GREENVILLE - BELMONT - HENDERSON - CENTRAL - GOODWIN

P.O. BOX 720192 DALLAS, TEXAS 75372 VOICE MAIL: (214) 967-5134 WWW.VPNA.ORG

Happy Valentines Day!

FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING

DATE: WEDNESDAY FEB. 13

TIME: 7PM

PLACE: VICKERY TOWERS at

BELMONT & GREENVILLE

Our February monthly meeting will feature a visit by Mr. James Breaux of Personal Touch Tree Service. Mr. Breaux will speak about the importance of proper tree trimming and timing, and will be available to answer questions that you might have regarding the care of your landscape. We hope to see you there.
VALENTINES AT TERILLI'S ANYONE?

Been to a Vickery Place Neighborhood Association meeting in the last year? Want to learn about efforts to create a conservation district, reduce crime, improve code compliance, reduce vehicle traffic and beautify the neighborhood? Interested in a FREE dining experience at Terilli's on Valentines Day? Well then, come to February's Vickery Place Neighborhood meeting! Each person that attends will be automatically entered to win a $75 gift certificate from Terelli's for Valentine's Day.

Vickery Place Supports Our Troops!

Bulky Trash/Ramas Grandes

Week of Monday, Feb. 11th

CRIME STATISTICS

JANUARY GENERAL MEETING RECAP

The New Year brought with it lots of new faces to the January meeting of the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

President Tim Oliver brought the meeting to order and introduced our neighborhood patrolman, Officer James Johnson. Officer Johnson reported that the series of safe burglaries in the area had increased the overall crime statistics for Vickery Place. Apparently some residents of a South Dallas Housing Project had been breaking into local businesses and removing the safe. He also reported that patrons of Greenville and Henderson bars are still being targeted by robbers while returning to their cars late at night. Officer Johnson reminded everyone, again, to keep alleys clean, vegetation trimmed, gates and storage locked and to report all burglaries, no matter how insignificant.

Scott Newland of Code Compliance gave an update of the Vickery Place "Top 10". Scott also introduced Terrie McNary, Senior Code Inspector, who will be working in Vickery Place after Scott's retirement from the city this year. Many of us got to know Scott last year and joined Burton Brillhart, Code Compliance Chairman, in thanking Scott for his dedication and hard work in Vickery Place. Scott will certainly be missed.

Morris Smart, representing both the Planning and Urban Design Committee and Beautification Committee, gave an update of some of the problems experienced by residents of Vickery Place and neighboring Cochran Heights due to late night traffic generated by Henderson Avenue night spots. Morris said that business owners met with residents to discuss the problems and that owners of Cuba Libre, The Casbah and Old Monk have agreed to pay for off duty police to patrol the area in an attempt to alleviate some of the problems. An additional concern is that there is not enough available parking to allow for expansion plans of some of these businesses; consequently, the city is currently conducting a parking study in the area.

Morris also brought us up to date on the progress of Goodwin Park and invited everyone to participate in the February 2 tree planting. Thanks to Dickey's Barbecue, tree planting has been made easier. Morris reported that T. D. and Roland Dickey are sponsoring the cost of a backhoe service to do the heavy digging.

Burton Brillhart invited everyone interested in code compliance to attend the next committee meeting.

The meeting was adjourned and Tim encouraged everyone to visit with the board and committee members and indicate their areas of interest for the coming year. Thanks again to the newcomers who attended the meeting. We hope to see you at


Robbery 11/20/2001 23:30 56xx Goodwin Ave
Theft 11/18/2001 23:00 28XX Greenville Ave
Theft 11/26/2001 22:20 28xx Greenville Ave
Auto Theft 10/31/2001 16:00 56xx Goodwin Ave
Auto Theft 11/8/2001 21:00 28XX Greenville Ave
Auto Theft 11/8/2001 22:45 28XX Greenville Ave
Assault 11/25/2001 16:39 56xx Goodwin Ave
Burglary 11/5/2001 5:00 46xx N Central Expy
Burglary 10/30/2001 18:00 52xx Goodwin Ave
Burglary 11/16/2001 1:15 53xx Vickery Blvd
Theft 11/3/2001 1:15 46xx N Central Expy
Theft 11/12/2001 0:00 56xx Goodwin Ave
Theft 11/1/2001 20:45 53xx Vickery Blvd
Auto Theft 11/27/2001 18:30 54xx Goodwin Blvd
Auto Theft 12/1/2001 19:30 51xx Goodwin Ave
Auto Theft 12/3/2001 19:30 54xx Goodwin Ave
Burglary 12/24/2001 7:00 55xx Goodwin Ave
Theft 12/1/2001 22:30 28XX Greenville Ave
Ag Assault 12/9/2001 0:51 28xx N Henderson
Ag Assault 12/1/2001 8:00 53xx Manett St
Burglary 12/21/2001 15:00 52xx Bonita Ave
Burglary 12/7/2001 11:44 26xx N Henderson
Theft 12/30/2001 13:00 53xx Bonita Ave
Theft 12/2/2001 0:00 28xx N Henderson
Theft 12/2/2001 0:15 28xx N Henderson
Theft 12/25/2001 17:20 26xx Madera St
Theft 11/14/2001 18:00 51xx Richard Ave
Theft 12/5/2001 1:30 51xx Willis Ave
Theft 12/15/2001 18:45 51xx Willis Ave
Auto Theft 12/7/2001 18:00 29xx N Henderson
Auto Theft 12/8/2001 2:30 50xx Vickery Blvd
Assault 12/6/2001 16:30 26xx Madera St
Forgery 12/15/2001 22:00 28xx N Henderson
Vandal 12/1/2001 0:00 23xx Glencoe St
Vandal 12/7/2001 12:00 26xx N. Henderson
Vandal 12/9/2001 0:50 29xx N Henderson

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED

VPNA is in great need of volunteers to deliver the newsletter once a month, usually the weekend before the general meeting. The general meeting falls on the second Thursday of each month so getting the newsletter out the weekend before is essential. (This month's meeting is on Wednesday.) We are looking for volunteers to cover one or more of the following blocks, 5300 & 5400 Belmont, and 5400 Richard. Please leave your name and number on the VPNA voice mail if you are interested, 214-967-5134.

TREE PLANTING A SUCCESS

On Saturday, January 12th VPNA volunteers distributed 21 new trees in the neighborhood. Residents ordered the trees through VPNA's joint effort with the Dallas Trees and Parks Foundation. DTPF furnishes low cost trees to neighborhood organizations throughout the city. The trees were grown at the new tree farm under the overpass at Woodall Rogers and Central Expressway. Over the past ten years, VPNA and DTPF have teamed up to plant a total of 379 trees along the curbsides in Vickery Place. Thanks to all the VP volunteers who helped with the planting.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Vickery Place got off to a great start to 2002 last month. To begin with, I was happy to see a lot of new faces at the monthly meeting. This is very encouraging, because we count on everyone's participation for our success. We also completed our parkway tree planting project from the orders that we received in November and December, adding another 21 trees to our neighborhood streets!

Although we didn't receive a lot of input for new activities to pursue this year during the January monthly meeting, everyone thought the idea of an "open forum" was a great idea. Therefore, we will try to have some time during every monthly meeting for both old and new attendees to meet and discuss their concerns/ideas with the VPNA officers and committee chairpersons. I hope that this format will encourage you to attend and make your voice heard.

Lastly, I must acknowledge an error in last month's newsletter. An avid reader called to correctly point out to me that Bonham Elementary is not a low performing school, as I had indicated in my column last month. In fact, according to information available from the Texas Education Agency (www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/index.html ) Bonham (pre-K through 3rd grade) is a "recognized" school and JFK (4th through 6th grade) and Spence (7th & 8th grades) are "acceptable" schools. I stand corrected. In my after-the-fact research, I also came across an interesting December 2001 "Six Month Report Card/Performance Review" on Dallas ISD prepared by Texas School Performance Review, (www.window.state.tx.us/tspr/dallasrptcard), part of the State Comptroller's office. To no one's surprise, the report indicates that DISD has a lot of things to fix; pleasantly though, it indicates that Dr. Mike Moses and his administration are making great strides in implementing many of the reports recommendations. Let's hope this continues. In the coming months, I hope to have a speaker from the DISD at a monthly meeting to discuss the impact of the successful bond vote on our neighborhood schools.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PLANNING

Again this year, VPNA will work with the City's St. Patrick's Day Planning Committee in an effort to manage the traditional Greenville Avenue party that is held each year after the parade. The party, centered at Goodwin and Greenville, has grown so large over the years that illegal parking, drunken behavior and littering had begun to overwhelm the surrounding neighborhoods. Last year, the City formed a Task Force Committee to formulate a better plan to deal with the event. Committee members include VPNA, Greenland Hills NA, Lower Greenville NA, Greenville Avenue merchants, and representatives of several City Departments including Police, Fire, Public Works and Special Events. Measures implemented last year had some success in dealing with various problem spots. This year, the committee's task is to build on what worked well last year, and improve measures that did not. There will be a discussion of the matter at the February general meeting of VPNA. Please plan to attend and offer ideas and suggestions for a better event. A report on the committee's plans will be published in the March newsletter.

Preserving the Past for Future Generations

History lovers are invited to join members of the Dallas Historical Society for an entire day of seminars devoted to collecting, preserving, and presenting family history. Have A Heart for History on Saturday, February 16, 2002, features experts on genealogy, archival preservation, the digital restoration of vintage photos, and much more. There will be demonstrations such as spinning and quilt-making by Texana Living History and a silent auction featuring inventory from the blockbuster exhibition The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde, plus books, maps, and posters. Children will have fun learning how games were played and how things were made in years gone by.

Famous authors will discuss their research, writing and publications from 10:30 am until Noon during the segment titled Texas Authors Talk History. Hear and get autographed books from Caroline Rose Hunt (Primrose Past: The 1848 Journal of Young Lady Primrose); Rena Pederson will discuss her book about women history-makers of today (What's Next: Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life); other authors include Marshall Terry (Angels Prostate Fall); Lori Torrance & Stanley Oberst (Elvis in Texas: The Undiscovered King, 1954 _ 1958); Jim Gatewood (Decker: A Biography of Sheriff Bill Decker of Dallas County, 1898 _ 1970); Wayne Lease (Lone Star Guide: Texas Forts); Jimmy Lee Butts (Texas Bad Boys: Gamblers, Gunfighters, and Grifters); Paula Felps (Lone Stars and Legends: The Story of Texas Music); Margaret Mosley (Millicent Le Sueur); Michael V. Hazel (The Dallas Public Library: Celebrating a Century of Service, 1901 _ 2001); and L. J. "Boots" Hinton (Ambush: The Real Story of Bonnie & Clyde). Buy your books and get them autographed, too.

Have A Heart for History is Saturday, February 16, 2002 from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at the Hall of State at Fair Park. Admission is free for members of the Dallas Historical Society, non-members, $10. Call Beth Bentley at

214-421-4500 X: 121 or email beth@dallashistory.org for more information.

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

These delicious cookies were served at a recent meeting of the Canterbury Book Club. They were so good that I wanted to pass the recipe on to you.


2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 sticks butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups white sugar
1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons vanilla
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened flake coconut
2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl.

In large bowl, beat butter on medium speed till smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars and continue beating to combine, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans.

For each cookie, drop ¼ cup of dough onto ungreased cookie sheet, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake 17 to 20 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Remove to rack to cool. Makes 3 dozen large cookies.

USE YOUR KROGER CARD

Interested in putting money back into the neighborhood? Simply use your Kroger Cares Card each time you shop at Kroger! It's that simple! 1% of every dollar that you spend comes back to the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

In the third quarter of 2001, Vickery place residents that used the Kroger Cares Card spent $16,000. That translates into $160 that the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association can use to improve our neighborhood. Now imagine if each of the 1500 households in Vickery Place utilized the Kroger Cares Card...

Just think - in the first three months of 2002, if 1500 households spent $50 a week (13 weeks in the quarter x 1% = $9,750) VPNA would get $9,750! That's right! And that's just for one quarter! Over time, imagine the possibilities... streetlights, paved alleys and curbs, new and trimmed trees, private security, etc...

There's only one catch - you have to use your Kroger Cares Card! Never received a Kroger Cares Card? Cut out the scanned coupon above. Lost your Kroger Cares Card? Cut out the scanned coupon above. Or call 214.967.5134. Or send an e-mail to vpna.org with your address and we will rush one over to you. Just use the card!

Cut along lines

FEBURARY YOM

The February YOM is 5539 Vickery, home of Bryan and Corrie Swenson. This couple doesn't know the meaning of lazy. You've surely noticed the natural stream setting that has matured in their front yard over the last 2 years. While they were busy with the front yard, they were also gutting and remodeling the inside of their 1936 home. Today I found the two of them working on the front porch, which will eventually sport a stone facade and cedar columns. Bryan also owns Aquatic Garden Design.

The front yard has a varied selection of plantings such as native grasses, wax myrtle, Texas sage, yucca and salvias. It's beautiful even in winter.

Plant: It's time for broccoli, cabbage, onions, potatoes and other cold-hardy veggies. Also, plant glads, cannas and daylilies.

Fertilize: All planting areas with 100% organic fertilizer at 10 lbs to 20 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. For those of you who want to

begin to use more organic products but don't know where to start, use a great fertilizer like "Texas Tee". It comes in a 40lb bag and is dry and easy to spread. It has beneficial micro organisms, enzymes, nitrogen, potassium and a lot more.

Prune: summer-flowering plants, and rose bushes for shape.

Odd Jobs: Clean and sharpen tools. Start something new like a small compost pile or plan for a small, manageable veggie garden (even if it's in large pots). Oh, don't forget to feed and water the birds!

Happy Gardening,

Sandi

2002 Board of Directors

Tim Oliver President Candy Hearne Vice President Shelia Huffman Secretary Todd McCavit Treasurer


Board Members at Large
Amy Brillhart
Jennifer Bryarly
Sunny Potter
Leah Holly
Kelly Jennings

The Vickery Place Neighborhood News is published by the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

For advertising rates and information, call the VPNA voice mail at 214-967-5134.