Huguley to host free nutrition lectures

Norene Sofranac, a registered and licensed dietitian with Huguley Nutrition Services will present five, free health seminars covering a variety of nutrition topics.  

The seminars, which began Monday, all meet at 6 p.m. in the Huguley Fitness Center Amphitheater located on the Huguley Campus. There is no charge for the seminars.

Lecture topics and dates are:

• Supermarket Lingo: How to sniff out the healthier brands, March 22

• Save Your Skin: Reduce inflammation the diet way, April 5

• Emotional Eating: When comfort foods turn against you, April 19

• Dashboard Dining by Candlelight: How we eat counts too, May 3

For information call 817-568-3155. 

— Special to the Connection

Smashburger to open soon in Burleson

Smashburger, a fast-casual “better burger” restaurant, will open its first Burleson location on April 7 at 1505 Wilshire Blvd.

Dallas/Fort Worth area Smashburgers’ menu was created with regional flavors and tastes in mind.

Area menus include The Lonestar Smashburger, Cowboy Cobb Salad, and the DFW Dog.

Named for the cooking method used to create them, Smashburgers are a one-third or half-pound ball of fresh Angus beef smashed on a flat grill to sear in flavor.

Smashburgers are served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of cheeses,  produce, and  condiments.

Other menu items include Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs, and Smashsalads, with sides like veggie fries and rosemary, garlic–seasoned Smashfries and sweet potato Smashfries.

Beer, wine, Haagen-Dazs shakes, and root-beer floats are available .

“Smashburger has an enthusiastic Fort Worth following,” said Smashburger Founder Tom Ryan. “We are excited to expand into Burleson.”

“Every city needs a great burger, and Burleson is no different,” said Chris Fleming, Cow Town Sizzle Inc. partner. “Arlington was very welcoming to our new burger concept and we are confident in our expansion into Tarrant County.”

— Special to the Connection

CISD ninth-grade campuses receive state distinction

The National Center for Educational Achievement recently named both Crowley ISD ninth-grade campuses as two of the state’s top 215 secondary campuses.

The campuses were included in the NCEA’s Just for the Kids Higher Performing Schools List, which recognizes schools that grow their students’ academic performance more than students of demographically similar schools.

The campuses were included with 11 other Tarrant County schools in the state’s top 215 secondary campuses. 

NCEA’s Just for the Kids initiative began in 1995 and continues to provide the public with important information about school successes. 

All NCEA efforts support the goal of helping more K-12 students reach college and career readiness.

— Special to the Connection

Haight first Heartbeat Team winner

Penny Haight, counselor at Sycamore Elementary, was recognized on Feb. 25 as the district’s first Heartbeat Team award winner, a new employee recognition program.

Each month CISD employees can nominate other employees who show ‘heart’ in all they do and in their interactions with others.

On Feb. 25 Haight was surprised at her campus with this distinction and honored at the CISD Board meeting that evening.

J-Bow’s Backporch provided a $25 gift certificate to Haight for this honor.

— Special to the Connection

Relay fundraiser to be held at bank

Shopping for a Cure, a fundraiser for the First National Bank of Burleson’s Relay For Life team is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Wilshire Room in the bank, located at 740 S.W. Wilshire in Burleson.

Food, fun activities for children and raffle items will be offered.

For information call Misty Harris at 817-295-0461.

— Special to the Connection

Gerdts completes basic training

Army Pvt. Lars R. Gerdts has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.

During the nine-week training period, Gerdts received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.

He is the son of Robert M. and Melissa A. Gerdts of Burleson and a 2007 graduate of Burleson High School.

— Special to the Connection

Hunnicutt assigned to USS Ronald Reagan

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ferlissia M.  Hunnicutt, whose husband, Samuel, is the son of Sandra Meredith of  Burleson was assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald  Reagan, which recently received the Battle Efficiency Ribbon or  Battle “E” award, given to the most battle-ready carrier in the Pacific  fleet.

Since 2006, Reagan’s first year of eligibility for the Battle “E, “ the  ship has won three of the past four years 2006, 2008 and 2009.

To win a Battle “E, “ an aircraft carrier must win a number of different  departmental awards and sailors are evaluated on their performance.

In addition, Reagan recently earned the coveted golden anchor for fiscal  year 2009 after surpassing the reenlistment benchmark to win the Retention  Excellence award, which is presented annually to ships, squadron, shore  and staff commands that have won two or more quarterly honor rolls during  the fiscal year.

The golden anchors are a visual symbol and trophy acknowledging the  exceptionally high reenlistment rate aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft  carrier.

— Special to the Connection

Peralez graduates from basic training

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Robert S. Peralez graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Peralez completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Lala and Martin Peralez of Burleson and a 2006 graduate of Burleson High School.

— Special to the Connection

Thompson graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Justin M. Thompson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Thompson completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Thompson is the son of Tommy Thompson of Alvarado and the grandson of Carla Short of Burleson.

He is a 2008 graduate of Alvarado High School.

— Special to the Connection

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