April 2017
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Business
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Pricing out
P R O M
Jeff Woo
Denton Florist on East University Drive handles the accessory side of prom season.
Denton shops, students keep up with trends, ‘promposals’ By Caitlyn Jones and Matt Payne
I
t’s the climax of any Hollywood high school film. It’s been a drain on parents’ wallets for nearly a century. It’s been a constant source of anxiety and excitement for generations of teenagers. But prom isn’t just for the kids. When the adolescent tradition rolls around every spring, several local businesses see a boost in revenue as high schoolers scramble to put together their “perfect night.”
Planning the prom
Like many widespread customs, prom got its start in the elite upper classes. The term is a shortened form of promenade, a French word referring to the formal introduction of guests at a ball. Ivy League universities hosted their own proms during the second half of the 19th century in an effort to
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promote social etiquette. Soon the trend trickled down to high schools and became an almost obligatory rite of passage. But the extravagance of prom has come a long way over the years. In the 1920s and ’30s, most proms were simpler affairs in the high school gym with crepe paper streamers and a single punch bowl. The post-war economic boom in the 1950s allowed school officials to move the dance out of the gym and into more formal venues like country clubs or hotels. Ryan High School English teacher and Student Council sponsor Kathleen Bossenbroek said she and the senior class officers typically spend a few thousand dollars each year on a local venue. This year, Ryan’s prom will take place May 6 at the University of North Texas Gateway Center. PROM | CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Trump order gets back to ‘America first’ By Catherine Lucey and Scott Bauer | AP
By Jenna Duncan | Staff Writer We’ve got more barbecue, y’all. Bumbershoot Barbecue is now open in Argyle, behind Earl’s 377 Pizza. The little trailer opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and stays open until sellout. There are plenty of picnic tables right outside the trailer to get your grub on food truck park-style. There’s only a few more days Denton residents can get their homemade candy fix from The Candy
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Store on West Oak Street. The store owners are retiring, effective April 29, and have leased out the shop space to a vape shop. Through some testy moments between developers and City Council, we’ve confirmed that Rooms to Go and Alamo Drafthouse are coming to Denton soon. Both projects are in process with city planning and should be open by July 2018. DUNCAN | CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
KENOSHA, Wis. — Turning back to the economic populism that helped drive his election campaign, President Donald Trump signed an order Tuesday he said should help American workers whose jobs are threatened by skilled immigrants. At the headquarters of hand and power tool manufacturer Snap-on Inc., Trump signed an order aimed at curbing what his administration says are hiring abuses in a visa program used by U.S. technology companies. Dubbed “Buy American and Hire American,” the directive follows a series of recent Trump reversals on economic policies. “We are going to defend our workers, protect our jobs and finally put America first,” Trump declared, standing in front of an American flag fashioned out of wrenches. Much like some prior orders, however, Trump’s executive action Tuesday essentially looks for detailed reports rather than making decisive changes. In this case, the reports are about granting visas for highly skilled
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
President Donald Trump signs the “Buy American and Hire American” executive order Tuesday during a visit to Snap-on Inc. in Kenosha, Wis. foreign workers and ensuring that government purchasing programs buy American made goods as required by law. Trump chose to sign the directive
at Snap-on, based in Wisconsin, a state he narrowly carried in November on the strength of support from TRUMP | CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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Enterprising Voices
Business liability for workplace injuries A
couple of months ago I wrote an article on the risks posed to business owners by work-related auto accidents. This month the column will be addressing the broader topic of workplace injuries. Specifically, injuries suffered by employees while on the job. Texas, like most states, creates strong incentives for businesses to provide their employees coverage for workrelated injuries by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance program that helps people with work-related injuries and illnesses. Although providing workers’ compensation insurance is not mandated by the state of Texas, most employers in labor-intensive businesses, such as construction and manufacturing, purchase workers’ compensation insurance. However, the Texas workers’ compensation insurance system has been criticized as both expensive and ineffective. For this reason, some employers have opted to not provide workers’ compensation insurance, and take on what can be significant litigation risks that arise when employees are injured on the job. When determining a busi-
Samuel BURKE | COMMENTARY
ness’s potential liability for workplace injuries, the first question to be asked is whether the business has workers’ compensation coverage. If the answer is yes, then the risk and exposure is very low and primarily related to a potential increase in workers’ compensation premiums. This is because the Texas Labor Code makes the recovery of workers’ compensation benefits the exclusive remedy for an employee covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This means generally that injured employees and their families cannot sue an employer for damages arising out of a workplace injury if the employee is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. There is only one exception. If the employer’s gross negligence was a cause of the employee’s injuries, then the employee or his surviving
family (if the employee was fatally injured) can recover exemplary damages in addition to workers’ compensation benefits. For employees injured on the job, workers’ compensation insurance provides payment for medical care for the treatment of the injuries. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, workers’ compensation also may provide payments to replace some of an injured employee’s lost income, up to time and dollar limits set by law; compensation for burial expenses for employees killed on the job; and death benefits for dependents of employees killed on the job. Benefits for lost wages are based on a percentage of the employee’s income. If the injury is severe but does not result in death, the employee’s additional benefits are determined based on a medical exam and the application of a formula to the doctor’s determination of percentage of impairment. Death benefits are determined based on a formula that takes into account the employee’s earnings and age at the time of death. Employee rights groups have criticized the workers’ compensation system, arguing that it limits employees’ access
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post notices in their personnel offices and workplaces that they do not provide workers’ compensation insurance, and tell each new employee in writing that they don’t have workers’ compensation. From a liability standpoint, nonsubscribers have increased exposure to lawsuits by injured employees. Injured employees can sue nonsubscribers over workplace injuries. If they’re sued, nonsubscribers can’t argue in court that the injured employee’s negligence caused the injury, another employee’s negligence caused the injury or the injured employee knew about the danger and voluntarily accepted it. Generally, injured employees seek to recover damages for lost wages, medical care and pain and suffering. Some nonsubscribers mitigate the risk of employee suits by providing occupational insurance coverage or by providing health insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage. For some employers, these coverages would have been provided anyway and/or can be obtained for a lower cost than workers’ compensation coverage. When these coverages are in place, they can discourage lawsuits because the employ-
ee’s health care needs will be insured and, in the event of a lengthy work absence, there will be some wage replacement. When the right benefits are in place, insurance can be a more efficient method of recovering losses for the employee as well. This is so because most attorneys who file suits against nonsubscribers receive a fee of one-third to 40 percent of any recovery. Texas is one of a minority of states that do not require employers to participate in a workers’ compensation insurance system. Like all freedoms, this one involves a risk. Therefore, a careful risk/ benefit analysis should be done by any employer who engages in a business where there are frequent or potentially catastrophic injuries. If you need help weighing your options, more information about this topic is available on the Texas Department of Insurance webpage and from licensed insurance agents who specialize in selling workers’ compensation insurance.
SAM BURKE is certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and can be reached at sburke@dentonlaw.com and www.dentonlaw.com.
Calendar of Events
Politics hasn’t hurt Ivanka Inc. By Erika Kinetz and Anne D’Innocenzio | AP SHANGHAI — Since her father was elected president of the United States, global sales of Ivanka Trump merchandise have surged and her company has applied for at least nine new trademarks in the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.S. — signs that the commercial engine of Ivanka’s brand is still humming even as the first daughter builds a new political career from her West Wing office. Sales hit record levels in 2017, despite boycotts and several stores limiting her merchandise. U.S. imports, almost all of them from China, shot up an estimated 166 percent last year. The brand, which Ivanka Trump still owns, says distribution is growing. It has launched new activewear and affordable jewelry lines and is working to expand its global intellectual property footprint. In addition to applying for the new trademarks, Ivanka Trump Marks LLC has won provisional approval from the Chinese government for four new trademarks since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Criminal conflict of interest law prohibits federal officials, like Trump and her husband, from participating in government matters that could impact their own financial interest or that of their spouse. Some argue that the more her business broadens its scope, the more it threatens to encroach on the ability of two of President Trump’s most trusted advisers to deliver credible advice on core issues like trade, intellectual property and the value of Chinese currency. Trump has distanced herself from day-to-day management of her brand, and shifted its assets to a family-run trust valued at more than $50 million. In a recent interview with CBS News, she argued that her business would be doing even better if she hadn’t moved to Washington and placed restrictions on her team to ensure that “any growth is done with extreme caution.” The new trademark applications seek the right to put Ivanka’s name on lingerie in the U.S., baby clothes in the Philippines, handbags in Puerto Rico and perfume in
to the doctors of their choosing and the benefit payments do not adequately compensate employees. Employer-friendly groups have complained the insurance in some industries is cost-prohibitive. Both employer and employee groups have complained that the system fails to effectively treat injuries so that the employee can return to work as soon as possible. An additional risk associated with carrying workers’ compensation insurance for the employer is the potential for liability arising from what is referred to as workers’ compensation retaliation. Retaliation claims can arise if an employee is terminated when they have filed or are going to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Generally, Texas law does not allow employers to terminate an employee for having filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Because of these problems and risks, some businesses have decided to not participate in the workers’ compensation system. These businesses are commonly referred to as nonsubscribers. Nonsubscribers are required by the state of Texas to file an annual notice with the Department of Insurance,
APIs and IPAs, hosted by TechMill, meets every other Tuesday at Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., for a techcentered hangout. Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m.
Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission meets the first Tuesday of the month at 308 Denton St. Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 p.m.
Aubrey 380 Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a casino night this month at Diamond T Arena, 6900 E. Sherman Drive in Denton. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets include dinner and $1,000 in chips to play games. Saturday, April 29, 6 p.m.
Aubrey 380 Area Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly networking luncheons the third Wednesday of the month at Prairie House Restaurant. Admission is always $12 and includes a meal. Wednesday, May 17, 11:30 a.m.
Evan Vucci/AP file photo
Ivanka Trump walks with her husband, Jared Kushner, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, to a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on Feb. 10 in Washington. Canada, among a host of other things. Trademarks can be used to expand a business or defend against copycats. They have ethical implications for public servants because they are granted by foreign governments and can be enormously valuable. Her brand said in a statement that Trump herself did not sign off on the new applications, adding they are “not necessarily” an indication of planned expansion. Ivanka Trump Marks LLC has more than 180 pending and registered trademarks in countries that include China, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Canada and Saudi Arabia. In China alone the company has 32 pending trademarks. Ivanka and Kushner have taken on prominent roles as China interlocutors in the administration. Norman Eisen, who served as Barack Obama’s chief White House ethics lawyer, said he would “never have allowed it.” “Ivanka has so many China ties and conflicts, yet she and Jared appear deeply involved in China contacts and policy,” he said. “For their own sake
and the country’s, Ivanka and Jared should consider stepping away from China matters.” Jamie Gorelick, an attorney for Ivanka Trump, said she and her husband would steer clear of specific areas that could impact her business but are under no legal obligation to step back from huge swaths of policy, like trade with China. “The ethics rules restrict participation in ‘particular matters’ that focus on the interests of a discrete and identifiable class,” she said. “Foreign policy toward China is not a particular matter: It affects diverse national interests and every sector of society.” Publicly, Ivanka has taken a gracious, charming approach toward Beijing. During recent Mar-a-Lago meetings, her daughter, 5-year-old Arabella, stood in a gilded room and sang a traditional Chinese song, in Mandarin, for China’s president. The video, which was lavishly praised by Chinese state media, played over 2.2 million times on China’s popular news portal qq.com.
Denton Black Chamber of Commerce meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Denton Housing Authority, 1225 Wilson St. Tuesday, May 9, 6 p.m.
Denton Chamber of Commerce hosts the Smart Business 101 series regularly for members at the chamber office, 414 W. Parkway St. The event is free to members and $15 for non members.
Denton Chamber of Commerce will host its quarterly membership luncheon at the UNT Gateway Center, 801 North Texas Blvd. At the event, the 32nd class of Leadership Denton will graduate. Individual tickets cost $35 and are available online at www.denton-chamber.org. Friday, April 28, 11:30 a.m.
Denton Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly business networking lunch at SpringHill Suites Denton, 1434 Centre Place Drive. Admission is free, and lunch can be purchased directly from the venue for $13. Friday, May 12, 11:45 a.m.
Denton Young Professionals hosts coffee and breakfast every third Wednesday of the month at The Chestnut Tree, 107 W. Hickory St. Wednesday, April 19, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 7:15 a.m.
Denton County Young Professionals hosts a monthly mixer at a new business each month. May’s location will be Game Changers Sports and Arcade Grill, 122 W. Mulberry St. Thursday, May 4, 5:30 p.m.
Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly lead generator luncheon the second Tuesday of the month. It is held at Sidewalk Cafe, 2900 Wind River Lane, and admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests. Tuesday, May 9, 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 25, 11:45 a.m.
The Denton League of United Latin American Citizens No. 4366 meets the third Saturday of every month at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Ave. Saturday, May 20, 9:30 a.m.
Denton Planning and Zoning Commission meets at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney St., every other Wednesday. Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.
Electronics recycling takes place at The Cupboard Natural Foods and Cafe, 200 W. Congress St., the second Saturday of each month. Drop off any computer-related electronics for recycling. Visit www.computercrusher.com for a list of acceptable items and more information. Saturday, May 13, 8 a.m.
Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce holds weekly coffee meetings at rotating businesses on Wednesdays. The April 26 meeting will be at Batteries and Bulbs, 212 Main St. in Lake Dallas. Upcoming locations will be listed at www.lakecitieschamber. com/chamber-events. Wednesday, April 26, 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, 7 a.m.
Little D Open Coffee Club , hosted by TechMill, meets every other Tuesday at West Oak Coffee Bar, 114 W. Oak St., to discuss technology and startups. Tuesday, May 2, 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 8 a.m.
Sanger Chamber of Commerce holds a networking leads luncheon the fourth Wednesday of every month. RSVP at http://sanger texas.com. This month’s luncheon will be held at the chamber office, 300 Bolivar St. Wednesday, April 26, noon
Women Who Code , a global nonprofit that helps women grow in technology careers, hosts meet-ups in Denton the third Tuesday of the month at Stoke, 608 E. Hickory St. Thursday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Who to contact Scott K. Parks Managing Editor 940-566-6879 | sparks@dentonrc.com Jenna Duncan Business Editor 940-566-6889 | jduncan@dentonrc.com Sandra Hammond Advertising Director 940-566-6820 | shammond@dentonrc.com Shawn Reneau Retail Advertising 940-566-6843 | sreneau@dentonrc.com
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Business Spotlight
Daily fantasy firms fold as legal battle resumes By Philip Marcelo | AP BOSTON — The daily fantasy sports industry has sharply contracted since the online games offered by companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings sparked court and legislative battles across the United States last year. More than two-thirds of companies that existed this time last year have shuttered, changed focus or joined with competitors, according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, the industry’s lobbying arm. Among the most prominent examples is the proposed merger between the industry’s two largest companies — Boston’s DraftKings and New York’s FanDuel. That deal, which was announced late last year, is being reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission. At least three notable companies — Fantasy Aces, FantasyHub and FantasyUp — shuttered while still owing players money, prompting other operators to assume their assets and pledge to make customers whole. Many smaller operators have quietly folded. At peak last year, 118 member companies offered some form of paid fantasy sports contest, the trade association said. Of those, 81 are no longer offering contests or
Stephan Savoia/AP file photo
Len Don Diego, marketing manager for content at DraftKings, works Sept. 9, 2015, in Boston. their status is unknown. The legal chaos and uncertainty that befell the industry starting with the 2015 NFL season has driven away investors, making it impossible for many startups to continue to raise the financial capital to survive, said Peter Schoenke, the trade association chairman. The uncertainty also shook out companies not offering much new or distinctive from
the competition, added Daniel Barbarisi, author of “Dueling With Kings,” an inside look at the industry’s rise and fall released last month. “Everyone thought [daily fantasy] was the next gold rush,” he said. “It couldn’t sustain that level of speculative growth, especially from small operators. Now that the barrier to entry is higher, I’m not surprised at all to see many of them falling by the wayside.”
The legal landscape, meanwhile, remains unsettled, and the industry is again engaged in a costly, state-by-state legislative push. Roughly half of all U.S. states have seen proposals introduced to legalize and regulate the industry. Arkansas has so far passed new legislation, joining 10 other states from prior years: Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New
York, Tennessee and Virginia. Lawmakers in other states will become receptive to the proposals as they see how the regulations are working in other states, said Marc La Vorgna, a spokesman for DraftKings and FanDuel. “The evidence is there for legislators,” he said. “Any uncertainty around the impact of these laws has been removed.” Indeed, New York, one of a handful of states that impose a tax on daily fantasy sports, says it took in nearly $3 million in revenues in the first months of its new law. DraftKings and FanDuel are again “investing heavily” in state legislative efforts, La Vorgna said, declining to provide specific tallies for lobbying costs and political donations this year. The trade association is spending “very little” on direct lobbying this year, said Schoenke, also declining to provide specifics. During last year’s legislative push, DraftKings, FanDuel and the trade association spent at least $500,000 on lobbyists and its employees donated roughly $380,000 to political campaign committees at the state government level, according to the most recent data collected by the National Institute on Money in State Politics in Helena, Montana. That was a big jump from
2015, when the industry wasn’t quite in the crosshairs of regulators. The three entities accounted for at least $275,000 in lobbying and donations that year, up from at least $18,000 in 2014, the institute’s data shows. Some laws being considered this year may hasten the industry’s consolidation, said Ted Kasten, who has advised several daily fantasy startups. Some states are considering imposing costly licensing fees and other regulatory hurdles that smaller operations complain could put them out of business. Ryan Huss, co-founder of Syde Fantasy Sports, said he and his partners ended their fantasy contests and shifted focus after their home state of Virginia started requiring a $50,000 registration fee. “The fees seem like more of a deterrent than anything else,” he said. “Only the largest operators can truly afford to pay them.” Despite the consolidation, demand for the games still appears healthy. From 2015 to 2016, the total amount of entry fees paid by players grew 4 percent to about $3.3 billion and net revenues for companies rose about 15 percent to $350 million, according to research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
Biz on the Wire TRUMP | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
white, working-class voters. Trump currently has only a 41 percent approval rating in the state. He campaigned last year on promises to overhaul U.S. trade and regulatory policy, but his executive orders on those issues reflect the administration bowing somewhat to the limits of presidential power. Also, he has recently reversed several populist promises, including standing up to China, which he contended was manipulating its currency and stealing American jobs, and eliminating the ExportImport Bank, which he billed as wasteful subsidy. But Trump returned to Tuesday to the economic tough talk of his campaign, saying: “We’re going to make some very big changes or we are going to get rid of NAFTA for once and for all,” referring to the Clinton-era U.S. trade pact with Canada and Mexico.
In his new directive, the president is targeting the H-1B visa program, which the White House says undercuts U.S. workers by bringing in large numbers of cheaper, foreign workers and driving down wages. The tech industry has argued that the H-1B program is needed because it encourages foreign students to stay in the U.S. after getting degrees in hightech specialties — and because companies can’t always find enough American workers with the skills they need. The new order would direct U.S. agencies to propose rules to prevent immigration fraud and abuse in the program. They would also be asked to offer changes so that H-1B visas are awarded to the “most-skilled or highest-paid applicants. The number of requests for H-1B visas declined this year by about 15 percent, or roughly 37,000 applications, but the total was still nearly 200,000, far more than the 85,000
limit. Tuesday’s order also seeks to strengthen requirements that American-made products be used in certain federal construction projects, as well as in various grant-funded transportation projects. The commerce secretary is to review how to close loopholes in existing rules and provide recommendations to the president. The order asks for a review of waivers of these rules in free-trade agreements. The trip brought Trump to the congressional district of House Speaker Paul Ryan, but Ryan was out of the country on a congressional trip. The president was greeted by Gov. Scott Walker outside Snapon’s headquarters. During his remarks, Trump weighed in on another economic issue, promising to find a solution to a trade dispute with Canada that has left dairy farmers in Wisconsin and New York without a market they had for their product. Trump said Canada has
Open/Closed
complained. About 70 dairy producers in both U.S. states are affected. As for the visa program, Democrats and organizations ranging from the pro-business U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation say they welcome proposals to
By Susan Montoya Bryan | AP
Bumbershoot Barbecue is open in Argyle behind Earl’s 377 Pizza.
After years in Argyle, Veracity Research Company Investigations moved to the Woodhill Square complex located at 1100 Dallas Drive in Denton. More breakfast, please. The Egg House Cafe is now open at 1622 W. University Drive. The spot is run by the
been “very, very unfair” to dairy farmers and “we’re going to start working on that.” Canada has decided to impose import taxes on ultrafiltered milk, a protein liquid concentrate used to make cheese. It had been duty-free, but Canada changed course after milk producers there
Oil and gas giants eye New Mexico
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Snap-on CEO Nick Pinchuk, right, shows President Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos some of his company’s tools Tuesday in Kenosha, Wis.
improve the visa program. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., urged Trump to skip further study and support her bill to rebuild U.S. infrastructure with American iron and steel. The Chamber of Commerce added that it would be a “mistake to close the door on high-skilled workers” who can contribute to the growth and expansion of American businesses and make the U.S. more competitive around the world. Snap-on makes hand and power tools, diagnostics software, information and management systems and shop equipment for use in agriculture, the military and aviation. In addition to 11 factories in the U.S., financial disclosures show it has plants in China, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his tour, Trump was shown metal boxes where cremated ashes are deposited. He called it “very depressing.”
family behind Luigi’s, and open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The opening of the Monroe-Pearson building might be a year away, but the wedding and events venue can be booked now for any date after April 1, 2018. The 21,000square-foot space on East Oak was once a grocery warehouse, and most recently was left
totally vacant. Once it opens, it will be the only private events venue downtown. Yes, Carol’s Custom Draperies moved from the Square, but it’s right down the road. They are now up and running at 535 S. Locust St. The company’s former space, 112 W. Oak St., is under renovation by Scott Brown Properties and up for lease now.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As New Mexico’s elected leaders wrangle over raising taxes to plug a budget shortfall, major multinational energy companies have quietly spent more than $13 billion in recent months on assets in the state’s oil and gas hot spots. The new wave of investment bodes well for the industry being able to generate much-needed revenues for the struggling state over the long haul, analysts said. Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings on Tuesday predicted a turnaround in economic output for New Mexico in the near term, pointing to more growth in the oil and mining sectors in 2017. The interest from companies such as Texas-based EOG Resources, ExxonMobil and Marathon Oil started last fall and is carrying into this year despite prices remaining around $50 a barrel. “The way costs have come down and industry has restructured itself, they’ve found ways to make money at these prices. So they’re locking in, and they expect to keep ramping up production and drilling and putting people back to work,” said Andrew Dittmar, a
Charlie Riedel/AP file photo
Pumpjacks work April 24, 2015, near Lovington, N.M. Major energy companies have quietly spent more than $13 billion in recent months to buy assets in New Mexico’s oil and gas hot spots. senior analyst with Houstonbased energy research firm PLS Inc. The value of land in the Permian Basin, which includes stretches along the Texas-New Mexico border, also has increased rapidly because of the continued interest. Acreage in New Mexico is now going for twice the amount companies paid back in September, Dittmar said. New Mexico also led the nation last week in the number of new rigs added to the count, and state officials have been pulling in record earnings during monthly lease
sales. The State Land Office is on track to exceed projections for this fiscal year by tens of millions of dollars. The uptick in the industry can’t come soon enough as development in oil- and gasrich corners of the state contribute about one-third of the revenues New Mexico uses each year to pay for education, public safety and other services. In northwestern New Mexico, leaders are excited about Houston-based Hilcorp Energy Co.’s decision to buy up to $3 billion in natural gas assets from ConocoPhillips.
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Strategic philanthropy makes sense in business A
pril is National Volunteer Month. Businesses, both small and large, should take notice and learn to incorporate strategic philanthropy into their business model. Society expects businesses to give back year-round, not just in April. Whether this is done from the heart or out of obligation, businesses can get much more from the philanthropy of giving back to their communities if they do it strategically. First, what are the benefits of philanthropy? The most obvious logic is that giving back will help build goodwill for the business, leading to a stronger brand reputation and subsequent success. However, other benefits are worth noting. Supporting your community helps build stronger social and economic bonds, leading to long-term success for everyone in the community. For example, helping someone get an education or a job creates another consumer and contributor to the community. Philanthropy also is important for employees. A 2015 Deloitte millennial survey showed that six in 10 millennials say a “sense of purpose” is
David RYLANDER | COMMENTARY
part of their choice in where to work. Employees expect more than simply doing their job and getting paid. When employees feel good about their organization’s sense of purpose, the Deloitte survey shows this leading to higher organizational performance and employee satisfaction. Satisfied employees are more likely to have higher commitment to the organization, less absenteeism and better productivity. Given the benefits, how can businesses practice philanthropy strategically? And how can colleges prepare students to be an integral part of that culture of purpose and giving back? Strategic philanthropy involves intentional planning for how to give back with meaning and purpose. A busi-
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ness should involve employees in deciding how to focus their philanthropy and volunteer activities. Ideally, this should follow a strategic process of identifying needs in the community, seeing where those needs align with the organization’s values and abilities, then developing plans for sustainable efforts to meet those needs. At Texas Woman’s University, the Enactus student organization models this approach each year. Enactus (formerly known as Students in Free Enterprise) is an international organization that promotes entrepreneurial action to create sustainable solutions that benefit people around the world. TWU’s Enactus group has done projects in Denton and beyond for more than 20 years, making a positive impact on children, victims of abuse, homeless people, small business owners and more. This year’s projects include: ■ making and selling candles in old wine bottles to raise money to support homeless veterans; ■ holding workshops to help women better prepare for getting a job and to prepare
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Girl Scouts learn how to create a business plan at an Enactus finance conference. nutritional meals on a budget; ■ providing books to start a library at a poor school in Zambia; and ■ continuing a project that is lifting up a poor community in Belize through education and community support. Enactus uses a model of strategic philanthropy to enable students to learn experientially by giving back to the community in a more powerful and lasting way. In the process, students learn valuable skills such as project planning and management, leadership, teamwork, communication, networking and other basic business skills.
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VA tests partnership with CVS to cut waits By Hope Yen | AP
WASHINGTON — Some ailing veterans can now use their federal health care benefits at CVS MinuteClinics to treat minor illnesses and injuries, under a pilot program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new program, currently limited to the Phoenix area, comes three years after the VA faced allegations of chronically long wait times at its centers, including its Phoenix facility, which treats about 120,000 veterans. The Phoenix pilot program is a test run by VA Secretary David Shulkin, who is working on a nationwide plan to reduce veterans’ wait times. Veterans would not be bound by current restrictions under the VA’s Choice program, which limits outside care to those who have been waiting more than 30 days for an appointment or have to drive more than 40 miles to a facility. Instead, Phoenix VA nurses staffing the medical center’s help line will be able to refer veterans to MinuteClinics for government-paid care when “clinically appropriate.” Shulkin has made clear he’d like a broader collaboration of “integrated care” nationwide between the VA and private sector in which veterans have wider access to private doctors. But, he wants the VA to handle all scheduling and “customer service” — something that veterans groups generally support but government auditors caution could prove unwieldy and expensive. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump plans to sign legislation to temporarily
extend the $10 billion Choice program until its money runs out, pending the administration’s plan due out by fall. That broader plan would have to be approved by Congress. “Our No. 1 priority is getting veterans access to care when and where they need it,” said Baligh Yehia, the VA’s deputy undersecretary for health for community care. “The launch of this partnership will enable VA to provide more care for veterans in their neighborhoods.” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a longtime advocate of veterans’ expanded access to private care, lauded the new initiative as an “important step forward.” “Veterans in need of routine health care services should not have to wait in line for weeks to get an appointment when they can visit community health centers like MinuteClinic to receive timely and convenient care,” he said. The current Choice program was developed after the 2014 scandal in Phoenix in which some veterans died, yet the program has often encountered long waits of its own. The bill being signed by Trump seeks to alleviate some of the problems by helping speed up VA payments and promote greater sharing of medical records. Shulkin also has said he wants to eliminate Choice’s 30-day, 40 mile restrictions, allowing the VA instead to determine when outside care is “clinically needed.” Despite a heavy spotlight on its problems, the Phoenix facility still grapples with delays. Only 61 percent of veterans surveyed said they got an appointment for urgent primary care when they needed it, according to VA data.
for the
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Some ailing veterans can use federal benefits at CVS MinuteClinics to treat minor illnesses and injuries under a pilot program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
DAVID RYLANDER is a professor of marketing at Texas Woman’s University and can be reached at drylander@twu.edu.
ALL Real Estate Professionals-check this out! NETWORKING EVENT
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This prepares them for the needs of businesses and helps them develop their values framework for continuing volunteer action. Businesses can adapt this Enactus approach to have an even stronger impact with their philanthropy. Some ways to optimize the impact include: ■ giving employees a meaningful role in the development of ideas and projects; ■ giving employees paid time to do coordinated volunteer work in the community; ■ matching employees’ contributions to targeted charitable efforts; and
■ sponsoring special events where employees can work together with the community. I have heard from employees who were disappointed in their employer because the actions did not match the words. For example, a business proclaimed its support for Habitat for Humanity yet would not give employees a paid day to volunteer in building a house. Employees and customers will see through empty commitments. For this National Volunteer Month, think about how your business can be more strategic and intentional about how you give back to the community. Get employees involved in the entire process. Identify a need that you can address in a meaningful way, then commit to it with money and volunteer efforts. This will build a stronger organizational culture, increased goodwill among employees and the community, and a better community for us all.
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Enterprising Voices
Bond investors taking a lot of risk
“Duration has never been this long in my career. With rates near the lowest levels ever and duration at literally the highest level ever, it is the worst possible setup [in] history. You are [taking] more risk and getting less reward.” — “bond god” Jeffrey Gundlach, CEO of DoubleLine Capital, on April 10 in Financial Times
I
nvestors have been gobbling up record volumes of new corporate and emerging market debt this year. The Wall Street Journal reports emerging-market governments and foreign companies in those markets sold almost $200 billion worth of dollar-denominated debt through March. This was the strongest first quarter on record, according to market data firm Dealogic. Here in the U.S., highquality companies with “investment grade” ratings sold over $400 billion worth of new debt in the first three months of the year. This is an all-time record for any quarter. And junk-rated companies issued almost $100 billion of new debt, double the amount issued in the first quarter of last year. Another way to look at this: Investors are piling back into bonds. But the sheer volume of bond buying isn’t the only record that has fallen of late. Bond market duration also has soared. Duration is a measure of how long it takes to recoup an investment in a bond as well as its sensitivity to interest rate movements. Said simply: Duration is a
Jonathon FITE | COMMENTARY
measure of interest rate risk. Let’s explore the current implications. According to Wall Street Journal data, one-year U.S. Treasury bonds have an effective duration of 0.96 years. This means that one-year treasuries will fall about 0.96 percent in price for every 1 percentage point rise in interest rates. Moving out a little longer, 10-year treasury notes have a duration of 9.2 years (representing a 9.2 percent decline for every percentage increase in interest rates). 30-year treasuries are even worse. These longer bonds have a duration of over 20 years, indicating investors are signing up for a 20 percent decline with every percentage point increase in interest rates. For passive index funds tracking these benchmarks, a jolt higher in interest rates would be painful. So why is this happening? While the U.S. Federal Reserve hiked rates again in March, many money managers heard comments by Fed officials that the pace of future rate hikes would be moderate. This signal encouraged folks to load up on these longerduration bonds. To see how skewed this is,
we can look at the duration of the $43 trillion Bloomberg Barclays global aggregate index, which soared to new record highs this month. But if the Fed is going to only gradually raise rates, why should we be worried? First, few things ever go perfectly according to plan. Second, while future hikes to short-term interest rates may be gradual, minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting indicate the Fed may begin to “unwind” its $4.5 trillion portfolio of treasury bonds and other debt. Remember all that money printed over the last nine years through quantitative easing? That money got plowed into treasuries, which made them soar in price, which in turn lowered the yields and associated benchmark for market-wide interest rates. Now the Fed is planning to stop reinvesting the cash from maturing bonds — mostly treasuries and mortgage debt — back into these markets. This would remove a significant source of demand for these bonds from bond markets. This alone could send long-term interest rates higher. But this may be compounded by foreign investors changing behaviors too. This leads to the third consideration around the risk of duration. While the Fed holds about $2.5 trillion of its $4.5 trillion portfolio in U.S. Treasury debt, that’s only 18 percent of the $13.9 trillion treasury market. Foreign investors own nearly $6 trillion in treasuries, or 43 percent of the market.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images file photo
The U.S. Treasury building is pictured in Washington. One-year U.S. Treasury bonds have an effective duration of 0.96 years. This means that one-year treasuries will fall about 0.96 percent in price for every 1 percentage point rise in interest rates. But this could soon change. Last summer we wrote about how $13 trillion of worldwide debt had negative yields. Insane. But over the last few months — according to Bloomberg — as inflation expectations in Europe and Asia have grown, more than $3 trillion of that negativeyielding debt has turned positive. This could be the start of a large wave of plummeting bond prices (as bond yields go up, bond prices go down) as
the central banks of Europe and Japan continue to move away from their experiments with negative-interest-rate policies. This could have huge consequences for the U.S. bond market, as foreigners who have poured vast amounts of money into higher-yielding U.S. treasuries turn to more viable fixed-income products at home. In summary, the two most important buyers of treasury debt over the past several years (the Fed and foreign buyers)
could be stepping away at the very same time. The impact on interest rates and the bond markets could be far greater than most imagine. If President Donald Trump’s stimulus agenda is successful, short-term rates may pick up a little but likely will be suppressed to fund the inevitable deficits. But while short-term rates may only go up a little, long-term rates could go meaningfully higher as events from above unfold. If the Trump stimulus agenda fails, the economy slows or tips toward recession and then corporate defaults begin to rise. This would be painful for bond investors whose tiny yields provide little protection against the risks of not getting paid back. So where should investors turn? We believe long-duration bonds are clearly fraught with risk. The broader stock market also seems fully valued. Blindly throwing money at either asset class seems silly. Instead, we believe investors must continue to hunt in the few patches of value that still exist, while holding a buffer of cash to go shopping with when the eventual fears return.
JONATHON FITE is a managing partner of KMF Investments, a Texas-based hedge fund. Jonathon is a lecturer with the College of Business at the University of North Texas. This column is provided for general interest only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as personal investment advice. Comments may be sent to email@KMFInvestments. com.
Biz on the Wire Volkswagen profits jump
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By David McHugh | AP FRANKFURT, Germany — German automaker Volkswagen has reported betterthan-expected earnings for the first quarter thanks to cost controls and a stronger contribution from its core brand, which was boosted by new models including the Tiguan SUV. The company said Tuesday that it made 4.4 billion euros in operating earnings in the January-March period, up from 3.4 billion euros a year earlier. The figure excludes financial items such as interest and taxes. The company said in a brief news release that the namesake brand contributed 0.9 billion euros. The statement credited success in holding down fixed costs as well as the successful launch of new vehicles including the Tiguan. The Wolfsburg-based company also said it saw a “strong financial performance” in western Europe. Most company profits in recent quarters have come from its Audi and Porsche luxury divisions while the core brand has lagged with high costs and low profit margins. Other brands include SEAT, Skoda, Bugatti and Lamborghini. Volkswagen’s sales have risen despite a scandal over cars rigged to cheat on diesel emissions tests. It passed Toyota last year to become the world sales leader with 10.3 million vehicles sold. The company pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States and faces investor lawsuits in Germany. Volkswagen is scheduled to release full financial details including bottom-line net profit for the first quarter on May 3.
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Business Spotlight
Why so many credit cards are from Delaware By Claire Tsosie | NerdWallet Thumb through the credit card offers filling your mailbox, and you might notice a theme: Many have a Delaware return address. That’s no coincidence. Delaware is home to the credit card businesses of Chase , Discover and Barclaycard U.S ., according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Bank of America and Citi also maintain certain card operations there. Together, those issuers represent about half of the U.S. credit card market. Meanwhile, Delaware residents account for only 0.3 percent of the U.S. population. What’s behind the credit card industry’s love affair with Delaware? It all started with a court decision almost 40 years ago.
First, a court decision
In 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided in Marquette National Bank v. First of Omaha Corp. that credit card companies could export interest rates from where they were located to other states. The case came about when First National Bank of Omaha mailed credit card offers to residents in Minnesota. A Minnesota bank, Marquette National Bank of Minneapolis, sued the Nebraska bank for violating the state’s usury laws. “There were no interstate banks in those days,” former Delaware Secretary of State Glenn Kenton tells NerdWallet. “In those days, [if a bank] was incorporated in California, it paid taxes in California. It did business in California.”
Before the Marquette decision, banks trying to send credit card offers to out-ofstate consumers ran into two problems: ■ State usury laws — These limited how much issuers could charge in credit card interest ■ Interstate banking restrictions — Federal law generally prohibited a bank from operating branches outside of its home state, unless it got permission from the new state where it wanted to do business The Marquette decision, which allowed issuers to export interest rates from the states where they were located, didn’t kill the interstate banking prohibition; it just left it to wither and die. “It allows states to do anticonsumer things,” says Ed Mierzwinski, the consumer program director at U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy group. When South Dakota passed legislation to lift usury ceilings shortly after the Marquette decision, for example, it enabled banks in South Dakota to charge customers in California credit card interest rates exceeding what banks based in California could legally charge. “The bad South Dakota laws can pre-empt the good California laws” that limit interest rates, he notes. In time, it left state usury laws essentially toothless.
Banks flee New York
For banks, the Marquette decision came at the perfect moment. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, the Fed raised rates to
Biz on the Wire
Raiders tax results in $4.6M in first month By Regina Garcia Cano | AP LAS VEGAS — Taxpayers contributed more than $4.6 million for an NFL stadium in Las Vegas in the first month that a new increase on area hotel taxes went into effect— ahead of projections for the state’s share of the project. The preliminary tax collection figures from March for the stadium that the Oakland Raiders want to call home were released Tuesday. The bulk of the money came from resorts and other lodging facilities in and around the Las Vegas Strip, where tourists are paying about $1.50 more per night on their hotel bill for an average-price room. “I think it validates the model in terms of what’s necessary to service the debt for the stadium,” said Steve Sisolak, commission chairman in Clark County, where the stadium is to be located. “It’s nice to see money actually collected and start to put some money in the bank for the stadium.” The Nevada Legislature approved the tax hike last year to cover $750 million of the $1.9 billion project. The board overseeing the proposed 65,000-seat dome expects the tax hike to bring in $14.8 million by the end of June. That’s $3.7 million a month. Next fiscal year, officials expect to bring in $49.9 million. The board is expected to meet publicly Thursday to discuss progress on a stadium development agreement and a lease agreement. The NFL approved the Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas last month.
slow rampant inflation and encourage saving, making it more expensive for banks to borrow money. Credit card companies, many of which were based in New York, faced enormous losses. They were paying an annualized interest rate of about 19 percent to borrow money from the Fed, but New York’s usury law allowed them to charge cardholders no more than 12 percent. That imbalance led Citicorp to move its credit card business from New York to South Dakota, which was in the process of passing legislation to lift its usury ceiling at the time. Citicorp brokered a deal with South Dakota leaders, promising jobs in exchange for permission to operate in the state, and hightailed it out of New York. Meanwhile, Delaware Gov. Pierre S. “Pete” du Pont IV was looking for ways to bring more jobs to his state. That’s when Chase Manhattan Chief Operating Officer and President (and later, CEO) Thomas Lebrecque and his legal counsel Robert Douglass got in touch. “It was them going to us, not us going to them,” says Kenton, who was Delaware’s secretary of state at that time. Delaware was much closer to New York compared with South Dakota. At the time, several major banks were already incorporated there because of the state’s Chancery Court, where corporate cases are heard by judges, not juries, and resolved faster. The Chancery Court has long made the state an appealing place for businesses to incorporate for
that 11 major bank holding companies, including many with credit card businesses, had opened subsidiaries in Delaware. Even after federal laws restricting interstate banking were repealed in 1994, Delaware remained a credit card industry stronghold because of its low tax rate for banks and Chancery Court.
Credit cards today Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Like many banks and credit card companies, Citi operates in Delaware. legal benefits. In fact, twothirds of all publicly traded companies today are incorporated in Delaware, according to the state’s website. “They said, ‘We do not want go to South Dakota for two reasons: A) Citibank is already there and B) It’s South Dakota,’” Kenton says. Chase Manhattan asked whether Delaware would give it the same deal as South Dakota gave Citicorp. “The governor and I got together and said ‘Yes.’”
The Financial Center Development Act is born
In the fall of 1980, du Pont’s six-person bipartisan task force — on which Kenton played a key role — went to work on legislation that would become the Financial Center Development Act. To incentivize big banks to move to Delaware, the law dangled these goodies: ■ Invitations — It gave out-of-state banks permission to enter Delaware, provided that they met certain condi-
tions — for example, employing at least 100 people in the state ■ Interest rate flexibility — It largely eliminated usury ceilings ■ Option to charge fees — It allowed banks to impose several types of fees on revolving and closed-ended credit, if they were disclosed ■ Tax breaks — It implemented an inverted tax rate for banks making more than $20 million, taxing big banks at a lower rate than smaller banks The law passed with bipartisan support, and lawmakers continued to amend it to attract more banks, Kenton says. Several major banks soon moved operations to Delaware, including Chase Manhattan, J.P. Morgan & Co., Manufacturers Hanover and Chemical New York. Even Citicorp — which had just relocated its card business to South Dakota — opened an operation in Delaware. By 1983, the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia noted
Kenton acknowledges that the credit card industry hasn’t always been consumer-friendly. “Have there been abuses? Yes,” he says. “Congress has corrected a lot of abuses.” But there have also been benefits. If not for the credit card revolution in Delaware, he says, there wouldn’t be affinity cards, travel cards and airline cards. Just as Delaware changed the credit card industry, the credit card industry changed Delaware. In 1980, Delaware state officials hoped the FCDA would add 1,000 jobs, Kenton said. As of February 2017, the state’s financial industry employs more than 47,000 people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The governor was very forward-looking,” Kenton says. “He said it would be a big boost to the economy, and it sure was.” CLAIRE TSOSIE is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Contact her at claire@ nerdwallet.com at via Twitter at @ideclaire7. This article was originally published by Forbes.
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Summertime Blues or Summertime Cruise? We’ve all heard the Alan Jackson song “Summertime Blues”: “Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do, but there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” Nor is there a cure for a difficult ex-spouse! A difficult ex-spouse can make it impossible for a divorced parent to travel with their child. This is because the other parent’s consent is necessary to obtain or renew a passport for a child or for a child to travel out of the country. If the proper provisions for obtaining a passport for a child and for a child to travel out of the country are not in the court order, then a difficult ex-spouse can prevent the child from traveling. Some divorced parents can be difficult for the sake of being difficult and unfortunately, passports and travel are an area where we see it a lot. Such difficult parents usually do not have a legitimate reason for preventing the travel and do so to get back at the other parent. Unfortunately, many final custody orders do not contain provisions regarding obtaining a passport for a child or consent to travel out of the country. The rules for obtaining a passport for a child and for a child to travel out of the country have become very strict. In order to obtain court ordered provisions for passports and out-of-thecountry travel, this will require the traveling parent to return to court to obtain such orders. Un-
less there are strong reasons why a child should not travel out of the country—for example, medical reasons, dangerous travel conditions, etc.—the courts will more than likely issue orders to obtain a passport and allow the child to travel out of the country. Minors under the age of 16 cannot apply for a passport by themselves. Both parents/guardians must appear in person with the minor and provide consent, authorizing passport issuance to the minor. If one parent/guardian is unable to appear in person, then the DS-11 application must be accompanied by a signed, notarized “Form DS3053: Statement of Consent” from the non-applying parent/guardian. If the minor only has one parent/ guardian, evidence of sole author-
ity to apply for the minor must be submitted with the application in the form of a: •
•
• • •
U.S. or foreign birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent Court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent (unless the child’s travel is restricted by that order) Court order specifically permitting applying parent’s travel with the child Judicial declaration of incompetence of the non-applying parent Death certificate of the non-applying parent
“Sole legal custody” is one of the requirements for a parent to obtain a passport without the other par-
ent’s consent; however, most custody orders do not contain sole legal custody, but rather joint custody (termed “joint conservatorship” in Texas). Unless the order says “sole managing conservatorship” then the traveling parent will not be able to obtain a passport without the other parent’s consent. In addition, many airlines require a “Letter of Consent” to be signed by the other parent no matter what the court orders say. Part of the court’s order would require a parent to sign such a letter. Even if the traveling parent has a passport for the child, most airlines still require this letter. When a mother’s name is not the same as their child’s name, this can cause extra problems at the airport. Any divorcing mother desiring to change her name should consider making the child’s last name their middle name if they ever plan to travel out of the country with their child. The laws are becoming stricter and it is uncertain what the future holds in this regard.
(From left to right) Brook Stuntebeck, Sean Abeyta, Charla H. Bradshaw, James Logue, and Sarah Darnell
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Any divorced parent desiring to travel out of the country with a child needs to ask for passport and travel orders in their final orders. And, any parent desiring to travel should ask the other parent in plenty of time in case they need to return to court to obtain such passport and travel orders. Acting early can lead to the Summertime Cruise rather than the Summertime Blues!
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Enterprising Voices
Marketing ideas for the summer slump A
fter spring and leading into summer, many businesses experience a “summer slump.� It’s that time of year when vendors and employees take much-needed time off and business may slow a little. While sales may slow this time of year, business owners can capitalize on this relatively quiet time by introducing a new marketing strategy, social media campaign, event, product or retargeting campaign. Don’t be leery of a slower period! A slower season gives you time to regroup, plan and experiment with creative strategies. Some ideas include:
Hold an open house or social event
If sales are slow for you, host a fun event at your business. Bring customers back in with an open house that shows off a new product or service, rewards visitors with a freebie or provides refreshments and social networking opportunities for you and your customers.
Engage social media users Solicit reviews and feed-
Daryl HIVELY | COMMENTARY
back by emailing your client list, as well as posting to your social media channels, and encourage them to write you a review in exchange for a coupon to your business or a freebie. Social media contests are a popular way to re-engage your followers and attract new ones. You don’t have to limit social media contests to “like this post to be entered� campaigns. Encouraging your clients to submit photos of how they use your product or asking them to write why they would love to win the contest would grow your brand’s story.
Retarget audiences
Retargeting, or “remarketing,� reminds people who have
previously showed interest in your business or product to give you another look. Most first-time website visits do not result in a sale for a variety of reasons. The visitor may have gotten distracted or was on the fence about a purchase and forgot where they saw your product. You can retarget Facebook users as well as visitors to your website and other social media channels.
Offer exclusive seasonal products or services
Customers will visit your business again if they know there are exclusive, seasonal products or services they can get only at certain times of the year. Take advantage of this slower time to prepare any holiday or seasonal products or services. Your marketing strategy should be agile and ready to handle any challenges. Don’t be afraid of experimenting and trying new marketing strategies during the summer slump months. A slower time a year is perfect to implement a digital marketing strategy and test a few new campaigns.
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DARYL HIVELY is the founder and CEO of Guarantee Digital, a full-service
digital marketing agency. Guarantee Digital works with merchants of all sizes
directly or via a network of sales and media partners in almost 200 markets.
Biz on the Wire Construction begins on New Mexico-Texas line
AMARILLO — Xcel Energy has started construction on a 345-kilovolt transmission line between Texas and New Mexico to extend its electrical distribution system. Formal groundbreaking ceremonies were scheduled Tuesday near Hobbs, New Mexico, on the $400 million project to eventually connect to a substation north of Abernathy. An Xcel statement says the first segment will involve a substation southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The new transmission line should run about 240 miles and be in service by 2018. A similar Xcel project was completed in 2014 connecting the Texas substation to a unit near Woodward, Oklahoma. When all the segments are completed by 2020, the power line is expected to stretch more than 400 miles from western Oklahoma to southeastern New Mexico.
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The West Texas town of Post was founded in 1907 as a model city by cereal magnate C.W. Post, who named it after himself.
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whether an Arizona family injured in a 2003 motor home accident is entitled to the entire amount. The family sued Goodyear after they were seriously injured when a tire failed on their motor home, causing it to flip off the road. After settling the case in 2010, the family discovered the company hadn’t turned over key
Direct Mail Merge
Takeover joins Fruity Pebbles, Weetabix
NEW YORK — Post Holdings, the company behind Fruity Pebbles, Honey Bunches of Oats and other cereals, said Tuesday that it is buying the maker of British breakfast brand Weetabix as it seeks to expand overseas. It is paying 1.4 billion pounds, or about $1.8 billion, to buy Weetabix from its owners, Shanghai-based Bright Food Group and Baring Private Equity Asia. Besides its namesake cereal, Weetabix also makes Alpen, Barbara’s Puffins and other cereals. St. Louis-based Post Holdings Inc. said that the deal will allow it to grow its U.S. brands internationally and expand Weetabix in North America. Weetabix, a rectangular wheat biscuit that breaks apart when it absorbs milk, is little known in the U.S. but is the second-biggest ready-toeat cereal brand in the U.K., according to market research company Euromonitor. The deal is expected to close by September.
High court sides with Goodyear over injuries
WASHINGTON — A unanimous Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with Goodyear Rubber & Tire Co. in a dispute over a $2.7 million penalty the company was ordered to pay an Arizona family to reimburse their legal fees in a personal injury case. The justices sent the case back to a lower court to decide
testing data. A federal judge said nearly all of the family’s attorney fees could be blamed on the misconduct and he ordered the payment. A federal appeals court agreed. Justice Elena Kagan said such a penalty must be limited to the fees incurred solely because of the misconduct.
— The Associated Press
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Enterprising Voices
National Small Business Week starts April 30 A
pril 30 begins a weeklong celebration to honor the pillars of our economy — the American entrepreneur and small business owner. The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting events across the country to recognize the critical contributions of the men and women who dare to dream and create their own tomorrows by starting and growing small businesses. SBA has been celebrating this important group since 1963, when the president of the United States began issuing a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week. In Denton County, we celebrate more than 63,000 businesses and the impact they make on the local economy.
Herbert AUSTIN | COMMENTARY
On Thursday, May 4, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon will join the local celebration to honor the Dallas-Fort Worth District Small Business Award winners at an event hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The following 2017 winners will be recognized: ■ National Prime Contractor of the Year — QMF Steel, Sherrill Lester, president ■ Texas Small Business
Person of the Year — Deborah Paris, president of StraCon Services Group LLC ■ Regional 8(a) Graduate — Reginalea Kemp, CEO of Kemp and Sons ■ Small Business Exporter — Ghassan Massi, owner of Amallis Inc. ■ Woman in Business Champion — Royalyn B. Reid, president of Consumer and Market Insights ■ Entrepreneurial Success Award — Prabhu M. Patil, CEO of PROLIM Global Corp. ■ Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Nichole Kirk, owner of Dear Heart Designs ■ Minority Small Business Champion of the Year — Zarin D. Gracey, executive general manager for the city of Dallas ■ Financial Services Champion of the Year —
National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of the men and women who dare to dream and create their own tomorrows by starting and growing small businesses. Millie J. Garcia, senior loan officer at Accion ■ SCORE Chapter of the Year — Dallas SCORE Chapter 22, Terry Toomey, president ■ Small Business Development Center of the Year — Northeast SBDC, Tim Wilson, director In addition to in-person events around the country, National Small Business Week will include a series of free
webinars hosted by SBA and corporate partners. On May 2, Visa will present “The U.S. Economic Outlook and its Impact on Small Businesses.” On May 3, YP (Yellow Pages) will present “5 Fabulous Habits of Local Business Champions.” On May 4, Constant Contact will present “How to Write Your Email Content in 15 Minutes or Less,” and on May 5 Chase will present tips on how to “Find the Hidden
Chuck CARPENTER | COMMENTARY
entrepreneurs, woman-owned businesses, working professionals and creatives with the tools and support to retain a talented workforce, start up a new business and expand profitable opportunities in Denton. Featured program content will be directed toward multiple audiences. Among the topics will be retention tactics for existing businesses, resources and the process of establishing a startup for tech-oriented entrepreneurs,
information about transitioning a craft or skill into a business entity for creatives, and the ever-popular networking for business professionals. Another reminder: May 12 is the deadline for accepting applications for the 2017-18 class of Leadership Denton. The current class will graduate April 28 during the chamber’s membership luncheon. Interested candidates must be a U.S. citizen, of voting age and a resident or employed within the boundaries of the Denton school district for at least one year as of Sept. 1, 2017. Qualified applicants will be subject to a personal interview.
HERBERT AUSTIN serves as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Dallas-Fort Worth District director and oversees the agency’s programs and services throughout 72 Texas counties, including Denton, Tarrant and Dallas.
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Introducing Thrive Denton T
he Thrive Denton Business Summit, coordinated by the Denton Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Friday, May 19 in the student union at the University of North Texas. The chamber’s Economic Development Department, the Denton Convention & Visitors Bureau, TechMill, Workforce Solutions of North Texas, UNT, Texas Woman’s University, North Central Texas College, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, the governor’s Texas Music Office, CBK3 Consulting, the Denton school district, the Greater Denton Arts Council and Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant LLP are all partnering with us in the planning and implementation of our business summit. Although the event has several different components, the primary mission of Thrive Denton is to provide existing
Money in America.” Registration is open at www.sba.gov/ nsbw/webinars. Some events, including national award ceremonies in Washington, will be streamed live at www.sba.gov/NSBW and www.facebook.com/ SBAgov. To find out more about local events, follow the SBA South Central Region on Twitter at @SBASouth Central.
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WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS! Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.Cambridge and SWF are not affiliated. Best of Denton award results are based on a general reader poll and do not reflect investment performance or client experience.
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The UnitedHealth campus is pictured Oct. 16, 2012, in Minnetonka, Minn. The nation’s biggest health insurer hiked its 2017 earnings forecast Tuesday.
Profit soars as ACA business shrinks By Tom Murphy | AP
UnitedHealth’s first-quarter profit soared 35 percent as the nation’s biggest health insurer slashed participation in Affordable Care Act exchanges but grew just about every other part of its business. The insurer also hiked its 2017 earnings forecast Tuesday, and company shares started climbing shortly after it detailed results. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans and the stateand federally funded Medicaid coverage both swelled for UnitedHealth, which continued to grow an Optum segment that sells several services outside the company’s core health insurance. Operating earnings from that insurance businesses climbed 15 percent to $2.1 billion, even though UnitedHealth’s individual enrollment plunged as it withdrew from nearly all the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. The insurer pulls in
most of its enrollment from group insurance coverage offered through employers. UnitedHealth had warned last year that it expected to lose more than $800 million on individual coverage sold through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, and the insurer scaled back its participation on those exchanges this year to three states after rapidly expanding to 34. Several other major insurers like Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc. also have pared participation after booking deep losses on the exchanges, which face an uncertain future as Republicans in Congress mull another attempt at repealing and replacing the federal law. UnitedHealth is a small player in the exchanges, which are dominated by Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded plans. Company officials did say they are still working with policymakers to improve the markets. CEO Stephen Hemsley also pushed for the permanent
repeal of a health insurance tax that was deferred this year. He noted that it will affect coverage affordability. Outside health insurance, UnitedHealth saw operating earnings climb nearly 16 percent to $1.3 billion from its Optum segment. That business provides pharmacy benefits management and technology services and also operates clinics and doctor’s offices. Overall, the company earned $2.17 billion in the first quarter on $48.72 billion in total revenue. Adjusted results came to $2.37 per share. Analysts forecast earnings of $2.17 per share on $48.33 billion in revenue. UnitedHealth now expects adjusted 2017 earnings of between $9.65 and $9.85 per share after predicting $9.30 to $9.60 per share last fall. UnitedHealth is the first health insurer to announce earnings every quarter, and many analysts and investors see it as a bellwether for other insurers.
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Unemployment Update National numbers By Josh Boak | AP WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits in the most recent week of data available, which is evidence of a stable job market and greater security for workers. Weekly applications for jobless aid dipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 234,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Requests for benefits in the prior week were revised up 1,000 to 235,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, fell to 247,250 from 250,250. Over the past year, the number of people collecting unemployment benefits has fallen 6.9 percent to 2 million. Applications are a proxy for layoffs. They have stayed below 300,000, a level linked with broader job growth, for 110 weeks. That’s the longest period at such a low level since 1970, when the U.S. population was much smaller. By holding on to workers, employers are more likely to expect the economy to grow and potentially hire. The unemployment rate has fallen to a healthy 4.5 percent as the gradual recovery from the recession is approaching its eighth year. The hiring has helped to sustain consumer spending.
Biz on the Wire Wanted Indian business tycoon, race team boss Mallya arrested in London By Nirmala George | AP
NEW DELHI — British police on Tuesday arrested Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya in London on behalf of authorities in India, where he is wanted on charges of money laundering and bank demands that he pay back more than a billion dollars in loans extended to his now-defunct airline. Mallya was arrested after showing up at a police station early Tuesday, said a statement from the Metropolitan Police in London. At a preliminary hearing, Mallya was granted conditional bail and released with the case adjourned until May 17. In New Delhi, the government hailed Mallya’s arrest, saying it would not spare anyone who indulged in fraud. “Mallya will be brought back to India. The government is working toward it. No one will be spared,” said Santosh Gangwar, the junior minister for finance. India’s Enforcement Directorate, now investigating the liquor baron’s debts totaling 94 billion rupees ($1.45 billion), asked a New Delhi court last year to demand Mallya’s presence during proceedings. At the time, it said Mallya was not cooperating with investigators, and three times ignored their summons to give evidence. Mallya was famous for his flashy lifestyle and lavish parties attended by fashion models and Bollywood stars. He was once hailed as India’s version of British tycoon Richard Branson for his investments in a brewing and liquor company, an airline, the Force India Formula One team and an Indian Premier League cricket club. But he ran into trouble when he failed to returns millions of dollars of loans and left India last year amid attempts by a group of banks to recover the money. The failure of Kingfisher Airlines, which he launched in 2005, began his slippery slide into debt and triggered the collapse of several of his businesses. The Indian government in 2012 suspended the airline’s license after it failed to pay pilots and engineers for months. He had been living in the United Kingdom since March 2016 and had refused to return to India to face trial. India canceled his passport and began an extradition pro-
cess, asking the U.K. government to deport him to India. Mallya was bailed on the condition that he surrender
his passport to British police, not try to leave England and Wales, reside at his own home, and not seek any other
travel documents. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, the country’s equivalent of the FBI, had
charged the beleaguered tycoon with cheating and conspiracy for defaulting on a 9 billion-rupee loan, given in
2009. The loan was intended to buy aircraft parts, but Mallya was accused of having transferred it abroad.
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Cover Story
Barron Ludlum
Circa 77 Vintage owner Janie Shoto and employee Danielle Garcia pose at the vintage shop in Denton.
Barron Ludlum
Circa 77 off the Square on West Oak Street specializes in rentals, customs and alterations.
The group also spends funds on hors d’oeuvres, a DJ and photography. Bossenbroek said juniors and seniors can sell cookie dough to pay for their $65 ticket and students who don’t have funds for formalwear can borrow dresses she keeps in her classroom. “We just want to make sure the prom is for everyone and that as many kids as possible can attend,” she said. The expenses associated with prom have remained relatively stable over time: dresses, tuxedos, shoes, hair, makeup, corsages and boutonnieres, limousines and dinner beforehand. But Bossenbroek said she’s noticed one added cost that’s cropped up for many Ryan students in recent years. “Most of the kids are doing promposals now,” she said. “They ask their dates in some big, glorious manner.” The “promposal” trend isn’t limited to Ryan students. A Boston teen asked his date by renting a plane that wrote “PROM?” in the sky. A high schooler in Arizona asked actress Emma Stone to be his date by remaking a scene from her latest movie, La La Land. Though not all promposals are as extravagant, they can drive up costs. According to a 2015 Visa spending survey, households planned to spend $324 on promposals alone.
Getting the look
Men’s Wearhouse staffers call prom season, spanning mid-February to late April, nearly the busiest time of year. It’s second only to the holiday season in the fourth quarter, when families who have at least one male needing sprucing up rush to the store. Cameron Krause, a student at the University of North Texas who has worked at the formalwear store for about three months now, said the prom spike is real. A vast ma-
Brandon Wade/For the DRC
Grant Griffith asks Liberty Christian senior forward Emily Earley, not pictured, to prom after Liberty defeated Plano Prestonwood to win the TAPPS Class 5A state championship March 5, 2016, in Mansfield. jority of students come to rent suits rather than buy them outright. “I’ve only been working here a short time, but I’m definitely getting my first taste of it,” Krause said. A normal day brings older folks who wake up early to peruse the store’s wares, but the three-month prom-a-thon births its own animal. In total, the Denton store serves students from 21 area high schools, and one week can yield up to 330 high school students looking to sharpen up for their big night. Lindsey Fithian has worked in the formalwear business for more than 10 years. When she started out, Men’s Wearhouse only offered rental outfits that featured one kind of pleated pants, one tuxedo shirt and a limited variety of coats. That’s since expanded to 21 coats and seven vests combining for more than 90 different tuxedo combinations. Suit rentals start at $59.99, and the fanciest combinations can reach $200. Kids nowadays seem to lean
toward brightly colored options for overcoats that include purple, pink and red. For trousers, “high-waters” that hike up and expose socks are the latest craze, and there are some who prefer to toss tuxedo shorts into the mix. Many young men juxtapose tennis shoes with their outfits, Fithian has noticed. The store’s team says it has predicting fashion trends down to a science. If a particular celebrity rocks some unorthodox threads to the Oscars or Grammys, they can expect to see droves of patrons wanting the same glow-up. “It’s changed a lot since I first began,” Fithian said. “We used to have such limited options, but so many fashion trends customers are interested in have transformed the game.” For ladies, more than 500 customizable vintage prom dresses can be found inside Circa 77. Outside of routine weddings, prom season starting in February is the busiest time of year. Rentals, customs and alterations to dresses have kept
Circa 77 open the 12 years owner Janie Shoto’s shop has sat off the Square on West Oak Street. Depending on what a customer wants done to a dress and the amount of work involved, alterations can cost anywhere from $100 to $300. But that pricing scale often slides depending on the value of the dress. “Everybody is different and nobody wants to be cookiecutter about their dress,” Shoto said of tastes in prom dresses. Circa 77 this year purchased 15 third-party, modern and rhinestone-bedazzled dresses to sell in addition to its signature vintage style. Over the years, Shoto has noticed girls and their moms have veered toward more risque, exposing dresses rather than traditionally conservative gowns. This can often be problematic with strict high school dress codes. There tends to be a solution in altercations if a student is set on a particular dress, Shoto said. While two-piece dresses exposing more skin than normal have been increasingly popular this prom season, several school principals prohibit that style. Circa 77 has been able to remedy that conflict by sewing openings together to make the dresses acceptable. Even with a spike in interest toward modern styles, a majority of students end up preferring more unique options when they walk in to try everything on that catches their eye. “Once they try everything on, the vintage tends to stand out to them over the glamour and gaudiness,” Shoto said. On the accessory end, Denton Florist on East University Drive notices its own prom spike for gentlemen wanting boutonnieres and ladies wanting wristlets. The floral shop sees anywhere from 30 to 40 students from Denton high schools each week mixed in with 10 to 20 students from surrounding areas. Standard roses or spray roses are typically the go-tos for visitors, but owner Christine Dear can fashion a corsage from any flower under the sun. “Some kids are real simple; others will come in from Hobby Lobby with a bunch of feathers and stuff wanting to really customize them,” she said. “They can be pretty laborintensive.” While several high schools send students to the longtime shop, Dear has done her best to
Brian Hill/AP
Yulissa Solis looks for the perfect dress March 18 in Elgin, Ill. make sure each student is serviced in a timely manner over the 27 years she’s owned Denton Florist. A typical boutonniere or wristlet takes 30 minutes of handiwork to complete, but that can vary based on how busy prom season is and how much customization a customer requests. She shares the same message that other prom outlets have for high school sweethearts wanting to make their prom night something special. “Place your orders early and try to come in early,” Dear said. “It’s never a good idea to procrastinate.”
Hitting the pocketbook
Businesses may see a welcome spike during prom season, but the cost of going to prom might be going down. The Visa survey shows that families spent an average of $919 on prom in 2015, down from $978 in 2014 and $1,139 in 2013. Parents said they plan to shell out 73 percent of the cost. Jay Zagorsky, an economist and professor at Ohio State University, studied the rising cost of proms compared with the rising cost of everyday items. He developed a “Prom Price Index” that tracks the cost of prom-related items like women’s dresses, car rentals and indoor flowers. He compared the data with the Consumer Price Index, a tool used by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks the price of items the average American family purchases. Zagorsky found that, although costs were still rising in both categories, the price of prom-related items rose at a slower rate than items on the Consumer Price Index. From 1998 to 2015, the price of going to prom rose by 22 percent. In that same period, overall prices rose 45 percent. “Understanding the changing price of proms is important, not only for the memories invoked years after the event is over but also because it is a quintessential American experience,” Zagorsky wrote on The Conversation, an academicbased website. “Proms will never be cheap, but it is nice to know that over time the inflation-adjusted cost of attending this rite of passage is falling, enabling more teenagers to attend.” CAITLYN JONES can be reached at 940-566-6862. MATT PAYNE can be reached at 940-566-6845. DORANSKI AGENCY (940) 387 6289 2000 DENISON ST #A DENTON
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Shanna Freeman works at Denton Florist. A typical boutonniere or wristlet takes 30 minutes of handiwork to complete.
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Denton Florist owner Christine Dear can fashion a corsage from any flower.
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Area Chamber Roundup Aubrey 380 Area Chamber of Commerce
It is spring cleaning time in the Aubrey 380 area. On April 22, Keep Aubrey Beautiful will hold its Electronics Recycling Collection Event at Aubrey City Hall. Accepted items include computers, appliances, home entertainment items and more. For information and restrictions, email kab@ keepaubreybeautiful.org or call 940-343-1313. The Aubrey Area Library will host its annual trivia night April 22, with cash prizes for first, second and third place. It’s bring-your-own beverages, snacks or indoor picnic, and there is a cash prize for the best table setup. For more information, call the library at 940-365-9162. The town of Cross Roads will have its spring cleanup April 22, followed by Movie in the Park at sunset. The Cross Roads Community Market will kick off again in May — watch for details. For more information, visit www.cross roadstx.gov.
Biz on the Wire
Housing starts stronger than 2016 By Josh Boak | AP WASHINGTON — U.S. builders broke ground on fewer homes in March, but the pace of construction so far this year remains stronger than in 2016. Housing starts fell 6.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.22 million, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The setback came after strong gains in a warmer-than-usual February. Groundbreakings on new homes are still 8.1 percent higher through the first three months of this year compared with 2016. More Americans are seeking homes as job security has improved with low unemployment. But even with a wave of construction, a dwindling supply of new and existing homes across much of the country has threatened to become a major drag on the housing market. Jennifer Lee, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, suggested that the March decline was likely temporary. “Is it the start of a trend? Likely not, given the strong demand for housing and the low levels of inventory to choose from,” Lee said. Despite a winter storm last month, housing starts increased in the Northeast largely because of apartment construction. The pace of groundbreakings tumbled in the Midwest, South and West. The March decline was likely due in part to an unseasonably temperate January and February, which allowed builders to begin construction earlier. “Warmer-than-usual weather in the first two months of the year pulled starts forward into those months, and March — with more normal temperatures — saw the payback with declines in both single- and multifamily construction,” said David Berson, chief economist at Nationwide Mutual Insurance. During the first three months of this year, construction of buildings with at least five units — mainly apartment complexes — has climbed 14.1 percent. Single-family housing starts have risen 5.9 percent. More properties will likely begin construction in the coming months. Building permits, an indicator of future construction, rose 3.6 percent in March to an annual rate of 1.26 million.
Growth continues in Cross Roads. In March the Aubrey 380 Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed LuminCARE with a ribbon-cutting. Construction has begun on Tractor Supply on U.S. Highway 377, and there is talk of Popeyes chicken coming soon! The Aubrey 380 Area Chamber of Commerce’s networking luncheons are held the third Wednesday of each month at Prairie House Restaurant. Lunch costs $12, and the public is welcome. Come join us for interesting speakers, great food and networking. For more information on the chamber, visit our website at www.aubreycoc.org.
DRC file photo
The Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting this month for Chicken Express. brated ribbon-cuttings for Chicken Express off Swisher Road and Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke in Denton. We also celebrated a groundbreaking for the new safety building for the Corinth Police Department and Lake Cities Fire Department. Please join us at our May luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Oakmont Country Club. Our speaker will be Keith Martino, who
Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce
The Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce has met spring with a busy calendar. In March we celebrated ribboncuttings for the Denton school district, Beatitudes Tea Room in Lake Dallas, Dirk Dahlke with American Realty, and Pure Synergy Wellness Studio. Already in April we have cele-
will be discussing leadership. Our sponsor for this luncheon is David Gilmore of Edward Jones. You also are welcome to attend any of our Wednesday morning coffees held at various locations. Visit our website at: www.lakecities chamber.com to learn more.
Sanger Area Chamber of Commerce
The Sanger Area Chamber
of Commerce’s annual Spring Fling will be held in downtown Sanger on Saturday, May 6 from 5 to 10 p.m. Our Chalk in the Park event will be from 5 to 5:45 p.m. for creating those fabulous designs. Children, businesses and individuals can buy sidewalk space by the square and get chalk and rags to draw whatever spring design they choose. Judging will be from
5:45 to 6 p.m. The other festivities will start at 6 p.m. This free annual event is a family-oriented evening festivity held at the downtown square park. The festival includes games such as sack races, cornhole and obstacle course. We’ll have hot dogs with all the fixings, watermelon and popcorn to complement the family picnic enjoyment. We will conclude the festivities with a movie in the park. This event will include our annual Chalk in the Park, with all proceeds going to the Sanger Education Foundation. This event brings out the creativity of children and the competitive spirit of adults. So come on out and join us for an evening of quality time with family and friends. For more information, visit our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/events/ 387451648287301 or website at http://business.sangertexas. com/events/details/springfling-270, and feel free to contact us via email at chamber@sangertexas.com.
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Business Spotlight
Should you use your retirement to start a business? By Steve Nicastro | NerdWallet
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kip Sheppard took a bet on himself in 2011. The 59-year-old used $200,000 from his retirement accounts to buy a business. Using a financing option called a rollover for business startups, or a ROBS, he reopened and expanded Three Lantern Marine and Fishing, turning the Gloucester, Massachusetts, fishing supply store with $275,000 in sales into a $3 million business. “We were very fortunate with the location and the type of business we are in, and the market was rebounding,” Sheppard says. But not every business will succeed, and a ROBS carries one particularly notable risk: You could jeopardize your retirement. While this type of financing can provide you with money to fund your business, the complex transaction doesn’t make sense for everyone. Here’s what you need to know about the process, including the potential benefits and possible downsides:
How does a ROBS work?
In this type of transaction, funds from eligible retirement accounts, including a 401(k) or a traditional individual retirement account, are rolled over in most cases with the help of an attorney or a ROBS provider and invested in a new business or franchise, or used to buy or put money into an existing business. Here’s what happens. ■ A C corporation — a corporate structure that allows shareholders — is formed.
Then a new 401(k) plan is created for the business. ■ The owner’s existing retirement accounts are rolled into the new 401(k) plan. Most retirement accounts qualify. ■ The rolled-over funds are used to purchase company stock in the C corporation. The proceeds from the sale of stock is the cash that’s invested in the business.
The pros
■ It’s an alternative way to finance your business. Lenders typically require strong personal credit, positive cash flow and collateral for loan approval. A Rollover for Business Startups is an option for an entrepreneur who has built up retirement savings but who may not otherwise qualify for a business loan. ■ You won’t take on debt. A ROBS isn’t a loan. You don’t have to worry about monthly repayments, incurring high interest fees or defaulting. You can reinvest more of your profits into the business, which is critical for newer businesses. ■ You won’t pay penalties or taxes. Withdraw funds directly from a 401(k) or IRA before turning 59 1/2, and you’ll get hit with a 10% early withdrawal penalty and face a distribution tax. You avoid those with a ROBS.
The cons
■ Your retirement is at risk. Despite the potential payoff, this is a significant downside. If your business fails, say goodbye to your retirement nest egg. “Some of our clients’ busi-
Getty Images/Thinkstock
In a rollover for business startups, or ROBS, funds from eligible retirement accounts are rolled over and invested in a new business. nesses fail and they lose their money, 100% of it,” says Frank Selden, an attorney based in Bothell, Washington, who helps clients set up Rollovers for Business Startups. ■ You’ll lose out on retirement-savings gains. Since you are committing your retirement nest egg to finance a business, you’ll lose the potential gains from a rising stock market, the tax-deferred savings of 401(k) and IRAs, and the power of compounding as investments grow over a long period time. ■ You must operate as a C corporation. A C corporation is a more common business structure for larger com-
panies. The tax implications differ from a sole proprietorship and a limited liability company, so it may not be a good fit for your business. ■ You’ll pay costly fees. Benetrends Financial and Guidant Financial, two ROBS providers, charge $4,995, plus a monthly 401(k) administration fee of $139, which includes assistance with filing IRS forms. These fees cannot be paid using the proceeds of the transaction. Sheppard, the business owner, spent time researching a ROBS and consulted with his accountant, ultimately deciding to use Guidant for his transaction.
The risk of an IRS audit could be greater
You may face increased scrutiny from the IRS after completing a ROBS, says Barbara Weltman, author of J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2017. Any mistakes made during the transaction can wind up disqualifying the ROBS plan, which could result in IRS penalties and make the transaction taxable, Weltman says. However, only a third of 1 percent of its ROBS clients faced an audit last year, according to Guidant CEO David Nilssen. Does a ROBS make sense for you? Before tapping your
retirement funds, find out if the potential benefits of a ROBS outweigh the risks, costs and legal requirements. Talk to an attorney or tax expert for advice. Compare other financing options, including personal savings, bootstrapping or finding partners. “This is really for people willing to take a risk on themselves,” Selden says. STEVE NICASTRO is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Contact him at steven.n@ nerdwallet.com and via Twitter at @StevenNicastro. This article was originally published by USA Today.
Biz on the Wire
Diane Bondareff, Invision/AP
KFC gives away 3,000 new Zinger chicken sandwiches — a hand-breaded 100 percent chicken breast filet with lettuce and mayonnaise on a toasted sesame seed bun — at an event Monday in New York.
NEW YORK (AP) — KFC is aiming to take a bigger bite out of the chicken sandwich market by changing how it prepares them. The chain says it is hoping to improve the taste and is switching from filets that were breaded and frozen offsite before being shipped to the stores in favor of filets breaded at the stores. That’s similar to how rivals Chick-fil-A and Popeyes already prepare their chicken. The move reflects how big fast-food chains are trying to step up the image of their offerings, and follows an announcement by McDonald’s that it would start using fresh instead of frozen beef for its Quarter Pounders next year. For Louisville, Kentuckybased KFC, the switch is part of a push to revive business and court younger customers. The efforts have included TV ads starring celebrities as founder Colonel Sanders. A key step is gaining a bigger share of the chicken sandwich market, which KFC
says accounts for 40 percent of the fast food industry’s chicken category. KFC says it’s not looking to take business from other fried chicken chains and is instead targeting burger chains that use filets that are breaded offsite and shipped to stores frozen. KFC says it removed sandwiches using similar filets from its menu earlier this year. “Frankly, it is not the kind of fried chicken sandwich we should be serving as the fried chicken experts,” says Kevin Hochman, president of KFC in the United States, which is owned by Yum Brands. Instead, the chain will introduce a Zinger chicken sandwich next week made with a filet that is breaded in stores. The company is hoping that can help it push up sales. Although KFC’s sales have been climbing at established locations, the chain has been shrinking its base of domestic stores and ended last year with around 4,200 U.S. locations.
DE-1605001-01
KFC to start breading sandwich filets at stores
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7:30AM - 6:00PM
Lunch Keynote by renowned economist
The Perryman Group
Blue Steele Solutions- Best Western Premier- Denton Record Chronicle Hilton Garden Inn Denton- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton (Full Sponsor/Expo Vendor List Available on Event Website)
AJ Amyx Brand & Business Growth Strategist
Jessie Frye Pop Artist
Kate Cochran Morgan United Realty Navy Veteran
Saul Paul Rapper/ Entreperneur
Dr. Michael Seman Univ. of Colorado, Arts & Media
Kyle Taylor TechMill
Brendon Anthony, TX Music Office- Stehanie Bergara, City of Austin Music & Entertainment- Caroline Booth, City of Denton Economic Development- Brad Bunt, NCTC SBDC- Erik Clark, Wellspring Insurance- Fabiana Claure, PhD. UNT- Kimberly Collins, Safran- Marshall Culpepper, Kubos- James Davenport Jr., UNT Student Affairs- Susan Carol Davis, Artist Enclave- Glen Farris, VERUS- Mark Fort, Texas Music Office- Bobby Garza, Non-Profit Consultant- Kami Gilbert, TX Health- Heather Gregory, Stoke- Dave Hanson, M1 Support Services Lisa Harrison, Denton ISD- Stephen Hays, Deep Space Ventures-- James Kashka, TX Veterans Commission- Christopher Penney, PhD., UNT-Juli James, Women Who Code- Michelle Keefer, MK Consulting- Emily Klement, PhD., NCTC- Barbara Lerner, PhD, TWU Sue Legacy, LCSW- Amy Lombardi, TuneCore- Alissa McCain, TX Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts- Ron Menguita, City of Denton Laura Moore, MS, APR- Ashley Olsberg, UNT- Sparky Pearson- Jana C. Perez, TWU- Patrick Peters, FourtWall Media- Ryan Soulier, Soulier Advisory- Heather Steele, Blue Steele Solutions- Brenda Stoner, Pick Up- Shakeel Merchant, Midway Mart- Brandy Thomas, Shepherd Dog- Rev. Pam Wat and many more!
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How do I deal with a mooching friend? By Brianna McGurran | NerdWallet
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othing kills a night out with friends like people trying to dodge the check. One person may regularly “forget” his wallet. Another doesn’t protest — ever — when you offer to pick up the tab. Ongoing spending differences may strain your relationships and hurt your financial goals. A budget calculator will reveal just how generous you can afford to be. But if you’re unhappy with a friend who consistently doesn’t pay her share, fix it before resentment takes hold. Here’s how:
Identify the underlying issue
You will have a range of financial personalities among friends. Sort out the ones you can live with from the ones who make you feel shortchanged. ■ The nickel-and-dimer — Some friends prefer to pay only for what they consumed, down to the penny, even when the group wants to split the check evenly. While stinginess isn’t exactly mooching, it may breed a similar feeling of resentment. Still, though your friend’s preference is different from yours, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. In this instance, it’s up to you to accept your friend can’t or doesn’t want to pay extra, and move on. “A sensitive friend looks at the big picture and says, ‘OK, this might be a quirk that I don’t have, but it’s also probably the fairest way to go about this,’” says Andrea Bonior, a clinical psychologist and author of The Friendship Fix. That’s especially true if your friend forgoes costly cocktails or orders less-expensive dishes. A number of mobile apps exist to simplify
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Friends have different approaches to splitting up the check. If you’re unhappy with a friend who consistently doesn’t pay her share, fix it before resentment takes hold. check-splitting. ■ The cash-crunched — A friend who is between jobs or who just put a security deposit on a new apartment might not have spare fun money. But if he’s not a frequent bill dodger and you want to go out with him, picking up the tab occasionally is fine, says Irene S. Levine, a psychologist and creator of The Friendship Blog. Again, understanding your own budget constraints can help you gauge the right frequency. If your friend’s cash crunch is longer-term — he has a lower-paying job than you, say — consider cheaper entertainment like a night at home
binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. You’ll save money and patience, and your friend won’t feel endlessly indebted to you. ■ The chronic freeloader — The trouble starts when your generosity becomes expected. Some friends actively avoid paying their share. Perhaps they conveniently retire to the bathroom before the check comes or, when you travel together, don’t reimburse you for the hotel until months later, if at all. This can lead to anger and bitterness. If you care about saving the friendship, a mature, respectful discussion is your next step.
Talk it out
focus the conversation on how you feel, rather than attacking your friend’s character.
Instead of holding a grudge, Bonior suggests you pick a time to have a private conversation that’s not in the moment — not, for instance, when your friend says her paycheck is late and she’ll cover drinks next time. When you’re in a place where you both feel comfortable, say, “This is really awkward, but remember when you put that concert ticket on my credit card? You still haven’t paid me back, and I could really use the money.” Or “I feel a little frustrated because you haven’t thrown in cash for drinks lately.” Go with “I’’ statements that
nouncing your friendship is over. Start by turning down your friend’s invitations and slowly extricating yourself from daily interactions. If your friend asks what’s going on, you can be honest; but remember you don’t have to feel guilty for letting the friendship fizzle. Your happiness — and bank account — are too precious to squander.
Know when to move on
Friends may take time to address your concerns. But if three months later the same issues continue to crop up, say something. Again. If you have a sense of how much money you’ve expended covering shortfalls since you first talked, let your friend know. At this point, it may be time to re-evaluate your relationship. “If a friendship consistently makes you feel drained, put upon, used or stressed, it’s time to move on,” Levine says. That doesn’t require an-
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Brianna McGurran is a staff writer at NerdWallet. Contact her at bmcgurran@nerdwallet. com.
• 7 STAGES • FINE ARTS • CRAFTS • ART TENT • FOOD • GAMES • FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! No Coolers or Dogs!
JACK DEJOHNETTE TRIO Friday • 9pm
DENTON ARTS & JAZZ FESTIVAL
Wells Fargo/Budweiser JAZZ STAGE
2:30 pm Flipside 4:00 pm Carolyn Jones 5:30 pm Eric Scortia &Vital Organ 7:00 pm Drew & David Phelps 9:00 pm Jack DeJohnette Trio SAT10:00 am – Mike Drake 11:30 am Jose Aponte & Caribe Club 1:00 pm John Adams 2:30 pm Stefan Karlsson 4:00 pm Freddie Jones 5:30 pm Mario & Gale Cruz 7:00 pm Phyrework 9:00 pm Aaron Neville SUN 10:00 am AnaLisa 11:30 am The Blue Noters 1:00 pm Latin Katz 2:30 pm UNT Jazz Faculty 4:00 pm Bill EvansTribute 5:30 pm Poo Live Crew 7:00 pm Brave Combo
Love Past Blue – LittleJackMelody&theYoungTurks Feen Boyette – Fingerprints Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat
KNTU Radio 88.1 ROVING RIVER STAGE
Budweiser COURTYARD STAGE
FRI 3:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 pm SAT 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:30 pm 9:00 pm SUN 10:30 am 12:00 pm
1:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:30 pm
Not So Hot Club Taste of Herb – Annagrey Texas Blues Crew Jim Riggs 2Tone Mr. Inez Me & My Monkey Tin Man Ricki Derek & the Vegas Six – Bonnie and Nick Norris – Bubba Hernandez Bobby Falk The Vinyl Stripes
These roving musicians will begin their performances on the Roving River Stage and will perform at 2 other locations in the north park. FRI 5:30 pm Rythmators 7:00 pm RiversWest SAT 10:00 am Jazzcats 11:00 am Impending Bloom 12:00 pm – Razzmajazz 1:00 pm Charley Lee 2:00 pm RhythmTribe 3:00 pm Yancey Stevens 4:00 pm – Eric Bailey 5:00 pm JoeTucker 6:30 pm Uver 8:00 pm Gypsy Playboys SUN 11:00 am Beyond the Pale 12:00 pm American Bedouin 1:00 pm Lico Reyes 2:00 pm Tailgate Poets 3:00 pm JeffTaylor 4:00 pm Linda Atwell 5:00 pm Joe Pat Hennen 6:30 pm Brian Houser
Denton Record-Chronicle FESTIVAL STAGE
FRI
4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm
Just Fabulous Belly Dance Calhoun Middle School Jazz Band Crownover Middle Sch Jazz Band Harpool Middle School Jazz Band McMath Middle SchTiger Jazz Band Ryan High School Strutters
7:00 pm Cholo Rock Dance Collective 7:30 pm Bonduris Music School 8:30 pm U-JAM Fitness 9:15 pm Copper Root 10:15 pm Liberty HS Ensembles II & I SAT 9:00 am Newton Elementary Groove Squad 9:30 am Newton Elem Ballet Folklorico 10:00 am Green Space Dance 11:00 am Denton High School Fillies 11:30 am Frisco High School Jazz Band 12:30 pm Strickland Middle School Jazz Band 1:30 pm Guyer High School Jazz Band 2:00 pm 410 Line Dance 2:30 pm Denton Dance Conservatory & City Ballet 3:30 pm Greater DallasYouth Orchestra Jazz Institute 5:00 pm – LeilNaharMid-EasternDanceTroupe 5:30 pm Upswing Jazz Band 6:30 pm Lake Dallas HS Jazz Ensemble I 7:30 pm Zaara Belly Dance Fusion 8:30 pm Little Elmo & the Mambo Kings 9:30 pm Maxwell Hall Jazz Ensemble SUN 10:00 am The Plano New Horizons Band 11:00 am Ms. Rhonda’s All Stars 12:00 pm 35 Jive! 12:15 pm Denton Jazzerise 1:00 pm Cathouse Band 2:00 pm Isis &The Star Dancers 3:00 pm PomegranateVibrato 3:30 pm Silhouette Dance Company 4:30 pm ATime to Dance Studio 5:30 pm TWU International Dance Company 6:00 pm Denton HS Gospel Ensemble & Jazz Band 6:30 pm –The DentonTarantinos 7:30 pm House of FunkTheatre Co.
8:15 pm TSA Denton Corps Brass Band
CENTERSTAGE
FRI
5:00 pm Sonlight Concert Band 6:00 pm Lee Elementary Singers Choir 6:30 pm Stephens Elementary Spotlights 7:00 pm - Ryan ElementaryWrangler Choir 7:30 pm Evers Park Elementary Choir 8:00 pm Denton High School Lab Band 3 8:15 pm Denton High School Lab Band 2 8:45 PM Denton High School Lab Band 1 SAT 9:00 am Crownover MS Fiddle Club 9:30 am Nelson Elementary Music Makers 10:00 am – Bell Elementary Choir 10:30 am –Wilson Elementary All Star Choir 11:00 am Borman Elementary DRUM 11:30 am Houston Elementary Singers Choir 12:00 pm The Handbells at Strickland MS 12:30 pm Blanton Elementary Squire Choir 1:00 pm Blanton Elem Order of the Ocarina 1:30 pm Denton Childbloom Guitar Program 2:30 pm New Horizons Band – Dallas 3:30 pm Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy 4:30 pm Ryan High School Partner Dance 5:00 pm Providence Elementary Performers 5:30 pm Pecan Creek BearTones/Betty Myers Jazz Band 6:00 pm Tamba Marimba/Austin Marimba 7:00 pm Toni Garsh SUN 12:00 pm Denton State Supported Living Center 1:00 pm – Denton Bell Band 2:00 pm Young At Heart 3:00 pm – Denton New Horizons Band 4:00 pm – Olivia Countryman 5:00 pm – Richard Gilbert 6:00 pm TWU Jazz Ensemble
TAKE THE A-TRAIN! An easy 3-block walk to the park!
Fri 5-11p.m. • Sat 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sun 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Quakertown Park • 321 E. McKinney Denton, Texas • 2 blocks NE of the Courthouse Square UniversityofNorthTexasSHOWCASESTAGE FRI 5:00 pm Kishiyama & Dietz Group 6:00 pm Henry Dickhoff Group 7:00 pm L5 Electric Guitar Ensemble 8:00 pm Zebras Contemp. Jazz Ensemble 9:00 pm Latin Jazz Lab SAT 10:00 am Paul Lees Group 11:00 am Jaron Lopez Group 12:00 pm U-Tubes JazzTrombone Ensemble 1:00 pm Nine O’Clock Lab Band 2:00 pm Eight O’Clock Lab Band 3:00 pm Seven O’Clock Lab Band 4:00 pm Six O’Clock Lab Band 5:00 pm Five O’Clock Lab Band 6:00 pm Four O’Clock Lab Band 7:00 pm Three O’Clock Lab Band 8:00 pm Two O’Clock Lab Band 9:00 pm One O’Clock Lab Band SUN 11:00 am JackieYin Group 11:30 am Carleigh Reese Group 12:00 pm Andrew Evangelista Group 12:30 pm Li Liu Group 1:00 pm West EndVocal Jazz Ensemble 1:30 pm Third StreetVocal Jazz Ensemble 2:10 pm Avenue CVocal Jazz Ensemble 3:00 pm UNT Jazz Singers 4:00 pm Super 400 Electric Guitar Ensemble 5:00 pm Mariachi Águilas 6:00 pm UNT Steel Drum Bands 7:00 pm UNT African Percussion Ensemble UNT LAB BAND MADNESS
APRIL 28, 29 & 30, 2017
FREE ADMISSION! FRI
A Litter-Free & Recycling Event!
BRAVE COMBO Sunday • 7pm
AARON NEVILLE Saturday • 9pm
Wells Fargo CELEBRATION STAGE 4:00 pm Tarrant Cty College SE Jazz Band 5:00 pm Nakamara 6:00 pm Ryan High School Raider Band 7:00 pm First United Methodist Church Big Band 8:00 pm Double Down Band 9:00 pm Super Lotus 10:00 pm N8 &The Rules SAT 9:15 am Krum High School Jazz Band 10:00 am Denton Comm Band Jazz Ensemble 11:00 am Creekview HS Jazz Ensemble 12:00 pm - Gainesville Swing Orchestra 1:00 pm Tyler Junior Coll Jazz Ensemble II 2:00 pm Univ ofTexasTyler Jazz Patriots 3:00 pm Tyler Junior College Jazz Ensemble I 5:00 pm Brookhaven College Big Band 6:00 pm The Jett Quartet 7:00 pm Texas Sky 8:00 pm PS 150 9:00 pm RachelYeatts & Blue Grass Fire 10:00 pm Hippie Redneck Band SUN 11:00 am The Fiddle Rascals 1:00 pm Immigrant Punk 2:00 pm Celebration Jazz Orchestra 3:00 pm – Crosswinds Jazz Band 4:00 pm Josh Knight andTheVintage Experience 5:00 pm Magnum Opus Band 6:00 pm Polly Maynard &The Denton Music Collective 7:00 pm Geronimo 7 8:00 pm Bone Doggie FRI
Saturday & Sunday in Civic Center Ron Fink Dixieland • Thad Bonduris
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival • P.O. Box 2104 • Denton, TX 76202 • 1-940-565-0931 • www.dentonjazzfest.com
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Vital Statistics MIXED BEVERAGE TAX
The following mixed beverage tax information was issued by the state comptroller’s office for March. The list includes the name of the business, address and reported tax. 380 Bar and Grill, 26781 E. U.S. Highway 380, Little Elm, $2,525.29 940s Kitchen & Cocktails, 219 W. Oak St., Denton, $1,941.39 American Legion Post No. 550, 905 Foundation Drive, Pilot Point, $1,133.77 Andy’s Bar and Grill, 122 N. Locust St., Denton, $5,246.70 Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant, 1400 N. Corinth St., Suite 111, Corinth, $1,095.71 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, 707 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $2,743.71 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, 2672 FM423, Little Elm, $1,615.70 Aramark Educational Services, 303 Administration Drive, Denton, $60.36 Ashton Gardens, 2001 Ashton Gardens Lane, Corinth, $917.36 Azul Mexican Kitchen, 2831 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, $938.20 B.P.O.E. Denton No. 2446, 228 E. Oak St., Denton, $878.16 Barley & Board, 100 W. Oak St., Suite 160, Denton, $5,700.36 Best Western Area Crown Chase, 2450 Brinker Road, Denton, $321.26 BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, 3250 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $4,999.33 Black-Eyed Pea, 2420 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $0 Bone Daddys House Of Smoke, 3258 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $2,120.61 Bono’s Chop House & Saloon, 2025 N. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $1,978.97 Boomerjack Wings No. 8, 407 W. University Drive, Denton, $1,261.07 Brunswick Zone Denton, 2200 San Jacinto Blvd., Denton, $1,132.03 Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 1400 S. Loop 288, Suite 110, Denton, $2,633.90 Buff’s Grill, 400 S. U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point, $571.57
Cabana Beverages Inc., 2330 W. University Drive, Denton, $156.78 Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant, 2708 S. FM51, Decatur, $1,290.62 Caskey’s Bar & Grill, 1206 W. Hickory St., Denton, $1,116.68 Chili’s Grill & Bar, 600 S. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $2,537.42 Chili’s Grill & Bar No. 1562, 2825 W. University Drive, Denton, $2,140.44 Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2406 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,654.43 Chilitos Private Club Inc., 619-623 S. Denton Drive, Lake Dallas, $233.49 Chiloso Mexican Bistro, 2215 S. Loop 288, Suite 312, Denton, $91.05 Chipotle Mexican Grill, 1224 W. Hickory St., Denton, $34.90 Chipotle Mexican Grill-Rayzor, 2735 W. University Drive, Suite 105, Denton, $25.19 Chuy’s Denton, 3300 Wind River Lane, Denton, $4,560.95 Cool Bean’s, 1210 W. Hickory St., Denton, $3,986.03 Courtyard By Marriott, 2800 Colorado Blvd., Denton, $196.24 Crossroads Bar, 1803 N. Elm St., Denton, $1,021.68 Dallas Craft Co., 3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd., Denton, $4,693.21 Dani Rae’s Gulf Coast Kitchen, 2303 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,342.14 Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton, $2,246.17 Don Camillo Italian Cuisine, 1400 N. Corinth St., Suite 103, Corinth, $665.64 Dusty’s Bar & Grill & Marina, 119 S. Elm St., Denton, $3,944.96 Earl’s 377 Pizza, 427 S. U.S. Highway 377, Argyle, $1,982.86 East Side Denton Oak Street, 117 E. Oak St., Denton, $13,340.10 El Fenix-Denton Texas, 2229 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $682.46
End Zone Little Elm Inc., 2833 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 301, Little Elm, $3,315.02 Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant, 10279 E. FM455, Suite 1, Pilot Point, $2,025.94 Frilly’s, 1803 S. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $541.42 Frilly’s, 1803 S. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $522.60 Frilly’s, 1803 S. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $184.65 Fry Street Public House, 125 Ave. A, Denton, $6,023.70 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 109 N. State St., Decatur, $986.97 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 115 Industrial St., Denton, $997.42 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 2412 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,003.52 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 1004 Maple St., Suite 101, Sanger, $249.17 Fuzzys Taco Shop, 421 S. U.S. Highway 377, Argyle, $776.39 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Cross Roads, 11450 U.S. Highway 380, Suite 160, Cross Roads, $1,380.33 Gates Of Texas Argentina Café, 1313 N. U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point, $107.20 Gates Of Texas Argentina Café, 1313 N. U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point, $8.04 Good Eats No. 729, 5812 N. Interstate 35, Denton, $0 Hangout Bar & Dine, 827 Eagle Drive, Denton, $80.53 Hannahs, 111 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $3,235.63 Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., Denton, $6,288.62 Hickory Street Lounge, 212 E. Hickory St., Denton, $1,888.66 Hilton Garden Inn Denton, 3110 Colorado Blvd., Denton, $639.71 Hooligans LLC, 104 N. Locust St., Denton, $4,485.71 Hooters, 985 N. Interstate 35E, Denton, $3,200.72 Horny Toad Cafe & Bar, 5812 N. Interstate 35, Denton, $1,205.39 Hula Hut Restaurant, 210 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, $2,974.93 II Charlies Bar & Grill, 809 Sunset St., Denton, $3,813.77 J.R. Pockets Club, 1127 Fort Worth Drive, Denton, $2,266.14 Jack’s Tavern, 508 S. Elm St., Suite 101, Denton, $2,632.02 Jem Beverage Company LLC, 217 W. Division St., Pilot Point, $125.89 Johnny Carino’s Italian, 1516 Centre Place Drive, Denton, $613.92 Keiichi LLC, 500 N. Elm St., Denton, $365.61
The following sales permits were issued by the state comptroller’s office for March. The list includes the owner, name of business and address within ZIP codes 75033, 75065, 75068, 76201, 76205, 76207, 76208, 76209, 76210, 76226, 76227, 76234, 76249, 76258, 76259 and 76266.
The following liens were posted in March at the Denton County Clerk’s office.
RELEASE OF STATE TAX LIENS
STATE TAX LIENS
NAME/ADDRESS Oasis Heating and Cooling LLC, 2409 Salado St., Denton TR’s Market Inc, 2521 Natchez Trace, Denton Turaj Raietparvar, 2521 Natchez Trace, Denton SFD Entertainment LLC, 508 S. Elm St., Suite 101, Denton Adjacent Healthcare Inc., 1302 Teasley Lane, Denton
AMOUNT $1,874.13 $74,561.75 $74,578.57 $3,873.48 $5,359.76
REC. DATE 3/16/2017 3/21/2017 3/27/2017 3/30/2017 3/31/2017
TYPE 1040 6672 6672 1040 1040 941 1040
AMOUNT $34,655.59 $55,751.99 $36,273.52 $25,893.32 $109,673.88 $13,307.17 $110,052.91
REC. DATE 3/2/2017 3/2/2017 3/2/2017 3/2/2017 3/21/2017 3/21/2017 3/21/2017
FEDERAL TAX LIENS
BUILDING PERMITS
The following building permits were issued by the Denton Planning and Development department in March. Commericial alterations and commercial permits reflect the owner or tenant and the address of the business.
COMMERCIAL ALTERATION Bay and Bay Transfer, 1526 S. Interstate 35 City of Denton 2000 E. McKinney St. 215 W. Hickory St. 601 E. Hickory St. Denton Taekwondo Academy, 5800 N. Interstate 35, No. 507 Grunden Financial, 515 S. Carroll Blvd. Legendary Construction, 2411 W. Hickory St. Vacant, 535 S. Locust St. Waterworks Water Park, 2400 Long Road COMMERCIAL Aldi Inc., 1317 Ector St. City of Denton, 2116 E. Sherman Drive Joe Northern, 215 Bell Ave. Plan-It Storage LLC, 520 Blake St.
REC. DATE 3/30/2017
TYPE Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax
NAME/ADDRESS Clarence and Camillia D. McCary, 908 Dawnlight Drive, Denton Janice Blaire, 1819 Stonegate Drive, Denton Janice Blaire, 1819 Stonegate Drive, Denton Kenneth D. and Jody Fairman, 1605 Highland Park Road, Denton Edward F. and Carrie Wolski, 3109 Triple Crown Court, Denton DTX Prosper Hospitality LLC, 700 Fort Worth Drive, Denton James C. and Shannon K Johnson, 2301 Great Bear Lane, Denton
CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPATION Berger Real Estate, 1010 N. Elm St., Nos. 104, 102 Charles Schwartz 612 Londonderry Lane 616 Londonderry Lane 618 Londonderry Lane County of Denton, 317 W. Mulberry St. Denton Market St., 3821 Market St., Nos. 127, 125, 107 Donald R. White Sr., 1014 Dallas Drive, Suite 116 Dotson Properties LLC, 725 S. Locust St. Dushku LLC, 2527 Louise St. ERI-HQ LP., 3311 N. Interstate 35, No. 120 Half Acre Holdings, 1710 Westminster St. James Denham, 3745 Mingo Road, No. 505 Kathy Orr, 3201 Fallmeadow St., No. 1-4 Lisa Fong Leung, 3730 E. McKinney St., Nos. 135, 109, 111 Mark Haiducek, 502 N. Mayhill Road Masch Branch Realty LP., 2321 N. Masch Branch Road, No. 309 Michael Malamut, 111 E. University Drive, No. 102 MRLP Pecan Creek BC LLC, 3917 Morse St., No. 216 Pretium Property Management, 2317 W. University Drive, No. 179 Rearden Inv. Partners, 816 Frame St., Building A-G Schmitz Realty Holding, 201 W. Sycamore St. Southridge Partners LTD, 2430 S. Interstate 35E, No. 210 Texas Dino LLC, 2413 W. Prairie St. Weston Robert Kuehn, 3730 E. McKinney St., Nos. 135-108
AMOUNT $2,091.57
TYPE Limited sales excise and use tax
RESIDENTIAL AHY LC, 309 Hettie St. Aurora Magana, 810 Morse St. Bloomfield Home LP 4808 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 9504 Athens Drive 9604 Athens Drive 9417 Lakeway Drive 9600 Athens Drive 9513 Meadowpark Drive 5004 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 4908 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 4904 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 9521 Meadowpark Drive 9509 Meadowpark Drive 9517 Meadowpark Drive 5008 Meadowpark Drive 9429 Lake Fork Trail 9413 Lakeway Drive 9501 Lakeway Drive 4900 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 9417 Meadowpark Drive DR Horton Texas LTD 2108 Skysail Lane 4017 Crosstrees Drive Dunhill Homes DFW LLC 3704 Harbour Mist Trail 3716 Juniperio St. 3708 Harbour Mist Trail 3720 Juniperio St. 3805 Juniperio St. 3801 Juniperio St. Forestar Real Estate 3125 Dawn Oaks Drive 4133 Boxwood Drive 3108 Lakeview Blvd. 3114 Dawn Oaks Drive Gehan Homes 6312 Meandering Creek Drive 6316 Meandering Creek Drive
Oak Street Drafthouse, 308 E. Oak St., Denton, $5,161.27 Oakmont Country Club, 1200 Clubhouse Drive, Corinth, $1,992.24 Olive Garden Of Texas No. 1611, 2809 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,629.37 Ollimac Company, 1400 Corinth Bend, Suite 103, Corinth, $44.22 On The Border, 2829 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $2,529.78 Outback Steakhouse, 300 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,885.71 Parker Brothers Trail Dust, 1200 S. Stemmons St., Sanger, $534.25 Pei Wei Fresh Kitchen, 1931 S. Loop 288, Suite 130, Denton, $68.00 Pilot Point Columbus Club, 221 N. Prairie St., Pilot Point, $23.85 Pizza Hut, 730 S. Highway 377 S., Pilot Point, $27.26 Ponder Social Club, 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $490.23 Ponder Social Club, 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $648.69 Ponder Social Club, 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $746.24 Ponder Social Club, 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $720.04 Ponder Social Club, 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $465.31 Prairie House Restaurant, 10001 U.S. Highway 380, Cross Roads, $1,146.50 Queenie’s Steakhouse, 113 E. Hickory St., Denton, $1,482.24 Red Lobster No. 6349, 2801 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $1,399.16 Riprock’s, 1211 W. Hickory St., Denton, $4,365.51 Rooster’s Roadhouse, 113 Industrial St., Denton, $2,106.68 Rooster’s Roadhouse Decatur, 106 N. Trinity St., Decatur, $2,092.54 Rosa’s Cafe & Tortilla Factory, 1275 S. Loop 288, Denton, $161.47 RT’s Neighborhood Bar, 1100 Dallas Drive, Suite 124, Denton, $6,450.35 Rusty Taco Denton, 210 E. Hickory St., Denton, $1,474.33 Savory Bistro & Gourmet To Go, 2650 E. FM407, Suite 165, Bartonville, $1,546.02 Shots and Crafts LLC, 103 Ave. A, Denton, $1,783.07 Springhill Suites By Marriott, 1434 Centre Place Drive, Denton, $0
SALES TAX
LIENS
NAME/ADDRESS Valentin G. Carmona, 213 Mounts Ave. Apt. 3, Denton
Kimzey’s Coffee & Cream, 429 S. U.S. Highway 377, Argyle, $0 Kobe Sushi & Steak LLC, 2832 E. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 208, Little Elm, $243.88 La Milpa Mexican Restaurant, 820 S. Interstate 35E, Unit 1, Denton, $1,225.49 Lake Cities Post No. 88, 105 Gotcher Ave., Lake Dallas, $1,713.92 Lake Dallas Point Restaurant, 303 Swisher Road, Suite 100, Lake Dallas, $1,775.23 Lantana Golf Club, 800 Golf Club Drive, Argyle, $1,508.84 Las Cabos Cantina, 4451 FM2181, Corinth, $66.79 Leeper Creek BBQ & Cantina Club, 3142 N. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur, $68.40 Library Bar, 109 Ave. A, Denton, $442.60 Lone Star Attitude Burger Co., 113 W. Hickory St., Denton, $6,209.15 Los Jalapenos Restaurant, 420 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, $233.16 Lowbrows Beer and Wine Garden, 200 S. Washington St., Pilot Point, $627.58 Lucky Lou’s, 1207 W. Hickory St., Denton, $7,906.40 Luigi’s Pizza Italian Restaurant, 2000 W. University Drive, Denton, $213.52 Mable Peabody’s Beauty Parlor, 1125 E. University Drive, Suite 107, Denton, $1,398.49 Mellow Mushroom, 217 E. Hickory St., Denton, $1,282.04 Meritt Ranch Beverages Limited, 2946 W. Ganzar Road, Denton, $4.02 Metzler’s Food and Beverage, 1251 S. Bonnie Brae St., Denton, $378.88 Mi Taza Latin Tex-Mex Café, 5017 Teasley Lane, Suite 101, Denton, $701.55 Miguelito’s, 1521 E. McCart St., Krum, $806.54 Miguelitos, 1412 N. Stemmons St., No. 178, Sanger, $1,155.95 Movie Tavern Denton, 916 W. University Drive, Denton, $3,534.38 Muddy Jake’s Sports Grille, 222 W. Hickory St., Suite 104, Denton, $0 Mulberry Street Cantina, 110 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $2,999.45 Norman Heitz Memorial Post, 104501 Thompson Drive, Lake Dallas, $1,096.38
History Maker Homes 5412 Las Lomas Lane 5420 Las Lomas Lane 3800 Juniperio St. 3804 Juniperio St. 5424 Las Lomas Lane 3421 San Lucas Lane Innovation Builders, 9108 Athens Drive Kerby Thompson, 194 Cunningham Road Lennar Homes 1913 Pavilion Lane 4112 Fanita Place 1916 Hollister Lane 3900 Roxbury St. Megatel Homes Inc. 4113 Roxbury St. 4121 Roxbury St. 4117 Roxbury St. 4004 Hialeah Drive 4200 Hialeah Drive 4025 Roxbury St. Robson Denton Dev. LP 11921 Willet Way 12116 Willet Way 11713 Cinnamon Drive 9516 Rivercrest Drive 8201Willet Court 12112 Willet Way 11904 Willet Way 8308 American Way 8201 Osprey lane 8116 Sanderling Drive
75033 Charles Griggs III, Jags Catering, 1801 McCord Way, Little Elm 75065 Bella Padrona 3 LLC, Palio’s Of Hickory Creek, 4050 FM2181, Hickory Creek Cara Gudgel, Lakeside Adventure Rentals, 800 E. Hundley Drive, Lake Dallas Laura Kane, The Daughter Who Sews, 18 Indian Trail, Hickory Creek 75068 3W Consulting Group, LLC 3W Consulting Group LLC, 1421 Villa Paloma Blvd., Little Elm Clinton Lee Fuselier, T-Hamer Fitness LLC, 2701 Little Elm Parkway, Suite 150, Little Elm Javier Zapatero Jr., All Resale, 2050 FM423, Apt. 3204, Little Elm LB Superclean Commercial Services LLC, LB Superclean Commercial Services, 412 Port Allen Drive, Little Elm Sozo Seed LLC, Sozo Seed, 2224 Benjamin Creek Drive, Little Elm 76201 7-Eleven Beverage Company Inc., 7-Eleven Convenience Store No. 23638J, 1629 W. University Drive, Denton A&H Corporation, 7-Eleven Convenience Store No. 36059B, 2225 W. University Drive, Denton Dylan Hunter Hollingsworth, Soul Harmony Apparel, 2500 W. Hickory St., Apt. 20, Denton Gnome Cones LLC, Gnome Cones LLC, 212 E. Oak St., Denton Marvel May Jr., Granny’s OFC, 317 W. Mulberry St., Denton The Denton Gallery LLC, The Denton, Gallery LLC, 1029 W. Hickory St., Denton Valentin G. Carmona, La Mexicana Tienda Y Taqueria, 619 S. Locust St., Denton Wyvern’s Wyrms, Wyvern’s Wyrms, 317 W. Mulberry St., Denton 76205 Denton Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, Denton Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, 1335 Laredo Court, Denton 76207 Amanda Potter and Emily Holt, Tiny Treehouse Co. 2101 Crestmeadow St., Denton Edsco Fasteners LLC, Edsco Fasteners LLC, 2200 Worthington Drive, Denton Melissa A. Whitson, Melissa A. Whitson, 3232 N. Locust St., Apt. 114, Denton Tetra Pak Inc., Tetra Pak Inc., 3300 Airport Road, Denton Zachary Elder, Green Grow Landscaping, 3880 Roselawn Drive, Denton 76208 Beth A. Pedersen, Webster-Davis Design, 115 Everett Court, Shady Shores C&C Directional Boring LLC, C & C Directional Boring LLC, 216 Lakeshore Road, Shady Shores
Cara Gudgel Lakeside, Adventure Rentals, 804 Driftwood Drive, Shady Shores Junklove LLC, Junklove LLC, 2905 Windridge Lane, Corinth Milad Zarei, Greeniverse Construction, 5101 E. University Drive, Suite 605, Denton Resurrection Bike and Skate LLC, Resurrection Bike and Skate, 222 S. Mayhill Road, Unit 101, Denton Roberto Rodriguez, Transmission Shop, 2116 Lake Crest Lane, Denton Samantha Gloria and Taylor Gutierrez, Carrot & Bean, 2108 Lake Haven Lane, Denton Stephanie A Meier, Braids Of A Feather, 109 Cielo Lane, Shady Shores 76209 Ariana Miller, ANM Photography, 1817 Tyler St., Denton Kimberly Fraser and Deanna Winn, With Love Mimi & Gammie, 1013 Chase Lane, Denton Lee Teague, The Mink Chair, 3033 Broken Bow St., Denton 76210 6501 S. Stemmons Freeway LLC, South Denton Storage, 6501 S. Interstate 35E, Corinth Arrin Krystle Myers, Faithful Lips By Arrin, 1706 Nightingale Lane, Corinth Chandra Brooke Turman, Made With Lovebug, 3215 Hidden Springs Drive, Corinth Christi Weems, Prism Signs and Designs, 3616 Clydesdale Drive, Denton Imperial Image III Inc., Imperial Image III Inc., 3415 Friesian Court, Denton Jacquline L. Florimonte, Country Memories Gigi’s Treasures, 3651 Serendipity Hills Trail, Corinth Jaymee Haefner, Stone Age Design Studio, 2216 Acorn Bend, Denton Kg3e LLC, Kg3e LLC, 3012 Clay Trail, Corinth King Arthur Draper LLC, Lakewood MHC TX, 3939 Teasley Lane, Denton Laurie Golden, Laurie Golden, 1613 Oak Ridge Drive, Corinth Mary Elizabeth, Mariano Visions Kitchen & Bath, 1723 Cedar Elm Drive, Corinth Sam Calabrese, Sam Calabrese, 3650 Fairview Drive, Corinth Super DBP 2 LLC, Super DBP 2 LLC, 3721 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, W. Parnell IV LLC, W. Parnell IV LLC, 3801 FM2181, Corinth Wired 4 Sound & Video LLC, Wired 4 Sound & Video LLC, 4251 FM2181, Suite 230415, Corinth 76226 Bgym LLC, Bgym LLC, 1042 Cedar Creek Road, Argyle Jack Carl Mcghee, J & P Creations, 408 Meandering Creek Drive, Argyle Jennifer Ortiz Scarlett, Anne’s Boutique, 1803 E. Hickory Hill Road, Argyle Kaitlin P. Townsend, Kaitlin Townsend, 1721 E. FM407, Argyle Monkeymoto LLC, Monkeymoto LLC, 11901 Hilltop Road, No. 1, Argyle Victor Rivera, Saint Firearms, 1905 Kaiser Cove, Argyle
Sandlin Homes, 5717 Balmorhea Drive
Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes, 201 W. Main St., Decatur, $414.79 Tex Tapas, 109 Industrial St., Denton, $990.12 Texas Roadhouse, 2817 S. Interstate 35E, Denton, $3,463.02 The Abbey Inn Restaurant & Pub, 101 W. Hickory St., Denton, $2,752.36 The Aztec Club, 720 W. University Drive, Denton, $1,428.10 The Backyard On Bell, 410 N. Bell Ave., Denton, $1,340.06 The Bears Den, 11670 Massey Road, Pilot Point, $168.63 The Clubhouse At Robson Ranch, 9428 Ed Robson Circle, Denton, $204.48 The Fry Street Tavern, 121 Ave. A, Denton, $4,557.67 The Garage, 113 Ave. A, Denton, $3,222.03 The Green House, 600 N. Locust St., Denton, $1,415.57 The Labb, 218 W. Oak St., Denton, $1,651.68 The Loophole, 119 W. Hickory St., Denton, $3,179.88 The Milestone, 1301 W. Sherman Drive, Aubrey, $1,228.44 Tokyo Samurai, 3600 E. FM407, Suite 100, Bartonville, $424.11 Toms Daiquiri Place, 1212 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $1,831.64 Tredways BBQ, 721 E. Hundley Drive, Lake Dallas, $69.34 University Lanes, 1212 E. University Drive, Denton, $983.35 Verona Pizza Italian Restaurant, 201 Loop 81, Decatur, $42.88 Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant, 12000 U.S. Highway 380, Suite 100, Cross Roads, $1,532.82 Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant, 2530 W. University Drive, Suite 114, Denton, $1,445.19 Vitty’s Sports Bar, 1776 Teasley Lane, Suite 102, Denton, $2,446.43 Vizcarra, 114 W. Congress St., Denton, $213.19 Walters Tavern, 201 Main St., Lake Dallas, $2,440.27 Wildhorse Grill, 9440 Ed Robson Circle, Denton, $2,642.01 Wing Daddy’s Sauce House, 2763 E. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 105, Little Elm, $2,585.93 Wing Town, 4271 FM2181, No. C316, Corinth, $0
76227 Allmigo Allergy Friendly Foods LLC, Allmigo Allergy Friendly Foods LLC, 11450 U.S. Highway 380, Suite 130-214, Cross Roads David Lockwood and Cara Lockwood, Cara’s Color Me Vintage, 804 Cheyenne Drive, Aubrey JH&H Hospitality Inc., Starwood Café, 26735 E. U.S. Highway 380, Suite 130, Little Elm Regatta Properties LLC, Regatta Properties LLC, 9920 Liberty Road, Aubrey Scenic Route Classic Vehicles LLC, Scenic Route Classic Vehicles LLC, 6 Oak Bluff Drive, Cross Roads Timothy Justin Black, Gizmos and Gadgets, 760 Field Xing, Little Elm Vlk Mediaworks Inc., Vlk Mediaworks Inc., 11450 U.S. Highway 380, Suite 130-202, Cross Roads 76234 Catfish O’harlies LTD, Catfish O’harlies LTD., 1019 N. U.S. Highway 287, Decatur Jeremy Don Hopkins, Hopkins Tactical Solutions, 171 Valley Meadow Drive, Decatur Lorraine S. Haan-Stewart, Spiral Photography, 354 Private Road 4272, Decatur Red Level Studios LLC, Red Level Studios LLC, 2201 S. FM51, Suite 600, Decatur Spencer T. Pryor, Cutting Edge Lawn Care, 778 County Road 3141, Decatur Spencer T. Pryor, Spencer T Pryor, 1873 N. U.S. Highway 287 Business, Decatur 76249 Constance Marie Miller, Happy Trails Gallery, 14 W. Sharon Drive, Krum Exlocality LLC, Exlocality LLC, 1010 Spring Flower Drive, Krum North Texas Sanitation LLC, North Texas Sanitation LLC, 1414 Eagles Nest Trail, Krum 76258 Adriana Villarreal, Hair and Beauty By Adriana, 436 S. U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point Armored Division LLC, Armored Division, 1789 E. Blackjack Road, Pilot Point Bailey Renee Mcnairy, Hair By Bailey, 436 S. U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point Custom Stitch Company, Custom Stitch Company, 10133 Copeland Place, Pilot Point Dock Armour Mat LLC, Dock Armour Mat LLC, 7300 Heath St., Pilot Point 76259 Carrie Lynn, Gunning Arrangement To Be, 14432 Deussen Road, Ponder Dareion Horrell, Henna By Dareion, 403 Gulf Stream Lane, Ponder Texas Binding Inc., Texas Binding Inc., 7400 FM2622, Suite 102, Ponder 76266 Carrasco’s Floor Covering Too Inc., Carrasco’s Floor Covering Too Inc., 7853 Bernard Road, Sanger Christopher Shawn Fisher, Get Lucky Thrift Store, 9153 Gregory Road, Sanger D&J Window Coverings Inc., Gotcha Covered, 8425 Freeman Road, Sanger Kelsey Empire LLC, Kesley Empire LLC, 8949 Sam Bass Road, Sanger Mike Ceballos Services LLC, Mike Ceballos Services LLC, 3251 View Road, Sanger Paige D. Corr, Kippys, 6687 Michael Road, Sanger Tracey Elizabeth Austin Ivy, Mrs. The Sample Shop, 4847 Chisam Road, Sanger Villa Tesitorre, Villa Tesitorre, 9341 Boom Branch Road, Sanger
Scott-Reynolds Ventures LLC, 4104 Thistle Hill SGC Homes LLC, 4904 Swisher Road Tim Beaty Builders 3104 N. Bell Ave., Nos. 108-112 3104 N. Bell Ave., Nos. 100-104 Wyndhm Custom Homes 701 Meadowedge Lane 3504 Ann Arbor Lane 3600 Ann Arbor Lane 3512 Ann Arbor Lane 3513 Ann Arbor Lane 609 Meadowedge 617 Meadowedge 3713 Ann Arbor Lane
ASSUMED NAMES
The following names (followed by DBA and address) were posted in March at the Denton County Clerk’s office. NAME — DBA/ADDRESS
NAME — DBA/ADDRESS
Afamdi Abanukam, Red Carpet Entertainment, 905 Cleveland St., No. 3208, Denton Arturo Mejia, Paint Express, 2613 Hereford, Denton Brandon Allen, S&J Scripture Street Pharmacy, 1612 Scripture Street, Denton Charles Richard Manuel, Universal Cleaning Service, 1015 Minor Circle, Denton Denver Benedict, Hockey Stick Technologies, 7513 Valley Stream Road, Denton Diego Nino, DD Transportation, 8100 Mirror Rock Lane, Denton Geraldine Gilbert, Dallas Wholesalers, 2141 Collins Road, Suite 1302, Denton
Geraldine Gilbert, Jenzys, 2141 Collins Road, Suite 1302, Denton Jose Carrillo, JC’s Lawn Service, 6109 Countess Lane, Denton Juan Pablo Villarroel, Karate-Do of Denton, 416 S. Elm St., Denton Kennan Keffer, Cue and Table Repair, 1820 Carlton St., Denton Melissa O’Bryan, The Renovators of Denton, 2631 Collins Road, Denton Nutan and Mukesh Saraiya, Affordable CPAP Supplies, 3200 Colorado Blvd., Suite 200, Denton
NAME — DBA/ADDRESS Patrick Johnson, Impact Day Care Center, 1108 Dallas Drive, Denton Robert and Melissa O’Bryan, The Renovations of Denton, 2631 Collins Road, Denton Robert J. Gray, Bob’s Classic Cars, 2013 Marshall Road, Denton Ronnie Lane, J and R Enterprises, 218 Buckingham Drive, Denton Ryan Beattie, Notable Inspections, 3701 Merrimack Drive, Denton Scripture Doctors Park LLC, Eagle’s Crossing, 924 W. Chestnut, Denton Tanya Franklin, Aria 51 All Purpose Bunnies and Animal Farm, 2202 Fowler Drive, Denton Warren Wilke, Warren Wilke and Assoc., 7812 Hinkley Oak Drive, Denton
Biz on the Wire
U.S. industrial production up solidly in March By Martin Crutsinger | AP WASHINGTON — U.S. industrial production posted a solid gain in March, reflecting a record rebound in utility output. But a closely watched gauge of manufacturing posted its first setback in seven months as auto production dropped sharply. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that industrial production rose 0.5 percent, propelled by an 8.6 percent surge in utility output, the largest on records dating to 1939. The utility gain reflected a return to normal demand for heating in March after an unusually warm February had cut demand. Manufacturing output fell 0.4 percent last month, the
first decline since August. The manufacturing decline was led by a 3 percent drop in the production of motor vehicles and parts. Output in the mining sector was up a slight 0.1 percent after a 2.9 percent February gain. Industrial production, which covers manufacturing, utilities and mining, had produced a scant 0.1 percent increase in February. Output in February was held back by the sharp drop in utility production. Last month’s decline in factory production was a setback to what has been a rising trend over the past six months as factories recovered from a prolonged period of weakness. The weakness reflected a strong dollar, which
cut into exports of American companies, and a drop in oil production, which caused cutbacks in investment by energy companies. The 3 percent fall in auto output followed a 1.1 percent rise in February and a 1 percent drop in January. The rough patch for manufacturing lasted from late 2015 through the middle of 2016. Sharply lower oil prices forced reductions in sales of drilling equipment, such as steel pipe. A strong dollar, which makes U.S. products more expensive overseas, hurt manufacturing export sales. But with energy prices rising and the surge in the dollar tapering off, there is optimism that manufacturing will fare better in 2017.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
A technician uses a lift to move a back seat into a Nissan Altima at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant on April 6, 2016, in Canton, Miss.
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APRIL 2017
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Denton Record-Chronicle
CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT #DentonMeansBusiness UPCOMING EVENTS
WHAT’S NEW?
Sponsorship and Expo Booth Space Still Available!
RIBBON CUTTING Medical City Denton Name Changing Ceremony April 6, 2017
Denton Means Business 5K April 8, 2017
2017-2018 LEAD DELEGATES
NEW MEMBERS TheraFit Pro
1408 Teasley Lane #421, Denton therafitpro.com
Rockin Ritas Frozen Drink Machine Rentals, Sales, Service & Leasing Denton rockinritas.com
Jill Marion State Farm
1204 Bent Oak Court #200, Denton jillmarion.net
Aire-Master of Denton County 4671 Edith Street, Plano airemaster.com
Rainbow International of Denton 800 Sheldon Road, Argyle
United States Air Force Recruiting
Lone Star Hockey, LLC
Blackjack Realty Group powered by eXp Realty
222 S. Mayhill Road #101, Denton lonestarrink.com
Penny’s Playtown
5800 N. I-35 #402, Denton pennysplaytown.com
Kime Roofing & Construction
North Texas Environmental
507 N. Ballard Avenue, Wylie KimeRoofing.com
In Denton!
America’s Drive-In Daily ur Happy Ho m p 2pm - 4
Denton • Crossroads • Paloma Creek Aubrey • Pilot Point • Sanger • Krum www.sonicdrivein.com/denton
Rock Creek Winery
6025 Rock Hill Road, Aubrey rockhillwineries.com
2219 S. Loop 288 #204B airforce.com
414 W. Parkway Denton, TX 76201 940.382.9693 Denton-chamber.org
2450 Brinker Road (940) 387-1000 bwdenton.com
Honey Hollow Ranch
3696 W. US 380, Runaway Bay honeyhollowranch.com
300 N. Elm Street #110, Denton northtexasenvironmentaltx.com
7108 Raintree Way, Denton exprealty.com
Interested in Membership? Call 940.382.9693