Born from a desire to help students at risk of dropping out earn their high school diploma, ResponsiveEd has grown into two districts with more than 70 schools and 20,000 students. With locations all over Texas, and even a few in Arkansas, ResponsiveEd offers parents a wide range of school choices, from classical, to STEM early college, online and credit recovery options.

Bridget Weisenburger, Communications Coordinator for ResponsiveEd, says the education that students are receiving through ResponsiveEd schools are not only helping them receive their diplomas, but are also propelling them into a successful future.

“ResponsiveEd was started in 1999 to help students at risk of dropping out of school stay on track to earn their high school diploma and be prepared to enter college and the workforce,” Weisenburger says. “Our first 15 schools created that year were focused exclusively on this goal.”

Pasadena Classical Academy

Since these initial schools, Weisenburger says ResponsiveEd has helped more than 11,000 students receive their diplomas. In the 2015-2016 academic year, more than 3,000 students are enrolled in premier high schools. The company, headquartered in Lewisville, TX, added college preparatory schools in 2007: Founders Classical Academies, ResponsiveEd Classical Academies, Quest Middle Schools and iSchool High Schools. More than 9,000 students in the state are enrolled in these programs.

Weisenburger says the “tried and true curriculum” at ResponsiveEd schools is available in both suburban and urban locations, giving students of all backgrounds the opportunity to advance their education. Part of the curriculum, and how it differs from many traditional public school curriculums, is the focus on classic literature, creative writing, memorization of historical texts and the teaching of Latin. Additionally, each grade is kept small, giving each student the chance to have a one-on-one relationship with their peers and their teachers.

Clay Classical Academy

“Our schools are small by design,” Weisenburger says. “Few have grades larger than 80-100 children. Some of our schools might only have two classes per grade. That allows our teachers to get to know our students very well.”

Enrollment at ResponsiveEd schools is done via blind lotteries every February for the upcoming school year. Because of the high demand of these types of public charter schools, the schools are provided access to a student’s disciplinary history, which would be the only reason a student is declined admission. Applications to each ResponsiveEd school can be done online.

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Massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of medicine, using the body’s own processes to promote health and recovery. Keith Clark, licensed massage therapist, believes that massage is much more than a luxury, as it helps to maintain physical health as well as mental clarity. Eastern medicine and Asian, Indian and African cultures accept massage therapy for its holistic and healing benefits, he noted.

“Natural healing is good for the body, mind, soul and spirit,” he said, “Here in the western world, massage is seen more as a luxury than a necessity. At the very least, it should be seen as maintenance/preventative health care.”

As well as being an LMT, Clark is a dance instructor, choreographer and dancer. He understands the kinds of demands that athletes and dancers place on their bodies. He uses different modalities and techniques, such as Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage and Pregnancy Massage to provide targeted treatments. Revivify also offers reflexology treatments, myofascial relief, and stretching and range of motion massage. All sessions also incorporate elements of aromatherapy as well. The aromatherapy comes from his own line of aromatherapy products, designed and created by him titled KCC (Keith Clark Collection).

Clark and Revivify specialize in treating athletes, amateur and professional, as well as chronic pain of different kinds. These could include tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, low back pain and frozen shoulder. Services include bodywork, prenatal and pregnancy massage and even a quick fix.

Massage therapy can support healing processes in a number of ways. By addressing chronic pain issues through massage, individuals can avoid becoming too dependent on pharmaceuticals, or wearing their pain like a badge of honor, Clark says.

“Massage therapy can assist in physical healing by managing or alleviating low back pain, reducing muscle tension, enhancing exercise performance and reducing arthritic pain,” he said. “It also assists chronic neck pain, increases range of motion, etc.”

Massage also provides stress relief and relaxation, which assists in helping mental, emotional and physiological ailments. It can also temper the effects of dementia, assist in times of grief and offer other types of emotional support. Before beginning a session, clients are asked a few general questions about their health. If there are any health problems or medications, or if the client is under a doctor’s care, a written recommendation for massage or bodywork may be required.

Clark believes in the health benefits or regular massage, and his clients would add that he is best suited for the job. His professionalism, knowledge, and attention to clients’ needs all combine to produce remarkable results. For everything from stress reduction to sports injuries and chronic pain, his clients have come to rely on him for relief and recovery. Many are long-time regulars and will make a long commute through heavy traffic for their weekly appointments. It’s also easy to schedule appointments through the online booking system.

You can schedule your appointment online at: revivify.massagetherapy.com

By S. Mathur

Please tell us a little about your company and the services you offer.

Marissa Iocovani: Odd Even Design is an interior design and lifestyle blog where we celebrate our differences through collaboration and discussion about the coolest contemporary furniture and products available. We strive to inspire our readers with DIY projects, design inspiration, color palettes, cool products, advice, snippets of our daily life and humor.

Is there a common misconception about the amount of money you need to spend on designing and decorating your home?

Many times it goes both ways–either people overestimate and it intimidates them so much that they don’t try to tackle anything, or they underestimate and they get discouraged because they can’t tackle everything. For the former, we remind people that information doesn’t cost a thing, and the quickest way to achieving your goals is to know exactly what that goal should be. Figure out your priorities, do the leg work, and determine what you can handle.

Most spaces can be given a facelift with minor changes that will last until you’re ready to take on a larger project. For the latter, we remind our clients that a home is always a work in progress. Home is a place where you curate items over time–as the kids grow, as the seasons change, etc. If you can improve the foundation elements of your room, the rest can come over time. Always remember quality over quantity!

What are some inexpensive design features and factors that can make a room look beautiful?

Clean and de-clutter: It sounds simple, but so many of our clients who wish for more space end up realizing that they aren’t utilizing the space they do have in the best way possible. We also suggest finding furniture pieces that double as additional storage so children’ items can be put away quickly, but always be in easy reach.

Accessorize: Make it personal! If you have kids, create a gallery wall to show off their art. Use accessories to introduce or emphasize a color palette–this is also a great way to experiment with color if you’ve been afraid to try something out.

What are the most common interior design questions that you hear from your clients?

The biggest question is almost always about color–how and where to use it. Color is very personal, and for some very intimidating. For most people, it’s usually better to stick with neutrals on high cost elements and use color in items that are easily swapped out or inexpensive to replace. If you love color and you aren’t afraid to commit, we say go for it!

What are a few of the best ways to help stretch your interior design budget?

Research! Use inspiration images of your favorite items to help you find similar items at a lower price. There is so much great product out there, you’re sure to come across items that will give you the look for less.

What advice would you give people who want their home to have a completely new look at the most affordable price?

The quickest way to a new look is paint–it’s the least expensive way to make a huge change and most people can handle doing it themselves. For a limited budget consider one big change instead of several small ones. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary, if you get the right foundation, you can build upon it over time.

What’s the best way for people to contact your company?

You can contact us by filling out an inquiry form at www.oddevendesign.com or emailing us at oddevendesign@gmail.com. Give us a shout out on Instagram (oddevendesign), Facebook, or Twitter too!

If you are looking to sell or buy your next home in the Houston, Texas area, We work closely with Realtor Ken Reynolds from Century 21 collaborating on home staging and interior designer services for his clients. His website is www.defineyourlifestylehoustonhomes.com

By Marissa Iocovani

Many common pitfalls that can hamper your efforts to sell your property are easily avoided. Keep these tips in mind when prepping your home for sale, and you will likely avoid the speed bumps many sellers run in to on the road to closing.

Emotional Attachments

Selling a home is fraught with emotion. The more you can separate yourself from your property the better. It is most helpful to view your home sale strictly as a business transaction rather than as a homeowner. Examine your property with the eye of a business investor. Research what things really help move a home and what things hinder a home sale.

Not using a Real estate Agent or Broker

First time home sellers are strongly encourage to use an agent or broker to assist them through the selling process. A good agent will tell you exactly what to do and what NOT to do in order to show your home off to its best potential. They will also be able to help you price your home at a fair and competitive selling price to increase the chances of a faster sale. The agent will handle all open houses and that will diffuse some of the emotion that goes along with selling a property.

Setting An Unrealistic Price

Setting a fair and competitive home price is key to moving a home sale. The price must be based on comparables from other homes that have sold in your area based on size, features, age, and condition. Pricing the home according to what you need out of the sale is generally a recipe for disaster and results in having to drop the price.

Don’t Stalk Buyers

It is best to have an agent handle your showings. If you are selling yourself be very careful not to lead buyers by the nose through your home. Let prospective buyers examine the home on their own and then ask you any questions they want. Most buyers like to casually go through a home and have privacy to discuss the things they like, how they might want to change things so it is important to give them room and privacy to do that.

Don’t Hide Problems

Never try to hide any problems with your property. Be honest and upfront about everything. It is always best to have a home inspection done at the time you plan to list the property or just before and then make any required repairs before listing the property or adjust the sales price to reflect the repairs the buyer will need to make.

Failing to Prepare Your Property for Sale

Failing to clean up your property or stage your property for sale can cost you a lot of money. Do a good, thorough cleaning of the property. Fix any small things and if the house looks really dingy repaint part or all of the interior. Take time to spruce up the outside of the house including patios, terraces and yard. Remember curb appeal is critical in attracting people into your home in the first place. Make your home looks as spacious as possible. Remove some furniture if a room looks too cluttered or closed in. If you have pets, deodorize thoroughly. Bad smells are a real turn off to potential buyers.

Signing A Contract With Unqualified Buyers

Don’t sign any contracts with buyers that cannot produce proof of cash funds to cover the purchase or a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender. The letter guarantees the buyer can successfully apply and get a mortgage. Signing with unqualified buyers can result in an abandoned sale if they cannot qualify for a mortgage. Be careful about signing with buyers that want the sale contingent on the sale of their home if you have timelines that must be met. It could take a long time for them to sell their home.

Conclusion

Following these simple steps can save you time, money and a lot of frustration but even these steps cannot guarantee your home will sell as fast as you’d like so always prepare for worst case scenarios but plan and work for the best possible result.

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Spring Eye Care is a full-scope optometric facility owned by Dr. Brian Cox, OD. Here you can get all your vision and medical eye-care needs met utilizing their full ophthalmic dispensary and lab. “I am considered the community optometrist,” he says, “as my office is conveniently settled near the new Grand Parkway.” Holding the highest level of licensure granted by the Texas Optometry Board, Dr. Cox is involved in the local eye-care community serving as a board member for Harris County Optometric Society and as an active member of both the Texas Optometry Association and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Cox is a Texas native who has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Oklahoma City University, spent two years doing research at UT Southwestern Medical School and graduated with top honors from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). Honors bestowed on him from UHCO include being the 2009 AOF-Carl Zeiss Vision Fellow and an excellence in vision therapy award.

Owning his own clinic allows Dr. Cox to utilize all his skills and experience. He states, “I pride myself in full scope optometry and providing the best optometric care to the patient.” Although he works with patients of all ages, he has worked extensively with some of the top pediatric vision therapists in the United States.

He uses the most up-to-date eye care while both diagnosing and treating common eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma and “pink eye”, as well as general vision care, such as fitting for contacts or prescribing eye glass lenses. “I can diagnose and manage glaucoma in addition to writing oral antibiotics and oral analgesics for medical optometric needs,” Dr. Cox tell us. He also treats eye injuries which may occur on the job, playing sports or while at home.

Need more than eye glasses to improve your vision? Vision therapy, a sequence of procedures to develop efficient visual skills and processing, may be prescribed and monitored by Dr. Cox at Spring Eye Care as another path to increased vision. Procedures use lenses, prisms, filters and other instruments as monitored by Dr. Cox in his office, as well as daily vision-therapy practices done at the patient’s home.

If you just need a new pair of stylish frames, Spring Eye Care has that too. Dr. Cox says, “We have many name-brand frames including Oakley, Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Vera Bradley and Nike.”

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By Elizabeth R Elstein

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Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Beth DeLozier-Hayes: Tres Chic Designs is a full-service home staging company that offers both vacant and occupied residential staging services.

What exactly is home staging?

Home Staging is when a residence is prepared for the real estate market. This could include anything from painting, to furniture rental in a vacant home, or just rearranging furniture and artwork in a currently occupied home. Staging professionals make adjustments to the home that allows it to appeal to the largest amount of potential buyers, with the goal of selling the home faster, and potentially for more money.

What are some the ways homeowners can prepare for this process?

Start packing for your move. Though decluttering seems like common sense, home buyers expect homes to be much cleaner than anybody actually lives. Starting to pack up excess items that you won’t need in the next couple of months makes the home appear larger, and move-in ready.

How long does this process typically take?

Typically it starts with a 1-2 hour consultation, then a second day of staging may be scheduled depending on what services may be needed.

What are some of the benefits of home staging?

90% of home buyers search online first. If your home sparkles online, you are much more likely to attract traffic from buyers. Staged homes sell faster, and often for more money, and the services usually cost less than taking a price reduction on a currently listed home.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

We can be reached at beth@tcdhouston.com

By Beth DeLozier-Hayes