Lake Cities Living Magazine July 2018

JULY 20, 2018 - AUGUST 17, 2018

BACK

2 SCHOOL

FAIR

SUMMER

TUTORING Check Out The

NEW SHERIFF’S

CORNER

CHARLA BRADSHAW ON

AVOID

How To

Being Blindsided In

DIVORCE

Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas

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

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 3

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

NORTH TEXAS JEEP CLUB Celebrates July 4th in Lake Dallas www.NorthTexasJeepClub.com photos courtesy of Michelle Weikum

4 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

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GET READY FOR

GUYER HS

FRESHMAN

DAY 2018

The Guyer Freshman Day 2018 is scheduled for Tuesday, August 14th.

Incoming GHS Freshman will experience a full day of fun and information beginning at 8:15 am until 4:10 pm. Students can visit the Activity Fair where they will see the various club/organizations at Guyer, follow their schedules, meet their teachers, discuss classroom and school expectations, as well as other vital guidelines that our incoming freshman will need to know. More information will be available as the big day approaches!

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 5

LakeCitiesLiving.com

Publisher & Editor

SURVIVING

Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Writer & Editor Steve Gamel

Advertising

Kelly Murray kelly@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Stephanie Hansen Savannah Halfmann

Photography

Your Candid Memories 469.583.2819 YourCandidMemories.com

Summer W

ell, we survived the first month of Summer Break! For many of us, it’s a challenge to

balance work with the added stress of

needing additional childcare, keeping the kids busy and not bored and also

not breaking the bank while doing so.

Gone are the days when children left the house after breakfast on their bikes for

Letters

a day of Summer shenanigans with the

feedback, story suggestions

were home before the streetlights were

Lake Cities Living invites reader and general comments.

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

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 Lake Cities Living 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. Lake Cities

Living 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. © 2018 Murray Media Group

only instruction being to make sure they on. Today’s kids expect to be entertained, and I don’t know about your kids, but

mine do not seem to find it funny when I

say “if you’re bored I have a list of chores you can do.” It does seem to buy me a

few extra minutes before they’re asking

what they can do, but it certainly doesn’t

buy me the time I need to get everything done. Summer brings a whole new level of stress. There are a lot more chores

like the extra house cleaning from them being at home to the what seems like 100 extra loads of laundry thanks to

swimming towels, endless sleepovers

with friends, oh, and have I mentioned

my three dogs that seem to like to jump in the pool for some fun too!? In this

issue, we are focused on Education, and maybe it’s because after a month and a bit of these kiddos at home many of us

are already starting to long for the days of

school, where structure and order rule our days. July is always a great time to start considering things like daycare options for the Fall, after-school activities, and

for many the move from Public school to Private school or the other way around.

This month’s issue is full of articles to help you on your journey and also packed

full of tips to keep you entertained this

Summer. And although I may not paint the best picture of Summer, it really is tongue and cheek because some of my best

memories over the years come from late

night campfires, family vacations, weekend boating, and just the laid-back vibe that comes from the Texas sun on your face.

Sometimes, you just have to pause from the madness to see the blessings you have around you. Till next month!

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

Publisher of Murray Media Group

6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

16

On the Cover is: Charla Bradshaw of Koonsfuller Family Law

FEATURED:

Educating Yourself for the Unexpected ASK THE EXPERTS

ARTICLES

10 Counseling with Acorn Counseling Services 22 Fitness with Jesse James Fit 28 Edit This with Steve Gamel 30 Gardening with Complete Solutions

05 Get Ready for Guyer Freshman Day 2018

PHOTOS FROM LAKE CITIES

12 Summer Tutoring

04 Lake Cities Resident Photos 09 Lake Cities Resident Photos 11 Lake Cities and Hickory Creek Police Department 29 Lake Cities and Hickory Creek Police Department Continued

08 Inside Community 09 Inside Education

18 Foodie Friday DFW with Jay Marks Real Estate 20 How to Stay on Track to Go Back 24 District 14-5A All-District 26 8 Ways Parents can Prepare for Back to School

14 EDITORS PICK:

Back 2 School Fair

THIS MONTH:

We’re focusing on education.

Look for the icon to get to know your local / private schools & daycares, and ways to keep your child on track.

28 Meet the Teacher at Corinth Elementary 29 Sheriff’s Corner with

Sheriff Tracy Murphree

30 Rescue Me: Pet Adoption of the Month JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 7

INSIDE COMMUNITY Living For Zachary Heart Screenings will be held on Saturday, August 11 from 9am-2pm at The Heart Hospital Baylor Denton. Free screenings are available for ages 12-22, and parents must be present for youth under 18. Screenings take approximately 20 minutes and include an EKG, SCA Risk History Questionnaire, and more. Appointments are required so be sure to secure one of the limited spots by calling 469.814.3565 (option 4). The American Heart Association recommends screening for sudden cardiac arrest every 2 years for ages 12-22.

photo courtesy of the Living4Zachary Facebook page

FREE HEART SCREENINGS

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS The Lake Cities Community Food Pantry has an immediate need for canned green beans and soup. If you have the time or resources to make a donation, it would make a difference in local resident’s life. Please bring your cans to the Lake Cities United Methodist church Sunday mornings or Monday - Thursday from 9am - 2pm.

Other canned items are also accepted and appreciated. For more information on how you can help visit the Lake Cities UMC website www.LakeCitiesUMC.org.

LAKE CITIES SENIORS

The Lake Dallas Farmers Market is officially open! Stop by your

Gather with other seniors from the community to watch

local farmers market for the best selection of fresh produce,

the sunrise every Tuesday. Seniors are invited to continue

plants, nuts, meats, honey, eggs and pasteurized dairy prod-

the morning together at 10am at the Lake Dallas City Hall’s

ucts. The market will be open every Saturday during summer

community room for friendship, games and a potluck lunch.

from 7am-noon in front of the Lake Dallas Public Library. If you

Seniors’ Chair Exercises are held every Friday morning from

would like to be a vendor contact Jeremy Tennant at

10-10:45am. Senior citizens (60+) from Lake Dallas, Hickory

940.497.2226 or jtennant@lakedallas.com.

Creek, Corinth, and Shady Shores are welcome.

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| JULY 2018

photo courtesy of Digger Crofford Facebook page

FARMERS MARKET

INSIDE EDUCATION CCA SCHOLARSHIPS Christian Community Action is offering 3 scholarships: a Health Care Scholarship and two Winners For Life Scholarships. The Health Care Scholarship will be presented to a college student who is currently enrolled in a health care program, the winner will receive $1660. The two Winners For Life Scholarships will be given to at-risk youths entering their first year of college, recipients will be granted $1500 each. Applications are due July 31.

LDISD SCHOOL SUPPLIES Lake Dallas ISD always accepts donations of school supplies for their students. There Has To Be More Ministries currently has 5 drop off locations in the Lake Dallas/Corinth area: Lake Dallas Public Library, Lake Dallas City Hall, Chic-Fil-A, Point Bank and Cross Timbers Church. A few items that are needed include:

photos courtesy of www.LDISD.net

composition books, pencils, and backpacks.

TEX² TEACHER EXTERNSHIP Congratulations to Olivia Stalnaker, the LDMS science teacher, for being selected for the TEX² teacher externship. This statewide competitive program, sponsored

by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium, selects teachers who will increase their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math through space education while exploring careers at NASA. photo courtesy of www.LISD.net

FALCON SIGNING DAY Lake Dallas High School held a ceremony, similar to signing day for athletes, where Falcon Band seniors announced their future colleges. Congratulations to the following musicians who signed on the dotted line to continue their music at the college level.

Kaitlyn Kennedy Oklahoma State University Luciano Quezada Oklahoma State University Jamie Weston University of North Texas

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 9

Finding the

Ask The Expert: Counseling

RIGHT

THERAPIST

F

inding the right therapist doesn’t have to frustrate you! This information can help you find just the right person for your concerns.

LMFT: Licensed Marriage Family Therapist These clinicians focus on the client’s family and close relationships. They incorporate people and information from these systems into the treatment, or they meet with the client individually and focus on how relationships affect us. LMFTs can be master’s or doctoral clinicians. Beginning LMFTs are called LMFT Associates.

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor These professionals study individual behavior and thoughts, focusing on diagnosing and assisting clients. They also work with couples and families, but their training focuses on individual change.

LPCs can be master’s level clinicians or doctoral clinicians. Beginning level clinicians are called LPC Interns. It usually takes years to get all the experience they need to be fully licensed.

10 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

How do I choose between a fully

licensed professional and a provisionally

specialty, and maybe you can access their expertise by seeing their supervisee.

4. NEW PRACTITIONERS: have all

licensed person?

the latest research. They pair the

1. COST: LMFTs/LPCs typically

of their supervisors.

cost more. Even if they take

latest research with the experience

your insurance, these important

This isn’t a complete list. Other clinicians

If your insurance changes, there is

education. Acorn understands the

next insurance.

the clinicians in our area. If you need help

relationships take time to build.

have other focuses and levels of

no guarantee they will take your

complexities of care. We know many of

2. AVAILABILITY: LPCs/LMFTs

typically have fuller schedules.

Beginning clinicians need to see

more clients so they can finish their

finding a therapist in Denton County, call us! Our clinicians answer the phone and help you find someone who can help you – even if it isn’t us.

experience requirements.

3. SUPERVISION: Beginning clinicians

have an experienced supervisor who reviews and discusses all their cases

with them. Find out their supervisor’s

by Christy Graham LPC Play Therapist Supervisor Acorn Counseling Services 940.222.8703 acorncounseling.services

Lake Cities 4TH OF JULY PARADE

photos courtesy of Lake Dallas and Hickory Creek Police Departments JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 11

Education Article

Summer

TUTORING

by Lindsay Mears

S

chool is out! But maybe your kid needs a little extra help this Summer. Luckily, Denton County has plenty to offer to help them succeed. The list below has options for all ages, and includes places that offer test preparation for the STAAR, SAT, and ACT.

Tutored students often experience an increase in confidence and an improved attitude towards education

1. Sylvan Learning Center (Denton, Corinth, and Flower Mound) 2215 S. Loop 288, Ste. 400 Denton, TX 76205 940.293.2951 2750 Churchill Dr., Ste. 130 Flower Mound, TX 75022 972.355.0222 This tutoring center is one of the more widely-known centers. It focuses on all ages, all subjects, and ranges anywhere from raising your letter grade to preparing to take the SATs. Sylvan also remains the largest provider for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs in North America.

2. Denton Professional Tutoring (for college students) 100 S. Interstate 35 E., Ste. 202 Denton, TX 76205 940.566.3366 This tutoring center is geared towards

college students in the area. More specifically to those attending classes at UNT, TWU, NCTC, and all Dallas Community Colleges. They offer help in subjects such as: Math, Finance, Accounting, Statistics, and BCIS for both undergraduate and graduate students.

3. Mathnasium of Denton and Flower Mound 5017 Teasley Ln., Ste. 143 Denton, TX 76210 940.808.1370 2704 Cross Timbers Rd., Unit 120 Flower Mound, TX 75028 972.539.1500 denton@mathnasium.com If your child is struggling in Math more than anything else, this is a wonderful spot for them to be. This tutoring center is geared toward mathematics specifically, and helps kids in second to 12th grade. They also help with study and homework skills.

4. Jayne Koch Tutoring 770 Bradford St. Argyle, TX 76226 940.241.7923 Jayne is a private tutor that specializes in children with dyslexia. After preparation and acceptance into the classes, 60-minute sessions begin. These include phonics, writing, vocabulary, spelling, as well as many others.

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| JULY 2018

5. Education Made Visual 306 US Highway 377, Ste. D3 Argyle, TX 76226 940.315.1537

This place’s motto is: “Visualize Your

Success!” They are personalized tutoring classes for your kid’s specific needs.

They provide in-person and online math, science, and test preparation tutoring

for middle school through college-age

students. Also, there are educators and

classes for the tutors as well, to help them become better teachers themselves, and in turn help more kids succeed.

6. The Tutoring Center – Bartonville 3600 FM 407, Ste. 140 Bartonville, TX 76226 940.455.2800

BartonvilleTX@TutoringCenter.com This is a one-on-one tutoring center that focuses mostly on math, reading, and

writing. Not only this, but they also help prepare students for the SAT or ACT. 7. Kumon of Flower Mound 3353 Long Prairie Rd.

Flower Mound, TX 75022 469.231.8995

Kumon centers focus mostly on math and reading. This program is self-paced, and your children can start learning from a

very young age. Whether they need help raising a letter grade or simply want to

learn more, Kumon has something to offer.

8. C2 Education Center (for college students)

3851 Long Prairie Rd., Unit 130 Flower Mound, TX 75028 972.410.3600

This tutoring center is specifically for

college students, offering basic tutoring, test prep, and college admissions

counseling. There are a wide variety of

tutors for various subjects, so no matter

what you’re struggling with, there will be someone there to help you through it.

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 13

2

Education Article

Back

SCHOOL FAIR

AS WE RAISE THE STANDARD OF LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY WE RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN THIS WORLD.

O

n Thursday, August 9th, There Has To Be More Ministries will be hosting their annual Back 2 School Fair at the Lake Dallas Middle School from 5pm to 9pm.

The Backpack and Health Fair provides LDISD families, who have found themselves with economic challenges, the chance to start the school year off right.

The fair is a fun and FREE family event that is open to everyone with an emphasis on increased awareness of educational opportunities, jobs, and social services. While at the fair, our families have the chance to spend time getting to know local businesses, churches, and even community leaders, in a one-onone setting.

WANT TO #HELPUSHELPTHEM You can drop supplies in the Back 2 School box at Lake Dallas City Hall or Lake Dallas Public Library.

We will also have drop boxes at the following locations starting Saturday: Point Bank Corinth, Chic Fil A in Corinth, or Cross Timbers in Corinth.

HERE IS A LIST OF SUPPLIES • Wide Rule Filler Paper-200 Sheets • Wide Rule Composition Books-100 Sheets • Wide Rule Spiral Notebooks-70 Sheets • #2 Pencils-Bulk • Pens, Black or Blue-Bulk • Back Packs • Zippered Binders, 1.5” D Ring

• Crayons-24 Count • Washable Markers-8 Count • Colored Pencils-12 Count • Pencil Boxes-Small • Manila Paper 12x18-50 Sheets • Colored Construction Paper 12x18-50 Sheets • Expo Dry Erase Markers-4 Pack

For more informaton visit: www.facebook.com/ThereHasToBeMore.org/# 14 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 15

Yourself EDUCATING For The

UNEXPECTED

by Steve Gamel

Local lawyer Charla Bradshaw has a message every married couple should hear.

C

harla Bradshaw is a human encyclopedia of family law, and her knowledge of divorce-related matters, in particular, is unmatched. In a matter of 10 minutes, the Denton native and well-known attorney of 24 years can rattle off every nuance of the divorce process, from what temporary orders are, to the many motions that can be filed on your behalf or against you. And she can do it all in a way that truly makes you believe she’ll have your back every step of the way.

While Bradshaw doesn’t expect her clients at KoonsFuller Family Law to know all the ins and outs of the legal process, she is amazed and concerned how woefully unprepared many spouses are when it comes to their household finances.

“I see it every day,” said Bradshaw, managing shareholder of the Denton office of KoonsFuller Family Law. “They don’t have that basic knowledge of their accounts, where those accounts are located, or the account numbers, or even what bills need to be paid. Usually, it’s because most couples have one spouse in charge of the finances, and in the case of a divorce or death, the other spouse is placed at an extreme disadvantage as they are forced to get up to speed in an already stressful situation.

“Because they don’t know about their finances, assets or debts, they have no idea what is being done to them.”

According to a survey by TD Ameritrade, two-thirds of married Americans don’t have a financial plan in place and often overlook the possibility of divorce or losing a loved one in their financial planning. Per that same report, approximately four in ten marriages eventually end in divorce and about a quarter of Americans age 65 and older are widowed.

16 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

Bradshaw believes it is her responsibility

accounts you have. You need to read your

they are as prepared as they can be

people out there just sign their tax return,

the case of a spouse’s death. That alone

happens, or their spouse passes away

out in a world where clients have plenty

the dark. This is such a huge pocket of

in Denton, Plano, Houston, Dallas, and

Furthermore, if you are in a relationship

as a local lawyer to educate citizens so

tax return, too. I can’t tell you how many

before they walk into her office, or in

or not, and move on. Then, when divorce

has helped her and KoonsFuller stand

unexpectedly, they are left completely in

of options. KoonsFuller has five offices

stress that can be 100 percent avoided.”

Southlake. Bradshaw is at the center of it

all and has gained a state-wide reputation while litigating some of the most difficult cases, both locally and internationally.

Her vast experience in family law has made

her a clear choice as

an expert for speeches and appearances, with regard to family lawrelated matters.

Oh, and by the way,

she even contemplated

going into marriage and family therapy before

becoming an attorney.

She completed all of her

about the finances, that is a major red flag that needs to be identified and changed

“Usually it’s the spouse that doesn’t have access to the household money, or doesn’t have knowledge of the finances, who has a lot more attorney fees...”

at Texas Woman’s University in marriage and family therapy. That family-first

mindset is proof that she cares about her clients more than the mighty dollar.

“I want my clients to know that they were represented to the fullest, and when

it’s over, that we have resources to help them,” Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said the first step in the process photography by Kent Barker

and does not want you to know anything

quickly. Bradshaw

masters, but the thesis,

Sponsored Content

where your spouse manages the money

— above everything else — is getting educated on your finances.

“Usually it’s the spouse that doesn’t

have access to the household money, or

doesn’t have knowledge of the finances,

who has a lot more attorney fees involved in the divorce process. That’s because you’re asking the attorney to go get

information from the other spouse — who knows everything,” she said. “You need

to know where all the money is and what

suggested that both spouses annually sit down together and

“If more couples would simply put themselves in a position where both are educated on the household finances, they’d be better prepared in the event of divorce or death. It’s far less of a burden in an already stressful situation,” Bradshaw said. “At the end of the day, I want to be there for as many people as I can. That includes people who are going through a divorce, are thinking about it, or couples who are completely happy but unsure about their finances. I want to help in any way I can to get the message out. But at the end of the day, it takes a spouse who does not have the knowledge to step up and obtain the information.”

go over their finances,

share responsibilities in paying bills, and share passwords to bank

accounts and other

financial information, including income tax returns.

With that type of education and

knowledge, you can be far more prepared if you find yourself getting divorced, or your spouse passes away. Some other

tips Bradshaw shared include, but are not limited to:

• Know your finances and protect that money before you or your spouse files for divorce.

• Assess what retainer will be necessary to hire an attorney.

• Know that the less knowledge you

have about your finances, the more expensive your divorce may be.

• Find a lawyer who is willing to walk

you through the process and answer all your questions.

• Provide as much of the information

your attorney asks for, so they don’t have to spend time doing it for you and charging you to do so.

Charla Bradshaw has been practicing family law for more than 24 years and is co-author of the book Protecting Your Assets from a Texas Divorce.

To learn more, visit her page at www.koonsfuller.com.

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17

Foodie Friday DFW: J2 Steakhouse

Partaking in History at

J2 Steakhouse IN LEWISVILLE W

ithin the walls of the old Lewisville Feed Mill now lies an incredible, new, rustically-elegant restaurant called J2 Steakhouse.

Owner and Developer, Jim Murray, a resident of Hickory Creek and owner of the Prairie House Restaurant in Aubrey, took on the challenge of restoring the feed mill after it had been closed for more than five years.

Nearly everything is created in-house -

from their Worcestershire sauce to their

house-made pretzel bread and their dryaged meats.

Some of the signature dishes Chef

Pauley has created include: a Peach and

The Lewisville Feed Mill closed in 2010 after being a hub of Old Town Lewisville for 124 years. It was originally opened as the Lewisville Feed Mill Livery Stable

Burrata Salad, Seared Scallops served

with a stone fruit chutney and balsamic gastrique, Baby Boar Chops, and their Akaushi Ribeye topped with a Meyer

in 1886 by J.W. Degan and served as a

Lemon Compound Butter.

centerpiece of the city for over a century.

To compliment their incredible food, J2

Jim and his team worked diligently to preserve the unique history contained within the walls of the feed mill. At the back of the restaurant, you can still see the original mills. Serving as the focal point of the well-stocked bar is a gorgeous mantlepiece that was crafted in the 1800s.

And if you look up at the light fixtures, you’ll notice their eccentric craftsmanship.

That’s because they were created using items found around the feed mill as they were restoring the building.

Steakhouse also has a fantastic lineup of cocktails, wines, and beers. Two of their signature cocktails include the Duke’s

Old Fashioned made with cherry, brown sugar, bitters and orange zest and the

Texas Mirage made with silver tequila, a

cucumber and jalapeno puree served with an ancho chile salt rim.

J2 Steakhouse is also the perfect place to host your private events. They have

a stunning VIP room that seats 16 at the

custom-made table made from one piece

of wood that came from a live water oak off the Neches River in Central Texas. And it is stunning!

The entire restaurant is really a sight to see. Jim says that the building in and of itself is a show and has a life of its own that he was honored to restore and showcase to the community again.

So, head down to J2 Steakhouse to view all the beautiful updates and upgrades Jim made to the old feed mill.

You’ll feel like you’re taking part in a little piece of history!

972.537.5547 119 E. Main St., Lewisville, TX 75057

And as far as the food goes, Jim has brought on an incredible Chef to create a unique farm-to-table style menu. Chef Johnathan Pauley brings a straightforward approach to cooking and affinity for seasonal, market-sourced ingredients to

972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealestate.com

J2 Steakhouse, resulting in approachable

jay@jaymarksrealestate.com

yet innovative Texas-inspired cuisine.

2624 Long Prairie Rd. | Flower Mound, TX 75022

18 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 19

Education Article

by Madison Reed

20 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

I

s your child ready for the new school year? Specifically, have they stayed up to date with their reading and math skills

this summer? If so, make sure to give them a nice pat on the back. If not, don’t panic.

There’s still plenty of time to make up some ground as we inch closer to the first day of school. Here are a few tips to help them get it together.

Make the library your new friend.

When I was a kid, my mother encouraged me to make a list of 12 books that I would like to read over the summer. Once I was finished with a book, we’d go to the library the next day so I could get another book.

I was required to bring this book with me wherever we went – the dentist office, weekend trips to the lake, my parents’ work office, my brother’s wrestling tournaments, choir practice, baseball practice, etc. I liked reading but I also wanted to be outside riding my bike or playing on a softball field. But at the end of the day, my reading continued. And I couldn’t be more thankful.

Make sure the books they pick are what they want to read.

It’s important to let your child pick their own reading material. If you force what you think is best, it’s likely to push them in the opposite direction because it’s more of a chore than actual fun. Some books that I picked were super boring and some were fantastic, but the point was that it was my decision. One of the best books I read was Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Holy cow, was that a good book!

I remember reading it when we were at the lake one summer and my brother got the book wet, I mean soaking wet.

He was goofing around and I went nuts.

I had to wait a whole 10 minutes for the pages to dry so I could continue. This was the moment that I understood how much reading meant to me. This “reading task”

Pick a “homework spot”.

We are all creatures of habit, and we tend to gravitate to what makes us most comfortable. A few weeks before school actually started, my parents would ask us to pick a “homework spot.” It could be a spot wherever we wanted in the house, or outside, and that’s where we would do our homework for the year. It couldn’t be a room with a TV or the game room that had video games, or even our bedroom (too many distractions). It had to be a spot where we would focus and dedicate our time to just homework. My place was typically the same spot each year, it was in my Dad’s office closet. He had an old wood desk that I would set up shop.

I always felt like it was “my office” and I would pretend I was some bigwig at a corporate company “working” when I was actually doing 3rd-grade math problems.

Anyway, my parents would also set up a “homework night,” the last few weeks of summer where one night a week we would have to spend an hour without TV or playing outside, typically reading a book or practicing our multiplication. This is a great tip to help gear you and your kids up for the upcoming school year.

Get back on a routine.

A few days before school actually started, our bedtimes would change.

It was supposed to help ease us back into our school sleep schedule, but WHATEVER! I’m totally kidding, this really did help and I actually still use this concept today. These are a few ideas to help to regain structure in your household, not to mention a fresh start for the new school year.

Challenge your child to finish a few more books before summer ends; they’ll thank you down the road. There’s still time to tackle some summer reading, there’s about 5-6 weeks left of summer so get

always helped me hit the ground running

yourself and your kiddos over to the local

when the school year actually started.

library and find some good reads.

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 21

Ask The Expert: Fitness

4. Keep calories in check. Do you know

how many calories you eat? The best

How to Get BEACH-WORTHY

ABS Y

ou probably know that crunches and sit-ups alone won’t give you sculpted abs.

Only a drop in overall body fat will uncover your stomach muscles.

It is possible for you to do this with an effective combination of fat burning cardio, resistance training, and clean eating. My clients routinely drop fat and transform their bodies. You can do it too.

Here’s how to get beach-worthy abs: week. It is important to dedicate

yourself to working out a minimum

Resistance training is the second key

than this won’t make a large enough

groups against resistance in a way

means working your major muscle

impact on your progress.

that stimulates your metabolism.

training coupled with effective

resistance training. Walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes isn’t a fat-

blasting routine. Neither is a leisurely 20 minutes on the elliptical machine.

The truth is that you can dramatically increase your results while investing

recruit me to help out with this part.

Together we’ll chart improvements for your diet and adjust your calories for maximum results.

5. Just say “No” to junk food. While this

may seem obvious, your definition of “junk food” may need an alteration.

Refined sugar is one of the biggest culprits in the junk food world—it is

found in soft drinks, blended coffee drinks, cookies, cakes, packaged

snacks, and other sinfully sweet treats.

Processed fat is another monster.

As a rule of thumb, you can safely

view all processed or refined items as junk food.

6. Eat more frequently. The key here is

to never let your metabolism “crash”

is to skip breakfast—as this is the meal

transform your abs. Anything less

It includes intense cardiovascular

day and do an evaluation—feel free to

to push yourself.

part of a fat burning workout. This

What makes a workout effective?

number of calories that you eat each

by going hours without eating. One

of 4 times a week if you want to

2. Make sure your workouts are effective.

you eat for a few days. Tally the

should be out of breath or gasping

for air, but it does mean that you need

1. Exercise a MINIMUM of 4 times per

way to find out is to record everything

Again, the key here is to find the right intensity and to keep each muscle group guessing.

3. Eat a clean diet. Diet is a big

stumbling block for most people. If

your diet is out of control then your abs will be, too. You can’t trim your

waist without trimming the junk out of your diet, regardless of how intensely you exercise.

of the biggest mistakes you can make that ‘breaks the fast’ that your body

goes into each night. Stick with eating small meals every few hours and always avoid stuffing yourself.

Do you want to flatten and sculpt your

abs once and for all? Simply decide that

you really want it. Commit to yourself—you deserve it.

See us for fat-blasting workouts that

deliver results. Together we will get you

on a program that will melt the fat off your abs, exposing shape and definition.

Call or email today to get started.

Let’s do this!

less time when your workouts are effective.

Cardio exercise is all about

maintaining an effective level of

intensity. This doesn’t mean that you 22 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit, Outlaw Bootcamp & Outlaw Fit Camp 972.335.2639 -JesseJamesFit.com 940.497.6002 - OutlawBootcamp.com

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23

DISTRICT

14-5A

ALL-DISTRICT

2018

by Steve Gamel

BASEBALL

Kendall Foster, Prosper Azani Henley, Little Elm

MVP:

Jordan Olivera, The Colony Pitcher of the Year:

Mason Meeks, Lake Dallas Offensive Player of the Year:

Ryan Depperschmidt, Lake Dallas Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Jackson, Prosper Newcomer of the Year: Jorge Aldrete, Little Elm

Taylor Pendley, Prosper Joseph Whitaker, The Colony Luke Johnson, Prosper Cade Irwin, The Colony Jakob Machuca, Lake Dallas

SOFTBALL MVP:

Jayda Coleman, The Colony Co-Defensive Player of the Year:

Coach of the Year:

Rick Carpenter, Prosper

Avery Colclaser, Prosper

Co-Defensive Player of the Year:

FIRST TEAM:

Braden Carmichael, Prosper Shay Hartis, The Colony

Connor Jackson, Prosper Bryson Lyro, The Colony

Isaiah Rhodes, McKinney North Caden Bonds, McKinney North Logan Cowart, Lake Dallas Logan Hohler, Little Elm

Keegan Sueltz, The Colony Braden Webb, Prosper Kyle York, Lake Dallas 24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

Cam Hill, The Colony

| JULY 2018

Lauren Ledbetter, McKinney North Offensive Player of the Year: Lauren Lucas, Little Elm Pitcher of the Year:

Rachel Eckrote, Prosper Catcher of the Year:

Bailey Zornes, Prosper Utility Player of the Year:

Madison Hirsch, The Colony

Newcomer of the Year:

Natalie Morton, McKinney North Coach of the Year:

Staci Jackson, Prosper FIRST TEAM:

Lauren Orozco, Carrollton Creekview Kaylee Culpepper, Carrollton Creekview Katelynn Larkin, Carrollton Creekview Alexus Hazlewood, Lake Dallas Maddy Breckenridge, Lake Dallas Aubrey Meyers, Lake Dallas Izzi Fielder, Little Elm Paige Cappell, McKinney North Cierra Faubion, McKinney North Lindsay Garner, McKinney North Autumn Paredes, Carrollton Newman Smith LaCara Skelton, Carrollton Newman Smith Karlie Charles, The Colony Zariya Stiner, The Colony Jacee Hamlin, The Colony Marina Karnes, Prosper Jessica Malan, Prosper Abbey Beasley, Prosper Julia Bumford, Prosper Lexie Bell, Prosper

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 25

Education Article

Ways Parents Can Prepare for

BACK TO SCHOOL

by Steve Gamel

I

t seems like only yesterday that we were talking about how summertime is about

to be upon us. Now we are in the middle of summer, and it’s time to start thinking about preparing for back to school time.

Wait? What? School? But there’s still time to squeeze in another small vacation! We know, but we’re all going to blink, and it will be time to transition your kids – and yourself – for those first few days of school.

Will you be prepared? To help eliminate those concerns, make things easier on yourself with these 8 tips and tricks.

Start shopping for school supplies now This is an absolute must. Not only will you have a better chance of having the pick of the litter with backpacks, pens, paper, etc., but you won’t run into the dreaded task of having to drive all over Denton County and beyond trying to find that ultraspecific package of construction paper on your kid’s class supplies list.

Limit time spent on video games When they’re not outside soaking in the summertime rays, your kids are probably playing a ton of video games like Fortnite. With that comes an unbelievable culture shock when they realize they have to start scaling back. Rather than wait until the last minute to make them stop, slowly ease your child down from their video-game high.

Reestablish those sleep routines Look, getting up early on a school

morning is never easy for any kid or parent, but it’s always a great idea to get back into the routine by having your kids start going to bed at a reasonable time at least a week before the first day of school. If you do this, school mornings are guaranteed to be less stressful.

26 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

Get your kids involved You might be thinking that you’re a more efficient shopper when you’re doing it alone, but getting the kids involved creates excitement. They get to pick out their backpack, lunchbox, or new pair of shoes instead of hoping and praying you pick out the right one on your own.

Get your kids’ checkups done early Just like anything else when the first day of school is inching closer, there will be a mad dash to schedule doctors visits. Don’t be late to that party. Make sure your child’s immunization records are up to date and that they’ve had a checkup.

Make a homework station for your kids Ahhh, there’s nothing better than

making sure ahead of time that there’s a

designated spot your kids know they have to go to get their homework done. Make

sure it’s decked out with all their necessary supplies ahead of time.

Get organized

Everything on this list seems to have been leading up to this one, right?

Make sure you go through your kids’ nice school clothes ahead of time to

make sure they still fit. Go through any

paperwork that may have been sent to

you in the mail from the school district – especially if you’re enrolling your child for the first time.

Get ideas from your friends

We all have those friends who seem to

always be on top of their game. So pick

their brain to see what tips and tricks they have up their sleeve. You may even learn

they aren’t as on the ball as you originally thought. Now you can work together to help each other get prepared.

What tips do you have to make the first

day of school less stressful? Share them with us on our Facebook page. We’d

also love to see your first day of school pictures when the day finally arrives.

JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 27

MEET THE TEACHER at Corinth Elementary Tuesday, August 14, from 5:30pm - 7:30pm Come meet your teacher and get ready for an awesome year at Corinth Elementary!

Sign up to be a district volunteer, meet your bus driver, purchase spiritwear, join the PTA and sign up for Watch D.O.G.S. 940.497.4010 | corinthpta1011@gmail.com 3501 Cliff Oaks Dr, Corinth, Texas 76210

28 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018

SHERIFF ’S

conducting major investigations including

CORNER

homicides. As a Ranger, he served on the

S

DPS, he was hired by the Denton County

with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

heriff Murphree was born and raised in Yoakum County Texas. Where he attended McMurry

University, majoring in History and Political Science, and

graduated from the Texas Department of Public

Safety Training Academy in 1988.

Sheriff Murphree worked

as a Highway Patrol Trooper in West Texas and Denton,

from 1988 to 1994. He was promoted

to Sergeant in 1994 and was stationed

in Pecos, as a Highway Patrol Sergeant,

where he was responsible for 5 counties and 12 Troopers.

In 1996, he became a

narcotics agent, with

the Texas DPS narcotics division and was

stationed in Houston.

Sheriff Murphree

conducted numerous

narcotic investigations,

including working undercover.

In 1998, he was selected to be a Texas Ranger and stationed in Denton,

protective detail for Gov. George W. Bush during his Presidential Campaign.

Retired from Texas DPS in 2011 with 23 years, 13 of those years as a Texas Ranger.

Twenty-four hours after retiring from Sheriff’s Office as the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division. Sheriff Murphree supervised and was responsible for Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, and crime scene.

In 2014, Sheriff Murphree left the Sheriff’s office to work for Paladin, a company developing technology for Law Enforcement. In 2016, Sheriff Murphree was elected Sheriff of Denton County, first term 01/01/2017. photo courtesy of the Denton County Sheriff’s Office

Lake Cities 4TH OF JULY PARADE

photos courtesy of Lake Dallas and Hickory Creek Police Departments JULY 2018 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 29

Ask The Expert: Gardening

Grass QUESTIONS

G

rass seems to be the hot topic lately. With the heat starting to set in, everyone’s wondering what’s going on in and around those shade trees, along the concrete walks where the grass is thinning, or asking about the dead spots in the lawn. We thought it would be a good idea to highlight our TOP 3 kinds of grass for this area, give you some information on what to plant, where to plant it, and what you should expect. If you’re looking to replace some damaged areas, or you’re tired of fighting a struggling lawn and looking to change out turf types, check out the information below. It’s always best to consult with a specialist, but the information below might help guide you in the right direction or give you a place to start.

by PJ Kratohvil of Complete Solutions completesolutionsdfw.com

BERMUDA Bermuda’s great for a sun-exposed lawn (at least 7 sun hrs per day). It’s aggressive growth habit gives it excellent weed resistance. That same trait can be a problem when Bermuda invades flower beds-planters-gardens. Bermuda is pretty wear-resistant and drought-tolerant. It spreads by both stolons and rhizomes, which helps it to form a thick, dense turf.

If you’re looking for a green lawn yearround, overseeding with rye will provide that color through winter. Roughly 1/2”3”is the recommended cut height so you can keep it short for the summer months but let it get taller to help retain moisture.

ST. AUGUSTINE

ZOYSIA

in warm climates where sandy soil is

drained growing site. BUT, some varieties

Blade: Sharp, Pointed, 1/8” Wide Color/Texture: Deep Green, Dense Growth: Close Cut, High Quality

Color/Texture: Dark Green,

Blade: Narrow, Needle-Like

Growth: Slow, From Sod or Plugs

Growth: Slow

Water: Frequently

St. Augustine is the turfgrass of choice prevalent and water doesn’t stand around.

The broad blades will hold color into the fall season, unlike other warm-season grasses. It can thrive with at least five

hours of sunlight per day and consistent watering. It can be more susceptible to fungus and disease than other types of

grass and won’t take as much traffic. But if maintained properly, it is a great option.

Cut height should be 3-4” for optimum thickness and longevity.

Blade: Broad with Rounded Tip, 1/4” Wide Coarse, Spongy

Water: Frequently

Zoysia prefers a warm, sunny and well-

can take as little as three hours of light per day. This makes it a great option in our warmer climate with most of our lawns

containing both sun and shade areas. It

takes more care than most turfgrasses, but when its needs are met, the reward is a

thick, green lawn. It’s a very slow-growing grass, and it can take more than a year to establish fully. It has stiff leaf blades

and will produce numerous seed heads if not kept cut. Cut height can vary but we typically recommend at around 1”.

Color/Texture: Prickly, Stiff, Carpet-Like Water: Average

RESCUE ME: Adoption of the Month Hi, I’m Athena.

I’m a Shepherd Mix, about 1 1/2 years old. I’m already spayed and up to date on all my shots, so I’m ready to go with you today!

Won’t you please consider meeting me and making me a part of your family?

Please call so we can meet, 940.465.7444 photo and info courtesy of Hickory Creek Animal Shelter 30 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| JULY 2018