Taste of White Rock is kicking off its second year, with the Peninsula Neighborhood Association announcing that the 2008 Taste of White Rock Dinner Club Book is now on sale. The $12 book is a buy-one, get-one-free dinner club good until Oct. 31, 2008 with proceeds given to organizations that support White Rock Lake. Thirteen locally-owned restaurants near the lake are donating free meals: Terilli’s, St. Martin’s Wine Bistro, Barbecs, Bonnie Ruth’s Café, Corner Market, Franki’s Lil Europe, Kitchen 1924, Papou’s, La Parrillada Mexican Kitchen, Lakewood Tavern, Bangkok City, Sol’s Nieto Mexican Grill and White Rock Sports Bar & Grill. Taste of White Rock books can be purchased at Albertson’s in Casa Linda Plaza, Albertson’s at Mockingbird and Abrams, and Professional Bank in Lakewood. In 2007, the book’s first year, $5,000 was donated to the following organizations: White Rock Lake Foundation, For The Love Of The Lake, the Dog Park, the Bath House Cultural Center, the White Rock Volunteers in Patrol, and the White Rock Lake Conservancy. The goal this year is to double the amount of donations.

Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas Summer Singing is helping young American Idol dreamers get a taste of real music-making this summer. This chorus, which regularly performs with such groups as the Dallas Bach Society and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, offers a week-long singing camp open to any singer entering grades 4 through 8, without an audition. Thanks to a grant form the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, students enrolled in Dallas ISD schools attend free. During the week-long camp, the children sing everything from folk songs to Broadway tunes, play handbells, and learn about performing. On Friday, the students perform a short concert for family and friends. There are two sessions, both starting July 16: Session 1 from 9 a.m.-noon; and Session 2 from 1-4 p.m. $125. Registration forms are available at thechildrenschorus.org or 214.965.0491. Cathedral Guadalupe, 2201 Ross.

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Dallas Water Utilities is reminding residents that time-of-day watering restrictions have resumed. These mandatory restrictions prohibit the watering of landscaping from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 1 through October 31, 2008. Failing to follow the conservation ordinance guidelines could result in fines of $250 to $2,000 per incident.

Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law is offering free one-hour tax consultations for anyone who can’t afford attorney services and is facing an IRS audit, appeal or collection process; involved in innocent spouse relief; or needing to resolve a past due tax matter. To schedule a free consultation, call 214.768.2562 or visit smu.edu/law/taxclinic/. The school’s small business clinic also is providing free legal services to new and existing small businesses and nonprofit organizations that cannot afford to pay legal fees. For information, call 214.768.4935.

Texas for the Physically Impaired, an organization founded by Lake Highlands resident Robert Langford, is seeking donations of used computers and computer parts, which will be refurbished and then shipped free to visually impaired people. According to the organization, 2,300 computers have been donated to the visually impaired during the past five years, including 450 last year. For information, visit handicapability.org or call 214.282.2581.

Casa de Vida, a respite care program for caregivers of early onset Alzheimer’s and any other forms of dementia, is offered weekly on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at NorthPark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central Expressway. It is strictly a social program, with no medications or health care administered. Activities include morning snacks, exercise, bingo, crafts and music. A $10 fee covers the entire morning; application required. Call Ann Anderson at 972.783.8780 or Nick Harper at 214.349.6584 to apply or for further information.

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 at lhmama1@yahoo.com.

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 Iraq and Afghanistan in order to send supplies, phone cards and letters. Lake Highlands soldiers currently serving overseas are Brett Bedarnik, Matt Booth, Eric Comley, Gabriel Geldert, Casey Kelley, Jeff Kramb, James Rackler III and James Shoemaker. For a current list of soldiers, visit lhexchangeclub.org and click on “Lake Highlands Military”.

After 46 years, Meletio Lighting recently closed its Preston Forest Square Shopping Center location and consolidated the store into the company’s 10930 Harry Hines and 4855 Ohio Road in Frisco locations, says owner Ken Reiser. The Harry Hines location recently was remodeled to update showroom space, and the Frisco location is new, Reiser says.

LHHS grad Jessica D. Baker was selected as the 2008 Young Engineer of the Year by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers Dallas Chapter. Jessica, daughter of Alan and Barbara Baker, is a Civil Engineer at Halff Associates Inc. in Richardson.

Dallas ISD selected four finalists for teacher of the year, including one from Robert T. Hill Middle School. Elizabeth Powers has been at R.T. Hill for four years and has taught school for 31 years.

The Lake Highlands Exchange Club last month recognized long-term members and past presidents including Bob Johnston, Jim Reed, Jerry Allen, Joan Poole, Don McCoy, Tom Lochry, Ray Hill, John Dean, Alan Walne, Ward Beaudry, Mike Oglesby, Al Engelland, John Irvin, Fred Halstead and Bob Potts.

Dallas Fire Rescue Officer Michael Gibbs and Sr. Cpl. Phillip Rhodes of the Dallas Police Department were awarded this quarter’s Police-Firefighter Award by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands in April.

 

A special service for neighborhood resident James Joseph Shay Jr. (Aug. 20, 1923 – April 20, 2008) will be held at 3 p.m. June 10 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Dallas Chapter, 4144 North Central Expressway, Suite 750, Dallas 75204, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6796, 9179 Garland Road, Dallas 75218. Shay’s three children — Kevin James Shay, Kathleen Roffee and Patrick Shay — are graduates of Lake Highlands High School.

Neighbors mourned the death of White Rock North School co-founder John B. Adams. Adams is credited with many of the school’s improvements and additions. He is survived by his wife, Amy Adams, CHECK ON THIS; I THOUGHT AMY WAS HIS DAUGHTER) five grandchildren, and the many students and community members whose lives he touched.

Lake Highlands High School seniors Shay O’Brien and Geoff Dunham each received a $1,500 scholarship from the Moss Haven Elementary PTA. O’Brien, LHHS valedictorian, attended first- through sixth-grade at Moss Haven; she will attend Brown University next year. Dunham attended Moss Haven from kindergarten through sixth-grade; he will attend Yale University next year, where he will play football and major in biomedical engineering. O&rsqu
o;Brien and Dunham were each chosen as the LHHS Student of the Year and voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by their peers. The $1,500 scholarships, funded by the Moss Haven Elementary PTA and private donors, were the first given and will be awarded each year to Lake Highlands High School graduates who attended Moss Haven for at least four years of elementary school. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, extra curricular activities, honors/awards, community service, a written essay and teacher recommendations.

Country Western dance squads the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers, the Berkner Ramblers, and the Pearce Stampede recently joined together for a charity dance off at Lake Highlands High School. The friendly showdown included the jitterbug, bench press, skate and stunt-off competition, and proceeds benefited the Muscular Distrophy Association. The LHHS Wranglers are directed by Cheney Larkin.

Caroline Finklea and Cameron Alspaw recently received the Youth of the Month award, presented by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands. Finklea is a member of the National Honor Society, Girls’ Service League and Spanish Club, Highlandette Drill team, A Cappella Choir, the KLHS Television News Team, several theater productions. She has earned numerous awards and serves in multiple charity and service organizations. Finklea, daughter of Sam and Robin Finklea, plans to major in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Texas or Texas Tech. Alspaw is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Espree, A Cappella Choir, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is an Eagle Scout and he is involved in multiple volunteer and religious organizations. Alspaw, son of Jon and Debbie Alspaw, plans to major in business at Texas A&M University.

Zion Lutheran seventh grader, Stefan Oddsson, was recently recognized by Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP).  Candidates must be in the top five percent of students statewide in order to receive an invitation to participate. Qualifying students take the SAT test at a local high school and must score between 500-560 on both the Math and the Critical Reading portions — a significant achievement for 7th graders. Only 25 percent of invited students meet minimum scores and are subsequently accepted into Duke’s TIP, which identifies academically talented students and provides innovative programs to support the development of their optimal educational potential.

Richardson ISD has set up an anonymous message line called “Report It” that helps students alert administrators to any information that makes them feel unsafe. The “Report It” line can be reached at 469.593.0411.

300 free minutes of on-demand tutoring is being offered to all RISD students, grades 7-12. The tutoring, which focuses on math, science, social studies, and English, is offered from 1 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Dallas CASA is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for abused and neglected children. CASA empowers everyday citizens to speak up in court for the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Volunteers gather information for the court and work with the child welfare system and others to quickly find a safe, permanent home for each child. For information or to register for an upcoming information session, call 214.827.9603, ext. 273, or visit dallascasa.org.

Meals on Wheels, a program run by The Visiting Nurses Association, seeks volunteer drivers in our neighborhood. Drivers make weekday deliveries a few mornings a week or month, picking up meals at White Rock Methodist Church, 1450 Oldgate. 214.689.0639.

Assistance League of Dallas has structured and established volunteer programs already in place at Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Center and Operation School Bell, its newest program. The league was chartered in 1969 and is a member of National Assistance League. New members are welcome. For information call 972.437.1239 or visit assistanceleagueofdallas.org.

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.

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 Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 10677 E. Northwest Highway, Suite 240, 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 a mentor, homework tutor, coach, and office helper or in other available capacities. For information contact Meredith Lubenau at 214.750.7637 or mlubenau@hearthouse.org, or visit hearthousedallas.org.