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Contents

7 Tips for Living through a Remodel

22 Featured Neighbor

13 Canyon Creek Allstate Insurance

24 Canyon Creek Chronicle

17 Pet of the Month

29 Fitness

18 Adding More Joy to Canyon Creek Park

30 In the Kitchen

20 Getting Your Kids Back to “Back-To-School” Mode

Family of the Month

Athlete of the Month

32 Real Estate Front Cover photo provided by Kyla Obert

Business of the Month

15 www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com

Golden Couple 1

Letter from the

Publisher

ACK. TO. SCHOOL. Sweeter words have never been spoken! Sure, we’ve had a great summer. Sure, we’ve made great memories. And sure, I love having my kids home and schedule free for a few months. But man, summer is not for the weak or the weary. Teachers are angels. Teachers deserve to be compensated higher for raising our monsters, er, children, on the daily. High fives to you teachers, you are about to enter into yet another school year, another year of growing, molding, and shaping our youth. You have your hands full, but you are appreciated. And if anything, summer is the gift you give yourself to remind us parents to be more thankful for all you do. Consider this note a “pat on the back”, a “good luck” and a “have a great year” pep talk. We hope you’ve stored up some energy and patience over these long hot days off and that you are revived and ready to take on our pack. Oh, and I apologize that little Timmy can’t tie his shoe laces yet and I just bought him the most awesome pair of lace up tennis shoes. He also asks ALOT of questions. About everything. So, please remember that high five and pep talk I gave you just a few moments ago and please don’t curse me when you’ve tied his shoes for the 500th time. I appreciate you! I really do! (and I promise to work on shoe lace tying). To all you moms and dads out there that aren’t teachers, here’s a high five and big fist bump for you! We made it through summer! The kids are alive! And better yet, they say they are ready to go back to school—probably to get away fro m us, even though they say it’s because they miss their friends. Smh! We sure will miss those little sweethearts that eat ALLTHEFOODALLTHETIME, ASKALLTHEQUESTIONSALLTHETIME and were BOREDALLTHETIME. Sniff, sniff. Translation—high skipping. But as snarky as this note may sound, I really will miss these summer days. I will miss seeing the faces of my sweet kids all day. I will miss hanging out with them. I will miss feeding them on the hour, every hour. I will miss their giggles. I will miss their inquisitiveness into everything. I will just plain miss them. But I will hand them off to their teacher on the first day with confidence, treasuring the time I spent with them, and the memories we made. Goodbye, summer, you have been good to us!

Letter from the

Publisher Kyla Obert Editor Teri Hebert Ad Sales Mike Obert Nancy Luttinger Heather Wheat Designer Gia Mari L. Pintoy Contributors Lisa Parelli, Wilson Allen, Warren Caldwell, Meredith Watkins, Jeremy Thomason, Angela Green Special Thanks The Larsson Family, Ross Ellis, Jack Doyle, Evelyn and John Mitchell, Brisby, Hector Cantu For Advertising Questions, please email mobert@hylogroup.com For Editoral Requests, please email kobert@hylogroup.com thebert@hylogroup.com HyperLocal Media 2701 Custer Parkway, Suite 823 Richardson, TX 75080

Editor

ummer just began, or so I thought! I don’t have kids, but I have plenty of friends with kids and they are already talking about how summer is over and school year stuff is already starting for kids in sports and marching band and other activities. It’s hard to believe summer went by so fast! But it’s a good thing you have this issue of Canyon Creek Life in your hands right now. Because we are here to help you prepare yourself and your kids for school to begin in just a few weeks! Mornings can be rough, so we’ve pulled together a couple of recipes to help you get breakfast in your kids’ bellies before they run out the door for school. We also have an (almost) foolproof plan to help you and your kids adjust from slacking the summer away to school schedules and routines. You’ll want to check that out for sure. Of course, not everyone in the neighborhood is dealing with school things! So we’re excited to introduce you to Brisby, who is a neighborhood dog who actually wrote his own article this month. Such talent! It’s a great issue of the magazine. We hope you enjoy!

www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com

Managing Partners Mike and Kyla Obert Principals Campbell Kerr and Dustin Shaffer

Family of the Month

The Larssons by Teri Hebert

hen you walk into the Larsson home, you immediately know that you’re in a house of love and laughter. Big bright smiles and lots of activity taking place with mom, dad, and three young girls in a home they love. But let’s start at the beginning. Holly was born in Arkansas but spent most of her growing-up years in Austin, TX. Dean grew up in Australia but came to Texas about 26 years ago on a golf scholarship to the University of Houston. Work brought both of them to the Dallas area where they ﬁrst met each other. Holly remembers that it was the day after Thanksgiving in 2008. After a day of Black Friday shopping, she was enjoying some down time at Sherlock’s when she heard the accents from some handsome Australians nearby. Holly is a triathlete (she completed Ironman Couer d’Alene in 2008) and she was considering doing a triathlon in Australia. So she took the opportunity to ask the Australians about triathlons in Australia. And . . . one of those Australians happened to be Dean, who was there for an after-golf drink with his buddies. The two of them talked for several hours that day. And on 2/20/2010 (a date they can easily remember), Dean and Holly ofﬁcially became The Larssons. After they married, they lived in Frisco. While they enjoyed where they lived, Dean had a lengthy commute to Royal Oaks Country Club for work as a golf pro every day. Holly had taught high school math at Plano Senior High School and loved PISD schools. Being 4

familiar with Plano schools and wanting to reduce Dean’s commute time, they started looking for a new home and found their way to Canyon Creek. The area was the perfect place to meet their current needs and upcoming needs for their growing family. At the time, their current house and only one other house was available in Canyon Creek. They did everything they could to be selected from other bidders for the house, and it paid off! They were able to purchase their home and begin their love affair with the neighborhood. Holly says they felt very lucky to get the home! But . . . about two years later, they realized the house needed some updates. They could either put money into updating the home, or put money into a brand-new home. So they put a down payment on a house being built in . . . Plano. They loved Canyon Creek but thought this was the best plan for their family at the time. And yet, that plan never came to be. On May 7, 2015, their house was struck by lightning during a storm. Holly and Dean remember a big flash and loud noise while they were home trying to get everyone off to bed, but they continued with their evening. At around 10:45pm, Holly went down to the kitchen and thought she smelled smoke. They searched the home and finally found the source of the smoke in the back of the house where a fire had started from the lightning strike. They quickly grabbed the kids and the dog and ran out of the house. Richardson Fire Department responded quickly, but unfortunately the fire spread quickly and gutted the Larssons’ entire home. Call it a sign, or not. But the Larssons could not have been in a better neighborhood to experience a tragedy such as this. Holly mentions that while it was so hard to deal with the loss of things that had meaning, such as photos, they felt like they gained a community through this event. They were immediately taken in by caring neighbors that evening. Other neighbors immediately started arranging for diapers for the

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Family of the Month

kids, food, clothing, and any other need the Larssons had in the immediate aftermath of losing their home and belongings. It was through this experience that Dean and Holly knew they had to stay in Canyon Creek. The outpouring of love and support from neighbors—some they already knew, and many they had not yet met—solidiﬁed a kinship with Canyon Creek that they had not felt in their prior neighborhood, and that they knew they would not be able to replicate in a new neighborhood. So, instead of writing off the house and following through with the new build in Plano, they changed course . . . by staying. They moved to an apartment in the Homes of Prairie Springs so they could remain close to their neighborhood and community while they began the rebuild process on the home. Because the house needed updates anyway, Dean and Holly were able to work with the contractor to make the rebuilt home exactly what they needed it to be for their family. And about one year later, they were able move back into the home they fought so hard for— TWICE—in the neighborhood they love. Today, the house is ﬁlled with a beautiful family that is so happy to have the home of their dreams in the neighborhood of their dreams. Dean continues his work as the Head Golf Pro at Royal Oaks Country Club. Holly is taking a break from teaching and from her most recent job with TI as the Math Subject Matter Specialist (basically a fancy name for a really amazing job that allowed her to travel and help

schools implement technology into teaching programs) to be home with the three beautiful Larsson girls. Sophie is the oldest at almost six years old. She will begin kindergarten at Aldridge Elementary in the fall along with three of her friends who live on the same street. Sophie loves to swim and play the violin. Chloe is three and a half years old and also loves to swim. And Lyla is 16-months old and loves to play and . . . swiml. All three girls love playing with each other, and when it’s not as hot as it is during the summer, they love for mom to take them to Custer Park to play. But their absolute favorite neighborhood event is the annual 4th of July party and parade. Not to be left out is the Larssons’ dog Maggie. She’s 15 years old and has some health struggles but she’s an important part of the family and has been with Holly since before she knew Dean. Maggie has adjusted to each new addition to the family (including Dean, then each of the girls), and her current state is usually one of . . . tolerance. As a family, the Larssons love enjoy eating at local Richardson restaurants, including Modern Market, Spin Pizza, and of course, Sweet Fireﬂy is a family favorite. They frequently enjoy the hike and bike trail, which Holly will put to good use over the coming year as she begins training again for her next Ironman triathlon in The Woodlands, TX. If you see Holly running through the neighborhood, she would welcome some cheers and maybe some water as she passes by! Dean enjoys taking the girls to the practice tee near UTD. The girls seem to enjoy hitting golf balls and he loves that it’s something they can do together. He loves the location of the neighborhood which provides easy access to everything they need and want. Besides Canyon Creek’s amazing neighbors, Holly and Dean love that the neighborhood is laid back and is truly a community with people helping each other and enjoying each other. The girls have so many friends on the same street and nearby. Holly and Dean appreciate groups like the Mom’s group and the active FaceBook community. And Holly is looking forward to her new role as the block captain for the upcoming National Night Out. The Larssons feel certain that Canyon Creek is the place they are supposed to be, and they hope that they can give back to their neighbors and community in the same ways they were given to when they needed it most. They appreciate their Canyon Creek people. And Larssons, we appreciate you. We are so glad you stayed! Thank you for sharing your story with us this month!

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7 Tips for Living through a Remodel by Lisa Parelli

t seems like everywhere you turn, home improvement projects are becoming part of daily living. But, when you remodel a kitchen or add an addition to your home, the bigger question is “Can we live in our home through the remodel?” The answer is yes you can. Occasionally, there are circumstances on an extensive home remodels that may require you to live elsewhere during the remodel. Here are some top tips for making sure living in your home during a remodel is as undisruptive as possible. 1.

3. 6

Know Your Contractor and Their Process! - Make sure to ask your contractor several questions during the initial meetings. Listen to what other clients have to say about them when you check references. You must trust your contractor as you will see people coming and going in your home. You must feel comfortable and trust your general contractor. Set Up Livable Space During Construction – Have a least one sealed-off construction-free zone where you can go to be out of the way of construction. If you are remodeling your kitchen, set-up a temporary kitchen in a utility room or another space so you have access to a refrigerator, microwave, etc. The kitchen is probably the most difﬁcult to live through but if you plan carefully you will survive the sacriﬁce for your dream kitchen! Pack it Up – Remove all fragile belongings, valuables, décor or items sensitive to dust such as electronics. Make sure your

6. 7.

contractor protects your home in every way possible. If they are not working there, then it should be protected! Determine Construction Schedule – You should always know when workers are in your house. You should also set up a schedule. In most cases, contractors arrive by 8:00 a.m. and leave by 4:30 p.m. You will be more comfortable knowing when you get your house back. Install a Lock Box – The last thing you want to do is stay tied to your home every day to let people in and out. We all have busy lives and different schedules. Your contractor will have speciﬁc rules for workers to adhere when entering and exiting your home. This where trusting your contractor plays a huge factor. Have a Plan to Minimize Dust – Dust is probably the most difﬁcult part of any remodel. It will get messy. Your contractor should take the highest precautions to help keep dust at bay. Have a Plan for Kids and Pets – Kids and pets are curious about everything. It is best to keep them out of the construction zone throughout the entire remodel. Don’t even let them in the area when workers are not there.

With these top tips you will be prepared to live in your home through your remodeling project. Yes, your house will feel like it has been turned upside down for a while but once you are ﬁnished with the remodel you will never have any regrets!

www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com

Business of the Month

Catalyst Spine and Sports Rehab 2701 Custer Parkway, #712 Richardson, TX 75080 214-484-3379 www.catalystsportsrehab.com

Catalyst Spine and Sports Rehab

id you know that we have a sports chiropractic specialist in the neighborhood? Meet Ross Ellis and learn about his practice located in II Creeks!

What is the name of your business and how long have you been in business?

We are Catalyst Spine and Sports Rehab and we’ve been in business for four years this fall. Tell us about your business (what do you do, where do you do it, etc).

Catalyst is a sports chiropractic clinic. We utilize and perform progressive techniques and treatment modalities, both passive and active, to help decrease pain and restore functional movement. We see patients of all ages that want to be active and improve their lifestyle with movement. We start with an evaluation that is speciﬁc to an indiviaduals injury and sport/lifestyle, then create a plan that will get them back to functioning at their best. Catalyst started in the building of Crull Fitness in 2013. We could feed off each other and improve on both ﬁtness and health. We are so grateful for the relationship that continues with Crull Fitness, but the need for more space arose just in time to solidify a space just across the parking lot. We are now in suite 712 within II creeks. What inspired you to do what you do?

I felt called to become a chiropractor after my senior year of high school. A good friend and fellow collegue, Dr. Brad Collins, introduced me to the practice initially while we were serving as camp 8

counselors. As that week went on, I felt the Lord call me to serve people, but not by way of a church or pastoral role. I felt him calling me to serve others in a hands on healing approach, causing me to pursue Chiropractic. I graduated from Parker College in January 2011. I am licensed in the State of Texas and certiﬁed by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. I believe when you face an injury it is essential that it be treated correctly—not only for a fast recovery, but to lower the chances of having a repeat injury. We also believe that when the body becomes stagnant our bodies stop functioning optimally and can develop pain and other limitations such as allergies, headaches, digestive issues, neck or back pain. It has been very rewarding to be used in a way that everyday I get to see people feel better, move better, and live better. My experience growing up in sports, along with my time playing collegiate soccer, gave me the passion to be invested in how patients perform in their respective competitions. Seeing runners improve on their times, tennis players win tournaments, soccer players go to playoffs is always is always special to me. It is something I always strived to do playing as an athlete and that’s my goal for my patients now. How long have you lived in Canyon Creek? What brought you to Canyon Creek?

We moved to Canyon Creek two and half years ago. We love how close we are to family, friends, and community, as well as our ofﬁces. We love to walk/run the neigborhood with our dog Gray who usually pulls us the entire time. She is a Great Dane Lab mix who gets bigger everyday.

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Business of the Month

Tell us about your family.

My wife Becky is the Area Director for Joni and Friends Texas, an International Disability Ministry located in the Hope Center in Plano, Texas. She has been working for Joni and Friends for the past 6 years and recently was promoted to her current position as area director. It has been a passion of hers to serve families with special needs since she was 12 years old. She has served every summer at Joni and Friends Family Retreats for 18 years. She’s also gone to Cuba to distribute wheelchairs to special needs families. We both love what we do becasuse it is serving people and helping them live a more enriched life. Many thought that our dog Gray was going to be the only addition to our family until we found out in April that we are expecting our ﬁrst child. We are excited to meet our baby girl this December! That’s another thing we love about Canyon Creek. Its full of family friendly people who are always looking out for each other. We can’t wait to have our little girl grow up in such an awesome place.

Thank you for returning me to the City Council for another opportunity to serve you!

Mark Solomon Place 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Richardson City Council (214) 739-5610 mark.solomon@cor.gov

Athlete of the Month

Jack Doyle

anyon Creek! Meet Jack Doyle. He’s about to start his freshman year at the University of Texas and he’s a preferred walk-on for the Longhorn football team.

Tell us your name, what school you currently attend, and what year you are in school.

Jack Doyle, University of Texas at Austin, Freshman What other schools have you attended?

John Paul II High School

Tells us a favorite story or two about a big moment or fun moment playing your sport.

Tell us what sport you play and why you enjoy it.

I play football. I really enjoy being part of such a team sport. Brag on yourself: Tell us your honors and awards in school and for your sport.

My favorite moments in high school were the Homecoming game. The crowd was always big and felt great having the whole school out rooting for us.

I was the JPII Heart of a Cardinal Award winner. The Heart of Cardinal award is given to one of the best players of the team by the coaches. The coaches voted me the winner after my senior year of high school at John Paul II.

Share with us a funny or awesome story of living in Canyon Creek.

What’s your favorite subject in school (your sport doesn’t count!)?

Anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about you?

My favorite subject is math. Outside of schools and sports, what do you do for fun, hobbies, work, etc.?

I was in Boy Scouts where I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I also enjoy playing with friends.

In my training for college football I spent time at Crull Fitness where I would train often twice a day. They did a great job of making me a better athlete.

I just finished my first summer at the University of Texas at Austin. I am a preferred walk-on and I love it. I had the options to play at small D1, D2, and D3 schools but when the opportunity to play at Texas came up it was going to be a dream come true. I look forward to my first season on the team and am excited for the future.

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Canyon Creek Allstate Insurance

As a Small Business Owner, What Insurance Do You Need?

ith the recent small ﬁre at Shady’s I thought this would be a good time to talk about small business insurance. One coverage that comes to mind right of hand is Business Interruption Coverage. What if you had to close your doors for weeks, months, or more due to a claim? Business interruption coverage could help by paying you for lost income while your store is closed. When you own a business, you have a lot to protect. Here’s a rundown of a few things to consider when it comes to buying your small business insurance policy.

Small Business Property Insurance Coverage protects your tangible investment—from your merchandise, equipment, to the tools you use to make your business work. The property coverage in a business insurance policy can also help protect the physical property of your business against certain causes.

Small Business Liability Insurance Coverage No matter how careful you are, you may ﬁnd yourself in a variety of situations that could result in a lawsuit against your business, so it’s a good idea to be prepared—just in case. General liability coverage: This type of coverage protects you in case you are sued because of accidents, injuries or claims of negligence. For example, if someone is injured on the premises of your business and ﬁles a lawsuit against you, this type of coverage may help cover some of the related costs. Product liability coverage: If your company manufactures or sells a product, this type of coverage may come in handy. It protects you in case your product is defective and causes injury or damage. Professional liability coverage: Businesses that provide services often purchase this type of coverage, which protects against errors and negligence. Example-malpractice insurance that doctors are required to carry.

Small Business Insurance Coverage Relating to Employees Depending on the number of employees you have, as well as other factors, there may be additional insurance considerations. Employment

practices liability coverage, for example, helps protect you in case a former employee ﬁles a groundless claim against your company.

Work Comp Coverage All states except TEXAS require businesses with a certain minimum number of employees to have workers compensation coverage, which may help protect them in the event that an employee is injured on the job.

Small Business Insurance Coverage for Business Vehicles Just like your personal car, your business’ vehicle needs to be protected. Business auto coverage is available to help protect your company against liability arising from accidents in your company’s vehicle.

Small Business Data Compromise Insurance Coverage Data compromise coverage, or data breach coverage, is another way to protect your business. This type of coverage helps protect against any associated legal or other costs in the event that personal data of employees or customers is stolen or accidentally released by your company. In addition to the coverages described above, there may be even more business insurance options to consider. A conversation with your business insurance agent can help you determine the best way to protect your company.

Do you have a New Roof? It could save you hundreds or More on your Home Owner’s Insurance! www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com

Golden Couple

Evelyn and John Mitchell

Helping Us Stay Safe All Year by “Mister Jimmy” Van Orden

ith their enormous brown lab, “Sergeant Pester,” leading the way, Prairie Creek seniors Evelyn and John Mitchell walk a mile or so every evening looking for trouble. Actually, they’re looking out for our safety and well-being. The Mitchells, who live on Oakcrest Drive, have enjoyed doing weekly neighborhood “Crime Watch” patrols since 2011. No strangers to Richardson’s sidewalks—they’ve lived here since 1978—the Mitchells join dozens of other Canyon Creek, Cottonwood and Prairie Creek volunteers who regularly patrol streets, alleys and sidewalks on foot or in vehicles. Thanks to their hard work, they and hundreds of Crime Watchers across the city have made Richardson one of the safest cities in America. According to “Niche,” a company that compiles crime statistics, Richardson ranked 22nd among the nation’s 25 safest cities in 2016. “We used to patrol in our car but now walk with Sergeant Pester to exercise,” said Evelyn. “There are many women and men who patrol alone and I admire them. But at our age we felt safer, especially at night, to patrol together.” The couple walks from their home up Canyon Creek Drive and then back to Campbell Road and to Trinity Bible Church, where they worship. “We stop at the church each night to make sure lights are turned off and all the doors are locked,” said Evelyn. Members since 2003, the couple is very active in church work. Evelyn is the church librarian and John, who enjoys tinkering with computers, digital photos and software, keeps the library’s desktops and database in ﬁne tune.

When Campbell Road was two lanes Prairie Creek was a tiny community with a small school and bordered by a two-lane blacktop called “Campbell Road” when Evelyn and John bought their single-story, ranch-style house in 1978. “At the time, we were a little concerned about future Campbell Road expansion plans,” said John, “because the highway was so close to our backyard. Just across the street was a little hospital called ‘Richardson Medical Center’. We never dreamed Campbell Road and the hospital would grow so large.” The Mitchells really liked their new neighbors, who years ago frequently blocked the street on the Fourth of July for celebratory parties, as well as nearby Prairie Creek Park, where the couple walked primitive trails and enjoyed the creek and wildlife. John, who served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years in the early 1960s, holds an Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Houston. His career went into high gear when he joined the local sales ofﬁce of a burgeoning company called Tektronix in 1973. He worked there for 25 years and retired in 1998. Evelyn, who earned an Associate Degree at San Angelo Junior College, decided early on she wanted to be a “full-time homemaker and mother.” The couple adopted two children, Stephanie, in 1972, and Scott, in 1976. “The children went to Prairie Creek Elementary,” said John, “which was a much smaller school at that time.” As a “stay-at-homemom,” Evelyn stayed very busy volunteering for Girl Scout activities

and serving in the school library. The children did well and, after completing their Richardson experience and earning college degrees, married and made the senior Mitchells grandparents.

More bobcats and coyotes than ever You might say John and Evelyn, like other Crime Watch volunteers, are the “eyes and ears” of our community. They’ve seen a lot during the past six years of patrols. “Open garage doors are what we see the most,” said Evelyn. “This is a dangerous situation for homeowners because it allows thieves to steal valuable equipment, such as lawnmowers and tools, and provides easy access to residents’ houses. “Neighbors put themselves at risk when they leave garage doors open and car doors unlocked,” she added. “We regularly see and report both situations and strongly urge everyone not to make themselves the target of thieves.” Although it doesn’t happen very often, they sometimes call the Richardson Police Department and report vehicles that block alleys or individuals who seem out of place or may be soliciting without a license. The couple found it easy to volunteer and get started as Crime Watchers. “We signed up by contacting the Crime Watch coordinator and attending a mandatory training program,” said Evelyn. “Once training was completed, we volunteered to do patrols and report all suspicious activities to the police department.” The city provides volunteers with magnetic “Crime Watch” signs they apply to vehicle doors when patrolling. “We’re hearing a lot more reports these days about bobcats and coyote sightings,” said John. “In all our years living here we’ve never heard so many neighbors tell us about pets being attacked or predator sightings,” he added. “It appears that the area’s rapid expansion has reduced the predators’ natural habitats, forcing them to move into suburbs and invade backyards.” Bobcat and coyote sightings aside, Evelyn and John have enjoyed their nearly 40 years living in Richardson. They owned several dogs before Sergeant Pester. At one time, the couple walked with four canines attached by leashes to John’s belt . . . a daunting challenge, especially when the dogs spotted a squirrel. “This is a wonderful place to live,” said Evelyn. “And it makes us proud to help protect our neighbors and community.”

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Pet of the Month

Brisby by Warren Caldwell

y name is Brisbane Baloo Caldwell, though my humans refer to me as Brisby; a nickname suitable for a juvenile but not as dignified as I would prefer. When I was informed that I had earned the accolade of Pet of the Month, it was initially confusing as I had thought the term referred to the contents of monthly periodicals with pictures of humans in various states of undress. My humans are Warren and Laura Caldwell though it was the younger one they call Wyatt who I initially selected. He looked athletic and had kind eyes so I ran with it and by and large, it was a good move on my part. My Mother was a Border Collie and my Father was a Casanovian Blue Heeler who could leap tall fences in a single bound. My Grandparents were champion fly dogs and my humans often refer to this fact with inappropriate laughter and evident disdain given that my predilection and toothy affection for the finer culinary aspects of life preclude me from leaping far enough to be competitive. I actually fancy myself something of an intellectual with the cognitive skills to re-wire a house to code though my motor skills are hampered by a lack of opposing thumbs. Because of this slight of nature, I concentrate more on the theoretical sciences. My home that I share with my humans is also occupied by a rescue Chihuahua and Golden Retriever as well as a dratted one-eyed cat. They have wisely deferred to me as the alpha male though my boy Wyatt has a fish that his Dad calls an Alpha Betta. Wyatt’s Dad . . . I’ll try to be nice and merely state that he is his own best audience for what could politely be called his sense of humor. The other two dogs and I used to have lengthy discussions about the important issues of the day but over time, their dogmatic personalities became tiresome and our conversation has reverted to banal subjects

revolving around food, sleep, our fear of storms and our obsession with squirrels. My hobby and passion in life is light and the magical wands the humans use to shine on things. My annual Christmas wish is for a disco ball but thus far I have been denied. My humans also laugh that I bugle rather than bark, not recognizing my afﬁnity for music and that these are in fact original compositions. In summation, I thank everyone for the award and hope that the human they call Steve Harvey didn’t err and intend to award it to the Pug down the street.

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Community News

Adding More Joy to Canyon Creek Park I by Meredith Watkins

f you imagine that the sparkling creeks are the lifeblood of our neighborhood, and the waterfall is its pretty face, one could argue that Canyon Creek Park is the true heart of our neighborhood—if not by geography, then in spirit. For generations, children have grown up climbing, swinging, tottering, sliding, discovering and laughing together right there, among the yellow and blue equipment. The Worlein family lives just houses away from Canyon Creek Park, and it has been an extension of their home since they moved to Richardson in 2007. You might know them: Lyz cheerfully introduces them to other parents at the park as “the only family in the neighborhood whose members all have red hair.” For years, Lyz would load daughters Vivian and Charlotte into a bright red wagon and stroll to the park, while husband Jim and son Hank preferred to ride bikes. They have been fixtures at the park, helping organize springtime egg hunts, drying off from Canyon Creek Pool on the swing set, or unwinding from busy days with afterschool play dates. Always at the park. Many neighbors’ memories of the park involve the Worleins, like Parker Berry, who at 5 years of age, jumped off of a swing, fell, and knocked his tooth loose, resulting in his first Tooth Fairy visit. When he landed, he remembers that his kindergarten buddy, Vivian, was the first to rush over, dust him off and comfort him. 18

In September 2012, an MRI revealed that Vivian Worlein, then just 6 years old, had a brain tumor. In the four years that followed, she would undergo brain surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to fight cancer. These treatments affected her mobility, eyesight, hearing, and balance, and the first grader who once loved to dance and play would soon be unable to traverse much of Canyon Creek Park’s terrain. At times supported by a wheelchair or walker, Vivian and her family would still go to the park to spend time with friends. Grassy fields that meant games of tag before were often unmanageable, and the soft mulch that cushioned Parker’s fall was almost impossible to roll across in those days. Vivian’s mobility greatly improved after years of grueling physical therapy, and she returned to playing at the park again. One of her favorite activities was watching wobbly toddlers like her next-door neighbor Sam Shasteen. Sam’s mother Sara remembers, “Vivian was his safety net, following after him as he climbed the ladders, making sure he did not fall.” After several years of being in remission, Vivian’s health took a drastic turn in January 2017. Tragically, she passed away on Feb. 11, 2017. Her family and friends have been devastated by the loss. However, once the shock of their grief began to evolve, they knew

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Photography by Emily Mulkey

Community News

Canyon Creek Park they wanted to memorialize the joy, kindness, and exuberance that Vivian brought to the world. Where else should this memorial be but in Canyon Creek Park? With a generous donation from the Canyon Creek Elementary PTA and; private donations from friends, family, Jim’s colleagues and clients— – along ;along with the help of the Canyon Creek Homeowners Association— – the park will soon have a brand-new element on the playground in Vivian’s honor. Known as a “Ten Spin,”, the big spinner shaped like a Hershey’s Kiss with built-in seats will accommodate up to 10 children at once. Best of all, children of all physical abilities and ages—like the toddlers Vivian loved to help, or children who need assistance walking or pulling themselves up—can join in the fun by sitting, kneeling, or standing together on the inclusive Ten Spin. It will be surrounded by poured-in-place rubber playground surfacing, making that section of the park smoother and more accessible for all children, whether on foot or on wheels. The Ten Spin area will be a joyful way to keep Vivian’s memory alive in the hearts of old friends and share with new neighbors who enjoy the park.

Playground Renovation

he City of Richardson’s Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with those working on Vivian’s memorial to make the dream a reality sooner, rather than later. The Canyon Creek Park Playground was one of several playground replacements speciﬁed for funding in the 2015 city bond program, but was not scheduled for renovation until late 2020. To coincide with the Ten Spin installation for Vivian’s memorial, the City has changed its timetable. The replacement of the Canyon Creek Park Playground is now scheduled to be complete by the end of December 2017. Watch for information from the City on a public meeting to gather your feedback on the new look of the Canyon Creek Park Playground—coming soon!

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Community News

Getting Your Kids Back to

“Back-To-School” Mode by Teri Hebert

t’s coming sooner than you think: The ﬁrst day of the new school year . . . (insert dramatic music here). The kids have had a fun, leisurely summer of sleeping late, going to bed late, no schedules, and possibly many days without even wearing clothes. But all of that is about to come to a screeching halt (again, cue some really dramatic music). We’ve gathered some tips to potentially lessen the sudden impact of early mornings, stricter schedules, and new environments to help your kids get back to “Back-To-School” Mode and begin the new year without a total meltdown:

START SCHOOL-YEAR SCHEDULES A WEEK EARLY Yes, there will be much complaining and whining and moaning and potentially the gnashing of teeth (probably from you as well as from your kids). But, better to get this out of the way before you really have to get the kids to school on time that ﬁrst day. This part of the plan includes school-year bedtimes and wake-up times, and regular meal times. Ease them into it in by gradually moving bedtime back a little earlier each night and moving wake-up time a little earlier each morning. 20

Unless you prefer to “shock and awe” them into school-reality. Then go all-in from the start!

GET THEM READING What? Reading? Yes. A book. Not an iPad. Help them put down the electronics and reintroduce them to an old-fashioned book.

PUT CLOTHES ON THEM Summer of scantily-clad children is over! They must wear clothes to school, so be sure they have pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, socks, and yes, SHOES. Not ﬂip-ﬂops. Get them used to “real” clothes before they must be seen in public looking presentable.

REMIND THEM OF MANNERS A pleasant and respectful attitude with fellow students and teachers will start the year off right. Yes ma’am. No sir. Please. Thank you. I love homework. Yes, more extra credit work, please. How can I help you? Please don’t shut me in a locker . . . I said PLEASE.

ENCOURAGE THEM Your children starting a new grade with new kids, new teachers, and potentially a new school can always use a little encouragement at the start of a new year. Be excited for their new adventure and let them know they’ll make fast friends, that they’ll love their new teachers, and that they’ll enjoy everything that’s ahead for the year. Help them start with conﬁdence to carry them through the ﬁrst few days of a great new year. Happy First Days of School, Canyon Creek Kids (and parents)!

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Featured Neighbor

with Sergio Aragones

with Al Jaffee

Hector Cantu

ometimes we learn about a Canyon Creek neighbor who doesn’t ﬁt neatly into one of our regular featured categories, but who deserves some recognition on the pages of your magazine. This month we’d like to introduce you to your neighborhood cartoonist, Hector Cantu.

Share with us what you do and how long you’ve been doing this.

I’ve been writing the Baldo newspaper comic strip since 2000. I created the characters a few years earlier with Carlos Castellanos, who lives in Florida, and today we’re in about 200 newspapers across the country. I also work at Heritage Auctions in downtown Dallas. We sell lots of vintage comic books and original comic art, so it’s one of those “perfect jobs.” Tell us what you love most about what you do.

Baldo is a daily comic strip, so I’ve probably written more than 6,000 strips in the past 17 years. The fun part is trying to come up with a different story every day! That’s a challenge, but also very satisfying creatively. Charles Schulz did it for 50 years! So, I have a lot of fun to have before I catch up with that. What inspired you to do what you do?

I was one of those kids who always had a copy of Mad magazine. I went to the University of Texas at Austin, majored in journalism, and then worked for magazines and newspapers. Then I decided to try writing for a different section of the newspaper: he funny pages. Luckily, the syndicates agreed with my crazy plans and started distributing our comic to newspapers. Tells us a favorite story about you doing what you do.

I’m a member of the National Cartoonists Society, and we have a meeting every year. Well, meeting my heroes there, some of the “usual gang of idiots” at Mad magazine, was a blast and dream come true. 22

You can see from the photos the stupid grin on my face when I met Sergio Aragones and Al Jaffee. How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?

My wife Linda and I moved here about 2002 or so. I was working at The Dallas Morning News back then, and a colleague who lived here highly recommended the neighborhood and here we are. We’ve raised our kids here and love it! What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek?

One thing: the neighbors. We’ve made some lifelong friends here. Oh, and the great park. So TWO things: the great people and the wonderful park with a cool trail and waterfall! Uh, and the beer club. Make that THREE things: the great neighbors, the beautiful park, and the Canyon Creek Craft Beer Club! Tell us about your kids.

My daughter Maya is 26. She lives in Allen with her husband David. My daughter Soﬁa is 23 and about to graduate from Texas Woman’s University, and my son Max is 21. He attends Sam Houston State in Huntsville. Share a funny or awesome story about living in Canyon Creek.

When my daughter was 12, we gave her the choice of having a birthday party or getting a video-game system. She chose the videogame system. Well, in talking to neighbors about her birthday, she told them her parents said she could not have a birthday party. What meanies. Feeling sad after hearing her somewhat edited version of the story, our neighbors Chris and Rollie Coats threw her a birthday party. That’s Canyon Creek! I guess it’s also funny in a curious way that people ﬂock to Prairie Creek Park to get their portraits done, but in the 15-plus years we’ve been here, we’ve never had OUR family portrait done . . . until last year (see photo). It was kinda like, “Hey, that’s not a bad idea!” So where can we see your work?

Baldo appears every day in The Dallas Morning News. We’re also in the San Antonio, Austin, Houston, El Paso and Corpus Christi

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Featured Neighbor

Baldo

newspapers and websites. And you’ll ﬁnd the strip in Miami, Denver, Philadelphia and lots of other cities coast to coast. You can read it online at GoComics.com. How can someone contact you to do something for them?

I do not mow lawns, but I’m available for house-sitting, pet-setting, and yelling at neighbor kids who stomp on your ﬂowers (I could tell that story, but I come off as a grump). I’m chair of the Texas Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society and our website is TexasCartoonists. com; there’s a contact button on there.

The Canyon Creek Chronicle

Letter from the President

very summer, the Nominating Committee of the HOA starts thinking about next year as it relates to our HOA Board. Our current Nominating Committee is comprised of the President (Jeremy Thomason), Past President (Susan Kassen) and is chaired by the President-Elect (Warren Caldwell). The first step of the process is getting with each of the current board members to gauge their interest and willingness to continue on the board in the same (or sometimes different) roles. And usually every year we have one or more ‘open’ slots that we need to fill. Our board is comprised of the following roles (many of which have sub-committees): Past President, President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership, Beautification, Events, Communications, Crime Watch, and Community Relations. And while we have defined roles, it is often not understood that our board members weigh in on ALL issues, not just the officers. It is a working board that functions best when we have diverse points of view and deep understanding of the issues shared by all. Ideally, the Nominating Committee likes to present a complete slate of candidates at the HOA annual meeting for consideration and a vote that is put before the neighborhood at the annual meeting. We have been

fortunate over the many years to have excellent board members that not only do their jobs well (we are all unpaid HOA volunteers), but also represent our neighborhood exceedingly well at City Hall. Most of the current board members are graduates of Leadership Richardson, and many serve or have served on City of Richardson Boards and Commissions and other nonproﬁt, church, and school causes. With a neighborhood as large as Canyon Creek there is no shortage of talent, but sometimes it can seem a bit mysterious as to how to get involved with the HOA in some capacity. The answer to this mystery is really quite simple: Show up! Come visit a HOA Board Meeting (our meeting schedule is published on our website), or reach out to an existing board member or former board member that you know. Our neighborhood needs you to be involved in some capacity, and if you are interested in serving on our HOA board at some point, I highly encourage you to reach out to someone on the Nominating Committee to share your interest.

Community Highlights T

s a new neighbor or one of our original dwellers, there are two fun aspects of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra in which you or your family could participate.

Richardson Symphony League Debutantes and Honor Guard

he Richardson Symphony League’s purpose is the cultural and social growth of its members through service and support of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. During the symphony season, the Debutantes and Honor Guard serve as ushers at all Richardson Symphony Orchestra concerts and assist with the RSO/ Ann and Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition. In addition, the Debs and Honor Guard have participated in special events including fundraisers, promotional projects, educational programs, luncheons, the City of Richardson’s Christmas Parade and Santa’s Village Workshop. Debutantes were ﬁrst presented in April, 1973, at the Symphony’s Carnation Night concert. The tradition of presenting debutantes at the League’s Symphony Ball began in 1984. The Richardson Symphony Honor Guard program was established in 2002. The purpose of the program is for young men to promote and contribute to the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and to stimulate an interest in music, the arts and community service. The Honor Guard year is ﬁlled with exciting events including social and service activities, fundraising, recruitment meetings and seminars. The Richardson Symphony Debutantes and Honor Guard are the future supporters of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and are children of the Richardson Symphony League members. Membership is open to young men and women in grades nine through twelve. For many years, numerous League members have worked countless hours to continue the tradition and to ensure the success of the annual Presentation Ball. The 2017/2018 season will mark the 52nd year of the Richardson Symphony League. There will be a recruitment event on Sunday, August 20th at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Richardson. More information can be found at http://www.richardsonsymphonyleague.net.

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The Canyon Creek Chronicle

1849 Club

ounded in early 2017, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra’s 1849 Club is a social group centered around ﬁne dining and engaging events with a membership that reﬂects Richardson’s broad diversity. The 1849 Club unites young adults and those young at heart, and offers members the opportunity to attend premium events, social gatherings, and networking events. The 1849 Club is named in honor of Frederic Chopin, who died in 1849. Membership dues for the 1849 Club are $150 per person each season. The membership fees cover the cost to attend and participate in many of the scheduled events listed below. (RSO concerts tickets need to be purchased separately.) More information can be found at http://richardsonsymphony.org/1849-club/

4th of July

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YARD OF THE MONTH

July 431 Fall Creek Dr

June 505 Copper Ridge Dr

July 2318 Custer Pkwy

June 406 High Brook Dr

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

To Advertise, please email mobert@hylogroup.com

School, and YOUR Health, is in Session by Teri Hebert

ood neighbors of the ‘hood! Juggling kids and work and SUMMER activities is coming to an end. The new school year is here, and for some, life is about to get even busier by juggling school schedules, after school activities, extra-curricular activities, and yes . . . still work! So, when do we find time to exercise and keep up with our own health and fitness?? Believe it or not, even though kids and work and family are all top priorities—so is YOUR OWN health! We invest so much of ourselves into making sure our kids and our families get where they need to be, have what they need, have FUN, stay active, eat well, and are loved. But never forget . . . for YOU to be all of that for them, YOU must take care of yourself FIRST. It’s not always easy, but it’s important to make it a priority for ourselves to eat healthy most of the time (but yes, that Chick-fil-A drive through when the kids refuse to eat anything by chicken nuggets is going to happen sometimes) and exercise (yep, sometimes even chasing your kids through the grocery store after you pick them up from their last soccer practice of the night counts as exercise!). Even so, keep these three things in mind:

EAT WELL Practice what you feed! Do you make sure your kiddos eat plenty of fruits and veggies? Make sure you eat that, too! It’s just as good for you as it is for them. Do you keep sugary drinks to a minimum when they ask

for something to drink? Same applies to YOU! Stay hydrated throughout the day with plenty of water and keep soft drinks and sugary sports drinks to a minimum. Your body and your energy level will thank you!

SLEEP WELL Do your kids have a regular bed time? You should have one, too! Wrangling the kids to bed and sleeping through the night is tough. But when you train your body to go to bed at around the same time every night—and keep the distractions to a minimum (no FaceBook or watching TV in bed!)—you’ll ﬁnd your body gets used to a more restful routine. This will help you wake for a new day with more energy . . . to chase your kids through the grocery store for another day.

MOVE WELL Whether it’s a walk during lunch every day, or getting up an hour early to hit the gym or a boot camp before work, or shooting hoops with your friends after work—it’s important to ﬁnd something you enjoy doing, then do it consistently. You don’t have to commit hours of your day to “working out”. You can stay effectively active if it’s a brisk 30-minute walk, or a quick 20-minute circuit workout, or even playing tag with the kids at the park. No matter your back-to-school schedule, remember: YOUR health is as important as the importance you place on the health of those you love. Be an example! It’s worth it.

In the Kitchen

Quick Breakfast Ideas for Getting Back to School

ith school starting soon, mornings and breakfast are about to get more hectic than a leisurely summer schedule. We’ve pulled together some quick breakfast ideas that

your kids will enjoy and won’t slow you down while getting everyone out the door and off to school each morning.

Overnight Oats From BuzzFeed

Prepare oats the night before. Ingredients

• • • • • •

1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon honey 4 large strawberries, cored and thinly sliced

Procedure

Mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Store in an airtight container for at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.

Banana Open Sandwich

Author: TalesofaKitchen Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins Serves: 2 Ingredients

• • • • •

1 big banana 2 TBSP almond butter 1 TBSP raw honey/agave/maple syrup 1 TBSP tahini Toppings of choice: walnuts, raisins, almond ﬂakes, sesame, chia seeds

Instructions

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Slice your banana lengthwise. Mix almond butter with tahini and sweetener of choice. Layer it all up! Enjoy. Be happy.

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CANYON CREEK REAL ESTATE 5/1/17 - 6/30/17 Information above was obtained from NTREIS. Properties were listed and/or sold by many Brokers between 5/1/17-6/30/17. SOLD PROPERTIES 916 Firestone Lane 503 Cap Rick Drive 2 Doral Place 810 Firestone Lane 2203 Flat Creek Drive 502 Sage Valley 2900 Tam O Shanter 304 High Brook Drive 2416 Valley Forge 403 Canyon Ridge Drive 809 Firestone Lane

SQFT 1,565 1,876 1,627 1,676 2,002 1,780 1,962 2,284 2,492 2,186 2,198

LIST PRICE SOLD DATE $265,000 5/22/17 $299,000 5/25/17 $290,000 5/22/17 $289,000 5/08/17 $305,000 6/30/17 $320,000 6/08/17 $335,000 5/19/17 $335,000 5/25/17 $355,000 6/26/17 $347,000 6/29/17 $340,000 5/17/17

SOLD PROPERTIES 2927 Forest Hills Lane 313 Northview Drive 2508 Custer Parkway 2009 Custer Parkway 238 Shady Hill Drive 2012 Sage Valley Drive 433 Ridge Crest Drive 18 Willow Creek Place 2809 Tam O Shanter Lane 1129 Mill Springs 405 Crestover Circle

SQFT 1,872 2,232 2,398 2,012 2,733 2,150 2,244 2,135 2,562 3,089 4,057

LIST PRICE SOLD DATE $375,000 6/20/17 $349,000 5/05/17 $379,900 5/10/17 $390,000 5/02/17 $453,900 6/15/17 $449,900 6/29/17 $469,000 6/15/17 $489,500 5/15/17 $489,900 5/01/17 $549,900 5/26/17 $837,000 6/08/17

THEN & NOW Canyon Creek, 5/1/2016 - 6/30/2016 • • • •

Properties Sold: 31 Price Range: $259,900 - $862,000 Average Price: $411,442 Average Price PSF: $160.97

Canyon Creek, 5/1/2017 - 6/30/2017 • • • •

Properties Sold: 23 Price Range: $265,000 - $837,000 Average Price: $391,870 Average Price PSF: $176.50

If you are considering selling, please call me for a complimentary market analysis to find out what your home is worth. Don’t leave money on the table!

• 209 Canyon Valley - Offered at $599,900 - MLS# 13624786 - 4/3.1/2 - 3500 SF - PISD

E L A

S R

If you are considering selling, please call me for a complimentary market analysis!