BEST NEW EVENT: The first-ever FÜDTRUKY was a wild success. More than 1,500 locals came out on Cinco de Mayo to enjoy FÜD, TÜNS and BRÜs. The day's live entertainment and food trucks made it a memorable Saturday we soon won't forget. In fact, we already have next year's event on the books: May 11.
BEST COMMUNITY CHALLENGE: The city started 2018 focused on its community's health with the LiveFit Southlake Wellness Challenge. With a Health Fair Wellness Challenge Kickoff on January 13, the two-month initiative included lunch and learns, lectures, walks with the mayor and health-centered workshops. The challenge ended with the annual Superhero 5K and Fun Run on March 17 at Bicentennial Park.
BEST SMALL CITY: In a recent WalletHub report, 1,200 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 were ranked on 40 different indicators. These include school-system quality, housing costs and safety. Southlake found itself in the report's 99th percentile, receiving a No. 1 ranking for housing costs and No. 4 for homeowner rate compared to the other evaluated cities.
BEST GRASSROOT INITIATIVES: Southlake spent a lot of time taking action this year. Grassroots initiatives took form in many ways but several stood out such as the dozens of local businesses rallying to support GRACE after their food pantry was destroyed in a fire, the lemonade stand to raise money for a Jack D. Johnson elementary student or Lynne and Olivia Hein's dress drive to support hurricane victims.
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Grapevine Lake offers plenty of outdoor adventures for those who want to try something new and embrace the natural beauty of their surroundings. Hikers can jump on one of the many trails that wrap around the lake, cyclists can stop by the “Biker Lot” after a long day biking everything from lake cliffs to shores, horseback riders can saddle up with the Widowmaker Trail Rides on Walnut Grove trail, boat enthusiasts can try their hand at catching a few largemouth bass and kayakers can rent equipment Lonestar Adventure Sports before paddling out on the lake. It also featured the largest floating waterpark in Texas, Altitude H20, this past summer. No matter what you do when you are there, there's a way to do it in style.
BEST THRILLS YEAR ROUND: Epic Waters in Grand Prairie opened its doors on January 12, giving locals the opportunity to splash year-round. The 80,000 square-foot park features a retractable roof, so locals don't have to check the weather before heading out the door for a day in the water. With 11 waterslides, an outdoor wave pool, an activity pool, a children's area, a FlowRider surf simulator and lazy river, it's a great option for birthday parties or just a fun way to brighten up a cold winter day.
BEST HOMECOMING: The childhood prodigy Olivia Bennett Teeuws moved back to Southlake this year. People may remember her for opening her own studio in Southlake Town Square at the young age of 12, appearing on “Oprah” and her several features in national publications like “Teen People” and “Southern Living.” She now focuses on painting for charity to raise money for those causes close to her heart while also raising her son with her husband, John.
BEST NEW WORKPLACE: Spaces Granite Place now offers Southlake locals a comfortable and flexible coworking space perfect for a variety of business models. Whether you need a comfortable place to meet with a client or want a fixed spot to host your workstation, Spaces has the space you need. They offer everything from audiovisual equipment to food and beverage services all in their sleek workplace environment.
BEST PILOT PARENT: Col. Gavin Tade is the group commander of the 944th Mission
Support Group. He used to fly fighter jets, but is now spending more time in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 for American Airlines. Did we mention that he is also a very proud Dragon dad? When he isn't jetting across the nation or commanding 1,900 people, he is at home with his wife, Angie, and their four kids: Camryn, Trevor, Dalton and Messina. He has been known to pop into Carroll classrooms in full fighter pilot gear with a Carroll Dragon T-Shirt underneath.
BEST NAME CHANGE: Jay Armstrong, the Dragon's Athletic Assistant for Sports Information and Social Media Relations, is a complete representation of Dragon Pride. And we aren't the only ones who think so. The Dragon Alumni Network awarded Jay with this year's Outstanding Alumni award. Going forward, the award will be given Jay's namesake, forever representing the commitment, pride and tradition that the Carroll grad has always strived to protect.
BEST WORKING PUP: Officer Nathaniel Anderson and K-9 partner Duco received the national award for Top Patrol Dog at the North American Police Working Dog Association. The pup joined the squad back in 2015, and he has been protecting Southlake ever since. When he's not patrolling the city, he enjoys meeting community folks and educating them about how to stay safe — with the help of Officer Anderson, of course.
BEST FACEBOOK GROUP: The Foodie Feed, created by Southlake mom and PR guru Jennifer Weaver, gives locals the opportunity to learn more about the local dining scene while also voicing their opinions about nearby restaurants. Whether you are looking for the best Cuban sandwich in town or a brunch spot in Fort Worth, this group of foodies is ready with recommendations.
BEST CROWNING MOMENT: EmmaKate Few, Miss Southlake 2018 and one of our 2018 Tastemakers, walked away as the second runner-up at this year's Miss Texas Competition. She was also awarded the Alpha Lifestyle & Fitness award during the preliminary rounds. She took the stage to strut her stuff in the swimsuit competition; talked about her platform, Walk the Talk, during the on-stage question round; wowed the crowd during the evening wear competition; and caught everyone's attention during the talent portion when she performed contemporary clogging. EmmaKate was joined by four other North Dallas contestants in the top five: Miss Frisco took fourth runner-up, Miss Richardson third runner-up, Miss Park Cities first runner-up and Miss Dallas, Madison Fuller, was crowned Miss Texas 2018.
BEST BOWTIE: Finnegan McDevitt rocked the cover of our April issue with a blazer, a Carroll pin on his lapel, green pants and a striking pink bowtie. The second grader was our youngest ever Tastemaker, and he is letting his voice — and his style — be known as one of Carroll ISD's Bond Builders.
BEST WAVE MAKER:
PeopleResults CEO and Southlake mom Patti Johnson knows how to lead. From balancing her day-to-day responsibilities to consulting clients such as Fortune 100 companies Microsoft, 7-Eleven, Frito-Lay and McKesson to leading our 2018 Women's Luncheon panel and acting as our keynote, she's making herself known and making waves everywhere she goes.
BEST BFF TEAM:
Clever Bear Leathers owners Chelsea Salomone and Jaymi Bear didn't intend on starting a hot jewelry company when they created their first pair of earrings two Decembers ago, but they have now grown their Southlake operation into a successful business. Their products are available in over 65 stores nationwide and their Etsy following has grown exponentially over the past two years. You can find their products at Gameday in Southlake and The Gift Shop, and you also might have seen them featured on “The Real Housewives of Dallas” this past season.