Lake Highlands - Lakewood | May 2023

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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 MAY 13JUNE 9, 2023

Reducing Homelessness in Dallas The number of people experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties is the lowest it has been in ve years. People experiencing homelessness are either sheltered or unsheltered; the former means they could be staying with relatives or sleeping in a shelter, while the latter means they have no shelter and live outdoors.

JuJu’s Coee opens rst storefront in Lakewood

Sheltered

Unsheltered

3,086

1,452

1,619

2,852 3,138 3,030 3,060

-6.48% since 2019

1,432

1,380 1,184

Dallas invites residents to lakeside campout

0 1,000

2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000

13.01% Collin County

4,244 homeless people were counted in January in Dallas and Collin counties.

86.99% Dallas County

Tattoo shop takes unique approach to design

SOURCE: HOUSING FORWARDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Derek Hayes said he has experienced homelessness on and o since 2009. (David Bravo Moreno/Community Impact)

Decline in unhoused population spells change for city The state of homelessness in Dal- las has risen and fallen over the past several years, but this year marked the county’s lowest number of peo- ple experiencing homelessness in ve years. in January. Housing Forward, a North Texas organization serving the unhoused population, conducted the federally mandated point-in- time count, which is meant to pro- vide a snapshot of trends regarding homelessness, on Jan. 26. The orga- nization released data related to the count in April, which showed home- lessness in Dallas and Collin counties has decreased by 4% since 2022. The decline comes as a result of targeted eorts from the city and local agencies, but housing advocates said more needs to be done to pro- vide housing to all Dallas residents. Advocates and city ocials cited a lack of aordable hous- ing, widespread misinformation, CONTINUED ON 14 BY CECILIA LENZEN In Dallas County, about 3,692 peo- ple were counted as experiencing homelessness during a single night

Local restaurant creates family around fried chicken

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THIS ISSUE

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM TRACY: The voters have spoken, and the city and local school districts have a new lineup of leaders with some familiar faces. Inside you can nd out more about the incumbents tackling another term as well as those who are new (see Page 11). Also in this edition, you can get the scoop on where to nd chicken and waes tucked away inside a Lake Highlands storefront (see Page 13), and nd out how Dallas is seeking to help low- income renters remain or relocate within the city (see Page 9). Tracy Ruckel, GENERAL MANAGER

MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Tracy Ruckel

EDITOR Kevin Cummings REPORTER Cecilia Lenzen

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FROM KEVIN: New numbers released show a snapshot of the people living in the Dallas without a permanent residence. In addition to diving into the numbers, this edition looks at the ways city ocials are handling the issue of homelessness by seeking to address its causes (see Page 14). In these pages, you can also nd out more about a tattoo shop in Lakewood with a welcoming environment (see Page 12), along with information on how the city is looking to help residents learn new skills (see Page 10). Kevin Cummings, EDITOR

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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

NOW OPEN 1 The Sculpt Fairy , a medical spa that oers body contouring services, opened in Lake Highlands on April 30. The spa is located at 8499 Greenville Ave., Ste. 107, Dallas. The Sculpt Fairy oers noninvasive body sculpting services to help reduce excess fat and cellulite, and help tighten skin and tone muscle. Procedures include lipo-cavitation, heat therapy, vacuum therapy and nonin- vasive Brazilian butt lifts, according to the company website. 214-974-8370. 2 Nexus Children’s Hospital will open a new pediatric care center in Lake Highlands in mid-June. The new 80,000-square-foot center will feature 60 private rooms, a rehabilitation gym and more. It will open at 9525 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Initially expected to open around the beginning of the year, Nexus Children’s Hospital treats complex medical conditions for pediatric patients, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, respiratory conditions, and complex med- ical and psychiatric diagnoses, according to the company’s website. 281-409-6011. https://nexushealthsystems.com 3 San Antonio-based Merit Coee will open in its fth Dallas cafe in Lakewood in August. Merit Coee sources fresh coee from over 30 countries and roasts it with its custom-built German roaster in San Antonio, according to its website. In addition to its cafes, the company sells coee at Whole Foods and Central Market stores throughout Texas. The company has 12 cafes in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, including ones in Deep Ellum, Preston Forest, Preston Hollow Village and Highland Park. The Lakewood cafe will be located at 4124 Abrams Road, Dallas. www.meritcoee.com 4 Skin Laundry , a Los Angeles-based facial company, is expected to open www.thesculptfairy.com COMING SOON several Texas locations in the next year, including one in Lake Highlands at 8041 Walnut Hill Lane, Ste. 120A, in The Hill Shopping Center. It will open in the sum- mer, but an exact opening date has not yet been set. Renovations on the space are expected to nish in June, according

BUCKINGHAM RD.

FOREST LN.

YogaSix

COURTESY YOGASIX

to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ling. Skin Laundry oers a variety of facial services designed to treat skin concerns, such as acne, acne scars, melasma, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, ne lines and wrinkles, texture, and dullness. In addition to the Lake Highlands location, Skin Laundry will open in Lake- wood in the Lakewood Shopping Center, according to a news release. However, the company did not provide an exact address. www.skinlaundry.com 5 California-based Gen Korean BBQ House will open in its rst Dallas location o of Greenville Avenue. The restau- rant is expected to open in September at 5500 Greenville Ave., manager Don Kim said. The 4,417-square-foot space is located in the Old Town in the Village shopping center. Gen Korean BBQ House oers “boundless menu options consist- ing of freshly prepared meats, seafood and vegetables,” including a variety of traditional Korean side dishes, according to the company’s website. The restaurant also has locations in Frisco and Carroll- ton. www.genkoreanbbq.com 6 Boutique yoga brand YogaSix plans to open a new location near Dallas’ Lower Greenville area in mid-September. The company is seeking to bring a “fresh, modern” perspective on yoga to the Lakewood/Lower Greenville community, General Manager Mark Johnson said. The studio will open at 2650 N. Fitzhugh Ave., Ste. 120, Dallas. YogaSix oers a variety of yoga classes focusing on areas such as deep stretching, stress relief and high-intensity training. The company uses “modern language” instead of Sanskrit, a classical Hindu language commonly used in yoga practices, because the traditional language can be intimidating to those

ROYAL LN.

635

LAKE HIGHLANDS

WALNUT HILL LN.

PARK LN.

E. NORTHWEST HWY.

LOVERS LN.

WHITE ROCK LAKE

LAKEWOOD

RICHMOND AVE.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

FASHION. GIFTS. ACCESSORIES

thestoreinlh.com (214) 553-8850 The Store in Lake Highlands at Lakeridge Center 9850 Walnut Hill Ln #226, Dallas, TX 75238

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY CECILIA LENZEN

JuJu’s Coee serves drinks and locally roasted beans in Lakewood.

Joan Jett and The Blackheart • X Ambassadors • Judah & the Lion Little River Band • Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band The Romantics • Joshua Ray Walker • Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band Joshua Ray Walker Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute The Peterson Brothers • David Wilcox • Bidi Bidi Band Squeezebox Bandits • Beat Root Revival • King Margo Beth Nielsen Chapman • Gabe Lee wildflowerfestival.com MAY 19-21 Galatyn Park Urban Center • Richardson, Texas

KEVIN CUMMINGSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

new to yoga, Johnson said. www.yogasix.com/location/dallas-tzhugh RELOCATIONS 7 Society Bakery , a local dessert shop, is scheduled to relocate to the Lakewood area by fall. The shop is located at 3610 Greenville Ave. but will move to a larger space less than 2 miles away at 1926 Skillman St. Owner Roshi Muns said she wanted to stay in the neighborhood but needed space to expand an afternoon tea concept. She also plans to add party rooms patrons can book for special occa- sions. The business will temporarily close over the summer during the transition to the new space, but a closure date has not yet been determined. 214-827-1411. www.societybakery.com CLOSINGS 8 Bed Bath & Beyond is planning to close its 360 retail stores across the country, including one in Lake Highlands, after ling for Chapter 11 bankruptcy “We kind of just came up with the idea as a joke,” Nick said. “We were like, ‘Well, what else are we going to do for however long COVID[-19] is going to be?’ We couldn’t really see FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN A local coee company opened its rst brick-and-mortar location after operating out of a converted 1962 Airstream trailer for about a year. JuJu’s Coee , owned by married couple Nick and Julia Rocha, opened May 8 in Lakewood at 6038 La Vista Drive. Their coee company was born out of the pandemic, when they faced social distancing orders and quarantine restrictions. Nick said he and Julia were attending the University of North Texas when the pandemic hit, and they both went home to Amarillo for a spring break that lasted much longer than anyone expected at the time. While following stay-at-home orders, they began renovating the Airstream trailer and brainstormed JuJu’s Coee, which is named after Julia.

an end to [the pandemic] back then.” In May 2022, the couple began serving coee out of the trailer for weddings and events, including FC Dallas games at Toyota Stadium. Even with the brick-and-mortar open, they plan to continue serving coee at events out of the trailer, Nick said. JuJu’s Coee will initially serve only takeout options, but Nick said he and Julia plan to eventually oer seating inside. The menu will include coee and tea drinks, sodas and hot chocolate. The shop also sells coee beans from local coee roasters Coee del Rey and Eiland Coee Roasters. 806-676-5385. www.jujuscoee.com

It’s Crawfish Season! Authentic New Orleans Creole Cooking

LA VISTA DR.

“ Charlie’s Creole Kitchen serves authentic New Orleans Creole, Cajun, and Seafood cuisine. Join us for lunch, dinner, and cocktails on lowest Greenville Avenue in a casual setting. We have been a staple of the community for over 30 years. Full bar & cocktails • Catering available

LEWIS ST.

”

April 23. A spokesperson said a closing date has not yet been set. Until then, the retail company intends to continue operating its stores, including those of its sister company Buy Buy Baby. Bed Bath & Beyond, which was founded in 1971, sells bedding, bath products, home decor and other specialty items. The Lake Highlands store is located at 8005 Park Lane, Dallas. 214-692-1778. www.bedbathandbeyond.com 9 Local Chinese restaurant Monkey King Noodle Co. permanently closed its location in Lake Highlands in late March. The company decided to close the restau- rant, which opened in 2020, because it wasn’t receiving enough business, man- agement said. In late April, management said they were looking for better areas to expand that would generate enough revenue. Monkey King Noodle still has locations in Richardson, Grapevine, Deep Ellum and downtown Dallas. The Lake Highlands restaurant was located at 6770 Abrams Road, Dallas, in the Creekside shopping mall. 469-713-2648. www.monkeykingnoodlecompany.com

2129 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206

charliescreolekitchentexas.com • (214)-821-8890

LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

TODO LIST

May events

BY CECILIA LENZEN

19 THROUGH 21 GET TATTOOED AT A FESTIVAL Elm Street Tattoo and co-owner Oliver Peck will host the annual Elm Street Music and Tattoo Festival in Deep Ellum. The festival will feature a variety of tattoo artists, art shows, vendors, and a mix of local and touring bands all within a few blocks on Elm Street. All day. $20. Trees, 2709 Elm St., Dallas. 214-653-1392. www.elmstreettattoo.com/ events/music-and-tattoo-festival 23 LISTEN ON THE LAKEFRONT Soul singer-songwriter Kamica King will perform live at the Bath House Cultural Center as part of Lakefront Live, the center’s free concert series. King is the founder and CEO of music-based socio-emotional wellness company King Creative Arts Expressions. 7:30 p.m. Free. Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas. 214-670-8749. https://bathhouse.dallasculture.org 27 DANCE TO TAYLOR SWIFT MUSIC The Granada Theater will host a Taylor Swift-themed DJ dance party for those age 18 and older. The music will include all of Swift’s top hits. 9 p.m. $15. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-824-9933. www.granadatheater.com/calendar

MAY 1921

WORTH THE TRIP ENJOY LIVE, LOCAL MUSIC

of the venue’s Cool Thursdays Concert Series, which features a variety of food trucks. 7:30 p.m. $12-$39. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. 214-515-6615. www.dallasarboretum.org 19 THROUGH 21 SEE A MOVIE IN CONCERT The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform the Academy Award-winning score of “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” in sync to the movie projected on screen. 7:30 p.m. (May 19-20); 3 p.m.(May 21). $37-$183. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas. 214-849-4376. https://bit.ly/41O3o4q Richardson will host its annual Wildower Arts & Music Festival, featuring concerts, street performers, a battle of the bands, a songwriting competition, a marketplace and kids activities. 6 p.m.-midnight (May 19); 11 a.m.-midnight (May 20); 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (May 21). $15-$400. Galatyn Park Urban Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson. 972-744-4580. https://wildowerfestival.com

Attendees take part in a camping trip at Lake Tawakoni State Park.

COURTESY DALLAS PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

FEATURED EVENT Take a family camping trip The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is hosting an overnight camping trip May 20-21. In partnership with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, ocials will teach participants outdoor skills like setting up camp and cooking. Other activities include kayaking and a guided photography hike. Camping equipment will be provided, but participants should bring bedding, toiletries and meals. 9:30 a.m. $75. Lake Tawakoni State Park, 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point 214-671-0421 www.dallasparks.org/calendar.aspx

JACKSON KINGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

MAY 14 AND 28

DRINK BEER AND DO YOGA Lakewood Brewing Co. will open early for a yoga session in its loft. Participants will receive a free beer with the class but are expected to bring their own yoga mat. 10 a.m. $15. Lakewood Brewing Co., 2302 Executive Drive, Garland. 972-864-2337. https://lakewoodbrewing.com/event/ beer-yoga-at-lakewood/2023-05-28 18 SING A TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON Karen as Dolly, a Dolly Parton tribute artist, will perform at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden as part

Find more or submit Lake Highlands and Lakewood events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Jeng Chi Restaurant & Bakery

FLAG POLE HILL PARK

400 N. Greenville Ave. #11 Richardson, TX 75081 972/669-9094 www.jengchirestaurant.com

GOFORTH RD.

Nearing completion, construction on parking lots at Flag Pole Hill Park will reorient them to provide more green space. (Cecilia Lenzen/Community Impact)

Connectivity updates set for Flag Pole Hill Park

Exit ramp closures on I-635 As part of the I-635 improvement project, the eastbound A exit ramp to Centerville Road/Ferguson Road was relocated further west. The south- bound exit ramp at B La Prada Drive will also be relocated further west. Timeline: 2020-2024 Cost: $1.74 billion Funding source: TxDOT The department has worked with contractors to ensure the trail meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, Turner-Noteware said. It will be about 6 feet wide so it impacts the smallest number of trees. One of the recommendations in the master plan is to protect the park’s ecological features. As of late April, the new parking lots were “nearly complete,” Turn- er-Noteware said. The previous lots were removed to create more space in the park’s Great Lawn event area and amphitheater space. The addition of the trail could support pedestrian and cyclist safety by getting them o the street, Turner-Noteware said. The trail will also provide recreational opportunities, Turn- er-Noteware said. The project has opened up the park’s terraced area to provide more space on the Great Lawn. It will also the expand the park’s playground to include a wheel- chair-accessible swing and slide. Future developments could be included in the 2024 bond package.

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BY CECILIA LENZEN

Construction underway to improve Flag Pole Hill Park, including the installation of a trail and two parking lots, is set to nish by the end of May. The renovations to the park, located at 8015 Doran Circle, are part of the city’s 2017 Flag Pole Hill Park master plan. The rst phase of the plan, which was included in the 2017 bond program, involves reorienting parking lots and adding a nearly mile- long loop trail around the park that will connect the White Rock Creek and SoPac trails. The $1.1 million project began in February 2022 and was originally set to be completed that November. Grade issues with the trail led to delays, said Christina Turner-Noteware, assistant director of the Dallas Park and Recre- ation Department.

ONGOING PROJECT

We know the neighborhood.

W. CENTERVILLE RD.

635

JacksonSells Team 214.827.2400 scott.jackson@compass.com jacksonsells.com

The JacksonSells Team is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state, and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 2. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LHLNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

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GOVERNMENT Low-income Dallas residents may now qualify for rental assistance

BY CECILIA LENZEN

months of 100% assistance.” Financial assistance The program will provide rent subsidy assistance for the length of a lease up to 12 months, plus a one- time relocation expense. Renters renewing a lease, relocat- ing to a new rental or transferring to a new unit within their current prop- erty may receive monthly assistance that can equal up to the dierence between their previous monthly rent and their new amount, according to the plan. For renters

Dallas residents at risk of housing instability or displacement can now receive rent subsidies and relocation assistance from city funds. The help comes through the city’s Rent Subsidies and Relocation Assis- tance Program, which City Council approved during its April 26 meeting. The program is part of the city’s Racial Equity Plan, which “seeks to reframe racial and economic inclu- sion as integral to Dallas’ growth,” according to the plan. The program targets low-income residents to help them maintain housing with nancial assistance to support lease concerns, per council documents. Jessica Galleshaw, director of the Oce of Community Care, said the nancial assistance is intended to help renters who are able to pay most of their rent and will “ll the gap” of what they can’t aord. “It’s not necessarily going to help people that are the most unstable,” Galleshaw said at the meeting. “It’s going to help people who just can’t quite get there on their own and need a little bit of help for a longer period of time ... beyond just a few renewals. It will also helps support resi- dents relocating to a new rental due to aordability, hous- ing quality or other

In addition to being one of the densest neighborhoods in Dallas, the Vickery Meadow area also has relatively low median income. (Kevin Cummings/Community Impact)

INCOME AND POVERTY IN EAST DALLAS Median incomes in the Lake Highlands and Lakewood area range from $104,583- $43,673. That has helped lead to an increase in the percent of residents living below the poverty line in certain areas and making it dicult for some to aord the average rent of $1,957 for a two-bedroom apartment in the city.

75214

75231

75238

75243

MEDIAN INCOME

“THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO JUST CAN’T QUITE GET

moving to a less expensive unit due to aordabil- ity concerns or reduced income, rental assistance may equal up to the dierence between the monthly rental amount and 30% of the total household

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

POVERTY

THERE ON THEIR OWN AND NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.” JESSICA GALLESHAW, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE DIRECTOR

10%

15%

20%

25%

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS

income, Galleshaw said. How to qualify

Assistance will only be provided to renters who live in Dallas and/or those relocating within the city. During the course of the assistance, the recipient will be required to participate in nancial coaching or other support services, according to the plan. “The idea is to keep it aordable for folks ... so that they can plan for sustainability in the long term,” Galleshaw said.

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, RENT.COMCOMMUNITY IMPACT

To be eligible, residents must earn an income of 50% or less of the area’s median income, while clients who make 30% or less of the area’s median income of about $58,000 will be prioritized. Eligibility will be

recertied every 90 days, and rental assistance may be altered if their income changes, Galleshaw said. Households already receiving other rental assistance or vouchers will not be eligible for this program.

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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

CITY & SCHOOLS

News from Dallas, Dallas ISD & Richardson ISD

Dallas City Council will meet May 24 and June 14 at 9 a.m. at 1500 Marilla St., Dallas. www.dallascityhall.com Dallas ISD board of trustees will meet May 25 and June 8 at 6 p.m. at 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas. www.dallasisd.org Richardson ISD board of trustees will meet on May 18 and June 8 at 6 p.m. at the RISD Administrative Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson. www.risd.org MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS DALLAS In anticipation of the 2024 capital bond program, the Dallas Oce of Bond and Construction Management is hosting a virtual open house series to hear what residents want the bond funds used for and allow them to ask questions. The 2024 capital bond program would allocate about $1 billion to infrastructure and public safety priorities, such as streets, transportation, housing, stormwater, city facilities, cultural arts and economic development. A bond election is expected to be held in May 2024. The open house dates are May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19.

RISD eyeing expansion of its enrollment

Program aims to raise worker skills

Local school board elections bring new, returning leaders RICHARDSON ISD &DALLAS ISD Incumbents Debbie Rentería and Eric Eager will serve new terms on the Richardson ISD board of trustees. In Dallas, Jimmy Tran and Sarah Weinberg are set for a runo June 10 for the District 2 seat on the Dallas ISD board of trustees. In RISD’s single-member District 3, incumbent Rentería faced chal- lenger Bonnie Abadie, while in the at-large Place 6 election Blake Sawyer challenged incumbent Eager. Rentería received 64.69% of the total votes. In the Place 6 race, Eager received 56.72% of the votes cast. In DISD, Tran received 39.62% of the vote, and Weinberg received 37.1%. Opponent Kevin Malonson received 23.27%. In both school districts, members serve three-year staggered terms. BY CECILIA LENZEN & KEVIN CUMMINGS

Blackmon, Stewart, Ridley win elections

VOTE COUNTS

In Dallas County 8.84% of registered voters cast ballots in the May 6 election.

DISTRICT 9

BY CECILIA LENZEN

*Paula Blackmon: 3,720

DALLAS Paula Blackmon, Kathy Stewart and Paul Ridley have won the races for Dallas City Council districts 9, 10 and 14, respectively. This will be Blackmon’s third term representing District 9, which includes Lakewood and parts of Lake Highlands. She was rst elected in 2019. In District 10, newcomer Stewart will replace Adam McGough, repre- senting much of Lake Highlands. Ridley, the incumbent, will serve a second term representing District 14, which includes parts of East Dallas, after rst being elected in 2021. Mayor Eric Johnson also won re-election after being challenged by write-in candidate Kendal Richardson. The mayor is elected to a four-year term, while council members serve two-year terms.

DALLAS The city plans to oer job training to residents who have been disproportionately aected by COVID-19 through a new initiative called the Upskilling Dallas Program. The program, which City Council approved during its April 26 meeting, aims to support employment oppor- tunities and cultivate a qualied workforce. It will target residents impacted by the pandemic and those who are members of low- or moder- ate-income households, according to council documents. The program has $500,000 in fund- ing from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were issued by the Department of Treasury to provide relief during the pandemic. Dallas College and Metrocare Services will carry out the program by providing participants with “opportunities to attain new skills in targeted industries.”

Kendra Madison: 947

BY JACKSON KING

RICHARDSON ISD Ocials are looking to increase the district’s enrollment by allowing more students to enroll from outside the district starting in the 2023-24 school year. The RISD board of trustees discussed creating a potential open-enrollment program during a March 30 work session. The pro- posed program, known as the Open Enrollment Inter-District Transfer program, would allow students who live outside the district’s boundaries the opportunity to apply for enroll- ment at an RISD school. No decision or vote on the program was taken by the board. District ocials said the open-en- rollment program would help allevi- ate a $23.7 million budgetary decit

DISTRICT 10

Kathy Stewart: 3,879

Brian Hasenbauer: 1,102

Richardson ISD is looking to enroll students from outside the district to help with a budget shortfall. (Courtesy Richardson ISD)

Chris Carter: 641

caused by reduced enrollment, ination and a lack of new funding from the state since before the pandemic, RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum said. RISD has almost 10,000 elementary seats available at its schools. Branum said while open enroll- ment would not be a standalone solution to the budgetary short- fall, she has heard an appetite from the board to expand the district’s school choice programs,

both strengthening RISD’s magnet program and providing more options to students. If the plan is approved, the district would utilize it in a limited capacity during the 2023-24 school year with additional programs considered for the 2024-25 school year. Open-enrollment transfer applications would be for students in kindergarten through 12th grade based on campus availability.

Sirrano Keith Baldeo: 93

DISTRICT 14

*Paul Ridley: 3,488

Amanda Schulz: 1,841

Joseph F. Miller: 250

*INCUMBENT SOURCE: DALLAS COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

DALLAS 9500 N Central Expressway (214) 369-2800

PRESTON CENTER 8123 Preston Road (214) 361-6697

MARSH LANE 9972 Marsh Lane (214) 353-2701

BUSINESS FEATURE

BY CECILIA LENZEN

INKED INCLUSIVITY Andy Felty specializes in American traditional tattoos, which often have symbolic meanings.

Traditional lady head tattoos often symbolize luck, independence and desire.

COURTESY ANDY FELTY

Tattoos of bulldogs are often seen as a symbol of strength and deance.

Andy Felty opened his tattoo shop, Welcome Stranger Tattoo, in 2019.

Welcome Stranger Tattoo’s motto is “Our hands draw what your heart sees.”

COURTESY ANDY FELTY

CECILIA LENZENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Welcome Stranger Tattoo Lakewood tattoo shop oers ‘nurturing environment,’ welcomes all F or Andy Felty, tattooing is about more than just inking his clients’ skin and the ability to be able to connect with people on a more intimate level,” Felty said. “At that time, I had just thought that tattoos were very

designs have deeper, hidden mean- ings. For example, a semicolon tattoo is a symbol of overcoming depression and other mental health issues. Being able to help heal people or encourage people to believe in themselves is the “true power of tattooing,” Felty said. There can be an “intimidation factor” for new and veteran tattoo customers, Felty said, adding it can be daunting to ask questions and speak up during the process. But Welcome Stranger’s motto is “Our hands draw what your heart sees.” “People will always be like, ‘This is my basic tattoo,’ but I tell them, ‘It’s not basic, because it’s doing something for you,’” Felty said.

The queen of spades is often associated with femininity and strength.

showcasing his own art; it is about turning his clients’ artistic vision into a reality. The 12-year tattoo artist opened his own shop, Welcome Stranger Tattoo, in Lakewood in 2019. His goal was to create a “nurturing” environment. Growing up, Felty never had specic ambitions to become a tattoo artist, he said. He “fell into” tattooing because he had a screen printing business and printed T-shirts for several tattoo shops. “The spirituality of tattooing ... was calling me, because I recognized

COURTESY ANDY FELTY

surface level. ... I didn’t realize the impact that they could have on a person’s soul when we take care of them.” When social media site Pinterest launched in 2010, many tattoo artists adopted the term “Pinterest tats” to deride certain tattoos and aesthet- ics, including cute or minimalistic designs that became popular in waves, Felty said. He said it is important to him as an artist to make all his clients feel welcome and valued—no matter how “basic” their design is. Many popular

Welcome Stranger Tattoo 1918 Skillman St., Dallas 469-466-9052 www.welcomestrangertattoo.com Hours: Wed.-Mon. 1-8 p.m., closed Tue.

ORAM ST.

LA VISTA DR.

you need to know about your community in 5 MINUTES

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM�NEWSLETTER

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

DINING FEATURE

BY CECILIA LENZEN

Fried okra ($1.99) is one of the side items at Big Mama’s Chicken and Waes.

Ashley Price (left) and April Porter co-own Big Mama’s Chicken and Waes.

Chicken tender baskets ($3.99-$8.79) come with either two or four tenders. (Photos by Cecilia Lenzen/Community Impact)

Big Mama’s Chicken and Waes Lake Highlands restaurant oers more than just fried chicken T o the average person, the

SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD In addition to being a hub for the community, Big Mama's Chicken and Waes is known for:

Fried chicken and wings

Wa es

children. While Porter and Price themselves have worked at other companies, they knew they wanted to keep the family business alive. “You look at the blood, sweat and tears that have went in, ... and you know that nobody’s going to care for it like somebody who under- stands the sacrice,” Porter said. Now, the restaurant has recruited workers that may not be blood related, but Porter said she still con- siders them family. Many employees have worked at the restaurant for as long as a decade, helping them through dicult life experiences. She added many people labeled “outcasts”—going in and out of jail and struggling without a support system—have found a community

working at Big Mama’s. “We’ve always been there for this community,” Porter said. At Big Mama’s, customers are treated like more than an order number, Porter said. The restaurant attracts generations of customers who come back to the restaurant throughout major life changes. Porter and Price plan to continue Big Mama’s legacy and to keep improving it. While not trying to expand too early in their ownership, they’re thinking about starting a mobile food truck in the future. “We’re not just the chicken shack on the corner,” Porter said. “We really care about the community. We’ve seen people grow up. I just want to keep that closeness.”

Fried side dishes

little restaurant at the corner of Forest Lane and Audelia Road may not seem like much. But the store has become rooted in the community as a symbol of not only good fried chicken, but also opportunity and family. Since 2005, Big Mama’s Chicken and Waes has been family owned and operated. Owners April Porter and her niece Ashley Price took over the business in 2022 from Porter’s stepfather Bill Hampton and grandmother Beatrice “Big Mama” Stewart. In that time, the walk-up- and drive-thru-only restaurant has employed many family members, including Porter’s and Price’s teenage

Seafood

Big Mama’s Chicken andWaes 9810 Forest Lane, Dallas 214-340-3035 www.bigmamasdfw.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 10:30 a.m.-midnight

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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

STATE OF HOMELESSNESS Housing Forward’s point-in-time count provides a snapshot of homelessness trends in Dallas and Collin counties. RACIAL DISPARITIES While Black people account for about 24% of the area's overall population, they make up about 60% of the homeless population.

the city’s unhoused population is a result of targeted investments. Housing Forward’s rehousing pro- gram, the Dallas Real Time Rapid Housing Initiative, has disbanded 11 homeless encampments and helped nd homes for 1,871 people since its creation in 2021. In the last year, Housing Forward

homelessness for about a year, said essentials such as gas money, bus vouchers and aordable child care would help single moms like her keep a job. Campbell and her children moved from Sugar Land to Dallas to seek help from relatives after losing her job and becoming homeless in 2021. On

CONTINUED FROM 1

stigma and misplaced eorts as rea- sons for why homelessness is still high despite the decline. Housing Forward President and CEO Joli Angel Robinson said an accurate count of homelessness is “hard to capture” because many unhoused people couch surf with relatives, shelter in cheap motels or live out of their car. Those people are still considered homeless from a federal standpoint. “There’s a lot of people experi- encing homelessness that probably even live in Lake Highlands [and Lakewood] that are doubled up [in relatives’ homes] and are a little more invisible,” Robinson said. Demographics Derek Hayes, a Black man experi- encing homelessness, said he often spends $15 on a bed at the home- less shelter Dallas Life, but when he has extra money, he books a cheap motel room. He said he has experi- enced homelessness for extended periods of time since 2009 when his caretaker died. “[I’ve had homelessness] breaks from time to time; I have had my own place before,” Hayes said. “I know how it is to have been blessed with something and nding out the next day that you might lose it.” The population of people experi- encing chronic homelessness, like Hayes, has decreased 32% in Dal- las and Collin counties since 2022, according to Housing Forward data. People who are chronically home- less have experienced homeless- ness for at least a year or repeatedly while struggling with a disabling condition, such as a mental illness, a substance use disorder or a physical disability, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Robinson said there are notable racial disparities in the unhoused population. While accounting for only about 24% of Dallas County’s population, Black people, particu- larly men, make up about 60% of the unhoused population, according to Housing Forward data. “We know that Black men are disproportionately represented in our unhoused population because of a lot of other systems that may have failed and negatively impacted Black men,” Robinson said. Targeted eorts Robinson said the decline in

received an inux of private and federal funding to help it serve 6,000 unhoused people by the end of 2025, Robin- son said. Housing Forward received $1.25 million from the Day One Families Fund, a private fund that works to reduce family homeless- ness. In Febru-

days they weren’t able to stay with relatives, they sought help from local shelters, Campbell said. Often, those shel- ters didn’t have enough space to house her entire family. “There were shelters who wanted to split us up, but I wasn’t willing to do

THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT PROBABLY EVEN LIVE IN LAKE HIGHLANDS AND LAKEWOOD THAT ARE ... A LITTLE

59.5% Black 34.8% White* 2.3% Multiple races 1.5% American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous 1.5% Asian or Asian American 0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacic Islander

4,244 homeless individuals counted in January.

MORE INVISIBLE. JOLI ANGEL ROBINSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HOUSING FORWARD

ary, the Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $22.8 million to Housing Forward to target unsheltered homelessness. In March, Housing Forward received $22 mil- lion in annual funding from HUD. Mayor Eric Johnson announced the creation of a task force of local homeless advocates in February. The group will assess policies regarding homelessness, research other plans and issue a report of recommenda- tions to Johnson’s oce by June 15. The recent eorts to address the root causes of homelessness come after Dallas City Council passed an ordinance in October making it a misdemeanor to walk or stand on a median that measures 6 feet or less. While ocials said the ordinance is meant to address public safety, advocates have said it criminalizes homelessness by making it illegal to panhandle, which is protected by the First Amendment. The ordinance has led to a lawsuit against the city. District 9 Council Member Paula Blackmon said she would still vote “yes” again on the ordinance. Despite the way some people per- ceive the ordinance, Blackmon, who serves on City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions com- mittee, said it’s meant to keep peo- ple safe—but the byproduct is that it may deter panhandling. Despite targeted eorts, some who have experienced it say more must be done for sheltered home- less people. Deosha Campbell, a single mother of four who experienced

that,” Campbell said. Eventually, Campbell found Inter- faith Family Services, a social ser- vices organization that connected her with resources like transitional housing and nancial coaching. Still, Campbell said more could be done to address the issue. Lack of housing Christine Crossley, director of Dal- las’ Oce of Homeless Solutions, said the biggest roadblock to reduc- ing homelessness is a lack of aord- able housing. In addition, Texas is one of two states that allow landlords to refuse to accept tenant vouchers with the exception of veterans. If landlords were required to accept vouchers, many people on the brink of homelessness would be able to stay housed, Crossley said. “All of us need aordable hous- ing,” Robinson said. “If we’re rely- ing on people’s hearts and minds to be changed before aordable hous- ing is built, we’ll never build aord- able housing.” Blackmon said she would support new aordable housing in her dis- trict if it would “make sense.” In the meantime, people who sup- port new aordable housing in their neighborhoods must be “just as vocal if not more vocal” than those who oppose it, Robinson said. Michael Crouchley contributed to this report.

*INCLUDES HISPANICLATINO PEOPLE SOURCE: HOUSING FORWARDCOMMUNITY IMPACT TYPES OF HOMELESSNESS Chronically homeless people have been unhoused for at least a year or repeatedly with a disabling condition. Chronic Nonchronic

-11.2% since 2019

4.5K 5K 4K 3.5K 2.5K 3K

+29.6% since 2019

1.5K

500

2021 2020 2022 2023 2019

SOURCE: HOUSING FORWARDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

GETTING EVERYONE HOUSED

Housing Forward’s rapid rehousing program, the Dallas Real Time Rapid Housing Initiative, plans to triple its eorts by 2025. Housed 1,871 individuals since October 2021 Closed 11 homeless encampments Received about $46M in private and federal funding to address homelessness Planning to house 6,000 individuals by 2025 SOURCE: HOUSING FORWARDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

REAL ESTATE

Snapshot of the market

MARKET DATA FOR MARCH

NUMBER OF NEW LISTINGS 2022

HOMES SOLDAVERAGE DAYS ON THE MARKET 75214 75231

75238

75243

2023

$900,000+

11/41

2/68

2/28

3/20

86 79 42 46 40 38

75214

$800,000-$899,999

5/50

1/4

3/32

1/5

$700,000-$799,999

5/17

2/84

FOREST LN.

75231

$600,000-$699,999

10/15

4/22

3/21

4/36

75243

$500,000-$599,999

5/59

5/35

7/54

3/38

75238

635

$400,000-$499,999

4/39

3/32

7/37

2/75

67 59 NUMBER OF HOMES UNDER CONTRACT 2022 2023

$300,000-$399,999

1/5

6/43

75243

75231

$200,000-$299,999

3/5

2/17

8/46

75238

$199,000 or less

3/6

12/61

15/37

MEDIAN PRICE OF HOMES SOLD WITH YEAROVERYEAR PERCENTAGE CHANGE

2022 2023

75214

75231

75238

75243

59 39 35 33 34 32 46 37

Sale price

75214

$800,000

WHITE ROCK LAKE

75231

$700,000

+13.63%

13.33%

$600,000

+131.38%

75238

$500,000

$400,000

75243

$300,000

$200,000

18.71%

$100,000 $0

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* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 05/04/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 05/04/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Call or visit your local financial advisor today. * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 05/04/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023

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