T H E
G U I D E
T O
T H E
G O O D
S T U F F
PLANOMAGAZINE.COM |NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023
together, we can bring the magic to kids. At Children’s Health , magic is the hope and inspiration we bring to children and families. Team members search for revolutionary cures and treatments. Clinical staff reiterate, “You can do it.” Child Life specialists deliver toys. Volunteers work countless hours. Pet therapy dogs bring comfort to kids, and donors support us every step of the way. SM
This holiday season, let’s continue to bring these magical moments to kids. Scan the QR code or visit bringmagictochildrens.com to make a gift.
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CONTENTS 10 TAYLOR SHEAD 14 DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN 16 THINGS TO DO 18 GIFT GUIDE 22 LOCAL GOOD CENTER 25 WHAT TO READ 26 EARL’S KITCHEN & BAR 30 HOTDOG-DRIVING HAMMY SAMMY
PLANOMAGAZINE.COM editor@planomagazine.com sales@planomagazine.com | 214.560.4212 PRESIDENT Jehadu Abshiro EDITOR Alyssa High CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Emma Ruby INTERN Krista Fleming DESIGNERS Jynnette Neal | Lauren Allen OPERATIONS MANAGER Alessandra Quintero SALES Michele Paulda |Frank McClendon
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ON THE COVER Sweet treats for the holidays
letter from the editor Dear readers, First and foremost, thank you so so
Dining out on Thanksgiving
much to all of you who were able to attend our community Q&A last month! For those of you who missed it, don’t worry. You’ll be seeing a lot more of me and we’ve published a recap on our
Tree lighting in Haggard Park
site so you can catch up on the info you missed. Coming
into
the
holiday
season,
we’ve got so much to be grateful for. I’m
Scrooge! the Musical & Dickens in Downtown
grateful to each of our readers and for the chances I’ve had recently to talk and meet so many of you. I’m grateful for the war m welcome I’ve received since joining the ar my of Planoites that call this city
Heritage Farmstead Lights on the Farm
home. And more than anything, I am so so grateful that there are so many amazing people, organizations and businesses in Plano that I struggle to decide who to
Hanukkah at Heritage Farmstead
feature in each issue. Too many great people is a great problem to have. In this issue, we’ve included the gift guide you’ve come to know, love and
Turkey Trot
count on each holiday season. But we’ve also got a little bit of everything else, like incoming developments downtown, a for mer Planoite who drives a hot dog
Rotary Plano Holiday Parade
truck (you read that right), an overview of nonprofit organizations run by Plano ISD students and much more. As you’re flipping through, shoot me an email at alyssa@planomagazine.com
Plano Symphony Home for the Holidays
and let me know what you’re thankful for this holiday season for a chance to be featured on our website for our Thanksgiving “What we’re thankful for”
Plano Holiday Market
series. Happy holidays, Alyssa High Editor
Deerfield’s Holiday Light Display
Menorah lighting at Willow Bend Illustrations Lauren Allen
6
Visit Planomagazine.com/ cover-holiday-events-2023 for more infor mation about these holiday events and more.
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PICTURE THIS: Grand Opening Slated for EVO Entertainment Group’s New Prestonwood Venue
G
ot birthday plans, a date night, a family outing, or a company/private party on your mind? EVO Entertainment’s new neighborhood multiplex boasts eight state-of-the-art movie theaters featuring both the latest blockbusters and beloved classics. Dive into their hightech arcade, enjoy a game of duckpin bowling, and savor a mouth-watering selection of dishes prepared in their scratch kitchen. Call to discover the perks of having EVO host your next birthday party or corporate event in one of their three party rooms. Is bowling your thing? EVO has got you covered. Craft cocktails and specialty menu items are in the mix, too, all complemented by a variety of fun activities that cater to everyone’s tastes. With an impressive array of brands such as EVO Entertainment, EVO Cinemas, EVO Live, ShowBiz Cinemas, Elevate Rewards, and Times Square Grand Slam, they currently operate 15 entertainment venues, with an additional 4 in development. Company founder and CEO Mitch Roberts is excited to discuss the grand opening plans on November 29 for EVO’s latest location in our area. Roberts, grandson of Cinemark founder Lee Roy Mitchell, says the cinema industry is
in his blood, counting his father, uncle, and great-grandfather as business vets, too. “I had a different vision with EVO; I like the synergy of merging different entertainment sources,” Roberts says. Which explains why, with more than 1,500 employees company-wide, EVO Entertainment Group was named to this year’s Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies and is the number one fastest growing private company in the Arts and Entertainment industry. When Roberts began EVO Entertainment Group in 2014, he saw an opportunity. “We grew at a good clip, and when COVID hit, we doubled down. We see EVO as an out-of-home entertainment destination. When a family comes, maybe dad takes kids to the arcade, and mom bowls with toddlers. Memories are made, and everyone has a great time. We provide the space for that.” EVO Entertainment Prestonwood 5409 Belt Line Road Visit evo.co/prestonwood or call 972.445.9694 for grand opening details and EVO Entertainment’s other locations.
grand opening celebration The grand opening celebration for Prestonwood
• A Mavs ManiAACs performance
EVO is November 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.,
• 7:45 p.m. premiere of the Mavs ManiAACS
welcoming neighbors to this new hot spot and
documentary celebrating more than 20 years
celebrating EVO being the official cinema and
as the NBA’s original male performance squad
entertainment partner of the Dallas Mavericks.
• Mavs mascot Champ will be available for
The impressive activity lineup will include: • 6:30-7:30 p.m. photos and autographs with Tim Hardaway Sr., a 2022 NBA Hall of Fame inductee, five-time All-NBA Team member, and gold medalist at the 2000 Olympics • Mavs ticket raffles, including a suite night, giveaways, T-shirt toss, and games
photos throughout the evening • Look for a Mavs specialty cocktail, happy hour specials and game-day specials, too • Throughout the weekend of Nov. 29-Dec. 3, enjoy showings of the ManiAACs documentary, Mavs specialty cocktails, and happy hour, during Mavericks games
WOMEN LEAD, WORLD-SHIFTING TECHNOLOGY TAYLOR SHEAD’S COMPANY, STEMULI, IS CREATING THE FIRST EDUCATIONAL METAVERSE Story Emma Ruby | Photography Yuvie Styles
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C
ould
the
next
world-shifting
technology
world,” Shead says. That first iteration of STEMuli, which utilized
company be currently under development
video
with a Plano native at the helm?
and
online
communication
resulted
in
being
Shead
for
uniquely
sometimes
prepared for the challenges of the pandemic.
gets quizzical looks when she explains that her
Shead had already been working with Dallas ISD
company, STEMuli, is creating the first educational
on a technology lear ning plan, so she was familiar
metaverse that will tur n school into a video game.
with the district’s technological capabilities.
As
it
stands
right
now,
Shead
But rather than being discouraged by the
“I didn’t even have to call them to know that
confusion, Shead says it is part of the motivation
they were not in the position to be able to get kids
to build her company into a household name.
online and connected with their teachers,” Shead
“I
believe
it’s
going
to
change
the
way
people see and think about the world and what’s
says. “And so it was a business decision, it was a big pivot for us.” Shead
possible,” Shead says.
agreed
to
use
STEMuli
to
develop
Bor n and raised in Plano, Shead was the
a virtual classroom for Dallas ISD teachers. A
youngest of seven children who all went on to
year later, in August 2021, the first educational
become Division I athletes. She says she spent her
metaverse was released.
childhood working for good grades and academic
The video game integrates state curriculum
accomplishments, always striving for validation
standards with a playable hero’s quest. The game
from her parents by doing her best to live up to
is something that can be used supplementally in
the expectations set by her older siblings.
the classroom, but it’s also something students
Like her siblings, Shead went on to be a Division I athlete, playing basketball at Loyola Marymount
can take home and play on the evenings or weekends. “It’s supposed to absolutely disrupt education
University in Los Angeles. At the time, she wanted to become a facial reconstruction surgeon.
in the way that we know it functions,” Shead says.
Shead says she struggled in her first year of
“From an equity standpoint, if we were to only
college and lost her scholarship. But what was
try and get our video game in classrooms, there
at first an event that caused “tur moil and grief”
would be so much politics and so many things that
eventually planted the first seed that would grow
would prohibit everybody from having access to
into Shead’s passion for accessibility in education.
it.”
At the time, the first iPhone had just been
Last
year,
Shead
became
the
94th
Black
released, but Shead says she was frustrated that
woman in history to raise $1 million in venture
technology companies had not yet begun finding
capital. She says she is one of less than a handful
ways to integrate technology and her schoolwork.
of Black women in education to ever accomplish
“When I would go on the road as a college
the feat.
athlete, my education wasn’t everywhere I was. I
“At the same time, it means a lot, it almost
was looking at these apps on my phone like, how
means nothing,” Shead says. “Because you still
does this make sense? If I’m flying all around the
have to do something with the money that you
country playing basketball, why are my notes not
get. And you still have to make it to the next
here? Accessibility to education is the problem
level.” Shead hopes to take the company public
that I experienced,” Shead says. began
within the next 10 years. How she finds time to
attending entrepreneurship mentorships. She set
work towards that goal while also constantly
her sights on starting a business, and her vision
flying between Califor nia, Texas, D.C. and New
was to create a space that would connect
York, visiting classrooms and attending her daily
students with mentors from around the world over
yoga class, she isn’t quite sure.
While
living
in
Califor nia,
Shead
But she is figuring it out, she says.
video chat. In 2013, Shead moved back to Dallas after realizing
she
had
“the
second-largest
school
district in Texas in her backyard.” In 2016, she
And while Dallas may not be a major tech hub, she says she is not ready to move away from her home city just yet. “I have unfinished business in Dallas. Let’s just
launched STEMuli. “I was on a mission to prove who I am to the
12
chat
education,
Taylor Shead certainly thinks so.
say that,” Shead says.
P L A N O M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Bouldin Acres plans to collaborate with local artists to create murals, bringing the area from an unused warehouse district to a Downtown staple. Behind Bouldin Acre’s signature BA logo is the top of the parking structure and multi-family housing development. Renderings courtesy of Bouldin Acres.
Railside Lofts & Courts
Making Downtown Plano a live, work & play community. story Alyssa High
W
e o ften h e a r b uzzw ord s sur roun d i n g n e w
de v e lo p me n t c o min g s o o n t o E a s t 1 3 t h S t re e t. The
devel o pme n t s. Li v e , w or k , p l a y. Wa l k a bil-
de v e lo p me n t will br in g in do o r p ic kle b a ll c o u r ts and
i ty. Transi t -or i e n t e d . But w h a t d o t h e s e
a n e w re s t a u r a n t f ro m B o u ldin A c re s , a n d “f le x ” live-
concepts l o o k l i ke i n p r a c t i c e i n P l a n o? As P l an o gro w s an d d e v e l op m e n t l i k e t h e Sh o p s a t
wo r k s p a c e s a n d mu lt i- f a mily h o u s in g f ro m H ines to t h e pro p e r t y .
Lega cy and Assembl y P a r k sp re a d a c ross t h e c it y ,
S it u a t e d b e s ide t h e in c o min g D A R T S ilv e r L in e, Rail-
there’s o n e h i sto ri c a re a t h a t ’ s of t e n ov e r l ook ed —
s ide L o f t s & Co u r t s a ims t o c re a t e a t r a n s it - orient-
D ownto wn .
e d, wa lka b le s pa c e t h a t re du c e s a u t o de p e n d ency
Though n o t as ri tzy a n d n e w , D ow n t ow n i s h ome t o a vibran t art scen e, a st uf f e d e v e n t s c a l e n d a r a n d a rich h i sto ry. To grow t h e a re a , t h ough , i t d o e s n ’ t ha ve to be o ut w i th t h e ol d t o b e i n w i t h t h e n e w. P la no’s Do wn to wn C om p re h e n si v e P l a n p rov ide s
a n d e n c o u r a g e s p e de s t r ia n s t o pla y — a n d s t ay — in D o wn t o wn P la n o . O n e o f t h e p ro p e r t y o wn e r s o n t h is pro je c t , Pierce Cr a v e n s , is a D o wn t o wn re s ide n t h ims e lf wit h a hist ory o f de v e lo p me n t in t h e a re a like T h e F illmo re P ub.
gu id eli nes based o n p e rc e i v e d n e e d s of t h e c o m-
“O u r f a mily h a s b e e n de v e lo p in g in P la n o for 50
m u nity, the use o f h i st or i c e l e m e n t s a n d i n c re a s e d
y e a r s , b u t o v e r t h e la s t 2 0 y e a r s we h a v e re a lly start-
a m eni ti es fo r Do w n tow n re si d e n t s.
e d f o c u s in g o n t h is a re a , ” Cr a v e n s s a y s . “I liv e here
O ne o f these deve l op m e n t s i s ( t e m p or a r i l y) n a me d
wit h my wif e . I ’ m in t h e c o mmu n it y . I in v e s t in t he
Ra ilside Lo fts & Co ur t s — a l i v e -w or k -p l a y-or i e n t e d
c o mmu n it y . I wo r k in t h e c o mmu n it y , a n d I ’ m excit -
14
P L A N O M A G A Z I N E . C O M
ed to be abl e to bri n g som e t h i n g l i k e t h i s t o f r u it io n
t o g ro w a n d p ro s p e r is t o br in g mo re pe o p le t o the
within my backyard. ”
a re a . D o wn t o wn n e e ds a wa lka ble a re a wh e re peo-
Ra ilsi de Lo fts & Co ur t s w a s re c e n t l y a p p rov e d by
p le c a n wa lk a n d t h r iv e . ”
the plann i n g an d zon i n g c om m i ssi on , se t t i n g e n t e r -
A t t h e p la n n in g a n d z o n in g me e t in g , o t h e r b usiness
ta inm en t-devel o per Boul d i n A c re s a n d m ul t i -f amily
o wn e r s dis c u s s e d h o w R a ils ide L o f t s & Co u r t s would
hou sing devel o per Hi n e s up t o b re a k groun d on t h e ir
b e n e f it t h e ir b u s in e s s e s b y a t t r a c t in g mo re people
respecti ve devel o pme n t s i n 2 0 2 4 a n d 2 0 2 5 .
t o t h e a re a .
B ou ldi n Acres i s a f a m i l y-r un , A ust i n -b a se d en t e r -
“I c o u ldn ’ t be mo re e x c it e d a bo u t t h is pro ject for
ta inm en t ven ture. The c om p a n y re c e n t l y op e n ed it s
a v a r ie t y o f re a s o n s . T h e wo rd I h e a rd wh e n Pierce
second Austi n l o cat i on , w h i c h f e a t ure s a re st a u r a n t
c a lle d me a n d be g a n t o t e ll me wh a t t h e y we re go-
a nd indo o r pi ckl ebal l a re a .
in g t o do is n u mb e r o n e : pe o p le , ” s a y s D a v id B riant ,
Ma tt Carter, o wn er of Boul d i n A c re s, sough t ou t t h e
o wn e r o f 1 4 1 8 Co f f e e H o u s e . “M o re p e o p le c oming
proper ty wh en l o o ki ng t o op e n a n ot h e r l oc a t i on wit h
in t o o u r a re a , a lo n g wit h t h e S ilv e r L in e , h a v ing an-
the s ame co mmuni t y-f or w a rd , h i st or i c -m i n d e d v ibe
o t h e r de s t in a t io n wh e re pe o p le will c o me in f rom
a s his o th er l o cati o n s.
o t h e r a re a s is a v e r y u n iqu e o ppo r t u n it y . ”
“ I can’t real l y desc r i b e [ Boul d i n A c re s] ot h e r t h a n
A s t h e de v e lo pme n t wa s u n a n imo u s ly a p proved
a s a c o mmun i ty, ” Ca r t e r sa ys. “ We i n st i l l t h a t i n o u r
du r in g t h e S e p t e mb e r me e t in g , c o n s t r u c t io n is set t o
sta f f. Qual i ty fo o d. Q ua l i t y b e v e r a ge . Q ua l i t y se r v ic e
s t a r t o n t h e B o u ldin A c re s pro p e r t y in 2 0 2 4 a n d f inish
a bove al l . An d i n doi n g so, w e k i n d of b r i n g e v e r y o n e
wit h in s ix mo n t h s , wh ile t h e mu lt i- f a mily H in e s proper-
together. ”
t y will s t a r t c o n s t r u c t io n in e a r ly 2 0 2 5 .
Seve ral co mmun i ty m e m b e r s c a m e t o t h e p l a n n in g
“The developer and landowner are very much in-
a nd z oni n g meeti n g t o sp e a k i n f a v or of t h e d e v e l-
terested in Downtown as a whole, not just in their
opm ent, ci ti ng the si gn i f i c a n c e of w a l k a b l e d e v e l-
p r o j e c t s , ” F r a n k Tu r n e r, a c o n s u l t a n t o n t h e p r o j -
opm ents an d the e xc i t e m e n t of t h e d e v e l op e r s t o
ect, says. “They want a vibrant Downtown area and
begin w o rki ng o n the p roj e c t i m m e d i a t e l y.
this is just a piece of a larger set of development.
“ They are th e ki n d of b usi n e ss p e op l e t h a t w e wa n t
Activities in Downtown add to the character and
D ownto w n , ” says Na t h a n Sh e a , ow n e r a n d ope r a -
create a greater interest in Downtown. It really is
tor of U rban F ami l y C on c e p t s. “ We n e e d t h i s d e n s i-
a catalyst for attracting further investment in the
ty D ownto wn . Th e o n l y w a y t h a t D ow n t ow n i s g o in g
Downtown area.”
The multi-family housing unit will feature 390 rental spaces of various sizing. The ground floor will offer flex spaces, where tenants can live and work out of units with an external storefront door. The housing will be “highly amenitized” according to Sean Luther from Hines, the developer of the property, with a pool clubhouse, sky deck, fitness center and public dog park.
The shared street throughout the property aims to provide a walkable space that brings pedestrians from the incoming DART Silver Line into Downtown Plano. The “curbless” street also provides access to parking for residents, access to the property without creating additional traffic and a safe place for walkers and bikers to get between properties.
Bouldin Acres plans to preserve a 22,000 square foot existing warehouse that used to be an agricultural processing building, using the original brick to create the new indoor pickleball courts.
0
25
50
100'
CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN Job #: 23052
Not For Regulatory Approval, Permitting, or Construction
Mixed Multifamily Residential & Retail/Restaurant
Plano, Texas
15
1212 Munipal Ave // September 07 2023 // Site Planning
Tickets at ntpa.org
performed by NTPA Community Theatre - all ages
Courtyard Theater & NTPA Willow Bend
DECEMBER 7-17
performed by NTPA Academy students in grades 6-12
NTPA Willow Bend
NOV 30-DEC 3
performed by NTPA Deaf Theatre - Deaf and hearing actors perform together on stage
NTPA Willow Bend
NOVEMBER 17-19
performed by NTPA Frisco students in grades 5-10
Courtyard Theater
NOVEMBER 16-19
Nov/Dec Theatre Guide
NOV
HO US E LIVI N G TO
4 HEART OF COLLIN CO
UN TY - HE AR T FE
N D-SH O P
10 USAF BAND’S AIR MEN
O F N OTE
WE DN ESDAY, 6 P.M ., KEN DR A SC OT T, 580 0 LEGAC SIP -AN D-S HO P Y DR . EV EN T FO R SHO PPE RS BEN EFI TTIN G PLA NO MAGA ZIN E NOV
4 KE NDR A SCOTT SIP-A
SAT UR DAY, 6 P.M ., LEGAC Y HA LL, 780 0 WIN DR OS A CO NC ERT HIG E AV E., $25 HLI GH TIN G THE AH A’S WO RK IN CO LLI N CO UN TY NOV
11 ADULT TRI-WATER-THO
N
SAT UR DAY, 9 A.M ., 6701 CO IT RD ., $15 FUL LY AQ UATIC TRI ATH LO N WIT H BIK ING, SW IMM WATER ING
11 SNOWFL AKE BA ZA AR
AN D RU NN ING
AL L IN THE
19 PL ANO HOLIDAY M AR
NOV
KE T 20 23
SAT UR DAY, 5 P.M ., MCCA LL PLA ZA , 998 E. 15T H ST., A CE LEB RATIO N FRE E OF THE CU LTU RE OF THE HIP -HO P $10 PER DA NC ER MOVE ME NT.
18 UNDE RGROUND MO
L VO L. 9 CO MP ETI TO RS PAY
VE M EN T FE ST IVA
SAT UR DAY, 10 A.M ., PLA NO WE ST SEN IOR HIG H, 560 SHO P, EN JOY MU 1 W. PA RK ER RD SIC , HAVE REFRES ., FRE E HM EN TS AN D WIN SEA SO NA L ITE MS GIF T BA SKE TS FEA TUR ING
NOV
ST
FRI DAY, 7 P.M ., PLA NO ISD RO BIN SO N FIN E AR TS THE USA F AIR ME CE NTE R, 180 0 AL N OF NOTE AR E MA DR ., FRE E KIC KIN G OF F THE TO UR RIG HT HE IR JAZ Z EN SEM BLE RE IN PLA NO NATIO NA L NOV
NOV
UR
SAT UR DAY, 10 A.M ., THE SHO PS AT WIL LOW BEN D, A DR EA MH OU SE 6121 W PA RK BLV LIV ING TO UR AN D., FRE E D EXC LUS IVE ME RC H NOV
4 BARBIE TRUCK DREA M
NOV
THU RSDAY, 6 P.M ., LEGAC Y WE ST, 590 8 HE AD QUAR GE T HA PPY WIT TER S DR ., $20 H LEGAC Y WE ST AN D PLA NO MA SHO P EV EN T GA ZIN E’S MO NTH LY SIP -AN D-
2 HAPPY HOUR HIKE
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THE GIFT GUIDE A GUIDE TO GIVING THE GOOD STUFF
My French Recipe My French Recipes has several easy-to-make gourmet mixes complete with a QR code to an intructional video by MFR’s Isabel Mota herself. $7.49
U r b a n C o re U r b a n Co re h a s a v ariety of L u lu le mo n - e s qu e a t h le ticwear in c lu din g t h e s e $ 4 8 flare le g g in g s a n d $ 3 2 . 2 5 act ive c ro p pe d t o p .
story Alyssa High
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice, the season of giving is upon us. Plano is full of locally-owned businesses that are ready for the holidays with clothes for your fashionista friends, games and books for your hobbiest and unique d e c o r f i n d s f o r t h e h o m e d e s i g n e r. A n d we’ve got gifts for them all.
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Ly l a ’ s : C l o t h i n g , De c o r & M o re Te x a s s we a t e r wit h t h i n corduro y ma t e r ia l, p e r f e c t for Texas f a ll. $ 6 2
Lyla’ s: C lothi ng , D ecor & M ore Ga m e s R o o m tri vi a ga m e s a re f un f or t h e w h ol e fa m il y o r fo r fri end g e t -t oge t h e r s w i t h t h e m e s lik e T V S h o w Tri vi a, 2 0 0 0 s p op m usi c t r i v i a a n d Who Am I Guessi ng G a m e . O t h e r s a v a i l a b l e i n sto re . $ 1 2 e a c h
Cheyenne Earrings These Cheyenne Earrings are crafted with precision in Assaya’s Bangkok workshop. The earrings are silver-plated with 18k fine gold, water resistant and sure to elevate any outfit. $160
Plano Shop p i ng Co-O p These cardi gan sets c om e i n a v a r i e t y of c ol or s a nd are hand-kni t t e d . Ea c h i t e m a t P l a n o Shoppi n Co -Op i s uni q ue l y c ur a t e d b y t h e st a f f , s o items go fast and w i l l n ot b e re st oc k e d . T h i s cardi gan i s $5 6 a n d t h e t a n k i s $ 3 2 .
La Foofaraw T h is s e t o f S a n t a s ( $ 5 0 0 , $ 3 0 0 , $ 2 0 0 ) we re handp a in t e d b y lo c a l a r t is t D e b by Co a l. M a de of wo o de n a n t iqu e ju g g lin g pin s , c a n dle s t ick s a n d a c h idlre n ’ s bo wlin g pe n , t h e t r io is a great e x a mp le o f t h e u n iq u e f in ds a v a ila ble t his s e a s o n a t L a F o o f a r a w.
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Madness G a mes A fa mi l y game fo r 2 -6 p l a ye r s, M a r v e l D i c e Thro n e bri ngs to g e t h e r Ma r v e l ’ s f a v or i t e su per hero es fo r a c a rd -a n d -d i c e c om b a t experi enc fo r $49 .9 9 . O t h e r ga m e s a n d collec tabl es are ava i l a b l e a t Ma d n e ss G a m e s for ga me and co mi c a f i c i a n a d os a t e v e r y p r i c e p oi n t .
La Foofaraw T h e s e p u z z le s a re ma de wit h re a l g o ld f o il, and c o me in a t $ 4 1 , $ 3 8 a n d $ 2 9 re s p e c t iv e ly.
Pipe & P a l l ete P ipe & Pal ette do e sn ’ t j ust d o c l a sse s a n d pa rties. Pl enty o f uni q ue p a i n t i n g s l i k e t h i s on e a re avai l abl e fo r sa l e r a n g i n g f rom a roun d $30 0 -3 ,0 0 0 .
Pl a n o Sh o p p i n g C o - Op P la n o S h o ppin g Co - O p h a s a my r ia d o f b o o k s to c h o o s e f ro m, in c lu din g c o o kb o o ks pe r f e c t for t h e h o lida y s . T h is c o o kb o o k br in g s re c ipe s from mu lt ip le c e n t u r ie s t o g e t h e r t o b r in g in h o liday f in ds n e w t o y o u r f a mily . $ 3 2
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L a Foofa r a w This o r nament i s fu n f or t h e w h ol e f a m i l y w i t h a QR co de that a l l ow s your c h i l d t o h e a r a message f rom Sa n t a . $ 3 8
Ly l a ’ s : C l o t h i n g , Decor & More F o r t h e h o s t o r h o s t e s s in y o u r lif e , t h is c o o kbook f ro m a D a lla s - b a s e d c h e f will f ill t h e h o liday t a b le s wit h a ppe t iz e r s a n d s n a c ka ble b ites. $24.99
Th e Toy Tree TonieBo xes are $9 9 .9 9 , a l re a d y p rog r a m m e d for each character. W i t h d oze n s of c h a r a c t e r s to cho o se fro m, ea c h c h a r a c t e r p l a c e d on t h e box si ngs so n gs an d h a v e c ust om i za b l e sa yi n g s . This p en gui n To n i e is $ 1 9 .9 9 a n d i s p rog r a m m e d with h o l i day so n gs, w h i l e t h e St i c k Ma n Ton i e i s $17.9 9 an d co mes w i t h a b ook t e l l i n g h i s t a l e .
Re a d B e t w e e n t h e L i n e s Ch a i S o F ly is t h e p e r f e c t h o lida y s c e n t wit h t r a dit io n a l s we e t n e s s , wa r m c lo v e a n d f re sh ma n da r in . T h e 8 o z c a n dle is $ 4 2 , ma de from e c o - f r ie n dly p a c ka g in g a n d p o u re d wit h c are by R B T L ’ s t e a m.
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LGC advocacy director Jennifer Creech, wellness director Nicole Antovoni, administrative assistant Mariana Montilla, executive director Julissa Estrada, resident Kally DeBusk, job readiness director Maya Quinn and eduction director Simret Ingram make up the staff of Local Good Center.
LOCAL GOOD CENTER COMMUNITY NONPROFIT FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS CELEBRATES TWO YEARS story Alyssa High|photography Lauren Allen
It started with education. Learning English, Chase Oaks Church administrators thought, would be a pathway to success for many immigrants. So the church started a family center that taught English classes in Dallas and Collin counties. However, as the center learned of more and more barriers to success for immigrants and English learners, the need for services grew too large for the church’s buildings. In 2021, the program reopened as the Local Good Center, which grew to provide four pillars of service: education, job readiness, wellness and advocacy. “The strength of Local Good is creating community with the people who come through our doors,” says Simret
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Ingram, education director for LGC. “Because we’re relational, we are creating a bridge for both volunteers and those who are in need. It really creates a unique way of relating to those that we typically wouldn’t have access to.” Each pillar at the Local Good Center comes full-circle with the others — people come in wanting to learn English to get better jobs, which they can do with job readiness classes. Preventative healthcare services and wellness courses ensure students are healthy enough to attend both work and the program. LGC is volunteer-based with directors of each program finding professionals in each category to volunteer and assist the students.
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“It’s not just ‘Oh, come greet,’” says executive director Julissa Estrada. “We do need people to greet, and that is important, but we also have really unique opportunities where people can use their own area of gifting and specialty to really serve as registered dietitians, nutritionists, personal trainers. So people who do this for a living can give back in that area.” The Local Good Center team is also looking at partnerships with organizations in the community. LGC currently partners with Emily’s Place, a domestic violence center for women and children. “One of our goals is to work with other nonprofits. Instead of duplicating services, we can come alongside and complement a lot of the work that they do,” Estrada says. “While they focus on housing and counseling, we help with job readiness and the education piece.” To see what each pillar of LGC does and how Planoites can become involved, we’ve talked to each of the program directors about their respective programs: EDUCATION As the Local Good Center grows and increases the classes it offers, the director team seeks to find and eliminate barriers to education and job readiness. One of these barriers is childcare. Since most of the first classes of students were young moms, finding childcare was necessary to attend the classes. So when LGC opened its new building in 2021, it added a children’s wing with classrooms for babies through preschoolers. “It becomes a two-generation learning system. We’re teaching the adults; we already have their littles,” Estrada says. “If we’re just taking care of them, then we are missing an opportunity. We also need to teach.” Each of the three classrooms is filled with learning material, including letters, numbers, shapes and colors for five-10 children per class. When the children come in, they have backpacks, homework (i.e. coloring or tracing shapes) and are taught the importance of being on time. “Most American children have gone to Mother’s Day Out since they were two or three. They’re in little programs with early-learning intervention,” Estrada says. “International kids don’t do that. They stay at home until they’re five, and then they go to kindergarten, and at that point they’re already behind.” In the adult wing, there are several classrooms that play host to five levels of English classes, computer classes, resume writing, mock interviews and preventative healthcare classes. The ESL courses currently serve people with around 17 language backgrounds, says executive director Simret Ingram. “The majority of the courses are with Spanish, but we are also getting Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Mandarin, Japanese,
Korean. The higher the level, the more diverse the languages are, but the lower-level courses tend to be heavily Spanish,” Ingram says. “Even that is changing as we speak. We are getting a lot more Arabic speakers and Farsi speakers who are in fairly beginner stages of learning. Success is really in the word of mouth — when you get one or two people together, they tend to expand and be more comfortable bringing in their friends.” In order to take classes at the Local Good Center, potential students apply to determine what level their English is at. Based on that level, students are placed in classrooms with others who are in the same place in their English-speaking journey as long as spots are open. Spots are first-come, first-serve, though priority is given to stage of life. (Young moms who need childcare for their classes are often prioritized due to the Local Good Center’s unique childcare program.) ADVOCACY One of the Local Good Center’s programs outside of education is the work it does with the foster community. The advocacy pillar of LGC provides information sessions on becoming foster parents, creates activities for foster families to participate in, hosts respite nights for foster families and creates life skills workshops for those aging out of foster care. “Something else that we came across was the foster care system and learning how we need to advocate for people in the foster care system as a whole,” Estrada says. Each month, the Local Good Center hosts respite nights, where foster, adoptive or kinship parents can drop off their child with background-checked volunteers for a safe night of activities and fun while the parents have a night to themselves. Because the program is volunteer-based, the Local Good Center is always looking for volunteers willing to work with children, says advocacy director Jennifer Creech. In addition to assisting foster and adoptive parents,
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the advocacy director and volunteers also support a program titled Mental Health: Early Recognition, in which LGC collaborates with Lifeologie Counseling to conduct workshops and training on assessing and de-escalating mental health situations. JOB READINESS Job readiness is more than just learning the language at the Local Good Center. Classes are routinely offered in resume writing, interview skills, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and career development tools such as LinkedIn and Indeed. “For me, it’s really amazing to see that love. People might not like working with kids, but they might be a professional who can do something else,” says job readiness director Maya Quinn. “I have three gentlemen who really love computers and have a passion for Excel, which is marvelous. They’re super-patient and have created a customized class.” The Local Good Center is also able to assist students who attend classes in applying for jobs with community partners. WELLNESS Part of the wellness program is establishing preventative healthcare. Volunteer nurses come into the classrooms and teach everything from when to take your baby to the
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hospital to how to check your blood sugar. In the community room, the Local Good Center has a full kitchen, where volunteer teachers — often doctors, nutritionists or licensed dietitians — can demonstrate how to cook healthy meals that taste good. “I need volunteers who can help me with cooking classes. Nutritionists. Exercise instructors,” says wellness director Nicole Antovoni. “We kind of pass [volunteers] around, because we find that maybe they love kids or they have a foster family but they’re also a personal trainer, and so [Creech] will pass them to me.” In addition to wellness classes, the Local Good Center also provides a market for those who take classes. Alongside the market is also a medical office, where medical professionals can provide vaccines and discuss preventative healthcare without the pressure of a doctor’s office. In the market every two weeks, families can peruse shelves stocked with nutritious foods for a variety of dietary restrictions. While many of the basics come from a partnership with North Texas Food Bank, others come from donations from Sprouts and local farms. “There are lots of opportunities for people to engage by donating food,” Estrada says. “We try to supplement with any kind of food that is hard to get at a food pantry, like non-dairy milks, gluten-free food or any type of vegetables.”
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in P lano
W R I TTEN
FROM CHILDREN’S TO ROMANCE, 5 BOOKS TO ADD TO YOUR READING LIST story Alyssa High
Flourish Because is the story of Planoite Kay Whitaker as she explores her faith in relation to her life story. “This is the story of dashed hopes, faith restored, dreams fulfilled and ultimately a woman’s quest for truth,” the book states. Flourish Because is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $7.99 on Kindle or $14.99 on paperback.
New Song: A Trinity Springs Novel is the first in a series of novels featuring a young Dallas attorney who returns to his hometown upon his grandmother’s death. The Hallmark-witha-twist series is the second of Planoite Rebecca Stevenson’s series, which are all available for $9.99 on Amazon for paperback.
Plano (Past and Present) tells the story of Plano’s history. Writings by Mary Jacobs, Cheryl Smith and Jeff Campbell are coupled with Jennifer Shertzer’s photography for a comprehensive overview of the city’s journey through education, local government and diversity and business growth from 1960 to today. The paperback is available for $23.27 on Amazon for paperback.
Local bookstore owner and children’s author Franklin C. Edwards published two books in his Franklin the Helper series: Be Grateful and Always Te l l T h e Tr u t h . T h e Christian-based children’s book series focuses on teaching positive s o c i a l b e h a v i o r. Each book is sold in Edwards’ bookstore, Franklin Books, which is located in The Shops at Willow Bend or on the Franklin Books website for $10 each.
Former Planoite Sanghee Jung brings concepts of culture, tradition and heritage in Mixed Baby Fox, a children’s book featuring a baby fox on his journey to understanding what it means to be mixed. One day, Baby Fox sees that h i s Wo o d l a n d buddies and their parents look identical, but he does not look the same. The book waiting on book to come out next week for cost and availability. $11.99 on Amazon.
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A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
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EARL’S KITCHEN & BAR FEATURES A GLOBALLY-INSPIRED MENU TAILORED BY TEXANS story Krista Fleming|photography Kathy Tran P L A N O M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Earl’s seafood tower consists of oysters, jumbo shrimp cocktail, yuzu tuna tataki, crispy shrimp roll, lobster tail and refreshing condiments for $135.
I
t started as a burger and beer place in Alberta, Cana-
“He’ll check in on us and make decisions with his
da. A restaurant made by a family, for families. A place
board,” Burns says. “He wants to make sure his vision is
made for people to celebrate or just come in for a nice
still there. It’s for sure changed over the years into a more
meal. Earl’s, they imagined. The place with birds and pigs as mascots. The place with a father and son greeting ev-
sophisticated brand for everyone to enjoy.” Earl’s first came to Plano because they said they felt the Legacy West fit their sophisticated, yet casual brand.
ery customer. The company eventually sprawled to 67 locations
“People want to have a place they can go where it’s
across Canada and the U.S. A team from the head office
almost fine dining, but they can go in wearing Lululemon
travels to different cultures to find more food, curating a
or a T-shirt and feel comfortable,” Burns says. “The cus-
globally-inspired menu.
tomers have really enjoyed that.”
“We have everything,” says Regional Director of Oper-
Earl’s also offers their employees the chance to move
ations Chelsea Burns. “We pride ourselves in being able
through the ranks during their time on staff. Burns, like
to bring a big group of people here so you can come to
many others, began working as a server 19 years ago be-
watch the game or come in to celebrate. We wanted
fore eventually becoming promoted.
a variety that would allow everyone to find something.”
“People are a part of our staff at the beginning of their
When they say they have everything, Earl’s means it.
career and stay through the end,” Burns says. “We’re re-
Asian cuisine-inspired bowls. Pizza. Pasta. Salads. Soups. Plant-based concoctions. Steak. Earl’s amalgamation of cuisine also extends to beverages like the Miami Vice, Tokyo Cosmo, Yuzu Colada or Iced Irish Coffee. Their “classy-casual” restaurant greets guests with an array of bronze, blue and gold, along with a mix of beat-
ally proud of that internal culture that we create.” From their new seafood tower to their barbacoa pizza, Earl’s menu has an array of shareable options. “I really wanted it to be where if you wanted to order a family-style meal, you could,” Burns says. “We want our food to be fun and easy.”
heavy pop songs. After customers began to share feed-
Though Earl’s has changed over the years, Burns says they
back on the dishes they ate, Earl’s Legacy West became
try paying tribute to the Fullers’ original vision by keeping
the test location for new foods in the U.S.
the same mascot — a pig — on their menu, and by being as
“The food scene in Texas is thriving,” Burns says. “Why not tailor and get advice from our customers here?” Though co-founder Leroy Fuller has since passed away, his son and co-founder Stan Fuller, remains active as CEO.
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communicative with their customers as they can. “We try to capture moments,” Burns says. “We want people to celebrate here and we tailor to that. We want to fit ourselves to them, not the other way around.”
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HAMMY SAMMY “MEAT” PLANO’S OWN HOTDOG-DRIVING CONNOISSEUR story Alyssa High|photography courtesy of Sam Dlott
O
n the drive from his Plano home to his Purdue University dorm before his sophomore year of college, Sam Dlott spot-
ted an unusual vehicle stopped in Springfield, I l l i n o i s — t h e We i n e r m o b i l e . Dlott met the hot dog hardtop’s driver full of questions, and then returned to college. But he couldn’t get the Frankfurter out of his head. “I fell in love with the mission of the vehicle,
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Weinermobile drivers must have a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a passion for people and an appetite for adventure to apply, Dlott says.
which is to spread smiles. That’s how it started in 1936 and that’s what it is to this d a y , 8 7 y e a r s l a t e r, ” D l o t t says. “From that moment forward, I really saw a shift in what I wanted to do after I graduated. I wanted to work my buns off for three years to be one of the drivers of the vehicles.” As Dlott finished up coll e g e , h e k e p t t a b s o n We i n ermobile drivers and what
it took to apply to the program. As he rounded out his senior year and began applying for computer engineering jobs, he also sent his resume, cover letter and a p p l i c a t i o n t o O s c a r M e y e r. One of about 7,000 applicants, Dlott began the interview process and was flown to the Frankmobile team’s headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. With each round, his competition dwindled. 7,000 applied. 27 went to final round interviews. Finally, 12 were chosen, and Dlott was in. From the moment he was selected, Sam D l o t t w a s n o t l o n g e r. N o w , for the 12 months he will s e r v e a s a d r i v e r, h e i s H a m my Sammy. “[People] really see my passion for not only the vehicle, but the mission of spreading smiles and making people happy,” Dlott says. F o r D l o t t , j o i n i n g t h e We i n ermobile Meat Fleet is an extension of the activities he gravitated toward in high school — activities that centered around people, connections and performing. Dlott graduated from Plano Senior where he was class president and in the drum line before moving to Indiana to attend Purdue University to study computer engineering. “I kind of threw those three activities out the window when I went to Purdue,” Dlott says Now that he is officially Hammy Sammy, Dlott will be traveling the United States in a new city every week, with the first few days devoted to exploring new places and eating at restaurants and the last few to events at shopping centers, grocery stores and
P L A N O M A G A Z I N E . C O M
other venues. “One of my favorite parts is hearing the “I remember” stories because the vehicles have been around for so long,” Dlott says. “It’s crazy that a giant hot dog on wheels really connects people and to hear about those connections has been really r e w a r d i n g s o f a r. ” In Dlott’s seventh week as a driver for the southern region, he and his co-driver parked in Plano while making scheduled stops in McKinney and Dallas. “[Plano] is still a really big part of who I am. I definitely identify strongly with a Plano identity … It was really fun getting to park the vehicle in front of my house. Coming home was really special,” Dlott says. “It’s such an iconic vehicle.” After his Oscar Meyer year i s o v e r, D l o t t w i l l m o v e t o Austin, where he will work f o r E r n s t & Yo u n g , a c o n sulting, assurance, tax and transaction services company that has allowed Dlott to delay his start date for the year he spends as a Hotd o g g e r. “They were super understanding and I didn’t want to put all my eggs in the hot dog basket,” Dlott says. For now, Dlott is relishing the opportunity to travel the country and meet people to put smiles on faces. “When I tell people I’ve met or people I’ve known my whole life that I wanted to do this, the answer I g e t m o s t o f t e n i s ‘ Yo u ’ r e t h e perfect guy to do that.’” If you want to catch up w i t h D l o t t a n d t h e We i n e r mobile, Oscar Meyer’s website tracks each vehicle on its path across the country or you can follow Dlott on his Instagram at @OM_HammySammy.
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