Park Cities People August 2019

ON AUGUST AGENDA: PROPOSED FIXES FOR MIRACLE MILE MESS 10-11

AUGUST 2019 VOLUME 39 NO. 8

“THE BEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN TEXAS”

FLAVOR ON THE RISE

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Enjoy the taste and feel of traveling the world by visiting these three nearby restaurants. Page 46

COURTESY RISE

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COMMUNITY

REAL ESTATE

JULY FOURTH

Fatherhood inspires film actor’s return to Park Cities 16

Midcentury modern homes still ‘selling like hotcakes’ 22

Revisit parade, picnic with pictures Insert

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August 2019 Vol. 39, No. 8 parkcitiespeople.com   @pcpeople  @peoplenewspapers

2 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Letters to The Editor Editor’s note: Thank you to these Boy Scouts who submitted letters as they work toward their communications merit badges.

Better Uses For Old House Parts

Every month, we get the Park Cities People newspaper in the mail. My favorite section to read is always the crime section.

I just wanted to know if you could publish more than one Skulduggery a month because it is very interesting to see what lengths criminals go to steal stuff.

I have noticed a rising trend of current homes in the Park Cities being demolished and new houses being built on the site.

My neighbor’s house across the street was recently knocked down, even though the previous owner had kept the house in great shape. Sadly, fixtures such as lights, windows, doors, shutters, and even metal railings, all in good condition, were just destroyed.

According to your September 2018 issue, there are more than 3,500 homeless people in Dallas. Many charities have opened their doors to shelter and feed the homeless.

Some charities even build houses for them.

These charities could have used those items.

I think when houses are being demolished, items that can be reused or recycled should be donated to charities, such as Habitat for Humanity.

I think we should take action and encourage builders who are active in our neighborhood to donate everything that they can possibly salvage to relevant charities. I believe this can help address the homeless issue. If people have a house and a home to live in, where they can rest and recover, this will also enable them to get a job.

Evan Huang, Troop 70 Highland Park

Francois Burger, Troop 518 University Park

Snider Plaza Parking Solution

I am emailing about the current hot topic about the idea of building an underground parking garage under Snider Plaza in order to create more space for cars. I believe this is a great idea, because, although it would take time, money, and effort, it would be worth it.

As you know, Snider Plaza is very packed.

It can take up to about 10 minutes to find a parking spot. As a constant user of Snider Plaza, I understand firsthand how crowded it is and think that an underground parking garage would solve this problem.

Preston Rossi, Troop 70 University Park

More Skulduggeries, Please

Contents Crime ............................ 4 News ............................... 8 Community ................. 12 Sports........................... 20 Real Estate Quarterly... 22 Business ....................... 33 Schools ........................ 35 Society ......................... 38 Living Well & Faith..... 42 Weddings ..................... 45

Classifieds ..................... 47

Obituaries ..................... 46

Section B ......... 4th of July

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

Distribution Manager Don Hancock

Account Executive Tana Hunter Client Services and Marketing Coordinator Kelly Duncan

Publisher: Patricia Martin

Interns Nicole Dee Keyuri Parab Jaxx Artz Maddie Sanders

Production Assistant Imani Chet Lytle

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4 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Crime S KU L D U G G E RY of the MONTH

LOST AND FOUND

From a home in the 3600 block of Asbury Avenue, this example of why you should always lock your vehicle: At 6:32 p.m. July 7, a woman reported the theft of her unlocked, 2016 Land Rover Sport containing an Orvis purse, two tubes of gun cleaner, 39 rounds of 20mm ammunition, sports and fishing equipment, an airsoft gun, a BOE Light jacket, four Kershaw knives, one Gerber knife, a Boyt-brand shirt, and identification. The silver lining? The emptied Land Rover was found on Harry Hines in Dallas.

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A TALE OF INFIDELITY, GREED, AND MURDER

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers

F

ire department captain Robert Poynter III was beloved in University Park. His wife, Chacey Poynter, was loved elsewhere.

Their story – described by prosecutors as one of unfaithfulness and greed – left him dead, and her and one of her three boyfriends sentenced to life in prison.

A few months short of three years since the firefighter was located in his wife’s Jeep with a gunshot to the head, a Hunt County jury found Chacey Poynter, 32, of Royce City guilty of her husband’s murder.

Her boyfriend Michael Garza, identified in court as the shooter, was convicted in 2018 of murder.

University Park fire chief Randy Howell reacted to news of the widow’s conviction by recalling how his colleague was “beloved” by co-workers, friends, and the city he served.

“In making remarks to the media a few days after his death, and again during Bob’s funeral, myself and other members of the department spoke in clear and simple terms about the kind of man Bob was,” Howell said. “He diligently and expertly performed his duties as

BRAD KELLLAR/HERALD-BANNER

Chacey Poynter bows her head as the jury delivers the verdict. a firefighter, paramedic, lieutenant, and captain.”

According to the Greenville Herald-Banner, prosecutors said Chacey Poynter and Garza lured and killed Robert Poynter on FM 35 in Hunt County on Sept. 9, 2016.

The capital murder indictment in April read that Poynter and Garza planned on killing Robert Poynter for “money and financial assets and benefits owned or controlled by the

Robert Poynter

victim,” but the jury settled on the lesser charge of murder.

Robert Poynter, according to testimony reported by the Herald-Banner, was planning on divorcing his wife for her infidelity, which would leave Chacey without any claim to the $680,000 death benefit provided by his insurance policy.

During final statements following the guilty verdict, Chacey Poynter claimed she did not know of

Garza’s plan to kill her husband, saying she only sent Garza to “talk” to her husband about wanting a divorce.

“He wasn’t supposed to kill him,” Chacey Poynter said. “He was just supposed to talk to [Robert], that’s it.”

However, the prosecution pointed to text messages between Garza and Chacey Poynter, and Robert Poynter and Chacey Poynter that paint a picture of a woman intent on having her husband murdered.

“Chacey Poynter knows the only way she gets [money] is by [his] death,” said Assistant District Attorney Calvin Grogan, during opening arguments.

In the months leading up to Royce Poynter’s death, Chacey Poynter and Garza exchanged hundreds of intimate text messages, including ones that said Garza “would do anything” for her.

Chacey Poynter had also told Robert Poynter leading up to his death that she “needed space” and didn’t want to have sex anymore due to an undisclosed illness. Yet, she continued to have sex with Garza and her two other boyfriends, prosecutors said.

CRIME REPORT JUNE 10 - JULY 7 JUNE 10

Reported at 10:58 a.m.: An unlicensed massage therapist at Snider Plaza was accused of sexual assault.

JUNE 14

A resident of the 4200 block of Lomo Alto Drive reportedly fell victim to the common gift card scams that have been popping up lately: A woman reported at 1:48 p.m. that she was double-charged for an item on Amazon, and when she called to be reimbursed, a man who went by the name of “James Liu” advised her to withdraw $500 in cash and purchase a $500 Google Play gift card to send to him.

Liu said he would then use the cash, as well as the money on the Google Play card, to reimburse the victim for her double-charge. She never received any money.

JUNE 20

Reported at 1:50 p.m.: The back window of a blue, 2019 Porsche Cayenne parked at the 4400 block of Lovers Lane, was broken, and several bags were stolen from inside. The bags contained a $100 Equinox handbag, $1,250 worth of clothes, and a $200 Nike product.

JUNE 26

Talk about a surprise: A man walked into his garage at the 3500 block of McFarlin Boulevard at 9:50 a.m. and saw a stranger standing inside, holding $1,000 in sporting equipment and $300 in lawn equipment. The stranger bolted for a white Chevy Silverado which then drove off.

JULY 2

It’s never fun to receive a letter from a debt collector. It’s even less

fun when you never spent the actual money. A 58-year-old woman reported at 8:09 a.m. from the 2700 block of Westminster Avenue that her personal information was used to fraudulently set up a new loan account. She found out when the debt collector called her in regards to the loan.

JULY 3

A 40-year-old woman, who lives in the 3400 block of Cornell Avenue, reported at 9:32 a.m. that she lost a diamond earring at some point between June 1 and 6. The set of earrings, worth $40,000, have a large diamond-centered stone surrounded by smaller diamonds. The woman noticed on June 6 that the earring was missing from her purse.

JULY 5

A 20-year-old woman report-

ed that a vehicle reversed “unsafely” in the parking lot at Preston Center at 3:05 p.m. and struck her grey 2014 Jeep Renegade. The unsafe driver then fled the scene without leaving any information.

JULY 7

At 12:01 a.m., the front door of a business at the 6900 block of Preston Road was broken into, to the tune of $740 worth of damage.

Stolen between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Two bicycles – worth $500 – belonging to a boy and a girl from the 3500 block of Beverly Drive. A black Quantum BMX bicycle was found nearby, possibly belonging to the thief.

One of the stolen bikes was a 20inch purple and black bike, and the other one was a 20-inch silver and blue bike.

8 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

News

DEMOLITION TIME?

C O D E V I O L AT I O N S

Town unsatisfied with progress at Mockingbird house

• No utility nor water service

By William Taylor

• Defective/deteriorated flooring/floor supports

People Newspapers

By the time you read this, the Highland Park Town Council may already have hired a contractor to demolish what members consider an unsafe house at 4509 Mockingbird Lane.

Unsatisfied with the lack of progress a month after ordering Scott Brei to repair, remove, or demolish his house, council members asked town staff to seek bids from contractors and bring back recommendations for the council meeting on July 22.

“Actions speak louder than words, and we’ve seen no action,” council member Craig Penfold said. “I don’t think he has the ability to fix this house.”

Council members in June told Brei to obtain a conclusive engineer’s

report, a contractor’s scope of work and schedule, and building permits.

He did not.

He did bring letters town officials had seen before and attorney James Francis, who described troubles getting a canceled insurance check reissued.

I am indigent.

Scott Brei “It looks like to me the man is trying his very best to get the house repaired,” Francis said.

Town officials have been trying to get Brei to begin repairs to the property for months.

“The town got involved in March, but it is clear from Kirk (Smith, assistant director of town services) and the fire marshal the disrepair did not begin in March,” Mayor Margo Goodwin said.

• No adequate heating facilities • Dampness of interior areas • General dilapidation/ improper maintenance

WILLIAM TAYLOR

Scott Brei speaks to town leaders about his desire to repair his house.

Two mothers of Brei’s children addressed the council again in July, noting Brei remained in arrears on child support and mortgage payments and had gone through a bankruptcy filing. One of them, Anne Marie Hurlbut, expressed her surprise that he had brought an attorney after telling a judge in her case recently that he was indigent and needed an appointed one.

“I am indigent,” he said. He explained he would use insurance money and a yet-to-be obtained loan from family to make repairs.

Brei didn’t address any specific claims made by his exes and neighbors but expressed frustration that

he couldn’t work the matter out with the town without the “the background noise of my personal affairs.”

Council member Eric Gambrell countered that the comments from the mothers were relevant because they addressed “your ability to make repairs.”

Brei’s neighbors complained of him using the property illegally to sell cars and hold frequent yard sales with his customers often encroaching on their properties.

“The owner threatened to kill me if I called the police again,” Kristine Daniels said. “His wife told me he didn’t like us because we are from California.”

• Walls, partitions, other vertical supports that split, lean, list, or buckle • Hazardous wiring • Failing plaster/masonry • Ineffective water-proofing of walls, roof, foundation, or floors, including broken windows and doors • No paint or other protective covering for exterior wall coverings • Broken, rotted, or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.

• Hazardous or insanitary premises

10 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

The Not-So-Miracle Mile

City leaders seek ‘just right’ solutions o

BIANCA R. MONTES

W H AT ’ S I N A N A M E ?

The late A.B. Cass Jr. developed a quarter-mile along Lovers Lane in the 1940s and called it the Miracle Mile, named after a shopping strip in Los Angeles that was transformed by a developer who saw the potential for the automobile to change settlement patterns.

Sources: Dallas Morning News and KCET in California

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

Remember the childhood story where Goldilocks enters the house of the three bears, eats their porridge, and lays in their beds?

Young Goldilocks learns about the bears’ individual preferences, determining that one’s was always too much on one extreme (too hot, too hard), one’s was too much of the other extreme (too cold, too soft), and one’s was just right.

Consultants hired by the city of University Park used that concept, called the Goldilocks principle, to steer the design process for revamping a stretch of Lovers Lane between Douglas Avenue and Lomo Alto Drive. The idea: Solutions are found within certain margins, as opposed to the extremes.

In November 2018, council members approved a nearly $470,000 contract with Huitt-Zollars to create a master plan for portions of Preston Road, Hillcrest Avenue, and the Miracle Mile along Lovers Lane.

Public Works director Jacob Speer said the proposed $7.2 million Miracle Mile renovation would address 60-something-year-old deteriorated pipes as well as the pavement – all the way to the base – which is crumbling apart.

“You can’t fix that,” Speer said. “The question became, if we are going to cause disruption, what else should be done at the same time to gain additional benefits.”

Parking, pedestrian flow, and traffic flow were all identified as crucial areas to address after the city and consultants analyzed traffic and parking patterns and met with Miracle Mile merchants, owners, neighbors, and Highland Park Independent School District representatives.

Those issues were addressed in three design

IF YOU GO: University Park City Council members are expected to consider final design options to upgrade the Miracle Mile on Lovers Lane at their Aug. 6 meeting. concepts: a parking extreme, an access extreme, and the “just right” compromise.

Adding significantly more parking, the consultants told the city, would come at a high cost: reduced access and creating cramped quarters (seen in option A).

To provide more pedestrian access, including designated fire lanes on either side of the shopping center, Miracle Mile would also come at a cost: less parking (seen in option B).

“Parking is the most evident issue; it’s literally staring you in the face,” Speer said. “All you see is parked cars. It’s the first and last thing you experience.

“Part of the problem is that people do not view it as a shopping center, but instead two different areas (eastbound and westbound). If it felt more like a shopping center where people could cross from one side to the other, you’ve doubled your parking, even if nothing changes.”

Christie Leinart, who has been shopping on Lovers Lane for more than a decade, said she sometimes has to turn around due to a lack of parking.

“If (the city) is going to do anything here, they should add more parking,” she said.

Other shoppers disagreed, saying they come to the Miracle Mile for “the vibe.”

Merchants remain skeptical about the project. Rena Kim, of Yummy Donuts, questioned how small business owners would survive months of construction and whether additional parking would actually improve the situation. “Everyone wants more parking, but it’s not worth the time it would take for construction to finish,” she said.

During a work session early July, most council members favored Option C, a compromise of the two extreme offerings, but wanted the consultants to address some of the access issues.

The council is expected to review reconfigured designs at their next meeting and would have to sign off on a design before September to submit a proposal to Dallas County’s Capital Improvement Fund, which if approved could help share costs. Though, Speer added that the project is not contingent on being awarded any money from the county.

Keyuri Parab and Jaxx Artz contributed to this story.

Parking is the most evident issue; it’s literally staring you in the face. All you see is parked cars. It’s the first and last thing you experience.

Jacob Speer

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 11

on Lovers Lane A1 The parking aisle and

first entrance would be stretched toward the Dallas North Tollway, starting a block before the Shell Station at Lomo Alto Drive and Lovers Lane.

A2

A1

Turn lanes would be removed from Lovers Lane at Lomo Alto Drive and Armstrong Parkway. A three-way signal would replace current lighting at Armstrong Parkway.

A3 * All three options would

A2

create mid-block pedestrian crossings at Lomo Alto Drive and Armstrong Parkway.

A3

Option A: The Parking Option If there was a place to put a parking spot the designers have found it and used it in option A. By shrinking Lovers Lane a foot in each direction and extending parking nearly to the tollway; this option increases parking from 260 spots to 344. The option also increases ADA parking spots from eight to 17. What is lost with option A is access points for through traffic into surrounding neighborhoods; for example, there will be no travel lane access for Northbound Lomo Alto Drive, resulting in heavier turning movements at Armstrong Parkway. Turning lanes also will be removed at all access points, and the actual turn space will become extremely narrow.

B1 A reduction in parking would for designated If you’re a fanallow of elbow room, then this option will likely be your fire lanes both the eastbound favorite – butonyou might be alone seeing as most stakeholders and westbound parking aisle. disliked it. This option would keep Lovers Lane at 12-feet-wide in both directions; offer a landscaped median, create more room between parked cars and traveling cars, and B1 m a k e room for fire lane access on both the eastbound a n d westbound drive aisles. Currently, emergency vehicles must B2 close off Lovers Lane when called. However, all of that space comes at a cost: parking. While additional parking would be made on the north side, available spots would decrease B2 A landscaped median would stretch from 17 spaces. the Dallas North Tollway to Armstrong Parkway.

B1

Option B: The Access Option If you’re a fan of elbow room, then this option will likely be your favorite – but you might be alone seeing as most stakeholders disliked it. This option would keep Lovers Lane at 12-feetwide in both directions; offer a landscaped median, create more room between parked cars and traveling cars, and make room for fire lane access on both the eastbound and westbound drive aisles. Currently, emergency vehicles must close off Lovers Lane when called. However, all of that space comes at a cost: parking. While additional parking would be made on the north side, available spots would decrease 17 spaces.

C2 * All three options would create a

C1 All parking in the drive aisles would be horizontal,

continuous pedestrian path between the Dallas North Tollway and Douglas Avenue.

creating a broader path for drivers, wider sidewalks, and a buffer area between parking and travel lanes.

Option C: The Mix of Options C2

C1

Option C is the “not too hot, not too cold” design. It provides more openings and access than Option A and more parking than Option B. It is the closest to what is currently seen on Lovers Lane and increases parking spots from 260 to 285, 13 of which would be ADA compliant. This option shrinks Lovers Lane a foot in each direction, offers broader parking in the drive aisle and wider sidewalks and a buffer area between parking and the travel lanes. But, there is no room for a designated fire lane.

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF HUITT-ZOLLARS

PA R K I N G S T U DY A parking study was conducted from March 4 to 11 on Lovers Lane. In 15 minute intervals, researchers looked at parking spots from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Here are a few takeaways from the results.

- Regardless of the time of day, people typically parked at Miracle Mile for 30 minutes or less. About 20% are parked up to an hour and 10% for up to an hour and a half. For weekdays

and weekends, there is a noticeable 10% of vehicles that were there for the duration of the study, three hours and four hours respectively.

time to a maximum total occupancy of 85%. On average, parking spaces in the Miracle Mile are occupied 78% of the time.

- The parking demand is highest around noon on weekdays and weekends and at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Many zones reached 100% occupancy. It was noted that at least 67% of parking spaces were occupied at any time of day. Occupancy increased during lunch

- Parking enforcement is not consistent.

- 41% of those surveyed said they want more parking spaces, and 35% said they wanted designated spots for businesses.

- A 10-question patron parking study conducted during the same time showed that 71% of the 37 people surveyed said they sometimes or usually find parking and 80% stated it

Note: Follow this article online to view the entire study.

takes them five minutes or more to find a parking space.

12 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Community VOLK FOCUSES HIS LENS ON DALLAS

Did You Know Jayne Mansfield?

Son of legendary Dallas retailer embraced architecture, photography, volunteering

After authoring “Jayne Mansfield: The First Reality Star?” for The Hollywood Reporter, Erik Liberman is looking to do a book on the blonde bombshell f rom the Park Cities.

Liberman, a Broadway and TV actor and writer, is looking for those who knew Mansfield (formerly known as Jayne “Honey” Peers) or her parents, Harry and Vera Peers, during her upbringing in the area in the early 1950s.

Leave word for him at 213-375-8175 or visit erikliberman.org.

‘Seeing Red: Extinction and Other Mysteries Surrounding the Redhead’

Leonard Volk’s photos capture many sights in Dallas.

By William Taylor People Newspapers

L

eonard Volk has loved photography since Jan. 3, 1950.

That day, he bought his first “good” camera – a Leica IIIc – in Limburg, Germany, during 14-months he spent traveling after graduating from Yale in 1949.

Through the years, he has photographed sights in Europe, Japan, and all over Dallas.

But along the way, he somehow missed out on shooting a few landmarks of particular personal importance: the Volk Brothers stores, including the George Dahl-designed, six-story downtown store in the 1800 block of Elm Street.

“To me they were permanent, and I didn’t have to save that memory, because they would always be there,” he said, recalling how the downtown building was torn down without warning in 1980, the year after his father’s death.

Volk, now 91 and retired from his careers in architecture and volunteering, talked during a Dallas Historical Society “An Evening With!” program this spring at Dallas Fair Park about his experiences as well as those of his namesake grandfather and father, Harold.

His grandfather moved here from Baltimore in 1889, when Dallas was “a tough frontier town of perhaps 20,000 or 30,000

LEONARD VOLK

[and] still a destination for cattle drives,” and went to work for an Elm Street shoe store.

Grandfather bought the store the next year and started Volk Bros. with older brother George.

Leonard, like his father Harold, went to Terrill Preparatory School in Dallas, and later to Yale University but didn’t share his father’s passion for retail, so studied architecture at MIT. Harold retired in 1965 and Volk’s was sold to Colbert in 1970.

Leonard worked in architecture for 30 years, designing a hangar and industrial building for Texas Instruments, commercial remodeling at Highland Park Village, staff housing at McDonald Observatory, public-housing modernization in West Dallas, and many other projects.

His volunteer work included Goals for Dallas, organizing a Community Design Center for neighborhood improvement, and leading the Dallas American Institute of Architects’ Affordable Housing Committee.

In retirement, he has continued to focus on his photography and published Everyday, a book of essays and photographs available at Interabang Books.

He considers it an open letter of encouragement to all photographers, professional and amateur, to explore the subjects they strongly care about.

“Art, like flying, is freedom,” he said. “We are all artists if we allow ourselves that freedom.”

Art, like flying, is freedom. We are all artists if we allow ourselves that freedom.

Leonard Volk After the opening of the six-story George Dahl-designed main building in 1930, Volk’s Bros. became a retail specialty store selling a variety of products including women’s apparel and hats, men’s furnishings, and gifts as well as shoes.

In the early 1930s, Harold became president of the company, and with the opening of a Highland Park Village store in 1935, Volk’s became the first downtown Dallas retailer to open a suburban location.

“His retailer friends all told him he was crazy to do this, that he would just take sales away from his downtown store, but Highland Park became a national record-setter for sales per square foot of store space and was enlarged twice in the ‘30s,” Leonard said.

By Stewart Cohen $40 dreameditionspress.com The Canadian-born photographer, who lives in the Bluffview area of Dallas, explores the notion that redheads are on their way to extinction with more than 300 photo sessions on two continents. He styled the portraits in his latest book to show how an extinct species might be displayed for posterity. “Once the word spread that I was shooting redheads, I had an overwhelming response from gingers around the world – each wanting to be immortalized as a part of the project,” Cohen said.

‘The MAD Entrepreneur: Making a Difference in the World, in Business and in Life’

By Phil Romano $22 philipjromano.com The nearly 80-year-old Dallas restaurateur, who lives between Bluffview and Preston Hollow, has created more than 25 concepts during his 50plus years in the industry and continues to own and operate eatZi’s Market & Bakery, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse, Coal Vines Pizza, and other businesses. He wrote about “points of difference” when starting a business and his father’s lessons about making a difference in the world. “He told me to ‘be known near and far for what you are’ and that became a driving force behind my businesses and gave me the passion to make a difference in so many people’s lives,” Romano said.

– Staff report

August 2019 13

Beating Heat and Robocalls

It’s that infernal part of the year when Dallasites scramble to exit for a bit of respite before the pace quickens.

Increasingly, it’s even hard to go to the movies for a little getaway.

Put your phone on vibrate and feel the buzz from the ubiquitous telemarketers.

Don’t return missed calls without a message from a known source?

Now spoofLEN BOURLAND ers are getting more conniving and using Dallas area codes.

Vacationing without a phone is next to impossible, if not for calls, then for texting loved ones, taking photos, and sometimes as a wallet.

Why the deluge of calls?

For one thing, it’s easy to block nuisance calls to a landline with an answering machine, and many people no longer even bother with landlines.

But does anyone actually buy those security systems with “free installation,” vacation packages with “great discounts,” credit cards with “0% interest rates” or worry about threats from the “IRS”?

Sadly, the naïve do get played, but it turns out it doesn’t even matter if the phone calls go unanswered.

Crooks create bogus companies, buy up blocks of unused cell numbers, create the robocall, and the launch begins.

It seems a tiny fraction of a penny is charged by phone carriers for searching for the caller and credited back to the company doing the dialing. Those pennies turn into real money if enough dials are made.

Adrian Abramovich from Miami was apprehended after making nearly 100 million robocalls. The FTC slapped a $120 million fine on him (yet to be collected).

He’s a drop in the bucket. In April alone, it was calculated that 3.4 billion robocalls were made.

There are no laws for prison time on the books. Yet. And most scammers are difficult to catch with call centers out of the country.

An entire industry has sprung up to combat the problem. Among many phone apps, my personal favorite is Nomorobo.

The national do not call registry (1-888-382-1222) can’t handle the problem alone. My carrier, AT&T, is trying. Every now and then I get a loud alert that a telemarketer is calling. I’d rather they just blocked it.

I guess all you can do is pay it forward by annoying your congressman with several calls for political action. Then turn off the ringer and head for the hills.

The heat will eventually end. Just not those calls.

Len Bourland can be reached at lenbourland@gmail.com

16 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Goodbye Hollywood, Hello Dallas

Actor returns home, continues movie career from the Park Cities

COURTESY PHOTOS

The birth of his son, Harrison, prompted actor Charles “Charlie” Solomon Jr. to return to Texas.

By Jaxx Artz

People Newspapers Charles “Charlie” Solomon Jr. loves the weather in Los Angeles.

“It’s always 68,” he said during a phone interview – him in Hollywood and me in what is considered to be Texas’ milder weather.

A man with many hats, the Park Cities native told me how California was a good place for his acting and production career and how the seemingly-endless list of things to do would ensure he was entertained.

However, Tinsel Town isn’t where he calls home. After 24 years of living in Los Angeles, Solomon returned to his roots in 2011, a move inspired by the birth of his son, Harrison, and wanting him to grow up around kind-hearted people.

While it’s not every day you have a working actor and producer nestled in the Park Cities, Solomon continues his career with a slew of acting titles, most recently, the role of a detective in Attack of the Unknown, a science-fiction movie starring Tara Reid, Robert LaSardo, and Richard Grieco.

But bouncing between Hollywood and the Lone Star State isn’t his forever goal.

Solomon said he is working hard to bring work to the Big D. He is trying to turn a story idea, The Nine Lives of Herbert Noble, into a TV series filmed in Dallas and is talking to directors about filming his family movie Get Gomez! in Texas.

“I love Texas. The area is great, the people are great – Texas has a lot of talented people that we can make great use of,” he said.

Solomon said his passion for theater developed early in life as he would write and

perform short plays for his family. He joined the Dallas Theatre Center before moving to Waxahachie for high school. Between class and working at a cotton gin, he enrolled in a theater program.

After graduating from SMU with a bachelor’s in English literature, Solomon moved to Los Angeles to learn from acting teacher Vincent Chase, after whom the lead character in Entourage is named. Wanting more instruction, he then went to New York to study theatre under Herbert Berghof, Uta Hagen, and Sanford Meisner.

“I did a few off-Broadway plays, working next to actors like James Gandolfini, but it’s a hard career,” he said. Taking a step back from performing, Solomon started racing cars and liked the adrenaline rush. He thought maybe this could be his new passion until a bad crash in 2001 nearly took his life.

Solomon said he didn’t know what his next step would be until a friend convinced him to move back to Hollywood. He added more behind-the-scenes work to his skill set, producing and directing several videos and movies, such as Who Shot Mamba? (2009) and Killer View (2009).

Nowadays, Solomon travels to California less often, mainly to catch up with friends.

With projects set in Texas, he hopes there will be no need to go there for work. “I want Dallas to be the next city for film, and I’m starting with my own projects.”

18 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

‘Secret Dallas’ Author Explores Village, Snider Plaza, Lakeside Park

Every city has its quirky corners and haunting crevices that clutch dark secrets, illicit details, and peculiar facts.

MARK STUERTZ Dallas is no exception: It’s an entanglement of idiosyncrasies and unexpected triumphs.

Billed as America’s first shopping center and the prototype for shopping enclaves all over the U.S., Highland Park Village had its DNA stamped in 1906. That’s when land speculator John S. Armstrong purchased a 1,326-acre stretch bisected by an old cattle trail, now known as Preston Road. He envisioned an exclusive planned community north of the emerging city of Dallas.

To bring his vision to life, Armstrong enlisted architect Wilbur David Cook, designer of Beverly Hills. Highland Park opened in 1907 as a separate township and was so named because the community was 130 feet higher than Dallas’ elevation and was enveloped in green space.

Roughly a quarter century later, Highland Park Village emerged. It featured a unified architectural style with stores facing in toward an interior parking area.

But completion of this luxe shopping destination took an agonizing 20 years as the Great Depression and World War II

exacted their toll. Today, the village features a central fountain, 10 acres of brick paths and walkways, lush landscaping, and the circa-1935 Highland Park Village Theatre—the first luxury suburban theatre in Texas.

In 1938, an in-and-out cash revolution rocked the banking sector on the edge of Snider Plaza in University Park.

That’s when the Hillcrest State Bank opened its doors on Hillcrest between Daniel and Haynie Avenues. The bank was a utilitarian masterpiece designed by architect George Dahl, the creative force behind the 26 signature Art Deco buildings erected in Fair Park for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition.

Hillcrest was the first bank ever in the U.S. to feature a drive-through window — no doubt in recognition of the tens of thousands of registered motor vehicles wheeling over a 1,000 miles of paved and unpaved roads crisscrossing Dallas County at the time. Dahl’s classic design and the bank are long gone. Hillcrest State Bank became Texas Commerce Bank in 1981, and Chase Bank of Texas in 1998 before it was folded into Chase Manhattan Bank in 2000. Hillcrest’s low-rise replacement was vacated in 2012 and demolished in late 2017 to make way for a mixed-use development.

Burrowed deep along Turtle Creek, Lakeside Park is 14-acres of meticulous-

ly manicured grounds surrounded by an imposing legion of multi-million-dollar residences. The park is a showcase of walking paths, sitting benches, and ducks paddling over waters teeming with bass.

Traverse the bridge over Turtle Creek Dam and witness the park’s charm offensive cast in stone: enormous teddy bears.

Sculpted by Vermont artist J.T. Williams, the 10-foot-tall mother bear and three 4-foot-tall cubs were commissioned by the Harlan Crow family and gifted to Highland Park on Christmas Day, 1995.

The bears were inspired by bronze sculptures that once graced the stores of FAO Schwarz, America’s oldest toy retailer.

This is just a small dose of the secrets locked in the Big D’s urban landscape.

Mark Stuertz is the author of “Secret Dallas, a Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure”

SIGHT SEEING • The Plaza Solana scenic overlook on the West Lawther side of White Rock Lake was funded by Hampton Hodges, who envisioned it as a memorial to his first wife, Buffy.

• The Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco has 1.8 acres, 2,000 feet of track, and 28 pieces of vintage rolling stock.

• Yard Art at Abrams Road and Trammel Drive, where owner Gary Isett displays a cornucopia of the weird, the quirky, even the creepy — a cavalcade of kitsch, including a giant T-rex.

20 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Sports

IN KANSAS, THE OTHER HIGHLAND PARK SCOTS ARE STRUGGLING MIGHTILY

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

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hey share the same school name and mascot, but that’s about where the similarities end for two football programs known as the Highland Park Scots.

In terms of physical distance, their campuses are about 500 miles apart — one in University Park and the other just southeast of downtown Topeka, Kansas — yet in many respects, they might as well be from different galaxies.

The local Scots, of course, are three-time defending Class 5A Division I state champions, carry a 31-game winning streak, and have the most successful program in Texas high school history. Their counterparts in Kansas hope for a fraction of that success as part of a massive rebuilding project.

“We’re at the opposite end, but we’ve got to climb,” said second-year head coach Mike Foristiere. “Most of our games are over by halftime.”

Topeka Highland Park has lost 43 consecutive games, a streak that dates to September 2014. Last year, the Scots were outscored by a combined margin of 514-58, and were shut out in five of their nine contests.

It’s easy to dwell on the negatives. A large percentage of the Topeka school’s 837 students

live in high-crime neighborhoods and come from fractured families or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Only about a quarter of them play sports.

Because of geography, the Scots are forced to compete in a district with much larger schools. They generally lack the modern equipment and facilities of neighboring campuses. School district boundaries don’t work in their favor, either. Traditionally, the school’s best players have become impatient amid the downward spiral and transferred elsewhere.

“We’re overcoming a lot of things,” Foristiere said. “To a lot of people, we’re a joke.”

Foristiere, 61, has preferred to embrace the challenges in a program that hasn’t finished with a winning record since 1995. Since then, a half-dozen coaches have tried to turn things around, and none succeeded. However, he remains optimistic. The 37-year coaching veteran cites a supportive school administration and some core community members for helping to fuel a new attitude.

Participation in offseason training sessions is up to about 35 players, most of which are freshmen and sophomores with room to grow.

And this summer, Highland Park is sending athletes to team camps and 7-on-7 tournaments for the first time in many years.

“It’s changing, but we’re young. They’re working hard and they aren’t afraid to com-

Coach Mike Foristiere encourages his Topeka, Kansas team. pete,” Foristiere said. “The biggest thing is getting good kids who want to work hard and be good teammates and teach the fundamentals of the game.”

Locally, the blue-and-gold Scots are preparing to contend for another state championship. In Topeka, the red-and-green Scots

People Newspapers

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his season’s Highland Park volleyball roster features many of the same names as last year — and the year before, for that matter.

Such depth and experience have the Lady Scots filled with optimism and expectations that are high even by their lofty standards.

“It’s the deepest and strongest returning group we’ve ever had,” said HP head coach Michael Dearman. “We think we have a

There are three Highland Park high schools in the country with the Scots as their mascot. Here’s a look at their recent levels of gridiron success: Location University Park St. Paul, Minn.

Topeka, Kan.

CHRIS MCGATHEY

FROM LEFT: Avery Hellmuth and Kendyl Reaugh are two of the top returnees at the net this season for Highland Park. chance to do something very impressive this year.”

Ten players return f rom a squad that fell to Frisco Wakeland in a five-set thriller in the second round of the Class 5A Region II playoffs last year.

Half of those 10 have been on the varsity roster for at least two years, helping to comprise a fierce net presence of hitters and blockers. Kendyl Reaugh will be a four-year starter this season.

are trying to build a foundation of continuity and accountability that starts with a single, elusive victory.

“It’s a cultural change. You try to do things with standards and integrity,” Foristiere said.

“It’s going to be hard, and it’s going to take time.”

SCOT POWER RANKINGS

Experience Should Lead to Spike in Success for Lady Scots

By Todd Jorgenson

COURTESY PHOTO

Kate Nugent, Anna Claire Nichol, Avery Hellmuth, and Kennedy Westendorff are entering their third campaign with the Lady Scots.

Four HP players already have pledged to attend Division I programs, with more likely to follow.

Reaugh is verbally committed to Alabama, while Nichol will head to Wake Forest and Westendorff to South Carolina on a beach volleyball scholarship. Another senior,

Enrollment 2,160 1,274 837

Last season 16-0 2-10 0-9

Lauren McMahon, is committed to Wichita State.

“The combination of experience with the level of talent we have really sets us up well,” Dearman said.

“We’ve got a head start.”

Dearman said the depth and versatility throughout the roster would allow him to integrate a more sophisticated offense with more wrinkles.

Like last season, the Lady Scots will play a rigid nondistrict slate in August and early September — including three top-notch tournaments in Pearland, Justin, and Plano — to help prepare for a postseason run in November.

They will play 14 matches in District 11-5A in between, although HP swept all but one of those contests in 2018, and likely will dominate again.

“The nondistrict schedule is very important to us because that provides the most competition,” Dearman said. “We’ll be tested right off the bat. We will have seen the best of the best.”

Last 5 seasons 65-7 24-27 1-44

SCHEDULE August Red Oak 6:30 p.m.

6 8-10 John Turner Classic** TBA 13 at Byron Nelson 6:30 p.m.

15-17 Northwest ISD tourn. TBA 20 Keller 6:30 p.m.

23-24 Circle of Champions^ TBA 27 at Midlothian 6:30 p.m.

30 Bishop Lynch 6:30 p.m.

September 3 Plano 6:30 p.m.

6 at Wylie East 6:30 p.m.

10 Rockwall-Heath 6:30 p.m.

13 Newman Smith* 5 p.m.

17 at Conrad* 6 p.m.

20 Bryan Adams* 6 p.m.

24 at Carr. Creekview* 6 p.m.

27 Carr. R.L. Turner* 5 p.m.

October 1 Thomas Jefferson* 7 p.m.

4 at Woodrow Wilson* 5 p.m.

8 at Newman Smith* 6 p.m.

11 Conrad* 6 p.m.

15 at Bryan Adams* 6 p.m.

18 Carr. Creekview* 5 p.m.

22 at Carr. R.L. Turner* 6 p.m.

25 at Thomas Jefferson* 5 p.m.

29 Woodrow Wilson* 7 p.m.

* — District 11-5A match ** — at Pearland ^ — at PSA Murphy, Plano

22 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Real Estate Quarterly BUILT WITH BACKYARD LIVING IN MIND

Endangered midcentury modern homes still loved by many

SHARON ADAMS

ALEX LYDA

ALEX LYDA

FROM LEFT: Marla Boone, Patty Pritchett, and Cele Johnsen tour midcentury homes in the Park Cities.

By Alex Lyda

Special Contributor

T

SHARON ADAMS

he midcentury modern structures that once defined many neighborhoods are increasingly threatened by soaring lot values, unmitigated disposable income, and North Texas’ perpetual drive to build new.

“The culture of Dallas is to always be looking forward and never in the rearview mirror,” said Mark Lamster, architecture critic of the Dallas Morning News, at a recent preservation symposium hosted by SMU. The midcentur y modern architectural and interior design period rose to prominence in the early and the mid-1950s and began a resurgence at the turn of the century. Its characteristics include: ample windows, open floor

plans, and advances in post and wooden beam construction that created high ceilings with exposed rafters, eliminating the need for bulky support walls while allowing more light through large glass panels.

Think Frank Lloyd Wright’s cantilevered “Fallingwater” house in Pennsylvania or the more pedestrian Southern California house seen in the iconic 1970s sitcom The Brady Bunch.

Architect and University Park councilmember Ta y lor Armstrong led a tour this spring for mid-century modern fans, homebuyers, and preservationists alike.

Two of the houses on Park Cities Preservation and Historical Society (PCPHS)

The days of Webergrilling and backyard barbecues were not really seen until after [World War II], and the way these houses are built is an extension of that.

Taylor Armstrong

tour stand side-by-side in the 3500 block of Villanova Street. Their giveaway characteristic: carports – basically open-air garages – adjoining squat single-story houses made conspicuous only when compared to newer homes across the street.

“The orientation is more toward a life that plays out in the backyard, not the street,” Taylor said. “The days of Weber-grilling and backyard barbecues were not really seen until after [World War II], and the way these houses are built is an extension of that.”

Former dancer Emily Bywaters Cochran invited the 20 tour members into her expansive living room that holds not one but two grand pianos, and renown oil-oncanvas paintings bathed in plenty of natural light afforded by design.

“We’ve had 50 people who have been over for dance parties and music,” said the Julliard-trained dancer who once performed to international audiences in New

York, Paris, and Washington. “Some great and memorable evenings we’ve had here, made possible by the layout.”

Alex Jodry, 33, a bank credit officer and prospective first-time buyer, wants to buy a midcentury modern, so he and his wife (who studied historical preservation at Baylor) “can actually have a backyard,” he said.

How many midcentury moderns young people like Jodry will have to choose from in the coming years is the question, said Rick Brettell, the Margaret McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetics Studies at UT Dallas.

“We may not be saving them, but they are selling like hotcakes,” Brettell said. “The good news is that inexpensive houses are not at risk. The difficulty is midcentury modern houses in high-value areas [where teardowns are occurring]. I wish, I truly wish that the Park Cities could be designated a national historic district, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.”

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 27

A Dallas Difference Maker: Virginia McAlester

Author’s takes on residential architecture and preservation remain relevant

By Alex Lyda

Special Contributor Next time you pass any of the remaining prewar brick ramblers being replaced by post-modern cubic behemoths, you may want to skim through A Field Guide to American Homes to better understand what you’re actually seeing.

Virginia was meticulous in describing exactly how to go about establishing a historic district.

John C. Waters As the veritable bible for identifying older houses, the book is the equivalent of a bird-watchers’ guide for the residential architecture encountered not just in Dallas, but across America. “The Guide,” as it is known, is the work of the “human embodiment of preservation” in American residential architecture, experts say: Dallas’ own Virginia McAlester.

McAlester was honored this

COURTESY PHOTOS

Virginia McAlester in 1972 founded the Historic Preservation League, now known as Preservation Dallas.

spring at a symposium on historic preservation at Southern Methodist University, which hosted a distinguished panel of design and

architecture leaders to discuss her efforts to protect Dallas architectural history from the perpetual forces seeking to remake it.

“Dallas is one of the few large cities in America where one person can make a difference,” the late Margaret McDermott told UT Dallas art professor Richard Brettell when he first moved here

as a “callow kid” from Chicago, Brettell said. “Virginia McAlester was one of those persons who has made a difference.”

McAlester’s landmark field guide is the standard reference on American residential architecture across eras and regions, and she has been recognized by the American Library Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for her scholarship.

Before publishing the book, McAlester was the founder of the Historic Preservation League in 1972, now Preservation Dallas, which has helped designate and sustain more than 4,000 landmarks.

It is a model adopted by many cities for historic preservation.

In 1984 she created the advocacy group Friends of Fair Park, which successfully petitioned to protect and preserve the permanent buildings in Fair Park, site of the 1936 Texas Centennial, now home to the State Fair of Texas and a broad range of museums and cultural venues. Her many awards include receiving the key to Dallas in 2014, an American Institute of Architects honorary membership, and the Friends of Fair Park Spirit of the Centennial Award in 2017. In

May, McAlester added another accolade to the list: an honorary doctor of arts from SMU, in recognition of her life’s work.

McAlester, who was not able to attend, watched remotely by live video as the auditorium erupted in applause and her honorary degree was conferred.

Her other books include Great American Houses and Their Architectural Styles, A Field Guide to America’s Historic Neighborhoods and Museum Houses: The Western States, and Homes of Park Cities, Dallas: Great American Suburbs.

Other panelists at the symposium included John C. Waters, who pioneered preservation legislation in the state of Georgia and has written preservation plans for numerous cities.

“Virginia was meticulous in describing exactly how to go about establishing a historic district,” Waters said. “And it is a real tribute to Virginia that the things she wrote a while ago are still useful today.”

LEARN MORE Visit virginiamcalester.com for a biography and information about her books.

28 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Margaret Chambers: Creating A Winning Look

Interior designer talks trends, don’ts, white walls, and HGTV

By William Taylor

changed how homeowners think about interior design. In the beginning of my career, using an interior designer was the only way to furnish a fine home. The majority of people think it’s so simple to put together a room on their own and order everything online, but in reality, a designer has much better sources that are only available to the design trade and can rectify the problems that arise with vendors and shipping. On the plus side, we can more easily source items from all over the world, and that allows us to be more creative.

People Newspapers

The owners of a 92-year-old Spanish Colonial wanted their master to double as a secondary, private living space.

Margaret Chambers and Allen Keith of Chambers Interiors & Associates Inc. delivered a room full of custom pieces to fit the space’s unusual dimensions, disguise the desired small refrigerator and coffee bar, and balance competing style preferences – the husband likes contemporary; the wife likes traditional.

Tell us about your favorite current design trend.

I love the eclectic mix. We are no longer doing “period” rooms in homes where everything is French or English. Once we stopped doing that, antiques went out of style, but now they are coming back.

Nowadays, we mix in a few good antiques with modem furniture and art. I also love textiles and beautiful inlaid furniture from India that is trending right now.

Nowadays, we mix in a few good antiques with modem furniture and art.

Margaret Chambers “The long length of the room was balanced by incorporating more seating than is in most masters,” Chambers said. “Both clients were big readers (so loved) an additional reading area among the tree-top views of their historic neighborhood.”

The result brought the Chambers’ team two coveted prizes from the Dallas Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. The room won best of show residential out of 106 entrants as well as first place master bedroom transitional/ traditional.

Another Chambers’ design won first place in dining room transitional/traditional.

We caught up with Chambers to get her thoughts on the direction of interior design and the latest trends in the industry.

What in the interior design industry has changed the most since you began your career four decades ago?

The Internet and HGTV have really

NATHAN SCHRODER

GOLDENLIGHT CREATIVE

TOP: The custom bed in this award-winning design features perfectly-sized headboard posts to appropriately match the low walls beneath the molding of the angled tray ceiling and fit into the room through a narrow hallway and arched vestibule. Low posts on the footboard allow for watching television from the bed. LEFT: Margaret Chambers and her team have worked on interior design projects across North Texas, including in Highland Park, University Park, and Preston Hollow.

We always hear about the value of kitchen and bath remodeling, but what’s another change a homeowner can make that would really add value and appeal?

Crisp white walls (or slightly warm white depending on the other architectural elements in the home). Everything looks good with white; that’s why museums and galleries use white. It really brightens up a home and brings it up to date.

When you walk into a pre-redo Preston Hollow or Park Cities home, what’s most likely to cause you to shake your head?

Hand-scraped hardwood floors, dark stained libraries, and old speckled granite countertops. We were overloaded with all of these in the 2000s. I also don’t like wall-to-wall carpet and puddling draperies.

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 29

With Ample Supply, Home Buyers Expect Their Money’s Worth Home shoppers in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow should have more options to consider but still expect to pay plenty to live in the stately homes that characterize the area.

Active listings are up along with the months’ supply of homes, and although homes are staying on the market for more than two months, median prices remain high, though not much different than they’ve been during the last year, according to the most recent statistics from North Texas Real Estate Information Systems Inc. While buyers may not be paying less, they are expecting to get their money’s worth in style.

“Buyers are super picky these days. So if you plan to sell, it pays off to work with a Realtor in advance

to prep your home because we know what buyers are looking for,” said Marti Voorheis, a Dave-Perry-Miller agent.

“The seller who puts in the effort before talking to a Realtor may spend money and effort in the wrong places,” she said. “Sometimes, updated pieces can elevate a home’s visual appeal. In other cases, it’s important to freshen the paint or even more involved remodeling. Otherwise, you may be looking at sitting on the market longer or reducing your price. The bottom line is that the buyers want it perfect.”

Fit For a Prince?

While the market boasts many homes that look fit for a prince, at least one has a letter to prove it.

We wrote online in May about

COURTESY PHOTOS

Completed in 2001, 3509 Crescent Ave. includes a 4,671-square-foot main house, a 730-square­foot guest quarters above the three-car garage, and a separate cabana bath on the south side of the pool. the grand home at 3509 Crescent Avenue in Highland Park. It remains listed by Perry-Miller Streiff Group for almost $5 million.

Scott Merrill designed the house to meet the desires of a man who developed an eye for well-designed 1920s English residential architecture while bicycling as a

Closed Median sales price

produce such an incredibly ‘appetizing’ Arts and Crafts feel to your buildings,” the prince said. “This is such a rare gift in today’s soulless world and, for me, was best demonstrated in your Highland Park house.”

Compiled by William Taylor and Tim Glaze

MARKET NUMBERS: PRE STON HOLLOW

MARKET NUMBERS: PARK CITIE S Month

boy to Bradfield Elementary School and Highland Park Village.

Prince Charles, a student of architecture, wrote Merrill after reviewing the American architect’s portfolio.

“All I can say is that I am enormously impressed – particularly by your enviable ability to

Price per Sold to Active Days on Months’ sq. foot list price listings market supply

Month

Closed Median sales price

Price per Sold to Active Days on Months’ sq. foot list price listings market supply

June 2018

94

$1,316,680

$390

96%

391

64

6.4

June 2018

73

$1,058,500

$316

94%

338

53

5.7

Sept. 2018

50

$1,100,000

$390

95%

363

100

5.7

Sept. 2018

60

$995,000

$270

96%

349

70

5.8

Dec. 2018

58

$1,125,000

$396

95%

258

74

4.3

Dec. 2018

56

$1,140,000

$341

94%

277

91

5

March 2019

62

$1,357,620

$392

96%

418

60

7.2

March 2019

63

$821,250

$297

96%

393

56

7.2

June 2019

97

$1,492,500

$387

95%

435

71

7.4

June 2019

70

$997,000

$273

96%

446

65

8.2

Source: North Texas Real Estate Information Systems Inc.

30 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 3900 Potomac Avenue

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his one-of-a-kind, beautifully updated Tudor home sits on almost a half-acre corner lot in the heart of Dallas. Listed by the Thayer Braymer Team with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, this lushly landscaped corner lot offers a secluded sport court, fire pit, putting green and large covered entertainment patio.

Located near the Dallas Country Club,

COURTESY COLDWELL BANKER

this exquisite home has four bedrooms, four full and one-half baths and a twocar garage. The kitchen boasts fantastic views of the backyard and easy access to the family room. All the bedrooms are upstairs, including the oversized master with vaulted ceilings. The master bathroom is stunning, recently updated in 2016 with a walk-in shower and freestanding soaker tub.

32 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT BRIGGS FREEMAN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

French Flair Meets Limitless Luxury

3800 Stratford Avenue, represented by Judy Sessions for $6,750,000

THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP

Updated Modern Farmhouse

Luxurious Highland Park residence offered by Emily Ray-Porter

Freshly reconstructed and expanded modern farmhouse combines elegant finishes with an open, light-filled floor plan - from the white oak floors to the 10-foot ceilings throughout. Expansive windows bring the outdoors in, providing year-round views of the spacious yard and towering, mature trees.

Gourmet kitchen boasts a butler’s pantry and oversized island, and opens to both indoor and outdoor living areas for seamless entertaining.

Hosts and guests alike will appreciate the dual-fuel range and built-in wine refrigerator.

Second-floor living area includes a bar, ice maker and beverage fridge, perfect for preparing a coffee or nightcap to enjoy on the large adjacent balcony. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms round out the upper level.

The prestigious Greenway Crest neighborhood features tree-lined streets, sidewalks and a short walk to the shops and restaurants of Inwood Village and the Miracle Mile.

Contact Jamie Kohlmann (jamiekohlmann@ daveperrymiller.com), Betsy Sorenson (betsy@ daveperrymiller.com) or Ryan Streiff (ryan@ daveperrymiller.com) for more information or visit DPMFineHomes.com.

EBBY HALLIDAY REALTORS

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Top Producers Choose Allie Beth Allman & Associates

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN

5703 Llano Avenue 3 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | 3,009 SqFt Offered For $739,000

Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, & 4,000 SF, 5320 Emerson is being offered for $1,199 ,000.

The French-style home at 3800 Stratford Avenue was built in 2006 on a large corner lot, on one of Highland Park’s most desirable streets.

Rich in history and legacy, Highland Park is home to generations of families and leaders in society. Nearby is Southern Methodist University, called the “Ivy of the South.” Only minutes away from downtown Dallas, and within blocks of great local and global shopping, leafy Highland Park is an idyllic and central location.

The many amenities of 3800 Stratford Avenue include six bedrooms, seven full baths, three half baths, a gourmet kitchen, antique French limestone fireplaces, a game room, an elevator, a paneled library, a wine room, a pool and an outdoor fireplace. It boasts well-proportioned rooms and natural light throughout.

The home’s French-style architecture is rooted in the manor homes, or chateaux, built by French nobles in the mid 1600s. A famous example of the style is The Elms, a magnificent 1901 mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.

Meanwhile, back in Highland Park, own your own French-style masterpiece, appointed with the highest-quality materials.

To see all the exceptional homes, ranches and land offered by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty — in North Texas and around the world — go to briggsfreeman. com.

GRAND VIE SHOWCASES LAKE PROPERTIES

DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE

This soft contemporary home at 3612 Dartmouth Ave. (3612dartmouth.daveperrymiller.com), built by Wren Browning, is set on a lovely tree-lined block. Offered by Emily Ray-Porter, the five-bedroom, five-bath home with two half-baths is priced at $3,499,000.

The beautiful drive up showcases the lush landscaping and large yard. A grand entryway with 23-foot ceiling leads to an open living area with stacked stone fireplace. This room and the dining room overlooks the tranquil backyard with large covered patio, fireplace, television and built-in grill.

A chef-inspired kitchen boasts marble countertops, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, built-in coffee maker, two walk-in pantries and wet bar with icemaker and wine refrigerator.

The master suite offers floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted ceiling, private balcony, a sitting area, and marble-clad bath with dual vanities, large soaking tub with separate shower and dual closets.

Additional highlights include a media room, Control 4 Smart Home, an elevator, electric shades and all audio/ visual equipment.

To schedule a private showing, contact Ray-Porter at 214-544-5698 or emily@daveperrymiller.com.

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (daveperrymiller.com) is a division of Ebby Halliday Real Estate, Inc., an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway, with four locations specializing in Park Cities, Preston Hollow, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park and Farm & Ranch properties.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Allie Beth Allman & Associates Reports Strong Market, Increased Activity

New Orleans style M Streets area home on the best corner in the neighborhood! Walk to lower Greenville shops, restaurants and Trader Joe’s from this home with designer touches and updates throughout. Fully renovated kitchen includes pro series stove with cut marble tiles above, beveled subway tiled walls, Carrera marble counters, waterfall island, and coffee bar in breakfast area. Large Master suite with Thibaut wallpaper and balcony, second bedroom currently used as gym, large third bedroom with sitting area or office currently used as art studio. 5 inch white oak floors and custom lighting throughout. Cabana in side yard, extra storage in garage. Two new oversized AC systems added last year.

For more information please contact Mary Alice Garrison (214) 543-7075 or Rob Williams (805) 637-5699.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

New Report Confirms Impact of Home Staging

Homeowners looking to sell may want to pay attention to the way their property is presented. According to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 83 percent of agents representing buyers said staging a home made it easier for clients to visualize a property as their future home. Additionally, about quarter of those agents reported the way a home was presented increased the amount buyers were willing to spend.

Real estate professionals have long preached the value of staging.

It is a premarketing activity in which a home is decorated to make it appealing to more potential buyers. The numbers indicate that touches like paint and minor carpentry can have an enormous impact. Research also shows that most today’s homebuyers want a property that is move-in ready. Therefore, despite what they may have seen on TV, sellers should not expect buyers to be in the market for a “fixer-upper.”

The Internet has completely changed the way people shop for homes. Today, most buyers have already conducted extensive online research before ever stepping foot in a home. If buyers don’t see what they want online, they are unlikely to give the home a second thought.

To find a real estate consultant, visit alliebeth.com

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN The five-bedroom home on approximately 36 acres at 4370 Palm Drive (4370palm.ebby.com) at Cedar Creek Lake is offered by Liz Tyler-Loncar for $7,580,000.

In addition to featuring some of Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury properties, the 27th edition of Grand Vie: Luxury in Living magazine also includes a special section highlighting nearby lake properties.

Nothing brings family together like a lake home a short distance from your primary residence. Long, relaxing weekends await at the remarkable lake homes featured in the pages of Grand Vie, the luxury-home publication of Ebby Halliday Realtors and Fort Worthbased Williams Trew Real Estate.

The 27th edition of Grand Vie also offers a plethora of inspiring editorial content, including “At Home with Cary Deuber,” featuring a Q&A with the Bravo Real Housewives of Dallas star; “Weekend Getaways: Austin,” offering travel advice for a visit to Texas’ most-Instagram-able city; “Houses of Art,” featuring some of the area’s top cultural events of the season; and special sections for lake, farm, ranch and recreation properties.

Also in the spring/summer edition: Partner and designer at IBB Design Fine Furnishings, Shay Geyer, shares insight into how to revitalize your kids’ room this summer.

To view the digital version of Grand Vie, visit grandviemagazine.com. Visit the award-winning, mobile-friendly ebby.com.

The closing of Virginia Cook Realtors meant some of Dallas’ best agents were eager for new homes. They wanted a professional home committed to first class service with a proven record of sales success. So far, 13 of them have chosen Allie Beth Allman & Associates in the Spring, joining several others who came prior to the announced closure.

“We will miss our business friendship with Virginia Cook,” Allie Beth Allman & Associates General Manager Keith Conlon said. “The Virginia Cook culture matches up really well with our culture and the same boutique feel.

The agents we’ve added are professional, knowledgeable, service-oriented, highly trained good people that will fit and grow their business with our brand.”

Among others who have recently come over are Teri LaJone, David Short, Kimberly Cocotos, Kristen Scott, Julie Haymann, Lauren Savariego, Simone Jeanes, Bob Spurlock, Carolyn Pearson, Maureen Frieze, Stephanie Davenport, Laura Graves, Greg Pape, Lori Sparks, Mayo Redpath, Jill Noland, Pam Metzger, Rennie Meriwether and Tric Sohosky. According to Conlon, each one is a tremendous asset to the team that will help Allie Beth Allman & Associates continue to be Dallas’s luxury market leader.

Learn more about these agents and the Allman firm at alliebeth.com

Allman Leads Park Cities Home Sales All signs point to a continued strong real estate market in Dallas and North Texas. Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents report greater numbers of people looking to capitalize on increased housing inventory and favorable mortgage rates.

The year began slightly off 2018’s record setting pace. Many consumers were concerned about the government shutdown and stock market volatility.

Now that those fears have subsided, the housing market has regained stability, reflected in steadily climbing sales. The Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates low should keep mortgage rates optimal for buyers over the next several months.

Millennials appear to be seeking out homes in larger numbers. As their families expand, many say they want more space and a neighborhood setting. Oftentimes they are surprised to discover that they can buy a home and make payments comparable or lower than their apartment rents.

While the market is favorable for buyers, sellers can still expect to get what they ask for if their property is priced correctly. Buyers are increasingly unwilling to purchase a home if it needs repairs. Realtors report time and time again that homes with even moderate upgrades move faster and attract higher offers.

To find a real estate consultant, visit alliebeth.com

Allie Beth Allman & Associates continues to lead all other brokerage firms in home and estate sales in the Park Cities. According to MLS data for the first three months, Allman had an almost 27 percent share of the market, handling 44 transactions in the premier neighborhoods of Highland Park and University Park.

Here are two Park Cities homes you may want to consider: On Highland Park’s most prestigious street is a neoclassical estate at 3800 Beverly Dr. with four bedrooms. This home was built on a large lot in 1922 and updated in 2000. It features formal rooms with fireplaces, a card room, two offices, wine room and wet bar. The spacious, well-equipped kitchen has two islands and a breakfast bar. French doors lead from the family room outdoors to a spectacular backyard with a pool, cabana, covered and open patios.

The three-bedroom home at 4538 Arcady Ave., built in 1937, has been updated to add modern amenities. The brick home has a circular drive with landscape lighting. Its kitchen has stainless-steel appliances, including a Thermador double oven, Wolf cooktop and Sub-Zero refrigerator. The eat-in kitchen also has under-cabinet lighting and a large island with USB ports.

To find your Park Cities home, visit www.alliebeth.com.

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 33

Business

OVER ACCESSORIZING? NOT WHEN IT’S NICOLE LEIGH Sisters’ edgy jewelry line designed for layering, not matching

By Keyuri Parab

N I C O L E L E I G H J E W E L RY

People Newspapers

Nicole Leigh Jewelry was started by the sisters Samatha DeVito and Taylor Kurz in 2015. Their jewelry can be found at their online store nicoleleighjewelry.com and in stores like Blue Print, Cotton Island, Saint Bernard and Swoozie’s in Dallas. A full list of retailers is on their website.

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hat started as a hobby four years ago for Preston Hollow sisters Samantha Nicole Devitto and Taylor Leigh Kurz has quickly grown into a successful jewelry line sold nationally in nearly 80 stores.

“We have always worn a ton of jewelry, and that’s kind of what we were known for, we never put on an outfit without over accessorizing,” DeVito said.

Using their middle names, which the two say they’re very attached to, the sisters named their company Nicole Leigh Jewelry and said they knew the hobby would quickly turn into a business the very first year after being picked up in 10 local stores.

As third generation business owners, you could say success was in their DNA. Kurz said coming from an entrepreneurial family helped kick start their journey to success in the business sector just like their grandfather and his brother, and father and uncle who also had businesses together.

The sibling entrepreneurial duo said that one of the perks of working with family is having the freedom to be honest without having to worry about hurting the others feelings. They love creatively challenging themselves, and every season is different, and they each have their favorites, DeVito said.

However, creating a brand

Best Seller: Charlie (earrings) We designed our “Charlie” earrings in 2017, and it is still one of our best sellers today.

We love the mixed metal design, and the diamond shape is what draws people to this earring.

“Charlie” has a unique look that can be dressed down with a tee and jeans or dressed up with a cocktail dress.

COURTESY PHOTOS

FROM LEFT: Samantha Nicole Devitto and Taylor Leigh Kurz wasn’t exactly easy, Kurz said.

The sisters ended up rebranding the line toward the end of 2015.

The sisters said they were designing for trends in the beginning, and it was more colorful, but decided they wouldn’t personally wear those pieces and rebranded to their style.

“We don’t design to follow the trends; we actually want our pieces to look different,” DeVito said.

They design earrings, bracelets, rings, and other things and play around with texture, neutral colors and even gunmetal. The siblings describe their jewelry as neutral and edgy and meant for lots of layering.

It doesn’t ever have to match, Kurz said – it’s all about how one puts the pieces together.

Starting Nicole Leigh, the sisters said they never expected to be successful. It was refreshing to see that other people liked what they wore and made, they said.

Their inspiration to grow stems from their entrepreneurial family and to be able to go to their dad for advice, and hopefully getting to that level of success in the next 30 to 40 years.

“We still continue to learn,” DeVito said. “I mean every single market we go to, every single retailer, every single conversation we have with our customers, we are always learning.”

Fun Fact: Preskey (hoop earrings) Before we started Nicole Leigh Jewelry, we were both known for always wearing hoop earrings. We wanted to wait to design our own hoops until we envisioned exactly what we wanted ours to look like – from the size to the texture to the exact shape. We launched our first hoop earrings, “Presley,” a couple of months ago, and we couldn’t love them more! They’re small enough for every day and any age, but big enough to stand out and make a statement.

Most Worn By Us: Reagan (ring) Our favorite ring, ever. We wear our “Reagan” rings (in gold) almost every single day. We love that the ring stands out alone, but we personally love wearing it alongside our other many rings on both hands. The detail is so unique, and it is a staple for us.

34 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

SMU Student Learns and Earns By Working For Himself

22-year-old millionaire launches third business to help others succeed, too

By Keyuri Parab

People Newspapers Yash Sutaria was 19 when he launched his first successful business, Greek Socials, an event planning company.

Within a year, he made his first million and went on to launch his second business venture, an apparel line called Fat Bear Agency.

Sutaria, an SMU business student and former Park Cities resident, recently launched his newest venture, Fat Bear Coworking, designed to serve as a luxurious, yet affordable, coworking space in downtown Dallas.

It’s about being able to learn from your failures and getting right back up and doing it again and again, and you end up doing something special.

Yash Sutaria What many don’t know about him, the 22-year-old said, is that before there was success, there were multiple dead ends and failures. He saved up $5,000 working at a call center and then invested it.

His past ventures failed because he was more focused on making money, but once he focused on doing what he liked and providing good services, his business took off, he said.

COURTESY PHOTOS

SMU business student and self-made millionaire has opened a coworking space.

What started as an event planning venture for sorority and fraternity parties soon grew into a more wide-spread concierge party planning services. From finding a venue, catering, to DJ’s and providing transportation, Greek Socials has it all.

Sutaria started off working more than 100 hours a week, acting as the CEO as well as bookkeeper and doing it all by himself.

It was a learning experience because he didn’t have a mentor.

“At first, my family was really skeptical,” Sutaria said. “I lost a lot of friends in the process because I was working so much.”

Sutaria said it was hard dealing with losing people and being busy. He was struggling with school as well.

Now he takes time off on weekends, has more staff, and is enrolled in school parttime, he said.

His fun time involves playing video games to get his mind off work and working out, he said.

His inspiration lies in making a difference in the world.

When he was first planning his business, he worked out of a coworking space which really helped him, and he wanted to give back and help other start-ups and young entrepreneurs build their businesses, he said.

He hosts monthly meetings with the tenants of the coworking space to offer them advice and assistance.

“My biggest thing is persistence,” Sutaria said. “When you first start a business, you’re gonna fail many times. It’s about being able to learn from your failures and getting right back up and doing it again and again, and you end up doing something special.”

Comings and Goings NOW OPEN Mattison Avenue Salon Suites The Hill, 8041 Walnut Hill Lane The “one-stop-shop” with individual suites for such beauty professionals as makeup artists, hair stylists, massage therapists, nail specialists, and estheticians has opened a new location.

Hadleigh’s Highland Park Village Ed and Gable Shaikh opened their first shop in Highland Park Village in September of 2009. The men’s atelier (still located upstairs at 74 ½ Highland Park Village, near Lounge 31 and the central clock tower) was the first location for the pair, and with its success, they were able to expand the square footage as well as the collection of women’s lines over the 10year stretch. When opportunity arrived to move into a coveted corner spot (the former GOOP space), the couple took it. The new boutique space opened its doors the first week of July and is 350 square feet larger than their previous location, allowing Hadleigh’s to connect the ladies’ shop and existing men’s upstairs atelier.

Monkey Bar Monkey Bar Third Floor, Highland Park Village The hush-hush spot atop Highland Park Village’s Mi Cocina recently reopened, showing off a lighter look with furnishings imported from recent travels, an outdoor terrace, and an Instagramable food and libation menu that falls in line with MiCo’s back-to-its-roots mentality.

Did we mention it’s triple the space?

COMING SOON Drake’s

5007 West Lover Lane The creative mind behind favorites

COURTESY PHOTO

like East Hampton Sandwich Co. and Hudson House is bringing Old Hollywood to Lovers Lane. Drake’s, a steakhouse described as unlike any other will open this October.

items will range from queso to fajitas, made with smoked and grilled meats.

Muchacho

Mi Cocina

The Plaza at Preston Center

Dallas chef Omar Flores, who earned multiple James Beard Award nods for his now-shuttered Casa Rubia, will open a Tex-Mex restaurant early September in what used to be Taco Diner. The restaurant will serve classics influenced by the food Flores grew up eating in El Paso – but elevated. Menu

Highland Park Village Don’t panic — this one is only temporary. After 20 years of serving the families of Highland Park, Mi Cocina is temporarily closing its dining room for remodeling and expected to reopen mid-August. In the meantime, pick-up orders are available, and a limited menu is being served on the #micocinafoodtruck.

CLOSED

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 35

Schools

COLLEGE FRIENDSHIP 101 Five tips from an award-winning SMU student researcher

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hen SMU senior Page Hurley transferred to SMU in 2015, she didn’t know a soul, but she soon found new friends in her classes.

Along the way, the psychology major found a topic for her senior research project – college friendship.

Her research won the grand prize at SMU’s Research Day Colloquium, but the crowd of students and faculty members who gathered around Hurley to ask questions made it clear her research was more than academic.

“Friendship is a personal topic,” Hurley said. “People can relate to it and apply the research to their lives.”

With the help of Chrystyna Kouros, SMU associate professor of psychology, and her own research, here are Hurley’s five research-based tips for making and keeping friends in college: • Friendship is good for you. Better quality friendships can increase psycho-

logical well-being and decrease negative emotions like anxiety and depression.

• Students with close friends are more likely to stay in college. College students who report having close friends in college are more likely to attain their academic goals. One study found a person whose close friend left college within the first two years also was more likely to leave college.

• Invest in friendships. Face-to-face interactions do matter. Individuals who engage in frequent online social interactions report being more lonely and unhappy. Those who reported making lifelong friends in college attributed their success to mutual investment in the friendship and similarity between the two friends. So put down the phone and talk to people.

• Friends with benefits? Maybe not. Research suggests that being “friends with benefits” – friends who also have casual sex –can be detrimental to psychological well-being,

COURTESY SMU

Page Hurley fields questions from other SMU students about her prize-winning research on friendship. particularly among women. Make sure friends share similar expectations.

• The key to maintaining good, quality friendships? A successful relationship – one that is related to better psychological well-being – is one that meets the needs of both people. Check in with your friends to make sure their needs are being met, and speak up to your friends if your own needs are not. That way, your lines of communication are open and you can make sure you are both benefiting from the friendship.

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Troops 68, 518 Introduce New Eagle Scouts

Dmitri Cary

Colllins Grushey

These Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank, Scouting’s highest.

Doing so typically takes several years and requires earning a

John Power

Nico Zevallos

combination of 21 or more badges plus a special project.

Troop 68

Highland Park United Methodist Church

Harris Jones

Dmitri Nicholas Cary, 17, the son of Dave and Stacy Cary of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. His Eagle project: building two large

Page Hurley graduated May 18 from SMU with three majors – psychology, chemistry and biology, and a minor, neuroscience. The Reno, Nevada, native planned to put her research into practice soon when she moves to Waco, to continue her studies as a doctoral student in Baylor University’s psychology and neuroscience program.

“I don’t know a single person there,” she said.

– Staff report

wooden chests and filling them with toys for Dallas Medical City Children’s Hospital.

Collins Grushey, 17, the son of Douglas and Krissy Grushey of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. His Eagle project: painting and constructing superhero-themed stage backdrops for the Dallas Children’s Theater Center.

John “Jack” Power, 16, the son of Kate and Will Power of Dallas, attends the Shelton School. His Eagle project: redoing the landscaping for the physical therapy area of Operation Kindness.

Nico Zevallos, 16, the son of Meredith and Pedro Zevallos of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. His Eagle project: making improvements to the top of the dog pen fence at Dog and Kitty City.

Troop 518

Park Cities Baptist Church Harris Jones, the son of Miriam and George Jones, attends Lakehill Preparatory School. His Eagle project: building video game kiosks for use by patients at Dallas’s Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

36 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Northeast Texas Girl Scouts Honor Gold Award Winners

Meera Rathan

Anna Sullivan

Emily Niemeyer

Anna Walker

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas presented Gold Award pins this spring to 150 girls from the region, including several in the Park Cities. Girl Scouts’ most prestigious designation recognizes girls in grades nine through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through intensive, multi-year projects that have sustainable impact in the community and beyond.

Troop 289

Troop 93

Troop 350

Meredith Black, the daughter of Tom and Monique Black of Highland Park, graduated from The Hockaday School. Her project: collaborating with the Jubilee Park Community Center to run summer programming with an emphasis on healthy lifestyles, especially through physical activity.

Troop 156

Meera Rathan, the daughter of Sakila Thiruvadivel of Highland Park, graduated from Highland Park High School. Her project: planning and implementing lessons for ESL students at the Saturday Kids Club at the Stew Pot and First Presbyterian Church.

Aveline Vongkaseum

Sarah Womble

Emily Niemeyer, the daughter of Gregory and Virginia Niemeyer of University Park, graduated from Highland Park High School. Her project: teaching children about the ocean and safety practices to help them have a healthy respect for the ocean and sea creatures.

Aveline Vongkaseum, the daughter of Kevin and Yvonne Vongkaseum of University Park, graduated from Highland Park High School. Her project: encouraging middle school students to read by developing a decorative polymer clay-miniatures-based library cataloging system to identify genres.

Troop 857

Erin Harper, the daughter of Stephen and Monnie Harper of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. Her project: working with Christ’s Family Clinic to educate about Type 2 Diabetes and create an exercise pamphlet and healthy recipes to

Erin Harper

Lauren Nobel encourage healthier lifestyles.

Christine Schlehuber, the daughter of Samuel and Susan Schlehuber of University Park, attends Highland Park High School.

Her project: designing a program, based on one created by the Sandy Hook Foundation, to encourage inclusion at Highland Park Middle School with team building games and other activities.

Anna Katherine Sullivan, the daughter of Eduard and Andrea Sullivan of University Park, attends Parish Episcopal School.

Her project: initiating a letter-writing campaign for Highland Park ISD elementary school students to honor and thank first responders and military personnel.

Anna Walker, the daughter of Chris and Mary Walker of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. Her project: holding Story in the Park events so families could walk the park, reading pages placed on stakes and then complete a related craft.

Christine Schlehuber

Kacie Frederick

COURTESY PHOTOS

Meredith Black

Sarah Womble, the daughter of Robert and Shannon Womble of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. Her project: working with Child Care Group, which provides daycare for single parents and lower-income families, to paint a colorful, positive mural at Hogg Elementary.

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Lauren Nobel, the daughter of Paul and Margaret Nobel of University Park, attends Highland Park High School. Her project: collaborating with Brother Bill’s Helping Hand to run a spring break reading camp aimed at improving the reading skills of the children the agency serves.

Troop Juliette

Kacie Frederick, the daughter of Hugh and Sharon Frederick of University Park, attends Ursuline Academy of Dallas. Her project: partnering with nonprofit Touch a Life to create a pen pal club between Dallas area high school students and children rescued from slavery in Ghana.

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 37

Coloring Book Winnners You may be viewing artwork by a future Picasso or Monet — we’re thinking Matisse. Thank you to all the young artists who submitted their work and made our coloring book pages come to life.

Congratulations to the finalists (below) and a special acknowledgment to Vivian Trowbridge for her grand prize work. Please remember to check out all coloring book entries on display July 17-31 at KidBiz in Inwood village.

AGE 2-4 CATEGORY: Molly Elsener, 4 years old

AGE 5-7 CATEGORY: Sebastian Santiago, 7 years old

GRAND PRIZE WINNER AGE 8-10 CATEGORY: Vivian Trowbridge, 8 years old

AGE 11-13 CATEGORY: Julia Bixby, 13 years old

38 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Society

DAVIS TURNS HER KNACK FOR FINDING A-LIST SPEAKERS INTO A PREMIER BOOKING BUSINESS

Gail Davis leads a premier speaker’s bureau, booking athletes, entertainers, CEO’s and other A-list speakers at high profile events.

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

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hen Turtle Creek business owner Gail Davis left the security of a corporate gig and launched her speaker representation enterprise in 1999, she had no employees and just one speaker on her roster.

Today, GDA Speakers is one of the premiere speaker’s bureaus in the country, booking athletes, entertainers, CEOs, and other A-list speakers at high profile events around the world every year.

We caught up with Davis to get her thoughts on her 20-year journey: What made you decide to leave the security of a corporate gig and start your own business?

When I was well into my career managing corporate incentive events for the company formerly known as EDS (Electronic Data Systems), the chairman challenged me to find a keynote speaker who was “new and different.” This ultimately led to me booking Nando Parrado, one of the survivors of the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and the hero of the 1993 movie

“Alive,” in which he was played by Ethan Hawke.

Nando’s speech at an EDS event in Hawaii blew everyone away, including me. The CEO told me, “Kid, you should retire now because you’ll never outdo this.” The whole experience fueled me to take the leap and start my own business, with Nando as my first speaker. I still represent Nando, and we’re still friends to this day.

How has your business changed over the years?

One of the most obvious changes is technology. In the early days, we mailed out VHS tapes and paper contracts; now we do everything electronically.

But an even bigger change is our focus: Initially we wanted as many speakers as we could get, but eventually, we became more selective. As our reputation grew, the fact that a speaker had our ‘seal of approval’ became very valuable to clients.”

What are some crazy or memorable things that have happened over the years?

Once I was in a restaurant when a news story came on TV announcing that NBA legend Bill Russell had collapsed and then been carried off the stage during a presentation in Lake Tahoe —

an item of great interest to me since I had booked Bill for the event.

The key is for women to respect each other’s choices, help each other, and know that there’s a season for everything.

Gail Davis Another time a speaker called to inform me that he was going to be a little late—he had been in a car accident on the way to the airport, gone back home to change out of bloody clothes, swung by a clinic to get a few stitches, and was now on his way to catch a later flight.

What advice do you have for aspiring women entrepreneurs?

Recently, I told a young entrepreneur who is also a new mom that there is no right or wrong way to be either of those things. The key is for women to respect each other’s choices, help each other, and know that there’s a season for everything — sometimes your focus will be on family, and other times it will be on your career.

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A B O U T G A I L D AV I S Gail Davis grew up in Altus, Oklahoma. “I still consider Altus home — it’s an incredible community.”

COLLEGE: University of Oklahoma COMMUNITY: Gail is a past president of IASB (International Association of Speakers Bureaus) and a member of the Entrepreneur Organization. In 2014, she cochaired the Soup’s On! Luncheon benefiting The Stewpot in Dallas.

FUN FACT: This fall, Gail will join three other women to hike the Camino Frances, the best-known section of the Camino Santiago de Compostela, an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes that wind across Europe and converge in Spain.

Find out more about Gail Davis and GDA Speakers at gdaspeakers.com.

40 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

THE FAMILY PLACE SNEAKER SOIRÉE

Mary Mendelsohn, Parker Brooks, and Katy Brooks

Tina Smith and Mindy Stein

Jonny Truedelle, Adele Wildburger, Ralph Brooks III, and Carlee Bates

Connie Babikian, JD Roberts, and Mary Catherine Finney PHOTOS BY SNAP THE PICTURE

Ralph Brooks III and Ethan Alfano

Leah Hammett, Marcus Williams, Amanda Petit, and Meredith Murray

Allie Greenberge, Lauren Vonder Haar, Kristen Miller, and Wyndham Burney

Dallas-based family violence agency, The Family Place, hosted their inaugural Young Partners of The Family Place Sneaker Soirée on June 7. The event, which encourages young adults in the Dallas community to “take strides to end family violence,” was held at the Mavs Gaming Facility. Guests wore sneakers with their best cocktail attire to “walk in the shoes” of victims of family violence.

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 41

ZOO TO DO: WILD AT HEART KICKOFF

Diane and Hal Brierley Dawn and Steve Moore THOMAS GARZA PHOTOGRAPHY

Jim and Amanda Lake

Kevin Harahan

Steve and Dawn Moore with Blair Raggio and Brett Moore

Supporters of the Dallas Zoo gathered June 13 for a party at the Dallas Zoo’s Simmons Safari Base Camp where the details for this year’s exciting Zoo To Do fundraising event were revealed. Zoo To Do: Wild At Heart is slated for Nov. 2 at the Dallas Zoo. Guests and patrons strolled through the awardwinning Giants of the Savanna habitat, sampled exquisite dishes from more than 25 of Dallas’s premier chefs and restaurants, and enjoyed interactive animal demonstrations and musical entertainment.

42 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Living Well and Faith

OPENING THE CHURCH DOORS TO ASYLUM SEEKERS

More than 300 volunteer to provide food, clothes, transportation

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers

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he congregation and staff at Oak Lawn Methodist Church know firsthand the plight of Dallas’ less fortunate. Situated where they are, it’s commonplace to see the homeless population nearby.

So, for many years, the church has been in “ministry for the marginalized,” as member Cathy Bryan put it.

The sanctuary is open four days a week so the homeless can take shelter, and the church kitchen provides a community meal every Sunday. There is also an emphasis on providing shelter during the winter months, when the Texas temperatures can

There was an immediate and unfettered response by our faith community.

Cathy Bryan get below freezing.

But Oak Lawn didn’t stop there –- in recent months, the church, working with the organization Faith Forward Dallas, became a satellite “respite center” in support of El Paso’s Annunciation House, an organization in the Texas border town that became overwhelmed by the number of asylum seekers coming to America.

“Rev. Rachel Baughman immediately offered our church since we had the space, experience, and some of the components like cots, a kitchen, and clothing distribution already in place,” Bryan said.

“We were then able to quickly spread the word through the greater faith community,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OAK LAWN METHODIST CHURCH

Asylum-seekers in Dallas can find a surplus of supplies at Oak Lawn UMC. which responded magnificently with food, donations, transportation, lodging, volunteers, and financial donations.”

Besides providing for immigrants in

Dallas, Bryan said Oak Lawn would be sending vans and cars loaded with supplies in the upcoming months to the McAllen and Brownsville areas, where the need for

aid for asylum-seekers continues to grow.

In June, an Oak Lawn bus arrived in El Paso with supplies, but the group quickly found out that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement was no longer releasing more than 1,000 asylum seekers per day.

The church regrouped, Bryan said, and is now considering other approaches to the situation in border towns.

“We are considering a number of different ways we can continue to be in ministry to immigrants in our community, even if it’s not exactly what we envisioned less than 30 days ago,” Bryan said.

The hub in Dallas, however, is continuing to provide help to those who have recently been released from border town centers into cities and towns around the state.

The bride room at the church has been turned into a medical clinic, and a donation room is stuffed with supplies.

There are also areas of the church where immigrants can paint, read, and write.

When the church decided to get involved, volunteers arrived by the hundreds, Bryan said, including Spanish-speaking members of the congregation who have been instrumental in communicating with immigrants.

Donation items poured in, almost to the point of overwhelming the church workers.

More than 300 people are signed up as volunteers through Oak Lawn’s volunteer management system.

“There was an immediate and unfettered response by our faith community,” Bryan said. “In this time of division without nation and community, to see people of all faiths responding so fully, and working side by side to provide comfort and aid to the asylum-seekers is not only beautiful but also hopeful.”

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 43

Faith-Inspired Farm a Refugee Haven

Mars Hill offers plots of land, jobs to assist with resettlement

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers About 30 miles south of downtown Dallas sits a slice of land owned by three Park Cities families but cultivated almost entirely by refugees.

Primarily a flower farm, but with areas set aside specifically for growing grass-fed beef, honey, and other vegetables and herbs, Mars Hill Farm exists to hire refugees and give them an environment where they can “acclimate to living in the United States,” said Julia Schwarz.

She and her husband, Blake, own the farm along with Julie and Trevor Farr and Kendall and Jonathan Herb. The couples describe the farm as a way of sharing Jesus Christ’s love.

As an example of the farm’s global reach,

Our community is full of supportive, compassionate people who care about local farming and the needs of others.

Julia Schwarz two full-time employees are refugees from Homs and Damascus, Syria.

“As we were getting to know some of the refugees, we came face to face with the difficul-

COURTESY MARS HILL FARMS

Land is available for refugees to work at Mars Hill Farm in south Dallas. ties they come up against in trying to find jobs,” Schwarz said. “Many are from agrarian backgrounds, and they know farming, and they love being outside and working the land. But there was really nowhere for them to do that and still stay close to the community and services that Dallas provides.”

Plots of land are offered free of charge with the hope that, eventually, enough people will be working on Mars Hill to provide them fulltime work as employees of the farm.

The refugees also help run the Mars Hill Farm booth at different farmers’ markets on the weekends.

Mars Hill officials said they have workers

from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and countries throughout the Middle East.

“Dallas is such a United Nations hub for refugee resettlement from places around the globe,” Schwarz said. “Refugees are often presented as a drain on our economy, but the reality is that they have really valuable skills. They just have no way to use them because of the language differences and other barriers.”

The farm also offers a flower subscription program. Orders are delivered by a refugee employee to houses every week.

The flowers are a favorite in the area and have led to residents also signing up for grass-fed beef deliveries.

“We have had a huge outpouring of support from the community,” Schwarz said. “Our community is full of supportive, compassionate people who care about local farming and the needs of others.”

Schwarz and the other families are hoping the farm will serve as a gathering place for Dallasites to come and meet the refugees.

“We have party rental spaces and special events, and we hope those will bring people in to experience the farm and meet our employees,” Schwarz said. “Our goal is to create a sustainable, for-profit business that will serve the refugee community and give the broader public a place to come and interact with people from all backgrounds.”

LEARN MORE

Visit marshillfarm.com

Are You Overwhelmed Caring For An Aging Parent? Here Is A NEW ACTION-BASED Report To Empower Your Success In This Situation – Read Below For Immediate Tips & Where To Learn More By: Leading Balance Expert, Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist Are you worried about the daunting realities that can come with taking care of an aging parent? Are you overwhelmed by how to get your parent the best care possible in this crazy healthcare system? Do you feel lost in this new position you’ve found yourself? Here are some helpful tips from a professional that works with families EVERY DAY to promote independence for aging individuals: 1) Demand The Rehab Team Train The Caregivers: Rehab is a valuable window of time. Use this window to make sure the caregivers/family are trained how to best work with the person being cared for. Once the rehab is done, it’s all on you! 2) Surround Yourself With A Great Team: It takes multiple specialists to take care of an aging person who is losing independence. Network, research, and seek guidance from others who have gone through the process to establish the right team. The right team working together will make this whole process SO MUCH EASIER! 3) Shop Around When Hiring A Caregiver: A caregiver can make or break a situation when taking care of your aging parent.

You want someone with their heart in the right spot. Because this job is so important, you want to do your homework.

In other words, don’t just hire to fill the role. Hire the RIGHT PERSON! Want more information & solutions? My BRAND NEW special report provides Actionable Tips that will empower you to be successful when facing taking care of an aging parent. This FREE TIPS REPORT will provide you with the tools to be successful at promoting your parent’s independence and your success in managing the situation. And the best thing is it’s 100% FREE, and you’re under no-obligation to buy anything when you call.

IMPORTANT: For obvious reasons, my offer to send you this report FREE must come with a restriction on the number I can mail out…so it’s critical that you call TODAY and request your free report now. What To Do Next?

Call or Text: (214) 712-8242 (Leave a Message 24/7) & Choose: • Option 1: Have your FREE Report mailed or emailed to you • Option 2: Free Report + FREE In-Person Info Session/Discovery Visit Author Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist is owner of Optimove Physical Therapy & Wellness. You can contact him at (214) 712-8242 or email at J.Guild@ OptimoveDFW.com

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44 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

A New Kidney for Bonnie Morren?

Mom joyfully takes search to social media

By Tina-Tien Nguyen Special Contributor

Bonnie Morren lives each day knowing she needs someone else’s kidney.

“That can be overwhelming and fearful,” she said. “Even then, I always go back to my mantra to always be joyful and give thanks.”

Morren, a Park Cities resident for more than 26 years, is battling stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease after long-term use of the medication lithium to treat bipolar disorder. Her kidney function has dropped to an irreversible 8 percent.

With approximately 100,000 people in America on the waitlist for a kidney transplant, it can take five years to get a transplant – even longer for those like Morren who have type O blood.

Receiving a kidney is an enormous gift. It is a big ask and also a big give because it changes your world.

Bonnie Morren To bypass the waitlist, her best solution is to find a living donor.

To stay positive, she relies on her mantra, which she took from Scripture: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

She includes that message on the T-shirts and mailers her family distributes for her Kick For a Kidney campaign to find a living donor.

On a Facebook page titled, “My Mom’s Journey: Kick for a Kidney,” her daughter Lucie describes Morren as the most “bubbly, vivacious and enthusiastic” person. The page also encourages visitors to post their own versions of the “Kick for a Kidney” dance to draw attention to Morren’s need in particular and kidney disease in general.

“I get energized by people that are genuinely interested in my cause, and that is where most my enthusiasm comes from,” Morren said.

“Everyone can help by telling their

JAXX ARTZ

Bonnie Morren faces her wait for a lifesaving organ donation by relying on faith and friends, many of whom have brought her magnets from around the world to put on these boards in her home. friends, creating awareness, and getting the word out through social media. There are people out there that are matches, and they just don’t know it, but they can be tested,” she said. “Even if this person is not a match for me, I hope people would still be willing to give a part of themselves and consider being a match for someone else.”

The Morrens have been active in the community through helping and attending schools, churches, and several charities. She hopes to live many more years and serve as an advocate for those suffering from kidney disease and mental illness.

“Receiving a kidney is an enormous gift,” Morren said. “It is a big ask and also a big give because it changes your world.

If you can share your spare to save a life, you know you have made a big difference. Life is the most precious gift that we have.”

WA N T T O H E L P ?

• Donors must be between 18 and 65 and undergo a physical evaluation.

Visit livingdonordallas.org to fill out a questionnaire and call 214-820-6981 for more information.

• Visit facebook.com/kickforakidney to post a video or leave a message.

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 45

Take the Pizza Party Outdoors When my husband and I were first dating, we went out for pizza fairly often. Chatting over a large pepperoni, mushroom, and black olive pizza and a pitcher of beer was a good and relatively inexpensive way to get to know each other.

CHRISTY ROST Campisi’s on MockHOME + KITCHEN ingbird Lane was our choice for authentic flavors, Pizza Inn for convenience, and Shotgun Sam’s just west of Bachman Lake when we were feeling a bit crazy. I don’t recall much about the pizza at Shotgun Sam’s, but I vividly remember baskets of peanuts and guests being

Ingredients: 1 envelope active dry yeast 1 ½ cups warm water pinch of sugar 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup whole wheat flour ½ cup cornmeal ½ cup olive oil, for brushing tops of pizza 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2-3 large vine-ripened tomatoes, rinsed and thinly sliced 1 large red onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered

encouraged to discard the shells on the floor.

These days, it’s almost impossible to drive between 4 and 7 p.m. without seeing pizza delivery vehicles zipping through the neighborhood. Pizza has become more of a convenience food than one we go out for.

Although I enjoy the occasional pizza delivery, I’ve always thought of homemade pizza as a celebration.

When our sons were growing up, the aroma of dough slowly rising under a soft towel, and the sight of individual bowls filled with chopped onion, peppers, mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, ham, and shredded mozzarella cheese, brought huge smiles of anticipation. I’d make several pizzas, and everyone got to ‘decorate’ their own with favorite toppings.

This summer I’ve taken the fun outdoors with grilled pizza. Ideal for charcoal or gas grills, the pizza dough is shaped, placed on a flat cookie sheet liberally sprinkled with cornmeal, and

Fresh basil leaves, rinsed and dried, for garnish

Directions: Place yeast in a medium bowl, add warm water (hot water will kill yeast) and sugar, stir, and place the bowl in a warm place until the yeast softens and begins to foam.

While the yeast softens, mix flours together and set aside. Pour the yeast mixture, 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil, and salt into the large bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.

Add enough of the flour to make a soft dough and mix at lowest speed, scraping the bowl as needed. Adjust

the speed to medium and knead 2 minutes. The dough will be very soft and sticky. Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl, turn it over once to grease the entire surface, cover with a towel, and set it aside in a warm place until the dough has doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.

Preheat the grill to 400 degrees.

Sprinkle the counter liberally with flour, punch down the dough, turn it out onto the counter, and briefly knead by hand just until the dough comes together in a ball. Add flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking. Divide it in half, return half the dough to the bowl, cover,

ENGAGEMENT

THOMPSON - BAILEY

JOHN CAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

M

r. and Mrs. John Philp Thompson Jr. of University Park are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Lauren Elizabeth

then slid directly onto the grill for two to three minutes until the bottom firms and the top puffs. It’s easy to transfer the pizza back onto the cookie sheet with a set of tongs, flip it over, and ‘decorate’ with toppings. Then it goes back on the grill for final baking. Within minutes, the flamekissed pizza is fragrant and ready to enjoy as a late-summer celebration.

For more from cookbook author and public television chef Christy Rost visit christyrost.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ChristyRost.

Thompson, to Mr. William Ross Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy William Bailey of Preston Hollow.

The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received a Bachelor’s degree in communications, human relations from The University of Texas at Austin. She is a client service associate for Wealth Partners Alliance which is aligned with Raymond James Financial Services.

The groom is a graduate of The Episcopal School of Dallas. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor of Science degree in finance from the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama. He is the founder and portfolio manager of Saltstone Capital Management, LLC, an energy investment firm.

The couple plans to wed in August of 2019 at Highland Park United Methodist Church followed by a reception at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

CHRISTY ROST

Summer Tomato, Onion, Artichoke and Goat Cheese Grilled Pizza

and set it aside. Sprinkle the remaining half with flour and roll it out into a 12inch circle about ¼-inch thick. Don’t worry about perfection. Rustic-looking grilled pizzas are best.

Sprinkle a flat cookie sheet, or a cookie sheet turned upside down, liberally with cornmeal. Transfer the pizza dough to the cookie sheet, take it to the grill, and slide it off the tray onto the grill’s surface. Close the grill and cook 2-3 minutes, until the bottom is lightly browned and the top is puffy.

Transfer the pizza back to the tray with tongs, turn it over, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Top the

pizza with tomato, red onion, artichokes, and crumbled goat cheese.

If using a charcoal grill, move the coals to one side of the grill to provide indirect heat and slide the pizza onto the opposite side. If using a gas grill, turn the center burners to low, adjust the outer burners to medium-high, and slide the pizza onto the center of the grill.

Close the cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent the bottom of the pizza from burning.

Using tongs, slide the pizza onto a large cutting board, repeat with the remaining half of the pizza dough, and enjoy.

Yield: Two 12-inch pizzas

46 August 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Escape Dallas In Dallas: Three Places To Try Out Let’s be honest, being stuck in Dallas during August straight-up stinks. It’s hot, sticky, mosquito-y, the pool feels like a sauna, and it’s three weeks of monotonous hell before people come back from wherever they are that isn’t Dallas.

A sense of place is the feeling that captures KERSTEN RET TIG the essence of a destination. It’s not just geography, and it’s more than a feeling, it’s sensorial immersion.

The best way to avoid the August doldrums is to leave Dallas but if that’s not an option, check out these restaurants that have created environments and menus that are transformative, if only for 90 minutes.

Rise N° 1 This magical little restaurant is as ethereal as the soufflés it serves. Hedda Dowd, the visionary behind Rise, summered at her mother’s home in France and traveled the country extensively. She said Rise doesn’t reflect one French design aesthetic or locale, rather the soul of France. I say she nailed it. August specials include a traditional gazpacho, a lobster souffle, a crab soufflé, and a stunning lobster salad with arugula, citrus, mango, hearts of palm, and a half Maine lobster. August’s sweet soufflé specials are the key lime and the Cassis, which is a beautiful, slightly tart black currant pillow of lavender.

Café Madrid Donica Jiminez fell in love with Spanish culture early in life and decided to start a business where she could feel like she was in Spain every day. She’s done so brilliantly. The wall murals are painted from Donica’s own photos, and the artwork and décor are souvenirs from her travels. Hot August calls for cold red, white, or cava Sangria and a plate of Ibérico and serrano ham and chorizo served with a trio of cheeses such as Idiazabal, Mahón, and Manchego. First Friday Flamenco includes live music and Flamenco dancers twirling among the tables. There’s also live music from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The French Room Bar Go to Paris for the night, or just a few hours, at one of the most elegant bars in Dallas: The French Room Bar – not to be confused with the City Hall Bar or the French Room Salon.

The deep sapphire-walled sanctuary haloed by a gold-leaf ceiling is a sexy, sophisticated substitute for Paris. Just left of the entrance to the inspired French Room restaurant, the bar is as dark and moody as the restaurant is light and refined. While you can order anything from the French Room there, I suggest you start with the Hamachi with lemongrass-ginger gel, caviar, and daikon and a glass of champagne. Summer inspired cocktails are also available – my favorite being the C&C with Waterloo gin,

COURTESY RISE

Try out Rise to get that taste and feeling of visiting France. cucumber, celery, lime pink peppercorn, and thyme – so refreshing.

When the dog days are here, and you need respite, treat yourself to these cultural escapes in your own backyard. You’ll be glad you did.

Safe travels.

Kersten Rettig, a Park Cities-based writer with more than 30 years’ experience in food and beverage marketing and PR, is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier and the VNA Board of Trustees. Follow her on Instagram @KickshawPapers.

S O N G PA I R I N G “More than a Feeling,” Boston

O B I T UA RY

GERALDINE GALENTREE

05/20/1948 - 06/22/2019

K

ind, caring, loving, gentle, joyous – these are the words that the friends, family and colleagues of Geraldine Iversen Galentree used to describe her.

Geraldine was born on May 20, 1948, in Chelsea, Massachusetts and passed away on June 22, 2019, in Dallas.

She attended Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi and graduated in 1966 from W. B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi.

Geraldine married the love of her life, Samuel James Galentree, on June 21, 1970 in Texas. The couple later moved to Rhode Island where Geraldine studied journalism and psychology at the University of Rhode Island in Providence. They were married for 39 years until Sam’s death in April of 2009.

Per Geraldine’s wishes, her ashes and Sam’s will be taken to Rhode Island where they can be together again in a place where they were so happy.

Geraldine had a life-long interest in and

knowledge of mystery books, and from May of 1992 to September of 1998, she served as the manager of The Mystery Bookstore in Snider Plaza. It was an experience she always cherished, particularly for the friendships that evolved with the owner, staff, and customers. She remained a vital part of the North Texas book community and was active in the Skyline Mystery Book Club at the Skyline Branch Library.

In October of 2000, Geraldine applied for the position of receptionist with People Newspapers, but with her journalism and advertising experience, she was soon recruited to join the advertising staff as an account executive handling the marketing of classified advertising. In recent years, she had the added responsibility of the engagement and wedding announcements and the obituaries for Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Robert Iversen, and her husband, Sam Galentree. She is survived by her stepsister, Patricia Moore; niece, Teresa (Matthew) Brennecke; stepbrother, Donnie Linsteadt; half-sister, Sharon (Rob) Proulx; her half-brothers, James and John Iversen; brothers-in-law, Charles (Kathy) Turner and Fred Spicer; her People Newspapers’ family; and her Skyline Mystery Book Club family.

She is also survived by her beloved cat, Midnight Louie, who now lives in Satellite Beach, Florida with her niece, Teresa and her family.

A fitting tribute to Geraldine would be to make a monetary contribution or to donate a favorite book to the Dallas Public Library. https://catalog.dallaslibrary.org/.../payments/donation.aspx

Outstanding Awards. Outstanding Community.

ParkCitiesPeople “This newspaper stood out to me from all others in this category.”

“Absolutely wonderful. Engaging and delightful!”

-NNA Judges PeopleNewspapers A SUPPLEMENT TO PARK CITIES PEOPLE AND PRESTON HOLLOW PEOPLE

JULY 2019

PeopleNewspapers A SUPPLEMENT TO PARK CITIES PEOPLE AND PRESTON HOLLOW PEOPLE

PeopleNewspapers A SUPPLEMENT TO PARK CITIES PEOPLE AND PRESTON HOLLOW PEOPLE

JULY 2019

JULY 2019

People Newspapers has won the 2019 National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper contest with the following awards: • 1st Place General Excellence • Honorable mention, Best Special Section - 2018 Scots Championship • 1st Place Story Series, Preston Hollow People, ESD Algae (Bianca Montes) • 3rd Place Best Feature Series, Park Cities People, Helping the Homeless (William Legrone, Pat Martin)

• 1st Place Best Advertorial, Preston Hollow People, CMC Family Night at Six Flags • 2nd Place Best Multiple Advisor Section, Preston Hollow People, 20 Under 40 • 2nd Place Best Sales Promotion Section, Park Cities People, Scots 2018 • Honorable Mention Best Sales Promotion Section, Preston Hollow People, 2018 Football Preview

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2019 47

Things to Do

Experience First Fridays Support local shops from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at Preston Royal Village. The “first Fridays” event highlights include engaging in-store promotions, specials, tastings, and events at your favorite retailers throughout the center, as well as activities for children.

Dive into a Movie

Outdoor movies can be rough during the dog days of summer, but throw in a pool, and it’s a much cooler story. The 2018 sci/fi action film Incredibles 2 will light up Holmes Aquatic Center on July 26 and the 2018 fantasy adventure Ralph Breaks the Internet on Aug. 9.

The events are open to Park Cities residents and begin at 8 p.m.

The pool concession stand will be open, and lifeguards will be on duty throughout the movie.

Toast a New Production Dallas Summer Musicals will close out its season with Fiddler on the Roof, a heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love, and laughter. The musical will make a run at the Music Hall at Fair Park from Aug. 7 to 18.

COURTESY PHOTOS

CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Beautiful Steinway Model L Ebony in excellent condition.

Upgraded piano bench included.

$39,500 For inquiries : (214) 616 - 5127 Full Care Horse Boarding, Training & Tune Ups Polo & Riding Lessons 214-676-2006 Kim Follow us on Facebook @Legends Horse Ranch

To place your ad in People Newspapers, please call us at 214-523-5239, fax to 214-594-5779, or e-mail to classified@ peoplenewspapers.com. All ads will run in Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People and online on both websites. Prepayment is required on all ads. Deadline for our next edition is Monday., July 29. People Newspapers reserves the right to edit or reject ads. We assume no liability for errors or omissions in advertisements and no responsibility beyond the cost of the ad.

We are responsible only for the first incorrect insertion.

HEALTH

HOME SERVICES

Weight Loss, Energy, Focus,

FIREWOOD DELIVERY SPLIT SEASONED OAK 972-333-8444

Depression, Impotency and Fatigue etc.

Leslie Duong, 214-887-8325 LESLIEDUONG.COM BS Biology, Health Nutritionist, Licensed Herbalist

BURIAL PROPERTIES

Find it Right Here in the Classifieds!

$169,000

(Normally $200,000)

Premier Family Estate burial property at Sparkman/Hillcrest with Internment Rights for up to Twelve individuals.

Property is private, hedged and landscaped, and carries forward a Forever Perpetual Maintenance agreement.

For further detail please contact owner by telephone 214.585.2609 or via email: fmafg@mac.com

EASILY ORGANIZED

www.easilyorganized.com

Holly Estates II, 4 sites with 4 second rites, totalling 8.

Sparkman Hillcrest 2 Plots. Garden of Prayer. $6,300 each. 214-789-4926

Dina Taylor

Professional Organizer

941-921-5066

SPARKMAN HILLCREST

214-475-1003

HOME SERVICES

LEARN TO PLAY POLO Men & Women all ages

No Prior Riding Experience Needed

scott@willowbendpoloclub.com

214-624-9940 EXT 703

ADVERTISE HERE! Classifieds: 214.523.5239

HEALTH

R E A L E S TAT E - F O R S A L E

WEEKEND GET-AWAY with 27 ACRE LAKE One-of-a-kind 312.31 Acre Estate Property with 27 Acre Lake, 2 Creeks, Rolling Terrain and amazing Trees located just North of us in Dallas’ prestigious “Golden Corridor.”

Perfect for the sophisticated-informed Proprietor who values, above all else: PRIVACY, SECURITY and NATURAL BEAUTY. Website: www.DallasGoldenCorridorProperty.com FOR SALE BY OWNER: Tommy Staley @ 972-603-8647

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Here.

Classifieds: 214.523.5239

Fourth of July - 2019 SPECIAL -

PHOTOS BY CHRIS MCGATHEY, IMANI CHET LYTLE, AND NICOLE DEE

Section B | parkcitiespeople.com @pcpeople | @peoplenewspapers Section C || parkcitiespeople.com | @peoplenewspapers | 214-739-2244

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PARADE GRATITUDE AND CONGRATULATIONS

T

hank you to Rotary Club of Park Cities volunteers and employees of the town of W I L L I A M TAY LO R Highland Park and city of University Park for all you did to help the community enjoy another great Independence Day. Thank you also to residents who enthusiastically greeted us as our float traveled the parade route and who came to visit us at our booth in Goar Park.

The best day of the year in the Park Cities is also the best day of the year for Park Cities People. We love the Park Cities Fourth of July Parade and Picnic.

Last month, we featured this year’s parade marshal, Frances “Francie” Moody-Dahlberg, in a story you can still find online at parkcitiespeople.com.

This month, I wanted to offer congratulations to a couple of other honorees.

Brad Bradley, a highly awarded sports photographer and WWII veteran, has been honored at the parade before – twice as grand marshal.

This year he was honored as University Park’s 2019 Citizen of the Year.

The 97-year-old moved to University Park in 1947 to help his father-in-law with a new photo studio. Bradley began

shooting SMU sports when Doak Walker was on the team and is the only photographer in the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.

With help from his son, he still photographs football games and other events and volunteers in the community. Bradley provided several photos for the Fourth of July Parade Memories section the newspaper published last year. Read more about him online.

I also congratulate Aidan Conner, the highly-decorated Highland Park High School wrestler who will join the Princeton University team in the fall.

Each year, the paper invites an athlete of the year to ride behind us in the parade.

Sports editor Todd Jorgenson recommended Conner, describing the three-time state champion as “one of the most decorated wrestlers in the history of the Highland Park program.”

Conner added to his honors this spring as the Texas winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding high school wrestlers for their performance both on and off the mat.

Thank you for spending July Fourth with us, Conner.

And Rotary friends, you’ve got about 11 months left to get ready for the next parade.

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