Emily Charrier, Author at Test Advocate Magazine

Q: #FBF: When Marsh students made Nickelodeon for loving their library

[caption id="attachment_52432" align="alignleft" width="520"] When Marsh students invested their own time and energy into improving their library. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)[/caption] Back in 2010-11 school year, the students at Marsh Middle School decided not to let their library go gentle into that good night, and raged against the dying of the light by injecting their own positive energy into the space. Their efforts got them on national television. While the Dallas ISD was forced to cut 20 percent of its library budget, so the students got to work. During Thanksgiving break, 40 students put in sweat equity, cleaning, painting and reorganizing the library to make it a brighter and more welcoming place to be. The following April, the students held a read-a-thon and raised $1,700, allowing for the purchase of comfy chairs and couches. Their love of the library caught the attention of the Nickelodeon network and inspired a segment on " Nick News with Linda Ellerbee ." Read the whole story and see the video we captured at the time.

Q: Join in the Friday BBQ and blood drive for #DallasStrong

[caption id="attachment_52382" align="alignleft" width="684"] Hundreds gathered for a unity ceremony in Thanksgiving Square on July 8, 2016, one day after the tragic sniper attack that left five officers dead. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)[/caption] Still looking for a way to help heal our city in the wake of a national tragedy after five officers were gunned down in cold blood during an otherwise peaceful protest? Hosted by a slew of area chambers of commerce, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church will be the site of a barbecue and blood drive to bring the community together on Friday, July 15, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Called Dallas Strong , the event will include classic barbecue flavors along with sides and desserts donated by different chamber of commerce members. All proceeds from the barbecue will be given to the Assist the Officer Foundation , which is collecting donations for the families directly affected by the July 7 sniper attack. There is a suggested donation of $25 per plate. Once filled up on food, you can then help replenish the city's blood supply by donating to Carter BloodCare , which supplies many of the area hospitals with blood ( make an appointment by clicking here ).

Q: Mark Cuban picks interesting restaurant to celebrate with new Maverick Harrison Barnes

[caption id="attachment_52379" align="alignleft" width="600"] Preston Hollow resident Mark Cuban flanked by new Mavericks recruit Harrison Barnes and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. (Photo from Twitter)[/caption] It's understandable that people might stop by IHOP today, where the pancake chain is celebrating its anniversary by serving 54-cent stacks of flapjacks . What makes remarkably less sense is why Preston Hollow resident, Maverick's owner and multi-billionaire Mark Cuban would take his hotshot new recruit Harrison Barnes to the chain to celebrate his new contract. That contract, for the record, was for four years and $94 million for the former Warriors baller. But hey, what's more celebratory than a red velvet pancake slathered in icing? It's like cake you can pretend was a meal. Barnes, t0 his credit, looks about as excited as he should walking into IHOP with Cuban and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. When you take the new guy @hbarnes to lunch pic.twitter.com/3QUiSvbEuX — Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 9, 2016

Q: Joyce Way shows its blue in support of DPD

Dallas remains in shell shock days after lone sniper Micah Johnson opened fire at a Black Lives Matter rally downtown , killing five police and transit officers, while injuring another seven officers in addition to two protest attendees. We are all looking for something, anything, to help heal our believed city. Joyce Way in Preston Hollow is doing its part by adorning every house with a blue ribbon, part of a city-wide campaign to show support for our Dallas Police Department as they patrol our streets. The simple blue ribbons bring a sign of peace to one of the darkest moments in our city's history. For those looking to contribute, the Friends of the Dallas Police working with the Dallas Foundation have created a fund specifically to help the families of the fallen officers and the injured officers.

Q: New deli proposed on Lovers Lane

[caption id="attachment_52322" align="aligncenter" width="674"] A deli is proposed at 4410 W. Lovers Lane. (Photo from Google Maps)[/caption] The property at 4410 W. Lovers Lane could soon become a delicatessen, if a current zoning change request is approved. It’s all a bit of a technicality. Currently, the building is zoned in such a way that a business opening in the unoccupied building could serve food off-premises — grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks. The applicants, represented by the law firm Jackson Walker L.L.P. , hope to build a dine-in deli, where patrons could sit and enjoy their meal, or grab a fresh slab of meat to take home and cook. “The concept is a modern-day delicatessen, which will sell select cuts of meat and will have a limited selection of meats prepared on site for consumption on or off site,” the application states. “The concept also includes the sale of beer and wine.” Representative Suzan Kedron did not return calls for comment, but to us it sounds like the classic neighborhood delis made popular in places like New York City — but with Texas charm over New York attitude. The property sits in a largely residential neighborhood, although the properties to the east and west are both zoned for commercial use.

Q: Getting artistic and going to market this weekend in Preston Hollow

Need a fresh bite? The farmers market at Saint Michael’s and All Angel Episcopal Church is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday in July, offering bounty straight from the fields along with other locally produced items. You can find the market in the church parking lot at 8011 Douglas Ave., and see a line up of the week’s vendors online . Learn to draw like the masters during a program 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday at the Meadows Museum at SMU . Guest artist Ian O’Brien takes participants on a tour of the galleries, exploring different techniques. The event is geared toward adults and students 15 and older. Sketchpads and pencils will be provided, but you’re encouraged to bring your own. The session is free with museum admission, which is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for students. Get artistic while also getting into the Olympic spirit. The Preston Royal Library and the Dallas Museum of Art are teaming up to offer an afternoon of creative arts inspired by the Olympic Games . The event takes place Monday, July 11, from 2-3 p.m. at the library, 5626 Royal Lane.

Q: Wish President George W. Bush a happy 70th birthday today

[caption id="attachment_50491" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Former president George W. Bush via cbsnews.com[/caption] Preston Hollow's most famous resident, former President George W. Bush, hits a milestone in his seventh decade of life today. Born July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Conn., George and Laura Bush are enjoying retirement as regulars at neighborhood spots like Rise , where he was enjoying a soufflé when he learned the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed . Today, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is inviting visitors to send the former president birthday wishes via a 6-foot card that will be displayed in the lobby of the museum. Can't make it over there today? You can also sign the card virtually , or use Twitter and Facebook with the tag #43turns70. Bush, according to wife Laura's recent speech at Edgemere , is loving life out of the spotlight as a retiree, spending most of his time mountain biking, painting and hanging out with his granddaughters Mila and Poppy.

#FBF: When Marsh students made Nickelodeon for loving their library

When Marsh students invested their own time and energy [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-15T09:08:16-05:00July 15th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Guess which four Preston Hollow restaurants made Wine Spectator’s list of best wine lists

Wine Spectator releases a lot of lists each year, from [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-14T11:28:55-05:00July 14th, 2016|Dining, News|0 Comments

#DallasStrong BBQ, Moon Day, playhouses and gaming camp this weekend

Come celebrate the biggest expo on space in the entire [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-13T09:24:32-05:00July 13th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Join in the Friday BBQ and blood drive for #DallasStrong

Hundreds gathered for a unity ceremony in Thanksgiving Square [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-12T17:14:41-05:00July 13th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Mark Cuban picks interesting restaurant to celebrate with new Maverick Harrison Barnes

Preston Hollow resident Mark Cuban flanked by new Mavericks [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-12T13:00:33-05:00July 12th, 2016|Dining, News|0 Comments

Joyce Way shows its blue in support of DPD

Dallas remains in shell shock days after lone sniper Micah [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-10T20:11:53-05:00July 11th, 2016|News|0 Comments

UPDATED: Black Lives Matter protest sparks counter-protest then common ground at NorthPark Center

Black Lives Matter rally on 7-7-16 at Belo Garden [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-13T08:20:12-05:00July 10th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Update: Video + Photos: 14 police officers shot, 5 confirmed dead in downtown Dallas shooting

This story was updated with new information and videos. Fourteen officers [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-13T08:27:24-05:00July 7th, 2016|News|4 Comments

New deli proposed on Lovers Lane

A deli is proposed at 4410 W. Lovers Lane. [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-07T13:17:23-05:00July 7th, 2016|Dining, News|0 Comments

300 city leaders to gather at SMU to discuss human rights

More than 300 officials from a wide swath of professional backgrounds will [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-06T18:32:57-05:00July 6th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Getting artistic and going to market this weekend in Preston Hollow

Need a fresh bite? The farmers market at Saint [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-06T12:58:42-05:00July 6th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Wish President George W. Bush a happy 70th birthday today

Former president George W. Bush via cbsnews.com Preston [...]

By Emily Charrier|2016-07-06T10:59:16-05:00July 6th, 2016|News|0 Comments

About Emily Charrier