July/August 2019
Straight from the
PIPES
ClearWater Plumbers
What’s With the Buses? …Continued From Page 4
drivers were allowed to “smoke butts” while they drove us around the hills surrounding Eagle Mountain Lake. You definitely don’t see that today! After getting the bus home, we got straight to work. First, we cut off the top of it and welded a pipe rack to make a roof for the people riding inside. Now, we use it for Christmas, the Fourth of July, some Halloween events, and any other events we do. While I’ve got some good use out of our parade bus, I’m still not sure what to do with the rest of the fleet. The good thing is, in true vagabond style, all the buses are old enough that they have reached maximum depreciation. Even if I don’t figure it out any time soon, I’ve got a good investment in several tons of rolling scrap metal. Well, I don’t know if I justified the purchase of this “nondepreciating” fleet of rolling iron. Good thing my wife and family still tolerate my eagerness to buy big vehicles we could potentially live in while inching across the horizon. Maybe I really should start selling some of my precious inventory, or, maybe, I should park them all on a couple acres down by the Brazos River and live in them like Greg would have.
up to Alaska with Greg and Davis “Dr. Psycho” for a couple months to go be boys in the last frontier. There was a random crew of us 20-year-olds. Greg designed a T-shirt that he printed, and we sold them on the side of the road and at festivals. The shirts he had designed read “The Great American Drifters.” Greg’s dream was to travel the country in his bus and throw a dart at the map to see what city was next. When we came back from our trip, Greg helped me start up this plumbing business, even though his true calling was the wide-open unknown. Greg ended up in a fatal motorcycle accident not long after our business venture kicked off, but I still like his idea of buses and meeting fun people around the country in the search for the unknown. As ClearWater Plumbers started growing, we became more involved in some of the parades around town. For a few years, we did parades with a trailer, customizing it with new designs every year. The trailers got fancier and fancier, but, eventually, we decided we needed a more permanent parade vehicle. We converted a retired school bus into a chop-top parade bus, and that’s the bus everyone sees when we go out and participate in an event. I bought this first bus in Mineral Wells for about $1,200. It’s a 1986 bus — something I would have been riding around in when I was about 9 years old — with an 8.2-liter Detroit diesel engine. One quirk of this bus is its ashtray. When I was a kid, bus
I think there are a couple reasons why I’m so partial to buses, but the main one is my departed brother, Greg. Greg always wanted to buy an old bus, yank the seats out, squeeze in some furniture, and bam! He could travel around the country for $2,000 (if everything went well because I know from experience that bus tires and towing aren’t cheap). We traveled a lot as kids, and I think that was definitely a motivation behind his dream: to be a vagabond and see the country from his bus, meeting new friends along the way. Around 1996, I drove from Fort Worth
Let me know if you would like dibs on a riverfront vacation home. Quantities are limited. It’s a once- in-a-lifetime offer. Act now!
– Jeff Longspaugh
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voice of the late Robin Williams, the genie will still play a central role in the film’s story and will be brought to life by Will Smith. Actors Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott will play Aladdin and Jasmine, respectively. ‘THE LION KING,’ JULY 2019 The original film became one of the biggest animated features at the time of its release in 1994, and all of the beloved characters will return in a live-action/CGI version. While James Earl Jones will return as the voice for Mufasa, the remake will also feature Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, John Oliver as Zazu, and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, as well as a long list of other talented men and women. Hopefully these three remakes will dredge up some of the same wonder and joy the original stories evoked.
success. Here are three live-action remakes that have been or will be released in 2019.
Even if someone doesn’t consider themselves a movie buff, they’ve likely heard about Disney’s decision to harness — and capitalize on — the power of viewer nostalgia with live-action remakes of its beloved classics. Back in 1996, Disney tested this formula for the first time, releasing “101 Dalmatians” with Glenn Close starring as the brilliantly deranged Cruella stalking puppies for their fur. After breaking box office records on the first weekend, Disney decided to create a slow trickle of other live-action remakes using the same blueprint: “Alice in Wonderland” in 2010, “Cinderella” in 2015, “The Jungle Book” in 2016, and “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017, among several others. By promising viewers the storyline they loved as a child, a star-studded cast, some vaguely cheeky references, 3D visuals, and added action, Disney has created a recipe for box office
‘DUMBO,’ MARCH 2019 Unlike the animated classic released in 1941, this live-action version introduces a former circus star, played by Colin Farrell, and his two children as caretakers of the big-eared, flying mammal. Directed by Tim Burton, “Dumbo” doesn’t use real elephants on screen. Disney instead uses a mixture of CGI and live-action. Other major stars in the film include Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, and Eva Green. ‘ALADDIN,’ MAY 2019 The original “Aladdin” hit theaters in 1992, ultimately pulling in Oscars for best score and best song. Now, 27 years later, Disney has decided to retain many of the original’s musical and narrative elements. While fans of the first film will surely miss hearing the
Smoke Test
soon as you notice a smell. Smoke tests are typically easy and inexpensive, and they won’t damage your lines or home.
Is there a bad smell in your home? Did you know that a smoke test is an inexpensive and easy way to rid your home of smells? A leak in the main line can cause an unwanted smell. A smoke test is a service performed by a trained plumber that pushes nontoxic smoke from a cleanout, vent, or drain through another type of pipe to detect leaks. The smoke test is an
NOTE: There are many factors that cause leaks: hanging a picture and accidentally nailing into a PVC vent pipe, toilets not set and sealed to the flange well, faulty air admittance valves, breaks in vent pipes from settling and small shear-type fractures, A/C condensate, drains piped into
alternative to cutting holes in the walls to find the leaks. Untreated leaks can cause damage to your floors and walls, and who wants their home to smell like a sewer? Don’t put off getting the embarrassing odor looked at. It is our job, and many times, it’s a simple fix. It is important to stay ahead of leaks and keep the air in your home healthy and clean for your family by getting a smoke test as
vents without traps, negative air pressure from powerful exhaust fans in restaurants, and caps missing out on cleanouts.
FUN FACT (OR NOT) Often, clients smell the odor more before it rains because of the barometric pressure of the Earth, similar to the way you smell the rain coming. This could be an indication of a leak.
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Who’s Your Plumber? Kameron L.
INGREDIENTS •
4 Ibs medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved 6 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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1/2 cup heavy cream
Kosher salt DIRECTIONS: 1. In a stockpot or large saucepan, submerge
potatoes in just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, add 2 tbsp of salt, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
Kameron, or Kamo for short, grew up in Springtown, Texas. Fierce POJO Magic runs deep in his family. “POJO Magic” is Springtown’s motto for all things sports. It is a play on Permian High School’s famed MOJO regarding their football program. Kamo is a fourth generation POJO Magic fanatic, and, just like the three before him, he played all sports with POJO pride. Go POJO! Kamo loves being a plumber! He excels at providing information and educating his customers so they can make the best decision for their home. He truly understands that a home is an important investment to his customers, one they are emotionally connected to. It is no surprise that he consistently receives great reviews and positive feedback.
2. Drain potatoes and let cool for 3 minutes.
3. Using a ricer, grate potatoes into the original saucepan over medium heat. 4. With a wooden spoon, stir potatoes until they begin to stick to pan and steam, about 2 minutes. 5. Add butter in four equal batches, stirring constantly and adding each batch only once the last has been fully incorporated into the saucepan. 6. Stir in cream, season liberally with salt, and serve immediately.
If Kamo were a vehicle, he would be a big diesel four-wheel drive. He likes how sturdy and reliable they are and admires those characteristics.
SUDOKU
FUN FACTS ABOUT KAMERON:
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He loves to barbecue.
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He hits the gym regularly.
• He’s a proud father of a 4-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter.
OTHER SKILLS:
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He worked on a drilling rig before becoming a plumber.
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He built marinas.
Kameron says he will be a plumber for the rest of his days. With his passion and attitude, we do not doubt that one bit! We sure love having Kamo on our team!
Answer on Page 4
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ClearWater Plumbers | 817-296-0670 | clearwaterplumber.com
6954 Boat Club Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76179 817-296-0670
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ClearWater Plumbers
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What’s With the Buses?
Disney Harnesses the Power of Nostalgia in 2019
Smoke Test
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Plumber Spotlight: Kameron
Impossibly Silky Mashed Potatoes
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What’s With the Buses?
What’s With the Buses?
One of the questions I often get asked is, “Jeff, what’s up with the buses? Do you send plumbers out in buses to unstop drains and replace water heaters or only on really big jobs when you need a bunch of people?” It’s no wonder people ask. Let me clear the air by trying to justify this compulsion. If I don’t do a good job justifying, I may come off crazier than people think I am, and I will have real problems. I may end up an 80-year-old man alone in a 75-year-old school bus!
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THE FLEET OF UNCONVENTIONAL PLUMBING VEHICLES
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1. “The Parade Bus” — 1986 Ward/GMC school bus (8.2 diesel) 2. “The Band Bus” — 1990 Bluebird Custom Glen Rose HS band (8.2 diesel) 3. “FairWood Court” — 1988 Bluebird WanderLodge (8V92 turbo) 4. “The $50 RV” —Winnebago/Dodge (440 V8 gas) 5. “The Slant 6” — 1968 Dodge Boyertown body (Slant 6 gas)
Continued on Cover...
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