(L to R) Alexis Wagoner, University Park Preschool Association President, Paul Littlejohn of Wells Fargo, Lynda Carter, Principal, University Park Elementary School, Tammy Vargas of Wells Fargo, Jennifer Sauls of Wells Fargo, Jodi Perdue, Spring Market Chair and Diane Swartzendruber, Spring Market Chair

As the school district takes the summer to look in the faculty lounge couch cushions for some spare change, the University Park Preschool Association is softening the blow.

The group recently donated $70,000 to the school, raised from the 11th-annual Spring Market Charity. The money will be placed in the PTA General Fund, which in turn will help fund classroom resources.

The $70,000 was a $16,000 bump from the 2010 event, said co-chair Jodi  Perdue.

How many police officers does it take to protect the Dalai Lama during his visit to SMU? A whole bunch. The Dallas, University Park and SMU police departments are out in full force this afternoon. Here’s just one tiny stretch of road on Hillcrest behind McFarlin but the same tight security is visible for blocks around. Welcome Dalai, take a moment to swing by Peggy Sue’s if you can.

Are you a little too holy to exercise with sinners? Or are you sick of that goody-goody draggin’ your hot moves down? Either way you can find a class that meets your moral standards at Plaza Health Foods in Snider Plaza.

Choose from Holy Yoga with Danette or burlesque with Vickie.

If traffic around the Hillcrest-Mockingbird intersection seems heavier than normal this morning, it’s probably because Highland Park United Methodist Church is marking the National Day of Prayer at noon.

The Park Cities Planner calendar in today’s edition of the paper includes a mistake. The Spring Fling at Christ Lutheran Church is a week from Saturday, not a week from Sunday. Sorry about that.

1. Not only did Highland Park grad Clayton Kershaw sparkle in the Dodgers’ season opener, he also set aside $900 for Arise Africa.

2. Between Opening Day and the Final Four, this weekend is packed with testosterone. So let me take a moment to mention the Ladies Tea scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at University Park United Methodist Church. Females of all ages are invited, and “hats are welcome,” according to the invite that arrived in my inbox. RSVP to Hillary Barnard at 214-368-1435 or hbarnard@upumc.org.

3. Men’s interests? Check. Women’s interests? Check. But what about the kids? The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, which is led by lifelong Park Cities resident Gini Florer, is hosting its annual Family Night fundraiser at Six Flags this evening.

A little over a year ago we discussed clergy access to HPISD students. I said it then and I’ll say it now, I like it. To a certain extent.  But have we jumped the shark?

This e-mail went out to a group of 7th/8th grade girls from a local church youth leader. While I agree with the theme of dressing appropriately, I have an uneasy feeling about a few items. Let me start with the mention of school. If my kid passes Bohac and every teacher from 1st-4th period but a minister shows up at lunch and tells her she’s dressed inappropriately- big problem. And if we’re discussing appropriate, how about this line, “when we’re sitting around and I can see your boobs hanging out of your top.” Maybe we could polish that part a little?

Hello beautiful girls,

Growing up, whenever my parents needed to talk to us about something, we would have family meetings. It didn’t mean we were in trouble, but it did mean that there was something serious to talk about. This email is my version of a family meeting.

Lately in Sunday School and in small groups (and sometimes even just at your schools), I have noticed a trend in your clothes. Skirts and dresses are shorter and tighter and tops are lower and looser, and I have seen underwear, bras and skin that I just don’t need or want to see. 

Here’s the thing. I’m a grown woman. I love looking pretty and dressing in style, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. I love seeing you girls dress cute and enjoy what you wear. But, when we’re sitting around and I can see your boobs hanging out of your top, or your underwear when you sit down, or your bra is showing, it’s distracting – and not in a good way. I’d much rather be noticing how beautiful you are than how shocked I am at how little you are wearing (and I’d venture to say that most boys would too). It isn’t attractive. It just makes other people uncomfortable.

I am sorry if this email comes across harsh, but this is one of those things that has to be confronted seriously. We aren’t going to be enforcing any sort of dress code like at school, but I am going to start saying something if I think what you’re wearing is inappropriate. And let’s just face it, that’s embarrassing for both you and me.

I love you all, and I think you’re all beautiful. Hope you know that.

Much love,

[Name]

Former Highland Park Scot Daniel Sepulveda, who is the starting punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be speaking at a Highland Park Presbyterian Church student outreach night from 7-8:30 p.m. on March 23 at the HPPC Bell Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sepulveda will share his testimony about his journey from walk-on student athlete at Baylor to NFL starter. He will also share how his Christian faith has guided him through personal challenges and disappointment faced when an injury kept him from playing in the Super Bowl last month in Arlington.

1. Your spring break is half over as of today. Good news for parents, bad news for kids.

2. Tickets for the Dallas International Film Festival go on sale tomorrow. Considering this year’s lineup, I’m sure tickets will go fast. The only disappointment? The newly renovated Village Theatre is not on the list of venues for the event. Bummer

3. And since we’re right on the cusp of the vernal equinox, I’m sure you already have plans for Ostara, but there’s this, just in case you don’t.

Victims of sexual abuse by former Kanakuk Kamp staffer Pete Newman (pictured above, currently serving 2 consecutive life sentences plus 30 years) have come forward and are taking legal action. I’ve just received this press release initiated by the Turley Law Firm. I also have a copy of the lawsuit that I understand is currently being filed- the defendants include Kanakuk Ministries, Kanakuk Kamp’s owner Joe T. White, and Pete Newman.