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contents
October 2011
Vol. 21, Issue 10
cover story 56
Allen resident, Cedric Allen, has raised more than $275,000 for Dallas March of Dimes in their annual March for Babies walk around White Rock Lake. Many area babies get a chance for a healthy start because of his efforts. by Peggy Helmick-Richardson
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feature 24 The Woodhaven Wranglers Drill Team
One of the area’s only youth equestrian drill teams is taking home an abundance of ribbons and awards for their efforts. They will be performing at the Allen Event Center in the Texas Stampede Rodeo in October. by Nicole Bywater
special sections 18 pet page
24
Thor
26 kids korner
Best Halloween party ever by Deborah Dove
34 business seen
Watters Creek
i9 Sports
Critter Concierge by Nicole Bywater
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45 calendar 62 people seen
contents departments civic forum 8
Heavy metal legends & country music icons
Allen Image publisher/editor Barbara Peavy
graphic design Kevin Valdez
by Jeff Mues
12
10
October focuses on public safety by Kathleen Vaught
12
Ice Rink thinks pink! by Jeff Mues
The Master of Suspense film series
16
Cowboy up
Nicole Bywater
by Jeff Mues
Heather Darrow
Aztec Dance Illustrator Paul Zelinsky by Tom Keener
21
An evening of songs and stories by Tom Keener
22
The Chitlin’ Circuit by Tom Keener
contributing writers
Deborah Dove Tom Keener Jeff Mues Dawn Bluemel Oldfield Peggy Helmick-Richardson Keith A. Taylor Kathleen Vaught
cover photo Larry Fleming
education 28
Steve Williams reflects by Keith A. Taylor
32
Robot manufacturing by Heather Darrow
travel 36
Fall in love with Palestine by Deborah Dove
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Jill Edelman
by Tom Keener
40
advertising sales
Allen Police Chief announces retirement
20
28
Carrie McCormick
14
library
16
production assistant
interiors 40
Country chic in the city by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield
Allen Image © 2011 by Moonlight Graphics. All rights reserved. Allen Image is published by Moonlight Graphics and individually mailed free of charge to the residents of the Allen area. Subscriptions are available to residents outside the delivery area at a rate of $2.50 per issue—$30 per year. Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to: Allen Image, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.396.0807 or visit our website at www.allenimage. com.
civic forum
Heavy metal legends
& COUNTRY MUSIC ICONS by Jeff Mues
What do country music and heavy metal music have in common? Don’t you dare say fans with mullets! The answer is actually that both genres are well represented at Allen Event Center this October in the form of concerts by metal legends, Judas Priest, and country music icon, Mary Chapin Carpenter. If you do happen to have a mullet,
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these two shows are so good that the hair on the back of your neck could literally stand up! Truth be told though, both Judas Priest and Mary Chapin Carpenter boast intensely loyal and intelligent fan bases who possess all varieties of hairstyle. Or, in some cases no hair at all, like Rob Halford, the bald-headed, black leather-wearing front man for Judas Priest.
Enough hair talk. Fans of rock and heavy metal, Sunday, October 16 is the date to circle on your calendar. On that date, Judas Priest, will be bringing their Epitaph tour to North Texas. It is a show of monumental historical proportion as it is the final farewell performance for its legions of fans in North Texas. Having just recently been named “Icons” at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards in London, the mighty Priest continue to cement their status as one of the most influential acts in metal history. They will be missed, but what better place to deliver a farewell performance than at Allen Event Center? Featuring two heavyweight acts in support—Thin Lizzy and Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society—the Epitaph World Tour is one of the most impressive triple bills to come through Texas in many years. The following weekend—after our ears have hopefully stopped ringing— Mary Chapin Carpenter brings her unique blend of folk, country, acoustic, rock and blues music to Allen Event Center on Saturday, October 22. Her impressive career highlights include five Grammy award wins and 15 nominations, including a “Record of the Year” nomination in 1994 for “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her.” She’s charted four #1 singles and 12 Top Ten hits and performed at the White House, Super Bowl XXXI, 2000 Democratic National Convention and the Grand Ole Opry. Recently, Carpenter was honored with The Americana Association’s esteemed “Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award”, which
recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and to promote free speech. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Judy Collins and Joan Baez, so she’s in some lofty company for sure. Joining Mary Chapin Carpenter will be special guest, Loudon Wainwright III, who recently earned a Grammy award for his brand of Americana music that spans a 40-year career with 23 albums released. An allaround talent, Loudon Wainwright III is also an accomplished actor having appeared in such films as Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin, For Your Consideration, Elizabethtown, The Aviator, Big Fish, 28 Days, Jacknife and The Slugger’s Wife. On television, you may have seen him in Parks and Recreation, Undeclared, Grounded for Life, Ally McBeal, M*A*S*H and on The David Letterman Show where he was the original musician/sidekick before Paul Shaffer.
Tickets for both Judas Priest and Mary Chapin Carpenter are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www. ticketmaster.com), charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at Allen Event Center Box Office. We look forward to seeing
you, and your hairstyle of choice, at the show! v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks & Recreation Department.
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October focuses on public safety by Kathleen Vaught
On Tuesday, October 4, Allen will join hundreds of communities across the state participating in the alternate date for the National Night Out Against Crime. Not only is it an opportunity to celebrate safety and crime prevention awareness, it strengthens police-community partner ships and neigh b orhood camaraderie for the other 364 days out of the year. Numerous neigh borhoods across the city have plans to participate. Fire Prevention Week poster winners The focus for most events is designed to heighten crime Children’s Program Room. The and drug prevention awareness; program will feature a fire truck and generate support for, and participation special guests. in, local anticrime programs; and send A new initiative offered this year a message to criminals letting them as part of the Saturday Night Rec N know that our neighborhoods are Roll held on October 8 at Joe Farmer organized and fighting back. Visit Recreation Center includes special www.allenpolice.org to learn more. activities designed to challenge The following week of October 9participants’ knowledge of fire safety. 15 is National Fire Prevention Week. Hosted by the AFD Public Education This year, the campaign theme is Division, along with alumni from the “Protect Your Family from Fire!” The Citizens Fire Academy, children can Allen Fire Department (AFD) Public learn to navigate to safety using giant Education Division, in conjunction floor size mazes; unscramble magnetic with the National Fire Protection letters to create fire safety messages; Association, will provide education and answer questions pertaining to materials and tip sheets about leading fire and life safety. There will also be causes of home fires; information about the opportunity to try on retired protecting your home and families firefighter bunker gear. with life-saving technologies; and the Please visit www.allenfire.org to importance of home escape planning. learn more. v Allen firefighters will host a Fire Safety Program for Families at the Allen Public Library on Monday, October 10 at 2:30 and 4 p.m. in the
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Kathleen Vaught is the marketing specialist for the City of Allen.
Allen Community Ice Rink thinks pink! by Jeff Mues
It’s been more than 25 years since concentrated efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer began in earnest with 5K walks, pink ribbons and educational campaigns. Today, thousands of national public service organizations, municipalities, government agencies and professional medical associations across the country have joined the
The Pinktoberfest Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament will match teams of female hockey players… effort. Culminating each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many organizations seek to raise money for breast cancer research, awareness and support services. Collectively, they also hope to encourage women to take control of their own breast health by practicing regular self-examinations, getting mammograms, scheduling regular visits to the doctor, following
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prescribed treatment and learning as much as they can about breast cancer. The Allen Community Ice Rink is proud to announce that this October they will be helping support these causes through an exciting, new tournament. The Pinktoberfest Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament will match teams of female hockey players in two divisions, recreational and competitive, in a tournament October 14-16. The tournament is sanctioned by USA Hockey, with each team playing a minimum of four games. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen, a facility that provides comprehensive breast care services, including more than 8,000 screening and diagnostic procedures annually. The Breast Center is the recipient of a 2011 Susan G. Komen Grant, which provides clinical breast exams, screening mammograms and breast health education to uninsured individuals in Collin County. Allen Community Ice Rink will
donate the proceeds raised through general donations, and will also give $10 for every goal scored during the Pinktoberfest Women’s Hockey Tournament (up to $500) to the Breast Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen. Funds will also be generated through ticket drawings, with a chance for prizes such as an Allen Americans pink jersey signed by the 2011-2012 team and a four-pack of tickets to the Americans and Arizona Sundogs contest, November 4, and Zamboni rides during the second intermission of Allen Americans home games in October. The Allen Americans are truly stepping up their support, not only by donating several great prizes, but by hosting a special Pinktoberfest booth on the concourse when the Americans take on the Tulsa Oilers (preseason), October 12, the Texas Brahmas (preseason), October 14 and the Tulsa Oilers again on October 21. The Pinktoberfest booth will serve
as a general donation point and as the place to purchase tickets for prize drawings. Additionally, the Americans will host a special Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen Night on November 4, when the Americans face the Arizona Sundogs. On that night, there will be a special check presentation made to support Te x a s Health Presbyterian’s breast care services in Allen, and the Allen American pink jersey will be presented to the winner. To learn more, please contact Kendall Hanley, the Allen Community Ice Rink Hockey Programs Director, directly by phone at 972.912.1074 or by
email at khanley@alleneventcenter. com. Don’t let Pinktober pass you by without having made a contribution!v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks & Recreation Department.
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Snippets Allen Police Chief announces retirement Police Chief William S. Rushing recently announced his plan to retire effective January 31, 2012. His police career spans 34 years, with the last 14 in Allen. City Manager Peter Vargas said, “Through Chief Rushing’s leadership, the police department has built a strong rapport with the residential and business communities in Allen. Chief Rushing, along with his department, have managed the tremendous growth of the city while establishing it as one of the top Safest Cities to Live in the nation.” During Chief Rushing’s tenure, he has elevated the professionalism of the department through the establishment of career development and field training programs. He has been instrumental in creating community policing initiatives such as the Citizens Police Academy, Citizens on Patrol and storefront locations at various retail outlets. Other efforts include development of a nationally recognized School Resource Officer program and the K-9 training facility. In 2009, the Allen Police Department received the Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices Accreditation, which has been achieved by only one percent of the police departments in the state. Vargas said, “I regularly receive compliments about our police department and the professionalism and expertise that the officers exhibit. We will certainly miss him but wish him well in his retirement.” v
The Master of Suspense film series All films are on Tuesdays and begin at 7 p.m. Please call 214.509.4905 for more information.
October 4
Vertigo (1958), starring James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes. A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates strange activities of an old friend’s wife while becoming dangerously obsessed with her. In 1989, Vertigo was hailed as a “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant” film by the United States Library of Congress.
October 11
Strangers on a Train (1951), starring Farley Granger, Ruth Roman and Robert Walker. A psychotic socialite confronts a pro tennis star with a theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder…a theory that he plans to implement.
October 18
Shadow of a Doubt (1942), starring Joseph Cotton, Teresa Wright and Macdonald Carey. A young woman discovers her visiting “Uncle Charlie” may not be the man he seems to be.
October 25
The Lady Vanishes (1938), starring Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave and Paul Lukas. While traveling in continental Europe, a rich young playgirl realizes that an elderly lady seems to have disappeared from the train. v
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Strangers on a Train
Cowboy up to the
2011 Tom Thumb Texas Stampede! by Jeff Mues
What do you call authentic rodeo competition, national musical headliners, a threeday festival with tons of activities for families to do and a great cause? Cowboys and “city folk� alike call it the place to be November 10-12, as the 2011 Tom Thumb Texas Stampede returns to Allen Event Center for its special 10th anniversary event. Tickets are on sale now at www.texasstampede.org. In just ten years, the Texas Stampede has quickly grown into one of the most exciting rodeos in the country. The Tom Thumb Texas Stampede is an invitational rodeo format featuring bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding, with the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world competing to be the best of the best.
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“Rodeo is the very heart of the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede,” said Zandy Carnes, executive director of the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede. “Not only will the three days of festivities be fun and entertaining for everyone, but this event also raises funds for children’s charities in North Texas at the same time. There’s nothing better about this North Texas community than its willingness to give back.” It wouldn’t be the Texas Stampede without concerts from country music super stars. Josh Turner kicks it off on Friday, November 11. Named one of country’s hottest stars by People magazine, Grammy-nominated Turner has celebrated back-to-back, multi-week, number-one hits and back-to-back platinum and gold albums that have included such hits as: “Would You Go with Me,” “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Firecracker,” “Me and God” and “Long Black Train.” Turner, one of the youngest members of the distinguished Grand Ole Opry, is the youngest member to be inducted into Nashville’s Walk of Fame. Joe Nichols, the Arkansas native with a distinctive baritone voice, takes the stage on Saturday, November 12, with his hit-making variety of earthy, bedrock styles, which he has forged into a distinc tive style all his own. His three number-one hits and seven top-ten records, such as “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” “What’s a Guy Gotta Do,” “Brokenheartsville” and “The Impossible,” prove that this friendly “guy next door” is one of country music’s most sought-after musicians. Nichols has received the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award, the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist and CMT’s Breakthrough Music Video of the Year. A fun shopping element of Texas Stampede is the Christmas Stampede Western Holiday Marketplace, which will usher in the holiday season as
part of the Stampede’s free Western Festival. The Christmas Stampede will feature more than 24,000 square feet of indoor, climate-controlled shopping adjacent to the rodeo arena in Allen Event Center. This westernthemed Christmas shopping extra vaganza will be filled with the sights and sounds of everything a downhome country Christmas would have. Best of all, the Christmas Stampede and the Texas Stampede benefit children’s charities in North Texas. Hours for the Western Festival and Christmas Stampede are Thursday, 4-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. In addition to the rodeo, free festival and holiday shopping, there are kids’ activities such as Capital One Bank Rodeo U, which is specially designed to educate and entertain young cowboys and cowgirls, with activities such as: mutton bustin’; stick horse rodeos; autograph sessions with authentic rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo clowns and
rodeo queens; a petting zoo; face painting and more. Outdoor exhibits and interactive displays at the Heritage Festival also include the beautiful Priefer Percheron horses, activities from Cabela’s, authentic chuckwagon cooking, Rancher ’s Reserve steak sampling, stagecoach rides, pony rides and more. Tickets for all rodeo and concert events are available online at www. texasstampede.org. The Heritage Festival, Rodeo U and Christmas Stampede are all free to the public. Beyond championship rodeo and great concerts, the Texas Stampede is a non-profit organization that has contributed close to $3 million to children’s charities in North Texas. The primary beneficiary of the Stampede has been Children’s Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest pediatric hospitals. v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks & Recreation Department. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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pet page Thor is a male Yorkie mix that weighs nine pounds and is eight years old. Thor has a sad story. He was found as a stray and his microchip led us back to his owner where we were all hoping for a happy ending, but…the owner didn’t want Thor anymore.
“Thor”
Thor hasn’t let this get him down and he is a very well behaved boy. He is house trained, doggie door trained, crate trained and comes every time he is called. He will sit nicely for treats (without even being asked) and is friendly to all.
Thor is waiting for his forever home! Thor would do well with all ages of humans and would love to have a family that wants a couch cuddler. He would also like someone with kids, so they could run around in the backyard with him. Thor gets along with dogs of all sizes. He is already neutered, up to date on shots and heartworm negative. He even had a recent teeth cleaning!
If you would like to meet Thor, please go to www.collincountyhumanesociety.org/ forms to complete an application. 1 8 w w w. a l l e n i m a g e . c o m
library
Aztec dance by Tom Keener Experience the excitement of the powerful rhythms of the Aztec dance troupe, Ollin-Tonalzin (Movement of the Sun), at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 9, at the library, 300 N. Allen Drive. In honor of their ancestors, members of Ollin-Tonalzin wear colorful traditional regalia, burn incense and play nature-based percussion instruments as they perform the sacred dances and songs passed down from their elders. The group’s music and dance acknowledge and reflect the four elements—fire, water, wind and earth— that are the building blocks of the universe. Ollin-Tonalzin has been per forming in the Metroplex since 1996 and featured at SMU, Six Flags Over Texas, Plano International Festival and numerous native ceremonies.
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Dancing represented the fulfill ment of the eternal search of man for cosmic harmony and integration of body and spirit for the Aztecs and other pre-Columbian tribes. It was considered a form of prayer, but also a means for communicating with the gods. Aztecs connected all aspects of the dance with their ancestors and nature, uniting them in body and mind. While living in California in the 1980s, Temiztlatzin (Graciela Solorio) witnessed her first Aztec dance and the experience brought her to tears. Recognizing it as a spiritual communi cation with her ancestors, she was inspired to learn more about Aztec dance and rituals. She sought out the indigenous inhabitants still living in the Mexico City area who had preserved Aztec customs. Her efforts ultimately led her to train other dance groups, allowing them to return to their communities, thus further preserving the Aztec culture. Ome Ehecatl (Miguel Solorio) and Temiztlatzin assert, “We hope our audience develops an awareness of the richness and diversity of native people of Mexico represented, in part, by our traditional Aztec dance as it is done in many parts of Mexico and the U.S.” This program is free and part of the library’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and sponsored by Bach to Books. No reservations are required. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v
Illustrator Paul Zelinsky by Tom Keener
Caldecott Medal winner, Paul Zelinsky, visits with library patrons at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 15. In 1998, Zelinsky received the highly revered Caldecott for his illustrated retelling of Rapunzel, as well as Caldecott Honors for his books Hansel and Gretel (1985), Rumpelstiltskin (1987) and Swamp Angel (1995).This free program is sponsored by Bach to Books and Storyopolis Entertainment. As a sophomore at Yale, Zelinsky studied under the
legendary Maurice Sendak, author and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are (1964). Although Zelinsky had been drawing since childhood, he considers this experience his defining inspiration to pursue children’s book illustrating. Known for the extraordinary richness of his artwork, it is Zelinsky’s willingness to risk and experiment that results in his reputation for versatility. He feels his work doesn’t represent a specific style. “I want the pictures to speak in the same voice as the words,” he explains. “This desire has led me to try various kinds of drawings in different books. I have used quite a wide stretch of styles, and I’m fortunate to have been asked to illustrate such a range of stories.” Like many beginning illustrators, the young Zelinsky carried his portfolio to numerous publishers and faced rejection after rejection. Then, in 1979, Pantheon thought of him when an illustrator for Emily Upham’s Revenge was needed. This success of his was followed by illustrations for How I Hunted the Little Fellows, a Russian story set in the 1890s. In 1981, The Maid and the Mouse became Zelinsky’s first book in full color and The New York Times and School Library Journal awarded it Best Illustrated Book. Zelinsky cites these early career experiences as examples of the need for discipline and perseverance to succeed. A native of Illinois, he lives with his wife in Brooklyn, New York. They have two grown daughters. Storyopolis Entertainment will have books available for purchase and Zelinsky will autograph and personally inscribe them after his discussion. For more information, please call 214.509.4911. v
An evening of songs and stories by Tom Keener
Prepare for a foot-stomping evening of entertaining songs and stories as Roger Tibbs joins Tex and Mary Schutz at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 8. The audience will be treated to a variety of classic country tunes that cover a wide range of subjects. For several winters, Tex and Mary entertained guests at resorts in Arizona and South Texas and continue to perform each summer at festivals, community concerts, churches and RV rallies across the country. They present their own “Miles of Memories Country MusicFest” each September in Hastings, Nebraska, a family event that includes concerts, theme shows, lots of music, fellowship and fun. This duo is regularly featured on “Midwest Country Music,” recorded each week at the Midwest Country Music Theatre in Sandstone, Minnesota. Tex is originally from Texas (by way of
Nebraska) and is an award-winning vocalist, guitar, mandolin and dobro player. Together, Tex and Mary have won awards for their harmony and are long-time members of the Mid-America Country Music Hall of Fame. Mary, from Nebraska, is proud of her farmgirl heritage. The couple makes their home on a lake near Streetman, Texas. New Zealander Roger Tibbs has been featured on That’s Country television where he shared the stage with Emmy Lou Harris, Connie Smith and Johnny Russell. Roger recorded his hit album Yodeling Man on the Music World label. This album won the Gold Guitar award for the highest-selling album in Australia at the Tamworth NSW Awards in 1987. He remains the only male New Zealand artist to be awarded a Tamworth Gold Guitar. In 2010, Roger was inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, a project of the National Traditional Country Music Association.
Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free and no reservations are required. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v
Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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The Chitlin’ Circuit by Tom Keener
The road to rock ‘n’ roll was paved by numerous AfricanAmerican musicians and promoters of the 1930s and ‘40s who were forced to perform in venues that were safe for them during this time of intense segre gation. This informal network of juke joints and clubs gave us artists such as Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker and Wynonie Harris. Acclaimed journalist Preston Lauterbach discusses his exciting book The Chitlin’ Circuit and the Road to Rock ‘N’ Roll at 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 21, at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive. Because of Lauterbach’s documentation of the fasc ina ting stories of these talented, yet often forgotten, musicians, American musical history is more complete. In recognition of Lauterbach’s accomplishment, he is also a featured author at this year’s Texas Book Festival, October 22-23 in Austin, Texas. The initial inspiration for his book came from traveling the current Chitlin Circuit with artist Bobby Rush.
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Lauterbach quickly recognized the role these vibrant, profitable and enter taining venues played in American musical history. His curiosity was piqued. Although his initial investigation was on how these businesses functioned, unearthing the historical background behind them quickly took precedence. As answers to his questions became elusive, he felt compelled to dig deeper. As a trained investigative journalist, obtaining primary sources such as interviewing witnesses and major players were key objectives. Veteran musicians and businesspeople directed him to the kingpins of the Chitlin’ Circuit whose achievements were also documented by the Black press. Lauterbach struck gold when he located rare collections of contracts, ticket prices and correspondence kept by Circuit impresarios.
Preston Lauterbach com b ines his skillful journalistic reports with entertaining biographi cal accounts to profile the personalities with vivid imagery and credible accuracy. He weaves their stories into a colorful portrait that celebrates the vast contributions of the Chitlin’ Circuit. “The process opened my eyes to the way history can be manipulated, hidden and paved over,” Lauterbach recounts. “I hope to enlighten every crowd I address and every reader to this same phenomenon, though without guilt-tripping everyone.” Like many histories, some of the people Lauterbach interviewed for this book died before it was published, and thanks to his research, their stories are properly recorded for future generations to study and enjoy. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this event is free. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.
feature
The Woodhaven Wranglers Drill Team by Nicole Bywater It’s Monday night at the Woodhaven Stable in rural east Allen. The Woodhaven Wranglers—one of the area’s only youth equestrian drill teams—are starting their weekly practice by walking their horses in a uniform line around the dusty arena. A set of speakers begins to blast the sounds of a metal mega mix that includes AC/DC’s “Back in Black” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.” The horses’ ears seem to perk up as the girls lead them in a familiar routine. The riders—ten girls ranging from 12 to 17 years old—move effortlessly on their horses forming configurations such as figure-8s, pinwheels and boxes in precise alignment. Most have been part of the drill team for at least three years and their camaraderie is evident. But while they may chitchat and catch up on gossip outside the arena, inside, they’re here to work.
True dedication “They have a lot of fun,” comments team coach Richard Prince. “But drill team riding is a very confined, regimented activity. In today’s society where a lot of kids aren’t very regimented on many things, it offers that opportunity.” In addition to the two hours they practice every week, year-round, more time is spent riding and taking care of their horses so that they remain in top physical shape. “They have to be responsible for their horses,” says Bobbie Sanem, the mother of 14-year old twins Audrey and Alonna, who joined the team in 2008. “We’re out here
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three to five days a week so they can ride and make sure the horses are ready. Just like any athlete, they need to have the muscles and endurance to do these drills.” It’s not just the horses that get a workout though. The riders, some of who are barely tall enough to reach the stirrups, have to tack up their horses—throwing their own saddle and then boosting themselves up to it. “That requires a lot of strength,” says Coach Richard. “Not to mention the leg strength and endurance that it takes to ride a horse; it’s very good physical exercise.” The girls also learn sportsmanship and to be a part of a larger team. Coach Richard’s daughter, Macey, is a co-captain of the team. The other co-captains are 16-yearolds Savannah and Megan, both of whom have been with the team for the last four years. The team also includes Sydney, Lizzy, Alex, Bryce, Jenna, Audrey and Alonna. Savannah, Megan, Sydney and Bryce attend Allen High School, while the others attend schools in neighboring districts. One of the best parts of horse riding is that it brings families together, the riders say. “A lot of our parents ride and this is something wonderful they can do together,” Coach Richard says. There are also therapeutic benefits to riding. Many of the girls say the activity offers a small ‘escape’ for them and a chance to focus on their horse instead of typical daily life problems. And as an added benefit to parents, one pleasantly noted that girls who are passionate about horses often have little time to think about boys.
L to R: Megan, Macey, Alonna, Alex, Bryce, Savannah, Audrey, Jenna and Coach Richard.
From last to first
The Woodhaven Wranglers were created in 2005. Since Coach Richard began in his role three years ago, they’ve increased the number of performances and competitions they attend, and are taking home more ribbons and trophies. In June, the group received the “Ride of Champions” award and were named National Champions of the Youth Division, as well as other awards, at the Super Ride IX National Championships in Lindale, Texas. In July, they competed in the Red Dirt Ride in Duncan, Oklahoma, and swept the event by wining overall Small Team High Point Champions, Small Team Youth and Large Team Youth High Point Champions, among other awards. Their progression can be seen in their track record. In 2009, they won 6th place overall in their first competition. “At that time, the girls had an average age between 10 and 11 and were a very green team,” their coach explains. “Now, there’s an average age of 13 and they’ve basically gone from last place to first in just three years.” Coach Richard adds, “If you want to ride at this level, you have to be really devoted. The number one reason these girls excel is because they’ve all made the decision to focus on this. Secondly, they understand the importance of working as a unit and that they have to care as much for the person riding next to them as they do about themselves.” The girls compete as both a large group and as part of smaller teams of six or eight. Next year, Coach Richard expects that the team of eight will be so advanced that they’ll have to “raise the bar” and compete almost solely in the adult division. For each six- to nine-minute event, the horses and their riders go through at least 35 individual ‘drills’
coordinated together and set to music. The Wranglers perform to a variety of popular music, including their metal mix and hits by country artists Big N Rich and Jason Aldean. “If a song makes you want to clap your hands and stomp your feet, then it makes the cut,” says April Evans, the team coordinator and Jenna’s mother. “The girls ride to entertain so their music must do the same.” With sparkly costumes and a preference for hot pink and black, the girls and their horses put on quite a show. “We’re probably the Barbies of the drill team world,” jokes Macey. “So many other teams go for the patriotic look of red, white and blue that we really stand out.”
The Texas Stampede
The parents of these girls are a dedicated group. In all kinds of weather, they watch practices on metal bleachers, listening to directions given by Coach Richard so they can help reinforce the lessons when riding with their kids. When the team travels for competitions, rodeos or parades, they organize hotels, travel and transportation for horses and their equipment. “We like to go to events within 100 or so miles because most of the time, we’ll travel a few hours to an event, perform, and then turn around and come home that day,” Coach Richard says. In November, the Wranglers—who live in Allen, McKinney, Lucas and Plano—are thrilled to be performing for a hometown audience at the Texas Stampede Rodeo at the Allen Event Center. “When we first started all this, I don’t think the girls realized the exposure they would get and how much fun it is to be in the spotlight,” says Bobbie says with a smile. “Now that they know, it would be hard keeping them out of it.” v Nicole Bywater is a freelance writer from Allen. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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kids korner Sponsored by:
kids
“Dr. Lisi”
Elisabeth Rowold-Garciamendez, D.D.S., M.S., 335 N. Allen Drive • Allen • (972) 727-0011
Pediatric Dentistry
Hablo Español • Spreche Deutsch • www.kidspediatricdentistry.com
Best Halloween Party Ever by Deborah Dove Have a Halloween party, host the neighborhood kids for pre (or post) trick or treating, make something special for the school party or just have fun getting into the spirit of the third biggest party holiday with these Halloween recipes, tips and ideas.
Tips
• Give Halloween party fare ghoulish names such as: stewed eyeballs (meatballs in sauce), rotting fruit (gummy worms interspersed with fresh strawberries and grape clusters), earwax bites (cheese cubes) or witches fingers (taquitos). • For a fun elementary/tween party activity, set up stations of items to feel (put items in a bowl or plastic bag set inside a labeled brown paper bag) on tables in a darkened room—tongue (a canned pear half), brains (cold, cooked spaghetti), fingers (Vienna sausages), toes (small dill pickles), witch intestines (canned spinach), and eyeballs (peeled grapes). • Fill a new rubber (surgical type) glove with water, tie off at the end and freeze. Just before the party, remove from freezer, cut away the glove from the ice and float the frozen hand in a bowl of punch. • Combine prepared grape and orange Kool-Aid with a bottle of ginger ale to make black (yet fruity tasting) punch. At least one day before the party, fill an ice cube tray with water and drop a raisin in each section. Freeze. When ice cubes are added to punch, it will look like a fly is floating in the punch. • Have a costume contest. Give prizes or ribbons for scariest, cutest, most original, prettiest, best likeness, etc. • Make candy scarecrows to hand out by hot gluing (with a low temp gun) candies to a small box of raisins, which becomes the scarecrow’s body. Glue two small rolls of Spree for the legs, two small flavored Tootsie rolls for the arms and a wrapped round taffy head. Add a raffia bow.
Recipes Monster Eyeballs
These treats look great on a party platter and are fun for kids to make. 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter 1/2 c. (1 stick) room temperature butter 1 (1 lb.) package confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 (12 oz.) package semisweet chocolate chips 2 Tbs. vegetable shortening 1 (3 oz.) package M&M candies Blend peanut butter with butter, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. (Let the kids use their hands to mix it; it actually works better that way). Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. Roll the peanut butter mixture by teaspoons into small balls and place on the baking sheet. Refrigerate for one hour or until firm. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave, heating on high for one minute and then stirring well. If mixture is not smooth, heat in additional 10 second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Take balls out of the refrigerator. Using a fork or toothpick, dip each ball
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most of the way into the chocolate, leaving a round or oval opening not covered by chocolate on top to be the cornea. Return to wax paper with the part not covered by chocolate facing up. Place an M&M candy in the center or each peanut butter cornea to make an iris. Refrigerate an additional hour. Serve chilled.
Caramel Apples
A perfect party activity. After apples are “decorated,” wrap them up in the wax paper, tie with a ribbon and send them home with the kids. 6 cold apples 1 (14 oz.) pkg. individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped 2 Tbs. milk Assorted toppings (crushed Oreos, crushed graham crackers, candy corn, M&Ms, sprinkles or nuts). Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick or plastic fork into the top. Butter a baking sheet (if letting kids make individual apples, place a buttered square of wax paper in front of each child). Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly. Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet. Let kids decorate with candy toppings and allow to set.
Ghostly Graves
The ghosts in this recipe, sent in by Allen resident Amy Middleton, are hauntingly adorable! Brownies (baked, cooled, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cut into squares) or baked chocolate cupcakes Large marshmallows Canned cream cheese frosting Black gel icing Melt frosting on the stove, stirring constantly. When at a runny consistency, put a drop of frosting in the middle of the brownie square or cupcake. Place a marshmallow on top of the frosting. Spoon more frosting over the marshmallow and lett it run down the sides. Reheat frosting as necessary if it begins to harden. Once frosting has set on marshmallows, make eyes and mouths on each marshmallow “face” with gel icing.
Bandaged Fingers
(just gross enough to be fun) 36 cocktail wieners 6 large flour tortillas ketchup Preheat oven to 350º. Slice each tortilla into 6 strips (about 1” wide) and wrap one strip around each wiener, leaving the end of each wiener/finger exposed. Place the fingers on a baking sheet with the loose edges tucked underneath. Put a dollop of ketchup on the end of each finger. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
education
Steve Williams reflects on a memorable career By Keith A. Taylor
Allen ISD Athletic Director Steve Williams
Before the football season began in 1975, Allen Head Coach John Pearce was concerned that two of his top players, brothers Zenford and Paul Jones, had not shown up for practice. He asked other members of the team where they were and found that they were helping their father, Herbert, bring in hay and they could not practice until school started. Pearce gathered up his assistant coaches, including defensive back coach, Steve Williams, and they drove to the Jones’ farm to talk with Mr. Jones. Williams recalls the two men talked for a long time, with Pearce
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making the case that the pair needed to be at practice while Jones argued that he needed to make a living. “Finally, Coach Pearce told Mr. Jones that for every hour the boys practiced, he would send his coaching staff out to haul hay for the same amount of time,” Williams said. “Mr. Jones laughed and said ‘If you want them that bad, then they can go to practice.’” Williams said that introduction to the community of Allen set the tone for the rest of his almost 37-year career with Allen ISD. Now the district’s athletic director, Williams still relishes
the close connection that the Allen Athletics Department maintains with the community. “Even though we’ve had all this growth and all these changes since I’ve been here, the high school is still the center of the community and the community is still committed to our teams,” he said. “I think one reason that we have been so successful is the consistency of leadership we’ve had on our teams,” he said. “That’s what really sets most programs like ours apart. Sometimes, that continuity isn’t there, especially in smaller districts. Young coaches are
looking for that next job, that next step up. Allen, though, is large enough—and has such a good reputation—that it can be the stopping point in your career.” Although Allen won the state title in football in 2008 under the leadership of Coach Tom Westerberg, Williams is quick to point to other programs that have generated champions. Karen (Gravely, the high school golf coach) has two state championships and Coach Jerry Best’s wrestlers have won dual titles and two state championships in recent years. Williams traces the rich tradition of success for Allen athletes back to sports and education pioneers of the ’50s and ‘60s. “Many of those leaders were still with the district when I was first here,” Williams said. “These are the people that the schools are named after. Mr. (D.L.) Rountree hired me. Max Vaughan and James Marion were still with the district. I rented a duplex from Pete Ford. Alton Boyd used to come to basketball practices and every game. They worked hard to make our schools successful and, of course, they did all they could to promote our athletes. Walter and Lois Curtis were very special to me.” Besides serving as an assistant football coach, Williams also worked as an assistant basketball coach, physical education instructor and Texas history teacher when he began working in Allen. In 1980, he became head basketball coach and served in
that capacity for 17 years before being named assistant athletic director in 1996. Five years later, he was named athletic director. He grew up in Anna and graduated from Anna High School and East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University-Commerce. Some of Williams’ finest memories of his time at Allen are the student athletes he knew or coached over the years. “The best thing about being a coach is working with the students and watching them grow during their
time with you,” he said. “So many great athletes, and great people, have gone through Allen High School.” Some of those athletes stand out in Williams’ mind, not only for their athletic ability, but also because of their character. “There are so many I could name,” Williams said. “Zenford (Jones) and his brother, Paul, were not just standout athletes, they were good young men. They came from a big family and they were always splitting their time
Mark Puckett
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College and Career Counselor Chanteau White in her office at Allen High School. between school and helping their father make a living.” Mark Puckett made an impression on Williams for being a natural leader and a dedicated athlete. He didn’t have a lot of time to make an impression, since he didn’t move to Allen until he was a sophomore. “Mark was an all-around athlete,” he said. “He played football, basketball and baseball. He would finish a game in one sport on a Thursday and was always ready to play in the next on Friday. He just refused to lose. He was a fierce competitor, always giving 100 percent effort.” Another pair of siblings also stands out to Williams—Chanteau and Rachel White. “Chanteau was a great competitor in volleyball and track,” he said. “She was one of our first to win at the Texas Relays back in the ‘90s in the 100 meter dash. She also won the state champion ship in the long jump. Rachel also was a top athlete, especially in basketball.” Soon, many of those top athletes will be honored and remembered on a “Wall of Fame” when the new stadium opens in 2012. “We want to recognize our former athletes and their achieve ments on and off the field as students and adults,” he said. A committee of Allen citizens and athletic department members are
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reviewing the history of Allen’s athletics and will be making recommendations for inclusion on the Wall, which will be located in the main entrance of the stadium.
The Athletics Department has partnered with Balfour Corporation to develop the wall and has held golf tournaments and other fundraising activities to help offset the cost. “We want this to be something special for our alumni and the community,” he said. As much as things have changed since Williams began his career in Allen, he has noted one thing remains constant—the support of the people. “It is humbling to live in a community that supports its district like the Allen people do,” he said. “They have always thrown their support behind our kids, and not just in football. They support everything we do from choir to band to theater to athletics—you name it. That’s what makes Allen special.” v Keith Taylor is a public relations specialist for Allen ISD.
1978 Allen Eagles Varsity Basketball leaders and coaches; Back row, Asst. Coach Steve Williams and Head Coach Gene Maples. Front row, left to right, Jeff Dugger, Zenford Jones and Steve Marion.
Former athletes remember Zenford Jones, Class of 1978 “There are two things I remember about Coach Williams—he treated you with respect and you could always talk to him,” Jones said. “When he came here, he wasn’t that much older than us seniors. So, we could shoot baskets with him and horse around. He was still a coach, though, and we respected that. “Coach Williams was raised in Anna. When you come from a small town, you know that whatever you do, the whole town will know before long,” Jones said. “That teaches you respect.”
Mark Puckett, Class of 1981 “Coach Williams is just an allaround great guy. He made you want to work harder, play harder, and he managed to make it fun. “Back then, our big rival was Wylie,” he said. “No matter what sport we wanted to beat Wylie.” During his senior year, the district football championship would be determined by the game in Wylie. “Well, there was really only one road from here to Wylie. All along the way, fans had put up signs and when we came to the final sign, it said, “Last one to leave Allen, please turn out the lights!’” The Eagles defeated Wylie that night and won the district championship.
Chanteau White, Class of 1994 “The thing I remember about Coach Williams—and really all the coaches—they wanted you to win,” White said. “They would work with you as long as you could last, because they were committed to you and your abilities.” “We had a special feeling about our town and our teams,” she said, “Our coaches were passionate about our success and performance, and I think that helped us become better in sports and in life.”
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Robotic manufacturing by Heather Darrow It’s waiting underground. If you drill down far enough, you will probably hit it. And if you don’t have the proper ventilation equipment, you could be engulfed in towering flames. Miners and oil drillers know— it only takes a little spark to ignite methane gas. Special Products and Manufacturing Inc. helps prevent explosions by manufacturing metal ventilator boxes. This company is serious about creating quality, customized parts utilizing the latest technology and streamlining their business practices for top efficiency. That is why company employees recently received training from Collin College in robotics programming. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Special Products
and Manufacturing, Inc., Ed GrandLienard and his brother, Rob, started working in the 48-year-old family business as youngsters. Their company utilizes robots at all levels of operation from fabrication, forming and grinding to powder coating and assembly. “It’s surprising how much the training helped us. We have had a cost benefit on all of it, but it is three times with welding and grinding because we are using robots, which can produce three-to-one over a person,” GrandLienard said. The industry-driven training was part of a Texas Workforce Commission skills development grant that provided the college with a FANUC robot and the means to provide a robotic programming expert. Dr. Raul Fernandez, program manager of
Charles Floyd, robot programmer for Special Products and Manufacturing, utilizes his Collin College robotics programming training.
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process and design engineering for TMAC at UT Arlington, teaches the robotics classes for Collin College. The completely enclosed training robot allows students to acquire hands-on experience before they apply newfound skills at their companies. According to Natalie Greenwell, Collin College director for the Center of Workforce and Economic Development, the closest FANUC robotics training program is in Waco. “In addition to offering robotics programming skills and experience, this training provides manufacturing employees with the ability to analyze when manufacturing jobs should be performed with a robot and when they should be performed by a person from a cost and efficiency perspective.” Grand-Lienard could not agree more.“We always thought robots had to be used in high volume, but now we know the robots can make 10 of one item for four hours, six of another item for four hours and so on and complete several different projects. Every company should send people to Collin College to train for robotics to stay competitive because it will be across every industry. Why Collin? Because they are not scared to find the tools, equipment or resources to give industries the training they need for the future.” Special Products and Manufacturing sent several employees for training, including programmers, engineers and quality control employees. The intent was to make sure employees in different areas understood how robotics could positively impact the company. According to Charles Floyd, robot
programmer, he is able to use the information he gleaned in class every day on the job. “It is a tight fit inside an ATM machine cabinet. Using my knowledge from class, I can drive the robotic arm better in the cabinet, and that will save time. I learned new software, and the programming time was cut by 60 percent. I would definitely recommend the training. This class will provide knowledge and job security.” Kenny Morgan, quality inspector, said the knowledge he gained enabled him to go back to work with new and fresh ideas about the company’s robot cell and its functions. “I learned new software and different frames we can use to help program movements for parts that are sitting at an angle. That will translate to 10-15 percent time saved. I like learning different and new things. To me, it is interesting. The more you know, the more valuable you are.” The bottom line for most companies boils down to cost savings. Special Products and Manufacturing is realizing that savings in several areas of the company. According to Oscar Martinez, design engineer, the company is developing a new, lean program, and one of the objectives is to increase robot welding by at least 80 percent. The ventilation box fit perfectly into this goal because it has a uniform welding process. “I developed a welding robot fixture that will assist the weld shop team to improve productivity and meet current customer demand by reducing cycle times per build. We are forecasting a 20-per-week and eventually a 40-per-week production rate to meet customer demand. If we produce 20 each week, we are saving 340 minutes in labor cost. That is five hours and six minutes per week. Yearly calculations running a production rate of 20 per week result in 292.8 labor hours of savings.” The fact that this firm is manu facturing a product that can save lives with a process that is faster and leaner
than they ever imagined is not lost on Martinez, who credits the training with immediate application and believes its value extends beyond national boundaries. “We can apply the knowledge to our future manufacturing training and develop more team members to become best in class in our industry. I strongly recommend this training because it helps your career path in the future and brings value to any organization. Also, the basic principles and tech
niques of this class apply to ‘current’ manufacturing world practices.” The robotics training is currently available for continuing education students and area companies. For more information, contact Natalie Greenwell at ngreenwell@collin.edu or visit the website at www.collin.edu/cwed. v Heather Darrow is a public information writer for Collin College. Photo by Nick Young, Collin College photographer.
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business seen by Nicole Bywater
Watters Creek
Watters Creek offers a diverse selection of top national and unique locally-owned boutiques and restaurants. Anthropologie will open at on September 2, featuring its vintage-chic collection of women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, home furnishings, gifts and decorative items. The 9,000-sq.-ft. retail store will be located across from Victoria’s Secret and Apricot Lane. “The addition of Anthropologie to Watters Creek further enhances our regional draw in the fashion sector,” said Cornell Homes, General Manager of Watters Creek. “Our growing list of tenants, LEED certified resort-style environment and signature events continue to make Watters Creek a premier shopping and dining experience for North Texas families.” Opening just in time for the holidays are Ann Taylor, with their assortment of chic career and casual separates, dresses, weekend wear, shoes and accessories; and Soma Intimates, known for their luxurious bras, panties, sleepwear, active wear and patented Vanishing Edge Collection. Scheduled to open later this fall are Savour Tapas Bar, a new modern bistro with a vibrant indoor-outdoor bar overlooking the Green; and Frogg Café and Creperie specializing in delicious sweet and savory crepes and a variety of gourmet coffees. Amabel Designs opened in late August offering an extensive selection of fashion costume jewelry. Watters Creek at Montogomery Farm is located at U.S. 75 and Bethany Drive in Allen. For more information call 972.747.8000 or visit www.watterscreek.com.
i9 Sports
A new youth sports league has opened in Allen with a focus on basic skills, teamwork and fun. The national franchise, i9 Sports, offers year-round flag football, cheerleading, basketball and soccer leagues for ages 3-17. The name refers to nine principals that symbolize the organization’s core ideology: Imaginative, Innovative, Interactive, Integritydriven, Impassioned, Inspirational, Instructional, Insightful and Inclusive. “We do keep score during games, so there will be winners of course, but our focus is not just on winning, it’s about having fun and gaining quality instruction,” says program director Marlon Esteves. “We guarantee that every child—not just the best players—will play in at least half of every game.” Weekly sportsmanship medals are awarded to an individual on each team and no tryouts are required. Practices and games are conveniently held on the same weekend day and all coaches are certified and have undergone background checks. Marlon, an Allen resident and father of four, worked in banking before opening his i9 business with the goal of offering a more inclusive youth sports option. He played basketball at Loyola University New Orleans and has coached youth sports for many years. Games are held in facilities that are rented by the association from a variety of sources, such as local school districts and churches. i9’s first season in Allen began in September; registration is currently taking place for the upcoming winter season. For registration or more information visit www.i9sports.com or call 972.865.9383.
Critter Concierge
Ever wished you weren’t worrying about your pets when you are on vacation or a business trip? Had to work late or couldn’t make it home for lunch to let them out? What about the dog waste in your yard? These are questions Brad and Jessica Goff can answer: Critter Concierge. “We started this business in 2003 because we had no one to watch our pets when we went out of town,” Jessica says. “We were also busy with our young family and just didn’t have a lot of time to take care of things like cleaning the yard. Our goal is a business that makes pet ownership hassle-free and provides pet owners with peace of mind.” They chose the name Critter Concierge because a concierge is a caretaker and that’s exactly what the business does—takes care of everything. They offer pet sitting, dog walking, mid-day relief visits and pet waste removal (pooper scooper) as well as pet first aid/CPR training for individuals or groups. For the non-pet owner, they also offer house sitting and lockout services. Jessica, Brad and their two employees are trained in Pet First Aid and CPR and have years of experience with a variety of pets. “We continually educate ourselves to provide the best service and care possible,” Jessica says. “We have been pet owners and lovers our entire lives and will treat your pets with the same love and compassion that we would our own pets.” For more information, visit www.CritterConcierge.com or call 469.450.5853.
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For MarketPlace Your Health
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travel
Fall in love with Palestine by Deborah Dove
Dreaming about fall, when there’s (finally!) a cool snap in the air and the leaves change from the lush green of summer to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red of fall? It won’t be long before the trees put on their annual show, and you don’t have to go to New Hampshire or Vermont to enjoy it. In fact, the beauty of fall is a fairly quick drive from the Metroplex in East Texas, which boasts the lion’s share of Texas’ fall foliage displays, thanks to the proliferation of dogwoods, beech, black gum, hickory and other hard woods. The small town of Palestine—
Texas State Railroad
The high point of any trip to Palestine is the Texas State Railroad— an 1896 train pulled by an original steam locomotive that takes passengers on a thirty mile scenic ride through the Piney Woods to see fall’s display. Train excursions depart from the Rusk station (located about 30 miles east of Palestine) at 11 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m., with a 1-1/2 hour lunch layover at the Palestine depot. Ticket prices include a box lunch
It won’t be long before the trees put on their annual show, and you don’t have to go to New Hampshire or Vermont to enjoy it. located southeast of Allen off highway 287—welcomes fall in a big way. Home to the Texas State Railroad (TSRR), forests, Victorian homes and historic buildings and close to a host of autumnal activities, Palestine is the perfect fall weekend destination.
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from the Bon Appetit Bakery (choices include chicken salad, pimiento cheese or a deli sandwich along with fruit salad and a chocolate chip cookie or quiche served with a salad, roll and apple pie), and beer, wine, beverages and snacks are available for purchase.
Standard seating, both coach and open air, are $56 for adults 12 and older and $38 for kids three to eleven. Premium seating, in a climate-controlled car with table seating, is $79 for adults and $45. Throughout weekends in October, the TSRR offers The Great Pumpkin Patch Express, where passengers can meet Snoopy, pick a pumpkin and visit Trick or Treat Street. Ticket prices are $20 for kids aged 2-11 and $40 for adults. Trains depart the Rusk station at 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. While you’re in Rusk, be sure and check out the 546-foot footbridge located off the courthouse square. Built in 1861, this rustic wooden bridge is supposedly the longest footbridge in the United States.
Foliage and fun in Palestine
While a train ride is one of the more memorable ways to view fall foliage in East Texas, there are other fall hot spots accessible by car or foot. Davey Dogwood Park is one of them. In the fall, the park’s 200 acres of dogwoods turn a deep red, and picturesque roads and streams
meander through this scenic park. The Palestine Community Forrest is another, with seven hundred acres of pines and hardwoods dotted with sumac, yaupon and sweet gum trees that add accents of dazzling color in the fall. Scenic drives lead to four lakes where you can boat, fish or picnic. If you prefer a bird’s eye view along with a little adventure, check out the zip line adventure offered by New York Texas Zipline Adventures in nearby Athens. The guided zip-line adventure takes you soaring over 30plus miles of towering pines and hardwoods above one of the highest elevations in East Texas and the scenery is amazing! The tours feature either six or nine zip lines (with “ground school” beforehand), last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours and cost $60 or $80, depending on how many ziplines you choose. Reservations are a must, so visit their website at www.goziptexas. com or call 903.681.3791. Once you’ve had your fill of foliage, Old Town Palestine offers antique stores, shopping and restaurants to while away an afternoon. Be sure to stop by Eilenburger’s Bakery to taste the cakes, cookies and pastries they have become famous for over the last century. Madeline’s Tea Room just
outside of town is a good bet for lunch with exceptional food. The last Saturday in October, Palestine hosts Wonderfall Oktoberfest in the Downtown and Old Town areas. The event features a parade at 10 a.m., Kids Zone, arts and crafts, concerts and a Beer Garden in Old Town to celebrate the fall season. Tickets are $1 at the gate. Palestine is also known for its magnolia trees and Victorian homes. In fact, over 1,800 historic sites are
located in Palestine, second only to Galveston. Unfortunately none are open for tours, but you can pick up a booklet of the Driving Tour at the Museum for East Texas culture. There are also several wineries in town that offer tastings (and tours if you count Granny Muffins, which boasts the world’s shortest wine trail—you climb the stairs, enjoy over 35 types of wines, then go back down the stairs). The Sweet Dreams Winery offers wine tastings on Saturdays
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from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; the Texas Smokehause and Vineyard also offers wine tastings, including their popular Sangria, on a relaxing balcony.
Lodging and libations
Although Palestine is close enough for a day trip, there are plenty of chain hotels and charming bed and breakfast inns should you choose to stay overnight and make a weekend of it. If you want luxury, The Magnolia Street Inn fits the bill with accommodations in a beautifully restored 1874 Victorian home. A beautiful, spacious front porch invites lingering, the rooms are comfortable and beautifully appointed with fine linens and private baths, and the complimentary homemade breakfast
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might include anything from creme brulÊ French toast to oatmeal buttermilk pancakes. If your trip is a family affair, consider Bailey’s Bunkhouse, a rustic and funky barn-type house that sleeps up to 12 with two bedrooms,
one bath, a fully furnished kitchen, fire pit for roasting marshmallows and dock for fishing. Visit www.cityofpalestinetx.com or www.txstaterr.com. v Deborah Dove ia a freelance writer from Allen.
For MarketPlace Your Health
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interiors/outdoor spaces
Country by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield
chic city
Hidden in the sprawling suburban community of Allen sits a jewel of a homestead. Tucked away at the end of a long, tree-lined road; past where horses munch hay in the morning sun, and birds swoop in the pastures feasting on grasshoppers and seed tops of grasses and weeds, there is a beautiful house that is as unique on the inside as it is on the out. The rustic stone and cedar home sitting on 20-acres looks as though it has been there since pioneer days (yet the construction is very 21st century). Inviting rocking chairs line the large wrap-around porch. Antiques such as log saws, barbed wire and chicken nesting boxes— complete with faux roosters—add clever decorative touches. A large cedar table indicates this is a favorite gathering spot for dinner with family and friends. The first to greet me at this fabulous home is not the homeowner, but Banjo, a gregarious pot-bellied pig. Inside, a chorus of barking dogs announces my presence before I ring the doorbell. Dogs—Big Tex, Calamity Jane and Doc Holiday—let homeowner, Carol Haskin, know I have
in the
arrived. A slender, petite woman dressed casually, yet chicly, greets me with a hug and warm smile as she welcomes me to her home and introduces me to the menagerie of animals that are part of her family. A home’s décor should reflect the owner’s personal style and Carol successfully accomplishes this by combining cherished family heirlooms, repurposed pieces scored from secondhand stores or garage sales, family photos and her own artistic creations for a look that can best be described as ‘rustic meets vintage meets modern mix’. Carol laughs, “If you’re looking for perfect, you are not going to find it here. But, if you’re looking for unique and fun, this is the house for you. Nothing we have is expensive, but everything has a memory or story connected to it.” When asked about her design inspiration, Carol says, “I love color and I really like recycling stuff—taking things that have a visible history, and turning them into something new, something useful, pretty, quirky, or fun.
“Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” – Billy Baldwin
Family also inspires me—especially my children and my grandmother. My grandmother was a gifted artist. Many items in the house belonged to her or were created by her. She painted the artwork hanging in the foyer. I love that it’s the first thing I see when I come home.” Carol adds, “In design there is no ‘new idea’. Everything is recycled from somewhere else. Choose furnishings and accessories based on what you love—not on whether or not they match everything else you own. I also try to steer clear of trendy things because I don’t want it to get dated. I think that’s why I love natural wood so much. It never goes out of style.” Soaring ceilings in the living room—perhaps 40-feet tall— accommodate large windows that bring in lots of natural light and offer stunning views of the pastures and trees. The cathedral-like arches add architectural interest. Carol says, “The arches went up before the roof, so at one point it was just the beams and the sky. It was beautiful.” The living room’s floorto-ceiling fireplace, made from Oklahoma stone with a massive wood mantle, anchors a comfortable seating area. The mirror hanging over the mantle is actually a door
Left: Carol Haskin on her wrap around porch with a few members of her menagerie. Upper: The spectacular living room. Right: The ornate wooden doors leading into the formal dining room.
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that was in my Grandmother ’s house. I created the art above the window using barbed wire I found coiled up at the family ranch in Oklahoma. A single-tree halter forms the cross. And, the metal horse I found buried in the dirt in the pasture.” Ornate wood doors showcase the
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formal dining room. “When I found them, they had about 30 layers of celery green paint on them,” Carol says. Stripping and staining them revealed a beautiful honey-colored wood. An accomplished cello player, Carol adds, “This used to be the music room. All members of the family play
musical instruments.” An antique music étagère houses a collection of cello playing figurines that her mother started for her. Down the hall is a bathroom that Carol dubs ‘Mexican restaurant chic’. “The wood came from an old covered parking area that the wind blew down,” Carol explains. “So, I cut it up and made it into wainscoting. The mirror over the vanity is a window that was in the old house.” Mismatched tiles compliment each other. Among them, one from Portugal that reads ‘Do Proximo ou dizemos bern ou nada’. Asked what it means, Carols laughs, “It was my Grandmother’s, and basically translates to ‘Around this house say something nice or say nothing’.” At the top of the stairs is a cozy library with floor to ceiling shelves brimming with books. This leads to the master suite, a roomy, soothing retreat with amazing views. Carol made the headboard out of a fireplace mantle; a blue door that hangs on the wall serves as a backdrop for her handmade
crosses; a lamp on the bedside table is made from her son’s first pair of cowboy boots; and an overstuffed chair and ottoman create a cozy reading nook. Located on the second floor, it has a private balcony accessible through French doors and offering a peaceful
escape for a morning cup of coffee or stargazing at night. Hand scraped #2 oak wood floors enhance a floor plan that flows smoothly from room to room, Carol’s large custom kitchen is clearly the heart of the home. The generous size
of the cobalt blue island makes it a workhorse for a number of tasks, as well as offering comfortable seating for a quick snack. Unexpected accessories, such as a ladder used as a pot rack, a chandelier made from a single halter yoke wired to old lanterns
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and drawer and cabinet pulls made from old silverware, put a modern twist on country style. A colorful, three-dimensional, one-of-a-kind mosaic backsplash is the focal point in this welcoming kitchen.
Carol smiles, “It’s a happy wall! I’m always saving things. Breaking a dish or cup isn’t as important as people’s and kid’s feelings, so, when something broke I’d put it in a box with the intention of creating this wall later.
Family and friends started bringing me their broken ‘treasures’ and little by little the project took shape.” Carol walks around the counter touching the pieces on the wall, telling the tale of each one. The horseshoes she found in the barn. Half a sugar bowl sticking out of the wall was a gift from her sister, the red knob is from her oldest daughter’s nursery, a horse tile came from her great-aunt’s house, the John Deere mug is a gift from her mother, a little pig is from her daughter’s collection and the almond extract bottle filled with blue beads reminds her of the almond cookies they make every Christmas Eve. Her well-planned home turns routine living into creative living and enjoyment for her family and friends. Carol confesses to being a hostess at heart, and nothing makes her happier than to have people come enjoy her house. “It just makes my heart so full! While I enjoyed building it—I’m sentimental and I appreciate it, I’m not attached to it. If I could get the right price I’d consider it and start the same lifestyle somewhere else,” she says with a smile. You can almost see the creative wheels turning! Dawn Bluemel Oldfield is a freelance writer.
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OCTOBER
The Connemara Conservancy Foundation hosts its second annual Into The Meadow celebration, 5 pm, Meadow Preserve, Allen. Tickets are $150 per person. Event features cocktails and hor d’oeuvres, live music, auction and dinner catered by Pecan Lodge Catering. For information, visit connemaraconservancy.org or call 214.351.0990. Collin County Master Gardener guided tour of Myers Park in McKinney, 10 am-noon, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. Earth-Kind Perennial Research and Demonstration Gardens, Crape Myrtle and Kordes Rose trial gardens. State-of-theart rainwater harvesting systems. Tours are free; children are welcome. Reservations requested. Call 972.548.4232 or email mgcollin@ag.tamu.edu to reserve your spot.
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Community Garage Sale, 7 am-noon, Joe Farmer Rec. Center, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. Join us for a community wide garage sale—a wide variety of treasures on sale at great prices. Browsing is free! Making some extra money; sell the items you were throwing away. (Booth 17’ X 10’. Vendors must provide their own tables and chairs). Call 214.509.4750 for details. “Share the Harvest” Holiday Gift Market, 10 am-4 pm, Jacob’s Reward Farm, 4308 Church Lane, Parker. 20+ handcrafter-vendors on a working sheep and alpaca farm. For kids—face painting, storytelling, hands-on crafts, refreshments. Free admission. For information, email Cindy Telisak: ctelisak@juno.com.
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Allen Philharmonic Orchestra— Autumn Overture, 8 pm, First United Methodist Church of Allen. This is the first concert of the season. For more information or tickets visit www. allenphilharmonic.org. Plano Symphony presents The Music of ABBA: Arrival from Sweden, 8:15 pm, Eisemann Center, Richardson. Visit www.planosymphony.org for tickets or information.
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Gary Burns Frisco Fun Run, 7 am, Frisco Square, 6235 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco. Certified 5K and 1Mile Fun Run/ Walk benefiting: Frisco Education Foundation. To register, visit 222.getmeregistered.com; for details visit www.friscoeducationfoundation.org or call 469.633.6860. Fall Bazaar, 9 am-4 pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. 60+ vendors, concessions available. Contact Carole Smithwick, cpsmithwick@att.net or 469.675.8225 for further information. The American Girl Fashion Show®, Oct. 29; 10 am, 1pm, 4 pm. Oct. 30; 1 pm & 4:30 pm, Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, 306 North Church Street, McKinney. Celebrate the experience of being a girl, whether yesterday or today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Enjoy refreshments, door prizes. For more information, contact AmericanGirlFashionShow@ jlcollincounty.org.
3rd Annual Friendship Craft & Gift Show, 9 am-4 pm, Friendship Baptist Church, 270 Country Club Rd., Fairview. 50+ vendors and crafters; lunch available—Boss Barbeque of Allen. Free admission. Contact craftandgiftshow@ friendshipconnect.org for information. Fall Bazaar, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 821 S Greenville Ave., Allen. Unique hand-crafted items, holiday goods, art, bake sale, garage sale/flea market type items. For information, Sue Illausky sill4854@sbcglobal.net or Brad Johnson bjohnson@jcpenney.com. Tee Up to Cure ALS, 8 am and 1:30 pm shotgun starts, Twin Creeks Golf Course, Allen. $500 foursome/$125 single includes green fee and cart fee, prizes, fajita buffet lunch or dinner, entry to silent auction and player welcome bag. Benefiting ALS research. Visit www.TwinCreeksGolf.com/ TeeUpToCureALS for more information. 2nd Annual Mistletoe Market, Crosspoint Church MOPS, 9 am-3 pm. Get all of your holiday shopping completed early! There will raffle prizes and over 50 vendors. For those interested in being a vendor, both indoor and outdoor booths are available. Contact Jennifer Hillman at mistletoemarket@hotmail.com for details.
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Collin County Humane Society “Give a Dog a Home”, 7 pm-12 am, City Place, 2711 N. Haskell Ave., Dallas. Cocktails, dinner, live and silent autctions. Proceeds benefit building a new adoption center. Visit www. collincountyhumanesociety.org.
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2011 Scare on the Square, 4–6 pm, Downtown McKinney. This annual event has grown to hundreds of trick or treaters enjoying treats and interactive activities to celebrate a safe, secure family fun Halloween event. Historic Downtown McKinney is closed off for trick or treaters to cross the streets safely, going shop to shop for goodies. Call 972.547.2660 or visit www. downtownmckinney.com fo details. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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OCTOBER 1 3rd Annual An Evening At the Derby benefiting City House, 6 pm, Marriott Shops of Legacy, 7121 Bishop Road, Plano. $150/seat; $1,350/table of 10. For more info: To register online visit www. aneveningatthederby.com. 3 Collin College Auteur Film Series, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, 2:30 pm, Living Legends Conference Ctr, Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy in Plano. For more info: www.collin.edu/ academics/csce/auteurfilmseries. 4 Collin College presents “Princeton Review: Getting In”, 6:30-8:30 pm, Living Legends Conference Center, Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano. Reg. required. For more info: www.collin.edu/ destinationcollege or call 972.377.1772. 4 Dallas Summer Musicals presents West Side Story, Fair Park, Dallas. For more info: www.dallassummermusicals. org. 6-16Collin Theatre Center presents The Pillowman, John Anthony Theatre. For more info: www.collintheatrecenter.com. Texas Regional Art Symposium, 10 am5 pm, Hear-Craig Hall, 306 N. Church St.
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McKinney.Foster a greater understanding of 19th and 20th century Texas visual arts. $25/members, $30/non. For more info: www.heardcraig.org or bjohnson@heardcraig.org. CITY OF ALLEN Allen Event Center For more info: www.alleneventcenter.com. 12 Allen Americans Hockey vs. the Tulsa Oilers (preseason) 14 Allen Americans Hockey vs. the Texas Brahmas (preseason) 16 Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and Black Label Society. Judas Priest will bring its farewell tour to Allen. 21 Allen Americans Hockey vs. the Tulsa Oilers 22 Mary Chapin Carpenter with Special Guest, Loudon Wainwright III. 23 Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring the timeless fairy tale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to life. 26 Longhorn Cattle Drive. Rancher’s Reserve Steaks and Tom Thumb are teaming up once again with Texas Stampede to bring the Longhorn Cattle Drive back to Allen! For more info: www.texasstampede.com.
Parks and Recreation Events
Saturday Night Rec and Roll, Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Fun and safe social program grades 3-6. Gym games and dancing, dodge ball, pool, table tennis, and contests with prize
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giveaways. Supervision provided, concessions available. Party Packs are $12. ID card (one time $5 fee) is required and must be purchased at JFRC before 5:30 p.m. day of event. Walk up admission ($10 admission or $14 party pack). For more info: call JFRC at 214.509.4750. Family Night at the Edge Skate Park, 6-8 pm. Perfect for families to bring their small children and enjoy the skate park free of older influences. Children must be accompanied by at least one parent to gain entrance to the park. Dance for Adults with Disabilities features live music, a fun and creative theme, snacks and a photo mailed to each participant’s home. For info or to get on the email distribution list, contact tharben@cityofallen.org. Pinktoberfest Women’s Hockey Tournament, Allen Communty Ice Rink. Teams of female hockey players against each other in a tournament. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Breast Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen. Family Night Camp Out and Movie, 3 pm, Sat. Camp out and enjoy an evening of fun. After setting up camp, enjoy a picnic, play in the park, trick or treat from tent to tent and join us in the amphitheater for a movie starting at dusk. Popcorn provided during the movie to all staying the night. For more info: 214.509.4750. Halloween Bash, 6-9 pm, Allen Senior Rec. Center. Dance music provided by Cindy Renee and Company. Prizes awarded to creative costume contest winners. Light refreshments will be served. For more info go to www.allenparks.org.
ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Children Storytime Programs
Baby and Me, Tues., 10:15 am. Pre-walkers w/adult. Fun Ones, Mon.,10:15 am. or 11:15 am. One yearolds with an adult. Together Time, Wed., 10:15 or Thurs., 11:15 am. 2 & 3 year-olds with an adult. All By Myself, Wed., 11:15 am. 4 & 5 year-olds ready to attend independently. Family Storytime, Tues., 11:15 am, Thurs., 7 pm. 2-6 year-olds + family.
Programs
1 Crafternoon, 2-4 pm, Children’s Program Room. Ages 3+. Color, cut, and paste your afternoon away! Children and parents or caregivers join us for come and go program. Register online at www.allenlibrary.org. 4 “Arthur the Aardvark”, 4 pm. For children ages 5-8. Come see an “Arthur” puppet show and enjoy “Arthur” activities. Reg. required. For more info: www.allen.library.org. 10 Fire Safety Program for Families, 2:30 & 4, Children’s Program Room. Allen Fire Dept. will feature a truck and special guests. For more info: www.allenlibrary.org. 20 Kids Explore Book Club, 4 pm. Registration limited to 2nd or 3rd grade. For more info: www.allenlibrary.org.
Teens
16-22Picture it!@Allen Public Library, Teen’scape, the Teen Room at the Allen Public Library, will feature graphic novels displayed with art and photography contests for teens to enter.
Teen Read Week, Picture it!@Your Library, teens encouraged to read graphic novels and illustrated materials, seek out creative books, or imagine the world through literature. For more info: 214-509-4913.
Adults
4 Noontime Pageturners, Noon, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. 20 Readable History Book Club, 7 pm, The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II by Gregory A. Freeman. 25 Armchair Travelers Visit Mediterranean Ports with Rebecca Crookston, 7 pm, 2nd Floor Computer Lab. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required. For more info: 214-509-4905.
CONNEMARA CONSERVANCY Connemara Meadow Preserve
1 Bird Walk with Gailon Brehm, 8-11 am, bring your binoculars, about 30+ species, 3 hours. All ages. Long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen & insect repellent are recommended. 8 Habitat Walk with Rich Jaynes, 9-11 am, The Meadow. Come explore and understand management plans for the four habitat areas. 23 Meadow Preserve Open House, 12-5 pm. RSVP@Connemaraconservancy.com.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
City of Allen offers a variety of affordable recreational classes and programs. Register at Joe Farmer Rec Center, 214-509-4750 or Rodenbaugh Natatorium, 214-509-4770. For more info: www.allenparks.org.
Texas Health Presbyterian, a variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org.
Kids Helping Kids, bring new or gently used toys to Kids Pediatric Dentistry to donate to children in the community. Receive a chance to win prize. For more info: 972-727-0011 or www. kidspediatricdentistry.com. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972-964-2869 or www.planobicycle.org. Urban Explorers is a laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout the Dallas area. Something for everyone! For more info: www.meetup.com/getoutandabout. Chronic Hugs: Chronic Pain Support Group, Grace Community Church, 4501 Hedgecoxe, Plano. For more info: Jackie Smith, 214-726-9060 or 214636-7461. American Cancer Society, Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appointments. If you have a car and can spare time 9-5, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972-712-5711. Divorce Care, 13-week courses—biblical teaching for recovering from divorce. For more info: Kim Tedford: 214-544-8050 ext. 109, ktedford@creekwoodumc.org or www.creekwoodumc. org.
Baylor Health Care System offers support groups, medical information and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Every Monday Allen Toastmasters’ Club, 6:30 pm, Atrium Building, 1333 W. McDermott #100, Allen. Guests welcome.
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Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry Lessner, 214-893-5360 or henry@fortunefs.com. Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome For more info: Per Treven, 972-583-8273 or per. treven@ericsson.com. Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany, Ste. 208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. Preston Persuaders Toastmasters, 7:15 pm, Custer Road United Methodist Church, Rm B2, 6601 Custer Road, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469-323-0538 or Todd Richardson, 214-497-4495 or www. prestonpersuaders.org. Every Monday, Thursday & Saturday Allen AA meets, 601 S. Greenville. For more info: 972-359-7383. Second Monday Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, 7 pm, Tino’s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, school programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972-442-5982.
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American Association of University WomenPlano/Collin County Branch, 6:45 pm, Davis Library, 7501 Independence, Plano. Open to anyone with bachelors or assoc. degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972-862-3460 or www. aauwplanocc.org. McKinney Ladies Association (SRLA), 7 pm, Craig Ranch Visitors Ctr, 6850 TPC Drive, Suite 104, McKinney. Evening with community leaders—Mayor Brian Loughmiller, City Councilman Ray Ricchi and others. Outreach project is ManeGait and “Gaitapalooza” event. For more info: www.mckinneyladies.org. McKinney Childcare Association, non-profit organization of state-listed, registered and licensed home childcare providers in McKinney area, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: Alice Lang, 972-346-2280 or www. mckinneychildcare.com. Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, 7 pm. For more info: 972-562-5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org. Collin County Early Childhood PTA, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery reservations required. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972-712-3634.
Third Monday Allen Retired Educators, 11 am, Patrizio’s Restaurant, 101 Fairview Station Pkwy, Village of Fairview, Stacy Rd. and Hwy. 75. For more info: 972-727-5372. Collin County Aggie Moms, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, Coit between Bush Tollway & Campbell. For more info: 972-382-3124 or www. collincountyaggiemoms.org. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.org. Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family & friends, noon, North Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972-540-4984. Fourth Monday Allen Seniors Genealogy Club, 1 pm, Allen Seniors Center. Must be a member of ASRC. For more info: www.asgconline.com or Richard Henry, 972-390-7402. Texas Democratic Women of Collin County meets at 6:45 pm, Collin College, Frisco campus, Rm F148. For more info: www.tdwcc.org or Barb Walters, 214477-5183.
Plano Photography Club, Grace Presbyterian Church, 4300 W. Park Blvd., Plano, 7 pm. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen and Lucas), 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214616-2460. Every Tuesday Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, 7:30 am, Dodie’s Place, Villages of Allen (Stacy & Central). $1 member/$7 non-mem.. 1st visit free. For more info: 972-727-5585. Allen Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, 7 pm, First United Methodist Church, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. Offers strength and hope to friends & family of alcoholics. For more info: 214-363-0461 or www.al-anon. alateen.org. Toastmasters Creative Expressions, 11:30 am12:30 pm. Raytheon, McKinney. Guests welcome. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 6:15-8 pm, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. For more info: 1-800-YEA-TOPS or www.tops.org. McKinney CEA-HOW Anonymous, 7 pm, Stonebridge United Methodist Church, 1800 S Stonebridge Dr., Rm 104. A disciplined and structured approach to the compulsive eater or food addict. For more info: 214-5014-4927 or www.ceahow.org. Schlotzsky’s Summer Chess, 5-7 pm, 502 W. McDermott, Allen. 10% of all purchases benefit Lovejoy Leopard Chess booster club. Chess boards set up in the lobby for kids to play chess. For more info: Lovejoy Leopard Chess at LeopardChess@gmail.com. Every Tuesday & Thursday Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, 9 am-4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972-548-4232 or 972-424-1460. First Tuesday Collin County Event Professionals, networking group for wedding & special event professionals. For more info: Wendy Kidd, 214-542-1317 or www. collincountyeventpros.com. Heard Museum Native Plant Society meeting. For more info: 972-562-5566. First and Third Tuesday Allen Lions Club, 7 pm, Nate’s Seafood, Stacy Road, Allen. For more info: kevin_carlson@sbcglobal.net. Second Tuesday Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214-509-4820. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, 9:30 am, social; 10 am, meeting. SMU in Plano, 5528 Tennyson Pkwy., Plano. Program: : Kathleen Cunningham will bring a touch of perfection in a combination of grace and beauty with her presentation: “Glamour Addiction.” Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org or Linda Frageman, lindafragemanpr.nfgp@yahoo.com. Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, 7 to 9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors are welcome. For more info: info@bptmn.org.
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Allen Democrats, 6:30 pm, Reel Thing Catfish Cafe, 600 E. Main St., Allen. For more info: Deborah Angell Smith 214-893-3643. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group of Collin County, 7-9 pm, parlor, First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol.com. Collin County Archaeology Society, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: 972-542-1263. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, 5024 Custer, in Plano, 7 pm. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972-678-2244, or www. planopacers.org. Second and Fourth Tuesday Allen High Noon Lions Club, 11:45 am-1 pm. Verona Restaurant (inside Stacy’s), 111 Central Expressway N. For more info: Tony Pritchard, 214-293-1598. Allen Area Patriots, 7-8:45 pm, New Heritage Church, 8 Prestige Circle, Allen. Local Tea Party presents outstanding speakers, enlightening and motivating citizens to participate in the political process for the good of our community, state, and country. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com. Third Tuesday Allen Area Republican Women, 7 pm, Community Room-old library, 301 Century Pkwy, Allen. For more info: Susie Bartlemay, 972-396-1923. Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group provides support & resources for parents of children with autism & related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health. groups.yahoo.com/group/autismparentsupport.
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Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter meets Aug.-May. For more info: 972-727-3090. Allen Dialogue Support Group, 7-8:30 pm, First UMC, Wesley House, Rm. 1. For more info: Audrey, 972-519-1405. McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, Welcomes new residents, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. Speakers, prizes and refreshments each month. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. Fourth Tuesday Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon and speaker, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenchamber.com. Porcelain Art Guild of North Texas, meets at 9:30 am, Carriage House, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. Open to anyone, beginner to expert, interested in china painting and porcelain art. For more info: Gayle Harry 214-509-0787. Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society meets at 7 pm. For more info: 972-562-5566. Every Wednesday Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, 7 am, Twin Creeks Hospital, 1001 Raintree Circle. For more info: 972-673-8221 or www.asrotary.org. Allen Rotary Club, Noon, Courtyard by Marriot, 210 East Stacy Rd. For more info: www.allenrotary.org. Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, 7 pm, Twin Creeks Golf Club, 501 Twin Creeks Dr., Allen. For more info: Dan Dodd, 972-571-7527. 2ChangeU Toastmasters, 6:45-8:15 pm, Custer
Rd United Methodist Church, Rm B11, 6601 Custer Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: info@2changeu.freetoasthost.us or www.2changeu.freetoasthost.us. First Wednesday Collin County Master Gardeners Association guided tour of Myers Park, McKinney, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Res. requested. For more info: 972-548-4232 or go to mgcollin@ ag.tamu.edu. Allen Heritage Guild, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972-740-8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org. Art History Brown Bag Series, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage Hosue, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch and enjoy. For more info: 972-569-6909 or www.headcraig.org. First and Third Wednesday Mothers of Preschoolers, 9:15-11:30 am, First Baptist Church, 1300 E. 15th, Plano. For more info: Debbie Parker, 972-424-8551. Second Wednesday Collin County Genealogical Society, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: 972-231-4190. VFW Post 2195, 7:30 pm, Reel Thing Catfish Cafe, 600 E. Main, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972-727-9956 or www.vfw2195.org. Second and Fourth Wednesday Mocha Moms of North Dallas, support group for stay-at-home moms of color, 10 am, at Douglass Com. Center, Plano. For more info: www.mochamomsnorthdallas.com.
Every Thursday Allen Classic Cars, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Chipotle and Stacy Furniture. Allen Kiwanis Club, Noon, Twin Creeks Clubhouse, 501 Twin Creeks Blvd. Visitors welcome. For more info: Sandy McNair, 214-548-5483 or www. allenkiwanis.org. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collin County), Recovery support group for adults living with mental illness. Led by trained individuals. Free, 6:30-8:30 pm, Custer Road UMC, 6601 Custer Rd., Plano. For more info: 214-509-0085 or www.namicco.org. Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus, 7 pm, Grace Evangelical Free Church, 2005 Estates Parkway, Allen. Women of Allen & surrounding area invited. For more info: nntsing4fun@yahoo.com. Speak Up! Frisco Toastmasters Club, 7-7:30 pm social, 7:30-8:30 meeting. U of D-Frisco campus, 7460 Warren Pkwy (NE corner Warren Pkwy & tollway), rm 110-114. For more info: http://speakupfrisco.freetoasthost.ws. Community Bible Study (September 8, 2011 to May 10, 2012), 9:30-111:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Daniel and Hebrews. Registration required. For more info: bbrakebill@tx.rr.com or mckinneyallen. cbsclass.org. First Thursday W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking & discussion of women’s issues. Fun & informative meeting for women in Allen & surrounding areas. $20 member/$25 guest. Payment expected unless reservation cancelled 48 hrs. in advance. For more info: www.allenchamber.com North Dallas Newcomers, meets Sept. thru June, 11 am, Lakewood Country Club,6430 Gaston Ave., Dallas. Carol Resnick from the Dallas Museum of Art will be talking about “Monet or Manet?” All women in the North Dallas area. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers.net. Allen Garden Club, meets at 7 pm, monthly gardening talks by area experts, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St. For more info: Denise Webre, 972-390-8536 or www. allengardenclub.org. Allen Garden Club, meets at 7 pm, monthly gardening talks by area experts, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main Street. For more info: Denise Webre, 972-390-8536 or www. allengardenclub.org. Second Thursday Legal Aid Clinic, 6 pm, First United Methodist Church. For more info: www.lanwt.org or 1-888-529-5277. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Headquarters, 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location sometimes varies. For more info: Renetta at 972-382-3220. Osteoporosis Support Group, 6:30 pm, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen, Community Education Rm-Medical Office Bldg. 2. For more info: 972-747-6036. First and Third Thursday Allen’s Community Theatre hosts Improv, 102 S. Allen Dr. For more info: allenscommunitytheatre@gmail.com.
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Second and Fourth Thursday Allen High Noon Lions Club, Verona’s Italian Bistro (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expressway South For more info: Tony Pritchard, 214-293-1598. Third Thursday Collin County Republican Men’s Club, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: Mark Rutledge, 214-544-0309. Allen Quilters’ Guild, 6:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 605 S. Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org. Men of Business, networking and discussion of men’s issues for men of the Allen Fairview Chamber. Call for location. $20 member/$25 guest. RSVP required. For more info: www.allenchamber.com. Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new & expectant moms’ forum, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972-260-9330. Knights of Columbus, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469-569-3357 or www. stjudekofc.org. Cancer Support Ministry, 7 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. Our goal is simple—to support you in any way we can. For more info: James Craver, 972-727-8241. Breast Cancer Support Group, 6:30 pm, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen, Community Education Room-Medical Office Bldg. 2. For more info: 972-747-6036. Fourth Thursday Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, 10 am, Heard-Craig Hall Gallery, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. Meet new people and enjoy social activities. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail.com. Every Other Thursday North Texas Referral Group, 11:45 am, Friday’s (121 & Preston by the mall). Beginning April 1. For more info: www.ntrg.info. Every Friday Allen Senior Rec Center Dances, 1-3 pm. Ages 50+. Members free/Non-member Allen resident $3. Non-Allen residents $24/ annually. Allen resident annual membership/$5. For more info: 214-509-4820. McKinney Chess Club meets 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street , McKinney. Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972-547-7491. Every Other Friday MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), nondenominational support group for moms with kids birth to 5 years, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church in Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972-727-8241. Second Friday Allen Early Childhood PTA, monthly meeting, 9:30-11 am, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 821 S. Greenville. Activities include play groups, field trips and educational opportunities, baby sitting co-op and more. Nursery reservations are available for children 6 mo.-5 yrs. For more info: www.aecpta.com. or information@ aecpta.com.
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Second & Fourth Friday Classic 55+ Game Night, 6:30 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Enjoy snacks, fellowship and games (dominoes, Skip Bo and other table games). Event is open to the entire community, no reservations are required. For more info: 972-727-8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com. Fourth Friday and Second Saturday USA Dance, promotes the joys and benefits of ballroom and Latin dancing. Free lesson at 7:30, open dancing until 10:30 pm at McKinney Performing Arts Center. For more info: http://www.usadancenct.org. Every Saturday McKinney Chess Club meets10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Any age. Free. For more info: 972-547-7491. Second Saturday Heard Museum Nature Photography Club meeting. For more info: 972-562-5566. Department 56 Village Collectors Club meets in the Plano/North Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: Mike, 972-530-6712 or www. bigd56ers.com. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, service organization to teach children to serve their local community. For more info: 972-396-8010. Third Saturday Allen Folk Music Society, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Drive, Allen. Musicians aged 15-100. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com. Fourth Saturday The North Texas Unit of the Herb Society of America, 10:30 am, North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. Garden talks and programs by local experts are open to the public. For more info: Beth DiGioia, 972-658-6852 or www. northtexashsa.org. American Sewing Guild, 10 am-noon, Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd (at Parker), in Plano For more info: Jane Johnson, 972-841-6854 or www. planoasg.org. Last Saturday Plano Pacers run at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972-678-2244, or www. planopacers.org. Every Sunday Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany, Ste. 208, Allen. Opportunity to work out live to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. First Sunday “The Health Report” with Dr. Michelle Miller, Ph.D, monthly public service health talk show KXEZ-FM 92.1, 9:05 am and KHYI 95.3, 10 am. Scleroderma Support Group, 3 pm, Allen Presbyterian Hospital, Conference Room 1. For more info: Cindi Brannum, 972-954-7185.
Please keep us informed of any local activities or events of general interest to our readers by fax to the Allen Image at 972.396.0807 or email to contact@allenimage.com.
For Your Health
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For Your Health
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For Your Health
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Hope Allen, Shirley Allen, Kelly Clarkson and Cedric Allen.
Cedric Allen walks
But it is one walk in particular that has his devoted attention—the annual Dallas March of Dimes March for Babies. Once a year, Cedric joins thousands of other walkers from around the Dallas area as they stride down the 5-mile path at White Rock Lake to raise money for this nonprofit. All are there to support March of Dime’s efforts to improve the health of babies through the prevention of premature births and birth defects. So what is it about Cedric’s walk for this organization that stands out? In the 15 years he has walked in the Dallas Division’s March for Babies, Cedric has collected approximately $275,000 for the organization. This year, the $31,000 he raised placed him eleventh in the nation and fourth in the state of Texas. Plus, for every one of those 15 years, Cedric has been the number one collector for the Dallas Division. Although Dallas March of Dimes has long appreciated and honored Cedric for his dedicated efforts in supporting its programs, this spring his accomplishments were also lauded by U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Rep. Johnson delivered a tribute to Cedric on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 31, that was noted in the Congressional Record. She concluded her recognition by stating, “Hundreds have benefited from Cedric’s tireless efforts at fundraising and his many other contributions. Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in joining his friends and colleagues to salute an extraordinary leader, Cedric Allen.” Rep. Johnson learned of Cedric’s volunteer efforts with the Dallas March of Dimes while watching an interview he did with Shaun Rabb for Fox News earlier that spring. Although he does not live in Rep. Johnson’s district, she felt his long-standing volunteer efforts deserved grateful acknowledgment. “My constituents and those long outstanding community activists in North Texas inspire me on a daily
basis, and I will continue to support and recognize their efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Congresswoman Johnson explains. “One of those inspirational people is Mr. Cedric Allen. I commend his efforts and commitment.” “That was really nice of her!” Cedric responds, still expressing surprise at this esteemed recognition. “I would love to meet her some day.” Cedric first started walking for March of Dimes while still a teenager in Mansfield, Louisiana, 30 miles south of Shreveport. Even then, his volunteer efforts meant sacrifice. The oldest of five children, Cedric assumed additional responsibilities when his mother took in the five children of her sister who had died. “I was the man of the house,” he shrugs nonchalantly, recalling his teen years. “I worked year-round.” Yet even then he felt it was important to support those he calls “my babies.” Reminiscing on the annual event in Mansfield, Cedric emphasizes, “It was nothing like the Dallas walk.” He recalls that one celebrity who owned a ranch in his small hometown was regularly on hand to support the cause and its walkers. “Terry Bradshaw would kick the football and then we would walk to raise the money,” he recollects. After graduating from Mansfield High School in 1977, Cedric moved to Dallas. His early jobs included working on the dock and later driving trucks for United Parcel Service and then coowning a dry cleaning business. Dissatisfied with where his career experience was taking him, Cedric decided to explore new opportunities. His brother who worked security for Trammell Crow encouraged him to apply for a job with the company. A week later, Cedric was hired. Staying on after CB Richard Ellis purchased the Trammel Crow Company in 2006, Cedric has been a security officer at the Trammell Crow building in downtown Dallas for over 23 years. The year before he started working
L to R: Sherri Shepherd from “The View,” Cedric Allen and Dr. Jennifer Howse, March of Dimes president.
L to R: Cedric is presented an award for top walker by Dr. Stephen Mansfield, left and Chris Durovich. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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for the Trammell Crow Company, Cedric married his wife Shirley, currently a government compliance specialist for Hewlett Packard in Plano. The couple met when Shirley was a student at Southern University in
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a roommate of one of Cedric’s cousins. It is readily evident that Cedric loves his job at the Trammell Crow building. He speaks fondly of each of the tenants, describing them and their
families as he would an extension of his own family. And he has a special affection for the children. “I just love kids!” he grins. “I play with every one that comes in here—and they all know me. They come looking for me. Some are shy the first time they meet me, but by the third time, I’ve got them!” So when the Allens learned that Shirley could not have children, both were deeply disappointed. It was 15 years ago when a woman who worked at the Trammell Crow building encouraged Cedric to once again volunteer for March of Dimes. Surprised to learn that she had collected $1,000 for the organization that week, Cedric was inspired to see if he could also raise a significant amount of money. He more than met the goal. That first year, Cedric not only collected about $18,000 for March of Dimes, he also ranked as the number one collector for the State of Texas. He has won this designation two other times since then. A few years into Cedric’s dedicated efforts to help others with children in need, the Allens discovered that medical test results do not always mean medical certainty—Shirley was pregnant. On October 4, 1999, Cedric and Shirley welcomed their baby daughter Hope. “I just kept doing my thing and the Lord
blessed us with a baby,” this proud father grins. “Now when I see my child, it motivates me to do something for somebody else’s child.” The Allen family moved to Allen nine years ago and Hope is now a sixthgrader at Bolin Elementary School. Over the years, Cedric has perfected his method of requesting donations for the annual March for Babies in Dallas from the tenants—and potential donors—he greets at the Trammell Crow Building each day. “I have the envelopes that I carry in my pocket with a letter and I pass these out,” he explains. Then demonstrating his unique approach, he proffers a handshake while stating, “Thank you for the thousand dollars!” “Everybody gets that handshake,” he laughs. “I know some will have to subtract and others add more, but that’s my routine. And they know what I’m doing because they know what time of year it is.” A glance at Cedric’s list of supporters will show some notable names such as Harlan Crow, Trammell S. Crow and T. Boone Pickens. Cedric attributes their support to a mutual respect and recognition that he is a man of his word. “I tell people I’m going to walk White Rock Lake, so I walk White Rock Lake. I’ve even walked through lightning and rain— you just walk fast!” For Cedric, the greatest physical challenge of trekking the 5-mile March for Babies path is navigating in and through the throng of participants. In recent years the number of walkers has averaged around 35,000 volunteers annually, making the event one of the largest of its kind in the country. Participants include adults as well as children, and even an occasional dog. “Once I even saw a dog wearing shoes,” he laughs. “It was cute!” Cedric points out that the number of walkers, volunteer supporters, visiting dignitaries and March of Dimes staff makes driving to the event almost impossible. Riding the DART train to the event not only solves the
dilemma of too few parking spaces but has also allowed him the opportunity to meet a number of other March of Dimes walkers from our area. “We used to do the whole lake,” Cedric shrugs, “but a lot of people couldn’t walk it, so they cut back. I used to be able to walk the lake in two hours and 15 minutes.” He shakes his head when asked how he physically prepares for the event. “I’m already in shape,” he explains. “I don’t have a desk job; all day I’m walking
through the building. So this is a piece of cake.” For exercise, Cedric has been involved in Tai Kwan Do for several years with his daughter Hope. He recently advanced to a first-degree black belt and Hope has earned her second degree black belt. After taking the summer off from the sport, he is looking forward to working out again. Over the years, Cedric has seen the amount of donations rise and fall with the economy but he notes that he
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finds that donors are generous even in hard times. The most he has collected for the annual walk is about $42,000. Last year ’s donations dropped to around $25,000, but his tally for 2011 increased by $6,000. Cedric has set a personal goal of eventually bringing in $100,000 for a single year. Shirley and Hope help Cedric out by folding the letters and stuffing the envelopes that he hands out. In return, he presents them with the Macy’s gift
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card awarded to the Dallas area top money-raisers. “I give it to them,” he laughs, “but I tell them they have to work for it.” Because he is always the leading fundraiser for the Dallas area, other benefits and recognitions come Cedric’s way each year. At the annual walks, Cedric often joins celebrity guests, such as this year’s Grammy-award recipient and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, on the event platform to welcome the other volunteers.
In addition, Cedric participates in other local March of Dimes events such as the annual Breakfast with a Champion hosted in November at the Dallas Hilton Anatole and featuring renowned athletes. The Garland High School Jazz Band provides music for this special morning event because the Garland School District is another top fund raiser for the local March of Dimes. Over the years, Cedric has met a number of sports celebrities through March of Dimes, including Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, Johnny Bench, Don Schula, Drew Pearson and Bo Jackson. This year’s event on November 2 features a roundtable of Dallas Mavericks and individual tickets are $150. In addition to March of Dimes, Cedric also lends support to the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization participating in their annual bowling tournament in Dallas. He competes on the Vinson & Elkins team, attorneys
for the Dallas branch at the Trammell Crow building. “I’m not a great bowler,” Cedric admits, “but I do the best I can.” Each Sunday, Cedric drives 50 miles to attend Mt. Olive Baptist Church where he has been a member for 28 years. In addition to serving as a deacon and member of the church finance committee, he sings second tenor in its 60-member male choir. Cedric also carries his spiritual beliefs into his every day life, emphasizing the need to treat people fairly and honestly. “It’s not right to take advantage of people,” he declares. “I wasn’t raised that way and my mom would be upset with me!” Compelled by this deep conviction and a strong belief in passing on blessings, Cedric started keeping a pocket full of quarters at work—for those times when people in the building found themselves in need of a little cash. “People say, ‘I’ll pay you back,’ but I just tell them to pass it on,” he explains. “People have helped me, and now I’m in a position where I can help people,” Cedric continues. “Like March of Dimes. God has put me in this position, and if people want to give me money, I’ll say, ‘Yes sir, I’ll take it!’ and then I’ll tell them their money is going to a good cause.” “We are so blessed to have Cedric as one of our top volunteers,” declares Julie Whitsitt, executive director for March of Dimes Dallas Division. “He is so kind and caring, and his wife Shirley and daughter Hope are as sweet as he is!” “He is not only a champion for babies, he has a heart that is bigger than he is!” Julie concludes. “March of Dimes couldn’t do the great work that we do to give babies a healthy start if it wasn’t for volunteers like Cedric.” “I look forward to it every year!” Cedric concludes. “That’s the time of year I collect my money to pay for my babies!” v
Where do all those dimes go? How do the dedicated efforts of local March of Dimes volunteers and donors make a difference in our community? Carmen Branch, communications coordinator for both the Dallas and Ft. Worth Divisions of March of Dimes and another Allen resident, shares some pertinent information about how the organization makes a difference in our lives and those of our neighbors. Improving the health of babies through the prevention of birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality is March of Dime’s primary mission. It is accomplished through its funding of research, education, community service and advocacy. One out of every seven babies in Texas is born prematurely, a higher rate than the national average. These numbers are significant because prematurity is the leading cause of death of babies under the age of one. In addition, prematurity may result in serious complications such as cerebral palsy, hearing and vision impairment, and breathing difficulties. March of Dimes advocates for the funding of a number of programs, including newborn screening for at least 28 primary disorders. Other successful March of Dimes missions include Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Outreach; Honey Child, a faith-based prenatal education program for African-American women; and CenteringPregnancy® that provides prenatal care through a group support setting, . To learn more, go to marchofdimes.com/texas or follow at facebook. com/MODDFW. Learn about the organization and find information to sign up for next year’s March for Babies at White Rock Lake, April 21, 2012.
Prggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. A lle n I m a g e x O c t o b e r 2 0 11
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