STORYBOOK RANCH 2013

RIVER RANCH EDUCATIONAL CHARITIES 3701 S. CUSTER RD. MCKINNEY, TEXAS 75070 972-369-0874 www.storybookranch.org Save $10 on our Guided Trail Ride Come enjoy a taste of the old West right here in McKinney, TX.  Our horses range from the calm to the spirited...for all levels of riding experience & pleasure!  All trail rides are guided & 1 hour long. We offer meadow areas, tree line areas, a natural spring fed creek path plus our 1800's western town. Call ahead to reserve your ride - 972-369-0874. (Trail Rides begin at age 7. You must present this coupon.  One coupon per person. Not valid with other offers.) Offer Expires: 2/09/2014

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.

ANN LIEBER FOR COLLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER

  Ann Lieber, a well known and respected grassroots conservative, filed for her candidacy to become the next Collin County Commissioner of Precinct 1 on December 6, 2013.  

 Ann Lieber will be on the ballot for the March 4, 2014 Republican primary.

Lieber has been receiving overwhelming encouragement and support within Collin County sufficient to convince her that she must take a leadership role in the community. She has the trust and respect of a wide range of knowledgeable and responsible citizens as well as local elected officials and other community leaders who have confirmed that she can and will represent the citizens diligently, intelligently, and honorably.

With more than five years of grassroots activism within Collin County, the town of Prosper and surrounding communities, Ann’s record speaks for itself in regards to her Constitutional ethics as well as her tenacity to seek the facts, demand truths, and stand up for her beliefs on the issues that affect those that she serves.

Her basic principles are: personal responsibility, fiscal accountability and adherence to the Constitution. As Co-Coordinator of the Prosper TEA Party, Lieber stands for accessibility, transparency, and responsiveness in local and county government. Ann believes the People deserve a fair and prepared representative.

Lieber is well known for her selfless approach to speaking out on behalf of her community on numerous topics at the local, county, and regional level; and has always been willing to provide alternative solutions with factual documentation of each issue.  Ann is well known for bringing forth issues that others refuse to tackle.

She understands the proper role of government and its core function. “My goal is to be a true public servant to the taxpayers of Collin County  I believe tax dollars need to stay local and benefit the community.”  

A native Texan born in Dallas and raised in Richardson:  

BBQ LEGEND LEE CHAMBERS

Remembering A BBQ Legend, Lee Chambers of Luling BBQ
By J.B.Blocker

BLACK BEGINNINGS
  We started our BBQ tour at Black’s in Lockhart, Texas. This is Central Texas just south of Austin. We are in Caldwell County where the citizens make sure you know that it is recognized as the Barbeque Capital of Texas by the State House of Representatives. Five of the top 50 BBQ establishments in the state reside in this county. In Texas, there are thousands who think theirs is the best.
  You have to start with two family names, Schmidt and Black.  The Schmidt's began as Kruez German Market established in 1900. Smitty took over and is the father of sibling rivals. The sister stayed to maintain her fathers legacy at Smitty's and the brother built a BBQ Emporium he named Kruez Market.
  Their menu is as simple as it gets. There is no electricity used in the kitchen of Smitty's. Beans are cooked in a big old pot with a propane burner. Other than the beans, what most get is their choice of pit smoked meats served on a butchers sheet with no sauce, and no sides other than a hunk of cheese, some pickles, jalapeno's, onions, saltine crackers and slices of bread. 
  Don't forget the Big Red! It's been the drink of choice for years.

  Kruez Market is currently #1 and has ranked among the highest rated places to feast ever since a feud between big sister Nina and little brother Rick led to a parting of the ways.  Schmidt showed up one morning took a wheel barrow full of the last remaining embers from big sisters pits and rolled it down the streets to his new BBQ Palace. It is said that there was only one other occasion when the pit fires went out at Smitty's. Other than that, the pit fires have burned continuously. 
  Rick wanted to start his mega BBQ event center with those historic burning embers but left his sisters coals at Smitty's pit cold. 
  Suited businessmen regularly arrive by the car loads to eat caveman style where there is nothing left but bones and paper.

Do the Caldwell Shuffle!
 I am riding shot gun with Sheriff Dan Law. We will spend the next two days together and will eat at each of the BBQ legends during that time. 
  Each owner will bring me plates ( or in some cases sheets of waxed butcher paper) filled with some of everything.
  Each is certain that not only is their BBQ the best, but also their potato salad, cold slaw, beans, sausage, and even their choice of pickles.
  They will watch to make sure I taste and appreciate every item and I end up with leftovers enough to fill the fridge of my buddy in New Braunfils. Keith Vogel is forced to make room by sending me home with several pounds of outstanding venison sausage.
   Between the stuffings Dan and I make the circuit of his sheriffing responsibilities. The big man is as gentle and considerate as he is determined and protective. He comes from a long line of Texas lawmen.   
  Sheriffs, Texas Rangers, Highway Patrol, and police officers are his uncles and cousins. I am getting a chauffeur driven tour of history and the law, spiced with the many people who spot the big man with the stetson and a badge with a star.I envision a Bonanza remake with Dan playing Hoss Cartrite.

Where your votes are going! With Ralph Hall

HALL SUPPORTS JOBS, ENERGY BILLS
THAT HOLD EPA ACCOUNTABLE

WASHINGTON, DC . . . This week, Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted in favor of three bills to encourage job creation and economic growth through responsible domestic energy production. The bills – the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013, and the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act – address multiple forms of energy production, reflecting Rep. Hall’s commitment to true “all-of-the-above” energy solutions.

“At a time when so many Americans are struggling, it is my goal to help people achieve personal security – first and foremost, security with their jobs and their finances,” said Hall. “One of the best ways we can encourage job creation and economic growth is through the pursuit of all-of-the-above energy solutions that utilize the abundant resources we have in our own backyard. New energy production not only would create much-needed job opportunities, but also would lower energy costs for families and provide relief at the gas pumps and in the pocketbooks of hardworking taxpayers.”

Hall continued, “The three House bills passed this week hold the EPA accountable and would modernize the application process for several forms of energy by establishing firm timelines and removing unnecessary red tape. This would allow for more efficient and effective development of America’s natural resources, and would also move our country toward energy independence.”

 “The President has an opportunity to join Republicans in pursuit of true ‘all-of-the-above’ energy solutions that would revitalize America’s economy and create jobs – these are the top priorities of my constituents and the majority of Americans.” 

The three pro-energy bills passed by the House this week include:

NOLA Grill at Frisco Square

We’ll take you there!

That is the promise of Chef Nick Totten and his boss Christine Totten.

  Nick was raised on the taste of Hilton Head in large part to his grandmother Dot’s formal training and his love of the kitchen. The only jobs that have ever interested him had to involve the taste and energy of the kitchen.

  After graduating from the highly regarded Johnson and Wales School of Culinary Arts, the young chef applied for a job in the kitchens of Emeril’s in New Orleans. The taste of the Louisiana gulf coast with its French and Cajun influence of seasoning left a big impression. Nick returned to North Carolina with visions of the culinary nameplates like Commanders Palace, Mr. B’s, and Emeril’s as well as the exposed bricks and wrought iron lamp posts of Toulouse and Bourbon Street.

  While working his way up the culinary and management layers of highly regarded restaurants in Hilton Head, he incorporated his lessons in seasoning in Louisiana with the Gullah and low country flavors of the Carolina coast.

  An opportunity to work under locally renowned chef Dean Fearing at the Mansion of Turtle Creek lured the now seasoned executive chef to Dallas.

  After 8 rewarding and growing years with the popular Dodies Group, the Tottens were ready to give Chef Nick his own play ground.With the encouragement and support of his business manager and wife Christine, the McKinney resident's leased an available corner lot in Frisco's vibrant and every growing Square.

NOLA GRILL, Bringing Classic New Orleans Cuisine to Frisco

NOLA  GRILL Ribbon Cutting  Wednesday August 7, 2013

8898 Coleman Blvd. Frisco, Texas

Frisco Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

   The Frisco Chamber of Commerce welcomed the opening of NOLA Grill on the Frisco Square with a ribbon cutting. 

Bob, Anne, and Katherine Brown

 

  Chef Nick Totten and wife Christine have brought a taste of Classic New Orleans cuisine and the feel of the bricks and lanterns of Toulouse and Bourbon Streets to Frisco, Texas City Square.

Probate Court appoints Terri Green as Associate Judge

Congratulations  are in order to Terri Green who is now a newly appointed Associate Judge. Judge Green was appointed by Statutory Probate Court Judge Weldon Copeland on June 19 in Collin County to conduct hearings. 

  Judge Green recently completed filming a TV news segment with Doug Llewelyn, creator of famed TV court shows including 'Judge Judy' and 'The Peoples Court'.
  Last week's filming of a mock trial was conducted in McKinney and highlighted Ms. Green's litigation skills in the court room. She is the current President of Republican Women of North Collin County and is a CPS Board Member.
  According to Llewelyn, a highly respected court TV producer, the filming was a big success that has resulted in serious consideration of a potential new made for TV series featuring 'Judge Terri'!  
  Collin County will be a big winner if the cameras start rolling here. 

The newly appointed Judge Green, has practiced law for 24 years. The attorney began her legal career in Probate out of the Houston area and later relocated to Collin County in 2002.

She immediately entered the Probate arena where she has become known for her tenacity in the courtroom, Judge Green has been involved in large and complex guardianship, contested administrations and contested Will cases.  Her courtroom experience include a $1.5 million jury verdict in a wrongful death case, awarded to two minors she represented in Denton County. 

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962. Email: jbnorthtexas@gmail.com or jbblocker@hotmail.com.