Richardson | June 2025

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Richardson Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 10 JUNE 27JULY 25, 2025

2025 Health Care Edition

Expanding surgery capabilities Methodist Richardson plans $22M operating room project

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Surgeons at Methodist Richardson Medical Center care for a patient. The hospital plans to add two operating rooms, with another two expected after the rst expansion.

COURTESY METHODIST RICHARDSON MEDICAL CENTER

Also in this issue Impacts: Learn more about Richardson’s newest brewery (Page 7)

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INSIDE

Government: Amazon drone delivery is coming to Richardson (Page 8)

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Total Loans (in Millions)

Total Assets (in Millions)

$500 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $50 $0 $100

$450

$400

$350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $50 $0 $100 $7.5 $7.0 $6.5 $6.0 $5.5 $5.0 $4.5 $4.0 $3.5 $3.0 $2.5 $2.0 $1.0 $1.5 $0.5

Total Deposits (in Millions)

Net Income after Tax (in Millions)

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

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The right spine care, right in the neighborhood. At Methodist Richardson Medical Center, you’ll find patient-focused care for even the most complex spine-related neurological disorders and trauma. With minimally invasive and nonsurgical options, you can get back to feeling like you again. Being there with the advanced spine care our friends and neighbors depend on. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist.

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Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

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Texas Public Education Funding in 2025

Thank you, Texas Lawmakers, for HB 2. Let’s keep going!

New funding provided in House Bill 2

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Needed to match the national average in per-pupil spending

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Impacts

5 Paleteria Nuevo León The restaurant serves Mexican-style ice cream and other treats. It is located next door to Taqueria & Tamaleria Nuevo León in the space formerly occupied by Burning Rice, which closed in January. • Opened May 3 • 2069 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 200, Richardson • www.instagram.com/paleterianuevoleon/

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Coming soon

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6 Ayat The New York-based restaurant is opening soon in Richardson, according to an Instagram post by the company. It will offer kebabs, chicken, lamb chops and other Palestinian dishes. It also offers vegetarian and vegan options.

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• Opening in late summer or early fall • 200 W. Spring Valley Road, Richardson • www.ayatnyc.com

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78 Relocations

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7 Outside, Texas The business has relocated from Dallas’ Lower Greenville to downtown Richardson. It offers branded T-shirts, hats, tanks, hoodies and more. • Opened May 9 • 203 W. Main St., Richardson • www.outsidetexas.com

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

3 Himalayan Corner The restaurant serves Indian and Nepali food, according to the company’s website. The menu includes kebabs, biryani, tandoori chicken, goat, lamb or chicken vindaloo and more. It also has several vegetarian options. • Opened May 9 • 4251 E. Renner Road, Ste. 106, Richardson • www.himalayancorner.com 4 Nail Love The business offers manicures, pedicures with options for dip or acrylic polish. It also offers lashes, waxing and children’s services for patrons 12 and under. • Opened June 1 • 1300 E. Belt Line Road, Ste. 600, Richardson • www.naillovetx.com

Now open

1 Selda Doner & Gyro Patrons can build their own bowls and wraps featuring rice, lettuce, hummus, beef, chicken and more. • Opened May 28 • 101 S. Coit Road, Ste. 1, Richardson • www.seldadallas.com 2 Yemandi Yemeni Cuisine The restaurant offers Yemeni cuisine such as chicken mandi and beef kabsah. It also offers several fish and lamb dishes. • Opened March 15 • 888 S. Greenville Ave., Ste. 210, Richardson • www.yemandi.com

In the news

8 Del’s Charcoal Burger The restaurant reopened June 6 in Richardson after a fire in April temporarily closed the restaurant. The restaurant is known for its hamburgers, french fries and house-made root beer. • 110 S. McKinney St., Richardson • www.delsburgers.com 9 The University of Texas at Dallas The university has a new president in Prabhas V. Moghe,

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who was previously named sole finalist for the role. The University of Texas board of regents named Moghe president May 30 and he will begin in the role Aug. 2. • 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson • www.utdallas.edu 10 Service Experts Four Metroplex HVAC and plumbing companies have rebranded under national parent company Service Experts, which is based in Richardson, according to a June news release. • 640 International Parkway, Ste. 200, Richardson • www.serviceexperts.com

Ace Pickleball Club offers open play courts, events, tournaments and classes for several different skill levels. • Opening TBD • 4801 W. Park Blvd., Ste. 270, Plano • www.acepickleballclub.com/plano-tx Vonlane The luxury motor coach service will begin offering daily service between The Woodlands and Dallas on June 13, the company announced in a news release. • Opened June 13 • 3300 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas • www.vonlane.com

Now open

Worth the trip

Closings

12 Oak Highlands Brewery The brewery offers a selection of craft beers brewed in-house. It also offers live music, food events, parties and more. Additionally, a Brix Barbecue food truck will be located in the brewery’s parking lot everyday. • Opened May 31

Moody Family Children’s Museum The Perot Museum of Nature and Science announced a grand reopening May 24 for its children’s museum, according to a news release. • Reopened May 23

11 Fish Shack The restaurant is closed in Richardson, according to a social media post. The Plano location will remain open, per the post. • Closed June 1 • 1840 N. Plano Road, Richardson • www.fishshackplano.com

• 2201 N. Field St., Dallas • www.perotmuseum.org

• 500 Lockwood Drive, Richardson • www.oakhighlandsbrewery.com

Ace Pickleball Club The club is planning to open a new location in southwest Plano, according to the company’s website.

Jeng Chi Restaurant & Bar

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Government

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

City considering charter amendments Residents may have an opportunity to vote on proposed changes to Richardson’s city charter in November. Richardson City Council will spend several months debating the amendments and any proposed changes must be approved by voters in November. Zooming in Recommendations include increasing council member compensation, adding a continuity of government in the case of a disaster and more. Richardson City Council approves Amazon drone delivery hub in split vote Richardson is one step closer to having drone deliveries for Amazon packages, following action taken by City Council. In a 4-3 vote, council approved a zoning change allowing Amazon to oer drone deliveries within a 7.5-mile radius during its June 9 meeting. What’s happening? The Amazon facility, located at 3051 Research Drive, is currently zoned for a distribution center, Senior City Planner Derica Peters said. The proposed changes to the zoning will allow Amazon to build a drone delivery hub no larger than 10,000 square feet, which would allow up to about 300 deliveries a day, Sam Bailey, the Amazon Eco- nomic Development Policy senior manager, said. Drone deliveries are regulated by the Federal

Crews to investigate water service line The city of Richardson’s public service department began in-eld inspections to identify and document the materials used in water service lines. The inspections began June 2 and follow Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. What you need to know Workers will dig two small holes at each property to visually inspect and identify the pipe material. Access inside homes will not be needed and work will occur in public right-of-way or utility easements. Residents were notied by letter in October, and progress will be announced on city social media channels. Work will primarily focus on properties built before 1966, when materials such as lead were not regulated.

Amazon drone hub 7.5-mile delivery radius

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Aviation Administration, Peters said, meaning that council cannot pass ordinances regulating ight paths. The city does have the authority to limit ground operations though, Peters said, such as

ight hours. What’s next

Although City Council approved the change, an environmental impact analysis and public hearing with the FAA, which has authority over Richard- son’s airspace, must be conducted.

Council nixes restaurant plans in West Spring Valley Corridor Richardson City Council denied a request for a restaurant called La Salsa Verde Taqueria. During the June 9 meeting, council voted 4-3 in favor of the plan, but because more than 20% of stakeholders within 200 feet of the proposed change sent written opposition to council, six of the seven council members would have had to vote in favor to approve the change. The details The request was for a lot located at 1250 W. Spring Valley Road. The current zoning requires all new buildings in the area to be at least two stories. The site plan for La Salsa Verde was only one story, but it would have been constructed at the height of a two-story building with a mezzanine instead of a second oor, Senior City Planner Derica Peters said. Additionally, a plan for the site was previously approved. Commercial Architect Edwin Brantley Smith, who represented the restaurant owner Andres Calvo during the meeting, said that, with the exception of the mezzanine, the site plan is the

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same as the previously approved plan. Smith said building a second story is economi- cally viable, which is why the plan was changed. Public input Property owners in the area cited trac concerns and a lack of parking as a reason they were against the change. Other reasons included trash and alcohol sales. Richardson resident Scott Ricamore spoke against the change, saying the site plan did not align with the vision for the corridor. "15 years ago, we came together around a bold vision to transform a declining area into a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use district," Ricamore said. “This zoning request isn't really part of that vision." Council members Jennifer Justice, Dan Barrios, Joe Corcoran and Aren Shamsul all voted in favor of the change. Mayor Amir Omar, Mayor pro tem Ken Hutchen- rider and council member Curtis Dorian opposed the change.

2025 timeline

June 9, 20: Council discusses charter amendments Aug. 11: Election called Nov. 4: charter election held June 23: Public hearing

SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

RISD expects $28M shortfall in FY 2025-26 budget

RISD saw academic growth in 2024-25 End-of-year Measures of Academic Prog- ress, or MAP, results show academic growth in Richardson ISD students, according to a presentation given to the district’s board of trustees. Gina Ortiz, the district’s senior executive director of accountability and continuous improvement, said more than 50% of stu- dents met or exceeded growth goals during the 2024-25 school year. The breakdown Students showed growth in English and math across all grades, Ortiz said. In reading and math, RISD students scored higher than national averages at most grade levels, Ortiz said. The results also indicate that RISD students are protected to continue showing growth in 2025-26.

Richardson ISD is facing a $28 million budget shortfall for next school year. Two-minute impact The approved operating budget anticipates $439 million in expenditures against $401 million in revenue. District officials also expect about $10 million from other sources, such as grants, and anticipates ending fiscal year 2025-26 with a $28 million shortfall. For FY 2024-25, the district anticipated a $27 million shortfall but will end with a $10 million shortfall. Additionally, RISD will pay about $6 million in recapture, a program that redistributes property tax dollars from property-wealthy districts to those the state deems property poor. Budget explained Assistant Superintendent David Pate said the budget is based on current state laws and doesn’t reflect legislation passed during the 89th Texas

Richardson ISD projected general fund balance -$200M -$100M $0 $100M $200M FY 2024-25 $167.6M

$139M

FY 2025-26

$78.5M

FY 2026-27

-$3.4M

FY 2027-28

-$108.6M

FY 2028-29

SOURCES: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

legislative session, which ended June 2, such as House Bill 2, which restructures school finance. He also said the district anticipates an enroll- ment decline of 430 students, going from 36,971 students in the 2024-25 school year to 36,541 students in 2025-26.

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Health care

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

Health Care Guide

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health Care Edition. It’s that time of year again where we here at Community Impact dig into the health care stories in your backyard. Make sure to check out our front page story about Methodist Richardson Medical Center’s upcoming $22 million operating room and surgery center upgrades. The edition also features other area health care updates, including a closer look at University of Texas at Dallas’ EMS program. All stories were written and curated by our local team of reporters, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission. Enjoy!

Premium sponsor:

Michael Crouchley Editor mcrouchley@ communityimpact.com

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano bswhealth.com/locations/hospital/ plano/cancer-care 4698144417 The power to live better TM

What's inside

Check in on the latest hospital updates in and near Richardson (Page 11)

Methodist Richardson working on $22 million OR project (Page 12)

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

UT Dallas researchers develop light-activated cancer therapy

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, led by bioengineering associate professor Dr. Girgis Obaid, are partnering with UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers to develop a light-activated therapy meant to target stomach cancer. Obaid said the therapy shows potential treating advanced stomach cancer and uses photody- namic therapy to kill cancer cells. The treatment could also activate the patient’s immune system, potentially enhancing the eectiveness of exist- ing treatments and reducing severe side eects associated with conventional chemotherapy. How it works Obaid said a lab-designed protein, called betabodies and developed at UT Southwestern, are used to target cancer cells. The protein only targets cancer cells and once exposed to light, creates a toxin that kills the cells. In addition, it is engineered to activate the

immune system once the cancer cells die to “wake up” the body’s natural defenses to attack any remaining cancer cells, Obaid said. “These molecules behave in a way that’s similar to plants,” he said. “They absorb light energy and convert it into chemical reactions.” The therapy diers from traditional chemother- apy, which kills both health and cancerous cells, leading to signicant side eects. This light-activated therapy oers two levels of targeting: the engineered protein directs the drug specically to cancer tissue, and the light activa- tion ensures that the drug is only active where the light is applied. Measuring the impact The therapy is in the early stage of development Obaid said, and researchers are currently testing it in lab settings and on mice. It is currently funded by a $250,000 grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

Dr. Girgis Obaid leads a team of researchers in developing a light-activated cancer therapy meant to kill cancer cells and activate the body’s immune system.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY DUSTIN BUTLER & MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

4 health care updates from UT Dallas, area hospitals

1 UT Dallas EMS program By working closely with the Richardson Fire Department, the University of Texas at Dallas’s student-led EMS program has become the rst line of response for most campus emergencies and earned national honors. The program is student-led and one of three collegiate EMS organizations in the state, EMS Director Sheila Elliott said, adding there are only about 300 organizations nationwide. Additionally, the organization was awarded Collegiate EMS Organization of the Year from the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. The University Emergency Medical Response is a registered rst responder organization oering emergency medical services on campus, Elliott said. The organization partners with Richardson Fire Department to provide rapid response.

2 Methodist Richardson Medical Center The hospital has a Level III trauma designation and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methodist Richardson Medical Center earned two national honors—Premier Inc.’s Top 100 Hospitals and The National Pancreas Foundation’s (NPF) Centers of Excellence for pancreatic cancer care. The hospital ranked 13th overall in the Top 100 Hospitals award and is the rst of its kind for the Methodist Health System, according to a news release. The award intends to inspire hospitals to pursue higher performance and deliver higher quality care to patients. “Our team couldn’t be more proud to have earned this distinction,” Methodist Richardson President Ken Hutchenrider said in the release. “This ranking reects the dedication of our physicians and sta to be the best we can be on a day-to-day basis to serve our communities.” The National Pancreas Foundation recognized the hospital as a “Center of Excellence” for pancreatic cancer care, according to a news release. The audit process determined Methodist Richardson Medical Center used multidisciplinary treatment for pancreatic cancer, treating the “whole patient” with a focus on the best possible outcome and improved quality of life for patients.

3 Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital specializes in comprehensive heart and vascular health. The facility has 105 beds. The hospital was recognized as the second top teaching hospital with a cardiovascular residency program in the country by Fortune Magazine.

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1100 Allied Dr, Plano, TX 75093 www.bswhealth.com

4 Medical City Plano Medical City Plano is a Level I Trauma Care Center and has a Level IV NICU. The hospital was recently accredited by the Surgical Review Corporation as a “Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.” Surgeons use advanced tools and technologies to perform minimally invasive procedures.

UT Dallas’s EMS program provides rapid response.

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3901 W 15th St, Plano, TX 75075 www.medicalcityhealthcare.com

2831 E. President George Bush Highway, Richardson www.methodisthealthsystem.org/methodist- richardson-medical-center

800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson www.police.utdallas.edu/programs-and-services/ uemr

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Expanding surgery capabilities From the cover

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

Why it matters

What you need to know

Trauma level Level IV

What’s next

1 Texas Health Presbyterian Plano - Level II 2 Baylor Scott & White Regional Medical Center - None 3 Methodist Richardson Medical Center - Level III 4 Medical City Plano - Level I

Luba Ketsler, associate professor of instruction focused on healthcare economics at the University of Texas at Dallas, said more operating rooms and continual advances in technology improve hospital efficiency, meaning it can care for more patients more quickly. Ketsler added that additional rooms reduce bottlenecks in the healthcare system and improve access and quality of care. “The idea is that the more [hospitals] advance the technologies, the quicker [patients] are able to come in and get out,” Ketsler said. The expansion is an indication of the city’s strong economy, City Manager Don Magner said. Because of the hospital’s range of services, the city can leverage Methodist Richardson Medical Center to attract new businesses. “Businesses want to relocate in a contemporary community where they can tell their employees that they will have these services available to them and they will be easily accessible,” Magner said.

• Provide initial evaluation, stabilization, intensive care Level III • Offer resources for emergency surgery, intensive care Level II • Offer specialists on call 24/7 • Can transfer to Level 1 facilities Level I • Highest level of care • Full range of specialists, equipment in-house 24/7

Methodist Richardson Medical Center is launching a $22 million expansion aiming to boost surgical capacity and pave the way for a higher trauma designation. The expansion marks a step in the hospital’s growing role as a medical hub for North Texas, hospital President Ken Hutchenrider said. The expansion will add two full-size operating rooms with space for two future operating rooms, bringing the total number to 13. Work is underway on the first two operating rooms, Hutchenrider said, with an expected completion in early 2026. This is in addition to the three cardiac catheterization laboratories, or cath labs, where heart and vascular treatments are performed, Director of Community and Public Relations Jan Arrant said. In addition to the expanded operating rooms, the hospital is developing a joint ambulatory surgery center with several physicians and Tennessee-

new operating rooms are complete, it will perform about 1,000 more. Hutchenrider said the hospital is consistently at capacity, with surgery “always full.” Construction on the new operating rooms has begun, Hutchenrider said, and a second tower is planned for the future.

Methodist Richardson serves around 1.1 million residents across Dallas, Collin and parts of Rockwall counties, Ketsler said, adding that the area is experiencing 2% to 3% population growth annually. On average, the hospital performs about 7,500 surgeries annually, Arrant said, and once the

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The operating room expansion is expected to finish and be operational.

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The hospital aims to move from a Level III to a Level II trauma center designation.

The hospital anticipates having the next two operating rooms up and operational.

The hospital plans to begin the process of adding another building tower.

SOURCES: BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH,TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The hospital anticipates finishing construction on the new tower.

up space in the main operating room for more advanced surgeries. Once complete, Hutchenrider said there are plans to begin the process to upgrade the hospital’s trauma designation from Level III to Level II, the second highest.

based Surgical Partners, a company that partners with hospitals to operate ancillary surgical facilities. The center will offer minor surgeries such as laparoscopy and other surgeries where patients can typically go home the same day, freeing

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

SOURCE: METHODIST RICHARDSON MEDICAL CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

DALLAS 9500 N Central Expy (214) 369-2800 ADDISON 15055 Inwood Rd (972) 239-5891

Transportation

BY DUSTIN BUTLER, ADAM DOE & CODY THORN

Road work to close lanes on Renner, Spring Valley Roads through July Construction projects near Custer and Renner Parkway and Spring Valley Road will cause lane closures through late July, according to a June 6 press release from the city of Richardson. In a nutshell Renner Road’s eastbound right lane, 800 feet east of Custer Parkway, may close between 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., while construction crews replace the nearby trail and extend the retaining wall. The right lane of eastbound Renner Road between Greenside Drive and Custer Parkway may also close in 15-minute intervals as contractors unload equipment. Additionally, the left lanes of both east and westbound Spring Valley Road will close in two phases between 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. while crews work

NTTA to increase toll rates on July 1

Renner road updates

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Starting July 1, the North Texas Tollway Authority will raise toll rates an average of 1 cent per mile. The rate increase will go from 21 cents to 22 cents per mile, while the pay-by-mail rate will be double the TollTag rate. The breakdown This toll rate increase will help NTTA repay approximately $8.8 billion in toll bonds used to construct toll roads. The rate increase also helps fund future improve- ments included in the NTTA five-year capital plan, including the current extension of the Dallas North Tollway and Chisholm Trail Parkway. Only drivers who choose to use NTTA roads pay tolls, according to a news release.

Spring Valley road updates

Phase 1

Phase 2

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on a median improvement project. Phase 1 will close Spring Valley Road between Plano Road and Glenville Drive, with Phase 2 closing between Briarcrest Drive and Spring Valley Court. The city expects to complete both projects in late July, the news release states.

Custer Parkway improvement project continues to advance in Richardson

The next phase of the Custer Parkway improve- ment project is set to begin in Richardson. The details Construction work on the project will close the northbound side of Custer Parkway from Renner Road to the railroad tracks south of Canyon Creek Drive. Work is expected to wrap up in late July.

What else? Drivers can expect lane closures near the Plano Road and Lookout Drive intersection as lanes will close for fiber optic work. The right turn lane of southbound Plano Road may be closed between 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Work is expected to finish in late August.

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Tran Fawcett, JD, LLM Attorney

100 N Central Expy, Suite 416 Richardson, TX 75080 972-708-1036 Tran Fawcett Law, PLLC

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DETOURS: The Botanical Gardens of Orange CRITTER: Bottlenose Dolphin OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: Copper Craftsman FEATURE PREVIEW: Juneteenth’s Hero, Opal Lee

Above: The Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

RICHARDSON EDITION

DETOURS

A Green Refuge In Orange

Northwest of downtown, alongside Adams Bayou.

BY DANIEL VAUGHN

FOR FIFTY YEARS the gates of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center were closed. A bitter freeze in 1958 killed much of founder H.J. Lutcher Stark’s plant- ings, including his prized azaleas. Decades later, reopening plans spearheaded by his namesake foundation were also thwarted by nature, first by Hurricane Rita, in 2005, and then by Ike, in 2008. Finally, in 2009, the 252-acre park opened once again to visitors. Gravel paths wander along- side some three hundred plant species, and everywhere are contemplative spaces that feel far removed from the surrounding city, which lies just across the Sabine River from Louisiana. At the placid Pond of the Blue Moon is the towering Cypress Gate, a platform designed by San Antonio–based architecture firm Lake Flato from logs salvaged after Rita. At Ruby Lake, you’ll find a bird blind for viewing the many varieties of waterfowl that come through, and you just might see an alligator sunning on the dock nearby.

About 51,000 bottlenose dol- phins—the most common spe- cies o the Texas coast—are frolicking in the northern Gulf as you read this. Occasionally, though, one of them ends up on land. The Texas Marine Mam- mal Stranding Network, based in Galveston, responds to an average of 134 strandings per year. Executive director Heidi Whitehead says that after hur- ricanes, she and her colleagues have even rescued dolphins from fields and ditches as far as seventeen miles inland. So before you head to the beach, learn what to do if you come across one.

it can be rescued. Then try to keep it shaded and wet.

IF I FIND A STRANDED DOLPHIN, SHOULD I PUSH

CRITTER OF THE MONTH

Bottlenose Dolphin

IT INTO THE WATER? Often, says Whitehead, a

HOW EXACTLY DOES ONE MOISTEN A DOLPHIN ? You can pour seawater over it or cover it in wet towels. Just be sure to avoid the blowhole. MAY I PET IT? Definitely not. Wild dolphins are a protected species, and any form of harassment (such as trying to touch, feed, or swim with them) is illegal. Whitehead says the best thing you can do is be quiet and keep pets and other people at a distance. —Lauren Larson

beached dolphin is su ering from a lung disease brought on by exposure to bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it must be treated and rehabilitated. If you try to Free Willy a dolphin back into the Gulf, it is unlikely to survive. WHAT SHOULD I DO? First, call 800-9MAMMAL, which is like a dolphin 911, and someone from Whitehead’s group will talk you through keeping the animal safe until

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

MADE IN TEXAS

Inside a Copper Mind Jonathan Beall makes modern kitchenware, barware, and water dispensers that last a lifetime.

BY AMANDA ALBEE

When Beall launched Sertodo Copper, in 1997, he traveled the U.S., cold-calling ho- tels and restaurants to sell Mexican-made copper cookware and chafing dishes. Three years later, he moved to Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, a town with a coppersmithing tradition that predates its founding nearly five hundred years ago. There, he joined a copper community led by James Metcalf, the late sculptor and educator who reinvigorated local artisanal traditions. An apprentice- ship with copper maestro Máximo Velázquez Correa had Beall forging hundreds of nails and tools, including hammers and chisels, to cultivate a “manual intelligence” that he says is in decline among modern American creators, who sidestep material knowledge for computer-aided design. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly.

IN HIS AUSTIN warehouse, Jonathan Beall sips water from one of his copper cups, an Ayurvedic practice said to stimulate diges- tion and increase immunity. He points to a hand-carved solid-copper vase made us- ing traditional techniques, such as melting recycled copper into ingots and repeatedly annealing and forging the mass into shape, a skill he learned in Mexico. It reminds him of a similar piece he encountered on a trip to Sayulita, on that country’s Pacific coast, almost thirty years ago—he can still see it glittering in the dawn light among a peddler’s wares. “I had never seen anything like it,” he says. “I didn’t know what was happening, but I had a big feeling.”

OUT THERE

Meanwhile, In Texas A man dressed in shorts and sneakers was seen cruising down the center lane of westbound Interstate 40 in Amarillo on an electric scooter . In a cave near Marfa, archaeologists discovered remnants of an atlatl, a straight-flying boomerang, and other components of whatmay be the oldest intact hunting kit found in North America. Almost four thousand Kerrville residents lost power for two hours after a ringtail came into contact with equipment at a substation. On National Beer Day, a train collided with the trailer of a semitruck near Saginaw, spilling hundreds of cans of beer around the tracks. Nearly three thousand people and 1,300 dogs descended on a ranch in Bee Cave for Texas’s largest annual golden retriever meetup . Hoping to steal a car, a man threw a rock through the window of a Tyler dealership, injured himself while entering through the broken glass, and called 911 for help getting out of the building, even though several doors were unlocked. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was bitten by an ostrich while visiting a wildlife park in North Texas. —Meher Yeda

Jonathan Beall polishes a copper vessel at his com- pany’s workshop in Austin on April 24, 2025.

RICHARDSON EDITION

Opal Lee at her Fort Worth home, in front of a painting of her family tree.

advantage of the specials. At least four con- versations are happening at once, all of them somehow meeting at a center point, briefly, beforebouncingooneanotherandcontinu- ing in their own universes. When Lee, 98, emerges from a back room, glass of milk in hand, she is vibrant, smiling widely, and moving gingerly, but no one fusses over her. They all seem to know she moves at her own pace, on her own time. “Old people ain’t got nothing but time,” she tells me, set- tlingintoachairinanocethatisoverflowing with honors and ephemera: a signed basketball from the New York Knicks, photos with Pres- idents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, various awards from women’s groups and colleges and civil rights organizations. When I ask Lee how she’s feeling, she tells me she’s wearing a back brace, so she’s feeling good. Her back has been hurting, but it ain’t nothing special. Old people have aches and pains; most of them don’t even know why or where they came from. I want to know what keeps her going, and she smiles. “I feel like I’m everybody’s grandma. And I had good grand- mas.” She recalls her grandparents always findingwaystohelpfolksintheircommunity. “My mom was like that too,” she says. “It’s just part of your makeup.” To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

OPAL LEE LIVES on the same property where her childhood home once sat, inside a house recently built for her by Habitat for Hu- manity. On the front door is a purple wreath. In the center of the wreath is a quote from Lee herself: “If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” Inside, the house buzzes with Lee’s friends and family. There’s excitement in the air, in part because it is Veterans Day, and at least two veterans are in the home, preparing to circulate through several restaurants to take

FEATURE PREVIEW

Opal Lee Marches On The 98-year-old activist partly

responsible for Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday says, “I got work to do.” BY HANIF ABDURRAQIB

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY ADAM DOE

July

Open Mic Night at Backdoor Comedy Find out if you or your friends are funny at Backdoor Comedy’s open mic night every Thursday. Backdoor says they have the longest-running open mic night in the southwest, according to their website. • July 3, 8 p.m. (Every Thursday) • $9.31 • 940 East Belt Line Road, Richardson • tinyurl.com/richopenmic Eagles Tribute Band at the Eisemann Center Eagles Tribute band 7 Bridges will perform at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts fourth of July weekend. 7 Bridges has performed The Eagles’ music since 2009. • July 5, 7:30 p.m. • $55-$90 • 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • tinyurl.com/RichEagles Karaoke at the Mad Hatter Belt out your favorite tunes every Wednesday at the Mad Hatter Neighborhood pub. The pub has three locations in the Metroplex and offers $1 wings and $5 whiskey on Wednesdays. • July 9, 9-11:45 p.m. (every Wednesday) • Free • 120 West City Line Drive, Richardson • tinyurl.com/julykaraoke Skeleton McKee at Gillespie’s Tavern Celtic rock band Skeleton McKee will perform at Gillespie’s Irish Kitchen and Tavern. Gillespie’s menu includes bar fare like wings and pork sliders, alongside Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie and braised lambshanks. • July 12, 7:30-10 p.m. • Free (Reservation recommended) • 3600 Shire Blvd, Richardson • tinyurl.com/mckeetavern Second Saturday at Cottonwood Market Head to Cottonwood Park the second Saturday of each month to peruse antiques, collectibles and clothing

from local vendors and craftsmen. The park also hosts a farmer’s market in the parking lot. • July 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (The second Saturday of each month) • Free • 101 South Coit Road, Richardson • tinyurl.com/Julycottonwood Dive-in Movie Jump in the lap pool or lazy river at the Heights Aquatic Center for dive-in summer movie nights. The pool- bound movie nights will kick off with Moana 2 in July, followed by 2004’s Mean Girls in August. • July 18, 8 p.m. Family 4th Celebration Celebrate Independence Day in Richardson with the Family 4th Celebration at Breckinridge Park. The celebration will feature food vendors, the Richardson Community Band and fireworks. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics.

Vicki Lawrence at the Eisemann Center Former Carol Burnett Show star Vicki Lawrence will perform her stage show “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: a Two Woman Show” at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. Lawrence starred on the CBS sketch comedy show from 1967-1978, and created the character, Mama. • July 26, 7:30 p.m. • $61-$101 • 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • tinyurl.com/vickilawrence Shuttles will ferry guests from parking lots to the park. • July 4, 6 p.m. • Free • 3001 and 3101North President George Bush Turnpike (Parking lots) • tinyurl.com/familyfourth

• $6 when purchased online, $10 onsite. • 709 West Arapaho Road, Richardson • tinyurl.com/Richmoana2

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Real estate

On average, homes spent more time on the market in all three Richardson ZIP codes in May 2025 compared to May 2024. Residential market data

May 2024

May 2025

Number of homes sold

Average home price in the last 6 months

-10.71%

-11.54%

75080 $452,000

75081 $410,200

75082 $558,000

PGBT TOLL

75082

75080

75081

75082

75080

75081

Median home sales price

PGBT TOLL

BELT LINE RD.

May

2024

2025

$447,250

$480,000

75080

Homes sold by price point

$425,000

$395,000

75081

May 2025

$595,000

$565,000

$1 million+

75082

$700,000-$999,999

$400,000-$699,999

Average days on the market

Number of new listings

$100,000-$399,999

+38.12%

+144%

+72.67%

+22.22%

+30%

+55.56%

<$100,000

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS WWW.CCAR.NET

75080

75081

75082

75080

75081

75082

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