GREENVILLE - BELMONT - HENDERSON - CENTRAL - GOODWIN

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day

MARCH GENERAL MEETING

DATE: THURSDAY MARCH 14

TIME: 7PM

PLACE: VICKERY TOWERS at

BELMONT & GREENVILLE

PAVE THE WAY! In yet another effort to continue improving not only the aesthetic appeal of Vickery Place, but also the infrastructure, VPNA is embarking upon a petition drive to have all Vickery Place alleyways paved. In order to be successful, total community involvement will be required and the required petitions must be completed by early May if Vickery Place hopes to have city funding directed our way. As you may know, the city of Dallas from time-to-time goes to its citizens for ratification of bond funding. Such bond funding is utilized by the city to pay for a variety of improvements across the city including parks, streets, urban redevelopment, libraries, economic development, etc. The two most recent bond elections occurred in 1995 and in 1998. In 2002, Dallas voters will again go to the polls to approve additional bond funding.

Now is the time to act! You may notice that alleyways for our neighbors in Greenland Hills are currently being paved. Guess what, petitions for these alleyway improvements were filed back in 1998 and are just now being made three and four years later. Thus it is imperative that Vickery Place residents work diligently in the next three months to get all petitions completed and turned into the Dallas Department of Public Works and Transportation. Only completed petitions will be considered for review because the next opportunity will be years away! So come one, come all to the next VPNA meeting on March 14th and meet Bart Longoria (City of Dallas Target Neighborhood/Petition Coordinator) and learn how you can take an active role in creating a better Vickery Place!

ST. PATRICK'S DAY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH

This year, the St. Patrick's Day Task Force hopes to improve on last year's planning for the annual St. Patrick's Day party on Lower Greenville. The Committee is made up of neighborhood representatives from VP, Lower Greenville NA and Greenland Hills NA, as well as representatives of the bar and restaurant owners who hold the event. Additionally, members of the Dallas Police Dept., Office of Special Events, and Public Works help put together a plan to deal with the crowds, litter, parking and logistics. The committee was formed last year in response to residents' complaints about illegal parking and rowdy behavior in the neighborhood. The following measures will be implemented for the day of the event, Saturday, March 16^th. (More on pages 5 and 6)

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Bulky Trash/Ramas Grandes

Week of Monday, March 11th

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 3

MARCH, 2002

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

This month I thought I would bring to your attention something you may have missed in your monthly water bill. As of June 1, 2002, new outdoor watering restrictions go into effect in Dallas. These restrictions include no watering of lawns or landscapes between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. between June1 and September 30. It is also an offense to water a lawn or landscape in a manner that wastes water or causes runoff. You may also not cause water to fall on sidewalks, driveways, or other areas that are not lawns or landscapes; operate an irrigation system with missing sprinkler heads; or irrigate during any form of precipitation. Violations of the new restrictions will result in a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $2,000. For more information, you can call 214-670-3155 or go to www.dallascityhall.com. If you plan to install a new irrigation system, remember that as of January 1, 2002, all new irrigation systems must be equipped with working rain-sensing devices and freeze sensors. After January 1, 2005, all systems in operation must be equipped with these features.

Finally, I urge you to "save the date" now for the VPNA April 11^th monthly meeting. Our featured guests will be Dr. Larry Groppel, Deputy DISD Superintendant for Business Services, to talk about the bond program; and Ms. Miriam Kelley, DISD Area Superintendant for Area 3, who will talk about how the neighborhood can get more involved with the schools in our area. I look forward to seeing you all there!

VPNA CODE COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE'S PRIMER ON CODE COMPLIANCE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

The Dallas Code Compliance Department enforces City Codes to prevent and abate nuisances on private property such as open and dangerous buildings, illegal dumping, weeded lots, graffiti, junk motor vehicles and others. Help us keep VPNA and the City of Dallas beautiful and safe by becoming familiar with the City Code requirements described below and by reporting violations.

Litter - The homeowner or tenant is responsible for maintaining the area between the curb in front of the house to the middle of the alley (or the back property line if there is no alley) free of litter and high weeds.

Weeds - Weeds or grass over 12 inches high is a violation of the Dallas City Code. Property owners and tenants are responsible for keeping their lawns mowed and clippings mulched or cleared.

Obstructions - The occupant or owner is responsible for keeping street, alley, sidewalk, and public grounds clear of obstruction. This includes the trimming of trees, shrubbery, and vines which may obstruct any vehicle traveling through an alley, or that obstructs sidewalk.

The VPNA Code Committee is looking for new members. Code Committee members meet once a month, on the Thursday of the week following each VPNA General Meeting to discuss the neighborhood's "Top Ten", as well as other Code, Building Inspection, and Animal Control issues. To join the committee, or for answers on general code issues, please call the VPNA info line or e-mail code@vpna.org. To report a suspected code violation, or for other questions regarding the Dallas City Code, call 311 or visit www.dallascityhall.com.

FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES

Topics discussed at the February General Meeting included the highly successful Goodwin Park Tree Planting. See story and pictures for details.

Morris Smart brought us up to date on the City Task Force Committee plans to manage the traditional St. Patrick's Day Street Party held on Lower Greenville Avenue. See "St. Patrick's Day" for a comprehensive report

David Potter shared his research on alley paving and it was decided that Alley Paving will be the program topic for the March General Meeting.

The need for Newsletter carriers and a carrier coordinator was the final discussion of the evening. Those attending were asked to recruit newsletter carriers.

Hope to see new and familiar faces at this month's meeting.

Shelia Huffman, Secretary

The March crime stats will be posted in the April newsletter

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GOODWIN PARK TREES A BIG SUCCESS

On February 2^nd, over thirty volunteers helped plant fifty new trees at the intersection of Goodwin and Central Expressway. This is the start of VPNA's long planned gateway park. The trees were supplied at no cost by the City of Dallas' Urban Reforestation Program, thanks to Chief Arborist Michael Sultan. The master plan for the park includes more landscaping, irrigation, and a marker for the neighborhood.

A special thank you goes to T.D. and Roland Dickey of Dickey's Barbecue for sponsoring the cost of a backhoe to do the heavy digging and move trees. The park is on the site of the Dickeys' boyhood home.

The work began early on Saturday. Lakewood resident Liz Wagner arrived with homemade sweetbreads. She served up hot coffee donated by Starbuck's on Greenville, thanks to manager Donn Peabody. District 14 City Council representative Veletta Lill made an early appearance to check on the progress.

VPNA volunteers included Todd and Laura McCavit from Miller Avenue and Burton and Amy Brillhart and David Potter from Richard. Beth Bradley from Vickery was an early arrival. Geary Trigleth of Vickery was a workhorse moving trees. Goodwin was well represented by Dan and Marilyn Allen, Seamans sisters Sandra and Susan, Mandy Swenson and VPNA stalwarts Beth Timpson and Jim Clark. Long-time Goodwin resident Les Wollams did double duty with camera and shovel. VPNA president Tim Oliver ably represented Willis Avenue.

At midday, Cynthia Smart of Vickery Blvd. arrived with sandwiches and homemade cookies. Candy Hearn dropped off a basket of goodies, too.

Other volunteers came from all around the city. April Ballweg of Irving was the first person to arrive, armed with a shovel. William Baker, Jin-Ya Huang and Ryan McLean crossed the river from Oak Cliff. Sherry Owens came from North Dallas, Art Shirer from the Cedars, and Sean Garman and Kelly Mitchell from Oak Lawn. Patty Fishlock of Cole Avenue, Lisa Button and Karyn Bloom of East Dallas all took turns on the shovel. Architects Chris Powers of CRA and Masako Fujinami of BRW made the dirt fly.

The Dallas Department of Public Works has been a great help in the preparation of the site for the trees. Thanks to Coy Evans and John Derden and his crew for all their work. Thanks also to Hill & Wilkinson Construction Company for the loan of a truckload of shovels.

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN - SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH

(Continued from page 1)

Traffic & Parking: In order to keep residential streets passable for access by residents and emergency vehicles, several street closings and temporary "No Parking" zones will be established. On Thursday evening, "No Parking" signs will be placed on one side of all neighborhood streets from Greenville to Laneri. The parking regulations will only be in effect on the Day of the event. Please observe these signs. Police will tow all violators, including residents.

Greenville Avenue will be closed from Belmont to McCommas, with traffic diverted onto Matilda. Goodwin, Vickery and Miller will be closed from McMillan to Greenville. (See map on opposite page)

DART Shuttles: Remote parking will be provided on the DART lot at Mockingbird Station. A free shuttle will run from the lot and down Matilda to drop off partyers at Goodwin, Vickery and Vanderbilt.

Police and Security: The sponsors of the party will hire fifty off duty DPD officers, and fifteen private security officers. The party area on Greenville will be fenced off, and no beverages or coolers will be allowed in or out. The mobile Police station will be located at R.E.Lee School. All 911 calls will be routed there. Please call 911 to report any problems, including blocked driveways, illegally parked cars, or inappropriate behavior.

Facilities and Cleanup: Organizers will provide eighty seven portable toilets, thirteen trash dumpsters, and ninety trash cans in an effort to maintain a sanitary condition. Cleanup of the party area, including three blocks east and west of Greenville, will be complete by 2:00PM Sunday.

Follow-up: The Task Force Committee will have a post-event meeting to discuss problems and suggest improvements for next year. Please report any complaints or suggestions to the VPNA voice mail or Email.

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VICKERY PLACE RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

BLUEPRINT FOR PRESERVATION…

Vickery Place Conservation efforts are featured in the current issue of American Bungalow Magazine. American Bungalow is a national publication committed to preserving and restoring the "modest American 20^th century home and the rich lifestyle that it affords".

American Bungalow contributing editor, John Luke, says the "tearndown phenomenon has heightened national and local awareness of the vulnerability of older urban and suburban neighborhoods. He cites Vickery Place, a neighborhood just northeast of downtown Dallas as typical. "Vickery Place is a dynamic inner-city neighborhood that is sharing in the urban renaissance of Dallas", quotes Luke. Unfortunately, the renaissance has a downside. Some people want to replace the charming, old homes with more spacious, contemporary ones.

Many residents of Vickery Place have realized that they must act now to preserve the charm and history of their neighborhood. (Vickery Place was established in 1911.) Last November's neighborhood meeting focused on various types of zoning that offer protection to historic areas.

As part of the preservation movement, Luke says thoughtful renovation is another option to fight the teardown threat. He uses Steve and Jennifer Evan's home on Vickery Boulevard as an example.

American Bungalow can be purchased in the periodical section of the local bookstores and the current issue is on sale now.

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UPCOMING ELECTIONS

Having already seen two elections this year, you might think we have had enough elections for awhile, but the truth is, we have only just begun. By the time this newsletter is delivered, early voting for the March 12 primary will have concluded and yet another election day will be upon us. And after that, you can expect to go back to the polls as many as five more times by the end of the year.

With the decennial redistricting process behind us, many of the familiar faces and numbers that we have come to know in Vickery Place are only a memory. Our neighborhood now finds itself sitting in several new districts, with a host of new candidates. But if you have not voted early in the Primary, you still have time to familiarize yourself with the some of the new names and numbers you will find on the ballot.

Before the General Election in November, we could have as many as four additional elections. It is likely that both parties will have primary runoffs. The date for the runoff election is Tuesday, April 9. Municipal elections are scheduled for Saturday, May 4, and while no Dallas City Council positions are up for election that day, rumor has it that the police and firefighters will have a pay raise referendum that day. There will also be a City of Dallas Bond election on Saturday, September 14. And at some point prior to that, DISD will have to call an election for its Board of Trustees after it complies with a recent court order to redo its redistricting plan.

With so many elections, a lot of people will tire of going to the polls. Therefore, the greater voter turnout is in our neighborhood, the more clout we will have with our elected officials. Let's show the rest of the City that VICKERY PLACE VOTES (AND VOTES AND VOTES AND VOTES)!

~ Bruce Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a 15-year resident of Vickery Place and an Election Judge for Precinct 1229.

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Having a St. Patrick's Day Party? Here is an easy recipe to serve a crowd compliments of the Tipperary Inn at Live Oak and Skillman.

2 ½ lbs. of beef sirloin, cut into 1 ½" cubes 1 TBL Dijon mustard

¼ cup of cooking oil 1½ TBL brown sugar, packed

1/2 lb. Onions, sliced thin Pinch ground cloves

1-2 cloves of garlic 1 tsp. Fresh parsley or ½ txp dried

2 cups beef stock ½ tsp

1 cup Guinness 1 bay leaf

1 TBL red wine vinegar ½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

Coat beef in flour and brown in a large pan. Transfer to a heavy roasting pan. Saute onion and garlic in the same pan as the beef. Add to reserved beef. Combine remaining ingredients in mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add to beef in the roasting pan. Cover the pan and place in preheated oven at 325. Cook meat until tender for 11/2 to 2 hours.You may add Carrots and Celery to this recipe just like any other beef stew. Serves 8.

MARCH YOM

March's YOM is 5336 Bonita, home of Wayne Carlson. Wayne has been a part of the neighborhood since 1979 and I found out that he has been chosen YOM before, several years ago. This home and property is like a cute, shady hideaway tucked back from a busy street. It seems more hidden than it really is, but you do have to look twice to see the long shaded driveway that ends at a cedar garage/shed in the back. The front lawn has massive rectangle cement stepping stones that move you towards the front porch. On either side of the porch are large beds, each with a towering pecan tree and planted with a mixture of azaleas, hardy wood ferns and cedars. There is also room for colorful annuals and the occasional tulip can be seen just emerging from the ground. On the front porch, two large cement planters containing more hardy ferns, frame the double "French" doors. Wayne wanted everyone to know that he just planted more than 700 tulip bulbs around his property, so be sure and drive by several times from April through May to enjoy them all.

March is such a busy month! Does everyone have spring fever? Here are some things to remember.

Plant: Trees and shrubs. Finish planting the cool-season veggies but wait until the threat of a freeze to plant the warm-season crop. Dallas' last freeze date is usually March 23rd.

Fertilize: All the planting areas with a 100% organic fertilizer. Don't know what to buy? Call your local nursery that sells organics and they'll be glad to help. The Dallas area has several such nurseries.

Prune: Your spring-flowering shrubs and vines AFTER they have finished blooming.

Water: Even though the temps may be mild, your lawn and other plantings still need water.

Keep mulch on your beds, turn your compost pile and encourage birds and other wildlife into your yard.

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.

Special Thanks

to Les Wollam for

his photo contributions

in the Feburary newsletter.

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