JANUARY 17, 2020 FEBRUARY 21, 2020 Fitness Issue ALTERNATIVE WAYS
TO GET YOUR
HEART RATE UP
TAX TIME
IS COMING LET’S GETAWAY
FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
LO W - C O S T C O M PA S S I O N AT E S O LU T I O N S F O R
ANIMAL WELFARE
Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas
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LakeCitiesLiving.com
Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray
Administration
Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran
Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Brooke Ezzo
Advertising
Kelly Murray Kelly@murray-media.com
Production
Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene
Photography
Your Candid Memories 469.583.2819 yourcandidmemories.com
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TAKING BACK YOUR
FITNESS GOALS
T
he holiday season is long gone, and hopefully, that means no more cake, candy, and kitchen tables loaded with food we shouldn’t be eating but do it anyway. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Just the sound of all that is making me hungry. But now is the time to start thinking about what we can do to better ourselves — and start anew.
Naturally, a great place to start is by recapturing your fitness goals. Everyone is talking about it, so much that we’ve even made fitness the theme of this month’s magazine! This issue is chock full of words of wisdom from fitness experts and new places in town to work up a good sweat. There’s even a feature article that lists alternative activities that can get your blood pumping and boost that heart rate. Did anyone say rock climbing? How about a game of basketball with the kiddos? I’m a big fan of health and fitness. I mean, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never look like 54-year-old actress/model Elizabeth Hurley, who is bikini-bod ready
12 months out of the year. But that’s not my goal, anyway. I workout at Jesse James Fit three to four times a week with my closest friends, eat right, and do everything in moderation. For me, that plan works. I look and feel great, and I stick with it, which is the secret ingredient for any health and fitness plan. Wishing for a better life isn’t going to get you one. You have to have a goal in mind and be able to put it into action. Learning your strategy is half the battle — the other half is taking action. Thank you for picking up a copy of this month’s magazine. We hope you enjoy it.
Sincerely, Kelly Murray
Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
FITNESS ISSUE LOOK FOR THE ICON
ASK THE EXPERTS 10 Real Estate with Make The Move Team 14 Fitness with Outlaw Fitcamp 30 Organizing with Cloud Nine Organizing BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS 09 Frios Gourmet Pops: Where It Feels Like Summer All Year ARTICLES
FEATURED ARTICLE
16 Low-Cost Compassionate Solutions For Animal Welfare
06 Alternative Ways To Get Your Heart Rate Up
12 Inside Community & Education 15 District 7-5A Division II
All-District Football 2019
18 Guyer Wildcats & Lake Dallas Falcons Volleyball 2019
21 Community Corner 24 Restore YOUth Med Spa:
Being The Best You Possible
25 Foodie Friday DFW with
EDITOR’S PICK
22 Let’s Getaway For Valentine’s Day www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
Jay Marks Real Estate
26 Tax Time Is Coming 29 Sheriff’s Corner With
Sheriff Tracy Murphree
JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 5
Fitness
ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET YOUR
by Steve Gamel
T
he higher your heart rate is, the more calories you burn and the more weight you lose. It seems pretty simple, right? For many of us, that means making sure we hit the gym for some strength training, CrossFit, and a few miles on the treadmill or
elliptical machine. But what if that’s not your thing? Or even if it is, what if you don’t have time to go to the gym this week or simply need a break from the normal routine?
Luckily, there are plenty of alternative activities out there that can keep your heart rate elevated and improve your cardiovascular health. Here are a few alternatives to consider as we enter a new year:
ICE SKATING
Even though we are in Texas, there are places like the Galleria or the Children’s Health StarCenter that not only offer a great experience for the family but also help you get in a killer leg and cardio workout without even realizing it. Ice skating is great for joint and muscle health, improved balance and coordination, and stress management.
STROLLER SPEED WALKING
It can be difficult for new moms to find time to get to the gym. Stroller speed walking is the perfect alternative; simply put the little guy or gal in a stroller and speed walk around the neighborhood or a local mall? Believe it or not, this is a form of high-intensity interval training that pushes your heart rate into the batburning range. 6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING
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SWIMMING
Swimming is a highly underutilized form of cardiovascular exercise to get your heart rate up. Swimming is also great in terms of recovery from a tough workout. Several places in town offer an indoor pool experience so that you can still get your swim on without having to make an icy plunge.
BOXING
To piggyback off the previous alternative workout, there are tons of gyms in town that offer everything from a simple punching bag to go a few rounds with or a full-blown boxing and kickboxing cardio workout.
PLAY BASKETBALL WITH THE KIDS
For the competitive dads in their 40s and 50s, there is nothing like trying to recapture your youth by trying to beat your 12-year-old son or daughter in a game of pickup basketball. The cardio benefits are numerous, not to mention the ability to regain some of that long-lost endurance and coordination.
DANCING
ROCK CLIMBING
If you do have time to get to the gym but crave something different, consider yourself blessed if they have a rockclimbing wall. Places like Summit Climbing in Denton or Lifetime Fitness offer indoor rock climbing, which is perfect for cardio along with improving grip strength, coordination, and strength. Plus, it’s just fun! www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
Take a dance class or bring your spouse out for a night on the town. If you’re planning on attending a wedding, get out on the dance floor and cut a rug. There are even interactive dancing games you can play with your kids on Xbox or Playstation. Bottom line, dancing is perfect for getting your heart rate up and requires zero workout equipment.
This is just a shortlist of alternative ways to get your heart rate up and keep it in tiptop shape. Remember that as you keep your heart rate up, you are naturally burning calories, improving stamina, and even building yourself a strong immune system. Did we leave anything off the list? What are your favorites? Please share with us so that others can join in on the fun. JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 7
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Business Spotlight
Like Summer
Where It Feels
ALL YEAR by Steve Gamel
T
wo summers ago, Lauren and Robert Penn were visiting friends in Alabama when they were invited to check out a cute popsicle store in the heart of historic downtown Gadsden. Lauren thought it was a fun idea, especially since they had two young girls. But she certainly didn’t expect the excursion to be anything out of the ordinary.
were visiting the original Frios Gourmet
“I just fell in love with the dessert and the concept in general.”
for combining the nostalgia and fun of
She added, “My wheels were churning the entire drive home.”
What the Penns didn’t realize was that they Pops. Frios is a national franchise known enjoying a frozen pop during any time of the year with inventive flavors and
high-quality ingredients that can’t be
duplicated. They use locally-sourced
ingredients like fresh fruit and dairy to make their pops from scratch, and to
say Lauren, Robert, and their kids were blown away that day would be an understatement.
et Pops
os Gourm
ri rtesy of F photo cou
“My girls got the fresh fruit
strawberry pops, I got a creamy latte, and my husband got a
Nutella pop. I just could not
believe it — I was blown away
with the flavor; we’d never had
a frozen dessert like that before with such unique flavors
you don’t normally find in a
grocery store,” Lauren said.
Fast forward to today, and the Penns now own two Frios Gourmet Pops locations in Denton and McKinney. If you haven’t seen it yet, the Denton location is actually a converted sno cone stand in the University Center shops parking lot on West University. They have a walkup window and drive-thru to go with a seating area outside. Inside is where the real magic happens, with more than 20 flavors that rotate throughout the year. “It’s like a dessert on a stick,” Lauren laughed. “I always felt like something like this would be perfect in Denton. People in Denton enjoy doing something that’s a little different, and getting a popsicle from a teeny tiny restaurant shop is definitely different. It’s definitely a fun experience.”
940.268.2835 | friospops.com 1640 W. University Dr. • Denton, TX 76201
(In the University Center parking lot as a “Pop Stand”)
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Ask The Expert: Real Estate
Are You
Financially Fit FOR YOUR NEXT HOME? by Beth Caudill, Owner of Make the Move Team
W
hen most of us hear the word fitness, we immediately think of physical fitness — especially as we set goals for the new year. We all want to lose weight, stay in shape, and look good in our clothes. More importantly, we want to feel good about ourselves on the inside. And if we work hard enough and stick with the right plan, we’ll reach those goals.
Putting physical fitness aside for a second, consider having the same mindset with your financial fitness in 2020. This is especially true if you’re in the market for a new home. Buying a home is easily the biggest financial investment you will ever make, and regardless if it’s your first time or not, it’s important to stick with the right plan and make yourself look as financially attractive as possible on paper.
The good news for that last question is
For the new homeowners out there, figuring out how to be financially fit may be easier said than done.
In terms of being financially fit and the
•
Invest time and effort into working with a financial coach (i.e., Dave Ramsey)
•
Focus on improving your credit score (pay off your debts, make regular payments, etc.)
•
Research and connect with the right lender
•
Research and connect with the right realtor (that’s easy; give us a call)
•
Be coachable and goal-oriented
•
Save at least a little bit of money for a down payment (contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take much)
that there are plenty of people out there in the mortgage industry, the real estate world (shameless plug for our Make The Move Team at eXp Realty), and others who genuinely care about whether or not you succeed in life. It’s not just about collecting a paycheck; they want to help you. steps you need to take to get there, here are a few suggestions:
“WHAT DOES BEING FINANCIALLY FIT LOOK LIKE?” “WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THERE?” “WHO DO I TRUST TO GUIDE ME?”
We hope you enjoyed this article, though it’s merely just a conversation starter. If you’d like to learn more, or if you have questions about real estate, interest rates, market and housing trends, or anything else that has to do with the Lake Cities or surrounding communities, give Make The Move Team at eXp Realty a call.
940.320.2777 | WWW.MAKETHEMOVETEAM.COM | 207 W. HICKORY ST., STE. 106 • DENTON, TX 76201
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INSIDE COMMUNITY ANNUAL FASHION SHOW Sat., Jan. 25 | 10am Global Spheres 7801 I-35E • Corinth, TX 76210
SPANISH CLASSES Sat., Jan. 18 - Feb. 29 | 2 - 3pm | Lake Dallas Library 302 S. Shady Shores Rd. • Lake Dallas, TX 75065 The Library is offering Spanish classes now through the month of February. Everyone is welcomed and there is no sign up required for the class. You will register for the program being used once you attend the class and the program requires a computer, so bring a laptop. If learning a new language is a resolution this year, don’t miss out on this opportunity!
INSIDE EDUCATION
The Oakmont Women’s Club of Corinth presents their annual Fashion Show and Auction benefitting over ten charities in the Denton County area. Members of the Club will be walking the runway in the latest trends in fashion from Chico’s, along with a silent auction and buffet luncheon. This fundraiser is open to the public. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling Peggy Domina at 940.300.3597 or Judy Walker at 940.300.8904.
EDUCATION AND ALL THAT JAZZ DENTON BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 24 - 26 | times vary | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 3220 Town Center Tr. • Denton, TX 76201 Guyer students who are looking for a fun way to earn volunteer hours are needed to usher at the Denton Black Film Festival. To sign up go to www.signupgenius.com/tabs/23672D904A1CAEFC17-denton, or click on the link posted by the Guyer High School PTSA on Facebook. For more information about the festival, visit http://dentonbff.com. 12 | LAKE CITIES LIVING
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Sat., Feb. 1 | 6:30pm | Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center 100 Town Center Tr. • Denton, TX 76201 Come dressed in your best 1920s attire for the 18th Annual Groundhog Day Gala hosted by the Denton Public School Foundation. The silent auction begins at 6:30pm, with a dinner and live auction at 7:30pm. Tickets and sponsorships vary, to reserve spot visit www.ghdgala2020. givesmart.com.
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LITTLE FREE PANTRY 276 E. Hundley Dr. • Lake Dallas, TX 75065
THE SECRET GARDEN DANCE Sat., Feb. 1 | 4 - 5:30pm, 7 - 9:30pm | Global Spheres Center 780 I-35 E. • Corinth, TX 76210
photo courtesy of Tonya Tivis
Presented by the Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce, this special evening of music and dancing is open to girls ages 4-12 and their fathers. The annual Daddy Daughter Dance has an informal dance beginning at 4pm, includes light refreshments, and is $17 per person. The formal dance begins at 7pm, includes dinner, and is $25 per person. To visit the Secret Garden, purchase your tickets at www.lakecitieschamber.com and click on the Dance event link. Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours today!
“Take what you need, leave what you can.” As a community service project for students in the Lake Dallas High School athletic training program, Lake Shore
Baptist Church is now home to the Little Free Pantry. What started as a school project quickly turned into something the whole community is sharing in. Residents and church members have made sure the pantry is stocked around the clock, so those in need are able to get items after local food banks are closed for the day. photo courtesy of Mataio Aumoeualogo
CONGRATULATIONS, FIRE ACADEMY GRADS
BUS STOP BISTRO At the Advanced Technology Complex for Denton ISD, Guyer students get to use their love of culinary arts and hospitality in the form of a full kitchen food truck. The Bus Stop Bistro is a donated school bus that students from the culinary program, along with other programs, were able to renovate into their mobile classroom. The Bistro currently services teachers and staff in the district but hopes to feed the public sometime in the spring semester.
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The Lake Dallas High School Fire Academy hosted their NCTC Dual Credit Fire Academy graduation ceremonies on Thursday, December 19. The LDHS graduating class #16 was joined by Denton ISD #17 and Lewisville ISD #18 classes for the ceremony. Tyler Jackson was class Valedictorian and Noah Strickland received the Leadership award. Congratulations to these incredible students. JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 13
Ask The Expert: Fitness
NEW YEAR
NEW MINDSET by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit & Outlaw Fitcamp
Y
costly habits that you could replace with a new habit of working out with a personal trainer at about the same cost. Just think how much healthier you’ll be and how much better you will feel. MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY THIS YEAR Don’t put off making your health a priority! Let those around you know that it’s your priority and then surround yourself with people who will help you be successful. CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE
ou’ve probably heard the sobering statistic that 80% of people who set New Year’s resolutions don’t keep them. But that also means that 20% do succeed in keeping the goals they set at the new year. Despite its low rate of success, some people do reach their new year goals. If you’re ready to make a change in your lifestyle, a new year seems to be the natural time to start.
We work hard to make Jesse James Fit and Outlaw FitCamp the absolute best workout facilities you can find. We offer
You can’t just make the resolutions and
condition? Keep up better with your kids or grandkids? Compete in a race?
•
Whatever your reasons for wanting to get more fit, you have to keep the “why” in mind as you work toward your goal. If your “why” isn’t a strong enough desire to motivate you to do the hard work, you won’t succeed.
Wellness Scan Get a wellness scan on our state-ofthe-art scanning machine that gives you extensive health information.
•
Certified Personal Trainers Our trainers are among the best you’ll find anywhere. All our trainers are certified personal trainers.
we emphasize the importance of knowing
PRIORITIZE YOUR SPENDING
•
want to look better? Improve a health
Be honest. How much did you spend at Starbucks last year? You may have some
Group & Community Accountability Not only will you get support from your own personal trainer, but the group and community support you’ll find from our Jesse James and Outlaw FitCamp families can’t be matched.
•
Pricing For All Budgets We serve all kinds of clients— students, seniors, families, couples, military, fitness competitors, and clients with health problems.
hope they happen though. After you
set your goals, the work to make them happen can begin. By adopting the
following mindset changes, you can have a healthier and happier 2020. MAKE A MINDSET CHANGE At Jesse James Fit and Outlaw FitCamp, the WHY of your fitness goals. Do you
our clients the best training and support available. Our clients are able to take advantage of the following:
Make 2020 your year for better health! Setting goals to be healthier, lose weight, or whatever goal you have can be done any time. But a new calendar year seems to be the time when most people make these resolutions.
972.355.2639 • JESSEJAMESFIT.COM | 940.497.6002 • OUTLAWFITCAMP.COM
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DISTRICT 7-5A DIVISION II
ALL-DIST RICT
FOOTBALL 2019
MVP: Chase Lowery, Frisco Offensive MVP: R.W. Rucker, Lovejoy
Offensive Newcomer: Caleb Heavner, Denison Defensive Newcomer: Dillon Magee, Lovejoy
Defensive MVP: Will Harbour, Frisco Reedy
Special Teams MVP: Tyler Loop, Lovejoy
All-Purpose MVP: Kobee Minor, Lake Dallas
Coaching Staff of the Year: Frisco, Braswell
FIRST TEAM Grayson Thompson, Braswell; Bryson Clemons, Frisco; JD Price, Denison, Dom Herrera, Frisco Memorial, Donta’ Reece, Frisco; Cory Owens, Princeton; Cam Smith, Braswell; J’Kalon Carter, Braswell; Reid Westervelt, Lovejoy; Daniel Torres, Princeton, Thomas Drew Donley, Frisco Lebanon Trail; Greer Rush, Frisco; Trent Robinson, Lovejoy; Wes Brooks, Denison; Cole Hutson, Frisco; Jose Conejo, Denison; Chase King, Frisco; Josh Okelola, Braswell; Kamari Wilkerson, Frisco; Amari Banks, Braswell; Brooks Griffith, Frisco Reedy; Kelvin Ukah, Lake Dallas; Braylon Butler, Braswell; Koleone Bowens-Thomas, Braswell; Tyler Beidleman, Lovejoy; Jordin Hunter, Denison; Aaron Taylor, Frisco; Austin King, Lovejoy; Michael Swope, Frisco Reedy; CJ Johnson, Braswell; Sam Barbour, Frisco Reedy; Landon Ellis, Denison; Quinn McDermott, Lovejoy, Ryan Jones, Frisco Reedy; Keebler Wagoner, Denison; Darius Blackmon, Frisco Reedy; Kendall Johnson, Princeton; Cam Smith, Braswell; Arturo Ramirez, Braswell.
SECOND TEAM Brendon Strickland, Princeton; Andrew Martin, Frisco Lebanon Trail; Blake May, Frisco; Ifessimi Yessuff, Braswell; Asa Osbourn, Denison; Jay Hill, Princeton; AJ DiNota, Frisco; Zion Washington, Frisco Reedy; Harper Pool, Lovejoy; Jaylon Banks, Braswell; Noah Jackson, Frisco Reedy; Cayden Earnhart, Denison; Josh Hernandez, Frisco Reedy; Joel Shea, Frisco Memorial; J’Kolbe Bulock, Frisco Memorial; Jacob Hernandez, Braswell; Luke Mayfield, Lovejoy; Keleon Vaughn, Denison; Leighton Archer, Lovejoy; Dacarius Cook, Princeton; Ryan Lamb, Frisco Lebanon Trail; Mason Doyle, Denison, Ethan Baker, Frisco Reedy; Kei-ard Bell, Braswell; Grant Sessions, Lovejoy; Jackson Baker, Frisco; Mike Aguilar, Braswell; Drew Williams, Denison; Chris Smallwood, Denison; Will Carder, Lovejoy; Reece Stange, Denison; Kenmunta’ Miller, Frisco; Sean Sumners, Lovejoy; Jakalen Fields, Denison, Gavin Yates, Frisco Memorial; Junior Flores, Lake Dallas; Tello Hernandez, Frisco, Peyton Beck, Frisco Reedy; Jessi Mireles, Denison; Marco Dieterle, Lovejoy; Jacob Stayman, Frisco; Javonte Briscoe, Denison; Patrick Wenger, Lake Dallas; Nick Bonilla, Frisco; Ethan Harrison, Frisco Memorial; Cam Wheeler, Denison;Max Sowerwine, Frisco; Brandon Engel, Lake Dallas; Parker Dohm, Frisco Lebanon Trail; Joseph Wilson, Princeton; Dre Young, Braswell; Jack Pruitt, Frisco Reedy; Ben Blackmore, Braswell; Keleon Vaughn, Denison; Myles Mays, Frisco; Zachary Robinson, Frisco Lebanon Trail; Robby Ogolla, Princeton; Ethan Lollar, Frisco Memorial. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 15
LOW-COST CO M PA S S I O N AT E SOLUTIONS FOR
ANIMAL WELFARE by Steve Gamel | photography by Your Candid Memories
I
t’s no secret we live in a pet-loving culture. Everywhere you
turn, that bond between humans and animals is unmistakable, whether it’s the little girl parading her new puppy through the
neighborhood, a businessman taking time from his crowded
schedule to play fetch in the park with his golden retriever, or the
elderly lady at the bus stop with two kittens curled up patiently inside her oversized purse.
Even when we take that long-awaited family portrait,
A visit to TCAP makes it clear that the entire team goes to great lengths to make sure everyone who walks through their doors – on two legs or four – has a great experience.
the pets are always included – because they’re family too.
We love our pets; they are an extension of us. But all too often, good and well-intentioned pet owners simply cannot afford the most
basic veterinary care such as spay and neuter
services, vaccinations, and even dental care. It’s a scenario Stacey Schumacher has seen
play out once too many times over the years,
which has led to euthanasia and overpopulation at
animal shelters. So she created a non-profit called the
Texas Coalition for Animal Protection. TCAP is a low-cost
alternative that partners with full-service veterinary clinics and
animal shelters while at the same time filling a void for animals who deserve quality care at a price their owners can afford.
Stacey said that in 2018 alone, TCAP spayed and neutered more than 55,000 animals. Since being founded, TCAP has sterilized
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more than 472,000 North Texas animals and vaccinated more than 901,000 against the deadly rabies virus.
“We started as one night a week in one location in 2002 and have grown so
much since then,” said Stacey, who as
TCAP’s founder and Executive Director
has proudly watched her nonprofit grow to include seven locations. “What we do
in terms of services is very limited, but we do a lot of it, and the vets we employ are subject matter experts.
“What overwhelms most pet owners is the cost factor. They love their animals, but the cost is sometimes unattainable.”
TCAP, which is heading into its 18th year,
is upfront that they aren’t trying to replace full-service clinics. They specialize only in spay and neuter services, vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention,
microchipping services, and dental
health standpoint, they will always refer a customer to a local veterinarian’s office for a more detailed evaluation. “It’s not our goal to take business from veterinary clinics,” Stacey said. “We see it as a partnership because we’re coming alongside them and offering the basic stuff everyone needs. And if need be, we refer out for specialized care.” A visit to TCAP makes it clear that the entire team goes to great lengths to make sure everyone who walks through their doors – on two legs or four – has a great experience.
om s.c mo ww
w.Y ou
rC
an
did
Me
care is equal to what you can find at vet
pet owner as little as $25. Spay and neuter
www.TexasForThem.org
rie
extraction, and antibiotics. The level of
example, a full set of vaccines could cost a
Walk-In Vaccine Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9am-12pm Thurs: 6-8pm
“Our tagline this year is lowest cost, best care. We really have focused on customer service and honing in on letting people know that we have compassionate, caring vets,” Stacey said.
work such as routine cleanings, tooth
centers but at a fraction of the price. For
940.566.5551 713 Sunset St. Denton, TX 76201
services can range between $35-$65,
which is roughly 70-80 percent cheaper than a vet clinic.
They offer wellness kits where customers can have all shots, microchipping, and
spay and neuter services for as little as
$135. For a kitten, the same wellness kit
can run as low as $85. Both kits essentially cover everything a puppy or kitten would need in its first year of life. TCAP also
works with several animal shelters in the
area to provide spay and neuter services onsite to help service pets owned by
customers who are unable to transport their pets to a TCAP location. Beyond that, if TCAP
veterinarians notice anything that concerns them about a pet – old or young – from a
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JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17
G UYER
WILDCATS
LAKE DALLAS
FALCONS
VO L L E Y B A L L 2019
DISTRICT 5-6A ALL-DISTRICT MVP: Paige Flickinger, Trophy Club Nelson HITTER OF THE YEAR: Brooke Slusser, Guyer BLOCKER OF THE YEAR: Annabelle Smith, Southlake Carroll
DISTRICT 8-5A ALL-DISTRICT MVP: Taylor Thomas, Denton OFFENSIVE MVP: Makenna Miller, Justin Northwest CO-DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS OF THE YEAR: Maria Martin, Denton; Nicole Schroeder, Ryan
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kalani Whitlock, Keller
SETTER OF THE YEAR: Ruthie Forson, Lake Dallas
SETTER OF THE YEAR: Payton Chamberlain, Trophy Club Nelson
BLOCKER OF THE YEAR: Tytiana Johnson, Braswell
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Leah Ford, Keller
FIRST TEAM
Kyndal Stowers, Guyer; Jordyn Williams, Guyer; Maggie
Walsh, Guyer; Charitie Luper, Trophy Club Nelson; Giselle
Santini, Trophy Club Nelson; Skyler McKinnion, Trophy Club
Nelson; Natalie Glenn, Southlake Carroll; Keagan Polk,
Southlake Carroll; Kate Lang, Keller; Jayden Nembhard, Keller; Caleigh Enax, Haslet Eaton; Kyndal Payne, Haslet
Eaton; Halle Sherlock, Keller Timber Creek; Abby Wells, Keller Central; Isla Olivas, Keller Fossil Ridge
SECOND TEAM
Hailey Schneider, Guyer; Nina Petersen, Trophy Club Nelson; Adeline Miller, Trophy Club Nelson; Grave Ver Meer, Trophy Club Nelson; Madelyn Grunza, Southlake Carroll; Laura
Brambilla, Southlake Carroll; Mabyn Thomas, Southlake
Carroll; Haylee Maxey, Keller; Kennedi Sutter, Keller; Adeline Ortman, Haslet Eaton; Lindsey Harris, Haslet Eaton; Sydney
Sherlock, Keller Timber Creek; Karly Wells, Keller Central;
Nakayla Abelard, Keller Fossil Ridge
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UTILITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jayda Coleman, The Colony
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Kacie Rangel, The Colony COACH OF THE YEAR: Cassie Headrick, Denton
FIRST TEAM
Sydney Soto, Denton; Abby Folsom, Denton; Leah Stolfus, Denton; Candace Collier, Lake Dallas; Caelyn Gunn, Lake
Dallas; Lanie Schantz, Lake Dallas; Daylee Doggett, Justin Northwest; Morgan Andress, Justin Northwest; Ashley
Procious, The Colony; Lydia Gentry, The Colony; Hannah
McCreight, Justin Northwest; Lexi Long, Justin Northwest; Lilly Quionones, The Colony
SECOND TEAM
Campbell Sweeten, Denton; Emma Sawko, Denton; Maci
Banks, Lake Dallas; Sloan Griffin, Lake Dallas; Halie Mitchell, Ryan; Darla Crow, Ryan; Kaeden Robinson, Braswell;
Najah Harris, Braswell; Yaznym Walker, The Colony; Natalie Hawkins, The Colony; Kennadi Harris, Little Elm; Jordan
Johnson, Little Elm; Sophie Chambers, Justin Northwest
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REPUBLIC TRASH SERVICES FAQ UPDATE
If you do not receive your replacement cart(s) prior to end of day Saturday, January 4th, please call Republic Services at 972.316.0789 or email cityoflakedallas@republicservices.com
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RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS
COMMUNITY I
CORNER by Denton County Commissioner Precinct 3 Bobbie Mitchell photo courtesy by Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell
ELLEN M. PAINTER TO RECEIVE HUMANITARIAN AWARD
I
n January, a longtime volunteer and philanthropist will be recognized as the seventh recipient of the Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award. Ellen M. Painter will receive the special award during United Tribute gala, an annual event benefitting United Way of Denton County.
Ellen, who has worked with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton for years, has served on numerous boards from the Denton Chamber of Commerce to the Texas Woman’s University Founder’s Day luncheon committee not to mention her 25 years with our local United Way. Ellen has long been known for her commitment to excellence, her passion for helping the community and for being a fun person to have around. The Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award was established by the board of directors and lifetime members of United Way of Denton County in 2014 to recognize the highest level of community leadership and philanthropy. Past recipients include Dr. Bettye Myers, Janet and Joe Mulroy, Stan Morton, Debbie and Mark Merki and Bill Patterson.
n 2020, we also want to continue to make our county services more accessible to everyone – whether it is our veteran services for the more than 40,000 who live in Denton County or ensuring that residents can easily register their motor vehicles. Accessibility is key to making sure your county government serves the needs of all residents. We will also continue to improve on our Denton County roadways and, this year, I’m looking forward to completing road projects for Hickory Creek and Lake Dallas. In particular, we’ll be working on Shady Shores Road, which has been damaged by years of flooding from the heavy rains we’ve seen in recent years. In support of the Denton County sheriff’s initiatives, we will continue to provide resources to the sheriff’s department in the opioid and human trafficking prevention efforts as well as other crimes. And, finally, we hope to provide a better education to the State Legislature and the public on the value of county government. We also will work with our legislative delegation to ensure that local governments continue to have the tools necessary to work in partnership with the state in building and maintaining our infrastructure. These are just a few of the initiatives I will be working on as the calendar year rolls into a new decade – a decade where Denton County will continue to be the best place to work, live and raise a family.
CONNECT WITH US: Facebook: DentonCountyTX | Twitter: @DentonCountyTX If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. My email is bobbie.mitchell@dentoncounty.com and my office number is 972.434.4780. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 21
Getaway for VALENTINE’S Let’s
Day by Brooke Ezzo
V
alentine’s Day falls on a Friday this
year, creating just
enough time to take your
honey on a long-weekend getaway. It isn’t too late to
plan the romantic trip, either. Whether you’re looking for
secluded and private to city
strolls and adventures, there are a few different ways to celebrate each other this Valentine’s Day. There is
something for everyone
on this flower-smelling and chocolate-eating holiday, and we have found a few
places you may enjoy for a
few close-to-home escapes this February.
GRANBURY, TEXAS
1.5 HOURS AWAY
photo courtesy of The Grandbury Square facebook
This charming old town offers plenty of romantic options for a long getaway. Stay in the Garden Cottage with a private patio and fireplace at the Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast, which is minutes from the historical Granbury Square. You can also spend your days on the square with a variety of restaurants and bars, a unique art scene, live shows, museums, and shopping. The New Granbury Live at the opera house presents a Blue Brothers Tribute and a Valentines dinner on the 14th. Don’t forget the lake, as there are a few services that offer moonlight dinner cruises out on the water. A great way to end an enchanting weekend away together. With a list of B&Bs, restaurants, and tickets to the opera house, visit www.visitgranbury.com.
BROKEN BOW, OKLAHOMA
3 HOURS AWAY
photo courtesy of www.TravelOK.com
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| JANUARY 2020
If you are looking for a nature adventure, Broken Bow has it all. Take a quiet drive to a log cabin you booked on Airbnb, where you are surrounded by the soaring pine trees and secluded in your own romantic world. If you want to leave the cabin, there is still plenty to do. Spend a day at Beavers Bend Resort Park where you can hike a variety of trails, go fishing, and even zip-line through massive trees and over the water. Make your way to a wine or brewery tour, stroll through the wildlife museum, go horseback riding, or meet some furry new friends at the petting zoo. Last but not least, try your luck at the Choctaw Casino. For more ideas for your scenic getaway, visit www.travelok.com.
www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
4.5 HOURS AWAY
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS
Everyone talks about Fredericksburg,
but have you ever experienced the Hill Country? Known for its wineries and
peaches, you’ll also be drenched in its German history, natural beauty, and rustic charm. With hundreds of bed
and breakfast options, you’ll be sure
to find one that fits your tastes. Take a
chauffeured tour on the 30-mile stretch
of road that is home to over 40 wineries
and tasting rooms. Beautiful Main Street offers unique shopping and German-
inspired foods. Take a historical walking tour, stroll through the Herb Farm, and
explore Enchanted Rock. And, of course, only 14 miles away in Luckenbach, end
your weekend in this two-building town listening to country music and dancing the night away. To see what else the Hill Country has to offer, visit
www.visitfredericksburgtx.com. You don’t have to travel far to wine and dine your love this Valentine’s Day!
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JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23
Restore YOUth Med Spa — Being The
BEST YOU POSSI BLE by Steve Gamel
T
here’s nothing wrong with wanting
“I just want people to feel like they are a
on the outside as we do on the
“My year anniversary was not long ago;
to feel as great about ourselves
inside. And when it comes to looking our absolute best, there’s only one person
Lake Cities residents turn to for all their beauty needs.
better version of themselves,” Lorri said. it’s hard to believe, but sometimes it’s also easy to believe. I’m super pumped about everything moving forward.”
Lorri moved from Tennessee to Dallas 28
In a matter of one year, Lorri Thurmond
years ago and was a stay-at-home mom
Dallas has become the premier skin
aesthetics school. She soaked everything
for what has been a largely underserved
for herself while working in physician’s
everything from laser hair removal and
and as an independent contractor.
with Restore YOUth Med Spa in Lake
for 16 years before deciding to go to
rejuvenation and aesthetics specialist
in like a sponge and quickly made a name
area for many years. Her services include
offices, national clinical training centers,
cellulite reduction to acne treatment and
Twelve years later, she has taken all that
face and body contouring.
Restore YOUth also offers chemical
peels, microneedling, dermaplanning, and Botox.
experience and channeled it into having a med spa of her own.
“It was like it was meant to be because everything fell into place,” she said.
The office will soon move from inside
Flourish Salon Suites to Lake Dallas Family
Medicine right down the road, giving Lorri a chance to offer even more services to her amazing clients.
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“I just want people to feel like they are a better version of themselves...”
| JANUARY 2020
“Having my own practice now is a God thing.”
If you want to learn more about Restore YOUth Med Spa, visit
www.restoreyouthmedspa.com. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
Old Town Market: Foodie Friday DFW
Old Town Market’s
NEW LOCATION W
hen we featured Old Town Market 2 years ago at their Old Town Lewisville location off of Mill St, they were our most-watched episode of 2018. If you’re a customer of theirs, you know why that’s the case!
Owner Shawn Knowles and his wife,
which we love, ready-to-eat sides like okra,
community and have worked hard to
upon jars of pickled items.
Sharon, are beloved members of the
continue on the “customer-first” tradition and philosophy of the original meat photos courtesy of Foodie Friday DFW
market which was opened by Shawn’s father, Bob, and Dickie Grant.
an assortment of spices and rubs, and jars Of course, the showpiece of the store
is the meat counter which is constantly being restocked with only the highest-
quality meats Shawn can find. Whether
Hanging in the new location of the Old
you need steaks, hamburger patties, roast,
original carving knives, there to serve as a
can help you out. And if you don’t see the
Town Market in Double Oak are Bob’s
fajita chicken, or ribs, Shawn and his team
reminder of the past 43 years of service to
cut of meat that you need, let them know
the community.
and they’ll cut it however you need!
The new location is absolutely beautiful
You can find specials running throughout
and is jam-packed with all kinds of
incredible products like the Amish butter
the year for holidays, etc. But their most popular deal is most definitely their
all the meats. It truly is an art form and is fascinating to watch. Now at the new location, you can watch them at work through the big, open windows behind the meat counter. We selfishly love that their new location is closer to us and are grateful for the years of dedicated service they’ve provided to our local community!
Anniversary specials in May which include the Bacon-Wrapped Filets. We always get some for ourselves and apparently lots of you do too, because Shawn told us they sold around 42,000 filets this past May!
One of our favorite parts about filming at the Old Town Market is getting to go in
the back and watch them cut and carve
972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com jay@jaymarksrealestate.com 1013 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 102 | Flower Mound, TX 75022
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JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 25
TAX TIME IS COMING by Steve Gamel
W
e’re barely through the first month of 2020, so let’s talk about taxes, shall we? You’re probably saying to yourself that it’s way too soon to talk about that, and, in many ways, you’re right – tax day isn’t until April 15, and even then, you can always file an extension. But waiting until the last minute only makes things worse. So why not start now?
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Here’s a simple, yet important list of five common tax items everyone should be rounding up right now:
ALL DOCUMENTS T H AT P R OV E W H AT YO U M A D E I N 2 0 1 9
A D E TA I L E D L I S T O F A L L YO U R DEDUCTIONS
D I R EC T D E P O S I T I N F O R M AT I O N
This includes everything from W-2 forms to unemployment income, investment income, rental property income, social security benefits, and even 1099s.
This is a perfect example of something that will take some time, especially if you are relying on crumpled up receipts between the seats of your car. Be mindful
ones to get money back on your taxes,
of anything that can help out your case, including childcare and educational expenses, property tax and mortgage interest, retirement accounts, etc.
Assuming you are one of the lucky
make sure you have your bank account
information handy. This includes routing and account numbers.
A L I S T O F A L L YO U R CREDITS Credits are another great way to
P E R S O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N
lower your tax burden, but you need
If you’re doing a single filing, this is as simple as knowing your social security number. But if you’re married and have children, you will need the same information for each person in your family. If you’re relying on a CPA to handle your tax return, make sure they have birthdates, etc., and have previous years’ tax returns available.
documentation to prove you deserve them. Examples of common credits
include child credit, premium tax credits, and lifetime learning credits.
These tips are all fine and dandy, but what about the procrastination part? After all, even if we know how to get our hands on all the information above, most of us see it as too big a chore and ignore it for as long as possible.
“THE HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD TO UNDERSTAND IS THE INCOME TAX.” — Albert Einstein
SOME TIPS TO HELP WITH PROCRASTINATION INCLUDE: BLOCK OUT TIME
CREATE YOUR OWN DEADLINE
Maybe a few weekends are coming up where you can spend an hour at a time getting all your ducks in a row. Starting earlier and in smaller doses makes tax prep and easier pill to swallow.
Pick an earlier date as your own personal deadline. Mark it on your calendar and make sure it’s listed as a big deal.
PRIORITIZE Ask yourself, “what’s the one item I can accomplish today?” Once you know the answer, then do it.
HIRE A BOOKKEEPER The benefits of having a bookkeeper are numerous. Perhaps the biggest one is that they can do all the heavy lifting for you and then give you a pretty package of tax documents for your CPA.
We’d be silly if we didn’t add in here that Murray Media Group are not a tax advisors. This is merely a basic list of information you should consider pulling together now rather than waiting until the last minute. There are plenty of qualified CPAs in and around Denton County who can help answer specific tax questions as they relate to your situation.
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JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 27
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SHERIFF’S W I T H
S H E R I F F
T R A C Y
M U R P H R E E
WE ARE
HIRING
DETENTION
OFFICERS! If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization. Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year. Visit our website to apply. www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty
DENTON COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS
D
enton County Crime Stoppers, Inc. celebrated 30 years of service to Denton
County, its citizens, and state and local law enforcement. In 30 years, Denton
County Crime Stoppers has certainly made an impact locally. A total of 10,731 tips
from the public have netted 4,096 arrests, 267 confiscated firearms, $4,754,776 in seized drugs, and $2,848,630 in recovered property. An estimated $1,534,760 in rewards have been paid to those who have taken the time to let law enforcement know of crimes that
have been committed. A partnership with the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, the public, and the media has created a winning combination.
Over the past three years, Denton County Crime Stoppers has been recognized by the Office of the Governor and the Texas Crime
Stoppers Advisory Council for the following achievements:
Productivity Award 2016 Most Cases Cleared for
Population of 500,001-1,000,000 Productivity Award 2016
Greatest Dollar Recovery for
Population of 500,001-1,000,000
Productivity Award 2017 Most Cases Cleared for Population of 500,001-1,000,000
The Safe School Program of Denton County Crime Stoppers is a program to expand Crime Stoppers operations, encouraging students to remain totally anonymous when reporting school crime. The program has no impact on taxpayers and relies on the collaboration of law enforcement, media, teachers, and students to provide a flow of information about crime and criminal activity.
Productivity Award 2017 Greatest Dollar Recovery for Population of 500,001-1,000,000
Let’s continue to help them help law enforcement. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 cash on tips leading to the arrest of an individual — and you remain anonymous!
Productivity Award 2018 Most Cases Cleared for Population of 500,001-1,000,000
You can call 1-800-388-TIPS (8477) with information or visit www.dentoncountycrimestoppers.
Productivity Award 2018 Greatest Dollar Recovery for Population of 500,001-1,000,000
com for more details.
940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.COM/DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
JANUARY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 29
Ask The Expert: Organizing
How To Achieve Your
Organizing Goals by Crystal Nerpel, Owner of Cloud Nine Organizing
C
lutter is exhausting and overwhelming to deal with. Not just trying to tackle it, but trying to avoid, ignore, and maneuver around clutter is also equally exhausting. Having organizing goals is great, but how do you actually achieve those goals when it’s so overwhelming?
ONE BITE AT A TIME How do you eat an elephant? One bite
at a time. An overwhelming task is much
easier to swallow, so to speak, if you break it into bite-sized pieces and take your
time. If you have the great big goal of
organizing your entire home, then that’s a great organizing goal. It’s also a great
BIG organizing goal and could be way too daunting. Start by focusing on one space at a time and back into the BIG goal.
As one of my clients recently pointed out to me, “small hinges swing big gates.” When you take one small action step
toward your goal, you’ll start noticing
bigger, faster results with less effort as
time goes on. Man, I love knowing that. Don’t you?
KNOW YOU CAN Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or think you cannot, you
are right.” There is such genius truth to this statement. If you set an organizing goal (or any life goal for that matter) and immediately tell yourself, “There’s no way I can do this.” Guess what? You’ve already defeated yourself. You have set yourself up for failure. Flip that negative self-talk on it’s head! Go to a mirror, look yourself in the eyes and say, “I’ve got this. This is my home, and I am in control of the clutter. Clutter is not in control of me.” Then give yourself a high-five and get to work. Who cares if you feel silly because you’re about to crush your goals! HAVE A PLAN As an organizing specialist, I have successfully organized and decluttered many homes. Before tackling every single one of those organizing jobs, I made sure I had a plan in place. Sometimes, even the best made plans need to be adjusted as the job progresses. But I always start with
a general idea of how to accomplish my
client’s decluttering and organizing goals. WHERE TO START You can try starting with the spot that bothers you the most. Once you get
the most annoying clutter taken care of, the rest will usually fall way more easily. However, if it ALL equally bothers you,
then start with your personal space like
your bedroom. Your bedroom is probably the first room you see when you open your eyes in the morning, and the last
room you see when you close your eyes at night. Make that space the best space in
your house! It sets the tone for your mood (whether you realize it or not). WHEN TO FINISH Keep yourself accountable and on track by making sure your organizing plan has a realistic timeline attached to it.
Put it on the calendar and hold yourself accountable to that “finish date.” Make sure you give yourself enough time to
complete the project, but don’t make it so far out that you begin to procrastinate.
CLOUDNINEORGANIZING.COM
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