us fathers to be there. Lenn Kaptain
around three annual events; a daddy-daughter dance and campouts in the spring and fall. Planning that second get-together proved troublesome for the busy fathers, and Kaptain said trying to match their availability with the upcoming spring campout was like nailing Jell-O to a tree. However, that’s not where their story ends. It’s kind of where it begins. Instead of letting go of the opportunity to teach their daughters about sleeping under the stars, hunting, and jumping over fires, the dads decided to go at it alone. Their
decision went far beyond the thirdgrade cutoff of the Y’s program and formed a tradition that’s spanned 16 years and lingers with a couple of the fathers at 5 a.m. coffee get-togethers twice a week and an annual campout now that the girls are in college. In his book, Kaptain recounts the twice-a-year renegade campouts the fathers planned, the father-daughter dances that followed, and how a loosely knit group of giggling kindergarteners bonded with their dads. It wasn’t always easy, he said. “It’s like I said in the book when they’re young girls we want to keep
them close and pretty soon time takes them out of our arms,” Kaptain explained. “You don’t realize it’s happening until it happens.” Kaptain first decided to write the book to preserve the memories. However, much like his camp story, the book evolved to so much more. He wanted to encourage dads to spend one-on-one time with their daughters in a small group of like-minded dads and to illustrate the significance of the dads forming long-lasting relationships. “The only thing that matters in this whole world is relationships with your family,” he said. “I just want us fathers to be there.”
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 43
Society CASABLANCA CASINO NIGHT
Krishna Patel, Tara Dwyre, Nikita Patel, Ami Gandhi, and Yash Bhagwat
Ed Stevens throwing dice
Nick and Melissa Bednarz
Wesley and Ashley Gould
Lindsey and Neal Morgan Nate Bednarz and Anna Jordan
Neal and Lindsey Morgan with Elise Nichols and Corey Holmes
Allie and Kenneth Wherry
Dana Swann, Blake Addudell, and Ann Dexter Alpesh Patel, Monal Valia, Hiren Desai, and Amar Thakrar Lauren Quann and Daren Dunkel
Mark and Emma Hiduke Chris Hoover and Olivia Allred
Melissa Bednarz
PHOTOS BY TIM HEITMAN, ROSANNE LEWIS, AND BRANDON COLSTON
Christina and Michael Swartz
Cole and Liz Anthony
Marissa and Chuck Thornton, Megan and Tom Sterquell, and Beth and Brook Wimmer
CASAblanca, the casino night party hosted by Dallas CASA’s Young Professionals Feb. 2, brought a sold-out crowd of nearly 500 of Dallas’ most festive and charitable young professionals together to support abused and neglected children. Presented by The Hiduke Foundation, the fourth annual CASAblanca raised funds for Dallas CASA, a nonprofit organization which provides volunteer advocates for abused children living in protective care.
44 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
SYMPHONY OF CHEFS
Emcee Pete Delkus KidLinks 2019 Chefs
Amy Pratt and Diana Crawford
Rae and Craig Story with Daffan and Doug Nettle
KidLinks held its ninth annual signature Symphony of Chefs fundraiser Feb. 25 at Sixty Five Hundred. Philanthropists, socialites, and other well-known patrons of the Dallas community gathered to enjoy a wine-paired four-course dinner prepared by 29 of the most reputable chefs in the Dallas area. All proceeds directly supported KidLinks, a North Texas-based nonprofit that provides healing for children and families through therapeutic music.
Jean Marie and Salvatore Gisellu
Ally and Davis Ravnaas
P H O T O S B Y TA M Y T H A C A M E R O N
BIG NIGHT, BIG THOUGHT
Rich Emberlin and Clarice Tinsley Byron Sanders and Deedie Rose
Brad Pritchett and LeeAnne Locken
Todrick Hall and Celeste Sanders Todrick Hall PHOTOS BY REDMAN PICTURES
Deedie Rose, Donna Wilhelm, and Sarah Warnecke
Dr. Michael Sorrell
On March 2, Big Thought celebrated its 30th anniversary by honoring Dallasites making an impact on North Texas youth. The evening at The Bomb Factory included a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and an afterparty featuring a concert by Todrick Hall.
46 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
Living Well and Faith FINDING BEAUTY IN ALZHEIMER’S
Patient’s daughter authors story of faith, love By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers
S
arah Smith said her mother wanted her to be fearless. Fearless as a young gymnast who gave up normalcy for hour-long drives twice a day to practices that had her up well before the sun rose and back home after 10 p.m. Fearless as a teenager who struggled to find herself in high school after giving up gymnastics. Fearless as a Christian.
We lock eyes, the disease temporarily disappears, and we feel the connection we have had since she carried me on her hip during my toddler years. Sarah Smith “Fix your eyes on the Lord – be Sarah,” her mother would say. Who would have ever thought that Sarah would have to be fearless for her mother? Sarah was a young mother when she started to notice a tempering in her mother’s behavior; the once pristine emails she’d send were full of typos, and her “I’m a strong woman” mentality was clouded with incessant crying. Then it was her speech. In the beginning, Sarah’s mother, known as “Beauty” to her family and friends, tried to hide what was later diagnosed as early-onset Alzheimer’s from her children. “When she wouldn’t share with
me I was disappointed,” Sarah recalled about the frustration she felt. “I was so mad, but (my father) would say, ‘It’s for her to share,’ and I had to honor that.” As Beauty continued to regress, Sarah put on the strong hat her mother used to wear and stepped in as caregiver – a decision that showed her exactly what Alzheimer’s looked like; her mom laughing after drinking nail polish remover or forgetting what a tortilla was. “That started the descent for me of isolation and letting those emotions take over,” Sarah said. “I would cry and then redo my makeup when it was time to get the kids and put on a façade that I was OK, but really my heart was breaking.” She was losing her mom and remembered asking God why he was letting it happen. “I did not understand his timing. I did not understand his message. I wanted him to give me reasons,” Sarah said. “Whatever I was looking for was for Sarah, and I think God was waiting for me to say, ‘I confess, I can’t control this disease.’” When Sarah finally told God, “I need you to take this because I can’t do it anymore,” she experienced an outpouring of strength and love and fearlessness that’s showing itself in a growing ministry. In her book, Broken Beauty, and through social media, Sarah said she is trying to show the beauty behind brokenness and what happens when one fixes their eyes on love. “When I do that, my heart almost doesn’t allow me to see the disease,” she said. “When I dance with her for 20 minutes, it is amazing. We lock eyes, the disease temporarily disappears, and we feel the connection we have had since she carried me on her hip during my toddler years.”
THINGS TO DO The Home Edit
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center (The J) 7 p.m. March 27 Joanna and Clea, the Instagram-famous home organizers who made their orderly eye candy the decluttering method that everyone swears by, are out with their first book. The authors will be live at the J to discuss The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals with moderators Lauren Zakalik of WFAA and Amy Havins of Dallas Wardrobe. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit jccdallas.org/thehome-edit/.
Mad Hatter’s Tea 10 a.m. April 11 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
COURTESY PHOTOS
Sarah Smith (right) and her mother, “Beauty.”
READ MORE Want to hear more of Sarah’s story? Her book Broken Beauty – Piecing Together Lives Shattered by Early-Onset Alzheimer’s is available for purchase everywhere books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon. com, and Logo’s Book Store in Snider Plaza. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram by searching beautyinalzheimers.
If You Go What: Aware Affair Celebrate the Moments Blooms of Hope gala When: 6:30 p.m. April 5 Where: Sixty-Five Hundred Benefits: Nonprofit organizations that provide services, education, and resources to those affected by Alzheimer’s Tickets: awaredallas.org
Celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood, Dallasites will put on their wildest and most overthe-top hats to raise money for A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Individual Patron tickets begin at $350 and are available online at womenscouncildallasarboretum.com.
Earthx2019 Expo
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26-28 Fair Park
Dallas’ ninth annual Earth Day celebration will include exhibitions, a film festival, music, entertainment, learning experiences, discussions, forums, and conferences. Entry to the expo, billed as the world’s largest environmental experience, is free with a $5 suggested donation. Visit earthx.org for more details.
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 47
Springtime Salads: Dressed To Impress When is a salad not just a salad? When it’s served in vessels one usually reserves for other uses, such as vases, beverage CHRISTY ROST glassware, or HOME + KITCHEN even small clay pots. One of my favorite presentations, created for my latest cookbook, Celebrating Home, is a layered salad “trifle” served in a square glass container no doubt designed to hold flowers or votive candles. As I layer salad greens, arugula, shredded red cabbage, sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and other ingredients into the containers, the salad becomes a piece of edible art to delight my guests from an artistic, taste, and textural perspective. With the arrival of springtime, and Easter quickly approaching, warmer weather and cool, ref reshing breezes signify a welcome return to outdoor dining, table settings infused with color, and menus featuring lighter fare.
I’m excited by salads that celebrate this change of season and the availability of just-harvested baby greens, ripe, juicy berries, and tender spears of asparagus. As I think back to Easter dinners I’ve served over the years, one stands out. The dining table was draped in a white, cutwork cloth, and set with my grandmother’s china, our wedding crystal, silver flatware, and pastel linen napkins. My collection of bunnies, chicks, and panorama sugar eggs formed a whimsical centerpiece, but it was the salad course that stole the show that day. Each salad plate was nestled on a bed of pastel Easter grass. As I served our guests, there were oohs and aahs in appreciation of this unexpected holiday accent. Everyone loved the succulent leg of lamb studded with fresh garlic, rosemary, and leaves of mint, the roasted potatoes, and tender asparagus that followed, but it was the artistry of the salad course guests talked about at the conclusion of the meal.
Ingredients:
1 bunch green leaf lettuce, washed and spun dry 1 pint strawberries, rinsed ½ pint blackberries, rinsed 2 large oranges, rinsed 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon honey ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper pinch of kosher or sea salt 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions: Tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces and divide it among four salad plates. Reserve four large strawberries for garnish. Hull and slice the remaining strawberries and scatter them over the salads greens, along with the whole blackberries.
Springtime Berry Salad With Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette My recipe for Springtime Berry Salad with Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette is equally impressive for spring and summer meals. Arranged on a large platter or as individual salads, crisp green leaf lettuce is topped with sliced strawberries and plump blackberries, crumbled feta cheese, and an artistically twisted orange slice. Drizzled with a ref reshing citrus and honey vinaigrette, this flavorful combination of
CHRISTY ROST
sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, partnered with crisp greens and juicy berries, creates an explosion of seasonal taste sensations. Christy Rost is the author of three cookbooks, a public television chef on PBS stations nationwide, and a longtime resident of the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. For additional recipes and entertaining tips, please visit her website at christyrost.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ChristyRost.
Slice one of the oranges crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices, cut a slit halfway through each orange slice, twist, and place one in the center of each salad. Slice the remaining orange in half, and using a strainer to catch seeds and pulp, squeeze ¼ cup juice into a small mixing bowl. Add honey, stir well, and whisk in the olive oil, black pepper, and salt. Drizzle each salad with vinaigrette and garnish with feta cheese and one of the reserved whole strawberries.
Yield: Four servings
48 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
A Mindful Approach To Breaking Bad Habits Mindfulness is about changing relationships with thoughts, not freeing the mind of thinking. Judson Brewer
By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers
A sight that stood out to Judson Brewer during his first trip to Paris with his wife a couple of years ago: the tourists. Brewer, a psychiatrist who studies behavioral change, noticed visitors snapping photographs, posting on social media, and then spending the rest of their time checking their phones for likes and comments instead of enjoying the Louvre Museum. So, what’s going on there? It turns out that talking about ourselves is rewarding – much like eating a cupcake makes us happy or smoking a cigarette helps us destress. This cyclical pattern of reward-based habit is about as primitive as it gets for humans, explained Brewer, who was in Dallas recently to speak during the Center for BrainHealth’s annual lecture series. For example, let’s talk about those cupcakes. We see food that looks good, and our brain says, ‘Calories! Survival!’ So, we eat the food, and our brain remembers how good it made us feel and uses the same process to deal with emotions like being bored or sad. See food. Eat food. Feel good. Repeat. That reinforcement, Brewer said can be seen in both positive and negative situations. “It turns out that 2,500 years ago, the Buddhist psychologists described the same process, and they described it this way: “Things get interpreted by the mind, they’re either pleasant or unpleasant, we have an urge for the pleasure to continue and the unpleasant to stop, and we develop behaviors to make that happen.”
COURTESY PHOTO
While conventional treatments teach people to avoid these cues – if you drink alcohol, avoid the bars; if you smoke, you should eat carrot sticks instead – Brewer has found those processes don’t work. What he has seen through research and trials is that the ancient practice of mindfulness is much more effective when it comes to stopping bad habits for the short and long term. Instead of avoiding or substituting bad habits, Brewer said it is time to get curious about the moment between the craving and the urge to act. For example, in a smoking treatment he runs, people are encouraged to light up but be mindful when doing so – to pay attention. One participant described mindful smoking as smelling “like stinky cheese and (tasting) like chemicals.” “The idea is to notice relationship; can I be with the emotion and be curious without doing it,” Brewer said. Brewer said mindfulness seems to drive a wedge in between the craving and the bad habit. “If the craving is fire and smoking is the fuel for that fire, if you stop adding the fuel, that fire should be there for a bit but eventually die down,” he said. “Mindfulness is about changing relationships with thoughts, not freeing the mind of thinking.” M I N D F U L N E S S – PA R T 1 O F 2
In the May issue, we will explore how mindful movement practices like Tai Chi have shown to be the most effective way to improve executive functions.
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 49
Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-Off Celebrates 26th Year Gathering expected to draw 40-plus teams, 3,000 people By Marissa Alvarado People Newspapers
Winning the annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-Off comes with something more valuable than a prize – bragging rights for prevailing at one of the oldest and largest such events in the nation. “There’s hollering and screaming, ‘My chili is better than yours,’ and just friendly competition,” said Ed Jerome, past president of the Tiferet Israel Congregation. The congregation, along with the Jewish Community Center, will host the 26th annual event on March 31. From small beginnings, the cook-off has grown to attract more than 40 competing teams and an anticipated crowd of 3,000 people. “It is always exciting to see this number of teams, and it is wonderful how many have been competing for over 20 years and running,” said Shirley Rovinsky,
2019 cook-off co-chair. “We must be doing something right to get groups from all over North Texas.” There are three winners for the beef category and one winner for the veggie category. There is also a People’s Choice category where attendees can vote for their favorite chili. Because it is a kosher contest, teams only use ingredients (meats, spices, and vegetables) that have been prepared following Jewish dietary laws and cooking is supervised by specially trained rabbis. No dairy products are allowed. The cook-off will also feature live music with three bands performing: Side Gig, Windy City, and Mazik Experience. Mazik Experience, formerly known as Mazik Bros., has played the event for 14 years and become known as “The Sounds of the Chili CookOff.” Through the years the cook-off has made donations to 56 non-
Those who attend the cook-off get to vote for their favorite chili. profit organizations. This year beneficiaries: the PJ Library, the Kol Rina men’s acapella group at Congregation Anshai Torah, and the Dallas Jewish Historical Society’s Jim Schwartz Speaker Series. Schwartz, co-founder of the Mazik Bros., died last year, explained Rusty Cooper, who co-founded the band with him. “The Mazik Bros. Band played over 200 performances with Jim, and some of our most favorite and most fulfilling events were the 14 Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-offs.”
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I F YO U G O WHAT: Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-Off draws more than 40 teams and includes family activities and entertainment including music, rides, games, and various vendors. WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31 WHERE: Tiferet Israel Congregation, 10909 Hillcrest Road ADMISSION: $12 for adults; $6 for children ages 4 to 10 includes a free hot dog; children 3 and younger PARKING: Available free at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven Road, with a climate-controlled bus to the cook-off site. MORE INFORMATION: kosherchilicookoff.us, 214-691-3611 or info@kosherchilicookoff.us.
WEDDING
KELLY NASH & PARKER BROWN
K
elly Eileen Nash and Parker Coleman Brown were married at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on September 29, 2018. The Reverend Christopher D. Girata officiated the ceremony. A reception followed at Arlington Hall with garden-inspired décor and flowers in the ballroom and covered tent. The reception opened with the Dallas String Quartet playing as guests entered an outdoor ski bar on the terrace with a ski lift photobooth and signature drinks. The couple’s first dance was to “All Around You” by Sturgill Simpson with music provided by the Taylor Pace Orchestra of Dallas. Flowers were by Bella Flora of Dallas and all the details and design of the wedding and reception were carefully orchestrated by Emily Clarke Events, also of Dallas. Sarah Kate, Photographer was on hand to capture all the beautiful moments and When it Clicks captured the evening on film and video. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s family hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Dallas Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Noble Waggoner Nash of Highland Park. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michaux Nash Jr. of Dallas and Mr. Hugh Edward McGee Jr. and the late Mrs. Dorothy Kelly McGee of Houston.
S A R A H K AT E , P H O T O G R A P H E R
The groom is the son of Mr. James David Brown III of Dallas and Mrs. Jennifer Ponder and husband, John Ponder, of San Diego. He is the grandson of Mrs. Elizabeth Chaney Brown and the
late Mr. J. David Brown of Dallas and Mrs. June Tellous Oldham and Mr. Euell Martin Oldham of San Diego. The bride was presented in marriage by her parents. She
was escorted down the aisle on the arm of her father. Kelly wore a stunning gown designed by Mackenzie Brittingham of Stanley Korshak Bridal. The dress was made of silk faille and Chantilly lace and was adorned with lace-covered buttons on the back and a matching veil. Lace from her mother’s wedding dress was tucked deep within in homage to the bride’s mother. Assisting the bride as maids of honor were the bride’s sisters, Megan Marie Nash and Michelle Anne Nash. Bridesmaids included Mint Brown, Jessica D’Ann Burke, May Crockett Burkett, Jaclyn Marie Coleman, Molly Br yn Henson, Lindsay Brown Hornbeak, Courtney Elizabeth Kemendo, Katherine Frances Kennedy, Anne Kelley Massad, Reilly Elizabeth McClellan, Katherine Schindler Reyes, and Margaret Mary Smith. The flower girl was Leyana Brown. Attending the groom as best men were Jack Arnold Blythe and Alexander Pellegrini. His groomsmen included William Freret Boeing, James David Brown IV, James Jackson Coon, Grayson James Gurnee, Michael Harrison Hawes, Taylor Knight Hazlett, John Tyler Hornbeak, Shea Collin Kutner, Edward Jordan Lee, Ryan Scott Mack, Collin Madison Montgomery,
Noble Waggoner Nash Jr., and Alex Michael Wildish. Among the members of the house party were Isabel Electra Semmes Dann, Sarah Pennant Dinkins, Sullivan Franklin-Mitchell, Ksenia Kolesnikova Hubbard, and Macy Barnett Williams. Serving as ushers were Parker Benatar Baruh, Erik Nicholas Comer, Brian Jacob Denning, Frederick Bear Givhan, Ryan Andrew McLean, Brian Joseph Murphy, Greg Michael Norris, and Ian Matthew Zimmerman. Ring bearers were Barrett Brown Hornbeak and Briggs Huey Hornbeak. Both bride and groom are 2010 graduates of Highland Park High School. Kelly earned a degree in public relations in 2014 at the University of Texas at Austin, where she was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Kelly works for Linhart Public Relations in Denver. Parker earned degrees in finance and real estate in 2014 from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he was also a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. He’s an associate with the Retail Capital Markets Group at CBRE in Denver. Following their wedding trip to Thailand and the Maldives, the newlyweds have made Denver their home.
50 April 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT BRIGGS FREEMAN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
French flair, and from whence it came
3800 Stratford Avenue, represented by Judy Sessions for $7,595,000.
DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE
Pryor + Zelley Group lists 1915 Craftsman in Old Highland Park
EBBY HALLIDAY REALTORS
Firm Offers Local Expertise, International Reach
On one of Highland Park’s most desirable streets, come home to well-proportioned rooms, abundant natural light and extraordinary details. The many luxuries at 3800 Stratford Avenue include six bedrooms, seven full baths, antique French limestone fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, a game room, an elevator, a paneled library, a wine room, a pool and an outdoor fireplace. The millwork everywhere is most impressive, especially the highly detailed moldings. Built in 2006, it offers more than 8,500 square feet of living space and garage parking for four automobiles. French architecture swings from formal in the city to unfussy in the countryside. The style is rooted in the manor homes, or chateaux, built by French nobles during the reign of Louis XIV in the mid-1600s. Its design cues include symmetrical façades, tall hip roofs, tall front doors set in gently arched openings, tall mullioned windows with wooden shutters and second-story windows whose tops often break the cornice line. One famous example of French style is The Elms, the magnificent 1901 summer mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, by society architect Horace Trumbauer. To learn more about architecture styles, briggsfreeman.com/architecture is a unique source of information, including history, famous examples and homes for sale in each style.
Ebby Halliday Realtors and its sales associates possess a unique understanding of the global real estate market. This understanding is a result of the firm’s affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a network of premier real estate brokers in over 65 countries, and its luxury division, Luxury Portfolio International. When marketing a luxury home, Ebby Halliday Realtors taps the network of Luxury Portfolio International members and utilizes its website, LuxuryPortfolio.com, to expose listings to buyers across the globe. By showcasing high-end listings on LuxuryPortfolio. com, Ebby Halliday Realtors leverages the strength of a website that consistently ranks at the top of Google search results and has more $1 million-plus properties than any other luxury real estate network. Ebby Halliday clients also benefit from LuxeAnalytics, an exclusive reporting system that allows sellers to see how much traffic their listing is receiving and the origin of that traffic. With locations across North Texas, Ebby Halliday is one of the most respected full-service residential real estate firms in the country. To learn more about Ebby Halliday Realtors, its Associates and all of the properties available for purchase in North Texas, visit the award-winning ebby.com.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Kim Cocotos and Kristen Scott recently joined Allie Beth Allman & Associates. “We are always looking to take our business to the next level and Allie Beth Allman has such a strong market presence to help us do that,” Cocotos said. “We are excited to be surrounded by leaders in the industry and look forward to learning from them.” Cocotos has a background in sales and marketing. Ten years ago, she embarked on a career in real estate and hasn’t looked back. Along the way she met Scott. The two hit it off and three years ago they decided to join forces and the Cocotos-Scott Group was started. “Through our non-profit work together, we learned that our skills and capabilities complimented one another,” Scott said. Scott’s background is in finance. She worked in the corporate world before having children. The skills she learned over the course of her previous career have proven invaluable in real estate. “By having different professional backgrounds, we balance each other with our individual strengths,” Cocotos added. As for this year, Cocotos and Scott are excited to see some big changes. They are eager to utilize all the resources the firm offers and are excited about the company’s vision.
Home Fit for a Prince
3509 Crescent is a stunning contemporary example of the English Arts and Crafts movement right in Highland Park.
Applauded by Prince Charles as an “incredibly appetizing” contemporary example of the English Arts and Crafts movement, this Scott Merrill designed home built by Steve McCombs circa 2001 is representative of the marvelous 1920s houses of Old Highland Park, yet with a modern interpretation of design and function. The interior of the home is inspired by the intimacy of a Cotswolds cottage but also offering the balance of classic proportions, modern day amenities and entertainment needs. Renowned landscape architect of Dallas’ Arboretum, Warren Hill Johnson, masterfully used a grass deck to make the swimming pool look like a reflecting pond against the backdrop of the intriguing back structure, incorporating the 3-car garage, an apartment, capacious storage, and a cabana. 3509 Crescent features three bedrooms and four baths at 4,671 square feet per tax and is being offered for $5,285,000. Contact Karen Fry (kfry@daveperrymiller.com) or Ryan Streiff (ryan@daveperrymiller.com) for more information or visit DPMFineHomes.com.
Dallas luxury real estate leader sets $2 billion record
Shown is 10121 Waller Drive in Preston Hollow. The five-bedroom Italian Renaissance home is offered by Mary Poss for $6,750,000.
This distinctive home at 3816 Miramar Ave. (3816miramar.daveperrymiller.com) was redesigned in 2011 by architects Domiteaux + Baggett and renovated by Robert Hopson. The Pryor + Zelley Group of Dave Perry Miller-Real Estate is offering the five-bedroom, three-bath home with three half-baths for $4,795,000. The entry and front door are original to the 6,955-square-foot home (per appraiser), and custom carpentry can be found throughout the formal living/dining rooms, family room and study. The chef’s kitchen features a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator, stainless-steel Wolf range with double ovens, Basaltina lava rock countertops and Ann Sachs tile backsplash. Upstairs is the master suite with balcony, three large secondary bedrooms, pajama lounge and laundry room. On the third level is a game room with half bath and reading area. The backyard includes multiple patios, an outdoor kitchen and private cabana with full bath. Parking is plentiful between the two-car garage and front and back driveways. To schedule a private showing, contact the Pryor + Zelley Group at 469-665-9335 or thepryorzelleygroup@ dpmre.com. Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (daveperrymiller.com) is a division of Ebby Halliday Real Estate, Inc., with four locations that specialize in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Oak Cliff and Farm & Ranch properties.
Kim Cocotos and Kristen Scott Excited to Join Allie Beth Allman
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Allman Firm Tops Luxury Home Sales – Again
Allie Beth Allman & Associates ended 2018 as the top brokerage firm in the Park Cities and in all of Dallas County for the sale of homes valued at more than $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, $4 million and $5 million. In the luxury market of homes over $1 million in Dallas County, the firm captured nearly 24% of the market. The firm drove the estate market by capturing 61.4% of all home sales over $5 million. In the Park Cities, the firm sold 8 of 10 estate homes and 11 of 12 in Preston Hollow. “We are amazed at our record-breaking year,” said Allie Beth Allman, president and CEO. “We could not have had such a successful year without all of our agents putting in hard work.” One of the biggest highlights of the year, though, was ending 2018 with over $2 billion in sales. “We were impressed with our sales in 2017 and knew we needed to keep the momentum,” added Keith Conlon, general manager. “We set a goal for 2018, and not only did we make it – we exceeded it.” Conlon is optimistic 2019 will be another great year. “With the Allie Beth Allman and Berkshire Hathaway brand behind us, our numbers will continue to grow.”
Capping a year as No. 1 in estate sales in Dallas County, Allie Beth Allman & Associates achieved $2 billion in transactions for 2018, a record for the residential real estate boutique. Company leaders attributed the record success to a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship fueled by strategic sales, technology and marketing applications. But the foundation of it all is solid relationships with clients and among colleagues. “This $2 billion record is much more than a dollar value,” said founder and CEO Allie Beth Allman. “It is about the value of relationships, results, market savvy and a culture the helps our agents thrive and best serve their clients. We can list 2 billion reasons we hit $2 billion in sales, and the list starts with people.” For 2018, the firm leads the sale of homes in Dallas County starting at $1 million. The firm’s average sale in the Park Cities was more than $1.7 million; in Preston Hollow, the average was just under $2 million. “Great things happen when you have the strongest team working together to bring success,” said general manager Keith Conlon. “Thank you to our agents and our clients for allowing us to work for you.”
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Great Time to Buy A Home
Spring Market has come early in 2019. While January and February tend to have fewer homes on the market, this year seems to be an exception with “a lot of excellent homes coming on the market early this year,” said Keith Conlon, general manager of Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Here are two new Park Cities listings. The eight-bedroom French chateau-style home at 3632 Normandy Ave. has a grand entrance and open living space. It has a large backyard and a mammoth underground garage with space for 11 vehicles. Relax in the master suite in front of a fireplace or on a covered balcony. A media room and wine cellar are in the basement. On the third floor is a large game room. A charming home at 3633 Southwestern Blvd. that would be a good candidate for remodeling or to build a whole new home on this popular University Park street. The living room has a wood-burning fireplace, and the den has a vaulted ceiling and a lot, and it has a second wood-burning fireplace and a loft. There is a banquette in the breakfast room. The master suite has dual sinks, and there is a guest quarters and a pool. To find your next home, visit www.alliebeth.com.
parkcitiespeople.com | April 2019 51
Antibiotics Won’t Cure Colds, Flu Your throat is scratchy, you’re achy and feverish, your cough is keeping you up at night, but you can’t afford to miss work. You tried over-the-counter remedies, but you still feel lousy. Time for an antibiotic – right? Not so fast, said doctors at Parkland Health & Hospital System. “Colds, flu and most respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses that no antibiotic can treat,” said Dr. Bonnie Prokesch, medical director of antimicrobial stewardship at Parkland and assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Antibiotics only combat infections caused by bacteria. “Used appropriately, antibiotics save lives. But over-prescribing of antibiotics is a serious problem that has led to resistant strains of bacteria,” she said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 percent
of all antibiotics prescribed in outpatient clinics are unnecessary. One reason, research shows, is that some patients pressure their physicians to prescribe antibiotics for conditions such as colds and flu, which aren’t affected by these drugs. “An antibiotic may be needed for certain respiratory infections,” Prokesch said. “If a sinus infection doesn’t get better in a week, or gets better for a while and then suddenly gets worse, you probably have developed a bacterial infection and antibiotics may be needed.” Bacteria-caused respiratory illnesses that should be treated with antibiotics include: • Bacterial pneumonia • Whooping cough • Strep throat These can be diagnosed by physical exams and lab tests at your doctor’s office. – Staff report
SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN
4926 Deloache Avenue 7 Bed | 8.5 Bath |14,179 SqFt Offered For $12,495,000
This incredible new Italian Mediterranean estate designed by architect Patrick Ford and Bella Custom Homes is ideally located in Old Preston Hollow. With more than 14,000 square feet and featuring seven bedrooms, eight full baths and five half baths, this magnificent residence has seven living areas, including a media room with stadium seating, a lounge with built-in bar, a wood paneled-library, a family room with ceiling timbers, and a basement wine cellar that accommodates 5,000 bottles. The residence has an elevator to all three floors, multiple outdoor living spaces and a swimming pool with spa. For more information please contact Kyle Crews (214.538.1310)
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Full Care Horse Boarding, Training & Tune Ups Polo & Riding Lessons 214-676-2006 Kim Follow us on Facebook @Legends Horse Ranch
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