The Richardson Senior Center
A Special Village Within our City Limits In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur was tasked with overseeing the rebuilding of Japan following World War II. He did so from his walnutpaneled sixth floor office in Tokyo’s Dai Chi Life Insurance Company building. For inspiration, General MacArthur posted pictures in his office of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as well as a copy of his favorite poem by Samuel Ullman entitled “Youth.” n his timeless poem, Ullman envisions youthfulness as a state of mind, not the number of years a person has lived. He believed in embracing a spirit of wonder at every stage of life and experiencing beauty and cheer at every opportunity. It’s as if the founders of the Richardson Senior Center shared Ullman’s understanding of a life well-lived and, consequently, created a gathering place for those citizens aged fifty and older to continue truly living. Led by its energetic and enthusiastic Program and Senior Center Manager Susan Talbot, the thoughtfully redesigned Senior Center is home to a “village” of friends and neighbors who truly care about one another and are finding ways to enjoy this season of life together. Founded in 1993, the Senior Center moved to its current, convenient location at 820 W. Arapaho Rd. almost two years ago. Housed in a former bank building, the Senior Center boasts several flexible meeting spaces/classrooms, a fitness center, a pool room with three oft-used pool tables and spots for onlookers, a great selection of books and puzzles, four computers for members’ use, and a café which serves a light lunch every weekday. A small gift shop called the Robin’s Nest is filled with items handmade by members 50+ and run exclusively by those same seniors. The facility is clean, fresh and cheerfully appointed, a place where the magic of belonging happens Monday through Saturday thanks to the people who work and volunteer at the Richardson Senior Center. Susan Talbot and her team handle not only programming but also ensure that the visitors who use the facility feel at home and take advantage of its many opportunities for growth and enrichment. Susan strives to know each member well: she memorizes their names, their stories, their joys and even their sorrows. She calls each member by name because she believes in the importance of being known. Her self-proclaimed goal is to nourish the minds, health and wellbeing of each of the 400-500+ active members of the Senior Center. Frequent visitor Vivian Marino discovered the Center thanks to a move her parents made from Pittsburgh, PA, to Richardson to care for their grandchildren. At first the couple stayed close to home between times with family. Once they began visiting the Senior Center, however, their lives in Richardson changed in a beautiful way. Vivian’s mom began teaching ceramics at the Center and her dad taught line dancing to the other seniors. Vivian’s mom organized the Saturday night dances which still happen today. The couple were active at the Center for more than twenty years. After retiring from teaching in 2011, Vivian followed in her parents’ footsteps and joined the Senior Center as well. When asked what she would like Richardson residents to know about it, Vivian, now aged 77, replies, “I want the citizens of Richardson to be aware of the TREASURE that they have right here in our community. We learn from the younger members and we are enriched by the wisdom of our older members.” “Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of red cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination; a vigor of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease. This often exists in a man of fifty, more than in a boy of twenty.” Joe Keffer, now 75 years young, lost his beloved wife of 50 years in March of 2021. While dealing with his grief, a loss of identity, purpose and friends, he began looking for an environment in which he could find intellectual, social and physical activities. The journey led him to Richardson’s Senior Center. There he found “the most fascinating people: lawyers, scientists, professors, investors and travelers.” Says Joe, the Center “provides a place to go; it is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and to live life again.” Vivian and Joe are just two of the countless seniors whose lives have been blessed by the Richardson Senior Center. For more information about the Center or to purchase a membership, call 972.744.4800 or visit http://cor.net. You’ll find the Senior Center within the Parks & Recreation Department’s information. “Senior citizens have a very diverse set of needs. Aging does not diminish our desire for a meaningful life; we need to stay active, engaged and connected. Social interaction is essential to prevent loneliness, isolation and even depression…Education and lifelong learning keep seniors involved and challenged. Many seniors still have the desire and capability to be of service to others as teachers and caregivers. The Richardson Senior Center is a unique facility where these needs are addressed daily.”
Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha Celebrates Ten Years
The award-winning Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha, a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar, will celebrate ten years on April 1. The Best Burger in Dallas winner, according to the Dallas Observer’s Best of 2022, opened in 2013 in the Canyon Creek neighborhood of Richardson, Texas. Then, in 2015, a second Shady’s location opened in Richardson’s Lake Highlands. Both casual dining restaurants are still neighborhood favorites and Dallas destinations for many burger lovers. Five neighborhood friends became business partners when they decided one evening to come together to give families, friends and neighbors a unique place to gather while serving scratch kitchen favorites, local beers and the best margaritas in town. “We set out 10 years ago to build a neighborhood place with a great patio that served a variety of fresh dishes and cold beverages. We are excited to reach this milestone and look forward to another ten,” said Shady’s partner Don Bouvier. Shady’s will kick of the anniversary weekend Friday, March 31 at 3:00 pm with a continuous Happy Hour that will run through Sunday evening. In addition, Shady’s will debut their new light lager, Slim Shady’s, created by the Oak Highlands Brewery specifically for Shady’s in honor of the ten-year anniversary. “We are excited to introduce this new, flavorful, namesake beer to our customers and friends,” said Bouvier. “We know our guests are going to love it as much as we do.” Both Shady’s locations will celebrate all weekend long with giveaways, drawings, new merchandise, music and more. “We invite all our customers and friends to come out and celebrate with us by raising a glass to ten years,” said partner Greg Cooney. “The five partners have a lot to be thankful for, including our supportive families, stakeholders and the entire Shady’s team! We love to serve and we love our guests. They’ve become our Shady friends.” CCBC Enterprises is the parent company of Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha and The Fifth Fireside Patio & Bar. The three restaurants are casual dining restaurants and bars with a focus on becoming neighborhood destinations that serve scratch food, local beers and cocktails.
Kim Quirk (Richardson Chamber of Commerce President)
A Chamber President is the CEO of the organization. The position is neither an elected one nor is it governed by term limits. Instead, the Chamber President is hired and managed by a Board of Directors.
Canyon Creek Country Club
Richardson Oasis Undergoing Major Renovation Canyon Creek Country Club, located in the heart of the Canyon Creek neighborhood, offers a variety of member privileges, including a championship 18-hole golf course, 13 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor courts, 10 outdoor pickleball courts and a resort-style pool experience. This family-friendly club offers year-round children’s programming, creative culinary experiences from an award-winning chef, and a variety of social venues. A multi-million dollar club reinvention is now in progress and on track to be completed in phases throughout 2023 as the club celebrates sixty years! Big changes are happening at CCCC: • Pool – The entire resort style pool area, including the adults-only area and kids’ amenities, is being upgraded with new surfaces, furniture and improvements to the bar and cabanas. Opening in late May. • Golf – A completely refined golf experience is underway with updates to the original course design plus a fleet of new golf carts. Opening late fall 2023. • Clubhouse – A refreshed dining concept will be unveiled along with the addition of an all-new modern fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment. Both will have gorgeous views of the upgraded golf course. A lovely patio area offers several seating options to enjoy a meal or drink with scenic views of the golf course. The Terrace Room is the perfect spot to host a celebratory dinner. I love that there are many spaces within the club to connect with friends and family or to have a quiet lunch and catch up on emails. The tennis lounge is a personal favorite, a cozy spot tucked away near the outdoor tennis courts. Even with construction taking place, the club’s doors are still open. Golf members can still play at select Invited Clubs locations. Tennis is in full swing (the courts were upgraded last year), 10 new pickleball courts just opened, and a full schedule of special member events, including Easter, Mother’s Day and more, keeps members busy. Canyon Creek Country Club is also the site of the immensely popular annual Fourth of July Parade and afterparty sponsored by the Canyon Creek Homeowners Association. Why we joined CCCC Our family loves that the country club resides in our local area and has something for everyone in our family. Ryan and Andrew play golf and we were looking for somewhere nearby where they could play often but enjoy other activities as well. The pool scene was also a huge draw for us. Typically, we join a pool in the summer to have a place to cool off on hot summer days. CCCC has three pools: a main resort style pool with diving board and water slide, a children’s pool and splash pad, and an adults-only pool. Private cabanas are available to rent and there’s an outdoor bar as well. From special dinners to golf and tennis tournaments to trunk shows to dive-in movies, the social calendar is filled with opportunities to connect with friends or meet new ones. I like to browse the Club Life App each week to see what’s happening. It’s an easy way to reserve tee times, view the calendar/hours and more. Canyon Creek Country Club is truly a Richardson gem. Andrea Overturf is the founder of the lifestyle blog Loubies and Lulu. She is a content creator focused on fitness, healthy living, style, travel, family, local attractions and more. Andrea and her husband Ryan have lived in Richardson since 2005 and have two children, Marisa (20) and Andrew (12). Find her at loubiesandlulu.com, @loubiesandlulu on Instagram and Facebook!
Karina Llergo: Cottonwood Art Festival’s
Featured Artist for Spring Show The City of Richardson is excited to announce that Karina Llergo, a multicultural heritage artist, will be featured at the spring Cottonwood Art Festival, set for May 6-7 at Cottonwood Park. A panel of jurors reviewed artwork from hundreds of artists competing in fourteen categories before choosing Llergo to represent the spring event. Born and raised in Mexico City, Karina Llergo studied with famed Mexican artist Roberto Cortazar and portraitist Enrique Estrada, who both saw great promise in the young artist. She holds a B.A. in graphic design and has advanced degrees in multimedia, animation and abstract art. Even though Llergo continued to pursue art in her free time, she enjoyed a highly successful corporate career in Mexico before moving to American in 2007. At that time, she transitioned to pursuing art on a full-time basis. Still based in Chicago more than a decade after arriving from Mexico, Llergo has earned numerous Outstanding Achievement and Best of Show awards at distinguished art shows throughout the United States. A lifelong dancer, competitive swimmer and yoga practitioner, Llergo’s paintings reflect her passionate interest in the human form; she turns human figures into fluid entities on canvas. Says Llergo, “With my art, I continually seek fresh ways to capture the magic of energy through the motion of the human body…I weave dance, air and water into my paintings to achieve an otherworldly likeness. My goal is that when you look closely at one of my pieces, you will not only see the ethereal images and feel their essential vitality, but also be moved to generate positive forces in your own life.” Llergo will be joined by more than 200 artists at the semi-annual juried Cottonwood Art Festival, a celebration of unique art, live music and food. Artists display in a variety of mediums, including jewelry, digital, 3D mixed media, wood, sculpture and more. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festival as well. The ArtStop Children’s Area boasts fun activities such as the basics of weaving, creating with clay, painting and more. Visitors who come hungry to Cottonwood will enjoy tasty festival favorites but will also find delicious new items this year. Entry into Cottonwood is FREE, including free parking. The festival will be open Saturday, May 6, from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and again on Sunday, May 7, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. More information about the Cottonwood Art Festival can be found at http://cottonwoodartfestival.com.
Desiree Johnson (founder of Justin Thyme Homes)
I’m Desiree Johnson, founder of Justin Thyme Homes. I’d like to share how I went from being a marketing director, flying all over the world and managing brands for Fortune 500 companies that included Dr. Pepper, T-Mobile, and American Airlines, to becoming a general contractor and owner of my own construction company. I feel lucky to be based in Richardson, and I hope that my story inspires other women who are looking to reinvent themselves. If you had told me twenty-five years ago that I would be a General Contractor, I would have laughed uproariously. But looking back, most of my life and work experiences seem to have been preparing me to become a GC. My story began when I was a kid and my dad worked for some large international companies. We left the United States when I was three and moved to Puerto Rico, then to Brazil, and finally to London. I spent twelve years abroad with my family, returning stateside when I was fifteen. As such, I became fluent in Spanish, a skill which would benefit me greatly as my career trajectory changed. Fast forward to 2004 when my husband Brad and I built our first home in the Texas Hill Country. I designed the home to scale on graph paper and then, with string and spikes, staked out every room – all while carrying my son Hatch in a Baby Bjorn on my back. I wanted to see how the home would fit within the trees, the land, and the view. As a result of that early planning visit, I ended up flipping the entire layout of the house for the sake of a big oak tree. As much as I loved that home, we had to leave it behind as we embarked on a new journey when we were transferred to Dallas for Brad’s job. We knew very little about the metroplex but wanted our new home to be close to Brad’s work, which was in Richardson. I was consulting from home, so I had no commute. We also wanted a great school district for Hatch. Our realtor kept taking us to newer neighborhoods further north, showing us generic homes with nice big closets. Much to our realtor’s dismay as he attempted to steer us elsewhere, we ended up buying on Flat Creek Drive in Richardson’s desirous Canyon Creek neighborhood. It fit our criteria, and we loved all the big trees and the fact that the homes weren’t “cookie-cutter.” It was truly a blessing…we’ve never lived anywhere so friendly and inviting, and so we were able to make friends easily and quickly integrate into the community. Over the years, we have purchased rental properties and moved twice more in Richardson. In those houses, I overhauled everything from foundations to layouts, electrical, plumbing, and more, all while making the homes beautiful and juggling my corporate workload. As friends and neighbors saw the results of the renovations, they began to request my services. I attribute their enthusiasm not only to my design choices but also to my ability to re-imagine a home and provide creative space solutions with better layouts. Sometimes the new vision requires making big changes such as taking out walls or moving entire HVAC systems. About ten years ago, while my husband and I were still renovating homes as a side business, I began to realize that my corporate job was coming to an end. For the first time, we were so busy with renovations that we had to hire a general contractor to help on one of our homes. What a poor experience that was! The GC didn’t proactively communicate with us, didn’t manage the budget accurately, and completely lacked creativity, a skill I took great pride in on my own renovation projects. Shortly thereafter, I remember saying to Brad one night, “You know, I am really good at this renovation business. I know I can deliver a great experience, especially for women who like proactive communication and a partner to bounce ideas off regarding their design choices. Plus, my corporate job is coming to an end…I don’t know when, but it’s coming.” Soon after that pivotal conversation, I began formalizing my company and stepped up my side renovation jobs in preparation for my departure from the corporate world. As fate would have it, most of my marketing team and I were let go two and a half years later. Thanks to that earlier conversation with Brad, I was ready! Even though the pay didn’t initially match what I was used to earning in corporate America, I’ve never regretted the change to business ownership. Home renovation and remodeling is my passion. It combines my previous business and management experience, my foreign language aptitude, and my creative skills. Now that I have my own business, I find it easy to manage complex schedules, deadlines, and multiple crews. I over-communicate with my clients. If a customer emails me, it’s rare that I don’t respond within an hour. To minimize monetary surprises, I create detailed up-front budgets (which I walk a client through before a contract is ever signed). In this industry, being successful means having a great crew, and I’ve worked with some of my regular team members for more than eight years. Because I am fluent in Spanish, I can effectively manage and easily communicate with some incredible crews who are most comfortable speaking in Spanish. Our business model allows us to be highly competitive on pricing for larger renovations, especially with whole-home gut jobs or large kitchen remodels. Women in particular love working with us because we are able to help with design choices in a very accommodating style. I chose Richardson as a place for my business because of its location and proximity to home. I like to show up on site almost every day (often multiple times a day), so living close is key. But more importantly, I love owning a business in Richardson because the city is filled with
It’s Storm Season
Choosing The Right Roofing Contractor Spring is here and local homeowners know that means potentially severe weather. For anyone who owns a residential property or commercial building, they know the time will eventually come when they will have a need to hire a roofing contractor for roof maintenance, repairs or full replacement. But choosing a roofing contractor is no easy task. The current state of the roofing industry is highly competitive and anyone who is in the process of selecting a roofing contractor, especially after a storm, must know what to look for in terms of state compliance, experience and affiliations. When selecting a qualified roofing contractor, homeowners should take into consideration the following questions: Does the roofing contractor have liability insurance? When selecting a roofing contractor, it is extremely important for the property owner to ask if the roofing company has worker’s compensation insurance coverage on all of its employees. Roofing contractors who do so demonstrate excellent business practices. They show a willingness to pay for the protection of their customers, their employees and their company. Consumers should also ask for proof of liability insurance coverage. When getting multiple roofing estimates, a property owner should question a drastically lower bid. It could indicate minimal or even no insurance coverage. Keep in mind that in the State of Texas, roofing contractors are not required to be licensed. Does the roofing contractor obtain proper permitting from the city in which the job is being done? When roofing contractors apply for a permit, they demonstrate a willingness to do the work according to state and local building codes in addition to having the in-progress and final work inspected by a representative of the municipality. Is the roofing contractor compliant with OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fall protection regulations? A property owner should ask several safety-related questions before selecting a roofing contractor: Is the contractor 100% compliant with OSHA’s safety standards? Has the roofing contractor been issued any fines by OSHA? Are the roofing installers tied-off on the roof? Is there an on-site safety monitor? Property owners need to be aware of the possible consequences of hiring a roofing contractor that does not comply with OSHA’s fall protection regulations. If the roofing crew has already been issued a warning by OSHA for not being tied-off and they are cited again, OSHA can issue a stop-work order right in the middle of the roofing job. The crew could be in the middle of re-nailing the plywood deck and if they are not compliant, they could be taken off the roof immediately. The property owner would be left with the headache of having to hire another roofer to complete the job. How many years has the roofing contractor been in business? A contractor who has been in business for ten to fifteen years has amassed an incredible amount of experience, knowledge and trustworthiness. The roofing industry is an ever-changing landscape. Building codes, products, installation methods and even warranties can change from one year to the next. A roofing contractor who has been in business for several years knows how important it is to stay abreast of the changes in the industry. Furthermore, because Texas does not require licensing, the state is home to an abundance of underexperienced, storm-chasing roofers. Does the roofing contractor understand and explain the warranties associated with the roof being installed? Speaking of warranties, most property owners are not aware that roofing contractors must be trained and certified in product knowledge and installation procedures by roofing material manufacturers to be able to offer the manufacturer’s product warranty. The property owner is taking a risk in terms of future problems if they don’t verify who is liable for roofing product defects or shoddy workmanship. If a roofing contractor tells a potential customer they are going to guarantee the work, then it is very important for the owner to get it in writing on the estimate/contract. When a property owner is in the process of asking friends, family and neighbors for roofing contractor recommendations, he or she should inquire about the responsiveness of a roofing contractor to a warranty situation. Did the contractor acknowledge the problem as a warranty repair? Did they make sure the property owner was 100% satisfied before they closed the warranty ticket? A workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s product warranty are the roofing contractor’s way of telling the property owner, “We are here for you if anything goes wrong.” Is the company trained and certified in whichever roofing system you are interested in installing? For every type of roofing material from shingle to tile to TPO, a different set of installation instructions exists. It is not entirely uncommon for a contractor to say he or she can do the job just to get the job. When selecting a roofing contractor, the property owner is advised to visit the manufacturer’s website and look specifically for a link to certified roofing contractors in their area. The roof is 40% of the investment in a building. It is critical that the property owner selects the most qualified roofing contractor who is familiar with the roofing system you wish to have installed. Does the roofing contractor belong to associations affiliated with their business? Last on the checklist are the roofing contractor’s affiliations with well-known entities such as Better Business Bureau, Angi, NARI, The Good Contractors List and their local Chamber of Commerce in addition to memberships with various roofing manufacturer and contractor associations. A roofing contractor who is a member of local and national associations is a roofing contractor who has nothing to hide. Property owners should be prepared to complete a three-step process when selecting a roofing contractor. Step one: do a substantial amount of pre-estimate appointment homework based on the seven-point checklist. Step two: call the roofing contractor, ask questions and set an estimate appointment. Step three: confirm that the contractor has a physical office location and office staff. Many a deal has been sealed once the property owner has
Richardson Adult Literacy Council
Changing Lives and Building Bridges One of Richardson’s not-forprofit shining stars is the Richardson Adult Literacy Center (RALC). Founded in 1990, RALC’s purpose is to transform lives by providing English as a Second Language and workforce readiness programs to adults who live and/or work in the Richardson community and desire to learn or improve their ability to speak English. RALC operates on the Theory of Change: by improving their students’ English language proficiency and workforce readiness, RALC will positively change their students’ families and the communities in which they live. RALC reaches potential students by partnering with local organizations and businesses to share the programs that the Center offers. Working through local faith-based communities, community-based organizations, schools and libraries, the team at RALC strives to reach as many people as possible. They also use a variety of social media platforms, email, flyers and posters to disseminate information. But word of mouth seems to provide the best marketing. States RALC Board of Directors President Daniel Burdette, “Our students are our biggest fans and help spread the word about the wonderful benefits of enrolling with RALC.” Burdette has been volunteering at RALC since 2012; he has served on the board for approximately three years and was elected to the position of President in January 2023. When Burdette is asked what makes him most proud to be associated with the nonprofit, he replies, “In addition to ESL classes, RALC offers Workforce Readiness classes (one of the primary reasons students indicate as their motivation for learning English) as well as a Citizen Preparation Course, in partnership with the law firm Berry Appleman & Leiden. Another amazing thing about RALC is that all of our ESL teachers are volunteers! It never ceases to amaze me how generous our friends and neighbors are with their time and energy, and what a positive impact they make in our community.” As the community of people seeking their services grows, RALC is recognizing that the demand for services now surpasses the bandwidth of their current staff. Three out of the four staff members only work parttime, so an expansion of services will require converting some additional staff to full-time positions. In 2023, the RALC board hopes to promote greater awareness in the community of the services offered, expanding their support from corporate sponsors and local donors so that they have adequate budgetary means to provide services to even more Richardson residents. The first three months of 2023 have been busy ones at the Center. Currently 317 students are enrolled in ESL classes and 25 are registered for the Citizenship Preparation Course. In addition, more than 50 students are registered for a series of Digital Literacy classes. On top of teaching, RALC hosted a retreat and elected new board members. Book Club and Beginning and Advanced Writing & Conversation classes began. RALC is also finalizing plans for their upcoming annual Murder Mystery fundraiser to be held April 1. They are launching a new website, training volunteer teachers, hosting a kickoff for those new teachers, and hosting roundtable discussions which will give teachers a chance to share best practices with one another. Thanks to the team at RALC, adult students will improve their employability, become more engaged in their children’s educations, and enhance their civic engagement, thereby becoming more independent and integrated into the community. RALC students consistently report that the combination of ESL education, community mentorship, and post-RALC education help them to achieve their goals. RALC is just one of many incredible nonprofits in Richardson. When Burdette, a dedicated Richardson volunteer, is asked what makes him want to be a part of RALC and the greater nonprofit community, he replies, “I believe in the idea from scripture that ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’ and feel that Richardson provides so many impactful ways to give back and elevate our community. My wife Catherine and I have found that if you express an interest in serving in Richardson, whether it be through a nonprofit, a faith community, a city commission or board, or your local neighborhood, you will be put to work! We love living out our family motto in Richardson: Work hard. Play hard. Give back.” To learn more about the Richardson Adult Literacy Center, call 972.644.5119 or visit http://ralc.org.