Through August 16, United to Learn is hosting Learning Launch, an annual back-to-school drive that accelerates student learning by equipping teachers and students with critical teaching supplies not met by limited public school budgets. Now in its third year, the drive focuses on 27 Dallas ISD schools located primarily in North Dallas. These schools represent 15,900 students, with nine out of 10 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, along with 1,400 educators.

Abby Williams, founder and executive director of United to Learn, said, “Learning Launch isn’t your typical back-to-school drive. With your help, we provide both students and teachers the launch they need in the new school year with targeted resources for rigorous instruction. We know that each of our teachers will personally spend up to $600 to provide these same items – classroom texts, writing journals and supplies, basic technology tools – when limited public school budgets can’t cover their needs.  So we’re asking our neighbors to get involved, contribute to our Learning Launch and continue encouraging gains in literacy and learning.”

With so many items under $50, Learning Launch is an easy and fun way to make a real impact. Those interested in participating can visit the website, http://www.unitedtolearn.org/learninglaunch/, then help in one of three ways: 

Make a Donation:

People can make a cash donation, and U2L staff will purchase the most needed items for teachers’ classrooms and deliver them directly to the schools.

Shop Online for Classroom Resources:

People can select and purchase items from the Top Classroom Needs list or buy items for a specific school. Choose the United to Learn Gift Registry as the shipping address to have items delivered to the U2L office.  

Buy Classroom Resources In-Store and Drop Off at United to Learn:

For those who would like to purchase items at Lakeshore Learning, Barnes & Noble or Office Depot stores, refer to the Top Classroom Needs list. By August 16, they can drop off items at U2L’s office (5310 Harvest Hill Road, Suite 190, Dallas, TX 75230) Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

About United to Learn:

United to Learn is a coalition of public elementary schools, private institutions and engaged community members who have come together to create meaningful learning opportunities for every student to learn and lead. In North Dallas, where great privilege and poverty coexist but rarely overlap, many of the city’s most prestigious private schools and wealthiest neighborhoods are concentrated alongside public schools, where 9 out of 10 students qualify for free and reduced lunch. United to Learn builds relationships across our community and forges bonds to share resources and eliminate gaps in opportunity and understanding. For more information call 469-848-7420, visit unitedtolearn.org,

Birds Eye View Project (BEVP), a Dallas-based non-profit founded by former US Navy SEAL Ryan Parrott to bring attention to organizations serving the needs of wounded veterans and first responders through extreme events, stunts and stories, has hired Mitchell Arnold, US Marine Corps First Sergeant (Retired), as its new executive director.

“Birds Eye View Project has a tremendous opportunity to expand its support for organizations that serve the extreme needs of our veterans and first responders, and we are excited to bring Mitchell on board to help lead that growth,” said Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, Founder of BEVP.  “His background, personal experience, enthusiasm and diligence are exactly what BEVP needs to enable our beneficiaries to reach new levels in serving their constituents.”

“Having received medical treatment and counseling myself from a wonderful non-profit after my military career, I know how important it is to support the many organizations serving the needs of our veterans and first responders,” said Arnold.  “I’m blessed to join Birds Eye View Project and work every day to provide a bigger platform and more funding for organizations that might be overlooked.  I look forward to expanding on the already great successes of BEVP and working with our team and corporate partners to achieve even greater heights.”

Arnold comes to BEVP directly from Benchmark Mortgage, which he joined upon retiring in August of 2017 after twenty years of distinguished service with the US Marine Corps.  With Benchmark, Arnold served as a loan officer and headed the Plano and McKinney branch VA home loan program.  He also served on the Board of Advisors for Benchmark’s Boot’n and Shoot’n, an annual event that supports organizations focused on brain injury treatment and mental health for veterans and first responders.

Arnold enlisted in the Marines on August 5, 1997, and after Recruit Training, Marine Combat Training and Radio Operations Training was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Promoted to Lance Corporal in May 1998, Arnold served with the 22^nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Battalion Landing Team 2/2 as a Field Radio Operator and was deployed for seven months in the Mediterranean Sea.

After a series of additional promotions and professional training, Arnold served with the 22^nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Battalion Landing Team 2/6 as an Assistant Radio Chief in Operation Enduring Freedom in Djibouti, Africa.  In February 2005, Arnold was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion 2^nd Marines, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Radio Supervisor, and in June 2006 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Battalion Radio Chief. 

In January of 2008, Arnold began Drill Instructor School MCRD in San Diego.  Upon completion of the school, Arnold was assigned to Company K, 3^rd Recruit Training Battalion.  He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in October 2008, and was subsequently assigned as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor for Company K.  Arnold was then transferred to Company I where he served as the Lead Series Chief Drill Instructor.  He was selected to serve his last year on MCRD San Diego as the Regimental Drill Master, responsible for all drill and ceremonies aboard the Depot.

In December 2011, Arnold was assigned as the Company First Sergeant for Charlie Company where he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Arnold began the last chapter of his military career in July of 2014 when he began serving as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant in Topeka, Kansas.  In addition to being the senior-enlisted for the Inspector-Instructor staff, Arnold began serving the broader Topeka community as lead for military funeral honors, supervisor for the Toys for Tots program for 14 counties, joined the Marine Corps League and served as a voting member of the Topeka Military Relations Committee.

First Sergeant Arnold’s personal awards and commendations include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon. 

Since his active duty retirement, Arnold has been an enthusiastic supporter and member of multiple veteran organizations.  Currently, he is an active member of the Metroplex Marines Coordinating Council, Frisco VFW Post 8273, and is a founding member of the future Patriot Park Veteran and First Responder Resource Center of Plano. Arnold resides in Melissa, Texas, and has two children. 

United to Learn hosts two events on March 23 to address education: hundreds of volunteers transform 24 Dallas ISD schools with education-focused makeovers, and high school students present education ideas in a "Shark Tank" competition.

WHAT/WHEN:
On Saturday, March 23, Dallas non-profit organization United to Learn hosts two events to help improve education:

Community Campus Day

8:30 a.m. Kickoff (Walnut Hill Elementary)

10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Campus Projects (various campuses)

The first event is a Community Campus Day bringing together more than 400 volunteers from local businesses, high school students and the community to provide campus improvement projects to 24 Dallas ISD elementary school campuses. All projects provide the resources, supplies and improvements that are not covered in the Dallas ISD budget. The event will provide $120,000 of instructional tools, classroom or campus resources and project supplies that will ultimately benefit more than 13,000 students who attend these schools. Specific projects include painting murals, creating a butterfly garden, improving outdoor playground areas and more.

Shark Tank Competition (not open to public)

2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Remarks by Big Thought President and CEO Byron Sanders and judge, followed by high school team pitches.

The second event is a “Shark Tank” type competition with United to Lead high school students who have participated in a year-long program to learn about education in their community and to have a voice. Selected from public, private and charter schools, these students have listened to leaders talk about educational issues such as early learning, literacy, opportunity gap, social/emotional learning, teacher retention and more. Applying design thinking, they’re examining these issues and brainstorming solutions. Now, it’s their turn to present their best ideas for solving a specific issue. They will give their “pitch” in front of four judges: Byron Sanders, Dustin Marshall, DISD trustee; Jeloni Shabazz, assistant vice president of Global Mobility Applications & Security, AT&T; and Christopher Wagley, chief operating officer, KERA. The winning idea will receive funding, and the entire student group will execute the idea.

Community Campus Day was created as a hands-on opportunity for volunteers from local businesses, high schools and the community to get to know the Dallas ISD schools in their neighborhood and to form a lasting relationship. The end result goes far beyond just a physical transformation of the campus. All projects are intended to support the social emotional health of students and faculty, advance literacy efforts on campus, or create a more inspirational school environment that will lead to higher academic performance, reduced teacher turnover, fewer disciplinary programs and higher attendance.

United to Learn is a coalition of public elementary schools, private institutions and engaged community members who have come together to create meaningful learning opportunities for every student to learn and lead. In North Dallas, where great privilege and poverty coexist but rarely overlap, many of the city’s most prestigious private schools and wealthiest neighborhoods are concentrated alongside public schools, where 9 out of 10 students qualify for free and reduced lunch. United to Learn builds relationships across our community and forges bonds to share resources and eliminate gaps in opportunity and understanding. For more information call 214.951.0160, visit unitedtolearn.org, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/unitedtolearn/, Twitter or Instagram @unitedtolearn, or email info@unitedtolearn.org.

(Contact JulietteDC for specific details).

Nathan Carlisle Homes, a private, Texas-based developer of active adult neighborhoods, has announced its two newest North Texas projects--Lakes at Legacy in Prosper and ArrowBrooke in Aubrey, both of which are located within larger master planned communities.  Nathan Carlisle's latest developments follow the success of its first two communities in Craig Ranch and Savannah, and substantially expand the company's footprint in the region's rapidly growing 55-plus real estate market. 

"We are excited to announce these two developments, which will introduce hundreds of new owners to the Nathan Carlisle difference...exquisitely crafted and designed homes, outstanding amenities, and passionate team members who go above and beyond to create true community for residents," said Richard Dix, CEO.  "Lakes at Legacy and ArrowBrooke are located in two of the fastest growing areas of North Texas and both offer easy access to all that makes this an outstanding place to live--vibrant employment, dining and recreation centers, and leading medical facilities.  Our experience in this region with two already very successful active adult communities will enable Lakes at Legacy and ArrowBrooke to stand out next to competing properties."

"The Active Adult cohort is the most underserved new-home buyer in DFW.  Households 55 and over comprise 41.7% of our market, while only 15.5% of new home sales are to active adults.   The lack of new home sales is a supply problem rather than lack of demand," said Paige Shipp, regional director for Metrostudy.  "Unfortunately, builders have not addressed this market with new lifestyle appropriate homes and communities.  Many of our older residents have been forced to either remodel their current home to allow them to age in place or buy a resale home. Nathan Carlisle is addressing the needs of this underserved cohort with quality new homes designed expressly for the 55-plus new home buyers."

To ensure it meets the needs of active adults, Nathan Carlisle has partnered with two award-winning design firms--BSB Design and Housing Design Matters--to develop all new floor plans and designs for Lakes at Legacy and ArrowBrooke.  "At Housing Design Matters, we believe great 55+ housing designs will enhance the lives of our future residents," said Deryl Patterson, AIA, president of Housing Design Matters.  "We are excited to have been selected by Nathan Carlisle to provide new and inspired designs for their active adult communities."

Lakes at Legacy

Lakes at Legacy is located north of Highway 380 two miles west of the 380/Dallas North Tollway intersection.  The only active adult community in Prosper, Lakes at Legacy will include 345 single-family homes, with prices from the $300s to $600s.  Home sizes range from 1,600 square feet to nearly 4,000 square feet and feature three different lot widths, 55', 65' and 75'.

Nathan Carlisle has created 16 all-new floor plans for Lakes at Legacy.  "We are taking special care to create new floor plans that are not only unique to Nathan Carlisle, but which are distinct from competing properties," said Rich Rodriguez, President of Nathan Carlisle.  "These designs feature the fresh, open living environments that today's buyers desire and which will enable them to enjoy their home for many, many years. 

Lakes at Legacy will include numerous amenities that set it apart from more production-oriented active adult communities, including a multi-million dollar community center that features more than 5,000 square feet of gathering and entertaining space, workout facilities, and a resort-style swimming pool.  Most prominently, Lakes at Legacy will include a 6.5-acre lake surrounded by miles of walking and bike trails that wind throughout the community.  "The lake is a major undertaking for this type of project, but amenities such as this are what make Nathan Carlisle communities special," said Dix.  "When finished, the development team will have excavated more than 120K cubic yards of soil to create the lake, making it a spectacular central feature of the community and a place that draws residents outside to interact and enjoy life together."

Nathan Carlisle will begin pre-sales at Lakes of Legacy in late summer 2018.  Model homes will begin construction in mid-September. 

ArrowBrooke

ArrowBrooke is located in Aubrey, just north of Savannah, where Nathan Carlisle built its first active adult community.  Located two miles north of Highway 380 midway between Denton and McKinney, ArrowBrooke will include more than 200 homes priced from the $200s to the mid $300s.  Home sizes will range from 1,600 to 2,650 square feet and include standard 50' wide lots. ArrowBrooke will feature distinct elevations from those at Lakes of Legacy.

"Our first property in Savannah has been a great success, offering a more moderate priced option within an outstanding community," added Rodriguez.  "ArrowBrooke will enjoy a similar level of demand from buyers seeking affordable luxury, primarily because it will offer all the extras that make Nathan Carlisle homes unique, no matter the price point."

ArrowBrooke will also feature a custom-designed amenity center with a resort style swimming pool and multiple entertaining spaces.  Miles of walking and bike trails will wind throughout ArrowBrooke, providing easy access to the community's catch and release fishing pond. 

Nathan Carlisle will begin pre-sales at ArrowBrooke in early 2019.  Model homes will be available for viewing late first quarter of 2019. 

"Nathan Carlisle has spent several years preparing to introduce these two communities," said Dix.  "Many out-of-town companies are rushing into this market, but as a locally-based home builder we believe we have a unique perspective on what active adult buyers in this area want in a new home.  In addition, because we are privately owned we can invest in a product that surpasses more generic, mass-market offerings.  As a result, our craftsmanship, unique home designs, community layout and amenities, and outstanding service enable us to create a truly superior offering for the active adult.  All these features will enable owners to experience the true meaning of our corporate philosophy, 'Living Life, Loving Life.'" 

About Nathan Carlisle Homes

American Institute of Architects Dallas Chapter (AIA Dallas) and the Dallas Center for Architecture announced today they will relocate their offices to Republic Center at 325 N. St. Paul, across from the planned Pacific Plaza park.

AIA Dallas was represented in this transaction by Eliza Solender of Solender/Hall.  Republic Center was represented by Kathy Permenter, Trae Anderson and Sarah Savage of Younger Partners.  The long-term lease is for 13,708 square feet of office, exhibition and meeting space on the building's first two floors, connected by an interior staircase.  General offices will be located on the second floor, while exhibition and meeting space will be prominently on street level.  Exclusive use of an outdoor patio area offers additional opportunities for programming and entertainment.

"This new location offers our organization, totaling more than 2,000 members from 300 architecture firms, some truly unique opportunities our members have been seeking. We are creating a special workspace in a landmark building, expanding our programming, and further impacting the development of the surrounding community," said Nunzio DeSantis, FAIA, 2017 president of AIA Dallas and senior partner at Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects.  "Our space in Republic Center is located in the heart of the city center near public transportation, has high street-front visibility and pedestrian traffic, and is directly across from what will be a special new outdoor space; Pacific Plaza.  We look forward to transforming this multi-level space and moving into the neighborhood next summer."

"Finding the right space required us to balance many different requirements, and Republic Center was that proverbial needle in a haystack," said Solender.  "It is easily accessible by members and the public; it is in a significant building with a lot of pedestrian traffic; it has a highly visible street-level location that can be used for classes, exhibitions and programs; and it is next to a soon-to-be-built city park.  Solender/Hall looks forward to helping AIA Dallas and the Dallas Center for Architecture celebrate the opening of their new offices sometime next summer."

“Our owners listened to the needs of AIA Dallas and the Dallas Center for Architecture.  Together, we found an ideal solution to their challenges. Our partnership combines a great location, offering incredible exhibit space, as well as ample meeting and office space in Republic Center,” said Ms. Permenter. “Republic Center is a gem in the Central Business District and the partnership with these outstanding organizations will be a great addition to the tower’s tenant line-up.”

Jan Blackmon, FAIA, executive director of AIA Dallas and the Dallas Center for Architecture, added, "We enjoyed our time in the current offices, but the ability to add nearly 50 percent more space in a significant urban core building, in an up-and-coming neighborhood, offers an opportunity for us to truly impact the core of the city through quality-of-life oriented architecture and design.  AIA Dallas and the Dallas Center for Architecture see this new office as the perfect alignment of our workspace with our mission."

ABOUT AIA DALLAS

AIA Dallas, the sixth largest chapter of The American Institute of Architects, empowers architects to excel and impact their practice, profession, and community. AIA Dallas has a membership base of more than 2,200 members and 300 architectural firms. Member efforts support professional development, education, advocacy, thought-provoking programming, and seven signature events. For more information, visit www.aiadallas.org

ABOUT THE DALLAS CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE

The Dallas Center for Architecture works to encourage the conversation about why architecture matters to YOU. The Center seeks to foster the public's understanding of the power of architecture to enrich our city and our lives through the programs, exhibits, and tours that the Center presents. For more information, visit www.DallasCFA.com.   

ABOUT SOLENDER/HALL

Since 1991, Solender/Hall has been specializing in the representation of small and medium sized companies and nonprofit organizations in the North Texas area. Find out more at www.solenderhall.com or by calling 214.265.8200.