OurCelina - July 2020

July 220020 | ourcelina.com

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Letter From The Publishers A couple months ago, we were unsure exactly where we would be in July. Since March, I think we can all agree the world has been a lot different than what we expected when we toasted in the new year. Nonetheless, we are so proud to be a part of this community in which our leaders, neighbors and friends are so passionate. Passion comes in a number of forms and in Celina we welcome discussion and sometimes we even disagree. But the difference is, we can use that for healthy discussions and continue to maintain friendships and commuity! We pray that we never lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day, we are all neighbors.

And we live in the greatest Country in the world....The United States of America....where we should all be free to share our beliefs and opinions without fear of shame or persecution. A country that loves one another, because of, and despite our differences.

Jimmy, Renee, Chase, Colby & Camden www.OurCelina.com

Make sure to folllow us on social media to stay up-to-date on all the happenings in Celina www.facebook.com/ourcelina

www.twitter.com/ourcelina

We are proud to be members of the Celina Chamber of Commerce, Preston Trail Rotary Club, Celina Ladies of Influence (CLOI), Celina PTA, Celina Project Graduation and to serve on the Celina Main Street Advisory Board and Celina Parks and Recre-

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Serving Texas since 1965

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JUly 2020 VOL 3, Issue 6

CONTENTS 4

Meet the Publishers

8

City of Celina Information

9

Historic Celina Main Street

11

Celina ISD School Zone

11

School Zone - CISD Superintendent

13

Celina Eats: Tender Smokehouse

15

Celina Fire Department

17

Community Prayers for Lexie Bell

20

City of Celina Promotions

21

Celina Public Library

Published By 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC Editorial & Design Renee Marler Renee@4cMediaGroup.com Production Jimmy Marler James@4cMediaGroup.com Contributing Writers Renee Marler | Rachel Farrar

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Contributing Art & Photography 4CMEDIAGROUP Renee Marler | Jimmy Marler Editorial Submissions Please send editorial considerations to Renee@4CMEDIAGROUP.com Advertising Information Contact us at 214.592.7512 or email us at Renee@4CMEDIAGROUP.com

CITY OF CELINA Information from the City of Celina

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CELINA EATS: Tender Smokehouse Amazing review of one of Celina's most well-known and most-loved dining establishments.

CELINA FIRE DEPARTMENT:

15

See the latest information from the Celina Fire Department

OurCelina 114 N. Ohio, Suite 100, Celina, TX 75009 214.592.7512 | www.OurCelina.com A 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC Publication Visit our website at www.4CMEDIAGROUP.com

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All material published by 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC (either in the magazine and/or the website), including advertisements,editorials,articlesandallothercontentispublishedingoodfaith.However4CMEDIAGROUP,LLC acceptsnoliabilityforanyerrorsoromissions.4CMEDIAGROUP,LLCdoesnotacceptresponsibilityfortheaccuracy of claims made by advertisers. Distribution area may vary at the discretion of 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC. No part of the magazine or this website may be reproduced without the prior written consent of 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC.

OurCelina.com | July 2020 7

The Celina Police Department has announced the promotion of two individuals, providing citizens and visitors with the immeasurable benefit of the combined decade-and-a-half experience the pair brings to their new positions.

Police Chief Tony Griggs has announced the promotion of Cortnie Webb to Sergeant and Chris Armstrong to Detective, effective immediately.

Generally, municipal law enforcement agencies assign their inductees as Patrol Officers. With experience and the appropriate testing and interviews, Patrol Officers can be promoted to Detective. When ready for additional responsibility including supervision, the next step is Sergeant. This is followed by Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief, then Chief. Some larger agencies include the rank of Corporal between Detective and Sergeant.

Webb, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Texas Women’s University, brings six years of progressive experience to her new position. She spent a combined three-and-a-half years as a Patrol Officer in Sherman and Celina, and almost three years as a Detective in Celina.

In her new role, she will be responsible for reviewing patrol assignments, incident reports, arrests, and other material for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. She will monitor and mentor officers under her supervision and assist in the implementation of the Police Department’s Community Policing philosophy.

She earned the department’s Servant Leadership Award twice and has been recognized with a Certificate of Merit. She has attained the state’s Advanced Peace Officer certification.

Armstrong spent three years as a Celina Patrol Officer prior to his recent elevation to Detective. His new position will involve the processing of cases and evidence, as well as filing worked cases with the District Attorney when appropriate. He will devote time and energy in the thorough investigation of crimes committed in Celina and, when required, will assist in the prosecution of offenders.

The new Detective has completed two years of college and has also attained the Advanced Peace Officer certification from the state of Texas. A member of the Celina Police Association, Armstrong, who counts on 10 years of law enforcement experience, has been honored with selection as Celina Police Officer of the Year in the recent past.

“Our police force is stronger with the promotion of these two individuals,” says Chief Griggs. “Our priority is to ensure that we have personnel who are not only properly prepared but also fully committed to ensuring that Celina is a safe and secure City, partnering hand-in-hand with the community we serve.”

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Thanks for the kind welcome, Celina.

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Celina Independent School District

S C H O O L

Z O N E

From The Desk of Dr. Tom Maglisceau As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, school districts across Texas are preparing for the possibility of remote learning during the 20202021 school year. Current state mandates require districts to provide daily in-person instruction on campus for all students this fall, and that is the preference of Celina ISD as well. However, the state has not yet provided vital direction regarding matters such as class size limits, bus rider capacity, class transitions, extra-curricular participation, cafeteria standards, facemask use, and many other necessary health protocols. What has been clearer thus far are state directives regarding online learning, including options for real-time, virtual instruction between teachers and students as well as instruction that does not require the instructor and student engaged at the same time.

Several school districts have surveyed their families and/or asked parents to make commitments for their children regarding online or in-person learning. Celina ISD believes our families deserve the most accurate information possible before committing to either on-line or in-person learning for this fall, particularly when direction provided by the state evolves every day. Once we have received clearer direction from the state, we will provide plans for multiple pathways of learning so that parents can make an informed decision for their child’s educational path next year.

The Celina Registration Fair normally held the first week of August is not permitted under current restrictions for public gatherings, so we are utilizing online registration procedures for the fall. Students new to the district are able to access enrollment forms online through our district website at https://www.celinaisd.com/ parents-docs-forms/. Returning students will have registration access once Parent Portal opens on July 15th.

We are committed to providing rigorous learning, safe and supportive schools for our students and staff, and a high level of service to our families and community.

Our next communication will be sent to families on July 15th, at which time we anticipate providing more updated information regarding both online and on-campus learning. We ask for your continued patience as we prioritize procedures and finalize plans for re-opening our campuses this fall.

GO BOBCATS!

4CMEDIAGROUP is available for senior photo shoots this fall.

Please contact us if you'd like to get on the schedule in August or September.

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TACLB79616E TACLB37543E

Tender’s wild popularity is credited to Pitmaster Dante Ramirez, along with his four business partners; Audrea Weimer, Eddie Bell, and former Major League Baseball player Torii Hunter and his wife Katrina Hunter. Ramirez is a 25-year veteran in the restaurant and catering business, and it shows. Tender opened its doors in downtown Celina in 2017, and a second location opened in Frisco in 2019.

While Ramirez’s long-term plans include additional locations, he maintains, “Celina will always be the heart of Tender Smokehouse”.

Tender Smokehouse's Director of Operations, Terrance Grant, is a staple of the Celina location.

During my recent visit, I had an opportunity to sit down with Tender’s General Manager, Jesus “Chuy” Ramirez, to gain a little insight into the recipe (literally and figuratively!) for Tender’s success. Ramirez, who is the cousin of proprietor Dante Ramirez, called Tender a “godsend” to the Ramirez family. He observed, “The success of Tender has been unreal. I have never seen anything like it, and we come from a family of entrepreneurs.” Ramirez believes the reasons behind Tender’s success are multi-faceted.

First, he described his cousin’s insistence on quality that is consistent day in and day out. “We have a simple menu. Dante believes if you are going to do something, you should do it right. For example, I taste the food myself three times a day to ensure quality control,” explained Ramirez. “It’s a great sacrifice I make for this job,” he laughed.

Additionally, the guest experience is at the forefront of every decision that goes into the restaurant. Tender prides itself on hiring staff members who are warm, friendly, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. “Every meal is made especially for the guest who orders it,” Ramirez related. “Almost everything can be modified, and we never charge extra for things like burnt ends, even though most other restaurants do.” (Noted!)

But what about the food?

Tender’s menu is straightforward. It features five meats- prime brisket, pulled pork, original sausage, jalapeño sausage, and turkey breast- which are available in ¼ lb. ($5), ½ lb. ($10), and 1 lb. ($20) quantities, or in sandwich form ($9). The brisket is Tender’s top seller. Any of the meats can also be ordered on a “football sized” loaded baked potato ($12) or sweet potato ($13), or even atop a salad (if that’s what helps you sleep at night) ($11). Pork ribs are also available as a half slab ($11), or full slab ($22), as well as beef ribs ($28), which are a house specialty. Tempting side dishes are available in individual ($2), pint ($6), or quart ($12) sized containers, including potato salad, pineapple slaw, BBQ beans, and mac n’ cheese.

Can’t decide what meat you want to try? You might consider the “El Jefe” ($11), which I ordered on our most recent visit. This sandwich is stuffed to the brim with sliced brisket, pulled pork, and sausage, nestled in between buttery Texas toast, and crowned with a spare rib. As if that weren’t enough, it’s accompanied by a side of BBQ beans.

Did your jaw just hit the floor? I hope so, because that is approximately how wide you are going to have to open your mouth to sink your teeth into the El Jefe. This sandwich is a thing of beauty. I must admit, I didn’t even attempt to pick this one up and eat it. I attacked it with a fork (ok, and my fingers…), and every morsel of meat on my plate was moist and flavorful. The brisket boasted a beautiful bark and just the right amount of fat, prompting my spouse to exclaim, unironically, “Wow, this is really tender” (I stared at him long and hard, and he then remarked, “Oh, right. Like the name of the restaurant”). While it would be difficult to pick a meat that was the clear favorite, I particularly enjoyed the rib “garnish” served atop my sandwich. The meat slid right off the bone and was bursting with flavor; notably, an unexpected yet welcomed hint of sweetness could be detected in each bite. The BBQ beans were smoky and meaty, well balanced with tender sweet onions.

Admittedly, I was a bit jealous of my husband on this visit, who ordered Tender’s take on the classic Frito Chili Pie ($8): A glorious mountain of chopped brisket, BBQ beans, macaroni & cheese, sour cream, chives, and jalapeños, presented atop a bed of Fritos, accompanied by Texas toast. This entrée is seriously hearty; to that end, it wasn’t until my husband was half-way done eating that the requisite foil Fritos bag revealed itself beneath his impressive heap of meaty, cheesy goodness. The mac n’ cheese is a game changer in Tender’s rendition of this Texas favorite, and the sour cream is a decadent finishing touch.

If you’re thirsty, Tender has a variety of local craft beers on tap, as well as wine by the glass. They also offer a variety of nostalgic sodas from Dublin Sodas. Don’t forget to save room for dessert when you visit Tender (or, let’s be real, at least plan on taking it to-go). Banana pudding is the crowd favorite, but I was intrigued by the lemonade pudding on my recent visit and just had to try it. It was fluffy and mousse-like, making it a perfect summertime dessert. Tender recently added a red velvet cake to their dessert lineup. And yes, all desserts are made in-house.

Tender offers an awesome weekday lunch special available Tuesday- Friday, from 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: You can grab a one-meat sandwich of your choice, plus any side and a drink for $10- and that includes tax. Tender is also offering family packs to-go in response to COVID; For just $25 you can feed 2-3 people with 1 lb. of meat, 3 individual sides, and all the fixings. Feed 5-6 for just $50, which gets you 2 lb. of meat, 3 pints of sides, and fixings. Bonus: With your order of a family pack, you can fill a growler to take home for only $25. Family packs can be ordered online.

A note on Tender’s efforts to keep guests safe, comfortable, and reassured during this unprecedented time: During my visit (7/02/2020), the dining room was open. Every employee I observed donned a mask during our time at the restaurant. I witnessed frequent cleaning and sanitizing practices at work in the dining room, in the kitchen area, and near the ordering line/ cash register. Tender has altered some of their practices in the name of putting safety first (e.g., utilizing disposable products, eliminating reusable guest number placards, etc.). For guests who are not ready to dine indoors, Tender’s inviting patio (equipped with cooling misters, because, Texas) is open for business and prime real estate for social distancing. Finally, guests are welcomed to place to-go orders online and utilize curbside service to minimize face-to-face interactions.

• By Rachel Farrar

If you’ve got little ones to feed, rest assured Tender has got them covered. Their children’s menu offers a variety of sandwiches (i.e., grilled cheese, chopped brisket, or turkey) that come with a side of your choice and a drink ($7). Tender’s creamy mac n’ cheese is the perfect kid-friendly side. Pro-tip: Tell your picky toddler all of the meat is chicken. Worked like a charm on my 3-year-old, who will eat anything…as long as it’s chicken (You’re welcome).

CELINA EATS: Tender Smokehouse

If you’ve ever paid a visit to Downtown Celina, you already know Tender Smokehouse is impossible to ignore. The moment you exit your vehicle, the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meats wafts through the air. It’s enough to make your mouth water. Anyone who has sampled Tender’s ware will tell you, the ‘cue here lives up to its name (more on that in a bit). After all, Tender snagged the #2 spot on Yelp’s “Best Places to Eat in the U.S.” list in 2019 (based on restaurant ratings and the number of reviews).

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14 Patio OurCelina.com | July 2020 Covers | Arbors

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The Celina Fire Department recently added a new fire engine to their fleet.

Engine 2 is a 2019 Pierce Velocity PUC (Pump Under Cab) fire engine with a Detroit motor. This engine has the capability to pump and roll. It is housed at Station 2, “The Farm House�. "The department is excited and grateful to have this new piece of equipment to use to serve the great citizens of Celina," said Celina Fire Chief Mark Medtker.

Celina Fire Department Firefighter Brent Sullivan has a little fun with the caiman and python before the Gator Country show at the 2020 Celina Splash & Blast.

OurCelina.com | July 2020 15

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Community Prayer in the Square for Lexie Bell

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Internal Promotions in Celina Fill Three Critical Positions As the City of Celina continues on a well-defined path of incremental growth and development, experienced additions to the managerial staff are keeping pace with the City’s rapid forward progress.

City Manager Jason Laumer announces the internal promotions of Andrew Figueroa as Director of Public Works, Andy Glasgow as Director of Engineering, and Robin Bromiley as Director of Finance.

Figueroa assumes the directorship after serving as Assistant Director. He will oversee the maintenance and operation of the Public Works Department which consists of water, wastewater collection and treatment, residential and commercial meters, facilities management, streets and drainage.

Prior to his arrival in Celina, Figueroa served in a variety of Public Works positions for the Town of Little Elm including Utility Manager, Water Supervisor, Water Quality Specialist, and Crew Leader. He also served as Director of Public Works for the City of Van Alstyne and as Operations Manager for the North Hunt Special Utility District.

A US Army veteran, he is a member of the American Public Works Association, the Texas Water Utilities Association and holds several industry-related certifications. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

Glasgow, a Professional Engineer, was elevated from the Assistant Director position. As director, he will oversee all engineering activities, including the design and construction of all water, sewer, streets and drainage facilities. His responsibilities include floodplain management throughout the City. His office will coordinate the review of all planned engineering projects, including capital improvement and private development and will provide guidance and support to the engineering staff.

Before joining the Celina staff, he spent five years working for the City of Shreveport as Assistant City Engineer and Civil Engineer. He was a Graduate Engineer and Office Engineer for private firms in Shreveport, Tampa, FL and Greenville, MS. A member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Texas Floodplain Management Association, he is a Certified Floodplain Manager, having earned a BS in Civil Engineering at the US Coast Guard Academy and an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Bromiley moves into the director position after serving as the City’s Director of Accounting. Her responsibilities will include ensuring the efficient management of the financial and accounting functions for the City. She and her staff are charged with the protection and advancement of the City’s fiscal position, accuracy in financial reporting, operational and capital budgeting support, and other complex administrative duties.

Prior to her arrival in Celina, she served as Controller and Senior Accountant for the Town of Little Elm and Senior Governmental Audit Associate for a private financial auditing company. Bromiley is a Certified Government Finance Officer, holds a Texas Municipal League Public Funds Investment Certification, and is a member of the national and Texas chapters of the Government Finance Officers Association.

She earned a BS in Accounting and a MS in Accounting and Information Systems, both from the University of Texas at Dallas.

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LIBRARY READING PROGRAM JUNE 5, 2020 THROUGH JULY 29, 2020 HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Visit www.celina-tx.gov/library 1. Come see us at the library to sign up! We will give you your reading packet to track your progress.

2. Read 645 Minutes and/or the minimum number of books according to your reading level by 7/29/2020.

READING LEVELS: Pre-school (0-5 years) Children who do not know how to read and listen to books that are read to them.

Minimum of 8 books.

Reader (6-12 years) Minimum of 4 books Teen (13-19 years) Minimum of 4 novels

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Building For The Future In Prestigious School Districts CELINA ISD | PROSPER ISD

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We can help you find your place from anywhere.

At Compass, we have the ability to take a targeted audience on a digital journey through premier properties. Through Virtual Tours, FaceTime and social media, we showcase the key features of properties to interested clientele wherever they may be.

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Amy Harris 214.471.7309 amy.harris@compass.com OurCelina.com | July 2020 23

Local Postal Customer

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PRST STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Celina TX Permit #10