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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

November 2015

Vol. 25, Issue 11

cover story

what’s old is new again In the three years since coming back to life at the Allen Event Center, the Dallas Sidekicks have made the play-offs all three seasons, thanks to know-how, planning and hard work. Starting its fourth season, the Dallas Sidekicks qualifies for “legendary” status.

feature

put the “giving” in thanksgiving

As many families around Allen prepare for Thanksgiving, other families are wondering how they’re going to feed their children dinner, much less put on a huge Thanksgiving spread.

special sections

26 KIDS KORNER

Crafts for Christmas

40 PET PAGE

Dolce

42 CALENDAR 52 24

26 6

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

library

helping hands

10 Calling all artists!

The Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band

Tuskegee Airman educated generations

Sherlock Holmes in Popular Culture

Allen Nativity Exhibit

Films—The Cold War

St. Jude Craft Fair

21 Oswald’s Raleigh Call

2nd Annual Zack Patrol

St Gabriel Holiday Boutique

22 Col. Doolittle’s Raid and

Allen Book Festival

The Dixie Swim Club

education

Allen Community Outreach

Journey of Hope

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy

Providing Hope this Holiday Season

JFK’s last doctor

Veteran’s Day.

Elementary schools’ Health Hustle mixes fun with fitness

32 CHEC Out the View

19 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

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28 contributing writers Chelsey Aprill Marjorie Burr Nicole Bywater Kirk Dickey Deborah Dove Tom Keener Dawn Bluemel Oldfield Peggy Helmick-Richardson Keith A. Taylor

32 Allen Image © 2015 by Moonlight Graphics. All rights reserved. Allen Image is published by Moonlight Graphics and individually mailed free of charge to the residents of the Allen area. Subscriptions are available to residents outside the delivery area at a rate of $2.50 per issue—$30 per year. Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to: Allen Image, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.396.0807 or visit our website at www.allenimage.com.

civic forum

Calling all artists! Allen Animal Shelter wants residents to design its new mural by Chelsey APRILL There’s nothing like walking through the door and being greeted by an eager face and a wagging tail. But step inside the lobby of the Allen Animal Shelter and you won’t get that same happy-go-lucky welcome. “It looks a little like a park ranger’s office,” admits animal control supervisor Allison Harper. Eggshell-colored paint coats the cinderblock walls, bisected by a band of khaki. Sand-colored linoleum spans the floor. A mounted bobcat—dubbed “Bob” by shelter staff—perches lazily in the corner. “We get a lot of questions about him,” says Harper. The shelter received the taxidermy display after Bob was hit by a car. “You don’t expect to see a dead animal when you come in to adopt a pet.” The drab décor hasn’t slowed down adoptions; nearly 400 pets found new homes in 2014. But when Harper learned the shelter was due for repainting, she saw an opportunity to brighten things up. “Most shelters have more color, try to be more inviting. We were about to start looking at paint chips. Then Donna suggested a contest.” Donna Dickinson, construction manager for the City of Allen, was researching potential color palettes when it occurred to her that citizens might enjoy participating in the process. “A contest just seemed like a logical solution,” says

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Dickinson. “The payoff is two-fold, as it brings awareness to the shelter while providing some much-anticipated enhancements.” The contest is open to any Allen resident age 16 or older. Contestants are asked to submit a mural design (featuring plants and animals only) using three to five colors. Entries must be submitted on poster board or heavy cardboard and must include a short essay (1-3 paragraphs) explaining the design and color choices. Contestants must also provide a sample swatch of each color used, including a name, brand and paint color number. “We don’t have a ton of windows in here,” notes Harper. “So it would be nice to see something a little brighter.” The contest will run through November 30. The winner will be notified in early 2016 and the chosen muralist will be asked to paint the mural—with paint supplied by the City of Allen—and sign it as their original art. The Animal Shelter will also honor the winner’s creativity with a commemorative plaque and other prizes. “We want it to be a happy place,” commented Harper. “If people are more comfortable here, they’re more likely to stay and spend time with our animals.” To download the contest rules and entry form, visit CityofAllen.org/MuralContest. v Chelsey Aprill is a City of Allen Marketing Specialist.

Tuskegee Airman educated generations by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON

During World War II Lieutenant Calvin Spann battled the dragons of Nazi oppression and hatred, only to return home to encounter the demons of racism and discrimination. On September 6, this distinguished and courageous hero passed away at age 90. Until the end, he proudly served his country and strived to make our nation a better home for all. Born November 28, 1924, Calvin had dreamed of being a pilot since childhood. When the U.S. joined World War II and he was 17, he volunteered. Called up by the U.S. Army Air Corps in May of 1943, he was sent to Kessler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi. Here he came face to face with a tragic and shameful reality of those years—that skill, intelligence and deter m ination were trumped by race. For no other reason than being African-American, he was not permitted to train there as a pilot. Instead, Calvin was sent to Moton Field at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Here a rigorous “experimental” training program for AfricanAmerican pilots was being offered, using far too outdated airplanes for training. After graduating from the Tuskegee program in 1944, Calvin was transferred to Walterboro, South Carolina, where he trained to fly a P-47 Thunderbolt. He was then assigned to fly combat with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group

of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Ramitelli area of southern Italy under Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. He eventually flew 26 combat missions. After the war, Calvin was stationed at Lockborne Army Air Base in Ohio, and he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until 1961.

Despite their expertise, the Tuskegee pilots were overlooked when applying for commercial flying jobs. Discouraged by constant rejections from aviation industries, this decorated pilot and war hero worked in chemical production for 20

years and then 20 additional years in pharmaceutical sales. The Spanns moved from New Jersey to Collin County in 2006. When the U.S. Congress authorized funding for the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site with Tuskegee University and the National Park Service in 1998, the American public became interested in their story. Buoyed by this recognition, Calvin began to share his Tuskegee adventures with audiences of all ages, including the Allen Public Library. His last speaking engagement was August 26, at the Crowley, Texas, library. He was inducted into both New Jersey’s and Texas’s Aviation Hall of Fame and awarded a Doctor of Public Service degree from Tuskegee University. On March 29, 2007, Calvin was on hand when President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. His military medals, uniform and hat are now on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field. Calvin’s graphic bio graphy for children, Boundless Skies: The Journey of Lt. Calvin Spann, Tuskegee Airman, written by Jonathan Singleton and illustrated by Lusine Khandilyan, v was published two years ago. Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. Allen Image | November 2015

The Allen Nativity Exhibit is a decade-long tradition that marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Families and children of all ages return year after year to pore over the delicate details of over 400 nativity sets, each artfully arranged and beautifully lit. The exhibit represents artistry from all corners of the earth—from Peru, to Jerusalem, to Ethiopia. Featured this year is an impressive array of rare Bibles and historical

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artifacts on loan by former Allen resident, Reid Moon. This collection represents 500 years of Bibles, including a Tyndale Bible from 1551, a first edition King James Bible from 1611 and a Bible owned by J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings. Examination of these sacred texts adds a depth and breadth to the long history of Christianity, and serves as a poi gnant reminder of those who have sacrificed for their faith to preserve these treasured records. Also on display is a largescale Fontanini Nativity collec tion f ro m Tuscany, Italy.

Highly valued for their intricate s hip, Fontanini detail and craftsman collections are rarely displayed on such a large scale. This particular set, which features over 2000 pieces, depicts the entire village of Bethlehem, including hand-crafted details of the Three Wise Men, a flowing creek and over 150 villagers. Attendees of the exhibit may enjoy the quiet serenity of the live nativity featuring youth from the Allen area. For some folks, it’s all about the music—they come year after year for the spirited musical performances, which are scheduled throughout the event. Community groups, schools and various church choirs from the Allen area lend their voices to enhance the feeling of the season, spreading “good tidings of great joy.” The exhibit will be on display Friday, December 4, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.7 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1324 W. Exchange Parkway, in Allen. Admission is free v and all are welcome.

Allen Image | November 2015

St. Jude Craft Fair Come one, come all! The Women of St. Jude will host the 30th annual Holiday Craft Fair on November 6 and 7. Enjoy two relaxing days of early holiday shopping where you can purchase handmade items provided by vendors from Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and Louisiana. All proceeds from the event will go to support the many charit able community projects the Women of St. Jude sponsor for the upcoming year. Talk about spreading some holiday cheer! The first 2000 shoppers will receive a free holiday tote to help carry home all the goodies. Vendors will have an abundance of holiday gift items for sale—we have expanded to two buildings! You will find exclusive handmade items including wooden furniture, decorative glass, homemade scented candles, one-of-a-kind jewelry, floral arrangements, children’s and women’s boutique clothing and

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purses, gifts for pets and babies, school spirit items, quilts, original ceramic pieces and hand painted decorative art. You will be able to pick up all the gifts for everyone on your shopping list and…get yourself a gift as well— you deserve it! Also on hand,will be a delicious

variety of homemade goodies—cakes, pies, breads and cookies—supplied by our tiny holiday angels, the Sunshine and Rainbows Early Learning Center. If you’re hungry for more, stop by the St. Jude kitchen for some lunch— shopping can really build up your appetite! The Women of St. Jude will

be featuring homemade soups, chili, baked potatoes and other yummy treats. The very popular Bistro Box will be back again this year to help us celebrate St. Jude’s 35th anniversary! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase and drawings will be held daily. Enter to win prizes donated by the craft fair vendors; winners do not have to be present to win. The AMA Food Pantry will also be collecting nonperishable food items to help everyone have a happy holiday season! There will be plenty of parking for shoppers, so bring your whole family. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 N. Greenville Avenue in Allen between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road. For more information visit the church website at www.stjudeparish. com. We can’t wait to see you there! v

2nd Annual Zack Patrol raised more than $3.8K Dancing for Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas The second annual Zack Patrol Dance Fitness Charity Event raised more than $3.8K for the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas; a $1.1K increase from last year’s inaugural event. The fundraiser was held on Saturday, September 19, at the Murphy Community Center to support the 2015 Buddy Walk sponsored by the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Licensed fitness instructors from Dallas/Ft. Worth and surrounding areas volunteered their time to help in this worthwhile cause and lead participants in a two-hour, funfilled afternoon of Zumba®, U-Jam®, and Hot Hula® fitness.

Special guests included classmates and friends of Zack, as well as members of the ECHL Allen Americans Ice Angels, under the direction of Stephanie DiBiase-Wheat. The Buckner family extends their appreciation to all those who participated in the event including community sponsors and supporters. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event benefit the 2015 Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas Buddy Walk, which is scheduled November 1 2015. The third annual Zack Patrol Charity event is being planned for September 2016. v

Allen Image | November 2015

Snippets St. Gabriel Holiday Boutique

Allen Book Festival

St. Gabriel the Archangel in McKinney will be having its 15th annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Each year the St. Gabriel’s Women’s Club sponsors the “Holiday Boutique” in November. This is an incredible shopping experience with over 80 artisans displaying and selling their unique handcrafted items.

Also available at the boutique are vendor raffles, delicious home-baked items at the bake sale booth, St. Gabriel Caring Clowns and a delicious snack bar with many lunch items. Join us at the St. Gabriel Community Center, 110 St. Gabriel Way in McKinney. For more information, please call 972.542.7170, email: holidayboutique@ stgabriel.org or visit our website at: www.stgabriel.org/ holidayboutique. v

The Dixie Swim Club The Heritage Ranch Theatre Guild proudly announces their fall presentation of “The Dixie Swim Club,” a Jones, Hope, Wooten production. You’ll laugh out loud at this outrageous comedy. Join us at Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club in Fairview, at the Clubhouse Ball Room. Performances will be on Wednesday, November 18; Thursday, November 19; and Friday, November 20. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. For further details and photos, please visit the Theater Guild website https://sites.google.com/site/ heritageranchtheaterguild/Home. v

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The second Allen Book Festival will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, November 14, at the Blue House Too at Watters Creek, 934 Market Street. Meet award-winning authors, purchase books and obtain autographs. Entrance is free. Meet Debbie Reece, Cathy Brown, Michelle Moore, Brandy Jeffus Corona, Richard Mabry, Fred Holmes, Holly Hudspeth, Bishop Tony Hall, Chance Nix, Miracle Austin, Naomi Kryske, Jema K Hill Cook, Nora Leone, Bella and Charlie Campbell, J.C. Hulsey, Charles Hemphill, Amanda M. Thrasher, Kevin Crank, Greg Shepard, Tracy Lawson, Jan Sikes, Kris Kramer and Tessa Gray. Support your local authors by attending the Allen Book Festival. Call 214.509.4911 for more information. v

Snippets

Allen Community Outreach celebrates 30 years of service September 10 was a day of looking back, celebrating, giving thanks and recognizing the accomplishments of Allen Community Outreach (ACO), a Collin County agency celebrating its 30th anniversary of helping transform lives by providing essential human and social services in our communities. Over 200 people from the community came together to recognize the accomplishments of ACO, Collin County’s only “One Stop Shop” for human service needs. A proclamation by Mayor Steve Terrell declared 2015 as “Allen Community Outreach Year.” Founding members, past board presidents and representatives from the City of Allen and Allen ISD were in attendance for the celebration. ACO also recognized a substantial group of businesses and individuals who have supported their mission over 30 years through their donations which have totaled between $30,000 and $375,000. The luncheon at the Courtyard Marriott in Allen featured keynote speaker Dr. Ruby K. Payne. Dr. Payne has written or co-authored more than a dozen books, one of which is Bridges Out of Poverty, which offers strategies for building sustainable communities. Following the luncheon, Dr. Payne led a workshop based on her training for 75 community members, including social workers, school counselors, faith based groups and interested individuals. v

Journey of Hope Celebrity Golf Chairman and former Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl football player Preston Pearson will help kick off the 13th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at Cowboys Golf Club, 1600 Fairway Drive, in Grapevine, on November 9. Registration is now open, so sign up your team today at www.johgriefsupport.org or call 972.964.1600 and have a celebrity assigned to your team. And, after the tournament, join us at the silent and live auctions and dinner. The mission of Journey of Hope Grief Support Center is to provide support at no cost for children, teens, young adults and their families as they learn to mourn the death of their loved one in a safe, caring and nurturing environment. Together we can help children’s hearts begin to heal. Call 972.964.1600 to volunteer, or for information about attending a support group. v

Snippets

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

Time for Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy

For many years, one of the major events kicking off

Remember to

the Christmas holiday season in Allen is the

save Time for

Pancake Breakfast with Santa provided by the Allen

Tea—with the

Kiwanis Club and Allen High School Key Club. The

Sugar Plum

first weekend in December includes the breakfast as

Fairy! It’s

well as the Rudolph 5K run sponsored by the City

never too

of Allen and the Allen Rotary Christmas Parade.

early to start marking the calendar for your favorite holiday traditions, especially ones presented by Allen Civic Ballet. This year, your chance to have Tea

This year the Pancake Breakfast with Santa will be held in the First Baptist Church, on Cedar Street just north of McDermott. Pancakes, sausage and drinks will be served from 7-11 a.m. on Saturday, December 5.

with the Sugar Plum Fairy promises all of the grandeur and treats from the Snow Queen’s Kingdom on Saturday, December 5, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Allen. There will be two tea times: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

A special treat for children—Santa is available to

Guests will be served tea, lemonade and sweet treats while

hear their wishes and they can have their photo

Mother Ginger tells the story of The Nutcracker.

taken with him. As usual, Mrs. Claus will also be there. “With the new photo processing and scenery planned for this year, the Santa photos will be even better,” says Ben Blair, chairman of the event. Music and entertainment will also be provided.

Allen Civic Ballet dancers will be in full costume, ready to visit each table, pose for pictures and sign autographs on anything from toe shoes to Christmas ornaments. Guests will even have the opportunity to purchase their very own commemorative nutcracker figurine in anticipation of The Nutcracker, presented

Advance tickets are available for a donation of $6

by Allen Civic Ballet on December 19 and 20 at the Performing

adult, $3 child (age 5-9) from any Kiwanis member,

Arts Center. You can start making reservations in mid-

or $7 and $4 at the door. All proceeds benefit the

November. The cost is $20 per person and all children must be

many programs of the club, primarily supporting

accompanied by an adult.

the needs of children in the community.

Make sure to visit AllenCivicBallet.org or like them on

For additional information, go to www.allenkiwanis.

Facebook.com/AllenCivicBallet to get the latest information

org or call 214.495.0488. v

and updates. v

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library

The Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band

You can lasso yourself some out standing western swing music at 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 20, at the library. Famous for their sizzling harmonies and inspiring good humor, Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band can corral the wildest mustangs for a delightful toe-tapping evening. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band is comprised of Lauralee Northcott on bass, Jennifer Epps on harmonica and percussion and Judy Coder on rhythm guitar. Stirring up the dust at the British Columbia Cowboy Heritage Society and the Country Music Hall in Branson, Missouri, Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band has an international following. For over four years, Lauralee hosted the Dollar Watch Cowboy Show, a

by Tom KEENER

radio program airing in Washington state that featured cowboy music, cowboy poetry, true stories and tall tales. When not chasing cows on horseback while working as a ranch hand, Jennifer Epps is a guide in the Pasayten Wilderness, which lies within the Okanogan National Forest and Mount Baker National Forest. In 2001, Judy Coder garnered the title of 2001 Western Music Association (WMA) International Yodeling Champion. In 2008, she was named Yodeler of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists, and she reclaimed the title of WMA International Yodeling Champion. Lauralee explains, “Western swing

is cowboy music with a back beat! Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band loves to rock to the western rhythm, spunky hot jazz chords and earthy message of great western swing music.” The Western Music Association named Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band the winner of the Harmony Trio of the Year in both 2009 and 2010 and presented them the Crescendo Award in 2009. And, in 2012, they were finalists for the WMA Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Entertainers of the Year. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. Allen Image | November 2015

Sherlock Holmes In Popular Culture

The Cold War

For Sherlock-ians, accepting clues at face value can be challenging, but there are times when the facts are fascinating and far from elementary. Symbolizing genius and highly intuitive investigative skills, Sherlock Holmes remains a worldwide enduring hero. Starring Ian McKellen, the recent release of Mr. Holmes is a vivid reminder that the works of Arthur Conan Doyle as depicted by Sherlock Holmes are hugely popular. A Sherlock Holmes symposium will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, November 7, at the library. Author of Cat In An Ultramarine Scheme and 62 novels, Carole Nelson Douglass and Don Hobbs are among the keynote speakers. Carole Nelson Douglas is master storyteller of mystery, thriller, romance, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiction, urban fantasy and science fiction. Don Hobbs owns the largest collection of foreign editions of Sherlock Holmes in the world and will discuss some of the critiques, papers and published works on Sherlock Holmes. This free program is sponsored by Bach to Books and The Crew of the Barque. v

All films are free and begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the library. Call 214.509.4905 for information.

November 3 Fail-Safe, (1964), starring Walter Matthau, Henry Fonda and Larry Hagman. American planes are sent to deliver a nuclear attack on Moscow, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a mistake due to an electrical malfunction. Can all-out war be averted?

November 10 Dr. Strangelove, (1964), starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, James Earl Jones and Slim Pickens. An insane general triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically try to prevent. The final scene is considered one of the most sensational endings in cinematic history.

November 17 The Spy Who Came In from the Cold, (1965), starring Richard Burton, Oskar Werner and Claire Bloom. British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the cold war during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one.

November 24 The Ipcress File, (1965), starring Michael Caine, Nigel Green and Guy Doleman. In London, a counterespionage agent confronts his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists. v

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Oswald’s Raleigh Call Just hours before his death on November 23, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald tried to call Raleigh, North Carolina, from the Dallas jail. For years, this significant information was ignored by assassination investigators and concealed from the public. In the early 1980s, independent researcher Dr. Grover Proctor broke new ground on Oswald’s attempted call. Because of Dr. Proctor’s work, Oswald’s attempt to reach former U.S. Intelligence Officer John Hurt has become known as, “The Raleigh Call.” The call itself was first disclosed to the public in the 1975 in Coup d’Etat in America, after a copy of a call slip created by one of the jail’s switchboard operators was made available by a Freedom of Information lawsuit. During a train trip in 1980, Dr. Proctor was engrossed in Anthony Summers’ book about the assassination, Conspiracy, when he came to a description of the call slip, which said, “The note reportedly shows that Oswald booked a call to area code 919.”

Proctor says, “I remember being pulled up short and thinking, ‘Something about that sounds familiar.’ Then I realized that 919 was the area code for Raleigh, my hometown.” Proctor later dialed the first number on the phone slip and found himself speaking with John D. Hurt. To learn the fascinating results of the investigation that started with that phone call, come and hear Dr. Proctor’s intriguing story Thursday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., at the library. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free.

JFK’s last doctor

Parkland Hospital surgeon Dr. Robert N. McClelland was on duty November 22, 1963, when the severely injured President John F. Kennedy was rushed to the emergency room. Dr. McCelland will share his observations of the assassination that shocked the world at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12, at the library. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. Then in his early 30s, Dr. McClelland was in an upstairs room with hospital residents when the alert came. “They just called from the emergency room and said the president’s been shot. They need everybody downstairs,” Dr. McClelland recalled. Dr. McClelland never forgot the avalanche of people that galloped into the operating room area. Doctors, nurses, agents with the FBI and Secret Service packed the room. First Lady Jackie Kennedy was sitting on a folding chair while the medical team attempted to help her husband. The chain of events unfolded suddenly and the noble attempts to save the president proved to be futile. As one of President Kennedy’s attending physicians that day, Dr. McClelland has a unique insight into what occurred in the trauma room. 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 | November 2015

America’s morale was as decimated as its naval fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On April 1, 1942, Petty Officer Victor Egger was aboard the USS Hornet, one of a small number of carriers remaining in the entire naval fleet. The Hornet was well out to sea before the ship’s commander announced the secret mission: to sail 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean and launch a daring air raid on Tokyo. America’s destiny was in balance. On April 18, 1942, Col. Doolittle led the daring and audacious raid against Japan. Because of the amount

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of fuel required, this was a one-way trip. Petty Officer Egger had a direct role in the launch of the bombers from the USS Hornet. From inside the carrier ’s tower, he relayed the “go” order from the commander to the officer in charge of the flight deck by signaling with a green flag. Perfect timing and coordin ation were required, there was no room for mistakes. Although the raids had limited military success, American confidence was galvanized. Some Japanese forces were relocated to protect the island that led to a stunning victory at the Battle of Midway. Hear retired Commander Victor Egger ’s account of those historic moments, honor our Veterans, and enjoy the Allen Community Band perform a medley of patriotic songs at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, at the Allen Public Library. County Judge Keith Self will help introduce Mr. Egger. All veterans are encouraged to participate. This free program is sponsored by Bach to Books, VFW Armistice Memorial Post 2195, General Bernardo

de Galvez Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Allen Community Band. During the program, veterans will be invited to present the colors and stand when the theme song of their branch of service is played. Call 214.509.4911 for more information. The library is located at v 300 N. Allen Drive. Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Dr. Todd Pollock and his now retired father, Dr. Harlan Pollock, achieved international acclaim for revolutionizing the tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty)—one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. For the past two decades their modification, which they call “progressive tension sutures,” has allowed the surgery to be done without drains, fewer complications and quicker recovery. Their technique has revolutionized the tummy tuck operation and given them international recognition as true innovators in plastic surgery. Dr. Todd Pollock, downplays their accomplishments, “Our progressive tension sutures are really just a very simple modification which, as it turns out, has significant effects on decreasing complications and improving the overall patient experience.” Because of the popularity of their drain-free procedure, tummy tuck has become the most common surgery Dr. Todd Pollock performs. And because of his innovative nature, he continues to refine the tummy tuck procedure to improve his result. “So often, I see unnatural abdominoplasty results as the traditional technique emphasizes pulling the skin tight without regard to the natural contours. This often leaves the patient with a featureless abdomen and an unattractive belly button which is a tell-tale sign of tummy tuck,” Dr. Pollock says. “But if you evaluate the ‘ideal’ female abdomen, it’s not featureless.” Dr. Pollock has identified various elements of the “ideal” abdomen and developed ways to recreate them in abdominoplasty. “It is important to show or at least mimic the underlying abdominal musculature and bone structure,” he explains. “Also, the belly button must have a natural appearance and a hidden scar. My goal is to give a patient a natural appearance and not an operated one.” Of course, women come in all shapes and sizes and not every element can be achieved in all patients. “You’re not going to get the ideal abdomen in every patient. Some women are just too thin and others too big,” he says. “But it is important to make an effort to try to reconstruct these elements to the degree possible.” Tummy tuck is often combined with breast rejuvenation to address common changes women see with childbearing. This combination is often referred to as a “Mommy Makeover” which has become the practice’s signature operation.

With over 17 years of experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Pollock has been an active contributor to the local medical community having served as president of the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Dallas County Medical Society and the president of the medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Allen. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He is dedicated to helping improve lives through the art and innovation of his specialty. “The practice of plastic surgery is extremely gratifying and I’m pleased when I’m able to make a difference in patients’ lives through surgery,” Dr. Pollock explains. North Dallas Plastic Surgery has locations in Allen and North Dallas. For more information or an appointment, visit www.drpollock.com, or call 214.509.0270 for the Allen office, or 214.363.2575 for the Dallas office.

feature

Put the in

“GIVING”

Thanksgiving

by Deborah DOVE As many families around Allen prepare for Thanksgiving—defrosting the turkey, making pies and setting the table with good china to welcome friends and family—other families in our community are wondering how they’re going to feed their children dinner, much less put on a huge Thanksgiving spread. With a family median income of $113,025 (well above the national median income of $64,585), a low unemployment rate and shopping centers on practically every corner, the thought of families going hungry in Allen seems improbable. However, the Allen Community Outreach gave out 500,000 pounds of food last year and is expecting double the usual number of families needing help this holiday season, and other area food pantries report an increase in need this year that they anticipate will carry over into the holidays. Luckily, when people in Allen, Fairview or Lucas lose their job, suffer an illness or fall on hard times, there are three food pantries in Allen that can help—the ACO Food Pantry located at 801 E. Main Street, the food pantry run by the Allen Ministerial Alliance that is housed at St. Jude Catholic Church at 1515 N. Greenville Avenue and the First Baptist Church of Allen food pantry located at 201 E.

Requested Food Items Gift Cards for Frozen Turkeys ($15) • Canned Hams Bisquick/flour • Corn Meal/Corn Muffin Mix Canned Pie Filling • Pie Crust Mix Canned Evaporated Milk • Canned Veggies Jell-O or Pudding Mix • Marshmallows French Fried Onion Strings • Stuffing Mix Yams/Sweet Potatoes • Canned Fruit Instant Mashed Potatoes • Rice • Dried Beans Canned Pumpkin • Canned Gravy/Gravy packets Creamed soup • Cranberry sauce • Broth • Sugar Canned Milk • Foil Roasting Pans / Pie Pans Dessert Mix (Cake Mix/Icing, Cookies, Brownies)

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McDermott. Although independently run, all three pantries work together to ensure that those who are hungry in the community are given food.

Allen Community Outreach ACO’s food pantry started six years ago. What started as a small closet filled with food to be given to clients in an emergency situation quickly turned into a full-fledged food pantry with its own building, a walk-in cooler made possible by a large donation from First United Methodist Church of Allen, a refrigerated truck, a staff manager and countless volunteers. Unlike the other two food pantries, ACO operates a “choice pantry” that is set up like a grocery mart, where clients get a grocery cart and choose the items they want based on their family’s preferences. In 2009, ACO partnered with the North Texas Food Bank who helps stock their shelves. Their affiliation was instrumental in allowing ACO to become part of the national non-profit “Feeding America” program, in which member organizations partner with area grocery stores to get food that is about to be discarded and overstock items that can be distributed through ACO’s food pantry. “We get 2,000 pounds of meat a week and at least as much in fresh produce,” says Marjorie Burr, director of community development for ACO. “We also get ‘care and share’ items such as laundry detergent and shampoo.” She adds that local gardeners and Sprouts also contribute fresh produce, while canned goods mostly come from community donations. In addition, ACO runs several special programs, including a huge summer food program for kids and a holiday food program that distributes special bags of groceries stocked with all the necessary items to create a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, including a fresh or frozen turkey.

FBC of Allen Food Pantry Like ACO, the food pantry at First Baptist Church of Allen partners with the North Texas Food Bank and also receives overflow food from ACO. Technically a choice pantry, it operates a bit differently in that clients select what they want

from a list of available items, which are then boxed up for them. While volunteers fill their order, they can shop for fresh bread, dairy and other fresh food from several coolers and refrigerators. Unlike many other food pantries who limit shopping trips to once a month, clients who qualify based on their income can come to FBC twice a month. The First Baptist food pantry was started in 2003 when the church noticed a need for it. “Our goal is to share the love of Christ and give hope,” says Shonda Smith, who manages the food pantry. Currently serving approximately 65 families a month, and up to 90 during their busiest times, the FBC food pantry also distributes backpacks throughout the school year which are filled with kid-friendly foods and sent home with qualifying children at area schools each weekend. They also provide holiday meal boxes during November and December with everything needed to make a holiday meal, from the turkey to the pan to cook it in.

AMA/Allen Food Pantry The third and oldest food pantry in Allen is operated by the Allen Ministerial Alliance, a faith-based organization in the community that serves neighbors who are out of work, grandparents caring for grandchildren, foster families, soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan, ISIS refugees or loved ones having financial difficulty. As of August 31, the AMA food pantry had served 1,075 families (4,621 people). They provide emergency food assistance to Title I schools and food during the summer to families with children who would normally receive food at school. Like the other area food pantries, they provide supplemental Thanksgiving baskets to clients during the holiday season. The food pantry at St. Jude is 100% volunteer-based, and they are currently seeking volunteers to work shifts, stock shelves, keep the pantry stocked with specific designated items, submit receipts for reimbursement and pick up donated prepared food from local restaurants and grocery stores. They are also soliciting help from the

community with their Pantry Garden located in the back of their facility to provide fresh produce to their clients, as well as donations for their Thanksgiving program. Can you help? All three food pantries welcome volunteers, and all would love the community’s help in the form of donations of food for their holiday food drive or grocery store gift cards that can be used to purchase a turkey. Information on drop off locations and how to volunteer are below. During this season, please remember that “giving” is an integral part of Thanksgiving.

Donate/Volunteer ACO Food Pantry—801 East Main St. Drop off Thanksgiving food donations at the food pantry Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. by November 19. To volunteer, visit www.acocares.org

FBC/Allen Food Pantry— 201 E. McDermott Drop off Thanksgiving food donations, monetary donations and/or grocery store gift cards at the food pantry during open hours—Sundays 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays 10-11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m.—or at the church office all other times. To volunteer, email Shonda Smith at shondasmith356@yahoo.com

AMA/Allen Food Pantry—1515 N. Greenville Ave. (behind St. Jude Catholic Church) Drop off Thanksgiving food donations and gift cards at food pantry during open hours—Mondays and Thursdays 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays 9-11:30 a.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. To volunteer, email amafoodpantry@yahoo. com or call 214.644.2090. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | November 2015

kids korner

Crafting for Christmas by Deborah DOVE The holidays are right around the corner. Get a head start with these craft ideas and craftastic opportunities that will entertain your kids while whittling away at your shopping list.

CRAFTING AT HOME Holiday Coffee Sleeves (these make great gifts for teachers, parents and grandparents) Buttons Felt Fabric glue Solid colored or striped socks Cut a four-inch section from the top of the sock to form a cup cozy. Using fabric glue, embellish with buttons, cut-out felt snowflakes, or a snowman made from two slightly differentsized buttons with a tiny felt scarf glued in between (a thin strip of felt with the ends fringed). Slip onto to-go cups or tumblers.

Bottlecap Magnets Fill a bottle cap with mini-fingerprint artwork or wrapping paper scraps to make a collection of adorable magnets perfect for grandparents. You’ll need: White cardstock Clear Con-Tact paper Inkpad Glue Small magnets 1-in. circle punch Markers Scraps of gift wrap Assorted metal bottle caps For fingerprint art, have children make designs using inkpads, their fingers, and markers (try snowmen, Christmas lights or reindeer). Set aside to dry. When ink is dry, cover the fingerprint design with a small square of clear Con-Tact paper, then punch out using a 1-inch circle punch. Glue the small paper punch to the inside of the bottle cap. Glue a magnet onto the top of the bottle cap. If using gift wrap scraps, glue the gift wrap to white cardstock, cover with a square of clear Con-Tact paper, then punch out and attach to bottle caps.

Christmas I-Spy Bottles Recycled water bottle Poly-pellets stuffing beads Christmas and winter themed buttons, beads, foam cutouts, etc. After cleaning the bottle and letting it dry completely, fill with the stuffing beads and holiday items. Plan ahead what items you want to place in the bottle and keep a list that can be typed up and laminated later so your kids know what to search for!

Birdseed Ornaments 4 c. birdseed Cookie cutters Cookie sheet 3/4 c. flour Parchment paper 2 straws 3 Tbs. corn syrup Cooking spray Twine 1/2 c. water 1 envelope unflavored gelatin In a large bowl, mix together the flour, water, corn syrup and gelatin to form a smooth paste. Slowly add the birdseed to the paste and combine until the birdseed is fully coated. Place the cookie cutters on a parchment paper-lined pan and coat the cookie cutters with cooking spray. Spoon the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters. Press the mixture down firmly with the back on the spoon to pack the mixture into the cookie cutters as tightly as possible. Cut straws into 3-inch segments and press the straw into the top one-fourth of the birdseed-filled cookie cutter. Leave the straw in

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the ornament and allow to dry for 3 to 4 hours. Once the birdseed ornaments have dried, take out the straw and carefully remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters. Allow to harden overnight. Once the ornaments are fully dry, run a piece of twine through the hole at the top of the ornament. Hang in a tree for the birds to enjoy or give as a gift that gives twice.

Crayon drip ornaments Clear glass ornaments Crayons Hair dryer Remove paper labels from crayons and break into small pieces. Remove the top of the ornament and drop 3-4 crayon pieces inside in the color combination of your choice. With hairdryer setting on high, blow heat on the ornament, turning the ornament as you blow so that the crayons drip inside. Be careful not to hold the heat onto one spot for too long or the glass will get too hot to hold. When you’ve achieved the desired effect, shake the remaining crayon bits out of the ornament and replace top.

CRAFTING OUTSIDE THE HOME The Groovy Coop Crafternoons—109 S. Tennessee, McKinney Parents can get some shopping done while kids ages 5-11 make a “retro-themed” craft at the Groovy Coop, with holiday giftmaking throughout all of December. Craft time is offered every Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and costs $10 per child per hour (for a maximum of two hours), with two different crafts per Saturday that alternate each hour. Call ahead at 469.617.3820 to reserve, as there are only eight spots available each hour.

Walls of Clay PJs & Projects—211 N. Kentucky, McKinney Drop the kids off at Walls of Clay on Friday, November 13, from 7-9:30 p.m. where they’ll paint a Santa mug and make fused glass ornaments—perfect for teacher gifts! PJs encouraged. Fee of $40 includes supplies and a snack. Call ahead to reserve space or register online at www.wallsofclaymckinney.com .

Color Me Mine—3401 Preston, Frisco Shop Black Friday sales without the kids while they enjoy painting a holiday candy dispenser, watching a movie, and pizza on Friday, November 27, from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $32 and includes project supplies, pizza, drinks and fun. Register online at frisco. colormemine.com or call 972.668.6201.

Michaels—Watters Creek in Allen and at the southwest corner of 75 and University in McKinney Stop by Michaels for Fun Family Craft Time or Kids Club (every Saturday), where kids can make a variety of fall (during November) or holiday-themed (during December) crafts and gifts. Kids Club activities take about 20 minutes to complete and cost $2 per child ages three and up (cost covers supplies). Parents can shop in the store while their child completes the craft. Fun Family Craft Time offers an opportunity for families to complete a craft together and generally costs $5-10. Check the calendar at www.michaels.com for a schedule of crafts. v

education

Elementary schools’ Health Hustle mixes fun with fitness by Keith A. TAYLOR

It’s not unusual for hundreds of people to attend an event at the Southfork Ranch, the host of happenings ranging from concerts to society galas. However, a late September event at the ranch drew that many for an arguably more important reason—family fitness and healthy lifestyles. The second annual 2015 Healthy Zone, Fuel Up to Play 60 Health Hustle invited families from Chandler, Kerr and Marion Elementary Schools to

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learn about health and wellness resources available in the community— all while having a little fun. Saying it was a success is an understatement: More than 2,000 family members and students from the three schools and more than 120 vendors were there to learn about and endorse healthy lifestyles. “The whole point of any of our programs or initiatives is to promote healthy lifestyles and provide our students with fitness options that

mesh with their personalities,” said Chandler physical education instructor Jamee Little. By promoting the health of their students through innovative initiatives, Little and Marion PE coach Kera Williams received national recognition and a trip to Washington D.C. in October for receiving 2015 National Healthy Schools Award recognition from The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance, founded by the American Heart

Association and the Clinton Foundation, provides schools with guidance, professional development, access to national experts and other resources to create healthy campuses. That’s not all, though. The schools also won the 2015 Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award. The Active Schools initiative is a part of the larger national Let’s Move! Initiative. To earn a Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award, a school must have met significant benchmarks in five areas: physical education; physical activity before and after school; physical activity during school; staff involvement; and family and com munity engagement. “We are very proud of the students and staff at Chandler and Marion who helped win the National Active Schools Award. They set an example for all of us to take a more healthy approach to our daily routine. The commitment these students are making now to daily physical activity will create habits that benefit them for many years to come,” said Dr. Lance Hindt, Allen ISD Superintendent. “These awards exemplify the coordinated efforts of both campuses and the Allen Independent School District’s commitment to the health and wellness of students, staff and community,” said Melinda Smith, Allen ISD Coordinator of School Health. Besides the awards, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Cooper Institute recognize both campuses as Healthy Zone Schools. “We are constantly looking for ways to promote health and fitness with our students,” Williams said, “These types of programs open up new possibilities and opportunities to reach every student.” Williams and Little began working together on health initiatives about five years ago. They shared a common interest in promoting the appeal of their PE programs. In the course of their research to find programs to promote student health and fitness, they discovered the Healthy

Zone Schools pro gram and began the steps to receive the organization’s campus designation. Not long after the two wards, campuses also began participating in the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative designed to encourage kids to eat healthy food and play 60 minutes a day. “Eventually, we started looking around to see what else was out there. It occurred to us that many businesses and organizations in the community provided services promoting healthy lifestyles,” Little said. So, they began planning what

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would become the first Health Hustle in the fall of 2014. In just two years, the popularity of the event has skyrocketed. The first Hustle was held in the Allen Event Center and more than 90 vendors participated. “We wanted to have it where everyone could participate, but we didn’t want to favor one campus by having it at one of the schools,” Williams said. The event was so popular, they moved it to SouthFork Ranch in 2015. “We have been surprised and gratified by the response to the Health Hustle,” Little said. “It’s a lot of work. Planning for this year’s event began in March. It’s like having a second job to put the Health Hustle together.” Little said that all the hard work pays off. “One of the best parts is hearing feedback from the parents about how much they enjoyed the event. They often also say they were not aware of all the fitness activities available in Allen,” she said. “The kids though are

just beaming. They get so excited about the event before it begins and can’t wait for next year’s.” Success usually encourages growth, and the Health Hustle is no different. This year Kerr Elementary joined the event adding more than 600 additional families into the mix. “After the success of the first event, Lisa (Yost, the PE teacher at Kerr Elementary) called and asked if

she could help with this year’s Hustle,” Williams said. “We said, ‘sure. The more, the merrier.’ However, we also realized that there was a practical limit to how large we could get. We still have to teach, after all.” Adding more schools would be unwieldy, so Little, Williams and Yost are working with campus health chief Melinda Smith to see how the success can be expanded to other campuses. “We could never have a districtwide Health Hustle,” Williams said. “The district is just too big. However, we have encountered so many great ideas, initiatives and programs that I am sure all of our elementary schools will benefit.” In a few short weeks, Little, Williams and Yost will begin planning for the third annual event. They know the planning will be hard work. “There is a real payoff, though,” Little said. “Just walk through our campus after the event. The kids are excited. They’re wearing their Health Hustle t-shirts. It’s a great feeling to see how they react to something we’ve v worked so hard building.” Keith Taylor is a public relations specialist for Allen ISD.

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CHEC

Out the View

Collin Higher Education Center offers a world of opportunities close to home by Kirk DICKEY

Throughout the day, groups of students gather in the lobby, enjoying the light and the plush furniture to talk between the classes that will help them earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. That’s where you could find Arwa Muhammad most days when the Allen special education resident teacher was between classes at the center. Muhammad said the students in her early childhood education classes always seemed to gather in small groups in the comfy seats around the building to go over assignments, work on lessons or prepare notes during seminars. Muhammad is working on her bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree from Texas A&M UniversityCommerce and attends the Collin Higher Education Center, which is located in McKinney at the corner of U.S. Highway 75 and the Sam Rayburn Tollway. Her degree requires that she also attend special education teaching seminars in Commerce about once a month, but Muhammad said that the option to take most of her classes at CHEC was a big help. According to Dr. Bob Collins, who chairs the Collin College Board of Trustees, “There was a time when a student with a full-time job could commute to a university after work for night classes. Today, that’s nearly impossible because of gridlock on the highways. We created CHEC so

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our students could complete associate degrees at Collin College and then earn university degrees without leaving Collin County. Clearly, it’s working.” For Muhammad who enjoys living in Allen, taking all the classes she could at CHEC made sense. That wasn’t the only reason she liked taking classes in McKinney, though. “The professors there were amazing, so once I started there, I continued,” she said. “It was closer. I didn’t have to move, and I wasn’t losing the standard of education by staying at CHEC.” That standard of education is maintained because of the partnerships between Collin College and the universities that share space in CHEC, including Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, The University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas. “The Collin Higher Education Center is a perfect extension of higher education, connecting our associate degree graduates with these university programs,” Collin College Executive Vice President Dr. Brenda Kihl said. “We believe collaborating with exceptional universities is one way to provide much-needed services to our students seeking higher degrees.” As part of that service, each of the partner universities maintains an office at CHEC, where university staff members meet with students to offer guidance on admissions, registration, financial aid and university policies as well as help with any other needs the students might have in pursuing their degree. Although Collin College owns the facility, the students who come through the center are enrolled with the partner universities. Likewise, each university employs its own professors to teach classes at the center. By employing their own professors, the universities can be assured that the students are exposed to the same academic rigor that they could expect from attending their home campuses.

The partner universities offer dozens of degree plans ranging from a bachelor’s degree in accounting to a master ’s of business administration or a Ph.D. in counseling, all from Collin County’s first and only university center. Texas Woman’s University is taking advantage of the center ’s teleconferencing rooms to offer a master’s of healthcare administration that has only been available in Houston prior to this year. The professors

teaching the class will split time between the CHEC building and the Houston TWU campus, with students at both locations getting some in-person instruction and some teleconferenced instruction. Bringing new opportunities to the residents of Collin County was one reason the university center was built five years ago. Since that time, enrollment at the center has tripled. That may be in part because Collin College students are seeing the benefits

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of continuing their educations through one of the CHEC partnerships. If a student takes the required courses at one of Collin College’s other campuses before transferring to one of the CHEC

partner universities, the cost savings can be substantial. “For students, the bottom line is cost savings,” said Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin.

“Collin College has the lowest tuition in the state, and we are committed to a model that doesn’t leave students paying on loan debt for the rest of their lives.” By coming to the CHEC rather than commuting or uprooting their life to attend a university on its home campus, students like Muhammad also save money on gas, rent and other expenses. “It’s easy to save money here,” Dr. Kihl said. “There are smaller class sizes. You don’t pay for parking. You can still work. You can still live at home.” For students attending classes at the university center, the most important benefits are the degrees they will receive. However, the four-story building also has an inspirational view. Whenever a student is stressed out by a test or a hard assignment, all he has to do to remember why he is working so hard is to look up. Learn more about the Collin Higher Education Center and see all of the degree plans offered there at www. collin.edu/chec. v Kirk Dickey is a public relations writer for Collin College. Photos: Nick Young, Collin College.

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helping hands

Providing Hope This Holiday Season by Marjorie Vaneskahian BURR

Thankfully many of us never know the feeling of real hunger, or the hopelessness and the fear of being homeless. However many of our friends and neighbors face crises each and every day and we may not even recognize their despair. Hunger and homelessness looks different in our communities than what we typically think when we imagine poverty.

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Allen Community Outreach (ACO) sees hundreds of families each month coming to our Food Pantry and meeting with our caseworkers in the office for assistance with rent and utilities, job counseling, medical assistance and other emergency services. These tragedies don’t take a break during the holidays, adding to stress that families already face. When you can’t feed your children, can’t find a job and can’t pay your rent, not being able to prepare a big Thanksgiving dinner or purchase toys for your kids at Christmas are not options. Last year, I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from the ACO office with my ten-year-old in tow, a few days before Thanksgiving to pick up a few last minute things for our own holiday dinner. I was wearing my ACO Food Pantry shirt. A woman came up to me in the store that I did not recognize and asked if she could hug me. Surprised and caught off

guard, I said “Sure, but why?” She only had a turkey in her cart. She said this was the first time in more than three years that her children would have turkey or even a special meal for

Thanksgiving and it was because of the food and gift card for a turkey that she had gotten the day before at ACO. She gave me a hug, said thank you for all that you do and quickly walked

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away with tears in her eyes. I didn’t have the opportunity to tell her it wasn’t because of me—it was because she lived in a caring and generous community that wanted to help their neighbors. It was because of the donations we had received from other families and individuals, businesses, churches and people that cared. My son grabbed my arm and reached over and said, “I want to hug you too! I am glad that ACO helps moms like her.” I smiled, with tears in my eyes and said “me too.” Three programs of ACO assist families when they may need it most— during the holiday season. First, the Holiday Food Program provides bags of groceries for families to celebrate the season with a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. All of the food items needed and a turkey or gift card for meat are distributed to hundreds of local families the week before Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas. This is made possible through food and cash donations made to the ACO Food Pantry. A special holiday needs list is available online. Second is the ACO Christmas Adoption Program. Beginning in October of this year, families needing assistance met with a caseworker in the ACO office to fill out wish lists for the children. Moms and Dads provide a list of items their children need most, including their clothing sizes and a special toy or gift that child would like to receive if they are adopted. Adopters can go online and request to adopt a child, teen or senior and receive that wish list to shop for the items needed. All of the information for this program is available at www.acocares.org. Third, we have the Toys for Our Tots Drive, which begins the day after Thanksgiving and ends on December 12. New, unwrapped toys are collected at Allen Fire Stations, ACO and locations around town. These toys are given to children in our area and do not leave Collin County. Please consider supporting this drive to

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ensure that the toys and gifts that you donate help our children in need locally and don’t leave our area. Please remember these three programs this holiday season. I know I will remember that mom in the grocery store that day, and the many more families I see every year during the holiday food and gift distribution through ACO. Without your support we cannot provide hope or prevent hunger and homelessness. For more

information, or to make a secure online donation, visit www.acocares.org or Allen Community Outreach at 801 E. Main Street in Allen. From the staff, volunteers and many grateful families at Allen Community Outreach, we hope you v have a very happy holiday. Marjorie Vaneskahian Burr is the Director of Community Development at ACO.

MARKET PLACE

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pet page

“Dolce” Dolce has been an outside dog his entire life and only socialized with his sister who recently passed away, so Dolce is lonely. He would do best in a home with no cats and as the only dog, and with a family that could give him undivided attention! He loves people and is good with his human 2-year-old brother, but he would probably do better in a home with older, more considerate children. He is currently living outside with his owner, but will be going into the shelter soon without a foster or adopter. All adopters must pass LHS guidelines to adopt. Dolce’s adoption fee has been sponsored and he is waiting for his forever home.

Dolce is fully vetted, heartworm negative and up to date on all vaccines. He was recently groomed getting ready for his new home. He needs very little excercise, but he does require a yard with a fence. You can apply to meet Dolce at http://legacyhumanesociety.org/ adoptfoster/adoption-application/. v

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MARKET PLACE

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calendar

october 31 Heritage Ranch Fall Market, 10 am3 pm, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. Get a jump on your Holiday Shopping and enjoy lunch at the Heritage Ranch Country Club. For more information: www.heritageranchgolf.com

november CITY OF ALLEN Allen Event Center Tickets on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at the Allen Event Center box office. For more information, visit www. alleneventcenter.com. 7-8 Tier 1 Gun Show 10

Allen Americans vs Wichita

Allen Americans vs Colorado

Allen Americans vs Tulsa

Disney On Ice

27-28

Disney On Ice

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Parks and Recreation Events 7/21Saturday Night Rec N Roll, Joe Farmer Recreation Center is hosting a fun and safe social program every Saturday for students in 3rd through 6th grade. Gym games, music, dodge ball, dancing, pool, table tennis, theme nights, contests and prizes. Supervision is provided and concessions are available. An ID card (annual $5 fee) is required to par ticipate. Walk up admission available for $10 at the door. 9 Veterans Day Celebration, 9-10:30 am, Allen Senior Recreation Center. Free event that will honor those who have and continue to serve our great country. Enjoy coffee, donuts, the Color Guard and special Patriotic Music by Marion Elementary Choir. 13 Midnight Madness Basketball, 9 pm-midnight, Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Exciting night of open basketball play! Everyone has heard of Midnight Madness but now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your turn to experience the fun! There will be a 3v3 tournament open to the first seven teams.

13 SNAP Dance (Texas County Night) SNAP your fingers and shuffle your feet at this Special Needs and Adapted Program! Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. Register early, the fee increases to $15 at 5 pm the Wednesday prior to each dance. For more information, contact Keith Marchand at kmarchand@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4714. 28 The Great Turkey Skate. noon4 pm, Allen Community Ice Rink. Various Thanksgiving-themed, on-ice games and activities will be played. Games include Turkey Bowling, Turkey Dice and a coloring section can be expected. All on-ice par ticipants must wear skates. Bring a non-perishable item and receive a free skate rental. All ages are welcome to this familyfriendly event.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Youth Services The fall weekly story time session ends Thursday, November 19. Weekly story times will resume in January 2016 Please call 214.509.4906.

Baby and Me—For pre-walkers with an adult, Thursdays, 10:15 am. Fun Ones—For 1 year-olds with an adult, Mondays & Tuesdays, 10:15 am. Together Time—For 2-6 year-olds with an adult, Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:15 am, Wednesdays, 10:15 am. All By Myself—For 4-5 year-olds without an adult or caregiver, Wednesdays, 11:15 am Pajama Story Time—For 2-6 year-olds and family, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7 pm.

Youth Programs 7 Family Game Day, 4-5:30 pm, for families with children of all ages. Strengthen strategic thinking skills and family bonds. We have games for all ages. 9 American Girl Club, 4-5 pm, ages 7-12. Celebrate your favorite American Girl with crafts, snacks and more! 12 Teen Anime Trivia Evening, 6:308 pm, ages 12-18. Enjoy an evening of trivia based on popular anime series and characters, Japanese snacks and fun! 14 Crafternoon, 2:30-4 pm, ages 3 and up with an adult. Make as many masterpieces as you like at this comeand-go program. Caregivers must stay with children under age 9. 20 Doctor Who Party, 4:30-5:30 pm, ages 9-18. Hello, fellow Whovians! You’re invited to the BEST par ty in all of Time and Space.

21 Lego Family Fun Day, 10:3011:30 am, ages 5 and up with their families. Bring your parents and create with Legos at the library! 24 Thanksgiving Special Story Time, 2-2:45 pm, for all ages. Celebrate thankfulness as we share our favorite stories and songs about food and family gatherings.

Adults 4 Noontime Pageturners, 12-1 pm, 2nd floor program room. The Things that Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley. Bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! No registration required. Call 214.509.4913. 4 Food for Thought: Holiday Casseroles, 7 pm, 1st floor meeting room. Food for Thought Café staff present a session on making tasty casseroles for the holidays. Recipes and samples will be provided. Ages 16+. Free, no registration. Limited to first 30 patrons. Call 214.509.4905 or email abraid@cityofallen.org. 5 Create Better Photographs! 6:308:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. Local photographer Jim Hoffheins will lead a seminar on creating better photos and discuss basic photography, composition, posing, lighting, equipment and editing for novice to professional photographers. The program is limited to 15. You may email 1 or 2 photos to Jim prior to the program for discussion. Jim has been a photographer for over 50 years. Age 16+, free. Registration

required by phone at 215.509.4905, or in person at the reference desk. 11 Evaluating Your Children for Disabilities, 10 am, 2nd floor program room. Workshop to teach parents about the process of evaluating children for the presence of disabilities, as well as their rights and responsibilities of having a child with a disability in public school. Learn the impor tance of understanding a child’s disability and how the disability affects a child’s learning. Workshop is led by Linda Westrick of the Par tners Resource Network PATH Project, which assists the families of children with disabilities in Texas. Free; ages 18+. 11 Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 pm, 2nd floor program room. Social group for knitters, crocheters, quilters and other crafts with thread or yarn! All skill levels welcome! Bring your project. 12 Trivia Night @ Nine Band Brewing Co., 6 pm, off site at Nine Band Brewing Co., 9 Prestige Circle, Allen. Team up with your friends to compete for first place—test your knowledge of beer, literature, histor y, science and more! Free, No registration, 21+, call 214.509.4913/214.509.4905. 12 Estate Planning, 7 pm, 1st floor meeting room. Brad Bolinger, local attorney and CPA will present an informational session on estate planning—Estate Planning Updates for Texas Residents, Why Wills and

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Probate Might be Best for You, The Pros and Cons of Having a Living Trust in Texas, Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust, Common Estate Planning Mistakes, What is Probate, Retirement and Beneficiaries, Supplemental Needs Trust—Protecting those with Special Needs. Free. Call 214.509.4905 or email abraid@ cityofallen.org. 17 Armchair Travelers Visit Latvia, Lithuania, & Poland, 7 pm, 2nd floor program room. Join Denise and George Bouhasin as they share stories, pictures and videos from their travels through Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Snacks will be available to sample. 18 DIY @ APL—Hot Chocolate in a Jar, 10-11:30 am, 2nd floor program room. Create your own delicious hot chocolate mix in a jar. Great for gifts or just enjoying on a cold winter morning. Cocoa mix, jars, recipes and decorating supplies will be provided. Age 16+, free, no registration. 19 Talking History—The Samurai: Japan’s Warriors, 7 pm, 2nd floor program room. Learn all about the samurai, the warrior class of medieval

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and early-modern Japan, with Dr. Joan Mor tensen, of the University of Texas at Dallas who will discuss the historical origins of the samurai and their role in Japanese warfare, and give an overview of the special armor they wore. 30 Adult Winter Reading—The Book Was Better. Ages 18+. No registration required. You don’t even need a library card! Just be 18 or older and turn in your reading log(s) in person by 5 pm, January 10, to be eligible for the final prize drawing. Visit www.allenlibrary. org/AdultWinterReading for more details.

CLUBS

presents speakers, encouraging citizens to par ticipate in the political process. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com. Allen Garden Club, meets the first Thursday each month, 7 pm, gardening talks by area exper ts, 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 of every month, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org. Allen Retired Educators, meet the third Monday each month, 10:30 am, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. RSVP: Sondra Long, billysondralong@tx.rr.com.

2ChangeU Toastmasters, meets every Tuesday, 7 pm, Plano Family YMCA, 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.2changeu.org.

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

Allen Area Patriots, meets the second and four th Thursday each month, 78:45 pm, Failth Fellowship Church, 415 West Lucas Road, Lucas. Local Tea Par ty

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102,

(Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$10 non-mem. 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, meets the four th Tuesday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfair viewchamber.com. American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, meets the second Monday of every 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 the first Wednesday of every month,, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www. heardcraig.org. Bible Study, meets every Thursday, 9:3011:30 am, Community Nor th Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Registration required. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen.cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets the third Monday each month Sept-May, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit between Frankford & Campbell. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www. collincountymoms.aggienetwork.com. Collin County Archaeology Society, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net. Collin County Genealogical Society, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeners guided tour of Myers Park, meets the first Wednesday of every month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations req. For more info: 972.548.4232 or go to mgcollin@ag.tamu.edu.\ Collin County Republican Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: www.ccrmc.org.

Dallas Dog Lovers, events for dogs and their owners in the Dallas area. For more info: www.dallasdoglovers.com Department 56 Village Collectors Club meets the second Saturday every month, in the Plano/Nor th Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com. Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, meets every Monday, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: Per Treven, 972.583.8273 or per.treven@ericsson.com. First Nighter African Violet Society, meets the third Monday of every month, 7 pm, Stacy Road Pet Hospital, 451 Stacy Road, Fairview. Promotes widespread interest in African violets and study of their growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478. Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Ctr, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org. Italian Lovers of North Dallas, meets the first Friday each month, 7 pm, Italian Villa, 121 N Greenville Ave, Ste B, Allen. Do you like Italy? Many bilingual ItalianAmericans meet here monthly to chat in Italian and find new friends. For more info: email ITALOVERS@tx.rr.com. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen and Lucas), meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460. Live @ 5 Business After Hours, meets the third Thursday each month, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, meets the second Monday of each month Sept.May except Dec., 10:30 am, Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, President. Lovejoy Preschool PTA. Monthly general meetings at Creekwood UMC, the second Thursday of each month, 261 Country Club Road, Fairview. Different topic and guest speakers each month. Lunch provided free; babysitting available for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup. com/Lovejoy-Preschool-PTA/.

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McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 Nor th Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190. McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, meets the third Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, meets the second Thursday each month, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Headquar ters, 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location sometimes varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. NARFE Chapter 559, meets the third Monday of every month, 2 pm at Golden Corral, 475 S. Central Expressway (75 & Virginia Pkwy), McKinney. All current government employees and retirees are invited. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets the second Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5228 Tennyson Parkway, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org. North Dallas Newcomers, meets the first Thursday each month, 11 am, various country clubs. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers. net. Open Forum, meaningful discussions, meets the 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 third Monday of every month, 7 pm, FUMC of Plano, 3160 East Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net. Plano Photography Club, meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 pm, W. Plano Presbyterian Church, 2709 Custer Road, Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub. com. Plano Republican Women’s Club, meets the third Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen. com.

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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 throughout Dallas area. For more info: RandomEventsDallas.com. Single Side Up, meets the third Saturday every month, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent suppor t group. Free. Low cost child care available. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@ thissideupfamily.org. The MOB (Men of Business), meets the second Monday of every month, 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen for male bonding and networking over lunch. $20 chamber mem; $25 non-mems/ general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets every Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader you can be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425. United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets the first Sunday each month, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Join us for book discussion and refreshments. Book selections are determined at the January meeting. We encourage women of all faiths to par ticipate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org. Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am-4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460. Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, meets the four th Thursday each month, 10 am, Heard-Craig Hall Gallery, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail. com.

W.I.S.E. (Women in Suppor t of Enterprise), meets the second Thursday each month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. Fun & informative meeting for women in Allen & surrounding areas. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfair viewchamber. com.

ART/MUSIC/THEATRE Allen Folk Music Society, meets the third Saturday every month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Musicians 15-100. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com. Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, every Monday, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@ WealthManagementGroupLLC.com Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus, meets every Thursday, 7 pm, Blue House Too (blue & white stripe awning) 934 Market St., Allen. Guests always welcome at our rehearsals! Women of Allen & surrounding area invited. For more info: nntchorus@hotmail.com or www.nntchorus.org. Swinging Stars Square and Round Dance Club of Plano, meets every Tuesday, 7:159:15 pm, Carpenter Rec Center, Plano. Contemporary Square Dance lessons thru Dec. 29. Classes taught by Wayne Baldwin. For more info: Doug or Jan Bergeson at 972.834.3097 or 214.537.0446 or www. swingingstars.org or email president@ swingingstars.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 the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share needle-work projects, learn techniques, make friends. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

HEALTH Allen AA meets every Monday through 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 Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 pm, 1st UMC, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. Offers strength & hope to friends & family of alcoholics. For more info: 214.363.0461 or www. al-anon.alateen.org. Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group meets the third Tuesday each month, provides suppor t & resources for parents of children with autism & related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health.groups.yahoo. com/group/autismparentsuppor t. American Cancer Society Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appts. If you have a car and can spare time 9-5, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972.712.5711.

Baylor Health Care System offers suppor t groups, medical information and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family & friends, meets the third Monday of every month, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984. Cancer Support Ministry, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, parlor, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol. com. Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: www.75013. theheartlinknetwork.com.

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

HOBBIES SPORTS/FITNESS Allen Classic Cars, meets every Thursday, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Stacy Furniture.

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Fit and Funky Fit Club, meets every Monday, 7:30 pm, and every Sunday, 7 pm, Unlimited Success Mar tial Ar ts, 604 W. Bethany #208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. McKinney Chess Club, meets every Saturday, 10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Free. And every Friday, 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street, McKinney. Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972.547.7491. McKinney Chess on the Square, meets every Wednesday, 4-7 pm, Downtown McKinney Performing Ar ts Center. Open play & lessons. Promotes creativity, imagination & strategic thinking. For more info, 214.620.0527 or mckinneychess.org. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www.planobicycle.org. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, the second Tuesday each month, 5024 Custer, Plano, 7 pm., and at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, the last Saturday every month, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972.678.2244, or www.planopacers.org.

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

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Monthly playgroups, kid field trips, business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out & more. For more info: momsclubofallentx@gmail.com.

Heard Museum Native Plant Society, meets the first Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

MOMS Club McKinney Central, suppor t group for stay-at-home moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, par ties, babysitting co-op, etc. Monthly bus. meeting. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com.

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.

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

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.

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

Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets the four th Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566..

MUSEUMS/preserves Connemara Meadow Preserve Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, monthly alternating between the first Saturday and the First Sunday, 8-10 am, Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them; learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. All ages welcome. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. For more info: www.connemaraconservancy.org.

HEARD MUSEUM Dinosaurs Live! Encounter the 46-foot T-Rex and nine new life-size animatronic dinosaurs along the nature trails at the 9th annual Dinosaurs Live! The exhibit always gives families and friends a fun, educational activity to enjoy together. Don’t forget it also provides a unique family outing during the holidays! See the dinosaurs move and hear them roar! Photo op and play area dinosaurs will be available as well. The dinosaur trail is jogging stroller friendly. Through Feb. 21. For more info: heardmuseum.org. Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, meets the second Monday each month, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org.

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

Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, meets the third Thursday each month, noon, First UMC Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch, fellowship, speakers & enter tainers. For more info: griflkl@sbcglobal.net.

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

Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, meets every Wednesday, 7 am, Savour Tasting Room & Social Club, 968 Village Green Dr., Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www. allensunriserotary.com/ Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets third Tuesday each month. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net. Knights of Columbus, meets the third Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469.569.3357 or www.stjudekofc.org. Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, meets the second Monday each month, 7 pm, Tino’s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972.442.5982. VFW “Lone Star Post 2150,” meets the second Monday each month, 1710 N. Church St, McKinney. Post Members, 6:30 pm; Ladies Auxiliary, 5:45 pm; Men’s Auxiliary, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972.542.9119, gmlsp2150@ gmail.com or visit on web: www.vfwpost2150. org.

VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, meets the first Saturday every month, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit www.vfwpost2150.org. VFW Post 2195, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www.vfw2195.org. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, service organization teaches children to serve their community, meets the second Saturday every month. For more info: 972.396.8010.

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

Allen Image | November 2015

For Your Health

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For Your Health

Allen Image | November 2015

What was OLD…

is NEW again! by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON

cover story

Starting its fourth season, the Dallas Sidekicks qualifies for “legendary” status. After all, this professional indoor soccer team has proven to be an ideal example of the mythical phoenix. According to the ancient Greeks, this spectacular bird dies, only to rise up from its ashes to live again. In this Allen version of the story though, owner Ronnie Davis stirred the ashes.

ere you lucky enough to go to the original Dallas Sidekick games in the long-gone Reunion Arena in Downtown Dallas? Established in 1984, and initially owned by Don Carter, this team was known for giving its fans exciting games, eventually taking four league championships and five division titles in 20 years. But, these Sidekicks also offered more in the way of entertainment for the enthusiasts in the stands, including ample opportunities to come out onto the field to compete in popular games or get autographs from their favorite players. These early fans came to love these traditions almost as much as the games. So, when Ronnie first decided to work his magic to resurrect the team, he knew what the fans would expect— and he delivered. And so have the Sidekicks. In the three years since coming back to life at the Allen Event Center, the team has made the playoffs all three seasons, thanks to knowhow, planning and hard work. Not your typical sports team mogul, Ronnie’s business expertise in professional sports comes from hands-

on experience—starting with working security at Texas Rangers games and then moving up to ticket sales, where he met his wife Missy. Then, Ronnie worked for the Dallas Mavericks for eight years, first in ticket sales and then sponsorship sales. At the time, both the Mavericks and the Dallas Sidekicks were owned by Don Carter, so during the basketball team’s off-season Ronnie would work with the soccer team. This was followed by three years with the Dallas Stars as vice-president of sponsorships. In the middle of building their new stadium, the Dallas Cowboys snagged Ronnie to manage sponsorships and stadium sales, but also run the business end of Jerry Jones’s now defunct Arena Football League team, the Dallas Desperados. Three years later, Ronnie started working for Roger Staubach’s sports marketing business, as well as selling sponsorships for another Arena Football League team—the Dallas Vigilantes. It was in this position that Ronnie learned that the powers to be at the Allen Event Center wanted indoor soccer. Ronnie knew he could bring what they wanted—and did. After 8 years in the ashes, the Dallas Sidekicks was resurrected, with a little invigoration from the original team. In addition to recruiting a few

members of the former Sidekicks who were still playing soccer, he also brought in the team’s most enduring and highest scoring player as well as its last coach, Tatu, to coach the new team. But getting public attention can prove challenging, especially when a team is not only competing against professional football, basketball, baseball and hockey, but also outdoor soccer. What Ronnie counted on is that indoor soccer, beginning in the fall, plays during the offseason of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) outdoor soccer that runs from March to October. “When their season ends, we begin, and when we end, they begin, it’s the perfect marriage!” Before the MLS was founded in North America in 1993, indoor soccer was king in the U.S. and Canada. “That was your only choice, that or go overseas,” Ronnie shrugs. “Now outdoor soccer has pushed indoor soccer down, so we’ve regrouped it and got it in the right markets. And we’re coming back!” In addition to the playing season, there are other differences between the two forms. There are different rules for each, and outdoor soccer is played on a significantly larger field. Although field sizes vary somewhat, outdoor soccer fields generally run about 345 feet long and 225 yards wide. Indoor Allen Image | November 2015

soccer fields are considerably smaller. “Ours is played on a hockey-sized field, 200 feet by 85 feet, much, much smaller” Ronnie explains. “Since it’s a lot smaller you are right on top of it. And it’s much faster.” This provides the additional benefit of indoor soccer offering higher scoring games than outdoor soccer. Surprisingly, Ronnie concerns himself more about competing with his team’s previous incarnation than other teams. “They had a certain standard, and my fear is people coming to the games and saying, ‘It was fun, but it wasn’t like the old days.’” he declares. “We want people to come and say, ‘I came with my dad in 1992 and now I have a four-year-old of my own that I bring and it’s exactly the same!’ It feels like a time machine going back to 1992 and that’s what we want.” While Ronnie aims to keep the exciting family entertainment end of the game like the old days, when it comes to the professionalism of the team, keeping up to date to create the best team possible takes a high priority. When the new Sidekicks began, there were two indoor soccer leagues— the Professional Arena Soccer League

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(PASL) and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)—and the new team was a member of the former while the old Sidekicks were in the latter during its final years. When the MISL folded last year, the PASL reformed as the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), now the only pro fessional indoor soccer league in the U.S. Ronnie notes that, by combining forces, the opportunity for national sponsorships increases significantly. “We are in the right market, in the right building for the right demographic,” Ronnie continues. “We just have to do a better job of getting out in front of people. If you have a whole lot of money, you can buy enough advertising so people know about you, and people come and buy tickets. And when you don’t have a lot of money, you have to think of other creative ways, like social media, to get out in front of them.”

One leg up came from the growing U.S. interest in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Ronnie credits it for some of the surge in interest in soccer, both outdoor and indoor. One way to draw fans is by making family a priority. Ronnie applies this philosophy not only to the Sidekicks’ fans, but his own family as well. His wife, Missy, is part owner and a vicepresident, and all three sons have been part of the team’s mascot group Purple Chaos, including the oldest now attending college in Florida. “As long as I’m involved with the team, it will always be family first and affordable and fun. That’s what we are about and it won’t change,” he emphasizes. “The cheapest ticket is $9, and that’s for two-and a-half hours of being entertained and getting an autograph at the end of the game,” Ronnie points out. “After every game, we take our players and put four on one end and four on the other and fans can line up and get a free autograph.” What other on-field activities might fans expect to see at a game? Bubble soccer is a favorite. Participants are put in big plastic bubbles from head to hips to play soccer. “And they

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just ram into each other, kinda like a pinball machine,” the Sidekicks owner grins. “You can’t get hurt because you’re all protected, but the Purple Chaos has to help people up, because when you go down, you’re like a turtle on its back. It’s very entertaining.” Then there is bat spin, a crossover from the original Sidekicks games, which involves participants spinning 20 times around a bat and then attempting to dribble (the soccer term for kicking) a ball down the field and into the net. Once again, Purple Chaos must be on hand, this time to keep players from going to the ground. Ronnie also enjoys combining entertainment with public service. For example, during halftime, competitive cheer teams have taken the field to entertain fans as well as practice in front of large audiences in preparation for a national competition. The team has also sported pink jerseys that they auctioned off after the game to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation and camouflage jerseys to support the military. For this latter event, sponsored by the Texas National Guard, new troops are brought onto the field to be sworn in during half-time. A primary goal is to have at least 4,000 fans for each home game at the over 6,000-seat Allen Event Center. Pointing out that many of the attendees

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are past fans of the old Sidekicks who used to go to Reunion Arena, he states, “So we’ve got fans from Arlington, the Mid-Cities, from down in Seagoville, and for some, it’s a haul to get here.” The members of the Sidekicks old guard are just as determined to make that drive worthwhile for their fans as are the newer players on the team— both on the field and after the game. Playing outdoor soccer as a youth in his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil, midfielder Ricardinho came to the U.S.

to play for the Sidekicks in their 20032004 season. When the team dissolved, he went on to play in Milwaukee, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Omaha and Stockton, California. When the Sidekicks returned, Ricardinho was elated to come back and play for the team. “Dallas is now my hometown because my wife is from here,” he explains. He sees today’s team as being even more professional. “The group working together is strong,” he asserts. He also appreciates the team’s outreach efforts with the fans. “When I was a boy, I loved to go out and ask them to sign my shirt or even a piece of paper, and today it is no different for the fans. It feels good to make the fans happy.” Defender Cody Ellis agrees. “If they are going to come and support us, I don’t mind signing as many autographs for the little ones out there. Its fun and it’s a big family thing.” Growing up in the Richardson/ Garland area, Cody started playing youth soccer through the Garland Soccer Association at the age of four, eventually playing on the Berkner High School team. He also played club soccer with Solar and then River Plate.

He fondly recalls the many years he went with his family and teammates to the Sidekicks games at Reunion Arena. “I never knew why they disbanded, and after a few years, I thought they would never come back, let alone come back with me playing on the team!” he laughs. So he jumped at the opportunity to try out for the new team at the Sidekick’s forward Patrick Shamu’s invitation. “Ronnie and Missy bringing the Sidekicks back gave me a chance to play at the next level and I’m so thankful for that.” Both Ricardinho and Cody see the team and the league growing stronger professionally and feel good about all the recent changes. Hailing from Worthing, England, the Sidekicks director of soccer operations, Nick Stavrou, first came to the U.S. in 1987 to play for Cleveland State University on a scholarship. He was drafted by the original Sidekicks in 1991. Growing up in a nation where soccer was the number one sport, Nick started playing around five years of age. He points out that when he was a youth, soccer wasn’t played by girls in England, and that girls didn’t play soccer there until after it became a popular sport for girls in the U.S. This midfielder played for the Sidekicks until it disbanded in 2004. “I was 34 then and my kids had grown up in Dallas, so I didn’t want to leave,” he explains. “So I coached youth soccer.” He admits to being stunned when Tatu asked him to return to play for the new Sidekicks. “I only had eight practice sessions, one for each year I had been out, before we played our first game of the season,” he recalls. “It surprised me that they would pull me out of retirement at the age of 43, but Tatu felt they needed some of the older guys to help out.” After playing two seasons, Nick announced he was retiring to step into the role of assistant coach. But he then got called back to play seven games last season because the team had suffered so many injuries. He is now once again working the sidelines.

Making the playoffs again is Nick’s primary goal for this coming season. Although the team made the playoffs for the last three seasons, he points out that this year should prove to be more challenging because the 2015-16 schedule is far more difficult. “We have a combination of experienced, but older, players as well as new young blood that is very vibrant. That marriage between experience and energy is what makes our team a little better than the other teams,” he asserts. In an effort to improve the team’s fitness and speed, he notes that the staff recently added an additional team practice each week. Today’s new Sidekicks primarily come from one of the Premier soccer teams in the Dallas area. “We played two of these teams in scrimmages this summer,” Ron states. “They bring their best and we bring our younger guys and play against them to see how they do against ours and to see if any of those kids are ready to come over to the Sidekicks.” These games are hosted at Soccer Spectrum in Richardson, the Sidekicks’ daily practice field.

Ronnie explains that for indoor soccer, Premier leagues serve as a “stepping stone” for players who aspire to make it into a professional league. He adds, that unlike many other pro sports, one pro team does not solely affiliate itself with one Premier league team. Melding experienced professional soccer players with those fresh from amateur league teams takes a skilled hand, and a new coach will need to be selected with Tatu stepping down. But those on and off the field feel confident that with their past achievements, the Sidekicks will have another successful season. When asked how this year ’s games will be different for the fans, Nick replies, “The fans much prefer to see games that are cliffhangers. And this year, every one of our home games is going to be a knockdown-drag out. With the amount of good games we are going to have, the games are going to v be gripping!” Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

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