Staff & Reader Submitted

BubbleLife Media Launches New Websites, Reader Features and State-Of-The-Art Device-Adaptable Format

Matthew Cobb — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:14:42 -0500

BubbleLife has a new look and feel, more reader-friendly features and a state-of-the-art design to bring you the most comprehensive neighborhood news from communities across North Texas.

The new design is featured on all BubbleLife Media sites in a format that is original, easy to use and adaptable to whatever device you are using to read neighborhood news.

“Our commitment is to gather up all the neighborhood news and get it to where people like to read,” said Saffie Farris, Publisher of BubbleLife. “We have no paywalls, lengthy subscription forms or exclusive content. We’re open and free, serving the neighborhoods we call home.”

The biggest change to the BubbleLife website is something that is not immediately obvious to the eyes but will make using BubbleLife easier and more satisfying. BubbleLife sites now employ “responsive web design,” which means the site will respond differently to individual users based on what platform they’re using, their screen size or the orientation of their mobile device.

Boston.com, website of the Boston Globe newspaper, uses responsive web design for its market-leading site. The major benefit of the responsive design concept is that it enables site pages—layouts, fonts and images—to adjust automatically to different screen sizes. A combination of HTML5 and CSS3 design technologies helps extends BubbleLife’s digital publishing effort to the rapidly expanding tablet and smartphone universe.

Simply put, rather than creating a different design of BubbleLife for an ever-increasing number of web devices, the new “responsive web design” will treat them all as facets of the same experience. BubbleLife will look and feel different for each user, but each user will still receive an optimal viewing experience without making any sacrifices.

One of the most noticeable changes of the new look of BubbleLife is the display breakdown of stories on the site. Instead of just a long list of local stories, the stories are slotted under sections – sections devoted to news, education, real estate and other topics. This will make finding a particular story easier and relevant to you.

Each BubbleLife site will now also have two main featured stories at the top of the site instead of just one. These featured stories are changed and updated constantly and represent what the editors believe to be the top stories in the neighborhood.

Our iReporter feature still functions as it always has, making it easy for readers and viewers to report on any news that happens in their vicinity. As before, any person wanting to post in iReporter will need to have an account and be signed in. We welcome all contributions.

The new look and feel of BubbleLife compliments our other reader features, such as the email share feature, Sunday Magazine and distribution to Facebook and other social media platforms.

BubbleLife’s new look also extends to the Neighborhood Marketing Center on the site, where local merchants are able to access new web-based marketing and content tools to drive results, such as new business leads, and track and optimize their marketing performance.

“BubbleLife will continue to grow and change in order to bring readers the latest in neighborhood news,” said Farris. “We’re once again raising the bar for neighborhood news.”

DART Changes Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday

Stephen Lu — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:11:16 -0500

Memorial Day is coming up soon and it's a good opportunity for people to get out and enjoy the spring weather. However, for anyone planning on using DART for transportation, be warned that DART will be following a different schedule on Monday.

Even though Memorial Day is on Monday, the bus and light rail services will run on a Sunday schedule. Additionally, the Trinity Railway Express commuter rail will not be operating at all on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day will also affect a few of the major highways in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The following HOV lanes will be closed:

I-30 East
I-30 West
Reversible S-ramp at the southern end of I-35 East
Reversible HOV ramp between US 75 and I-635 HOV lanes

For DART customers that have disabilities, DART Paratransit services will be operating on a Saturday schedule. However, the Paratransit Scheduling Center will be closed on Memorial Day, so those customers will need to call by Thursday, May 24 in order to schedule a pickup.

The DART administrative offices and the Customer Care Center, which handles all complaints and suggestions, will be closed for the holiday. The DART Customer Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To learn more, visit the DART website.

Dallas Bicycle Cafe on Northwest Highway is For Sale

Stephen Lu — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:23:58 -0500

It's only been a few, short months but the owner of the Dallas Bicycle Cafe has decided to put the company up for sale. The announcement of the sale was made on the Dallas Bicycle Cafe's Facebook page this past weekend.

The Dallas Bicycle Cafe was a company that catered to serious bicyclists and cyclists that primarily used White Rock Lake and White Rock Trail. The cafe side of the company sold healthy sandwiches, salads and juices. Cyclists could store their bikes and gear in rented out storage lockers after a ride and grab a bite to eat before heading home.

The Bicycle Cafe has already confirmed that the shop will remain open while they search for a buyer. If you're interested in purchasing the store, contact the owner at armando@dallasbicyclecafe.com or aguer75@aol.com.

Lake Highlands Baseball Swept in UIL Area Round of Playoffs

Stephen Lu — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:35:40 -0500

The Lake Highlands High School baseball team's run through the playoffs came to an abrupt end at the hands of Temple High School this weekend in UIL Area Round of the playoffs. The Wildcats couldn't get anything going offensively and the defense couldn't stop the Temple bats from scoring.

Lake Highlands looked good in the first game of ths series. The offense had given pitcher Hudson Taylor a two-run lead and things were looking good until it all fell apart in the fifth inning. Taylor gave up several big base hits, including a two-run triple that sealed the game for Temple. They would go on to win the game, 4-2, and take the first game of the series.

If the first game of the series was close and tense, then the second game was the exact opposite. Temple pitcher Brandon Gamboa put on a one-man show with two 3-run home runs and a dominant performance on the mound that included 11 strikeouts and only four hits. Temple won the game, 10-1, and swept the series in two games.

Lake Highlands Baseball Takes on Temple in UIL Area Playoffs

Stephen Lu — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:38:53 -0500

After coming out on top of a tense, three-game series against McKinney Boyd last weekend, the Lake Highlands baseball team will be at it again this weekend against Temple High School. The first game of the series will be played at Temple High School while the second and third (if necessary) will be played at Lake Highlands High School.

The Wildcats will have plenty of momentum going into the series, as the team vanquished McKinney Boyd in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, it was McKinney Boyd that knocked Lake Highlands out of the playoffs in the first round.

Lake Highlands vs. Temple

Game 1 - Friday, May 11 @ 7:30 p.m. (Temple)
Game 2 - Saturday, May 12 @ 1:00 p.m. (LHHS)
Game 3 - Saturday, May 12 @ 4:00 p.m. (LHHS) - if necessary

Parks and Recreation to Host Meeting to Discuss White Rock Trail and Dog Park

Stephen Lu — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:13:45 -0500

The City of Dallas Parks and Recreation department will be hosting a public meeting at Winfrey Point on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will mainly revolve around East Lawther trail improvements, as well the White Rock Lake Dog Park.

The meeting will be hosted by Parks and Recreation representative Gerry Worrall. He will focus primarily on trail improvements from Mockingbird to the Bath House Cultural Center. For that that are active users of White Rock Lake, this is a meeting that can't be missed.

Lake Highlands High School 2012 Senior All Night Party Looks to Be a Blast

Stephen Lu — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:34:29 -0500

With finals over and college peeking over the horizon, high school seniors are ready to enjoy their freedom and party. To provide a fun and safe environment for students to release their pent-up energy and stress, the school has conspired with parents to have the 2012 Senior All Night Party (SANP) at Main Event on Monday, June 4.

Dozens of parents have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create this festive. The party will have plenty of food, drinks, friends and activities to keep the seniors happy and occupied all night. Aside from the usual bowling, laser tag and arcade games that Main Event offers, there will also be a casino section with blackjack and poker tables and even a DJ to provide continuous live music.

However, in order for this event to be a success, the SANP needs the help of parents and the community. They need volunteers to watch over the students and make sure everything is running smoothly. The SANP is also looking for donations and sponsors. The sponsorships are currently for:

Blackjack & Poker ($1,250)
Pic-Flips ($750)
Bowling ($1,000)
Laser Tag ($1,000)
Arcade Games ($1,000)
Pic-Flips Books ($900)
DJ ($500)

The cost per student is $35 for early registration or $40 cash at the door. Those who register in advance will automatically be in the running for a chance to win $100. To learn more about the event or to register your student, check out the LHHS PTA website.

Lake Highlands High School is Always in Need of More Academic Boosters

Stephen Lu — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:35:06 -0500

It's no surprise that funding for education has been decreasing for some time now. However, Recapture/Robin Hood drains even more money from Lake Highlands High School - around $500,000 a year. To offset this, the school is constantly on the look for parents and community members to pitch in as academic boosters.

The money gained from the academic boosters, otherwise known as Wild for Cats, helps fund the Lake Highlands College and Career Center, staff development, supplies for new teachers and many other important needs. Without these additional funds, Lake Highlands would not be able to provide as good an education for its students, thus leaving them unprepared for college and the future.

To learn more or to donate online, visit the Richardson ISD Foundation website.

NorthPark Mall to Enforce New Code of Conduct Aimed at Teenagers

Stephen Lu — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:51:32 -0500

The mall has always been one of the premier destinations for people of all ages to gather, hang out and socialize. However, NorthPark Mall will soon be enforcing a new Code of Conduct that will, among other things, force teenagers and kids to have parental supervision after 6:00 p.m.

Parents are also limited in how many kids they can supervise at one time. One parent or legal guardian cannot accompany more than six unrelated persons under the age of 17. At the same time, youths are not allowed to wear hoodies or masks that cover the face and must also not wear saggy pants that expose undergarments. Shoes are also required.

The purpose of these regulations are for protection, as there have reports of gang and crime activity in the NorthPark area. Many malls across the nation have similar codes and consider the rules to be more "common sense" than restrictive.

To see all the new rules that will be enforced, check out the NorthPark Center website.

State Representative Speaks Up About Winfrey Point Parking

Stephen Lu — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:17:35 -0500

The struggle between the City of Dallas and the residents near and around Winfrey Point has even caught the attention of State Representative Eric Johnson. Johnson sent a letter to Dallas Arboretum chair Brian Shivers with an offer to help resolve the conflict.

The reason for the struggle is the city wants to use Winfrey Point as a place for parking overflow for the Dallas Arboretum. However, the residents are afraid of the potential damage that hundreds of cars will do to the ecosystem and have even filed a restraining order against the arboretum to stop the parking.

In his letter, Johnson says that he would be happy to reach out to the concerned community members and set up a meeting between the two sides in order to find a solution. To read more about the situation or to read Johnson's letter, check out The Dallas Morning News story.

Lake Highlands Softball Falters But Baseball Advances

Stephen Lu — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 -0500

The Lake Highlands girls softball squad was swept out of the playoffs by Bryan High School in the UIL Area Round while the boys baseball team avenged last year's loss to McKinney Boyd by beating them in three games to advance to the UIL Area Round.

The softball squad ripped through the regular season with a deadly offense and stifling defense but neither showed up when the playoffs started. The team just managed to squeak by Sachse High School in the UIL Bidistrict Round but were unable to do the same against Bryan High School.

The Wildcats were shut out in the Game 1 while Bryan scored nine runs. In Game 2, Lake Highlands was only able to bring two home while their opponents smashed in 14 runs. However, the team advanced further into the playoffs than they did last year and they did so by beating Sachse, the team that sent them packing in 2011.

Meanwhile, the boys baseball team got some revenge of their own by knocking McKinney Boyd out of the playoffs in a very similar situation to last year. In 2011 and 2012, McKinney Boyd took the first game while Lake Highlands countered by winning the second. However, in 2011, McKinney Boyd smashed the Wildcats in the third game, 16-1, to advance while the Wildcats were sent home.

This year, Lake Highlands came up with the big hits when it mattered and turned the script around, defeating McKinney Boyd, 8-6, to advance to the UIL Area Round. Their next games will be next weekend against Temple High School (18-4), who defeated Mesquite High School, 13-2, in their Bidistrict game.

Lake Highlands vs. Temple

May 11 (Friday) @ 7:30 p.m. (Temple)
May 12 (Saturday) @ 1:00 p.m. (LHHS)
May 12 (Saturday) @ 3:30 p.m. (LHHS) - if necessary

Photo from John Curtis

City of Dallas is Hosting Operation: Beautification to Clean Up the City

Stephen Lu — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:21:02 -0500

The City of Dallas may be one of the biggest cities in America, but there's no reason why it can't be kept clean and pristine. The city is encouraging Dallas neighborhood groups to join in on a citywide Spring cleanup effort on Saturday, May 19 called Operation: Beautification.

The city will be coordinating with participating groups to provide out-of-schedule trash collection for any neighborhoods that sign up to be a part of Operation: Beautification. To learn more about the clean up or to sign up for it, contact Rozalind Dickerson at scs@dallascityhall.com or 214-670-5551.

Residents Protest Against Parking at Winfrey Point

Stephen Lu — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:50:27 -0500

When the City of Dallas granted the Dallas Arboretum the right to use Winfrey Point as place for temporary parking, residents in the area reacted negatively to the news. One resident filed a restraining order to prevent the temporary parking and though the court has upheld the restraining order, the issue has yet to be solved.

Mowers were dispatched to Winfrey Point despite the court's decision to cut the grass in preparation for the temporary parking. In response, residents, whom have named themselves The Save Winfrey Pointers, have organized a protest at Winfrey Point. Check back to learn about any updates to the situation.

Lake Highlands High School Students Can Buy a Personalized Parking Spot

Stephen Lu — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:54:52 -0500

For a high schooler, getting their driver's license and coming to school in their own car are some of the biggest highlights of their time in school. And to top it all off, Lake Highlands High School is offering students the chance to get their very own, personalized parking spot.

The parking spots will be located in the west and east parking lots. Each spot will be marked with a while line with the the student's name and a logo painted on, similar to the reserved spots for Student Council members and senior class officers. Any student that had a personalized spot in 2011-2012 can request to keep the same spot.

The parking space and personalization will cost $50 in cash and must be ordered by Tuesday, May 29 in the E101 office. The spaces will painted in August before school starts.

Dallas Academy to Host Community Lecture on Bullying

Stephen Lu — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:10:52 -0500

Dallas Academy will be hosting "A Parent's Guide to Bullying" on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. Dallas Academy is teaming up with the Child Mind Institute of New York to provide community programming in recognition of their annual Speak Up for Kids campaign. Dallas Academy invites parents and educators throughout the community to attend the presentation.

The Speak Up for Kids campaign was created by the Child Mind Institute to recognize the millions of children in the United States who have psychiatric and learning disorders that often go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. According to the Child Mind Institute, the "stigma, lack of awareness, and misinformation about diagnosis and treatment mean that kids often miss out on early intervention we know can transform lives. Speak Up for Kids is about standing with these kids and families so our message is heard: childhood mental health matters and treatment works."

Speak Up for Kids events will take place nationwide during the National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week from May 6th-12th. The goal of the programming is to provide free, assessable educational programming to the community.

Dr. Jen Rawley, Psy.D., LPA and a Dallas Academy team of teachers and administrators will be addressing the topic of bullying for the Speak Up for Kids campaign. The topic of bullying is one that is of particular interest to the Dallas Academy's faculty and staff. After an extensive research and review of a variety of bullying programs, Dallas Academy implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on campus in the fall of 2010. The goal of the program is to create a nurturing and safe environment for students so they can develop academically, socially, and emotionally as well as to provide a more respectful school atmosphere.

As a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the social, physical, and emotional impact that bullying can have on children. Dr. Rawley will share the latest findings from the experts in the areas of bullying, social aggression, and cyber bullying and explain ways parents can be proactive with their child's safety. Dr. Rawley and the Dallas Academy team will discuss how to distinguish bullying from normal child behavior. Some themes addressed will include the differences between social aggression and bullying, when teasing crosses the line, and how systematic bullying is detrimental to self-esteem.

Dallas Academy will discuss how parents can be part of the solution and can work in partnership with school officials to combat the problem. Dallas Academy will provide parents and educators real information and real solutions. "A Parent's Guide to Bullying" will be held at Dallas Academy at 950 Tiffany Way, Dallas. The event is free and open to the public and childcare will be provided.

Lake Highlands Moms Can Enjoy Music and Stars on Mother's Day

Stephen Lu — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:41:45 -0500

Mother's Day is all about letting moms know how important they are to the world. Some moms get presents; others are taken out for fancy dinners. But most moms just want a night of peace and relaxation. So treat the moms of Lake Highlands to a beautiful night accompanied by beautiful music with "Jazz Under the Stars" by the Lake Highlands Jazz One.

Jazz Under the Stars will take place on Sunday, May 13 (Mother's Day) at Wildcat Stadium beginning at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be performed by Lake Highlands Jazz One, the Forest Meadow Junior High Charger Jazz Band and various Lake Highlands jazz combos, soloists and section features.

Admission to this event is free and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable. Also recommended are picnics and plenty of friends and family!

Restraining Order Filed Against City of Dallas to Prevent Parking at Winfrey Point

Stephen Lu — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:53:39 -0500

Many residents were less than pleased when the City of Dallas gave the Dallas Arboretum permission to allow customers to park their cars on the grassy areas at Winfrey Point. However, one resident took things one step farther by filing a restraining order against the city to prevent the parking at Winfrey Point.

The city decided to allow parking at Winfrey Point to deal with the expected influx of people attending the arboretum's new Chihuly exhibit, which will be going on from May 5 to November 5. Residents, on the other hand, were worried that the cars would damage the ecosystem.

The (temporary) restraining order names Councilman Sheffie Kadane and the Dallas Arboretum and was filed by attorney Robert Cohen on behalf of resident Christopher Fears. Aside from possibly damaging the ecosystem, no public hearing was held about the temporary parking lots.

Audelia Road Library Friends Presents Lynette Wilkinson for Spring Speaker Series

Stephen Lu — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:34:38 -0500

Everyone knows the destruction that Hurricane Katrina wrought upon the city of New Orleans and its population. However, much fewer know the personal stories of that had their lives changed forever by Katrina. The next guest in the Audelia Road Library Friends Spring Speaker Series - Lynette Norris Wilkinson - hopes to change that with her new book, "UNTOLD: The New Orleans 9th Ward You Never Knew".

Wilkinson's book looks into the lives of 16 residents that shared their thoughts, feelings and experiences when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Wilkinson shares a very strong, personal tie to this story, as she was born and raised in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

She was inspired to write her book when 16 family members and friends arrived on her doorstep after Katrina had hit New Orleans. Those 16 people had nothing but the clothes on their back and the few possessions they had saved from the destruction.

The Spring Speaker event will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 with refreshment before the actual presentation by Wilkinson at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and the Audelia Road Library Friends encourages the community of Lake Highlands to come out and listen to this story.

Go For a World Record on Cinco De Mayo at Enchiladas Restaurant

Stephen Lu — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:35:13 -0500

Getting your name in the Guinness Book of World Records is an accomplishment worth bragging about. However, actually getting it there is the difficult part. Enchiladas Restaurant, in hopes of setting a new world record for enchilada eating, is putting out an Enchilada Eating Contest on Cinco De Mayo to find the biggest eater in Dallas.

Contestants will have 10 minutes to stuff themselves with as many enchiladas as possible. The winner will receive a grand prize trip for two to the Caribbean. The contest will be judged by Lake Highlands celebrities and should be a fun event for participants and spectators alike.

To enter, contact Enchiladas Restaurant at 214-363-8969.

Lake Highlands Baseball, Softball Move Into Playoffs

Stephen Lu — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:17:35 -0500

The regular season may finally be over but now the real test begins for Lake Highlands baseball and softball teams as they begin the playoffs. The softball team already dispatched Sachse High School in the UIL Bidistrict round, while the baseball team will take on McKinney Boyd High School beginning on Thursday, May 3.

The baseball team finished the regular season in a tie with W.T. White for second place in District 9-5A; however, the Wildcats lost the tiebreaker on Saturday and finished the season with an 18-11-1 overall record and 11-4 district record. Their first round opponent, McKinney Boyd, finished second in District 10-5A with an overall record of 23-7 and a district record of 11-3.

Lake Highlands and McKinney Boyd will play a best-of-three series beginning on Thursday. Thanks to their better record, McKinney Boyd will have home field advantage in the series:

May 3 @ McKinney Boyd - 8:00 p.m.
May 4 @ Lake Highlands - 8:00 p.m.
May 5 @ McKinney Boyd - 12:00 p.m. (if necessary)

Meanwhile, the Lake Highlands softball squad played an unexpected tough game against Sachse High School and barely escaped with the win, 5-4. The softball team finished the regular season with a 20-1 overall record and a 11-1 district record. The Wildcats will need to reignite their offensive power if they want to make a deep run into the postseason.