For about five hours last month, Lakewood Theater looked as if it had re-opened.

A crowd gathered in front of its doors for the premiere of “Six Guns”. But the crowd wasn’t full of movie patrons. It was full of actors, and “Six Guns” wasn’t really playing.

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Lakewood Theater had been transformed into the set for an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger”, a Saturday television series starring Chuck Norris that airs at 9 p.m. on Channel 11. The episode filmed locally will air in mid-April.

“We couldn’t have built a set like this,” says Roger Sterling, the show’s location assistant. It’s a beautiful location. It’s classic. It deserves a better fate.”

The theater was chosen as a filming location because of its look and availability, Sterling says.

“The owners were eager to work with us,” he says. “They were very enthusiastic about us coming down here.”

In the episode, the villain, Adam Quinn, played by guest star Lenny Vondohlen, is a serial killer who pretends to be a photographer to lure female victims with the promise of a modeling career. He attends the movie premiere to find his next victim, Sterling says.

Chuck Norris was not at the filming because he isn’t in the scene, Sterling says.

“The ladies at Fidelity Bank were beside themselves because they thought they were going to meet Chuck Norris,” Sterling says, “but they had to settle for a photo.”

Sterling says it is common for directors to choose our neighborhood as a filming location because of the aesthetic appeal, historic architecture and White Rock Lake.

Martin’s Cocina Donates Profits to AIDS Research

Martin Zisman, owner of Martin’s Cocina, has been selected to operate a portion of the food concessions at the Dallas Arboretum’s floral extravaganza, Dallas Blooms, from March 2-April 7. Zisman says he will use the opportunity to fight AIDS in memory of his sister Nancy, an AIDS victim.

Zisman will donate 20 percent of his profits during Dallas Blooms to AIDS research.

Zisman says his sister gave him the confidence and encouragement to start his own business. Before she died, she asked him to support the AIDS cause, he says.

Two of Zisman’s customers are helping him remember his sister. Robert Barsamian, for whom Zisman has named a dish at his restaurant, is designing a patch for Nancy for the national AIDS quilt. Quilter Jack Brockette will sew it.

Martin’s Cocina is a neighborhood business that opened in October 1993 at 7726 Ferguson. Dallas Blooms is an annual event that kicks off spring at the Arboretum, 8525 Garland. Call the Arboretum at 327-8263 for information about the event.

East Dallas Chamber Honors Small Businesses

The East Dallas Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses in its service area last month during “The East of Town and Best Around” 1995 Small Business Awards.

In the New Business category, winners were Monroe Roofing Inc.; Martin’s Cocina, 7726 Ferguson; and Daddy Jack’s on Lower Greenville. These businesses have been open for three years or less and were chosen for providing a meaningful service in terms of product and service viability.

In the community contribution category, winners were McKaren Industries Inc., My Guardian Angel and Sergio’s Jewelry. This award is given for generosity and commitment to nurturing our community.

In the growth category, winners were Abba International Computer Supplies Inc., Industrial Power and Hardware Inc., and Duel Products Inc. These businesses experienced an increase in revenue, as well as positive net earnings between January and September in 1993, 1994 and 1995 to qualify for the award.

The awards are sponsored annually by the Chamber, which are sponsored annually by the Chamber, which solicits nominations from members to recognize growing businesses that are contributing to our neighborhood. For more information about the Chamber or the Small Business Awards, call 321-6446.

News & Notes:

DART SEEKS INPUT ABOUT STATION LOCATIONS: DART officials continue their series of neighborhood meetings at the Ridgewood Recreation Center, 6818 Fisher, on March 21 at 7 p.m. to discuss the light rail segment that extends from the Mockingbird station to Northwest Highway. DART is seeking community input to determine where to locate a station along this segment. One site under consideration is the current Knight of Columbus location, 7333 E. Northwest Highway. Other community meetings at Ridgewood Recreation Center have indicated the Knights of Columbus location is the most popular site with the public, says Jack Wierzenski, DART’s manager of planning studies and system development. But a final site decision has not been made, Wierzenski says. Call 749-2543 for information.

SOFTBALL LEAGUE FOR AT-RISK KIDS: The Police and Kids Together softball league begins its season March 28 at 7 p.m. at Harry Stone Recreation Center’s ball field, 2304 Millmar at Ferguson. Games are Tuesday and Thursday nights. The purpose of the program is to bring at-risk youth together with police officers and citizens to expose them to positive role models and to provide them with organized recreation. The deadline for signing up is March 15. Volunteers are needed to play, umpire, provide food and cook. Call Northeast Organized Neighbors at 606-5099 for information.

FIFTY YEAR WOODROW REUNION: The 50-year reunion for the Woodrow Wilson High School classes that graduated in June 1946 and January 1947 is in the planning stages. Reunion planners Robert and Jeannine Verinder are seeking help in locating as many graduates from these years as possible. The event is scheduled June 15 at the Lakewood Country Club, Gaston and Abrams. Call the Verinders at 348-5104 for information or if you’re a class member who has not received a reunion mailing.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCER NAMED VP: Neighborhood resident Betty Buckley, producer of the children’s television series “Wishbone”, has been named vice president and producer of Lyrick Studios. The Richardson- based company produces such children’s shows as “Barney & Friends”. A graduate of SMU, Buckley has credits in 10 feature films and music videos. She also is a founding member and former president of Women in Film.

MOVING UP THE RANKS: Neighborhood resident Mark Burris recently was promoted to general manager of Elliott’s True Value Hardware, 4901 Maple. Burris is the youngest person with the company to ever hold this title. Burris lives with his wife, Shirl, in Lakewood. He began at Elliott’s working part-time in the back room and eventually advanced to a full-time position on the sales floor. He also has held positions as paint department manager, assistant purchasing director and assistant general manager.

POLICE OFFICERS HONORED BY PEERS: Two police officers with the Northeast Operations Division, 9915 E. Northwest Highway, were among the 12 nominees for the 1995 Dallas Police Association’s Cops’ Cop Officer of the Year. They are Officer Quentis Roper and Sr. Cpl. Steven Huff. Each was selected Cops’ Cop of the Month last year by his peers, which qualified him to compete for the Cops’ Cop of the Year award.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MOVES TO NEW HOME: The Dallas affiliate of Habitat for Humanity moved to new offices last month at 3020 Bryan. The 22,000-square foot building was purchased in 1995 with a grant from the Meadows Foundation. Since 1990, Habitat’s headquarters have been in a renovated house on Hudson in Garrett Park, Call 827-3990 for information.

HELP FOR EATING DISORDERS: The Lakewood group of Overeaters Anonymous meets Saturdays at 9:15 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church’s parish house, 3617 Abrams. On March 9, the group holds an informational meeting for newcomers from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Dallas Metroplex Intergroup Office, 888 S. Greenville, Suite 127, at Centennial in Richardson. All are welcome, including those who think they may have a problem with compulsive overeating, anorexia or bulimia, and those who are concerned about a friend or relative. Call 238-0333 for information.

CHAMBER HOSTS BINGO BENEFIT: The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is selling tickets for its annual silent auction and bingo benefit April 19 at the Lakewood Country Club, Gaston at Abrams. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and includes a buffet dinner. Tickets cost $25. Call 827-8921 for information.

AARP MEETS IN NEIGHBORHOOD: The Ridgewood Park chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons meets March 28 at 10 a.m. at the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers. Lunch is served for $1.50.

FUTURE ARCHITECTS LEARN WITH LEGOS: The newly formed Lego Club for school-aged children meets the third Saturday each month at the Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth, to explore the building and engineering ideas, says children’s librarian Lloyd Loving. Domes are the focus of the March 16 meeting, which starts at 2:30 p.m. Call 670-1376 for information.

AMERICAN GIRLS MEET AT LIBRARY: The newly formed American Girls Club, based on the American Girls book series and dolls, meets the second Saturday each month at the Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth. Members are encouraged to bring their favorite American Girls doll to the March 9 meeting, which starts at 2:30 p.m. Call 670-1376 for information.

YWCA HONORS MENTORS: The YWCA, 4621 Ross, is taking nominations for its 1996 Mentors and Allies Awards, which honor men and companies who have encouraged women to achieve their full potential by supporting their professional and community endeavors. Nominations are due to the Y March 5 by 5 p.m. All nominees must be able to attend the awards breakfast May 22 at 7:30 a.m. at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons. Call 826-9922 for a nomination form.

SUMMER PROGRAM FOR TEENS: The YWCA, 4621 Ross, is offering a Teen Leadership Program this summer aimed at youth entering seventh through ninth grades. Call 826-9922 for information.