6I

August 3, 2012

Community

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COMMUNITY COLUMNIST | ABOUT TOWN

Clemons, Mehta shine on Irving stage

For 48 years, Irving Parks and Rec has offered children the chance to act every summer. After practicing for about six weeks, the children get to step on stage and shine in the One-Act Play competition, which is held at the Irving Arts Center. Directing plays this year wereJennifer Nunoat Cimarron Park Rec Center; Lacey Bennett-BoydandKierra Green at Lee Park Rec Center;Kathryn KnappandAshley Saferat Mustang Park Rec Center;Brittany Stricklandat Senter Park Rec Center;Phyllis CarawayFranklinandDella Jonesat Northwest Park Rec Center; andAmanda WagonerandRandi Ponikiewskiat at Georgia Farrow Rec Center. Snagging the best play award was Mustang Park with its production ofBack to the Summer. Runner-up best play was Cimarron ParksHaving Your Cake. The best actor award went toSabien Clemonswho played the Fairy Godfather in Lee ParksThe Magic Bookshelf. Runner-up best actor was Tejas Mehta of Cimarron Park.
DEBORAH FLECK
dfleck@dallasnews.com

The best actress award went to Sumedha Mehtaof Cimarron and the runner-up award wentCarly Duronof Senter Park. The Irving Special Activities Advisory Council gave special recognition awards toNicolas Requenaof Cimarron Park andPaola Romeroof Northwest Park. Jacqueline Maddenserved as emcee andMaria Seppypresented a history of the competition. Madden said she will go all out in two years when the competition will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Staff photo by DEBORAH FLECK/DMN

Staff photo by DEBORAH FLECK/DMN

Sabien Clemons won the best actor award in the One-Act Play Competition at the Irving Arts Center.

Sumedha Mehta of Cimarron Park won the best actress award in the One-Act Play Competition.

Irving goes orange

Orange could be found everyone last weekend as Irving celebrated the opening

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of the DART Orange Line. Orange and white balloons and flowers greeted guests who attended a special dedication luncheon at the Irving Convention Center. Even orange cake and carrots were served. Speakers at the luncheon includedDART president Gary Thomas, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rep. Kenny Marchant, State Rep. Linda Harper Brown, Irving Mayor Beth Van DuyneandDART board chair John Danish. The next day, DART held a party and offered free rides on the Orange Line. Guests, many dressed in orange, watched a parade that included mini-DART cars and a large Irving Chamber float. They also enjoyed free orange snow cones, live music, gondola rides and more. Spotted in the crowds wereLyle Novinski, the artist of the work on display at the University of Dallas Station, and his wifeSybiland other members of his family.Thomas OKeefe, president of UD, took time to ride the train. Also seen all dressed in orange wasChris Wallace, chamber president, and DART communications officialsMorgan LyonsandMark Ball. Visit dart.org.

the 2012 USA Judo Junior Olympics. Judo is an Olympic sport and maybe some of those who came to Irving will someday make it to the Olympics. The Pakistani Society of North Texas held an Independence Day celebration at the ICC which drew nearly 800 people. The center also hosted a Recruit Military Job Fair. And best of all, guests can now take DART to the ICC. Visit irvingconventioncenter.com. Community columnist Deborah Fleck covers Irving and other communities for The Dallas Morning News.

ICC staying busy

The Irving Convention Center is staying busy. While many people were celebrating the opening of the Orange Line, throngs of people stood in line at the ICC to audition for NBCsThe Voice. Its estimated that about 4,000 tried out for the popular show. Earlier in July, fans of judo came for

Staff photo by DEBORAH FLECK/DMN

DART held a dedication luncheon for the Orange Line at the Irving Convention Center.