BUSINESS

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

Restaurateur Courtney Luscher recently passed the Level 1 of the Master Sommelier Exam, the first tier of education and testing conducted by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Courtney and her husband, chef Brian C. Luscher, own and operate The Grape restaurant on Greenville Avenue.

Lakewood resident Carolyn Childress is celebrating five years in our neighborhood as owner of The Dream Spa, a salon in Hillside Village. 214.728.7627 or dreamspa.com.

HealthCareClinics, located at the corner of Ross and Henderson for more than 32 years, will mark the relocation and opening of its new facility with community health and wellness fair on Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Clinic founder Dr. Ronald N. Skufca says the new 14,000-square foot facility is located near the old clinic and more than double its size. The new facility will feature family medicine, occupational medicine and a diagnostic center. It will add obstetrics and gynecology in August 2009, and add pediatrics and internal medicine in the near future. The health and wellness fair includes free health screens, health and safety information, family entertainment, refreshments and more. 214.826.2151.

COMMUNITY

The National League of American Pen Women Dallas Branch is pleased to announce a call for entries for Expressions 2009, A Visual Arts Competition. The annual show will be at the Lakewood Library, Nov. 12 – Dec. 5, with the artists’ reception on Nov. 12, 6-8 p.m. Deadline for entries is Oct. 7, 2009. Entry is open to all artists, men and women, over the age of 18. Judge is Enrique Fernández Cervantes, curator at the Bath House Cultural Center. For prospectus and entry form, visit nlapwdallas.org or call Susan Moss Cooper at 214.327.6648.

Neighborhood nonprofit Jonathan’s Place recently received a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. This is the third consecutive year Jonathan’s Place has earned this four-star rating, which is the highest possible rating. A four-star rating is given to charities that consistently execute their missions in a fiscally responsible way. Only 11 percent of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator nationwide have received a four-star rating three consecutive years.

Lakewood residents Jena Tiedeman and Jonathan Apgar this month will host the kickoff event of the Platinum Society, a new nonprofit they co-founded that is dedicated to serving Dallas through support of the arts. The Friday, June 19 event includes artists’ works for show as well as two original pieces of artwork up for silent auction, and the venue, Bengal Coast at 3102 Oak Lawn, will provide $5 appetizers and drink specials. Admission is free if membership or sponsorship is obtained at or before the event; otherwise, a donation of $10 per person is requested. 469.222.0012 or platinumsociety.org.

SeniorNet of Dallas Learning Center offers members a range of in-depth computer courses — learn to e-mail friends, search the internet, send electronic greeting cards, pay your bills, shop, and more using your computer. These are small classes with patient instructors, convenient parking, plus a brand new classroom and equipment. Call 214.841.2818 to save your spot.

Lakewood Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) needs neighbors to join the program. While on patrol, volunteers observe and report suspicious behavior to the Dallas Police. The program is non-confrontational in nature. It requires a minimum of two hours a week tailored to each volunteer’s schedule. For information contact Roger Parks at 214.319.2924 or rogparks13@tx.rr.com.

EDUCATION

James Bonham Elementary won a National Excellence in Urban Education Award from the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) at San Diego Sate University. Twelve schools across the nation were awarded, and James Bonham was the only Texas school recognized. Schools were selected based on their successful academic performance data with every demographic group of students. The school will receive $1,000, a large banner to hang, a commemorative photo album, and a profile on the NCUST website.

Woodrow Wilson High School students Jane Bumford, Andrea Graham, Christina Maturino, Ana Michel, Timothy Moore, Maria Perez, Rachael Regan, Alexandra Slaughter and Kara Tinsley were named recipients of State Fair scholarships. Each recipient will receive a total of $5,000 in scholarships, renewable in $1,250 annual increments to those who maintain a 3.0 GPA toward their college degree at a Texas university and/or community college.

John McCollum, a teacher at Bryan Adams High School, was selected as one of four Dallas ISD teacher of the year finalists. A committee of judges selected the semifinalists and finalists based on a number of criteria including the ability to inspire a drive for excellence in a diverse student population; commitment to professional development and contributions to the teaching profession; awareness of current issues in education; level of community involvement; and quality of interactions with parents and peers.

Cynthia Bell, a teacher at Lakewood Elementary School, is retiring this year after teaching at the school since 1979. A retirement party is being planned in her honor on Thursday, May 28 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Lakewood Elementary. She would love to see any former students and parents who have had her as a teacher.

Woodrow Wilson High School student Kara Tinsley is one of three recipients of this year’s Greenville Avenue Area Business Association scholarship of $2,500 to the college of her choice. The association is a nonprofit comprised of more than 50 merchants, primarily on Greenville Avenue from Park Lane south to Mockingbird. It offers the scholarships, in part, as a result of revenue raised from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Woodrow Wilson High School PTA is seeking alumni donations for college scholarships. Seniors who have not received more than $5,000 from other scholarship sources will be eligible for this PTA scholarship. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation can mail it to: Woodrow Wilson PTA, 100 S. Glasgow, Dallas, Texas, 75214. Woodrow alums are asked to write their graduation year and “PTA Scholarship Fund” on the memo line of the check. Donations also can be made online at woodrowwildcats.org. Call 214.327.0068 for more information.