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.
Richardson’s Hiking and Biking Trails
Living a healthy lifestyle in Richardson is easy thanks to the City’s investment in its many parks and trails. There are 87 miles of trails and walkways across Richardson, including 6 miles of soft surface trails. Richardson continues to make improvements to existing trails and has plans for future growth. One such improvement is the installation of trail markers at both the Spring Creek Nature Area and Breckinridge Park. These markers indicate where emergency calls for assistance can be made if a trail user runs into trouble in those parks. The markers are located where the possibility of being in a remote area of the park is high. The City coordinated with local police and fire departments to make the project happen.
Evan and Sally Batt
RICHARDSON’S MOVERS AND SHAKERS Editor’s Note: Movers and shakers are people who make things happen, influencers whose energy creates positive change. They’re always busy and often pioneers in their respective fields. In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine , we will highlight an individual, couple or group of people who we feel fits this definition. If you would like to nominate a mover and shaker to be celebrated in the pages of the magazine, email pmotte@hylogroup.com. Back in 1874 when Arthur O’Shaughnessy introduced the idea of movers and shakers in his poem Ode , he was referring to poets and musicians…the “influencers” of his age. He labelled his creative peers movers and shakers because they “shook” the foundations of conventional thinking thanks to their vision and imagination. Ask any regular at Lockwood Distilling Co. whether Sally and Evan Batt fit the description and you’ll likely be regaled with tall tales about Evan’s shenanigans and hear unbridled enthusiasm for Sally. No matter which person you ask at Lockwood, customer or team member, the story is the same: “nicest people ever,” “loads of fun,” “never met a stranger.” So how did a couple of kids from Texas A&M who met on a Pi Kappa Phi Date Party bus ride to New Orleans become worthy of such admiration? It’s a great story. Sally and Evan’s journey literally began on that bus. Both had gone to the party with other dates—strictly friends, they both assured me—but quickly just clicked. Sally says she “fell in love with Evan Batt on that bus ride and never looked back.” The trip was so special that Evan ended up proposing to Sally in New Orleans. Henry Lee Tennessee was their New Orleans taxi driver for almost twelve years and is immortalized in a massive painting hanging on their living room wall. The “Big Easy” became a regular destination for the Batts and still inspires their business decisions twenty years later. Why? The answer lies in what Evan and Sally enjoy so much about New Orleans. They love the Louisiana hot spot for its funky vibe and friendly people. They love the live music and constant energy. And they love the way New Orleans welcomes folks of all generations. There’s something for everyone in NOLA. Lockwood feels like that. 90-year-olds and 20-year-olds both want to host their birthday parties there! Just ask regulars Ashley and Janeye. The two friends are Lockwood’s selfproclaimed Very. First. Customers. And talking to them about Lockwood is like talking to the Batts about New Orleans. The two friends consider Lockwood to be a “home away from home.” When the signs went up that Lockwood was having a soft opening, Ashley says they “peeled out of the driveway to go give it a try.” She remembers, “From that first night, walking into Lockwood felt like walking into the living room at your best friend’s house. Evan and Sally make everyone feel at home and important,” a sentiment echoed later by Big Tony. Big Tony, as he is known to everyone, works at Lockwood. He doesn’t have an official title—or at least he says he doesn’t. When asked what his role is at the distillery, he replies, “Great question! No one really knows but we all know I’m super important to the brand and instrumental in keeping the party going!” And that’s what it’s like to work with Evan and Sally. Imagine your best weekend in New Orleans happening right here in Richardson. That’s the vibe the couple has created. Says Big Tony, “Sally has a smile and attitude that won’t let you have a bad day. She is also extremely smart and an amazing mother. Evan is driven with a laser-like focus; he wants the best out of you and won’t accept anything less! I can honestly say I don’t know where I would be without the Batts and I’m not the only person who can make that statement.” It wasn’t always as easy as the Richardson business owners make it look. The pandemic tested the Batts. Bars and restaurants began failing once COVID turned the world upside down. But instead of throwing in the towel, Evan and Sally kept Lockwood open and started making hand sanitizer. Hundreds of gallons of it. And donating 400 gallons to the Richardson Police and Fire departments not because someone asked them to, but because that’s simply who they are. They also delivered meals to nurses on the COVID front lines. As scary as that time was for small business owners throughout Richardson, the Batts never even considered closing their doors… they had too many people depending on them. They wanted to keep their team earning a living during COVID and that reality, according to Evan, was stressful but motivating. The couple decided the best way forward would be to thrive, not just survive, and that creating a culture of positivity would be the key to their success. People were scared. They were stuck in their homes and missing the camaraderie of others. So the Batts brought live music to Lockwood’s front porch and hosted parking lot concerts in the middle of a pandemic. Customers brought chairs and blankets and their dogs and their kids and sat outside a safe distance from one other and began to feel alive again. According to Sally, Lockwood was the only venue with musicians playing live during COVID. Once the crowd grew from a handful to a parking lot full, the serving staff needed a way to quickly find their customers. So Sally sent out a request for trophy donations. The next thing customers knew, they were being handed a 1st place t-ball trophy or a cheerleading trophy from 1973 with a number on top as a means of identification. The ease in which the Batts ingeniously pivoted during the pandemic built confidence within the community and earned their customers’ and employees’ devotion. Says Sally, “We found our identity as a company during COVID. We got stronger and decided that joy was
Richardson Civic Art Society
Since its founding in 1966 as the first arts organization in Richardson, the Richardson Civic Art Society (RCAS) has had one stated purpose: to organize and support projects that further creative visual art and artists.
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
Growing Again to Better Serve You and Your Family It’s not somewhere you plan to go. But when emergencies happen, you want to go somewhere close to home that you trust to return you and your loved ones to good health. That is why Methodist Richardson Medical Center is expanding to better serve you. The $46 million project will add two new floors totaling about 80,000 square feet, which will accommodate the hospital’s pharmacy and laboratory. Another 25,000 square feet will be remodeled to expand the existing Emergency Department. That space will include additional trauma treatment areas and eighteen new ER beds. “More than 50% of our admissions come through our Emergency Department, so it’s essentially the front door of our hospital,” says Methodist Richardson President Ken Hutchenrider, FACHE. “We are expanding to allow our ED to more effectively serve our growing region.” Methodist Richardson is unique because it serves such a large population. More than 1.1 million people live within the hospital’s service area. That makes Methodist Richardson a medical hub for northeastern Dallas County, Collin County and parts of Rockwall County. Emergency Departments across the nation are experiencing an overall increase in patient volume and the ED at Methodist Richardson is certainly a part of that trend, averaging 55,000 visits per year. This year, the Emergency Room at the campus located at the intersection of George Bush Highway and Renner Road has seen more than 150 patients daily. That’s a 12% increase over the previous year. State Of The Er The Texas EMS Trauma & Acute Care Foundation (TETAF) recently designated Methodist Richardson as a Level III trauma center. What does that mean to you? It means the hospital has 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons, specialists and anesthesiologists. If you fall off a ladder while cleaning the leaves out of your gutters, for example, you can rest assured paramedics will take you to a facility like Methodist Richardson where they know staff will be available and ready at any time – day or night365 days a year. “Trauma is a leading cause of death in people ages 1-44,” says Methodist Richardson Trauma Director Stuart Johnston, MD, FACS. “Access to highquality trauma care in our area can mean the difference between life and death.” Requirements of Level III trauma centers include: • 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists • A comprehensive quality assessment program • Transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center • Back-up care for rural and community hospitals • Continued education of the nursing and allied health staff and the trauma team • Involvement with prevention efforts and active outreach program for its referring communities The hospital also recently earned its certification as a comprehensive stroke center. Certified comprehensive stroke centers meet standards to treat the most complex stroke cases. It’s the highest level of stroke care which includes: • Comprehensive stroke performance measures • 24/7 neuro-intensive care unit • 24/7 operating room • Endovascular and imaging services • Advanced imaging capabilities • Available personnel trained in vascular, neurological, neurosurgical and endovascular procedures. Planning For Growth This most recent project is the third major expansion for the hospital since it opened nearly nine years ago. In 2018, Methodist Richardson underwent an $85 million expansion project, which included the 104,000 square foot addition of two new floors. The project also added the hospital’s ninth operating room and a seven-story parking garage. The new facilities opened in late December 2019, just months ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. “That timing was fortunate, but growth is no accident,” Hutchenrider says. “It’s about preparing for the future with a strategic master plan that reacts to the evolving needs of our communities.” Methodist Richardson offers personalized healthcare services for every stage of life and every state of health, from a level III neonatal intensive care unit to highly specialized cancer treatment and everything in between. It’s about advanced care that’s close to home. Care that you trust. Guided by the founding principles of life, learning and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated healthcare to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Twelve hospitals proudly carry the Methodist Health System brand, as owners or through affiliation. More than 50 Methodist Family Health Centers and Methodist Medical Group specialty physician office locations are among the facilities served by the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at http://MethodistHealthSystem.org. Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.
Mark Malcolm MVP COACH
Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine , we will highlight an individual who has made a difference in the lives of Richardson Independent School District students. If you would like to nominate an educator, email pmotte@hylogroup.com . Our inaugural spotlight shines on Coach Mark Malcolm, a legendary teacher and coach. He was nominated by Pastor Clayton Oliphint of First United Methodist Church Richardson. Several of Coach Malcolm’s former players interviewed for this story played on Coach Malcolm’s 1983 Apollo Junior High School eighth grade football city championship team. Tell us about your early years. Where did you grow up and what was your early family life like? When did you know you wanted to teach and coach? I was born in Odessa, TX, to parents who were both educators. My father Bill had been a teacher and a coach at Texas High in Texarkana, moved to Odessa, and became a principal in Brownfield and then Richardson. He retired as an Assistant Superintendent. My mother was an art teacher at Texas High in Texarkana, where she met my father. She then became an elementary school teacher. My brother Matt was born in Brownfield. On my birthday in 1967, we drove through a hailstorm and a tornado for my parents to interview in Richardson. I attended Greenwood Hills, North Junior High, and J.J. Pearce, graduating in 1975. I was blessed to have the powerful influence of good teachers and coaches in my life. Grown men still called my father Coach. All of these factors drew me to teaching and coaching, which are really the same thing. Where did you attend college and did you play college football? I am a 1979 Texas Tech graduate. I did not play football past junior high. I tell people often that I don’t coach because I was a good or successful athlete. I coach because the men who coached me changed my life. Even from the vantage point of a skinny bench-sitter, what my coaches accomplished in building our team seemed magical to me. We’d love to get to know the Malcolm family… My wife Kim and I met teaching at Apollo Junior High in 1979. She taught French and was the department head at Apollo and then JJ Pearce before becoming Richardson ISD’s LOTE (Language Other Than English) Curriculum Director. We married over Labor Day in 1980. We have two children who are Mohawk, North, and JJ Pearce graduates. Our son Major Rob Malcolm, Mark Malcolm is the kind of teacher and coach every student should have at some point in his or her life. Someone who is passionate about helping the student understand the concepts and gain information, but who is just as interested in his or her character development and well-being. I love that so many of Coach Malcolm’s former students come back to see him and acknowledge his impact in their lives. He is a difference maker who has shaped generations of young people in RISD and beyond. – Pastor Clayton Oliphint USMC, is a Naval Academy graduate. He and his wife Vanessa and their daughter Cora live in California. Our daughter Reverend Hailey Malcolm is an ordained Presbyterian minister. She and her husband David York live in Michigan. Coach Malcolm remembers every play, every kid, every story. He has coached generations of kids that are today 55+ years old all the way down to 13 years old that will all tell you their team was his favorite team or a story about their season was one that he always talks about. That’s roughly 40+ years of teams of kids playing football, basketball and other sports that will tell you the same thing. – former player Brent Burton Tell us about your teaching career. I have coached football for forty-four years and taught academic classes for forty-three of those, even when I was a high school head coach. I started as an English teacher and, counting summer school, I have taught every secondary English class from grades 7 through 12. I have taught both parts of U.S. History, Economics, Government and World History. Teaching is a performance art with an element of improvisation. As you engage your students, the lesson changes from one class to another. It is always interesting and often magical. Name three adjectives which best describe you. I am the wrong person to select these, but I hope that people would describe me as passionate, relational and caring. You have mentored so many young people. Did you have a mentor of your own growing up? Two of the best teachers I ever had were at North Junior High. Coach Larry Robertson taught me from the first day that you can always do more than you think you can. My English teacher D. Ann Gorman taught me to love the art and discipline of good writing. Coach Malcolm teaches every bit as much about character, integrity and honor as he does about football. And he coached some of the best teams in RISD history at Apollo Jr High in the 80’s alone. A true legend. People throw around the GOAT acronym a lot, but he really is that. Year after year, pouring his heart and soul into his craft, and doing it at such an exceptional level – if this man is not in the Hall of Fame, then there shouldn’t be one. I’m beyond grateful that he was my coach and my teacher. And now as a 52-year-old father of three myself, I’m truly honored to call him my friend. Words cannot express how much I admire, appreciate and respect this legend of a man. Coach Malcolm would be the first to say that he is the product of two exemplary parents. His father was a longtime RISD principal and administrator who was legendary throughout the city for his memory of students and parents. Coach Malcolm is blessed with his father’s memory of people and sporting events and has continued his parents’ legacy by being