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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

December 2014

Vol. 24, Issue 12

cover story

44 scott steenson scores a winning nfl career

After 23 years as a field judge with the National Football League, Fairview resident Scott Steenson retired in January of 2014, following the Super Bowl game between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

feature

18 Coaching kids, creating winners

Jeff McCullough is Allen’s varsity basketball coach, but most of all, he’s a visionary with a heart for the kids he molds both on the court and off.

special sections

24 KIDS KORNER

Searching for Santa

32 business seen

Allen Veterinary Centre

Davidson Car Care

Rodenbaugh’s Flooring America & Appliances

33 PET PAGE

Shadow

34 CALENDAR 50 people seen

44 18 33

34 6

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

library

cooking

The Light Crust Doughboys

42 Christmas cookie exchange

Magic of Nutcrackers

’tis the season

Meditative Drawing

Óga releases Fingerprints

Nollaig Shona Duit with the Irish Tenors

12 Youth Chorus of Collin County “All Jazzed Up”

Development and roadway enhancement go hand-in-hand

15 Christ the Servant Concert Series

Journey to the Manger

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Skills USA

education 26 Getting their kicks on Route 66

16 22

23 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

contributing writers Nicole Bywater Deborah Dove Holly Harvey Tom Keener

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

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Jeff Mues Peggy Helmick-Richardson Kathleen Vaught

Allen Image © 2014 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

Nollaig Shona Duit with the Irish Tenors by Jeff MUES

Nollaig Shona Duit! That’s the traditional Gaelic or Irish greeting that translates to Merry Christmas. Nollaig Shona Duit! Nollaig Shona Duit! Okay, enough of that blarney. As a matter of Irish superstition, we just wanted to get that expression in three times in anticipation of all three of the world famous Irish Tenors—Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan—who are coming to town in a matter of weeks.

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The Irish Tenors will bring their Premiere Irish Christmas Celebration Tour to Allen Event Center with a onenight-only engagement set for December 21. Great seats still remain, with tickets on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and the Allen Event Center box office. With superb Christmas gems featured year after year on this unique tour, it is no wonder that The Irish Tenors have become a firm tradition

for so many families who love their music and the special sparkle that marks their holiday performances. As part of the Premiere Irish Christmas Celebration Tour, audiences in Allen can expect to hear many of the timeless classics that made We Three Kings one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time. Having toured together as the Irish Tenors since 1998, with sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall,

Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl and major concert halls throughout the world, The Irish Tenors have appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, Martha Stewart, A&E Breakfast with the Arts and numerous PBS specials, including “Live from Belfast” and “Ellis Island” that sold millions of CDs and DVDs. All classically trained singers, the Irish Tenors combine to produce a sound and concert experience which touches hearts and stirs the emotions. Backed for the first time by the Allen Philharmonic, the Irish Tenors surely will have never sounded better as they perform happy songs of celebration and humor, mixed with touching melodies that warm the heart. The Irish Tenors have proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from The Titanic), “Fairytale of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way).” These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside traditional Irish numbers such as “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields of Athenry.” It is not often one can truly immerse themselves in the aching bittersweet musical heritage of Ireland. For the melodic loveliness and emotional intensity that brings a tingle to the spine and a tear to the eye—the dazzling technique and depth of feeling that defines this musical genre—that is the hallmark of the Irish Tenors. With tickets on sale now, fortunately it won’t take the luck of the Irish to get in. So call now and get those tickets—perhaps an extra pair to bring the in-laws—and maybe by night’s end you all will be saying v Nollaig Shona Duit! Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator

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

Allen Image | December 2014

Youth Chorus of Collin County “All Jazzed Up” The Youth Chorus of Collin County will be traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana, in June to participate in the 16th Annual Crescent City Choral Festival. “The opportunity to represent our cities at internationallyrecognized festivals has been a goal of this chorus since its inception,” said Janie Oliver, co-founder and artistic director for the chorus. “The process has been thorough and has required submitting an audition recording and other docu mentation of our previous experiences in similar events,” said Tammy Katora, director for the youth chorus. Since its inauguration, the

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Crescent City Choral Festival has hosted over 140 choirs and over 5,000 singers. New Orleans was selected for this festival fifteen years ago. Steeped in history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it is home to a truly unique melting pot of culture, food and music. Universally considered the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans was the prime location for a great number of diverse musical styles to meet and fuse into the many forms of jazz in modern times. The festival offers singers the opportunity to work with native New Orleans conductor Cheryl Dupont and guest artist Bob Chilcott, commissioned

composers, and sing with other choirs in one of America’s historic cities. In keeping with the jazz theme, the youth chorus will present the entertainment for All That Jazz, the annual chorus dessert theater and fundraising event in February. In addition, they will participate in The North Texas University’s Jazz Festival in March. Auditions are now being sched uled for high school students for the 2015 spring chorus season. Those selected for membership will join the youth chorus in January and be able to participate in all of the spring activities, including the summer tour to New Orleans. The Youth Chorus of Collin County is an auditioned, tuition-based chorus. It is under the umbrella of the Children’s Chorus of Collin County, which is funded in part by Frisco Arts, the McKinney Arts Commission and the City of McKinney, the City of Plano and the Junior League of Collin County. You may schedule your audition today for this premier chorus by contacting 972.618.4536 or Janie@ ChildrensChorusOfCollinCounty.org. v

Development and roadway enhancement go hand-in-hand by Kathleen VAUGHT

Road construction doesn’t always get the positive buzz it deserves. However, in the history of Allen becoming a North Texas destination, the planning and preparation for existing and future transportation needs continues to be vital to our success. All aspects of our community— living, shopping, dining and enter tainment, as well as accommodating major employment centers—is dependent on the work involved to keep our roadways capable of handling the traffic that may come our way. When you begin to see dirt moving for residential or commercial development, odds are that dirt is either already moving on a nearby road or plans are underway. In Allen, we have several major thoroughfares—Exchange Parkway, Alma Drive, Greenville Avenue, Bethany Drive, McDermott Drive, Stacy Road and, of course, US Highway 75. While the US 75 Widening Project is a regional project managed

by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), local im provem ents are also included. Access ramps will be relocated and inter sections will be improved for motorists and pedestrians alike. The new Hyatt Hotel is set to break ground on the west side of US 75 between Exchange Parkway and McDermott Drive with an anticipated opening by spring 2015. Exchange Parkway has been undergoing quite the makeover! Construction to widen the road is nearing completion and having six lanes stretching from Alma Drive to Allen Heights Drive will improve traffic flow in both directions. These additional lanes were built in advance of several projects in the area, such as the new Village at Twin Creeks neighborhood at the southeast corner of Bray Central Drive and Exchange Parkway. This master-planned community will be designed for professionals and active adults and

include hike and bike trails connecting to popular area destinations. The widening of Bray Central north of Exchange has been a cooperative project between Allen ISD, the City of Allen and the neighboring landowner to accommodate the new Allen ISD Service Center. The southern end of Bray Central at Watters Road will see a new development combining retail, multi-family and senior independent living. The Bella Terra, which will be located at the corner of Watters Road and Junction Drive, combines a unique urban-style setting with connecting pedestrian trails. In addition to the active con struction, work is continuing “behindthe-scenes” as traffic counters have been installed to analyze traffic patterns and begin the process of retiming the traffic signals on our major thoroughfares. Traffic volumes and patterns have changed over the years and this regional effort in signal retiming, made possible by a grant through the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), will update the coordinated signal system to improve traffic flow, reduce delay and minimize air pollution. These are just a fraction of the developments and nearby associated road construction projects residents may have noticed on their way to and from their destinations. While resi dents may not always enjoy seeing the orange cones of construction, it is good to know the roads in Allen will accommodate the future. For more information about road construction projects in Allen, visit CityOfAllen.org/RoadConstruction. v Kathleen Vaught is the Senior Marketing Specialist for the City of Allen.

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Snippets Christ the Servant Concert Series

On Sunday, December 14 at 7 p.m., the Concert Bells of Fort Worth, under the direction of Stephanie Rhoades, will present a Christmas-themed concert that is sure to entertain audience members of all ages and put you into the Christmas spirit.

Concert Bells of Fort Worth is an auditioned community ensemble of advanced handbell ringers whose broad repertoire, musicality and advanced range of ringing techniques have thrilled and delighted audiences across North Texas. This event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the concert. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church is located at 821 South Greenville Avenue in Allen. Please visit www. christtheservant.com for more information. v

Journey to the Manger St. Paul Lutheran Church presents its 24th annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Journey to the Mangerâ&#x20AC;? live nativity drama December 12 and 13. See a re-creation of a market place as it would have been in Biblical times in the little town of Bethlehem, complete with bakers, weavers, potters, candy makers and other merchants. Also witness six live action scenes depicting the major events leading to the birth of Christ. Over 100 members of the church participate in this lively production dressed in costumes from that era. The drama scenes start every 10 minutes from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, December 12 and from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. St. Paul is located at 6565 Independence Parkway in Plano, between Spring Creek and Legacy. This free event is open to the whole community. It begins inside the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fellowship Hall, which has been transformed into the Bethlehem village of old. Visitors step back in time as they experience the sights, sounds and smells of a Middle Eastern marketplace from over 2,000 years ago. They are then guided through the six outdoor scenes and finish up with refreshments inside the church. The program is presented rain or shine (outdoor scenes will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather). v

Allen Image | December 2014

Snippets The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Skills USA

(with a vintage twist!) Allen’s Community Theatre presents the The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. Directed by Charlotte

Taylor and produced by Robin Coulonge, this performance

features a huge multigenerational cast—from preschoolers to senior adults—and is full of wonderful Christmas music and messages! As an added treat, the audience will be invited to participate in a Christmas singalong at the end of the performance.

In this hilarious Christmas classic, the “worst kids in the whole

history of the world” are taking over the Christmas pageant at a local church. They are the least likely “herd” to teach the rest of the church the true meaning of Christmas. But they do! And

provide a hilariously heartwarming experience for the entire audience.

The cast includes over 40 area actors—from preschoolers to

senior adults. “There are so many talented kids and adults in the Allen/Fairview/Lucas area,” said Taylor, “and so few outlets for them to develop their skills.”

Performances will be December 5-21 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., at Allen’s

Community Theatre, 1206 E. Main Street #105, SW corner of Allen Heights and Main.

Ticket prices are $20 (general); $18 (age 65+); and $15 (under

18). On Thursday, December 11, we will have a special holiday food drive for Allen Community Outreach. Bring three cans of food and get $5 off ticket price for that performance. v

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and

industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a national

organization serving teachers and middle school,

high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations.

In mid-September, three Allen High school students

got a life-changing opportunity to go to Washington D.C. Mackenzie Martin, Jarrett Webb and Liz Sin attended extensive leadership training seminars during this trip.

Mackenzie, the district 5 president for SkillsUSA Texas; Jarrett, the district 5 chaplin; and Liz, the

chapter vice president, got the opportunity to meet

with members of congress to explain the importance of career and technology-based education in schools.

This is just one of the many opportunities that

SkillsUSA gives students, and regardless of whether students are headed for college or the workforce,

this type of education will help them prepare for the future.

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feature

Coaching kids, creating winners by Deborah DOVE

Jeff McCullough is many things—Allen’s varsity basketball coach, an educator, a husband and a father. But first and foremost, he’s a visionary with a heart for the kids he molds both on the court and off. A varsity basketball player during his four years at Sherman High School, Jeff knew in his junior year that one day he wanted to coach basketball. “I grew up playing sports and fell in love with the game (of basketball),” he says. “Being 6’7” probably had something to do with it,” he adds with a laugh.

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He was also inspired by his coach, John Williamson, a man who changed kids’ lives for the better, including Jeff’s. After graduating, McCullough went on to play college ball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University before returning to his high school alma mater as an assistant basketball coach under his mentor and former coach. Four years later, he became the head coach, leading the Sherman Bearcats to numerous victories during his nine-year tenure. In 2008, he interviewed for a coaching job at Allen High School but didn’t get it; instead he took the head coaching job at Norman High School in Oklahoma in 2010, where he planned to stay for the foreseeable future. “I wasn’t looking to leave,” McCullough says. “I told the superintendent that I would only leave for two coaching jobs—my college alma mater or Allen High School.” As luck would have it, the Allen coaching position opened during his second year coaching for Norman and Jeff McCullough hasn’t looked back. To McCullough, coaching for Allen was the holy grail of coaching jobs. He missed coaching in a one-high-school town and “from a basketball perspective, Allen had been a sleeping giant for so long,” he says. While Allen’s football, wrestling, golf, bowling and hockey teams had won numerous playoff games and state titles, not to mention the accolades won by other programs at the school, the basketball team hadn’t won a playoff game in decades. Jeff McCullough was ready to change that. During his first year coaching for Allen, his biggest challenge was bringing people to the games and filling the stands, particularly the student body. To pump up interest, McCullough created the “Six Man Group,” a group of six students representing a cross section of the entire student body that acted as ambassadors, getting the student body excited about basketball and attending games. Before long, the stands were filling up. “Of course, having success on the court helped,” McCullough adds. And the Allen Eagle varsity basketball team was having a lot of success on the court. During the 2012-2013

season, the team went to the playoffs, but lost the first game. The next year they won five playoff games in a row, advancing to the State Semifinals in Austin where they lost to Judson in the Final Four playoff game. It was the first time in 31 years that the Allen basketball team had won a playoff game, much less come so close to a state championship title. McCullough attributes much of the team’s success last year to the players, citing the strong leadership of seniors such as Myron Fischer, the team’s overall chemistry and all of the players’ commitment to the program. “That group of seniors really wanted that win,” he says. “They L to R: Athletic Director Steve Williams, Jeff McCullough and Assistant Athletic wanted to be the ones who changed Director Kim Garner that statistic.” first annual ”In-N-Out Burger Allen Holiday Invitational,” a Of course, behind every winning team is a good coach, bracket tournament featuring 48 basketball teams playing and Coach McCullough and his coaching staff, which 96 games in three days, with proceeds benefitting ACO, includes Drew Williamson and John Olchak, have had a providing scholarships for Allen varsity basketball seniors, huge impact on the team. McCullough’s the kind of coach and funding the basketball booster club. This year’s and teacher that every parent hopes their child has. He tournament will be held December 29-31 and will bring lives by the philosophy that “kids don’t care what you teams in from around the state, including last year’s state know until they know how much you care,” and the best champions, Galena Park Northshore High School. moments of his career haven’t been the wins on the court, “It’s important for the kids and the team to give back but the knowledge of the lives he’s impacted. to the community and be involved,” McCullough says of One of the greatest and most validating moments of his his reasons for starting the tournament. Last year, they career came when he was coaching for Sherman and a donated $4,500 to ACO. He also hopes the tournament will former player of his showed up at the last practice before a bring in college scouts, garner community involvement for playoff game against a big rival team. Just before practice the basketball program and give his players exposure and began, the young man, a Marine, told Jeff his unit was experience. being deployed for Iraq the following day. Jeff was stunned. Although the team lost some great leadership when “It was powerful,” he remembers. “He was leaving the last year’s seniors graduated, McCullough is excited about next day for Iraq, and he came to talk to me. I didn’t lead the upcoming season. practice that day. I sat and talked to that kid for an hour “The bar has been set high, and we wouldn’t have it and a half in my office because that moment was more any other way,” he says. “For the first time ever, we’re in important than any game.” the conversation (as contenders) before the season starts. McCullough’s commitment to growing men is evident We’re on the map, but the hard thing is staying there.” in everything that he does. Regardless of how far the team goes in the playoffs “At every parent meeting, we tell parents that we this year, one thing is certain: Coach Jeff McCullough is recognize the impact we have, and we don’t take it lightly,” preparing his players to go far in life. he says. “When our kids leave and go to college and are He adds that his coaching philosophy isn’t about wins talking about their experience at Allen, I want our program or losses, but about growing friendships, creating a team to be bigger, better and go beyond everyone else’s. There’s mentality and teaching players to take their strengths and no better place to do that than in Allen,” he says. v use them to help the group. He’s also passionate about providing his players with the best possible experience on the court. To that end, last year Coach McCullough initiated the

Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Photos: Neil Fonville/TexasSportsPhotos.com.

Allen Image | December 2014

library

by Tom KEENER

Light up your holidays with the trailblazers of western swing. The Light Crust Doughboys will be on the air 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 19, at the Allen Public Library. As an added bonus, four fabulous singers from the T-Byrd Gordon Band will add a touch of soul to this unforgettable musical experience. Texas’s oldest and continuously performing band, The Light Crust Doughboys, will perform their western swing classics along with holiday favorites. As a special treat, the Texas Musicians Museum will feature a display of rare Light Crust Doughboys artifacts, most of which have never been available to the public. Sponsored by Bach to Books and the Texas Commission on the Arts, this program is free. Formed in 1931 with Bob Wills as fiddler, Herman Arnspiger as guitarist and Milton Brown as vocalist, the Light Crust Doughboys electrified America and brought inspiration, hope and happiness to a generation suffering from the Great Depression. The history of the Light Crust Doughboys was chronicled by John Dempsey in his book The Light Crust Doughboys

The Lightcrust Doughboys perform western swing classics and holiday favorites

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Are on the Air: Celebrating Seventy Years of Texas Music, published in 2002. The band’s collaborations with the late gospel singer James Blackwood earned Grammy nominations in 1998, 1999 and 2001; and in 2005, Southern Meets Soul: An American Gospel Jubilee garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Album. In 2003, the band won a Grammy for their work on the CD We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album. In 2000, they were inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. The Light Crust Doughboys were inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2006. Now under the direction of Art Greenhaw, the Light Crust Doughboys continue to provide the exuberance and talent that excite audiences. Under his own label, Art produced and arranged the music for Hollywood Film Awards Best Documentary Nominee Lugosi: Hollywood’s Dracula and several other music videos and documentaries. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. You may call 214.509.4911 for more information. Free tickets will be issued at 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

MARKET PLACE

Allen Image | December 2014

The Allen Library presents…

by Tom KEENER

Magic of Nutcrackers With a pristine uniform, giant jaws and friendly expression, the nutcracker soldier has become a timeless symbol of the holidays. Nutcrackers serve a vital role in the cycle of life—the nut seed descends to the ground, grows into a tree and nourishes human and animal life with its fruit. Legends tell of a feast celebrated before harvesting the logs of the elder trees, where nuts and fruits were eaten to honor the mystery of this eternal cycle. And since nuts are usually harvested in the fall and traditionally eaten during winter months, they are naturally associated with the holidays. Hence, the nutcrackers being a popular holiday tradition. Learn more about nutcrackers from Ric Markin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 11, at the library. “I enjoy the many facets of

nutcracker lore and production and the fantasy and whimsy that these wonderful figures contribute to holiday traditions,” Ric notes. “I study and collect nutcrackers because I have an appreciation for the craftsmanship.” The nutcracker is steeped in the lore of the forest and countryside, and Ric will bring this all to life in an entertaining and enlightening discussion. He will also share a collection of images that demonstrate the wide variety of German nutcrackers that have been created. Over the centuries, elaborate designs and themes that range from working class nutcrackers such as cowboys, wine makers, gardeners, bakers, etc. to stately forms of kings and religious figures, and even Star Wars characters, have become available. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. v

‘tis the season All films are at the library, begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and are free. December 2—National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) starring Chevy Chase, E. G. Marshall, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid. The Griswold family’s plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster. December 9—Christmas with the Kranks (2004) starring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd. With their daughter away, the parents decide to skip Christmas altogether until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate the holidays at the last minute. December 16—A Christmas Carol (2009) directed by Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis and starring Jim Carrey, Colin Firth and Cary Elwes. An animated retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of selfredemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. December 23 & 30—no movie.

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Meditative Drawing

Have you ever taken the time to notice the pattern in the carpet, the texture of the wall or the intricate layers of a passionflower? When patterns around us are imitated through pen to paper, we settle into a gentle focus and soften the body, resulting in a relaxed meditative state. If you would like to learn more about this process, the Allen Public Library’s Healthier You Series will present Cher Kaufmann’s “Meditative Drawing” at 12:15 p.m., Thursday, December 11, in the second floor program room. Attendees must be at least 18 years of age. Cher Kaufmann combines her varied background of art degrees, love of photography, drawing, studies of the patterns in face reading, the calmative aspects of massage therapy and the subtle aspects of intuition to create a welcoming exploration of the patterns around us through drawing. Cher’s work with pattern repetition is easy to learn, easy to do and creates the opportunity for discovering selfconfidence and appreciation of the world around us. No previous art experience is necessary. Register online at AllenLibrary.org or call 214.509.4913. Walk-ins are v welcome as space permits.

Óga releases Fingerprints In celebration of the release of their new CD, Fingerprints, Óga performs at the Allen Public Library, 4 p.m., Sunday, December 7. Hailey Sandoz and Joseph Carmichael, perform melodies and songs from Celtic traditions, as well as songs from other folk traditions. Kendall Rogers, Nathan Phelps, Martin McCall and Mikki Daniel provide accompaniment. Playing at the North Texas Irish Festival, Texas Scottish Festival, Austin Celtic Festival and the San Antonio Highland Games, Óga offers a unique Celtic sound. Joseph Carmichael’s primary endeavor is Flashpoint, a contemporary Irish trio that has recorded one full-length album and one EP. In 2013, Joseph toured with Gregory and Alex Grene of the Prodigals, as part of the Ag Seinm Traditional Arts camp in Cavan, Ireland.

will enthrall the audience. Hailey’s versatility and improvisation has led to album recordings and band invitations. A member of Texas Wildfire, Nickelville Road, Crossroads Cowboy Church and Óga, Hailey was awarded the Byron D. Cameron Memorial Music Scholarship from Southwest Celtic Music Association. Pianist Kendall Rogers also plays the accordion, bodhrán, whistle and guitar. Trained with classical and jazz influences, Kendall is also steeped in the rich folk music and dance tradi tions of his native Kentucky. Percussionist Martin McCall is the winner of the Carmine Appice drum contest and voted as a Buddy Magazine “Texas Tornado”. On bass, Nathan Phelps performs with the Dave Alexander Band. Guitarist and singer Mikki Daniel was awarded the 2013 Female Yodeler of the Year Award by the Western Music

Hailey Sandoz is a fiddler, composer, singer and entertainer in western swing, Celtic, bluegrass and country music. Hailey combines Irish step dancing and fiddling, a sight that

Association Conference. Mikki’s Gotta Be A Cowgirl CD won the New Horizons Wrangler Award. This free program is sponsored by Bach to Books. v

The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for information. Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. Allen Image | December 2014

kids korner

Searching for Santa by Deborah DOVE

The short list of where to find him Bonnie Ruth’s at Watters Creek—907 Garden Park, Allen

8 pm; Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-8 pm; and 10 am-5 pm on Christmas Eve. Hours are slightly shorter before December 8. $20 deposit required. Packages start at $15.95. Afterwards, be sure and visit the Holiday Tree by the Macy’s fountain entrance for a light show featuring over 100,000 dancing lights set to the music of the Nutcracker.

Holiday Hayride with Santa—Bethany Lakes Park

Village at Allen—The Grove at the Village at Allen, Allen

Swim with Santa—Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium

Children’s Health Holiday Parade—downtown Dallas

Enjoy Mrs. Claus’ breakfast buffet and special holiday treats while Santa and Mrs. Claus go from table to table to visit and take candid pictures with guests on December 6, 10 am-noon. Each child receives a holiday gift bag. Call 214.383.6777 for reservations (required). Take a hayride with Jolly Old Saint Nick through the park and adjacent neighborhoods decorated with lights while participating in sing-alongs with Santa. Hayrides depart on Friday, December 12 at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 and last 30 minutes. Cost is $4 for kids under 12 and $5 for kids 12 and up (ages 2 and under are free). Register online at https://online. activecommunities.com/allentxparks/ or in person at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center or Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium. Kids can take a picture with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas before he enjoys a swim prior to his long night of delivering presents on Friday, December 19, 5:30-7:45 pm and cost is $10/child for children 6-16. Parents swim free with a paid child. Register online at https://online.activecommunities.com/allentxparks/ or in person at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center or Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium.

Santa’s Village—North side of Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson

Visit Santa at his village where kids can experience a variety of holiday activities at tiny dwellings such as Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, the Ornament Factory, Santa’s Reindeer Shed, Santa’s Fire Station, Petting Zoo, the North Pole Police Station, Frosty’s House, Sleigh Rides and, of course, Santa’s House and Workshop. Open from 6-9 pm on December 6-7, 12-14 and 19-21. Free.

GeoDeck at Reunion Tower—300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas

Santa and his elves make a special appearance on the observation deck of Reunion Tower on December 6, 13-14 and 20-21, 11 am-3 pm. Regular tower admission of $16 for ages 13 and up and $8 for children 4-12 includes a digital photo with Santa.

Dallas Arboretum—8525 Garland Road, Dallas

Santa and his reindeer, along with Frosty and Rudolph, will make special appearances on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-4 pm through December 21. A special exhibit with a collection of 26-foot, three-dimensional Victorian gazebos filled with costumed characters and animals depicting the twelve days of Christmas.

Village at Fairview—331 Town Place at the Village of Fairview (between iPic and Splitsville), Fairview Santa visits are by appointment only. Go to http://www. thevillageshopping.com/events/Photos_With_The_Big_Guy_. Appointments available through December 24: Monday-Friday, 11 am-

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Visit Santa at the Village at Allen for traditional photos and visits on a first-come, first-served basis. Santa is available Monday-Friday, noon-8 pm (11-8 beginning December 15); Saturdays 11 am-8 pm (10-8 beginning December 13); Sundays 11-6 (10-8 beginning December 14); and Christmas Eve from 10 am-5 pm. Santa takes a break to feed his reindeer 3-4 pm daily. Stop by the Grove afterward to enjoy the Holiday Tree show featuring dancing lights set to country music. See Santa, along with a host of marching bands, holiday floats and larger-than-life balloons as they make their way through the streets of downtown Dallas on December 6 beginning at 10 am. Visit www. dallaschildrensparade.com for parade route. Free.

Dallas Galleria—13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas

At 6 pm every Saturday in December before Christmas, you can watch Missile Toes, the Galleria’s ice-skating, back-flipping, pyrotechnic Santa perform on ice along with Olympic and National Champion-ranked skaters at the lighting of the country’s tallest indoor tree. Santa is available during mall hours in his Village for photos and gift requests. Other holiday events at the mall include the illuminated Christmas tree choreographed to music and Slappy’s Holiday Circus at 1 & 3 pm on Saturdays before Christmas.

NorthPark—8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas

Visit with the most authentic-looking Santa in town as he listens to children’s’ requests from his cozy living room. Take photos with your camera or purchase professional portraits. Tickets are available starting at 9 am, Monday-Saturday, and 10 am on Sunday. The mall also features Storytime with Santa at 10:30 am Monday-Saturday and noon on Sundays; the famous Trains at NorthPark, Santa’s Toy Shoppe Puppet Theatre at the top of every hour; the Scrooge Puppet Theatre at the bottom of every hour; and a gingerbread house display.

The Ice Palace at the Shops at Willowbend—6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano

Be transported to a winter wonderland as you enter the Ice Palace, a 30-foot globe encircled with majestic arches and smaller globes that appear to be carved from ice. Inside you’ll enjoy polar animal footage, see and feel falling snow, and enjoy a captivating video and light show. Before leaving, get your photos taken on the Ice Throne with the Big Guy. Photo packages start at $22. Santa will be there through December 24 during mall hours.

education

Getting their kicks on by Holly HARVEY

Tucked away in a little city of barely 5,000 people is a motel where time seems frozen. The Roadrunner Lodge, a vintage motel on the iconic Route 66, may be small, but Collin College alumni, and husband and wife team David and Amanda Brenner, are turning this location into an attraction that houses tourists from as far away as New Zealand, Iceland and Japan. “There’s a fast-growing interest internationally with coming to the United States and road-tripping Route

David and Amanda Brenner

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66,” said David. “It’s a really popular bucket list item.” Some Australians will buy an old car or motorcycle, drive it across the U.S., ship the vehicle back to Australia and market it as a vehicle that has driven Route 66 and make enough money to cover the cost of their trip, David explained. The couple hung a map of the world in the motel lobby so people can insert pins to demonstrate where they’ve traveled from.

“Managing a hospitality property is a lot of work, but we get to talk to people and a lot of people love to talk about their journeys and their next stop on their travels,” Amanda said. The Brenners have always enjoyed traveling, be it Argentina, Hungary or France. “We’ve been all over the world, and we always tried to stay away from mainstream lodging, instead visiting alternative lodging locations,” Amanda commented. The couple got their start in the hospitality industry with a vacation rental property in Marfa, Texas. But living 550 miles away in Dallas didn’t give them the personal touch they craved with guests. “We would basically just talk to people over the phone and process their money, but we never got to see actual guests enjoying themselves or have any real interaction,” Amanda said. “We wanted an opportunity where we could really get to know people and learn their stories.” After managing the vacation rental in Marfa, the Brenners fell in love with the old motel property nestled away in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on the iconic Route 66. “My wife has always

been nostalgic for Route 66 and all things 60s-related,” David explained. “So we started looking at Route 66 for a property. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished.” Roadrunner Lodge was originally built as two separate properties. La Plaza Court was a motor court built in the late 1930s and Leatherwood Manor was opened in 1964. The Brenners have spent the past six months renovating and restoring even the tiniest details to preserve as much of a retro feel as they can. “There was wallpaper all over the original wood paneling,” Amanda said. “It was so fun to get down to the sheetrock. Most of the rooms even have vintage stainless steel electric plates with older-style switches and outlets. We chose to rewire the whole room when bringing the property up to code just so we could keep the vintage fixtures.” Renovating and redesigning an entire property is a huge undertaking,

and the courses taken at Collin College proved enormously valuable, according to the Brenners. “The classes went beyond just hospitality and service,” David said. “The legal issues course really opened my eyes to different per spectives and how to make the motel safe. I really wish I had taken even more courses there.” Collin College Hospitality and Culinary Chair and Professor Karen Musa said the hospitality program at Collin College is a great foundation to a career. “There is a huge explosion of opportunity in the hospitality and foodservice industry,” Musa said. “Motels and restaurants are strug gling to find well-qualified people to work in their operations, and by coming to Collin College, students will gain a solid base and under standing of the industry.” Armed with their training at Collin College, the couple goes to great

pains to make the motel as hospitable as possible for guests. “We had a guest with disabilities, so we placed her in a specially modified room,” Amanda recalled. “She and her husband were so grateful that someone had made an effort to help her be most comfortable in an older motel.” Further renovations of the motel include traveling high and low scouring for retro items and memo rabilia, whether it be a truckload of vintage chairs in another state or detailed furnishings. “We’ve had people bring old vintage postcards from the property when it was first opened that show what rooms used to look like,” Amanda said. “We’re remodeling really to get rid of new stuff and bring back the old.” v Holly Harvey is a public relations writer at Collin College.

Photo: James Lout Photography

Allen Image | December 2014

cooking

Christmas

KIE exchange

by Deborah DOVE

In my house, baking is as much a Christmas tradition as decorating the Christmas tree and hanging stockings. However, it takes a lot of baking if you want a variety of goodies to give away

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to friends, neighbors and teachers or serve on a holiday buffet. The solution? Host a cookie exchange! Not only does a cookie exchange simplify your holiday baking, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the

perfect excuse to relax and spend some quality time with friends while crossing something off of your holiday to-do list. Send out invitations several weeks ahead of time inviting a group of friends (seven to eight works best) to bring a dozen cookies or treats for every person who attends, plus a few extras to sample. In addition to their one-of-a-kind treats, have each guest bring copies of their recipe to share as well as a few packaging supplies such as ribbon, tags, boxes, paper plates and cellophane. Cookie exchange party fare is simple. All you need is coffee, tea or hot cocoa to compliment the treats that everyone can sample before trading and packaging them in pleasing assortments so that everyone takes home a variety of goodies. For easy but pretty packaging, edge a plain white paper plate with pinking shears, place on top of a colored paper plate and top with tissue. Wrap the plate filled with goodies in cellophane and tie with a festive ribbon. Fill your cookie plate with these delicious recipes.

Topping: 4 eggs, slightly beaten 5 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 c. sugar 4 Tbs. flour Finely grated lemon rind Preheat oven to 350º. Mix all ingredients for bars thoroughly and press into a 10x13-inch greased pan. Bake for 15 minutes. While bars are baking, prepare topping by mixing all ingredients together well. Pour over bars. Bake an additional 20-30 minutes or until firmly set and solid. Dust with powdered sugar. When cooled, cut into squares.

Sea Salt Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodles

Best Ever Gingerbread Cookies 3 c. flour 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 Tbs. ginger 1-3/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 6 Tbs. unsalted butter 3/4 c. brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 c. molasses 2 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 375º. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves until well blended and set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and egg on medium speed until well blended. Add molasses and

vanilla and continue to mix until well blended. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours. Place one portion of the dough on a lightly-floured surface and sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin. Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick (use additional flour as necessary to avoid sticking). Cut out cookies with desired cutter. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to stand until they are firm enough to move to a wire rack. Decorate as desired after they are cool.

Lemon Bars

Bars: 1 c. butter 1/2 c. powdered sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 2 c. flour

1/4 c. granulated sugar, for cinnamon-sugar topping 1 Tbs. cinnamon 1-1/2 c. granulated sugar 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs 1/4 tsp. vanilla 2-3/4 c. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 tsp. salt 5 pkg. Rolo chocolate-caramel candies (about 35) Coarse sea salt, such as kosher Preheat oven to 375º. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. For the cinnamon-sugar mixture, combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish and set aside. In a large bowl, beat 1-1/2 cups sugar and butter at medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into mixing bowl. With mixer on low, mix until thoroughly combined. Working 1 tablespoon of dough at a time, roll dough into balls, placing a single Rolo inside each ball of dough. Roll dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture and Allen Image | December 2014

place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 7-8 minutes. The cookies should look raw between the cracks and seem underdone. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies 6 1 1 1 2 1 1

Tbs. butter c. powdered sugar tsp. cornstarch (18.25-oz) Red Velvet cake mix eggs tsp. lemon zest c. white chocolate chips (optional) Preheat oven to 375ยบ. Melt butter; set aside to cool. Place powdered sugar and cornstarch in shallow dish. Mix with a fork to blend. Place cake mix, cooled butter, eggs, lemon zest and chocolate chips in large mixing bowl. Mix by hand until well blended. Form dough into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on cool, ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

English Shortbread 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan 1/2 c. sugar 2 c. all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300ยบ. Cream butter and sugar together. Add flour and mix until texture is a clay-like consistency. Press dough into an ungreased 9x13inch pan, prick all over with a fork and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until lightly browned and golden around the edges. Let stand for 5 minutes, then cut into squares while warm. Leave in pan until completely cooled. Variations: Add two tablespoons of dried lavender to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, OR stir in one cup of chocolate chips or butterscotch chips into the dough before pressing into the pan.

Salted Toffee

4 oz. saltine crackers (about one sleeve) 1 c. butter 1 c. dark brown sugar 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips 3/4 c. chopped pecans (walnuts, cashews, or other nuts work well also) Preheat oven to 400ยบ. Line a cookie sheet or glass dish with foil sprayed with non-stick spray. Place saltine crackers in single layer on bottom of pan. In a saucepan combine the sugar and butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour mixture over saltines and spread to cover crackers completely. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes then remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes then spread the melted chocolate and top with chopped nuts. Cool completely in the refrigerator and break into pieces. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

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MARKET PLACE

Allen Image | December 2014

business seen by Nicole BYWATER

Allen Veterinary Centre

The staff at Allen Veterinary Centre is committed to providing clients and their pets with the best care possible. This full-service facility is AAHA accredited—which means they have completed a process evaluating more than 900 different aspects and protocols to ensure that they are practicing the very best and most up-to-date veterinary medicine. “We are very proud of this accreditation because it’s means that we meet the highest standards,” says practice co-owner Beverly Osteen, DVM. “We are the only AAHA accredited practice in Allen and one of only 15 percent of veterinary practices accredited in the nation.” In addition to providing topnotch medical, dental and surgical care for pets, having a great relationship with clients is a priority at Allen Vet Centre. “Our clients have told us that one thing that sets us apart from other clinics is that we’re good about one-on-one communication,” adds practice co-owner Deborah Davis, DVM. “Client education is also important to us because we want people to be comfortable and to make the best decisions when it comes to treatment.” Allen Veterinary Centre has been serving the community for 17 years and treats dogs, cats and pet birds. They offer bathing services, a fully-stocked pharmacy, microchipping, hospice care and nutritional counseling, as well as boarding services, all in their serene location on the Watters Creek Trail. Allen Veterinary Centre is located at 1021 W. McDermott Drive in Allen. For more information or an appointment, call 972.396.8387 or visit allenvetcentre.com. v

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Davidson Car Care

With over 30 years serving the Allen area, it is no wonder that Davidson Car Care’s reputation of fair quality service is known beyond the Allen borders. It is a NAPA AutoCare Center, which means they can offer nationwide warranties in addition to the service you’d expect from a local independent auto center. Services include: mechanical repairs, alignments, brake service, tune-ups, heating and air conditioning repair, state inspections, wrecker service, tires, batteries, lift kits and other accessories. “We’re always honest about what a customer does or doesn’t need for their car,” says Bill Davidson, who owns and operates the shop with his wife, Cindy. “That’s how you get a customer for life.” Their recently remodeled facility has a comfortable waiting area for customers and offers a children’s play area and customer business center. “Allen is a great place to do business,” Bill says. “We have customers that have been trading with us since the ‘80s and now I get to see their kids and their kids’ kids in here. It’s really pretty remarkable.” Bill has been in the auto repair business for more than 40 years, successfully building customer loyalty along the way. He is also dedicated to serving the community of Allen and is a member of the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Allen Masonic Lodge and the Better Business Bureau. Davidson Car Care is located at 805 S. Greenville Ave., just south of Bethany Drive in Allen. For more information, visit www. davidsoncarcare.com or call 972.727.5271. v

Rodenbaugh’s Flooring America and Appliances

For decades, customers have come to Rodenbaugh’s in downtown Allen for appliance and flooring needs. This family-owned business prides itself on offering top-notch service, along with great prices. “Our dad, Don Rodenbaugh, started this business in 1962 as a TV repair shop part-time in the evenings,” explains Ronald Rodenbaugh, who now serves as vice president and co-owns the business with his brother Gary Rodenbaugh. “It grew quickly and he began selling appliances. Then, in the 80s, we were able to add flooring as well as kitchen upgrades such as countertops and backsplashes.” They are an authorized dealer of appliance brands to fit any budget. In flooring, their design experts can help customers find just the right choice for their home, whether it’s carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile or vinyl. “Our product knowledge is what sets us above the competition,” Ronald says. “But all that expertise doesn’t necessarily come with a high price tag because we’re part of buying groups that allow us to offer very competitive pricing.” Today, Ronald and Gary are proud to be carrying on their father’s legacy in the family business. Ronald says, “Our dad had a vision of Rodenbaugh’s as a local store that takes care of customers and community—and that’s a commitment we carry through.” Rodenbaugh’s Flooring America and Appliances is located at 102 W. Main Street in Allen. For more information, call 972.727.3454 or visit rodenbaughs.com.

pet page

Shadow is a two-year-old, 50-pound, German shepherd/Akita mix. She had a litter of pups last March and all the pups have been adopted— now it’s Shadow’s turn. She is a sweetie who is friendly to everyone she meets and gets along very well with other dogs, cats and people of all ages.

“Shadow”

Shadow is looking for her forever home—could it be yours?

She loves to snuggle, have her belly rubbed, go to the dog park, go for walks, but most of all, Shadow loves, loves, loves to go for car rides. The second you grab your keys, she’ll be at the door ready to go—she makes the best road buddy you could ask for. Shadow is great with her foster siblings and loves to play, but will need a fenced yard. She listens well, knows basic commands and is house trained. She is waiting to be the newest member of your family. If you would like to meet Shadow, just fill out the online application at http:// legacyhumanesociety.org/adoptfoster/ adoption-application/ and her foster mom will be in touch. v Allen Image | December 2014

calendar

DECEMBER

2nd Annual Holiday Spectacular featuring the AHS Encore Show Choir and Tallenette Drill Team, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm, at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center, 300 Rivercrest, Allen. On Friday, there will also be a Marketplace and Santa appearance at 5 pm along with a gingerbread man contest. $10 general admission. Contact AllenPac.org or 469.319.6390 for further details.

City of Allen Christmas Tree Lighting, 7-9 pm, Allen Civic Plaza. Join us for the grand lighting of the 35-foot Christmas tree featuring more than 20,000 lights! Expect surprises, live entertainment and even a visit from Santa and his elves. All ages are welcome to this free event! For more information, visit www. allenparks.org.

Breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. 8:30-11:30 am, Greenville Oaks Church of Christ, 703 South Greenville Avenue, Allen. This is a free family event open to the community. Enjoy an egg and pancake breakfast, play games, build a toy in Santa’s workshop, listen to caroling and storytelling. And of course, Santa will be available for pictures! For further details, call 972.727.2359.

First United Methodist Church Upward Basketball Evaluations, December 9 & 18. Registration closes the 18th. Practices begin January 5 and games begin on January 10. Kindergarten through 8th grade. For more information, visit http:// fumcallen.org/upward-basketball-cheer-league/.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, thru the 21st. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm & Sundays, 2 pm, at Allen’s Community Theatre, 1206 E. Main Street #105. This performance features a huge multigenerational cast and is full of wonderful Christmas music and messages! The audience may participate in a Christmas singalong. Visit www.allenscommunitytheatre.net for tickets and information.

5K Rudolph Run & 1-Mile Fun Run, 8:15 am, Main Street, Downtown Allen. Begins with a noncompetitive one-mile run and concludes with the USATF registered 5K Rudolph Run. Chip timing will be used for best results. There will also be an overall male/ female Master’s division for 50+ winners. Family-friendly event open to all ages and skill levels. Register at www. cityofallen.org/rudolphrun.

Cocoas, Cookies & Carols, Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 2 pm, at Allen’s Historic Train Depot and Heritage Museum, 100 East Main Street, Allen. Hear holiday music by the Noteably North Texas Chorus featuring guest Jeannie Fisher, singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist, and Fine Spirits, a male A Cappella quartet, while enjoying holiday goodies. A special surprise for children at the Saturday performance. Contact www. nntchorus.org or 214.538.7372 for details.

Holiday Trail of Lights, 6:30-9 pm, The Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Thousands of lights— many of which are synchronized to holiday music—and holiday décor along a half mile Heard nature trail. Have a professional photo taken with Father Christmas and Mother Nature in a festive setting. Hot beverages and treats will be available for purchase. Family-friendly entertainment will complement the holiday atmosphere. The Trail of Lights will also be held on December 19 & 20. For more information, visit heardmuseum.org.

Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 am, First Baptist Church, Cedar Street just north of McDermott. Pancakes, sausage and drinks will be served. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photo ops. For details, visit www.allenkiwanis.org or call 214.495.0488.

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Christ the Servant Concert Series presents the Concert Bells of Fort Worth, 7 pm, 821 South Greenville Ave., Allen. This will be a Christmas-themed concert that is sure to entertain audience members of all ages and put you into the Christmas spirit. Free and open to the public. For details, visit www.christtheservant.com.

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 Tulsa Oilers 4 Allen High School Hockey Game 6 Dallas Sidekicks vs Hidalgo La Fiera 7 Allen Americans vs Missouri Mavericks 10 Allen Americans vs Quad City Mallards 11 Toys for Tots Donation Drive 11 Holiday Skate 12 Holiday Christmas Ice Show 13 Allen Americans vs Brampton Beast 14 Dallas Sidekicks vs Tulsa Revolution 19 Allen Americans vs Wichita Thunder 20 Allen Americans vs Tulsa Oilers 21 The Irish Tenors | The Allen Philharmonic 26 Allen Americans vs Tulsa Oilers 28 Disney Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure 31 Allen Americans vs Rapid City Rush

Parks and Recreation Events 2

Gingerbread House Marking. Gather the family and head down to Joe Farmer Recreation center and show off your creative side by building a gingerbread house for the holidays. Participants compete against other families for the “Most Creative” and “Most Edible”

awards. This is a great way to spend time with the family while getting into the holiday spirit!

SNAP Dance at Recreation Hall. Special Needs and Adapted Program! Music, a fun theme and snacks. Register early, the fee increases to $15 at 5 p.m. the Wednesday prior to each dance. For more information, contact Dana Gillespie at Dgillespie@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4707.

Holidays on Ice Show. Join Allen Community Ice Rink as they celebrate Holidays on Ice featuring the Allen Academy of Skating and Allen Community Ice Rink Skaters. Bring a nonperishable food item and admission is free. Holiday Arts and Craft Fair. Just in time for the holidays, this arts and crafts fair at Joe Farmer Recreation Center will put everyone in the giving spirit with creative crafts and a festive atmosphere.

Midnight Madness Basketball. Enjoy a fun night of open basketball play at Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Everyone has heard of Midnight Madness but now it’s your turn to experience the fun! The courts will be available from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. with music playing and concessions available. Must be registered by December 15 to participate. Swim with Santa. Come see Santa take a swim at the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium as he prepares for his long night of

delivering presents. Before he swims get your picture made while you tell him what you would like for Christmas. Parents swim free with paid child, children under seven must be accompanied by an adult in the water.

Drop and Shop Holiday Skate. Celebrate the holidays with the whole family at the Allen Community Ice Rink. Enjoy on-ice games, activities, pictures with Santa, chance drawing for a free Learn to Skate semester and much more. Come dressed in both green and red or donate a nonperishable item and receive free skate rental. All on-ice participants must wear skates. Adult supervision is required for children 8 years and younger.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Children’s Programs No story times during December.

Adults 1

Finger Knitting, 2:30-4:30 pm. All you need is a skein of bulky weight yarn and your fingers. We will make infinity scarves and holiday ornaments. Arm knitting will also be demonstrated. Registration preferred. Ages 16+; free, 2nd floor program room. Noontime Pageturners, noon, The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart. Bring a lunch and friend and join us for a lively discussion! A relaxed environment to share the joy of reading.

Allen Image | December 2014

Gift Wrapping 101, 7 pm, 2nd Floor Program Room. Not sure how you are going to wrap all your Christmas gifts this year? Envious of professional-looking presents you get from others? We’ll show you basic wrapping and bow-making techniques; give you tips to wrap like a pro and different ways you can get creative with simple items found in any craft store. There will be wrapping supplies and “gifts” to practice with but you may bring your own gifts and supplies. Ages 16+. Reg. required— preferred online or call 214.509.4905 Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. A social group for knitters, crocheters, quilters and other crafts with thread or yarn! All skill levels welcome! Bring your project.

Trivia Night, 7-8:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. Test your knowledge in literature, history, science and more! Ages 18+. Limit teams to 4 members. Free; register online at www.allenlibrary.org or call 214-5064905 or 214-506-4913. Contact Emily Plagens at eplagens@cityofallen.org.

Adult Anime Interest Group Holiday Party, 6:30 pm. Reg. required. The 2003 Mainichi Film Award winner Tokyo Godfathers, co-written and co-directed by Satoshi Kon, will be featured. Other works by Satoshi Kon include Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress and Paprika. The screenplay for this film is also co-written by Keiko Nobumoto, who is known for her screenplay writing for Cowboy Bebop and the creation of Wolf Rain’s. To further the celebration, Christmas cake will be served, which is a tradition in Japan. This program is intended for adults only. Check out the trailer at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=7Q6mcx2qF4Q. Ladies Night Out Book Club, 7 pm, 2nd floor program room. Come join us in a discussion of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Registration required. Register online or contact the Reference Desk at 214.509.4905.

Connemara Conservancy

Connemara Meadow Preserve Bird Walk at 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. Wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen andsect repellent. Open House, 1 pm, Connemara Meadow Preserve. Join us to wander (and wonder) at the meadow hiking the trails, watching flora and fauna. Enter at Wooded Gate on East side of Alma, south of Bethany.

Heard Museum

For more info: www.heardmuseum.org. 1-31 Dinosaurs Live! exhibit. Encounter the 46-foot T-Rex and eight new life-size animatronic, dinosaurs along the Heard Museum nature trails. The exhibit always gives families and friends a fun,

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educational activity to enjoy together. Don’t forget it also provides a unique family outing during the holidays!

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. 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 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.

Kids Helping Kids, bring new or gently-used toys to Kids Pediatric Dentistry, donate to kids in the area. Receive chance to win prize. For more info: 972.727.0011 or www. kidspediatricdentistry.com. Texas Health Presbyterian, a variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org. Urban Explorers, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout Dallas area. For more info: www.meetup.com/ getoutandabout.

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 and other events. Come play with us. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com.

Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: www.75013. theheartlinknetwork.com. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www.planobicycle.org. 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.

Baylor Health Care System offers support groups, medical information and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com.

Every Monday-Friday Divorce Care, 13-week courses—biblical teaching for recovering from divorce. For more info: Kim Tedford: 214.544.8050 ext. 109, ktedford@creekwoodumc.org or www. creekwoodumc.org.

The Shores AA Group, noon, Raceway Profesional 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 Symphony Chorus rehearsals, 79 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@ WealthManagementGroupLLC.com

Allen Toastmasters’ Club, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100.

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. Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W.

First and Third Monday

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 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.

Bethany #208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. Singles Mingle 60+, 5:30 pm, Zin Zen Wine & Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. A group for single men and 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 am1 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.

Collin County Early Childhood PTA, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery reservations required. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972.712.3634.

Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org.

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.

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. McKinney Ladies Association (SRLA), 7 pm. Various locations and service projects monthly. For more info: www.mckinneyladies.org.

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.

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.

Plano Amateur Radio Klub, 7 pm, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net.

Allen Image | December 2014

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.

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 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.

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Toastmasters Creative Expressions, 11:15 am-12:30 pm. Raytheon, McKinney. Guests welcome.

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. 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 am4 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 Common Threads of Allen, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share

needle-work projects, learn new techniques, make friends. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

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.

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

Second Tuesday Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820.

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.

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.

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5236 Tennyson Parkway. Program: “Holiday Celebrations: Flavors that Dazzle the Eye and Palate.” Christy Rost, PBS Chef, cookbook author, TV and radio personality, entertaining guru and lifestyle authority presents a holiday cooking demonstration. Visitors and guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org.

Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, 5024 Custer, in Plano, 7 pm. For more info: www.planopacers.org. Third Tuesday

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

Plano Republican Women’s Club, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen. com. 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.

McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. Get ready to be serenaded with holiday music by Harmony, McKinney High School Choir vocal jazz ensemble. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com.

Fourth Tuesday

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

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

Every 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/ 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.

First Wednesday

Art History Brown Bag Series, 12:301:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 Allen Image | December 2014

W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www. headcraig.org. Allen Heritage Guild, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org.

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

MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, 9:30-11:30, 3405 Custer, Ste. 200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037 or www. mopsofhope.com.

Allen Classic Cars, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Chipotle & Stacy Furniture. First Thursday

Collin County Genealogical Society, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.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. Third Wednesday Greater Collin County Kennel Club, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Center, 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. 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.

Speak Up! Frisco Toastmasters Club, 77:30 pm social, 7:30-8:30 meeting. U of D-Frisco campus, 6843 W. Main. For more info: http://speakupfrisco. freetoasthost.ws.

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.

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.

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North Dallas Newcomers, 11 am, Stonebriar Country Club, 5050 Country Club Drive, Frisco. Don’t miss this annual holiday performance as the Mary Notes entertain us with “Joys of the Season.” For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers. net.

Second Thursday

Second Wednesday

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.

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.

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.

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/.

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

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.

Live @ 5 Business After Hours, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Allen Quilters’ Guild, 6:30 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, 605 S Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org.

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.

Cancer Support Ministry, 7 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241.

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

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.

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 resident $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 Italian-Americans meet here every month 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, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Snacks, fellowship and games. Open to community, no res. 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

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. Department 56 Village Collectors Club meets in the Plano/North Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com.

Third Saturday 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.

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. 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, Parlor. 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.

Allen Image | December 2014

For Your Health

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For Your Health

Allen Image | December 2014

cover story After 23 years as a field judge with the National Football League, the former number 88 retired January 2014, following the Super Bowl game between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Today, Scott and his wife Sherri live in Fairview and keep busy with their businesses and watching football games for the fun of it. As president of Emerging Market Partners LLC, Scott deals in commercial real estate in smaller North Texas communities, and Sherri owns Sherri L. Henderson and Associates, a firm handling dental practice sales and transitions. The two met on a blind date set up by mutual friends in 1998 and married three years later. In addition to both loving football, Sherri had a dis tinguished gridiron history of her own. As a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for the 1971 season, she was on the sidelines the same year Texas Stadium opened and the Cowboys went on to Super Bowl VI in New Orleans. That was also the last year Cowboy Cheerleaders were selected from local high schools. The following year, all members had to be over the age of 18. Growing up in the tiny West Texas town of Iraan, Scott was active in every sport available to students there at the time—basketball and football. For the latter, he played both offensive and defensive end for his small school. Although he opted not to go into sports as a student at North Texas State University, Scott found he missed the games after graduating and establishing a real estate career. “I wasn’t a tennis player and I didn’t play golf, so I decided to go into officiating,” he notes. “It was some thing to do on the weekends and I always enjoyed sports. I figured the only way I would get into a game was to be an official.” Starting with pee-wee teams in Dallas, Scott soon joined the Dallas Football Officials Association and began officiating junior high and then high school football games. “It’s a progressive thing,” he explains. “With each game you get a certain number of points. As

you progress, you go from Division 5 to Division 4 and so forth. When you get up to Division 1, then you’ve had a lot of experience and get all the better high school games.” He officiated at high school games for several years, then added college games to his schedule after being accepted by the Southland Conference, Division 1-AA. “I had a couple of buddies who encouraged me to apply to the National Football League, but I had no desire at that time to officiate in the NFL,” he shrugs. “At that time, all I was really interested in was going to the Southwest Conference and officiating for the Aggies and Sooners and Longhorns. But I went ahead and applied when I was still with Southland.” In 1991, Scott was selected to officiate for the new World League of American Football (NFL Europe) that had a spring season. “I went to Europe for three years and went for a week at a time. It was fun!” he recalls. Although Scott officiated for the World League for three years, after his first year with the organization he was picked up by the NFL. “You can’t get into the National Football League just because somebody knows you,” Scott clarifies about the NFL’s hiring protocol when he was brought on board. “The league sent down observers unannounced and they watched you at your college games. They graded you on how you look, what your professionalism is like, what your mannerisms are like, how you treat the coaches, how you present yourself…. Then they took the group of candidates and picked out the top 10 percent, and out of that they hired their people.” Today, the NFL’s official selection is done differently. “They have developmental squads where they take college guys and put them in preseason games, then evaluate them in these games,” he continues. “Once you go through the interview process, which consists of a psychological evaluation, they go back—even to your hometown—to check your character and make sure you are a good person. You can’t have

any kind of an arrest record to be accepted into the league. And they do a financial background check to make sure you are financially stable. If you get over all those hurdles, you get invited to join the league.” Noting that the NFL continues to evaluate officials even after they are hired, Scott emphasizes, “The officials are the stewards of the game so you don’t want someone of questionable integrity being an official.” The NFL assigns a referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge and three defensive back field judges—back judge, side judge and field judge—to each crew that works together for the season. Scott adds that it’s not uncommon to work with the same group—with only occasional changes— for several years. The annual crew assignments usually follow the threeday clinic held every summer to review NFL rules and appropriate calls. Scott observes that officiating at the NFL level is significantly different from college football. “The talent is superior to college because every player on an NFL team is a high school and college star, so you have a higher level of play in the NFL. And that’s more work on several fronts,” he asserts. “On the mental side, you are tested a lot. You have to be an expert on the rules and there’s a written test every week. It’s not anything real serious, but it keeps you sharp on the rules and keeps you up to speed. And your level of concentration with the league is so much higher than college because you are graded every game as an official.” Those grades are especially significant in the selection of officials for the play-off games and the Super Bowl. Scott moved up in the rankings fairly quickly, and by 1997, had earned a spot on the Super Bowl XXXI crew officiating the game between the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots in January of 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans “Originally, when I worked Super Bowl XXXI, you were graded on your position and your rank to each official that works that position. There are 17 Allen Image | December 2014

officials at each position. And if you graded out on top, you got to work the Super Bowl,” he recalls. “They got away from that for a while and took the top five guys, and if one guy had worked the Super Bowl and someone else hadn’t, then the guy who hadn’t worked the Super Bowl got to go, “ Scott continues. “Then they went back to ranking the guy who was number one and that’s how I got to work my last Super Bowl.” With grading conducted by supervisors who were former officials, Scott admits, “That’s not as objective as you might think. There is a continual battle between officials and graders on whether or not a play is right or wrong. But it’s a healthy conversation and a pretty good system. “I always think I’m right, but at the end of the day, most of the time I agreed with the downgrades and would be the first to admit that I missed it,” he acknowledges. “You can always learn and can never be so good that you can’t be taught something. We

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Sherri and Scott Steenson took the grading process as a learning experience so we could get better.” With injuries to officials being relatively uncommon, Scott attributes most to twisting a knee or spraining an ankle rather than from player contact. “I was rolled up a couple of years ago, but not to the extent that I couldn’t continue the game.” He admits, “I closed a little too soon on a spot and didn’t see the guys coming.” Unlike the players who are replaced during a game, when an official is injured during a regular season game, the remaining officials shift positions to create a six-man scheme. Only during playoffs and Super Bowls are alternate officials assigned to games. Over his 23 years with the NFL, Scott has seen a number of rule changes that have impacted the game. Noting that most of these changes were needed because they kept the players safe, one non-safety rule he was pleased to see go was the “force out” rule. He explains, “A receiver would go up and catch a ball, and if you deemed he would have come down with both feet inbounds if he had not been pushed, then you would give him the catch. That was a difficult call for us…so they did away with that rule.” A typical NFL season weekend for

Scott would begin early Saturday morning with a drive to the airport to catch a plane to the city hosting his crew’s assigned game the next day. The group would meet that afternoon to review the previous week’s game, discuss the upcoming game and watch league training tapes and replays from the previous week “on what we did right and what we did wrong.” This was followed with dinner and a few hours of relaxation. The next day, the crew worked the game and then returned home, sometimes late at night. The next morning, Scott, like many of the other officials, rose early to return to his weekday profession. Grade results from the game usually arrived the following Tuesday for review and preparation for the next game. Although officials have the option of watching videos of teams they will be officiating for, many choose not to. “You don’t want to start anticipating tendencies,” he points out. “In other words, you don’t want to start anticipating that certain players are going to play certain ways. Every game is different. You can’t go in there with a predetermined idea about how the game is actually going to be played. You just have to let it play out, call what you see and see what you call.”

Noting the need for total objectivity, Scott emphasizes the necessity of officials not being fans of any NFL teams and that this was not a challenge for him. “I never was a fan. I never followed the players, never read about the players and never wanted to know the players. I just wanted to be as unbiased as possible.” Confessing that his loyalties lie more with his alma mater—the University of North Texas—and his father ’s school, Texas A&M, Scott watches NFL games on television today to observe the officiating. “I appreciate a good play when I see it, but I’m not rooting for anybody. I’m just watching the game and how the officials work.” He explains that officials see the game very differently than fans do, with each official getting a unique perspective. “Fans are up in the stands and watching the entire game, all the players and everything going on. We have very specific duties in our positions and watch certain guys,” he clarifies. “For example, as a field judge I would watch the wide receiver— what he did, what people did to him, what happened during the play. The only focus I had was in that area. Many times I would come in after a game and not even know who had won the game. That’s how serious you concentrate.” Scott takes a rational stance on how he responds to questionable plays on the field. “What most fans don’t understand is that there is a literal pretation of the rule book and inter then there is a philosophical inter pretation of the rule book,” he states. “I hear people say you can call holding on every play. Technically that might be correct, although I don’t think it is because holding is only a foul if it affects the outcome of a play. “The only thing that is cut and dry is the personal foul and unnecessary roughness plays,” he continues. “That’s not a technicality, that’s just the way it is. But I don’t think it’s true that you can call a foul on every play. You can be picky enough to do it, but not necessarily be right.”

Although there have been changes in how the game is played, Scott sees no reason for significant modifications in how NFL games are officiated. “As the game gets faster, it gets harder to call, but there’s not much more we can do. You don’t want to take the

human element out of the game,” he stresses. “Officials make mistakes and players make mistakes. It’s just part of the game.” One play Scott sees as questionable is the chop block. “There are times during play when it is legal, but my

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position is that it’s sort of crazy to have a play that could potentially create a devastating injury,” he explains. “That’s a play I’d like to see out of the game.” In addition to his two Super Bowl games, Scott racked up an impressive list of post-season assignments over his 23 years: 11 wild card games, six divisional games, four championship

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games and two Pro Bowls—one in Hawaii and the other in Miami. Although he appreciated the honor of being selected for the two Super Bowls, he admits that working the Pro Bowls was more enjoyable. “There’s less pressure and the league pays for your wife to go with you,” he smiles. “So we made a vacation out of it.” Scott also officiated at several

other notable games. He is proud to have been on hand at a November 1993 battle between the Cowboys and New York Giants when legendary coach Tom Landry was enshrined in the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Another memorable game was “The Monday Night Miracle” October 23, 2000, when the New York Jets scored 30 points in the fourth quarter, threw the game into overtime and defeated the Miami Dolphins 40 to 37. Scott worked the Giants versus the Vikings game on December 12, 2010, when the Metrodome collapsed from heavy snow, forcing the game to move to Ford’s Field in Detroit the following day. He also officiated at the October 27, 1997, game at ProPlayer Stadium between the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. It had originally been scheduled the previous day but was moved because Game 7 of the World Series was scheduled for the same stadium at the same time. This resulted in two Monday Night Football games that week. The January 20, 2008, champion ship game in Green Bay between the Packers and the New York Giants earned the distinction of being Scott’s frostiest game. The fifth coldest NFL game on record, temperatures dipped below zero degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -24 degrees. “It was chilly!” he laughs. “We weren’t sure how we’d respond to the elements, but we got through it and it was fun.” After years of working all the stadiums, Scott has a definite favorite— that same frigid Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “That’s an old football stadium; the new stadiums today are pretty antiseptic,” he explains. “Take the new Cowboy stadium for example. It’s a wonderful venue, but there’s a lot going on there besides a football game. In the old stadiums all you have going on is football; you don’t have all this stuff to distract you from the game.” Scott acknowledges that through the years, the physical and time demands of being an NFL official grew more challenging and he’s satisfied today watching the games at home.

After years of following her husband’s officiating on television, Sherri notes that she’s happy having him home as well. “I’m incredibly excited every Saturday morning that he can stay here and have coffee! During football

season, a minimum of 18 to 19 weeks of the year, he was gone.” “Super Bowl XLVIII was a great way to go out and cap a 23-year career,” Scott concludes. “It’s what every official strives for, and not

everybody gets to work a Super Bowl. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to work in the league.” v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

B U S I N E S S C A R D S Allen Image | December 2014