Rockwall Rowlett Heath - Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Friday, March 26, 2010
Rockwall | Rowlett | Heath
N E I G H B O R S G O .CO M | W H E R E N E I G H B O R S G O TO CO N N E C T
SPEAKING OF DOGS
Officer Joyce Ross: ‘Somebody has to defend the animals’>>13
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
Teens ask Congress
for support in battling
brother’s disease>>3
NEW BUSINESS
Aldi grocery stores
come to N. Texas>>4
MAYOR’S VISION
Rowlett will be regional
center for commerce>>5
IN THE GARDEN
Patience is the key with
Japanese Maples>>6
APRIL CALENDAR
Egg hunts, job fairs,
golf and tennis>>8-9
HOME GAMES
EDITOR’S NOTE
In the company of cottontails
W
hile tidying up the yard over spring break,
I discovered a warren of baby cottontails,
taking shelter among the tall weeds of our
winter wood pile.
At first, I thought they were mice, but upon closer
inspection, I saw their curious rabbit noses and tiny
bunny ears. Their eyes were barely open, and they
were snuggled together in the March sun.
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY JIM HUMMINGBIRD
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
Competitive water polo is coming to the Rockwall ISD Aquatic
Center, 1205 T.L. Townsend Dr., for the first time. Evan Scown
(white cap) and other Rockwall Tridents Water Polo team members will compete against Southlake, Denton and St. Marks on
Sunday, March 28. The 6th grade and under Tridents and the 8th
grade and under Tridents boast undefeated records. They are
coached by Andres Rodriguez and new assistant coach Tom
Applegate. To learn more, visit rockwallwaterpolo.com and read
Jim Hummingbird’s post at neighborsgo.com/stories/51656.
ON THE COVER
Joyce Ross gives some love to Axel, a 7-year-old Lab/Corgie mix
at the Rockwall Animal Adoption Center. As animal control officer,
Joyce champions for Rockwall’s abandoned and abused animals.
See story and photos on Page 13.
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY MICHAEL KITKOSKI
Publisher
Robert Jehling
214-977-8140
rjehling@dallasnews.com
neighborsgo.com/rockwall
Managing editor
© 2010,
ABOUT NEIGHBORSGO: We're published by
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Rockwall/Rowlett editor: Dawn Redig
469-330-5635
dredig@neighborsgo.com
2
March 26, 2010
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469-330-5687
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Throughout spring break, my
kids and I waited for Mama Rabbit, who stopped by the nest each
evening to nurse her young. We
were as delighted and surprised by
the rabbits’ company as we were by
the sudden snowfall that blanketed
Rockwall and Rowlett the first day
of spring. Our hometown seemed
to be in the bull’s-eye of the wintry
blast, which my kids later declared
“the best thing that happened over
spring break, besides finding baby
rabbits.”
Even better still: seeing Mama
Rabbit tracks in the snow, letting
us know she found her babies beneath four inches of flurries.
With spring break over, the
snow melted and kids back in
school, our furry-tailed friends
seem content to stick around to see
what April brings.
DAWN
REDIG
Our two-page monthly calendar on Pages 8-9 includes Easter
plans, fundraising walks and golf
tournaments, community clean-up
events and a vintage base ball game
— signs that spring is really here.
Sunshine or snow, share your
spring photos at neighborsgo.com,
as Robbert van Bloemendaal of
Rowlett and Carl McClung of
Heath did. And while you’re at it,
tell us about your summer plans,
too. Your group’s events may be included in our Guide to Summer,
coming April 9.
Connect with neighborsgo editor
Dawn Redig at 469-330-5635 or
dredig@neighborsgo.com.
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY ROBBERT VAN BLOEMENDAAL
The splendor of last weekend’s spring snowfall was captured beautifully by Robbert Van Bloemendaal of Rowlett. See the city blanketed
in white at neighborsgo.com/video/2345.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE | MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Partners in education
Nick and Abbie
Killian of
Rockwall, along
with their father
John, meet with
Congressman
Ralph Hall in
Washington, D.C.
The Killians were
among eight delegates from
Texas who participated in the 10th
annual legislative
conference sponsored by Parent
Project Muscular
Dystrophy. Sam
Killian, 8, has a
form of muscular
dystrophy known
as Duchenne.
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY PAULA MCLENDON
Kayleen Lavene (right), principal of Reinhardt Elementary, accepts a
$1,350 check from Wal-Mart store manager Chris Nelson and Cathy
Lewis. Wal-Mart donated the money to be used “in any way that
might best benefit the goals and objectives of Reinhardt
Elementary.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JOHN KILLIAN
BY DAWN REDIG
dredig@neighborsgo.com
Visit SamsDayTexas.org.
cles of the heart and lungs are impacted, making Duchenne MD
the most common fatal genetic
disease diagnosed in childhood.”
Since Sam’s diagnosis in 2005,
the Killians have been involved
with PPMD, a national nonprofit
dedicated to research and advocacy on behalf of the Duchenne community. The organization was instrumental in passing the
Muscular Dystrophy Care Act in
2001 and its reauthorization in
2008.
“This year, the PPMD team has
three goals — to encourage continued emphasis on neuromuscular
diseases at the National Institute
of Health; to obtain additional resources within an existing program that would encourage earlier
diagnosis of DMD; and to gather
support from Congress for a letter
to be delivered to the Food and
Drug Administration, encouraging an effective approval process
for potential drug therapies that
are on track for clinical trials over
the next three to five years,” John
said.
The Texas delegation, which included Abbie, Nick, John and five
others from the state, met with 22
of the 32 House offices and both
Senate offices. They spoke directly
to Congressmen Kevin Brady, Ron
Paul and Ralph Hall of Rockwall.
“I will never forget the love and
concern Abbie and Nick showed as
we discussed a medical enemy that
attacks their younger brother,
Sam,” Hall said. “My family and I
suffered through a similar heartbreaking disease so I know how
devastated the Killian family must
be. I was anxious to support their
seeking the need for earlier diagnosis, continued research – and
prayer.”
The Killians know the fight
against MD will be long, but they
report success in building awareness in Washington.
“It is a complex disease with no
simple answers,” John said. “With
Abbie and Nick in his corner – and
his 10-year-old brother, Ben, waiting to go to Washington next year,
Sam knows that he and others
with muscular dystrophy have a lot
of support.”
March 26, 2010
Two Rockwall teens are asking
legislators to support measures
that would spur potential treatments for their younger brother
who has muscular dystrophy.
Abbie Killian, a freshman at
RockwallHeath
High
School, and her
brother Nick, a
seventh-grader
at Cain Middle
School,
are Sam Killian
among 100 delegates from 35 states returning
from Washington, D.C., after participating in the 10th annual legislative conference sponsored by
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
Abbie and Nick’s 8-year-old
brother, Sam, a second-grader at
Amy Parks-Heath Elementary,
has a form of muscular dystrophy
called Duchenne.
“The progressive muscle disorder mainly affects boys. They usually end up in a wheelchair between the ages of 10 to 14, and lose
the use of their arms and hands in
their teens,” said John Killian,
Sam’s dad. “Eventually, the mus-
MORE INFO
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
Teens ask Congress for support
in battling brother’s disease
Connect with neighborsgo editor
Dawn Redig at 469-330-5635 or
dredig@neighborsgo.com.
3
BUSINESS | ALDI
New
grocery
store cuts
costs
BY DANIELLE ABRIL
4
March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
dabril@neighborsgo.com
German-based Aldi has expanded into Garland and its
bringing its European cost-cutting methods with it.
“We’re not charging customers for things they don’t want
to pay for,” said Shaun O’Keefe,
the district manager.
On March 18, shoppers were
cart-to-cart at the Aldi’s Garland
grand opening at 1601 Northwest
Highway, which used to be used
to be a vacant lot. The grocery
store offers customers 15 to 40
percent savings when compared
with traditional grocery stores.
The store saves money by offering one select brand for each of
its 1,400 items and operating out
of a 17,000 square-foot building
— saving in air conditioning and
lighting costs. It also hires a staff
of only 18 people. Additionally,
Aldi charges for grocery bags and
requires a 25-cent deposit for
shopping carts — cost-cutting
measures that help the store
lower prices.
“We’re just trying to get good
value out to our customers,” O’Keefe said. “It’s an efficient, simple operation.”
But for some shoppers, simplicity was a drawback.
“I wasn’t able to get anything
off my grocery list. I’m not a fan,”
FACES OF THE MILITARY
STORE OPENINGS
Aldi will open several locations in North Texas next
month. This includes:
• Dallas, 3632 Frankford
Road, March18
• Frisco, 6951 Preston
Road, March 18
• Plano, 2400 K Ave.,
opens April 22
• Rowlett, 3500 Lakeview
Parkway, opens April 22
• Richardson, 1549 E. Belt
Line Road, April 22
• Carrollton, 3044 Old
Denton Road, May 13
• Garland,1518 Buckingham
Road, May 13
said Cammy Harper of Garland.
Mixed in the sea of people was
Garland resident Jasmina Sabic
who enjoyed the taste of home.
“I used to live in Germany so
I’m so excited it’s here now,” she
said. “I like everything.”
Aldi is located directly across
from Wal-mart, which also promotes reduced prices.
But for O’Keefe, the store has
prime placement.
“Our main focus is to be in a
retail area that is busy,” he said as
people squeezed into the store.
The Garland location was
among 10 Dallas-area stores that
opened last week.
Aldi has been looking forward
to bringing its products to North
Texas as quickly as possible In the
spring, 19 additional stores will
blanket North Texas regions, including Rowlett, Richardson and
Plano.
Danielle Abril is an assistant editor for neighborsgo. Frisco neighborsgo editor Ann Marie Shambaugh contributed to this story.
Local reservists, parents
manage dual careers, family
O
ne challenge that many
warriors fighting in Iraq
and Afghanistan face is
that they simultaneously maintain
two careers: one in the military
and the other in the civilian world.
JERRY
Isn’t it unusual, you might ask,
HOGAN
for someone in the military to
worry about two jobs?
Not if that person is in the Reserves or National
Guard. Almost all of these dual-hatted warrior
civilians have been called to active duty, dropping
their civilian jobs to go to war.
Tim Coykendall of Garland is a good example.
Tim was called to active duty in 2008, deployed
to Iraq. His wife, Tonja, a teacher in the Plano
school system, was a pillar of support. Upon returning from Iraq, Tim found he was no longer getting
personal satisfaction from his civilian job, or giving
back to his community like he felt he should. So he
quit his job and went to work for the Rowlett Police
Department. He continued dual careers in the military and as a police officer. Weekend drills and twoweek summer tours continued.
In 2009, in a somewhat surprise decision, Tim’s
wife decided that she, too, wanted to be in the military. She went to the recruiter station — and soon
she became an Air Force Reservist as well as a
teacher.
Attending military schools away from home put
somewhat of a strain on their re-adjusting
lifestyles, as the Coykendalls have three kids, ages
4, 5 and 6. But these issues were quickly worked
out, and both parents are employed as civilians and
members of the Air Force Reserves.
“If you are thinking about doing the same thing
in your family, make sure you have an extremely
strong family support system. My kids had to stay
at someone else’s house four nights a week while my
wife was in military school, as I was working at
nights,” Tim said. “Also, make sure you have a
strong relationship. The military, even if just the
Reserves, can be hard on a marriage. You never
know when you may be called up to active duty and
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JERRY HOGAN
Tim Coykendall, a Rowlett police officer, and his
wife, Tonja, a Plano school teacher, stay busy parenting three children and serving as Air Force
Reservists.
where you may be going, or for how long.”
Would they do it again? They both say yes, and I
bet they would, too. It’s not easy, but they both feel
they are giving back to America and helping keep
us safe.
Jerry Hogan of Heath is a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col.
Contact him at jerryhogan@sbcglobal.net. Read profiles of
local servicemen and women at neighborsgo.com/themilitaryview.
FACES OF THE MILITARY
Post stories and photos about the military
people in your life — veterans or active duty
— on neighborsgo.com, and you might see
them in print in an upcoming edition.
ROWLETT MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Transit systems put
Rowlett on track
M
y vision for the future City of Rowlett: we’ll
be the regional center for commerce in the
northeast sector of the Metroplex. This is
Rowlett’s destiny because of its excellent transit systems.
There are two major economic engines for
Rowlett: the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension, which will be completed in 2011, and
John Harper is the mayor of the
City of Rowlett.
Faces of the military
March 26, 2010
serving the central business district of downtown Dallas will become more congested than they
are now. That congestion will further threaten air quality and even
our safety. Commutes are already
much greater than ever, affecting
worker productivity. North
Metroplex is similarly congested
as is West Metroplex.
I believe that businesses will
locate in the northeastern sector
because of the lower congestion
and excellent transportation systems. Those that must travel to
the central business district will
find the Rowlett DART Rail convenient and efficient. The Rowlett
DART Rail will also serve the two
airports. As I often remind commercial developers and brokers:
“Where can you find a major turnpike, a commuter rail line and a
beautiful large lake all in the same
location? Only in Rowlett!”
To promote and protect
Rowlett’s interests, I’ve been a
leader in the major organizations
in the Metroplex that set transportation policy. I serve with Garland Mayor Ronald Jones on the
Regional Transportation Council
— the group that recommends
the allocation of transportation
funds. I am on the 7-member
Governance Committee of the
Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition — the group that lobbies the
Texas Legislature. I chair the
State and Federal Issues Committee of TEX-21 — a group dedicated to transportation excellence in
the 21st century. Rowlett…on the
Lake…on the Move.
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
the DART Blue Line Extension,
which will be completed in 2012.
Another important aspect is
the Master Thoroughfare Plan
for Rowlett, Sachse, Murphy and
Wiley, which is being updated by
the North Central Texas Council
of Governments. The Rowlett
City Council will begin its review
this summer.
The current Master Thoroughfare Plan was adopted in
2006. Once updated, it will become a key component of a larger
comprehensive plan for Rowlett
that will be updated later this
year. It is essential to neighboring
cities that we develop a compatible system of roads. Rowlett will
give new consideration to the
commercial development of the
North Shore Commercial District, the Downtown Main Street
transit-oriented development
and two waterfront entertainment districts.
The effect of the Turnpike and
the DART Rail must be considered. The cities will study the
major roadway corridors that
connect the cities; the cities will
strive to maintain continuity
along arterials that pass through
multiple cities; the cities will then
coordinate their individual city
thoroughfare plans to reflect a coordinated planning effort. When
that is accomplished, NCTCOG
will model the plan to assure it
meets the forecasted needs
through 2030.
The population of the Metroplex is about 6.5 million – forecasted to be 9 million in 2030.
Where are those people going to
live and work?
The primary thoroughfares
JOHN
HARPER
HONORING OUR VETERANS
NEIGHBORS
ACES
GO.COM/BLOG/F
5
CLUBS | BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
GARDEN INSPIRATIONS
Group celebrates service
to youth, honors members
BY GEORGE RUSSELL
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARY COON
Texas heat can be tough on a young Japanese Maple, but after the
first planting season is over, they can come produce beautiful color.
6
March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
With Japanese Maples,
patience is rewarded
M
any times when folks purchase Japanese
Maples, they aren’t pleased with the first
year’s results. They don’t die, but they
sometimes look as if they are on the verge.
It’s easy to see why gardeners are a little less than
excited about the future of their new additions. The
JOE
edges of the leaves are singed with brown leaf scorch
COVINGTON
— not the most tantalizing look. Our Texas heat does a
Members of the Boys & Girls
Club of Rockwall were joined by a
crowd of supportive residents
March 4 as the club hosted its annual meeting and a special evening
of celebration at the club’s facility,
901 E. Interurban St.
Outgoing board president
Chris White presented retiring
board members with certificates of
appreciation in recognition of their
service over the past year.
Executive director Nan Ross
personally recognized three community members. David Peek,
publisher of the Rockwall Enterprise Success, received the Jack
Rambo Award, which is given annually to an outstanding community supporter; Crystal Nkalari was
recognized as the Youth of the Year
for her involvement and volunteer
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
• More volunteers are
needed to work directly
with the youth, or to serve
on committees or on the
board. To help, call
Stephen Straughan at 214676-9635 or e-mail
stephen@straughanproperties.com.
• For more information,
visit www.rockcountyclub.org.
hours; and Mark Rozell was
named Volunteer of the Year in
recognition of his service.
Incoming board president,
Stephen Straughan, shared his vision of where he hopes to lead the
organization.
“It takes a community to raise a
child in a nurturing environment,
and the Boys & Girls Clubs is a critical component of that community,” Straughan said. “At a time when
donations are down due to the
economy — and the need for the
club has never been higher than
now for the same reason — the
challenge is for our Rockwall community to step up, as it always has
in the past, to help nurture and
grow this wonderful organization.”
The Boys & Girls Club is a nonprofit youth development agency
that offers after-school and summer activities for children 6-18.
The club offers a wide range of educational and social programs for
the 225 youths who participate
daily.
George Russell contributes to
neighborsgo.com on behalf of the Boys
& Girls Club, Rockwall Habitat for
Humanity and other organizations.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
“number” on Japanese Maples
during what I call the “first year
planting blues.”
In Oregon, for instance, they
are planted in the full sun without any repercussions. Our long,
intense summer heat forces us to
plant them in some shade,
preferably afternoon shade or at
least dappled shade. The reason
they burn is their thin leaves, but
over time they can “toughen up”
and acclimate to the heat as they
begin to develop more extensive
root growth.
Eventually having full morning sun can make them keep
their burgundy color better
throughout the summer and
“color up” better in the fall. Planting in the fall or winter ensures
root development so they can
handle that first summer with
more ease.
Some varieties will handle our
Texas summers while retaining
more color than others: Bloodgood, Emperor I, Fireglow, Oshio
Beni, Coral Bark (Sango-kaku),
Seiryu, Select Red, Crimson
Queen, Shaina, Tamukeyama
and Waterfall. Even these varieties will have a mixture of greenish red because of their need for
shade here in Texas. There are
probably others, but these are the
most available.
When planting a Japanese
Maple, don’t forget to add compost with expanded shale in to
the backfill, along with 2 inches
of mulch on top after planting.
Regular watering in the summer
is essential to keep the first year
leaf-burn to a minimum.
Usually, after the first season,
the pitfalls of the “first year planting blues” are over, and then
comes scarlet fall color that is
second to none with its lacy
leaves. Japanese Maples are truly
a conversation piece in your
landscape, and like fine wine;
they only get better with time.
Neighborsgo gardening columnist Joe Covington is the owner of
Covington’s Nursery & Landscape
Company on Liberty Grove Road in
Rowlett.
GOP Women host
membership lunch
Royse City’s top yard
The Rockwall County Republican Women will host their annual
membership luncheon from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March
27, at the home of Debra Harper,
8622 Southbay Circle in Rowlett.
Linda Schenck, Texas Federation
of Republican Women 2010 secretary, will be the guest speaker.
For more
rcrw.org.
information,
visit
Women’s League
seeks grant requests
Through April 1, Rockwall
Women’s League will accept grant
requests from nonprofit agencies
that provide services to Rockwall
County. Proceeds from RWL’s
charity ball, set for April 10 at the
Hilton Bella Harbor, will provide
grants to area not-for-profit organizations and scholarships for Rockwall County high school seniors.
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY JULIA BRYANT
The beautifully manicured lawn belonging to Ken Ferren in the 300
block of Midnight Drive in Royse City was chosen as the Royse City
Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Month for March. The program
recognizes Royse City citizens who demonstrate above-average
efforts in maintaining their property, and contribute to the community’s overall appearance.
Requests should be mailed to
P.O. Box 383, Rockwall, TX
75087, attention: Joey GrandLienard.
For grant questions, call 972-7710772. To contribute to or attend the
ball, call Lisa Johnson at 469-5762000.
PUBLIC SAFETY | POLICE REPORT
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
The police blotter summarizes
selected crimes, listed by street
and block, with the time reported.
ROCKWALL
• FM 552, 600 block, 1:59 p.m.
March 5: Theft
• Interstate 30, 600 block, 6:02
p.m. March 6: DWI
• Lochspring Drive, 1400 block,
2:38 p.m. March 2: Burglary
• Maywood Drive, 100 block,
4:41 a.m. March 1: Public intoxication
• Ridge Road, 2200 block, 4:01
a.m. March 7: Public intoxication
• Westwood Drive, 100 block,
DMN FILE PHOTO
The Harbor on the Lake Ray Hubbard shore, averages 25,000 visitors a week bu the developer is filing for reorganization in bankruptcy court, so that he can lower rents for retailers.
Harbor developer
files for bankruptcy
Find the latest community
news, including crime reports
and home sales, on
The Dallas Morning News community pages —
dallasnews.com/communities.
OPEN
PROBLEM TRACKER
Report civic crimes such as potholes, graffiti, broken street lights and
vandalized playgrounds at tinyurl.com/clickfix.
OPEN
CLOSED
CLOSED
March 26, 2010
— Richard Abshire,
rabshire@dallasnews.com
ROWLETT
• Amesbury Lane, 7500 block,
12:28 a.m. March 15: Burglary of
a vehicle
• Bridgewater Drive, 3300
block, 11:33 a.m. March 13: Theft
• Clemson Circle, 2700 block,
12:50 p.m. March 10: Theft
• Faringdon Lane, 6200 block,
5:08 p.m. March 12: Criminal
mischief
• Lakeview Parkway, 2500
block, 6:17 p.m. March 11: Theft
• Leeward Lane, 7600 block,
11:55 a.m. March 14: Criminal
mischief
• Lily Lane, 3500 block, 4:32
p.m. March 14: Criminal mischief
• Main Street, 5300 block, 8:24
a.m. March 11: Criminal mischief
• Martin Drive, 5100 block, 3:38
p.m. March 10: Theft
• Mystic Trail , 2700 block, 7:43
a.m. March 12: Criminal mischief
• Quail Glenn Court, 8200
block, 10:32 a.m. March 15:
Criminal mischief
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
The developer and majority
owner of The Harbor in Rockwall
has filed for reorganization in
federal bankruptcy court.
Rob Whittle said the goal of
the Chapter 11 filing is to restructure the development’s mortgage
so he can lower rents for retailers.
Things are going well for tenants, except some retail stores, he
said. The Harbor, a premier
mixed-use development on the
Lake Ray Hubbard shore, averages 25,000 visitors a week, more
in the summer.
“The hotel, restaurants and
Cinemark are doing phenomenal,” he said. “The goal is to restructure the mortgage so we can
pass on some rent concessions to
the retailers.”
Attorney Ryan Manns of the
Dallas office of Fulbright and Jaworski, who represents mortgage-holder Credit Union Liquidity Services, declined to
comment.
Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil
said he doesn’t see a problem for
the city in the bankruptcy.
The city took on debt to fund
improvements at The Harbor
and created a special taxing district there. It plans to repay the
debt through property and sales
taxes from the tax-increment financing district.
“It’s something that Rob has
done to work with his lenders to
be able to lower some of the rents
at The Harbor,” Cecil said. “In this
kind of environment, Rob probably should have the ability to
lower some of those rates. He
doesn’t and that’s what he’s working on.
“I think the TIF will be fine.”
In his Feb. 19 bankruptcy filing, Whittle listed $42.9 million in assets, most of that Phase
I of The Harbor which he valued
at $42 million. About $29 million in liabilities are listed, most
of that being the $28 million
mortgage.
For the full story, visit
http://tinyurl.com/yfo2wv2
9:30 a.m. March 3: Theft
7
8
March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
A PRIL
What’s happening in
Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath
and Royse City
‘WE SURVIVED 205’ —
SATURDAY
The City of Rockwall and
Old Town Shoppes will
co-sponsor a celebration
of Highway 205’s six-lane
completion. Enjoy family
activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the
downtown square.
27
FUNDRAISER — Rockwall Preschool
Association will host a dinner, wine tasting
and silent auction benefiting local charities
at Bin 303, 105 Olive St. in Rockwall. For
tickets, call 469-644-9864 or e-mail
Jessica@coolav.com.
PITCH, HIT & RUN — Youth ages 7-14 will
test their skills at 2 p.m. at the Tuttle
Athletic Complex. Winners advance to sectional competition. For more information,
call 972-771-7740.
27
EASTER IN ROWLETT —
SATURDAY
Collect your share of
20,000 eggs and take a
photo with the Easter
bunny from 10 a.m. to noon
in front of City Hall and
Rowlett Public Library. Includes special
hunt for Angel kids.
27
EASTER IN ROCKWALL — Hunt for candy
and see the Easter bunny from 9 to 11 a.m.
at Tuttle Athletic Complex, 1600 Airport
Road in Rockwall.
CANCER SEMINAR —
TUESDAY
Lake Pointe Medical
Center gastroenterologist,
Dr. Sami Arslanlar, will
present an interactive program on colorectal cancer
at 6 p.m. in the Lake Pointe Café, 6800
Scenic Drive in Rowlett. To register, call
866-525-5762.
TUESDAY
13
EASTER — Neighborsgo
wishes everyone a Happy
Easter. Share your photos
and reflections at neighborsgo.com for a chance
to be featured in an
upcoming print edition.
18
4
8
RISD JOB FAIR — The dis- SATURDAY
trict will host an administrative and teacher job fair
from 9 a.m. to noon at
Rockwall High School, 901
Yellow Jacket Lane. Register at rockwallisd.com.
BABYSITTING COURSE — SATURDAY
Youth ages 11-14 will learn
how to respond to emergencies and illnesses with
first aid, from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. at The Center. Cost is
$85 per resident or $125 for nonresident.
Register at rockwall.com.
HISTORIC HOUSES — The history of local
homes will be highlighted at noon at
Rockwall’s Historic Courthouse, as homeowners receive preservation awards from
the Rockwall County Historical Foundation.
The program is free.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS — Rowlett High
School Class of 2012 will host a Battle of
the Bands from 6 to 10 p.m. at the school,
4700 Kirby Road. For more information,
e-mail TrissiDav@hotmail.com or visit
garlandisdschools.net.
WATERWAYS CLEANUP — Help Keep
Rowlett Beautiful by joining efforts to clean
up trash in the city. For more information,
call 972-463-3929, e-mail info@keeprowlettbeautiful.org or view the full story at
neighborsgo.com/stories/51788.
ROCKWALL NOW AND
THEN — Celebrate National
Library Week with a historical program by Sheri
Stodghill Fowler, from 6 to
7:45 p.m. at Rockwall
County Library.
CHAMBER GOLF — Join the
FRIDAY
Royse City Chamber golf
tournament and scholarship
fundraiser at Stone River
Golf Club, 846 FM 2453 in
Royse City. Check-in is 11:30
a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. For more
information, e-mail info@roysecitychamber.com or call 972-636-5000.
ENVIRONMENTAL
ACTION DAY — Join the
9
THURSDAY
15
TAX DAY GOLF TOURNEY — Rockwall
Breakfast Rotary will host a golf tournament at 12:30 p.m. at Stone River Golf Club
in Royse City. Proceeds benefit Helping
Hands and Haiti relief. To register, e-mail
brogeo@att.net or call 214-934-1142.
PLAY BALL — Rockwall
SUNDAY
County Historical
Foundation will sponsor a
vintage base ball game,
the Rockwall Retros vs.
the Farmers Branch
Mustangs, at 3 p.m. at Campbell Spring
Sports Complex, 900 Yellow Jacket Lane in
Rockwall. A vintage car show begins at
noon and live music by the Heritage Brass
Band. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 or older. Garland neighborsgo editor Marcus Murphree will be suiting up.
SUNDAY
NEWCOMERS — Rockwall
THURSDAY
Newcomers will enjoy “Tea
and Crumpets with Mimi,”
a puppet show, during a
lunch meeting at 10 a.m.
at Occasions at Stone
River, 1250 FM 2453 in Royse City. Members
and guests are encouraged to wear hats
and gloves to keep with the theme. RSVP at
972-722-5569 by March 29.
‘NEIGHBORSGO’ MEET AND
FRIDAY
GREET — Join neighborsgo
editor Dawn Redig for a Meet
and Greet from 9 to 11 a.m. at
the Hilton Bella Harbor, in the
Starbucks gallery. Ask questions about the print edition and neighborsgo.com.
ASPASIANS — Enjoy the
Aspasians Spring Arts and
Crafts Fair in Rockwall’s
downtown square.
Proceeds from booth
rentals provide scholarships for local seniors.
10
SATURDAY
24
KITEFEST — Rowlett Exchange Club will
sponsor KiteFest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
Elgin B. Robertson Park at Dalrock Road
and Interstate 30. The free event is open to
the public and includes professional kite
flying demos.
4
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
Friends of the Library
will welcome Dallas
Morning News columnist
Steve Blow at 11 a.m. at
Rockwall Rotary Hall,
408 S. Goliad St. Cost is
$15. RSVP by Friday,
April 9 to
cplagens65@aol.com or
972-771-8976.
WATERCOLOR — Rockwall Art League will
sponsor a series of beginning watercolor
classes beginning today from noon to 3
p.m. at Harry Myers Community Center, 815
E. Washington St. RAL member Doris Vasek
will provide instruction. Cost is $100. For
more information, e-mail doris_vasek@sbcglobal.net or call 972-722-5492.
SATURDAY
TENNIS — Rockwall Tennis Unlimited will
host an Easter Doubles Tournament from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rockwall-Heath High
School. Members and non-members welcome. To register, call 972-771-8883 or
e-mail rahmanzadeh1@sbcglobal.net.
2
LUNCH BASKET —
30
3
SENIOR CITIZENS
FRIDAY
FUNDRAISER — Bid on
items in the silent auction
at the Royse City Senior
Center, located in the meeting room of the Royse City
Fire Department on the corner of Main and
Plum streets. To donate or for more information, call Sherry McMillan at 972-6357272.
8
3 HEART OF HEATH —
TUESDAY
AUTHOR’S FORUM —
Friends of the Rowlett
Library will welcome 16year-old author KeeKee
Bazile of Rowlett, former
deputy sheriff Jim Howell
and children’s writer Linda Prieto to answer
questions and encourage fledgling writers.
Join them at 7 p.m. in the library’s community room.
Rain or shine, families will
enjoy the 5K run/walk
beginning at 8:30 a.m. at
Heath City Hall, 200
Laurence Drive. Register at
heathtx.com. Proceeds benefit the Heath
Trails System.
30
ROWLETT JOB FAIR —
THURSDAY
The Rowlett Chamber will
host a job fair from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at Rowlett
Community Center, 5300
Main St. For more information, call 972-475-3200 or e-mail Lisa
Ferrell at
lisaferrell@rowlettchamber.com.
‘EVERYTHING ON TAP’ — SATURDAY
See Rowlett dancer Karen
Osborne Stanford perform in a tap concert presented by the Rhythm
Junkies at 2 and 8 p.m. at
Plano’s Courtyard
Theater. For more information and tickets, call
972-412-8300, e-mail
dancerkos@verizon.net or
visit neighborsgo.com/
stories/51292.
Karen Osborne
Stanford
STATES FAIR — Discover
the 50 states with crafts and family activities at 4 p.m. at the Rowlett Public Library.
Pick up free tickets in advance at the
library reference desk.
16
10
SATURDAY
17
City of Rockwall in disposing household chemical
waste from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. at the Service Center
on Airport Road. For more information, call
972-771-7740 or visit rockwall.com.
RELAY FOR LIFE — The
SATURDAY
Rockwall County Relay for
Life will begin at 7 p.m. at
Cain Middle School, 6620
FM 3097 in Rockwall. The
overnight event mobilizes
communities across the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and
raise money for the fight against cancer.
For more information, contact Carla Brooks
at 972-771-8139 or relayforliferockwallcounty@gmail.com.
30
March 26, 2010
9
IN THE CLASSROOM | ROCKWALL HIGH SCHOOL
ROCKWALL-HEATH HIGH SCHOOL
AVID program prepares
RHS students for college
10
March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
BY ALI HUDSON
Rockwall High School has many
elective choices for students, but only
one that is specifically designed to help
students develop the organization and
study skills they need to succeed in college.
AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college prep
class that focuses on helping students
achieve their goal of going to college.
Students are required to take at least
one Pre-AP or AP class, and maintain
an organized AVID binder while participating in the yearlong class.
Spanish teacher and AVID advisor
Anna Campbell said she is proud of her
devoted students.
“The students that participate in
the program are smart and individually driven,” Campbell said. “They are
nominated to be in the program by a
teacher and go through a rigorous interview process before they are accepted into the program.”
During the average AVID class
week, students work on developing
writing skills, study skills and subjectspecific tutoring. On occasion, guest
speakers are brought in from different
colleges and careers to give lectures on
what the world outside of high school
will be like. As an added bonus, the
AVID class also puts an emphasis on
team building.
“The greatest advantage of being in
AVID class comes from not only the
obvious college preparedness, but also
from the bonds and relationships that
are developed with classmates,” Campbell said.
AVID helps students develop in
various ways.
“AVID has changed the way that I
see school,” freshman Meagan McN-
abb said. “The class has helped me become a more organized student and it
made me realize that I don’t have a lot
of time left to prepare for college. AVID
teaches me what I need to do before
high school is over.”
AVID means many different things
to students, but most seem to share a
common bond through their personal
definition of the class.
“To me, AVID means hard work,
great experiences and good notes,”
sophomore Diana Rivera said.
Regardless of a students’ motivation for participating in the AVID program, the benefits are exponential.
“Being in AVID means that I am a
step closer to my dream of going to college,” junior Wendy Carrillo said.
Alexandria Hudson is a Rockwall
High School AVID student in Peggy Elvington’s desktop publishing class.
‘Reigning’ fashionista
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY JULIE DURST
Rockwall-Heath senior Meagan Hackler won second
place in fashion design with the “Reign” label she created
for the regional Family Career Community Leaders of
America competition in Plano. Hackler will compete at
the state level on April 9. See her garments at the RHHS
fashion show on April 14, sponsored by Groovy’s, Cindy
Swanson Photography, Bin 303, Jersey Lillie and
Providence Place. For tickets, call 972-772-2474.
IN THE CLASSROOM | BRIEFS
Rotary student of honor
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LINDA TRAHAN
The Rotary Club of Rockwall named Nebbie Williams Elementary
sixth-grader Peyton Young as a Rotary Student of Honor. Each
year the organization, whose own motto is “Service Above Self,”
selects one exemplary student from each RISD campus to receive
the award. Principal Karen Aikman describes Peyton as “an excellent student who exemplifies Others Before Self in everything he
does.” Peyton is joined by his family and principal Aikman.
Kindergarten
teacher
Cheyenne Weable was named
Nebbie Williams Teacher of the
Year for 200910. Weable was
voted for this
honor by her
peers in recognition of her dedication, knowlCheyenne
Weable
edge and skill.
Weable has taught kindergarten
at Nebbie for three years.
RISD Kindergarten
Round-Up in April
For more information, call
Amanda Christian at 972-771-0605.
Individual campus schedules:
Tuesday, April 13
• Amy Parks-Heath
Elementary, 6:30 p.m.
• Dorothy Smith Pullen
Elementary, 5 p.m.
• Dorris Jones Elementary,
4 p.m.
• Grace Hartman Elementary,
6 p.m.
• Springer Elementary, 6 p.m.
KRB offers college
scholarships
Keep Rowlett Beautiful is offering college scholarships for
tuition and books to students
who share their mission to protect the environment. Applications have been distributed to
counselors in the high schools
that serve Rowlett and may be
obtained by calling Nelda
Roberts at 972-412-2254. Deadline to apply is April 16.
RHS students make
UTD Deans List
March 26, 2010
Rockwall ISD will host a
Kindergarten Round-Up on
April 13 and April 15. These
meetings provide information for
parents with children beginning
kindergarten in August 2010.
Thursday, April 15
• Amanda Rochell Elementary,
6:30 p.m.
• Celia Hays Elementary, 6 p.m.
• Doris Cullins Lake Pointe
Elem., 6:30 p.m.
• Howard Dobbs Elementary,
6 p.m.
• Nebbie Williams Elementary,
6 p.m.
• Sharon Shannon Elementary,
5 p.m.
• Virginia Reinhardt
Elementary, 6 p.m.
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
Nebbie names
Teacher of the Year
Former Rockwall High School
students, Kathryn Acker and Ashley Willess, were named to the fall
2009 Dean’s honor list at the University of Texas at Dallas.
11
For more information, visit utdallas.edu.
A&E | DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Hometown
Hollywood
T
he Dallas International Film Festival lives up to its name. While
the festival will screen films shot in Hollywood, it pays tribute to its
roots with a slate of films produced in and around Dallas, with
Dallasite directors, actors and crew taking part.
Here, we break down which films with North Texas origins should be
on your calendar as the festival opens April 8 and runs through April 18.
— This is the first part of a two-part series on the DIFF.
‘Dig Deep’
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JESSIE NAGEL
12
March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
‘6’
22 minutes
Shot in the Texas towns of
Strawn and Follet, 6 is a portrait
of six-man football and its
impact in the lives of players
and fans.
The film was produced by
Dallas-based production company Directorz and was directed
by company co-founder and
Dallas resident Jeff Bednarz.
Screenings: Noon, April 11;
7:30 p.m. April 12 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
‘Carried Away’
98 minutes
Ed, a 20-something with
dreams of Hollywood, abducts
his restless grandmother from
her nursing home in Texas. The
two travel across the country
with their family giving chase.
Director and writer Tom
Huckabee is from Fort Worth
and the film was partly shot in
various Texas locations.
Screenings: 4 p.m., April 9 at
Angelika Film Center; 10 p.m.
April 14 at Angelika Film Center
Dallas.
‘Crazy Pig’
9 minutes
In this short black comedy,
SMU grad Juan Francisco de la
Guardia depicts the frantic
encounters of a couple as they
walk into a convenience store
robbery in progress.
Screenings: 11 p.m., April 10;
10:30 p.m., April 11 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
10 minutes
Deep Ellum artist and Kettle
Art gallery owner Frank
Campagna’s sadness over the
destruction of the Good Latimer
tunnel and its murals is chronicled in this short by Mark
Birnbaum and Manny Mendoza.
Screenings: Noon, April 11;
7:30 p.m. April 12 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
NEIGHBORSGO TO THE MOVIES
If you go
Tickets for films are $10, with
$8 tickets available for DALLAS
Film Society members; seniors
(62 and over); students; and
patrons who bring two cans of
food for the North Texas Food
Bank.
Tickets may be purchased at
dallasfilm.org, by calling 214295-5142 or by visiting the
Dallas International Film
Festival Box Office at Hotel
Palomar, 5330 E. Mockingbird
Lane. Tickets also are available
on a first-come, first-serve basis
at the theater 30 minutes
before show time.
All-access passes for the festival range from $100-$750.
A full film schedule and more
details are available at
dallasfilm.org.
young couple after the wife is
brutally attacked in a home
invasion.
Screenings: 7:15 p.m., April 10;
4 p.m., April 13 at Angelika Film
Center Dallas.
‘Earthling’
‘Skateland’
115 minutes
“After a mysterious atmospheric event aboard the
International Space Station, a
small group of people wakes up
to realize that their entire lives
have been a lie. Now they have
to make a choice: live among
men or try to find a way home.”
Director Clay Liford is a
Richardson Berkner High School
grad.
Screenings: 6:30 p.m., April 11;
4:15 p.m., April 14 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
98 minutes
Skateland captures small town
life at the end of the disco era in
1983. The film was shot in
Marshall and written by Anthony
Burns, Brandon Freeman and
Heath Freeman of Dallas-based
Freeman Film.
Screenings: 7:15 p.m. April 8;
7 p.m., April 9; and 10 p.m., April
13 at Angelika Film Center.
‘Guerrilla Garden’
17 minutes
Filmmaker Rafael Palacio
Illingworth’s personal experiences on which the film is based
happened while he was working
in North Texas as a gardener.
Screenings: 10:15 p.m, April
10; 7:30 p.m., April 11 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
‘Hold’
86 minutes
Dallas actor Frank Mosley
steps behind the lens to direct
Hold after his role in Justin
Hillard’s The Other Side of
Paradise, which was featured at
the 2009 Dallas International
Film Festival. In Mosley’s directoral debut, Hold follows a
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CHRIS HOWELL
‘Sweet Science:
A Boxing
Documentary’
125 minutes
Dallas filmmaker Chris Howell
filmed, produced and directed
this documentary about Oak
Cliff boxers vying to be part of
the 2004 and 2008 United
States Olympic Boxing Teams.
Screenings: 7 p.m., April 12;
4:30 p.m., April 15 at Angelika
Film Center Dallas.
Information courtesy John Wildman
and The Dallas International Film
Festival.
Focus on the local,
family-friendly flicks
A
pril 8 is the kickoff for 11 days of movies at
the Dallas International Film Festival.
This year includes more than 150 feature films and shorts, a number that seems overwhelming and you have to wonder how to even
begin.
But if you follow a few simple rules, you will find
it a wonderful and memorable experience.
The first thing you need to do
is get a ticket or a pass. Depending on whether you are a casual
viewer or a caffeine-fueled-nosleep-gotta-see-everything
diehard, there are lots of options
to choose from. Get a schedule of
films, map out your itinerary and
enjoy the magic.
Film festivals are the perfect
place to see a wide range of styles
and genres conveniently, as each
film is labeled in a way that
makes it easy for you to plot out
your viewing strategy.
You can focus on documentaries or the Student Competition. Don’t forget that families
are always a focus as well with
fun, exciting films for your
younger movie-loving family
members. Do not count them
out when planning your schedule.
If you are like me, you will
simply study the guide, see what
catches your eye and make sure
you get those in your timeline.
The golden rule is planning.
What makes having a festival
in Dallas even more special is
getting to meet all of the local
filmmakers who are right in our
own backyard. So many times
people think films need to have a
Los Angeles or New York stamp
on it to be legit. You will find that
is far from the case as you sample
those films in the Texas Competition.
Hold, from Dallas filmmaker
Frank Mosley, has its world premiere at this year’s festival. Is
there pressure releasing a project on your home turf?
“No, there’s not really any
pressure releasing to the ‘home
MATT
MUNGLE
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY FRANK MOSLEY
In Frank Mosley’s directorial
debut, “Hold” follows a young
couple after the wife is brutally
attacked in a home invasion.
crowd,’ ” Mosley said. “If anything, some might say you have
an advantage, but I think it’s a
celebration, if anything. You get
to show your film with your talented friends who are showing
their work, and so it’s very comforting.”
Hold is a drama that follows
the evolution of a young couple’s
relationship after a brutal home
invasion.
“More than anything, I just
want to see how Hold hits the
audience,” Mosley said.
Writer/director Justin
Hilliard knows too well the benefit of festivals like these. And
the audience members are big
part of that.
“With AFI Dallas last year
and now DIFF this year, you’re
looking at what really is a toptier fest,” Hilliard said.
Matt Mungle is a frequent contributor to neighborsgo.com. To read
more, visit neighborsgo.com/blog/
movies.
ON THE COVER | TAILS OF THE CITY
Joyce Ross speaks for Rockwall’s animals
N
Rockwall Animal Services Officer Joyce
Ross points out one of the
department’s adoptable dogs during a
Dog Days of Summer event last August.
Winter blast fails to chill
enthusiasm at pet clinic
SUBMITTED PHOTOS BY MICHAEL KITKOSKI
Joyce Ross greeted many children as Red Ruff during the 2009 Rockwall Founders
Day Festival.
ing out literature.
And it’s her passion for animals that
keeps her heavily involved in the department’s animal cruelty cases. Strangely
enough, Ross claims it’s her favorite part
of the job.
“Somebody has to defend the animals,”
she explained. “They depend solely on humans, so somebody has to be their voice.”
She dreams of doing more. Ross would
like for her department to operate its own
low-cost spay/neuter facility. That would
decrease the unbelievable amount of unwanted pets, lowering the number of
abandoned animals the shelter receives
every week.
As Ross explains, “That helps the animals even more.” If you ask me, the adoptable animals of Rockwall couldn’t have a
better champion.
If you have an interesting “tail” to share,
e-mail Michael Kitkoski at rockwallpets@charter.net.
More than 200 people, with their
dogs and cats, shrugged off a resurgence of winter to attend a low-cost
shot clinic at the Rockwall Animal
Adoption Center on March 20. Even
though it was the first day of spring,
wind chill levels kept human, feline
and canine teeth chattering outside
the clinic.
Dr. Kurt Avery and his
Stonebridge Veterinary Hospital
team, assisted by Rockwall PAWS
volunteers, vaccinated pets, performed heartworm tests and
implanted microchips. Rockwall
Animal Services staff offered city
registration tags.
— Michael Kitkoski
Library needs
GED tutors
The Metro East Division of the
Home Builders Association and
Rods and Relics of Dallas will host
the 5th annual Cars for CASA
Show, benefiting Lone Star CASA,
beginning at 9 a.m. May 16 at The
Harbor in Rockwall. For more information, visit lonestarcasa.org.
The Rockwall County Library
needs GED tutors for its night
classes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Prior teaching experience is not needed.
Training will be provided from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17.
For more information, call Gloria
Bishop at 972-204-7705.
Green Door Project
spurs 5K run
Register now for the Green
Door 5K and 1 mile Fun Run to
help the poor, homeless and hungry through the Green Door Project in Mozambique, Africa. The
event will begin at 8 a.m. Satur-
day, March 27, at Harry Myers
Park, 385 S. Goliad St. in Rockwall.
For more information, visit childrensrelief.org/greendoor5krun.
Golf tournament
to help Patriot Paws
The Track Grill, 9400 Lakeview
Parkway in Rowlett, will sponsor a
charity golf tournament on Saturday, May 1, at Waterview Golf Club,
benefiting Patriot Paws. Patriot
PAWS trains service dogs that enhance the lives of disabled veterans.
Entry fee is $85. Individual or team
entries are due by April 1.
For more information, call The
Track at 972-475-0207 or Patriot
Paws, 811 Yellow Jacket Lane, Suite 115,
in Rockwall, at 972-772-3282.
13
Cars for CASA show
slated at The Harbor
March 26, 2010
HELPERS | BRIEFS
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
ine years ago, the adoptable animals of Rockwall were languishing in the most pitiful shelter
imaginable. The glorified barn barely had
protection from the elements. The animals
held little hope for adoption, because most
people couldn’t stand
going near the place. The
forgotten animals had no
clue their luck was about
to change.
Across town, a single
mother of three was
MICHAEL
waiting tables, strugKITKOSKI
gling to feed her family.
It was hard work, but the waitress became a
favorite of several officers from the Rockwall Police Department. Admiring her
work ethic and her friendly nature, the officers told her about an upcoming job opening. Rockwall Animal Services, which was
then under the umbrella of the police department, was looking for a new animal
control officer. Having lived her life around
animals, the waitress decided to apply for
the job.
That’s how Joyce Ross became a champion of Rockwall’s adoptable animals in
April 2001. I say “champion” because she’s
so much more than an animal control officer. Joyce has spent her career educating
children about proper pet care and animal-related issues.
“I love to make the kids smile,” Ross
told me. “Besides, to learn is to have
power. The more you know, the stronger
you are.”
She teams with Rockwall Petco to
teach dog bite awareness and to promote
adoptions. If you see Petco’s mascot Red
Ruff at city events, that’s Ross inside the
costume. More often than not, if the animal services department attends an event,
it’s Ross who’s greeting citizens and hand-
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
HS GAMETIME | SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Bible Church to host
Easter services
Rockwall girls, Heath
boys advance
Easter celebration services at
Rockwall Bible Church will begin
at noon Good Friday, April 2, followed by a casual lunch. Easter
Sunday Sunrise service by the
pond will be at 6:45 a.m. on April 4
followed by breakfast in the gym.
Sunday school for all ages is from
9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Worship service
begins at 10:30 a.m. Rockwall
Bible Church, 801 Zion Hill Circle,
is on Highway 66, one block west
of FM 549 in Rockwall, exit 70 off
Interstate 30.
For more information, call 972771-6179
or
visit
rockwallbiblechurch.org.
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
Swingsters prepare
for Spring Show
The Sachse High School
Swingsters varsity drill team
members, several of whom reside
in Rowlett, will showcase new routines during their annual spring
show at 7 p.m. April 17 at Sachse
High School. Tickets are $10 and
$5 for students.
The Swingsters, directed by
Brittany Shaver, will also compete
in a national drill team competition this weekend at the University
of North Texas in Denton.
For more information, visit sachseswingsters.org or see Michelle Bardin’s
neighborsgo.com/stopost
at
ries/51657.
14
March 26, 2010
Call for entries
in art show
Entries are requested for the
8th Annual Juried Small Works
Art Show coming to the Rowlett
Public Library in May. Awards will
be presented in many categories,
including any style of art, painting,
drawing, pottery, sculpture, digital
art, photography and jewelry.
For an entry application, visit
artistsroundtx.org.
Art League
offers scholarship
Graduating seniors may apply
for the Rockwall Art League’s 2010
Tom Collins Memorial Scholarship by April 1. The winner of the
BY MARCUS MURPHREE
AND MARK MACESICH
mmurphree@neighborsgo.com
mmacesich@neighborsgo.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GLEN TURBYFILL
Glen Turbyfill’s miniature houses are on display at Rockwall library.
Miniature house
display at library
Rockwall resident Glen Turbyfill’s unique housing display is on exhibit at the Rockwall County Library through March. The
handcrafted houses are made from
all natural woods, tree shavings and
mulch.
“I visualize the finished struc-
ture in my mind so I just start carving and cutting, gluing and painting
until I see the way it’s supposed to
look,” Turbyfill said. “After multiple
back surgeries I had to give up all
my outdoor hobbies. I found making these things took my mind off
some the pain for a while each day.”
Turbyfill’s oil paintings of Big
Horn Mountain scenery is also on
display.
$1,000 scholarship will be selected by May 1 based on financial
need, quality of artwork and presentation.
Interested students should e-mail
Darlene Dittoe at dittoe2@sbcglobal.net.
April brings new
display to library
Local artist Sueretta Todd will
display her water, oil and acrylic
paintings at the Rockwall County
Library through April. Todd is a
member of the Rockwall Art
League, Artists ’Round Texas and
Richardson Civic Arts Society.
N. Garland Baptist
plans tournament
North Garland Baptist Fellowship will host a golf tournament to
benefit graduating high school
seniors on May 1 at Firewheel Golf
Park, Old Course, 600 W. Campbell Road in Garland. Registration
and check-in will be at 7 a.m., and
tee off is at 8.
For more information, call 972414-1494 or e-mail artnickerson41@msn.com.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Carlos Benson is the founder of
Rockwall-based Drummers for
Jesus.
Drummers for Jesus
hosts 2-day concert
Rockwall-based Drummers for
Jesus International will host a twoday celebration of percussionists
who use their drumming to spread
the message of Jesus Christ. The
event begins at 7:30 p.m. today,
March 26, and continues through 5
p.m. Saturday at The Potter’s
House, 6777 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas.
For tickets and more information,
go to drummersforjesus.com.
Teams from across Rockwall,
Dallas and Collin counties are
making an impact in Texas high
school soccer’s version of March
Madness.
The playoffs, which resume
with Friday’s games, will cut the
field in each of the four top divisions in half to 32 teams. All are
pursuing bids to April’s state
championship tournament in
Georgetown and a shot at glory.
Here’s a look at the action:
ROCKWALL AND
RICHARDSON ISDS
In 4A, Rockwall-Heath’s
boys team is scheduled to play
District 22-4A champion Dallas
Bryan Adams, while the
Rockwall girls will play district
foe Highland Park.
Meanwhile, Richardson
Pearce’s boys and defending
state champion girls team have
been putting up strong offensive numbers in their first two
wins. Pearce boys will play a
tough Lovejoy team tonight
while the girls face The Colony.
Richardson and Rockwall 4A
schools play in the same district, along with Highland Park,
during the regular season.
Garland and Richardson ISDs
Garland and Richardson ISD
schools battled it out at the 5A
level for the right to advance
from the bi-district round.
Rowlett boys defeated
Dallas White and the District
10-5A champion girls beat
Dallas Skyline.
In boys play, GISD schools
split the series with their neighbors — District 10-5A champions North Garland eliminated
Richardson High School, 2-1,
while Lake Highlands dropped
Sachse, 4-0.
In girls action, Richardson
schools took the series 2-0,
with Berkner and Lake
Highlands over Naaman Forest
and Garland High, respectively.
Other teams from Garland
ISD advancing to the round of
64 were Naaman Forest boys,
and Sachse girls.
PLANO ISD
Plano West’s girls team and
both Plano Senior High teams
advanced to the area round of
the playoffs and could face
each other in the coming
weeks in Region 1.
The Plano boys eliminated
Cedar Hill with a 3-1 victory
Tuesday, while the girls team
won its first playoff match with
a 3-0 shutout. The No. 4
ranked Plano West girls won
their first match 4-0 over
Duncanville.
Marcus Murphree is neighborsgo
Garland section editor, and Mark
Macesich is North Zone assistant
managing editor.
PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Following is a rundown of high school soccer region playoff
matches scheduled today in Class 5A and 4A. Scheduled
times and game sites were unavailable as neighborsgo went
to press on Wednesday. For the latest details, visit hsgametime.com/dfw.
BOYS
5A (Region 2)
Rowlett vs. Belton
North Garland vs. Temple
Naaman Forest vs. Mesquite
4A (Region 2)
Rockwall Heath vs. Dallas
Bryan Adams
Richardson Pearce vs. Lucas
Lovejoy
GIRLS
5A (Region 2)
Lake Highlands vs. Belton
Rowlett vs. Mesquite Horn
Sachse vs. College Station
A&M Consolidated
4A (Region 2)
Rockwall vs. Highland Park
Richardson Pearce vs. The
Colony
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett
March 26, 2010
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March 26, 2010
neighborsgo | Rockwall | Rowlett