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contents

September 2012

Vol. 22, Issue 9

cover story 58 A Mrs. with a motive and a crown

Rachel Hedstrom has competed in two Mrs. Texas International pageants and the 2012 Mrs. International pageant in Illinois. For Rachel, it was not the pageantry but the passion that compelled her to enter. by Peggy Helmick-Richardson

feature 28 This Latvian accordionist makes magic

Born in Riga, Latvia, Vladimir Kaliazine began his musical instruction at age five under his father. He moved to in Allen in 2001, and has become a U.S. citizen. by Peggy Helmick-Richardson

special sections 30 kids korner

Parenting Tips from the Blogosphere by Deborah Dove

40 pet page Coco

18 business seen

Lindsey Mediations Honey Bear Animal Care Decked Out by Nicole Bywater

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46 calendar 66 people seen

contents departments civic forum 8

Get Up and Give Allen! by Regina Taylor

The Allen Philharmonic by Kathy Litinas

Civil War Encampment by Tom Keener

I tried out for the Dallas Sidekicks by Jeff Mues

Allen Police Explorers Post 2000

Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Jill Edelman Joy Dickschat

contributing writers Nicole Bywater Deborah Dove

Into the Meadow Spring Bulbs of North Texas

Kathy Litinas

Swords and Swashbucklers Clothz 4 Kidz Eagle Scout Project

A Celebration of Quilted Art Fall and winter landscape

Fall Bazaar Note-ably North Texas Chorus

Jeff Mues Peggy Helmick-Richardson Mark Robinson Regina Taylor Kathleen Vaught

cover photo Larry Fleming

Animation video game design by Mark Robinson

library 36

Bernado de Gálvez by Tom Keener

Second Annual Allen Folk Festival by Tom Keener

living green 38

The greener cleaner home by Peggy Helmick-Richardson

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office administrator

Tom Keener

Barbara Peavy

by Kathleen Vaught

education

publisher/editor

Harvest Craft Festival by Jeff Mues

Allen Image

cooking 42

In search of the best burger recipe by Deborah Dove

Allen Image © 2012 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

Get Up and Give Allen! by Regina Taylor

Foundation For Allen Schools

Keep Allen Beautiful

Connemara Conservancy Foundation

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On Thursday, September 13, Allen and North Texas residents will have a chance to participate in a unique fundraising event, which will benefit numerous community programs. The 2012 North Texas Giving Day, organized by the Center for Nonprofit Management and the Communities Foundation of Texas, is a spectacular opportunity to donate to Allen area nonprofit organizations that will receive matching funds for donations on that one day. Seven Allen, Fairview and Lucas nonprofits have joined together to promote this event in the hope that area residents will come out and support its own. The participating organizations, all registered 501(c)3 charities, are: Allen Arts Alliance, Allen Community Outreach, Allen Parks Foundation, Connemara Conservancy Foundation, Foundation For Allen Schools, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools and Keep Allen Beautiful. The first North Texas Giving Day was held on May 20, 2009 and raised more than $4 million for nonprofits. More than 8,000 generous North Texans logged on to www. donorbridgetx.org to make a contribution to their favorite nonprofit organizations. In 2011, more than $10 million was raised and for 2012, organizers expect to raise more than $12 million in a single day. Kimbia, an on-line donation software firm, will be processing transactions in 2012 and has the capacity to process 90,000 transactions per hour! Participation is quick and easy. On September 13, log on to www.donorbridgetx.org from your smart phone or computer and make a donation to benefit your favorite nonprofit organization(s). Search for one or more of the above listed organizations anytime between 7 a.m. and 12 midnight and click “donate now.” Donations of any amount are accepted but all donations of $25 or more will earn a percen tage of the $1,000,000 in matching funds already raised by the Communities Foundation of Texas, as well as be eligible for additional monetary prizes. Each donor will receive an email tax receipt for their online gifts from the Communities Foundation of Texas (donorbridge@cftexas.org). Donors may give at any time during that period to receive the match for their organizations—and may donate to multiple organizations with each organization receiving matching funds. In addition, there are $1,000 prizes awarded hourly for participating organizations and a $10,000 prize given to the organization with the most unique donors.

According to the Center for Nonprofit Management, today’s donors demand reliable, insightful information about local nonprofits to help them make strategic charitable investments and create positive change in the North Texas area. At the same time, nonprofits are exploring new ways to operate efficiently and collaboratively. The North Texas Giving Day provides access to an unmatched wealth of knowledge about local nonprofits, including detailed financial, operational and programmatic information. Each nonprofit has been reviewed prior to approval to participate. All this information can easily be found at www.donorbridgetx.org—the same place residents log on to make donations. To help promote the day, Allen’s seven collaborating nonprofits are coordinating two fun community-giving events on September 13. Chick-Fil-A (on Stacy Road) will host a Get Up and Give Allen! breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. and Two Rows Classic Grill will host a Get Up and Give Allen! happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Volunteers with laptops will be at these locations and Chick-Fil-A and Two Rows will offer specials and incentives to Get Up and Give Allen! Come on out, enjoy the fun and help us celebrate! Funds raised by each nonprofit organization will further the mission of those organizations, and will ultimately enrich the quality of life in our community. Set a reminder to Get Up and Give Allen! to support Allen’s arts, educational opportunities, parks and recreational programming, emergency assistance, land conservation and/or beautification efforts and allow your donation to be matched on September 13. For more information, visit www.donorbridgetx.org or websites of Allen’s seven collaborating organizations. v

Foundation For Lovejoy Schools

Regina Taylor is the director/grant coordinator for Foundation For Allen Schools.

Allen Parks Foundation

Allen Arts Alliance

Allen Community Outreach Allen Image x September 2012

Harvest Craft Festival by Jeff Mues

It’s never too early to think about holiday shopping and the Allen Senior Recreation Center ’s Harvest Craft Festival is the perfect early opportunity. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and plan to take advantage of this shopper’s dream. With exhibits and historic tours, prize giveaways, food and a variety of vendors and artisans, it’s certainly an event you won’t want to miss. A wonderful complement to the Holiday Craft Fair set for December 8 at Joe Farmer Recreation Center, the Allen Senior Recreation Center ’s (ASRC) Harvest Craft Festival fulfills a desire from the community for an additional showcase for arts and crafts in late summer/early fall. The Harvest Craft Festival is a joint effort between ASRC and the Allen Heritage Guild.

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Allen Heritage Village will have tours at the Bolin House and the Allen Christian Church. Built in 1920, the Bolin House is a one-story Craftsman bungalow-style home which was originally located on the Whisenant farm north of the present circle on Allen Drive. The church is a prairiestyle structure built in 1918, with beautiful stained glass windows dedicated in memory of the Brown, Bush and Ereckson pioneer families. Allen Heritage Guild members will be on-hand to help showcase these buildings that offer a rare glimpse into Allen’s history. “With the success of the Harvest Craft Festival in its inaugural year, we are excited to expand upon the event this year,” says Leslie Doran-Cope, Senior Recreation Center supervisor.

“We are really taking it to another level partnering with the Allen Heritage Guild to provide tours and activities that will compliment the 50 plus artisans.” The Harvest Craft Festival is free and open to the public and will be held at the Allen Senior Recreation Center, 451 St. Mary Drive. Remote parking will be available at The Edge Visitor Center, 201 E. St. Mary, and First Baptist Church, 201 E. McDermott, with complimentary shuttles to the Harvest Craft Fair. For those who wish to be a vendor, contact Denise Fenner at dfenner@ cityofallen.org or 214.509.4823. v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks & Recreation Department.

The Allen Philharmonic celebrates 15 years by Kathy Litinas

The Allen Philharmonic welcomes you to our fifteenth season of concerts and events, with programming designed to inspire and entertain our vibrant community. Our subscription series will be presented in the Performing Arts Center located on the campus of Allen High School. Our orchestra and chorus invite you to hear some of the most beautiful music ever composed in this beautiful setting. Our season’s subscription programming begins with Autumn Overture on October 13, as Gold Medalist Coleman Itzkoff, grand prize winner of the Montgomery County Young Texas Artist’s Music Competition, performs Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme”. Just nineteen years old, Coleman is currently earning his Bachelor of Music

Coleman Itzkoff

degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where he is a student of Desmond Hoebig. An increasingly busy chamber music and recital schedule has taken him to the country’s major music festivals and competitions, among them Interlochen, Bowdoin, Music@ Menlo, Sarasota Music Festival and Aspen Music Festival and School. A guest soloist with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, he made his debut with the Dayton Philharmonic in their 2009-2010 season. Most recently, Coleman won the gold medal and the invitation to perform with the Allen Philharmonic at the Young Texas Artist Music Competition with his per formance of Elgar’s “Cello Concerto in E minor”. Additional concert pro gramming will include Copland’s “El Salon Mexico”, R e s p i g h i ’ s “Roman Festivals” and Smetana’s “The Moldau”. H o l i d a y Fantastique, on Friday, December 21, is our annual Christmas pro gram and will feature a per form ance by the wonderful Allen District Honor Choir. We also welc ome special guest, Kristen Simchik Lassiter,

Kristen Simchik Allen High School class of 2003 alumnus. She has been hailed as a “standout” with a “bell-like, clear soprano.” Her versatility as a performer allows her to excel in the genres of opera, oratorio, musical theater and art song. Kristen holds a Bachelor ’s degree from Oklahoma City University and a Master ’s Degree from The Boston Conservatory. Kristen has been seen onstage with such companies as Boston’s Opera del West, Oswego Opera in New York and Light Opera Oklahoma. Her roles include Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Romilda (Serse), The Governess (The Turn of the Screw), Helene (Hin und Zurück), La Feé (Cendrillon), Stella (A Streetcar Named Desire), Monica (The Medium), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Angelina (Trial by Jury), Lily (The Secret Garden) and Ethel Tofflemeir

(The Music Man). In 2012, Kristen made her debut as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with the Seagle Music Colony in New York. Featured works to be performed by the Allen Symphony Chorus will include Mark Hayes’ “Magnificat” and John Rutter’s “The Very Best Time of Year”. Look for our classic Christmas narration and other holiday favorites. On February 24, 2013, we invite you to Look to the Stars as our matinee concert takes our guests on a musical voyage to space. Programming features the “Wall-E Suite“ from Pixar’s movie of the same name, the fanfare from Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op 30“, made famous as the theme from 2001 A Space Odyssey, “Star Wars Medley“ by John Williams, and the finale, Gustav Holst’s “The Planets“. Our featured guest will be this year’s gold medalist winner of the Allen Philharmonic’s Roger and Ella Jo Adams Concerto Competition. On April 27, 2013, we complete our subscription series with a finale not to be missed. Featured soloist for this performance will be concert pianist Gustavo Romero, performing the Gershwin favorite “Rhapsody in Blue“. Romero, a native of San Diego, with heritage in Guadalajara, Mexico, discovered his love and gift for music at age five when he was introduced to the piano at the home of a neighbor. He started taking lessons and gave his first public performance at age 10— the age he won his first piano competition. At 13, he performed with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. A graduate of Julliard, he won the Avery Fisher Young Artist Career Grant in 1983 and the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland in 1989. Gustavo has a stellar reputation for both the technical brilliance and interpretive depth of his playing. According to a review from the Sarasota Herald Tribune, “This pianist phenomenon radiates an aura of warmth and candor, which endears him to his audience almost before he

touches a piano key. And once he begins to play, they are his forever.” In addition to his busy international concert schedule Gustavo is professor of piano at the University of North Texas. We invite you to enjoy the beauty and majesty of Brahms’ “A German Requiem“ as this concert performance is our community’s send off for members of the Allen Symphony Chorus and the FUMC Chancel Choir who will then travel to New York to present this work at historic Carnegie Hall. Franz Liszt’s “Les Preludes” completes the evening’s programming. Tickets are reasonably priced and can be purchased online at www. allenphilharmonic.org or by phone at 972.359.0656. If you have a student in grades 5 through 9 participating in a performing arts program, inquire about our Be Our Guest program. Underwritten by a grant from Target, this musical enrichment program is a great outing for parent and child. Join us for a wonderful season.

Gustavo Romero We invite you to come celebrate the arts and our fifteenth anniversary of great programming right here in our community. v Kathy Litinas is the president of the APSO Board of Directors.

Allen Image x September 2012

Civil War Encampment at Allen Heritage Village by Tom Keener Civil War Living Historians of Collin County and the Allen Heritage Guild will host an encampment at the Allen Heritage Village on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The Heritage Village will portray a small village captured by the Yankees and then recaptured by the Confederates. The public is invited to view and learn about the life of a typical Civil War soldier, both Union and Confederate. The Living Historians will answer any questions about the period. There will be campfires, drilling practices, bayonet exercises, a medical

tent, soap making and blacksmith demonstrations. During the event, the Living Historians will be speaking as soldiers during the Civil War. For instance, if you ask where the bath room is, they will reply, “What is a bathroom?” The camp will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will dismantle at 2 p.m. Sunday. These Civil War Living Historians have participated in battlefield reenactments at Gettysburg, Shiloh and Vicksburg. They have also appeared in Wishbone, Texas, and National Park Service films and the movie Gettysburg. In addition, women in period

clothing will discuss and demonstrate the role and lifestyle of females at this crucial time in history. Photographs may be taken with these presenters. The public will also have the oppor tunity to shoot blank loads from an authentic replica musket for $1 a shot. A pie-baking contest will be held on Saturday. Pies must be submitted by 10 a.m. and judging will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Baptist Church in the Allen Heritage Village, 402 St. Mary Drive. There is a $2 fee per entry, per category—Youth (17 and under); Adult; and Men. Cash prizes will be awarded for the overall winner. Check the Allen Heritage Guild website for more details, www.allenheritageguild.org. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Allen Heritage Guild will host “Stories Around the Campfire.” Civil War era letters will be read and stories told. A “slave” will talk about meeting Mark Twain and telling him her life story. The guild will sell water and barbeque at noon on Saturday. For information, please call Anne Gifford at 972.727.8985. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

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Natalie Gregg is an Allen resident, entrepreneur and mother of two. She was recently named a “2012 Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers, an honor reserved for less than 2.5 percent of practicing attorneys in the state of Texas. “I like to problem-solve and I love helping families,” says Natalie. “My passion is finding a way to help my clients to achieve their goals with the least amount of collateral damage.” Natalie is the managing par tner of the Law Office of Natalie Gregg, a full service family law litigation firm that is focused on divorce, child suppor t, modification, enforcement, mediation and step-parent adoption. A prolific writer, she is also a guest blogger for The Huffington Post’s Divorce Blog. Since 2005, Natalie has dedicated her career to the practice of family law. She received her J.D. from the Dedman School of Law at the Southern Methodist University, and is also a trained mediator and collaborative law professional. These skills help her to diffuse her clients’ anger against the other par ty while coaching them to become effective co-parents. “You can love your kids or hate your ex-spouse, but you can’t do both. I help divorcing families to build a plan for navigating the rest of their lives together.” This approach enables Natalie to save her clients a significant amount of time and money while producing superior results for their entire family—especially their children. She is experienced in the cour troom, practicing a majority of her time in Collin County cour ts. Natalie Gregg combines a great sense of compassion with a dedication to delivering results for her clients. “The process of litigating these issues is sensitive, but it requires an aggressive approach in order to achieve our client’s goals,” says Natalie. Her practice is informed by years of advocacy for families in crisis, and she is a passionate champion for clients who are dedicated to protecting their most precious asset: their families. In April, the firm added Melissa Cason as an associate

attorney. Melissa received her J.D. with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and she successfully passed the State Bar in not only Texas, but also in Florida and New York. She began her Texas family law practice with CitySquare’s Legal Action Works, a nonprofit law firm committed to representing low-income Dallas families. There, Melissa handled a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child suppor t and custody, domestic violence, adoption and grandparent custody.

The firm’s Web site, www.NatalieGregg.com, includes a variety of free resources for anyone experiencing or considering divorce. These ar ticles can be helpful regardless of which attorneys they plan to hire, and they include advice on how to minimize the costs and hear tache of family law litigation. The Family Law Office of Natalie Gregg is located in Suite 200 at The Atrium at 1333 W. McDermott Drive in the hear t of Allen, Texas. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit the firm’s Web site, call 469.519.1026 or email Natalie@NatalieGregg.com.

I tried out for the Dallas Sidekicks… by Jeff Mues

I could barely lift my legs. My thighs seemingly carried the weight of cinder blocks. And my calves burned. After spending the previous two days “trying out” for the Dallas Sidekicks, I was sore. Really sore. My “professional soccer career” lasted just two days. I couldn’t have made it another day. But while it lasted, I got the opportunity of a lifetime to play for one of the true legends of the sport, an icon within the game and the community. I received encouragement, inspiration and tactical instruction from a man who played 20 seasons of professional indoor soccer, an athlete who played in Dallas longer than any athlete in any professional sport. Tatu’s passion for the game cannot be denied. He scored more than 800 goals in his professional career, and the passion he played with ignited crowds. There was nothing quite like the frenzy Tatu worked a crowd into before tossing his jersey into the stands and there hasn’t been anything like it in North Texas since.

Tatu with one of the hopefuls.

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There’s a reason he was a player/coach for six seasons. As much as he enjoyed playing the game, it’s clear that Tatu also loves to coach. Periodically, he blows play dead, and offers instruction to players, even those like me who have no business trying out for a professional team. “You have to be willing to do things for the good of the game,” Tatu explains to 40 hopefuls on day one. “We’re looking for good players, but just as importantly, good people who want to be out in the community, promoting the game of soccer.” It’s the second two-day try out session Tatu has orchestrated, and there will be more. There is seemingly no end to the amount of players he will look at to find the best players in the area, to shape a roster of 20 that will be the group to revive the storied franchise in their inaugural season, debuting at Allen Event Center November 3. “I want to give everyone a chance,” Tatu explains. “We’ll look locally. We can look nationally. We can look internationally. But I want to give the local players a chance to show me what they can do.” A two-mile run, 40-yard dash, drills and scrimmages spread out over two intense days provide just that opportunity. Working with his assistants, Tatu oversees every minute of tryouts, occasionally jotting down notes about yellow number 3 or blue 6. While everyone is assigned a unique jersey as an identifier, under those jerseys are some serious homegrown talents. Brian Sarber, a 2005 Allen High School graduate, plays oalkeeper and has an impressive resume. Like so many who came to try out, he played collegiately.

Brian also went on to play professionally in Costa Rica. He’s tried out for the L.A. Galaxy and the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) but he hopes to play again where it all started. “It would be a dream to play in front of the hometown crowd in Allen,” says Brian. For some, dreams will come true. The living proof stands next to Tatu, assistant coach Mike Powers. After two unsuccessful attempts, Powers emerged from a tryout at the very same soccer complex, having made the team in 1986. He went on to become one of the Sidekicks all-time greats, his number 5 jersey having been permanently retired. It’s impossible to say whether I was scrimmaging against the next Mike Powers or running my 40-yard dash a lane over from the next Tatu, but as I looked to the stands, it wasn’t just the coaches with their clipboards trying to identify future stars. A few super-fans had taken off work and were scouting the action as well. “Indoor soccer is just so exciting… so fast-paced,” said Jay Berlo, in between taking photos of the action. “I was hooked from the very first game I went to years ago and I’m thrilled the Sidekicks are back.” While rosters won’t likely be revealed for weeks to come, the

Sidekicks are definitely back. Just don’t look for the name Jeff Mues anywhere on that roster. I’m officially retired and taking a position I’m more suited for—joining the ranks of Jay Berlo and other Sidekicks super-fans. Check AllenEventCenter.com and

DallasSidekicks.net for game and ticket information and join my cheering section. v Jeff Mues is a senior marketing coordinator with the Allen Event Center and Allen Parks & Recreation Department.

Allen Image x September 2012

business seen by Nicole Bywater

Lindsey Mediations

Lindsey Mediations provides family and civil mediation service in Allen and surrounding areas. “The bulk of my business involves couples who are divorcing and need help with their child custody and parenting plans, as well as division of their assets and debts,” explains Donna Lindsey, founder of Lindsey Mediations. “Whether couples are using an attorney or self-filing, mediating their settlement agreement can save time and money.” Family mediation recognizes that no one wins when family members are pitted against one another in an adversarial struggle, Donna explains. “Of course, for mediation to work, both parties need to be motivated and sincere in their desire to craft their own solutions, rather than going to court,” she adds. Donna earned a Masters of Arts in Dispute Resolution from SMU in Dallas. Her academic studies and 30 years of corporate experience serve her in helping people to craft the best solutions both sides can agree to. She supports client-driven problem solving with flexible hours and reasonable rates. Mediation is private and confidential, and is normally quicker and less expensive than litigation. Parties can bring legal counsel to the mediation session, or mediate on their own. “Helping people is a true passion of mine,” Donna says. “I especially love what I do because it allows me to help people through some of their most difficult times.” For more information, contact Donna at 972.439.0227, email donnaforpeace@gmail.com or visit www.lindseymediations.com.

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Honey Bear Animal Care

Julie Bell says the phrase, “If you do something you love, then you’ll never ‘work’ a day in your life,” really rings true. “I just love working with animals,” says Julie, owner of Honey Bear Animal Care, which is named in honor of her two beloved pets. “Animals are so appreciative of the attention you give them and I really enjoy all the things that they do.” Julie has loved and cared for at least a dozen of her own critters. After finding that she enjoyed pet sitting for friends, she founded Honey Bear Animal Care in 2005. She has several years of experience training horses and worked as a veterinarian technician for five years. That experience allows her to care for both domestic and farm animals, as well as senior pets or those with special needs. “Not every pet sitter knows what to do in emergency situations or can take care of goats and horses,” she explains. Julie is also a member of Pet Sitters International and her business is bonded and insured. “It’s very rewarding when animals are happy to see me and then to hear from their owners how appreciative they are,” Julie says. “The biggest compliment I can get is when clients tell me they were able to enjoy their time away because they trusted that their babies were safe at home under my care.” For a free consultation or more information, contact Julie at 469.667.4206 or visit www. hbanimalcare.com.

Decked Out

Decked Out is a full-service construction company that has provided quality work and excellent customer service for 20 years. Their attention to detail and personalized touch, combined with great craftsmanship, are the reasons most of the company’s business is earned through referrals. “We want people to feel at home when we do a project for them,” says owner Derick Jungmann. “We take our time to build things right—the way we would do them if it was a project in our own home.” Whether you’re looking to remodel a kitchen or bathroom or do a smaller project such as window replacement, Decked Out can take care of it. In the last decade, many of their projects have been completed outdoors, as more and more people are looking to expand their living space outside. “Everyone today wants more outdoor living areas, so we’ve been building a lot of arbors, covered patios and outdoor kitchens,” Derick says. “These kind of projects are really like adding another room onto your house because you’re then able to enjoy your backyard so much more.” When someone signs a contract with Decked Out, they can be assured the company will be with them through the entire project. From the design process to HOA approval to procuring all the necessary city permits, the company is happy to help turn their clients’ projects into reality. For more information on Decked Out or a free personalized estimate, call Derick at 214.509.0069 or email info@ deckedoutpatios.com.

Standing: Officer Chris Hester, Adrian Riojas, Dylan Hillman, Jacob Chang, Adam Broshears, Darian Graham, Officer Joe Anders; Seated: Hanah Neeley, Caleb Conant, Chaand Lakhani, Kevin Walker, Greg Sandoval

Allen Police Explorer Post 2000 by Kathleen Vaught Armed with a 300-page study guide, hundreds of hours worth of training over a two-year span and facing competitors from 48 states, the Allen Police Explorer Post 2000 finished as top in the nation for Arrest, Search and Seizure at the 2012 National Police Explorers Competition held in Fort Collins, Colorado. This was no small achievement as there were approximately 4,000 participants in attendance with many from much larger urban areas than Allen. “This team was perfect and they sure earned their 100% score,” commented the Drug Enforcement Administration Agent that judged the scenario of the Allen Explorers. Held every other year, the National Police Explorer Competition tests the skills of Explorer teams around the

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country in numerous scenarios reflecting actual situations faced by police officers on a day-to-day basis. Teams of four must demonstrate their ability to effectively respond on a range of activities including traffic stops, arrest and search, bomb threat response, accident investigations, hostage negotiations, crime pre vention, white-collar crime and more. The comprehensive study guide used by the Explorers to train was developed through the cooperation of International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. It provides them with principles adaptable to various law enforcement situations in order to successfully handle the various training activities safely and professionally.

“The scenarios used in competition are assigned by lottery,” said Allen Police Officer Sam Rippamonti who supervises Explorer Post 2000. “The teams do not know what situation they will be faced with, so we have to train and learn appropriate responses for all of them in order to be as best prepared as we can.” Explorer Post 2000 trains yearround on a weekly basis. This training not only prepares them for regional, state and national competitions, it gives them a first-hand insight into the demanding career they may be considering for their future. “This program models leadership for the kids,” explained Sergeant Jon Felty of the Allen Police Department. “These teams cannot function well or be successful without leaders. And the

leaders cannot lead without a cooperative team.” Law Enforcement Exploring is part of a larger program originally created by the Boys Scouts of America to help youth ages 14 to 21 explore possible career paths. The Allen Police Department Explorer Post 2000, named for the year it was founded, provides an opportunity for Allen youth to examine law enforcement as a career and develop life-long skills. Among the first participants in Explorer Post 2000, Jennifer Humphries worked her way up to a leadership position of Captain, and achieved Explorer of the Year for the State of Texas. She credits her time with the Explorers as key to her landing a position in Communications Dispatch with the Allen Police Department nearly a decade ago and has since been elevated to the role of Communications Dispatch Supervisor. “Throughout the years I was in the Explorer Program, I was able to work hand-in-hand with the Police Department and its members,” Jennifer said. “It gave me a true sense of what it was like to be able to work for a police department and I grew to want nothing more than to work for the Allen Police Department.” Having worked for several years with the Explorers as an advisor, Jennifer agrees that there are some amazing and wonderful success stories of Explorers eventually being able to pursue careers in law enforcement as police officers and dispatchers. However, she also believes that some of the greatest success stories are about those Explorers who went through the program and came out with the knowledge that it was not the right career for them. “I have seen some of our Explorers leave the program and become great teachers, firefighters, doctors and beyond,” she said. “To see them gain the necessary skills to succeed in life, in any career, and do what they are truly meant to do, is astounding.” Explorers also assist the police

Back: Kevin Walker, Jacob Chang, Adam Broshears, Dylan Hillman, Caleb Conant, Adrian Riojas, Darian Graham; Front: Hannah Neeley, Chaand Lakhani, Greg Sandoval department during special events, raise their own funds to attend competitions and participate in various community service programs. During last summer ’s extreme heat, there were many Allen residents struggling to make their power bill payments. Even though the temp erature reached 104 degrees, the Allen Explorers worked all day at a local Sonic restaurant raising over $1200, which was donated to Allen

Community Outreach to help those residents in need. The Allen Police Explorer Post 2000 meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Allen Police Department storefront in The Village at Allen. For more information or to complete an online application to become an Explorer, visit AllenPolice.org. v Kathleen Vaught is the senior marketing specialist for the City of Allen

Allen Image x September 2012

Snippets Spring Bulbs of North Texas The Collin County Master Gardener Association (CCMGA) is hosting their 9th Annual Fall Fundraiser Spring Bulbs for North Texas. The sale will run through Monday, October 1 and benefits CCMGA community outreach and educational programs in Collin County. They will be selling a selection of spring blooming bulbs including new varieties and some old favorites that are researched and proven to be suitable for our climate and soil extremes—daffodils, species tulips, grape hyacinth, lilies and more. These bloomers are perennial, do not require prechilling, are drought tolerant and are excellent choices for water-wise gardens and many are not available at local nurseries. “Spring Bulbs for North Texas” is scheduled to be presented by the CCMGA Speakers Bureau for the City of Melissa on September 8, and at Wells Brothers in Plano on September 22. There will also be a series of presentations on this topic to garden clubs and other organizations throughout September.

Celebration features live music, local produce and dinner under the stars The Connemara Meadow Preserve will be filled with the sounds of the Clay Wilson Band for the third annual Into The Meadow celebration on September 22. The DFW-based contemporary country band features Clay Wilson on vocals, Andrew Donald on fiddle, Tyler Jones on lead guitar, Cody Clemmons on bass and Chance Cochran on drums. “We’re very excited to have the Clay Wilson Band as part of this year’s Into The Meadow,” said Connemara Executive Director Sandra Greenway. “They are the rising stars on the red dirt music scene. And they believe deeply in the mission of Connemara.” Tickets and sponsorships are available at intothemeadow. com or by calling 214.351.0990 for the fundraiser benefiting the Connemara Conservancy Foundation, which currently protects more than 4,000 acres of land in North Texas and provides a wide range of environmental education programs. In just two years, Into The Meadow has become Connemara’s signature fundraising event, celebrating locally produced food and the conservancy’s mission of preserving and protecting open space throughout North Texas. Once again the event will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Pecan Grove, live music, an auction and the signature white tablecloth dinner held under the stars in the Meadow Preserve. v

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A color brochure, description of bulbs available for sale and an order form are available at ccmgatx.org. Orders must be accompanied by a check or money order payable to CCMGA and must be received by October 1. Mail orders to Paulette Compton, 2012 CCMGA Treasurer, 4401 Waterford Dr., Plano, TX 75024. Please call 972.548.4219 or 972.548.4232 for additional information and presentation schedule. v

Snippets Clothez-4-Kidz Swords and Swashbucklers is the September movie series at the Allen Public Library. So “hie thee hither” to the library’s civic auditorium on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. for lots of swashes and buckles!

The Prisoner of Zenda Sept. 4—The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), starring Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch is drugged and kidnapped. Sept 11—The Sea Hawk (1940), starring Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall and Claude Rains. Geoffrey Thorpe is an adventurous and dashing pirate, who feels that he should pirate the Spanish ships for the good of England.

All communities have children in need of new clothes. Unfortunately, not all families have the means to provide them. Clothez-4-Kidz, a project sponsored by Rockbridge Church in Allen, seeks to address this problem through partnerships with school districts, churches and businesses. We will provide $100 in new clothing to each child in the program through our partnership with Kohl’s department stores and other retailers. We hope to reach at least 100 kids in our area. The program is scheduled for September 29, beginning at 5 a.m. at Kohl’s department store in Plano (McDermott Drive and Custer Road).

Sept 18—Prince of Foxes (1949), starring Tyrone Power and Orson Welles. An unscrupulous agent for the Borgias suffers a change of heart when asked to betray a noble count and his much younger, very beautiful wife.

Want to help? You can donate money by having your business or church take part. You can volunteer time on that Saturday morning to assist families in shopping for clothes for their children. Or you can spread the word by promoting this program in your churches and local businesses.

Sept 25—Against All Flags (1952), starring Errol Flynn, Anthony Quinn and Yvonne DeCarlo. Brian Hawke of the Royal Navy versus the pirates of Madagascar.

Clothez-4-Kidz wants to help clothe as many children as possible, so please join us in this effort. For more information please call 972.467.3243.

Eagle Scout Project Stephen Holmes, with BSA Troop 328 at First United Methodist Church Allen has been a Boy Scout for four years and is currently a Life Scout. He plays trumpet in the Allen High School band and has noticed a need for used band instruments for students who want to be involved in the band program but can’t afford an instrument. For his Eagle Scout Project he will be collecting used band instruments to be donated to AISD. His goal is to collect 30 instruments and he is asking for assistance to reach his goal and help students interested in music procure band instruments they could not otherwise afford. If you have a band instrument, no matter the condition, that you would like to donate, please email Stephen at sholmes0@tx.rr.com. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your generosity. v

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Snippets A Celebration of Quilted Arts The public is invited to “A Celebration of Quilted Arts” reception and silent auction hosted by the Allen Quilters’ Guild on Thursday evening, September 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Allen. Quilting has come a long way from the “sewing circles” of old and is now considered an art form with much diversity in creativity and purpose. The art quilt, a small quilt designed to hang on a wall, usually includes several different media such as thread painting and bead or crystal embellishments and is gaining in popularity as a very versatile decorating element. These small quilts can be changed with the season or used to decorate the home for a particular holiday. Christmas and Halloween wall hangings are especially popular. The silent auction will also include traditional quilted items along with table runners and place mats, large quilted market totes, rope baskets, Kindle covers and fabric jewelry. We will also have several neighboring quilt guilds in attendance displaying and selling tickets for their beautiful raffle quilts. Registration will start at 6:30 p.m. and bidding will start at 7 pm. Refreshments will be provided by the Allen Quilters’ Guild. The First Presbyterian Church in Allen is located at 605 S. Greenville Ave., just north of Bethany. The entrance and parking will be on the east side of the building. The Allen Quilters’ Guild meets the third Thursday of each month at the Presbyterian Church. For more information visit www. allenquilters.org. v

Fall and winter landscape preparation Celebrate the first day of fall by learning how to prepare your landscape for the up coming seasons! The Allen Public Library presents “Preparing Your Landscape for Fall and Winter,” 2 p.m., Saturday, September 22, Allen Public Library Civic Auditorium, 300 N. Allen Drive. Sponsored by Collin County Master Gardeners, this program is free. Collin County Master Gardeners are trained citizens who take an active interest in landscaping, gardening and promoting horticultural practices in the community. They will cover a variety of topics, including: • Cool season vegetables, herbs, bulbs and flowers—now is the time to plant spring bulbs! • If and when to apply fertilizer. • The importance of mulching so that plants remain healthy through winter. • The best watering practices for winter temperatures. • The use of pre-emergent herbicides for weed control. Are you interested in being a part of community gardening? The Allen Garden Club will be present to answer your questions, provide handouts with information and give away free seeds. Door prizes include two $25 gift certificates from Puckett’s Nursery. Tickets will be handed out 1/2-hour before the program begins. To register, contact the library, 214.509.4905 or Allison Johnson, ajohnson@cityofallen.org. v Allen Image x September 2012

Snippets Note-ably North Texas Chorus’ 10th Anniversary Do you like music? Do you love to sing? Note-ably North Texas Women’s Barbershop Chorus in Allen is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. We are a chapter of a worldwide organization of women singers who share a common love of music and performance.

Fall Bazaar The Fall Bazaar at First United Methodist Allen began more than 25 years ago—headed by Joan Ray—and involved the United Methodist Women (UMW) making hand-crafted items and baked goods for sale to raise money for local and area missions, as well as for mission efforts of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

We offer unlimited training and educational opportunities for new singers and experienced singers. Music, singing, caring for each other, teaching, community and fun are at the core of this chorus. We would like to invite you to experience a night with our chorus to celebrate our tenth anniversary. We will entertain you with ballads, uptunes, patriotic music and popular music from the past. We will also teach the audience some barbershop tags, so that you can experience the fun of ringing chords in four-part harmony. It’s an amazing outlet.

The Ruth Circle group of UMW formed a craft group and began meeting a couple of times each month to share ideas and work on items to sell in the fall. In 1991, the Fall Bazaar was opened to outside vendors to rent a space and sell their wares. Today, the number has grown to include about sixty vendors who offer everything from candles, leather goods, purses, hand-crafted jewelry, baby blankets and other baby items, hand-crafted wood writing pens and much more. Behind the scenes, a tremendous organizing effort takes place beginning in mid-April and continues until the day of the Fall Bazaar. All funds raised go to missions which include: Allen Community Outreach, Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center, Send Hope for Honduras, Plano Children’s Medical Center, Samaritan Inn, Hope’s Door, Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Methodist Family and Rehabilitation in San Antonio, Project Transformation, Wesley Rankin Center and No More Malaria. This year the Fall Bazaar is on Saturday, October 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The craft and bake sale are held in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee and cinnamon rolls will also be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Vicki Young at VLY0108@tx.rr.com. v

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Afterwards you can enjoy some refreshments, compliments of our talented chorus members. Let us get to know you and tell you more about our chorus and answer any questions. So, join us on Thursday, September 27, at 7 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 2005 Estates Parkway, in Allen (east entrance in back), and help us celebrate. For more information call Diane Dixon at 214.538.7372 or visit our website at www.nntchorus.org. v

feature soon developed a loyalty to the button accordion, or bayan. “Because my father played the button accordion,” he explains, “when I was a small kid I thought the button accordion played better.” As required of all 18-year-old USSR citizens, from 1967 to 1969 Vladimir served two years in the Soviet Army, playing the tuba in a military band before continuing his education. Enrolling in the famed Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Vladimir studied the button by Peggy Helmick-Richardson accordion and traditional Russian folk instruments, along with piano and music theory. Although he learned how to play other Russian folk instruments such as the domra and balalaika, he emphasizes, “It’s not like I can play them professionally. I know the instruments and can write music for them.” After graduating in 1974, Vladimir returned to the Soviet Army to play in a military band based in Riga. “There was like a 20-person orchestra, a dance group and a choir, and I played the accordion in the orchestra,” he notes. “We performed in the Baltic countries and sometimes in Russia.” Following this, he opened a music studio in Riga, teaching accordion and then joined a border patrol military group consisting of an orchestra, choir and dance group. From 1978 to 1980, Vladimir performed with the acclaimed Krasnoyarsk Dance Ensemble of Siberia’s symphony orchestra. “It is a government organization, big productions,” Vladimir recalls. “There was a lot of travel and every night a concert.” While in Siberia, Vladimir met and married his wife Elena, and the couple returned to Riga in 1980, just prior to the birth of their daughter, Natalya. Back in his hometown, Vladimir directed and performed in The Riga Concert and played in a concert band based in Urmula, a suburb of Riga Vladimir Kaliazine on the shore of the Baltic Sea. With the anticipated dissolution of the Soviet Close your eyes as Vladimir Kaliazine coaxes a tune Union, jobs became scarce. In 1989, Vladimir met balalaika from his accordion and you may suddenly find yourself player Sergey Vashchenko, an award-winning musician swaying along to the music in a European bistro. and graduate of the Ural Conservatory. When faced with Vladimir’s heart holds the mystical power of the music, few musical opportunities locally, the two decided to form and he lets it flow from his fingers through his instrument Bubliki, a Russian folk music group that also included a and straight to the soul of his listeners. concertino player, violinist, percussionist, three dancers His explanation for this power is simple: “Russian and singer. “Everybody danced and played at the same music is from deep sadness to deep laughing.” time,” he explains. Born in Riga, Latvia, then a part of the United Soviet This talented troupe soon began booking gigs all Socialist Republic, Vladimir began his musical instruction around Europe. In 1993, the prestigious folk music-oriented at age five under his father, also an accordionist. Although Harmonie Festival in Limburg, Germany, awarded Bubliki he started his training on a keyboard accordion, Vladimir a first place prize.

This Latvian accordionist makes magic

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When asked for a translation of the Russian word “bubliki,” Vladimir laughs and explains that the name was chosen for its playful attitude. “A bubliki,” he continues, “is a kind of Russian bagel but with a bigger hole.” The two friends also began performing as the duet, Kalinka. Vladimir points out that the kalinka is not only a berry that grows across northern Russia but also a popular folk song of that region. “Kalinka, it grows in my garden…,” he sings, and then adds with a smile, “And of course, it’s about love.” It was Bubliki’s visit to Pontevedra, Spain, that opened more doors for Kalinka. Vladimir and Sergey were invited to stay longer to perform in towns around the country. Soon both men’s families joined them in Spain. In 1993, Lev Kardonsky, a Riga violinist who had emigrated to the United States Miguel Antonio and Vladimir Kaliazine earlier, invited Vladimir and Sergey to come WaterTower Theatre in Addison and area schools. They to Dallas and perform with him for a six-week stint at the also play occasionally for private functions and at local Russian Room in Crescent Court. restaurants. One of Vladimir and Miguel’s more The following year Vladimir returned to Dallas on a memorable performances was hosted in a cave outside of work visa, performing again in the Russian Room and Taxco, Mexico. Frankie’s Little Europe. In 1995, Elena and Natalya joined “We are creating a lot of our own arrangements now, him here. After living in East Dallas, the Kaliazine’s opted from Russian folk music to Spanish flamenco.” Vladimir to settle in Allen in 2001. All have since become U.S. points out. citizens. When not performing, Vladimir enjoys being with Vladimir also performs solo and occasionally his granddaughters, 5-year-old Sophia and 8-month-old collaborates with other artists, including the Dallas Katrine-Maria, who live in Plano with their mom and dad, Chamber Orchestra, Irving Symphony and Allen Natalya Kaliazine-Smith and Matt Smith. Philharmonic Symphony. In addition, he composed the Sergey also returned to Dallas in 1995 and Kalinka music for a ballet based on a Russian folk tale “The soon began making a name for itself in Texas and across Fisherman and the Magic Golden Fish” by Alexander the U.S. The duet was awarded a spot in the Texas Pushkin and teaches private piano, music theory and Commission on the Arts Touring Artists Roster. In addition, accordion lessons. two of their CDs received Grammy nominations in 2003 His latest acquisition, a state-of-the-art digital button and 2008 in the World Music category. Roland accordion, has 80 sets and each set has 14 accordion It was during their first visit to Texas that friend and sounds and almost 20 orchestra sounds. To demonstrate, artist Gail Shute introduced Vladimir and Sergey to the Vladimir flips a few buttons and soon has the Stuttgart renowned flamenco guitarist and luthier, Miguel Antonio. Orchestra resounding through his office. In addition to his studies at SMU, Miguel trained under Shaking his head, this gifted musician points out, “The flamenco notables such as Paco Pena and traveled and accordion, it’s not very popular here, but in Europe— performed around the world, accompanying other famed Germany, France, Russia—there are [accordion] concerts performers such as Jose Greco, Mariano de Cordoba, and with 2,000 to 3,000 people there.” the Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco. An ambassador for the accordion, Vladimir never Soon, the three musicians joined forces and began passes on an opportunity to demonstrate its magic. Locally, booking performances as a trio. fans can hear him Friday nights at Jorge’s Café Vienna in Five years ago, Sergey and his family moved to Plano’s Downtown Historic District. To learn more about Austin, where he now performs with the Flying Balalaika upcoming performances and lessons, Vladimir can be Brothers. He and Vladimir still play as Kalinka when contacted at 214.417.2515 or kaliazene@sbcglobal.net. v opportunities arise. Today, Vladimir and Miguel perform in concerts Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. around the state as well as at local venues such as the Allen Image x September 2012

kids korner

Parenting Tips from the Blogosphere By Deborah Dove I wasn’t much of a blog reader until two things happened: I started my own blog (lightonthelampstand.com) and I got a Pinterest account. Having now forayed into the blogosphere I’m amazed by the wealth of free ideas and inspiration on the web! Since there are literally thousands of blogs, I’m sure there are plenty more I don’t know about that are great, but following are some of my favorite blogs to date that have something to offer parents. Activities for kids www.activity-mom.com—Written by two former elementary teachers, this blog is a treasure trove of ideas and printables for educational and interactive things to do with toddlers to early elementary-aged children. Favorites include busy bag ideas (scissors and ribbon, straws and Play Doh to cut—why didn’t I think of that?), toilet paper roll craft ideas and the pretend play section with ideas for a pretend carnival, printable pretend play shopping lists, and links to a ton of printable Play Doh activity maps. www.notimeforflashcards.com—This blog is dedicated to creative ways to play with your baby, toddler or preschooler. Ideas are categorized by age. There’s a great list of 25 pretend play ideas (laundry basket sail boat, pizza parlor—complete with paper plate pizzas and a cardboard box oven), fine motor skill ideas (cereal bracelets, alphabet tracing with glue), classic crafts (newspaper pirate hats and leaf rubbings?), alphabet activities and more. There is usually a book recommendation to go along with each activity. www.imaginationsoup.com—Want suggestions for age appropriate books for your child? Looking for ipad apps for your toddler or preschooler? Looking for ideas on what to do with your kids, everything from making your own perfume to a do it yourself I Spy book? This blog has all that and more. www.amomwithalessonplan.com—There are many fun ideas on this blog. Glow sticks in the bathtub or pool, tie-dye with markers, rock candy, building with PVC pipe…the list goes on! You can peruse the site to find ideas and activities by age, skill (art, math, reading, etc), lesson plan (specific holiday, tea party, Lego, etc.) or letter. There are also book reviews, helpful mom tips and more.

Party Ideas www.karaspartyideas.com—It’s full of eye candy for your inner party planning goddess. A party directory is organized by themes— every thing from princesses to dinosaurs—and features ideas and beautiful photos of party tables, cakes and decorations. There’s also an e-shop where you can order everything from plates to piñatas. www.onecharmingparty.com—While you can buy “do it yourself” party plans from this blog/website, it also offers plenty of free ideas, from complete party themes (tea party, mad scientist, ice cream party, baby showers and more) to singular ideas that would

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work for any party. Best of all are the free printables included with many of the party idea posts. Click on TV Show to watch videos that offer tutorials on how to frost a cake or cupcakes, how to make caramel apples, decorations, invitations, party favors and more.

Recipes and food www.secondchancetodream.com—A back-to-school go to with lots of ideas (with pictures and recipes) for make ahead breakfast items (no bake chocolate chip granola bars, make your own oatmeal packets, sausage pancake bites) and sandwich-less lunch ideas (taco dip in a cup, pizza muffins, mini chicken pot pies). There many other good ideas, including activities and food for camping. www.cookingwithmykid.com—This blog chronicles one mom’s journey to teach her child to cook and appreciate food other than chicken nuggets, with the goal of 365 recipes in 365 days. The result is a treasure trove of healthy recipes such as ninja bread men, bite sized Greek salad, veggie fried rice, crunchy roasted chickpeas and pumpkin pie granola. www.showkidsthefun.com—Although not officially a blog, much less a cooking blog (its touted as “activities, crafts, games and party themes for kids”), this site features a great list of fun, mostly holiday and special themed cooking and food ideas for kids, including popsicle rockets, pink applesauce, homemade cranberry sauce, Jell-O rainbows, and Valentine pizza.

Inspirational www.momastery.com—Blogger Glennon Melton’s posts about the ups and downs of parenting are often poignant, hilarious or both. You’ll take comfort in the fact that you’re not the only parent whose bedtime ritual is like a game of Whack-a-Mole. From time to time the blog will host “Love Flash Mobs” where readers can donate money ($25 cap per person) to help women in the blog’s community who are in need. Most recently readers have paid for a minivan for a mom with Lou Gehrig’s disease and a vacation for the family of a woman with cancer. www.kellehampton.com—Blogger Kelle Hampton’s life changed with the birth of her second daughter who was born with Down’s syndrome. This blog is beautifully written and photographed and an inspiration to parents of children of all abilities.

Funny www.theblogess.com—Irreverent and hysterical, this blog by Houston Chronicle writer Jenny Lawson offers a glimpse into her sometimes zany and always funny life. If you’re offended by coarse language or easily shocked, this probably isn’t the blog for you. www.finslippy.com—This blog by writer Alice Bradley is funny, witty and well written. Chronicling her day-to-day life with son Henry, she puts into words what all parents are really thinking.

education

Animation video game design by Mark Robinson

Diver Final Render—A computer-generated rendering of a diver from Cremer and Zelenkov’s class project.

This is the part of the story when the reader ’s jaw drops when he or she reads about the animation and gaming industry. Calling it a multi-billion dollar industry would be short changing it. According to DFC Intelligence research, the video game industry will exceed $70 billion by 2015. Last November, Modern Warfare 3 amassed sales of $400 million in its first week on the shelves. Pixar’s animated feature Brave topped $66.3 million its first week in theaters. Dreamworks’ Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted totaled $60 million onits opening weekend. And these are just the giants of the industry. Across the country smaller ani mation and design com panies are producing groundbreaking games, appli c ations and more that help entertain the millions that consume what might be the world’s No. 1 media. Collin College, of course, is at the

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ground floor. Many students in the Communication Design program find themselves at local studios even before they finish their degree. David Sisk, 34, found himself at Collin College a second time after finishing an associate of science degree in 2001 with plans on becoming an architect. He instead worked as a pharmacy technician before seeking out a potential career in design and animation. “While I was in college (the first

time), I started taking more and more art electives. I started going that direction and doing freelance graphic design and got a job as a graphic artist for Yellow Pages,” Sisk said. In 2008, he returned to Collin College. “I did that because I knew that the Yellow Pages would not be around forever because everything was moving to electronic media like television and the Internet,” Sisk said. Today, he is at Janimation, a Dallas-based visual effects studio that does everything from interactive web games, commercials and the occasional feature. There, he is a generalist. “I do anything they ask me to,” Sisk said. “I do a lot of motion graphics (words moving across a screen), a little bit of animation, particle effects and web development.” Projects he’s had a hand in are commercials for Bayer and LeapFrog

GeneVehicle—A computer-generated vehicle from Cremer and Zelenkov’s class project.

what I was going to do with my life. I was always drawing and sculpting as a kid. My dad told me to take a class at Collin College,” Zelenkov, a McKinney resident, said. He wound up in professor Nathan Smithson’s 3D Modeling class. “After the first class, my dad was waiting in the cafeteria, and I came out and my hands were shaking because I’d gotten so much cool information and been exposed to so many awesome things. I knew that

this was what I really wanted to do,” he said. “The professors are very encouraging and they want you to experience things. Instead of telling you what to do, they let you explore a bunch of areas and experiment.” Zelenkov interned at Element X Creative in Dallas and was employed at ID Software before becoming a freelance artist. Recently, he took a gig as a freelancer for Liquid Development, a video game developer out of Seattle responsible for such titles as Mass

LeoSuitDesign3—A pencil illustration by Leo Cremer from his and Gene Zelenkov’s Game and Simulation Group Project course project, “The Black Box.” and the upcoming multi-platformed video game, Borderlands 2. “One of the best things about my job is that you get to wear a lot of hats,” Sisk said. “You’re not going to do the same thing every single day. Whereas, if you were an animator or modeler at a big studio or game company, you’d be doing the same thing day in and day out for months. It’s a cool job if you like doing creative things, and you get to exercise those muscles a lot. Every single job is different. Although you apply the skills you’ve learned, there are always new challenges.” At 23, Gene Zelenkov has already experienced a lot in the animation and game industry despite being seemingly rudderless as a high school student on the brink of going to college. “My senior year, I didn’t know Allen Image x September 2012

Effect 2, Fire Fall, The Beatles Rockband and much more. At Liquid Development, Zelenkov does game assets like props and environment pieces. “Most students want to do characters,” he said. “That’s great, but that’s not how you get a job unless you’re really good right off the bat. You can turn more heads and inspire more people with a really good environment than with a character. In most games you will be focused on story, missions, gameplay and environments rather than the character.”

Animation and design has taken Leo Cremer to a number of different places. Before he’d left Collin College, Reel FX, a major animation and postproduction company in Dallas, hired him on a freelance basis and he stayed for about a year working on, among other things, two movie projects including the feature Open Season 2. He bounced around providing 3D modeling and other support on a number of projects. Another opportunity took him to the Center for BrainHealth, where he was the lead technical artist.

Cremer created a series of avatars and set up rigging to capture facial expression, which were fed into a third-party software. The idea was to help and study patients with social or cognitive disorders. The patient would sit in a room by himself behind a large monitor with a webcam, which would track 22 points on the face. Movements or expressions would be shown on the avatar created by Cremer to show the individual facial expressions that indicate sadness or anger. “The challenge of dealing with new technologies has been a surprise,” Cremer said in reference to the animation field. “I feel like I’ve started to understand, and I’ve gotten to a point where I’m comfortable then I start to explore other areas. That’s what I enjoy about the industry. I like a new challenge.” From feature films and com mercials to healthcare, Cremer’s latest interests revolve around gaming on the mobile level. His current projects stem from his freelance work and include a number of mobile games including a new strategy game, a new puzzle game and a reimagining of cooperative card play in the vein of Magic: The Gathering. “I always knew I wanted to do something creative from the day I started drawing. When I was 10, I started playing around with computers, programming and different things,” Cremer said. “I knew I’d be involved with the development of the software and the creative side. Fortunately for me, my career ’s involved both.” Please go to www.collin.edu/ academics/programs/CommDesign_ Animation.html for more information about Collin College’s Communication Design program. v Mark Robinson is the public relations associate at Collin College.

David Sisk

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Photo by Nick Young/Collin College photographer.

library

Bernardo de Gálvez by Tom Keener

Photo: Jimmy Hayward The forgotten hero of the American Revolution, Bernardo de Gálvez, Count de Gálvez of Spain, appears at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 13. The City of Galveston and Allen’s local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are named for this often forgotten hero who played such a pivotal role in our nation’s freedom. Sponsored by Bach to Books, DAR Bernardo de Gálvez chapter and Allen High School’s LULAC Youth Council 300, this program is free. Chaz Mena will reenact the life of Gálvez and highlight Spain’s enormous contribution in helping the United States achieve liberty. Yo Solo is a one-man show about the Spanish

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general and viceroy who besieged British Pensacola in 1781 and ultimately changed the course of the American Revolution. Last January, “Yo Solo…I Alone”, a solo piece on the life of Gálvez was commissioned by University of West Florida and videotaped at Pensacola’s PBS station WSRE with a live studio audience. “Yo Solo” was nationally distributed on PBS stations, but a live performance will be featured at the Allen Public Library. An accomplished actor with an impressive resume of dramatic accomplishments off Broadway, Chaz has performed in regional theaters, film and television and is a regular on Nickelodeon’s Spanish language series, Grachi.

“Over the objections of his naval captains and fearless of the heavy guns guarding the mouth of Pensacola Bay, Bernardo de Gálvez took his personal schooner and ran the gauntlet entering the bay and thus exposing the port,” explains Dr. Thomas Chávez in his book Spain and the Independence of the United States. “His action resulted in a major British defeat that impacted the path of the war for United States independence. As a result of this action, the King of Spain decreed that henceforth the Gálvez family shield have the words “Yo Solo,” or “I Alone,” Chaves continues. This was just one event of many for Bernardo de Gálvez who, as a high ranking officer in the Spanish military, is a personal example of the role that Spain played in helping to secure the birth of a new nation that would be called The United States of America.” Dr. Chávez will help introduce Count de Gálvez by telephone conference call. For more information, please call 214.509.4911. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library.

Second Annual Allen Folk Festival by Tom Keener

This year’s Allen Folk Festival is being hosted Saturday, September 15, at the Allen Public Library, at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. Seating is limited so come early. Tickets issued at 7 pm. A popular performer at coffee houses in Austin, Joy Luther sings straight from the heart. Joy was born in Northern Ireland into a family of bagpipers and poets with whom oral tradition and music are valued. “Music told stories, words had meaning and emotion and belief systems were communicated with passion,” explains Joy. “Songwriting allows us potential to understand ourselves as well as inspire creative change. I see songs as short, short, short stories!” Inspired by the 1960’s folk revival music of Peter, Paul, Mary, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Joy began playing guitar when she was 16. A pivotal moment in her career occurred when she sang her own composition about a Yaqui Indian who worked on a Texas ranch. Afterwards, a man identified himself as a Yaqui Indian and stated that he had never heard a song about his tribe and his heart was filled with

Joy Luther

Fox & the Bird emotion. Joy notes, “Song writing and stories come through me and I share them so my music can be extended into the hearts of others. Happiness occurs when my music touches someone’s heart, which is expressed by tears, healing and inspiration. Something takes place inside me which is extended to others.” The beauty of folk music is its limitless ability to evolve. Fox & the Bird is no exception with its eclectic style that offers unique sounds with a variety of instruments and vocal styles. Classifying their manner of folk is impossible. Expressive stories are told with descriptive images and their songs speak to the soul. Combining mellow voices and a variety of instruments, Fox & the Bird delivers mesmerizing performances that possess a mystique and style that defy musical formula.

This multi-instrumentalist in a duckbilled cap, bandleader and Allen native, Dan Bowman, plays the guitar, trumpet and accordion during the same song. Other band members include Dan’s wife Kelsi, Jacob Metcalf and Dustin Ballard. Linked by a desire to make music, Fox & the Bird began performing in the living rooms of various friends. Their concert at the popular Dallas venue, The Annex House, garnered high praise, encouraging the group to continue performing. Following this, they played locally at the Granada and House of Blues and went on a Colorado tour. Dan notes, “We play authentic folk music that our fans can connect to because it’s honest and appeals to the soul. What we lack in flashy guitar and drum solos, we make up in the heart.” Please call 214.509.4911 for more information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. Allen Image x September 2012

living green

GREENER cleaner home

The

by Peggy Helmick-Richardson

There are lots of good reasons for making your own household cleaners. Maybe you prefer not exposing your family to the toxic chemicals found in many of the commercial cleaning products. Possibly you find yourself debating whether or not to skip on the cleaning because you can’t find your rubber gloves and know your hands will be raw for days if you clean without them. Or does the smell of most cleaners and detergents curl your nose? I have a neighbor who is fond of a particular brand of laundry detergent with, to me, such a strong and noxious fragrance that her washdays send me back indoors every time. And of course, there’s the issue of what we are dumping into our water system and landfills. A growing number of natural cleaning products are

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readily available today. If you are pleased with them, wonderful! It is convenient to be able to just unscrew a cap or scoop out a cupful. But there is one more significant factor for me—saving money. Making your own cleaning products can meet all these needs, even convenience, but these homemade concoctions can especially save you some bucks. Okay, so you might have to do a little more than just open and use, but most of the homemade products I have made are super simple and work great. For those that do take a little extra effort, I just make a large amount at one time so I don’t have to do it so often.

Sink, tub and tile cleaner

I was delighted to discover that this concoction cleans as well as, if not better than, scouring powder. As an added bonus, I don’t have to wear gloves when I use it. Make a paste of: • 1 cup baking soda • ¼ cup white vinegar • enough liquid soap [like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, or an all-natural dish soap, either purchased or homemade] to create a consistency you like • optional—a few drops of a fragrant essential oil if you are using an unscented soap Place the baking soda in a wide-mouth jar and pour the vinegar in very slowly. If you pour the vinegar in quickly, you will end up

melted, stirring occasionally. Be patient, this may take a while depending on how finely you grate the soap. Put the washing soda, borax and melted soap mixture in the 5-gallon bucket. Mix well and then gradually fill the rest of the bucket up with the hottest water possible from your faucet and stir until combined. Cover and then let the mixture sit for 24 hours. After this, stir well what now looks like a goopy mess and then ladle into one or more smaller, more convenient containers with good lids. I like using the 1- and 2-quart #7 plastic bottles that some brands of juice are sold in. Before using, shake well. For a normal load, use 1/3 cup of detergent, and more for larger or super dirty loads. Also pre-treat stains with a dab of the detergent rubbed into them. Note that this detergent does not suds up like commercial detergents, but suds are absolutely no indication of cleaning power. A chocolate ice cream-covered T-shirt that came out of the washing machine spotless proved to me that this detergent works just as well, if not better than, the storebought detergents I have used. Plus, you’ll find that homemade detergent is significantly cheaper than commercial laundry detergents. I estimated that my 5-gallons came to less than $7.

mopping up a foamy mess on your counter and finding out how well it cleans sooner than you planned. (Think back to those childhood days when you made volcanoes using baking soda and vinegar for the lava.) Add about 2 Tbsp of the liquid soap. Put the lid on the jar and shake well. Continue adding soap until it’s the consistency you like. Store any you don’t use in the jar with the lid on tight. Ready for a little more challenge? Then let’s kick it up a notch and make…

Liquid Laundry Detergent

Start out by getting a clean 5-gallon plastic bucket with a lid. You can buy these, but better yet, you can often find them at bakeries, delis and restaurants and rescue one otherwise headed to the landfill. Ingredients • 1 cup washing soda (Please note this is washing soda, usually found in the detergent aisle, NOT baking soda) • 1 cup borax (plain borax, found in the detergent aisle) • 1 5-6-oz bar of soap (Many recipes call for Fels Naptha laundry soap, but it still has ingredients that some may object to. A good quality, basic all-natural bar like a castile or homemade lye soap will meet most folks needs.) Grate the soap as finely as possible and place it in a 2-quart saucepan 2/3 full of water. Slowly bring this soap mixture to a simmer and keep it here until all the soap has

Dishwasher Detergent

Ingredients: • 1 cup borax • 1 cup washing soda • ½ cup kosher salt • ½ cup citric acid (This can be ordered online through a number of various resources or purchased locally at homebrewing supply stores. Shop carefully because I found that prices for this vary wildly. One homebrewing store in Richardson sells citric acid for about $4.50 lb.) Some recipes call for less citric acid, but for the hard water found in our area, the larger amount works better. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Citric acid is a notorious “clumper” so you may need a fork or similar implement to break up the clumps. Place the mixture in a container with a tight fitting lid and shake each time before use. Fill the detergent cups in your dishwasher like you would with a commercial soap. For a little extra boost and to add sparkle to your glassware, pour white vinegar in the compartment intended for rinse products. Vinegar is a good rinsing agent even if you use commercial dishwasher detergents. If you have other green household suggestions that can shared in future Living Green columns, send them to twiceuponatime@sbcglobal.net. Please put Living Green plus the topic in the subject box of your email. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. Allen Image x September 2012

pet page This girl’s momma showed up at a shelter

“Coco”

out in East Texas with a belly full of babies. After she had her litter there, she was rescued and brought into safety. It was a big family—10 puppies in all.

Coco is searching for her forever home! One of the litter, Coco, is in a foster home with two small dogs and a cat. She loves people and other animals and is looking for her forever home. Currently, she is four months old and weighs approximately 15 pounds (she will probably weigh 40-50 pounds when she is full grown). Coco is a very sweet girl. She is spayed, current on shots and heartworm prevention and is micro-chipped. She loves to play ball and her water bowl is great entertainment for her. Coco is crate trained and is working on potty training. She is walking on a lead and knows “Sit.” As with any puppy, her adoptive family will need to have the time and patience to teach her to be the best puppy ever. You can put in an application now and start the approval process through http:// www.collincountyhumanesociety.org/ adoption-application.html.

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For MarketPlace Your Health

Allen Image x September 2012

cooking

In search of the best burger recipe by Deborah Dove

Bacon C heddar Burger

1 lb. g round be 1/2 c. shredd ef ed Ch 2 Tbs. edd pr 1/2 tsp epared hor ar cheese seradis . salt h 1/2 tsp . pepp er 1/4 tsp . garlic p 1/2 c. real ba owder con bit 1/2 tsp s . liquid 4 ham s burger moke In a la rge bo buns wl, mix chedda r togeth er the powde cheese, hors ground r, liquid eradish , salt, smoke freezer pepper beef, and ba for 20 , garlic co minute before s (help n bits. Place shaping m s ea p into 4 atties s Lightly hambu tay tog t in oil the r e g t e her) on a gr r grill gra ill te. Plac patties. e hamb per sid preheated to urger p e, high an at d toasted or until we ll done cook for 5 m ties buns. * inutes . Serve This re in a sk illet or c on bu tt on a G ipe also wor ks well ered, eorge Forem c o oked an grill.

Italy has its pizza and pasta, Mexico its tortillas, Great Britain its fish and chips and Japan its sushi. Although the cuisine in the United States is an amalgamation, much like our population, there is one food that is uniquely and quintessentially Americanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the burger! First gaining popularity in the 1920s with the White Castle burger, and taking off globally in the 1940s with the creation of McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the American burger (or some form of it) is now popular worldwide. In the United States, the hamburger, which allegedly originated in either Athens, Texas, or Seymour, Wisconsin, (both claim the title) has

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continued to evolve. There are burgers topped with Vermont-aged smoked white Cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese or blue cheese; patties sandwiched between toasted potato buns, sourdough buns or fluffy white buns; and toppings that include everything from caramelized onions to green chilies to bacon to the classics—crisp lettuce, thick sliced tomatoes, a ring or two or onion and a crunch of pickles. There are sliders and open-faced burgers, and burgers made from ground beef, ground brisket, ground turkey, black beans and even buffalo meat. In fact there are few foods as easy to personalize as the hamburger! As McDonald’s knew when it introduced the Big Mac with its “special sauce” in 1968, the sauce often makes the burger. With a smear of garlic mayonnaise, Russian dressing or barbecue sauce, you can change a simple burger into something unique and special. Just as there is no shortage of ways to dress a burger, there are also several ways to cook a burger. Burgers can be grilled, pan-fried in a hot, dry skillet, steamed or “smash cooked” on a cast iron griddle or skillet, or broiled in the oven. According to experts, the best and juiciest burgers are made from ground beef chuck, which are 20% fat. If you use a leaner cut of meat, add a little olive oil to the meat before forming the patties to make the burger juicier. The patty should be 3/4- to 1-inch thick, and the meat should be handled as little as possible to avoid creating a meatloaf like consistency. Slightly pressing in the center of a raw patty makes for a flat patty. A really good homemade burger is one of my favorite foods in the world, so it was no hardship to put together this collection of tasty burger recipes.

1/2 c. chopped olives 2 c. arugula 4 buns Preheat grill or grill pan. Season turkey with thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Form meat into four patties. Cook over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on the first side. Flip and sprinkle cheese on the top of each patty. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until burgers feel firm. Lay arugula on the bottom of each bun and top with a patty, olives and the bun top.

Jamaican Veggie Burger 2 Tbs. olive oil 2-1/4 c. chopped onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 habanero pepper, chopped 1-1/2 Tbs. grated fresh ginger root 1 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. ground allspice 3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 2-1/4 c. cooked black beans, rinsed and drained

Greek Turkey Burger 1 lb. lean ground turkey 1/2 tsp. thyme Salt and pepper 1/2 c. feta Allen Image x September 2012

r e g r u B Aloha

eef ound b 1 lb. gr iyaki sauce ter ple 3/4 c. pineap d e c li s 1 can sliced onion, 1 large leaves ce 4 lettu e buns a s 4 se m iss cheese Sw oked 4 slices acon, fully co auce b s riyaki s e t 4 strip tter d d ns of wl. A bu in a bo d 3 tablespoo ag. e 1 Tbs. ic ju b n slices a alable plastic ineapple Drain p ce pineapple se e r a . Pla re in and mix teriyaki mixtu aining on rem ter le e. o p id p p s s a a e t d e in n p sa ds But coat an 4 pattie at grill. until Turn to mburger into er top. Prehe r g d ill a v Shape h riyaki sauce o n hot grill an st lightly. le te ies o o toa pineapp e burger patt t side down t ce on grill lac l cu and pla h. buns. P e buns on gril m bag armed throug o fr c la s P e c . li w s c d le u n done t p a t e, p slices, le rowned e pinea Remov until slightly b ty, pineapple ok h pat and co ers wit acon. g r u b le e and b Assemb s, Swiss chees lice onion s

2-1/4 c. cooked long-grain white rice 2-1/2 c. dry bread crumbs 1 egg, slightly whipped 6 hamburger buns Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir for a few minutes. Mix in the habanero pepper and continue cooking until tender. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Pour in the beans, rice and bread crumbs. Season with ginger, salt,

allspice and nutmeg. Add egg and mix thoroughly using your hands. Form into 6 patties. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the patties until golden on each side, about 10 minutes total. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

Spicy Chipotle Burgers 1 (7-oz.) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, undrained

2 lb. lean ground beef 2 tsp. steak seasoning 4 slices pepper jack cheese For toppings, choose from any of your favoritesÂâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;tomato slices, red onion slices, romaine lettuce leaves, yellow mustard, mayonnaise Process chipotle peppers in a blender until smooth. Measure out 4 teaspoons of puree. Reserve remainder for another use. Combine 4 teaspoons chipotle puree, ground beef and steak seasonÂ ing in a large bowl until blended. Shape mixture into 8 (4-inch) patties; place 1 cheese slice on each patty. Top with remaining 4 patties, pressing edges to seal. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes. Grill, covered with the grill lid, over medium-high heat for 7 to 8 minutes on each side or until beef is no longer pink. Serve on buns with desired toppings. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

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For MarketPlace Your Health

Allen Image x September 2012

calendar

SEPTEMBER

Fashion’s Night Out, 6-9 pm, Watters Creek, 970 Garden Park Drive in Allen. Celebrate the 4th annual international Vogue initiative with an evening of shopping and fashionable fun. Prefashion show bash & cocktails, 6-7 pm, live music and fashion show at White House Black Market, 7 pm. There will be 12 gift bag grand prizes! 10% of the sales benefit the Allen Arts Alliance. For further details call 972.747.8000 or visit www.watterscreek.com.

Into The Meadow, 5-10 pm at The Connemara Meadow Preserve, in Allen. This annual event benefitting the Connemara Conservancy Foundation will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Pecan Grove, live music by the Clay Wilson Band, an auction and the signature white tablecloth dinner held under the stars in the Meadow Preserve. Visit intothemeadow.com or call 214.351.0990 for more information. 150th Anniversary Celebration of the American Civil War, thru the 23rd. From 9 am, Saturday until 2 pm, Sunday, Allen Heritage Village, 402 St. Mary Dr. There will be campfires, drilling practices, bayonet exercises, a medical tent, soap making and blacksmith demonstrations as well as a piebaking contest. For information, contact Anne Gifford at 972.727.8985 or www.allenheritageguild.org.

McKinney Oktoberfest 2012, Downtown McKinney, thru the 29th, Friday, 4-11 pm and Saturday, 10 am-11 pm. Guests can enjoy fantastic German beer from a local brewery, Franconia, along with wine and all of the German cuisine you would find if you were right in the middle of Munich. The kiddos will have a ball with interactive activities and offerings including weenie-dog races, face painting, petting zoo and arts and crafts of all types. Call 972.547.2660 or visit www.downtownmckinney.com for more details.

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Daryl Hall and John Oates will perform at the Allen Event Center. This number one duo makes their first visit to North Texas since 2005. For tickets, 800.745.3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

2012 North Texas Giving Day, from 7 am until midnight. A spectacular opportunity to donate to Allen area nonprofit organizations—Allen Arts Alliance, Allen Community Outreach, Allen Parks Foundation, Connemara Conservancy Foundation, Foundation For Allen Schools, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools and Keep Allen Beautiful—that will receive matching funds for donations on that one day. To give, visit www. donorbridgetx.org from your smart phone or computer.

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Alzheimer’s Association “Walk to End Aszheimer’s” begins at 8 am at Celebration Park in Allen. There will be a 3-mile walk, music and fun activities for kids as well as a special tribute to those affected by Alzheimer’s. Benefits Alzheimer’s care, support and research. For details please visit www.alz.org/walk. A Celebration of Quilted Arts reception and silent auction hosted by the Allen Quilters’ Guild, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 605 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Registration, 6:30 pm; bidding at 7 pm. Refreshments will be provided. Contact@ allenquilters.org for more details.

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Clothez-4-Kidz, 5 am at Kohl’s Department Store, McDermott & Custer, Plano. Sponsored by Rockbridge Church in Allen, this event seeks to provide new clothing to underprivileged children through partnerships with school districts, churches and businesses. For information, call 972.467.3243. Eric E. Peck 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, 1:30 pm Shotgun Start at Heritage Ranch Golf Club in Fairview. The $135 fee includes golf, range balls, mulligans, BBQ dinner post round, snacks and beverages on course, prizes, raffle tickets and Tone Jones Band! All benefits go directly to the Eric E. Peck Foundation to remember and honor the life of Eric Peck, and to raise funds in his name to help others in need. Contact Ted Johnston at ted.johnston@simtaq.com or 469.834.5210 for details.

SEPTEMBER 1-20Collin College Faculty Show, The Arts Gallery, 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. This annual showcase features the latest work from Collin College art faculty including 2D & 3D design, ceramics, commercial art, digital art, drawing, jewelry and art metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and watercolors. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For hours see website. For more info: www.collin.edu/ THEARTSgallery or 972.881.5873. 6

Lovejoy Preschool PTA Annual Membership Coffee, 10 am-12 pm, Lucas. Come meet new and old members of the LPPTA and kick off the school year. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/Lovejoy-Preschool-PTA/, or email at lovejoypreschoolpta@gmail. com. Free Seminar @ Trinity Gardens, 11 am, 690 S. State Hwy. 5, Fairview. Soil Biology & Fall Organic Gardening presented by John Kraus & Sabino Cortez from

Living Natural First Radio Show. Free to the public. For more info: www.trinitytreefarms. com. 13 Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Service Unit 185 Ice Cream Social and Recruitment, 5:30-7 pm, Russell Creek Pavillion, 3500 McDermott Rd., Plano. Unit 185 servies Frisco ISD for the cities of Allen, Plano, and McKinney. Recruitment and troop formation, 10 am-noon, Sept. 29, Maribelle Davis Library, 7501 Independence Pkwy., Plano. For more info: http://su185.com/ or http://www.gsnetx.org/. RSVP to trooporganizer@su185.com.

Collin College presents a free screening of The King’s Speech, 7 pm, Angelika Film Center, Shops at Legacy, 7205 Bishop Road, Plano. Free screening of the Academy Award-winning film about King George VI, who must overcome a lifelong stutter in order to make a crucial radio broadcast after Britain declares war on Germany in 1939. For more info: www.collin.edu/ academics/csce/auteurfilmseries.html.

18 The “Writes” of Passage: How to Write a Personal Statement, College or Scholarship Essay, 6:30-8:30 pm, Preston Ridge Campus, 9700 Wade Blvd., Frisco. This free workshop will cover helpful tips and strategies of writing an effective application or scholarship essay. Open to the public. Registration is required. For more info: www.collin.edu/ destinationcollege or call 972.377.1772. 21-23 Camp Dragonfly, All Saints Camp on Lake Texoma is a camp for children who have lost a loved one within the last two years. Register by September 5. Cost of camp is $25; scholarships are available. For more info: Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties, 903.868.9315 or 903.327.5866. 30 Be a Foodist™ Healthy Cooking Classes For Kids, 2- 4 pm Sundays Sept. 30-Nov. 4 at a Real Bookstore in Village at Fairview.. Ages 6-10. Cost $100. For more info: 972-246-8577.

Allen Image x September 2012

CITY OF ALLEN Allen Event Center For more info: visit www.alleneventcenter.com. 10 Hall & Oates. The # one selling duo in music history, Daryl Hall & John Oates return to North Texas for the first time since 2005. Hall & Oates are revered for their individual songwriting, but as a duo, their ageless chemistry, soulful melodies and infectious pop hooks are absolutely legendary. 21-23The Peddler Show offers shoppers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Whether your style is trendy or traditional, classic or contemporary, you’re sure to find that perfect gift at The Peddler Show, a three-day shopping extravaganza.

Parks and Recreation Events

10 SNAP Dance for Adults with Disabilities (Hollywood Theme), Recreation Hall, 7-10 pm. Live music, snacks and a photo mailed to each participant’s home. For complete information or to get on the email distribution list, email tharben@ cityofallen.org or call 214.509.4707. 15 Harvest Craft Festival, 11 am-1 pm, Allen Senior Center. Start your holiday shopping early! Come experience quality vendors and one of a kind artisans. Crafters and vendors

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will contribute items for prize giveaways held throughout the day. Concessions available for purchase.

Dog Days at Ford Pool, 11 am - 1pm. Come join us at Ford Pool and have a swim with your four-legged companion. All owners with dogs living in Allen must have the dog registered with the City of Allen to attend.

15&22 Saturday Night Rec and Roll, Joe Farmer Recreation Center offers fun and safe social program for students grades 3-6. Activities include gym games and dancing with music provided by a DJ, dodge ball, pool, table tennis, theme nights and contests with prize giveaways. Supervision is provided and concessions are available. Party Packs are $12— includes a $5 concession credit for only $4 (20% savings). An identification card (one-time $5 fee) is required to participate and must be purchased at JFRC anytime before 5:30 pm on the day of the event.

For more info: 972.912.1097 or www.AllenParks.org.

Adult Athletic Leagues For more info: www.allenparks.org or call Athletic Information Hotline: 214.509.4810. Tennis—Registration is open for Summer Tennis camps.

Men’s Basketball—Register through Sept. 11 ($425). Late Reg. Sept. 12-16 ($440). Format: 8 game season + singleelimination tournament. Play begins Oct. 2. Co-Rec Indoor Volleyball—Register through Sept. 11 ($235). Late Reg. Sept. 12-16 ($250). Format: 8 game season + single-elimination tournament. Play begins Oct. 1. Rudolph Run Registration—Registration opens September 10. Cost: Elf Run (1 Mile) - $15; Rudolph Run (5K) - $20 pre-registered or $25 day of race. Event date: Dec. 1. FALL 2012 Adult Leagues at the Allen Community Ice Rink—Allen Adult Hockey I-League (instructional). Evaluations begin Sept. 6.

Allen Adult Hockey D-League (entry competitive). Evaluations begin Aug. 28.

FALL 2012 Youth Leagues at the Allen Community Ice Rink—Jr. Americans Youth Hockey Program. Evaluations begin: Sept. 9. For more information visit the Allen Community Ice Rink page at www. cityofallen.org/acir or call 972.912.1097.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Chidlren Baby and Me: Pre-walkers with adult, Tue. & Thu, 10:15 am.

Fun Ones: 1-year-olds with adult, Mon. & Wed., 10 am; and Tue. 6:30 pm. Together Time: 2 & 3 year-olds with adult, Tue. & Thu., 11:15 am; Wed. 10:45 am. All by Myself: 4 & 5 year-olds, Wed. 11:30 am. Family Storytime: 2-6 year-olds & family, Mon. 11:15 am; Thu. 7 pm.

Calling all 4th-6th graders who have a creative mind and love being friends of the Allen Public Library! Meetings to be held once a month to have fun and decide what you want to do with your one hour. Parents pick up at the end of the meeting. A play will be performed at year-end written by Jr. Friends themselves. Membership $5. For more info: arzesha03@gmail.com or 469.288.3114.

Noontime Pageturners Book Club, noon, Allen Public Library, Adult Program Room. Learning To Swim by Sara Henry. Bring lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! Please note meeting day is now Wednesday.

Adults

25 Armchair Travelers Visit Haiti with Dana & Jacques Jean, 7 pm, Allen Public Library, 2nd floor Adult Program Room. Registration required. Enjoy stories, pictures and Haitianinspired refreshments. Register online or call the Reference Desk at 214.509.4905. For more info: 214.509.4905.

Watters Creek 1

Concert by the Creek,Rhythm-nRoses, 7-10 pm.

Concert by the Creek, New Old West, 7-10 pm.

15 Concert by the Creek, Panorama, 7-10 pm. 22 Concert by the Creek, Counterfeit Radio, 7-10 pm. 29 Movie Night, Ferris Buellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Off, 9 pm. For more info: www.watterscreek.com.

Connemara Conservancy

Connemara Meadow Preserve 1

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

Habitat Walk, 9 am, Connemara Meadow Preserve. Allen Image x September 2012

15 Astronomy Walk, 9-11 pm, Connemara Meadow Preserve, Join Clyde Camp for an Astronomy walk. Meet at the Suncreek Park circular parking lot at 9 pm sharp and walk to the Meadow the back way. For more info: www. connemaraconservancy.org.

Texas Health Presbyterian, a variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org.

23 Open House, 7-10 am and 5:30-8:30 pm, Connemara Meadow Preserve, join us to wander (and wonder) at the Meadow by hiking the trails, watching the flora and fauna. Enter at Wooded Gate on East side of Alma, south of Bethany.

American Cancer Society, Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appointments. If you have a car and can spare time 9-5, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972.712.5711.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Support Group? Wanted: Anyone interested in starting a support group for Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder?) Please contact Megan at trichhelpallen@gmail.com. City of Allen offers a variety of affordable recreational classes and programs. Register at Joe Farmer Rec Center, 214.509.4750 or Rodenbaugh Natatorium, 214.509.4770. For more info: www.allenparks.org. Allen Early Childhood PTA, support for parents and caregivers of preschoolers. A new calendar each month with fun activities for all. Activities—play groups, park days, lunch with friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads and Kids, and other great events. Come play with us! For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com. MOMS Club of Allen. New group for moms and their children who live within the borders of Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Monthly playgroups, kid field trips and local business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out, and more. For more info: http://momsclubofallentx. weekly.com or momsclubofallentx@gmail. com

MOMS Club McKinney Central, support group for stay-at-home moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, holiday parties, babysitting co-op, etc. Monthly bus. meeting. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo. com. Kids Helping Kids, bring new or gentlyused toys to Kids Pediatric Dentistry, donate to kids in the area. Receive chance to win prize. For more info: 972.727.0011 or www. kidspediatricdentistry.com. Every Monday-Friday

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

Every Monday

Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome For more info: Per Treven, 972.583.8273 or per.treven@ericsson.com.

Allen Toastmasters’ Club, 6:30 pm, Keller Williams office at 1002 Raintree Circle #100, Allen.Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100.

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

Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@ WealthManagementGroupLLC.com

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

Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany, Ste. 208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net.

Heart Link Women’s Networking group. Industry specific, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: http://75002. TheHeartLinkNetwork.com.

Preston Persuaders Toastmasters, 7:15 pm, Custer Road United Methodist Church, Rm B2, 6601 Custer Road, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469-3230538 or Todd Richardson, 214.497.4495 or www.prestonpersuaders.org.

Urban Explorers, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout Dallas area. Something for everyone! For more info: www.meetup.com/ getoutandabout.

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

Every Monday, Thursday & Saturday Allen AA meets, 601 S. Greenville. For more info: 972-359-7383.

Second Monday

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

McKinney Childcare Association, non-profit org. of state-listed, reg. and lic. home childcare providers McKinney area, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: Alice Lang, 972.346.2280 or www.mckinneyareadaycareassociation. org.

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

Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, 7 pm, Tinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, school programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972.442.5982.

McKinney Ladies Association (SRLA), 7 pm, location varies. See website for outreach project of the month. For more info: www.mckinneyladies.org

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

American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Living Center, 6401 Ohio Dr., Plano. Open to anyone with bachelors or assoc. degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972.862.3460 or www.aauwplanocollin.org.

Third Monday

Allen Retired Educators, 10:45 am, Patrizioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant, 101 Fairview Station Pkwy, Village of Fairview, Stacy Rd. and Hwy. 75. Anyone with a heart for education is welcome. For more info: Jerri Caldronia, at jlcaldronia@suddenlink.net. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, 7 pm, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net.

Collin County Aggie Moms, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, Coit between Bush Tollway & Campbell. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www. collincountymoms.aggienetwork.com

Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family & friends, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984. Allen Image x September 2012

Fourth Monday Texas Democratic Women of Collin County meets at 6:45 pm, Collin College, Frisco campus, Rm F148. For more info: www.tdwcc.org or Barb Walters, 214.477.5183.

Allen Seniors Genealogy Club, 1 pm, Allen Seniors Center. Must be a member of ASRC. For more info: www.asgconline.com or Richard Henry, 972.390.7402. Plano Photography Club, 7 pm, Grace Presbyterian Church, 4300 W. Park Blvd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www. planophotographyclub.com. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen and Lucas), 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102, (Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$7 non-mem. 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585.

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

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 6:15-8 pm, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. For more info: 1.800.YEA.TOPS or www. tops.org.

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

2ChangeU Toastmasters, 7-8:45 pm, Custer Rd. United Methodist Church, Rm B5, 6601 Custer Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.2changeu.org.

Every Tuesday & Thursday Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, 9 am4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460. First Tuesday Heard Museum Native Plant Society meeting, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

Allen Lions Club, 7 pm, Twin Creeks Golf Club, 501 Twin Creeks Drive. For more info: kevin_carlson@sbcglobal. net.

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Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, 7 to 9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.bptmn.org or email info@bptmn.org. Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820.

Allen Democrats, 6:30 pm, Reel Thing Catfish Cafe, 600 E. Main St., Allen. For more info: Deborah Angell Smith 214.893.3643.

Collin County Archaeology Society, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net.

Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group of Collin County, 7-9 pm, parlor, First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@ aol.com.

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

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, 9:30 am refreshments, 10 am meeting, Collin College Courtyard Center, 4800 Preston Park Blvd., Plano. Guests welcome! For more info: www.newcomerfriends. org.

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

Porcelain Art Guild of North Texas, meets at 9:30 am, Carriage House, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. Open to anyone, beginner to expert, interested in china painting and porcelain art. For more info: Gayle Harry 214.509.0787.

Every Wednesday

Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, “Become the Speaker and Leader you can be”, 7 pm, 5th Street Pizza inside Stacy’s Furniture, McDermott & Hwy. 75, 1223 W. McDermott, Allen. For more info: Marlene Byndon, 816.456.6803.

Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, 7 am, Twin Creeks Hospital, 1001 Raintree Circle. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www. asrotary.org.

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

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

First Wednesday

Art History Brown Bag Series, 12:301:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage Hosue, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch and enjoy. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www. headcraig.org.

Allen Heritage Guild, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www. allenheritageguild.org.

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

Third Tuesday

McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, Welcomes new residents, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. A Style Show by Belks and luncheon at the El Dorado Country Club will follow the meeting. $15. Speakers, prizes and refreshments each month.

For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers. com.

Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group provides support & resources for parents of children with autism & related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/ group/autismparentsupport.

First and Third Tuesday

speaker, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber. com.

Second Tuesday

Every Tuesday

Common Threads of Allen, 7pm, A Real Bookstore, 113 Praire Rd., Village at Fairview. Share needlework projects, learn new techniques, make friends. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

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

Fourth Tuesday

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon and

Second Wednesday

Collin County Genealogical Society, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. Sept.-June. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com.

VFW Post 2195, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www.vfw2195.org.

Every Thursday

Allen Kiwanis Club, Noon, Twin Creeks Clubhouse, 501 Twin Creeks Blvd. Visitors welcome. For more info: Sandy McNair, 214.548.5483 or www.allenkiwanis.org.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collin County), Recovery support group for adults living with mental illness. Led by trained individuals. Free, 6:30-8:30 pm, Custer Road UMC, 6601 Custer Rd., Plano. For more info: 214.509.0085 or www. namicco.org.

Weight Watchers, 12:15 and 6 pm, First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Enter at the south entrance, second floor.

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

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

Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus, 7 pm, Grace Evangelical Free Church, 2005 Estates Pkwy, Allen. Women of Allen & surrounding area invited. For more info: nntsing4fun@yahoo.com.

First Thursday

W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking & discussion of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues. Fun & informative meeting for women in Allen & surrounding areas. $20 member/$25 guest. Payment expected unless reservation cancelled 48 hrs. in advance. For more info: www.allenchamber.com

North Dallas Newcomers, 11 am social time followed by luncheon and activity fair, Prestonwood Counrty Club, 6600 Columbine Way, Plano. Our club is all about women coming together for friendship, fun and interesting activities. Guests are welcome. For more info: www. northdallasnewcomers.net.

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

Second Thursday

McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Headquarters, 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location sometimes varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. Allen Image x September 2012

Lovejoy Preschool PTA, an organization for families with infants, preschoolers and kindergarteners in Lovejoy ISD, . Creekwood United Methodist Church, 261 Country Club Road, Fairview. Lunch is provided free of charge and babysitting is available for nominal fee. A list of speakers is available on website or on our meetup.com site. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/Lovejoy-Preschool-PTA/. Legal Aid Clinic, 6 pm, First United Methodist Church. For more info: www.lanwt.org or 1.888.529.5277. Osteoporosis Support Group, 6:30 pm, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen, Community Education Rm-Medical Office Bldg. 2. For more info: 972.747.6036. PSA:NAMI [National Alliance on Mental Illness] of Collin County, 7:30 pm, Custer Road UM Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano. Enter at the SE end, room B2. Peer support group,B6, and Family support group,B1, meet from 6:30-7:20. For more info: www.namicco.org. First and Third Thursday

Allen’s Community Theatre hosts Improv, 102 S. Allen Dr. For more info: allenscommunitytheatre@ gmail.com.

Second and Fourth Thursday

Allen High Noon Lions Club, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Tony Pritchard, 214.293.1598. Allen Area Patriots, 7-8:45 pm, New Heritage Church, 8 Prestige Circle, Allen. Local Tea Party presents speakers, enlightening and motivating citizens to participate in the political process. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots. com.

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

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

Knights of Columbus, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469.569.3357 or www.stjudekofc.org.

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

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Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new & expectant moms’ forum, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972.260.9330. Breast Cancer Support Group, 6:30 pm, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen, 1105 Central Expwy. N., Community Education Room-Med.Office Bldg. 2. For more info: 972.747.6036.

Second Saturday

Heard Museum Nature Photography Club meeting. 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

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

Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, service organization to teach children to serve their local community. For more info: 972.396.8010.

Third Saturday

Fourth Thursday

Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, 10 am, Heard-Craig Hall Gallery, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. Meet new people and enjoy social activities. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@ gmail.com. North Texas Referral Group, 11:45 am, Friday’s (121 & Preston by the mall). Beginning April 1. For more info: www.ntrg.info.

Fourth Saturday The North Texas Unit of the Herb Society of America, 10:30 am, North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. Garden talks and programs by local experts are open to the public. For more info: Beth DiGioia, 972.658.6852 or www.northtexashsa.org.

American Sewing Guild, 10 am-noon, Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd (at Parker), in Plano For more info: Jane Johnson, 972.841.6854 or www.planoasg.org.

Every Friday

Allen Senior Rec Center Dances, 1-3 pm. Ages 50+. Members free/Nonmember Allen resident $3. Non-Allen residents $24/annually. Allen resident annual membership/$5. For more info: 214.509.4820. McKinney Chess Club meets 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street, McKinney.Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972.547.7491.

Last Saturday

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), non-denominational support group for moms with kids birth to 5 years, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church in Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972.727.8241.

First & Third Friday

Classic 55+ Game Night, 6:30 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Enjoy snacks, fellowship and games (dominoes, Skip Bo and other table games). Event is open to the entire community, no reservations are required. For more info: 972.727.8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com..

Every Saturday

McKinney Chess Club meets 10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Any age. Free. For more info: 972.547.7491.

Plano Pacers run at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972.678.2244, or www.planopacers.org.

Every Sunday

Every Other Friday

Allen Folk Music Society, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Drive, Allen. Musicians aged 15-100. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com.

Every Other Thursday

Third Thursday

Cancer Support Ministry, 7 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. Our goal is simple—to support you any way we can. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241.

Fit and Funky Fit Club, 7:30 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany #208, Allen. Work out live to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net.

First Sunday

Scleroderma Support Group, 3 pm, Allen Presbyterian Hospital, Conference Room 1. For more info: 972.396.9400 or www. scleroderma.org.

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

For Your Health

Allen Image x September 2012

For Your Health

5 6 w w w. a l l e n i m a g e . c o m

For Your Health

Allen Image x September 2012

by Peggy Helmick-Richardson

Cover photo: Rachel and her grandfather

cover story

When the notion of competing in the Mrs. Texas International Pageant was first proposed, Rachel Hedstrom recalls summarily dismissing the suggestion with a “No way, I’m not a pageant girl!” After all, she already had a full life as a wife, professional public relations consultant and volunteer with the notfor-profit Honor Flight created to serve American war veterans. In addition, she not only had her pilot’s license and several years service in the Civil Air Patrol, but also her Sport’s Car Club of America Racing License. With a love of fast cars long before she met her husband Eric, the couple’s preferred pastime was autocross and track racing and Rachel had already earned national autocross ranking. Fun and fascinating career and personal interests, but not the traits one usually associates with pageant participants.

Yet since that day, Rachel has competed in two Mrs. Texas International pageants as well as the 2012 Mrs. International pageant in Illinois. For Rachel, it was not the pageantry but the passion that compelled her to enter. It was at a Dallas Go Red for Women luncheon in 2010 where Rachel and her best friend and business partner, Suzanne Gentry Flodin, met the then-current Mrs. Texas, Natalie McLarty. “We were bowled over by her warmth,” Rachel recalls. “Her platform was Go Red For Women, and we thought, ‘This is great, she is going all over the state, and what if she was talking about Honor Flight?’” Rachel explains, “The tenet of [Honor Flight] is to honor our veterans by taking them on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. Involved in that is fundraisers and send-offs and homecomings, breakfasts, and reunions…” To see all of this come to fruition means that the national not-for-profit Honor Flight needs lots of volunteers and donations. As board members of the local Honor Flight DFW, both Rachel and Suzanne are personally motivated to do as much as they can to provide its unique service to area veterans. But even with the potential for promoting Honor Flight, Rachel was skeptical. After all, she had no personal experience with pageants other than watching them on television while growing up. Suzanne continued to encourage her friend to at least look into the possibility of competing and finally Rachel relented. While researching Mrs. Texas International, Rachel made some unexpected discoveries. “You have to be a married woman between the ages of 18 and 56, and you’ll find women from all over the state, from all walks of life—some have kids, some don’t; some have full-time jobs outside the home and some have fulltime jobs inside the home,” Rachel points out. “I found it was full of women who had lives…and each of us has something close to our heart that we are championing. It was a natural fit.” Rachel dug deeper. She talked to the state director, Kristin Koether, and with other women who had been involved in the competition. “I was impressed and thought, maybe I can do this.” So in 2011, Rachel submitted her application to the Mrs. Texas International organization. “This was a decision we made together,” Rachel emphasizes. “I am as successful as I am in my personal and professional life because I’ve got the support of my family. Between my husband, my parents, my sister, my best friend Suzanne, it was a group decision. And then everybody helped. “The application form tells a lot of details about yourself,” she recalls. “You get nominated by a committee, and if you are approved, then they assign you a county, city or area. I competed as Mrs. Collin County.” Allen Image x September 2012

At the 2011 Mrs. Texas International pageant, Rachel was named third runner-up. By this time, she had already seen the positive impact her title of Mrs. Collin County had on the Honor Flight organization and the veterans she interacted with and she knew that being Mrs. Texas would allow her to do even more. Rachel reapplied for the 2012 year and was again awarded the title of Mrs. Collin County. At this year ’s pageant in April, hosted in Corpus Christi, she was awarded the title of Mrs. Texas International 2012. “The pageant is judged fifty percent on interviews, both preliminary and on stage,” Rachel explains. “Twenty-five percent of it is on fitness wear, which is a two-piece or onepiece garment like you would wear to the gym. There are no bathing suits in this system.” She continues, “Then twenty-five percent is on evening gown and the presentation of the evening gown, which is done with your husband escorting you on the stage.” Smiling, Rachel reminisces, “My husband was perfection, if I do say so myself. He was so cute and so nervous, but he was well practiced and ready to go. And he took it upon himself to make sure everything went right.” Rachel made an unusual decision in her choice of evening wear for the 2011 Mrs. Texas International pageant. “I wore my wedding dress,” she reveals. “We had a very untraditional wedding and [the gown] was very Hollywood glam from the get-go—a very sparkly, strapless dress. It was by the designer Stephen Yearick, who a lot of the other girls in the pageant were also wearing.” The second year, Rachel selected a Sherri Hill dress for the evening gown competition. “It’s a coffee-colored dress with silver and gold embellishments,” she explains. Describing the Mrs. Texas International Pageant as “platform based,” Rachel explains that both the preliminary and on-stage interviews

6 0 w w w. a l l e n i m a g e . c o m

relate to the contestants’ platforms and personal lives. For the off-stage interviews, “we had five judges and five minutes with each judge,” she recalls. “The questions ranged from ‘How did you meet your husband?’ to ‘What inspires you?’ to ‘What is your greatest achievement?’ to ‘Why did you choose your platform?’ to ‘Why did you get involved in pageantry?’ “My on-stage question was about why supporting an organization like Honor Flight is important and what does it teach our youth,” Rachel concludes. “It was great because it was exactly what I wanted to tell the crowd.” An Honor Flight DFW volunteer for two-and-one-half years and a board member for the last six months, Rachel has delivered speeches on the need for honoring our veterans to countless groups ranging from school assemblies to civic organizations. Her deep respect and appreciation for the sacrifices made by American war veterans stretches back over a lifetime and beyond. A self-described military “brat”. Rachel boasts a long military lineage on both sides of her family. She spent her early years moving to various Air Force base towns across the U.S. with her parents, Mark and Pam Blacketer, and sister, Sarah. “My dad is a Viet Nam veteran and I grew up in a household that very much recognized the military because we were a part of it. I was born in Enid, Oklahoma, and then we went to Yuba City, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Antonio, Texas; and then Altus, Oklahoma, until my dad retired and we moved to Rockwall.” Her paternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army—stationed in Italy during World War II—and his grandfather played a pivotal role as an advisor to General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. In addition, her grandmother ’s brother was a pilot during World War II who died when his plane was shot

down. His Purple Heart sits on Rachel’s desk “serving as a reminder that not everyone comes home.” Today, it’s her maternal grand father, C.B. Perdue, who is a primary inspiration for Rachel’s dedication to Honor Flight. A recipient of both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, C.B. now lives with his wife, Louise, in Rockwall. A former prisoner of war held at a German stalag during World War II, he was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps when he was captured after his plane was shot down. “After he was liberated from the prisoner of war camp, he was taken home stateside,” Rachel shares. “He got out for about three months and then decided his heart was in the Air Force and came back first as a recruiter and then he worked in public affairs. He was basically a PR guy for the Air Force for 30 years. “These veterans need to be sharing their stories,” Rachel declares. “We need to get these men and women in front of school children before it’s too late. My mother didn’t know her father had been a POW until she was 30! He said he didn’t want to talk about it because everyone [in the war] had a story and his was no different. It’s hard for them to realize that their stories are special and something we need to hear.” In turn, Honor Flight thanks these war veterans for their service with an all-expense paid overnight trip to Washington, D.C., to visit such sites as the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Marine, Navy and Air Force Memorials and Arlington Cemetery. Each veteran is partnered with a trained volunteer guardian, who pays his or her own expenses for the privilege of meeting the needs of his or her assigned honoree. Rachel notes that Honor Flight currently limits the veteran partici pants to those who served in World War II. “The average age of the guys on our waiting list is 91 years old,” she explains, noting that currently there are approximately 400 veterans

on their DFW waiting list. The group hosts two to three flights a year, with approximately 50 veterans on each excursion. “If anyone knows of a veteran who would want to go, they need to get an application in,” Rachel emphasizes. “Our goal is to get to as many veterans as we can on the list. The mission is big and the time is short; that window of opportunity is closing.” Admitting that sometimes veterans are at first reluctant to

You may go to thefollowing websites for more information on the Mrs. International system, Honor Flight and Go Red For Women: www.mrsinternational.com www.mrstexasinternational.com www.goredforwomen.org www.honorflightdfw.org

Allen Image x September 2012

sign up for Honor Flight, Rachel confesses that her own grandfather took considerable coaxing before finally agreeing to go. Personally participating in that trip, Rachel

6 2 w w w. a l l e n i m a g e . c o m

recalls, “What really hit me when I was in D.C. with my grandfather was that they were not only there with each other, but when they got to the war memorial, they were there with

those who did not get to come back.” The experience gave her even greater motivation to encourage more veterans to enroll. Rachel takes every opportunity she can as Mrs. Texas International to speak to groups of all ages about Honor Flight. She hopes to not only find more World War II veterans to sign up, but also more volunteers to work as guardians during their trip or more donors who want to “adopt” a veteran by providing some or all of the needed funds to cover the veteran’s Honor Flight experience. “And if someone doesn’t have the cash but does have the time, we have so many things for volunteers to do,” Rachel exclaims. “Like driving veterans to fundraising opportunities or welcoming them home when they get back to the airport, clapping and cheering and giving them the homecoming they didn’t get back in the war days. “It takes just a little bit of time or a little bit of money to make a big difference,” Rachel concludes. After making a number of presentations at elementary schools, Rachel wrote a children’s book, My Granddaddy’s Heart is Purple that she now shares with the students she speaks to. “It’s about the Purple Heart medal, explaining it in kid-friendly language,” she notes. She is currently seeking a publisher for the book with the intent of all sales proceeds going to Honor Flight. Because Mrs. Texas International also has a relationship with the Go Red for Women campaign, Rachel also spends time promoting this effort as well. “It’s about educating women about heart health—know your blood pressure and your cholesterol, and talk to your doctor about heart health. We need to start taking better care of ourselves because lots of time we put everyone else before us,” she explains. “We need to be making those healthy lifestyle choices like controlling stress better, eating together as a family, learning about the food and nutrition

we are putting in our bodies, and getting the right amount of exercise.” Rachel’s interest in health issues goes back to when she was six years old and living in Hawaii. Following surgery and then a bout with the Chinese flu, she woke one morning to discover she couldn’t move. “They thought polio for a while, but after a long and arduous battery of tests, they concluded it was Guillain-Barré,” she states. A neuromuscular disorder with no known cure, Guillain-Barré Syndrome is extremely rare in children. “I’m considered recovered, but I still have some symptoms because there was nerve damage,” Rachel notes. “I couldn’t squat down without falling over until I was 22 and I couldn’t run until a couple of years ago.” The diagnosis meant years of physical therapy. “They help you to learn to walk again and to feed yourself, all those tasks you take for granted,” she explains. “Of the most greatly affected were my hands and they recommended to my mom to get me into something like baton twirling or flute playing. So I did both.” As a testimony to her tenacity, while in high school and as a student at Austin College in Sherman, Rachel was a feature baton twirler, specializing in knives and fire. “I’ve been known to

still do it, as my neighbors will attest,” she laughs. Rachel continues to make good health a primary focus in her life. “When Eric and I got married, we decided to be committed to being healthy together,” she emphasizes. The couple tries to not only maintain a healthy diet, but also work out together with both cardio programs and weightlifting. As part of her exercise regime, this young woman who had to

relearn how to walk as a child is now transitioning from walking to running. “When you have fought hard for your ability to walk down the street, when you can run down that street, it is pretty exciting,” she deservedly boasts. “It’s a new challenge for me and I’m enjoying it.” Her interest in health issues led Rachel to aim for a career in medicine, but the fates had other plans. While working on her degree in English from

Allen Image x September 2012

Austin College, she took a summer intern job with U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall of Rockwall working as office staff. “It was when I was working with him that I started understanding the power of public relations because we did a lot of constituent communi cation—letter writing, talking about issues important to the constituency,” Rachel recounts. “I did everything from opening the mail to giving tours of the Capitol. I loved every second of it and began to think this was something I needed to do with my life. So when I graduated I decided not to go to medical school, but instead go into PR.” Although her time working with Rep. Hall was brief, Rachel has maintained her friendship with him. So much so that he officiated at her and Eric’s wedding. Following graduation, Rachel worked for Neiman Marcus briefly before taking a position with the public relations firm Hopkins & Associates. It

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was here she met Suzanne, who worked regularly with Hopkins as a consultant. Quickly becoming best friends, the two found that they not only had a love and talent for public relations but a passion for supporting war veterans as well. Suzanne’s husband, Doug, is a retired Navy pilot and today she wears the Navy wings he gave her when they were still just dating. Rachel refers to their son Riley as “my own adopted five-year-old and the boy of whom I am most proud.” Rachel then went to work for Children’s Medical Center in Dallas as a media relations specialist and then manager. In 2009, Rachel established Rachel Hedstrom Inc., and began working for Suzanne’s Gentry Agency full time as a public relations consultant and writer. They have since worked together with myriad organizations and events including the popular Taste of Dallas and North Texas Irish Festival and, of course, Honor Flight DFW. “I love what I do and I get to work

with my best friend when I do it!” Rachel declares. “We were in each other’s weddings and on the phone at least 20 times a day. It’s a real blessing.” Rachel moved to Allen when she and Eric married five years ago. “He’s a professional geek and loves it“ she grins. “He is in the IT field, a service delivery manager. It’s way over my head!” It was on a recent world cruise celebrating Eric’s 40th birthday and their fifth anniversary that Rachel noticed a poignant quote from John F. Kennedy on her passport—one that she related well to… “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” This Mrs. Texas has certainly done her part to see this come to pass. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

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