Remodeling and New Construction Talk...

What to Expect as Remodeling or Construction Begins

Last month, we talked about “What to Expect as We Complete the Final Design”. This month, we’re ready to begin the remodeling or new construction of your home. We’re out of the design center and on site. To review, when we completed the final design, we prepared all documents for construction and permits, and signed the construction contract. Our collective vision is ready to take shape.

On-site construction kickoff meeting

The day begins with a kickoff meeting in the home or on site. We review all the plans with you, the project management group, and the construction team, then walk through the home or lot to go over every detail of the space. The plans have been handed off prior to today, but this is the first time you will meet the construction team. There’s a certain excitement as you witness the trades – each with unique skills and responsibilities – review the plans as they set to begin.

Setting expectations for satisfying your needs

If you’ve been reading our column for a while, you know two of our recurring themes are open communication and no assumptions. Every client is different and has different needs and expectations for how we will work together, how we will communicate, and how we will handle the details of working on your property.

You may want us to update you at the end of every day, or maybe three times a week if you’re busy. You may prefer a call, an email, or even a text message. We believe you deserve to choose how and when we communicate, so that you can enjoy the process as much as the finished result.

We try to anticipate your needs and take all requests into careful consideration, to ensure a smooth process. Would you like our construction team to enter through the garage, side door, or front door? Where would you like us to park our vehicles? Would you like us to store tools and materials in a certain room of the home? If there are alarms in the house, should they be disabled? Would you like a plywood path for access to the home? Are there any plants that can’t be touched or furniture that can’t be moved? Less experienced builders tend to lack foresight, and problems frequently arise as a result. At Bella Vista Company, we do our best to anticipate issues and ensure your satisfaction, every step of the way.

For more information on Remodeling or Custom Homes, read our blogs at www.bellavistacompany.com.

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Miss Rita, beloved ‘Voice of Lake Highlands,’ dies at 93 Richardson High responds to Lookadoo controversy

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Reader Comments

“Rita would be so proud of this lovely story about her life and the heartfelt influence she had upon her Lake Highlands Family. Carol you helped us all relive the ‘Miss Rita’ we all enjoyed knowing. Miss Rita never grew up; yes, she was our very own LH Peter Pan.” — Jill Gunnels on Miss Rita, beloved ‘Voice of Lake Highlands’, dies at 93

“Those ribs are unbelievable. And I usually don’t care for ribs. However, if only they could clone some of Mike Anderson’s ‘sides’. OK, well, looks like I’ll have to make a ‘site inspection’ to find out if the sides have improved since the earlier days on Greenville Avenue …” — Mike Y. on Baker’s Ribs on Northwest Highway is open

“She is an amazing role model for the kids and she invested in each child as if they were her own. She has blessed our family is so many ways, it’s indescribable. If every teacher was like Dawn, the world would be a much, much better place. Way to go, Dawn!! You ROCK!!!!” — Kim West on Dallas Turkey Trot winner is a Lake Highlands coach

Correction: An image accompanying the Día de los Muertos announcement in the November 2013 East Dallas Advocate calendar was not credited to the artist, Melissa Hayes.

Memory Care at White Rock Lake

Q&A: Teresa Cocke

When you take a yoga class at the neighborhood gym, the practice typically is no more spiritual than running or weightlifting. Yoga is a series of exercises that, for some, is used to strengthen not just the body, but also the spirit. Those who practice Holy Yoga say they invite Christ into their workouts. A little research into Christianity-based yoga reveals that the exercise is controversial. The traditional yogis don’t seem offended; religions that tend to utilize yoga have been relatively quiet on the topic. Some Christians, on the other hand, are scandalized, calling yoga “pagan” and warning that yoga — even that interwoven with biblical readings — will lead participants into an unChristian “Hindu” or “New Age” lifestyle. Neighborhood resident Teresa Cocke teaches a Holy Yoga class at North Highlands Bible Church. The course has become so popular that the Dallas Ballet Center in Lake Highlands now offers her classes. Here Teresa responds to some of our questions about yoga and its Christian counterpart.

I’ve read a lot of criticism from Christian evangelists who say yoga is inherently Hindu and that Christians should not practice it. What do you think when you hear that?

Personally, I haven’t dealt with much criticism. When there is criticism, I think primarily it comes from a misunderstanding. No one knows exactly when yoga began but it predates written history. Hinduism incorporated some of the physical practices of yoga — so have other religions throughout the world. We are not trying to incorporate the practice into religion. We use the time in yoga class to meditate on biblical scripture and invite God into the practice. As with any exercise, activity or situation, inviting God’s presence allows the experience to be richer and more beneficial. I do not blame anyone for being skeptical. I totally respect the views of other people. As Christians we absolutely need to ask questions and hesitate if we are unsure about something. We must go through our lives utilizing discernment and seeking the Lord’s will, so asking questions and seeking assurance that we are on the right path is good.That’s why I, myself, asked a ton of questions and spent the better part of a year researching this before I became involved. I came to the conclusion that the ministry was a wonderful way to incorporate more of Christ in all parts of my life, heart, soul, mind and strength.

What were your

main questions?

I wanted to understand the technicalities. What would the training involve, would it be accredited if I wanted to teach in another yoga studio, for example? I of course wanted to make sure the physical training and practice was equivalent in quality to traditional yoga, which it is. The instructor training is first-class. Then I needed to pray, to seek guidance, both from prayer and by consulting leaders of our church, North Highlands Bible Church. I spoke with the founder of Holy Yoga Foundation, Brooke Boon, who confirmed her love of the Lord and the intention of the Holy Yoga practice — to grow deeper, love, nurture, worship, surrender, heal and grow in God’s word and spirit.

How, originally, were you drawn to yoga?

I’ve been interested in dance and aerobics and was a certified aerobics teacher. After dealing with some disc problems with my back, I turned to yoga. After practicing consistently for several months, I saw improvement in my back, flexibility and overall health.

And your religion?

My husband, Jim, and I are Christians and belong to North Highlands Bible Church, which is non-denominational and focused on The Bible’s teaching. We’ve been there since ’94, and he has been the worship leader since ‘96.

And how did the two finally merge for you?

The merging of yoga and religion happened through my instructor training. The Holy Yoga ministry is great yoga and 100 percent about Jesus. I entered into Holy Yoga to have another avenue to share God’s love with people and the Lord has allowed just that.

Physically, there are many types of yoga, so what type is Holy Yoga, and what is your class like?

It is a Hatha/Vinyasa style, which focuses on physical stretching postures and linking the breath to the movement. So we read a scripture before class — today’s was about thankfulness, for example — and then weave the word of God into the poses. A class usually has 10 or 12 people and sometimes as many as 20. Anyone is welcome, and being Christian is not a requirement. I think having a healthy body and healthy mind, which yoga promotes, goes with having a healthy spirit. That is only enhanced by the fellowship and friendships fostered in the class and by just having a space to gather and center your mind for 75 minutes. We like to say we practice on our mats what we wish to practice in the world.

—Christina Hughes Babb