22 minute read
Golden Neighbor
Golden Neighbor Don Bowen
Canyon Creek’s ‘Storm Siren Man’ by “Mister Jimmy” Van Orden
Do you pay attention when Richardson’s pole-mounted storm sirens blast shrill warnings at noon once a month?
Hate to admit it, but I seldom did. I heard them, of course, and usually looked at my watch when their high-pitched screams assaulted my ears. But it wasn’t until I met Canyon Creek’s Don Bowen that I realized their important role in keeping us safe during emergencies such as fl oods and tornadoes.
Don told me about the dedicated men and women—members of the Richardson Wireless Klub (RWK)—who keep tabs on the storm sirens’ performance.
It was early one morning as we gabbed on the sidewalk at Lawnmeadow and Copper Ridge near Canyon Creek Elementary School. He was on his daily walk—which he bicycles when the weather suits him—to his part-time job as an information technology specialist at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). He’s been doing the three-mile round-trip from his Flat Creek Drive house for the past 20 years.
“About 25 ‘ham’ radio operators monitor the sirens every month,” Don explained. “Their job is to let each other know the sirens are working properly. An Offi ce of Emergency Management radio operator listens to their reports on days when the sirens are activated. When necessary, the emergency coordinator notifi es the city and work crews are assigned to repair sirens that don’t turn on or have mechanical issues.”
Don, the team’s “storm siren” and emergency coordinator for the past dozen years, knows a lot about “ham” radios. Now 84, he’s been into the hobby since 1957 when he earned his radio operator’s license.
“Hello, this is K5LHO,” Don speaks into his radio’s microphone. Sitting on Don’s desk in a porch converted into a “ham shack,” as he affectionately calls the small space packed with electronic equipment, are his radio and speaker. They’re connected by wires strung across the room to a 15-foot antenna mounted on the roof.
Don’s wife of 63 years, Gwen, who also earned her radio operator’s license in 1957, enjoys listening to Don’s animated radio conversations. Tying the knot in 1954, Don and Gwen are among the longest-married couples in Canyon Creek. They bought their fi rst Richardson house—on Vernet Street—in 1958. They moved into their Flat Creek home in 1965, about the same time construction started on Canyon Creek Elementary School.
Canyon Creek didn’t exist
“The town was different back then,” said Don. “The housing development we call Canyon Creek wasn’t here, nor was UTD. Once you crossed north over Campbell Road, which was only two lanes wide and covered by a layer of oil instead of cement, all you saw were large fi elds, trees and creeks—Canyon, Cottonwood and Prairie— that bisected the land.”
Don commutes on foot or on his Schwinn bicycle to his part-time job as an information technology specialist at UTD. He’s been doing the three-mile round-trip from his Flat Creek Drive house for the past 20 years.
Don’s present employer, UTD, which was established as the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest, “was an enormous, empty fi eld. There were no buildings, sidewalks or roads,” he said.
The land for UTD’s campus was purchased in 1962 and the fi rst building, the Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Science, which later was called the “Founders Building,” opened in 1964.
Don parlayed his love of radios, as well as an SMU engineering degree, into landing his fi rst big job in the Design and Development Laboratory at Collins Radio Company in 1957. It was an exciting time to work there. The company provided communications devices and satellite voice transmission systems for America’s space program, including equipment astronauts used to communicate with earth stations and spacecraft.
He left Collins in 1962 to begin a 20-year career with a startup company purchased by Johnson Controls, a fi rm specializing in designing, producing and installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, industrial refrigeration units, and fi re and security equipment. After a brief stint with eSystems, Inc., an electronic equipment manufacturer, he fi nished his career at the Department of Defense and retired in 1995.
UTD students in Don’s computer lab know him as a mentor and friend.
Don and Gwen Bowen, Canyon Creek residents since 1965, converted their porch into the “ham shack.” They earned “ham” radio operator’s licenses in 1957. Don is the city’s storm siren emergency coordinator.
“At one time, computers were just study tools,” Don said, “but now they’re a way of life. Isn’t it amazing young people can hold computers in their hands and use them to get news, play games, communicate with each other and perform many tasks.”
As much as he enjoys working with students and computers, Don’s fi rst loves have always been Gwen and ham radio.
“Gwen and I met when she was a secretary at a radio station in Harrison, Arkansas, in 1953,” Don said. “I wanted to be a radio announcer and sent the station where she worked an audition tape. Before I knew it, and despite having no experience, I was hired and put on the air.” Gwen and Don were married less than a year later.
A Korean-era veteran, Don is proud of his and Gwen’s long tenure as Canyon Creek residents. They have a son, Ralph, and daughter, Beverly. It’s easy to meet Don as he’s often mowing and edging his lawn or riding his bicycle to UTD or the Richardson Public Library. He and Gwen have been members of the Spring Valley United Methodist Church, where Don is an usher and Gwen sings in the choir, since 1958.
“I have friends all over Canyon Creek and the city,” Don said. “Richardson has served me very well.”
Don and Gwen tied the knot 63 years ago and are among Canyon Creek’s longest-married couples.
The Canyon Creek Chronicle
Letter from the President
I’m taking a quick pause from all of the “civic” stuff that I usually write about in this space. While there is no shortage of things going on, I just simply felt like this brief tidbit of an emerging story in our ‘hood needed to be shared.
As many of you know, we lost an extra special neighbor, Vivian Worlein, on February 11, 2017. Vivian would have turned 11 on June 7th. While I did not personally know Vivian, I have since learned she was a remarkable young lady who stood up to brain cancer with poise and determination in her way too short of life with us. She was an inspiration to countless numbers of people in the community, as is her beloved family (Jim, Lyz, Hank, and Charlotte).
Vivian loved spending time at the playground. One her favorite pieces of playground equipment is known as a Ten Spin, an allabilities Merry-Go-Round that has been developed for kids that have mobility challenges. Vivian and her family live next to Canyon Creek Park where Vivian spent countless hours playing with her friends.
A few weeks ago, Scott Zimmerman, Lyz, and I had a meeting with the Richardson Parks department to determine the feasibility of raising funds to add a Ten Spin to Canyon Creek park in honor of Vivian. Knowing that all-abilities equipment needs to be well thought through, the Director of Parks, Lori Smeby, prudently suggested that the parks staff review our proposal. The footprint of the existing play equipment was not ideal, but Lori had an idea.
A couple of years ago, Richardson voters passed a municipal bond series that earmarked money for the eventual replacement of the playground equipment of several parks in the Richardson system, including Canyon Creek Park. The parks staff was able to creatively adjust the sequencing to accelerate Canyon Creek Park’s redo. In so doing, the Ten Spin would be incorporated into the reconfi guration of Canyon Creek Park’s playground provided that we (the community) are able to raise the money for the Ten Spin apparatus.
The preliminary cost estimate for the Ten Spin piece and the surrounding surface designed for all-abilities play is $15,000. I have assured Lyz and Lori that we (our neighborhood and surrounding community) will be able to raise these funds. The goal is to have the dedication ready for the one-year anniversary of Vivian’s ascent to Heaven around February 11, 2018. In the meantime, we will begin organizing fundraising activities and will keep the neighborhood apprised of the developments and how to get involved. This is an example of why Canyon Creek is a special place.
Save the Date! Annual Canyon Creek 4th of July parade, Tuesday, July 4th at 10:15 starting at II Creeks and ending at Canyon Creek a Country Club.
The 4th Annual Canyon Creek Homeowners Association Patriotic T-Shirt Design Contest!
Show your patriotic and neighborhood pride by submitting a design.
The winning entry will debut in time for the 4th of July Parade.
Entries due by June 12th . canyoncreekhomeowners.com for offi cial contest rules.
Offi cial Contest Rules and Guidelines
Entries are due by June 12, 2017. One entry per person.
The submitted design should be limited to two (2) colors and incorporate the text “Canyon Creek”, “Canyon Creek Homeowners Association”, or “CCHA”. Art should be scaled to fi t on an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. Designs will be printed on a white t-shirt. Entry designs must be submitted via email to tshirt@canyoncreekhomeowners.com as a PDF or JPG fi le not to exceed 5MB in size. Be sure to include your name and phone number along with the entry.
By entering, artist acknowledges, agrees and understands that the winning design will become the exclusive property of the Canyon Creek Homeowners Association, which retains the exclusive rights to the reproduction of the design.
Designs must be wholly original and not include any material that would require consent of a third party. They should not violate any copyright, trademark, publicity right, privacy right, or any right of any third party. Winning design must be made available in print-ready, vector format.
The winning design will be chosen by the CCHA Board of Directors and the winner will be notifi ed by June 12, 2017.
T-Shirt Sponsorship Opportunities
Want to see your company logo on the back of more than 1,000 shirts? A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Secure yours today by contacting Susan Kassen at susan.kassen@gmail.com.
The Canyon Creek Chronicle
What determines a great neighborhood? Is it the great people, good schools, variety of parks, restaurants, grocery stores, hair salons, fi tness centers, golf course or tennis courts? I am not sure of the exact answer, but I do know that our Canyon Creek neighborhood encompasses these and then some.
One of the tools that is available for our neighborhood and businesses to communicate through is the website and mobile app, Nextdoor. According to Nextdoor, they are a private social network designed for you, your neighbors and your community. This social network allows users to interface online while discussing various things which are happening within a specifi c neighborhood. It was founded in 2010 to help communities build stronger and safer neighborhoods around the world.
Not only is Nextdoor used as an informative tool for local municipalities to get information out to the public, it helps residents by providing a way to send out “in search of” requests or posts about weekend garage sales, community events, traffi c updates, items for sale, power and service outages, mysterious cars and other incidents that occur within the neighborhood. rhythm of a vibrant city stirring into life amid the crash and boom of sanitation trucks unloading dumpsters and the busy honk of car horns. At precisely 8:30 a.m., the mood instantaneously fl ipped to somber as the sound of bagpipes punctuated the morning air with a processional called “The Minstrel Boy”. This wistful ode originates from the 18th century and has since been adopted to accompany the respectful fi nal farewell to fallen Police Offi cers.
First signed as a proclamation by President John F Kennedy in 1962, Monday May 15th is National Peace Offi cers Memorial Day. In 2016, 143 American Peace Offi cers lost their lives in the line of duty. 21 were Texas Peace Offi cers and 6 were located in the Dallas area. In addition, 5 K-9 dogs were killed.
Chaplain Larry Lowe orated the invocation. Our own Chief Spivey then provided the opening remarks and made note of the July 2016 murder of our Dallas Offi cers. Mayor Voelker issued an offi cial City Proclamation followed by a stirring reading of the poem “Missing” by Bill Rodgers, the President of the Richardson Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association.
One by one, Captain Keith Kockler then called the names of the Texas Police Offi cers killed in the line of duty punctuated by a member of the department adding a single fl ower to the Memorial Wreath with each name called.
The City of Richardson Police Department has joined many of the neighborhood groups on Nextdoor to help get the word out to citizens about safety tips and crime updates that occur in the area. One of the avenues some residents commonly use to report suspicious activity is through social media. However, remember to call 911 fi rst before posting the incident online. Too many times an incident is reported to the neighborhood fi rst and not to the police, which creates delays in the response time for the authorities to investigate the activity.
As a reminder, our Canyon Creek neighborhood does have an active crime patrol program that is run through the City’s police department. They train volunteer residents to actively patrol our neighborhood to help keep an extra set of eyes out for any suspicious activity.
If you are interested in volunteering in the crime watch patrol or even interested in becoming a block captain for your street’s neighborhood crime watch, you can send an email regarding your interest to canyoncreekvolunteer@gmail.com for more information about getting involved. There are plenty of opportunities for more volunteers to help our residents keep our neighborhood safe and to help each other when in need.
If you are not a Nextdoor member and would like to join, please go
National Peace Officers Memorial Day by Teri Hebert
Monday, May 15th began like many other days with the
to www.nextdoor.com and check out the website to get started.
There is little in life more poignant than bagpipes, an honor guard with tap shoes and fl ags at half-staff but when the sharp staccato of 3 separate volleys from the 7 gun honor salute pierced the morning air, it served to powerfully punctuate the fact that today on May 15th, we would return to our families while those of 143 Offi cers from 2016 and many more from previous years would be still grieving the incompleteness of their own.
As the bagpipes exhaled a mournful version of the hopeful “Amazing Grace”, the Chaplain read the Benediction and the participants and spectators fi ledback out into a world made safe by those who give of themselves daily and by far too many who gave the last full measure of devotion. Thank you to our Richardson Police Department and to Peace Offi cers across the Land.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
To Advertise, please email mobert@hylogroup.com
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Have a Fit Summer! by Teri Hebert
The summer months are here, whether we are ready or not! It’s warm, schedules are different than during the school year, and the potential for good healthy habits to be left behind in the cooler, more structured months is high. So how can you have a fi t summer? Here are four simple ideas to help you stay on track.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. Carry it with you in a reusable bottle or cup with a lid. Having water with you at all times will remind you to drink your water often (instead of grabbing other sugary beverages when you are thirsty) and will keep you from spending more on bottles of water while you are away from the house for the day.
You’ll also be less hungry throughout the day if you consistently drink water. Water has a fi lling effect and can curb those snacky hunger cravings throughout the day (grab a glass of water when you fi rst feel hungry outside of regular meal times!). Plus, being thoroughly hydrated helps you feel less fatigued. You’ll need that energy to keep up with kids and summer activities!
2. Carry Snacks
Like carrying plenty of water with you, if you are out of the house for the day be sure to pack some healthy snacks to take with you. Having snacks readily available will help you maintain a schedule of regular eating (six meals/snacks throughout the day is a great habit!).
And if you prepare snacks ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to spend money on something unhealthy while you out having summer fun for the day.
3. Choose Active Activities
With your kids home for the summer, you’ll need to keep them occupied! Choose activities that get them off of the couch and away from mobile devices. Visit parks, go for walks, head to the pool, or check out museums (where there is air-conditioning!).
No kids? Same idea applies to you! Bike one of Richardson’s bike lanes, go for a run, enjoy the parks, take a new fi tness class or join a boot camp. Take your dog to Bush Central Barkway. Keep moving and enjoy sunshine and fresh air!
4. Watch Out for Sugar
With summer comes fun summer treats! Ice cream, popsicles, snocones, and tasty fruity beverages on a patio are just a few. Enjoy these delicious things . . . but in moderation. Increased sugar in your diet can work against all of the other healthy tips you are incorporating into your summer. Don’t overdo it! But yes, indulge a bit, then go for a run or chase your kids around the park.
Have a wonderful summer! We hope to see you out and about in the neighborhood!
Community News Texas Republic Bank ranks #14 in U.S. top 100
Frisco, Texas, April 11, 2017 -- Texas Republic Bank President and CEO David Baty was just advised by S&P Global (fka SNL Financial) that the bank, for the third time in the past 4 years, made the exclusive list of Top 100 Best Performing Community Banks in the U.S. for 2016. For 2016, the bank achieved the ranking of #14 in this community bank category (banks in the United States under $1 billion in asset size), up from its #65 ranking in 2013 and #59 ranking in 2014. Signifi cantly, there was only one other Texas based institution ahead of Texas Republic Bank in the 2016 ranking, and only 12 banks in Texas made the Top 100 list in 2016. Furthermore, over the past 4 years, Texas Republic Bank has been the only bank in Texas, located in a major metropolitan area, to make this prestigious list 3 times.
According to S&P Global, there are over 5,100 banks in the U.S. under $1 billion in assets (defi ned as Community Banks), but only 4,585 of those banks met the criteria to be considered for ranking. This places Texas Republic Bank in the top 1% of community banks in the country, in terms of the measured performance criteria. Only banks that are well-capitalized were included in the analysis, and the metrics used by S&P to determine the rankings included Return on Equity, Effi ciency Ratio, Net Interest Margin, Asset Quality, Charge Off Ratio, and Loan Growth rates.
Texas Republic Bank, the only bank headquartered in Frisco, TX, and the oldest bank charter headquartered in Collin County (the bank was chartered in 1891), was acquired in 2011 by an investor group
formed by Dallas businessman Tim Cantrell and long-time community banker David Baty. Now over $200 million in assets, the bank is roughly nine times larger than when it was purchased in 2011. Baty, who is celebrating 33 years in banking, commented: “Most people would probably think that our bank applied to be considered for this recognition, but in fact S&P Global objectively ranks every bank in the country to determine the top performers. This Top 100 recognition is truly an honor for our bank, and a refl ection of the hard work, talent, and dedication of the bank’s staff and Board of Directors. To make this list for just one year is remarkable, but to do it 3 out of the last 4 years is outstanding and causes great pride in our team of professionals.”
To fi nd out how Texas Republic Bank can best serve you, contact: David Baty, President/CEO banker@texasrepublicbank.com 2595 Preston Rd. Frisco, TX 75034 972-334-0700
Homemade Summer Popsicles
Texas summers are really, really . . . really hot. A great way to keep cool in the heat is to have plenty of popsicles! Here are two easy homemade popsicle recipes to enjoy with friends and family. Disclaimer: Do not swap the intended recipients for these two recipes . . .
FOR The KIDS: Coconut Water Pineapple Popsicles
From boulderlocavore.com
Coconut water has potassium, low carbs, and low sugar—an excellent natural replacement for Gatorade-type drinks to keep your kids hydrated in the sun.
Ingredients
• 1-1/4 cup Coconut Water • 1/4 cup Lime Juice (preferably freshly squeezed) • 1 cup Pineapple Juice
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a liquid measuring cup and stir to combine. Using a funnel, fi ll each popsicle mold. Place foil over the top of the molds, as well as the mold top if used. Using a sharp knife, create a small slit to insert popsicle sticks and freeze until solid. 2. To release run under hot water only until popsicles slide easily from the mold.
For the ADULTS: Peach Sangria Popsicles
From justataste.com
PREP: 8 hours (includes freezing)
Ingredients
• 1 cup white wine • 3 Tablespoons Grand Marnier orange liquor • 2/3 cup peach juice • 1/4 cup club soda • 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice • 1-1/3 cups diced mixed fruit (such as peaches, strawberries and pineapple)
Directions
In a large pitcher or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the white wine, Grand Marnier, peach juice, club soda and lime juice. Divide the diced fruit evenly among the popsicle molds then pour the sangria mixture on top to fi ll up the molds. Freeze the popsicles for 1 to 2 hours (depending on the temperature of your freezer) until they’ve fi rmed up slightly then insert the popsicle sticks and return the popsicles to the freezer until they are frozen solid, at least 6 hours.
CANYON CREEK REAL ESTATE 3/1/2017 - 4/30/2017
Information above was obtained from NTREIS and properties were listed and/or sold by many Brokers between 3/1/17-4/30/17.
SOLD PROPERTIES
2708 Forest Grove Drive 2924 White Marsh Circle 2204 Shady Creek Drive 9 Doral Place 2226 Flat Creek Drive 437 Valley Glen Drive 2022 Flat Creek Drive 2208 Canyon Creek Plaza 2809 Forest Grove Drive 224 Canyon Valley Drive 430 Pleasant Valley Lane 335 Forest Grove Drive 400 Lawndale Drive
SQFT
1,624 1,934 1,951 1,969 1,992 2,158 2,252 2,059 2,340 2,541 2,414 2,293 2,114
LIST PRICE
$279,900 $315,000 $285,000 $315,000 $299,000 $327,500 $310,000 $294,900 $357,900 $359,900 $360,000 $375,000 $375,000
SOLD DATE
03/17/17 03/02/17 04/18/17 03/17/17 04/03/17 03/28/17 04/06/17 03/30/17 03/14/17 03/31/17 03/23/17 03/22/17 04/13/17
SOLD PROPERTIES
328 Valley Cove Drive 517 Sage Valley Drive 2810 Forest Grove Drive 2031 Sage Valley Drive 2640 Forest Grove Drive 241 Meadowlark Drive 7 Gettysburg Lane 15 Walnut Creek Place 327 High Brook Drive 9 Bunker Hill 2511 Custer Parkway 400 High Brook Drive 409 Ridgeview Drive
SQFT
2,150 2,244 2,300 2,392 2,147 3,550 2,649 2,760 2,788 2,823 3,188 5,272 4,539
LIST PRICE
$389,000 $405,000 $425,000 $420,000 $417,000 $447,500 $425,000 $459,990 $469,000 $540,000 $599,900 $998,990 $995,000
SOLD DATE
04/25/17 03/15/17 04/12/17 04/14/17 04/20/17 03/13/17 03/29/17 03/27/17 04/12/17 04/14/17 03/30/17 04/25/17 04/07/17
THEN & NOW Canyon Creek, 3/1/2016 - 4/30/2016 Canyon Creek, 3/1/2017 - 4/30/2017
• Properties Sold: 23 • Properties Sold: 26 • Price Range: $209,000 - $829,000 • Price Range: $279,900-$998,990 • Average Price: $397,357 • Average Price: $432,518 • Average Price PSF: $162.25 • Average Price PSF: $167.92
The Bass Family
Canyon Creek is continuing to be a highly sought after area. Although the number of sales has increased, we are still low on inventory! If you are considering selling, make sure you contact your Realtor to find out what your house is worth! Don't leave money on the table!
The Fox Family Please help me welcome the Bass and Fox Families!
