Lantana Living Magazine May 2020

MAY 15, 2020 - JUNE 19, 2020

In The

TRENCHES WitH you

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#DEnTonCoUnTySTRonG

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

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 3

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Brooke Ezzo

Advertising

Kelly Murray kelly@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene

Photography

Your Candid Memories 469.583.2819 yourcandidmemories.com

Letters

Lantana Living invites reader feedback, story suggestions 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 Lantana 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. Lantana

Living is not responsible for omissions or

information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its

Get Outside And Work

on ThE GaRDEn N o matter where we turn, restrictions are being placed on us. We shouldn’t stand within six feet of each other. We can’t be in a waiting room or restaurant with more than 10 people. Until recently, we couldn’t go to the hair salon or pump out a few reps at the gym. I’m not suggesting any of those restrictions are wrong. In an era that none of us — including our government — has ever experienced before, we should be careful until this nasty coronavirus is behind us. Not just four ourselves, but for our friends, family, and neighbors.

But as the calendar flips to May and then June and July, one thing that we all can stand to do more of is get out in the garden. Mow the lawn.

Plant some pretty flowers. Clean some of the excess garbage out from below the shrubs!

and lawn maintenance, but I can tell

I bring this up because gardening, at its core, is something that can be very soothing to us emotionally and spiritually during these crazy times we live in — and now is as good a time as any to appreciate everything that gardening gives us. As we wrote in one article, gardening is relaxing and can be very therapeutic. And if we do it right, it can turn any space into something beautiful and functional.

restrictions to get used to.

I can’t say that I’m the world’s leading authority on gardening

you that getting out there with Scott

and the kids — or even by myself — has helped me recenter and focus on controlling what I can control.

The rest, as they say, will take care of itself — albeit with a few more

Here are a few inspirational quotes

about gardening and life. And thank you for reading our latest issue!

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.” — unknown author “Flowers are restful to look at.

They have neither emotions nor conflicts.” — Sigmund Freud

“God Almighty first planted a garden.

And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” — Francis Bacon

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. © 2020 Murray Media Group

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

4 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

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TABLe OF

CONTENTS

hoME &

GaRDEn IssUe

LOOK FOR THE ICON

SPONSORED SENIORS 25

nelson Law Group

40

The Woodhouse day spa

ARTICLES

On The Cover Is Phillip M. Herr

FEATURED ARTICLE

32

In The Trenches With You

17

With 38 Portraits A Purpose

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Garden Trends For 2020

08

Lantana Who do I Call?

10

Home Workouts: Tips and Resources

12

Inside Community and education

14

Argyle Business Association

16

Cloth Face Coverings For Children during COVId-19

ASK THE EXPERTS

EDITOR’S PICK

06

Gardening with Complete solutions

18

Pioneering The Efforts

22

COVId-19 Continues

20

dentistry with Country Lakes Family dental

26

Living In Isolation

30

Fitness with Jesse James Fit

46

Wede’s Renewal Journey

37

Legal Advice with Balmos Law

49

edit This with steve Gamel

50

Grieve end Of

55

Travel with Terri Guthrie

60

Organizing with Cloud nine Organizing

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS 23 Home Renovations & Remodels done Right 29

Only The Best sushi For You And Your Family

45

developing Creative Minds

spring sports season 51

Foodie Friday dFW: seven Mile Cafe

52

Local Bartenders Become Lawn experts

58

We Got You six

62

Sheriff’s Corner With Sheriff Tracy Murphree MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 5

Home & Garden Article

GaRDEn

TREnDS FOR 2020

6 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

by Brooke Ezzo

www.LantanaLiving.com

P

eople have been gardening since the beginning of time. For some parts of the country, it is how they make their living. For other parts, it is a sustainable way of living. Gardening can be very therapeutic as well as pleasing to the eye. It can turn any space into something beautiful and functional.

This year has turned out to be a very eyeopening experience for us all. We have witnessed businesses closing and the comfort of convenience interrupted. The supply and demand scale for certain items has been thrown off, and many people have retreated to learning how to grow and make household necessities themselves.

The lack of certain foods in the grocery stores and practicing social distancing has led many people to start their own home gardens. If you don’t have a green thumb but want one, here are some easy gardening trends for 2020 to get you started.

VERTICAL GARDENING

Herbs are something everyone loves to have on hand. Fresh basil, cilantro, parsley, and mint can easily been grown using vertical gardening. Growing plants and produce vertically also reduces the carbon footprint, improving the quality of air. This type of gardening can maximize space. Create an herb garden in your kitchen, a lettuce tower on your patio, or construct wood planters on your back fence. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to vertical gardening.

COMPOSTING Instead of having to go out and buy gardening soil from the stores, starting your own compost is free and comes with many benefits. When you compost wasted food and other organics, you are basically eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Composting enriches your backyard soil, encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi, and

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absorbs water. Giving your garden a steady source of moisture and nutrients.

REPURPOSING With the slow reopening of our communities and businesses, finding ways to repurpose household items in your garden saves time and money. Plus, repurposing never goes out of style.

Some ideas are classic like pails and wooden crates, and some can be more creative. Old drawers can be constructed into a 3-tier flower tower, a chandelier could be painted and hung on a patio for flowing plants, or an old picture frame could be used for succulents and vertical gardening. It’s a nice combination: spring cleaning and purposeful gardening.

GARDEN TO TABLE Many of us love and live by this term. So why not take this season to ensure that some of your favorites are coming from your own backyard. The growing season is not over yet. There is plenty of time to

put some seeds in the ground or in your vertical planters. To round out the end of May, some great produce to plant now includes black-eyed peas, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, lima beans, okra, peppers, pumpkin, sweet corn, sweet potato, squash, and watermelon. Peppers, okra, and squash tend to grow like crazy in North Texas, and don’t forget most of your produce can be canned or frozen for later use.

There is a lot of value in learning basics of backyard gardening and planting foods that can sustain us. As we have witnessed the last few months, there isn’t always a guarantee that what we need, when we need it, will be in the stores. There is a peace that comes with gardening and growing your own food, and we hope you find it!

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

-Audrey Hepburn

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 7

Who Do I Call? information provided by Community Lifestyle Director Ashtin Slovak

L

antana is a unique community in that it does not rest inside the corporate limits of a municipality. Lantana is located in unincorporated Denton County. To provide some of the services that a municipality normally provides, Fresh Water Supply Districts 6 & 7 were created. This can be confusing sometimes for the residents of Lantana on which entity they should contact for a particular service or concern. Below is a small list to clarify who you can call for specific services.

Lantana Community Association

940.728.1660 | www.lantanalive.com After Hours emergency Line: 214.373.2412

FRESH WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT

940.728.5050 | www.lantanatx.org •

Trash Collection

•

Water Bill

•

Perimeter Stone & Brick Walls

•

Right of Ways Along (Lantana Trail, Rayzor Rd., Branch Crossing, Stacee Ln.)

Denton County sheriff’s Office

Emergency: 9.1.1 Non-Emergency: 940.349.1600 •

Traffic Concerns (Speeding, Reckless Driving)

•

Crime Stoppers

•

Animal Control

•

Jail Information

•

Association Common Areas:

•

North Amenity Center & North Pond

•

South Amenity Center & Town Green

•

Tennis Courts

•

Mesquite Park Pool & Playground

•

Building Permits

•

Jail Records

•

Hickory Park Pool & Playground

•

Block Party Permits

•

Warrants

•

Oak Park Pool & Playground

•

Streets

•

Architectural Review Committee Submittals (For All Exterior Modifications)

•

Sidewalks (With more than 1 inch vertical movement)

•

Street Regulatory Signs

•

Neighborhood Parks

•

Hike & Bike Trails

•

Community Events

•

Front Yard Maintenance

•

Vector Security

•

Grande Communications Basic Cable (In Select Neighborhoods)

•

Barking Dogs (You will need to be able to provide address)

•

Monument entry Sign Lights

8 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

Coserv Electric 1.800.566.2314 | www.coserv.com •

Street Light Outages

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 9

HOME

WORKOUTS TIPS AND RESOURCES

by Contributing Writer

W

ith Denton County under quarantine there are fewer resources at consumers disposal. One of the highest impact areas for non-essential businesses is gyms and fitness centers; leaving many of us fitness enthusiasts to fend for ourselves in terms of home workouts and exercise. Thankfully, the internet is a powerful resource of information for at-home workouts and exercises in the midst of this pandemic. Below are a few selections for home workouts to help keep pace during this coronavirus outbreak.

Utilizing Home Equipment Home workouts have been upgraded

due to the coronavirus outbreak. Placing the equipment that you have within your surroundings to work represents one of

perform dips. Seating yourself backward within a chair can also serve as a bench

to perform curls. Each of these exercises

implies keeping proper form, which is an important measure to keep intact during at-home exercises.

the best ways to maintain your fitness

Need a little added weight? Try filling

that nearly every home has is table chairs.

water. Each of these mentioned additives

host of different exercises. Placement

doubling as free weights that can be used

as an incline push-up creator. Servicing

lifting practices. These two options are

their back to the chair and position their

around you to perform exercises during

levels during this pandemic. One item

empty milk jugs with sand, pebbles, or

Table chairs can be used to perform a

will create different weight settings,

of a chair, backed up to a wall, serves

for curls, overhead lifts, and other such

this same placement, the user can place

simple ways that you can use the items

hands directly behind the should blade to 10 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

the pandemic.

Online Resources The internet is full of different, resourceful materials that can be utilized to fend off lethargic behavior during these periods of downtime.

If you currently own a bike or treadmill, Peloton is offering a 90-day free trial program, offering the ability to utilize at-home equipment that is not branded under their namesake.

Daily Burn is a second resource that is applying their classes and teachings through a 60-day trial offer for free.

This program offers many different control settings, allowing people to work within their body weight to create exercises that fit into their physical fitness goals.

If stretching is more your speed, try the Obe application. This application services the yoga faithful that are looking for new, creative ways to get their content. They are offering a free 60-day trial for their services. www.LantanaLiving.com

somE LocAL FitNEss cENtERs oFFERiNg oNLiNE WoRKoUts: Jesse James Fit & outlaw Fitcamp Jesse James Fit and Outlaw FitCamp have created a free 55-day self challenge for you to follow including a fuel plan, actions for your fitness, mindset, family and more during this time and beyond! Check it out at outlaw55.com. shapes Fitness For Women Flower mound They are offering free daily workouts on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/pgshapesowermound inspire Yoga Inspire Yoga has a 24/7 on-demand library of yoga classes with their instructors plus daily live-stream yoga classes. $60 for10 live stream classes or $35/month for unlimited live stream plus on demand access! Go to inspireyoga.com/membership/ F45 training Lantana F45 Training Lantana is offering free Zoom workouts twice a day, also access to their new 45 day Challenge, which will include access to meal plans, local meal prep company, access to workouts on demand, goal tracker, and access to our Certified personal trainers to help hold you accountable. The challenge starts April 13 and ends May 28th. Do not have to be part of the challenge to gain access. Just send email to lantana@f45training.com or text 972.685.1998.

Highland Village Fit Body Boot camp Get 21 Days of Online Boot Camp Classes for Just $21! You’ll get daily coaching sessions with their expert trainers, support and motivation, a meal plan with nutritional help, and workouts to burn fat and reduce stress bit.ly/HVFitBody21DayVIRTUAL

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 11

Inside Community DONATING TO MISSION MOMS

Mon.-Fri. in May | 4 - 6pm | Harpool Middle School GYM 9601 Stacee Ln., Lantana, TX 76226 Mission Moms is continuing to serve Denton County local children by providing meals every Saturday.

To help their efforts, donations of nonperishable, pre-packaged foods are greatly appreciated. Including pancake

mix, peanut butter and jelly, ramen noodles, chips, fruit cups, rice, beans, pasta and sauce, canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, and any canned goods.

For other ways to get involved or to donate visit, www.MissionMoms.org. photo to the right courtesy of Kathryn Flores

FILL THE TRUCK FRIDAYS Friday’s | 10am-11am | RockPointe Church of Flower Mound 4503 Cross Timbers Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028 RockPointe Church has teamed up with the community to support local ministries by filling their pantries with

non-perishables, hygiene products, and household items for those in need. Due to COVID-19, these donated items are needed more than ever. To help “Fill the Truck” visit, www.rpc.fm/fillthetruck for a full pantry list of needed items. above photo courtesy of Brandi Miller

Inside Education

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN STUDENT EARNS GOLD SEAL CONGRATS, CLASS OF 2020!

Fri., May 22 | 3pm | Texas Motor Speedway 3545 Lone Star Circle • Fort Worth, TX 76177 Denton ISD will host graduation ceremonies at Texas Motor Speedway. To ensure all health precautions are met, family and friends will remain in their vehicles while parked on the TMS infield and watch the broadcasted event from the 12-story-tall video board. Guyer High School seniors will receive their “hands free” diplomas on Victory Lane. Congratulations!

12 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

Several Liberty art students participated in the Texas Art Educators Association Visual Art Scholastic Event (TAEA VASE) this past February. A few medaled with a perfect score and went on to State: Kiley Fernandes, Colin Park, and Reagan Neale.

Out of approximately 28,000 works of art submitted, Reagan received Liberty’s first Gold Seal achievement for her sculpture!

Congratulations! photo courtesy of Joanna Mann

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nInE SPUR RanCh

216 Pecan Acres Ln. • Argyle TX, 76226 Thanks to Shishana Rourke and Nine Spur Ranch, an outside activity for you and your family while practicing social distancing rules is here! Set up a free private tour and come see unique animals and feed the goats. The Ranch has horses, miniature horses, a water buffalo, goats, and a half zebra-half donkey! Set up your tour by contacting Shishana on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/NinespurRanch. Free admission, but donations are appreciated. photo to the left courtesy of shishana Rourke

CREaTInG SMIlES WITh ChalK aRT Lantana resident, Brinley Ash is bringing positivity to the community through her creativity and talent using chalk drawings. As a fun way to give back to her community and generate income during this historical time, Brinley is offering driveway chalk renderings for any celebration. Movie characters, inspirational quotes or happy birthday messages, she can do it all! Basic artwork starts at $20 and you can contact her at, www.Facebook.com/chalkBoardsByBrinley. photo to the right courtesy of Brinley Ash

WInnER SElECTED FoR loCal aUThoR aRT ConTEST Guyer High School senior, Macy Kanekkeberg was chosen as the winner of an art contest hosted by local author, Sandra Rhoads. The contest invited students to create a piece of art depicting one of the visions from the book. Macy’s artwork can be viewed on the Mortal Sight website, www.sandraRhoads.com.

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REFlECTIonS ConTEST Congratulations to all of the Wildcats artists who placed in the National Parent Teacher Association Reflections contest at the state level this year. This year’s theme was “Look Within” and the contest had more than 200,000 students participate. Guyer High School students recognized include Avery Parker, Ashton Cartwright, Macy Kanekkeberg, and Cindy Tran. We are so proud!

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 13

Argyle Business

aSSoCIaTIon

by Brooke Ezzo

Development, David Hawkins, to continue bringing it to fruition.

The concept was to create a resource not quite like a chamber but a small group sponsored by the town to support local businesses, similar to the one that exists in Highland Village.

“We met with the leaders of the Highland Village Business Association and got their input,” Haley said. “As well as some influential Argyle business owners and leaders in the community.”

T

he importance of having a business association in our area is that it can create networking opportunities and raise awareness about our local businesses. An association can create resources for business owners and give them a platform to engage as our town continues to grow.

Haley Pittman, EDC Marketing Technician, said the idea for a business association was brought up last year. Once she came on board this past November, she has been working with Interim Town Manager, Jeff Howell, and Director of Community

14 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

For a business owner, the opportunity to participate in a business association has many benefits. The ability to bounce around ideas and entrepreneurial advice is priceless. Long time business owners can share resources and teach others how to navigate expectations from the community. Associations hold special events for their members, giving them chances to meet with fellow peers.

“At first, we had set out a launch plan that included a mixer event at the end of April,” Haley said. “Just as we were gearing up to announce and start promoting the Argyle Business Association (ABA), COVID-19 hit.”

The impact of the virus has varied from

business to business throughout the community. Although the plans for the ABA have been delayed, Haley said they have shifted gears to address the business owners’ needs in other ways.

“We are working on an advertising campaign to support local businesses, since many of them have had to shut their doors or change their services during this time,” Haley said. “It has been wonderful to open up a line of communication with our business owners in a more centralized way.”

Haley said the association is working hard to pick up right where it left off once officials are able to start planning for the official ABA launch. The goal is to make sure all business owners know the support from the town and community is there.

SMALL GROUP SPONSORED BY THE TOWN TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

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OUR TOWN CONTINUES TO GROW

“When we do, any business located within our town limits can join for free,” Haley said. “That means everyone from corporate offices to home-based businesses.”

The Argyle Business Association will offer programming to connect local businesses with town officials, as well as network amongst themselves.

OPPORTUNITIES AND

RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT

OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

“This means luncheons, coffee events, etc.,” Haley said. “In addition, we expect for the program to grow into a space for more communication and support between the town and our businesses.”

Especially in the time we are in currently, and as businesses start to slowly reopen, it is important for us to continue to support local.

Until the official launch, Haley has created Argyle’s online business directory, and there is a form for business owners to join the ABA through the town’s website.

Visit, www.ArgyletX.com and find the directory under the Economic Development tab.

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 15

ace F h t Clo

Coverings

For

ChIlDREn DURInG

CoVID-19

there is a “right way” to wear a cloth face covering?

Place the cloth face covering securely over the nose and mouth and stretch it from ear to ear.

Remember to wash your hands before and after you l a U T wear it and avoid touching IR V VISITS it once it’s on your face. lE aVaIlaB When back inside, avoid R Call Fo touching the front of the DETaIlS face covering by taking it off from behind. Cloth face coverings should not be worn when eating or drinking and wash the cloth face coverings after each wearing.

by Dr. Rebecca Butler, (LANTANA RESIDENT) Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics

T

he CDC now recommends cloth face coverings be used when in public places.

Recommendations change daily as we learn more and more about how this virus behaves and spreads throughout our communities.

When do children need to wear cloth face coverings?

Children under the age of 2 years old should not wear cloth face coverings.

Children should wear cloth face coverings in areas they cannot avoid coming within six feet of people (i.e. doctors’ offices, pharmacy, grocery store, etc) However, there are other places where children do NOT need to wear a cloth face covering: •

•

At home, assuming they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19.

Outside, as long as they can stay at least 6 feet away from others and

can avoid touching surfaces like tables, water fountains, playground equipment, or other things that infected people might have touched.

DO NOT forget to address fears in your children. Children who are old enough to follow the news may be afraid, for example, that they or their parents are going to die. Talk with children about any fears they have or frightening news they have heard.

Remember to take a breath. Reach out to others for help if possible. When feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, try to take just a few seconds to answer these questions for yourself:

is your child scared of wearing a face covering? Here are some ideas:

•

Does the problem represent an immediate danger?

Look in the mirror with the face coverings on and talk about it.

•

How will I feel about this problem tomorrow?

•

Put a cloth face covering on a favorite stuffed animal.

•

Is this situation permanent?

•

Decorate them so they’re more personalized and fun.

•

Show your child pictures of other children wearing them.

•

Practice wearing the face covering at home to help your child get used to it.

Stay safe, maintain sanity, and reduce stress for yourself and your children as often as possible. This unfortunate situation is new and scary for all of us.

Try implementing several different coping mechanisms to find what works well for you and your family to keep everyone happy and healthy both mentally and physically.

940.455.7200 | www.Lantanapediatrics.com

74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226

NOMINATE US! June 10

July 8

Mon, Tues, Thurs: 7:30am-6pm | Wed: 7:30am-1pm | Fri: 7:30am-5pm | Sat: 9am-12pm

16 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

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Gardening: Ask The Expert

Do we want a full kitchen space built out or simple grill, bar scenario?

Having the ability and an adequate

amount of counter space to grill out during the week or entertain on the

LANDSCAPE REnoVaTIonS Where Do You Start?

T

by PJ Kratohvil, Owner of Complete Solutions

hese are crazy times we are living in! We hope this month’s article finds everyone well and trying to rebound from all the Corona craziness. I think the last month or two have really allowed people to take a look at their homes inside and out – evaluating what needs to be done, contemplating ideas, and even working through the design and start to build process. If you’ve come to the realization that it’s time to upgrade your patio and living space, here are a few thoughts that might help answer some of the initial questions or address some of the key thoughts that can sometimes be overwhelming when starting the design process.

Are we looking for a covered or uncovered space?

Having a cover over your space really allows for more useable time throughout the year, no matter the weather conditions.

Being able to step out your back door into your outdoor living space is always a plus.

Sometimes a good balance of covered as well as uncovered patio space is the answer – just ensure you’re investing in a vision that’s going to fit your family’s needs the best.

weekends, can greatly enhance your

outdoor experience. Putting in a side

burner, extra storage, or even a fridge can all add to the usability and

convenience of the space. You don’t have to go huge, super luxurious, or

over the top with it – just build to suit your needs. And most importantly, make it functional for you.

We’d really like a kitchen as well as a

fireplace with seating space, but how big of an area do we need?

Fireplaces, fountains, fire pits, and other features to your patio space not only

creates interesting destinations but also

brings people together enabling you to enjoy the space that much more.

Once you’ve gotten your patio

footprint together, it’s always important to balance your hard space with a

combination of turf and landscape areas. Much like the patio itself,

landscaping could definitely be a do-ityourself task, but sometimes design and installation are better left to be

thought through by a local professional.

We get calls and visit homes on a daily basis where people have put together a space only to find out it’s not large

enough. It doesn’t offer the function or privacy they had envisioned, or better yet, they have given their ideas to a

“patio builder” who doesn’t necessarily specialize in layout/design. Now, they

need to manipulate what they’ve already paid for into something more usable.

InTERIoR: 972.539.8258 | EXTERIoR: 214.735.1363 | CoMPlETESolUTIonSDFW.CoM

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 17

PIonEERInG

the

EFFoRTS

by Brooke Ezzo

The demand for the face shields became so high.

A

s the impact of COVID-19 made its way down to North Texas, and we started understanding the concern for our frontline and essential workers, several Lantana residents rose to the challenge and pioneered donating efforts.

During self-isolation, Odalis Ortiz realized that having facemasks were going to become a necessity. Toward the end of March, she taught herself how to make masks.

“Initially, the goal was to be able to keep my family safe should we need to venture outside of our home,” Odalis said. “Once I started offering masks to our community, I realized the need, as well as the difficulty people were having finding them” Through several groups on Facebook, Odalis was able to let the community know she had masks available and would be making them to order.

“If all it took was my sewing and time to help provide some protection and comfort to my neighbors, I was happy to help,” Odalis said.

Watching YouTube videos and through trial and error, she was able to settle on a pattern that could accommodate most people.

“The final piece was realizing the pattern and process needed to be as efficient as possible to handle all the orders in a timely fashion,” Odalis said. “I blended a few methods I had learned and then created my own pattern for a mask.”

The masks Odalis offers are 100% cotton, 300 thread count fabrics, triplelayered, and pleated with elastic bands for the ears.

“No one has been untouched by the pandemic,” Odalis said. “Making masks, in and of itself, may not be a grand gesture, but it happens to be a skill I have that can be used to help.”

Her hope is that we all come out of this

18 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

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stronger and more unified. We need to continue to think of ourselves as a whole, although we have been separated we are in this together.

Odalis is one of many in Lantana making, selling, and donating masks.

And as a community, we are grateful they have taken action when the need was recognized.

Another Lantana resident, Jurie Pieterse, heard the call and realized while facemasks are important, frontline workers were still exposed. This idea led him and his 3D printer to create a face shield.

“I can’t sew, so this was an opportunity for me to help our health care workers,” Jurie said.

The demand for the face shields became so high that Jurie purchased a second 3D printer. He set up an assembly line in his home, recruited his wife and son, and together they have assembled many

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shields for our frontline workers.

Instead of printing ink, a 3D printer prints melted plastic. As the layers of plastic bond together, you end up with a 3D model. There are three main components to the shields: the frame, the clear foam shield that clips easily into the frame, and elastic to hold the frame. The foam shield allows health care workers the ability to unclip, clean, or even replace.

When the demand for the supplies skyrocketed, Jurie said the Lantana community selflessly stepped up. Some helped with donations and other searched for supplies.

“The important thing for me was that the shields got in the hands of healthcare workers, and they were able to use them,” Jurie said.

When events take place that are out of our hands and a need arises, there are several ways people jump in to help.

Some people recognize the need and immediately take action, while others give through their compassion and support.

Either way, the last few weeks have shown us that when we come together, magical things can happen.

Several Lantana residents rose to the challenge and pioneered donating efforts.

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 19

Ask The Expert: Dentistry

DEALING WITH

T

THe DElay

by Dr. Matt Artho, Owner of Country Lakes Family Dental

his year has been a great trial for our country and communities as we all individually made sacrifices for each other. As we approach Memorial Day, I would like to extend my gratitude for all those who together make great sacrifices for our freedom.

With the recent events, it is likely that many faced the situation of delaying their dental care. Our current understanding in dentistry and healthcare in general is that a preventative approach is the best approach, as most dental disease does not improve but only worsens over time.

When faced with having to put off dental care, it is even more crucial to address concerns earlier than later, and your dentist will appreciate your proactiveness.

Why the concern? Let’s consider the progression of dental disease. When it

comes to tooth decay, it is first observed through routine exams in what is considered incipient decay; one of the few instances that can be reversed with good habits and fluoride use. If the decay spreads within the tooth, it requires repair with a filling. At the point where the decay spreads to the point of pain, this could indicate it has contacted the pulp or nerve of the tooth. At this point, debridement of the pulp is necessary to remove the bacteria during a root canal procedure.

Left unchecked further, the tooth could deteriorate beyond restorability, requiring an extraction, or worse, an oral infection could spread from the tooth to the bone

causing facial swelling, nerve damage, airway obstruction, and systemic complications due to bacterial spread through the body.

Scary, right? Though not my intent to sound an alarm, this is typically your dentist’s concern when attempting to encourage a proactive approach.

A similar “horror story” can be true for gum disease, as well. Plaque along the gum line results in gingivitis that can be alleviated with a routine cleaning.

In periodontitis, bacteria that finds its way beneath the gums requires a deeper cleaning. Unchecked, this bacteria can cause inflammation and infection, leading to bone loss around the tooth and eventually tooth loss, not to mention potential systemic diseases from bacteria that manages its way into the bloodstream.

Though frightening tales, indeed, these are real biological responses to oral disease that are best prevented in early stages. The good news is, there are treatments to treat these anomalies at all stages. So, if you have put off your dental care, get back in touch with your dentist knowing they will be waiting with open arms. Happy Smiling!

940.455.7645 | COUNTRYLAKESDENTAL.COM | 74 MCMAKIN RD., STE. 200 • BARTONVILLE, TX 76226

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| MAY 2020

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 21

CoVID-19

ConTInUES

by Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Edmondson photo courtesy by Commissioner Dianne Edmondson

PUBlIC/PRIVaTE PaRTnERShIPS FIGhT CoVID-19 It warms my heart each time I hear about a mattress firm making face masks, or car manufacturers retooled to produce ventilators, enterprising college students designing/making face shields, the hundreds of women who are stitching face masks for medical workers and first responders, and many others.

These unique and productive privatepublic partnerships give our country its best chance to beat this pandemic --together. Government alone cannot do it.

The CDC is the first line of defense against such an enemy, but they are no longer the only ones working on a vaccine: At last count, there were at least a dozen private laboratories whose researchers are feverishly seeking the inoculation to prevent future COVID-19 infections.

Increased testing has been called for, and once again, our private sector jumped into action, answering that call. Abbott Labs has developed (and the FDA has approved) a 15-minute test for COVID-19 virus which is currently in production and quickly will be rolled out across the country. Other labs are also developing the quicker tests.

ClInICal TRIalS In PRoCESS FoR PoSSIBlE CoVID-19 TREaTMEnT The Food and Drug Administration has announced that the Mayo Clinic will lead a clinical trial initiative to treat COVID-19 patients with plasma from someone who recovered from it, utilizing the antibodies produced by the recovered patient to neutralize the virus or cause an immune response in the sick patient. This trial test now has more than 100 sites working on

implementing convalescent plasma as a possible COVID-19 treatment.

The Mayo Clinic also is focusing on determining how long that immunity lasts, thus targeting populations who can safely go back to work.

The National Institutes of Health announced a clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as a potential therapy for COVID-19 to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment in adult patients who have been hospitalized.

Some 140 other treatment drugs are being tested around the globe, including ones from America’s Pfizer and Gilead companies.

Here in Denton County, our testing numbers are up (third highest per capita testing in Texas), resulting in more COVID-19 cases being discovered. Most cases do not require hospitalization, but are quarantined at home.

Your County Commissioners are following Governor Abbott’s lead in dealing with this crisis, and anticipate soon allowing our economy and our lives to return to normal. Please follow current data and all that our County is doing on our special website: https://covid19. dentoncounty.govs/ Yes, these are tumultuous times. But with these joint efforts, coupled with fervent prayer, America will defeat COVID-19.

Thank you for what you individually are doing to defeat our invisible enemy.

To receive a newsletter contact dianne edmondson at Dianne.Edmondson@dentoncounty.com OR CALL AT 972.434.3960.

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Business Spotlight

HomE REnovations

& ReMOdeLs DonE RiGHt

by Steve Gamel

L

ooking for an honest contractor who knows how to make your home renovation dreams become reality? Grant Embree, owner of Eco Construction Group, is the professional you need to call. Since 2007, he has helped his clients make informed designs and personal selections that make refreshing updates and add value to their homes.

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“In North Texas, remodeling your home is a smart investment with high return and rich reward,” Embree says.

photo courtesy of eco Construction Group

With family roots that span four generations in the area, he believes in providing quality craftsmanship and focusing on details that make his client’s project the envy of the neighborhood.

Eco Construction Group prides itself on using only highly skilled, trade-specific professionals.

“That means that my tile guy doesn’t double as my painter nor the framer as a roofer.” Embree goes on to explain, “We work with one client at a time.

My professionals don’t leave a job early to go work on another one. My focus is helping clients stick to their budgets and finishing the project within the proposed time, all while paying attention to craftmanship and detail.”

Eco construction group, LLc | 469.865.0032 | Ecoconstructiongroup.com 2920 Justin Rd., Ste. 600 • Highland Village, TX 75077 www.LantanaLiving.com

With Embree’s integrity and strong work ethic, it should come as no surprise that Eco Construction Group has been the recipient of Best of Denton County award for the past three years. In a time when so many companies promise one thing, but do another, Eco Construction is a very wise choice.

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 23

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This Page is Sponsored by

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 25

Living In

ISolaTIon

by Jean Eisenmann | photo courtesy of Jean eisenmann

W

e Texans are a social bunch. It’s in our DNA to mix and mingle, gather and party, and use any excuse to have a good ol’ time...together. When differing circumstances – from measles to a veritable pandemic – arise that force us to isolate ourselves from socialization we don’t fare too well. I’m just one example.

Normally I’m not a dessert lover, but apparently during social isolation I become a sweets Floozie.

Good to know.

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| MAY 2020

Shopping Before the Covid-19 pandemic I was one of those women who always found an excuse to shop. Nearly every day.

Just the veritable smell of a retail store was uplifting; a mix of shoe suede, purse leather, fabrics, and female bonding. Why can’t they come out with an air freshener comparable to that? Who needs that vanilla cookie scent? ...Okay, there’s room for both. The female bonding between shoppers over a pair of ‘new arrival’ shoes was my nourishment. Now I’m starving. Speaking of starving...

Eating in I don’t know about you, but during these days of isolation I’m eating my feelings. Did you know there are 25 varieties of Oreos? I’m on number 11. For three years I had all but given up bread, rice and potatoes and ate pretty healthy. A pandemic hits and I’m on a feeding frenzy. Normally I’m not a dessert lover, but apparently during social isolation I become a sweets Floozie. Good to know.

The key items visible from all directions in a grocery store are junk food.

My old friends from Frito-Lay missed me all these years (I swear I heard them call me from Aisle 15), and all those foot-long loaves of tanned bread – crusty on the outside but soft and warm within – made me salivate. Thank goodness for the bandana covering my mouth. It’ll come out in the wash. www.LantanaLiving.com

Leaving the House I placed my keys in a bell jar by the front door to keep them from getting dusty. Sometimes I get into my car that’s parked in the garage, sit in the driver’s seat and just start the engine. Vroom Vroom, I’m tooling along, deciding in my mind where to stop first. A grocery store is not foremost on my list. I’ve seen enough of those lately. It’s so low on my travel agenda that it’s listed after Blockbuster, and they’re not even around

anymore. The other day, while in the middle of my “travels,” I remembered that I used to play this same game. With my father’s car when I was 12! physical maintenance Okay, some say I’m high maintenance.

What’s wrong with having something on your body either plucked, trimmed, colored, glued, waxed or polished about every other week? These days I’m forced to do things to myself that I haven’t done since college. Like pedicures. You thought I was going to say something else, didn’t you?

My fingernails have whittled down to uneven stubs, so I have a better chance of picking up a paper clip with my teeth. Now I can relate to how a declawed cat feels. So I visited the nail care

I fantasize about the emotional reunion once my arms wrap around my chosen TP.

section of a drug store, thinking I would try some press-on nails that were already painted and ready for some paper clip action. The shelves were nearly empty, so everybody had the same brilliant idea that they stole from me. I had my choice between devil red or silver with each nail covered in rhinestones. I decided that I really don’t have an immediate need to use paper clips just now, but I’m thinking about adopting a cat. toilet paper The toilet tissue shortage has left me wiped. Counting out squares of the stuff has become a pastime. It used to be golf. And then there’s the tug of war game, when the family is down to one

This isolation period will pass, and hopefully we all will emerge with lessons learned. I will continue to be high maintenance, shop ‘til I drop, love (but refrain from) junk food, and believe one of life’s pleasures is dining out with friends.

But the new part of me will have a much deeper sense of gratitude for even the smallest things that I used to take for granted...with one exception. I will no longer covet toilet paper.

role and the house has three bathrooms.

Can I count that as a workout? I fantasize about the emotional reunion once my arms wrap around my chosen TP. Like the blue bears in the commercial I envision myself caressing the roll, sighing contentedly over the softness as soothing music plays. Is this the

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same stuff I used to throw onto the back seat, tear open once home and shove into the cabinet under the bathroom sink?

photographed above is Jean eisenmann

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 27

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Business Spotlight

Best Sushi Only The

F O R

Y O U

A N D

Y O U R

F A M I L Y

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of sushi Yamazaki

B

inh Lam and his team at Sushi Yamazaki Bar & Grill thought they had hit the lottery when they opened in Flower Mound back in August. But after a few quick months of filling customers’ bellies with the best sushi in Denton County, the restaurant was forced to close due to the coronavirus crisis.

“Before we closed, we were doing really good. We had picked up a lot,” said Lam, whose nickname is Phat.

940.584.0777 | sushiyamazakidtx.com 4130 Justin Rd., Ste. #114 Flower Mound, TX 75077

Thankfully, Sushi Yamazaki’s closure is only temporary. On April 23, the restaurant began serving customers for take out orders and curbside pickup. So if you haven’t already, get out of the house and try the best sushi restaurant around.

“We want to get back out there and let everyone know that we are here,” Lam said.

Lam has been in the restaurant business for 17 years, having owned different restaurants in such

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places as Tennessee and New Orleans.

But he is in Denton County full-time now and can’t wait for you to experience everything Sushi Yamazaki has to offer.

The restaurant, which is located at 4130 Justin Road, Ste. 114, offers an extensive sushi menu that changes seasonally.

All their fish is fresh and flown in from Japan, and it is the place to go when you want to meet up with family and friends and enjoy delicious food and drinks at a reasonable price. Naturally, Lam and his team specialize in Sushi, Sashimi, Crudo, Yakitori, Makimono, and more.

“What separates us is that our sushi is much different than other restaurants,” Lam said. “We have different toppings for each sushi we make, and we also create our own ingredients. So, there’s nothing else like it out there.”

Sushi Yamazaki is conveniently located for residents of Lantana, Bartonville, Argyle, and the rest of Denton County.

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 29

Ask The Expert: Fitness

concentrate on all the muscle

groups. Upper body day includes

chest, arms, and core. There’s a class

ThE RIGhT WoRKoUTS

GIVe AMAZInG

for back and shoulders, a leg day

for glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and a core day.

•

cardio

Our fitness classes give you a

good cardio workout because we

know that keeping your heart rate

up helps burn more calories. Raising

RESUlTS QUICKly!

your heart rate to just 50 percent of its maximum level results in 85 percent

of the calories you burn coming from fat, and that’s exactly what you want!

The more calories you burn above the total you get from what you eat each

day, the more weight you will lose or

by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit & Outlaw Fitcamp

Y

keep off. And cardio helps you burn those calories.

ou can’t expect overnight results from exercise. While this is true, it’s also true that when you workout the right way, you can start to see some major changes in your body in as little as six weeks. That’s right—six weeks of working out consistently can result in visible changes quickly.

Hiit (high intensity interval training) HIIT workouts mix shorts bursts of activity with even shorter rest periods.

Ideally, you work to your maximum capacity during When you join Jesse James That’s right—six the short bursts of activity.

Fit or one of our local DFW weeks of working This is a training method Outlaw FitCamp locations, it out consistently that our certified personal will absolutely help you with can result in visible trainers use in FitCamp workout consistency and our classes. HIIT workouts are changes quickly certified personal trainers ideal for shorter workouts will teach you the best and faster results. Even a workout methods for quick results. You’ll shorter workout done with HIIT can be surprised to see changes in about six burn up to 30 percent more calories. weeks when you start our program.

• Full-body workout plans getting the most from your workout Our FitCamp group classes hit each Jesse James Fit & Outlaw FitCamp muscle group every week to give workouts get quicker results by using the you the maximum results in the following training methods: shortest time. We have fitness classes on different days of each week that Did you notice the word “consistency” there? That’s one of the important factors in quick results. The other important factor is working out the right way.

•

minimizing time between sets

Our classes help you minimize the

time between sets. Most of us take longer breaks between sets than

we really need. This unnecessarily

•

lengthens your workout time without any added benefit of recovery.

•

outlaw Fitcamp can help you see major results in a short amount of time

We offer accelerating levels of

classes at Outlaw FitCamp to help

you get the quickest results possible.

Our members usually start at our FitCamp 30 classes which cover all the exercise

methods discussed above. Then when

you’re ready to progress to something

more challenging, we offer a 45-minute

class that takes it up a notch—Xtreme 45.

At Outlaw FitCamp, we have

knowledgeable certified personal trainers and classes to help meet your fitness goals as quickly as possible.

972.355.2639 • JESSEJAMESFIT.COM | 940.497.6002 • OUTLAWFITCAMP.COM

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 31

LAW OFFICE OF PHILLIP M. HERR, PLLC

469.423.5663 www.LawOfficeOfPhillipMHerr.com 1011 Surrey Ln., Bld. 200 • Flower Mound, TX 75022 32 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

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In The

TRENCHES WitH you

by Steve Gamel | photography by Your Candid Memories (yourcandidmemories.com)

I

t’s time for another Friday morning networking meeting. Phillip Herr walks to the front of the room, turns around, and sees roughly 40 faces staring back at him as he readies to pitch the benefits of his family law firm — in 30 seconds or less.

Most people might be a little nervous standing in front of so many people, and if you didn’t know Herr, who is clean-cut and dressed in the same suit and tie he’ll wear to court later that day, you’d think he might be a little dry in his approach.

But then he grabs a guitar, and just like

that, he takes total command of the room.

Monday, we can talk to you. …

Tuesday, Wednesday, we file your lawsuit. …

served seven counties in the area.

“Serving as an Associate Judge gave me judicial insight into

deciding issues of conservatorship, child custody, child support, and enforcement of

Thursday, argue your case for you. …

child support.

It’s Friday. Justice for you!

have a better

I feel that I now

Herr admits that it is unlikely that a lawsuit

insight of what

in several networking circles has become

for in those cases.”

a trial-tested family law attorney at the Law Office of Phillip M. Herr, PLLC in Flower Mound. He’s fluent in Spanish and spent a nine-month tour of duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina during Operation Joint Guard, where he was awarded two service medals (he has a total of six medals).

All of that, and yes, even his ability to disarm an audience through song, makes him the experienced and compassionate attorney you want in the trenches with you when your life turns upside down and several you need a glimmer of

Herr — who in networking circles has become known as The Singing Lawyer — also has another ditty that draws inspiration from the 1960s band America.

sides of the bench as a former Associate

majoring in economics. Later, he

hope. Nothing is too complex, whether it’s divorce, child support, adoption, or custody modification. The Law Office of Phillip M. Herr, PLLC also works vigorously for clients in the areas of estate planning and business law.

Judge for Title IV-D Court #35, which

Texas College of Law in Houston. He is

“I’ve been playing the guitar for, gosh, 30 years! And my musical tastes vary

can be resolved in one week. Herr — who

Courts are looking

known as The Singing Lawyer — also has

A legal veteran

another ditty that draws inspiration from

the 1960s band America. While the song bit is a winner at networking meetings,

Phillip Herr is far from a one-hit-wonder.

of 16 years, Herr obtained his

bachelor’s degree

from the University

For starters, he has experience from both

of Texas at Austin,

Judge. Herr presided as the Associate

earned his law degree from South

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 33

across the board,” Herr said with a laugh.

He and his wife, Dr. Jackie Davis-Herr, a

local obstetrician and gynecologist, have lived in Lantana for fourteen years. They have two children. “But I have to give

credit to Jackie. She helps me tweak the songs. Sometimes, my kids will recite them, too.”

“At the end of the day, if I can provide a client hope, that’s the real blessing.

Because when someone is going through a divorce or child custody, it’s a lot to handle alone,” Herr said. “I’ve heard

people describe divorce as the ripping apart of two souls, and the emotional

torment that you go through, along with the financial impact, can be significant.

You see the impact these cases have on families, and it’s heartbreaking.”

Herr should know. His parents divorced when he was young, forcing him to

experience first-hand what it’s like to

have everything you know change in

the blink of an eye. But he never gave

up hope that he could make it through, which is in part how he’s able to offer

the same positive outlook for his clients.

Herr uses his experience on both sides of the courtroom to his clients’ advantage, implementing proven negotiation and litigation strategies that work.

“I think that’s what helped me develop the armor to go through this with people,” he

said. “It was a calling, to a certain extent, and given all those life experiences —

Bosnia, being an Associate Judge, a trial

lawyer — having that skillset helps people who really need it. I’m able to look at

things a bit differently, and I think that distinguishes me.”

That, and he knows how to pop off a few killer tunes with that guitar.

“Who are you going to hire when your

world is on fire?” Herr says with a smile.

“Call Phillip Herr. He’s the lawyer who

cares. Business law to family law, we’ve

got it all except criminal law. Give us a call today; don’t delay. Phillip Herr, the lawyer who cares. Those are the lyrics.”

“Who are you going to hire when your world is on fire?” Herr says with a smile.

“Call Phillip Herr. He’s the lawyer who cares...”

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 35

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| MAY 2020

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Legal Advice: Ask The Expert

PITFALLS OF Planning In A Panic

by Jennifer Balmos, Owner of Balmos Law, PLLC

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, ONCE THEY...

START ACTING ON YOUR BEHALF, IT IS OFTEN TOO LATE TO REMOVE THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE SUITED FOR THEIR ROLES.

I

n uncertain times, many people crave the security of a plan. However, putting together a plan in a rush can be a major

mistake. Consider three potential missteps when planning in a panic:

Not considering priorities

Additionally, beneficiaries who may be

receiving benefits such as SSI/Medicaid

can become disqualified for those benefits upon receiving an outright gift.

Not putting the right people in the right place

Choosing a will or trust without thinking

Perhaps this is the most important of all.

concerns can set a family up for failure.

your plan will not be taking action until

trusts to avoid probate, but if assets

speaking, once they step into your shoes

the estate will still need to be probated

too late to remove those who may not

choosing a will without thinking about a

some must able to get along. In the case

about your family’s specific goals and

In most instances, the people named in

Many families choose revocable living

you cannot do so yourself. Practically

aren’t re-titled into the name of the trust,

or start acting on your behalf, it is often

to transfer title to the assets. Likewise,

be suited for their roles. Additionally,

piece of property in another state could

mean bearing probate costs in two states.

Not developing contingency plans Individuals under the age of 18 cannot inherit in Texas. Without a plan, a court

will determine who will manage the assets until the beneficiary reaches adulthood.

of minor children, guardians (who care for the children) must be able to work

together with trustees (who manage the assets) for the benefit of the children.

Take the time to think through your

priorities and concerns to develop a plan that gives you – and your loved ones – peace of mind.

940.300.9834 | BALMOSLAW.COM | 2652 FM 407, STE. 215G • BARTONVILLE, TX 76226

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 37

PoRTRaITS

with a

PURPoSE

by Brooke Ezzo

38 | LANTANA LIVING

courtesy of emily Holder

| MAY 2020

www.LantanaLiving.com

F

rom a young age, Emily Holder has enjoyed all kinds of creative outlets. She has a passion for telling stories and a heart for people. Her compassionate nature and incredible talent collided this year as our community has been shaken by the uncertainty of the pandemic.

For some, the effects of the virus seem far away, but Emily has seen the devastation firsthand.

Friends of the Holder family have lost loved ones to the virus, and the circumstances are truly tragic.

“It was hard to fully understand and wrap your head around the fact that these people are getting the news without being able to be around their loved ones,” Emily said. “Then they are being told they have to go into quarantine themselves for two weeks while mourning the loss of their family member.”

One of Emily’s friends that she has grown up with was having a difficult time after the death of a family member, and wanting to be a comfort, Emily did the only thing she knew how to help. She started painting a portrait.

Her love of painting started with the encouragement of her artistic grandmother. Watching her paint with acrylics inspired Emily to try her hand at it, too. Practicing often, Emily began to see her watercolors take on new life. It was then that she started watching YouTube videos to learn technique. And she eventually became a self-taught artist.

Painting is a therapeutic outlet, a way to release energy and realign her focus. Especially during this time in our community, Emily is using painting as a way to distress. And, as a way to comfort her friends, she is using her paintings for a purpose.

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Emily thought she would paint a portrait of those who have passed away from the virus. The vibrant colors of the watercolors, the seamless lines outlining the characteristics of their face, and the love behind each stroke, was a way to offer her condolences.

“I can’t imagine that happening to me,” Emily said. “I thought maybe celebrating their memory with a bright painting or portrait might bring them comfort during this hard time.”

The response she received from the family was overwhelming joy.

“That experience had a special place in my heart,” Emily said. “I thought if the portrait made that big of a difference for that family, maybe I could help others too.”

Her mother, Amy, helped Emily sensitively get the word out to neighbors and friends about Emily’s portraits through Facebook.

They are also reaching out to Texas Health Resources, churches, and volunteer groups.

“I am really proud,” Amy said. “She does a lot of things for people, and it’s nice to see that other people appreciate it.”

Amy said her daughter has been a naturally giving and caring person from the time she was little, so it didn’t

surprise her when Emily decided to do something to give back.

“I have always loved to paint,” Emily said. “I thought it was a great way to give back to people who are struggling during this time.

Emily not only loves to paint, but she is passionate about all arts. She wants to write screenplays and children’s books, she is an actress, and she recently got into making celebration cards.

“It started with mothers of children I used to babysit reaching out to me asking if I could make a birthday card, since they wouldn’t be able to have a party,” Emily said. “That led to me making cards for friends’ birthdays, dropping them off, and brightening up someone’s day.”

There has always been a reason why Emily has had a passion for painting because of what it did for her; during this time she has realized that her art has the ability to impact others, as well. She hopes that her work brings others happiness.

“I love being able to inspire and comfort others,” Emily said. “I feel like everyone is going through different things in their lives, and having the portrait can help bring a family together.”

Emily radiates goodness with her sincere words and bold actions of kindness. In this uncertain time, a smile can go a long way.

“I love cheering people up, it’s one of my favorite things to do,” Emily said. “I’ve always believed my purpose is to make people smile.”

She is Passionate About All Arts

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 39

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Congratulations

2020 SEnIoRS

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817.438.1772 HighlandVillage.WoodHousespas.com 4081 Waller creek st., R 120 Highland Village, tX 75077

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 41

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Business Spotlight

Developing

CREATIVE MINDS

by Brooke Ezzo

A

t the age of eight, Anita Robbins believed her favorite uncle when he told her that she was an artist. Years later, with over 15 years of experience as a professional artist, she is bringing the benefits of art education to our community in hopes of inspiring others.

photos courtesy of Marty Robbins

Marty and Anita Robbins own and operate Art House of Highland Village, with two other locations in Flower Mound and Southlake. Their passion is to nurture curiosity and talent by focusing on the importance of artistic development.

Their certified instructors, including Anita, are passionate about teaching art history, elements of design, and helping to prepare students for a future in art.

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July 8

214.285.0084 studioArtHouse.com Locations: Highland Village Southlake • Flower Mound

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The value of an art education goes way beyond being a studio artist, and it can lead to a profession in many different industries, including fashion, video game, interior, floral, or graphic design, video editing for film or TV, architecture, animation and illustration, and even medical prosthetics and forensics.

As a family business, Marty and Anita are providing a personalized experience for the community they love. Art House is a desired outlet for those looking to cultivate their talents and for those wanting to explore the world of art.

“Everyone has a creative mind. We help bring that out” Marty said. “We encourage fun with a purpose.”

Art House offers a wide range of classes year-round for all ages and abilities and will continue to offer interactive adult classes via Skype. From oil painting and watercolor to anime, expressive art, cartooning, digital art, handlettering, and storyboards, there is a class for everyone.

“The Art House is for anybody,” Anita said. “It is good for everyone to have their creative side stimulated.”

Marty and Anita have taken great care in reopening their facility and will adhere to all rules during this historic time.

MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 45

WEDE’S

REnEWal JOURNEY

by Brooke Ezzo

M

ost birthday presents come in small boxes or in bags underneath tissue paper. They don’t normally come in the form of a health scare. For Lantana resident Jill Wede, birthdays take on a whole new meaning.

On March 6, 2019, Jill was expecting to wake up another year older and wiser.

Instead, she found herself experiencing a left-brain stroke. The symptoms immediately took over impacting her speech and her cognitive thought process.

After being rushed to the hospital and doctors not knowing the actual cause of the stroke, Jill and husband Scott were left dumbfounded by the life-changing event.

The impact of the stroke left Jill unable to make the connection between thoughts and speech. She knew who people were,

she knew what she wanted to say, but she was unable.

Scott not correct me and for me to try and get it myself.”

“As much as I wanted to say what I was trying to say, I couldn’t, or the words would come out jumbled,” Jill said. “I couldn’t remember basics. I was locked inside.”

The physical and emotional journey was difficult for Jill. She started to have a victim mentality and started questioning why this had happened to her. For years leading up to the stroke, Jill was working with a personal trainer weekly and believed she was the healthiest she had ever been.

After days spent in a Denton hospital and then being released, residual effects of the stroke caused Jill to be airlifted to a Plano hospital incase emergency treatment was needed. Once she was sent home, she became a full-time outpatient at a local physical therapy center where she was relearning basic motor skills.

It was then, at a time when she was declared functional and graduated from the therapy center, when her husband rallied even more around her and encouraged her to start training again.

“I remember standing in front of the, I know now linen closet, but I had no idea what it was called. I had to figure out what to call it. I could get the word ‘sheet’ out, so for the longest time I called it a sheet closet,” Jill said. “It was important that

Jill had been a part of Fitness Bootcamp with Troy Pickett, owner of Body Bionics in Lantana, before the stroke. And, they needed his help to get her through this next part of the journey.

I couldn’t remember basics. I was locked inside.

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“The lowest point was the best point,” Scott said. “When you’re at the lowest, you’ve got to find the brightest point and that’s what we did. And from there, it just kept getting better.”

www.LantanaLiving.com

As Jill and Troy began training again, their sessions looked completely different. Because of the stroke and damage to the nerves, Jill’s entire right side was weakened. But, Troy was hopeful and saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

And now, she is really impressing me with all she is accomplishing.

“We started working on stabilization, balance, and range of motion. Then we slowly started implementing light resistance,” Troy said. “And now, she is really impressing me with all she is accomplishing.”

With Troy’s knowledge and compassion, he was able to craft a workout regime and slowly ease Jill into a plan that she can continue for the rest of her life.

“I would not be where I am today without Troy,” Jill said.

Scott and Jill are big believers that the work she had done with Troy helped minimize the impact of the stroke.

And he is playing a major role in her positive recovery.

They are incredibly thankful to Troy and the Body Bionics community, as well as their Lantana support system.

“This is a renewal journey,” Jill said. “It is life-long, but I’ll never stop pushing.”

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Edit This: Ask The Expert

5 EaSy WayS To MaKE YOUR COnTenT MORe ReAdABLe

by Steve Gamel, Owner of Edit This

A

s your friendly, neighborhood writer and editor, I believe every small-business owner needs to produce content that is not only value-added but is also authentic and helps them stand out.

After all, the last thing you want is to sound like everyone else, right?

Use shorter paragraphs, bullet points, subheads, and visuals

Everyone likes good visuals (photos, videos, etc.), and they’d also prefer not to have to read large blocks of text. This is where shorter paragraphs separated by bullet points, and even a few subheads can make EVERy TIME yoU WRITE longer articles, blogs, a PIECE oF ConTEnT, etc. scannable and easy Pay aTTEnTIon To on the eyes.

But how do you accomplish that?

How do you become so engaging with your words that readers want to read your blog, newsletter, and even your website copy from start to finish?

Here are five easy tips: Use words that are easy to understand

Many times, business hoW Many lIKES oR talk directly to owners get too caught ShaRES ThE ToPIC your readers up in their industry lingo GETS on SoCIal that they forget all that Write in a such a way MEDIa VERSUS complicated talk and use where the reader feels like SoMEThInG ElSE of big words isn’t going to you are talking to them yoU’VE WRITTEn. resonate with the everyday directly (sort of like what reader. In some cases, they I’m doing to you right won’t understand what you’re trying to now). Write in the first person and be say. So stop. Instead, focus on making the conversational, as this will undoubtedly reading process easy for them. help establish a connection between you and the reader. They will always want to read your stuff.

Don’t talk about too many things at once

I talk to clients all the time about their blogs and how it’s important to stick

to one topic per post, avoid rambling,

and break the conversation down into

bite-size pieces to avoid confusion and

disorganization. If you have a lot of ideas

floating around, write them down, so you have them for multiple posts.

pay attention to what your readers like This may sound like a difficult homework assignment, but it’s really not. Every time

you write a piece of content, pay attention to how many likes or shares the topic gets on social media versus something else

you’ve written. Doing so will help you have a better understanding of what topics

are more popular than others, and you

can gear your content to match what the majority of your readers are looking for.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you have time to write your own content, give these tips a try. If you don’t have time, give Edit

This a call. We can help give your business the voice it deserves.

469.360.3611 | EDITThISllC.CoM

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 49

GRIEVE END D

by Steve Gamel

OF SPRING SPORTS SEASON

enton County players, coaches, and fans were all holding out hope that somehow — someway — the coronavirus pandemic would not mark the end of the high school spring sports schedule for this school year. Even if they weren’t able to resume until May, or even June, at least they could salvage something from this year.

Sadly, those hopes were dashed last month when the University Interscholastic League announced that they were canceling everything for the remainder of the school year. The unprecedented move came mere hours after Gov. Greg Abbott announced that all Texas schools should remain closed to in-person learning. The spring sports schedule, which includes basketball, soccer, track and field, softball, baseball, and others, had been suspended since March 16.

The original plan was to reevaluate on May 4, but a final decision had to be made sooner.

The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools also canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 athletics schedule.

“It seems unfair that our Argyle baseball seniors don’t get the chance to lead us back to Austin,” Argyle baseball coach Ricky Griffin said in a heartfelt Twitter post on April 17. His team was hoping to win its third straight Class 4A state title but won’t get that chance. “I know it’s not the season they were hoping for, but each one of them has a special place in my heart. They have been a huge part of pushing this program to where it is. I love them.”

Griffin wasn’t the only coach or player voicing their devastation — especially for the countless seniors who learned that they have competed for the last game as a high school athlete. “#COUGARNATION you’ll forever be my whole heart,” The Colony softball star Jayda Coleman said.

“Argyle. Over the last four years, you gave me memories that’ll last a lifetime while allowing me to grow up,” Argyle senior Alex Gonzales said on Twitter. “Sad to see my senior year and my time in red and black end so soon. Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way. I’m grateful to call this amazing town home.

“To our 13 seniors: Thank you for all you’ve given to our program,” the Guyer girls track and field Twitter account said in a statement. “We’re heartbroken for everything you didn’t get to finish. It’s been a joy to watch you wear a Guyer uniform with 50 | LANTANA LIVING

| MAY 2020

pride over the past four years. We know you’re going to do great things! Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!”

The Hebron softball team agreed.

“Lots of emotions with this announcement. Zeb, Casey, Ira, Nat, Sheridan and Dani, you may have played your last game in a Hebron uniform, but you will forever be a Hawk.”

The UIL said in a news release that it had been working on scenarios to resume sporting events. But without schools in session, activities would have to follow suit. According to the Dallas Morning News, at least 10 other states’ high school sports governing bodies, including that of athletic hotbed California, had already canceled their remaining sports events for the 2019-20 school year by April 5.

“Our highest priority during this challenging time is ensuring the health and safety of our students and communities and making progress in the containment of COVID-19 in Texas,” UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said in a news release. “We are now turning our attention to the 2020-2021 school year.” www.LantanaLiving.com

Seven Mile Café: Foodie Friday DFW

SEVEN

MILE CAFÉ

E

very time we visit Seven Mile Cafe in Highland Village, we’re reminded how much we absolutely love their customizable breakfast and lunch menu. No matter what your preferences or dietary restrictions are, Seven Mile Cafe has something on their menu that can work for you!

photos courtesy of Seven Mile Cafe - Highland Village Facebook page

The Highland Village location is the

second here in DFW. Owners Kevin and

Josi Klingele created the original location in Denton in 2011 after realizing they wanted to create a place where they

could enhance the community’s dining

landscape by offering their own unique

take on breakfast foods, delicious coffee options and (of course) their top-of-the-

line service. A few years ago, they opened the doors of their Highland Village

location and have been satisfying the

breakfast and lunch needs of our local community ever since!

a fan of the classic, but their California version is an awesome twist!

We love getting the Pancake Sampler

with a House Pancake, a Cinnamon Roll

Pancake (topped with cinnamon, pecans and a sweet cream cheese glaze), and

a Berry Bliss Pancake drizzled with their sweet cream cheese glaze and topped

with blackberry coulis, fresh blueberries and strawberries, and a vanilla anglaise (this one is Kevin’s favorite).

While those are two of their more popular menu items, Seven Mile offers around 50 to 60 menu items, so it’s not hard to find

We love ordering the Eggs Benedict

something that appeals to you on their

The California Benny made with bacon,

If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you’ll geek

Sampler with The Original Benny and

avocado and grilled tomatoes. I’m always

menu!

out over their huge coffee bar. They take

their coffee very seriously. In fact, Seven Mile Cafe partners with Stumptown Coffee out of Portland, Oregon to ship in their incredibly fresh coffee. After all, you can’t have great breakfast foods without amazing coffee to go with it, right?

Kevin invites anyone who hasn’t been to Seven Mile Cafe before to come join them.

You’ll love their scratch-made dishes, their incredible service, and the entire dining experience. Can’t wait for you guys to try them out!

*During coViD-19 shutdowns, seven mile cafe is open for carry-out and FREE delivery within a 5-mile radius.

You can easily place your order at www.sevenmilecafe.com.

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

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 51

BARTENDERS

BECoME LAWN EXPERTS

by Steve Gamel

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| MAY 2020

www.LantanaLiving.com

L

ike many people who lost their jobs or were furloughed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Patrick Blankas and several of his bartender buddies were at their wits’ end trying to figure out how they were going to make ends meet. They knew feeling sorry for themselves wasn’t the answer, and they certainly weren’t going to sit around and wait for help to arrive.

So, they did the only thing that made the most sense — they pivoted.

Allow us to introduce you to YardTenders, a Denton-based lawn care business owned by a group of hardworking guys from popular bars and restaurants near the Denton Square.

When their locations were deemed “nonessential” and were forced to close on March 18, Blankas said he and a group of 14-15 guys quickly pivoted from serving mixed drinks to mowing lawns — even though their experience in the lawn care industry was minimal at best.

photo courtesy of Patrick Blankas

We Just Want to Provide a service For The Community www.LantanaLiving.com

“We’ve just kind of learned as we’ve gone along,” Blankas said. He and his buddies previously worked at places such as East Side, Oak Street Drafthouse, Miss Angeline’s, and Mulberry Street Cantina. “Each day, we learn more and find more effective ways to finish the task at hand. The majority of our clientele are existing relationships, but we are branching out.”

Clearly, they have a lot of people who needed a lawn care specialist. Blankas said Yard-Tenders, which has a slogan of “you’ve been cut off,” serves an average of 15-20 houses a day.

Their services list includes everything from mowing lawns to tree trimming, mulching, gardening, laying flagstone, hauling debris, and even doing sprinkler jobs.

Quickly Pivoted From serving Mixed drinks to Mowing Lawns They relied on Facebook to get them their first client, including developing their own business page. That page now has over 1,000 followers, and the business has been featured by several media outlets, including NBC 5.

And as far as the tools they use to get the job done — they used their own at first.

They then made Yard-Tenders t-shirts and used the proceeds to buy more equipment. A few customers have even offered up their own equipment.

“We just want to provide a service for the community and, at the same time, put money in our pocket,” Blankas said. “We didn’t want to just stay at home — we like to stay busy. All of that is what motivates us to keep going.”

With the state of Texas slowly opening back up, Blankas said he isn’t sure what will become of YardTenders. But he wasn’t willing to suggest that they’d shut it down once they get their regular jobs back.

“We haven’t crossed that bridge yet, but we are kicking around a few ideas,” he said. “Maybe it will be a side thing.”

For more information on Yard-Tenders, visit their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/yardtenders/.

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Travel: Ask The Expert

HAWAII A Paradise You Can’t Miss

by Terri Guthrie

H

awaii is truly a unique paradise and a great destination for a family vacation!

It consists of eight main islands: Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the widest state from east to west, as it spreads across the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

If you’ve never been to Hawaii, you need to add it to your bucket list. I would suggest starting with Oahu. It is a great island to begin your Hawaiian experience!

Oahu is home to the state capital, Honolulu. Highlights of the city include the International Market Place, the dormant volcano, Diamond Head, and the crown of the city, Waikiki, a beautiful iconic beach with world class dining and nightlife.

West of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor, site of the WWII’s 1941 bombing attack and home to the USS Arizona Memorial.

On the southeast coast is Hanauma Bay, a marine embayment formed within a tuff ring. It is one of the most popular

tourist destinations on the Island and is spectacular for scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Lyon Arboretum is a 200-acre botanical garden located at the upper end of Mānoa Valley. Much of the Arboretum’s botanical collection consists of a lowland tropical rainforest with native flowers, numerous trails, and lovely water features.

It’s always fun trying to pronounce Hawaiian words. This alphabet consists only of 12 letters. In1822, it was adapted from the English alphabet by American missionaries who printed a Bible in the Hawaiian language.

So make plans soon and enjoy our 50th state. Aloha!!!

FolloW TERRI on InSTaGRaM @TRaVElWIThTERRI

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We Got Your Six Stands Tall For

homeless veterans

by Steve Gamel

F

ive years ago, veteran David Jordan was homeless and contemplating suicide. Today, he’s the owner of a

thriving sandwich shop in Denton that he hopes will help get his new veteran relief program off the ground.

involved in a two-year process that

own trials as a former veteran living on

and job placement assistance to debt

with the National Guard. He earned two

and training, money management, team

Achievement Medal, one Army Good

includes everything from housing

the streets. He is a proud 12-year veteran

management and credit repair, job skills

Army Commendation Medals, one Army

building, and community events.

Conduct Ribbon, and the Iraq Campaign

The sandwich shop is aptly called Patriot

Ribbon. “But not everyone has that. Once

Sandwich Company. It opened in February and is a military-themed restaurant that

honors each branch of the U.S. military by displaying memorabilia throughout the shop and having a menu that includes fun sandwich names such as the Fiery

Napalm, Into The Wild Blue Yonder, and In the Trenches. A portion of all profits go to

Jordan’s nonprofit called We Got Your Six that supports homeless veterans in their transition to civilian life.

“With the nonprofit, we don’t get grants

or anything like that,” Jordan said. “All of

our money comes from private donations

and fundraisers. I started Patriot Sandwich Company to help get We Got Your Six the money it needs.”

Though We Got Your Six is still in its

infancy stages in terms of needing money,

Hence the name, We Got Your Six. In the

2015 and has helped 29 families in four

The saying originated with World War I

veterans who think they have been

airplane as the six o’clock position. On the

it with fellow veterans Angela Messerlie

position. So, when someone tells you,

of building two facilities in Dallas, one in

watching your back.

the organization has been around since

military, that means, “I’ve got your back.”

years. It was created to help homeless

fighter pilots referencing the rear of an

forgotten or abandoned. Jordan started

battlefield, your six is the most vulnerable

and James Lopez with the long-term goal

“I’ve got your six,” it means they are

Houston, and another in San Antonio.

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| MAY 2020

“I had a family member who moved me from Kentucky to Texas and helped me

get back on my feet,” Jordan said of his

many of them become homeless, their

families don’t want anything to do with

them. The fact is that the average homeless vet is homeless for four to seven years.

But you can’t expect to take them in and prepare them to reenter society in three

to six months. It might take that long just

to get to the root of why they got to where they are and the psychological aspect.”

He added, “Our process is two years,

and it involves hands-on training and conditioning. It means a lot to me.”

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Ask The Expert: Organizing

DECLUTTER

DESTRESS

anD SIMPlIFy HOUSEHOLD PROJECTS

by Crystal Nerpel, Owner of Cloud Nine Organizing

W

hether you are a DIY expert or only use household tools when duct tape fails, you should have the basics on hand and make sure they are stored in an organized manner.

Basic tools Every Home should Have: •

•

Claw hammer (one end is flat, and the other end is in a V-shape to remove nails) screwdriver set (phillips and slotted)

•

Allen wrench set (hex key)

•

medium size crescent wrench

•

Utility knife

•

tape measure

•

Needle nose pliers

•

Level

•

cordless drill

•

putty knife

Having these tools on hand will keep you prepared if you need to take care of an unexpected, minor repair.

Also, the number of a good handyman is also a great idea if the job is too daunting. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help from an expert!

Keep Your tools Accessible and organized:

Install pegboards to hang frequently

used tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers so that they are visible and within reach.

Store power tools off the ground in sealed cabinets or containers. You always want to keep them stowed away for safety’s sake.

Invest in a few heavy duty plastic drawers or containers for small miscellaneous

items such as nuts and bolts. Make sure

you label drawers and containers, so items are easily located.

Streamline your tools by sorting and storing them by functionality and size.

Doing so takes the frustration out of finding the right tool for the job.

most impoRtANt tip: After using

Group all tools and their corresponding accessories together, such as drills and drill bits. When they are all in the same spot, you don’t have to waste time digging around in various drawers and cabinets looking for the correct attachment.

we all want the job to be done as speedy

your tools, put them back exactly where you got them.

When it comes to home maintenance,

(and correctly) as possible. Having basic

tools on hand is great, but you also want to make sure those tools are sorted in a manner that makes your life easier.

Declutter, de-stress and simplify!

CloUDnInEoRGanIZInG.CoM

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MAY 2020 | LANTANA LIVING | 61

ShERIFF’S W I T H

S H E R I F F

T R A C Y

WE aRE all ESSEnTIal

W

e are all essential! We find ourselves in uncharted scary times. The COVID-19 virus is proving to be a challenging adversary for all of us. Law Enforcement during this time is being presented with difficulties never experienced in most of our lifetimes. Those of us responsible for detention facilities are certainly concerned. We are not only responsible for the well-being of those we lead but with the health and safety of inmates in our care.

We are then asked to identify “essential

what is going on in the world outside our

essential” home. It doesn’t take long to

schools closed, and friends worried about

personnel” and send those deemed “nonunderstand that everyone here is essential to maintaining a successful operation.

It gives you an opportunity to really look

at many different areas of your operation and get a much clearer picture of how

walls. Watching businesses being closed, jobs. I’ve seen communities affected in ways I probably never really thought

hIRInG If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization.

Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year.

Visit our website to apply. www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty

“community” really means.

I’m witnessing heartache and triumph.

not just the commissioned people in the

do and, at the same time, the best. I’m

contributions of everyone.

to their name and uphold the oath they

It has given me an opportunity to evaluate

I’m seeing some of the worst man can

organization but also the sacrifices and

watching as our public servants live up have sworn.

employee, and this tragedy has given

This virus will not defeat us; we will

I then applied this to my observations of

many other challenges. My hope is we will

me a much better picture of their worth.

WE ARE

of. I’m getting a better idea of what

each individual contributes to your team.

I have always known the value of each

M U R P H R E E

endure and learn from it as we have so

come out on the other side of this better for having gone through it. I hope as Americans that we end up with a clear understanding that if we are to maintain our way of life and live our American dream, we must realize that we are all essential.

Take care of yourself, take care of your family, and take care of each other!

940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.COM/DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX 62 | LANTANA LIVING

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