Mohawk Life Magazine Volume 1 – Issue 2

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4 Community News 23 Fitness10 Pet of the Month 26 Back To School Recipes15 New Principal and Head 27 Mohawk Real Estate Football Coach 28 Cutting the Cord18 Home Improvements Cover photo by Ashley BassFrom Left to Right:  Anderson Cole, Carter DuBroc, Maddie Pigg, Lily Bleu Bass, Charlotte DuBroc6 Athlete of the Month 12 Business of the Month16 Family of the Month 20 PTA President www.MohawkLife.com 1

Mohawk Life Mohawk Life Letter from Publisher Kyla Obert the Publisher EditorB ACK TO SCHOOL?!? Didn’t we just write about Teri Hebert school being out? That’s truly just how fast the summer flies by for me. Swim team, camps, vacation, Ad Sales grandparent visits, lake weekends, play dates, staying up late Mike Obert and sleeping in, are just a few things my summer consisted Bill Griffin of. No wonder it’s flown by! Man, I’ll miss summer! But did Nancy Luttinger I mention the sibling fights? Those on the other hand will not be missed. Photographer Stacy Jemison, Ashley Bass In this Back to School issue, we introduce you to a woman who has taken on a role that requires dedication, time and organization. Christie Designer Michie is your 2016-2017 PTA President for Mohawk Elementary. We met up with Gia Mari L. Pintoy Christie to discuss her big plans for Mohawk this year and how she plans to make this year the best yet! Contributors Warren Caldwell, Wilson Allen, Early in the summer, we had the pleasure of meeting one of the sweetest and most adorable families around. Gabe and Shelley Stagner and their four beautiful children Maria Harris, Joan Lombar were such a delight to spend an afternoon with. Their youngest son Reid, who I just fell in love with, was born with a rare disease called Koolen-de Vries Syndrome. But Special Thanks that doesn’t stop this loving little ball of snuggles, nor his adorning siblings. Reid and Rob Kuhne, Frankie Wright, Steve Clemons, his super sweet family are sure to touch your heart as they did mine. Shannon Sedwick, Rosy, Chelsea Bailey-Hall, Last but not least, you’ll love reading about our Athlete of the Month, the new JJ Gabe and Shelly Stagner, Christie Michie Pearce Principal and Head Football coach, as well as our Business of the Month— Sweet Zero Cookies. And guess what, they all live where you live! So as you embark For Advertising Questions, please email on the new school year, we hope you thank those PTA presidents, pack the perfect [email protected] lunch for your kiddos, and enjoy getting to know more people in your neighborhood. For Editoral Requests, please email Letter from the Editor [email protected] [email protected] t seems like summer just began. How can it be time for school to start again? I don’t have kids, but this is the Mohawk Life time of year when my Facebook news feed is suddenly PO Box 835433 full of “first day of school” pics from my friends and family Richardson, TX 75083 and their kids. That’s how I know summer is over! And that school zones are back in effect . . . For Additional copies please call 877-695-1258 I hope you and your families have had a wonderful summer and the excitement of a new school year and fall 2701 Custer Parkway, Suite 823 (and cooler!) months ahead is upon you. In this issue we Richardson, TX 75080 feature your Mohawk PTA president and some Back to School lunch ideas to help you get school started right. You’ll also meet the Stagners – a wonderful Mohawk Managing Partners family! Mike and Kyla Obert And if you’ve ever considered “cutting the cord” with your cable company, you’ll Principals learn a few things to consider to “detach” from cable TV and transition to streaming Campbell Kerr and Dustin Shaffer your TV viewing without being tied to rising cable costs. Don’t forget – this is YOUR neighborhood magazine! We are always looking for nominations to feature in upcoming issues. So, send us your families, pets, star athletes, amazing students! We want to meet them and give them a few minutes of fame in Mohawk Life! 2 www.MohawkLife.com



Mohawk LifeCommunity NewsSchool Days Are Here Again by Warren CaldwellF or our Greatest Generation, the date which will live in infamy will always remain December 7th. For our younger generation,the sound of the alarm clock ringing in the first dayof school on that first morning in August will elicita cacophony of moans, groans and the occasionalparental cheer. Parents, please remember that 20 mph schoolzones will again be actively enforced and thatadditional fines are levied for violators. Everyonehas seen that parent who carefully buckles theirchildren into the mini-van in front of the schoolwho then hits the accelerator like Burt Reynolds ina Trans Am. Don’t be that parent. For parents who work and office out of the home,the silence can be an abrupt transition from thepitter patter of little feet and the clomp clomp offeet that were once little but which now could beused as water skis. For these parents, there can bea sub-variety of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)which can be coined as School Affective Disorder. No longer will the laughter, tears and generalcommotion come to you during the day so theway to combat it is to seek stimulation from theoutside. A great way to accomplish this and tofurther the greater good is to get out of the houseand volunteer your time. Richardson is brimmingwith a plethora of opportunities to improve thelives of those within our community. Please remember that the teachers, administrators,coaches and janitors are your teammates. Forthem, it is not merely a job but a calling and theygenuinely want the best for your child and all theother children. Look for opportunities to assistwithout taking charge. Keep your powder dry andif possible, be generous with your complimentsand stingy with the issuance of complaints. Bydoing so, you will slowly build a sphere of credibleinfluence that will benefit your child by giving youa podium and an attentive audience in the rareevent that a real problem does occur. In so many ways, we are blessed to invest ourlives in this great neighborhood and our schoolsare a huge part of what makes us special. Fromeducating our children to bolstering our propertyvalues, one can argue that they are the wellspringof our community. Let’s all lend our efforts, largeand small and help make them the best that theycan be.4 www.MohawkLife.com

Mohawk Life Community NewsKeeping Our Parks Clean and Safe by Teri HebertR ichardson is a beautiful city and home to many parks in our to call 911. The Richardson Police Department and the City are neighborhoods. Even as Richardson continues to grow, our committed to keeping the parks safe from anyone taking advantage of city is very intentional about maintaining open, green spaces a family environment to cause potential harm.for residents to enjoy. Our very own Mimosa Park is a popular placefor softball and soccer games, picnics, playing on the playground, 5. Observe all rules and curfew!and tennis. All parks are posted with signs noting the hours of operation. Did The fall months are a great time to take advantage of the parks when you know that all Richardson parks are closed between the hours ofthe weather is cooler but the days are still long enough that there is 10:30pm and 5:00am? This rule is in place to help keep residents safe.plenty of sunlight for adventures after school and work. And yes, Pokémon Go players,this means you too (you’ll have to find Pokémon somewhere other than city property after 10:30pm). When using the parks, here are a few things to keep in mind thatwill help keep our parks safe, clean, and fun for everyone. Most of all, have fun and enjoy our great city park resources!1. Clean up after the humans! Be sure to remove all trash from picnics, soccer games, softballtournaments, leisurely strolls, or any activities in the park. All parkshave trash cans and most parks also have recycle bins for your use.2. Clean up after the pets! Dogs love park adventures just as much as humans. As your pupexplores the park (with you and on a leash, of course) be sure toremove any waste your furry friend leaves behind.3. Don’t do anything dangerous! Target practice, daredevil stunts with your GoPro, bonfires, doingdonuts in the parking lot, diving in the ponds, hang gliding, practicingyour drone flying skills – these activities, and others like them, shouldbe avoided.4. Report suspicious or dangerous behavior! 5 If something, or someone, seems to be doing something potentiallyharmful to others in the park, or to the park itself, do not hesitate www.MohawkLife.com

Mohawk LifeAGtohldleetne Coof uthpeleMonthRob Kuhne Tell us the names of your parents and sibling? Parents: Brad and Kristin KuhneO ur Mohawk Life Athlete of the Month is a lifelong Mohawk Sibling: Alex Kuhne resident and former Pearce High School Football player. Meet Rob Kuhne! Brag on yourself a bit. 11th grade: Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention DefensiveTell us a little about yourself. I am a sophomore at Trinity University. I have lived in the Mohawk Back; Dallas Morning News Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention; 2nd Team All District; All City Defensive Newcomer of the Yearneighborhood since I was an infant. My favorite thing about livingin Mohawk is seeing my neighbors throughout the community. 12th grade: Academic All-State 2nd Team; All City DefensiveSpecifically, I like seeing kids playing in the neighborhood because it MVP; 2nd team All-District; JJP Varsity Defensive MVPreminds me of when I used to do the same thing. What’s one of your favorite sports moments?What schools have you/do you attend? Beating Lake Highlands at their stadium my senior year. Mohawk, North Junior High, JJ Pearce, Trinity University What is your favorite class?What sports have you played? My college economics classes. Football, Basketball, Track, Power Lifting What do you like to do outside of school?What sports do you play now? I use most of my free time to go fishing, hunting, and just hang out Football with my friends. Tell us something most people might not know about you. I caught a lake record sand bass on Lake Ray Roberts when I was six years old. And . . . what do you plan do after to finish school? Graduate from Trinity University with a double major in Economics and Accounting and get a job at a big four accounting firm.6 www.MohawkLife.com



Mohawk LifeBurger Edge Welcomes Frankie WrightC ome visit us at Burger Edge for great food and fantastic live Parents: Craig and Jennifer Wright, music performances -- including one such performer, Frankie Brother: Phoenix Wright (at Mohawk) Wright. She was born in Austin but considers Richardson Stage Name: Frankie Leehome, having attended Mohawk elementary starting in the first grade, Style of music: Americanathen completing her studies at North Junior High last May. This year,Frankie will be a freshman at JJ Pearce High School. Frankie first showed an interest in music at age 4. She began playingthe piano and receiving vocal training at age 9 and added guitar lessonsto her activities at age 12. Over the years she has been fortunate toreceive professional training from alums of Berklee School of Music,UNT and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This past year she embarked on a new challenge of writing originalmusic compositions to perform. She is currently participating in theAlchemy School of Music’s Singer/Songwriter program where sheis receiving vocal and song writing instruction from Brianna Ruelasand piano lessons from David Finkle. Alchemy is located in theneighborhood on Coit just South of Arapaho. As her interest and investment of effort have grown, so have herabilities and opportunities to perform. Frankie has been involvedwith two bands (Blue Sky Daydreamers and Dawn to Dusk) and nowperforms solo or with back up by Michael Payton on bass and MateoSegovia on violin. She performs every time she has an opportunity,including recent solo performances at Burger Edge located onCampbell Rd. just west of Coit. Be sure to watch for upcoming live music performances at BurgerEdge, but for now here’s a little more about Frankie! Performances: House of Blues First United Methodist Churches (Royse City and Richardson) Septien Entertainment Group Santa’s Village Richardson Merchantile Love and War McFadden’s Wildflower budding talent contest 2016 The Lot (Dallas) The Richardson Food Truck Park Alchemy School of Music Burger Edge Awards: Selected to participate in the 2016 Wildflower Budding Talent Contest Ensemble bass award at Richardson Chamber Festival North Junior High PTA writing award Other Interests: Actress in musicals during elementary through ACT in Plano -- Annie and Seussical   Most memorable music experience: Auditioning, being selected and then participating in the Richardson Wildflower Budding Talent contest.8 www.MohawkLife.com



Mohawk LifePet of the Month Rosy by Shannon SedwickM eet Rosy! She is a five-year-old Vizsla, which is a Pointer - Retriever breed from Hungary. She is our family’s only pet and we could not love her more. She is loyal, energetic, and fits in perfectly with our family. Sheloves living near Mimosa park and enjoys chasing squirrels andneighborhood bunnies in her spare time. She also volunteers at local nursing homes and retirement homesin a program called Docile Dogs where she brightens the day of theelderly with just her sweet disposition, a few impressive tricks, and afurry handshake. Since they picked her up from a breeder in Rockwall five yearsago, Rosy lives with The Sedwicks in the JJ Pearce Estates. She justcelebrated her 5th birthday in July. Thanks for all you do, Rosy! 10 www.MohawkLife.com



Mohawk LifeBusiness of the MonthNot Sweet Nothings:Sweet Zero! by Chelsey Bailey-Hall & Teri HebertT his month, we feature Sweet Zero Cookies from your neighbor Chelsey Bailey-Hall. As a new business, Chelsey is just getting started selling these very creative cookies. But it seems asthough she’s on the right path since she’s already sold out of her BackTo School orders this year! But don’t worry, Chelsey makes a wide variety of cookies for almostany occasion. Without further delay, meet Chelsey and Sweet Zero!Tell us about Sweet Zero Cookies. What kind of cookies doyou make? Sweet Zero specializes in custom decorated sugar cookies, but I alsolove to make (and taste-test!) chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sugarcookies, snickerdoodles, cupcakes, cake rolls, pies and lots of other sweets!When did you open and what inspired you to open this typeof shop? I officially started selling cookies this past spring. I have been makingcookies for holidays and for my kids’ birthday parties for several years, andlots of people have encouraged me to sell them. Cookie sales are doingreally well, so I’ve decided to postpone going back to my part-time jobteaching college math classes, and stay home with my new baby for a while.How did you come up with the name? My nine year-old daughter Grace came up with the name SweetZero as part of a group project at school where the students had tocreate a food-based business and menu. She suggested I use it as thename of my cookie business, and I couldn’t see why not!What are some of the most popular menu items with customers? I make a lot of birthday cookies, baby shower cookies and thank youcookies. And, of course, everyone loves Star Wars cookies. ChocolateDarth Vader cookies are a big hit!What are your favorite menu items to make? I love to try out new designs and techniques! I just bought my firstfew stencils, so I’m excited to experiment with airbrushing!Tell us about yourself, your family, how long you’ve livedin Mohawk? We moved to the Reservation in 2011. John is my husband. Gracewill be in fourth grade at Mohawk, James will be in second grade, andAndrew will be one year-old in December.What do you enjoy most about living in Mohawk? We are so blessed to live in such an awesome neighborhood! Weabsolutely love our neighbors and the great sense of communityat Mohawk. 12 www.MohawkLife.com





Mohawk LifeWelcome To J.J. PearceMichael Evans H ead Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator, David Collins, New JJ Pearce Principal begins his first year at Pearce HS. Collins is a Graduate of Sterling College and has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. Before coming to Pearce, Collins served as the Athletic Director/ Head Football Coach at Pine Tree ISD. Prior to his stint at PTISD, Collins was the Offensive Coordinator at Lake Travis High School where he coached from 2011-2014. Under his watch, the Cavaliers posted an undefeated 16-0 season in 2011, including winning the 4A Division I State Championship in 2011. The LT offense averaged 45.3 points per game during this 2011 season. Last season, Collins helped take the Cavaliers back to a 5A Division II state semifinal game appearance. Lake Travis amassed a 37-4 record during his 3-year tenure. In 2012, as a member of the Lake Travis staff, Collins was selected to coach the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game in Fort Worth. Before Lake Travis, Collins was the Offensive Coordinator at Garland High school where he helped lead the Owls to a 27-8 record and three straight trips to the state play-offs. Coach Collins also has coaching stops at Allen High School and his alma mater Mabank High School. Coach Collins is married to his lovely wife Crystal who also has a career in education. David Collins New JJ Pearce Athletic Coordinator & Head Football CoachM r. Michael Evans has been named the new principal of 15 Pearce High School. He comes to Pearce from Wylie ISD where he most recently served as principal of BurnettJunior High. “Mike Evans is an outstanding educator and a great fit with theprincipal profile developed by Pearce parents and staff,” said RISDDeputy Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone. “I ask our Pearcecommunity to please join me in welcoming him to RISD and PearceHigh School.” Mr. Evans has 23 years of experience working with students at alllevels of public education, beginning as a teacher and also serving asa high school assistant principal and elementary principal. He holds abachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M anda master’s degree in Educational Administration from the Universityof Texas at Austin. We look forward to a great year with our students and Mr. Evans! www.MohawkLife.com

Mohawk LifeFeatured FamilyThe Stagner Family by Teri HebertT wo words come to mind about Gabe and Shelley Stagner and their family: Grace and Joy. The Stagners have four children, and as we sat talking withthem in their home, the kids were in and out of the room, talking,chatting, playing, and doting over Reid, their youngest at 14 months. This scene seemed so natural, the kids seemed not-at-all phased bystrangers in their living room, asking questions and taking pictures. Itwas clear from the first few moments spent in with them that this is avery special family. Gabe and Shelley met at JJ Pearce high school where they were highschool sweethearts. They started dating in their sophomore year andhave been together ever since. After graduating from Texas Tech, theycame back to the area and set up house in the Mohawk neighborhood-- Gabe as an accountant and Shelley as an interior designer. Over the next ten years, their family grew. So much so, that as wespoke with them for this article they were preparing to move to a newhouse -- just a few streets away but still in Mohawk! Quinn, their oldest son, is nine years old. He plays baseball on achampionship team (the Indians) and he loves swimming. He also hasan artistic side -- he loves to draw Star Wars and Avengers characters. Bennett is 5-1/2 years of age. He also keeps busy with sports (soccerand tee-ball), plus he loves to build things with Legos, put puzzlestogether, and play with one of his favorite toys -- Optimus Prime. Isabelle, the lone girl of the kids, is 2-1/2 years old. And as the onlygirl, she’s pretty much in charge. She loves to play with toys in herkitchen (tea parties are a regular thing). She also plays with her babydoll and of course, bosses the boys around. Then came Reid. He was a surprise! But if you spend more thana few seconds with him, you realize he is a blessing to this alreadyamazing family. Some of his favorite things to do include watchinghis big brothers and sister play, and smiling. He’s a sweet, easy-goingfella -- so tenderhearted that he will begin to cry out of empathy whenhe sees others cry. Within Reid’s first six months, he was diagnosed with a very raredisease called Koolen-de Vries Syndrome. To put into perspectivehow rare this is, there are only 300 cases diagnosed in the world! This means that the odds that Reid would be born with this diseaseare astronomical! But the odds that he would also land in such a perfect family to love and care for him are equally as astronomical-- you have to believe this was the plan all along. Reid is not only blessed, but he blesses so many others. Koolen-de Vries syndrome is a disorder characterized by developmental delay and mild to moderate intellectual disability. There is no cause or cure, but it develops as a result of one missing or altered chromosome. 16 www.MohawkLife.com

Mohawk Life Featured Family Gabe and Shelley initially felt shock and uncertainty after Reid’s During the last school year, Quinn encouraged his class to weardiagnosis. There was also some relief -- now his condition had a name. jeans to school for World Rare Genes Day on February 29. He wrote aBut with such a rare disease, the information known about what the sweet letter about Reid, and Shelley was able to bring Reid to Quinn’sdisease is and how to treat it is still being developed. Every child with class so the students could meet him. Now Reid has a school full ofthis disease is different. And certainly, this is part of what makes Reid fans before he’s even old enough to go to school!so special. Life is a little different than they expected, but the joy in this family But having built their lives in the Mohawk neighborhood, the is evident. Reid goes to different therapies most days of the week:Stagners are surrounded by extensive family and friends who have occupational therapy, speech therapy, and motor therapies. Gabe andprovided no shortage of support. They’ve also found amazing support Shelley work to learn as much about the disease as they can, whilethrough their church -- Watermark. caring for Quinn, Bennett, and Isabelle as well. They are an active family with lots to do and places to go! To watch the Stagner family with Reid is a beautiful thing. Hisbrothers and sistersconstantly interact with him. Gabe and Shelley But the Stagners are helped tremendously by being in such an amazinglight up when they talk about him. They share that while it’s obviously neighborhood. It’s clear this family was meant to be a part of Mohawk.been an unexpected challenge, Reid has taught them a different level ofcompassion than ever before. And they have had the opportunity to really If you see the Stagners out and about, don’t hesitate to say hi! Theyexercise their faith and trust God through this unexpected circumstance. want people to know they are an open book when it comes to Reid and their family. And Quinn, Bennett, and Isabelle will happily tell They’ve also really rallied the community and started raising you all about themselves, as well.awareness for Koolen-de Vries Syndrome. Gabe, through his job atErnst & Young, was named as the company’s Ambassador for March If you’d like to learn more about Koolen-de Vries Syndrome, visitof Dimes where he was able to bring awareness of genetic diseases to supportingkdvs.org. This organization helps with awareness for thethat audience. disease, including Koolen-de Vries Syndrome Awareness Day, which is July 17 every year.www.MohawkLife.com 17

Mohawk LifeTo add on or not to add on by Maria HarrisI n the past year, our company has seen a 300% increase in calls lines are taken into consideration and sometimes have to be regarding room addition projects in Richardson. A huge reason for changed to accommodate an addition. that is the increase in property values. As our property values go up, 3. Mechanical: The new space needs a controlled air environment.our ability to secure financing is simplified because we have increased You might be fortunate and have a current HVAC systemequity. With all of the new construction going on around us, it is a natural that has the proper tonnage, duct work, supplies, returns &leap for people to be interested in improving their property as well. thermostat zones that work efficiently and well in your home asWhen contemplating a room addition project, there are many it currently exists. For many of the older homes in Richardson,components to consider. First we start with the basics: are we going the HVAC is older, not working very efficiently and has 1up (2nd story) or are we going out? City Code will have some specific zone. This often, with an addition, warrants an evaluationparameters to follow when making this determination. Go to www. and re-work of the entire HVAC system. It is costly up front,cor.net and in the search bar type: room additions. The site will retrieve but when finished, transitions into an energy cost savings andall PDF documents, zoning board minutes and city council minutes much less wear on the mechanical equipment.regarding room additions to help you determine if “up” or “out” is the 4. Electrical:Many of our Richardson homes have 150 ampbest route for you to consider. electrical panels. These supported our homes’ electrical needsWith the cost of labor and materials these days, new construction/ when we were plugging in lamps and all of our kitchen appliancesroom addition projects are costing between $170- $200 per/sf. This were manufactured circa 1970 & before. Today, with generalis a 20%-30% increase in construction cost in the last 5 years. Often, can lighting, gfi protected outlets, appliance requirements forto save cost, homeowners want to consider converting their garage independent circuits, etc. we do not have enough space in ourto living space. Years ago, the City of Richardson restricted garage panels to build an addition. Budgeting to replace and increaseconversions only to properties where the garage space being converted the amperage of the panel is a consideration.could be replaced. For example, if you are converting a 2 car garage(approximately 20x20), you would have to be able to add on another There are other items to consider such as foundation, exterior façade,20x20 garage or build a detached 20x20 garage on your property, window (respectful redevelopment) style and location, plumbing andwithout encroaching on any building lines. finish- out materials. Room Addition costs are so much more aboutNow that you have determined that you want to build a room what you need to do to connect that addition to the rest of the house,addition and you have a general budget for cost, what else do you then they have to do with adding that one space.need to consider? Just a few items that can make/ break a project are: Lastly, supply and demand have created an environment in Richardson, where many reputable contractors have large workloads and could be1. Access and egress to the space: Do you need a staircase? How months out before they can get to the work. This is the time when lesswill the staircase impede on your current living space as well as than reputable contractors slide in. They prey on the impatient andthe new living space? uncertain. Check references, check their similar work. The volume of work2. If it is a 2nd floor addition, the current roof, ceiling joists/ happening in our industry in the Metroplex is UNPRECENDENTED.rafters, etc. need to be removed, new floor trusses installed, and If you are considering home improvements, be patient and wait for aa new roof design/ build and install must be done. Existing roof reputable contractor to partner with. You will not regret it.18 www.MohawkLife.com



Mohawk LifeFeatured FamilyMeet Mohawk PTA President Christie Michie by Teri Hebert & Christie MichieHow long have you lived in the Mohawk neighborhood? We moved here in April 2011 after living down in the White RockLake area for as long as we can remember. We had friends who livedhere and knew how great it was! We are in our third home in theMohawk neighborhood and hopefully our last!What do you and/or your husband do outside of PTA work? Photo provided by Christie Michie I work as an adjunct faculty member, teaching a freshman experienceclass, for the Dallas County Community Colleges and for SouthernNew Hampshire University, which is an online program. I teach pre-KSunday School at Wilshire Baptist Church in Lakewood. I also love toread and always have some kind of book on my nightstand. Iain hasbeen in the IT industry for over 18 years, after a first career as a familyand child therapist. He is currently transitioning to a new phase andhopes to find some way to integrate the two fields. He coaches both ofour boys’ football and baseball teams, and is currently serving on theBoard for the Greenwood Hills pool, and learning guitar. Kid sportssuck up every last minute that is left!Do you do any other volunteer work? Tell us about it. Do you have a favorite PTA activity? Tell us about it. Currently, I do not, but Iain is serving on the board for the That is another hard question! I love all of the hubbub of back toGreenwood Hills pool. Does teaching Sunday School count? school. It always seems like a fresh start to me, and I love that feeling.How many children do you have and what are their names What are you most looking forward to this year as president ofand ages? your PTA? We have Duncan, 11, in 6th grade at Mohawk, and twins Claire I most look forward to getting to know people better. Being presidentand Finn, 7, who will be in 2nd grade at Mohawk. Our first child died will give me an opportunity to work closely with the teachers andalmost 15 years ago. staff at the school, and I love that. I also love to plan, so always look forward to having an opportunity to do that!What is your favorite part of the school year? That is a really hard question! It goes so fast each year that they all How do you hope to make a difference for the kids at your school this year?kind of start to blend together! I would say that all of the back to schoolstuff is super exciting . . . a new phase, new teachers, new everything. One goal that we hope to accomplish is to improve the outsideI also love fall, though, with the cooler weather, Halloween and the of the school. We are very fortunate at Mohawk to have so manyschool carnival. academic resources. So, this year, Mrs. Cox and I decided it would be really exciting to make their outdoor world as dynamic as theirHow long have you been involved in your school’s PTA? indoor. Our goals include a large shade structure to cover part of the I started on the board when Duncan was in 2nd grade, as the playground and some better seating for the teachers. Hopefully, we can continue to improve it year after year and make Mohawk a realPrograms Chair. It was a really fun position! I got to plan the back gem in the crown on RISD, both inside and out.to school night, Donuts with Dad, a mother/daughter night, and themother/son kickball. I had served in a similar position in my MOPSgroup and knew I would enjoy it. I did that for two years, then movedon to 1st Vice President last year.20 www.MohawkLife.com





Mohawk Life Let’s touch on a few things that I find motivating about exercise. And I hope you’ll find them motivating too. 1. EXERCISE IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH. That seems really obvious, but here’s what I mean: Exercising just 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week fights heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the U.S. today. What if that could be prevented by exercising for 30 minutes a day? 2. EATING HEALTHIER ALSO REDUCES RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Please, go eat a carrot. A cucumber. Celery! Some kind of veggie that is not smothered in ranch dressing! Then do it again tomorrow! This reduces your risk of heart disease (again, it’s the number one killer of adults – make it go away!).The Importance of 3. EXERCISE IS MEANT TO BE FUN. Wait, what? But I HATE pushups, and burpees, and running, andExercise vs. The weightlifting . . . Ok, so don’t do those things.Myth of Perfection If you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to look forward to it and by Teri Hebert make it a daily habit. Find what makes you happy and excited aboutI   think there is a pervasive myth that exercise means people expect getting active! you to be thin, ripped, and a few Photoshop fixes away from being a fitness model when you wake up in the morning. Hogwash, I say. • Walk (don’t run). 30 minutes of brisk walking has HUGE health benefits. Perfection is a myth, attainable by no one — not even those weview as “perfect”. • Cycling! Fast, fun, and also great to do with friends. Even a stationary bike is great exercise. Here’s a reality that I want to put out there: The gym and working out is not just for personal trainers and • Find a class: PiYo, Zoomba, Kickboxing, whatever. Mix it up.fit people. It’s for you and me. • Circuit training. Goes fast, mixes things up and burns MASSIVE calories in a short amount of time. • Swimming. Low impact, great cardio. • Hate the gym? Work out at home. Find a DVD program that you really enjoy, then push “play”. • Be adventurous or pick a sport. Kayak, mountain climb, play tennis. Anything to get you moving. • Grab a friend. Making exercise social increases the fun level, plus helps keep you accountable to a consistent fitness and healthy eating way of life. 4. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. No two people have the same body type. No two people will have the exact same results, even if working the same program. We are all different, unique, wonderful people. We were made that way! Celebrate it! Focus on YOU. In fact, I wish the gym was flooded with people in whatever Best advice I can give as you ponder either starting a new healthiersweatpants are mostly clean that day, working out, sweating lifestyle, or as you keep on your healthier path – be patient with yourself.unattractively, huffing and puffing, but inspiring the beautiful gym You’re not going to start running today and be able to run a marathon“pod people” to stop looking at themselves in the mirror while they tomorrow. You’re not going to lose 100 pounds by next Tuesday.lift and go “Whoa, that girl is here EVERY DAY . . . KILLING IT . . .that’s awesome!” It takes time, patience, and consistency. Celebrate the milestones along the way to your goal.Take the first step: DEFINE YOUR Let’s retrain our thinking. Fitness isn’t a tool to change others’ GOAL. Then make a plan and get moving!perception of you. Fitness is also not an end result. Fitness is a tool tochange YOUR perception of your own limitations. Your health and In addition to her Editor role with Mohawk Life magazine, Teri is afitness plan is about nothing more than YOU. What do YOU want Certified Personal Trainer and Owner of THebert Fitness in Richardson,for yourself? TX (thebertfitness.com).www.MohawkLife.com 23

Mohawk LifeCanyon Creek Allstate Insurance or inadequate workmanship from its protections. Instead, you’d have to approach the contractor for redress — repairing or replacing the shingles, in this instance. Tip: Hire a reputable contractor up front. Call me, I know several contractors that live right here in our neighborhood.A Contractor Damaged My Home. Resulting DamageWill Insurance Cover It? While your insurance typically doesn’t cover poor workmanship, it may cover damage that’s caused as a result of the work, as long as thatA   contractor you’ve hired to do some work uses a power sander type of damage isn’t otherwise excluded somewhere in your policy. to remove layers of old paint, and he inadvertently sparks a For instance, if a plumber does a poor job sealing the seams between house fire. Will your homeowners insurance cover the damage? two pipes and it causes water to suddenly pour out all over your floor, In a situation like this, homeowners insurance typically helps pay for the water damage would likely be covered, but not the cost to resealthe damage, but it may not provide protection for other scenarios you or otherwise repair the poorly installed pipes.may encounter with a contractor working on your home. Here’s anoverview of how various situations might play out, along with some Tip: Talk to your agent before you begin any renovation project totips to keep in mind. make sure you understand your coverages.Accident Coverage Coverage Limits If a contractor accidentally causes a house fire or some other damage A typical homeowners policy covers your existing home during ato your home, you’ll probably find that your homeowners insurance remodel, but that protection may not automatically extend to a newlywill help cover the repair costs — though your insurer would most likely built room or addition. Make sure you check the coverage limits of yourreach out to the contractor’s insurance company for reimbursement. homeowners insurance and consider increasing them if, for instance, a room addition caused an increase in your property value. This may helpTip: Make sure your contractor has adequate insurance before you give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your coveragebegin the project. If a contractor is unwilling to verify his coverage, could help protect your whole home, just in case the unexpected occurs.consider hiring someone else. Tip: Talk to your insurance agent before beginning a renovation project so that you can update your policy and extend coverage to the new space, if needed. You may also want to ask your agent about whether you may benefit from an add-on protection called theft of building supply coverage, which may protect the construction materials while your project is in the works.Poor Workmanship You make a lot of decisions when you are renovating your home. That’s why it’s important to partner with the right contractor and make If the contractor simply does a poor job — improperly installing sure you have sufficient insurance coverage in place, so that the onlyroof shingles, for instance — homeowners insurance likely won’t decision you might end up second guessing is your paint or tile choice.rectify the situation because a standard policy typically excludes faulty Do you have a New Roof? It could save you hundreds or More on your Home Owner’s Insurance!

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Mohawk LifeBack to School RecipesBack to School Lunch Ideas . . .for Kids These Days by Teri HebertB ack in my day (never mind how long ago that was), school lunches were much different than what kids bring to school for lunch these days. When I was young, I had a variety of metal lunch boxes (Holly Hobbie, Strawberry Shortcake, Jem, maybe Care Bears . . .). As I grew up and became too cool for the metal lunchbox, I literally had a “bag lunch” packed in a nondescript brown paper bag with myname written on it. Most days, it contained a peanut butter and jelly sandwich(on, gasp! . . . white bread) probably some chips. Maybe a cookie.Maybe an apple, non-sliced (which I probably didn’t eat). And always, a napkin with a handwritten note from my mom. My, how times have changed! Today’s lunch “systems” seem to involve Bento boxes, refrigerated carrying cases, and actual “recipes”. So, aswe look forward to the start of the new school year, here are a few school lunch ideas – one for the Healthy eater, one for the Picky eater, andone that’s quick for your child that’s Easy to Please.Healthy: Power Packed Picky: Mini Red Pepper-Mushroom Pizza Lots of protein and veggies make thisa well-balanced and healthy lunch foryour little ones.• 2 mini whole wheat pita pockets, What kid doesn’t like pizza? And can pizza be healthy? This version wrap, or flatbreadwith turkey and is! Evenwith plenty of Calcium and Vitamin C, kids will love it. veggies Ingredients: Red bell pepper, lemons, garlic, cooking spray, shiitake• 3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt mushroom caps, shallots, balsamic vinegar, prepackaged pizza crust, with sliced strawberries, an apple, fresh basil, spinach, fresh mozzarella cheese, black pepper, salt or banana From health.com• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas or other veggies• Handful of animal crackersAdapted from parents.comQuick: Some Assembly Required No cooking. Some slicing. Happy eating. In a bento box: • Whole-grain crackers • Cheese slices • “Apple Pie” Larabar • Carrots or celery • Radishes • Sliced pineapple and mango Adapted from 100daysofrealfood.com Enjoy the start of a new school year, and no matter what you pack for their lunches, don’t forget to include a napkin (with a note to brightenyour child’s day!). 26 www.MohawkLife.com

Mohawk Life Mohawk Real EstateBring on Summer!!! The following listings are those of many brokers who market and sell in Richardson!Mohawk Attendance AreaThen: 5/1/2015 to 6/30/2015 Sold Properties List Price Sold Date SqFt Address $254,000 07/25/2016 1,596 • Sold: 15 Properties 2118 Grove Park Lane $257,500 07/04/2016 1,689 • Range: $232,000 - $450,453 1307 Apache Drive $299,950 07/26/2016 1,966 • Avg. Price: $329,361 915 Meadow View Drive $369,000 07/18/2016 2,051 • Avg. Price per Sq. Ft.: $153.43 1122 Pueblo Drive $385,000 07/01/2016 2,787 1802 Cheyenne Drive $429,900 07/15/2016 2,635Mohawk Attendance Area 1302 Huntington Drive $509,000 07/25/2016 2,906Now: 5/1/2016 to 6/30/2016 1126 Alpine Drive • Sold: 11 Properties Source: NTREIS 2016 Information deemed reliable, • Range: $258,888 - $465,000 but not guaranteed. • Avg. Price: $330,844 • Avg. Price per Sq. Ft.: $155.23These statistics are segued by a couple of new developments,Savoy Landing and Savoy Trace. For more detailed informationabout your subdivision, you may call or email me, and I amhappy to talk with you.FOR SALE $425,000PEARCE H.S, RICHARDSON N.JR. HIGH.  1871 Prairie Dog RunPool, Spa, Play Yard  4/3.1/3 Living www.MohawkLife.com 27

Mohawk LifeCommunity NewsCuttingthe Cord:Life Apartfrom Cable TV by Teri HebertI  don’t know about you, but as a loyal customer to my cable a new internet service, cheaper, for your new cable-free way of provider for many years, I feel anything but appreciated. Costs life. You can always change again if your costs go up after the continue to go up while customer service and channel options introductory offer expires.that actually appeal to me decline. Special offers only apply to new 4. Digital Antenna: Yes, this is a great option for local channels!customers, but what about my five years of loyal service? I’m rewarded Depending on the antenna you buy, you can get your localwith higher fees and slower internet! channels plus a few other channels FOR FREE. When considering an antenna, do your research to find out how far So what are our options? With an increasing variety in the types it needs to reach in your area to pick up signals (20, 35, 50of streaming devices and apps, we do have options! Many of them miles) – there are websites to help with this. The reception onwithout contracts, and some that are very customizable to help you these antennas is surprisingly good and consistent. And manyget only the channels you want to watch. options are easily hidden behind pictures and can be painted to match walls. With your current monthly cable and internet subscription costs inmind, begin researching the four main components needed (streaming Sound overwhelming? Sometimes doing the research and makingplayer, apps, internet service, and yes – digital antenna) to cancel your the switch takes a bit of work, but saving significant money is worthcable but still have access to the TV you want to watch. it. Need an example? Here’s one great option: 1. Streaming Players: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, • Cancel your current internet and TV. Sign up with another Amazon Fire TV, and others – all great options to use as a service in your area for internet only at a low introductory offer. “receiver” to watch TV and movies. Do your research and decide which one has the right price point for you, plus gives you access • Sign up with Sling TV (packages between $20-$40 depending on to the apps you use the most for your streaming media. channel preferences – including AMC, FX, NBC, FOX, ESPN, FOX Sports) and prepay 3 months to get a free Roku player. Add 2. Apps: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, ESPN, and Netflix subscription for a total monthly TV cost between $30-$60 others –Many apps (Netflix and Hulu for example) require a monthly subscription, but you’ll find in most cases that these • Add a Roku stick to a second TV. Purchase a digital antenna to get subscriptions are less than any cable subscription. Other apps local channels on the TV you use the most (with the Roku stick). are free (Crackle, TubiTV, Amazon Prime for members, etc) and have a wide selection of TV and movies. Total savings can be as much as $100 or more, plus you have the flexibility to change subscription services as often as you like 3. Internet Service: To stream media, you do need an internet (no contracts!). provider  .  .  . but you have options. New customers often receive a discount for service anywhere from six months to 12 It IS possible to cut the cord and lead a happy life! Are you ready? months and sometimes longer. So, use this opportunity to try28 www.MohawkLife.com