Tal Morrison fund awards $12,000 to high school runners

UPDATE: See photos on our Facebook page (and become a fan of Advocate while you're there!)

Running legend Tal Morrison was at White Rock Lake Saturday hosting the Tal Morrison Classic 15K and 5K. Morrison founded the Cross Country Club of Dallas in 1969. Today it’s called the Dallas Running Club and has 4,000+ members. He also founded the Dallas White Rock Marathon, which still runs through East Dallas and Lake Highlands each December, and The Half, a half-marathon held each November at White Rock Lake.

Funds raised each year at The Half (now called The DRC Half), as well as other Dallas Running Club events and through private donations, go toward the Tal Morrison scholarship fund for DISD students who run high school cross country, running club board member Chris Stratton says.

Saturday, Morrison, 89, presented $12,000 worth of scholarships: $3,000 each to Jonathan Maldonado from Thomas Jefferson High and Andrea Melendez from Hillcrest; $2,000 each to Jose Puentes from North Dallas High and Selene Salina from Samuell High; and $1,000 each to Jesus Estebane from Sunset High and Sharvell Davis from A. Maceo Smith High.

The highlight of my morning (aside from crossing the 15K finish line) was spending a few minutes chatting with Mr. Morrison who told me about his experience running the Boston marathon when he was in his 50s. He says that as he was running, he remembers asking a group of spectators—college kids—how far it was until to the infamous Heartbreak Hill, and “they told me I’d already run over it,” he laughs. He finished that marathon in 3 hours, 15 minutes — not too shabby. 

And … this just in: The Dallas Running Club was selected best running club in Texas and the DRC Half Marathon was selected best half marathon in Texas for 2009 by Competitor magazine. Kudos!

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:28 PM in Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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Advocate radio: where to get V-day goodies

Valentine's Day is near and that means one thing is on everyone's mind, right? No, not love ... chocolate.

Where in our neighborhood are you likely find the most delicious and creative edible gifts? Advocate editor's dish about it in this week's "What's Up With That?" podcast.  

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 8, 2010 at 09:36 AM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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LHHS Academic Decathlon team finishes season

The Lake Highlands Academic Decathlon team finished up its season last week after participating in the Region X competition at J.J. Pearce High School. The group competed against over twenty 5A high schools from around the area and finished in sixth place in the region. Overall, LH ended up in 56th place out of all high schools in Texas.

The Wildcats consider the season a success even though the team did not end up in the top forty, which would have earned them a berth in the state tournament in Houston.

“I was kind of disappointed in not making it to state,” senior David Scott said. “It would’ve been a great way to end to my senior year.”

Members of the AcDec team have to dedicate much of their spare time to studying material that the other students don’t. Mathematics, science, Super Quiz, language and literature, music, art, and economics are all subjects that the teams are tested over. Also, each student must recite a memorized speech, take part in a judged interview, and write an essay for the competitions.

Each year, the United States Academic Decathlon focuses its attention on a centralized theme and the tests have to do with that specific theme. This year’s topic was the French Revolution and the book that the students were tested over was A Tale of Two Cities.

Even though the team did not make it past the regional level, the team did not leave the competition empty-handed. Seniors Robbie Liebendorfer and Eileen Walker each won individual awards. Robbie received second place for his essay and Eileen came in second in the language and literature category.

“A lot of the credit goes to my English teachers and my dad,” Liebendorfer said. “My ability to write well comes from my love of literature.”

“I was successful basically simply because I read the book,” Walker said. “I am reading all of the time.”

The great thing about Lake Highlands’ team is that the team members are so well rounded. The Wildcats were composed of theatre and choir members, baseball and softball players, students in the orchestra and band, a member of the swim team, and a Bell Boy.

The team gained much support throughout the school, and congratulatory posters hang in the classroom of Casey Boland, the team’s head coach. At the latest competition, LH teachers formed a tunnel for the students to run through as some of the team parents cheered the group on.

A possible struggle for next year’s team involves finding enough solid members to field a squad. Eight of the nine competitors on this year’s team are graduating seniors. Students interested in joining next year’s team are encouraged to email Ms. Boland or pop into her AP History classroom to discuss requirements.

After all of the studying, scrimmages, and competitions, the team has grown very close to one another, and all were sad to see the season end. But, the team had a lot of fun along the way and even made some new friends that they might not have been able to meet had they chosen not to become a member of this team.

Pictured are (from left to right): Tyler Terrell, Ben Wolf, Jake Gaba, Robbie Liebendorfer, Callie Herod, Bradley Paterik, Casey Boland and kneeling: Kirsten Mathisen, David Scott, Eileen Walker, Michael Whorton.

• Posted by Tyler Terrell on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:39 AM in Education, RISD, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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In case you need somewhere to go to lunch

The news that Potbelly is opening a sandwich shop in Old Town sheds new light on the status of retail development in the neighborhood. Which, if you want sandwich shops, is pretty good.

The Potbelly will be the sixth sandwich shop in a three- or four-block stretch of Greenville, joining a Subway and Baker Bros. in Old Town, a Jersey Mike's and Schlotzky's on the west side of the street, and the Great Outdoors at Greenville and Park Lane. And, if you count the Arby's, there are seven.

• Posted by Jeff Siegel on Feb 8, 2010 at 07:13 AM in Business, Food and Drink, Siegel, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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Burger Spot opens next week

Burger Spot opens Monday, if all goes as planned, owner John Harris says. There’s one more inspection scheduled to take place Monday morning. As long as they knock that out sans issues, the new Skillman-Royal eatery will open at about 11:30 a.m.

Harris says we can expect more than just burgers. The menu will include salads, house-made mac and cheese and chicken or tenderloin kabobs, to name a few. Harris who is with the John Bowles Company that manages the center, got his start in the restaurant industry, he says.

I drive by the Burger Spot 4-6 times a day — this announcement has been a long time coming. Can’t wait to check ‘em out next week.

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 5, 2010 at 05:22 PM in Food and Drink, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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Productivity Killer: E-Trade’s talking babies

OK, so our team didn’t make it to the big game this year, but it’s still shaping up to be a good faceoff — or so I’m told, because I really don’t know anything about football. But hey, at least we still get an excuse to pig out on wings and pizza, and watch all those multi-million dollar commercial bits. This year’s line up has some pretty funny ones, which you can get a sneak peak at here.

E-Trade’s commercials with the talking baby have become especially popular, though honestly, I find them kind of creepy. Equally creepy yet more amusing is their create-your-own talking baby on the company’s website. You pick your baby, pick your voice, and then record a message. You can record your voice via your computer mic, or by calling a number and leaving a voice mail. Once you’re done, you can email it to your friends, so they can enjoy.

• Posted by Marlena Chavira Medford on Feb 5, 2010 at 02:13 PM in Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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Get your Bond on

The Moss Haven Elementary PTA will host its annual fundraiser dinner and auction this Saturday, and the theme is “From Moss Haven With Love – Get Your ‘Bond’ On!”

A wide variety of items will be available at the silent auction, and when the live auction begins at 9 pm the first offering will be a chance to serve as Junior Bell Boy (or Girl) at a Wildcat varsity football game in the fall. On hand to stir up bidding will be this year’s Bell Boys – Brent Bono, Tyler Terrell and Ben Toler (Will Pittman will be out of town). When Merriman Park held their auction in the fall, Grant Dodgen’s parents, Jack and Laura, bought the privilege for Grant and friend, Caleb Combs, pictured here. The boys hung out with the Bell Boys on the sidelines, ringing the bell and cheering the team at the playoff game, and they ran on the field with the flag for every touchdown earned.

Money raised from all items auctioned will be used to improve the educational experience of students at MHE. The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Dallas at Campbell Center. Tickets are $45 or $75 for reserved seating. Email Moss Haven PTA's Kay Shelton for more info.

• Posted by Carol Toler on Feb 5, 2010 at 11:56 AM in Education, Entertainment, Shopping, Toler, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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Super Stovers: LH family gets a kick out of son Matt's third Super Bowl with Colts

Having a son play in the Super Bowl is getting to be a once-a-decade thing for the Stover family of Lake Highlands. Matt Stover, LHHS Class of '86, will kick for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIV, his third trip to the big game with his third team.

Stover also was with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV and kicked for the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.

Ask Henry Stover where his son got his start kicking footballs, and there's no hesitation.

"Out in the street in front of my house," Henry said. 

While Matt Stover commutes from Baltimore to kick for the Colts, his parents still live in the same house in Lake Highlands. His father, pictured in Matt's old room with one of his Punt, Pass and Kick trophies, said Matt will be taking most of the family to Miami for the game including siblings Ellen (LH '81) and Paul (LH '83).

His parents won't be attending the game, however. Matt's mother, Tasia, is recuperating from surgery and Henry is staying behind to be with her. Tasia and Henry, now retired from the pharmaceutical business, did attend the Ravens-Giants game in 2001.

Continue reading “Super Stovers: LH family gets a kick out of son Matt's third Super Bowl with Colts”

• Posted by Keith Whitmire on Feb 5, 2010 at 10:01 AM in Sports, Football, Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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LHHS grad to cheer at Super Bowl

Matt Stover won't be the only LHHS alum at the Super Bowl.

Sure, it would have been nice to see a team of Dallas guys on the field this Sunday, but we can take comfort in the fact that a few Dallas natives will be out there, including 2005 LHHS graduate Meagan McDaniel who is a Saints cheerleader.

Meagan, who now attends Louisiana State University, was a Highlandette for three years. Since making the Saintsations a couple years ago, Meagan has appeared with the team on the Dr. Phil Show and Comic Relief Live National Television show, in Sports Illustrated, Maxim and FHM magazine, and several national commercials, just to name a few.

To top it off, the beauty and her teammates have performed loads of charity work through the Saintsations Inspiration Program.

Just consider Lake Highands' own Meagan McDaniel another valid reason to root for the black and gold this weekend! 

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 4, 2010 at 11:20 PM in Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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This weekend: Tal Morrison Classic

Saturday, Feb. 6 — The Tal Morrison Classic 5K and 15K raises funds for scholarships for high school seniors, and you can sign up race day beginning at 7 a.m. at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake. It's only $10 (and free if you belong to the Dallas Running Club).

• Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Feb 4, 2010 at 10:38 PM in Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
  
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