Outhwest Cedar Hill - Desoto - Duncanville
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SWNApr09covers 3/19/09 10:13 PM Page 2 TheThe CommunityCommunity MagazineMagazine ServingServing CedarCedar Hill,Hill, DeSoto,DeSoto, DuncanvilleDuncanville andand thethe SurroundingSurrounding AreaArea Southwest Cedar Hill - DeSoto - Duncanville April 2009 BigBig FootstepsFootsteps AllAll thethe Presidents’Presidents’ HymnsHymns AA CreativeCreative OutletOutlet Saving From a Rainy Day PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FT. WORTH, TX At Home With PERMIT NO. 1016 At Home With GordonGordon andand ShirleyShirley VansteenbergVansteenberg SWNApr09covers 3/19/09 10:17 PM Page 3 SWNApr09p1-5.qxd 3/19/09 10:22 PM Page 1 www.nowmagazines.com 1 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p1-7.qxd 3/24/09 10:05 AM Page 2 www.nowmagazines.com 2 SouthwestNOW April 2008 SWNApr09p1-5.qxd 3/19/09 10:27 PM Page 3 ContentsApril 2009, Volume 3, Issue 4 8 14 20 Saving From a Big Footsteps All the Presidents' Rainy Day Hymns 28 Family History 34ArtsNOW 38BusinessNOW At Home With Gordon and A Creative Outlet Team Kelley Shirley Vansteenberg Around TownNOW HealthNOW On the Cover: 40 48 One of the many decorative touches in the Vansteenberg home. 44 Who’s CookingNOW 50 OutdoorsNOW Photo by Terri Ozymy. 46 FinanceNOW 52 Community Calendar Publisher, Connie Poirier Southwest Editor, Beverly Shay Advertising Representatives, Linda Dean Steve Hansen . Rick Ausmus . Will Epps General Manager, Rick Hensley Contributing Writers, Lesa G. Ansell . Cliff Boyd Carolyn Mixon . Linda Moffett . Steve Randle Faith Browning . Nancy Fenton Managing Editor, Becky Walker Linda Roberson . Shane Smith . Eddie Yates Katrina D. McNair . Jaime Ruark Editorial Coordinator, Sandra McIntosh Terri Yates Photography, Terri Ozymy Natalie Busch . Graphic Designers/Production, Julie Carpenter Creative Director, Jami Navarro Ivey Photography Allee Brand . Cherie Chapman . April Gann Art Director, Chris McCalla Contributing Editors/Proofreaders, Pat Anthony Marshall Hinsley . Arlene Honza . Jana Jennings Office Manager, Lauren De Los Santos Jaime Ruark . Beverly Shay Brande Morgan . Pamela Parisi . Jennifer Wylie SouthwestNOW is a NOW Magazines, L.L.C. publication. Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved. SouthwestNOW is published monthly and individually mailed free of charge to homes and businesses in the Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Duncanville zip codes. Southwest Cedar Hill - DeSoto - Duncanville Subscriptions are available at the rate of $35 per year or $3.50 per issue. Subscriptions should be sent to: NOW Magazines, P.O. Box 1071, Waxahachie, TX 75168. For advertising rates or editorial correspondence, call (972) 283-1170 or visit The Community Magazine Serving Cedar Hill, DeSoto, www.nowmagazines.com. Duncanville and the Surrounding Area www.nowmagazines.com 3 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p1-7.qxd 3/22/09 8:27 PM Page 4 Southwest Cedar Hill - DeSoto - Duncanville Greetings, Southwest Friends, I am writing from Lake Tahoe, where the sun is shining, the snow is falling, skiers and snow boarders swish down the slopes … definitely winter here! As you read this, your gardens are blooming and Texas is in full-spring-swing! We are all ready for the pleasant weather that reminds us why we live in Texas. This month, we offer some interesting articles: how to build a rain harvesting system to conserve water usage — very timely in drought conditions. Ed Spann shares the favorite hymns of all of our American presidents. Read about the Stanley family, longtime DeSoto residents. Our April artist is Duncanville jewelry maker, Kari Sullivan. David Wilson of David’s Seafood Restaurant shares some delectable, mouth-watering recipes, and Shirley and Gordon Vansteenberg have graciously invited us into their home. Be sure to check out our business feature, especially if you like riding motorcycles. Beverly Shay SouthwestNOW Editor www.nowmagazines.com 4 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p1-5.qxd 3/19/09 10:31 PM Page 5 SWNApr09p1-7.qxd 3/24/09 10:06 AM Page 6 www.nowmagazines.com 6 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p1-7.qxd 3/19/09 10:34 PM Page 7 www.nowmagazines.com 7 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p8-13CHNMain.qxd 3/22/09 8:29 PM Page 8 Cedar Hill SavingFrom a Rainy — By Katrina D. McNair We bathe in it,Day cook with it, wash our cars and dishes with it, and nothing is more refreshing than a cool glass of it on a hot Texas day. No matter its use, water is an essential element of life. Like many of our natural resources, however, water tends to be taken for granted and shamefully wasted as we go about our daily lives. For Pam Daniel, a resident of Midlothian, this is simply unacceptable. As a rainwater harvesting specialist, square feet of landscaping. As a result, they have seen water WPam is ready to teach others about the importance bills go from upwards of hundreds of dollars a month, to — and the necessity — of conserving water. about $20-$30 on average. A native Texan, Pam, along with her husband, Rick, began What exactly is rainwater harvesting? A basic definition is to teach rainwater barrel making about three years ago, the process of capturing, diverting, storing and distributing assisting different cities and companies in teaching water rainwater for later use. It is an old concept with a new value. conservation and rainwater harvesting. In addition to being As water shortages and droughts continue to cause problems, a rainwater harvesting specialist, Pam is also an accredited homeowners are looking to conserve water and save on bills. professional through the American Rainwater Catchment Cedar Hill’s concern for water conservation led to Pam’s Systems Association. “I attended a water conservation/rainwater rainwater barrel class being held at the Cedar Hill Recreation harvesting course as a Master Gardner volunteer. I’ve always Center. In her class, Pam’s students actually construct a rain felt like water conservation was extremely important,” she barrel and are able to take it home the very same day. The said, “but that kind of ignited my passion again.” class lasts about two hours and all materials are supplied. Her passion inspired Pam to outfit her own home with a During the first hour, participants view a presentation about 6,000-gallon rainwater collection system, a visible testament water conservation. The presentation touches on issues with to her belief in the importance of water conservation. This water supplies across the globe and then focuses on water system allows the Daniel family to irrigate about 2,000 issues closer to home. “We need to change the way we’re www.nowmagazines.com 8 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p8-13CHNMain.qxd 3/19/09 10:37 PM Page 9 SWNApr09p8-13CHNMain.qxd 3/19/09 10:38 PM Page 10 Cedar Hill doing things, or we will not have the same Earth for our kids or future generations. We’re using up our resources at an alarming pace, and water is that most important resource,” Pam said. “The class gives a good overview of the opportunities that rainwater harvesting can offer.” After the presentation, class participants are then assisted in making their own rain barrels to aid in their conservation journeys. The rain barrels are typically four feet high and a couple of feet wide. They are designed to hold approximately 55 gallons of water. The barrels are food grade, meaning they have already been used to store food items, ensuring their quality and safety in storing water. Though the barrels are usually blue in color, they can be painted to suit and fit in with a home’s outside decor. Each barrel is built with a spigot to fill watering cans with stored water, or which allows a hose to be attached. Class costs range in price, depending on location. Though standing water can be a concern, especially during the summer, Pam believes those who create their own rain barrels will have little to be concerned about. “What we recommend is that folks put a mosquito dunk in the barrels and that will get rid of any mosquitoes,” Pam said. The “dunks” are available at most local hardware stores. Also, when participants construct their rain barrels, Pam assists them in placing a small piece of netting over www.nowmagazines.com 10 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p8-13CHNMain.qxd 3/20/09 10:31 PM Page 11 Cedar Hill the hole where the water drains into the barrels. This also assists in keeping mosquitoes and other small insects out. Since most homeowners will use the water they collect to take care of landscaping, the water is normally not standing long enough to be contaminated by things like algae. The barrels require a minimal amount of cleaning; rinsing the inside of them with a high-powered hose will usually do the trick. “We’re using up our resources at an alarming pace, and water is that most important resource.” As people have become more aware of water conservation and excited about rainwater harvesting, Pam has seen a variety of people take her classes. “It’s been interesting. We’ve seen all age groups. Older people remember their parents and grandparents collecting rain water in cans and buckets; that’s what they used before we had municipal water that was so easy to get,” Pam explained. “And we have the younger generation that is more into environmental improvement, being sustainable and going green. It’s funny how it reached all levels.” With population in Texas growing at a consistent rate, reaching all generations and sharing the importance of water conservation is crucial. “The population of Texas is going to double in 20 years,” www.nowmagazines.com 11 SouthwestNOW April 2009 SWNApr09p8-13CHNMain.qxd 3/19/09 10:41 PM Page 12 Cedar Hill Pam stated. “Our aquifers (underground water systems) are low. We’re taking too much out, and it’s not recharging. It’s just population.