ABC Blog

Fall Fun Events in DFW

The summer heat is starting to slowly ease, and soon the leaves will be changing colors. The scent of pumpkin spice fills the air in coffee shops. It’s fall in DFW!

We love to celebrate each season, and we want to help our customers do the same. This year, we have compiled a list of fall fun events in DFW to help you spot the perfect pumpkin or get into the spooky spirit just in time for Halloween. Here’s a fall fun round up for all of our Dallas/Fort Worth customers from your friends at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

Autumn at the Arboretum

September 22 – November 21

One of the most popular and beautiful fall attractions in the Dallas area is Autumn at the Arboretum. Wander through displays of more than 90,000 pumpkins and enjoy the fall foliage in 15 different gardens. This year’s fall theme is “Adventures in Neverland” and features … Read Full Post »

5 Green Cleaning Ideas

One of the best ways to deter pests from thriving in your home is with a regular cleaning routine. However, if you are environmentally conscious, cleaning can feel practically toxic. So many modern cleaning supplies contain chemicals that are harmful to the ozone and the eco system.

At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we believe in reducing our impact on the environment whenever possible. We’ve done our research and rounded up some green cleaning solutions you can use to keep your home fresh without harming the earth. Here are our five green cleaning ideas:

1. Remove Stains and Odors with Lemon

Ever noticed how often cleaning chemicals are lemon scented? We have a tendency to associate lemons with cleanliness, but not everyone realizes this is founded in the fruit’s natural properties. Lemon juice is very acidic, so it works to deodorize and remove stains from surfaces naturally. Try mixing lemon with baking soda to … Read Full Post »

What Is Fiesta San Antonio? All About This City Celebration

what is Fiesta San Antonio

What is Fiesta San Antonio? Fiesta is the city’s biggest annual festival to celebrate the rich culture and history of the Alamo City. More than one-fifth of Fiesta attendees come from outside of San Antonio and around three and a half million people take part in this popular celebration each year. Keep reading to learn more about Fiesta, the history behind the festival, the parades, Rey Feo and more.

History of Fiesta San Antonio

The history of Fiesta San Antonio dates back to 1891. Previously known and referred to as Fiesta San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio began as a flower parade. The initial idea and concept, like most parades and festivals, was meant to be a celebration. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the festival was meant to salute the heroes of the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto; it was the brainchild of Ellen Maury Slyden, the wife of then … Read Full Post »

ABC Supports American Heart Association’s Heart Walk

Austin Heart Walk

One in seven deaths in the United States is linked to heart disease. Coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke—all heart conditions—represent the number one cause of death in the United States. Over 92 million Americans are living with some type of cardiovascular disease or are experiencing the after-effects of a stroke.

Since 1924, the American Heart Association has been working to fight heart disease through research, public health policy and education. The organization has set an ambitious goal for 2020: to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% and to reduce the deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20%.

Each year, the American Heart Association hosts the annual Austin Heart Walk to bring the community together to have fun, get inspired and support a meaningful cause. The owner of ABC Home & Commercial Services in Austin, Bobby Jenkins, is on the Board of Directors of the local affiliate.

Austin Heart Walk 2017

ABC … Read Full Post »

What To Feed Ducks and Where To Feed Ducks in Austin

What to feed ducks

One of life’s simple pleasures is feeding animals. Feeding ducks is a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Before you head out the door with that old loaf of bread, take a few minutes to learn more about what to feed ducks, what types of ducks you’ll commonly see in the southern states and the best places to feed ducks in Austin.

What to Feed Ducks

Most people think stale bread is the perfect treat for ducks in your local pond, but that’s a common misconception. So, even if the bread isn’t stale, can ducks eat bread? The short answer: yes, but it isn’t the ideal food.

Why Isn’t Bread Ideal for Ducks?

Bread isn’t the ideal food for ducks because it has little nutritional value and can cause health problems in ducklings, lead to overcrowding and contaminate the water in which they live. Crackers, chips, donuts, cereal and popcorn are good sources of … Read Full Post »

2017 Corpus Christi Bucket List, Summer Edition

2017 Corpus Christi Bucket List Summer

Temperatures are rising and it’s time to make your list of the top things to do this summer in Corpus Christi, Texas! Fortunately, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Summer Bucket List that has something for everyone, including both indoor and outdoor summer fun activities.

2017 Corpus Christi Bucket List, Summer Edition

Corpus is known for its fantastic museums and bird watching opportunities—and, of course, its beautiful beaches and all that comes along with Gulf Coast culture. But this town also has plenty of indoor culture, and you don’t have to be into fishing, boating or even swimming to enjoy every bit of your summer in Corpus Christi. 

Fun for the Whole Family

Take the whole family for a museum day outing and hit the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and the Texas Surf Museum. You can also head to the North Beach area to visit the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington, a … Read Full Post »

ABC Owners Bike Across Country For Charity

Brothers Bike

Three brothers. Two charities. Four thousand miles.

Bobby, Dennis and Raleigh Jenkins, the owners of ABC Home & Commercial Services, will be cycling across the country this summer to raise money for A Child’s Hope and the Moss Pieratt Foundation.

ABC Owners Bike Across Country for Charity

The ride will start in Seattle on May 23, 2017 and end in New York City. The Jenkins brothers are biking to support two organizations that are near and dear to their hearts. You can learn more about the ride, donate and subscribe to email updates on the Brothers Bike website.

This is not the first time the ABC owners have cycled for charity. In 2008, the Jenkins brothers biked from Austin to Canada to fundraise for Caritas of Austin. Afer that trip, they set their sights on a cross-country charity ride. “My brothers and I are willing to put in the sweat equity … Read Full Post »

2017 Austin Bucket List, Summer Edition

2017 Austin Bucket List Summer

It’s no secret that Austin has a lot to offer. Summer provides the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Whether you’re a lifelong Austinite or a newbie, our bucket list includes all the top things to do around town during the summer months.

Top Things To Do This Summer in Austin

Summer fun doesn’t have to be limited to the time you spend poolside.  From indoor activities to culinary treats to museums, we’ve got something for everybody here in the Live Music Capital of the World on our 2017 Austin Bucket List for Summer.  Think outside the box, get creative and see why so many people consider Austin the best place on Earth!

Fuel Up

When people think of Austin, one of the first things that comes to mind is food, and specifically, tacos. What Austinites know (and love) is that the taco isn’t just for … Read Full Post »

2017 San Antonio Bucket List, Summer Edition

2017 San Antonio Bucket List Summer

Looking for the top things to do this summer in San Antonio, Texas? It’s heating up outside, and your summer bucket list 2017 starts here!

2017 San Antonio Bucket List, Summer Edition

San Antonio summer fun activities range from cultural events to awesome amusement parks, dining experiences you can’t have anywhere else in the world and so much more. When it comes to the top things to do this summer in San Antonio, there’s truly something for everyone. Read on to get our ideas on how to have the best summer in San Antonio!

Take Your Kids to the Zoo, the DoSeum and Kiddie Park

The San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park is a wonderland of all kinds of animals living in habitats nestled along trails and amongst lush foliage. You can ride the train or the Zootennial Carousel or visit the spectacular butterfly garden. Near the zoo is the DoSeum, San Antonio’s children’s … Read Full Post »

2017 Orlando Bucket List, Summer Edition

orlando bucket list summer

Temperatures are inching higher here in central Florida, and you know what that means—it’s time for all summer fun activities! Wondering about the top things to do this summer in Orlando, Florida? The Sunshine State is famous for its theme parks and extensive outdoor fun opportunities, but Disney, swimming holes, and great hiking spots are just the beginning of all that central Florida has to offer.

Orlando Bucket List, Summer Edition

Our Orlando Summer Bucket List is below, and don’t worry: This list of summer fun activities truly has something for everyone. Read on to learn about the top things to do this summer in Orlando.

Water and Theme/Adventure Parks

Wekiwa Springs State Park is just a 20-minute drive north of Orlando, and it’s well worth the trip. You’ll get a glimpse of gorgeous, unspoiled vistas that hint at how central Florida appeared to the Timucuan Indians who lived here long ago. There’s truly … Read Full Post »