Back Talk Lakewood/East Dallas

White Rock Marathon still needs a title sponsor

The Dallas Business Journal reported today that NexBank signed on as presenting sponsor for the White Rock Marathon. Back Talk reported this a month ago, by the way. When we did, I spoke with race chairman Chuck Dannis who reminded me they are still actively seeking a title sponsor. Securing a title sponsor makes a big difference when it comes to presenting that post-event check to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, he says.

Last year's sponsor was Wellstone Communities, backed out of sponsoring this year's event (which we also wrote about here.)

Free yoga series at W Dallas-Victory and Galleria

I'm not sure about a gym with masquerade-costumed models on its homepage, but I can't help but be intrigued by a free 8-week yoga series.

The new fitness club Equinox (opening on Oak Lawn in August; another is opening in Preston Hollow at Hillcrest and Northwest Highway this October) promises to "wake your body gently with sun salutations and nourishing vinyasas" and will cater to you "whether this is your first time or you're a yoga pro."

Equinox is holding its classes on the 16th floor of the W Dallas-Victory on Saturday mornings from 7-8 a.m. (ouch) starting Aug, 2 and lasting through Sept. 27. (No class on Aug. 30, which is Labor Day weekend.) All you have to do is RSVP. The flier does request, however, that "due to limited availability, your advanced and firm commitment to the event at the time of the reservation is highly valued."

If you're a first-timer, no need to bring your yoga mat; they're being provided by lululemon, which offers its own free yoga classes at the Galleria store on Wednesday mornings. Lululemon has also signed a lease for a Mockingbird Station location, but "they've hit a snag and have pushed back their store opening," says Mockingbird Station spokesman Mark Brinkerhoff. At this time, he adds, it's "an indefinite postponement."

Grace Choi, 13, wins Dallas Junior Golf tournament; she's the youngest female winner ever

Neighborhood 13-year-old Grace Choi won the recent Dallas Junior Golf Championship at Tenison Highlands golf course, becoming the youngest winner of the girls' division dating back to its beginning in 1962. Choi's winning score of 219 even beat Scott Orsak, winner of the boy's division, by four shots. Choi will be an 8th grader at J.L. Long Middle School next month, and her parents own the dry-cleaning business on the corner of the building at Live Oak and Skillman that also houses the Tipperary Inn and the Wine Therapist. My sons are budding golfers, with one of them a member of Woodrow Wilson High School's district-winning golf team last year; they say they've seen Grace hitting the ball at Tenison and been blown away by her length and accuracy. She told the DMN that putting is her weakness, but with scores of 77-68-74 on the three-day event, she can't be too bad on the greens. Both Grace and her younger sister also have been members of the Lakewood Elementary and Long mathletes teams, with both frequently winning individual awards at the weekend meets during the school season.

As an aside, Lake Highlands resident Scott Akers recently took over as director of instruction at Tenison, and he has put together some excellent youth and adult golf instruction programs; my sons and a friend were in one of the classes and raved about what a great teacher Akers is. And Tenison's range is modern, with some of the stalls covered, so it's a good alternative to the neighborhood Top Golf setup when you're looking for more of a straight golf experience or plan to play a round on the course, too.

Run Dallas, run!

The Dallas Running Club is an outstanding organization, especially for those who live in the White Rock area … and who are totally masochistic. I say that with no fear of objection because I’ve experienced the pain first hand. I signed up for the club so I could get in on the marathon-training program. When I did so, I questioned my sanity. Signing up for marathon training in the middle of Texas’ August? Brutal. I couldn’t believe it when I showed up for the first meeting in mid-July and the Winfrey Point building was packed wall-to-wall with other crazies just like me. What is wrong with us? I asked myself then … and again around mile seven Saturday morning.

Despite its location in a city that sees a good three months of 100-degree temperatures, Dallas Running Club just hit the 3,000-member mark making it the third largest running club in the U.S., behind New York Road Runners and Atlanta Track Club.

Big Mango Trading Company: Free yoga classes

Need to relax and unwind? Big Mango Trading Company, owned by neighbors Jaime and Lori Smith, is now offering free hatha yoga every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. (the next one takes place Saturday, July 26).

The low-impact relaxation is taught by Julie Hanson of the Wellness Collective. The yoga classes are small and catered toward everyone (for those of you who have not tried it), and all you have to do is show up with a mat or towel (which everyone has) and eager to relax your mind and body.

Big Mango Trading Company is located at 1130 N. Industrial Blvd. For more information call 214.752.4755 or visit bigmangotrading.com.

SMU rowing team leaving Bath House for White Rock Boathouse

While chatting with Roger Kallenberg as we walked his dog around the neighborhood (see "Wall of Sticks", July Advocate), I learned that the SMU rowing team will soon be leaving the Bath House Cultural Center’s basement, where they’ve stored equipment and based practices for several years. 

Here’s the scoop: They’re actually moving from the Bath House to the newly-founded White Rock Boathouse as a part of the Boathouse’s “community of recreational rowers” initiative.  The Boathouse is currently home to the Woodrow Wilson High School rowing team and the Bishop Lynch High School rowing team, as well as quite a few people who just like to row.

No worries for Bath House fans, though; the cultural center is already looking into ways to fill the space. They’re considering everything from a complete renovation of the area to just letting another group lease it for a while.  They’re also looking for ideas from the interested public, so if you’ve got a particularly stellar idea, pick up the phone and give them a ring. 

As for the nature of the parting, Marty Van Cleek from the Bath House promises that the center and the team are definitely still friends.  “We’ve had a great time with them here, and we’ll certainly miss them, but this will be a really good thing for them.  The Boathouse is beautiful, and we’re happy for them.”

Greg Williams, Mike Rhyner give P1s some answers

Fans of The Ticket Radio drive time show the Hardline finally get some answers about the mysteriously upsetting disappearance of former host Greg Williams, thanks to this tell-all (or tell much, anyway) article by Richie Whitt at the Observer. First of all, props to Whitt and thanks — I've listened to endless rumors and speculation about what happened to Greggo (most of 'em ended up being true but that's not the point). You can't blame fans for talking after the show known for "pulling back the curtain" and letting listeners "in the fraternity" suddenly shuts up about an abruptly absent host, refusing to even mention his name. (The story reveals that particular behavior was due to a court-ordered gag). But here, both members of the formerly "dynamic duo" are talking.

Marathon hopefuls: training is afoot

If you aspire to run a marathon or a half marathon but need a little guidance and motivation, the Dallas Running Club could help make your dream attainable. And — especially important in this economic climate — they make it affordable.

NOW is the time to start training if you have your sights set on the famous White Rock Marathon set for Dec. 14. There are several great distance-training programs available in the neighborhood including those at Run On! or Luke’s Locker. For Dallas Running Club members, the training program that kicks off this Wednesday is significantly cheaper — but they cap registration at 400 people and it’s already 85 percent full. In other words — don’t wait. Get on board now. Yours truly has already signed up for full marathon training. I am publicly stating this because now I have no choice but to do it or look like a quitter. See you there fellow dreamers!

Cyclist's friends raise spirits, awareness

Over the weekend there was a picnic at White Rock Lake in support of local cyclist Paul Jerde who suffered a serious head injury when he was hit by a car on Mockingbird near Buckner close to White Rock Lake earlier this month.

Paul's friends, family and supporters had decorated the bridge at Mockingbird with well-wising posters and photos of Paul — part of their effort to raise awareness about bicycle safety.

They've also set up a blog where they keep track of Paul's progress.

Friends of Santa Fe: (Cautiously) happy trails

Friends of the Santa Fe Trail last night hosted an informational meeting attended by 60 or so interested neighbors. Co-founders Greg Furman and Monty Watson talked about plans for the trail. Attendees got a peek at the design for the Garland Bridge for the first time, Watson tells us. Hopefully, you read about the group and the project in your June East Dallas Advocate.

We also have a post here from Norman Alston, an avid Back Talk contributor, who was at the meeting last night. He seems cautiously optimistic (correct me if I'm wrong here Norman) about the whole deal. I think he's a little concerned about preserving the wildlife and natural beauty — basically all the fauna and flora that has been relatively undisturbed along the trail, at least until now. (By the way Norman, lovely description of "Phase 1").

What I gathered from communications with the guys heading up this Friends group is that they want to — like a lot of the rest of the city — improve trails, non-motorized transportation, connectivity etc. . . and they really want to do it without compromising the natural landscape. My impression, after talking to Parks and City staff, too, is that there's a much better chance of preserving the Santa Fe's integrity with a "Friends" group as opposed to say ... the Parks Department going at the changes without an organized group supporting them.