May 18, 2013
Meet Your Neighbor
Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Lisa Robison and Kim Turner believe in the power of paint, fabric, lighting and creative design.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Dwell with Dignity empowers homeless families
Throw pillows can’t toss out poverty, can they? What does a beautifully designed bedroom have to do with good grades or community improvement? For Lisa Robison and Kim Turner of Dwell with Dignity (DWD), the answers are “yes” and “everything.” “If we have an opportunity to change a person’s surroundings, we have an opportunity to change their life,” Robison said. Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit organization dedicated to “helping families e...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Joe, Charlie and Ben Hartmann. The twins and their cousin celebrate getting their Eagle Awards together.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Hartmann clan produces convocation of Eagles
Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is a significant accomplishment by any standard. To have more than one son get his is a bonus. But to have three boys from the same clan get theirs at the same time? That’s as rare as a bald eagle sighting at White Rock Lake. Yet that is exactly what happened last Sunday evening at the Troop 42 Court of Honor. Twin brothers Joe and Ben Hartmann and their cousin, Charlie Hartmann, were among eight young men who...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Wave Rider Bob Brooks says, “Talk to the hand” – but he means that in the nicest possible way.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Musical cyclist sends salutary salute to lake lovers
There are plenty of cyclists around the lake, but there is only one Wave Rider. So named by a fellow cyclist because he cheerfully waves at everyone he passes, Bob Brooks regularly spreads goodwill while he gets his exercise. “I really love the lake, even when it’s windy,” he said. “I love seeing all the wildlife and I enjoy being friendly to the other people out riding, jogging or walking.” He added that helping others be aware of their sur...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Wim Bens, owner of Lakewood Brewing Company, enjoys a cool one.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Lakewood brewer has (frothy) head for beer
Being a leprechaun would make you the most popular guest at a St. Patrick’s Day party. Being a beer brewer might make you the next. “So, what do you do?” asked the man at the party. “I make beer,” the other replied. “Seriously? Cool!” said the first man. Such could be a normal conversation for Wim Bens, president and owner of Lakewood Brewing Company (LBC). Bens, a Belgium native, is a Hollywood Heights resident and SMU grad who decided to lea...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham From left to right: Lakehouse creators Eric Paulsen and John Schmitz take a break with Ray Schmitz and Sous Chef Beto Virgen.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR New owners of Lakehouse promise good food, service
Homegrown. No, we aren’t talking about vegetables. It describes the ownership and staff of the new Lakehouse Bar & Grill that has opened just off White Rock Trail and Northwest Highway. East Dallas is a community that strives to “Shop the Rock,” as White Rock Lake Weekly’s motto states, and support our own. There are many, many businesses that contribute their unique flavor and service to our part of Dallas and make this a dynamic, fun, intere...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham SMOOCH! Lauren Clark loves her “Bert” whom she boards at White Rock Stables.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR New transplant loves horsing around the lake
Dozens of folks head to the lake after work or on a weekend with the their bicycles, baby strollers or jogging shoes. Lauren Clark takes a saddle. It’s attached to her horse, of course. She and Bert regularly use the trails and open spaces around the lake to go exploring. It is not uncommon to see horseback riders in the White Rock area, but some folks may not realize where these riders come from. Clark is among more than 20 owners who board t...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Kathy Evans proudly displays a few of the thousands of donated items now available at Hope’s Clothing and Consignment.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Hope for the homeless, threads for the thrifty
She just might dispel any pre-conceived image or stereotype you have of a homeless shelter resident. This week, WRLW introduces a person, a place and an idea that may inform and transform your life and the lives of others. When Hope’s Clothing and Consignment store launched last week in Casa Linda Plaza, its doors opened to bargain hunters of gently used, high-end apparel, accessories and home furnishings. It also opened doors of opportunity t...
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Photo of Salim courtesy of Jayme Nourallah
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR East Dallas music producer is on magical mystery tour
If you knew one of The Beatles was quietly living in a small-frame house just off Greenville Avenue, you’d stalk it, wouldn’t you – just to catch a glimpse? Maybe even try to meet him? You can get pretty darn close to a Beatle by meeting Salim Nourallah. And you don’t have to stalk him. Nourallah is well-known among folks plugged into the Dallas indy music scene, but may be a new name for those who aren’t. Yet, living in Vickery Place is a ver...
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Photo by Lucy Higginbotham Lon Ricker gets ready to serve more of his friends a lunch from the SoupMobile.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Executive brings passion for people to city
Idle hands may be the Devil’s workshop, but he was out of luck completely when it came to Lon Ricker. After 20 years successfully climbing the corporate telecom ladder, Ricker walked away from his senior manager status. But when he left, he had no plans for another career… only time. Lots of it. “Being a senior manager was good money, but it stressed me out. I sold everything, gassed up my motorcycle and traveled,” Ricker said. “I wanted to d...
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Ray and Glee Huebner pause for a photo before going downtown to verify voter signatures during early voting, which started Oct. 22. Photo by Lucy Higginbotham.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Election volunteers keep democracy alive
When you vote, do you ever wonder how all the voting stuff got there, and who these helpers are, anyway? You should. If it weren’t for volunteers like Ray and Glee Huebner, you might not be able to vote at all. Ray is the Precinct Chair for his precinct of some 1,000 households in Lake Highlands. As a former Marine and retiree, he has devoted untold hours to making sure you have everything you need to cast your ballot. Glee has also served as ...
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