Frisco, Zack and ZZ Top

Frisco, Zack and ZZ Top

I was in another state when I met Denise Stokes of the Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau and she encouraged me to visit “Texas’ Rising Star.” I realize not everyone gets a personal tour, but hey, she made this city sparkle. What isn’t historic in the downtown area is brand-new and shiny in the corporate, shopping and hotel world. Frisco is up in the Dallas area and it seems the city had a very rapid growth around 2009. Residents are focused on their children. The gleaming, modern city hall houses an appealing public library and hundreds of free tickets go fast for story hour.

Stokes took me to see the snow cone lady, who put her kids through college selling icy treats, and I got a taste of a little piece of tasty art from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Kenny’s Burger Joint caters to the customer. You can order a single onion ring, and it’s worth it.

Zack and history

I got an e mail reporting that, inspired by the hit show "American Pickers," the History Channel just wrapped up its inaugural Pick and Tell competition, where students nationwide were challenged to find historical items, and then write an essay describing their treasure. It says Alexander “Zach” Lyons, a Port Arthur 5^th grader, won second place for extensive research to uncover the story of a hand-crafted Haida spoon, which he discovered at a local market. The announcement reports he is to get a scholarship at a Washington, D.C. ceremony.

Groves Chamber touts ZZ Top

For $10 bucks you can outfit yourself in a ZZ Top T-shirt sold at the Groves Chamber of Commerce. It refers to their Town House club beginnings in Groves. Ronnie Boneau, director, says the shirt is a popular topic.

ddoiron@panews.com