MAY/JUNE 2021 - THE HOME ESSENTIALS ISSUE
Helping You Get The
MOST OUT OF
LIFE
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977
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TABLE OF
Contents ARTICLES
08 10 Hot Backyard Decorating Tips 11 Lewisville ISD Staff Spotlight of the Month 12 Inside Community and Education 15 U.S. 377 Fort Worth Drive 18 The Treasures Of Lewisville 21 Women’s Health 22 Easy Cheesesteak Lettuce Wrap Recipe 24 Interior Painting Ideas 26 5 Things To Try 29 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree
PAGE
16
Helping You Get The
MOST OUT OF
LIFE
Cover Image starting from the left: Graham, Jared & Mike Douglas.
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Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com
Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray
Administration
Happy Home I know y’all are going to think I’m off my rocker here, but now that the calendar has already flipped to May, I’m thinking about summertime, and that trusty Home Depot jingle from the TV commercials is stuck on a loop in my brain. As Home Depot likes to say, “how doers get more done.” Or maybe it’s “Dream it. Do it.” Whatever the case may be, it’s May. And before you know it, it’ll be June. That means it’s time to get outside and start following through with all of those home improvement projects you’ve been adding to your Pinterest boards all winter. With the smell of sunshine in the air comes that feeling of excitement as we dream of all the home design and decor possibilities — inside and outside, of course — to refresh our homes and give us that oasis we’ve long dreamed of. No matter the size of your project, this issue is chock-full of design ideas and local connections to help get you started. No offense to our friends at Home Depot, but we happen to know a few design and home improvement pros who are small business owners right here in Denton County. If you need a name, just let us know — we’ll throw you five or six! Within the pages of this month’s magazine, you’ll find an article with 10 Hot Backyard Decorating Trends to help you get excited to start your updates. If that doesn’t inspire your creativity, check out our 5 Things to Try, where we showcase some of Denton County’s finest cocktails. Hey, if you’re going to dream about making changes to your happy home, you might as well have a cool drink to sip on. Thank you so much for picking up a copy of this month’s magazine.
Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran
Editor & Writer Steve Gamel
Writers
Caylie Howard, Diane Ciarloni Jade Kensington, Jean Eisenmann Leena Duwadi, Rebecca Beer
Advertising Inquiries
sales@murray-media.com
Production
Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Cayla Thompson Fernando Gomez
Photography
Miranda Longoria Photography Your Candid Memories Photography What’s That Guy’s Name? Guy T Photography
Letters
Life in Castle Hills invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email artwork@murray-media.com. All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.
Editorial Inquiries Call 972.899.3637 or email editor@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 Life in Castle Hills is published monthly by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Life in Castle Hills 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. © 2021 Murray Media Group
Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
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HOT
BACKYARD DECORATING TIPS
1. USING YOUR BACKYARD AS AN OFFICE Many people have found themselves moving their office space to their home in the past year. It can be draining looking at the same four walls day in and day out, not to mention the distractions that come from having your home also function as your office. You might find a change of scenery much more appealing by taking the office outdoors to a serene backyard. Just add a functional wooden desk and connect your computer to a hotspot. You might find that some fresh air will do a world of difference. 2. ADDING A PERGOLA With the summer months fast approaching, it’s safe to say that Texas is about to start heating up. So that you are able to enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors during those scorching summer months, it might be a good idea to look into adding a pergola 8 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
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to your outdoor oasis. The added shade will allow relief from the sun so that you are able to entertain and relax outside all summer long. 3. CREATING A GARDEN OF FOOD TO ENJOY Not only is it super convenient to have food ready to eat growing in your backyard, but
it can also be extremely beautiful. The different vibrant colors of the vegetable and fruits add a positive and joyful appearance. You can also dress up your garden by adding raised garden beds and beautiful pots to decorate your outdoor living space. 4. BORROWING A VIEW Do you ever wish that you had more yard to admire? Sometimes, we have bigger
dreams than what our actual space will allow. This is where borrowing a view comes
into play. If you have a neighbor that shares your love for a beautiful outdoor space, you could create a doorway or fence leading from your yard that makes it appear that your yard goes on far longer than it actually does.
8. MAKING YOUR SPACE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY The desire for more low-maintenance and sustainable yards is growing every day. With people’s busy schedules, it’s not always feasible to keep on top of taking care of outdoor plants. You could consider adding in more pollinator plants that are attracting more birds and bees – such as lavenders or plants that have berries. These plants don’t take much effort, and they also give back to the environment. 9. FIRESCAPING
5. CREATING THE MOOD YOU DESIRE If you aren’t looking to create a more livable and entertainable outdoor space, you
might consider transforming your backyard oasis into a place that will enhance your mood. You could add bright colors to create a joyful presence, or you could even look into creating a beautiful and relaxing waterfall to add tranquility to your life. 6. IT’S TIME TO PLAY With so many families choosing to place their children in at-home learning, it can be
With the outrageous number of wildfires that have taken place around our country in recent years, it’s understandable that people might want to take safety precautions by adding fire-resistant landscapes. By adding plants that have moist leaves closest to the house such as coral bells and low-growing sages, it helps to protect your home from damage.
hard to help children find a way to release all of that pent-up energy from staying inside
10. ADDING SIDE GATES
artificial turf or even multipurpose concrete pads for a small basketball court. Another
A new pandemic-approved addition is to add a side gate to your backyard living space. By adding a side gate, you can feel safe in having friends and family come to join you in relaxing in the comfort of your updated outdoor living area. With a side gate, your guests can avoid walking through the privacy of your home and can easily just go straight through to your backyard.
all day. You could choose to create an outdoor fun space for your kids by adding in fun option if you have trees is to add a hanging swing from the branches. 7. EXPANDING TO THE FRONT
With the recent social distancing that we’ve put in place, you might have found yourself missing the interactions of your neighbors and friends. By making your front yard more livable, you will be able to interact with friends while also having your own space. You could add a beautiful fire pit or create a front patio with rockers and lounge chairs to enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
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INSIDE COMMUNITY
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @CastleHillsMagazine
WAYNE FERGUSON PLAZA FITNESS CLASSES Weekly, free fitness classes have returned to Wayne Ferguson Plaza! Classes are open to all skill levels. Join them for yoga on Wednesdays at 6pm, Pilates on Thursdays at 6pm, and Tai Chi Ch’uan on Saturdays at 9:30am. For more details on each class go to www.cityoflewisville.com/Home/Components/News/ News/5535/710?backlist=%2F.
DIVE-IN MOVIE On Friday, June 25 from 7 - 9pm, bring your family, friends, and floats to the Flower Mound Community Center (CAC) to enjoy a Dive-In Movie in the indoor swimming pool! Children 10 and older are welcome without an adult present. Activities are free with paid admission. What a fun, family-friendly event for children to enjoy!
INSIDE EDUCATION
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CONGRATS TO HEBRON’S AC DEC TEAM Hebron High School’s Academic Decathlon (Ac Dec) team brought home so much hardware from the state competition! Thank you to Coach Friend and Coach Zuber for preparing the students all year for such a successful finish. The Ac Dec team is a fantastic representation of Hebron High and Lewisville ISD and it’s great to see their hard work recognized. Way to go Decathletes! photo courtesy of Hebron High School social media page
THE COLONY HIGH SCHOOL TREATED TO A TACO PARTY Thanks to North Texas Bells, The Colony High School students and staff members were treated to a Taco Bell party consisting of a Taco Bell truck, 2,000 tacos, 106.1 KISS-FM radio station, and DJ Billy the Kidd. Dr. Pepper also donated more than 900 sodas for the party. Despite the rain, this event was a huge success and both the students and staff had an excellent time! photo courtesy of Lewisville ISD
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FIESTA CHARRA Fiesta Charra is a free, family-friendly event that will feature several activities of a traditional Charreada, which is like a rodeo practiced in Mexico. This event will be held on Saturday, May 29 from 4 - 10pm at the Lewisville Rodeo Arena. There will be food and drink vendors and performances by Miguel Angel and Caroline Imperial. For more information go to www.facebook.com/events/300988184703683/. photo courtesy of Fiesta Charra social media page
ROCK THE BLOCK TRAILER Want to have a neighborhood community party? Rock the Block Trailer is the perfect addition! It’s free to Lewisville residents and provides chairs, tables, lawn games, ice coolers, and more to enhance the neighborhood block party. Reservations were closed due to COVID-19, but have now reopened! To learn more and to reserve the trailer go to bit.ly/2Qy90kp. photo courtesy of Lewisville Staff social media page
LISD STEM ACADEMY AT MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY The future LISD elementary school site on Josey Lane in Lewisville continues to take shape and is on track to open this fall! The name of this new campus is the LISD STEM Academy at Memorial Elementary and Stephanie Lawson has been appointed as the principal of this new campus. The Board selected the name in honor of those who have served and to memorialize a number of important people within the community.
10TH ANNUAL LISD CHIN FESTIVAL Chin students from across Lewisville ISD plan, organize, and orchestrate this yearly event that’s free to attend. The Annual LISD Chin Festival featured performances by Chin students who are proud to share their culture, traditions, and customs with their community. You can view this year’s festival on Youtube by going to www.youtube. com/watch?v=o7bp4MBSsHM.
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U.S. 377 FORT WORTH
DRIVE A
by Dawn Cobb | photos courtesy of Dawn Cobb Director of Community Relations
pril 26, 2021 - Denton County Commissioner Precinct 4 Dianne Edmondson, along with Denton County Judge Andy Eads and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth, commemorated the completion of the U.S. 377/Fort Worth Drive expansion project. The project widened U.S. 377/Fort Worth Drive from a two-lane rural road to a six-lane urban thoroughfare from Interstate 35E to just south of FM 1830. Construction began in January 2019 for a total project cost of $55.9 million. Denton County contributed $2.64 million for the project. This phase is the first of several to be completed. Another four phases are either in the construction or planning stage. One major component of the first phase was the Union Pacific Railroad overpass, which included widening for additional tracks and building the bridge to current standards. This project also included funds to add sidewalks along the portion of U.S. 377/Fort Worth Drive west of I-35E.
“The completion of this main thoroughfare has significantly helped commuters and residents who frequent U.S. 377,” said
Commissioner Edmondson. “I’m so proud of everyone who helped make this happen.”
She also commented on how well the county and Denton worked together
on the completion of the project. Sema Construction was the contractor for
the project with design engineers from Lochner Engineering.
County funds from the 2008 bond
program were earmarked to cover
a large portion of the reconstruction of U.S. 377/Fort Worth Drive.
In Precinct 4, Denton County has leveraged approximately $43.5 million in taxpayer-
funded bond dollars with a return of $2.95 billion from state and federal resources.
These funds have provided for improved public safety, congestion relief and
quality of life, officials said.
Judge Eads spoke of the work on I-35E as a major north-south thoroughfare. He added how the east-west access of U.S. 377 will
bring convenience for residents as well as for continued economic development.
“I take this route every day,” he said. “I think of several legacy businesses on U.S. 377, especially Mr. Frosty’s, a place my Dad went years ago.”
Transportation is important to the Denton
County Commissioners Court, Judge Eads said. “Mobility continues to be a priority in Denton County. You have to have good and safe transportation.”
Several dignitaries gathered for the event in the 1100 block of Fort Worth Drive,
including Mayor Hudspeth, Judge Eads,
Precinct 3 Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell
and Tina Massey, Denton area engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation. “It is important to have these
partnerships,” said Mayor Hudspeth,
referring to the cooperation between cities, the county and TxDOT. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
MAY 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILL | 15
Helping You Get The
MOST OUT OF
LIFE by Steve Gamel
photography by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)
“We really go out of our way to deal with everything the right way. There’s no cap on honesty and ethics.”
972.842.4175 | ADVENTAIR.COM | LICENSE: TACLA001216C 16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
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M
ike Douglas insists that there “wasn’t much to buy” the day he purchased an under-the-radar air conditioning company from an investment group he had been working for. The year was 1981, and the fledgling company had only been open for about a year. It wasn’t very big, either, boasting a small office space and only a handful of employees.
Award for leadership, management,
But Mike knew he had something special. He renamed it Advent Air, and today, he’s celebrating 40 years in business.
things from five years ago — even stuff
“I had been working as their GM at the time. It was a different type of business than what they were used to, and I liked the idea of going into business for myself,” Mike said. “So I bought it and grew it from there.” He added, “Like anything else, you go through cycles of ups and downs. But it all worked out.” Saying “it all worked out” is an understatement for this family-owned and operated company. Advent Air remains a trusted and relied-on staple of the Lewisville community, even as Mike transitioned leadership to his son Jared two years ago. While they’ve maintained that small, local feel, they pride themselves on having the reach to serve the majority of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And they do it all, too, with comfort-focused residential services ranging from repair and maintenance to new construction, replacement, and installation. They also specialize in ductless cooling systems and split heating, air purification services, 24/7 emergency services with no overtime fees, and more. Having a highly trained and certified team in the HVAC business that you can trust is invaluable, especially in North Texas. Summer temperatures spike over 100 degrees for months at a time, and we all know how brutal winter can be after February’s snowstorms. Advent Air resets the bar year after year and was recently awarded the 2020 Carrier President’s
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customer satisfaction, expertise, business growth, and operational excellence.
They are also the only HVAC company
in North Texas to win the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics.
“If we make a mistake, we make it
right,” Jared said. “As we’ve evolved
and restructured, we have identified that was misdiagnosed and is now
outside warranty — and corrected them for customers free of charge. We really
go out of our way to deal with everything the right way. There’s no cap on honesty and ethics.”
Mike agreed. “It’s all about maintaining our core values and doing honest work,” he said.
When we caught up with Mike and
Jared, the conversation never really
revolved around their work and services. Their customers will vouch for them at the drop of a hat when it comes to
that stuff. What sets them apart from
everyone else is the family piece and their commitment to their employees. In fact, when we asked Jared’s 4-year-old son, Graham, what he wants to do when he
grows up, he confidently said, “Work with my grandpa and daddy at Advent.”
Jared started working in Advent Air’s
warehouse when he was 15. He’s since held every position, from working in
replacements and installs to engineering and new construction sales. Over the last few years, he’s spearheaded the
addition of new technology while also restructuring the company so that it continues to grow the right way.
“It’s been an amazing journey — not only growing up in the industry and within
pictured above starting from the left is Jared and Mike Douglas employees. Our core passion is to help people get the most out of life — not only employees and their families but also our customers. It’s very important to us that we have people here who have a passion for life, a passion for people, and a passion for doing the right thing for the customer.” Mike agreed, adding that he even made Jared apply for his job to become Advent’s new president — if for nothing more than to double down on their commitment to ensuring everyone was in the right seat. “There are no free lunches,” Mike said with a laugh. “As it turned out, he had the interest and the skillset to excel.” While it may sound cliche, the sky truly is the limit for Advent Air moving forward. And that’s impressive when you think about how far they’ve come — and the family that continues to lead the charge.
this company but also being part of the process and seeing the dramatic and positive changes,” Jared said. “We have such a positive
culture of mentoring and supporting our
MAY 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILL | 17
The Treasures
OF LEWISVILLE L
by Diane Ciarloni | photo courtesy of James Kunke
ewisville celebrates its 100th birthday of official incorporation in 2025. In preparation for that milestone, city leaders met a few years ago and asked one another, “Where do we want Lewisville to be by then?”
“Continuing the revitalization of Old Town was one of the most important answers to that question,” said James Kunke, Lewisville’s Community Relations and Tourism Director for the past 20 years. “That includes, of course, the strong focus on all forms of art that we’ve supported for several years. Our residents and our city council believe art can do so much for a city and its people. It can tell stories, elicit emotional responses, and enrich the entire social structure. We’re always looking for ways to support and to grow our arts program, and our public art has excellent financial support.” The addition of the Lewisville Grand Theater to the Old Town landscape was one way to introduce new artistic pathways. It opened in 2011 with a 296-
seat theater, 2,200-square foot art gallery, dance recital hall, and several classrooms. The center is used by art groups in the Greater Lewisville area as well as for national shows, exhibits, and performances. “COVID-19 clobbered us last year,” Kunke said. “Prior to that, we averaged 220 shows and performances per year at the Grand Theater. Everything is coming back, but it’s taking time. Meanwhile, there are more big projects on the drawing board.” One of the most popular performance events is the Sounds of Lewisville summer concert series. It began in 1991 and is held in the courtyard (Wayne Ferguson Plaza) of the Grand Theater every Tuesday. Admission is free, and each concert includes an opening group followed by the headliner. It’s summer breezes, picnics, sing-alongs, and tributes to famous artists. There is no denying that Lewisville is literally a treasure house of art, festivals, and cultural events, but many of its jewels are
18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
in the shadow of the public radar. For instance, there are nine impressive public sculptures and five art benches. The recent April Scavenger Hunt led participants to most of these, and, for many, it was a firsttime look. A Public Art Master Plan was adopted in 2018, mapping out what kind of art would be installed in the city as well as a plan for its placement. “We put out calls for many of our new projects,” Kunke explained. “That’s how a contract for painting a crosswalk at Charles Street was awarded recently. A call was issued, and 24 people responded. We put out local, national, and international calls, depending on the nature of the project.”
Another special attraction is the Greater Lewisville Community Theatre in the city’s oldest building, standing tall since 1885 on Main Street. “Our City Council also likes to promote fun events,” Kunke added. “That includes a number of festivals, such as Western Days, Holiday Stroll, and Keeping Tradition Alive Jam Session with firefighter bagpipes and drum corps.” He added, “We also celebrate the art and culture of our approximately 4,000-member Chin community. We recognize their contributions and tell their story through art.” Not to be outdone, beautiful chalk art walls by local artists, which remains a favorite art expression, began gracing the Grand Theater in 2018. There is a
Visual Art League, established in 1978, that embraces and helps tie together all the design strategies. The comprehensive art list is actually mind-boggling and includes far more than we can touch on here, such as a professional orchestra (Lewisville Lake Symphony), Lake Cities Ballet Theater, and the professional Our Productions Theatre Co. And we didn’t even mention Color Palooza. There’s even an official Poet Laureate! Remember the original question? What will Lewisville be by 2025? Answer: Spectacular!
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WOMEN’S
“I felt so much better. I had so much more energy. Why didn’t my previous doctors do this?”
HEALTH
— Hormone Replacement Therapy Client
M
enopause. The dreaded word that makes most women cringe. Most immediately think about hot flashes, but there is so much more involved. Menopause is caused by declining ovarian function which ultimately decreases estrogen production. The symptoms produced by menopause include insomnia, night sweats, fatigue, depression/anxiety, skin thinning due to loss of elasticity, bladder problems, and vaginal dryness. Those are the symptoms women feel and notice daily. However, there are other dangerous effects of low-to-absent estrogen levels. The risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease increase during menopause. So, how do women combat the daily symptoms as well as the underlying disease risks with each passing day? One answer is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In 2002, an alarming news report came out discussing synthetic estrogen hormone replacement and the subsequent increase in heart disease and cancer. Unfortunately, this report did not highlight the fact that the study involved analyzing chemically altered synthetic hormones only. In fact,
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by Stephanie Stovall, Nurse Practitioner
All hormone replacement treatments are NOT created equal. bioidentical hormones produce the opposite effects according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004. This makes sense considering our own hormones are beneficial to the function and well-being of our bodies. Once we lose those hormones, problems and deterioration can occur. Thus, we should be replacing
those hormones with identical hormones rather than synthetic hormones, which contain over 10 different estrogens not found within the body. All hormone replacement treatments are not created equal. This therapy requires ongoing and close monitoring by licensed medical providers, and the medication must be obtained by quality compounding pharmacies. Knowing the distinction between synthetic and bioidentical hormones in regards to HRT make a world of difference in not only how you feel but also your quality of life. Including bioidentical estrogen supplementation during menopause will not only alleviate the symptoms of menopause but can also improve bone density, enhance cardiovascular health, and decrease your risk of strokes.
So what’s next? At Live Young Wellness Spa, we provide bioidentical HRT in the forms of estrogen as well as testosterone and progesterone. All of our providers go to yearly training focused specifically in the field of HRT. Our goal is to help patients find that feeling they once had when they were younger as well as improve their health and wellness along the way. Our new location in the Castle Hills area is currently open and is accepting new HRT patients, and we would love to help you optimize your hormones.
972.691.7900 | liveyoungspa.com 2931 Long Prairie Rd, Ste.100 Flower Mound, TX 75022
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Stovall, Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Stovall is a certified and licensed Nurse Practitioner and co-owner of Live Young Wellness Spa - Castle Hills. Stephanie began her nursing career in 2002 after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington. After spending her career as a pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit nurse, Stephanie received her first Master’s degree in Nursing Administration soon followed by her second Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. At Live Young Wellness Spa, Stephanie performs injectables and specializes in the medical management of our Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy patients. Stephanie has been married for almost 18 years and is a mother of three girls ages 12, 8, and 4. MAY 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILL | 21
EASY
CHEESESTEAK LETTUCE WRAPS RECIPE
Tip: Be sure to use very thinly sliced steak for this recipe. Placing the steak in the freezer for 20 minutes prior to slicing will make this task easier. P R E P T I M E : 15 minutes C O O K T I M E : 10-15 minutes SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS: 1 T. unsalted butter
2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin 1 large green bell pepper, sliced thin Sea salt and black pepper, to taste 1 lb. Ribeye steak, sliced very thin ½ t. garlic powder 4-5 slices mild Provolone cheese I large head Bibb lettuce, separated, rinsed, and patted dry
DIRECTIONS: 1. Add butter and one tablespoon olive oil to a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, approximately 3-4 minutes. 2. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sliced peppers. Cook, stirring frequently, until the peppers are crisp-tender and nicely charred, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the onions and peppers to a plate. Set aside. 3. Add sliced steak to the skillet and adjust heat back to medium. Season with the garlic powder, plus salt and black pepper, if desired. Cook, stirring frequently, just until the meat is browned on all sides, approximately 2-3 minutes. 4. Return the onions and peppers to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove from heat and top the mixture with the Provolone cheese slices. Cover and let stand for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted. 5. To serve, remove cover and divide the cheesesteak mixture among the lettuce leaves. 22 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
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MAY 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILL | 23
INTERIOR
PAINTING
IDEAS by Contributing Writer
spend more time and creativity inside... 24 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | MAY 2021
R
edecorating or renovating your house is never easy, and it gets harder and more tedious when you also need to paint. Slapping on one coat of paint after another can be draining if you’re going at it alone and still have the whole house to consider. And let’s not even start on the ceilings! But even if you stick to the same old exterior paint job, it doesn’t need to be so for the interior. And you could always try some wild and wonderful interior painting ideas. If nothing else, you’ll be guaranteed a reaction from all who enter your house. By keeping the exterior painting to a bare minimum, you can spend more time and creativity inside. You can let your imagination run riot with all those interior painting ideas you always wanted to implement but never got around to. There’s no time like the present, and really, when are you going to paint your house again? If you stick to the drab and uninspired, you can be assured that it won’t be at least for a few more generations.
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I’m talking about... a paint job that will resemble you... Don’t get alarmed though, when I’m talking about out-of-this-world interior painting ideas. I’m not saying that you should go with something that might resemble a Picasso painting. I’m talking about something more along the lines of a paint job that will resemble you and reflect back on who you are. So, your interior painting ideas need not be anything bolder than a splash of vibrant color on one wall surrounded by soothing colors on the other walls. This works very well in any house, and the vibrant color that you pick out can be either soothing or primal depending on what you want to show of yourself. You could, of course, always go to extremes and paint all the walls a bright vibrant shade or even mix and match different
shades to different walls. If you’re doing this, then you might want to think about the effect you’ll have and whether you can actually live with the color scheme. Wild and inspired interior painting ideas are well and good, but you should always take into account whether you’re going to be able to stand the sight of your newly painted walls or not. If you have to repaint everything, it kind of defeats the purpose. This doesn’t mean that you should put a hold on your creativity or stifle your interior painting ideas. All it means is that for some of the bolder ideas you have, perhaps you should do a small test-run somewhere else. Don’t think that painting your house should be a chore, and if you really want, you can always think you’re Michelangelo or Da Vinci, or any one of those great artists, and even paint a stunning mural on your walls. The only requirement here is that you turn your great interior painting ideas into reality and that you have fun while you’re doing it.
There’s no time like the present... www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
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Things 5TO TRY TEXAS PEACH TEA Elm Fork Taphouse & Kitchen, Hickory Creek Here’s another taphouse that also makes incredible cocktails! The Texas Peach Tea at Elm Fork Taphouse is a must-have. This cocktail consists of Western Son peach vodka, simple syrup, iced tea, and is garnished with a lemon wedge. This drink will go great with any meal you order and will have you feeling relaxed.
LAVENDER LEMONADE The Brass Tap, Roanoke The Brass Tap may be known for beer, but they have delicious cocktails as well. The Lavender Lemonade consists of butterfly pea flower-infused Drumshanbo Gin, lavender house-made simple syrup, Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes, and fresh lemon juice. This refreshing cocktail will have you daydreaming you’re at the beach!
BLACK CHERRY VODKA BASIL MULE 940’s Kitchen & Cocktails, Denton Take a seat at the lofty, warehouse-style space of 940’s and enjoy a Black Cherry Vodka Basil Mule! This cocktail contains Zodiac Black Cherry Vodka, basil simple, ginger beer, and lime. This drink pairs perfectly with their Short Rib Mac n’ Cheese and is the ideal spot for date night! CUCUMBER JALAPENO MARGARITA Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton Oak Street Drafthouse is a fun, unique spot to enjoy some drinks and food! They converted a historic house into a drafthouse and they have a large, dogfriendly back patio with ping-pong. The Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita is a must! This drink consists of cucumber vodka, Triple Sec, sour, spicy agave, jalapeno, and lime.
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JACK ROSE Yellow Rose Steakhouse, Flower Mound Yellow Rose Steakhouse is fine dining in a casual atmosphere and you’ll get that with the Jack Rose cocktail. This cocktail is made with apple brandy, house-made pomegranate grenadine, and fresh lemon juice. The house-made pomegranate grenadine alone will have you drooling for more! www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
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SHERIFF’S W I T H
S H E R I F F
T R A C Y
M U R P H R E E
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
M
ay is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health issues have been on the rise for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have only made things more trying for so many people. There are many ways the pandemic has likely affected mental health, particularly with widespread social isolation resulting from necessary safety measures. The Denton County Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Unit was created in 1989 with a Sergeant and four Mental Health Deputies. Today, the unit consist of a
Lieutenant, Sergeant, seven Mental Health Investigators, and an Administrative Assistant. The Sheriff’s MHU uses its dual certifications as both Peace Officers and
Certified Mental Health Peace Officers to obtain the most appropriate placement for individuals assessed by investigators for emergency commitments. The MHU provides Denton County citizens with professional law enforcement mental health assessments and transportation. The MHU does emergency apprehension and detentions independently and in conjunction with Denton County Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR), the Local Mental Health Authority. In 2020, our Mental Health Unit completed 517 emergency detentions compared to 2004, where 181 were detained. As Denton County’s population continues to increase and mental health issues increase, so does the number of emergency commitments. The Denton County Sheriff’s Office MHU provides updated training to law
WE ARE HIRING If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization. Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year. Visit our website to apply. www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty
enforcement agencies, institutions of higher education, and hospitals within the county that wish to have a better understanding of the laws and resources available to them through the mental health system in Denton County. The goal of the Denton County Sheriff’s Office MHU is to continue training to maximize the impact of crisis funding and to minimize the use of hospitals for those mentally ill individuals who do not meet the standard for voluntary or involuntary inpatient hospitalization. The MHU will continue to guide those individuals to locally available resources that can better meet their needs.
940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.GOV/707/SHERIFF www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
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