Granger Smith, 2011
Here at LH Today, it's no secret we're fans of Granger Smith.
We first met him in October 2009, but his Lake Highlands ties far predate us.
A graduate of LHHS, Class of 1998, Smith has been back twice to support the Wildcat Wranglers and perform personally for his Lake Highlands fans in
local concerts under the lights of the Boneyard.
Next week he and his band are scheduled to hit Gilley's Jack Daniel Saloon downtown in a performance promoting his new album "Poets & Prisoners," scheduled for an April 12th release.
We caught up with Granger last week to get the scoop on the new album and tour.
"I began writing this record in 2009, as soon as we finished the 'Don't Listen To The Radio' album," Granger told me.
"I started recording in January 2010 and generally worked on 3 songs at a time throughout the year."
According to Smtih, as with past records, he's taken and applied lessons learned from previous mistakes and successes.
He admits that everyone pushed harder on the new album.
"I've always been super strict in the studio, but there were definitely times on this album when not everyone saw eye to eye, and we continued to push the boundaries melodically and rhythmically."
"I don't know how many times one of the band members told me, 'man, I just don't think I can pull that off,' but we did and I'm so proud of them for that."
"These guys left their comfort zones and stepped down dark alleys where they had never been as musicians – all to create a sound that has not been tested in Texas Country Music."
Granger says pushing boundaries can be scary, but the payoff births a lifetime career.
"A lot of thought went into this album title, and it was never easy or completely satisfying when we finally landed on 'Poets & Prisoners' which ironically adds to the conflicting words themselves."
"'Sleeping on the Interstate' is one of my rocks on this record," he says. "It completely personifies visually what I was living during the creation of the project."
"A line from that song says, 'connecting map dots like poets and prisoners, trying to live more like a lover than sinner, slaves to dreams so far away.'"
"To me that line sums up my battle in this music-go-round. We give so much life, and so much of our soul, for a dream so far away. Through the good and the bad, I can't escape it. I'm a prisoner to it."
For the 12 months that made up 2010, Smith was either writing, recording or editing the new album.
His travels spanned 65,000 miles, east coast to west coast, Canada to Mexico.
"We blew out our brakes in Georgia, burned up a transmission in Florida, dodged a tornado in Minnesota, avoided abduction in Southern California, drank with the Irish in Oregon and rediscovered breath taking mother nature in Colorado," he says.
"All the while we crammed into six-foot steel bunks in the back of a Chevy van, trying to sleep another night on the interstate because there wasn't enough time to stop."
"It's an understatement to say I've learned a lot about myself in that van. It's an understatement to say I thought it might get the best of me a time or two – and maybe it did – just a time or two."
"But if I've learned anything at all from this, it's that the music holds me like a prisoner. It's my life, my heart, and I'm stuck with both its sun and its rain."
Beginning next week, Smith and the band will be different cities seven days running. He expects the schedule to continue, hitting venues and radio stations all over the country, "something like a politician," he says.
In between his travels, performances and album promotion, he and his wife now call Round Rock home (just north of Austin) and celebrated their first anniversary in February.
One humorous aside, I recently discovered Smith's alter ego on his YouTube page. "
Live with Lionel" features a character created and played by Granger, as he interviews people on the street about the new album.
"It's absolutely a comedic release for me," he told me. "This is the first time this Lionel character has been created, but I've been doing a lot of other characters that we made up over the years."
"I love making videos and always have. It dates back to the LH days, and it's still my brother and I doing them."
"Sometimes we bring in a larger crew for the music videos but for the most part, it's just the two of us."
Be sure to check out other videos about the band and the creative process that lead to "Poets & Prisoners" on Smith's
official website. Fans will also find tour dates, photos and details on pre-ordering the new album.
Next week's Dallas show is scheduled for Saturday, April 16th at Gilley's Jack Daniel Saloon, located at 1135 South Lamar Street in downtown.
The all ages, free performance gets started at 8:00 p.m.
MPE Panther in Charge, Laurie Taylor
In a continuing effort to cover our area schools, while also introducing our readers to fellow members of the Lake Highlands community, LH Today is launching a new series of interviews with school administrators.
We hope everyone will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about these local leaders, each dedicated to steering our schools to continued success.
The first interview in the series features a recent visit with Merriman Park Elementary principal, Laurie Taylor.
While Taylor originally hails from Alabama, her husband of 25 years and their daughter are both graduates of Richardson High School.
In 2009 Taylor completed her masters in Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University, Commerce and, when asked about her current position, describes herself as the "proud principal of MPE."
"I love what I do each day," she says. "It’s not a job. It’s just what I do."
"I’m passionate about creating an optimum educational experience everyday for our kids."
Prior to joining the RISD team, Taylor taught for 11 years in the Plano Independent School District.
Her tenure with Richardson began in 1998 as sixth grade teacher and also included time as both an instructional specialist and science specialist for 14 schools in the district.
"I was the assistant principal for Forest Lane Academy for one year before I came to Merriman Park in 2009."
Her current position as MPE principal doesn't leave much time for hobbies, but when she's able to sneak away Taylor enjoys snow skiing, fishing and camping with her family in New Mexico.
"I have been married to the love of my life, Mike, for 25 years, and our daughter, who we’re quite proud of, is about to graduate from Texas A&M University then begin her masters in the fall."
Typical weekends find her outside whenever possible.
"I love taking my nieces and nephews to the park or going to one of their games to watch them play."
When asked to name her favorite things about Merriman Park, Taylor says it's hard to limit her list.
"We feel like a family at MPE. Together with our PTA, the staff and students, we're all so passionate about making sure our school is successful."
Taylor shares that time spent with her Principal's Cabinet, a group of students she meets with monthly for breakfast, offers her valued perspective on what's important to maintaining student enthusiasm and motivation.
"When I asked my cabinet what makes them proud of Merriman Park, they told me it's their teachers always encouraging them to try new things."
"They were also quick to tell me they're learning all kinds of things their parents don't even know!"
No doubt an effective trick for keeping mom and dad on their toes, whether it's on topic for math, photography or a day's work in the science lab.
"There are so many opportunities and choices at MPE for our students," says Taylor. "That's most important to my kids – not the fact that we’re an exemplary campus or on the TBEC Honor Roll."
"It's more than just what we do. It's who we are."
To learn more about Merriman Park Elementary, visit the school's website
here.
Watch for more interviews with local school leaders coming soon, and if you know of someone you'd like to see highlighted in People & Places, email us at
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LH Today visits with Donovan Campbell
Mar 03 2011 by Steve Clary
Campbell with his wife & daughters
Donovan Campbell grew up in Lake Highlands, attended Princeton, and followed his undergrad degree with an MBA from Harvard's Business School.
He's also husband to Christy, a 1996 LHHS alum, and father to two young daughters, Ally and Avery, with a third on the way.
Aside from a stellar resume, Campbell also penned a book,
Joker One: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood, in 2009.
The experiences he writes about in his book, detailing the time he spent as a Marine commander in the war in Iraq, are why I wanted to visit with Campbell personally.
He graciously afforded me an interview, which I'd like to share with our readers.
Donovan began by telling me he made the decision to attend Officer Training School between his junior and senior year at Princeton because he was looking to differentiate himself.
"I initially went because I thought it would look good on a resume," he says.
It quickly became much more than that.
"What you eventually realize is that it’s not about what the military can do for you, or what you can put on your resume."
"It's about doing something that has to be done, and being the someone who has to do it. If I’ve been as well resourced as I have been, then why would that not be me?"
"I realized that I had one of the greatest stakes in the success of America because this country has been so good to me."
The lessons the war offered were more than difficult and involved the loss of life and the testing of his faith.
"There's certainly no guarantee about your faith," says Campbell. "Some people throw in the towel."
"I believe in a God who is worthy of our service to Him, as opposed to Him serving us."
"He calls me to serve and while it may make me extremely uncomfortable, and put me in places I don’t want to be, I believe that is the proper relationship with God."
Campbell explains that he wrote
Joker One for the men in his command, only later deciding to make it available for mass distribution.
"A lot of people only knew of Fallujah because that's what the press focused on, but they knew very little about what happened in Ramadi. I wanted the story to be told."
"Our company, our battalion, at the end of the tour, had the most casualties since Vietnam. I know that it's since been surpassed, sadly enough."
Now back home, working and raising a family, I wondered about Campbell's thoughts on whether he'd do it all again – as his daughters are growing up, and he and his wife are expecting their third child.
"The short answer is, yes," he says.
"It is certainly hard to compare – having kids now versus not having them."
"My third tour in Afghanistan was tough even though it wasn’t in combat. I missed my daughter's second year in life which was exceptionally hard."
"As hard as it would be, I would do it again if our nation's survival was at stake."
Joker One: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood is available for purchase on
Amazon.com.
Together with his wife and children, Campbell currently resides in Dallas.
Raising awareness in the fight against hunger
Feb 21 2011 by M.E. Clary
Join Patrick for his 2nd annual row
Mother Teresa is credited with saying, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
It's a quote that inspires local resident Patrick Kercheville.
We first introduced our readers to Patrick
last year, as he embarked on a journey to help bring awareness to the issue of hunger.
His fundraising event, 44 on 44! in February 2010, was marked by his effort to raise dollars and food donations for the North Texas Food Bank and Vickery Meadow Food Pantry.
The event name was coined based on Patrick's goal: to row 44,000 meters on his 44th birthday while getting the word out about the hunger crisis in our community.
Another year has come and gone, the training continued, and this year Patrick is hosting the follow-up to his inaugural event – 45 on 45! (So this time it's 45,000 meters for his 45th birthday.)
He's hoping Lake Highlands friends and neighbors will join him this Sunday at the local
CrossFit gym for the big day.
"I'll spend a little over three hours on the rower," he told me last week. "And this year there are lots of ways for people to get involved and help the cause."
One example?
Patrick's son, Joel, a 4th grader at White Rock Elementary, will be rowing a 2K alongside his dad to help the effort.
There will be room for others to participate, as well. You can give it a whirl (or a row, in this case) on either of the two additional row machines that will be set up on Sunday.
For those who think the "2K with PK" is just a bit outside their comfort zone, volunteer "Erg Girls" will be on hand to help collect monetary and food donations.
Cross Fit is also hosting an open gym at noon to help encourage more people to stop in and cheer for Patrick.
Last year's event raised $2,400, helping provide the equivalent of 9,600 meals to hungry families in our community.
As Patrick put it, "that no small potatoes, but it's certainly just the beginning of what's possible."
According to the North Texas Food Bank, nearly half of the funding for their programs is dedicated to services for feeding children specifically.
"Four months of training – the equivalent of 650 miles – hasn't been easy," he said. "But it's nothing compared to what people without a stable source of food go through every single day."
So whether it's a cash donation (which goes the extra mile thanks to the Food Bank's ability to purchase bulk quantities at big discounts) or a donation of canned goods, put this Sunday on your calendar and make plans to stop by the 45 on 45! event.
And don't forget to wish Patrick a "Happy Birthday!" while you're there.
45 on 45! will take place Sunday, February 27th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at CrossFit Lake Highlands.
CFLH is located at 9660 Audelia Road, Ste. 121 – just across the parking lot from Offshore's.
The indoor row will conclude around 1:15 p.m., but visitors and donations are welcome until 2:00 p.m.
If you can't be there in person, please consider donating online at
Patrick's Virtual Food Drive site, coordinated through the North Texas Food Bank.
To reach Patrick directly, email him at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or click
here to view the event flyer.
LH Today visits with the Lamberth Trifecta
Becky, Tommy & Maggie Lamberth
It all started back in the day at Moss Haven Elementary.
Three LH siblings made their way through MHE, Forest Meadow Junior High and on to Lake Highlands High School.
College days found them spread out – from Baylor to TCU to the University of Texas at Austin.
But today they're all back in Lake Highlands schools, specifically Wallace, Skyview and the Lake Highlands Freshman Center.
Becky Lamberth, the oldest of the three siblings, and now a six-year veteran, got her start at Yale Elementary but recently made the move to Skyview.
Middle sibling, Tommy, is newly married and currently teaches Algebra and Geometry at the LH Freshman Center.
Completing the trifecta is the youngest sibling, Maggie, a 2006 LHHS alum and 1st grade teacher at Wallace.
"Growing up, I got an overhead projector when I was eight," she says. "It was the only thing I wanted for Christmas!"
Becky says she, too, always knew she wanted to teach, and for their brother Tommy it came down math, because he's always had an affinity for numbers.
"It was either teaching or accounting," he jokes. "And I wanted to actually talk to people."
"Seriously, though, I wanted to teach at the high school level, because it's a transition time from being a kid to being an adult. It's a different mix, and the Freshman Center is a great place to teach because of the kids."
"It's a unique experience that I really enjoy."
So was heading home to teach in Lake Highlands always in the cards?
"When I graduated, as the first and oldest, I really wanted to work in RISD," says Becky. "It was always my first choice."
"It was familiar, I knew a lot of people and teachers, and even a couple principals. It's a really good district, and I was proud to come back."
"Six years ago, when I first applied and interviewed, the district was really excited to bring back their graduates, and I think they still lean that way."
It's Maggie's first year in the classroom, and she's happy to be back in her childhood neighborhood.
"I'm so glad I got to come back, to not only RISD, but Lake Highlands," she says.
"It's great to be here at Wallace. I actually have a lot friends who went to Wallace, and it's neat knowing my students will eventually go to the same the high school I attended."
It's a trend the Lamberth siblings are familiar with.
"We know a lot of people who grew up in Lake Highlands who are making the decision to come back and start families here," says Becky.
"There are just so many neat houses in this neighborhood, and the schools are great."
"The community is so close knit," says Maggie. "Even at college, I always kept in touch with my friends I grew up with."
And what about long range plans?
These siblings all see themselves sticking around, that's a definite.
"We all had such positive experiences here, and it's good to be back," says Tommy.
"Our parents are still here in Lake Highlands, too. And for me, I really do have my dream job," says Maggie. "I just can't imagine wanting to to anything else."
"We want to our kids go to our brother's class eventually," adds Becky.
"That'll be so much fun!"
At 28, 25 and 23, this Lake Highlands trifecta is definitely a winning bet.
Know someone whose story would make an interesting feature? If you'd like to see a friend or neighbor highlighted in People & Places, email us at
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LH Today visits with Scott Carlson
Scott Carslon and his family
Readers were first introduced to Scott Carlson in July of last year, when the Lake Highlands resident and board member with DART, offered insight into the expansion of the light rail system to include the new Town Center station.
Aiming to increase pedestrian safety, Carlson commented specifically on the
south side access point currently nearing completion at Walnut Hill and White Rock Trail.
In an effort to get to know him a little better, we posed a few questions to Scott, which he graciously answered for us.
LH Today: What part of LH do you call home?
Carlson: I'm a resident of the Moss Haven neighborhood. I've lived here 19 years. I also grew up here and lived in the White Rock area until leaving for college.
My wife, Ann-Claire, and I have a daughter, Susanna, who is a junior at Lake Highlands High School and a LHHS Highlandette. Our son, John, is an eighth grader at Providence Christian School.
LH Today: Tell us about your alma maters.
Carlson: I attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. SMU Law School followed. I'm a also a graduate of Lake Highlands High School where I was a Bell Boy.
I'm currently an attorney with the firm of Cavazos, Hendricks, Poirot and Smitham, where three of the four name shareholders are residents of Lake Highlands.
LH Today: How has DART’s build out changed the way you see the future of Lake Highlands?
Carlson: I am delighted to see the promise that the Town Center brings to revitalize the Lake Highlands area with new housing and retailers.
If it flourishes, I think that the Town Center can be a catalyst to other efforts to re-develop portions of Lake Highlands. I only hope that the current economic downturn does not frustrate the realization of that vision.
It was only after DART had committed funds to the new LH station construction that we saw the current developer commit to the Town Center development. It's my understanding that the LH station was key to that commitment.
Several other potential developers expressed an interest but failed to close on the opportunity prior to DART’s commitment to construct the station.
LH Today: You've served on the DART board since 2003. What other organizations are you involved with?
Carlson: I also sit on the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake and volunteer with the Boy Scouts, Troop 125.
LH Today: In addition to your volunteer work, what would you say you're most passionate about?
Carlson: I'd say I'm passionate about my family, baseball, and the world that our children will inherit.
LH Today: On a typical Saturday, what keeps you busy?
Carlson: Home improvement projects, and mowing the lawn are usually on the list. Also taking the kids to their activities, or going on a Boy Scout camp-out.
As time allows I also enjoy woodworking and fly fishing.
Know someone whose story would make an interesting feature? If you'd like to see a friend or neighbor highlighted in People & Places, email us at
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LH Today visits with Voscia Walker
Jan 05 2011 by M.E. Clary
Voscia in the church's new PDO classroom
One of the most enjoyable aspects of LH Today involves our People & Places feature.
It affords us the opportunity to meet local residents and introduce them to our readers.
To that end, I was recently able to spend some time with Voscia Walker, an LH mom, volunteer and newly appointed pre-school director.
It was about a year ago when I was first introduced to Voscia, as she was serving on the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA's
2010 Home Tour committee.
With a full-time job and a two-year-old at home, it was impressive enough to meet her at a volunteer event.
And come to find out, things haven't slowed down in the least for Voscia.
In August she was hired as the Director of the new Parents’ Day Out (PDO) Program at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, located here in Lake Highlands.
According to Voscia, it's all part of what she calls "the bigger picture."
"I moved to Lake Highlands in 2004 and began teaching as a substitute with RISD, mainly at Hamilton Park and Moss Haven Elementary schools."
"It was sometime after the birth of my daughter, while I was working out at the YMCA, that another mom told me about the Lake Highlands Early Childhood PTA."
The relationship she built there led her to another of her favorite groups, the
Moss Haven Moms, a networking and social group for parents whose children attend, or will soon attend, Moss Haven Elementary.
"My daughter and I attended a Pony Club event at Moss Haven, and we've really enjoyed the group."
A lot of her time, as of late, has been dedicated to the new PDO program at the church, however.
With a drop-in program that launched over the holidays, and regular classes for little ones beginning next week, she's got her hands more than full.
"Our first official day of classes is January 11th and with a successful spring and summer, we're anticipating a full program by the fall."
Oh, and wait... did I mention Voscia's other job? (A hint for our readers: it's not her full-time job as mother to Lauren, who'll be turning four shortly.)
"I was also recently hired as the new Site Coordinator at the Trinity Palms Apartments," she told me during our visit.
"I'll be on site in the afternoons to supervise the tutors as they work with the kids after school."
Voscia's "bigger picture" theory certainly makes sense here, considering it was the Moss Haven Moms who first organized a
support effort for new residents at this very apartment complex.
So my last question for Voscia went something like this: "how in the world do you do it all?"
"I just do what I have to do, when it needs to get done," she said. "You find what works, and you do it."
"And most importantly, I keep Lauren in the center of it all."
For more information about the new PDO program at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, email Voscia directly at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 214.340.4196.
You can also visit the church's website
here.
Looking ahead to 2011
Dec 23 2010 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
With 2010 winding down, it's time to start looking ahead to 2011.
It would seem the general consensus is that the nation has rounded the corner on the Great Recession and there appears to be a shimmer of opportunity in the air.
With the recession starting to run its course, I want to say how lucky we are to be living in North Texas, in the city of Dallas, and in particular, as the saying goes, in our neck of the woods.
While we did feel some pain, it was nothing like what the rest of the country was experiencing.
New economic development pretty much came to a halt, but to the credit of our community, our home values held firm, our schools never lost a beat, and folks from all over the city were rushing here to call our neighborhood home.
In 2010 our overall crime continued to trend downward. This is the third straight year that the crime rate has fallen.
Out of the 14 council districts our district has the fifth lowest crime rate.
Churchill Estates, an upscale senior retirement home, opened with much
fanfare from the community as many remember the old worn out buildings it replaced.
On the horizon we look forward to the makeover of the Lake Highlands Plaza shopping center.
LH Plaza was an old, tired shopping center that is now going to be a
fresh, new compliment to our neighborhood. Complete with 19 new homes, it will maintain the current shops, businesses and, of course everyone’s favorite: Highlands Cafe.
Excitement is starting to build around the Town Center with the opening of the Lake Highlands DART station.
From the
Lake Highlands Station you have access to 13 other cities and with combined bus service that means 12,400 stops around the metroplex.
Anticipation is also growing for vertical development at the Town Center.
I'm hopeful that Prescott will be announcing the lead tenant in the very near future and this announcement will breathe new life into our community and get the project off the launch pad.
Our community is primed and ready for takeoff when the recovery starts.
Our community must be ready to take advantage of the new up cycle and seek new, positive development.
Developers risk millions of dollars and generally go where they feel welcome, so now is the time to be talking about our wish list and waving our banners for developers to see.
Make your wish list heard by contacting my office at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or contact your local HOA representative to the
Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association. Now is the time to be heard.
Christmas is a special time of the year. What makes our community so special is how hard we try to follow the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
No, we're not perfect. But we are some of the best clappers this nation has to offer.
When we see someone excelling in a pursuit, or reaching out to help their fellow man, we clap, and every once in a while we even give a standing ovation.
It is my hope that 2011 will be the best year ever for our community.
With all of us working together and clapping for one other, it definitely will be.
Meet Sudan Missionary, Mike Congrove
Mike Congrove of e3 Partners in Sudan
As a Lake Highlands resident, there's a chance you might be familiar with
I am Second, the national campaign that reaches out with personal stories of hope, peace and fulfillment through the sharing of personal testimony.
With a little research, you might have even discovered that this national campaign is led by e3 Partners, an outreach group headquartered just a few miles to the north in Plano, Texas.
Even closer to home, one Lake Highlands resident is working with e3 Partners by serving as a missionary in Sudan.
LH Today would like to introduce our readers to Mike Congove, one Lake Highlands man on a mission.
I am a resident of: the L Streets
I have lived here: since June 2000
My alma mater: Oklahoma Baptist University
My occupation: Church Planter/Missionary in Sudan
About my family: I absolutely won the wife lottery with Ali. She becomes more amazing to me every day. I married my dream girl, and we’ve been married 13 years. We have Alexa (9), Weston (6), and Erin (3). I am the most blessed guy on Earth.
Other organizations I’m involved in: I am a Board Member of the Downtown Pregnancy Center. I am also involved at both Fellowship Bible Church Dallas and Koine Church Dallas.
My hobbies include: Three children under eight consume me. Beyond them, camping and hiking would lead a very small list. I’m sort of a nerd who found his passion and let it take over.
The most unusual, funniest or hardest job I’ve ever held is: I worked at a bleach factory off of Harry Hines that also made ammonia and, yes, they did mix one day. Quite the green cloud formed as we evacuated.
What I am passionate about: I am consumed with helping the Sudanese to establish new churches in Sudan. We’ve started over 60 churches in just 3 1/2 years, and I’ve never “constructed” a church building. My closely-related passion is helping Americans and the church in America use the skills and gifts God has given them to help the Sudanese. That’s a big part of why we live here and not in Sudan. I’ve become a very strong believer in standing behind the Sudanese, not in front.
On a typical Saturday you might find me: Hopefully with friends. Relationships are what make life sweet. Ali and I try to have folks over and spend time with friends and other families.
Something others may be surprised to learn about me is: I’m hopelessly mono-linguistic, and I never attended seminary. The fact that the Lord allows me to be a missionary still amazes me. I’m totally unqualified in most folks’ eyes, but not in His.
Why did you leave Corporate America to embark on your current journey? I didn’t feel I had a choice. God was clearly calling me to leave everything and follow Him. There is no way I could operate here and in Sudan on a part-time basis.
Just a few of Mike's efforts, together with other e3 members and Sudanese Christians, include:
Leading 75 -100 North Americans to Sudan on short-term trips each year
Starting a Sudanese Bible School
Facilitating Microfinance Initiatives for the people of Sudan
Creating a Women's Ministry
Educating and feeding over 500 pre-school, elementary and Jr. High children
Planning for a medical training center & agricultural program for the Sudanese
For more information about e3 Partners and their work in Sudan, visit
e3sudan.
Readers can stay up-to-date on Mike's latest mission trips and church planting efforts by visiting his blog
here.
Editor's note:
Mike's profile originally ran in August of last year. Based on recent press (the George Clooney variety) in the Sudanese area of Africa and the plight of their people, we thought it fitting to re-run his interview. Share it with a friend in honor of the holiday season!
Designing with dignity and heart
Dec 06 2010 by M.E. Clary
Fuerst and Fifer in the shop
I have to begin with a disclaimer – I am so
not a designer.
Love to pretend by watching a few home and garden shows now and then, but let's face it, that doesn't mean I have the "eye" or the talent.
What I do have is friends with talent to spare, however, so I'm able to live vicariously.
One such talented friend is Katie Fuerst, fellow LH resident and one of the
Creative Chicks we interviewed last year around this same time.
Spending time with Katie makes me hope for creativity by association – like maybe some of it will rub off on me if we meet for lunch often enough.
So when she recently told me about Dwell with Dignity, a non-profit group of interior designers dedicated to helping homeless families, I immediately wanted to know more.
Seems Katie goes way back with the founder of DWD, Lisa Robison. They met in a class for new moms at Presbyterian Hospital several years ago.
"Now I make a piece for each install," Katie recently told me. "Basing the design off of the colors and styles that Lisa and her partner, Kim Turner, choose for the newest space."
Katie's pieces are custom work she describes as "a creative outlet enabling her to paint anything that doesn't move." The results are some fabulous ceramic, fabric and canvas designs. (Be sure to check them out on her
Fuerst Editions website.)
And based on her relationship with Dwell with Dignity, and creating pieces for formerly homeless families that compliment their newly re-designed spaces, Katie was one of the first to learn about the group's new contest – Ready, Aim, ReDesign.
With a goal of taking a tired, old piece of furniture and turning it into a work of art, Katie got right to work.
She started by calling her friend, contractor and fellow designer, Christman Fifer (a name many in LH will recognize as the owner of
Fifer Renovations.)
"Christman is so easy to work with," says Katie. "I appreciate his decisive nature. The furniture that he makes is so classic, but forward at the same time."
"I purchased some odd elements at First Monday in Canton a while back, and he took one look at them and the design was born for a coffee table."
Christman says he interpreted it as a "found object."
"One of my favorite sculptors, Marcel Duchamp, was the master of 'found-object' creations," he says. "Duchamp would take everyday objects and transform them into something extremely unique and simple. So my train of thought was 'what would Duchamp do?'"
Iron grate and steel casters from Katie, combined with walnut and glass from Christman, ultimately yielded a beautifully designed, yet fully functional, coffee table.
Something new, born of old materials, with a urban, contemporary flare. And the best part?
It celebrates the creativity of two talented Lake Highlands designers, all while raising awareness for the mission of Dwell with Dignity.
"Of course the national exposure is amazing," laughs Katie. "We're talking renowned members of the design community – hello, Jonathan Adler!"
"But ultimately it's a really fun way for folks who may not know about DWD, and the wonderful work they do, to learn all about them."
The Top 10 entries were chosen by a panel of judges on Monday evening, and while the Fuerst/Fifer creation wasn't among them, there are no regrets.
"You can't win 'em all," Katie told me late Tuesday afternoon. "But it sure was fun trying."
For design enthusiasts interested in purchasing the piece, the pair is offering it for sale at a price of $1,050.00.
Send Katie an email at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more details – she'll be happy to visit with you!
To learn more about the contest and Dwell with Dignity initiative, visit the
Ready Aim ReDesign site.
You can also see some of Katie's creations from past DWD projects
here, and be sure to check out
Christman's custom designs, too.
LH Today visits with Erin Aldrich
Aldrich makes it look easy & fun!
Lake Highlands High School alum, Erin Aldrich, is arguably the most decorated athlete in Lake Highlands history.
As an All-American in track and volleyball she won four NCAA high-jump titles, including a sweep of the NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in 1998 and 1999.
At the age of 22, the '96 LHHS grad placed second in the high jump at the U.S. Olympic trials and qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
The Longhorn and current MBA student was also recently inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor, so we caught up with Aldrich to visit with her about the induction, her illustrious career, family and her Lake Highlands roots.
LHT: When did you get word that you were being inducted into the UT Hall of Honor and what does it mean to you?
Aldrich: My fiancé and I were taking a much needed vacation in Cancun for about five days when I got an email from UT’s Athletic Director, Chris Plonsky.
I wouldn't believe the news! I was literally speechless, and couldn't believe I was being honored in such a way, amidst such an accomplished, special group of individuals.
LHT: Of all the awards/accolades in your career, which one(s) are you most proud of and why?
Aldrich: There are a few that come to mind. I would say that making an Olympic Team is obviously something that is very special; however it is even more special for me, because I had dreamed of being an Olympian since the age of six.
I put everything I had into that endeavor, leaving no stone unturned. I was fairly close to realizing my dream as a senior in high school, so I knew my real chance would come four years later as a senior in college.
In addition to making the Olympic Team, I would say that setting the NCAA record in the High Jump was a pretty amazing moment. The feeling of being so “in the zone” is something I wish I could experience more often.
Flying through the air over a 6’5.5” bar is something I took for granted during my career, but now I realize how unique that experience is – very few people get to experience what that feels like!
LHT: Your coaches have obviously meant a lot to your success. Can you tell us about the influence they've had on your career, both on and off the track/court?
Aldrich: My coaches have become my best friends through this whole process.
As a matter of fact, I am honored that my high school coach, Deanna Carrillo, is a bridesmaid in my upcoming wedding in July. She has meant the world to me, not only as an outstanding coach, but as a mentor and a friend.
I could never repay her for what she has done for me. It was very fun for me to ask her to be in my wedding, because by doing so, I was expressing to her the love I have for her. She is a tremendous woman!
All my teachers and coaches played an important role in my life in one way or another, so it’s tough to single any of them out. However, I do remember Jean Wyatt from my junior high years.
She was (and still is) such a kind lady and always seems to be my number one fan. We still keep in touch through Facebook, and she always gets really excited for me when good things happen in my life, like when my fiancé and I won the Four Seasons wedding this past summer.
LH Today visits with Ben Jenkins
Nov 17 2010 by Steve Clary
Ben Jekins and his "company car."
Meet Ben Jenkins – Lake Highlands native, LHHS alumni, and a pretty talented marketing visionary.
One one hand, Ben is one hell of a creative entrepreneur who owns two businesses.
On the other, he's a gifted athlete and former multi-sport star from LHHS, where he started at quarterback and center field for the Wildcats before graduating in '91.
He went on to play baseball at Mississippi State before being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.
While on the road with his minor league team, Jenkins was always working to keep his design skills sharp.
"I played minor league baseball for a year and a half," he told me during our recent visit.
"On the road, I’d see a logo of a small business, and if I thought I could do it better, I’d sit down and redesign it and give the new logo to the owner. This went on in a number of cities where we played."
"A rotator cuff injury kind of forced my hand. I decided to retire and go back to school at the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue my Master of Fine Arts."
While working on his thesis in film, animation and video, his subject was the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. It was one that would change his perception on life forever.
"LH is such a 'normal' place with regular people," said Ben.
"There's lots of passion in the community and all that, but I grew up here and didn’t know much about the world."
"I think a lot of people quickly realize that when they get out and do things – see things."
"Working on an Indian Reservation will flip your world. In some ways it was like looking through a lens which revealed the differences in the culture I was raised in. Even though they were without many of the extravagances, they weren't concerned about many of those things."
Jenkins founded
One Fast Buffalo in 1999 and quickly branded himself and his marketing firm as a force in the industry, competing against some of the biggest firms in the country. As he puts it, "we create uniqueness, not just brand designs and websites."
Like most business owners, Jenkins had to address the recent downturn in the economy with severe cost cutting measures. While laying off employees and cutting overhead is never a fun task, an idea for a new business was born in the process.
"I got to the point where I had a bunch of employees, and like everybody, the economy hit us and we had to layoff," said Ben.
"The office was the first thing I looked at and realized that everything we do is online. If I had an employee 10 feet away in the office, we’d still use email to communicate. It was pointless."
"I figured what mattered is what we create. As long as we produce, the client doesn’t care where we work, so we went virtual and told our employees to live wherever they wanted."
The one problem? With a virtual office concept, some people still need the social aspect that comes with the job.
"They need social interaction with other people," Ben told me. "They become cooped up and isolated. They need a place to go to meet with clients, to collaborate with other professionals, but they also need flexibility."
And with that in mind, the
Workhaus Co-Working Lodge was born.
For $145 monthly membership, or a $25 daily pass, you get all the perks that Workhause has to offer, including office space, couches and patio seating, a business mailing address, and 24-hour access.
Happy hours, networking opportunities and use of the conference room are also included.
Check out the One Fast Buffalo
blog when you get a chance, too.
Odds are you'll like what you see.
The lead photo is courtesy of Ben's sister, Katie Norris. You can visit her website by clicking here.
LH Today visits with Pastor Anne Cameron
Pastor Anne Cameron, LHPC
After nearly three years at the helm, pastor Anne Cameron has found her calling a most rewarding one.
Cameron serves as the senior pastor at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, located on Audelia just north of Northwest Highway.
According to Pastor Anne, as she's known to church family and friends, LHPC has a shared history of three congregations that merged into one 11 years ago.
"As soon as I saw this, I knew LHPC was forward thinking, able to adapt, and 'think outside the box.' This can be a rare find in mainline churches," she says.
Husband George is a professor at SMU, and together the couple has three children.
"Meg, who is 23, lives and works in New Dehli, India and will return to the states in 2011 to attend law school."
"Our son John is a junior at Yale studying architecture, and Paul is a sophomore at LHHS. He plays tenor sax in the band and is on the tennis team."
Two schnoodles and a cat complete the family.
Pastor Anne sees her church body as one that represents the Lake Highlands community well.
"We are a small but growing church in which each person is known by name, connected to the whole, and cared for. Each member is also equipped to reach out and care for others," she says.
When asked about the congregation's greatest strengths she mentions missonal work and diversity.
"We are involved in both local and global missions, and we are a diverse body of worship, with members hailing from nine countries."
"Christian Fellowship International is a group of Ethiopian and Eritrian Christians who have found a worship home here at LHPC. We conduct joint worship with them on World Communion Sunday and share outstanding pot luck lunches!"
Pastor Anne describes faith as a passion.
"Faith is relevant and absolutely essential to a whole life, and I consider it our responsibility to share our resources with others who do not have them."
But one thing's got her worried – the increasing polarization she sees occurring in our society.
"Our culture is becoming increasingly polarized, and this occurs in nearly every cultural subgroup," she says.
"Nowhere is this more disheartening than in the arena of faith. Even among so-called Christian churches there is competition, exclusion, and 'silo' thinking."
"When the discourse includes Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism it often turns to diatribe and polemic, which fuels the fires of discrimination and hatred."
"As Christians, we are called to act like Christ – to welcome the stranger and care for the alien. Thoughtful and tempered conversation between different denominations and faiths is essential to breaking down that which divides us."
If you're looking for Pastor Anne outside the church, try LA Fitness or White Rock Lake. She enjoys yoga and cycling in her free time.
You might also find her scooting around Lake Highlands on the moped she and her husband share.
"It's a great way to save a little gas, be kind to the environment and it's just plain fun!"
LHPC offers both traditional and contemporary services each week.
The church's Child Development Center has been voted best in Lake Highlands for two consecutive years by
Dallas Morning News Neighbors Go and hosts an annual summer art camp that draws children from all over the metroplex.
To learn more about Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, visit their website
here.
A little LH background: the local option election
LH resident Dee Blakey, second from left
Early voting ends this Friday, and Election Day will officially take place on Tuesday, November 2nd of next week.
While mid-term elections tend to draw fewer voters, much is on the line this year as politicians debate issues ranging from the economy to education.
On the ballot are a number of important races, including the battle for the governor's office, our Texas State Representatives, the Dallas District Attorney race and a number of district judge races.
Of particular importance to a number of residents is the City of Dallas Special Local Option Election, Propositions 1 & 2 involving the sale of wine and beer for off-site consumption, as well the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants.
Local resident, small business owner and volunteer, Dee Blakey, has been involved in this issue for quite some time. Today, we're visiting with her about why this particular ballot measure is important to her and why she thinks it's equally important to our community.
LH Today: When did you get involved in the neighborhood?
Blakey: About 5 years ago I read a quote from the longtime Mayor of Richmond, Texas. He said, "My philosophy is, if you are not willing to improve the community you are in, you can keep your mouth shut." I realized he was talking to me, and I needed to stop complaining and do something. So some neighbors and I revitalized our neighborhood watch. Through that I was involved in real estate zoning cases at Lullwater and Shoreview and the re-purposing of the Armory on Northwest Highway.
LH Today: What about the local option election is so important to you? In other words, why beer and wine?
Blakey: I was concerned about my neighborhood grocery store, the Albertsons at Northwest Highway and Ferndale. I wanted them to be given every opportunity to be profitable. If they can't sell all products, then they're at a disadvantage. The patchwork of 1845 laws in Dallas was crazy – it made no sense. I had some time and energy on my hands and frankly, dealing with neighborhood situations like lost cats wasn't exciting anymore. I knew I could figure out how to fix this mess. Government type stuff just didn't seem so intimidating anymore.
LH Today: This is the largest alcohol election in the U.S. since prohibition. Did the size of the task seem overwhelming?
Blakey: A little, but friends encouraged me. And then something weird would happen to remind me why it's such an important issue – like on a flight to Chicago, when I was seated between two senior managers from Walmart. My jaw was on the floor at the sales volume in the category of alcohol sales, and by extension sales tax revenue!
LH Today: How did you begin the effort?
Blakey: I wanted to find out what happened with that first petition drive that used the Justice of the Peace Districts. Using the Internet, I tracked down the firm responsible. They sent me all the background on using the JP districts. I'm not a lawyer, but even to me that mess looked like at least 10 lawsuits waiting to happen. I couldn't even figure out which historic JP District Lake Highlands was in. I thought to myself, "there has got to be a better way to make this happen."
So I called Dallas County. The commissioners office put me in touch with Toni Pippins-Poole. Mrs. Pippins-Poole is the premier authority in all of Texas on local option elections. I spoke with localities all over the state about "how they did it," and every one of them referenced Mrs. Pippins-Poole with great respect. She called me from her vacation on more than one occasion.
I needed to research the heck out of this topic, and I spoke with all kinds of people. Everyone was very gracious about sharing their knowledge and steering me along the path. I became somewhat of an expert on Texas Alcohol laws, and I kept adding all these people to my email distribution. I would send out status reports to this list and sometimes pleas for more information. I always got feedback and suggestions or more introductions.
It took almost a year, because I only worked on this on my days off. Funny thing is, I have a real job and a real life, too. It was almost comic how much my phone would ring on Tuesdays, having to tell the president of this company or that I couldn't talk because I had a hair appointment!
LH Today: And what about the financing?
Blakey: Once I had my facts straight about using the City of Dallas as the boundary, I presented a case on why I thought the effort would be successful. It was based in part on the signature collections for both the Trinity and the Convention Hotel votes. I sent out a synopsis to everyone I knew who might have a financial interest in the issue. There is no way I could or would finance this on my own. I have my own business, but it has zero connection to alcohol.
LH Today: What surprised most along the way?
Blakey: The opposition – liquor stores and the Town of Addison. Also, during my research not one person from Mayor's office, the city officials, TABC lawyers, developers, or grocery store executives asked me who I was to be doing this. Or discouraged me.
LH Today: In your opinion, what are the odds that these propositions will pass?
Blakey: All I can say is, I hope they do. Only Dallas and Farmers Branch are dry among the North Texas communities. These propositions will allow grocery stores to play on a level field, being able to sell all products. And I think they will bring opportunities for new restaurants and grocery stores to areas of Dallas that have been overlooked for a long time. I believe the LH Town Center will be fighting an uphill battle without them. It is the 21st century, after all, and the City of Dallas needs to join it! And remember, if you're voting a straight ticket, you'll still need to vote on the two options at the bottom of the ballot.
LH Today: What's next on your agenda?
Blakey: My small business is very busy now, and I'm grateful for that. A friend and I are currently developing a new product, and I'm working on something at the state level.
LH Today visits with Janna Gardner
Janna Gardner, Healing Hands Ministries
Janna Gardner is a true maverick. Many people in our community might even call her a saint.
From school nurse to Executive Director of a growing non-profit health care clinic, based right here in Lake Highlands, Janna is also a visionary.
Together with her husband Brent, the couple has been in Lake Highlands 17 of their 21 married years. The couple's two sons, Trent and Carter, round out the Gardener clan.
It was in 2005 that, together with like-minded volunteers, she conceived the idea of a clinic that would reach out to children and families in great need of medical care, and that field is an extremely familiar one for Janna.
"My first job, in fact, was as a candy striper at Hillcrest Hospital when I was 13," she says. "And I’ve never left the industry."
Following 10 years as a nurse in management at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Janna was promoted and began managing all the employee health clinics for the entire Texas Health Resources system.
"In 1997 a merger with the Harris Hospital system, coupled with arrival of my second child, made me rethink my priorities," she explains.
Consulting kept her busy for the next several years as she worked with companies inlcuding MBNA, Exxon and Target.
"The position I held at Target really opened my eyes to how many people didn’t understand how to use their benefits. They were utilizing the ER for their health care, so I felt compelled to figure out a way to help people use their benefits more effectively."
It was following a mission trip to Alaska in 2004 that Janna's husband suggested she consider a position as a school nurse. When an opportunity at Stultz Road Elementary opened up, she jumped on it. It was there that she witnessed firsthand the needs of children in our community.
"I saw the need of the children and their families, those who didn't have access to health or dental care. God put a burden on my heart that I just couldn’t run from."
"As a result of working in several health care systems throughout my career, I was able to reach out to like minded people, and those relationships were critical to getting Healing Hands Ministries off the ground."
Healing Hands Ministires (HHM) is a non-profit medical and dental clinic, that through a network of volunteer doctors and dentists, offers health care services to those who otherwise can’t afford it.
Janna brought the right people together, sat down with them and got to work.
"We began researching the demographic data from the Richardson Independent School District, and we got a good pulse of the challenges facing RISD with respect to the overall well being of the children from a health care perspective."
Janna says that the data showed what many of us already know. We are community with a rich diversity of people.
"The socio-economic make-up is just as diverse with both an affluent enclave, as well as one of the largest populations of Section 8 housing in the city."
"When we opened the doors to the clinic on March 13th in 2007, we had four patients. Today, we now treat somewhere around 1,900 patients, which will probably generate 7,500 office visits this year."
The HHM staff is comprised of one part-time, paid physician, 40 physician volunteers, 11 volunteer dentists, 50 nurses and 13 hygienists.
"And we couldn’t have done it without the help of countless volunteers and organizations who stepped up," adds Janna.
Gaston Oaks Baptist, Northpark Presbyterian and the Wilshire Baptist churches all pitched in – in a big way.
LH Today visits with the rock star down the road
Oct 12 2010 by Jennifer Eckert
Ken Bethea (far right) and the Old 97's
Lake Highlands residents pride themselves on the diversity of their neighborhoods.
Individuality and "marching to your own beat" are embraced in Lake Highlands, which is why many artists and musicians decide to call it home, especially after they have kids.
Recently, I had the chance to chat with one such musician, Ken Bethea, lead guitarist for the popular band, Old 97’s.
We chatted about everything from raising kids in Lake Highlands, to his musical influences, to the new album the Old 97’s released this week,
The Grand Theatre, Volume One.
LHT: Are you from Dallas originally?
Bethea: No, I’m from a tiny town in the sticks outside of Tyler. I went to college at Southwest Texas (now Texas State) for two years and finished at UT Austin. I moved to the Dallas area from East Texas in 1988 for career opportunities and to live in a bigger city.
LHT: How long have you been in Lake Highlands & what precipitated the move?
Bethea: We moved to Lake Highlands in 2002, looking for larger homes and better schools for our kids.
LHT: Tell us about your family.
Bethea: I met my wife, Heather, through friends when I was living in Denton. It was pre-Old 97's, and we've been married 12 years. Our children are Audie and Eliza, who both go to White Rock Elementary. Eliza plays soccer, and Audie plays both soccer and football.
LHT: Do the kids play musical instruments?
Bethea: Audie is learning guitar, but he’s not very focused on it right now.
LHT: What do your friends and neighbors think about living near a bona fide rock star?
Bethea: They don’t think about me that way. They think of me as “coach” because I was a soccer coach for years and now coach Audie’s football team. Many of my neighbors had no idea what I did for a living for a long time. Some of them get a kick out of my being in a band.
LHT: Do the kids go to Old 97's shows?
Bethea: Sometimes they go to the local shows, but they don’t go on tour with me.
LHT: Do you try to avoid being on the road for special dates like birthdays and anniversaries?
Bethea: No, with the four of us (members of Old 97’s) all having wives and kids, it would be too difficult to tour around all those important dates. I make up for missing them when I’m at home. I get a lot of quality time with my kids when I’m not on the road. I’m basically a stay-at-home dad when I’m not touring or recording.
After discussing family life and living in Lake Highlands, Ken answered questions about the Old 97’s, his musical influences, songwriting techniques and the band's new album,
The Grand Theatre, Volume One.
LHT: What are your musical influences?
Bethea: I love punk rock from the 70’s and 80’s – X, Black Flag, the Ramones, the Clash. I'm also influenced by folk music like the Pogues, rock music like the Rolling Stones, and classic country musicians like Johnny Cash.
LHT: What about your favorite current bands?
Bethea: Right now I like Green Day, Franz Ferdinand, and the Fratellis.
LHT: The Old 97’s are pioneers of the music genre commonly referred to as “alt country.” Did you set out to create a new sound?
Bethea: We knew we wanted to have a country slant to our music, but also bring in other musical influences such as punk rock and folk music. Our sound is always evolving, and we're always bringing in new techniques and influences. This new album has a lot of Clash because our producer, Salim Nourallah, is a huge Clash fan.
LHT: Who writes most of your songs and how are they written?
Bethea: Rhett (Miller, Old 97’s lead singer) writes the songs. He writes constantly. He brings us the song and plays it for us on the acoustic guitar. We then decide as a band if we want to move forward with the song. We play it through and experiment as a group.
Often, each band member then works on his part individually and brings it back to the group. We each focus on our own instrument. It’s a good collaboration, and we don’t get in each other’s way.
How did you guys meet?
Bethea: I met Phillip (Peeples, Old 97’s drummer and also a Lake Highlands resident) while playing in another band in Denton. After I moved to Dallas, I lived across the hall from Murray (Hammond, bassist) who was friends with Rhett.
We used to drink beer and play together for fun on Thursday nights. After we were asked to play a few gigs, we invited Phillip to come play with us.
LHT: Where did the name Old 97’s come from?
Bethea: It was from a Johnny Cash song, “Wreck of the Old 97.”
LHT: You're about to go on tour to promote your new album. Do you have a favorite city or venue?
Bethea: Of course Dallas is a great place to play. It’s always fun to play in front of friends. I would have to say, though, being from the sticks, there is nothing like playing a sold out show in New York City.
LHT: Tell us about the Old 97's fans.
Bethea: Our fans base is very diverse. We have those that have been with us since the beginning – ones we recognize in the crowds. We also have newer fans who may have just discovered our music with our last album. I know of one couple who met at a show and have already been married and divorced. And every tour there are also a few crazy stalker-type fans.
LHT: With Rhett and Murray living on opposite coasts, and you and Phillip living in Dallas, when you're not recording or touring, do you keep in touch?
Bethea: Yes, we keep in touch daily through e-mail and telephone calls.
LHT: What are your favorite songs on the new album?
Bethea: “Every Night is Friday Night” and “Please Hold on while the Train is Moving.”
LHT: We hear that Vince Vaughn is a fan of the Old 97’s. Are you aware of any other celebrity fans of the band?
Bethea: Yeah. In LA or New York there are usually celebrities. Katy Perry, Molly Ringwald, Zach Galifianacis , Ashlee Simpson, Rainn Wilson and Janeane Garofalo have all showed up at one time or another. Bruce Springsteen is also a fan, but I've never met him. Maybe someday, because I'm a big fan of his.
Whether you're a long time fan or have just discovered the band, be sure to check out the Old 97’s new album,
The Grand Theatre, Volume One, released October 12th.
For tour dates and information, see the band’s website
here. You'll also find them on
Facebook, frequently posting tour info, music updates and giveaways.
Photo credit: (bottom left) Allison V. Smith; Allison V. Smith Photography
LH Today visits with Sally Rodriguez
Sally Rodriguez, historian & author
She's coming up on 30 years with the Park and Recreation Department, and she's worn many hats during that time.
Sally Rodriguez opened the Ridgewood Recreation Center in Lakewood, has managed several other rec centers throughout Dallas, and worked on the city's Renaissance Plan as the chairperson charged with historical research.
Most recently, you might have read about Rodriguez and her
local speaking engagements.
Or, more importantly, you might have heard about her new book - one reason for those speaking engagements -
Images of America, White Rock Lake.
Currently in its 5th printing, to say the the book has been a hit is something of an understatement.
"The reason it's selling so well is because of the personal history people have with the lake," says Rodriguez.
"Their fond memories are actually an important part of the historical perspective."
Case in point: a certain 100-pound catfish caught during the lake's earliest days.
As mentioned earlier, Rodriguez is a regular on the local lecture circuit, making the rounds speaking about the history of not only the lake, but the city's extensive park system as a whole.
It was during one her presentations that she met a family member of the men pictured with the giant fish.
With their help she was able to identify Billy & Johnny Millican, including the photo in the book and preserving it for the archives.
"That's probably the best part of my job," says Rodriguez. "Uncovering all the 'lost' photos and history of our parks. It's really a give-and-take."
"The more I talk with people and present to local groups, the more I'm able to learn."
In her official capacity with Parks & Rec, she manages all the geographical information associated with the department's graphics, in addition to the trail network maps. She also handles all the briefings for the Park Board and City Council.
It was when she uncovered some aerial photos from the 1940's, in her initial work on the city's Renaissance Plan, that Rodriguez became part of what is now the official archiving of some of our city's most important historical documents.
She worked with researchers from Texas Tech University and was instrumental in cataloging and preserving the thousands of images, maps and aerial photos that are now safely stored in the Dallas Municipal Archives.
Rodriguez was first charged with protecting the history of the city's parks. Now she helps promote it.
"Next up is the centennial for White Rock Lake," she explains.
2011 marks the 100th anniversary of a lake that is now visited by more than 2 million people every year.
From March through June of next spring, locals can expect to enjoy sailing exhibitions, a Lakefest Centennial, family days and a gala marking 100 days of celebration.
What better way to prepare for the party, than to brush up on our lake's history?
"The history really just keep coming," says Rodriguez. "It will always be a work in progress."
Mark your calendars: The Audelia Road Library Friends are hosting Rodriguez this Saturday, October 9th in library's auditorium.
Join in the latest installment of the group's Author Series and enjoy Rodriguez's presentation at 2:00 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
To learn more about
Images of America, White Rock Lake, or to purchase a copy, click
here.
Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Dallas Park Foundation. Photos courtesy of Sally Rodriguez and the Dallas Municipal Archives.
LH Today visits with Francis Cooper
Francis Cooper, safety with a smile
If you’ve ever driven down Audelia Road across Estate Lane at the beginning or ending of a school day, then you’re sure to have seen Francis Cooper, Lake Highlands friendliest crossing guard.
It’s a sure bet he’s holding a stop sign in one hand, while waving to cars passing by with the other.
Mr. Cooper has serviced RISD for seven years, and in that time has escorted thousands of Lake Highlands children (and grown-ups, too) safely across the busy street.
I spent a most enjoyable visit – in between watching Cooper stop traffic to escort kids – with the soft-spoken, 53 year-old guard, known to many by his ever present smile and enthusiastic waves.
LHT: Mr. Cooper, about how many kids would you say you escort each school day?
Cooper: Oh, easily 100 kids each morning from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. In the afternoon between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., probably only about 80 because a lot have after school activities, and their parents pick them up at the school.
LHT: What do you do in between your crossing guard duties?
Cooper: Oh, I sleep! Well, I also help out my mom and my neighbors if they need a ride or an errand run.
LHT: You told us you have three grown sons. What do they think of your job?
Cooper: They love it. My youngest, who’s 28, keeps asking me when I’m going back to school! But that’s probably because I've been in school a lot. Trade schools mostly, learning electrical, plumbing, diesel mechanics, blue print reading, carpentry.
LHT: Impressive resume! Why are you pulling crossing guard duty?
Cooper: I love this neighborhood. I used to live here, but recently moved to Oak Cliff to care for my mom. They (the City of Dallas) wanted me to work in Oak Cliff, but I said no, that I love the people here.
And I love how after seven years, so many kids come back to see me after they’ve graduated, to keep me up to date with what they’re doing - if they’re in college or the military. Parents visit with me, too. I wouldn’t trade this job for anything.
LHT: Just in the 20 minutes that we’ve spent together here on the corner, easily three dozen cars have waved and honked. What do your fellow guards think of all your friends?
Cooper: Well, they wonder how I’m able to escort high schoolers across the street. They tell me they have a problem with that sometimes, that the big kids don’t want to follow you. They cross for me, though.
The LHHS Track Team comes running through when they’re training, and they wait for me to get them across. The coach of the team even gave me an LH Track t-shirt!
LHT: So, do you often receive gifts?
Cooper: Oh yes. Folks bring me popcorn, coffee, hot chocolate when it’s cold, cookies, donuts. One lady baked a cake for me.
LHT: What’s the best part about your job?
Cooper: That’s easy. The children. Making sure they get across safely. They make me feel good. They bring my spirits up. Lots of times they don’t want to be going to school, but I coax them across the street and they're on their way.
LHT: What’s the worst part about your job?
Cooper: That’s easy too. The people who are in a hurry, who fly by and don’t stop.
For passersby who think that all Cooper does is stop traffic and walk kids safely back and forth across the street (a priceless service in itself), they should know that he often goes a step further. He's even been known to help with homework, too!
Know someone whose story would make an interesting feature? If you'd like to see a friend or neighbor highlighted in People & Places, email us at
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LH Today visits with Joe McKinnis
Sep 15 2010 by Anne Buckley
Joe McKinnis (L) in Antarctica, 1960
In 1960 a young man from Oklahoma named Joe McKinnis was assigned to the distinguished Naval Squadron VXE-6, Antarctic Development Squadron 6, based at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
The young 3rd Class Aviation Electronic Technician and his group were sent to New Zealand for six weeks staging prior to landing on the Antarctic continent.
Their mission was to serve the Antarctic Supply Operation that had been established by international treaty and signed by 12 nations.
It was this treaty that provided freedom of scientific research in all parts of Antarctica, enabling work to be continued for several years.
Joe and his squadron were charged with delivering supplies to locations at the South Pole, including Byrd station, as well as other sites in need of supplies.
Following six weeks of preparation, McKinnis and his group landed their C-130 aircraft equipped with skis on a frozen sea of ice at McMurdo Station, just in time time to be met by a raging storm.
The wind blew for three days and the chill factor was 55 degrees below zero. It was a splendid introduction to their new home.
There were between 25 and 30 people assigned to the aircraft, and upon arrival the crew found that few accommodations were available.
What was there began to overflow with other personnel who were stymied by the storm in their travels, as well.
Joe recalled, "If you found an empty bunk, you crawled in it."
When the weather began to cooperate, the crew unpacked the huge crates containing their Quonset huts and began construction of their barracks in a rather dubious location.
Their locale was Williams Field on the frozen sea ice – not exactly an ideal site for their home away from home.
Their duty roster called for the crews to fly 16 hours on, then 16 hours off, with Joe handling all radio communications.
After months on the ice, the Navy sent Joe and his crew to Christchurch, New Zealand for maintenance on the C-130.
They celebrated the holidays there, and the day after Christmas a saucy, young Kiwi girl appeared at the non-com club. This was the moment Joe met Jan.
They didn't waste much time and were engaged by mid January, 1961.
In typical Navy fashion, Joe was posted on and off in Antarctica and enjoyed the challenge presented by this unpredictable land.
Asked about his most interesting mission, Joe recited his April Fools Day adventure.
Back at the base in Rhode Island, he spent the better part of the day repairing the wiring on the C-130. He was outside the plane in hideous weather that included rain, sleet and snow.
"After work I stopped by for a beer at the club," he says. "An officer arrived and ordered me to go pack my things and be ready to leave to on a secret mission to an undisclosed location in an hour."
Joe didn't budge.
After all, it was April Fools and he was ready for some down time.
An hour later, when the same officer appeared and made it plain it was no joke, Joe got going.
Freezing temperatures, a steadily decreasing period of light each day, and fierce winter storms were among the problems encountered on the flight.
Joe's crew was in dire jeopardy landing a plane in such adverse weather – all to rescue an ill Russian scientist.
The mission was completed when 23 weary Americans and one Russian scientist reached Christchurch after a hazardous 6,500 mile mercy flight to and from the Antarctic.
5 decades later, Joe and his wife Jan are residents of Lake Highlands with four children and four grandchildren.
They enjoy gardening together and are enthusiastic sports fans.
Know someone whose story would make an interesting feature? If you'd like to see a friend or neighbor featured in People & Places, email us at
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Budget Talk: The Issue of Taxes
Sep 03 2010 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
Raise taxes or not?
In District 10, some say yes and some say no.
Some say our two libraries are worth a tax increase to keep an adequate staff.
Some say they do not use the libraries, and we must tighten our belts and ride out the storm.
Some say our one swimming pool must stay open, while others say they do not use the pool and the $50,000 should be spent elsewhere.
Some say our two recreation centers hours must stay the same, while others say the money should be spent on roads.
Some say the city has turned it backs on funding for the arts, while others say we need more attention to the animal shelter.
Some just say we must live within our means, while others say we must raise taxes to maintain our current quality of life.
The list of "some say" goes on and on.
The reality is the majority rules.
One thing I have learned since being elected is if you ask three people their opinion on a subject, you will often get three different opinions.
For folks like me who are lucky enough to be an elected official, we understand that this is democracy at work.
But, sooner or later, as your elected official, I must push the button to vote for or against a tax increase.
I need your input now.
City Manager, Mary Suhm, has prepared a chart which reflects how she would spend the money if there is a tax rate increase.
You can view that document
here.
From the list you can see what a penny tax increase, all the way to a 4.93 cent increase, could do.
Again, I need your input.
Please email me at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and let me know your thoughts on whether or not to raise taxes.
If you're in favor, tell me how much of an increase (from 1 cent to 4.93 cents) you think is needed.
I can assure you that your voice will be heard.
Local business profile: Scribbles n Such
Fagin & Lawrence - a creative pair
What began as a "side job," according Michelle Lawrence, has turned into so much more.
During her tenure as a teacher, the Lake Highlands wife and mother was dabbling in all things artistic. One of her best clients? Long-time friend, and LHHS alum, Christy Fagin.
Following a nine month design process, the pair of friends took a leap of faith and launched
Scribbles n Such, on online gift store featuring stationery designed with original artwork created by Michelle.
But they didn't stop there.
In addition to the eight Scribbles n Such paper collections (plus their holiday line) they carry some unique - and helpful - items, too.
Consider their menu planner, one of their most popular items.
"It was really a bit of a side thought," says Michelle. "Together with our family calendar, the menu planner makes it easy to stay organized and plan."
That's sound advice, coming from two busy moms, who know what it takes to run a home, a family and a business.
"It's such an interesting place we find ourselves in right now," continues Michelle. "Christy and I are moms first, but the feedback we're receiving on the business has been great."
"We're really enjoying the process. We feel like we're helping people catch a vision and build community at the same time."
One way the pair is accomplishing this is through their blog,
Parsley Makes it Fancy.
"The blogging is a lot of fun. I feel like we're bridging gaps in technology and age to connect with people and share ideas."
"Of course we hope people love our products, too!"
So far, all signs are pointing to a successful future. Since launching in September of 2009, the pair has increased their customer base to include shoppers from all over the country, including spots like New York and Chicago.
With a set shipping charge of $5, no matter how big the order, customers feel like they're getting a good deal - in addition to the cute gifts.
"Affordability is important to us," says Michelle. "We want everyone to be able to enjoy our products."
With fun lines like Tickled Pink, Spunky Spunk and Tangerine Dream, odds are you're going to find something you love.
Take a look at their online store
here or follow their blog, Parsley Make it Fancy,
here.
And coming soon – watch for a Scribbles n Such Deal of the Week for our readers.
One more great way to
Shop Lake Highlands!
LH Today visits with Chip Waggoner
Chip Waggoner, on air at FOX & LH Today
We're pretty excited about the new Lake Highlands Today game day broadcast.
We hope you are, too.
As we prepare for another great season of Wildcat football, our new broadcast team is gearing up to bring you live coverage of all the games.
Leading the team is Chip Waggoner, who many in Lake Highlands will recognize from his work as a reporter for
FOX 4 News.
Chip is also a long-time Lake Highlands resident with a history in sports broadcasting. So as we near kick-off of the 'Cats season opener against Mesquite next week, we thought we'd take a moment to officially introduce Chip to all our readers.
Chip and his wife Wendy currently call the Lake Highlands North neighborhood home and lived in the L Streets for a short time, as well.
The Waggoners have two children who attend White Rock Elementary and are members at Park Cities Baptist Church.
Chip is a TCU grad, whose background in sports announcing began during his college days in Fort Worth.
"My experience in sports play-by-play started as a TCU baseball announcer on KTCU," he says.
"My next opportunity came when I worked for KTLR and KHYI radio, primarily as the play-by-play man for the Rockwall Yellowjackets."
The early 90's found Waggoner covering playoff football in Forney and Pilot Point, as well as games for his high school alma mater, Trinity Christian Academy.
"I stopped after the 2001 season to dedicate more time to my family," he says.
"I am excited about getting back in the booth as the new play-by-play announcer for LH football on LH Today!"
Following the Friday night Wildcat games, upcoming Saturdays will most likely find Chip cheering on another of his favorite teams - the Baylor Bears.
What now? You thought he was Frog through and through?
"I know, I know," he says. "A TCU Frog cheering on the Bears?!?"
"My wife is a 4th generation Baylor grad, so that should explain a lot, but when TCU plays Baylor on September 18th, I'll be pulling for my alma mater in that one!"
Besides the Wildcats and the Bears (and occasionally those Frogs) most weekends Chip can be found coaching his daughter's soccer team here in the neighborhood.
He also enjoys his volunteer commitment to the board of directors for Camp John Marc, and working to raise funds for special needs kids through both the camp and Scottish Rite Hospital.
We are pleased to welcome Chip to the LH Today broadcast team as we begin our new live coverage of the Lake Highlands Wildcats.
GO 'CATS!
Be sure to tune in from the sports page broadcast link for Chip's play-by-play, assisted by color analyst and former LHHS Wildcat coach,
David Hardt.
Game production team: Trevor Atkins, Steve Clary, Paige Mabry, Danny Meisenheimer and Woods Norcross.
See you at the Boneyard!
LH Today visits with Shane Ruffin
Shane Ruffin, LH YMCA Executive Director
The Lake Highlands Family YMCA is a tried and true symbol of our community.
After all, what first comes to mind when you think of the LH YMCA?
Fitness and health, children's sports and activities, community outreach programs? Each is an important part of the YMCA and its mission in Lake Highlands.
Many of us came to know Jayson Killough, who served as executive director for the LH YMCA for five years. An internal promotion took Jayson to Plano, and the Y recently welcomed its new director, Shane Ruffin, in June.
In an effort to introduce our readers to Shane, we visited with him in his new office to learn a little about him and the goals he's setting for his tenure in Lake Highlands.
LHT: What brought you to Lake Highlands?
Ruffin: For the most part is was opportunity. Having worked in Nashville, Los Angeles and Cincinnati, I was attracted to Dallas and Lake Highlands specifically because of its strong community and neighborhood support. People here love their Y. We also enjoy a strong, active board of directors, and I wanted to be a part of it.
LHT: Coming from Cincinnati, have you experienced a culture shift?
Ruffin: Yes, but it's been a good one. I grew up in Nashville, and then went to L.A. because I didn’t have any culture! They’ve got a great YMCA on the west coast, and it was a great experience, but living out there was very expensive.
LHT: How long have you been with the YMCA?
Ruffin: 11 years. I’m finally looking forward to buying a house and settling in the area.
LHT: We've heard it in the news lately. Why is the Y dropping the “MCA” from its name?
Ruffin: We aren't dropping it, actually, but rather adopting a name that everybody seems to call us already, and it's way more than a logo change. It better articulates what we do in the community.
The logo change is a really small piece of it. We've had several logos over the 150+ years we've been around, so this is more of re-branding strategy. It's an opportunity to remind people about our goals - youth development, enhancement and social responsibility. The national news was real quick to pick up this story, but we aren't in a hurry. We'll do it the right way, and I'm really excited about it.
LHT: How will the city's upcoming budget cuts affect the LH YMCA?
Ruffin: We don't rely much on the city. We're pretty self-sustaining, through our own fundraising efforts and the help of the United Way. A common misconception is that the Y is somehow government funded, but we aren’t.
LHT: In terms of Lake Highlands and this a particular Y, what makes it so special?
Ruffin: Being inclusive. This neighborhood is so diverse. You've got millionaires living next door to people who are on the verge being evicted from their apartment. But, everybody is welcome here regardless of race, creed, socio-economic background or income level. Once you get in here in gym shorts, you can't tell who's an attorney and who's the blue collar worker. Everyone fits in here.
LHT: What sets the Y apart from other local gyms?
Ruffin: Well, the biggest difference is our focus on the kids. The youth in America is having a tough time. They are the heaviest youth generation in our country's history. We want kids to grow up in the Y. We want each person, each family, to have specific goals here. At the same time, the senior population is growing. We also have a large cancer survivor program at the Y, which was funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
LHT: Looking at the long range plan for the LH YMCA, where do you see it in 5-10 years?
Ruffin: Program development or adaptation toward the social needs of healthy lifestyles is important. Our goal is to get the whole family up and moving. Having something for everyone in the family, when they walk through the door, is our goal. I want this Y to be the premiere service organization for family health and fitness programs.
For more information about the Lake Highlands Family YMCA visit their website
here.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for this year's Golf Classic Tournament on Monday, August 30th. For complete details, read our article about the fundraiser
here or contact Shane at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 214.221.9622.
Community Update: A Councilman’s Perspective
Aug 02 2010 by Councilman Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
The last few weeks were pretty rough on our community.
Anytime you get broadsided with an issue as complex as supportive housing, you can expect emotions to run sky high.
Emails and blog posts spread like wildfire, with fear generally being the outcome. Sides are quickly taken, and passion tends to rule the day.
A lot of information is spread back and forth in situations like these, with the truth usually being found somewhere in the middle.
One of the unfortunate parts of this learning journey is that there are those who begin proposing the idea that our community is on the edge of the abyss and about to fall into the darkness.
For me, this is the worst leg of the experience.
These neighbors want us to believe that crime is rampant, that our schools are going downhill, and it's all the fault of "those people." The same folks lead us to believe that all our neighbors who live in multi-family complexes are, for the most part, in some form of subsidized housing.
To me this is a self-destructive attitude unbecoming of our community.
The facts are that our district, through the hard work of our police department and the neighbors who participate in the Volunteers in Patrol program, had the greatest percentage reduction of crime last year of any of the 14 council districts.
Year-to-date we are seeing a reduction in crime over last year’s numbers. Of those 14 districts, there are four districts that report fewer crimes than our community, while there are nine that have a worse record of crime than Lake Highlands.
The same success story is applicable for our schools. Every school in our district is either exemplary or recognized.
This is a result of our great educators working with parents who care.
As far as subsidized housing is concerned, of the estimated 500,000 housing units in Dallas, 41,523 are reported to have some form of subsidization.
Of the reported 38,369 housing units in District 10, it is reported that 1,688 have some form of subsidization.
Again, within the 14 council districts, there are four districts that currently have less subsidized housing than District 10 and there are nine that have more subsidized housing.
At the end of the day, most people just want a better quality of life for themselves and their children. For this very reason I am excited to see many of the multi-family communities in Lake Highlands starting to adopt after-school programs for their residents.
I am just as excited to see this community come together to form an on-line directory to report problem renters. This will be a great asset to screen prospective renters, and it will become a communication tool to alert other multi-family complex managers to problem tenants.
Good, strong, positive steps have been made and are continuing to be made.
Perhaps the next step is just to wave to your neighbor.
Councilmember Jerry Allen represents District 10 on the Dallas City Council.
He can be reached at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 214.670.4068.
LH Today visits with Rebecca Range
Executive Director, Rebecca Range
Earlier this week we published an article about the Lake Highlands Public Improvement District.
The purpose of the PID is to fund public improvements and supplement basic services over and above those provided by the City of Dallas. To read the full story, click
here.
This week, we're visiting with Rebecca Range, Executive Director for the Lake Highlands PID. She's sharing her insight on the non-profit and its mission, as well as a little background on how she came to be involved in the organization.
My alma mater: University of Oklahoma, B.S., and Masters of Public Affairs
My occupation: Executive Director, Lake Highlands Public Improvement District
How did you end up in the interview process for the PID Executive Director position?
I was doing volunteer work with a Dallas area Job Transition Network, assisting people in the community who were changing career fields or trying to find stable employment.
Someone sent me the vacancy announcement and suggested I apply, believing the job was a great fit for my professional background and personality.
What about your background do you feel afforded you’re the opportunity to land the job?
I’ve worked in the public sector for over 10 years and have always been drawn to municipality work.
I also have experience in marketing and diversity programs, which helps with this type of position. As a small non-profit, we do not have the luxury of hiring many employees, so it is important to be able to handle many different tasks.
Can you describe the importance of the PID relative to the success of the Skillman Corridor TIF?
The PID is a unique partnership among property owners and has goals similar to those of the TIF, as well as similar geographic boundaries.
As the PID moves forward to foster a dynamic economic environment, it will positively impact goals of the TIF as well. I see both programs as exciting and valuable tools for positive growth in Lake Highlands.
Are there any specific objectives that have been met so far?
We have completed our office administration set up and are pleased with our first major initiative, establishing an additional security patrol in the district. We are currently drafting a capital improvement plan and will soon start some basic landscaping projects in the area.
Other organizations you’re involved in: Preston Trail Pre-School volunteer, Dallas HR Managment Association, Urban Management Assistants of North Texas
My hobbies include: Running, biking, swimming and crafts
The most unusual, funniest or hardest job I’ve ever held: Early in my Air Force career, I was deployed to Bahrain and one of my “jobs” was to distract the local security guards, who were reluctant to let our food trucks enter the compound. I had to be creative and sometimes just downright theatrical.
What I'm passionate about: My husband, my daughters (ages 3 and 1) and support for veterans. I also enjoy working out.
On a typical Saturday you might find me: On a rare night, out with my husband. More often, picking up after the toy tornado that went through my house or possibly asleep on the couch.
Something others may be surprised to learn about me: I sold my Harley-Davidson when I started a family and have missed it almost every day since. I've started a new bike fund and will gladly accept contributions at any time!
LH Today visits with John Shellene
Meet John Shellene, CPC Appointee
As a new appointee to the City of Dallas Planning Commission, John Shellene began his tenure representing District 10 in June.
The City Planning Commission (CPC) is charged with making recommendations to the City Council regarding planning and zoning matters.
When former commissioner for Lake Highlands, Tom Lueder, resigned his position due to health reasons, Councilman Jerry Allen selected John Shellene as the new appointment.
In an effort to better understand the role of the District 10 commissioner and introduce our readers to Shellene, we visited with him last week.
Lake Highlands history: I have lived in Lake Highlands for seven years now. We moved from the M Streets in large part due to the excellent school district that serves Lake Highlands, its larger homes and its proximity to downtown.
Family: Wife, Angela, and daughters McKenzie (12) and Sydney (1)
Alma mater: I received my bachelors degree from Texas Tech University and my MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Professional background: Founder, Sherpa Management Partners, a business services firm focusing on project management for non-profit organizations.
For the past 17 years, I have been both a professional and volunteer in the non-profit and private foundation sectors.
My past service includes the SMU Mechanical Engineering Board, chairman of the Richland College Department of Engineering, board member for the University of North Texas College of Engineering, vice-chairman for Head Start of Greater Dallas, and Leadership Dallas alumnus, Class of 2008.
CPC Appointment Background: I became familiar with the City Planning Commission, and its role in city planning, during my participation in the Leadership Dallas program.
Leadership Dallas provided a good education about how volunteer committees, like the CPC, function at City Hall.
Then earlier this year, I was introduced to District 10 Councilman Jerry Allen, and I expressed my desire to become more involved in the Lake Highlands community.
Based on the conclusion of other commitments and board placements, I found I was ready to raise my hand and commit to new volunteer endeavors.
So when Jerry approached me officially, the timing was right to take on a new challenge.
Personal hobbies: I enjoy biking and ride both road bikes and mountain bikes.
I also enjoy reading. Books I have especially enjoyed include
The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida and
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
My most unusual, hardest or most rewarding job: From a physical standpoint, roofing houses while I was a college student in Lubbock was pretty hard. That dry heat of West Texas is hard to deal with while standing on a roof top.
My current job working as President of Sherpa Management Partners is both the most challenging and rewarding job I've ever had.
With our business focused on the non-profit sector, we help develop and accelerate the mission of our clients. In terms of being both challenging and rewarding, one particular client comes to mind – a project involving grant management for 1st generation college students.
We helped 1,200 kids prepare to go to college. Many of the parents of these kids would have probably preferred they not go to school, but instead get a job to help pay the electric and grocery bills.
It took a lot of work to convince the parents to allow their kids to pursue a college education. Then getting the kids prepared and into school was very rewarding. It's what we do really – help people live better lives.
My passion: Family and friends are first on the list. As far as work is concerned, I've built my practice to focus on the non-profit community. I have a passion for helping non-profits develop and accelerate their missions.
On a typical Saturday you might find me: Mowing my yard – yes, I still do my own yard. If I'm not working around the house, you'll probably find me at L.A. Fitness on a spin bike.
Something others may be surprised to learn about me: Despite my wife's skepticism, I'm currently learning how to fly.
Steve Wakefield weighs in on DHA plans in LH
Steve Wakefield responds to DHA plans
Steve Wakefield is one of the most passionate Lake Highlands residents you’ll ever meet.
Professionally speaking, Wakefield has been a practicing attorney for 35 years and is currently a partner at Burford & Ryburn, LLP.
His other job – the one that doesn’t earn him a paycheck – is community activist.
Wakefield has spent countless hours over the past decade working to help Lake Highlands and its leaders deal with some of the challenges that face our community.
Wakefield and his wife Jeri have lived in Lake Highlands for 29 years, the last 10 of which have been at their current residence in Woodbridge, located near the intersection of Forest and Audelia.
With regards to the Dallas Housing Authority’s plans to place up to 70 people in permanent supportive housing near his neighborhood, Wakefield responds to questions about DHA's plans.
LHT: When did you first learn of DHA's plans to put supportive housing in LH?
Wakefield: I first learned of the Dallas Housing Authority’s Supportive Housing project in an article published in the
Dallas Morning News on Wednesday or Thursday of the week before last. I left the following Saturday for a previously planned vacation in Mexico, but have remained in touch as best I can through emails and many cell phone calls.
LHT: Have you been invited to sit down and meet with any DHA representatives? If so, when is that meeting planned?
Wakefield: I have spoken briefly with Mary Ann Russ, CEO of the DHA, who advised me that no final decisions had been made with respect to these proposals – it definitely is “not a done deal” (her words.) I hope to sit down with Ms. Russ, along with as many other community leaders as possible, soon after my return.
Ms. Russ and the DHA have failed to obtain critical information that should convince DHA that a mistake has been made here. Although some progress has been made with respect to crime in our area, the extensive history of high crime continues to be an issue.
LHT: You're a vocal critic of DHA's plans. What are your major concerns?
Wakefield: These programs will be placing at risk individuals in an environment that continues to expose them and their neighbors to risk. A 9 to 5, 40-hour a week social worker will definitely not solve the problems and challenges the program beneficiaries will face.
An advisor to Richard Aguilar (the property owner, through Cash Investments) and manager (through Integrity Asset Management) has admitted to me that program beneficiaries will be neighbors with people who are likely to be more problematic than the persons being invited into the program. HUD literature acknowledges that environments such as these, where the beneficiaries will be introduced, does not bode well for success.
Another "advantage" described to me by Mr. Aguilar's advisor was that the landlord can avoid the normal eviction process if a beneficiary "breaks the rules," i.e., they can be more easily kicked out. The question is, where do they go after they have been introduced to an area that has already had more than its share of people with no place to go – back under the bridge at Forest & Audelia?
I feel, as does our former Councilman Alan Walne, that this is a regional problem. As such, all areas in the region should be examined as locations for these programs.
The default areas for these programs always seems to include Lake Highlands and Oak Cliff. Why can't we look at areas in or near Preston Hollow and near the Park Cities? That idea never seems to be considered.
Tough questions about DHA placement in LH
Councilman Jerry Allen talks DHA
The Dallas Housing Authority recently announced its intentions to place dozens of formerly homeless and incarcerated citizens in apartment homes throughout Dallas.
According to the DHA, included in those plans are complexes located in the Lake Highlands area.
Based on these recent developments, LH Today caught up with Councilman Jerry Allen to pose several questions on the matter.
LHT: When did you first learn about the Dallas Housing Authority's plans to designate two permanent supportive housing developments in the LH district?
Allen: On Tuesday afternoon, June 15th, my office received a call from a
Dallas Morning News reporter asking if I was aware of the DHA plans.
LHT: Any surprise based on what you were hearing?
Allen: No, the Dallas Housing Authority doesn't have a history of reaching out to council members or to the community. You would need to ask them why, but I suspect the reason is they feel they simply don’t have to. They might also feel that all they're going to hear is "we don’t want it in our neighborhood," so they've become numb.
LHT: Doesn't seem to be the best policy, however. Agreed?
Councilman Allen: No, it's not the best policy. If they have a positive story to tell, then they should shout it from the rooftops. By not telling their story on the front end, all they create is fear and mistrust.
LHT: Fear and mistrust? Then why did you tell the DMN you would embrace supportive housing?
Allen: The question to me was how did I think the citizens would react? That's somewhat of a loaded question. You remember a little over three years ago we had a similar situation with the Armory and the papers had a field day painting us as "not in my back yard" kind of people. To this day, that stamp irritates me as we all know compassion is the cornerstone of our community. I wanted to make sure the paper painted our community in the best possible light.
LHT: Fair to say maybe the community doesn't want this permanent supportive housing?
Allen: Given the fact they were hit without any notice, I can certainly understand residents feeling that way.
LHT: So what do you plan to do now?
Councilman Allen: Since being broadsided myself on Tuesday, I've been working to get up to speed. Because of my involvement in the fight to return the Armory to the Parks Department I understand permanent supportive housing, I understand the DHA, I understand HUD, and I understand the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance.
My challenge is to make sure I get the facts and to adequately convey the responsibility of the apartment complexes, the responsibility of the case workers, and the responsibility of DHA. In short, until you get the facts concerning a long list of questions then it becomes premature to comment. Our citizens need to know all the facts. I've said all along that this scenario must make sense, and in that case there must be measurable accountability.
Take for instance the role of the caseworkers. They are a prime example of what permanent supportive housing is all about. Case workers and mentors are with these folks 40 hours a week to monitor, shepherd, and help and them back to a productive life.
LHT: Is the DHA matter time sensitive?
Allen: Yes and no. Contracts have not been signed, and from what I understand we're still a month or so away from final decisions. With that being said, we want to be at the table to have our voices heard.
LHT: And just how should we go about that?
Allen: Education, Education, Education. As a community, we must be prepared to ask specific accountability questions when we have our Town Hall Meeting.
Broad general questions or observations will not cut it. I would ask that those who are concerned and really want to understand the facts we're dealing with to do their research and educate themselves as much as possible on a number of topics.
Try reading up on permanent supportive housing, the Dallas Housing Authority, HUD and their role in permanent supportive housing, the Dallas One-Stop Optimized Reentry System, the Second Chance Act, and the DOORS Program. You can Google any one of them.
LHT: When are you planning on hosting the Town Hall Meeting?
Allen: Probably not for a couple of weeks. I still need time to make sure I've turned over every rock, while also affording our community ample time to do their research.
LHT: Besides research, any last comments?
Allen: Let's all take a deep breath. We've come too far to go backwards.
Last year our district had the greatest percent reduction in crime compared to any other district. Every school in our district is rated Exemplary or Recognized. We are attracting developers to our area that believe in socially responsible apartments.
We're also attracting organizations to our area that are working with the youth in after-school programs and during the summer to make sure they have organized activities and enrichment opportunities.
Additionally, our community prosecutor has done an excellent job in cleaning up and reducing code violations. Do we live in a perfect world? No, but bashing ourselves in public will serve no good.
LH Today visits with Rico Padilla & Jeff Chapman
Wildcat Automotive - open for business!
"Arm, Leg, First Born."
No gas prices, just those three words - "Arm, Leg, First Born."
Several years ago, when gas prices soared, Rico Padilla, former owner of the Mobil Gas station located on the northeast corner of Walnut Hill and Audelia, fought back by replacing the astronomical gas price signs with this tongue-in-cheek phrase.
While funny to most people, Rico actually wasn’t laughing.
He was serious about the issues he began facing when gas prices soared.
"Selling gas just wasn’t fun, especially when the gas prices went to the moon," says Rico. "I wanted out of the business and made the decision to sell the property to Walgreens."
"My passion is fixing cars," he explains. "If I had nothing else but a tool box and a broken car, I’d be happy."
Fast forward a few years and Rico is now back at it, along with his new partner and Lake Highlands resident, Jeff Chapman.
Their friendship started on the race track, each having a passion for drag racing. Between the two of them, they own three classic dragsters.
"Two years ago, we met out at Redline Race Track and before we knew it, we were talking about opening our own shop in Lake Highlands," says Chapman.
Wildcat Automotive, located in the Lake Ridge Shopping Center, was the result and opened its doors just a few weeks ago.
"Our core values are to treat people with respect and produce good work with competitive pricing," says Padilla.
With 67 years of combined experience, you can rest easy when you leave your car with Jeff and Rico – there isn’t a fix-it job they haven’t seen before.
Besides the wealth of experience, both Jeff and Rico have the credentials as well.
Both are ASE Certified Master Technicians, with Rico being one of only a handful of mechanics in the country who has held the title over 30 years.
While the knowledge and ability to fix cars is important for any good mechanic, just as important is quality service. Of Jeff’s 26 years of total experience, half of those years having been strictly focused on the customer service aspect of the business.
"I was the Service Manager at Ewing GMC for the past 7 years and have been a Certified GM Service Manager for over 13," says Chapman.
"Being a good mechanic is important, but just as important is the ability to be professional in your approach. Quality service is critical to the success of our business, and we take it very seriously."
So the next time you need a good mechanic, drop in and see Rico and Jeff at Wildcat Automotive.
"With the exception of major transmission overhauls, we can handle any general automotive repair," says Rico.
Wildcat Automotive is located at 9660 Audelia Rd in the Lake Ridge Shopping center.
They're tucked just behind Wendy's on the southeast corner. Shop hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tell them Lake Highlands Today sent you!
Community Update: The City’s budget shortfall
May 27 2010 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
Look around the nation and you'll see city after city struggling with their upcoming budgets.
Evidence of the scope of this national issue can be found in the Pew Charitable Trusts' recent report, "Not Out of the Woods: The Recession’s Continuing Impact on Big City Taxes, Services and Pensions."
Pew is a national nonprofit organization that applies analytical approaches toward the improvement of public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
Their most recent study examines the effects of the recession on 12 major U.S. metropolitan cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Phoenix and others.
Dallas is no different.
At this moment the City Manager is projecting in excess of a $100 million shortfall.
The main driver behind the deficit is that revenues are projected to decline by $99.6 million from the current year.
The bulk of the loss of revenue is from a reduction in property taxes, as well as a reduction in sales tax revenues. Therefore, the question becomes how do you fund current services with a $100 million shortfall in revenue?
The short answer is to either find new revenue sources, such as raising taxes and fees, or find ways to cut expenses and, therefore, services.
Neither answer is easy.
However for some, the lazy answer is to raise taxes.
I agree. It's the easy way out, as it doesn't require much thought.
Cities are not unlike businesses, or even households, that find revenues shrinking; the first thing they should do is tighten their belts. The problem is that we tightened our belts last year, and now we’re faced with adding new holes to the belt to tighten even more.
My biggest concern?
Have we looked under every rock to make sure - without a shadow of doubt - that Dallas, Texas, is the most efficiently run city in this great country?
My goal is to find those nickels, dimes and quarters so that we can keep our libraries, recreation centers and cultural centers open.
Again, raising taxes is the easy way out, but getting your hands dirty in the hunt, while unpleasant, makes our city better in the long run.
During this time, I need constituent feedback more than ever. I need input on fresh ideas for revenue generation and expense control.
We have come too far to go backwards now.
At the end of the day, I expect there to be a balance between new revenue sources and reductions in staff and services to complete the budgeting process.
As far as a tax increase? Right now it would be a split vote on the City Council. The Southern sector is in favor of tax increases; the Northern sector is against it.
The one thing I can guarantee you is that the message coming from your Councilman will be, "we want our fair share."
I welcome your ideas, your input and your feedback at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
To see the City Manager’s recent presentation to the Dallas City Council in its entirety, click
here.
To view the complete Pew Charitable Trusts' report: Philadelphia Research Initiative & "Not Out of the Woods Yet," click
here.
LH Today visits with Courtney & Brian Luscher
May 18 2010 by Jennifer Eckert
Courtney, Landry & Brian Luscher
One complaint I often hear, and sometimes voice myself, is that although there are some fantastic restaurants in Lake Highlands, there just aren’t enough of them.
Although many of us LH residents would prefer to shop and eat only in Lake Highlands, we sometimes need to venture out of our bubble for a nice date night.
Or maybe you want to sample the Best Burger in Texas, as named recently by
Texas Monthly.
So where can we go to do this?
We can head to The Grape, the well-known restaurant located just a stone’s throw south of Lake Highlands on Greenville Ave.
Although
The Grape Restaurant is not located in Lake Highlands, it is owned by LH residents Brian and Courtney Luscher. Brian is the head chef and his wife, Courtney, runs the front of the house as general manager and wine expert.
The Luschers purchased The Grape about 2½ years ago when the original owners decided to retire. Brian worked as the chef at The Grape for several years prior to purchasing the restaurant.
Since I haven’t been to The Grape since the Luschers purchased the restaurant, the first thing I wanted to know was, what's changed?
Brian seems to adhere to the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” stating that not much has changed at all since he and Courtney purchased the restaurant - other than some updating of the building itself.
"The Grape is like a home in Lake Highlands," said Brian. "Why tear it down and build new, when you can just update the great space that's already there?”
Brian grew up outside of Chicago, where he first caught the cooking bug while working as a dishwasher and cook at local restaurants. He got his formal training at the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and apprenticed for one of 60 certified master chefs in the world in Connecticut. He has worked for several Dallas restaurants including Routh Street Brewery and Two Sisters Catering.
Brian’s wife and business partner, Courtney, is a Dallas girl and grew up in Highland Park.
She and Brian met at Routh Street Brewery, where she was general manager. Brian has good things to say about working with Courtney on an everyday basis.
"It’s like going to work with my best friend," he explained. "She's the most qualified manager and most gracious hostess I have ever worked with." Not only does Courtney run the front of the house at The Grape, but she is also a Level I Sommelier and handles the restaurant’s extensive wine list.
The Luschers have lived in the Lake Ridge Estates neighborhood in Lake Highlands for eight years and love the small town feel of their neighborhood.
"All of our neighbors are so friendly, and it’s such a close knit community," said Brian. Unfortunately, the Luschers work most nights and weekends, so he regrets they can't participate in neighborhood activities as much as they would like.
When Brian and Courtney are not working at The Grape, they love spending time together as a family.
"We just relax and spend time with our daughter, Landry, and enjoy going to the park or White Rock Lake."
One thing you may not find them doing regularly at home is cooking elaborate meals. "Often, we just enjoy a simple grilled steak and a nice salad," said Brian.
4½ year-old Landry currently attends St. James Montessori School and loves to help her parents in the kitchen and at the restaurant. She says she wants to be "a cooker like Daddy" when she grows up. However, Brian jokingly says he would prefer her to be a dentist. "Or have some other career where she could take a day off every now and then," he laughed.
This Wednesday, May 19th, Brian and Courtney are hosting the
Chef’s Come-As-You-Are Wine Dinner.
For $45 per person, guests will be served a three course meal with wine pairings. During the meal, guests will also receive wine education from winemaker Kevin Mills of Trinitas Cellars.
The Come-As-You-Are Wine Dinner is a perfect opportunity to sample the amazing food at The Grape and learn more about wine in a laid back atmosphere. Since the event is a hot ticket in Dallas, reservations are suggested. You can reserve your table by calling the restaurant at 214.828.1981 or visiting their website
here.
So if you feel the need to venture out of Lake Highlands for a nice dinner or Sunday brunch, The Grape isn't too far away. They're located at 2808 Greenville Avenue, just south of Monticello.
Brian and Courtney love to dote on their Lake Highlands neighbors, so be sure to tell them that Lake Highlands Today sent you!
LH Today visits with April Gorman
May 11 2010 by M.E. Clary
April together with her family
Sunday, May 9th was a very special day, celebrated by families all across the world.
A day to honor mothers everywhere for all they do to help love us, raise us and support us in life.
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with one local mother, and my visit with her touched me greatly.
It might have been the connection of one mom to another, but I really think it was more than that.
April Gorman is a Lake Highlands mother of two, and in honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to introduce our readers to this special Lake Highlands mom.
I first met April during a meeting of the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA. Like many LH moms, in addition to caring for her family, she finds time to volunteer and was helping chair the group's recent home tour and auction.
As is so often the case in Lake Highlands, we realized we had a mutual friend - and in this case, that mutual friend thought so highly of April that I decided to get in touch and ask her to lunch.
I had been following the posts on Facebook and through other email groups about a new movie,
Torey's Distraction.
Torey's Distraction is a documentary film that was made here in Dallas and chronicles three children with Apert Syndrome (a craniofacial condition) over a ten year time span.
It is a movie particularly important to April because her son, John, has a similar condition known as Crouzon Syndrome.
The goal of the movie, funded by a group called Filmanthropy, is to help bring awareness and generate funds to help the cause of particular a group, in this case Apert Syndrome and related craniofacial conditions.
After visiting with April recently, I can honestly say it's just a bigger budget version of what she's doing every day right here in our community.
As she puts it, "talking about all things craniofacial" is just a regular part of a lot of her days.
According to April and her husband, Tate, son John is a happy, silly, somewhat shy 3 year-old. The Gorman family currently calls the L Streets neighborhood home, along with John and his younger sister, Rory Cate.
John was diagnosed in 2008 with Crouzon Syndrome, a craniofacial condition characterized by prematurely fused sutures in the head that result in an abnormal growth rate of the skull and face.
Children with Crouzon's often have bulging eyes (due to this abnormal growth of the mid-face area) and may also have receding upper jaws and protruding lower jaws.
The journey to John's diagnosis was not a straight or narrow path, much like the journey the family is now on with his treatment.
After several visits with a number of physicians, and a chance meeting with Torey's mom - who introduced herself to the Gormans at a local restaurant - the diagnosis became official.
April and her husband dove headfirst into the world of craniofacial anomalies.
"It was so important that we start educating ourselves about all our treatment options," explains April.
"There were so many choices to make about John's care and intervention, and there are certainly more to come, as well."
LH Today features the 2010 Wildcat Club Scholarship Recipients
Apr 27 2010 by Steve Clary
2010 Wildcat Club Scholarship Honorees
Each week, our People & Places feature introduces our readers to a special Lake Highlands leader, volunteer or local resident with a cool story to share.
In honor of our amazing LHHS student-athletes, we're dedicating this week's column to the 2010 Wildcat Club Scholarship recipients.
Since 1985, the Wildcat Club has provided funds to Lake Highlands area athletic programs to help alleviate the deficit in district (RISD) funding. To date, the Club has raised and distributed over one million dollars to LH students.
"We're especially excited to be here this morning," said Wildcat Club President Reggie Boles as he addressed the recipients and their families.
"We are grateful for the donors and supporters of the Wildcat Club who make these scholarships possible."
The first scholarship to be awarded was the Bill Georges Scholarship which is named after the original Athletic Director and football coach at LHHS. This scholarship has provided over $100,000 to LHHS students over the years.
The 2010 Bill Georges Scholarship Honoree is Elizabeth Koepke, based on her outstanding leadership both on the field and in the classroom. Elizabeth played varsity basketball and softball for the Lady 'Cats and is ranked 38th in her class. Elizabeth will attend Abilene Christian University in the fall and is looking forward to putting the $4,000 scholarship to good use.
Next on the program was the Katie Findley Scholarship, which has been given for the last 15 years in the memory of the beloved former mascot at LHHS.
This year, Dwayne Chandler was honored with this $2,000 scholarship. During his junior year, Dwayne suffered a career ending injury which kept him from playing football his senior year.
However, because of his leadership abilities, Dwayne was named a team captain and helped support his Wildcat football teammates throughout the 2009 season. Dwayne, a former student writer for LH Today, will attend TAMU-Commerce in the fall.
Sam Couch and Ricky Zorn were the recipients of the Wildcat Club's Leadership Scholarship this year. Each of these student-athletes will receive a total of $5,000 in scholarship funds.
Sam will be attending Trinity University on an academic scholarship in the fall and will play basketball for the Lady Tigers. She will graduate 33rd in her class with a 98.6 GPA.
Ricky will graduate second in the senior class with a GPA of 102.02 and has made plans to play football for Harvard University in the fall.
A total of eight Wildcat Scholarships were also awarded. Each Wildcat Scholarship is worth $2,000.
Wildcat Scholarship recipients included:
Erin Gosset
Gina Gosset
Chui Kaping
Brandon Mason
Scott Morgan
Donald Myers
Paige Slater
Caroline Henton
LHHS Principal Walter Kelly was also on hand and address the audience.
"The amount of scholarship funds the Wildcat Club has awarded, even in a down economy, is certainly impressive," said Kelly.
"The fact of the matter is our students don't go without something they need. This says a lot about the Lake Highlands community."
"It's amazing to see what these kids have done this year. Congratulations to all these student athletes. We are very proud of you."
To see more photos from the awards ceremony, visit our the LH Today Quick Hits section
here.
LH Today visits with local author, Anna Clark
Apr 21 2010 by Brandy Meierhofer
Author Anna Clark with her two children
Thursday, April 22nd marks the world celebration of Earth Day.
So this Saturday, in honor of the occasion,
Friends of the Audelia Road Library is hosting environmental author, Anna Clark, to discuss her new book:
GREEN, American Style.
We recently caught up with Anna, a Lake Highlands native, to visit with her about the book, her environmental consulting company and her LH history.
How long did you live in Lake Highlands?
I grew up in LH and attended Skyview Elementary from 2nd - 6th grade, Forest Meadow Junior High and Lake Highlands High School. I graduated in 1991.
After my sister and I went to college, my parents downsized and moved to North Dallas. I now have friends who have moved back, and it's neat to see the neighborhood maintain its pride and continuity.
What first interested you in environmental issues?
The environment was always a tangential interest for me. I studied political science and international relations in college. I also had some post-graduate work in art history. Only in elective courses and in volunteer work did I "study" matters of conservation, climate change, habitat destruction, water scarcity and other environmentally-related issues.
But it's funny - once I got involved, I remembered back in 4th grade when I wrote a report on harp seals. In the folder, I remember putting brochures containing pictures of harp seals being bludgeoned by men with ice picks. And even further back, I remember reading the book
Watership Down and crying for weeks about the rabbits losing their homes.
So, I guess you could say the motivation toward protecting the planet didn't come so much from formal coursework but from a sort of calling toward conservation on a heart level.
Can you tell us a little about your professional career?
After LHHS, I went to U.T. Austin and earned a B.A. in government and Spanish. Then I completed a post-graduate internship at the Department of Commerce in the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires.
I wanted to go to the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, but when I got back to Dallas, I met my husband. Instead I took a job in management consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers. It turned out to be a better route for me.
It was great preparation for entrepreneurship. I'm not actually cut out for diplomacy and government work, anyway. I hate red tape and the world doesn't have time to wait for us to get permission and go through the "proper" channels.
Tell us about the history of your company, EarthPeople.
I started EarthPeople in late 2005 after reading countless articles about companies going green. It occurred to me that outside of the Fortune 500, most organizations do not have the budget for a formal sustainability department or dedicated employees.
I founded EarthPeople to offer top-level consulting and communications services to organizations of all sizes and budgets. Over 95 percent of businesses in the U.S. are classified as small and mid-sized companies.
They represent a portion of our carbon emissions, and they also present a great deal of potential to make the world a cleaner, better place.
By influencing these companies toward environmental responsibility, EarthPeople helps them save money through energy efficiency and bolster their brands by demonstrating leadership.
LH Today visits with Rhonda Russell
Russell poses with LHEC student honorees
She says you'd never guess it about her. Seems she has a hard time delegating.
To those who know her, it simply speaks to her long list of accomplishments. To those who don't know her, we're proud to introduce you to Rhonda Russell, LH volunteer extraordinaire.
With a professional background in education and writing, Russell spent a good number of days on the front lines teaching middle school students. She describes it as the most unusual, funniest and hardest job she's ever had.
"They're like fire ants," she says of the middle-schoolers. "They are on high speed constantly. I once told a father that when you have a child that age in your mid-forties, it is a joke from God."
"All parties involved are going through a change in life, and they're thrown in together to deal with it."
These days Russell is probably best known around town as the current president of the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands. Her commitment to the group and its mission is second to none.
On a personal note, together with her childhood sweetheart and husband Lee, she has two grown children, Lee Jr. and Lindsay.
Lee Jr. currently serves in the Texas National Guard and has completed two tours of duty for our country, one to Iraq and more recently to Afghanistan.
It is his service that relates directly to another of Russell's causes - a group of very special ladies known as the Lake Highlands Military Moms.
As founder of the group, it's easy to understand her passion in listening to Russell describe what it means to her.
"Being a military mother, I know first hand the heartache and difficulties of our military families as they send their family members into battle."
"Offering a support group like the LH Military Moms has provided the faith and courage needed when our loved ones are deployed multiple times."
By partnering with the Exchange Club, this group of mothers works to support deployed service members from Lake Highlands any way they can.
"I never want any of our men and women from this community to doubt that they are remembered at all times," she says.
So when she's not leading the charge in community building and volunteering, where might you find her?
"On a typical Saturday, I'm either on a weekend getaway to our fishing club in East Texas fishing for a big bass or doing absolutely nothing," says Russell.
"Weekends for me are a time for rejuvenation in preparation for the week to come."
But what about that issue with delegating?
"I do have this tendency to think that if I don’t do it, it won’t get done," she says.
Lucky for Lake Highlands, the community at large looks to be benefiting from that particular Russell characteristic.
To learn more about the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands,
here. To get in touch with the LH Military Moms, readers can email
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Photo (below left) Military Moms pose for a group picture; (below right) the Russell family enjoys the recent Easter holiday.
LH Today visits with Mark Davis
Meet (and laugh with) Mark Davis
We first crossed paths with Mark Davis back in the summer of 2009.
Together with his good friend, and fellow photographer David Werther, Mark was helping get the LHHS football players photographed for their 2009-'10 team poster.
Like most good locals, he came through in a pinch, lent his talents to the cause, and enjoyed pitching in for the team.
There's a much greater history there, of course.
So we asked Mark to share a little bit about his background with our readers.
Introducing: Mark Davis.
"I started taking pictures when I was 12 years old, and fell in love with the medium instantly," says Davis.
"With a little support and a good education in the profession, I managed to discover a niche for my work and earn a living doing what I love."
Mark's professional training came from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, following his graduation from Lake Highlands High School.
"After becoming freelance in 1982, I did commercial jobs for every major company and industry in the world," he says. "But I always came back to photographing the people and places of my own neighborhood."
In addition to his work as a multi-media artist, Davis has recently been shooting family portraits. Then, together with video, he sets the images to music for his customers.
"This has become a very popular service, as it allows people to share not just photographs, but a true moment in their lives," he says.
Aside from making art and occasionally picking up a game of baseball, Davis finds himself most at home when he's "wandering through the world taking photographs."
Something others might be surprised to learn about him?
"I've done campaign photos for quite a few politicians, which is how I got most of the Dallas City Council in my back pocket. Before long I will own this town. Or not."
Our thanks to Mark for sharing a few of his photographs - and laughs - with us.
To learn more about Mark's photo and video services, visit
http://www.davisstudios.com.
Lead photo: During a recent photo shoot for the Dallas Cowboys, Mark decided to do a self portrait. From now on, he remarks, whenever you see a Superbowl trophy, you can tell everyone, "Hey, there's that thing what looks like Mark Davis' head on a stick!"
Photo (below left): The last snowfall in Dallas? "I assume this is the result of global warming. All I can say is, if it gets any warmer, we're going to freeze to death."
Photo (below right): Best summed up as "two chairs with flowers that I was NOT spitting on from a second floor balcony."
Using the city’s website to stay informed
Mar 31 2010 by Councilman Jerry Allen
District 10 Council Member, Jerry Allen
A couple of years ago I wrote an article about why I consider
http://www.dallascityhall.com to be my official website.
And the reason I view it as my website?
Within its portals, it contains all you want to know about our great city, plus so much more.
Dallascityhall.com can give you answers for questions ranging from bulk pickup days, to what books are available at the library, to how to obtain a special event permit.
Here is just a brief taste of what you can find at
http://www.dallascityhall.com:
http://www.dallaslibrary.org
http://www.dallasparks.org
http://www.dallasanimalservices.org
http://www.wrr101.com
http://maps.dallascityhall.com
http://www.greendallas.net
http://www.onedaydallas.com
http://www.dallasculture.org
http://www.powertochoose.org
http://www.dallascityhall.com/dwu/pdf/wqr08_en.pdf
http://www.dallascityhall.com/services/services_visitors.html
http://www.dallascityhall.com/oem/pdfs/cert_brochure_english.pdf
http://www.dallascityhall.com/rentalregistration.html
http://www.dallascityhall.com/html/city_departments.html
http://www.dallasfirerescue.com
http://www.dallaspolice.net
http://www.dallascityhall.com/info/faqs.html
http://www.dallascityhall.com/html/homeland_security.html
As you can see, there's endless information about your city and how to connect to the services available to you.
For all of you political junkies the best sites to go to are:
http://www.dallascityhall.com/council_briefings/index.html
http://www.dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/index.html.
These two sites provide all of the briefings that Council receives.
By reviewing these sites you see exactly what the Council is briefed on, and therefore have the same information available to you that's available to the Council.
So, if you're burning to learn why the Council passed a certain ordnance, then a review of either website will give you the background information that affected the decision.
I myself use these two sites as resources to make sure what the Council is told, is indeed taking place.
At the end of the day an informed public is truly what democracy is about, and I trust these sites will help keep you up to date.
If not, my email is
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and my cell is 972.922.5775.
LH Today visits with Pat Hicks
Hicks family posing near their LH home
Back in December of last year, we met up with a local businessman with a really cool story to share.
Pat Hicks, longtime Lake Highlands resident, is the owner of New Life Hardwood Floors.
We enjoyed learning about the company and its mission - and sharing it with our readers.
Pat even offered up an end-of-year LH Today Deal of the Week.
You can read about it
here.
Pat's in the business of preserving some really old wood, working to harvest it from buildings that are being demolished all across the country.
Late last year he told us about the trends he's witnessing in his industry.
The turn in the economy, coupled with the continued growth in the green movement, has people embracing the practices of recycling, upcycling and rethinking their use of resources in general.
For New Life Hardwood Floors, it's meant that people are even more eager to learn about what Pat does.
So we were excited to see Pat getting some good press over the weekend.
The
Dallas Morning News featured Pat and his company in an article in the Guide section last Saturday. Take a look
here.
Seems a good story gets around, and we love it!
Pat and his wife, Sherry, who works in the public relations office at Highlander School, have called Lake Highlands home for over 20 years.
Sherry's a Lake Highlands grad, who attended Wallace Elementary, and together they're now raising their two children in a spot we like to call the ABC streets.
Pat jokes about having no time for hobbies. "Are you kidding? We have kids!"
But one thing he takes very seriously is his passion for saving historic wood from the landfills.
With a background in social work, and a degree in Sociology and Psychology, reclaiming historic wood might seem a little off the beaten path, right?
But there's actually a parallel there - if you look closely.
"The reality is that quality never goes out of style, and this old wood possesses character, beauty and quality only found in forests that simply no longer exist and are gone forever."
Passion for history and making use of the old gifts the Earth has offered. Pat's definitely making a difference - and we're glad he's doing it in Lake Highlands!
To learn more or contact Pat, visit
http://www.newlifehardwoodfloors.com.
Community Update: Imagination Summit
Mar 01 2010 by Councilman Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
A strong and thriving community prospers from its core values.
Core values define the community and therefore determine whether a community grows or withers.
Lake Highlands is a community with rock solid core values.
Our first and foremost core value is quality education. Without question, this leads to a better quality of life for all.
A second core value is the belief that every citizen should feel safe. And thirdly, perhaps one of the best core values we have as a community, is the desire to serve our fellow man.
Our schools, PTA groups, service clubs, home owners’ associations and Volunteers in Patrol have done a yeoman’s job of creating and reinforcing these values over the years.
Lake Highlands is comprised of a diverse population of approximately 100,000 folks. We have slightly over 14,000 residential homes in our community and 24,000 apartment homes. Our community is home to both millionaires and folks who have no food in their kitchen cabinets.
We have three generations of families that call this community home, and we have families that have just moved here from all over the world.
Some families moved here from other parts of the city because they have heard of our great education system. They're seeking to improve the long term quality of life for their children.
Again, we are diverse, and at the end of the day that is what makes our community special and gives us the potential to be even better.
Without question, there remains much to do as we strive toward our full potential, and this is the reason that I recently asked over fifty top leaders to join me in a meeting held at Lake Highlands High School that I termed the “Imagination Summit."
Joining me were Mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm, elected officials from the state, county and city, and trustees from RISD.
Also attending were local leaders from non-profit agencies, various foundations, community service clubs, and the banking industry.
Representatives from DART, local law enforcement, the Parks & Recreation board, Dallas Housing Authority, and the Greater Dallas Apartment Association also participated in the summit.
The purpose of our gathering was to make these leaders aware of our strengths, while also making them aware of our needs - particularly the need in our high density multi-family community for after school programs and learning activities.
Lake Highlands is a proud community. We take care of our own, but it is time we get our fair share of the services being provided to other areas of the city.
The next step is to create, from the summit attendees, a very high-level task force to address density issues and how we can best serve our community in insuring a better quality of life in a safe environment.
These are exciting times for Lake Highlands. All we need is a little imagination to build on the core values already in place.
You can read more about the Imagination Summit, which took place in February, by clicking
here.
LH resident raises awareness of hunger in our community
Patrick Kercheville trains for 44 on 44!
Patrick Kercheville is a man on a mission.
What else could you possibly call a 44,000 meter indoor row event, designed to help celebrate his 44th birthday?
How about an incredible opportunity to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in our community?
44 on 44!, Kercheville's aptly titled fundraiser, aims to do just that. We recently spent some time with Patrick to get the full story behind his mission, his method and his motivation.
LHT: Tell us about the emphasis behind "44 on 44!"
Kercheville: On Friday, February 26th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. I'll be performing a 44,000 meter (27.28 mile) indoor row in celebration of my 44th birthday at the LA Fitness on Skillman and Walnut Hill.
The event is designed to raise food and funds for the Vickery Meadow Food Pantry, a multi-faith organization established to support recent refugees and other working families in the Vickery Meadow neighborhood, which is practically right behind us here in Lake Highlands.
LHT: Why is the cause of raising awareness about the issue of hunger important to you?
Kercheville: There are thousands of noble and relevant charities that exist; however, I believe in order to be a productive citizen at even the most basic level, regular meals are key. Hunger is considered a "silent epidemic" even in a wealthy country such as ours.
Success in school, work, or an extreme endurance event like rowing over 27 miles requires the sustenance of life - food and proper nourishment. People who are hungry, or food insecure, miss more work, more school and have higher health care costs than those who aren't forced to go without.
LHT: Why did you choose the Vickery Meadow Food Pantry specifically?
Kercheville: The Vickery Meadow Food Pantry is a recently consolidated pantry that's a collaborative project of Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Service, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Temple Emmanu-El, Ladies of Charity, National Council of Jewish Women and the Vickery Meadow Management Corporation.
Even though faith-based organizations run it, the pantry is designed to serve those in need who reside in the northeast Dallas neighborhood of Vickery Meadow without regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, political belief or national origin.
This pantry serves those in need who are part of our own neighborhood; meaning we'll have an impact at home, where it can matter most.
LHT: Was there a life moment that contributed to your desire to launch the 44 on 44?
Kercheville: The genesis of the project was originally intended to be another crazy fitness goal. Over the last two years, I've lost 60 pounds in response to a scare I had with borderline hypertension. That was the original wake-up call.
"44 on 44!" was a way to keep things interesting. It began as just another goal. However, very quickly, I realized that I could do something more than just make it personal. It was time to give something back to those who need help.
I figured if families have to be uncomfortable day after day, I can be uncomfortable for a few hours while bringing awareness to their plight, which only continues to worsen in this stagnant economy.
LH Today visits with Brent Birnbaum, NY artist
Birnbaum transformation to Ice Ice Maybe
Brent Birnbaum is a resident of Brooklyn and has lived in this area of New York for the last 5 years, following the year he spent in Harlem.
His road to New York was traveled via London, Boston, the University of North Texas in Denton, College Station and our very own Lake Highlands.
LH Today recently had the opportunity to visit with this talented installation artist, a '96 LHHS alum, to find out more about his journey, his art and his inspiration.
Birnbaum is currently taking part in the New York City art show,
Never Can Say Goodbye, hosted by the non-profit group No Longer Empty.
It was following the show's opening, on January 15th, that we caught up with the artist.
LHT: Can you define the term "installation artist" for us?
Birnbaum: The term came about in an effort to describe artists who use a mix of materials and typically have to install their art pieces for exhibition.
My installations are very sculptured, and I construct them with a number of objects - many of which help me convey bold, sometime shocking, statements.
LHT: Your most recent show, Never Can Say Goodbye, offered you the opportunity to showcase your performance art, however. Tell us more about that.
Birnbaum: In this show I was able to portray my alter ego, Ice Ice Maybe, a character based on the 1980's rap artist Vanilla Ice.
The event has been far more successful that I'd ever have thought, and I enjoyed it tremendously because it gave me the opportunity to put my living art on display. It was a really intense experience.
(Below are photos from the opening night.)
LHT: Tell us a little about the journey that's led you to develop your art in these ways.
Birnbaum: I'd have to point to the book
POPism, by Andy Warhol. His perspective of pop art from the 1960's really struck a chord with me.
While reading it, I realized that this was how I view the world. As a senior at the University of North Texas, majoring in Interior Design, I began making art in my garage.
I became very interested in materials and how I could combine them. I spent a year at the American School in London, followed by 9 months in Boston on scholarship at the Boston Museum School.
I came to New York in 2004 for grad school and, as is very common in NY masters programs, began participating in open studios.
This is an opportunity for an artist to display their work in their own studio, as people come through over the course of a weekend maybe, to view and purchase art.
It's a great way to get exposure and get some great art on the cheap, as new, young artists emerge on the scene.
It was during one of these open studios that I was invited to display in a gallery show and received some good press from the
Boston Globe.
Along with networking, the process is a very slow build, but each year I've been able to display my work at different galleries, and I'm constantly finding new influences and ideas from the art world around me.
LH Today visits with Ashley & Ricky Zorn
Ashley & Ricky Zorn, LHHS
Ashley and Ricky Zorn are well known as two of Lake Highlands top-performing student athletes.
As the 'Cats starting quarterback, Ricky led LHHS to play-off appearances in the last two seasons, winning District MVP both years.
As a member of the varsity cheer squad, Ashley is a first-class example of that great Wildcat spirit, both on and off the field.
LH Today recently sat down with the 2010 LHHS seniors, who are also twins, to visit with them about what the next year holds.
LHT: What about Lake Highlands will you miss the most when you leave for college?
Ashley: I will miss my family and friends the most when I go off to college.
Ricky: Besides my friends and family, I think I will miss the community and all of the amazing people and things that make Lake Highlands so incredible. I have loved getting to grow up in Lake Highlands, and that will make leaving it even tougher.
LHT: What colleges are you currently considering?
Ashley: I'm deciding between Baylor, OU, and Ole Miss. Both my parents are Baylor alum. OU is a good option that's close to home, and Ole Miss appeals to me because it represents an opportunity to spread my wings a bit further.
Ricky: Of the colleges I have a possibility to play football at, the schools I am most interested in are Yale, Harvard and the Air Force Academy. I am going on official visits to see them in that order. Yale and Air Force have indicated that they would like for me to compete at quarterback, while Harvard is recruiting me as an athlete. Although playing quarterback has a greater appeal to me, I love playing football in general and will evaluate the schools based on which one I think will be the best fit for me.
LHT: Any idea on majors or fields of study?
Ashley: Communications or Education.
Ricky: I think I will take a broad array of classes my freshman year, but then lean towards studying a major that will prepare me for either a business or law career.
LHT: With a good chance you'll be attending different schools, are either of you worried about being separated from each other for the first time in your life?
Ashley: Yes. I will be very sad, and it will be hard to leave my twin brother Ricky because he really is my best friend.
Ricky: I think it will definitely be difficult for me, going to a different school than my sister and not being able to see the rest of my family, as well. But I am not too worried about it and am looking forward to the opportunities that college will present.
LHT: If you could freeze a moment in time from your days in Lake Highlands, what moment would that be?
Ashley: Cheering down on the field at our last home football game!!
Ricky: One of my favorite memories was when I walked off of the field at the Boneyard after my final football game at Lake Highlands. One of my great friends, Wil Matthews, was waiting for me to hand over the Wildcat Flag that we carried around before the games.
LHT: Is there anything your brother/sister does that gets on your nerves or bugs you?
Ashley: Yes. Whenever Ricky changes the channel on the TV to a sports program when I am watching
Gossip Girls!
Ricky: I really get embarrassed when she yells “Bubba!!” at the top of her lungs in front of other people when she sees me.
LHT: What do you value most in your relationship with your sibling?
Ashley: I value his ability to always be there for me when I need him the most.
Ricky: I most value all of the great memories we've been able to form over the years by growing up together and going to the same schools our entire life. I will miss not being able to share as many experiences with her at a different college.
LHT: What about your sibling are you most proud of?
Ashley: I am so proud of my brother and how hard he works to meet his goals. He has accomplished so much.
Ricky: I’m really proud of her outgoing spirit and how friendly she is towards everyone she meets.
LH Today wishes both Ashley & Ricky the best in their upcoming college endeavors!
Our thanks to Amy Twomey for the lead picture of the Zorn twins and to David Werther for the photos of Ashley with her father Jody; and Ricky with Coach Scott Smith.
Great LH Smiles with Dr. Greg Greenberg
Greg Greenberg with his wife & daughter
Dr. Greg Greenberg has been practicing orthodontics in Lake Highlands for over 20 years.
His clinic in the Town Creek Shopping Center at Abrams and Royal has gone through two expansions in that time, to better serve his patients and meet the needs of his growing practice.
Over the years, Greenberg has watched many of his patients grow up, leave for school, and return to raise their own families in Lake Highlands.
"I have yet to treat the children of my former patients," he says. "But I know that day isn't far away. I have truly enjoyed watching the children of this community grow up."
This week, LH Today visits with Dr. Greenberg about his family, his practice and his decades spent caring for the residents of our community.
LHT: Tell us about your family.
Greenberg: My wife of 28 years is Lauri. Our daughter Rachel is 23, and our son Mitchell is 20. Both our children attend Tulane University, which is where Lauri and I met. They're helping us continue "The Green Wave" tradition! We also have 2 West Highland White Terriers, Maggie and Harry.
LHT: Following Tulane, where did you attend dental school?
Greenberg: I received my Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the Baylor College of Dentistry here in Dallas. I received my Certificate in Orthodontics from The School of Dental and Oral Surgery at Columbia University in New York.
LHT: What other organizations are you currently involved in?
Greenberg: I am a member of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and together with my family, we are members at the T Bar M Racquet Club.
LHT: When you're not treating patients, how do you like to spend your free time?
Greenberg: I enjoy most outdoor activities. Tennis, fishing and biking are some of my favorites.
LHT: What the most unusual, funniest or hardest job you've ever held?
Greenberg: I worked in a Bar-B-Que restaurant for several years and handled the “block.” That means I was the guy who cut all the meats. In high school, I was also an Assistant Manager of a fried chicken restaurant and had 2 ex-convicts working with me. I never asked them what they did to get thrown in prison, and I never told my parents that’s who my co-workers were!
LHT: What does your typical Saturday night look like?
Greenberg: Saturday nights usually find me out to dinner with my wife and friends. Saturday has always been our “date night." Now that both our children are at school (making us empty-nesters) we have a lot more time to ourselves, but Saturday night is still our night out.
LHT: Tell us something our readers might be surprised to learn about you.
Greenberg: I can make a great pecan pie, and I can smoke meats with the best of them - especially ribs!
LHT: What would you say you're most passionate about?
Greenberg: My work! I love the people I work with and feel that we're a very fun and cohesive team. It's great getting to know our patients - both teenagers and adults - because we work with them from anywhere from 12 to 24 months. We all try very hard to make the entire experience as pleasurable as it can be. Lake Highlands is a fantastic community, and we all love practicing here.
Dr. Greenberg is a member of The Dallas County Dental Society, The American Dental Association, The American Association of Orthodontists, The Texas Dental Association, The Southwest Society of Orthodontists and The American Board of Orthodontists.
His office is located in the Town Creek shopping center at 8510 Abrams Road, Suite 508. You can reach the office at 214.503.0060 or visit them online at
http://www.rxsmile.com.
LH Today visits with Chris Burcalow
Staff Sgt. Burcalow tests his device
Staff Sergeant Chris Burcalow is a Lake Highlands resident and Combat Medic with an interesting story to tell.
As a United States Army Hospital Reservist, Burcalow was assigned to the Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colorado.
While there, he spent some time experimenting with moldable plastics.
The end result? A simulated M-4 carbine rifle designed to aid in the recovery of soldiers who have suffered hand, wrist and arm injuries.
Burcalow recently landed a U.S. patent on his invention, which significantly helps soldiers restrengthen their trigger mobility - and their confidence - after sustaining an injury.
Known as the M-4 Therapeutic Trigger Simulator (TTS), the device is designed like the combat rifle and is used for the rehabilitation of damaged fingers.
Not only does it replicate the trigger device typically found in firearms, it also provides trigger repetition and allows for a gradual build-up of resistance. This slow increase in resistance helps build up the user’s strength.
According to Staff Sgt. Burcalow, “When patients use the simulator in therapy, they gain more confidence in their ability to train on the real thing, once they get back to the range.”
Additionally, the M-4 TTS allows hospital security personnel to breathe a sigh of relief by eliminating the need to keep actual weapons for therapeutic use on the premises.
LH Today caught up with the 25 year-old Lake Highlands resident, and patent holder to learn more about his Therapeutic Trigger Simulator.
LHT: How long have you been an U.S. Army Reservist?
Burcalow: I am in the middle of year nine as an Army Reservist. I became a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant through the military eight years ago. I perform OT as a secondary duty to my primary duty of Combat Medic.
LHT: How often are you called up for duty? Where have you gone?
Burcalow: A reservist is called to active duty based on the needs of the nation. My last tour lasted 3 ½ years, and I was fortunate enough to serve a supporting role in beautiful Colorado.
LHT: What was your inspiration to create such a specific and unique device?
Burcalow: My heart is with my patients, and I created the simulator in my free time for a patient based on his specific need. I like to think outside the box and steer away from traditional views of therapy. I like to be creative and make therapeutic activities for my patients as functional as possible.
LHT: When did you invent the TTS and was the Army receptive to your prototype?
Burcalow: I actually dreamed it up while making a splint. My superiors were very receptive, and they pushed me to pursue a patent and further development of the device. You have to be patient, since obtaining a patent can be a long process. It took nearly two years to complete, and during that time many soldiers under my care have benefited from using the device.
LHT: How many hospitals are using the TTS? Can only Army hospitals incorporate it in their therapy programs?
Burcalow: No one is using the TTS as of yet. I am currently in the process of marketing it. The TTS can be used in many practical applications, in addition to the rehabilitation of police and military personnel.
LHT: What is the success rate of the TTS?
Burcalow: The TTS has been a success with everyone who has used it. It's convenient because it can be used in a clinic setting, as opposed to a trip to the range. The added bonus is the safety factor, because the TTS is not a live fire device. Also, practitioners can work one-on-one with patients on their position and technique in a private, completely controlled environment.
LHT: Along with the moldable plastic, what other materials did you use to create the TTS?
Burcalow: I would rather not divulge the inner workings of my device at this time. I will say that the materials I used were scrap materials left over from making custom orthotics.
LHT: What other devices have you invented and are you working on anything currently?
Burcalow:I have developed many custom splints for specific injuries, but I haven't pursued any licensing on them. I am always trying to invent devices that can aid in the return of function for anyone under my care. I believe there are always alternative ways to do something. I aim for the most functional approach, with the least amount of materials necessary to do the job.
2009 LH People in review
2009 - People & Places looks back
Each week, our People & Places column features an in-depth interview with a local resident, business leader or community volunteer.
As the year winds to a close, with the next decade beginning in a few short days, we're taking a look back at some of the interviews we've published over the last year.
We hope our readers enjoy this year in review, and remember if you have a person you'd like to see profiled in our People & Places feature, shoot us an email at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Here's wishing everyone a bright, happy New Year!
In July of this year, we had the opportunity to visit with the Lake Highlands trio known to many as the Cake Ball ladies. The
Cake Ball Company, located just off Easton at Northwest Highway, has had a stellar year, as their business continues to grow in popularity. They were even featured on the nationally televised Rachael Ray Show as the "Snack of the Day" in November. Read all about the Cake Ball Company
here.
In August, we sat sat down with the Vice President of the Dallas Park & Recreation Board and Lake Highlands resident,
Joan Walne. Joan is a long-time supporter of all things Lake Highlands, and our community is truly better for having her here working hard on our behalf. Joan and her husband, Alan, have called Lake Highlands home for over 24 years, along with their two children and three grandchildren. You can read Joan's interview
here.
Lake Highlands resident and Sudan missionary,
Mike Congrove, works with e3 Partners - the group best known for its advertising campaign "I am Second" that reaches out with personal stories of hope, peace and fulfillment through the sharing of personal testimony. Mike's travels to the Sudan were the focus of his People & Places interview, as he shared his stories of helping the Sudanese to establish new churches in Africa. Mike and his wife Ali, along with their three children, are celebrating 10 years as LH residents in 2010. Read more about Mike and e3 Partners in Sudan
here.
In October, LH Today landed an exclusive interview with Lake Highlands own
Granger Smith, an up-and-coming musician currently climbing his way up the country music charts. The first weekend in November found Granger back home at the Boneyard for a local concert benefiting the LHHS academic booster fund "Wild for Cats" and the Wrangler Scholarship Fund. As a former Wrangler himself, Granger, entertained the crowd with his most recent hits from the album "Don't Listen to the Radio." You can read all about Granger, his LH roots and his current music career
here.
Just last month, we had the chance to sit down with local author,
Cindy Causey. Cindy is a Lake Highlands native and 1970 LHHS alum who, together with her husband, runs a local multimedia production company. Her passion, however, is writing and her two most recent books,
A Hot Time in Texas and
A Different Drum, were released this year through the Wild Rose Press. You can read all about Cindy, her books and her Lake Highlands connections
here.
To read more of our LH People & Places feature articles, visit the "LH People" tab in the homepage menu for a complete listing of all our interviews, including regular columns from
District 10 City Councilmemeber Jerry Allen.
Most recently, Councilman Allen detailed the new
Bank on Dallas initiative, a soon-to-be launched program aimed at addressing the issues surrounding Pay Day Lenders and cash-checking businesses in our community. You can read this latest column
here.
Watch for more in-depth interviews coming soon in 2010!
LH Today visits with Chief Tom Lawrence
Deputy Chief Tom Lawrence, DPD
Deputy Chief Tom Lawrence joined the Dallas Police Department 26 years ago.
December 17th marks his one year anniversary as Deputy Chief over the Northeast Patrol Division, headquartered here in Lake Highlands.
LH Today caught up with Chief Lawrence on his year anniversary to visit with him about his tenure with the DPD, his thoughts on the force and our community, and his plans for the future.
LHT: Where are you from originally?
Lawrence: I’m a native of Dallas. My mother’s family is from Pleasant Grove, but I actually grew up in Oak Cliff. I attended Sunset High School but ended up finishing high school in Grand Prairie. I’m a Grand Prairie Gopher, but it wasn’t long after high school that we moved right back to Oak Cliff.
LHT: Tell us about your career prior to becoming a police officer:
Lawrence: Well, there wasn’t much too it. I’ve been on the force in Dallas for most of my career. I spent 5 years in the US Navy from 1977-1982. I was one of those catch-all guys. By title I was an Ops Specialist and did a lot of different things.
LHT: What is our best memory from your service in the Navy?
Lawrence: The 3 years I spent in Puerto Rico, no doubt about it. That was great. I enjoyed being down there and have considered moving back when I retire.
LHT: You have a pretty diverse academic background. Tell us about it.
Lawrence: I’ve basically been in school my whole life. I was a mechanical engineering major, but when I got out of the Navy I joined the DPD and switched to over to computer science. Probably sounds odd, but that’s what interested me at the time. I only planned on being with the department for a few years after I joined in 1983, but things changed pretty quick.
My wife at the time didn’t want me to stay on the force after I finished school, but I love this job and always have.
I ended up with a degree in organizational leadership. I was one of those guys who took 190 hours to get a bachelors degree. I love learning new things and love going to school. I’ll eventually go back and get my masters - hopefully I can start that pretty soon.
LHT: Tell us about your family.
Lawrence: I have two daughters, 19 and 24 years old. The oldest was married in October and the youngest is at SFA studying to be a nurse. They're great kids.
LHT: You’ve worked all over Dallas - is this your first time to work in the Northeast division?
Lawrence: Yes, this is my first opportunity to work in Lake Highlands or Northeast Dallas, an it’s been a good year. I came out of the Field Services Division. I was in charge of Swat, K-9, Mounted officers, Helicopter, Love Field/Bomb Units, Homeland Security… basically everything that isn’t patrol.
LHT: Tell us your thoughts on Chief Kunkle, the impact he’s had on the department and his recent retirement announcement.
Lawrence: Chief Kunkle certainly had a positive impact. He grew the department by 600 officers and managed to achieve crime reductions five straight years. Those are impressive accomplishments. I also believe he did a great deal to professionalize and elevate the command staff of the department.
Bank on Dallas: An Answer to Pay-Day Lenders
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
Pay-day lending and check cashing businesses are a familiar sight in many parts of Lake Highlands.
An increase in the number of locations in our community has many residents concerned.
LH Today recently learned of a new city initiative that's aimed at reducing customers' dependence on the services these lenders provide.
We sat down with Councilman Jerry Allen, District 10 Representative on the Dallas City Council, to get the full story.
LHT: Councilman Allen, we understand you're behind a project to reduce the number of check cashing and pay-day lending stores in Dallas. Can you share the details with us?
Allen: What I'm behind is raising awareness among "un-banked" consumers about the benefits of account ownership, which will hopefully excite them to inquire about opening new accounts. If this increased awareness causes the number of customers to go down at these stores, then so be it.
LHT: What exactly is an "un-banked" consumer?
Allen: An un-banked consumer is one who is outside the traditional financial service industry. It's estimated that 28 million adults in the U.S. do not have bank accounts – often because of mistrust, cultural and language barriers or a belief that by the time the bills are paid, nothing will be leftover to maintain their account.
LHT: Why not pass a law that simply does away with these pay-day lending and check cashing facilities altogether?
Allen: These businesses provide a service, and it's important to understand that they are legal. However, it should be noted that on average, a customer of a check cashing/pay-day lending store spends $800 a year for their services.
If we open 25,000 accounts in the first two years, which we will, then the program will be able to reduce the cash flow of these stores by $20,000,000. This will have a significant financial impact, with the end result being a reduction in the number of these businesses.
LHT: 25,000 seems like a lot of new accounts. How can you be sure of this estimate?
Allen: 25,000 is just a fraction of the "un-banked" citizens in Dallas. In September, 2006, San Francisco pioneered their Bank on San Francisco program and have opened over 30,000 accounts. It is estimated that San Francisco has only a quarter of the "un-banked" population that Dallas does.
Houston just recently started their program six months ago, and they've already been able to open over 30,000 accounts.
LH Today visits with Darin Klemchuk & Kelly Kubasta
Founding partners, Klemchuk and Kubasta
Local attorneys Darin Klemchuk and Kelly Kubasta took a gamble earlier this year when they formed their new law firm, Klemchuk Kubasta LLP.
Despite the recession, their aim was to create a boutique law firm that could attract business no matter how desperate the market landscape seemed.
LH Today would like to introduce our readers to this entrepreneurial team and share a little bit about their backgrounds, business and local connections.
Offering great customer service at a great value is a common goal for these Lake Highlands residents.
Specializing in intellectual property services, Klemchuk Kubasta LLP (K&K) focuses on start-ups and growing companies that want big firm service without the big firm experience.
So far, their new business model is paying off.
"We formed the firm on May 1st of this year," says Klemchuk. "And despite the economic conditions we're all familiar with, our growth has been exponential."
"While other law firms and businesses are laying off employees, we've been hiring throughout the summer," adds Kubasta.
One reason that may lend to their recent success is the pair's strategic decision to provide a family-friendly environment at the firm.
"This idea is unusual and sometimes difficult to achieve in a high-end litigation firm," explains Klemchuck.
K&K aims to provide better work-life balances for their associates, and it makes sense for the founding partners, as well.
Since typical weekends for Klemchuk often revolve around his children's sporting and school events - the two oldest of his three children attend White Rock Elementary - that work-life balance holds great appeal for him and his wife Laura.
"How someone can maintain a balanced life billing over 2,000 hours just escapes us," says Kubasta who, together with his wife Britnee and their son Jamie, also calls Lake Highlands home.
And when they're not juggling the demands of a growing client base and busy families, what keeps these partners entertained?
"Watching or reading anything related to Longhorn sports," says Kubasta. "Aside from my family, the Texas Longhorns are my passion."
For Klemchuck it's "all things Apple" and cooking on occasion. "I actually like to cook," he says. "Which might be surprising for quite a few people to hear!"
And surprising for Kubasta? "Contrary to most stereotypes about lawyers, I'm actually a pretty nice guy."
For more information about Klemchuk Kubasta LLP, and questions concerning issues related to patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property services, readers can visit
http://www.kk-llp.com.
LH Today visits with Ryan Gummer
Nov 22 2009 by Patty Bates-Ballard
Ryan Gummer, Keystone Investments
At the close of his freshman year, Lake Highlands resident Ryan Gummer was informed by his high school that he was not welcome to return the following year.
Struggling with a little-known learning disability called dysgraphia, a friend referred Ryan to Dallas Academy.
At this private school in east Dallas, dedicated to educating students with learning differences, Ryan got the extra attention he needed to get the words out of his head and down on paper.
He learned to start early when writing papers and to go over them repeatedly to catch his grammar and punctuation errors.
“Being told not to come back to school can be devastating for a 15-year old,” remembers Gummer.
But his experience at Dallas Academy recalibrated his appreciation for learning.
“Dallas Academy was really good at building back up my confidence,” he explains. “Because the classes are small, the teachers know what’s going on with each student. They knew what needed to happen to make school work for me."
After graduating from Dallas Academy in 1999, Gummer went on to earn his BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Now 28, Gummer owns and operates Keystone Investments, a company he developed that provides and manages investments specializing in real estate and venture capital for start-up companies.
In business for four years, he’s earned the trust of investors many years his senior with his diligence and knack for numbers. In fact, his cautious philosophy has allowed him to weather the recession with no real estate foreclosures.
Though they are fewer in number, his projects continue to sell well, considering the market. “I don’t buy into anything that I don’t believe in,” says Gummer. "When I see something that promises great looking returns, I ask, ‘Would I live there? Would I use it?’ Numbers can be deceiving.”
Gummer continues to pursue learning, taking opportunities during times of slower business activity to network and learn more about his industry.
“I’m grateful that this recession is happening now, when I’m young,” he says. “I’m learning what to expect in the future. When I see housing numbers creep up next time, hopefully I’ll remember what’s happening now and be able make adjustments.”
Gummer says he’s starting to see more projects come in now, and he thinks things may begin to gain additional direction early next year.
Gummer currently volunteers with the North Texas Arthritis Foundation, serving as vice chairman of their board of directors. He has also chaired the group's golf tournament for the past two years.
Also a member of the Alumni Board for SMU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter, Gummer was the hands down choice for Dallas Academy’s first John R. Albers Distinguished Alumni Award, presented this spring.
Ryan credits his mother and father, Cindy and Charles Gummer, and his teachers at Dallas Academy, for teaching him that it’s okay to ask for help, and for being there for him when he needed them.
Gummer says his parents, United Way Tocqueville Chairs who are active in children’s cancer prevention organizations, have inspired him to give back to his community in significant ways. And he encourages the same from others.
In presenting Ryan Gummer the John R. Albers Award, Dallas Academy Headmaster Jim Richardson said, “We are very proud of Ryan’s success, and we are thrilled to be able to honor him with this award.”
Dallas Academy is a widely recognized leader in private education for bright students with learning differences and is located in east Dallas.
Ryan and his wife, Michelle, currently call Lake Highlands home. Along with his parents, Cindy and Charles, they look forward to spending many more years in the LH community.
Photos (below left) are of Michelle and Ryan together with his parents; (below right) the couple poses in Ryan's office located just blocks from his alma mater, SMU.
Meet Local Author, Cindy Causey
Cindy Causey, Lake Highlands Author
Lake Highlands native and 1970 LHHS alum, Cindy Causey, is one busy lady.
Aside from the multi-media production company she runs with her husband, she’s also a published author.
Her most recent release,
A Hot Time in Texas, is Causey’s second work of fiction, a romance novel set in a small Texas town.
Her first published romance,
A Different Drum, was also published this year by The Wild Rose Press.
“For my most recent book, I can tell you I literally woke up with the story just running through my head,” says Causey. “It was totally unexpected. I got right up and ran to the typewriter!”
Causey has a total of six manuscripts under her belt and is currently working on a longer women’s fiction story – one she’s hoping to finish by the end of the year.
With a background in advertising and copywriting, Causey spent fifteen years with JCPenney as a copy chief for the company catalog. She later moved into development as their Internet Marketing Manager.
After a total of twenty years with JCPenney, she now works full-time with her husband Scott, running their Lake Highlands business, Dallas Design Studio.
“We specialize live-event videotaping, audio production, editing and duplication,” explains Causey. “We also design and host websites, as well.”
Her first foray into writing was actually a non-fiction work entitled
Cherish the Gift: a Congregational Guide to Earth Stewardship.
“The leap from non-fiction to fiction was a little unexpected,” says Causey. “But finding my voice in contemporary romance has been a wonderful adventure!”
Readers should make plans to join Causey at her book signing this Saturday, November 21st at Highlands Cafe.
Both books will be for sale and refreshments will be provided. Plans are even on tap for a Highlands Cafe gift card drawing.
To learn more about Cindy and get a sneak peek at her latest titles, visit her online at
http://www.cindycausey.com.
To tide you over until the Saturday event, you can also view a trailer for
A Hot Time in Texas by clicking
here.
Highlands Cafe is located at 9661 Audelia Road, Suite 105, at the southwest corner of Walnut Hill and Audelia.
Creative Chicks of Lake Highlands
Lake Highlands own Creative Chicks
Lake Highlands is full of interesting, authentic people - there's no doubt about it.
Recently, we just might have come across its four most creative residents, as well.
A group of local ladies, affectionately known as the Creative Chicks, are on a mission. They're all about friendship, creativity and finding new life in old objects.
"Every year we get to re-invent ourselves," says Lisa Johnson, one of the group's members and re-creator of all things vintage.
Whether it's decorative caddies, glass ornaments or jewelry pieces, the creative juices are free-flowing with this group.
"We're all about up-cycling," adds group member Gloria Burson. "We aim to recapture the beauty in old objects, with the goal of breathing new life into them."
Melissa Hood, who creates handmade Christmas trees from broken glass, describes how their group came together.
"All four of us were moms at White Rock Elementary, but our kids were in different grades, so our paths had yet to cross."
"It was actually Katie Fuerst who began calling and getting us together as a group, so that we could bounce around creative, artistic ideas," she explains.
The group became fast friends, as the sharing wasn't limited to just artistic endeavors.
"Working together offers us friendship, lessons in faith, and it's absolutely the cheapest therapy around," laughs Hood.
"We collaborate and share ideas, supplies and creative energy," adds Fuerst, the group's original organizer. "We definitely draw from one another's strengths."
What began as small yearly gathering in her home has now become the annual Creative Chicks Christmas Sale, and for five years it's been drawing other creative friends and neighbors, as well as lots of shoppers.
"Our regular attendees need not worry," says Johnson. "We're not having our annual sale here in the neighborhood this year, but we do have some exciting news!"
As the four friends meet weekly to collaborate and formulate ideas, they occasionally head out on field trips to admire other artists' work and seek added inspiration.
"It was on one of these trips that we came upon a trendy store in the Henderson Avenue area - The Gyspsy Wagon," explains Hood.
New LH Task Force: Forest Lane & Audelia
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
Crime rates continue to be an issue for many parts of our Lake Highlands community.
One area that seems consistently hit by some of the most violent offenses are the neighborhoods surrounding Forest Lane and Audelia Road.
LH Today recently learned of a newly-formed community task force that's been created to address this issue.
So we sat down with Councilman Jerry Allen, District 10 Representative on the Dallas City Council, to get the full story.
LHT: Councilman Allen, we understand you have created a task force to look at crime in the Forest Lane/Audelia area. Why?
Allen: From day one of taking office, I put into place a task force that has concentrated on reducing crime and code violations in this area and throughout the entire district. As a result, crime is down and our Code Department has done an admirable job of enforcing the message that Lake Highlands will not tolerate code violations. This new Forest Lane/Audelia Task Force will use these building blocks, along with a new forward-thinking vision, to move this process to the next level.
LHT: What exactly do you mean by next level?
Allen: We can beat our chests, point our fingers all day long and play the blame game, or we can embrace the realization that all people, regardless of whether they live in single family homes or a multi-family complexes, simply want a better quality of life and a place where their children can grow and reach their full potential. Realizing this simple truth is the next level I'm referring to.
LHT: Are you suggesting a team effort between the single family home owners and multi-family complexes?
Allen: Why not? Good, decent people have the same basic goals and wants. Our community is already known for its great schools and its compassion, so why not build on this foundation? I would like to see an overall attitude akin to something along these lines - that it is a privilege to live in our community, and for those who choose to misbehave, the voices of all the good people will be very clear that the criminal element is not welcome in our community.
LHT: But crime seems to come predominately from the apartments, correct?
Allen: The higher the density, the greater the potential is for crime, yes. But when good people say they've had enough, the bad people will leave and go where folks will tolerate them. The problems we face are big ones, and they require a new approach. To truly make a difference and have meaningful change take place will take the combined efforts of the city, other local agencies, schools, the business community and the neighborhoods.
Meet the team from Capstone Wireless
Capstone Wireless, e-Stewards in LH
The global Electronic Age has a dirty little secret.
Most Americans are aware of it, but the extent to which they fully understand it is debatable.
As a whole, our country has become quite accustomed to expecting the latest, greatest advances in technology and digital markets.
Having these items at our fingertips, however, creates a lingering problem.
What do we do with the tons of e-waste generated every year in our county?
"Going Green" is a familiar catch phrase - being responsible by reducing, reusing and recycling. Many of us are familiar with the slogan and feel like we do your part to responsibly recycle.
But where do used cell phones, and other forms of e-waste, really end up?
Capstone Wireless, a locally-owned Lake Highlands business with a team of professionals from the wireless industry, is able to answer this question definitively.
"The biggest part of this equation is education," says Capstone Wireless founder, president and LH resident, Joel Urano. "Green talk is great for local recycling initiatives, but people have to do their homework and ask the right questions."
For a little background on Capstone, it's important to understand their mission and business practices.
Capstone was founded in 2005, originally as an indirect channel partner selling voice and data services to government agencies and businesses. Looking for a niche in the market, by 2006 they were buying back old phones and smartphones from their clients.
"What started as a way to fund our customers' new equipment rollouts," explains Urano, "quickly caught on as an environmentally sound option for businesses looking to reduce their cellular expenses."
Stever Whitaker, Director of Sales for Capstone, illustrates the environmental ramifications by posing the following question:
"If we were to genuinely understand the environmental ramifications for every piece of technology our country utilizes, what would that look like?"
"The answers that grew from this question completely transformed our company, our mission and our drive," explains Whitaker.
As it relates to the cellular industry, Capstone Wireless helps businesses reduce their e-waste, while improving their return-on-investment by buying clients' old phones, determining which units are capable of being re-used, and returning them to the market.
"If a device can be re-used, whether for parts like cameras, switches or face plates for example," says Whitaker, "then we harvest those working parts, re-tool the phone, and are able to return it to the marketplace."
"With over 130 million phones reaching what's termed 'end of life' in the United States each year, it adds up extremely quickly," he says. "While working cell phones represent an opportunity for re-use, units that can't be re-used need to be recycled properly."
LH welcomes home Granger Smith
LHHS Alum & Country Singer Granger Smith
The LHHS Wildcat Wranglers Dance Team is welcoming home Lake Highlands' own Granger Smith.
On Sunday, November 1st, the country western singer and his band will perform at Lake Highlands High School "B" field in a benefit concert at 5:00 p.m.
Funds raised from the performance will benefit the LHHS academic booster fund "Wild for Cats" and the Wrangler Scholarship Fund.
In preparation for the upcoming event, LH Today visits with Granger about his Lake Highlands history, the band, and his recent success in the country music industry.
Back in 1997, as a student at Lake Highlands High School, Granger Smith made a decision that would help shape his future.
Along with a number of his teammates from the LHHS football team, Granger decided to try out for a newly-formed country western dance team, originally modeled after the Aggie Wranglers at Texas A&M University.
Three quarters of the football players earned a spot on the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers, including Granger.
Next stop for the group? The Clinton Inauguration in Washington, DC.
"During my junior year, my experience with the Wranglers provided some of my best memories," says Granger.
"Playing football and dancing in front of thousands of people kept us all pretty busy," he says. "I truly enjoyed my time performing with the Wranglers that year."
"I owe a lot to the experience I gained as a Wrangler and the confidence it provided me. There's nothing like performing in front of 3,000 people as a junior in high school to give you a little training in Stage Presence 101."
Following his graduation from LHHS in 1998, Granger was off to College Station to attend Texas A&M. As a member of the Corps of Cadets his freshman year, there was little time left for any musical endeavors.
"I tried to keep writing songs, but it wasn't until my sophomore year that I was able to find time to dedicate to my music again," he says. Once he did, however, it didn't take long for EMI Music Publishing out of Nashville to find him.
Granger signed on as a singer-songwriter and spent 5 years writing and producing. But, two things were bothering him.
He missed playing live and he really wanted to finish college. So he headed back to Texas, re-enrolled in school and got busy performing.
LH Today visits with Patrick Dunn & James Harris
dunn+harris:architecture partners
Architects Patrick Dunn and James Harris are Lake Highlands residents who joined forces in 2006 to create the Architecture firm, dunn+harris:architecture.
The two have known each other since 1986, when they met in sophomore design studio at Texas Tech University.
After graduation, they stayed in contact while each worked for renowned architecture firms building resumes that include a vast array of project types in the U.S. and locations abroad.
LH Today would like to introduce our readers to this talented team and share a little bit about their backgrounds, business and Lake Highlands connections.
Patrick Dunn and James Harris have called Lake Highlands home for a combined total of over 15 years.
"For years we had discussed eventually getting together to start our own firm," says Harris. "When we both ended up in Lake Highlands and found our objectives align, we decided the time was right.”
Their firm specializes in light commercial and residential architecture and dunn+harris is quickly becoming known for their professionalism and collaborative approach with clients.
“We’re both passionate about design and the creative process," continues Harris. "But we find the greatest satisfaction comes from exceeding a client’s expectations."
Their latest project, Sweet Lucy Ranch in Lampasas, Texas exemplifies their design philosophy, while also giving evidence to the exceptional client service Harris describes.
"The owners of Sweet Lucy Ranch wanted their new house to recall traditional ranching structures of the Hill Country region while incorporating durable, low maintenance building materials," explains partner Patrick Dunn.
Utilizing a green perspective in their approach to design is nothing new for these LH residents. Passive solar design strategies helped reduce operating costs, while rainwater is diverted from the property's roof to a cistern to help limit disruption of natural drainage patterns and meet water demands in an eco-friendly way.
"The electrical system is wired to receive an electricity-generating windmill in the future," explains Dunn. "Power generation is typically the most expensive green element to add to a building, but once constructed, Sweet Lucy's windmill will provide a source of renewable energy for the project that will meet all of their electrical needs."
So aside from the design of breathtaking Hill Country residences, where do these LH neighbors find themselves on the weekends?
"If I'm not training or competing in a triathlon, you might find me working on my own home," says Harris. "Regular home improvement projects keep me busy, including welding and fabricating my own lamps and furniture."
Working around the house is a weekend task shared by Dunn, as well. This is in addition to spending time with his wife, Libby, and their twin daughters, and trying to find a spare moment to enjoy his hobby of oil painting.
You might also catch these Red Raider alum at the occasional Tech football game, cheering for their team.
Although the partners pursue work nationwide, dunn+harris: architecture embraces any opportunity to work closer to home in Lake Highlands and the surrounding Dallas area.
Additional projects from Patrick and James can be seen at
http://www.dunnharris.com.
District 10 Council Update
Sep 29 2009 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember, Jerry Allen
This was one of the most brutal city budgets in recent history.
Our nation was coming off of five solid years of economic growth, and then last year, it ran right smack into perhaps the most difficult recession since the 30’s.
Cities across the United States are closing fire stations, libraries and recreation centers. They are eliminating city services and even laying off police officers.
Across the nation property values have plummeted, resulting in lower property tax income for cities. Spending has curtailed as well, resulting in the loss of sales tax income for cities.
Times have been hard, with no easy answers in sight. Some beat the drum to raise taxes and keep all current services, while others said it was time to go on a diet.
Starting in early summer, the debate went back and forth. In the end, your council decided the best way to balance the budget was to trim down.
Losing weight is never easy, but to remain healthy over the long run requires discipline.
Your City Manager, Mary Suhm, and her staff worked 80-hour weeks, month after month, to bring the citizens of this city a budget that is fair and balanced.
Suhm heard over and over that public safety was the number one concern of the citizens.
Therefore, she choose to close no fire stations, while even finding funds to replace old equipment with ten new fire engines, four new fire trucks and even the creation of one new station.
Mrs. Suhm, along with Mayor Leppert and the entire council, remained committed to adding police officers to increase our police staff by 191 officers over last year. In short, we have come too far to go back.
Also, as evidenced at meeting after meeting of local Town Halls, your voices were heard loud and clear that recreation centers and library hours needed to be protected.
Those voices are the reason why recreation center hours changed by less than ten percent and a large portion of the library hours remained intact.
At the end of the day this might not be a perfect budget for all, but I will say this budget should allow us to weather the storm and put Dallas in a position to be the first out of the chute when economic recovery comes.
And economic recovery will come.
LH Today visits with local resident, Jim Boyer
LH resident Boyer at home and on the job
LH Today would like to introduce our readers to local community member Jim Boyer, who serves as the Resident Manager at Copperfield Condominiums located off of Royal Lane, just west of Skillman.
The Copperfield complex, built in 1983, consists of condominiums, town homes and zero lot line properties.
It's tucked away among many old trees and is one of the best kept secrets in Lake Highlands.
A big reason for that is having a Resident Manager taking care of the needs of the condominium owners - as opposed to an outsourced management company.
Boyer and his partner Nancy Burnett started B&B Management a year ago and between the two of them take care of every daily detail for this 150-unit property.
Prior to becoming the Resident Manager of Copperfield Condominiums, where did you live? And how long have you lived at Copperfield Condominiums?
I moved to Dallas from my birthplace, Indianapolis, in 1984. I started renting in Copperfield in 1987 and bought my own unit in 1999.
What other professions did you hold prior to taking on the role of a property manager?
I hired on with Western Electric in 1965 as a mail clerk. When the facility in Indianapolis closed, I was transferred to Dallas. Over what seems like so many years later, I retired from Lucent Technologies in 2000. The majority of my career was spent with Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent working in computer technology.
Property Management may seem a far cry from computer technology, but so much of what I did then involved people skills, and what I do now most certainly does as well.
As a resident manager, how many hours a day do you spend servicing the Copperfield community?
My days never end - I'm on 24/7, taking care of the myriad of issues that come up on a daily basis among 150 units. And I live here! Not only is this my home, but these are my neighbors, too.
What's been your most unusual task as a Resident Manager? Your best and your worst, too.
It's interesting when you actually live on the property that you manage - you're right there and can handle all situations. I once had a try at cornering a raccoon - that would've been a Kodak moment!
My best task? Not so much a task, but rather my belief that I've earned the respect and camaraderie of the homeowners and tenants. My worst task is indeed a task - figuring out ways to deal with people who have a deaf ear, which can certainly be a challenge! But that too is part of the job.
About the new Town Center just up the road from Copperfield. What do you think?
I think Lake Highlands Town Center is going to be such a big plus for all the surrounding properties, and I plan to support it 110%.
Tell us about your family.
I had the best parents anyone could have! I was brought up in the 60's with respect, love and caring for all. There was no 'time out' back then, instead it was a paddle and a grounding! I miss my family everyday - they were my very best friends, and they taught me well. Those teachings have helped me throughout my life, in the jobs I've done and still do today.
What do you do in your off time, and do you have any hobbies?
My off time is usually spent relaxing with my favorite jazz music and enjoying friends. I would say my hobbies are always people-oriented. I love my music, my home and my friends. Oh, and an occasional glass of vino. I also volunteer with the DIFFA organization.
Any favorite Lake Highlands businesses?
I pretty much stay in the 'hood and frequent the surrounding restaurants...El Fenix, Sweet Temptations, Mi Cocina, Cantina Laredo and Highlands Cafe. Fast foods too! I must admit I do also enjoy the Lakewood area.
I love Kellan's Locksmith and the Vacuum Shop, too. I've been doing business with them for years.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Something people might find surprising about me is that I served Active duty in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. I was shocked that my tour ended up in Karlsruhe, Germany instead of Vietnam.
I was married at the time, and my wife was able to join me for the two years I was stationed in Germany. It was a wonderful experience for us both!
Know of someone who would make a good subject for our People & Places profile? Send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You just might find their story here!
Local Business Profile - Lone Star Yard Art
Decorating LH with spirit and pride
Raising families, volunteering and working full-time in Real Estate just wasn't enough to keep these Lake Highlands ladies busy.
In 2007, local residents Mary Beth Hickman and Wendy Lucas decided they had room on their plates for one more business venture.
Together they purchased a small sign-making company by the name of Lone Star Yard Art, and in the two years since have grown the business by epic proportions.
With Hickman's background in remodeling and home updates, the artistic side of the business is a natural fit. Together with her husband Josh, they enjoy home renovation projects, landscaping and lots of outdoor activities.
"One interesting hobby of mine is painting anything and everything I can get my hands on," says Mary Beth. A talent that comes in quite handy when you have multiple orders from clients all over Lake Highlands and Richardson.
It's hard to miss the array of signs made by Lone Star Yard Art. Just take a look in your neighbor's yard, and you're likely to find one - if not more.
"We currently have signs for three Lake Highlands elementary schools, both junior highs, the Lake Highlands Freshman Center and the high school," says Lucas.
"But we certainly don't stop there. Private schools, PTA groups, and every sports team you can think of," she explains. "We've really got a wide assortment."
And if people have an idea for a new group or custom-made design? Lone Star Yard Art handles those as well. In fact, they welcome new ideas and suggestions.
The LH Community Garden sports a number of custom signs, created together with local gardeners looking to personalize their plots. Local scouting families can even order signs for their sons' troop.
While weekends find both the ladies trying to keep up with their busy kids, it's not surprising to find them hard at work in Hickman's garage, too.
"Every sign in custom made," she explains. "So when I'm not cheering at a soccer game, a volleyball tournament or a softball game, you'll find me out back cutting signs!"
It certainly stands to reason that Lucas, a residential Realtor since 2000, can help families find the perfect house - but how many Realtors can help you dress up the front yard as well?
Lone Star Yard Art welcomes the opportunity to attend school events and fundraisers. You'll find them at the LHJH BBQ fundraiser this week, proudly displaying all their spirit signs for the junior high crowd.
To order a sign for your school or family, visit
http://www.lonestaryardart.net or call Mary Beth Hickman at 214-349-2872.
District 10 Council Update
Sep 02 2009 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
Councilmember Jerry Allen, District 10
Who would think that I'd have three Harvard graduates sitting in my office this week talking about economic development in Lake Highlands?
It all started when Stuart Jones, President and CEO of American Brownfield’s Corp., advised me he had been talking to one of his fellow Harvard grads about the property he owns at the northwest corner of Ferndale and Shoreview (across the street from Knights of Columbus Hall.)
Stuart went on to tell me that his friend and fellow graduate is John Macomber, an instructor in Real Estate at the Harvard Business School.
At Harvard, John teaches two Real Estate property courses, “Real Property Asset Management” and “Real Estate Development, Design, and Construction."
Stuart went on to say that each year John Macomber picks a case study for his students to work on and that it's possible the Harvard Business School might decide to do the study on his property right here in Lake Highlands!
Macomber was scheduled to go to Mexico City to review another prospect for the Harvard case study, which gave Stuart the opportunity to convince him to stop off in Dallas and take a look at the site here in Lake Highlands.
Stuart picked up John at DFW and headed straight to City Hall where I had in waiting Mayor Leppert, who holds an MBA with Distinction from the Harvard Business School.
What none of us were aware of was that the Mayor and Macomber already knew each other through their association with a group called the Young President Organization, a group with the mission to "develop better leaders through education and idea exchange."
I truly wish each and every one of you could have been a fly on the wall to witness the excitement of this meeting.
I don't know if the Harvard Business School will pick us for their case study, but I do know we put on one heck of a sales pitch!
I believe the real take-away, however, is that even during a downturn in the economy, with zero economic development going on, we must find ways to push forward.
When blue skies come again, we will be prepared.
We are so very lucky to be living in such a great community - no doubt Lake Highlands will continue to be the talk of the town (and maybe even Harvard.)
LH Today visits with Park & Recreation Vice President, Joan Walne
Joan Walne (L) at Council Ceremonies
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department maintains more than 21,000 park acres throughout the city.
These areas include 17 lakes with 4,400 surface acres of water at 17 park sites, over 17,000 acres of greenbelt park land, and 61 miles of jogging and bike trails at 24 locations.
The Department provides leisure, recreational and cultural activities at numerous community parks and recreation centers, swimming pools and sports facilities, including six 18-hole golf courses.
LH Today recently sat down with the Vice President of the Dallas Park & Recreation Board and Lake Highlands resident, Joan Walne.
I am a resident of (area inside LH): Lake Highlands Estates Neighborhood
I have lived here: 24 years
Please tell us about your family: My wonderful husband is Alan and my family includes my daughter, Sarah and her husband, Ryan. They have a son, Will, and another one on the way. My son, Robert and his wife Stephani have precious baby Lucy.
Tenure with Park & Recreation Board: 6 years
How did you become interested in Parks & Rec issues? I have a great passion for our neighborhood and our community. I worked closely with my good friend, Jo Baggett (a former Park Board Member) and have always loved knowing what all is going on as well as plans for future ideas.
How many hours a week do you spend on this activity? It really just depends what is going on. On average, I would estimate about 12 hours a week.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work? Making a difference in the quality of life for our citizens and especially our children.
What have you learned from your work that might be helpful for other neighbors to know? The City of Dallas has many wonderful people working for us. The Park Department especially is blessed with a great staff who truly loves doing their job.
Are you compensated for your time? Yes, by the thanks and appreciation of our citizens for the great park projects and programs…but no monetary compensation.
What has surprised you most during your tenure? The extensiveness of the programs the Park Department offers whether it is senior programs, youth and adult sports, after school programs, or its summer camp programs. In addition, I have learned a great deal about the enormity of the park system and what a huge job it is to keep it all running so well.
What would you advise someone who is interested in one day doing similar work? Roll up your sleeves and be prepared to devote the kind of time it takes to do a good job.
What other information about your work might readers find of interest? Park Board Members are appointed from particular districts, but in serving you have a responsibility for the entire city.
What other groups memberships and leadership positions have you held? Lake Highlands Women’s League – President; Children’s Medical Center Auxiliary – Board Member; PTA – President and Board Member; Park and Recreation Board – Vice President; Junior League of Dallas – Board Member; Wildcat Club - President
For more information about the Dallas Park Board, the city's system of parks and event listings, visit
http://www.dallasparks.org.
District 10 Council Update
Aug 07 2009 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
Recently, I got to take a really neat break from the budget concerns at City Hall.
You see, I was the emcee at the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Dallas Business of the Year Awards Ceremony.
DARS administers programs to help ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities, and children who have developmental delays, enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives.
What made this so very special for me was that the co-recipients of this year's award were the City of Dallas and DISD.
In particular, the City of Dallas entity being recognized was WRR Classical Radio Station 101.1 FM, and the individual being honored was a young blind lady and DISD alum by the name of Mary.
I met Mary over a year ago, as I was leading a panel discussion for folks with disabilities and their ability to live productive lives.
On the panel with me was a young wheelchair-bound lady with Multiple Sclerosis who has raised over $25,000 to help fund research to cure MS.
Also on the panel was a young man with Down’s Syndrome who works at a local law firm and serves on the National Board for Down’s Syndrome.
The third panel member was my friend, Mary. She had been blind since birth and was a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of Texas A&M University, Commerce.
Mary was full of excitement and hope and even brought her resume with her to the ceremony, as it had been nine months since she graduated and she's looking for the opportunity to land a job.
After the panel discussion I visited with Mary and asked her about her job goals.
Mary told me her ideal job would be to work for “a Christian radio station”.
Well, one thing led to another and Mary is now employed with WRR Classical Radio. While it is not a Christian radio station, it is certainly a great start, and the sky is the limit.
You can listen to Mary every Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., as she gives updates on all the exciting art venues throughout Dallas.
Take a look at the WRR web site at
http://www.wrr101.com and click on “Art Center." You can also view some of Mary's work there.
Already in her young career she has had the opportunity to interview Nobuyuki Tsuzii, who is also blind and recently won the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition.
I truly believe Mary is a rising star who will give inspiration and imagination to all who are lucky enough to meet her.
Of course, there are a thousand “Marys” out there just needing someone to reach out and give them a chance.
If you’re that someone, call me on my cell at 972.922.5775 and get ready for an adrenalin rush!
Meet the Cake Ball ladies of Lake Highlands
The brains and talent behind the sweets
"Tell your mom to bring the cake balls!"
This was a familiar request for Robin Ankeny, at home in southeast Texas as a girl.
Whenever there was a big event, or even a small get-together, her family's recipe was always in demand.
"People from down around Houston are really familiar with cake balls," offers Robin, during a recent visit to the Cake Ball Company's new Lake Highlands location on Northwest Highway.
"Honestly, they've been popular for years, but no one had ever tried taking them to market," she continues. "Until us!"
The "us" she's referring to includes herself and her two business partners and friends, Charlotte Lyon and Debra Corley. All three Lake Highlands residents, these ladies have varied backgrounds yet common interests.
After meeting at their children's pre-school, Robin and Charlotte began discussing that all-to-familiar topic among moms: how to balance home life and professional endeavors.
In fact, it was professional backgrounds in art and graphic design that brought Debra, Cake Ball Company's third partner, into the endeavor.
From its beginnings in Robin's home - specifically her kitchen and dining room - the group made their way to Lake Highlands Baptist Church, where for 18 months the ladies provided the congregation with Wednesday night dinners in exchange for use of the church's kitchen.
"The church was really integral in helping grow our business to the next level," says Robin. "We are extremely grateful to them for the flexibility and support they showed our small business."
When the search began in 2008 for a bigger production facility, the trio naturally gravitated towards a Lake Highlands address.
"One of our goals was to always maintain a community feel," offers Debra. "After all, Lake Highlands truly is a small town in a big city."
"We all live here, are raising our families here," continues Charlotte. "It is important to us to support our community. We looked at other locations, but we love this neighborhood. It's where we want to be."
The original expectation for the Northwest Highway location was that it would serve solely as a production facility. The possibility of offering pick-up for local orders was an option, as well.
But the ladies quickly realized that what LH residents wanted was a store-front. A place to drop by and shop, in addition to placing phone and Internet orders.
Between the Neiman Marcus catalog business (be sure to watch for Cake Balls in Neiman's Christmas Catalog) and local customer traffic, their Lake Highlands location is definitely filling a niche here in our community.
Crime Update from District 10
Jul 18 2009 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
On July 14th, Deputy Chief Tom Lawrence and his Northeast Patrol staff put on the Quarterly Crime Summit.
It was an excellent summit, as I believe the two hundred plus who attended would attest to.
It is hard not to clap for the more than three hundred men and women working at the Northeast Patrol station.
They have managed to reduce crime by 19% over the same period last year.
Every single category of crime has gone down except for burglary of motor vehicles.
It is also hard not to give a standing ovation to the 200 concerned citizens who were present. Many of them are leaders of their respected crime watch groups or volunteer their time in the Volunteers in Patrol program.
Regardless of what they do, they selflessly give of their time to make our community safer. These volunteers send a message that the neighborhood is aware, alert and will not tolerate criminal activity.
To continue to lower our crime rate we need everyone’s help. I mentioned burglary of motor vehicles is up (3.92%) over last year.
Let’s all pitch in to make sure your car does not become a statistic. There are some easy steps we can take to make sure we are doing our share.
One of the most obvious is to not leave your wallet or purse in the car. We have all read the crime reports detailing how a wallet or purse was taken from a car.
Seems pretty simple advice, but I expect we have all been guilty of letting down our guard.
Another easy way to become a statistic is to leave your GPS system on the dashboard or your IPod and its accessories in plain sight.
All of these items make great pawn shop items or resale items on eBay.
Take an extra minute to put these items in a place that is not visible, or better still, take them inside with you.
Additionally, no one carries one or two CD’s in their car anymore. A quick glance in any car and you may find a case full of 25, 50 or 100 or more CD’s.
CD’s can be stolen for personal use or resold, so don’t leave your CD carrier in the car. If it is in the car, make sure it isn’t visible.
All of these suggestions are pretty common sense ideas, but for the first six months of this year we have had 610 reported break-ins of vehicles.
Considering we have an estimated 75,000 vehicles parked on our neighborhood streets at any given time, that might not seem like a lot….until it happens to you.
Be safe,
Jerry
LH Today visits with local community leader, Tom Lueder
City Plan Commissioner, Tom Lueder
LH Today recently visited with local resident Tom Lueder.
He and his family have lived in Lake Highlands since 1991.
Tom sat down with LH Today to bring us up to speed on his volunteer position as a City Plan Commissioner.
My name is: Tom Lueder
I am a resident of (area inside LH): We first moved to Merriman Park in 1991 and then moved to Highlands West between Skillman and Abrams in 1998.
Please tell us about your family: My wife, Lauri, and I have been married for 20 years. We have two sons, Lee (15) who is going to be a sophomore at LHHS and Blake (14) who is going into the LH Freshman Center.
How long have you been a City Plan Commissioner? A year-and-a-half.
How did you become interested in Planning and Zoning? I have been in the commercial real estate finance field for nearly 25 years, so it has always been part of my profession. As for serving on the Plan Commission, our District 10 Councilperson, Jerry Allen, asked me to serve.
I was pleased and honored to accept.
How many hours a week do you spend on this activity? It varies. On average, about 10 – 12 hours per week.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work? Learning so much about the great City of Dallas, especially the parts many of us normally would not see in our daily activities.
What have you learned from your work that you think would be helpful for our LH residents to know? We really have a tremendous professional staff in our City Hall. The people who do the day-to-day work are well educated and very capable.
Are you compensated for your time? No, but people are very gracious with smiles, handshakes and “Thank you’s.”
What has surprised you most during your tenure? How quickly the national economic downturn changed the nature of re-zoning requests in Dallas. Now we see very few major projects up for re-zoning. There is always plenty of zoning work to do, but just not the big (controversial) projects right now.
What advice would you offer to someone interested in doing similar work? Stay informed about activities that impact your neighborhood, Lake Highlands and the city at large. Volunteer for anything that improves any of these jurisdictions.
What other groups or leadership positions have you held? As a Plan Commissioner, I serve on the Subdivision Review Committee, the Rules Committee and the Trinity River Zoning Advisory Committee.
Additionally, I am a Board Member of The Real Estate Council Foundation. The Real Estate Council is a commercial real estate trade organization that raises money and provides grants to community-based housing and education agencies.
District 10 Council Update
Jun 29 2009 by Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
This past Monday, June 22nd, the new Dallas City Council was sworn in.
We lost two veterans in Dr. Elba Garcia and Mitchell Rasansky but gained two proven warriors in Ann Margolin and Delia Jasso.
Both have solid records in community service and leadership.
It will take awhile to truly get to know them, but I can tell you they have already impressed me with their genuineness.
The remaining Council members are all incumbents who, as a group, work well together and have shown respect for each other over these last two years.
The hurdle for the next two years will be to maintain that same level of professionalism.
These next two years are going to be tough. The City Manager has already announced the elimination of over one thousand jobs and the reduction in many city services.
As time goes by these reductions will be felt and tensions will rise, but I truly believe Dallas will weather this storm and become an even better city.
If you ever need a helping hand, please do not hesitate to contact me at my office at
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LH Today visits with Jonathan Neerman
LH Resident Jonathan Neerman
LH Today recently visited with local resident Jonathan Neerman.
Jonathan's Dallas roots go back nearly 30 years, as he was raised in East Dallas and Mesquite.
He and his family have lived in Lake Highlands since 2007.
My name is: Jonathan Neerman
I am a resident of (area inside LH): Lake Ridge Estates
I have lived here: 2 years
Alma mater: Where else? Aggieland, Class of '96
Occupation: Professional Father and Attorney
Organizations I'm involved with: Most of my time is devoted to serving as Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party. I am also a member of the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands.
My hobbies include: Changing diapers, helping Republican candidates around the state, and tilting at windmills.
The most unusual, funniest or hardest job I’ve ever held was: Spending a summer drying cars at a car wash in college
About my family: I am happily married to my college sweetheart, Tricia, since 1997. I have a daughter Esther (3) and son Jonathan, Jr. (3 months)
What I am passionate about: finding and supporting leaders who want to make a difference in government service.
On a typical Saturday you might find me: at White Rock Lake feeding the ducks with my daughter.
Something others may be surprised to learn about me is: I spent six years working at the CIA before moving home to Dallas in 2002. During my time with the agency, I served as an Intelligence Officer and worked in the Counterterrorism Center.
You can learn more about Jonathan and his work as Chair for the Dallas County Republican Party at
http://www.jonathanneerman.com.
I want to hear from you!
Jun 13 2009 by District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen
In my last article I talked about how tough balancing the 2009-2010 City of Dallas budget is going to be. Instead of the word tough I could have just as easily used the word brutal.
None the less, I stated that I have faith in our City Manager, Mary Suhm, and her management team to present to Council a balanced budget.
Many folks are under the impression that the City Council prepares the budget, but the reality is that the City Manager prepares and presents the budget to Council and the Council either accepts the budget or not.
During the year, Council is briefed on the budget process with the intensity picking up in May and climaxing towards the end of August when a decision must be made.
During August the proposed Budget is presented to the public through Town Hall meetings where there is opportunity for input. Due to the severity of this year’s budget the City Manager and the City Council is reaching out to the public earlier than usual for input.
On Monday, June 22nd at the Jewish Community Center located at 7900 Northaven Road and again on Thursday, June 25th at Winery Point located at 950 Lawther Drive the City Manager will brief the public and seek input on the upcoming budget. Both meetings will be from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
This is an excellent opportunity to listen and then to express your opinion of where the City priorities should be.
You will also have a second chance in August to listen to the updated proposed budget and voice your opinion.
The main feedback I am receiving now is
not to reduce Library and Recreation Center hours. Other areas of the City have different concerns so it is very important that you attend one of these Town Hall meetings and make your wishes known.
There is nothing more powerful than being there in person and making your wishes known.
If you cannot attend one of these meeting then email me at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and let me know your feelings; I will do my best to make sure they are heard.
