D.L. Jones Home Team - November/December 2021

D.L. Jones Home Team - November/December 2021

602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com November/December 2021 North Valley Pride

ANTHEM VETERANS MEMORIAL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY HE PLAYED ALONGSIDE NFL LEGENDS — BUT SACRIFICED HIS LIFE IN VIETNAM

Hi everyone! Welcome to our very first bi- monthly print newsletter. I’m so excited to open up the holiday season by talking about a subject that’s incredibly near and dear to my heart — Veterans Day. This year will be the 10th anniversary of our AnthemVeterans Memorial, and just this year, I was lucky enough to place pavers to honor a very special group of veterans. They were a group of 13 Quantico Marine athletes who died in service during the VietnamWar, one of whomwas my uncle, 2nd Lt. John Bruce Capel. I never met my uncle; in fact, nobody ever spoke about him while growing up. It wasn’t until my family visited Washington, D.C., and saw his name on the Vietnam Wall that I realized my family had never fully healed from his loss. I watched tears fall down my dad’s face for the first time that day. Years later, I received a call from my uncle’s previous high school baseball teammate. I’d mentioned my uncle’s name in a publication in honor of Veterans Day, and he wanted to know if we were talking about the same John Bruce Capel he knew. We were. Men Who Could’ve Been Star Athletes But Died for Their Country Instead You might be wondering: “Who are the Quantico Marine Athletes of the Sixties?” I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for my uncle’s story, either.

Before the Vietnam War ended, the U.S. Marines had their own varsity sports like football, basketball, and track and field. In order to compete, you had to make a minimum three-year commitment to the team and to the military. Marines who competed in the Quantico Marine Athletes program weren’t only amazing at varsity sports like football, basketball, and track and field — they were often world-class athletes, many qualifying for the Olympic Games.

school teammate, I was amazed to learn how Bruce always stuck up for the underdog and was a well-respected young man. Everyone knew Bruce had an amazing future after his time with the Marines. Straight out of high school, Bruce was recruited to compete on many Division I college football teams. He chose to walk onto the football team at the University of Illinois with gridiron legend Dick Butkus, now considered among the top NFL players in history. They went on to win the Rose Bowl together. My uncle also had a powerful patriotic sense of duty to his country during the war in Vietnam. He was eventually given the opportunity to either fight on the battlefield or continue playing football at Quantico. He strongly believed he was a Marine first and an athlete second. So, he chose to fly to Vietnam and fight, where he died. When Bruce passed away, one of the first people outside of the family to realize it was Bill Duchon, Bruce’s football coach and neighbor who’d watched Bruce and my father grow up. He saw military vehicles in my grandparents’ driveway and said, “I think we just lost Bruce.” It was a heartbreaking realization. The whole town showed up for his funeral, and he remains a household name, especially among the football players.

Lisa at the Anthem Veterans Memorial

In my uncle’s case, he was truly gifted at football. Born on March 18, 1943, “Bruce” (the name he went by) was a household name in his hometown Glen Ellyn, Illinois, not only for his skill but also his kindness. He became such a renowned player that his school, now known as Glenbard West High School, honors their top players with “The Hitter Award,” named after the way Capel played and conducted himself on and off the field. When I received a call from my uncle’s old high

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The loss of my uncle was mourned beyond Glen Ellyn, too. My uncle’s player number at University of Illinois was 51. After he was killed in action, Dick Butkus took 51 as his own jersey number to honor my uncle when Butkus went on to play for the Chicago Bears. The Bears later retired 51. As proud as I am of my uncle’s unique story, he’s far from alone. In total, 13 Quantico Marine athletes died in service during the Vietnam War, many who could’ve done astounding things, but they sacrificed their lives for their country instead. HowWe Honored Quantico Athletes at AVM The Quantico Athletes program was eventually dissolved by 1972 as the war ended and available players were thinned out. However, the legacy of these athletes and those who died for their service is still remembered by all our affected families and, now, all of the future visitors of the Anthem Veterans Memorial.

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On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, we will be holding our annual client appreciation event at our office. We are hiring a professional portrait photographer to take photos of our clients’ families. Singles, couples, and families are all welcome. This is being provided at no charge to our clients! Hi‑resolution rendered images will be emailed to our clients in time for them to use for holiday greeting card

In January 2021, we laid pavers with the names of all our fallen Quantico Marine Athletes of the Sixties, including my uncle.

Although the Quantico Marine base has a memorial for these athletes today, as a civilian, I can’t walk onto the base on my own and honor my uncle’s memory. It was a privilege of a lifetime to lay down pavers in conjunction with the Quantico Marine Athletes of the Sixties — not only for Bruce, someone beloved by his family and community, but also for 12 other veterans who are so incredibly deserving of having their names and legacy preserved for generations to come. To our fallen veterans, but also to our serving service members and living veterans, thank you so much for your service. I’m tremendously proud and grateful to know many service members who fight the battles on behalf of our country.

mailings, social media posts, etc. The “studio” location is our office at

3668 Anthem Way, B158, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clients must have an appointment and are requested to call Lisa Jones at 602-677-4130 to schedule their family photo time. Additional details will be provided on the call. HOW DINING ROOMS ARE EVOLVING –Lisa Jones

Interior decorating experts have been asking for a while: Are dining rooms out of style? The holidays are all about sitting down and eating with our loved ones, but it’s not often that an entire room is dedicated to dining anymore. However, thanks to the pandemic, the once dying dining room is seeing daily use again — and the key is relaxation, comfort, and versatility. You probably don’t want your dining room to be just for dining anymore, so consider a convertible dining table. For big holidays, it’ll seat over 12 people, but, for regular use, it’ll seat four. You can then utilize the free space as a coffee or tea station, an exercise area, a reading nook, or a comfy space to watch TV and relax. Plants and small décor can liven up the space and make it feel cozier. We hope you consider how to create your own beautiful, convertible dining space to make it more versatile in your home!

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The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. HAVE A LOW- STRESS HOLIDAY 3 Tips for a Merrier Time

Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

Spicy, savory, and sweet, this unique stuffing will level up your Thanksgiving table. INGREDIENTS

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1 lb Mexican chorizo 1 white onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1 celery rib, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled

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1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1/2 cup chicken stock 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing Cilantro, for garnish Cotija cheese, for garnish

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DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections.

Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

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A HOMEOWNER’S QUICK GUIDE ON THE DIFFERENCES ARE YOU RENOVATING, REMODELING, RESTORING, OR REFURBISHING?

Top 5 Holiday Dec Need Impressive, Festive Decor

The DL Jones Home Team is just as excited as you are for the holidays this year! With more families gathering and reuniting in 2021, here are a few trendy ways to spruce up your home before hosting your next festive get-together. No. 1: Use eco-friendly, sustainable decor. Because everyone was forced to be indoors, people have come to appreciate the true value of the outdoors and our planet even more. That’s why sustainability is making

its way into holiday 2021 decor trends. Consider using energy efficient LED Christmas string lights, which are cool to the touch, can last up to 40 holiday

A nationwide survey shows that people born between 1965–1980 are more likely to remodel an old home than purchase a new one. You’ve probably had thoughts about buying a fixer-upper as well, whether you’d be a first-time homeowner or looking to expand your real estate assets. But did you know there’s a very specific difference between remodeling an old home versus renovating, restoring, or refurbishing it? Here are a few key differences. About Building Renovations When renovating a home, you are typically returning a building to an improved condition without altering the original design very much. This includes replacing and upgrading present components of the property to meet required standards. Renovation projects often are completed to increase the value of buildings and are finished in a shorter period of time with a lower budget than most other projects.

seasons, and use 75% less energy than incandescent string lights. Wrapping real or decorative presents made from recyclable or reused materials (e.g., magazines and newspapers) is also a great way to pass on the joy of reducing, reusing, and recycling! No. 2: Go monochrome.

“Keeping it simple” has never been easier — if you’re really stuck on a theme, make your space enchanting with beautiful, elegant shades of gray and a few bright accent colors to make your holiday spirit especially classy this year! No. 3: Bring back sparse Christmas trees. In 2020, sparse “Charlie Brown Holiday Special” Christmas trees began to take over Instagram and Twitter. In 2021, it’ll likely be no different! While they aren’t the historical image of a beautiful

Why are renovations cost-effective? When you don’t have to create an entirely different layout for the property, it takes out some of the costs of designing and extra materials for your project. To start planning, pick out the parts of the

project you can do yourself and the parts you can’t. Then, hire qualified professionals to complete the necessary aspects.

Before you remodel your space, don’t forget to consider your budget, resources, and time — a remodeling project may require much more time than you’d expect, especially when

Renovations often include repairs like fixing the light or plumbing fixtures, repairing cracks in the wall, and updating an old ceiling. About Building Remodeling If you’re remodeling, that means you intend to completely transform the layout and structure of a building, changing the usage of space. It’s costlier than renovations and may include various services from professionals like architects, plumbers, and electricians.

coordinating multiple services. Also, remember that while renovations don’t usually require a permit, remodeling almost always does. About Building Restoration Think of a local historical building — it’s probably undergone a restoration at one point or another. Restorations involve returning a building to its former state rather than being focused on replacing or updating any components. Because restorations aim at achieving authenticity and

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Inexpensive Community Internet May Be the Future GUERILLA WI-FI

cor Trends in 2021 r Ideas? We Have You Covered

Christmas tree, as Charlie Brown taught us, Christmas is really all about you and your loved ones. Sparsely decorated Christmas trees allow your pictures and heirloom ornaments to attract all the viewer’s attention. No. 4: Make it retro. Nostalgia has been an ongoing trend in 2020 and 2021 — we all long for a time that seemed easier and more romantic. Try looking for some retro accents to your Christmas decor this year, whether it’s mid-century furniture, groovy patterns from the ‘60s, ceramic Christmas trees, or luxurious faux fur rugs. No. 5: Less is more.

If you live in a middle-class or wealthy neighborhood, you probably have multiple options for internet providers. However, in rural towns and underfunded areas, Americans can be limited to only one or two internet provider options. With such a limited selection, these providers can often charge any kind of price they want. But what if smaller volunteer groups could provide high- speed internet for affordable prices? That’s exactly what volunteer network NYC Mesh is doing! How It Works A fiber connection is the gold standard for internet providers; however, NYC Mesh finds that using “fixed wireless” options, like rooftop routers, can deliver a signal strong enough for residential use. It’s also much faster and cheaper to deploy than a fiber connection. For residents who are still nervous, NYC Mesh not only has a subsidized option for installations but also a low suggested monthly donation of $20–$60.

Must your Christmas living room overflow with green, red, holly, and cheer? Not everyone thinks so. Many lifestyle and interior designer experts

behind the “sparse tree” trend believe that 2021 will be full of creative, beautiful ideas for designing an understated yet elegant Christmas look.

NYC Mesh is one of many fixed-wireless groups in New York City — another small for-profit, Starry, which is a Boston-based start-up, is rolling out flat-rate internet plans for $50 a month in large urban markets across the country, including New York City. And the principle is the same: to provide more affordable internet options to the nearly 46% of impoverished U.S. households without a home connection. Will the Trend Continue? And Does It Really Work? For now, it’s safe to say that community Wi-Fi is here to stay. The Internet Master Plan released by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio offers free use of rooftops on public buildings and street light poles to providers, large and small, to build their network infrastructures. This is a huge boon to grassroots groups like NYC Mesh, which depend on rooftop access for installations. Like other fixed-wireless Wi-Fi connections, many households have been pleased with NYC Mesh. Some even raise their monthly donation after signing on just to support the cause. Although some community Wi-Fi solutions are crushed under regulation and corporate interests, it seems like DIY internet technology continues to adapt and evolve.

If you take up some of these tips, we’d love to see your holiday homes! Email your holiday home photos to [email protected] and she will post them to our Facebook page and tag you!

replication, new utilities such as A/Cs, furnaces, or fire alarms are often installed in a concealed manner. About Building Refurbishment If you’re planning to improve a home’s sustainability and energy efficiency, you’re likely looking at a building refurbishment project, which includes improving building decor, cleaning, re-equipping, and retrofitting. Like renovation and restoration, refurbishment aims to restore a building to its former state, while improving the building’s overall performance.

In the upcoming years, maybe all our communities will adopt a similar solution, too!

Thanks for joining us, and we hope these terms help you when you enter your own home construction journey!

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Filling Red Kettles With Christmas Joy HOW WE HELP WITH THE SALVATION ARMY’S FAMOUS HOLIDAY TRADITION

It All Started With ‘The General’ William Booth, an English evangelist, started The Salvation Army in 1878 as a religious outreach to London’s poorest individuals. To accomplish this, Booth called himself “The General” and fashioned The Salvation Army based on Britain’s military. From the very start, his “soldiers” wore uniforms, and their charity missions were always described in militant, martial terminology. By 1891, The Salvation Army was rapidly expanding to the United States, but their eagerness to help the poor didn’t always match the available funding. In San Francisco, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee wanted to serve a Christmas feast for thousands of the city’s poorest residents. Without any funding, however, he decided to grab a crab pot from a local wharf, and he

In Phoenix, you often know it’s Christmastime not by snowy or tinseled streets, but by red kettles outside your local Fry’s Marketplace, usually staffed by people in Santa suits and Salvation Army uniforms (or sometimes, just festively dressed local Realtors — but we’ll get to that!). We’ve seen red kettles around the holidays for as long as many of us can remember. But how did red kettles get started as a tradition?

hung it from a tripod at a busy intersection. Above the pot, he wrote: “Fill the Pot for the Poor — Free Dinner on Christmas Day.” It was a huge success, and news of his improvised fundraising campaign spread to the nation. Now, red kettles provide thousands of Christmas dinners for the poor in nearly every state of the United States. Say Hello — Consider Stopping by on Wednesdays! After Thanksgiving week, Real Estate Wednesdays begin, which means that Lisa and Dennis will be at the Anthem Fry’s Marketplace in person from 4–6 p.m., gathering funds for our local Salvation Army red kettle! We’d love to see you. Come by with your spare change and get your free holiday hug!

Lisa & Dennis ringing the bell

Comparison Shop Like a Champ DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season can be expensive. Sure, you might describe this time of year with less cynical words like “magical” or “warm,” but unfortunately, most stores don’t accept magic or warmth as legal tender. Whether it be for gifts or for holiday meals and treats, most people want to get the most for their money while saving their time and energy. That’s what makes comparison shopping in the age of technology so worthwhile. In case you didn’t already guess its meaning, “comparison shopping” is simply when you compare prices of the same or similar products at different stores or online retailers. You’ve probably done comparison shopping without knowing you were doing it. However, once you truly embrace the concept, you can increase your savings. Plus, by using the bevy of online price comparison tools, you can do so without scrambling around to every store in town.

If you want to comparison shop like a champ this holiday season, here are a few general tips. The best deal isn’t always the lowest price. If you’re buying gifts online, be sure to take shipping costs into account. They might end up making the cheaper option more expensive in the end. You should also take a look at the return fees, in case these could drive the price up significantly. Look at the per unit price for food. If you’re buying groceries for Thanksgiving dinner, sometimes the item that’s more expensive at face value is actually cheaper per unit. That can mean you’ll save money overall by buying in bulk. Be wary of markups. Black Friday can leave you feeling frenzied, and that’s not always when stores have their best deals. In fact, many of them mark up their prices

(sometimes “discounting” them back to their regular price) in preparation for that day. It’s a good rule of thumb to be wary of massive “sales” at big retail locations. If you want to know where you can compare prices, take a look at any one of these apps: Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, Shopping. com, Idealo, Shopzilla, BuyVia, NowDiscount, ScanLife, or ShopSavvy.

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Research Says Gratitude Helps Us Live Longer, More Fulfilling Lives Giving Thanks Is Healthier Than You Think

Take a Break

Thanksgiving is a healthy reminder that gratitude is an important part of our lives. And we really do mean healthy — researchers have found that gratitude significantly increases happiness, improves sleep, boosts immunity, and decreases risk of disease. The Power of Writing About Gratitude In one study, psychologists from University of California, Davis and University of Miami asked participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics. One group wrote about what they were grateful for during the week. Another group wrote about daily irritations or things that displeased them. A third group wrote about events that had affected them, with no direction on whether they had to be positive or negative. After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were significantly more optimistic and felt more positively about their lives. Surprisingly, they even exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on negativity. With higher levels of optimism, some studies suggest that you reduce your heart disease risk by at least 77%, and you’re much more likely to live past 85. A study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that the benefits of gratitude are even multidimensional, not just improving our minds and bodies but also our connections with family, friends, and colleagues. How long do these effects last? While they’re best enjoyed with a gradual long-term habit of practicing gratitude, further studies have shown that feeling or expressing gratitude leaves long-lasting effects on the brain, lasting up to 12 weeks or more in some studies. If you want to improve your mood, a daily practice is best — and starting with a gratitude journal can be a powerful tool. Try writing down at least three things you’re grateful for every morning and three things you’re glad happened that day before bed. There’s even a free Five-Minute Journal app, based on the famous “Five-Minute Journal,” to get you started. Gratitude Cues Work, Too Any habit needs reminders, so why not set up photos of people, activities, or things that make you happy? With positive notes, images, and/or inspirational quotes in view, you can always reinforce your feelings of gratitude. At DL Jones Homes Team, we couldn’t be more grateful for our supportive clients and partners who make our business possible — we’re always reminded how lucky we are to have you. Thank you so much, and our team wishes you a beautiful Thanksgiving.

CIDER CORNUCOPIA

GATHERING PIES PILGRIMS STUFFING

SCORPIO THANKFUL TRADITION VETERANS

FEAST GALES

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Immortalizing the Legacy of Quantico Marine Athletes of the Sixties at AVM Join Us for Our Client Appreciation Event! In 2021, Dining Rooms Saw a Makeover Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing Inside

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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3668 W. AnthemWay, Ste. B-158 • Anthem, AZ 85086 602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com

Lowering Holiday Stress

Read This Guide Before Buying a Fixer‑Upper Don’t Miss the Top 5 Holiday Decor Trends in 2021!

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Is Community Wi-Fi the Future?

Join Us for The Salvation Army’s Biggest Holiday Tradition Comparison Shop Like a Champ This Holiday Season

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Giving Thanks Is Healthier Than You Think

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Take a Break

Try Stress Relief — It Might Save Your Heart

How Stress Relief Will Save Your Heart Plus, HowWe Make Homeowners’ Lives Better

Unfortunately, the holiday season (and even buying or selling a home!) can be very stressful. Nobody needs to be more aware of their stress, but with National Stress Awareness Day on Nov. 3, we thought we’d talk about the health issues stress can cause. Helping Our Body Unwind Stress is often linked to hypertension, or high blood pressure. While stress in the short term can be good and even help us get our work done, chronic stress is a major problem for our bodies. We’re not meant to be in survival mode 100% of the time. It leaves lasting effects on our body, even after the threat is over. In fact, that’s part of the reason hypertension is called the “silent killer.” Even though it often presents no symptoms, high blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and other health risks and events. Finding Relief From Stress Stress relief doesn’t mean just making time for your favorite hobbies (although that’s helpful!). It’s also about strategizing your life and career to create your ideal stress-free lifestyle. In life, it’s often impossible to completely avoid stress, but experts

can help you navigate life’s most stressful situations, including buying or selling a home.

At DL Jones, we’ve learned firsthand where home buying or selling can go wrong and what needs to be done to correct that. This includes an army of vetted, honest vendors and contractors to tackle any home repair needed and a utility contact information list to make connects and disconnects easy for our clients. As a result, we work ahead of potential issues and are available every step of the way. If you need us to help reduce your stress through this process, reach out to Lisa at [email protected] or 602-677-4130. Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com

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