FALL BRINGS PUMPKINS, FAIR, EMPTY NEST
While North Texans enjoyed the final weeks of summer taking one last out-of-town excursion, finishing that spring cleaning list put off for far too long, and basking in the sun at backyard barbeques, the sizzling summer temperatures had us all yearning for the cooler days of fall.
With the return of the fall season, family calendars fill up, students settle into their classes and extracurricular activities, and leisurely poolside afternoons are replaced by high school football games, band practice, and homework assignments.
The moms and sons of Young Men’s Service League and the moms and daughters of the National Charity League begin their fall community service projects.
Teens’ weekend social calendars are supplemented with lending a hand to local philanthropies that includes baking appreciation treats for the Community Partners caseworkers, presenting CASA’s innovative playhouses at NorthPark Center, building beds for neighbors in need at Bed Start, and delivering hot meals for Meals on Wheels.
Dallas’s social season beckons a change of wardrobe, and al fresco dining, pumpkin patches, and art festivals abound.
The State Fair of Texas and Autumn
at the Arboretum invite Dallasites outdoors with the proposition of cooler temperatures (we hope).
Our four-legged friends can finally hit the pavement for a midday walk.
The change of season ushers in a new mood. With it, neighborliness and togetherness bring joyful fall holidays and celebrations. Fall represents transition and change as the flowers that bloomed over the spring and summer return to the earth. Tree leaves change their color to a visually pleasing palate of reds, oranges, and browns as the Earth slowly begins its tilt away from the sun.
Sneakerhead Generation Sneaker resale is big business in Dallas. I should know.
Five years ago, my then 15-year-old son was at the top of the kicks game. He was the goto for the latest Yeezys, Retro Air Jordans, and Nike Air Force 1’s.
For this mom, the fall’s transition into an empty nest hasn’t been easy, but here’s hoping the Dallas Stars, Mavs, and Cowboys exciting fall schedules bring a son or two home for a game very soon.
Rooms in our house were filled floor to ceiling with shoes, spilling from his bedroom to the game room and into the pool house.
We’d attend Dallas’s Sneaker Con one weekend and fly to pick up an exclusive pair of Christian Dior sneakers from the Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive store the following Saturday. In this issue, we feature a Preston Hollow youth who has taken his sneaker enthusiasm to new heights.
Check out our story on Page 30 featuring 17-year-old Walker Scheer and the local Sneaker Haven empire he’s joined.
CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB
A managing editor’s young sneakerhead has headed off to college. CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB
Crime Reports Aug. 13 – Sept. 7
Aug. 13
Theft of personal property occurred at an unspecified time in the 4100 block of Crossing Lane.
Aug. 14
A crafty thief broke the padlock on the entrance to a construction site in the 10000 block of Bushire Drive and got away with stolen property.
Aug. 16
A threatening individual racked the slide of his handgun, pointing it at an individual in a commercial property located in the 3800 block of West Northwest Highway.
Aug. 17
A construction site in a shopping area in the 8400 block of Preston Road lost valuable property to a thief of the night.
Aug. 20
A theft of property occurred in the 11200 block of Strait Lane.
An AT&T line was cut at an unspecified time in the 12600 block of Preston Road.
A clandestine criminal made off with property in the 12600 block of Preston Road.
Aug. 21
An unknown suspect entered a vehicle and took property without consent in the 10000 block of Preston Road.
A criminal trespass warning was issued at the St. Rita Catholic Community School of Dallas.
Aug. 22
A vandal broke a window in the 4400 block of Bonham Street.
A vehicle was abandoned in the 6200 block of LBJ Freeway at an unspecified time.
Aug. 23
A stealthy thief stole a laptop from a vehicle in the 6100 block of Luther Lane.
A burglar forced entry into a home and stole property in the 4400 block of Brookview Drive.
A front license plate was stolen from a
vehicle in a parking lot in the 8100 block of Preston Road.
An individual in Comerica Bank in the 8200 block of Preston Road was cited for criminal trespassing.
An individual was cited with a warning to leave and not return from a grocery store located in the 11900 block of Preston Road.
An unwelcome dowsing with a cup of water occurred at a medical facility in the 7800 block of Clodus Field Drive.
Aug. 24
In the 5500 block of Emerson Avenue a public intoxication citation was issued.
A theft occurred in the 5600 block of West Lovers Lane.
Property was stolen from a storage building in the 5800 block of LBJ Freeway.
A sneaky thief stole outdoor property in the 7000 block of Northaven Road.
Aug. 27
The ignition of a motor vehicle was damaged during the attempted theft of an automobile in the 8400 block of Ridgelea Street.
A theft of personal property occurred in the 6400 block of Norway Road at an undisclosed time.
An unknown suspect entered a vehicle and took property without consent in the 10700 block of Preston Road.
A theft occurred in the parking lot of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.
Aug. 28
A vehicle was stolen from a hotel in the 3800 block of West Northwest Highway.
Property was stolen from a vehicle in a Preston Center parking lot during an unspecified time.
Aug. 29
A burglar broke the back window of a vehicle and stole property in the 5900 block of Royal Lane.
Property was removed without permission
in the 5700 block of Forest Lane.
An abandoned vehicle was reported in the 6000 block of Walnut Hill Circle.
A criminal trespass affidavit was filed at a drug store in the 11700 block of Preston Road.
Theft of property was reported at a park in the 11200 block of Preston Road.
Aug. 30
A theft occurred at a residence in the 5500 block of West University Boulevard.
Aug. 31
Theft of a motor vehicle occurred in Preston Royal Shopping Center.
An abandoned vehicle in the 4200 block of Walnut Hill Lane was cited for blocking a lane of traffic.
A motor vehicle was stolen from the parking lot at NorthPark Center at an undisclosed time.
Sept. 1
A criminal trespass warning was issued at a commercial property in the 10800 block of Preston Road.
Sept. 3
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 6500 block of Tulip Lane.
A theft occurred in the 12000 block of Preston Road at an undisclosed time.
A vehicle was stolen from a commercial parking lot in the 3800 block of West Northwest Highway.
An individual was told to leave and not return from a retail store in the Preston Royal Shopping Center.
Sept. 4
A criminal trespass warning was issued in the Preston Forest Shopping Center.
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 3900 block of West Northwest Highway at an undisclosed time.
A thieving geist hit an armored truck in a money heist in the 6000 block of Sherry Lane.
Sept. 5
An individual threatened a woman and convinced her to hand over money in the 6300 block of Stefani Drive.
A criminal trespass affidavit was issued in the 5800 block of Redwood Court.
A criminal trespass warning was issued at a convenience store in the northwest corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane.
A threat with a firearm was made in an unspecified area of Boedeker Street and West Northwest Highway at an undisclosed time.
Sept. 6
Property was stolen from a vehicle parked in the Preston Royal Shopping Center at an undisclosed time.
A criminal trespass warning was issued at the St. Rita Catholic Community School of Dallas.
A criminal trespass warning was issued at a retail establishment in the 3700 block of West Northwest Highway.
Sept. 7
Property was removed without consent from an individual’s truck parked in the 6400 block of Lakehurst Avenue.
of the MONTH: HOT PURSUIT
A thief took off in a blaze of glory on Aug. 21 after stealing property from the fire station in the 5900 block of Royal Lane. For more crimes, visit peoplenewspapers.com/ category/crime/
A Next-Level Real Estate Experience
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Trust
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Luke Wilson Helps Tell Uplifting North Texas Baseball Story
‘You Gotta Believe’ explores underdog journey to Little League championship
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb Claudia.Carson-Habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Film director Ty Roberts had a goal — balancing the experience of viewing sports from a child’s perspective with telling a somber, multilayered story.
Roberts (of 12 Mighty Orphans ), describes a good baseball movie that centers around inspirational young athletes as hard to beat, adding that “viewing sports from a child’s perspective again can be incredibly rejuvenating.”
“Sometimes, seeing things simply — perhaps the way a child would — helps us identify what truly matters most,” Roberts said.
You Gotta Believe tells the story of the Fort Worth Little League team that captured the hearts of American viewers when playing Louisville in the longest game ever recorded in Little League World Series history. The game became an ESPN classic and pushed forward the Little League pitch count rule.
The emotional story delves into the bonds formed among players as they rally around a teammate whose dying father helps coach the team.
When portraying a boy’s experience when faced with the potential loss of a parent, and a father’s reality of “living on borrowed time,” the game of baseball became a metaphor for facing life’s challenges, Roberts said. “Every parent shares the universal fear of leaving our little ones’
lives prematurely … without our love and guidance.”
Coach Ratcliff, played by Dallas native Luke Wilson, rallies the team of underdogs to a championship while undergoing cancer treatments. Following his courageous battle with cancer, Bobby Ratcliff died in 2003, a year after You Gotta Believe ’s World Series game.
At the movie’s premiere in Fort Worth, Wilson joined the baseball team members, now all adults.
Wilson attended Dallas’ St. Marks School of Texas, where he played football and ran track under Jerry Reese. Laura Wilson, Luke’s mom, is an award-winning photographer living in Preston Hollow.
Castmate, Greg Kinnear, also in attendance at the North Texas movie premiere, plays the team’s head coach. This isn’t Kinnear’s first experience representing a Texas story. In Same Kind of Different as Me , based on the memoir and bestselling book by author Ron Hall of Dallas, Kinnear played the role of Hall opposite Renee Zellweger and Djomon Hounsou.
You Gotta Believe was filmed primarily in Fort Worth. The film was produced by Austin-based Santa Rita Film Company and is being distributed by Well Go USA Entertainment. The AMC Palace 9 in Fort Worth hosted the movie’s premiere, and fans came out to celebrate the film’s connection to their hometown. The film premiered in theaters across the country Friday, Aug. 30.
Left to Right: Jason Gabriele, Senior Business Manager; Carol Anderson, Senior Wealth Planner; Tim Wilson, Wealth Management Advisor; Tommy McBride, Wealth Management Advisor; Luke McBride, Financial Advisor; Katherine Meredith, Wealth Management Specialist.
The actors who portrayed the Westside LL team attend movie’s premiere in Sundance Square. Luke Wilson plays
Coach Bobby Ratcliff, who rallied a team of underdogs to a championship while undergoing cancer treatments. COURTESY LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL AND WELL GO USA
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W.T. White Grad Serves With Navy Electronic Attack Squadron
By Ashley Craig Special Contributor
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – As James Daniels joined the U.S. Navy a decade ago, his brother sent him off with a challenge.
“My brother, Joseph Daniels, told me before I left, ‘Show them what Texas is like,’” recalled the Dallas native now assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
“And I have taken that work ethic into the Navy,” Petty Officer 1st Class James Daniels said. “Where I grew up in Dallas was a cultural melting pot, so that made my career choice of joining the Navy very easy. Being accepting of everyone and respecting everyone is a lesson I carry with me daily.”
Since graduating from W.T. White High School in 2010, he has earned an associate degree in history from American Military University in 2019 and pursued a bachelor’s degree in history at Oregon State University, where he expects to finish in the fall.
Today, Daniels serves as an aviation electrician’s mate.
“I joined the Navy to make my mark on history, big or small, and
to create a solid base for starting a family,” said Daniels. “My grandfather, Russell Logan, created the conopulse radar system in 1959. They used that in the P-3 Orion, so some of the early stories from him were Navy-related and that drove my interest in the Navy as well. I also wanted to be in avionics.”
VAQ-129’s primary mission is to train new aircrew to conduct airborne electronic warfare in the EA-18G Growler.
Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the EA-18G Growler, a ground and carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, is the cornerstone of the Joint Force’s Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission.
Its platform adds a sophisticated sensor suite that enables the suppression of enemy air defenses along with a variety of other electronic warfare operations.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It can travel at speeds over 1,100 miles per hour, around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
“I am most proud of completing three deployments, one on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and two on USS Harry S. Truman,” Daniels said. “The deployments gave me great memories and allowed me to travel the world. My favorite detachment was to Brest, France, and the Landivisiau Naval Air Base where I got to teach French sailors about the capabilities of the EA18G aircraft, and vice-versa with their Super-Etendard.”
Daniels is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for their support from home,” he said. “I also want to thank my spouse, Personnel Specialist 1st Class Peyton Daniels, for all of her support over the years. She’s stayed steadfast for myself and our family through long deployments.”
Corey Todd Jones Goes from Mustang to Military
By Ashley Craig Special Contributor
BANGOR, Wash. – What’s a graduate to do after earning a degree from SMU in communications with a focus in cinema. Head to L.A.
That’s what Corey Todd Jones did after commencement in 2003.
In Los Angeles, he worked in the entertainment industry but eventually wanted something more.
it was a no-brainer,” he said.
Jones joined the Navy 12 years ago as an enlisted sailor, serving as a mass communication specialist (MC) for three years before commissioning as an officer.
“I had a desire to do something significant in my life, to be part of a team and set myself up for success,” said Jones, now a lieutenant appointed earlier this year to serve on the Secretary of the Navy’s staff as deputy public affairs officer.
“I had a lot of debt from my first master’s degree, but when I learned I could use my communications skills and do film and photography in the Navy, and that they would help pay for my degree,
“The detailer at the Military Entrance Processing Station said MCs were the ‘rock stars of the Navy,’ because they receive notable assignments like aerial photography and documenting distinguished visitors,” Jones said.
His photography was published in such newspapers as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
“Serving in the Navy allows me the ability to push myself, educate myself and surround myself with motivated people,” Jones said. “There’s a culture of physical fitness, which I really like, and I love the fact that the culture pushes you to exceed your own expectations for yourself.”
Derek M. Albus DDS
John M. Kidwell DDS Brett A. Williams DDS
Petty Officer 1st Class James Daniels expects to finish his bachelor’s degree this fall. ALVIN PLEXICO
Lt. Corey Todd Jones puts his communication skills to work for the Secretary of the Navy. MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS JOSIAH TROMBLEY
The #1 residential real estate team at the #1 firm in Dallas.
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Community ARTISTS HONOR ISRAELI HOSTAGES
Museum of Biblical Art only host of exhibit exploring those taken Oct. 7
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb Claudia.Carson-Habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Artist Sivia Braunstein was visiting family in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when she was awakened at 6:30 a.m. and brought to a saferoom for 24 hours.
She survived, but soon realized people were taken hostage.
Upon returning to the U.S., she began painting portraits with the help of seven other artists: Nancy Gordon, Deborah Morris Zakheim, Judy Rohtbart, Jane Bennett, Carol Lert, Sue Seif, and Carol Sack Denmark.
Gordon, who came up with the idea to bring the exhibition to the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, describes the process of painting the faces of the hostages as an emotional experience.
“Being so horribly upset, I needed to do something,” she said. “They spoke to me, and I had conversations with them while I painted them.”
Gordon describes painting portraits, for her, as “God’s greatest canvas.”
Exhibit curator Scott Peck noted how the portraits are individualistic, each portraying a distinctive part of the subject’s appearance, delivering a unique proclamation of character — the youngest profiles exuding an impression not easily verbalized.
“The exhibition is such a strong statement from these artists to all of us, bringing the victims close,” he said.
Dallas sculptor George Tobolowski, an alumnus of Hillcrest High School and SMU, who founded the National Center for Jewish Art in Dallas with Peck, serves as co-president of the Museum of Biblical Art.
Tobolowski noted how the portraits convey, “the joy on their faces of living free.”
Dog Parks Create
By Josh Hickman Special Contributor
Many dog owners look for convenient and bucolic spots to stretch their legs with a furry friend, some rediscovering welcome community among the squirrels and old oaks.
At Central Commons Community Dog Park, hidden behind the church at 4711 Westside Drive, dog lovers let pets mix and mingle in the ample shade of large trees, give their canines a scrub at the washing station, and even order coffee from the church café.
Large fans bring a welcome breeze and discourage mosquitoes during the balmy months.
“I usually remember the dog’s name if not the owner’s.”
Dale Carlton
Westminster Community Dog Park, nestled behind Westminster Presbyterian Church at 8200 Devonshire Drive, offers shaded areas with chairs and benches, a dog washing station, a dog run, and kiddie pools
‘THEIR PORTRAITS’
What: An exhibit of 240-plus portraits of hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023
When: Through Oct. 31
Where: Museum of Biblical Art, 7500 Park Lane
Online: biblicalarts.org
More: Guests will learn the status of individuals depicted and may participate in the presentation by writing prayers, poems, or special messages to the families of the hostages. The portraits will be sent to the families following the exhibition.
Community, Offer Array of Pet-Friendly Amenities
for pets to cool off.
“It’s my safe place,” said Preston Hollow’s Dale Carlton, who has been visiting regularly for 16 years with her dogs. “It’s where my friends are. When my partner of 31 years died, I came here right after the funeral. This place saved my life.”
“I make sure everyone is neutered or spayed,” Carlton added with a chuckle. “Once, I got knocked over in the middle of the park by the dogs. You never stand and
talk in the middle of a dog park.”
Many regulars have been visiting the park for years and are on a first-name basis with each other and each other’s dogs. In the evenings, circles of chairs are formed, and friendly conversation can continue until sundown as the beloved pups fetch, investigate, and chase each other.
“I usually remember the dog’s name if not the owner’s,” Carlton admitted.
“I’ve been coming since January. So, I’m
new,” said Dawnette Shelton of Preston Hollow, though the present group agrees no one would suspect as much.
“I like to organize,” she said, “arranging chairs, cleaning water bowls, keeping the place neat.”
“For me, this place is a refuge from all the modern noise,” said Jennifer Small, a frequenter with her pug, Bluto. “And there’s no shortage of hilarity. It’s a place with quiet character that’s full of larger-than-life characters, both the dogs and the humans. It’s one of those little unexpected pockets of fun that makes Dallas a place I’ve actually come to enjoy more than I ever imagined.”
Personalized portraits of Israeli hostages line the walls of the Museum of Biblical Arts. TOMMY HABEEB AND CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB
Several dogs wait for their friends to arrive. JOSH HICKMAN
‘Preston Hollow People’ Applauds
• Lisa Dwinal , a middle school faculty member at The Hockaday School, who is one of 26 educators from across the country, and the only teacher from Texas, to be accepted into the 2024 Peace Teachers program at the United States Institute of Peace. USIP’s Peace Teachers program is a professional development opportunity for middle and high school educators committed to educating youth on international peace and the resolution of violent conflicts.
• Jamie Williams , who was named by The Family Place as the first recipient of the Paige Flink Icon Award. Named in honor of retired longtime CEO of The Family Place in recognition of her legacy, the award recognizes those who work in their community and sphere of influence to bring people together and build partnerships to make Dallas a better place to live. She will be recognized at the Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon on Oct. 4 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
• Henry (Hank) Hermann , a financial services professional who served as the first Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference president at Christ the King Catholic Church. The philanthropist who shaped the creation of the first charitable pharmacy in Texas, has been named the 42nd annual recipient of The Catholic Foundation Award. He will be honored during the annual Catholic Foundation Award Dinner on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
• Santanu Roy , who was named the Robert H. and Nancy Dedman Professor in Economics in recognition of his outstanding research accomplishments and international leadership in microeconomic theory.
– Compiled by William Taylor and Claudia Carson-Habeeb
HOUSEHOLDER WANTS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
St. Mark’s Senior excels
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
John Householder is committed to improving life for those around him, whether he’s setting on the volleyball court or conceiving the large-scale projects of an urban planner.
The St. Mark’s School of Texas senior is in his third season as the starting setter for the Lions. He’s earned all-SPC recognition for the past two years — alongside his friend and middle hitter Jacob Lobdell — and in 2022 became the first player in program history to garner team MVP honors as a sophomore.
“It’s not just that he’s a great setter, but he’s a great teammate,” said St. Mark’s volleyball coach Darren Teicher. “He’s so evenkeeled. It makes everybody play better and keeps the energy right on the court.”
Householder said that as the primary passer and floor leader, that demeanor fits his personality. Plus, at 5 feet, 9 inches, his position options are limited in a sport dominated by taller pin hitters.
“Even if I was 10 inches taller, I would still be a setter. I get to touch the ball every single play,” Householder said. “I try to approach the game as calmly and objectively as possible.”
Take his serving routine, for example. Every time it’s his turn, he
in
volleyball, seeks career in urban
takes exactly six steps back behind the service line as a mental reset.
That analytical approach extends to his off-court interest in urban planning, for which he’s undertaken a new project annually
for the past three years — none of them for school credit.
As a sophomore, Householder began researching the availability and variability of clean water, talked to city officials about the
issue, and constructed a website around his findings.
The following year, he took an online class with a Columbia University professor that led to an initiative to redesign a green
planning
space near Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas.
Most recently, Householder began an in-depth study of ways to convert household trash into energy to enhance recycling and conservation efforts.
“I try to approach the game as calmly and objectively as possible.”
John Householder
“I’ve never done it for any kind of recognition. It’s just about personal interest,” he said. “It’s not necessarily how we design our cities and organize them, but how can we make a city better?”
For now, Householder is focused on helping the Lions capture an SPC title during his senior season, after they finished as the runner-up last year.
Whatever happens, he’s grateful for his mother’s advice during middle school, when the young lacrosse player was searching for a fall sport: “I’m so glad she told me no football.”
Covenant Senior Plays All Over the Field, But Usually Winds Up in the End Zone
Experienced playmaker
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
He’s a wide receiver, running back, cornerback, kicker, and punter. He’s lined up at quarterback, and would play elsewhere, too, if his coaches asked or needed him.
While many of his Covenant teammates juggle two or more positions every game, Benjamin Golik usually plays at least five.
“He’s essentially another coach on the field.”
Jacob Zinn
The senior and four-year starter exemplifies the versatility critical to success at a smaller private school and a program whose numbers hover around 30-35 players.
“Being in the system these four years has made an impact with how proficiently I’m able to do all of those things,” Golik said. “At a place like this, you always have to be ready to adapt. As someone who just loves football,
Benjamin Golik fuels Knights’ quest for more playoff success
it’s fun to be able to play all over the field.”
He’s had that Swiss Army Knife mentality since joining the Knights as a freshman, when he was primarily a receiver and cornerback.
He shifted mostly to running back and free
safety for the past two seasons. A year ago, he accounted for more than 1,200 total yards and scored 11 touchdowns — pacing the Knights in both rushing and receiving yardage — as Covenant won its first road playoff game since
transitioning from six-man to 11-man football almost a decade ago.
Covenant head coach Jacob Zinn said he looks to get the speedy Golik as many touches as possible during a game. Fatigue is always a concern, which is why Golik focuses on both physical and mental preparation.
“He’s essentially another coach on the field,” Zinn said. “Our game plan is to keep him on the field as much as possible and keep him as fresh as possible.”
Golik, who also plays soccer for the Knights, had always wanted to add football kicking to his resume. This season, Zinn finally relented, and the early results have been positive.
“The most impressive thing is his leadership,” Zinn said. “Those abilities have really grown and developed. He backs all of it up on the field.”
The Knights are hoping to make a deeper postseason run this fall behind a core group of returnees including Golik, twoway standout Duke Black, twin receivers Campbell and Matthew Peterson, and quarterback Lleyton Horan.
“There’s a deeper level of camaraderie. We’re such good friends,” Golik said. “We want to show that we can compete with anybody.”
John Householder is three-year starting setter for St. Mark’s, which is looking to improve on its SPC runner-up finish from last season. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Benjamin Golik, who led Covenant in rushing and receiving yardage last season, is also the team’s kicker. CHRIS MCGATHEY
KIPS BAY DECORATOR SHOW HOUSE RETURNS TO DALLAS Architects, designers will transform two-acre Turtle Creek estate
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb Claudia.Carson-Habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Want some decorating inspiration?
This year’s Dallas Kips Bay Decorator Show House opens in late October.
“The last two times I visited the Kips Bay show house, I returned home and started my own renovation projects,” revealed Preston Hollow resident Elizabeth Johnson.
Word is, that’s not unusual, as Kips Bay show homes offer design inspiration to both the seasoned aficionado and the DIY novice.
The nation’s leading annual design event and top fundraiser for Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club of New York, first came to Dallas in 2020.
However, the event hit a snag in 2022,
when parking and permit issues arose. The neighbors in the Old Preston Hollow area where Dallas’ first show houses were located, resisted the crowds and traffic being thrown in their midst.
The normally weeks-long event was reduced to mere days that year and employed remote parking and shuttles thereafter.
But this year the event will celebrate its fifth-year anniversary in Dallas at a home outside of Preston Hollow — one with much more parking.
The estate at 2999 Turtle Creek Blvd. has 60,000 square feet of underground parking. That should appeal to past eventgoers who’ve complained about having to shuttle from a remote parking lot and anyone eager to house a couple hundred cars at their personal residence should the property hit the market after the Kips Bay event.
Comings and Goings
NOW OPEN
“It’s inspired by French and Asian influences — a chateau in France my team and I visited, and travels through Asia — with our Le Salon de Musique-inspired space featuring an opulent entertaining area for music and relaxation, outfitted with a server bar and a vintage-inspired record console,” said Eddie Maestri of the award-winning architecture and interior design firm, Maestri Studio.
In all, 25 design experts will work to transform the 25,000-square-foot Turtle Creek estate in preparation for the showcase.
The Dallas event will also benefit two Dallas nonprofits: Dwell with Dignity is dedicated to beautifying homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty, and The Crystal Charity Ball’s mission is to support children’s charities.
“We are thrilled to showcase our fifth annual event at this iconic address,” said
Beville Pediatric Dentistry
4328 Lovers Lane
The office aims to help young patients enjoy visiting the dentist and create healthy, lifelong habits.
Chefika
7859 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 170
The dining destination known for its exquisite dishes and highclass ambiance is bringing the flavors of Turkish Mediterranean cuisine to Preston Hollow.
Doughbird
Inwood Village
The pizza and chicken restaurant has landed in the corner space formerly occupied by Bread Winners Café and Bakery.
Keeks
The Shops at Park Lane
The shoe store specializing in preowned, authentic, luxury footwear has opened its second Texas location next to HomeGoods.
Läderach Chocolatier Suisse NorthPark Center
The company’s first premium chocolate store in Dallas, located on Level
James Druckman, board president of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. “We anticipate a showcase that not only celebrates design innovation, but also underscores our commitment to raising critical funding both for the community and our kids.”
IF YOU GO
What: The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is a premier design event and fundraiser.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Oct. 25-Nov. 13; 4-8 p.m. Oct. 24.
Where: 2999 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Tickets: Starting at $50 for general admission; $500 for opening day: $2,000 or more for the President’s Dinner on Oct. 23. Visit kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org/ dallasplanyourvisit.
One near Dillards, offers 85-plus varieties of fresh artisanal chocolates, imported directly from Switzerland.
Lovers Egg Roll
6030 Luther Lane, Suite 130
The Chinese restaurant specializing in egg roll dishes aims to provide a variety of flavors and fillings to satisfy enthusiasts of the crispy and savory treats.
Nuri Steakhouse
2401 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 120
The elevated “East meets West” steakhouse has opened in the heart of Uptown.
Starbucks
6407 Hillcrest Ave.
The coffee giant has opened a new location next to Jimmy John’s across from SMU.
Wyld Blue
4205 Buena Vista St.
The popular Aspen and Montauk lifestyle boutique has opened a location near the Katy Trail.
Galleria Dallas
Various Stores
• The Royal Standard, offering
gifts, apparel, and home décor that combine classic elements and modern touches, has opened on level 2.
• Lindsay Nicholas New York, a luxury womenswear label that melds the excitement of New York City with timeless fashion classics, has opened on level 1.
• Dallas-based crochet brand Knots & Loops, which offers a wide assortment of handcrafted pieces by women artisans, has opened on level 3.
CLOSED
Dallas Yoga Center
4140 Lemmon Avenue
The beloved yoga studio that kicked off the yoga trend with its trailblazing opening in 1989 closed its doors on Aug. 26.
– Compiled by Sarah Hodges and Claudia Carson-Habeeb
Editor’s Note: September’s Comings and Goings incorrectly described the location of Pickleball Kingdom. The new center, described as the “Dallas Galleria Location” by the company, is actually north of the prestigious mall. It will open later this year at 14060 Dallas Parkway.
This estate, once intended to become the city’s first Mandarin Oriental hotel, sits between the historic Rosewood Mansion and the planned Four Seasons Hotel & Residences. COURTESY OF MAGRINO
Keeks COURTESY THE NIX COMPANY
Wyld Blue COURTESY WYLD BLUE
Chefika COURTESY CHEFIKA
Läderach COURTESY LÄDERACH
AIA Dallas Tour of Homes Comes to Purdue Street
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
The contemporary University Park house featured in this year’s AIA Dallas Tour of Homes is an eye-catcher at 6,000 square feet on a double-lot. But it’s not out of place on Purdue Street.
“We are creating something that feels contextually appropriate, if not pushing the limits a little bit,” architect Andrew Stiglmeier explained. “But it doesn’t feel so far out that it’s a completely different thing that looks like you just dropped it in there.”
The home’s exterior, while striking, features familiar forms and materiality. And its intentional design
means it is more than just “a big white box,” Stiglmeier said.
The left side of the home features a two-story gable crafted of materials including plaster and limestone, along with contemporary steel detailing. At the home’s center is an atrium with a large, rectangular oculus.
The right side of the home “is a bit more of an ode to the more modern house,” Stiglmeier said. It has a flat roof that connects across and provides a lid for the atrium.
The frame is rectangular with metal siding, as opposed to the plaster and stone on the home’s left.
A steel balcony protrudes from the home’s right corner.
“It feels very organized, where the other side’s a little more organic, so
to speak, in that the shape and the windows are off center, and there’s an asymmetry there,” Stiglmeier said. “When you get the whole thing together with the relief of the atrium, it ends up feeling very balanced.”
The home’s interior combines spacious entertaining with intimate family life. Its owners have hosted up to 80 guests, and no one’s felt that it was overcrowded. But when guests walk through the home, it has “a connected feel,” Stiglmeier explained.
Spaces are designed for healthy family living. A golf simulator is connected to the larger of two home offices. 15-footwide stacking doors lead to a pool and hot tub in the backyard. And design elements, such as the front porch, are intended to
engage the neighborhood when interaction is desired, not completely isolate from it.
Does the home fit into the neighborhood enough? Is it too contemporary? Creating that dialog, Stiglmeier said, is one reason to include it on a home tour.
“It is something just a little bit different and exciting,” he said. “We think it’ll be exciting for people that aren’t super familiar with homes of this level, and then people that are very, very familiar with it as well.”
Stiglmeier drew inspiration from the home’s future owners in creating its design. They wanted a contemporary home that was efficient, and fit both their needs and the neighborhood’s aesthetic.
His company, A. Michael Architecture, worked in coordination with the interior designer, builder, and landscape architect to bring the future owners vision for the home to fruition. The process of designing the home began early in 2021, and they moved in last October, he said.
The tour, presented by the sixth largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects, annually features what members see as groundbreaking houses across North Texas.
TOUR OF HOMES
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27.
Tickets: $50 if purchased prior to Oct. 21, $60 the week of the tour. Visit hometourdallas.com.
This 6,000-square-foot contemporary home occupying a double-lot on Purdue Street in University Park combines spacious entertainment space with intimate family life. JENIFER BAKER AIA
A Designer’s Secrets for Styling a Gorgeous Bed
When I’m designing a bedroom for a client, I usually pick the bedding first. After all, the bed is the focal point of the bedroom and sets the mood for everything around it. Following up on my last article about choosing a mattress, this time, I’ll explain how to make your bed look like one you’d see in an interior design magazine.
Style and color
tral bedding and fewer pillows. A bed with a monochromatic color scheme should use a variety of textures.
Sheets
Your sheets should be the best quality you can afford because your skin comes in contact with them every day. I have a traditional house, Federal in style, so I have a turneddown bed where the coverlet and sheets are folded over. Since my sheets are visible, I like to keep multiple sets of sheets to change things up.
“Use your favorite colors, patterns, and textures; that way, when it’s done, you’ll enjoy living with it for a long time.”
A bed’s design style should always go with the architectural style of the house. In a traditional house, the bedding should have more detail, such as layered patterns and monogrammed sheets and pillowcases. For a contemporary house, it’s more appropriate to design a sleek and simple bed, probably with neu-
Bedspreads
I personal -
ly use a lot of matelassé bedspreads, which have a quilted-like fabric, because they’re washable. Peacock Alley carries matelassé bedspreads in lots of colors, and has all kinds of coordinating pillows, pillow shams, and sheets to go with them. Another brand that I like to use, especially for children’s rooms, is Annie Sel-
ke. Peacock Alley and Annie Selke both carry “semi-custom” items, where you can pick a fabric from a line and have it made.
Pillows
Decorative pillows are a must for adding more style, texture, or color to your bed. An odd-numbered, asymmetrical arrangement keeps things casual, while a symmetrical arrangement looks more formal. The pillows in front should be smaller than the ones in the back so you can see behind them.
Updating a single bed is easy if you follow these guidelines, but updating multiple beds in the house can get much more complicated. Whether you style your beds yourself or work with a professional, I think you should really like what you put on your bed. Use your favorite colors, patterns, and textures; that way, when it’s done, you’ll enjoy living with it for a long time.
Margaret Chambers, a registered interior designer (RID) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) member, leads Chambers Interiors and Associates. Her colleague Caitlin Crowley helped edit this column. Visit chambersinteriors.com/blog for more design advice.
Real Talk: Andrea and Aaron Estrada
Some hobbyists embrace gardening, landscape painting, sewing, baking, or even desktop role-playing games.
Andrea and Aaron Estrada enjoy painting curbs.
In 2011, they began expressing their creativity as a hobby by livening up address numbers on curbs.
“We painted curbs on and off until about 2020, when we decided to commit more to doing it full time,” they said in a recent email.
They don’t live in Highland Park, University Park, or the Preston Hollow area of Dallas but said they have painted about 150 houses in People Newspapers’ markets since 2020.
Andrea works with clients to create a design, and Aaron paints the curb. Search Facebook for their business name – Curb of Art –to c heck out their work.
having a home. Yes, we do very clean and simple work a lot, but we also specialize in interesting and intricate designs, and we view curb paintings as an extension of the homeowner’s personality and style.
Now that you’ve been an entrepreneur for a while, if you could go back in time and give yourself any advice, what would it be?
We would have invested back into our business for the upgrades needed a lot sooner.
What are your favorite themes/ images you’ve incorporated in someone’s curb art?
“We view curb paintings as an extension of the homeowner’s personality and style.” Andrea and Aaron Estrada
How/why did you get into this business?
We got into painting curbs as a way to make extra money and quickly realized our artistic abilities put our paintings in another category of “curb addresses” people described us as “not your average curb painters,” and when people hired us, they would say they went with us over anybody else because our designs and executions were better than anybody they have seen.
Why should I get my curb painted?
In today’s world of deliveries in food and online purchases along with emergency situations, having a visible address is a crucial part of
Experience comfort and luxury in this 6-bedroom home completed in 2023 in coveted Preston Hollow. Newly added pool, pickleball court, turfed yard, window treatments and $50K worth of AV equipment make 6731 Tulip better than new. The light-filled floor plan is highlighted by a gourmet kitchen with Wolf-Subzero appliances & built-in Miele espresso maker, temp-controlled wine room, dining room with grass cloth walls and a lacquered study. The first-floor, spa-like owner’s suite enjoys
One of our favorite themes was a Powerpuff Girls mid-century modern painting we did. We also have a wildflower line we have done that incorporates bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush flowers. We also do a lot of pet portraits.
What is your outlook on the Dallas market?
We love working in the Dallas area. People know what they want, and they pay for the best. We have a lot of repeat customers we have on file that we come out and paint for every two years.
Please give us a fun fact about yourself.
We make videos for Curb of Art showcasing our paint process on social medias like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
–Compiled by William Taylor
pool views. Guest suite doubles as pool bath, opening to the power-screened covered patio to complete the first floor. Upstairs, find a game room, gym and 4 ensuite bedrooms. Oversized utility (with 2 full-sized sets of washers and dryers and extra fridge), 3-car garage and gated driveway combine form with function. High-end finishes incl Marvin windows, Visual Comfort lighting, Walker Zanger tile & Emtek hardware. Just 3 blocks from St. Mark’s School and near other top-rated schools, shops and restaurants.
The great thing about upholstered headboards is that they can be made in many different shapes with almost any fabric to create interesting design statements. NATHAN SCHRODER WITH DESIGN BY MARGARET CHAMBERS
People to Know: Experts In Their Field
LIGHTHOUSE RECOVERY TEXAS
Lighthouse Recovery knows that addiction treatment is not “one size fits all.”
Mike Jones, Lighthouse co-founder and executive director, can personally attest to this. As a recovering addict himself, Jones created Lighthouse’s nationally-recognized, Long-Term Addiction Treatment Program to meet each patient where they are and focus on treating the underlying issues that cause addiction. Integrating top-tier outpatient psychiatric and clinical programming, Lighthouse provides true individualized care to each patient.
Unlike traditional 28-day programs, recovery at Lighthouse is not based on arbitrary timelines, but progress. Individuals move through a number of levels of care, each offering the appropriate accountability and support at that time. Jones said, “We help individuals build the confidence and self-esteem they need to overcome addiction over the long term.”
MIKE JONES
Alongside its signature Extended Care Program, which combines residential and clinical support for young-adult males, Lighthouse also offers Outpatient Treatment Programs such as Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
for both men and women. These programs combine group and individual therapy, alongside Recovery Coaching.
Later this year, Lighthouse is also launching Kind Psychiatry, a telehealth psychiatry practice meant to bridge the gap between quality care and the high costs typically associated with it. Jones believes there is no such thing as a “vanilla addict,” and that deeper mental health issues must be addressed to achieve long-term success. With Kind Psychiatry, he aims to provide the quality care that most cannot afford but that everyone deserves. “I always want to get across to everybody that there is help available, and it is not shameful to accept it,” Jones said. “Don’t wait too long to pick up the phone and get the care you need.”
5344 Alpha Rd., Dallas, TX 75240 lighthouserecoverytx.com Mjones@lighthouserecoverytx.com (214) 396-0259
prestonroad.org/85 prestonroad.org/85
LEFT TO RIGHT: Alexandra Lambring Billmyre, Austin Holmes, Amy T. Ford, Ryan Nordhaus*, Rob McAngus*+, George Parker*, Jim Mueller*+†^, Charlie Hodges (Of Counsel)*+†^, Abby Foster*+, Shane Landers, Kim Meaders, Ravi Mohan, Maddison Clark and Jason Naumann
Schools
A JOYFUL JUMPSTART
Wesley Prep’s chaplain brightens mornings for three decades
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb Claudia.Carson-Habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Despite the early-morning hour, the anticipation in the sanctuary is palpable.
An informal, child-friendly aura fills the space as a beloved individual, strumming an acoustic guitar, is familiarly clad in tie-die clergy attire.
Anyone who’s attended Wesley Prep’s interactive morning chapel in the last 26 years is familiar with the chaplain and director of spiritual development, Bruce Hearn, aka Mr. Bruce.
His one-word tagline of ‘JOOOOY’ reverberates a resounding elation through the rafters of the school. Sitting motionless is not an option.
Standing next to her dad and sister, third-grader London Grace Pendleton belted out the lyrics, “This little light of
mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”
Clearly, this isn’t London and Chloe’s dad’s first visit.
“What I do know, is that God would rather we laugh more - and frown less.” Bruce Hearn
“Chapel with Mr. Bruce creates a sense of community - the time together in the morning with my girls allows me to reflect,” William Pendleton said. “It adds a spark to their day, and it keeps me grounded as I start my day.”
Developing joyful leaders isn’t just a
AT A GLANCE
tagline for Mr. Bruce.
By acknowledging the worth of each child, the application of lessons and virtues can be integrated into their character development, he said.
“Character development is taught young, but you have to reach them where they are,” the chaplain said. “I want to equip the child with a strong spiritual core so they can understand their own worth, focus on their individual talents, and then ultimately have the ability to give gratitude and understanding to others.”
A fifth-generation preacher, Bruce Hearn grew up in a parsonage, taught himself how to play guitar, joined a handful of garage bands, and worked at WTIX radio in New Orleans. A fan of Mavis Staples’ music, his southern Louisiana roots gave him a taste for the blues.
“There’s actually a lot of joy in the blues,”
he remarked in a contemplative tone.
Whether a child is excited, anxious, or walking in with a mix of emotions, Mr. Bruce’s familiar songs provide a welcome serenity. His sentiments echo little hands clapping to the beat; self-consciousness exits the space.
“Mr. Bruce is such an important part of our mission to develop joyful leaders,” said Wesley Prep’s Head of School Meg Fahrenbrook, “He brings the kids to the forefront and chapel is all about them.”
That seems to be the consensus in the hallways as little feet scurry into classrooms.
As he accompanied a guest to the exit, Mr. Bruce offered another golden nugget of wisdom.
“I sure hope God has a huge sense of humor,” he said, pausing momentarily before adding, “What I do know, is that God would rather we laugh more - and frown less.”
Wesley Prep’s chaplain and director of spiritual development, Bruce Hearn, is known as Mr. Bruce. CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB
Wesley Prep is an independent school for students six months to sixth grade located at 9200 Inwood Road in Dallas.
Preston Hollow Youth Balances Studies and Sneakers Walker Scheer expands reselling passion by partnering in new store
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb Claudia.Carson-Habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
The sneaker trade is big business, as is evident in Dallas’s successful Sneaker Haven venture.
Sneaker enthusiasts watch for brand drops, even camping out for hours to buy a single pair of coveted shoes. Collaborations with megastars foster high demand and are responsible for revamping brands the likes of Adidas, ASICS, and PUMA. Those with the right approach and a finger on the pulse of the market can turn a passion for sneakers and an aptitude for following brands and forecasting fashion trends into a highly profitable venture.
Enter Walker Scheer, a 17-year-old dually enrolled student at Leeway Academy and Dallas College. A resident of Preston Hollow, Scheer has quietly been making waves in the sneaker industry since age 12. At the start, the young entrepreneur was running his business primarily out of his residence, often storing over 600 pairs of shoes at his home.
“I actually started buying and reselling sneakers so I could afford to buy more for myself,” Scheer admitted. When a back injury had him sidelined on the basketball court, he dove into the sneaker business with fervor.
In 2023, Scheer began selling shoes to Sneaker Haven, as its Mockingbird Station flagship store was rapidly gaining momentum and a large following. That summer he
was hired as a sales associate and built relationships with the store’s owners, Justin Viel and Haris Khan, the brains behind the successful store.
location and bring Walker on board as a 50% partner in the new store, set to open this October.
Juggling school with his expanding business is a challenge Scheer says he’s up for.
“My dad and other mentors have taught me that balance is key, plus, I have the mindset that in order to grow you have to learn lessons from both the good and the bad,” he said.
“I actually started buying and reselling sneakers so I could afford to buy more for myself.”
Walker Scheer
Research into the local market took time and dedication from the young entrepreneur who views the new Sneaker Haven store in Allen’s Watters Creek shopping center as an ideal location.
“It’s perfect for the niche and area of the market,” says Scheer.
As Scheer grew his relationship with Viel and Khan, his hard work and dedication paid off, leading to the decision for Sneaker Haven’s owners to open a second
The Sneaker Haven partnership represents the realization of a goal Scheer has had his eye on for some time, and the business is poised to appeal to the die-hard sneakerhead as well as the more temperate sneaker enthusiast.
Walker Scheer’s shoe-selling passion is taking him from sales associate at Sneaker Haven’s Mockingbird Station flagship store to a partner in a new store, which opens in October at Allen’s Watters Creek shopping center.
ASHLEY SCHEER
University Scholars Track Dinosaurs, Welcome Students, Acquire Art
What do scientists need to track the journey of dinosaurs across two continents despite an ocean in between? Matching footprints.
An international team of researchers led by SMU paleontologist Louis L. Jacobs has found matching Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks in Brazil and in Cameroon.
The more than 260 footprints show where land-dwelling dinosaurs were last able to freely cross between South America and Africa 120 million years ago before the two continents split apart.
“One of the youngest and narrowest geological connections between Africa and South America was the elbow of northeastern Brazil nestled against what is now the coast of Cameroon along the Gulf of Guinea,” Jacobs explained. “The two continents were continuous along that narrow stretch, so that animals on either side of that connection could potentially move across it.”
from Texas, California, and Florida, followed by New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Arizona.
The class, whose top interests are community service, internships, and study abroad, includes 22 veterans and 241 students who are the first in their families to go to college.
Most of the dinosaur fossils were created by three-toed theropod dinosaurs. A few were also likely made by sauropods or ornithischians, said Diana P. Vineyard, a research associate at SMU and co-author of the study published by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.
New Mustangs
SMU welcomed approximately 1,700 firstyear and 250 transfer students as classes resumed in August with most of those arriving
If all goes as planned, the first year on campus for these new students will be R. Gerald Turner’s last as president.
The 10th president of SMU has led the campus for more than 30 years but will transition to president emeritus whenever the next president of SMU takes office, likely on June 1, 2025.
“This transition process is being undertaken with my belief, and that of the Board, that the future success of the University is best assured when leadership changes are made while there is continued, positive momentum toward important agreed-upon future goals,” Turner said.
Contemporary collecting
The recent acquisition of four works of contemporary Spanish art supports the Meadows Museum’s focus on presenting the best of art from the Iberian Peninsula.
Pieces by renowned Spanish artists Ignasi Aballí and José Hernández, along with two by Miguel Zapata, add new facets to the museum’s collection and strengthen its holdings in this area, said Amanda W. Dotseth, the Linda P. and William A. Custard
“These acquisitions reaffirm our commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Spanish art from the present as well as the past,” she said.
– Compiled by William Taylor
Director of the museum.
CLOCKWISE: The footprints, impressed into mud and silt along ancient rivers and lakes, were found more than 3,700 miles away from each other. SMU’s newest students come from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 33 countries. Ignasi Aballí’s Inventario(2023), a work consisting of 45 digital prints, exemplifies the artist’s unique approach to “painting without painting.” CARLOS BAEZA AND COURTESY SMU
Compass School Introduces Inaugural Advisory Council
The Compass School of Texas has formed its inaugural Advisory Council.
The mix of independent educators and professionals will work with head of school Shelly Sender and director of advancement Katie Townend Doherty to guide efforts to innovate curriculum, strengthen organizational structures, and uphold the core values of community, family, leadership, purpose, and resilience.
The co-ed independent school in Preston Hollow opened in 2023, serving pre-K through second grade. It intends to expand to include up through grade eight.
Advisory council members:
• Ar nold Holtberg, advisory council chair – Holtberg served as headmaster of St. Mark’s School of Texas from 1993 until 2014, making him the longest-tenured headmaster in the school’s history. He is a published author and has been recognized nationally for his work, including serving on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.
• Mary Ann and Stan Greene – She was the founding director of The da Vinci School
and with her husband by her side, worked tirelessly for 37 years to grow the school into a highly respected and successful early child hood program in Dallas. They retired in 2023.
•Barbara and Michael York – She served as head of lower school and also taught stu dents for 22 years at the St. Mark’s School of Texas, and he was head of upper school at Greenhill, as well as a faculty member at the Episcopal School of Dallas.
•Larry Lacerte – The founder and CEO of Lacerte Tax Software has served on the Board of Trustees of top-tier independent schools such as Lamplighter, Christ the King, John Paul II Exploratory, Hockaday, and St. Mark’s School of Texas.
•George Tobolowsky – He was on the Board of Directors of Greenhill School for more than 12 years and oversaw construction for the board of Greenhill’s new gymnasium, natatorium, and middle school and was also involved in the conversion of the old middle school into the new fine arts center.
–Compiled by staff
Ready for the world ahead
& Lower School (Prekindergarten – Grade 4)
October 17, 2024 Middle & Upper School (Grades 5 – 12) Sunday, November 17, 2024
Parish opens the school year with Panther Nation Block Party, reveling in spirited fellowship with the whole family as students embark on the next phase of their educational journey. Through Wisdom, Honor and Service, as an inclusive Episcopal community, the School is devoted to helping students become creative learners and bold leaders, and find balance and joy as they discover themselves in a community of belonging and engagement. From parent and family activities, social/emotional programs, signature programs exploring leadership, STEM and global studies to awardwinning arts, championship athletics and premier facilities, possibilities are infinite at Parish!
Meadowbrook prepares confident, school-ready students in an intimate, structured and nurturing environment. We exist to empower your child with an individualized curriculum, proven for 54 YEARS. Our dedicated teachers, a one-of-a-kind curriculum, and passionate and invested families create an environment where every child loves school, is excited about learning and feels good about themselves. To learn more or book a tour, visit our website at www.meadowbrook-school.com
Grace Academy of Dallas 11306A Inwood Road Dallas, TX 75229 (214) 696-5648 www.graceacademy.com
Innovation and Collaboration
Alongside Hockaday’s strong college-prep curriculum, girls in Pre-K to Grade 12 are exposed to new fields and areas of study with an increased relevance to the world around them through extraordinary experiential classes and opportunities, including data science partnerships with SMU and AT&T, social entrepreneurship with the University of Pennsylvania, and trips to Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, among others. Faculty make learning a journey of discovery, where students aren’t just memorizing facts but are actively engaged, collaborating with peers, and shaping their educational paths to prepare them as the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
Hope Day School’s innovative curriculum for young children merges classroom learning with nature. Children study Texas habitats – the Gulf Coast, the forests of the Big Thicket, the Chihuahuan desert, the Guadalupe River. Events for children and families include the Texas Animal Olympics, spelunking through a bat cave, and family portraits in a bald eagle’s nest! The engaging curriculum aligns with state learning guidelines and has been shared by Texas Parks & Wildlife. Schedule a tour today! 469-328-1750
Grace Academy of Dallas is celebrating 50 years of being “Christ-Centered and Future-Focused.” Grace Academy is located in the heart of Preston Hollow and serves students in Pre-K3 through the sixth grade. We proudly partner with families to meet both the educational and spiritual needs of each child and offer a unique balance of an academically rigorous curriculum within a nurturing, Christian environment. Students are encouraged to maintain a balance of academic, spiritual, social, athletic, and artistic pursuits and to discover new gifts and talents. Join Grace Academy for a campus tour and discover how your child can “grow with grace!”
Here’s Where it Gets GOOD! Since 1959, Good Shepherd Episcopal School has provided an environment where children realize the best versions of themselves. Our students develop independence through structured intellectual exploration, foster meaningful relationships by engaging with and learning from multiple perspectives, practice empathy, grow spiritually by serving others, and respect the inherent dignity of every human being. By the time they leave Good Shepherd, they display a thriving sense of confidence and character, embracing curiosity and creativity, valuing all voices, respecting the environment and embodying a servant’s heart.
MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL
HOPE DAY SCHOOL
GRACE ACADEMY
GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Nic Fink Raising Up Next Generation of Chicken-Loving Swimmers
Olympic gold medalist shoots Cane’s promotional video, greets young fans
By Juliet Allan Special Contributor
What’s an American swimmer to do after medaling at the Olympics?
Nic Fink went to Raising Cane’s.
“The rest of the world seems to be catching up, so I’m hoping that the younger swimmers in the next generation take that personally.”
Nic Fink
Fink – who returned to his Park Cities home from the Paris Olympics with one gold and two silver medals – participat ed in interviews, signed merchandise, and served young fans in mid-August at a Webb Chapel location, where he shot promotional content for the chicken chain.
“The rest of the world seems to be catching up, so I’m hoping that the younger swimmers in the next generation take that personally,” Fink, who trains at SMU, said.
Valentina Calderon, a 12-year-old who swam for the Dallas Mustangs Swim Team and attends Episcopal School of Dallas, watched Fink on TV during his Olympic events.
When her mom saw a promotion for Fink’s upcoming collaboration with Cane’s, she decided to bring Valentina and her little brother.
flag-themed kickboard signed.
“It’s very cool that he’s out here and that people could come and be a part of it,” Dollins said.
“That’s how people fall in love with the sport.”
Fink said. “I had such a positive experience in college swimming, so I wanted to help facilitate other people having a great experience.”
The couple has lived in the Park Cities for about one year and is expecting a baby.
“I’m just really grateful I got to see him and talk to him,” Valentina said.
Whitney Dollins, a collegiate swimmer at Centre College in Kentucky, drove 40 minutes from her home in Decatur to participate in the event and get her American
Gold-medalist Melanie Fink, who coaches the women’s swim team at SMU, was also in attendance in support of her husband. She was popular with the young swimmers, greeting them and giving autographs.
“It ’s really cool to be a coach now,” Melanie
Between preparing for a new addition to the family and his day-job as an electrical engineer, Nic Fink says he’s taking time to find a “work-life balance” before deciding the future of his swimming career.
“I think I am ready to take a break before I make any decisions,” Nic Fink said. “LA ’28 is a long ways away.”
ABOVE: Nic Fink serves a young fan while filming promotional content. AT LEFT: Nic Fink and Melanie Fink pose in front of the Raising Cane’s logo. COURTESY RAISING CANE’S
Living KUBY FAMILY KNOWS WELL HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE
“Don’t ruin my sausage. Nobody wants jalapeño and cheddar in their sausage.”
Karl F. Kuby opened Kuby’s Sausage House in 1961, six years before a 2-week-old Karl F. Kuby Jr. became a fixture there because his mother, Ria, needed to return to the store soon after he was born.
Today, Kuby’s is the oldest and largest European market in Dallas, providing neighbors, travelers, and professional hockey players alike with sausage, meats, salads, and a dizzying array of German candies and seasoning mixes.
And, despite Karl Senior’s warning not to add jalapeño and cheese to his traditional German sausage recipe, it’s one of Kuby’s most-beloved and best-selling items and an illustration of how Kuby’s has acclimated to a modern, Texan palate.
Black-and-white and faded-colored photographs hang on the wood-paneled walls of Kuby’s, where folks with German roots feel at home, as if we are in our own Opa’s house. Photos tell the story of the evolution of the first Kuby’s in Kaiserslautern, Germany, where
“I hope it doesn’t change too much. It’s home. I grew up here.” Karl F. Kuby Jr.
Karl, Sr. was born and lived, before he and his wife immigrated to America in 1955.
What started as a tiny German deli that offered “fine lunches” for diners who grabbed one of six counter-top stools available, Kuby’s restaurant has evolved into a community cornerstone, where breakfast clubs have met for decades, families enjoy Saturday breakfast, and local citizens and captains of industry alike meet for business. Before Covid, Kuby’s was open for dinner, frequently hosting German bands on weekends. Its first expansion came in 1971 when its neighbor, Mr. Tuxedo, tired of hearing complaints
from customers that their tuxedos smelled like sausage, moved down the street. Kuby’s took that space and in 1977, took the space that now houses the restaurant. The Kubys own some prime real estate.
Though there are far fewer recent German immigrants nowadays, Kuby’s is still a vital grocery source. People flock to the market for sausages, high quality proteins including the smoked pork chops and ribs and the ubiquitous holiday staple, beef tenderloin, of which Kuby’s sells around 5,000 pounds per season.
It has a loyal following including some Dallas Stars’ Swedish
and Finnish players who buy Christmas hams that Kuby’s preps and marinates just for them.
Charles Leary, a Park Cities resident who works in the Middle East six months out of the year, brings a Yeti cooler filled with frozen sausages, jalapeño cheddar, and chipotle venison, back to Iraq where his fellow expats appreciate the delicacy.
When I polled Park Cities’ residents about their favorite Kuby’s items, the jalapeño pimento cheese, twice-baked baked potatoes, and chicken salad were overwhelming favorites.
There’s more to Kuby’s than the Snider Plaza location. As many
hunters know, Kuby’s also processes wild game.
“We process everything from alligator to zebra,” Karl told me.
“But the most common is venison, pork, and turkey.”
I asked Karl what Kuby’s is going to look like in five years.
“I hope it doesn’t change too much. It’s home. I grew up here.”
So many others have, too.
Kersten Rettig, a freelance writer with leadership experience in the food and travel industries, lives in the Park Cities, where she is known as “the restaurant sherpa” for her recommendations. Follow her on Instagram @KerstenEats
Bring Out The Pumpkins, Gourds, and Squash Autumn at the Arboretum: Texas Town celebrates settlers, history, fall traditions
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s iconic fall festival, which runs through Nov. 3, encourages guests to explore pioneer history amidst the 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash throughout the grounds.
“With an abundance of colorful pumpkins and historical charm, we invite everyone to celebrate the beauty of fall and a unique journey into Texas’ rich history,” said Sabina Carr, arboretum president and CEO.
Autumn at the Arboretum: Texas Town, presented by Reliant, explores Texas history with an immersive Lakeside Exhibit Area, where visitors can explore six pumpkin houses, each representing a unique aspect of Texas pioneer life, from the rustic charm of a log cabin to the bustling energy of a local saloon.
The festival also features fall
colors with 150,000 autumnal flowers — including marigolds, chrysanthemums, pentas and more — and a range of special events including Thursday night concerts, a market and craft fair (Oct. 12-13), and Halloween-themed activities. Visit Fall Vendor dallasarboretum. org for details.
The annual fall festival features fall colors, pumpkins galore, pioneer history lessons, and many other activities. COURTESY DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
Photographs capture the history of a family sausage-making tradition, from their first small deli in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the birthplace of Kark Kuby Sr., who immigrated with his wife to America in 1955, to the popular Kuby’s Sausage House, which has grown through the years in Snider Plaza. KURTZ CLICKS AND COURTESY KARL KUBY JR.
KERSTEN RETTIG
Move Over Pumpkin Spice; Fall Flavors Also Include Ginger
In late summer, my tastebuds are already craving the aromas and flavors of autumn and I’m obviously not the only one. Coffee shops now offer pumpkin spice lattes in August!
By the time October rolls around, my ovens are in perpetual bake mode, from hearty casseroles and roasts to everything cinnamon and spice.
One of my favorites this fall is gingersnaps — a recipe I developed for my national television cooking series At Home with Christy Rost Crispy on the edges and soft inside thanks to the addition of cornstarch, I love the way they fill the house with spicy aromas as they bake.
to the meeting,” these cookies are quick and easy to make. Just roll teaspoons of dough into balls between your hands and let the oven do the rest. They will stay fresh in an airtight container for a week — assuming someone hasn’t eaten them.
With their signature crinkle tops and sugar garnish, gingersnaps are irresistible during the fall, but they are also a great cookie to keep on hand for the approaching holiday season.
“They will stay fresh in an airtight container for a week – assuming someone hasn’t eaten them.”
Arranged in a basket as a host gift on Thanksgiving Day or tucked into cellophane sacs tied with red and green ribbon for neighbors or the postal carrier, you’re sure to receive rave reviews. Want to dress them up? Dip one end of each gingersnap into melted white chocolate, garnish with sprinkles or chopped nuts, and allow the chocolate to dry.
I always have the ingredients on hand, so I can whip up a batch whenever the mood strikes. For lunchboxes and after school snacks, coffee with friends, or the inevitable “will you please bring something
GINGERSNAPS
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened ½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup dark brown sugar, packed 1 egg
¼ cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger Granulated sugar, for garnish
Christy Rost is a cookbook author, host of Celebrating Home cooking videos, and longtime resident of the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. Her ‘At Home with Christy Rost’ cooking series for Eat This TV Network airs on AmazonFire, AppleTV+, Roku, Samsung TV, and YouTube. Visit christyrost.com for details and recipes.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light.
Add egg, beat well, and add molasses and vanilla, beating until they are thoroughly mixed.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Using a large spoon, gradually stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture until it is well blended.
Form cookie dough into a 1-inch balls and place them on greased cookie sheets. Bake 11 to 12 minutes. The cookies will spread. Sprinkle cookies with granulated sugar while they are still hot and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
Yield: 3 ½ dozen cookies
CHRISTY ROST CHRISTY ROST
Retired Pilot Enjoys Frontiers of Flight Museum
Bill
By Josh Hickman
Special Contributor
Staying active and engaged in life can prove challenging for many area seniors.
A 38.6% rise in Americans older than 65 in just the decade 2010-2020 and an increase of 200,000 cases of dementia in the U.S. 2023 to 2024 are just some of the factors facing elder care today.
But transitioning to the Preston of the Park Cities hasn’t slowed down 82-year-old ex-pilot Bill Cole.
“There’s an airplane in a museum that I’ve flown. I must really be old.”
Bill Cole
“I got into airplanes as a little kid,” Cole said.
Air Force basic training and Naval Academy prep school followed. Accepted into the Air Force Academy, he first trained in a Sesna 182 and was later assigned to C-130 transport planes in his active reserve unit in San Antonio.
“One of the interesting missions we did in San Antonio was fighting forest fires,” he said, recalling maneuvering fire-retardant dumps onto the blazes below. “It’s pretty effective.”
In 1968, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam.
“The first flight I did over there was at night,” he said. “We were picking up body bags. I was just stunned. We were mostly in transport — moving equipment, moving troops.”
Returning to the States after a year in Vietnam, Cole continued his Air Force career. “I did different kinds of missions, working with
our allies – went to France, went to Spain. You never knew what to expect.
“I wanted to get my 20 years in,” he explained. “I made lieutenant colonel, then I went up and talked to Southwest Airlines. They were just beginning back then.”
Cole continued in the reserves while flying for Southwest from 1980 to 2002.
“The only sad part was, at that time,
airline pilots had to retire at age 60,” he lamented. “I didn’t want to leave, so I went to the training center and got hired as a trainer. But I would’ve been happier if I could’ve flown for five more years.”
Until recently, Cole had been volunteering regularly at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where he remains a frequent visitor.
“I really enjoy being over there,” he said. “You meet a lot of interesting people.”
The first time he visited, he noticed a familiar looking 737. Noting the tail number, he referred to an old logbook.
“I said to myself, ‘There’s an airplane in a museum that I’ve flown,’” he chuckled. “‘I must really be old.’”
A much smaller vehicle at the museum also caught his eye.
“Herb Kelleher was a just a great man,” Cole said, recalling the Southwest Airlines co-founder. “We pilots bought him a motorcycle, because he was really into them.”
At the Preston of the Park Cities, Cole enjoys his sixth-floor balcony, which faces Love Field.
“This is my observation point, where I can see the airport,” he said, but seeing the planes makes him curse a little. “I wish I was still doing that.”
Though grounded, he stays active.
“I still like to work out. I go to the Cooper Clinic gym,” he said. “I go as often as I can, five days a week when I can manage it. All my years flying and roaming around, I’m not used to sitting around the house all day.”
Bill Cole, a frequent visitor to the Frontiers of Flight Museum, recalls when pilots gave a motorcycle to Southwest Airlines co-founder Herb Kelleher. COURTESY PRESTON OF THE PARK CITIES
Facts about HSAs and Medicare
Each year from mid-October through early December, we are inundated with commercials about the Medicare open enrollment period. For those signing up for the first time, the process can be daunting, and for those who have a Health Savings Account (HSA), it can be particularly confusing.
Here is a quick guide to help you get started.
Birthday month
If you are one of the 10,000 people turning 65 today, happy birthday! Did you know you also became eligible for Medicare on the first day of this month? That is because your initial Medicare enrollment is tied to your birthday month.
Your initial enrollment period spans three months before, and after, your birthday month so you have seven months to get enrolled this year.
At 65, many people are still working and have employer health benefits which will be their primary insurance during active employment. If this is true for you, you may decide to defer enrolling in Medicare until after you retire.
Pro tip: If you are still working at age 65, it is important to fill out the proper forms and provide proof of coverage at the time you decide to enroll in Medicare. This will prevent a late enrollment penalty that lasts in perpetuity.
Health savings accounts
HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that allow you to save and use pretax money for
Senior Source, TXU Help Neighbors Keep Cool
medical expenses. You can use HSA funds to pay for costs like copays, eligible health care, prescription drugs and various other things. There are special considerations with Medicare for those with an HSA. If you have an employer health insurance plan and an HSA, once you enroll in Medicare, you’re no longer eligible to contribute to the HSA without tax penalties. The good news is that if you established an HSA before enrolling in Medicare, you can still use the funds from your HSA account.
Penalties and exceptions
There is no penalty for having an established HSA when you’re enrolled in Medicare. Since those on Medicare are not eligible to contribute to an HSA, there are tax consequences if you do, including a 6% excise tax charge on excess contributions. Once you’re enrolled in Medicare, existing HSA savings can be used to pay premiums for Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, but they cannot be used for Medicare Supplement Insurance premiums.
More help
The Senior Source will be hosting Medicare open enrollment sessions this fall. Check the organization’s website for a calendar of events. Or for additional information and help with selecting a Medicare plan, contact The Senior Source at theseniorsource.org or 214-823-5700.
Carl Burlbaw, a leading expert on Medicare Exchange, has been with The Senior Source since 2014 and has served as the assistant director of its Elder Financial Safety Center since 2019. He has maintained his insurance license with the State of Texas since 2013 and specializes in advising older adults on the role that insurance plays in a person’s overall financial capacity.
October’s arrival should bring a break from the heat.
Over the summer that break came from The Senior Source and TXU Energy, who teamed up to help seniors beat the heat.
The partners distributed new window air conditioning units to more than 660 North Texas seniors who lacked access to reliable sources of air conditioning in their homes.
The units were purchased through a $30,000 donation from TXU’s Beat the Heat program and contributions from other
corporations, foundations, and individuals.
“Our body’s ability to respond to heat decreases with age,” said Stacey Malcolmson, CEO of The Senior Source. “For a senior who does not have a way to effectively cool their home, summer temperatures in Texas can put them at risk for a number of serious heat related illnesses.”
At least 334 people in Texas died from heat in 2023, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. – Staff report
CARL BURLBAW
More than 660 seniors received new window air conditioning units. COURTESY SENIOR SOURCCE
Edgemere Volunteers Make It a Barbie World for Girls in Need
During a pivotal and rare quiet moment in last summer’s wildly pink blockbuster Barbie , Margot Robbie in the title role notices an old woman sitting on the bench beside her.
“You’re beautiful,” Robbie says.
“I know,” replies the woman played by Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth.
Residents and staff of the Edgemere senior living community showed their own knowing beauty and kindness this summer as they demonstrated you’re never to old to collect Barbies, especially on behalf of children in need.
Working with the Ronnia Langston
Foundation, the seniors collected new dolls to improve the self-esteem of children across Dallas-Fort Worth with play therapy.
The collection drive benefited 50 girls across North Texas, said a spokesperson for the effort.
“A Barbie’s purpose is to inspire the limitless potential in every child,” she said. “Play therapy, including with a Barbie, offers a range of methods to capitalize on children’s natural urges to explore and harness it to meet and respond to their developmental needs.”
– Compiled by William Taylor
Better Business Bureau: Investment Scam Losses Rising
Investment scams are becoming much more costly for seniors and others duped into believing they are getting incredible returns, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns.
“It can feel like you’ve hit the jackpot –and then it comes crashing down when you realize your golden ticket to financial independence has turned into overwhelming debt or the loss of your life’s savings, because it was a scam,” said Heath er Massey, vice president of communications and community relations.
Through blend ing long-term romance or confidence scams and integrating cryptocurrency capabilities, median losses to investment scams have increased from $1,000 in 2021 to almost $6,000 this year, according to a BBB study re leased in September.
60% of reports to BBB Scam Tracker indicating these platforms were used.
BBB’s 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment scams as the No. 1 riskiest scam North American consumers encounter. In Texas, residents have reported $2.1 million lost to these schemes in 2024.
“The first-hand accounts and insights provided in this report will go a long way to helping experienced and new investors recognize the red flags of fraud,” Massey said.
The research focused on investment scam tactics and impacts during the past three years and included many first-hand accounts describing losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from retirement and savings accounts.
Social media and internet messaging applications are the primary method to initiate a cryptocurrency investment scam with over
Watch for these red flags:
• The investment strategy is guaranteed to generate massive returns.
• The opportunity is offered as a secret or leans on an online romance (e.g., “You should invest in X-Y-Z so we can get married,” or “I’m only telling you about this because I love you.”)
• The trader or contact becomes aggressive or insulting if their recommendation to invest more money is refused.
• The return can only be accessed after paying excessively high service, tax, or processing fees that were previously undisclosed.
Visit BBB.org/ScamStudies to learn more.
– Compiled by staff
BOOK REVIEW WITH MARY ROBERSON
THE SCIENCE OF MURDER… THE FORENSICS OF AGATHA CHRISTIE BY CARLA VALENTINE
TUESDAY • OCTOBER 15, 2024 10:30 - 11:30 AM
BELMONT VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING 3535 N HALL STREET DALLAS, TEXAS 75219
Discover the science of forensics through Agatha Christie’s novels in the ultimate true crime investigation! A fascinating, science-based deep dive, The Science of Murder examines the use of fingerprints, firearms, handwriting, blood spatter analysis, toxicology, and more in Christie’s beloved works. Spooky treats and drinks will be served.
For more information, contact Karisti Julia at kjulia@belmontvillage.com or 214-559-5408.
Edgemere residents and staff called it “Christmas in July” as they collected 50 Barbie dolls for girls across North Texas. COURTESY EDGEMERE
SMU Moved Sorority Recruitment to Fall — But for Some Students, It Started in the Spring
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
Sorority recruitment at SMU officially lasted for less than a week, but some potential new members began preparing months, or even a year, in advance.
Sorority rush coaches have long been helping students navigate the process. And at Hiking in Heels, a sorority recruitment coaching program that works with about 70 SMU freshmen and sophomores annually, slots for this fall filled up faster than ever.
That’s due, founder and CEO Stacia Damron said, to both SMU’s rush dates moving from spring to fall and to the increased visibility of the process on social media. Potential sorority members at SMU and other schools have used TikTok to share choreographed dances, house tours, fashion choices, and experiences, both good and bad.
“It’s never been uncommon to start getting ready as early as these girls do,” Damron said. “It’s just there’s more awareness about the timelines and the deadlines these days.”
And understanding those timelines is key to sorority recruitment
success. Sorority members are only allowed to vote for potential new members they’ve met, Damron explained. Submitting materials such as recommendation letters early means more exposure and a better opportunity to become known to a sorority before recruitment begins.
“Sorority recruitment is very much like a LinkedIn job or internship application in that yes, perhaps that company decides to list that role for 90 days,” she explained. “But we all kind of know in our brains, in our hearts, that if we’re the last one applying for that particular job on day 90, right before they take it down, of course they’ve already started reviewing the candidates.”
Hiking in Heels, a full-service company that specializes in certain schools, offers potential rushees 10 hours of private, one-on-one coaching.
The process begins with prerecruitment paperwork, including creation of a social resume and cover letter. Then, Hiking in Heels assists with letters of recommendation, and provides social media and networking training and a myriad of support during the registration process. Finally, it focuses on formal recruit-
ment, interview preparation, and a round-by-round overview of what to expect and how to prepare.
“We go over strategies, just like with SAT prep courses,” Damron said. “Yes, it’s about math and writing, but a certain percent of it in these prep courses is, ‘If you don’t know what to do, here’s how to guess.’”
Hiking in Heels coaching starts at $2,975 for 10 hours of one-onone coaching, or $3,975 for 10 hours of coaching plus unlimited on-call coaching and daily strategy sessions during the formal recruitment process. The company has plenty of competition. An online search for “sorority recruitment coaching” will pull up about a half-dozen other companies that help students prepare for Rush.
In 2025, Damron expects the company to reach capacity for SMU even faster than it did this year. Hiking in Heels has already filled about 30% of its slots for next fall.
“The early bird gets the worm when it comes to sorority recruitment prep,” said Damron, who emphasized that sorority membership is for everyone. “There’s so much you can do ahead of time to get ready and take control of. You don’t just have to sit there and wait for it to happen.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN
2300 Wolf St. #8BC
Residences at the Stoneleigh $6,975,000
Listed by Allie Beth Allman, Sanders Averea & Kyle Crews
This exquisite custom highrise home features the finest of finishes. Direct access elevator opens to a spectacular entry foyer reminiscent of Park Avenue, with lacquered privacy doors and walls along with limestone
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Incredible homes in University Park
The experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates are offering an array of move-in-ready homes in University Park.
If you’re hoping to secure a forever home in University Park, now is your moment to strike.
Known for its exceptional schools and beautiful residences, University Park is always in high demand.
That’s why working with an Allie Beth Allman & Associates expert in the area is a must.
A dream team of professionals is
flooring. The gourmet kitchen, designed by Christopher Peacock, features hand-crafted cabinetry and custom hardware that compliments the hand cut Ann Sachs tile backsplash. Cambria Borgini marble and Stone Smith countertops.The spacious primary suite has custom his and her bathrooms, featuring Zanger tile. A large, covered terrace accessible by hideaway sliding doors from the living area and is landscaped with custom faux plants, to remain. Three additional terraces are accessible from one of two studies as well as the guest suite & her master bath. Residence 8BC includes a private three-car garage adjacent two additional parking spaces, all located in a controlled access underground parking garage. Truly a one-of-akind, stunning home.
behind a breathtaking home at 3915 Southwestern Blvd.
Built in 2014, the transitional stunner with hints of English-style inspiration on the exterior was designed by architect Alex Eskenasy, built by Coats Homes, and given fashionable interiors by Jenkins Interiors. The result is a bespoke showpiece you’ll love to show off.
From the unique and colorful light fixtures to the sleek arched doorways and vast windows, the four-bedroom home is certainly meant to be admired. Most importantly, its 5,808 square feet of splendor was designed to be a backdrop for years of special memories and occasions.
The delightful 3844 Greenbrier Drive just found a buyer. It’s located just a block from Hyer Elementary and has an enchanting presence.
With a stone facade and light blue shutters, its character harkens to the peaceful villas of Provence. Once you step inside, the four-bedroom home’s gorgeous spaces easily make anyone feel at home.
SMU sororities had their formal recruitment from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. Stacia Damron, founder and CEO of Hiking in Heels. SARAH HODGES AND BRIDGETTE BLOOMQUIST
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP
Modern Oasis in Bluffview
4425 Pomona is currently being offered for $4,195,000.
4425 Pomona is a stunning modern oasis completed in 2020 and located in coveted Bluffview. More than $500K in upgrades including a saltwater pool & spa, exterior lighting & whole home filtration system. Drop down screens bring the outside in, while thoughtful landscaping provides a private retreat amidst walls of windows.
Oversized kitchen island anchors the openconcept living area. Primary suite enjoys pool views, custom closet and access to oversized laundry. Formal dining area and two additional bedrooms (one currently office) complete the first floor.
Upstairs, four living areas - currently gym, media room, game room and outdoor living - provide countless recreation options for kids and adults alike. Three upstairs bedrooms feature walk-in closets & ensuite baths. Backyard offers covered and open-air seating locations alongside outdoor kitchen.
Walled and gated front yard completes an enclosed grassy play yard. Easy access to Sudie Williams TAG Academy, area private schools and the shops & restaurants of Lovers Ln.
Contact Jamie Kohlmann (214.669.6520) for more information or visit www.DPMFineHomes.com
EBBY HALLIDAY
Broken Bow is More Than OK
Summer is over. But what if you could have an endless summer?
Calling all wanderlust seekers, adventure enthusiasts, and weekend escape artists, get ready to discover the charming town of Broken Bow, Okla. With its year-round attractions and proximity to North Texas, Broken Bow is the perfect destination for quick getaways.
Broken Bow is a dreamland for nature lovers and outdoor thrill-seekers. Get your hiking boots ready and hit the trails at Beavers Bend State Park. The views? Exceptional. Fishing? You’ll have a blast catching your dinner in crystal-clear lakes. If that’s not enough, kayak down the Mountain Fork or Glover Rivers. Zip through the treetops at Hochatown State Park and channel your inner cowboy while horseback riding through lush forests.
Interested in exploring Broken Bow’s creative and cultural side? Visit local art galleries filled with masterpieces or immerse yourself in the town’s history at the Museum of the Red River. And mark your calendars for the Kiamichi Owa-Chito Festival of the Forest, where you’ll experience a fusion of music, food, and art.
With demand for luxury vacation rentals soaring, now is an ideal time to consider purchasing a second home and/or investment property. To get started, visit ebby.com today.
DAVE
PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE
Transition to This Lock-andLeave Home in The House
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Allie Beth Allman & Associates sales soar in evolving market
Allie Beth Allman & Associates closed the second quarter leading in the sale of homes listed at $1 million and higher across Dallas County, according to the Multiple Listing Service.
Even with the real estate market changing in DFW, Allie Beth Allman & Associates finished its highestselling July ever, and the momentum keeps going.
The luxury brokerage closed more than $2 billion in sales during the first half of 2024. Its agents continue to lead the pack in Park Cities sales, finalizing more than $350 million in Highland Park ISD alone.
That impressive total accounts for more than 30 percent of the market’s home sales.
“Dallas real estate continues to be a reliable investment, so it’s still a great time to buy a home,” said Allie Beth Allman & Associates President and CEO Keith Conlon. “For us, sales have been strong and consistent all year, and inventory has picked up as well.”
Buyers are still coming to DFW in droves, attracted to the quality of life, lower taxes and strong business environment.
and Briarwood
Pocket neighborhoods like Bluffview and Briarwood offer homeowners unique character and convenience, according to Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents.
Two of Dallas’ most convenient neighborhoods, Bluffview and Briarwood, offer residents a charming vibe.
Both are among the city’s most popular neighborhoods, ones the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates know well. They can help you find the perfect home here. It might be one of these.
In the heart of Briarwood, a two-bedroom that could be converted to a three-bedroom home was expanded and remodeled in 2015.
The home at 5022 Purdue Ave. has a stone exterior and beautiful, white-oak flooring inside. The large primary suite has a vaulted ceiling, and the home is wired for a theater and security cameras. The detached two-car garage has a convenient rear driveway.
Also in Briarwood is a three-bedroom home that has a kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.
Walk you through the home at 4734 Elsby Ave. to get a true idea of its potential.
Hollow
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP Backyard Oasis in Coveted Preston
6731 Tulip is currently being offered for $4,195,000.
Experience comfort and luxury in this 6-bedroom home completed in 2023 in coveted Preston Hollow. Newly added pool, pickleball court, turfed yard, window treatments and $50K worth of AV equipment make 6731 Tulip better than new.
The light-filled floor plan is highlighted by a gourmet kitchen with Wolf-Subzero appliances & built-in Miele espresso maker, temp-controlled wine room, dining room with grass cloth walls and a lacquered study. The first-floor, spa-like owner’s suite enjoys pool views. Guest suite doubles as pool bath, opening to the powerscreened covered patio to complete the first floor.
Upstairs, find a game room, gym and 4 ensuite bedrooms. Oversized utility (with 2 full-sized sets of washers and dryers and extra fridge), 3-car garage and gated driveway combine form with function. Highend finishes incl Marvin windows, Visual Comfort lighting, Walker Zanger tile & Emtek hardware.
Just 3 blocks from St. Mark’s School and near other top-rated schools, shops and restaurants.
Contact Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008), Mike Baldwin (214.499.1233), Jamie Kohlmann (214.669.6520) for more information or visit www.DPMFineHomes.com
Experience the elegance of the coveted 04 plan at The House Condos, a Victory Park gem designed by Philippe Starck. This stunning high-rise residence at 2200 Victory Avenue #1204 (2200victory1204.daveperrymiller.com) on the southeast corner, offers sweeping views of the Dallas skyline. The 2-bedroom, 2.1-bath home is listed by Claudine King for $1,195,000.
The gourmet kitchen, equipped with marble counters, a Sub-Zero fridge and wine cooler, and premium Wolf appliances, is a chef’s dream.
The primary suite pampers with a Crema Marfil marble bathroom, featuring a double vanity, large soaking tub, and a spacious double-head shower. An additional bedroom offers its own luxurious marble bath, while a versatile second living space is ideal for a home office or cozy den.
The expansive 413-square-foot balcony is perfect for outdoor relaxation. Two EV-ready parking spaces complete this exceptional offering. Residents also enjoy world-class amenities, including a saline infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, fitness center, and 24/7 concierge services. Live in style and sophistication at The House Condos.
For questions or to schedule a showing, contact king at 214-789-0101 or claudine@dpmre.com.
Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (dpmre.com) is a division of the Ebby Halliday Companies, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, with four locations that specialize in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park and Farm & Ranch properties.
Belmont Village Turtle Creek offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care with the added support of around-the-clock nursing, medication management, onsite therapy, and award-winning programming.
Rigorous health and safety standards and programming adapted for social distancing have meant that residents continue to thrive. Residents stay fit in a heated pool and fitness center, are active in engaging programs and enjoy dining with neighbors. Every Belmont Village community is licensed to the highest level throughout, making it ideal for couples, and its specially trained staff works to find the right blend of care to support any lifestyle. Schedule a tour with Belmont Village today at 214-306-7687 to learn more. belmontvillage.com/turtlecreek
With the help of a proven agent, homeowners can rest assured their home will be expertly priced and presented to yield its maximum value when sold, Conlon said.
“Right now, as we shift into a buyer’s market, it’s more important than ever to have an agent who is plugged into everything going on in the neighborhoods that buyers want,” he said.
ALLIE
Luxury homes with prime walkability to great schools
The start of the school year often prompts homebuyers to search for a home close to great schools, according to Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents.
For those who already have an eye on buying a new home, now could be the perfect time to improve your lifestyle and move closer to coveted schools.
Discover luxury homes listed with Allie Beth Allman & Associates that will put you steps away from excellent educational options.
In University Park, a tree-lined Dallas neighborhood known for its academic institutions, a gem designed by famed architect Charles Dilbeck is available.
Mere minutes from University Park Elementary School and Snider Plaza, not to mention beautiful parks, 3620 Amherst Ave. provides an ideal location for those who love to get their steps in.
Also in University Park, 3213 Wentwood Drive is a remodeled, English-style home with 6,209 square feet and a stone facade and double front doors that welcome you with warm grandeur.
Inside, the two-story entry hall with barrel-vaulted ceilings continues to build a feeling of enchantment. It’s also a block away from Boone Elementary.
Preston Hollow puts you closer to the private school corridor, and 6436 Meadow Road is wonderfully walkable to St. Marks School.
From the refined living spaces to the backyard’s tranquil pool and spa, it has everything you need for entertaining and unwinding as a family.
It has a lovely outdoor living space with a pergola and a year-round playground, large enough for a trampoline. An electric vehicle charging outlet comes with it. Find the right home in Bluffview and Briarwood with an Allie Beth Allman & Associates real estate expert. Connect with an expert agent at: https:// www.alliebeth.com/roster/Agents.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Buyers seeking homes in Preston Hollow area
Preston Hollow homeowners want smooth sales and to secure the highest value for their prized properties, especially since the neighborhood is so sought-after.
That’s why many Preston Hollow area sellers come to the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates who thoroughly understand the area and its buyers. But the proof is in the sales. Here’s a look at recent sales closed by the luxury firm.
At 5603 Palomar Lane, a fashionable gem has changed hands. Everything about the 4,835-squarefoot house feels bold and luxurious for modern living. The new owner can enjoy the sun-drenched, open living spaces and oasis-like backyard.
A property to cherish, 4104 Walnut Meadow Lane exudes warmth with its rustic materials—including wood beams and iron details—and fosters an inviting atmosphere. Meticulously landscaped grounds surround a tranquil patio.
On a generous lot at 6605 Deloache Ave., a remodeled haven sold to a lucky buyer. It has a softcontemporary kitchen and bright living spaces within its cozy, 2,105-square-foot floor plan, as well as two wood burning fireplaces.
Lastly, a six-bedroom home with outdoor spaces that transport you to a faraway place recently sold, too. At 6230 Stichter Ave., the new owner can open huge doors to integrate their outdoor paradise with the chic interiors.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN Sitting pretty in Bluffview
According to Multiple Listing Service statistics, Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents lead in the sale of Dallas County homes listed at $1 million and higher year to date.
BETH ALLMAN
BELMONT VILLAGE TURTLE CREEK
Uncompromised Care, Unparalleled Hospitality With over 25 years of service in the Texas, Belmont Village Senior Living is a trusted choice for seniors and their families.
WAYS TO AVOID BECOMING OUR CLIENT 1
Friends often ask Kelly McClure and Francesca Blackard, Partners at McClure Law Group, what are the most common triggers for divorce. “It usually is not just one thing, but a culmination of things,” says Kelly. Here to share their friendly advice with you, Kelly and Francesca recommend avoiding these ten behaviors to keep you out of their law office:
Lack of Sexual Intimacy
We are all tired. We all have long days, but you have to think about the message you relay to your spouse when you constantly turn them down. We strongly believe that if the sex is still alive, the marriage is salvageable.
3
Every marriage goes through its ups and downs. Remember that when you are going through a hard time. Life throws us curveballs. It’s up to us to know that “this too shall pass.” Negativity
2
Prioritize time together, away from friends and away from children. Don’t forget to date your spouse. Get dressed up, try new restaurants, book that last minute trip to Miami! Be spontaneous! No Date Nights
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Every human struggles with insecurity. It is important for a spouse to feel loved and emotionally connected to their significant other. Say “I love you” often. Send a random text letting your spouse know you’re thinking about them. Little things make a huge difference. Lack of Emotional Intimacy
4 The old saying is true. If you don’t love yourself, you can’t love anyone else. Make sure you check in with yourself and your health both physically and mentally. You are half of your marriage anyway! Neglecting Oneself
6
All parents disagree on issues with their kids. We aren’t telling you to be a submissive spouse. What we are telling you is to listen, communicate and determine how to incorporate both of your styles. Get professional recommendations when necessary. The worst thing you can do
work, but do you take it to the next level? If you aren’t willing to share the details of your relationship with your spouse, then it probably isn’t a relationship you should be having.
Are you loading up your social calendar for girls’ or guys’ nights? If you’re spending more of your free time with your friends than your spouse, you may need to readjust your behavior. Many clients come in complaining that their spouse has closer relationships with their friends than them. Friend Nights on Repeat
