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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

May 2017

Vol. 27, Issue 5

FEATURES

A BRUSH WITH ART

The Allen Arts Alliance’s annual Allen Arts Festival returns to Watters Creek on May 12-14. The show now boasts the works of almost 100 different artists. Meet three of Allen’s talented artists who have been selected to display and sell their wares.

A SUMMER OF GIVING BACK

When Kristi Wilbur came up with the idea for a summer mission project for her Sunday School class, she never dreamed the impact the summer would make on the kids, the community and the lives of over 600 orphans.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

16 CALENDAR 34 KIDS KORNER

Farm Fresh Pickings

PET PAGE

Mack

34 6

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE CIVIC FORUM

LIBRARY

TRAVEL

A Dive into Ford Pool’s Redevelopment Process

A Spotlight on the Faces of Travel in Allen

Beatlemania64

The Real Downton Abbey: Inside Highclere Castle

Iwo Jima Survivor Clyde Jackson and Allen Community Band

Climb Aboard City Equipment

Singing in Kennedy Center

EDUCATION

Fantastic Teeth Fan Club

Outstanding Women Leaders in Emergency Response

Police Chief Got His Start at Collin College Law Enforcement Academy

Allen ISD’s Vision for STEAM Becomes Clearer

STYLE

Escape to Paradise

24 Denim

29 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Barbara Peavy

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Maggie Tindall

COVER PHOTO Larry Fleming

ON THE COVER Kat LiBretto

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38 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chelsey Aprill Kirk Dickey

Deborah Dove

Subscriptions are available to residents outside the delivery area at a rate of $2.50 per issue—$30 per year.

Cambria Jones

Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to:

Tom Keener

Allen Image, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.359.8876, visit our website at www. allenimage.com or email us at contact@allenimage.com.

Lauren Palmer Peggy Helmick-Richardson Keith A. Taylor

CIVIC FORUM

A Dive into Ford Pool’s Redevelopment Process by Matt COBB

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fter decades of use, Ford Pool, a popular summer attraction on Allen’s east side, had begun to show its age. The L-shape design, which was the standard when the pool opened in 1988, had become dated by the 2000s, and the facility’s maintenance costs had started to outpace its value. Having surveyed the facility and crunched the numbers for repairs, Allen Parks and Recreation decided around 2007 that it was time for a pool renovation. The renovation process began by commissioning an architectural and engineering firm, Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., to develop a master plan for the new pool facility. Background research included identifying community needs, collecting public input, analyzing demographics and assessing the program requirements. Based on the information that was gathered, four redevelopment concepts were created, ranging in cost up to $7 million. Eventually, the ACDC decided $3.6 million was an appropriate funding cap for the renovation project. Allen Parks and Recreation worked with the design firm to revise the master plan to reduce costs while still incorporating the features needed to meet the community’s expectations of a modern facility. The subsequent master plan redevelopment designs were carefully reviewed by Allen Parks and Recreation and the ACDC. “Current design trends were integrated into the design of the new pool facility with input received from

contractors for construction of the facility. With proposals coming in about $1 million over cost, Allen Parks and Recreation staff utilized value engineering, a technique of identifying ways to cut costs and meet budget. Construction broke ground in November 2015. Shortly thereafter, while the old pool was being demolished, a major roadblock was discovered Further soil testing revealed an enormous volume of sand under and around the existing pool structure, which would have to be removed before laying the new pool’s foundation. “Like any in-ground structure, pools need to be built on firm substrata,” Bristow said. “The obvious

consultants, Parks and Recreation staff and the Allen community,” said Assistant Director for Allen Parks and Recreation Brian Bristow, who is the project manager for the pool renovation. “With the latest popular features and amenities, the new facility will be a standout among community pools in the region.” After revising the redesign, Allen Parks and Recreation sent a bid to

problem with sand is that it does not conform to vertical planes and continually collapses.” After the sand was removed, select fill was imported and construction commenced, another challenge impeded the project’s timeline—record-breaking rains in 2016. One rainy day requires three to four recovery days for the construction site to dry sufficiently

for continuance of the work. Having well over 30 days of rain over the course of the project resulted in substantial delays, pushing the opening date back one year to Summer 2017. But, as Bristow says, the new Ford Pool will have been worth the wait. Increasing in size from 6,000 to 9,000 square feet, the new pool will have a 20-foot waterslide, kids play structure, tumble bucket tower, six competition lanes for swim meets, eight cabanas, three pavilions and new showers, changing areas and bathrooms. Wi-fi will even be provided at the facility, which is completely ADA compliant. A public address system and security camera system will also be installed prior to the opening. Along with the new facility, there will be an increase in staff to assist with safety and pool operations. The pool will employ 10-15 lifeguards, who will be required to complete 35 hours of American Red Cross training, covering all types of rescues, CPR and emergency situations. Walk-through scenarios will be conducted at the pool prior to its opening. Also, the staff will assist with programs held at the pool, such as learn-to-swim classes and swim team meets. “Our well-trained staff can’t wait to open Ford Pool’s new doors this year,” said Jonathan McCloskey, Ford Pool Supervisor. “This summer sure is going to be a fun one.” Despite facing construction obstacles, the new Ford Pool—opening to the public on Memorial Day weekend—will meet the community’s needs for decades to come. A ribbon cutting for the new Ford Pool will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25. The pool will be open for swimming and refreshments will be served. Please R.S.V.P. to Jennifer Robinson at jrobinson@ cityofallen.org or 214.509.4703. v Matt Cobb is the senior marketing coordinator for the City of Allen. Allen Image | May 2017

A Spotlight on the Faces of Travel in Allen by Cambria JONES

The Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is taking time to recognize local travel employees and bring awareness to the positive impact of travel as part of the U.S. Travel Association’s 34th annual National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13. The theme this year is “Faces of Travel,” spotlighting the power of travel by recognizing the millions of people who work to keep the industry strong. Travel is a top-10 employer, providing more than 1,500 jobs in Allen. These jobs include people working in the hotels, from the front desk concierge to the housekeepers to the sales teams, people working in the more than 200 restaurants throughout the city and the team responsible for marketing Allen as a destination— ACVB. The industry relies on the face-to-face interactions between these people and visitors to keep travel in Allen strong. “We always wanted Allen to be known for top-notch service when

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visitors think about their travel experience here. And, thanks to the great service provided by more than 1,500 individuals employed in our local hotels, restaurants and entertainment attractions—Allen has truly blossomed as a destination,” said Mayor Stephen Terrell. Travel is an ever-growing industry that continues to create jobs nationwide. This is definitely true in Allen, where travel-related jobs have been added this year with the recent addition of the Hyatt Place hotel. Even more jobs will be added upon the opening of the Aloft hotel coming to Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm, and with the opening of the new hotel and Convention Center at Watters Creek, both planned to open in 2018. While there is much excitement about the hotels themselves, it will be the people working there who bring the properties to life. According to the most recent Economic Impact of Travel on Texas

report by Dean Runyan Associates, in Allen, the local tax revenue from visitors has increased from $0.4 million in 2002 to $2.7 million in 2015. This increase is due in part to the ACVB’s efforts in recruiting meetings, sporting events, trade shows and conferences to be hosted in Allen. The 2017 National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s National Championship is a recent event the ACVB brought to Allen. Nearly 600 collegiate athletes came to Allen to participate in the championship and spent more than $1.6 million, resulting in tax revenue to the State of Texas of more than $104,000 and more than $64,000 to the City of Allen. Travel makes a difference in the community every day. To learn more about Allen as a travel destination for meetings, sporting events, trade shows, conferences and entertainment, go to visitAllenTexas.com. v Cambria Jones is the Marketing Specialist for Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Climb Aboard City Equipment by Chelsey APRILL Is your kid fixated on fire trucks? Crazy about construction equipment? Obsessed with ambulances? Then circle Saturday, May 20, on your calendar for the City of Allen Municipal Service Center Open House and Equipment Display. “It’s a great opportunity to meet the people who serve our community,” says Donna Kliewer, City of Allen waste services manager. “These aren’t the bosses; these are the actual crews on the ground.” It’s also a way for Allen residents of all ages to experience a slice of city operations. Children don mini plastic hard hats while climbing into the cab of an ambulance, front-end loader, concrete truck and other vehicles. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and show off various tools, including the snake-like sewer camera. Inside, visitors can grab a cookie or glass of lemonade while playing games and learning about each city department. “Parents and grandparents love this event,” says Kliewer, who suggests allowing 30-45 minutes for the experience. “It makes for some wonderful family memories—and really good pictures!” The event is held once every two years in conjunction with Public Works Week. This year’s event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the city’s Municipal Service Center, 900 S. Greenville Avenue. v Chelsey Aprill is a City of Allen Marketing Specialist. Allen Image | May 2017

Snippets Singing in Kennedy Center

Fa ntastic Teeth Fa n Clu b

The Allen Symphony Chorus and the First United Methodist Church of Allen Chancel Choir will perform Durufle’s “Requiem” in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The concert, arranged by Manhattan Concert Productions, will be directed by renowned conductor Anton Armstrong and will take place on June 18, 2018. The chorus performed the “Requiem” locally in March at First United Methodist Allen.

The choirs are excited about this opportunity and would like to extend an invitation for other North Texas singers to join them. For further information about this opportunity and to arrange an audition time, please contact Rusty King, chorus director, at 972.672.8140. v

The Allen Masonic Lodge No. 1435 presented their annual Fantastic Teeth Fan Club on March 21. They handed out 311 Dental Kits to all first graders at Boyd, Story, Reed and Rountree elementary schools to assist them at home with the proper care of their teeth. The new AISD superintendent, Dr. Scott Niven, was in attendance at the presentation, which took place at Story Elementary. This is just another way the Allen Masonic Lodge contributes to the local community through various and important venues. v

Outstanding Women Leaders in Emergency Response In celebration of Women’s History Month, the League of Women Voters of Collin County honored six outstanding women leaders in emergency response from Collin County cities at a luncheon on Saturday, March 18.

departments. Female officers are often able to play a more nurturing and comforting role than male officers when a victim is female. In addition to being first responders, they help educate the community, especially children, in how to prevent or cope with emergency situations. v

The honorees selected by their respective cities, were: • Susan Carr—Plano Director of Public Safety Communications • Leslie Girdner—Frisco Community Education Coordinator • Marty Nevil—Prosper Firefighter Medic • Ursula Watson—McKinney Detective • Christa Weisinger—Allen Police and SRO • Katy Willoughby—Wylie Fire Department Captain L to R: Christa Weisinger, Ursula Watson, Susan Carr, Marty Nevil, Leslie Girdner and Katy Willoughby. Several of the honorees were the first female hired in their respective

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MARKET PLACE

Allen Image | May 2017

CALENDAR

MAY EVENTS 6

Assistance League of Greater Collin County Trash to Treasure Tent Sale, 7 am to 2 pm on the parking lot of 2100 Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano. Event raises funds to support programs and projects of the Assistance League of Greater Collin County. Along with the resale of household items, clothes, furniture, books, etc., enjoy the “James Gang” cooking chili, children’s arts and crafts, a bake sale and live music. Come join the fun, rain or shine. For more info: algcc.org. 20 Legacy Humane Society 8th Annual Raise the Woof: a “Purr”fect Pet Benefit, 6-10 pm, 3618 Parker Rd, Wylie. Featuring live music by Mary-Heather and the Sinners, a silent and live auction, food trucks, yard games, raffle items, beer provided by local Nine Band Brewery, wine sponsored by Coldewell Banker Lisa Henry Weaver Realtors, food and more! Proceeds from the event will go towards efforts to build our adoption facility at the very location at which the event is taking place. You can see first-hand the vision of LHS and help put your footprint on the building blocks for our new facility. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your spots today or become an event sponsor. For more info: www.lecacyhumanesociety.org.

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CITY OF ALLEN

Program! Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. This month’s theme is Fiesta! Register early, the fee increases to $15 at 5 pm the Wednesday prior to each dance. For more information, contact Ryan Patterson at rmpatterson@ cityofallen.org or 214.509.4753. Ages 18+. $10.

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. 19 Texas Revolution v. Duke City Gladiators *Tickets are general admission at the door.

PARKS AND REC EVENTS

14 Mother’s Day at the Nat, DRN, 1-5:45 pm. Moms receive free admission with a purchase of child’s admission on Mother’s Day. Ages 17+. Free.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY

For more information about Parks and Recreation events, visit AllenParks.org.

“Just for the Health of It” Health and Wellness Fair, Multi-Purpose Rooms/Allen Senior Rec Center, 9 am-noon. Join the Allen Senior Rec Center for their 12th Annual Health and Wellness Fair. Visit over 40 vendors available to provide screenings, goodies and useful information, covering a variety of health-related topics. Prizes provided by the vendors in a drawing during the event! Come out and join us, “Just for the Health of it!” Ages 50+. Free. 6 Youth Fishing Derby, 8 am-noon, Bethany Lakes Park/JFRC. Here fishy, fishy! Prizes awarded for the largest fish caught per age group and overall. Pre-registration is recommended; checkin is at 7:30 am on day of event. Ages 2-16. Free. 6 Frozen Pool Party, ACIR, 11:45 am-1:45 pm. Come join us at the Frozen Pool Party Open Skate. Donate a canned good for the Allen Community Outreach and receive a free skate rental. All ages. $5 entry/$3 skate rental. 12 SNAP Dance (Fiesta), Allen Senior Recreation Center, 7-10 pm. SNAP your fingers and shuffle your feet at this Special Needs and Adapted

YOUTH SERVICES The Summer 2017 story time session begins June 12.

FAMILIES, CHILDREN & TWEENS For more information about any of the events below, call 214.509.4906. All events are free and no pre-registration is required to attend. 4 Story Time in the Park, 10:15-11:15 am, ages 3-5 with families. Join us for a story time in the Pavilion at Celebration Park, 701 Angel Parkway near the intersection of Malone Drive and Angel Parkway in Allen. We’ll share books and play games during our hour of outdoor fun! 9

Happy 25th Birthday, Magic Tree House! 4-5 pm, ages 5 and up in the Children’s Program Room.We are celebrating the 25th birthday of Magic Tree House series and the birthday of the series author Mary Pope Osborne with Jack and Annie approved games and crafts. 19 Disney Sing-Along, 10:30-11 am, ages 3 and up with families in the Children’s Program Room. Sing and dance to some of your favorite Disney songs!

26 Sensory Play Day, 10:30-11:30 am, ages 0-3 with an adult in the Children’s Program Room. Join us for a relaxed morning of stimulating sensory play stations.

TEENS 11 Teen Anime Evening, 6:30-8 pm, ages 12-18 in the 2nd Floor Program Room. We watch anime, eat Japanese snacks and have fun!

ADULT SERVICES Adult services programs are: held in the 2nd Floor Program Room, free with no registration and for ages 18+ unless otherwise indicated. Please call 214.509.4905 or 214.509.4913, or check AllenLibrary.org. 3 Noontime Pageturners, Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman, noon, bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! A relaxed environment where you can share the joy of reading. 4 Trivia Night @ Nine Band Brewing Co., 6 pm, off site at Nine Band Brewing Co., 9 Prestige Circle, Allen. Team up with your friends and test your knowledge of beer, literature, history, science etc! Please keep teams to six or less. Ages 21+. 9

Talking History—Race and Gender in World War I Britain, 7 pm. Explore how World War I brought together different groups of people in Britain. Dr. Kate Imy of UNT will discuss the Caribbean and South Asian troops and laborers who came to Europe to serve the war effort with British women. Ages 16+; younger children welcome with an adult. Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 pm. Twisted Threads is a social group for knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, quilters and any other crafters who use thread or yarn! All skill levels welcome! Ages 18+; no childcare provided. New Century Trumpet Quartet, 2 pm, Library Courtyard (or in the Gallery in case of inclement weather). Treat your mom to the sound of brass! From classical to jazz, the New Century Trumpet Quartet offers a range of tunes for all. All Ages. Let’s Talk Dewey: Music, 7 pm. Choose-yourown-nonfiction book club. We pick the topic, you pick the book. For May—anything about music (780s and Biographies). Check the Oversize area, and feel free to ask a reference librarian for help. You’re welcome to attend even if you haven’t read a book. DIY@APL—Bling Your Book Bag!, 10 am, decorate a canvas tote bag with paint, stamps, stencils, glitter, buttons, faux jewels and more. All supplies will be provided. Ages 16+.

WATTERS CREEK CONCERTS BY THE CREEK In conjunction with the concert season, the first Saturday of each month is “Music Makes a Difference.” A designated charity will attend the concert to bring awareness to its cause and raise funds and will also receive a donation from Watters Creek. 6 Freddie Jones Band (jazz/swing); “Music Makes a Difference” benefitting Trumpets 4 Kids.  13 Teddy Davey Ensemble (American songbook) 20 Warehouse (Dave Matthews tribute band) 27 Counterfeit Radio (hits from the ‘70s-today)   In the event of inclement weather, outdoor events will be cancelled or rescheduled. Visit the Watters Creek website at http://www.watterscreek.com. Allen Image | May 2017

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 4th Thursday each month, 7-8:45 pm, Allen Municipal Building, 301 Century Pkwy. Allen. Local Tea Party presents speakers, encourages citizens to participate. 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 the first Wednesday each month, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. Programs feature guest speakers on topics of historical significance. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www.allenheritageguild. org. ALLen Reads meets the 2nd Monday each month, Board Room, Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. For more info, www.allenfriends.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 Toastmastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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, every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102,

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(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 fourth Tuesday each month, 11:30 am1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. American Association of University WomenPlano/Collin County Branch, meets 2nd Monday each month, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Living Center, 6401 Ohio Dr., Plano. Open to anyone with assoc. or bachelors degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972.862.3460. 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 by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www.heardcraig.org. Bible Study, meets every Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. req. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen.cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets 3rd Monday each month, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit Rd. 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 Libertarian Party meets second Wednesday each month, at 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., Allen. For more info: collinlp.org or email collinlp.org@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeneers tour of Myers Park, meets the first Wednesday each month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations 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 owners in the Dallas area. For more info: www.dallasdoglovers.com. Department 56 Village Collectors Club meets second Saturday each month, in the Plano/North 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, 7-9 pm, Collin Higher Education Center, 3452 Spur 399, McKinney. Promotes interest in African violets and study of growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478. Friends of the Allen Public Library meets third Wednesday each month, Board Room, Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. for more info, www.allenfriends.org.

Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets third Wednesday each month, 7:30 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Center, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen & 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 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 May10:30 am, Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, Pres. Lovejoy Preschool PTA, monthly meetings at Creekwood UMC, 2nd Thursday each month, 261 Country Club Rd, Fairview. Different topic and speakers. Free lunch; babysitting avail. for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/LovejoyPreschool-PTA/. McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190. McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, meets third Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. Program: Jim Anderson, a Dallas Historian gives presentation on historic preservation in Dallas, how it wa as created and became the catalyst for today’s successful downtown. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, meets 2nd Thursday each month, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Hdqts., 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. Moms in Prayer, join worldwide prayer movement— bringing mothers together and seeing God change children through prayer. For more info: MomsInPrayer.org or Amy Guthrie at amyguthrie@verizon.net. NARFE Chapter 559, meets third Monday each month, 1:30 pm, Village of Stonebridge Assisted Living, 3300 S. Stonebridge Drive, McKinney. All current government employees and retirees invited. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets 2nd Tue. each month, SMU in Plano, 5228 Tennyson Pkwy, Plano. Join Newcomer Friends to hear Ms. Rena Pederson, a trail blazer for women in journalism and faculty member at SMU where she teaches persuasive writing. All are welcome to join us. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org. North Dallas Newcomers, meets first Thursday each month, 11 am, various country clubs. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers.net. Open Forum, meaningful discussions, meets first Saturday every month, 3 pm, Delaney’s Pub, 6150 W. Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: Charlie, 214.585.0004. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, meets the 3rd Monday each month, 7 pm, FUMC of Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net. Plano Photography Club, meets 3rd Thursday each month, 7 pm, W. Plano Presbyterian Church, 2709 Custer Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com.

Allen Image | May 2017

Plano Republican Women’s Club, meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com. 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. Random Events Dallas, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups in Dallas area. For more info: RandomEventsDallas.com. Reasonable Faith Discussion Group, meets every Tuesday, 11am-12:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B1116. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org.. Reasonable Faith Collin County Chapter, 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 each month, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent support group. Low cost childcare. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@ thissideupfamily.org. Singles Mingle 60 +, meets 1st Monday each month, Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 ElDorado Parkway, McKinney. Social forum for men and women singles who are active, enjoy meeting new people and like getting together. Various social activities. For more info: For meeting information on 3rd Monday of the month at 5:30 pm, call Bill, 214.544.5835. The MOB (Men of Business), meets 2nd Monday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen, for networking. $20 mem; $25 non-mems/general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Texas Nationalist Movement-Collin County Chapter, meets 1st Tuesday each month, 6:30 pm at Scotty P’s restaurant in Allen, 109 Central Expy N # 501, Allen. If you love Texas and value our independent spirit, come join us! Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets every Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader You Can Be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expwy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425. United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets 1st Sunday each month, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Book discussion & refreshments. We encourage women of all faiths to participate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org. Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping and 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 4th Thursday each month, 10 am, Eldorado Country Club, 2604 Country Club, McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail.com. W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), meets 2nd Thursday each month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

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ART/MUSIC/THEATRE

Allen Folk Music Society, meets 3rd Saturday each month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. 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. Note-Ably North Texas Women’s Chorus—All Lady Singers—Get your A Cappella On! “Sweet! Harmony Voice Workshops” 7 pm, every Monday, April 17-May 26, Watters Creek, Blue House Too Gallery across from DSW Shoes. Participate in local performances at the end of workshop! Sign up today @ 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. Common Threads of Allen, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share needle-work projects, learn techniques, etc. 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 third Tuesday each month. Offers support and resources for parents of children with autism and other 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 and family of alcoholics. 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 support groups, medical info and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Cancer Support Ministry, meets second Sunday each month, 4 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: Jimmy Smith, 972.727.8241. 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, every Monday-Friday, noon, Raceway Prof. Bldg., 200 W. Boyd, Suite C, Allen. Open AA discussion group. All 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. 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. The Experiment Aircraft Association, Chapter 1246, meets first Saturday each month, McKinney National Airport. Everyone interested in aviation is invited. For times and directions: eaa1246.org. 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. Infinity Personal Fitness Charity Workout, meets every other Saturday at 9 am, 1201 W. McDermott, Suite 106, Allen. Min. donation $5. Proceeds donated to local charities. For more info: email cattaneo.ray@gmail.com.

McKinney Chess on the Square, meets every Wednesday, 4-7 pm, Downtown McKinney Performing Arts Center. Open play & lessons. For more info, 214.620.0527 or mckinneychess.org. McKinney Chess Club, every Saturday, 10:30 am1:30 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. 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. Skilled Motorcycle Riders Association promotes motorcycle safety through rider training. Monthly practice courses, social activities, etc. For more info: www.skilledmotorcycleriderassociation.com. Stroller Strides Classes. For class information, check out Fairview.fit4mom.com. First Class FREE, email Lolo@fit4mom.com. For more info: Fairview.fit4mom.com Zumba/Cardio Dance Fitness, every Tues., 10:3011:30 am, and every Thurs., 9:30-10:30 am, USA Martial Arts, 505 W. McDermott. 1st class free. For more info: 469.854.6872 or Facebook.com/ TrueBlueDanceCrew.

MOM’S CLUBS

Allen Early Childhood PTA, support 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 and expectant moms’ forum, meets 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 second Monday each month, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery res. req. 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 and 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. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com. 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, Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972.727.8241. MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 9:3011:30 am, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037.

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Walking by Faith, offers prayer and practical support for mothers of children with special needs. Meets third Wednesday of each month (during the school year), at 6 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm B214. Childcare is provided with advance reservations. For more info: Stacie Smith, staciesmithslp@gmail.com

MUSEUMS/PRESERVES ALLEN HERITAGE GUILD MUSEUM

Open second and fourth Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, 100 E. Main Street, Allen. Permanent and rotating exhibits, historic photo collages and DVD programs on Allen history. For more info: www.allenheritageguild.org.

CONNEMARA MEADOW PRESERVE Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, monthly alternating first Saturday and the first Sunday, 8-10 am, Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides; learn habits, calls and characteristics from Gailon and Rodney, Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society. All ages. For more info: www.connemaraconservancy.org.

HEARD MUSEUM May 20—Date Night at the Heard, a fun, outdoor fundraising event benefiting Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Features live music, dancing, a cash bar and food trucks, at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 6-9 p.m. . Ages 21+; childcare available (limited and only available for event participants) for ages 5-12. Childcare offered by staff and volunteers that lead Heard educational programs. Kids will enjoy live animal presentations, kidfriendly nature videos, games and puzzles. Tickets $15 per person. Additional info and online ticketing is available at www.heardmuseum.org/datenight. 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. 3rd Saturday Nature Talks: Nature Journaling. Learn new ways to experience nature through nature journaling! An intro to journaling techniques thru hands-on activities. 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 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. Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets the fourth Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

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SENIORS

Active Agers 55+ meets 2nd Saturday, 10 am, upstairs at Market Street in McKinney (Eldorado at Ridge). Pre-travel meeting monthly to allow members to plan activities that range from day trips, weekend getaways to fun local events providing the chance to experience new places, to meet new people, and the opportunity to make new lasting friendships. For more information contact Sharon at rettmeier@ sbcglobal.net or Pat at PatVanDyke@sbcglobal.net Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, meets 2nd Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820. Allen Seniors Genealogy Club, meets 4th Monday each month, 1 pm, Allen Seniors Center. Must be member of ASRC. For more info: www.asgconline.com or Richard Henry, 972.390.7402. Classic 55+ Game Night, 1st and 3rd Friday each month, 6:30 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Snacks, fellowship and games. For more info: 972.727.8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com. Singles Mingle 60 +, meets 1st Monday each month at Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 ElDorado Parkway, McKinney. This group is to provide a social forum for men and women singles who are active, enjoy meeting new people and like getting together twice a month. We have various social activities throughout the month. For more info: For meeting information on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 pm, call Bill, 214.544.5835. Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, meets the third Thursday each month, 11:30 am, First UMC Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch, fellowship, speakers and entertainers. For more info: griflkl@sbcglobal.net.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Allen High Noon Lions Club, meets 2nd and 4th 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, Bonefish Grill, 190 E Stacy Rd #100. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org. Allen Lions Club, meets 1st and 3rd 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 Masonic Lodge No. 1435, meets 2nd Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm at 101 North Allen Drive. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm. For more info: www:allenlodge1435.org. Allen Rotary Club meets every Wednesday, noon, 1st United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. For more info: www.allenrotary.org.. Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, meets every Wednesday, 7 am, Warm Springs Hospital, 1001 Raintree Circle, Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www.allensunriserotary. com.

Assistance League® of Greater Collin County, meets 3rd Wednesday, 10 am at Stonebriar County Club, Frisco. Guests welcome. For more info: www.algcc.org or call 972.769.2299. Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets 3rd Tuesday each month. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net. Fairview Rotary Club, meets 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, Stacy Rd, Fairview. For more info: 214.893.5360. FUMC Legal Aid Clinic meets the 2nd Thursday each month, 6-8 pm, First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Provides legal assistance for civil matters to low income individuals in partnership withLegal Aid of NW Texas. No reservation required. Food & fellowship provided. For more info: kim.klieger@gmail.com or www.lanwt.org. Knights of Columbus, meets 3rd 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. Knights of Columbus Council 13044 meets 4th Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, Our Lady of Angels, 1914 Ridgeview Drive, Allen. For more information contact Jason Beckett,Jason. beckett.1@gmail.com, or visit us at https://kofcknights. org/CouncilSite/?CNO=13044. 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 2nd 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 1st Saturday each 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 2nd 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, teaches children to serve their community, meets second Saturday each 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 972.359-8876 or email to contact@allenimage.com.

Dr. Ross Miller may not be the busiest or cheapest dentist in town, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone more conservative. An honest and ethical dentist who takes a cautious and moderate approach, Dr. Miller won’t upsell or force his patients to do anything they don’t want or need, a practice that is all too common in a profession often driven by treatment plans designed to make more money for the provider. “I won’t recommend what you don’t need,” he asserts. Dr. Miller has established his niche in providing a blend of high technology and conservatism. Whenever he’s performing a procedure, Dr. Miller takes pictures before, during, and after to show his patient what was done and why. This transparency in how he works reassures Dr. Miller’s patients that they aren’t getting treatment they don’t need. “I’ve trained my patients to be skeptical,” he adds with a laugh. Dr. Miller believes in fixing what’s essential, and leaving the rest up to the patient. “If you’re happy with the way your teeth look, I’m happy,” he says, adding that he sleeps well at night when he makes recommendations. There isn’t a high turnover of staff—most of Dr. Miller’s staff, which includes three hygienists, two assistants, an office manager and a receptionist, have been with Dr. Miller for years—which adds to the family-like atmosphere. Many of Dr. Miller’s patients have been with him from childhood and now bring their own kids to him. And as in all good relationships, Dr. Miller believes good communication with his patients is key. “My patients are like extended family. There’s nothing I would recommend for them that I wouldn’t recommend for my immediate family,” he says. In addition to bringing conservatism and honesty to his practice, Dr. Miller also brings a high level of expertise. He graduated from Texas A&M University

before attending Baylor College of Dentistry. “I’ve known since age thirteen that I wanted to be a dentist,” says Miller. When he was younger, he enjoyed building model airplanes and tanks—many of which are on display in his office—which led him to realize he liked working in small spaces with the fine hand skills required. In college, he also got involved in entomology and learned how to pin and mount butterflies. “It is excellent practice for learning how to be meticulous and gentle with your hands,” he says. Dr. Miller opened his practice in Allen on Exchange just west of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital ten years ago, after practicing in Plano over seventeen years. He provides all aspects of general dentistry such as cleanings, crowns, implants, cosmetic dentistry, and basic root canals, as well as Invisalign and CEREC restorations—a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. Coupled with an in-office milling machine that allows Dr. Miller to create a crown while the patient waits, this technology allows Dr. Miller to save his patients’ time by offering one visit crowns. It’s all part of Dr. Miller’s high technology conservative approach.

Denim

STYLE

by Lauren PALMER

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It’s denim. It’s here. And we are wearing it all spring and summer. A romper is the epitome of a casual, playful, spring uniform. Maybe the inventor of the onesie was onto something when they were created for babies. Easy to wear and comfortable, thankfully an adult version wasn’t too far behind. If you really want the romper to turn heads, grab a denim one in your favorite wash, add a strappy bootie, tassel necklace and go for it! Longer sleeves allow a touch of modesty when buttoned at the wrist, or suggest a care-free attitude when rolled back on the forearm.

Wanting to dress up denim? Well, once the fashion show of Easter Sunday is over, add a denim shirtdress on top of the bright, feminine Easter dress for a less formal vibe. Immediately the addition of denim makes the dress more approachable, more modern and more wearable to just about any occasion.

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We can’t talk about denim— the signature fabric of all Texas cowboys—without styling a look using basic distressed blue jeans. You will never go wrong by pairing your most beloved jeans— all faded and tattered—with a denim embellished top. Leave shoulders bare; add a ruffle; find a shirt with a denim stripe. Take any of your most favorite trends and add those to your most favorite jeans. The result will be a new favorite ensemble you will wear time and again. Don’t worry if the top is billowy and doesn’t show much shape. The jeans are fitted and provide a nice contrast in proportion. Maybe we don’t jump on horseback or even in F-150s to get where we are going…or maybe we do… Regardless, we can always count on denim to take us there; stylish, native and proud. Thank you to Landry Kate, the little gem hidden around the corner of Louisiana and Kentucky streets in downtown McKinney. v Lauren Palmer is the creator and publisher of the popular lifestyle blog, The Art of Living Beautifully. Photos: Corrie Barto Photography

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FOR YOUR HEALTH

Allen Image | May 2017

LIBRARY

The Library presents… by Tom KEENER

The Real Downton Abbey: Inside Highclere Castle Downton Abbey devotees and Anglophiles take heed! At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at the library, Dr. Jann Mackey will share some of the secrets and mysteries of Highclere Castle, better known as Downton Abbey, on the popular PBS Masterpiece series in a free program. Dr. Mackey’s lecture “The Real Downton Abbey: Inside Highclere Castle,” focuses on the art, architecture and history of Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England. Dr. Mackey will share the history and stories of the Carnarvon family, who has owned the estate for centuries. Dr. Mackey will also explain how the fictional plot of Downton Abbey has unexpected echoes of the real history of the castle and the Carnarvon family. An architectural historian, Dr. Mackey focuses on historic houses and buildings in Dallas, as well as British country houses. Passionate about sharing her knowledge of architectural treasures with her audiences, Dr. Mackey is a frequent lecturer in Southern Methodist University’s Continuing and Professional Education programs. Dr. Mackey also served as president of the board of trustees of Preservation Dallas.

In 2006, she curated two exhibits at the Meadows Museum on the work of Dallas architects Hal Thomson and Charles Dilbeck. Additionally, she was awarded a fellowship from the Royal Oaks Society, The British National Trust and The Attingham Trust to conduct an in-depth study of British country houses. Dr. Mackey holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas, writing her dissertation on Dallas architect Howard Meyer, who is responsible for bringing modernist design to Dallas. v

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Travel back in time and celebrate the sound that forever changed rockand-roll. At a free concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, Beatlemania64 takes the stage at the library. A live multi-media musical journey through the life and times of the world’s most celebrated band, Beatlemania64 covers hits from the vast anthology of Beatles classics, such as “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be” and “Come Together.” The band covers a pre-“Sgt. Pepper” period of their career, spanning the group’s famous 1964 debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show to their last live American concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1966. Evoking the magic of 1964, a milestone year when The Beatles performed for frenzied audiences during their first American tour, Beatlemania 64 has been performing for 15 years and winning an endorsement from Beatles promoter Sid Bernstein, the man responsible for bringing the band to America. The members have a variety of music degrees and experience and apply their talents that honor the musical icons who are adored worldwide. Bandleader Mark Nix, who portrays John Lennon, observes, “We wear suits created by the (Beatles’) original tailor. We play the exact guitars, use the exact amps and drums as they did. We love the Beatles’ fans. They tell us more about the Beatles than the Internet could.” Their stage manners reflect hours of watching archival Beatles films. Joining Nix are Spencer Clark as Paul McCartney, Reno Tandy as Ringo Starr and Travis McGuire as George Harrison. v

Iwo Jima Survivor Clyde Jackson and Allen Community Band Join Allen Community Band (ACB), VFW 2195 and Allen Public Library in paying tribute to America’s fallen soldiers at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, at the library Civic Auditorium. During this program, Iwo Jima survivor Clyde Jackson will share his memories as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. A member of “F” Company 2nd Battalion 28th Regiment in the 5th Marine Division, he was standing a few feet away from photographer Joe Rosenthal when he captured the iconic flag raising on Iwo Jima. The Allen Community Band will perform “American Celebration,” arranged by Robert W. Smith, “Washington Post March” by John Phillip Sousa, and “Hymn of Freedom” from Symphony #1 by Johannes Brahms. The program continues with two contrasting selections by Ralph Vaughn Williams. The first, “Sea

Songs,” is light and airy with nautical themes spread throughout. The second, “Folk Song Suite,” is one of Vaughn Williams’ most popular selections for wind band. The Second movement, Intermezzo, is based on the flowing melody of “My Bonny Boy” and

features soloists across the band and intriguing exchanges between the brass and woodwind sections. Selections from The Lion King are featured in a very solid arrangement by Jay Bocook, one of the leading arrangers for band in America. Among these songs are “Circle of Life,” “I Can’t Wait to be King” and “King of Pride Rock.” “The Hounds of Spring” by Alfred Reed is a staple in the American Band Literature. In typical overture style, it opens with a full band statement of rhythms and melodies that are both technically demanding and lyrically soothing. “Hounds” ends with slight variations of the opening statement with the band at its most intense level. Concluding the concert, the Band will perform John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” featuring piccolo soloist Julie Bell. v

Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for more information. Allen Image | May 2017

FEATURE

A Brush with Art Allen Arts Festival Allen Arts Alliance Allen Arts Festival at Watters Creek May 12-14 Friday, May 12 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 13 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday (Mothers Day ) Noon-6 p.m. Rebecca Guy

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Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his picture, American theologian and reformer Henry Ward Beecher wisely penned. If you long to delve into the nature of artists, including some of our own local talent, come to the Allen Arts Alliance’s annual Allen Arts Festival that returns to Watters Creek on May 12-14. Starting in 2009 with 18 artists, this juried art show now boasts the works of almost 100 different artists from around the region. Proceeds from this event benefit the Allen Arts Alliance ArtsReach program as well as other nonprofit arts organizations. While we are waiting for that weekend to arrive, let’s meet three of Allen’s talented artists who have been selected to display and sell their wares at this year’s event.

Kat LiBretto This is multi-award winning Kat LiBretto’s second time at the Allen Arts Festival. At last year’s event she was the recipient of awards for both distinction and excellence. Growing up in New Jersey, Kat moved from London, England, to Allen in 2014, following her grandmother and parents. A digital and graphics design major, Kat attended the University of Rhode Island for one year and then finished her fine arts degree in 2007 at Long Island University C.W. Post College. She taught middle school for one year on Nantucket Island before moving back to New York City where she studied printmaking for three years at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Kat then moved to London where she received her masters degree with merit in printmaking from Camberwill College of Art/University of the Arts London in 2011. The following year she was award an artist residency at The Women’s Studio Workshop in New York. Kat credits rock concert posters for her inspiration to learn printmaking. “At the time, printmaking was unfashionable, but I fell in love,” she asserts. “By 2007, most universities had trashed their equipment because of computers.” Kat also notes that not long after she graduated from Post, printmaking began to grow in popularity again due to Shepard Fairey’s iconic Barack Obama “Hope” poster. But, when Kat studied oversees she was surprised to discover that elsewhere in the world, printmaking had never waned in popularity. For many years, Kat drew her initial artwork on paper, but she has gradually come over to using more technology. “About a year ago I got an Apple Pencil and an iPad Pro and I’m drawing nonstop on that now. With that I can get a lot more detail in my work, and if you mess up, you can easily fix it.”

“Silence is Golden” by Kat LiBretto Kat explains that a primary difference between computer printing and screen printing is “nothing is ever identical in screen printing.” She also opts to use acrylic paints hand-mixed in a special base instead of inks. “I learned to do this when I worked for a studio in London,” she notes. “My prints have about 10 to 12 colors, so it takes a couple of days to make the screens and about a week to print the 12 colors.” “I’ve always been interested in studying identity in place and started with landmark buildings. Now it is natural identity of place.” In this vein, her goal is to create a print for every national park in the United States. For this series, she has completed three—Yosemite, North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Acadia—is currently working on three others and has eight in the queue. Part of her process for this involves visiting each park and spending a minimum of three days there to plan out what she will create. Today, Kat has a morning office job and then works from 3 p.m. to around midnight at her Inky Hands Print Studio in Deep Ellum in Dallas. Her work is regularly exhibited in London and Hong Kong galleries. For a preview of Kat’s art, go to her website www. katlibretto.com. Allen Image | May 2017

Jeffrey Hiller

Jeffrey Hiller A native Atlantan, Jeffrey moved to Texas after high school and took his first art class at the age of 28 when he signed up for Drawing I and II at Richland College. From this jumping off point, he began teaching himself other mediums, from watercolor to the digital paint pad. His most recent works have been primarily mixed media. After retiring in April from his 15-year position as a project manager for Raytheon, this Allen artist decided to dive into his art full time. “Working at Raytheon was so left-brained, so I would come home and paint on the weekends to reach the right brain,” he recalls. “It has been an evolution for me, but this last year the paintings have been flying out of me.” “I’m big on detail,” he

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explains as a primary reason for his fondness of working digitally. “You can even give the paper on the monitor the texture of any number of different papers or even canvas. So you have the best quality you can get.”

Often starting his works on real paper, Jeffrey will then scan these creations into his computer and continue drawing and painting using the digital art pad. “The best part is that you can do it in layers, which you can’t do in real life. So you have an expanded palette,” he notes. Once the original piece is finished, Jeffrey has limited edition giclée prints made with archivalquality fade-resistant inks on art paper. “A lot of artists are doing giclée now because it allows them to reach more people,” he points out. “It makes art accessible for the average guy at a decent price.” He adds that he investigated a number of printers before selecting a Boston company to do all of his art prints because of the superior finished product they offered. Jeffrey laughs that his preference for bright colors can be attributed to his being “kind of a hippie in the old days who was drawn to tie-dye.” The diversity of subjects in his paintings and a fondness for whimsy can most likely be linked to his admiration for Andy Warhol paintings along with being “a Pisces and a dreamer.” The Allen Arts Festival is Jeffrey’s first juried art show. He was encouraged to enter after having a

“Murphy” by Jeffrey Hiller

few pieces on display at an evening Texas Artists exhibit at Watters Creek last year. Most of the art work seen on Jeffrey’s website, www.printsoftoads. com, will be available at the Allen Arts Festival and the few not on hand can be ordered and shipped within two weeks. And his unusual website name? Jeffrey clarifies, “The Prince of Toads was a pencil drawing I did for my sister. It’s a cross between a man with a Michelangelo-type body and toad head and hands—hence the Prints of Toads.”

Rebecca Guy Growing up in Central Texas, Rebecca Guy now calls Allen home. A full-time artist for the last 15 years. Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in fine art from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas). Prior to her leap into the role of full-time artist, Rebecca worked at the University of Texas library, eventually ending up in the bindery and book repair area. She laughs that a career in art “is not very lucrative, but when you are an artist, it is hard to resist that urge. And something else can be more important than the money that you make.” She also confesses that it took her husband to sign her up for her first art festival. “I don’t know if I would have ever started on my own impetus,” she admits. The featured artist for the 2009 outdoor Dallas ArtFest, Rebecca has traveled around the United States participating in numerous art festivals. “I spent some time doing the gallery route, but I can’t do both gallery and festival. I had to choose and needed to find a place where I fit in,” she points out. Rebecca is returning for her fifth year to the Allen Arts Festival. Primarily working in collage, she hunts for those rare and unique images that she then scans into a computer for digital enhancement.

One of her specialties is commissioned pieces incorporating the image of a beloved person or pet. The images she finds come not only from art sources, but also outof-copyright books, online, and even grocery and hardware stores and wallpaper books. Once the images are scanned into her computer, she enhances them by filling in with color, adding detail, or correcting because of loss of clarity. “I like giving new life to these things that otherwise nobody would ever see,” she elucidates. Rebecca notes that she shifted more into incorporating collage into her artwork when she was in her early 30s, during the era of New Wave and Punk Rock music. She recently began branching out more by creating collaged three-dimensional houses. Comparing her creations as “the painter’s equivalent of Magic Realism,” this voracious reader explains, “I love how these authors can create a whole universe in their novels.” Her favorite author who delves into this mystical realm is Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She also finds a connection between her fascination with using found materials and Beat writer William Burroughs and his “cut-up” technique

“Chronotopia” by Rebecca Guy

of cutting up his manuscripts and then piecing them back together. When seeking out those one-of-akind pictures or graphics for her artwork, Rebecca admits, “I’m drawn to Victorian era, or even older than that, and I love art that goes with circuses and side shows.” And she has a special fondness for old and discarded dolls. “It is so much fun when you find a new use for them!” This fascination led her to have her dolls selected for four separate El Corazon annual exhibits at the Bath House Cultural Arts Center in Dallas. Visit www.onyzx.com to explore Rebecca’s creations. For more information on the Allen Arts Festival go to artsfestival. allenartsalliance.org. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. Allen Image | May 2017

KIDS KORNER

Farm Fresh Pickings by Deborah DOVE

For kids who grow up in the suburbs, there’s nothing quite like picking your own blueberries, blackberries or peaches on a spring or summer morning (or sneaking a few juicy bites straight off the bush or tree). Following are a few of the area’s best pick-your-own farms, which offer fresh fruit kids can pick themselves, and often other outdoor activities. Call ahead or check each farm’s website or Facebook page for hours and availability, but most fruit are ripe and ready to be picked in May and June.

Lavender Ridge Farms

2391 County Road 178, Gainesville, 940.665.6938 or www. lavenderridgefarms.com Located in Gainesville, about an hour from Dallas, this former strawberry farm is now a beautiful farm with flowers growing everywhere and whimsical garden art. The lavender blooms at the end of May and continues through early to mid-July. Bring the kids for family fun and adventure while learning more about agriculture and farming, and get close to nature while you pick your own lavender. Baskets, scissors and twist-ties are provided. In addition to two acres of planted lavender, herbs, iris and scented geraniums, there’s also a café with a screened-in patio overlooking the lavender fields that serves lavender-inspired foods. Kids will love the friendly herding dogs, guinea hens, goats, lemurs, love birds and doves. Be sure and look for the “Chairy Tree.” The farm is also hosting a Lavender Festival on Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29, from 9 am-5 pm, with wine tastings, food, shopping and vendors.

Blase Family Farm

1232 East Fork Road, Rockwall, 972.772.3645 or www. blasefamilyfarm.com This small family-owned farm is close and offers pick-your-own, organically-grown blueberries from the end of May until early July. Kid’s pails and baskets are provided; berries cost $4.50 per pint.

Blueberry Hills Farms

FM 314 Edom (19 miles east of Canton), 903.852.6175 or www. blueberryhillfarms.com Blueberries and blackberries are ripe for the picking during June and July at this pick-your-own farm that offers 10 acres of oldfashioned fun. Buckets are available, and they’ll pack your berries in freezer bags for easy transport. There are also clean restrooms, picnic tables and an air-conditioned store where you can cool off with blueberry yogurt, blueberry lemonade and other blueberryrelated treats for sale

Gnismer Farms/Storm Farms

3010 S. Bowen Road, Arlington, 817.602.0668 or http://www.storm. farm/home.html Nothing is sweeter than a ripe red strawberry you picked yourself, and Storm Farms has two acres just dedicated to strawberries, so grab a box and enjoy some time outdoors. The farm is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to

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noon beginning March 14. Come early, as they frequently get “picked out” before closing. Strawberries are $10 for a small box that holds approximately 1-1/2 pounds.

Texas A&M Commerce Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm

2965 State Highway 54, Campbell, 903.886.5100 or https://www. facebook.com/pg/TwinOaksBlueberryFarm My family loves this pick-your-own blueberry farm. It’s no frills— just easily accessible blueberry bushes and pails that you can strap to your body to making picking easier—but it’s close and clean and has restrooms and a small store. There’s no fee to pick; you just pay for the berries you take home.

Wild Berry Farm

905 Crawford Road, Sadler, 903.564.5206 or http://www. thewildberryfarm.com/ Located a little less than an hour from Allen, this working farm offers lots of family fun in addition to memory making and berry picking. An all-day farm pass is $6 per person (ages 2 and older), and includes access to walk through the farm to meet and learn about the farm animals; sliding down the “slide hill;” feeding the catfish at the pond; digging for shark teeth, fossils and shells at the fossil dig; rat roller races; and a hayride around the farm. Of course, there are blueberries and blackberries that can picked straight off the vine, and all berries are grown naturally with no chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. Berry picking entry is free; you just pay $4 per pound for berries.

Fall Creek Farms

6920 Fall Creek Highway, Granbury, 817.910.9232 or http://upicktx. com/ Pick strawberries in the spring at the two-acre strawberry patch or come during the summer to pick fresh, delicious, juicy peaches at the 10-acre orchard with over 500 trees. A tractor-pulled trolley will take you on a tour through the orchard to choose your tree, and sampling is allowed. While you’re there, see the farm’s unique large sculptures, including “Killer,” the world’s largest armadillo at 48 feet long and 4.5 tons that used to reside at Six Flags Over Texas.

Blueberry Picking Tips

• Look for blue-colored berries that don’t have any pink spots. • Give a little turn and a little pull. If it comes of easily, it’s ripe. • Wear closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen, a hat, water, bug spray and a cooler for transporting your berries home. v

EDUCATION

A Police Chief Got His Start at Collin College Law Enforcement Academy by Kirk DICKEY

“ ” Even today, after being here for 18

years and being a police chief,

sometimes I turn

around and say, ‘I

really can’t believe

we get paid to do for

a living what we did as kids playing cops and robbers…’

Allen Image | May 2017

Rendering courtesy of PBK Architects

Being a police officer is about more than knowing the law. It is about a desire to help people in need. It is about creating a safer world for the citizens you protect and serve. That said, one of the things Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson mentioned first when asked about his time at the Collin College Law Enforcement Academy is the time spent studying the law and writing notebooks full of information. “I think that we wrote the law book over again by the time we were done,” he said. “It really tested if (being a police officer) was something that you really wanted. It was difficult enough that it challenged you, but if you wanted it enough you could achieve it. I think that is what I really liked about it.” The foundational knowledge he took in and the physical training that he pursued while at the academy— “They pushed us every single day,” Henderson said. “We knew that (our instructor) wasn’t going to allow us to do things half way.”—helped him prepare him for what has become nearly two decades in law enforcement.

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He was named chief of police for Wylie about a year and a half ago and he said he still considers some of his contemporary cadets and instructors good friends. Henderson came to law enforcement through his interest in the fire sciences and emergency medicine. With a history of firefighters in his family, he went into the Collin College Fire Academy and graduated in 1997. Interest in arson investigation led him to the law enforcement academy and after taking a few classes in investigatory technique, he said something clicked for him. “Even today, after being here for 18 years and being a police chief, sometimes I turn around and say, ‘I really can’t believe we get paid to do for a living what we did as kids playing cops and robbers,’” Henderson said. “I like the fact that you are not sitting behind a desk all of the time. “The call types might be the same some days, but every call is different and even challenging at times.” Henderson worked as a reserve officer in Van Alstyne for three

months before taking a full-time position with Wylie. He has been with the department ever since and is thankful he came to the city. “I am very fortunate to work for the city and the citizens of Wylie, and that’s not just a line that I am selling as the chief,” Henderson said. “We have tremendous support from the city management, the city council, the mayor and the citizens. Even with the things that have gone on in Dallas and across the nation, we have seen a strong show of support for what we do on a regular basis. I can’t thank our community enough for that.” In his time on the force, Henderson said the technology has changed—computers and cameras in cars, digital still cameras, which supplement the officers’ reports—but the training from his days in the academy laid the groundwork for the way he has done his job. Todd Eubanks, director of the Collin College Police Academy since 2014, said that is one of the benefits of structured training for officers. “What we are teaching at the academy is foundational knowledge to start and build a career in law

enforcement,” he said. “That knowledge is something they need to know and something they will use today or 50 years from now if they are still doing this.” For more than 25 years, the academy has consistently produced cadets for area agencies and selfsponsored cadets, many of who are hired while still in the academy. Since graduating its first class in 1990, the academy has expanded from a 400 credit-hour program to one covering 700 credit-hours. In addition to traditional law enforcement skills that it has taught from the beginning—driving, firearms and arrest tactics—the academy has incorporated specialized police training in human relations, crisis intervention, ethics and more. That goes for the in-service training the academy does for active law enforcement officers as well. “We have some new, innovative programs right now,” Eubanks said. “We are training officers on how to help people with mental health issues. We are also training officers on how to deal with crisis incident stress management in their own lives and their own careers. “We still do firearms. We still do arrest tactics. We still do all of those things, but we have added to the curriculum in other areas—the human factor, so to speak.” Eubanks said that the academy’s range of training options will continue to increase with the construction of the Public Safety Training Center in McKinney. Slated to open in the fall of 2018, it will be the home for Collin College’s law enforcement and fire academies with specialized training facilities for both not currently available in the county. The Law Enforcement Academy section of the facility will include a training “village” with simulated retail spaces, apartment facades, office buildings and other spaces for realitybased training, three indoor firearms ranges and a dedicated defensive

tactics room. Eubanks said the realitybased training options in the facility will provide cadets with the chance to work through scenarios they may encounter in the field. “The whole purpose is to make them confident and competent in their abilities and knowledge,” Eubanks said. “With this facility, we are going to be able to take our training to the next level.” Even with the change in setting, though, cadets will be expected to fill

up pages of notes learning the law. That foundational knowledge is one thing a change of address won’t change. Visit www.collin.edu/department/ lawenforcement/ for more information about the Collin College Law Enforcement Academy. v Kirk Dickey is a public relations writer for Collin College. Photo by Nick Young, Collin College photographer.

Allen Image | May 2017

Allen ISD’s Vision for STEAM Center Becomes Clearer by Keith A. TAYLOR

Daniel Pitcock

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The vision for a specialized science and technology campus in Allen is becoming a reality with planning nearing completion and funding in place for the new Allen ISD STEAM Center. The STEAM, or Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Center is scheduled to open in 2019 on Ridgeview Drive near the intersection of Exchange Boulevard. The project was initially approved by voters as part of the November 2015 bond proposal. “The location and the design make this the most exciting building

project we’ve ever undertaken,” explained Daniel Pitcock, chief operations officer. “Working with VLK Architects, Inc., a team of 36 educators, student, city officials and community members formed the initial vision for the facility in the spring of 2016. The final design reflects many of their ideas.” The STEAM Center is a unique school facility that will serve approximately 400-500 high school students each class period. Students attending classes there will be transported to and from Allen High School each period. In addition, the

facility and surrounding land will serve as a location for grades K-8 outdoor and indoor field trips. A sample of courses that might be offered at the STEAM Center include: aquatic science, earth and space science, architectural design, engineering design, robotics and automation, web technologies and digital media. Where many STEAM schools in the state are reserved for students who qualify or who are randomly selected, the Allen ISD STEAM Center will be visited by more than 2,000 students in grades 10-12 each school day. “This is not an academy,” according to Jennifer Wilhelm, assistant superintendent for learner services. “This is a facility for all of our students. Every one of our students, K-12, will attend this center in some form or fashion. It will touch on every portion of STEAM learning. The idea is to create, build and foster an interest in STEAM while meeting the standards of TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)” Beginning in kindergarten, students will also visit the facility once or twice a year for environmental education or STEAMrelated field trips. This will allow classes to have learning experiences closer to home than most field trips. Rather than visiting an out-of-town museum or arboretum, for example, classes will be able to take an educational field trip without leaving town. Major features of the STEAM Center include science labs, robotics labs, collaborative learning spaces, a K-8 discovery lab and a maker space for hands-on building and exploration activities. Outdoor features will include a pond for aquatic studies, discovery gardens, wildflower meadows, forested areas with seating and an outdoor performance plaza. “The maker spaces allow students to develop hands-on skills for creating and innovation,” Wilhelm said. Allen Image | May 2017

“These areas are intended to encourage conversations and the exchange of new ideas. However, when students need to concentrate, the center also includes focus rooms for smaller student teams to work on problems.” The design and location of the center lends itself to an educational experience that is open to the outdoors. “One of biggest features for STEAM,” according to Pitcock, “is the accessibility to the environment. If you are studying aquatic science, for example, you will have direct access to the on-site pond or nearby Rowlett Creek,” he said. Allen ISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Niven expects the center to add a new level to the district’s educational opportunities for students.. “The STEAM Center facility will take many of these programs to a new level,” said Dr. Niven. “There are

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opportunities for students to explore and work together in an environment that promotes independent thinking and inventive ideas.” Pitcock agreed, saying the new center will build on Allen’s tradition of innovative learning methods. Since the high school facility opened in 2000, he said teaching and learning strategies have evolved and new facilities should refect these changes. “We’ve always worked with flexible learning spaces and problem solving-based learning. This facility provided the design team with a blank canvas to improve on what we have done on other campuses ,” Wilhelm added. Putting numbers with the STEAM design is the next step in the process. The GMP or guaranteed maximum price will be presented to the board for consideration in May. If approved, construction on the new facility will begin later in the summer.

Other Allen ISD Projects Moving Forward As the STEAM Center moves closer to reality, the district is also in the middle of a busy construction cycle. “Construction on the new Preston Elementary is going well,” Pitcock said. “The school, which is located north of the Star Creek Community along Chelsea Drive, will open in August for the 2017-2018 school year.” The new Lowery Freshman Center is the biggest construction project currently underway for the Allen school district. The new facility will replace the current school when it opens in August 2018. A portion of the old Lowery Center will then be renovated to

accommodate a new Dillard Special Achievement Center. Across the street, work on two additions at Allen High School are on schedule to be completed this August. A new auxiliary gymnasium is being built at the west end of the school next to the competition gym. A second addition at the opposite end of the campus will provide a new multi-purpose room for the music program. The second floor of the addition will also house the school’s JROTC program. Two new baseball and softball fields are being built adjacent to the current fields on the Allen High School property. The second baseball field replaces a field that was pulled out as part of the Lowery Center project. The second softball field was added to bring equity to the programs and also to attract more tournaments. Besides the STEAM Center, several other Allen ISD projects are in the pre-construction phase. Plans and financing are being finalized for a renovation of Bolin Elementary School this summer. Allen elementary schools are renovated approximately on a 15-year cycle and Bolin opened in 2000. Plans have also begun for the Phase 2 renovation and re-roofing of Allen High School. Renovations will include the competition gym, the PE/ practice gym and the cafeteria. Those portions of the high school also opened in 2000. One final project in the planning stages is the addition of seating, lighting, concessions and restrooms at Ereckson Middle School’s fields to bring the school in line with Ford and Curtis Middle School facilities. Pitcock said Allen ISD’s construction projects reflect the same goals the district maintains for its students. “Continuous improvement is a priority in the classroom and in our facilities,” he said. “We always consider what is best for our students,

parents, staff and taxpayers when planning all of our projects. “We are proud of the work that’s gone into planning and carrying out these bond projects,” said Louise Master, Allen ISD Board of Trustees President. “The board appreciates all of the time and effort put into these projects by staff and community members. The result will be new facilities that benefit children for many years to come.” “We are proud of the work that

has gone into the planning and implementation of these bond projects,” continued Louise. “The board is thankful to our community and staff for their time and effort devoted to ensuring that we will have quality facilities that enable our students to be innovative and gain the skills to be academically prepared for their future pursuits.” v Keith Taylor is a public relations specialist for Allen ISD.

Allen Image | May 2017

TRAVEL

Escape to Paradise by Deborah DOVE

There’s a reason more than 25 million Americans flock to Mexico each year. It’s relatively inexpensive, close—Cancun is a mere two-and-ahalf-hour flight from Texas—an hour closer than New York City, and absolutely stunning. While Cancun has always been the perennial favorite, it’s Playa del Carmen, Cancun’s quieter and more sophisticated sister, that recently received Trip Advisor’s 2017 Traveler’s Choice award as the number one destination in Mexico.

Getting There Playa del Carmen is located on the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula. The closest airport is Cancun International Airport. From there, Playa del Carmen is about a 45-minute drive. Many of the hotels in Playa offer a shuttle service, but if not, a private shuttle service such as Best Day will save you the hassle of trying to find a taxi, and is usually a less expensive option.

Where To Stay Hotels in Playa del Carmen have a height restriction of four stories, so you won’t see the high-rise resorts that populate the shoreline of Cancun. There are numerous all-inclusive hotels in Playa (which I highly recommend) that range from romantic to family-friendly. For romance, check out Secrets Maroma Beach, an adult-only resort with 412 suites, each with a private terrace or balcony and in-suite whirlpool for two. El Dorado Maroma is on my bucket list, as it is one of the few hotels in North America to offer over-water bungalows with ocean views, glassbottom floors, direct ladder access to the ocean, outdoor showers, private infinity pools, indoor Jacuzzis and decks furnished with lounge chairs. Iberostar Quetzal is a popular choice with its beach location, lagoon-styled pools, ancient Mayan culture and toucans, flamingoes and friendly monkeys you may encounter. Other good options for families include Sandos Playacar, Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmerelda.

What To Do Of course, the beach is the main attraction, and Playa del Carmen doesn’t disappoint. With clear water so blue it hurts your eyes, soft sugary, white sand beaches, palm trees and chaise lounges under palapas dotting the shoreline, Playa del

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Carmen is postcard perfect. Spend at least a day lazing on the beach, venturing into the crystal-clear water from time to time. All of the beaches there are public, so it’s not hard to find your slice of paradise. Typically the beaches near the Cozumel ferry dock—close to the small downtown area—are both the widest and the busiest. Playacar, which is south of the ferry dock, boasts beautiful, tranquil beaches and many of the area’s resorts and virtually no public restaurants or shops.

Snorkeling and Diving The reef surrounding Playa del Carmen is healthy and teeming with sea life. A few hotels offer snorkeling right off the beach, but your best bet is a snorkel tour. The Snorkel Shop is one of the best outfits—they keep the groups small, and the tour guides are all E.F.R. (Emergency First Response) trained from P.A.D.I. and both knowledgeable and passionate about the ecology of the reef. The Gran Arrefice Maya tour will take you to one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots on the Riviera Maya—a reef in a protected national park—where you’ll see sea turtles, brightly colored schools of fish, rays and more. They’ll pick you up in Playa and transport you via an airconditioned van (complete with entertainment and beverages) to the

park where you’ll take a short, sevenminute boat ride to the reef. After snorkeling for 30-40 minutes, you’ll move to a different part of the reef. Afterwards, there’s lunch on the beach, often featuring guacamole and fresh-caught fish, before returning to Playa del Carmen. The cost of $85 per person includes a CD disc of photos. They also offer longer snorkeling tours, cenote snorkeling tours and snorkeling with whale sharks from June to September. If you like sea turtles, try snorkeling at Akumal Bay located just down the coast from Playa del Carmen, where you can snorkel and swim alongside them. Playa del Carmen is a popular diving spot with something for everyone—shallow reefs teeming with life, deep drift dives, dramatic cenote caverns, caves, bull shark diving and more. Many outfits offer packages that include a local dive, the cenotes and Cozumel, which is just a 40-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen and one of the best diving spots in the world. What exactly are cenotes? The Mayan word for well, cenotes are a natural phenomenon unique to the Riviera Maya (over 3,000 of them). Ninety-five percent of the fresh water in the Yucatan is underground, creating an elaborate system of underwater caves and rivers, which are accessible through the cenotes, or sink holes. Tours will take you to Allen Image | May 2017

One of the cenotes at Riviera Maya.

swim or snorkel in the cenotes, where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, fossils, blind fish and light displays as the sun is filtered through openings in the ceiling.

Eco Parks Part zoo, part theme park, part museum and part adventure park, Xcaret Eco Theme Park offers an array of activities. Explore the park to see animals such as jaguars, sea turtles, colorful birds, manatee and more; snorkel or swim in the cenote; explore a Mayan village; watch a Mayan show in the evening; and swim with dolphins, sharks and stingrays. Perhaps the highlight of the park is the underground river where you can take a leisurely float underground and next to mangroves populated with flamingos. You can also explore the river by raft. Atkun Chen in nearby Tulum features much of the same—forest tours, caving, ziplining and snorkeling in a cenote.

Ruins At the heart of the Mayan empire, Playa del Carmen is close to many of the ancient Mayan ruins. Excursions offered to nearby ruins include Chichen Itza (one of the Seven

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Wonders of the World and one of the most significant Mayan ruins); Coba (the only ruin set in the jungle, and one of the few that you can still climb to the top); and Tulum (arguably the most beautiful, as this walled city is set on a dramatic cliff overlooking the blue water of the Caribbean).

Shopping Playa del Carmen’s “La Quinta” (5th Avenue), the main pedestrian promenade, is THE place for

shopping and features designer stores along with local shops where you can haggle to your heart’s content. It’s a fairly easy 20- to 25-minute walk along the beach, depending on where you’re staying, or you can take a cab. Located one block off the beach, this pedestrian walkway also has a lot of restaurants and transitions from shopping district to hopping nightlife when the sun goes down. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

MARKET PLACE

Allen Image | May 2017

FEATURE

A Summer of Giving Back When preschool Sunday School teacher and mom Kristi Wilbur came up with the idea for a summer mission project for her Sunday School class at Creekwood United Methodist Church, she never dreamed the impact the summer would make on the kids, the community and the lives of over 600 orphans.

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“I wanted them to think about others, and not all about themselves,” Wilbur says of the original purpose behind her suggestion for the kids (including her own, who are ages three and six) to spend the summer raising money for charity by performing chores. While it was about raising money for charity, it was also about discipline and goal setting— and having something to work for all summer long. She didn’t want parents to just give the kids the money; she

empowerment program, ZOE brings them together into a Working Group of 50-100 fellow orphans from their community. This group becomes a new family, able to support one another in many ways. Zoe’s social workers ensure the children know about their rights, are free from abuse and exploitation, and can find a safe place to live. Children learn skills such as farming and animal husbandry at monthly meetings. Then, ZOE provides them with

asks, “What is your dream?” They then help the children realize that dream, whether it’s growing crops, making clothes or owning a bakery. When the children have finished the three-year program, they are entrepreneurs, and the organization has an eighty-five percent success rate of the kids never needing charity again. Many of the ZOE graduates have even started their own mini ZOE groups or adopted other orphans. “I fell in love with this

wanted them to earn it. The premise was simple. When the kids did chores over the ten weeks of summer vacation, their parents would give them money to donate to a chosen charity. Creekwood United Methodist is a mission-oriented church, and already supported an organization called ZOE that empowers orphans to become self-sufficient. The organization, which began in Rwanda, offers a three-year program to orphans in five African countries as well as Guatemala and India. When children first join the

tools, seeds and farm animals so they can grow and raise their own food. When children need a home, ZOE provides the necessary materials and their peer working group assists in construction. The children also learn how to stay healthy, as ZOE provides children with mosquito nets and blankets to keep them safe from insect-borne diseases and teaches them about the causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS, and how to care for those who are infected. At some point during the threeyear program, someone from ZOE also sits down with each child and

organization,” says Kristi Wilbur, who jokes she’s now ZOE’s unofficial ambassador. “I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s not well known, but it’s having a profound impact and an amazing success rate.” The congregation of Creekwood was already funding a ZOE working group in the slums of Chennai, India, and church members had travelled there in February to meet the group they sponsored. While there, they met several newly formed groups of children without sponsors who were living in some of the worst and most dangerous living conditions. It was a Allen Image | May 2017

natural choice for the kids to choose ZOE to support with their summer mission project. Kristi handed out packets to all of the kids who signed up to participate that included a chore chart, a ZOE box (which was like a piggy bank) for collecting their earnings, and the profile story of a ZOE child. Each family set their own chore chart that worked best for them, and each family came up with the extra chores the kids would do and how much they’d earn for each. Many parents offered to match whatever their child earned, and one anonymous church family offered to match whatever amount the kids of Creekwood earned as a group. Things snowballed when a member of ZOE’s Board of Directors called and said they’d also like to make a one-time match of whatever the kids earned that summer. “Their infrastructure was in place and they were ready to grow,” says Wilbur. With the matches, the kids were making four dollars for every dollar they earned. The initial goal was for the kids to raise $5,625, which combined with the matched funds, would equal $22,500, or enough to fund one ZOE group, which would help 60 to 100 orphans. “It was a lofty goal,” says Wilbur. ZOE created a fundraising page for the kids of Creekwood to share with friends and family, and the kids began working toward their goal. There were many avenues the kids pursued in earning money for ZOE. In addition to chore charts, the kids raised money by hosting bake sales, collecting money during vacation bible school, hosting a family movie night at the church, and anything else they could think of to earn extra money.

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“I can’t tell you how many lemonade stands there were,” says Kristi with a laugh. Some of the families set up their own individual websites, which allowed their friends and family the option of making a one time or monthly donation. One girl set up her own website, and with her brother, raised $1,000 on her own. Many of the kids recruited their friends to create their own chore charts and participate. In fact, a third of the kids who participated in the summer mission project were not church members. “It was very doable, and based on performance,” Kristi comments. “The kids did a little, their friends did a little, and it started to spread.” To keep the kids motivated and put a face to the stories of the children they were helping and make what they were working towards more personal, Kristi sent out emails with video stories of a different ZOE child to the participating families every few weeks. ZOE also has a Sunday School curriculum that the kids of Creekwood followed, which included things like baking a recipe one of the ZOE kids had created and planting a garden, which added a relational touch. The kids were learning that other children had struggles and hardships they themselves had no concept of. Along the way, Kristi and many of the other church members fell in love with ZOE and what they were doing. Congregation member Lyndsey Lessner even became the Regional Development Associate for the non-profit organization. The kids embraced the mission also, and by the end of the summer, 91 kids had raised $28,125, which when combined with the matches, totaled

$112,500—enough to fund five ZOE groups. Combined with the group already sponsored by the church, Creekwood will now have six groups in India, and have funded all of the ZOE groups in India for 2016. “It was an amazing summer,” Wilbur says. At the end of the summer, they surprised the congregation with the announcement of just how much the kids had earned, and at every service, the congregation gave the kids a standing ovation. “It inspired all of the adults who came in contact with the project. Although I don’t think they (the kids) knew what they were doing, or how amazing it was,” she adds with a laugh. “Our goal was to teach our kids something, and as a result, 300500 lives will be changed.” Of course, the kids of

Creekwood’s lives were changed as well, as were the lives of the adults who saw the impact these kids could make. “I wanted them to realize they could change the world, even as kids,” says Kristi. “Not only in this, but every day. That even a little bit added to everyone else’s little bit makes a big change.” For more information on ZOE, visit www.zoehelps.org. To donate to Creekwood UMC’s Kids and Youth on a Mission, visit https://fundraise. zoehelps.org/events/ creekwood-umcs-kids-youthmission/e81007. To find out what else is happening at Creekwood United Methodist Church, visit www. creekwoodumc.org. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

Allen Image | May 2017

PET PAGE

“Mack” Mack is a 2- to 3-year-old, 48-pound Australian kelpie mix who is extremely intelligent and eager to please. He would be a great running companion for someone that doesn’t take the run too seriously—he runs 3-4 miles several times a week, but he’s not especially fast and likes to take breaks. He is good on a leash and would be happy in a home with regular walks. Mack also enjoys training sessions and quickly picks up new tricks/commands. He’ll learn anything for treats!

Mack is looking for his forever home! He is potty and crate trained and is working on doggie etiquette. He is good with new people in public, but can be cautious with new people in his home. He will need someone that understands positive reinforcement and has dog ownership experience. Mack loves to play with humans or dogs and he is a goof ball that will dive head first into a lap. He gets along well with other dogs and cats. Mack and the resident “closet kitty” are very loving together. Mack would enjoy a playful pup in his forever home, but it’s not a necessity. He prefers women, but is great with men once he becomes familiar with them. Mack has been neutered and is up to date on vaccinations. He has been treated for heartworms and tested negative on his retest. As long as he is kept on HW preventatives, it should never be an issue again. To meet this intelligent, handsome guy, please complete an online application: http:// legacyhumanesociety.org/adoptfoster/ adoption-application/. v

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