Life in Castle Hills Magazine February 2019

FEBRUARY 15, 2019 - MARCH 15, 2019

SICK OF

BEING

SICK?

7 TIPS TO KEEP

KIDS SAFER WHEN IT’S TIME TO

LAWYER-UP?

FEAST YOUR

EYES ON THE

EXPERIENCE

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977

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FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 3

Saturday, March 9th at 8:30am Blue Sky Sports Center is pleased to announce our first annual Spring Has Sprung 5K Trail Run and 1 mile fun run! The run will be held on our 100+ acres of beautiful property against Lake Lewisville! A portion of the proceeds are going to benefit Hugs Cafe!

SEARCH SPRING HAS SPRUNG 5K TRAIL RUN ON FACEBOOK TO REGISTER

Blue Sky Sports Center | 469.384.3400 | 7801 Main Street | The Colony, TX 75056 4 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5

CastleHillsMagazine.com

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Emily Mitchell

Writers & Editor

Steve Gamel Barbara-Scott Kolb

Advertising Manager

Lizzy Hoffman 972.900.7302 lizzy@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene

Photography

Kim Ortiz Photography 972.814.9642 wwwKimOrtiz.com

Letters

Life in Castle Hills invites reader

Having A Legal Partner

YOU CAN TRUST

O

ne of the things I have always loved about our magazines here at Murray Media Group is how

quickly so many local business owners come together and get to know one

another. In this day and age, having those relationships is a valuable thing.

Think about it: who looks in a phone book anymore to find a new plumber, lawn care

feedback, story suggestions

specialist, financial services rep, or even

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

It’s no one. We all rely on a combination

and general comments.

All submissions become the sole property of

Murray Media Group.

Editorial and Advertising Inquiries Call 972.899.3637

or email artwork@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com

Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028

Life in Castle Hills is published monthly

by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Life in Castle Hills is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2019 Murray Media Group

a babysitter? I can tell you the answer. of word of mouth, referrals, in-person

networking, and social media to build

relationships with people we know, like, and trust to take care of us – no matter what that product or service may be.

This month is our legal issue, and the topic of this blog post is perfect for our lawyer friends out there. It is so

refreshing to know that no matter what

need we have in the legal world – divorce,

adoption, business legal concerns, etc. – that there is someone close by who can

handle those concerns for us in a caring, trusting, and compassionate way.

I am sure I will leave someone out,

so please forgive me in advance, but

some of the lawyers and attorneys who immediately spring to mind are firms

such as KoonsFuller, Christman Attorneys, Hayes, Berry, White & Van Zandt, Nelson Law Group, and The Wright Firm.

Just these five firms alone cover the

entire Denton County area, and there are plenty more where that came from.

We hope you learn something from this month’s legal issue, and if you have a

legal concern, please don’t hesitate to

reach out to us. We’d be happy to refer

any of our friends to these great law firms.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

Publisher of Murray Media Group kelly@murray-media.com

6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

16

On the Cover is: Dr. Poonam Bhana of V•EYE•P Eyecare + Eyewear Carrollton

FEATURED:

Feast Your Eyes On The V•Eye•P Experience ASK THE EXPERTS 22 Organizing with Cloud Nine Organizing

30 Reading with The Reading Ranch Tutorial Center

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

18 What’s That Guys Name?

Guy T Photography: AwardWinning Photographer Captures Craftsman Degree

ARTICLES

Sick of Being Sick?

14 Foodie Friday DFW: Tierney’s Cafe & Tavern 15 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree 24 Nearby Family Fun Adventures for Spring Break 26 7 Tips to Keep Kids Safer 28 Meet Your New Castle Hills 1F Board of Directors 29 The Colony’s Jada Coleman

10 Inside Community

Adds to Long List of Honors

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EDITORS PICK:

12 Irish Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

08 When It’s Time to Lawyer-Up? 11 Inside Education

20

The Legal

ISSUE Look for the icon above to learn more about the law.

29 Pet Adoption of the Month FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 7

Legal Article

When

IT’S TIME TO LAWYER-UP? Eight Common Sense Do’s and Don’ts

by Steve Gamel

T

here may come a day when you or a family member are faced with having to go to court. And regardless of whether you are the victim and simply there to collect damages, or you’ve been summoned because of a dispute or something you allegedly did wrong, it’s guaranteed to be a stressful situation as you wait to see how the legal process plays out.

None of us are expected to be masters of the courtroom. After all, that’s what lawyers are for. But there are a few common sense do’s and don’ts to consider when it’s time to lawyer up and protect our best interests.

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The Do’s

WITH LAWYERS HIRE AN ATTORNEY The option is there to represent yourself in court, but there’s a reason why attorneys went to school for all those years to learn about everything from family law to personal injury law, criminal law, etc. So hire one. Lawyers are highly trained to understand all the nuances of a court case and can help negotiate fair settlements, challenge evidence, keep costs low, and be a trusted advisor every step of the way. As yourself what’s at stake and bring in a lawyer who is an expert in the area you need help with.

ASK ABOUT LEGAL FEES UP FRONT Many people do not realize how quickly attorney fees, court costs, and other miscellaneous expenses can add up in a court case. Therefore, it’s common sense to know what to expect before you get into a legal battle. What are court costs and what do they include? Does your attorney bill by the hour or as a flat fee? When is payment expected?

The Don’ts

WITH LAWYERS DON’T LIE TO YOUR LAWYER This is the most common sense tip of them all. Always tell your lawyer the truth, as it arms them with all the necessary information to construct a solid case on your behalf.

The consequences of lying can include something as simple as losing your case to jail time, penalties and fines, or having to spend more money finding a new lawyer because the old one won’t work with you anymore.

DON’T TALK ABOUT YOUR CASE WITH ANYONE Except your lawyer, of course. There is a myriad of people that could reach out to you during a court case, from insurance adjusters to defense lawyers, and family and friends.

Believe it or not, talking too freely with loved ones in person and even on social media can come back to bite you in the rear. Any lawyer will tell you it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let them do the talking for you.

DO WHAT YOUR LAWYER ASKS OF YOU Last but not least, trust that your lawyer knows what is best for you. Now is not the time to let egos get in the way by challenging their decisions.

KEEP GREAT RECORDS Talk about an easy way to save money throughout the legal process. By maintaining great records, and being willing to seek out some of the information gathering stuff for your lawyer, you will cut down on how much time your lawyer is spending on the case. This can include everything from bank account information to bankruptcy paperwork, and even pictures or other evidence that might be pertinent to your case.

DON’T BE LATE TO COURT You will not put yourself in a positive light if you are late to your court case or any pretrial hearings. This is a no-brainer, so be mindful of its importance and put your best foot forward.

DON’T LET YOUR EMOTIONS GET THE BEST OF YOU It is very important that you remain calm before, during, and after court. Divorce cases and custody battles are perfect examples of cases where emotions run high, and parties in a case begin making rash decisions. Stick with the facts of your case.

*The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is in no way intended to be considered legal advice or take the place of what would otherwise be advised by an experienced lawyer. Always consult with an attorney before moving forward in any legal situation.

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FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 9

COMMUNITY MAGGIONO’S LITTLE ITALY

MURDER MYSTERY

Fri., Feb 22nd | 7:30 - 11pm | Located at Maggiano’s Little Italy 6001 West Park Boulevard • Plano, TX 75093 Do you have a passion for murder mysteries? Then come join Maggiano’s Little Italy - Willow Bend for Mystery and Murder with Keith & Margo’s Murder Mystery Texas. Tickets are $70

and includes dinner and the show. A cash bar will be available for alcoholic beverages, For more information please call

972.781.0716 or visit eventbrite.com and search Maggiono’s Little Italy Murder Mystery to purchase tickets.

AUDITIONS FOR ROUGHRIDERS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

ST. PADDY’S

TEXAS STYLE

Deadline Thurs., Feb 28th 5pm

Sat., Mar 16th | 1 - 9pm | Located at Wayne Ferguson Plaza

The RoughRiders are holding auditions for someone to sing the

Come join the 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Submit your video to jjohnson@ridersbaseball.com

national anthem at their home games for 2019. You must sing the classic version of the National Anthem, be able to sing from memory, keep your performance under a minute and a half and all submissions must be a cappella. For more information on how to submit please visit www.milb.com/frisco/ 10 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

150 W. Church St. • Lewisville, TX 75057

The event is free for everyone and there will be food and

beer for sale on site. The event kicks off at 1pm with Maguire Academy of Irish Dance followed by other musicians

throughout the day/night. Just make sure to catch the 7:45pm viewing of Disney’s Brave. For more info call 972.219.3401 or search for St. Paddy’s Texas Style on Facebook.

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INSIDE EDUCATION KINDERGARTEN

REGISTRATION

Mar 27th - 29th | 8:30 - 11:30am & 1 - 2pm at Castle Hills Elementary Castle Hills Elementary school will be having

their 2019 - 2020 Kindergarten registration drop off. You will need to bring your child’s original

birth certificate, your child’s social security card, proof of residence, parent’s photo ID, and the child’s immunization records. Register first at

enroll.lisd.net before bringing in your paperwork.

LEWISVILLE ISD STUDENT

FILM FESTIVAL

Deadline Tues., April 2nd at 4pm The Lewisville ISD Student Film Festival is a great

opportunity for students to express their passions,

THE COLONY

EVENTS

Baseball vs Lake Dallas Mar 19th at 4:30pm & 7:30pm • Home Game TCHS Fundraiser Day Mar 6th Track Cougar Invitational Mar 7th at 4:30pm at Tommy Briggs Stadium Spring Break Mar 11th - Mar 15th

interests and knowledge by creating a video. This gives students the chance to learn through the

medium of short films and have them engage in

and outside of the classroom. To enter the student just has to upload to a video-hosting website and fill out the online form.. For more information visit filmfest.lisd.net/?page_id=82

HEBRON / THE COLONY TEACHERS OF THE YEAR Congratulations to all the Lewisville ISD teachers who were voted Campus Teachers of the Year!

James Guillory was named for the Hebron

9th Grade Campus; Ellery Smith was named

for Hebron High School; Rebekah Hekele was

named for The Colony High School. We’d also like to congratulate Bill Henderson from the

Castle Hills Elementary School who was also named Campus Teacher of the Year.

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HEBRON

EVENTS

Choir Ensemble Showcase Performance Feb 21st at 7pm Varsity Baseball vs Alvin Feb 28th at 3pm at Clear Creek HS Varsity Baseball vs Lake Dallas Mar 7th at 12pm Home Game Spring Break Mar 11th - Mar 15th

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 11

Irish

BEER

photos courtesy of A Spicy Perspective

Cheese

Soup

by A Spicy Perspective

Servings: 8 Servings | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 20 mins

NUTRITION FACTS Amount Per Serving (1 cup) % of Daily Value Calories 334

C

reamy Irish Beer Cheese Soup for Saint Patrick’s Day! This easy beer cheese soup recipe is rich and alluring, with only a handful of necessary ingredients.

Total Fat 25g

38%

Saturated Fat 15g

75%

Cholesterol 82mg

27%

DIRECTIONS

Sodium 1001mg

42%

1. Set a large sauce pot over medium heat.

Add the butter, onions, and garlic, and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Scoop the softened onions into the food processor (or blender) and add one cup chicken broth. Puree the onions and broth until completely smooth.

Potassium 281mg

8%

Total Carbohydrates 8g

3%

Dietary Fiber 0g

0%

Sugars 3g Protein 17g

34%

INGREDIENTS •

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

•

2 garlic cloves, minced

•

1 tablespoon butter, or bacon grease

•

2 – 12 ounce bottles Harp Irish Style Lager

•

32 ounce chicken broth

2. Pour the onion mixture back into the sauce pot, and add the remaining broth and both bottles of beer. Bring to a boil.

•

14 ounces Irish cheese,

3. Toss the shredded Irish cheese with corn starch. Add the shredded cheese, cream cheese, and dijon mustard to the broth.

Whisk to melt the cheese and break up the cream cheese cubes. Whisk until the soup is completely smooth and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve as-is, or garnish with bacon and chive if desired.

•

shredded (Dubliner, Irish Cheddar, Skellig, etc.)

14 ounces low fat cream cheese, cut into cubes •

2 tablespoons cornstarch, or arrow root powder

•

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

•

Garnishes: crumbled bacon and chive

Notes: The beer broth will foam up quite a bit when boiling. Make sure to use a large pot, so it doesn’t boil over. For more recipes and information go to ASpicyPerspective.com 12 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 13

Foodie Friday DFW: Tierney’s Cafe & Tavern

TIERNEY’S

Cafe & Tavern W e are so excited to re-feature one of our original Foodie Friday locations from five years

ago - Tierney’s Cafe and Tavern in Old Town Lewisville.

We always love meeting with owner, Greg Tierney. He’s been a staple in Old Town Lewisville for 24 years - 13 years at Mill Street Cafe and 11 years at Tierney’s.

There’s something about Tierney’s that’s just – special. It could be the hundred-

year-old house it’s located in. It could be

the feeling of family you get each time you

If you’re a meat and potatoes kind of

person, you should definitely give one of Tierney’s steaks a try. On Saturdays they serve up prime rib (so sad we weren’t

there on a Saturday), but any other day of the week you can order other steak options like their Blue Steak.

You’ve probably also heard that Tierney’s has a fantastic outdoor patio where you can enjoy live music on the weekends.

This place really is so much more than just

a restaurant - it’s also a true venue. They’ve hosted reunions, graduation parties,

step inside. It could be their Potato Chip

wedding rehearsal dinners, and even

more than just a restaurant. But really -

But all of that goes back to the fact

Chicken, or the fact that they’re so much it’s a combination of all of those things

headed by Greg and his amazing staff.

actual weddings!

that Greg and his staff have created a spot in Old Town Lewisville where

As we mentioned, if you’re familiar with

everyone feels welcome, everyone feels

probably already know about their Potato

and enjoy themselves.

Tierney’s Cafe and Tavern at all, you

taken care of, and everyone can relax

Chip Chicken, which is absolutely one of

So, get yourselves on down to Tierney’s

their top-sellers. Greg told us whenever someone walks in the door and doesn’t need a menu, 90% of the time he can

guarantee it’s because they’re there for the Potato Chip Chicken. And there’s a

972.353.2109

Cafe and Tavern, order up some of that

Potato Chip Chicken, a salad, and a slice of

pie and just enjoy this incredible Old Town Lewisville staple.

TierneysCafeAndTavern.com 208 E. Main St. Lewisville, TX 75057

reason it’s so well-loved - it is delicious!

Tierney’s also makes some fantastic salad options like their signature

Tierney’s Salad made with mixed field greens, strawberries, pecans, onions, and blue cheese. We’re also fans of their Salmon Salad served with the Raspberry Vinaigrette.

14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com jay@jaymarksrealestate.com 1013 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 102 | Flower Mound, TX 75022 www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

SHERIFF ’S

CORNER with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

C

aptain Douglas Lee supervises the Denton County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division. Under Captain Lee’s command, there are three Lieutenants, five Sergeants, three Corporals, and currently 41 Patrol Deputies. Denton County is divided into six sections or beats. Our deputies patrol the unincorporated areas of Denton County but assist other agencies within the county. Our deputies are responsible for providing 24-hour law enforcement services to the citizens residing in the unincorporated areas of Denton County. The patrol division is comprised of three standard shifts: day shift (7 am-3 pm), evening shift (3 pm-11 pm) and night shift (11 pm- 7 am).

The deputies answer all types of service calls, ranging from noise complaints to homicides. There is not anything routine about this job. Deputies have to be mentally and physically prepared to face their day. They are briefed on the happenings before hitting the streets. Within the patrol division, we have special enforcement units including the Traffic Unit, Marine Unit, Animal Control Unit, and a School Resource Officer. Not only do we enforce state laws on state highways, but we also enforce state laws on our local lakes and farm to market roads.

940.349.1600 127 N.WOODROW LANE SUITE 300 DENTON, TX 76205 DENTONCOUNTY.COM/ DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX

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Our marine unit is the busiest during the summertime and holidays. Many boaters are enjoying the hot Texas weather on the lakes, and we like to maintain a high presence during these times. The traffic unit not only enforces traffic laws, but they also are looking for impaired or reckless drivers that may cause or be involved in traffic crashes. If you encounter a reckless driver, please keep your distance and call 911.

The deputies assigned to the traffic unit are also trained in accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. Most of our deputies started their career as a detention officer, attended the police academy, then applied and were promoted to the position of patrol deputy. We are currently in the process of hiring detention officers, so if you are interested or know someone who is, you can apply online at www.dentoncounty.com/sheriff.

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 15

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE

E

X

P

E

R

I

E

N

C

E

by Steve Gamel

16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

I

t’s Thursday afternoon, and Dr. Poonam Bhana is casually walking the optical area of her private practice, V EYE

P Eyecare + Eyewear Carrollton. She

took some time today to meet with an ophthalmologist office to discuss co-

managing patient care before sitting down to talk about her dream job.

It doesn’t take much to see how she and her team enjoy what they do as they discuss their patients.

the results desired. The best place to fill

provide glasses that improve our patients’

especially since the patient and doctor

selection of affordable and designer

your prescription is in your doctor’s office, have exchanged valuable information and the appropriate lenses can be ordered for the patient.”

V EYE P Eyecare + Eyewear in Carrollton opened in 2010

and surrounding

“We have patients who first came when

areas. Dr. Bhana

they were in grade school and now they

and her business

own; I feel honored that they have been

Rita Patel, both

last nine years.”

optometrists, had

She added, “Castle Hills is an amazing

family practice and

are in college or have families of their

partner, Dr.

trusting me to care for their eyes over the

therapeutic

bedroom community with so many wonderful families. We are a family photography by Kim Ortiz Photography

practice and see many children, many of

them needing glasses for the first time. It

really is an inspiring feeling when we see

a child’s reaction as they put on their new

a vision to create a

provide care in the

communities near their

own homes. While V EYE P also

has locations in Las Colinas and Dallas, Dr. Bhana dedicates her time in Carrollton.

These are eye care professionals who

our patients, correcting their vision boosts

human eye really works, as well as

better at school or at work.”

conditions that affect your vision – many

difference for the child! For so many of

specialize in understanding how the

their confidence and helps them perform

identifying risk factors, diseases, and other

eyes are very important to us, and when problems develop – nearsightedness or farsightedness, ocular diseases,

of which do not have obvious symptoms.

They take the time to explain the results of the eye exam, describe options, and encourage patients to ask questions.

astigmatism, etc. – most of us are willing

They even have normal working hours on

that means making a visit to the local

can’t take time away from work and for

maybe another stop elsewhere to fill the

in for exams.

to go out of our way to get help. Usually,

Saturdays, which is great for patients that

optometrist’s office for an exam and

parents who need to bring their children

prescription. When Life in Castle Hills

magazine sat down with Dr. Bhana, she

was quick to point out that V EYE P offers comprehensive eyecare and eyewear.

“We not only provide complete eye

exams, but also specific prescription lens recommendations that will help achieve

as well as the latest lens technology.”

Dr. Bhana graduated with honors from the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 2003 with a Bachelor of

“The best place to fill your prescription is in your doctor’s office, especially since the patient and doctor have exchanged valuable information and the appropriate lenses can be ordered for the patient.”

glasses. I love that we can make such a big

It should go without saying that our

frames that are current with today’s trends

Optometry Degree.

to serve the Castle Hills, Carrollton, Lewisville,

lifestyles. Our optical offers a large

“I provide eye exams, make

recommendations on treatment and/or

She continued her

optometric training in the Advanced Standing

International

Program at The New England

College of

Optometry in

Boston, where she

graduated with a

Doctor of Optometry

Degree in 2008.

Slowing the eyecare process down

and simplifying it for every patient is

something that has always been important to Dr. Bhana. After starting her career in a private practice in New Zealand, she

joined an ophthalmology practice that

specialized in refractive surgeries. During

that time, she also earned her Optometric Glaucoma Specialist certification. While she learned a lot, it was an extremely

fast-paced environment that didn’t allow the doctors to spend a lot of time with

patients. Dr. Bhana was only out of the

private practice world for two years when she decided to return to it in 2010 and helped open V EYE P.

Now that she’s back in her element, she

can’t see herself doing anything different.

eyewear, and have my team of optometric

“This is home; I’m happy where I am,”

orders for contact lenses and glasses,”

we focus on providing the best care for

assistants and opticians help place

Dr. Bhana said. “We discuss all the lens options, review insurance benefits and

Dr. Bhana said. “I have a great team, and every patient. I love my career and how gratifying it can be.”

972. 428.3500 | www.veyepcarrollton.com | 1500 W Hebron Pkwy., Suite #116 | Carrollton, TX, 75010

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 17

Business Spotlight

Award-Winning Photographer

CAPTURES

CRAFTSMAN DEGREE

by Steve Gamel

F

or Guy T, being a photographer means so much more than simply looking through a viewfinder and delivering professional results day in and day out. It’s about using his talents to give back through selfless service and education. If he happens to be recognized by his peers with awards and accolades along the way, then that’s just part of the journey.

“What gets you there is far more important to me,” said Guy T, owner of What’s That Guy’s Name? | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T. “Being able to share

something I know with others who don’t know it yet, or being able to take someone from Point A to Point B and elevate their skill set is what’s important. The journey is far more special than the destination. They are just nice enough to give me an item I can hang around my neck. It’s nice to be recognized by my peers.”

Photography above by ‘What’s That Guy’s Name?’

The “they” Guy T referred to is the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), which awarded him with his long-awaited Craftsman degree on January 21st at a ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Guy T walked across the stage to receive a degree he’s been pursuing for more than two years. It is yet

18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

another symbol of his passion for life, photography, and the expectations he has placed on himself since leaving a 26-plus year career as a corporate educator just more than six years ago.

According to the PPA, “Awarded for service as a speaker, author, or mentor, this degree shows that you have gone beyond the creation of images and dedicated your time to move the industry forward and encourage education.”

The Craftsman degree is one of a litany of accolades for Guy T, who is constantly in the know on the latest trends and techniques that separate good photographers from the best. Beyond numerous local awards and rave reviews from happy customers throughout Denton County, he has been named an Associate Fellow of the Texas Professional Photographers Association. Guy T will also step in as an instructor with the Texas School of Photography, an affiliate of the PPA, April 28th-May 3rd to teach an Adobe Lightroom class called “Unlock Lightroom (And Upgrade Your Life!).”

Bottom line, photographers can be found at every turn these days. But if you’re in the market for a corporate event photographer, quality headshots, professional images of you and your business to enhance online presence, portraits, senior photos, and fine art, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who approaches his full-time job as a photographer with as much experience, passion, personality, and commitment to his clients as Guy T. “I don’t think I’m done yet,” Guy T said of his willingness to continue learning and sharing his knowledge with others.

“When I can learn more and produce even better results for my clients, that’s really the reward.”

469.500.5657 www.WhatsThatGuysName.com www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

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FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 19

Sick of

BEING SICK?

by Steve Gamel

N

o one has time to be sick, right? Not only is being laid up in bed with the cold or flu a total bummer, but we’ve all got busy lives – kids need to get to school on time, that to-do list at work is getting longer, we’ve got an important meeting. So we keep pushing through, ignoring the early warning signs, until our body forces us to stop.

The flu season alone peaks between December and February, but can last as late as May. At the same time, there are a variety of other illnesses that can bog us down, from the common cold to respiratory infections, ear infections, and stomach bugs. So here we are lying in bed with two hoodies on, the blankets pulled up just below our eyes, and we’re watching reruns of Dr. Phil. Whatever this is – the cold, the flu, or something else – just won’t go away.

So how do we get to feeling better?

There are plenty of well-known remedies, including getting the flu shot, being religious about washing your hands, taking medicine, eating better, and getting more than enough rest to recharge those batteries. Here are a few more options that might get you back on your feet even faster:

20 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

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USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR We’ve mentioned several natural remedies. Apple cider vinegar in water helps kill bacteria in the body. You can get the similar benefits from coconut oil, garlic, fermented cod liver oil, a spoonful of honey, and elderberry syrup.

USE A HUMIDIFIER Humidifiers put moisture back into the air, significantly reducing the ability of airborne viruses to cause flu infections. Using a humidifier while you sleep – whether you are sick or not – has a myriad of benefits including improved sleep, faster healing, and decreased sinus issues.

DETOX BATH AND HOT SHOWERS Try detox baths with a few dashes of Epsom salt even when you aren’t sick, as it is known to draw out toxins while easing stress, improving sleep and concentration, and reducing muscle inflammation.

SALINE OR WARM WATER WASH This may seem like an unpleasant experience, but using saline, a Neti Pot, or simply filling your hands with warm water every morning and inhaling the water, clears your nose and nasal cavities. This can help with general colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Give it a try.

GARGLE WITH SALT WATER Getting a large glass from the kitchen and gargling with salt water provides instant relief for a sore throat, sometimes faster than over-the-counter medicines or throat lozenges. It also has preventative benefits, so try it before you get sick or when you experience early warning signs.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT If you want to be healthier next winter, start eating more foods that support a healthy gut. A healthy gut makes it difficult for bacteria that cause colds, the flu, and other viruses to gain traction and wreak havoc on your life. You can do this through probiotics/shopping or healthier foods.

PUT VICKS VAPORUB ON YOUR FEET, CHEST, AND NOSE Vicks VapoRub has been around forever, and everyone knows its benefits as a decongestant for your chest and throat as well as being a remedy for headaches and achy muscles. But have you tried rubbing it on your feet and covering them with warm socks? Do this before bedtime, especially if you have a nagging cough.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 21

Ask The Expert: Organizing

How To Be Productive

IF YOU

WORK

FROM HOME

I don’t find this to be the case. You may

get things done more quickly, but dividing your focus among multiple tasks can lead

to sloppy work and costly mistakes. Focus on finishing one task at a time. You’ll be

more efficient and happier with the result.

Make sure your office is free of distractions.

You may need to close your office door and post your office hours to remind

family members that you are working.

It’s also a great idea to disengage from

social media during office hours. Another big distraction is clutter. File all important documents, have a special place for

current projects and throw away trash.

Have a smart filing system.

Everyone’s idea of a good filing system is different. Asking a professional organizer for advice on a filing system is a great idea, but it has to make sense for you

because you are the one that will use it.

The keyword here is “use.” You have to

use your system once you have it in place.

Immediately file important documents,

so they are handy when you need them.

I highly recommend keeping work and personal files separate.

W

hen you step into your home office, are you being as productive as you could be, or

do you find yourself getting sidetracked and distracted?

Even if you feel like you’re an organized

person, you can still use these five tips to help you become even more productive and efficient while working from home.

Establish office hours.

Beginning and finishing your workday at reasonable hours encourages

productivity. Starting work at the same

time each morning helps you get into a

habitual, productive mindset. If possible,

working. Working long hours can be

counterproductive because it causes

fatigue and impacts family life. Try setting the alarm for yourself to act like your five o’clock whistle.

there won’t be any custodians coming to

clean up or empty the trash can after you leave the office. Before you leave your office, take a few minutes to declutter and straighten up. Make sure current

Wake up, make your bed, get dressed,

to address tomorrow morning.

Make it a habit of getting ready for work. have breakfast, grab a cup of coffee, tell the family good-bye and head to your

office. The act of “getting ready for work” creates a mental association with being productive and can help you stay on

projects are organized and ready for you Set yourself up for success by working in

a decluttered office and using productive systems that make sense to you and your work style.

schedule. Pajamas are great, but they don’t always encourage productivity.

Avoid multi-tasking.

very important to know when to stop

tasks at a time will increase productivity.

22 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

Yes, every day. You work from home, so

Get dressed for work.

schedule personal appointments around your business hours. Conversely, it’s

Declutter your office every day.

Many people believe that doing multiple

by Crystal Nerpel Cloud Nine Organizing Cloudnineorganizing.com

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 23

Nearby

FAMILY FUN ADVENTURES

FOR SPRING BREAK

by Steve Gamel

M

any families are looking to do something fun for Spring Break, but

there’s simply not enough time to go out of state or even somewhere exotic. The

good news is there are plenty of options relatively close to home.

all-inclusive party zone. There are more

than 100 climate-controlled hitting bays,

private event spaces and meeting rooms, a rooftop terrace with a fire pit and over 200 HDTVs with free Wi-Fi. You can’t beat that.

Here are a few of those fun family

ESCAPE ROOMS HQ

Worth area:

Escape Rooms HQ is a one-of-a-kind

ideas – all located in the Dallas-Fort

escaperoomshq.com

fantasy entertainment facility (Lewisville and Las Colinas) where players race

against the clock to solve all of the clues to escape their mystery room. Your team will

ADVENTURE

be charged with solving a series of codes, locks, and puzzles that reveal clues to

enable the escape. This is especially good ALTITUDE TRAMPOLINE PARK www.altitudedenton.com/

This is incredible for kids of all ages. Go crazy with 30,000 square feet of foam

pits, gymnastics tumble tracks, a kid zone, basketball dunking lanes, dodgeball, and more. The facility is located across from Golden Triangle Mall in Denton.

TOP GOLF

topgolf.com/us/the-colony/

Even if you aren’t good at golf (and

most of us aren’t), you and your family

will still have loads of fun thanks to this 24 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

for older kids and fun for the whole family.

LEGOLAND

dallasfw.legolanddiscoverycenter.com

For kids who love Legos, it’s a no-brainer.

There are rides, Lego build and play

zones, a 4D cinema, and a mini-city all to explore. It’s geared toward younger kids but is enjoyable for parents, too. Tickets online can be cheaper, and they have group discounts.

ZONE ACTION PARK

thezoneactionparktexas.com/

There are go-karts and putt-putt golf as

well as loads of games and fun inside. It’s nothing fancy, but it is fun. Groupons are sometimes available.

ZERO GRAVITY THRILL PARK www.gojump.com For the older kids looking for some serious thrills, there’s this: bungee jumping, a 16-story free fall, a sky-coaster that glides 100 feet off the ground, a rocket ride that sends you straight into the air at 70mph and being strapped to a 165foot propeller with speeds up to 60 mph in just seconds. We’re talking 4Gs of force.

Talk about your wild rides.

TRINITY FOREST ADVENTURE PARK www.trinitytreetops.com This is a large-scale combination obstacle course and zip line park for people ages six and older featuring zip-lines as well as cargo nets, rope bridges, and other obstacles. Go at your own pace or challenge your friends and coworkers.

PINSTACK BOWLING pinstackbowl.com/locations/plano-texas/ A perfect indoor option if the weather just isn’t right. Located in Plano, Pinstack is your standard venue for bowling, games, a rock climbing wall, laser tag, and more.

There’s a full-service restaurant to keep your bellies full while you have fun all day long.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

FRANK BUCK ZOO IN GAINESVILLE

interactive things to do, and it’s

Dubbed the Star of North Texas, the Frank

building is radical.

www.gainesville.tx.us/index.aspx?nid=108

ANIMALS & AQUATICS DALLAS ZOO www.dallaszoo.com The zoo is always fun, and there’s plenty for the kids to see and do. The Keeper Encounters and Training Demonstrations are always interesting for a behind-thescenes look. There’s even a guide to Pokemon Go on their website.

FORT WORTH ZOO www.fortworthzoo.org This is the oldest zoo in Texas, and yet, this is so much more than just a zoo. There’s the Yellow Rose Express Train, a carrousel, a petting zoo, the Play Barn playground and climbing area, a shooting gallery for kids, rock climbing and much more.

DALLAS WORLD AQUARIUM www.dwazoo.com Much like the zoo, it’s hard to go wrong with a trip to the aquarium. It’s educational, it’s fun, and it’s cool to see sharks. There also aren’t a ton of lines, so you and the family can go at your own pace and enjoy every exhibit. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Buck Zoo offers all your traditional zoo

experiences and more without having to drive into Dallas or Fort Worth. This is a

great venue to have a birthday party at.

SHARKAROSA WILDLIFE RANCH IN PILOT POINT

www.sharkarosa.com/

Another hidden gem in North Texas,

Sharkarosa is a non-profit ranch licensed and regulated by the USDA. Families

can get an up-close-and-personal zoo

experience featuring endangered exotic wildlife – without spending an arm and a leg.

great learning for everyone. Even the THE DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

www.dallasarboretum.org/

The Arboretum is beautiful with

breathtaking gardens at every turn.

For the kids, there is the Rory Meyers Adventure Garden for Children

overlooking White Rock Lake. This is a

great opportunity to experience all the beauty that surrounds us.

THE SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM AT DEALEY PLAZA www.jfk.org

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from

social media, it’s that people don’t know

their history. So let’s change that with our

kids. Teach them about what happened on that fateful November day.

MUSEUM FUN PEROT MUSEUM

www.perotmuseum.org

When you think of museums, you think

quiet and sometimes boring. But NOT the

Perot Museum. This is anything but boring, and the kids will love it. There are lots of

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT/LOUIS TUSSAUDS PALACE OF WAX www.ripleys.com/grandprairie

Adults and children alike would definitely

miss out by not checking out the unique –

and odd – attractions at Ripley’s. Ever seen a two-headed animal, a shrunken head, or hung out with wax replicas of Superman

or Cher? Here’s your chance. It’s worth it.

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 25

7SAFER

T ips To K e e p K i d s

by Steve Gamel

A

s parents, we want nothing more than to keep our kids safe and healthy. But these days, it feels like our eyes and ears are on the lookout for too many threats than we can keep track of, whether it be online predators, safety concerns at school, the authority figures they put their trust into, and even who they are hanging out with when we aren’t around.

Those concerns are overwhelming because it’s a lot to keep track of, and we didn’t have to worry about the same concerns growing up. The biggest piece of advice our parents gave us was Stranger Danger, which may have worked like a charm 30 years ago but sadly falls way short in today’s world.

We’re not going to lie; keeping our kids safer takes hard work and diligence. But here are 7 tips to get you started.

REALIZE THAT STRANGER DANGER

media, and the Internet in general, can be

cheerleading practice, volunteer at school

a dangerous place, and your child needs to

in Watchdog programs, the PTA, etc.,

be aware of that. Parents should set house

attend other school functions, or follow up

come in many forms. While they should be

rules and have access to any passwords

with teachers and babysitters. Predators

mindful of strangers, not all strangers are

their child has for online accounts or cell

can’t attack if parents are involved.

bad people. In fact, many predators these

phones. You should also consider having a

days are people they know and would

list of sites your child visits regularly. Limit

normally feel comfortable with. To keep

them safe, teach them what is and is not

your child’s time online and what sites they

safe behavior. If something doesn’t feel

are allowed to visit, and install content blockers on all PCs.

ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH ANYMORE

Your children must realize danger can

right, they should trust their gut.

KEEP THEM EDUCATED

Not only should your children know their

name, your contact information, important phone numbers, addresses, etc., but they should be educated on the law, what is

acceptable behavior versus what is over the line, how to protect their privacy

online, how to be more aware of their

surroundings, and yes … what sex is and

MAINTAIN AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION

EDUCATE YOURSELF There are plenty of resources online to help parents become more educated on the dangers their children will likely experience on a daily basis and how to spot predators. Knowing what questions you should ask and how to anticipate

Your child needs should feel like they can

potential dangers will go a long way in

talk to their parents about anything, even

protecting your child.

the most sensitive of subjects, without fear of getting in trouble or not being taken seriously. Talk openly and often, and consider using role play to go over various scenarios they could face.

TEACH THEM TO TRAVEL IN GROUPS Whether they are walking home from school, going to the mall, or even to a friend’s house, your children should always travel with at least one or two other

how to properly understand their bodies.

GET INVOLVED

MONITOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHO

You should always be aware of what

where they must walk alone, ensure they

is going on in your child’s life, beyond

have a cell phone and that they are talking

just asking questions about their day

or staying in contact with you until they

at the dinner table. Go to baseball or

reach where they are supposed to be.

THEY ARE TEXTING

Nothing is off limits when it comes to your child’s privacy and safety online. Social

26 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

friends. If they are stuck in a position

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 27

Meet Your New CASTLE HILLS

1F BOARD of Directors

Katrina English,

“I have been a Water Board member

“I am excited to be one of the board

and excited to serve the residents of 1F.

of the Castle Hills Water District. I will

have lowered property taxes, increased

positively impact families and property

Board President

Board Member

now for six years and truly am honored

members representing the families

During my time on the Water Board, we

always endeavor to vote on changes that

our Homestead Exemption, established a

Security Patrol, and bettered our parks – all the while paying off our Bond debt at a record pace.”

Colleen Marchetti,

Board Member, DCFWSD 1F “I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow board members on enhancing our community for our residents’

enjoyment while balancing reducing tax rates with maintaining and improving existing parks and infrastructure,

emergency services coverage, and of course, water and sewage.”

28 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

photo courtesy of Tanya L. Carlis

Anthony Munoz,

owners while keeping in mind the impact the rulings of the Board will have on the

Tanya L. Carlis, Board Member

families living in the community. I will

“I have been a Water Board member now

keep property values in mind during

changes we’ve been able to implement

strive to positively impact tax values and voting changes.”

Audrey Wiseman, Board Member

“I enjoy being on the Board, because it gives me the opportunity to be the

since May 2018, and I’m excited about the during my brief tenure (reductions in taxes and park improvements). I also had the pleasure of running my first election campaign which was a learning experience. There are lots of positive

voice of my neighbors in helping

things on the horizon for Castle Hills,

to a continued focus on improvements

where I can make a difference in my

our community this year.”

neighbors making a difference.”

improve our community. I look forward

and I am honored to be in a position

within the parks and common areas in

neighborhood and also work alongside

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

PET

The Colony’s

JADA COLEMAN

ADOPTION Of the Month

ADDS TO

LONG LIST

OF

HONORS

T

by Steve Gamel

he Colony’s Jayda Coleman is no stranger to winning awards for her play on the softball

field. Last month, she added yet another accolade to that long list of honors.

The junior and

Oklahoma commit, who is the No. 1

recruit in the nation in the class of

2020, was among

20 players chosen

for the USA Softball

Junior Women’s National

Training team, per a report in

the Dallas Morning News. Coleman

and the rest of the athletes chosen will represent the U.S. in several games before the final roster is finalized for the World Baseball Softball

Confederation U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup in August.

Per the Morning News, Coleman

was one of two high school juniors

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

selected. The other spots went to eight high school seniors and 10 college freshmen.

She was one of only three players from Texas who were chosen, and the only one from DFW. Coleman led The Colony to the Class 5A state title as a freshman in 2017 while batting .653 with 12 home runs. She also added 53 stolen bases and scored 74 runs.

She led the Dallas area last year with a .714 batting average while also stealing 43 bases in 33 games.

Coleman was named a first-team All-American by USA Today in both her freshman and sophomore years.

She’s also been named MVP of her district as well as an all-state pick.

After high school, she’ll join a Sooner program that won national titles in 2016 and 2017.

Hi my name is Midnight.

I

am about 1 1/2 years old. I am a sweet guy that loves to play with toys. I just can’t pick which one I want to play with first. I know the sit and stay commands and could probably quickly learn more. Come by Lewisville Animal Services today and get to know me.

He is sterilized, up-to-date on vaccinations, tested for heartworm or FELV/ FIV (if applicable) and microchipped.

Lewisville Animal Services 995 E. Valley Ridge Blvd. • Lewisville, TX 10am-5pm Mon. - Fri. | 1pm-5pm Sat.

photo and info courtesy of Lewisville Animal Services

FEBRUARY 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 29

Ask The Expert: Reading

M

ore and more parents these days are making the conscientious decision

to work with a private tutor to give their children the advantage of year-round

literacy support. They recognize that the ability to read, write, and comprehend creates the basis of all education and even career success – and more often than not, they rely on the Reading Ranch®.

Wouldn’t you like to put your

child in a position to have the same educational benefits?

Of course you would! But if

you’re still on the fence about

OUR TEACHING STANDARDS – Reading

Ranch was founded by Dr. Kim Southwell, who has a Ph.D. in Reading Education.

We only hire the best tutors and teachers, and they are required to successfully

implement our interactive curriculum.

Rather than utilizing a drill and kill

worksheet structure that feels more like a chore for the student,

our interactive approach uses

multi-sensory teaching (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.).

ONE-ON-ONE TIME – As great as our school systems are, it

can be difficult with burgeoning

it, here are 6 reasons why your child

class sizes to get the 1-on-1 time between

Reading Ranch:

specialists deliver on that missing piece

needs a literacy specialist from the

LASER-FOCUSED LITERACY SUPPORT – We keep throwing that word “specialists” around, and for good reason. While

teacher and student. Reading Ranch

(1-on-1 time) while also offering a small, interactive learning environment with

classes of only 2 to 3 students per teacher.

there are many great centers out there,

YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT – Summertime

for all subjects at all grade levels. The

students either leap ahead or fall behind

ONLY reading, phonics, fluency, spelling,

skills. Without continuing education, they

enrichment for kids in Pre-K through

the next school year lacking the proper

most focus on providing curriculum

and even holidays are a critical time where

Reading Ranch specializes in providing

when it comes to their reading and writing

vocabulary, and comprehension

can regress and end up walking into

sixth grade.

skills to keep up in class. Reading Ranch

30 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | FEBRUARY 2019

supports reading development yearround to fill those gaps and ensure our kiddos don’t fall behind.

WE MAKE IT FUN – If your child cannot read or write well, and they’ve fallen behind, school can be difficult in terms of sliding grades, poor self-esteem, and overall lack of confidence. And nobody wants that. Reading Ranch specialists have a passion for what they do, and that comes across every day in how we work with children.

WE WANT PARENTS INVOLVED – We’ve blogged about the parent-teacher partnership many times before. You are just as welcome in our halls and classrooms as your child is, and why?

This relationship promotes trust, fosters additional learning strategies and feedback, and bridges the gap between what’s happening at school and at home.

When parents and teachers work together seamlessly, it’s the kiddos that win.

Thanks for reading!

by Kim Southwell, Ph.D. Founder, Owner & Director Reading Ranch Tutorial Center www.readingranch.com www.CastleHillsMagazine.com