OK, OK, I admit it!  I'm a Yankee.  And not a big fan of Mexican food.  But......... I've lived in North Texas for 30 years and every once in a while I get dragged to a Mexican restaurant by friends.  Last night was one of those occasions.  And I loved it! Masaryk is a "Modern Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Lounge" at 5004 East Addison Circle, Addison Texas 75001.  The food was fabulous!  (Except the salsa dip for chips, which was a little too hot for my naive taste buds.)  I had the Salmon Masaryk, a pan seared dish smothered with hearts of palm in a buerre blanc sauce, atop pepita pesto mash, with microgreens.  My friend had the Pollo Agave, a pan seared chicken breast with sauza tequila and a chanterelle cream reduction, also with the pepita pesto mash and a garlicky spinach. Chef/Proprie... 06/14/2009

Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesay of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison.  This month, Mr. Chris McMurtry, Special Events Coordinator, spoke to us. Here are some interesting tidbits from his presentation: The schedule for the summer events has changed this year.  Symphonic Saturdays will now be in June (too hot in July for the demographic audience).  Summer Salsa will now be in August.  July Jazz remains in July.  So, all the concerts are on Saturday evenings.  Cinema in the Circle, the outdoor movie events, will now be on Fridays.  And, the theme this year is Summer of Spielberg. June 5th: Back to the Future; June 12th: The Goonies; June 19th: Jurassic Park; and June 26th: Jaws.  Stay after the fireworks on... 06/06/2009

 Home sales in Addison, Texas during May, 2009 Street BR Bth Gar SqFt Year DOM List Price $/ SqFt Sale Price Ledgemont (Condo) 1 1.0  0 746 1982  2 $77,500 $101.21 $75,500 Ledgemont (Condo) 2 1.1  0 978 1982  83 $99,900 $97.03 $94,900 Beltway (Condo) 2 1.1  1 952 1982  50 $125,000 $127.10 $121,000 Windward (SFR) 2 2.0  2 1,728 1998  64 $178,500 $104.17 $180,000 Vinland (SFR) 3 3.0  2 2,094 1983  4 $184,900 $90.21 $188,900 Le Grande (SFR) 3 2.1  2 1,929 1980  130 $189,900 $97.46 $188,000 Azure (SFR) 3 2.0  2 1,771 1991  62 $240,000 $131.00 $232,000 Whitman (SFR) 3 2.1  2 2,028 1994  29 $261,000 $128.70 $261,000 Camden (SFR) 3 2.1  2 2,009 1992  82 $262,000 $127.43 $256,000                     Minimum 1   0 746   2 $77,500 $90.21 $75,500 Maximum 3   2 2094   130 $262,000 $131.00 $261,000 ... 06/02/2009

21 homes came on the market in Addison, TX in May, 2009 (up from 15 last month). In addition to the homes below, there are another 49 that have been on the market for more than a month.  Now is the time to buy!  If you are looking for an Addison home, call me!  Now is also the time to sell, while inventory is still low! New Addison Listings: May 2009 Subdivision Street Sq Ft Bed/Bath/Gar Price CONDOS         Aventura Addison Circle 1816 2/2/2 $279,900 La Mirada Proton 920 1/1/1 $105,000 Valley of Bent Tree Ledgemont 696 1/1/0 $64,000 DUPLEXES         None this month         TOWNHOUSES         District A Morris 1920 2/2/2 $260,000 District A Seabolt 1897 2/2/2 $299,900 District A Seabolt 1694 2/2½/2 $255,000 District A Spectrum 1913 2/2/2 $299,900 District A Spectrum 2173 3/3/2 $359,000 ... 06/01/2009

Addison, Texas has survived these difficult economic times better than most communities.  However, the June foreclosure postings at the Dallas County courthouse show 7 Addison homes on the list. These homes span the following subdivisions: Townhomes of Addison (Townhouse) Brookhaven Townhomes (Condo) Grand Addison (Single Family Residential) Westfield Court (Single Family Residential) Midway Meadows (Single Family Residential) Townhomes of District A (Condo) Towne Lake (Townhouse) In the past, there have never been this many homes on the foreclosure list in any one month period. Let's hope these owners are in the process of working out loan modifications with their lenders and payment plans with their homeowner associations, where applicable. 05/12/2009

The votes are in and have been counted.  Hopefully everyone can get back to their lives now that "silly season" is over. Joe Chow has been re-elected as Mayor.  This will be his third term. Kimberly Lay has been elected to fill the one-year term created due to the untimely passing of Councilmember Dennis Kraft.  Kimberly had been appointed to fill his position until the election. The three councilmembers elected for two-year terms are Blake Clemens, Don Daseke, and Bianca Noble.  Don was appointed to fill the short-term vacancy left when Councilman Todd Meier resigned to run for Mayor. Congratulations to you all! Mayor Percent Total Votes Tamara Whitman 1.61% 28 **Joe Chow 65.38% 1003 Todd Meier 33.00% 584       Council 2-Year Terms     **Blake Clemens 26.77% 804 **Bianca Noble 27.90% 9... 05/09/2009

Addison, TX became a safe-haven for some fleeing the destructive winds and rains of hurricanes Ike, Rita and Katrina.  The doors to Loos Field House were opened to those evacuees seeking shelter.  Some families even brought their pets with them. To better prepare for future emergencies, the secretary at the Addison Athletic Club is collecting no longer needed pet supplies.  If you have any of the items below, please drop them off with Betsy Sterns at the Addison (TX) Athletic Club on Beltway Drive.  For Dogs collars leashes bowls toys small blankets and towels dog crates For Cats bowls toys small blankets and towels cat carriers litter and litter pans For Reptiles/Fish/Other Samll Animals Reptile lights and heaters Reptile bark/carpet Fish gravel Fish food Small cages Bedding (no pine o... 05/09/2009

Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesay of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison.  This month, Mr. Chris Terry, Assistant City Manager, spoke to us. Here are some interesting tidbits from his presentation: Chris's grandfather was a 2-term county sheriff and as a child, Chris would visit him at the jail.  Chris is a graduate of Baylor University and has a degree in Political Science.  His first fulltime job in public administration was in Southlake Texas, after completing an internship. Chris shares some responsibilities with Deputy City Manager Lea Dunn.  City Manager Ron Whitehead is responsible for visitor services, the municipal courts, and the Parks & Recreation Department.  Chris is responsible for special even... 05/08/2009

Warm up those taste buds!  It's time for the annual Taste Addison event in Addison Texas - this year it's May 8-10.  Over 50 restaurants will be participating and there will be wine tastings, music, children's entertainment, carnival rides and games.  Come to Addison Circle Park (4970 Addison Circle Drive) for the festivities. Friday, May 8th: 5 PM - Midnight Saturday, May 9th: Noon - Midnight Sunday, May 10th: Noon - 6 PM  Entertainment: Old 97's Jack Ingram Bowling for Soup Foreigner Participating Restaurants (Restaurant & Booth #): Anheuser-Busch Beer Sampling 82 300 Dallas 7/8 BJ's Restaurant 14 Berry Berry 41/42 Blackfinn American Saloon 11 Blue Goose Cantina 58/59 Blue Mesa Grill 23 Buffalo Wild Wings 36/37 Café Brazil 22 Cantina Laredo 15/16 Celebrity Café & Bakery 18 Chamberlain... 05/07/2009

15 homes came on the market in Addison, TX in April, 2009 (down from 20 last month). In addition to the homes below, there are another 68 that have been on the market for more than a month.  Now is the time to buy!  If you are looking for an Addison home, call me!  Now is also the time to sell, while inventory is still low! New Addison Listings: April 2009 Subdivision Street Sq Ft Bed/Bath/Gar Price CONDOS         Aventura Addison Circle 1973 2/2 ½/2 $299,900 La Mirada Proton 1430 2/2/1 $167,900 La Mirada Proton 1396 2/2 ½/1 $164,900 Valley of Bent Tree Ledgemont 746 1/1/0 $77,500 Valley of Bent Tree Ledgemont 964 2/1/0 $104,900 DUPLEXES         Midway Meadows Morman 1885 3/2/2 $195,000 TOWNHOUSES         District A Breedlove 1708 2/2 ½/2 $277,900 District A Spectrum 2069 2/2 ½/2 $350,0... 05/04/2009

On Sunday, approximately 200 residents of the Midway Meadows subdivision in Addison Texas met at Dome Park for a block party and a good time was had by all! Neighbors Jane and Francesco Secchi, owners of Ferrari's Italian Villa restaurant on Midway Road between Spring Valley and Beltline, graciously provided the food and drink.  The Cover Ups (formerly the Daddy-Os) kept us musically entertained. Addison police, fire, and EMS attended.  The K-9 unit was there and we had a demonstration of our police dog's abilities.  The Mayor and current council members were invited guests.  And our City Manager and neighbor participated. Here is a selection of photos from the event.   If you are not a Midway Meadows resident and would like to relocate here, give me a call.  04/21/2009

How's this for irony?  When you mail a letter to Addison's Mayor at Town Hall, the address is Dallas TX  75254, not Addison TX  75001!  What???? Addison is relatively small by Dallas standards, about 15,000 residents. There used to be 5 zip codes for Addison ten years ago, but a new post office with state of the art facilities was constructed and most Addison postal customers voted to receive their mail from the new facility with a 75001 zip.  The measure did not pass in 75254, thus the two zip codes for the town. The 75254 zip code encompasses the area south of Beltline Road and east of Addison Road.  And it gets pretty confusing.  Take the addresses of two businesses on the north east corner of Beltline and Addison Roads, right next door to each other. Both share the same parking lot.... 04/12/2009

Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesay of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison.  This month, Mr. Chad Hancock, Network Specialist in the IT Department, spoke to us. Here are some interesting tidbits from his presentation: Chad has responsibilities for the help desk, PC support, keeping the town's website up and running, the wireless cameras, and the wireless credit card machines at the town's special events (like Taste Addison). Current projects underway include implementing document management (going paperless) and replacing the 35 servers (happens every 6 years and is a $900,000 project). There are approximately 180 PCs used by the town and they are replaced every 4 years. During the question & answer session, C... 04/02/2009

Twenty homes came on the market in Addison, TX in March, 2009 (down from 25 last month). In addition to the homes below, there are another 48 that have been on the market for more than a month.  Now is the time to buy!  If you are looking for an Addison home, call me!  Now is also the time to sell, while inventory is still low! New Addison Listings: March 2009 Subdivision Street Sq Ft Bed/Bath/Gar Price CONDOS         Aventura Addison Circle 1773 2/2/2 $264,900 Aventura Addison Circle 1811 2/2/2 $259,900 La Mirada Proton 1135 2/2/1 $134,900 La Mirada Proton 1473 2/2 ½/1 $169,000 La Mirada Proton 920 1/1 ½/1 $110,000 Pecan Square Beltway 952 2/1 ½/1 $125,000 DUPLEXES         None         TOWNHOUSES         District A Breedlove 1659 2/2 ½/2 $295,000 District A Quorum 1943 2/2 ½/2 $294,000... 04/01/2009

If you get pulled over in Addison, think twice about out-running the local police! Every police officer in Addison must earn at least a "satisfactory" evaluation AND pass the entry level physical fitness test before a pay raise is granted.  That includes the Chief of Police and the other senior managers!   The only other department in the state that has a continuing fitness requirement is the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Here's the Addison Police Department Fitness Test: Test                                                Standard 1.5 mile run                         17:48 minimum time 300 meter run                      73.8 seconds 1 RM bench press                  Push 67% of your body weight Maximum push up                20 1 minute sit up                     32 Vertical jump... 03/31/2009

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  The Mayor and Town Council of Addison, Texas are holding a Town Meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2009.  This is a semi-annual event where citizens gather for an update on the state of the city. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Road. On the agenda: update on the town's finances and the 2010 budget process development updates (including Vitruvian Park) public safety education question & answer session Save the date.  Show up.  Be informed.   03/20/2009

As one of my neighbors is fond of saying "Silly season is upon us." Addison residents will choose a Mayor and four town council members on May 9, 2009 (early voting runs from April 27 til May 5).  Three candidates are vying for Mayor: incumbent Joe Chow, seeking a 3rd term; former council member Todd Meier, who stepped down from his council seat to run for Mayor; and newcomer Tamara Whitman, who appeared before the Council in November, 2008 to voice concerns about voting in the bond election. Two candidates are running to fill an un-expired term for one year.  Kimberly Lay was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by Dennis Kraft's untimely death and she is one of the two candidates running.  Her opponent, Fan Benno-Caris, has received some local and national news media coverage becaus... 03/12/2009

Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesay of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison.  This month, Ms. Stacy Love, Volunteer Coordinator, spoke to us. Here are some interesting tidbits from her presentation: All volunteer opportunities are posted on the Town of Addison website.  If you are interested in volunteering, look for good fits for your abilities. When you volunteer, make sure to log your hours!  There will be recognition events and parties for volunteers. Current volunteers do everything from "normal" activities like filing to "unusual" activities, like painting fire hydrants. If you would like to volunteer (Taste Addison is coming up!), contact Stacy Love at:slove@addisontx.govor972-450-2874   03/07/2009

Twenty five homes came on the market in Addison, TX in February, 2009 (up from 19 last month). In addition to the homes below, there are another 40 that have been on the market for more than a month.  Now is the time to buy!  If you are looking for an Addison home, call me!  Now is also the time to sell, while  inventory is still low! New Addison Listings: February 2009 Subdivision Street Sq Ft Bed/Bath/Gar Price CONDOS         Aventura Addison Circle 1812 2/2/2 $259,900 Aventura Addison Circle 1855 2/2/2 $259,900 Aventura Addison Circle 1957 3/2/2 $284,900 Valley of Bent Tree Ledgemont 978 2/1 ½/0 $104,900 DUPLEXES         Midway Meadows Sopras 2143 3/2 ½ /2 $217,500 TOWNHOUSES         District A Morris 1682 2/2 ½/2 $275,000 District A Quorum 2185 3/3/2 $360,500 Stanford Court Stanford... 03/04/2009

It seems like we're barely past the November presidential election and here we are again at the start of another campaign season.  Municipal elections in Addison are May 9th, with early voting from April 27th through May 5th.  Today was the first day to file to run for office.  Mayor Joe Chow has not yet filed but is expected to run for a third term.  He will be challenged by Todd Meier who resigned from his Town Council seat to run. In the Council race, 4 seats are open.  Dennis Kraft's untimely death created one of the openings.  Kimberly Lay was appointed to fill his unexpired term and is expected to run as the incumbent for that seat.    Two current council members are barred from running due to term limits.  They are Greg Hirsch and Jimmy Niemann. The other seat is the one vacated ... 02/10/2009