Howdy Frisco -
I've been driving past the Star Tower on my way to work for two years now, and it's wild how you can pass the same building 500 times without thinking much about it. Until you learn 184 people inside are about to lose their jobs.
Puts the Monday morning commute in perspective real quick. More to come on that below.
✈️ DFW Airport Construction: Plan Extra Time
If you're flying out of DFW anytime soon, add 30 minutes to your arrival time. Maybe an hour if you're heading to Terminal C.
The airport just kicked off the next phase of their International Parkway Project, and it's going to mess with your route.
Terminal C is now only accessible from the southbound entrance. Coming from the south? You'll need to drive past everything, hang a U-turn before the North Exit Plaza, then circle back.
Terminal A has a temporary detour for southbound traffic through the end of January.
My advice? Download the DFW Airport app before you go. It's got live parking availability and security wait times.
The airport recommends two hours early for domestic, three for international. I'm adding another 30 minutes because I have trust issues.
🎓 Frisco ISD Wants Your Input on Next Superintendent
Dr. Mike Waldrip is retiring later this year, and Frisco ISD is hunting for his replacement.
This matters because my daughters will be in Frisco ISD someday, and the superintendent shapes basically everything about their school experience.
Two ways to weigh in:
In-person sessions (Jan 15 & 21 at FISD Administration Building):
10 & 11 a.m. - PTA, boosters, civic groups, city leadership
6 & 7 p.m. - All community members
Online survey - Must submit by Jan 21
Even if you don't have kids in FISD yet, this decision ripples through property values and community culture. Worth 20 minutes of your time.
💼 Comerica Layoffs Hit Frisco After Merger
This one stings.
Comerica is laying off 184 employees at their Frisco office in the Star Tower (17 Cowboys Way, right by The Star). Layoffs start March 13th following Comerica's merger with Fifth Third Bank.
I work in finance so I know how these mergers go. The decision gets made in a boardroom somewhere, the press release talks about "long-term value," and 184 people in Frisco are suddenly updating their LinkedIn profiles.
If you or someone you know is affected, my thoughts are with you. This is a tough way to start the year.
⚡️ Quick Hits
🏐 Dallas Pulse dropped their home opener 3-1 to the Indy Ignite at Comerica Center. Next home game is Thursday, Jan 15 at 7 p.m. vs San Diego Mojo.
🚨 School threats - Frisco ISD went into secure status Monday after threatening emails. Frisco PD confirmed threats weren't credible.
🎵 McKinney amphitheater - The Sunset Amphitheater (20,000 seats) is now targeting a 2027 opening instead of 2026. Emily's already making a list of shows she wants to see "after the baby's old enough."
📅 What's Happening Around Town
Today, Tuesday, Jan 13
🍲 Meal Delivery Volunteers Needed | The Shared Dish, Family Gateway, Dallas | Tuesday, Jan 13, | 1:00pm OR 6:00pm | Deliver crockpot meals to families and seniors.
🎭 True Crime Trivia | Rollertown Beerworks, 6450 Main St | 7:00pm | Free to play. Put your detective skills to the test upstairs in the Lager Hall.
Thursday, Jan 15
🕊️ Detective Jerry R. Walker Memorial Ceremony | Little Elm Honor Park, 102 W Eldorado Pkwy | 9:00am | Public welcome to attend wreath placement ceremony.
Friday, Jan 16
🎸 The String Kings | Didi's Downtown, 7210 W Main St | 7:00pm-10:00pm | Live music, food, and good vibes in downtown Frisco.
🎵 Truck Yard Live Music | Truck Yard The Colony, 5959 Grove Ln | 7:00pm-10:00pm | Alley Katz playing Texas/Red Dirt Country indoors at the Sour House.
🎬 Movie Night: Happy Feet | PGA District, 3255 PGA Parkway | 7:00pm | Free outdoor movie. Bring a blanket, no lawn chairs. Pets on leash welcome.
🎸 Bangla RockFest | Frisco Performing Arts Center, 9360 Pasadena Dr | 7:00pm | $15 tickets benefit Spreeha Foundation charity clinic. Features Gonojowar, Aux4s, Neon Riff, and Bachchu & Friends.
🎵 The Cure Tribute: Le Cure | Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave, Plano | 8:00pm | All ages. Tickets required. Afterparty at Tonic Bar at 10pm (21+).
Saturday, Jan 17
🥕 Plano Farmers Market | Berkeley Square, 4757 W Park Blvd, Plano | 10:00am-2:00pm | Fresh produce, artisan goods, baked treats. Pet friendly.
🧘 Vibe & Thrive | Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony | 10:00am-1:00pm | Free fitness classes, wellness vendors, oxygen bar, smoothie samples. Over $1,500 in prizes.
🛍️ End of Season Sale | Painted Tree Boutiques, 2930 Preston Rd | 10:00am-8:00pm (Saturday and Sunday) | Up to 60% off decor, gifts, fashion. Continues Sunday.
🩸 Blood Drive with Carter BloodCare | PGA District, 3255 PGA Parkway | Saturday, Jan 17, 11:00am-3:00pm | Free hooded sweatshirt for donors. Walk-ups welcome, reservations encouraged.
🎨 Made By Hand: Frosted Snow Jars | Little Elm Public Library, 100 W Eldorado Pkwy | 11:00am | Adults only craft class. Registration required.
🎭 BAANA Makar Sankranti Mela | Independence High School, Frisco | 12:00pm-4:00pm | Food, cultural performances, games. Traditional festive attire encouraged. Tickets required.
🎸 The String Kings | Didi's Downtown, 7210 W Main St | 7:00pm-10:00pm | Live music and dinner.
Sunday, Jan 18
🎵 Vinyl Sundays | Three Empires Brewing, 6990 Main St Suite 200 | 2:00pm-7:00pm | Bring your vinyl records, spin tracks, enjoy beer and pizza. Family and dog friendly.
🦖 Dinosaur Discovery | Play Street Museum Plano, 5964 W Parker Rd | 11:30am-1:00pm | Kids become paleontologists for the day. Reservations required.
