Lakewood iReporter

Twenty-five teenagers from around the world were recently honored by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship at its Dare to Dream Gala dinner in New York City. One of the 25 members in attendance was Woodrow Wilson's own Aden Shank, who was chosen for his Cheer Launcher invention.

Shank introduced his Cheer Launcher via a 60-second video in the Network for Teaching and Entrepreneurships' Elevator Pitch 2011 competition. For his idea, Shank was selected by the organization as one of the 2012 Global Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.

At the awards gala, Shank had the opportunity to show off his business ideas to community and industry leaders. He also got to visit the set of Good Morning America and got a photograph with one of the CBS morning show's anchors.

Welcome to “The Middle Of The Pack”! My name is Ken Lettre, and I will be your monthly running guide as we explore the fun and exciting world of running in North Texas and beyond.

The following is not an overstatement: The sport of running has literally saved my life. And if I can run, you can run!

Here’s how my personal running odyssey started: The company I was with at the time decided to go from requiring employees to wear suits five days a week to a “Casual Fridays” policy. That meant I had to buy a pair of khakis. My wife, Karen, and I went to a local department store where I tried on a pair of 36-inch waist pants.

They didn’t fit.

Next, I tried on a pair of 38s. They didn’t fit much better, but I bought them anyway because I simply refused to buy a pair of pants with the number “4” as the front number.

After making my purchase, I commented to my wife that these pants had to be sized wrong. Then, as only a loving wife could do, she stopped walking, paused for a few seconds, took a hold of my left arm, squeezed gently and said, “No, honey, these pants are not sized wrong. You’re fat.”

Simple. Succinct. Brutally honest.

Exactly what I needed.

She was 100-percent correct. There was no politically correct way of saying it — I was fat. My 5-foot-11-inch frame was literally weighed down with over 235 pounds of ‘stuff.’ I needed to do something, anything, to start losing the weight immediately.

The very next day, my wife and I joined a local gym. I got on a treadmill and quickly found that I couldn’t even walk a mile. Not even close. My total treadmill distance on that first day was one-quarter of a mile. I simply could not go any further. I wondered to myself, at 35-years young, how could I have let myself get so out of shape.

That day was my epiphany.

I returned to the gym everyday, slowly building both my stamina and endurance.
     First walking a half mile.
     Then running/walking (more walking) a half mile.
     Then a mile.
     Then running more than walking.
     Then a mile and a half.
     Then even more running than walking.
     Then two miles.
     Then three.

I was running!

With my increase in physical activity coupled with a vastly improved diet (sorry McDonald’s), I noticed myself changing for the better. I was in the midst of an amazing metamorphosis. I was losing weight and feeling the best I had in years.

From that moment on, I was hooked.

One of my most magical moments was in June 2010 when I visited Florida to see my dad for his 80th birthday and attend a family reunion. My parents had five children, and I was always their largest child growing up. (Let’s just say I did most of my back-to-school clothes shopping in the “husky” department at Sears.) When I arrived at the reunion, I took a quick glance at my siblings and it was clear that I was by far the most fit. And I smiled quietly to myself.

Since I first started, I have run a total of 15 full marathons and a whole bunch of 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, and half marathons. Currently, I have the honor of coaching many local athletes before they run their first races, and I’ve recently become Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Certified as a running coach. Oh yes, I do love to run.

The purpose of this and future articles is simple: To encourage, inspire, motivate, and, most important of all, help readers learn to LOVE the sport of running as much as I do.

I will explore places to run around the greater North Texas area report on races I’ve attended, relate a few personal stories along the way, and discuss tips about how you too can be a runner. These articles are meant to be interactive, and I encourage you to ask questions and offer ideas for future article subjects.

My direct email address is TXMidPack@gmail.com. Send me a note, and let’s talk about running.

Until next time, I’ll see you out there. Run strong!

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Dallas Police Department have teamed up and have scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 28. The event will take place at the Northeast Division Police Station (9915 E. Northwest Highway) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The point of Drug Take-Back Day is exactly that - to get unused prescription medication out of homes, off the streets and away from people possibly abusing them. It's a good opportunity to safely and securely dispose of unwanted and unused medication.

This will be the DEA's fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The previous Drug Take-Back Day, which occurred back on October 29, 2011, was a resounding success. Across the entire nation, the DEA collected more than 377,000 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications.

When one combines all of the Drug Take-Back Days, the total amount shoots up to over 995,000 pounds (498.5 tons) of medication taken out of circulation.

So do your part to help stop prescription drug abuse and help safely dispose of any unused or expired medication laying around the home.

Tenant finish out has already started in preparation for the opening of three new restaurants in the new mixed-use development, BLVD, at SMU Boulevard and Greenville Avenue. All of the BLVD’s commercial space has been fully leased by Nodding Donkey, Torchy’s Tacos and World of Beer. All three restaurants are slated to open this summer.

“We are excited to add three such strong restaurants to those already in the area,” said Taylor Stone, Managing Director, Multifamily, for Prescott Realty Group. “Nodding Donkey, Torchy’s Tacos and World of Beer will liven up the pedestrian experience along SMU Boulevard and will draw people from the greater areas to the neighborhood to live and play.”

This is the first Dallas location for World of Beer, and only the second in Texas for the Tampa, Florida-based company. They also have a location in Arlington. World of Beer stocks more than 500 bottles of beer and they have 50 on tap.  The Nodding Donkey is a neighborhood tavern offering an array of drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, along with food to please a Texas palette including chicken fried steak, enchiladas, barbecue and sandwiches—among other tempting offerings. Austin’s favorite taco shop, Torchy’s Tacos started in 2006 with a mobile trailer, a little red Vespa and a man with a passion for good food. Six years ago, Mike Rypka left an executive chef position to chase his dreams by investing everything he had into Torchy’s Tacos. This will be Torchy’s third location in the Dallas area.

The BLVD is a mixed-use development with 417 residential units in addition to the 9,100-square feet of commercial space located on the ground level. The residences are a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units within walking distance of the Mockingbird Station DART rail line and the extended Katy Trail.

The project is owned by a joint venture comprised of Prescott Realty Group, AREA Property Partners and Northwestern Mutual. United Commercial Realty represented Nodding Donkey in lease negotiations; Torchy’s Tacos was represented by Jamie Streeter of Princeton Partners; and World of Beer was represented by Steve Ewing and Tyler Grisham of Edge Realty Partners.

BLVD features a variety of community amenities, including a contemporary clubhouse, modern cardio and strength fitness center, deck top pool with tanning ledge, outdoor grilling and dining area, gaming area, tanning room, pet friendly courtyards, dog park, eight separately landscaped courtyards, structured parking and controlled building access.

The development was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification and it even offers an electric car charging station. BLVD will welcome its first residents in May.

The Dallas Arboretum has always been a place where residents can view the beauty of nature. However, after the arboretum finishes installing its Chihuly sculptures and displays for "Chihuly at the Dallas Arboretum," it will also become a place that is both exotic and magical.

Chihuly at the Dallas Arboretum will run from Saturday, May 5 until early November. The arboretum will be decorated with the works of artist Dale Chihuly - dramatic glass sculptures that will seemingly defy the imagination. Chihuly is famous for crafting free-standing glass sculptures and large-scale artwork installations that have been featured in museums, gardens, architectural environments and galleries all over the world.

Attendees can also choose to view the display during the evenings at CHIHULY Nights, which is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. During CHIHULY Nights, the sculptures will be illuminated with special effects lighting, giving the arboretum a sense of magic and wonder. And on Tuesday and Thursday nights, there will even be background music from "Concerts at the Arboretum" to make the displays even impressive.

Tickets during the day (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $9 for children. There is also a parking fee of $10. During the evening, tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. However, there is parking fee. There are also dining options for evening goers, making the arboretum a great place for a date.

To learn more about Chihuly at the Arboretum or CHIHULY Nights, go to the Dallas Arboretum website.