THEY SWIPED THE PLANTS .

Elizabeth Kennedy is one of many who have seen their potted plants stolen in Oak Cliff recently. The crimes have been going on since September, and someone stole a plant from Kennedy rather than grow his or her own.

“I had six pots, and they got the biggest and the fullest,” she says. “It was a clay pot, and the flowers were really doing well. I can’t believe they had the guts to do it.”

Kennedy says she has heard of similar petty crimes in recent months and has moved all her plants to her Stevens Park backyard.

Gilda Burleson also was a victim recently. She awoke one morning in September and noticed she had some plants missing. She had watered them the night before and knew where they should’ve been. In total, five large potted plants were missing, including three exotic plants from Hawaii that would be very difficult to replace.

“This is not the first time that I’ve been ripped off on my plants,” she says. “Each time I think that it’s not going to happen again, that it’s leveled off. But I think that it’s someone who’s watching the neighborhood.”

The idea of a strange person coming so close to her home so brazenly late at night makes her nervous, she says.

Sgt. Kay Hughbanks with the Dallas Police Southwest Patrol Division says this is a common problem and one for which residents should keep an eye out.

“Unfortunately this is a crime we have not been able to determine why. Most items that are stolen are sold for quick cash,” she says. “I would say it is just a theft based on convenience — easy to carry the item and hard to prove the property belongs to a specific person.” Sean Chaffin is

If you have been a recent crime victim, email crime@ advocatemag.com.

Pre-k

All Are Welcome!

PK3-8th Grade

Lakehill Preparatory School

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep.org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

St. Elizabeth

Hungary Catholic School est. 1958

4019 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas 75224 214.331.5139 ext. 21 / www.saintspride.com

4019 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas 75224/ 214.331.5139 / www.saintspride. com / PK3-8th Grade. St. Elizabeth of Hungary offers a full day curriculum for PK3-8th Grade, including English Language, Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion, Technology, Athletics, Art, Music, Spanish, and Library. Caring teachers enhance curriculum with individualized attention and handson interactive participation. St. Elizabeth is a model of diversity, rich, and reflective of the ethnic and economic composition of the community it serves. Join us for an informational school tour and see for yourself how easy it is to become a Saint! Call 214.331.5139 for information.

December 9, 2014 9:30 a.m.

Baptist

GRACE TEMPLE BAPTIST MULTI-CULTURAL CHURCH

Sunday Worship: English Service 9:30 am / Spanish Service 11:00 am

831 W. Tenth St. / 214.948.7587 / gracetempledallas.org

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Episcopal

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH / 534 W. Tenth St. / 214.941.0339

Sunday: 8 & 10 am Holy Eucharist, 12:30pm Santa Misa en Español

Sunday School for all ages / Children’s Chapel / christchurchdallas.org

Methodist

KESSLER PARK UMC / 1215 Turner Ave. / 214.942.0098 / kpumc.org

9:30 am Sunday School / 11:00 Worship / All welcome regardless of creed, color, culture, gender or sexual identity.

OAK CLIFF UMC / 549 E. Jefferson Blvd. / oakcliffumc.org

Young Adult Gathering & Worship “The Cliff” 9:30 am / Contemporary Worship 11:00 am (Bilingual) / facebook.com/oakcliffumc

TYLER STREET UMC / 927 W. 10th Street / 214.946.8106

Sunday Worship at 8:30 am and 10:50 am www.tsumc.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

KESSLER COMMUNITY CHURCH / 2100 Leander Dr. at Hampton Rd.

“Your Hometown Church Near the Heart of the City.”

10:30 am Contemporary Service / kesslercommunitychurch.com

Presbyterian

OAK CLIFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6000 S. Hampton Road

Sunday Worship at 9:30 am & 11:05 am 214-339-2211 / www.ocpres.com

LIVE (AND GIVE) LARGE

Ol’ Saint Nick, make yourself and those around you happier

The story of Santa Claus begins with Nicolas, born into a wealthy family in the third century on the southern coast of Turkey. His parents died when Nicolas was young, and perhaps turned over in their graves when Nicolas chose to obey Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor” by giving away his entire inheritance to assist the needy, sick and suffering. He eventually became a Catholic bishop and was known for his generous gift-giving and love for children. For centuries people have celebrated his life by likewise giving presents to others, especially on Dec. 6, the anniversary of his death, and of course on Christmas Day, when children await the arrival of Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick.

Nicolas left a legacy of generosity. He lived his life as if anything that had been given to him was a potential blessing to give to someone else.

It’s easy to become cynical and forget the power of generosity in a glitzy, consumerdriven holiday haze. We can give and receive gifts almost mechanically, through a sense of “duty” or ritual, which then leaves us more empty than before. But genuine generosity expects no benefit beyond the sheer warmth of knowing that someone’s life has been made better through the gift.

This holiday season, a groundswell of generosity can change Oak Cliff. But how?

First, generosity serves as an antidote to consumerism and narcissism. Most people spend their days thinking about themselves: what they want, what they feel, what they will do. A generous, large-hearted approach to life considers the other before oneself.

Second, acts of generosity remind us that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Jesus stated this not as an encouragement to give more, but as a trusted, truthful saying. Recently I was enjoying breakfast with friends at Oddfellows in the Bishop Arts District when I was told that our meal had been paid for. This act of kindness changed my whole day.

Third, when we become generous, we become more whole. It’s ironic that giving something away can make one more com- plete, but that’s the wonder of generosity.

Generous, magnanimous living makes the world a better place. Many people come to the end of their lives and ask: what did I leave behind? How did I help others? Why did I chase after material things, when what matters the most cannot be bought? Generous people know that what matters most can only be given and received.

St. Nicolas said, “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”

On Dec. 6, I’m planning a day of generosity to honor Saint Nicolas. Join me by tipping a server more than expected, taking a neighbor to lunch, giving your time by singing in Jingle Bells on Bishop, or leaving a gift on someone’s doorstep. They’ll be blessed, and so will you.

Rock the Cliff

Billy Bates, Jeanne Werner, Sue Young and Warren Rutledge, who all live at Grace Presbyterian Village, participated in the inaugural Rock the Cliff 5k race at Lake Cliff Park in September.

Local Resources

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CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

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Beginners intermediates; Rice, TCU, DTS ex; John Cunyus 214-662-5494 www.JohnCunyus.com

PIANO LESSONS All ages & levels. Over 20 years experience. Oak Cliff area. Call Tim at 214-989-7093

Employment

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