Remember the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that swept the nation? The challenge inspired more than 17 million people worldwide and raised more than $115 million for ALS a decade ago.

Southlake resident Ashley Burnett is currently raising awareness and funds for ALS research in honor of her dad, Todd, who is currently fighting this disease. She issued a challenge online and has already surpassed her goal of raising $4000 by more than $1,000. Hawaiian Falls Roanoke is hosting her 2024 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at 10 a.m. Monday, July 15 ay their wavepool. One of Todd’s best friends is San Francisco 49ers Superbowl Champion tight end Brent Jones, who will also be there in support of Todd and those fighting ALS. 

“One year ago my Dad was diagnosed with ALS,” said Ashley. “I wanted to do something to help raise money and awareness in the fight against this awful disease! July 15th is the official 10-year anniversary of the original Ice Bucket Challenge that raised over one hundred million dollars. I had an idea to gather a bunch of people and do a big Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of both my dad and the anniversary. Texas is so hot in July! So I came up with the idea to do an event at a water park. I am so grateful that Hawaiian Falls jumped on board to partner with me in throwing this awesome fundraiser! With a disease that is full of the unknown and often feels so hopeless, raising money through this event gives my family back a little bit of that hope.  We would love to see you there, or you can still make a donation even if you can’t make it! Thanks so much for your support!”

Anyone can participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge before the waterpark opens to the public. Guests who donate $15 to the cause receive their own ice bucket as well as a FREE Hawaiian Falls ticket. The person with the highest donation will receive a complimentary cabana rental for the day and four Hawaiian Falls Season Passes. People can also donate at

 https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20094b?team_id=415898&fr_id=16211&pg=team&NONCE_TOKEN=D1AE55FD60E0BAF21910E734281DE015

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke is located at 290 W Byron Nelson Blvd. in Roanoke, Texas.

The schedule for Monday, July 15, 2024 includes:

9:30 – Final Registration and families enter park

10 am – ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at the wavepool 

10:30 am Park opens to public.              

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks are located in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. More information about special events, operating hours, directions, tickets and season passes, are at hfalls.com.

Sometimes an ordinary day at the office turns into a rescue mission with a happy ending. 

Sebastian Jimenez, a service valet at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, greeted a client on the service drive who was returning a loan car to the dealership. The client expressed concern about a faint "meow" coming from the car while stopped at a red light. He told Sebastian he had noticed several cats were hiding under the car during a recent rainstorm and wondered if one of them had become trapped. 

Though he couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the sound, he wanted to alert Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth in case a cat had gotten stuck somewhere under the vehicle.

Sebastian informed the service manager, Mauricio Zenon, about the situation, so they quickly gathered several service technicians including Jacob Munoz, Mark Hawkins, Josh Brunk and Josh Chandler to assist. Armed with tools, they headed to the service drive, opting to remove some panels there instead of driving the loaner into the shop and risking harm to the kitten.

Jacob, Mark, and Josh crawled under the vehicle and began removing the belly pans. Soon after, they discovered the little guy hiding under the belly pan on the passenger front side of the vehicle. The kitten was unharmed and in good spirits. 

Mark Hawkins decided to take the kitten home and has decided to adopt the kitten.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

Park Place Lexus Plano recognized Allen Independent School District Teachers of the Year, Solomon Boatfield and Sarah Twedt. Boatfield was named Elementary Teacher of the Year and Twedt was recognized as Secondary Teacher of the Year for AISD. 

The two Allen ISD teachers were offered their choice to drive a Lexus IS or NX for the 2024 summer, two tickets to a Texas Rangers game with a parking pass and access to the Lexus Lounge that includes an “all you can eat” buffet and drinks of choice. The teachers also received four passes to the Dallas Arboretum, and other Park Place swag.

“Teachers should be celebrated as they commit their time, energy and resources to building the next generation of leaders,” said Chris Brunner, Park Place Lexus Plano General Manager. “Park Place has supported the Teachers of the Year program in Allen ISD for several years, and we love to continue to recognize their passion and dedication to educate.” 

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

This summer, DQ restaurants in Texas are turning up the heat with an irresistible summer Blizzard® Treat menu, featuring six yummy flavors designed to delight taste buds and cool down the hottest days. From classic favorites to new creations, DQ fans will savor this season’s lineup with promising bursts of flavor in each bite.

The new Picnic Peach Cobbler Blizzard® Treat delivers a refreshing summertime escape with the world-famous DQ® soft serve, peach topping and buttery cobbler pieces, blended to absolute Blizzard® Treat perfection. 

For peanut butter connoisseurs, the New Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Party Blizzard® Treat is a delectable blend of world-famous DQ soft serve, rich chocolate chip cookie dough, and smooth peanut brittle crunch with sprinkles. 

Indulge in the New! Ultimate Cookie Blizzard® Treat where cookie lovers’ dreams come true. This decadent delight is a cookie extravaganza, featuring a medley of OREO®, CHIPS AHOY!® and NUTTER BUTTER® all blended to Blizzard perfection.

For more than 75 years, DQ restaurants in Texas have been friendly, gathering spots where fans enjoy delicious treats and eats and create fond memories. To be the first to learn about Blizzard of the Month flavors, new product news from the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council or find a store location, follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook or visit dqtexas.com.

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 
There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

Cerulean Blue, a new coffee house dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming space for the Flower Mound community, has opened in the heart of Parker Square. Owned by Paul and Jackie Dietzler, also owners of Expo Home Improvement, Cerulean Blue promises to be more than just a coffee shop – it aims to be a hub for community connection and vibrant conversations.

Cerulean Blue offers a unique ambiance designed to provide an inviting and cozy environment. With comfortable seating, soft lighting, two fireplaces, and a beautifully curated selection of art, the coffee house is the perfect spot for both relaxation and productivity. 

Patrons can enjoy a wide variety of handcrafted coffees, espressos, teas, smoothies, and freshly baked pastries, quiche, homemade biscuits, sandwiches and salads.

Dietzler expressed his excitement about the new venture, stating, “Cerulean Blue is more than just a place to grab your morning coffee or a bite to eat. It’s the place where people can come together, share ideas, and build lasting relationships. We’ve designed this space with the community in mind, and we can’t wait to see how it brings people together.”

The mission of Cerulean Blue extends beyond serving excellent coffee. It aims to be a cornerstone of the Flower Mound community by hosting events. The coffee house also will feature a dedicated community board where local organizations can post about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

The family-run business includes Jessica Dietzler who will be at the helm of creating the sweet treats, biscuits and quiches. Her sister Samantha will oversee social media and marketing. Paul and Jackie will oversee the day-to-day operations. 

“This is the ideal situation for our family to work together,” said Paul Dietzler. “We have a heart to serve others and Cerulean Blue gives each of us the opportunity to use our individual talents for the common goal of creating an experience for our guests that brings people together for great food, a calming ambiance, and the knowledge that everyone is welcome here.”  

Cerulean Blue is located at Parker Square, Flower Mound, TX. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, featuring cookie decorating for kids, complimentary samples, and special giveaways.

About Cerulean Blue

Cerulean Blue is a community-focused coffee house in Flower Mound’s Parker Square. It offers a welcoming ambiance, a variety of high-quality beverages and pastries, and a space designed to foster connections within the community. Cerulean Blue is owned by Paul and Jackie Dietzler, owners of Expo Home, and his family. For more information, visit CeruleanBlue.com, or on the social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.