FSM July 2014

NEWCOMERS’ • JULY 2014 • VOL XIX, ISSUE 2 • $3.00
Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995

YEAR-ROUND FUN IN FRISCO

SUPER SALSA SHOWDOWN | IF STEWART CREEK COULD TALK





FEATURE

54
FINDING FUN
IN FRISCO

From food truck festivals to farmers’ markets to
Dive in Movies, Frisco has a variety of exciting
events year round.

On the cover:
Living the Dream

Cover by:
Carroll Burgoon

By Carolyn Cameron
D E PA R T M E N T S

15 BUSINESS

#Marketing | By Allie Spletter

23 FAMILY

Party Planning 411 | By Maria Leahey

15 71 DINING

Super Salsa Showdown | By Andrea Hikel

87 PROFILE

Trailblazer | By Allison Harrell

23 Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors the Celina Balloon Festival, Christmas in the
Square, Clothe-A-Child, Frisco Arts, Frisco Community Parade, Frisco Family Services,
Frisco Freedom Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship,
2014 Mother & Daughter Tea and Style Show, Plano Balloon Festival, Silver Dollar At
The Ranch and is a member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

4 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’



Provided by the City of Frisco. 83 NEWCOMERS’
Provided by Bob Warren JULY 2014
37
publisher
COLUMNS CHRIS JOHNSON

20 BUSINESS REPORT editor
ANDREA HIKEL
31 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
art director
Closer to Moving Dirt | By Steve Gamel LEAH RATLIFF

37 HOME & GARDEN staff photographer
CHRIS FRITCHIE
H2 Low | By Elsa K. Simcik
manager, account services
46 STREETS OF FRISCO ANDREW JOHNSON

49 COMMUNITY DIRECTORY manager, digital media
76 SMALL BITES BEN JOHNSON

78 RECIPE staff writers
ALLISON HARRELL
83 NOW & THEN
CHRIS MARTIN
If Stewart Creek Could Talk | By Bob Warren
director of business development
91 DID YOU KNOW GEORGE RODRIGUEZ

92 COMMUNITY CALENDAR advertising sales
LESA SWIMELAR
94 ONE DAY IN FRISCO | By Chris Fritchie
AD SALES: 972.335.1306
[email protected]

Style Publishing Group,
P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034

Phone: 972.335.1181
Toll Free: 877.781.7067

Fax: 214.722.2313
[email protected]
www.friscostyle.com

No portion of this publication may be
reproduced without express written permission

of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
©2014 All rights reserved.

WANT TO KNOW MORE about this month’s topics? We’ll have addition- NEWCOMERS’
al information on events in Frisco, birthday party venues and more at
friscostyle.com!

6 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved.



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PROFILE HOW HONORED I was to have my days of chivalry and ladies in waiting. These images, however, are
profile in the May issue of Frisco STYLE the very reason that I am unhappy with the mascot.
IF YOU’RE NEW TO FRISCO, it only takes A hard-working student, Ms. Sutton are high on her list of her dearest things Magazine! So many people have
commented on it which is a testament Knights have traditionally been men, even though there are
a short time to develop a love for the city attended Thomas Jefferson High School —Aubrey (5), Reed (7), Madison (9), Tyler to how widely read FSM is. Many of some women in history that have had similar titles, privileges and
my friends said, “I didn’t know you duties as male knights. Nonetheless, a handful of women serving
and a profound pride for its rapid growth, in Dallas and then North Texas State (11) and Rebecca (13). Add to those two did all that!” I was very proud, to say as knights in some vague recesses of history books do not exude
the least. Thank you to everyone at a sense of “girl power.” Our female high school students should
sustainability and rich history. It’s easy University (now University of North wonderful daughters-in-law, Julia (Ethan’s the magazine who contributed to the never feel excluded from the school’s sense of pride and spirit
article and photos, and especially to due to a mascot. On the contrary, a school symbol should evoke
to gain a deep respect for the people Texas) in Denton studying English and wife) and Leslie (Eric’s wife). Publisher Chris Johnson who has lead feelings of belonging, confidence and zeal.

who have focused their lives believing Journalism. She later went to the University After marriage, children and a move to New Orleans, Louisiana has St. Augustine Knights, but this is an
all-male high school. Co-ed Bremerton High School in Washington
in, boasting about and advocating for of Texas for a semester, but a European Arkansas, Ms. Sutton held the position of added a female page to accompany the knight mascot in 2012.
There are many other schools that proudly have a knight as their
Frisco’s wonderful qualities, people and summer vacation derailed completion of community relations director for a small symbol, but most of these schools were established decades ago.
Independence High School has not yet opened, so why not start
businesses. One such hospital, a job that it off with a different message? A message that empowers, not
excludes.
example is Linda Linda Sutton is the original owner and launched a 17-year
There are plenty of other options for a mascot that may serve
Sutton, a longtime founder of Frisco STYLE Magazine. career in healthcare better than the current Knights. How about the Patriots? I hope the
“powers that be” will consider renaming the school’s symbol to be
Frisco resident, communications and more inclusive of all its students.

former Frisco STYLE marketing where she Sincerely,
Urooj Alam Grundmann
Magazine (FSM) learned everything

owner and founder, she needed to know

former Frisco to create and publish

Chamber of Com- a magazine. Around

merce president and 1994, FSM was born.

current Heritage Of publishing FSM,

Association of Ms. Sutton explains,

Frisco (HAF) board “There is nothing

member and Public so exhilarating or

Communications exhausting as owning

Committee chair- your own business! It

person. Throughout was a 24/7 job, but I

the years, she has loved it — I loved

helped lovingly plant going to the office

the seeds that have every day where I

made our wonderful had the opportunity

city the blooming to write, design

garden it is today. and photograph

The youngest of so many people,

three children, Ms. places and events in

Sutton grew up in Frisco. I employed an

Rockwall surrounded average of six people

by family and friends. in editing, graphics

Every day was a Sowing the Seeds and sales. We did
“play date” — kids our best to represent
played in each other’s Frisco in a positive
homes and yards, light and to give

climbed trees and of Frisco businesses a high-
made mud pies. She quality promotional
was an outdoors gal vehicle. I never

and had numerous BY ALLIE SPLETTER thought of myself as
animals that included an entrepreneur, but

a goose, duck, rabbit, quail (yes, a pet her college career. She shares, “I spent I guess I was.”

quail!), cat, dog and a horse. a summer with college friends in Europe Ms. Sutton learned many valuable

Ms. Sutton’s father worked for Manor riding trains and hitchhiking, it was the lessons in her time as owner and founder

Bakery (later named Rainbow Bread Co.) 60s after all!” She later went on to earn of FSM. She concludes, “Everyone is

and her mother was a homemaker. Of an Associate in Business degree from worth getting to know; everyone has a

her parents, Ms. Sutton shares, “Our Westark Community College, a satellite story, a contribution, an inspiration just

parents were hard-working — something campus of the University of Arkansas in Ft. waiting for someone to discover. You

we observed every day. You might say my Smith. always have a choice about how you

moral and ethical foundation was formed Ms. Sutton’s greatest accomplishments present things to the world — positive

by the “show and tell” method. Being include raising two amazing sons, Ethan or negative, happy or sad, inclusive or

raised by parents who survived the Great and Eric Bonar, as a single mom, and closed, supportive or not,” she says. “My

Depression taught me a lot about waste founding FSM. While they are not her favorite saying reflects what I learned

and innovation.” “accomplishments,” her grandchildren as the owner of FSM: ‘All the flowers of

MAY 2014 85FRISCOSTYLE.COM

the magazine to new heights of professionalism and entertainment.

Linda Sutton

CORRECTION:

Linda Sutton was born in Dallas, Texas, not Rockwall.

I AM PROUD to live in Frisco, one of the fastest
growing cities in our nation. However, it came as a
surprise and a disappointment when I found out
what the mascot of the newly-built Independence
High School is to be — the Knights.
At first, these words may bring to mind an image

of gallant, armor-clad men riding on noble steeds,

8 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’





FROM THE EDITOR

DON’T MISS

FRISCO FREEDOM FEST Depending on your age,
2014 will be Friday, July
4. Don’t miss your once-in-a-year the word “independence” can take on various meanings. For my 2-year-old son, it means
chance to celebrate our nation’s birth- taking off his shoes by himself and walking through the store without holding my hand.
day with fantastic food, great music He also likes to get in his car seat without assistance, choose the shoes he wears and
and aaahhh-worthy fireworks! Families drink from a “big boy” cup — all prime examples of his newfound independence. A bit
can also enjoy the Children’s Expo, older, my 5-year-old son expresses his need for independence by rejecting my hugs in
Party in the Plaza and The Taste front of his elementary school and wanting to choose his own meals. While all of this may
of Frisco. For more information, visit cause me to be a bit choked up and sniffle (who gave them permission to grow up?!), I
friscofreedomfest.org. know being independent is a good thing and will only help them to be stronger, more
self-sufficient people.
There’s a new program
on Friday nights at the Of course, I know this is only the beginning. In a matter of years, they’ll be getting
Frisco Athletic Center their driver’s license and wanting their own car. We’ll be setting curfews and checking
— SUPER FRIDAY FUN their mileage — just as my parents did — trying to lovingly limit their independence in
NIGHTS. Kids age 7-12 can enjoy swim- an effort to keep them safe. They’ll be going off to college (only if I can’t convince them
ming in the Indoor Aquatic Center and to live at home and attend a local university) and eventually ask a girl to marry them.
escaping to the “Zone” for air hockey, Their meaning of independence will continually be shaped and molded throughout their
ping-pong, foosball and more. For entire lives.
more information, visit friscofun.org.
Seeing as my sons are convinced they will be Spiderman when they grow up and their
Frisco ISD will host IM- biggest worry is if they will get to play in the backyard or not, it’s no wonder they think
MUNIZATION CLINICS of cookouts, parades and fireworks when you mention the Fourth of July. However, in
this summer to assist new and returning the midst of entertaining get-togethers and colorful sparklers, they will eventually know
students who may be missing required the true meaning of “independence.” Stated simply, the Fourth of July is the birthday
vaccines for the 2014-2015 school year. of America as a free and independent nation. It was the signing of the Declaration of
These clinics will be held on July 11, Independence — quite literally, our nation’s birth certificate. Never before had any
July 18 and July 21-24 between 9 a.m. colony successfully broken away from its mother country. As a small band of ragtag
and 2 p.m. daily at the FISD Career farmers-turned-soldiers fought desperately for their freedom, they proved that anything
and Technical Education Center, 9889 can be accomplished when we work together for the greater good.
Wade Boulevard, Frisco, TX, 75035. Visit
friscoisd.org for more information. The Declaration of Independence states, “...that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
COMING UP liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Just as my young boys are discovering, freedom is
the right to make choices on their own, and one day, they’ll learn that liberty is the right
COMING UP to individually define and earn your own happiness. While we clearly are not all the same,
NEXT MONTH, these words require that everyone have the same opportunity to use their God-given
the annual Frisco energy, talent, abilities and knowledge to pursue happiness. This founding certificate
STYLE Magazine sets the stage for equal opportunity, regardless of our differences, whether gender, age,
Cover Photo Con- race or creed.
test will land
someone’s work Although the Fourth of July is often associated with fireworks, barbeques and family
of art on our cover! Could it be you? get-togethers, it’s also a time to reflect on what it means to be an American and scarifies
Entries are being accepted on our that were made to secure the freedoms we have today. Fortunately for us, during
website, friscostyle.com. In addition, America’s darkest hours, we’ve consistently been blessed with ordinary people who do
does your family have an emergency extraordinary things, making the ultimate sacrifice to secure and maintain our freedom.
plan? If not, we’ll help you put one
together. These topics and more will This July, let’s remember what we have, how we got it and what it means to be an
appear in our August issue of Frisco American. Thank you to the brave men and women who continually fight for our freedom.
STYLE Magazine. Happy Birthday, America!

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14 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

BUSINESS
Staying connected with customers.

#Marketing

BY ALLIE SPLETTER

WORD OF MOUTH has long been are all social media avenues among the way. Principal of Frisco-based, full-
considered one of the most powerful most powerful online marketing tools. service marketing firm Gamble Media
forms of marketing. Today, although still More and more businesses are taking Group, Tracy Gamble, explained, “When
highly valued, it has taken a back seat advantage of these tools to get their a company’s target customer is an
to the ultimate form of marketing that’s name, product and/or service seen, heard individual person, social media absolutely
taking the world by storm — social media and understood. These websites, and must be a key part of their advertising and
marketing. Social media marketing refers countless others, have had a profound marketing strategy. With such widespread
to the process of gaining website traffic effect on how millions of Americans, adoption — Facebook has more than
or attention through social media sites. especially those under 35, interact with 1 billion users — it is clear that social
Social media marketing programs usually others, shop and view brands. It’s a media is here to stay.” She continued, “If
center on efforts to create content that real-time digital lifestyle, powered by a company’s target buyer is using social
attracts attention and encourages readers smartphones and netbooks that often media every day, the business needs a
to share it with their social networks. determines what people purchase, how daily social media strategy as well. I always
they view brands and where they spend tell my clients, ‘you have to go where your
Social media represents low-cost most of their waking hours. people are.’”
tools used to combine technology and
social interaction with the use of words. Social media provides marketers CEO of a Frisco branding and marketing
Facebook (1.15 billion total users), Twitter and business owners a voice and an consulting firm, nSiteSocial, Liz Marx
(500 million total users), Google + (500 opportunity to communicate with peers, added, “Social media plays a pivotal role
million total users), LinkedIn (238 million customers and potential consumers. in any company’s ability to strengthen
total users), Instagram (130 million total It personalizes the “brand” and helps their brand identity and communicate
users), Pinterest (70 million total users) companies spread their message in a with their customers and prospects.
and many other sites and applications relaxed and somewhat conversational A strong social media presence

JULY 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 15

improves search results, provides an added, “A lot of our marketing has been whether or not you’re succeeding in your
marketing because that means others are
opportunity to tell the company story, through word of mouth, so our business interested in your content.”

and maintain an ongoing dialogue with has really grown very organically. We love Though social media was once
something that was geared towards
their audience in a way that can’t be that! It truly shows that people enjoy our a younger demographic, most social
media sites and applications are used by
duplicated elsewhere. In addition, social concept and want to share it with their consumers of all ages. Perhaps one of the
more important aspects of a business’s
media profiles are rounding out digital friends.” marketing plan is their audience and
whom they’re trying to reach. Because
marketing efforts. Where a company there are many types of social media
available for use, it’s always important for
“ Where a companywebsite was once sufficient, it’s quite businesses to identify exactly whom they
common now for prospective customers want to reach while marketing via social
media. Ms. Marx explained, “The target
website was onceto review businesses’ social profiles prior audience varies greatly not only from one
to purchasing.” company through to the next, but can
Some of the largest companies in sufficient, it’s quite also vary from campaign or profile to the
next. Once the target audience has been
the country — Ford, Levi Strauss and identified based on business goals and
initiatives, social media makes it easy to
Chevron, to name a few — are completely target specific demographics.”

common now foroverhauling their marketing strategies Of their target audience, Ms. Clayton
says, “We currently post on Facebook,
that are now comprised of digital tools Twitter and Instagram. We definitely post
more often on Facebook. It seems like
prospective custom-to more quickly brand products, support most of our customers are on there. We
recently added Instagram. Since there
customers and take full advantage of had been several people tagging pictures
at our place, we decided Instagram was a
ers to review busi-the social-media tidal wave. In doing so, place we should be.”
they are creating online communities
While the task of managing a business’s
nesses’ social profilesand outreach programs, and being marketing via social media may seem
brutally honest in talking directly to their daunting, there are plenty of tools that can
customers, followers, fans and friends. prior to purchasing.” easily sync all social media accounts so
that businesses can update and monitor
Social Media Examiner’s 2013 End of all accounts in convenient location. One
of the best tools is an application called
Year Report stated that marketers now While marketing and public relations HootSuite. HootSuite is one of the most
popular social media management tools
place very high value on social media firms work hard to form and critique and can execute campaigns across
multiple social networks from one web-
marketing. With 86 percent of marketers marketing campaigns for their clients, based dashboard. It allows clients to easily
manage social media, track conversations
stating that social media is important as well as assisting them in all of their and measure campaign results. HootSuite
also offers a custom, built-in analytics
for their business and 89 percent of marketing endeavors, some businesses system and the capability to schedule
posts on all platforms.
marketers stating increased exposure was might have to get creative. Ms. Gamble
Frisco resident and co-owner of
the number one benefit of social media explained, “Whether or not to use an The Blondette, a hand-painted canvas
shop on Etsy.com, Katie Maynard uses
marketing, some proven and definitive agency for social media depends on the HootSuite to reach customers and
enjoys its convenience. She explained,
benefits of social media marketing size of the client company. If you only “HootSuite is a life and time saver! We
are able to quickly and efficiently reach
include increased exposure, increased have one or two employees, it probably customers on multiple social media sites.
Even though we are a small online shop,
traffic, development of loyal fans, reduced isn’t financially feasible to outsource this

marketing expenses, improved sales and piece. Now, that doesn’t mean a micro-

marketplace insight. As the popularity business has to become a social media

and effectiveness of social medial expert — They might hire someone to

advertising continues to sky rocket, it’s train them, or coach them on getting

projected that companies’ social media started.” She continued, “For larger

marketing budgets will double over the companies, who are trying to reach a

next five years. larger market, an agency can help them

Ursula Clayton and husband Lance maximize their impact, while minimizing

opened their restaurant, Eight 11, in Frisco their spend. It is easy with social media

a few months ago and have benefited from and online advertising to throw a ton of

using social media to reach customers. money at the problem, hoping something

She explained, “We believe our social sticks and works. An agency can make

media tactics have been successful. We sure the client is making good decisions,

have tried to be very personable with based on their specific needs and goals.”

what we post on Facebook, specifically. Of Eight 11’s marketing strategies Ms.

We want people to connect with us. Clayton explained, “In my opinion, it’s

We tend to post lots of pictures, which hard to really find metrics that I can say

I think helps patrons get a sense of the ‘this is what tells me our social media is

atmosphere or perhaps what they might successful.’ I think if you see engagement

want to order next time. We also try to on your page, you’re doing something

post around the times that we are open, right. The goal is to get others to know

because we want people to notice us about you through those who already

and think to come out to our place.” She do. I think shares are a big indicator of

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18 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

Ursula Clayton and her husband Lance (not pictured),
owners of Eight 11, offer coupon codes, giveaways and
discounts via Facebook.

we are able to use social media to build how social media works. I love it! I love for customers to utilize. Ms. Clayton
relationships with our customers. The knowing that you actually have the ability elaborated, “We don’t do it often, but
versatility of HootSuite allows us to do that to reach so many people you would have sometimes we will have certain discounts
on multiple levels.” Another app called never had the opportunity to know. I love on our Facebook page. In the past, we’ve
Crowdbooster focuses on collecting that they can give you opinions and I like posted them through the winter months.
data from businesses’ Facebook and how we can see customers’ ‘likes’ and We also had one of our artists donate an
Twitter feeds. While it doesn’t amass ‘dislikes’ by their reactions to our posts.” art piece that we ended up raffling. We
different social media accounts into told people about it online, but the raffle
one convenient location, it gives vital “I love knowing that actually happened at our place.”
information regarding a businesses’ social
media strategy. Other features include you actually have Ms. Maynard added, “We love that
being able to analyze impressions, total we are able to engage and help our
reach and engagement. This allows users the ability to reach customers save by offering coupon codes
to modify and improve strategies by and giveaways via Facebook. Although
knowing what is working and what is not. so many people you Facebook can show us stats about who’s
Another interesting feature is being able seen what, when our Facebook fans use a
to receive alerts on new Twitter members would have never coupon code we’ve posted, we know how
who may be interested in the business or well it’s actually doing.”
their brand. had the opportunity
The sky is the limit as to how far
Social media is an ever-evolving to know.” marketing via social media can take
monstrosity of connections, con- businesses and their advertising
versations, pictures and videos that Businesses like Eight 11 and The endeavors. Social media has become a
businesses are using more and more to Blondette enjoy using social media constant in our lives and will continue to
engage and educate consumers. It offers to make incentives such as coupons/ allow businesses to reach their marketing
businesses a fun and interactive way to coupon codes, giveaways and discounts goals.
connect with their patrons. Ms. Clayton
elaborated, “I am always so amazed with Allie Spletter is a Frisco coach and teacher
whose hidden talent is freelance writing.

JULY 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 19

BUSINESS REPORT

FREE DENTAL CARE
On Saturday, July 19, 2014, 380 Family Dentistry is again
teaming up with the nonprofit organization Dentistry From
The Heart to organize their fourth annual “Free Day of
Dentistry.” With the rising cost of medical treatment and
the economic downturn, more and more people are having
problems affording dental care. Registration will begin at
6:30 a.m. and patients will be seen starting at 7 a.m. on a
first come, first serve basis. The first 100 patients to register
will receive dental care absolutely free! 380 Family Dentistry
is located at 2111 E. University Dr., Suite 20,
Prosper. Visit
380dental.com for more information.

GET ARTSY!
Looking for some artistic fun this summer? Look no further
than Kids-N-Art Frisco. With amazing themes, awesome
projects, great activities and caring artists, Kids-N-Art will
offer three exciting camps this summer — Mixed Media
for age 3-5, Mixed Media for age 6-12 and Ceramic/Wheel
Camps. For more information, please visit kidsandart.com/
frisco.

ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Frisco E-Care Emergency Centers is currently celebrating one
year of caring for patients in Frisco. When E-Care Emergency
Centers in Frisco announced it was opening its new 24 hour,
7 days a week, full-service, freestanding Emergency and
Urgent Care Center last July, not many residents knew what
a freestanding facility was and why it was needed. In the
past year, thousands of visits have occurred with patient
complaints ranging from colds, flu and allergies to more
serious medical issues such as difficulty breathing, broken
bones and all types of injuries and serious illness. For more
information, visit e-carecenters.com.

MARKET STREET’S NEW STORE BRAND OFFERINGS
Market Street announced all seven Dallas-Fort Worth
locations now offer Essential Everyday® store brands,
providing guests an expanded product selection, lower
prices and additional promotions. The new brands include
cost-effective pantry staples, prepared foods, ingredients,
snacks, paper and household products, organic goods and
over-the-counter medication. From beverages and breakfast
to household and laundry products, Essential Everyday items
will be available on every aisle and in every category. Market
Street’s exclusive store brands are still available to guests.
For more information, please visit unitedtexas.com.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS have some exciting news to
share? Email [email protected]

20 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved.



• Infant through Third Grade Warren Montessori
• Half & Full Day Programs School of Frisco
• Hot Meals Provided
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• Foreign Language

• Dance, Sports, P.E.

• Year-Round Montessori Instruction

• A.M.S. Certified Montessori Teachers

• Computer Lab & Music Lessons

• Outdoor Gardening & Nature Study

• Extra Curricular Activities Offered

• After School Pick-up Provided

• Awarded Best of Frisco OPEN HOUSE
5 Years in a Row SUNDAY
JULY 20
• NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2-4 PM

FREE REGISTRATION WITH THIS AD! 214-387-8202

10247 WARREN PKWY., FRISCO, TX 75035 • WWW.WARRENMONTESSORI.COM

22 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

FA M I LY

Party Planning 411 The COOP, a modern play space
for kids, caters to adults as well.

BY MARIA LEAHEY

PARENTS ARE under enormous pressure — parents and grandparents of Frisco have location, throws spectacular, lavish parties,
when it comes to getting a child’s countless options. Help is everywhere in which has attracted a following among
birthday celebration right. After all, these the form of seasoned experts, premium elite Hollywood mamas such as Isla Fisher
milestones only happen once a year. locations and innovative party services and Liv Tyler. In 2008, COOP founders
However, the standout memories (for the and performers. Whether away or at home, Juliet Boydstun and Lucinda Lent noticed
parent) tend to be what went wrong. For these resources make festivities sizzle and kids’ parties were a drag for adults, and
Frisco mom Brenda Morterud, it was her pop. they vowed to change that. Therefore,
now 20-year-old daughter Sarah’s second moms as well as kids kick off their shoes
birthday. “I brought home a Barney cake Looking at basic party packages and have fun. (Moms, think Coffee Bar!)
and hid it in the oven. My mom — in from provided by local venues, this often Based on its success in LA, The COOP
Kansas — turned the oven on to pre-heat means reserving space (a party room or will bring the same cool, modern parties
it for something. We got busy talking and table) for a specific time. Most offer an to North Texas moms and kids. North
she said, ‘I smell cake.’ Barney turned into expert host who keeps the party paced so Texans can revel in one of 22 themed
puddles of purple frosting.” parents can relax. Some packages include décors. Younger children can have a crazy-
refreshments; others allow parents to bring good time with bounce houses, ball pits
North Texan Amy Powell has a similar their own. Downloadable or printable and interactive games. Themes include
memory. “My tenth birthday fell on Friday party invitations are usually standard. Best a Midsummer Night’s dream, My Little
— Friday the 13th. When I went to blow out of all, most party providers are happy to Pony, Superhero, Pink Rock Star, Pirates,
my candles, my hair caught on fire. I spent tailor the party to meet special requests, Dinosaur and Yellow Submarines. Moms
my party with my hair shorter on the right so ask away! who want few-to-no restrictions on things
than left.” like party size or outside foods and adult
Looking for a venue that both children beverages will appreciate The COOP’s
When it comes to memorable birthday and parents will enjoy? The COOP,
parties — the “right” kind of memorable recently making Frisco Square its second

JULY 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 23

freedom of choice. One LA mom testified Me Mine of Frisco. “Our studio offers a Jungle Jamboree, Reaction Action and
that the COOP provides “... this awesome, bright, cheery and fun environment where Shimmer/ Spark/Shine.
enchanted setting and with the best party guests can create a masterpiece and
helpers … like a fairy godmother.” more importantly a great memory!” All Horses and llamas and hedgehogs,
party packages include ceramic pieces, oh my! As McKinney’s only petting zoo,
Another local venue making party unlimited paint and supplies, glazing and Grisham Farms is a fantastic birthday
planning “easy as pie” is Young Chefs firing. party option for your little animal lover.
Academy (YCA) — you supply the young Enjoy a tranquil country setting with a
chefs (age 4 and older), and they’ll take care “ Our hosts’ main goal is to convenient location (10 minutes from
of the rest! Partygoers will enjoy hands-on Central Expressway and Highway 380).
cooking as they make their creation from make sure everyone has Grisham Farms provides shaded park and
scratch, entertained by YCA staff’s crazy picnic areas, trees for climbing and plenty
antics. “YCA was one of the easiest parties fun! They know lots of tips, of fresh air. All parties are private and can
I’ve planned for my daughter because the accommodate up to 30 guests. Grisham
staff was so efficient and experienced,” tricks and painting tech- Farms’ animals are friendly, calm and
noted Frisco mom Marlene Velezmoro. healthy, and they love visitors! Partygoers
“My daughter’s friends had fun while niques to help everyone meet emus, goats, pigs, sheep, horses,
learning a life skill.” Don’t forget about the llamas, alpacas, hedgehogs, a bearded
party favors; young chefs will walk away get great results with their dragon, ball python, bunnies, guinea pigs,
with a professional chef jacket, hat, pants, Russian tortoise, chinchillas, hairless rats
embroidered apron, pizza kit, oven mitt, a projects!” and a tarantula. The premium package
holiday spatula and more! includes animal feed, a hands-on animal
In a land with so many princess-themed presentation, pizza, punch, balloons and
For the artist in your family, Color Me celebrations, Sci-Tech Discovery Center paper goods. “Some families have their
Mine, a paint-it-yourself ceramics studio, offers something for the boy or tomboy in parties here every year for every child,”
could be the perfect birthday party option. everyone, age 3 to 12. How about a Gross noted Ms. Grisham. Private parties help
The magic at Color Me Mine gatherings Out party with dissected eyes, messy support Grisham Farms programs for
comes from the creative, enthusiastic chemistry and snotty science? Or Three special needs children and adults.
staff. “Our hosts’ main goal is to make Little Pigs, which adds engineering twists
sure everyone has fun! They know lots to fairytale worlds? Or, Bubble-ology with Maybe your child is more of the indoor
of tips, tricks and painting techniques to wonderfully soapy spheres. Other themes type. No sweat (literally, you will sweat
help everyone get great results with their include Seussical Science, Blast Lab, less indoors), there are plenty of options
projects!” said Christi Stidham of Color in the Frisco area. For example, no matter

24 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

Get artsy at Color Me Mine Frisco, left.

Provided by Color Me Mine.

Stir up some fun at Young Chefs Academy of
Frisco, right. Provided by Young Chefs Academy of

Frisco.

what time of year your child’s birthday falls,
Aqua-Tots provides the ideal place to host
your child’s next birthday party. Family
and friends can enjoy the pool together
with their trained water watchers. What
a great way to celebrate a special event!
Aqua-Tots’ staff will prepare every party
detail including: invitations, cake, snacks,
pool games and gift bags. The best part
is, everyone has fun and there’s no messy
cleanup!

Specializing in gatherings for the
younger set, My Gym’s Premier Celebration
means mom only has to bring the birthday
kid and a camera. My Gym handles setup,
décor, pizza, juice, cake and cake cutting,
special songs and games, refreshments
and cleanup. As a children’s fitness
center, My Gym offers nonstop action-
packed activities, games, puppets, songs
and more for up to 25 children. Upgrade
your package with a bounce house, face
painting, photographer, and/or Melissa &
Doug party favors.

Let your birthday boy or girl flip out
(literally) at World Olympic Gymnastics
Academy (WOGA). A party at WOGA
means organized age-appropriate
activities — everything from gymnastics
and tumbling to trampolines, the pit
and the “Rocket” Harness. Two or more
instructors supervise between 12 and
20 party guests who have full use of the
WOGA facility. Merrymakings include a
t-shirt for birthday child, a private room, up
to 12 guests, invitations, paper goods, and
setup and cleanup. Guests will also receive
free class coupons.

For the sports lover, FieldhouseUSA
answers the call with basketball courts
and great food from the Game Grill for
10 guests. It doesn’t get much better
than that for an NCAA-caliber event.
Packages come in the Court Monster and
Slam Dunk sizes. Game Grill meals include
chicken strips, hot dogs or hamburgers
— plenty of protein for party athletes.
FieldhouseUSA bashes are offered August
through November.

The Frisco Athletic Center (FAC), offers
Dance, Splash, All-Star Sports and Zone
theme parties. FAC supplies the grub, a

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26 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

host and a high-energy venue for dancing, advance though the community education meet. Parents can arrange to have the

swimming, court action and hanging out. hotline at 972.292.6351 or by Jennifer character of choice visit the revelry for 30

The parent can bring cake and ice cream or Tramel at [email protected]. The minutes. Talented professionals will burst

a $50 upgrade means FAC includes a into the party with games, music,

themed cupcake birthday cake and face painting, a treasure hunt and

ice cream. Outside food, drink and balloons. They will spin interactive

balloons are not allowed. Parties are yarns where the birthday child is the

restricted to Fridays and Saturdays. star. Imagine a princess, superhero,

If you are working on a tighter Spidey Guy, a pirate captain or pirate

budget, Frisco has no lack of frugal, queen, a fairy or Barbie. Booking

without forgetting the fun! Parks are two characters means the pair can

great for kids’ get-togethers filled play off one another, keeping all

with grilled hotdogs, lemonade, entertained by their banter and

cake and old-fashioned tag. drama. And, each child leaves with

Park parties are not confined to a gift.

weekends and cost nearly nothing, Planning an extraordinary

although hosts can’t avoid cleanup birthday party for your child can

afterwards. The City of Frisco has be very fulfilling; however, let’s

more than 30 neighborhood parks; not forget about those who are

most with shaded pavilions. Pavilion less fortunate. Birthday Blessing

reservations at Frisco Commons, North Texas, an all-volunteer 501(c)

Shawnee Trail Sports Complex and (3) non-profit, Christian outreach

Warren Sports Complex can be ministry, is working to ensure those

made one week prior and up to six in need still get to celebrate their

months in advance. Pavilions at all child’s birthday. Birthday Blessing

other Frisco city parks are first come, partners with the Samaritan Inn,

first served. the Boys and Girls Clubs, McKinney

One city park is worth singling out Housing Authority, Community

— Hope Park. This 13,000-square- Lifeline and Cornerstone Baptist

foot play space on Frisco’s McKinney Church to throw a birthday party

Road is built with a focused monthly at a venue for children,

consideration for children with their friends and family who might

special needs. Imagine a party in not otherwise have a dedicated way

which all children play as equals, to celebrate. Birthday Blessing’s

where they are brought together mission is to create moments in

in a space designed to build self- which kids feel recognized, listened

confidence. Open gifts near the to and completely beloved on their

“Adorable Armadillo.” Have a birthday — the utmost reminder that

scavenger hunt around the Tot Lot. they were born with a meaningful,

If drought restrictions allow it, try loving plan. Though something as

the splash area where everyone can My Gym makes fitness fun for the birthday child and their clos- simple as a birthday party, Birthday
laugh together in the spray. Blessings sets out to show kids the
est friends, top. Provided by My Gym Frisco. Bring the cake and ice

On Hackberry Creek Park Road cream and a Frisco fire station will serve up the fun, bottom. renewing life of Christ that can bring

in The Colony, Hidden Cove Park everyone into a deeper relationship

offers three playgrounds, a swimming birthday boy or girl must be turning at least with others.

beach, picnic tables and grills. There are 5 years of age and parents or caregivers Didn’t see anything suitable for your

no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at must live or work in Frisco. Safety Town is child? Well, lucky for you, there are

the partygoers’ own risk. Kayak rentals are not available for private parties. numerous other options in the Frisco

available through the ship store. Would you rather the party come to you? area, including horseback riding, indoor

Saturdays at 10 a.m., some North Jessica’s Princess and Character Parties trampolines and wakeboarding — just

Texas kid can have a dream party at a can make it happen. “I clearly remember to name a few. Despite burned hair and

Frisco Fire Station. These free-of-charge the Christmas when ‘the real Santa’ came Barney cake puddles, each birthday party

parties include safety presentations, tours to my house,” recalled Shannon Jones, has the potential for being “The Best

and a close-up look at the fire-fighting owner of Jessica’s Princess and Character Birthday Party Ever.”

equipment. Kids will learn fire prevention Parties. “He gave me a stuffed pony that

and safety tips and parents can bring cake I kept until I went to college.” Clearly, Maria Leahey is a freelance

and ice cream. Due to their popularity, sometimes the most memorable part of writer who wishes she were age

parties are often booked 12 months in a party is not what you do but whom you 6 again.

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Aerial view of the future Frisco multi-use event
center, Cowboys training facility and Cowboys
headquarters. Provided by the City of Frisco.

THEY ARE REFERRING to it as a small piece to a 12,000-seat indoor stadium for the will definitely help with the rest of the

of a much larger puzzle, but nonetheless, Frisco Independent School District (FISD). development,” Mr. Patterson said. “This

officials from the City of Frisco and the The rest of the development, which spans particular step in the process is really just

Dallas Cowboys are excited to finally 66 acres, will be privately developed the next part of moving forward. What was

have the green light to break ground on a and coordinated through Blue Star Land approved was 20 acres for a multi-use event

mammoth project that will allow the Irving- as a mixed-use set up for retail and center and five acres for the headquarters,

based National Football League franchise entertainment, restaurants, hotels and so this is just a small piece; the rest will

to relocate to Frisco. office space. That part of the project is still come along through the regular process.”

The Frisco Mr.
Planning
and Zoning Patterson
agreed the
Closer to Moving DirtCommission process is

(P&Z) BY STEVE GAMEL moving along
unanimously at a healthy

approved the pace. The site

site plan for a multi-use event center and pending approval. plan approved in May was on the P&Z

the Cowboys’ new headquarters at its The city is the developer on the consent agenda, which means it passed

regularly scheduled meeting on May 27. approved piece, which includes a public without any debate or opposition from

The hope was to start construction quickly investment by the City of Frisco, FISD, the community. It’s also important to note

to finish by summer 2016, but as of the P&Z the Frisco Economic Development the initial agreement between the City of

meeting, no hard date had been set. The Corporation (EDC) and the Frisco Frisco and the Cowboys was completed

site plan represents the publicly-funded Community Development Corporation in August, 90 days after talks first began.

portion of the project, which is 25 acres (CDC) of $115 million. Frisco’s assistant Since then, there has been a high level

of the 91-acre tract of land, located on the City Manager Ron Patterson hinted of cooperation between the city, FISD,

northwest corner of Warren Parkway and officials won’t waste time putting shovels the Cowboys, the EDC and CDC — and

the Dallas North Tollway. in the ground, but he also said there is still all have a vested interest in keeping the

The Cowboys’ headquarters and a lot to do. process smooth.

practice facility will cover five acres and “Once you start pushing dirt around “We’ve all committed to it and we’ve

the remaining 20 acres will be dedicated on any site, it creates excitement and talked to different businesses and made

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presentations; I think it’s exciting and the camp in Frisco. on the growth in Frisco has us encouraged
anticipation over the project is very high,” Because of continued growth, city even more about the project,” Cowboys
Jim Gandy, president of the Frisco EDC spokesman Rich Dalrymple said.
said. “We’ve had an aggressive approach and school district officials were already “Everyone has been working together to
and it was mutually understood the in talks to add a third stadium for high keep things going; it’s an unprecedented
Cowboys desired a timeline that would school games and events. Frisco already concept and marriage between an NFL
get them in their new facility before [the uses Frisco Memorial Stadium and team and high school athletics.”
2016] training camp. Everything was based Toyota Stadium, but is expected to be
off that and I think everyone is anxious to adding two new high schools by 2015 — Mayor Maher Maso has been a huge
learn more about it.” which increases the total to eight. The proponent of the project since the very
partnership with the Cowboys not only beginning and echoed much of what
According to an economic impact makes a third stadium a reality sooner than Mr. Dalrymple said about the working
study completed last August, the 91-acre anticipated, but gives student-athletes relationship between the city and the
project is expected to deliver $23.4 billion unprecedented access to state-of-the-art Cowboys.
of economic impact through 2042 for the facilities while providing a cost savings for
region, create 4,500 new jobs by 2026 and the district. “People have asked me, ‘How did you
deliver an estimated $1.26 billion of tax land the Cowboys?’” Mayor Maso said.
revenue to various entities. The stadium will be used to host “We really didn’t land them at all, it was a
high school football, soccer and other mutual thing. I’m a firm believer in investing
“It’s a big project and I’m not going to sports, but can be reconfigured for in the community and as a community
say it’s easy, but we’re not going to sit still, band competitions, concerts and other member, this is absolutely a great deal
either,” Mr. Patterson said. academic or entertainment events. The because it will bring people to stay in our
Cowboys will handle any costs beyond the hotels, it will create jobs and it will give
The 25-year agreement calls for the City $115 million and are responsible for the the kids in our community an organization
of Frisco and FISD to share the stadium overall maintenance and operation of the to look up to. The Cowboys saw this was
with the Cowboys, though the Cowboys’ stadium. a safe area and a young sports-oriented
use of the stadium is considered minimal, community with a solid foundation. Our
Mr. Gandy said. The Cowboys have agreed “We are very excited to get things foundation put us on their radar.”
to hold at least one week of their training going and a recent study that was done

32 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

Master plan of the future Cowboys
development. Courtesy of Blue Star Land - Lincoln

Property Co., O’Brien Architects.

The purpose of the above-mentioned
P&Z meeting was to start kicking around
some dirt, but Mayor Maso said there
is a lot left to be done and several big
architects and design companies have
been brought in to help.

Gensler, a global design firm that has
done considerable work over the years
with sports venues, has been brought in as
the architect and interior designer for both
the Cowboys’ new headquarters and the
multi-use event center. Gensler’s resume
includes Dodgers Stadium, the Oakland
A’s Ballpark Village, the George R. Brown
Convention Center in Houston and the
Detroit Lions’ headquarters and training
facility.

“E veryone has been work-

ing together to keep

things going; it’s an un-

precedented concept

and marriage between

an NFL team and high

school athletics.”

Mr. Patterson said Dallas-based O’Brien
Architects will handle the master planning
and layout of everything surrounding the
event center and Manhattan Construction
will serve as the primary builder for both
entities.

All that’s left for the citizens of Frisco is
to sit back and watch everything unfold.

“We wanted to make sure we did all
our homework on the front end,” Mr.
Patterson said. “We tried our best to
get the right expert for the right thing.
Gensler is an expert at sports venues and
is a perfect fit for this project. O’Brien is
doing the master plans; that’s something
that’s right in his wheelhouse. It is a very
aggressive schedule, but when you have
great partners at the table, you find ways
to make things work.”

Steve Gamel is a freelance writer, business
owner and lover of everything sports.

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HOME & GARDEN

Record-low water levels at Lake Lavon have
prompted Stage 3 water restrictions.

Provided by the North Texas Municipal Water District.

WITH NO END IN SIGHT, we have two vation manager for the NTMWD. However, sure we don’t waste water,” said Gary R.
choices when it comes to the drought —
perform a rain dance or conserve water. the lack of rain isn’t the only problem. Hartwell, Frisco’s director of public works.
For now, our best hope is the latter. In
Stage 3 water restrictions (which started An annoying, invasive species, the zebra He and his team have been working hard
June 2013), the city limits outdoor water-
ing to every other week, if necessary (on mussel, has made it impossible for the to make it easier for residents to conserve.
your trash pick-up day). This part is manda-
tory, but they are also encouraging citizens NTMWD to use Lake Texoma as a water “In 2007, we installed our own weather sta-
to hold off on landscape projects until the
fall or next spring. source since 2009. tion with four automatic rain gauges. We

The North Texas Municipal Water That just recently changed, but it liter- can actually calculate how much watering
District (the group that acquires and
distributes Frisco’s as well as Plano’s, ally took an act of congress. A federal law, is needed on a weekly basis. We are asking
McKinney’s and other area cities’ water)
recently announced we would be in Stage the Lacey Act, prevented transporting in- everyone to simply turn off their automatic
3 until at least October 31.
vasive species across state lines. When the sprinkler systems and utilize our weather
It could be worse. If we moved to Stage
4, there would be no outdoor watering state lines where realigned, the NTMWD’s station data that we put out on our website
with sprinkler systems at all. In addition,
residents could not put in pools because pump station was partially in Oklahoma. every Monday.”
the city would not be able to grant per-
mits. “It was a critical problem,” explained Ms. More than 7,000 Frisco residents sub-

So how did we get here? Most people Hickey. “If we were to turn our pumps on, scribe to the city’s weekly Water Wise
know the lack of rain is a huge factor. At
press time, Lavon Lake, Frisco’s main water we would be in violation H2Low emails. “That number
source, was down 11.5 feet. All of the res- of federal law.” is growing. We hope
ervoirs the North Texas Municipal Water it continues to grow.
District (NTMWD) uses are experiencing The NTMWD worked We hope they take
drought conditions, according to Denise to get an amendment to advantage of this in-
Hickey, public relations and water conser- the bill, which President

Obama signed in BY ELSA K. SIMCIK formation,” said Mr.
December 2012. They Hartwell.

then began work on a Each city within the

$300 million, 48-mile long pipeline exten- NTMWD is tasked with the goal of reduc-

sion that would safely transport the water ing their water usage by 10 percent or

from Texoma. The project was complete more. Mr. Hartwell said Frisco has exceed-

in May of this year and went online last ed that goal with a 20.1 percent reduction,

month. “It will help but it will not change or 1.79 billion gallons, since starting Stage

the restrictions that we’re in because we 3 water restrictions last year.

still have drought conditions in the reser- However, before we go high-fiving each

voirs,” said Ms. Hickey. other, the city says we still need to be

“We’ve got to work really hard to make mindful of our water use, and it starts with

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the outdoor sprinklers. Our excessive use they were pleased when more than 660 dry zone, the roots basically stop growing
of them is the biggest place that water is Frisco residents purchased rain barrels. because there is no moisture for it to ex-
wasted. “If we can just get that adjusted tend out. This product holds moisture and
and get that particular area clear of any Made in the U.S. out of recycled mate- makes it usable to the plant.”
type of water waste, I think Frisco would be rial, the rain barrel the city chose looks like
in great shape for saving even more than a fancy trash can. People can set them up Even though Emerald has only recently
1.79 billion gallons of water,” said Joyce various ways. “One of the most efficient started offering it to customers, founder
Warren, the water resources manager for ways is to alter the gutter system. You and co-owner E.J. McCoy says that, based
cut the gutter where it is just a few inch- on research, he is 99.9 percent sure it

Moisture Manager, a product of Hydretain, is designed to reduce the watering requirements of plants and turf. Provided by Hydretain.

Frisco’s public works. es above the rain barrel. The top slopes works. “It’s been around for 20-plus years.
Besides telling people to turn off their down as a catch for the water and there is It’s not a magical new technology. Florida
mosquito netting over the top,” said Ms. has been using it for decades,” he said.
sprinkler systems and just use them when Warren. “That’s free water. Especially now, “If you are paying money on your yard, if
necessary, the city tries to educate resi- it’s important to harvest every drop you you are watering your yard, you need this
dents about their free sprinkler checks. possibly can.” product.”
Everyone in Frisco is entitled to this once
a year; a licensed irrigation specialist will And when it is time to plant again (not With all the new development in Frisco,
come to your home and check your sprin- this summer!), Ms. Warren says, “We do homebuilders are getting drought-savvy
kler heads for problems, walk through all encourage residents to plant native and and putting in more high-efficiency and
the zones to make sure they’re working adaptive. Not only are the plants drought even smarter sprinkler systems. In fact, if a
properly and reset your system to the opti- tolerant but they are tolerant of our harsh home was built after 2007, it is required by
mal watering times. winters.” the city to have an ET (Evapotranspiration)
sprinkler system. These smart control-
Both the city and the NTMWD recom- Frisco-based Emerald Lawn Care has lers actually access weather information
mend a “cycle/soak” method that they say been trying to find ways to help their cus- to determine if watering is necessary.
is best for our clay soils. “So for instance, tomers protect their outdoor investments. Homeowners with systems before 2007
let’s say you needed to water for 20 min- They swear by Moisture Manager, a granu- are eligible for a rebate from the city if they
utes; it’s suggested that you break that up lar product that they can apply to their cli- choose to upgrade to an ET controller. Ms.
into two or three different cycles — water ents’ lawns. “Once it’s watered in, it leech- Warren said, “Anything we can do to help
five to seven minutes, let that water soak in es onto the soil, bonds and attaches itself them make their sprinkler system more ef-
and water the next five to seven minutes,” to the root hairs and pulls moisture from ficient helps our community.”
explained Ms. Hickey. the soil and even from the air. It delivers
it as tiny microscopic droplets that can be Elsa K. Simcik is a writer and fitness instruc-
Another way residents can help is by ac- used by the plant roots,” explained Josh tor who lives in North Texas with her hus-
tually harvesting the rain with a rain barrel. Cahill, co-owner of Emerald Lawn Care. band and two young sons.
The city recently facilitated a pilot program “In Texas, once the roots get to a really
for rain barrel distribution. Ms. Warren said

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42 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. NEWCOMERS’

THE VOTES ARE IN!
We asked our readers to vote for their favorite local businesses and attractions. After
tallying hundreds of online votes, we introduce to you our 2014 Summer Fun Readers’
Choice Awards!

Best Spray Park Best Place to
See Fireworks
FRISCO COMMONS SPRAY PARK
8000 McKinney Rd. FRISCO FREEDOM FEST
Runner up: J. R. Newman Spray Park Frisco Square,
8874 Coleman Blvd.
www.friscofreedomfest.org
Runner up: Frisco RoughRiders game

Best Place to Best Swimming Lessons Best Summer
Catch Some Quick Rays Entertainment
FRISCO ATHLETIC CENTER
PALM BEACH TAN 972.292.6600 MUSIC IN THE SQUARE
214.705.6200 5828 Nancy Jane Ln. Simpson Plaza lawn, Frisco Square
5105 Eldorado Pkwy., #170 Runner up: Emler Swim School 8874 Coleman Blvd.
972.377.6128 www.friscosquare.com/MITS
3685 Preston Rd., #151 Best Summer Camp Runner up: Jimmy Buffett concert at
www.palmbeach Toyota Stadium
tan.com APPLE CREEK
Runner up: SUMMER CAMP
Planet Tan 972.334.0005
7797 Stonebrook Pkwy.
Best www.applecreek
Frozen preschool.com
Treat Runner up:
Prospering Farms
THE SNOW
CONE LADY Best Bike Trail
8760 John W.
Elliott Dr., FRISCO NW
Runner up: Double COMMUNITY PARK
Dip Frozen Custard
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

1506 Gloryview Rd.

Runner up: Beaver Bend Trail

Best Place to Best Place for a
Get a Parents’ Night Out Family Picnic

URBAN AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK FRISCO COMMONS PARK
800.960.4778 972.292.6500
10570 John W. Elliott Dr., Ste. 900 8000 McKinney Rd.
www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com Runner up: Frisco Central Park
Runner up: WOGA (World Olympic
Gymnastics Academy)

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STREETS OF FRISCO

FSM’S CHRIS FRITCHIE ASKS

What is the best prank you’ve
ever pulled or witnessed?

“I went on a prank spree at camp one
year. We put lubricant on deodorant
sticks, salt in toothpaste tubes and
filled a truck cab with rocks and
small boulders.”

RUSS MCCLELLAND

“ We Saran wrapped a friend’s entire
car shut. It took him four hours to
clean it all up.”

OLAN HODGES

“I n college, a buddy and I moved all of
a friend’s furniture and possessions
into his ginormous bathroom like it
had all been stolen. Then, we waited
in the bathroom for him to get home
to see his reaction.”

TONY GABLE

“W hen I was in the Army, we had MREs (Meals
Ready to Eat). Normally, you put the food and
water in it, bring it to a boil and it creates a gas.
Well, we decided to put Tabasco in
it instead, creating pepper gas. One
night, we snuck up on some
guys sleeping in a tank. We
got it steaming good, opened
their hatch, threw it in and
slammed the hatch shut.
About 30 seconds later, they
came out hacking, coughing
and drooling. Good times.”

JODY CLARK

Visit friscostyle.com to see how our staff answered!

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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

CITY HALL - 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., www.friscotexas.gov.....................................972.292.5000

CITY COUNCIL
Mayor: Maher Maso - [email protected] .........................................972.292.5050
Mayor Pro Tem: Jeff Cheney- [email protected] .......................972.292.5052
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem: John Keating- [email protected] ...972.292.5054
Council Member: Bob Allen – [email protected] ..................972.292.5051
Council Member: Will Sowell - [email protected] ............972.292.5053
Council Member: Scott Johnson – [email protected]
Council Member: Tim Nelson - [email protected] .........972.292.5055

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES ......................................................972.292.5100
City Manager: George Purefoy ...................................................972.292.5105
Animal Control ..............................................................................972.292.5303
New Water Service/Utility Billing Dept .......................................972.292.5575
Job Line ..........................................................................................972.292.5200
Property Taxes..................................................................................469.362.5801

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
President: Jim Gandy .............................................................................972.292.5150

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief: Mark Piland........................................Emergency 911
Administration ......................................................................................................972.292.6300
Central Fire Station, 8601 Gary Burns Dr. .................................................................972.292.6401
Fire Station #2, 3711 Ohio Dr. ............................................................................................972.292.6402
Fire Station #3, 5449 Warren Pkwy. ................................................................................................972.292.6403
Fire Station #4, 4485 Cotton Gin Rd. ........................................................................................................................................972.292.6404
Fire Station #5, 14300 Eldorado Pkwy. .....................................................................................................................................972.292.6405
Fire Station #6, 3535 Eldorado Pkwy. .......................................................................................................................................972.292.6406
Fire Station #7, 330 W. Stonebrook Pkwy. ................................................................................................................................972.292.6407
Fire Station #8, Independence and Rolater .. ................................................................................................................(Opening Fall 2014)

POLICE DEPARTMENT - Police Chief: John W. Bruce..........................................................................................................Emergency 911
Administration, 7200 Stonebrook Pkwy. ..................................................................................................................................972.292.6100
Dispatch (non-emergency) ........................................................................................................................................................972.292.6010

MUNICIPAL COURT - 6865 W. Main St. .....................................................................................................................................972.292.5555

PUBLIC LIBRARY - 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., #3000, www.friscolibrary.com ..........................................................................972.292.5669

PUBLIC WORKS - Director: Gary Hartwell, P.E., 11300 Research Rd. ......................................................................................972.292.5800

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - Environmental Services Manager: Jeremy Starritt
Sanitation, Recycling, Hazardous Household Waste & Reuses ............................................................................................972.292.5900

PARKS & RECREATION – 6726 Walnut St., www.friscofun.org................................................................................................972.292.6500
Director: Rick Wieland ...............................................................................................................................................................972.292.6510
Alumni Hall Fitness Center - 9700 Wade Blvd. .......................................................................................................................972.377.1752
Frisco Athletic Center- 5828 Nancy Jane Ln. ...........................................................................................................................972.292.6600
Frisco Senior Center - 6670 Moore St. .....................................................................................................................................972.292.6550
Frisco Superdrome - 9700 Wade Blvd. ....................................................................................................................................972.523.9452

DRIVERS LICENSE
Collin County
2109 W. Parker Rd., Suite 224, Plano ....................................................................................................................................972.867.4221
400 Powerhouse St., McKinney .............................................................................................................................................214.733.5350
Denton County
190 Valley Pkwy., Suite. 201, Lewisville .................................................................................................................................972.221.8081

HOSPITALS
Centennial Medical Center, 12505 Lebanon Rd. ...................................................................................................................972.963.3333
Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, 5601 Warren Pkwy. .............................................................................................................214.407.5000
Forest Park Medical Center, 5500 Frisco Square Blvd. ...........................................................................................................214.618.0500

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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Frisco Chamber of Commerce: www.friscochamber.com
6843 West Main St., Frisco, TX, 75034 ..................................................................................................................................972.335.9522
Celina Chamber of Commerce: www.celinachamber.org
312 Walnut St., Celina, TX, 75009 .........................................................................................................................................972.382.3300
Little Elm Chamber of Commerce: www.littleelmchamber.com
2103 W. Eldorado Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75035 ...........................................................................................................................972.292.3777
McKinney Chamber of Commerce: www.mckinneychamber.com
2150 S. Central Expwy., #150, Mckinney, TX 75070 ............................................................................................................972.542.0163
Plano Chamber of Commerce: www.planochamber.org
1200 East 15th St., Plano, TX 75074 ......................................................................................................................................972.424.7547
Prosper Chamber of Commerce: www.prosperchamber.org
100 N. Preston Rd., Prosper, TX 75078 .................................................................................................................................972.508.4200

ORGANIZATIONS
Adopt-A-Pet ................................................................................................................................................................................972.498.8980
American Business Women’s Association ‑ www.abwa.org....................................................................................................800.228.0007
American Cancer Society, Collin County - www.cancer.org...................................................................................................214.819.1200
American Red Cross of North Texas - www.redcross.org.......................................................................................................214.678.4800
Association of Frisco Retired School Personnel.......................................................................................................... localunits.org/frisco
Beyond Affairs Network .............................................................................................................................................friscoban@yahoo.com
Boy Scouts of America, Circle 10 Council – www.circle10.org ..............................................................................................214.902.6700
Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County - www.bgccc.org ...........................................................................................................214.387.8405
Career and Technical Education Center - 9889 Wade Blvd. Frisco ......................................................................................469.633.6780
Collin County Association of Realtors - www.ccar.net ............................................................................................................972.618.3800
Collin County Committee on Aging - 600 N. Tennessee St., McKinney...............................................................................972.562.5415
Daughters of the American Revolution...................................................................................www.texasdar.org/chapters/PrestonRidge
Downtown Advisory Board - [email protected] .........................................................................................................972.292.5669
Friends of the Frisco Public Library...............................................................................................................www.friscolibrary.com/friends
Frisco-Allen Texas Area Alumnae Panhellenic.................................................................................................................... www.fataap.org
Frisco Area Republican Women .............................................................................................................................................. www.farw.org
Frisco Arts - www.friscoarts.com ...............................................................................................................................................972.668.5180
Frisco Community Theatre - www.friscocommunitytheatre.com ..........................................................................................972.370.2266
Frisco Dog Park - www.friscodogpark.org ...............................................................................................................................972.292.6506
Frisco Football League.......................................................................................... www.friscofootballleague.com
Frisco Garden Club..................................................................................... www.friscogardenclub.org
Frisco Humane Society - www.friscohumanesociety.com.................................. 972.498.8980
Frisco Lion’s Club...............................................................frisconoonlionsclub.camp9.org
Frisco Masonic Lodge #837 - www.friscomasons.org ...........................972.767.8819
Frisco Men’s Republican Club ................................................ www.friscogop.com
Frisco Quilt Guild .........................................................www.friscoquiltguild.org
Frisco Rotary Sunrise .....................................................www.friscosunrise.org
Frisco Soccer Association - www.friscosoccer.org..................972.712.4625
Frisco VFW Post 8273 ....................................................www.friscovfw.org
Frisco Women’s League ......................... www.friscowomensleague.org
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas - www.gsnetx.org ............972.349.2400
Heritage Association of Frisco ........................www.friscoheritage.org
Keep Frisco Beautiful - www.friscotexas.gov.................. 972.292.5900
Kiwanis Club of Allen, TX .................................... www.allenkiwanis.org
Main Street Merchants Association ............www.downtownfrisco.com
Mothers of Preschoolers - www.fbcfrisco.org/mops .......972.335.9830
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collin County
www.namicco.org ............................................................214.908.6264
National Breast Cancer Foundation - www.nbcf.org..........972.248.9200
North Texas Cares - www.ntxcares.org ................................. 214.705.8200
Rotary Club of Frisco ..............................................www.friscorotaryclub.com
Samaritan Inn - www.thesamaritaninn.org ......................................972.542.5302
SPCA of Texas - www.spca.org .......................................................1.800.ANIMALS
Speak Up! Frisco Toastmasters - www.speakupfrisco.com................... 214.551.8651
Student Opportunity Center, Frisco ISD - 6928 W. Maple St.
www.friscoisd.org/soc.............................................................................................469.633.6700
Texas Democratic Women Collin County .....................................................................www.tdwcc.org

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