Dazzling Displays

Ready for a family outing or a special date to view the Holiday Lights? There's nothing like snuggling up to a warm latte and experiencing the beauty of the Holiday Season. Angela Patterson at About.com Dallas found some great places to do just that, and we thought we'd share them with you.

FRISCO: Jeff & Bridgette Trykoski's Texas A&M Display

Location: 4015 Bryson Drive, Frisco, TX 75035
Set Radio: The lights are synchronized to several songs which are broadcast to passing vehicles over a low-power FM transmitter at 95.7 FM. This Texas A&M themed display includes the A&M War song along with other Christmas favorites.
Cost: Despite illuminating over 85,000 lights, there's no cost. However, the Trykoski's are collecting canned food for the Frisco Food Pantry and Frisco Family Services. Please bring a few canned food items as a donation for this extraordinary light show.
Other Work: If you're visiting this A&M masterpiece, check out Trykoski's other display at Frisco Square. There are miles of lights there -- plus Mattito's Tex-Mex, Dimples Cupcakes, Best Thai, GoGo Burger, Josephine's and more right there on the Square.
Source: http://dallas.about.com/od/familyactivities/tp/Dfw-Holiday-Lights-Displays.htm

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Trykoski

FARMERS BRANCH: Pharr Family Christmas Display

The Pharr Family of Farmers Branch borrows their neighbors’ yards to expand their huge light show throughout the neighborhood. Check out the kiddie train, ferris wheel, nativity scene and much more at 14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX from November 22, 2012 through January 1, 2013. Hours: Sun-Thurs 5:45 - 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat from 5:30 - 11 p.m. Train runs 6-9 p.m. (weather permitting). Santa visits Fri-Sun. 6-8 p.m., weather permitting. Tune your radio to 95.9 to listen to seasonal music as you view the lights!
Where: 14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Take Webb Chapel about 1.5 miles North of I-635 LBJ Freeway, turn right on Southern Pines Drive.
Viewing the display is free but donations of food, money and unwrapped toys are encouraged. The Pharr Family’s Christmas Light Show benefits Metrocrest Social Services, a United Way Community Partner serving Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell and ZIP Code 75287 in southern Denton County.

FARMERS BRANCH: Farmers Branch Tour of Lights

When: November 23 to December 31, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Tour starts at Valley View Lane and I-35. Follow the candy cane signs.
Cost: It's a free drive-through display.
Christmas Tree Lighting event is December 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Farmers Branch Historial Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Fireworks, snow hill, Santa and more.
Be a Santa's Helper: New this year will be the opportunity for tourists to donate to WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive. Anyone wishing to should bring a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off during the driving tour.

FRISCO: Christmas in the Square

What: Christmas in the Square is a dazzling, choreographed holiday lights and music show that runs from November 23, 2012 through January 6, 2013. Visitors can drive or stroll through and enjoy the shops, restaurants and holiday display around the square.
When: November 23, 2012 through January 6, 2013
Where: Frisco Square
Cost: Free Drive-thru display
Source: http://dallas.about.com/od/familyactivities/tp/Dfw-Holiday-Lights-Displays.htm Author: Angela Patterson

Walk and Run for Charity

Although we may see a few rain drops Saturday, if you’re a runner, you won’t want to let that make you miss out on this chance to give back to your community. Allen Community Outreach is hosting a fun run this Saturday . The annual event raises money to assist the more than 200 Allen residents ACO helps each month. ACO provides a food pantry, meals on wheels and a variety of other vital services to residents in need.

In May 2011, Allen Community Outreach took a huge blow to the annual budget when United Way of Dallas announced their plans to withdraw funding of the organization, presenting ACO with a loss of about 15% of their annual funding. United Way Dallas explained their decision to cease funding as a change in United Way's focus, stressing the change in their criteria to focus solely on improving education, health and income, citing that ACO's programs did not fit with United Way's new focus and mission.

The programs provided through Allen Community Outreach enable families in crisis to gain services that assist them to get back on their feet during difficult times. Through advocacy, limited financial assistance and other resources, it is possible to help people in need get back on a more stable track, preventing homelessness and other issues that lead to crisis. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities and charitable donations, you can contact Allen Community Outreach at (972) 727-9131.

 2012 Fall Fest 5K and 10K
Saturday, October 20 at Village at Fairview
Saturday Registration is Open or Register Online!

Almost Kindergartners

The very first day of school is a milestone for every child. Admit it though, it's a milestone for mommies and daddies too. It signals the first sad step (however small) towards independence. Blink and they'll be wearing a cap and gown, strolling across the stage and then heading off to college. 

The first day of Kindergarten brings both fear and excitement for little ones. The Allen Public library wants to help your "Almost Kindergartner" get off to a great start. They are hosting a "first day of school" program just for them, so they can get the skinny on what Kindergarten is really like while having lots of fun.  

Almost Kindergarteners and their parents are invited to come to the library for this informative and fun program! Two sessions to choose from. August 22 at 10:15 a.m. and August 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Allen Public Library
300 N. Allen Drive
Allen, Texas 75013
Map

Phone: 214.509.4900
Fax: 469.342.6672

Irresistible Watermelon Salsa

Today is National Watermelon Day. I can't think of a better time to appreciate the sweet virtues of all that juicy goodness than to dip in to this wonderful fruit on one of the hottest days in August. The trick, of course, is that whatever you do with watermelon, do it icy cold and you're sure to have a smash hit on your hands.

 

If you are planning to grill your catch from the lake this weekend, this tribute to watermelon should compliment your meal very nicely.  Says Lady Flannel, who authored the recipe, "Juicy watermelon replaces tomatoes in this salsa that's simultaneously cool and spicy hot -- perfect for a summer barbeque. Serve it with tortilla chips, or use it as a topping for grilled chicken or fish."  I don't know about you, but to me, anything you attach the word Salsa to, has to be good and as hot as it is--this watermelon salsa looks absolutely irresistible.

Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa

Original Recipe Yield 4 cups

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped watermelon
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, green bell pepper, lime juice, cilantro, green onions, jalapeno and garlic salt. Mix well and serve.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Watermelon-Fire-and-Ice-Salsa/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=89803019&prop26=WhatsCooking&prop27=2012-08-02&prop28=PhotoArea1&prop29=Photo_2&me=1

Best Places to Spend July 4th

Our big fireworks celebration in Allen happened on June 30th. In case you missed that, or you're still in the mood to party, here's some other celebrations you might like to attend. 

• Frisco Freedom Fest, 4 p.m. until fireworks end, Frisco City Hall.
• McKinney’s Red, White & Boom. Varied events at Craig Ranch and downtown McKinney on July 4 and 5; main fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. July 4.
• Plano’s All American Fourth of July, fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Oak Point Park.
• Richardson’s Family Fourth Celebration at Breckinridge Park, 6-10:15 p.m.
• Melissa’s Celebration of Freedom, 5-10 p.m., Melissa High Cardinal Stadium.

• Garland’s Star Spangled Fourth, from 10 a.m.-Midnight at Firewheel Town Center. 

Whatever your plans may be this Independence Day, have a safe and Happy 4th of July! 

Memorial Day Tribute

Take some time out today, from your party or your picnic, or your daily routine to remember with gratitude those who made the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom.

Keep Your Car Safe!

With summer just around to corner, we are asking residents to be observant and to lock car doors and check to be sure items of value are not visible to thieves. Crime doesn't always stop with the car burglary. Often, confidential information is left in vehicles setting an ideal stage for identity theft or fraud. We want to remind you that there are steps you can take to

to help protect yourself and your vehicle:

• Hide your valuables from plain sight
• Lock your car and take your keys
• If you have a garage, use it to park your vehicle
• Never leave your car running – leaving your key in an unattended vehicle is a Class C Misdemeanor in Texas

Play it safe!