We want you to know and appreciate the fact that Richardson is what it is because of the people who live here. But on this episode of the local podcast for Richardson, we have a very important announcement. Tiffany Norris talks with Jason Norris, producer of https://ThisIsRichardson.com (This is Richardson). Support this podcast

This is Richardson

Richardson, Texas is a special place

We want you to know and appreciate the fact that Richardson is what it is because of the people who live here. But on this episode of the local podcast for Richardson, we have a very important announcement. Tiffany Norris talks with Jason Norris, producer of This is Richardson (https://ThisIsRichardson.com) . Support this podcast

So far, during this worldwide crisis, we've revisited Richardson restaurants and Richardson businesses to see how they're responding and managing the whole situation. We also wanted to revisit our church, First Baptist Richardson, and we really felt like that warranted its own episode. A few months ago, I talked with Ivy Lassiter, the children's pastor at church, and this time I sat down, over Skype of course, with Ron Evans, the missions pastor at First Baptist Richardson. We've heard Ron preach at church several times, and when you see him or talk with him, you immediately hear his heart for this city. He has a passion for connecting our church and our community, and it comes through in every conversation. And it was so encouraging to talk with him in the midst of this crisis and hear that same conviction for connecting our church and community even though the methods have changed. We've mentioned this before, but if you are looking for a church home, we can't recommend First Baptist Richardson enough. It is truly our family's favorite thing about this city. And, right now, you can visit online. No pressure, no awkward small talk. Just check out the service online at https://www.fbrichardson.org/ (https://www.fbrichardson.org/) The people there love God and love others, and it really just doesn't get much better than that. I'm Tiffany Norris. This Is Richardson is a podcast that tells the stories of the people and places of Richardson, Texas. Support this podcast

Ron Evans at First Baptist Richardson

A couple of episodes back,  we did an update on Richardson restaurants (https://thisisrichardson.com/revisiting-richardson-restaurants/)  in light of the COVID-19 situation, so in this episode we wanted to revisit some of the Richardson places we’ve talked about in previous episodes. Editor’s Note: This situation is changing day-by-day, so this is the latest from the businesses on the day we’re recording. Check out each place’s website or social media for the most up to date information. The UPS store on Coit and Campbell (https://locations.theupsstore.com/tx/richardson/1920-n-coit-rd)  is open for business, but when we go check our mailbox, we’ve noticed customers and staff are definitely practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Richardson Bike Mart (https://www.bikemart.com/about/richardson-pg2159.htm)  is also open for business. The Richardson location is only providing bicycle service at this time, but they do have online purchasing options and even some deals going on. The Kids Play Co (https://thekidsplayco.com/)  is currently closed, but their website says they’re considering an option for “Private Play” where one family could reserve the play area for an hour at a time. So reach out to them if that’s something you want more information about. Toby‘s School of Dance (https://tobysdance.com/)  are both offering livestream classes. All of Toby’s classes, in particular, are being taught via Zoom, which I just love. Their website said “Don’t fall into the trap of too much screen time, isolation, and inactivity,” and I thought that was such an important reminder during this stressful time. As we talked about on a previous episode, the spring concert was postponed for the  Richardson Community Chorale (https://www.rcchorale.org/) . The Cottonwood Art Festival has been canceled as has the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival. Events at the  Eisemann Center (https://www.eisemanncenter.com/)  have been canceled or postponed through May 17, but check out their website for tickets that are still available for purchase for future events. So I don’t know about you, but going to the park and going to the library are two of the things my girls have missed the most during all of this. Parks and trails remain open (https://www.cor.net/departments/parks-recreation) , with social distancing encouraged of course, but people are discouraged from using the playgrounds and park fixtures because it’s hard to keep them clean enough to ensure safe use. The  Richardson Public Library (https://www.cor.net/departments/public-library)  building is also closed but offering curbside pickup. Also, as a librarian myself, I feel the need to say very clearly that our library buildings might be closed, but libraries remain open. Most of us are still providing a huge number of electronic resources and online services, and the Richardson Public Library is no exception. Finally, the  Richardson Animal Shelter (https://www.cor.net/departments/animal-services)  is allowing visitors by appointment only, and those appointments are for reclaiming a pet or adoption. Volunteers and community service activities have been suspended for now. I’ve seen several people that have taken this opportunity to adopt a pet. They’re home more and able to train it. It’s good for their mental health during this stressful time. And it gives an animal a much-needed home. So if it’s something you’ve been considering, this just might be the time to do it. The Richardson Animal Shelter can still help you out with those adoptions. So that’s a quick update on the Richardson businesses and places we’ve featured in previous episodes. Again, that’s subject to change, of course, but we thought it was important to take a snapshot of where we are now, to highlight and support some of these places even if they’re closed, and... Support this podcast

Revisiting Richardson Places

Tiffany Norris talked with Jeannie Stone, superintendent of Richardson ISD in February before all the things happened in our world and schools moved to at-home learning. In this interview, they talk about the diversity of the district, upcoming goals and initiatives, school ratings, and where in Richardson she likes to go to relax. So I hope you appreciate this interview in a different context now than when we recorded it. We've mentioned a couple of times on the podcast how very happy we've been with our experience at our neighborhood public school. Our girls have been taught well, cared for, and truly known by their teachers, and we were already so grateful for all the hard work of the teachers and staff there. That gratitude has only multiplied in the last month as we've watched Dr. Stone, our principal, all the teachers and staff navigate this extremely challenging experience with grace and good humor. We would also love to hear about your RISD experience—either in light of our current situation or any time. Link Jeannie Stone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/3jstone Support this podcast

Superintendent of Richardson ISD

I'm Tiffany Norris, and you're listening to This Is Richardson, a podcast that tells the stories of the people and places of Richardson, Texas. This is a strange time right now in the world, so this week we wanted to take a look back at some of the places we've featured on the podcast up to this point and let you know how they're dealing with everything. First up is the restaurants. We've interviewed the owners of seven Richardson restaurants during the last few months, and they are all still open for business in one way or another. Most are still doing either curbside pickup, drive-through, and/or delivery. We can personally vouch for the delivery options for Sweet Firefly and Tongue in Cheek as ice cream is my comfort food of choice these days. Eiland Coffee and Woody B's also offer shipping options, and the store front of Sweet Daze is closed, but they are still doing catering orders. Now Communion Neighborhood Cooperative has been doing some really cool things. Like the others, they offer an online ordering option where you can pick up coffee, many of their regular menu items, or a family meal to go. But they've also launched a campaign called 400 for 500 that we wanted to highlight in this episode. Here's how it works. For $200, you get 6 of their family-style meals. These are delicious and made from scratch in the Communion Kitchen, and they serve at least four people. You can pick them up hot and ready to go or get them cold and warm them up later in the oven. You can get all six in the same week or spread it out and do one each week for six weeks. When they hit 400 of these subscriptions, they're committing to serving an additional 100 people per week. Thus the name 400 for 500. Those additional 100 people will include those that are most affected by COVID-19 in our community. So they say that is people who are losing jobs and significant income, first responders, health-care providers, and anyone else who would just be blessed by a meal. It's hard not to love this idea. Because with a subscription, you're not just helping your family eat. You're not just helping those additional 100 people that Communion is committing to feed. You're also helping a Richardson business and the people who work there. You're helping them stay viable through this uncertain time. You know, I joked about ice cream earlier, but we really have found ourselves eating out a little more during this quarantined time just because we're aware that the local restaurants that we love have taken a hard hit. And we want to support them. For our little family, that support feels small sometimes, but we are doing what we can. And what we can do includes this podcast. So the next time you're craving some ice cream or coffee or barbecue or just can't deal with cooking one night, think about one of these seven Richardson businesses: Communion Neighborhood Cooperative (http://www.communioncooperative.com/) Eiland Coffee Roasters (https://www.eilandcoffee.com/) Reverie Bakeshop (https://www.reveriebakeshop.com/) Sweet Daze (https://www.sweetdaze.com/) Sweet Firefly (https://www.sweetfirefly.com/) Tongue in Cheek (https://tongueincheekicecream.com/) Woody B's BBQ (https://woodybsbbq.com/) I hope we can actually see you at one of these places soon. I'm Tiffany Norris. Thanks for listening to This Is Richardson. Support this podcast

Revisiting Richardson Restaurants

I know several people who've been through the Leadership Richardson program, and it's something I've been interested in too. So I was super excited to talk with Kim Quirk. She's the executive director and practically a lifelong resident of Richardson, Texas. Even though I'm not participating any time soon, I enjoyed getting to hear more about Leadership Richardson and what it does for the city. Link http://LeadershipRichardson.com/ By the way, do you have any experience with Leadership Richardson? If so, we'd love to hear about it. Support this podcast

Leadership Richardson

Yes, things have changed in our city and our world since I talked with Ian Gill. He’s on a mission to make Richardson a singing city. And even though their spring performance has been postponed until we navigate through this crisis, we believe that Richardson will be a singing city. We need music, art, and faith now more than ever. We hope this interview will encourage you and remind you that there is still beauty. You just have to listen. We’d love to hear from you during this challenging time, especially if there’s a way we can help or encourage you. Links Richardson Community Chorale: Website (https://www.rcchorale.org/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/richardsoncommunitychorale/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rcchorale/) Support this podcast

Richardson Community Chorale

I feel like we've been telling a lot of dessert stories lately. I happen to like sweets almost as much as I like coffee, so we tend to get around on the treat circuit in Richardson. Sweet Daze is one of my favorites. We first ventured in for donuts one summer, and we were instant fans. I talked with the owner, Holly Nguyen, to hear a little more about her sweet business. When you get your next craving for a treat, try Sweet Daze. Their designs are so creative, and everything we've tried there has been delightful. If you do stop by, we'd love to hear about it. Link https://www.SweetDaze.com This Is Richardson is a local podcast telling the stories of the people and places of Richardson, Texas. Support this podcast

Sweet Daze Dessert Bar

Spring is in the air. At least it is when we're posting this episode, and there's nothing like a bike ride to give you spring fever. I think Woody Smith would agree. He's the president and owner of Richardson Bike Mart, and he has a passion for cycling. And I have to say I learned SO much in this interview—both about cycling and about Richardson. Isn't it cool that we are one of only two Texas cities to achieve bike-friendly status? I love that, and it makes me want to ride more often. We've had three great experiences with Richardson Bike Mart, purchasing two of our daughters' first bikes there and having another one restored.  I'm Tiffany Norris, and you're listening to This Is Richardson, a podcast that tells the stories of the people and places of Richardson, Texas. Link: Bike Mart website (https://www.bikemart.com/about/richardson-pg2159.htm) https://www.bikemart.com/about/richardson-pg2159.htm (https://www.bikemart.com/about/richardson-pg2159.htm) Support this podcast

Richardson Bike Mart

Looking for a laidback, cool space to hang out on date night? Trying to find a quick drive-through option for ice cream? We found it. Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream. It's in a pretty high traffic area, just off of Arapaho. That presents its own set of challenges, as you'll hear from firefighter-turned-entrepreneur Brett Smith, firefighter-turned-entrepreneur. He's serving up some fascinating and delicious flavors of ice cream. Did you hear him say coffee-infused ice cream? I'm going to have to try that the next time they offer it. What Brett has done with the space really is impressive, and the ice cream is incredible. If you check them out, we'd love to hear about it. Link: Tongue in Cheek web site (https://tongueincheekicecream.com/) Support this podcast

Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream

You know by now I love a good cup of coffee. And Clay Eiland takes coffee to a whole new level. He's the owner of Eiland Coffee Roasters here in Richardson, and you might have had a cup of his coffee already if you've eaten somewhere like Ida Claire or shopped at Whole Foods. But you can also go directly to Eiland Coffee Roasters and get an absolutely amazing cup of coffee on-site. Even though I can't wait to see how they grow beyond their current location, I have to say that Eiland Coffee Roasters is the best kind of hole in the wall place. Definitely swing by and check it out.  Links Eiland Coffee Roasters (https://www.eilandcoffee.com/) Also, if you like This is Richardson, you can buy me a cup of coffee and help support the podcast. Click here to find out how (https://ThisIsRichardson.com/support) . Support this podcast

Eiland Coffee Roasters

This Is Richardson is local podcast that tells the stories of the people and places of Richardson, Texas. In this episode, we're also telling the stories of the animals of Richardson. Tiffany Norris talks with Noura Jammal, manager of Animal Services for the city of Richardson. Are you an animal lover as well? If you're looking to share that love, please check out one of the shelter's adoptable pets. The Richardson Animal Shelter is an open adoption facility, and they encourage interaction between visitors and adoptable pets. Links: (https://www.cor.net/departments/animal-services) (https://www.instagram.com/richardson_animal_shelter/) Support this podcast

Richardson Animal Shelter

The Kids Play Co is an indoor playground in the II Creeks area with free coffee. And if you've listened for any amount of time, you know that I do love coffee. I'm Tiffany Norris, and you're listening to This Is Richardson, a podcast that tells the stories of Richardson, Texas. The Kids Play Co is such a fun, cool place where kids can have parties, attend classes, or just play. The owner Chris Downs fills us in on everything they offer and their history in Richardson. Having just hosted 15 kids at my house for an 8-year-old's birthday party, I had to laugh when he talked about the stress of having parties at home. It's definitely less stress when you go out. And if you're listening before Valentine's Day, let us know if you check out their Frozen Valentines event. Links: https://thekidsplayco.com/ (https://thekidsplayco.com/) https://www.livingmagazine.net/the-2019-best-of-n-richardson-murphy-readers-choice-winners/ (https://www.livingmagazine.net/the-2019-best-of-n-richardson-murphy-readers-choice-winners/) You can find your local Richardson podcast on Instagram and Facebook and at ThisIsRichardson.com (https://thisisrichardson.com/) . Support this podcast

The Kids Play Co

Whenever you're listening, I can guarantee it's a good time for ice cream. Doesn't matter if it's chilly, rainy, or hot as blazes. If you're in Texas, it could be any of those things—sometimes all in the same week. I think the owners of Sweet Firefly would agree. I talked with one of the owners, Patti Otte, about their story of how they got started and what it's like for them doing business in Richardson. And I loved what she said about Richardson, "It's a small town in a big city." That echoes what so many of the people we've talked with have said as well, and I think that's a big part of what makes this city so special. Also, I have to say, after this interview, my daughter and I went back to Sweet Firefly, and we had the hot chocolate with ice cream. And it was straight up amazing. So, the next time it's cold, go get yourself some hot chocolate and ice cream. If you do, we'd love to hear about it. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook or at ThisIsRichardson.com (http://thisisrichardson.com/) . Thanks for listening! Support this podcast

Sweet Firefly

Get to know your neighbors! Listen as host Tiffany Norris talks with local folks on this local podcast for the city of Richardson, Texas in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex.

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This is Richardson

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