Dallas-area home listings fall substantially
By Steve Brown / The Dallas Morning News
September 4, 2009
North Texas homebuyers who are hoping to find a huge supply of houses for sale may be in for a surprise.
While many markets in Florida and the West are suffering from a surplus of for-sale signs, the number of houses available in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has fallen substantially in the last year.
The supply of pre-owned homes for sale is down almost 17 percent from this time last year and has fallen by a quarter from the summer of 2007.
Full Story
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Other districts may follow Highland Park's lead on class rank
By Lori Stahl and Tawnell D. Hobbs / Matthew Haag and Sam Hodges contributed to this report / The Dallas Morning News
July 2, 2009
Highland Park may be the first public school district in Texas to end the practice of ranking all high school students, but some suburban school districts say they may consider following suit.
Southlake's Carroll Independent School District has already begun studying the issue, and officials there will consider a similar recommendation during the coming school year.
"It's definitely something that we've been talking about," said Becci Rollins, coordinator of counseling.
Highland Park recently decided to stop ranking all but the top 10 or 25 percent of its students, saying the current system of ranking the rest of the students who fall below the line is a disadvantage when applying to colleges.
Full Story
July 2, 2009
Highland Park may be the first public school district in Texas to end the practice of ranking all high school students, but some suburban school districts say they may consider following suit.
Southlake's Carroll Independent School District has already begun studying the issue, and officials there will consider a similar recommendation during the coming school year.
"It's definitely something that we've been talking about," said Becci Rollins, coordinator of counseling.
Highland Park recently decided to stop ranking all but the top 10 or 25 percent of its students, saying the current system of ranking the rest of the students who fall below the line is a disadvantage when applying to colleges.
Full Story
Newsweek names HPHS among best in U.S.
Highland Park High School is listed this month among the top high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine. Newsweek includes HPHS, ranked number 23, for its students' participation on Advanced Placement exams.
This is the sixth year Highland Park High School has made Newsweek's "Top 100" listing. HPHS is the highest ranked comprehensive high school in Texas, outscored only by magnet and charter campuses.
Newsweek's article, "America's Best High Schools," compiled a listing of 1,500 high schools, with public schools ranked according to a ratio that divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests taken schoolwide by the number of graduating seniors in the school.
Using that ratio, Highland Park High School scored a 6.108, up from 6.035 in 2008, and 5.727 in 2007.
"We are excited to be named to Newsweek's list of the best high schools in America once again," said HPHS Principal Patrick Cates. "This recognition validates the work our students and teachers do every year in our Advanced Placement program. Our program is one of the largest in the country, and we believe that it prepares students for success in any college or university anywhere. This ranking brings honor to our school, our school district, and our communities."
Click HERE to read the article.
This is the sixth year Highland Park High School has made Newsweek's "Top 100" listing. HPHS is the highest ranked comprehensive high school in Texas, outscored only by magnet and charter campuses.
Newsweek's article, "America's Best High Schools," compiled a listing of 1,500 high schools, with public schools ranked according to a ratio that divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests taken schoolwide by the number of graduating seniors in the school.
Using that ratio, Highland Park High School scored a 6.108, up from 6.035 in 2008, and 5.727 in 2007.
"We are excited to be named to Newsweek's list of the best high schools in America once again," said HPHS Principal Patrick Cates. "This recognition validates the work our students and teachers do every year in our Advanced Placement program. Our program is one of the largest in the country, and we believe that it prepares students for success in any college or university anywhere. This ranking brings honor to our school, our school district, and our communities."
Click HERE to read the article.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Highland Park Village Owner Wants To Keep Theater
By Sarah Scott / People Newspapers
5/21/2009
Ray Washburne wants Park Cities residents to know that the new Highland Park Village is going to look a lot like the old one.
The real estate investor and restaurateur said he wrapped up negotiations to buy the Village this week. As this article went to press Wednesday, Washburne said he was hammering out final details at a title company.
Washburne had a lot to say about the future of the Dallas’ oldest and most valuable shopping center. Its taxable value has been reported as being $80 million.
Washburne — who bought the center along with his wife, Heather; her sister, Elise Summers; and her husband, Stephen — emphasized that all four are lifelong residents of Highland Park and graduates of Highland Park High School.
Full story
5/21/2009
Ray Washburne wants Park Cities residents to know that the new Highland Park Village is going to look a lot like the old one.
The real estate investor and restaurateur said he wrapped up negotiations to buy the Village this week. As this article went to press Wednesday, Washburne said he was hammering out final details at a title company.
Washburne had a lot to say about the future of the Dallas’ oldest and most valuable shopping center. Its taxable value has been reported as being $80 million.
Washburne — who bought the center along with his wife, Heather; her sister, Elise Summers; and her husband, Stephen — emphasized that all four are lifelong residents of Highland Park and graduates of Highland Park High School.
Full story
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Dallas' historic Highland Park Village changes hands
By MARIA HALKIAS / The Dallas Morning News
Like an expensive heirloom, Henry S. Miller Interests has sold Highland Park Village to another extended family that hails from the wealthy neighborhoods surrounding it.
Two sisters and their husbands, all 1970s and 1980s graduates of Highland Park High School, formed a partnership that is paying $170 million for the 250,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style center built in 1931.
Ray and Heather Washburne and Stephen and Elisa Summers, daughters and sons-in-law of Dallas oilman Al Hill Jr., have acquired the center from the families of Henry S. Miller Jr., his sister Carmen Miller Michael and husband Ludwig Michael and the Miller's longtime investment partners, the Polchow family of New Orleans.
Full Story
Like an expensive heirloom, Henry S. Miller Interests has sold Highland Park Village to another extended family that hails from the wealthy neighborhoods surrounding it.
Two sisters and their husbands, all 1970s and 1980s graduates of Highland Park High School, formed a partnership that is paying $170 million for the 250,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style center built in 1931.
Ray and Heather Washburne and Stephen and Elisa Summers, daughters and sons-in-law of Dallas oilman Al Hill Jr., have acquired the center from the families of Henry S. Miller Jr., his sister Carmen Miller Michael and husband Ludwig Michael and the Miller's longtime investment partners, the Polchow family of New Orleans.
Full Story
Monday, May 18, 2009
Judge declines Larry North's attempt to block Highland Park Village sale
A deal to sell the venerable Highland Park Village is scheduled to close Wednesday, despite a last-minute challenge from one of the center's high-profile tenants.
At a court hearing late Friday afternoon, a judge declined to grant a request for a temporary restraining order filed by fitness guru Larry North, a longtime tenant. He was trying to block investor Ray Washburne from purchasing the complex.
Dallas designer's Sartel label building its repertoire
The first time we visited Dallasite Matthew Earnest's store, SARTEL, there wasn't a piece of the label's clothing in sight – save for the crisp, navy organza blouse worn by his co-designer, Lily Atherton Hanbury. But chic things come to those who wait. The Shops at Highland Park boutique now holds a small, tightly edited collection of the duo's highly refined wardrobe staples.
"We're establishing who Sartel is," says Earnest, noting that London-based Hanbury serves not just as co-designer, but as the prototypical Sartel woman, a highly polished someone who "goes to work, goes out, has a kid."
Dallas luxury hotels reduce rates, focus on service
Luxury? In this economic climate? Are we nuts?
No, really. Everyday luxury is a thing of the past for most of us, but even so, if you have a special occasion warranting a luxury break, now is a great time because luxury hotels are feeling the pinch, too, and they want you.
Full Story
Friday, May 15, 2009
Real Estate Agencies Are Friending Facebook
How can social networking benefit your business?
By Josh Hixson
Real Estate Editor / People Newspapers
Facebook has officially invaded the world of North Dallas real estate.
Firms such as Ebby Halliday and Virginia Cook found it hard to ignore the allure of Facebook’s hundreds of millions of active users and recently took the plunge into the world of online social networking, while Rogers Healy and his 2,000-plus members have been veterans of the scene for quite some time.
None of the agents we talked to could say they sold a home soley because of Facebook, but they did indicate the website’s ability to reach potential clients is what drew them and their companies to the social networking site in the first place.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Highland Park Yoga Studio Boasts New Kind of Flexibility
By Sarah Scott / People NewspapersAudrey Woods is what you might call a yoga sampler.
During her eight years of practicing yoga, she’s been to a number of studios and learned from even more teachers.
“I found myself driving from studio to studio trying to find teachers I like,” she said.
Full Story
Family to dedicate sculpture in daughter's memory in Highland Park
Nearly four years ago, as they were mourning the death of his daughter, Sean Royall's friends and family had a suggestion: Why not commission a sculpture to remember her by?
The idea grew from there to establishing the Grace Royall Foundation, and his vision continues to expand.
Today, Royall and his wife, Jennifer, will formally dedicate the sculpture, Grace Eternal, at Prather Park in Highland Park. And this week, Children's Medical Center Dallas announced a $50,000 gift from the foundation for improving treatment of septic shock.
Full StoryUniversity Park
Appraisers for University Park and Southern Methodist University are close to choosing properties to use in determining the value of city land the school is seeking to buy.
Once homes to be used as comparable sales have been picked, the appraisal should be relatively simple, City Manager Bob Livingston said.
Pending Sale of HP Village Confirmed
By Sarah Scott / People Newspapers
The current and future owners of Highland Park Village confirmed the shopping center’s pending sale after being named as co-defendants in a lawsuit this week.
The deal, which has been rumored for months, is at the heart of a 13-page petition filed Monday with Dallas’ 116th Civil District Court by fitness guru Larry North. Highland Park Village owner Henry S. Miller III and buyer Ray Washburne confirmed their negotiations in phone interviews Wednesday.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
A look inside Dallas designer James McInroe's home
Get ready to rumble.
The designer's wardrobe echoes his envied portfolio of Dallas interiors. A McInroe room is an amalgam of disparate furnishings that would quietly sing on their own, but shout at top decibel under his orchestration.
Episcopal School of Dallas Seniors Earn Applause For Art
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.”
Image on right: Natalie Maxted’s Autumn which earned honorable mention.
Monday, April 06, 2009
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.
Friday, April 03, 2009
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.
Monday, March 23, 2009
February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent
March 23, 2009By 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.
Read Full Story
Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales
By TIM PARADIS, AP Business WriterNEW 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
Monday, March 16, 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.
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.
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]
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