October/November 2020
Profound Microfarms Keeping Students Fed Collin College Cuisine
JAL DENNIS GROUP
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WYLIE, TX PERMIT# 63
The Connection Magazine, Wylie Chamber of Commerce
Truth About Carbs
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A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication Online Version: www.wyliechamber.org
Please Recycle This Magazine After Reading!
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Creating healthy smiles for the whole family!
General Dentistry for Adults and Children • Preventive Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Restorative Dentistry • Crown and Bridge • Dentures and Partials • Implant Dentistry • Porcelain Veneers • Teeth Whitening
Drs. Jonathan and Sarah Cantrell combine their talents to offer a wide range of dental services for the whole family. Our patient-centered approach will earn Jonathan Cantrell DDS your trust from the & Sarah Cantrell DDS first appointment. Our team prides themselves in getting to know you and building a lasting relationship. We have enjoyed treating the dental needs of this community and look forward to serving you all for years to come.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
972-442-9139
Park Blvd.
FM 544
W. Brown St.
. 78 Hwy
WYLIE Ballard Ave.
McMillan Rd. Country Club Rd.
Parker Rd.
McCreary Rd.
456 Country Club Rd., Suite 104 Wylie, TX 75098
Parker Rd.
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I was born and raised in Wylie and graduated from Wylie High School in 1997. My sons, Brady, 15, and Bryson, 13, are students at Wylie East and Burnett. It was an easy decision to enroll them in Wylie schools, a district that gave me so much and contributed significantly to my life and success. I have 15 years experience in the insurance industry, five of which include management and ownership. I am vice president of Wylie Insurance Agency, Wylie’s oldest business. I am a member of the Wylie Rotary Club and serve on the Wylie Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I am also a member of the Wylie Young Professionals. I’m excited to give back to the Wylie community that is so much a part of my soul and my story, and if you honor me with your vote, I promise to hold your children in my heart as dearly as I hold my own. This is a critical time in our city, state, and nation’s history, and passionate advocates for our young people have never been more crucial. Please visit my FB page, Kylie Reising for Wylie ISD School Board, for more information including ways you can join me on this journey and details about my background. I look forward to meeting and talking with you about your hopes and concerns.
• Wylie High School Graduate • Univ. of North Texas Graduate • Wylie Education Foundation – Scholarship Review Committee
• • • • •
15 Years Insurance Industry Wylie Chamber Board Wylie Rotary Club Wylie Young Professionals Safeco Ins. – Award of Excellence
“Wylie is such a part of my soul and my story. Every child needs – and deserves – a voice, and I am passionate about their right to the highest-quality education.”
Early Voting: October 13-30 Election Day: November 3
#KylieForWylie 2 • The CONNECTION • October/November 2020
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COVER PROFILE OF SUCCESS 6 Jal Dennis Group CONNECTION FEATURES 8 Profound Microfarms
Cover Photo by Ethan Good
6 The Jal Dennis Group team: L-R on stairs – Trace Dennis, Sarah Kalaj, Julia Thorman, Regina Smith, Rhonda McDowell; L-R on porch – Derek Draper, Kristi Denham & Demond Dawkins.
CONNECTION COLUMNS 13 EDUCATION
14
16
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CONTENTS
October/November 2020 • Volume 15 - Issue 5
On The CONNECTION Cover
Keeping Students Fed – The Wylie Way HEALTH The Truth About Carbs HIGHER EDUCATION Culinary Genius at Collin College MONEY Football is Back
Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace. ~ Kent Nerburn
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16 www.wyliechamber.org • 5
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JAL DENNIS GROUP
Demond Dawkins, Trace Dennis, Sarah Kalaj, Kristi Denham, Rhonda McDowell, Julia Thorman, Regina Smith, Derek Draper
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s a staple in the growing community, many exciting changes are happening at the Jal Dennis Group. Our clients learned recently that our founder Jal Dennis has stepped back from his role of working with clients as an advisor to spend more time caring for his ill father in Snyder, Texas. Jal is maintaining a strong coaching role with our advisors and serves on the LPL Advisor Council for Advisors. In preparation for this change, the Jal Dennis Group has added to its team to continue providing the outstanding family- and client-centric service that the firm was built on. Leading the team is Trace Dennis, Jal’s son. Trace joined the firm in 2014 after serving in the Marines in the Iraqi War and earning his degree from the University of New Mexico. As well as holding several securities licenses, Trace holds the designation of Chartered Market Technician (CMT) and enjoys analyzing market trends and investment research. The Jal Dennis Group’s team of licensed advisors includes Demond Dawkins, who joined the firm in 2017 after 25 years in the banking industry. Demond brings a wealth of knowledge to the community; he serves on the board of the Wylie Economic Development Corporation, has expertise in Social
Security, and is licensed with Medicare (he’s the resident Medicare expert in Wylie!). He also serves as a pastor in Fate, Texas. Demond recently passed the Certified Kingdom Advisor exam; he’s awaiting certification and is also studying for his AAMS accreditation. Demond and Derek Draper offer educational webinars on our unique Faith-Based Investment platform. Julia Thorman, Certified Financial Planner, brings over 35 years in the financial industry. Julia works with a wide range of clients from her office in McKinney. Julia is very active in the local community including becoming a foster parent after raising her own family. Advisor Kristi Denham holds the designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) and joined the group last year with over a decade of customer service experience. Kristi has passion for the community and is often seen representing the Jal Dennis Group at Chamber events and visiting local businesses. Kristi also hosts a regular educational webinar series on financial topics unique to women. Rounding out the advisory team is Derek Draper, who is known to many as a former pastor at First Baptist Wylie. The Draper name is well known in the
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community, and Derek is active in the Wylie athletic and camp community as well as broadcasting the Wylie High School football games. Along with Demond, Derek is an advocate for our Faith-Based Investment platform. Heading up the office staff is our office manager Rhonda McDowell. Rhonda has been with the Jal Dennis Group since 2011. She ensures that all clients have an enjoyable experience and serves on the LPL Service and Operations Council. She makes sure that the entire team is up to date and trained on the latest technologies and procedures. Rhonda’s personal life centers around church and family. She and her family have participated in several missionary trips. When you first contact our office, you will be instantly greeted with a warm smile and pleasant introduction. Regina Smith joined the firm in 2016 and has endeared herself to everyone as she makes sure all clients and visitors speak with the person best equipped to help them. It would be impossible to list all the ways Regina keeps our office organized. Her primary duties are scheduling client meetings
and maintaining the calendar as well as assisting everyone in all of our projects. The most recent addition to the Jal Dennis group, joining earlier this year, is our Marketing Director Sarah Kalaj. She is a local native who is often seen all over the community at events. Sarah has served for over a decade in the financial industry and as an insurance and Medicare professional. Sarah brings experience with benefits for federal workers as well as a wealth of knowledge for state, the private sector and teachers. She also has a strong background working with life insurance, annuities, and Social Security and helping others find the right places for help when facing unexpected life changes and loss. Our team offers a wide variety of licenses, skills and life experiences to meet the needs of our growing community and client base. We still strive to maintain the highest level of client satisfaction to provide the best and most personal experience. We believe in investing in our clients before they invest in us. If we can help in any way, please give us a call at 972-429-0603 or email us at info@jaldennis.com. •
As a full-service financial consulting firm, Jal Dennis Group Investment Services provides individual investors and small business owners with retirement planning and strategies that seek portfolio growth through assistance in the following areas: • Financial Planning • Investment Management • Retirement Planning • Tax Strategies
• Insurance • Education Planning • Estate Planning • Trust Services
• Guided Wealth Portfolios • Fiduciary Focus
972-429-0603 601 Commerce St., Wylie, TX 75098
www.jaldennis.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., and affiliate of LPL Financial. A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
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eff and Lee Bednar were at a crossroads in 2014. Jeff had sold his shares in a real estate company, and the couple wanted to start a new business, one that would have a profound impact on the health of their family, their community, and the environment for future generations. A genetic condition, Marfan syndrome, had caused Jeff to undergo open-heart surgery when he was 36. Now he and his wife were starting a family, and Jeff said he “wanted to eat healthy to be around for my girls as they grew up.” “We watched a lot of documentaries about the environmental disaster that is our current industrial monoculture agriculture system,” he said. That led them to the decision to start Profound Microfarms, a controlled environment farm, where they would grow a diverse ecosystem of crops using a variety of methods. It was Jeff’s father who bicycled down the road that would lead to Profound Microfarms – Forest Grove Road in Lucas. He saw a “for sale” sign on a property with visible greenhouses in the back. Jeff and Lee discovered that the property, which had been a vibrant orchid farm, had been uninhabited for seven years, due in part to the fact that the owners wouldn’t sell to anyone who wanted to tear down the greenhouses “and put up a big house.” The Bednars told the sellers their plans, and they were thrilled to support the new venture. In August 2014, the Bednars purchased the 2.6-acre property with its 17,000 square feet of greenhouses. Though dilapidated, they could be refurbished and would work just fine. (Jeff says the previous owners have stayed in touch and are avid supporters. “It makes them happy to see the life that we have breathed into this property.”) There was some education ahead; Lee had cooked and dabbled in the garden, but Jeff said he had never grown anything in his life. “We watched a lot of YouTube videos; I took some classes and became a master gardener and a certified permaculture designer and traveled the country visiting other greenhouse operations,” he said. (Permaculture draws inspiration from
Photos courtesy of Profound Microfarms.
Profound Microfarms By Judy Truesdell
The Bednar Family
nature to develop farming practices based on crop diversity, resilience, natural productivity, and sustainability.) They started with a small system in one greenhouse. “We failed a lot. I killed a lot of plants on my journey to understanding how aquaponics and hydroponics work.” (Aquaponics and hydroponics are methods of growing crops without using soil, relying on water to transport the nutrients. Hydroponics uses 95% less water than traditional farming methods.) After three years of research and development, they were at the point that they could start exploring commercial opportunities. “Farming isn’t for the faint of heart, and the farmers we have met along our journey are all remarkable people,” Jeff says. He said it has always been about the community for him and Lee. They recognized how “broken the food supply chain was” and the challenges that people face in our area related directly to the food they eat. “We see how kids have no idea what a potato is, only potato chips, and they don’t know that a chicken tender once belonged to a living animal.” He started connecting with local food and farm community members, which led to meeting many chefs and discovering a niche market that Profound Microfarms could fill. “Chefs in quality restaurants in Dallas and Collin counties were hungry (no pun intended) for fresh, local produce and proteins, and they were incredibly frustrated that they couldn’t find consistent, reliable products direct from local farms. So, that’s what we focused on most – quality and consistency.” On site, Profound Microfarms grows 150 varieties of rare culinary herbs, microgreens (the shoots of salad vegetables picked just after the first leaves have developed), leafy greens, and edible flowers. Believing in continuing to inspire small and sustainable farmers, they hold myriad events on the farm. “We have hosted thousands of visitors, from kids on tours with their Girl and Boy Scout troops, to chef dinners, curated for the season and the occasion.” In 2018 they launched a food hub, Profound Foods, to help
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Photos courtesy of Profound Microfarms.
local farmers, ranchers, and producers reach their market of customers. “As soon as we started the distribution company with a focus on ‘Farmers Helping Farmers,’ we very rapidly expanded. Profound Foods was supplying 130 local restaurants in Collin and Dallas counties products from over 40 other local producers when COVID hit.” COVID hit them hard; they went from 130 wholesale restaurant customers down to only four. They realized that the only way to survive would be to launch a direct-to-retail-consumer home-delivery business. “Luckily there was a huge uptick in demand and interest for local food and a local supply chain that was much safer than the grocery stores or even farmers’ markets.” They already had delivery vans and a robust online ordering website that made it easy for them to transition from a wholesale-only business to supplying both wholesale and retail customers. “We offer free home delivery in Allen, McKinney, Lucas, Fairview, and parts of Wylie, with plans to expand our home delivery in the coming weeks to other surrounding cities.” In addition to home delivery, they offer weekly pickup outposts in Frisco, Plano, and downtown Dallas for customers outside their delivery areas. When the Bednars realized that many of the 150 items they grew wouldn’t sell well to retail customers, they donated and
composted nearly 90% of their crops and downsized. “We’ve been able to donate, with the help of our partner farms, over 10,000 pounds of food to local non-profits and charities to feed the food insecure in our North Texas community.” The farm is just now hitting its stride again; they took advantage of the months of low production to build better hydroponic systems. They also realized there was another opportunity created by the pandemic; retail customers asked them for products such as salad dressings, meal kits, marinades, and tips on how to cook. Seeing that many of their service industry friends were out of work, they started a third company, The Profound Kitchen with Chef Nick Walker, to produce these new value-added items for their customers. “We found a commercial kitchen and got to work.” They have recently launched 32 new products that have been getting great feedback from their many home-delivery customers. “As hard as COVID has been on us and our community, we love knowing that we are nourishing even more of our community with locally and sustainably grown, nutrient-dense, and delicious foods,” Jeff said. To see a list of available products, discover local pickup locations, and keep an eye on home delivery areas, visit profoundmicrofarms.com. •
NOW ENROLLING! Please stop by for a tour.
We are doing “modified” tours to show the school, our heightened disinfecting/safety protocols including daily fogging, as well as new virtual learning programs for ISD children. This year, we never shut down nor let any staff go and are tested and ready, when you are, to care for and educate your children.
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A Few Beautiful Ideas to Freshen Up Your Kitchen By Jeanie Marten
We Martens are lovers of wonderful food. Fortunately, three out of four of us cook, and two of those cooks are amazing: Ian and David. Ian is the king of choosing amazing recipes and following them to a T. Rarely does that young man have a failure. David is the master of the impromptu. He can throw just about anything together, and it’s outright tasty. I have come to a place where I can finally hold my own in the kitchen with them, but if I have my choice, I am happy to do their dishes. Like so many families, we spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Thanks to Jeanie Marten Real Estate, I get to spend a ton of time in other people’s kitchens too and get to discover kitchen trends. I would like to share some of my current favorites. • Quartz countertops. Quartz has earned a coveted place in the kitchen. While it looks like a natural stone, the engineered countertop is more affordable, nonporous, stain resistant, and easy to clean with no sealing, conditioning, or polishing needed. • Don’t underestimate the fifth wall … aka the kitchen ceiling. Many kitchens are trending all white, so add a pop of color, wood, or wallpaper to the ceiling to give it some flair. A note about wallpaper: lots of manufacturers are tending toward peel and stick but easily removable wallpaper, although I’m personally not ready yet. • Mix and match your kitchen metals. Copper has made an appearance again and is amazing mixed with nickel in light fixtures. Brass is also back with an updated look and might deserve a second chance in your home. • Hidden appliances – just add a matching cabinet front and your appliances disappear.
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• Open shelving has been on trend for a few years, but it has now become a staple. “Out of sight” means “out of mind” for me, so having some of those elements floating in my kitchen makes me happy. • Paint your island cabinets. One of my absolute favorite step-out kitchen ideas is to paint the island something eye catching or contrasting with the other cabinets. You might try painting the uppers a shade or two lighter than the lowers. Except for the quartz countertops, none of these ideas add any real value; however, an appealing and eye-catching kitchen will take you a long way when trying to sell your home. Jeanie Marten Real Estate will always give you timely and sound advice as well. Call us today if you are thinking about buying, selling, or investing!
Jeanie Marten, GRI, e-PRO, ABR 972-588-8363 • Jeanie@MartenRE.com 6406 Hwy. 78, Suite 212 • Sachse, TX 75048
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Forbidden Forest Haunted Trail Don’t Go Into The Woods Alone!
Fridays & Saturdays in October: 3 - 8 p.m. Hike: 30 Minutes - Total Event Time: 1 Hour
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www.fulferandassociates.com Securities are offered through Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
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Experience a Unique Halloween Adventure!
If elected as a Wylie ISD School Board Trustee, I will always ask what is best for our students, our staff, our schools, and our community. I will serve our Wylie ISD students with empathy, integrity, and a culture of respect for all, while keeping a watchful eye on how taxpayer dollars are spent. • • • • • • •
13 Year Wylie ISD Elementary Education Teacher Wylie ISD Student Mentor Superintendent Teacher Advisory Council Member Watkins Elementary Teacher of the Year Texas PTA Lifetime Member Recipient Wylie ISD PTA ‘Matey’ Wylie Way Outfitters Volunteer
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Political ad paid for by Brenda Scherer for WISD School Board Place 7.
www.wyliechamber.org • 11
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Get Your Great Smile Holiday Photo Ready!
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Education
Keeping Students Fed … the Wylie Way
T
By Ian Halperin
Photos courtesy of Wylie ISD.
he Wylie ISD Student Nutrition Department believes it takes a team to educate a child, and as an integral partner in the Wylie ISD team, their work now extends beyond the school building. When schools opened on Aug. 13, the district implemented a curbside meal pickup program to help meet the nutritional needs of its remote learners. Finding ways to feed our children is not new to the staff. When schools closed due to COVID-19 back in March, the district’s Student Nutrition staff made sure that students could still access the meals they needed. School meals became a lifeline to many children and families, easing the financial strain and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus and providing a comforting source of consistency for students. “School meals are critical to students’ well-being and readiness to learn,” said Dawn Lin, Wylie ISD’s Director of Student Nutrition. “Research has shown that children who eat breakfast and lunch at school rely on school meals for half of their daily energy intake.” With Wylie ISD setting an example in North Texas to open for in-person instruction, the Student Nutrition employees rose to the occasion, smiling behind their masks and continuing to provide nutritious meals to fuel students’ academic successes and physical and cognitive developments. With about 50% of the district’s families opting for remote learning, the district has set up food pickup sites at four campuses to allow parents the option to pur-
Each school day families in Wylie ISD, from the safety of their vehicles, can purchase the same nutritionally balanced breakfasts and lunches as are offered in school cafeterias.
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Wylie ISD Student Nutrition employees have continued to meet the needs of our families by setting up drive-through meal pick up at campuses across the district.
Thank you note from Akin Elementary student.
chase balanced meals for their children. Both breakfast and lunch are offered. Menus are posted on the Student Nutrition website and offer the same variety and combinations as they would find in the cafeteria. With food insecurity rates skyrocketing due to the economic hardship triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, school meals have become essential to more children than ever. Research has also shown that school meals are healthier than meals brought from home or elsewhere; students eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more milk when they consume school meals. The program has been very well received, serving 3,488 meals in August (1,957 lunches and 1,531 breakfasts). That’s about 150 lunches and 117 breakfasts among four remote curbside school sites per day. Parents who came through the curbside meal pickup sites stated that they appreciate the additional service. Some parents were not able to pick up meals during the set hours so the district partnered with local community resources to serve more families. Joley Martin, the district’s family services liaison, recruited volunteers to help at two of the four remote curbside sites since the staff was also serving meals inside the schools. “We are dedicated to enhancing your student’s academic performance while meeting or exceeding all state and federal government guidelines,” added Lin. “Our goal and promise are to provide the best customer care while serving safe, nutritious, quality meals, and encouraging students to develop life-long skills and knowledge to make healthy food choices.” For more information on Wylie ISD’s Student Nutrition Department, visit: www.wylieisd.net/Page/1623. • www.wyliechamber.org • 13
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Health
The Truth About Carbs By Jan Arrant
D
o you look longingly at the breadbasket or pass on pasta because you’ve banned carbohydrates from your diet? The truth is most of us are confused when it comes to carbs. Low carb, no carb … and what about bread, the mother of all carbs? “Carbs are not your enemy, but a fourth of your plate or less should be carbohydrates,” says primary care physician, Christine Liu, MD, on the staff at Methodist Richardson Medical Center. “Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, and the other fourth should be lean protein.” Many of us do need to eat less starch and sugar if the goal is to lose weight, but a totally carbohydrate-free diet could actually set you up for failure. The key is to make sure you’re eating the right kinds of carbs. Try wholegrain or high-fiber breads, because they digest more slowly and provide a steady supply of energy. They will also leave you feeling full and satisfied much longer. On the other hand, low-fiber, refined carbs like white bread, rolls and white rice break down quickly and will spike your blood sugar levels. “Fiber helps prevent diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, constipation, and possibly colon cancer. The recommendation is 20-30 grams of fiber a day,” says Dr. Liu. Craving carbs? What to do Chances are if you’re craving carbs, you are hungry or tired. When your body is stressed, you produce more of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol gets a nasty reputation for making us fat around the middle, but it is responsible for vital tasks like maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular function. It also regulates metabolism. When you are stressed, your brain triggers the release of more
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cortisol. Over time, high levels of cortisol hurt more than they help, causing weight gain, high blood pressure, disrupted sleep, reduced energy levels, and your foul mood. So now, you’re crabby and “hangry.” You want bread. No, you need bread. When trying to stave off those carb cravings, you need strategies in your back pocket. The foods listed below should help feed your fix for carbs, while providing your body good nourishment that doesn’t lead to blood sugar imbalances: If you’re craving a salty carb: • Raw carrots and hummus • 1-2 cups homemade popcorn with Himalayan sea salt • Roasted chickpeas If you’re craving a sweet carb: • Frozen or fresh berries with heavy cream • Chocolate protein shake
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• Small banana with natural almond butter • Small square of 80%+ dark chocolate • If you’re craving a starchy carb: • Spaghetti squash noodles or zucchini noodles • Cauliflower substitutes (pizza crust, mashed, or rice) • Homemade granola with chopped cashews, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds mixed with dark chocolate chips or dried fruit Gluten free: fact or fad? The gluten-free frenzy is no half-baked fad for sufferers of celiac disease. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder. When people with the disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), it causes an immune response that attacks the small intestine. It affects 1 in 100 worldwide. The only real treatment is a lifelong strict, gluten-free diet. But a word of caution: don’t self-diagnose. Eating gluten free can backfire if you overly consume gluten-free products that are full of high-glycemic ingredients like brown rice flower, potato starch, or sugar. So bread lovers, rise to the challenge. Make smart carb choices and you can avoid the battle of the bulge; yeast of all, you can enjoy a slice of life! • Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.
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707 Parker Rd • Wylie A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
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972-442-6523 www.wyliechamber.org • 15
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Higher Education
I
Photo by Nick Young, Collin College photographer.
Culinary Genius Abounds at the New Wylie Campus By Heather Darrow
t’s a few hours before the big event. Five hundred people are waiting. After weeks of experimentation, planning, and fine-tuning, Laz Contreras and his team are ready to make people smile. “I experience a kind of euphoria knowing I have the opportunity to cook for hundreds of people,” said Contreras, Collin College Wylie Campus Chef Manager. “It’s like Michael Jordan taking the last shot. It is difficult, but I know what my team and I are capable of.” Known as Chef Laz, Contreras was educated at Le Cordon Bleu in Dallas. His mother was always in the kitchen cooking, but his exposure to the culinary field accelerated when he was 10 years old and his uncle, who was a chef in Germany and later at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, moved from Cuba to live with his family. “Plating food and helping with photography and videography for my mom’s bridal business opened my artistic side. My uncle did the catering, and I helped out,” Contreras said. Today, Contreras proudly recreates Mama Lucido’s cherished family recipes in the café that bears her name. Joe Lucido and his wife, Sara, established a student scholarship endowment with the Collin College Foundation in honor of Joe’s mother, Joan. “Mama Lucido’s macaroni and cheese and lasagna are hearty and filling,” Contreras said. “The lasagna has different cheeses, ground beef, and Italian sausage. The potato salad has a secret ingredient that has a tart flavor. They are all delicious,” Contreras said. Mama Lucido’s café also offers a pasta bar where guests can choose pasta, sauce, protein, and vegetable, toasted deli flatbread sandwiches, or pizza by the slice. Contreras created the entire grill “Sizzle” menu at the Wylie Campus which offers breakfast and lunch items ranging from eggs and pancakes to burgers, quesadillas, Philly cheesesteaks, and black bean burgers. In addition, he designed a sweet and creamy signature “Cougar Sauce,” named after the college mascot, which he says is a great addition to almost any dish. The Wylie Campus chef and his team also prepare all the “Grab and Go” items for the college’s Wylie, Frisco,
Chef Laz Contreras at Mama Lucido's Cafe on the Wylie Campus
McKinney, and Technical campuses. Students, employees, and guests in a hurry can enjoy fruit cups, sandwiches, salads, puddings, take-out pastas, Krispy Krunchy chicken, fajitas, or meals such as flank steak with cilantro lime rice and seasoned black beans. “At Mama Lucido’s café we have everything from vegan to keto to paleo to ‘I just want to gain a few pounds,’” he said, laughing. “We will happily create something that will fit your lifestyle. When you taste these dishes, I want you to remember your mother’s cooking or your favorite restaurant in Thailand, Mexico, or Italy. It is my passion to see people enjoy food.” Mama Lucido’s café is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. The Starbucks bar is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. For more information about the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/wylie. • Many Orders Completed Same Day!
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16 • The CONNECTION • October/November 2020
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Money
Football is Back
America is “ready for football,” while financial professionals are ready for volatility. Provided by Trace Dennis, CMT ®
F
ootball is back, which means summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play. This year, there was no pre-season, so professional football started in September, which coincidentally, is a perennial month for stock market volatility. Football follows Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League; each organization started seasons (some abbreviated) in the past few months. Some colleges are playing fall sports, while others have postponed a part of their seasons. This year, September is helping its reputation as a volatile month. After closing at a record high on Sept. 2, the S&P’s 500 stock index fell sharply over the next three sessions. Concerns about COVID-19, Congress taking its time with further economic stimulus, and the upcoming elections seemed to unnerve investors. Most pro football stadiums are open to players and staff, but fans can expect to watch the games at home for much of the season. While games won’t be held inside a “bubble,” as with the NBA and NHL, NFL teams have changed travel and lodging protocols to distance or isolate players as much as possible, including hiring up to two planes for each traveling team. The point is that you have to be aware of what’s happening and make informed decisions. So while your financial professional might not have any tips for your fantasy football team, he or she may be able to provide some guidance about how to stay focused on investment goals despite some short-term volatility. •
Trace Dennis may be reached at 972-429-0603 or tracedennis@jaldennis.com.
20 • The CONNECTION • October/November 2020
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#MFGDay20 #CreatorsWanted Manufacturing Day 2020 will look and feel a little different this year. The national theme, CREATORS WANTED, emphasizes the return of manufacturing to the US economy and the tremendous role high-tech manufacturing careers will play in the workforce of the future. According to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the next decade making manufacturing an exciting and secure career choice. And, lucrative as well!
The average U.S. manufacturing worker earns an income of $87,185 per year according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, while 2020 activities may look a little different, we want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank host manufacturers, business leaders and academic institutions for their active participation in making sure our students are skilled and ready to join the workforce of tomorrow.
For more information on MFG DAY events, contact: info@wylieedc.com
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The Connection Magazine, Wylie Chamber of Commerce
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