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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-23 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: P I GE .114 YOR CITY C.VCL CITY ATTVY CRIM MCK-LIIIE BROWN YOUNG ANDIAL CVT °al '-"a .11cDO.\:-1LD COLLLNS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL / — DATE DISTRIBUTED / l �� - -` ' DATE OF ARTICLE � NEWSPAPER FST OBITUARIES Vada Mae Johnson from her siblings in foster care, Vada made the decision to adopt all three children. She -- was a loving single mother who provided a nurturing home and disciplined upbringing for her family. She taught Sunday school, -.s directed many programs and was a gifted speaker for the Missionary Society at her church.She loved working with her hands,especially landscap- ing,gardening and sewing. Ms.Johnson was a member EULESS—Vada Mae John- of Delta Kappa Gamma,TSTA, son, 84, a retired teacher, en- NEA, TCTA and HEB-Retired tered rest Tuesday, Nov. 9, School Employees, state and 2010. local PTA organizations and FUNERAL:11 a.m.Saturday DAV.She was a board member at St.John Missionary Baptist of the Mosier Valley Communi- Church, 3324 House-Anderson ty Association and worked ac- Road. Pastor Sean Taylor will tively with the Euless Histori- officiate. cal Preservation Committee Interment: Mosier Valley and Mosier Valley Cemetery Cemetery. Visitation: 1 to 8 Association. p.m. Friday at historic Baker SURVIVORS: She is cher- Funeral Home ished in memory by her broth- Vada was born Jan. 31, er, Arthur Jerome Johnson; 1926, to Richard and Lottie children,Yvette Michelle John- - Mae Nelson Johnson, descen- son,Tyrone Leearl Johnson and dents of one of the 14 founding Lachelle Cherise Mitchell; families of the Mosier Valley grandchildren, Jacob Johnson community.Vada was a gradu- Filholm,Malcolm Xavier Smith, ate of Paul Quinn College,and Jessica C.A. Smith and Exodus earned a master of education Johnson; loving niece, Audrey; at Prairie View University;she nephew, Milo; several genera- did post graduate work at Uni- tions of cousins; other family versity of North Texas. members;and many friends. Ms. Johnson began her ca- Baker Funeral Home reer in the Mosier Valley 301 E.Rosedale,817-3324468 schools; after desegregation, view and sign guestbook at she taught first-graders at Wil- www.star-telegram.com/obituaries shire Elementary in the Hurst- Euless-Bedford district 36 years before her retirement. Because of restrictive adop- tion laws in Texas, Vada tray- eled to Ohio in the 1970s to adopt a daughter,Yvette.Find- ing Yvette had been separated DISTRIBL TED TO: PAGE 1 OF -LL-IYOR CITYCVCL CITY ATT.VY CRLM .MICK4.11IE BROWV VOL'NG A,VIMAL CVT McDO,NALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ARVIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBGTED j DATE OF ARTICLE �/ �' -C / ' `- :VEWSP,4PER FWST a A descendant of freed slaves, .... she sought to keep history alive O Vada Johnson,who died In 1965,she made histo- Tuesday, was known for her - ry in the Hurst-Euless- historic preservation work Bedford school district by " becoming the first black and her decades of teaching. L I- x teacher, starting out with —4 first graders at Wilshire aughn@starChris uegeg am.com ' " _* _ „�;.�, Elementary. She was named teacher of the year FORT WORTH - There was ,t ! x y — never any doubt where Vada "+ Y-‘1T 4,, in 1976 and retired in 1986. Jghnson's heart lay. ," ,f, 4 `` 4,-;'s° ` -° `People weren't hos- It was in along-overlooked a _ tile, she told the Star- s ver of Tarrant County ;' ` " ` ' g> ,, Telegram years later. "Of — Il le: _- �- , s course,I had a lot of people Vada Johnson at the grave of her great-grandparents at Mosier that watched me to see Online Valley Cemetery in 2001:"Mosier Valley means my roots." how I was doing. . . . I Sign the guest book for Star-Telegram archives —...always look at my — Miss Johnson at worked for by the founding Miss Johnson was born classroom door and see Illirr star-telegram.com/ members of the communi- Tan. 31, 1926, to Richard somebody standing there, obituaries ty," said her youngest and Lottie Mae Nelson but it didn't matter. I was daughter, Lachelle Mitch- Johnson, who were de- doing my job:' — ell."That's what I watched scendants of Mosier Val- In the late 1960s, Betty known as Mosier Valley, a her do my whole life." ley's founders. She wanted Fuller,then the head of the pinch of land just south of Eu- Miss Johnson always to be a teacher before she local Texas State Teachers less hardly remembered now promised she'd be buried even started school. Association chapter and a except by a small group of Af- in Mosier Valley Cemetery, "I was lying on the floor fellow H-E-B teacher, in- rican-Americans and history next to her ancestors.Now watching my mother iron vited Miss Johnson to an is that time. one day and I said, I can't annual convention of the bFs. — ounded in the 1870s by her She died Tuesday in a do that, " she told the National Education Asso- great-grandparents and other hospital from complica- Star-Telegram in 1991. ciation in Minneapolis. freed slaves, "Mosier Valley tions of Alzheimer's dis- My mom asked me how I They drove and stayed means my roots;' Miss John- ease, which took a great was going to become a together in motels along — toll on her in the last few teacher without the means the route. After the con- son once told the Star-Tele- years. She was 84. to do it, and I said, 'By vention, Fuller persuaded gram. Well-known to many hook or crook, I'll do it: " Miss Johnson to make a "She had a great love and — responsibility she felt to pro- people in Euless and Fort She attended the segre- quick trip to Canada while tett everything that had been Worth, either through her gated Mosier Valley they were so close. historic preservation work schoolhouse through the "This was July in Thun- e - or her decades of teaching, seventh grade,then paid to der Bay, Canada, and she Miss Johnson was a proud ride a bus every day after and I went into this motel T — ; woman, an elegant dresser that to attend I.M. Terrell together;' Fuller said. "We ' with a tranquil but firm High School in Fort Worth. asked for a room.They said t personality, who spoke Because of financial hard- thee didn't have any. I — only when she had some- ship,it took her six years to ••She had a great love thing to say and meant it earn a degreeresponsibility from Paul and she when she said it. Quinn College in Waco,re- "She was such a neat la ceiving it in 1950. felt to protect — dy,"Euless Mayor Mary Lib Miss Johnson immedi- everything that had Saleh said."She was beau- ately started teaching at - YLbeen worked for by tiful,quiet,knowledgeable Mosier Valley and went toy and so smart?' Prairie View A&M Univer- the founding members — sity during summers to of the community" Star Telegram archives earn her master's degree. Preserving Mosier Valley history Lachelle Mitchell.daughter and memories was a lifelong pur- — suit for Vada Johnson. a DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF tL-tYOR CITYCVCL CITY.4TT,VY CRIM :MIL-U IE BROWN YOUNG .-LVL>IAL CVT .ti!cDON-lLD COLLINS C BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL — DATE DISTRIBUTED ' % l I'" DATE OF ARTICLE /II l.K I I 1. ,VEWSP.4PER FWST knew they did because you could see the keys across the counter.I knew what it was.It was racism. "I didn't talk to Vada about discrimination, but being on that trip made me aware that there are pock- ets of it everywhere:' Miss Johnson, who re- mained single all her life, traveled to Ohio in 1976 to adopt a girl,only to discov- er that the girl had been separated from her brother and sister in foster care. So Miss Johnson adopted all three,bringing them into a strict but loving home where the food was mouth- - watering good and church an unbreakable habit. "As a result of her influ- ence, we all have at one point been a teacher or are a teacher;'Mitchell said. After retiring, Miss Johnson redoubled her ef- forts to preserve Mosier Valley history, donating many items and photo- graphs to historical groups around the area and keep- ing pressure on Fort Worth city officials not to forget the oldest black settlement in Tarrant County. Saving the actual community proved more difficult; it is almost entirely an industri- al area now. "She was very proud of her heritage;' said Fuller, who served with Miss Johnson on the Euless His- torical Preservation Com- mittee. She is survived by three children, Yvette Michelle Johnson, Tyrone LeEarl Johnson and Lachelle Mitchell; a brother, Arthur Jerome Johnson; and four grandchildren. Chris Vaughn,817-390-7547 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE i OF ;1 MAYOR CITYCVCL CITYATT'Y CRIM MCK.-4MIE BROWV YOUNG ANIMAL CVT .tiIcDONALD COLLINS / C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBR-IR Y AD.VLV LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED / '� �' DATE OFARTICLE �1 / / / NEWSPAPER FWST NORTHEAST CLICK Euless holiday pa- rade.You have until Mon- day to register your entry for the annual Euless Christmas Parade of Lights set for Dec.4 at the Euless Family Life Center. "An — Out of This World Christ- mas" is the theme, so the sky's the limit on imagina- tive entries.Call Jerry Po- — teet at 817-685-1449 or check it out at www.eu- lesstx.gov:pacsfpa _ rade.htm. DIS'TRIBL'TED TO: PAGE OF YOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANLYLAL CNTR IIcDO.1',aLD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED !;, _ DATE OF ARTICLE % ;VEWSP,APERI( iT'Z Acquires the Assets of the Euless and Pasadena, Texas Lido Entertainment Locations November 12, 2010 Citybizlist PASADENA --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iT'Z, the leader in family entertainment announced today the acquisition of the assets of the former Incredible Pizza locations in Euless and Pasadena, Texas from a former franchisee. "We are very excited to expand our brand in these new locations. These acquisitions, along with _' planned new future store growth will provide great opportunities for our current and future team members," said iT'Z CEO W. Mark Moore. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)recognized iT'Z Houston location as the Top Family Entertainment Center(FEC) in the World in 2009. iT'Z Euless and Pasadena will offer a variety of favorites on their expansive all you care to eat buffet. In addition, guests will enjoy over 150 of the latest redemption and video games, bumper cars, mini-bowling and indoor go-karts. Guests may also enjoy eating in one of four themed dining rooms. iT'Z will be making significant capital expenditures in new interior decor as well as new games and attractions over the next few months. "These locations were a natural fit for our company," said Brian Cohen, Vice-President of Operations. "Our mission is to create a fun experience for families and we plan to do that in these locations while providing a great value to our guests." For more information about iT'Z Family Food & Fun, visit www.itzusa.com. About iT'Z Family Food & Fun iT'Z is where families come to eat and play! iT'Z offers guests a full and balanced buffet with a variety of options including pizza, pasta, soup, salad and desserts. iT'Z provides high-quality food, themed dining rooms, video games, amusement rides, 10-pin string bowling and party facilities. The Colorado Springs Gazette recognized iT'Z as the number one place in Colorado Springs to host birthday parties, sports banquets, group events and award ceremonies. IT'Z Family Food and Fun in Houston, TX won the 2009 Top Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) of the World Award from IAAPA. The company currently operates locations in Albuquerque, NM, Houston, TX, Pasadena, TX, Euless, TX and Colorado Springs, CO and is evaluating sites all over the United States. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE l,, OF L1 FOR CITYC.VCL CITY ATTNY CRIM a1CK-LiIIE BROWN YOU.VG ANIMAL CVT McDO;ti:-ILD COLLINS C BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYAAWN LIBRARY REF H.ARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED l / / 2 , / / �' DATE OF ARTICLE / / / / / ' .NEWSPAPER FWST AREA BRIEFS 'Turkey chase'will help needy families EULESS — Area Lions Clubs are sponsoring a "turkey chase" to help needy families and the elderly with a Thanks- giving meal. The run/ walk starts at 9 a.m.Nov. — 20 at the Villages of Bear Creek Park.The entry fee is $15 the day of the event. The Lions Clubs of Euless, Southlake and Handley Meadowbrook are promoting the fund- raiser. —Staff report DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF .11-iYOR CITYCVCL CITY.-ITTVY CRIM MCKa.WE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNT .ti1cDO.'-1LD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBR-1RYAD.NLV LIBRARY REF H.ARTSELL — DATE DISTRIBUTED ! l / ! ( DATE OF ARTICLE / I I/ //(-' NEWSPAPER FWST Euless considering tax zone to jump-start Glade Parks project O The city is looking at$12.1 million in infrastructure spending for the 193-acre mixed-use development near Texas 121 and Glade Road. By Terry Evans tevans@star-telegran i.com To jump-start an upscale commercial/residential devel- opment,Euless is considering about$12.1 million in in- frastructure projects on 193 acres along Texas 121 near Glade Road. - Money for the projects would come from a tax incre- ment reinvestment zone,or T1RZ,that the city wants to create,with participation from Tarrant County and Tar- rant County College, city officials said. Mayor Mary Lib Saleh said the property is a prime re- tail spot and all the more attractive for its proximity to Texas 121."I bet I have more questions about that partic- ular piece of property than any other in Euless," Saleh said. Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell said the pro- Wm posed zone is south of the Heritage Town Crossing Shopping Center, east of Heritage Avenue and north of Cheek Sparger Road. The mixed-use development,Glade Parks,would in- elude shops, restaurants,town homes and office space, blending pedestrian-oriented residential and commer- cial development with traditional destination retail and restaurants, she said. Rubloff Develop- ment Group, based in the Chicago area, has planned Glade Parks for several years. Zone-funded work would include construction of Rio Grande Bridge, Rio Grande Boulevard, Brazos Boulevard and other public streets; improvements to portions of Heritage Avenue; construe- tion of main entrances into the develop- ment;medians and landscaping,Getchell said. "By creation of the TIRZ, the city and other taxing entities can pledge a portion of new tax revenue generated from the development to pay for the nec- essary infrastructure costs," Getchell said. If participation agreements can be reached with the county and college, construction on the infrastructure could begin in February, Getchell said. This report includes material from Star-Telegram archives. Terry Evans,817-390-7620 a DISTRIBI TED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CVCL CITY.4TTYY CRIM .MCKAMIE BROWN YOU VG ,-1.V/MAL CVTR ,McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF IL-IRTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED / / /-17 ;1// DATE OF,-1 RTICLE //// / c NEWSPAPER DM' Asian culture and community events in the Dallas area Thursday, November 18,2010 Dallas Morning News DEBORAH FLECK Ikebana demonstration Mary Lib Saleh stays busy as mayor of Euless. But she also finds time to be artistic. She's a fan of ikebana , the elegant and stylized Japanese art of floral arrangement. Not only is she a member of the Fort Worth and the Dallas chapters of Ikebana International, she is a master teacher in the Ohara School of Ikebana. Unshin Ohara, who died in 1916,explored fields and mountains to develop a style of ikebana that expresses the beauty of natural scenery. Saleh will demonstrate her talent in an ikebana program at 10 a.m. today at the Euless Public Library, 201 N. Ector Drive. The focus of the free program will be on creating autumn arrangements in unique baskets. Reservations are requested. Call 214-535-4208 or visit 7 www.ikebana-dfw.org.