VIP is the Place to Be

When you become an Antares Community VIP member, access to the lowest pre-grand opening pricing is only the beginning. Antares VIP membership includes a wealth of benefits such as access to updates on the community while it’s still in construction, and a special invite to our pre-launch events.  We know that envisioning a neighborhood before it’s built can be hard to do. With multiple communities to preview and similar floorplans to explore, we’ll make sure the only thing hard to imagine will be leaving your dream home once it’s built!

At our VIP events, we make sure you feel special. We make sure each guest that presented with a personalized experience that has been thoughtfully put together by our #AntaresFamily!  Make sure you join our VIP list if you’re interested in one of our communities, so you can take advantage of all the Antares VIP benefits!

 

Until Next Time,

Rebekah R.

13 Things to Do in DFW Before the Summer Ends

As the summer draws to the close, it can begin to feel like you have done all the things there are to do!  We’ve compiled a list of our favorite summer activities around the area, and hopefully they will help you make it through the final stretch of summer heat.

Sunrise Sunflowers lighten

  1. Berry Picking

Nothing says ‘summer’ like fresh berries.  They’re easy enough to find wherever you get groceries, but there’s something special about picking them yourself.  Fortunately, the entire Metroplex is surrounded by farms dedicated to providing just such an experience. Click here for a list of farms by city.

  1. Museums

Taking your children (or just yourself) to a museum provides many benefits.  You’re generally out of the heat, you’re physically active, and you’re being inspired!  Schools are great, but there’s no substitute for the look in a child’s eyes when their curiosity is sparked.  Treat yourself and the kiddos to these awesome free museums in the area, and watch the magic of learning happen!

  1. Animal Encounters

If you and your children are aching for a more outdoorsy learning activity, the DFW area offers a several venues for interacting with and learning about animals.  For a more common experience, visit either of the acclaimed zoos in Fort Worth or Dallas.  If you’re looking for something more hands-on, try the Dallas World Aquarium (try to go during the week, when it’s less crowded) or Fossil Rim (beware the ostrich).

  1. Six Flags

The dedicated children’s park makes this ideal for outings with kids of all ages.  There are adventures to be had for all, and enough souvenir shops to make the hottest day more bearable.  If you go early, you can hit several rides before it gets too hot. Then you have plenty of time to shop and ride one of their water features! Plan your trip here.

  1. Water park

If the adventure of Six Flags sounds great but you’re looking for something a little more ‘watery’, the Metroplex has an abundance of options for you.  If you’re looking for the big rides, you can go across the street to Hurricane Harbor (protip: if you buy a season pass at Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor is included).  For a list of the top 13 parks, look here.

  1. Ranger’s Game

There’s a special joy that comes from hanging out in the nosebleeds at Globe Life Park.  It’s shaded with the best breeze in the whole stadium, and I love being able to see everything going on from the vantage point.  Our Rangers have had tough few weeks, but it feels like they’re getting their groove back!  There’s no better time to catch a game! Buy tickets here.

  1. Kayak

Something about growing up in North Texas breeds a love for being on the water.  We have plenty of lakes that are great for boats and skiing, but my favorite way to enjoy the water is from a kayak.  Texas State Parks have recently introduced ‘Paddling Trails’ and we have more info here.  If you’re looking for a more urban experience, you can look at Panther Island in Fort Worth or White Rock Lake in Dallas.

  1. Drive-in Movies

Feeling nostalgic?  DFW is home to a growing number of Drive-In theaters!  Most offer new releases with the occasional throwback.  My family loves to pile up our truck with blankets and pillows and head out around 6!  More information on theaters and what they offer here.

  1. Food Trucks

Food truck are one of the best ways to sample the artistic creations of talented chefs, and the best atmosphere to experience them is definitely at a food truck park.  These parks are the best place to meet up with other foodies, and let the kids play while expanding their culinary horizons.

  1. Stargazing

‘The stars at night/Are big and bright’ and this is, indeed, the heart of Texas.  If you and your kids are night owls, this could be one of the more exciting things you do this summer! Whether you drive out to one of the stargazing tours at a state park or visit one of the planetariums in the area, the stars are sure to leave you and your kids in awe. Information on great spots here.

  1. Gardens

If you’re not into picking fruit, you can still enjoy the fruit of the earth at one of these fantastic North Texas gardens!  Fort Worth and Dallas compete for best gardens, so there is plenty to enjoy.  The seasonal flora and fauna are top notch at each of these locations around the Metroplex.

  1. Pokémon Go

Sometimes, we can get too carried away with our devices, but Pokémon Go has done more than its fair share to make our smart phones good for us.  Bring your kids out to one of these great spots or events.  Take some time walking about and enjoying the scenery as your hatch virtual eggs and catch virtual Pokémon.

  1. Library – Dallas, Ft. Worth and Arlington Library events

With all the adventures to be had in the Metroplex, there are a few things that you just can’t do, unless you have a book.  The story times and other events at the Fort Worth, Dallas, and other Metro libraries are sure to awaken the imagination and take your kids on grand adventures (without leaving the a/c!)

 

Until Next Time,

Rebekah

Join Us!

Grand Opening at Glen Mills Village

North Ft. Worth

Saginaw/Eagle Mt. ISD

Glen Mills will feature our newest line of affordable one story brick home designs with prices starting as low as $104,990

Features include: tile flooring, custom knotty alder cabinets, stainless steel appliances, full sod, guaranteed heating & cooling and more!

Join us for Brunch and an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny!

4585 Wheatland Dr.

Ft. Worth, TX 76179

April 7, 2012 9:30am

Located off of Old Decatur Road just North of the Bailey Boswell intersection.

For directions and additional information please call (817) 259-1907.



Help is Here!

Crescent Springs Ranch, 701 Jetton Court, Crowley, TX 76036

Do you need help just figuring out if buying a new home is an option for you?  Do you need help planning to save money for a down payment?  Do you need help understanding why your credit score went down instead of up after all that work you did?  We have answers for you!  We are offering a FREE Home Buyer Class at our Crescent Springs Ranch location this Wednesday, August 10 from 7-9 pm.  Call the office at 817-704-7532 to register today!  We will have a finance specialist on site to help with planning for a home in your future!

Spring Tour

WooHoo!

The Greater Fort Worth Spring Tour of New Homes is coming up in May and I am very excited!  We love the Spring Tour because it introduces us to lots of people who have never heard of Antares Homes before.  We really loved it last year because we won a lot of awards.  Those awards made us feel really special. 

What was so exciting about those awards last year is that our Model Home at 6836 Waterhill Lane was the Grand Award Runner Up!  Now, I know a lot of folks who would say Runner Up is just second place, but it is second place over 51 other homes, many of which are in a much higher price range!  That gives me warm fuzzies!  The Grand Award winner was Sean Knight Custom Homes’ 4709 Santa Cova Court, valued at over $2 million!  I’ll play second fiddle to that! 😉

This year the Tour has been completely re-vamped and there will be a lot of visitor interaction on the Tour website.  It’s not complete yet; we builders have to enter all of our information on our entries!  But, you will get to vote on your favorite homes and you will have access to customize your tour by choosing which homes you want to visit and printing out a map and route.  There are a few more surprises in store for tour visitors that I am not at liberty to speak of, but I can say that I can’t hardly wait until it’s all completed!!!

Tour Dates:

May  7 & 8

May 14 & 15

May 21 & 22

Neighborhood Food & Donation Drive Benefiting the Harvest House

Antares Homes at Hidden Creek

Throughout the remainder of February, drop off donations with Sharon White at the Hidden Creek Model Home at 923 Hidden Lake Dr.

Each person who donates will be entered into a drawing to win various prizes from local businesses including Hidden Creek Golf Course!

Harvest House Most Wanted Items:

Size 4 & 5 diapers

Personal care items (shampoo, body wash, etc.)

Spaghetti & Sauce

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Mac&Cheese & other Boxed Meals

Canned goods

Harvest House was founded 25 years ago with the mission to assist in the alleviation of poverty, disease, pain and suffering by providing the needy with food, clothing, counseling, shelter, and medication.

Harvest House is operated largely by volunteers from many different faiths, working together. As they rub shoulders, they experience the joy of helping those in need, and develop a unity that leads them to respect the faith of others.

Over the years the BMAA Harvest House has evolved from an organization supported by only members of the BMAA to one supported by an entire community. Over 20 churches, along with individual donations, now help support Harvest House in assisting those in need in our community.

In 2008 Harvest House’s food donations averaged 150 families a month, 2009’s average was 250.  Clients are eligible to receive money on their clothing assistance gift cards every 90 days.  Harvest House provides financial assistance with rent, utilities, antibiotic prescriptions, dental care & gas vouchers.  They make sure to equip children for school with school supplies, hair cuts, and immunizations.

Please join your neighbors in helping our community!

-Thank You-

Sharon White

Singing Salespeople!

At our Holiday Party this year we were treated to a wonderful performance of the song “Antares Home” sung to the tune of “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin.  This version was written by Stan Goldstein who is the Salesperson at Garden Heights.  It was too great not to share, so here are pictures and lyrics!

Melissa, Sharon and Stan. Picture by Monique Tinsley.

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me an Antares Home

My friends have ****** and all they do is moan

Worked hard all my lifetime, protected my credit score

So Lord get me an Antares and I’ll feel like I got more

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a home with low bills

Guaranteed heating and cooling gives me the chills

I am cool in summer and toasty in the cold

So Lord give me an Antares if I may be so bold

Oh Lord won’t you give me a real quiet house

My friends all hear boom boxes; I’m quiet as a mouse

No fiberglass for me I want cellulose can’t you see

Oh Lord it’s so nice to be able to hear my TV

Oh Lord give me a home with rebar slab

No post tension for me I think rebar is fab

A Certified Graduate Builder is who I want to see

So Lord give me a foundation engineered just for me

(Everyone)

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me an Antares Home

My friends have ****** and all they do is moan

Worked hard all my lifetime, protected my credit score

So Lord get me an Antares and I’ll feel like I got more

Jaimie, Melissa, Sharon and Stan. Photo by Monique Tinsley.

Working off that Thanksgiving Stupor!

Do you usually have a HUGE Feast at Thanksgiving followed by watching football and a long nap and more turkey and another nap?  Want to mix it up a bit?  Here are some new things to try at Thanksgiving.

Union Gospel Mission  There are many ways to give to the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County and one of them is your time!  Sign up to become a Volunteer.

Walk or bike or rollerblade that Turkey off at the Trinity Trail!  Here’s a handy map of the trail and the best part is it is open all day and it’s FREE!

Meals on Wheels  Although they don’t make deliveries on Thanksgiving Day or the day after, you could volunteer to deliver meals that weekend!  They also have a lot of other volunteer opportunities as well.

Turkey Trot  The Fort Worth Turkey Trot supports the Scholarship/youth program of the Westside YMCA.  Races start as early as 7:15 am on Thanksgiving Day and you can have your Turkey and pie guilt-free after working soooo hard in the morning!

Tarrant Area Food Bank  This organization is a hub of energy!  There are so many ways to volunteer here.  Take a look and see if one of their activities will work for your family.

Parade of Lights  The day after Thanksgiving Sundance Square hosts the annual Parade of Lights.  There will be activities beginning at 2pm.  There is a Parade followed by pictures with Santa and the lighting of the Christmas tree, and ending with a free viewing of Fred Claus in the Chisholm Trail Parking lot!  Be sure to bring your own seats.  Here is a detailed schedule since there is too much to post here!

Presbyterian Night Shelter  This great program needs your time!  Here is a list of their Volunteer Opportunities.

If you are planning any volunteer options, make sure to contact the organization of your choice well before Thanksgiving week.  Many of them have Volunteer Orientations that must be completed before you can give your time.  Gobble Gobble!

Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off

My not-so-secret ingredients!

I made my very first ever Pumpkin Pie last week.  I was very surprised at how simple it was.  I had a can of pumpkin puree from Aldi and there was a recipe on the can and I thought, well, I’ll try it.  So I did and it was pretty easy!  I had no idea that Pumpkin Pie has ground ginger in it!  Once I made the filling I thought that it didn’t smell like Pumpkin Pies I’d eaten before so I threw in a little allspice at the end.  After the first bite, I did regret the addition of the allspice, but I was inspired to see if I can improve on my next try.

Antares Homes is hosting a Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off at our Crescent Springs Ranch Model Home at 701 Jetton Court in Crowley, TX from 1-3pm on Saturday, November 20th, 2010.  Join us!  Our prize for First Place will be a Thanksgiving themed gift basket!  Don’t like Pumpkin Pie?  Our Judges have agreed to taste pies in a separate category called “Other Pies”  There will be a prize awarded in the “Other” category as well.

Here are a few recipes I found in my research for the perfect Pumpkin Pie!

Pumpkin Pie from scratch-Including crust!

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie from scratch

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream????

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Pie

Just for fun, The Pumpkin Pie Throwdown!

Rachael Ray’s Pumpkin Pie with Almond Spiced Whipped Cream-Yum-O!

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Autumn Pumpkin Pie

Weight Watcher’s Pumpkin Pie

I’ve died and gone to Heaven- Martha Stewart’s Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie!

I’m bringing Libby’s to the Bake-Off, how about you?  Which one will you bring?