The first one was so successful, let’s do it again.
Help clean up the neighborhood. Pick up litter, eradicate graffiti,
show the city how proud we are of our neighborhood.
May 15, 9 a.m. to noon 4315 Bryan St.
Meet at East Dallas Christian Church, corner of Worth and Peak
We still do not have enough houses confirmed to be on the tour! If you have a home, you could help! Yes, it is a lot to ask of you, but homes are the one thing we can’t do without for our home tour. Your house does not have to be perfect. If there are some renovations half-finished or yet to be started, our guests will enjoy learning about what we go through to get these houses in shape. Contact Evelyn Montgomery.
Fall will be here before you know it-and so will our fall home tour. It is time to get down to the business of marketing our tour so we have lots of visitors and sponsors. Remember, the profits go to improving Buckner Park, a project that will help the whole neighborhood, so we all want the home tour to be successful. There are many volunteer slots to be filled, large and small. We have a place for you, whatever time and talents you have to offer. We are looking for:
Join us for the first “Peak’s Pick-Up” neighborhood beautification project!
We need volunteers to bring: paint rollers, paint rollers on a pole and dolly's (hand-trucks) if available.
Volunteers, stop by the Taco Joint Saturday morning for a free drink!
Everyone wants a clean neighborhood, but trash doesn’t pick itself up!
The Central Patrol Division is hosting a Volunteer in Patrol class on March 12th from 6 pm until 10 pm. It will feature a guest speaker who will discuss Crime prevention on the Katy and Santa Fe Trails. This course will be held at 5100 Ross Avenue at St. Matthews Cathedral using the entrance on the South side of building.
For information on this class, please visit the Central Patrol web site for more information.
The Volunteers in Patrol program is a Dallas Police-sponsored citizen watch and patrol group. Interested members receive training from the police department and then agree to patrol our neighborhood in their cars, with a partner, about one night a month. These volunteers look for suspicious activity and call the police. The marked cars help send a message to criminals that we are serious about fighting crime and that there are neighbors on the lookout for crime. Consistent VIP patrols have been proven to reduce crime in neighborhoods around the nation. Peak’s Addition has several trained volunteers already and simply needs more to get the program jumpstarted again. The Dallas Police Department offers flexibility with the training and the patrolling schedule can also be fitted to meet individual needs. In addition to monthly patrols, volunteers meet once or twice a year. The more volunteers we have, the more frequently we can patrol our neighborhood. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, email postmaster@peaksaddition.org or speak to any board member.
For information about the March class, please contact Senior Corporal Comstra at Stephen.comstra@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us or 214-670-4420
We recently got to experience the rare treat of a thick blanket of snow covering our neighborhood, turning our streets into beautiful scenes out of a postcard. The snow has since melted, but there is no reason the beauty can’t linger (albeit in a nonfrozen form). So I would like to invite everyone to our first “Peak’s Pick-Up” neighborhood beautification project on Saturday, March 6th from 9:00 a.m. – noon. At 9:00 a.m. sharp, we will meet at the parking lot of East Dallas Christian Church on the corner of Worth Street and Peak Street, where supplies will be distributed and tasks will be assigned. This will be a fun time of working with your neighbors, having a good laugh, mocking the graffiti taggers’ lack of creativity, and generally beautifying the neighborhood. “Sounds interesting, but what exactly will we be doing?” you may be wondering. Generally speaking, we will be picking up trash, cleaning up graffiti, and trimming overgrown vegetation (or dead branches) in vacant or deserted areas. The specifics, however, will be up to you. In the days leading up to Peak’s Pick-Up, I invite everyone to keep your eyes open for things we can clean up, graffiti we can wipe out, and overall beautification that can be done in a few hours by a dedicated group of weekend warriors. Email your suggestions to president@peaksaddition.org.
Everyone wants a clean neighborhood, but trash doesn’t pick itself up. Here is your chance to do your part to make it happen. It’s the perfect reason to wake up a little earlier on a Saturday, head down to the Taco Joint for some breakfast, and put on your work gloves for a few hours to make Peak’s Addition a little prettier.
Walker Duke
The date for our next home tour, our first fall home tour, in October 24. That is the weekend before Halloween and after the close of the state fair. Hopefully, our fall tour will lure visitors with seasonal plantings and decorations, as well as our neighborhood’s great architecture. A successful home tour is an opportunity to make some money, get publicity for our neighborhood and our home owners association, and attract visitors who might be so impressed that they become our new neighbors.
As your humble home tour chairperson, I need to start gathering two things-people and houses. I will need to assemble a home tour committee, hopefully not limited to the members of the board. I also want a co-chair, because I am lazy. The co-chair would ideally by friendly and popular, to assist with pursuing volunteers, as I am known for my shyness and hermit-like habits.
The houses I seek are those which will thrill and amuse the visitors. I would like six locations. Your house does not have to big or elegant to qualify-though it would nice to have at least one like that. Funky decorating, interesting collections, walls stripped to the shiplap, these are just a few of the features that might make your house perfect. Lest you think I am asking you to do something I would not do myself, my house is already signed up for the following tour, fall 2012!
Please contact me at drevelynmontgomery@sbcglobal.net with any and all offers of home-tour help.
Cody McCullar, East Dallas Community Prosecutor, is reviving the Old East Dallas Citizen ACTION team. The ACTION team (All Coming Together In Our Neighborhood) is the cornerstone for Community Prosecution in new neighborhoods and somewhere along the way the Old East Dallas team gave way to the Central Crime Watch quarterlies and disappeared. He has decided that reviving this team would be very helpful for his goal of proactively addressing the community concerns as well as keeping the community abreast of the activities of my office. The ACTION team will focus on quality of life issues as well as specific concerns regarding crime in the area and can cover an array of issues from major actions like determining and organizing support regarding actions like TABC protests to minor issues like determining priority locations for graffiti paint-out sweeps and all points in between. It will be open to all citizens in the Old East Dallas neighborhood, and would like to have at least one member of each neighborhood association or crime watch group active in the team so that no part of the areas sees its concerns go unaddressed (the more the merrier).
Meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at the 4545 Bryan Street Police Storefront, time of the meetings is tentatively set for 6:00 but a concrete time will be determined at the first meeting October 14.
Those interested in participating should contact postmaster@peaksaddition.org.
First Fundraiser a Success! Join the effort today!
Friends of Buckner Park held its kickoff fundraiser for the revitalization of Buckner Park at Veritas Wine Bar on Tuesday, March 19th. There were about 60 people in attendance from Peaks Addition, Junius Heights, Munger Place, and Swiss Avenue plus lots of friends. Everyone had a great time and over $1,500 was raised for improvements in Buckner Park. Thank you to all who attended this event and look for more fundraiser's and park events in the near future! Also a big thank you to Veritas for hosting this event and for Fish City Grill for their generous donation of appetizers.
Friends of Buckner Park would like to thank Fish City Grill for their very generous donation of appetizers for our fundraiser at Veritas. We love neighborhood friendly restaurants and Fish City Grill is just that! It is crawfish season so stop by Fish City Grill and get a pound or two! 2323 N. Henderson.
Invite your friends, tell your colleagues, bring a neighbor!
Kickoff your support for the revitalization of Buckner Park at Veritas Wine Room on Henderson while enjoying delicious wines, cheeses, and a variety of heavy appetizers from local restaurants.
Who: Friends of Buckner Park and Veritas Wine Room will host this delicious event!
What: Wine Tasting, Delicious Local Foods, Silent Auction, Raffle, Retail Discounts, and our First Major Buckner Park Fundraiser!
Where: Veritas Wine Room, 2323 N Henderson Ave, Ste 103
When: Tuesday, May 19th, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Arrive early, stay late, but don’t miss it!
Cost: $25 per person. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at www.friendsofbucknerpark.org or at the door.
Benefits: Enjoy 2 glasses of wine and unlimited appetizers, as well as some excellent retail discounts. Also participate in a silent auction, raffle, socialize and network with local philanthropists, business owners, and local officials, and have fun for a great cause! Additional glasses or bottles of wine can be purchased for our thirsty supporters at a retail discount available only to FOBP wine tasters. Opportunities to become a member of East Dallas’ newest 501c3, Friends of Buckner Park (FOBP).
Silent Auction items include:
General Meeting
April 7th, 7:00 p.m.
Elbow Room
3010 Gaston
As most of you know, PAHA has adopted Fire House # 3 (our fire and hazmat connection). They have many immediate needs which are not being met due to budget shortfalls. Their needs include:
Sara Anderson
214-821-3936
On March 26, 2009, MZ Grocery’s appeal of TABC’s decision not to renew their alcohol sales permits was held in the 44th District Court before Judge Carlos Cortez. Following a 90-minute hearing, Judge Cortez affirmed TABC’s decision denying renewal of the permits. This confirms the administrative law judge’s previous ruling and represents a huge victory for the neighborhood.
TABC’s order takes effect immediately, though the agency may give MZ Grocery a little time to dispose of its inventory. Nonetheless, alcohol sales should cease within a few days.
Many thanks to the sizeable group of neighbors who showed up (many for the fourth time) at the hearing to voice their support in the form of their attendance. Once again, the showing of community support on this issue was invaluable. Also, much appreciation is due to Nick Canaday from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, who was tasked with arguing for the affirmation of TABC’s order with only 6 days to learn all the facts and prepare the legal arguments.
A huge recognition also to the core group who spent many hours working on this over the past several years:
Alright everyone, it's time to rally the troops for MZ Grocery one more time. They have filed their appeal and the matter is set for hearing next Thursday, March 26th at 9:30 a.m. It is being heard in the 44th District Court (Judge Carlos Cortez), which is located downtown in the George Allen Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street (this is different from where the trial was). This is very short notice, but that is the timeframe that the procedural rules dictate.
We need as many people there as possible. No one will have to speak and, in fact, the Protestants sole mouthpiece will be the Attorney General's Office (who represents TABC, the technical "Defendant"). However, just as with the original trial, neighborhood participation through attendence will be very important.
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: arrive in court by 9:15
Location: George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street
Parking: there are various parking lots around the courthouse, but there is underground parking connected to the courthouse (entrance on Commerce St. by the Old Red Courthouse) that is very convenient. Approximately $8-$9.
Duration: The hearing could last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours, but it should not be an all-day event like the trial.
This is the final step, if we are successful, at having alcohol sales discontinued at MZ Grocery. A final ruling is due by March 30th, so the end is potentially in sight. We need everyone's help to try and finish this out!
The second annual Junius Heights Home Tour will take place this Sunday November 9th, from 11:00 - 5:00. If you are willing to volunteer to help with their tour, please contact Rene Schmidt.
All current PAHA members should plan to vote in upcoming elections for the 2009 Board of Directors. Elections will be held at the PAHA Holiday Celebration on December 2nd. Those unable to attend the event should contact postmaster@peaksaddition.org by Friday, November 28 to obtain an absentee ballot.
To nominate members for an officer position, please contact postmaster@peaksaddition.org by Friday, November 21. The current slate can be found on the website and is still pending acceptance. The final slate will be distributed prior to the election.
Kids Fest 2008
Saturday, August 30th
8 AM - Noon
JFK Learning Center, 1802 Moser Ave, Dallas 75206
Please view the attached flyer for a wonderful effort to help local kids get an opportunity to do better in class with the correct tools. Please drop off any school supplies by Friday, August 1, to 4715 Swiss Ave. Neighbors should leave all donations in the box located on the right side of the front porch beside the couch.
Thanks in advance for your support to help the kids get a great education. Starting with the right tools is only the beginning.
The final hearing on the protest of MZ Grocery Store's alcoholic beverage permit has been scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. It will be held at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, located at 6333 Forest Park Road, Suite 150-A, Dallas, Texas 75235. After several postponements, our protest will finally be presented to the Administrative Law Judge for a final ruling.
We have had a great neighbor showing at the previous two settings. This sent a clear message to the administrative law judge that the neighborhood has united in this cause. PAHA is calling on your support one more time. We need as many neighborhood residents as possible (PAHA members or otherwise) to be in attendance at the August 22nd hearing to demonstrate to the Court just how unified the community is on this issue. If you have first hand knowledge of shady activities at or around MZ Grocery, or have documentary evidence of this (e.g. pictures, video, etc.), please contact Walker Duke at 214.891.8034, as you may have an opportunity to share your experiences with the Court. Even if you do not wish to testify at the hearing, everyone's support in the form of their attendance will be vital. If you cannot make it to the hearing but would still like to contribute to the cause, we would welcome letters to the Court. Please call Walker if you are interested in providing this form of support.
Let's pack this hearing office on August 22nd!
Peak’s Addition and Munger Place neighborhoods have teamed up to form a 501c3 non-profit in support of the revitalization of Buckner Park. Appropriately named Friends of Buckner Park, the non-profit will work in conjunction with the City of Dallas to raise funding (private, public, and corporate) for the implementation of the existing Master Plan for the park. Initial paperwork and bylaws has been established and the official application to the IRS is to be submitted shortly.
Volunteer Board Members and Committee Chairs include: Elizabeth Nelson, JW Brasher, Andrea Nicolas, Jim Anderson, Brandon Castille, Sharon Van Buskirk, Janet Staring, and Sandy Doss.
The group will work collaboratively on design details for elements within the park, grant applications, fundraisers, marketing, requests for bond program funding, and other activities related to the design and implementation of the park’s Master Plan.
Generally, the time frame for the IRS to approve a 501c3 application is about 90 days. Meanwhile, the group will be working on fundraisers and efforts that do not necessarily require 501c3 status.
Both Peak’s Addition and Munger Place find this park a very important and necessary improvement for both neighborhoods and look forward to working together with the city to make the plan a reality.
After the neighborhood and City of Dallas has put forth years of planning, redesign, gathering feedback, negotiating, and more designing, the City of Dallas Parks’ Department has finalized a Master Plan for Buckner Park. Now that the plan has been finalized, the next steps are: Park Board adoption, DISD land acquisition, fundraising, bond program allocation, and implementation.
Since finalizing the Master Plan, several important ‘behind the scenes’ efforts have occurred in support of making these next steps come to fruition.
Continue reading "Buckner Park Update by Elizabeth Nelson" »
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time: Check-In 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Time: Working at Locations 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Time: Lunch at Reunion Arena 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What is it?
The 2008 Trash Attack and Graffiti Wipeout is a City-wide community effort to remove litter and trash and abate graffiti in our City.
Who can participate?
Anybody can! This is a great event for families, Scout troops, schools, and private corporations. You can even earn community service hours for school for this! *Minors will need adult supervision and have a signed liability waiver from their parent or guardian for the day of the event.
Where do I register and check in?
Registration will open online April 1. You Check-in Locations are listed below for the area you choose.
CENTRAL
East Dallas DPD Storefront
4545 Bryan Street
4 Simple Steps: Register for the location you would like to work in.
On the day of the event, go the the assigned Check-in Location for your area.
Receive assigned work areas and go work them
Return to Reunion Arena for clean up, lunch (is provided), and entertainment.
If you would like to report graffiti in your area, please call 3-1-1 to provide the location and give a description.
For more information please contact Lisa Fullerton at lisa.fullerton@dallascityhall.com or call 214-670-5647.
Remember all the big beautiful trees that used to be on the corner of Live Oak and Grigsby? It seems that Peak Academy's construction plan has been to do what they want, when they want, regardless of what the city has mandated (besides bulldozing those trees, they also have been working hours outside of what city code permits). If we all write letters expressing our outrage and disappointment about the ruining of the green space and illegal removal of trees, the Zoning Commission is more likely to be stringent with Peak's architects and insist that they work to appease the local homeowners (i.e. more greenery/trees).
There is a hearing scheduled for April 10 for the latest construction plan for the parking lot to be approved by the city. The Chief Arborist says that the plan that is currently submitted DOES NOT have any islands within the parking lot for trees, only shrubs and intermittent trees around the border. He is looking at the long run (30-50 years) from now, and is asking that the plan be modified to include a few islands within the parking lot for trees.
PLEASE write a letter to the city. If there are a pile of letters in the folder when the plan goes up for review, the city will take the damage that has been done more seriously, and they will see that the neighborhood stands together for improvement.
The address is:
Development Services
Ref. Zoning ID# Z078-183
1500 Marilla St.
Room 5B North
Dallas, TX 75201
Make sure to reference the ID# Z078-183 in your letter.
As 2007 came to a close the neighborhoods efforts to redesign and improve Buckner continued to move forward at a slow but steady pace. Michael Helman, Senior Parks Planner for the Parks and Recreation Department attended the associations Christmas Party in December and unveiled the new master plan for the Park. The design is the result of many meetings and much hard work by your neighbors and by the City Parks Department. At this point the Parks Department is proceeding with actions necessary on their end to bring the park plan to reality.
Continue reading "Home Tour 2008 Benefits Buckner Park by JW Brasher" »
The Home Tour Committee will plan, organize, and execute this year’s historic home tour. They will meet weekly until the event on April 20th and will be responsible for coordinating fundraising, media publicity, print materials, permits and more. Anyone with talent or who can contribute to any of these categories should contact JW Brasher to volunteer at 214.826.6488 or jw.peaks@sbcglobal.net.
The first meeting will be on Wednesday January 30th at the home of Janet Staring - 4711 Swiss Ave, 7 p.m.
The MZ Grocery TABC License Renewal Hearing is coming up on Tuesday, October 9th at 10:30 a.m. PAHA is looking for neighbors to represent us at this hearing to protest the renewal of a liquor license for this grocery on the corner of Worth and Carroll Streets, just across from Zaragoza School. If you think you might be able to attend or are willing to write a letter stating your opposition, please contact Sara Anderson at 214.821.3936 or email postmaster@peaksaddition.org by this Thursday September 28th. Carpooling will be organized for transportation to the event.
The August Homeowners’ Association meeting spurred some interest among members about the Volunteers in Patrol program, a Dallas Police-sponsored citizen watch and patrol group. Interested members receive training from the police department and then agree to patrol our neighborhood in their cars, with a partner, about one night a month. These volunteers look for suspicious activity and call the police. The marked cars help send a message to criminals that we are serious about fighting crime and that there are neighbors on the lookout for crime. Consistent VIP patrols have been proven to reduce crime in neighborhoods around the nation. Peak’s Addition has several trained volunteers already and simply needs more to get the program jumpstarted again. The Dallas Police Department offers flexibility with the training and the patrolling schedule can also be fitted to meet individual needs. In addition to monthly patrols, volunteers meet once or twice a year. The more volunteers we have, the more frequently we can patrol our neighborhood. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, email postmaster@peaksaddition.org or speak to any board member.
The Dallas Homeowners’ League is sponsoring its 10th Annual Neighborhood Leadership Boot Camp on Saturday, August 25 from 8:30 to 12:30 at City Hall. Jim Diers, author of Neighbor Power and a nationally recognized leader in neighborhood programs, will be the keynote speaker and Dallas City Mayor Tom Leppert will also be speaking. This workshop is a great opportunity for neighbors to learn about strategies to organize themselves, plan projects, and make their voices heard to City Hall. Peak’s Addition would love to have several members attend so that we can cover all of the informative breakout sessions. The cost is $10 and interested neighbors can register online or email postmaster@peaksaddition.org for more information.
Continue reading "Dallas Homeowners' League Boot Camp on August 25" »
Planning for this year's Home Tour, benefiting Buckner Park, is about to kick off, and the 2007 Home Tour Sponsorship Kit is now available! If you know of a business that may be interested in sponsoring our biggest event of the year, please download and take a Sponsorship Kit to them. Email hometour@peaksaddition.org to find out about more opportunities to get involved with planning of this important event.
Additional information will be posted to the PAHA 2007 Home Tour Website.
Give graffiti the brush on Saturday, May 19th! Come on out and join this city-wide united effort in wiping out graffiti and beautifying Dallas.
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m at Fair Park. Pull in from Parry Ave and there will be lots of signs to direct you.
Painting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Drop the paint back off by noon at Fair Park and Carrabba's Italian Grill will provide lunch.
Sign up online at http://66.97.146.46/graffiti/GraffitiRegistrationForm.aspx
If you have questions call 214.670.6362 or email lisa.fullerton@dallascityhall.com.
Do you have a neighbor with news to share? Have a question to ask of your neighbors? Want to advertise in the next Peak's Edition? We need people to write stuff for the Peak's Addition newsletter & website! Send content to newsletter@peaksaddition.org.
We're also looking for contributors for our regular columns on a rotational basis. Interview questionnaires have been developed to get you started! You don't have to be a great writer - our team will edit for you! If you're interested, contact newsletter@peaksaddition.org.
Preservation Dallas is looking for docents for the Baldwin House as part of Swiss Avenue Historic Home and Garden Tour May 12-13. Continue reading to find out more!
Continue reading "Preservation Dallas Seeking Baldwin House Docents - May 12 & 13" »
A special thanks to these individuals who take the time each month to deliver the newsletters on their streets so that we can all stay informed on the happenings in the neighborhood!
Pat Reeder -- Reiger
Bryan Lutkehaus -- Worth/Alcalde
Jim & Sara Anderson -- Swiss
Bill Arnquist -- Sycamore
Jean Lamberty -- Victor
Mary Beth Galbreath -- Gaston
Robert Kam -- Junius/Trellis Ct.
Shirley Campbell, Jacque Cook, JW Brasher, Clark Mitchell, Mark Staring
The Munger Place Home Tour is coming up May 5-6! Munger Place is looking for volunteers to staff the homes. If you're interested, contact Cheryl Scott at cheryl_a_scott@hotmail.com or 214.370.9187 with your preference of the following shifts:
Saturday, May 5
11:00-1:30, 1:30-4:00, or 4:00-6:00
Sunday, May 6
12:00-2:00, 2:00-4:00, or 4:00-6:00
The association established a new concept around assigning Block Coordinator for each street in our neighborhood. The Block Coordinator will manage HA activities on their respective blocks, learn and share what is important to their blocks, maintain information flow, and promote cooperation among their blocks and with the larger HA. Here are the new Block Coordinators :
Sycamore - Bill Arnquist
Swiss - Jim Anderson
Gaston - OPEN
Junius - Robert Kam & Zelman Brounoff
Worth - Don Yarbrough
Victor/Reiger - OPEN
There is a NEW section on the website called Street News. Check out this section to find out what's happeing on your street. If you have street news, send it to webmaster@peaksaddition.org and your Block Coordinator.
Calling all neighbors! You know you're just looking for the right spot to plug in.
Continue reading "Calling All Neighbors! by Mary Beth Galbreath and Courtney Buterbaugh" »
Peak's Addition is the place to be! Come be a part of the inner workings! Do any of the jobs mentioned below fit your skills or schedule? Let us know--we're always looking for new volunteers to help make our neighborhood even better! Most of these tasks have already been done before and so steps are known and provided! Most of these are relatively easy ways to get involved. We just need a few people to do the work.
Continue reading "Volunteer March -- by Mary Beth Galbreath" »