Publisher
Kyla Obert
Editor
Patti Otte
Ad Sales
Mike Obert
Designer
Open Look Business Solutions
Contributors
Wilson Allen, Lisa Parelli-Monaghan, Angela Green, Ryan Amerson, Warren Caldwell and Patti Otte
Yay! Fall is ALMOST here. No more 100-degree days with parched yards and scorching hot sidewalks. I am especially excited to see more people out and about as the weather cools off and outside dining and porch time return. And I don’t know about you, but the stretch between the Fourth of July and October presents its own seasonal decorating challenges. Hoorah for pumpkins and hay bales and all the Halloween decorations. Bring them on!
It's also time, at long last, to mark our calendars for the two City-sponsored October festivals. Cottonwood Art Festival is October 7-8 and Huffhines Harvest Fest (formerly known as the Huffhines Art Trails) will be held October 21-22. If you love dogs, you’ll want to bring your pooch to Pawtoberfest, which will be held on Saturday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm during the Harvest Fest. They’re having all sorts of activities for our four-legged friends, including two costume contests, two pet parades, and two fun-filled ball hunts. Go to http://huffhinesharvestfest.com for all the details.
This issue of Canyon Creek Life continues our tradition of celebrating people, businesses and pets which make our neighborhood such a special place to live. We thank you for your submissions and hope you will continue to send your content suggestions to us. We love the diversity that your recommendations bring to the magazine.
In these pages, we celebrate neighbors by sharing the story of two women whose proximity as neighbors fostered a long-lasting friendship. We’ll meet a couple of precious poodles and learn about one of Canyon Creek’s newest businesses. We’ll also gain some insight into the changes happening in the Plano Cluster thanks to our student of the month.
And to add a little fun and inspiration to your fall, we’re including a special interest segment on things we’re loving lately, just as we have done in our sister magazine, Richardson Life . The list was curated by our new intern, Maggie Kennedy, a JJ Pearce senior who serves as editor of both the Pearce HS yearbook and newspaper. Maggie hopes to have a career in journalism and she’s getting some boots-on-the-ground experience with us.
As always, there are countless reasons to love living in Canyon Creek. We’re hoping this magazine continues to be one of the reasons you love living here.
Happy fall!
PattiSpecial Thanks
Andrea and Paul Young, Jordanne Robinson, Angie Conard, Shana Davis, Joni McClure and Maggie Kennedy
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Tell us your names and the name(s) of your pet(s).
We are Paul and Andrea Young and our kids are Trevor, Camille and Simon. We have two standard poodles, Bettie (silver and white) and Junie (cream).
How did you get your pet(s), how long have you had your pet(s), and what was your inspiration for naming him/her/them?
Andrea had a poodle as a child and she’d always wanted one as an adult. She found a breeder in the Homestead Heritage village near Waco and we got the pick of the litter in 2016. Junie was an “oops” pet… a family member was breeding her standard poodles and Andrea casually mentioned, “Maybe we’ll get a second dog.” The kids happened to hear her, so it, of course, became a certainty! Bettie is seven and Junie is two. When we got Bettie in 2016, Andrea had recently received a small inheritance, which we used to pay the breeder. The inheritance was from Andrea’s Uncle Ken and Aunt Betty. They were animal lovers, so we named the puppy Bettie in honor of them! We chose the name Junie because it sounded cute to say “Bettie and Junie!”
Tell us about your pet(s): fun tricks, unique talents, quirky personality, etc.
Bettie is extremely loyal and devoted to her family. She never wants to be far from us. After we come home from work or just go out to
check the mail, Bettie will come lay her head on one of our laps and look up at us with those devastating puppy eyes. If you happen to be standing near her, she will lean into you to the point that you lose your balance. Her requests for affection are impossible to resist. Paul likes to wear his favorite t-shirt when he walks Bettie that says, “I am my dog’s support human.”
Junie is our wild child puppy. Although she is a little taller and longer than Bettie, she’s about twenty pounds lighter. She has vocal arguments with the squirrels in our backyard on a daily basis (sorry, neighbors). She fairly flies through the yard when she’s running and keeps
Bettie fit by making her chase her. She is especially attached to our daughter Camille, taking up most of Camille’s bed at night by stretching out her long legs across the bed.
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?
We have lived in Canyon Creek for 24 years in October.
What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek?
We love the deep sense of community in Canyon Creek. We love having families of all generations on our street—it manages to constantly be a balance of young families, middle-aged families, which is now us, and retired families. Of course, we love the mature trees and how the houses are not all identical. We love that we sit outside and have “driveway cocktails” with our neighbors. And, from a practical standpoint, we love that it’s close to everything!
Please share with us a funny or awesome story of living in the neighborhood.
We’ve been involved and served in so many clubs and organizations (formal and informal) right here in Canyon Creek: cooking club, moms’ club, informal running club, PTA, Cub Scouts and National Night Out block captains. Andrea is part of a book club based in Canyon Creek and they have now been meeting monthly to discuss books (great and not so great) for fifteen years! We think maybe we should form a “Poodle Club!” as we see a lot of them being walked in the neighborhood.
Is there anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about you or your pet(s)?
We recently remodeled the front of our old 1968-era house and took the porch from a basic step-in front door to a long sitting porch with chairs. If you see us out when you walk by, please stop and say hello!
Checking out the neighborhood Junie
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DESIGN SERVICES
Serendipity Designs - Sandra Taylor Moore
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Wells Fargo Advisors
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Petals and Stems Florist - Brad Weinstein
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HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE
Canyon Creek Allstate
291 Renner Pkwy., Ste. 104, Richardson, TX 75080 Wilson Allen
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Window Cleaning • Soft Washing • All Floor Cleaning
Paneless Home Services - Ryan Harrington 214.662.2300 admin@panelesshomeservices.com
ICE CREAM, CATERING & SPECIAL EVENTS
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Hillcrest Bank Mortgage
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MOVING COMPANY
Full House Moving – Mike Sarnacki 972.699.7411 mikesarnacki@tx.rr.com fullhousemoving.com Household Moving & Packing • Local & Long Distance, • 7 days/week
PUBLISHER OF NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINES
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POOLS
Hobert Pools 972.690.8118 vfimbres@hobertpools.com
Victor Fimbres New Construction • Remodel of Swimming Pools
ROOFING/EXTERIOR REMODEL
Platform Construction
Roofing Restoration - Ryan Jones
Senior Living Specialists
Jill Murawski - Community Liaison
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SENIOR LIVING
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By Patti Otte
Back in 1973, Canyon Creek’s north side boasted newly built, mid-century modern homes. Trees and yards were freshly planted, as new as the young families moving to the area. Shana Davis Porter and Joni Leavitt McClure purchased houses on Pleasant Valley that year and became next door neighbors. Shana and her family came from West Texas and then Dallas, while Joni moved from the San Francisco Bay area “kicking and screaming” and knowing absolutely no one in her new neighborhood. Shana remembers, “For sure Joni had left her heart in San Francisco.”
A decade apart in age and stage of life, Joni and Shana seemed unlikely friends, but they soon developed a long-lasting relationship. For years the two would walk together each morning, catching up on each other’s lives, talking about dinner and trading recipes. And the friendship extended beyond those early morning hours.
Joni’s daughter babysat Shana’s young son; the two have watered each other’s gar-
dens, checked pools, watched for package deliveries, and tended pets during vacation trips. They’ve provided last-minute ingredients for dinner, shared meals, and offered bedrooms for extended family visits. Joni recalls, “We were there when they had a nighttime fire in their home; they were
there when I had a flood during a massive rainstorm. We’ve walked the neighborhood for exercise, exchanged recipes, supported each other through the loss of husbands, and though we haven’t been particularly socially involved, we’ve always been there for each other.” Shana adds, “We have shared
so many fun times, and we have had our sad times. It has been such a pleasure living next to Joni.”
Joni’s children attended Plano Senior High School and Texas A&M and are now scattered all around the country—Garrett in Florida, Cheri in Seattle, and Todd in Louisville. She has been blessed with five grandchildren and four great-grandchil-
dren. An active member of her church and community, Joni has been a NNO block caption for a decade, led a small group at her church for years, and has spent ten-plus years hosting Chinese graduate students from UTD—helping them get settled and introducing them to stores, restaurants and American idioms through ESL (English Second Language) class. She’s also a part of a group of women called the “Merry Mat
Makers” who crochet sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic grocery bags.
Shana is married to Gary and has two sons: Bart lives in Plano and Todd is in McKinney. She has three grandchildren—two are grown and another is just two years old. Her granddaughter and husband also live in Canyon Creek. Gary has a son Ryan, who lives in Sachse, and a daughter, Erin, in McKinney. Each has one child. Shana is a part of Canyon Creek North Garden Club and has played tennis for forty years at Canyon Creek Country Club at least twice a week. She and Gary enjoy traveling every chance they get. They also vacation with family once a year. Shana has been a realtor with Ebby Halliday since 1990 and has loved her career because many clients have become long-term friends, especially in the Canyon Creek area.
Both women think Canyon Creek is the most amazing place to live: the homes, the comfort of the small community, and the many friends they have both made. When thinking about their many years as neighbors and friends, Joni says it best: “As a widow I've considered moving to senior living—but Shana refuses to let me do so! What a blessing and comfort to have such a delightful, helpful, special, long-time nextdoor neighbor. To me, it's another reason to love living in Canyon Creek!”
Shana and her sons Shana's home on Pleasant Valley
Let’s face it. Pets are part of the family and to some they are considered “children.” Pet owners spare no expense when it comes to their pets. Globally, the pet industry is worth $232 billion and continues to grow 11.6% each year. An individual homeowner spends about $1,120 a year per pet. Birthdays and holidays have always been celebrated for many a dog or cat and homeowners are now remodeling spaces with their pets in mind. Here are some of the top trends for creating perfect spaces for your furry friends.
Sleeping nooks are a great idea throughout your home. This addition allows your pets to burrow into their private space while staying close to you. Some great spaces to incorporate sleeping nooks include under the staircase, under a window seat, or even under a kitchen island. All pets relish a calm space and this area can be reused for storage for future homeowners.
The life of most pets makes us envious. Pets sleep a minimum of twelve hours a day. Giving your pet a dedicated place to sleep is important. Many pet owners use crates or kennels, which can be an eyesore when walking into a room. A great solution is to build a bed or kennel into a mudroom, built-in cabinet, or even under or part of a piece of furniture.
Most people typically place feeding bowls in the kitchen, utility room or near a pet’s sleeping area. No matter where you place the food and water bowls, they always seem to be in the way. Homeowners are now incorporating feeding stations in their remodel. The most common way is to have them built into kitchen cabinetry or a mudroom. Some even opt to have the bowls built into pullout drawers so they can be stowed when not in use.
Say goodbye to washing your pet in the bathtub! Dog washing stations can easily be incorporated into a mudroom. Most mudrooms already have plumbing, so some easy changes can give the homeowner the perfect place to wash the pup, especially when he or she comes in from a wet or rainy yard. Most dog washing stations look like a shower but are half the height. They are equipped like a shower with hot and cold water as well as a spray nozzle. Dog washing stations can not only save you money on grooming but are also known to help with the resale value of your home when selling to another pet lover!
These trends create a comfortable environment for every member of your family, including the four-legged ones. Your furry pets will love the spaces you create for them and wonderful memories will continue to be made.
Our Hideous Progeny: A Novel
Maison margeila
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1 oz. Patron or tequila or choice
1 1/2 oz. apple cider
1/2 oz. Simply Limeade
1/2 oz. of liquid death severed live for fizz
To make the cocktail, mix it all together! Add, tequila, apple cider, limeade and liquid death. Shake with ice and strain into a cinnamon/sugar/salt rim (mix equal parts and rim your glass with lime or orange garnish) with an apple slice, and a cinnamon stick.
KEOMUD cropped vest from Amazon
Apple cider margarita
What is your name and the name of your business?
My name is Angie Conard and I own both Toffee Treats and our local gourmet ice cream shop Sweet Firefly. Toffee Treats is produced and packaged in Sweet Firefly’s commercial kitchen and creamery.
How long have you been in business?
I purchased the Toffee Treats business in March of 2023.
Tell us more about Toffee Treats.
Toffee Treats is a gourmet candy/confection company. We handcraft a variety of toffees, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate and coffee-infused dark chocolate with California almonds. We also offer seasonal flavors such as white chocolate cranberry with Texas pecans and peanut butter toffee for the holidays. Our beautifully packaged toffee makes the perfect present and we offer a variety of options for corporate and client gift-giving.
Not only can customers purchase our toffee at Sweet Firefly, but it can also be found at Eatzi’s, Central Market and Hirsch's Meats in Plano.
What inspired you to do what you do?
In 2011, Plano resident ML Dubay founded Toffee Treats. While ML grew her business crafting unforgettable toffee, she also lived with the reality of a potential recurrence of the brain cancer she had previously survived. Unfortunately, the cancer returned and ML passed away in January 2023.
ML and I became friends through a decade of doing business together (she made the toffee in our commercial kitchen and sold it at Sweet Firefly for years before her passing). As time passed, we discussed ML’s desire to have me continue her toffee-making legacy. I am happy to be able to honor that commitment and offer the same outstanding quality and customer service while introducing even more people to Toffee Treats.
The toffee is based on ML’s grandmother’s award-winning toffee recipe. A frequent comment we get from our customers is that it’s the first toffee they have ever tried that doesn’t stick to their teeth. It’s the perfect consistency.
Do you live in Canyon Creek? If so, what brought you here? If not, what made you decide to locate your business in Canyon Creek?
I am a long-time resident of Canyon Creek and have raised two sons here. My
friend Patti Otte and I opened Sweet Firefly in 2011. It’s a privilege to own a business in a community that I love and that has been so supportive of our ice cream shop. I am proud to continue that tradition and to add another business under the Sweet Firefly umbrella.
White chocolate cranberry toffee Photos by: Meredith Embry Photography Milk chocolate toffeeShare with us a funny or awesome story of having a business in Canyon Creek.
It has been so fun to build Sweet Firefly from scratch in the neighborhood. Customers have become friends and so many memories have been made. I have especially enjoyed working alongside my sons Cam and Cole and some amazing high school and college students.
I have enjoyed acquiring Toffee Treats this year and getting to know more about the toffee business while retaining all of ML's toffee-making team. I am looking forward with excitement to the future.
Anything else you’d love for your neighbors to know about your business or you?
Both Sweet Firefly and Toffee Treats are here to stay in Canyon Creek. I hope you’ll pop in for a sweet treat soon! For more information about Sweet Firefly, visit http://sweetfirefly.com . For questions about Toffee Treats and/or corporate gift-giving, email toffeetreats@sweetfirefly.com.
The toffee is so good and hard to resist that it should be regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)…
– Mike Kilgard, Canyon Creek residentAngie and her oldest son Cam Handcrafting the toffee
Tell us your name and what schools you have attended.
My name is Jordanne Robinson and I am a sophomore at Vines High School. I attended Aldridge Elementary and Wilson Middle School.
What sports or activities are you involved in and why do you enjoy them?
I am a member of the Wildcat Sweethearts drill team for Vines High School. Drill team is like being part of a big family; we are all sisters and have created a close bond. Not only do we dance together, but we also have
lots of fun with team building, social outings and volunteering.
Brag on yourself a bit. We’d like to know about your honors and awards in school.
For the 2023/2024 school year, I am serving as captain of the Wildcat Sweethearts drill team. I am also a member of National Honor Society and PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies) at school. Last year I received a Viking award for academics and I was given the Virtuoso Vikette award at our drill team banquet.
What’s your favorite subject in school? Biology (which I took my freshman year)
Please share with us the new structure of the drill team and what it means to you.
Plano ISD is aligning senior highs and high schools with mascots and colors. We are still Vines High School but instead of purple and Vikings, we are now maroon and Wildcats (to align with Plano Sr. High). The drill team was called “Vikettes” based on our past mascot, but we had to come up with a new team name. We are now the Wildcat Sweethearts. I’m so honored to be leading this awesome team as captain. It’s going to be a great year!
Outside of school, what do you do for fun, hobbies, work, etc.?
I take studio dance classes at Sway Dance Center, I love to read, go shopping and hang out with my friends.
Tell us about your family, including pets if you have any. How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?
I have lived in Canyon Creek my whole life. I live here with my mom Trisha, dad Jeff, older sister Brenna, twin sister Layne and my two dogs (Pixie and Cookie).
What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek?
I love that it is a safe, close-knit community. Growing up here has been the best! You can ride your bike or walk down to the creek, go to one of our parks, or grab food at one of the restaurants up at II Creeks Plaza. There is
so much beauty here in Canyon Creek. I love the hills, trees and unique houses.
Anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about you?
I love meeting new people. If you see me in the neighborhood, stop by and say hi!
Brenna, Jordanne and Layne
The Canyon Creek Homeowners Association has had the opportunity to view the site plan for the Jay Dalehite Park and we wholeheartedly approve of the concept and design.
We conducted an unscientific poll here in our piece of paradise aka Canyon Creek. The concept was simple. Pick one word that describes what you value most about our city. The answer that repeated with the repetitiveness and predictability of a metronome was “Neighborhoods.”
Blue Ocean and Trellis are to be commended for their laudable outreach to the Canyon Creek Neighborhood. Their example should set the bar for expectations going forward with future developments affecting not only Canyon Creek but also any other Neighborhood in Richardson.
We are truly honored and blessed that they understand the tireless contributions made to Canyon Creek by the indispensable Jay Dalehite and have used their resources and passion to make a Park part of their development.
We are also thankful for the often unheralded City Staff who have labored to set infrastructure guidelines that will make the Park the proverbial hill on which our shining City rests. When we grasp for evocative imagery to describe and fully embrace the special sense of place that is Richardson, it is the sum of the decisions and work product that goes on behind the scenes that make it so.
The day of its christening will be a day like no other, a moment captured in time like an insect in amber and if anyone has the connections to help summon 76 trombones to celebrate, you probably know how to find us.
In a world of memes and five second video shorts, thank you all for your efforts to establish something enduring and monumental.
Warren Caldwell President
Did you know there is a Home Improvement Incentive Program in Richardson? This exciting and innovative incentive plan is intended to benefit homeowners who conduct substantial home improvement projects at their Richardson homes.
Did you also know that to do substantial improvements to your home, you must acquire a permit from the city of Richardson? We are going to highlight the types of improvements you might need a permit for. In this issue we will touch on Fence permits and Roof repair and replace my permits. Below is a list of commonly issued permits.
• Accessory buildings
• Carports
• Decks over 24 inches in height Driveway replacement
• Fence
• Gas repair and replacement Gazebos and trellis type structures Generators
• Heating and air conditioning
• Lawn sprinklers
• Patio covers
• Retaining walls over 4 feet in height Roofs
• Shower pans
• Siding installation
• Signs
• Swimming pools
• Water heaters
FENCE
A permit is required to construct a new fence or significant replacement of an existing fence. Fences are limited to 8 feet
in height and are allowed to be located between the rear property line and the front wall of the house. Fences beyond the front wall of the house to the front property line
are limited to 3 feet in height and must be decorative in nature and may not create atraffic hazard. Fencing in the front yard area is subject to the approval of the Building Official. Permitted materials include wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron or chain link. The permit is required to be posted at the property prior to work commencing. An inspection is required upon completion of the fence installation. Fences around swimming pools must be a minimum of 4 feet in height, have no opening greater than 4 inches in any direction and gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
A permit is required for any roof replacement or repair which exceeds 25 percent of the total roof area. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that proper codes are being followed. An inspection is required upon installation of the roof deck, if applicable, and a final inspection is required upon completion.
*Please contact Community Services at 972-744- 4180 or visit www.cor.net/hiip for more information.
Scammers have been known to pose as insurance agents selling cheap, fraudulent policies to consumers who think they're obtaining legitimate coverage from a licensed insurer. Victims may not discover they've been scammed until they file a claim — only to be told that their policy is not in force with the company.
Doing business with these false insurance agents, sometimes called "ghost brokers,"
could put you, your family and your finances at risk.
Consider the following to help avoid becoming a victim of this type of insurance fraud. Ghost brokers may apply for a genuine policy in your name, keep your premium payments, then cancel the policy shortly after — all without your knowledge. This practice allows the fraudsters to deceive un-
suspecting "customers" into thinking they have a legitimate policy. The victim may only find out that the policy was canceled after they have to make an insurance claim.
Ghost brokers typically advertise cheap insurance on social media sites or messaging apps. In fact, insurance fraudsters typically tout policies that are much cheaper than competitors' policies, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. If a so-called agent's insurance rate seems too good to be true, it probably is.
These watch-outs may help you spot a fraudulent insurance agent. Be wary of:
• Agents who advertise cheap insurance on social media sites or messaging apps.
• Agents who communicate solely via social media or email. The NAIC says fraudsters may not list a phone number or may be difficult to reach via phone.
• Agents who ask for cash-only payments in person, through social media or via cash-transfer mobile apps, according to PropertyCasualty360.
• Agents who promise to secure an insur ance policy for you without providing any direct communication or docu ments from the insurance carrier.
• Don't sign any paperwork until you've checked that the agent is licensed.
• Be wary of agents who demand cash-only payment. Don't make any payments until you've confirmed the agent's license.
