community
The Dallas Office of Emergency Management recently graduated its first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. CERT teams are comprised of neighborhood groups who have been trained in basic fire prevention and suppression, first aid and rescue. This first team has 20 members from several White Rock Lake neighborhoods. For information: citizencorps.gov/cert/.
The Lake Highlands Soccer Association recently dedicated a $50,000 addition to the Moss Park soccer fields and concession stand. Christened Al’s Place Plaza, the facility is named after the late Al Stevens, longtime director of concessions at the park’s facilities. The privately funded and constructed Al’s Place Plaza features terracing, stone retaining walls, picnic facilities and field views.
Neighborhood residents Don and Pat Lee lost their 20-year-old daughter, Melinda, when a drunk driver killed her in 1994. For the past 11 years, they have been volunteer workers for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and on Saturday, May 5, MADD-North Texas will hold its primary fundraiser, the Strides For Change 5K Walk at Williams Square in Las Colinas. The Lees have formed a walking team in their daughter’s memory, and are hoping to raise $5,000. Neighbors can make a contribution or participate as a walker by visiting stridesforchange.com. Under “Select a City,” click “Dallas,” then click “Melinda Ann’s Team” on the right side of the page. Neighbors also can write a check to MADD-North Texas, attach a note designating it for "Strides-Melinda Ann’s Team," and send it to: Kim Hanna, MADD-North Texas, 8585 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 525 South, Dallas 75247.
The Junior Players will hold high school auditions for “Much Ado About Nothing” Saturday, May 5, 1-4:30 p.m. Auditions are open to any students who have completed the ninth grade but not yet started college. Prepare a memorized 16-line Shakespearean monologue, and bring a photo and theater résumé. Auditions will be held at the Sammons Center for the Arts, 3630 Harry Hines. Call 214.526.4076 to schedule an appointment.
Dallas Little League, the local affiliate of international Little League Baseball Inc., is currently seeking sponsors to help financially support its annual operating expenses including safe playing equipment, uniforms, umpires, utilities, trophies, publications and insurance for each player. Additionally, many league fields are in need of major renovations. The league, which offers baseball team opportunities to children ages 5 to 16, relies entirely on donor support. To make a tax-deductible contribution, contact Emily Whitzel, 214.328.8215 or ebpepper@sbcglobal.net.
The Presby Presenters Toastmasters group meets every Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, 8200 Walnut Hill. The non-profit public speaking club was founded to help members overcome public speaking fears and develop and enhance their leadership skills. Newcomers are welcome. Meeting rooms and lunch plans change weekly; contact Lynda Waters at 214.288.7959 or LyndaWaters@texashealth.org for information.
Lake Highlands Military Moms is a friendship and support group for mothers with children currently serving in the military. For information, contact Rhonda Russell, lhmama1@yahoo.com.
The Lake Highlands Forum, a neighborhood group that meets the third Thursday of each month, is open to all neighborhood residents. The one-hour meetings feature speakers of interest to Lake Highlands residents. Meetings are held at Luby’s Cafeteria on the Northwest corner of Central Expressway and Meadow Road. A full buffet breakfast is available; cost is $8.61 payable to Luby’s. There are no other charges to participate in the group. Contact Lynn Austin during business hours, 214.361.9996.
The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands is looking for members who are also members of local school councils in Lake Highlands in order to establish a club liaison with LH attendance zone public schools. For information contact Larry Lauck at llauck@americanlightingassoc.com.
The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands is compiling a list of names and military addresses of former Lake Highlands students serving in and in order to send supplies, phone cards and letters. Lake Highlands soldiers currently serving in Iraq are Michael Bryson, Patrick Freshwater, Isaac Haseley, Ian Herring, James Kelley, Robert Kelley, Spencer Kinder, Travis Mokate, Blake Sawyer and Marcus Williams. For a current list of soldiers overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and one on a submarine, visit lhexchangeclub.org and click on “Lake Highlands Military.”
people
Lake Highlands resident Lindsay Toler was honored last month in Columbia, Missouri as a hospital advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. She was chosen for the honor by the outreach director for a local women’s shelter, and recognized in a ceremony held in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Boone County. A journalism student at the University of Missouri, Lindsay has worked as an advocate since last summer. A graduate of Lake Highlands High School, she is the daughter of Carol and Toby Toler.
The Dallas Elks Lodge has announced its new slate of officers for 2007-08. President is Russell Scott; vice presidents, Leland Ersch, Henry Williams and Richard Truscott; secretary, Eugene Barton, and treasurer, Paul Ditto. The Dallas Elks Lodge, located in Lake Highlands, is the oldest lodge in Texas and the only Elks Lodge within the city of Dallas. The Dallas lodge supports young people, law enforcement, veterans, the homeless and the disabled. To learn more about the lodge, contact Richard Reed, 972.231.6689 or dickreed@swbell.net.
schools
Three Richardson ISD schools recently completed rigorous examination to be named as Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) National Demonstration Sites. West Junior High, the Lake Highlands Freshman Center and Lake Highlands High School are among the less than 25 of 300 AVID schools in Texas to pass the review process to become demonstration sites. The AVID program provides in-school support for grades five through 12 to prepare students for college eligibility and success.
A new Academic Boosters website is now available for Lake Highlands High School. Wild for Cats Campaign information can be found posted on risd.org/schools/lhhs/indx.htm. By accessing this website, you can learn how every dollar donated directly benefits LHHS students and staff. Every donor receives a decal, and those donating $100 or more receive a 2007 yard sign. Make checks payable to Lake Highlands Foundation, bring or mail it to the school, 9449 Church. Contact Mike Boswell, 214.349.9613 or Mboswell54@sbcglobal.net.
students
The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands named Lake Highlands High School students Sanada Fields and Truman Rockwell as recipients of its latest character counts awards. Fields plans to attend Texas Women’s University to major in business management and hotel and resort management. She is the daughter of Sandy Jordan and Vince Fields. Rockwell plans to attend the University of North Texas or the Art School in Chicago. He is the son of Therese Rockwell.
The Lake Highlands High School Orchestra scored ratings of all ones for its performance in the recent UIL concert and contest. Senior Aaron Rose qualified for the High School All-Region Orchestra. Mecca Salat-Hakim and Elizabeth Tollak, Forest Meadow Junior High School students, qualified for the Junior High All-Region Orchestra.
Moss Haven Elementary School student Emily White recently competed in the Richardson ISD area spelling bee and earned the right to advance to the county spelling bee. Her last-spelled word was “Triceratops.”
Lake Highlands High School senior honor students Enrique Castro and Lindsey Grace Adams recently were honored by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands as its youth of the month. Castro is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and LULAC. He also is a member of the cross-country team and serves as its Training Leader. Castro plans to attend college and work toward a pre-pharmacy major. He is the son of Juana Ortega. Adams is a member of Girls Service League, Mu Alpha Theta, Student Council, FCA and the National Honor Society, where she serves as historian. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas and study in the school of nursing. Adams is the daughter of Meg Adams.
volunteers
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the Senior Source is looking for volunteers age 55+ to volunteer with more than 230 non-profit agencies in Dallas and Collin counties. RSVP matches your skills, needs and desires with a volunteer job. Volunteers are generally needed for three hours, one to two days a week. 214.823.5700 or rsvpd@TheSeniorSource.org.
Mentoring Volunteers are needed to devote up to three hours a week to a Lake Highlands student through the Lake Highlands Exchange Club. lhexchangeclub.org.
Samaritan Care Hospice, a Medicare-certified hospice program, needs volunteers to provide one-on-one companionship to terminally ill patients. If you have one or two hours per week to give as a hospice volunteer, call 972.690.6632 to register for an upcoming class.
Meals on Wheels, a program run by The Visiting Nurse Association seeks volunteer drivers in our neighborhood. Drivers make weekday deliveries a few mornings a week or month, picking up meals at the Lakeview Christian Church, 9100 Diceman. 214.689.0639.
Charities Home Center is in need of volunteers to help operate the resale store and also seeks gently used donations for families in the community. Donations can be picked up. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Lake Ridge Shopping Center at Kingsley and Audelia, 214.342.8231.
Heart House Dallas, a free after-school program for low-income children, has a variety of volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals. Work as an after-school mentor, homework tutor, coach, and office helper or in other available capacities. For information contact Jayna Wallach at 214.750.7637 or jwallach@hearthouse.org, or visit hearthouse.org.
