The goal is to keep kids busy and keep crime low as kids enter the summer months

Thursday morning, Dallas city leaders shared more details about this year’s ‘Summer of Safety’ campaign, which provides dozens of free and low-cost activities for kids and teens across the city. Teens get access to free tickets to different sporting events, museums, and other events around the city.

The City of Dallas offers the program to help parents in need of activities for their kids, which also provides a way to keep kids out of trouble. According to the city mayor, statistically, crime goes up in major cities during the summer months.

“Here in this city, we decided that we are not going to accept that as the reality for our city,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

The mayor, along with the new police chief Daniel Comeaux, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, along with Dallas Park and Recreation, the Dallas Public Library and Dallas ISD, spoke at Singing Hills Recreation Center about the summer program.

The mayor said they’ve had much success with the program over the last three years.

“This is incredible y’all, since we’ve done that, we’ve seen crime decline in Dallas during the summer months, that doesn’t happen anywhere that the crime goes down in the summer, but that’s been happening here,” said Johnson.

Chief Comeaux said his officers plan to reach out more to the community and have programs that build relationships with kids and teens.

 “We’re going to be present, we’re going to be engaged in the community,” said Comeaux.

Children will have access to aquatic centers, community pools and spray grounds this summer. Meanwhile, recreation centers will offer hundreds of workshops and classes for kids of all ages.

“What I can tell you this program truly does, is that it’s changing lives,” said Bizor Tolbert.

Teens, ages 13-17, will be able to get an “All-Access Pass” starting on June 30 that will allow them free access to places like The Dallas Arboretum, Bahama Beach, the Perot Museum, City of Dallas Golf course, Southern Skates Roller Rink, museums, nature centers, arts and cultural events and many other activities.

There’s also the ‘Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program’ which offers kids 12-17 tickets to attend professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events for free.

The Dallas Public Library, which has 30 locations, is also offering many activities for kids of all ages. Start on May 31 to Aug 9, kids from birth to 18 can get free books as part of the annual SMART Summer Learning program.

Kids can also have the opportunity to win bikes, gaming consoles and other prizes as a reward for reading and continuing their education.

“Kids need a safe place to go where they feel included and welcomed, but also have something fun and educational to do,” said Heather Lowe, interim director of the Dallas Public Library.

Learn more about each program at the City of Dallas website.

By Rick Assad

For many, baseball is a way of life, and it is for longtime Burbank resident Angel Villagran, who played the game as a member on the Burbank High varsity team as a pitcher and a third baseman and is currently coaching young baseball players and is also a personal trainer.

This being the start of summer, it’s also travel-ball season.

“Right now, I am heavily focused on coaching travel baseball. The organization I recently started is called 818 Elite Baseball, and we are a nine-and-under travel baseball team based in Burbank,” said Villagran, who began coaching the sport in 2015. “We are a young team with some of my players being first year travel-ball players. The beautiful part of this new experience is getting to coach with my younger brother Steven Villagran, and a good friend of mine, Paul Frias. I always wanted to coach my younger brother while he was in high school, but instead he chose to go to a different school, which in the long run turned out to be a good decision. Paul is a former teammate and someone I have always appreciated. We have experience coaching incoming freshman teams together in our early days and now get to reunite to help shape younger ball players.”

Playing is fun and coaching is likewise enjoyable for Villagran, who began his coaching career on the staff of Craig Sherwood’s Burroughs’ team and then joined the staff at Cal State University, Northridge, as an undergraduate assistant where he was mentored by Greg Moore, Dave Serrano and Eddie Cornejo.

“Being a baseball coach is very satisfying and rewarding. I take a ton of pride in being able to coach the youth. I was fortunate to have many great coaches that have positively impacted my development during my youth and I want to give that back to all my athletes,” he said. “Getting to watch my players have fun competing brings a lot of joy into my life. There is a great sense of pride when I see my players enjoying the game I love.”

When Villagran, who privately trains athletes at his AV Sports Performance, was toiling on the diamond as a player it was one thing, but being in the dugout is something else. Which does he prefer?

“I enjoyed competing as a player, but I find myself having more fun as a coach,” he admitted. “Coaching is something that comes natural to me and being able to share my knowledge and impact my players in a positive way is extremely rewarding.”

Villagran said he enjoys training athletes because it allows him to work one-on-one.

Villagran wants to impart his knowledge of the game to younger fans because it’s worthwhile.

“A couple core lessons I work to instill while coaching my baseball players are teamwork and perseverance. Baseball is a team sport that requires all players working together to achieve a common goal,” he said. “My coaches and I lead by example and demonstrate teamwork by allowing our players to collaborate during parts of practice.”

Just like anything we attempt, grasping the rudiments allows one to prosper.

“It will always be about the fundamentals and having fun. Everyone wants to be associated with success but often lose sight of the fundamentals it takes to achieve success,” Villagran stated. “I’ve learned that players tend to lose joy when they get caught up in the wins and losses.”

Villagran’s outlook on how to teach the game has changed.

“My philosophy has evolved over time into focusing more on the process and controlling the things we can control. Coaches and players are results driven, often wanting things to happen instantly,” he said. “Those expectations can cause some anxiety. I, and with the help of my coaches, strive to create an environment where my players can feel comfortable to be themselves and unlock their full potential.”

In a moment of reversal, Villagran has garnered lessons from his players.

“I learn from my players all the time. I truly believe I learn as much from my players as they do from me,” he admitted. “They constantly challenge me as a coach, but more importantly as a person.”

Because the players are young, is it more difficult to teach them such a difficult game as baseball?

“I don’t find teaching youngsters to be difficult. At times it can be challenging, but I embrace those challenges because in the end it makes me a better coach,” Villagran stated.

Villagran, who graduated from CSUN with a degree in exercise science, added: “We give them the space to learn from one another and listen to each other explain a specific task,” he noted. “I understand baseball is a difficult sport and may not come easy to some ball players. This is where we discuss the process and explain to our players the importance of perseverance and supporting one another’s efforts.”

What are the ingredients that make for a successful youth baseball coach?

“There are many factors that go into being a youth baseball coach,” Villagran acknowledged. “To me, patience is one of the most important skills to have. Understanding that every athlete has different learning styles and having the patience to cater to their style makes all the difference.”

Baseball is a thinking man’s sport.

“The mental strategy of the game has always been appealing to me. I embrace competition, and love developing a mental and physical plan to win in every facet of the game,” Villagran said. “This is something that drove me as a player and drives me even more as a coach because it is my responsibility to teach.”

What happens when a player isn’t doing so well on the field?

“It really depends on the situation, but this is where my playing experience comes into play because I am able to relate to what they may be feeling,” Villagran said. “Of course, you want to be positive and encouraging, but sometimes being honest is more effective. Players always want the truth, and I always want to keep it real with them in hopes they do the same with me.”

Timothy G. Miller, 73, of Superior, died Tuesday May 20, 2025, at his residence.

Tim was born in Ashland, WI on February 26, 1952, the son of John and Carol (Dahl) Miller. He graduated from Drummond High School with the class of 1970 and then attended WITC (Northwood Tech).

Tim had worked for Douglas County Maintenance Department for 34 years retiring in 2018 as Maintenance Supervisor.

He was an avid Green Bay Packer and WI Badger Fan. He enjoyed gardening and coaching youth sports when his kids were growing up. Recently you could find him cheering on his grandkids at their sporting events.

He was preceded in death by his father, nephew Scott Miller, and extended family.

Tim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy; children, Karla Pitoscia of Coon Rapids, MN, Kerri (Tim) Nelson of Superior, and Brandon Miller of Superior; grandchildren, Maggie and Ryan; mother, Carol Miller of Mason, WI; brothers, Johnny Lee Miller of Blaine, MN, Shawn Miller of Iron River, Kevin Miller of Mason and Randy Miller of Mason; many nieces, nephews and extended family; and his best buddies, his dogs, Dexter and Scout.

A Celebration of Tim’s Life is being planned and will be announced.

If desired, donations in Tim’s name may be made to the Humane Society of Douglas County.

Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N 34th St, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.downsfh.com.

SAULT STE. MARIE — A Sault resident was recently recognized with one of the top awards that an enlisted person in the Coast Guard can receive.

AEG’s LA Galaxy, hosted a fireside chat with team Defender and former captain of the Japanese National Team, Maya Yoshida, designed to inspire local Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth about career paths with the sports industry.

The event was held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, on May 1, 2025 in collaboration with the Little Tokyo Service Center and Terasaki Budokan, as part of API Desi Heritage Month.

The discussion centered on the role that cultural identity plays in shaping careers and personal journeys, particularly within the high-performance world of Major League Soccer.

Yoshida, who joined the Galaxy in 2023, shared insights into his experience representing Japan on the international stage, navigating cultural expectations, and the importance of representation for young athletes of AANHPI descent.

“This event is about creating a space where AANHPI youth can see themselves reflected in sports—on the field and behind the scenes,” said Yoshida. “I and the LA Galaxy are proud to honor and uplift my community by sharing these stories.”

Following the fireside chat, attendees participated in a dynamic soccer clinic at Galaxy Park in Carson, CA, where they had the opportunity to train with Galaxy coaches and play alongside their peers.

The event is part of the LA Galaxy’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the diverse communities that make up the fabric of Southern California, and to providing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement, cultural appreciation, and community building.

For more information about LA Galaxy’s community initiatives, visit www.lagalaxy.com/community.

Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) has a new deal with Rink Management Services (RMS) that sees SFC assume management of 13 community ice rinks across 11 states. The facilities were previously managed by RMS.

RMS operational leadership and staff will transition into the SFC network, enhancing SFC’s ice rink management capacity nationwide. Under the leadership of President Tom Hillgrove, RMS will maintain a small portfolio of leased agreements while SFC, the country’s leading manager of sports, recreation, and event venues, especially related to youth sports, assumes management of the acquired facilities. Moving forward, the two companies will collaborate on strategic opportunities.

The ice rinks now under SFC management:

• Bryant Park Winter Village Ice Rink — New York, N.Y.
• Lloyd Center Ice Rink –- Portland, Ore.
• Metro Park Toledo Glass City Ice & Roller –- Toledo, Ohio
• Wichita Ice Center –- Wichita, Kan.
• Parks Mall at Arlington –- Arlington, Texas
• Ice Skate USA Memorial City –- Houston, Texas
• Ice in Paradise –- Goleta, Calif.
• Breslow Ice Hockey Center –- Lincoln, Neb.
• Waconia Ice Arena –- Waconia, Minn.
• Industry City Ice Rink –- New York, N.Y.
• Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Plaza –- Indianapolis, Ind.
• Washington Harbour Ice Rink –- Washington, D.C.
• McCormick Tribune Ice Rink –- Chicago, Ill.

Additionally, SFC — which has 90 properties in its portfolio and more than 4,000 employees — will take over management of multiple non-ice facilities, including the Romulus Athletic Center in Romulus, Mich., and the Safari Island Community Center in Waconia, Minn.