I know where the beef is!

Estilo Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse

  Take your friends and take your time! 
  This is not the time or place to be in a hurry.
   With over 40 items from the salad bar and 16 choices of beef, chicken, pork, and lamb, it will be hard to save room for desert!
   So sit back, relax, enjoy your company, and at least share the deserts.


Collin County's District Attorney came for the experience and left with the 7 Layer Chocolate Cake. 
 

  Looking for a place to enjoy a delicious and unhurried lunch or dinner?  Look no further than Frisco’s unique signature Brazilian Steakhouse, Estilo Gaucho.

  I arrived licking my chops, ever so ready for some tasty, open-fire roasted rib eye or bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin.  If you were with me as I was escorted to my table, you would have witnessed my surprise at  Estilo Gaucho’s breathtakingly big salad bar. 

   Among the 40+ choices were Chicken Stroganoff, Shitake Mushrooms, Cured Meats, Smoked Salmon, gourmet cheese selections, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, assorted soups and salads; you name it, and it was there.  
  They were beckoning even me, a stranger in a green land.

      I was jealously guarding space for my beloved meats. I chose only the Caprese Salad.  And boy was it good!  But was this some kind of trick?  Making a meat-lover like me pine for a second helping of salad?  
   I wondered, when would my true love arrive?  How long could I remain faithful and resist the surprising temptation of those whispering greens? 
   

GREEN MEANS GO 

The Angela Tucker Story

Character: The Building Block for Another Over Achieving Texas Girl

By J.B. Blocker

  It’s a shame that we don’t know more about the character of our elected officials before we give them our vote. Many would never have been elected if we had known more about their character. Others would become obvious choices to place our trust in.

  Character is awakened and then groomed by influences and circumstances. We are all born with possibilities, all the possibilities in the world. No matter how rough and challenging our roads become, the spirit can overcome those tests if we walk toward a light.

  Many may say that Angela Tucker was a miracle child, and that might be true. But I’ve gotten to know her, and I know that she was blessed with character, support, and determination!

Judge your Candidates! Major James Angelino

  I am the product of a family of immigrants. My great grandfather on my father's side came to the US via Ellis Island in 1908. My mother's family came from Spain, to Puerto Rico, then to the US.

  Neither of my parents spoke their family’s native language. Growing up we had a lot more contact with my father's family. If you asked my great grandfather Cono Severino, what he was, he would have told you he was an American. He realized the only way to truly have a chance at the American Dream was to assimilate.

  He wanted better for his family than he had. The only way that could happen was to speak English and become an American. I do really wish that Italian was spoken instead of buying Rosetta Stone, but I am proud and grateful my family made that decision.

  Unfortunately, some of the immigrants of today do not feel the same way and are not taking advantage of the benefits of being a part of this great nation and of being American.

Major James (Jimmy) Angelino, Candidate for the new Collin County Court #7.

  The first thing I asked Jimmy when he told me he had decided to run for the newly formed Collin County Court #7 was Why?

  He had previously run for Collin County District Attorney against a wildly popular local favorite and former Judge with plenty of campaign experience. Even though he is highly qualified, the Greg Willis juggernaut was too strong to overcome.

  As far as I am concerned, if you want to elect someone who will give their all and then some, he would rank high on any list.

Cole (16), Misti, Gabby (6)

  The man decided he needed to serve his country in the military in honor of family traditions at age 39! James Angelino now serves as a Major in the United States Army Reserve JAG Corp.

  He was mobilized to active duty in January 2003 where he spent 16 months on active duty. Jimmy was sent to Tikrit, Iraq for a 6 month tour where he defended soldiers accused of misconduct. During this time, Jimmy was the lead attorney on 21 Courts Martials. For his service, Jimmy was awarded the Bronze Star, The Army Commendation Medal, The Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

 

  So Why? Why a misdemeanor court?

Lon Garner

  Lon Garner is a man you should know. He is truly our 12th man.
  There are four candidates vying for the seat being vacated by Judge Chris Oldner.  With the backlog of cases stacking up, this is no time for learning!

  Only one candidate for the Collin County District Court #416 has prosecuted and defended Criminal, Family, and Civil law cases.
  

Still the same, but better every day!

j.b. blocker

A letter from Mom
   Hello.  My name is Katherine Garner and I'd like to tell you a few little known facts about Lon L Garner, who is running for Judge of the 416th Judicial District Court.

   Lon was born during the Vietnam era while his father was in the Air Force, stationed in San Antonio. We later moved back home, to Jacksboro, Texas where he attended and graduated from Jacksboro High School. An honors graduate, he then attended Texas A&M University, was a member of its Corp of Cadets, and graduated with a degree in Political Science.

    He is one of the most dedicated, loyal and focused individuals I know and I have the pleasure of calling him my son.  Dedicated to God and his family and loyal to his clients and friends, Lon has maintained focus on a career path providing a service to the people of Collin County.

  Lon's interest in law was apparent when at the ripe old age of 5, he threatened to "sue" a doctor who held him down to give him a shot.  I'm still in a quandary about where that idea came from, although we have laughed about it for years.

  He is a natural leader who was always elected to leadership rolls by his peers whether on the athletic field or in the classroom. From Team Captain to Student Body President, Lon was a leader among his peers.  His leadership rolls enhanced his college career at Texas A&M and St. Mary's where he continued to lead by example.

  Only Lon could graduate from law school, get married, take the State Bar Exam, go on his honeymoon, and move from San Antonio to McKinney in a little more than two months and make it look easy!  After a brief honeymoon, Lon and his new bride, Roslyn, moved to Collin County where he had been offered a position in the Collin County District Attorney's Office. 

                                                                                     

  After 4 years as an ADA, Lon accepted a position with the law firm Touchstone Bernays, an insurance defense firm in Dallas, Texas.  During the time he was at Touchstone Bernays, Lon noticed his infant daughter was beginning to treat him as if he were a stranger when he came home after a long day at the office.  Believing that family was more important than a job, Lon resigned and has been self-employed ever since.

  I am very proud of my son.  I hope you will join me in supporting him as he runs for judge!!

When it was time for pre-school immunizations, 5 year old Lon Garner was not happy! He threatened to sue his family doctor! 

 “My name is Shellye (Berry) Harvey and I grew up with Lon Garner. In fact, it was my father Dr. Neil Berry that Lon threatened to sue! Dad fondly remembers Lon and his character. Looking back, Lon’s surprising defensive threat at being forced to be vaccinated was an early signal as to where his path lay.  It shows Lon’s logic and his desire to effect change and right the wrongs of injustice, even as a boy of 5 years! He has been that way throughout his life.

 We attended the same small-town public school in Jacksboro, Texas. I was a year ahead of him with around 50 students in each class. Jacksboro is a conservative, buttoned-down town where Lon always stood out. I knew him through school activities including band and Student Council. We were both drummers in our small high school band.

THE RIB WHISPERER at 3 STACKS, FRISCO

The League of Extra-Ordinary Reviewers invaded 3 Stacks BBQ and Tap House on Preston Road in Frisco.

  For this session, I invited a new collection of old friends. The group included Frisco's popular mayor, our county commissioner, a lady Associate Judge to keep everyone in line, and because of all the beer selections I included a respected beer judge. 

  My guest were so engaging as you will see, that I had to post the beer pairings separately.

Having a title like 'The Rib Whisperer' is a bold and challenging title. That is especially true in Texas! But Trace Arnold isn't foolin around. He is making his mark all over the country in his custom 80 ft. BBQ Emporium on wheels and on steroids.

There is a very logical reason for the 3 Stacks. While most BBQ is cooked in one massive smoker, it is very hard to moderate the temperature of different types of wood. Some cook much hotter, some smoke in different densities, and all the different cuts and kinds of meat require different timing and turning. The 3 separate systems allow Trace and his wranglers to control those important issues.

I'd usually have more to say, but Mayor Maso, Matt Shaheen, and Terri Green had more than enough to say. You'll find them to be entertaining and enlightening. Even though we were there to try some of everything, I had to fight for a rib.

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso (say that 3 times)

  It is always good to have a new business in Frisco and watch our community continue to grow.  I was especially excited to hear that 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House was opening in Frisco.  While opening a new restaurant in Frisco is not an uncommon occurrence,

  I knew that 3 stacks was going to be a great community partner when they quickly took action to help victims in West, Texas by being part of a relief effort.  I am always thankful for our community stakeholders to get involved and be part of making a difference.   That is why I was excited to be asked to be a “taste tester” for this article and to give my comments about the food there.

  Those who know me also know I really enjoy visiting our local restaurants and trying the many different menu items.   That led to the hardest part of being part of this review – the number of menu items! The food is displayed for your eye pleasure and if you are a lover of BBQ, the visual choices will almost be overwhelming.

The Man from Monkeys Eyebrow

Jim McGee, Plano City Council #7
jb blocker

 Indiana and Illinois meet western Kentucky at Ballard County. The Ohio River twist and turns like a great snake all along the northern Kentucky border. At one area, you see what people thought a monkeys head looked like. At the area where an eyebrow might be lies Monkeys Eyebrow, Kentucky.

  West of Paducah and Metropolis, (yes that’s Superman’s Metropolis sort of) the Ohio River valley features farms and ranches that trace their Irish roots to the migration of hardy families that spanned from 1840’s to the 1860’s. This was the time of the Potato Famines that left a million Irish starving to death.  Mixing with German immigrants, tiny communities sprang up. These were Protestant Irish. They were seeking their own religious freedom. With an Irish father and a German mother, Jim McGee and many like him were the melting point for the two cultures. “We were hard working country folks. We absolutely ate off of the land. We raised our own livestock and kept a family garden. We hunted and fished.  My Uncle Vern never wore a pair of shoes in his life.”

 

  Jim McGee can trace his roots back to the Civil War era. Their family farm still grows corn and carries on his great grandfather’s legacy. But the McGee School House Bell now resides in Plano, Texas. 

 “We got out of the dairy business, but not before I got all the experience I will ever want.” Young Jim McGee loaded up a ’65 VW Beetle and headed off to IU. I tried a couple of years of college, but I still wasn’t sure of the direction for my life.”

Full Service  

 “I had the opportunity to buy a gas stop after my 2nd year at university. The Clark Oil service station was nothing more than a gas, oil, and soda stop. The station was near Peoria but really off the beaten path. There was some industry nearby and the shift changes at the Pabst Brewery plant kept us busy.

 This was back when you pumped the gas, checked the oil and tires, and washed the windshield. Everytime!!! We were open all day and all night every day.  I usually worked double shifts and had eight employees that covered the rest.”

 “I took the opportunity to service vehicles very seriously.” Two years of owning the little gas stop gave Jim plenty of time to think and he was ready to discover America.

 

 For the next few years Jim was in the grain storage business. “We built corrugated round storage bins all over the Midwest. I did a good job and my responsibilities and area expanded. I enjoyed getting to know the agricultural communities across the heart land.”

Texas Bound

 “People ask me how I ended up in Texas. That’s an easy one! Sure, people talk about the opportunities, but for me, it was the people!”

 For friendly people, Texas hospitality has been a beacon for many all over America and even the world. It still is! Texas epitomizes the spirit of America’s range. Jim felt it like a magnet and in ’78 made Dallas his new home. It didn’t take long before the hope and promise of Plano lured him. The population was around 75,000.

 

Ken Roberts: Collin College Trustee

Ken Roberts for Collin College: Campaign Platform:

 New Leadership with New Vision needs New Perspective.

  Our community has proudly watched Collin College grow and become an integral part of the ‘Collin County experience’. It has progressed from a ‘greenfield dream’ of a higher education institution through Quad C to its present status as Collin College. Collin College is no longer a rural community college of 30 years ago. It is changing to a suburban College which resides in a county that is attracting Fortune 500, Global 2000 giants. This progression needs to constantly review perspective.

  We are approaching another milestone in the development of Collin College. We have a new leader, a new President, Dr. Neil Matkin. We have had 2 outstanding Presidents. Dr. John Anthony for 14 years in the start-up and foundation stage and Dr. Cary Israel for 16 years in the formative and establishment stage. I will work with Dr. Matkin to facilitate the new vision of our progression. My perspective is to be the Board member to help us ‘to the next stage’.

HR experience:

  I bring vital experience not present on the board; 25 years of HR experience. The Human Resources mindset is that the employees are the most important asset of their company. We must communicate, recognized and retain all the outstanding teachers and staff that we have at Collin College.

Corporation Partnership:

  Another vital experience that I bring to the Board is current Corporate/Business experience. We need to enhance our relationships with corporations; just as TI with UTD and PISD. Barclays Bank, Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Ericsson, Huawei, Frito-Lay, Dell, HP and, of course, the crown jewel, Toyota have decided to move here. The primary reasons are business friendly attitude, quality of life, and the outstanding educational systems in our County. My perspective is based on the corporation type mindset like the Global 2000 tech company I am currently employed.

Service/Board Experience:

  I have the strong desire to serve the community.  I have served the people of Plano and Collin County for over 20 years on boards.  I work well on boards. I have served in positions up to president on boards involved in education (adult & student), civil, philanthropic, city and county.  I am engaged and contributory. I volunteer, build concessions and effectively relate my position and ideas to other board members. I am a graduate of Leadership Plano and other leadership courses to train myself as a doer and facilitator.  I am passionate for an idea but not obsessive or egotistical. 

I feel that with ‘New leadership with New Vision, will need a New Perspective’ to move to the next level.

Please vote for me as Collin College Trustee, Place 8 on May 9^th (or before).

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