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r. Allen Gandy is a respected, board-certified orthodontist who has been in practice since 2003. He is one of few orthodontists in Texas offering in-office i-CAT 3-D imaging as a routine diagnostic tool for individualized treatment planning. This cutting edge 3-D treatment allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

“There’s a significant difference in the amount of information that we obtain from traditional 2-D x-rays compared to this advanced 3-D technology,” explains Dr. Gandy. “3-D imaging helps eliminate guesswork in many orthodontic situations. I can evaluate my patients’ growth and dental development accurately. “

The most advanced technology Dr. Gandy combines his expertise with sophisticated technology to achieve excellent orthodontic results. “We want to present many options to our patients and to provide them with the type of treatment they are looking for,” says Dr. Gandy. “If a patient does not want to be in braces for a long time, we offer treatment modalities that can get us to the finish line faster. If they wish for the braces not to show, we can utilize esthetic toothcolored braces or customized lingual braces, placed on the inside of the teeth (Incognito® System), or Invisalign® treatment. Our goal is to help our patients make an educated decision and to provide them with the best orthodontic treatment possible.”

The DAMON® Braces system is a state-ofthe-art, clinically proven method of treatment, which uses passive, self-ligating (tie-less) brackets that hold the wire with a sliding mechanism instead of traditional elastic rings. The wires slide freely through the slots with minimum friction, while the shape memory of the wire guides the movement of the teeth without tightening. In addition to the efficient DAMON® Braces system, Gandy Orthdontics offers Invisalign® treatment, Incognito® lingual braces and INSIGNIA™ system of customized orthodontic braces and wires.

A great family atmosphere “Our offices are not only state-of-the-art, but they’re also warm and caring places to be, for both children and adults,” comments Dr. Gandy. “Our friendly and dedicated team members are great at what they do. We have a fantastic team of professionals taking care of our patients.” The best thing about his job, Dr. Gandy says, is giving his patients a beautiful smile. “It’s very rewarding to see the results of my work. Orthodontics can really change peoples’ lives—from giving them greater confidence in their smile to improving the function of their bite. There are people who come to me and just don’t smile, but afterwards… they just can’t stop smiling.”

ALLEN/FAIRVIEW 431 Stacy Road, Suite 109

972.727.3900 Wylie 972.429.0300

Frisco 972.712.9300

Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

January 2016

Vol. 26, Issue 1

cover story

a musical trip with infinite journey

Two Allen residents, bass player Mike Cooper and guitarist Paul Bullock, joined forces with singer Donovan Duke, drummer John Arnett and keyboardist Bill Cuffey in 2012 to form Infinite Journey. Blessed with a combination of talent and the “right sound,” the group has taken wings.

special sections

KIDS KORNER

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

58 PET PAGE Red

36 CALENDAR 28 18

58 6

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

education

Project H.O.M.E. provides peace of mind to Allen parents, caregivers

Ag, FFA Evolve for Changing Students, New Expectations

Spring into vegetable gardening

ACT is moving!

Weekend college helps students balance school and work

8th Annual Allen Eagle Run

The Frozen Kingdom

library 16

health & fitness How to keep your morning run healthy—for your feet

48 Recreating an attractive female

History of the Choctaw

abdomen in a tummy tuck

50 Raising a happy, healthy child in

17 Bluegrass Festival

a busy home

20 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

24 contributing writers Chelsey Aprill Kirk Dickey Deborah Dove Tom Keener Dr. Jaryl Korpinen Dawn Bluemel Oldfield Dr. Todd Pollock Peggy Helmick-Richardson Jennifer Slingerland Ryan Keith A. Taylor

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Allen Image © 2016 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

Project H.O.M.E. provides peace of mind to Allen parents, caregivers by Chelsey APRILL

TJ Puckett was three years old the first time he wandered away from home. His mother, Tina Puckett, had glanced away from her son for mere seconds—enough time to wipe the kitchen counters or answer a ringing phone. When she looked up again, the room was empty. The front door was ajar. TJ’s red cap was crumpled on the front lawn. Her heart stopped. And then she dialed 911. One street away, a driver had spotted TJ’s determined march through the neighborhood and called Allen Police. Dispatchers helped Tina and TJ reunite within minutes.

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“He told us he needed some alone time at Kroger,” recalls Puckett. TJ is now ten. But his autism diagnosis, his mother explains, means he “doesn’t operate with the same logic” as

other kids his age. When Tina heard members of a Facebook support group talking about enrolling their kids with a local law enforcement agency, she was intrigued. “I emailed someone listed on the city’s website and got a response the next day,” recounts Puckett. Allen Police were already brain storming a database like the one Puckett described in her email. Officers frequently interact with residents who have autism, dementia or other cognitive disorders that make it difficult to communicate. Without basic information, it can take hours to track down a parent or caregiver. “It’s devastating to think about what could happen to them,” comments Puckett. Her family volunteered to help pilot the program. They supplied Allen police with information about TJ’s appearance and favorite activities. They also provided special instructions related to his autism—such as his sensitivity to loud sounds like sirens. Finally, they took TJ to Allen Police headquarters for his “photo shoot.” If TJ gets lost and is too flustered to say his name, dispatchers could search the database by his hair color, age or proximity to home. Officers could compare his face with the photo in the database and contact Tina immediately. “I just felt like a weight had been lifted from me,” says Puckett, holding back tears. “My eyes are still going to be on him 24/7, but it’s hard to describe the feeling you have when you know the whole city is protecting your child.” Project H.O.M.E. is also available to residents with Alzheimer ’s or dementia—or “any individual who would be unable to provide officers with a name and address,” says Allen Police Department’s Deputy Chief Ken Myers. Caregivers simply complete an enrollment form and schedule their own “photo shoot” at the Allen Police records window. Tina hopes officers never have a reason to pull TJ’s file. But both she

and TJ want other families to consider following their example. “I asked TJ how he wanted to handle his autism,” said Puckett. “I told him we can keep it private, or we can use it to make a difference. And he told me he wanted to help.”

To learn more about Project H.O.M.E. enrollment, you may email policerecords@cityofallen.org or call 214.509.4350. v Chelsey Aprill is a Marketing Specialist for the City of Allen.

Allen Image | January 2016

Spring into vegetable gardening by Dawn Bluemel OLDFIELD

The Collin County Master Gardeners Association (CCMGA) will host, “Spring into Vegetable Gardening” on January 23, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Landing at Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney. The focus of the program will be basic vegetable gardening in Collin County. Vegetable garden experts will discuss the specifics of when and what to plant in Collin County, with monthto-month guidelines for January through May planting. Learn about the importance of soil, soil preparation, seed propagation and which varieties of plants grow well in our area. Demonstration tables will be manned by master gardeners with expertise in raised-bed construction, vertical gardens, propagation, row covers, water conservation, rain barrels and drip irrigation, vegetable container gardening and more. Representatives from Texas Pure Products will be on hand with examples of various soil amendments and mulches. Spend the morning with master gardeners learning how to grow delicious, nutritious veggies. Tour the potager and vegetable trial gardens at the end of the program with the volunteers who work in these gardens. This ambitious project began in the fall of 2013 with sixteen raised beds (including two wheelchair accessible beds) and utilizes the principles and practices of Earth-Kind® Environmental Stewardship. Registration will open online January 1, at the CCMGA website: www.ccmgatx.org.

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There is a $10 per person fee to attend. The fee is payable at the door with cash, check or credit card. Registration is required to guarantee handouts and goodie bags. Contact

972.548.4219 or visit www.ccmgatx.org for information. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. at the Landing at Myers Park. v Daen Bluemel Oldfield is a freelance writer.

ACT is moving! Allen’s Community Theatre is moving to a new, bigger and better location in January. It will be in the same business center, just in the building south of their current one. This new space offers a larger theatre area with space for up to 100 patrons per show and more. There will be new guest restrooms, a large actor’s greenroom and a separate designated lobby area. The theatre began in 2010, when the Graham family relocated from Alaska to Allen. Both Lamar and Gena Graham have an extensive background in theatre: acting, directing, set building, lights and sound. A core group—Gena, a drama teacher from Alaska; Robin, an awardwinning make-up artist; Nancy, who was crossing off items from her bucket list; and Jeremy, a professional stage combat actor with hometown ties to Allen—aligned with the Allen Arts Alliance to perform and gain exposure. From those humble beginnings ACT took root and began to grow.

In 2011, four shows were held at The Harvest Church and in 2012, three shows were performed at the Allen Christian Church in Heritage Village. In November 2013, with the support of donors, grants and the Arts Alliance, ACT moved into 1206 E. Main Street. This space has given them the freedom to offer a full season of performances—as many as six shows per year—and hold drama classes for children, teens and adults, year round. It gave birth to a zany, crazy group of improv actors, who call themselves the Dark Night Players. You can catch them once a month at ACT, when the theatre does not have a regular performance and hence is “dark.” They are celebrating their fifth season with Oscar meets Tony. All shows were plays made into movies or movies made into plays. ACT is grateful for everyone who has played a part! If you can help with the move in any way—donations or by joining the Volunteer Guild—please contact ACT at www. allenscommunitytheatre.net. v

Upcoming ACT Performances Crimes of the Heart Jan. 29-Feb. 14 The Philadelphia Story March 11-27 Blithe Spirit April 29-May 15 The Wizard of Oz August 12-28

Allen Image | January 2016

Snippets

The Frozen Kingdom

8th Annual Allen Eagle Run Get ready to run with the Eagles! Registration is now open for the 8th Annual Allen ISD Eagle Run at www.

AllenEagleRun.org. The February 27 event includes a Fun Run and 5K Run that will take place on the Allen High

School campus and through part of downtown Allen; the start/finish line is located on the east side of Allen Eagle Stadium.

This is the eighth year for the Allen Eagle Run, which

attracts more than 3,000 participants and benefits student and teacher scholarships and classroom grants in Allen

ISD. The Eagle Run is hosted by the Foundation For Allen Schools and the Allen Council of PTAs.

Plano Metropolitan Ballet will enchant audiences of all ages with an original production, The Frozen Kingdom.

Some principal cast members include: Chloe Murphy (Elza), Karista Baldwin (Anya), Julia Duggan

(Snowman), Isabella Cordero (Reindeer), Elaine Chen (Queen), Ruben Gerding (Kristofen) and Tagir Galimov (Hansel).

Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the artistic direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson.

Performances begin on January 1 with a community outreach event at 3 p.m. General audience

performances are January 9, at 7 p.m and January 16, Thanks to all our generous sponsors. In addition to the run, local organizations and merchants will have booths

surrounding the start/finish area with samples, prizes and giveaways. To register for the Allen Eagle Run or for more

at 3 and 7 p.m. Plano Met will also be performing The Frozen Kingdom for the Girl Scouts on January 2, at 3 and 7 p.m., January 8, at 7 p.m., January 9, at 3 p.m. and January 15, at 7 p.m.

information visit www.AllenEagleRun.org or call

All performances are at the Courtyard Theater, 1509

Allen Schools at www.AISDfoundation.org and www.

November 1. Buy your tickets early; this event is

972.727.0362. Find out more about the Foundation For

Avenue H, in Plano. Tickets are $16 and went on sale

facebook.com/AISDfoundation. v

always a sellout!!! Visit www.planometballet.org. v

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library

History of the Choctaw by Tom KEENER

For centuries, the Choctaw pur sued peaceful agricultural endeavors in the southeastern United States. The Choctaw tribe contributed soldiers to the United States in every major war since the Northwest Indian War (17851795) and the War of 1812. Choctaw Code Talkers provided crucial intelligence by communicating in the Choctaw language during World Wars I and II, dumbfounding the enemy. Deemed one of the five “civilized tribes” because they adopted many colonial practices, including Christianity for a significant number, the Choctaw were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory in 1830 by the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Despite the adversities faced, the Choctaw Nation made vast contributions that resulted in a stronger America.

Upon the death of Choctaw Chief Pushmataha, American statesman John Randolph proclaimed in the U.S. Senate, “Pushmataha was a warrior of great distinction, he was in counsel, eloquent in an extraordinary degree, and, on all occasions and under all circumstances, the white man’s friend?

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Representing the Choctaw Nation, Ryan Spring will discuss the History of the Choctaw up to the Trial of Tears at 7:30 pm, Thursday, January 21, at the library. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. A GIS/GPS Specialist for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Historic Preservation Department, Spring received his Bachelor ’s Degree in anthropology from the University of Arkansas in fall of 2011. He was hired by the tribe to implement GIS (Geographic Information System) and GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to aid in protecting sites that are important to the Choctaw people, creating cultural maps for education and conducting Choctaw cultural presentations, research and advisement.

Spring emphasizes, “Being a member of the Choctaw Nation means I have the duty to respect my ancestors, do my best to aid my family and tribe, and to make the future culturally and environmentally sustainable for future generations of Choctaw people.” Spring is currently enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma State University for his Masters in Native American Leadership. He also enjoys playing Choctaw stickball for the Choctaw Nation’s stickball team as well as helping coach stickball to youth and adults in his community. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Bluegrass Festival By Tom KEENER

Ready for an unforgettable knee-slapping bluegrass experience? Then come to the library’s annual Bluegrass Festival that will feature two outstanding bands this year. On stage for this evening of downhome entertainment will be both the Cooke Brothers and Quibble Brothers, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 22, in the library auditorium. Bluegrass bands are passionate about their music and the Cooke Brothers are no exception. The Cooke Brothers began performing bluegrass in Ellis County in 1946, the year that Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys electrified America. Cooke Brothers shared the stage with Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Grandpa Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Mary Stuart and many more, including a performance at a banquet where President Reagan was the keynote speaker. The late Bob Wills’ daughter Carolyn Wills, in the Waxahachie NOW, made this observation about the Cooke Brothers: “To love music is to be part of a community, and to play in a band like the Cooke Brothers Bluegrass Band is to be part of a very special family.” The band is comprised of Reggie Cooke on banjo and guitar, Larry Cooke on banjo, Wendell Cooke on guitar, Billy Joe Cooke

on mandolin and Randall Dyess on upright bass. All band members provide vocals. For the second set, The Quibble Brothers offers a mix of energy and talent. Bandleader Patrick Bouldin will captivate the audience with his mandolin. He studied under respected industry greats Mike Marshall (David Grisman Quintet), Shawn Lane (Blue Highway) and others. Bassist Liz Patton was Best Female Bluegrass Instrumentalist at South Plains College under Joe Carr and Alan Munde. Twenty-year-old fiddler Jake Mills captivates while thrashing his bow in harmony with the other musicians. Songwriter and guitarist Richard Gilbert has written numerous bluegrass and folk songs and carries a lasting legacy in Texas Grass with the Southern Comfort and Here and Now bands. A regular at Collin County chili cook-offs, church functions, and fundraisers, banjo and fiddle player Chris Plumlee is also a firefighter for the City of Allen. Free tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7 p.m. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Cooke Brothers

Allen Image | January 2016

kids korner

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! By Deborah DOVE Granted it doesn’t snow often in Texas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play in the snow or build a snowman. Following are some snowy activities, whether there’s white stuff on the ground or not! Make a Snow Globe

• Small figurine (plastic or metal ones work best) or miniature trees, streetlights, etc. from miniature section of craft store • Water-resistant glue • Glitter • Water • Jar with lid (baby food, pimiento, and olive jars work well) • Glycerin (You can do without glycerin, it helps snow fall better) Paint lid if desired and let dry. Glue the figurine to the center of the inside bottom of the jar lid. Cover the bottom of the jar with glitter. Fill the jar with water and add a dash of glycerin. Apply glue along the inside of the rim of the jar lid to keep secure and close the jar tightly.

Make Your Own Snow

• 1 large box of baking soda • Glitter • 1 can shaving cream (foam, not gel) Add baking soda to a sensory bin or container. Slowly mix in shaving cream to create moldable snow that is soft, smooth, smells clean and is naturally cold. Add glitter if desired. *After your child is finished playing with the “snow,” give him a spray bottle of vinegar he can use to spray the snow to make magic snowballs or make snowmen erupt. Drop snow into a small bowl of vinegar to create a snow avalanche.

Make a Marshmallow Snowman

Draw three circles on a piece of blue construction paper to make a snowman. Let your child draw a face on the top circle. Give your child a bowl of miniature marshmallows, and let them lick one end of each marshmallow and stick it onto the circle outlines to create a snowman. Biting half and sticking the other half onto the paper works too!

Make Snow Shooters

• 2 white cups • Black & orange craft foam • 2 white or black balloons • Scissors • Cotton balls or white pom-poms • Glue Cut the bottom off of two white cups. Take two white balloons and cut the tops off of those to create a larger opening and stretch the balloons over the cup bottoms (layer the bottom rim of each cup with glue before pulling the balloons over the openings). Once the balloon pieces are secured, decorate the front of the cups to look like snowmen using craft foam. Put the “snow” (cotton balls or pom-poms) inside and gently pull back on the balloon to send the snowballs flying.

Frosty the Snowman Movie and Bath

This is a fun way to spend a cold afternoon or evening or a snow day. Start off by watching Frosty the Snowman and then finish with a wintry bath inspired by the blog “Growing a Jeweled Rose.” Fill the tub, add a few drops of blue food coloring (it won’t stain the bath or skin), and toss in a few

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imitation snowflakes from the dollar store if you have them. Add a few peaks of shaving cream on the surface of the tub water and embellish with foam eyes and a small foam carrot nose to make “melting snowmen.” Beforehand, cut snowman pieces out of craft foam—three white circles for the body; plenty of black circles for buttons, eyes and mouth; a carrot nose; stick arms; a scarf; and a black hat; then let your child build her own snowman on the wall of the tub. You can also make some Sparkly Winter Ice Paint for your child to play with in the tub (see recipe below).

Sparkly Winter Ice Paint

• Shaving cream • Blue food coloring • Fine shaved ice chips (crushed or chopped in a blender) • Iridescent glitter • Peppermint extract (optional) Mix the shaving cream with a few drops of blue food coloring in a bowl. Top the paint off with icy chips and snow. You can also add some peppermint extract to give it a wintry scent.

Have a Snowball Fight

Ball up white paper (an even number for both sides), then draw a line down the middle of the room with a piece of masking tape. Pick sides and have a snowball fight!

Make Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Create your own blizzard using round coffee filters and a pair of decorative or regular scissors. Fold the coffee filter in half, then in half again (quarters), and in half again (eighths). Make cuts in the filters and then unfold to see your snowflake.

Real snow?

Make the most of it with these activities.

Make Snow Ice Cream

• 1 c. milk • 1/3 c. granulated sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1 pinch salt • 8 c. clean snow or shaved ice • Sprinkles In a large bowl, whisk milk, sugar, vanilla and salt together until combined. Go scoop some fresh, clean snow and immediately stir into the milk mixture until you reach the desired consistency. Top with sprinkles and eat right away!

Make Ice Bubbles

When the temperature drops below 32 degrees, blow bubbles and watch them freeze on the wand.

Snow Graffiti

Give kids spray bottles filled with water tinted with food coloring so they can create their own snow art.

Best Snow Day Movies

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Frozen, The Giver, Ice Age, Happy Feet, Snow Dog, Rise of the Guardians and March of the Penguins.

education

Ag, FFA Evolve for Changing Students, New Expectations by Keith A. TAYLOR

Most Ag students are college-bound— about 98 percent of veterinary science students and 85 percent of the agricultural mechanics students plan to attend college. 20

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griculture Education at Allen High School isn’t what it used to be. The days of young men in cowboy hats raising livestock and learning how to weld are changing. Although that stereotype still has some truth, the reality may surprise some people, according to Allen High School Ag teacher Stacy Schertz. “Most of our Ag students are girls,” she said. “It’s been a steady shift over the past few years. Animal science and veterinary careers are becoming more common with young women and we have to be able to respond and provide those courses. Kids expect more and want to be challenged.”

With 320 students, Agriculture Education remains a popular program at the high school. Students participating in the Ag program can study courses ranging from agriculture mechanics and metal fabrication to floral design. Courses fall into four categories: Agriculture Science, Agriculture Mechanics, Veterinary Technology and Special Courses. Facilities in the Ag Department include a livestock barn, machine and welding shop, a greenhouse and veterinary classroom labs. “We have a lot more boys in the fabrication courses, but sometimes you can still be surprised at the choices the students sometimes make,” Schertz stated. Most Ag students are college-

bound—about 98 percent of veterinary science students and 85 percent of the agricultural mechanics students plan to attend college. During a recent class visit, veterinary technology students dressed in scrubs, safety glasses and rubber gloves busily dissected chicken wings separating muscle and tendons from bone. Jordon Adams is one of those students. “I first became interested in veterinary technology during my freshman year,” she said. A former student at Reed Elementary and Curtis Middle School, she said her older brother was taking Ag classes at Allen High and she decided to give it a try. “Ag classes provide the oppor tunity for hands-on experience that I can apply as I pursue a career,” the senior said. “When I graduate I plan to study animal science in college and eventually become a veterinarian.” As with many Ag students, Jordan also joined the Future Farmers of America (FFA) where she serves as chapter vice president. “Agriculture Education and FFA have always been closely associated,” Schertz commented. The organization has changed over the years just as

Allen Image | January 2016

Ag education has adapted to new student interests. “Allen High School’s FFA chapter was established in 1960,” Schertz shared. “Girls weren’t allowed in until 1965. Back then, boys joined FFA and learned farming skills. Girls joined FHA (Future Homemakers of America) and learned domestic skills. That was a long time ago.” About half of the current Ag Department students at the high school also participate in FFA. “The chapter meets monthly and is 100 percent student led,” Schertz said. “They have to plan the calendar, plan fundraising events and make sure they stay within budget.” Over the years, one of the most significant changes in FFA chapter rules is that a livestock project is no longer required to participate. Instead, there are several activities and competitions that students can participate in ranging from public relations to tractor technician. The activities are split

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between leadership development events and career development events. Both are intended to nurture and develop skills applicable to life after high school.

Schertz said many of the skills developed in FFA are in high demand at universities and colleges that offer Agricultural Education. “Students who partici p ate in judging contests, such as grading the quality of meat and poultry products, are highly recruited by colleges,” she said. “Not many kids are developing these skill sets these days.” Many students, however, including Adams, continue to participate in livestock. “I began with rabbits when I was a freshman,” she said. “Now I raise goats. I think I’ve had seven since I’ve been in FFA. I take care of them from the time they are kids. This year, I plan to show mine at the stock show in San Antonio.” The Allen High School Ag Department and FFA supply a truck and trailer that students may use to transport livestock to shows. Most important, though, the district provides the program with the Ag barn where project livestock is tended. “Even though Allen was historically a farming community, there are few farming families left,” she said. “Almost all of my students are from typical suburban families. So if they decide to raise livestock, other

than rabbits, they need a place to shelter and feed the animals.” Right now, the barn houses about seven steers, assorted goats, sheep and pigs. The number of livestock is actually down this year, according to Schertz. The barn has housed as many as 25 steer during her 10-year tenure. Paige Bettarelli is another FFA student who is using the Ag barn to raise her two pigs. “We have to go out there twice a day to take care of them,” she said. “We feed, water and walk them. We have to clean the pens, too.” Most of the work is taken care of before and after school. The junior, who is planning to become an Ag teacher, said the students also have to be sure the animals are trained for the show pen. The livestock projects are raised to be sold at auction during the spring of the school year. The students try to participate in one of the major livestock shows in Texas—Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio—where their animals will be auctioned after the judging. For practice, they attend “ribbon” shows, such as the Collin County Livestock Show, before the major auction events. “The projects are a growth experience for the kids,” Schertz said. “They have to learn how to care for the

animals, physically and medically. They have to learn how to budget and plan. They also have to learn how to let go.” It’s an experience Adams wouldn’t trade for anything.

“It’s great to do what you love and know you can continue to do it the rest of your life,” she said. v Keith Taylor is a public relations specialist for Allen ISD.

Allen Image | January 2016

Weekend college helps students balance school and work by Kirk DICKEY

A flag stirs listlessly as a breeze blows across Collin Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring Creek Campus. Birds rustle and chirp in the trees. If you listen really hard, you can just hear the sounds of children playing in a nearby park.

Jessica Padron and Heather Alvarez

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It’s a Saturday, so you can’t be too surprised that the campus buildings are quiet. Well, they are mostly quiet. Dotted among the classrooms and still hallways, you will find students gathered in animated discussions with professors on topics as varied as biology, Texas government, computer networking and care for special needs children. This is Weekend College and, for many of the students in these classrooms, this is the best way they have to pursue their dreams of higher education. At an average age of 27, many of the students are a little older than the ones who fill the seats on weekdays, and many have full-time jobs, family commitments and other responsibilities their weekday counterparts have not yet even begun to consider. For Maria Narvaez Brennan, a Collin College alumna who took several weekend classes, that environment was just what she was looking for. “I felt more comfortable attending classes with people my age who had a job and family,” Brennan said. “As ‘older’ students, I felt that we were committed to gaining as much knowledge as we could from the lectures and assignments.” Weekend classes allow students like Brennan to balance home and work with school, so they can continue their education on their own time. “After working 40 hours a week, you are usually exhausted at the end of the day,” Brennan said. “Sometimes I had to work later hours, so I would never have been able to take night classes. “The availability of Saturday classes was a huge factor in my decision to enroll at Collin College. I was able to take as many classes as I wanted without missing work.” Weekend classes are held on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, with options to take a class one day per weekend over 16 weeks, two days a weekend over seven, eight or ten weeks, or self-paced flex-entry schedules.

There is even an option in an express format, where a full semester’s worth of classes is fit into three weekends of intense full-day classes. For some students, the express classes are also tools to get ahead in school in a shorter time frame. “I work 40 hours a week, so I found it easier to take express classes and get them over with,” Jessica Padron, a current Collin College student, said. Padron said the longer class

periods during the express classes allow her to focus intensely on the subject she is studying. She took an express block class on early childhood development this fall, which met on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. “I like it because you have more time to concentrate, to do group work or whatever the class calls for,” Padron said. Heather Alvarez, a student in the same class, agreed. “I saw the opportunity to take

Allen Image | January 2016

four classes in a semester, but not take all four classes at once, and I thought that might be easier to handle,” Alvarez said, noting her need to balance school with her job as a field trip coordinator for McKinney Independent School District. Alvarez has already earned her associate degree from Collin College but is taking more weekend classes now in preparation for a bachelor ’s degree. She said she appreciates the pace of express classes because the three-weekend time frame means everyone needs to be on top of their game. “In express classes, you don’t have time to waste. It is just go-go-go, and then it is done,” she said. That doesn’t mean students get short-changed when it comes to their education according to Weekend College Director Brian Lenhart. “We do not compromise the rigor or integrity of that class, so they are going to be doing the same thing a traditional student would be,” Lenhart said. “They are still the same Arts 1301 or English 1301.” Professor Susy Mathews, who has taught weekend classes for almost a decade in addition to her other teaching duties at the college, confirmed that, saying she doesn’t believe that just because a class is on the weekend it should be less engaging. “You have to be 100 percent committed to the class,” she said. “I don’t reduce any assignments or course work because of the time frame.

Weekend College Director Brian Lenhart. I don’t reduce mid-terms or finals. I try not to change anything.” In fact, Mathews said that she believes the longer class periods allow her to present a broader picture to her students. “I feel like during weekend classes, I am able to do a lot more with the students,” she said. “I am

able to have more discussion. Even though you feel like it is cramped up into three weeks, I feel like we finish more work.” Weekend College classes are offered at all three of Collin College’s main campuses: Central Park Campus in McKinney, Preston Ridge Campus in Frisco and Spring Creek Campus in Plano. General education courses are offered for students who want to earn associate of arts, associate of science or associate of arts in teaching degrees. To learn more about Weekend College, you may visit www.collin. edu/academics/weekendcollege/, call 9782.881.5801 or e-mail weekendcollege@collin.edu. v Kirk Dickey is a public relations writer with Collin College.

Photos by Nick Young, Collin College photographer.

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cover story Do you fit the median Allen demographic? Then chances are you’re a fan of the rock band Journey. But even those folks significantly younger or older have most likely sung along with some of Journey’s top tunes like “Any Way You Want It,” “Faithfully,” “Wheel in the Sky” or “Don’t Stop Believing.” Formed in 1973 and still playing today, Journey has racked up two gold, eight multi-platinum and one diamond albums and has 18 Top 40 singles in the U.S. Their Greatest Hits album made the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of Top Selling Albums of All Times and “Don’t Stop Believing” sits at number 11 on the RIAA’s list of top-selling singles. So, what do diehard Journey fans who are also talented musicians opt to do? They form a Journey tribute band! And that’s why two Allen residents, bass player Mike Cooper and guitarist Paul Bullock, joined forces with singer Donovan Duke, drummer John Arnett and keyboardist Bill Cuffey in 2012 to form Infinite Journey. Blessed with a combination of talent and the “right sound,” the group has taken wings. According to Mike, the greatest challenge for a Journey tribute band is finding a lead singer able to emulate the group’s original lead singer Steve Perry. “Vocally it is very demanding, and Donovan can do it flawlessly,” he asserts. “Then you put in the rest of us with background harmony that Journey is so well known for, and that’s how you get the Journey sound.” Both men emphasize that the group strives for the iconic sound quality and not the look of Journey. “Some bands go to great lengths by wearing wigs or the right clothes, and with some bands that might be the right thing to do—like if you’re a Kiss tribute, you’d have to wear wigs and makeup,” Mike states. “But we want to concentrate on the music and make sure it’s tight.” “And what is the Journey ‘look?’” Paul adds. “The sound of Journey is

what it’s really about and we put the same passion and energy into our music. That’s what people appreciate and respond to.” Many Allenites heard—and maybe even danced along with—Infinite Journey when they have played for Concerts by the Creek at Watters Creek. Their most recent performances there in 2015 were July 18 and October 17. In addition to a number of venues around the Metroplex, including the Jack FM Throwback Festival that featured 16 tribute bands, the group has been booking gigs around the state, traveling as far away as Houston, Pasadena and Texarkana. Among their more popular local hot spots is Dallas’s House of Blues where they have performed a number of times on the Voodoo Stage and Foundation Room,

as well as headlined on the Main Stage, most recently opening for a popular AC/DC tribute band before a sold out crowd of over 2,000. Last May, the group took the Main Stage of the Wildflower Festival in Richardson, opening for Lover Boy and Kool and the Gang. “That gig put us on the map,” Mike declares. “Ever since then we’ve really been ramping up and growing our fan base. It’s been huge in such a little time and we’re so thankful for that.” The group recently had an artist create their own logo that includes a scarab in homage to the traditional Journey logo, but is still uniquely their own. “We had a fan tattoo the logo on the back of his leg a couple of weeks ago,” Paul declares. “He sent us the picture.”

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Photo: Kenny Lee Photogography LLC

The current members found each other when Mike, who already had Donovan on board as well as a drummer in mind, placed a Craig’s List ad seeking a “Neal Schon guitar player and a keyboardist.” The keyboardist who responded then recommended Paul. Not only does Mike play bass and provide vocals for Infinite Journey, he also serves as the group’s manager, handling rehearsal schedules and bookings. “I’ve never seen anybody promote a band, create contacts, and get good gigs like this guy,” Paul points out. “Democracy in a band does not work. It’s much better when somebody says, we’re doing this….” When the group first started, practices were held in Paul’s living room. “And the neighbors would say, ‘You’re a little loud!’” he grimaces. So weekend practices were stopped by 7 pm. Paul is grateful now that the group has several rehearsal spots in commercial areas of Dallas where they can play for hours without risk of bothering anyone.

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“Our shows keep getting better and we get more comfortable with how we play with each other, so our shows have turned into more of a concert experience,” Mike continues. “I can’t get the smile off my face when I’m up on stage because I absolutely love what I’m doing.” They now perform on stage two to three times a month, “which is about right when you are balancing jobs and families,” Paul shrugs. Currently the group does not have regular rehearsal times but practice when adding a new song to their set or when a substitute has to fill in at an upcoming performance. Both would like to get a set rehearsal time on the schedule, but know that can be challenging when juggling their other responsibilities. A sales strategist for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mike grew up in Richardson and graduated from Berkner High School and the University of North Texas. Living in Allen with wife Rhonda, his 11-yearold twins Brenan and Breckan attend Norton Elementary. Raised in El Paso, Paul graduated

from the University of Texas at El Paso. He lives in Allen with his son Patrick, an eighth grader at Ereckson Middle School. For his day job, Paul serves as a technical engineer for Ciena, a global telecom company. Since high school, Paul has played with several bands, including a Lover Boy tribute band called Cover Boy and a Cars tribute band, Used Cars. “I started playing when I was 14 and I never put it down,” he states. “In college I made my living playing in a rock band on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.” Even now he plays in another band, one that has received national recognition—Ciena’s company rock band OTN Speedwagon. At the 13th Annual Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands, held in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2013, OTN Speedwagon not only took first place, but Paul was also awarded “Best Guitarist” designation. With members hailing from England, Montreal, Atlanta, Denver, New York and Allen, the Ciena band only gets together to practice and

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perform once a year. “We play for our global sales team,” Paul explains. “The executives are part of the action and they come up and sing with us. It’s a really fun company.” Paul doesn’t consider being in two bands while working a full time job particularly stressful. “It’s like winning the lottery twice!” he grins. Infinite Journey is the first major band Mike has performed with. Getting a guitar when he was in sixth grade, Mike admits, “I wasn’t that great of a player. I might have had the passion but I didn’t have the skill.” He adds the latter didn’t come until after he was employed and could afford the equipment needed to learn well. “I had played in a couple of garage bands, but it wasn’t until later in life when I met up with a couple of guys and we would play one gig a year at a club in Deep Ellum. We would work up 10 songs and play for 45 minutes. Now I’m so thankful I’ve fallen into this group with such great guys.” Mike adds that their age and maturity actually proves to be a benefit, both on the music and business ends. “When talking with venues and booking agents, we’re not saying we might return your phone calls and might show up. It’s how I behave in business and why not extend the courtesy when I book the band?” “Or when you go to practice!” Paul continues. “Did you learn all the songs and learn them right? Half the time when you play in a band, some don’t learn the songs or didn’t learn them the right way.” The two cite this attitude of professionalism as what initially drew the Infinite Journey members together.

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“Donovan and I were in another Journey tribute band and hit it off at the first rehearsal; but the band didn’t work out. There were musical differences,” Mike recalls. Paul adds, “With this combination, everybody has the right focus and is putting the right amount of energy into it properly. When everyone is on the same page as far as goals and expectations, you don’t have any problems and things go smoothly.” As guitarists with a rapidly growing fan base still working in the professional business world, Mike and Paul have achieved goals that most musicians only dream of. But both men have another creative passion— making guitars. Paul’s are the traditional guitars, crafted from an assortment of woods, steel and electronics. Flour, eggs, sugar and butter are the primary composition of the guitars Mike creates. On a lark, in 1998 Mike took two cake decorating classes at a shop in Richardson. He enjoyed his new-found talent and began making character

cakes for friends and fellow employees, and even branched out into special events like baby showers. “But I didn’t do wedding cakes,” he insists. “I didn’t want to mess with that!” For his sons’ first birthday party, he opted to host it at the Hard Rock Café. Making a guitar-shaped cake for their rock-themed birthday party seemed a natural choice. “I had always wanted to do a life-sized guitar so I created Eddie Van Halen’s famous red white and black striped guitar and it weighed about 20 pounds,” he reminisces. No surprise that it was a hit. Then Mike learned Joe Satriani, one of his guitar heroes, was coming to Dallas around the time of his birthday. He contacted the tour manager and arranged to make a birthday cake for Joe in the shape of his signature guitar. In return, Mike got to present the cake to Joe and has the picture to prove it. So when other concerts were coming in town, he began reaching out to tour managers or fan club presidents and offered to bake signature guitars for the specific group or guitarist coming. In return, all Mike asked for was a picture of himself with the guitar cake and the recipients. Mike has even used his baking and cake decorating talents to benefit Infinite Journey. He started out by taking his homemade chocolate chip cookies up to the staff of House of Blues in Dallas. “I got to know the marketing director and said, ‘Oh, by the way, I also make guitar cakes, so if you ever have a band that comes in and you need a cake, let me know.’” Immediately the venues 20th anniversary celebration featuring the

band Blue October sprang to mind. “So I made a Fender Stratocaster that was blue, and on the side I put the 20th anniversary logo,” Mike recounts. When queried as to what the cake would cost them, Mike told House of Blues, “If you can get us on the Main Stage, it will be absolutely free.” “I thought to myself that we’ll never get called but at least I got to meet the band and the cake turned out cool,” he admits. But not long after that, Infinite Journey was asked by House of Blues to perform on the Main Stage. And then, confirming that their selection was based on talent and not just cake, they were asked again to do another Main Stage performance. In order to create the array of signature guitar shapes, Mike has made cake templates in an assortment of standard brands like a Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul and Explorer. Describing himself as a perfectionist, Mike notes that just decorating a guitar cake usually takes 14 hours. “I get a kick out of it because I’m making a cake where people say, ‘Ohmigosh, I could almost pick it up and play it!’” For cake decorating aficionados, Mike explains, “I do not use fondant, I pipe everything with buttercream just because I think that’s the way it should be and it tastes better. And I smooth the icing out before I start piping because I want it to look like you can play it.” Mike even very carefully pipes the strings on his guitars freehand. “I start at the head and hold my breath and keep going until I stop at the end of the neck, “ he sighs. “They are very accurate, and for a guitar player, it’s awesome!’ Paul declares. “Mike knows guitars and knows what to look for in the details.”

And after handcrafting 40 guitars, many replicas of iconic guitar players’ instruments, Paul’s a pretty good judge on what they look like. With access to an assortment of woodworking tools through his father, Paul first started making guitars in his teens but initially emphasizing the look rather than playability. But by the

end of high school he was taking apart guitars to see how they worked. “I wanted a bunch of guitars but just couldn’t go out and buy a Gibson Les Paul or a Fender Stratocaster, so I would make my versions of them as accurately as I could,” he explains. “Getting the accuracy so the guitar plays really well is the hard part.”

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Paul has sold a few of his guitars and given a few to friends, but most he has kept. Chuck Kaplan, a bandmate in OTN Speedwagon, is the proud possessor of one of Paul’s guitars and plays it in the band. “That one is probably the best playing guitar I ever

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built,” Paul notes. Those easy to play are kept on racks or cases and the few that proved more challenging to get a tune out of but are still works of art, hang on walls throughout his home. Kept close at hand are his Journeyesque guitars, replicas of those played

in the group. Paul points out, “The electronics inside are there to recreate the effects and special sounds you hear in Journey songs. The combination of the tremolo system, which is where the strings attach to the body, is a big part of the Neal Schon sound in Journey. The Schon-like guitars include one with a Les Paul shape, another that resembles a Stratocaster, and an amazing likeness of the iconic design featured on the group’s Escape album. Paul explains that although a guitar generally takes 40 hours to make, this is usually stretched out over a six-month period. He adds that, because of their curved tops, Les Pauls take more time to make than flattopped guitars like Stratocasters. He keeps an assortment of woods on hand in order to emulate the type and look of the guitar he is duplicating. These may include mahogany, alder or basswood for bodies, maple for curved tops or necks, rosewood for fret boards, and mother of pearl for inlays. Paul completes his guitars with a distinctive PB logo on the heads. Some of the replicas of famous guitars that Paul has lovingly recreated are Steve Vai’s instrument with his distinctive hand hold through it, the late Dimebag Darrell’s beat up guitar with a burned neck (“He literally caught it on fire in a moment of rock and roll ecstasy,” Paul explains.) and Brian May’s guitar that he used on every Queen album and tour. Another unique replica is that of Zakk Wylde, guitarist with Ozzy Osborne’s band. Of the strikingly odd look for the guitar, Paul explains, “When he found a good beer when they were on tour, he would nail the cap onto the guitar.” And this Texas guitar maker couldn’t pass up recreating Stevie Ray Vaughan’s famous and very well-used instrument. “If you go to the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin, you can see the original guitar,” Paul states. ”I took pictures of it and this is my approximation. It feels kind of bad to build a guitar knowing you’re going to

do this to it, but it does look like Stevie Ray’s guitar.” One remarkable duplicate, artwise, is Eric Clapton’s guitar from his Cream days. And no collection of guitar icons ould be complete without Jimmy Page’s Danelectro, AC/DC’s Angus Young’s Gibson SG or Eddie

Van Halen’s Frankenstrat. On the latter, Paul even took care to insert a quarter under the tremolo, just as in the original. After all, whether it’s cakes, guitars or music, these guys are all about getting it right. To keep up with Infinite Journey

and local performances, visit their website at www.infinitejourneyband. com or you can follow them on Facebook under Infinite Journey—The Music of Journey. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

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calendar

JANUARY

we celebrate the wonderful 10 years that have passed and look forward to the years ahead. Activities that highlight the center and its history will take place during the week leading to an anniversary bash on Friday, January 22. Contact the Allen Senior Recreation Center for more details.

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. 2 Dallas Sidekicks vs Brownsville Barracudas 8 Allen Americans vs Colorado Eagles 9 Dallas Platinum Championship 10 Allen Americans vs Colorado Eagles 14 Dallas Sidekicks vs Tacoma Stars 15 Dallas Sidekicks vs Ontario Fury 16 Allen Americans vs Cincinnati Cyclones 17 Allen Americans vs Cincinnati Cyclones 18 Allen Americans vs Cincinnati Cyclones 21-23 Dallas Trampoline & Tumbling Cup 24 Allen Americans vs Wichita Thunder 29 Allen Americans vs Tulsa Oilers 30 Dallas Sidekicks vs Soles De Sonora 31 Allen Americans vs Tulsa Oilers

Parks and Recreation Events 1-3 Rock ‘N Pond Hockey Tournament. Play in the Allen Community Ice Rink’s Rock ‘n Pond hockey tournament. Open to Mites, Squirts, PeeWee, Bantam and I-League players. Maximum nine skaters and goalie per team. Six-game guarantee. Individual sign-ups open based on teams needing players. To register, call 972.912.1097. 8 SNAP Dance. Special Needs and Adapted Program at Recreation Hall from 7-10 p.m. Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. Register early, the fee increases to $15 at 5 p.m. Wed. prior to each dance. For more information, contact Lisa Potvin at lpotvin@ cityofallen.org or 214.509.4707. 9/23 Saturday Night Rec N Roll. A fun and safe, social program offered by Joe Farmer Recreation Center for students in grades 3-6. Includes gym games, dancing, dodge ball, pool, table tennis, theme nights, contests and prizes. Supervision provided, concessions are available. Get a ‘Party Pack’—includes $5 worth of concessions for $4 along with your admission! An ID (annual $5 fee) is required. 22 Ten Year Anniversary. The Allen Senior Recreation Center is turning 10! Come join us the week of January 18 as

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ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Youth Services Warm Up with Winter Reading! Through January 10. Earn free prizes by reading 5 books or 5 hours. Pick up your reading log at the library. The last day to pick up prizes is January 10. For more information call 214-509-4906.

Note: Weekly story times resume Monday, January 18. For information on children’s programs, call 214.509.4906.

Baby and Me—pre-walkers with an adult Thur. at 10:15 a.m. Fun Ones—1 year-olds with an adult.Mon. & Tue. at 10:15 a.m. Together Time—2-6 year-olds with an adult. Mon., Tue. & Thur. at 11:15 a.m.; Wed. at 10:15 a.m. All By Myself—4-5 year-olds without an adult or caregiver. Wed. at 11:15 a.m. Pajama Story Time—2-6 year-olds & family. Tue. & Thur. at 6:30 p.m. 11 American Girl Club, 4-5 p.m., Children’s Program Room, ages 7-12. Celebrate your favorite American Girl with crafts, snacks and more! Free; no registration. 16 Lego Family Fun Day, 10:3011:30 a.m., Children’s Program Room, ages 5 & up with families. Bring your parents and create with Legos at the library! Caregivers must stay with children under age 9. Free; no registration. 17 Crafternoon, 2:30-4 p.m., Children’s Program Room, ages 3 & up with adult. Caregivers must stay with children under age 9. Free; no registration. 18 Martin Luther King Day Celebration, 2-4 p.m., Children’s Program Room, all ages. Learn about the important contributions and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King featuring crafts and activities related to the values of tolerance, compassion and hope. Free; no registration. 22 Sensory Play Day, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Children’s Program Room, ages 0-3 with adult. Join us for a relaxed morning of stimulating sensory play stations. Free; no registration.

ADULTS 6 Noontime Pageturners, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, 12-1 p.m., bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! Come share the joy of reading. 13 DIY@APL—Vision Boards,10 a.m.noon, create a vision board collage to inspire you to stick to your resolutions, All supplies provided.

Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 p.m. Twisted Threads is a social group for knitters, crocheters, felters, quilters and any other crafters who use thread or yarn! All skill levels are welcome!

14 Discover a Healthier You—PlantBased Diets, Laurie Atchison, presenteris certified in plant-based nutrition, 1-2 p.m., informational session on the benefits of plant-based diets.

Trivia Night @ Nine Band Brewing Co., 6 p.m., off site at Nine Band Brewing Co., 9 Prestige Circle. Team up with friends to compete for first place. Test your knowledge of beer, literature, history, science, and more! The library will not be providing alcohol. Age 21+.

17 Talking History—The Great War and the Creation of the Modern Middle East, 2 p.m. Join Dr. Nancy Stockdale as she explores the political, economic, social and cultural upheaval that has occurred in the region over the past 100 years. 18 ArtSparks! The Harlem Renaissance, 1-2:30 p.m., presented by the Allen Arts Alliance. Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by exploring the Harlem Renaissance, an explosion of AfricanAmerican artistic expression that occurred during the 1920s in Harlem. You’ll get to create your own artwork. All materials will be supplied; no art experience necessary, age 16+. 19 Keep Calm and Read On! 7-8:30 p.m. Attention Non-Fiction Book Lovers! Penguin Random House will buzz about forthcoming non-fiction books and give readers the inside scoop on 2016 titles. 26 Armchair Travelers Visit New Zealand, 7 p.m., travel to the land of hobbits, kiwis and glow worms, without ever leaving Texas! Join Rebecca Harris as she shares stories and pictures from her travels through New Zealand. 29 Johnny Heller, audio book narrator, 2 p.m. Johnny Heller, an Audie Award winner with numerous Audie nominations, will be reading selections and discussing the process of narrating an audio book.

21 Create Better Photographs…by Editing! 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jim Hoffheins on creating better photos. Limited to 15 who are encouraged to download and try out Google’s Picasa if they don’t use an image editing program. They may also email 1 or 2 photos to Jim prior to the program for discussion at the seminar. Adult and Teens age 16+. Registration required by phone at 215.509.4905, or in person at the Reference Desk.

CLUBS 2ChangeU Toastmasters, meets every Tuesday, 7 pm, Plano Family YMCA, 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.2changeu.org. Allen Area Patriots, meets the second and four th Thursday each month, 7-8:45 pm, Failth Fellowship Church, 415 West Lucas Road, Lucas. Local Tea Party presents speakers, encouraging citizens to par ticipate in the political process. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com. Allen Garden Club, meets the first Thursday each month, 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. Allen Heritage Guild, meets first Wednesday every month, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org. Allen Retired Educators, meet the third Monday each month, 10:30 am, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. RSVP: Sondra Long, billysondralong@tx.rr.com. Allen Toastmasters’ Club, meets every Monday, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102, (Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$10 non-members 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, meets the four th Tuesday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, meets the second Monday of every month, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Allen Image | January 2016

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. Art History Brown Bag Series, meets first Wednesday each month, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www. heardcraig.org. Bible Study, meets every Thursday, 9:3011:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. required. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen. cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets the third Monday each month Sept-May, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit between Frankford & Campbell. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www. collincountymoms.aggienetwork.com. Collin County Archaeology Society, meets second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net. Collin County Genealogical Society, meets the second Wednesday each month, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeners guided tour of Myers Park, meets the first Wednesday of every month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Res. req. For more info: 972.548.4232 or mgcollin@ ag.tamu.edu.\ Collin County Republican Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: www.ccrmc.org. Dallas Dog Lovers, events for dogs and their owners in the Dallas area. For more info: www.dallasdoglovers.com Department 56 Village Collectors Club second Saturday every month, in the Plano/ Nor th Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com. Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, meets every Monday, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: Per Treven, 972.583.8273 or per.treven@ericsson.com. First Nighter African Violet Society, meets third Monday each month, 7 pm, Stacy Road Pet Hospital, 451 Stacy Road, Fairview. Promotes widespread interest in African violets and study of growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478.

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Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Ctr, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org. Italian Lovers of North Dallas, meets the first Friday each month, 7 pm, Italian Villa, 121 N Greenville Ave, Ste B, Allen. Many bilingual Italian-Americans meet here monthly to chat in Italian & find new friends. For more info: email ITALOVERS@tx.rr.com. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen and Lucas), meets first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460. Live @ 5 Business After Hours, meets the third Thursday each month, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, meets 2nd Monday of each month September thru May except Dec., 10:30 am, Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, President. Lovejoy Preschool PTA. Monthly meetings at Creekwood UMC, the second Thursday of each month, 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/. McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190. McKinney Area Newcomersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club, meets the third Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, meets second Thursday each month, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Headquar ters, 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location sometimes varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. NARFE Chapter 559, meets third Monday each month, 2 pm at Golden Corral, 475 S. Central Expressway (75 & Virginia Pkwy), McKinney. All current government employees and retirees invited. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets the second Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5228 Tennyson Parkway, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org.

North Dallas Newcomers, meets the first Thursday each month, 11 am, various country clubs. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers.net.

Plano Republican Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com.

Open Forum, meaningful discussions, meets first Saturday every month, 3 pm, Delaneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub, 6150 W. Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: Charlie, 214.585.0004.

Preston Persuaders Toastmasters, meets every Monday, 7:15 pm, Champions School of Real Estate in the Rangers Room at 3721 Mapleshade Ln, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469.323.0538 or Todd Richardson, 214.497.4495 or www. prestonpersuaders.org.

Plano Amateur Radio Klub, meets the third Monday of every month, 7 pm, FUMC of Plano, 3160 East Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net. Plano Photography Club, meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 pm, W. Plano Presbyterian Church, 2709 Custer Road, Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com.

Random Events Dallas, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout Dallas area. For more info: RandomEventsDallas.com. Reasonable Faith Discussion Group. This group studies current issues on how the culture challenges Christianity. Meets every Tuesday, 11am-12:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B1116. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org and email: ReasonableFaithCollinCO@gmail.com.

Reasonable Faith Collin County Chapter Meeting. Features local and national teachers, authors and speakers who address current topics about building an evidencebased case for Christian worldview. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday, 6:45-8:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B202. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org and email: ReasonableFaithCollinCO@gmail.com Single Side Up, meets the third Saturday every month, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent support group. Free. Low cost childcare. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@ thissideupfamily.org. The MOB (Men of Business), meets second Monday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen for male bonding and networking. $20 chamber mem; $25 non-mems/general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

B U S I N E S S C A R D S Allen Image | January 2016

Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets every Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader you can be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425. United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets the first Sunday each month, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Join us for book discussion & refreshments. Book selections determined at January meeting. We encourage women of all faiths to par ticipate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org. Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am-4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460. Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, meets the fourth Thursday each month, 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. W.I.S.E. (Women in Suppor t of Enterprise), meets second Thursday each month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. Fun & informative meeting for women in Allen & surrounding areas. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfair viewchamber.com.

ART/MUSIC/THEATRE Allen Folk Music Society, meets third Saturday every month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Musicians ages 15-100. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com. Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, every Monday, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@ WealthManagementGroupLLC.com Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus, meets every Thursday, 7 pm, Blue House Too (blue & white stripe awning) 934 Market St., Allen. Guests always welcome at our rehearsals! Women of Allen & surrounding area invited. For more info: nntchorus@hotmail.com or www.nntchorus.org.

CRAFTS Allen Quilters’ Guild, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, 605 S Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org.

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

HEALTH Allen AA meets every Monday-Sunday, 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. Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group meets the third Tuesday each month, provides support & resources for parents of children with autism & related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/ group/autismparentsupport. Allen Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 pm, 1st UMC, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. For friends & family of alcoholics. For more info: 214.363.0461 or www.al-anon. alateen.org. American Cancer Society Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appts. If you have a car and have time 9 am-5 pm, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972.712.5711. Baylor Health Care System offers support groups, medical information and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family & friends, meets the third Monday of every month, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984. Cancer Support Ministry, meets third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, parlor, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol.com. Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: www.75013. theheartlinknetwork.com.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every Tuesday, 6:15-8 pm, Good Shepherd UMC, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. For more info: 1.800.YEA.TOPS or www.tops.org. Texas Health Presbyterian, variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org. The Shores AA Group, meets every Monday-Friday, noon, Raceway Prof. Bldg., 200 W. Boyd, Suite C (Adjacent to Dayrise Recovery), Allen. Open AA discussion group. Everyone welcome. For more info: 469.854.9593. Weight Watchers, meets every Thursday, 12:15 and 6 pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 600 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Enter south entrance, 2nd floor.

HOBBIES SPORTS/FITNESS

Allen Classic Cars, meets every Thursday, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Stacy Furniture. Fit and Funky Fit Club, meets every Monday, 7:30 pm, and every Sunday, 7 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany #208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. McKinney Chess Club, meets every Saturday, 10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Free. And every Friday, 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street, McKinney. Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972.547.7491. McKinney Chess on the Square, meets every Wednesday, 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. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www.planobicycle.org. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, second Tuesday each month, 5024 Custer, Plano, 7 pm., and at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, the last Saturday every month, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972.678.2244, or www.planopacers.org.

MOM’S CLUBS Allen Early Childhood PTA, suppor t for parents & caregivers of kids age 0-5. Fun activities. Play groups, park days, lunch w/ friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads & Kids, etc. Come play with us. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com. Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new & expectant moms’ forum, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972.260.9330. Collin County Early Childhood PTA, meets the second Monday of every month, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery reservations required. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972.712.3634. MOMS Club of Allen, for moms and children in Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Monthly playgroups, kid field trips, business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out & more. For more info: momsclubofallentx@gmail.com.

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.

recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. For more info: www.connemaraconservancy.org.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), support group for moms with kids 0-5 years, meets every other Friday, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church in Allen. Childcare is provided. For more info: 972.727.8241.

Dinosaurs Live! Encounter the 46-foot T-Rex and nine new life-size animatronic dinosaurs along nature trails at the 9th annual Dinosaurs Live! It provides a unique family outing during the holidays! See the dinosaurs move and hear them roar! The dinosaur trail is jogging stroller friendly. Thru Feb. 21. For more info: heardmuseum.org.

MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, meets the first and third Wednesday of every month, 9:30-11:30, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037.

MUSEUMS/preserves Connemara Meadow Preserve Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, monthly alternating between the first Saturday and the First Sunday, 8-10 am, Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them; learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. All ages welcome. We

HEARD MUSEUM

2nd Saturday Bird Walk Educational Program 8 a.m. Learn more about birding! These walks are intended to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. Homeschool Natural Science Program begins week of January 12; 1-3 p.m. Students will experience learning through classroom activities, outdoor field investigations, laboratory science, small group activities and take-home study packets. Each course curriculum is developed by the Heard Museum’s education staff Ages 5-11. Classes meet on Tuesdays.

Allen Image | January 2016

Preschool Nature Explorers begins week of January 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. This informal science program introduces your child to the natural world through nature walks and hands-on science activities that foster cooperation with others, language development and creative play. Ages 3 & 4. Classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Zip Line Day Ropes Course Program January 9, 1-4 p.m. $12 per person. Soar through the treetops of the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary as you travel down the zip line! Ages 10+ 3rd Saturday Nature Talks: Nature Journaling. Learn new ways to experience nature through nature journaling! This is an introduction to journaling techniques through hands-on activities and is designed for individuals that have no journaling or ar tistic experience; those with journaling experience are welcome as well. If weather cooperates, this talk will also include an outdoor component. Winter Night Hike Educational Program January 30, 6 p.m. $14 non-members/$12 Heard Museum members. Age 3 through adult. Explore the thrilling sights, smells, and sounds of night with Heard Trail Guides. Night hikers will be encouraged to sharpen their senses to be able to spot signs of animal life and learn more about the inhabitants of the Heard. Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, meets second Monday each month, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org. Heard Museum Native Plant Society, meets the first Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Nature Photography Club, meets the second Saturday every month, 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.bptmn.org or email info@ bptmn.org. Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets the four th Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

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SENIORS Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, meets second Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820. Allen Seniors Genealogy Club, meets four th Monday each month, 1 pm, Allen Seniors Center. Must be a member of ASRC. For more info: www.asgconline.com or Richard Henry, 972.390.7402. Allen Senior Rec Center Dances, meets every Friday, 1-3 pm. Ages 50+. Members free/Non-members, Allen residents $3. For more info: 214.509.4820. Classic 55+ Game Night, first and third Friday each month, 6:30 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Snacks, fellowship & games. Open to community, no res. required. For more info: 972.727.8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com. Singles Mingle 60+, meets the first and third Monday each month, 5:30 pm, Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. Single men & women 60+ in McKinney and surrounding areas who are active and enjoy meeting new people. For more info: Bill, 214.544.5835. Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, meets the third Thursday each month, noon, First UMC Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch, fellowship, speakers & enter tainers. For more info: griflkl@sbcglobal.net.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Allen High Noon Lions Club, meets the second and fourth Thursday each month, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Peter Young, 972.849.4952. Allen Kiwanis Club, meets every Thursday, noon, Café Del Rio, on 75 just south of McDermott. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org. Allen Lions Club, meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Kelly’s at the Village, 190 E. Stacy Rd., #1204, Allen. For more info: Bob Schwerd, Secretary, 214.402.0982. Allen Rotary Club meets every Wednesday, noon, Courtyard by Marriot, 210 E. Stacy Rd. For more info: www.allenrotary.org.

Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, meets every Wednesday, 7 am, Savour Tasting Room & Social Club, 968 Village Green Dr., Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www. allensunriserotary.com/ Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets third Tuesday each month. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net. Knights of Columbus, meets the third Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469.569.3357 or www.stjudekofc.org. Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, meets the second Monday each month, 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. VFW “Lone Star Post 2150,” meets the second Monday each month, 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. VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, meets first Saturday every month, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit www. vfwpost2150.org. VFW Post 2195, meets second Wednesday each month, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www.vfw2195.org. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, service organization teaches children to serve their community, meets the second Saturday every month. For more info: 972.396.8010.

Please keep us informed of any local activities or events of general interest to our readers by fax to the Allen Image at 972.396.0807 or email to contact@ allenimage.com.

For Your Health

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For Your Health

Allen Image | January 2016

health & fitness

How to keep your morning run healthy— for your feet by Dr. Jaryl KORPINEN

The new year

is a great time to start new

fitness goals… 46

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How can something so good hurt so bad? You might find yourself asking that question after your morning run, afternoon power walk, or other physical activity that demands a lot from your feet. Physical activities like running, brisk walking and playing sports can be great for your body; exercise improves cardiovascular health, burns calories and builds muscle strength. The new year is a great time to start new fitness goals, but you still need to take precautions to ensure your exercise routine is also healthy for your feet.

Foot health is a key component of overall health and well-being. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to take the right steps toward protecting your feet when you run, jog, power walk or engage in other exercise. You can also take these steps to minimize the risk of injury or other problems when running or exercising:

Begin your run with a warm up It is better to get the muscles warmed up before activity. It is always better to stretch after activity. Lactic

more than a few days, see a podiatrist for evaluation. He or she can tell you if the pain is a minor, passing problem or a symptom of something more serious such as injury or disease. The more common running foot injuries are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. These can be treated and are curable.

acid is the chemical by-product of exercise that causes muscles to ache after a workout. Stretching improves your circulation and decreases the buildup of lactic acid; it can also help relieve stiffness and prevent strain. Simply flexing the hamstrings and stretching calves, Achilles tendons and shins can help ensure your workout is safe.

Set a goal

Don’t do too much too fast If new to running, start out slow and run short distances. One should gradually increase their mileage. There are lots of free running apps to help with a running program.

Choose an appropriate running shoe The only real expense of running or walking is buying shoes, so it pays to invest in a good pair that will provide the support you need to have a safe, successful workout. It is best to see a running shoe specialist. The wrong shoe can actually be harmful. The right shoe can help prevent injury. A specialist will examine your gait, foot type and what your foot is doing in the shoe as well as discuss your running goals. A good running shoe

typically needs to be changed every 400 miles.

Listen to your feet

It’s not normal to experience pain or changes in the feet and ankles. If you experience foot pain that lasts for

Find a local 5k about three months out if you are new to running or if it has been awhile. These races are fun and it is easy to get inspired to do more once you are around all that positive energy. Set future goals of decreasing your time and eventually increasing your distance. With some simple precautions, you can ensure your walking and running activities remain healthy and enjoyable for your entire body, especially your hardworking feet. v Jaryl G. Korpinen, DPM is a foot and ankle

specialist at Premier Foot and Ankle in Plano.

Allen Image | January 2016

Recreating an attractive female abdomen in a tummy tuck by Dr. Todd POLLOCK

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is

Interestingly, this popular pro

have been made to decrease com

since the first modern abdominoplasty

aesthetic results. Of course, patient

a very common and popular procedure

cedure hasn’t changed significantly

collected by the American Society of

technique was described in the early

in this country. According to statistics Plastic

Surgeons

procedures

performed by board certified (by the

American Board of Plastic Surgery) plastic surgeons, tummy tuck is the 6th most commonly performed cosmetic

surgical procedure, with over 117,000 performed in the U.S. in 2014.

1900’s. That is, until recently when a

wide range of papers have come out

describing techniques to decrease some of the most common com

plications of the operation and even avoid the use of the dreaded drains.

A vast amount of improvements

plications

without

improving

the

safety is paramount. Considering the

overall goal of the procedure is to

improve the appearance of the abdomen,

it is surprising how little is written about this in the professional literature.

What can be done to improve the

aesthetic results of this operation? Too many

tummy

tuck

results

look

unnatural or have an “operated” appearance, and are described as looking “plastic.” Why is this? The typical goal of the surgeon is to remove

as much fat as possible and pull the

abdominal skin very tight. This results in a featureless, flat abdomen that

often meets the patient’s goals and

may look good in clothes, but not in a swimsuit; it can be picked out from across the pool. The natural contours are masked and the belly button is scarred and unnatural.

An attractive female abdomen is

not just flat, fat free and featureless.

There are distinct contours that give a healthy,

athletic

and

youthful

appearance. These features are often

lost or obscured secondary to child bearing and age.

The features that contribute to an

attractive female abdomen include a vertical depression in the upper abdominal

midline

with

adjacent

raised areas over the muscle that gives the 6-pack. The waist curves around to

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abdomen is not flat, but actually convex (or rounded out).

The scar is low and placed where

it can be hidden by a reasonable two-

piece bathing suit. Finally, the pubic area is lifted and taut, not sagging.

Reproducing these features that

define the attractive abdomen is the key

avoiding

the

unnatural,

operated, “plastic” look with tummy tuck. Admittedly, all of these cannot be

achieved in all women as some are too heavy and some too thin. But attempts

to recreate at least some of these landmarks are important in a natural and visually pleasing result.

The actual techniques in creating

these features are beyond the scope of this

article.

But

when

you

are

considering a tummy tuck, you might

think about this as you look through the the back to give the hour-glass figure.

The belly button has a natural shape,

of the rib cage and hip bone are visible.

obvious scars. The central lower

The boney landmarks like the border

size and location and it is free of

surgeon’s before and after pictures. v Todd Pollock, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon at North Dallas Plastic Surgery.

Allen Image | January 2016

Raising a happy, healthy child in a busy home How you parent your child will create a blueprint for all other relationships in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future. And, parenting has as much to do with the environment you create around him, as much as the basic parenting needs like feeding, bathing and clothing. 50

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by Jennifer Slingerland RYAN

Your child’s friend, dating partner, employer, sibling and spousal relationships depend largely upon your interaction to the temperament of your child. The parenting style within the home helps set the pace for how a child’s temperament will be nurtured and, ultimately, how the child will thrive. The parent-child connection is paramount, and only happens through quality time spent with your children. After a long day at the office, it’s hard to do. What exactly is quality time? What has to happen in the early days and years of your child’s life to create the healthiest adult? You want to be the best parent you can be, and raise the healthiest child you can in your home. Below are things you can do to create a happy, healthy child in a busy home.

Establish a “secure base”

Notice how your baby will crawl away from you and turn back to check that you’re still there? They feel secure knowing they can always come back to you. Into toddlerhood and even the early elementary years, your child depends on you to be their “go to” person. They feel safe and secure just knowing they have you to come back to.

Tune into your child’s needs

Your parenting style must change to match the needs and temperament of your child. As parents, it’s our job to read their cues instead of expecting the child to read ours. A parent’s job is to develop a “collaborative” relationship with the child rather than a “controlling” one. Children don’t come out of the womb as babies knowing how to tell you how they feel or even what they want. It’s only through this “tuning in” that parents help the child figure themselves out.

Respect your child

Tuning in helps you know what your child enjoys, what her babbling Allen Image | January 2016

jumbled words mean, and what makes her giggle with delight. It’s the parent’s job to “come down to the child’s level” to understand what your child needs and tend to the child accordingly. This behavior makes your baby and child feel calm, respected and important— like they really have a “voice” (even when they aren’t yet speaking words, or their words come out sideways) in your home.

Have a “time in”

Babies and children aren’t mean or vindictive. Therefore, even when babies and young children are fussy, crying and difficult, consider giving them a “time in.” Instead of isolating them from you (as in a “time out”) try loving on them, respecting their emotions, and even helping them understand how they feel. You’ll be amazed at how their behavior will change once they come to trust that you won’t banish them to another room when what they really need is some TLC.

Coddle your child

The more you nurture, pamper and tend to your child’s needs now, the more your child will feel socially secure, independent, loved, trusting and cherished later. Hugs, kisses, holding, rocking, patting, singing and talking to your baby and child are ways to improve the parent-child bond, which only helps the child feel more secure even in a busy home.

Encourage through play

Allow your child to “just be.” Let him explore his surroundings. While at the playground recently, I spoke with a nice mom whose active son was crawling up the slide instead of sliding down. I couldn’t count the number of times the mom yelled, “Don’t…, Stop… and No….” Most of the time, this is an innocent activity that develops problem-solving, social ization and thinking skills. And, it’s just plain fun!

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Be an observer

When children play, they act out their emotions and your reflection helps them understand how they feel. Babies won’t communicate directly to you most of the time and children may communicate “sideways,” so you have to interpret their needs.

Create routines

Your child enjoys knowing what’s going to happen next. Not only is it important to establish routines, but it’s equally important to fill your child in on the plan. This means being respectful and building a more collaborative relationship with your little one. And, when you have a busy home, there are lots of changes happening rapidly. You want to help your child feel part of the plans.

Understand milestones

When your 15-month old bangs her spoon on the table 50 times or your two-year old refuses to sit still while at the dinner table, it’s not because she is disrespecting you, getting back at you

or trying to push your buttons. It’s because, well, those things are fun! And, she’s learning about her world. Young children don’t have the cognitive reasoning or skills we do, and it’s important for them to explore. Learning what’s appropriate at each age can help you laugh off what they are doing instead of getting frustrated and annoyed.

Explain your reasons Talking to your child about why you did what you did, in words they can understand, helps build respect and trust. It also helps build language skills. In a loving way, your child learns problem-solving, cause and effect, and helps build a founda tion for making smart decisions as they get older. Developing a “secure base” for your child is key to successful relationships later in life. It’s also the key to having a more peaceful home! v Jennifer Slingerland Ryan, M.Ed., LPC-S is the

founder and director of I Choose Change in Allen.

health & fitness profiles

Ross J. Miller, DDS, PA

915B W. Exchange Pkwy., Suite 200 • Allen 972.727.1200 • www.2thboy.com Dentistry has changed a lot over a quarter of a century. Dr. Ross J. Miller has been practicing dentistry since 1989 and has seen this first hand. After spending 17 years in Plano, he saw an opportunity to move to a dynamic, healthcarecentered area in central Allen. He and his team built a modern, comfortable office combining Old World sophistication with cutting-edge technology. Digital x-rays minimize exposure, electric hand-pieces minimize noise, and TVs over the chairs minimize the tedium of the typical office visit. With CAD/CAM technology many restorations can be done in a day, without resorting to temporization and its attendant complications. These are amazing times in dentistry! Dr. Miller appreciates what it’s like to be on the other end of the drill. “I’ve been a patient of several dentists in my life, and I’ve often thought ‘does it really need to be this rough?’ When I got the chance to be the provider I made a promise to myself that I would do everything I could to not be perceived in that way.” The key to gentle treatment? Time. Dr. Miller does not believe in simply running the maximum number of patients through his office, preferring to keep the pace relaxed and manageable. Continuity of staff helps a great deal with this, and most of Dr. Miller ’s staff have been with him for years. Growing up in Richardson, Dr. Miller remembers when Plano was “that little community just north of us, and no one had heard of Allen!” Campbell Road was a two-lane blacktop with cotton fields on either side. Plano had one high school. “Wow, how times have changed—for Allen, as well as the dental field. I feel fortunate to be practicing in both.” If you would like to get acquainted with Dr. Miller ’s office, please call our office or check our website.

Vision Source Fairview

1546 E. Stacy Road, Suite100 • Allen • 214.383.5400 • www.visionsource-fairview.com Vision Source! Fairview provides the most advanced eye healthcare available with the ultimate combination of technology and personal attention from caring doctors. Dr. Carey Patrick is a Board Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. In addition to comprehensive eye exams for the entire family, Dr. Patrick also cares for eye conditions including infections, injuries, ocular allergies, cornea dystrophies, dry eye syndrome, cataracts, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. One of the most exciting special programs available is CRT—Corneal Refractive Therapy—to reshape the patient’s eyes, without surgery, to see well without daytime glasses or contact lenses. Specific services are also available for sports vision and custom contact lens designs for hard-to-fit patients as well as pediatric eye health and vision development evaluations for patients six weeks to four years old. We provide complete eye health care using advanced technology—including the new digital Optomap imaging system. See the inside of your eye without getting dilated! Vision Source! also offers a large selection of glasses, sun wear and top quality contact lenses in prices to fit every family’s budget. That’s the difference you’ll experience at Vision Source!

Creekview Orthodontics 1780 W. McDermott Drive, Suite 100 • Allen • 214.547.0001 At Creekview Orthodontics, Dr. Jay Ghosh, Dr. Trent Lofgren and their team strongly believe in preventive care with a conservative treatment philosophy. In addition to practice experience, both doctors have taught orthodontics at the university level—Dr. Ghosh full-time for many years. Their belief is to use the latest technology, but only that which is backed up by peer-reviewed research. While creating beautiful smiles is their goal for each patient, the most satisfying part of orthodontics is the relationships created with patients and their families. Orthodontics provides beautiful smiles that improve self-esteem while contributing to overall health. Other benefits include better function, ease of cleaning and greater longevity of teeth. Since detecting a problem early makes prevention and correction easier, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist at age seven. Since newer materials—like tooth-colored “invisible” braces and special alloyed wires—have made treatment more cosmetically appealing and comfortable and has shortened treatment time, more adults are accepting orthodontic treatment as well.

Dr. Lofgren

Dr. Ghosh

Allen Image | January 2016

health & fitness profiles

Bethany Heights Dental

1208 E. Bethany Drive, Suite 7 • Allen • 972.390.8500 • www.bethanyheights.com Dr. Carla Spann earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the Texas A & M Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. Before attending dental school, she graduated from Duke University School of Engineering in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. A believer in keeping her skills current, she has completed numerous continuing education courses and is an alumnae of the Pankey Institute in Florida where she has expanded her knowledge of principles of general dentistry to incorporate all aspects of patients’ oral health, nutrition and medical systemic conditions in her practice philosophy. With a compassionate and conservative approach to dentistry, she believes that patient education is paramount to success in resolving and preventing oral health issues. She is particularly skilled in helping fearful patients relax during their dental care and is certified to provide sedation for these patients when necessary. This former Associate Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Dallas County Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. Her sons, Carson and Cameron, attend Lucas Christian Academy.

Allen Ophthalmology

400 N. Allen Drive, Suite 108 • Allen • 972.727.7477 • www.heritageeyecenter.com Heritage Eye Center • 1501 N. Redbud Blvd. • McKinney • 972.548.0771  The city of Allen’s premier ophthalmology center is in the expert hands of Dr. James Norbury who provides state-of-the-art treatment while maintaining the personalized service of a small town practice. An avid hockey fan, Dr. Norbury was recently selected to be the team ophthalmologist for the Allen Americans, caring for team players and attending to any game injuries. By partnering with his associates at Heritage Eye and Surgery Center—Drs. Rudolf Churner, Sanjay Patel, Joe Constable, Grant Gilliland (oculoplastics), Henry Choi (retina) and Santosh Patel (retina)—he can ensure quality care in all facets of eye care. For patients who require surgery, the Heritage Surgery Center team specializes in the treatment of cataracts offering Crystalens and ReSTOR lens implants, as well as LASIK, laser treatments for a variety of eye conditions and oculoplastic surgery. For the best sight of your life, make an appointment with Dr. Norbury. Allen Ophthalmology and Heritage Eye Center are eager to serve your vision needs.

Ponder-Terry, Orthodontics/Stacy Ponder-Terry, DMD, MS

1505 W. McDermott Drive, Suite 145 • Allen • 214.736.3705 • www.ponderterryortho.com Dr. Terry is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Millsaps College and completed her dental school training at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry where she finished at the top of her class. It was there where Dr. Terry made history, becoming the first African American female in the school’s history to become accepted into an orthodontic specialty program. She completed her specialty training at one of the country’s top orthodontic programs—the University of Michigan. During her residency, Dr. Terry was named a Charley Schultz Resident Scholar for her distinguished thesis research project on External Root Resorption. Dr. Terry’s work was recently published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. A past orthodontic patient herself, Dr. Terry is committed to providing the best patient care possible. Dr. Terry closely listens to her patient’s concerns to develop an individualized treatment plan. She currently lives in Allen with her husband, Ryan, and their shih tzu, Gracey. Keeping busy when not working with her patients, Dr. Terry enjoys step aerobics, running, attending her patients’ extracurricular events and spending time with her family and friends.

Premier Foot and Ankle

8080 Hwy. 121, Suite 200 • McKinney • 6309 Preston Road, Suite 1200 • Plano 972.424.8999 • www.premierfoot.com Dr. Jaryl Korpinen of Premier Foot and Ankle offers the newest technologies for the treatment of foot and heel pain. Podiatherm is a non-surgical, insurance approved treatment using radiofrequency to cure heel pain as well as pain in the ball of the foot called Morton’s neuroma. The EPAT is a non-invasive, in-office treatment to heal conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Although Dr. Korpinen was surgically trained at the Harris County Surgical Residency, he has invested in these new, conservative technologies for better solutions for foot pain without the need for surgery. As a former college basketball player, Dr. Korpinen has a special interest in sports medicine and works closely with various running clubs, triathlon clubs and races. Dr. Korpinen has been recognized by his peers as a D Magazine Best Doctors in Collin County. Premier Foot and Ankle also has on-site x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, treatments for neuropathy and vascular testing for diabetics. New technology for the treatment of toenail fungus is now available as well. Please call for an appointment or more information.

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health & fitness profiles

North Texas Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Dr. Charles Slack 1105 Central Expwy. N., Suite 370 • Allen • 214.495.6464 • www.drslack.net Dr. Slack believes in the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. It goes without saying that the foundation of a successful relationship requires face-to face, two-way communication. Dr. Slack sets aside quality time to meet personally with his patients during their initial consultation, listening to what they anticipate a particular procedure will accomplish for them as well as having an open, honest discussion about the potential risks and trade-offs of the procedure they are considering. How else can a patient make an informed decision about whether or not a particular procedure is right for them? Dr. Slack is known for his integrity and sensitivity towards his patient needs and concerns. He provides care in a manner that is reassuring and professional, which lays the groundwork for a strong, trusting doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Slack has been practicing in the Allen/McKinney area since 2001. He completed his General Surgery training at Parkland Hospital and his Plastic Surgery training at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington D.C. Following his Plastic Surgery residency he was accepted into the Georgetown fellowship for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Texas Medical Association. He was honored to be voted by his peers as one of Collin County’s “Top Doctors” in D Magazine 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. His office provides a full range of invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures including: • Tummy Tuck • Breast Reduction • Liposuction • Face and Neck Lift • Botox • Venus Viva Skin Resurfacing

• Breast Augmentation • Breast Reconstruction • Body Contouring • Brow Lift • Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma

• Breast Lift • Mommy Makeover • Arm and Thigh Lift • Eyelid Rejuvenation • Sculptra

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Slack, please visit his website at www.drslack.net or call 214.495.6464. Saturday appointments are available on a limited basis.

Allen Dental Center, PC 300 West Boyd • Allen • 972.727.3941 • www.allendentist.com Allen Dental Center is a family and cosmetic dental practice that offers state-of-the-art dental services. Patients enjoy receiving regular check-ups with as much quality and care as crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, root canals or cosmetic dentistry services. Whether it is a smile makeover or restorative work, we offer sedation dentistry for those apprehensive about dental treatment. Bringing over 30 years of combined experience to Allen, Dr. Jeff Williams, Dr. Steve Williams and Dr. Brad Wyatt provide a special brand of quality care. “The people who come to see me are more than just patients,” says Dr. Jeff Williams. “For me, practicing dentistry has always been about connecting with the patient,” adds Dr. Steve Williams. “That’s why we make sure that all of our patients know all about the procedure we’re performing and the status of their oral health. We offer the kind of care we would want for our own families.”  Allen Dental Center strives to consistently provide a superior level of treatment and comfort with state-of-the-art dental products and services at affordable prices. Call for an appointment today and see how Allen Dental Center is helping to make Allen more beautiful, one smile at a time.

Maryam Mojdehi-Barnes, DDS, MS

604 S. Watters Road, Suite 150 • Allen • 972.390.1100 • www.AllenOrthodontist.com Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes and her team have been specializing in creating healthy and beautiful smiles for patients of all ages since 1999. They provide their patients and their families with the highest quality of orthodontic treatment in a friendly and professional environment. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes uses the latest technologies and involves other specialists, as needed, to customize unique treatment plans that address each patient’s specific needs. They focus on patient education and personalized care while emphasizing comprehensive, preventive and interceptive therapy. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Texas A&M University with summa cum laude honors. She was the Valedictorian of her dental class at Baylor College of Dentistry and went on to complete her orthodontic residency and master’s degree at the world-renowned program of Baylor with top honors. She is also certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes is active in her community and numerous national and local organizations. To learn more about the practice, visit their website at www.AllenOrthodontist.com or call 972.390.1100. Allen Image | January 2016

health & fitness profiles

Master’s Hand Dental 935 W. Exchange Pkwy., Suite 300 • Allen • 972.905.9091 www.mastershanddental.com Your Smile. Our Passion. The entire team at Master ’s Hand Dental is excited about the latest high-tech developments to make your dental treatment a high-comfort, low-stress experience. Our practice features general dentistry, oral sedation, cosmetic dentistry, whitening, orthodontics, non-surgical periodontal treatment and so much more. With our popular oral sedation dentistry, you can complete your entire dental treatment while you sleep and wake up with a new smile! We pride ourselves in individual service with state-of-the-art equipment and sterilization techniques. Dr. Koons and our caring, knowledgeable staff provide you with a comfortable and warm atmosphere. We would be delighted to welcome you to our office as our new patient! Call today.

Center for Oral and Reconstructive Surgery

400 N. Allen Drive, Suite 207 • Allen • 972.359.8100 • corsurgery.com Dr. Ramsey Matthew Fanous is proud to conveniently provide excellence in oral surgical care, based on his 20 years of experience, to his patients in Allen, Plano and McKinney at his surgical center in Allen. Patients and referring dentists find Dr. Fanous very personable, approachable and easy to work with. Dr. Fanous received his dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1990 and completed his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in 1995 at The Medical College of Wisconsin. He is certified by The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He has held positions on committees on a national level with AAOMS, as well as serving on the board of the Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and is a member of the TDA as well as the ADA. Dr. Fanous held an appointment as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry from 1997-2010. He was also involved in residency training at Baylor University Medical Center until 2011 and has been in charge of the maxillofacial trauma surgery division at Medical Center of Plano, a level II trauma center in the Dallas area.

Brookwood Family Practice and Pediatrics 865 Junction Drive • Allen • 214.547.8300 • brookwoodfp.com Practicing in Allen since 2005, family physician Adam Smith, MD, and pediatrician Kimberly Smith, MD, recently joined their practices to provide the best care for the entire family. Married for 17 years and with two children of their own, our physicians understand the importance of long-term relationships and continuity of care. Whether it is for an annual checkup or the sniffles, we hope to provide convenient care with a down home feel. We are proud of our newly constructed medical office located just south of Exchange between Watters and Highway 75 at 865 Junction Drive. Our medical family includes family nurse practitioners Sabrina Dorris, NP-C and Nicole Broderu, NP-C. Call us today for an appointment at 214.547.8300, or feel free to stop by and check out our new office.

Dr. Karen S. Neat, DDS, MSD

430 Allen Drive • Allen • 972.727.1153 • neatsmiles.com For 30 years, Dr. Karen S. Neat, DDS, MSD, has been providing conservative orthodontic care in the Allen, Fairview, Lucas and surrounding area in a friendly, comfortable environment. Since 1985, her top priority is to provide each patient with customized orthodontic care utilizing the latest technologies. Dr. Neat is a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry with a dental hygiene degree (RDH), A Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) and a Master’s of Science in Dentistry (MSD). She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), Texas Dental Association and Southwestern Society of Orthodontists. Many of the beautiful smiles seen in the Collin County area have taken shape in her office. Whether you’re an adult, adolescent or child, Dr. Neat and her staff, many of whom have been with her for twenty plus years, are committed to helping you achieve a “Neat Smile.” If you’d like to experience the difference that only a well-trained, professional and courteous orthodontist and staff can deliver, schedule your appointment with Dr. Karen S. Neat today! Dr. Neat’s office is conveniently located just east of Highway 75 on Allen Drive.

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health & fitness profiles

Allen Pediatric Dentistry Jessie Hunter, DDS • Karen Coe, DDS 201 North Alma Drive, Suite 100 • Allen • 972.727.0737 • www.allenkidsdentist.com Our doctors are board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. They are experts in the growth and development of the oral structures of infants, children and adolescents and are specially trained in behavior management and sedation techniques for apprehensive or special needs patients. Allen Pediatric Dentistry is proud to serve the children and families of Allen, Plano, Frisco and the surrounding areas. Our dentists are committed to providing a kid-friendly atmosphere that makes all of our patients feel welcome and excited about visiting the dentist! Making sure your children visit the dentist consistently is important to ensure they have a happy and healthy smile for their entire lives. Our dental services for your kids encompass everything necessary from regular cleanings and preventative care to restorations and emergency care. We specialize in sedation dentistry so our dental team is always available to tend to your child’s unique needs. Dr. Jessie Hunter was raised in Oklahoma, did her undergraduate studies at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and received her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma Dental School. Jessie earned her Pediatric Certificate from Louisiana State University. She currently lives in Frisco with her husband, Brandon, and their children. Dr. Karen Coe is the newest addition to our team. Dr. Coe completed her Pediatric Dental residency program in Massachusetts with the Lutheran Medical Center of New York. She currently lives in McKinney with her husband, Josh, and their new baby girl, Kamila. “Our office is committed to making every visit a fun and positive, yet educational, visit for the children.” The office provides its young patients plenty of fun with a video arcade for their enjoyment before and after their appointment. The doctors and staff provide the highest quality of dentistry through continuing education on new procedures, products and equipment.

Gandy Orthodontics/Dr. Allen Gandy

431 Stacy Road, Suite 109 • Fairview • 972.727.3900 • www.gandyorthodontics.com Dr. Allen Gandy is a Board Certified Orthodontist and regularly lectures on new advances in orthodontics. He graduated at the top of his class and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree, with highest academic honors, from Baylor College of Dentistry. As a resident, he attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he completed his post-doctoral specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and his Masters of Science degree in Oral Biology. Recognized for his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Gandy has been honored with distinguished awards from the American Association for Dental Research, the American Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and the Southwest Prosthodontic Society. He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and he is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (Board Certified). Dr. Allen Gandy is one of relatively few orthodontists in Texas offering in-office i-CAT 3-D imaging as a routine diagnostic tool for individualized treatment planning. This cutting edge 3-D treatment allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. His offices also offer the most advanced orthodontic systems including the DAMON® and INSIGNIA™ systems, as well as Invisalign® treatment. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Gandy can be scheduled by calling 972.727.3900.

Craig Ranch OB-GYN

7900 Henneman Way, Suite 100 • McKinney • 214.544.6600 • www.craigranchobgyn.com Conveniently located off of the Sam Rayburn Tollway between Alma and Custer, Craig Ranch OB-GYN provides OB-GYN services to the north Collin County area including Frisco, Plano, Allen and McKinney. We offer complete obstetrical care with management of both high-risk and low-risk pregnancies and perform deliveries at several of the local hospitals including Medical Center of McKinney, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen and Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. We also offer midwife services with Laura Curtis, CNM and Jessica Miller, CNM. We also accept Medicaid. We are one of the leaders in all of Texas for in-office procedures such as endometrial ablation and Essure for permanent sterilization. For the convenience of our patients, we have also added in-office mammograms, making us the first and only OB-GYN group in the area to do this. Please call for a consultation. Allen Image | January 2016

pet page

“Red” Red is a doxie/Lab mix puppy that is 6 months old and weighs 32 pounds. He was surrendered to a shelter with his mom when he was just a baby. He had demodex mange, which is noncontagious and after lots of TLC and medicine, look how handsome he is now!! His skin has healed and his hair has grown back and he’s good as new again! Red is staying in a foster home while he is looking for his forever home. He is a very good puppy, sleeps all night in his bed and is housebroken. He loves to play and give lots of kisses. He is neutered, up to date on all ageappropriate shots and micro-chipped.

If you think you would like to meet Red, please complete an online application and his foster mom will set up a meet and greet. http:// legacyhumanesociety.org/adoptfoster/ adoption-application/

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