Community Life - March/April 2014

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C

Life

ommunity The magazine for Johnson County and surrounding areas March-April 2014 Vol. 9, No. 2

Brady Sanders H James Healy H Sani Adamou H Southwestern Adventist University

Pastor Troy Brewer has made a life serving others

HOME IMPROVEMENT Special 16-page inside look on sprucing up your home.

Editor’s Note Welcome to the second edition of Community Life magazine in 2014. Thanks

for continuing to read our stories about the people and places you know in your community. This edition of Community Life includes five intriguing stories and a special home improvement section, as well as our usual Cleburne Chamber of Commerce pages and Monica Faram’s latest column on what is happening in the tech world. You’ll notice this edition increased by eight pages to accommodate our information. That is always a good thing when you have so much information you don’t have enough room for it. I’ll always take more than not enough. We start off with John Austin’s story about the 120th anniversary of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene. The small onebuilding school has undergone several name changes and expansions to become a beatiful campus. Next, Tammye Nash introduces us to Pastor Troy Brewer. He’s a man who, despite not having an abundace of funds, has found a way to help others through life. He’s done so by providing food and shelter to many while teaching

the word of God to thousands in both the U.S. and across the globe. Nicole Luna’s story about Cleburne High School French teacher Sani Adamou is especially entertaining. His trek through gaining education is like none other for man who speaks seven languages. Sports Editor A.J. Crisp visited with Godley High School standout and now Texas Longhorn basketballer Brady Sanders. Sanders realized her life-long dream of playing collegiate hoops for her dream school in Austin. And lastly, there’s Godley Police Chief James Healy, who took an unusual route to law enforcement. Healy is an actor at heart and found success on both the stage and in television before starting his current career.

— Dale Gosser, managing editor

Publisher

Kay Helms khelms@trcle.com

Managing Editor Dale Gosser dgosser@trcle.com

Graphics Director Ashley Garey

Business Manager Lynn Coplin

Staff Writers Monica Faram Matt Smith Tammye Nash Nicole Luna John Austin

Photography Nicole Luna Jane Rose Chris Gill Steven Hiser Monica Faram

Copy Editors Dale Gosser Monica Faram John Austin

Advertising Account Executives Eric Faught Tammie Kay Barbara Smith Lisa Russell

Classified Account Executives Teresa Slade April Bradshaw

108 S. ANGLIN ST.

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Community Life, the magazine for Johnson County © 2014 by Cleburne Times-Review. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Community Life is inserted into the Times-Review and distributed around the county free of charge.

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Community Life

Table of Contents

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STORIES

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Southwestern Adventist University in Keene celebrates 120 years. By John Austin

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Pastor Troy Brewer’s resistance to the pulpit was overcome by his desire to help others. By Tammye Nash

26 38 44

Sani Adamou’s path to teaching at Cleburne High School was an interesting journey around the globe. By Nicole Luna

From Joshua to Godley to the University of Texas, Brady Sanders’ work ethic continues to take her to new heights. By A.J. Crisp

Godley Police Chief James Healy maintains a love for the stage and screen.

53 Spring is in the air, so it’s time to fix up the old house and do some repairs.

By Matt Smith

COLUMNS

32 Monica Faram

A review on Apple TV. CLEBURNE CHAMBER 34-37

The latest and greatest information from the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce. Community Life

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Making

history on the hill

Southwestern Adventist University marks more than a century of Christian education 6

Community Life

STORY BY John Austin

O

ne hundred and twenty years ago, the school that would become Southwestern Adventist University commenced classes with 56 students and one building on a hill only recently cleared of briars and scrub oak. Eight years later, the little school, which doubled as a church, marked another redletter day when a steam engine dubbed Old Betsy pulled into town, ferrying students and

other passengers between Cleburne and Egan on a track where Keene’s main street now runs. As the train gave way to autos and airplanes, the school evolved from its vocational focus, and Keene Industrial Academy became a junior college, then a four-year college and finally a university, bringing undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to Johnson County. Community Life

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“If our founders could be resurrected in 2014,” SWAU President Eric Anderson told a group of Cleburne Rotarians at a recent lunch meeting, “they would be amazed, I think, by our beautiful campus, modern equipment and a student body that is more than 14 times more numerous than in 1894.” Yet, for all the changes, there’s been one constant. “From the beginning, Jan. 7, 1894, we have known that character development is the heart of education,” Anderson said. “We have sought wisdom by beginning with ‘the fear of the Lord.’ We have known that education is not about domination and pride and wealth. Education is about discipline, struggling against our weakness, contemplating what is eternal, not temporary.” And as it moves into its second century, the university continues working to spread word of its educational as well as its spiritual values. “Private education is not cheap,” and the school can’t cater strictly to Adventists, longtime religion faculty member Bill Kilgore said. “We want people looking in and saying ‘What’s going on?’” Kilgore is a member of the search committee charged with replacing Anderson, who plans to retire at the end of the semester after nine years at the helm. Part of the charge will be to find a candidate with a vision that will keep SWAU’s enrollment and endowment healthy.

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Photo by Chris Gill

Cyril Miller Hall

This year has brought an enrollment uptick after a downturn. Administrators are counting on the university’s new program in fire science to help continue the trend. The program, which will mate classroom hours in Keene with hands-on training in Crowley, is part of an effort to make SWAU, or Adventist, as many refer to it, a magnet for the entire county, regardless of religious affiliation. The reintroduction of programs that have fallen by the wayside, such as criminal justice, may also be part of the recipe for success. But whatever the solution, the basic architecture must reflect the distinctive religious identity that dates to the founding days when a group of Dallas Adventists bankrolled the purchase of 800 acres for $8,000. Their vision is embodied in the straightforward original mission statement: 8 To furnish the youth with an education which shall fit them for the practical duties of life, and to do so under the influences favorable to the promotion of reverence for the Word of God, and to the development of Christian character. 8 To train laborers for the ministry, and for other branches of Christian work. 8 To provide daily employment for the students, not only for its influence upon their health and their character, but also to enable partly to pay their expenses. Kilgore sees Adventist

graduates living those words. An example: the physician who installed a port in Kilgore’s chest to treat his cancer. “That was put in by one of my former students,” Kilgore said. “They’re good at what they do. That encourages me.” The early days Abstemious early Adventist students and faculty weren’t trying to cure cancer, but they had their work cut out for them. Articles in denominational publications of the era make it clear that Texas was a tough place. Citing an Adventist Review article by James White, “Lest We Forget,” a 1985 history of the school, said, “... whiskey and tobacco controlled most Texans and it was said it was not uncommon for a gloved, welldressed Texas woman to be driving a carriage along some street puffing on a lighted cigar, and removing the ashes as gracefully as a fop ... Men chew and smoke tobacco at a terrible rate, and most of the women are snuff-dippers ... The habits and tastes of the people of the almost God-forsaken South are terribly unnatural ... To bring out and to bring up to the Bible standard of purity a people ready for the coming of Christ seems too great a work for any age.” The school’s first principal, Cassius Boon Hughes and his wife, Ellen Evans Hughes, arrived in Cleburne by train the day be-

Photo by Chris Gill

Chan Shun Centennial Library

fore Christmas 1893. Although they had neglected to alert anyone of their arrival date, a pair of neighborly women who lived in Keene and were in Cleburne on business gave them a lift to their future home. The couple rolled into Keene for the first time in a mule-drawn wagon, the new principal in back, perched on a stove. An ordained minister, Hughes reached the Adventist settlement — Keene would grow up around the school — to learn that the house he and his wife were to inhabit was only half constructed. He also found that he would be teaching Bible, English and history in addition to being principal, according to “The Chronicle of Southwestern Adventist College,” which was published to mark the school’s centennial. The “Chronicle” described what is now Keene as “a wilderness of small trees and tangled underbrush” where land was sold in 10acre parcels and “to those who wished to come to the place for school advantages ... Land was taken out for a school farm before any was sold ... The profit from the land sold was used in the erection of North Hall. The growth of the town was surprising.” Glen Robinson described some of those

early days in a recent issue of Southwestern Spirit, the university’s magazine. As he wrote, “... before the school could be built, many of the new residents cleared timber off the building sites and sold wood in Cleburne for three and four dollars per cord.” Letters from the likes of W.W. Preston, writing in 1894, capture the pioneering flavor of the start-up. “The school farm is covered with small timber, and the first work was to clear the ground. The young men in attendance ... were invited to bring with them axes, and they were told that they would be given work in clearing this ground. They have done so, and have been able to rear for themselves from six to eight dollars a month, besides carrying on the regular duties of school. The climate is suitable for out-of-door work. Land can be worked 10 months a year in comfort.” There was no mention of which two months were unsuitable for comfortable outdoor work: the sweltering dog days of summer or, perhaps, the often-frozen zones of December and January. “... On-campus industries, including the farm, garden, orchard, stock, wood yard, broom shop, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop,

store and boarding department,” followed the first building, Robinson wrote. “The broom shop worked 10 students three hours a day.” By 1897 the school offered instruction in iron work and bee keeping in addition to English, mathematics and music. In 1902, the curriculum included instruction in “mental science” as well as Spanish and printing. And as the Great Depression took hold, the school continued to boast auxiliary services that included a farm, a college planing mill, a press, broom factory and pecan shellery. During the World War II years, there was even a college chenille factory, as well as the farm and dairy, along with the conventional academic subjects. The school pressed on to become Southwestern Junior College in 1916. The students, faculty and administration weathered the depression and by 1943, the school mill, chenille craft, press and farm sold $200,000 worth of products and the campus was for the first time in many years, debt free. A dorm fire killed two students on Jan. 2, 1944, but the post-war years brought summer-school classes, a new building for industrial arts, an expanding library collection and the same sort of growth that characterized colCommunity Life

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lege campuses across the nation as the Baby Boom took off. As higher education heated up in the post-war and demand grew, the school readied itself for the next step: senior college status. Kilgore said the change from a junior college to four-year status was not undertaken lightly, and involved some soul searching on campus. It meant being accredited by a regional organization instead of the denomination, and Kilgore said there was apprehension that the move could change the fabric of the university. But, on May 29, 1962, trustees voted to make the move and the school became Southwest Union College. On May 1, 1977, the name changed again, this time to Southwestern Adventist College. “The Chronicle of Southwestern Adventist College” reported that it was “the first Adventist college in North America to boast the name and cause of the church.” The student body also elected its first black president, science and religion

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Community Life

Hopps Museum and Welcome Center

Photo by Chris Gill

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Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium

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major, Roderick Yoder, in March of the spring life has made the church that fed its roots ing, and is working to innovate, with prosemester. “a footnote” on campus. grams such as fire-science, and to attract In 1997, the final name change took ef“That’s not what we want,” Kilgore said. students from across the county, Advenfect and Keene became home to tist or not. Southwestern Adventist UniverThough the financial chal“If our founders could be sity, which for the first time in lenges remain — the endowresurrected in 2014, they would be its history offered graduate dement is modest — Kilgore grees in education and business. is confident that the univeramazed, I think, by our beautiful While it all may look inevisity can retain the vision that campus, modern equipment, and a table in hindsight, Kilgore said brought the pioneering foundstudent body that is more than 14 there was a very real tension ers to what was then a wild and over the direction the school times more numerous than in 1894.” isolated wooded hill. would take as it evolved. After “We’re not UTA. We’re not — SWAU President Eric Anderson all, he points out, even universiTCU. We have a niche,” Kilgore ties that were originally bastions said. “The idea of developing of faith for their denominations are now But Kilgore likes what the little school Christian character, and then make a conmore secular: He points to places such as in Keene has become. The campus boasts tribution in the world: I think that is what Harvard University, where he said, secular a spacious library, a new academic build- we try to do.” n

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Community Life

Troy Brewer

A self-proclaimed drop dead, sold out Jesus freak ready to take on hell with a water pistol

T

STORY BY Tammye Nash

he times, they are changing for Troy Brewer, pastor of Open Door Church in Burleson — changing for the pastor and for the church. But, change is nothing new for Brewer, now in his 19th year as pastor. For about 17 of those years, Brewer said, Open Door had a regular attendance of fewer than 200 people weekly. “But it’s just blown up here recently,” Brewer said, with about 1,200 attending Sunday services each week.

Courtesy photo

Troy Brewer said his role as pastor of Open Door Church in Burleson has changed over the years as the church has grown.

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Part of that growth explosion came in September, when Brewer’s Open Door Ministries in Joshua merged with Pastor Gloria Gillaspie’s Lighthouse Church in Burleson, becoming Open Door Church in Burleson. “We have 900 seats� in the church sanctuary, said Gillaspie, now known as pastor emeritus of the combined church, “and we have to have two services on Sunday morning to have room for everybody. What does that tell you?� What it tells Brewer is that his role as pastor is changing, that he will spend less time on the front lines of ministry and more time setting the tone for the church to follow. In the beginning Open Door has always been “an outreach that does church,� Brewer said. But as the church has grown in membership and has taken over the larger facilities that previously housed Lighthouse Church, “we’ve had to change our mentality, our identity,� he said. “We are having to change our culture. My role as pastor has completely changed and is still changing. It’s my job to be the architect of the culture of this house.� Open Door began as a food outreach and “we still do that,� Brewer said. In 2013, Open Door distributed about 4 million pounds of food to feed about 41,000 hungry people in Johnson County. It all started with Brewer and his family “trying to feed one old man, then one old man and one old lady, then one old man and

Courtesy photo

Troy Brewer, left, participates in a worship service while on a mission trip to Uganda.

two old ladies. Then it was 70 people, and it just kept growing,� he said. Brewer noticed an elderly man — “in his late 80s, and had more hard mileage on him than that,� he said — who was trying to put a new roof on a home nearby. He saw the man climb a ladder, carrying one shingle at a time. When the elderly man reached the roof, he

would sit and rest a bit before hammering the new shingle into place. Then, he would sit and rest again before heading back down the ladder to get the next shingle. Brewer said his father-in-law told him he should go and help the old man out. “And because I was young and I still felt

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Community Life

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Troy Brewer said he always intended to hand over leadership of Open Door Church to “someone smarter.� God had other plans. Courtesy photo

Community Life

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the need to try and impress my father-in-law, he was hungry, too. And so was his other girl- trusted him. I went to help,” he said. “I went over there, friend, who lived nearby. “From the start, I could just sense his grabbed [a package of shingles] took them up So, the Brewers bought groceries for them, character and his heart,” Whitlock said. “I’m the ladder and went to work, nailing on new too. And then for the next friend and the next. a Christian, and I could just tell from the shingles. He didn’t say a word to me, and I Each weekend, Brewer said, he and his family start that [Troy and Leanna Brewer and Open didn’t say a word to him. We just both got would deliver groceries to feed the hungry, Door Associate Pastor Andy Dowley] were busy nailing shingles.” and each time, the crowd grew larger. Christian people. Brewer’s father-in-law soon came over to “It looked liked Elvis’ wedding reception,” “I could feel their commitment, their pashelp, and then his brothers-in-law. Before Brewer said. “We were going over there every sion for what they were doing and the comlong, the men had completely replaced the weekend, but we didn’t have the money or the passion they had for all people. I just had a roof. The elderly man thanked them, but then resources to keep doing it all ourselves. We sense about them. I knew it wasn’t a risk at explained that it wasn’t his house, all.” but his girlfriend’s house they had The 700 Club, through its been working on. And he insisted Operation Blessing, chose Open We were just there to love on that the men come inside with Door as one of only two agencies him so she could thank them as in Texas that it works with, holdpeople and bless them and do well. ing Open Door up as a model for By that time, Brewer’s wife, others to follow, Brewer said. what we could for them. Leanna, had arrived, too, and And it all started because one — Troy Brewer she went inside with her husold man was fixing a roof, and band, father and brothers, where one old woman was hungry. It the woman — “who was even older than the needed help.” seems that lots of things in Troy Brewer’s life man” — insisted on fixing lemonade for all And they found it, getting help through started small and grew — whether he wanted of them. other established outreach ministries, such them to or not, including the idea of being a When the woman opened her refrigerator, as Beautiful Feet Ministries and Bread Bas- pastor. Brewer said he and his wife realized that other ket Ministries. When Wal-Mart Distributhan a few condiments, the jug of lemonade tion Center opened in Cleburne, Brewer Kicking and screaming was the only thing inside. asked them to donate to Open Door’s food As the food outreach began to grow, Troy “My wife told me she couldn’t leave that outreach, and they did. Tim Whitlock at Pin- Brewer began sharing the word of God with old woman there with no food. She said, ‘I’ll nacle Bank gave him a loan to build the Open those who came to get food, sharing spiribe back. I’m going to Kroger to her some gro- Door Ministries Food Bank Warehouse out- tual nourishment as well as physical. These ceries,’ and I said OK,” Brewer said. side Joshua. were men and women, he said, who were When Leanna Brewer returned with the Brewer and his plans for a food bank may unchurched and had never found a spiritual groceries, the elderly woman cried as she not have been what most bankers would have home. Others were what Brewer calls “dethanked them. The old man pointed out that considered a good risk, Whitlock said, but he churched” — those who had turned their

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back on religion because they felt religion had turned its back on them. But, Brewer wasn’t turning his back on them. “We were just there to love on people and bless them and do what we could for them,” he said. “I mean, if I am going to feed the poor, I can’t be mad at them for being poor.” In other words, Brewer didn’t believe these people needed to be accountable to him for being poor. Instead, he was accountable to

Open Door Ministries held its first meeting in September 1995. But, Brewer — now ordained as a minister through the nondenominational Living Word Fellowship — said he fought hard against the idea of being a pastor. “I resisted it for a long, long time,” he said. “God has really had to drag me kicking and screaming into all this.” But as much as he tried to resist, there was always something to pull Brewer into the next

living in that city’s dumps. Troy Brewer saw a little girl squatting on a pile of trash, staring at something on the ground in front of her. He tried to get her attention, entice her to join the other children and get some of the food he and the other missionaries had to offer. But, she stayed where she was and he finally went over to see for himself what held her attention so strongly. There on the ground in front of her, half buried in trash, was a filthy, naked doll.

Courtesy photo

Troy Brewer, center on the back row, and others from Open Door Church pause for a group photo during a mission trip to Uganda.

God for how he lived his life and treated others. And as it turned out, Brewer said, “I had a knack for teaching. They would come and listen to what I had to say. I always thought, I’ll just get this going. Then I’ll turn it over to somebody smart, somebody who can keep it going. But once it started, I couldn’t just turn it off.”

mission, taking his family along with him. That’s how it was with Open Door’s orphanages, another mission that started small and then took on a life of its own. Suffer the little children About 15 years ago Troy and Leanna Brewer were in Matamoros, Mexico, working with a church there to minister to the children

“I thought, this must be something she really wants, this nasty, dirty doll. So I’ll try to clean it up for her, and maybe she’ll come get some food then,” Brewer said. “So I kicked at it with the toe of my boot, trying to knock some of the filth off it before I picked it up. And it moved. It wasn’t a doll at all.” It was, instead, a baby boy, maybe five hours old and barely clinging to life. Brewer Community Life

19

Courtesy photo

Over the years, Troy Brewer’s Open Door Church has built or helped build six orphanages on four continents, including one in Uganda. The orphanages are now operated by SPARK — Serving Protecting And Raising Kids — which his wife, Leanna, leads as executive director.

said he grabbed the infant in his arms, doing his best to clean the dirt off the baby’s face while at the same time rushing the infant to the nearest hospital for treatment. Although Leanna Brewer wanted to bring the infant back to the United States where they could raise it themselves, Troy Brewer said that just wasn’t feasible. They already had four children of their own and another two that lived with them. Instead, he took the baby boy to the pastor of the church they were helping to build there in Matamoros. “I told him, you have to help me. You keep him, you raise him and love him, and I will send you money to help take care of him,” Troy Brewer said. “And every month, I sent a check down to Matamoros to help care for that baby.” Then, one day, the pastor in Matamoros contacted Brewer to let him know there was a problem. “He said, ‘The word is out. The crazy gringo is taking in children. Now somebody has brought us a little girl.’ And I said, ‘OK. I’ll 20

Community Life

send more money.’” In the years since, Brewer said, Open Door has built or helped build six orphanages on four continents, providing for about 1,600 children. The orphanages are now run by SPARK (Serving, Protecting And Raising Kids) Worldwide, a nonprofit organization headed up by Leanna Brewer as executive director. But, Open Door as a church and Brewer as a pastor remain heavily involved. Some of the children in the orphanages, Brewer said, have been rescued from human traffickers who use them in the sex trade around the world. As a middle-aged white American, he said, “I can go into any slum anywhere in the world and find the places where these children are being trafficked. No one thinks anything of it because Americans are the ones that keep the sex trade going. But, I go into these brothels and I buy these young girls — I just buy them outright — and I take them out there to one of the orphanages.” The first time he took children from a brothel was in Costa Rica, Brewer said. He

said that he had been approached by an elderly woman speaking so rapidly in Spanish that he couldn’t understand what she was saying. But, from the way she was smiling and gesturing toward two young girls standing on the porch of a nearby house, he assumed she was talking about her granddaughters. The pastor from local church explained his mistake. The house, the pastor said, was a brothel, and the elderly woman was no kindly grandmother, but instead was the madam. She was offering the two Nicaraguan girls — one around 9, the other 11 or 12 years old — for Brewer to purchase. Brewer said he was almost overcome with anger at the woman, but forced himself to calm down. “I thought, what can I do? How can I save these children? She was offering to sell them to me, so I bought those two little girls for next to nothing,” he said. “I promised them everything was going to be all right, that I wasn’t going to hurt them. Then, I put them in the car and carried them to the orphanage.”

The lean years and the growth The early years took their toll on Brewer and his family financially. He said that before he started Open Door, he had made a good living, bringing in more than $50,000 a year as a professional Christian musician and working part time in the insurance industry. Leanna Brewer had worked, too, adding to the family income. In his first year as pastor of Open Door, Troy Brewer said he made about $7,000 total. “There’s no money in feeding poor people. There’s no money in running orphanages. And that’s what we did. Our church was full of poor people,� he said. At one point, Brewer said, while he was using money from his pocket to take food to hungry people each week, he and his family went without electricity for about four months. But, it didn’t dampen their zeal for their mission. “Looking back, that was a good year for us. Our kids are grown now, but even now if you ask them, they will say that was a good year,� Brewer said. “We would tell them we were playing ‘Olden Days.’ We’d use coal-oil lamps for light and we’d cook outside on a fire. We’d all dress up like in the olden days. “Every day, I’d come home and the kids would ask, ‘Are we playing Olden Days tonight?’ And I would groan and say, ‘Yes, we’re playing Olden Days.’ And they would get so excited. They loved it. They didn’t realize how poor we were.� Despite it all, Open Door continued to grow. What started as an outreach to feed the poor grew into an international network of orphanages. They added an outreach to the homeless, and a prison outreach — and still the ministry grows. Brewer has authored books and writes newspaper columns.

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He also has a radio show that airs each day from 11:30 a.m. to noon on 91.3 FM. “God has just worked miracles, again and again,� Brewer said. “We’ve never had a lot of money. We don’t have a lot of money now. In fact, we’ve taken out so many mortgages on our house just to keep things going that we owe more on it now that we did when we first bought it. I’ve never had much money, but I’ve always had good favor.� Still growing, still changing Troy Brewer doesn’t claim to be an overly humble man. He’ll tell you, with a wink and a grin, that he’s the best preacher in Johnson County, and definitely the coolest guy around. His friends back him up on that. “Troy seems like he must be three or four people in one,� said Whitlock, who serves on the board of SPARK. “He is just an amazing man with a big, big heart. My wife and I consider [Troy and Leanna Brewer] to be friends. They are just an amazing team.� Gillaspie, who retired at 75 after merging her church with Open Door last fall, remains pastor emeritus of Open Door Church. But, she said she knows she left her congregation in good hands. Gillaspie said that as she neared her 75th birthday and thought about retiring, she had been praying about what she should do. One Sunday morning during church services, she said, “the Holy Spirit just spoke to my heart,� telling her to merge her church with Brewer’s Open Door Ministries.

CLEBURNE

“I told myself if that really was the Lord speaking to me, then everything would work out. And by the end of the week, it was a done deal,� she said. “We just feel so at home with them now. “His church is doing what our church started out doing, with all the outreach programs and the missions in foreign countries. We just feel so at home with them, and [Troy Brewer] has such a heart for the poor and the homeless. “I was thinking about what Jesus did. He preached to the multitudes and then he went out and fed them. That’s what Troy does. He preaches great messages, and then he feeds people and gives them clothes to wear. Troy Brewer really has a handle on what it means to be a true Christian. Being a Christian means going out into the world to spread the gospel. His leadership does that.� And Troy Brewer knows that when it comes down to basics, he’s just a messenger for a higher power, here to spread the word that God loves everyone, just as they are. That’s the message that put Brewer on the road he’s on today, and it’s the message he wants everyone else to hear. Brewer said he first heard that message in May 1986, when he was 19 years old and “chasing a girl� who was graduating from a small church school near Hot Springs, Ark. He went to a church service there and for the first time, “I heard the simple Gospel preached in a simple way. And that’s when I knew that Jesus was real, and I knew that he

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loved me.�  Ever since that day, Brewer said he has had “two major callings — to kick poverty in the teeth and to attack religion,� which makes up rules that stand between people and God’s love. “I hate poverty. I hate the hopelessness of poverty. And I hate religion,� Brewer said. “The agenda of religion is to control people. But Jesus’ whole agenda was to set people free. When I found Jesus, I became a freedom fanatic — a drop-dead, sold out Jesus freak.� That’s the agenda that Brewer has always had for Open Door, to create a special place full of people who know they can love each other without always agreeing. And he knows his role in that special place will continue to evolve. “My role has completely changed, and it is still changing,� Brewer said of his responsibility as pastor of Open Door Church. Instead of being the one going into the prisons now to minister to inmates, or standing on a street in Fort Worth handing out food and warm clothes to the homeless, “It’s my job now to be the architect of the culture of this house. It’s my job to decide what we make a big deal of here. It is our values that will define the house.� So what are the values of Open Door? “We’re attacking hopelessness,� Brewer said. “We’re bringing life where there’s death. We are residents of heaven, living in Texas, and we are ready to take on hell with a water pistol. We’ve always done that.� n

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Visit Our Website at www.burlesonareachamber.com Advertise your business in our newsletter contact: Cleburne Times-Review 817-645-2441

What Can The Chamber Do For You?

APRIL EVENTS

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FRIDAY 4/4 LUNCH & LEARN At Honda of Burleson DOING WHAT YOU LOVE: TIPS TO CAPTURING YOUR UNIQUE ABILITY BY CRAIG COUCH, COUCH & RUSSELL (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to Tami at tking@couchandrussell.com Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY COUCH & RUSSELL FINANCIAL GROUP

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LUNCH & LEARN MASTERING YOUR MEMORY BY HANNAH KRAUSE, DIRECT DEVELOPMENT TRAINING (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to Tami at tking@couchandrussell.com; $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY COUCH & RUSSELL FINANCIAL GROUP

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THIRSTY FOR BUSINESS (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP Online at lostoakwinery.com/calendar; $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY CHARTER BUSINESS & LOST OAK WINERY

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS (5:30-7:00pm) Free to BACC Members SPONSORED BY DOLCE LIVING BURLESON & QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL

THURSDAY 4/10 BACC QUARTERLY MEETING At St. Matthew Cumberland (11:30am-1:00pm) Presb. Church Keynote Speaker: Representative Rob Orr and Senator Brian Birdwell, Texas Legislature RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121; $20 BACC Members; $25 Non-Members TITLE SPONSOR: TEXAS HEALTH HUGULEY HOSPITAL; AFFILIATE SPONSORS: ATMOS ENERGY & STAR BANK OF TEXAS FRIDAY 4/11 At Lost Oak Winery

THIRSTY FOR BUSINESS ANYTHING BUT AVERAGE: HOW TO SEPARATE YOUR BUSINESS FROM THE COMPETITION BY TIM McRAY (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP Online at lostoakwinery.com/calendar; $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY CHARTER BUSINESS & LOST OAK WINERY

TUESDAY 5/13 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS At WestStar Mortgage STATE OF THE STATE and Ameriprise Financial (11:30am-1:00pm) Services (835 SW Alsbury, SPONSORED BY WESTSTAR MORTGAGE Suites H & J) & AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES SATURDAY 5/24 16TH ANNUAL HONEY TOUR BIKE RIDE At Centennial High School Register to ride online at honeytour.athlete360.com Contact the Chamber for sponsorship, vendor opportunities, or more information. FRIDAY 5/30 POWER OF HEELS LUNCHEON SAVE THE DATE! (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121. Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members Exhibition Tables & Sponsorships Available – Contact the Chamber

BURLESON NETWORKING GROUPS Area rce esonComme l r u B r of be Cham hire Wil7s6028 . S.W X 104r4leson, T .com Bu ber 21 m a h c a 61 onaree: 817-29955--6192 s e l r 2 n .bu Phoax: 817www F

BURLESON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WEDNESDAYS / 7:30-9am at Holiday Inn Express in Burleson 13250 Jake Court, Burleson, TX 76028 Contact: Ruth Moor 817-447-3476 BURLESON BUSINESS BUILDERS FRIDAYS / 8:30-9:30AM AT FRESCO’S 112 S. Main St., Burleson 76028 Contact: Linda Molina 817-447-7371

The Mission of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate for business members and the community by giving support, encouragement and promotion of local businesses through various avenues of networking to share ideas, grow business and help each other succeed.

Contact Us at 817-295-6121 SHERRI SECHRIST President

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(817) 386-8170 1024 S.W. Alsbury, Burleson, TX 76028 (817) 558-0226 827 North Main, Cleburne, TX

Courtesy photo

Sani Adamou stands in front of a garden in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. Adamou is a legal expert, French teacher, soccer coach and world traveler.

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Community Life

By the time Adamou entered school he had learned enough French. At school, Adamou said every child possesses an eagerness to learn. “In Benin, people love school. They love going to school because they believe simply that the only key to succeed in life is to receive education,” he said. Adamou said he believes that their eagerness is a direct consequence of the French colonization in Africa. During the French colonization, a French school system was in place in West African countries, including Benin and Niger. When the countries gained independence in 1960, those who were privileged to be part of the French school system were the ones who became the elites of the country, Adamou said. “That really resonated among the whole population because the people saw someone. Those who had replaced the white leaders were educated. So, therefore in order to become a leader, to lead a country or to do anything, you have to have an education,” he said. That concept remained deeply rooted with families and they valued education. Adamou said it didn’t matter whether a student had money or not, poverty had never been a hindrance to a child’s education. “I hear people here using poverty as an excuse and saying the kid cannot learn. That’s not true,” he said. “I remember when going to elementary school — in my classroom we didn’t even have desks — we would sit on the floor. Some kids would come to school without shoes but we were all eager to learn. We wanted to learn so bad.” Adamou said his father was a major influence in his education. His father didn’t have any schooling, was illiterate and couldn’t even write his own name. Although he had a successful business he always regretted not going to school, which resonated within Adamou. “I already had the love for schooling and here’s my dad that I see as an example because he was successful,” he said. “And even though he didn’t go to school I saw him as someone that everyone respected and for him to say that the only thing he missed and regretted in his life was not going to school motivated me.” From law to teaching Adamou finished high school in Niger and studied law in Benin in 1995. Adamou said he 28

Community Life

Courtesy photo

Sani Adamou stands in front of El Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico, a large preColumbian city built by the Mayans.

liked to argue, which led him to believe law would be best suited for him as a career and he also wanted to help people. To receive the best and highest law school experience, Adamou said, he needed to go to France because it set the example of the best education in Africa. But he didn’t have money, so he picked up a job working as a car salesman. After a lot of hard work he was able to earn enough money to get to France and finish his law degree in the University of Nanterre. Before taking the bar exam, Adamou interned at a law firm for about six months. While interning in Paris, he discovered something that would change the course of his ca-

reer. Law is not what he wanted to do anymore. “It was very stressful and I also realized it was all about making money and winning kisses rather than helping,” he said. “We had people who raped children and women that we were defending. As an intern, my job was to find elements to build a case for those kinds of people so we can use that against the victims. I couldn’t do that.” Adamou said it was a sad moment for him because he loved being in law school and now that he finished he realized it was not what he wanted to do. But then he started to hear about the possibility of acquiring more education.

Sani Adamou has taught French for two years at Cleburne High School. He encourages his students to only speak French while in the classroom. Photo by Nicole Luna

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“The only thing that came to my mind was to teach. I love talking and sharing knowledge,” he said. So taking his father’s advice of “going as fast possible,” Adamou decided to shoot for a Ph.D. in political science to become a college professor. He went to the University of St. Denis to obtain a master’s degree in political science. By the end of the school year, Adamou decided to join the doctorate program to teach at a collegiate level. However, the process to do that would have been next to impossible. In a meeting, his thesis director was honest with him and told him even though Adamou was good he wasn’t going to be part of the doctorate program. The selection process was discriminatory, Adamou said. “They were looking for 12 people for the doctorate program ... [The university] would select first the French — and by French I mean white people — then the other Europeans and by that time the program would already have enough people,” Adamou said. “So my thesis director suggested I go to another school.” Living in the French society, Adamou said he had already been living with discrimination on a daily basis. Even though it is a multicultural society, the legal system didn’t have any civil rights laws to protect those who were being discriminated against. “You don’t see black people like Oprah on TV, you don’t see colored people on TV at all and that is still the case. So, I decided to leave because I was tired of that,” he said. Moving to the U.S. Adamou often spoke to an old high school friend who did his schooling in the U.S. His friend told him about his positive experience. “I thought it must be a better setting here so I did some research and decided to come [to the U.S.],” Adamou said. In 2001, Adamou made his way to the University of Nebraska in Omaha. It was the most inexpensive school to learn English. Adamou knew six languages and English was not one of them. He studied English briefly in high school but it never stuck. Adamou speaks French and five African languages — Djerma, Hausa, Fon, Dgon and Yoruba. He didn’t earn a degree at UNO. He wanted to take courses to learn English so he could study for his Graduate Record Examination to get into graduate school. He set a goal for himself to get into Tufts 30

Community Life

University in Boston. He was admitted but tuition was too high for him. Adamou ended up at Brigham Young University in Utah because it was inexpensive and the school offered a teaching position in the French department. However, the university did not have a political science program and to teach Adamou had to be seeking a graduate degree in French studies. He pursued a master’s degree in French studies, then he was accepted into the University of Texas at Austin’s doctoral program. Adamou received his Ph.D. in French studies with a focus on African-French speaking countries. He taught at UT for six years but while doing that he quickly realized he didn’t want to be part of the academic world.

Falls ISD. After the French program began to die down at the district, Adamou made his way to Cleburne ISD. Living in Cleburne Adamou has had an incredible journey from Africa to Cleburne and when asked if he’s finally doing what he loves, he says it’s his dream job. “My dream job is to teach and I think whether I live here or go back home, I will continue to teach because, really, to me that is in my mind there is only one way to make a society work and that’s through education,” Adamou said. In addition to teaching French, Adamou also helps coach girls junior varsity

Courtesy photo

Sani Adamou visited Locarno, Switzerland. Adamou is a world traveler and has been to many continents, including his upcoming trip to Russia.

“One thing I didn’t like was that it was more about politics rather than teaching,” he said. “You have to get published [to maintain the position] and it didn’t matter how the professors did it.” To him, the academic world is more about seeking recognition rather than sharing knowledge. “I love teaching and my goal is to share knowledge ... only through acquiring knowledge can people gain self-consciousness about themselves,” Adamou said. “So my idea was just to teach and my goal was to go back home and help teach.” Adamou obtained his teaching certification and began teaching French at Marble

soccer. Growing up Adamou always played soccer. “Soccer is the cheapest sport you can play,” he said. “Back in Africa, we played in the street, we played at school and we even played in the classroom when there was nothing to do. So, soccer has always been part of my life I can’t ever remember the first time I touched the ball, probably when I started walking, and so it’s a passion.” Fellow coach and Spanish teacher Ciro Salazar said Adamou’s experiences teaching in different areas sets him apart from other teachers. “His experience in different countries

Sani Adamou, left, also coaches the Cleburne High School girls’ junior varsity soccer team. Adamou has played soccer since he could walk. It’s a sport, he said, anybody can play and have fun. Courtesy photo

changes his cosmovision of the world and provides an open teaching environment,” Salazar said. Salazar also said Adamou has the ability to motivate his students because he comes from a country of extreme poverty and yet that has never held him back. He’s always had that want and need for education. “He is so humbled, I admire that about him,” Salazar said. “He has a doctorate degree and yet he refuses to be called doctor.” Through the Jacket Talk Mentor Program established by Principal Jennifer Baadsgaard, Adamou met Florence Dossett, a former CHS French teacher. “He had so much experience teaching than rather acting as a mentor I was re-

ally moral support,” Dossett said. “I just wanted to make sure he felt welcomed.” With Adamou’s worldly experience, Dossett describes him having a logical mind and a great thinker. “As a teacher, I think he has a lot more to offer the students,” she said. “And he is willing to share everything he knows.” Adamou has lived in Cleburne for two years and Dossett said he has transitioned greatly into the community. “He left a career of being a lawyer in order to help people,” Dossett said. “So not only is he a great teacher but also a great community member.” Adamou recently participated in the Layland Museum’s Around the World pre-

sentation. He gave a talk about Africa and working in France. He has been married for 10 years and has a 9-year-old son. Right now Adamou said he is happy where he is but he does have plans to return to Africa someday in hopes to open a professional development business to help train public employees. Adamou said education is always the primary thing and there is always something to accomplish. “As long as I have the energy to teach, that is what I will do,” he said. As his class walks in ready for the day’s lesson he greets his students in French, “Bonne classe du matin,” which in English means, “Good morning class.” n

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Spread your horizons with Apple TV By Monica Faram Technology

W

e recently made a switch in cable providers. Along with the change we purchased an Apple TV. I never knew what I was missing. Apple TV is not an actual television but rather a small box that can be hooked up to any high-definition TV via an HDMI cable. The first generation launched in 2007 and it has been updated twice since. The third generation added 1080p. For $99, the tiny 4-inch-by-4-inch box holds a lot of power. The interface is simple and easy to use, making it a good choice for anyone of any age. Accessing your iCloud music, movies and photos is easy. You can even set the screensaver for the TV to play photos.

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Community Life

One of my favorite features is iTunes Radio. Free streaming stations range from country to Christian to rock ‘n’ roll. With subscriptions, you can stream content from Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Watch ESPN and more. With monthly fees as low as $8, this is an affordable option for entertainment. All of those subscriptions are also available as mobile apps. You can also use your cable network to play shows

from ABC, Disney and more. The feature we use most is AirPlay. AirPlay allows you to mirror what you are seeing on your iPhone, iPad or Mac on the TV by connecting the devices over a wireless network. You can also download the Apple TV Remote app for you iPhone or iPad for free from the App Store. This allows you to control the box with your mobile device. We use this to plays games and movies and just about anything else you can imagine. The downside to the box is it is not a media center per say. As all Apple devices, you are limited to viewing what you purchase directly from Apple or another service. You cannot just plug in any movie and watch. It also does not allow over-the-air TV channels so you cannot watch shows on it unless they are purchased from Apple. We get around this by using AirPlay to mirror our iPad and playing shows off the mobile app from our cable provider. Bottom line: Apple TV is a small but powerful device that gives you several entertainment options for a low price. If you already have Apple devices in your home, you will get more bang for your buck with all the additional features. n

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Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

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Chamber golf tourney May 30

he 15th annual Cleburne Chamber of Commerce golf tournament kicks off with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. May 30 at Cleburne Golf Links. The event is sponsored by Bates etc. Travel for the fifth consecutive year. The event offers a recreational opportunity for businesses to network and spend time with other chamber members, chamber officials said. New this year is an opportunity to participate in a Poker Run. Best hand will win half the pot of money. Like last year, the tournament will also have a raffle for two large giveaways — the 19th hole putting contest and $1 Million Shot contest. The raffle is open to anyone in the community and the drawings will be the day of the tournament but the winner does not have to be present to win. Tickets are available at the chamber for $5 each or five tickets for $20 and will also be sold at the tournament. Registration is open for teams or individual players and there are sponsorships available for businesses wanting to advertise. For information on sponsorships and volunteering at the tournament, call the chamber at 817-645-2455.

James Hardie. The Making of a Dream Home. Š

-DPHV+DUGLH A Great Place To Work. www.jameshardie.com

34

Community Life

O

Pat Cleburne Days returns

n April 12, Byron “Buddy� Stewart Park will take on a life of it’s own as much of the park will be transformed to the 1800s when Gen. Pat Cleburne, the city’s namesake, was living. Along with this comes cannon firings, Civil War re-enactments and paraphernalia from that time period. Birthday celebrants at the Gen. Pat Cleburne Birthday/Scottish Festival & Heritage Celebration, sponsored by H-E-B Grocery, will have an opportunity to experience a living history of the Civil War and an all around good time. Three years ago the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce brought back the Pat Cleburne Celebration after a 10-year leave of absence. Each year the event is growing and we are looking forward to this year’s event being better than ever. Activities include live music, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, living history groups, storytellers and a variety of vendors. Sponsorships and vendor spaces are still available for this event. For information, contact the chamber at 817-645-2455.

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Community Life

35

Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

2014 Calendar of Events APRIL 3-12 12 14 14-18 18-20 18-26 26 26 29

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Kiss Me, Kate� Gen. Pat Cleburne Birthday Celebration Johnson County Annual Iris Show Community Holy Week Services Antique Alley & Yard Sale Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Enchanted April� Cowboys for Kids PBR Bull Riding & Celebrity Team Roping Springfest Brazos Chamber Orchestra spring concert

1-10 16-31 30

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Enchanted April� Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Camelot� Chamber golf tournament

MAY

JUNE 5-14 11-14 14 20-28 27-29

JULY 4 3-19 4-13 26

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Camelot� Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo Johnson County Daylily Show Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Steel Magnolias� Carnegie Players presents “Titanic, The Musical�

Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display Plaza Theatre Co. presents�Steel Magnolias� Carnegie Players presents “Titanic, The Musical� Tour de Goatneck Bike Ride

AUGUST 9 15-30 27

Chamber night golf tournament Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do� Chamber quarterly luncheon

SEPTEMBER 4-13 19-27 12-28 19-21

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do� Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Father of the Bride� Carnegie Players presents “Pump Boys and Dinettes� Antique Alley & Yard Sale

OCTOBER 2-11 4 17-30 TBA

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Father of the Bride� Chamber Business Expo Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Little Shop of Horrors� Brazos Chamber Orchestra Fall Concert

NOVEMBER 1-15 21-22 21-29 24

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Little Shop of Horrors� Pioneer Days Plaza Theatre Co. presents “A Christmas Carol� Whistle Stop Christmas lighting

DECEMBER 1-31 5-23 5 5 5-14 TBA

Whistle Stop Christmas Lights in the Park Plaza Theatre Co. presents “A Christmas Carol� Christmas Parade Whistle Stop Christmas in the Park Carnegie Players presents “’Twas the Night Before Christmas� Brazos Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert

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36

Community Life

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April 12

May

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General Pat Cleburne Birthday Celebration Taking place at Byron Stewart Park off U.S. 67 on the west side of town the last part of March or the first week in April, this event helps celebrate the birthday of General Pat Cleburne for whom the town was named. Festivities include music, food and beverage vendors, a classic tractor show, performances by western re-enactors, a replica Confederate army encampment with cannons firing periodically and much more. Contact 817645-2455 for exact dates or visit www.cleburnechamber.com.

15th annual golf tournament This year’s chamber golf tournament is set for May 30 at Cleburne Golf Links.

Summer

 July Summer Concert Series in Market Square Dates and performers to be announced. Under the stars of Cleburne’s downtown in Market Square. Music venue, family friendly in a relaxed atmosphere.

4th of July Extravaganza The event includes a patriotic parade and a fabulous evening fireworks display, all taking place at Lake Pat Cleburne. Call 817-645-2455 for more information.

 December

 October Business Expo The 16th annual chamber event that gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their goods and services in a booth display. The publicized event invites people from Cleburne and neighboring cities and counties to see what Cleburne businesses have to offer. More than 2,000 to 3,000 people attend. This event is held at the Cleburne Conference Center.

Whistle Stop Christmas Annual event celebrating Christmas time in Cleburne. Hulen Park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland with over 3 and a half million Christmas lights and beautiful lighted holiday displays throughout the 9 acre park. Lights can be viewed every evening from Thanksgiving until the end of December. Along with the lights there is the annual Christmas parade and Candlewalk Tour of Homes, featuring several of the historic homes in downtown Cleburne. For more information call 817-645-2455, or visit www.whistlestopchristmas.com.

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Community Life

37

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dreams STORY BY A.J. Crisp

Godley alum a part of ut basketball

38

Community Life

N

ow in her third season at the University of Texas as a member of the Longhorn women’s basketball team, 2011 Godley graduate Brady Sanders has experienced the highs and lows of being a college student-athlete. The 5-foot, 11-inch Texas sophomore dominated opponents in high school and, after being redshirted her freshman year at Texas because of neck surgery and going through a coaching

change, Sanders just now has experienced the success she had hoped for. After spending her first three years at Joshua High School, Sanders, the 2011 All-Johnson County MVP, helped lead the third-ranked Godley Lady Cats to the Class 2A regional final before falling to the eventual state champion, Brock, 43-33. In that game, Sanders scored 29 of Godley’s 33 points against the powerhouse Lady Eagles.

Photo by Steven Hiser

Godley graduate Brady Sanders has been a major contributor in the success for the University of Texas’ women’s basketball team. After going through a challenging freshman year at UT recovering from neck surgery, Sanders has worked her way into the starting lineup as a sophomore this season.

Community Life

39

“For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience,” Godley from being the player of the year in the state of Texas in high school Coach Mark Chauveaux said of coaching Sanders. “You don’t get a to really having a tough freshman year where she had neck surgery. chance to coach kids with that kind of talent very often. I know I Last year, her redshirt freshman year, the team didn’t do that well. haven’t before or since. I think the biggest impact she had for our They were kind of rebuilding a little bit but now they have some program, in addition to how well she played, was what she brought good talent. to practice each and every day — the fire and enthusiasm, and just “Brady has worked so hard, which I knew she was going to, but I an overall love of the game. She was always wanting to get better don’t know if the new coaching staff understood what kind of work every day. ... We still talk about her and what she brought to our ethic she had and I think she’s opened some people’s eyes. program. All of our kids still watch her on TV anytime she’s on.” “Every time we watch her on TV, the announcers go crazy about During her senior what kind of work ethic season for Godley, Sandshe has. She has talent, but ers averaged 17.5 points, she’s gotten everything 5.1 assists and 3 steals out of her ability. She’s just per game. She scored a great kid.” 2,051 points in her high Sanders admits it has school career. In 2011, taken some adjusting. she was named the Texas “This process hasn’t Girls Basketball Assobeen an easy one,” Sandciation 1A-3A player of ers said. “Coming in my the year and was named freshman year, you don’t to the 2011 TGBA Allexpect to get hurt and not State/All-Star North be able to play for a year. team. Then getting a new coach, “The most memoit was a difficult first year rable experiences I have and a half for me. from high school would “This year, being unjust be my entire seder the new coaching staff nior year,” Sanders said. has definitely been much “Being able to play in easier, due to the fact that packed gyms at almost I now know what the every home game, and coaches expect day in and to just have the full day out from me, and just support of the entire fully understanding my town every game day is role makes it a lot easier.” Photo by Jane Rose something I will never Sanders credits her Brady Sanders speaks to the media during a postgame interview after forget.” upbringing and the smallTexas beat Iowa State, 71-64, on Feb. 9 at the Frank Erwin Center in As a junior for the Austin. Sanders had 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in town values that were inJoshua Lady Owls, the win. stilled in her at a young Sanders averaged 20.6 age as the main reasons points per game, which was second in the state among Class 4A for how she’s overcome her obstacles during her first couple of years players, and had 3.9 assists per game. She received the District 8-4A in Austin. MVP and was voted as the district’s newcomer of the year her fresh“The experience has been one to remember,” she said. “To all man season. the adversities I have faced with injuries, the small-town core values But, her transition to being a collegiate student-athlete at a ma- that my parents instilled in me has definitely been what has kept me jor Division I university wasn’t one without hurdles. going in getting where I am today.” “For most kids that play in college in whatever sport, they were After recovering from her surgery, Sanders made an impact as a probably the stud on their team in high school and they get to col- redshirt freshman for the 2012-13 season in Karen Aston’s first year lege and it’s a wake-up call,” Chauveaux said. “With her, she went as the head coach, but Texas struggled to a 12-18 record.

40

Community Life

Community Life

41

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124 S. Ridgeway Dr., Cleburne • 817-645-1701 • www.ambartreeflorist.com Connect to the Cleburne Times-Review from anywhere with

e-edition.

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thursday

January 26, 2012

Master Gardener Page 4

10 paGes â?š VoluMe 103 â?š no. 19

By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Stephanie Falter and Lisa Chambers, two concerned Godley ISD mothers, said they are pleased their children no longer wait for the bus in front of sex offenders’ homes. “I wanted to know why my children were being dangled in front of

sports

â?šx A 53-year-old Burleson woman reporting for jury duty was charged with trying to take a loaded .32-caliber handgun into a Fort Worth courthouse. page 3

â?šx Burleson and Cleburne will battle at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Gym. page 6

Johnson County’s daIly newspaper

Parents want ISDs to be aware After two bus stops moved away from sex offenders’ homes, GISD parents say work not done

InsIde

a sex offender like a piece of candy,� Chambers said Wednesday, two days after her childrens’ bus stop was moved from across the street — where a registered sex offender lives — to in front of her house. There was not always an issue with the bus stop, Chambers said. Up until two years ago, it was in front of her home. But when a neighbor placed large trash containers near the original bus stop, the district abruptly changed the stop to the sex offender’s driveway, she

said. The man is charged with indecent sexual contact with a 7-yearold child. The district’s reasoning, Chambers said she was told, was that the bus driver did not have a clear line of sight when students entered or exited the bus because of the containers. Transportation Director Joe Danna said he did not recall the reason for moving the original bus see aware, page 5

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Number of sex offenders increases More than 7,000 names added since June By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The

drought no more

survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders. The numbers represent a 23 percent increase over the last five years, with about 7,555 new names added since June. California had the first registry in 1947 and today has the most registered offenders. Texas has the secondhighest number of offenders, topping out at 68,529, followed by see oFFenders, page 5

Automated system about six months away

Johnson County’s daIly newspaper

After two bus stops moved away from sex offenders’ homes, GISD parents say work not done By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Stephanie Falter and Lisa Chambers, two concerned Godley ISD mothers, said they are pleased their children no longer wait for the bus in front of sex offenders’ homes. “I wanted to know why my children were being dangled in front of

a sex offender like a piece of candy,� Chambers said Wednesday, two days after her childrens’ bus stop was moved from across the street — where a registered sex offender lives — to in front of her house. There was not always an issue with the bus stop, Chambers said. Up until two years ago, it was in front of her home. But when a neighbor placed large trash containers near the original bus stop, the district abruptly changed the stop to the sex offender’s driveway, she

April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes. The average rainfall amount across North Texas measured 4 inches. However, Cleburne Municipal Airport reported about 3.78 inches of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, a little less than the amount collected in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said he believes the rain will snap the county’s drought that has lasted for more than a year. see raIns, page 5

see trash, page 5

John D. Harden/Times-Review

42

about 4 inches of rain in Johnson County on wednesday turned Buffalo Creek in hulen park into a miniature raging river. the rain, which lasted for almost 24 hours, brought much needed relief to Johnson County creeks, rivers and lakes, Johnson County Judge roger harmon said. Below: water in a creek near Bainum Field in keene almost flooded a bridge after receiving heavy rainfall on tuesday and wednesday. In fall, the creek was nearly dry, but now sits above normal levels.

Community Life

Heavy rains raise water levels

By John D. hArDen reporter3@trcle.com

said. The man is charged with indecent sexual contact with a 7-yearold child. The district’s reasoning, Chambers said she was told, was that the bus driver did not have a clear line of sight when students entered or exited the bus because of the containers. Transportation Director Joe Danna said he did not recall the reason for moving the original bus see aware, page 5

sports â?šx Burleson and Cleburne will battle at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Gym. page 6

75¢ weekdays — $1.50 sundays

Number of sex offenders increases

survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders. The numbers represent a 23 percent increase over the last five years, with about 7,555 new names added since June. California had the first registry in 1947 and today has the most registered offenders. Texas has the secondhighest number of offenders, topping out at 68,529, followed by

More than 7,000 names added since June By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The

drought no more

see oFFenders, page 5

Council approves trash truck purchases Automated system about six months away By mAtt smith

msmith@trcle.com

John D. Harden/Times-Review

about 4 inches of rain in Johnson County on wednesday turned Buffalo Creek in hulen park into a miniature raging river. the rain, which lasted for almost 24 hours, brought much needed relief to Johnson County creeks, rivers and lakes, Johnson County Judge roger harmon said. Below: water in a creek near Bainum Field in keene almost flooded a bridge after receiving heavy rainfall on tuesday and wednesday. In fall, the creek was nearly dry, but now sits above normal levels.

Heavy rains raise water levels

By John D. hArDen reporter3@trcle.com

April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes. The average rainfall amount across North Texas measured 4 inches. However, Cleburne Municipal Airport reported about 3.78 inches of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, a little less than the amount collected in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said he believes the rain will snap the county’s drought that has lasted for more than a year.

By mAtt smith

msmith@trcle.com

City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night. Cleburne City Council members the same night approved the purchase of garbage trucks and trash containers for residents through the Texas Buyboard at a cost of $1,045,805.34. That cost includes a $500,000 down payment funded through the city’s equipment fund. The remainder will be financed over five years through Community Bank at a rate of 2.46 percent. The price also includes purchase of equipment to retrofit two of the city’s existing garbage trucks into automated trucks. After the new system is enacted, trash collections will drop from six routes to three citywide. Esquivel said the city will probably phase the new system in one route at a time. Under the system residents will place their city-supplied containers curbside to be collected by the automated trucks. Changing from a manual to an automated system will improve worker safety as only one worker will be required per truck, city officials said. That worker will rarely have to get out

InsIde â?šx A 53-year-old Burleson woman reporting for jury duty was charged with trying to take a loaded .32-caliber handgun into a Fort Worth courthouse. page 3

Page 4

10 paGes â?š VoluMe 103 â?š no. 19

Parents want ISDs to be aware

Council approves trash truck purchases

$

Cyan Yellow Magenta Black

InsIde

Master Gardener

thursday

January 26, 2012

City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night. Cleburne City Council members the same night approved the purchase of garbage trucks and trash containers for residents through the Texas Buyboard at a cost of $1,045,805.34. That cost includes a $500,000 down payment funded through the city’s equipment fund. The remainder will be financed over five years through Community Bank at a rate of 2.46 percent. The price also includes purchase of equipment to retrofit two of the city’s existing garbage trucks into automated trucks. After the new system is enacted, trash collections will drop from six routes to three citywide. Esquivel said the city will probably phase the new system in one route at a time. Under the system residents will place their city-supplied containers curbside to be collected by the automated trucks. Changing from a manual to an automated system will improve worker safety as only one worker will be required per truck, city officials said. That worker will rarely have to get out

see raIns, page 5

see trash, page 5

Rain related incidents mild, Cleburne rescue workers say No serious injuries reported By mAtt smith

msmith@trcle.com

Heavy rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday spurred several calls to the Cleburne police and fire departments, but resulted in no serious injuries or damage, officials said. “We had some vehicles off the road, motorists stranded and calls of tree limbs down,� CPD Deputy Chief Amy Knoll said. “But no major incidents.� Cleburne firefighters responded to as-

sist Alvarado firefighters on a swift-water rescue at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday near county roads 607 and 508. A car washed off the road with people trapped inside. Alvarado firefighters managed to safely extract the people from the car before Cleburne firefighters arrived. Cleburne firefighters responded about 8 a.m. the same morning to Pipeline Road after a woman’s car became stuck in high water. The car stalled after being driven into high water, CFD Assistant Chief Randy Jenkins said. The woman suffered no injuries and firefighters removed her without incident.

817-558-6997 • 817-296-4890 www.darryllackey.com

InsIde

The Johnson County Emergency Services District No. 1 dispatched six weather-related calls as of 11 a.m. Wednesday. Three involved vehicles stuck in high water, one involved a tree in a roadway, another a transformer fire and the last the loss of power in Lillian. None of the calls involved injuries. Another Wednesday morning vehicle accident was not weather related. Cleburne police and firefighters responded at 5:43 a.m. to the intersection of East Henderson and Oran streets. The see MIld, page 5

SPRING STORMS ARE COMING SOON‌

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a sign warns drivers to turn around as water from Buffalo Creek rushes over the lowwater crossing on smith street. rescue workers reported several street closures on wednesday because of high water. Matt Smith/ Times-Review

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Sanders was one of three players who participated in all 30 games and she averaged 18.3 minutes per contest. She led Texas in free-throw percentage (84 percent), ranked third on the team in assists (59) and fifth on the team in total points (131). She also received Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors. Sanders said there are several differences between being a student-athlete at the collegiate level compared to high school, both on and off the court. “The toughest change basketball-wise would have to be the pace of the game,” she said. “In high school, there were not a lot of players that were super competitive, but in college it is completely different. Every game you are going up against elite players from all over the country and you have to be mentally and physically prepared. “Being a student here also requires a lot of effort. Most people don’t realize how hard being a student-athlete is, especially at The University of Texas. Being able to manage your time between the two is definitely the hardest part.” The Longhorns ended the regular season with a 21-11 overall record and finished third in the Big XII standings behind Baylor and West Virginia. Texas earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and a first-round matchup with No. 12-seeded Penn. Sanders started 26 of the 32 regular season games played. She averaged a teamhigh 26.1 minutes per game. Sanders averaged 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists while leading the Longhorns in freethrow percentage (.833) and was second on the team in 3-point field goal percentage (.390). “My goals for the team is to finish in the top three of the conference, win the Big 12 tournament, and, of course, the national championship,” Sanders said. “I think with all the players we have and the commitment we all share for this program, that makes all these goals very attainable. “The main thing I am looking forward to over the next two years is just the overall growth of this program. Since Coach Aston has been here you can already tell the drastic change in the way Texas performs. With this team still being really young and the new talent we have coming in, I don’t think there is a limit on what we can accomplish,

and that is really exciting to know you are part of something great.” Chauveaux said he still stays in contact with Sanders and that she has stayed in touch with the program at Godley. “I talk to her quite a bit,” Chauveaux said. “She’s having a heck of a year. ... Their team is doing really well. We take our team over and watch them play when they’re at TCU. I’ve been down to Austin to see her play a time or two. She still keeps up with some of the kids on our team. “Everybody really looks up to her and just enjoys watching her. We try to let [Godley students] know when she’s going to be on because she still has an affect on our program because our kids can watch her play and see her passion for the game and maybe it’ll rub off on our kids.” Sanders said having the support from Johnson County means a lot and helps keep her going. “I receive a lot of support from back home, which means the world to me,” she said. “My family, especially, is a major factor in my support system, but to even have people from Joshua, Godley and Cleburne is something really special. Especially at the TCU game, it was humbling to see all the people from my hometown who came out to support me and my team. It truly means a lot to me. It is just nice to have all their support and to know they are all proud of me.” Playing collegiate basketball — and at UT specifically — has been a goal of Sanders’ since she can remember. “Playing Division I basketball has always been a dream of mine since the first time I even picked up a basketball,” she said. “It is crazy to think that I used to run around pretending to be a Texas Longhorn and dream of running through the smoke hearing my name being called in the starting line-up, and now that is my reality. “The University of Texas was my dream school since as far back as I can remember, and just to be able to wear burnt orange and play for my state, it’s an unbelievable experience that I am truly grateful for. “All I have to say for kids out there with dreams of playing basketball or any other sport is just don’t give up and don’t listen to anyone who tells you you can’t. Just keep working hard and never lose sight of what you really want.” n

Photo by Steven Hiser

Brady Sanders was the Texas Girls Coaches Association player of the year for Class 1A-3A during her senior season for the Lady Cats in 2011. She was also the 2011 All-Johnson County MVP. Sanders led Godley to the Class 2A regional final, where the Lady Cats fell to the eventual state champion, Brock, 43-33. Sanders scored 29 of Godley’s 33 points in that game.

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STAGE Streets

“I never thought about being a policeman growing up,” Healy said. “I wanted to be a Broadway star or a movie star. Actually, I wanted to be a pilot, too, but looked into that and found out, because I had to start wearing glasses, I couldn’t.” Healy, 52, was born in San Antonio but grew up in Arlington, graduating from Sam Houston High School and moving on to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a theater degree. Healy’s love of acting took hold early and he acted in several middle and high school plays taking acting, voice and, — sorry to say, Healy jokes — dance lessons so

freaks and then just us, just the plain people. And the plain people were few compared, at least the perception, to the dopers, the ropers, the freaks and socialites. I wasn’t in any of those groups. So I wasn’t accepted by anybody. I had a very tight knit little group of friends. “So, when you went into the theater department — even in high school I was naive — it didn’t matter if you were black or white or gay or straight and I honestly, I had a feeling a couple of the guys were gay but I didn’t know. “I just loved the fact that they didn’t care.

Lane, who went on to star in “The Nanny” and “L.A. Law,” among other gigs. “I guess, as my mother used to say, ‘It’s not theater. This is Texas dammit. It’s thee-ater.’” Change of plans Love, as it will, detoured Healy’s plans. “She was a music major, “ Healy said of his wife, Claire Healy. “She was an opera singer. She has a fantastic voice. If you attended plays at Stage West and Circle Theater then you’ve seen my wife because she did a lot of musical theater and Casa Mañana, Stage West and Circle — ‘Nunsense,’ ‘Angry Housewives.’

Courtesy photos

Left: James Healy, left, as Cornelius in a Arlington Sam Houston High School production of “Hello Dolly.” Also pictured is actress and student Lori Miller. Right: James Healy, left, in Theatre Arlington’s production of “Rumors.” Also pictured are actors Martin Smith and Claire Healy, Healy’s wife.

he could be a triple threat. Healy described himself as a 6-foot, 1-inch, 135-pound bean pole with a gift of making people laugh. One director later dubbed him the man with no bones thanks to his ability to bounce up injury free from harrowing tumbles and pratfalls. “There was I guess really two things I loved about acting,” Healy said. “It allowed you to free yourself, to express yourself through laughter and tears, but being somebody else so it wasn’t personal. “The other thing I loved was the theater department itself was accepting of everyone. I went to a high school where there were dopers and the ropers and the socialites and some 46

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They didn’t care who you were or where you came from as long as you could do what you were supposed to do while you were there. Whether that was design the lighting, bundling a costume or learn lines and do a good performance.” Healy shone at UTA becoming the only theater student, to his knowledge, to win awards for best supporting actor in a musical, best supporting actor of a play, best actor of a play and people’s choice award, voted on by season ticket holders, as well as UTA’s theater award of excellence, which is given by the theater staff. None too shabby considering his classmates were Lou Diamond Phillips and Lauren

And, of course, we’ve done a lot of theater together.” Healy jokes that when Claire sat in his stage side chair one day, he thought she was being rude and was rather slow to realize she was flirting. “I mean, we’re men,” Healy said. “We’re not that bright. I mean in general we’re not that bright, but when it comes to women we’re really stupid.” The couple met during UTA’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” and their romance quickly grew. “One night we both said those three magic words,” Healy said. “I said, ‘I love you’ and her response to those three magic words was,

Courtesy photos

Left: James Healy in Afghanistan in 2006. Healy trained Afghan police officers in the country. Two of James Healy’s head shots. The center one dates from his time in Los Angeles. The one on the right dates from the early to mid-1980s.

‘Get a job.’” to admit, haul ass across Division Street to be Angeles if my son had been alive. I would’ve Two of Healy’s childhood friends were po- at briefing by 10:45 p.m. never taken that chance. He would’ve been lice officers — one in Arlington, the other in “Matter of fact, I got stopped by an Ar- turning 28 this year.” Irving — and suggested he give it a try. He lington officer one night. He was like, ‘Well, Born premature, James Healy III lived 24 did, landing a job at Grand Prairie, and he you need to slow down.’ ‘Yes sir, I apologize.’ days. and Claire wed in 1984. “I got stopped by a Dallas officer coming “We never got to take him home,” Healy Healy soon realized he loved law enforce- home from a theater, I was doing a play in said. “Never got to hold him until he passed ment, but his new passion hardly dampened Dallas one night, and I still had makeup on. away. Today he would have a really good shot his desire for acting. Healy continued land- And I was turning so he couldn’t see my face. at living. But back then they gave him less ing roles at Theatre Arlington than a 20 percent chance.” and other area theater companies The Healys’ marriage veered and appeared in several episodes dangerously close to divorce af[Theatre people] didn’t care of “Walker: Texas Ranger.” He ter the death of their son, Healy who you were or where you also did numerous industrial and said, and likely would not have training films for the Tandy Corp. came from as long as you could survived had they not left Texas. and other companies. “Because of the fact that here, do what you were supposed to “All the time,” Healy said of everything reminds you of the his continued acting pursuits. recent past,” Healy said. “You’re do while you were there. “I specifically wanted to go to coming home to the same house, — James Healy same face. midnight shifts so that during the days I could go on auditions “But, any time you have a and do theater during the evening. There were I was afraid of what this officer would think fight, you grew up here, you have family, you many a night that I went to curtain call with of this policeman sitting in his uniform, you have friends ... You have places you can just my uniform on under the costume to take our know, with makeup on. walk out and go away. bows. During one of the last scene changes I “Usually I don’t wear makeup when I do a “When we moved to LA we had nothing would start to put clothing on. play but this was older age makeup so I had but her job. So, when we got into a fight, it “The last scene was in a robe so I would to wear a little.” was like ‘OK, I’m going to go in the other put my entire uniform on including my black More change, and tragedy, came in 1986. room.’ You couldn’t leave and go somewhere. boots and my robe and come out and take the “My son would be ... oh my God, I can There was nowhere to go. There was no friend bow and go and grab my gun belt and stuff just imagine how different my life would be,” to go to. So actually the trip brought us toand run and go and get in my car and I have Healy said. “I would have never gone to Los gether.”

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James Healy, left, in a late 1980s production of “Biloxi Blues” at Theatre Arlington. Courtesy photo

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Moving on A transfer opportunity in Claire Healy’s job provided the impetus for James Healy to follow his dream. “We all have a dream in life,” Healy said. “And a lot of us sit on our porch one day and think, ‘Dammit, I never tried.’ And I didn’t want to be that guy that hadn’t tried. And as much as I regret it, I don’t regret it because I did it. I tried and, even though it’s egotistical to say, I was a success.” Healy booked his first job within three months of arriving in California, playing the father in an ABC after-school special. Roles on “JAG,” “24,” “Judging Amy,” “Will & Grace” and many more followed. It reached the point, Healy said, where he could act full time without holding down a second job and casting directors began calling him. He even performed stand-up comedy, hoping some producer would catch his act and turn him into the next Jerry Seinfeld or Ray Romano. Healy landed a gig on “General Hospital” by demonstrating

his Cajun accent over the phone. “I played a lot of cops, doctors and reporters,” Healy said. Healy said that he trains young police officers now, and they sometimes recognize him from watching “Even Stevens” and “That’s So Raven” when they were young. “I even did an episode of ‘Power Rangers’

Problem was, Healy said, he hated Los Angeles and, though he met some really nice people, he didn’t like the overall superficiality of the business. Healy said he saw one too many former moderate to fairly well known stars living in cheap apartments and driving beater cars. And he missed police work. “And my wife said she’d kill me,” Healy said. “Said I could either be single or move back home. She did not like LA. I was doing really well, I’m proud of but hated it, too.” Healy said he prefers stage [my acting career,] work to the tedium of sitting but it’s not something about on a film set. The Healys headed back to I throw out there. Texas in 2002. Healy joined the — James Healy Kennedale Police Department, trained police officers in Afghanistan for a while and eventually aronce,” Healy said. “A friend called and said rived at Godley PD. the guy who was supposed to play the role In 2003, the Healys’ daughter, Jenny broke his leg and asked if I would do it. I said, Healy was born. Healy splits his time now be‘Dude, it’s ‘Power Rangers.’ He said, ‘What tween family, GPD and teaching at UTA and else are you doing tomorrow? Plus you know the regional police academy in Arlington. it’s $650 for the day.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m “Some of them, in society we have that there.’” ignorance, that fear factor, they don’t under-

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James Healy, right, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with U.S., Afghan and Canadian military officials.

Courtesy photo

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I think it’s really something that Chief Healy got the chance to pursue his interests in the two careers he loved, acting and in law enforcement.

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James Healy has had several roles in well-known TV shows, including his role as Dr. Kinnard on “24.” Courtesy photo

Cleburne Police Chief Robert Severance

stand,” Healy said of his fellow Grand Prairie officer’s reaction to his acting career. “But I have to tell you, in the long run, I had so many officers, dispatchers, detention officers and records clerks showing up to see me in plays. “I actually introduced a lot of my Grand Prairie friends to theater. They had never been to the theater in their lives.” Healy joked that he kept his former theater and movie career on the hush hush when he came to Godley, which held until Godley Municipal Judge Scotty Roberts talked up Healy’s accomplishments one day at the barber shop. “I’m proud of it, but it’s not something I

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throw out there,” Healy said. Godley Mayor David Wallis said he thinks it’s pretty cool. “Maybe it’s a little different, out of the ordinary to have a police chief who was an actor,” Wallis said. “But James has done a great job for us, and a lot for the department.” Cleburne Police Chief Robert Severance, who began his law enforcement career at GPD and worked with Healy for a short time, said he never got the opportunity to see Healy perform on stage, but wishes he did. “I think it’s really something that Chief Healy got the chance to pursue his interests in the two careers he loved, acting and in law

enforcement,” Severance said. “A lot of people don’t get the chance to pursue one career they really care about, let alone two.” Healy doesn’t rule out a return to the stage, but said the focus now is squarely on his family and police work. Healy had one acting relapse in 2011 after a director at Theatre Arlington asked him to star in a production of “How I Learned to Drive.” Despite being out of acting for several years at that point, Healy won Theatre Arlington’s best actor award that year. “That made me feel nice,” Healy said. “I don’t know that I’ll do any more acting, but that made me feel like I still had it.” n

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Ways to make your outdoor living spaces more useful all year

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o matter if you live on a coast or in the Upper Midwest, you can use your outdoor spaces to the fullest in any season by adding a few enhancements. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, it’s easy to add features like a seat wall and a fire ring for an outdoor gathering spot, or an outdoor kitchen to create the taste of summer all year. A few simple improvements can help you create a space that keeps you outside longer into the night, earlier in the spring and later into the cooler seasons.

1. Add a fire feature

Even in sunny Florida, it can get chilly at night. An outdoor fireplace, fire table, fire pit or chiminea will enhance any outdoor space. A 2013 membership survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects found that 97 percent of respondents saw moderate to high demand for fire pits and fireplaces. “Some of our most popular installations feature fireplaces on a patio or a fire ring surrounded by a seat wall,” said Kelly

O’Donahue, a landscape designer from Villa Landscapes in St. Paul, Minn. “A fire feature is a useful and beautiful addition to any outdoor living space that you can enjoy in all seasons.”

2. Create a convenient outdoor cooking space.

A dedicated space for the grill close to a door lets you barbecue in any season. A complete outdoor kitchen is even better. “Cooking outside isn’t just for summertime anymore,” O’Donahue said. “Grill islands and outdoor kitchens are very popular requests when designing outdoor spaces.”

3. Add retaining and seat walls. A variety of outdoor hardscape features can be created with Versa-Lok segmental retaining walls. “You can create a variety of features including stairs, retaining walls, freestanding walls, couches, tiered walls, planters, columns, multi-angled corners and curves,” said Matt Singer, director of national sales and training at Versa-Lok. In addition to versatility in design, Versa-Lok’s ease of installation makes it a favorite among homeowners and professionals alike. “With the pinning system, it’s easy to create inside and outside curves of differing radiuses and other features, like a seat wall around a fire pit or a windbreak around a patio,” Singer said. 4. Add lighting. A variety of lighting options for outdoor spaces exist, and it’s a good idea to include lighting design for safety and aesthetics in your landscaping plans, says O’Donahue. Low-voltage LED uplights along walls and structures and downlights along pathways and walkways are popular. “Lighting can be installed within retaining walls, under capstones and among paving stone pathways and patios,” O’Donahue said. Even a simple string of lights around a patio or deck railing adds a warm ambience to evenings and cool nights. Community Life

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5. Install a paving stone patio.

Interlocking concrete paving stones fit any outdoor landscape style, from classic to contemporary. Pavers are easy to install, come in many styles and colors and require little to no maintenance. Some pavers, like Slatestone from Willow Creek Paving Stones, feature a surface texture like natural stone.

6. Select year-round outdoor furniture. Look for outdoor furniture that’s durable and doesn’t need storage or annual maintenance other than cleaning.

“Due to durability and ease of maintenance, many homeowners and businesses choose recycled HDPE furniture like our Comfort Craft line over traditional wood and wrought iron outdoor furniture, which needs to be stored in the winter,” said Dave Johnson of ShopPatiotown.com with stores in Minneapolis/St. Paul. “People like to set it out and forget about it. When you use it in fall or winter you can add removable cushions for warmth.”

7. Shelter’s not just for shade. Take shelter from the elements with a variety of pergolas, awnings and other coverings for patios and decks that not only provide shade but also help protect from wind and inclement weather. 8. Turn on the heat. A variety of portable outdoor gas or electric patio heaters and lamps adds warmth and light to outdoor spaces. “Freestanding heaters, lamps and tabletop fire bowls and pots are very popular,” Johnson said.

Local Kitchen & Bath Showroom for all your kitchen or bath remodeling needs. Products and Services offered include: Cabinets, Countertops, Tile Floors, Kitchen Backsplashes, Tile Tub & Shower Surrounds, Project Design and Construction. 915 N. Nolan River Rd., Ste. F / 817-774-2977 / www.thecabinetrytx.com 56

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How to reduce home improvement project waste

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he home improvement industry has grown considerably over the last several decades, as homeowners increasingly took steps to turn their homes into personal oases. But such projects often produce substantial amounts of waste, negatively impacting the environment as a result. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 170 million tons of building construction, renovation and demolition-derived wastes were generated in 2003, a year when the housing market was thriving and homeowners were not shying away from costly home improvement projects. With the housing market once again on the rebound, the home improvement industry figures to benefit once again. There are steps eco-conscious homeowners can take to reduce waste while improving their homes. zx Save salvageable materials. Some materials simply must be discarded when making improvements to a home. But many more materials can be salvaged. When making renovations to a home, separate materials like lumber, hardware, fixtures, and even appliances that can be salvaged from those materials that must be discarded. Many communities are home to organizations that collect salvageable materials, and these materials can be reused by fellow homeowners or other organizations down the road.

zx Speak to contractors about recycling. Contractors working on a home typically know which materials can be recycled in a given area. When discussing prospective projects with contractors, homeowners can mention their willingness to recycle materials. Wood is a versatile material that can be turned into reclaimed or composite wood products, including decks or other items used around the home. Old wood being removed from a home may even work as mulch, which homeowners can spread around their yards to add aesthetic appeal and protect plants on hot summer days. Even asphalt and concrete can be recycled into new products, and homeowners should discuss their wishes to recycle as many materials as possible. zx Choose recycled content building materials. Another way to reduce home improvement project waste is to make use of other homeowners’ discarded materials. Recycled content building materials are products that include materials recycled from previous projects. These once-sparse materials are now commonplace, and labels often include the percentages of postconsumer and recovered materials used in each product. Materials such as drywall, insulation, kitchen countertops, glass tiles, carpeting and carpet padding may include recycled content, and the growing popularity of such products has made them relatively simple for homeowners to find. When working with contractors, homeowners should emphasize their desire to use materials made from recycled content. Such materials are both pleasing to the eye and the environment. zx Embrace adaptability when designing a new home. Rarely do homeowners design their homes with renovations in mind. When building a dream home, homeowners do not consider the likelihood that they will one day move out or even outgrow the home. Estimates vary considerably with regard to how long the average homeowner stays in his home, with some suggesting as little as seven years. While data collected from the United States Census Bureau within the last decade suggests that roughly half of all homeowners had lived in their homes for at least 10 years. Homeowners building new homes should expect to one day move, and ensuring their new homes are easily adaptable is both financially sound and eco-friendly. When a home is built with adaptability in mind, prospective buyers won’t have to make costly overhauls. In addition, homes built to facilitate future renovations won’t produce the same amount of waste as homes that are less easily adapted. Many homeowners embrace home improvement projects as opportunities to turn their homes into private sanctuaries. But those who do so with the environment in mind can significantly reduce waste and still end up living in luxury.

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Quick color tips to awaken your home in 2014

hile many resolutions are based on eating healthier and exercising more, homes rarely receive the same promise of improvement. This year, resolve to give your home some attention by committing to a new coat of paint. Painting can be a quick and cost-effective way to refresh your home, so consider updating several spaces for a clean start. Color inspiration comes from anywhere. The latest color and decor trends are great starting points. Shades from the Dutch Boy 2014 Color Trends Forecast can modernize a space with a look that matches your taste and personality. The trends collection is called Awaken and is comprised of four distinct palettes - Gather, Connect, Explore and Serene. These collections represent a renewed commitment to the environment. 58

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Cook with color

Looking to make a big impact in your kitchen on a small budget? A new color can awaken your kitchen to make it the center for all to gather. Try hues from the Dutch Boy Gather color palette, such as Stonewall Jackson (F15-3) and Glass Block Green (F7-4), with a mix of decorative and functional kitchen items such as serving bowls, platters and pitchers. You can also rejuvenate your kitchen with an open, airy feel by adding exposed shelving. This will update the look, plus add storage space. An indoor herb garden is also a great way to add green to the room and fresh ingredients to your cooking.

Dine with color

If your dining furniture is looking a bit outdated, consider painting it. Chairs, tables, side boards, buffets and more can be revitalized in just one weekend. Be sure to properly prep your project so it withstands the wear and tear of regular usage. If your buffet or china cabinet has seen better years, remove the glass panels and drawers, and paint it a neutral hue such as Sedona Dust (C12-4) or opt for a richer pop of color like October Leaves (C6-2). Both are from Dutch Boy’s Connect color palette. Swap out old hardware with new for an easy, upgraded look. Color will easily bring new life to any piece and will blend together your home’s new style.

Welcome with color

Create a warm welcome guests will love by pairing a bright hue on foyer walls with an eyecatching display of white-framed photos or a grouping of ornamental mirrors and plates. Try Dhurrie Pink (A8-3) from Dutch Boy’s Explore color palette. Paint stair risers with bold colors and patterns such as chevron, stripes or stencils for a modern and chic flair. Opt for a deeper shade of paint to hide scuff marks. Finish off the space with a set of new rugs.

Comfort with color

Re-energize yourself by making calming updates to your bedroom. Paint your walls a cool hue, such as Fieldhouse (D22-3) from the Serene collection, to incorporate a sense of relaxation and tranquility to your resting space. Adding touches of new color and comfort with bedding sets, pillows and luxury throws can quickly upgrade your sleeping space. Accent the space with color-complementing window treatments. For added rest, choose light-blocking materials to prevent excess light from waking you before your alarm. By following these simple tips, such as refreshing your paint colors, updating accessories or completing other color-inspired projects, your home will be freshly styled and you’ll be enjoying your space for years to come.

Where will color take you? No matter where you are in the world or what surfaces you’re coating, Sherwin-Williams provides innovative solutions that ensure your success! 802 W Henderson St, Cleburne, TX 76033 | 817-645-2381 | Hours 7am-7pm M-F, 8am-6pm Sa, 10am-6pm Sun | www.sherwin-williams.com Community Life

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Simple steps to paint like a pro

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he difference between a professional paint job and a doit-yourself job that looks like a pro painted it is surprisingly simple. As the old adage goes, the devil’s in the details. If you want that professional look while maintaining your DIY pride — and checkbook — take the time and effort to pay attention to often overlooked details.

Step-by-step prep

Prepping is vital so make sure to cover, tape and protect. That way you’ll be able to place furniture and accents where you want them, and not where you need them to cover the paint spill in the corner. This will give the space a polished look you’ll enjoy. Move furniture and other items out of the room if at all possible. If not, be sure to completely cover and secure the items to fend off spills and spatters. Opt for a canvas drop cloth instead of a one-time plastic covering. Canvas is extremely durable and will lie flat, preventing any unforeseen tripping or rips that may expose flooring and furniture. Chances are this will not be the last painting project you do so it’s well worth the investment. Use painter’s tape to protect woodwork like door frames, window frames and moldings, and remove electric fixture covers and plates. Don’t forget the door knobs or cabinet pulls. Use small plastic bags to cover them and secure with painter’s tape if you can’t remove them entirely. After you’ve read the newspaper, save a few sections to use during the painting process. Should you run into any issues of stray paint, use the absorbent newspaper to soak up unwanted drops. Finally, gather rollers, brushes, paint and trays, and place them on their own drop cloth in an easily accessible area. 60

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Focus on the details

A wide open wall is a blank canvas to DIY painters. But before you let the color flow, follow the painting process practiced by professionals. To start, look for areas that, if omitted, will surely draw negative attention and make your room look unfinished. These are items such as baseboards, trim, chair rails, molding and doors, as well as the interior of door and window frames. These finishing touches tend to be on a smaller scale, so you’ll want to use a compact tool that gives you more control. Try a mini paint roller such as Purdy’s Wire Mini-Roller. The 4-inch and 6 1/2-inch sizes allow you to cover those hard-to-reach or small areas with a smooth look.

Wrap up the room

It is best to paint any trim before tackling the walls. Start with the baseboards and paint around the room in one direction, paying careful attention not to miss any areas. Next, paint any window trim, door trim and crown molding. Be sure to remove painter’s tape before the paint dries for a cleaner line. When you’re ready for the walls, start painting from the top and work your way down the wall. As you get close to where your ceiling meets the wall or where the wall meets trim, take your time, and don’t feel the need to paint right up to the edge with a large roller. This is another area where a mini- rollers work well. Before putting all your furniture back and paint cans away, take one last look around. Perhaps you have fixtures or furniture that could use a touch-up. You can take this moment to carry your color scheme throughout the room and add new life to mirrors or picture frames. You can paint like a pro. From project start to finish, take the time to prep and focus on the details. And when your friends and family ask for the name and number of the contractor you used, it’s up to you what you share.

How to cut costs on your

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

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ver the last several decades, more and more homeowners have embraced the notion that homes need not all be alike, and that an individual’s home can cater to his or her personal tastes and needs. The trend of modeling a home after one’s own tastes has extended beyond choosing furniture or other replaceable elements to structural changes and full-scale renovations, thus upping the financial ante for homeowners who want to turn their homes into places more in tune with their own personalities. When it comes to improving their homes, many homeowners associate cutting costs with cutting corners, which can put residents’ safety at risk. But there are ways for homeowners to save money on home improvement projects while still ensuring their homes are safe and sound. ◆ Work with recycled materials. Homeowners about to undertake small-scale do-it-yourself projects can often save money by using recycled materials. Many homeowners do not go the DIY route when making larger renovations, but those that do also can save money by using recycled materials. However, homeowners should know that many contractors do not work with recycled materials in an effort to avoid liability should something go awry during the project or after it is completed. But DIYers can benefit from using recycled materials, which can be purchased at various locations. For example, Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization devoted to building homes for the less fortunate, operates its own ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores that sell recycled building materials at a steep discount. ReStore locations can be found by visiting www. habitat.org. ◆ Get your hands dirty. Labor costs on home improvement projects are considerable, but homeowners can cut these costs by doing some of the labor themselves. Even those men and women with little or no DIY experience can still chip in and save some money. Homeowners about to embark on a rebuilding project can chip in and do some of the demolition on their own. For exam-

ple, when replacing sidewalks, homeowners can simply break up and remove the existing sidewalk on their own rather than paying their contractors to do such work for them. It’s best for homeowners to leave interior labor to the professionals, as they are more knowledgeable about how to find load-bearing walls and plumbing fixtures than the average weekend warrior homeowner. Homeowners who mistakenly take out fixtures inside their homes in an attempt to cut down on labor costs might find such miscues are far more costly than simply paying for the labor from the get-go. ◆ Remember how flattering imitation can be. As the old adage goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Homeowners working on tight budgets can opt for imitation materials that appear and feel just like more costly authentic materials. When opting for imitation materials, homeowners should know that they or their representatives cannot falsely represent the materials as authentic when selling the home, no matter how much materials look and feel like the real thing. ◆ Schedule projects during the offseason. Like many professionals, contractors have busy seasons and seasons that tend to be slow. These seasons can change depending on geography, but homeowners can save money by postponing projects until the slow season, when contractors are more likely to offer discounts in an attempt to stay busy and continue to generate income. Savings will vary depending on a variety of factors, but it’s not unlikely that patient homeowners willing to wait until the offseason to renovate their homes can save as much as 5 percent on the overall cost of the project. ◆ Try not to customize. Though the driving force behind many home improvement projects is to create a dream home that caters to homeowners’ individual needs, going overboard with customizing is expensive. Larger-than-normal dimensions may seem like a great idea, but unless they’re absolutely necessary, they’re best avoided by budget-conscious homeowners. Building supplies are sold at certain dimensions because those dimensions are the most common. Altering these dimensions unnecessarily is only driving up the cost of the project, so it’s best to stick with stock sizes when money is tight. Home improvement projects are often expensive undertakings. But such endeavors need not break the bank. Community Life

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Practice garage and workshop smarts

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ompleting home improvement projects on your own can be both rewarding and financially responsible. A growing number of homeowners are dabbling in do-it-yourself projects, recognizing both the personal and financial rewards of such undertakings. As more and more homeowners perform their own renovations and other improvement projects, many are outfitting their homes with state-of-the-art workshops and transforming garages into a do-it-yourselfer’s paradise. Safety is vital in any workshop. During a typical home renovation, homeowners will use all sorts of dangerous tools and chemicals, and even the simplest mishap can result in a serious injury. Following safety rules can reduce the risk of injury.

Know your tools

Before novice do-it-yourselfers begin working with power tools, they should familiarize themselves with their owners’ manuals and the operating instructions. Some homeimprovement retailers offer classes in various home renovation projects and may be able to teach tool usage. Do-it-yourselfers should consult professionals with regard to proper tool use and safety. Do not use tools for purposes other than what the tool was intended to do. If machine guards are provided, they should be used and never removed.

Wear safety gear

Eye, ear and breathing protection are key 62

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in any workshop environment. Dust and chemical gases may be present when working with certain products, and debris can be kicked up and enter the eyes, causing irritation or even blindness. Loud power tools can damage sensitive ears, especially when used in a contained room. Always wear goggles, sound-muffling earphones and dust masks when working.

Assess physical well being

Do-it-yourselfers should never work with machinery if they are feeling sick or fatigued or while taking medication that can affect concentration or alertness. All it takes is a moment of distraction to cause an injury. Never surprise anyone who is working with power tools and keep unnecessary people out of the workshop, where they might chat and distract others from the tasks at hand.

Factor in ergonomics

Failure to work in comfortable conditions can result in repetition injuries or muscle strain. Make the workshop as comfortable as possible. Ensure the work table is at the right height. Use a rubber mat on the floor to reduce standing fatigue. Have a stool or chair available for taking breaks.

Keep a clean shop

Power cords strewn around the workshop present a tripping hazard. They also make it possible to drag sharp or heavy tools off of tables and workbenches if the cords are pulled or tripped over. A neat workshop is a safer workshop. Pay attention to where tools are kept and keep cords manageable.

Dress appropriately

Loose clothing and hair can become tangled or lodged in equipment. Do not wear jewelry. Dress comfortably but appropriately for the workshop, being sure to wear sturdy shoes.

Lock it up

Children and pets are curious and may wander into a workshop to explore. They can become seriously ill or injured by the bevy of chemicals and tools used for common projects. Some items are flammable and sharp and should always be out of reach. Locking cabinets and drawers can keep tools inaccessible. Also warn youngsters against entering the workshop unattended. As more people engage in do-it-yourself projects, homeowners should reacquaint themselves with safety procedures.

These

professionals can help maintain your home

H H

ome repairs are inevitable. For the homeowner who also happens to be handy with a hammer, the occasional home repair is nothing to fear and something that many even enjoy. But there many homeowners who aren’t so adept at home repairs, and such men and women typically rely on trained professionals when something goes awry around the house. For those homeowners who either don’t have the time or the ability to fix issues that arise around the house, the following is a breakdown of three of the more commonly called on home service providers.

Electrician: An electrician specializes in addressing a building’s or home’s electrical wiring issues, stationary machines and the equipment related to those machines. Electricians can fix existing issues, but many also can design and install new electrical components and systems. The dangers of working with electrical systems are many, so electricians typically must be certified and licensed before they can practice their trade. Such danger is one reason why even those who are adept at fixing problems around the house might want to hire an electrician should an electrical issue arise.

Plumber: A plumber is a professional whose area of expertise is in installing and maintaining systems for drinking water, drainage and sewage. Though not all jurisdictions require a plumber be licensed before he or she can practice, many do, and it can take years of training and experience to master the skill of plumbing. Many people call a plumber when a toilet or sink backs up, but plumbers must have far more extensive skills as well. Plumbers must be skilled in a number of areas, including having an ability to read and understand a home’s blueprints, detect faults in a plumbing system if the homeowner cannot install and repair fixtures and systems, and be aware of any legal requirements to ensure a home is safe. Landscaper: Homeowners have increasingly looked to professional landscapers to maintain their home’s exterior and subsequently ensure their property value remains high. A typical landscaper offers his client an array of services, from cutting the grass to raking leaves to more complicated tasks that gravitate toward landscape architecture. A home’s curb appeal has been shown to vastly improve a prospective buyer’s impression of the house, and as a result many homeowners rely on a landscaper to take care of their property. Many landscapers an extensive knowledge of the science involved in tending to a lawn and how to help it weather the seasons without losing its appeal.

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Recognizing termite damage

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ome ownership can be an unending series of adventures, especially for those homeowners who love good home improvement projects. Some projects are fun and improve the value of a home instantly, while others are undertaken to address a potentially serious issue. Discovering that termites are taking up residence where you live can be disconcerting, but termites are a very common occurrence. Understanding termites and recognizing the signs of termite damage early on can help homeowners reduce the havoc that such critters can wreak on their homes. Termites are social insects that live together in colonies. These colonies eat nonstop, dining on wood and other cellulose plant matter. They also eat materials made from plants, like fabric and paper. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage a year. Studies show that queen termites can live up to decades under ideal climate conditions while workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. While there are many varieties of termites, all are silent destroyers capable of chewing undetected through housing structures. To eradicate termites, homeowners must first identify the insects and then contact a termite management specialist to address the pest problem.

Spotting termites

Termites may not always be visible. Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in soil, where the termites build elaborate tunnel systems that channel through to aboveground food sources. Drywood and dampwood termites may live within the wood they consume and be undetectable until the wood collapses or rots away. Homeowners often realize they have a termite problem when they witness swarming termites. At this point there already may be a mature colony at work damaging a home. Swarming, winged termites form in a mature, established colony. Winged termites emerge and fly off looking for mates. Afterward they will locate a new breeding site and form another colony, potentially spreading infestations through multiple locations. Winged termites are attracted to light and can 64

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be seen by windows and doors in spring. Other signs of termites include accumulation of soil or dirt at the base of wood structures or the foundation of a home. There also may be fissures or cracks near wood surfaces. Sometimes “frass� or termite droppings can be seen. They appear as rough, granulated sawdust. Covered mud tubes, or channels of mud leading from the soil up the foundation of a home, are indicative of the presence of termites. Even if termites are no longer present in these tubes, that does not mean the termites have moved on. They simply may have chosen a new path to your home.

Keeping termites away

Once termites have been identified, it is time to eliminate them. This means getting rid of water and food sources that are close to a home. * Repair leaky faucets and other water drips in and around the house. * Keep gutters and downspouts clean. * Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes. * Divert water away from the foundation. * Keep lumber, firewood or paper away from the foundation of the home. * Clear away stumps and tree debris. * Prevent untreated wood from contacting the soil.

Treating termites

It is very difficult for homeowners to get rid of termites by themselves. Very often they require the work of professionals. A termite exterminator will conduct a visual inspection of a home and property and may do extensive testing involving expensive acoustic or infrared equipment to probe the soil beneath the house. Depending on the species of termite, the exterminator will suggest various treatments. These may include the application of pesticides and making areas around the home less hospitable to termites. Severely damaged wood may need to be removed and replaced. Termites are problematic in many areas of the world. These insects often stay hidden and do serious damage that can cost homeowners a fortune. Treating termites promptly is essential.

decorating

T

Put your fears to bed and awaken your personality with the latest color trends

T

he bedroom is an oasis. It’s the place where you wake up, energized and ready to start the day, as well as where you slip away and unwind from the day’s activities. This is the one room that is truly yours, so make sure it’s a reflection of your personality. Looking for a place to start? Find a paint color that matches your character and charisma. Paint manufacturers are now releasing their predictions for 2014’s hot colors. Many, like the four trend palettes from Pratt & Lambert - Common Ground, Uncharted, Nature’s Bounty and Grace - provide descriptions and pose questions that can reveal your perfect color choice.

Common Ground

Are you enticed by the beauty and mystery of different cultures? Are you constantly looking for ways to embrace your adventur-

ous side? If so, the Common Ground palette is for you. Inspired by dramatic, floral patterns, tribal prints and saturated hues, this global palette features boldly exotic and fearless colors. Pair Olive Grove with Orange Spice to get a look worthy of a world traveler. Dress the room in darkwood accents, brass hardware and fixtures and rich textures to complement the new daring hues.

Uncharted

Do the depths of the sea and unexplored realms of the universe cause your curious side to quiver with excitement? If yes, then it’s time for you to discover the colors of Uncharted. By focusing on bright colors set in dark spaces, you’ll awaken your spirit and open your mind to the unknown. Incorporate Delightful Aqua or Deep Cerise with Noir to get an out-of-this-world, fantasy-worthy room. Polish your bed with velvety, plush pillows and a comforter in a chic, peacock pattern to add another touch of whimsy.

Nature’s Bounty

Looking for a more simplistic slumber? Find harmony with the earth through Nature’s Bounty palette, which celebrates the purity of Mother Nature and a sustainable, responsible future. This trend brings with it rich, honest colors representative of whole foods, plants and soil from the farm-to-table movement. Bring Pratt & Lambert’s 2014 Color of the Year, Sunspot, into your restful room for a natural touch that will liven the space. Complete the look by showcasing the raw and unique look of unfinished wood. Accessorize with handmade, knitted blankets to give an organic, honest feeling.

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Bathroom remodeling:

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the first five things you must do

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o you’ve decided it’s time to remodel your bathroom. Whether you’re excited at the idea of creating a new look that will add value to your home, or simply relieved that you’ll no longer have to look at dated fixtures and cracked tile, you’ll be facing a lot of decisions about materials, colors, fixtures, flooring and more. The options are vast, and you may wonder: What is the best way to get started? “Whether you’re creating a new master suite, refreshing a powder room, or building a new home, it’s an exciting time to contemplate a beautiful new space,” says Gray Uhl,director of brand education for American Standard. “Shopping for fabulous new bathroom products is a highlight of the experience, but it can get a little overwhelming.” Bathrooms continue to be a remodeling priority for many homeowners. The average mid-range bathroom remodel costs $15,782 and returns more than 65 percent of that investment at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. An upscale bathroom remodeling project costs about $50,000 and returns more than 58 percent when you sell. Doing some or all of the work yourself can save thousands in labor charges - money you can put into choosing the best materials - as long as you know how to do it correctly. In a free e-book, “The How to Buy Guide for the Bathroom,” American Standard offers information on everything from how to get started to how to choose the toilet shape that’s right for your space and lifestyle. The guide says homeowners should begin by considering five key points: 1. Consider how you will use the space and allow it to guide your renovation plans. Do you want your bathroom to be a spa-like retreat for the masters of the house? Or is it more important that the room be able to handle more intense use from the whole family? Gather input from everyone who will use the room, and evaluate what’s already present that works - and what doesn’t. 2. Will you hire a professional or attempt to do the job yourself? While DIYers may save on labor costs, professional designers and licensed contractors may be better able to help you maximize your space and stay on

budget. Ultimately, hiring professionals may save you time and money. 3. Measure - everything! Nothing’s worse than falling in love with a vanity or jetted tub only to find neither fits in the space you have for it. Before you begin shopping, determine how much space your bathroom has for key fixtures such as the sink, toilet, shower and furniture. And mentioning tubs - be sure the one you choose will fit through the bathroom door before you buy it. 4. Get educated before heading to the store or showroom. Compare products and prices and check out product reviews. Decide what materials to look for and identify how you want installations to be done. 5. Set a budget and establish priorities. A professional can help you best determine how to achieve your objectives within the framework of your budget. Remember to allow yourself a budget cushion in case surprises crop up during the process - and they almost always do. For more ideas and information on shopping for bathroom renovation products, download the free e-book at www. americanstandard-us.com/promotions/ ebook. Community Life

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Prepping tips for spring outdoor projects

S

S

oon, winter will be winding down and homeowners will start planning - and prepping for - a variety of outdoor projects for spring. From cleaning, repairing or replacing decks, to creating raised beds for veggies and flowers, now is the time to start gearing up for those spring projects.

Cleaning up

Start with spring cleaning existing structures. Take a weekend to clean decks, gazebos and pergolas of dirt, debris, mold and mildew. For structures made of naturally durable Western Red Cedar, a broom, garden sprayer and hose, plus a little bleach are all you need. Sweep winter debris such as twigs and leaves from decks, taking care to clean between planks on horizontal surfaces. This facilitates airflow and drainage, and can help prevent a buildup of moisture when spring showers arrive. Next, use a garden sprayer to apply amild oxygen bleach solution to kill mold and mildew. Be sure to leave the bleach solution on the wood surface for approximately 30 minutes, and then rinse with water. Never use a pressure washer as it can damage the wood. -

Maintenance and repair

Carefully inspect outdoor structures for wear and tear. While Western Red Cedar contains natural preservatives that make the wood durable, all outdoor structures require annual care, including those made of pressure-treated lumber or composites. Check planks, beams and boards for cracking, warping or rough spots and repair accordingly. Replace damaged wood, and be sure to examine hardware to ensure it’s working properly and free of rust.

New projects

If you’ve always dreamed about lounging on a lovely deck on a summer afternoon, or savoring a spring morning beneath the shade of a decorative pergola, now’s the time to start planning the project. A great deck is the showpiece of an inspired backyard, and spring is a prime time to 68

Community Life

add one. To ensure your deck affords you the most value and enjoyment, consider using an online deck planner to help you envision your deck before you begin building. As gardening grows in popularity, you might consider adding raised planting beds to your landscaping. Raised beds not only make caring for and harvesting your garden easier - no bending required - they can also function as a decorative enhancement to your outdoor environment. The material you choose will influence the longevity, beauty and enjoyment of your structure, so carefully consider your options before deciding. “Many homeowners choose Western Red Cedar for its beauty and natural durability,” says Paul Mackie, western area manager, Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, or “Mr. Cedar” as he is known in the industry. “It has a deep, rich luster that other woods and man-made materials just can’t match. Plus, it’s a greener choice because it’s renewable and recyclable - unlike composites - and doesn’t require chemical treatment as non-durable wood species do. It’s naturally rot and insect resistant, and you can stain it or leave it natural, depending on your preference.” The green qualities and durability of Western Red Cedar make it a great choice for virtually any outdoor structure - including those popular wooden playsets that begin appearing like wildflowers in backyards across the country every spring. Whatever project you’re dreaming of this spring - from building a new deck, pergola, or planting beds to refurbishing an existing outdoor structure or palyset - careful planning, cleaning, maintenance and the right materials can ensure your project adds value and beauty to your home environment.

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Around the world Sani Adamou leaves career as lawyer and collegiate professor to be a high school teacher

A

STORY BY Nicole Luna

lawyer, a college professor, a Ph.D., a high school French teacher and a soccer coach — may seem like professions of different individuals but they are not. Cleburne High School French teacher Sani Adamou has a thirst for knowledge that has led him all over the world seeking an extensive education and embodies them all. Adamou’s classroom walls are decorated with posters with French words most don’t understand. Adamou was born in 1975 in Benin, a country on the West Coast of Africa. His parents resided in Niger, also in the West Coast of Africa, a predominantly Muslim country. In the Muslim culture, to-

ward the last three months of a woman’s pregnancy she must go to her parent’s house to give birth. At that time Adamou’s grandmother was living in Benin, so Adamou’s mother gave birth to him there. Soon after he and his mother returned to Niger. When Adamou was about 4 years old his parents sent him back to Benin. When he arrived he didn’t speak the language. In Niger, the spoken language is Djerma and in Benin it is French. “I did not understand any language they were speaking, I was a foreigner at that time,” Adamou said. “The only language my aunt would speak to me was French.” Community Life

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Godley Police Chief James Healy gives up acting for law enforcement

I

STORY BY Matt Smith

t’s probably a safe bet to say most Johnson County police chiefs never appeared on “General Hospital” or rubbed shoulders with Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt LeBlanc and Dick Van Dyke. Safe, that is, unless referring to Godley Police Chief James Healy. “The question you’re probably wondering about is how does someone go from acting on the stage and films to becoming chief of police?” Healy asked. Healy’s acting days are in the past, for now at least. His life circa 2014 revolves around his twin passions of family and policing. But the latter, though he’s been in law enforcement since 1984, didn’t figure into Healy’s original plan.

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25th Anniversary

Market Square • Cleburne, TX

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Sponsors:

James Hardie Caddo Street Grill Liberty Hotel

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47

How to repair and replace

window screens

W W

indow screens can let fresh air into a home while preventing insects and outdoor critters from making their way inside. But screens are far less effective at keeping critters out of a home when they’re damaged. Addressing such damage is typically an easy do-it-yourself project, one that begins with gathering the right materials, including: • new screening, either synthetic or aluminum • a rubber spline • a screen rolling tool • a razor knife or sharp scissor • measuring tape • masking tape • a screwdriver or an awl Once those materials have been gathered, the process of replacing or repairing damaged screens is rather simple. 1. Measure the area of the window to determine how much replacement screening you will need. Remember to leave extra room in your measurements so you have slack to make the new screen fit taut. The measurement will also help you determine how much spline you will need. 2. Remove the screen from the window frame. Some windows do not have removable screen frames, and you will have to work on the screen

in its upright position. 3. Use the screwdriver or awl to pry the edge of the existing spline that holds the screening material in the frame. Pull out the old spline and remove the damaged screening. 4. Measure the new screening from a replacement roll. Lay the screening down on the frame, ensuring there is overhang on all sides. If necessary, use masking tape to temporarily secure the screening to the frame while freeing up your hands. This also works if you must replace screening vertically and cannot remove the window frame and make repairs on a flat surface. 5. Take a new piece of rubber spline and push it into the edge of the screen frame, securing a corner of the new screening to the frame. Continue to press the spline around the perimeter of the screen frame firmly into the groove with the screen rolling tool, which looks like a small pizza cutter. This effectively secures the screen into the frame. 6. Continue around the edge of the frame, pulling the new screening taut as you go. This helps to keep it free of wrinkles. 7. Once you have inserted the spline all the way around, cut it off from the spline spool and push in the edge. 8. Use a razor knife or sharp scissor to cut off the excess screening, being careful not to dislodge it from behind the spline when cutting. 9. Replace the screen in the window. In the case of small tears in a screen, a complete replacement may not be necessary. Home improvement stores sell screen patch kits. Some work by cutting out a piece of patch that is attached to an adhesive backing and sticking it over the hole. Other patches are small, woven wires that can be threaded through the hole in the screen. A really small hole can be mended with a drop of clear-drying glue. The same method of screen replacement can be used to replace screens on screened-in porches, aluminum doors or sliding patio doors. Just be sure to purchase replacement screening that will fit the

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