We’re not publishing a paper this week, and the police blotter in our Jan. 6 edition will not include the Christmas weekend. But surely all of the criminals stayed home with their families for the holiday, right? Wrong.

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Father Stephen Swann’s announcement that he is stepping down comes three months, almost to the day, after a jury handed down a $9.2 million verdict against ESD for its actions in the aftermath of a student’s sexual relationship with a teacher. The letter, which never mentions the lawsuit, or the circumstances that led to it, was obtained by Preston Hollow People. Granted, WFAA had it first, but ours is much prettier. That should count for something.

A few items of note: He waits three paragraphs to make his announcement, and refers to himself as the “Endowed Headmaster.” While a true statement, I can’t remember another time when he employed that particular title.

I’ll have full coverage of Swann’s exit in the Jan. 6 print edition of our Preston Hollow and Park Cities papers, which you can pick up here and here.

Swann

Channel 8’s Brad Watson is reporting that the Rev. Stephen Swann, the only headmaster the Episcopal School of Dallas has ever known, is stepping down after 37 years. Watson obtained a letter sent to ESD alumni in which Swann says he will stay on until a replacement can be hired. The letter makes no mention of the lawsuit ESD faced for expelling student Jane Doe II after her affair with teacher Nathan Campbell.

As the final night of Hanukkah approaches, the Jewish Community Center of Dallas savors the last moments of the holiday. Today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the JCC, teens will fry to the death in a Latke Cookoff. Latkes, yummy and greasy potato pancakes, are traditionally served during Hanukkah. If your teen is interested in this latke showdown, click here.

Margie Dumestre Duncan of Baton Rouge, La. is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Ashley Duncan, to Matthew Kellogg, son of Jane Kellogg and David Kellogg of Dallas.

The bride is a graduate of University High School in Baton Rouge. She received a Bachelor of Art in corporate communication and public affairs and a Bachelor of Art in psychology from Southern Methodist University. The bride is a marketing coordinator at Patton Boggs LLP.

The groom is a graduate of Highland Park High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Texas and is an MBA candidate at Southern Methodist University. He is a regional ecommerce manager for Hilton Worldwide.

The couple plan to exchange vows January 21, 2012 at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, La. A reception will follow at the Baton Rouge Country Club.

The marriage of Alexandra Post Cooper to Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr. took place Saturday, November 12, at a sunset ceremony on the beach at Pink Sands, a resort on Harbour Island, Bahamas. Preston Cunningham, the senior deputy administrator for the North Eleuthera district, officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Patterson Cooper IV of Palm Beach, Fla. Her father most recently was president and CEO of First Bank of the Palm Beaches. Prior to that, he was associated with Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Chase in various international and domestic senior managerial positions over a period of 35 years. Currently, he is chairman of the board of Camp Boggy Creek, a member of the Palm Beach Shore Protection Board and treasurer of the Palm Beach Civic Association.  Her mother is a licensed clinical social worker at the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The bridegroom is the son of Luann Hicks of Dallas and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ollis Hicks of Dallas. His father is chairman and CEO of Hicks Holdings LLC-a private investment firm in Dallas.  His mother is an active volunteer in a number of  civic organizations in Dallas.

The bride, who wore a gown designed by Carolina Herrera, was attended by her sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth Cooper, her cousin, Honor Brodie and the bridegroom’s sister, Catherine Hicks. Brothers of the bridegroom, Mack, Alex, Bradley, and William Hicks served as best men.

The bride was born in the Philippines and grew up in Korea, London, New York and Palm Beach. She is a graduate of the Middlesex School and received a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Pitzer – a Claremont College. Prior to recently relocating to Dallas, the bride lived in New York City, working for Lindblad Expeditions (in partnership with the National Geographic Society).

The bridegroom was born and raised in Dallas. He graduated from Highland Park High School and he received a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin.  He is a vice president of Hicks Holdings LLC.  Prior to his involvement with Hicks Holdings, he was an investment banking and private equity analyst at Greenhill. He is active in his community, serving on the executive board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star Chapter.  He served as chairman of the Campaign for Children in Crisis for Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization of North Texas, successfully raising over $32,000,000 for the organization.  He is also a member of Business Executives for National Security.

After a reception at a private estate on Harbour Island, the couple left on a wedding trip to the Turks and Caicos.  They will be traveling to South East Asia in the spring.

The couple is currently living in Dallas.

Here’s a little Christmas present to all of the businesses looking to make an impression on our lovely readers in 2012. For the next 24 hours, we’re discounting our advertising rates for the Jan. 6 edition by 50 percent. To take advantage of this offer, you must call me at 214-523-5242 by noon on Friday. Don’t miss out on this chance to take advantage of our holiday spirit!