Taste of White Rock is in 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, with proceeds benefiting 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, 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.
Dallas Water Utilities reminds residents that time-of-day watering restrictions have resumed. These mandatory restrictions prohibit the watering of landscaping from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 31. 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 offers 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, seeks 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’s 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 and in order to send supplies, phone cards and letters. Lake Highlands soldiers currently serving overseas are Brett Bedarnik, Matt Booth, Eric Comley, Gabriel Geldert, Jeff Kramb, James Rackler III and James Shoemaker. For a current list of soldiers, visit lhexchangeclub.org and click on “Lake Highlands Military”.
The Dallas Northeast Chamber has named Greg Solomon as its new president. Solomon was formerly president of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, where he led his team to the first place Retention Award from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2007. Other awards and accomplishments include Advanced Toastmasters Silver Professional Speaker designation from Toastmasters International; 2005 Distinguished Young Alumni award from Hardin Simmons University; 2004 Outstanding Leadership Award from Southwest Metroplex Alliance; 2002 and 1998 Award for Excellence — National Chamber of the Year. In addition, in 1998 Burleson honored him with the Greg Solomon Day/Citizen of the Year.
Mary Preston, resident organist and principal/lay family chair with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, has been named the new organist and choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Preston occupies a newly implemented full-time position that combines responsibilities at both the parish and St. John’s School.
U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions has announced that 12 students from Lake Highlands High School participated in the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program in Washington, D.C., including Justin Dale, Katelyn Smith, McCoy, Reid McCann, Travis Crawford, Callie Hurmis, Gregory Mitchell, Shannon McDaniel, Billy Prude, Lauren Reynolds, Katie Woodiel, and Emily Young.
John York, Exchange Club Food Drive Director, reports that Lake Highlands residents donated more than 1,724 pounds of non-perishable food during a drive at the 2008 Exchange Club Fourth of July Parade and Carnival. The food was presented to Network of Community Ministries, which provides food for children who attend RISD schools and live below the poverty level.
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.
