Back Talk Lakewood/East Dallas

Runners and headphones: what do you think?

I saw a friend when I was running around White Rock Lake last night — this is one of those pull no punches, tell-it-like-it-is sort a friends. As usual I was wearing my iPod nano with the ear buds, and he says, “What are you doing wearing headphones out here? You’re going to get run over.” Oh, here we go, I thought.

I explained to him that I keep my headphones low enough (usually I keep only one ear in) that I can hear passing cyclists, etcetera, and that it really doesn’t hinder my ability to stay safe. But he (who unlike me actually passes people when he’s running) has experienced big problems, especially as the park draws bigger and bigger crowds, with runners who “are completely oblivious, lost in iTunes or whatever".

We agree to disagree in the end, I guess, as he runs off saying “just concentrate on your running and save the ear buds for the gym,” or some self-righteous nonsense of that nature. (I mean that in the friendliest way.) So have some of us runners been so reckless as to warrant the boycott of earphones on public trails? I have to admit, I've seen headphone-wearing runners nearly flattened by cyclists shouting in vain that they are passing. What do you guys think? And remember, if you comment, be nice to each other.

Forbes list: Nearby neighborhoods are overpriced

Forbes recently published a list of America’s most overpriced zip codes and no one in our ‘hood, made the list, but a couple neighborhoods on the fringes of Highland Park did. Dallas’ Greenway Parks and Devonshire neighborhoods in the 75209 came in at No. 8.

California had the most cities on the list. Forbes goes into detail regarding how they tallied their results—
Basically they went through ZIP codes in the nation's 40 largest cities, comparing rental costs with buying costs for similar properties, based on number of bedrooms, location and price per square foot.

My first thought is wow, man, what it would be like to work at a publication where you have the spare time and resources to compile all these minimally useful lists and data ...

Tour Des Fleurs Saturday

The race that promises to be the next big thing for White Rock area runners — Tour Des Fleurs at the Dallas Arboretum — is this Saturday, Sept. 20. Organizers are smart in that they’ve planned an event whose date and distances (a 10K and a 20K) coincide with White Rock Marathon and half marathon training. Smart because there are hundreds if not thousands of folks in this area training to run The Rock. Plus, Tour Des Fleurs kicks off the Arboretum's famous fall season, so it’s fun for all—even those who couldn’t run from a fire.

City Council to meet in East Dallas tonight

Would have posted this sooner, but I just got the memo — the Dallas City Council will hold a community meeting at the Dallas Arboretum tonight, Sept. 17, at Rosine Hall. According to this newsletter from the office of Angela Hunt, the council "will be briefed on the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden as well as the Dallas Museum of Art exhibit Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs."

Hey, what else do you have to do? The Cowboys aren't playing tonight. Oh, and if you care about this, you too might like to receive Hunt's e-newsletters. Go here to sign up.

Spillway meeting this month: White Rock Lake project progressing

The spillway project is slated to begin this October and will take about two years, according to plans. On Sept. 22, For The Love of The Lake will host a neighborhood meeting to "Environmental Impact of the White Rock Lake Spillway Re-Design".

According to BJ Ellis, who sent us an e-mail about the upcoming meeting, speakers include: White Rock Lake resident naturalist and wildlife biologist Becky Rader, aquatic biologist Rafe Brock, fish biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., City of Dallas project manager Cassia Sanchezand City of Dallas Councilman Sheffie Kadane. The meeting is free and open to the public.

As for the other side of the lake, there’s been some progress on the trails along the northwest corner of White Rock Lake and it’s great. For a few weeks there, I met with a cloud of dirt and dust under the bridge at Mockingbird near Lawther every time I went running along that route. But now there is a sidewalk—a real, smooth, wide sidewalk. What appears to be a stone enclave complete with water fountain is almost finished just north of the bridge too.

Woman drives car into White Rock Lake

Brothers Tad and Nick Weatherford jumped into White Rock Lake to save a woman who drove her car into White Rock Lake yesterday, according to this somewhat sketchy report.

Police reportedly decided that the woman likely drove into the lake intentionally.

Sarcastic cop ticketing cyclists near White Rock Lake

Cops are enjoying a sunny day at the lake, ticketing cyclists (and cars of course) who ignore or roll through stop signs, according to a report on the DMN Crime blog. A good practice, no doubt — let's keep everyone safe out there.

But is the following commentary really necessary?:

The officer quoted in the post says, "No one can get along here. Cars hate cyclists; cyclists hate the walkers, and walkers hate the cyclists."

Talk about a Dark Cloud on a bright day. I'm sure the comment was in jest but come on, officer — we need to be fostering better feelings amongst the users of the lake, don't we?

Don't get me wrong, I actually think the police are on the right track —we need to raise awareness about rules and etiquette around the lake and encourage folks to follow it (if that means writing tickets, so be it). But being nasty to each other won't get anything accomplished and it certainly won't bring order to an increasingly crowded public park. Are there a lot of neighbors who share Officer Giron's jaded point of view? If so, there is something seriously wrong out there.

Famous White Rock-related murder goes to trial

I'm an admitted true-crime TV junkie. It was probably close to a year ago when I saw a story on the A&E show "First 48" about a woman whose body was found in White Rock Lake (watch episode 68 here). Two drug dealers allegedly killed 30-year-old Lavelle Evans and dumped the body, supposedly because she had been set to testify against them in court. Said dealers are already in jail on a drug possession conviction —and they go to trail today on the murder charges.

Injured cyclist's friends rally for safer streets

A group of neighbors are out to make more bicycle-friendly streets, in the name of their friend, Paul Jerde, a cyclist who was seriously injured last June while riding near White Rock Lake. Here's the background story on Paul in today's Morning News. Paul's friends, family and co-workers are maintaining this blog containing constant updates about his condition. The group has a petition headed for City Council they hope will help enforce more safety and traffic measures such as street markings, separated bike lanes and "better education and communication among cyclists, motorists, city planners and law enforcement officials."

White Rock Lake safety meeting tonight

White Rock Lake is busier than ever before. I have no proof of that, but I've lived in the area for a long long time and never seen it as crowded as it has seemed the last couple of weeks. Along with the increased use over the years came an increase in crime, especially car break ins (everyone knows someone who's had their car broken into near the lake, right?), and then, more recently, an increase in police presence, citizen patrol and other safety measures.

But there are still car break ins and there are still safety concerns. Hence, the Police, Parks Department and Volunteers in Patrol are putting on a safety meeting tonight, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m., at Winfrey Point where the general public can get info and offer-up suggestions for making the park safer.

For more info you can email White Rock VIP president, Mel Cyrak.