Volume 9, Issue 3
President’s Message from Kathy Stewart
Dear Neighbors: Wow! What a hot and dry Texas summer! This weather reminds me of my trips to Texas in August as a child visiting my grandparents. We survived by playing in the sprinklers and eating ice cream! Our biggest event of the year is almost here – National Night Out is August 5th from 7:00-9:00 at the playground of White Rock Elementary. Please plan to join your neighbors for fun in the shade with lots of cold water bottles and tons of activities for the kiddos!
The true purpose of the event is to bring neighbors together to get to know each other better – put names and houses with faces and people – and then carry that forward into the coming year. Our best defense against crime is to know our neighbors and watch out for each other.
Let me share some neighborhood information:
- The PID (Public Improvement District) along Skillman was approved by the City Council; initial funds will be used to provide additional patrols and lighting in the Skillman/Whitehurst area.
Wal-Mart is in the process of interviewing and hiring a new store manager for the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at Audelia and Walnut Hill. - LHAIA has put together a Land Use committee which has been commissioned to put together a guide for working with developers as they begin to make plans for re-developing property in Lake Highlands.
- Lake Highlands has a community prosecutor and her name is Kelly Gregan; her email address is Kelly.Gregan@dallascityhall.com. Her major duty is to work on problem properties in the neighborhood i.e. those with criminal activity or code issues.
- Remember one of the best ways to stay informed about White Rock Valley issues is to receive the Crime Watch emails from our Crime Watch Chairman Bruce Bowles. His email address is: bwbowles @ sbcglobal.net. Bruce’s emails contain more than just crime watch information – so send him an email and sign up today!
And last but not least…I need someone to work on our neighborhood website. The Board would like it to provide more information…and have a new look. If you have this skill…please email me at ksmom41 @ aol.com.
Enjoy your summer!
Kathy Stewart
The History of Lake Highlands — First Half of the 20th Century
When you focus on one small area of place and time, you see all the details. And, there was much to see and admire in the fast growth of Dallas, Texas. With the railroad came industry, and prosperity. All of this attracted even more growth, and the cycle was perpetuated.
When we focus on a broader view of events around the world, we can see more in perspective, the growth of Texas, and we can understand the effect world-wide events had on current and future times. A look at the time line of events taking place at the beginning to the 20th century was awe inspiring.
In 1901, Paris, France hosted a world fair and the newly completed Eiffel Tower was the gateway to the event. Inventions and new products were on display to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next. Twenty-eight million visitors attended in the six months. There were wars, and isolated battles around the world in varying degrees of intensity. Queen Victoria of Great Brittan died at the time the UK was at its zenith; Victoria’s reign was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire; during this period it reached its zenith, becoming the foremost global power of the time. It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire.
While history-making events occurred around the globe, Texas hosted one that was tragic in nature. Dallas’ neighboring city located on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, was devastated by a hurricane on September 8, 1900. At the end of the 19th century, the city of Galveston was a wealthy booming metropolis with a population of 37,000. Its position on the natural harbor of Galveston Bay along the Gulf of Mexico made it the center of trade in Texas, and one of the largest cotton ports in the nation, in competition with New Orleans. The loss of life was measured between 6,000 and 8,000. Even today, this event holds the record as the United States’ deadliest natural disaster.
In 1908, Dallas experienced a major flood. The Trinity River reached a depth of 52.6 feet and a width of 1.5 miles. Five people died, 4,000 were left homeless, and property damages were estimated at 2.5 million dollars. After the flood, the city began efforts to find a way to control the reckless Trinity and to build a bridge linking Oak Cliff and Dallas.
At the turn of the century, developer R.S. Munger began his dream of creating the most prestigious residential area in the Southwest. The result is Munger Place, a 140 acre community built between 1905 and the mid 1920′s. It was to become a showcase for the nation’s finest architects – a spectacular neighborhood where the city’s affluent could entertain dignitaries from around the world. Here, Mr. Munger succeeded in capturing the magical spirit of this important time.
The Great Depression and World War II had dramatic impact on Munger Place, as the once stately neighborhood was transformed to meet the needs of a new era. Urbanization caused many homes to be abandoned to absentee landlords, who turned mansions into apartment houses, half-way house, brothels and even dog kennels.
In 1973, through the efforts of residents, the Historic Preservation League and the Design Division of the City Planning Department, a portion of Munger Place was designated as the first residential historic district. Bound by portions of LaVista, Swiss, Fitzhugh, Live Oak, Bryan Parkway and Bryan, the Swiss Avenue Historic District was now protected through rezoning and restrictive land-use ordinances.
During the first years of the century, events transpired in the transportation industry that set the direction for the future; the Wright brothers invented the airplane, and Henry Ford produces his first Model T that sold for $850. Texan’s love affair with cars began.
Construction on White Rock Lake began in 1910 due to a city-wide water shortage, and was completed in 1911. The estimated cost of the dam and spillway project was $260,000. White Rock Lake is a man made reservoir and freshwater lake located in east Dallas, Texas and was used for a small portion of Dallas’ drinking water and for condenser cooling at a steam-electric generating plant. The lake was formed by damming White Rock Creek, which today widens into the lake before continuing south out of the spillway and emptying into the Trinity River. The lake covers 1,254 acres in the east Dallas community. In 1929, its role as the main water supplier for the area was supplanted by Lake Dallas (now Lake Lewisville).
World War I, between the years 1914 and 1918 took place in Europe with the US maintaining a position of isolationism, until German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania in 1915, with 128 Americans aboard. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
In 1930, Columbus Marion “Dad” Joiner struck oil 100 miles east of Dallas in Kilgore, spawning the East Texas oil boom. Dallas quickly became the financial center for the oil industry in Texas and Oklahoma. In the first months of 1931, 28 businesses either moved to or formed in Dallas for the oil. Banks made loans to develop the oil fields, and Dallas became the financial center for all oil fields in the Texas Panhandle, the Permian Basin, East Texas, Gulf Coast, and Oklahoma. This put off most thoughts of depression until the middle of 1931, when falling prices and overproduction affected the city economy negatively. By then, more than 18,000 people in the city were unemployed. Before the New Deal policy began, the city had a work-for-food program that helped many.
As the citizens of Dallas worked and prospered, the city continued to attract new residents to the community. As the twenty century reached toward the half-way mark, Dallas counted a population of 294,734 in 1940.
Note: Most of the information for this article was found on-line. I invite you to continue your research to learn more about your neighborhood.
Dana Kimbrough, Editor
National Night Out is Tuesday, August 5th from 7pm to 9pm. This year is the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, and we’re expecting the best event yet. Last year’s party was attended by over 900 residents in White Rock Valley! The event this year promises to have fun for people of all ages with a few new highlights added!
White Rock Valley’s National Night Out will take place at White Rock Elementary School at 9229 Chiswell Road. Scheduled activities this year include pony rides, a petting zoo, two bounce houses, a giant inflatable tsunami slide, and an obstacle course. The Dallas Police Northeast Substation will be represented and include the canine group and mounted police patrol; and our new police helicopter will fly-by during the evening. The Dallas Fire Department will showcase hook and ladder trucks and an ambulance as well.
Snow Cones, ice cold water, hot dogs, and shade trees are always complimentary.
Don’t forget to stop by the “Directory Table” at the main entrance which Deborah Whitington and her team manages–be sure your name, address, and phone number are correct for the new directory. Also, this event would not be possible without the 40-50 volunteers from our neighborhood. Volunteers are still needed to man the bounce houses and distribute snow cones and water among other things.
Come on out and enjoy the big event, meet your neighbors and the people who help keep White Rock Valley safe. We look forward to seeing you there! Volunteers will don highly coveted “WRVNA Event Staff” t-shirts!
To help out, please contact Billy & Sarah Dorsey at 214/ 349-9759.
May Award
Diane & Brent Hranicky
9511 Parkford
June Award
Mary & Charles Whitener
9728 Buxhill
July Award
Peter & Erica Stillwell
9730 Broken Bow
Thanks to these WRVNA residents for their hard work and beautiful yards. Each are unique and showcase different styles of landscaping with varied plantings. And, thanks to Callaway’s for their sponsorship and gift certificates for each month’s winner.
With over 84,000 streetlights in the City of Dallas, the City needs your help finding and reporting street light malfunctions.
The City currently checks the freeways and major thoroughfares for outages on a monthly basis. However, due to limited staff, regular patrolling of residential neighborhoods is not performed. Therefore, it is critical that citizens report outages in their neighborhood.
Our goal is to reduce the number of street light outages Citywide. With your help, this goal can be achieved. ONCOR Electric Delivery is under contract with the City of Dallas to maintain lights on public streets.
To expedite your request for repair contact ONCOR Electric Delivery by calling the number listed below or log on to their website:
1-888-313-4747
Customer Service Line
http://www.oncorgroup.com/community/arearelations/default.aspx
If repairs are not made within 10 working days, then notify the City:
- Dial 311 – Ask for a “Street Light Maintenance Service Request”
- City staff will contact ONCOR, investigate the issues and start tracking the repair time.
- ONCOR Electric Delivery is required by contract to repair most malfunctions within 15 working days. Only repairs involving knockdown poles, cable cuts or stolen wire justify delays beyond the 15 day requirement.
Examples of how to report locations are as follows:
- In front of 2431 Main Street (or nearest address)
- At the intersection of Main and Elm next to the restaurant
- The 3rd and 4th lights from the northwest corner of Main and Elm
- Light Pole Number I N 2E 315 (normally located on the front side of the pole)
Typical malfunctions Include:
- Light not on at night, cycles on/off
- Pole is damaged, leaning, broken
- Wires on pole are exposed, etc.
Calloway’s Timely Tip for August Gardeners: Bring on the Heat- Summer Color!
During this season of hot weather, re-vitalize your garden beds. Fertilizing, pruning, new mulch and fresh plantings can all bring your flower beds back to life!
Fresh color is still available at Calloway’s in larger sizes for instant impact. Celosia, Vinca (Periwinkle), Lantana and Moss Rose are all good, reliable summer bloomers. Plant these directly into beds or containers to replace flowers which have reached their prime. Add Calloway’s Flower Food, a slow release fertilizer, and you will not have to fertilize for two months. Keep old blooms trimmed off to encourage repeat blooming. Add a new layer of mulch to flower beds and to containers to lessen evaporation and keep the soil cooler. Color abounds even in the heat of summer!
Just a reminder, Saturday, August 9th at 10:15 am, Calloway’s will conduct a clinic titled “Bring on the Heat-Summer Color!” Please join us to hear more about summer color.
Tues, Aug 5, 2008 / 7:00—9:00 pm/ National Night Out
Wed, Aug 27, 2008/ RISD Schools Classes Begin
Mon, Sept 1, 2008/ Labor Day
Tues, Sept 9, 2008/Grandparents Day
Mon, Oct 13, 2008/Columbus Day
Fri, Oct 31, 2008/Halloween
Thurs, Nov 6, 2008/Election Day
Tues, Nov 11, 2008/Veteran’s Day
Thurs, Nov 27, 2008/Thanksgiving Day
White Rock Elementary has a new principal, Mrs. Nancy Kinzie, as Becky Reidling, WRE Principal for the past 6 years, has accepted a position with Rockwell ISD.
Mrs. Kinzie comes to WRE from Heights Elementary (RISD) where she served 5 years as assistant principal and 2 years as principal. She has three children who all attended Richardson ISD schools, one of whom graduated from High School this year.
The 2007-2008 school year was a great success! The preliminary TAKS scores are better than ever! WRE is on track to be an exemplary campus with the ratings being finalized in August. Becky Reidling is confident that the school has earned the exemplary rating, the highest possible for a Texas school.
Lake Highlands High School also has a new principal, Walter Kelly, formerly principal at West Junior High in RISD. Former assistant Principal Veronica Escalante will become the Lake Highland Jr High’s Principal.
Bill Gallo will assume the position of principal at Lake Highlands Freshman Center.Mr. Gallo, currently an assistant principal at Berkner High School, began his career in education at Apollo Junior High as a teacher/coach. Before moving to Berkner, he served as an assistant principal at CMLC.
The RISD Board of Trustees just approved a $261.7 million operating budget for the 2008-2009 school year. This includes a nearly 3 percent raise for teachers, a 3.5 percent increase for support staff, and a 2.75 percent increase for administrators. In addition, there will be no property tax increase. The tax rate will remain the same at $1.34 per $100 of property valuation. For detailed information on RISD, please visit http://www.risd.org.
August 25, 2008 C Classes Begin
September 1, 2008 Labor Day Holiday
October 6, 2008 Fair Day
October 7, 2008 Student Holiday
November 10, 2008 Student Holiday
November 26, 2008 Student Holiday
November 27, 28 2008 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 22-31, 2008 Winter Break
January 1,2, 2009 Winter Break
February 6, 2009 Student Holiday
March 13, 2009 Student Holiday if not needed for Snow Make Up Day
March 16-20, 2009 Spring Break
April 10, 2009 Student Holiday
May 25, 2009 Memorial Day Holiday
June 5, 2009 Records Day
June 5, 2009 If needed. Snow Make Up Day
Dallas, TX – EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and Richard E. Greene, Regional EPA Administrator, joined Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, City Manager Mary K. Suhm and other City officials today to recognize the City of Dallas’ Environmental Management System (EMS) for achieving certification to the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 14001:2004
standards. Dallas is the only city in the nation credited for implementing an EMS for such a broad scale of its operations.
Some of the City’s environmental achievements include:Running 41 percent of the City’s fleets, nearly 2000 cars and trucks, with alternative fuel. Ranking fifth of the 50 largest cities in the nation for its alternative fueled city fleets by SustainLane, an online media company empowering people, businesses, and governments to go green.
See more at www.greendallas.net. www.dallascityhall.org.
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