An unfiltered look of Dallas, Texas and its surrounding neighborhoods.

The George W. Bush Presidential Library added much to SMU, University Park, Dallas, and Texas. This holiday season there’s an exhibition of the 2001 White House Christmas that has been assembled.

History, Homes, and Architecture

I love history, homes, and architecture. Combining these passions with the Christmas exhibition is much fun. Replicas of the former Presidents’ homes are displayed with the history and style of each home. One discovers the home presented to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865 cost $2,500. This was approximately the cost of some of the historic Munger Place homes when they were built in 1905, and is a thousand times less expensive than the much more modest home of President Bush in the twenty first century. The homes of these Presidents reflect the period, personality, and resources of the President. This Christmas exhibition is one more reason to visit the George W. Bush Library at SMU.

http://significanthomes.com/architecture/architectural-styles

Dr. Ronald Jones, Chief of Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center and Now Residency Program Director Lectures on His Accounts During the Kennedy Assassination

Dr. Jones seated next to Douglas Newby at the Town and Gown meeting at SMU located in University Park.

The year leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination has brought forward many prominent and important Dallas citizens who have remembered and talked about the events of that memorable day fifty years ago including Dr. Ronald Jones who did the procedures on President Kennedy when he was brought to Parkland Hospital and Dallas civic leader and Mayflower Estates homeowner, Ruth Altshuler, who chaired this year-long event celebrating President Kennedy.

Earlier this month, I sat next to Dr. Jones at a Southern Methodist University Town and Gown dinner where Dr. Jones delivered a first-hand, insightful, and compelling talk on what transpired when he was called to the emergency room as a young thirty-year-old resident surgeon. It was a vastly interesting and deeply moving account from the man who would go on to become the chief of surgery at Baylor Medical Center and now director of its residency program.

This has been a year where Dallas has reflected on the history and grace of the city. The assassination of President Kennedy changed America and transformed Dallas as a community, pushing it towards being an even better city in the face of the harsh criticism it received at the time.

Dr. Jones discussing his experiences treating President Kennedy in the trauma room at Parkland Hospital.

http://significanthomes.com/neighborhood/university-park

50th Anniversary of Kennedy Assassination is Discussed at Events and Forums Across Dallas

Hugh Aynesworth’s Book, “November 22, 1963: WITNESS TO HISTORY”, was unveiled at a home in the Bent Tree neighborhood. Hugh Aynesworth is an internationally respected and honored journalist who has collected good friends throughout his life. The combination of an incredible book that distills the Kennedy assassination and subsequent events in an accurate, detailed, and personal voice and the chance to see a long time friend packed the home in Bent Tree. This Bent Tree residence was a great location as people who had purchased arm-loads of books had a chance to enjoy the large home or go out onto the terrace overlooking the golf course. I first met Hugh Aynesworth shortly after college. I’ve watched his children grow up to be amazing people, and I’ve always enjoyed his friendship and insights.

Hugh Aynesworth as he’s being introduced before his remarks on “November 22, 1963: WITNESS TO HISTORY.”

Hugh Aynesworth ended up signing hundreds of books.

Robert W. Mong, Jr, Editor of the Dallas Morning News and his wife, Diane. Bob Mong has been instrumental with providing archival material for Hugh Aynesworth’s book and has orchestrated the incredible daily coverage of the events surrounding the Kennedy assassination in the Dallas Morning News for months leading up to the 50th anniversary of the assassination.

http://significanthomes.com/neighborhood/far-north-dallas

Meredith Quigley, Architect, and Artist Ali Gozad Win Competition for Best Collaboration

The 2013 Artist versus Architect at One Arts Plaza in downtown Dallas on November 14th was great fun and very interesting. Patrons and guests enjoyed the dynamic display of collaborative work created by teams of one architect and one artist and one individual piece submitted by each artist and architect. Everyone was able to vote for one individual piece and one collaborative piece creating friendly competition through the evening. The silent and live auction of the artwork was for the benefit of the Family Compass.

Meredith Quigley, an architect with OMNIPLAN, and artist Ali Golzad won for best collaboration.

It is reminiscent of French graffiti artist JR’s work in India where he plastered the rooftops of tightly packed urban makeshift housing with large photographs of its inhabitants in the shadow of high-rise buildings. Here you see the inspiration of the artist and architectural delineation of the architect.

Every piece in the show used a totally different medium and different approaches to give diverse examples of expression and collaboration. The computerized oil pointillism of downtown buildings by artist Kevin Page was enthusiastically received for its new medium and graphic interpretation of downtown.

Lionel Morrison designed One Arts Plaza in the Arts District in which the Artist v Architect event occurred.

Artist Ali Golzad, architect Meredith Quigley.

Architect Tip Housewright, a principal and partner of OMNIPLAN, joining the animated crowd at the event.

http://ArchitecturallySignificant.com

Kelly Mitchell, a phenomenal architect, curated the selection of homes on the 7th Annual Dallas Chapter AIA Modern Home Tour. Kelly Mitchell, AIA, also had her midcentury modern home at 3615 Gillespie Street in the Oak Lawn neighborhood on the tour. The AIA tour is a great opportunity to see and learn about modern homes and to be introduced to architects. This year’s tour was a tremendous success enjoyed by all.

http://dallasmodernhomes.com/