LETTERS

PARENTAL RESOURCES



WE WERE pleased to read your article “Head Help [September].” A parent-education program has been established in the Metroplex, which we feel will serve as an added dimension to the mental-health field in our area. Parenting Services of North Dallas Inc., is a nonprofit agency providing a comprehensive range of services to parents including individual counseling as well as a referral source to other professional services. The Parent’s Resource Program provides specialized educational programs for parents on a weekly basis. In addition, the service offers weekly seminars focusing on effective parenting and weekend workshops that offer guidance for positive parent/child interaction. It is encouraging to see that D Magazine has recognized the mental-health field as an available and affordable resource in our community.

Adena Moore

Leslie Brown

Parenting Services of North Dallas Inc.



DEEP ELLUM: WHO FOLLOWED WHOM?



IN REFERENCE to the article “Gallery Hopping [November]” by Ruth Miller Fitzgibbons, please note the following:

The Deep Ellum Gallery, 2540 Elm, opened its doors in the fall of 1980, making it the first gallery to move into that area of Dallas known as Deep Ellum. Wiseman and Associates, 2816 Main, became the second such institution to make the move – relocating from Exposition in February 1981. Eighteen months later, Delahunty followed suit -sporting wine, expensive beer and valet parking at the grand opening of its new Canton Street location.

To imply that galleries such as Allen Street are flocking to East Dallas in the wake of some mythical Delahunty movement is incorrect. An open house was hosted by Allen Street in the 2900 block of Canton on the very same evening as the Delahunty affair. It is indeed nice to know that Murray Smithers is hopeful that “others will follow [Delahunty]” to the Deep Ellum district, but the author should have conducted a little more research into just who is following whom.

Don’t create a footrace that doesn’t exist. The real issue in Deep Ellum is economics-a problem only briefly touched upon by Ms. Fitzgibbons. The raw urban scene possesses an appealing austerity, but the abundance of low-rent lease spaces is the major attraction. That attraction, however, is destined to decline.

The sudden influx of artists and reputable galleries has caused the real estate community to rear its ugly head. Landholders, agents and speculators have already begun to raise prices. The artists will eventually be forced to move, leaving behind a maze of studios and neatly whitewashed gallery walls. No doubt, in 10 years’ time, your readers will hear of a growing arts community holed up in some abandoned West Dallas foundry. It happened to the Oak Lawn area, as well as to the West End. It’s only a matter of time before The Wall Street Journal overtakes Art in A merica as the most subscribed to publication in Deep Fllum.

John Neal Phillips

Dallas



HILLCREST HOOPLA



AS THE PARENT of three Hillcrest High School graduates, I enjoyed Ruth Miller Fitzgibbons’ article “All Hail to Hillcrest [November].” But for the life of me, I couldn’t see how hitting the principal in the face with a pie was emblematic to the author of the return of the “premier” high school of the past.

Mary Pickering

Dallas



I AM WRITING in response to your article on Hillcrest High School. As a young black student caught (1973-75) in the middle of this “stormy era” as you call it, I find myself disagreeing with you on just how stormy it was. Also, when you say that 300 angry black kids were torn away from their schools, I also have to disagree because not all 300 of them were angry. As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that some of them were quite enthused. I agree with you that an atmosphere of uncertainty fueled by a poisonous rumor mill worked strongly against the school’s image. I strongly believe that there was a small group of students, teachers, parents (both black and white) who worked hard to destroy the image for their own causes. I am glad to see that Hillcrest is returning to be a school noted for excellence in academics and other school activities. I feel that I formed some everlasting relationships while at Hillcrest and had some cultural experiences that will make me a better person.

Stan McKee

Duncanville



YOUR ARTICLE about Hillcrest High School made me feel so good that 1 almost cried. You know that we are very proud of the school, our students, our parents and especially our teachers. The things you said were exactly the way we feel (sic). You probably did as much for Hillcrest as any single person has ever done.

Our students were thrilled with the pictures, and friends from all over the city have called me indicating that they had read the article and were very pleased with what they read.

R.C. Stokes,

Principal

Hillcrest High School



CONGRATULATIONS on your recent article, “All Hail to Hillcrest.” As an admittedly biased reader, I thought it was excellent. It reminded me of how important high school is to a young person. The determination and care of all those involved in the turnaround of Hillcrest should be applauded.

Any high school is only a building- until one walks inside. Only the attitudes of those who are a part of it, day in and day out, can make it the positive experience it should be during the teen-age years.

Marc C. Bateman

Hillcrest, Class of ’67

Dallas