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Patricia Chi
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Coppell XC Varsity Boys Celebrate with Team After

On Saturday, August 24, Coppell High School’s Cross Country teams made their exciting relay debut at the legendary Greenhill/Luke’s Locker 6-Mile Relay! In a thrilling team format, runners broke into groups of four, each tackling 1.5 miles of a challenging course filled with haybales and hills. With teamwork, determination, and incredible team spirit on full display, Coppell’s athletes faced tough competition and strengthened their bonds, celebrating every step of the way. The joy and energy were undeniable as the team came together for this unforgettable cross-country event.

Coach Wren remarked, “This meet was definitely different from the others we’ll attend this year. I wanted to give the kids a unique experience and a meet they could really enjoy. Each runner ran 1.5 miles instead of a 5k, but the course provided a great challenge. Despite missing several runners due to the SAT, those who competed performed very well.”


Individual and Team Highlights

Varsity Boys: 

The team of Srivanth RudrangiTanish NeelapuGrant O’Neal, and Rohit Kalpathy finished 5th overall with a time of 31:45.62, each runner completing their 1.5-mile leg with impressive times.

Coach Wren added, “We were missing a few varsity runners, but I was pleased with how the team of Grant, Rohit, Srivanth, and Tanish ran. The other varsity team, consisting of sophomores and freshmen—Diego MoralesSam MeierArya Khanna, and Itsuki Pena—competed well against older runners.”

 

Varsity Girls:

The team of Rachel ArringtonMallory SherrerAnnie Reeder, and Maya Easterwood finished 6th overall with a time of 38:48.54, competing against more than 35 teams.

Maya and Mallory had the top times for the girls, praised Coach Wren. “The varsity team just missed out on taking home a trophy. Rachel, Mallory, Annie, and Maya all ran well, and I’m proud of their efforts.”

 

JV Boys: 

Both JV Boys A and JV Boys B teams dominated the competition, each taking 1st place overall in their respective divisions.

  • JV Boys Team ARodrick AbregoMyles MetranoAiden George, and Jose Murillo finished 1st overall with a time of 34:29.40 in the JV A division.
  • JV Boys Team BFarhan MohammedChristian ToddNoah Law, and Hugh Harris also claimed 1st place, clocking a time of 36:16.52 in the JV B division.

Coach Wren praised the teams’ performances: “The team of Jose, Rodrick, Aiden, and Myles finished first in the JV A division, and they all ran exceptionally well. The team of Noah, Hugh, Christian, and Farhan won the JV B division. Winning both JV Boys’ divisions was the highlight of the meet.”

 

JV Girls:

The team of Shreya ShahRhea BalaDelanee Mullen, and Ava Garcia finished 4th overall with a time of 44:04.65.

Coach Wren remarked, “Ava, Rhea, Shreya, and Delanee competed hard and earned some hardware for their 4th place finish. Ava Garcia really stood out, running the best time among the JV Girls.”


Looking Ahead

Coach Wren concluded: “The timing of this meet is perfect because it comes the week before an extremely important race at North Lakes Park in Denton, where the District Meet will be held in October. I’m really looking forward to seeing how our kids run on the district course against some of the top teams in the state. I have confidence that with a strong week of practice, they’ll perform well next Saturday at the Marcus Coach T Invitational.”


Our team came together for a strong relay debut, showing determination and teamwork on this tough course. Most importantly, they demonstrated incredible bonding and strategy. Until next time, we'll keep pushing forward!


 

Contact Information
For more details or to support the team, please contact:
Patricia Chi
Email: chi.patricia@gmail.com
Phone: (469) 831-3709

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Left: Mayor of Plano John Muns of Plano meeting John Everett, President and CEO of Legacy Bank & Trust.

Legacy Bank & Trust is excited to announce the opening of its new location in Plano at 437 Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075. This is one of three locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as the company expands in the region. The other two branches in the Metroplex are located in Fort Worth at 5721 N. Tarrant Parkway and Dallas at 17561 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75287. Legacy Bank & Trust also opened a corporate office in the Uptown area of Dallas at 2401 Cedar Springs, Suite 305, Dallas, TX 75201. 

The Plano community including Mayor John Muns, local businesses, and customers celebrated the branch opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 31.  

“We are pleased to have a presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and look forward to providing customers in the area with the personal service, attention, and commitment Legacy is known for,” says Jeremy Loftin, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer at Legacy Bank and Trust. “Our bank has been in business since 1907 and has been committed to providing leading services in banking for our customers since the day we opened. Our new branches are designed with a warm, welcoming environment to foster personal relationships with our customers. We hope our surrounding neighbors will stop in to meet us.”

Legacy Bank & Trust offers innovative products and services with personalized, in-house lending services and strong account benefits. With the foundation of providing the best in banking for citizens looking for a trusted local partner and a personalized experience, Legacy offers many innovative services to meet customers' banking needs and a toolkit of resources to support clients in making the right financial decisions for themselves or their business. In addition to Legacy’s trusted services, the Texas branches offer top-of-market certificate of deposit rates and four signature checking account options. 

 

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Galaxy Theatres Grandscape

It’s showtime! Catch an advanced screening of one of the year’s most anticipated releases, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, on Wednesday, September 4 at 7:00pm at Galaxy Theatres Grandscape.

See the ghost with the most with the Afterlife ticket package exclusive to this advanced screening. The $25.00 package includes one adult ticket, 44oz drink in a collectible cup, regular sized popcorn and access to on-site giveaways and photo ops. Come dressed in your best Beetlejuice black, white and green.

Enjoy specialty Beetlejuice themed cocktails like the Beetle-Drink and It’s Showtime Margarita or purchase collectible merchandise including a sandworm popcorn bucket, shrunken head cup or character top cup. 

Check https://www.galaxytheatres.com/movie-theater/grandscape for all showtimes beginning Friday, September 6.

 

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North Richland Hills – In partnership with the American Red Cross, Medical City North Hills is hosting a September blood drive with an extra focus on overcoming the current emergency blood shortage. In July, the American Red Cross reported a decrease in the national blood supply of more than 25 percent.

Details:

4375 Booth Calloway Road

Medical Office Building, Suite 202

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Thursday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Community members may sign up online to donate or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

“The national blood shortage has reached a critical level,” Medical City North Hills Chief Nursing Officer Kevin Inderhees, MHA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC says. “The American Red Cross often sees a decline in blood donors during the summer, but the extreme heat we’ve experienced has exacerbated the challenge.”

Each unit of blood donated can help save up to three lives.

Blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health, feeling well. People who present to give blood should eat a nourishing meal before donating and must bring a photo ID. 

Lisa Emmick

Dallas Piano Academy, a leading music school in the Lake Highlands area near White Rock Lake, is excited to announce significant new offerings beginning in September 2024. Due to overwhelming demand, the academy has reached full capacity and is taking steps to better serve its growing community of piano, voice and guitar students.

Expansion of Lessons and Faculty
To accommodate the increased interest in music education, Dallas Piano Academy is opening additional lesson times during the week, allowing more students the opportunity to learn and grow with the academy. Several existing teachers have increased their availability, and five new, highly skilled teachers have joined the academy’s faculty, making Dallas Piano Academy the largest and most knowledgeable music education team in Dallas.

"We're thrilled to welcome new teachers to our team, which means more opportunities for our students," said Lisa Emmick, Owner of Dallas Piano Academy. "Whether a student is looking to continue with their current teacher or try lessons with someone new, we have the breadth of expertise to meet every need."

New Lesson Days and Expanded Offerings
Starting in September, Dallas Piano Academy will offer piano and voice lessons on Fridays for the first time, providing greater flexibility for students' schedules. Additionally, the academy is expanding its Saturday offerings to accommodate the growing number of students.

A Year of Notable Achievements
The past year has been a remarkable one for Dallas Piano Academy. In December, the school was honored with a Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce Award and this spring was named a Top Ten Finalist for National Music School of the Year. These achievements, along with being featured on the "What's Happening in East Dallas" Podcast and the academy's top ranking on Google, underscore its commitment to excellence in music education and customer service.

Commitment to Personal, Individualized Education
Despite its growth, Dallas Piano Academy remains dedicated to providing a personal, individualized experience for each student. "Our mission has always been to tailor every lesson to our students' unique goals and interests," Emmick added. "As we expand, we will continue to prioritize the quality of education and the supportive environment that our students and parents have come to expect."

For more information about Dallas Piano Academy's offerings and to schedule lessons, visit dallaspianoacademy.com or contact 214.343.4804.

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The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold and Christophe – Written and illustrated by Christian Bjone 

An entertaining retelling of the fairytale of Prince Gilgamesh.

The Very First Amazing Adventure of Griswold and Christophe by author-illustrator Christian Bjone introduces a new audience of children to the ancient Babylonian myth of Prince Gilgamesh. This fairytale retelling is whimsical and unique as it features a giant teddy bear and a toy soldier as the main characters.

After a disrupted toy parade leaves Griswold the Teddy Bear and Christophe the Toy Soldier completely alone, they naturally join together as friends for company and support. Hearing about the trouble at the Queen’s Castle, Christophe decides they must travel there to free the inhabitants from the Evil Ogre. Their journey commences, and they meet powerful and strange creatures along the way. They complete challenges to win the magic weapons they’ll need to defeat their foe. 

The story unfolds through short paragraphs, colorful illustrations, and maps. Much of the narrative, while lyrical and vivid, may fly over the heads of struggling or reluctant readers and will require adult interpretation. I enjoyed Christophe’s focus on their ultimate mission and smiled over his reaction to Red Fox and his various kindnesses throughout the story. I laughed about Griswold’s constant and appealing interest in food and eating rather than almost anything else. The result of Christophe’s kindness and bravery came as a twist, as did the surprising cliffhanger ending, which is to be continued in a follow-up retelling of the story of Ulysses and his journey home from the Trojan War.

I recommend THE VERY FIRST AMAZING ADVENTURE OF GRISWOLD AND CHRISTOPHE for older, more advanced middle-grade readers and teens and for reading aloud to younger children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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On Friday, September 13th, Sheraton Dallas is hosting a Paint and Sip Night at The Parlor, where attendees can unwind with a guided painting class while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine. The event promises to be the perfect mix of creativity and relaxation. 

 

It's a fun and casual evening designed for everyone from seasoned artists to those just looking to try something new in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, September 13th

  • Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

  • Location: The Parlor at Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

  • Price: $50.00

  • Tickets: Reserve your spot

 What to Expect:

  • A guided painting class with all supplies provided

  • A complimentary glass of wine to kick off the evening

  • Additional glasses of wine and cocktails available for purchase

  • Complimentary parking for all attendees

This event is the perfect opportunity for a unique date night, a fun outing with friends, or a solo creative escape. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to explore The Parlor, Sheraton Dallas’ inviting and stylish venue that offers a cozy ambiance for any social gathering. 

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 Grant Gustin, best known for his roles as Barry Allen/The Flash in the CW series The Flash, is the first celebrity guest announced for Dallas FAN FESTIVAL 2024.

“We are thrilled to welcome Grant Gustin, a multitalented performer and pop culture favorite, to Irving in October. As part of the Arrowverse for nearly ten years, Gustin developed a loyal fan following. Now, fresh from his critically acclaimed turn as Jacob Jankowski in the original Broadway production of Water for Elephants, Gustin will be on hand to share his experiences in front of the camera and on the stage, with guests at our annual pop culture celebration in Irving,” says Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO.

Dallas FAN FESTIVAL is this Fall’s premier pop culture celebration, offering the ultimate playground for comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming fans. Highlights include celebrity photo ops and meet-and-greets, opportunities to interact with legendary comic book creators, a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, family-friendly fandom, and cosplay fun! Dallas FAN FESTIVAL features programming that celebrates the vibrant pop culture community thriving in North Texas and beyond.

 

Tickets ON SALE NOW:

Weekend Passes: $50

Adult Single Day Passes (13+): Saturday $40 and Sunday $30

Child Passes (6-12): $10

Family Passes: Saturday $90 and Sunday $70

Gold Package: $129

 

DETAILS:  Dallas FAN FESTIVAL runs Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, 2024

Saturday, October 19, from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 20, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

The Irving Convention Center is located at 500 W Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, TX 75039

 

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ:

With over a million fans and counting, FAN EXPO HQ attracts pop culture enthusiasts, locally and internationally, to come together to celebrate all things fandom. Collectively, it hosts nearly one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and EDMONTON EXPO. The latest schedule of events is available on the Website, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong. 

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RICHARDSON, TEXAS – August 27, 2024 –AdvoCare International, LLC, a Richardson, TX-based health and wellness company, is proud to announce its third year of sponsorship for the exciting Blondes vs. Brunettes (BvB) Dallas event. This year, AdvoCare was the title sponsor for the BvB Field Day event held at CrossBar Soccer + Beer in Richardson on August 24.

BvB Dallas, a non-profit organization that brings young professionals together to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research and support, has raised over $6.1 million for the Dallas community since 2008.

Participants at BvB Field Day were co-ed teams of six or seven people who competed in fun-filled challenges and activities. AdvoCare, as the title sponsor, offered hydration and energy with product samples of AdvoCare Spark® and Rehydrate® to participants and spectators. "By supporting BvB Dallas, we are not only shining a light on the fight against Alzheimer's but also championing the importance of active living and community engagement for a truly impactful cause,” said Christina Helwig, CEO of AdvoCare.

Learn more about BvB Dallas here and visit AdvoCare’s website www.advocare.com for more information about AdvoCare’s products.

About AdvoCare International, LLC:
AdvoCare International, LLC is making pursuing wellness easy and accessible. As an established health and wellness consumer packaged goods company, AdvoCare serves health-aware consumers through products that offer whole body support focusing on energy, hydration, immunity and gut health. Since 1993, AdvoCare has offered trusted health and wellness products like Spark® to millions of customers and athletes across the world.

###

Media Contact:

Ginger Greenberg

ggreenberg@sunwestpr.com

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In what is sure to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year, Kaleidoscope Park, the 5.7-acre signature park in Frisco, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6. The celebration will feature vibrant programming, with activities scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Saturday will begin with morning fitness classes, a traditional farmer’s market, a petting zoo, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. At 11 a.m. Kaleidoscope Park’s Executive Director Shawn Jackson will be joined by special guests Craig Hall, City of Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, Park board chairperson The Honorable Florence Shapiro, Communities Foundation of Texas President & CEO Wayne White, and featured artist Janet Echelman for the park’s official ribbon cutting. A full slate of family activities during the day will culminate with a concert with the Emerald City All-Stars, presented by Emerald City Band and sponsored by H-E-B. 

Sunday’s events include live musical performances by members of the Plano Symphony Orchestra, hands-on arts experiences and more. Throughout the two-day event, guests will enjoy games throughout the park and surprising activations around every corner.

Food and beverages will be available from a diverse selection of vendors and food trucks, ensuring that everyone has something to enjoy. Parking is complimentary throughout the weekend.

“The Grand Opening of Kaleidoscope Park represents the culmination of countless hours of dedication and partnership,” said Shawn Jackson. “This park is more than just a green space—it’s a vibrant community hub designed to be accessible and welcoming to everyone. With thoughtfully programmed events and activities, Kaleidoscope Park will be a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect with nature, experience art, and create lasting memories together.”

Developer Craig Hall sees the park as a signature part of the HALL Park development.

"The concept of bringing a programmed park to Frisco with free year-round community events was inspired by the great success of Klyde Warren Park in Dallas,” said Hall Group Founder and Chairman, Craig Hall. “We hope the park will be a place where Frisco residents and all of North Texas can gather with family, friends, and neighbors to make lasting memories.”

 

The beautiful Kaleidoscope Park will be maintained by the team from the City of Frisco, and it represents the city’s commitment to both usable green space and public art.

 

“The City of Frisco is proud to invest in Kaleidoscope Park,” said Mayor Jeff Cheney.  “Our public-private partnership with Hall Park creates a unique destination, blending the best in park design with amazing art.  Kaleidoscope Park will transform Hall Park into more than a place to work and draw families for generations. We’re grateful for the vision of Craig Hall, who always develops with excellence in mind.”

 

The Kaleidoscope Park Foundation is supported by a cadre of generous donors who make programming at the park possible.

 

“On behalf of the entire Kaleidoscope Park Foundation board, I want to share our gratitude to those individuals, foundations and companies who have shown leadership in becoming members of the Kaleidoscope Park Founders Circle,” said the Honorable Florence Shapiro, board chairperson. “These visionaries will enable the Park to serve thousands of guests each month with unique and meaningful programming.”

 

Current members of the Founders Circle include Austin Commercial, Baylor Scott & White Health, The Boxer Family, Capital One, Beth and Ed Bull, Coury Hospitality, Cushman & Wakefield, Frisco Arts Foundation, Frost Bank, Carolyn and Denton Newham, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Charlyn and Jake Plunk, Plunk Smith, PLLC, Susan and Dave Scullin, Florence and Howard Shapiro and The Webb Impact Foundation.

 

The Kaleidoscope Park Grand Opening is made possible by generous sponsors including Big D Party Rentals - Sound & Stage, H-E-B - Sponsoring Emerald City All-Stars performance, Baylor Scott & White - Health and Fitness Programs, Carol Vig Photography – Photography, and Capital One.

 

For more information on events and activities at Kaleidoscope Park Foundation, visit KaleidoscopePark.org/support.

 

Kaleidoscope Park is located near the Dallas North Tollway at Warren Parkway in Frisco, Texas, and in neighboring distance to The Star, Stonebriar Centre, Legacy West, The Shops at Legacy, The Boardwalk and Granite Park.

 

ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE PARK:

Kaleidoscope Park is a dynamic, innovative arts and culture destination for North Texas currently under construction. The Park will be home to free, year-round public programming, including films, diverse musical and dance performances, and a variety of health and recreational activities. The Park will feature monumental works of public art, architecture, and gardens set among a children’s play area, dog park, performance lawn, outdoor workspaces, and shaded promenades and plazas. Learn more at kaleidoscopepark.org.

 

ABOUT THE KALEIDOSCOPE PARK FOUNDATION:

Kaleidoscope Park Foundation is a nonprofit public-private partnership between Communities Foundation of Texas and the City of Frisco. The Foundation’s mission is to thoughtfully engage the diverse and rapidly growing communities of North Texas through free public arts and culture programming that is genuine, inclusive, and accessible. Operating as a Foundation supported by private donations, financial support for development, operations, and programming is always welcome.

 

ABOUT COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS:

The mission of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) is to improve the lives of all people in our community by investing in their health, wealth, living, and learning. CFT works to accomplish this by growing community giving, expanding community impact, and advancing community equity. With a vision of building thriving communities for all, CFT works locally and across the state with many individuals, families, companies, foundations, and nonprofits through a variety of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking initiatives. CFT professionally manages more than 1,300 charitable funds and has awarded more than $2.5 billion in grants since its founding in 1953.

CFT is committed to serving and understanding donor needs, expertly handling complex gifts, wisely managing charitable funds, and leveraging its community knowledge to increase charitable impact, in addition to powering several initiatives including the W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund at CFT, CFT for Business, Educate Texas at CFT, Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy at CFT, GiveWisely, and CFT’s North Texas Giving Day. CFT’s North Texas Giving Day raised $64 million on a single day in 2023 to help over 3,250 North Texas nonprofits. Learn more at www.CFTexas.org.

 

ABOUT HALL PARK

A pioneering development in Frisco since the mid-1990s, HALL Park today encompasses 2.2 million square feet of office and retail space throughout 15 buildings. One-third of the park is dedicated to green space and includes three miles of walking trails, over 200 works of art including the Texas Sculpture Garden, the largest private collection of contemporary Texas sculpture made available to the public. In October 2021, its developer, HALL Group, commenced construction on the first phase of its new masterplan development that will evolve HALL Park into a dynamic mixed-use community. Upon completion, the full masterplan–anticipated to span 15-20 years of development–will encompass approximately 9.5 million square feet of usable mixed-use space, including residential, with a projected value of around $7 billion. Learn more at hallpark.com