Peak's Addition Homeowners' Association

The quarter-mile "drag strip" on Swiss Avenue between Carroll and Fitzhugh Avenues is now 50% shorter.

On December 7, city workers erected two octagonal, reflective icons of undeniable halting power at Grigsby Street.

These interruptive marvels exist due to the volunteering efforts of Zelman Brounoff, Jim Anderson, and over 100 concerned and borderline enthusiastic neighbors who favorably signed a city-issued petition.

Scientists from MIT have determined that the four square inches of sod removed to house the new sign stanchions will not accelerate current global warming concerns.

Stop by soon and experience them for yourself.

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The elder abuse story concerning Mary Ellen Bendtsen’s death has been rescheduled to Friday, December 11th, on ABC's 20/20. Mary Ellen’s family and neighbor friends, including Jim Anderson, were interviewed by John Quiñones for the program. Jim believes this will be the kick off to a series concerning elder abuse. He hopes neighbors will be able to watch this program that further discusses this East Dallas tragedy.

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4722-4726 Swiss Avenue

Sunday, December 13, 2009

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Enjoy great live music while you cheer on marathon runners. Alex and Daniel Watters and Stephanie and Thad Toups are hosting 3 bands for the event, which neighbors have enjoyed immensely in past years:

• The Cat Daddies
• When Squirrels Attack
• Shig Shag

Posted by at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PAHA is currently collecting signatures for a petition to implement a four way stop at the corner of Swiss Avenue and Grigsby Street. Residents who reside within 900 feet of this intersection and are interested in making it safer should consider signing this petition. Contact Jim Anderson at 214.821.3936 or Zelman Brounoff at 214.827.3997.

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Four Swiss Avenue homes will offer cuisine, cocktails, music and entertainment from around the world at “A Taste of Swiss” on Saturday, October 10. Italy, Brazil, India and Turkey will be represented at this fundraiser benefitting the Friends of Buckner Park. With passports in hand and the leadership of a tour guide, guests will tour each home experiencing the flavors, music and entertainment representative of each country’s culture. Tickets for this event are $100 per person and are available for purchase online at www.friendsofbucknerpark.org or in person at Needless Necessities (2926 N. Henderson Ave.) and Talulah Belle (2017 Abrams Rd.). Check-in will be from 6:30 to 7:00 pm at 5001 Swiss Avenue.
“A Taste of Swiss” is organized by residents of the four East Dallas historic districts (Swiss Avenue, Peak’s Suburban Addition, Munger Place and Junius Heights) and the Friends of Buckner Park as a fundraiser benefiting the restoration of Buckner Park. This neighborhood park, located at the corner of Worth Street and Carroll Avenue in Old East Dallas, also serves as the Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School playground. Buckner Park is situated at an important gateway intersection linking Old East Dallas with Lakewood, Downtown, Fair Park and Deep Ellum. Unlike the timeless homes restored in the area, the park has deteriorated over time and has suffered from vandalism and neglect. The Friends of Buckner Park was formed to restore the park and make it a beautiful retreat for the entire community to enjoy.
“So far the community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the endeavors of the Friends of Buckner Park,” Andrea Nicolas, Friends of Buckner Park president, said. “Our vision for the park includes a walking trail, new playground equipment, a pavilion and a venue for annual fundraising events that will benefit the park and its restoration.”

“A Taste of Swiss is a unique opportunity for our guests to spend an intimate evening, with an international flair, in four beautifully restored early 20th Century Swiss Avenue homes,” Larry Waisanen, co-chairman of the event, said. “In addition to raising funds for the park, we want this event to help to create an awareness in the broader community of the tremendous opportunity that the restoration of this historic City Park offers to East Dallas and the surrounding area.”
Formed in 2006, the Friends of Buckner Park is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to revitalize Buckner Park in partnership with Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and make it a clean, safe, urban green space for the community.
“A TASTE OF SWISS” SPONSORED BY: Swiss Avenue Historic District; State Farm, Ryan Thebeau, Agent; Millet the Printer; Brian Jackson; Sherpa Management Partners

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• Sergeant Craig will be setting up a 'speed buggy' in the 4800 block of Swiss, which will display the speed being traveled to to passing motorists, to help control speed.
• At the request of a neighbor, the City of Dallas assessed the intersection of Swiss and Grigsby to determine whether it fit the criteria for a four-way stop. The possibility was denied, but PAHA neighbors are following up with the city for further discussion.

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On December 9th, the White Rock Marathon made its annual pass through Peak’s Addition. Once again, neighbors Jarrod and Allison Bassman and Daniel and Alex Watters generously hosted a party in front of their homes.

Runners were greeted by the invigorating sounds of three bands: the Cat Daddies, Shig Shag, and Squirrel Attack. Neighbors diligently cheered on the runners while enjoying the great music and breakfast refreshments. This event was truly fun for the whole family! Some runners encouraged personal cheers by printing their names on their shirts so encouragement shouted by strangers could be made more meaningful!

Nathan Galbreath and Arthur Cirillo, both PAHA members, ran the marathon. If you have not experienced the neighborhood ‘Run the Rock’ party, make plans to join us next year. This is a great way to meet the neighbors and enjoy a beautiful day!

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On July 3rd, PAHA held its monthly meeting and a social at the home of Sherry Swanson and Brent Duncan. Sherry treated guests to tours of the amazing renovations she and Brent have done to the house and then guests mingled with each other over drinks and appetizers. PAHA President J.W. Brasher led a brief meeting. He described the proposed Reconciliation Outreach plan to renovate the Brannon Building at the corner of Peak and Bryan into a charter school. Brasher summarized plans the neighborhood has heard so far and indicated that the Board and Old EDAN believe that a school in this location is a poor use of a great space. Brasher also detailed plans for an apartment complex development near the intersection of Fitzhugh and Live Oak. The apartments are currently slated to be large, upper to medium priced apartments with a Craftsman exterior. Brasher commented that this developer had been very responsive to the concerns of the neighborhoods and made numerous changes after speaking with neighborhood representatives.
Pamela Ashford, our city services coordinator, spoke about her job and updated guests on recycling options in Dallas. She encouraged guests to call her if they have a problem with city services.
After the meeting, guests ate hot dogs and burgers cooked up by Clark Mitchell and Mark Staring and enjoyed the pot luck side dishes. In spite of the heat, everyone had a great evening of good food and good fellowship. Join us for our next general meeting.

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Peak’s Addition resident Britney Hardy, of Swiss Avenue (pictured, 3rd from left), was recently recognized along with fellow Girl Scouts. Girl Scout Troop 1776, which comprises 11 Lakewood girls, has achieved Junior Girl Scouting's highest award, the Bronze Award. The route to the Bronze Award includes the earning of selected badges and the achievement of other awards, and culminates in a community service project that the girls must organize and execute. Troop 1776 chose as their service project the preparation and assembly of craft kits for patients at Children's Medical Center. The girls individually each did a "rattle drive" to provide toys for the babies in the hospital. Congratulations to the girls on this special achievement. The troop is led by Amy McLarty and Evelyn Hardwick. For information on joining the Girl Scouts, contact Evelyn Hardwick at ehardwick@republictitle.com. As seen on Lakewood-Now.net.

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