In this issue, get to know wine enthusiast, avid golfer, and Outlook VIP Bob Dooley. And meet our Corporate Director of Operations and Hospitality, Ke’o Velasquez, who has some exciting (and delicious) plans for The Outlook’s culinary program. Details, details: VIPs have been busy making their finish selections for their new residences—get the details from Personalization Coordinator Lane Phanthavong. Plus, get caught up on some of the recent VIP events and mark your calendars for the new ones coming up.
And there’s a lot more waiting for you inside this month’s issue!
Perhaps you know someone who’d like to learn about The Outlook at Windhaven. If so, contact us at (972) 996-3887 or TheOutlook@nullForefrontLiving.org and you will both benefit! Our VIP referral rewards program has been revamped. See details.
Meet Your Future Neighbor
Robert “Bob” Dooley
Bob Dooley had two wildly different careers. The first as a decades-long, dedicated, and high-ranking IRS agent and tax aficionado, the second as a wine store owner and oenophile extraordinaire. Though retired, he continues to dabble in both—while throwing in some golf to round things out.
Bob was born and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He attended Bradley University there and graduated with a degree in accounting. He started off his career in Peoria as well, working as an IRS agent there. Bob’s work with the IRS took him all over the United States, including DC, Little Rock, and Dallas, with progressively higher responsibility in each office.
Bob retired from the IRS in 1999 and went to work for Deloitte, where he saw the other side of the tax business as director of the group whose charge was to assist clients that were going through IRS examinations. He stayed with Deloitte for ten years and retired from there in 2009. Despite being retired from this career, Bob still helps people with tax issues here and there.
After all this hard work, Bob thought, “it was time to drink wine and play golf.” He had some friends from the IRS who had opened a small wine store in Plano, and he became a partner with them. They had the store for 15 years (it was sold just a few years ago). Being involved in this business venture was a lot of fun, and Bob met lots of great people—including many winemakers and distributors. The store hosted tastings, both free ones open to the public on Saturdays and other tasting parties for visiting winemakers. Bob made many memorable trips to California and over the years has really enjoyed meeting people in the wine industry and learning about how they got into the business. Their stories helped cement his interest and good feelings about this work and the people behind it.
Though no longer a store owner, wine is still very much a part of Bob’s life. He enjoys hosting wine tastings and is still involved in distribution. He also continues his travels to California, sharing that “aside from family and friends, I consider Napa my happy place.” He goes at least once a year and, for good measure, throws in side trips to Pebble Beach to play golf. Bob is an avid golfer, playing courses all over the Dallas area.
Bob has two children and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Dallas. His daughter has a PhD and is a child psychologist in Dallas. His son creates and maintains websites for small businesses, and is father to Bob’s grandkids, ages 12 and 17.
As Bob puts it, “Maintaining a home just becomes a little onerous sometimes.” This notion played a significant part in his decision to relocate to The Outlook at Windhaven. The added opportunities for social activities and entertainment also helped. “The Outlook for me was in a great location,” he notes (it is actually within walking distance of the wine store he was part of). “The Outlook has a great reputation from their sister community and parent organization… What they are planning looks pretty fantastic, both the building and opportunities available,” he adds. Bob has been to some of the meet-and-greet events hosted by The Outlook, where he enjoyed getting to know other VIPs and learning that their motivations for moving are often the same as his. Bob sees moving to The Outlook as “an opportunity to stay active and stay involved with people, and that keeps you happy and young at heart.”
Bringing Diversity in Cuisine to the Forefront
Corporate Director of Operations and Hospitality
Ke’o Velasquez plans to infuse The Outlook at Windhaven’s culinary program with a very special ingredient:
Diversity.
As Forefront Living‘s Corporate Director of Operations and Hospitality, Ke’o’s 20 years’ experience in the hospitality and senior living industries and passion for multi-ethnic cuisine will be appearing on the menu at The Outlook. But don’t worry, if you crave a cheeseburger, chef salad, or grilled salmon, that will be on the menu too!
Previously, Ke’o served as the Executive Sous Chef for The Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving, Texas, overseeing all aspects of the extensive culinary program. He has received multiple awards from national and international organizations including The American Culinary Federation and Chaine de Rotisseurs. Ke’o was also featured on Food Network’s Best Young Chefs of America program.
“I am very excited to be with the Forefront family and in the next chapter of my senior living journey. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the culture and sharing my passion for the industry and hospitality,” Velasquez said.
Ke’o (pronounced Kay-Oh) enjoys traveling to his native Hawaii, camping with his son, working on projects around the house and cooking.
Cable vs. Streaming Survey
Outlook VIPs were recently asked to take a survey concerning cable vs. streaming. Click the graphs below to see the results.
Paint the Night Away with VIPs
Feb. 14, 2023
On Valentine’s Day, The Outlook at Windhaven team tapped into their artistic side as they hosted a unique mixer for Outlook VIPs at Plano’s Painting with a Twist.
More than 35 future residents filled the workshop, where music, chatter and laughs were prevalent throughout the event. The VIP artists enjoyed several snack breaks to munch on an array of yummy refreshments and beverages provided by the always-hospitable Outlook Sales and Marketing team. We look forward to seeing these beautiful works of art hanging in residents’ future homes at The Outlook at Windhaven.
Save-The-Date
Mark your calendar for these great upcoming VIP events!
Interior Design Insight and Overview
Please join us for one of the following times:
Tues April 4 OR Wed April 5
9:00 am – 10:15 am10:45 am – 12:00 pm FULL
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
We are excited to host Bridget Bohacz, who is the interior designer for The Outlook, and Mallori Smyers, who is an architect with Greystone, at our upcoming design presentation. A representative from Forefront leadership will also be on hand as we hear a brief construction update, learn more about the residence finish options, and get a sneak peek of some of The Outlook’s amenity spaces. All presentations will take place at the Information Center. Please RSVP to Rachel at rmcgowan@nullforefrontliving.org or (972) 996-3887. She will need to confirm availability, as seating is limited. If you have questions in advance, please share them when you RSVP. Not available for any of these 8 presentations? Just let us know and we’ll send you a recording of the presentation.
VIP Appreciation Social
Monday, April 10, 4-6 pm
Capital Grille
The Shops at Legacy
7300 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75024
Join us for appetizers & libations as you visit with your future neighbors. Typically exclusive to VIPs, this event is an opportunity to invite a friend you feel would be a great neighbor. All VIPs who bring a friend will be entered into a fun drawing.
Complimentary valet parking.
Finding Your Path Forward:
A Financial Review with Brad Breeding
Certified Financial Planner and President and co-founder of myLifeSite.
Tuesday, May 23, 2 pm
Forefront Living
12467 Merit Drive
Dallas, TX 75251
A senior living expert and nationally recognized speaker, Brad provides valuable insights on senior living, retirement planning, and related topics. Brad is often interviewed by national media outlets, including Kiplinger’s, Money, USA Today and The New York Times. His latest book is entitled What’s the Deal with Retirement Communities?
Travel Tips with Carrie Conner
CPA, TravelToolsTips.com
Tip #1: Check out Reviews on GearLab
GearLab is a website pearl and is top-notch for getting independent reviews for infrequently purchased sporting and travel gear. Their reviews span products from binoculars to yoga mats. Visit GearLab here: outdoorgearlab.com.
Tip #2: Know Seat Pitch
Know your Seat Pitch, which is the distance between seats on a plane that is getting rapidly smaller every year. Google Flights is a great website to get that data fast. Select the caret next to the flight price. Seat pitch of 30-31” is tight and may justify an upgrade to a bigger seat. Seat pitch of 32-33” is best. Visit Google Flights here: https://www.google.com/travel/flights.
Follow us on social media!
There is a lot happening at The Outlook. Stay up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Click on the links below to follow us and be entered for a chance to win one of our new Outlook T-shirts!
Personalization Corner
An Update from Lane Phanthavong,
Personalization Coordinator
It’s been a very busy couple of months as I continue to work with VIPs to personalize their cottage and apartment homes! MEP changes have already been completed for all five floors as well as for the cottages; and just in time, as the cottage slab pours started earlier this month! We are wrapping up finish selections such as flooring, countertops, backsplash, etc., for the cottages.
I have really enjoyed working with each VIP to help create a beautiful new home. And as you consider your personalization options, it is important to keep in mind that this process is different from choosing selections in a custom home. My role is to help support you in making the best choice for you. Upgrades/custom requests are priced by the construction contractor, and there is no profit margin included for The Outlook. In reviewing your choices, we hope that you will also keep in mind and focus on the most important benefits that come with living at The Outlook at Windhaven and a CCRC: certainty, predictability, community, companionship, security, and a self-directed life!
I look forward to seeing each of you again soon!
Sincerely,
Lane Phanthavong
Personalization Coordinator
design@nullforefrontliving.org
972-996-3887
Some Notes from Our VIPs
“I had such an enjoyable experience working with Lane Phanthavong on the MEP options for my future home at The Outlook. She went out of her way to ensure that I thoroughly understood the process and the possible choices. And she was so patient with me. I never felt rushed or pressured in any way.
It was very obvious that she sincerely cared about the outcome and ensured that my needs were met. She is such a joy to work with!
All of my encounters with staff members at The Outlook at Windhaven have been very positive experiences. I feel grateful and blessed to have found the Forefront Living organization.”
– A grateful Outlook VIP
Welcome to a Few of Our Newest VIPs
Refer a Friend and Get Rewarded
With construction well underway and more than 80% of residences reserved, there is no better time to recommend The Outlook at Windhaven to a friend or family member. And what could be better than getting to choose your neighbors? For a limited time, your potential new neighbor can take advantage of special pre-opening pricing and benefits while some amazing apartment homes are still available.
So, if you know someone you think would be ideal for The Outlook, let us know. And you both win!
IF YOUR FRIEND RESERVES A RESIDENCE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A $500 H-E-B GIFT CARD RIGHT NOW.*
AFTER YOU AND YOUR FRIEND MOVE IN, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CREDIT OF $3,500 & THEY WILL RECEIVE $2,500.*
Contact us at (972) 996-3887 or TheOutlook@nullForefrontLiving.org
*Offer valid for new referrals only. Effective through 6/30/23.
Construction Corner
You can check out the latest construction progress videos on our website at theoutlookatwindhaven.org
- Tying onto sanitary, water main and utility lines
- Pour concrete for Outlook Drive
- Begin elevated deck pour for Assisted Living and Memory Care wing
- Pour foundation slabs for Cottages
- Install structural steel for Independent Living building
- Continued elevator shaft work
Pour—administration building
Help Parkinson’s Disease Research:
Scratch-and-Sniff Test
Forefront Living is partnering with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help end Parkinson’s disease. Early research indicates that smell loss is an important indicator of risk to brain health as we age. A simple scratch-and-sniff test is all that is needed to gain important information about your brain health. So, if you are age 60 or older and have not been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, download the flyer for information on how you can help. Once you register, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will send you a free scratch-and-sniff test to complete. You might be a candidate to join a brain health study and further the effort to end Parkinson’s forever. Download the PDF for more information.
