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Call Us Today: 214-526-2800
Email: Info@turtlecreekassociation.org
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Lost in thought or planning its next adventure? This lone turtle knows how to
soak up this golden hour like a pro. 🐢🍂✨ Photo by J.D. Trueblood
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Have you been shopping for Christmas lights lately? Does it feel like you need an advanced degree in electrical engineering to pick the right ones, or is it just me? LEDs, incandescents, twinkle modes, remote controls—probably even a 'smart light' that syncs to your heartbeat. Why bring up Christmas lights? Because, I recently discovered that our 'pre-lit' 9-foot tree is no longer pre-lit… and it’s starting to make me feel a bit like the Grinch. | |
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Here’s how it went: After the annual attic expedition, I retrieved the four sections of our once-mighty tree, wrestling them into place and performing the yearly puzzle of plugging in the endless cords. After lots of muttering and one minor tangle-induced meltdown, the tree was standing tall, topped with its usual Frosty the Snowman's top hat (yes, it’s very dapper). I plugged it in, ready for that magical moment—and only half the lights worked.
Not to be outdone by some malfunctioning factory wiring, I grabbed an extra string of lights, wrapped the tree like a caffeinated elf, and stepped back to admire my handiwork. Victory! A sparkling tree, topped with its jaunty hat, ready for the holidays. But then, it happened.
One by one, as if in some slow, miserable death march, the remaining pre-lit lights on the tree started going out. First, it was a few at the bottom. Then a whole middle section went dark. By the time it was over, the tree looked like it was auditioning for a horror movie instead of spreading holiday cheer. Secretly, I hope the pre-lit lights suffered during their demise. They had one job, and they failed spectacularly.
So now, our top-hatted tree stands as a patchwork of lighting triumph and tragedy. If you squint and tilt your head just right, it’s almost charming. Almost. As my grandmother would say, 'Just fill in the dark areas with more glitter and sparkle—it’ll be alright.' Sage advice for trees and maybe even life. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that holiday perfection is overrated—unlike my newfound tree-lighting expertise.
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Here’s to surviving the holidays one patchy light strand at a time—and to a perfectly imperfect tree that still brings the magic. Wishing you brighter lights, better luck, and fewer trips to the attic this season. And if you’re still rocking a pre-lit tree, my prayers are with you.
Happy Holidays,
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President|CEO
Turtle Creek Association
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Update: The Tree is Fixed!
Did I do it for our 11-year-old daughter? Maybe... but probably for my own sanity.
J.D.
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Exciting News: Two New Partnerships Join TCA in Preserving Turtle Creek! | |
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TCA welcomes two new partners in our mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the Turtle Creek Corridor: Hanover Turtle Creek and Parkview Turtle Creek. These partnerships mark a significant step forward in our efforts to maintain the beauty, safety, and vibrancy of this cherished area.
Hanover Turtle Creek is the latest luxury high-rise rental community developed by Houston-based Hanover Company. Located on Turtle Creek Boulevard and Fairmount Street, this 21-story high-rise features 341 units and offers residents unparalleled access to Downtown Dallas and the scenic Turtle Creek neighborhood.
In an extraordinary show of support, Hanover has donated the funds needed to immediately begin clearing the underbrush, trash, and debris between Fairmount and Maple Avenue. As reported in this newsletter last month, TCA has already extended the monthly services of Trash Free Waterways into this area. With Hanover’s generous contribution, this work will now be expedited and expanded to include lighting installation under the Fairmount Bridge, graffiti remediation, and additional efforts to address the large homeless encampments in the area.
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Christopher Nash, Development Partner, expressed his enthusiasm for joining TCA’s efforts:
J.D. Trueblood, President and CEO of TCA, emphasized the importance of this partnership: "The addition of Hanover Turtle Creek and Parkview Turtle Creek to the TCA family is monumental. Hanover’s donation expedites critical work in a key area of the corridor and exemplifies the power of collaboration. This now brings three new developers, each with projects underway at the south end of the corridor, into the TCA family. It’s a huge step forward for the corridor and our organization."
With Hanover Turtle Creek, Parkview Turtle Creek, and Centurion American joining our cause, we are more empowered than ever to ensure the Turtle Creek Corridor continues to thrive as a beloved part of Dallas. Together, we look forward to creating a lasting impact for our community!
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Crews have already begun sight-clearing the heavy underbrush and debris
along the creek between Fairmount and Maple Ave.
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It’s That Time of Year Again: TCA's 2024 Annual Campaign!
This is your chance to play a vital role in preserving and enhancing Turtle Creek and its vibrant corridor.
Over the past year, we’ve made remarkable strides in transforming this cherished space. Guided by our master plan, we’ve expanded our services to better serve the environment and our community. Looking ahead to 2025, we have ambitious plans to extend our efforts along the creek’s waterway and throughout the corridor. To achieve this, we’ve set a goal of raising $70,000 through this campaign. You can monitor our progress by clicking on the Goal Tracker.
Here’s a quick look back at some of this year’s accomplishments!
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It’s important to remember that these transformations aren’t a one-and-done situation. Now that these areas have been cleaned up, we must maintain them to ensure they remain beautiful, safe, and welcoming for the community. Let these photos serve as a testament to what we can accomplish together! | |
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Exciting Update: A Huge Thank You!
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already met the $15,000 match from our dedicated supporter! This means your contributions so far have had double the impact, helping us take a giant step toward our goal. But we’re not there yet—we still need $40,000 to meet our target and make our 2025 plans a reality.
How You Can Help
Please donate today to help us close the gap and reach our $70,000 goal. Hit the Donate Button. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey! Together, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Turtle Creek.
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"All Great Achievements Require Time."
~Maya Angelou
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TCA Tackles Tree Cleanup and Ravine Maintenance Over the Thanksgiving Holiday
While many of us were indulging in Thanksgiving leftovers or enjoying a beautiful day on the Turtle Creek Trail, TCA vendors were hard at work addressing the long overdue aftermath of a summer storm. Thanks to the generosity of TCA Patron Society Members Susan and Greg Baten, crews cleared four truckloads of fallen tree limbs, removed five dead trees, trimmed hazardous dead branches, and raised the canopies of several large trees near Park Bridge Court. These efforts have significantly enhanced both the safety and aesthetics of the area.
Additionally, with the strong support of multiple TCA members and donors, we continued our maintenance of the east and west banks of the ravine between Park Bridge Court and Fairmount. This ongoing effort included trimming the ravine throughout the summer, ensuring it remains clean, safe, and visually appealing. Recognizing that this can’t be a one-and-done proposition, we are committed to the consistent upkeep to preserve this cherished area.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the donors and members who make these efforts possible. We also want to recognize the individuals who supplement our cleaning efforts in this area. Your support and service ensure that Turtle Creek remains a thriving, safe, and welcoming space for all to enjoy. Together, we’re making a lasting impact!
Here's a sample of pics of the work performed:
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Concerning Discovery During Turtle Creek Cleanup
As part of our ongoing collaborative partnership with Hillwood Urban, the Turtle Creek Association (TCA) is committed to keeping Turtle Creek clean and beautiful from Avondale to Maple Avenue. The volume of trash our crews remove is remarkable, and it’s always interesting to hear about some of the unusual items uncovered during cleanups. Typical finds include shopping carts, golf balls from the Dallas Country Club, and now 12 unspent bullets scattered along the creek.
This alarming find was immediately reported to the Dallas Police Department, who thoroughly researched their database to determine if the bullets were linked to any criminal activity. Fortunately, no connections were found.
We share this information not to alarm but to remind our community of the importance of our mission. Beyond maintaining the creek’s beauty, these cleanups contribute to public safety by removing potentially hazardous items, especially in and around homeless encampments. This discovery underscores the critical role our efforts play in preserving Turtle Creek as a safe and welcoming space for all.
Your support helps us tackle challenges like these. Together, we can continue making a meaningful difference.
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🎉 A Very Happy Birthday to Sharon Ballew! 🎉
Join us in wishing a fantastic birthday to our VP of Development, Sharon Ballew! Whether she’s rallying support, building partnerships, or keeping us all inspired, Sharon’s energy and dedication are unmatched. Today, we hope she trades spreadsheets for cake and emails for candles—just for a little while!
Happy Birthday, Sharon! May your day be as bright and impactful as you are! 🎂🎈
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Best Wishes to Dick Babb
It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the resignation of Dick Babb from the Turtle Creek Association Board. Dick and his spouse, Phil Head, will be leaving the hustle and bustle of Dallas for a slower-paced lifestyle in Tyler, TX.
During his time on our board, Dick made an incredible impact, especially as Chair of our Membership Committee. His passion, energy, and unwavering dedication brought tremendous value to every project he touched. His contributions have left a lasting legacy, and he will be sorely missed by all of us at TCA.
We wish Dick and Phil happy trails as they embark on this exciting new chapter in their lives. Thank you, Dick, for everything you’ve done for the Turtle Creek Association—you’ll always be a part of the TCA family!
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TCA is honored to have our President & CEO, J.D. Trueblood, featured in the Engage Blog’s Q&A series. In the article, J.D. shares insights on leadership, transitioning from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector, and driving meaningful impact. It’s inspiring to us at TCA, to be part of a community of changemakers dedicated to making a difference. Check out the article here!
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protect and preserve our creek.
Join Today!
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