Episcopal School of Dallas Seniors Earn Applause For Art

By Michael Hines / People Newspapers

2 students get honorable mention in Advanced Placement exhibition

Steele Burrow may not be planning on focusing on art in college, but his high school work has already proven to be noteworthy.Burrow and fellow Episcopal School of Dallas senior Natalie Maxted both earned honorable mentions Monday in the 11th annual “Young Masters” exhibition, an event honoring Dallas-area Advanced Placement art students. Burrow said just making it into the field was an accomplishment.

“It’s a big honor,” he said. “Students from all across Dallas submit their single best piece of art.”

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Image on right: Natalie Maxted’s Autumn which earned honorable mention.

Dallas-area home prices fall nearly 5%

A few years ago, news of a 5 percent drop in Dallas home prices would have caused blood to run cold in the local real estate market.

But in the current national housing market depression, Dallas’ price decline is being hailed as the best in the country.

Dallas had the smallest home price decline among 20 cities in the January Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

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Water Restrictions Take Effect in Highland Park

By Sarah Scott/ People Newspapers

It’s shaping up to be a big month for water in the Park Cities.

Last week, Highland Park and University Park were officially in the first stage of their drought contingency plan.

And the cities’ watering restrictions (no irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) went into effect Wednesday and will remain until the end of October.

The first stage of the drought plan, which is based on water levels from the Grapevine Reservoir, is largely dependent on voluntary cooperation from residents and businesses.

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February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent

March 23, 2009
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties.

Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn.

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Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales

By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK – Wall Street is getting the good news it wants on the economy's biggest problems: banks and housing.

Investors reignited a two-week rally Monday after hearing the government's plan to help banks remove as much as $1 trillion in bad assets from their books and home sales showed a surprise increase. Major stock indexes jumped as much as 4 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which rose nearly 300 points.

The Treasury Department said its plan would rely on the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as well as private investors.

Full Story March 23, 2009

5 Great Things To Do

Break Up, Rock Out >>

Lead singer Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders return to the tour circuit to promote Break Up the Concrete, their first new album since 2002. It has been described as straight-forward rock with lyrics alluding to Bob Dylan’s songs and beats reminiscent of Bo Diddley. The Pretenders perform with American Bang, a southern band from Nashville. Doors open at 7 p.m. today. $45-$85. House of Blues. 2200 N. Lamar St. 214-978-2583. hob.com.

<< Love Always, Russia

Brush up on your classical Russian composers as Yuja Wang and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra perform “From Russia With Love.” Wang, an internationally acclaimed pianist, will perform romantic pieces including Rachmaninoff’s demanding but hauntingly beautiful “Piano Concerto No. 3.” “From Russia With Love” is conducted by Arild Remmereit. 7:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Meyerson Symphony Center. 2301 Flora St. $17-$110. 214-692-0203.

dallassymphony.com

Driving Beat >>

Celebrate Black History Month this weekend with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s annual Cultural Awareness. This year’s performances deliver a driving beat of new contemporary works and repertory classics in dance sets including Ray Mercer’s “Pulse” and Hope Boykin’s “in.ter.pret.” New York choreographer Christopher Huggins also returns with his newest work “Jazz Course 101 — Dallas Black University.” Experience the strength, technique, and expression of the dance company and learn a few jazz moves from your seat. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. The Majestic Theatre. 1925 Elm St. $10-$60. 214-871-2390. dbdt.com

Mystic Arts
Keith Carter transforms time, light, and memory into transcendent imagery in the latest exhibition at the Photographs Do Not Bend gallery. Works from Carter’s latest book, A Certain Alchemy, will be featured along with other intriguing photographs by the artist. The show opens Saturday with a reception and book signing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Exhibit runs through April 25. 1202 Dragon St., Suite 103. Free. 214-969-1852. pdnbgallery.com.

In Stitches

Join your family and friends at the Crow Collection of Asian Art’s Family Size Quilt Celebration, where you can go on a scavenger hunt, design a quilt pattern, and tour the “Stitching the Seasons: Contemporary Japanese Quilts” exhibit. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Crow Collection of Asian Art. 2010 Flora St. Free. 214-979-6430. crowcollection.org.

[source: peoplenewspapers]

University Park Cell Phone Ban

University Park officials are standing behind their ban on cell phone use in school zones, despite a researcher’s assertion that such tactics are ineffective.
Last week, Speed Mea­surement Laboratories, a Fort Worth-based traffic research company, released the results of a month-long study on cell phone use in school zones. The study focused on one school zone in University Park and two in Dallas, where use of a hand-held cell phone is banned, as well as four school zones in Texas, Illinois, and Colorado where no ban is in place. Observers watched for drivers using a cell phone when the school zones were both active and inactive.
Their findings show that the percentage of University Park drivers talking on their phones in school zones barely dropped when the zone was active, from 9 percent to 8.1 percent. They found similar results in both Dallas school zones.
Carl Fors, president of Speed Measurement Laboratories, said the research proves that bans like those in University Park and Highland Park aren’t enough to deter drivers from using their cell phone in an active school zone.

“We are going to have to do something as a society,” said Fors, who believes an outright ban on cell phone use in vehicles should be enacted. “We must do something to stop it. We can’t rely on public good will." University Park’s enforcement of the cell phone ban began in January 2008. Officer Lita Snellgrove, a spokeswoman for the University Park Police Department, said a learning curve is to be expected when implementing a new law.

“It’s like any new law or city ordinance. It’s going to take some time to educate the public,” Snellgrove said. “I think that as we continue to monitor the school zones and give more tickets, people are going to become more aware of it.”

Steve Mace, a spokesman for the city of University Park, said the City Council is in no hurry to change their ordinance.

“The council is still very much behind it,” Mace said. “They are still supportive of the measure.”

University Park Real Estate

Park Cities Police Blotter

By Anaka Johnston / People Newspapers

Of The Week:There Goes His TipAt 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 14, a couple reported being verbally abused by a vulgar cab driver in the 3400 block of McFarlin Boulevard. They said he was upset because they paid with a credit card instead of cash.

HIGHLAND PARK CRIMES

TUESDAY
At 2:40 p.m., a Honda Civic with an expired registration sticker was pulled over in the 4000 block of Oak Lawn Avenue. The driver, Richard Carrasco of Mesquite, was arrested after Dallas police confirmed the car had been reported stolen.

At 6:06 p.m., a silver Apple MacBook Pro was reported stolen from a bag left in a chair inside the Starbucks in the 100 block of Highland Park Village.

At 6:45 p.m., $200 was reported missing from a fanny pack left in a chair outside the Starbucks in the 100 block of Highland Park Village. 11

WEDNESDAY

Around 2:10 a.m., a purse containing a wallet, an iPhone, nine credit cards, a driver’s license, an insurance card, and keys was stolen from a home in the 4400 block of Belclaire Avenue.

Between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m., a chain saw, a backpack blower, and a hedge trimmer were stolen from a landscaping company’s trailer parked in the 4900 block of Eastern Avenue.

Around 6:20 p.m., a purse was found behind a house in the 4300 block of Belclaire Avenue. It is believed that the purse was stolen from a house across the street and disposed of after cash was removed. 12

THURSDAY

At 2:15 p.m., a woman was bitten on the top of her foot left in the 4000 block of Lexington Avenue. She described the suspect as a black and white cat with white paws, long hair, and a long snout.

At 4:33 p.m., the glass panes of a back door were reported damaged by a prying tool in the 4500 block of Beverly Drive.

Between 8 p.m. on Feb. 12 and 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 13, someone dented a rental car parked in the 3400 block of Harvard Avenue, causing $1,500 worth of damage.14

SATURDAY

Around 4:04 p.m., a 19-inch Sony computer monitor was reported stolen from a home in the 4400 block of Lorraine Avenue. 15

SUNDAY

Around 1:57 p.m., Brian Neal Walker, a homeless man, was arrested at the Whole Foods Market in the 4100 block of Lomo Alto Drive for theft of $13.72 worth of groceries, including food from the hot bar, a small pint of milk, and nuts from the bulk aisle.

UNIVERSITY PARK

TUESDAY

Between 5:45 and 6:30 a.m., a $300 Porsche key was stolen from a locker in the men’s dressing room of the YMCA in the 6000 block of Preston Road.

At 9:14 a.m., lawn equipment, including a $200 blower and a $200 weed eater, was reported stolen from a garage in the 2700 block of Milton Avenue. The items were recovered the next day from Cash Plus Pawn in the 9100 block of East R.L. Thornton Freeway.

At 11:20 a.m., a $450 refrigerator and a $1,500 ice machine were reported stolen from a house in the 3300 block of Southwestern Boulevard.

Full Story - Park Cities People

Park Cities Foreclosures on the Rise

By Krista NightengaleAssistant Managing Editor
People Newspapers - Full Story 2/20/09

Christina BaranyRavi and Uma Kalielindi walk arm in arm during a foreclosure bus tour led by Debbie Sutton and Gary Bilpuch.About a month ago, Debbie Sutton and Gary Bilpuch, agents with David Griffin and Co. Realtors, did something they’d never thought they do. They took a group of 30 people on a home tour in the Park Cities. But it wasn’t just any, old home tour — it was a look at 10 foreclosed homes.

Although the Park Cities and Preston Hollow have held off the devastating toll of the economy on the housing industry for quite some time, it looks like these two areas are finally being touched.
“It’s affecting the area,” said Terry Smith, Realtor with Jerold and Terry Smith Realty and owner of dallashomescenter.com. “It’s happening.”

According to a report released by Addison-based Foreclosing Listing Service, the first quarter in Dallas isn’t looking so good.

“Setting a new all-time quarterly record high, 13,259 postings were filed on homes located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro during the first quarter of this year,” said FLS president George Roddy Sr.

And it doesn’t look good for the Park Cities and Preston Hollow, either.
According to FLS, in the first quarter, the percentage of foreclosures in all our ZIP codes except 75225 have increased. And when comparing 2008’s foreclosure totals to 2007, one can see an increase in all areas, except 75220.

Where are the foreclosures coming from?It’s obvious foreclosures, even in the bubble, have increased.

But why? Ben Coats, a Realtor with Allie Beth Allman, started his career with a very specific group of people: homebuilders in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow.

Looking for Preston Hollow Homes? Contact Bernice Edelman today! http://www.berniceedelman.com/

Notice of Tax Revenue Increase - Highland Park

Notice of Tax Revenue Increase for the Town of Highland Park.

French Renaissance Architectural Design | Park Cities Architecture

The French Renaissance Chateau is modeled after the renaissance castles in France which were modeled after castles in Italy. Recognized for its castle-like dormers, towers and shell keeps, homes with French Renaissance archtecture often create the illusion of a protected castle with a psuedo draw-bridge effect. Grand gated entries give the illusion of a fortified fortress.

Aspects of French Renaissance Architectural Design

Dormers
Shell Keeps
Towers
Turrets
Natural Stone
Carved Stone
Gardens
Grand Entries
Ballrooms
Spiral Staircase
Engraving
Itallianate Style

An example of French Renaissance includes The Lourve Museum in Paris, France.

Women Whose Mothers Are Cancer Survivors Put Their Hearts Into Fundraiser

Thursday, July 17, 2008 - The Dallas Morning News

When Alicia Wood of University Park and Ashley Tripplehorn Emerson of Dallas agreed to be underwriting chairwomen of a major American Cancer Society event, they figured they had a lot in common. Little did they know how much.

The mothers of both women are breast cancer survivors. Mrs. Wood's father and Mrs. Emerson's former stepfather are both prostate cancer survivors.

"The world's getting a little bit too small when you look at circumstances like this; it's just scary," Mrs. Wood said.

"Yes, Alicia and I discovered we had more in common than we would like," Mrs. Emerson said.

Reaching the $4 million fundraising goal for the 35th annual Cattle Baron's Ball Oct. 4 at Southfork Ranch, in a dodgy economy, has been a real challenge. But they're within $500,000 of that goal and are personally dedicated to the task.

Full Story

Some United Methodists oppose Bush library plans at SMU

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - The Dallas Morning News

United Methodists who don't want President George W. Bush's library complex at Southern Methodist University are expected to launch a last-ditch effort today to try to prevent it from being built on church-owned land.

A regional mission council of the United Methodist Church has given SMU permission to go forward with the library. But some delegates to the South Central Jurisdictional Conference, which is meeting in Dallas this week, insist the mission council does not have the final say.

Full Story

SMU President rejects on-campus bar proposal

Dallas Morning News - SMU President rejects on campus bar project. Full Story.
Park Cities Real Estate

Vote: No Change in Speed Limit - University Park

A University Park committee on Tuesday voted unanimously against lowering the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour on residential streets. The city’s Public Safety Committee acknowledged that the city has a problem with drivers going too fast, but agreed with the opinion of the police staff that lowering the speed limit was not an effective solution... (People Newspapers)

Driver Crashes Into Home, Injures Student

A Southern Methodist University student was injured Friday evening after a sport utility vehicle crashed into a house in the 3400 block of McFarland in University Park. via NBC5i.com

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Preston Hollow Photos

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Preston Hollow Townhomes

Preston Hollow Real Estate

Preston Hollow Police Blotter

A burglar entered a vehicle by breaking a window with a gallon paint can, covering the car in paint and causing $1,700 in damages, and took a $20 beach bag in the 5100 block of W. Lovers Lane.Between 2 and 7 p.m., a burglar entered a vehicle and took a two college textbooks worth $260, a $20 backpack, and a driver’s license 4300 block of W. Northwest Highway.

1 TUESDAY - Preston Hollow
At 2 p.m., a thief took a $50 wallet and its contents, including $70 cash, a $10 driver’s license, a social security card, two checkbooks, credit cards, and insurance cards, from a woman’s purse in the 5400 block of W. Lovers Lane.

During the night, a burglar entered a vehicle by breaking a window, causing $200 in damages, and took a $600 leather jacket and four wheels and tires worth $2,000 in the 7700 block of Greenway Boulevard.

2 WEDNESDAY - Preston Hollow
At 7:45 a.m., a burglar entered an unlocked vehicle and took a $400 cell phone and $3 cash in the 4300 block of Pomona Road.

At 1 p.m., a person took a $101 cab ride and refused to pay in the 4300 block of W. Northwest Highway.

During the night, a burglar entered a vehicle by breaking a window, causing $200 in damages, and took a $900 navigation system and a $400 satellite radio from a hotel parking lot in the 3800 block of W. Northwest Highway.

3 THURSDAY - Preston Hollow
At 9:15 p.m., a trespasser entered a home and fled after he was discovered in the 11400 block of Lamplighter Lane.

4 FRIDAY - Preston Hollow
At 3:15 p.m., an assailant stuck a person with a vehicle and fled on the 4200 block of N. Cresthaven Road.

During the day, a burglar entered a vehicle by breaking a window, causing $250 in damages, and took a $250 stereo, 30 CDs worth $450, and $5 cash in the 5600 W. Lovers Lane.

During the night, a burglar entered a commercial construction site and stole $1,679.57 in insulation in the 3800 block of W. Northwest Highway.

During the night, a thief took a $25 ceramic pot and $15 worth of pink flowers from a residence in the 4600 block of W. Amherst Avenue.

During the night, a thief took eight concrete rope columns worth $3,000 from a construction site in the 5700 block of Caladium Drive.

5 SATURDAY
At 10:20 a.m., a thief took six pieces of lumber worth $200 from a construction site in the 6600 block of Desco Drive.

During the day, a thief took a $.99 purse and $408 cash from a cabinet at a restaurant in the
6000 block of Royal Lane.

Between Saturday and Sunday, a thief took two plants worth $150 and caused $100 in damages in the 5500 block of Southwestern Boulevard.

6 SUNDAY
During the night, a burglar entered a vehicle by breaking a window, causing $390 in damages, and took a $200 car stereo in the 5100 block of W. Lovers Lane.

During the night, a burglar entered a vehicle by prying open a door, causing $500 in damages, and took a $50 storage box, a $25 toll tag, and six CDs worth $150 in the 6600 block of Orchid Lane.