http://www.littleelmjournal.net/ The latest news from the www.littleelmjournal.net website! Newsys Template Engine Opinion/star Staff http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 newsys-844444247 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9630conrad.txt One of the good things about working for a community newspaper is that we are often allowed to choose what we want to write about. Sure, some things such as local politics have to be covered, but we are traditionally given a wide degree of freedom in what we write. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:23:44 -0500 newsys-843397440 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9631holcomb.txt Sometimes you just can't escape the past. As much as I want to move past the '80s - musically, I find myself being sucked back in when I see tours like these. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:09:40 -0500 newsys-838588782 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9632clayton.txt You might say I trained as an apprentice fishing guide as a kid. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:47:38 -0500 newsys-832374247 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9633chambers.txt When I moved to Farmersville from Florida a couple of years ago in July, one of the first things my family here told me about was Audie Murphy Day. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:02:40 -0500 newsys-827166355 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9634byler.txt Book reviews aren't usually found in an opinion column. But I recently read Alfredo Corchado's "Midnight in Mexico" in one sitting. Couldn't put it down till I finished it. To tell the truth, the book changed some feelings I had held toward Mexican immigrants. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:46:53 -0500 newsys-825190151 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9635clayton.txt I've never been very interested in carrying or shooting handguns. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:31:29 -0500 newsys-805707321 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9637clayton.txt Bill Dance is a regular on my weekly radio show and during last week's session, we began talking about his bloopers shows. Wed, 5 Jun 2013 10:32:10 -0500 newsys-798350700 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9638chambers.txt I'm sure many of us are still recovering from a three-day weekend, compliments of brave men and women who have gone before us. Between the concerts, outdoor activities and pool party invites, it's almost impossible to descend back into reality and rejoin the work force. Tue, 4 Jun 2013 17:23:47 -0500 newsys-793692977 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9639conrad.txt The title of this article should not surprise many readers. After all, us Texans are a proud bunch and many of us believe that the best barbecue is made within the borders of our state. Fri, 31 May 2013 14:03:37 -0500 newsys-789115583 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9640clayton.txt "These bottoms remind me of south Louisiana," said Jake Hebert (pronounced A-Bear in Cajun) as my friend Larry Large and I drove them into the area we hunt hogs. "I thought everything was bone dry down here in Texas." Wed, 29 May 2013 10:13:03 -0500 newsys-778063076 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9641kruzich.txt It's a good thing I'm a ninja. It came in handy last Saturday during the Dave Matthews Band concert when I had a press pass to photograph the first three songs of the show. Fri, 24 May 2013 16:52:20 -0500 newsys-767633612 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9642clayton.txt One of the most enjoyable aspects of my career as an outdoors writer is having the ability to take you with me on adventures via the written word. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:38 -0500 newsys-753940598 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9643conrad.txt I was lucky enough to travel to Austin recently and spend a few days at the Capitol. Having lived in Austin for seven years during and after college, I know my way around the city fairly well and always look forward to spending a few days there. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:25:57 -0500 newsys-746095075 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9644conrad.txt One of the things many journalists look forward to each year is election season. It always provides excitement and stories on a regular basis, making our job easy. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:20:47 -0500 newsys-742765426 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9645clayton.txt For those of us that love being in the outdoors, family vacation time often includes at least a day or so fishing, along with sightseeing and all the other endeavors common to that special week or two. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:24 -0500 newsys-740288712 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9646holcomb.txt To borrow a line from Tom Petty - "you belong among the wildflowers." Yes, you, there is something for everybody. And though Petty has never graced a stage at the Wildflower! festival, I always think of the song each time I prepare for the festival. Tue, 14 May 2013 15:24:32 -0500 newsys-729979503 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9647conrad.txt Growing up, pizza night in the Conrad household was fairly simple. Myself and my mom would split a sausage pizza, while my dad and two brothers would split a pepperoni pizza. Fri, 10 May 2013 19:21:36 -0500 newsys-717214042 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9648tosie.txt When Hope Park opens this Saturday, the city will see the culmination of several years' worth of work by a group of dedicated Frisco mothers. Fri, 10 May 2013 08:02:55 -0500 newsys-726131460 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9649tosie.txt Since I became editor of The Frisco Enterprise last summer, I've driven past Pizzeria Testa countless times. Thu, 9 May 2013 23:53:51 -0500 newsys-724909545 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9650holcomb.txt Solo at last? Well, it's not permanent. But for the time being, singer/guitarist Tom Keifer has broken away from his long-time tenure with '80s blues rockers Cinderella. And for the first time since 1983, Keifer is touring with a new band and has a solo album in stores titled, "The Way Life Goes." Thu, 9 May 2013 11:03:56 -0500 newsys-721793678 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9651clayton.txt For almost 14 years, I did a weekly fishing report for a major Texas newspaper. Wed, 8 May 2013 11:25:03 -0500 newsys-704063733 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9652byler.txt Has anyone ever noticed that dang-nigh everything except the citizens of Texas has a lobbyist down in Austin? The good news is that situation was recently improved with the formation of the North Texas Citizens Lobby. The organization is made up of conservative citizens from Plano, Lucas, McKinney and Allen. I don't believe there's a paid-for lawyer in the whole bunch. Thu, 2 May 2013 19:07:01 -0500 newsys-700597020 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9654moaks.txt "Would you like to swing on a star?" The tune keeps going through my head, days after I heard members of the Men of Note Chorus sing it at their spring show. It's not just because the song's so likeable, and it's not only because it conjures visions of Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello in "Hudson Hawk" timing a heist to its length. Wed, 1 May 2013 21:20:10 -0500 newsys-698546405 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9655clayton.txt If you've been thinking about learning to shoot a bow, there's no better time than early summer to begin. Wed, 1 May 2013 15:01:58 -0500 newsys-691526714 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9656byler.txt I had a yard sale a while back. I love yard sales. You can meet a lot of interesting people at yard sales. I noticed that about half the folks who showed up at my yard sale were using one arm to pick through my treasures. All of them had another arm but the hand at the end of it was useless since it was holding a cell phone next to their ear. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:21:22 -0500 newsys-692504463 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9658chambers.txt Frisco has a new restaurant in town, and it's a cut above the rest. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:24:36 -0500 newsys-681754691 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9659holcomb.txt Suntan lotion - check. Hideous flowered shirt - double check. Margarita, Landshark or cheeseburger - triple check. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:08:38 -0500 newsys-679147338 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9660clayton.txt Each September for many years, I've headed to Colorado's high country with my bow to enjoy hunting elk and bear with my longtime friend Larry Large, who has guided in the mountains for most of his adult life. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:41:18 -0500 newsys-679147339 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9661clayton.txt Anyone with the least bit of doubt about how popular hunting wild hogs and predators is in the Lone Star state need only to have been in Waco this past week end at the First Annual Predator and Wild Hog Expo, held at the Waco Convention Center. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:39:16 -0500 newsys-678497411 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9662weir.txt Editor's note: While this is a column centered on Flower Mound, its message can fit every city we cover. Enjoy. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:13:44 -0500 newsys-675292574 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9664chambers.txt For anyone looking for a weekend getaway without spending most of your money on gas or airfare, look no further than Erwin Park in McKinney. This is the perfect time to pack up the family and head out to the middle of nowhere for a weekend of roughing it while the climate is still favorable. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:57:30 -0500 newsys-675742181 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9665barron.txt Pigs. They're what's for dinner. And fun! Unless you're Rick Mann. Our executive editor used a recent occasion to hunt wild pigs as an exercise to certify just what he feared about himself: He's a bunny-hugger. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:51:26 -0500 newsys-674233677 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9666conrad.txt I wasn't in town for Record Store Day on Saturday, so I unfortunately missed out on the limited edition Old 97's/Waylon Jennings vinyl that was released. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:59:53 -0500 newsys-671062703 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9667tosie.txt Last week, two colleagues and I went to Estilo Gaścho, a Brazilian steakhouse located in front of Stonebriar Centre Mall, for a media event. Not being a "foodie," I didn't know what to expect, but it's safe to say I left happy. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:16:35 -0500 newsys-661905629 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9668conrad.txt I am probably not what you would call a foodie. I do love trying new foods, but a newspaper reporter's salary doesn't lend itself to dining at expensive restaurants that focus on innovative cuisine. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:12:12 -0500 newsys-657026184 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9669holcomb.txt sholcomb@starlocalnews.com Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:28:46 -0500 newsys-628049232 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9670chambers.txt Last week I wrote a "Get Out of Town" feature about the 33rd annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival. What I didn't reveal to you, however, was that I myself had never actually been to such an event. "How could she write about something she's never experienced firsthand?" you might ask. Well, I asked myself that very same question and began to regret never going to the Georgia Renaissance Festivals of my past while growing up in Atlanta. A friend of mine was even an actor for many years there and loved sharing his experiences with the rest of us, none of whom had the Ren bug but always enjoyed the yarns he spun. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:51:06 -0500 newsys-621994436 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9671clayton.txt For most of my adult life, I've enjoyed camp cooking and often serve as camp cook on our high country elk and bear hunts in northern Colorado. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:41:15 -0500 newsys-615410622 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9672tosie.txt The Texas Rangers opened their season on Sunday with an embarrassing loss to the Houston Astros, the worst team in the MLB last year. Luckily for us, however, that bad taste can be erased. Sat, 6 Apr 2013 16:27:56 -0500 newsys-587017623 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9673tosie.txt Editor's Note: This column was written for readers of the print edition of The Frisco Enterprise. It probably won't have the same impact to anyone reading this version, as it's on The Enterprise's website. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:22:02 -0500 newsys-581063208 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9674clayton.txt Since our visit last week, I've been pretty busy with the construction of a little hunting cabin my buddy and I decided to build. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:33:45 -0500 newsys-581676894 http://www.littleelmjournal.net/articles/2013/06/20/opinion/star_staff/9675clayton.txt Wade fishing is not limited to just prowling coastal flats in quest of trout or redfish. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:18:01 -0500