Articles about University Park
UP Cops Seek Kids’ Clothes, Toys
The University Park Police Department has launched its drive for new toys or clothes for kids of all ages this Christmas. Through Dec. 22, donations will be accepted at the modular unit that’s serving as a makeshift city hall on 3800 University Boulevard, or at the cops’ temporary home base at 4420 Worcola.
Tree Lighting Info
For University Park, the Snider Plaza tree lighting is set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Activities continuing until 9 p.m. include food from JD’s Chippery, Dunkin’Donuts, Candy Corn’s, Austin Nuts, Peggy Sue’s BBQ, Zoe’s, and Banditos. There will be face painting sponsored by A Little Artsy and chances to get a photo taken with Santa Claus.
For Highland Park, the Million Dollar Monarch has overcome its recent damage and will be lit on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Armstrong Avenue and Preston Road. The ceremony features caroling and also an appearance by Santa Claus.
Snider Plaza Tree Plans
Brad Watson will be there. So will Blackie Holmes. And, presumably, Mr. Max Fuqua, who heads the University Park Merchants Association. So mark your calendar and get excited:
The University Park Merchants Association and the City of University Park announce their 2nd Annual Snider Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 3rd from 6-9pm at the fountain in Snider Plaza.
Dunkin’ Donuts Opens Friday
The location at the former Ball’s Hamburgers opens at 5 a.m. this Friday. There will be a ribbon cutting Monday. Details:
On Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 a.m., Dunkin’ Donuts will open its first central Dallas location in 3404 Rankin Street in University Park’s Snider Plaza … The store will also hold an official grand opening celebration on Monday, Dec. 1 with giveaways for the first 200 people in the store, as well as a ribbon cutting ceremony with the mayor of University Park at 10 a.m.
Thrown Under the Police Cruiser
Um, thanks, Merritt.
From today’s live chat with Chief Adams of the UPPD.
12:17
Merritt Patterson: Charles Geilich can be kind of difficult and we get the sense that you’re not too fond of his blogging, is that true?
12:18
Gary Adams: Not true…..I am an old hand at this…going on now 34 years. I have tough skin. It is always challenging
Hyer All Ready For Christmas
The recent Hyer Happy Hollydays Bazaar was apparently a success, raising $62,300 thanks to the efforts of the Hyer Preschool Association. The HPA will donate some portion of that money to the Hyer Elementary PTA. Last year they gave thousands of dollars to revamp what’s now “Balto’s Backyard” with a fancy new dog statue. Pictured at left are Bazaar co-chairwomen Shannon Lane and Jennifer Armayor.
Am I a Scrooge for not liking to see signs of Christmas before Thanksgiving has even arrived?
Anyway, congratulations to the Hyer Preschool Association on a successful event.
Update on Cross at Your Own Risk
Principal Gilbert himself worked the Caruth/Tulane intersection today at Hyer.
Cross at Your Own Risk
Make of it what you will, but the busy pedestrian crossing at Hyer on its southeast corner (the streets of Caruth and Tulane) has, this school year, gone from having a crossing guard to a UP police officer to no one. Perhaps there’s a staffing shortage.
UP Arrests Aggravated Robber
University Park Police got this guy off the streets. Here’s what they say he did:
Jimmy D. Lightfoot has been identified as the suspect in the
October 17, 2008 aggravated robbery which occurred in the 3400 block
of Rankin. Suspect is currently in the Dallas County Jail for probation
violation. University Park Detectives have filed charges on Lightfoot for
the October 17th offense. Subject allegedly displayed a weapon and took
a vehicle from the victim. The vehicle was recovered October 20th in
Dallas.
Alley Blockers
So, I’m wondering. Is there some limitation on how often and for how long non-city vehicles can block the alleys of UP? Because it sure does happen a lot.
How about it, 
City of UP Communications Director Steve Mace?
And Now For Your Weekly Real Estate Section Tease…
So here’s the funny thing about the real estate and financial markets: in the past, when financial markets go down, capital investors put their money in real estate. It’s a commodity, usually appreciates in value, and is a generally liquid asset. When real estate is down, investors turn to financial markets to invest their money.
But since this recent economic downtown has got the real estate and financial markets in the same canoe going up-creek without a paddle, and that could send the local real estate market in the tail spin that North Texas has so far been avoiding.
In tomorrow’s Real Estate section, I take a look at this issue and what it could mean for North Texas homeowners.
Re: Bryce’s Replacement
So now that HPISD has a new superintendent, what’s next? Parents: what would you like to see change, what should stay the same? What does Orr need to do to earn your respect/support when he takes over? Students: What do you think the new boss man will do to make your school-going experience better?
Go-Go Gadget Comments…
Can’t Get There From Here
Is it just me, or do others also feel like they’re running an obstacle course to drive carpool? City and construction crews can cause creative detours at a non-fully-caffeinated time of day. 
It’s Finally Here…
In my real estate editor debut last May, I wrote about North Texas authors Prudence Mackintosh, Virginia McAlester, and Willis Winters’ book, Great American Suburbs: The Homes of the Park Cities, Dallas.
Well, my advance copy of the book was delivered to the HQ this morning, and it is a beaut. Heavy, too. It’s full of wonderful pictures by Steve Clicque, as well as hoards of archival images and documents.
The book profiles more than 300 homes throughout the Park Cities, as well as provides a history of the community.
It’s set for release in November, and will sell for $65. You can preorder with the link above or on Amazon, but if you wait and order from the Friends of the Highland Park Library, the group will get a cut donated to its cause.
Fun at Hyer Bike Rodeo
The crowd was in a festive mood for Hyer’s Bike Rodeo last Friday. 
I did hear a report that a rider cracked open his chin, but I haven’t received confirmation of that.
Got a question?
Then ask our advice blogumnist Merritt Patterson. Starting this week she’s going to answer your e-mailed questions about all topics concerning the Park Cities and post her answers right here on the blog. E-mail her at Merritt@MerrittPatterson.com.
Scary
Wow, you have to admire the work that went into this Halloween diorama at the corner of Marquette and Airline. That fence and “stone” gate, by the way, are part of the decoration scheme.
It seems to me, though, that the scariest yard art this year would be a recreation of the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Brrr…
Thanks, Principal Gilbert
Please allow me to give kudos to Hyer Principal Jeremy Gilbert. Among the great work Principal Gilbert has already done in his first year at Hyer, there is one little gesture he makes every day that really has an impact on the kids. Each morning, as parents pull up to the curb in the carpool line, Mr. Gilbert is there to open car doors and greet the children, and the parents. Sometimes he’s in front, sometimes at the back entrances, and always with a smile, and, on a rainy day like yesterday, with an umbrella.
I know my carpool kids look forward to seeing him, and it’s a great way to get to know the students. My recollection of my own elementary school principal was of an unsmiling man secreted in a mysterious place called “the office.” Brrr. 
Last Day To Register To Vote
Folks, today is the last day to register to vote in Dallas County. Unfortunately, you can’t register online, but you can download and print an application online.
Your application has to be postmarked by today, or hand delivered to Dallas County Elections HQ by the time they close at 4:30 p.m.
Also, you can update your address or name online.
Not sure if you’re registered? Find out.
Re: Those Crazy Kids
The Snider Plaza fountain was bubbling too. Can’t they step it up a notch? Bubbles? Copy. Cat. Come on kids, is that all you have?
Those Crazy Kids
Wow, who would have thought of putting soap in a city water fountain? Here’s the Hitzelberger fountain this morning, just as it was last Monday morning. 
Should Real Estate Prices Be Public Information?
In today’s Real Estate section, I look into plans by the city of Dallas to lobby the state legislature to require the public disclosure of real estate transactions.
This would have a huge impact on how DCAD appraisals would work for both commercial and residential properties. While appraisals on homes, particularly those on the high-end of the spectrum, would likely increase, the same would happen with commercial properties, which currently are even more undervalued on the tax rolls than most homes.
In theory, higher valuations means taxing entities could lower their tax rates, something the HP Council couldn’t do this year, and UP Council could only barely muster.
Poop on Parkie Political Signs
A Park Cities resident tells me that someone is applying dog poop (at least she’s assuming it’s from dog) on political signs in yards of University Park homes. Ewwwww.
Sewers Overflowing in the Park Cities
Today’s Dallas Morning News story about sewer overflows in Highland Park amounts to a one-sentence update: “They’re still working on it” — of the story about the problem that we did, you know, nine months ago, in January.