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The holiday season is upon us, and if the thought of dragging out the decorations and getting them up at least a few days before it’s time to take them down again strikes fear in your heart, fret not.

Here are a few easy tips to give your home the warmth and feel of the season without shutting down your home for a week or spending a week’s salary:

1. Set aside one evening to gather your holiday decorations and in one place. Sort through them and place the ones that have seen better days in a separate box, or discard them altogether. (Don’t feel obligated to use every single item just because you always have.)
2. Add one or two new items each year to keep your collection fresh, interesting, and a good mix of old and new. You will be surprised how great those new napkins from the local import store will look with your Spode!
3. Allow one evening to put out the most special objects, and if time allows, add the rest to fill in. Involving the whole family can be fun, and a great way to find a new place for an old decoration.
4. Clean holiday entertaining items, such and tablecloths, special dinnerware, etc., and gather in one easy-access area so you will be ready for impromptu gatherings of friends and family.
5. Whether decorating the tree is a family event or something you prefer to do alone, cut yourself a little slack and don’t try for perfection. Remember, it’s the spirit of the season that matters.

If that still seems a bit overwhelming, or if your decorations have never been accused of being a “collection,” you can still add a holiday look with little effort or expense.

A simple basket filled with pinecones or fresh fruit in the colors of the season is enough to add a little pizzazz to any room. A few sprigs of greenery and a string of lights will make your mantel look like you worked on it for hours. And always bring out the candles for added ambience – they add instant warmth to any room.

If even the simplest solutions still make you cringe, you can always hire it done. Companies like The Design Company DFW can come to your home while you’re at work or away one evening and turn your décor into holiday magic.

And if you’re not willing to risk your life hanging lights at the peak of your roof, call an off-duty firefighter to do it for you. Find resources at www.offdutyfighters.net.

Whether you go all out or just keep it simple, don’t let the holidays pass before you get motivated to get in the spirit of the season!

Lori Fickling is the owner of The Design Company DFW, an interior design firm specializing in property staging, interior design, and redesign. Her firm is also available for specialty decorating for the holiday season. For more information, email her at lori@designcompanydfw.com.

A first rate school system, a wide variety of quality housing options, and a safe family environment that continues to attract hundreds of new families each year. Recreational options are plentiful, and include award-winning bike and nature trails, beautiful Lake Grapevine, and two world-class golf courses, which attract visitors from across the country. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Alliance Airport, Texas Motor Speedway, and the dining, shopping, recreation and cultural activities of both Dallas and Fort Worth are all within minutes.

What makes the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce the ideal partner of every business and professional in Flower Mound?

The Flower Mound Chamber stands ready to serve this vibrant community and is committed to working with community and business leaders in promoting positive economic growth and respond to the issues surrounding that growth. The Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to our mission to “support the business community for the economic prosperity of Flower Mound.”

The Community

The Town of Flower Mound is a beautiful north central Texas town, and held the title of the “Second Fastest Growing City in Texas” for much of the 90’s. Flower Mound’s low tax rate, excellent school system, safe neighborhoods, and a quality of life hard to find in any community make it one of the premier cities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to live and raise a family.

The population of Flower Mound has grown from 15,527 in 1990 to an estimated 63,000 in 2006. Flower Mound’s location – in close proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Alliance Airport, at the heart of the “golden triangle” – along with development-ready land has contributed to this phenomenal growth.

Located in Southern Denton County, Flower Mound encompasses 44 square miles in the heart of the Metroplex and is approximately 45% developed. Flower Mound takes pride in being a leader in managed growth, quality of life, and being environmentally sensitive.

History

Flower Mound is named after a prominent, 12.5-acre mound once covered with blue stem grasses and a variety of indigenous flowers. Historians believe the mound was a sacred ceremonial ground used by Wichita Indians dating back to the early 1800’s. This unusual piece of land, located near the intersection of FM 3040 and FM 2499, is now a historical site.

Location

Flower Mound is situated at the southern edge of Denton County, Texas. The town is 28 miles northwest of Dallas, 25 miles northeast of Fort Worth, and three miles north of DFW International Airport, making it “ten minutes from anywhere in the world.”

Uniquely located between two large lakes, Lake Grapevine on the southern border of Flower Mound and Lake Lewisville just minutes to the north, Flower Mound is also home to one of the largest natural hardwood forests in the United States, the Cross Timbers Region, and offers a tremendous diversity of lifestyles in which to live, work and play.

Denton County

One of 254 counties in Texas, Denton County is part of the Dallas Metropolitan area and is 957 square miles of mostly rolling hills. The county’s three lakes cover more than 69 square miles. Denton County’s 2006 estimated population is more than 550,000.

With two major universities within its boundaries, Denton County is a center for higher education, and home of Texas Women’s University and the University of North Texas in Denton, as well as North Central Texas College in Corinth. The county is also a balanced farming region, producing crops and livestock, as well as a growing residential area.

Flower Mound, Lewisville and Highland Village are just a few of the communities bringing economic and neighborhood growth to Denton County, while Grapevine Lake, Lake Lewisville and Lake Ray Roberts provide water recreation and outdoor activity.

Dallas / Fort Worth Metropolitan Area

Dallas/Fort Worth is the nation’s ninth largest metropolitan area. By nearly any measure, Dallas can claim to be the business capital and wholesale and retail market center for the southwest. In the past, Dallas’ strength as a commerce and trade center helped insulate the area from the oil bust of the mid-1980s, the national recession of the early 1990s, contraction of its financial institutions, and, more recently, corporate layoffs and reduced federal defense spending.

Dallas is the third largest hub for corporate headquarters and high-tech companies in the country. Exxon Corp., EDS, Southland Corp., CompUSA, Texas Instruments, American Airlines, Dr. Pepper/Seven-Up Cos. Inc., JC Penney, Neiman Marcus and Greyhound Lines are among the companies headquartered here. In addition, according to the Dallas Visitors Convention Bureau, Dallas has the second largest concentration of telecommunications companies and third largest concentration of high-tech industries in the United States.

Texas

Texas’ population reached 22,118,509 in 2003, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census. With 84.8 percent of its population living in metropolitan areas, Texas is predominantly an urban state. This is underscored by recent population trends – the state’s 24 metropolitan areas accounted for over 91 percent between 1990 and 2000. Growth in the state’s metro areas, however, is concentrated in the large metropolitan areas of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

Texas ranks first nationally in total highway and railroad mileage. It also has the most airports (about 1,200). Its land area consists of 695,674 sq km (268,601 sq mi).

The service industries, notably retail and wholesale trade, contribute well over half of the gross state product of Texas. Texas is a major exporter of manufactured goods, including chemical and allied products. Also exported are agricultural products, especially cotton and food grains. Texas is habitually the nation’s leading exporter of sulfur, and its exports of iron and steel scrap also rank high. Other exports include natural gas and fishery products, especially shrimp.

Income

The Town of Flower Mound is made up of a young, rapidly growing and affluent populace, with an average household income of $108,740 and a family size of 3.15 persons per household.

Housing

More than 400 building permits were issued in 2004 for new single family residential, priced from $175,000 to $500,000. Existing housing is available from the 100’s to $2.3 million+. The average price for pre-owned homes is $229,271 and the average value of all new construction homes is in excess of $250,000. The number of total housing units in 2005 was 18,946.

Housing Units
2005 Actual 2010 Projected 2020 Projected

Total Housing Units 18,946 25,000 27,300
Average Household Size 3.15

Population

1970 Census 1980 Census 1990 Census 2000 Census Estimated 01-01-04 2005 Estimated Population
Denton County 75,633 143,126 273,525 432,976 531,450 552,600
Flower Mound 1,685 4,402 15,527 50,702 59,150 63,000
Highland Village 516 3,246 7,027 12,173 13,650 14,150
Lewisville 9,246 24,273 46,521 77,737 85,950 86,650

Government

Flower Mound has a council/manager form of government, with an elected mayor and five council members serving staggered two-year terms. Residents and visitors can stay informed about activities and issues by receiving the Town of Flower Mound newsletter, calling the 972-539-TOWN line, tuning into FMTV on the local cable channel 15, or accessing the town’s web site at www.flower-mound.com.

Date of incorporation: February 1961
Charter adopted: November 1981
Zoning body: yes
Master Plan: yes

Denton County is governed by a Commissioners Court, which includes a county judge, elected at large and four county commissioners, elected by precinct.

Public Safety

The Flower Mound Police Department consists of both sworn and civilian employees, serving full and part-time. The department consists of three divisions – Field Operations, Support Services and Criminal Investigations.

The Flower Mound Police Department provides the community with the best customer service available in a timely manner. In cooperation with the Town Council, the Police Department has developed a progressive approach to community policing and has provided professional, well-trained officers to address concerns and requests from our citizens.

The Department is responsible for the protection of lives and property and the preservation of social order and public peace. It is the hope of the Flower Mound Police Department that, through a spirit of cooperation, the Town’s citizens and the Police Department can make the community a safer place to live and work.

The Flower Mound Fire & Emergency Services Department consists of 57 fulltime fire/EMS personnel and a support staff of ten. The department is charged with protecting a current population of more than 60,000.

The Mission of the Flower Mound Fire and Emergency Services Department is to “Protect Life and Property” and fulfill the needs and expectations of the community by providing the highest quality fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, fire prevention, and emergency management services.

The department currently operates three staffed fire engines and three staffed ambulances from three locations, Station #1 (Central), Station #2 (Shiloh) and Station #3 (Northshore).

The 911 Emergency Communications Center ensures rapid response by EMS, Fire and Police units.

Taxes
2005 Tax Rates

Property Taxes (per $100 valuation)
Denton County $0.2468
Town of Flower Mound $0.44970
Lewisville Independent School District $1.77000
Total $2.4655

Sales Taxes
State of Texas 6.25%
Town of Flower Mound 1.00%
Total 7.25%

Hotel Taxes
State of Texas 6.00%
Town of Flower Mound 7.00%
Total 13.00%

Taxing Jurisdictions = 4
Town of Flower Mound
Denton County
Lewisville Independent School District
State of Texas

Transportation
DFW International Airport, the second busiest airport in the world, is three miles south of Flower Mound, and provides direct service to more than 200 destinations around the world. The country’s first industrial airport, Alliance Airport, is a mere ten miles west of Flower Mound, making global distribution just a liftoff away.
International Parkway (FM 2499), the north/south corridor of Flower Mound, is the primary route to both downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, connecting with highways 635, 121 and 114. This major artery is planned to eventually continue from the DFW Airport, through Flower Mound, to Denton.
The main east/west corridor, FM 1171, allows access to both IH 35W and IH 35E. Upon completion of its expansion, FM 1171 will be a six lane divided roadway with curbs and medians from FM2499 to I35E. The other east/west corridor is FM 3040. This road will be widened to six lanes divided from Lewisville to FM 2499. FM 407 will be a four lane, divided roadway from Lewisville to FM 1830.
Lakeside Parkway is a new four lane divided thoroughfare between FM 2499 and SH 121, providing another route to relieve FM 3040 and a second point of access to SH 121.
Interstate Highway 35E, approximately two miles from the eastern border of Flower Mound, is a 1500-mile roadway that runs north and south from the Mexican border to the Canadian border and is dubbed the NAFTA highway.

Recreation and Amenities

Located between Lake Grapevine and Lewisville Lake, and blessed with heavily wooded hills, panoramic views, and an abundance of creeks and shorelines, Flower Mound offers unlimited recreational and leisure activities. Home to two nationally recognized golf courses, Tour 18 and Bridlewood, and only minutes from Grapevine Mills Mall, featuring more than 250 outlet stores and a 30-screen theater, residents and visitors have numerous entertainment choices. Flower Mound also offers a diversity of shopping opportunities.

More than 30 miles of nationally recognized multi-purpose trails connect parks, neighborhoods, schools and businesses, and provide citizens easy access while walking, running, cycling or skating. There are also 3.5 miles of equestrian trails, 14 youth and adult baseball/softball fields, two youth soccer fields, and five public tennis courts. The Town’s Parks and Recreation facilities include a system of parks encompassing over 544 acres offering a variety of playgrounds, covered picnic shelters, cooking grills, multi-purpose trails, basketball play pads and ball fields.

Sports enthusiasts enjoy youth and adult softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, basketball, and flag football leagues that are run throughout the year. A lighted ball field complex, Gerault Park, and a new 25,000 square foot freestanding library, have recently been completed.

In the 2002 bond election, voters overwhelmingly approved more than $25 million in new parks and recreation facilities. New projects include Bakersfield Park that includes youth baseball, softball and soccer fields; a tennis court with restroom facilities; an indoor and outdoor multi-purpose family aquatic center; and a community activity center, which includes a senior center, skate park, teen area, gymnasium, fitness area and meeting rooms.

Flower Mound’s proximity to the Dallas Metroplex also opens a wealth of recreational opportunities, including Texas Motor Speedway, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor, Texas Stadium, Ameriquest Field in Arlington, and the symphony halls and art museums of Dallas and Fort Worth.

If professional sports are your game, the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and the Dallas Burn are all competing for attention. The recently completed world class American Airlines Arena in Dallas is home to the Mavericks and the Stars, while Texas Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys are just minutes away in Irving, Texas.

Education

The Lewisville Independent School District (LISD), with enrollment in the 2005-2006 school year of over 47,000 students and staff of 5,843, encompasses 127 square miles, and serves the majority of the Town of Flower Mound, as well as 12 neighboring communities in the southeast portion of Denton County.

LISD is the 18th largest school district in the State of Texas, and is fully accredited at all grade levels (K-12) by the Texas Education Agency. All high schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Eighty-four per cent of LISD students continue on to college or advanced training. There are five high schools, 14 middle schools, 38 elementary schools, one ninth grade campus, a career center, a learning center, an early learning center, one natatorium, and five athletic stadiums in the district.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
2004-2005 Averages
Verbal Math Total
LISD 532 554 1086
Texas 493 502 995
Nation 508 520 1028

American College Testing (ACT)
Assessment 2004-2005 Averages
English Math Reading Science Composite
LISD 20.6 21.8 22.2 21.2 21.6
Texas 19.3 20.3 20.3 20.2 20.2
Nation 20.4 20.7 21.3 20.9 20.9

National Merit Recognition

2005:
35 National Merit Finalists
41 National Merit Semi-Finalists
89 National Merit Commended students
37 campuses selected for 1998 Texas Successful Schools Award

2006:
44 National Merit Semi-Finalists
99 National Merit Commended students

Area Universities and Colleges
(Within a 35-mile radius of Flower Mound)
Dallas Baptist University, Dallas
Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
Texas Women’s University, Denton
University of Dallas, Irving
University of North Texas, Denton
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson

Junior Colleges
Brookhaven
North Central Texas College
North Lake

Mike Fickling is a Real Estate Professional with Keller Williams DFW, serving Dallas, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Southlake, Grapevine, Highland Village and Coppell. He can be reached at 972-948-0660. www.ficklingandassociates.com

Only cities with a median income above $50,000 per year and unemployment rates better than the national average were included in the survey. To be eligible, the cities surveyed had to be located within 60 miles of a major city.

These cities represent the best the State of Texas has to offer in the western region with populations fewer than 100,000. Texas had five entries in the top 18 – Flower Mound coming in at number two – with the remaining 13 cities coming from the state of California.

Flower Mound has grown from a community of 15,500 people in 1990 to more than 62,000 in 2004, which ranked it as the tenth fastest growing community during the 1990’s.

Keeping up with the tremendous growth has presented challenges and more than a few traffic issues, but the town of Flower Mound, Texas, continues to be an attractive place to live and raise a family. With plenty of room left for growth and some very promising economic development forecasts, Flower Mound has become a city that is getting world-wide attention.

Mike Fickling is a Real Estate Professional with Keller Williams DFW, serving Dallas, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Southlake, Grapevine, Highland Village and Coppell. He can be reached at 972-948-0660. www.ficklingandassociates.com