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 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, 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 groups such 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.
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. now through October 31. Failing to follow the conservation ordinance guidelines could result in possible 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.
Lakewood Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) need Lakewood residents to join the program. While on patrol, volunteers observe and report any 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.
Casa de Vida, a respite care program for caregivers of early onset Alzheimer’s and 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 day’s program; application required. Call Ann Anderson at 972.783.8780 or Nick Harper at 214.349.6584 to apply or for information.
The Presby Presenters Toastmasters group meets Thursdays 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.
City Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from area kill shelters, needs foster homes for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. To give a pet a second chance, e-mail info@citypetrescue.com, or visit citypetrescue.com.
Boys & Girls Club Dallas is looking for alumni to join the BGCDallas Chapter. Alumni meet monthly to brainstorm new and creative ways to contribute to their clubs. For information call Carolyn Jordan at 214.821.2950.
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.
Neighborhood resident Keith Price recently published his first book, “The Odyssey and the Idiot”. The book details Price’s roadtrip with his two preteens from Dallas to New Jersey, highlighting the trip and its unplanned diversions as the family travels across the country. Price has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 20 years; the couple has two children, Emma and Alexander. The book is available on amazon.com.
Former city council member and Woodrow Wilson High School graduate Gary Griffith was elected to the board of directors of the State Fair of Texas Inc., the private non-profit corporation responsible for presenting the annual exposition.
Jonathan’s Place, an emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children and a foster and adoptive family program, recently announced a combined donation of $15,800 from Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and Bob’s Steak & Chop House. For the fourth consecutive NBA season, Bob’s and Nowitzki teamed together to donate $100 to Jonathan’s Place for every three-point basket Nowitzki made during the regular season. He finished the 2007-08 season with 79 three-pointers.
The East Dallas Exchange Club Foundation recently donated 200 computers to eight Dallas ISD elementary schools. Stan Haddock, a foundation member, with the support of DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, wrote to local corporations requesting PCs and other technology equipment that would benefit students these schools. The selected elementary campuses are: James B. Bonham, Robert E. Lee, William Lipscomb, Eduardo Mata, Mount Auburn, J.W. Ray Learning Center, Reinhardt and Oran M. Roberts.
An online tutoring service is available on the Dallas Public Library’s website, tailored for students from fourth- to 12th-grade. The service is free to Dallas Public Library cardholders. The service can be accessed by visiting dallaslibrary.org and clicking DASH.
Friends of Lakewood recently contributed funds to Lakewood Elementary students, making it possible for five fifth-grade students, who otherwise couldn’t afford it, to attend a class trip in May. About half of the fifth-grade class went on the trip to Washington, D.C.
Dallas ISD has selected four finalists for teacher of the year, including one from Robert T. Hill Middle School. Elizabeth Powers has been at Hill for four years and has taught school for 31 years.
The Agape Clinic recently celebrated 25 years of serving Dallas’ poor and uninsured in the historic Grace United Methodist Church near the Baylor Campus. Find out more about the Agape Clinic and how to help by contacting Kay Dial at 214.460.5938.
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.
Robert E. Lee Elementary’s award-winning garden needs volunteers to help maintain the grounds, from the courtyard butterfly garden to the newly landscaped areas. For information, call 972.749.7400.
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 Lane. 214.689.0639.
The Wilkinson Center, a neighborhood non-profit agency, offers a free after-school tutoring and mentoring program, CLIMB (Changing Lives Improving Minds and Bodies) at seven sites. The program runs Mondays through Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. Share your knowledge and compassion by volunteering as a tutor/mentor. Contact Jane Waters at 214.821.6380, ext. 202, or jane_waters@wilkinsoncenter.org. for information.
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, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1215 Skiles. 214.823.5700 or rsvpd@TheSeniorSource.org.
The Child Abuse Prevention Center needs volunteers to work with children of divorcing parents one Saturday morning a month during its Families First seminars. The CAP Center also has opening for volunteers in the Parents Aide Program. Volunteers work in the home with parents and families are risk for child abuse and neglect. Training is provided. 2902 Swiss. Contact Ashly, 214.370.9810 or visit childabusepreventioncenter.org/.
Women’s Chorus of Dallas has many volunteer opportunities, including ushering at concerts, helping with mailings, answering the phone and helping with office work and committee participation. 214.520.7828 or twcd.org.
East Dallas Community Garden needs volunteers to help plant, tend and harvest crops and take produce to area food banks. Individual garden plots are also available. 972.231.3565 or gardendallas.org.
Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization promoting cultural awareness and sustainability by conducting humanitarian assistance programs in Latin America and Asia, is in need of volunteers who can translate Spanish and conduct Internet research to prepare various projects that will be implemented abroad. 214.823.0083 or info@globalaware.org.
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, office helper or in other available capacities. For information contact Meredith Lubenau at 214.750.7637 or mlubenau@hearthouse.org, or visit hearthousedallas.org.
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.
