Preston Hollow People April 2025

ACROSS THE BLOCK ON MAIN STREET

That’s what they said — ‘They’ being my fellow apparel buyers at Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Neiman Marcus.

The Christmas window displays at 1618 Main Street dazzled me from the time I was a young girl. I watched as crowds oohed and aahed over the glamorous exhibits. My friends at the Kim Dawson Agency eagerly accepted invitations to pose live behind the glass while wearing the latest from Jean Paul Gautier.

When presented an opportunity to open a boutique down the street from the famed department store at another iconic Dallas landmark, The Statler, the indelible impression Neiman Marcus had left on me outshined the opinions of naysayers. Even so, most were not shy about sharing their cynicism regarding my latest venture.

My friend Sam Saladino was not one of them. Sam knew fashion, and he was the epitome of customer service. Greeting customers with his gregarious nature and his smart style, you’d be hard-pressed to walk out of Neiman’s without purchasing, at minimum, a pocket square from him.

Sam and his partner, Dallas-based fashion guru Ken Downing, championed the risk-taker. I soaked up my time with the pair, chatting about our love of Tom Ford and knowledge of Depeche Mode lyrics.

Downing eventually moved on from

Neiman Marcus Dallas to the New York fashion scene as the creative director for Halston. I spent a few more holiday seasons peering from my perch in the Wilson Building at the splendid window displays and Ken’s empty office space, pretending we were all jamming late night to “Personal Jesus.”

Perhaps something in our carefree psyches anticipated our approaching transition into “adulting”, and so we each forged independent paths, carrying on with flourishing, albeit varied, careers and grown-up lives.

It wasn’t until the news of the impending closing of NMDT that I gave those times much more than a fleeting thought. And to that end, I dug out some old photos glued onto the matte black pages of my photo albums and ran across some classic characters of that bygone era.

What struck me most about the closing of the famed department store was not solely a lamentation of our disposable society and decline in preserving old landmarks (which is also a valid reaction), but more so an appreciation for the people who made the iconic address a landmark of glamour and mystique.

For me, its closing symbolizes a lost reverence for the travelers who donned their Sunday best to board a plane, the photographers who

shot runway shows with a still camera, and the make-up pros who took pride in learning each product behind the cosmetics counter.

I love a downtown vibe and am optimistic about Dallas’ evolving one. During a recent trip to New York City, I was pleasantly surprised by the re-envisioned storefronts. Even the remodeling of the once dingy LaGuardia Airport impressed me with its revamped Admirals Club featuring the col orful paintings of Dallas artist JD Miller (who is featured in this month’s issue).

Perhaps it’s time I wander back over to The Wilson Building to reframe my worm’s eye recollection and focus in on a new angle from across the block on Main Street. The Giant Eyeball should serve as a striking reminder that times are only forgotten if we choose to close our eyes to them.

Louis Vuitton’s NYC flagship store is undergoing a multi-year renovation. Tony Tasset’s Giant Eyeball sits at 1601 Main Street in downtown Dallas. CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB

NEWS: St. Michael’s Shatters Goal in Record

Crime Reports Feb. 10 – March 9

Feb. 10

A motor vehicle was taken without consent in the 6800 block of Stefani Drive.

Feb. 11

A hit-and-run accident occurred in the 5600 block of Walnut Hill Lane.

A motor vehicle was stolen from a residence in the 12000 block of Whitman Lane.

A theft occurred at a residence in the 7500 block of Midbury Drive.

Feb. 12

A theft occurred inside a bank in the 6000 block of Sherry Lane.

After a restaurant employee in the  Preston Forest Shopping Center encountered an individual asleep in the restroom, the napper was issued a trespass citation.

A residence was broken into in the  5600 block of Willow Lane.

Feb. 13

A larceny offense occurred in the  6400 block of Royal Lane.

A theft occurred at a retail store in the 11700 block of Preston Road.

A theft of property occurred at a residence in the 7600 block of Northaven Road.

A motor vehicle was stolen in the 6300 block of Banderas Avenue.

An individual stole a car in the 5800 block of West Lovers Lane.

An individual attempted to cash a forged check in the 12000 block of Midway Road.

Feb. 14

A vehicle was broken into, and a handgun was stolen in the 5800 block of Walnut Hill Lane.

A larceny theft offense was issued after an individual broke into a vehicle and stole property in the 5900 block of Royal Lane.

A theft occurred at a retail store in the 11700 block of Preston Road.

Feb. 15

A motor vehicle was taken without consent

in the 6800 block of Stefani Drive.

An individual feared for their safety after being threatened in the 4700 block of West Lovers Lane.

A building was burglarized, and property was stolen in the 6000 block of Royal Lane.

A vehicle parked on school grounds had its window smashed and property was stolen in the 12000 block of Inwood Road.

Feb. 16

The door of a house in the 9700 block of Rockbrook Drive was pried open and damaged in an attempted breaking and entering.

An assault occurred in the 7900 block of Park Central Plaza.

Feb. 17

A theft occurred in an occupied family residence in the 6200 block of Norway Road.

A known individual stole sensitive paperwork from a family residence in the 6300 block of Royal Lane.

A theft occurred at a community recreation center in the 8300 block of Westchester Drive.

Feb. 18

A family residence was broken into in the 6300 block of Royal Lane.

A retail store was robbed in the  5500 block of West Lovers Lane.

Feb. 19

A theft occurred at a retail store in the 8100 block of Preston Road.

An individual received a death threat from another individual at a restaurant in the 4300 block of West Northwest Highway.

Feb. 20

A criminal trespass citation was issued to an individual carrying a firearm in the 7900 block of Forest Lane.

A medical emergency occurred in a parking lot in the  8200 block of Douglas Avenue.

A home in the 5500 block of Stonegate

Road was burglarized.

Feb. 21

An individual was publicly intoxicated in the 6300 block of Bandera Avenue.

An individual who was intoxicated was reported lost in the 10700 block of Preston Road.

A retail theft occurred in the  11700 block of Preston Road.

Feb. 22

An individual was caught stealing from a grocery store in the 10700 block of Preston Road.

Feb. 23

An individual damaged the rear window of a vehicle and rummaged through its contents in the 12000 block of Preston Road.

Feb. 25

Two laptops were stolen from a residence in the 8600 block of Baltimore Drive.

Feb. 26

An individual burglarized an abandoned building and attempted to take private property in the 6700 block of Hillcrest Drive.

Feb. 27

A car door was damaged in front of a residence in the 6700 block of Stefani Drive.

A vehicle was stolen from a commercial parking lot in the  4300 block of West Northwest Highway.

Feb. 28

A criminal who decided to forgo shopping at a retail center in the  5200 block of Forest Lane was nabbed after instead smashing the window of a vehicle and stealing property.

An individual was issued a criminal trespass warning on commercial property in the 7400 block of West Northwest Highway.

An individual broke into a locked vehicle and stole property in the 11000 block of Inwood Road.

March 1

A vehicle was damaged, and money was stolen from a retail parking lot in the 11700 block of Preston Road.

March 4

A vehicle was stolen from a parking lot in the 4300 block of Goodfellow Drive.

A suspect stole a car in the 12000 block of Inwood Road.

March 5

A space heater was stolen from a construction site in the 5300 block of the West Northwest Highway.

March 6

Property was stolen from a vehicle in the 7700 block of Forest Lane.

March 7

A vehicle was vandalized while being covered in Saran Wrap in the 4400 block of Alta Vista Lane.

A vehicle was forcefully taken from a parking lot in the 5000 block of West Lovers Lane.

March 8

A vehicle was broken into, and property was stolen in the 8100 block of Preston Road.

March 9

An individual threatened to fire a gun at a temple located in the 8500 block of Hillcrest Road.

of the MONTH: CROOKED CRIMINAL HITS STRAIT LANE

A burglar smashed the glass of a rear entrance door at a residence in the 10600 block of Strait Lane and stole property on Feb. 23. For more crimes, visit peoplenewspapers.com/ category/crime/

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I hope that when decisions are being made about residency, The Tradition is what first comes to mind. Please make an appointment to tour our beautiful community, meet residents and staff firsthand, and learn more. I look forward to welcoming you home!

& CEO The Tradition

Downtown Store’s Fate Prompts Neiman Marcus Reminiscing

Editor’s note: At press time, Saks Global still planned to close the downtown Neiman Marcus store though Dallas leaders were working to change the company’s mind.

Recent area hubbub and lamenting over the passing of the venerable downtown Neiman Marcus flagship store and its chic, sleek Zodiac Room restaurant has prompted me to reflect upon the local icon and my personal connection to it.

At various times since the 1990s, both my parents and I lived a scant two blocks away.

From 2003-2005, I worked as a freelancer in the art department there — one of the few “regular” jobs I ever had that I actually liked. But, of course, the fond memories go much further back.

The location at Main and Ervay streets opened in September of 1914, though Neiman’s had been downtown since 1907.

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In my later days working in the art department, I perilously hung Christmas garlands on the roof, spent sweltering summer days digging through rugs in the storage room down the street, hot-glued feather butterflies around $30,000 dresses in holiday window displays, and laughed with a team of people who would become lifelong friends. I even met the woman who would become my 13-year girlfriend there. I was there for the May 2005 Neiman Marcus Group leveraged buyout, when question marks hung over so many heads.

“All of those days browsing, dreaming, eating, and shopping — both window and otherwise — are lost to ethers of luminous memory – a vision for many of the perfect store.”

My memories of visiting the store stretch back into the early 1980s, when the city was experiencing a bit of a renaissance with the international popularity of the TV show Dallas

I recall Fortnights with exotic décor and Shar Pei puppies, glamorous trunk shows, and In Circle parties during which my parents would consume all the free hors d’oeuvres and wine politely possible.

The Epicure Shop offered, among many other delicacies, tastes of Texas to the world via the Red River brand of salsas, tortilla chips, et al. There were fashion shows, in-store art exhibits, and the Christmas catalog, which my mother always pored over with a chuckle, eyeing its outlandish His-and-Hers gifts, including pairs of airplanes and live tigers.

The Zodiac Room restaurant opened in 1953, giving shoppers a place to cool their heels and grab a bite without having to leave the store. It quickly became a place to see and be seen, a watering hole for elite shoppers and socialites. I wonder if it wasn’t the inspiration for the bohemian club of the same name in the film Bell, Book and Candle (1957). Though its mid-century astrological décor had been wiped away years ago, The Zodiac’s popovers with strawberry butter/demitasse of chicken broth combo and NM chicken salad were always classy and comforting mainstays. Even in her final years, my mother was a regular — sometimes daily — visitor to the store. For her it was a ritual, a whiff of the luxury she so longed for. Though more of a window-shopper then, she was known to many employees, dragging her chihuahua in tow, still using her little, cream-colored 1970s-era Neiman’s credit card. Sadly, we aren’t likely to see a department store the likes of Neiman Marcus again. All of those days browsing, dreaming, eating, and shopping — both window and otherwise — are lost to ethers of luminous memory – a vision for many of the perfect store.

Josh Hickman, a Park Cities artist and author of such humorous novels as “I Am Luney: The Untold Story of The World’s Naughtiest Man,” is a frequent contributor to People Newspapers. Visit joshhickmanbooks.com.

Founder

JOSH HICKMAN

Preston Hollow financial advisor and shopper Sharon Killion and writer Josh Hickman dine again at the Zodiac while they still can. COURTESY PHOTO

SPRING INTO ACTION

Voters to Decide on City Council Candidates in Upcoming Election

By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com

Voters will head to the polls to decide the Dallas City Council members on May 3.

In District 13, incumbent Gay Donnell Willis is being challenged by real estate professional Diane W. Benjamin.

Benjamin outlined her top issues to include a reduction of crime, fiscal accountability, and the preservation of residential zoning.

“I, myself, was robbed at gunpoint in my house after being followed home from Tom Thumb. We need to attend to [crime] with rule of law. If you steal, you get arrested. Period,” she said.

Benjamin vows to do a deep dive into the city’s budget and implement the DOGE process, which she also refers to as “Diane’s Organized Government.”

“I love trees. I was raised on a 50-acre farm in New York State. But $6 million could pay for a heck of a lot more officers and take care of our priority, which is public safety,” she said, adding that the budget should be prioritizing police over counting trees or adding artwork to dog parks.

“I will demand thorough oversight of city spending and redirect resources to essential services that matter to residents,” Benjamin said.

Referring to a report rating District 13’s street conditions as ‘poor’, the candidate said, “When I serve on the City Council, I have to be downtown at City Hall, and I want to get there with my car intact.”

Residential zoning in Dallas is something

she also takes personally, Benjamin said.

“I’m what they call a veteran Realtor. I have taken an oath in my industry to protect the fiduciary for my clients, and to protect the value of their homes. If an investment in [a home] is threatened by high-density, low-income zoning — like what’s happening in Pepper Square — that value in that property is diminished,” she said.

Gay Donnell Willis, who is seeking a third term as District 13’s Council representative, outlined key issues in her campaign to include public safety, growing tax revenue through retail and housing developments while keeping property taxes low, and the repair of streets, alleys, and sidewalks.

“I was the loudest voice for street and alley funding in the 2024 bond program,”

Love Your Week Week

Willis said. “I just would not be quiet about that one.”

She voted to increase the allocation for street repair to $521 million from a $375 million budgeted range. “In my first budget session, I led the charge to have Public Works funds earmarked for dilapidated alleys across the city.”

Willis, who voted against short-term rentals in neighborhoods with single family homes, hopes to encourage case-bycase evaluation of the city’s housing and retail developments.

“Each zoning case should be evaluated for its own merits, starting with an open mind and gathering feedback to shape the best possible outcome for residents,” she said. “There are some shopping centers … where nothing has happened in a long

With 650 volunteer spots in one week, there’s room for everyone to get involved:

• Serve meals at the Second Chance Café • Help neighbors shop for groceries at the Food Pantry

• Work on courtyard beautification projects at The Stewpot’s new campus

• Help with Streetside Showers to provide showers for neighbors on the street

time, and it won’t be long before you see some businesses crop up that you may not want to see … or they may just be boarded up, in which case they may draw vagrants and crime.”

Willis referenced downtown projects such as Goldman Sachs and Newpark that will benefit all of Dallas, bringing in well-paying jobs and maximizing the returns on prime downtown real estate which will help drive tax revenue to city coffers.

“For the three and a half years I’ve been on Council, I voted ‘Yes’ to lowering [property] taxes. This year the tax rate was lowered more than the last 40 years,” Willis said.

The councilwoman has voted to raise police officer presence; her recent vote to increase recruitment from 250 to 300 officers garnering praise from her constituents.

“I’m proud to serve on the Public Safety Committee, where the first look at new crime reduction plans is presented and strategies for officer recruitment and retention are thoroughly reviewed,” she said.

The councilmember reports research efforts and creative thinking are being poured into boosting officer recruitment, including the offering of generous referral bonuses, a sick time buyback program, and a four-day work week to help improve work-life balance for officers.

“District 13 is one of the safest districts in the city,” said Willis, who referenced an 18% drop in crime across all categories in the district.

“Feeling safe in your neighborhood is the cornerstone of our quality of life,” she said.

FROM LEFT: Diane W. Benjamin and Gay Donnell Willis. COURTESY PHOTOS

7/9.2

Happenings on the Hill

SMU President-elect Jay Hartzell won’t be the only “new” face to welcome to campus.

Hartzell, who has worked for SMU before, will leave his post as the 30th president of The University of Texas at Austin to become SMU’s president, effective June 1.

His return to the campus comes as the university welcomes new leadership for the Edwin L. Cox School of Business and the Perkins School of Theology and begins a transition in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Todd Milbourn

Milbourn, a corporate finance expert, was selected with input from Hartzell to become the 10th dean of Cox and hold the Tolleson Chair in Business Leadership.

“Dr. Milbourn’s strong track record as a faculty member, academic leader, educator, researcher, and business collaborator – all from within a private R1 university in a dynamic urban area – make him a natural fit to lead the Cox School of Business to the next level,” said Elizabeth G. Loboa, SMU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

At Washington University’s Olin Business School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he spent the past 25 years, Milbourn increased the number of faculty members from 80 to 150 and improved research impact, expanded the Ph.D. program, led the rollout of several specialized master’s pro -

grams and facilitated the establishment of four new research centers.

Bryan P. Stone

Stone, an innovative educator, researcher, and bridge-builder who earned his doctorate in religious studies at SMU in 1992, returns to campus as the new Leighton K. Farrell Dean of the Perkins School of Theology.

Since 1998, he has been at the Boston University School of Theology, most recently as associate dean for academic affairs and the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism.

In 2005, Stone co-founded and became co-director of the Theology School’s Center for Practical Theology, designed to strengthen the relationship between the BU School of Theology and the needs of Christian communities.

“Dr. Stone is a dynamic university leader who brings the skillset of active researcher, passionate educator, and collaborative administrator to SMU and Perkins at a time of strategic importance for the school and for our university,” Loboa said.

Stephanie Knight

The Leon Simmons Endowed Dean of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development will conclude her deanship on May 31. Knight has served as the school’s dean since August 2017.

“Dean Knight’s commitment to advancing the field of education, fostering innovative research, and creating meaningful partnerships has made a lasting impact on both the Simmons School and the broader community,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner.

Dallas Literary Festival

Pulitzer Prize winners, New York Times bestselling authors, literary consultants, poets, publicists, and creative writing professors will discuss storytelling through the lens of “my country” and how that informs memoir, poetry, food writing, fiction, and nonfiction.

The April 2-3 event will occur in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and Dallas Hall. Local poets and musicians will perform on SMU’s Main Quad.

SMU creative writing faculty member Sanderia Faye Smith is executive director of the festival for the fourth year. “Storytelling is the most powerful tool we have to tell history – it keeps us attached to our ancestors and helps us look to the future.”

– Compiled by William Taylor

FROM LEFT: Todd Milbourn, Bryan P. Stone, and Stephanie Knight. COURTESY SMU

HUNTER LACEY MAKES A PLACE FOR CREATION Teacher

opens studio to bolster opportunities for

By Josh Hickman Special Contributor

During a recent opening-day visit to Creation Studio off Southwestern Boulevard, founder and executive director Hunter Lacey explained her mission to empower adults with disabilities to become working artists and diversify the arts by sharing their artwork with the public.

Lacey, a photojournalist from Preston Hollow, draws upon her experience growing up alongside a brother with disabilities.

“In doing my thesis on the positive aspects of employment for people with disabilities, I was back in that world,” she recalled. “I realized how comfortable I felt there and how much I resonate with that community.”

While teaching journalism at The Hockaday School this past year, she discovered the enduring success of the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, via a fellow teacher.

“This is everything I love coming together,” she observed. “I wondered if this exists in Dallas. If so, this is my dream job.”

With no such opportunity, Lacey decided to create one. She consulted her parents, who had founded a school for children with disabilities, Chase’s Place, named after their son.

“When they told me they thought it was a great idea, I felt encouraged,” she said. “I just went for it — started reaching out to people, family friends, other people in the community to see about fundraising.

Donations are accepted on the website, and 50% of art sales go to the artist, with 50% returning to the nonprofit for supplies, rent, etc.

Locally popular young UP artist Reese Gould is already attending.

“One of my favorite things about spending time with people with disabilities is that they’re very open and accepting of you, however you come.”

Hunter Lacey

The nonprofit studio is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at no cost to the artists.

“There’s a lot of artists with disabilities in any city, it’s just figuring out where they are,” Lacey said.

Mondays and Thursdays are open studio for artists to work on their projects. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are drawing and painting classes taught by Lacey’s sister, artist Anabelle Folsom. Fridays are fiber art and photography, helmed by Lacey.

“I’m thinking in April or May we’ll do

special artists

our first show,” Lacey said. “We’re keeping it small at the beginning so we can really provide value to them as artists — giving them the space, time, and attention they need to make really quality art and giving them the platform to share it with other people.

“I would love to partner with other galleries as we get more established, maybe even partner with the DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) down the line. I have lots of hopes and dreams for it. From reading what other galleries like us have done around the country, I know there’s a lot of potential.”

She also understands the potential of her artists.

“One of my favorite things about spending time with people with disabilities is that they’re very open and accepting of you, however you come,” she said. “I feel more at home because I know they’re not really judging me or thinking any preconceived notions about me, ‘Here’s a new person, I want to befriend her.’”

Cooper Raiff Finds Humor Amid Heartbreak in His Debut TV Series Greenhill alum’s ‘Hal & Harper’ seeking distribution after Sundance premiere

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

The anxiety and trepidation that plagued Cooper Raiff during his college years continues to be a healthy source of creative inspiration.

For his first television series, the independently produced comedy-drama “Hal & Harper,” the 28-year-old Dallas native and Greenhill School alum chronicles two siblings forced to mature before their time in a grieving and slightly dysfunctional family.

“I wanted to make it the same way I made my movies. That’s what we did.” Cooper Raiff

He conceived the idea around the same time as his award-win-

ning 2020 feature debut Shithouse — when he was dealing with emptiness and uncertainty after leaving home for the first time and coping with life at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

“Seven years ago, I had what I thought was a funny idea about two kids who grew up too fast and they’re played by adults,” Raiff said at the recent Sundance Film Festival in Utah. “It was not funny to any of

my friends, but I wanted to explore why I thought it was funny.”

At the time, Raiff mapped it out as a low-budget web series with two children in their beds, discussing the awful things their father had said to them. Revisiting the concept, he thought about setting it in the present day and finding ways to connect it to his own life.

It became his ambitious follow-up to his acclaimed 2022 fea-

ture Cha Cha Real Smooth, with Raiff retaining the idea of adults playing themselves as small children.

Raiff plays Hal and Lili Reinhart (“Riverdale”) plays his sardonic older sister — both in their preteen years, when coping with their mother’s suicide and a father (Mark Ruffalo) who is unable to handle single parenthood, and in their 20s, when trying to shed their codependency and resentment while start-

ing other relationships as adults. Reinhart said she met Raiff about a year before shooting began, and since they were both dealing with some emotional turmoil in their personal lives at the time, it became a means of connection. She even invited Raiff on a pre-planned “healing trip” to California’s Mount Shasta.

“We were just able to spend more time together,” Reinhart said. “That was paramount in building the chemistry and creating more of a sibling dynamic. That’s a privilege not a lot of people get.”

Raiff and the cast shot all eight episodes as though they were making a five-hour movie. Since it’s an independent project, whether it airs outside the festival circuit will depend upon which network or streamer acquires it for broadcast.

“I don’t know how to make a TV show at all,” Raiff said. “But I didn’t want to develop it in the normal TV way. I wanted to make it the same way I made my movies. That’s what we did.”

Cooper Raiff, left, stars in the show alongside Lili Reinhart and Mark Ruffalo. SMALL IDEAS

Special young artists like Chase find encouragement and opportunity at the studio opened by Hunter Lacey. PHOTOS JOSH HICKMAN AND COURTESY HUNTER LACEY

‘Preston

Legendary R ESULTS

• Christiana Adesanya and Elle Myers, two members of Hockaday’s Class of 2025, who received Girl Scout Gold awards, the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Christiana Adesanya’s project focused on adolescent substance abuse education. Inspired by her mother’s nursing experience, she developed “Facts for the Future: Combating Adolescent Substance Abuse.” The educational initiative provided middle school students with engaging, research-based lessons on nicotine, THC, and fentanyl.

Elle Myers’ project titled, “TIP: Food Choices Matter,” aimed to help families become aware of food additives and chemicals and the need to substitute healthier options. She also started a petition at change. org to bring awareness and promote change in the manufacturing of food in the US, wrote an article that reached over 1,200 homes regarding healthier food options, and completed direct education about food choices at community events.

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• Michael P. Coffey for receiving the Aggie Service Award from the University of California, Davis. The Cal Aggie Alumni Association celebrates the lasting impact alumni have made on their communities and the university. Coffey is involved with his church, Christ the King, and is a board chairman for The Family Place.

• Elijah Kim for winning the Gold Medal at the 2025 Junior Olympics — Cadet Men’s Saber. The Class of 2028 national champion is a student at the St. Marks School of Texas and trains at the Globus Fencing Academy. USA

Fencing posted an interview with Elijah on Instagram where he credited his dad for helping him reset mentally before the finals and thanked his mom for being there for him through thick and thin.

— Compiled by Claudia

Carson-Habeeb

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HOW YAVNEH MADE HISTORY WITH ANOTHER TAPPS TITLE

Furious rally keys second crown for Modern Orthodox prep school

By Mike Waters Special Contributor

Akiba Yavneh Academy took “finishing strong” to another level in its TAPPS boys basketball championship game.

The Bulldogs closed on a 16-1 run as part of a late rally to capture the 3A championship with a 55-45 victory over Waco Live Oak on Feb. 27 in Waco. Down five early in the fourth quarter, Yavneh head coach Zachary Pollack called a timeout that changed the course of the game.

“This is just so amazing to finish like this.”

Darren Sacher

“We made some defensive adjustments during the timeout,” Pollack said. “We went to a combination of a 2-3 and 3-2 zone. We call it our ‘Warrior’ defense.”

The smothering Yavneh defense did not allow a basket the remainder of the game as Live

which became the first Jewish school to win a Texas state hoops championship in 2020, repeated the feat this season.

Oak was limited to making just one free throw. Leading the Bulldogs on defense was junior guard Brendy Eber, who came up with three steals down the stretch.

A trio of three-point baskets

— two from junior Aeden Haviv and one by sophomore Jake Yalovsky — fueled a fast Yavneh start, as it held a 15-9 advantage after the opening quarter.

Haviv also totaled 15 points

in the victory, and along with Darren Sacher and Eber, was selected to the all-tournament team. The Bulldogs knocked down seven 3-pointers total.

“I felt coming into the game

we needed to make some threes,” Pollack said. “And keep their shooters from making threes, which we did a good job of executing most of the game.”

The Bulldogs (21-9) later extended a 26-16 halftime advantage to 14 points early in the third period. But Live Oak’s 20-5 run left the Bulldogs trailing by one headed to the final quarter.

That set the stage for the amazing finish that culminated with the second-ever TAPPS state crown in boys basketball for the Jewish Modern Orthodox college prep school, the first coming in 2020. The Bulldogs were making their seventh overall state tournament appearance, all since 2017.

“A dream come true,” said Sacher, who recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal in the championship victory. “Since my freshman year, we have come close a few times. This is just so amazing to finish like this.”

The win capped an impressive playoff run for Yavneh, which ousted district foe Lakehill in the state semifinals and Abilene Christian before that. The Falcons (29-7) were riding a 25game win streak entering the title matchup.

SPC Sting: Hornets Complete Championship Season on Hardwood Greenhill girls, ESD boys among runner-up finishers at conference tournament

By Mike Waters Special Contributor

Joey Sims emphatically states that Dillon Watt and Jaxson Thompson form the “best backcourt in the state.”

The dynamic duo validated that praise from the Greenhill boys basketball coach throughout this season, culminating in a convincing 79-65 victory over defending champion Houston Episcopal in February that earned the Hornets their first SPC title in more than a quarter-century.

“They are my go-to guys,” Sims said. “I don’t think there is a better guard combo around. They have just been tremendous for us all season.”

Watt and Thompson tossed in 22 points apiece as third-seed Greenhill (29-4) bolted to a 25-11 first-quarter advantage and maintained a double-digit lead in the final three quarters. Thompson ensured Greenhill advanced to the title game, knocking down the game-winning shot with 2.1 seconds remaining against rival St. Mark’s the day before.  Greenhill, which last won both boys and girls basketball titles the same season in 1999, almost duplicated that feat in the 4A division, but the girls dropped an 80-62 contest to top seed Houston

Kinkaid in their championship game.

“We played a good first half,” said longtime Greenhill head coach Darryn Sandler. “Then Kinkaid really got it going in the third quarter and we never recovered.”

Greenhill (25-8) was led by sophomore Ava John, who tallied a team-high 24 points. Diya

Jain added 16 points, including 14 in the first half. Vivian Franklin, a Cal Poly signee, chipped in with 13. The Hornets were riding a 15-game winning streak entering the title matchup.

Meanwhile, the Episcopal School of Dallas boys narrowly missed their first SPC championship since 2010, falling to defending cham-

pion Austin St. Andrew’s 58-50 in the 3A division. The Eagles (20-14) were paced by sophomore Khizer Salmon with a team-high 15 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Elsewhere at the SPC winter championships in Fort Worth, Greenhill was the 4A boys soccer runner-up after falling 3-0 to Houston Episcopal. Hockaday lost in the 4A girls championship game 2-1 against Austin St. Stephen’s.

“They have just been tremendous for us all season.”

Joey Sims

In swimming, St. Mark’s claimed its third straight SPC team title, and 19th since 2001. Ethan Wang broke school records in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly, while George Hoverman set a new 100 breaststroke mark.

The Lions also had three individual gold medalists in wrestling — Ferris Gottlich (113 pounds), Zach Golle (120 pounds), and Wyatt Loehr (165 pounds) — as part of a fifth-place team finish.

Yavneh Academy,

Greenhill capped a dominant boys basketball season with its first SPC championship since 1999. COURTESY

LEFT TO RIGHT: Alexandra Billmyre, Austin Holmes, Amy Ford, Ryan Nordhaus*, Rob McAngus*+†, George Parker*, Jim Mueller*•+†, Charlie Hodges*•+†, Abby M. Foster*+, Shane Landers, Kim Meaders, Ravi Mohan, and Maddison Clark

CULTURAL SURROUNDINGS BECOMES A FAMILY BUSINESS Paula Wenstrom transforms buildings, especially libraries

By Josh Hickman Special Contributor

Preston Hollow designer Paula Wenstrom’s mission to renovate and reimagine public spaces and workspaces has become a family affair.

For 33 years her company Cultural Surroundings has been updating and reworking commercial spaces, home interiors, and home offices, though she has branched out more recently into new companies with her sons, Montgomery and Gavin McKenzie, both Highland Park High School graduates.

An urgent installation in south Texas necessitated Montgomery’s assistance, which led to him working with his mother daily to build the business. Talented in computer graphics, Gavin’s part-time work rendering products for the website during college led to full-time work in the companies.

“My Unique Office is Montgomery’s,” Paula explained. “My Unique Closet, working with the same Portuguese manufacturer, is also more geared to e-commerce, where you can create your own desk or closet system via drag-and-drop. It will launch later this year.”

Wenstrom moved to Texas with an interior design degree from the University of Illinois. Working retail, she found herself taking the reins of a library furniture business during its dissolution. Cultural Surroundings was born out of the company’s turnaround.

“I was 24 and female, which was very ab-

normal,” she recalled.

Her design and renovation work includes public libraries in Dallas, Flower Mound, Farmer’s Branch, Grand Prairie, Garland, Arlington, Fort Worth, and the lauded new Frisco library.

Past and current private school library projects include Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, St. Mark’s School of Texas, and Ursuline Academy.

“In the U.S., we have so few public venues that are just open for people to go have

culturalsurroundings.com myuniqueoffice.com

the third space, as it’s called, for people to get outside of their home and go someplace and work, be on their computer, do a project, or just sit and think,” Paula noted. “Libraries are very much that now.”

Even some coffee brands – once viewed as similar places – have redesigned to be less comfortable so they can move people through, she added.

“To me, buildings have a very organic footprint,” she said. “If you sit in them or think of them as an empty space, there are very natural energy spots where it seems to make sense people would want to be. That’s how I lay out space. We mix a lot of contemporary with traditional space. We renovated several Carnegie libraries that have beautiful interior details that are very old. We mixed more contemporary furniture with that turn-of-the-century detailing. So, it’s very eclectic.”

Paula is planning her new brick-andmortar business and wants to make it homey with “an old-world European café and retail space—no internet, no TVs, no loud music.”

“It will be a place where you can congregate and actually have a conversation,” she said. “It is lifestyle in the way I want to promote people taking a moment to be good to themselves and getting to know the people they’re sitting across from.”

SMU Classmates Found Thread Counseling Group Private Practice

By John Holt

Special Contributor

Ahou Line and Kristina McCook met nearly a decade ago while sitting beside each other in their first graduate school class, Lifespan Development, at SMU.

“We just struck up a friendship,” McCook said.

That friendship bloomed into a professional partnership. In January 2024, the two moms with a like-minded mission co-founded Thread Counseling Group.

Line, who now has her doctorate, entered SMU’s program following a stint with Teach For America (TFA), where she taught middle school language arts teachers before becoming director of learning and development.

“I think there was a piece of me that was like, “I absolutely love teaching, but I am finding how much more I enjoy supporting the social-emotional needs of my students, and I wonder if I could find a career that allowed me to do more of that.’” the Persian American explained.

McCook, who had worked in human resources before becoming a stay-at-home mom, decided to pursue a new career after see-

ing the struggles her two children (now ages 21 and 18) faced.

“Some of these were very typical challenges that kids go through,” McCook said. “I really wanted to understand it from a developmental perspective, and I wanted to know how to respond to ensure they felt supported.”

The possibility of opening a shared practice percolated as Line

and McCook earned their clinical hours at SMU’s Center for Family Counseling and supervised other graduate students.

McCook recalled their conversations. “Wouldn’t it be so fun to work together?’”

That “fun” followed serious conversations about long-term vision and working through such details as finding a space, building

a website, acquiring clients, and branding themselves.

McCook came to the new venture from another private practice while Line had been training graduate students at the University of North Texas.

“(Kristina) is the best therapist I have ever worked with,” Line said. “She is so practical and so meticulous and intentional. I feel like she

grounds me in so many ways.” McCook echoed similar praise for Line.

“(Ahou’s) a spectacular clinician,” McCook said. “I very much trust her. She’s so supportive of me if I have a challenge, and I love her as a friend.”

Line came up with the Thread name.

Line describes Thread as more than a name.

“Thread represents the connection between us and our clients,” Line said. “When we work with children, we always consider how parents are involved in the process. When we work with parents and adults, we recognize that they don’t exist in a vacuum and there are so many other ‘threads’ that help us understand them holistically.”

John Holt is a public relations professional and content writer for Good Shepherd Episcopal School.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: An office at Ursuline Academy includes these dark lounge chairs reminiscent of the design style of Charles and Ray Eames. The Frisco Public Library includes this children’s reading cubby. FROM LEFT: Gavin McKenzie, Paula Wenstrom, and Montgomery McKenzie with dog Marvin. COURTESY CULTURAL SURROUNDINGS, JOSH HICKMAN

FROM LEFT: Dr. Ahou Line and Kristina McCook presented a program on childhood anxiety to 35 parents at Good Shepherd Episcopal School. JOHN HOLT

Comings and Goings

NOW OPEN

Banner House at T Bar M

6060 Dilbeck Lane

The social and athletic club combines state-of-the-art sports facilities and elevated hospitality with curated cultural and social experiences.

Foxtrot Market

6565 Hillcrest Ave.

The favorite coffee spot and market has reopened its Snider Plaza location after closing unexpectedly last spring.

Nespresso

NorthPark Center

The international chain that features its own collection of coffee, espresso makers, and accessories for home brewing has reopened a newly-renovated store in its original location.

OrangeTwist

Mockingbird Station

The leading med spa brand offers a range of non-invasive treatments to help clients look and feel their best.

Rash Decisions Dermatology

8222 Douglas Ave., Suite 890

The patient-centered dermatology care center that has broken free from insurance constraints features unhurried visits, immediate access to Dr. Sharon Marchand, and transparent pricing.

Rodeo Cold

3826 Ross Ave.

The throwback 1980s Texas dive bar that features a patio, stage, gaming yard, and oneof-a-kind programming offers guests daytime and evening amusement, along with unique bites and beverages.

COMING

ASI Gymnastics and ASI

Ninja

The Shops at Park Lane

The gymnastics facility and first-ever standalone ASI Ninja gym will celebrate grand opening events in April. ASI Ninja is a fast-paced program that combines gymnastics with parkour, tricking, and ninja skills. ASI gymnastics specializes in circuit-based instruction, guiding students

through key apparatuses. ASI programs cater to all skill levels, from preschool through advanced training.

JD’s Chippery

Preston Royal Village

The family owned and operated Snider Plaza staple will bring its fresh-baked cookies and muffins, cookie cakes, lemon ade, limeade, and custom-mixed fountain drinks to Preston Royal Village this spring.

Miu Miu

Highland Park Village

Its two-story boutique will be divided into zones and include a pool table, racing simulator, and authentic cinema room.

Trina Turk

The Plaza at Preston Center

The contemporary fashion boutique focusing on women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, swimwear, eyewear, a Mr. Turk menswear collection, and residential goods will move its only Dallas location from the West Village to 8300 Preston Road this spring.

CLOSED

The luxury fashion brand will offer its unforgettable, playful, and refined designs at its first Texas storefront starting in fall 2025.

POP MART

Galleria Dallas

The market-leading character-based entertainment company and global champion of designer toy culture is slated to open on level 3.

Richard Mille

Highland Park Village

The renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker will open its first Texas store in the spring

Custom Meats

4333 Lovers Lane

The butcher shop near Drip Coffee Co and Petco has closed.

Cristina’s Garden Center

4617 W. Lovers Lane

The family owned and operated garden center that advertised quality plants at great prices has closed.

— Compiled by Sarah Hodges

STOPS & STORIES

STOPS & STORIES

Nespresso COURTESY NORTHPARK CENTER

T Bar M COMMUNE (DESIGNER) AND MARC SZABO STUDIOS (RENDERER)

Rodeo Cold COURTESY RODEO COLD

Miu Miu COURTESY MIU MIU

5 Steps to a Charming Child’s Bedroom

Designing a room for your child can be a great opportunity to show your creativity, but it also presents some unique challenges. Children’s rooms should express the child’s interests while also blending with the rest of the house. If you’re having trouble finding the right balance, consider these suggestions.

1. Use multi-purpose furniture

For a growing child, it’s important to decorate with flexibility in mind. A crib that can convert to a youth bed is a smart choice. It’s not a bad idea to add a small desk, either. Your child will appreciate having a place to draw, and later, the workspace can be updated to a teen work desk.

2. Plan ahead for lighting

Lighting is important in every room, but a child’s room should be especially well-lit. You can fill the room with light using a pendant light or a cute chandelier that completes the room’s theme. A reading

light beside the bed or a favorite chair is a must.

3. Weigh your flooring options While carpet is comfortable and absorbs noise, it’s also harder to clean in case of messes. Hardwood is easy to clean but doesn’t insulate noise or soften falls. A good compromise is hardwood flooring with plush rugs. Don’t forget to put a pad underneath the rug to prevent slippage.

“While your dinosaur-obsessed toddler may love to see dinosaurs throughout the room, he or she might outgrow the phase.”

4. Approach theming in a balanced way

While your dinosaur-obsessed toddler may love to see dinosaurs throughout the room, he or she might outgrow the phase. A suggested middle ground might be to use simple and flexible furnishings while placing a few themed accents around the room.

5. Choose paint color carefully It’s tempting to paint the room in pink or blue, but gender-neutral colors like green and yellow are becoming more popular as well. Also, keep in mind that color has a psychological effect and can be either calming or energizing. Try painting the walls in a light wall color and reserving stronger colors for the accessories and furnishings. By choosing timeless furnishings and colors, and a few personal touches to express your child’s interests, you can create a beautiful room your child will always remember fondly. 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.

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

Real Talk: Melissa Gerstle

Melissa Gerstle has spent almost two decades designing gardens and award-winning outdoor spaces for her studio, Melissa Gerstle Design.

Now with her newly opened Plein Air Atelier luxury outdoor furnishings showroom in the Dallas Design District, the Park Cities woman aims to help other designers benefit from her research into innovative new outdoor brands and materials.

“One of my passions has been selecting furnishings for the outdoor spaces we design,” she said. “My goal is to see more interior designers welcoming these options while supporting the design community.”

She held an open house in February for the new showroom designed by Jean Liu Design. The space at 1205 Slocum Street, Suite 100, is open by appointment and also serves as the headquarters for Gerstle’s design team.

If you could go back in time and give yourself any advice, what would it be?

I would have studied landscape architecture earlier in my career, but I’m grateful for the path I’ve followed.

What is the best thing about working in design?

It allows me to always think creatively which really fuels my soul.

What are the most exciting trends in outdoor decor?

Gerstle champions outdoor furniture that looks like it belongs inside.

“People are amazed that it is exterior furniture since it is just as beautiful,” she said. “This allows people to have truly seamless interior-exterior living spaces by using our specific pieces.”

How did you get into home design?

I started by apprenticing under a gifted landscape architect named Rosa Finsley, while earning my master’s degree in landscape architecture. After I started my own practice, my clients began asking me to not only design their landscapes but to also decorate their outdoor spaces. That ignited my passion for becoming an “interior designer” for the exterior spaces my studio designed.

This stunning contemporary home by Sharif & Munir Custom Homes sits on nearly half an acre in the heart of Preston Hollow. Designed for entertaining, it boasts five bedrooms, five full and two half baths, plus a media room, study, and a luxurious bar and lounge. The great room, with wood beams, built-ins, and a fireplace, flows seamlessly into the chef’s kitchen, featuring Wolf appliances, a Sub-Zero fridge, and an oversized island. A cater-

We stay away from trends and focus on creating timeless spaces. But one thing I’ve always liked to do is to avoid matching furniture sets and instead mixing and matching pieces from different furniture lines for our outdoor designs. This isn’t really a new concept, but it is new for outdoor spaces, and it’s one we embrace at my showroom, Plein Air Atelier. I believe more designers will utilize this design strategy as we display sophisticated ways to do it.

Which are your favorites?

Among our favorite items are water features, fire features, and plant containers. For fire features, we are carrying a cool fire pit that offers a stylish storage place for the firewood logs. Made in Belgium, we love the moróro pieces because they are unique, and we are the exclusive representative for the brand in the U.S.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I speak fluent Spanish with a Castilian accent. Most people think I’m from Spain when I speak to them in Spanish.

– Compiled by William Taylor

ing station with additional storage, a sink, and a dishwasher enhances functionality. The outdoor living space is an entertainer’s dream, complete with a Lynx grill, pool, spa, firepit, and lush landscaping. The primary suite offers dual closets, a freestanding tub, and two water closets. Upstairs, a game room and three ensuite bedrooms provide ample space. Additional highlights include a whole-house generator, custom pocket doors, and a three-car garage.

Mixing in a few antiques, especially family heirlooms, can make a child’s room feel timeless. This little girl’s room includes an antique rug, needlepoint bench, charming bed, and a vintage panel with shelves for displaying keepsakes. In this charming but sophisticated nursery, a child can go from the crib to the daybed, which also provides a place for a parent to rest when not wanting to leave a sick baby alone.

Melissa Gerstle STEPEHEN KARLISCH

DALLAS SCHOOLS FIND COMMONALITY IN DIFFERENCES Eagles and Dragons Club unites neurodiverse and neurotypical

By Isabella Castillo People Newspapers

Imagine walking into a room where differences don’t create division but instead build unity.

For the Eagles and Dragons Club, an after-school organization fostering friendships between neurodiverse and neurotypical students on campus a short distance from each other on Midway Road, it’s a reality.

Fish the club aims to provide a welcoming space for socializing, teamwork, and mutual support.

Luke’s sister, Lana, who was diagnosed with autism, has attended OHA for six years. Alongside her, Luke began attending Oak Hill’s summer programs and building friendships with the students and teachers there.

“The way you treat other people matters, and the way you talk to other people matters.”

Kate Lewis

The club connects high schoolers from The Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD), a college prep school, and Oak Hill Academy (OHA), a K-12 school for students with learning differences.

Founded by ESD freshman Luke Crowhurst and co-led by ninth grade class president Zach

“I thought it would be a really good idea to start a club where ESD kids can gain perspective on the different lifestyle of [neurodivergent students] and also provide Oak Hill students with the opportunity to build stronger social interaction skills,” Luke said.

Club members participate in sports, ice cream socials, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and gift exchanges. ESD students also open doors in the carpool line on Friday mornings at OHA, welcoming students with friendly smiles.

Renee Jiang Takes Her Flute Playing

Skills to Historic U.S. Stage

“The kids at Oakhill are our friends,” Zach said.

ESD Latin teacher Anne Fahrenholz serves as and club moderator.

“It’s wonderful to see students that would not typically be considered in the same social circles get together and be so happy,” Fahrenholz said.

ESD student Kate Lewis has been participating since the club’s early beginnings in September of 2024. Kate’s brother has a condition known as Hemifacial Microsomia and attended Oak Hill through his graduation in May 2024.

“The way you treat other people matters, and the way you talk to other people matters,” Kate said.

Brit Smart, executive director at Oak Hill Academy, sees the club as a breath of fresh air in a society that’s so quick to impose boundaries.

“These (ESD) kids are graduating soon, and they’re going to enter a society… filled with neurodivergent people,” Smart said.

By John Holt Special Contributor

“This [club] is making an impact on helping inform society of the types of people that exist, and the challenges people face.”

Gil Drori-Lipin, a ninth-grade student at Oak Hill, finds joy in the social aspect of the club.

“I met some friends and did some fun activities together and ate pizza with them,” Gil said. “We talked about our likes and stuff. It was really cool.”

Ellie Tsao, an Oak Hill senior, was eager to join the blossoming community.

“When I first heard about the club, I was super excited because I wanted to meet new friends and I got to meet a lot of new kids that go to ESD [that I] can hang out with,” Ellie said.

Oak Hill junior Sawyer Hearn also was among the first to join.

“Getting to socialize with other people from other schools broadens the perspective of our community,” Sawyer said. “[The club] also gets us to communicate our feelings and interests with each other.”

Why wait until adulthood before performing at Carnegie Hall?

Good Shepherd Episcopal School fourth grader Renee Jiang earned her way to the historic New York City venue with a remarkable year of flute competition wins in 2024.

In January 2024, she won first place in the Winds Elementary Sonata Division of the Symphonic Festival Competition organized by the Dallas Music Teachers Association.

Four months later, she competed in the Texas Flute Society

Competition and received the highest honors, earning both the “Beginner Outstanding Soloist” and “Beginner Honor Ensemble” awards.

Over the summer, she took home first place in the Elementary Division of the Claire Johnson Flute Soloist Competition and won first place in the “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition.

She closed out the calendar year in December by performing at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

John Holt is a public relations professional and content writer for Good Shepherd Episcopal School.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Students in the Eagles and Dragons Club engage in a basketball game. Club members from ESD organize a scavenger hunt for the students at Oak Hill Academy. OHA club members hunt for clues in a scavenger hunt. OHA students attend an evening of fun activities at ESD. Club members gather in the ESD Commons. COURTESY OF OAKHILL ACADEMY, EAGLES AND DRAGONS CLUB

of successful transplants. YEARS

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Explore our transplant capabilities

Entrepreneurship Students Dive Into ‘Shark Tank’ Competition

Dallas business leaders help support ESD’s EagleSpark Incubator

By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com

Who says you have to swim with the sharks to soar like an eagle? Not the participants in the Episcopal School of Dallas’ annual entrepreneurship competition.

ESD’s version possesses all the elements of the popular television show. Students present their business models in front of a panel of “sharks” who include local business leaders, SMU faculty, and a current SMU student who was a previous winner of the competition.

Judges pose tough questions, critique the business plans, and select finalists.

“Pitching to a panel of real business leaders gives students a unique, high stakes learning experience that goes beyond the classroom,” said Amy Livingston, the program’s faculty advisor. “They’re not just presenting an idea — they’re learning to think on their feet, respond to tough questions, and communicate their vision with confidence.”

Two standouts are selected to expand their business models through the EagleSpark Incubator Program, where industry leaders, including several ESD alums, offer mentorship as student entrepreneurs transform their ideas into real-world ventures.

“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business — it’s about problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability,” Livingston said. “In today’s fast-changing world, students need to think critically, take initiative, and turn ideas into action.”

Program

land. By assessing the unique characteristics of a ranch, his company, Rett’s Profit Path Ranch Solutions, created a plan for customized options to maximize ranch profitability.

“We offer … selective timber harvesting, crop diversification, water management, renewable energy leasing, recreational activities, conservation programs, carbon credits, livestock leasing, and oil and gas infrastructure,” said the senior.

Brausa’s idea for RentSafe, a platform designed to empower renters with the details needed to make an informed decision before signing a lease, grew out of a bad personal experience.

After his family reported water damage to their landlord upon moving into a rental property, weeks passed with no response.

This year’s ‘Shark Tank’ winners were Zaen Zaidi for ZEAL, McKenzie Clancy and Ella Floyd for EliteSeat, and Brooks Prestidge, Bauer Berkley, and Cole Horton for Pathway. Pathway, designed to help guide college applicants through the complex process, seemed a suitable venture for high school students, said teammate Cole Horton.

“When I started the entrepreneurship course in August, I saw entrepreneurs as people who worked alone,” Horton said. “When it came time to decide whether to work with others or alone, I decided to take the group path. I realized that having a team is one of the greatest decisions you can make.”

Rett Detwiler and Tyler Brausa were chosen to continue through the EagleSpark Incubator Program.

“The chance to be selected for the EagleSpark Incubator takes this experience to the next level,” Livingston said. “It’s not just about pitching an idea — it’s about proving its potential and earning the opportunity to bring it to life with mentorship and real-world support.”

Detwiler wants to help ranch owners unlock the hidden revenue potential on their

“As someone with asthma and a severe mold allergy, living in a house with potential mold is simply not an option,” the junior explained.

“Renters should know just as much about a property as buyers, especially with the rising costs of rent,” Brausa said.

The ‘Shark Tank’ process taught him to believe in his ideas and present them with self-assuredness, he said. “As I began to understand business basics and learn how to become an entrepreneur, I realized that confidence was key to success.”

katytraildallas.org/ways-to-support

FROM LEFT: ‘Shark Tank’ winners Bauer Berkley, Tyler Brausa, Cole Horton, Brooks Prestidge, Rett Detwiler, Ella Floyd, and McKenzie Clancy. Tyler Brausa presenting his business “RentSafe” to the panel of judges. AMY LIVINGSTON, THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF DALLAS

Party Hopping

While officials in Washington, D.C. wrestle with the role of the federal government in education, North Texas nonprofits are demonstrating how much Dallas donors will give.

Three recent events – one with the support of a former U.S. president –raised big dollars and highlighted the importance of opportunities from early childhood through college.

At the Educational First Steps (EFS) 2025 Annual Gala on Feb. 18 at The Ritz-Carlton, former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush discussed their perspectives on leadership, education and the critical role early learning plays in shaping future generations.

The event raised more than $1 million, touted as a historic milestone for the EFS, which aims to expand high-quality early childhood education across North Texas.

On March 1, the Compass School of Texas welcomed 800-

plus supporters to the JSX Hangar at Love Field for Rock the Stage: La Fiesta.

The school’s second annual spring auction and concert brought in a record-breaking $2.5 million.

On March 6, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) at its Dallas Leadership Luncheon announced $77,000 in scholarships for the 32 graduate students in the 2025 class of Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars.

TWU’s signature fundraiser at The Arts District Mansion also served to honor nonprofit leaders making a difference in education.

Preston Hollow’s Nicole Small, CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, received the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. Education philanthropists Abby and Todd Williams received the 2024 TWU Leadership Award.

– Compiled by William Taylor

What are my options for senior living? What if my parents have different needs? What if those needs change?

At Belmont Village, we know that each family is unique and that choosing the right senior living option matters. Our experienced advisors will help you ask the questions you need to get the answers your family deserves. We’re here to help. Just ask.

BelmontVillage.com/JustAsk 214-306-7687

PHOTOS: COURTESY EFS, TAMYTHA CAMERON, CELESTE CASS, AND COURTESY TWU

Educational First Steps Gala – Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker with former President George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush.

Rock the Stage: La Fiesta – Francis Harrison, Caroline Harrison Loehr, and Frances Mitchell

Educational First Steps Gala – Ben Leal, Brendan McGuire, and Dominique McCain

Dallas Leadership Luncheon – Abby Williams and Nicole Small

Rock the Stage: La Fiesta – Sarah and Alex Wilcox

Camps

THE FIDDLER IN THE DIALYSIS ROOM

Doctor a dedicated fixture at Kidney Foundation’s summer camp

By William Taylor william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com

Relatively few summer campers get serenaded by a fiddle-playing pediatric nephrologist.

Then again, most don’t have to interrupt their fun camp activities with a stint on the dialysis machine.

“I play the violin for several reasons,” Dr. Raymond Quigley said. “The kids enjoy many of the songs. I think it also helps the staff enjoy their time there. The dialysis nurses work hard to provide care for the kids. It also helps me to relax.”

Quigley has been coming to Camp Reynal since its beginning in 1992 – initially as one of several nephrologists who would rotate there every one to two days – and has served as camp medical director since 2006.

“The kids enjoy most anything that I play,” he said. “Some of the younger kids enjoy songs like ‘Old MacDonald’ because they can sing along. In the afternoon, I often play some quiet type of songs, and the older kids will usually take a long nap.”

Last year, KidneyTexas Inc. honored Quigley with the Everson Walls Legacy

AT A GLANCE

Camp Reynal hosts 100 children each summer at fully accessible campgrounds with air-conditioned cabins, volunteer cabin counselors, and on-site medical professionals. Learn more at campreynal.org.

Award, which was named after the retired Dallas Cowboy who gave a kidney to teammate Ron Springs.

The National Kidney Foundation camp, one of the few in the United States providing on-site dialysis, operates six days each summer at Camp John Marc’s state-of-theart therapeutic facility near Meridian, Texas.

“Days at camp are filled with swim -

other specialists to care for campers with renal and urology diseases.

“When you go to the camp and see how much the kids enjoy themselves, you realize that this is a very important part of their life,” said Quigley, a Children’s Health physician and professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

ming, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, photography, dance, singing, sports and games, and other fun activities,” added Amanda Crowley-Rios, senior director of programs for the foundation.

Children’s Medical Center Dallas (Children’s Health), Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio provide doctors, nurses, and

Sun, Fun, and Growth: The Magic of

A good overnight summer camp experience can be one of the most impactful events in a child’s life.

Many come from families who couldn’t otherwise afford summer camp, he added. “In addition, children who are on dialysis cannot go to any camp. They must find a camp with the specialized equipment as well as personnel that can provide these services.”

Crowley-Rios noted that corpo -

rate, individual, and foundation donors have enabled Camp Reynal to provide more than 1,500 children since 1992 with a “nurturing setting for peer interactions, adventure, and new challenges.”

“Also, I have come to realize that the kids can finally see that they are not alone,”  Quigley said. “There are many other kids just like them with the same medical problems. I have heard many of them say that they finally realize that they are not the only kids with these issues. I think having a place where they can openly discuss their issues is good for them.”

Summer Camp Adventures

3. Growth in confidence and self-esteem

belongings, and following camp schedules help them develop a greater sense of responsibility.

2. Enhanced social skills and friendships

HELENE ABRAMS

Children can step away from the pressures of everyday routines, explore new activities, and grow as individuals.

Think about the following:

1. Increased independence and responsibility

Living away from parents fosters a sense of independence, as children learn to take care of themselves and make decisions on their own, in a supportive environment.

Simple tasks like managing time, keeping track of personal

One of the most rewarding aspects of summer camp is the opportunity to meet and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Through team-based activities, cabin living, and shared experiences, children build communication skills, learn to collaborate, and develop empathy.

Camp helps children overcome social anxiety by creating a supportive environment where they can make new friends. The bonds formed at camp often last beyond the summer, creating lasting friendships and social connections.

Summer camp exposes children to new experiences that challenge them to step outside their comfort zones. Whether it’s trying a new sport, learning to swim, or participating in a talent show, camp encourages kids to take risks in a safe and supportive environment.

Overcoming these challenges leads to a sense of accomplishment, boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem. Children bring this found confidence home with them which extends into school.

4. Appreciation for nature and outdoor activities

In today’s digital age, many children spend a significant amount of time indoors.

Summer camp provides an opportunity for children to connect with nature, whether it’s through hiking, swimming, camping, or other outdoor activities.

These experiences foster a sense of wonder for the natural world and encourage a more active and healthier lifestyle. Time spent outdoors also promotes mindfulness and reduces stress, contributing to a sense of calm and mental well-being.

5. Development of problem-solving and leadership skills

Camps often offer structured activities designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Through group projects, team sports, and role-playing activities, children learn how to tackle chal-

lenges, collaborate with others, and take initiative.

Leadership opportunities arise naturally, whether it’s leading a group during a challenge or assisting younger campers, helping them develop valuable life skills that can benefit them in school and beyond.

By giving children the freedom to explore, grow, and connect with others, summer camp plays a pivotal role in shaping well-rounded, resilient, and confident individuals who are ready to face the world. \

Reach Helene Abrams with Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service that helps parents find enriching summer overnight experiences for their children, ages 7-18, at 214-6939259 or Helene@TipsonTripsandCamps.com.

FROM LEFT: Scott Murray, Everson Walls, and Dr. Raymond Quigley at a 2024 KidneyTexas Inc. fundraiser. Dr. Raymond Quigley entertains dialysis patients and Camp Reynal staff with his violin.

ROB WYTHE/WYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO ADN SHARON ADAMS

Discover the Sport That Will Change Your Life

This summer, join Dallas United Crew (DUC) and Learn to Row! Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, looking for a fresh start, or entirely new

Good Shepherd Episcopal School Summer Program provides students ages 1-year-old through 8th grade the opportunity to build independence and confidence, while taking risks and trying unique and fun activities in a safe and nurturing environment! With over 200 diverse camp offerings in traditional day camp, STEM, art, sports, music, and dance, there is something for everyone to find their passion! Dive into a summer of adventure at GSES’s Summer Program. The program runs from May 27 through August 1.

Address: 11110 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX 75229

Phone number: 214-357-1610

Email: summer@gsesdallas.org Website: https://www.gsesdallas.org/summer

to sports, DUC opens its doors to all experience levels—no prior knowledge required.

Why choose DUC? Because we’re more than a team—we’re a community. Hundreds of athletes across the DFW Metroplex call DUC their second home. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of hard work, discipline, and physical fitness while offering a unique chance to compete and travel nationally.

Rowing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and DUC has helped over 100 students secure collegiate rowing opportunities— unlocking a pathway to scholarships and lifelong success.

Head over to our website at dallasunitedcrew. org and learn more about programs.

Spots are limited this summer — don’t miss your chance!

ensuring that campers of all experience levels can enjoy the experience. Plus, they’ll make new friends while participating in exciting games and challenges on and off the water.

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to secure your child’s spot. Join us for an action-packed adventure they’ll never forget!

Visit our website at dallasunitedcrew.org and learn more about this exciting opportunity. Let’s make this summer one to remember with Dallas United Crew!

DALLAS UNITED CREW

DALLAS UNITED CREW

GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Love of Dance Extends Beyond the Studio for Two High Schoolers

By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com

From the moment Chloe Kim and Valentina Boltchi first crisscrossed their pointe shoe ribbons, the friends shared an indelible love of dance.

Chloe, a junior at Ursuline Academy, and Valentina, a junior at the Episcopal School of Dallas, competed in all styles of dance, including ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz, training together at The Dallas Conservatory.

As the dancers continued to perfect their craft, they realized the positive effect dance had on their physical and psychological growth, inspiring them to create Rhythm of Hope, an organization focused on sharing the love of dance with younger generations.

“Over the years, as we have grown in age and experience, Valentina and I have both developed a fondness for teaching dance. Dance has instilled confidence, work ethic, and determination in us,” Chloe said.

It wasn’t, however, until the friends stepped off the dance floor and into the classroom that their outreach program took on a beat of its own, Valentina said.

The dance duo discovered a lack of opportunity for much of the community’s youth interested in pursuing dance and realized how little access existed beyond the elite — and often pricey — academies of the area’s affluent neighborhoods.

Through Rhythm of Hope, the dance instructors introduced programs to teach skills, encourage movement, and instill confidence in the community’s underserved youth — their dedication to sharing more than a pirouette accelerated by a resounding interest from youngsters in the community.

“We believe that dance provides exceptional experiences and joy that all children should be able to experience, regardless of their socio-economic status,” Chloe said.

In a short time, the organization has grown to include much more than the teaching of a skill, Valentina explained. Through

their outreach, the girls have sought to encourage a love of the arts by forming partnerships with local organizations and hosting community events and fundraisers.

A clothing drive coordinated by the two resulted in the donation of more than 60 items of dance clothes and accessories to be distributed throughout Dallas, and proceeds from their Nutcracker Pointe Shoe fundraiser benefitted dance enrichment opportunities for local youth dance groups.

During Tutu Tuesdays, Chloe and Valentina have shared lessons on ballerinas whose displays of strength, determination, and resilience have inspired them, including their favorite prima ballerinas, Anna Pavlova and Misty Copeland.

The high schoolers’ biweekly dance class at Wesley Rankin Community Center and Heart House continue to inspire young dancers, and a dance camp hosted at the Walnut Hill Leadership Academy proved a big success.

“Our winter dance camp at Walnut Hill was absolutely amazing,” Valentina

said. “We specifically worked with them on ballet technique using the barre, pirouettes (spinning motions), and leaps across the floor. The kids came in with so much joy and excitement every day — they loved learning new skills and had the biggest smiles on their faces when performing.”

As Chloe and Valentina work to instill a love of dance in young students, they insist no prior dance experience is needed to join the fun.

“We watched the confidence of [camp participants] flourish and grow as they experienced the joy of dance, and we’re so proud of each dancer’s growth,” Valentina said.

Despite attending different high schools, the two friends credit their mutual love of dance for pushing them to look beyond the confines of a neighborhood, school, or friend group. They are encouraged by the growing momentum of their dance movement.

“We have a bright future planned for ROH and have goals to expand further outside of the DFW area,” Valentina said.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rhythm of Hope founders Chloe Kim and Valentina Boltchi. The high schoolers instruct students in dance at the Walnut Hill Leadership Academy winter camp. Fundraisers, including the Nutcracker Pointe Shoe event, benefit community youth dance programs. Girls and boys participate in the Rhythm of Hope program. VALENTINA BOLTCHI, CHLOE KIM

You’re just a number.

That’s what it’s feeling like with the others. Brokerages are getting bigger. Their methods are getting standardized. Every house gets the same 1-2-3 selling plan. All the boxes are getting checked — but at what price? We are the contrarians. And we have been for 65 years and counting. That’s right. Since 1960, we’ve treated our sellers and buyers like the people, thinkers and feelers that they are. It’s radical, isn’t it? You are not a commodity at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. You are a client — deserving of the best advisors, guidance, care and coddling. We perform minor miracles every day, one property at a time. And each of those properties gets its own strategy, based on our unique exposure opportunities and our agents’ intuition, not a predetermined and phased plan that starts by keeping a listing hush-hush within a brokerage for quite some time. (Those in-house schemes keep a listing from someone else, too: the majority of eager buyers.) Yes, we match real people with real homes, using real instincts and real intellect. Even better, those caring, coddling advisors are backed not only by a local management team who supports them in every way but also by special tech tools crafted to streamline the most important thing — their time. So that they can spend more of it on you. Radical, indeed. The big-box brokerages are getting bigger. We’re the boutique brokerage and always have been. (The boutique that sold $2.4 billion just last year alone. Ahem.) But the only statistic that really counts with us is 23,725 and climbing. That’s how many days we’ve been open, doing our thing for the great people of North Texas. And just as it has always been with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, you’re not a number. You’re a neighbor.

5025 Wateka Drive / $3,690,000 Bird Streets

Lisa Besserer / 214-543-2940 / lbesserer@briggsfreeman.com

3711 Lexington Avenue / Price upon request Highland Park / 1 acre

Ralph Randall / 214-533-8355 / rrandall@briggsfreeman.com

10764 Villager Road #A / $395,000

Sessions / 214-354-5556 / jsessions@briggsfreeman.com

Vicki Foster / 214-642-8966 / vfoster@briggsfreeman.com 4921 Blaynes View / $1,199,500

Shelle Carrig / 469-443-8765 / scarrig@briggsfreeman.com

Matt Wilkerson / 214-471-2996 / mwilkerson@briggsfreeman.com

Colony / Lake views LeeLee Gioia / 214-616-1791 / lgioia@briggsfreeman.com 4052 Druid Lane / $7,795,000 University Park

3928 Marquette Street / Listed for $6,995,000

Park

Diane DuVall / 214-725-1451 / dduvall@briggsfreeman.com

4016 Travis Street #B / $1,000,000 Uptown Dallas

5643 Vickery Boulevard / $1,699,000 Vickery Place / Lower Greenville Jennifer Shindler / 214-215-5181 / jshindler@briggsfreeman.com

Clair Storey / 214-507-1388 / cestorey@briggsfreeman.com Carol Storey / 214-707-1142 / cstorey@briggsfreeman.com 3624 Potomac Avenue / Listed for $2,195,000 Highland Park

5636 Southwestern Blvd / Listed for $1,450,000 Devonshire

Ann Shaw / 214-532-4824 / ashaw@briggsfreeman.com

Michael Wong / 214-263-1853 / mwong@briggsfreeman.com 5706

/ Listed for $2,350,000

Finkbohner / 251-751-4909 / r nkbohner@briggsfreeman.com

PAINT HUES REFLECT DALLAS ARTIST’S COLORFUL JOURNEY

‘Aha moment’ prompts musician’s passion for brushstrokes

By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com

JD Miller wanted to be a rockstar. That was until he laid eyes on the hue French Altamarine Blue.

The painter recalled the moment he first stroked the vibrant color onto the canvas.

“The clouds parted, the sun came out, the cherubs and the birds were singing,” said Miller, describing the initial brushstroke as his “aha moment.”

“From that very moment, I knew that I had finally found my true voice,” he said, racing home from his day job at CBS Radio to paint every night, seven days a week, for two years straight.

Taking a different approach than he had done with his musical aspirations, Miller dove into learning from the Masters.

“I devoured everything I could,” he said, describing reading 10 to 20 art books a month.

“When I thought I wanted to be a rockstar, I had this idea that I needed to

keep my vision pure, I never studied or took lessons, and I realized later that was a big mistake,” he said. “Had I known, I would have studied the Masters so I could stand on their shoulders.”

An introduction to his mentor, the then 85-year-old Liz Richardson, who had spent her life studying the principles of art, showed the budding artist why it’s no accident that certain art pieces become revered museum pieces.

With a conviction that art should be representative of life, Miller’s reflectionist philosophy has been the cornerstone to guiding his painting for 25 years. The artist said that he’s always seen color, and as a musician attempted to translate his visions of color into sound.

“Art, like people is meant to connect,” Miller said, reflecting on his deep-rooted musical beginnings that later channeled his philosophy of radiating positive energy through light and sound onto a canvas.

In 2008, JD Miller and Dallas restauranteur Phil Romano (founder of Macaroni

Grill, Fuddruckers, and EatZi’s) opened the Samuel Lynne Galleries, named after Romano’s son and Miller’s daughter.

Miller also co-owns galleries in Houston, Chicago, and Whitefish, Mont. As a featured artist on American Airlines’ Apollo: Art in the Sky channel, his work is seen on thousands of flights each day.

The live presentation of his annual Valentine’s Day floral arrangement marked its 10th anniversary at the Samuel Lynne Galleries. The sold-out event has been the go-to spot for February 14th dates for a decade.

Miller hopes the beholder of his abstract pieces draws individualized meaning from his art, conveying he rarely scraps a canvas, but instead keeps adding to and changing the piece.

“The clouds parted, the sun came out, the cherubs and the birds were singing.”

JD Miller

The packed house of newbie art enthusiasts mingling with seasoned collectors sat transfixed by the artist’s strokes.

The piece took 72 minutes to complete and was then auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Painter’s block isn’t something Miller experiences. And the artist isn’t sitting around watching his paint dry.

“Unlike acrylic, which forms plastic when it dries, oil is organic. While acrylic and watercolors dry by paint evaporating, oil dries by absorbing, breathing in oxygen,” said Miller.

“Hundreds of years from now, somewhere deep inside of the thick inclusions of oil paint on a reflectionist canvas will remain undried,” said Miller, the analogy to life’s undying connectivity evident in both his musings and his paintbrush.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: It was a full house at Samuel Lynne Galleries for the Valentine’s Day event. JD Miller paints a floral piece live. Patrons browse the galleries’ vast array of artwork. Miller mixes his signature paint colors. A young raffle winner begins her art collection with a work from the reflectionist artist. CHASE HALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Tea for You at The Mansion on Turtle Creek

Perhaps we can thank Julian Fellowes for reintroducing the ritual of afternoon tea to modern audiences

through his many books and movies depicting the exclusive afternoon pick-me-up often set in librarious spaces of elegant homes.

Oftentimes, Fellowes’ dramatic depictions include family attendance mandates and agendas for discussion of topics such as plans for upcoming balls or fiefdom gossip. Historically accurate depictions of afternoon tea portray hostesses in looser-fitting gowns, without corsets, to allow them to more comfortably chow down.

Afternoon tea became part of the American vernacular in the mid 1800’s, with hostesses relying

AT A GLANCE

Afternoon tea at The Mansion costs $85 per adult and $45 for children.

on the service of others, whether paid or enslaved, to create the intricate spread. Over time, the ceremony became less popular and few places, save for antique mall cafés and grand hotels, even offered it.

Fortunately, formal afternoon tea is back in vogue. Though other local hotels and restaurants have offered the service, The Mansion on Turtle Creek’s newly introduced Heritage Afternoon Tea reflects most closely a tea I enjoyed last year at The Manor House in the Cotswolds.

Set in the historic library of The Mansion, guests can choose from a traditional or plant-based menu, each of which offers the de rigueur combination of savory sandwiches, scones, and sweet cakes.

The Heritage menu’s savory sandos are egg mayonnaise, curried chicken, English cucumber, and

smoked salmon. The plant-based menu is equally compelling, with roasted beets, English cucumber, avocado and tomato jam, and leek tartine.

Each menu comes with two scones per person, black currant and orange, along with traditional accoutrements, clotted cream and jam.

In England, it’s customary to put the cream on the scone first, then top with jam. In Ireland, however, the jam goes down first and then it’s topped with the cream.

In Texas, it’s permissible to dip the scone in the cream and jam as if you’re eating chips and queso. Just kidding, don’t do that.

Standouts on the Heritage sweets menu are the strawberry roulade cake and the opera torte, two technically challenging pastries to make, especially in bite-sized dimensions.

Tea is obviously central to the entire experience, and The Mansion offers 10 varieties of white, green, black, oolong, and infusions. Servers are knowledgeable and can suggest

options. Champagne and cocktails are also offered during tea service.

Queries for where groups can gather for “High Tea” spike during the holidays, but really what they seek is Afternoon Tea. The difference is timing. Afternoon Tea is earlier in the day and includes lighter bites. High Tea traditionally begins in the late afternoon and includes meatier, heavier food.

The Mansion’s tea service runs from noon until 2:30 p.m. on weekends only and on a recent visit, the library was filled with a happy, diverse group of guests. Afternoon tea is not only for affluent Caucasians as it’s been romantically depicted in the media; it’s an inclusive, analog experience that still inspires discussion and connection.

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.

KERSTEN RETTIG

The Mansion now serves afternoon tea on weekends. COURTESY OF THE MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK

Save the Dates

March

27 – Food & Wine Festival 2025, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, dallasarboretum.org.

28 – Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) Chick Lit Luncheon, Hilton Anatole Dallas, cpdtx.org.

April

1 – Dallas Service Forum Luncheon featuring Sheree J. Wilson, Northwood Club, dallasserviceforum.org.

2 – Azalea Luncheon benefiting the Turtle Creek Association, The Joule Hotel, turtlecreekassociation.org.

4 – AWARE Affair Gala, Gilley’s Dallas, awaredallas.org.

10 — Park Cities Learning Difference Association Pool and Garden Party, at a Park Cities home, pclda.org/pool-and-garden-party

11 – Children’s Cancer Fund Gala, Hilton Anatole Dallas, childrenscancerfund.com/gala.

11-12 – Autism Speaks Empower Summit and Challenge Program, Ruthe Jackson Center (day one) and Levitt Pavilion (day two), autismspeaks.org.

15 – Center for Vital Longevity Public Lecture: Declining Financial Capacity in Cognitive Aging and Dementia,

Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center at UT Dallas, cvl.utdallas.edu.

26 – Dallas Cotillion Club’s Havana Nights! Gala benefitting Genesis Women’s Shelter, Drey Hotel, dallascotillionclub.org.

May

1 – SPARK! Dallas 10th anniversary SPARKtacular, at a Dallas home, sparkdallas. org/sparktacular.

1 – White Rock Lake Foundation Golf Tournament, Stevens Park Golf Course, whiterocklakefoundation.org.

2 – Centerstage 41: Take A Bow benefiting Dallas Theater Center, Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.), dallastheatercenter.org/gala.

6 – The Jewell of Dallas Gala benefiting the White Rock Lake Foundation, Hall of State at Fair Park, whiterocklakefoundation.org.

7 – TACA (The Arts Community Alliance) Silver Cup Awards Luncheon, Omni Dallas Hotel, taca-arts.org.

8 – Texas Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Forum and Awards Celebration, Omni Dallas Hotel, txwfleadership.org.

17 – Dallas Bike Ride, beginning at Young and South Ervay streets, dallasbikeride.com.

22 – Paws Cause 2025, SPCA of Texas Dallas Animal Care Center, spca.org/pawscause.

MAY 3 & 4

Cottonwood Park Richardson, TX

SATURDAY: 10A - 7P

SUNDAY: 10A - 5P 200 Artists

Live music

Hands-On Kids Area Food Court

Craft Beer & Wine in the Imagery Courtyard

Featured Artist: Elissa Brown

Dallas Theater Center Gala 2024 TAMYTHA CAMERON Gracie Hunt with Amairy Velazquez COURTESY CHILDREN’S CANCER FUND

Easter Bunny Adores These One-Egg Buttery Cookies

I’m sure the Easter Bunny is absolutely appalled by today’s egg prices. These enduring symbols of spring and rebirth are a centerpiece of Easter celebrations, from egg hunts to Easter brunch.

Every year on Easter Saturday, my husband, Randy, and I spend a quiet evening dyeing hard cooked eggs. While I adore solid pastels, Randy takes a different approach. He dips one half of an egg in the dye with utmost patience to achieve his desired shade, sets it aside until the dye has set, then dips the other half in a different color, sometimes with a

Easter Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

band of white in the middle.

Easter celebrations in our home also include something sweet — a cake, braided yeast bread drizzled with icing, meringue nests filled with fruit, or cookies.

Mindful of egg prices but unwilling to abandon my passion for Easter dessert, this year I’ve created Easter butter cookies that require only one egg yolk (Just be sure to save the egg white for scrambled eggs or meringue kisses).

To make meringue kisses, preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Whip the egg white at high speed with a pinch of cream of tartar and one-third cup of sugar until stiff peaks form. Add one-fourth teaspoon of vanilla, mix well, and transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.

Pipe kisses onto a cookie sheet, bake one hour, then turn off the oven and allow them to dry 3 hours with the oven door closed. If desired, add a drop of pink food coloring to the

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl,

meringue during whipping.

Easter butter cookies are a festive holiday dessert when the cost of a dozen eggs is a major investment. Pretty-as-a-picture and so light and tender they almost melt in your mouth, their buttery flavor is enhanced by buttercream swirls.

Bake and frost several days ahead and store in airtight containers.

Arranged on a platter covered with Easter grass and adorned with an Easter bunny, these springtime cookies create an irresistible, whimsical centerpiece for your dining table.

Happy Easter!

Christy Rost is a cookbook author, host of Celebrating Home cooking videos, and longtime Park Cities and Preston Hollow resident. Her ‘At Home with Christy Rost’ cooking series for Eat This TV Network airs on AmazonFire, AppleTV+, Roku, Samsung TV, and YouTube. Please visit christyrost.com for details and recipes.

stir together flour, baking powder, and salt; set it aside. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat well.

Gradually stir flour mixture into the creamed mixture with a large spoon until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. If the dough appears dry, stir in 2 teaspoons of water. Flour hands, form teaspoons of dough into small balls, and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Dip a finger into the flour and press in the center of each cookie to form an indentation. Cookies will spread during baking. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until bottom edges are

Yield: 3 dozen 2-inch cookies

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

barely brown. Cool 1 minute, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Pipe a swirl of buttercream frosting into the center of each.

2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 2 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

Dash of salt

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

½ teaspoon vanilla

Assorted food dyes

Directions:

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth. Gradually add remaining confectioners’ sugar and milk to form a smooth, somewhat stiff frosting. Divide the frosting into small bowls, tint each as desired, and transfer to piping bags fitted with star tips. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting into the center of each cookie and set them aside until the frosting hardens. Store cookies up to 5 days in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer.

CHRISTY ROST

CHRISTY ROST

Cake Lady Finds Baking Therapeutic Social media drives mother’s culinary business

By Josh Hickman Special Contributor

Adva Dahan, known on social media as Park Cities Cake Lady, has become a quiet sensation in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow for her spectacular baked goods.

“I like to create, to build,” the University Park single mom of three HPISD girls said of her home-kitchen business. “I don’t know if you can call it an art, but it’s therapeutic.”

Adva, who is degreed in business, economics, and industrial engineering, describes herself as an “everything-homemade kind of freak.”

She’s excited about her growing reputation but remains humble in her self-taught culinary artistry.

“I used to bake for my family’s and friends’ birthdays, events but never tried to sell them,” she said.

Now she lives for her customers’ reactions.

“The fact they cut it up and taste it and say, ‘Oh, my god, it was good.’ This is the most rewarding thing,” Adva said.

On social media she long ago surpassed the 5K friend limit on Facebook.

“I don’t upload everything, but I try to keep up,” she said. “I was overwhelmed by the fact people wanted to follow, wanted to be in-

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT

BRIGGS FREEMAN

Lexington Avenue

SOCIAL MEDIA

FB: @Park.Cities.Cake.Lady IG: @park_cities_cake_lady

“It’s exciting, people trusting you with desserts, a wedding cake, and a groom’s cake for two hundred people,” Adva said.

Her first Facebook customer ordered her now-famous fresh fruit cake tart and liked it so much, she kept ordering them for any and every occasion.

volved. I have a lot of followers on Instagram. My daughters make fun of my TikTok videos.”

The keys to her business, she said, are quality, fresh, good tasting products — “That’s what makes people come back” — and continually creating new offerings. “You want to be inventive and give people new things. People like to be unique these days.”

“I think I invented the white velvet,” she says of one of her favorite creations, “a really moist vanilla cake with a filling of cold cheesecake.”

A recent milestone: an order for a wedding next summer.

in the heart of Old Highland Park. The final project designed by the late, great classicist Cole Smith of Smith, Ekblad & Associates, 3711 Lexington Avenue is a piece of Dallas architecture history.

“Sometimes it overwhelms me,” she says of the positive reactions. “A lot of people like it that much. It’s my signature cake.”

Adva also bakes dairy-free and gluten-free, using almond flour and other alternative ingredients.

With customers now coming from Plano and Frisco, she was offered a bakery to rent by a follower and shopping center owner, but she declined.

“I always try to stay humble. This is all new to me,” she says, noting her middle daughter is still her biggest critic. “If she approves, I know I’m safe.”

Lexington Avenue in Highland Park,

Freeman

Ralph Randall of

International

price available upon request Exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance define this majestic Tudor-style manor

BRIGGS

Penthouse at HALL Arts Residences

The home, completed in 2012, was built by Cole Smith Jr. of Crowbar Constructors, with interiors by Sherry Hayslip Smith. Thoughtfully designed to emphasize its lush surroundings, the home features expansive views of the greenbelt and scenic trails along neighboring Hackberry Creek. Sited on a 1-acre corner lot, this four-story residence offers five bedrooms, seven full baths and six half-baths across 20,485 square feet. Anchoring the house is a two-story great

available upon request

Perched high above the vibrant Dallas Arts District, the Gallery Penthouse at HALL Arts Residences is more than a home: It is the backdrop for a life well-lived. With its harmonious balance between strong architecture and quiet, inviting spaces, the full-floor penthouse on level 26 has been meticulously designed by nationally renowned Abeyta Tibbs Architecture. Within its 7,688 square feet, the residence offers four bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, thoughtful luxuries and effortless elegance. For those who value both privacy and grandeur, the Gallery Penthouse offers

— Dallas’ most legendary and luxurious estate is ready for its next chapter. Since 1938, this prestigious Preston Hollow property has hosted dignitaries, political leaders and cultural icons like Coco Chanel, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, President Ronald Reagan and actor Jimmy Stewart. Designed by Swiss architect Maurice Fatio for Italian count Pio Crespi, this palatial French-style chateau is an exquisite composition of marble, gilt, hand-carved woods, graceful proportions and precision. At more than 27,000 square feet, the main home comprises 10 bedrooms, 12 full baths, five half baths, 11 fireplaces, six living areas, five dining areas, a ballroom/salon,

room with walnut-paneled walls, built-in bookcases, alcoves, hidden pocket doors, intricate crown moldings and a coffered ceiling. The dramatic great room opens onto a screened porch, which overlooks the adjacent creek and park. The double-island kitchen features marble countertops, double ovens, a Wolf gas range, a Miele steamer and a double Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer. The basement level houses a catering kitchen, pub and playroom. Other highlights include multiple living and dining rooms, seven fireplaces, a commercial-grade elevator, a conservatory, a butler’s pantry, a heated indoor pool, a six-car garage and a four-car porte cochere.

spaces for both. The library, just off the foyer, is a haven for quiet contemplation, in a setting that speaks to your refined taste. The formal living room, meanwhile, stands as the heart of the residence, offering expansive panoramic views of the Dallas skyline, a grand fireplace and a unique bronze floor pinstripe. The kitchen is its own masterpiece, with the finest in German design. Gaggenau appliances and sleek Bulthaup cabinetry ensure that every culinary endeavor is executed to the highest standards. In the primary bedroom suite, complete with a private terrace, wake up each morning to sprawling views of the city stretching out beneath you like a work of art.

conservatory, study, Art Deco bar, paneled library, gourmet kitchen, glass elevator, media room, safe room, gym and two wine rooms. The 3,000-square-foot primary suite includes a bedroom, two baths, two dressing areas and an expansive outdoor terrace.

Enhancements by noted architect Peter Marino include a stately 3,347-squarefoot guesthouse and a 4,836-square-foot entertainment pavilion with a 19-seat theatre. The grounds feature a swimming pool and spa, tennis and bocce ball courts, gardens, greenhouses, walking trails, a creek and a helipad. The estate is 15.68 acres in all, including three platted lots on its north side, at 1.22, 1.22 and 1.3 acres each.

represented by

Briggs

Sotheby’s

Realty;

FREEMAN Gallery

1747 Leonard Street #2601 in Dallas, represented by Cindi Caudle and Kyle Richards of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; price

BRIGGS FREEMAN

5619 Walnut Hill Lane in Dallas, represented by Pogir and Diane DuVall of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $64,000,000

The symbol of an era, the setting for a future

From her University Park kitchen, Adva Dahan bakes with enthusiasm and decorates with style. COURTESY PHOTOS

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Sleek, contemporary homes available in Dallas

Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents are marketing some of the most notable Dallas homes showcasing modern and contemporary design.

Contemporary architecture continues to captivate people with its serene yet fashionable flair.

Many buyers are drawn to the way contemporary design prioritizes natural light, open floor plans and impeccable materials to create sophisticated homes that effortlessly foster connection.

If a one-of-a-kind contemporary in Dallas is what you seek, working with the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates is a no-brainer. The firm represents some of the city’s most exceptional design gems, including these residences now on the market.

Architect Richard Drummond Davis blended French-inspired elegance and contemporary beauty when designing 5414 Edlen Drive. Built in 2021 with top craftsmanship by Colby Craig Homes, the 13,000-square-foot haven inspires awe with its glamorous aesthetic and amenities.

Tour 4703 Bluffview Blvd., where new construction fuses the stone and wood materials of Texas regional style with the clean, modern sensibilities of today. The 11,279-square-foot masterpiece welcomes you with a private courtyard featuring thoughtful landscaping and Zen water features.

For architecture aficionados and movie buffs, 4130 Cochran Chapel Road in Bluffview might be the ultimate find. Architect Guy Courtney, who designs hotels and restaurants worldwide, devised this unique property using 6,000 square feet of glass and 71,000 pounds of steel.

EHC Summit 2025 to Take Place at Winspear Opera House

renowned speaker Sylvie di Giusto

The Ebby Halliday Companies will once again host its industry-leading, annual EHC Summit at the stunning Winspear Opera House in downtown Dallas.

The exclusive, agent-only event takes place in September and brings together professionals from Ebby Halliday Realtors, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, and Williams Trew for a day of inspiration, learning, and networking. It’s anticipated that more than 1,000 agents from the three brands will take advantage of this free opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of nationally renowned speakers.

Last year’s keynote address was delivered by internationally renowned speaker Sylvie di Giusto, who captivated the audience with her talk, “You Have Seven Seconds, Make Them Count.” Di Giusto’s insights into personal branding and first impressions resonated with agents, inspiring them to elevate their approach to every client interaction.

“This exclusive in-house event at a world-class arts venue will once again deliver on its promise to be an inspiring day, and our agents will walk away more empowered and more connected than ever,” says Betsy Cameron, president of the Ebby Halliday Companies. “We are committed to the development of each of our agents and to providing them with what they need to prosper in a competitive marketplace.”

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

How to get top dollar for your home in 2025

Getting the best offer for your home requires a strategy tailored to your home, according to the top agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Getting the best offer for your home requires deep market knowledge and a strategy tailored to your home. Here, top-producing Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents offer some guidance on how to get top dollar for your home in 2025.

“Buyers are using a great deal of discretion, so homes need to be in the best condition possible to sell quickly. This includes staging, paint, repairs, landscaping and great photos.”

“Getting your home prepped for market takes a customized marketing plan. Preparation, pricing and promotion are three key elements in getting top dollar in 2025.”

“Planned Preparation + Proper Pricing = Perfect Presentation: the formula for obtaining top dollar in every market. Perfect presentation is the key to creating an instant connection with buyers.”

“Today’s buyers want move-in ready homes. To maximize interest, it is critical to create a strong online presence by enhancing curb appeal and making updates that reflect the local market trends.”

“Choose an agent who uses the high-level photos, drone and videos; staging; and a strategic marketing and social media presence that will reach buyers beyond DFW.”

Connect with an Allie Beth Allman & Associates agent at https://www.alliebeth.com/roster/Agent to buy or sell a home this year.

DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE

Better Than New— A Modern Masterpiece

This 4,627-square-foot home at 4330 Hallmark Drive (4330hallmark.daveperrymiller.com) in the coveted Hockaday neighborhood blends sophisticated design with luxury outdoor living. It is listed by Hanne Sagalowsky for $2,975,000.

A striking hilltop entrance leads to a 2-story great room with soaring ceilings, oak floors, and clerestory windows. The chef’s kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a spacious island, and a service pantry.

The award-winning backyard – featured in Outdoor Living – offers a covered patio with built-in bar, gas fireplace, and a spectacular pool/spa with LED lighting, sunshade, and water features. Inside, 4 bedrooms (plus a study/5th bedroom), ensuite baths, and a lavish primary suite with French doors to the pool create a perfect retreat. A media room, oversized laundry, and 3-car garage add convenience.

Luxury upgrades include a whole-house generator, water filtration, UV air purification, designer lighting, and more. Zoned for top private schools and Withers Elementary, this home is an unparalleled find.

To schedule a showing, contact Hanne at 214402-8200 | hanne@dpmre.com.

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

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

New

Preston Hollow offerings exude next-level luxury

Finding the perfect Preston Hollow home requires a guide such as the expert agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

The seasoned agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates are always helping buyers and sellers reach their goals in Preston Hollow. Here are four exciting opportunities they recently brought to market.

Tucked behind gates, an exquisite estate of the highest caliber is for sale at 5100 Park Lane. The property spans 2 acres and boasts a French Renaissance-inspired manor with more than 19,000 square feet of living space.

Another traditional beauty ideal for living large can be found at 9520 Hathaway St. While it was designed by Richard Drummond Davis and built in 2004, the timeless masterpiece has been renovated over the past five years and boasts splendid touches.

Interior designer Jordan Madison, architect Janson Lute and the skilled builders at Shaddock Custom are making something magnificent at 6031 Lupton Drive, set for completion this fall. The contemporary home will measure just over 7,000 square feet.

If you want something fresh but move-in-ready now, tour 6515 Glendora Ave. Built in 2024, the fashionforward residence packs a punch with its clean lines, show-stopping finishes and suave open spaces.

Find the right Preston Hollow property with the help of an Allie Beth Allman & Associates expert. Call to connect with an expert agent: https://www.alliebeth. com/roster/Agents

Homes in beautiful Preston Hollow

of an Allie Beth Allman & Associates agent.

Preston Hollow has some of Texas’ most exceptional homes, designed by some of the nation’s noted architects and builders. And this neighborhood is the epitome of convenient, a mere eight miles north of downtown.

Trust the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a top luxury home brokerage in Preston Hollow, to show you extraordinary homes here, including one of these four.

The five-bedroom home at 6706 Orchid Lane is perfect for daily living or sophisticated entertaining. From the well-equipped kitchen, step through a 12-foot collapsible, glass paneled door to fabulous outdoor living space with a kitchen, pool, spa and firepit.

If you want new construction, see the fivebedroom home at 5808 Brookstown Drive. With a brick and white-stucco exterior, the home has great drive-up appeal. Inside, find white oak flooring under tall ceilings.

Be only the second owner of a modern masterpiece that sits on a hill above a creek. A rare find at 7244 Brookshire Drive has many upgrades, including a standing-seam metal roof and two new bedrooms and a living room upstairs.

Nearby in Midway Hollow is a custom-built, modern farmhouse at 4052 Park Lane. A grand entryway welcomes guests, leading to a well-equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances.

ALLIE BETH

ALLMAN

Superb properties to discover in

the Park Cities

Allie Beth Allman & Associates continues to lead in the sale of homes in the Park Cities, according to Multiple Listing Service data.

If the Park Cities is calling you, it’s the right time to find your dream home there. Magnificent new offerings await with the seasoned agents of Allie Beth Allman & Associates, who consistently lead in home sales in this sought-after Dallas area.

Discover timeless sophistication in a Hal Thomsondesigned masterpiece at 4226 Arcady Ave., located in the prestigious French Streets. With five bedrooms, six baths, two half-baths, and three meticulously designed levels, this residence combines historic craftsmanship with modern luxury.

If you adore traditional style in University Park, be sure to check out 4135 Windsor Parkway. As you stroll up the front walkway, you can’t help but feel at home thanks to the manicured landscaping and delightful blue shutters.

Nearby at 4321 Stanford Ave., a newer creation is ready for its close-up. Hudson Homes brought the custom University Park residence to life in 2018 and outfitted it with captivating finishes.

Seeking a true new construction? At 4028 Lovers Lane, which was just completed last year, the home spans more than 5,000 square feet and holds five bedrooms. Here, East Coast meets West Coast design with white oak floors, Denali quartzite counters and statement-making bathroom tiles.

private wing at the opposite end of the house from the quarters, ensuring comfort and privacy for guests or family members. Outdoor living is simply divine with fenced play yard and sparkling pool in the backyard; perfect for entertaining or peaceful relaxation. The screened porches offer serene outdoor spaces to unwind and take in the surrounding beauty. Additional highlights include a convenient motor court in front, an attached two-car garage, and a thoughtfully landscaped yard, offering both beauty and practicality. This home is not just a residence, but a sanctuary designed for gracious living and timeless elegance. Contact Lance Hancock (214.532.7331)

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Find your perfect home in Preston Hollow with the help

EBBY HALLIDAY

Internationally

is shown at the 2024 EHC Summit.