Church Struggles with Fire's Aftermath
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c “I now sleep with 50 only the stars above me and the Earth as a pillow.” IrvingIrving — Genghis Khan RamblerRambler June 11, 2011 “Irving’s weekly community newspaper” Church struggles with fire’s aftermath By Jess Paniszczyn is completely gone. The instruments, chairs, Shortly after midnight on June 4 a two- carpet and walls are ruined. We are happy alarm fire raged through an empty detached we were able to save the dining room and garage with an apartment, spreading to the Sunday school classrooms, which only have Manantiales de Vida or Springs of Life Church, smoke damage.” located at 102 S. Delaware. The fire totally Initially, the church members were con- destroyed the building in which it began and cerned that someone may have been hurt in caused significant damage to the church. the fire. “The flames passed from the abandoned “Originally, we thought a homeless man home to the church,” said Belinda Escobedo, who wanders around this area had started the the church secretary. “The firemen said the fire. We were very worried that he had tried to fire was so strong it just swept into the church. cook something in the abandoned home,” she Photo by John Starkey “The whole sanctuary is gone. The dam- said. The truth however was more unsettling Teens started a fire which totally destroyed one structure and substantially age done by the sprinklers was worse than and at the same time more hopeful. Teens set damaged a nearby church. the damage from the fire. Our sound system See CHURCH FIRE, Page 10 Brighter Tomorrows Kids enjoy survives funding loss By Alice Canham After years of receiving United Way grants, spray parks one area nonprofit is no longer on the list of supported agencies. But have no fear: Brighter Tomorrows will survive. By Alice Canham The agency has been meeting the needs of The mercury is climbing across families touched by abuse throughout DeSoto, North Texas. Time to take the kids to two Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Grand Prai- new area spray parks! rie and Irving since 1989. Now among Dallas Northwest Park is located at 2800 County’s largest domestic violence programs, Cheyenne. Southwest Park is at 2800 they provide an array of services including Shady Grove. Each site begins service transitional housing, two emergency shelters, this year with new water-soaked fun daily counseling and hotline response. from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. This year the United Way decision-making “We’d closed two nearby swimming process was changed so that donors’ gifts are pools,” said Chris Michalski, Irving’s no longer directed to the same roughly 100 Director of Parks and Libraries. “These Jocelyne Gonzalez turns a water squirting turtle on Ahmad Patel at nonprofits, instead opening competition to two facilities will replace them, without Northwest Park’s new spray park. all. Programs that addressed improvements costing the City as much. in education, income and health were targeted. “They’re designed for safe play in “We learned several months ago that the the water. Kids and parents will see signs United Way monies wouldn’t be coming,” said posted at both facilities that talk about Board President Debra Danhof. “We were what’s permitted. One thing; if you have expecting it.” Now retired from an adminis- any signs of illness, we don’t want you to trative position with a private school, Danhof spread it – so don’t bring your sick child.” has volunteered with Brighter Tomorrows for Both sites feature zero-depth play- about five years and believes the organization grounds, so there will be no standing received United Way funding “at some level” water issues. Among the features of each throughout that period. spray park: pole-mounted sprayers, “We had four or five months to respond. dump buckets, fountains and bubblers. The staff and volunteers started looking for Special lighting, shade canopies and other grant sources. ample seating will make it easy for adults “I remember one night the Board met at to monitor the child at play. the Grand Prairie Chamber offices for a phone- Are Irving’s kids taking to it? Like a-thon to our friends and past donors. And the ducks to water. “I saw about 85 kids there Photos by John Starkey Board’s Fund Development Committee has one Friday afternoon,” said Michalski. Kids cool off at Southwest Park on Thursday afternoon. been reviewing our strategic plans.” See TOMORROWS, Page 5 Horses find new purpose after racing BIG GAMES PERIODICALS By Alice Canham IRVING TEXAS IRVING POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE eventing, barrel-riding or even in PERMIT #024981 PERMIT BIGGER The final leg of horse racing’s therapeutic riding,” she explains. prestigious Triple Crown is the Bel- “But they need time to retrain.” BRUNCH! mont, scheduled for Saturday, June On her racehorse adoption 11. For one thoroughbred racehorse, farm outside Austin, she finds new make the whole team happy it will mean a big payday. Most of the purpose for former racers. others will go on to race again, until “The people who know a horse they just don’t have it any more. So best are the race trainers, but they’re BRUNCH MADE YOUR WAY! exactly what happens to these horses not so good at finding homes for a after they are no longer able to race? horse,” said Reardon. “They may - Build Your Own Omelette Bar “People have the wrong idea have an injured horse on their hands, - Made-To-Order Waffles about Thoroughbreds,” according and not much time to act. So I’ve - Fresh Pastries, Biscuits and Gravy, to Lynn Reardon, founder and ED introduced myself around Lonestar The Irving Rambler Box 177731 P.O. Irving, TX 75017 Smoked Salmon and More of LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex- Park, and Retama and Sam Hous- Racers, a nonprofit dedicated to find- ton.” Over the past several years, the ing new careers for equine athletes. trainers have grown to trust LOPE Plus, $1 Mimosas until 2 p.m.! “They see them one-dimensionally, as an alternative to handing the like they’re the equivalent of pit racehorse over to an auction service. Open Every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. bulls. They think they’re dangerous, “Trainers have a mistrust of the Make Reservations Today! and almost expect them to show bad auctions,” explains Reardon. “It’s 855 W. John Carpenter Freeway On the corner of Walnut Hill and HWY 114 behavior. It’s a bias, really. illegal in this country to sell a horse Irving Rambler $0.50 (972) 373-0333 “Racehorses could become for meat, but some agents come up Champps, Champps Americana, Champ’s and the Champps flag logo are registered trademarks of jumpers, or they’re useful in English from Mexico to buy horses at auc- Champps Operating Corporation. All rights reserved 2011. dressage, Western pleasure riding, See ADOPTED, Page 11 WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY Office Hours: Main Location: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM 2021 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, 75061 After Hours Clinic: Other Locations: No appointment necessary Valdez Clinic: 3501 N. MacArthur Blvd #400 Mon-Fri 5:00 PM–9:00 PM 972-253-4200 Tuscan: 701 Tuscan Dr #205 Sat & Sun 9:00 AM–4:00 PM www.mscitx.com Baylor MOBI: 2001 N. MacArthur Blvd. #425 Lab & Radiology: Las Colinas: 6750 N. MacArthur Blvd. #250 Mon-Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM OB/GYN: 6750 N. MacArthur Blvd. #255 Not available for After Hours Clinic Page 2 June 11, 2011 THE IRVING RAMBLER www.IrvingRambler.com A little Kiddin’ a Round benefits Our Children’s House Earn CASH By Alice Canham for Kids Stuff! Our Children’s House at Baylor-Irving – KiD to KiD buys and sells “It’s a great place for kids, but also for parents,” according to Brian Smith who chaired a recent GREAT KID’S STUFF fundraiser at the facility for special needs- including clothing, baby equipment, 972.830.2008 children in West Irving. and toys. Maternity wear too! irving.kidtokid.com ‘Kiddin’ a Round’ was billed as a Miniature Take CASH or choose 8350 North MacArthur Blvd., Golf Classic and allowed children, their families, 20% MORE in store credit. Irving, TX 75063 staff members and community supporters to have a little fun. About 150 people showed up to participate on June 4, including presidents of both the Irving-Las Colinas Rotary Club and Irving Sunrise Rotary, the co-presenters for the event. Games, crafts and face-painting were SS MM EE CC MM also available - even pictures with Durango the UU MM RR AA PP therapy dog. Thanks to these activities (and a silent auction) the event netted over $17,000 to $25 off Boys Week, June 19-25 help cover expenses in the childcare program. if you include this ad Girls Week, June 26-July 2 “I’ve been working with Our Children’s with your payment! House for years,” said Smith. “It provides both childcare and therapy under one roof so parents don’t have to rush back and forth [with their Berean Memorial Church is special needs children]. I took my first tour back opening registration for its in the late 90’s and thought it was just wonder- annual summer camp at Lake ful – a nice facility with big shade trees. And the Murray, OK. Come join us while there is space available. Eligible kids always look so happy!” campers must have just completed According to Tawnia Wise who helped 3rd grade through just completed coordinate the fundraiser for Irving Healthcare 9th grade. The cost per camper is Foundation, there was city-wide representa- $350.00 for the week.