Park Cities People May 2019

SPRING SOCIETY: GALAS, GREAT CAUSES, AND MAD FUN WITH HATS

MAY 2019 VOLUME 39 NO. 5

“THE BEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN TEXAS”

PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM

I 

DNA POWERED WORKOUTS Kurt Johnsen uses testing to customize exercise routines. PAGE 18

PATRICK DUNN PHOTOGRAPHY

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT NO. 3210

COMMUNITY Tolleson Center serves disability, youth ministries 14

CAMPS Enjoy outdoor learning at ESD’s Wolf Run Ranch 38

LIVING WELL Sustainability trends here to stay 40

Park CitiesPeople

May 2019 Vol. 39, No. 5 parkcitiespeople.com   @pcpeople  @peoplenewspapers

2 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

TAKING READERS ‘INSIDE THE CAUSE’

W

hen I introduce myself and tell people I’m the publisher of Park Cities People, I usually hear, “I love your paper, I read it from cover to cover.” Or “my daughters’ picture was in it a few issues back, thank you so much.”

But sometimes I hear “Oh, you’re the social, ‘fluff ’ (air quotes) paper.” After trying not to be offended, I decide that they are confusing us with another publication, or they haven’t read our paper.

We’re much more than fluff.

Pat Martin Since you are reading this, I don’t have to tell you; we’re much more than fluff.

We have great features about people in our community and sports coverage and new business stories. We have stories about what’s happening in our schools and our churches and local political races.

As a matter of fact, even in our “social” event coverage, we’ve always tried to give you more than just the faces and ambiance of an event. We share with you what the charitable events raise money for and who is helped by the dollars raised.

Also, I’m pleased to say that we’ve added a regular feature that gives you an even

more detailed look at charitable organizations that have upcoming events.

It’s called “Inside the Cause” and debuted in March PAT M A R T I N with a story about the Elisa Project, an organization building awareness about eating disorders. It was founded after Elisa McCall, who suffered from eating disorders for years tragically took her own life.

In this edition in our separate Society section, we have two Inside the Cause features. One tells about the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO). It gives kids in DISD schools an opportunity to participate, learn from, and collaborate with professional instructors, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. The second feature is on Mercury One, which was founded on the simple principle: When your neighbor needs help, “you step in, and help.” The organization assists with disaster relief and veterans with PTSD and works against human trafficking.

Pat Martin, Publisher pat.martin@peoplenewspapers.com

Contents

Crime .............................. 4 News ............................... 6 Community ................... 14 Business ......................... 18 Real Estate Quarterly.... 20 Sports ............................ 31 Schools .......................... 34 Camps ........................... 35 Living Well & Faith...... 40 Classifieds ..................... 43 Weddings ...................... 43

Society ............... Section B

EDITORIAL Editor William Taylor Managing Editor Bianca R. Montes Staff Writer Timothy Glaze Sports Editor Todd Jorgenson Production Manager Melanie Thornton

CORRECTIONS: Jae Ellis has lived in Highland Park ISD for 31 total years. His time in the district was incorrect in the April issue. Also, Renee A. Bottoms’ last name was left out of a story. We regret the errors.

A DV E R T I S I N G

O P E R AT I O N S

Senior Account Executives Kim Hurmis Kate Martin

Business Manager Alma Ritter

Account Executive Tana Hunter Client Services and Marketing Coordinator Kelly Duncan

Publisher: Patricia Martin

Distribution Manager Don Hancock Interns Elijah Smith Marissa Alvarado Samantha Stricklin

Production Assistant Imani Chet Lytle

Park Cities People is printed on recycled paper. Help us show love for the earth by recycling this newspaper and any magazines from the D family to which you subscribe.

Park Cities People is published monthly

by CITY NEWSPAPERS LP, an affiliate of D Magazine Partners LP, 750 N. Saint Paul St., Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75201. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. No reproduction without permission. Submissions to the editor may be sent via e-mail to editor@ peoplenewspapers.com. Correspondence must include writer’s name and contact number. Main phone number, 214-739-2244

4 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

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

BEST DRESSED THIEF

We’ve heard of “dressing for success,” but this is ridiculous.

At 4:35 p.m. March 28, after loitering in the store for a few minutes, a man grabbed 24 dress shirts from a table at Jos. A Bank in The Shops of Highland Park, ran out the front door without paying, and got into a dark-colored 2019 Mitsubishi SUV, which was driven away by an accomplice. Each shirt cost $100.

WANT TO READ MORE CRIMES? SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER parkcitiespeople.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/

CRIME REPORT MARCH 11 - APRIL 7 MARCH 11 Stolen at 11:50 a.m.: two $1,695 sweaters and two $145 T-shirts from Ralph Lauren at Highland Park Village.

MARCH 12 At 10:30 a.m a resident of the 4800 block of St. John’s Drive got a call from a credit card company thanking her for using her card at Neiman Marcus in Fort Worth. One problem: the Highland Park resident had been home all day, not shopping in Fort Worth. Fort Worth police arrested the card user who was still in the store.

MARCH 13 Stolen between 3 and 4 p.m.: an $80 purse, $200 Tori Burch wallet, and $450 in cash from inside a 2014 Chevy Suburban parked at Moody Family YMCA on Preston Road.

MARCH 14 Stolen overnight before 11 a.m.: a silver 2010 Lexus 350 from a home in the 4100 block of University Boulevard.

MARCH 15 Surveillance video shows a shoplifter at 1:08 p.m. taking a $495 jacket from Vince at Highland Park Village.

Stolen sometime between 1 a.m. and 2:49 p.m.: a $1,000 Cannondale Trail 5 bicycle from the 3400 block of Granada Avenue.

MARCH 18 Before 5:58 a.m., a $25,000 grey 2015 Suburban was stolen from the 3300 block of Amherst Street.

Before 8:05 a.m., a grey 2012 Ford F-150 was stolen from the 3100 block of Amherst Street.

The F-150 contained tools inside.

Reported at 1:14 p.m.: the theft of two packages from a storage room for The Tot at Highland Park Village. The packages, likely delivered on Jan. 7, are believed to have contained 17 units of Uncle Goose Blocks for kids, valued at $575, and 43 units of fishing poles, pajamas, and rain jackets, valued at $2,115.

A burglary was reported at 9:09 p.m. in the 4200 block of Fairfax Avenue. With both owners home and upstairs, several items were stolen: A black purse, valued at $80, containing $140 in cash, a $300 pair of sunglasses, $175 in makeup, a CitiBank Mastercard, a Bank of Texas checkbook, a Bank of Texas debit card, and a house key. At one point, the owner of the home yelled for her husband to “get his gun.” The family’s 2009 gold GMC Yukon was unlocked and entered, but no items were stolen from it.

MARCH 23 Wire fraud was reported at 9:26 a.m. from the 4500 block of Bordeaux Avenue. A family’s dog recently died, and a Money Gram for a new dog in the value of $550 was sent on March 20 to a Norfolk, Virginia vendor who had not responded or made contact with the purchasers.

At 8:19 a.m., a truck hauling a bulldozer in the 4600 block of Livingston Avenue brushed against and broke hanging branches of trees belonging to the town of Highland Park.

Missing property was reported at 11:01 a.m. A three-diamond ring, worth between $25,000 and $30,000, was believed to have been lost sometime after 7:30 p.m.

March 22 at Mi Cocina at Highland Park Village.

MARCH 26 A bar hopper shopper? At 5:37 p.m. a woman, “acting intoxicated” at the Elizabeth W. Boutique at The Shops of Highland Park, grabbed a $1,250 Harper Hallam gold bracelet, told a store clerk her boyfriend would arrive soon and pay for it, and then left without paying while the clerk helped another customer. Upon canvassing the neighborhood and, in turn, a nearby bar, it was determined that the shoplifter “visited [the bar] all the time.”

MARCH 28 Stolen between 6 and 7:30 p.m.: a $50 Carthage backpack from a white 2014 Chevy parked

in the 8300 block of Preston Road. The backpack contained a Lenovo P50 ThinkPad, valued at $1,000, and a $3,000 Breitling wrist watch.

MARCH 29 With the driveway gate left open overnight, three unlocked vehicles belonging to a resident living at the 3800 block of Potomac Avenue were rummaged through between 11 p.m. March 28 and 7:15 a.m. March 29. Property was stolen from only one – a $200 pair of brown Ray Ban sunglasses and $5 in loose change from a 2013 Porsche Cayenne SUV. Interestingly, several birthday presents from a party earlier that day were not taken from a Mercedes.

A $500 Glock 9 mm handgun from a black 2013 Ford Jeep parked at the 3500 block of Asbury Avenue was stolen between 7:20 and 8:03 a.m.

Video surveillance caught a handkerchief-wearing woman stealing a $928 Lee Radziwill multi-colored handbag from Tori Burch at Highland Park Village at 2:08 p.m.

APRIL 1 Reported missing, and possibly stolen, at 12:52 p.m.: a 24-inch gold link necklace, a 20-inch gold rope necklace, a Texas A&M pendant awarded in the 1960s, an emerald and diamond gold bracelet, a gold ring with staircase diamonds, a sterling silver cross with an engraving, and one black cross from a usually unlocked safe at a home in the 3400 block of Mockingbird Lane. The jewelry was placed in the safe on March 15 and noticed missing on April 1.

Reported at 12:55 p.m.: A March 28 burglary of a home in the 4200 block of Potomac Avenue. Security cameras caught a man entering through an unlocked sliding door and taking a Neiman Marcus package as well as a brown and green leather canvas bag.

Stolen overnight before 11:30 a.m.: a black 2017 Ford F250 pickup from the 4500 block of Westway Avenue. Several valuables were inside the truck, including four pairs of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, valued at $250 each, a $1,000 Apple MacBook Pro, and $2,500 worth of work tools and equipment.

Talk about getting a head start on your holiday shopping: Between 7:30 a.m. April 1 and 6 p.m.

April 2, a home at the 4500 block of Fairway Avenue was broken into and property stolen, including a red bag containing a Christmas tree and a blue box containing Christmas ornaments.

APRIL 3 Reported at 11:26 a.m.: The window of a silver 1999 Honda CR-V parked at the 3900 block of University Boulevard was broken sometime between 11:30 p.m.

April 2 and 7:30 a.m. April 3.

APRIL 5 At 3:40 p.m., a man who lives in the 3300 block of Marquette Street reported his American Airlines account had been hacked.

Airline miles, reportedly in the thousands, were stolen sometime between February 26 and April 5.

Between 1 and 4:40 p.m., a home in the 4100 block of Shenandoah Avenue was broken into and a $100 Kate Spade purse, containing $20 in cash, three credit cards, and an ID. was stolen.

APRIL 6 A scary moment for a man living in the 3200 block of Rosedale Avenue: Multiple armed robbers kicked in his door and stole a $1,000 television, all while pointing a gun at the man. Police responded at 1:11 a.m.

APRIL 2 Stolen between 8 p.m. April 1 and 7:15 a.m. April 2: a blue 2017 Porsche 911 Targa from a home in the 4500 block of Fairway Avenue. A key to the car was missing from its place in the garage.

APRIL 7 Reported at 5:20 p.m.: The passenger side door of a black 2019 Volkswagon was damaged sometime between 6 p.m. April 5 and 10 a.m. April 6 at the 3000 block of Westminster Avenue.

6 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

News

WATER SALES FALL SHORT OF PROJECTIONS Rainy cycles good for lakes, bad for utility budgets

FREDLYFISH4/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

At its Regal Road plant, the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utility District, formed in 1938, treats the water it sells wholesale to Highland Park and University Park.

Since 1954, water for the Park Cities has come from Grapevine Lake in Tarrant and Denton Counties.

COURTESY DALLAS COUNTY PARK CITIES MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT

By Bill Miller

Special Contributor

T

he saying “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst” is an apt description of how utility officials budget to keep water flowing.

water while wet weather is doing most of the work, and that means fewer water sales and, presumably, less money available for ongoing infrastructure improvements like replacing aged distribution pipes.

That’s the situation officials in the Park Cities face coming off a super wet 2018.

Since the beginning of the fiscal year in October through March, water revenues for Highland Park were short almost 25 percent from projections and down more than 20 percent from the same months a year ago. With a related reduction in sewer revenues, that has made the town’s utility revenues $783,818 less than projected.

Let’s hold a good thought, so we don’t have to charge more for using less.

Mayor Margo Goodwin Ironically, this task can get more complicated during times of abundant rainfall, when lakes are full and ready to release water to keep green yards from turning brown.

People rely less on municipal

Steven J. Alexander, the town’s director of administrative services and CFO, said the shortfall isn’t an immediate concern because the utility fund has adequate reserves and summer is coming.

However, if the trend doesn’t change, the town could consider stretching out its maintenance schedule to hold off the need for a rate increase.

“We had not planned another rate increase until the year after next,” he said.

“Let’s hold a good thought, so we don’t have to charge more for using less,” Mayor Margo Goodwin said.

However, the reduced consumption isn’t all bad news.

“I’m very pleased to see our volume consumption is down,” Mayor

Pro Tem John McKnight said.

He noted how the town encouraged conservation with the installation last year of “smart meters” that help residents better track usage and detect potential leaks.

University Park expects to finish installing smart meters soon.

Like the town, the city has seen utility revenue decline. Since the beginning of the fiscal year through March, water sales are 19 percent below projections, an $821,579 shortfall.

But planning and analysis hedges against budget shortfalls, said Jacob Speer, public works director for University Park.

“We’re looking at observations that take in both drought and wet years so that, fortunately, we’re not on razor-thin margins in the utility

funds,” he said.

Abundance, Speer noted, shares one thing with drought: Both are cyclical.

Area reservoirs, including the Park Cities’ source, Grapevine Lake, with 161,250 acre-feet available for drinking water — benefited from 2018’s heavy rainfall.

National Weather Service data shows the Dallas-Fort Worth area got nearly 56 inches of rain last year, which almost made it the wettest on record. That top prize goes to the 62.61 inches recorded in 2015.

Nevertheless, utility officials with their ongoing forecasts, budgeting, and saving, manage to keep infrastructure improvements on track.

“There are good amounts of reserves in those accounts,” Speer said of the city’s water funds. “But we don’t just rush out and spend. It is, quite literally, a rainy day fund.”

William Taylor contributed to this story.

8 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

BRET REDMAN

Milwaukee city planner Peter Park discusses the benefits of removing highways in major cities.

Is A ‘New Dallas’ Possible?

Panelists suggest removing highways for more ‘walkability,’ urban development

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers The walkability problems in and around Downtown Dallas are no secret.

The Coalition for a New Dallas constantly talks about making Dallas more pedestrian-friendly and recently flew in transportation and city planning experts to discuss possible solutions.

One idea: Tear down a highway.

That’s not as preposterous as it may seem, even for a heavy-traffic area like Dallas, Cary

Moon, of Seattle’s People Waterfront Coalition, told those attending the recent Agenda for a New Dallas Summit.

The coalition and D Magazine hosted the summit at the Dallas Museum of Art. People Newspapers is an affiliate of D. Moon explained that if a highway goes away, the traffic from the highway will most likely “evaporate.”

“Trips dissipate,” she said. “People begin using the train, they walk, maybe they cancel a trip they didn’t really need to go on, or they will bike. In Seattle, the number of bi-

cyclists has doubled.”

Peter Park, former planning director for the cities of Milwaukee and Denver, explained how major highways cut into areas that could be used for green space, public transportation, and more attractive housing locations.

Removing such a highway and replacing it with an “urban development” has proven highly popular in cities where he has worked, Park said.

“More infrastructure came to those cities after removing a major highway,” he said.

“Specifically, more than $1 billion in infrastructure has come to downtown Milwaukee since the removal of a significant midwest highway.

“People love urban places. They can’t get enough of them,” Park said. “If an urban area is crowded with walkers, that’s not a bad thing – it means people want to be there.”

The summit also featured a lecture by Christof Spieler, author of Trains, Buses, and People: An Opinionated Atlas of US Transit, and Lilly O’Brien-Kovari, of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Los Angeles serves as an example of how adding a highway actually hurt traffic in and around the city. More than $1 billion was spent on a new highway in 2018, but traffic has increased every month since it’s completion, O’Brien-Kovari said.

So how is Dallas doing?

The American Society of Civil Engineers graded the city as below-average. Dallas earned a C-plus on overall infrastructure and a dismal D on roads and highways.

That obviously wasn’t intended. The original plan called for one major freeway with

all neighborhood streets connecting, a design intended to keep homes away from major highways. But as the population has risen, that’s far from the case in 2019.

Park said improvement is possible when highways are used as once intended.

“Freeways would run between cities; then you would get off the freeway and enter the network of roads within the cities,” he explained. “But along the way, the philosophy shifted to running freeways through the cities. There becomes congestion, because everyone is hurrying up to get on and off; they hurry up to wait. What you want is the ability for high connectivity. It’s about adding choices instead of just solving congestion.”

W H AT A F F E C T S PA S S E N G E R T R AV E L I N T H E U . S . ?

• Passenger travel trends no longer closely track economic trends.

• Changes in gas prices still have a weak impact on motor vehicle travel.

• Urban form in American cities continues to change.

• Socio-demographic trends are having potentially lasting effects on travel demand.

• Modern technology is used by all generations in 2019.

• Tech-enabled shared mobility services are lessening the necessity of private vehicle ownership.

Source: National Center for Sustainable Transportation

10 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

New Options for Hazardous Waste HP offers curbside pickup, drop-off days

By William Taylor People Newspapers

The town of Highland Park has added two appropriate options for disposing of paints, chemicals, and other hazardous waste.

Sending them to the landfill with the regular trash pickup, of course, remains a major no-no.

“It ends up causing a longterm environmental problem,” Mayor Pro Tem John McKnight explained.

Instead of disposing of batteries, solvents, and pesticides illegally or letting them sit in a garage, residents may take advantage of the new program the town introduced in April.

As before, residents still may drop off for free at the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Call 214-553-1764 or visitdallascounty.org for additional details.

But town leaders are aware that many residents don’t want to drive to 11234 Plano Road, a little more than 11 miles from Highland Park Town Hall.

“It sounds worse than it is,” Mayor Margo Goodwin said. “It sounds farther out.”

For those who don’t want to go much farther than the sidewalk, the town has added curbside collection.

The service, provided in partnership with the county and Stericycle Environmental Solutions, cost $160 per pickup of up to 25 gallons of paint and other materials. Charges will be added to the next water bill.

Call 214-521-4161 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule collection and then place items in an open cardboard box curbside. Include an inventory of the items. Forms are available on the town’s website.

Former director of town services Ronnie Brown, who worked on the program before his retirement, said, “The goal is to

increase participation and make it as convenient as possible.”

Only about 130 residents a year have been visiting the county site.

Town leaders looked at options for including hazardous waste pickup as a basic service included in the standard charges assessed to residents for trash service but ultimately preferred to charge per use rather than increase the bills of all customers.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t have a need for this service,” council member Eric Gambrell said.

For those who need to dispose of chemicals and paints, but don’t want to pay, the new program allows for up to four free hazardous waste drop off events.

Town leaders plan to offer two events the first year and have reserved May 11 and Oct. 13. The events should be able to accommodate about 125 people, and reservations will be required.

The town budgeted $40,000 for the hazardous waste program, a $24,000 increase covered by franchise fees assessed on businesses whose vehicles use town streets.

M A R K YO U R CA L E N DA R S What: Special in-town drop off event for household hazardous waste When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11 Where: Davis Park, 3801 Lexington Avenue, next to the swimming pool.

Registration: The event is free to Highland Park residents, but photo IDs and preregistration are required.

Call 214-521-4161 Instructions: Place items in an open cardboard box with a list of contents on the HHW Event form available online at hptx.org.

Allowed: Paint, solvents, lawn and garden chemicals, pool chemicals, cleaners, polishes, batteries, automotive fluids, fluorescent light bulbs/tubes, computers, and cell phones.

Quilling Full

14 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Community GROWING DISABILITY, YOUTH MINISTRIES GET NEW HOME Highland Park UMC unveils $38 million Tolleson Center

COURTESY PHOTOS

The new Tolleson Center at Highland Park United Methodist Church features a 450-person worship center, gaming and lounge area for the youth ministry, and an entire first floor dedicated to its disABILITY ministry that is highlighted with a pie and coffee shop.

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

H

ighland Park United Methodist Church’s nearly decade-old theater program for older teens and adults with disabilities started with a straightforward question: If you could be anything, what would you be?

The woman behind the question, Sue Ringle, was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy a few years ago and died in June 2018. But her memory and the Spotlight Academy productions where everyone gets to be the special person they want to be will continue to flourish.

“We find that every year we have more and more people who come to see this because it’s such an incredible program – you laugh, you cry – but also we have more people from the community that would like to be a part of it, and we were just running out of space,” said the Rev.

Susan Robb, senior associate minister at the church.

In late March, the church opened the door to the Tolleson Family Activity Center, a state-of-the-art building across the street from the main campus that will allow several growing ministries to expand, including Belong disABILITY. HPUMC’s centennial capital campaign funded the $38 million building.

The three-story activity center also provides needed space for the church’s youth and wellness ministries.

“Four years ago, we started dreaming about what we were going to do to celebrate our anniversary,” Robb said. “Let’s not waste the opportunity to think big because 100 years doesn’t come around often.”

At the center of the first floor, which is dedicated to the disABILITY ministry, is Chance’s Kitchen. The pie and coffee shop was established by Hal and Christi

Urschel in memory of their son, Chance, who loved to make pies with his mother.

“It brought him great joy to give to others,” Christi Urschel said.

Her son had trouble with his motor skills, couldn’t walk or talk, and was bound to a wheelchair, she said. “It was so hard for him to try to hold onto a spoon, but we very quickly learned that it was very motivating for him to be in the kitchen and try to use a spoon and actually make a pie.”

Robb said Chance’s Kitchen will open to the public in August.

The first floor also includes space for The Feast Service, which accommodates those with special needs every Sunday, plus a sensory room and motor movement room.

The second floor serves the youth ministry and includes a 450-person worship center, lounge area, glass-enclosed office, and small group space, a small stage for performances, a slushy machine,

and a gaming center that houses ping pong tables and a rare Killer Queen video consoles.

Four years ago, we started dreaming about what we were going to do to celebrate our anniversary.

The Rev. Susan Robb Robb said the idea is to make the activity center a place where youth want to come throughout the week instead of only on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

A state-of-the-art full basketball court and a 450-seat worship multi-purpose room are on the third floor.

Underground, there are 130 parking spaces for the growing community.

May 2019 15

Seeking Balance In Culture, Nature Hi, I’m Len, and I’m a recovering dieter.

After becoming a zombie with dizziLEN BOURLAND ness, brain fog, memory loss, unsteadiness, and what felt like dementia, friends asked if I was OK. I wasn’t.

Ketosis may work for some but may not be the best thing for the Medicare set, certainly not for me.

It’s no quick fix for weight loss.

To regain my physical balance and mental clarity took awhile. It took fruit, fruit of the vine, and what I always do when flatlined, nature and cultural immersion.

And what a place North Texas is for that!

La Boheme, Jaap Van Zweden again at the Meyerson, Hamilton at Fair Park, wildflowers en route to the Kimbell Art Museum kicked off my steady diet of food for my senses.

As my body has changed shape in the last half-century so has Dallas and environs.

At the Kimbell, I was intrigued by a small exhibit of architectural paintings of Dresden, which was the seat of the once powerful court of Saxony in the mid-1700s. This was the Paris of the Holy Roman Empire attracting architects, painters, sculptors, and scholars.

Why this exhibit now? All I could conjure up about Dresden was dolls and Meissen china. Of course, I dimly remembered it was pulverized at the end of World War II by allied bombing in an attempt to get Hitler to capitulate. As Dresden continues, even now, to try to rebuild some of its magnificent former baroque buildings and cathedral, it looks to these paintings for its source.

Pause for reflection: hate begets war, which begets destruction of beauty as well as governments, always a timely message.

Wishing to elevate my spirits, I finished my spring immersion at, what else, the Dallas Arboretum.

Truly spring has never been lovelier, so with inspiration, I tackled my own muddled yard. It takes weeding, pruning, soil preparation, planting, and transplanting, then feeding, guarding against blight – a lot of work, continuous work.

That is what it also took for Dallas to become an urbane, cultured city with great commerce with a distinctive Texan flair.

Could it go the way of Dresden?

Could our society? Could radicalism lead to a political Keto diet that leads to dire results?

We have to weed out our pests, nurture our seedlings, nourish our minds, and avoid extremes to bloom.

Spring is a lovely reminder that it’s all about balance.

Len Bourland can be reached at lenbourland@gmail.com

16 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

A Simple Rule: ‘Kindness Is Everything In Life’

SMU honors Nancy Strauss Halbreich with Eric J. Jonsson Ethics Award

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers Nancy Strauss Halbreich, the 23rd J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award winner, was taught early in life how to act towards others.

“I remember when I was 6, I was at the dinner table, and I began telling a wild tale,” she said. “I finished my story, and my mother looked me in the eye and said, ‘Nancy, you’re not smart enough to lie.’ So, for every day of my life, I try to remember that.”

Her mother was Annette Strauss, a former Dallas mayor whose advice stuck.

Halbreich told those at the recent award luncheon and fundraiser at SMU that she aims to live by three simple rules.

“Don’t lie, obviously. Just tell the truth,” she said. “Be unselfish, because the world is mainly composed of other people. And be kind. Kindness is everything in life, and we all have the power to be kind.”

My mother looked me in the eye and said, ‘Nancy, you’re not smart enough to lie.’ So, every day of my life, I try to remember that.

Nancy Strauss Halbreich

KIM LEESON

FROM LEFT: SMU President Gerald Turner, J. Erik Jonsson Award winner Nancy Strauss Halbreich, and Maguire Center director Rita Kirk.

For her work in and around SMU and Dallas, Halbreich received an award meant to honor those who “exemplify moral excellence,” SMU president Gerald Turner said.

“The need for ethical leadership in 2019 is probably more so now than it has ever been before,” he said.

After getting her graduate degree at SMU, Halbreich began impacting Dallas with her special interest in the community’s cultural and educational scene.

She’s helped raise money for the Dal-

las Museum of Art, the Parkland Foundation, Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Hockaday School, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and other beneficiaries.

She recently co-chaired the I Stand for Parkland Campaign to build the hospital’s new campus and also co-chaired the campaign for the Parkland Comprehensive Breast Center.

In true Halbreich fashion, the award luncheon where she was honored raised more than $273,000 for SMU’s Cary M. Maguire

Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.

“She’s a phenomenal fundraiser. If you see her coming your way, run the other way,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said. “We all know about Nancy’s big heart, but her wisdom, her wit, and her drive make her who she is.

“Annette was such an important person in the history of Dallas, and I hope my children take note of any good I have done and apply it to their futures in the way Nancy did with her mother,” Rawlings said.

Ethics instructors at SMU aim to inspire their students to spend “10,000 hours of their lives” focusing on being morally sound. To Halbreich, completing that goal came naturally, said Caren Prothro, an SMU trustee.

“Nancy epitomizes the spirit of the award,” Prothro said. “No one cares more about others than Nancy. Her care is an all-inclusive concern and love for others that knows no boundaries and is in her DNA.”

18 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Business

EXERCISE PLAN STARTS WITH A CHEEK SWAB

FitLab uses DNA-testing to tailor workouts for clients’ goals, needs

By Fallon Lineberger special contributor

K

urt Johnsen, who founded American Power Yoga, a fusion of martial arts and traditional yoga practices, in 2001, has taken a genetics-based approach with his latest fitness endeavor.

People tell me they’ve tried everything, [but] to their body, those are all the same movements.

Kurt Johnsen Based on their DNA, FitLab, which opened last year on Mockingbird Lane, tests members to determine their right prescription or FitScript – an exercise plan designed to achieve the desired weight loss, weight gain, or homeostasis.

“I designed this for the people who came to me for 10 years putting in the effort and not getting the results,” Johnsen said. “Anyone who’s f rustrated, just get tested once and take the information.

We’re saying don’t guess — test once.”

Often people who are frustrated with their results will keep changing their workout routines without realizing they still are mostly doing the same experiences, Johnsen said “People tell me they’ve tried everything, [but] to their body, those are all the same movements,” he said.

After years of studying fitness and teaching classes, Johnsen worked with his father, a biologist, to pursue a better method. They tested 11,000 people and found that exercise needs were all over

the board. In other words, no exercise fit everyone.

FitLab offers yoga, dance, high-intensity interval training, and other exercises with varying levels of intensity.

That way, people can achieve their fitness and health goals with no time wasted, Johnsen said.

Starting the process begins with a DNA swab, which is built into the price of membership. Members then can start taking classes. Two to three weeks later, the results of the swab will return, and the FitScript will be prescribed. Members will receive a consultation about their results, suggested classes, meal plans, and food providers.

“In the end, I’m just trying to help people,” Johnsen said. “It’s easier than we think. Everyone can get back to enjoying their lives and not have to worry as much about health.”

Kurt Johnsen has taught thousands of fitness classes.

FitLab offers classes featuring varying levels of exercise intensity.

PATRICK DUNN PHOTOGRAPHY

AXL THOMAS

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 19

Comings and Goings

NOW OPEN Parachute 4539 Travis St. A new store offering the comforts of home – or at least the things that make home the perfect place to relax – has arrived in the Knox/ Henderson neighborhood. The 1,278 squarefoot space features Parachute’s best-selling linens, bath essentials, homewares, and new spring releases such as their dreamy Cloud Cotton bedding collection and limited-edition ceramics collab with Mt. Washington.

TIGHT

COURTESY PHOTOS

COMING SOON Tight 6401 Hillcrest Ave. Recommended for all fitness levels and opening this summer, this pilates house will offer 50-minute sessions seven days a week to accommodate clients with busy schedules. The studio also will be home to Dallas’s first M3X Megaformer, a patented Pilates-based machine created by Sebastien Lagree.

has arrived in both Highland Park and Deep Ellum. In addition to having its own roasting facility, the shop also travels the world to bring back extraordinarily good beans to roast, grind, brew, and sell.

SkinnyFats 3600 McKinney Ave. One of Las Vegas’ most beloved restaurants has arrived in Dallas. The one-of-a-kind eatery has a two-sided menu featuring ‘happy’ indulgences and delicious, ‘healthy’ alternatives. In addition to a wide selection of bowls, tacos, burgers, all-day breakfast, and more, the Dallas location offers a full-service bar featuring must-try local brews, harder-tofind craft beers, and premium coffee from Houndstooth.

PARACHUTE

Session Pilates SculptHouse Inwood Village SculptHouse, a fitness studio and luxury activewear boutique founded by lifelong athlete and former Wilhelmina fitness model, Katherine Mason, is opening soon. The 3,200-square-foot studio will be the first of its kind to combine a Megaformer and Woodway Curve treadmill to offer a signature 50-minute class of low-impact/high-intensity workouts.

4520 W. Lovers Lane The non-traditional music-driven pilates studio opened its third location in University Park in April. Using an Allegro 2 reformer, the studio offers a 50-minute session as well as a 60-minute session for clients looking for a challenge.

Merit Coffee 4228 Oak Lawn Ave. After a successful expansion into the Austin market, this San Antonio-based coffee shop

SKINNYFATS

20 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Real Estate Quarterly A TOWERING LIVE, WORK, PLAY PLAN FOR PRESTON CENTER

Adjacent property owners back replacement for parking garage

Most of the park space, provided with a proposed luxury apartment tower, would be on top of an above ground parking garage.

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers

R

obert Dozier is confident in a plan to replace the much-discussed Preston Center Garage with a live, work, play highrise, despite its differences with a concept approved two years ago.

At the end of the day, how many parks do you need? The city has seven within a two-mile radius.

Robert Dozier “Our plan would put $1 million back into the city just from the multifamily units, and that doesn’t even count what the city would get from taxes,” Dozier, president of Ramrock Real Estate, said.

The Northwest Highway and Preston Road Area Plan, approved by the Dallas City

Council in 2017, called instead for an underground garage topped by a street-level park, but that plan doesn’t have the support of adjacent property owners.

Though the city owns the site of the garage, any new construction there requires unanimous approval of the adjacent property owners who make up the Preston Center Parking Corporation, Dozier explained.

The luxury apartment tower has “100 percent approval” of corporation members and “makes a ton of sense,” he said.

It would bring 1,500 parking spaces for work and living, a restaurant, and two parks – one of which would be three stories up and used for special events near the restaurant.

That should satiate residents hoping the garage is replaced only with a giant park, Dozier said. “At the end of the day, how many parks do you need? The city has seven within a two-mile radius.”

But the plan also needs the support of city leaders and getting that might hinge on the results of the May 4 election.

Former Dallas mayor Laura Miller, who is challenging incumbent Jennifer Staubach Gates

for the District 13 city council seat, served on the task force that wrote the area plan.

Miller opposes Dozier’s apartment tower.

“This will have the opposite effect of a beautiful green space that would completely transform Preston Center into a walkable gathering place surrounded by new development and new customers,” she said. “If I am elected, I will get the funding for the park concept; if I’m not elected, there will be an apartment building there instead, making our traffic, parking, and pedestrian conditions even worse than they are now.”

Gates said she sees the appeal of street-level park plan and put $10 million for underground garage in the 2017 bond program – $10 million short of what Miller says was needed to qualify for the required matches.

Gates noted that working with the property owners is essential, but she hasn’t taken a position on Dozier’s proposal yet.

“Unfortunately, my opponent is circulating false information about a park donation and the parking garage,” Gates said. “When I met with the donor to discuss the idea, it was clear that the gift was conditioned upon opposing

O’BRIEN ARCHITECTS

an upcoming zoning case on property owned

by Saint Michaels. The offer was, at the very least, unethical and did not move forward.”

Improving the area would be a priority of her final term, Gates said. “Redevelopment of the garage and the immediate area around will be the biggest game-changer for Preston Center.”

R I VA L P L A N S APARTMENT TOWER DETAILS: 1,500 spaces for live, work, play, plus two in-building parks and a restaurant COSTS: $150 million FUNDING: To-be-determined amounts from the city of Dallas, Ramrock Real Estate STREET-LEVEL PARK DETAILS: Underground, three-level garage with 1,200 parking spaces and a street-level park.

COST: $37.7 million-$44 million FUNDING: 2017 bonds, North Central Texas Council of Governments match, other sources

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 26

Virginia Cook Closes Doors

Housing Inventory Skyrockets

Fifty-year career ends for decorated Realtor

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers One of the area’s oldest and most well-respected real estate agencies has closed its doors.

Virginia Cook Realtors announced that Cook, after a 50-year-career in residential real estate, had “permanently closed the doors” on her independently owned firm. The final day was April 8, according to a press release.

Cook suffered a stroke in July 2015 but made a strong recovery, continuing her work in the community.

The Virginia Cook office has been open for more than 20 years. It had satellite offices in Fort Worth, Uptown Dallas, Plano, and Sherman.

“It is now an appropriate time to say farewell with tremendous gratitude to the exceptional agents and staff who have called Virginia Cook’s company home,” officials wrote in the press release. “These agents will continue to provide high quality service to their clients through new affiliations with other leading North Texas real estate firms.”

Executive vice president Sheila Rice, herself a real estate professional for 50 years, said

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers

COURTESY VIRGINIACOOK.COM

Virginia Cook and Sheila Rice each spent 50 years in the real estate business. that despite an “impressive” recovery from the stroke, Cook’s health was not strong enough to continue operating the company. “[The closing] happened quickly, but our agents have been warmly welcomed by other agencies in the area,” Rice said. “For me, to be in the one field this whole time has been lovely. There will be another chapter – I’m just not sure what that is yet.”

Rice said one Cook agent has gone to Compass, but most have moved to Ebby Halliday Real Estate and Dave Perry-Miller

Real Estate, a division of Ebby Halliday.

“It’s been a really smooth transition,” she said. “I’m shocked at how well everyone has been able to handle everything.”

“Without a doubt,” Cook will go down as one of the top real estate professionals in Dallas, Rice said.

“She’s been a legend of real estate here,” Rice said. “She and Ebby Halliday are without a doubt premier Realtors in Highland Park and Dallas. Virginia goes way back.

She’s had just a stellar career.”

MARKET NUMBERS: PRE STON HOLLOW

MARKET NUMBERS: PARK CITIE S Month

Closed Median sales price

Real estate listings are up in Preston Hollow and the Park Cities, according to data the Texas A&M Real Estate Center complied for the North Texas Real Estate Information System.

“The real estate market was slow for the first quarter of this year, but picked up quite a bit in the second quarter,” said Caroline Thompson, an agent with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.

March saw 418 active listings in the Park Cities, up 50 percent from the same month a year ago, and 393 active listings in Preston Hollow, up 22 percent.

“More homes have come on the market since April 1, and appear to be continuing to do so, while prior listed homes have adjusted and improved their prices causing a flurry of activity,” Thompson said.

The price per square foot has dropped since December – from $341 to $297 in Preston Hollow and $396 to $392 in the Park Cities.

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

March 2018

70

$1,448,500

$402

96%

335

61

5.9

March 2018

67

$882,500

$275

95%

321

79

5.1

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

Source: North Texas Real Estate Information Systems Inc.

28 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 3414 Beverly Drive

T

his transitional masterpiece, located on prestigious Beverly Drive, is a designer’s showplace. The 10,282-square-feet home has six bedrooms, six full and two half baths, and is meticulously completed with luxury finishes and sophisticated details throughout. The beautifully designed kitchen flows into the casual dining room and opens to the family room with stackable, sliding doors that bring the outdoors in. The

PHOTOS COURTESY ROGERS HEALY AND ASSOCIATES

courtyard has phantom screens and radiant ceiling heaters. Spectacular features include a phantom lift to the basement. An eight-car garage can serve as a multi-purpose space.

The master bath offers spa-like features with dual-rain heads, body sprays, and heated towel tack in the shower along with his and her luxury walk-in closets. A large, flex space on the third floor can be used as a game room or bedroom with bath and walk-in closet.

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 29

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE

Laura Michelle lists Barnett West new build in University Park

BRIGGS FREEMAN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

The luxe new life of a Highland Park icon

EBBY HALLIDAY REALTORS

GRAND VIE SHOWCASES LUXURY LISTINGS AND MORE

3601 Beverly Drive, represented by Alex Trusler and Karla Trusler for $9,499,000.

Clean lines, open spaces, luxe finishes, high-end amenities, energy efficiency – all that you’d expect from Barnett West Custom Homes and more. The modern newly constructed five-bedroom, 6½-bath home at 7314 Marquette Ave. (7314marquette.daveperrymiller.com) is listed by Laura Michelle with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate for $1,949,000.

The 5,556-square-foot home (per tax rolls) features fresh landscaping and sophisticated details that give it instant drive-up appeal. Inside, high ceilings and gleaming hardwood flooring throughout create a dramatic first impression, while large windows allow natural light to accentuate its finest features and overlook the spacious backyard. The warm neutral tones are complemented by natural textures and modern elements.

The downstairs living spaces flow seamlessly one into another, creating chances to be artful and imaginative with furniture and accessory placement. All five bedrooms are upstairs, and the third-floor game room with full bath and closet could be used as a sixth bedroom, if desired.

To schedule a private showing, contact Laura Michelle at 214-228-3854 or laura@daveperrymiller.com.

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

This emblematic Highland Park residence, known as the Ferris Mansion, has been brilliantly restored in exquisite detail and seamlessly expanded to more than 12,000 square feet of graceful living space.

Surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, a swimming pool and multiple outdoor living areas, the 1920s home was designed by Hal Thomson — “a must-have architect for the city’s oil and gas executives, bankers, and civic leaders of the teens and 1920s,” D Magazine has said — and brims with handcrafted stone and wood details.

The expansion of the house has resulted in the seamless integration of architectural history and modern convenience. The home now has an open kitchen-family room area, six bedrooms, five baths and seven living areas. It boasts a grand entry hall, elaborate master suite and an incredible, two-story paneled library with a spiral staircase and catwalk.

Between the kitchen and the library, a window-lined gallery widens and a double staircase descends to an extraordinary underground entertaining space. A marvel of residential engineering, the lower level was excavated to allow for a game room, bar, wine cellar, tasting room, theater and gym.

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.

The spring/summer 2019 edition of Grand Vie: Luxury in Living magazine, the luxury-home publication of Ebby Halliday Realtors, recently mailed to homes across Dallas-Fort Worth.

Featuring a bold new look, the 27th edition of Grand Vie showcases some of D-FW’s premier luxury properties for sale and a plethora of inspiring editorial content, including “At Home with Cary Deuber,” a Q&A with Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Dallas star; “Weekend Getaways: Austin,” offering tips for a visit to Texas’ most-Instagram-able city; “Houses of Art,” highlighting some of the 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 advice for revitalizing your kids’ room this summer.

In addition to the exposure received from Grand Vie, Ebby Halliday luxury listings benefit from national and international exposure provided by luxury marketing partner Luxury Portfolio International and its website, luxuryportfolio.com, one of the most-visited luxury home sites in the world.

To view the digital version of Grand Vie, visit grandviemagazine.com. To learn more about Ebby Halliday Realtors, its Associates and all of the homes available for purchase in North Texas, visit ebby.com.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP

Capping a year as No. 1 in estate sales in Dallas County, Allie Beth Allman & Associates achieved $2 billion in transactions for 2018, a record for the residential real estate boutique.

Company leaders attributed the record success to a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship fueled by strategic sales, technology and marketing applications. But the foundation of it all is solid relationships with clients and among colleagues.

“This $2 billion record is much more than a dollar value,” said founder and CEO Allie Beth Allman. “It is about the value of relationships, results, market savvy and a culture the helps our agents thrive and best serve their clients. We can list 2 billion reasons we hit $2 billion in sales, and the list starts with people.”

For 2018, the firm leads the sale of homes in Dallas County starting at $1 million. The firm’s average sale in the Park Cities was more than $1.7 million; in Preston Hollow, the average was just under $2 million.

“Great things happen when you have the strongest team working together to bring success,” said general manager Keith Conlon. “Thank you to our agents and our clients for allowing us to work for you.”

Kim Cocotos and Kristen Scott recently joined Allie Beth Allman & Associates. “We are always looking to take our business to the next level and Allie Beth Allman has such a strong market presence to help us do that,” Cocotos said. “We are excited to be surrounded by leaders in the industry and look forward to learning from them.”

Cocotos has a background in sales and marketing. Ten years ago, she embarked on a career in real estate and hasn’t looked back. Along the way she met Scott. The two hit it off and three years ago they decided to join forces and the Cocotos-Scott Group was started.

“Through our non-profit work together, we learned that our skills and capabilities complimented one another,” Scott said.

Scott’s background is in finance. She worked in the corporate world before having children. The skills she learned over the course of her previous career have proven invaluable in real estate.

“By having different professional backgrounds, we balance each other with our individual strengths,” Cocotos added.

As for this year, Cocotos and Scott are excited to see some big changes. They are eager to utilize all the resources the firm offers and are excited about the company’s vision.

Dallas luxury real estate leader sets $2 billion record

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN

Kim Cocotos and Kristen Scott Excited to Join Allie Beth Allman

Visit grandviemagazine.com to view the spring/ summer 2019 edition of Grand Vie: Luxury in Living magazine.

Private Estate in Strait Lane Estates

4827 Kelsey is a private estate property in the heart of the Strait Lane Estates area being offered for $3,100,000.

One of the most private and serene estate properties in the heart of the coveted Strait Lane Estates area, 4827 Kelsey is being offered for $3,100,000. Sited on 1.17 acre lot in the midst of some of the finest homes and estates in Dallas, this elegant and timeless residence offers six bedrooms, six and one half baths, formals, a study, three living areas, sport court, pool, three-car garage, and 7,073 square feet.

The kitchen opens to an oversized living area with a wall of French doors and windows that overlook a cozy, covered back patio with fireplace and park-like backyard.

Incredible downstairs master suite with vaulted ceiling has a lovely view of the backyard and boasts a gorgeous marble master bathroom. Classic tasteful finishes are visible throughout including a recently installed roof in January 2019.

Contact Courtney Jubinsky (courtney@ daveperrymiller.com) or Ryan Streiff (ryan@ daveperrymiller.com) for more information or visit DPMFineHomes.com.

1999 McKinney Avenue #2006 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,407 SqFt Offered For $1,365,000 Stunning, luxury penthouse loft featuring 22 foot ceilings and two terraces. Oak hardwood flooring in living-dining area with polished concrete in entry and downstairs bedroom.

Spacious second floor living area can serve as office or bedroom. Master bath has dual vanities, walk-in shower and separate tub. Updated open kitchen equipped with KitchenAid refrigerator and dishwasher, Dacor oven and Thermador gas cook-top. One block from Klyde Warren Park, the Arts District and Dallas’ finest restaurants. Amenities include 24-hour attendant, pool and spa, fire pit and gas grills. A new fitness center is currently under construction.

For more information please contact Kyle Crews (214) 538-1310 or May Alice Garrison (214) 543-7075.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Great Time to Buy A Home

Spring Market has come early in 2019. While January and February tend to have fewer homes on the market, this year seems to be an exception with “a lot of excellent homes coming on the market early this year,” said Keith Conlon, general manager of Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Here are two new Park Cities listings.

The eight-bedroom French chateau-style home at 3632 Normandy Ave. has a grand entrance and open living space. It has a large backyard and a mammoth underground garage with space for 11 vehicles. Relax in the master suite in front of a fireplace or on a covered balcony. A media room and wine cellar are in the basement. On the third floor is a large game room.

A charming home at 3633 Southwestern Blvd. that would be a good candidate for remodeling or to build a whole new home on this popular University Park street. The living room has a wood-burning fireplace, and the den has a vaulted ceiling and a lot, and it has a second wood-burning fireplace and a loft. There is a banquette in the breakfast room. The master suite has dual sinks, and there is a guest quarters and a pool.

To find your next home, visit www.alliebeth.com.

30 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Allman Firm Tops Luxury Home Sales – Again Allie Beth Allman & Associates ended 2018 as the top brokerage firm in the Park Cities and in all of Dallas County for the sale of homes valued at more than $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, $4 million and $5 million.

In the luxury market of homes over $1 million in Dallas County, the firm captured nearly 24% of the market. The firm drove the estate market by capturing 61.4% of all home sales over $5 million. In the Park Cities, the firm sold 8 of 10 estate homes and 11 of 12 in Preston Hollow.

“We are amazed at our record-breaking year,” said Allie Beth Allman, president and CEO. “We could not have had such a successful year without all of our agents putting in hard work.”

One of the biggest highlights of the year, though, was ending 2018 with over $2 billion in sales.

“We were impressed with our sales in 2017 and knew we needed to keep the momentum,” added Keith Conlon, general manager. “We set a goal for 2018, and not only did we make it – we exceeded it.”

Conlon is optimistic 2019 will be another great year. “With the Allie Beth Allman and Berkshire Hathaway brand behind us, our numbers will continue to grow.”

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 31

Sports

ENDGAME: LOONEY THRIVES IN CLOSER ROLE AT RICHMOND

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND ATHLETICS

Layne Looney hopes to play professional baseball when he’s finished at Richmond.

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

A

s a starting pitcher almost exclusively throughout high school and his first two years of college, Layne Looney never envisioned himself as a closer.

So finding his comfort zone in his new role at the University of Richmond has required some mental and physical adjustments, and the ability to endure some bumps in the road.

As his college career winds down, the for-

mer Highland Park standout has mostly thrived pitching at the end of games rather than the beginning — even if it’s only for one inning at a time.

“It was definitely a change of pace,” said Looney, who was an all-state pitcher for the Scots in 2014, when he threw four no-hitters. “I don’t think I ever really expected it.”

Following an injury-plagued freshman campaign, Looney had a breakout season as a starter in 2017, during an otherwise lackluster year for the Spiders. He made 14 starts and finished

I had to learn that mindset. It’s nice to be able to throw multiple times a week. It’s a different kind of role, but I like it.

Layne Looney with a 3.21 earned-run average in 61.2 innings, improving as the season progressed.

Then his summer-league coaches decided to try him in the bullpen. Richmond pitching coach R.J. Thomas felt the right-hander might

be a better long-term fit there, too.

“They decided that I could be better used at the back end of the pen,” Looney said. “I had to learn that mindset. It’s nice to be able to throw multiple times a week. It’s a different kind of role, but I like it.”

Looney responded well to the change, finishing with a 0.60 ERA and eight saves in 23 relief appearances as a junior. He was recognized with first-team Atlantic 10 all-conference honors and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

Rather than signing with the Cubs, however, he decided to come back to Richmond to earn his degree and finish his college career.

Looney has struggled with consistency and control this spring but still has posted several strong outings.

“It’s been a year where I’ve learned a lot of lessons,” said Looney, who hopes to still catch on with a professional organization later this year.

SCOTS IN SCHOOL Four former Highland Park baseball players are on NCAA Division I rosters this season.

Name Kyle Burnett Grayson Jones Grant Kipp Layne Looney

School Pos. Northwestern OF James Madison RHP Yale RHP Richmond RHP

Class Jr. So. Fr. Sr.

High Life: Versatile Greenhill Senior Keeps Raising the Bar

Competition with older brother inspired football player’s love for pole vaulting

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

Two things fuel J.T. Herrscher’s determination to defy 17 feet worth of gravity – a desire to beat his brother and a commitment to try something different.

That’s why, despite possessing the speed of a sprinter and the strength of a thrower, the Greenhill senior instead focuses on the pole vault.

“Flying through the air is pretty unique,” Herrscher said. “It’s just fun. Me and my brother tend to be good at sports that are on the outskirts. Not that many kids do it.”

Herrscher will try to defend his SPC title in the pole vault at the conference’s spring championship meet on April 26-27 in Houston.

His interest in the pole vault evolved after his brother, Will, began competing in middle school in Rockwall. Will Herrscher is now a senior pole vaulter at the University of Alabama.

“He was focusing on it pretty seriously,” J.T. Herrscher said. “He stopped playing all his other sports.”

Although Herrscher admits he “was really bad” when he tried to pole vault in seventh grade, he persevered and improved.

He broke the Greenhill school record during his junior year and has raised the mark three more times since then.

CHRIS MCGATHEY

Greenhill senior J.T. Herrscher, who has verbally committed to Stanford, cleared 17 feet in the pole vault at the Texas Relays in March.

Herrscher cleared the 17-foot milestone for the first time at the Texas Relays in March. Shortly afterward, he committed to Stanford.

“He’s definitely one of the best pole vaulters in the state of Texas,” said Greenhill track and field coach Stacey Johnson.

“He’s grown a little bit every year.”

Herrscher is a two-time all-conference middle linebacker for the Hornets, despite being undersized. He also was the team’s

leading receiver in 2018.

“It’s a weird balance. They definitely are different sports and require different skills, but I enjoy them both,” Herrscher said.

“With pole vault, it helps to be tall and strong and fast, but a lot of it is just technique and perfecting your craft.”

He credits his year-round training routine that includes a weekly pole vault workout even during football season. He trains at least twice weekly during the rest

of the year, mostly with his Texas Express club team.

The former decathlete has continued to compete in a handful of track events for Greenhill, too, finishing second in the SPC in the 110 hurdles a year ago in addition to his relay duties.

“He can do a little bit of everything,” Johnson said. “He can throw, he can jump, and he can run. There’s never any stress on him.”

32 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Relaxed HP Golfers Find Calm Amid State Pressures

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

Are you looking for a secret to success for the Highland Park boys golf team? Credit the downward-facing dog.

Along with visits to the driving range and the putting green, yoga sessions have become part of the weekly routine for the Scots, who are aiming for their third consecutive Class 5A state title this spring.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that three years ago, head coach Jeff Loyd began the twice-weekly team excursions to We Yogis on Lovers Lane. HP has brought home the state championship trophy every year since then.

Winning as a team means everybody did their part and contributed.

Trip Carter “It’s beneficial not just from a golf standpoint,” said Loyd, himself a longtime yoga practitioner.

“It’s valuable in terms of our prep

COURTESY PHOTO

Highland Park won the District 11-5A team championship on April 4 at Brookhaven Country Club, where Turner Hosch was the individual gold medalist. FROM LEFT: Gold team members Jack Watson, Pierce Johnson, Christian Clark, Duke Knight, and Knox Wagoner. from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint.”

Loyd’s golfers agree that yoga has given an added edge for a team that has always been among the favorites at the state tournament, having won the team

crown 18 times overall since 1950. In addition to core development, it improves their breathing, flexibility, and focus.

“All the best players in the world have some kind of yoga mixed into their daily routines,”

said HP senior Trip Carter, last year’s 5A individual gold medalist.

Carter is one of several highly decorated junior golfers on the HP roster. Turner Hosch, who has signed to play collegiately at Oklahoma, has been a key con-

tributor on the 2017 and 2018 title squads. Scott Roden, a junior who has committed to Texas, won the individual crown two years ago.

During spring break, the Scots played a couple of rounds at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown, which will host this year’s state tournament on May 20-21. HP will be a favorite to repeat.

“We haven’t had much change in our lineup,” Carter said. “We just expect the pressure.”

Although the Scots emphasize the importance of team titles in an individual sport, a little friendly internal competition helps, too.

“Winning as a team means everybody did their part and contributed,” Carter said. “You just want to be better than them when they’re at their best.”

Loyd said that although this year’s team was inconsistent earlier this season, the Scots are gaining confidence at the right time.

“The postseason is what you live for,” he said. “We’ve been able to come together recently and build some momentum. I feel really good about where we are.”

34 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Schools

‘R IS THE ROUGHEST,’ BUT NOT THE ONLY HARD SOUND

Sisters-in-law tackle speech problems with Texas-inspired books

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers

C

ynthia Gould has always had a passion for helping children with speech impediments.

Now, she and her sister-in-law, Michelle Marlow, have found a way to impart pronunciation tricks even when a child is not in the middle of a face-toface session.

. . . they are books that are written to increase a child’s self-esteem and teach other children that it’s OK to find something difficult.

Cynthia Gould Gould, who grew up in the Park Cities and now lives in Dallas, teamed up with Marlow to write a several children’s books that focus on specific letters or “sounds” that speech pathologists have identified as being particularly difficult to master for those with impairments.

Using landmarks from around the area as illustrations, Gould and Marlow have written books titled S is the Most Delicious Sound, L is for Lemonade, CH is the Most Challenging Sound, and their most recent one, R is the Roughest Sound.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Sisters-in-law Michelle Marlow (top right) and Cynthia Gould (bottom) visits classrooms to read their book R is the Roughest Sound.

Each book offers about 250 examples of the book’s targeted letter or sound and incorporates those with pictures from the Dallas-Fort Worth area that match.

For example, in CH, several of the pictures are from the State Fair of Texas, while L focuses on a lemonade stand that sits next to one of the holes at the Colonial

Golf Tournament.

Besides being “a joy” to write, Gould, who is on the faculty at McCullough Intermedia/Highland Park Middle School, said the books serve as extra tutoring sessions for children.

“We wanted to create a series of books about hard-to-pronounce sounds so that

parents can read them to their children, and also so therapists can use them during their sessions,” she said. “Every book has a little speech therapy ‘trick,’ but really they are books that are written to increase a child’s self-esteem and teach other children that it’s OK to find something difficult, but with perseverance, you can succeed.”

For R, they decided images from the Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show would do the trick.

“We want them to really be immersed in sound production or hearing the sound if the book is being read to them,” Gould said.

Gould said knowledge of speech pathology is growing, as well. At a recent reading to an area elementary school, she asked the students if they knew what a speech pathologist was and did. To her surprise, half the children in the audience raised their hands.

“Ten years ago, I don’t think a single hand would have been raised,” she said.

The sisters-in-law aren’t done, either.

Gould said they have plans to write more books and help as many children with speech impediments as possible.

“Who knows what the future holds, but our goal is to continue with our series of hard-to-pronounce sounds and tackle other sounds such as ‘SH,’ ‘TH,’ ‘K,’ and ‘G,’ as well as looking into other aspects of our field such as stuttering and autism so that we can help as many children as possible,” she said.

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 35

Camps

CAMP IHOPE OFFERS FREEDOM, FAMILY, FUN

Patients and siblings create precious lifelong memories

By Maria Adolphs

Special Contributor

E

ach June, campers skim the trees in Anna on a zip line, canoe the lake water, climb the rock wall, and forget about cancer for a week.

Through a partnership with the YMCA, Camp iHope takes over the Collin County Adventure Camp where children touched by cancer – patients and their siblings – can share memory-making days of miniature golf, arts and crafts, dancing, and other fun.

Launched with a 2010 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels and supported by other donations, the free summer program has operated since 2011, providing a much better option for Dallas area families than traveling to San Antonio, camp co-director Deb Echtenkamp said.

Echtenkamp, an advanced practice registered nurse and manager of the Pediatric Oncology Program for Medical City Children’s Hospital, described the five-hour bus trip required in the past as a feat to pull off.

LEARN MORE Camp iHope is free to attend for eligible children, ages 7 to 16, from Medical City Children’s Hospital as well as other North Texas patients without a camp option. Visit campihope.org to make a donation, volunteer, or get more information. parents made the trip impossible for some.

But having a camp nearby allows more staff from Medical City Children’s Hospital to attend and monitor the children’s health, Echtenkamp said.

Some patients receive radiation treatment in the morning and are back to camp in the afternoon, she said. “They get to participate, so being close to the facility just makes things a lot easier.”

Echtenkamp sees the fun as an essential part of therapy.

Being with others that are going through the same thing or who have reached milestones in their treatment helps build resiliency and hope, she said.

Even peer pressure plays a part in getting younger children to take their medicine or eat when they see older ones doing so. iHope includes siblings because “cancer affects the whole family,” Echtenkamp said.

Often, because the focus is on the sick child, siblings feel unim-

You don’t have to remind a kid that they are sick.

Lin Ma Many children missed out because they were undergoing radiation treatment or their white blood cell counts were low, she said. Increased risk of infection and the long distance from their

Children with cancer and their siblings enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. portant or experience PTSD, but with a support network, they learn to process their feelings and even develop empathy, she explained.

Lin Ma, of University Park, said her children, Jeff and Joanna, benefited from the experiences.

Having a blend of healthy and sick children helped her daughter, Joanna, feel normal while enjoy-

ing activities like rock climbing, the zip line, and dancing with her brother.

“You don’t have to remind a kid that they are sick,” Ma said. iHope also helped her son create lifelong memories with his sister.

Jeff, a 13-year-old at Highland Park Middle School, continues to

COURTESY CAMP IHOPE FOUNDATION

attend on his own and hopes to return as a counselor when he reaches 17 and is too old to participate as a camper.

Ma explained that when her son returns to camp each summer, he feels as if his late sister is there with him in spirit, and he can bond with her again and keep her memory alive.

36 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT ST. MICHAELS

Saint Michael’s Farmers Market Opening Put opening day, April 27, on your calendar right now! Saint Michael’s Farmers Market will soon become your favorite event on Saturday mornings.

Purchase delicious foods, visit with friends, and meet new friends while buying that special item or stocking your pantry for the week. We even provide a comfortable tent for you to enjoy some of your purchases on the spot while listening to our Farmers Market Band. Come alone or bring your family, dogs (on a leash, please), bikes and strollers. Join us every Saturday morning, 8 am to noon through September 28. www.saintmichaelsmarket.com

CAMP OLYMPIA

One of the most amazing camps in Texas Camp Olympia is the BEST place for boys and girls ages 6-16 to spend their summer and create life-long memories! A Texas summer camp tradition, Olympia offers three-week, two-week, and one-week camp sessions! For over 50 summers, Camp Olympia has given campers a fun, caring environment, where they can grow in the body, mind and spirit. Nestled right on the shores of Lake Livingston, Camp Olympia has the perfect location for outdoor fun.

Campers can choose from over 45 different activities, ranging from wakeboarding to golf to horseback riding. The summer camp experience at Camp Olympia is like no other.

Empty Nest Syndrome? No Worries Be confident in your decision to send your child to camp. Camp will be a wonderful experience, and you wouldn’t have made that decision if you didn’t believe your child was ready for it.

Now, what about you?

W hether your child is spending a few weeks or the entire summer away from HELENE ABRAMS home, parents can experience a little anxiety sometimes called Empty Nest Syndrome. Regardless of whether children are 8 or 18, it is hard to say goodbye.

However, a summer separated from your children is a great opportunity for you to have a few weeks of “me” time.

With no children in the house, or maybe fewer children in the home, this is a great time for parents to enjoy a break. Here are ways to make the summer go by quickly and have fun: 1. Pick up a hobby. Ever thought about learning to knit?

Have a bike collecting dust in the garage? Now is the time to start something new. Whether it’s a group activity or solo, you can impress your children with something you learned during the summer.

2. Take a trip. While the children are off having an adventure, why not do something exciting for yourself? Travel, or have a “staycation,” for a week or a weekend –

With one child away, focus on the one at home. somewhere you always wanted to go but knew the children wouldn’t enjoy.

3. Take a summer course.

Community colleges offer great courses for the summer that will help improve your skills and knowledge. Sometimes these courses can improve your job situation too. It will even help you revisit what college is like now in preparation for when your children get to that age.

4. Enjoy the moment. Remember to pause for a second and embrace the quiet. It’s rare with children, but it is a great reminder that you’ve given your child a memory they’ll have forever.

5. Tackle those chores that never seem to get done – cleaning closets and donating old clothing is always my favorite.

6. If you have other children at home, use this opportunity to have more “one-on-one” time with them. They will appreciate ev-

COURTESY PHOTO

ery minute. Include them in some of your adventures so they can share stories just like their siblings.

7. If you have no other children at home, this could be a great time to reconnect with your spouse or partner. There is never enough time for this.

Keep in mind the summer is a lot shorter than you think. Once your children return home, you will remember these few weeks with fondness and longing. Make this time a special experience for you in addition to the one you’re giving your child. As you return to carpools and cell phone messages, you too will start dreaming about summer 2020.

Reach Helene Abrams, an advisor with Tips on Trips and Camps, a free summer camp and trip advisory service that helps parents of children ages 7-18 find enriching summer overnight experiences, at 214-484-8141 or helene@tipsontripsandcamps.com.

38 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

ESD Offers Campers Week at Wolf Run Ranch

Students enjoy nature in 300-plus acre outdoor classroom

By Tim Glaze

People Newspapers When it comes to summer camps, The Episcopal School of Dallas has students covered.

Starting in June, students can enjoy camps centered around building projects, music, video game creation, veterinarian studies, becoming a doctor, computer coding – and the all-encompassing, ever-popular day camp held at Wolf Run Ranch.

Located north of McKinney near Anna, Wolf Run Ranch is what director Michael Schneider calls “the hub” of outdoor education for ESD students. With more than 300 acres, it offers nature trails, a working ranch, archeological digs, hands-on biological ecosystems, and other opportunities.

The late Pete Gifford purchased Wolf Run Ranch in 1971 and opened it up to ESD students before he died.

“ESD has developed a large portion of Wolf Run Ranch as an outdoor education center, thanks to the generosity of and guidance of Pete,” said Schneider. “The basic goals of all the trips are for students to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them – as

C R A Z Y, H A Z Y D AY S OF SUMMER

PHOTOS COURTESY THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF DALLAS

Wolf Run Ranch, which serves ESD students of all ages during the school year, opens to young campers this summer. well as to work together and to care for each other.”

So popular has Wolf Run Ranch become that ESD is continuing to expand the camp - the entire Gifford property encompasses approximately 660 acres – and develop, among other amenities, new hiking trails.

“The camp offers the opportunity to spend time with nature and en-

joy the simple things in life – playing games without electronics and meeting new friends face-to-face in a safe environment,” Schneider said. “Just being out in the country makes the atmosphere of this camp unique.”

The ranch is used during the school year. Upper school students are tasked with completing the Wolf Run Project – a study on mid-19th

century North Texas and what life was like in the area where the camp sits juxtaposed with life in 2019.

Wolf Run also is used during the year for outdoor elementary lessons.

The summer camp is led by Wendy Howe and Dena Geier, along with instructor Nancy Elliott – a trio of leaders that students love coming back to see year after year.

Along with parent volunteers and

What: Campers enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, fishing, swimming, and playing their favorite summer games.

When: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

June 3–7 Where: ESD’s Wolf Run Ranch, near Anna Who: First — fifth graders Cost: $350 More information: Visit esdallas.org or email schneiderm@esdallas.org. alumni, the camp’s staff is one of its strongest features.

“There are kids that come back year after year just to see [Nancy Elliott], and their siblings do that, too,” Schneider said.

40 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Living Well and Faith CAN GREEN BE GREENER?

Industry experts: Sustainability trends are here to stay

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

L

iving greener is one trend that’s here to stay.

Whether it’s embracing the waste not, want not mentality or vegetable-forward dining, culinary influencers and industry professionals agree that neither is a fad.

During the final day of the Dallas Arboretum Food and Wine Festival, the Chef ’s Garden Roots on the Road Conference raised such topics as a way to learn and share ideas to cultivate change.

Living Greener Saying no to a plastic bag or straw, upcycling furniture and clothing, and refusing to put food waste in the trash can are three sustainable trends on the rise.

Composting is also an ageold concept that is becoming more popular. Lauren Clarke is looking to make the eco-friendly lifestyle more inclusive with her company Turn Compost, a Dallas-based startup that’s diverted more than 17 tons of waste from landfills.

In addition to classes like Urban Composting Basics and Edible Landscaping, Turn Compost offers a resident subscription ser-

vice, starting at $35, that delivers a clean, five-gallon composting bin each week and then picks it up when full.

Waste Not, Want Not There’s a pretty common philosophy when it comes to the lifespan of food: When in doubt, throw it out.

However, did you know that approximately one-third of food grown globally is thrown away each year – that’s about 1.3 billion tons of food, according to a 2017 New York Times article.

Food and wine festivals like the one at the Dallas Arboretum also produce their fair share of food waste. To combat that, about 5,000 pounds of food scraps that would have been thrown out were transformed into a luxuriously abundant spread at the conference.

The same idea can be implemented at home: make a roasted chicken for dinner one night, create a soup with the scraps the next; instead of throwing away vegetable scraps, put them in a freezer bag and use them later for a savory stock.

Plant-Based Dining Ethnic cuisine with no boundaries, classic comfort food, and a vintage cocktail culture that nods back to the 1940s and

VEGAN FAVORITE

True Food Kitchen at Preston Center Plaza (below left), checks all the boxes when it comes to vegetable-focused food: seasonal and delicious. Our favorite dish on the menu is the vegan butternut squash pizza topped with almond ricotta, caramelized onion, roasted garlic, organic kale, dried cranberries, and sage.

COURTESY PHOTOS

TOP: 5,000 pounds of food waste was repurposed into lunch and dinner at the Roots on the Road conference. BOTTOM, FROM LEFT: Butternut squash pizza at True Food Kitchen, a Turn Compost bin.

1950s are ways Dallasites like to eat. But one of the most significant food trends industry experts are taking note of is vegetable-forward dining.

Randy DeWitt, who has

helped develop several trend-setting brands like Whiskey Cake and Velvet Taco, said vegetable dishes are starting to take center stage on his menus.

Beth Rankin, with The Dallas

Observer, said plant-based meats like The Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger have also found a home on several menus – even one of Dallas’ oldest steakhouses, Al Biernat’s, has a vegan menu.

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 41

What’s Next? The 21st Century Church

How religious organizations will address the rise of the “Nones”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church’s bi-annual speaker series featured the Rev. Rodger Nishioka, who talked about the future of Christianity.

By Marissa Alvarado People Newspapers

One of the largest growing demographics in the faith world is people who check the box for “none” on surveys of religious affiliation. A 2015 Pew Research Center poll reported that 34 to 36 percent of millennials, those born after 1980, are nones.

So, what does that mean for the church?

Preston Hollow Presbyterian

Church recently hosted the Rev. Rodger Nishioka to speak about the changing landscape for faith in this day and age. Nishioka taught at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta for 15 years, educating pastors to teach and lead in the church’s educational ministry, specializing in particular on youth and young adult ministry.

Nishioka said one of the most critical things churches need to do to retain members is emphasized on a “warm environment.”

Here are six changes he suggested: 1. From Tribal Education to Immigrant Education If the Starbucks corporation can teach the world that a “medium” is actually called a “grande,” then the church can teach the world what incarnation is.

2. From Mission Out There to Mission Right Here The Church should become more involved with helping the surrounding community: If the

Church has no impact in the community, no one will miss it when it’s gone.

3. From Reason Filled Spirituality to Mystery Filled Spirituality The “awe” and “wonder” of spirituality are hugely attractive for young people. People are looking for ways to discover things, such as mystery, in their faith.

4. From High Tech to High Touch With the rise of a tech-forward world, people are attached to

homemade things like church food to feel a personal connection.

5. From Attractional Ministry to Invitational Ministry While it might take longer, the nature of personal invitations to church and church events will keep people coming.

6. From Discipleship to Apostleship Focusing on apostleship, meaning that members of the church must believe they were sent on a specific mission.

42 May 2019 | parkcitiespeople.com

Top Three Products from International Home + Housewares Show Two months after My second top pick is the Cuisinart 360 attending the 2019 In- Outdoor Griddle Cooking Center. Ideal for ternational Home + small or large crowds, its round design allows Housewares Show in guests to easily observe the cooking process Chicago, I’m still mar- while sipping chilled beverages and conversing CHRISTY ROST veling at how manufac- with their hosts on the patio. This large, affordHOME + KITCHEN turers return year after able griddle can even be turned into a smoker. year with new and inno- It’s beautifully designed to be the entertaining vative items to inject style, efficiency, and fun center of any outdoor gathering. into our homes.

My final top pick is a selection of serving I attend the show each year with a goal of platters and tableware engineered by Tempidentifying my top three favorite items, and al- control/Sanodegusto to keep food warm or though it seems an insurmountable task when chilled for an extended period. Since food faced with multiple buildings displaying the safety and optimal enjoyment are always issues latest and greatest, I’m always surprised how during our hot summer weather, my interest easy the task becomes. was immediately piqued by this dinnerware At the top of my list is an item I saw dis- with internal temperature control. played last year as a Previously only available to restaurants, these prototype. The Bartesian countertop cocktail plates and platters feature attractive marbled maker began as a Kickstarter project in 2015 designs that appeal to and is like a K-cup for my inner hostess, and cocktails. With the aid will now be available for of individual cocktail home kitchens. For my capsules and four reserhot-off-the-grill steaks voirs of favorite spirits, or kabobs, crisp salads, or any host can be a mixolchilled icebox pies, this ogist at their next party. new dinnerware ensures This year, members guests enjoy their meal at optimum temperature. of the media were invited to experience the Speaking of chilled Bartesian during an afdesserts, my recipe for ter-hours cocktail party Fresh Lemon Icebox Pie COURTESY PHOTO is poised to become this at Beam Suntory. With summer’s go-to dessert. the guidance of a step- Christy Rost checks out a Cuisinart It’s quick and easy to by-step digital display outdoor griddle. make and requires only located on top of the machine, an excellent selection of spirits, and a short baking time. The sweet pairing of dark a member of the mixology team standing by, I chocolate graham cracker crust with a tangy, created an absolutely delicious daiquiri. I con- pale yellow, lemon filling flecked with tiny bits firmed that night this little machine could be a of lemon zest, ensure this pie is refreshingly big hit with party guests. tasty on a warm day.

Fresh Lemon Icebox Pie

(CRUST) Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (8-9 whole crackers) 2 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

CHRISTY ROST

1¼ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (5 large lemons) 2 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Directions:

Directions:

(FILLING) Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, lemon juice, condensed milk, and lemon zest until well blended. Pour the mixture into the cooled piecrust and bake 25 minutes, or until the edge of the pie is set and the center is almost set. Remove the pie from the oven, cool on a rack, and chill several hours or overnight until it is cold. Garnish with swirls of Chantilly cream, slice, and serve.

1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest 3 egg yolks

Yield: Eight servings

Set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the crumbs are moistened. Press the mixture with your fingers into the bottom and up the sides of a pie dish, and bake 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

Christy Rost is the author of three cookbooks, public television chef on PBS stations nationwide, and longtime resident of the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. For additional recipes and entertaining tips, please visit her website at christyrost.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ChristyRost.

Boosting Brain Power

Improve thinking with mindful movements

Adele Diamond speaks at the Center for BrainHealth

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

Scientific research identified a key difference between the excitement and exhilaration of being challenged and the anxiety of feeling stressed.

Stress and anxiety impair performance, warned Adele Diamond, one of the most influential neuroscientists in the world.

Even mild stress has been shown to negatively impact the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain that helps control our thoughts, she said.

COURTESY PHOTO

Diamond, a professor of developmental cognitive neuroscience at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, was among the speakers during The Brain: An Owner’s Guide 2019 Lecture Series, presented by the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth.

Her presentation, Surprising Approaches to Boost Brain Power For Your Kids and You, explored how stress affects the mind as well as approaches for improving thinking, reasoning, and self-control.

Stress makes it hard to think

clearly, she said. It’s why we reach for chocolate when anxious. And it is why children can’t relax if they’re worried about being embarrassed or feel pressure always to succeed and never mess up.

“So, relax,” Diamond said.

When you’re stressed (sad, lonely, unfit), the prefrontal cortex and executive functions are the first to suffer, which means the ability to problem solve, screen out environmental distraction, and exercise the self-control not to act impulsively, resist temptation, and delay gratification will be compromised.

Diamond recently led a first-ofits-kind comprehensive look into several long-term studies that analyzed the differed ways people used cognitive training such as aerobics, resistance training, and computerized mindful training to improve executive functions.

Mindful movement practices like Tai Chi and Taekwondo proved to be the most successful approach to improving executive functions – next was promising school pro-

grams like Montessori followed by meditation.

Aerobics and resistance training landed at the bottom.

A year-long pilot study that randomly assigned elementary school children to either standard physical education or Taekwondo found that those assigned to Taekwondo showed more significant improvement in all dimensions of executive functions studied: focused versus distractible, persevere versus quit, and emotion regulation.

Another study that assigned juvenile delinquents to either traditional Taekwondo or modern martial arts, which is mostly seen as a competitive sport, showed that those in the modern martial arts class were more aggressive and had decreased self-esteem and social ability.

Those in traditional martial arts, which emphasize self-control, discipline, and character development, showed less aggression and anxiety and improved social ability and self-esteem.

Diamond hypothesized that be-

cause activities like Tai Chi help people learn to control their breath, and thus control arousal, they can help you stay focused on the present moment.

“Executive functions need to be continually challenged to see improvements,” she said. “It should be part of life that you’re learning skills for life.”

2 0 1 9 TA G D E R B Y What: An awareness event sponsored by the Think Ahead Group, an organization of young adults who support the work of the Center for BrainHealth.

When: 4-8 p.m. May 4 Where: Alex Camp House, Dallas Arboretum Tickets: $67 for TAG members and $87 for nonmembers. Get them online at 501auctions.com/tagderby.

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2019 43 ENGAGEMENT

LAMBERT - RUBARTH

GITTINGS PHOTOGRAPHY

C

ynthia “Cindi” Jane Lambert and John “Jack” Andrew Rubarth are pleased to announce their engagement.

Cynthia is the daughter of Dr. Ronald C. Jones and the late Jane Allison Jones of Dallas. Jack is the son of Clara Jane

Rubarth and the late Robert Frank Rubarth Jr. of Fayetteville, Ark. The bride is a graduate of the Hockaday School. She received a Bachelor of Arts in political science f rom Southern Methodist University and a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law. Cindi is a lawyer with Hagan Law Group LLC. The groom is a graduate of Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas.

He received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering f rom Rice University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Jack is a senior consultant with Advanced Operations Partners Cindi and Jack will exchange sacred wedding vows in early May at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.

CLASSIFIEDS 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. Pre-payment is required on all ads. Deadline for our next edition is Monday., April 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.

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2B Spring 2019 | People Newspapers | Society

SOCIETY APRIL 7

26

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show and Luncheon, benefitting The Salvation Army DFW Command, Winspear Opera House, 10 a.m.

Gateway to Opportunity Luncheon, benefitting Family Gateway, Omni Dallas Hotel, 11:30 a.m.

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Hope for Children, benefitting Buckner International, Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 7 p.m.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala, benefitting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Meyerson Symphony Center, 6:30 p.m.

10

Genesis Annual Luncheon, benefiting Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support, Hilton Anatole, 11:30 a.m.

11

Strut Your Mutt, benefitting SPCA of Dallas’s efforts to end animal cruelty, Trinity Groves, 8:30 a.m.

Dallas CASA Classic Golf Tournament, 2018

25

The White Party - Havana Nights kick-off, benefiting The Wilkinson Center,

26

Children’s Cancer Fund Gala, benefitting research and treatment programs in children’s oncology at Children’s Health, Hilton Anatole Dallas, 6 p.m.

Young Friends Annual Party, benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, The Joule, 7 p.m.

The Dallas Opera Gala, benefitting The Dallas Opera, Winspear Opera House, 6 p.m.

Wish Night Dallas, benefitting Make a Wish Foundation, Hilton Anatole, 6 p.m.

TOPPs Celebration, benefitting Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Frontiers of Flights Museum, 6:30 p.m.

19

Boots & Salutes, benefitting Equest’s Hooves for Heros, Texas Horse Park, 7:30 p.m.

17

Pinocchio Dinner, benefitting Texas Ballet Theater, Winspear Opera House, 5:30 p.m.

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Day at the Races, benefitting Oak Lawn Park Junior Conservancy, Arlington Hall, 4 p.m.

North Texas Military Ball, benefitting North Texas Military Foundation, Sheraton Dallas Hotel 5 p.m.

Legacy Rouge, benefiting Legacy Counseling Center, Southside Music Hall, 7 p.m.

Viva Paris GDYO Spring Gala, benefitting Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, Meyerson Symphony Center, 5:30 p.m.

26

Memorial Day Music Fest, benefitting Klyde Warren Park, Klyde Warren Park, noon

17

FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon, benefitting The Dallas Opera, Winspear Opera House, 11 a.m.

18

Women of Distinction Luncheon, benefitting Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Omni Dallas Hotel, 11 a.m.

JULY La Fiesta Presentation Gala, benefitting 16 charities, Hilton Anatole Dallas, 6 p.m.

WINGS Mentors and Allies Awards And Luncheon, benefitting WINGS for Women and Children, Omni Dallas Hotel, noon

TACA Lexus Party on the Green, benefitting TACA, Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park, 6:30 p.m.

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FIRST NIGHT Dinner and After Party, benefitting The Dallas Opera, Winspear Opera House, 5:30 p.m.

Parade of Playhouses Opening Day, benefitting Dallas CASA, NorthPark Center, 10 a.m.

Day at the Races, 2018

OCT.

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MAY

Pot of Gold Luncheon, benefiting Rainbow Days, Hilton Anatole, 10:30 a.m.

Sneaker Soiree, benefitting The Family Place, Mavs Gaming Facility, 8 p.m.

The White Party, benefitting The Wilkinson Center, The Empire Room, 9 p.m.

Dallas CASA Classic Golf Tournament, benefitting Dallas CASA, Brookhaven Country Club, 7 a.m.

Leadership Forum and Awards Dinner, benefitting Texas Women’s Foundation, Omni Dallas Hotel, 6:30 p.m.

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7

FORE! Golf and Tennis Tournament, benefitting The Family Place, Lakewood Country Club, 10 a.m.

Modern Pearl Luncheon, benefitting Bryan’s House, The Belo Mansion, 11:30 a.m.

JUNE

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Olivia Aldredge Silent Auction & Benefit Concert, benefitting One Wing Foundation, The Foundry, 7 p.m.

DMA Junior Associates Dior Fundraiser, benefitting the Dallas Museum of Art, DMA, 7:30 p.m.

Savor the Symphony - Southern Savour Supper, benefitting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, a Southern Estate, 6:30 p.m.

Sage Society Dinner, benefitting The Senior Source, Dallas Country Club, 6:30 p.m.

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JDRF Dream Gala, benefitting JDRF Greater Dallas, Omni Dallas Hotel, 7:30 p.m.

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Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, 2018

Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase, Four Seasons Resort, 10 a.m.

SEPT.

Cattle Baron’s Ball, benefiting American Cancer Society, Gilley’s Dallas, 7 p.m.

Halloween at the Heard, benefitting Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, 6 p.m.

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A Night for Nexus, benefiting Nexus Recovery Center, Joule Hotel, 6 p.m.

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TWO X TWO For AIDS and Art Gala, benefitting anfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art, The Rachofsky House, 6:30 p.m.

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M1 Ball, benefitting Mercury One, 6:30 p.m.

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Roundup for Autism Pegasus Ball, benefitting The Autism Treatment Centers of Texas, Fairmont Dallas, 6:30 p.m.

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The Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon, benefitting Crystal Charity Ball, Neiman Marcus Downtown, 10:30 a.m.

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Fur Ball, benefitting SPCA of Texas, Hyatt Regency Dallas, 6:30 p.m.

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The Runway Report Transforming Lives Luncheon and Fashion Show, benefitting KidneyTexas, Inc., Brook Hollow Golf Club, 10:30 a.m.

TWO X TWO for AIDS and Art Gala, 2018

Society | People Newspapers | Spring 2019 3B

THE NEW BLACK TIE:

WEAR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED Experts say be bold, confident for the upcoming gala season

People Newspapers

Pastels have timelessly been the go-to color palette for spring.

And while Spring 2019 runways are bedecked in such beauties like sherbet-hued tweeds by Chanel and delicate laces at Rodarte, local fashion experts are encouraging Dallasites to dress boldly for the upcoming gala season.

It’s not just about the cocktail dress, it’s about making an entrance and feeling sexy and beautiful.

Oscar Adames

For spring galas, neon colored gowns are an upcoming trend. Neon oranges, yellows, and greens are a fun way to stand out from the crowd. If you’re still a fan of neutral colors, try finding a gown with highlighter accents or patterns to keep true to your style.

Walking on the Wild Side

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Oscar Adames, Tootsies’ fashion coordinator, said there are no rules for this day and age in fashion: Wear something that speaks to you.

“I think fashion opens up so much more now; it’s not just about the cocktail dress, it’s about making an entrance and feeling sexy and beautiful,” Adames said.

“It’s also about taking a little bit of a risk and coming out of your comfort zone and throwing on the colors and the prints you normally wouldn’t wear.”

The new black tie is the unexpected shape or combination, so wear something different for this upcoming gala season with these spring trends.

Neon. Neon. Neon.

The recent revival of leopard print has hit every wave of fashion, whether it’s casual brunch, cocktail party, or a gala. Leopard print dresses, shoes, or belts can add a wild hint for any occasion. The spotted print is fun, surprising, and a stylish way to show off your personality.

Rose Gold: Not Just for Your Jewelry

Rose gold is eye-catching, so if you want to shine through the gala season, it’s a perfect choice. Rose gold works on a cocktail dress, pair of pants, or accent jewelry, you just have to style it in a way that makes you feel confident.

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By Marissa Alvarado

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MARISSA ALVARADO

4B Spring 2019 | People Newspapers | Society

GDYO SERVES MUSICALLY TALENTED YOUTH, HELPS DISD PROGRAMS tion and discussed challenges such as not enough music instructors, limited resources, and budget cuts. GDYO, with the help of its parent’s guild, provided instruction and supplies such as music books for elementary music students.

After GDYO’s first year helping Anne Frank and Arthur Kramer Elementary, DISD offered a contract to expand. The organization now serves Benjamin Franklin middle school, along with classical and jazz workshops at five to ten DISD high schools.

Funds raised from the GDYO’s gala and season finale performance, “The Sights and Sounds of Paris,” will benefit this new programming which will, “contribute to helping close that gap for accessibility in Dallas,” Howell said.

By Marissa Alvarado People Newspapers

T

he Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) includes 465 young musicians from 50 different communities who participate in nine ensembles.

“A lot of the kids participating in our ensemble, maybe have a band at their school or are homeschooled, so they get the opportunity to come and play with this full symphony orchestra,” said Kaitlyn Howell, director of development and marketing for GDYO. “They’re learning to collaborate; they’re learning structure.”

The GDYO, founded in 1972, cultivates learning and creativity, as well as social and motivational skill for young musicians. Students also get to interact with professional instructors, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Wind Symphony.

GDYO is set up similarly to a professional orchestra, so students can gain experience before pursuing careers in a professional symphony. Instructors also provide guidance and support for students.

“We’re providing a resource, skills training, and different beneficial traits that are

I F YO U G O

GDYO musicians range from age six to eighteen and come from 120 different schools. It is comprised of nine different ensembles who perform regularly, including free performances to increase community engagement. great for kids in their educational process and growing up,” Howell said.

Along with the ensembles, GDYO has recently begun the DISD Community Engagement Programming which provides short-term and long-term capacity building, instruction, and supplies for DISD’s music

programs.

“In the Dallas community, there is a huge gap in arts accessibility and arts education, and so being able to provide the opportunity for those kids” is a GDYO priority, Howell said.

GDYO met with DISD administra-

What: The gala and season finale performance, featuring the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, the Plano Civic Chorus, and soprano Rainelle Krause.

When: 5:30 p.m. May 19 (performance begins at 7:30 p.m.)

Where: Meyerson Symphony Center Tickets: gdyo.org

Society | People Newspapers | Spring 2019 5B

CAN DO! LUNCHEON

Rich Perry, Jesuit students Charlie Barraco, Ryan Helm, Julius Marble and Skyler Dixon and Jesuit president Mike Earsing with award sponsors Ashlee and Chris Kleinert

Larry and Kathy Helm with Marcia Kramer and Matt Helm

Capera Ryan and Linda Secrest

Paula Davis, Robyn Conlon, and Lynn Foster

Libby and Amy Hegi

Mary and Baker Montgomery with Brenda and Bob White

Di Johnston and Nancy Bierman

P H O T O S B Y M E L I S S A M A C AT E E

Alicia Hall and Brooke Bailey

Wilkinson Center event chair Linda Secrest and underwriting chair Capera Ryan welcomed more than 300 attendees to the seventh annual Can Do! Luncheon held on March 4 at the Dallas Country Club. The sold-out event recognized individuals and organizations who exemplify entrepreneurship in philanthropy and the “can do” spirit that makes great things happen in the community. Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, sponsors of the second annual Kids Can Too! Award, closed the awards presentations by announcing this year’s recipient - Jesuit Dallas, a Catholic, private, independent, all-boys high school.

6B Spring 2019 | People Newspapers | Society

MAD HATTER’S TEA

Tootsies Fashion Show

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Group

Adean Kingston and Jennifer Stalkup

Tiffany Vinyard Wheeless, Elaine Bruns, and Debbie Graybill Siddal

Linda Spina, Kristina Bush Whitcomb, Sharla Bush, and Terry Irby

Logan-Miles Allison and Catherine Pope

Diane Brierley and Kim Hext Suzette Derrick Nerissa von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb

Kunthear Mam-Douglas

P H O T O S B Y I M A N I C H E T LY T L E , D A N A D R I E N S K Y, A N D D A N N Y C A M P B E L L

Ashley Anderson Smith, Melanie Montgomery, and Lacey Cremer

Courtney Edet

Tootsies Fashion Show

Barbara Daseke

The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum welcomed Dallasites to the Golden Age of Hollywood at Mad Hatter’s Tea on April 11, benefitting A Woman’s Garden. Co-chaired by Terry Irby and Sharla Bush, the event began with a champagne reception, followed by a Spring fashion show, featuring looks by TOOTSIES. Taking a note from the entertainment capital, hat awards were set to Oscaresque categories like Best Picture and Best Visual Effect.

8B Spring 2019 | People Newspapers | Society

CHERISH THE CHILDREN

Kathleen M. LaValle, Patrick Sands, Laurie Sands Harrison, and Lynn Mahurin

Steve Pemberton

Randall and Gina Porter with Nicki and Paul Stafford

Ciara and Bela Cooley

Kalem Butts and Stephen Penrose

Lisa Cooley and Christie Carter

Dr. Theresa Daniel

Arian Orlando, Jackie Dorbritz, Angela Yotides, and Tamara Payne KRISTINA BOWMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Hannah May, Cynt Marshall, and Greg May

The Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Award was given to Rosewood for its longtime contributions to bettering the lives of children in Dallas. Accepting the award were Hunt’s children Laurie Sands Harrison and Patrick Sands.

Hosted by Dallas CASA Children’s Council, the event was chaired by Gina Porter and Nicki Stafford. Guest speaker Steve Pemberton, author of A Chance in the World, shared with the audience his personal story of growing up in an abusive foster home not knowing who his parents were.

10B Spring 2019 | People Newspapers | Society

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ART IN BLOOM

Sarah Jo Hardin and Beverly Freeman

Donna Clark, Barbara VanDrie, and Jennifer Brower

Janet Sue Rush and Eleanor Casey

Caroline Williams, Jennifer Carter, Maura Costello, and Susie Barnett

Jill Goldberg and Michelle Allums

Suzanne, Stuart, and Shannon Guthrie

P H O T O S B Y TA M Y T H A C A M E R O N

Françoise Weeks and Eleanor Bond

The Dallas Museum of Art League celebrated the 20th anniversary of its annual fundraiser Art in Bloom on March 31 with a New Orleans-inspired brunch, floral demonstrations by designer Françoise Weeks, and family day activities. Proceeds support the Dallas Museum of Art’s education programs, as well as the DMA League’s Floral Endowment Fund.

Event chairman Eleanor Bond welcomed more than 300 guests to Art in Bloom: Joie des Fleur.

Society | People Newspapers | Spring 2019 11B

NONPROFIT FOCUSES ON TAKING CARE OF ITS NEIGHBORS

By Bianca R. Montes People Newspapers

F

COURTESY PHOTOS

Established by media personality Glenn Beck, Mercury One focuses its efforts on humanitarian aid and education about the principles the U.S. was founded upon.

or the past e i g h t ye a r s , Mercury One has spent millions on humanitarian aid and education.

“When our nation was founded, it was founded around taking care of your neighbors and helping and standing up when there was a crisis in the country,” said Susanne Grisham, the nonprofit’s executive director. “You step in, and you help when and where it is needed.”

Established in 2011 by media personality and New York Times best-selling author Glenn Beck, the Dallas-based nonprofit assists with disaster relief, veterans with PTSD, human trafficking in the United States, and educational training with first source documents and artifacts.

This summer from June 28 to July 7, Mercury One will host a special exhibition called “12 Score and Three Years Ago” that will highlight the story of slavery in the United States, what happened with the Emancipation Proclamation, and how we as a nation have struggled to

I F YO U G O

What: M1 Gala When: 6:30 p.m., Oct. 26 Where: Mercury Studios Tickets: mercuryone.org get it right.

Robb said the nonprofit was created because Beck “was concerned about where our country was going and that maybe we were going to a place where we didn’t have the freedoms through the Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

You step in, and you help when and where it is needed.

Susanne Grisham The organization was created uniquely so that 100 percent of its general operating funds are raised through the annual M1 Gala. The gala, which raised $900,000 last year, ensures that every dollar donated to specific funds goes toward disaster aid, veteran services, restoring those rescued from human trafficking, and education.

“That’s the American dream,” Robb said.