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Fall 2018 What’s Inside Cover Find out what’s going on with the 12th Street Connector Project Pg 3 Mark your calendar for upcoming events in Winnetka Heights Pg 4 Learn helpful Halloween safety tips Pg 6 Get the full scoop on the 2018 Oak Cliff Film Fest Pg 7 Find out the details on the WH Holiday Home Tour Pg 9 Look at before-and- after pics of the latest Walkable Winnetka project Pg 10 Read a sweet ode to a neighbor’s home Back Check out pics from the May Winnetka Winos Wine Tasting Plans to remove connector finally developing By Lee Ruiz A hazy dream of Winnetka Heights residents is coming into focus and may soon come true. In the late 1960s, a high-speed, six-lane mini-highway through the neighborhood was installed in connection with the city’s plan to create high-speed thoroughfares through Oak Cliff. Property was taken by imminent domain, homes were destroyed, other homes were isolated, and dangerous intersections and traffic hazards were created. Our historic neighborhood was scarred. The dangerous mini- highway still exists, connecting 12th St. and Jefferson Blvd. through South Willomet, Winnetka and Clinton Avenues. For more than 30 years, Winnetka Heights neighbors worked to have the connector removed. City Hall bureaucracy stood in the way. But the election of Scott Griggs as our City Council representative in 2011, with his vision of safe and walkable neighborhoods, helped initiate a period of earnest conversations with the city about the removal of the connector. Since then, two important hurdles have been cleared. First, in 2016, the plan to convert Tyler and Polk Streets for two-way traffic was approved. This was critical to help connect traffic between 12th and Jefferson and to allow first responders from Dallas Fire Station 14 on 12th to access Jefferson quickly by traveling north on Polk. Then, in 2017 voters approved a bond package that included $2 million for the connector continued on page 4 Save the Date for Frights in the Heights: Oct. 27 by Patrick Lynch The WHNA announces its newest fall fundraiser and spooky spectacular: Frights in the Heights on Saturday, October 27. Three neighbors will host a progressive cocktail party featuring themed drinks and snacks, along with other surprises. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and each house will have a special spooky theme for guests to experience. Tickets cost $40 per person and include all your food and beverage for the night. You can buy tickets at 75208.org. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Walkable Winnetka Sidewalk Replacement Grant Program. The program has been tremendously successful, and more funds are needed to meet demand through the end of the current budget cycle. Mark your calendars, watch the Facebook page for more details, and prepare to show off your costuming genius for the first ever Fright in the Heights!
Transcript
Page 1: Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association – Winnetka Heights …winnetkaheights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Fall_2018.pdf · 2018-10-09 · the May Winnetka Winos Wine Tasting

Fall 2018

What’s InsideCover Find out what’s going

on with the 12th Street Connector Project

Pg 3 Mark your calendar for upcoming events in Winnetka Heights

Pg 4 Learn helpful Halloween safety tips

Pg 6 Get the full scoop on the 2018 Oak Cliff Film Fest

Pg 7 Find out the details on the WH Holiday Home Tour

Pg 9 Look at before-and-after pics of the latest Walkable Winnetka project

Pg 10 Read a sweet ode to a neighbor’s home

Back Check out pics from the May Winnetka Winos Wine Tasting

Plans to remove connector finally developingBy Lee Ruiz

A hazy dream of Winnetka Heights residents is coming into focus and may soon come true.

In the late 1960s, a high-speed, six-lane mini-highway through the neighborhood was installed in connection with the city’s plan to create high-speed thoroughfares through Oak Cliff.

Property was taken by imminent domain, homes were destroyed, other homes were isolated, and dangerous intersections and traffic hazards were created. Our historic neighborhood was scarred. The dangerous mini-highway still exists, connecting 12th St. and Jefferson Blvd. through South Willomet, Winnetka and Clinton Avenues.

For more than 30 years, Winnetka Heights neighbors worked to have the connector removed. City Hall bureaucracy

stood in the way. But the election of Scott Griggs as our City Council representative in 2011, with his vision of safe and walkable neighborhoods, helped initiate a period of earnest conversations with the city about the removal of the connector.

Since then, two important hurdles have been cleared. First, in 2016, the plan to convert Tyler and Polk Streets for two-way traffic was approved. This was critical to help connect traffic between 12th and Jefferson and to allow first responders from Dallas Fire Station 14 on 12th to access Jefferson quickly by traveling north on Polk.

Then, in 2017 voters approved a bond package that included $2 million for the connector

continued on page 4

Save the Date for Frights in the Heights: Oct. 27by Patrick Lynch

The WHNA announces its newest fall fundraiser and spooky spectacular: Frights in the Heights on Saturday, October 27. Three neighbors will host a progressive cocktail party featuring themed drinks and snacks, along with other surprises. Costumes are strongly

encouraged, and each house will have a special spooky theme for guests to experience. Tickets cost $40 per person and include all your food and beverage for the night. You can buy tickets at 75208.org.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Walkable Winnetka Sidewalk Replacement

Grant Program. The program has been tremendously successful, and more funds are needed to meet demand through the end of the current budget cycle.

Mark your calendars, watch the Facebook page for more details, and prepare to show off your costuming genius for the first ever Fright in the Heights!

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Fall 2018

Page 2 Visit 75208.org Like us on Facebook to keep up with news!

Meet the Board of Directors President Lee Ruiz [email protected] Vice President Richard Ewers [email protected] Treasurer Jennifer Galloway [email protected] Secretary/Historian Dana Centola [email protected] Past President Patrick Lynch [email protected] Code Awareness Robbie and Joe [email protected] Christopher Communications Chris White [email protected] Community Development Teresa Norton [email protected] Crime Watch Russ Aikman [email protected] Membership Chris Walters [email protected] Finance TBD [email protected] Home Tour Elissa Ewers [email protected] Walkable Winnetka Diane Sherman [email protected]

Letter from the WHNA President, Lee RuizHow can America’s latest fitness craze help Winnetka Heights?Every morning and evening, our Winnetka Heights neighbors hit the streets. They go for runs and walks, sometimes with strollers and sometimes with furry friends. Getting outside is usually an important part of any plan to improve one’s health. But, how can these joggers and walkers help Winnetka Heights?

Consider plogging. Plogging is Sweden’s current workout craze and it has officially made its way to the U.S. shores. A mash-up of jogging and the Swedish term “plocka upp” — which means “pick up” — ploggers stop and collect litter during their walks and runs. In other words, you can help save the earth

and beautify Winnetka Heights while getting in your daily cardio.

Plogging is simple: just put on gloves before your walk or jog, and pick up litter that you see on your route. Carry a reusable or recyclable bag with you and, if you like, an actual trash picker.

Use social media and get your friends together for a weekly plogging walk or run. Think about how much trash we can all pick up to help Winnetka Heights look great and avoid the harmful litter that makes its way to the ocean (and winds up hurting wildlife and tainting drinking water sources for humans).

You don’t have to do it every day, and even if you don’t walk or run long distances, you can contribute.

Our own local governments have started the Reverse Litter campaign. Check out reverselitter.com. The idea is simple: we each pledge to pick up 10 pieces of trash every Tuesday.

Since 2012, 26,000 people in the DFW area have taken the pledge. For every 5,000 people that actually pick up 10 pieces of trash once a week for a year, our neighborhoods will reduce litter by 2.6 million pieces. That means our streets will look nicer, the air we breathe will be fresher, and our water supply will be cleaner.

Get out + get exercise + have fun + keep Winnetka Heights looking great. A combination that benefits us all.

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Fall 2018

If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact [email protected].

Reforestation Day: 11/10The City of Dallas is providing trees that neighbors will be planting as part of the Winnetka Heights Urban Reforestation efforts.

We need volunteers to help plant trees on Reforestation Day on Saturday, November 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. We’ll meet at the Clinton Pocket Park at Clinton St. and Jefferson Blvd., in the morning, work in teams to plant all the trees, and then meet back at the park for a potluck lunch. We ask that volunteers bring your shovel, rake, gloves, etc.

This is an easy way to get involved and help beautify the neighborhood. To volunteer or learn more, email [email protected].

National Night Out: 10/2National Night Out will be on Tuesday, October 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Stemmons Plaza Park, Windomere Ave and Jefferson Blvd. Join neighbors for this family-friendly event that is a tradition in Winnetka Heights.

Enjoy music, free pizza and soft drinks, plus activities for the kids including face painting, a piñata, a bounce house, photos with a fire truck and more.

Plus, everyone can meet DPD officers and DFR firemen, learn crime prevention tips, find out how to act if you see a stray animal, get NOCUPP information and much more.

www.thekessler.org1230 w. davis street, dallas, TX 75208

Upcoming Happy HoursThe October Happy Hour will be on Thursday, October 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Boulevardier, 408 North Bishop Ave. #108 The November Happy Hour will be on Thursday, November 1 at Small Brewpub, 333 West Jefferson Blvd. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Membership Meeting: 12/4Kick off home tour week at the next WHNA Membership meeting on Tuesday, December 4 at Turner House, 401 North Rosemont Ave. The complimentary wine tasting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

NOCUPP Info Session: 10/23There will be a NOCUPP Info Session on Tuesday, October 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Turner House, 401 North Rosemont Ave. It’s a great chance to learn more about the North Oak Cliff United Police Patrol (NOCUPP).

Officers will be present to answer any of your crime-related questions. To learn more, email [email protected].

Winnetka Heights has been part of NOCUPP since 2008. This program provides off-duty Dallas Police Department officers to patrol our neighborhood to prevent crime before it happens.

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Fall 2018

Page 4 Visit 75208.org Like us on Facebook to keep up with news!

12th Street project continued from cover

project. The clogs were getting cleared!

Now, the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association is working with the city to help get through the next two key steps in the process.

First, the city will initiate public meetings for input on an amendment to the city’s thoroughfare plan that would allow the city to close the connector. The amendment to the plan requires approval by the City Council after a vote by the City Plan Commission.

Neighbors will have opportunities to provide input at the public meetings and at the hearings before the Plan Commission and the Council. The WHNA will help organize the meetings and notify neighbors of the meeting dates to encourage them to attend and speak up. And, the WHNA will help city staff develop a design for what will go into the space vacated by the connector. To coordinate the neighborhood’s participation in the connector project, a special task force has been appointed.

The task force includes residents of the district that live on and around the connector, neighborhood leaders, neighbors with background in landscape architecture and design, and long-time stewards of the connector project.

The task force has met several times in the last few weeks and has solicited input from neighbors. In addition to 30 years of input from Winnetka Heights residents

(the connector project has been discussed at most neighborhood meetings), the task force met with neighbors at the WHNA General Membership Meeting on September 11, and at a special meeting to discuss the connector on September 18.

From that input, the task force developed the neighborhood’s priorities with respect to the project:

• The connector should be removed entirely and not simply narrowed to 2 lanes from six.

• The plan should require that public spaces and structures that would be built in the connector space should be within the historic grid of the neighborhood. That is, the intersections where the connector meets Jefferson and 12th would be redesigned to simple right angles similar to our other blocks and Winnetka and Clinton would be opened for full access between 12th and Jefferson.

• The plan should focus on the creation of intimate, walkable greenspaces.

• Homeowners whose lots were diminished by eminent domain in the creation of the connector should be allowed to restore their full lots.

• If appropriate as a planning tool to create neighborhood friendly places within the historic grid, a limited amount of redevelopment could be allowed.

• No private property should be taken.

continued on page 5

Halloween Safety Tips Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year in Winnetka Heights. Here are some tips to help you and your trick-or-treaters stay safe. • Trick-or-treat in groups, preferably with adult supervision

• Walk on the sidewalks and avoid the streets

• Choose brightly colored costumes, stick on some reflective tape, or carry glow sticks or flashlights to ensure you and the kiddos are easily spotted by motorists

• Make your sure porch is well-lit to ward off pranksters and pumpkin thieves

• Check your candy carefully to make sure wrappers have not been tampered with and are completely sealed

• PRO TIP for trick-or-treaters: share your candy with your parents because they’re awesome and they love you

Let’s make this Halloween the best yet in Winnetka Heights!

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Fall 2018

If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact [email protected].

12th Street project continued from page 4

• The plans for the space should strictly adhere to the design standards of the historic district and to national urban planning guidelines.

• The consulting team selected by the city to design the project should include noted landscape architects as well as public works engineers.

With these priorities, the task force is focusing on safety, community and quality in the design.

What else can you do to help and how can you have your voice heard? • Stay in touch by watching 75208.org and our Facebook page

• Be sure you are on our email list by sending your name, address and preferred email to [email protected]• Contact a task force member and have a conversation about the connector

• Email [email protected] with your comments

• Volunteer to help with communication and planning

We will be sure to let you know when the public meetings and hearings are scheduled through the channels noted above.

Connector Task Force Members:Kevin Sloan

Diane Sherman

Petrine Abrahams

Daphne Hornbuckle

Nick Dean

Todd Brashear

Tina Nohinek

Richard Ewers

Teresa Norton

Lee Ruiz

Your Neighborhood workshop:

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

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

Image from the original plat.

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Fall 2018

Page 6 Visit 75208.org Like us on Facebook to keep up with news!

2018 Oak Cliff Film Fest in ReviewBy Mark Austin

This year, Jennie Galloway and I participated in the Oak Cliff Film Festival. It has become one of our most anticipated annual events in the Dallas area. 25 feature length and 40 short films were screened at five venues. There were also party venues associated with the festival, which ran June 14-17, all within a 2-mile radius of Winnetka Heights.

The film showings were concentrated on Saturday and Sunday. While we obviously weren’t able to see every film, we basically dedicated our weekend to watching one film after another. This has been our practice for all three years of our

participation. In fact, after the closing film on Sunday night, we both felt a little sad to say goodbye to another film festival.

The festival started with a Wednesday night reception at the Wild Detectives with tacos and beer!

The first film was a Thursday night Texas Theater showing of a feature length documentary about rock star Joan Jett entitled “Bad Reputation.”

On Friday evening, the festival kicked into gear and now we had to choose which films to prioritize.

For the uninitiated, it can be a little daunting when it comes to choosing films, genres, and venues. We have become a

little more familiar with terms such as shorts, features and narratives.

One of the things that helps to make a The Oak Cliff Film Festival even more interesting is the presence of filmmakers at showings of their films. After many showings, those involved in making a particular film will talk about the film and answer questions from the audience at its conclusion. This provided insight in the thoughts going into a film and process itself.

The film festival relies on national and local sponsors, as well as local volunteers to put on the festival. Volunteers are involved in activities that range

continued on page 8

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Fall 2018

If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact [email protected].

Kickoff the Holiday Season with the Winnetka Heights Holiday Home Tour!by Elissa Ewers

The 32nd Annual Winnetka Heights Holiday Home Tour will be on Saturday, December 8 from noon to 6 p.m. The neighborhood’s biggest fundraiser features homes within the neighborhood with festive holiday decorations.

Funds raised will support our neighborhood programs including Walkable Winnetka, crime watch, neighborhood activities like Mardi Gras, maintaining parks and green spaces, and support of other non-profits such as Oak Cliff Youth Soccer League.

The event will also include a silent auction at Turner House, and the night will wrap with an adults-only neighborhood party open to all Winnetka Heights residents to toast to a successful year.

Here’s how you can make this a successful year! Purchase tickets or sponsorships starting at $15 There are multiple levels at which you can purchase tickets for the events. Consider bundling your WHNA membership fee with home tour tickets by purchasing a neighborhood or VIP sponsorship. Neighborhood and VIP sponsors also get a swag bag for the event featuring a candle by Niven Morgan. Don’t forget to invite your friends and share the event on social media!

Tickets and sponsorships on sale now at whhometour.org or contact [email protected] with questions. Corporate sponsorships are also available, for those interested.

Volunteer for the tour There are multiple volunteer

opportunities before and during the event including decorating the Turner House for the holidays and porch sitting for one of the tour homes. Visit whhometour.org and go to the bottom of the page to complete the volunteer form, or email [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.

Bid on Auction Items The silent auction will feature items from your neighbors and local businesses. It’s a great chance to do a little holiday shopping for you or someone else.

So mark your calendars, and look for updates and information in your inbox, on Facebook, at 75208.org and at whhometour.org about this year’s Winnetka Heights Holiday Home Tour.

Join the fun and help make this year another successful tour!

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Fall 2018

Page 8 Visit 75208.org Like us on Facebook to keep up with news!

Film Fest continued from page 6

from selling tickets to driving visiting filmmakers to and from venues, events, and the airport.

Volunteering is a good way to make a personal contribution to the festival. Additionally, the organizers rely on local residents to provide housing for some of the filmmakers. In exchange, residents are awarded two VIP passes.

Many of the filmmakers are young and sacrifice personal finances and time to make their films. For two of the past three festivals, we have been privileged to have filmmakers stay with us in our home in Winnetka Heights. The personal stories of ambition, dedication, and sacrifice has made us appreciate these folks even more than we did from viewing their films.

This year, two documentary filmmakers, Jillian Corsie and Amy Rosner stayed with us. They were here to present their documentary short, “Second Assault,” which dealt the aftermath of a sexual assault that one of them experienced shortly after arriving for her first year in college. They plan to make the film available for free online with the hopes that it will help others that are dealing with similar issues. As is the case with many of the talented young filmmakers, these two women have “real-life” jobs to support themselves as they pursue their passion for making films and telling stories.

The films ranged from documentaries dealing with serious issues, to feature length

films. The organizers seem to make a conscience attempt to bring in at least one or two films that have a Texas and/or Dallas connection. For example, the closing film, “Never Goin’ Back” was filmed in DFW, with many people involved in the film attending the screening. Although it was filmed in NYC, skateboarders and actors from “Skate Kitchen” were present at its screening.

In our short experience with the festival, we have been pleased to see it grow in prestige as it seems to have developed a place in the national film festival scene. T

his year, as is the case in our past two experiences, we were very impressed with the talent and dedication of so many talented filmmakers. We are already looking forward to next year.

As I’ve told her many times, in reference to the festival and the artists that make the films, “it must be nice to be young and talented, or at least one of the two.”

“Second Assault” filmmakers Jillian Corsie and Amy Rosner.

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Fall 2018

If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact [email protected].

Give your home the protection it deserves.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, ILState Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL

State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX

Your home is where you make some of your best memories, and that’s worth protecting. I’m here to help. LET’S TALK TODAY.

1708136

Jon M Essary Ins Agency IncJon Essary, Agent516 W 7th StDallas, TX 75208Bus: 214-948-6000

Walkable Winnetka can help you!Does your sidewalk pose a hazard to those taking a stroll around the neighborhood?

The Walkable Winnetka Sidewalk Replacement Grant Program can help, and it’s easy for you to comply. We streamline the process and help make it affordable.

We promise the results are often astounding and well worth the investment. Do not delay. Email your questions to Diane Sherman at [email protected] today.

Check out the extensive repairs at 419 North Windomere Avenue and what a difference they’ve made.

Photos by Joe Horner.

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Fall 2018

Page 10 Visit 75208.org Like us on Facebook to keep up with news!

My House is 72 Years Older Than MeBy Vanessa Peterson

Original hardwood floors. Obvious solid construction. Fully-bricked exterior. Charming front porch. Every door inside my home has glass door knobs that make me smile. The kitchen is bright and open and has a beautiful wooden ceiling beam that my guests always compliment. The windows are large and symmetrical, letting the light flood in during sunshiny days and making me feel safe and warm on cold, rainy days. Like you, I love that my home is special. I feel privileged to be able to live in a neighborhood that celebrates its uniqueness, preserves its history, and strives to improve safety while fostering a stronger sense of community.

I grew up on a farm in the country where my neighbors lived more than one mile away.

After moving for college, I lived in apartments where my neighbors lived above me, below me, to the right of me, and to the left of me — with only the thinnest walls separating our living spaces.

Winnetka Heights feels like the perfect balance between being too far away and too close. It feels like home here.

I am a millennial and a first time home owner, and I do not take my home or this special Historic Neighborhood for granted.

What do you appreciate most about your home? I invite you to pause, marvel, and be thankful.

Code 101by Robbie Christopher

Many of us who have lived in Oak cliff for a long time know that our community is a very special place. Even when people from other parts of the city had unfavorable impressions of Oak Cliff, residents knew differently.

Now those perceptions have changed, and Oak Cliff has become a desirable and sought-after place to live, work and play. As a result, investors and homebuyers are purchasing properties at a rate we have not seen before.

Many of these companies and individuals do not know that Winnetka Heights is a historic district that comes with regulations not applicable to other neighborhoods.

While we welcome those who are improving properties, it is important that we help them understand the requirements for obtaining Certificates of Appropriateness before any work begins on the exteriors. With over 600 structures in our neighborhood, that is a big job.

Please assist our Code Awareness committee by alerting us to any properties you are aware of that have changed ownership by sending an email to [email protected] so that we are able to assist them.

Vanessa’s beauitful Winnetka Heights home.

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Fall 2018

If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact [email protected].

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Fall 2018

Winnetka Winos Wine Tasting in May

Thank you to Jennie Galloway for hosting and sending us pics!

Watch your inbox for the next Winnetka Wino event announcement!


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