VOLUME 6
ISSUE 37
CONTENTS
6 Hiring The “Right” Contractor For Your Home Maintenance And Repairs
26 Tired of Paying $17 a Month For Phone Insurance?
20 The Canyon Creek Chronicle
27 In the Kitchen Front Cover photo provided by Jessica Wedge
24 Community News
4
8
PET OF THE MONTH
10
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
12
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
FAMILY OF THE MONTH 1
Letter from
the PUBLISHER
I
don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me yet that sitting with Santa would look different this year. Obviously, hundreds of thousands of kids, interacting with a jolly old Saint Nick, is the definition of Covid UNfriendly. But just like every other facet of life right now, we’ve adapted, altered, reimagined and reconfigured so many things to make 2020 the best it can be. Sitting with Santa is no different, and that makes me just a little sad that this may be one of those traditions that doesn’t ever go back to the way it used to be. If you’re like me, I love a crying kid on Santa’s lap. It always epitomizes the reality that life’s not perfect and even the jolliest of elves can make you want to burst into tears. My most treasures photos of my children sitting with Santa are the ones of my two oldest kids crying on Santa’s lap, while simultaneously trying to escape. I was hopeful this would be the year for the tears for my youngest, but I’m afraid the six feet of social distance between him and Santa will be enough to keep him brave. As if not getting to see our children sit with Santa isn’t enough to bah-hum-bugyou-out, the cancelation of holiday gatherings with family, friends and coworkers is the icing on the fruit cake. In fact, the list of 2020 cancelations goes on and on; in-person worship services, concerts, plays, musicals, and sporting events, to name a few. Now that it’s time for the holidays, the cancelations are even harder to accept. I challenge you to look beyond the experiences and time with family that we are losing and have lost this year, and think about all that we are fortunate to be able to do. 2020 is very different, sure, but if you have your health, your family, your home and food on your table, I ask that you strive to find cheer through giving to those in need. Whether that’s donating to a local clothes closet instead of selling them second-hand, or picking up an extra box of diapers on your store run to give to the Network of Community Ministries, or even dropping off cans of food to North Texas Food bank, I promise, the holiday spirit will be renewed in you.
Publisher Kyla Obert Ad Sales Mike Obert Designer Open Look Business Solutions Contributors Lisa Parelli-Monoghan, Ryan Amerson, Wilson Allen, Angela Green, and Jessica Wedge Photographer Jessica Wedge Special Thanks Chris & Evan Kuhner, Charlotte, Lawrence & Emily Owens, Hollis & Brian Owens, and Kyle Kassen For Advertising Questions, please email mobert@hylogroup.com For Editoral Requests, please email kobert@hylogroup.com HyperLocal Media 224 W Campbell Rd, STE 428 Richardson, TX 75080
Remember it’s ok to be disappointed in all that we can’t do this holiday season. But it’s also ok to find holiday cheer in new ways, like helping others! ......Until we are sitting on Santa’s lap again, I’ll leave you with a few of my pre-COVID favorites.
Managing Partners Mike and Kyla Obert
2
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
Pet of the Month
Photo Courtesy of Chris and Evan Kuhner
Oden
Tell us your names and your pet’s name. Chris and Evan Kuhner. Puppy is Oden What breed is your pet? He is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever How did you get your pet and how long have you had him or her? We adopted Oden when he was 9 weeks old back in May. Our friends knew we were wanting a chocolate lab and they told us about a place in Texas that would take puppies from bad situations. After we adopted Oden we found out he was from Ohio which is where my husband’s entire family is from so we knew it was meant to be. Tell us about your pet: fun tricks, unique talents, quirky personality, etc. Oden is 9 months old and over 90 pounds. The vet is predicting he will be about 120. Oden doesn’t know he is a big dog and loves to cuddle and sit on your lap. He loves affection and doesn’t like to be left out. When I kiss my husband he runs and jumps up to give kisses. When we hold hands to pray before dinner he joins by putting up his paws for us to hold. 4
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek? We moved into Canyon Creek March 14, 2020 and that following week the world closed because of Covid. We moved at the right time! What do you love most about living in the Canyon Creek? the sense of community. We love going on walks and seeing everyone outside, either playing, walking, or driving their golf carts. We love the big trees and how much charm the neighborhood has. We have met a lot of our neighbors and have been lucky enough to become close friends with our next door neighbors. Share with us a funny or awesome story of living in Canyon Creek? My grandparents (Evan’s) lived in Canyon Creek for 30 years. I was very close to them and had great memories of the neighborhood and especially Canyon Creek during Christmas time. Unfortunately my Papaw passed away this past January. My husband and I were already planning to buy a house www.CanyonCreekLife.com
and we started looking in Canyon Creek right after he passed. Our home was the second one we looked at and we knew it was meant to be our first home. Anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about your pet? If you see Oden on one of his daily walks you will immediately become his best friend. Oden hasn’t met a dog or a person he doesn’t love.
Hiring The “Right” Contractor For Your Home Maintenance And Repairs by Lisa Parelli-Monaghan
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock
A
s the pandemic continues and vacations are limited, homeowners are definitely spending more time around their homes. As they look around their home, home improvement projects are glaring right back at them. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), home remodeling continues to have steady growth even with the pandemic. As the project list grows we start evaluating the projects that we can do ourselves and where we need some professional expertise. Some homeowners choose to carry out all of their own repairs, relying on their own skill and judgment from beginning to end. Others who are “less handy” automatically turn to professional home repair services or contractors for their repair projects. This is where the big question arises – “How do I find the right contractor or repair company for my project?” In today’s economy there are many people out there claiming to be something they are not. It doesn’t take a lot of effort today to create a web site and a brochure and start marketing yourself as a “professional contractor.” And remember, Texas does not require a general contractor to be licensed in our great State. To make sure you find the right company there are some steps you can take to protect yourself before you hire anyone.
the Better Business Bureau? Being a member of trade association implies that the company has a sense of responsibility to the industry – offering quality products and workmanship as well as having ethical integrity. Some of the key associations/affiliations in the contracting industry include: National Association of Remodeling (NARI); The Good Contractors List; Home Builders Association; and National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to name a few. Some of these associations also have award programs for projects done by their members. These are usually great indicators of the type of work a contractor does.
General Liability Insurance: Is the company insured with a General Liability Carrier for residential and commercial projects? Keep in mind that a contractor will not be “self-insured” but will carry a substantial liability policy. As to have it verified even if they show you something on paper.
Customer Referrals/Testimonials: Can the company provide customer referrals and testimonials data?
Trade Association membership: Is the company a member of a trade association or
Customer Perception and Visibility: What kind of visibility does the company
6
Warranty: What kind of warranty protection does the company offer on their work?
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
have in the marketplace? How do they advertise or how did you find out about them? Make sure they are a legitimate company! Do your homework….do they have a web site? Do they drive company vehicles with identification Financial Stability: For larger projects, such as a major remodel, request a bank financial stability and character letter. This document can be requested from the company’s bank. Insurance Issues: If you are having some insurance work done, beware of the companies that say “don’t worry about your deductible or “We can cover your deductible”…they are committing insurance FRAUD. By doing business with them, you are guilty of the same offense. Finding a professional company is not difficult – just be sure to do your homework. Get references, check local trade associations and most importantly, feel it is someone you can trust in your most beloved possession – your home.
Business of the Month What is your name and the name of your business? Ruby Loops is an affordable and stylish jewelry business founded by sisters and teenagers Charlotte, Lawrence, and Emily Owens. How long have you been in business? Ruby Loops has been in business since we launched in July of 2020. During quarantine, we had a lot more time on our hands than normal, which opened a door for us to start a business! Tell us about your business. We are a jewelry business dedicated to hand making affordable, stylish accessories. We create and package our pieces from our playroom table. All three of us have different roles that include creating new additions to the collection, website management, producing inventory, social media manager, and packaging. We all have a passion for arts and crafts which has helped this business come a long way. Although we are at school and our various activities throughout the week, we always make sure to fit in as much time as possible for jewelry. On the weekends, we hunt for unique beads and charms at various shops. Don’t tell our mom, but we sometimes watch Grey’s Anatomy while we work on our jewelry. What inspired you to do what you do? We got the idea to start our business while quarantined. Our summer internships and activities had all been cancelled, so we needed something to do to earn money and keep us occupied. One day in April we were taking a daily walk around the neighborhood brainstorming ideas for a business. We are all three creative, artistic, and love jewelry and accessorizing, so creating a jewelry business made perfect sense!
8
Photo Provided by Brian Owens
Tell us a favorite story or two about your business? On our launch day, we received our first order from a customer named Ruby. What a coincidence! That was a great memory of our business because we got to see our hard work pay off. Even now, we all get so excited for every order we receive we are so thankful for every customer. It has also been fun to wear our jewelry to school. When people ask where we got our jewelry, we always have a great story to tell! www.CanyonCreekLife.com
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek? Our family moved to Canyon Creek in 2008, which is before any of us can even remember! What brought you to Canyon Creek? My parents had been looking in Canyon Creek for almost a year because of the schools and parks, but they hadn’t been able to find a house. One day they drove by right as a man was placing a “For Sale by Owner” sign in his yard, and the rest is history. What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek? We love the schools and the feeling of community in Canyon Creek. Our neighbors and friends have been so supportive of our business. When our friends order from Ruby Loops, we can even hand-deliver their jewelry.
North Junior High. Emily loves to dance and bake and is a 7th grader at North Junior High. We actually have a 4th sister, Leddy, who is a 2nd grader at Prairie Creek Elementary. She loves basketball, gymnastics and acting. One day maybe she will join us at Ruby Loops! Share a funny or awesome story of living in Canyon Creek On October 31st of 2017, our house was being prepared to be renovated. Demo day was around the corner when an idea popped up. What if we had a haunted house?! We quickly made plans and “decorated” our house with holes, spray paint, and fake blood throughout. There were evil clowns, dolls, and any scary character you could think of throughout the house, and there was a line of people waiting to come in all night. It was definitely a night to remember!
Anything else you’d love for your neighbors to know about your business or you? Well, since you are asking, our new holiday line is coming out in time for Christmas! We have more ideas coming for the spring and are planning to have a piece where we give back to a non-profit. Check us out on rubyloops.com.
Tell us about your family. Our parents are Hollis and Brian Owens. Brian is a graphic designer and owner of O&H Brand Design. Our mom Hollis is the founder and executive director for a disability awareness non-profit called To Be Like Me. Charlotte is a 10th grader and cheerleader who attends the visual arts magnet program at Richardson High School. Lawrence is a gymnast, cheerleader, and an 8th grader at www.CanyonCreekLife.com
9
Athlete of the Month
Kyle Kassen
Tell us your name, what school you currently attend, and what year you are in school. My Name is Kyle Kassen and I currently go to Jesuit College Preparatory School and I am a senior. What other schools have you attended? I have also attended Aldridge Elementary and St. Paul the Apostle School in Richardson. Tell us what sports or activities you were involved in and why you enjoy it. Currently, I run Cross Country and Track and I love it. Even though it is a tough sport, cross country at Jesuit is so great because of the team environment and it keeps me in shape! Tell us you honors and awards in school. In school, I study hard to keep my GPA a little bit above a 4.0, and in Cross Country, our team advanced from districts (2nd Place) to the regional championship in Lubbock this year. My best time in the 5k is 16:11s and I ran a 4:41 mile junior year. What’s your favorite subject in school? Right now, I am really enjoying Psychology. Tell us about your plans after graduation. After graduation, I will be attending Texas A&M where I will be studying engineering. Outside of school and sports, what do you do for fun, hobbies, work, etc.? I used to be a lifeguard at Canyon Creek over the summer, but besides that, I enjoy fishing around the neighborhood and playing Fortnite Battle Royale, a free-toplay battle royale game in which up to 100 players fight to be the last person standing!
Photo Courtesy of Susan Kassen
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek? My parents moved into my house in Canyon Creek the day I was born.
10
What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek? The scenery, it makes running a lot more enjoyable since I can look at the nice trees and golf course. www.CanyonCreekLife.com
Tell us a favorite story or two about a big moment or fun moment playing your sport. At regionals this year, one of my teammates collapsed about 100 meters before the finish line. After spending minutes of getting up and then falling over again, it seemed like he was not going to make it. One of our teammates saw him on the ground and pushed him over the finish line. It was great seeing the brotherhood that this team (and our school) is all about. Share with us a funny or awesome story of living in Canyon Creek. Not too long ago, our family saw 2 bobcats in front of our house. The 2 jumped at each other and started fighting. It was funny seeing my two australian shepherds, Mel and Sydney go crazy over this. Anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about you? We need Dak back.
DECEMBER 24, 2020 Join First United Methodist Church Richardson in celebrating the birth of Christ with beautiful music, an inspiring message, and candle light to shine the light of hope in the world.
broadcast on KTXA local station channel 21 9pm and 11pm
fumcr.com/live facebook.com/FUMCRichardson 4pm and 6pm
on demand youtube.com/fumcr available December 24
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
11
Photo Courtesy of Jessica Wedge
Family of the Month
Four Queens, Three Businesses, and One Full House
L
ike genetics, character traits can be passed down through family. It can be athleticism, a witty sense of humor, or even having a green thumb. For the Owens family, Brian and Hollis are quickly learning that their passionate entrepreneurial spirits don’t just stop with them. Hollis grew up in San Antonio and Brian grew up in Dallas, where he attended Highland Park High School. They met each other in college at Washington & Lee University in Virginia. They were just friends - so much so that Hollis tried to set up her best friend with Brian, who was on the lacrosse team with Hollis’ boyfriend at the time. After graduation, without planning it, Brian moved back home to Dallas and Hollis was accepted to UT Southwestern for physical therapy school. One year for Halloween, a mutual friend of theirs rented out one of the McKinney Avenue trolleys to use for bar hopping. Brian dressed up as a Russian soldier, fuzzy hat and all, and Hollis dressed up as an island girl, and it was love at second sight. “And that was my doing!” Hollis chimed in while Brian was telling me the story. “I called him. I had given him my number the night we met again, and he didn’t call me! So, I made the call. State that for the record!” 12
With Brian’s birthday being around Halloween and a fond memory of a second “meet-cute”, Hollis and Brian still love dressing up in couples costumes and celebrating Halloween every year. So much so, in fact, that in 2017 they turned their own house into a Haunted House, with holes in the walls, spray paint, and the neighborhood boys providing the scares. They had a line down the street and around the corner all night! Don’t worry, it was demoed soon after for a planned renovation. Brian and Hollis married in 2002 and were living in East Dallas. Six years later with two toddlers, Charlotte and Lawrence, and a newborn baby, Emily, the family was “bursting at the seams” in their house and knew they needed to find a larger home. They decided to drive through Richardson to look at homes, not knowing much about the city. They were using a paper Mapsco and Brian saw a patch of green that looked intriguing. “We pulled into the neighborhood and we were like ‘Whoa. This is beautiful,’” Brian explained. They were immediately hooked, of course, and had their eye on the neighborhood for a while looking for houses for sale. They weren’t having the best of luck, until Hollis was driving through the www.CanyonCreekLife.com
neighborhood one day and saw an older gentleman placing a “For Sale by owner” sign in his front yard. “I pulled up and said, ‘I have three little girls in my car, but would it be okay if I come and look at the house?’” Next thing she knew, she was walking through the home with two girls in each hand and the owner carrying the third. The owners immediately received many offers, but ultimately, they accepted the Owens’ offer as they were wanting a young family to move in. In June of 2008, the Owens family moved into their home in Canyon Creek. They lived there happily for a few years and thought they were done having kids. “Something was missing, and that turned out to be Leddy,” Brain said, laughing. “So now we have four queens and a full house.” The oldest Owens girl, Charlotte, is a cheerleader at Richardson High School and a member of the church youth choir at First United Methodist in Downtown Dallas. She recently got her driver’s license and is enjoying the freedom that comes with it. The two middle girls, Emily and Lawrence, are at North Junior High in seventh and eighth grade, respectively. Emily loves to dance and experiment in the kitchen with her cooking and baking skills, which
the whole family has loved during quarantine, but has not hesitated to blame for the COVID 15 gain. Like her older sister, Lawrence also is involved in cheerleading as well as gymnastics, which she has been able to continue practicing in the backyard with many mats. Leddy, the youngest of the gang, was named after Hollis’ great-grandfather, M.L. Leddy. If this sounds familiar to you, you might recognize his store in the Fort Worth Stockyards, Leddy Boots, with the big boot at the front of the store. They wanted to carry on the family name, and Leddy was a perfect person to do that. Leddy goes with the flow. “She’s an old soul,” as Brian put it. She enjoys being in plays, preCOVID, at the Children’s Theater, and she loves Hamilton. She also loves playing basketball and is looking forward to joining a team soon. “She’s our sprinkle of spice every day. She makes everything livelier.” Hollis said with a proud smile on her face. It’s no surprise that during the summer of cancelled plans and internships, the creative Owens girls were quickly able to come up with a project to keep them busy and make some money. With the three older girls leading the way and Leddy as their biggest supporter, Ruby Loops, a stylish and affordable jewelry line, was launched, and the girls have been busy ever since. The jewelry is all handmade, and they even have a website (that they built themselves) that they sell the pieces on. The jewelry is dainty and colorful, simple but original, and the names for each are inspiring. The optimistic necklace, the well-rounded earrings, the thoughtful bracelet. “Talk about learning opportunities,” Hollis laughed while telling me about it. “I say almost every other day, though, when it comes to the business, it should not be stressful. I want them to realize that it should be fun.” You can read more about the success of Ruby Loops and how to buy the jewelry on page 8 to 9. Remember the entrepreneurial spirit I was talking about? Well, the girls didn’t pull it out of thin air. Ten years ago, Brian started O&H Brand Design with his partner, Travis Hopper. O&H is an advertising agency that focuses on branding and design for clients across all industries. With an exciting clientele from Globe Life Park to Raising Cane’s, their favorite project has been helping out friends and fellow neighbors Terry & Jennifer Pham rebrand their bubble tea company, Fat Straws. Even though he has a business
to run, Brian still realizes the importance of taking time for family. A few minutes after I arrived at Owens house to capture their photos, Brian came out of the home office to join the girls in the backyard. Charlotte leaned her head on her dad’s shoulder and quietly asked, “How was your meeting?” He wrapped his arm around her and responded, “It’s still going,” with a smirk that someone playing hooky would give a friend. Don’t start to think I’m done talking about that entrepreneurial spirit! The Owens family means business when it comes to their businesses. Two years ago, in December 2018, Hollis started the non-profit awareness program To Be Like Me, and their in-person program began a year later in December of 2019. To Be Like Me is a disability awareness www.CanyonCreekLife.com
program that is on a mission to break down barriers that exist for those with disabilities, and foster compassion, inclusion, and awareness of the unique abilities of others. Targeting school aged children, To Be Like Me is a unique and innovative way for children to hear from people with disabilities and better understand the differences and difficulties that everyone faces around us. Recently, however, due to COVID, To Be Like Me has also been working with emerging professionals and graduate students to instill empathy in the future professionals. “With everyone having iPhones, we often have our heads down, but what we really should be doing is interacting more and really understanding each other in our differences,” Hollis explained. “Through To Be Like Me, we 13
are hoping to, no, we WILL, create a more empathetic, compassionate, and kind world.” Before embarking on this journey, Hollis was a physical therapist for 20 years. During her work, she was hearing story after story from her patients and the parents of her patients about the difficulties they face in the community for people with disabilities. This inspired Hollis, so she began leading an organization that helped school-aged children understand what it was like living with different disabilities. The organization would set up stations in a school and volunteers would be at each station to teach. The students would go from station to station to learn about a variety of disabilities: hearing, vision, communication, and mobility challenges to name a few, and then the students would take part in a simulation where they could better understand what it would be like to live with that disability. For example, the students could put on a pair of goggles that can simulate blindness or macular degeneration, and then they would try to perform functional tasks with the goggles on. “Over the years, I started hearing kids say things like, ‘this must be awful,’ and it struck me. The message we were sending was a message of sympathy, not empathy.” Hollis told me, when I asked what inspired her to start To Be Like Me. “If my friend Blake, who is totally blind, were leading that station, he would tell the kids that his world is beautiful and that he feels so fortunate to live in a time
14
where he has access to assistive technology. I knew the program needed to shift, so that each of the stations was led by someone living with the disability.” To Be Like Me has 17 leaders listed on their website. Each one is very unique, but they all have the same goal: to educate the public on their own disability and the challenges they overcome every day. From autism and chromosome differences, to mobility and vision impairment, even mental health and learning differences, each leader has the opportunity to speak to children and young professionals about their life. “We employ our leaders and they find purpose and advocacy. It’s really a win-win. Our leaders are gaining, and our students are gaining knowledge.” Hollis explained. With the program being built around the concept of interaction, they had to make a huge shift to adjust for COVID. Currently, they have schools from all over the country using their online curriculum as well as classrooms setting up Zoom calls with the leaders. To Be Like Me has found the silver-lining; because of COVID, they are now able to reach students all over the country and also have two options in place, in-person and over Zoom, once the world returns to “normal”. A resident of Canyon Creek, Martha Alvarez, is a professor at the dental school downtown. She used to host Hollis every year to teach a development course to her class. This year, however, Martha and Hol-
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
lis decided to invite a leader to join them in teaching the class. They invited Lauren, a woman living with muscular dystrophy, and the results of the class opened Hollis’ eyes. The students would ask questions like, “when I open my own dental practice, how can I help people with disabilities feel comfortable in my office?” Lauren informed them on the importance of universal design when planning an office space. She kept receiving question after question after question, and even after the class ended, Martha kept receiving emails from students with follow up questions and singing praises of how much they enjoyed the class. Hollis realized the importance of also reaching the young professionals on this level, and giving them the opportunity to learn more, gain empathy, and prepare for their professional life. Four years ago, a close college friend of Hollis’ suffered a brain injury in a car accident. After many surgeries and time to heal the exterior wounds, you could no longer see that he had suffered an injury, but that didn’t mean that it was gone. Being one of the leaders, he is now able to speak to children about invisible disabilities and tell them “...you don’t always know what someone is going through or has been through, so always be kind and always be patient.” To this day, his wife still tells Hollis that after the accident and after all they had been through, she never found a silver-lining in
Photos Provided by Hollis Owens
what happened until To Be Like Me. “Seeing the difference that it made in him, as far as his self-worth and his purpose, it helped with everything in regards to his family and the way he interacted with the world.” “Communicating together as a family about individual differences is so important, and it’s not happening enough,” Hollis told me when I asked what she would want others to know. “Out of everything, just being able to communicate and learn about differences, being more patient and kinder, and realizing that just because someone may look different or act different, they are humans. And we need to treat each other as humans. That conversation happening at home, that’s going to make the difference. It’s going to go a long way in preventing bullying and behavior at school that leads to depression and anxiety in children. We as parents can start that conversation and make sure that our kids know that the words that you use matter.” Visit tobelikeme.org to download free lessons and conversation starters. If you would like your kids to go through the To Be Like Me program, talk with your PTA and your teachers about how you can help bring the program to your child’s school. When the Owens family isn’t running an empire of businesses, you can find the family on their driveway playing a game of basketball, Brian and Emily by the creek fishing, or everyone going on an adventure throughout the neighborhood to catch their escape artist English Pointer, Rudy.
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
15
energy attic TT
Live your best life at home
he mission of Energy Attic simpleit’s it’sbrilliant. brilliant. Transform Transform he mission of Energy Attic is issososimple attics. Transform lives. operate doingwhat’s what’sright, right,loving loving attics. Trans-form lives. ThThey ey operate bybydoing people, working humblytotomake make an an eternal eternal diff difference. people, andand working hum-bly erence. Based on Micah vision been drivingforce forcebehind behind this this Based on Micah 6:8,6:8, thatthat vision hashas been thethedriving Christian-owned andoperated operated business Energy Attic Owner Christian-owned and businesssince for 2005. 13 years. Energy Attic Ryan and Amerson begins and ends eachand dayCOO askingGuy himself how he can make Founder Owner Ryan Amerson Charles be-gin and better his clients, his employees, community. “Our end life each day for asking themselves how theyand canhis make life better forefforts their havetheir resulted in 10x growth the years, and and lots positiveAnd impact on clients, em-ployees, theirover community, theirofworld. their ourhave industry!” Ryan said. “We do our partthe byyears. making your home more efforts resulted in 10-fold growth over yourbest indoor saving money on “Wecomfortable, want peopleimproving to live their lifeair at quality, home,”and Ryan said.you “We do our utility bills. simply, want to transform your attic which partyour by making yourPut home morewecomfortable, improving yourspace indoor air will and transform living space, so your all that should quality, savingyour you money on your utilityhome bills.can Putbe simply, weitwant to be”. It’syour something they’ve donewill fortransform over 10,000 happy families, transform attic space which your living space,creating so you can love othersdone through a comfortable and can environments live your best where life.” It’speople something they’ve for over 10,000 happy safe home. “There’s a Mother where Theresapeople quote we Ryan said. “If you families, creating environments canlove,” love others through a comfortable and safe home.
16 16
wantere’s to change the Th world, homewe and love your said. family.” added, “Th a Mother eresagoquote love, ” Guy “ ‘IfHeyou want to “we’re all creating healthy, comfortable homes so our and change theabout world, go home and love your family. ’ We’re allfriends about creating neighborscomfortable can do just that. What you accomplish if your home healthy, homes socould our friends and neighbors can was do just comfortable dust andac-complish allergies were an home issue?”was comfortable and that. What and could you if not your dust and allergies were not an issue?” HERE’S HOW THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN:
• Air Quality, Comfort, BillIT Assessment HERE’S HOW THEYEnergy MAKE HAPPEN: Insulation and Duct Work Removal •• Air Quality HVAC Systems •• Complete AtticAssessment Makeoversand Tune Up Radiant Life Barrier, Ventilation, Ductwork Install •• Longer ForInsulation, Your Major Equipment Customer Experience and Satisfaction Follow Up •• Attic Specialists • Dramatic Energy Savings Visit www.energyattic.com • Reliable Professionals or
Call 972-848-0010 for your FREE ATTIC OVERHAUL ESTIMATE. License Visit number:TACLA00087003 www.energyattic.com or Call 972-548-0088 for
FREE ATTIC OVERHAUL ESTIMATE.
www.CanyonCreekLife.com www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com
your
ATTAINABLE INCLUSIVE EXCEPTIONAL
NORTH DALLAS ADVENTIST ACADEMY is a Christian learning community in the Canyon Creek neighborhood with a Bible-based Curriculum dedicated to making world class education available at an attainable price.
Call 972-234-6322 to schedule a tour today!
NORTH DALLAS ADVENTIST ACADEMY 2800 Custer Parkway Richardson, Texas 75080 972-234-6322 NDAAcademy.org Offering In-Person or Virtual Learning!
The Canyon Creek Chronicle
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
S
ince March, I have viewed December as if through the opposite end of a telescope making the end of 2020 impossibly far away. By almost any standard, it’s been a memorably forgettable year. But we cannot submit and blithely wish away almost a full precious year of our lives. It is incumbent that we seek and acknowledge the good, even if it is hiding under a rock cuddling with the geckos. A very recent example was the mass show of love of Humanity demonstrated at the November 14th Toy and Food Drive for Network. After the protracted previous eight months, one could not be fairly faulted for experiencing Donor Fatigue yet you showed up in droves to support those who cannot support themselves often through no fault of their own. For the past few years, it has been my privilege to lead a prayer during the Interfaith Alliance National Day of Prayer. Several different thematic elements and different speakers are utilized i.e. prayers for Leadership, Knowledge, Enlightenment and Education are examples that come readily to mind. My contribution is Neighbors and Community. In the spirit of reconciliation, I offer to you my prayer: Dear Lord, As we gather to celebrate the National Day of Prayer, I humbly
ask that you help us recognize that we have more power to positively affect the lives of ourselves, loved ones, friends and neighbors by directing our engagement locally. May you grant us the grace to extend to those with whom we disagree the presupposition that others’ hearts are also desirous of a positive outcome for everyone and the nature of the path we take toward that positive end is the only question. May we be graced with the light to illuminate those in the shadows who are hungry, tired or alone and empower and motivate us to help alleviate their pain and tend to their worries, fears and doubts. May you fill us with the spirit of engagement to increase the thread count of the fabric of our community thereby making our lives richer and more meaningful. May we understand that coincidence is overrated to non-existent and that our neighbors are better viewed as proximity with a purpose. Thank you, Lord. Amen. It is my hope that the Spirit of the Season envelopes you in abundant cascades of love and may you all keep a friendly door like Conrad in The Christmas Guest.
2020 CCHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President:
WARREN CALDWELL warren@homesnorthtexas.com
2014 Sandy Trail 972-814-0400
Past President:
JEREMY THOMASON Jeremy.j.thomason@gmail.com
3301 Canyon Creek Drive 469-975-6074
President Elect
MONICA SCOTT Monica.scott@outlook.com
2311 Clear Lake Circle 214-912-8628
Secretary:
JEFF WOLFE 316 Meadowlark Drive jeff@dallasduo.com 972-342-8799
Treasurer:
RICHARD LUTTRELL Richard56Luttrell@yahoo.com
1106 Timberview Lane 469-525-6018
Director: Membership/Flags
JAY DALEHITE jaydalehite@aol.com
315 Meadowlark Drive 214-356-1087
Director: Community Relations
CHIP PRATT chip.pratt@nokia.co
2700 Prairie Creek Drive W. 214-663-1999
Director: KERRY GAINES 2113 Flat Creek Drive Beautification kerryLgaines@gmail.com 214-675-1849 Director: SUSAN KASSEN 2431 Fairway Drive Events susan.kassen@gmail.com 214-957-1175
20
Director: Crime Watch
SHARON ODELL 431 Pleasant Valley Lane sharon@the-odells.com 972-234-1387
Director: Communications
SHELLEY HICKS ouhicks@gmail.com www.CanyonCreekLife.com
2212 Sutton Place 972-977-1313
The Canyon Creek Chronicle
CANYON CREEK HOA FOOD DRIVE Canyon Creek HOA would like to give a most sincere THANK YOU to everyone in the neighborhood who made the time to contribute and volunteer for the toy and food drive on November 14. It was a beautiful day and we were able to pack our truck full of goodies to benefit Richardson’s Network of Community Ministries this holiday season. For more information about how to support the Network visit them at: www.thenetwork.org HALLOWEEN FRONT PORCH CONTEST
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
We had a great turnout for our 1st Annual Front Porch Halloween decorating contest! This will be a traditional that will surely continue. Congratulations Michael & Ashley Tatum for being the neighborhood winner for their amazing display!
National Night Out looked a little different this year, but Canyon Creek didn’t let that spoil the fun! Our current HOA Board member Sharon Odell was the winner of the 2020 National Night Out mask contest for the west side of Richardson. She was the very proud recipient of a new Ring doorbell. www.CanyonCreekLife.com
21
YARD OF THE MONTH NE Quadrant
SW Quadrant
October 419 Canyon Ridge Dr
October 2306 Shady Creek Dr
NW Quadrant
SE Quadrant
November 2900 Tam O'Shanter Ln
22
November 2404 Custer Pkwy
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Community News
Dog Walker Watch How To Join: Complete the online application on their website richardsonpolice.net. They will contact you once approved and will enroll you in an upcoming crime awareness class. Upon completion you will receive the official Dog Walker Watch certificate for your pet and you will be a new partner in our fight against crime!
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock
About The Program: The Dog Walker Watch program is a perfect partnership for those of you that have pets and go for walks in your neighborhoods or apartment communities. Dog Walker Watch is a crime awareness program that encourages our residents when they are out walking their dogs to be aware of what’s going on around them and to be the extra eyes and ears to help assist the Richardson Police Department with our ongoing community-policing efforts. The idea behind the program is you know your neighborhoods best. You tend to know who lives around you and what they drive. You know what’s normal for your area. The program trains you how to effectively observe and report suspicious activity as you’re out in your neighborhood. For more information about the program, contact 972-744-4955 or email crime_prevention@cor.gov
5 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do This Holiday Season 1. Donate food to the North Texas Food Bank. 2. Donate Books or Toys that you no longer play with. 3. Leave a gift or letter for the postman or garbage men 4. Leave a snack bucket for delivery drivers during the holidays. 5. Take a neighbor Photo Courtesy of Kelle McCarthy food or cookies. 24
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
The Wolfe Team Keller Williams Central 972-342-8799 / 972-380-3326 thewolfeteam@dallasduo.com www.dallasduo.com
Sandy Wolfe and Jeff Wolfe
Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home? Why choose The Wolfe Team? (team vs. single agent) • Two experienced licensed agents working for you instead of one • 45 years of combined experience • Twice the power in negotiating, twice the service provided and twice the marketing knowledge • Greater strategic strengths and higher proficiency • Two market analysis opinions. Setting the correct asking price is critical in today’s market. • The Wolfe Team brings a competitive advantage to buying and selling transactions by simply having more resources available to use, more people participating in the process, and more ideas created while providing you more perspectives. For a Team you can Trust.......Call The Wolfe Team and Experience the Dynamics of TEAMWORK! … Your Neighborhood Real Estate Specialists! Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Our 3 guiding principles:
You were meant to flourish Holistic dental care for thriving families.
$199 New Patient Visit (Normally $299. Includes 3D scan, xrays, and professional cleaning).
469-676-2777
1. Dentistry should be safe. 2. The health of your mouth is intricately linked to your overall health. 3. You were meant to flourish. • Composite filings • Saliva testing • Ozone • Extractions • Metal-free crowns • Safe amalgam removal • Flouride-free cleanings
• Laser-assisted dentistry • 3D and digital xrays • Snoring and sleep apnea treatment • Smoothlase cosmetic treatments • and more!
Dr. Engram is a biological dentist, integrative health coach, wife, and mother of 2. She has degrees from both Texas Christian University and Baylor College of Dentistry. Toni Engram, DDS, AIAOMT
www.flourish.dental www.facebook.com/flourishdentalboutique 1415 State St, Ste 800, Richardson, TX 75082
Canyon Creek Allstate Insurance
Tired of Paying $17 a Month For Phone Insurance Allstate Phone Protection Plus hen you choose Allstate Phone Protection Plus, you’ll get your broken phone quickly repaired or replaced. Our device protection plan also includes premium tech support from SquareTrade, identity theft recovery coverage and Allstate roadside services. PHONE PROTECTION Provides coverage for a cracked screen, liquid damage, battery failure and more. Protection can be purchased for any phone, from any carrier, regardless of how old it is or whether you own or lease it. The plan follows you if you switch carriers or upgrade your phone. • Get same-day phone repairs where available.
• •
Have your phone repaired by a certified tech in your home or office. Have your phone fixed at a local repair shop, and we’ll reimburse you for the cost. Mail-in repairs: Guaranteed to be fixed within two days of receiving your device.
PREMIUM TECH SUPPORT Certified technicians are ready to provide a range of phone-related assistance. • Phone setup: Transfer contacts and photos, restore a backup, change and update settings, and configure email. • Connect devices: Enable your phone for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and smart home devices, and fix lost connections.
26
•
App and software support: Get help with troubleshooting, performance optimization and more.
IDENTITY THEFT REMEDIATION AND ALLSTATE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT We’ll manage the process of helping to restore your credit, identity and finances if your identity is stolen. You’ll be assigned to a privacy expert who can help answer your questions. Only Allstate lets you see who has your personal data with Allstate Digital FootprintSM. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Get one 24/7 tow, tire change, jump-start, lockout service or fuel delivery per year. Non-tow service professionals arrive in an average of 30 minutes. AFFORDABLE PRICING Bundle-priced plans that include phone coverage, tech support, identity theft recovery and roadside assistance are just $12.99 per month for one phone. Or, choose a family plan that covers up to four lines for $24.99 per month. A $149 deductible applies to all smartphone claims. Call Canyon Creek Allstate at 972-8104149 for more info
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock
W
•
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
In The Kitchen
Holiday Cocktails
Spice up your holiday season with these simple to make cocktails. You can also watch Mike’s Mixology and how to make these on YouTube at Mike’s Mixology.
Egg White Whiskey Sour
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock
Ingredients: 2ozs Knob Creek Rye, .75oz lemon juice, .75 simple syrup, 1 egg white, tablespoon of honey. Dry shake with all the ingredients. Add ice and shake again. Strain and serve. Great Holiday Drink!
Gingerbread Martini Ingredients: 1.50oz Azunia Tequila, .75oz Tuaca, .50oz Real Ginger Syrup, .50oz of Whipped Cream, Graham Crackers. Mix the Tequila, Tuaca, Ginger Syrup and Whipped Cream in a shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into a martini class. Crust the rim of the glass with Graham Cracker crumbs. Happy Holidays!
Cranberry Old Fashion
Ingredients: Two Cubes of Sugar, bitters, 2ozs Knob Creek, 2ozs Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice. Muddle your sugar and bitters, add a shot of Knob Creek and a shot of Cranberry Juice. Squeeze two lemon wedges into the drink. Mix and enjoy the Holiday Spirit!
Hot Toddy
Ingredients: Woodford Reserve, Honey, Lemons, Hot Water. In a mug, add half cup of hot water, 2ozs of Woodford, Tablespoon of honey, Tablespoon of Lemon. Mix and drink warm. Warms the holiday soul!
Apple Cider Mojito
Ingredients: Bacardi Rum, Apple Cider, Lemons. Use Sonic ice in a collins glass, squeeze two lemon wedges, 2ozs Rum, 3-4ozs Apple Cider and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Spicing up your holidays! 28
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
CANYON CREEK REAL ESTATE 9/1//20 - 10/31/20 SOLD PROPERTIES
SQFT
LIST PRICE
SOLD DATE
531 W Lookout Dr. #228
1,075
$169,900
10/20
505 W Lookout Dr. #201
1,320
$175,000
9/10
2652 Cluster Parkway #D
1,824
$225,000
10/7
48 Crown Place
2,016
$279,900
9/8
509 Sage Valley Drive
2,180
$325,000
10/16
415 Ridgewood Drive
1,902
$334,900
10/29
818 Firestone Lane
1,578
$349,500
9/11
315 Oakcrest Drive
2,163
$350,000
9/4
321 Forest Grove Drive
2,613
$385,000
1030
2926 Whitemarsh Circle
3,096
$390,000
9/25
2200 Cuter Parkway
2,601
$399,000
9/4
2706 Canyon Valley Drive
2,508
$399,000
10/5
322 Canyon Ridge Drive
2,406
$399,500
10/19
2924 Whitemarsh Circle
1,934
$399,990
9/3
505 Cap Rock
2,080
$399,999
10/2
213 Canyon Valley Drive
2,868
$409,000
10/15
914 Firestone Lane
2,382
$409,900
9/25
2943 Forest Hills Lane
1,990
$420,000
10/26
2415 Grandview Drive
2,250
$435,000
10/8
240 Woodcrest Drive
2,636
$449,000
10/26 9/30
18 Gettysburg Lane
2,883
$449,900
2217 Flat Creek Drive
2,473
$449,900
9/28
334 Ridgeview Drive
2,196
$485,000
9/29
2506 Grandview Drive
2,409
$505,000
9/15
322 Overcreek Drive
2,606
$505,000
9/18
2409 Canyon Creek Drive
2,492
$527,000
9/30
12 Harpers Ferry Drive
2,851
$535,000
10/28
2227 Flat Creek Drive
2,503
$539,990
10/23
325 W Lookout Drive
2,178
$549,900
9/25
1102 High Vista Lane
2,906
$574,000
9/15
2522 Little Creek Drive
2,513
$589,900
9/16
305 Stonebridge Drive
2,453
$614,900
9/28
409 Arborcrest Drive
2,467
$649,000
10/15
9 Willow Creek Place
3,094
$725,000
9/29
2619 E Prairie Creek Drive
4,943
$749,000
9/15
2223 Flat Creek Drive
3,104
$774,900
9/15
2415 Canyon Creek Drive
2,951
$849,900
9/28
2514 Canyon Creek Drive
3,900
$895,000
9/30
ANGELA GREEN
Keller Williams Central angela.green@kw.com www.GreenSellsHomes.com
Phone: 214-893-4171
Serving Dallas, Collin and Denton Counties 23 years FULL TIME experience!
Each office is independently owned and operated.
Information above was obtained from NTREIS. Properties were listed and/or sold by many Brokers between 7/1/20-8/31/20.
Each office is independently owned and operated. 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!
THEN & NOW CANYON CREEK 9/1/2019 - 10/31/2019
Properties Sold: Price Range: Average Price: Average Price PSF:
20 $99,000 - $1,769,900 $457,242 $174.37
CANYON CREEK 9/1/2020 - 10/31/2020
Properties Sold: Price Range: Average Price: Average Price PSF:
214-893-4171
DON’T LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE!
38 $169,900 - $895,000 $475,865 $186.14
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID FULTON, MO PERMIT 38