tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83575962059575605432011-07-28T10:01:19.980-07:00An citizen's view of the life and times of <b>Frisco, Texas</b>.- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.comBlogger471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-62873037701024120402010-08-27T21:22:00.000-07:002010-08-27T21:36:32.496-07:00

Our Centennial Titans made the short trip down Coit road Friday night to take on the Richardson Eagles. The ride home probably felt a lot longer, however, after a mistake-filled outing found the squad on the losing end of the 31-21 contest. Call it opening day jitters or just poor form, the two teams combined for 25 penalties, racking up 207 yards. Ouch.On the plus side, senior quarterback Nick

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-24651512715630325752009-09-17T12:47:00.000-07:002009-09-17T12:48:33.743-07:00

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”“The government that governs least governs best.”“Would you want the group that runs the post office running the health care system?”Amusing bon mots, to be sure. It’s always fun to pick on the Feds. But let’s take a closer look at that last one, shall we? As we debate President Obama’s initiative to provide health care coverage to the population of

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-85965682491402451882009-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:002009-09-05T10:53:58.583-07:00

(Frisco, TX) In response to the impending intrusion on the valuable lunchtime activities of the students of the Frisco Independent School District by “that guy living in the White House,” un-named FISD “officials” have created the Office of Presidential Filtering. Since clearly our duly elected federal officials have some nefarious plot behind this presentation, local officials have decided that

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-22833069968691975742009-05-04T16:00:00.000-07:002009-05-04T16:15:03.425-07:00

I’m a horrible father. I know this because my 14-year-old son tells me so on a regular basis. At times, he’s probably right. I have a tendency to “get loud” when really I should listen. Sometimes I jump to conclusions, when I should give him a chance to explain his side of the story. I really thought I was ready for these troublesome years. I remember my middle-school years only too well. They

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-81257206784202023902009-04-10T14:41:00.000-07:002009-04-10T14:43:17.157-07:00

Somebody is going to get hurt. Note the lack of “may” or “might” or “could” in that sentence. It probably has already happened, though I’ve not heard any specifics. But without a doubt, if we don’t do something, sooner or later someone – most likely a small child – is going to come to harm. The situation I’m talking about appears every Saturday at Frisco’s Warren Sports Complex. An access road

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-16564751159412088172009-03-20T12:00:00.000-07:002009-03-23T16:18:53.433-07:00

Does anybody remember last summer? The Olympics? Oba-mania? Four-dollar-a-gallon gas prices? It’s hard to forget the last one. I clearly remember that it took me over an hour to fill up my tank; 5 minutes to pump and then an hour to stop sobbing. Every time I pulled into a gas station, I saw my kids’ college prospects dwindling. But hey, Collin County Community College is a nice facility! During

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-92151780294569944742009-03-06T14:58:00.000-08:002009-03-06T15:01:07.938-08:00

On the hierarchy of human needs, shelter ranks pretty high. Depending upon your situation, it’s likely right up there with food, water and watching football. Sadly, it’s this need that is most imperiled by today’s economic downturn. Foreclosures are at an all-time high, as homeowners struggle to meet their mortgage payments. Consider, then, the case of homeowners who have met their mortgage

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-64606623186515460892009-02-20T04:57:00.000-08:002009-02-20T04:58:42.388-08:00

Flashback to 2004. The economy is chugging along. North Texas is thriving and little bitty Frisco is blooming into a regional economic powerhouse. Stonebriar Centre mall is the dynamo driving the growth, with additional outparcels filling as fast as they can be built. Target. Best Buy. TJ Maxx. And on the horizon, the Metroplex’s first IKEA. Companies were lining up to open their shops north of

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-376831848819504062009-02-06T15:32:00.000-08:002009-02-06T15:35:48.978-08:00

Last Wednesday morning as I watched the ice accumulate on my back porch, I wondered if I was going to make my afternoon flight to Jacksonville. (I did.) On Sunday, I broke out the bike and went for a ride in shorts and a t-shirt. Welcome to winter in North Texas. I’ve written before about some of the hike and bike trails being developed in Frisco. So as the day dawned bright, clear and warm, I

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-52001226145965057702009-01-24T13:50:00.000-08:002009-01-24T13:51:13.431-08:00

An age-old aphorism states, “Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel.” Attributed variously to Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde and H.L. Mencken, the basis for this adage is rooted in the idea that newspaper editors, authors and writers are somehow omnipotent, as they can disseminate their side of the argument to a much wider audience through their publications. Those days are

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-76182111479799444992009-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:28:39.368-08:00

The Pollyanna Principle: a term used to describe people who agree with positive statements describing them or things close to them. See also: The Frisco Line. That’s right, folks, I’ve got a pretty rosy outlook on our fair burg. A quick review of past editions of The Frisco Line shows a definite predisposition to highlighting the positive aspects our Frisco, Texas. But not all is sun and roses in

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-32196748683396954662008-12-26T06:17:00.001-08:002008-12-26T06:18:46.951-08:00

Well, 2008 was certainly a year that’ll linger in my memory. Few would argue that the election signaled a turning point in America – and in Frisco, Texas as well. The process itself was certainly a spectacle. Start with the requisite discussions of qualifications. Mix in a few accusations of ethical conflicts. Then, toss in a hot-button “values” issue to stir up the grass-roots types. Yes folks,

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-71730292977886067642008-12-12T04:34:00.000-08:002008-12-12T04:37:09.706-08:00

Dr. Frankenstein had it easy. He knew exactly what he needed to build the perfect monster. Arms? 2. Legs? 2. Nose? 1. Brain (abnormal or otherwise)? 1. The checklist was there in Anatomy 101. Toss it all together; add a carefully timed lightning bolt and voila! No, if you want a real challenge, try putting together the perfect neighborhood. The first thing you’d need to do is figure out what goes

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-56033577058330865812008-11-28T12:00:00.000-08:002008-11-30T17:53:08.611-08:00

It’s an interesting odor, the combination of pine trees and diesel fuel. It reminds me of a truck stop in the High Sierras. But this was the heart of North Texas, without a Douglas Fir for miles. On this night, a semi-truck wound its way through Frisco Square to the small plot of land cleared the weekend before by a hundred pairs of eager hands. Flood lights hung from constructed poles. Empty

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-79019089334185082472008-11-14T08:20:00.000-08:002008-11-14T08:22:05.276-08:00

My dad came to town last week. This in and of itself isn’t notable, though it’s the first time he’s visited in the 9 years we’ve lived in Frisco. No, the surprise came when he announced that he’d like to look at houses while he was down. Born and bred in the scenic grandeur of the Pacific Northwest, my father is now thinking of relocating to dry, treeless North Texas. Granted he spent several

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-5023876853950277792008-10-17T04:32:00.000-07:002008-10-17T04:38:25.964-07:00

The defendant makes her way to the bench, a petulant look on her face. The judge swears her in, then turns the proceedings over to the council for the state. He gets to his feet and addresses the jury with some simple words about paying attention to the facts and rendering a fair verdict. Then it’s the defense’s turn.It’s a scene that’s played out in thousands of courtrooms across the United

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-72040954665907083492008-10-03T07:19:00.000-07:002008-10-09T07:21:55.431-07:00

I have a business opportunity for you. Wait, wait. Don’t turn the page. This isn’t Amway, Pampered Chef, Southern Living at Home or any of the dozens of network marketing programs out there. (Oh wait. Maybe it is. More on that in a bit.) No, this is a regular business, with a couple of interesting twists. First of all, you don’t have to produce anything. Somebody else does that for you. Nor do

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-79566029982487016962008-09-20T07:43:00.000-07:002008-09-20T08:03:36.573-07:00

All around the metroplex, the hunters chase the birdies. Even on a Sunday morning… POP! goes the shotgun.Yes, Frisco residents, it’s that time of year once again. In case you haven’t noticed (and how could you miss it) dove hunting season opened at the beginning of September. That means for the next few weekends, every patch of open ground from here to Luckenbach is going to be infested with

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-69318150410524970192008-09-13T12:00:00.000-07:002008-09-20T08:03:10.153-07:00

Soccer’s a wonderful game for so many reasons. The athleticism, the ebb and flow of the game, the ability to see a live, professional –level game without taking out a third mortgage on your house just for nosebleed seats. But the thing that makes soccer great is the simplicity of the rule book. Unlike so many American traditions like baseball and football, soccer doesn’t load up the books with a

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-17241394871467962102008-08-24T10:25:00.000-07:002008-08-24T10:27:49.884-07:00

I have friends from across the political spectrum. I play poker with a true libertarian; Thomas Paine’s “The government is best which governs least,” pretty much sums up his mantra. On the other side, an old car-pool buddy falls just short of Marx’s “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” My viewpoint falls somewhere within that vast chasm, depending on the day of the

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-77588037957476522122008-08-08T15:15:00.000-07:002008-08-08T15:17:52.728-07:00

My wife, Mrs. Line, often reminds me that it never hurts to ask for something you want. So, in that spirit, I have the following request: Who would like to build a swimming pool in my back yard?Now, before you make the meteoric leap to negativity laced with profane epithets, let me state my case. I’m a tax-paying citizen of Frisco. Getting to the existing public water park is just not convenient

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-3331773536183693522008-07-26T07:09:00.000-07:002008-07-26T07:10:39.557-07:00

Good fences make good neighbors: a tried and true adage that can be taken any number of ways. Metaphorically, it suggests that establishing clear boundaries makes sure that everyone knows and respects our personal space and rights. Taken literally, it means that I don’t have to put up with the guy next door’s dog pushing over the fence into my yard, making it darn near impossible to grow grass on

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-12513824269885946612008-07-11T05:28:00.000-07:002008-07-11T05:30:36.699-07:00

I used to joke about the difficulty of my daily commute. The 30-second trip from the coffee pot to my home-office desk was fraught with obstacles. Those 30 seconds could easily stretch to a full minute if I had to dodge a pile of toys, hop over the dog, or grab a kiss from one of the kids dashing out to school. If I spilled some of the coffee, I might not get to the office for a full 15 minutes!

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-12532583341472868122008-06-27T16:45:00.000-07:002008-06-27T16:48:01.283-07:00

There are some sounds you never want to hear. The grating pitch made by the metal sunshade your son is dragging down the side of someone’s car is one example. Sure, it would have been easy to just ignore the damage and walk away. No one was around to witness the incident, right? Wrong. There were witnesses. Three, to be exact: me, my daughter, and the aforementioned, spatially-challenged son.

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-2367280839697808622008-06-13T07:02:00.000-07:002008-06-13T07:04:52.573-07:00

It’s the bottom of the final inning. The home team is down by 2, with runners on second and third. Two outs. The pitcher stares down from the rubber with malice in his eyes. The wind up… the pitch… It’s a curve. The ball is popped up in the air just over second base. The center fielder dashes up to make the grab. “No play!” comes the cry from the umpire. “The pitch was too bouncy. Strike three on

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-73615175892985098342008-05-30T04:27:00.000-07:002008-05-30T04:28:33.454-07:00

I’m having a little problem with growth. It seems that I, like many men of my age, have put on a few extra pounds around the middle. Dieting, exercise, positive thinking… I’ve tried them all, but over the years, the inexorable crawl from one belt hole to the next has continued. Now, this isn’t a major issue… yet. I’m a big guy, but I can support the weight. The big problem comes when I try to

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-75582915936808790102008-05-19T08:07:00.000-07:002008-05-19T08:09:05.990-07:00

If you’re a political junkie in Frisco, (and I am) the last couple of months have provided plenty of fireworks. We saw wild claims and counter-claims from both sides of the late night liquor sales ordinance (strip clubs, economic booms). Ethics accusations were levied against a mayoral candidate. And if you had a few neighbors over for a springtime cookout, chances are good that one of the 14

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-14321277369103280732008-05-02T13:07:00.000-07:002008-05-02T13:09:15.398-07:00

Are you the 100,000th resident of Frisco? We may never know exactly which person tipped the scale, but we do know that whoever you are, you moved to Frisco in April of 2008 to join the other 15,000-plus other folks that have moved here since 2006, and the 60,000 in the 6 years before that. If you are new to Frisco, chances are you live in one of the brand-new subdivisions along the north side of

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-62333906459784952332008-04-19T13:37:00.000-07:002008-04-19T13:39:10.251-07:00

In the classic film, The Wild One, Marlon Brando’s character is asked, “Just what is it you’re rebelling against, Johnny?” His answer, delivered in a slow drawl just dripping with contempt is, “Whadya got?”The little town Johnny and his “hep cat” bikers rode into was a quiet, comfortable place that only existed in the movies. By today’s gang standards motorcycle thugs were actually pretty mild.

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-68354676035660326902008-04-04T14:34:00.000-07:002008-04-04T14:36:30.575-07:00

Did you hear the one about the “strip joint” coming to Frisco? It seems this is the bogyman that certain people in town love to trot out every time there’s an alcohol-related issue on the ballot. I recall in 2002 - when the beer/wine ordinance was being debated – a large sign popped up at a nascent construction site at the corner of Coit and 121. “Coming Soon!” the sign boasted, “Gentleman’s Club

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-60087065485388729462008-03-21T04:03:00.000-07:002008-03-21T04:04:25.086-07:00

On your marks. Get set. Go! Indeed, the race is on.Last week marked the official deadline to file for any of the municipal seats up for election in May. And a last-minute flurry of activity ensured that we have a full slate of candidates for all of the offices. There are two candidates for Mayor, four for each of the city council seats and even a couple each for the open school board slots.

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-61391063991995731392008-03-07T04:08:00.000-08:002008-03-07T04:10:07.533-08:00

I’m going to let you in on a secret I've lived with for over 20 years. This is a secret so dire that it could eliminate me from any consideration for any public office in Collin County. My closest friends know, but most of them are polite enough to overlook it. I’ve had enough of living in the shadows, so here goes…I’m a Democrat.Okay… there it is. I feel much better now. But before you run off

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-43831393123902798842008-02-23T11:06:00.000-08:002008-02-23T11:11:52.433-08:00

Most Frisco residents wouldn’t have trouble picking Mayor Mike Simpson out of a crowd. A large number, I suspect, could also name and identify at least a couple of our city council members. These are high-profile positions, and most of the members do a great job of getting out in front of Frisco citizens at every opportunity.Less visible, however, are the members of the Frisco Independent School

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-17686813613249466752008-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:002008-02-18T12:33:54.632-08:00

In my last post, I mentioned some creative route planning that let me ride from my home in Plantation Resort in southeast Frisco to Frisco Commons without risking my life on Preston Road or Main Street. Last weekend, I took advantage of the fabulous weather and dusted off the old Diamondback Topanga to retrace my steps. What I thought would be a winding path through neighborhoods, however, became

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-5117217273609901792008-02-08T04:24:00.000-08:002008-02-08T04:30:04.023-08:00

Frisco is blessed with an abundance of open space… for now. But as we continue to grow, that open land is being gobbled up by new homes, strip malls and schools faster than Homer at a donut buffet. Even relative newcomers to our sleepy berg can wax rhapsodic about the “old days” when there was “nothing in that field but a bunch of cows.” Luckily, our elected officials – both past and present –

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-32619018260560657032008-01-25T17:19:00.000-08:002008-01-28T06:29:35.038-08:00

Have you noticed that it’s stopped raining? Okay… we’re getting a little drizzle this week. But just a year ago, as you may recall, we were months deep into one of the worst droughts in history. Lakes were at an all time low. Watering restrictions were imposed across the board, curtailing excess watering, car washing and pool filling. Most folks took these restrictions in stride, and many even

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-40500140920306102572008-01-11T16:11:00.000-08:002008-01-28T06:30:43.586-08:00

It was the darkness that struck me most. Sure it was hot: over 400 degrees by one estimate. But we had the right gear to keep the temperature at bay. And while the oxygen flowing from the bottle on my back certainly warmed up, it was clear, with only a hint of the smoke that swirled around us. But scant seconds after the flames roared to life, I could barely see a hand in front of my face. The

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-40932227641263612502007-12-28T07:43:00.000-08:002007-12-28T07:47:12.095-08:00

The World Trade Center was still standing in 1999. Bill Clinton was in the White House. Osama bin Laden was just another middle-eastern name associated with Afghan rebels. And that year I moved from Salt Lake City to Frisco, Texas. At the time, Stonebriar Mall was just taking shape, you had to drive to Plano to buy beer and Coit Road ended at SH-121.Fast forward to 2007. Things have changed a bit

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-60539567141724775122007-12-14T06:14:00.000-08:002007-12-14T06:17:33.569-08:00

Let’s talk about Christmas decorations, shall we? Now, before we get into it, a bit of disclosure is in order. I admit to being somewhat of a Grinch. Don’t get me wrong. I love celebrating the Solstice as much as the next pagan. Every year my wife and I host a small gathering to toast the shortest day of the year (next Saturday, by the way). Every day gets a little bit brighter from that point on

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-10792191474403407222007-12-02T07:18:00.000-08:002007-12-02T07:23:15.185-08:00

Where do you park you car? It’s a simple question. But it’s one that evokes a passionate response among many, particularly if your answer is “on the street.” Frisco is the quintessential suburb. With the lack of any convenient mass transportation, we’re dependant on our vehicles to get to work, shopping and most other aspects of our lives. For many of us, cars are our primary connection to the

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-75943626422137157582007-11-16T11:27:00.000-08:002007-11-16T11:30:13.045-08:00

Some ideas refuse to die. They just won’t go away, no matter the obstacles thrown in their path. Some are bad ideas that sound good on the surface. Others are good ideas that just haven’t found the right time to catch on. But both share a common trait: they’re championed by a dedicated group of people that are diligent about resurrecting their concept on a regular basis.One such idea is a dog

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-46469688100617080872007-11-02T09:01:00.000-07:002007-11-02T09:05:06.288-07:00

Americans take their right to vote very seriously. And Texans are more vehement than most about the ideals of “one person, one vote” and “majority rules.” Strange, then, that turnout at national elections remains dismal, and turnout for municipal elections is even worse. During this year’s Frisco City Council race, the number of people who voted was downright pathetic.Well, to quote the popular

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-71317424563737440302007-10-19T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:07:54.934-07:00

We all know there are certain things we SHOULD do, because they’re good for you. Exercising. Flossing. Not running with scissors. (It may be trite, but it’s still good advice.) One of these items is about to get a whole lot easier for the residents of Frisco. Next week, the Frisco Athletic Center is set to open near the corner of Preston and Wade. And in true Frisco fashion, it’s a doozy with

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-59157838348475757652007-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:06:36.908-07:00

A student in a Texas school was recently expelled from campus for wearing the wrong message on his t-shirt. Was it some kind of racist comment? No. Gang slogans? Nope. Perhaps a beer ad, showing scantily clad bimbos frolicking with cartoon dogs? Not even. No, this teen had the temerity to sport a top emblazoned with “John Edwards ’08.” Now, granted, those are fightin’ words in some ultra-red

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-530349085497885132007-09-21T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:05:28.328-07:00

A hippopotamus is huge. A full-grown male can reach up to 7,000 pounds or more. Hang that much weight on an eleven-foot-long frame and you’d expect a slow, ponderous beast. Surprisingly, hippos are actually quite fast, reaching speeds that would leave Olympic champions in the dust. Yes, hippos are impressive beasts. But one thing hippos aren’t is native to Texas. Why, then, is there a “Hippo

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-8838277963936845262007-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:00:03.547-07:00

It’s an image that invokes the very essence of American culture. A classroom full of kids standing at attention, hands over their hearts, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. If Norman Rockwell never painted such a scene, he should have. And if you grew up in the United States in the last 100 years, chances are you’ve participated in this ritual. Originally written in 1892 as an advertisement to

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8357596205957560543.post-63863055978872220442007-08-24T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:03:27.087-07:00

Three months is a long time to sleep late. We’re talking about ninety-four days without leaving bed before ten o’clock. I couldn’t do it, though my son is giving it his best shot. It’s been roughly two thousand, two hundred and some odd hours since the end of the FISD school year and another 72 till the start of the new semester next Monday. And I know I speak for hundreds (thousands?) of my

- Allen Biehlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07496788111223907862noreply@blogger.com0