february reporter

4410 Fairway Boulevard • Wichita Falls, TX 76308 • P: 940.692.2211 • F: 940.692.2214 • www.nthba.com

New MembersThe North Texas Home Builders Association

would like to welcome Jimmy Lance Howard with Howard Contracting to the

association and thank Stan Mountain for

encouraging him to become a member.

RenewalsChris Gravitt .........................Doors By JamSallie Ford .................. State National BankJim Henderson ........ Henderson AppraisalBill Rowland.....Rowland & Donnell HomesTim Sawyer ................Wilson Office SupplyWayne Pharries ........... First National Bank

CongratulationsGeorge Medlen with Herring Bank for

winning the two free meals to February’s

General Membership meeting by entering

our monthly Reporter contest and Dona Wade with McGregor Real Estate Group

for winning the Gift Basket on our first

Monthly Fund Raiser Raffle. We raised

$280.00 dollars to be given to the YMCA at

February’s meeting. Thank You all for your

generous support.

Thank You Jay Bitsche with Door Systems of Wichita Falls for sponsoring our January’s

Gift Basket

ReporterVolume 5, No. 2 • February, 2012

NORTH TExAS HOMBuiLDERS ASSOCiATiON

Griselda anzaludaShowroom CoNSultaNt

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDave Rhone ............................................ 02Luz Lerma .............................................06Dutch Watson ........................................ 12Steve Smith ........................................... 13Ed Mawson Sr ........................................ 15Jim Henderson ...................................... 17George Medlen ...................................... 23O.W. Ayers .............................................. 26Kenneth Armstrong ............................. 30

Ember ShopTHE

Serving Texas & Oklahoma since 1971

www.TheEmberShop.com (940) 692-6300 • Fax (940) 692-6302

Fireplaces by

Service and Installation

Xtrordinair

Monessen

Isokern

Stone Age

Mendota

Majestic

Vanguard

Town & Country

Golden Blount

Wood Burning & Gas Wood & Cast Stone Mantels

Outdoor Kitchens

JOHNNY McCLANE4101 McNiel Avenue

Wichita Falls, TX 76308

RWP SERVICES ´OCE of Texas

Certified Construction Elevation SurveyRandy Pebworth940-692-6117 O&F • 940-733-5339 • [email protected]

FencingCustom Gates

Landscaping

Delinda DoddMortgage Team

Member

1401 Holliday • Wichita Falls, TX 76301

940-720-8023

Fax 940-720-8071

Email [email protected]

Lane Landes, Owner

2801 Kell East

Wichita Falls

Texas 76308

Phone (940) 692-5734

Fax (940) 692-0391

[email protected]

T E X A SASSOCIATION

OF

BUILDERS

CHRIS•DOCKMAN•COMPANY2071 FM 171

Wichita Falls, Texas 76305Phone & Fax (940) 767-9710

Cell (940) 704-3471 Jerry Fillmon, Owner/Manager

Serving This Area Since 1946

940-723-0944

NEWS AROuND TExAS

Of course it matters locally about what is going on in our community but the bigger picture is what is happening in our state of Texas. The Texas economy is starting the year off well compared to the rest of the nation. Positive reports indicate a brighter outlook for our future. According to the real estate center at Texas A&M University job growth and low cost of living is attracting businesses to the Lone Star state. Home sales volumes in Texas have shown modest improvement throughout 2011 and prices should be stable throughout 2012. As for employment, Texas alone was responsible for cranking out 19.4 %; of the nation’s jobs from September 2010 to September 2011. In our state of Texas it’s going to be a great year! Low unemployment rate and growth of new businesses are all in our favor for people making the decision to become a resident of our fine state of Texas.

We as Texans have been successful in bucking the national trend by paying our debts and small businesses hiring employees again. As President of the north Texas home builders association I

couldn’t be more proud to be a resident of Wichita Falls Texas.

God Bless 2012.

STAN MOuNTAiNPresident

[email protected]

Atmos Energy .............................................................. 223Breegle Abbey Carpet & Floor ........................ 910, 1010Christmas In Action ................................................... A-5Door Systems of Wichita Falls ............................ 817, 916Doors By Jam .............................................................. 601IHR Security ......................................................... 818, 820Oncor .................................................................... Room 5Overhead Door Company of Wichita Falls ......... 320, 322S & H Granite ....................................... 609, 611, 708, 710Shoop’s Texas Termite & Pest Control ............... 717, 816Smith’s Garden Town .......... 407, 409, 411, 506, 508, 510Times Record News .................................................. A-25Waggoner Carpet One Floor & Home .............. 617, 716Woodco Building Products ................................. 108, 110

Please come out and suPPort our members listed below with

their booth numbers!

Nelson Explains QR Codes at January Membership LuncheonBy LEE GRACE, Classified Writer

Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) was the subject of speaker L.O. Nelson’s presentation to the members of the North Texas Home Builders Association during the January membership luncheon held Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Kemp Center for the Arts. Nelson, who is assistant director for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Midwestern State University, said QR Codes are the future of marketing. “With a Smart Phone, you have a little computer in your hand,” noted Nelson. “You can surf the Internet, take a photo, upload and download. By allowing customers to scan QR Codes with their Smart Phone, you can increase your marketing capabilities.” He said QR Codes were developed by Toyota 10 years ago. “They came to this country two or three years ago.” A QR Code is really just a fancy bar code. However, while the typical bar code has up to 20 digits, a QR Code has up to 7,000 digits. “QR Codes are matrix images that consolidate data down into a graphic that can be viewed at any size by a digital phone. Point the camera phone and the information pops up. It can be maps, lists of questions and answers, a video, presentations, or even an opportunity to meet a company’s employees.” For marketing, QR Codes can assist customers in suing a product or service, drive customers to a web page designed specifically for a Smart Phone, run promotions in an area (with good cell phone coverage), and add value to your customers by rewarding them with a useful experience. Examples include offering discounts, coupons, videos, and special content. “QR Codes also allow businesses to track traffic and conduct A/B split test to see what gets the most hits.” Nelson showed an ad by Calvin Klein as an example of an inventive promotion using QR Codes. He added that promotions using QR Codes must be updated regularly to keep them fresh because the technology is developing and changing at a rapid clip. “Marketers are limited only by their imagination,” he said in concluding his remarks. The luncheon was catered by The Iron Star Restaurant. Donations were taken for a gift basket with the proceeds presented to the YMCA.

North Texas Home Builders Association President Stan

Mountain is shown with L.O. Nelson, assistant director of the

Small Business Development Center located in the Dillard

School of Business at Midwestern State University.

Ralph Dunkelberg IIIVice President

Mortgage Services


940-720-8054 • Cell 940-704-1789

Fax 940-720-8071


5828 Ashleyanne Circle, Suite B

(940) 691-4212

Come see our Mexican Talavera Sinks and Matching Toilets!

8am to 5pm

mon-Friby JAM

We provide a “One Stop Shop” for• DOORS • WINDOWS

• MILLWORK• EXPERT INSTALLATION

Remember to do Business with an

Association Member!

Serving Wichita, Archer and Clay Counties

1920 Elmwood North Ave. • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308(940) 720-5200 • (940) 691-3199 Fax

Inc.

Jean Taylor, CESA Maggie Johnson Vice President / Escrow Officer Operations Mgr. / Escrow Officer [email protected] [email protected]

2801 Midwestern Parkway, Suite 200Wichita Falls, Texas 76308

940-696-0000 phone • 940-687-1725 faxwww.fstbnk.com

Long Name. Big On Service.

1300 Tenth Street • 723-0771

Parade Home Commitment & Deposit Due ........................................................... February 1, 2012

General Membership Meeting ................................................................................ February 2, 2012

Office Closed (Vacation) ..................................................................................... February 6-10, 2012

Publications & Communications Committee Meeting .......................February 14, 2012 10:00 AM

Parade of Homes & Special Events Committee Meeting ...................February 15, 2012 10:00 AM

Scholarship Committee Meeting .............................................................February 16, 2012 1:30 PM

Budget & By-Laws Committee Meeting ..................................................February 21, 2012 9:15 AM

Board of Directors Meeting ....................................................................February 22, 2012 11:00 AM

Wichita Falls Home & Garden Show .................................................February 25, 2012 9AM to 6PM

Wichita Falls Home & Garden Show ...............................................February 26, 2012 11AM to 5PM

Calendar of Events

2801 Midwestern Parkway, Suite 200Wichita Falls, Texas 76308

940-696-0000 phone • 940-687-1725 faxwww.fstbnk.com

Long Name. Big On Service.

1300 Tenth Street • 723-0771

Happy Valentine’s DayThis month’s contest words are

BE My VALENTiNE.

All you have to do is email these words to

[email protected] to be entered in this month’s contest to have the chance to win 2

free meals to March’s General Membership Meeting.

GOOD LUCK!

“We are from the government and we are here to help.”By CHuCk VERGAuWEN The EPA has regulations that impact every member of the NTHBA. A quick search for news articles on the website windowanddoor.com, the leading fenestration magazine, will result in five of the top ten articles involving the EPA. Most of us may be aware of the lead paint renovation regulation by the EPA that went into effect last year involving remodels on houses built prior to 1978. Just about any regulation imposed on the new construction or remodel industry has a negative impact. These regulations are generally referred to as the “hidden tax” because they generate revenue from the private sector and transfer it to the public sector through permits, inspections, etc, in effect, raising the cost to the end user, negatively affecting an already poor performing market. The regulators have done a great job in positioning themselves as those who are looking to protect the general public, while portraying anyone opposing regulation as greedy businesses wanting to offer a poor product in favor of higher profits. For this reason, the regulators have been able to pass regulations almost unchecked. Everyone is probably familiar with the move to eliminate the incandescent light bulb and replace it with the compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFL’s. It has been reported by some news sources that the implementation of this law has been defeated. This is not entirely true. The law is still on the books, and only the funding for implementing this law suspended until October 2012. However, the manufacturers have already retooled the manufacturing process, so this seemingly victory for the free market turns out to be more of a novelty. In the event the law does take effect, (outlawing the 100 watt incandescent bulb in Oct. 2012 and the 60 watt in Oct. 2014), here is the ABBREVIATED clean up instructions from the EPA’s website should you happen to break a “new and improved” CFL bulb. (The non-abbreviated version downloads in PDF form and is three pages.)

BEFORE CLEANuP• Havepeopleandpetsleavetheroom.• Airouttheroomfor5-10minutesbyopeningawindowordoortothe

outdoor environment. • Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you

have one.• Collectmaterialsneededtocleanupbrokenbulb: o stiff paper or cardboard; o sticky tape; o damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and o a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.

DuRiNG CLEANuP• DONOTVACUUM.Vacuumingisnotrecommendedunlessbrokenglassremainsafterallothercleanupsteps

havebeentaken.Vacuumingcouldspreadmercury-containingpowderormercuryvapor.• Bethoroughincollectingbrokenglassandvisiblepowder.• Placecleanupmaterialsinasealablecontainer.

AFTER CLEANuP• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until

materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.• Ifpractical,continuetoairouttheroomwherethebulbwasbrokenandleavetheheating/airconditioning

system shut off for several hours.

Why is it important to clean up a broken CFL properly? CFLs and other fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a fluorescent bulb breaks in your home, some of this mercury is released as mercury vapor. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, EPA recommends that residents follow the cleanup and disposal steps described on this page. What if I can’t follow all the recommended steps? or I cleaned up a CFL but didn’t do it properly?Don’t be alarmed; these steps are only precautions that reflect best practices for cleaning up a broken CFL. KeepinmindthatCFLscontainaverysmallamountofmercury--lessthan1/100thoftheamountinamercurythermometer. However, if you are concerned about the risk to your health from a potential exposure to mercury, consult your physician. If you have had enough of this type of regulation in your personal life or business, take the time during the Q&A as our local, state, and federal politicians run around stumping this political season, and ask them about how serious they really are about neutering the EPA.

North Texas Home Builders Association

Always Remember to do Business with Association Members!

NTHBA REPORTER MONTHLY ADVERTISING RATES

We always have room for more ads! Please contact NTHBA 692-2211 to set up your ad.

We’re Here When You Need Us.Serving Wichita, Archer and Clay Counties


Jean Taylor, CESA Maggie Johnson Vice President / Escrow Officer Operations Mgr. / Escrow Officer (940) 720-5202 (940) 720-5203 [email protected] [email protected]

BRYAN WAGGONER

3907 Kell Boulevard • Wichita Falls • Texas 76308(940) 691-3641

Fax (940) 691-3643 • (800) 466-3642 E-Mail [email protected]

WINDOWS, DOORSAND MORE!

522 Beverly DriveWichita Falls, Texas 76309 723-1436

Contact [email protected] • 940-691-1112

Builder Pricing • Net/30 Terms • Free Builder Delivery

MIkE NIETO .............................................05BOBBY DILTz ............................................08DOUG MCCULLOCH ..............................08JOHN THOMPSON ..................................11GARY BIRkENFELD ..................................11DENNIS PROBST ......................................15GORDON DRAkE ....................................16HAROLD NEWTON ..................................20BARNEY BROCk ......................................22STEVEN kLASSE ........................................23LARRY PARk .............................................26JERRY FILLMON .......................................27

Lane Landes, Owner

2801 Kell East

Wichita Falls

Texas 76308

Phone (940) 692-5734

Fax (940) 692-0391

[email protected]


OF

BUILDERS





940-723-0944

JuStIN baIleyVice President/Lending

[email protected]








BRYAN WAGGONER





Lane Landes, Owner

2801 Kell East

Wichita Falls

Texas 76308

Phone (940) 692-5734

Fax (940) 692-0391

[email protected]


OF

BUILDERS





940-723-0944


Ember ShopTHE



Fireplaces by


Xtrordinair

Monessen

Isokern

Stone Age

Mendota

Majestic

Vanguard

Town & Country

Golden Blount


Outdoor Kitchens





FencingCustom Gates

Landscaping

February Birthdays

Debra ClementsMortgage ConsultantMortgage

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 2301 KELL BLVD.WICHITA FALLS, TX 76308MAC T9904-010940-766-8520 [email protected]








BRYAN WAGGONER





Ralph Dunkelberg IIIVice President

Mortgage Services


940-720-8054 • Cell 940-704-1789

Fax 940-720-8071


5828 Ashleyanne Circle, Suite B

(940) 691-4212

Come see our Mexican Talavera Sinks and Matching Toilets!

8am to 5pm

mon-Friby JAM

We provide a “One Stop Shop” for• DOORS • WINDOWS

• MILLWORK• EXPERT INSTALLATION

Remember to do Business with an

Association Member!

CondolenCesWe would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dave Rhone Sr. for their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.


Ember ShopTHE



Fireplaces by


Xtrordinair

Monessen

Isokern

Stone Age

Mendota

Majestic

Vanguard

Town & Country

Golden Blount


Outdoor Kitchens





FencingCustom Gates

Landscaping

GuEST SPEAkER: Mary Tondu, Representative for Coronado Products

a Manufacturer of Stones, Thin Brick and Tile

Topic: “Moisture Penetration of Exterior Veneers”

General Membership Meeting February 2, 2012 • 11:30 A.M.

Kemp Center for the Arts • 1300 Lamar Street

february reporter

Documents

state of texas

texas economy

phone fax

door systems of wichita

februarys meeting

real estate center

lone star state

mcgregor real estate