GREENVILLE - BELMONT - HENDERSON - CENTRAL - GOODWIN

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

SUMMER FLING at

the BARLEY HOUSE

THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

AGAINST CRIME BLOCK PARTY

What can you do about crime? Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other _ that's what! The annual block party is the place to meet and greet your neighbors. Residents can enjoy food, drinks and fun.

Children can ride the miniature train, play on the

moon bounce or have their face painted. Mariachis will play and raffle prizes will be handed out.

National Night Out Against Crime Block Party

for all Vickery Place residents is

Tuesday, August 6^th, 6:30-8:30pm.

Bring a neighbor,

friend or just yourself

to The Barley House

Thursday, June 13th 7 p.m.

Come one, come all to the Barley House for the June VPNA meeting.

This will be an informal opportunity to meet your neighbors, learn more about the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association and our neighborhood efforts, and offer your thoughts on how to

create a better Vickery Place.

TIME: 7 p.m.

DATE: Thursday, June 13th

PLACE: The Barley House

2916 N. Henderson

Snacks will be provided

National Night Out 2001

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Vickery Place Neighborhood meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. We meet at Vickery Towers located at Belmont and Greenville 7:00pm.

Upcoming Topics:

July 11th - Code compliance update & smart tips for making your home more energy efficient.

August 6th - National Night Out Block Party on Glencoe between Willis and Miller 6:30-8:30pm

September 12th - Guest speaker Rose-Mary Rumbley shares nostalgic and humorous stories about Dallas and Vickery Place. See page 3 for a sneek peak.

Bulky Trash/Ramas Grandes

Week of June 10th

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6

JUNE, 2002

CRIME STATS

Aggravated Assault 2/28/2002 56xx Goodwin

Theft 3/2/2002 56xx Goodwin

Theft 3/24/2002 28xx Greenville Ave

Theft 3/10/2002 56xx Vickery Blvd

Assault 3/18/2002 28XX Greenville Ave

Theft 3/30/2002 54xx Vickery Blvd

Fraud 1/20/2002 52xx Goodwin Ave

Burglary 1/15/2002 55xx Vickery Blvd

Burglary 1/21/2002 56xx Willis Ave

Rape 2/24/2002 Withheld

Theft 2/27/2002 27xx Greenville Ave

Assault 2/11/2002 55xx Miller Ave

Aggravated Assault 2/17/2002 26xx Homer St.

Aggravated Assault 2/17/2002 26xx Homer St.

Burglary 2/6/2002 26xx N. Henderson

Burglary 2/28/2002 54xx Miller Ave

Theft 2/3/2002 23xx N Henderson

Theft 1/31/2002 29xx N Henderson

Theft 2/2/2002 30xx N Henderson

Theft 2/10/2002 52xx Richard Ave

Assault 2/15/2002 23xx Glencoe St

Assault 2/7/2002 53xx Willis Ave

Vandal 2/27/2002 29xx N Henderson

Runaway 2/15/2002 52xx Willis

Theft 3/14/2002 52XX Bonita Ave

Theft 3/2/2002 52XX Bonita Ave

Theft 3/8/2002 26xx N Henderson

Theft 3/20/2002 28xx N Henderson

Theft 3/26/2002 53xx Richard Ave

Theft 3/15/2002 53xx Vickery Blvd

Assault 3/9/2002 52XX Bonita Ave

Vandal 3/21/2002 28xx N Henderson

Vandal 3/31/2002 30xx N Henderson

Vandal 3/14/2002 51xx Miller Ave

Runaway 3/11/2002 54xx Willis Ave

Theft 3/8/2002 55xx Miller Ave

Assault 3/30/2002 56xx Vickery Blvd

Fraud 3/9/2002 55xx Vickery Blvd

Theft 4/14/2002 55xx Miller Ave

Assault 4/25/2002 55xx Miller Ave

Assault 4/7/2002 56xx Miller Ave

Burglary 4/23/2002 26xx Madera St.

Theft 4/17/2002 25xx N Henderson Ave

Theft 4/7/2002 26xx N Henderson

Theft 4/28/2002 53xx Richard Ave

Theft 4/9/2002 53xx Vickery Blvd

Theft 4/8/2002 52xx Willis

Auto Theft 4/1/2002 51xx Willis Ave

Vandal 4/15/2002 42xx Laneri Ave

Vandal 4/4/2002 51xx Miller Ave

Vandal 4/14/2002 51xx Richard Ave

A Great Big Thanks to Sticks and Stones

for hosting the May VPNA meeting

and for sharing great gardening

tips with us.

Dear VPNA,

It is with much heartfelt sadness that I must inform you that I have tendered my resignation as President to the Board of Directors. Due to a new job, my family and I will be leaving Vickery Place and returning to the Chicago area. The decision was not an easy one, however, in these times of economic uncertainty, taking care of one's family must come first. We will truly miss the neighborhood. In my place this year's vice-president, Candy Hearne, has agreed to take over management of the association for the remainder of my term. I urge everyone to give her their utmost support.

~ Tim Oliver

If you want to enjoy a fun-filled evening hearing

nostalgic and humorous stories about Dallas and

Vickery Place like this

one, plan to attend

the VPNA September

meeting when

Rose-Mary Rumbley

will be our guest speaker.

A former teacher and

actress, Dr. Rumbley is

an author, historian and

sought after speaker.

Mark your calendar

now and tell your

neighbors to keep

September 12th

open for Vickery Place

Neighborhood Association.

THEATRE IN A TENT - THE MADCAP PLAYERS

Today Dallas is a sophisticated, metropolitan city. It is hard to believe that during the forties, the citizens of our now worldly, wise municipality found the best entertainment in town in a tent! That's right-a tent show-offered the finest in acting talent. The members of this theatrical troupe called themselves the Madcap Players, and they pitched their tent on Haskel Avenue. Every week they offered a new show. My family never missed a production.

In the summertime, the sides of the tent were rolled up so the cool breezes could come through, and in the winter, some sort of butane heater was set up to blow hot air on the patrons.

The Madcap Players pitched their first tent on East Grand, across the street from the Ford plant. Roy Collins told me that his father, W. M. Collins, owned and operated a service station on a part of the property. There was a space behind the station, so Mr. Collins rented that plot to the Madcap Players. It was here they pitched the first tent and performed. However, in 1931, a hailstorm blew in and destroyed the tent.

Ah, but the show must go on! The Madcappers somehow managed to get another tent, and this time they rented space on North Haskell.

Every night at intermission they sold Cracker Jacks, and if you were lucky enough to get a coupon in your box, you could go up to the stage and claim a grand prize—a set of cheap glasses, one of those ugly multicolored table scarves that were popular during the 1930s and 1940s, or a ghastly lamp!

Organist Jackie Caldwell was always on hand to play before and after the shows. He also played at intermission while lucky coupon holders were claiming their prizes. Every night, just before the curtain went up, Jackie played "Happy Days Are Here Again." The house/tent lights would dim, stage lights up, curtain up, and the show would start. What fun!

The troupe was managed by Neil Fletcher, his wife Minnie, Toby Gunn, and his wife Jeanie.

After World War II, it was all over for the Madcap Players. Air conditioning was preferred to breezes that really weren't too cool anyway, and the fire marshal looked askance at the butane heater. And by this time Neil Fletcher had invented the corny dog, so his time was spent out at the Fair Park frying those still ever delicious wieners.

Reprinted from Dallas, Too by Rose-Mary Rumbley.

The Dallas City Directory lists Neil and Minnie Fletcher living on Vickery Blvd. in the 1940's and on Goodwin Ave. in the 1950's.

Fletcher's house on Vickery

Fletcher's house on Goodwin

3

KEEP CHILDREN SAFE

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability in children in the United States and some 40 children or more die in DFW Metroplex. 98% of infant car seats were improperly installed, according to Children's Medical Center. When involved in a crash, unbuckled children turn into missiles and are commonly thrown from a car, suffering the most severe injuries or death.

Following these guidelines will help keep children from harm:

· Most accidents occur within 25 miles of home, so make a habit to buckle in youngsters

everytime they get in the car.

· All children should be in the back seat of the vehicle, when possible.

· Infants ride rear-facing in a 5-point harness until they are 1 year old or 20 pounds and the harness tightened to one finger width of space at the collarbone.

· Never put a child in the front seat in a vehicle equipped with air bags.

· Children up to 40 lbs. need front facing safety seats with 5-point harness.

· Allow no more than one-inch of side-to-side movement of the secured car seat.

· Booster seats are recommended for children 40-60 lbs.

· Lap and shoulder belts fit correctly when the belt fits and stays across the child's pelvis, with the shoulder belt securely across the collarbone and chest.

Let's ensure the safety of children by taking appropriate steps!

BEST BUY OF THE YEAR

VPNA National Night Out Against Crime raffle tickets are on sale now! You can buy your raffle tickets from any VPNA board member and neighborhood businesses such as Sticks and Stones, The Monk and Cuba Libre. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

TERIYAKI MERINADE

Just in time for the summer cookouts _ this is the best Teriyaki merinade.

1 cup soy sauce

½ tsp. Each of garlic, ginger and onion juice

2-3 tbs. Sugar (to taste)

½ jigger of scotch (white wine okay)

Dash of Pepper

~ Candy Hearne, VPNA President

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Vickery Towers is starting a garden club and has asked VPNA for volunteers to help them get going. Vickery Towers has been a long-time supporter of the neighborhood association, allowing us to use their facilities every month for our general meeting.

First, they need a few people to help them till up the ground where they are going to plant their flowers, herbs, and vegetables. The area they are looking at is only about 25 or 30 square feet. This is a one-time committment of a few hours. They are looking to get this started around the beginning of June.

Second, they need a couple of people once or twice a month to come and work with the residents on the maintenance of their gardens. They don't have a schedule for this yet, but will surely take whatever help they can get.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact VPNA at info@vpna.org or Mr. Terry Abshire, Vickery Towers Activities Director, at 214-826-1113.

5

FLY YOUR FLAG PROUDLY!

Our nation reveres the flag out of a deep sense of national heritage. It represents all the people of America. Formal guidelines for displaying the flag of The United States of America are listed in the Flag Code, adopted in 1942, by the 77^th Congress. It gives appropriate ways to fly "Old Glory" in various situations, whether it's atop a flag pole, or waving from your car's antenna, or displayed on your front porch.

Use Proper Flag Etiquette:

Outside the flag should only be displayed from sunrise until sunset, unless it is illuminated.

The flag should not be displayed on days of bad weather unless an all-weather flag is used.

The flag should be fixed firmly to the chassis or right fender of a motorcar - never draped over a vehicle.

When the flag is suspended over the middle of a street, it should hang vertically, with the stars to the east or north.

Inside - when the flag is displayed wither horizontally or vertically against a wall, the field of stars (union) should be uppermost and to the flag's own right (that is, the observer's left).

The flag should always be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area. Other flags should be placed on the left.

With Other Flags - when the flag of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from different shafts of the same height. All flags should be approximately the same size. International usage forbids the display of one nation's flag above that of another during times of peace.

The United States flag flies at the center and highest point of a group when flags of states, localities, or societies are displayed together.

KATY TRAIL

A great attribute of our neighborhood is the proximity of the Katy Trail. The Katy Trail is a great destination for bikers, walkers, jogger, and rollerbladers and is a crucial centerpiece of the region's planned network of bike trails. The trail features a 12.5-foot wide concrete path and will include a six-foot wide state-of-the-art, soft-surface track.

A little history… The Missouri-Kansas-Texas -"Katy"- railroad began its run from St. Louis to Dallas in 1887. For more than 100 years, passenger and freight trains traveled on the Katy tracks on a greenbelt in the middle of the city.

The thing I like best about the trail is the shade provided by the trees and seeing the many people out enjoying the outdoors. Another great benefit is the lack of road traffic. The trail winds it way downtown without a street level crossing because it uses the railroad bridges. The trail runs from the West End and the new American Airlines Center arena in the south, through the heart of urban Dallas to Knox Street in the north. Eventually, the Trail will extend its reach more than 17 miles by linking the city's two most important trail systems - White Rock Creek to the northeast and Trinity River to the southwest.

The next phase of construction along the trail will be the extensions north to Airline and south to Houston Street at the American Airlines Center, plus the first mile or so of the parallel pedestrian trail. Following city and state agency approvals now underway, construction documents will be completed, and the city will advertise for construction bids. Construction currently is scheduled to begin this fall. Access improvements will be constructed at Knox Street and several other points along the trail.

If you haven't had the chance, it is worth the short trip across central to check out the Katy trail. You can get more information at the website: www.katytraildallas.org .

~ Todd McCavit