Farmers Branch-based Centurion American Development Group has owned Southfork Ranch since October 2022 and has worked to ensure that the historic portions of the 241-acre site are retained and improved. In a presentation to the Parker Planning & Zoning Commission on Thursday, Aug. 22, Centurion American outlined its plans for Southfork Ranch.

The developer will create 89 two-acre estate lots and plans to partner with a curated set of luxury builders to create the quality and caliber of residential development consistent with Parker’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The development team presented its vision for the future of Southfork Ranch at Thursday’s meeting and was approved by a unanimous vote.

As a key part of the presentation, the developer highlighted its plans for the 36.7-acre parcel that contains the Southfork Mansion, Event Center and Visitors Center, as well as the newly built rodeo arena.

“We’ve spent the past two years working to improve the Southfork Ranch site,” said Sean Terry, Centurion American’s vice president of entitlements. “We have long-term improvement plans to ensure that visitors can enjoy the history of Southfork Ranch for generations to come.

The Southfork Ranch team recently announced a robust calendar of events for Fall 2024, with additional events and festivals in the works.

Following the Planning & Zoning meeting, Centurion American will present its plans to the Parker City Council. Development timelines and contracted builders will be announced in the months that follow.

Centurion American Development Group has been lauded and recognized for its commitment to retaining historic buildings and sites, including its work with The Statler in Dallas and Collin Creek in Plano.

About Centurion American

Since 1990, Centurion American has developed well over 100,000 single-family lots in dozens of premier communities surrounding North Texas. Centurion has demonstrated the ability to effectively work with investors, landowners, financial institutions, and vendors to acquire over 35,000 acres of land inventory, resulting in a diverse mix of developments varying in size and scope. Delivering award-winning communities with impeccable amenities such as parks, golf courses, and hiking and biking trails, Centurion has successfully designed master-planned communities that have been recognized across the real estate industry.

Centurion has set the standard in purchasing and developing land in prime locations. Their developments have the right combination of natural land settings, strong job growth, good school systems, and access to local community shopping. Over the past 25 years, it is this proven track record of achievements that has consistently created excellent value and ROI for Centurion American partners, investors, builders, and homeowners. For more information visit CenturionAmerican.com.

As National Waffle Day draws near on August 24, Puttshack in Addison is ready to celebrate with a standout culinary creation: their signature Chicken and Waffle Flatbread. Known for its globally-inspired menu and high-tech mini-golf experience, Puttshack offers a unique twist on a beloved classic.

The Chicken and Waffle Flatbread features a sweet, fluffy Belgian waffle base topped with crispy house-fried chicken, combining textures and flavors in a delightful way. This modern take on the traditional chicken and waffles is enhanced by a rich jalapeño gravy that adds a subtle, spicy kick, perfectly balancing the savory chicken and sweet waffle. A drizzle of maple syrup completes the dish, providing just the right amount of sweetness to round out the flavors.

Puttshack’s vibrant atmosphere and state-of-the-art mini-golf make it the ideal setting to enjoy this special creation. Whether guests are savoring the Chicken and Waffle Flatbread or having fun on the mini-golf course, they’ll find an enjoyable and memorable way to celebrate National Waffle Day.

On August 24, Puttshack invites everyone to experience this mouthwatering flatbread and make National Waffle Day truly special. It’s a perfect chance to indulge in delicious food, beat the heat with indoor mini-golf, and enjoy a festive day out.

Fairmont Dallas is excited to announce the grand reopening of its newly renovated lobby-level Starbucks with a special Dog Days of Summer event, celebrating International Dog Day. Scheduled for Monday, August 26, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, this event will bring a delightful morning of pet-friendly activities, perfect for dog lovers and their furry companions.

The newly renovated Starbucks at Fairmont Dallas, located at 1717 North Akard Street, has been upgraded with an expanded beverage counter, a nitro cold brew station, and enhanced seating areas, making it an inviting space for guests and pets alike. The floor-to-ceiling windows and pet-friendly outdoor seating offer a relaxing environment to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Dallas Arts District.

The Dog Days of Summer event will feature a variety of fun and engaging activities for both pets and their owners. Local vendors, including Arie and Pru, will be on-site, offering an array of adorable dog bandanas for sale. In addition, guests can enjoy complimentary pet portraits by Caricatures By Guy With The Guitar, a unique and creative way to capture memories with their four-legged friends.

To add to the festivities, Fairmont Dallas’ talented pastry team has crafted special dog treats that will be available during the event. And of course, no visit to Starbucks would be complete without a Puppuccino, which will be offered to give your pups a taste of the Starbucks experience.

As part of the event’s commitment to supporting the community, 5% of sales from Arie and Pru will be donated to Operation Kindness, the largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. This donation will help provide care and find homes for animals in need, furthering Operation Kindness’ mission.

Fairmont Dallas invites all guests to join in this tail-wagging good time and celebrate the reopening of Starbucks with their beloved pets. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the Dallas area, this event offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a morning of fun, relaxation, and community spirit.

On Saturday, August 17, the Coppell High School Cross Country boys and girls teams competed at the Waxahachie Woodhouse Invitational. This event gave Coppell athletes the chance to race against 23 teams from across the DFW area.

Individual and Team Highlights:

Varsity Girls:

• Placed 4th overall.
• Maya Easterwood placed 1st overall, finishing in 17:10. Mallory Sherrer finished 18th with a time of 19:09. Other scorers included Rachel Arrington (20:57) and Lauren Bennett (21:03).
• Coach Wren expressed his satisfaction: “I was pleased with our fourth-place finish. I believe it's the highest we’ve finished in the last four years. The girls really attacked the course, and their times reflect that. Maya Easterwood had an unbelievable performance today, running a 17:10. To my knowledge, I don’t think any Coppell girl has ever run a 5K that fast. That time is nearly a minute faster than what she ran at the state meet last year. I’m excited to watch us progress this year. No one outworks these girls. They’re fun to watch train, and I’m confident we’ll continue to improve.”

Varsity Boys:

• Placed 1st overall out of 30 teams.
• Top finishers included Pranav Vegiraju (1st, 14:59), Rohit Kalpathy (12th, 15:45), Grant O’Neal (16th, 15:54), Srivanth Rudrangi (19th, 16:03), and Jayden Benjamin (16:12).
• Coach Wren reflected: “Pranav Vegiraju running a sub-15 was impressive, though not surprising due to his work ethic. He works so hard in practice, so I was excited to see him run a 14:59. Having three runners under 16 and the other two of the top five running low 16s was fun to watch. I think some coaches around the state will take notice of what we accomplished today. Another notable performance was Diego Morales running a 16:32 as our #6 runner. This was a great first step toward our goal of becoming district champions. We have a long way to go, but this was a nice start.”

JV Girls:

• Placed 2nd overall.
• Top finishers included Avery Fishman (9th, 22:24), Ava Garcia (13th, 22:41), Shreya Shah (16th, 22:45), and Akshaya Ashokanand (17th, 22:45).
• Coach Wren was impressed: “We finished 2nd overall, and like the JV boys, we have many young runners who rose to the occasion today. Many of these girls ran a 5K for the first time, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they attacked the course. They were led by Avery Fishman and Ava Garcia, who both ran excellent races.”

JV Boys:

• Placed 1st overall.
• Top finishers included Samuel Meier (2nd, 17:36), Itsuki Pena (3rd, 17:41), Sidharth Kerthipati (6th, 17:57), Myles Metrano (8th, 17:58), and Marco Noyola (11th, 18:14).
• Coach Wren was thrilled: “Winning the meet with 30 points is pretty impressive. Our top four runners were freshmen, led by Samuel Meier and Itsuki Pena. I’m excited to see these younger runners continue to develop. They’ve bought into what we’re doing, so I’m not surprised they’ve had early success.”

Coach Wren concluded: “Overall, I’m pleased with all four teams. It was great to see us competing on the course against other schools. This year’s competition was tougher than the last couple of years, so it was a fantastic way to start our season. I’m looking forward to the progress we’ll make moving forward. Next week, we’ll compete at the Greenhill 6-mile Relay, which is a little different but a lot of fun. I can’t wait to watch our kids compete there.”

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

Noah McGough, a senior at Jesuit High School in Dallas, is one of the best high school kickers in the country. Rated number one in Texas with the most field goals last season at 17 and number six in the U.S. 

His achievements include the Texas Sports Writers Association's 2023 Class 6A All-State First Team 6A Kicker and Player of the Year for All District 7-6A Special Teams.

While McGough is known in the sports community for his incredible talent, it’s his huge heart and willingness to serve others that stands out.

“At Jesuit, we live by the motto Be Men for Others,” says McGough. “As I go through this journey with so many amazing brothers, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ‘Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.’ There is so much hate in the world right now. I’m called to be God’s light to the world.”

McGough is bringing awareness to Men of Nehemiah, a nine-month residential recovery program in South Dallas. During the football season, he is asking for the community’s support with pledges for every point he scores to benefit Men of Nehemiah at menofnehemiah.org/kick

“My Dad took me to a Men of Nehemiah service one Sunday morning,” explained McGough. “When you come here, you feel the love of God. These men have gone through horrible things. But to see God moving in people, it’s so powerful! This is loving your neighbor at its finest.”

Jesuit Dallas’ first exhibition football game will be Friday, August 23 against Flower Mound High School at Ranger Stadium in Dallas. The regular season ends November 8 at home against Irving Nimitz. McGough says he will continue to ‘kick for a cause’ throughout the playoffs if Jesuit advances.

“Noah is an amazing young man,” said Jim Ramsey, CEO of Men of Nehemiah. “We’re looking forward to watching him kick this season. But, more importantly, he’s reinforcing to each of these men that he cares about them. Many of these men are estranged from their families and friends. Some have been incarcerated. More than a few have lived on the streets. But some also come from gated communities and very nice neighborhoods. Addiction respects no zip code.”

Men of Nehemiah combines Biblical discipleship with professional counseling and military discipline and seeks to restore lives that have been derailed by drug and alcohol addiction. The objective is to help each man become the person God intended him to be and reunite him with his loved ones and community. 

“I’ve been blessed with a gift to kick at Jesuit,” concluded McGough. “I want to use my gift for God. For a kick to count, it takes a great snap, a precise hold, and a team of blockers. We all need a team to succeed. I am thankful to be supporting the team at Men of Nehemiah.” 

In 1994, Pastor Louis Harrell, a former US Army Colonel, founded Men of Nehemiah in New Orleans to deliver his wayward son, Louis Harrell, Jr., from the grip of addiction. Louis Jr. relocated to North Texas, where he launched Men of Nehemiah in South Dallas with the help of Roger McCasland, President and CEO of Operation Relief Center. 

Today, Men of Nehemiah has helped more than 1,500 men find paths to recovery. Research compiled in 2022 affirmed that 61% of men who graduated from Men of Nehemiah prior to 2020 stayed sober for at least two years. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org.