NICE DIFFERENCE – In everything they do, Christian Brothers Automotive is intentional about carrying out their mission, “To glorify God by providing ethical and excellent automotive repair service for our customers.” Experience the “Nice Difference” for yourself! Stop by 6207 82nd Street for your Complimentary Courtesy Inspection.

Christian Brothers Automotive was founded in 1982 by two men – brothers in Christ – who wished to bring a much-needed “Nice Difference” to the automotive repair industry. Their mission statement would be, “To glorify God by providing ethical and excellent automotive repair service for our customers.”

Over 30 years later and 100 locations strong, that’s the same service you’ll find at your local Christian Brothers franchise, owned and operated by Ron and Lori Bostick, at 6207 82nd Street.

For a car repair experience that’s clean, courteous and caring, choose Christian Brothers Automotive. But don’t take their word for it. Take a look at reviews from real customers in Lubbock.

One customer says, “I was very impressed with my whole car repair experience. Everyone from the main desk, to the owner who gave me a ride home, to the driver who picked me up after the repair was finished, went above and beyond to help me. They called and explained the issue and pricing up-front without making me feel patronized. Additionally, the repair was fantastic and more than adequate. The atmosphere and decor of the front office was friendly, Christian and aesthetically-pleasing. I will definitely recommend Christian Brothers automotive to everyone I know and will give them all of my repeat business.”

Another writes, “This is getting hard… how many different ways can I say that I love Christian Brothers? They greet me by name when I arrive, do what I ask, and don’t charge an arm and a leg. I trust them, and it is so good to have car repair people you trust.”

When your car needs repair, you have enough to worry about. Christian Brothers believes every person has the right to honest car care. No one should have to worry about being taken advantage of by their mechanic.

Gas or diesel, foreign or domestic, car or truck – no matter the vehicle, their ASE-certified technicians have the expertise and experience to fix it with integrity. Christian Brothers has the same manufacturer-recommended equipment and diagnostic tools as your dealership, but the local ties and industry partnerships to often offer better prices.

Experience the “Nice Difference” for yourself! Visit Christian Brothers Automotive at 6207 82nd Street, near the Walmart at 82nd and Milwaukee, or call (806) 794-1200 to schedule an appointment. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Learn more about Christian Brothers online at www.cbac.com or www.facebook.com/automotivecare.

THE UNUSUAL CRAFT MALL – Hidden Treasures Craft and Antique Mall is anything but boring! From delicate heirloom china to rustic metal art; Mary Kay cosmetics to “Man Cave” decor – Hidden Treasures has something for everyone. Hidden Treasures is proud to be “the unusual craft mall,” specializing in providing an exciting, innovative experience for buyers and vendors alike. See for yourself! Visit Hidden Treasures today at 4841 50th St.

Lubbock’s innovative craft and antique mall is getting bigger and better all the time!

It’s true – Hidden Treasures is expanding and updating their store to provide the very best experience for vendors and buyers alike. Just to name a few features, the addition will have brightly-painted rooms, booths built to suit, and free peg hooks and pegboards for vendors. Vendors will also appreciate the ability to check sales online for free (no ‘nickel and dime’ here!) and the help available from staff to move items in and out with a dolly or flat cart – for free!

Buyers can tell you that Hidden Treasures is not your grandmother’s craft mall! In fact, you can forget everything you once knew about craft and antique malls. Hidden Treasures has blazed the trail – and bourght a hip, upbeat concept in craft, antique and collectible buying and selling to Lubbock.

Currently comprised of over 10,000 square feet of the best merchandise at the fairest prices, Hidden Treasures features over 100 booths showcasing the gamut of antiques, collectibles, custom artwork, re-purposed objects, hand-crafted furniture, textiles and more.

From delicate heirloom china to rustic metal art; Mary Kay cosmetics to “Man Cave” decor – Hidden Treasures has something for everyone.

Hidden Treasures offers an innovative experience to vendors, as well. They specialize in providing the much-needed services that are missing from the typical craft mall set-up, such as marketing, security and great rates.

To be specific, vendors at Hidden Treasures receive extensive marketing services through the store’s website and Facebook page, plus exposure on the radio, in area newspapers, and in local e-newsletters that reach over 3,000 members. Not only does Hidden Treasures offer electricity to all of their booths, but vendors can take advantage of the Sensormatic security system. These are sensor tags that can be put on your merchandise – the same system found in most major retailers. Hidden Treasures also has a top-of-the-line, brand new $10,000 video surveillance system. The staff sees everything!

As for rates, Hidden Treasures charges a monthly fee for rent on your space and absolutely ZERO PERCENT commission. That’s right, the money you earn stays in your pocket. And you don’t have to show up to work! Just set up, then sit back and relax. Each month, Hidden Treasures pays out hundreds, and often thousands, of dollars to their vendors for their sales.

Hidden Treasures is the best-case scenario for crafters, antique dealers and collectors who are looking for success. To apply to become a Hidden Treasures vendor, just stop by the store.

Hidden Treasures is located in the same location where you’ll find Spirit Halloween Superstore each fall, at 4841 50th Street, behind Hong Kong restaurant.

Hidden Treasures is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m. On Tuesdays, hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (806) 792-0360 for more information.

Check out Hidden Treasures online at www.hiddentreasurelubbock.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HiddenTreasuresCraftAntiqueMall.

IN THE DETAILS – Sherri Kinard, Michelle Evitt and Kristin Dempsey have become vital members of the compassionate team at Lake Ridge. Their involvement in the details allows Lake Ridge’s memorial designers to give their full attention to families in their time of need.

Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers is pleased to announce the addition of three wonderful ladies to their staff – Kristin Dempsey, Michelle Evitt and Sherri Kinard.

Over the past few months, these women have become vital members of the compassionate team at Lake Ridge. Whether they are answering phones, greeting guests, presenting keepsakes, or performing administrative duties, Kristin, Michelle and Sherri prioritize their tasks in a way that keeps everything running smoothly. They are the behind-the-scenes support system, put in place so that Lake Ridge’s memorial designers can give their full attention to families in their time of need.

As bookkeeper, Kristin Dempsey says she enjoys taking care of the business side of things. She is a Lubbock native and graduate of Lubbock Christian University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in accounting.

Receptionist Michelle Evitt finds it very rewarding to assist local families, many of which live in the Frenship ISD district, where she also teaches kindergarten. Michelle’s daughter Hannah recently graduated from Frenship High School and will attend her mom’s alma mater, Texas Tech University, in the fall.

Michelle says, “I may not get to interact with the families on a level as personal as the memorial designers do, but when I prepare a Life Tribute video for a service, I get to know the family through their photos. By doing that, I too get the wonderful chance to understand the life and legacy of each individual we serve.”

Sherri Kinard, also a Tech grad and Lubbock native, just joined Lake Ridge this month after retiring from 32 years of teaching, 19 of which were served within Frenship ISD. She enjoys the opportunity to connect with families through another unique service Lake Ridge offers – Thumbie® Fingerprint Keepsakes.

She shares, “I’ve presented four Thumbies so far, and each time has blessed me tremendously. The recipients are so happy with them, and I can see on their faces that we have been successful in extending our comfort well past the day of the service.”

Sherri says that family members feel a sense of solace from rubbing the fingerprint impression; one widow told her, “With this, I can always hold my husband’s hand.”

Kristin, Michelle and Sherri all agree that it’s a great honor and joy to be involved in all that Lake Ridge offers.

Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, a family-owned funeral home, is located at 6025 82nd Street. In addition to a bright, open building with a large chapel and a peaceful courtyard for services or quiet reflection, Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers is the only independently-owned funeral home in the area that has a crematory and ceremonial room on-site.

Call (806) 698-8085 to speak with a memorial designer or visit www.memorialdesigners.com, where you’ll find a wealth of information and helpful resources.

PURPOSEFUL PUPS – Meet Hector, Denver, Chance and Charlie, trained pet therapy dogs who love to visit the residents The Plaza at Lubbock. Pet therapy is penciled onto the calender quite often at The Plaza, along with countless other activities that promote healing. It’s all part of a program they call Lifetime Wellness, which is built upon the six dimensions of wellness that deserve attention: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, vocational and spiritual needs.

Who says recovery can’t be fun? The Plaza at Lubbock works hard to keep the joy and purpose in day-to-day life. Short-term and long-term residents enjoy a wide range of activities and events, tailor-made to amuse, entertain and inform, but most importantly, to promote healing – a program they call Lifetime Wellness.

“We understand that to enhance both an individual’s health and quality of life requires more than just clinical expertise; it requires attention to the emotional, physical, intellectual, social, vocational and spiritual needs of our residents,” says Paige Paris, Wellness Director, The Plaza at Lubbock. “Every activity on our calendar incorporates one or more of these six dimensions of wellness.”

In the realm of emotional care, a pet visit can make a big difference. Trained therapy dogs from local organization Critters for Christ will stop by The Plaza several times a month to warm the hearts of residents. Sometimes, it’s the familiar feel of a dog’s soft coat that will inspire a resident to keep working diligently towards their recovery goals, so they can return home to their own beloved pets.

For physical strength, there are modified fitness classes and massage therapies, and for intellectual stimulation, The Plaza utilizes mind-sharpening games like Hangman, Trivia Time and Food For Thought, an activity where residents learn about a food and then snack on samples. Social activities are available in the form of one-on-one visits, or large group events such as birthday parties or Family Movie Nights, which are hosted by The Plaza every Wednesday.

Vocational wellness activities at The Plaza cover a wide range of productivity issues, from basic skills such as writing to continued participation in previously enjoyed hobbies. Bible study, church services and chaplain visits are available to provide spiritual care to residents, making all six dimensions of wellness present at The Plaza.

For those times in life when an accident or medical condition necessitates therapy, The Plaza at Lubbock offers Professional Rehabilitation Services in a setting that soothes the mind and pleases the senses. Lifetime Wellness is just one of many exceptional programs that make The Plaza so unique.

The facility also offers an Advanced Wound Care program, where care is provided 24-hours a day to patients who need assistance healing complicated wounds, such as post-surgical wounds, wounds resulting from diabetes, arterial and venous stasis ulcers, pressure ulcers and non-healing surgical or traumatic wounds.

Stroke Rehab, another exceptional program at The Plaza, helps stroke survivors recover lost abilities and regain confidence. A support group called Diff’rent Strokes is held every fourth Thursday of the month, as an extension of this specialized program.

To learn more about Lifetime Wellness, Advanced Wound Care or Stroke Rehab, please call The Plaza at (806) 740-0800, or visit them at 4910 Emory, directly behind Lubbock Heart Hospital.

For additional information, visit The Plaza online at www.lubsnf.com.

YOU’RE INVITED – There’s plenty to celebrate at American Bank of Commerce, and they wouldn’t do it without you! ABC Bank invites the community to their Open House and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Monday, June 10, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the newly-renovated Wolfforth Banking Center, West 82nd & Highway 62/82.

To celebrate 50 years of service to West Texas and the Wolfforth community, American Bank of Commerce will host an Open House celebration this coming Monday, June 10, 2013, from 2 until 4 p.m., at the newly-renovated Wolfforth Banking Center located at West 82nd & Highway 62/82.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Wolfforth Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is scheduled for 3 p.m. that afternoon. The bank invites you to stop by, enjoy refreshments and live music, and tour the updated facilities.

American Bank of Commerce has served West Texas since 1962, when the bank opened for business as Wolfforth State Bank on September 11 that year. James S. Moore, owner and Chairman of the Board since opening day, built the bank’s strong and stable foundation on West Texas soil.

Mr. Moore, who led this family-owned bank through 50 years of prosperous growth, has recently retired, and while remaining actively involved in the bank, has passed the leadership role to the next generation of the Moore family. Dr. John Moore, a Lubbock native, has served on the bank’s board since 2005 and now assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors from his father.

ABC Bank also announces additional growth in leadership. E. Powell Thompson now serves as Chief Executive Officer. Thompson, a graduate of Texas Tech University, joined the bank in 1995, opening bank operations in the Austin market where he serves as President. Troy Melcher now serves as West Texas Market President. Melcher, a Texas Tech graduate, joined American Bank of Commerce in 2007 and also serves as Chief Credit Officer.

The Bank’s service area spans over 850 miles with 14 banking centers. The Wolfforth Banking Center continues a 50-year tradition of leadership in agriculture lending in the community and serves as the banks agricultural lending center. Recent renovations to the 35-year-old building have allowed for bank operation facilities to be incorporated and permanently housed inside the banking center, bringing approximately 40 jobs into the Wolfforth community.

After half a century of service, the bank’s #1 goal continues to be the success of its customers.

“We build genuine relationships with competitive products, and work hard to help your business thrive. When our customers are successful, we’re successful,” says Todd Pope, Senior Vice-President. “I’d like to personally invite you to our Open House on Monday. We’re excited to celebrate the long-standing relationships we’ve established over the years, and look forward to creating new ones.”

WORTH A ‘WAHOO!’ – Whether you’re celebrating your graduation, wedding day, or growing family, Julie Bielefeldt, owner of Wahoo Moments Photography, loves to document all those occasions in life that elicit a big “Wahoo!” Visit www.wahoomoments.com to learn more about Julie and her photography services.

“My whole goal as a photographer is to capture the moments that bring back memories every time my clients look at their photos,” said Julie Bielefeldt, a mother of four and owner of Wahoo Moments Photography.

Julie, like a lot of moms, enjoys sharing photos of her children’s milestones. “I could see how quickly they were growing, and I wanted to capture those special moments forever,” she recalls.

Although Julie specializes in weddings, she also provides exceptional photography for family and senior portraits and other life events. These moments are the inspiration for the company name, which came from a quote by Julie’s sister-in-law: “I am happy for those moments I have which let me see God’s hand in my life, and for every occasion I have to say ‘Wahoo!’ ”

When she photographs an event, Julie strives to document it in a journalistic style by interacting in a non-intrusive way. In doing so, she gets the traditional posed shots that can be shared and the ones that might be special only for those who created the memory.

The best photographs are taken when the customer feels comfortable with the photographer. For a couple trying to select their wedding photographer, the engagement session provides an opportune time to determine that compatibility, like a “trial run” before the big day.

“One of the best things I think I have to offer as a photographer is that I’m empathetic,” says Julie. “It’s their day; I’m aware of what’s important to them, and I think that shows in my photography.

“I also work quietly and am respectful to stay out of the way, but I can be loud, funny and, if necessary, bossy to get the shot the bride and groom are expecting.”

On most photo shoots, Julie enlists her husband as a second photographer, which provides additional images and perspectives.

“We make a great team in that he knows where I’m going and what I need to get the shot, and he has a great eye for composition too,” she says.

There are so many details that go into a wedding day, and the bride and groom often don’t get the opportunity to fully enjoy them. Julie wants her photographs to recreate the day and to fill in moments that perhaps they didn’t get to see.

She also believes that the images of that special day – be it a wedding or family portrait – belong to the customer, so her photography packages are based on a flat rate and include all of the best images taken as well as reproduction rights.

Current pricing is listed on the Wahoo Moments website, www.wahoomoments.com. Julie’s prices are lower than most of her competition and subject to change as her business grows – book now to lock in the current prices! Major credit cards are accepted as well as cash or check.

Feel free to call or text Julie with any questions about Wahoo Photography: (806) 370-0213!

The city water tank repairs are part of the city’s effort to create a water treatment system and upgrade the entire water system.

Wolfforth put out a request for proposals that was answered by two companies, Caldwell Tanks and Utility Services.

Caldwell’s proposed bill for cleaning and repairing the tanks for $575,331 was higher than Utility Services at $475,104.

Over a 10-year period, Utility Services estimates it would cost $34,519 annually to maintain the tanks, increasing each year to a maximum of $47,212 in 2023. Caldwell proposed that it would charge $37,393 each year with a possible Consumer Price Index increase each year.

City Manager Darrell Newsom said that at 3 percent each year, Caldwell could be charging $48,789 by 2023.

Newsom said the price difference between the two companies was because Caldwell wants to remove lead from some of the tanks.

Engineer Michael Adams told the City Council that Utility Services said it believes the lead levels are at an allowable level. But he said Caldwell’s position in the proposals is that no amount of lead is acceptable in drinking water.

Caldwell’s proposal also includes more work on the tanks, such as repairs and upgrades to the catwalks, Adams said, and he said that is probably due to a difference in the types of inspections the two companies made of the city’s tanks.

“My thoughts are, you need to get completely out of the lead business,” Adams said.

Wolfforth Director of Public Works Doug Hutcheson said he agreed with Adams “100 percent.”

The lead can be covered, Hutcheson said, but it will continue to be a problem in the future.

Also, city officials said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality could order the state to fix any lead problems in the future, so it would be better to take care of the problem now.

Newsom said the city checked references for both companies and found that their references were good. However, he said Utility Services was rated as meeting expectations, while Caldwell was rated as exceeding expectations.

Newsom and Adams said Utility Services could be asked to come back with a proposal on the more extensive repairs, such as removing the lead from the city tanks.

But Councilman Bruce MacNair said he was not OK with allowing the company to come up with a revised proposal.

Most of the council members expressed beliefs that the tank cleanup should be done right and the lead should be abated.

Councilman James Vardy said the money is important, but things need to be done correctly so the city has no further problems with TCEQ.

“How often do we hear from TCEQ?” Councilwoman Julie Merrill asked.

“Daily,” Newsom said as some of the city officials laughed.

David Cooper, who took his oath of office Monday night from City Secretary Debbie Perkey, said he would like to know what Utility Services would charge for lead abatement. But he went along with the other four council members in voting to start negotiations with Caldwell for tank services.

Mayor Charles Addington thanked representatives from both companies for submitting proposals for the work.

Addington put on his fire chief hat to tell council members that the Wolfforth Fire Department must buy new radios. The city will cover 20 percent of the cost, while South Plains Association of Governments will pay the remainder.

But the cost has risen from $6,000 to $8,000 in the time that Addington first asked for the equipment in 2010, he said.

Perkey told the council that they could wait until the end of the year to amend the budget to cover the increased cost, but approve the purchase of the new radios now. The council approved the purchase by a 5-0 vote.

Other actions taken by the council include: