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February 26, 2007
Tom Koch, program manager for UTD’s McDermott Library, submitted the following story for the Saturday, Feb. 24 edition of Richardson Neighbors:
ChessFest, a celebration organized annually by the McDermott Library and the chess program at The University of Texas at Dallas, will feature a presentation by teacher David MacEnulty, who also will receive the Chess Educator of the Year award from the university.
The honor will be given on Tuesday, Feb. 27, following a talk by MacEnulty in the library’s McDermott Suite.
MacEnulty’s lecture, which will begin at 7 p.m., is titled “Chess and Emotional Development: Helping the Child.” A 6:15 p.m. reception will precede the event. In 2005, actor Ted Danson portrayed MacEnulty in A&E Network’s production of Knights of The South Bronx. The movie featured MacEnulty’s efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in the South Bronx.
ChessFest VI also will include the popular “Challenge the Champions” competition and other chess-related activities.
“David MacEnulty has made an enormous impact on chess and education,” said James Stallings, director of the UT Dallas chess program.
“He has been teaching chess in New York for the past 15 years, and his students have won numerous trophies and are consistently rated among the top five teams in the nation. He is truly one of the leading chess educators of our time.”
For the past three years, MacEnulty has been head of the chess academy at the Dalton School in New York. In the most recent national tournament in Orlando, Fla., his third-and fourth-graders captured the national championship.
ChessFest VI also will include the popular “Challenge the Champions” competition from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the library’s lobby. Members of the UT Dallas chess team – which boasts some of top collegiate players in the country – and the chess club, will play students and anyone wishing to challenge them in games of chess.
As an added attraction this year, UT Dallas Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez will play blindfold chess in the library’s 1obby from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Ramirez’s games will be projected onto a large viewing screen. The library also will feature chess in its main lobby display case during the two-day festival.
ChessFest, MacEnulty’s talk and the reception are free and open to the public, and children are welcome. Seating for the presentation is limited and participants are asked to contact Stallings for a reservation at 972-883-2898 or e-mail james.stallings@utdallas.edu.
Posted by Mark Macesich 
at 2:46 PM (E-mail this entry)
The play Daddy’s Dyin, Who’s Got the Will? will be performed by the Richardson Theatre Centre starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 1, through Saturday, March 3, at the center, 2701 Custer Parkway.
Richardson residents within the performance include Charlie Alexander as Buford, Lise Alexander as Marlene, Fred Griffin as Mama Wheelis, Kelli Jeray as Sara Lee and Greg Philips as Harmony.
-Photo submitted by Lise Alexander
The play is set in a small Texas town and is about the reunion of a family gathered to await the imminent death of their patriarch, who has recently suffered a physically as well as mentally disabling stroke.
In essence, however, it isn’t the story about the father’s impending demise and drafting of his will, but a rebirth of the family unit’s spirit. The production has funny, tense and touching moments.
The Thursday show tickets are $12 and Friday and Saturday are $15. To make reservations, call 972-699-1130.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 2:26 PM (E-mail this entry)
Artists Hilda Adelson, JeanE McIntosh and Renee Wrenwood will share the exhibit "From Truth to Abstraction: the Vision of Three Women Artists" through Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Charles W. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.eisemanncenter.com.
-Photo submitted by Sarah Nesbit
Red Heart by artist Renee Wrenwood
Posted by Mark Macesich at 12:11 PM (E-mail this entry)
The Richardson Senior Center Roadrunners will spend a day in Denton Wednesday, Feb. 28.
The one-day event will include a private tour by Bob Montgomery, a Denton city councilman and county historian. Highlights of the tour include the Denton County Courthouse, the Victorian-style Bayless Selby home and an old iron bridge as written about in a recent Texas Highways article.
The day includes shopping and eating around the square. Cost is $89. For more information, call Rosemary at 972-744-7810.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 10:57 AM (E-mail this entry)
Curtis Collier, President of U.S. Border Watch, will present “Battle at the Border: An Overview of Border Security Issues” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho. The speech is sponsored by local chapters of the John Birch Society. For more information, call 972-530-8680.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 10:55 AM (E-mail this entry)
