April 29, 2015
A Special Supplement
Azle News The
Springtown Epigraph
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson Photo by Paula Campbell
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tips when creating an outdoor living space Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular over the last several years. The home improvement boom has shown many homeowners just how easy it can be to transform a home into a private sanctuary that caters to the personalities of the home’s residents. Outdoor living areas have become an extension of the home’s interior, with many homeowners creating outdoor living rooms and dining areas so they can relax and eat meals outside just as they do indoors. But homeowners thinking of creating outdoor living spaces should consider a few tricks of the trade before beginning their projects. • Strategically place the space. Property often dictates where the outdoor living space will go, but it helps to keep in mind that the outdoor space is more likely to be used if it’s easily accessible from the inside of the home. For instance, if residents need to walk out the front door to access an outdoor living space in the backyard, then residents might find the area is too inconveniently located and they won’t make the most of the space. Whenever
possible, plan the outdoor living space so it’s easily accessible from the home’s interior, preferably from the kitchen so it will be easier to carry meals outdoors when dining outside. • Emphasize comfort. Many homeowners look at their outdoor living areas as places to kick their feet up and relax, so comfort should take precedence when planning the space. Forgo the plastic patio chairs of yesteryear for furniture that’s more sturdy and roomy so you won’t feel cramped or sweaty on warm summer evenings and afternoons. In addition, don’t forget to shade the area. Some homeowners choose to build pergolas, but oftentimes an umbrella or two can do the trick at a fraction of the cost. If the outdoor living area is near trees, they might provide sufficient shade from the often blistering summer sun. But keep a few umbrellas in the garage just in case. • Illuminate the area. Summer nights spent relaxing in the outdoor living area make for great memories. But such nights are nearly impossible if the area doesn’t have some lighting. Tiki
torches might do the trick for is to keep the designs of both liv- makes for a great place to relax and let the time go by. some, while others who want to ing spaces consistent. With more and more home• Don’t forget the fire pit. A avoid giving their outdoor area a transforming their luau feel might prefer solar-pow- fire pit provides a great focal owners ered accent lights, which won’t require any wiring. If your backyard attracts its fair share of insects, look for insect-repelling lights or lamps. Whatever your preference, don’t forget to have some lighting so those summer evenings spent under the sky don’t have to end when the sun goes down. • Keep the design consistent with your home. In addition to providing an outdoor respite from the daily grind, an outdoor living space can also increase a home’s resale value. However, homeowners who have one eye on R&R A few tricks of the trade can help homeowners create the outand the other on resale door living space of their dreams. value should keep the design of their outdoor living space point for an outdoor living area. homes into their own private consistent with their home. One Instead of sitting at the dinner sanctuaries, outdoor living spacof the goals when designing an table, families and friends can es continue to grow in popularoutdoor living space should be gather around the fire pit and re- ity. By employing a few simple to create a seamless transition lax with some s’mores and share tricks of the trade, homeowners from the home’s interior to its stories. But even when guests can create the outdoor areas of exterior. The best way to do that aren’t coming over, a fire pit their dreams.
Index of Advertisers 404 Main Place....................................................................... 15 A/C & Heat by Russell........................................................... 24 Ace Hardware of Azle ........................................................... 16 Advanced Automotive Performance ................................... 26 Atex Trash Service................................................................. 15 At Home Roofing.................................................................... 24 A Tractor Shop..........................................................................5 Azle Appliance Repair........................................................... 19 Azle Door/ American Home.................................................. 13 Brace Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C................................ 14 Burtnett Insurance Agency- Germania................................ 25 Chad’s Tree Service............................................................... 20 Chapman Carpentry.............................................................. 24 Classic Green Landscaping................................................... 27 Comet Cleaners...................................................................... 20 Diamond B Roofing................................................................ 17 Dunn Produce..........................................................................11 E&E Equipment Co................................................................. 2 Eagle Mountain Veterinary Clinic.......................................... 4 Farmers Insurance-Rick Phillips.......................................... 18 Fidelity National Title............................................................ 10 Freeman Roofing & Construction, Inc................................... 4
Highland Furniture................................................................ 10 Howell’s Western Cafe............................................................11 Huffman Landscape & Irrigation........................................ 22 J&E Air Conditioning and Heating...................................... 19 KJR Landscape & Irrigation.................................................. 9 Lady Bug Quilt Fabric ......................................................... 19 Larry’s Carpet ....................................................................... 21 Longhorn Termite & Pest Control....................................... 18 Marsha Hardin Real Estate ................................................. 26 MMI Electric.......................................................................... 17 Orand Nursery......................................................................... 7 Pinnacle Bank......................................................................... 23 Silva Masonry Concrete L.L.C............................................. 18 Star Bank of Texas................................................................. 28 State Farm- Frankie Robbins............................................... 15 State Farm- Haley Carter....................................................... 8 Stuart Nursery........................................................................ 21 Tom Samples Pest Control.................................................... 19 Tri County Electric Cooperative Inc.................................... 20 Triple M Storm Shelters, LLC................................................ 6 Weichert Realtors................................................................... 17 West Side Storage................................................................... 25
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
The benefits of hiring a professional landscaper The flowers are blooming, and the grass has begun to grow anew, making spring a great time for homeowners to once again turn their attention to landscaping. Those who arenÕt looking forward to dusting off their lawnmowers and rethreading their string trimmers may want to hire professional landscapers to tend to their lawns and gardens. A recent joint study by the National Gardening Association, Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping found that homeowners spend roughly $45 billion per year on professional lawn and landscape services, as nearly 30 percent of all households across the United States use at least one type of lawn or landscape service. The rising use of lawn care services is indicative of homeowners’ appreciation of the convenience and craftsmanship professional services can provide. While the impact professional landscapers can have on a property’s aesthetic appeal is considerable, homeowners also benefit from working with professional landscapers in various other ways. • Time savings: One of the biggest benefits of leaving lawn care to the professionals is the amount of time it will save for the average homeowner. Lawns generally need to be mowed once per week during the spring and summer seasons and, depend-
Time saved and a professional job are just two of the reasons homeowners hire lawn care companies. ing on the size of the property, that can take an hour or more. Add the time it takes to clean up clippings, mulch landscaping beds and edge the property, and homeowners can expect to devote a significant chunk of their weekends to caring for their lawns. Lawn services employ a few workers who make fast work of the job, leaving homeowners time to enjoy their weekends however they see fit.
Care for Feline and Canine
• Reduced risk for injury: Maintaining a landscape is hard work, and those unaccustomed to this type of activity may find themselves winded or at risk of injury. Improper use of lawn equipment also is a safety hazard. Leaving the work to professionals can help homeowners avoid strained backs, lacerations, pulled muscles, sunburns, and any other dangers that can result when tackling landscaping
projects. • Financial savings: On the surface, hiring a landscaping service may seem like a costly venture. However, after crunching some numbers, many homeowners realize that doing the work themselves may cost more in the long run than hiring a professional landscaping service. Homeowners who decide to go it alone must purchase expensive equipment, and those lawn
tools will require routine maintenance, which costs additional money. Inexperienced homeowners may incur extra fees to “fix” mistakes that occur during the learning process. Each year, new seed, fertilizer, mulch, pesticides, and other supplies also must be purchased. But professional lawn care services typically charge a set fee per month, and that fee covers the maintenance of both your property and the equipment needed to keep that property looking great. • Know-how: Many professional landscapers know how to address lawn care issues that may arise throughout the year. They will know how to deal with dry patches of lawn or poorly draining areas, and they also can make recommendations on plants that will thrive under certain conditions. • One-stop shopping: Certain landscaping services provide many different options for prospective customers. Basic lawn cuts may be one package, but there also may be services for seasonal seeding, weeding, leaf clean-up, and winterizing. • Consistent maintenance: Homeowners who frequently travel or spend much of their summers away from home often find that lawn care companies are a wise investment. Established weekly schedules ensure the landscape always will look its best whether homeowners are home or out of town.
Have you had your roof checked lately? call 817-237-2852
HOURS: M-F 8:00-5:30, Closed for Lunch 12:00-1:30 • Sat 8:00-12:00
Dr. Dustin Fields • 729 Boyd Road • Azle
817-444-3289
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Stately Beauty
Our state flower is majestic and lovely. But not all bluebonnets are blue. Rarer – but still visible on some springtime roadsides – are white and pink bluebonnets. You can see a couple on Page 22. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
817-221-3039
100 New Highland Rd, Springtown
817-550-6655
1708 Ft. Worth Hwy. Weatherford
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
Planting memories with Mom BY MISTY SHAW afraid to get my hands dirty. On Saturday mornings she’d My mother has a gift – she was come wake me up (often much born with two green thumbs. As an avid Master Gardener, earlier than I liked) so we could she has an innate need to nurture get started on her latest project, growing things, and never is she and even as a cranky teenager, happier than with her hands in dirt. I’d find myself reluctantly smilIf it can be planted, she can ing while we harvested crisp make it thrive, even in the arid snow peas or dug a fresh hole in southern Arizona desert where which to plant something new. Mom showed I was born and me that delicate raised. yellow squash She’s got blossoms are leafy greens not only edible, growing in old but absolutely horse troughs delicious when that she relightly panfashioned into fried in oil. planters. From her I She cultivates learned to apthe most specPhotos by Misty Shaw preciate la- Mom’s glorious morning glories. tacular morning dybugs and glory vines; on spring morn- The author’s mother always lizards, and to ings, everything has an empty chair waiting abhor grubs and other leaf-eating is covered in for her in the garden. parasites that their electric would destroy blue blossoms our green space if left unchecked. (Mom’s signature color). I learned how important it is to She collects and stores as much rainwater as possible – a stop and actually smell the roses rare and precious resource in the from time to time, and to quietly observe and appreciate the subINSURANCE desert – to use on her plants. Fig trees and other fruit-bear- tle miracles of nature happening can’t replace a family member. ers abound, and to this day she daily all around us. I also learned grows the sweetest cherry toma- that you must always put forth BE PREPARED your very best effort if you extoes you’ll ever taste. for the next storm! The one-acre backyard of my pect your endeavors to bear fruit. Even though I’m grown now youth was once an impassable wilderness of overgrown cac- and living two states away from tus and sharp rocks, but over her, Mom’s life lessons from the years and after a lot of hard the garden have stayed with me 3/16” - 1/4” steel construction. work, my folks have created a through the years. Quality welding inside and out for superior I’m certainly no Master Garsurprisingly lush oasis of carestrength. fully landscaped flora designed dener, but I take after her enough Interior and exterior latches. that I’ve got at least one green to attract the local fauna. Powder coated and painted. The yard is replete with native thumb of my own. Air vents and carpeted seating. Thanks to Mom’s encyclopeplants, flowering trees, numerous Various sizes available: edibles, wind chimes and decora- dic knowledge, I know how to with this ad 4’x4’, 4’x6’, 4’x8’ tions of every kind, and even a keep most plants alive and growoffer expires ing – and if I can't, I know exactpet tortoise named Blossom. Can construct custom sizes upon request. Desert creatures flock to the ly who to turn to for gardening Many options available! (Color change, deadbolt, August 1, 2015 bird baths and find shelter from (and life) advice. touch lighting and more) It’s only now as I look back on the heat beneath shady branches; Exceeds FEMA 320/361 & ICC500 Standards several well-placed tables and all those early mornings I spent benches make the yard a beauti- working alongside my mother in ful place to sit and enjoy nature. the garden that I’m able to har1415 CalhOun Bend Tested to withstand f5 Working alongside my mother vest these fond memories from Tornado azle, TX 76020 in the garden, I learned not to be the seeds we’ve sown together. Member
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Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
Ravishing Reds
Red flowers pop in Texas landscapes as this California poppy (left) and amaryllis prove. Photos by Paula Campbell and Misty Shaw
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Star Bank of Texas BY NATALIE GENTRY Locally owned and steadily growing, Star Bank of Texas offers all the products and services of a modern financial institution while maintaining the feel and focus of a community bank. The partners believe that ensuring all decisions are made locally translates into prompt attention and experienced guidance in meeting the banking needs of their customers. They take pride in working with the community and no request is too large or too small for their consideration. Community at heart Chartered in February 1998, Star Bank of Texas now has three branches – in Lake Worth, White Settlement, and Burleson. But don’t let the age of the organization fool you; Star Bank of Texas boasts more than 150 years of combined banking experience. Deposits at all branches are FDIC insured, and they are an
Supporting customers, communities, and local markets
Equal Housing Lender. The bank’s mission is to meet the needs of the community by supplying the products and services needed efficiently. Officers and employees are local folks, deeply involved in church activities, school functions and civic affairs. The service they provide is what separates them from the competition, regardless of size, and they are always looking for ways to enhance their customers’ banking experience. 21st Century banking Star Bank of Texas offers a host of services essential for banking in the 21st century. In addition to 24-hour telephone banking, wire transfers, and debit cards, it offers remote deposit which allows customers to make deposits by scanning a digital image of a check and transmitting that image to the bank. Business customers can take advantage of Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) Network pay-
The team at Star Bank offers a variety of ways to take care of your financial needs: (front l-r) Natalie Weaver, Cassandra Greenwood, Gary Stone, Cathy Smalley, Megan Baker, Carla Allums, Ann Haley, Mari Alvarado, Dena Hall, Linda Baty, and Casey Jones. ments – the fastest-growing service provided by the banking industry today. Star Bank of Texas also offers the convenience of its new free mobile app.
The app is available for both Apple and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play. Now busy customers can pay bills and transfer funds while on the go.
For more information about the app or any other services provided by Star Bank of Texas call 817-238-7827 or see their website at www.starbanktexas. com.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Plants that can improve indoor air quality Indoor plants can counter such stale air, in some cases filtering out VOCs to make the air inside a home more breathable and healthy. The following are a handful of houseplants that can improve indoor air quality. • Aloe: Many of us know aloe for its restorative properties with regard to treating burns and cuts, but aloe also improves indoor air quality by helping to clear a home of the byproducts, including formaldehyde, of chemicalbased household cleaners. Aloe loves the sun, so if you hope to keep an aloe plant healthy through the winter, be sure to place the plant in a window that gets lots of sun exposure throughout the day. • Gerber daisy: Like aloe, a gerber daisy needs ample sunlight, and tends to only withstand winters in warmer climates. But homeowners who live in such climates may still keep their windows closed in winter, and those that do can use these colorful, low-maintenance flowers to remove trichloroethylene, a chemical that clothes may be exposed to during the dry cleaning process.
• Golden pothos: The golden pothos can survive a winter, but homeowners should be careful not to let the plant dry out, which can happen if they are directly exposed to sunlight. A golden pothos vine will grow quickly, so a hanging basket is a great way to keep one inside a home, where the plant can help fight formaldehyde. • Ficus benjamina: Also known as a weeping fig, the ficus benjamina can be difficult to overwinter. But that does not mean your ficus benjamina, which can filter pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from a home, won’t make it through the winter. You just need to figure out the right watering and light conditions for the plant. Such conditions can be discussed with a gardening professional. • Warneck dracaena: The warneck dracaena, or dracaena deremensis, fights pollutants created by varnishes and oils. The warneck dracaena is a sturdy houseplant that is difficult to kill, but it still thrives in temperatures that are between 70 F and 80 F.
HIGHLAND FURNITURE Celebrating 24 Years
Home & Garden
404 Main Place
From birthdays to conferences, 404 Main Place can accommodate up to 350 people. The expansive site is available for banquets, anniversaries, weddings, and graduations. For more information on how owners James Tucker (left) and Gary Trojacek of 404 Main Place can serve you, call 817-448-8459 or visit them on Facebook or at the company's website at www.404MainPlace.com.
Did you know? Biosolids are an organic amendment available to gardeners. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, biosolids are carefully treated and monitored residuals formed at sewage treatment facilities. They may be recycled
into fertilizers to stimulate plant growth. Biosolids may help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Biosolids can be safe to use, but homeowners should be cautious about heavy metal content, pathogen levels and salts. Rely on only Class A biosolids,
Fidelity National Title
which have been treated to reduce the bacterial content and are approved for use in production agriculture. Home gardeners may want to avoid biosolids in vegetable gardens because of the potential for heavy metal content seeping into the produce.
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North Side of Square • Springtown
817-220-5570 M-F 9-5:30 Sat. 9-2
Attorneys: Beckham, Rector and Eargle, LLP
Home & Garden
K J R Landscape & Irrigation
You can have a fabulous landscape with just one call – to K J R Landscape & Irrigation at 817-915-4201. The professionals there can install custom rock work with stone borders, walls, walkways, and patios. They also design landscapes and install them. K J R are irrigation experts who can not only install systems but also serivce and install lake pump systems. To have your home look like no other, call them or visit www.kjrlandscapeandirrigation.
PLANTS Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, Vegetable Plants, Hanging Baskets, Pottery, Decorative Wrought Iron, Mulches and Soils. All available at great prices!
236 W. Hwy 199 Springtown, TX (817) 523-4700
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
406 Hwy 114 W. Aurora, TX (940) 433-5964
A Tractor Shop
When you visit A Tractor Shop, expect Linda Armstrong, partner, and General Manager Mike Foster to see that your every need is taken care of. Whether you stop by A Tractor Shop at 100 New Highland Road in Springtown or ATS Outdoors at 1708 Ft. Worth Highway in Weatherford, you will find a wide array of products to fit your every need – and you’ll get the best customer service anywhere. To see the latest and greatest outdoor products call A Tractor Shop, in business since 2001, at 817-221-3039 or ATS Outdoors at 817-550-6655. See their vast options online at atsoutdoors.com.
Howell’s Western Cafe Home 401 Hwy. 199 W. • Springtown Cooked Meals!
817-220-7915
7 days a week Sun-Thur: 6 am - 10 pm Fri & Sat: 6 am - Midnight Daily Lunch specials - 10:30 am to 3:00 pm Breakfast Served All Day Take Out Orders Welcome
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Home & Garden
Pinnacle Bank: a ‘true’ community bank In today’s banking world, friends, our neighbors, our felsome institutions look for what low church members, our chilthey can gain from the customer dren’s’ teachers.” and community. Pinnacle Bank employees take But whether it’s at the Spring- pride in the town they work and town, Azle, or any other branch, live in, which allows them a Pinnacle Bank looks at what it unique opportunity to truly incan do to help its customer and vest in their community. community. “We take a type of ownership “We pride ourselves in know- in our town, doing what we can ing our customto make a difers, not only on ference. We try a business basis to have Pinbut also as indinacle Bank emviduals – regardployees at evless of the size ery event from of their bank acSting Fling to count. We strive Follow the Flag to exceed their to the Christexpectations evmas Parade and ery time,” said everything in Nate Simmons Kristie Reger, Azle branch vice-president between, with assistant vice many employees president. “I’m also on commitso thankful to be tee boards,” Vice part of a bank whose leadership President Nate Simmons said. puts such an emphasis on giving “We do this because we want back to the community.” to be involved. We want to know Pinnacle Bank employees and what’s going on around us and officers say they try to know we want to do what we can to be what’s going on in their custom- a positive influence in our comers’ lives, with their families and munity. It’s only when we care jobs, their heartaches and cel- enough to contribute our time ebrations. and energy that things begin to “We want to have a relation- actually change. ship with our customers that “The saying goes ‘If they shows them how much we care know you, they trust you and if and that at Pinnacle Bank, they they like you, they’ll do business are not just a number to us,” with you’” Simmons added. Assistant Vice President RanCustomers are the main focus da Goode said. “They are our when it comes to bank products,
“
We do this because we want to be involved.
The Azle branch of Pinnacle Bank is led by the management team of: (standing, l-r) Randa Goode and Regina Stokes; and (seated) Nate Simmons and Kristie Reger.
as well. Pinnacle Bank offers the customer service and feel of a small town bank with the products and services of nationwide “big bank” competitors. Janelle Summers, branch manager and senior vice president at the Pinnacle Bank branch in Springtown, says that old saying “Life is like a box a chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,” couldn’t be farther from the truth when it comes to the Springtown branch. “We pride ourselves in great customer service and great products. Friendly faces greet you every time you walk in the door,” Summers said On the personal banking side, Pinnacle Bank can provide everything from a checking account with online banking, bill pay, mobile deposit capture and mobile access to car loans, interim construction loans, 30-year Community really does matter at the Springtown branch fixed rate mortgages, and mortof Pinnacle Bank, where: (l-r) Lorie Pack, Paige Pearson, gage refinancing. For business customers, Pinand Janelle Summers provide excellent leadership for nacle Bank offers cash managethe staff.
ment products to fit every need sight of the fact that the most such as ACH direct deposit, re- important yardstick of your sucmote deposit capture, Positive cess will be how you treat other Pay, online wires, and merchant people – your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangprocessing options. Numerous commercial loan ers you meet along the way. We options including commercial like our customers to know we real estate products and quick, value them, we strive to provide excellent locally-made service and that lending deciour Community sions, are availMatters.” able, as well. Vice PresiAs more things dent and Branch in this world beManager Regina come automated, Stokes summed it’s becoming it all up when increasingly unshe said “I can common to find honestly say that a bank that views Janelle Summers you as a valued Springtown branch manager Pinnacle Bank is a true communicustomer and ty bank. We give have them truly back in so many understand and ways through donations, serving meet your financial needs. But at Pinnacle Bank, you will on committees to help make our community better and volunteerget just that. Borrowing a quote from for- ing for numerous organizations’ mer First Lady Barbara Bush, events. That is what I want to be Lorie Pack, Springtown branch a part of and that is what makes vice president, says “Never lose my heart happy.”
“
We pride ourselves on great customer service.
Home & Garden
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
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Home & Garden
Attraction Too hard to resist, springtime flowers beckon with a bevy of blossoms that insects flock to – including moths (below), bees, and a huge array of butterflies. Savvy gardeners can learn what to plant to bring the excitment to their own landscapes. Especially encouraged are plants that call to Monarch butterflies; their migration path takes them directly through this part of Texas. Photos by Paula Campbell
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Backyard Beauty
404 Main Place Banquet Hall Rental (350 max capacity)
The bridal wreath spirea shrub enlivens several area backyards with lovely flowers. Photo Carla Noah Stutsman
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Anniversary • Birthday Parties Weddings • Graduation Parties Office/Retail Space for Lease Booking/Leasing: Contact Gary Trojacek 817-448-8459
404 West Main St., Azle
www.404MainPlace.com
Dot’s Locker Buy • Sell • Trade Resale Store
I won’t be offended if you make me an offer, if you’re not offended if I don’t take it! 817-721-7185 404 Main Place, Azle Open Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm; Closed Sun-Mon Like us on Facebook or go to our website Dotslocker.com
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Home & Garden
ACE OF AZLE 505 N. Stewart 817-270-5600
Mon-Fri: 8-7 • Sat: 8-7 • Sun: 10-5
Home & Garden
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Barns and doors BY MISTY SHAW its operations with Azle Door. “We always did the doors on At American Home and Azle Door, the business of building these steel buildings, and when custom barns and installing ga- a friend of ours wanted to retire, he talked me into buying rage doors is all in the family. The sister companies are co- his business here,” said George. owned by Rick George and his “At first it was really a rough dad, Joe, and they get by with a start, but we turned it around little help from their family and to where it’s doing pretty good – so far, so friends. good.” “We started “And joinAzle Door Coming the two pany quite a businesses towhile back, and gether, it reit’s built up, but ally does work it’s still a small hand in hand,” family business,” he continued. Rick George Rick George “It helps out said. “It’s a joint Co-owner both businesseffort, and it’s es and it gives worked out reus an advanally well for all tage over the competition.” of us.” George says he’s worked hard American Home specializes in building everything from to set his business apart from decorative windmills and wag- others by offering customers a ons to steel barns, carports, RV range of options at prices they covers and storage buildings, won’t find anywhere else. “There’s a lot of businesses while Azle Door can design and install just about any kind like this around here – it seems of door those buildings might like every day we’ve got more and more like this,” he said. need. “But we really go out of George was able to acquire American Home and combine our way to offer more op-
“
We’ve always been people pleasers.
A small family business with big offerings
American Home and Azle Door specializes in built-to-order steel barns and storage sheds; they also have a few classic cars for sale. tions,” such as the inclusion of a weather vane on the Big Tex Barn package, along with other decorative options, state of the art materials, and even custom Dutch doors. American Home is often able to build and install structures for the cost of materials alone at other places, and in a timely
fashion too. “As far as turn-around times on people ordering their buildings and then actually getting them delivered and installed, we’re doing the best in the industry,” George said. “Even after the weather has wreaked havoc on us, we’re still weeks or months better than the com-
petition.” “And we’ve got good customer service, which has really helped us – a lot of these companies don’t,” he added. After living in Colorado for a few years, George and his wife Amy, along with their two children, returned to Texas and set up shop in Azle. “I really like this area, it’s worked out really well,” he said. George has diversified his business by selling classic cars, mostly as a hobby, as well as an occasional horse trailer and taking RVs on consignment. American Home and Azle Door help customers area-wide while remaining a small family business. “We’ve always been people pleasers, and so we’ve always done well in business,” George said. “We kind of point the finger at who’s owning, and really, what we say is it owns us.” Visit American Home and Azle Door at 5189 E. Hwy 199 near Springtown, or on the web at americanhome.com.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
Ace of Azle continually growing, expanding Paint and garden areas enlarged BY NATALIE GENTRY Things are changing at Ace of Azle. In their third year, the store is planning additions to their inventory. “We are having a couple of major additions to the store,” said Jayne Rogers, store manager. In addition to the plumbing and electrical supplies, tools, and hardware that are the expected products, the company is continuing to enlarge their paint department. Ace will also be adding a new LED Lightbulb selection as well as continuing to grow its garden center. The store will continue to carry Valspar, Clark+Kensington as well as the Ace brand paint, Ace Royal – which according to Consumer Reports, was ranked as the number one exterior paint. “People want options,” Rogers said. “We will carry a couple of Ace specific lines of Valspar including Aspire paint and primer for interior and exterior use and Optimums for interior use only.” These paints have been developed with NovoColor Pigment Technology to provide brilliant color and a flawless finish. Both lines are low odor, zero VOC formulas, and provide the maximum durability to withstand major wear and washing in high traffic zones. “Almost everything in aisles four and five will be different,” Rogers said. “We have added a Valspar chip rack, in addition to the updated Clark+Kensington Azle, TX ,L.L.C.
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Ace of Azle is always ready to serve as a one-stop shop for area consumers. Friendly, welcoming folks from around here who know what works in these parts. They are professionals ready to take care of you. rack, which means more colors to choose from and an auto-tinting paint system. “We'll be able to match more colors,” Rogers said. Customers can bring in colors from anywhere and the team at Ace will be able to reproduce it. Another area that Ace of Azle is expanding is its garden center. “We have broadened the selection this year,” Rogers said.
“We still have the veggies, large tomatoes, and large peppers, but this year there are tons of blooming plants too.” Rogers said that the team is honing their skills and selections after listening to customer requests and feedback “People have asked for a specific ground cover or plant and we have tried to respond to all the requests,” Rogers said.
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The Plant Center will be open through June. You can also go to www.acehardware.com and order any supplies you may need. You have the choice of paying for shipping and handling to have items delivered directly to your home or having your order delivered to your Ace Hardware store at no charge. Ace has also added Online Or-
dering with In-Store Pickup and delivery services. They’ll let you know when they arrive and you can pick them up at your convenience. Ace of Azle is independently owned but is affiliated with Ace Hardware. The store is located at 505 N. Stewart Street in Azle – between Brookshire’s and Bealls. Call them at 817-270-5600.
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Vegetable gardening tips for beginners Planting a vegetable garden can be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone who has an available patch of land. Gardens need not take up much space, and even apartment dwellers without yards can plant small gardens in containers they place on terraces or window boxes. Although establishing a garden is easy enough, beginners may make a few mistakes along the way. One of the first decisions novice gardeners must make is which crops to grow. This will help determine how much land you will need and which supplies or soil amendments will be necessary. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a common error for beginners is planting too much and more than anyone could ever consume, so it’s best to start small and be proud of that small garden. Plants such as peppers, squash and tomatoes produce throughout the season, so you may not need many plants to provide for your needs. Less prolific plants may require a greater investment to produce a similar yield. Locate your garden in an area that gets adequate sun. Many vegetables need between six and eight hours of sunlight per day. Soil preparation is vital to grow a good crop; that includes Without enough light, they will using organic materials.
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817-220-4506 1825 W Highway 199 • Springtown, TX 76082
not bear as much and could be susceptible to insect infestation. Vegetables and fruit also need plenty of water because they’re not very drought-tolerant, so keep gardens close to a water source. Another good tip is to locate the garden near the house or barbecue grill. This way you can easily harvest fresh produce and use it when cooking. Soil preparation is also key. Till the soil and remove de-
bris like rocks, sticks and hard clumps of dirt. Work with organic material, such as manure or compost. Apply mulch after planting to help maintain moisture levels in the soil. Plant the tallest crops at the rear of your garden bed. Work forward with shorter crops. Try to leave a foot or more between planting rows. It’s easy to get a garden started and enjoy fresh food for many months to come.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
E & E Equipment Co.
E & E Equipment Co. is a one-stop shop for sales, service, and parts provided for a huge variety of premium landscape machines like zero-turn mowers. E & E offers Brush-Hog brand machines that can “cut mowing time in half.” From reinforced decks to twin fuel tanks, easy to operate Brush-Hogs provide cutting ranges from 44 to 73 inches. See a slew of them at E & E’s 11601 Jacksboro Highway building where zero percent financing is available. Call Mark Ellenbarger at 817-237-6641 or surf to www.EE-Equipment.com to see what they offer.
Classic Green Classic Green offers a wide variety of landscape services, including lawn care, weed control, sprinkler systems, tree service, lighting, and fencing. Located at 1108 Northwest Parkway, Classic Green is family owned and operated. Among the options available from the staff are fertilizing, aeration, and worm control as they build the kind of landscape that will be the envy of passersby and neighbors. Call them at 817-479-9503 or visit their website at www.classicgreen.com.
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Cleaners HOURS: Monday - Friday, 5 am - 7 pm Saturday, 5 am - 5 pm
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489 E. Hwy 199, Springtown
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Home 817-221-2201
Providing Electric Service to Portions of Sixteen Counties in North Central Texas. Enjoy the Cooperative Advantage!
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817-523-7231 or 817-444-3201
Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Much More Than a Weed
t NursEry r a u StLandscaping & design 817-596-0003
www.stuartnurseryinc.com 2317 Ft. Worth Hwy., Weatherford Certified Nursery Professional on staff • Serving the Area for over 35 years
“Parker County’s Largest Selection of Native Texas Plants”
Pity the poor dandelion, reviled in yards everywhere as a pest and, gasp, a weed. But taraxacum officinale has an extraordinary number of uses medicinally, using the root historically as a diuretic and a liver tonic. Every part of the dandelion is edible. Flowers can be turned into jelly, added to a salad or, as the Hollies sang, “Dandelion Wine.” When harvested from new plants before flowers emerge, leaves are full of antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins A and D. Not bad for a weed. Photo by Paula Campbell
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Home & Garden
Texas: The Wildflower State
While a push years ago to officially declare Texas “The Wildflower State” failed, we still have a remarkable abundance of beauty displayed every spring. Our state flower, the bluebonnet, blankets hillsides and along roadways, including Highway 199. Spying the rare white strain (left) or the ever rarer pink (right) among the seas of blue is a treat for photographers. When interspersed with brilliant, red-orange Indian Paintbrushes, Texas landscapes are like no others – we’re the Wildflower State, indeed. Photos by Paula Campbell
EXPERTS IN LAWN SPRINKLERS & LANDSCAPING
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
PINNACLE BANK is HERE FOR YOU OUR SERVICE TO YOU & THE COMMUNITY IS PRIORITY
Whether you’re buying, building or refinancing your home, Pinnacle Bank’s experienced lending team will guide you every step of the way. With low mortgage rates, there’s never been a better time. We can help you with any long-term or fixed-rate mortgage loans. Stop by Pinnacle Bank and speak with a mortgage lender today or apply online at pinnbanktx.com. AZLE 316 NW Parkway e SPRINGTOWN 726 HWY. 199 E. AZLE e BENBROOK e BURLESON e CLEBURNE e FORT WORTH e JOSHUA e KEENE e SPRINGTOWN pinnbanktx.com e 817.444.2504
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Welcome to the jungle BY MISTY SHAW Rodney Orand knows plants. He’s in the business of nurturing banana trees, flowering bougainvillea vines, and giant potted agaves, and he can tell you everything there is to know about each one. Orand Nursery, located just east of Lake Worth, is a sprawling jungle of both native and exotic plants that spans two street corners and boasts the area’s largest selection of palms and cactus. It was his inherent love of growing things that Orand says led him to open a nursery instead of pursuing his original career path – dentistry. “I wanted to be a dentist because of the money, but I didn’t really like it,” Orand said. He graduated pre-med/pre-dental from UT Arlington, “but all my electives were botany. When I graduated, I knew I wasn’t going to be a doctor or a dentist because that really wasn’t what I was interested in.” Orand always knew his true passion was plants and landscaping, which he did in his spare time during his college years, including a design and installation for Moore Funeral Home in Arlington in 1974. “I was young, but I was very good, and I work hard, Orand said. “I’m very driven and competitive.” He also ran track for UT Arlington and was even a top runner in the Boston Marathon in 1997. But after brief stints doing concrete work and even buying and selling real estate, in 2004, Orand was finally able to start doing what he truly loved when he opened a plant nursery on property his parents owned in Fort Worth.
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Exotic plants abound at Orand Nursery
Rodney Orand is the owner of Orand Nursery in Fort Worth. He opened the business in 2004, following his true passion – plants. Photo by Misty Shaw “I decided I wanted to open a nursery, so my mother gave me $2,400 – I didn’t have a dime,” said Orand. “My mother was instrumental in getting the nursery started; I couldn’t have done it without her.” Orand Nursery is still a family-owned and operated business – Orand’s mother and brother work alongside him at the shop, which was built where his father’s TV repair business once
stood. “My parents have owned this place forever – they had a TV shop here,” he said. “My dad passed away in 1997, but they were in the TV business and they’d made fairly good money – my dad worked hard.” As times changed, the TV shop eventually closed, but Orand was able to revitalize his parents’ property for a new purpose.
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“My brother and I came in and did all the repairs and fixed it up, and I opened the nursery here about 11 years ago,” he said. Barbara “Granny” Orand (even customers call her Granny) says she’s proud of all her son has accomplished. “We didn’t start out with a lot, but this thing has just evolved – he knows where to get all these plants,” she said. “He’s very intelligent, and I’m not just saying
that because he’s my son – it’s a fact.” “This is what he really wanted to do – he has a passion for this,” she continued. “I’ve never seen anybody love his job like he does. He knows everything about the plants.” With his mother’s support, Orand says he “went and bought 50 live oaks down south by A&M and came up here and started the nursery with just regular shrubs, like everybody does.” At first it was difficult to compete with the gardening sections at larger, established chain stores, so Orand worked to set his nursery apart by diversifying his offerings. “Even if people knew me and mine was even the same price, they’d buy at Lowe’s and Home Depot,” he said. “But I’m cheaper than them, and what I do, they can’t do this – if you go to those places, they’re not going to know anything.” “I’m a collector,” Orand added. “I’m doing tissue culture, I’m doing genetic engineering – I’m thinking big.” So, what does the future hold for Orand Nursery, its owner, and all his plants? “I want to be bigger, and I can do it – I will succeed because I have to,” Orand said. “I think I’m onto something, and I’ll change the landscapes in Fort Worth and Dallas and anywhere around here.” Orand Nursery is located at 1950 Roberts Cut-Off Rd. in Fort Worth. For more information, call 817-377-3090 or visit www.orandnursery.com.
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Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Garden-inspired decor brightens spaces and mood Many homeowners take up gardening to transform their homes with beautiful flowers and foliage, while others do so to yield fresh fruits and vegetables. But gardening can be more than just a weekend hobby. In fact, it may be especially beneficial for homeowners to surround themselves with more plants and natural decor, whether in the yard or in the home. Studies have indicated that gardening can be good for the mind and body. In addition to improving mood and reducing stress, plant life and gardening also may help people have a more hopeful outlook on life. If reaping the benefit of a beautiful landscape is not reason enough to get into gardening, elevating your mood and coping with depression or illness may be even further motivation to start developing your green thumb. Home-design trends seem to be following suit, offering individuals more opportunities to surround themselves with potentially therapeutic plants. Explore these emerging and established garden décor trends to try in and around your home. • Living wall planters: A living wall planter can add greenery to any décor without taking up floor or table space. Ideal for outdoor structures, these planters also can be used indoors if you safeguard against leaks and dripping. A living wall planter
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Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are increasingly popular in backyards. is a framed device that houses plants in a manner that enables them to be vertically mounted to a wall surface. While there are commercially available models, you can create your own design and paint or stain it to match the existing décor. Use a soil-free potting substrate to avoid the mess that regular soil may create. • Combining fish with gardening: Enjoy the best of two relax-
ing worlds by installing a water feature in your yard. Garden retailers offer ready-made kits that can make fast work of establishing a pond or other water feature in the backyard. Otherwise, there are plenty of water garden companies and installers who can suggest a design and put in your desired water features. Add fish suitable for outdoor life to your pond. These include koi and certain goldfish
Deep in the Heart of Texans.
varieties. Game fish are discouraged because they can destroy pond plants. If an outdoor pond is more maintenance than you desire, consider an indoor aquarium with a combination of fish and live aquarium plants. • Creative furniture designs: Maybe you’re a person who appreciates the unique and whimsical? Tables, benches and chairs can be built with planting channels that enable you to have greenery and garden décor in one piece. Envision a picnic table with a cutout down the center for a thin row of plants or decorative grasses. This is a project the entire family can get behind, as the more creative ideas the better. • Improved outdoor lighting: People who like to spend time in their gardens and yards may not want to be limited by sunrise and sunset. By incorporating different lighting sources, you can create a retreat that is welcoming at any hour. Although flood lights and overhead lights can illuminate a space, consider ambient and decorative lighting to create the desired ambiance. • Functional fire pits and places: A blazing fire creates a cozy spot to gather on chilly evenings,
but fire pits and fireplaces also can be used as impromptu cooking spots for s’mores or frankfurters on a stick. You can purchase a stand-alone fire pit from any number of retailers or build your own with patio pavers and fire bricks to line the interior of the fire pit. Outdoor fireplaces require more work, and you want to hire a mason to ensure proper installation. • Enjoyable yard additions: While plants and seating may take center stage, some people still want to have fun in their yards. There’s an increased demand for yard designs and décor that can put the fun in backyard living. Bocce courts, ring- or horseshoe-toss setups, as well as bean bag-toss boards, can be incorporated into landscape designs, giving you yet another reason to spend a few hours in the great outdoors, where you can experience a few healthy laughs in the process. Gardening and spending time outdoors are great hobbies and may even boost your mood. Homeowners can explore the popular trends in garden décor and natural elements that they can enjoy inside and outside of their homes.
When it comes to protecting Texas homes, Germania Insurance understands Texans’ needs. We live in the same communities and share the same concerns as our neighbors. For their home and their automobile and even their families, Texans look to Germania Insurance to be there when they need us most. Germania is no ordinary insurance company. We’ve been insuring Texans’ homes for over 110 years. From El Paso to Texarkana and McAllen to Amarillo, we have agents all across the Lone Star State that understand the needs of our neighbors and the communities in which we live. We have competitive rates, discount options and exceptional claims service, 24/7.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Transplanting trees Several steps can ensure tree transplanting goes as smoothly: • Determine why the tree needs to be moved. Some trees that are not thriving in their existing location may not benefit from a transplant. For example, a tree with a pest infestation might need to be replaced rather than transplanted. If a tree is not getting adequate sunlight in its present location, then transplanting it to a different location on your property with more exposure to sunlight might reinvigorate the tree. If soil is the problem, than transplanting the tree might prove ineffective unless you also test the soil where you plan to move the tree and adjust it so the tree can thrive. • Prune the tree roots. Tiny roots that extend beyond the tree absorb water and nutrients, and such roots need to be pruned before transplanting a tree. Landscaping professionals note that root pruning stimulates the growth of new small roots nearer to the tree’s trunk, and these newer roots will be dug up when the time comes to transplant the tree. Root pruning must be done well in advance of transplanting the tree.
• Time your transplant correctly. Avoid transplanting trees when temperatures are colder and the ground is frozen. Transplanting before or after a thaw allows the transplanted roots time to develop. In addition, transplanting the day after you have watered the soil around the tree reduces the stress on the tree’s roots, making it easier to keep the root ball intact. • Protect the root ball. When transplanting a tree, make sure the root ball does not dry out. If it does, the tree likely wonÕt thrive in its new location and all your hard work will have been for naught. Cover the root ball with damp burlap or canvas so it can retain more of the moisture it will need to adapt to its new location. • Plant the tree sooner rather than later. While you can store a transplanted tree before you plant it elsewhere on your property, storing it for a long period of time increases the chances that the transplant will be unsuccessful. Ideally, you want to plant the tree in its new location as soon as possible. If you must store it, make sure you don’t suffocate the root ball, as roots must be kept damp or they will die and potentially cost you the tree.
Home & Garden
Haley Carter State Farm Insurance
Haley Carter has been affiliated with State Farm Insurance since 1998 then became an agent in 2002. With her fellow professionals – (l-r) Shadi Sutton, Vivian Roblow, Cindy Hicks, Haley Carter, Kim Edwards, Judy Butler, and Kortni Padilla – they offer comprehensive insurance and financial options. From vehicle to life, Haley Carter Insurance, located at 408 Boyd Court in Azle, offers a wide variety of choices. That includes everything from cars, boats, home and property, and even identity protection. The firm also can provide an array of financial options that include banking, loans, retirement and estate planning, and educational savings plans among others. Haley Carter and her team will “help you get where you’re going.” Call today, 817-444-1100 or visit them at www.haleycarter.com.
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Home & Garden
When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one and a lily with the other. Chinese proverb
Photo by Paula Campbell
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
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Home & Garden
Lake Worth Est. 1998
White Settlement Est. 2004
817-238-7827
3930 Boat Club Road Fort Worth, TX 76135 “Where Everybody is Somebody To Us!”
www.starbanktexas.com
Burleson Est. 2012