Lantana Living Magazine June 2016 by Murray Media Group

JUNE 2016

HOMER

Is Where

The

Heart IS

Elite

Cassandra Homer

BOARDING

Your best friend will thrive in our clean and safe facility. We offer lots of exercise and tons of fun! Check out our 8'x8' luxury suites.

DAY CARE

We have 5 outdoor play areas, all with new synthetic lawn. Our 3 indoor play areas are air conditioned, and of course, dogs are always supervised.

GROOMING

Come by for a tour and see why we were voted Best Pet Spa and Boarding Facility in Denton County. With 3 of the best groomers in Denton County, your pet will always look and feel their best!

TRAINING

Whether it's private lessons with our trainer or group classes we have all the knowledge and skills to help keep your dog safe and well behaved.

972.724.2157 caninecourtyard.com 3209 Justin Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Flower Mound, TX 75028

For Best Pet Spa and Boarding

•

When

if caught outside, avoid tall areas like hills, avoid trees and bodies of water, crouch low to the ground, remove yourself/ stay away from crowds.

Bonded Lightning Protection Systems has gladly adopted Lightning Awareness Week. But it wants to take the message one step further. The company’s mission is to protect every vulnerable structure in the United States from the devastation of lightning. Bonded is a second-generation, family-owned and faith-based business that provides superior lightning protection and grounding services. Rather than just focus on the tips that can help protect your family

Go Indoors

a step further by protecting your commercial, residential and industrial structures.

by Steve Gamel

A lightning protection system provides structural

Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 19 – June 25, 2016

protection against a direct lightning strike. A

the ONLY method recognized by the Lightning

ummer is here, and that means families will be spending long-awaited time camping, fishing, relaxing out on the boat, enjoying a good barbecue with friends, or spending a day at the beach. Get out and have fun! But also be mindful of summer storms and when the weather takes an unexpected turn. Bonded Lightning Protection Systems, Ltd. (Bonded) of Argyle -- a leader in protecting structures from the devastation of lightning -- wants to remind everyone that Lightning Safety Awareness Week starts June 19 and runs through June 25. It is during this week that various organizations across the nation, including the National Weather Service, Lightning Protection Institute and Lightning Safety

Featured Stories and News 07

From Your Editor

All Life is Precious

Message from the HOA

Denton County Trains Volunteers

Inside Community

Guyer Ends Spring Season

CycleBar Gives Back

What Went Wrong with STAAR

Homer is Where the Heart Is

call 940.584.0255 for more information

Guyer Wildcat Basketball Boys Camps June 20th-23rd Fundamental Camp July 11th-14th Shooting Camp

contact Julie Hawkins at juliehawk@tmumc.org for details

VBS - First Baptist Church of Lantana July 23rd from 9am - 3pm W.A.L.L. (Women of Argyle Leaving a Legacy) July 27th Event at The Clubhouse at Robson Ranch visit argylechamber.org/wall 2016 to register

S2S Sport Performance Enhancement Classes Every Tuesdays & Thursdays now through August 18th, 11am - 12pm Call 940.241.1215 for more information

Want to feature your schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event? Contact us at artwork@murray-media.com 6 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Ask the Experts 08 16 22 27 28 35 41 43 47 48 51

Business Coaching Real Estate

Ethan Toy, State Track

Nutrition

Makeover of the Month

Learning

Max Hornsby, Snake Wrangler

Inside Education

Bugs, Bugs and more Bugs

Dr. Matt

#MomCo App Review

Healthy Living

Speed to Read

Local Dining Upscale Home The Sidelines

Gardening Restaurant Review

from Lantana

VBS - Trietsch Memorial Church July 25th-29th from 9am - noon

On the Cover: Cassandra Homer of RE/MAX Elite

PHOTOS

contact glong@dentonisd.org or 940.369.1188 for more information

Pg 32

E.P. Rayzor Fun Run

Last Day of School

Adkins Field Day

You Submit We Print

“CONTROL vs

CONTROLLING you” A Message from The Community Editor “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” - Albert Einstein

recently got into a discussion that led me down the path of trying to understand the big difference between intuition and instinct.

for me is when ‘what’s right’ can touch both

sides of the dilemma at the same time and I’m instantly stuck.

I believe there are just certain feelings we

follow without concrete reasoning and others we

After reading and researching, I found that instinct is something we don’t have a conscious lean towards. They allow us to know without choice about…it kind of controls us. We react asking how to get a fussy baby to sleep… it’s just something you whether we want to or not. do automatically without Intuition is a feeling, a hunch, a gut-check that makes one thinking—instinct. reaction seem more attractive For me, the really than the other: a choice to interesting part of this take control. self-assessment came ‘Instinct’ comes from the recently when I leaned into word ‘impulse,’ indicating my “mother’s intuition”. a body response to make I knew my son was not only one choice over another. hurt, he was injured. It was Whereas ‘intuition’ is based that nudge inside of me that off ‘consideration’, a belief Kathryn Flores, knows me, perhaps an inner Community Relations and or thought process that we wisdom that forged ahead to Advertising Consultant subconsciously choose the Argyle Living & Lantana Living seek guidance. Sure, I can be most desirable outcome. Kathryn@murray-media.com overprotective and will go to 214.734.5783 Intuition allows us to bat for my children, but this recognize when to run from was just a hunch, a gut-feeling that I had no danger, or the “flight or fight” response. As way of knowing which was right. In my case, my mothers know, when there is something off with our children, it is our sixth sense that we intuition was, unfortunately, right. So my suggestion is to do a bit of line up behind the other five. It’s said that women may have a stronger ability to make a self-reflection…realize and relate to the inner successful intuitive decision because of their exceptional skills in reading people. I have to agree! Self-awareness is the foundation of these differences. For me, when doubt creeps in, I lose the instinct and intuition to do what is best because doubt becomes the power. Doubt

voice, trust your gut and choose to act verses

react to a situation. Once you are in control, the other controls you! Allow yourself to only be controlled by the voice of your faith, honor it

LantanaLiving.com Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray Administration Managing Editor Jana Melton

Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Contributors

Steve Gamel Susan Neuhalfen

Advertising

Kathryn Flores kathryn@murray-media.com Kelly Murray kelly@murray-media.com

Production Graphic Designers Liz Wallace Stephanie Hansen Whitney Hill Caroline Brock

Photography

Eric Priddy 817.907.7040 EricPriddy.com Scott Young 972.899.3536 ScottYoungPhoto.com

Letters

Lantana Living invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email artwork@murray-media.com. All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.

Editorial and Advertising inquiries call 972.899.3637 or email artwork@murray-media.com Address: 1011 Surrey Lane Building 100 Ste. 101 Flower Mound, TX 75022 Lantana Living is published monthly by Murray Media Group. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Lantana Living is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2016 Murray Media Group

with courage and commit to it endlessly. Until next month…

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 7

Busines Coaching

IT’S ALL ABOUT the

CONSEQUENCES

ecades ago when I was working productive, but it is impossible to be productive as a Peace Corps volunteer in without being busy. Not just any old busy: Africa, Henry, our hard-working focused, deliberate, high quality busy-ness that regional director and chief liaison with the produces extraordinary results. Getting more out of one’s time is a universal local government, proudly subscribed to the mantra “Busy, Busy, Busy.” In fact, he had challenge. And the whole point of time that slogan stamped on the outside of the soft, management principles is to help you move black briefcase he carried everywhere. Henry into a state of high productivity by learning prided himself on a sustained level of high how to correctly assign priorities to the tasks activity. He radiated an undeterred optimism that are asking for our attention. Priorities are in his ability to conquer any challenge, mostly directly influenced by consequences. Every day we’re faced with a series through perseverance, of choices for which there and believe me, that’s an are consequences: the essential trait for success Priorities are consequences of choosing as a Peace Corps volunteer. Directly Influenced to do the thing, as well Being busy was good and by Consequences. as the consequences of smart, while being “Busy, NOT doing the thing. Busy, Busy” was to achieve Identifying consequences an omnipotent Henry-ness that most of us could only marvel at. So yes, is the first step in turning busy-ness Henry taught me the value of staying busy, and into productivity. One of my favorite tools for managing time is I have valued busy-ness ever since. We’re all so busy! Family, kids, job, church, the ABCDE method (credited to Brian Tracy). shopping, school, celebration events, recreation, How do we ABCDE the tasks begging for our and staying fit: the list of things asking for attention? The “A” tasks are those that MUST our time is long. Being busy is a badge we be done first – because the consequences of proudly wear, because we know that to change doing/not doing them are so significant. The the world for the better, being busy is a “B” tasks are those that SHOULD be done just as soon as you finish “A” tasks. “B” tasks necessary condition. But is being busy the same as being are important to do but not urgent. The “C” productive? You can be busy and not be tasks are those that COULD be done: the

8 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

consequences of putting these tasks off are low, and they’re scheduled after “A” and “B” tasks are complete. “D” tasks are those that should be DELEGATED to someone else because they’re not the best use of your talents or time. The “E” tasks are those that should be ELIMINATED from your list. The more you can eliminate low/no value activities, the more free time you’ll have for the things that matter most. Darren Hardy, editor of Success magazine, interviewed many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and declared “NO is the master skill of success.” That’s right. Your ability to say “no” to lesser consequence activities is the key to achieving super-productivity. Saying “no” is hard because it often creates conflict and disappointment with others or forces us out of our comfort zone. But it is one of the most effective tactics you can employ to gain control of your time and your life. Looking back I realize that Henry wasn’t just “Busy, Busy, Busy”; he was highly productive, too, because he always worked on the most important things first. “Busy, Busy, Busy” was just Henry’s way of way of writing “ABCDE.” by Art Locke, Focal Point Coaching, ArtLockeCoaching.com

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 9

ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS

by Susan Neuhalfen

Furry or Not, Ranch Hand Rescue Believes that

“D

oris Roberts saved my life,” were Ranch Hand Rescue Founder Bob Williams first words about his debilitating stroke that forced him into a year-long recovery that ultimately saved his life and many others.

Yes, THAT Doris Roberts.

Doris Roberts is best remembered as

Raymond’s mom on the hit series Everybody

Loves Raymond and was a very close friend to Williams. She was with him when he had his

but the animals that everyone said couldn’t

center and sanctuary that provides mental health

euthanized because they had special needs. It

life experiences. RHR is trauma and PTSD

be rescued. These animals would ordinarily be

was a tremendous undertaking and most tried

to discourage Williams, so he called his friend

stroke and it was her quick thinking and actions

Doris for support. At that point he had written

wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but there was

stuck on what to write for chapter 4.

that saved his life. Thanks to Roberts the damage

three chapters from his life and was stuck on was

a lot of recovery time in front of him so Williams

“Don’t you realize that’s the next chapter in your book?” she asked.

got to work.

A Motorola executive, Williams didn’t know

how to relax in order to recover so he began writing a book. One challenge was, following

the stroke, he had to learn how to write again. He had to re-train his body and his brain to do

a lot of things. The stroke was a huge wake-up

call for him and he decided that he wanted to start an animal sanctuary, so he went to his

friend Marty at the American Pet Spa in Argyle

for advice. Marty loved the idea and offered to build some pens. From there, Williams began

rescuing animals—and not just any animals— 10 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

counseling for children suffering from traumatic

certified and specializes in treating complex cases where individuals are not making progress in their current program. They partner the children

with the rescued animals under the guidance

of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in counseling sessions. These special animals that

have been abused or neglected have a way of

reaching the children in ways that people cannot. “We’ve discovered a sort of magic connection

Williams started Ranch Hand Rescue in

between people who have been abused and

of trauma. First it was about the animals, and

“We partner abused and neglected animals with

the belief that every life is sacred and every living

of the trauma.”

He wanted to build an organization that would

to take away from the great job that their partner

Now a non-profit charity, Ranch Hand

and help the children and adults that were not

2008 as a place of hope and healing for victims

animals that have been abused,” said Williams.

then it grew to include humans. Williams is of

individuals (primarily children) to get to the root

creature—including an animal—has a purpose.

Williams made it clear that they aren’t there

save special needs animals and also help people.

Rescue (RHR) is an area farm animal rescue

organizations do. They are there to fill a niche progressing in their current treatment program.

Though traditional therapy works for many trauma victims, Williams explains that 5-8% of them are not successful and, as he puts it, “get stuck”. Many are referred to RHR, where therapists are not only licensed professional counselors, but they are also certified in animal therapies such as equine assisted psychotherapy. Many therapies are offered and each client, following extensive testing and evaluation, is designed the therapy to help him/her succeed. They offer animal-assisted therapy, equine therapy, EMDR, faith-based, sand tray, art therapy, play therapy and TF-CBT. Ranch Hand Rescue is not a riding therapy program. They serve a different client base. They focus on issues such as trauma from physical and sexual abuse, depression, anger, anxiety, grief/loss, substance abuse and eating disorders. In fact, they are the only non-profit Equine/Animal Assisted counseling program in the country that focuses only on mental health counseling, partners children with abused and neglected animals and uses only Licensed Professional Counselors

with advance college degrees and special

That’s where great friends like Annette and

training in trauma informed therapy and other

Glen Doody at Savory Bistro in the Bartonville

Most coming into Ranch Hand Rescue

Bistro are hosting a fundraiser for Ranch

treatment modalities.

aren’t in a position to pay for therapy. Williams believes that services should be free or at least

subsidized for the victims. Programs are funded through grants ad donations. Currently Ranch

Town Center come in. The folks at Savory Hand Rescue on June 22. Tickets are available now for the first annual Sunset Serenade and

Summer BBQ Fundraiser from 6-10 p.m. The cost is $25 per ticket with pre-sale available at www.ranchhandrescue.org or at

“We’ve discovered a sort of magic connection between people who have been abused and animals that have been abused,”

Savory Bistro. Tickets include

raffle tickets for door prizes, one complimentary drink (beer, wine

or non-alcoholic), entry into the silent auction and fabulous

entertainment by local musicians

The BBQ itself is an extra charge and worth every penny

Hand Rescue has 62 children in their counseling

and every bite.

services. RHR accepts new clients as money is

kindness from Savory Bistro,” said Williams of

stop therapy due to a lack of funds. Williams

proud to have them as part of our family.”

per year and that guarantees that the child will

their second facility on 377 in Denton. Dave

program and has a waiting list of children needing

“I am humbled by Annette’s and Glen’s

granted or raised. That way, they never have to

his friends. “They are amazing people and I am

says the cost per child is approximately $5,000

In addition, Ranch Hand Rescue is building

receive the services needed.

Salisbury of Hamilton Homes is generously building the new facility at a substantial price

reduction. Once completed, RHR will be able

to double the number of clients they currently serve. He also mentioned that if people have

any commercial supplies they would be willing to donate, it would help them to get this facility

done even sooner and cut costs. They are

looking for everything from doors to electrical

supplies, lumber and cement to get the building up and running. A foundation in Dallas has

agreed to double any donations made to RHR up to $50,000.

“We need the public’s help,” said Williams.

“This facility is good for Denton County and will help many people.”

Together with his team, Williams is gathering

everything they’ve learned from this therapy that they’ve developed so that they can share with

other non-profits and help even more trauma victims live a full and happy life. Recently

RHR has been featured on Animal Planet and National Geographic channels.

“This is the best thing I’ve ever done, saving

as many people and animals as possible,” said

Williams. “I’m part of the solution now and I can honestly say this is a very good place to be.”

pictured above on the left Bob Williams & Doris Roberts, photos courtesy of Ranch Hand Rescue

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RANCH HAND RESCUE YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.RANCHHANDRESCUE.ORG JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 11

Lantana HOA Summer Update by Jim Bridges, Lantana HOA

his year’s Music on the Green may have been the best year yet. I know my family had a wonderful time this year. It is so very encouraging to see our community come together and enjoy the greatness that is Lantana. If you noticed we had a new sponsor show up this year in UNT. We have a great event scheduled with UNT this fall that I will report more on at a later date. It was unfortunate we had to cancel that last weekend because of bad weather. All signs are that everyone had an amazing time and the events met expectations. With summer now here and the pools open

I want to give some updates. The splash pad is

being redone. Because of all the rain things have been a little delayed on its re-surfacing. I am very excited about how this should turn out when it’s finished. The week of June 6th is the first week

in the past month and a half that does not call

for rain. While it may be a little while before it’s up and running, the new improvements should be worth waiting for. I know my son Jake and daughter Cary Grace are eager to spend the

“safety breaks” at the pool over at the splash pad. The HOA did make a few other adjustments

this year. We are having pool monitors at the

three neighborhood pools located in Heritage, Sandlin and Larkspur. The monitors will be there

Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m., and weekends from 12:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m. The intent is to have the monitors on location when

the association is closed. If anyone has concerns during normal office hours, they are encouraged

to call the office at (940) 728-1660 and onsite staff can come assist with any pool issues. These monitors have been

put in place to make sure users of the pools are

Lantana residents and

the pool rules are being

followed. This allows for a

safe and enjoyable experience for all of our residents.

The

monitors will be able to check the

water chemistry of the swimming pools and will notify the pool service company if the pool

requires attention. This is key to making sure our neighborhood pools are maintained in clean and attractive condition.

I am very encouraged and excited about all the

great things our staff at the HOA are doing. A

major priority for the board is making sure we

keep our community swimming pools safe, clean, and fun for everyone to enjoy.

12 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

LantanaRESIDENT

Lantana 5th graders won the 6th grade 7 on 7 championship! Hosted by DISD JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 13

Denton County Trains

euhalfen by Susan N

VOLUNTEERS

In Police Service

hey’re the inaugural class of VIPS for the Denton County Sheriff’s Department

and they are excited. VIPS stands for Volunteers in Police Service and this group of individuals have finished a 10 week course to help the Denton County Sheriff’s Department in a volunteer capacity. Whether it be patrolling areas, filing documents, fingerprinting citizens or manning watchtowers in the parking lot, this group is trained and ready to help in any way they can. “We’re bridging the gap between law

enforcement and the community,” said Charley

Sheriff ’s department by acting as an extension of that department.

The class meets once a week for two hours,

although getting into the class isn’t as easy as signing up and showing up. Volunteers go

through an extensive selection process. They

start by sending in applications online at the

website. Once their application is approved, they have a preliminary interview followed by a background check. Once that is finished, VIP Christy Wong says, the fun begins.

“I cannot express to you just how awesome

it was,” she said excitedly. “The classes always

went over time because we were so engaged

The class went on tours of the Denton

County Jail, the practice gun range used by the police officers, and had many demonstrations

explaining how crime scenes are solved. According to Smith, so many people

are jaded by watching shows like CSI,

that they spent a lot of time explaining

to the class how crimes are really solved versus what you see on TV.

Wong, who has a background in Science,

mentioned that her favorite part of the class

was the forensics. She said one of Smith’s best

qualities is explaining police work in laymen’s

and had so many questions.”

terms so that everyone understood

“The VIPS serve as our advocates in the

expectations, rules, regulations and procedures

string to determine gunshot trajectory,” said

what we do and what our jobs are.”

department of the Sheriff ’s office does and had

splatter shined under UV light using a special

involved volunteered their time.

was fascinating.”

Smith, a Deputy in the Denton County

Sheriff ’s Department Community Outreach. community and they know exactly

In fact, they not only know what they

do, they are there to help fill in the gaps for the

At orientation, Smith went over the

with the class. He explained what each

guest speakers discuss their roles. Everyone

“They showed us how they used laser vs.

Wong. “We also learned all about blood

solution that’s sprayed onto the blood. It

photos courtesy of Sandi Brackeen 14 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

LantanaRESIDENT Most of the volunteers have no prior

Now that the class has completed the

experience with law enforcement although

10 week course, they will have continuing

a police office in Carrollton for 30 years and a

actually issued a volunteer uniform and have

one man in the class, according to Smith, was

fingerprint expert in the forensic department. Smith says he just wants to keep his

hat in the ring, so to speak.

The volunteers

have also helped the

Denton

County Sheriff ’s Department get for

said Smith. “They are there to act as our eyes

volunteer jobs available to them. They could

Even though it’s an inaugural class here

“We’re Bridging the Gap Between Law Enforcement and the Community...”

area

women’s shelter with which the police force is needing help.

“Some of the volunteers have helped us get

basic good likes diapers,” said Smith. “But

they’ve also helped get computers to help these women find a job. We just got started but

we’re going to be able to help fundraise for the shelter as well.”

“We would never put them in danger,”

education classes once a month. They are

donations

The police would then come to take over.

citizens

adoption. although

for

The

they

taking classes.

public

name

possibilities will

need

and ears.”

go to school

in Denton County, Smith says they aren’t

students.

catering it to the needs of Denton County.

talk

They been

have

trained

keep files on fingerprints. Some will

help

fingerprint change

are

endless,

continue

In their ongoing training they will learn

more detailed jobs like working the police

recreating the wheel. They are, however, “It’s

valuable,

money

saving

tool,

incorporating people in the community into jobs in law enforcement where people can

help,” explained Smith. “As we get bigger, this

will save tax payers money as we get more services performed through these volunteers.”

As for Wong, she believes that people should

do everything they can to assist police officers. Because of the so-called Ferguson Rule, officers get a bad rap.

“We need to be advocates for our police

officers,” said Wong passionately. “They are

incredibly misunderstood by today’s culture.

radio (they aren’t allowed to use them without

They put their lives on the line for us and barely

patrol an area and call in suspicious activities.

and need our help.”

training). In this capacity, they could voluntarily

earn a living wage. They are under-appreciated

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 15

Real Estate

Hot Market

in North Texas

by Tisha White of White Realty www.WhiteRealty.net

he market continues to be hot in North Texas, and in Lantana. That's great news for most of you reading this article. You can likely sell your home for more, in some cases significantly more, than you paid for it. If our latest tax appraisals are any indication, that’s definitely the case!

LantanaRESIDENT

In a market like this, you may be thinking of selling your house yourself. Anyone can put a sign in the yard and get a buyer, however that is just the beginning.

16 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

How do you get (and net) the most money?

house will appraise for this amount and why does that matter? Getting the most traffic almost always yields the best results. More traffic increases the chances of securing a single offer, and perhaps multiples. What’s your strategy to make that happen? How will you navigate the offers and choose which is ultimately best? What does best mean? Highest? Most qualified to close? Fastest (or slowest) close?

First, what’s your pricing strategy? How do you identify what buyers are paying for property in today’s market, and how are you assessing the value of your home? Do you know if your

Getting your house under contract is just the beginning. Negotiating the option period and requested repairs can dramatically change your

When people talk about selling their home, they really want one thing, the most money in their pocket. We get it. Buying or selling a house is usually the biggest financial decision people make so it is important to align yourself with the right people. Rather than asking yourself can I find a buyer for my own house? here are some tough questions you should be asking:

How do you keep the most money?

transaction, including the amount of money you keep and whether the contract even closes. Do you have a strategy to negotiate repairs, or know what repairs actually need to be done in this market climate? Do you have exceptional repair pros who will give you bids, and do repairs for reasonable rates?

Can you Get the Buyer to the closing table?

Getting the buyer is the easy part (at least in a sellers’ market). Getting to the closing table is where the work really takes place. In North Texas, 25% of contracts fall out some time between the contract signing and the closing table. That’s 1 in 4. In our Keller Williams Flower Mound office, that statistic improves to 1 in 10. Our team has not had one contract terminate after the option period. Bottom line, we are exceptionally trained in real estate negotiation and we know how to get buyers to the closing table. There are surprisingly 13 different ways a buyer can terminate the contract after the option period expires, including financing and appraisal issues, among others. Thirteen. A talented, trained realtor will help you vet offers to choose the most qualified and help best position your home for a successful appraisal, or add language in the contract to protect you if the appraisal falls short. You would likely be shocked at the work that happens behind the scenes that you never see.

Do you have the time for this? This is the one that always gets lost in the math problem. Selling a home takes time when you’ve hired a professional. How do you put a value on the time/stress/knowledge factor of dealing with every single aspect of the deal? Safety is a serious issue too. How will you coordinate showings? Are you prepared to let a stranger into your home while you are there? What are your steps to evaluate who you are letting into your home and how are you tracking that?

What are you thinking now?

We have asked a lot of questions in this article and it is a lot to consider. Before making a decision, you need to talk to the White Group. Our goal, in all cases, is to help you maximize your wealth during the biggest purchase of your life. We help you navigate each step of the process, from earning the highest possible sale price to making it happen on the back end. Give us a call, whether you’re considering a move now, in six months or 2 years. We love making new friends and we love to help. (940) 202-9722

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 17

It’s Story Time for the Little Ones with Mrs. Boatfield

Forestar Realtor Event Highlights Lantana’s Amenities Attention Realtors! Come bring your buyers

and see all of the great things that Lantana

has to offer at the Forestar Event. This festival will feature booths representing all of the great

Bring the little ones and get

out of the house for a bit! Mrs.

Boatfield will be hosting story

time in the North Group Fitness Room on Friday, June 24. Story

June 28 from 1-3pm. It’s free to play and prizes will be awarded. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family!

Celebrate the 4th on the 29th? We’ll celebrate the 4th a little early just for the kids at a Fourth of July

amenities that Lantana has to offer including

time for wee little ones ages

Lantana Ladies League and more. Lantana’s

10:30am—11:00am

and

on Wednesday, June 29 from 2

on hand to talk about all of the great events they

2 yrs—5 yrs will be at

a show full of Fourth of July Fun

Lantana schools, the tennis and golf clubs,

18 mos—2 yrs will be at

own Lifestyle Coordinator Ashtin Slovac will be

for

have planned for the community. There will be

11:00am—11:30am.

carnival games, a band, food and even a cupcake

truck. For more information, call 940-728-2000.

Teen Pool Party Happening at Lantana Pool for a few hours and join us at the Lantana Pool for the teen pool party! We’ll

have games, pizza, soda and a live

DJ from 7pm-9pm. If you would like

volunteer

the

party,

as a chaperone for

please

contact Ashtin Slovak 940-728-1660

email her at aslovak@

LantanaRESIDENT

insightam.com

18 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

toddlers

ages

Laser Tag on the Green on Saturday, June 25th Come play laser tag on the green

Get your teenager to put the phone down

the

with us Saturday, June 25 from 5pm until

7pm. Space is limited - we’ll have 50 player slots. We’ll play 5-6 games per hour with 20

person rotating team. It was so much fun the last

time and it will be even better this time. Don’t miss out!

Cost is $8 and reservation is required.

Hip Hip Hooray Children’s Show to 3pm. Bring the little ones for including songs, puppets, safety tips, stories and more! It all takes place in the North Amenity’s Group Fitness Room.

Jumping Fun All Summer Long Looking for some great fun for the kids this summer? Bring them to CAMP ALTITUDE at Altitude Trampoline Park in Denton. We’ll have Tuesday- Thursday (3-day) camps with full day

RSVP: http://whoozin.com/NG4-YVR-7XMK

and half day options available starting in June!

B-I-N-G-O on T-U-E-S-D-A-Y

full day (10a-4p) or half day (10a-1p or 1p-4p).

Come out for a fun afternoon of BINGO in the North Group Fitness Room on Tuesday,

All kids ages 6 - 13 are welcome for either a Activities will include dodgeball tournament, slam-dunk contest, nerf wars and more. Email Rick@altitudedenton.com to reserve your spot!

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 19

Guyer Ends Spring With

ALL POSITIVES,

NO CONCERNS by Steve Gamel

continue giving us the dual threat quality we are

coach John Walsh insisted his offense would not

are asking me, ‘Can you

and TCU commit Shawn Robinson to DeSoto.

run?’ Yes, we can.”

expect Guyer to again be a dominant team in

ton of playing time on

All that was left was for Stillwell was to

at the helm, but he

ew Guyer quarterback Luke Stillwell may be everything he’s cracked up to be after all.

“He was accurate all spring, and he’s going to

Before spring workouts started, Wildcats head

used to,” Walsh said of the junior-to-be. “People

skip a beat following the loss of two-year starter

guys still throw and

Simply put, Stillwell is the new signal caller and

Stillwell didn’t see a

varsity with Robinson

back up those words—which he did all spring

finished the year with 194 passing yards and

spring game on May 19 where he threw two

18 carries.

touchdowns and zero interceptions.

20 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

was sick, and also came in at quarterback in two of the team’s four playoff games.

“We’re Going into This District Believing That We Are Competing for a District Championship,”

Class 6A next season.

long—concluding with a stellar showing in the

over Trophy Club Byron Nelson when Robinson

one touchdown. He also rushed for 107 yards on He started Guyer’s 12-10 District 5-6A win

We’ve written a lot

about

Stillwell,

but

truth be told, Walsh said he’s one of a slew

of Wildcats who had

a successful spring and are looking to build

on last year’s run to the Class 6A Division II regional final.

He pointed to newcomers like fullbacks

Turner Aune and Trevor Caples, who should

both be able to step in immediately in the fall. The same was said of safety DeRay Darthard. All three, with Stillwell, should fit in nicely with six

returning starters on offense and five defensively. Stillwell appears to have the most help thanks

to a trio of running backs in Christian Moore,

Myron Mason and sophomore-to-be sensation,

Noah Cain. All three return from last season. He also has tight end and Miami commit

Jason Polendey and several quality receivers at his disposal.

“We literally don’t have any concerns at this

point,” Walsh said. “That’s why you do spring ball, because you want to feel like you have a

good team heading into the summer. We worked

on a lot of different things, and we weren’t going to do anything halfway. Both sides of the ball got after it this spring.”

Guyer hopes to parlay that into a successful

2016 season in the new District 6-6A. That

district includes Plano East, Plano West, Plano, McKinney Boyd, McKinney, Wylie and Allen.

“We’re going into this district believing that

we are competing for a district championship,” Walsh said. “We feel like we have a very good team, and we are back to form in every way.”

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 21

Dear

Nutrition

Annette, School is out and the kids want snacks constantly. This year I want to feel good about the snacks I give them. Please Help!

Dear Reader:

ood for you for realizing their little growing bodies and brains deserve the best. It is easy to grab snacks from the store without much thought.

It is important for snacks to be nourishing and kids especially love snacks they make themselves. Generally, if fruits and vegetables are cut up and placed in front of them, most kids will nibble at them. For trips in the car buy a plastic hobby case with lots of sections. Fill each section with fruit, raisins, energy bites, cut vegetables, bits of chicken or ham, cheese. There are many resources on line. One of my favorites for kids is www.laurefuentes.com. She is a master of kids’ snacks. Also check out www.momables.com. Have a great summer and feed your kids with care.

22 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Here are some great ideas for healthy snacks: • Freeze grapes: Kids love them on a hot day. For really young children, chop then in half or quarters to avoid choking. Puree berries and freeze in cubes or popsicle molds for a healthy, cold treat. Add a little yogurt for variation of fun frozen treats. • Apple, peanut butter and raisin sandwiches: Core apples and then thinly cut apple rings. Have kids place a low sugar peanut butter along the apple circle, then let them put raisins on the peanut butter, and top with another apple circle to create the sandwich. Cool in the fridge to make them easier to eat. • Watermelon Pizza: Slice watermelon horizontally for big watermelon rings as the base. Top with berries, fruit (such as kiwi), banana, and unsweetened shredded coconut. You may even add a few dark chocolate chips. Cut slices like a pizza. Kids love to assemble and eat. • Wraps or rolls: Kids love wraps or rolls of any kind. Look for healthy, whole grain tortilla shells. Give kids lots of ingredients to make their own rolls. Cut rolls into rings for them and keep in the fridge for a quick bite. Some combinations might be: - Peanut butter, banana - Cheese and nitrate-free ham slices - Avocado, cheese, chicken

Sincerely yours, Annette Doody, Savory Bistro Owner & Wellness Coach, www.TheSavoryTeam.com

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 23

t s e i h t l ea

CycleGiving is the

H A

nja Taylor had just graduated from North Central Texas College and was looking for a way to give back. Working as the department assistant for the Completion Center at NCTC, she saw a lot of students struggling to pay tuition and bills and knew that she wanted to help. Now she just had to figure out how to raise the money. That’s when she found out about CycleGiving, a fund raising opportunity courtesy of her favorite cycling club.

Way to Give Back by Susan Neuhalfen

to distribute. One nice aspect that she specifically

a donation. In addition to getting a great work

to set the rider participation fee. Some groups

“They loved it!” said Anja excitedly. “A lot of

mentioned, was that CycleBar allows the host

out, the staff had a memorable, fun experience.

may be able to afford higher fees in order to raise

them were stepping outside their comfort zone.”

$25 per bike. Anja reached out to the staff and

theme featuring 80s-90s dance music, disco

more money. In Anja’s case, she chose a fee of

Anja and her colleagues chose a throwback

photo courtesy of Anja Taylor

Anja has become a frequent rider at CycleBar,

a high energy, indoor cycling club with locations

in Flower Mound and Plano as well as all over the country. CycleGiving, for the Flower

Mound location, takes place in a theater setting. Roughly 45 bikes fit in the studio’s CycleTheater

that is filled with flat screen TVs and state-of-

the-art audio, video and lighting, giving riders a multi-sensory cardio experience. After minimal costs are covered, any money raised goes directly to the charity chosen.

She spoke with one of the studio’s owners,

Shelby Faubion, and pitched her idea to raise

faculty at NCTC to help her raise the funds.

lights and other props. Anja worked with the

date and time and CycleBar created flyers for her

potential riders and all bikes were reserved with

decorations in the studio. Some of the staff came

money for NCTC for approval. She selected a 24 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

CycleBar created a class sign-up link for the

instructor to create a playlist and set up various

“The positive feedback I received made all of the hard work and dedication I put into this event worth it.” in 80s attire such as crimped hair, neon colors and bright lipstick. After all, they had the place

to themselves— who would see them? All in all, it was a great success and $830 was raised for the

NCTC scholarship foundation to help first time, at-risk students.

One piece of feedback that she received from

a colleague who attended was very telling about today’s work environment.

“Anja, I had so much fun at the ride. I was

happy to fundraise, but I got more out of it than

I even thought I could,” wrote one of Anja’s co-workers. “I am definitely coming back. It

boosted my self-confidence to get my fit journey back on track.”

As for Anja, she believes that by making an

event healthy, social, fun and for a good cause is about as good as it could possibly get. She definitely wants to do it again.

“It is an unexplainable feeling when you are

cycling in a packed theater with your closest co-workers, family, and friends, having the time

of your life,” said Anja. “The positive feedback I received made all of the hard work and dedication I put into this event worth it.”

CYCLEBAR

Flower Mound location 2550 Cross Timbers Rd #136, Flower Mound, TX 75028 flowermound.cyclebar.com/

Theater setting Roughly 45 bikes fit in the studio’s CycleTheater Filled with flat screen TVs State-of-the-art audio, video and lighting, Gives riders a multi-sensory cardio experience JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 25

26 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Getting

CONGRATULATIONS!

t’s summer, and your family has finished another school year! With hard work, they’ve made great strides all school year long, and now summer is finally here. As you are planning your kids’ busy summers, you want them to have the right amount of fun, but you don’t want to diminish the progress they’ve made during the school year.

STEPS Ahead Joshua Power, Head Instructor The Tutoring Center — Flower Mound

Learning

Making the Most Out of Your Summer

Brieanna Casey, Head Instructor The Tutoring Center — Bartonville

Studies have shown that when students are

find a good fit, generally due to financial or

and are more likely to fall behind in school

there are always a few less formal ways to keep

away during the summer, they regress rapidly, during the following fall term. For instance,

say your son has just finished the third grade, he might be operating at a 3.8 level by the end of the school. (The score is determined by grade level, and number of months; e.g. a third

grader at April, the 8th month). However, as

the summer months go on, he might regress to

a 3.7 by the fall. In September, when he begins the fourth grade, he will need to be operating

at a 4.0 level, but instead, he’ll be operating at a disadvantage. This feeling of being behind can create an overwhelming uphill battle-- not a fun place to start the new year. As a result, he may

quickly begin falling further. One way to combat this occurrence is to keep an active mind during the summer.

There are many cost effective ways to keep

an active mind during the summer that revolve around you and your schedule, such as weekly private tutoring, summer school, day camp, and

attending learning centers-- all of which come highly recommended by teachers and parents

alike. When making this important decision, weigh all of the options, by researching not only which programs are most effective, but also

which programs fit your individual child’s needs, while also balancing finances and scheduling.

However, the problem many parents face with

these academic programs, is that they cannot

scheduling constraints. When that’s the case, your students’ minds active and engaged.

A favorite activity of mine is board or card games which require the use math or reading/writing skills, such as:

Monopoly Empire for math Boggle for spelling Scrabble Slam for spelling There are many such games that are not only educational, but also fun family activities. Google for more comprehensive lists. When there isn’t time for a sit-down activity, install a few apps on your tablet or mobile device, such as math or spelling flashcards, Words with Friends , Hanging with Friends , or any number of math, memory, or other puzzle apps and games available today. And if your student’s a little older, feel free to quiz them on other subjects, like their states and capitals, their periodic table, or historical facts and figures! Summer learning doesn’t have to be a drag, but skipping summer retention activities can make starting the new year much more difficult. Make the most of your summer, and get a few steps ahead in the fall! Best of luck to you and your child on keeping an active mind this summer. Follow our blogs online at Bartonvilletx.tutoringcenter.com/blog , and feel free to join in on the discussion on Facebook

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 27

Local Dining

weather. New additions to the menu include strawberry shortcake, deviled eggs, shrimp and more. The Table makes every attempt to use local food products without sacrificing quality, making an investment in the community and local producers. Our newly-added Lighter Side menu features delectable salads and pastas for those wishing for something on the less heavy side. These foods pair nicely with white wine and by Bruce Wills sangria, or the new serrano-infused martini, all ummer has officially arrived, and mixed and served from a unique copper bar. And Chef Ray, the creative genius speaking of cocktails, if you are looking for your behind our menu at The Table, is newest happy hour destination, try out our patio working diligently to add flare and fun at The Table. Every Wednesday and Thursday to some hometown favorite dishes. By this summer features live music on the patio. incorporating a variety of seasonal fruits With all-day happy hour and Girls Night Out and vegetables into the new summer on Wednesday, plus martini specials Thursday, menu—including peak season there is sure to be something foods—he will be creating for you to dive into and enjoy. “. . . expect special meal experiences for Additionally, the happy hour food corn, tomatoes, menu has expanded to include our each and every patron all summer long. strawberries” special Table Tater Tots, flatbreads, A change in season begs for and more. While remaining the perfect date night spot, a change in menu, so expect corn, tomatoes,

Summer

SEASONAL DISHES

972.874.1010 • www.dineatthetable.com

LantanaRESIDENT

3701 Justin Rd., Ste. 150 • Flower Mound, TX 75028

28 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

strawberries, and the like to keep the menu

fresh and light during the upcoming hot

the just-added kids menu makes The Table a dinner destination for the entire family.

LantanaRESIDENT

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 29

What Went

WITH

STAAR This Year?

by Susan Neuhalfen

any in Texas have long believed that there is too much emphasis placed on standardized testing. It is argued that students and educators spend too much time on standardized tests, and that there is too much pressure put on the students as well as the teachers.

Others believe that there needs to be a check and balance as to the level at which teachers and students are evaluated on the subject matter. Every year the standardized test issues arise and every year the battle lines are drawn. This year was especially difficult since it seemed that the tests had a lot of new glitches and the fingers pointed at the new testing service. Since 1980, Pearson Education had acted as Texas’ sole testing contractor until last year when Educational Testing Services won a four-year $280 million testing contract with the state. In March, following the STAAR tests, several schools across the state filed complaints against the new testing agency.

What was clear,

Houston had the longest list of troubles with approximately 100 problems listed in a letter to Texas Education Association (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath.

“The superintendents in Region 4 are concerned that Texas would use a flawed testing system for such high stakes measures,” read the letter penned by nearly 50 superintendents in the Houston area. According to the letter, some problems that were encountered include the tests being delivered to the wrong location or the materials delivered were not complete in order to conduct the testing properly. In one case, an administrator had to deliver the tests to another district himself because ETS didn’t take care of it as promised. Some materials arrived in unmarked boxes and one came in a small Home Depot moving box. Many missed deadline deliveries. 7,000 students’ test results were included in the wrong district’s information. These are just a few of the administrative problems encountered. Then came the student-involved issues. Schools reported that students were logged off due to inactivity when they took a break for lunch and their answers disappeared from the screen. The hope was that the answers were still on the server but that was not

according to teachers,

was student frustration

WAS AFFECTING their performance.

30 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

immediately apparent. It was even discovered that one test question didn’t have a correct answer.

LantanaRESIDENT

Some districts received word that morning about the question in order to relay it to students

and some didn’t. What was clear, according to teachers, was student frustration was affecting their performance. Standardized testing, they argued, is stressful enough without the added stress of mistakes, and not of their own doing. Some students in the Lewisville school district were given failing grades on the writing portion of the test. It might have gone unnoticed except for the sheer number of students who received zeroes on that section. In English I, 76 tests received a zero on short answers but scored well on the composition section. The same held true in English II, 72 tests received zeroes on short answers. Two of those students were seniors and, as is the rule, would not have graduated as a result if the district had not insisted on their tests being re-scored. The district originally paid for the tests to be re-scored as they were told by TEA that that the scores were accurate; their explanation being that the short answer questions were difficult and that was the sole reason the students scored zero. In an April 13 letter to Commissioner Morath, LISD Superintendent Kevin Rogers stated the following concerns:

Of the 85 English II short answers re-scored 23 were changed (27%) Of the 76 English I short answers re-scored 10 were changed (13%) “These numbers are alarming to me,” wrote Rogers. Richardson also sent tests for re-scoring and, and a result, 6% had scores changed. The test score problems encountered were mostly computer-related, and since the majority of students took a paper test, they were not affected. However over 14,000 tests statewide did have to be re-scored and it was decided that those tests will not be counted with the overall scores. Everyone involved was hesitant to re-score the tests for two reasons: 1) if problems were found, it would open up a lot of controversy and other schools wanted their tests re-scored; and 2) because of the amount of money involved in re-scoring the tests (some say it would cost approximately $25 per re-checked test). The final straw has been the inconsistency of test results being reported in a timely manner. In the case of 5th and 8th graders, without knowing whether students passed or failed, there

is no way to know if they needed to retake the test or go to summer school. So in June, the TEA made the decision to not only waive the 5th grade and 8th grade STAAR test requirements but to cancel the re-tests scheduled for June as well. Usually students must pass reading and math STAAR tests in 5th and 8th grade in order to promote to their next grade level. If the child doesn’t pass after three tests, it is up to the principal, teacher and parents to decide whether or not a student advances. Because the TEA Commissioner decided to waive the requirement—which he can do through state law— the decision will now be left to the individual districts as to how to handle the question of advancement. Results on STAAR and end-of-course (EOC) exams affect academic ratings state-wide and by school, and can also determine whether students graduate. They are held as a standard for teachers and schools and reflect upon both, depending on the overall performance of the school. The new teacher evaluation system in Texas, which goes into effect in July, is also affected by STAAR scores. It is unclear at this time what measures will be taken against the new agency to either correct or repeal the contract. JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 31

HOMER Is Where

The

Heart IS

by Steve Gamel

Cassandra Homer’s last sonogram was very telling, to say the least.

he Lantana resident and local real estate guru was eight months pregnant at the time and had been told her baby was breech – meaning, she was poised to come out feet first. As a first-time mom, Cassandra had lots of questions. But the doctor was more in awe at how active the baby was.

“The doctor said, ‘Man, she won’t sit still.’ And under her breath added, ‘Just like her mother,’” Cassandra said. “I didn’t know whether to laugh or be offended, but it was funny. She’s going and going all day long.” When Cassandra told Lantana Living this story, it came as no shock that her sweet bundle of joy – even in the womb – was in many ways a spitting image. And it was the perfect segue into a spotlight on Cassandra, who (trust us), oozes a passionate exuberance on life that family, friends, and clients can’t get enough of. Not only is she busy raising a family with husband, Travis, but as the proud owner of RE/MAX Elite, Cassandra is constantly on the move and has no intention of slowing down. “And because I’m pregnant, I do it all on as little caffeine as possible,” she said with a laugh. Cassandra is at her best when she has eight or nine things on her plate. It is rumored she once continued to negotiate for a client while lying in a hospital bed waiting to have her appendix removed (we totally took her word on that one). And when she decided to merge her own business with being a franchise owner for RE/MAX in October, only two weeks went by before she found out she was pregnant. The folks at RE/MAX have since offered to handle a few things during her pregnancy, but she said no. After all, that wouldn’t be Cassandra’s style.

32 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Photography by Eric Priddy

Sponsored Content

Elite

The Homer Group 940.584.0800 TheHomerGroupTX.com Cassandra@TheHomerGroupTX.com

But it did, and the rest is history. The Homer Group has been located in Bartonville Town Center for the last year, but is now upgrading to a larger facility in an effort to help more clients. Speaking of clients, Cassandra said she has two types. The first is obviously the consumer, but the second—and the added advantage of teaming with RE/MAX Elite—is training and developing other agents. “I’m like, ‘Don’t you know me? This “Real Estate is such an interesting field, [pregnancy] isn’t going to slow me down,’” and you can get your license pretty fast if you Cassandra laughed. “I’m better with juggling think about it,” Cassandra said. “But they things, and I take my family and job seriously. don’t teach you in school how to be a business When someone asks you to sell their home, it’s owner, so it’s important that these newer agents the ultimate compliment because they trust you find a broker, owner or manager to help them with the biggest investment of their life.” learn the business.” Since 2013, Cassandra and her team at She added, “When I first got started, the The Homer Group have steadily become a market was bad and I struggled. I kept buying trusted partner and friend for homebuyers all this stuff and I wasn’t making any money. and sellers in Bartonville and Lantana. I needed guidance and support. A training class They promise an unmatched level of isn’t going to help them develop. They need a commitment to the community as well as a full development process, because they are a consistent understanding of the individual needs business owner. And plus, the consumer deserves of their clients. better service.” Bringing that mantra under the Cassandra still benefits from one-on-one coaching, and she also works diligently umbrella of RE/MAX Elite has with other agents on everything created the perfect marriage from sales to marketing, social between the unrivaled When RE/MAX media and taking care of resources and reach of clients with follow up and an internationallyfirst approached her follow through. recognized real estate “If you are simply company—honestly, about becoming a chasing the sale, your who sells more homes franchise owner, she career will be short. The than RE/MAX?— number one thing is to have and a local agency wasn’t sure her style great follow up and follow that lives and breathes would fit. through ... and take care of with the community people,” she said. “Coaching it represents. is hard. You have to be able to give You would think having all them a hug and slap their hand at the same of that at your fingertips would have time. It’s a difficult dance because you have to be been an easy decision to make, but Cassandra tough, assertive and sympathetic.” said it wasn’t that way. When RE/MAX first Even though we’ve been talking so much approached her about becoming a franchise about the successes in her growing business, owner, she wasn’t sure her style would fit. Cassandra is just as dedicated to her family She had been in the industry since 2002 and life. And truthfully, that’s what drives her in that time developed her own way of serving the most. clients. Even though her business had doubled When she’s not at in each of its first two years, she didn’t see herself work, she can be as a seller. found sitting “I’ve been working my whole life to make a quietly in good life for myself and my family, and I always saw myself more as a service provider than a house finder,” she said. “I just didn’t know if this would fit my style.”

bed—the one time where she’s not busy running around doing something—listening to her husband read Dr. Seuss books to their baby. She’s absolutely in love with the idea of being a mother, and the only hiccup in the entire process is the short list of names they have yet to decide on. “I think I’ll know once I meet her for the first time.” She also has a deep faith in God, so much that even though she thinks she has control over her busy schedule, she lives by the mantra of: “We plan and God laughs.” God is ultimately the driver of the car we call life, and, as Cassandra puts it, she’s just riding shotgun with Google Maps. Cassandra also co-created a Facebook page called Lantana Life, where she hopes to inspire the community in which she lives to promote and support local businesses. The venture also includes a YouTube channel where they interview local business owners about the “why” behind what they do for a living. All of this may sound like a lot to keep up with, but somehow we doubt Cassandra is struggling to make the time. She’s due to have her sweet baby girl any day now, and that’s all the drive she needs to keep putting her stamp on this community. “Family has been at the forefront of my drive,” Cassandra said. “It’s funny about that sonogram because it was the first time I felt a strong connection with my baby. I know that sounds crazy, but she’s going and going and going all day. I feel her when I’m laughing, and when I’m stressed. She really is my daughter.” And like mommy, she won’t slow down anytime soon.

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 33

Powder Room Make Your

Rave About Something Visitors

by Complete Solutions, www.CompleteSolutionsDFW.com

owering up your powder room will make a good first impression with guests. Go big in this small room to make it the jewel box of your home. Who doesn’t comment on a spectacular powder

room when they visit friends or family? This is

the bathroom to go lavish on because it’s small. Plus it doesn’t have to be practical for everyday showering, storage and hanging of damp bath towels. It doesn’t get used much, and it’s the

you have not looked at the variety of options in

wallpaper recently it’s time to seriously check out

the unique and interesting patterns that would

mount lighting, hardware options and other

unique features bring interest to powder rooms. Using a piece of furniture as the vanity, maybe even an antique dressing table or bureau always is an option.

No plain unframed, rectangular mirrors for a

dazzling powder room. Think elaborate frames, interesting shapes and unusual sizes. And for

the lighting, also select something special. Now

because of their shape or material, such as glass, marble, granite or metal. There are some of the most vibrant colors in glass sinks and a variety of

interesting shapes are available that would create

place to bring “go big or go home” to visual life!

vanity rather that set in. I would suggest leaving

attention-getting finishes, such as shiny lacquer

some of the raised and shaped bowls can have a

or faux marble. Or use beautiful wallpaper. If

Transitional cabinets with simple lines, under

Use sinks and faucets that are unusual either

an incredible room.

Paint the walls in bold colors and use

Vanities have “come a long way baby.”

bring “over the top” interest to any area.

room that almost all your guests eventually see. So why not make it dramatic and bold? A perfect

Upscale Home

Consider sinks that are elevated above the

the water valves turned less than fully open as tendency of splatter otherwise.

is not the time to get lazy or go simple. With

so many lighting options from bar lights and

LantanaRESIDENT

pendants to side sconces, be sure to check out all your options.

For countertops, think unique surfaces such

as glass, recycled glass, marble, metal, concrete

or select unique tile that will grab your visitors’ attention. Don’t just tile the floor or countertops. Think about tiling the walls halfway or even all

the way to the ceiling. Because most powder rooms are small, you can afford to go expensive on the materials you select, and sometimes you

can pick up remnants for a fraction of their original cost.

You can use the more expensive pieces to

create so many different looks in the wall. Why not include a tiled frame for the mirror or beautiful footprint of the sink area?

Be bold when you plan your powder room

look. Redecorate it to become a room with “wow” potential. Power up your powder room.

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 35

Adkins

Y A D D L FIE 16

May 20, 20

Sponsored by: Southern Comfort Mechanical • CrossFit Lantana • Rapid Med Country Lakes Dental Day of fun for students and families. Over $17,000 was raised.

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com. 36 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

LantanaRESIDENT JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 37

Last F o

Photos were submitted by area residents. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

DAY School

LantanaRESIDENT

Residents of Lantana commemorated their last day of school before going off on vacation.

38 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

GUYER’S ETHAN TOY

Wins Track State Title by Steve Gamel

nyone who has covered the UIL state track and field meet each May in Austin knows that a rain delay is almost an absolute certainty. This year’s delay was a bit longer than expected—more than five hours—but none of that messed with the championship run of Guyer’s Ethan Toy.

Toy, a South Dakota signee, won a Class 6A state title in the long jump with a jump of 23 feet, 8 inches to nab his first-ever state title. It was also Guyer’s lone medal from the weekend. “It’s unreal,” Toy told Adam Boedeker of the Denton Record-Chronicle. “I didn’t do as well

as I was hoping to do, but I can’t complain. I’m content but not satisfied.” That intense attitude was the way Toy handled his entire season season. He turned in a leap of 23-feet, 7 3/4 inches at the District 5-6A meet, then jumped 23-10 3/4 at the area meet. That jump led him into a strong showing at regionals, where he qualified for state. He obviously didn’t slow down from there. According to the Denton Record-Chronicle, Toy finished fifth at state a year ago as a wild card entrant out of the regional meet. This year, he was the lone athlete representing the Wildcats at the state meet. At the regional meet two weeks earlier, Guyer had Toy, its boys 400-meter and 800-meter relay teams, and Javan

Reece in the 110 and 300 hurdles. On the girls side, Taylor Tolen was competing for a state berth in the 100-meter run, as was Eni Akinniyi in the triple jump.

This year, he was the lone athlete representing the Wildcats at the state meet. Guyer was also banking on its 800-meter and 1,600-meter relay teams. Toy was the only one on either side to qualify for a trip to Austin.

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 39

OF THE MONTH FREE MAKEOVER

Are you ready for a whole new look? Just email us at cloud9salon@cloud9salon.com and tell us why you or someone you know deserves a makeover. We’ll select one lucky winner from our entries to receive the full hair and make-up treatment. ENTER TODAY!

egan is a beautiful single mom of 3 children. She works for her church as an event coordinator and homeschools her children. She hopes to open and manage a home for women that are homeless and hopeless. Her goal is to restore hope, responsibility and life back into them with teaching them how to find and keep work, raise their children, manage finances and become faithful and spiritual women.

MEGAN

Brow Wax by Pauletta Collins

Pauletta did a quick cleansing exfoliation and extractions. This will polish the skin for flawless makeup application! We also did a brow wax to frame her face in preparation for make up.

Highlights by Brittney Brewer

Brittney balayaged (hand painted) highlights throughout her hair, and added some highlights through the top of her hair to add some pizazz.

Cut & Style by Patti Lissberger

Patti Lissberger did the cut and style. She wanted to keep it long, so I tapered the sides giving her long layers... I cut about 2-3” off the length.

Makeup by Jacque Bustos

Jacque Bustos did Megan’s makeup for a beautiful natural look.

Clothing was provided by the C9 Boutique

Want to be the next Makeover? Email cloud9salon@cloud9salon.com and tell us why you deserve it!

40 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Before

After photography by Caroline Simpson Makeover by

214.415.4806 www.cloud9salon.com

Sidelines by Steve Gamel

Sports Writing: A

eing a sports writer is a fun gig. I mean, what sports nut wouldn’t want to show up every day at a nearby ballpark and cover a game? For me, it almost doesn’t seem fair —I’ve never considered it “work.” That’s why I thought it was odd when my

editor at the Denton Record-Chronicle recently

spun a yarn about a writer he knew who quit the

FUN GIG

In my very first season, I covered the Marcus

football team as it rolled to its first state title. Like this other writer, I was thinking this job is

so easy. And it was. I only had to write about a few losses, and this team was so good that even

the great John Madden came out to give them a pre-game speech.

It’s a lot easier to write a game story each week

when you have things like that happening. Heck,

profession after getting saddled with a beat that

The story goes that this writer came to

the DRC fresh out of college and was given a successful program right off the bat as his

beat. So this guy, for all intents and purposes,

But you also have to be able to stomach the bad times, and I’ve seen plenty of those over the years.

with similar expectations, but things didn’t go nearly as well.

dealing with coaches who were so upset they refused to talk to the media after a game, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows in the world of sports writing. I can’t blame anyone for wanting to hold up the white flag of surrender at times, but I stuck

interesting, but that’s one of the many things I find intriguing about this gig—when you can captivate a reader, no matter the outcome. Take this column for example. If you’ve made it this far into my rant, I must be doing

He went on to cover a state title football

year. He eventually moved to another area

From tough losses to blowouts and even

It’s not easy to make a lopsided outcome seem

had it made.

team and basketball team all in the same school

in the newspaper.

with it. And I believe it made me a better writer.

had him covering really bad programs—across all sports—year after year.

just said—and that I just heard—better be

something right. most of the time these types of game stories and feel-good stuff write themselves.

But you also have to be able to stomach the

I’m not sure what my editor’s point was for telling me that story. I had just covered several really bad games in a row, so maybe it was his

The teams he covered, God bless them,

bad times, and I’ve seen plenty of those over the

way of giving me a pep talk. But after nearly

To make a long story short, he chose to do

team in the tunnel at the old Texas Stadium for

of it yet.

And then I got yelled at by the same coach,

a great gig.

couldn’t do much right at all.

years. I once witnessed a head coach berate his

20 years of being a sports writer, I’m not tired

something else after that.

30 minutes following a really bad playoff loss.

Covering wins or losses doesn’t matter – it’s

I laughed because I remember getting into

the business in 1997 and being in a similar boat.

who wanted it known that none of what he

Until next time, I’ll see you on the sidelines.

LantanaRESIDENT JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 41

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UNDERSTANDING

YOUR CHILD’S ORTHODONTIC NEEDS

uring my college days I worked as a store

supervisor for an on-campus store. There

was a period of time when the post office next door

was diligently attempting to incorporate the new one-dollar Sacagawea coins into circulation. As a

result, students were adamant to rid themselves of these weighted burdens and requested I trade them

for the good ol’ dollar bill. As I did, I came to a

very clear revelation: people are resistant to “change” (pun intended).

If you have children, you may have noticed

a change in dental orthodontics that may seem curious. Not only are many children beginning

orthodontics at an earlier age, but they are also

going through treatment more than once. However, you can rest at ease knowing there is an educated

rationale that supports this treatment, often

designated as “Phase I” and “Phase II” orthodontics,

and tonsils, allergies, asthma, or a constricted airway, the child will adapt by breathing through

their mouth and posturing their tongue low and away from its natural position in the upper jaw or maxilla. The lack of tongue pressure causes the

maxilla to constrict, forcing the lower jaw to move

Dr. Matt

90% of a Child’s Face is Developed Before Age 12

back, causing a lack of space for teeth and possibly changing the entire face as the chin retracts.

The best way to correct this is with early

intervention by, first, addressing the airway concern

medically, and then, dentally correcting the size of the maxilla through expansion. As 90% of a child’s

face is developed before age 12, it is best to initiate this treatment early when the skeletal growth is not rigid. Expansion can correct the jaw form and create

space for the teeth to avoid the need for extractions or surgery. The expansion is then retained until it is

determined if Phase II is necessary at the ideal time of peak growth, just before puberty.

Though change may come, it is important to

stay educated on what is best for your child’s dental health. As always, the best way to be informed is to visit your dentist. Happy smiling!

and it is based on your child’s development.

For many children, airway obstruction can pose

a significant hindrance to normal facial and skeletal

development. When a child has difficulty breathing due to airway pathology such as enlarged adenoids

Dr. Matt is a practicing dentist and owner of Country Lakes Family Dental www.CountryLakesDental.com

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 43

IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER LOOK OUT AUSTIN STEVENS, YOU MAY HAVE SOME COMPETITION…OR AT LEAST A PROTÉGÉ.

eet Max Hornsby, a soon to be 5th grader at Blanton Elementary, Lantana resident and snake wrangler. At the ripe old age of 10, Max has made it his mission to study every snake he can find, and this is a daily activity. In most cases, it’s a catch and release situation. He is very mindful of snakes and would never want to harm one. He’s like the crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin. He thinks snakes are gorgeous and that all wildlife should be allowed to co-exist without threat of danger.

by Susan Neuhalfen

“I like how smooth they are,” he said,

smiling. “They’re so beautiful.”

Max started catching snakes at a very

young age and quickly learned the right way to

do it without getting bit and without hurting the snake. He never leaves the

house unless he’s armed

with his backpack, snake

but continued to tape from a safe distance.

So what does his mom think of all of this?

“I’ve had to educate myself out of

“I LIKE HOW SMOOTH THEY ARE,” HE SAID, SMILING. “THEY’RE SO BEAUTIFUL.”

bite kit and snake reference sheet, which he has practically memorized. He has spent the majority of his young life studying snakes.

He has been bitten several times, though

he knows now to always take a step back and

observe the snake before approaching it. On a recent hike to Old Alton Bridge, he picked up a bottle and turned it over to release a 1

½ foot copperhead, a poisonous

necessity,”

said

Cheri

Hornsby. “I knew early on

this was more than just a

passing phase.”

In fact, after Max caught

his first water snake, his parents told him it was a

water moccasin in the hope to put some fear

into him so that he wouldn’t be quite so quick to pick up any water snake. They even took

him on a trip to animal control to learn about the danger of snakes, but there was no fooling

Max. He had his snake directory and that was

no water moccasin, he informed them. He has become more careful, though.

snake. While most would have run in the other

direction, Max and his mom kept their

distance, careful not

to scare the snake, and videotaped it. a

Under

rock

found 5 more

copperheads

and, again, did

not disturb them, 44 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Max also rescues snakes. One day some

older kids were abusing a yellow belly racer, hitting it on a rock, when Max stepped in and took the snake away from them. He brought

time a lady saw it happen and called 911. The

fire truck and paramedics came immediately. It started the Lantana Facebook rumor mill until the record was set straight, and everyone knew about Max and his love of snakes.

Max has two pet snakes at home. Marty, a

captive bred ball python (domestic), and Finn, a wild caught rat snake. The family also has two dogs, a cat and a hermit crab but mom

says there’s still room for more snakes, though Max said happy just caring for two for now.

Snakes aren’t the only things in his life. He

is on the swim team, plays football and other sports and is an excellent sketch artist. He’s

photos of Max courtesy of Cheri Hornsby

even spread his love of snakes to his sisters,

it home, nursed it back to health and released

fascination. He then lets the snake go back

it back into the wild. He did the same for a rat

into water. Because water snakes also emit a

snake and a baby skunk.

foul odor when startled, much like a skunk,

Their normal after school protocol is this:

he has to take a shower after they get home.

he gets out of school, catches a snake, brings it

He was recently bitten by a snake after school

to his mother so she can take a picture while

and, as is his custom, went straight to tell his

he is followed by a string of kids in morbid

mom who was waiting for him in the car. This

Sydney (12) and Lacey (7). One day Max hopes to go into the wild and take pictures of

snakes for a living. He also wants to educate others about snakes, because he thinks they get a bum rap. So what does he want people to know about snakes?

“They won’t hurt you and they’re not slimy,”

he said, matter-of-factly.

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 45

46 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Increase Performance & Improve Future Health for

Healthy Living

TODAY’S YOUNG ATHLETE M

edical Massage Rx’s Manual Therapies specifically tailored to your youth athlete may result in the following: • Athletes getting the most from their off-season athletic training and camps. • Increased performance on the field- now, next season and beyond! • Decreased sports injuries and increased healing= more time in the game or practice. • Education on injury prevention, stretches tailored for each aspect of the body, lifestyle tips, anti-inflammatory modalities and dietary guidelines. • Bio-mechanics analysis from our trained staff allow for correction of strength imbalances or postural abnormalities to best assist the athlete for optimal health and performance in their sport. • Physical rehabilitation with active stretches, strengthening therapies, trigger point release, electrical stimulation, pelvic blocking and more! • Kinesiology taping and instruction for the athlete for home or field use of tape. Most Lantana area teens are involved in AT LEAST one sport but often two or more. Throughout the year, they play on multiple teams for several sports, not to mention weekend travel for LONG tournaments! It’s not surprising that injuries are a common occurrence among teen athletes because their bodies never get a break. Acute injuries send countless teen athletes to the emergency room each year, but the most common sports injuries come from overuse. Overuse injuries occur from repetitive training and some typical examples are tennis elbow, runner’s

knee, pitching elbow, swimmer’s shoulder and tendonitis – these conditions can result later in life with arthritic changes, pain, dysfunction and nerve damage. Worst-case scenario, sometimes surgery is needed. Clinic director, Amy Cox,DC, states “I have read many articles lately about the increasing rate of Tommy John surgeries on major league baseball players, and now even 18-20 year olds that played previously are needing it. There is a post from a dad on Facebook, seated next to his son’s hospital bed where he photographed his son’s elbow- showing the awful scar after a Tommy John surgery at the approximate age of 20. At that moment, he regretted all the pitch counts he watched coaches give his son in his youth, knowing these expectations were way overboard and too hard on his son’s arm.” “Most cases are not that extreme,” Dr. Amy reflects, “not every pitcher is going to need that operation. BUT, injuries in your youth can really affect your future. Personally, I am the farthest thing

from a great athlete… but I always loved playing softball. I slid into home base at 12 years old and landed on my tailbone! Bruised and hurting for weeks, my mom gave me ice to sit on. It wasn’t until an x-ray in my twenties when I knew of the damage that injury had done to my lowest vertebra. The birth of my children was affected and I constantly have to manage my lower body from a bio-mechanical distortion to keep my low back pain away and control an extreme arch in my low back. “Therapies at our clinic (MMRx) are tailored to each case, we spend so much time on our treatment plans, communicating with the patient and therapists giving the athletes extra tips to excel in their sports in relation to muscle mechanics. We treat collegiate, high school and even younger athletes- and sometimes coaches! Currently we are treating excellent athletes in the following sports: baseball, football, volleyball, golf, swimming, diving, dance, cheer, drill team, track and field, running, and even a professional wrestler.” Dr. Amy ends with a smile, “I didn’t know we had all these on our patient roster until I went through treatment plans for this article!”

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 47

Gardening

Rain, Rain and

More Rain... W

e sure have gotten our share of the "Texas rainy season" over the last month. If you haven't had to deal with any local flooding, consider yourself lucky!

With even the best builder drainage plans after landscape has matured, been altered and some erosion occurs around the lot, you can often be left with water concerns. Our crews have been busy with foundation drains, sump pumps, french drains, and interior sheetrock, flooring and base board repairs. Being proactive can save you thousands when it comes to this type of water damage, as well as reduce on the mosquito activity.Â

48 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

by PJ Kratohvil of Complete Solutions completesolutionsdfw.com

Drainage inspections are a wonderful idea if

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving to a new property or have noticed

standing water around your current home. This should include an irrigation evaluation as well.

Some things to observe and consider: • Water that still stands more than 5 hours after a rain event • Adjust your irrigation timer on side yards, tight spaces or other areas that have a noticeable drop in elevation so water doesn't run-off into lower lying areas and cause pooling • Take notice of areas that wash and cause erosion after heavy rain • Loss of foundation soil, exposed house slab

These are just a few things to keep in mind as were going through the rainy season here in Texas. If you decide to create your own checklist and address repairs or if you bring in a professional, it is a good idea to get it done before you find yourself searching for towels to dry those floors or having to throw a pump in the flowerbed to keep water from getting too deep in those questionable area. As always we thank you for taking time out to read and hope the information we covered this month serves you well!

• Sprinkler heads distributing evenly • Water coming in the weep holes from bed backup/overflow • Make sure you're over-spraying stays to a minimum, adjusting/ replacing the nozzles on your irrigation heads will help reduce the amount of overwatering in certain areas • Dead areas of grass that seem like they have settled lower than rest of lawn • On your tighter lots it important that you run a common drain line addressing any standing water in the area as well as downspout lines that will control your roof water and discharge it properly at the property's edge or street.

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 49

50 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Restaurant Review

Granny J Eats Psst. Granny J heard some good gossip…keep reading… One day I woke up with a headache and felt very stressed, so I decided to forget about my obligations and just drive to Waffle House. It was already around lunch time and I hadn’t even eaten breakfast but it didn’t matter cause Waffle House is open 24/7. Every booth was full so I sat at the counter. It’s always busy at Waffle House and they really need to open more of them (I heard a rumor that Waffle House might open on Main Street and I-35). Dishes were clanging, people were talking, orders were being called out, waitresses were talking and laughing, people were being greeted, babies were yelling, phones were ringing and country music was playing. The coffee was hot and flavorful—the best coffee I ever had! The pecan waffle was cooked just like I asked for it—well done. The bacon was crisp and well done. It’s sooo good! No one else has it. They also have grits, cheese eggs and raisin toast. By the time I left, my headache was gone and I felt relaxed and happy. The Waffle House Orchestra did it again!

Your North Texas Restaurant Critic-signing off.

LantanaRESIDENT

LantanaRESIDENT JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 51

Guyer High School Theatre Camp Coming Up Guyer High School Theatre summer camp

is open to any current Guyer High School

students as well as 8th graders entering the high school. There will be two camps this

year. There is a technical theater camp in July and an acting camp in August. Students may

attend one or both, as they are scheduled on back-to-back weeks.

At that time, production begins for their new

fall musical which will be The Little Mermaid.

4th of July Fireworks Flower Mound IndependenceFest 2016 Bakersfield Park in Flower Mound • Live Music: LeFreak, Loverboy Admission: Free • Fireworks around 9:50 p.m. • Gates Open at 5:00 p.m. Denton Kiwanis Club Fireworks Show Apogee Stadium at UNT • Gates Open: 6:00 p.m. Live Music: Raised Right Men Admission: Free • Parking: $10

During the camps, the students will be coached

Grapevine Oak Grove Park • 9:30 p.m

theater camp will touch on subjects such as

Lewisville Red White & Lewisville Best viewing between State Hwy 121 and South Side of Vista Ridge Mall at 9:30pm

on singing, dancing and acting. The technical lights, sound, scenic design, construction, special effects, makeup and costumes.

The Technical Theatre Camp will take place

July 26-28, 9:00am-2:00pm (Tuesday-Thursday)

Highland Village Unity Park at 9:30 p.m.

& August 1 & 2, 9:00am-2:00pm (Monday, Tuesday). Acting Camp happens

August 3-10, 10:00am-3:00pm (Wednesday-

Wednesday, Sunday not included). Register

www.dentonisd.org/

Page/7962  or email ecrotwell@ dentonisd.org

Remember,

while

your

high schooler is home this summer he or she may have work to do to prepare for

the fall. Check the Denton

ISD website for PreAP and AP summer reading and

assignments. This isn’t just

for English, but for many

other subjects as well. Go

http://www.dentonisd.org/

Domain/795 and check today to see what

work your Guyer Wildcat should be doing to

get ready for the next school year. 52 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

LantanaRESIDENT

Some Guyer Students Have Summer School Assignments

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 53

Photos were submitted by area residents. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com 54 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Dr. Rebecca Butler is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is proud to be a resident of Lantana and the owner of Lantana Pediatrics. For more information on Dr. Butler or to schedule an appointment, call 940.455.7200.

With all of the rain we have had, we will be encountering many mosquitoes, ticks and other insects that can make children miserable and potentially transmit dangerous diseases such as West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, and Zika virus.

A great way to prevent bugs from biting is to use insect repellents. It is important to use these carefully and correctly. The most common repellents contain DEET. The amount of DEET in products varies, but the AAP recommends that products for children should contain no more than 30 percent DEET and are NOT recommended for children less than 2 months.

Read repellent labels and always be sure to follow all directions and precautions. Apply the DEET repellents to clothing or exposed skin only. Only use spray repellents outside to avoid inhaling them. Use just enough to cover exposed skin. Using more does not make repellents more effective. Once you return indoors, be sure your child washes with soap and water to remove the repellent and wash the sprayed clothing before wearing again.

Do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen. The DEET may make the SPF less effective, AND these products can overexpose your child to DEET because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often than insect repellant. If your child is bitten by an insect or you find a tick and have removed it, please monitor for signs of illness, such as a rash or fever within 2 weeks of the bite and bites that look infected. Please call your doctor if you have any concerns.

LantanaRESIDENT WINNER

BEST OF DENTON COUNTY

2016

74 McMakin Road, Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226 940.455.7200 www.LantanaPediatrics.com Mon-Thurs: 7:30am-6:30pm • Friday: 7:30am - 5pm • Saturdays: 9am - 12pm

MURRAY MEDIA GROUP

Committed to Community Excellence.

Call to schedule appointment with Dr.Butler or our NEW Nurse Practitioner, Melanie Bitzer. JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 55

Congratulations GUYER GRADUATES

The students at Guyer High School celebrated graduation on June 3, 2016 at the University of North Texas Coliseum in Denton. Meet the 11 valedictorians and 3 salutatorians who represent the top of their class.

Valedictorians

Catalina Aloman

Peyton Griffiths

Inki Lee

Chandani Patel

56 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Joshua Kasitz

Gairy Natividad

Evan Samsky

Calley Krinner

Malissa Owen

Tiffany Wang

Erin Wylie

Salutatorians

Aidan Collins

Iida Raina

Sydney Seavey

photos courtesy of DISD JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 57

58 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016

Put Together Your Perfect

#MomSquad A Phone App Review by Christine Olmstead

with MomCo

Are you constantly thinking about how to keep your kids busy this summer? MomCo to the rescue!

ave you ever tried Tinder? Or Bumble? If you’re a mom with kids you may have met your partner the old fashioned way, like, in person. Or maybe you’re a single mom who already uses these dating apps. There are apps to help you find everything from boyfriends, to pizza, to puppies, to concerts and more. If you need something, most likely, an app exists to help you find it. Pregnant with your first baby, and need support? Young mom? Bored mom? New-tothe-area mom? We’re telling you to swipe right on an app called MomCo. Free in the App store and Google play store, MomCo is essentially Tinder for moms.

as stroller days or moms’ night out! There are mom-support groups already created, or that you can create. These groups are not only for moms of infants and small children. Groups exist that match moms of teenagers too. Now that your kids are home for summer, this app really comes in handy, so your kids arenn’t sitting in front of the TV or the computer all day. The app also has services and shopping tabs that let you see mom-friendly businesses in your area, as well as local deals at stores. It shows local events and meet ups. The app offers forms and even product giveaways for moms.

All you need to do is turn the location settings

on when the app prompts you, input some of

your mommy information—like how many kids you have, their ages and genders, or if you are

an expectant mother., and boom! A long list of other mothers with a similar number of children

and preferences in your area will pop up. Now all you need to do is view their profiles and swipe

left or right to be matched with mom friends close to you.

This app allows you to do so much more than

just find moms-like-you in your area. There are

play day groups for you to browse or create such

Let’s be real, MomCo has way more to offer than Tinder. Keep your kids busy with new friends. Find moms near you with similar interests and family situations. Being a mom is hard enough, don’t do it alone. Build your own #MomSquad or support group with other moms near you with MomCo!

JUNE 2016 | LANTANA LIVING | 59

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Come Visit Our New Showroom! 972.539.8258 CompleteSolutionsDFW.com 4401 Long Prairie Road, Suite 400 Flower Mound, TX 75028

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WINNER

BEST OF DENTON COUNTY

2016 MURRAY MEDIA GROUP

Committed to Community Excellence.

E.P. Rayzor Wins 2nd Consecutive

Speeding to Read Championship

by Susan Neuhalfen

erizon IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Christopher Bell presented the winning trophies to E.P. Rayzor Elementary for Texas Motor Speedway’s Speeding to Read program.

Over 6,500 students and faculty from 11 DFW-area elementary schools gathered at Texas

Motor Speedway on May 24 to celebrate their victories and, for E.P. Rayzor, its second consecutive championship. 100% of their student body participated and reached, or exceeded, its goals.

Rayzor’s Karina Singh, the kindergarten champion, won the K-2 individual crown with 15,016

books read while Noah Temer, the fourth-grade champ, earned the 3-5 crown with 1,760 books

read. The duo’s siblings were also grade champions with Olivia Temer being named the first-

grade champion with 12,310 books read and Jayden Singh the second-grade champ with 5,034 books read.

Melanie Peterson’s kindergarten class at Rayzor was named the K-2 classroom champs with an

average of 2,614 books read per student during the competition.

Speeding to Read is currently in its 5th year. This year the schools have combined to read more

than 1 million books for the school year.

photos courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway/Getty Images 62 | LANTANA LIVING | JUNE 2016