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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

April 2015

Vol. 25, Issue 4

cover story

revitalizing our neighborhoods Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County serves Allen, Fairview, Lucas, Saint Paul, Murphy, Parker, Wylie, Lowry Crossing, Trinity Park and the rural areas of south Collin County. They rely on crews comprised of volunteers to not only build new homes, but to do home repair projects.

feature

20 wholesome food, wholesome family values

Kelly Family Farms is a local family-owned farm that raises grass-fed beef that is sold, along with homemade hamburgers, at the area’s only food truck “restaurant” located in Parker.

special sections

KIDS KORNER

Birthday Parties 2015

34 CALENDAR 50 PET PAGE

Mable

42 20

22 6

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

library

outdoor spaces

10 Bryan Adams bring his Reckless

Pancho Villa, Texas, aviation and World War One

11 A winning combination

Texas Gypsies

Interurban

30th Anniversary tour to Allen

Having a ball with chair volleyball

13 A Railroad Ran Through

Front yard, big impact

32 Air filtration systems

19 Christina Baker Kline

Vivaldi in season

Dump your junk during Allen’s “Great American Cleanup”

education

“Join the Fight” against abuse

Model citizens

Christ the Servant Concert

helping hands

Gear up for the 12th Annual CCMGA Plant Sale

38 ACO turns 30!

18 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

19 contributing writers Chelsey Aprill Colin Ashcraft Deborah Dove Holly Harvey Tom Keener Kathy Litinas Jeff Mues Dawn Bluemel Oldfield Peggy Helmick-Richardson Marjorie Burr

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38 Allen Image © 2015 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

Bryan Adams brings his Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour to Allen by Jeff MUES

Multi-platinum selling recording artist Bryan Adams will be plugging in once again with his full band on April 12, at Allen Event Center to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his iconic rock album, Reckless. Promoted by Live Nation, the Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour will kick off on April 11, in Houston, Texas, with the Allen date being just the second on the tour. Lower bowl seats are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com as are premium and suite sales, which can be secured by calling 972.912.1040. Adams will be performing a set that will honor not only the 30th anniversary of Reckless—a deluxe version of which was released in November 2014 featuring exclusive expanded bonus material—but also his endless catalogue of rock classics. Originally released in 1984, Reckless produced a record six huge hits: “Run to You,” “Kids Wanna Rock,” “Somebody,” “Summer of ’69,” “One Night Love Affair” and “It’s Only Love,” a duet with the incomparable Tina Turner. Reckless also gave Adams his first U.S. #1 on Billboard with “Heaven,” as well as a Diamond Award for over a million copies sold in Canada. The album was the turning point in Adams’ career, resulting in his hugely successful World Wide in ’85 Tour. As one of Canada’s best-known musical ambassadors, Adams has spent the last three decades making music history. He has sold upward of 65 million records, toured

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six continents and achieved #1 status in over 40 countries around the world. He has been awarded the Order of Canada, has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and has a Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Adams has also been nominated for, and won, several Academy Awards, Golden Globes and Grammy Awards. He has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into Wembley’s Square of Fame. Adams’ current album, Tracks of My Years, is his first studio release in six years, and features a wide range of musical styles reflective of a time when rock was played alongside pop, country and R&B. A live performance during his current world tour will air on PBS’ Great Performances, which captures Bryan at his peak, performing favorites from the new album as well as his own chart-topping hits. The performance—including “Here I Am,” “Summer of ’69,” “Heaven” and “Straight from the Heart”—was filmed at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre in July 2014 and marks the singer’s PBS debut. Check local listings for air times on that, and definitely don’t miss seeing the one and only Bryan Adams live at Allen Event Center on April 12! v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks and Recreation Department.

A winning combination by Kathy LITINAS

The Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Chorus invite you to our concert performance, A Winning Combination, on Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Allen, 601 S. Greenville Avenue. Orchestral selections include Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town and this season’s gold medalist’s perf ormance from the Allen Philharmonic’s own Roger & Ella Jo Adams Concerto Competition. Special guest Allegra DeVita, Gold Medalist and Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Young Texas Artist Competition, will perform Maurice Ravel’s “Shéhérazade,” a song cycle for soprano solo and orchestra, after three poems by Tristan Klingsor: Asie, La flûte Enchantee and L’indifferent. Allegra is a mezzo-soprano from Trumbull, Connecticut, who spent last summer as an apprentice singer with The Santa Fe Opera. She completed her masters in vocal performance at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Stephen King. Allegra was part of the Wolf Trap Opera Studio Artist Program in Vienna, Virginia, where she was the cover for Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. She has performed the roles of Romeo in I Capuleti e I Montecchi with Manhattan Chamber Opera and Ruggiero in Alcina with Opera Amis. Allegra is presently singing in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition—the semifinal auditions with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The Allen Symphony Chorus will take our guests on a musical journey as they perform highlights from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South

Pacific. Featured songs include “There is Nothing Like a Dame,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair,” “Bali High” and “Some Enchanted Evening.” Allegra DeVita will perform with the chorus as the featured voice in these selections. The chorus will close with Alexander Borodin’s Polovetsian Dances. For tickets and information, please call our office at 972.359.0656 or visit our website www.allenphilharmonic. org. Come be inspired and entertained. We cannot wait to share great music v with you! Kathy Litinas is the president of the APSO Board of Directors.

Allen Image | April 2015

Having a ball with chair volleyball by Jeff MUES

On Wednesday and Friday mornings, things get a bit spirited at Allen Senior Recreation Center (ASRC)—all in good fun, of course— when the facility hosts open play chair volleyball. Even more so now, as those sessions have morphed into “practice.” Once again, the Allen Vulture teams at Allen Senior Recreation Center are gearing up for a tournament this month with cross-town rivals from the Country Lane Senior Campus in McKinney. Last April, six teams from Country Day travelled to Allen Senior Recreation Center with the visiting Beauties & The Beast team taking home the homemade trophy. Having hosted both Wii Bowling and Chair Volleyball events with other area senior centers, it’s created a new type of competitive experience at Allen Senior Recreation Center. And not just for the competitors. Last April’s chair

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volleyball tournament brought fans and friends out to the facility as well. With their loud cheering and other showings of support such as signs and team t-shirts, they were full participants, every bit as wrapped up in the experience as those on the court. So what exactly is this sport that everyone has rallied behind? Chair volleyball is a sport that involves teams of six sitting in chairs behind the volleyball net using a modified ball that resembles a beach ball. Players must follow the “one cheek on the chair” rule by remaining seated during the game. As people age, people often have problems with their legs first, so chair volleyball is a good way to remain active without it being too strenuous. At last year ’s tournament, several players were in their 90s, demonstrating that age is no hindrance to one’s ability to compete at a high level in the sport!

Chair volleyball also helps to develop good hand-eye coordination, upper body strength, reduces stress and it fosters camaraderie. For ASRC, that last benefit is a big one. Creating camaraderie is a major goal in most all of the programs, trips and activities the facility offers. Membership is open to those 50 years of age or older, but everyone is invited to come out and watch the big tournament on April 24, from 10 a.m. to noon. Current and prospective Allen Senior Recreation Center members who are interested in trying chair volleyball, can drop in any Wednesday from 11 to noon, or any Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. To learn more, visit AllenParks.org/ASRC. v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator

with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks and Recreation Department.

by Tom KEENER The Houston and Texas Central Railroad was probably the most important line ever constructed in Texas because it opened up the Texas interior trade to the Gulf Coast on one end and the developing United States at the other end. The H&TC railroad created the town of Allen from the original James Read survey in 1876, and water used by the steam engines was available at Cottonwood Creek. The village was named for Ebenezer Allen who wrote the charter for, and promoted, the Houston and Texas Central railroad. The unique stone dam and surrounding area that contained other necessary buildings in Allen is designated a State Historical and Archeological Site and will soon be fully documented by signage along a new City of Allen hike and bike trail. The Parks and Recreation Department and the Allen Heritage Guild have worked in partnership to preserve and promote this and other historic areas of Allen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Railroad Ran Throughâ&#x20AC;? exhibit will display information regarding the acquisition of land, laying the rails and building the dam and outbuildings for the Allen Water Station. Revealing information about the train depot which served the passenger and freight needs of Allen, a plat map of the original town of Allen drawn by H&TC Railroad civil engineer Theodore Kosse will be displayed along with information on

some of the original businesses and inhabitants. The exhibit covers the years from 1876 through 1899 with displays of churches, schools, social organizations, the post office and cemetery. Other newly discovered information will be available including maps, charts, census and deed pages, photos and objects. The exhibit will be on display at the museum in the Allen Heritage Center/Depot building at 100 E. Main

Street from mid April through August. The Depot is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arrangements for group tours of the exhibit can be made by calling Ed at 972.984.9086 or Paula at 972.740.8017. Permanent exhibits of photos and artifacts of early Allen are v always on display. Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Allen Image | April 2015

Dump your junk during Allen’s “Great American Cleanup” by Chelsey APRILL

Young volunteers help Mike Barringer collect donations for the Shoe Bank. If your storage closet (or garage or spare room) looks anything like mine, you likely enter at your own risk— cardboard boxes tile the floor; scuffed picture frames lean precariously against paint-splattered chairs. Removing a single sweater or flowerpot might cause an avalanche of dead Christmas lights and old bank statements. Ever wish you could snap your fingers and make it all disappear?

Making It Easy

Enter the Great American Cleanup, scheduled for Saturday, April 18. This national spring-cleaning event has a powerful presence in Allen, thanks to the work of Keep Allen Beautiful and numerous volunteers. It began in the early nineties as “Dump Your Junk Day;” now it’s one of the biggest recycling events in North Texas. “Allen really is a green com munity,” says Donna Kliewer, waste services manager for the City of Allen.

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“We have a lot of young families. They are environmentally aware and they want to do the right thing.” The trick, Kliewer explains, is making it easy. Residents can discard virtually anything during the Great American Cleanup—furniture, appli ances, tree limbs, electronics, clothes, eyeglasses, prescription drugs…yes, even a kitchen sink. Don’t want to get out of the car? Don’t sweat it. Volunteers (including a few armed with forklifts) unload each car or pickup bed in minutes, sorting items as they go. Yard waste is composted and documents get shredded. Of the 100,000 pounds of “junk” residents shed last year, more than 76% was reused or recycled.

“One Man’s Trash…”

Unlike the discards you may drop at Goodwill, items donated during the Great American Cleanup are matched to the organizations that need them

most. Old books are donated to Friends of the Library and sold to fund programs such as “Bach to Books” and “ALLen Reads.” Unwanted sneakers are distributed to orphans, refugees and the homeless through The Shoe Bank. Old eyeglasses are collected by the Allen High Noon Lions Club and offered to participants in free eye clinics. Perhaps no group benefits more than Allen Community Outreach (ACO). Last year, the organization received more than 9,000 pounds of clothes, toys and furniture—enough to fill four and a half box trucks. Items are taken immediately to ACO’s sidewalk sale; the proceeds help fund the organization’s many services, including career counseling and a food bank.

Lasting Impact

The event has a lasting impact. For three months following the Great American Cleanup, the city sees virtually no illegal dumping. Code enforcement officers also write fewer warnings about clearing junk or brush. “I already have people calling me, wanting to know when the Great American Cleanup is happening,” Kliewer tells me. “They have piles of stuff just waiting for this.” To participate in the Great American Cleanup, residents must present their current utility bill and driver’s license with matching addresses. Items may be dropped off at City Hall and Chelsea Blvd./Allen Commerce Parkway from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. Find more information at CityofAllen. org/GreatAmericanCleanup. v Chelsey Aprill is a marketing specialist for the City of Allen.

Snippets Christ the Servant Concert “Join the Fight” against abuse

On Sunday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m., concert organist Wyatt Smith will perform a concert at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Allen. The concert will feature works from the 1600s all the way to the 2000s. Wyatt, a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, is currently a graduate student at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, studying organ performance with Martin Jean and improvisation with Jeffrey Brillhart. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from the University of South Dakota.

Event Chair Carolyn Speese, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mark Speese

Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the legendary sports icons of the 20th century whose very name epitomizes boxing and conjures the image of a champion. As a young boxer, Leonard had been a victim of sexual abuse by an Olympic trainer and another man, a benefactor. Since then, he has taken up the cause of ending child sexual abuse and encouraging others to report abuse.

Wyatt has concertized extensively throughout the U.S., and was the winner of the 2011 AGO/ Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists held in Des Moines, Iowa. He was among the winners of the 2011 USD Concerto Competition. His performances have been heard on several episodes of American Public Media’s Pipedreams, and South Dakota Public Radio and Television.

The Children’s Advocacy Center works collaboratively with law enforcement and Child Protective Services. To learn more, visit caccollincounty.org or call 972.633.6600. v

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church is located at 821 South Greenville Avenue in Allen. Visit the website for more details: christtheservant.com. v

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard headlined the 3rd annual “Join the Fight” Luncheon benefiting Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County on February 12. The luncheon brought together business and community leaders to generate awareness about the center’s mission, and raised much-needed funds to fight child abuse and to help abused and neglected children.

Gear up for the 12th Annual CCMGA Plant Sale It is spring, and all over Collin County gardeners are eagerly awaiting the area’s premier plant sale—the CCMGA Plant Sale! This year the plant sale will be changing locations and will be held Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at beautiful Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney. It will feature Texas-tough, water-conserving, insect- and disease-resistant and Earth-Kind® favorites recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Choose from hundreds of varieties of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, roses, vegetables, herbs and grasses that thrive in sun, part-sun and shade. Collin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, and offer tips to help homeowners plant with confidence and success. Purchase these proven performers by cash, check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Bringing your own cart or wagon is encouraged. Children ages 5 and up can participate in environmentally friendly activities at the Children’s Discovery Area. The plant sale will be held rain or shine, inside the Stall Barn at Myers Park, 7117 County Road 166, in McKinney. To find out more about the plant, sale visit www.ccmgatx.org or call the CCMGA Information Center at 972.548.4232. v Allen Image | April 2015

library

Pancho Villa, Texas, Aviation and World War One by Tom KEENER Pancho Villa, Texas, aviation and World War I have a fascinating relationship. Learn the details of the intriguing connections from military historian Dr. Eric Smylie at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, April 30, at the Allen Public Library. On March 9, 1916, several hundred Mexican guerrillas, under the command of Francisco “Pancho” Villa, crossed the U.S.-Mexican border and attacked the small border town of Columbus, New Mexico. Seventeen Americans were killed in the raid and the center of town was burned. Aware that Pancho Villa’s guerillas were responsible for the raid, President

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Woodrow Wilson ordered the U.S. Army into Mexico to capture the rebel leader, dead or alive. John J. Pershing launched a punitive expedition into Mexico to capture Villa and disperse his rebels. The expedition eventually involved some 10,000 U.S. troops and personnel. It was the first U.S. military operation to employ mechanized vehicles, including automobiles and airplanes. Planes were used for surveillance in this effort, and most aerial training and maintenance facilities were constructed in Texas. Kelly Field in San Antonio became a base for this effort, and when the U.S. entered World War I, it became a major training facility for pilots. In 1917, Dallas Love Field was built near Bachman Lake to assist with the war effort. Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters, maintenance and officers’ quarters. Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas,

Dr. Smylie was a political consultant in Corpus Christi and Houston. In 1991, Dr. Smylie and his wife, Beth, moved to Dallas. Earning a Ph.D. in Modern European history/United States history at the University of North Texas, he has authored or co-authored several books on Texas history and military history. Dr. Smylie taught U. S. history at the University of North Texas before concentrating on writing. Formerly serving as a cataloguer, subject specialist, consign ment director and historian at Heritage Auction Galleries, Dr. Smylie is currently a cataloguer, subject specialist and historian at Dallas Auction Gallery. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Bethany Heights Dental Care is proud to announce that at the beginning of the year, they welcomed a new dentist to the practice, Dr. Luis E. Sanchez, D.M.D.

Dr. Sanchez’s passion for dentistry began in a love for science and the arts. “While we do perform cosmetic dental procedures, we always make sure that our patients’ oral health is the first and foremost priority—especially given that it can affect the health of the entire body,” Dr. Sanchez explains. To relax, Dr. Sanchez enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children as well as traveling together. He also likes to cook, play classical guitar and has been known to sing a tune or two.

Top-notch service Providing consistent, quality treatment to the whole family—from children to elderly adults—is important to the entire staff at Bethany Heights Dental Care.

Dr. Sanchez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and earned his dental degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine in 2001. His skills, experience and warm personality make Dr. Sanchez a great addition to the office, says Dr. Carla Spann-Lopez D.D.S., who opened Bethany Heights Dental Care in 2012. “I am happy to be working in Allen, especially with Dr. Spann-Lopez and her wonderful staff,” Dr. Sanchez says. “I really relate to her health care approach, which is about taking care of patients and helping them come up with affordable solutions. The staff, as well as patients, have been very welcoming and I truly feel like I have found a great home here.” Before moving to Texas in 2005, Dr. Sanchez practiced and taught dentistry in Puerto Rico and North Carolina. In addition to his experience, Dr. Sanchez brings with him a strong desire to present the best options to his patients and guide them as they make their decisions. “I’m happy to give my recommendation, of course,” he explains. “I believe that the best patients are well-informed patients.”

The office features music options as well as televisions above its dental chairs to make treatment more pleasant. They can also provide clear braces as well as athletic and night guards. When not in the office, Dr. SpannLopez enjoys spending time with her husband, Gino, and their four sons, Terrell, Gino II, Carson and Cameron. The family lives in Allen and their two youngest sons attend Lucas Christian Academy. Dr. SpannLopez is also the proud daughter of Calvin J. Spann, who is an original Tuskegee Airman Pilot.

Texas Gypsies

Interurban

The award-winning Texas Gypsies brings gypsy jazz to the library at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 17. Blending big band swing, jazz, western swing, Texas blues and rockabilly, they create a one-of-a-kind style.

A crucial part of Allen’s history, the Texas Traction Company, hosted its debut trip between Dallas and Denison in June of 1908. Immediately west of the Houston Texas and Central Railway line, their tracks ran parallel to those of the train. When the tracks approached Allen, they veered slightly to the west and followed a route that is now Butler Drive. Allen’s Interurban Station was located at 105 S. Butler. That building still stands today and features a Texas historical marker. In 1917, Texas Traction consolidated with Southern Traction to form the Texas Electric Railway, more popularly known as the Interurban. Learn more about the Interurban from Dr. John Myers at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the library. The Interurban allowed rural people with no access to cars to shop and visit friends in other cities. Senior citizens recall how important the Interurban was to their lives. Mrs. Ora Lee Binkley lived in McKinney and taught at the one room Wetsel School, which was located at the southwest corner of Stacy Road and Greenville Avenue. She rode the Interurban from McKinney every morning, disembarked at Stacy Road and walked to her destination. Mrs. Van Neally rode the Interurban from Sherman to Allen and walked to the Allen Colored School that was located in the St. Mary’s area. Since these young women did not own cars, the Interurban enabled them to provide an education to Allen’s rural and minority communities. A special feature of the Interurban was mail and freight delivery. Some of the cars were equipped with a post office. Mail was sorted en route and could be delivered within hours. A letter sent from Sherman in the morning could arrive in Allen by lunch. It was also was a convenient means to ship groceries and packages. In the spring, crates of baby chickens were delivered on the Interurban so farmers could raise them for eggs or fryers. A renovated passenger/mail car is featured at the Interurban Museum in Plano. Dr. Myers is the author of the Texas Electric Railway. Comprised of numerous photos and prodigious research, this book is the definitive history of the Interurban. v

With sounds evocative of the European jazz movement in the 1930s, the Texas Gypsies feature guitar, violin bass, drums, keyboards and horns. Both earthy and sophisticated, their music appeals to a diverse audience. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is made possible with generous assistance from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Free tickets are available at the door and no reservations are accepted. Seating is limited to 300. In 2006, the Texas Gypsies was voted best band at the City of Richardson’s Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival. Bandleader Steve Curry asserts, “We hope the audience enjoys the fun and also the artistic aspect of the music.” Former Dallas Morning News critic Mario Tarradell declared of their latest release, Café du Swing, “A buzz is building for the swinging Texas Gypsies… The CD comes loaded with charm and chops!” The Texas Gypsies is composed of bandleader and Allen resident Steve Curry, John Hewitt on bass and vocal, Mike Sizer on sax and clarinet, Brook Wallace on violin and vocal, Andrew Griffith on drums, Brandon Lusk on trumpet and Eugene Lebeaux on trombone. v

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Christina Baker Kline Christina Baker Kline, author of the New York Times bestselling Orphan Train, will speak at the Allen Public Library at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 9. This year ’s ALLen Reads selection, Kline’s his torical novel led the New York Times, USA Today and National Indie bestseller lists for 18 months. Set in Maine and Minnesota during the Great Depression, it is about the orphan trains that ran from 1854 to 1929, bringing abandoned children from the East Coast to the Midwest. Sponsored by ALLen Reads, the program is free. When the orphan trains arrived in stations along the Midwest and prairies states, the orphans were selected by prospective “parents.” Those children not chosen returned to the train to continue on to future stops. Finding homes for orphans and abandoned children began with the best of intentions, but no screening or interviewing took place. Some orphans found loving families; others were forced into hard labor on farms. When asked if she had any childhood experiences that enhanced her sensitivity to the plight of these orphans, Ms. Kline explains, “Many people, for many reasons, feel rootless—but orphans and abandoned or abused children have particular cause. I think I was drawn to the orphan train story in part because two of my own grandparents were orphans who spoke little about their early lives. Also, my own background is partly Irish, and so I decided that I wanted to write about an Irish girl who has kept silent about the circumstances that led her to the orphan train. “I wanted to expose and explore an important piece of American history that has been hidden in plain sight,” Ms. Kline notes. “Second, I hope readers come away with some thoughts about the human experience that may not have occurred to them before. Many train riders were ashamed of this part of their past and carried the secret of it for decades, and sometimes until they died. I think that the main message of my novel is that shame and secrecy can keep us from becoming our full selves. It’s not until we speak up that we can move past the pain and step forward.” v The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214.509.4911 for information. Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Vivaldi in season During the fall of 1926, a boarding school in the Piedmont region of Italy discovered old volumes of music in their archives. Looking to sell the music to help fund their school, they sought professional guidance. Alberto Gentili, a professor of music history at Turin University, found volumes of music with Vivaldi autographs. Dr. Gentili’s efforts saved 319 pieces that would have otherwise been lost, and a rediscovery of the music of Vivaldi endured for the remainder of the 20th century. The bulk of Vivaldi’s career was spent working for the Ospedale della Pieta, a charitable religious foundation for the education and upbringing of female orphans. Appointed maestro di violin in 1703 at the age of 25, the instrumental ensembles of the Pieta, already well known for their superb concerts, performed Sunday concerts for capacity crowds.

The Allen ISD Orchestra program began in 1997 at the 6th grade level with approximately 50 students. Today, there are over 1,100 orchestra students in Allen ISD. The Lowery Chamber Orchestra is under the direction of Ellen Townley, and the Allen HS Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of David DeVoto will perform a concert Sunday, April 12, at 3 p.m., in the Allen Library Auditorium. Prepare for a musical journey through Vivaldi’s life. A reception will follow. v Allen Image | April 2015

feature

Wholesome food, wholesome family values by Deborah DOVE

Some things are just meant to be. One of those things

“All of this happened for a reason,” says Gina Kelly.

is Kelly Family Farms, a local family-owned farm that

“It was God’s plan to bring us all together.”

hamburgers, at the area’s only food truck “restaurant”

to turn into a business. Thanks to a drought in New

raises grass fed beef that is sold, along with homemade located at 1989 Lucas Road in Parker.

The Kellys behind the name—brothers Chris Kelly and

his wife, Chanin, and Jeff Kelly and his wife, Gina—never set out to be farmers. In fact, they originally bought the

land in Bonham that eventually became their cattle farm so they had a place to take their kids to camp and go four-

wheeling. When an acquaintance of Jeff’s told him about six cows and a bull for sale, they bought the cattle for the tax

Things similarly fell into place as raising cattle began

Mexico, the Kellys found themselves taking care of a herd of black angus, known for the high quality of beef they produce, in exchange for a bull. The owner of the herd

encouraged the Kellys to sell their beef, telling them there was a market for grass fed beef. They started selling beef in bulk to friends, but ended up with too much hamburger.

“We couldn’t give it away!” Jeff remembers with a

exemption and borrowed a trailer to transport them to the

laugh.

never dreaming it would one day turn into a business.

and half-jokingly offered to buy the restaurant’s food

had spent his career working in insurance, while his

another day, the guy who’d originally offered to buy it had

property covered in cedar trees at the end of a dirt road,

Although Chris earned his degree in agriculture, he

brother, Jeff, worked in concrete demolition. Needing some guidance on how to raise cattle, they turned to the Natural

Jeff and Chris were having lunch at a local restaurant

trailer, but it was spoken for. When they went back disappeared and it was theirs.

“We do everything backwards,” Chris says. “We had a

Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), a federal agency

trailer sitting in our driveway but nowhere to put it.”

conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources.

trailer, but getting approval was a slow process. After their

natural habitat of their land and rotate the cattle from field

Bedell, a longtime Allen resident that Jeff and Gina had

that works with private landowners to help them

With the help of the NRCS, they learned to cultivate the

to field for grazing, which earned them the Outstanding

Absentee Farmer Award from the NRCS in 2011 for their efforts in promoting conservation.

Meanwhile, the cows kept having babies and the

Kellys began to look into purchasing more land to

accommodate their growing herd. In the first of several

scenarios that the Kellys credit to God’s hand in putting them on the path they were meant to travel, the woman

They began looking for land to lease for their food

original location fell through, they approached Jerry

hauled hay for during high school, and he agreed to lease them two acres off of Lucas Road.

“He wasn’t looking for a business venture,” Chris

explains. “He gave it to us because of who we were.” All four Kellys are native Allen residents who grew up here, graduated from Allen High School, and are raising their own families here.

Chanin quit her job as library assistant at Lovejoy

who owned the land adjacent to theirs called and offered

Elementary and they opened the Kelly Family Farms food

with the additional acreage they needed, as well as much

the pound, as well as some of the best tasting burgers

to sell them the land and her house on it, providing them needed running water and plumbing.

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truck in June of 2014. They sell individual cuts of beef by you’ll ever sink your teeth into.

“It’s very rewarding to see families gather around the

table and know it’s good food you’re feeding that twoyear-old,” Chanin says. “It’s wholesome food.”

All of the beef sold by Kelly Family Farms is 100

percent grass fed (no corn or unnatural substances), and the cows are given no antibiotics or steroids and are allowed to roam freely.

“They eat grass, hay and water,” Chris says. “That’s it.” The result is leaner, better tasting beef that’s healthier

for you. Studies show that grass fed beef is lower in fat and higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, B vitamins and Omega-3s than grain fed beef.

In addition to their emphasis on wholesome food, the

Kellys are all about wholesome family values, and the

picnic tables that dot the grassy area around the burger stand are round so that families can gather around the

table to enjoy lunch or dinner together. There’s room for

the kids to run, a game of washers to play and, of course, those delicious burgers to eat along with chips and cold

drinks from the cooler. The food truck is usually manned by Chanin and Larry—Chris and Jeff’s dad (aka

Granddaddy)—with the Kellys’ kids and kids from their church youth group often filling in.

Today, the Kellys have over a thousand acres of land

and several hundred cattle that graze in Bonham, and they feel blessed to be able to work with family and serve the

community they all grew up in. Although the cattle pretty much take care of themselves (“They’re usually better

without us,” Chris says), either Chris or Jeff check on the herd daily, which is rewarding in and of itself.

“It’s very peaceful to be there with the cows when the

sun’s going down,” Chris says.

“Chris’ sun is going down, and mine’s going up,” Jeff

adds with a laugh. “I’m more of a morning person.”

His comment illustrates how the two brothers balance

each other and how true the Bible verse that serves as their business motto is.

“I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and

you will eat and be satisfied.”

For the Kellys, satisfaction has never tasted so good. v

Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | April 2015

kids korner

Birthday Parties 2015 by Deborah DOVE

Looking for a place to host your child’s big day? We’ve got you covered. Woodhaven Stables

Is your child crazy about horses? At this birthday party, qualified instructors help everyone, from kids who’ve never ridden before to advanced riders, enjoy horseback riding, with an hour of horse activities including riding in the covered arena. For an extra $25, stay afterward and use the picnic area for one hour as well as the water slide or campfire. Parties are booked Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. or 3-5 p.m. Cost is $20/rider ($150 minimum) For more information, call Jean at 972.562.6518, send an e-mail to woodenhavenjs@aol.com or visit www.woodhavenstable.com

Splittsville at the Village at Fairview

Perfect for teens and tweens, this bowling party will definitely get the ball rolling while they rock out to their favorite tunes. Purchase a birthday package for up to 16 kids for $249 and get two lanes for two hours, shoe rentals for each guest, three onetopping pizzas and unlimited soda. Have more guests? There’s a package for 24 kids that includes three lanes for two hours, shoe rentals, six pizzas, a basket of chicken tenders, and unlimited soda for $399. For a smaller group, you can reserve a lane for an hour and forty minutes for eight guests for $120 (shoe rentals included). Parties are booked at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Lane rentals for birthdays are offered at the top of every even hour. For more information, call 972.549.4263.

Texas Legends Basketball

Grab your teammates and celebrate your birthday at a Texas Legends basketball game, a minor league basketball team affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks that plays at the Dr Pepper Center in Frisco. The Legendary Birthday Package includes a ticket to the game and a hot dog, chips and drink for each guest, plus recognition on the video board, cupcakes, party favors, the high five tunnel, a table in the concourse for the birthday celebration and a special gift for the birthday child. Season runs November-April. For more information, call 214.469.0822 or visit http://texas.dleague.nba.com/tickets/legendary-birthdays. Cost is $25 per person.

Michael’s

Got a crafty kid? Book your party in a private room at Michael’s at Watters Creek and choose from suggested crafts such as friendship bracelets, a Mod Podge wood frame, or a Crayola marker airbrush project, or create your own craft tailored to your child’s interest. The two-hour party includes invitations, thank you cards, goodie bag tags, craft assistance and party set up and clean up. You can bring your own cake and refreshments. Call 972.332.5444 for more information. Cost is $50 for up to 16 guests, plus the cost of the craft supplies (you get a 10% discount on anything purchased for the party). Add $25 for face painting.

Allen Parks

Want to host your own party but not at your house? Rent a pavilion at one of Allen’s parks and take advantage of the playground and open space, or rent a bounce house for added fun (the city can provide a list of preferred vendors who have insurance policies on file). Parks with pavilions include Bethany Lakes, Celebration, Dayspring Nature Preserve, Glendover, Bradford Trace, Stacy Ridge, Suncreek and more. Free on a first

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come, first serve basis, or reserve for two hours for exclusive use by contacting 214.509.4714. Rental fees range from $15-$40 per hour, depending on the park. There is an additional $25 fee if you have a bounce house.

KidMania

Perfect for elementary and preschool ages, this indoor playground is birthday party nirvana with a five-level “ManiaMaze” to climb, slide, crawl, jump and zip line through. The BirthdayMania package includes unlimited play in the ManiaMaze, 20 arcade tokens for each guest, an hour in a private party room, plus soda, cups, plates, napkins, invitations and a party hostess. The Mania Event package includes everything in the Birthday Mania package plus an extra 10 arcade tokens and two slices of pizza per person. Visit www.kidmania.com for more info. Cost: The BirthdayMania package is $89.95 for six guests ($11.95/each additional child). The Mania Event package is $109.95 for six guests ($14.95/each additional child).

Pinot’s Palette

Unleash the artist in your birthday child with a painting party at this studio in the Village at Fairview. Choose a painting from the picture library, and local artists will provide step-by-step instructions to help party-goers create their own masterpiece. Parties are two hours long and include paper goods (bring your own cake and beverage). For more information, call 972.363.0614 or visit www.pinotspalette.com. Cost is $25/person ages 6-12 years for a 12x16 canvas and $35/person ages 13 and up for 16x20 canvas (10 painter minimum).

Grisham Farms

Don’t want to turn your house into a zoo? Take the party to one! Two-hour private birthday parties at Grisham Farms in McKinney include a 40-minute presentation that introduces guests to over 20 different species of farm and exotic animals (pigs, goats, llamas, hedgehogs, bearded dragon, tarantulas and more), feed for the animals and use of the shaded park and picnic area (bring your own food and decorations). You can add balloons, pizza, punch and paper goods for an additional cost. Want to have the party at home? They’ll bring the zoo to you with ten small caged animals of your choice with a 45-minute presentation. Visit www.grishamfarms.org for more information. At the farm, party cost is $300 (you supply food and decorations) or $450 (food and decorations included). Zoo Crew party at your home starts at $200.

North Texas XTREME Gaming

This mobile video game truck provides the ultimate gaming experience for tweens and teens. Up to 25 guests can play video games together at the same time (including Minecraft, HALO, Call of Duty, Mario Kart 8, Just Dance 2015, Madden 15 and more, or bring your own) on seven wide-screen HDTVs in front of custom stadium seats. Party package includes invitations, access to the entire video game library, game system use, a game coach and room for 25 in the air-conditioned video game truck. Visit www.ntxgaming.com for more information. A two-hour weekend party is $299 ($249 Mon-Thurs); one-hour weekend or weekday party is $199.

education

Model citizens by Holly HARVEY

You don’t have to take a trip to New York City to get a taste of what the United Nations is like. Collin College’s award-winning Model United Nations program gives students the opportunity to learn about other countries and practice their leadership skills right in Collin County. “Through the program, students get acquainted with many different cultures and ideologies and they have to learn how to negotiate and consensus-build,” said Collin College professor and Model U.N. Director Sonia Iwanek. For more than 40 years, Model U.N. has been a part of college and university campuses. At Collin College, students become a part of it by taking Iwanek’s political science courses. Students are then assigned a country to represent and they begin the task of learning about their country and its goals, challenges, ideology and culture. “Last year, the students repre sented Azerbaijan,” Iwanek explained. “Representing other countries really gives students a different mindset and sometimes they have to argue for something they personally might not believe in. Fully immersing themselves in the mindset of another region really gives them a better understanding of the world.” After researching their countries, 12-16 Collin College students form a

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delegation and head to Model U.N. conferences in New York City or Washington D.C. to compete with hundreds of other students and work to pass mock resolutions. “You have hundreds of students working together to establish negotiations, get bills passed and handle delicate situations,” Iwanek said. “Even with all of their research, students have to use critical thinking and leadership skills to work together and get things done.” Model U.N. is open to all colleges and universities including Ivy League institutions such as Harvard. Collin College has consistently ranked in the top tier. At the last conference, Collin College competed with other U.S. universities as well as universities from more than 30 other countries. “It’s really eye-opening for the students to attend the conferences and realize there are other students like them who are interested in changing things,” Iwanek said. “Our students realize that they can compete with anyone.” Last year, the two Collin College teams representing the countries of Yemen and Somalia finished in second and third place and were named an “Outstanding Delegation” as well as “Outstanding Delegates in Committee.” There were two eightmember teams; one comprised of returning students who had completed

a Model U.N. conference before and a group of students new to the conference. The two Collin College teams worked together to create policy. “I wouldn’t say that we bulldozed people, but we definitely dominated,” Iwanek said. “Even more than working to write bills and pass legislation, students have to stay in the character of someone from their represented country at all times.” Team placement and awards are based on how well the delegations work together and stay in character and negotiate. There are no score sheets and students are monitored and judged the entire time by unmarked judges. Collin College alumni who have been involved in Model United Nations have gone on to related careers in civil rights activism, law and the United Nations Children’s Fund. “Students always say how much this experience means to them and how it’s helped them,” Iwanek said. “Even if they go a different path, the skills they learn here translate to other opportunities. So many Collin College students who have been involved are trying to better our world.” For more about Collin College’s Model United Nations or other programs, visit www.collin.edu. v Holly Harvey is a public relations writer at Collin College.

helping hands

Two Special Celebrations Two very special events will be held in 2015 to celebrate ACO and Glenda May. The community is invited to Allen Community Outreach’s main location for a reception and facility tour, while honoring May’s 20 years of service and leadership. Please stop by ACO on Friday, April 17, from 2 to 6 p.m., at 801 E. Main Street. Visit with Glenda May and her staff, and see the organization that has transformed thousands of lives in the Allen area in the past 30 years.

A special celebration luncheon is planned for September 10, at the Courtyard By Marriott in Allen to acknowledge the accomplishments of the agency in a large forum, bringing in nationally known expert and speaker, Dr. Ruby Payne, co-author of Bridges Out of Poverty. A workshop featuring Dr. Payne will follow the luncheon. More information will be provided in the coming weeks on ACO’s website, www.acocares.org.

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ACO Turns

30! by Marjorie Vaneskahian BURR

It’s the talk around town… Allen Community Outreach has something to celebrate—the agency turns 30 and reflects on years of great growth and service to our communities. Thirty years ago, a meeting with local leaders of Allen ISD’s Community Education Advisory Council, which was made of up local residents and professionals who met yearly to assess the needs in Allen, recognized the need for a clearing house and coordination of resources. This meeting led to the birth of the Allen Information & Referral—a small organization led by volunteers and a small staff to provide neighbors with contact information to agencies who could help with food, clothing and financial assistance in times of emergency. Within a year, Allen I & R was renamed Allen Community Outreach to reflect a broader range of services. Bob Outman, one of ACO’s early executive directors said, “It’s a testament to how people can make things happen and do good things when they work together.” Bob said he has always remembered the

comment made at the time about how amazing it is when a group can work together for a common goal and no one individual gets the credit. Beginning in a small office on Main Street, a clothes closet filled with local donations was available through ACO to families needing clothing for their children. The small staff included a caseworker to meet with families and provide guidance as well as small financial assistance. Today, information and referral is still the main service provided by ACO—last year fielding more than 10,000 phone calls and providing information to families in crisis. Now, two full-time caseworkers are on staff, including a Transforming Lives Director who works with families in transition out of poverty. In 1995, Allen Community Outreach hired Glenda May as the executive director. May’s background included non-profit experience and community service—her husband, Richard May, was a long time Collin County Commissioner. Glenda May brought a vision and leadership style

to set a steady pace of growth and service for ACO for the next 20 years. By 2000, ACO had moved to a building better suited to serve families at Boyd and Allen Drive, just across from the Allen Post Office. With a staff of six, plus a thriving “Upscale Resale Shop” on Main Street to help support programs and services through the sale of donated goods, ACO’s volunteer program grew. Services expanded including six to eight routes each weekday delivering Meals-On-Wheels to the Allen, Fairview and Lucas area. This program continues today and provides more than 80 homebound seniors and residents with a hot meal and a well-check visit from an ACO volunteer Monday through Friday. May brought to the organization the idea of an annual campaign, “Christmas In July,” to promote awareness of the need local families have for food, clothing and financial services all year long, not just during the holidays. This annual campaign continues each July and provides vital funding for ACO programs and has raised, collectively, well over a million dollars, all from small donations from residents and local businesses. In 2009, after a capital campaign under the guidance and leadership of May, ACO was able to purchase a much larger building to house the resale shop, a new food pantry and ACO’s client services, making it the first “One Stop Shop” in Collin County for families to receive all services under one roof. A staff of more than 15 in the office and 35+ full and part-time that operate three ACO Resale stores and a warehouse processing center, and more than 3000 volunteers all now call the building at 801 E. Main Street their home base. Special events became a necessity to fund the agency, and the annual Springfest 5K, and later Fallfest 5K, were held for more than a decade. Each October the “Fall Dinner Dance” not only raised funds, but brought the community leaders together for a fun evening of auctions to support the growing need of services.

Today the “Wine Masters” food and drink experience is the event that still brings the community together for an evening to promote awareness and raise much-needed dollars through silent and live auctions. ACO also hosts two golf tournaments each year—the Colin Moran Memorial Golf Tournament in the spring and the ACO Charity Golf Classic in the fall. This year will see the 3rd Annual Restyle Show and Luncheon in a unique fundraising event planned for November.

For 30 years, Allen Community Outreach has been fighting hunger and homelessness and providing hope to families in our area who otherwise would have nowhere to turn in times of crisis. Check out hashtag #ACOTurns30 and see who’s talking about the last 30 years of service and commitment—and v our coming year of celebrations! Marjorie Vaneskahian Burr is the director of community development at ACO.

Allen Image | April 2015

outdoor spaces

Front Yard, Big Impact by Dawn Bluemel OLDFIELD

Once upon a time, front yards were neighborhood gathering spots. People waved to each other while picking up the morning paper, caught up on current events sipping iced tea on the front porch and kept a watchful eye on each other’s kids. Attention to detail in the manicured lawns and colorful flowerbeds was a source of pride, and people personalized these private “public spaces”. Drive through many suburban subdivisions today and they’re nearly ghost towns with ho-hum landscaping and nary a person in sight. The appearance of your front yard isn’t just about curb appeal; it also projects an image of how you maintain your home. Besides, a front lawn, big or small, can be a waste of space if it’s only a boring expanse of grass. If privacy is an issue there are many attractive fencing and plant options to consider for your space. Keep in mind, there may be strict limitations due to city codes or HOA rules that dictate what you can and cannot do in your front yard. Front yard gardens can impact a community, making a neighborhood a prettier and more welcoming place to live. Andy and Kate Reglin do just that with an eye-catching landscape design on their corner lot in a tidy Allen neighborhood. Sweeping beds, extending from the front of the home all the way down the side yard, showcase the property. Cars slow as they drive past the house, obviously delighted with the landscape filled with easy-care perennials, seasonal annuals, bulbs, shrubs and color-rich Japanese maples that set the scene for a welcoming yard year-round. Too often, today’s homeowners pull into their garage via back alleys and hole up in their homes never seeing their front yard or the folks they live next to. Andy says, “Most people put priority in their backyard landscapes. I understand this and it makes sense, because that’s where they spend most of their time, so that’s where they retreat to their pools and outdoor living spaces. Oddly enough the

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fronts of homes tend to be the last piece of the puzzle. It’s time to change that and reclaim the front yard as an extension of your home. I feel it’s a missed opportunity to make a positive statement. Not everybody gets to see others’ backyards, but all who pass can enjoy the front landscapes.” To truly make the most of your front yard Andy says all you really need is a good landscape design and to choose plants wisely. The Reglins tackled the landscape just days after they moved into their home ten years ago. Andy laughs, “I pretty much unpacked the shovels and gardening tools before anything else! The previous landscape consisted of red-tip photenia, Burford holly and some boxwood—the typical palate for the era. We closed on a Friday and first thing Monday morning our landscape crews were cutting down two undesirable silver maples and removing every plant from the beds. Once the slate was wiped clean, I began the design process.” When planning a front garden makeover, take into consideration parts of your home you want to emphasize and parts you want to minimize. What comes to mind when you think of landscapes that are welcoming and appealing? What inspires you? Andy shares, “Our daughter loves flowers and butterflies. This was a lot of my inspiration to use perennials. And it worked! Both butterflies and bees use the garden in the growing season. Our pollinators need help and we can provide some help by having a mix of blooming plants in all of our landscapes.”

“You don’t have a garden just for yourself. You have a garden to share.” – Augusta Carter

Allen Image | April 2015

Andy says, “I wanted to utilize the space that the lot provided by creating beds that would have interest throughout the growing season. Overall, the garden had to have good balance and I was able to achieve that with plants that get by with very little “hand holding.” Some of the foundation plants include “Elizabeth” Indian hawthorn, Anthony Waterer spirea, compact Texas sage and mahonia.

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I used yaupon holly trees, as well as bloodgood Japanese maples. Ferns, daylily, giant liriope and green mound juniper were utilized as secondary material for texture and foliage contrast. Perennials include proven winners such as autumn sage, mealy blue salvia, hosta, little business daylily, woodfern and zexmenia, just to name a few. Majestic live oak and cedar elm trees form a graceful canopy framing the home from the street. Attractive copper lights add ambiance and highlight specimen plants. Moss boulders create a natural border for the garden that compliments the homes brick tones. Repeat plant forms unify the plantings, and a burgundy fountain adds a pop of color leading visitors to the front door. Andy says, “We added the urn style water feature to the garden about six years ago. These are very low maintenance and add so much interest to the landscape, and its soothing sound brings a dimension of tranquility as you enter our home. Birds enjoy it, too!”

Andy comments, “There are a few pieces of iron landscape art throughout the garden as well. “Pancho” is our resident mariachi greeter, which I acquired from the Dallas Farmers Market almost ten years ago, but my family’s favorite is probably the miniature windmill. Before moving to this house we lived on the old Molsen Farm in Allen. It is probably the best-kept secret in Allen! Very few people know it even exists and we had the privilege of calling it home. I managed the farm for twelve years, my wife and I were married there and our son was born in the farmhouse we lived in. The miniature windmill was affixed to the chicken coop and when we moved I brought it with me as a memento. The short story is, when planning your front garden space incorporate something that has a special meaning.” Andy concludes, “My family and I wanted to add beauty and pride to our ‘new’ neighborhood. I wanted our landscape to be an inspiration to anyone who might see it. Landscape doesn’t have to be elaborate to be great. It all starts with having a good landscape design, wise plant choices and your own personal touch.” Dawn Bluemel Oldfield is a freelance writer.

Allen Image | April 2015

Air filtration systems by Colin ASHCRAFT Air. While essential for life, its purity is not assured. Outdoor air pollution is easily identified—smoke from chimneys, exhaust from automobiles and smog settling over cities all remind us daily that our air quality is be compromised.

Indoors the dangers are more insidious and less obvious. The impurities found in our homes can build to levels high enough to affect our health, the quality of our lives and the condition of the very homes we live in. With the amount of time spent

indoors, it’s no wonder so many people suffer from allergies, asthma and other illnesses. Polluted indoor air can have a negative effect on the health and comfort of your family and the most effective process for cleaning air in a residential application is the use of an air cleaner. Portable air cleaners are popular for their low price, but can only treat air in the immediate vicinity of the unit. Whole home air cleaners are devices that attach to HVAC equipment for the purpose of filtering particles out of the air that is circulated via the duct system throughout the home. Mechanical air cleaners use either flat or pleated media, which employ straining, interception, impingement and diffusion. There are two types of electronic air cleaners—electrostatic precipitator and hybrid. The electrostatic precipi tator uses the mechanism of electrostatic attraction, but there are no mechanical mechanisms of filtration. A hybrid air cleaner uses two stages for filtration. The first stage charges the particles as they pass through, but the collector stage is made of filter media. Particles are captured via straining, interception/ impingement and diffusion, as well as by electrostatic attraction. A whole-home air cleaner removes particulates and irritants throughout your home—mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria, pollen and even viruses. By removing these harmful contaminants, you’ll help reduce the risk of asthma attacks and allergic reactions. You’ll also notice less build up of dust, making your home look and feel cleaner, while protecting appliances and electronics. With an installed air cleaning unit working in tandem with your HVAC system, you can make every corner of every room feel more comfortable and more healthy. v Colin Ashcraft is the owner of Collin Air Conditioning, Inc.

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HOME PLACE

Allen Image | April 2015

calendar

APRIL

Plano’s Interurban Railway Museum Children’s Story Time, Fridays,10:30 am, lobby of the Interurban Railway Museum, downtown Plano, thru the 24th. Genie Hammel and her sidekick Eugene the Motor Mouse present a 30-minute interactive experience aimed at toddlers and preschool children. Large groups call 972.241.2117. Admission is free. Donations welcome! For details, www. planoconservancy.org or 972.941.2117.

Creekwood United Methodist Church Easter Egg Hunt, 9 am-noon, 261 Country Club Road, Allen. Easter egg hunt, petting zoo with bunnies, bounce house, a balloon twister, face painting and hayride. And the Easter bunny will be there! Community welcome! Visit www. creekwoodumc.org for details.

Great American Cleanup Allen, 8 am-1 pm, City Hall and Chelsea Blvd./Allen Commerce Parkway. Residents can discard virtually anything—furniture, appliances, tree limbs, electronics, clothes, eyeglasses and prescription drugs. Volunteers (including a few armed with forklifts) unload each car or pickup bed in minutes. Visit CityofAllen.org/ GreatAmericanCleanup for details. Seton Soles 5K/1-Mile Run/Walk, 8 am, STt. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. Seton Soles will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Southern Collin County. For information, visit www. setonsoles.com.

Day Out with Thomas, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, 705 S. Main St., Grapevine10th-12th & 17th-19th. Family event featuring Thomas the Tank Engine! a 25-minute train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine. Live stage performances, magic shows, model train layout, arts & crafts, etc! Contact 214.428.0101 or visit HistoricTrains.org. Allen’s Community Theatre presents Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies, 1206 E. Main Street #105, Allen, thru the 26th. In this comedy, two actors find themselves down on their luck and resolve to pass themselves off as beloved relatives of an old lady in New York who has died and left her fortune. When they get to York, they find out the relatives aren’t nephews, but nieces! See allenscommunitytheatre.com for showtimes and dates.

Zumba® and UJAM® Instructors host fundraiser to support veterans, 5-7 pm, Murphy Community Center Gym, 205 Murphy Road. Great two hours of dance and fun benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. To register visit www.danceforourveterans. myevent.com/3/online_payment.htm. Collin County Master Gardeners Plant Sale, 9 am-3 pm, Myers Park and Event Center, McKinney. Texas-tough, waterconserving, insect- and disease-resistant and Earth-Kind® plants. Children ages 5+ participate in environmentallyfriendly activities at the Children’s Discovery Area. Contact www.ccmgatx.org or 972.548.4232 for more details Boy Scout Troop 1299 Annual Garage Sale, 7 am2 pm, Suncreek United Methodist Church east parking lot, 1517 West McDermott Dr., Allen. Donors in the Allen/Frisco/ McKinney/Plano area can email for a home pickup. Tax receipts will be provided upon request. To make donations please contact Natalye Bollinger at natalyeb3@gmail.com.

Heard Natural Science Museum’s Annual Spring Plant Sale, Sat., 9 am-5 pm & Sun., 1-5 pm. A pre-sale for members will be on April 17, 4-7 pm. Some of the best plants for North Central Texas gardens and many rare plants will be available. Sales are tax-free and proceeds benefit The Heard Museum. Visit www.heardmuseum.org. Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Chorus invite you to their concert performance, A Winning Combination, 7:30 pm, First United Methodist Church of Allen, 601 S. Greenville Avenue. Call 972.359.0656 or visit our website www.allenphilharmonic.org.

Tallenette Junior Clinic, 9 am-3 pm, Allen High School, Performing Arts Center Entrance, 300 Rivercrest Blvd. Girls in grades K-8 can spend the day with the Allen Eagle Tallenettes learning dances and kick fundamentals. Participants can perform onstage at the Tallenette Showcase, May 1-2. All participants must bring a sack lunch and drink. Cost is $35 if registered by April 17 ($45 late registration.) Visit Allendrillteam.com or contact Lisa Smentek, Lisa_Smentek@AllenISD.org for more information. Plano Garden Club presents “Gardens to Inspire and Delight,” a tour of five Plano gardens, Sat., 11 am-5 pm & Sun., 1-5 pm, rain or shine. Garden features include xeriscaping, exotic, perennial, herbs, Texas natives and waterwise plants. Tickets—$12 advance/$15 tour day. Children under 12 are free. Visit www.planogardenclub.com.

Christ the Servant Concert Series, 7:30 pm, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 821 South Greenville Avenue, Allen. Concert organist Wyatt Smith will perform. For information visit christtheservant. com.

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CITY OF ALLEN Allen Event Center

Tickets on sale now through Ticketmaster (www. ticketmaster.com), charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at the Allen Event Center box office. For more information, visit www.alleneventcenter.com. 3 Allen Americans vs Brampton Beast 4 Texas Revolution vs Amarillo Venom 9 Allen Americans vs Rapid City Rush 10 Allen Americans vs Rapid City Rush 11 Texas Revolution vs Wichita Force 12 Brian Adams: Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour 18-19 Tier 1 Gun Show 25 Allen High School Prom 11

Parks and Recreation Events

Community Garage Sale, the largest community garage sale in Allen! A variety of treasures from clothes to furniture at bargain prices. Make extra money selling items you were thinking of throwing away. Call Joe Farmer Rec Center at 214.509.4750.

11/18 Saturday Night Rec n Roll, Joe Farmer Rec Center. Fun, safe social program for 3rd-6th grade. Gym games, dancing, music, dodge ball, table tennis, contests and prizes. Supervision provided, concessions available. ID card (annual $5 fee) is required. Walk up admission $10 at the door!

SNAP Dance at Recreation Hall. Special Needs and Adapted Program! Music, a fun theme and snacks. 50’s sock hop-themed! Register early, fee increases to $15 at 5 pm the Wed. prior to dance. Contact Dana Gillespie at Dgillespie@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4707. ISA Scooter Competition at The Edge. Prolevel scooter competition and an ISA

(International Scooter Association) National Qualifier. 3 divisions; Beginner, Intermediate and Pro. Amateur competitions include prizes provided by event’s sponsors; Pro Division gets cash prize for top three riders. Top ten riders in the Pro Division advance to the US Championship Final. Helmets required. For details call 214.509.4760.

Chair Volleyball, Allen Senior Recreation Center, 10 am-noon. This fun-filled game is played with a beach ball and a five-foot high net. Great for upper body mobility and joint flexibility. Rules are similar to regular volleyball except “cheeks on the chair!”

Dive-In Movie, Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium. Join us in your swimsuit for Big Hero 6! Hang out with family and friends around the pool during this family-friendly movie on the big screen. Concessions available; noodles and tubs available for rent. For more information call 214.509.4770

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Children’s Programs

Story Times run through April 23.

Baby & Me—For pre-walkers with adult Thurs., 10:15 am.

Fun Ones—For 1 year-olds with adult Mon.,Tues. & Wed., 10:15 am.

Family Together Time—For children 2-6 years and their family Mon., Tues. & Thurs., 11:15 am. All By Myself—For 4 & 5 year-olds ready to attend independently, Wed., 11:15 am.

Pajama Story Time—For children 2-6 years and their family, Tues. & Thurs., 7 pm.

Adults 1

Noontime Pageturners, noon, Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson Bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! A

relaxed environment where you can share the joy of reading.

DIY@APL—Sensory Playtime Toys, 10-11:30 am, 2nd floor program room. Make sensory toys for babies and toddlers using materials around your house. Great for parents and grandparents. Please leave the little ones at home! All supplies will be provided. Free, open to the first 25 people. Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. Social group for knitters, crocheters, quilters and other crafts with thread or yarn! All skill levels welcome! Bring your project.

Discover a Healthier You—Walk This Way! Walk your way to a healthier lifestyle in a fun cardio workout incorporating lowimpact weight training using items around the library, 12-1 pm, 2nd floor program room. One-time sample class begins in the 2nd floor program room, and, weather permitting, heads outside. Comfortable clothes, shoes and water recommended. No experience necessary. Age 18+, free, open to the first 25. Parenting: Understanding Temperament, Carrie Brazeal, CFCS, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 7 pm, 2nd floor program room. Do you understand your child’s temperament? Most of us haven’t given it a lot of thought but it can make a powerful difference, not only in our ability to parent effectively but in our relationship with our children. Age 18+. Free.

Food For Thought—Easy Salads, 2 pm, library meeting room. Jennifer Bell from Food for Thought Café and Allen Public Library. Tickets vailable at the door. No reg. required. Open to first 30 people. Call 214.509.4905 for more information. Ages 18+. Free.

Allen Image | April 2015

Ladies Night Out Book Club, 7 pm, 2nd floor program room. Come join us in a discussion of The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian. Age 18+, free. Call 214.509.4913.

Adult Anime Interest Group Anime Classics Night, 6:30 pm. We will be watching an anime classics while doing pixel art with perler beads of our favorite classic anime characters. Templates, beads, boards and other supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own templates and supplies. We will have some Japanese snacks and refreshments. Age 18+, free. Twisted Threads Fiber Craft Circle— Morning Edition, 10:30 am, 2nd floor program room. Twisted Threads is a social group for knitters, crocheters, felters, quilters and crafters who use thread or yarn! All skill levels welcome! Bring your latest project and work on it with of other fiber crafters.

Autism Parenting Experience, 12-1:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. Program presented byAimee E. Benfield, Life Coach for Special Needs. Are you a parent to a child with autism? Know or work with parents who have children with autism? Free. Open to first 25 people. Light lunch provided!

Connemara Conservancy Connemara Meadow Preserve

Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, 8-11 am, Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them; learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. All ages welcome. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Open House, 1 pm, Connemara Meadow Preserve. Join us to wander (and wonder)

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at the meadow hiking the trails, watching flora and fauna. Enter at Wooded Gate on East side of Alma, so. of Bethany.

Heard Museum

For more info: www.heardmuseum.org.

Guided Trail, 10 am-noon. Experience the ecology, geology, flora and fauna of the Heard Sanctuary. Led by our trained guides, your group will spend 45-60 minutes hiking our unique landscape.

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. Urban Explorers, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout Dallas area. For more info: www.meetup.com/ getoutandabout. Texas Health Presbyterian, a variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org.

MOMS Club of Allen, group for moms and children who live in Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Monthly playgroups, kid field trips and business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out and more. For more info: http://momsclubofallentx.weekly. com or momsclubofallentx@gmail.com.

Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: www.75013.theheartlinknetwork. com. Baylor Health Care System offers support groups, medical information and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com.

Allen Early Childhood PTA, support for parents & caregivers of kids age 0-5. Fun activities. Play groups, park days, lunch with friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads & Kids, etc. Come play with us. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta. com.

Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www.planobicycle.org.

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.

MOMS Club McKinney Central, support group for stay-at-home moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, parties, babysitting co-op, etc. Monthly bus. meeting. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com. Every Monday-Friday

The Shores AA Group, noon, Raceway Prof. Bldg., 200 W. Boyd, Suite C (Adjacent to Dayrise Recovery), Allen. Open AA discussion group. Everyone welcome. For more info: 469.854.9593.

Every Monday-Sunday

Allen AA meets, 601 S. Greenville. Mon.-Fri., 7 pm; Sat., 9 am; Sun., 7:30 pm. For more info: Joe, 214.564.9403 & Tina, 214.566.7561.

Every Monday

Allen Toastmasters’ Club, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100. Texas Health Presbyterian, a variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org.

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. Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@WealthManagementGroupLLC. com Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany #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 Rd, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469.323.0538 or Todd Richardson, 214.497.4495 or www. prestonpersuaders.org.

First and Third Monday

Singles Mingle 60+, 5:30 pm, Zin Zen Wine & Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. Single men & women 60+ living in McKinney and surrounding areas who are active and enjoy meeting new people. For more info: Bill, 214.544.5835.

Second Monday

The MOB (Men of Business), 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen for male bonding and networking over lunch. $20 chamber mem; $25 non-mems/general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, 10:30 am, meets Sept.-May, except Dec., Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, President. Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org.

American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Living Center, 6401 Ohio Dr., Plano. Open to anyone with assoc. or bachelors degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972.862.3460 or www. aauwplanocollin.org. Collin County Early Childhood PTA, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery res. required. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972.712.3634.

Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, 7 pm, Tino’s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972.442.5982.

Veterans of Foreign Wars “Lone Star Post 2150,” 1710 N. Church St, McKinney. Post Members, 6:30 pm; Ladies Auxiliary, 5:45 pm; Men’s Auxiliary, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972.542.9119, gmlsp2150@gmail. com or visit on web: www.vfwpost2150.org.

Third Monday

Allen Retired Educators, 10:30 am, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. RSVP: Janeen Chattaway@ janeen03j@yahoo. com.

Collin County Aggie Moms, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, Coit between Bush Tollway & Campbell. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www. collincountymoms.aggienetwork.com. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, 7 pm, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net.

Allen Image | April 2015

Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family & friends, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984.

First Nighter African Violet Society, 7 pm, Stacy Road Pet Hospital, 451 Stacy Road, Fairview. Promotes widespread interest in African violets and study of their growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478 or www. beautifulviolets.org.

NARFE Chapter 559, 2 pm at Golden Corral, 475 S. Central Expressway (75 & Virginia Pkwy), McKinney. All current government employees and retirees are invited.

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.

Plano Photography Club, 7 pm, Grace Presbyterian Church, 4300 W. Park Blvd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com.

Every Tuesday

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102, (Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$10 non-mem. 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585.

2ChangeU Toastmasters, 7-8:45 pm, Plano Family YMCA, 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.2changeu.org.

Toastmasters Creative Expressions, 11:15 am- 12:30 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.

Every Tuesday & Thursday

Allen Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, 7 pm, 1st UMC, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. Offers strength & hope to friends & family of alcoholics. For more info: 214.363.0461 or www.al-anon.alateen. org.

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

Heard Museum Native Plant Society, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

First and Third Tuesday

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Legacy 4-H Club (Allen and Lucas), 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460.

Allen Lions Club, 7 pm, Kelly’s at the Village, 190 E. Stacy Rd., #1204, Allen. For more info: Bob Schwerd, Secretary, 214.402.0982.

Common Threads of Allen, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share needlework projects, learn techniques, make friends. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

Second Tuesday

Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820. Collin County Archaeology Society, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group, 7-9 pm, parlor, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol.com.

McKinney Amateur Radio Club, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190.

Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, 7-9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.bptmn.org or email info@ bptmn.org. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, 5024 Custer, in Plano, 7 pm. For more info: www.planopacers.org.

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5236 Tennyson Parkway. Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org.

Third Tuesday

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

Allen Heritage Guild, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org. Art History Brown Bag Series, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www.headcraig.org.

Collin County Master Gardeners guided tour of Myers Park, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations req. For more info: 972.548.4232 or go to mgcollin@ ag.tamu.edu.

Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society meets at 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566..

First and Third Wednesday

Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, 7 am, Savour Tasting Room & Social Club, 968 Village Green Dr., Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www. allensunriserotary.com/

Second Wednesday

Every Wednesday

First Wednesday

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.

Fourth Tuesday

McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. Plano Republican Women’s Club, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com.

Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net.

Allen Rotary Club, noon, Courtyard by Marriot, 210 East Stacy Rd. For more info: www.allenrotary.org.

McKinney Chess on the Square, 4-7 pm, Downtown McKinney Performing Arts Center. Open play & lessons. Promotes creativity, imagination & strategic thinking. For more info, 214.620.0527 or mckinneychess. org.

Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, “Become the Speaker and Leader you can be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425.

MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, 9:30-11:30, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037 or www.mopsofhope. com. VFW Post 2195, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www.vfw2195.org. Collin County Genealogical Society, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com.

Third Wednesday

Greater Collin County Kennel Club, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Ctr, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org.

Every Thursday

Allen Kiwanis Club, Noon, Café Del Rio, on 75 just south of McDermott. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org.

Allen Image | April 2015

Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus, 7 pm, Grace Evangelical Free Church, 2005 Estates Pkwy, Allen. Women of Allen & surrounding area invited. For more info: nntchorus@hotmail.com or www. nntchorus.org. Allen Classic Cars, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Stacy Furniture.

Bible Study, 9:30–11:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. req. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen. cbsclass.org.

Weight Watchers, 12:15 and 6 pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 600 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Enter south entrance, 2nd floor. Speak Up! Frisco Toastmasters Club, 7-7:30 pm social, 7:30-8:30 meeting. U of D-Frisco campus, 6843 W. Main. For more info: http://speakupfrisco.freetoasthost. ws.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collin County), Recovery support 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.

Second and Fourth Thursday

Allen Area Patriots, 7-8:45 pm, Failth Fellowship Church, 415 West Lucas Road, Lucas. Local Tea Party presents speakers, encouraging citizens to participate in the political process. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com.

Allen High Noon Lions Club, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Peter Young, 972.849.4952.

Third Thursday

Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, noon, First United Methodist Church Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch, fellowship, speakers & entertainers. For more info: griflkl@sbcglobal.net.

Live @ 5 Business After Hours, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.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.

Allen Quilters’ Guild, 6:30 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, 605 S Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org.

Collin County Republican Men’s Club, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: www.ccrmc.org.

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, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241.

First Thursday

Allen Garden Club, meets 7 pm, gardening talks by area experts, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: Denise Webre, 972.390.8536 or www.allengardenclub.org.

North Dallas Newcomers, 11 am, Gleneagles Country Club, 5401 W. Park Blvd, Plano. Chico’s will present the program and our members will model the latest fashions for spring and summer. The cost is $25. Please contact Jayne Holley at jayneholley@gmail. com if you want to attend. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers.net.

Second 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. For more info: www.allenchamber.com.

Lovejoy Preschool PTA. Monthly general meetings at Creekwood UUMC, 261 Country Club Road, Fairview. Different topic and guest speakers each month. Lunch provided free; babysitting available for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/ Lovejoy-Preschool-PTA/.

Allen Early Childhood PTA, 9:30-11:30 am, First Christian Church of Allen, 1207 Twin Creeks Dr. Virginia Beaver’s talk introducing us to the parenting approach ”Love and Logic.” Based on the best selling book Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay this presentation will provide a basic overview of this innovative parenting approach. Reservations are requested but not required. For more info: www.aecpta.com. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Headquarters, 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location sometimes varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com.

PSA:NAMI [National Alliance on Mental Illness] of Collin County, 7:30 pm, Custer Road UMC, 6601 Custer Road, Plano. Enter SE end, room B2. Peer support group, B6 and Family support group, B1, meet from 6:307:20 pm. For more info: www.namicco.org.

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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. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail.com.

Every Other Thursday

North Texas Referral Group, 11:45 am, Friday’s (121 & Preston). For more info: www.ntrg.info.

Every Friday

Allen Senior Rec Center Dances, 1-3 pm. Ages 50+. Mem. free/Non-mem. Allen residents $3. For more info: 214.509.4820.

McKinney Chess Club, 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 0-5 years, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church in Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972.727.8241.

First Friday

Italian Lovers of North Dallas, 7 pm, Italian Villa, 121 N Greenville Ave, Ste B, Allen. Do you like Italy? Many bilingual ItalianAmericans meet here monthly to chat in Italian and find new friends. For more info: email ITALOVERS@tx.rr.com.

First & Third Friday

Classic 55+ Game Night, 6:30 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Snacks, fellowship and games. Open to community, no reservatrions required. For more info: 972.727.8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com. Every Saturday McKinney Chess Club, 10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Any age. Free. For more info: 972.547.7491. First Saturday VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit www. vfwpost2150.org. Open Forum, meaningful discussions, 3 pm, Delaney’s Pub, 6150 W. Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: Charlie, 214.585.0004. Second Saturday Department 56 Village Collectors Club meets in the Plano/North Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com. Heard Museum Nature Photography Club meeting, 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, service organization teaches children to serve their community. For more info: 972.396.8010. Third Saturday Allen Folk Music Society, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Musicians 15-100. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com. Single Side Up, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent support group. No charge to attend. Low cost child care is available. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@ thissideupfamily.org. Fourth Saturday 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 #208, Allen. Work out live to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. First Sunday United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Join us for book discussion and refreshments. Book selections are determined at the January meeting. We encourage women of all faiths to participate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org.

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

Allen Image | April 2015

by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON

L to R: Sean Scruggs, Nancy Barwig and James Donaldson

cover story

Founded in 1976 by Milliard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia, Habitat for Humanity’s original mission was to provide adequate housing for families in need at no profit or interest. Later the organization expanded to offer repair assistance to families already in homes. Today, Habitat for Humanity has built or repaired over 800,000 homes around the world. Some of these are in our neighborhoods.

For Melonie and Steven Bean, the thrill of buying a home in Allen seven years ago quickly waned when they discovered a number of vital repairs were needed. Their budget wouldn’t cover the expense of hiring someone to do the work and physical limita tions prevented them from doing the work themselves. Dealing with increasing shortterm memory loss and physical impairment from an accident he had as a teenager, Steven works part-time at a local grocery store. A hairdresser, Melonie has been struggling to keep her father ’s Richardson salon financially solvent since he had a stroke several years ago. Prioritizing the needed repairs, the Beans decided that first and foremost, the rotting and termitedamaged siding on their home should be replaced. Not only was the disrepair aesthetically troublesome, but growing gaps and holes meant rising utility bills and physical discomfort. A neighbor suggested they contact the city of Allen about available grants for home repairs. After looking over the list of recommended resources the city provided, the Beans opted for Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County (HHSCC) and went through

the organization’s interview and application process. Serving Allen, Fairview, Lucas, Saint Paul, Murphy, Parker, Wylie, Lowry Crossing, Trinity Park and the rural areas of south Collin County, HHSCC agreed to tackle the Beans’ repair woes. Because HHSCC relies on crews comprised of volunteers, all repairs on the Bean house were done on Saturdays last fall. “They worked until they got done what had to be done for that day,” Melonie recalls, lamenting that she missed most of the process because she was working at the salon. Steven, restricted from being out in the sun because of medications, would venture out on overcast days to help with chores he was physically able to do. He laughs, “I’m an outgoing sort— enough to get me in trouble.” After several weeks, all the damaged siding had come down, a waterproof barrier was put up, followed by boards that were then covered with new wood siding. After that, the house got a coat of fresh paint. “They gave us a bill to pay monthly, and it’s a small amount of money because of what we make,” Melonie continues. “And the money that we put into that goes to help

somebody else’s home that needs to have a project done. It’s helping somebody get what we now have. And that makes me feel so good.”

The Vital Volunteers

Nancy Barwig of Allen served as a crew chief at the Bean home project. “Steven is such a sweetie!” she recalls. “He was thanking everybody on site. It’s so nice to help people like them and know that it’s appreciated.” An IT professional with Blockbuster International prior to retiring, Nancy has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for over 10 years, initially with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity because she lived in Grand Prairie at the time. “I just showed up one Saturday and I kept showing up once a week, so they asked if I wanted to be a crew chief, and I said, ‘Okay.’” she grins. After taking a hiatus following her move to Allen a few years ago, Nancy became active with Habitat for Humanity again, this time with the new South Collin County program. Nancy explains that “directing volunteers” is the primary respon sibility of a crew chief. “We decide on who is doing what for the day. Then we’ll show them what to do, Allen Image | April 2015

step by step, like how to put up siding, for the first couple of times.” When queried on her knowledge of home building prior to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Nancy asserts, “None at all—and you don’t need it! Like I tell my volunteers, you don’t have to know how to do it beforehand, you just need to learn what the steps are.” Averaging five completed housing projects a year, Nancy’s two favorite construction jobs are framing and siding because both offer visual signs of progression in a short time. She also enjoys teaching new volunteers how to use the power tools. “I’ll hold up an air-nailer and ask who wants to learn to use it.” Laughing that the usual reaction of volunteers is too recoil in trepidation, she concludes, “But by the end of the day, most of them are going, ‘This is pretty cool!’ It’s really nice to see that transition from fear to saying ‘I really enjoy this!’” “Some of the people I work with as a crew chief have come to be like family to me and I enjoy meeting new people every week,” she states. “You usually get to meet a new Habitat homeowner prior to finishing the house, because they are required to give 400 hours of sweat equity,” Nancy explains. She met Sonia, who is buying a Habitat home in the Douglass Community of East Plano, while working on the Bean’s home project. “Her house is almost finished now and she’s been there every week and working very hard. “There is a pride in ownership and being able to say, ‘This is my house!’” Nancy continues. “Like Sonia brought her mother last week, and when they walked in the house, her mother started crying because it was so beautiful and it was going to be Sonia’s house. That gets to me.” Sean Scruggs of Plano became an active Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County volunteer five years ago after coming to work as a financial advisor for the not-for-profit and faith-based Thrivent Financial in its Allen office. “Our organization believes in inspiring our members to be generous and we allocate those not-for-profit dollars for them to give back in their communities,” he explains. “Thrivent is one of the single largest underwriters for Habitat for Humanity in the United States.” For 2015, Thrivent committed to fund the construction and rehabilitation of 121 Habitat for Humanity Homes in the U.S., in addition to building and repairing homes around the world. Since 2005, the Thrivent membership has given $213 million and over 4.4 million volunteer hours through its Thrivent Builds program. “Our organization focuses on helping our members understand that there is a need in the communities where we live,” Sean points out. “What a great way to mirror what we stand for than to get out and get dirty and help someone in need right in our own backyard….It puts life back in perspective.” After volunteering for several years with local Habitat for Humanity projects, this married father of two daughters, ages 6 and 3, took the plunge and traveled to El Salvador to help with a project in a rural community. For Sean, the greatest challenge is convincing others to recognize both the benefit and satisfaction that comes from

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MARKET PLACE

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volunteering for Habitat for Humanity projects. He declares. “I’m really excited about the projects so it’s figuring out a way to get it out there so others can get excited.” Although most of the HHSCC projects the local Thrivent community have assisted with have been home repairs, Sean recalls fondly when the group helped build a house in Collin County for a single father with a special needs child. His group also took part in last year’s Jimmy Carter Work Project, building homes in an Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Even the simpler home repair projects are a source of satisfaction. “We put in a ramp for a woman who was in a wheelchair and couldn’t even get out of her house,” Sean recalls. “The Habitat team finds these families in need and connects them to our organization We mobilized the volunteers and got out and made it happen on the ground.”

The HHSCC Pros

With most people associating Habitat for Humanity with building new homes, James Donaldson of Plano notes that he was hired as a director of construction for HHSCC to develop a more robust repair program. “They call it Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative or NRI and it is to get affiliates around the country to focus on repairs just as much as they do on building homes,” he explains. “And rather than measuring an affiliate on homes built, it’s on families served.” This is a very different approach from what James experienced when he first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity 15 years ago. “The focus was on building news houses and that was it,” he recalls. “Anyone who approached the organization for

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repairs on existing homes were turned away with the same response—‘that’s not what we do.’” “When NRI came along, I found it exciting, because we no longer had to tell people no,” James continues. “As long as they meet the criteria for the program, which is that they fall within a certain income range of 20 to 60 percent of the average income for the area. We use the average median income for the Metroplex.” He estimates that this number is approximately $70,000 for a family of four. Last year, he points out, Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County not only built and closed on seven homes, it also directed 10 critical home repair projects and 76 home preservation projects. “Home pre servation is about fixing up a little siding, repainting or cleaning up a yard,” he explains. “Critical home repair is where we are doing one of the critical systems of the home, like fixing the plumbing or electricity, or there’s a health and safety issue.” James first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dallas through his church to build a home in the Douglass Community. At that time, HHSCC was a chapter of the Dallas organization and James was a senior manager for the then telecom giant MCI. “I didn’t know anything about building at the time and the crew chiefs that were there took me under their wings and showed me what to do,” he reminisces. “I asked if I could come back even if my church wasn’t coming. I didn’t miss a Saturday for two-and-ahal-years. I got what they call ‘Habititis’. “They asked me to join the board of the directors of the chapter and it became a passion of mine to become a full affiliate,” James recalls. “I positioned myself as secretary of the board which is responsible for all the

incorporation paper work.” In 2003, Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County became its own 501(c)3. James remained on the board until 2006, his last few years as president. He took a hiatus for several years and began volunteering again for HHSC in 2011. The following year, he joined the staff. James points out that another common misconception people have about Habitat for Humanity is that the organization “gives homes away.” “That’s not what we do at all!” he emphasizes. “We try to help people who are in a tough economic situation but are trying to help themselves. We build a home with volunteers to keep the cost low and the family partners with us in what we call sweat equity hours. When the house is done, we sell it to them at cost with only taxes, insurance and principal, and no interest. We make the mortgage payments small enough to fit within 30 percent of their income. So you end up being in affordable housing—not free housing.” All of this is accomplished through the efforts of the five-and-a-halfperson team who run HHSCC. Under the guidance of Executive Director Dick Taylor, and in addition to James, Ron Van Wyk serves as construction manager, Erin Johnson manages Family Services, and Sid Buniff serves as Development Director. Ann Floyd is the organizations part-time accounts manager. In addition to local governments, James notes that a large number of their referrals come from churches working to help families. He emphasizes that their budget limits what repair services they can, and cannot, provide. “We don’t touch foundations,” he notes while shaking his head. “If we just did a handful of foundations, we’d be bankrupt. I have to be careful and do the most amount of good with the limited resources we have. We don’t want to make every house perfect, but do want to make every house an adequate, safe and fully functional environment for a family to live in.”

When requests come into their office, a pre-qualifying interview is conducted by phone to make certain applicants meet Habitat’s criteria financially. If given the okay, James then inspects the property. He describes this process as being akin to a triage—critical need taking a priority over cosmetic improvement. James states that several neigh borhoods in Allen were built in the 70s and have reached an age where critical issues are becoming a problem.

“We just did a home in Allen for a couple that had a plumbing issue where they couldn’t use part of their house because the drains wouldn’t work. We couldn’t use volunteers because it was a plumbing project and had to install a new sewer line along the side of the house. Like the Beans, after the job was completed, an affordable payment plan was arranged with the homeowners.” These payment plans are created with the homeowner in mind. “The

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last thing I want to do is go into a home to remove a stressful situation, only to replace it with another stressful situation—a financial burden.” On the new home end, finding available property is the primary limiting resource. Recent HHSCC houses have varied from brick duplexes in a newer Wylie area to wood siding homes in the Douglass Community to maintain its historic ambiance. James points out that the typical Habitat home will appraise at between $105,000 to $115,000. The homes are also built with greater energy efficiency and lower utility costs in mind. All their new homes use foam insulation, including roofs, and heating/air conditioning units are selected based on the most appropriate size for the greatest efficiency. Since its inception in 1998 as a chapter, and later an independent not-for-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County has built 80 new homes in the area, improving the lives of 248 people. Reflecting the new trend in helping families renovate older homes, in addition to the14 new homes that have gone up in the last two years, 151 repair and rehabilitation projects were also completed. In some neighbor hoods, such as Trinity Park east of Lucas, HHSCC has provided critical repairs as well as built a home.

How can you help HHSCC?

In addition to relying on churches and corporations to send groups to help with Habitat builds, the local office also maintains a list of individuals who volunteer regularly. “Back in the day when I first started and my wife was the volunteer coordinator, we were begging for volunteers,” James recalls. “My wife would get on the phone and start calling churches and groups, and we relied on word of mouth to get people out there. And we never had enough. And now we would get too many if we told people just to show up!” Although he relishes having an ample list of reliable volunteers, James readily acknowledges that having too many on site is not a good thing. “I want the right amount of people out there to do a job safely, not tripping over each other. I want to make sure everybody has a meaningful experience.” Anyone 18 and older can volunteer for any HHSCC projects, 16- and 17-year-olds can help with construction projects with a few limits (i.e. not working with power tools or climbing tall ladders) and 14- to 15-year-olds can assist with light construction work—landscaping and painting. James also points out that their organization hosts an annual youth build, with teens contributing the majority of volunteer time to build a new house. In addition, not every HHSCC project can be done by volunteers. Sometimes licensed professionals such as electricians and plumbers must be paid for their time and expertise, so monetary donations are always appreciated. Many of the HHSCC project materials are funded by sales from the organization’s ReStore, at 1400 Summit Ave., C3, in Plano. This outlet offers both new and used building materials, furniture, appliances and home accessories. Executive director Dick Taylor would like to see more new Habitat homes available

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in towns like Allen and Plano because a number of parents working in communities such as Allen don’t earn enough to live here. “They are working, and sometimes at two jobs. They either have to live somewhere else and drive in or share an apart ment with somebody else to cut back

on expenses,” he points out. “There are not a lot of options for a low income family that wants to live here and there is a long waiting list for housing vouchers.” Dick then concludes with maybe the best reason to promote Habitat homes in a community: “You won’t

find a better built house anywhere because our people care about what they are doing.” To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County, go to http://habitat-scc.org. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

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B U S I N E S S C A R D S 49

pet page

“Mable” Meet sweet Mable. Mable loves to be with her foster mom and she follows her wherever she goes. She seems to be a quick learner and she has started to use the doggy door more and more. Mable is working hard on her leashwalking skills. You can tell she enjoys being outside, but also likes to come back in the house. She loves people of all shapes and sizes as well as dogs and cats. Mable also loves toys! She will get as many as she can and surround herself. The Christmas presents under the tree confused her for a bit; she couldn’t understand why they were hers to open.

She is a quiet indoor dog that is housetrained, has basic training and doesn’t need much exercise. Mable is adjusting very well to her foster home and is starting to get excited to go for walks when her foster mom gets home. She waits her turn at dinner and waits patiently for treats. Mable weighs 80 pounds and is approximately seven years old and up to date on all vaccines. If you are interested in adopting her, please go to our website and fill out an adoption application at Legacyhumanesociety.org. She is ready to meet her forever family. v

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