Life in Dallas

An Insiders Look of Dallas

Dr Eric Olson of UT Southwestern at the President's Research Council Dinner 2023.
UT Southwestern President’s Research Council Dinner 2023 with Dr. Eric Olson.
Orphan Outreach hosted Children's Hope Award Dinner with speakers Blair Pogue and Coach Tony Dungy.
Blair Pogue, Cristin Pogue, Tony Dungy and Douglas Newby at Orphan Outreach Children’s Hope Award Dinner honoring Blair Pogue and his family.
Cliff Welch, FAIA, in Home he Designed Celebrated by Patron Magazine
Michael Lee creates something sophisticated and beautiful from original silly flower presentation.
PRC Dinner 2023
Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother's Day Home Tour 2023 in Dallas, Texas
The Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home Tour 2023 held in Dallas, Texas.
Top row from left: PRC Dinner 2023, Richard Drummond Davis, Cliff Welch, FAIA. Second row from left: Michael Lee, Design Genius, Jack Knox Creates Cafe Pacific Magic, Mother’s Day Home Tour.

Life in Dallas is intended to provide casual snapshots and vignettes of people and places one might see in the course of living in Dallas. These spontaneous and sporadic posts are not intended to give an exhaustive or even a full view of Dallas. Here you will find hints of Dallas.

Visiting the Dallas Mayor at City Hall

Riding the elevator up to the fifth floor office to visit Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, I realized he was the tenth mayor that I had personally met with, most of them at some point at their Mayor’s Office at City Hall. When I arrived on the fifth floor, there was a row of photographs of every past Dallas mayor. These images brought back memories of my first visit to Mayor Robert Folsom’s office and my visit to the mayor’s office when Starke Taylor was mayor. It was fun to see in Mayor Taylor’s office a 12-inch walnut spool of copper wire with two tin cans at the respective end of the wire that had been presented to him when he presided over a Restoration House of the Year Award on his first day in office. This was given to him as a hotline to the neighborhoods of East Dallas. Looking at the pictures on the wall made me recall many of the conversations I had with each of these mayors in their office. It was a treat to meet Mayor Eric Johnson in his office, as I so admire how he has continued to build on the success of the previous mayors. Under his leadership, Dallas has never been stronger. There has also been much written recently about the I.M. Pei designed-City Hall building. It was fun to see the city from the balcony that I.M. Pei designed for the Dallas Mayor.

Douglas Newby on Dallas City Hall elevator going to see Mayor Eric Johnson in his fifth floor office.
A photograph of Douglas Newby on his way up to the fifth floor to see the Mayor of Dallas Eric Johnson in his office. It is interesting that often architects place the mayor’s office on the fifth floor of City Hall.
Former Dallas mayors' photographs at City Hall in downtown Dallas.
In chronological order, one enjoys on the fifth floor of Dallas City Hall viewing photographs of all the former mayors who led and nurtured Dallas to its current place of prominence. I have privately met with the last ten mayors of Dallas. I recount all my interactions with past Dallas mayors with great admiration and fondness.
Mayor Eric Johnson is standing on the balcony of his fifth floor office in Dallas City Hall designed by architect I.M. Pei. The Dallas City Hall Plaza and Dallas skyline is seen behind the mayor.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has much to smile about as his successful leadership has made Dallas the strongest city in the country.
Mayor Eric Johnson in his office at City Hall in downtown Dallas designed by architect I.M. Pei.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is shown pointing at pictures of him and his mother when he first arrived as a freshman at his Ivy League college and then again with his mother years later at the same place on campus. The M Award that he was given by SMU is also seen in the photograph at his Dallas City Hall office.
Evening view of downtown Dallas skyline from the fifth floor balcony of the mayor's office of Mayor Eric Johnson at Dallas City Hall.
From the balcony of the mayor’s office on the fifth floor of Dallas City Hall, one takes in the breathtaking view of downtown Dallas in the evening. It is remarkable that the locally owned businesses and buildings downtown have now become international towers of commerce.

John Reoch Opens Bluffview Home

After seeing my post of the Trenton Doyle Hancock exhibition at a New York museum, John Reoch invited me to see his Trenton Doyle Hancock painting. I think this is a particularly good example of his work and is even more meaningful as John purchased it at the first show of Trenton Doyle Hancock that took place in Dallas at the Gerald Peters Gallery.

Art collector John Reoch opens Bluffview Dallas, Texas, home to allow look at Trenton Doyle Hancock painting.
John Reoch on front terrace of his Bluffview modern home in Dallas.
Trenton Doyle Hancock painting in private collection of John Reoch.
Trenton Doyle Hancock painting in the private collection of John Reoch.

Park House Lunch with John Reoch

Park House in Highland Park Village is a convenient spot for lunch halfway between the estate area of Highland Park and Bluffview.

John Reoch at Park House in Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas
A Park House lunch with John Reoch punctuated a tour of a magnificent architecturally significant Highland Park estate home just being completed, and a visit to his Bluffview home to see a Trenton Doyle Hancock painting of his since I just returned from a New York museum exhibition of Trenton Doyle Hancock.

Hipster in Front of Small Two-Story Home in Bishop Arts Neighborhood

Actor and intellectual Christian Taylor exudes the vibe of the Bishop Arts district that is so popular across Dallas.

Actor Christian Taylor in front of Bishop Arts neighborhood home located at 411 N. Vernon Avenue, Dallas, Texas.
Actor Christian Taylor is standing in front of a small two-story home at 411 N. Vernon Avenue in the Bishop Arts Dallas neighborhood. This 800 square feet home on a 1500 square feet lot is perfect for an artist who can walk to the bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants of Bishop Arts.

Longhorn Ballroom Legacies Patron Tour

One of the treats of being a Legacies History Conference patron was a tour of the Longhorn Ballroom found in the Cedars neighborhood owned and renovated by Edwin Cabaniss.

We saw the original bar that was moved to the Proprietor’s Room. We saw original murals that have been uncovered. We saw pictures of the previous owners and costumes of performers that ranged from James Brown to Tammy Wynette. We saw Bob Wills’ saddle that he wore on Pumpkin, his horse, that he rode across the dance floor every evening. The Longhorn Ballroom has fabulous performing acts across many styles of music. The tour was both informative and nostalgic. It is truly a Dallas historic landmark.

Longhorn Ballroom historic sign in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas at 216 Corinth Street.
One of the treats of being a Legacies Dallas History Conference patron was a tour of the Longhorn Ballroom owned and renovated by Edwin Cabaniss.
On the Legacies Patron Tour, the front entrance of the historic Longhorn Ballroom, located at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas, Texas.
The front entrance of the historic Longhorn Ballroom with original sign.
Another view of the historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas' Cedars neighborhood located at 216 Corinth Street.
A sundown view of the Longhorn Ballroom view approaching entrance
Longhorn Ballroom, a Dallas historic landmark, seen on the Legacies Tour in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas at 216 Corinth Street.
The Longhorn Ballroom iconic sign.
Longhorn Ballroom original bar in the Proprietors' Room seen at the Legacies Tour in Dallas' Cedars neighborhood located at 216 Corinth Street.
The original bar of the Longhorn Ballroom that was moved to the Proprietors’ Room.
Photos of performers photographs in the Proprietors' Room at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, a historic landmark in the Cedars neighborhood located at 216 Corinth Street.
Photos of famous performers over the decades seen in the Proprietors’ Room at the Longhorn Ballroom, which is a Dallas historic landmark.
The Proprietors' Room displays photographs of famous owners over the decades at the Longhorn Ballroom at 216 Corinth Street, Dallas, Texas.
Photographs of the series of owners in the Proprietors’ Room at the Longhorn Ballroom.
The Longhorn Ballroom at 216 Corinth Street in Dallas' Cedars neighborhood displays Jack Ruby's suit and Tex Ritter's costume.
Costumes of Jack Ruby and Tex Ritter showcased at the historic Longhorn Ballroom.
Preservationist Douglas Newby at the Longhorn Ballroom Legacies Patron Tour at the display of Jack Ruby, located in the Cedars neighborhood at 216 Corinth Street in Dallas, Texas.
Douglas Newby is standing in front of the display of Jack Ruby artifacts seen on the Legacies Patron Tour of the Longhorn Ballroom.
Display of Waylon Jennings' costume at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, located at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
Waylon Jennings hat, boots and guitar showcased at the Longhorn Ballroom.
Bob Wills' saddle displayed at the Longhorn Ballroom on the Legacies Patron Tour. The Longhorn Ballroom is located in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas at 216 Corinth Street.
The saddle of Bob Wills on display at the Longhorn Ballroom. This is the saddle he used when riding his horse pumpkin across the dance floor.
The Legacies Patron Tour of the historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood..
The Legacies Patron Tour at the Longhorn Ballroom with those in attendance viewing the costumes of performers.
The costume of Ray Benson showcased at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas as seen with the Legacies Patron Tour.
The costume of Ray Benson on display.
Bob Wills' saddle seen at the Longhorn Ballroom Legacies Patron Tour in Dallas, Texas. The Longhorn Ballroom is located at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
Bob Wills’ saddle that he wore on Pumpkin, his horse, as he rode across the dance floor every evening.
Photographs of performers on the tour of the historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
Photographs of some the “Pokes” who have performed at the historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas.
The costumes of Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn are showcased at the historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, as seen on the Legacies Patron Tour.
The Longhorn Ballroom had fabulous performing acts including Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn, whose costumes are displayed.
Costumes of famous performers displayed at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and the Sex Pistols have performed at the Longhorn Ballroom, ranging across different styles of music.
Historic mural seen on the Legacies Patron Tour at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
An original mural seen on the Legacies Patron Tour of the Longhorn Ballroom.
Owner Edwin Cabaniss of the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas at 216 Corinth Street in the Cedars neighborhood.
Owner and renovator, Edwin Cabaniss, of the historic Longhorn Ballroom.

Legacies Dallas History Conference at the Dallas Public Library

The Legacies Dallas History Conference coordinated by historian Mike Hazel is the premier history conference in Dallas supported by many history and preservation organizations. The talks are always fascinating and give us a better understanding of Dallas. A Legacies Journal will provide articles on the topics presented. Every year I see old friends like Martin Cox who is a Leadership Dallas classmate of mine, a Highland Park landmarked home homeowner and past president of Chase Bank Dallas.

Legacies Dallas History Conference was held at the downtown Dallas Public Library and coordinated by historian Mike Hazel.
The Legacies Dallas History Conference was held at the downtown Dallas Public Library, coordinated by historian Mike Hazel, and is the premier history conference in Dallas supported by many history and preservation organizations.
Sarah Crain, Executive Director of Preservation Dallas introduces David Preziosi, Executive Director of Texas Historical Foundation at the Legacies Dallas History Conference at the Dallas Public Library downtown. David Preziosi presented the Longhorn Ballroom.
At the Legacies Dallas History Conference, the Longhorn Ballroom was presented by David Preziosi, Executive Director of Texas Historical Foundation, and introduced by Sarah Crain, Executive Director of Preservation Dallas.
Legacies Dallas History Conference held at the downtown Dallas Public Library presents the history of Longhorn Ballroom by David Preziosi, the Executive Director of Texas Historical Foundation.
At the Legacies Dallas Historic Conference, Executive Director of Texas Historical Foundation, David Preziosi, presented the history of the Longhorn Ballroom located at 216 Corinth in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas.
Martin Cox, a Highland Park landmarked home homeowner, member of Leadership Dallas, and past president of Chase Bank, is seen here at the Legacies Dallas History Conference at the Dallas Public Library downtown.
At the Legacies Dallas Historic Conference, every year I see old friends like Martin Cox who is a Leadership Dallas classmate of mine, a Highland Park landmarked home homeowner and past president of Chase Bank Dallas.

SMU is Victorious After 40 Years

SMU Celebrates Touchdown with Peruna Running Across the Field

After every score, Peruna continues the 100-year tradition of running across the field in celebration.

All of Dallas, football fans and non-football fans, SMU Alumni, and non-SMU Alumni are excited about SMU being nationally ranked and going to the playoffs. Standing by the sideline at the Cal game, I saw SMU cinch a position in the NCAA football playoffs. SMU has once again become Dallas’ team.

Coach Lashlee seen at SMU game in Highland Park, Dallas.
Coach Rhett Lashlee seen at SMU game at Ford Stadium in Dallas.

Paul Rogers SMU’s Faculty Athletic Representative Seen on Sideline of SMU Game

Professor Paul Rogers with SMU Dedman School of Law seen on sideline of SMU game in Highland Park, Dallas.
Professor C. Paul Rogers III, SMU Dedman School of Law, besides being the former dean of the law school and a successful author, he is SMU’s Faculty Athletic Representative of the Athletic Council overseeing external compliance. On the sideline of the Cal game, he can be seen giving instructions to those around him.
Paul Rogers, Faculty Athletic Representative of SMU, on sideline of game with Mustangs and California Golden Bears.
Paul Rogers on sideline of SMU game with Cal.
Paul Rogers as the SMU Faculty Athletic Representative in the sideline at the SMU Mustangs versus the California Golden Bears game in Highland Park.
The much admired Paul Rogers is seen roaming the sidelines in his role as SMU’s Faculty Athletic Representative at the game where the SMU Mustangs were opposing the California Golden Bears.

SMU Quarterback Kevin Jennings Shows Nimble Footwork

Quarterback Kevin Jennings zigzags for long run setting up a touchdown.

SMU Game Against California Golden Bears

At SMU Ford Stadium in Highland Park, SMU Mustangs played California Golden Bears.
SMU played California on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with the campus peaking over Ford Stadium.
The SMU punter warming up at SMU Mustangs game with California Golden Bears at the SMU Ford Stadium in Highland Park.
SMU punter warming up just in case.

Highland Park at Christmas

Carriage rides with Highland Park homes decorated for Christmas.

TXSE Panel Presented at the Dallas Country Club

This new Texas Security Exchange is well funded by major banks and investors, some of whom are clients of mine. I was impressed that the criteria for being listed will be higher than the other exchanges but the superficial and noneconomic peripheral criteria will be eliminated. As Texas Senator Tan Parker says, this exchange will be created and located in Dallas to help people make money and keep their money.

The personality of the TXSE reflects the personality of Dallas. The number of Fortune 500 companies between Texas and Florida is quite impressive and likely the first firms to list on the TXSE. Dallas has so many opportunities and access to people, ideas, and initiatives.

TXSE panel at Dallas Country Club in Highland Park included Nicole Chambers, Global Managing Director of Texas Listings, Texas State Senator Tan Parker, attorney John Willding of Stinson LLP.
Nicole Chambers, the Global Managing Director of Texas Listings for TXSE, Texas State Senator Tan Parker, and attorney John Willding of Stinson LLP, moderator of the panel, are shown here discussing the impact the Texas Security Exchange will have on major companies and on Dallas. At my table were members of firms planning to list on the TXSE and others involved in the industry.

Perini Ranch Comes to Highland Park Village Loaded with Smoked Tenderloins for Their Clients

Perini Ranch sets up at Highland Park Village in Highland Park, Dallas, to allow customers to pick up their smoked tenderloins.
Perini Ranch sets up at Highland Park Village for an afternoon as customers once a year are able to pick up their smoked tenderloins for the holidays and also enjoy the tenderloin bites that are provided by Perini Ranch.
Perini Ranch offers tenderloin treats at Highland Park Village in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Perini Ranch distributes tenderloin treats at Highland Park Village as customers pick up their smoked tenderloins for the holidays.

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