Published Quarterly Volume 4 No. 2 Juneteenth Celebration ...

CONTENTSJuneteenth celebration 1

Mayor’s meeting planned 1

Happening at Rec Center 2

Guide for future 2

Wildwood Premier Award 3

Indy film series 3

What’s up downtown 3

Medical Plaza groundbreak 4

Small Town Saturday Night 4

National Night Out 4

Spring Clean Up 5

Virus threatens local dogs 5

Neighborhood grant 6

Cedar Trails new bb court 6

Litter survey 6

Library summer activities 7

Music in the Park 7

Babe’s Chicken in City Hall 7

Brush & bulk trash pick up 8

Published Quarterly Volume 4 No. 2

CEDAR HILL

Summer 2007

Juneteenth Celebration setfor Valley Ridge Park

The City of Cedar Hill is hosting theBest Southwest Area JuneteenthCelebration at Valley Ridge Park onJune 16, 2007 from 4-10 pm.Valley Ridge park is at 2850 ParkRidge Drive, just off Lake RidgeParkway. Planners areexpecting 6,000 -8,000 visitors at theone-day event. Thecities of Cedar Hill,DeSoto, Duncanville,and Lancaster are collaborating on thisevent to include theentire regional community. Thisyear’s theme is“Celebrating our Texas Heroes”.Channel 8 News and their FamilyFirst Program will participate in theJuneteenth Celebration by providingadvertising, posters, and live broad-casts the day of the event.

Channel 8 will be promoting theJuneteenth Celebration during a June13 luncheon for Best Southwest mayors, council members and citymanagers in Duncanville. Plenty of

fun and exciting activities are plannedfor the Juneteenth Celebration atValley Ridge Park.

One of the most interesting, popularand educational will be the BuffaloSoldiers Encampment which will fea-

ture demonstrationsand an idea of the19th century cavalrysoldiers’ lifestyle.

Children’s events:• Rock climbing

wall• Bounce House• Safety House, from

the Fire Dept.• Texas Junior

Angler Fishing event (tackle provided and a freshly stocked

pond)• Watermelon eating contest

Adult events:• Car show• Disc golf competition• Horseshoe tournament• Sweet Potato Pie/Tea Cake

Cook-off• Musical and performing groups

Main Stage @ Amphitheatre:• Opening ceremony at 4 pm• Main concert by “Fingerprints”,

Jazz/R&B band, starting at 8 pm.

We will also have:• Arts & crafts vendors• Food vendors• A photography competition based

on the theme “Texas and ourHeroes”.

Mayor Rob Franke’s next QuarterlyLeadership Meeting is scheduledThursday, May 24h, 2007 at 6:30pm in the community room fo theZula B. Wylie Lirary at 225 CedarStreet. This quarter’s meeting willfeature a discussion and presentationby Cedar Hill Public Works DirectorRuth Antebi-Guten. All residents arewelcome to attend.

LeadershipMeeting May 24th

The Cedar Hill Kite Festival at Valley Ridge Park inApril was a big success. Flyers had over 60 kitesin the air by early afternoon. The most popularkite was the 60-foot-long black and red squid kite.

2 Summer 2007 Cedar Hill Highlights

The Cedar Hill City Council hasappointed a 30+ member steeringcommittee to assist the city’s consult-ant with a major overhaul of theCedar Hill Comprehensive Plan. Thiswould be the first such update sincethe Plan’s adoption in 1999.

Members ofthe committeewere selectedto representall con-stituencies

in Cedar Hill.

The city uses the framework of theComprehensive Plan to improve andsustain residential neighborhoodquality and livability, and it establishespolicies and guidelines intended todirect the present and future physical,social, and economic developmentof the City.

The update will involve numerousmeetings by the steering committeeand is excepted to take nearly a yearto complete. Please contact thePlanning Department at 972-291-5100 x 1081, for more information.

Summer is a busy time at the CedarHill Recreation Center for kids andgrown ups. Here are just a few of thefun things happening this Summer.The center is at 310 E. ParkervilleRoad. For more information on anyof these or other summer programscall 972.293.5288.

Carlton Dixon All-Star BasketballCamp for kids ages 5-12This is the most exciting and hardest-working camp in the area. Learnshooting, dribbling, rebounding,defense. The camp is hosted by theformer Lincoln High School All-American and UT Longhorn All-Starplayer Carlton Dixon.

Registration at the Cedar Hill RecCenter ends Tuesday, May 29. Thecamp will be held June 11-15 from 8a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $75 and eachcamper will receive a 2007 All-StarCamp t-shirt.

Keep fit with SalsaA new basic-intermediate Salsa classstarts in May. This class is designed toteach basic ballroom salsa as well as amore unique and expressive form ofsalsa called “shine”.

Salsa can help you gain a bettersense of rhythm, balance and overallfitness. No partner necessary.

The Art of ChessStudies have shown that chess isone of the most effective educationaltraining tools available. Childrenwho are introduced to chess programsshow standardized test scoreincreases in critical skills like readingcomprehension and total memoryrecall. And it is fun.Classes are heldon Saturdays starting May 19 and areopen to age 8 through adult. Cost is$11 per session.

Happening at the Rec CenterAdult Softball LeagueThe Cedar Hill Parks & RecreationDepartment offers summer adultsoftball leagues. Registration startsmid-May and closes the end of themonth. Fees are $350 per team. Allgames are played at Virginia WeaverPark, 631 Somerset Dr. Register atthe Cedar Hill Parks & Recreationoffice, 301 S. Broad St. from 8-5Monday -Friday. Call 972.291.5130.

Swimming lessons for kidsSwimming lessons for infants andchildren up to 16 years of age willbe available at Crawford Park pool,530 Krantz (off Straus Rd.) Sessionsare two weeks each, Tuesdays throughFridays. $35 per session. Sessionsstart June 5, June 19, and July 10.Register starting May 14 at972.291.5130.

Tennis anyone?The Cedar Hill Tennis Associationoffers adult and youth lessons. Formore information contact the CedarHill Parks & Recreation Dept. at972.291.5130. Lessons are held atCrawford Park on Straus Road.

Let’s go strollingThe Cedar Hill Recreation Centerhosts a Walking Club. All familymembers are welcome at these ses-sions. More information is availableat [email protected].

Cedar Hill Fire Marshal RandyJordan receives a $1,000 grantfrom Wal-Mart Manager BradMullen to provide smoke detectors, carbon monoxidealarms and small fire extinguishers.These life-saving devices will bedistributed by emergencyresponse crews as they visithomes in the city. They are alsoavailable to citizens by request tothe Fire Department. High PointeBaptist Church donated $250toward this program.

Guidebook forthe future

gets update

Cedar Hill Highlights Summer 2007 3

The City of Cedar Hill NeighborhoodAdvisory Board has chosen Wildwoodas the Premier Neighborhood AwardRecipient for 2007.

This community, nestled atop theescarpment overlooking Lake Ridge,includes about 240 residences. TheWildwood Homeowners Association,organized in 1986, reaches out totheir neighborhood and the commu-nity through regular meetings, specialevents and volunteers.

“Cedar Hill is blessed with exceptionalneighborhoods,” remarked Council-man Wade Emmert. “My family andI have lived in Wildwood for the pastyear and a half. The people we havecome to know carry with them akeen sense of community consistentwith the distinctive character forwhich Cedar Hill is known.”

Wildwood participates in the ParksDepartment, Adopt-a-Park program.“The property owners’ associationhad a parcel of land that had beendeeded to them by the developer,”noted HOA President, Mike White.“We elected to not only donate theland, but to adopt the park once itwas installed.” Since its completionlast summer, Wildwood Neighbor-hood Park has been the site of anumber of events including theWildwood HOA Annual Fall Festival.

As this year’s Premier Neighborhood,Wildwood will receive a certificate ofrecognition, an award plaque, a fea-ture on the City of Cedar Hill web-site, a permanent sign placed at themain entrance of the neighborhoodand $250 to be used for NationalNight Out festivities in August.

Wildwood earnsPremier award

Independent film series continuesSaturday May 26 The Middle of the World

2:00 pm A Portuguese language film with English subtitles5:00 pm Carol’s Journey

A Spanish language film with English subtitles

Saturday June 23 Miracle in Harlem2:00 pm 1948 African/American musical murder mystery5:00 pm Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the

Making of Black Middle Class

Saturday July 28 Let the Church Say, ‘Amen’2:00 pm Documentary film about faith in the inner city5:00 pm The Great Match

A multi-language documentary film with English subtitles

What’s Up DowntownMark your calendar for these downtown events scheduled in the months ahead.

Saturday May 26 Art in the Park12:30 pm– 5:00 pm Pioneer Park

Historic Downtown District

Cinema on the Square2:00 pm and 5:00 pm City Hall Council Chamber

502 Houston St./Historic Downtown District

Saturday June 9 Small Town Saturday Night6:00 pm – 10 pm Historic Downtown District

Saturday June 23 Cinema on the Square2:00 pm and 5:00 pm City Hall Council Chamber


Saturday July 28 Cinema on the Square2:00 pm and 5:00 pm City Hall Council Chamber


Visit Historic Downtown Cedar Hill and Discover What’s Up!


Historic Downtown hosts SmallTown Saturday Night

Think back to a simpler time whenfriends gathered downtown for goodold-fashioned fun and entertainmentin a safe and clean environment. Wellthose days are back as the City ofCedar Hill and the Main StreetDevelopment and Preservation Boardhost Small Town Saturday Night,June 9 from 6 pm – 9 pm on theHistoric Downtown City Hall Square.

Last year marked the return of SmallTown Saturday Night where residentsgathered in Pioneer Park to enjoymusic, fun and the updated historicdowntown streetscape improvements.“The historic district is becomingquite a unique destination with all

the recent improvements,” noteddowntown business owner FrancesReed of Distinct Elegance Bridal, “andthe period lighting makes the areamuch more pedestrian-friendly.”

This year’s event will feature old-fash-ioned games, a classic car showaround City Hall, food, prizes, andlive entertainment on the stage inPioneer Park provided by Cedar Hill’sown Tim Jones Band.

Activities will begin at 6 pm andcontinue to 9 pm. Admission isFREE and everyone is invited to joinin the fun.

To get to Historic Downtowntravel west on Belt Line Roadfrom U.S. Highway 67 to MainStreet. Turn south on Main to Cedar.Convenient on-street parking can befound around town and additionalparking is available on the corner ofTexas and Broad streets across fromthe Parks and Recreation Building.

At the April groundbreaking for the 24,000 sq. ft Cedar Hill Medical Plaza at Belt Line and Waterford Oakscity officials shovel with Economic Development Corporation members and principals from MethodistHealth Systems and The Cirrus Group, L.L.C. The facility is expected to open in the fall.

The “24th Annual National NightOut”, a unique crime/drug preventionevent, has been scheduled for Tues.,August 7, 2007. The City of CedarHill, Neighborhood Services and theCedar Hill Police Dept. are proudparticipants of this nationwide event.

Any crime prevention organization,community group or neighborhoodassociation that was not officially reg-istered with the National Associationof Town Watch (NATW) for NightOut 2007 is invited to contactNATW now to receive informationon National Night Out 2007.

There is no cost to register orparticipate. Once registered withNATW, local coordinators receivean organizational kit full of ‘how to’materials including planning sugges-tions, sample news releases, artwork,and promotional guides – and inter-im updates throughout the year.

National Night Out, a year-longcommunity building campaign, isdesigned to:• Heighten crime prevention

awareness• Generate support for, and partici-

pation in, local anticrime programs• Strengthen neighborhood spirit

and police-community partnerships• Send a message to criminals letting

them know that neighborhoods areorganized and fighting back

Along with the traditional outsidelights and front porch vigils, mostcities and towns now celebrateNational Night Out with a varietyof neighborhood events such asblock parties, cookouts, visitsfrom local law enforcement andsafety fairs.

National NightOut August 1


Many brave the chillfor KCHB Spring Clean Up

Keep Cedar Hill Beautiful held their9th Annual Spring Clean Up onSaturday, April 16, 2007. Despite thecold weather, there were approxi-mately 250 volunteers cleaning uptrash in city right-of-ways.

Hot dog lunch was provided byCedar Hill Lions Club. Over 30

other organizations sponsored theevent, including retail businesses,churches, realtors, developers, servicebusinesses, health care facilities,higher education campuses andinvolved individuals. T-shirts anddoor prizes provided by sponsors weregiven to volunteers at the event.

The City of Cedar Hill is in theprocess of drafting a Tree PreservationOrdinance. This has been a long andcomplex process, but it will help topreserve the unique and natural char-acter of our premier City.

The Planning Department hasreceived valuable input from both the development community and concerned citizens, which will be

summarized and presented to thePlanning & Zoning Commissionat an upcoming meeting.

Please contact the Planning Office at972-291-5100 x 1081, for moreinformation. You may also visit theplanning department’s web page toview a copy of the proposed ordi-nance and upcoming Planning &Zoning Commission agendas.

This area is experiencing an outbreakof Parvovirus among the dog popula-tion. It is important that you vacci-nate your dog against this diseasewhether your dog is an indoor oroutdoor dog. Taking your dog for awalk in the park can potentiallyexpose him to this dangerous virus.Here are some facts about thisdeadly disease:

• Young dogs and puppies are moresusceptible to the virus. The mostvulnerable time is 2-6 months ofage, however older dogs are at riskas well, especially if they are notvaccinated.

• The virus is extremely hardy andcan survive up to 6 months in theenvironment; even in inclementweather.

• It is transmitted by the healthy dogingesting feces from a dog with thevirus. (Your dog can get the virussimply by walking in the areawhere a sick dog has been).

• Survival is possible but not guaran-teed if caught and treated immedi-ately. Treatment can be costly.

• Symptoms usually show up 7-10days from contact with the virusand include vomiting and diarrheafollowed by dehydration. Watchfor a change in your dog’s behavior.Lethargy and loss of appetite areoften the first signs of Parvovirus.

• Prevention is by far the best medi-cine, so make sure to keep up withyour dog’s vaccinations.

If you suspect that your dog maybe ill with this disease, contact yourveterinarian immediately. For a listof local veterinarians, you can contactthe Tri-City Animal Shelter at(972)291-5335.

Virus threatenslocal dogs

During the recent, very cool Spring Cleanup, Keep Cedar Hlll Beautiful President Sheri Borth and boardmember Margot Bucholz huddled up with Cody the Cleanup Coyote (KCHB ex officio member SandyMartin of the City Parks & Recreation Dept.)

Making trees a priority


Keep Cedar Hill Beautiful membersrecently conducted their annualsurvey of litter in Cedar Hill.

“We are so proud of our residentsfor keeping our city so clean,” saidSheri Borth, president of KCHB.

Group members and volunteers fan outonce a year on a two hour drivingtour of the city. Areas that get the mostscrutiny include land near MountLebanon Road, Pleasant Run andCedar Hill roads, areas near JoeWilson Intermediate School and residential areas near City Hall.

“Tire debris was probably the mostoffensive thing we found because it’sso hard to dispose of,” said KCHBmember Sandy Martin. But mostareas were improved over last year.Borth, city code enforcement officerStacey Graves and KCHB memberKathy Draxler organized thevolunteers.

Volunteers include Lois Cannady,Norman Patten, Otha Atherton,Patty Palmer and George Boles. Theyare just a few of the many peoplewho volunteer their time for the benefit of our city.

Litter survey gives high marks

Neighborhood Matching Grant funds availableCedar Hill neighborhood organiza-tions are invited to take advantage ofproject funding offered through theNeighborhood Services Department.The Neighborhood Matching GrantProgram provides matching funds foreligible neighborhood organizationand business association projects.Grant funding is available on a 50/50match basis, up to $1,000, for aneighborhood sponsored project. Each

application is reviewed by the Neighbor-hood Advisory Board (NAB) andrequires City Council approval.

Applications for grant projects arerequired to meet at least one of thefollowing criteria:• Strengthen and improve

neighborhood organizations• Improve the appearance of

neighborhoods

• Advance inter-neighborhoodcooperation.

“Grant funds are currently availableand members of the NAB are readyto assist with the application,”remarked NAB Chairman DavidBoatwright. The Board is acceptingapplications virtually year round inhopes that the greater flexibility willmake project planning easier andmore convenient for applicants.

The NAB will review applicationsfor 2007 funds up to August 1, 2007.All grant-funded project componentsmust be completed no later than fis-cal year end September 30, 2007.

Grant projects may include, but arenot limited to landscaping, seasonaldecorations, safety equipment, beau-tification, park development and/orimprovements, clean-up or afterschool activities, crime watch pro-grams and neighborhood signage.

Neighborhood organizations arerequired to match the requestedamount either with their own fundsor in-kind services. Each neighbor-hood, including Public ImprovementDistricts, is eligible to receive onegrant per fiscal budget year.

To be eligible for grant applicationa neighborhood organization must beregistered with the City of Cedar HillNeighborhood Services Department,must show proof of regular member-ship meetings, provide a copy of theirbylaws or articles of incorporationthat includes a list of officers, andan organization budget.

For a printed copy of the applicationcall Neighborhood Services at 972-291-5100, extension 1084 or down-load it at www.cedarhilltx.com.

Residents of the Cedar Trails neighborhood mingle with city officials during aspecial “blessing” of their new basketball court built by the city. The neighbor-hood group, headed by Clara McGinnis, organized the event to thank the cityfor investing in their neighborhood.


Babe’s Chicken Dinner House isbringing its stick-to-your-ribs fareto Cedar Hill.

The home-cooking restaurant, whichcurrently has five north Texas loca-tions, first opened in Roanoake in1993. It will take possession of theCity Hall building on Cedar Street inJuly 2008 and will begin renovations.The city expects to move into officesin the new municipal building sharedwith Cedar Hill Independent SchoolDistrict in May 2008.

Paul Vinyard, the owner and propri-etor of Babe’s, estimates that theCedar Hill location will draw 375,000to 400,000 customers per year short-ly after opening.

After $14.5 million in renovationsand improvements to its historicdowntown area in the last few years, thecity is focused on drawing people in.

“I know it’s going to be tremendous,positive traffic in the downtown area,because Babe’s doesn’t take reserva-tions and people will wait a long timeto be seated, which will create a lot offoot traffic,” says Patty Bushart,neighborhood services/Main Streetmanager for Cedar Hill. Babe’s will

Library activities

splashinto summer

hire six managers and 125 employeesat the new location, many of whomwill come from the local high school.

“Since we don’t serve alcohol and wecontrol cursing, we are one of thelarger employers of teenagers, whichhelps build their personalities,” saysVinyard. “We try to teach them howto be a good employee so they canhold a job in the future.”

That involvement in the communityis another reason why Cedar Hillfound Babe’s so enticing. MatthewMabeol, president of Dallas hospitalityconsultancy Surrender Inc. saidCedar Hill is experiencing unprece-dented population growth.

“Because it’s a growing area, CedarHill is getting more chains, but somepeople don’t want to eat at chains.They want authentic food, and Babe’scertainly has figured out how to dohigh-quality home cooking.”

Some customers have been known todrive up to 45 minutes to dine onthe family-style meals.

Edited from an article by Shashana Pearson-Hormillosa, Dallas Business Journal.

“Sail away with books” or “¡Navegalejos con libros!” is the 2007 themefor the summer Texas Reading Club,designed to encourage kids to readfor pleasure, especially while school isout. Governor Rick Perry asks allTexans to join in ensuring that thechildren across our great state becomeaccomplished readers.

The Zula B. Wylie Library invites allchildren in the community to join in.Sign up for the reading club beginsMay 29 and activities extend all summer.At the end of the summer the librarywill host a party for readers and pres-ent prizes for hours spent reading.

Also this summer the HeavyMachinery Petting Zoo will makea return visit so kids can get up closeand personal with equipment they seeworking in our community.

Miss Jo will be reading stories thissummer and Sand Art with BethGreen will return and many otheractivities are available for readers of all ages.

Story Time continues on Wednesdayand Friday mornings at 10:30 forpre-school and other children whowant to listen and create a craft.

More information about summerprograms at the library areavailable on the library web sitewww.zulabwylielib.org. Or callthe Children’s Librarian, ShanlaBrookshire at 972.291.7323

Babe’s Chicken roosts in City Hall

There’s nothing like live music out-doors as dusk turns to evening. TheMusic in the Park concert seriesreturns to the Lake Ridge Parkamphitheater again this summer.Bring the kids, grandma and grandpa,even load up the neighbors for a greatFriday evening. Bring lawn chairs andblankets, picnic if you like. Food anddrink vendors will be available.

This year’s concert series startsFriday, June 1 with Dennis Cavalier& Zydeco Texas (cajun/NewOrleans/variety). On June 8 enjoyTexas Gypsies (Pop/swing/hotjazz). Crawfish (eclectic 70s & 80s)performs June 15. Quebe Sisters(country/swing/bluegrass) close theseries on June 22.

Music in Park enters 12th year

BULK RATEU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCEDAR HILL, TXPermit No. 25

City CouncilRob Franke

Mayor

Cory SpillmanMayor Pro Tem

Clifford ShawDaniel C. Haydin, Jr.

Wade EmmertGreg PattonMakia Epie

City ManagerAlan E. Sims

Phone 972.291.5100Fax 972.291.5107

www.cedarhilltx.com

Postal Customer

City of Cedar HillP.O. Box 96

Cedar Hill, TX 75106

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERSArea Code 972 unless noted

Abandoned VehiclesPrivate Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1090Public Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5181

Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1010After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293-4611Alarm Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5181Animal Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223-6111Building Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1090Cert. of Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1090Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . 291-7817City Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1011Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1090Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5353Crawford Park Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5318Dallas County Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214)653-7559

Voter Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214)653-7192Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5132Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1060Fire Non-Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-1011Food Pantry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293-2822High Grass Complaint . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1090Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293-3806Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1050Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-7323Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1041Neighborhoods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1084Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5130Parks Field Rain-Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214)855-9758Planning & Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1081Police Non-emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5181Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5126Recreation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293-5288Utility Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-5100 x.1200

CEDAR HILL

Brush and bulkcurbside pick up

What is allowed:• Ten cubic yards can be placed within 3 feet of curb.• Do not have brush out earlier than 6 pm on the Friday before

collection week to avoid a citation.• For amounts over 10 cubic yards, please contact Waste

Management to negotiate a pick up price.• Brush need not be bundled.• Brush may not exceed 4 ft. lengths or branches over 6 inches

in diameter.• Don’t put brush on water meters or under power/phone lines.• This service is not for residents utilizing professional tree

trimming services, which must be removed by contractor.

Published Quarterly Volume 4 No. 2 Juneteenth Celebration ...

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