Faces of Frisco ISD: Riddle Teacher Keeps Himself, Others Running

Faces of Frisco ISD is a monthly feature highlighting some of the untold stories of FISD and the people who make FISD special.

Hamlin Jones of Riddle Elementary, had never run a competitive race in his life until the Gary Burns Fun Run of 2005. But that was the first step into a life-changing adventure.

The Gary Burns is the major fundraiser for Frisco Education Foundation and campuses often bring teams to run in the event. Some campuses take their running more seriously than others. Superintendent Rick Reedy regularly takes employees who beat his time to lunch after the event.

“Mia Bennett (principal of Riddle at the time) said you’ve got to run Gary Burns! I had never run a 5K. But I ran it in 20 minutes and took 20th place,” Jones said.

Full Story at FriscoISD.org

CHS Orchestra Students to Compete at State Level

The following Centennial High School Orchestra members received Superior and Outstanding marks at the Region 24 UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 21st at Creekview High School in Carrollton. They are:

Juniors: Sarah Park and Susan Yi

Sophmores: Shane Andrews, Alysia Chen, Emma Chibnall, Alex Gamez, Min Ji Kim, & Sophia Miao

And

Freshmen: Christina Clawson, Josh Davila, Kirsten Roberts, Roger Tang and Tara Thomas.

Eleven Centennial Orchestra students distinguished themselves by qualifying on Saturday for the state UIL solo & ensemble competition to be held in Austin in May. To achieve this honor and represent the students had to perform a grade one solo from memory or perform a grade one work with an ensemble and receive the highest rating by their judge.

Soloists advancing to state competition include: Shane Andrews, Alysia Chen, Min Ji Kim, Roger Tang and Tara Thomas. Ensembles advancing to state include: The Varsity Quartet: Alysia Chen, Alex Gamez, Susan Yi and Sophia Miao, violinists

AND

The Freshmen Quartet: Christina Clawson, Kirsten Roberts, Roger Tang and Josh Davila, violinists.

FriscoISD.org

Apetitos – The Little Restaurant That Could

02/09/2009 from Wenter Blair

Perhaps the third time is the charm when it comes to Apetitos and the ladies who dined with me last week. You see, on the corner of Teel and Main is a little Mexican Restaurant with big dreams. It wanted to play with the big engines of food service and provide scrumptious Mexican food to all who wished to dine there, but no matter how many laid tracks to the little restaurant, it just wasn't ready to carry a big load of diners. Families in far north Frisco wanted to enjoy Apetitos and would roll in only to find that the food was late to the table, not available or simply not desirable. Apetitos has been persistent and its owners just knew that given a chance they could be the little Mexican Restaurant that could...and they have!

With some amount of trepidation, I agreed to review Apetitos because my mama always said, "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all." I was fearful that this would be one of those instances. At first glance, the table was dressed out with bowls of lightly salted, airy chips and an entirely desirable salsa that was a hint pecante sauce and chunky with pico de gallo. I actually spoke aloud to my friend that this was already a nice improvement. Our waiter came straight to the table to take our drink orders and even had suggestions for us. I took his advice and thoroughly enjoyed the Raspberry Ice Tea. Apetitos does have a full bar but this was lunch and we had business on the table and a full agenda. Wait, that hasn't stopped me before! Oh well, there's next week!

One of our guests arrived with a hungry and fussy two year old. This child wasn't about to wait for the grownups to decide on which platter they would feast and our waiter made immediate note of that. He suggested that he could bring the little one's vittles as soon as possible. Like a shot, the order arrived to sooth the bitty beast at the end of the table. Of course, it also helped to have a quick thinking mama to manage things but nonetheless the gesture was greatly appreciated.

The nuances of the little restaurant were that of a big Mexican chain with ample but quiet festive music dancing in the background, notes of flavors wafting from the kitchen and never ending drinks that seemed to refill themselves before you had to ask. Our meals were classics that anyone can find in any Mexican restaurant but we took particular delight in the fact that the owner highlights that on select plates, they use genuine Velveeta. Who the heck doesn't love Velveeta! On most other meals they use real cheese and a sweet tomato sauce that is distinctive to Apetitos. We scarfed down Enchiladas, Chicken Flautas with the afore mentioned sauce, and Beef and Chicken Tacos Al Carbon grilled to a tender, tasty perfection. Often beans and rice are merely plate fillers you may or not eat. At Apetitos, the beans have a chuck wagon flavor that I enjoyed so much I actually cleaned my plate of legumes. For those of you not interested in the musical fruit, a side salad is easily substituted. While salt seems to be the all time favorite spice of the chef, the food was far better than we had anticipated and we rejoiced that Apetitos had realized that they knew they could do better and they actually did it. This little Mexican Restaurant that could, has, and we invite everyone to return to Apetitos. I sincerely hope that your experience is as good as ours was, and that families in far North West Frisco will be all aboard with Apetitos.

Apetitos Mexican Grill is located at:

3245 W. Main - Frisco, TX 75034

(214) 705-1010

www.ApetitoGrill.com

Frisco Family Services Center Gala 2009 Welcome To The Jungle

Frisco - Plans for Frisco Family Services Center's signature fundraising gala are well under way and this year's event, Welcome To The Jungle, is one you won't want to miss. The 15th annual event is Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Frisco.

Frisco Family Services Center anticipates welcoming more than 900 guests who will dress in their jungle chic attire, and enjoy an evening of entertainment, friend-raising and fundraising to benefit those in need or in crisis in our community. Guests can dance the night away to the music of the very popular Random Axis Band, enjoy sumptuous food from area restaurants and have the opportunity to bid on an array of silent auction items including: jewelry, sporting event tickets, furniture, entertainment, weekend getaways, clothing, spa treatments, unique theme baskets and more.

Auctioneer Damon Motley and his spotters will once again orchestrate the always exciting live auction, giving guests the opportunity to bid on exceptional big-ticket items. New this year is an exciting luxury raffle for an opportunity to win a $10,000 Visa gift card courtesy of Collin Bank, a magnificent 7 day Hawaiian vacation for 4, or a stunning pair of 18kt white gold diamond hoop earrings provided by DFW Diamonds.

Raffle tickets are $50 each and you have your choice of which item you would like to enter to win. Only 1500 tickets will be sold and the winner need not be present to win.

Gala Chairs, Jennifer Barnes and Amy Davis encourage everyone to attend. General admission is $75 per person or $1000 for a reserved table for 10. With another sell out expected, make your reservations now and get your raffle tickets soon! For more information on sponsoring, donating an auction item, or to purchase tickets, visit www.friscocenter.org or call 972-335-9495.

This gala would not be possible with out the generous support of the restaurant partners and sponsors. Major sponsors showing their support include: Advanced Fixtures Incorporated, Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, Sam Roach Business Center, and Strasburger & Price, LLP, signature media sponsor Frisco Style Magazine, media sponsors: Farstar, Frisco-Online.com, and Inside Collin County Business. Some of the restaurant partners that will be at the event serving their sumptuous food are: Bonnie Ruth's Cafe, Campania Pizza, Cristina's, Hooters, Petra Essence of Mexico, and III Dimensional Catering.

Jimmy Buffett at Pizza Hut Park - April 18, 2009 for "Summerzcool"

FRISCO, TX (Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009) - Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band make a triumphant return to Pizza Hut Park for one remarkable performance and tailgate on Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. as part of Jimmy Buffett's "Summerzcool" Tour 2009.

FC Dallas Full Season Ticket holders will have a chance to order tickets to the April 18 concert during a special pre-sale beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. Please contact the FCD front office for more information (888-FCD-GOAL).

Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Monday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. and can only be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-754-3000. There is a six ticket limit per customer. Tickets are not available through the Pizza Hut Park box office.

Please check www.pizzahutpark.com for more information regarding the opening of gates, parking costs, hours, and tailgating policies for this event.

This will be Buffett's third concert at Pizza Hut Park, having previously played at the home of FC Dallas on April 28, 2007 and April 26, 2008.

Martini Park Closed at Shops at Legacy

Popular nightspot Martini Park has closed according to D Magazine. Martini Park was located in Plano in The Shops at Legacy.