District 3 wins big on November 7
On Election Day, when Dallas voters approved all 12 bond propositions, District 3 fared very well with bond projects that will be funded in our district.

Only one of the other 13 city council districts fared better.

In addition to addressing District 3 public safety, streets, parks, and flooding concerns — and providing opportunities to spur economic development across the Southern Sector — West Dallas in particular fares well from the Bond Package. Long overdue, and long overlooked, the flooding, road conditions, infrastructure of West Dallas are about to get a big shot in the arm ... just in time to welcome all that company that will be coming across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. The icing on the cake, and also funded by the 2006 bond package, will be the new Mattie Nash Recreation Center.

Here are a few of the other projects that will improve our neighborhood:

• Trail replacement and new playground equipment at Kiest Park
• Construction of new Keenland Fire Station
• Land acquisition for 3 additional fire stations in North Oak Cliff and Mountain Creek areas

Black Box Theater programs
Since its opening, cultural programs at the new Hampton-Illinois Branch Library's new Black Box Theater are well underway.

These family-friendly, fun, and diverse programs are also are either free or "pay-what-you-can" and supported by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

The theater is located at 2919 S. Hampton Road. For more information, call 214-670-3687.

Lake Cliff Tower also inspires additional new development
The long-abandoned 1926 Lake Cliff Tower will soon become 54 high-end condominiums priced between $190,000 to $600,000.

It will also have some great views of the downtown skyline and Lake Cliff Park.

What you may not be aware of is that how the project has also inspired development on the west side of Zang.

Originally planned to be the site for a $5 million strip center, new plans have been developed to create a $25 million development that will create an urban corridor-style mixed use development of street-level retail and condos.

Combined with the Tilden Street town homes and the new medical offices and parking underway at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, the Gateway portions of District 3 are also enjoying some neighbor-friendly development.

New animal shelter well underway
While you're driving along I-30, admiring the new retail being built near Pinnacle Park, be sure to check out the progress of the new Animal Shelter going up at I-30 and Westmoreland.

A long time coming, our City has been in desperate need of this facility, which will replace the one near the Dallas Zoo.

Construction is staying on schedule and we expect a Spring ribbon cutting. Remember, Dallas Animal Services is a great place to adopt an dog or cat that was lost or abandoned by someone else.

What's up at Illinois and Westmoreland?
It's more a question of what isn't happening at Illinois and Westmoreland.

Quick on the heels of the phenomenal success of the new Carnival Super Market comes additional development to serve this pocket of Districts 1 and 3.

A brand-new Sonic Drive-In is in the works as well as banks, a clothing store and other retail for area residents.

N E S T L E S ... Nestle's makes the very best ... jobs
Good ol' Dallas water is about to become gourmet bottled water for thirsty folks across North America.

The new Nestle Waters bottling and distribution facility at Mountain Creek Industrial Park will bottle water under the Calistoga, Perrier and other labels.

More important than that, the plant will also create 250+ jobs for area residents, very good news for the residents of District 3.

Online Park and Recreation Registration Debuts
Driving value and convenience for the large community, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department began offering online registration for classes, programs and activities on September 16.

Online registration allows tens of thousands of recreation participants to view, register and pay for the department’s programs and activities, including the popular fitness, sports and after-school programs, and technology, dance and art classes, at any time, from any Internet-enabled computer.

By making online registration for classes, programs and activities available 24/7 via the Internet, the department drives productivity and reduces the time and paperwork required to process registrations. The community also has the option of paying with a credit card for the first time, both online and over the counter. Internet registration also makes signing up for programs simple, fast and convenient. Community members can search for activities; view program details, schedules and availability; register and pay in just minutes.

As an added convenience, registrants will receive an e-mail immediately following an online transaction to confirm their enrollment in a program. To use the new online registration service, community members need to first visit any one of the city’s 47 recreation centers to purchase a membership card, valid at all Recreation locations. Once a membership card is obtained, participants may visit the department’s Web site to register for programs, when it’s most convenient for them. Access the Park and Recreation Department’s new online registration service now. You can also visit the Park and Recreation Web site or call 214-670-4100 for more information.

West Dallas calendar now online
The City of Dallas' West Dallas Community Prosecutor, Sayuri Beltran, has created a community calendar for West Dallas organizations and events.

Sayuri would like to keep it filled with community meetings and activities that residents need to know about. As part of the City Attorney's efforts to reduce crime in targeted sectors of the city, the West Dallas Community Prosecutor believes that an informed and connected community is a safer community.

Check it out and add your upcoming meetings and events.

Southwest Dallas Crime Watch
The Dallas Police Department has set up a Web site just for residents of Oak Cliff and Southwest Dallas.

Here you will see a summary of crime town hall meetings, tips on crime prevention, upcoming crime town hall and crime watch meetings, and there is even a poll determining how concerned residents are about crime (when last we checked, 71% were anxious and 29% felt unsafe). This is a great resource for neighborhood crime watch chairpersons.

Not just any Park in the Woods
District 3's Park in the Woods Recreation Center is Dallas' newest recreation facility.

Located at 6801 Mountain Creek Parkway, Park in the Woods Recreation Center consists of office areas, classrooms, a kitchen, large assembly area, game room, computer lab, arts and craft room, fitness room, full size gymnasium, and an outdoor sand volleyball court with adjacent patio area.

The facility can be reserved for classes and public gatherings and was long needed in this pocket of Dallas. Call 214-671-0218 for more information.

Cedar Ridge Preserve: A Dallas Treasure
At an elevation of 755 feet, Cedar Ridge Preserve is a slice of the hill country just 20 minutes outside Dallas. Located at 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Cedar Ridge Preserve is a not-for-profit natural habitat of 633 acres featuring 10 miles of hiking trails, a native plant nursery, butterfly gardens, and picnic areas.

Formerly known as the Dallas Nature Center, Cedar Ridge Preserve has been managed by the Dallas Chapter of the National Audubon Society -- Audubon Dallas -- since April 2003. Among the Preserve's upcoming programs are guided walks to see natural lilies in bloom. Learn all about it at the Cedar Ridge Preserve Web site.

Trinity River Project
Councilman Oakley serves as chair of the Trinity River Committee for the City of Dallas. It is the largest public works project in the history of Dallas, a perfect job for a guy in the construction business.

The Trinity River Committee meets at 3 p.m. the first and third Mondays of every month (except July when city council takes a breather). Many important decisions and discussions are being made at these meetings and the public is welcome to attend them at City Hall. Attending is one sure way to decide whether or not what you are hearing second-hand is accurate or not. There is a lot of misinformation out there.