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    Goodbye 2012!

    posted Dec 28, 2012, 7:46 PM by Mark Rieves   [ updated Dec 28, 2012, 7:50 PM ]
    It’s that time of year when we look back on 2012 and look forward to 2013.  But before I go any further, I want to do a big shout out to the VPNA board members, neighborhood volunteers, and Vickery Place residents who make our neighborhood events a huge success.  THANK YOU!

    2012 began on a sad note.  Before last Christmas, the Flores family’s house burned to the ground.  No one was injured, but they lost everything. Vickery Place residents rallied behind the Flores family and gathered gifts from our neighborhood, sister neighborhoods, former VP residents and North Dallas High. These gifts totaled almost $5200, plus clothing and home products. 

    A top objective for 2012 was to achieve IRS tax-exempt “charitable organization” status and become an IRS 501(c)(3) corporation.  After over a year of hard work, VPNA was finally awarded this elite status on June 22, 2012.  As a result, your contributions to VPNA are tax-deductible under section 170 of the IRS code. 


    In March of course was the annual St. Patty’s Day Block Party, hosted by our adjacent businesses on Greenville Avenue.  This annual event draws 20,000-25,000 people into our neighborhood and remains controversial among neighborhood residents.  VPNA has worked every year with city authorities and businesses to make this event as safe and as orderly as possible. 


    Throughout 2012, VPNA continued to expand our partnerships with other nearby neighborhood associations and residents along Greenville and Henderson Avenues.  

    On Greenville Avenue, a major success was changing the former Belmont Post Office property’s zoning from Commercial Retail to Residential to ensure that a late-night establishment could not be operated at the location. 

    On Henderson Avenue, the City of Dallas kicked off their “Complete Streets” initiative and VPNA has participated in multiple neighborhood/city meetings discussing ways that Henderson Avenue can be improved to “calm” traffic and make it a more walkable environment. 


    Residents who know each other also look out for each other.  And knowing your neighbor is the best crime fighting activity of all!  In addition to our monthly educational meetings, VPNA hosted our 2nd Annual Wine Walk in June and our annual “National Night Out Against Crime” (NNO) block party.  Just over 100 residents participated in the Wine Walk (it was a sellout) and enjoyed a progressive march to four beautiful porches on Vickery and Miller to enjoy wine and paired appetizers.  The NNO Block Party featured Vickery Place resident Salim Nourallah and his band, food trucks, a beer garden, and great raffle items donated by local merchants. 

    I’ve had the privilege to live in Vickery Place for 20 years and in 2012 I’ve reconfirmed what I’ve known all along – IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY!  THANKS to everyone who makes our neighborhood the best place to live in Dallas. 

    Mark Rieves

    2012 and 2013 VPNA President



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