Cedar Park, TX March 2024

The Home Issue

Honey... I'm Home!

Home. A seemingly simple word that has been immortalized throughout time by authors and poets in heart-strikingly beautiful and oh so many numerous ways. This word gives the comfort of ultimate safety, providing us with inspirations, memories, expressions, and emotions unique to us all! Our Home Issue is designed with encouraging insights to help stimulate you visually and emotionally, while building upon your dreams.

There are times, however, when our homes need attention. Attention can be a beautification project, or a situation requiring immediate repair. These situations can bring on the exact opposite feelings we are supposed to have at home. We’ve searched out the premier quality home service providers, contractors, builders, and qualified vendors to help with your list of projects that will quell any feelings of the unknown. And, if your home is still in the “dream phase” status, we have some of the best sources to help you attain your goals. Our trusted Business Partners are there for you and ready to help bring your dreams into fruition!

Our loyalty and commitment to our readers who reside in the wonderful community of Cedar Park are invaluable. Cedar Park City Lifestyle strives to provide you with a level of comfort in whom we recommend, and confidently bring to you business relationships that will deliver overall satisfaction!

We are more than a recommendation, more than a coffee table magazine. We are the neighbor who knows who you should contact for whatever your needs or wants are. We are here for you!

Thank you, Cedar Park! It’s a great place to call home!

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Cedar Park Public Library rings in the “Noon Year” with family-fun activities and storytime. 2: Monthly Giving Campaign at Mason Elementary, featuring Nothing Bundt Cakes for campus staff. 3: Boys model comfortable and stylish clothing from DuValls Children’s Boutique in Leander.

4: Doc Ak and the SmileOntourage kick off 2024 with Annual Planning & Goal Setting Meeting. 5: Ursula Overdiek gets ready to start new custom frame projects at Hang Ups Picture Framing. 6: Coach Steph unites the community with invigorating boxing classes at CLASS UFC GYM North Austin. 7: Josh Brown honors Anne Moser as Ambassador of the Year during State of the Chamber.

CITY OF CEDAR PARK

SMILEON ORTHODONTICS

CLASS UFC GYM

CEDAR PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LEEF

DUVALLS

HANG UPS

Training Leander East members pose

Brighton, dresses as Glinda the Good Witch, awarding $118,000 to LISD educators.

Residents celebrate the community’s cultural diversity through food and drinks at Chefs in

Founded in 1948 in Cranston, Rhode Island, Del's Lemonade has made a name for itself with its all-natural, major allergen-free frozen lemonade. After a few years of discussing, Rhode Island natives and current Cedar Park residents Steve and Tricia D'Amico have decided to welcome this beloved brand to our community. They look forward to winning over new fans with flavors ranging from watermelon to peachmango. Keep up with them on Facebook and Instagram @Dels_ATX! dels.com

oatmeal cookies to the next level. And now, through the month of March, you can enjoy Cowgirl Cookie Peanut Butter by award-winning Big Spoon Roasters! It all starts with pan-roasted organic Texas pecans being blended into their freshly milled peanut butter. From the mind of food entrepreneur Leigh Oliver Smith Vickery, this nut butter is a must-try while supplies last at Whole Foods. bigspoonroasters.com

Photography by Big Spoon Roasters

Photography by CycleNation

I

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER FLETCHER & WANDER CREATIVE

DISCOVER HOW TAUREN WELLS AND HIS FAMILY HAVE FOUND A HOME IN CEDAR PARK’S CHURCH OF WHITESTONE

INSPIRE THE CITY

A master lyricist. A multi-instrumentalist. A platinum-selling recording artist. Since his start in the music industry, Tauren Wells has experi-

For those of us surrounded by the Live Music Capital of the World, we recognize our area’s ever-present energy and creative spirit. It’s our

“I’VE ALWAYS HELD ‘HOME’ AND ‘FAMILY’ TOGETHER WITHOUT MUCH DISTINCTION.”

enced the power that comes with sharing authentic stories.

Having traveled the world to perform, he holds immense value in his opportunity to build connections with fans. Although going on tour means he has to regularly leave those connections, it’s the people of each city who make Tauren view his career as a true gift. Now, with his family’s settling, that includes the people of the Austin area.

“We’re a party of six and have moved several times over the years, so we’ve made it our mantra that home is wherever we’re together. We’re so glad that this is the season of life we get to be at home in Austin,” says Tauren. “Austin has a unique identity and significance in our country. We believe that it’s a strategic city of influence.”

community’s drive toward helping individuals and families, however, that captured the hearts of Tauren and his wife, Lorna.

The Wellses arrived with a mission to serve the practical and spiritual needs of our city. They envisioned a space where anyone could discover the truth and rejoice in their big moments—and so Church of Whitestone came to be. But who would’ve thought that it would all begin with ice rinks, soccer fields, and pickleball?

“Cedar Park chose us! I say that jokingly but it’s really true,” says Tauren. “We live in Georgetown but could not deny the draw to Cedar Park and this amazing place called The Crossover. Starting a church in a place like that was a dream we didn’t know to dream. The building

“OUR CHURCH IS A

FAMILY.

IT’S OUR HOME.”

owners and the city itself have been so supportive of us, and we are incredibly grateful.”

Church of Whitestone stands as a beacon for residents from diverse backgrounds as they navigate their God-authored identities. Team members and churchgoers alike have moved to Austin’s suburbs from across the globe, forging new paths for themselves. Tauren fondly recalls meeting a woman in pursuit of Jesus who had recently relocated from Sweden.

At the end of the day, the Wellses are here for the people. They are here to provide a home.

“Family to us is never having to walk alone, carrying each other when we’re struggling, and celebrating each others’ successes with genuine joy,” says Tauren. “It’s also a connection that is something bigger than any one person. It’s a relational bond that spans generations through stories, memories, and experiences.”

Learn more about the Wells’ vibrant faith community and music at yourwhitestone.org.

ARTICLE BY SHARON RICHARDSON & MEGAN MARSHALL

Jazz Up Your Pasta Night

PASTA JAMBALAYA RECIPE BY CHRISTEN'S GOURMET PRALINES OWNER AND NEW ORLEANS NATIVE SHARON RICHARDSON

Most people think that jambalaya has to be made with a rice base to be authentic. Not true! This pasta base jambalaya offers that familiar love of flavor taste that you expect from a New Orleans dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 boneless and skinless chicken breast, chopped

• 2 links of smoked sausage of choice

• 1/4 cup oil for browning meat

• 1/2 stick salted butter

• 1 chopped white onion

• 3 minced cloves of garlic

• 1 chopped green bell pepper

• 2 chopped stalks of celery

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, including liquid

DIRECTIONS:

• 2 bay leaves (to be removed before serving)

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning of choice

• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 package penne pasta or pasta of choice

• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 cup chicken stock

• Chopped green onions to garnish

1. Cook pasta according to manufacturer’s directions until al dente, about 12 minutes.

2. In a saute pan, pour cooking oil (I use olive oil) in a pan and heat.

3. Add bite-size chicken until it gets slightly brown in color.

4. Remove and add smoked sausage until brown.

5. Add chopped onions, green bell pepper, and celery, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until tender.

6. Add minced garlic and bay leaves, and simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

7. In a Dutch oven or heavy cooking pot, add cooked and drained pasta with all other ingredients and cover.

8. Let cook until most of the liquid is evaporated.

9. Remove from heat and top with green onions. Serve and enjoy!

Having relocated to the Austin area after Hurricane Katrina, Sharon Richardson and her husband Austin now call Texas home. Through Christen's Gourmet Pralines, she shares the creations her family has been cooking up for generations. Check out her catering menu online at pralineweddingfavors.com or catch her at local events!

concept to CONSTRUCTION

CREATE YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN CENTRAL TEXAS WITH MCKAY VASSAUR CUSTOM BUILDERS

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MYKE TOMAN & MCKAY VASSAUR

Jeff Vassaur will always remember sitting at his mortgage servicing job, watching from his window as an office building was constructed from the ground up. It inspired him to shift gears in his career, transferring his leadership skills into construction management— and he’s never looked back.

“At a certain point, you just go for it,” says Jeff. “It had been a dream of mine to run my own business. Sink or swim, I made the decision that was the direction I was going.”

Over the past 16 years since starting McKay Vassaur Custom Builders, Jeff has brought visions to life with every brick, beam, and carefully

curated detail. That has included the retirement home for a career military couple who never thought it’d come to fruition, as well as the rebuild of a family home originally constructed by the client’s father in the 1960s. For Jeff, every project brings the reward of knowing his team is delivering a completely personalized experience.

A self-proclaimed “energy nerd,” Jeff stays on top of research about the most sustainable building techniques. He works with a communicative, punctual vendor base that similarly utilizes cutting-edge applications and remains available long after handing off the keys.

“Clients should approach their builder decision with the mindset

they are entering into a partnership, with accountabilities and responsibilities to be upheld by both partners to achieve a successful project outcome. Then they should ask themselves which homebuilding organization do they trust the most to be their partner on such a monumental undertaking,” says Jeff. “Utilizing that mindset and criteria for selecting a builder, and adhering to the partnership principle throughout the process, paves the way for a great client-builder relationship during and after the construction of the home.”

Get started on the perfect home for your family at mckayvassaur.com

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MYKE TOMAN

Strong Roofing Roots: Four Generations

KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND STRUCTURALLY SOUND WITH FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED HALL’S ROOFING & SHEET METAL

When you choose The Original Hall’s Roofing & Sheet Metal for your home, you aren’t just choosing high-quality materials and reliable service. You are also choosing a legacy.

Pro Tips from Shannon Hall:

“If your dryer vent goes through your roof, it needs to be cleaned out yearly. And make sure you have the proper vent!

It’s a fire hazard if the wrong vent is installed, not allowing the lint to come out."

Established in 1939, Hall’s Roofing has a rich history of satisfied homeowners. Today, Shannon Hall is at the helm, stepping into the shoes that her great-grandfather, grandfather, and father have each filled. Having grown up surrounded by the roofing industry, Shannon found a deep appreciation for being part of the family business.

“The more I worked for my parents, the more I enjoyed my job,” says Shannon. “All of my most memorable memories are when my dad was teaching me about roofing, measuring roofs, and just spending time with him daily. Then my oldest daughter, Faith, started working for me, and it brings me so much joy to see her more and teach her what I know. One day she might want to be the fifth generation.”

In her role as owner, Shannon takes pride in her family’s long-held tradition of excellence. Of course, her day-to-day goes beyond the installation of beautiful roofs—although she certainly treasures that part of the experience.

Hall’s Roofing is home to a team that genuinely cares about your well-being. They will be there from the full inspection and damage assessment until your insurance claim is closed. Even if your project isn’t an insurance claim, they will still guide you through each next step you need to take.

“Our inspections are free, which could potentially save customers thousands on interior damages caused by a leak. The most fulfilling part of my job is helping customers with fixing their leaks that no one else can find,” says Shannon. “Your roof is the most important part of your house. It keeps you dry and should be inspected every few years just to be proactive.”

Whether you require minor repairs or a complete roof replacement, Hall’s Roofing will supply their knowledge, craftsmanship, and efficiency. So, when a sudden Texas storm rears its head, you know who to call.

“Every day I wake up, I’m excited to see what the next day will bring or how I’m going to help a customer fix their roof,” says Shannon. “I love what I do for a living and am definitely very grateful I was able to continue the family business as the fourth generation owner.”

It’s time to get your roof in top condition with The Original Hall’s Roofing & Sheet Metal! Head to hallsroofing.net to see their portfolio.

Photo by Hall's Roofing

Fresh Flavors at Your Fingertips

A simple guide to creating an at-home herb garden

There’s nothing quite like homegrown produce. It’s a sustainable, cost-effective way to take your culinary creations and flavors to the next level. By customizing your herb garden to suit your personal preferences and needs, you can explore a wide variety of recipes and discover your own unique combinations.

When you start your green thumb journey, you are on track to making your kitchen an even more vibrant and fragrant space. Not only do you reap the benefits of a healthier diet, but you also take advantage of the therapeutic and educational activity of engaging with nature.

The question is: How do you make an herb garden that truly flourishes?

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL

Best Herbs for Indoor Growing

• Basil

• Thyme

• Rosemary

• Oregano

• Sage

• Chives

• Mint

• Marjoram

• Lemon balm

• Lavender

1. Instead of waiting for seeds to sprout, consider purchasing small plants with established root systems so that you can focus on their growth.

2. Find a sunny spot in your home where your herb garden can get at least six hours of sun per day. Windowsills are a great idea!

3. While you should keep the soil consistently moist, be cautious not to overwater your herbs. Touch the soil on a daily basis to check for dryness.

4. In the event that you do have excess water that needs to flow through, choose pots that provide ample drainage. A saucer prevents further drainage.

5. To encourage the healthy growth of your herbs, prune them regularly by using clean shears or scissors, or even pinching leaves off with your fingers.

YOUR

GARAGE dream

EXPERIENCE GARAGE UP’S COMMITMENT TO BEING YOUR BEST HOUSE GUEST

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARAGE UP

Your garage is more than just a place to park your car. Or, it can be. With the help of ResiBrands’ full-service renovation company Garage Up, you are capable of creating a livable space that is truly an extension of your home.

“I always ask homeowners what they are envisioning. You have to know what they want to feel and what purpose they want the garage to serve,” says General Manager Benjamin Ybarra. “We’re building out garages in terms of anything from crafts and hobbies to fitness to

getting everything off the ground and into overhead storage racks.”

If you have a good foundation, the possibilities are endless. One of Ybarra’s favorite recent projects involved transforming a three-car garage into a beautiful showroom, complete with hexagon lighting and black floors. There was also a household of golfers for whom Garage Up made the space the perfect fit for their indoor golf simulator and equipment.

Although rapidly expanding across Central Texas, Garage Up isn’t losing its personal touch. The ResiBrand promise to be thoughtful and attentive is a big part of why Garage Up is known as the most trusted renovator in the hearts of its clients.

Ybarra and his humble team go above and beyond to build rapport with their clients. What starts with the identification of your renovation needs could evolve into swapping fitness tips and having outside meet-ups. So, not only is the process seamless, but because you get to be so hands-on, you close out with new friendships.

“It goes back to the culture of this company. We’re in the people business. If we can make you happy in your home, then mission accomplished,” says Ybarra. “The home is very intimate, very sacred. We want to leave the space better than when we got there.”

"A superpower that we have, making sure that we are very effective, is communication."

Book a free estimate with Garage Up at garageup.com! Your hassle-free, mess-free service is right around the corner.

A Lifetime of Design

Get to know the career journey of Mae Allen Interior Design owner Caitlin Terwelp

Throughout her life, Caitlin Terwelp has found joy in taking care of animals. She spent two decades raising a horse, made a college friend’s dog her own, and has rescued cats during adulthood. But her passion runs even deeper, back to when she would catch small creatures in her yard and create elaborate habitats in hopes of making them more comfortable.

Design has always been at the forefront of Terwelp’s mind. That’s why when she took a drafting class in high school, she planned on becoming an architect.

“The college that I really liked didn’t have architecture, but they did have interior design, so I decided to try it out,” says Terwelp. “It turns out, interior design is amazing. You can be super technical or you can keep it light and do decorating. It’s the best of both worlds.”

While pursuing her degree, Terwelp took courses that explored anything from how color affects mood to how textiles burn. Since then, she has earned

the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Certification and put in the hours to maintain her title as a Registered Interior Designer in Texas.

Terwelp worked in commercial design through a firm for years before branching out with a friend during the pandemic to start their own business. Although that friend eventually returned to her nineto-five, Terwelp was inspired to go solo with Mae Allen Interior Design, named after her two children. And so began her days of talking with homeowners about schedules, budgets, and scopes for residential renovations.

“My ideal client wants to make their home more them and wants to make memories. It’s also someone who is interested in working with me instead of just hiring me. I value the back-andforth of working through what their needs are,” says Terwelp. “The most fulfilling thing is seeing any project come to a successful conclusion.”

Interior by: maealleninteriordesign.com | Built by: crs-builder.com

BY PAIGE SHINN & MEGAN MARSHALL

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL

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MARCH 2024

MARCH 3RD

Candlelight Ranch’s 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Car Show

6408 Muleshoe Bend Trail, Marble Falls, TX 78654 | 12:00 PM

Rain or shine, come on out to Candlelight Ranch for a day of fun! You’ll get to vote on your favorite chilis and cars, participate in a silent auction, and listen to a performance by international singer-songwriter John Arthur Martinez. Children ages 5 and older will even get a chance to zipline. Buy your individual or family tickets now. candlelightranch.org

MARCH 23RD

Can’t Even Comedy Festival at The Fieldhouse at the Crossover

1717 Scottsdale Dr Suite 160, Leander TX, 78641 | 6:00 PM

With a mixture of headliner comics from Los Angeles and local Texas favorites, The Fieldhouse is excited to announce this debut festival. Hosted by Caitlin Benson, the Can’t Even Comedy Festival will leave you laughing all night long. It will also include DJs, a live podcast with Uncle Lazer, and cover musicians Tracey and Resendis Band. Don’t miss out! thefieldhousetexas.com

Let’s

DA VINCI POOLS

Premier Pool Builder | davincipools.com

Luxurious Outdoor Escapes

Transform your outdoor space into an oasis with Ledge Lounger

ARTICLE BY MEGAN MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEDGE LOUNGER

Known for durability and versatility, Ledge Lounger products are expertly crafted to bring your outdoor space to life. Made in the USA with high-quality materials, their outdoor furniture and accessories are designed to withstand the elements, so you can create poolside memories in style all year round.

Through da Vinci Pools, your family has the opportunity to dive into the lap of luxury that Ledge Lounger provides. At their showroom on Anderson Mill Road, which is open to the public, you can find samples and products ranging from in-pool chaises to umbrellas, Adirondack chairs, and outdoor yard games.

“My personal favorite in their product line is the Laze Pillow. I love it in-pool or poolside, and even use it inside occasionally,” says office manager Wendy Del Re. “And they have a wide selection of fabric choices to choose from.”

Find the perfect pieces for your home at da Vinci Pools. Some in-stock items are available for same-day purchase, and custom orders will be shipped directly to your home. They also offer white-glove delivery and setup services to make your backyard upgrade go as smoothly as possible.