walkable winnetka funds now available what’s inside for both...

Spring 2013

What’s insidePage 3 NEW! Join the Winnetka

Heights Supper Club.

Page 4 Get the Mardi Gras recap,

and mark your calendar for

Night in The Heights 2013.

Page 6 Read tips on being green

this spring, plus find out

about the next Annual

Membership Meeting.

Page 7 Learn how you can help

out with WHNA volunteer

opportunities.

Page 8 Check out a local

Salvadoran pupuseria.

Page 9 Meet the new WHNA

Crime Watch Chairman.

Back View photos from the

2013 Mardi Gras Oak

Cliff Parade.

Walkable Winnetka funds now available for both “yellow” and “red” sidewalksThe Walkable Winnetka Sidewalk Repair Matching Grant Program has recently been expanded to help repair and rebuild even more of our neighborhood sidewalks.

In the past, grants were only available for the repair of “red” sidewalks — sidewalks that are missing, impassable or deemed to be a significant hazard.

Now, yellow sidewalks — described as having height variances of 1 to 3 inches, or are deteriorated but still passable — are eligible for Walkable Winnetka funds as well.

The Winneka Heights Neighborhood Association created Walkable Winnetka in 2011. Since then, it has provided assistance to

many Winneka Heights residents who want to repair their sidewalks and help make our neighborhood a better place to walk. “I did not know how easy it was to have my dangerous, uneven sidewalk replaced. With Dallas paying for half of the sidewalk replacement and the grant from you all, my cost was minimal at most.” – Todd Andrews “Thanks to Walkable Winnetka, we now have a great view of people enjoying a smooth stroll down the sidewalk! It was easy to work with the neighborhood association to get the funds, and it’s going to be great when other people take advantage

continued on page 5

Spring Confessionsby Harriet Boorhem

Ok, it’s confession time. I have had a love, not-so-much-love relationship with my house of 25 years. I have been sorely tempted MANY times (just ask Diane Sherman) to sell, dump, give away, burn to the ground, blow up, or simply abandon my Prairie 4-Square. Always at the last minute, however (again, just ask Diane), I have not been able to follow through. Why?

I’ve had water damage, sewage

line backups, mice infestations, ridiculous electrical bills (averaging saved my life), badly sloped floors, sticking doors, un-square everything, bad insulation, porch rot, foundation issues (who doesn’t?), windows that won’t close, windows that won’t open, and nightmare handyman experiences.

I’ve redone EVERYTHING in that house except for one thing, which I am afraid to mention, lest I be forced to replace that too!

I’ve listened to my house groan, sigh, crack, tremble and creak. The stairs were so bad at one point, I thought sure they were going to collapse (they didn’t).

Oh, and it has ghosts. Ghosts in the attic, ghosts in the pantry, ghosts under the house, ghosts in the backyard. They are friendly, thank heavens, but a bit too playful at times; moving things, eating socks and hiding things.

On the bright side, I’ve catalogued

continued on page 3

Spring 2013

Visit 75208.org today!Join our Facebook group!

Letter from Lee Ruiz, President of WHNAIf you keep up with our news, you know we’ve accomplished quite a bit in the last couple of years. Soon, another group of volunteers will agree to help make Winnetka Heights a better place to live. I challenge you to help!

• Come to our Annual Membership Meeting on June 11. You’ll get to vote on and meet the new officers, plus catch up on neighborhood news, have a glass of wine and meet new friends. For those of you who haven’t been to a meeting in a while, I also promise you’ll get chocolate!

• Volunteer for at least one event

that interests you. This spring, spend a day in the park at our Earth Day table. In the fall, help plant trees. Later in the year, help spruce up our parks, help with the home tour, or help with admin work. If you have website admin or graphic design skills, please speak up!

• Recognize the responsibilities that come with living in a designated historic district. Our home values have done really well because of the stability that the historic district designation provides. But we need everyone to respect the rules that created and maintain the district. If you want

to work on the exterior of your home (including major landscape changes and fence work), be sure to understand the ordinance or seek help from your neighbors in getting a C.A. Together, we can help safeguard the architectural integrity of our beautiful neighborhood. Email [email protected] with your questions or to report violations.

I know that with your help, the coming years in Winnetka Heights will be our best yet. But don’t just stand aside and watch. Be a part of the excitement.

We’re all in this together!

Meet the Board of Directors President Lee Ruiz [email protected]

Vice President Jeff Fahrenholz [email protected]

Treasurer Jeff Kaczmarczyk [email protected]

Secretary Marijane Michael [email protected]

Past President Kyle Ward [email protected]

Code Awareness Mike Walker [email protected]

Communications Chris White [email protected]

Community Development Anne Hagan [email protected]

Crime Watch Russ Aikman [email protected]

Membership Chris Walters [email protected]

Finance Jack Hagler [email protected]

Home Tour Chris Barker [email protected]

Walkable Winnetka Diane Sherman [email protected]

Parks Petrine Abrahams [email protected]

Records Sandra Adams

Spring 2013

If you would like access to the private neighborhood forum, please contact

[email protected]

Comfortable Dentistry You Can Trust & Afford

611 North Bishop AvenueSuite 102, Dallas

We cordially invite you to call

214.948.3035www.WestDavisDental.com

Convenient Appointments Before & After Work or School!

continued from front cover

25 years of memories in that house. Little girls playing school in the attic, sleepovers that literally rocked the house, hide and seek in the pantry, teen parties so loud the cops were called, chop-shop neighbor-from-hell, coming-of-age parties, graduation parties, wedding parties, tears, laughter, fun and tragedy. How can I leave that?

And, now it’s spring! My Yellow Jasmine is blooming, my Redbud is exploding, my Japanese Maples have tiny new leaves and my Mermaid Fountain is gurgling. Soon my Freedom Crepe Myrtles planted after my divorce will burst forth in color. My screen porch is calling. How can I leave that?

Oh, geez, and my neighbors! How could I leave them? Folks I can call in the middle of the night, friends who send me food, check on my house when I’m gone, feed my animals and water my plants. Friends who love these houses as much as I do. Friends who love me as much as I love them. How could I leave that?

Oh, here’s one thing I have never had with this house. I’ve never had anyone who comes into my home and say anything but:

“OMG! I LOVE this house!”

“It has so much character!”

“I love the colors, the high ceilings!”

“It’s so warm and inviting!”

“I wish I had a house like this!”

It seems this house, with all its flaws, is my forever home. How can I leave that?

Especially in spring?

Announcing the Winnetka Heights Supper ClubWinnetka Heights is known for its strong sense of neighborhood, fun social events and solid support of the community and its businesses.

Now we’ve combined all of these facets by introducing the Winnetka Heights Supper Club, a great new idea from Chris Barker.

The first Supper Club event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 at Mesa, 118 West Jefferson.

For just $40 per person, you can enjoy a special, multi-course, family-style meal, with your choice of two glasses of wine, two beers, two horchata cocktails or two special non-alcoholic drinks, plus tea and coffee.

Taxes and gratuity are included in this price. Vegetarian options will be available, but other dietary restrictions will not be accommodated.

There are no refunds, but if you can’t make it, you may transfer your prepaid meals to someone else.

If you’re interested in attending the first Winnetka Heights Supper Club event, you can prepay via PayPal through winnetkaheights.org or send a check to Chris Barker at 214 S. Willomet.

The event is limited to 40 guests, so be sure to reserve your spot by Friday, April 5.

Spring 2013


Where tiny incisionsare a huge relief.

Where

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, or any affiliated hospital.

MethodistHealthSystem.org/daVinci

Where life shines bright.SM

Winnetka Heights won first place at the Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade!For the second year in a row, the Krewe of Winnetka Heights took First Place at the this year’s Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade! Out of the 58 entries, the traveling speakeasy stole the show!

Neighbors dazzled in 1920s costumes, performed renditions of 1920s classics, danced in the streets and shot off confetti cannons.

Thank you to Krewe co-chairs Rob and Julie Giacobbe, everyone who participated this year, Mike and Angela Webb, Chris Walters, ABC Party Supply, the Kessler Theater, Lonestar T’s Model T club, Nova, Rob at Norcostco and Go Oak Cliff.

On Sale Soon: Night in The Heights PassportsNight in The Heights, one of the biggest social events of the year in Winnetka Heights, is a progressive cocktail party that celebrates the food, drink and culture of three different countries. This year, it’s scheduled for May 18.

Passports and raffle tickets will go on sale soon, so stay tuned for more information!

Funds from Night in The Heights will go to the historic enhancement account, which is dedicated to making improvements to our historical district.

For even more photos, check out the back cover or visit 75208.org.

Spring 2013


[email protected]

continued from front cover

of the program to improve more sidewalks in Winnetka Heights.” - Nancy Scott “Our sidewalk was so hazardous, it was surely the inspiration for the grant program. Now thanks to the WHNA, we have a new, hazard-free sidewalk running the full length of our property. In our case, even as displaced as our long sidewalk was, our out-of-pocket cost was only $266!” - Teresa M. Norton

If you have sidewalks that need repair, there are a couple of options to choose from.

With the Fast Fix program, Walkable Winnetka takes advantage of the City of Dallas Fast Fix contract pricing for concrete repair. It includes tear-out, haul-away and re-pouring new concrete sidewalk pads.

Curb repair, problem tree removal, damaged/missing manhole replacement and the construction of handicap ramps at corners are not included.

This program requires an assessment by the City. Under this program, the WHNA pays 85% of the repair total cost, up to $700.

With the City of Dallas Sidewalk Repair Cost Sharing program, an assessment is required by the City. Once estimates are approved, they’re included as part of the next city budget proposal, and must be approved. For this reason, sidewalk repairs could take from 12 to 24 months.

Under the cost share option, the city pays for half of the repair costs, while the homeowner is responsible for the other half. WHNA would pay 75% of the homeowner’s portion of the repair, up to $700.

For both options, owner-occupied households must contact the City of Dallas and arrange for repair estimates. After estimates are complete, they can apply for a Walkable Winnetka Grant.

There are currently funds available for residents! So if you would like to learn more about Walkable Winnetka or if you need assistance assessing your sidewalk, please contact Kirk Kirksey at [email protected] or Diane Sherman at [email protected].

Vice President 469.767.1823 [email protected]

Taking “neighborhood specialist”

to a whole new level

Spring 2013


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Annual Membership Meeting on June 11Mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting of WHNA on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Turner House when we elect new association officers. As required by the association bylaws, the WHNA Board of Directors has appointed a Nominating Committee consisting of Paul Maute (Past President), Mike Walker (current board member) and Jim Sanford (member at-large). Officer nominations will open soon.

Green Living in Winnetka HeightsWith the beautiful days of spring upon us, it’s the perfect time to tackle your spring cleaning list. Here are some tips on being green when you clean, plus some ways to increase energy efficiencies in your home.

• Make your own all-natural, all-purpose cleaning product by adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap to a gallon of hot water.

• Be sure to clean with washable, reusable microfiber rags instead of paper towels.

• Clean off the coils on the back of your refrigerator, change the filters in your HVAC and seal your windows and doors with weather stripping and/or caulk.

• Go through your closets, junk drawers, attic and garage, and donate or recycle things you can’t reuse or repurpose.

Spring 2013


[email protected]

Code 101by Mike Walker

As most new residents of Winnetka Heights know, the Board takes great pride in reaching out with new resident membership packets, chock full of information about the neighborhood and the Historic District.

In an effort to increase awareness of the Historic District Ordinance, the Board has started sending informational welcome letters to new investment owners and real estate agents.

Our hope is to welcome non-resident owners of properties to the neighborhood and share with them what makes Winnetka Heights so special for those of us who live here.

We also want to emphasize the importance of following the strict letter of the Ordinance in order to preserve our unique architectural character and property values.

As always, our greatest resource is our residents. So, if you see a new neighbor or know of a new investment property owner, let us know. We will send them a welcome letter right away! [email protected]

Your Neighborhood workshop:

doors, windows, timbers, porches, knee bracessidings, railings, columns, mouldings

214-946-8123 davis-hawn.com1941 S. Beckley Avenue

Local Volunteer OpportunitiesThe WHNA is looking for volunteers for the 7th Annual Oak Cliff Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 21 at Lake Cliff Park. We need help with set up, tear down, and/or manning the booth in shifts. Set up must be complete by 11:30 a.m. and exhibits must remain up and intact until 5 p.m. If you want to volunteer, just email [email protected] and specify what you’d like to help with.

The WHNA Communications Committee is looking for someone to help out with our WordPress site, 75208.org. We also need volunteers to take photos at our neighborhood events. If you’d like to help out, email communications@ winnetkaheights.org.

The Crime Watch Committee is looking for Block Captains to prepare and maintain a block directories, communicate with neighbors on the block and report suspicious activity. If you’re interested in serving as a Block Captain, please email Russ Aikman at [email protected].

Just a Reminder about Bulk TrashBulk trash collection for Winnetka Heights begins at 7 a.m. on the 4th Monday of every month. You cannot put items out on the curb any earlier than 7:00 A.M. the Thursday before the 4th Monday.

April Happy HourThe next happy hour will be on Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m. at 303 Bar & Grill, 303 W Davis.

Spring 2013


Restaurant Reviewby Patrick Lynch

Hidden in plain sight on the Winnetka side of Davis, just across from Nova, sits a small Salvadoran convenience store/pupuseria/restaurant, La Campina.

This “to-go” spot offers a different take on Latin American cuisine along with excellent baked goods.

Pupusas are the thing at La Campina, and what a thing they are.

Imagine a thick corn tortilla, but instead of wrapped around your taco ingredients, those ingredients are baked right into the tortilla Each bite brings out bits of the masa, cheese and fillings.

Options range from the usual beef, pork, and beans, to the more exotic Loroco, the flower of a Salvadoran plant with a distinct — almost

nopales-like — flavor.

The pupusas are served with a side of vinegary slaw and hot sauce for the adventurous.

The excellence of the pupusas foretells the equally delicious thick corn tortillas accompanying other dishes at La Campina.

The refried beans are readily distinguished from their counterparts at most Mexican restaurants and offer a refreshing change of pace.

The eggs come scrambled with peppers and tomatoes, similar to the migas you may find at area Mexican restaurants but with a Salvadoran twist.

The beef had a good texture and mild flavor, which went well with the fresh hot sauce served along side the dish.

In addition to the main event, the kitchen produces a steady stream of freshly prepared bollelos and Salvadoran desserts, so don’t be surprised if they’re still warm by the time you bring them home.

La Campina

1408 W Davis

Dallas, TX 75208

(214) 948-3030

Real Estate News...BY YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR

There’s no place like home, especially if you live in North Oak Cliff. In some ways we are known to be a fashionable and more accessible area than our neighbors to the North, which makes it understandable why so many families are looking to join in on the movement. The Spring market is officially upon us and there is no shortage of home buyers for this area. If your family continues to grow or your children are fleeing the nest, you may ask yourself if it’s a good time to purchase a larger home or downsize. The answer is YES! Now is a great time and it never hurts to explore what your home can sell for especially with Winnetka Heights being in such high demand. I truly love and understand our collection of special homes and with my expertise I can help maximize the return on your investment. Call or email me today for a complimentary market analysis.

Sincerely, Crystal Gonzalez

2013 Neighborhood Snapshot March 2013

3 homes are currently under contract, priced from •$70,000 to $215,360.5 homes have sold since January 1, 2013.•5 homes are currently on the market in Winnetka •Heights priced from $174,500 to $350,000.

411 N. Edgefield Ave. $174,500•416 S. Winnetka Ave. $263,500•330 S. Montclair Ave. $299,000•223 N. Clinton Ave. $325,000•310 S. Winnetka Ave. $350,000•

Mortgage rates for a thirty year fixed mortgage dropped from 3.57% to 3.56% on Wednesday, March 14.

The weekly thirty year fixed mortgage rate on March 13, 2013 is up from the previous week’s average rate of 3.46% and up from the average rate of 3.20% from three months ago. Source Zillow Mortgage Market

SOLD SOLDSOLDSOLD SOLD

214.642.9630 [email protected]

Spring 2013


[email protected]

Meet the new WHNA Crime Watch Chairman, Russ AikmanHow long have you lived in Winnetka Heights?

I moved here in February 2004.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Winnetka Heights?

The neighbors. The sense of community here is palpable.

What made you decide to become the Crime Watch Chairman?

I was asked to serve in that role by WHNA President, Lee Ruiz. And I care about having a safe neighborhood.

What kind of goals would you like to accomplish in your new role?

In 2012 we re-started the Crime Watch Program with a lot of help and hard work from the Crime Watch Committee. One of my goals for 2013 is to get a Block Captain established for every block in Winnetka Heights. Ellen Carter has done a great job in helping

to identify about 32 neighbors as Block Captains, but we need another 8 or so.

My second goal is to increase NOCUPP participation to 20% of households (currently we are at ~10%).

My final goal would be to go at least one month in 2013 with zero reported crimes. Our lowest number of crimes per month happened in February 2013 when we had only 5 crimes reported to Dallas Police Department.

What are you most excited about this year?

I hope to see the hard work of many different neighbors continue to bear fruit in making Winnetka Heights the best neighborhood in the city!

What are your hobbies?

I ride my bike with other Winnetka Heights neighbors, which is a lot of fun. I also collect mission antiques

and art.

Do you have any pets?

Yes. Her name is Abbey and I got her from Chris Barker, who works in animal rescue. He found her wandering the streets in Winnetka Heights. She loves everyone in Winnetka Heights, and has been to many of our neighborhood events.

Q/A Session with NOCUPPNOCUPP officers will be offering a free question and answer session to Oak Cliff residents at Turner House on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m.

Renew Your NOCUPP DuesNOCUPP is a neighborhood police patrol staffed by Dallas PD officers. Help fight crime in Winnetka Heights and renew your 2013 Spring subscription today at northoakcliffpatrol.org.

Spring 2013

Green Acreby Petrine Abrahams

Spring is here! You’ve decided to re-design your home’s landscape. Before getting started, commit to mindful use of water and resources. Here are a few principles to keep in mind before you head to the nursery.

Keep it simple. Think about how you will realistically use the space. Is your focus on creating a vegetable garden or will it be a viewing garden enjoyed mostly from the inside looking out?

Pay attention to drainage patterns. If water pools in low spots mosquitos will not be far behind. By all means drain water away from structures.

Plan in advance the hardscape necessary to contain beds, paths

and edges. A path that leads nowhere is useless. Small areas in particular will look overdone if overwhelmed with elaborate paths, competing textures and/or a large plant-palette. In the same way the written word has to be edited, so too the garden.

Native and adapted plants have a proven record of success. Check the amount of light and water available in those areas that are to be planted. Read the label carefully to see if an individual plant matches your requirements.

If in doubt, find additional information online. Just as too much water and/or insufficient light conditions will doom your plants, so too will under-watering and/or too much light/heat.

Avoid annuals when possible, as they typically last only one season. Instead look for perennials and/or evergreens.

Another strategy is to focus predominantly on perennial shrubs and use favorite annuals as accents. Remember, high-maintenance plants mean more work, time and energy for you. While there is no such thing as no-maintenance you can have low-maintenance by focusing on native and adapted plants.

Gardening 101by Jamie Laws

Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to get to work in your garden!

If you started your summer crop seeds indoors over the winter, now is the time to start hardening off those seedlings and get them in the ground. I tend to go the lazy route and get transplants from the garden center.

Beans, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, okra, cantaloupe and other melons can all be planted now.

Other gardening chores include cutting back dead growth from perennials if you haven’t already.

Apply compost and mulch. Fertilize your lawn with a good all-purpose organic fertilizer like Texas Tea.

One benefit of using an organic

fertilizer is that you can toss it into your planting beds, feed your trees and shrubs or mix in with your veggie garden soil without worry.

Also, organic fertilizers do not contain chemical salts, so it’s not necessary to water it in to avoid burning vegetation. The slow release lessens leaching into groundwater thereby lessening the impact on our waterway ecosystem.

Not to mention, the slow release means fewer applications. The resulting stimulation of root development rather than top growth means that organically fertilized lawns require less mowing.

If weeds are a problem, try horticultural grade (10%) vinegar. If you have a problem area, try testing the soil in that

area. Then tailor your treatment plan to remedy the specific problem with the soil. DIY soil test kits are available at most garden centers, or you can send your sample for a professional test at Texas A&M. For more information, visit soiltesting.tamu.edu/ today.

Happy gardening!

This Summer: StreetFestThis year’s StreetFest celebration will be here before you know it! It will be held on the lawns of Turner House. Bring the kids, eat a hamburger, veggie burger or hotdog and get to know your neighbors at this FREE family-friendly event. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Spring 2013


[email protected]

Cutest Pets in Winnetka Heights

Hanna

Neighborhood Betterment Projectsby Jack Hagler

The Finance Committee is working to wrap up the 2013-2014 budget for the association.

One of the Finance Committee’s charges is to evaluate expenditures for projects contributing to the betterment of our neighborhood.

Viable projects are considered and forwarded by the Finance Committee to the Board of Directors for consideration and possible implementation.

Neighborhood members with ideas for neighborhood betterment projects are encouraged to submit a brief narrative of the project along with an estimated cost of the project.

Informal submissions are adequate.

Be sure to include your general idea for the project, its goals, how it betters the neighborhood and the estimated cost of the project.

Send project ideas to the Finance Committee at [email protected].

Project submissions should be received no later than April 28 to allow adequate time for consideration by the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors for possible inclusion in the 2013-2014 budget.

Crime Prevention Tip: Block Captainsby Russ Aikman

Do you know your Block Captain? Your Block Captain is the person responsible for keeping you and your neighbors informed of recent criminal activity in Winnetka Heights. And they also pass on information about crimes on your block to the Crime Watch Committee.

This spring is a good time to check in with your Block Captain, especially to let him or her know of any planned vacation or business travel. If you don’t know your Block Captain please email [email protected]

Neighborhood Recipe Healthy Banana Pancakes

by Jean Jordan

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 banana

Directions:

1. Beat eggs, mash banana and combine. For variety, add cinnamon and vanilla to the batter.

2. Heat a skillet and spray with non-stick spray.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of batter into the skillet for each pancake.

4. Cook until the eggs are set.FifaKevin

Jack

Spring 2013

2013 Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade

To check out more photos from the parade, visit 75208.org.

walkable winnetka funds now available what’s inside for both...

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