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.

Forbes Business Council is an Invitation-Only Community for 

Successful Business Owners and Leaders

Hugh Breland, CEO of U&I, a Dallas nonprofit that empowers individuals with disabilities and those with barriers to employment, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organization for successful business owners and leaders worldwide.

Breland was selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience in the disability community. Criteria for acceptance includes a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“It’s a profound honor to be selected to participate in the Forbes Business Council,” said Breland. “Veterans and the disabled community deserve a strong voice to highlight their struggles, aspirations, talents, and achievements. Every veteran and individual with disabilities has immense value, and through the Forbes Business Council, I aim to educate the business community and beyond about the significant and transformative contributions veterans and the disabled can make with the right support.”

As a member of the Council, Breland has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected leaders in a private forum. Breland also will have the opportunity to share his expert insights in original articles and contribute to published Expert Panels alongside other experts on Forbes.com.

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC).  In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

ABOUT U&I

In 1951, Jean Walker Bentley overcame cultural barriers and spoke out for disabled children and their families. She started the Children’s Development Center to meet the scholastic and socialization needs of children with special needs. In 1981, the federal government mandated that public schools had the responsibility to educate children with disabilities. The organization evolved to help veterans find employment and provide vocational training for special education students preparing to transition out of high school.

Today, as one of the largest workforce development centers in DFW, U&I continues to meet the needs of disabled individuals by providing vocational training, job readiness training, paid work opportunities and community placement to more than 1000 youth and adults with severe intellectual, physical and/or mental health disabilities. More information is available at uandispreadthelight.com.