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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

June 2016

Vol. 26, Issue 6

cover story

from skateboard to boardroom

An Allen company since 2010, Already Been Chewed’s (ABC) founder and creative director Barton Damer, 40, and business manager John Davidson, 33, are anxious to share their experiences in hopes of encouraging others to pursue their dream careers.

feature

anyone can be a hero “Heimlich Heroes” is a program that teaches children how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and prevent choking. The lesson utilizes 42-inch training dolls— known affectionately as “Hank” and “Heidi”—to give children hands-on training.

special sections

18 KIDS KORNER

The Ultimate Guide to Summer 2016

29 CALENDAR 42 PET PAGE

Chip

36 16

18 4

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

library

Travel

14 Fort Bascom

How to Handle Bulk Trash

9 Market Street USA Celebration

North Texas Passenger Trains

How Mexico’s Far North Became

11 12

Sprinkler Math

the American Southwest

New Trail Will Offer Walking Tour of Allen History

Aung San Suu Kyi

Second Annual Texas Heritage

Tom Faulkner, Susan Gibson

Festival

The Beaches of Texas

and Beth Wood

education

Exercise Your Mind

Balance, Strength and Perserverance

12 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

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20 contributing writers Chelsey Aprill Nicole Bywater

Matt Cobb

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

Heather Darrow

Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to:

Deborah Dove

Allen Image, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.396.0807, visit our website at www. allenimage.com or email us at contact@allenimage.com.

Tom Keener Peggy Helmick-Richardson

civic forum

How to Handle Bulk Trash Allen offers options for disposal, if you follow the rules by Chelsey APRILL

It doesn’t fit in your trash bin. You can’t squeeze it into the trunk. No charities are willing to pick it up. So what can you do with that bulky item eating up space in your home? “Allen residents have options for all kinds of trash, including bulk waste,,” says Donna Kliewer, waste

automatically,” says Kliewer. “But that’s not the way it is set up.” Residents must first schedule a pickup with Community Waste Disposal by calling 972.392.9300 (option 2) by noon on the day before their assigned Saturday collection day—which is not the same as their

services manager for the City of Allen. The service allows residents to dispose of old furniture, appliances and more on an assigned collection day. Disposal instructions are included in the city’s Trash and Recycling Guidelines, which are mailed to every home in January. But according to Kliewer, many still misunderstand the service. “People bring stuff to the curb and expect the truck to pick it up

regular trash day. Because crews have a lot of ground to cover, they only drive by homes with scheduled collections. Not every big item qualifies as bulk waste. Yard waste and tree limbs are collected separately. CWD won’t collect car parts or remodeling materials. Nor will they pick up boxes or bags of regular trash. Refrigerators will only be collected if you’ve had the Freon removed and attached the tag to prove it. Residents

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should also be sensitive to each item’s size and weight. “Bulk waste isn’t picked up by a truck with a grabber arm,” says Kliewer. “It’s hand-collected by two CWD employees.” Residents can set out up to five items per collection. Allen also has limits on how long bulk trash can remain on the curb. Residents could be fined if they set out bulk trash before 6 p.m. the night before a scheduled collection. This ordinance maintains the beauty of Allen neighborhoods by preventing bulk items from sitting on curbsides for extended periods. Because each neighborhood has a different Saturday for bulk trash collection, Kliewer recommends that residents review the schedule—especially if they have recently moved. Residents can also take advantage of a DIY option for disposal by bringing bulk waste to the Custer Road Transfer Station, 9901 Custer Road. A current Allen utility bill and valid driver’s license must be presented. Bulk waste guidelines, along with details on other trash and recycling services, are available at CityofAllen. org/WasteServices. v Chelsey Aprill is a marketing specialist for the City of Allen.

Market Street Allen USA Celebration by Matt COBB

A star-studded entertainment lineup will again lead up to one of the largest fireworks displays in North Texas on Saturday, June 25, at Market Street Allen USA Celebration presented by Texas Health-Allen. Former NBC The Voice contestant Madi Davis, who hails from McKinney, will showcase her singersongwriter skills when kicking off the musical lineup on the main stage presented by 102.1 The Edge. Following will be popular country rockers, Reckless Kelly, putting on a high-energy performance that will delight Celebration goers. Just before fireworks light up the night sky, headliner, the Gin Blossoms, known for Billboard Top 25 hits “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You,” will wrap up the day’s musical performances. Of course, the Market Street Allen USA Celebration is about so much more than all the great music. For starters as well as for dessert, food is a huge part of the event! A number of concessionaires will be on site selling all of your favorite festival foods and snacks. The Kids Zone hosts a multitude of inflatables, interactive games and crafts for children to enjoy, and the Community Stage will feature

Tallent USA, a local talent show that includes a variety of skillsets and performances. For many, the main attraction is the fireworks. Pyrotecnico, an awardwinning international producer of special events and fireworks displays, will produce what has come to be regarded as one of America’s premier fireworks shows, all “choreographed” to music hand-selected to enhance the experience. Thanks to dozens of volunteers and sponsors within the Allen

community and especially the contributions of title sponsor Market Street and presenting sponsor Texas Health-Allen, the Market Street Allen USA Celebration continues to be Allen’s most significant community event, and best of all, it remains as it has always been, completely free! To learn more about the Market Street Allen USA Celebration, visit www.AllenUSA.org. v Matt Cobb is the senior marketing coordinator for the City of Allen. Allen Image | June 2016

Sprinkler Math

How a simple equation could save water and money by Chelsey APRILL

When drought-related watering restrictions were lifted last summer, many homeowners rejoiced over added watering days. But once utility bills started rolling out, the celebration sometimes turned to sticker shock. “Allen residents had the opportunity to water their yards up to four times as often as in previous summers,” said Steve Massey, community services director for the City of Allen. “As a result, some saw their water consumption increase dramatically.” Allen’s water rates remain among the lowest of any North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) member city. But the extra use, combined with 5-6% annual city rate increases driven by NTMWD’s wholesale water and sewer rate hikes, led many residents to rethink their watering strategies. Residential water use typically triples or quadruples in summer months compared to midwinter usage, says Massey. But most people don’t realize how many gallons their irrigation system actually uses.

That’s why water conservation manager Gail Donaldson helped create a simple handout to walk residents through the calculations, dubbed “Sprinkler Math.” The chalkboard illustration shows the average water use of rotor heads, spray heads and drip irrigation systems. Residents can fill in the blanks to calculate potential water use in their own yards. Donaldson expects the graphic will be eye-opening. “People have it in their heads that if it’s drip irrigation, it’s not using much water,” says Donaldson. “And that’s not necessarily the case.” In North Texas, lawns and landscaping will thrive with only a half-inch of precipitation each week. The City of Frisco gathered data from 2015 and found twice-weekly watering was only recommended during four weeks of the year—all of them during August or September. The same data revealed homeowners could have eliminated all sprinkler use between April 1 and July 15; with so much rain, no extra watering was needed. Though rain/freeze sensors can

help eliminate excess watering, Donaldson advises homeowners not to rely on presets and timers. “Most people don’t consider it a hassle to turn off lights or change the thermostat,” she notes. “If you really want to save the most water, you should keep your system off until you decide to run it manually.”

Reduce Your Use

Know your system. If you’re unfamiliar with irrigation (most homeowners are, says Donaldson), check out the threepart irrigation video series from the City of Allen, available at CityofAllen.org/IrrigationSeries. It breaks down common irrigation issues and teaches you how to spot potential problems. Get an inspection. Have a licensed irrigation specialist examine your system, looking for broken heads or improperly-installed tubing. Upgrade your efficiency. Allen’s H2Ome Improvement Rebate program offers discounts for smart irrigation equipment, rain barrels and other water-saving upgrades. View offers at CityofAllen.org/WaterRebates. Go manual. By ditching the timers and complicated settings, you can know exactly when your sprinkler is running. Do your sprinkler math. Calculate your use at CityofAllen. org/SprinklerMath to estimate how much water your system uses. Leaking or improperly installed irrigation can use even more. v Chelsey Aprill is a marketing specialist for the City of Allen.

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New Trail Will Offer Walking Tour of Allen History by Chelsey APRILL

You don’t expect to find Allen’s most important landmark tucked beneath a canopy of hardwoods and underbrush. But follow the paved trail north of Allen Station Park and you’ll spot it—smudged with moss and trickling tendrils of water—the Old Stone Dam. “It’s like the Secret Garden,” says Tim Dentler, director of Allen’s parks and recreation department, of the massive stone structure that stairsteps the deep banks of Cottonwood Creek. “Despite being so close to US-75, with all the development going on around it, it’s truly a natural location.” So natural, in fact, that it can be tricky to locate. The current trailhead begins in a parking lot behind the Carrier Enterprise building on Exchange Parkway; first-time visitors may wonder if they’re in the wrong spot before noticing the path sinking into the woods. But experiencing this piece of Allen history will soon be much easier, thanks to the addition of the Water Station Trail. “It’s going to give the general public access to historical areas

they’ve never seen before,” remarks Dentler. The Water Station Trail will begin at an existing paved overlook just south of the dam. A new bridge will lead visitors across the creek to an elevated concrete boardwalk. Gravel paths will loop past the old water tower piers, pump house and other historic artifacts. “These structures powered the steam locomotives that put Allen on the map,” says Matt McComb, a landscape architect for the City of Allen. McComb worked with project coordinator Kelly McGinnis and the Allen Heritage Guild on informational placards explaining the significance of each landmark. “The trail is meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace,” says McComb. “Something reflected in the choice of surface materials. While Boy Scouts and history buffs won’t mind the loose pebbles, it’s not ideal for cyclists or serious runners.” “A few areas will be a bit larger, more conducive to group settings,”

says McComb, calling attention to the boardwalk overlooking the dam. With stunning views of the creek, he expects the unique feature to attract photographers and field trips alike. “I can even see people getting engaged out there,” says McComb. Construction on the $1.2 million project began in February with funds from the Allen Community Development Corporation and grants from Collin County. That budget includes preservation work on the dam itself, which lost some of its capstones during 2015 flooding. If the weather cooperates, contractors expect to finish the trail by mid-July. Once completed, visitors can park at the current trailhead or at Allen Station Park and follow new signs to the dam. “Hopefully, it will introduce new folks to the site and show them why these elements are important to Allen,” says McComb. To learn more about Allen’s trail system, visit AllenParks.org. v Chelsey Aprill is a marketing specialist for the City of Allen. Allen Image | June 2016

Snippets

Second Annual Texas Heritage Festival On June 4, Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary invites the public to put on a cowboy hat and mosey on over to the Texas Heritage Festival! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. guests are invited to celebrate all that makes the Lone Star State so spectacular. Presented by Clif KiD and sponsored by McKinney Community Development Corporation and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-McKinney, the Texas Heritage Festival will feature toe-tappin’, knee-slappin’ Western music, local artisans, historical demonstrations and interactive children’s activities. Guests can rustle up some tasty Texas grub, say “Howdy” to our resident wildlife ambassadors and explore the Native Texas Butterfly Garden.

Exercise Your Mind In June, the library will show a selection of sleuthing movies to “Exercise Your Mind”—this year’s adult summer reading theme. All movies are free and start at 7 p.m. For more information, call 214.509.4905. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr.

June 7 Sneakers (1992), a security pro finds his past coming back to haunt him, when he and his unique team are tasked with retrieving a particularly important item.

June 14 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), a toon-hating detective is a cartoon rabbit’s only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder.

June 21 Now You See Me (2013), an FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

June 28 Children will love exploring the Heard’s Pioneer Village, comprised of eight pint-sized buildings typical of prairie settlements in the late 1800s—such as a schoolhouse, general store and settlers’ cabins! Event tickets also include general admission to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary for the day of the event and free parking. Tickets are just $9 for adults, $6 for seniors 60+ and children ages 3 through 12. Admission is free for Heard Museum members, children ages 2 and under and McKinney residents (restrictions apply). For more information, please visit www.heardmuseum. org. v

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Sherlock Holmes (2009), Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner, Watson, engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. v

Natalie Gregg is an Allen resident, entrepreneur and mother of two. She was named a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star every year since 2012, an honor reserved for less than 2.5 percent of practicing attorneys in the state of Texas. Natalie was also featured on the cover of the Texas Super Lawyers magazine last year. “I love solving problems and helping families transition through difficult times,” 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 partner at The Law Office of Natalie Gregg, P.C., with a team of two associate attorneys, Jessica Perroni and Heather White, and two stellar paralegals, Amanda Farmer and Rodney Bernal. Jessica Perroni, the firm’s senior associate, has years of experience handling a full range of family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, modifications and termination of parental rights. “I love to help people whose families are caught in the middle of troubling situations,” says Jessica. “My goal is to help our clients find their new normal and put the pieces of their lives back together.” Heather White joined the firm after receiving her J.D. from Southern Methodist University. Before joining Natalie, Heather served as Judicial Clerk in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. She has also worked with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Zelle Hofman Voelbel & Mason LLP, and the Spring Law Firm. The Law Office of Natalie Gregg, P.C. is a full-service family law firm, serving clients facing contested divorces, complex child custody cases, child support enforcement and modifications of previous orders. Collin County is a major focus area, as the firm’s Allen office is only ten minutes from the Collin County Courthouse. The Law Office of Natalie Gregg, P.C. treats their clients with a team approach. This approach enables Natalie, the associates and the paralegals to save their clients a significant amount of time and money while producing superior results for their entire family—especially their children. Natalie

Gregg and her team combine a great sense of compassion with a dedication to delivering results for their 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. The practice has years of advocacy for families in crisis, and the team is a passionate champion for clients who are dedicated to protecting their most precious asset—their families. “You can love your kids or hate your spouse, but you can’t do both.” Natalie Gregg states. Co-parenting is tough even on your best day but it’s a win-win always.

As one who has experienced divorce personally, Natalie Gregg’s approach to guiding clients through the process is informed by a practical and holistic approach. Natalie Gregg says, “We will walk you through this process, and help you deal with your emotional journey. We deal with the transactional piece of dividing the estate and ensuring that your children have a custom-tailored parenting plan.” The firm’s website includes a variety of articles, written by Natalie Gregg and her team, for those experiencing or considering divorce. These articles can be helpful regardless of which attorneys you plan to hire, and they include advice on how to minimize the costs and heartache of family law litigation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit the firm’s website, call 972.829.3923 or email Natalie@NatalieGregg.com.

library

The Library presents… by Tom KEENER

Fort Bascom

Built in 1863, Fort Bascom was a frontier military post along the Canadian River in New Mexico that had a significant impact on the Anglo settlement of the Southwest. Learn about the history of Ft. Bascom from Dr. James Bailey Blackshear at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23, at the library. Located in Comanchería’s and the Comancheros’ homelands, the frontier soldiers at Ft. Bascom confronted unique challenges during, and right after, the Civil War. These included environmental hardships, logistical nightmares and the dangers associated with gaining control of the Southern Plains Indians. The social aspects of frontier duty, problems with construction, and the impact of the Comanchero trade on the Army’s gaining control of the Southern Plains Indians are weaved into Dr. Blackshear’s engaging book, Ft. Bascom Soldiers, Comancheros and Indians in the Canadian River Valley. Dr. Blackshear teaches at Collin College’s Spring Creek campus, its dual credit campus at the Allen High School and at Austin College in Sherman. v

North Texas Passenger Trains

Recall the beauty of the Texas Zephyr, Texas Eagle and the Sam Houston Zephyr as they meandered through the countryside. Learn about the passenger trains that served the Metroplex and North Central Texas in the days before Amtrak from train historian Steve Goen at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 11, at the library. After the program, local historian Tom Keener will offer a guided tour of Allen’s stone dam— Allen’s only structure designated as a State Archaeological Landmark. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and North Texas Chapter, NRHS, this program is free. A recognized authority in the topic of railroad history, particularly in Texas and the southwest region, Steve Goen has eight published books to his credit, including his highly acclaimed Cotton Belt Color Pictorial. Other major regional railroads included in Goen’s book series include the Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific; Fort Worth & Denver; Kansas City Southern; MissouriKansas-Texas; Texas & New Orleans; Texas & Pacific; and Santa Fe. v

How Mexico’s Far North Became the American Southwest King cotton reigned in Texas like the benevolent emperor who gives gifts to his subjects. During the nineteenth century, the dream of growing cotton spurred a mass migration to Texas. Dr. Andrew Torget’s book, Seeds of Empire: Cotton, Slavery and the Transformation of the Texas Borderlands, 1800-1850, reveals the remarkable story of how global economic shifts during the first half of the

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nineteenth century transformed northern Mexico into the American Southwest. Learn more about the role of the cotton trade in Texas’s history from Dr. Torget at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16 at the library. Settlers came to Texas to grow cotton. The state’s soils and climate were perfect for the plant that produced the fibers that were woven into clothes, bedspreads and table

Aung San Suu Kyi

Hear the remarkable story of Aung San Suu Kyi, recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her valiant efforts to bring peace and democracy to Burma, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at the library. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, this program is free. Rena Pederson, author of The Burma Spring: Aung San Suu Kyi and the Struggle for the Soul of A Nation, will share how a brave woman confronted a brutal military regime and changed the history of her country. Ms. Pederson observes, “Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi led her party to an election sweep in 1990, but instead of being allowed to serve, was placed under house arrest for 15 of the next 20 years by military dictators. Last fall she led her party to another sweep in Burma’s first general election in 25 years and is poised to lead her people to a life of freedom, at long last. ” Contributing to The Huffington Post and PBS radio, Ms. Pederson has written on threats by hackers to the U.S. economy and women in the midst of turmoil in Egypt. Ms. Pederson’s book has been featured at the prestigious Texas Book Festival and Los Angeles Book Festival. v

Tom Faulkner, Susan Gibson & Beth Wood

Tom Faulkner will leave a light on for you at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 10, at the library. Creating some of the most memorable commercial music on television and radio, his most notable are the original “I Want My Baby Back” for Chili’s and the popular theme song for Tom Bodett and Motel 6. The latter garnered a Clio award. Tom will be accompanied by Beth Wood and Susan Gibson. A unique blend of Texas blues, Cajun and Tejano, Tom’s masterful album Lost in the Land of Texico is located at the crossroads of creativity and energy. The Dixie Chicks took Susan Gibson’s penned song “Wide Open Spaces” to the top of the charts for four weeks. The Second Hand is her fifth release and she’s collected honors such as “Entertainer of the Year” from the West Texas Music Hall of Fame. “The Weather Inside,” Beth Wood’s eighth studio release, is a case study in contrast. A coming-of-age statement record from a veteran artist, Beth’s latest work embraces strength and tenderness, the polished and the well-worn, the broken and the hopeful heart. v

Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for more information. linens. Bales of cotton were shipped down Texas rivers, across the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans. From there, most of it was transported to Great Britain, where the industrial revolution was in full force. The migration to Texas, Torget writes, was more than anything a “continuation of the endless search by Americans… for the best cotton land along North America’s rich Gulf Coast.” And this crop was, in many cases, cultivated and picked by slaves. Torget, an assistant professor of history at the University of North Texas, notes that the opening of Texas to American immigrants coincided with an international demand for cotton. By 1835, Texas was producing more than three million pounds of it. Dr. Torget is a historian of nineteenth-century North America at the University of North Texas, where he directs a digital humanities lab. In 2011, he was named the inaugural David J. Weber Research Fellow at the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University. v Allen Image | June 2016

feature

Anyone can be a HERO Chandler Elementary students learn a lifesaving skill with Hank and Heidi Heimlich by Nicole BYWATER

It’s one thing to learn a technique from a demonstration, video or a poster; it’s another altogether to practice it with your own hands. That’s the idea behind “Heimlich Heroes,” a program that teaches children ages seven and older how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and prevent choking. The lesson utilizes 42-inch training dolls—known affectionately as “Hank” and “Heidi”—to give children hands-on training. In February, more than 500 students in second through sixth grades at Allen’s Chandler Elementary learned how to be Heimlich Heroes. The lessons were provided at no charge to the school over three days during the students’ physical education class period.

Kid-friendly lessons “These dolls are perfect for making this a very ‘kidfriendly’ way to learn a valuable skill,” says Chandler’s school nurse, Michelle Patterson. She is a huge advocate for teaching life-saving skills such as the Heimlich maneuver and CPR to everyone—including children. “You

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just never know where or when you’re going to have an emergency. The more people that have these skills and are able to perform simple lifesaving techniques, the better.” Joanne Alamares, a parent who volunteered during the program, agrees. “This is a very valuable skill to teach kids,” she says. “The dolls really work. As I’ve been helping with this, I’ve seen that they have to find just the right spot to push on or it doesn’t work. And if they don’t thrust fast enough, or if they start pushing when they’re too far away, it doesn’t work. It’s very realistic.” Alamares’ son Peter is in fifth grade at Chandler and also in Boy Scouts, where he has previously seen a Heimlich demonstration. “But this is more hands-on and something they’ll really remember,” Joanne says. “All of the kids seem to be getting it.” For another volunteer, Pamela Dreyer, who has two grandchildren at Chandler, the school’s program brought to mind two separate incidences where she has had to use the Heimlich maneuver in the past. “Back when my children were in elementary school, I had gone through training in procedures such as the Heimlich and CPR,” Dreyer explains. “One day as I was monitoring the cafeteria, I noticed a student choking on a piece of meat from lunch and I was able to dislodge it using the Heimlich.” The other incident happened during a Christmas party when a child choked on a piece of candy cane. In both situations, Pamela says, her training just kicked in and the children were fine. “I was so glad that I had received the lessons because when these things happened, I wasn’t nervous. I knew what to do,” she adds. “I think it’s an extremely good idea for kids to be learning how to do the Heimlich, and this

program has been excellent for that.”

Getting real practice During each session, which is presented to one or two classes at a time, the students start by filling out a short pre-test form. Patterson then explains how to recognize the signs of someone choking and that if someone can cough forcefully, breathe or speak, the Heimlich isn’t needed. She also cautions them to never play around with the Heimlich or try to practice on their friends. In addition, the students are encouraged to go home and show their booklet to their parents to share what they’ve learned. Next, the students watch a video and demonstration on how to locate a person’s diaphragm. They’re shown how to put one fist under the ribs, cover it with their other hand and then pull upwards to create an air bubble. Then, the hands-on part: they get to practice the maneuver several times, working in small groups, on the five Hank and Heidi dolls. The dolls provide a realistic simulation because they are each outfitted with an internal diaphragm, lungs and a windpipe. If the move is done correctly, a bite-sized piece of Styrofoam pops out of the Hank or Heidi’s mouth. To conclude, each student fills out an evaluation form covering what he or she learned. Later in the school year, the students will be surveyed again to see how much Heimlich knowledge they’ve retained. “We want to make sure that our students are really absorbing the lessons being taught and see that this is an effective program,” Patterson explains.

Free program The healthcare group Deaconess Associations, Inc. created Heimlich Heroes, with support from the Heimlich Institute, as an educational presentation for schools, clubs and groups. The video and student take-home materials (booklet, certificate and bracelet) are donated and the dolls are loaned to school. This is the first time for the program

to take place at Chandler, which is also the first school in the district to host it. Patterson found the program in an online search, as she was looking for a way to teach lifesaving skills to her students in a free or low-cost way. “I teach CPR outside of school so I know how important these types of lessons are,” she says. “However, when I was looking at bringing something to our school, I found that many programs like that have a fee for the materials that made them unrealistic when you’re talking about so many students.” And while Patterson hopes her students never need to use the Heimlich in real life, she likes knowing they’re prepared to be heroes if needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent report, choking is the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S.—accounting for about 5,000 deaths a year. Since its inception in 1974 by Dr. Henry Heimlich, the Heimlich maneuver has saved thousands of lives. Heimlich Heroes is about bringing that skill to children. Chandler Physical Education Coach Jamee Little, who also helped teach the program to students, says the Hank and Heidi dolls are what really set it apart from anything she’s seen. “They’re perfect for the elementary level because of their size and softness,” Jamee says of the dolls. “There’s nothing cold or scary about them. That’s what you need when you’re wanting the kids to practice and imagine themselves in a real-life situation.” v Nicole Bywater is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | June 2016

kids korner

The Ultimate Guide to Summer 2016 by Deborah DOVE

School’s out (or almost out) for summer. Here’s your definitive list so you don’t waste a minute. GET ACTIVE

GET ENTERTAINED

Put summer on ice—the ice skating rink that is! Allen Community Ice offers daily open skate times for only $8 for admission and skate rental, as well as punch cards that offer substantial savings. The Dr Pepper Center in McKinney also offers public skating as well as three-day “Learn to Skate” camps. Get your groove on with roller-skating old-style at Thunderbird Roller Rink in Plano. Check their website at www.thunderbirdrink. com for public skate times and special events such as Cheapskate Night, Learn to Skate and Roller Derbys. Burn off some energy at an indoor trampoline park like Cosmic Jump in Allen, Jump Street in Allen or Urban Air in Frisco. Hit the lanes—the bowling lanes, that is. Allen Bowl and Splittsville offer old-fashioned lanes (and bumpers), while larger venues like Strikz and Main Event offer bowling, games rooms and laser tag.

Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse offers 10 kid-friendly movies for only $1 each at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer at Allen Cinemark or at 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays at McKinney Cinemark. Check www.cinemark.com for a list of movies. See a movie at the drive-in. The Galaxy Drive-In in Ennis offers current double features and concessions, while the Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth offers first-run flicks, a cool kids playground and gourmet munchies. Catch a free outdoor concert. The Summer Sounds concerts at Joe Farmer in Allen are Monday nights at 7 p.m. through June. Or bring a blanket to Watters Creek every Saturday in June from 7-9 p.m. for Concerts by the Creek. McKinney offers Jammin’ in June, free outdoor concerts at the Bonnie Wenk Park Amphitheater on Thursdays from 7:30-9 p.m. through June 23. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey bring the greatest show on Earth to the American Airlines Center July 29-August 9, with legendary circus performers and animals from across the globe. Popular storybook character Pinkalicious comes to life on the stage at Dallas Children’s Theater’s high-energy stage adaptation, Pinkalicious-the Musical, June 17-July 17. Visit www.dct.org for ticket information.

GET WET It’s not summer without long lazy days spent at the pool. The area has a variety of great spots to swim without spending a fortune, such as the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium in Allen (indoor pool with one slide, a lazy river and play structure); Tom Muehlenbeck Pool in Plano (huge outdoor pool with three water slides and a play structure and an indoor pool with two slides and a lazy river); Juanita Maxfield Aquatic Center (an outdoor pool with a floating dragon and a diving board) and Old Settler’s Aquatic Center (an outdoor pool with an open flume slide, floor bubblers and lemon drop sprayers, a tea cup and a cascading waterfall) in McKinney. There’s also the newly renovated Frisco Athletic Center with a 45-foot-tall, four-lane mat racer called Preston Plunge as well as the Fort—a multilevel water playground bursting with 85 water features, three slides and lazy river. Or go further afield to springfed Burger’s Lake in Fort Worth or Sandy Lake Amusement Park in Carrollton. Let the little ones cool off at one of the many free splash grounds and play fountains. Area favorites include Celebration Park in Allen; the fountains at the Village at Fairview (stick around for the nightly fountain shows set to music at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.); seven in McKinney—Ash Woods Park, Aviator Park, Finch Park, Horizon Park, Inspiration Park, John M. Whisenant and Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex; and three in Frisco—Frisco Commons, the J.R. Newman Splash Park and Shepherds Glen. Or make a day of it and ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, which has a main splash pad on the corner of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and St. Paul Street and other water features. Suit up in a rented helmet, life vest and board and let the overhead cable system pull you around the 10-acre lake at Hydrous Wake Park (wakeboarding is a water sport similar to snowboarding). There’s a small lake for beginners and a larger lake for perfecting tricks. They also offer summer camps.

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GET OUTDOORS Take them out to the ballgame. The Texas Rangers play at the Ballpark at Arlington through September and the Frisco Roughriders (the class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers) play at the Dr Pepper Ballpark through August, with post-game fireworks after most Friday and Sunday games. Pick your own blueberries at Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm at Texas A&M Commerce or Blueberry Hill Farms in Edom. Explore Summer at the Dallas Arboretum, with display flower beds bursting with colors, the interactive Children’s Adventure Garden, toads that spew water, concerts on the lawn every Thursday night through June and Family Fun Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through July 29, with face painting, a petting zoo, silhouette artist Micki Triggs and music for the little ones in the shady Pecan Grove— topped off with a refresher in Toad Corners! Connect with nature at Trinity River Adventure Course with a canopy tour, challenge course and zip line adventures.

GET AWAY The best staycation in town is in Grapevine. Enjoy the indoor waterpark and fun lodge-style rooms at Great Wolf Lodge, or spend a night at the Gaylord and take advantage of Paradise Springs, the resort’s waterpark with a 600-square-foot lazy river, a 6,000-squarefoot family lagoon with a 27-foot waterslide and zip line, and a Texas-themed, multi-level water play structure. v

education

Balance, Strength and Perseverance Olympic Gold Medalist Embraces the Golden Rule by Heather DARROW

The pressure was on—full force. Thousands were cheering. She was in that slow-motion scene, the one when surgeons know a miniscule mistake is the difference between life and death, and Olympic athletes know a one second loss of concentration could cost them the opportunity of a lifetime. A crooked landing on the vault sent her into eighth place. She had a choice. She could let fear take control or hoist a flicker of courage from the depth of her soul and allow it to flourish. She chalked her hands and forged ahead. Her performance on the parallel bars brought her up to fourth place. With adrenaline surging through her system, she mounted the beam. Hundreds of hours of practice kicked in. She ended her routine with her namesake dismount and soared to first place. Carly Patterson won a 2004 Olympic Gold medal—by less than two-tenths of a point. In the heat of the competition, Patterson was in the zone, a place where mental and physical ability coalesce into an apex of concentration; a place she would continue to visit long after the 2004 Olympics. “I could hear the crowd, but as soon as I touched that piece of equipment and got into my routine everything went silent. People could have been

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screaming, and I wouldn’t have heard it. I remember being in the middle of that beam dismount on all-around night. I really needed to stick the dismount. I could feel that I was going to hit it in the middle of that skill, and I stuck the dismount,” she said, grinning, and then breaking out into a laugh. She added, “It’s kind of crazy how we can be so incredibly focused when we need to be. I think it boils down to practice and repetition. It taught me that anything I really want to put my mind to and give my all to I can achieve.” Patterson met celebrities like L.L. Cool J, Kate Winslet, Katie Couric, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and swimmer Michael Phelps. Invited to the White House, she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Late Show with David Letterman, but she had another goal she wanted to achieve—education. “Education is very important to have in life. I wanted to not only be able to tell my kids that I worked really hard in this sport and achieved that ultimate goal, but college and education are just as important. I wanted to be able to say, ‘Yeah, mom got the gold medal, but mom also got a college education.’” According to Patterson, large classes were out of her comfort zone. Collin College’s small classes were the perfect fit. The communication classes at the college were immediately applicable in the melee of local and national television appearances. As determined as she was to earn a degree, Patterson was intimidated by college because gymnastics had always been her top priority. “College scared me. I had no clue what to expect, but I realized that everyone at Collin is really down to earth and very helpful, and that made me feel really comfortable. I had to put the time in and hit the books, so for me feeling almost like you are one-on-one with the professors helped me to grasp concepts a lot quicker. I wanted to take

as many classes here as I could. To have such an amazing college right here in my backyard, it was awesome to be able to attend here.” Patterson earned her associate of arts degree from Collin College and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University. She uses the speech writing and speaking skills she gained at Collin College in her roles today as a motivational speaker and USA gymnastics ambassador. Patterson says being able to compete

for her country was an honor she will never forget, but her journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, holds the most meaning for her. “I am most proud of my journey and of who it made me today as a woman. I try to get across to people to enjoy every day, even if it is not your best day, because those days are going to make you stronger and make you come out on the other side and really be able to enjoy and appreciate the days that you do have a great day,

Allen Image | June 2016

medals that were placed around her neck one miraculous day. She wants to impart elements of her path to others to help them achieve pinnacles of success in their own lives. “If you work hard, and you put that hard work and talent together, it can pay off. I have the opportunity to speak to young gymnasts, college students and all kinds of people. My hope is to inspire them with my story and show them that they can do whatever it is they want to do.” For more information about Collin College, visit Collin.edu. v Heather Darrow is a public relations

the days you win a gold medal or get that promotion, whatever it may be in life.”

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Patterson sums it up by saying that the legacy she wants to leave goes beyond the weighty Olympic

writer at Collin College. Photos by Nick Young, Collin College photographer

MARKET PLACE

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travel

The Beaches of Texas South Padre Island

by Deborah DOVE

I’ve lived in Texas for a good portion of my adult life, and between spring break trips during college, romantic getaways in the early days of my marriage and family vacations, I’ve visited practically every beach in the state. Although Texas beaches will never rival Florida’s white sandy beaches or the Caribbean’s clear blue water, we are blessed with some pretty amazing coastline that offers the perfect summer beach getaway without breaking the bank.

South Padre Island Boasting the state’s whitest beaches and clear emerald water, South Padre Island is the largest barrier island in the world and was voted one of America’s “Most Beautiful Barrier Islands” by Huffington Post. Thirty-four miles long and a half-mile wide along the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre is the quintessential beach town, with condominiums, hotels and 34 miles of beaches flanking the Gulf side and wetlands along Laguna Bay. The area offers something for everyone, with lots of funky bars and restaurants, deep sea fishing trips, dolphin-watching excursions, watersports, and the honor of being the sandcastle capital of the world. South Padre Island is also known as the “Fireworks Capital of Texas,” and you can enjoy nighttime firework displays every Thursday and Friday night. In addition to the considerable charms of the beach, other notable must-sees in South Padre include the Port Isabel Lighthouse and Sea Turtle, Inc., a turtle education and rehabilitation center where guests can hear “Turtle Talks” and watch the turtle “patients” play in large pools. Schlitterbahn Waterpark offers a great day of wet fun away from the beach with rides for all ages, most of which you can wait in line for from the cool comfort of your inner tube.

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South Padre Island is also a key destination for birders who flock to see herons, egrets and yellow-billed loons, to name a few of the area’s more than 300 bird species you can see during spring and fall migration. For a great vacation photo op, be sure and visit the Largest Sandcastle in the USA, a continuing project by artist Andy Hancock located in the parking lot of the Visitors Center. Walk along the beach and you’re likely to see more of his creations. He also gives sandcastle lessons so you can build your own masterpiece. For more information, visit www.sopadre.com.

Galveston Although it sometimes gets a bum rap, Galveston is my favorite Texas beach, probably because of its rich history and because there’s so much to do in addition to the typical shoreline pleasures. Although with 32 miles of beaches, the seashore diversions are plentiful—sand to build castles, surf to play in, tide pools to explore and lots of people-watching. Stewart Beach, typically the most crowded public beach, offer lots of family-focused activities such as sandcastle contests and volleyball games, as well as beach chair and umbrella rentals. East Beach is another wellmaintained public beach that often hosts live concerts,

while beach house rentals and oceanfront condos offer more secluded private beaches for their guests. The 10.4-mile seawall that parallels the Gulf of Mexico is often packed with joggers, bicyclists, skaters and those who love to walk along the shoreline without sand crunching between their toes, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to peruse. You can also rent bicycles to ride along the seawall, or visit Pleasure Pier, an oldfashioned waterfront amusement park with rides such as the 100-foot-tall Galaxy Wheel LED-lit Ferris Wheel. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty more to do in Galveston besides hitting the beach. The entertainment mecca of Moody Gardens offers an aquarium (with optional animal experiences), rainforest, ropes course and zip line, discovery museum, a paddlewheel boat, beach and theater experiences. Next door is the popular waterpark Schlitterbahn, with indoor and outdoor attractions, water coasters, slides and more. The Strand, the 36-block historic downtown district, features quaint shops, specialty stores, restaurants and galleries housed in beautiful Victorian iron-front buildings. And history buffs can tour the USS Cavalla (a WWII submarine), the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum and the three-masted tall ship Elissa, which was built in 1877. Be sure and dine at Gaidoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, a favorite since 1911. For more information, visit www. galveston.com.

Corpus Christi and Port Aransas With a reputation for being a bit cleaner and with less seaweed than Galveston, Corpus Christi is home to numerous island and bay beaches, including Mustang Island State Park and the popular Padre Island National Seashore, a typically uncrowded 70-mile-long preserved Allen Image | June 2016

Galveston barrier island. Most beach vacationers head to Port Aransas, which is located on the northern tip of Mustang Island and boasts 18 miles of uninterrupted beaches, with lots of opportunity for splashing, boogie boarding and sand castle building. For the more adventurous, there’s also windsurfing, kite boarding and parasailing. Hop on the jetty boat for a

Port Aransas 26

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day trip to the unspoiled coastline of San Jose Island, which offers the best shelling in the area with lightning whelks, shark’s eyes and sand dollars. It’s also fun to take the free car ferry from Corpus to Port Aransas and watch the bottlenose dolphins, seagulls and pelicans. Area beaches also offer a variety of boat tours— from fishing charters to dolphin

cruises to the Red Dragon Pirate Cruise that will delight the little ones. If you grow tired of the beach, you can explore the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, with numerous exhibits (including two male dolphins) as well as a splashpark and fossil dig site. Or spend the day on a self-guided tour of the USS Lexington, the most highly decorated aircraft carrier of World War II. Schlitterbahn offers watery thrills with water coasters, tube rides, a lazy river and play areas for younger children. And at night, be sure and see the lights of the Harbor Bridge (park by the aquarium if you want to stroll or eat near the bridge). For more information, visit www http://www. visitcorpuschristitx.org and www.portaransas. org. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

MARKET PLACE

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looking back

Exhibits at Allen Heritage Center Depot Museum Red Cross Volunteers A Red Cross uniform from the 1940s is on display, along with information about two Allen ladies who volunteered with the Red Cross at Ashburn Memorial Hospital in McKinney. Ashburn was activated by the U.S. Army in 1943 and became a Veterans Administration hospital in 1946. The Ashburn complex covered 270 acres north of what is now Highway 380.

Cundiff House and the Cundiffs One of the few old homes left in Allen still stands on Belmont near the railroad tracks. It was owned by the Cundiff family for eighty years and since then has housed a B&B and several restaurants. Welby Cundiff was an early Allen pharmacist, son Henry operated a grocery store on Main Street, and several other children remained in the Allen area making contributions to the community.

Collin McKinney Sestercentennial This year Collin County is celebrating Collin McKinney, the namesake of the city of McKinney and Collin County. He played a big part in the history of Texas and was celebrated county-wide for the month of April. Our exhibit will inform visitors about Collin and the activities planned for his celebration. The exhibits will be on display at the museum in the Allen Heritage Center/ Depot building through August. The depot is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Arrangements for group tours of the exhibit can be made by calling Ed at 972.984.9086 or Paula at 972.740.8017. Permanent exhibits of photos and artifacts of early Allen are always on display.

Allen Water Station Trail The Allen Heritage Guild worked with members of Parks and Recreation to collect information for the new Allen Water Station Trail project. Informative panels along the trail will draw attention to the stone dam, old pump facility and water tower piers that provided water to power steam engines along Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Houston and Texas Central Railway line.

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The Iris Ladies of Allen Three ladies in Allen had larger than average iris beds in the downtown area of Allen. They grew the tall bearded iris and were generous in supplying friends and family with iris rhizomes in many available colors. Today many offspring of these plants can be seen all around Allen and at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church in Allen Heritage Village. v

calendar

june CITY OF ALLEN

Allen Event Center Tickets on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at the Allen Event Center box office. For more information, visit www.alleneventcenter.com. 2 Princeton High School Graduation 3 Little Elm High School Graduation 4 Wylie East High School Graduation/Wylie High School Graduation 28-30 Serving the American Rinks Regional Training

Parks and Recreation

For more info about Parks and Recreation events, visit AllenParks.org. 6

Summer Sounds Concert Series: Lone Star Attitude—Joe Farmer Recreation Center Amphitheatre, bring a blanket, enjoy live music and a free performance by Lone Star Attitude.

SNAP Dance (Luau)—SNAP your fingers and shuffle your feet at this Special Needs and Adapted Program! Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. This month is Luau theme! Register early, the fee increases to $15 at 5 p.m. the Wednesday prior to each dance. For more information, contact Lisa Potvin at lpotvin@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4707.

10-12 Art Extravaganza—Submit your work of art in this familyfriendly juried competition. Artwork will be displayed free for the public to view, giving the community a chance to observe art. Limited to two pieces of art per artist. 13

Summer Sounds Concert Series: Downtown Fever—Joe Farmer Recreation Center Amphitheatre, bring a blanket, enjoy live music and a free performance by Downtown Fever.

Step Up To Health Festival—In conjunction with the Summer Sounds, Step Up To Health highlights the health/ wellness programs offered in Allen through sports, recreation and the arts. Bring your family to enjoy a variety of activities, including vendor booths, crafts, demos and more at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Learn more at AllenParks.org.

Summer Sounds Concert Series: Rolling Stones Tribute Band—Joe Farmer Recreation Center Amphitheatre, bring a blanket, enjoy live music and a free performance by a Rolling Stones Tribute Band.

World’s Largest Swim Lesson—Join us for the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium! Last year, 36,564 people in 22 countries simultaneously participated. Come join us and help beat the record for FREE! Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a Guinness Book of World Records event.

Market Street Allen USA Celebration—Something for everyone. A star-studded entertainment lineup featuring two stages of musical acts and one of the largest fireworks displays in North Texas. Kids can enjoy bounce houses and play structures in the Kids Zone, get creative in the Craft Tent or beat the heat at Celebration Park’s Spray Grounds. This community event is FREE. Visit AllenUSA.org for more info.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Youth Services Weekly story times will resume on June 13. Baby and Me—For pre-walkers w/caregiver, Thur., 10:15 am. Fun Ones & Twos—For 1 & 2 year-olds w/caregiver, Mon. & Tue., 10:15 am Together Time—For 3-5 year-olds w/caregiver. Mon., Tue. & Thur., 11:15 am; Wed., 10:15 am All By Myself—For 4-5 year-olds without a caregiver. Wed., 11:15 am Pajama Story Time—For 3-5 year-olds & family. Tue. & Thur., 6:30 pm (Note the new start time!) For more information about events below, call 214.509.4906. All events are free and no pre-registration is required to attend. Tickets are handed out 30 minutes before the program. 10

Sensory Play Day—10:30-11:30 am, ages 0-3 w/adult. A relaxed morning of stimulating sensory play stations. Limit 100 participants.

Critterman’s Texas Tails—2:30 & 3:45 pm, Civic Auditorium, ages 5 & up. See some critters native to the Lone Star state.

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Perot Museum-Super Hero Science—2:30 & 3:45 pm, Civic Auditorium, ages 5 & up. Discover the science behind super heroes and their amazing powers. Mr. Blue Shoes—2:30 & 3:45 pm, Civic Auditorium, ages 5 & up. History of blues through this multisensory live music show.

Special Events for Children 16 Unbelievably True!—2-3 pm, ages 5-8. Hear a true-life story then create a cool craft project based on what you’ve learned. 17

Father’s Day Story Time—10:30-11 am, ages 3 & up. Celebrate dads of all kinds with this special story time.

Hands-on Science!—2-3 pm, ages 5 & up. Hands-on science experiments, technology, and mathematics fun! Limit 60. Tickets handed out 30 minutes before program starts.

Family Game Day—3:30-5 pm, all ages with adult. Strengthen family bonds and build skills with games.

Special Events for Tweens & Teens 14

Super Smash Bros. Tournament—2-4 pm, ages 9-18. Brawl your way to ultimate fighter status in this melee!

American Girl Club—2-3 pm, ages 7-12. Meet 2016’s Girl of the Year, Lea Clark! Crafts and activities to introduce Lea’s world.

ADULTS

Adult services programs are held in the 2nd Floor Program Room unless otherwise indicated. All events are free, and there is no registration unless noted. Please call 214.509.4905 or 214.509.4913.

Armchair Travelers Visit Antarctica—7 pm, explore the world, without leaving Texas! Join Mark and Kathy Plagens as they share stories and photos from their cruise to Antarctica.

Pickle Your Fancy—7 pm, presented by Food for Thought Café with Guest Chef Amy Braid. Learn about basic pickling. One lucky patron will win a Pickle-y Prize.

1 Noontime Pageturners—The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, noon. Potluck lunch; bring something to share. All paper goods and bottled water will be provided. 6

Improv Night!—4:45 pm, ages 13+. A night of Improv! with an instructor from the Allen Community Theatre. Relax with fun improv games. Space limited to 20.

Twisted Threads-A Fiber Craft Circle—6:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome! Bring your latest project and work on it in the company of other fiber crafters.

9 Discover a Healthier You-Wii Fitness—1 pm, 1st floor meeting room. Try yoga, ski jumping and more on the Wii game console. Comfortable clothes and shoes recommended. 9

Super Awesome Puzzle Tournament—6:30 pm, at Nine Band Brewing Company, 9 Prestige Circle, Allen. Compete for fantastic prizes! Three rounds of your choice of Sudoku or Crossword Puzzles. Scoring will be based on speed and accuracy.

15 DIY@APL-Scrabble Tile Magnets—10 am. Create your own decorative magnets out of Scrabble tiles. All materials provided.

watters creek concerts by the creek

In conjunction with the concert season, the first Saturday of each month is “Music Makes a Difference.” A designated charity will attend the concert to bring awareness to its cause and raise funds and will also receive a $200 donation from Watters Creek. 4 The Free Loaders 11 Moving Colors 18 Infinite Journey   In the event of inclement weather, outdoor events will be cancelled or rescheduled. For the most up-to-date information on events, visit the Watters Creek website at http://www.watterscreek.com.

CLUBS

TEENS

Anime Evening—6:30-8 pm, Upstairs Program Room, ages 12-18. Enjoy an evening of anime, fun and snacks!

Ladies Night Out Book Club—7 pm, age 18+. A discussion of The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Water Fight—4-5:30 pm, ages 12-18. Cool off with a spectacular water battle! Come prepared to get wet!

Game Day—2:30 pm, exercise your mind with some family friendly board games and classic card games. Refreshments will be served.

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

Henna Art—2-4 pm, meeting room, ages 9-18. Get your very own henna tattoo! A signed parental consent form is required. Download it at www.allenlibrary.org.

Teen Anime Con—6:30-10:30 pm, ages 12-18. It’s fun and free! Must pre-register online starting May 14. Limit 300 participants. No entrance to the Con allowed after 7 pm. Find details, cosplay rules and more at allenlibrary.org/teens/animecon.

Let’s Talk Dewey: American History—7 pm. Choose-yourown-nonfiction book club. For June, read any book about American history, found in the nonfiction section under 973-979. Join the discussion even if you haven’t read a book.

Allen Area Patriots, meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, 7-8:45 pm, Failth Fellowship Church, 415 West Lucas Road, Lucas. Local Tea Party presents speakers, encouraging citizens to participate. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com.

30 Nerdy Nummies—2-3:30 pm, ages 12-18. Create deliciously nerdy and edible works of art! Limit 30. Tickets handed out 30 minutes before program.

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22 Discover Your Ancestors with Family Search—7 pm, by Richard Crookston. Learn to use this web-based resource to find your ancestors, discover your family history, etc. 23

ArtSparks! Geometry in Art—1 pm, adults and teens age 16+, presented by Allen Arts Alliance. Learn how artists incorporate patterns and geometric shapes. You’ll get to create your own geometric artwork. All materials supplied.

Allen Garden Club, meets the first Thursday each month, 7 pm, gardening talks by area experts, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: Denise Webre, 972.390.8536 or www.allengardenclub.org. Allen Heritage Guild, meets the first Wednesday every month, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. Programs feature guest speakers on topics of historical significance. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www.allenheritageguild.org.

Allen Retired Educators meet the third Monday each month, 10:30 am, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. RSVP: Sondra Long, billysondralong@tx.rr.com. Allen Toastmastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club, meets every Monday, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102, (Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$10 non-members 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, meets fourth Tuesday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, meets second Monday each month, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Living Center, 6401 Ohio Dr., Plano. Open to anyone with assoc. or bachelors degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972.862.3460. Art History Brown Bag Series, meets first Wednesday each month, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www.heardcraig.org. Bible Study, meets every Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. required. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen.cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets the third Monday each month Sept-May, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www.collincountymoms.aggienetwork.com. Collin County Archaeology Society, meets second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net. Collin County Genealogical Society, meets the second Wednesday each month, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com. Collin County Libertarian Party meets every second Wednesday, most often at 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., Allen. For more info: collinlp.org or email collinlp.org@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeners tour of Myers Park, meets the first Wednesday each month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations req. For more info: 972.548.4232 or mgcollin@ag.tamu.edu. Collin County Republican Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: www.ccrmc.org. Dallas Dog Lovers, events for dogs and owners in the Dallas area. For more info: www.dallasdoglovers.com Department 56 Village Collectors Club second Saturday every month, in the Plano/North Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com. Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, meets every Monday, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: Per Treven, 972.583.8273 or per.treven@ericsson.com. First Nighter African Violet Society, meets third Monday each month, 7 pm, Stacy Road Pet Hospital, 451 Stacy Road, Fairview. Promotes interest in African violets and study of growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478. Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Ctr, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen & Lucas), meets first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460. Live @ 5 Business After Hours, meets the third Thursday each month, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, meets 2nd Monday of each month September thru May 10:30 am, Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, President. Lovejoy Preschool PTA. Monthly meetings at Creekwood UMC, the second Thursday of each month, 261 Country Club Rd, Fairview. Different topic & speakers each month. Lunch provided free; babysitting available for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/Lovejoy-Preschool-PTA/.

Allen Image | June 2016

McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190.

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets the second Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5236 Tennyson Pkwy., Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org.

McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, meets the third Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com.

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

McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, meets second Thursday each month, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Hdqts., 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. Moms in Prayer, join worldwide prayer movement—bringing mothers together and seeing God change children through prayer. For more info: MomsInPrayer.org or Amy Guthrie at amyguthrie@verizon.net. NARFE Chapter 559, meets the third Monday of each month at 1:30 pm at the Village of Stonebridge Assisted Living, 3300 S. Stonebridge Drive, McKinney. All current government employees and retirees are invited.

Open Forum, meaningful discussions, meets the first Saturday every month, 3 pm, Delaney’s Pub, 6150 W. Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: Charlie, 214.585.0004. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, meets the third Monday each month, 7 pm, FUMC of Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net. Plano Photography Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, W. Plano Presbyterian Church, 2709 Custer Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com.

Plano Republican Women’s Club, meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com. Preston Persuaders Toastmasters, meets every Monday, 7:15 pm, Champions School of Real Estate in the Rangers Room at 3721 Mapleshade Ln, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469.323.0538 or Todd Richardson, 214.497.4495 or www.prestonpersuaders.org. Random Events Dallas, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups throughout Dallas area. For more info: RandomEventsDallas.com. Reasonable Faith Discussion Group, meets every Tuesday, 11am12:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B1116. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org. Reasonable Faith Collin County Chapter, meets 2nd and 4th Thursday, 6:45-8:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B202. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org and email: ReasonableFaithCollinCO@ gmail.com Single Side Up, meets the third Saturday each month, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent support group. Free. Low cost childcare. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@thissideupfamily.org. The MOB (Men of Business), meets second Monday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen, for male bonding and networking. $20 chamber mem; $25 non-mems/general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets every Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader you can be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425. United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets the first Sunday each month, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Join us for book discussion & refreshments. We encourage women of all faiths to participate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org. Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am-4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460. Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, meets the fourth Thursday each month, 10 am, Eldorado Country Club, 2604 Country Club, McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail.com. W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), meets second Thursday each month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

ART/MUSIC/THEATRE

Allen Folk Music Society, meets third Saturday every month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com. Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, every Monday, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@WealthManagementGroupLLC.com Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus meets Monday at 7 pm starting June 6. New director, Richard Light! Visit us at Blue House Too, Watters Creek, 934 Market St., across from DSW Shoes. Guests always welcome. Women of Allen and surrounding area invited. For more info: nntchorus@hotmail.com or www.nntchorus.org.

CRAFTS

Allen Quilters’ Guild, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, 605 S Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org. Common Threads of Allen, meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share needle-work projects, learn techniques, make friends. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

HEALTH

Allen AA meets every Monday-Sunday, 601 S. Greenville. Mon.-Fri., 7 pm; Sat., 9 am; Sun., 7:30 pm. For more info: Joe, 214.564.9403 & Tina, 214.566.7561.

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Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group meets the third Tuesday each month, provides support & resources for parents of children with autism & related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/autismparentsupport. Allen Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 pm, 1st UMC, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. For friends & family of alcoholics. For more info: 214.363.0461 or www.al-anon.alateen.org. American Cancer Society Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appts. If you have a car and have time 9 am5 pm, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972.712.5711. Baylor Health Care System support groups, medical info and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family and friends, meets the third Monday of every month, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984. Cancer Support Ministry, meets third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, parlor, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol.com. Heart Link Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;days & locations vary. For more info: www.75013.theheartlinknetwork.com. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every Tuesday, 6:15-8 pm, Good Shepherd UMC, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. For more info: 1.800.YEA.TOPS or www.tops.org. Texas Health Presbyterian, variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org. The Shores AA Group, meets every Monday-Friday, noon, Raceway Prof. Bldg., 200 W. Boyd, Suite C (Adjacent to Dayrise Recovery), Allen. Open AA discussion group. Everyone welcome. For more info: 469.854.9593. Weight Watchers, meets every Thursday, 12:15 and 6 pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 600 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. South entrance, 2nd floor.

HOBBIES SPORTS/FITNESS

Allen Classic Cars, meets every Thursday, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Stacy Furniture. Fit and Funky Fit Club, meets every Monday, 7:30 pm, and every Sunday, 7 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany #208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. Infinity Personal Fitness Charity Workout, meets every other Saturday at 9 am, 1201 W. McDermott, Suite 106, Allen. Min. donation $5. All proceeds donated to local charities. For more info: email cattaneo.ray@gmail.com. McKinney Chess Club, meets every Saturday, 10:30 am-1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Free. And every Friday, 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street, McKinney. Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972.547.7491. McKinney Chess on the Square, meets every Wednesday, 4-7 pm, Downtown McKinney Performing Arts Center. Open play & lessons. For more info, 214.620.0527 or mckinneychess.org. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www.planobicycle.org. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, second Tuesday each month, 5024 Custer, Plano, 7 pm., and at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, the last Saturday every month, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972.678.2244, or www.planopacers.org. Skilled Motorcycle Riders Association promotes motorcycle safety through rider training. Monthly practice courses, social activities, etc. For more info: www.skilledmotorcycleriderassociation.com. Zumba/Cardio Dance Fitness, every Tues., 10:30-11:30 am, and every Thurs., 9:30-10:30 am, USA Martial Arts, 505 W. McDermott. First class free. For more info: 469.854.6872 or Facebook.com/TrueBlueDanceCrew.

Allen Image | June 2016

MOM’S CLUBS

Allen Early Childhood PTA, support for parents & caregivers of kids age 0-5. Fun activities. Play groups, park days, lunch w/friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads & Kids, etc. Come play with us. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com. Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new & expectant moms’ forum, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972.260.9330. Collin County Early Childhood PTA, meets the second Monday of every month, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery reservations req. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972.712.3634. MOMS Club of Allen, for moms and children in Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Monthly playgroups, kid field trips, business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out & more. For more info: momsclubofallentx@gmail.com. MOMS Club McKinney Central, support group for stay-at-home moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, parties, babysitting co-op, etc. Monthly bus. meeting. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), support group for moms with kids 0-5 years, meets every other Friday, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church, Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972.727.8241. MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, meets the first and third Wednesday of every month, 9:30-11:30, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037.

mUSEUMS/preserves allen heritage guild museum

Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, 100 E. Main Street, Allen. Permanent and rotating exhibits, historic photo collages and DVD programs on Allen history. For more info: www.allenheritageguild.org.

Connemara Meadow Preserve

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

HEARD MUSEUM 2nd Saturday Bird Walk Educational Program, 8 a.m. Learn more about birding! These walks are intended to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. 3rd Saturday Nature Talks: Nature Journaling. Learn new ways to experience nature through nature journaling! An intro to journaling techniques through hands-on activities. Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.bptmn.org or email info@bptmn.org. Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, meets second Monday each month, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www.northtexasbeekeepers.org. Heard Museum Native Plant Society, meets the first Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Nature Photography Club, meets the second Saturday every month, 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets the fourth Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

SENIORS

Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, meets second Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820.

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

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Allen High Noon Lions Club, meets the second and fourth Thursday each month, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Peter Young, 972.849.4952. Allen Kiwanis Club, meets every Thursday, noon, Café Del Rio, on 75 just south of McDermott. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org. Allen Lions Club, meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Kelly’s at the Village, 190 E. Stacy Rd., #1204, Allen. For more info: Bob Schwerd, Secretary, 214.402.0982. Allen Rotary Club meets every Wednesday, noon, First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. For more info: www.allenrotary.org. Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, meets every Wednesday, 7 am, Warm Springs Hospital, 1001 Raintree Circle, Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www.allensunriserotary.com/ Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets third Tuesday each month. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net. Fairview Rotary Club, meets every Friday, 11:45 am, Texas Land and Cattle, 131 E. Stay Road, Fairview. For more info: 214.893.5360. Knights of Columbus, meets the third Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469.569.3357 or www.stjudekofc.org. Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, meets the second Monday each month, 7 pm, Tino’s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972.442.5982. VFW “Lone Star Post 2150,” meets the second Monday each month, 1710 N. Church St, McKinney. Post Members, 6:30 pm; Ladies Auxiliary, 5:45 pm; Men’s Auxiliary, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972.542.9119, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit on web: www. vfwpost2150.org. VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, meets first Saturday every month, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit www.vfwpost2150.org. VFW Post 2195, meets second Wednesday each month, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www.vfw2195.org. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, teaches children to serve their community, meets the second Saturday every month. For more info: 972.396.8010.

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

For Your Health

Allen Image | June 2016

L to R: John Davidson and Barton Damer.

from

skateboard boardroom to

by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON

cover story Even if you can’t do an ollie, kickflip or a boardslide, you can still appreciate and enjoy the artistry of Already Been Chewed. This design and motion graphics studio boasts a long and impressive list of clients including Vans and DC Shoes, Street League Skateboarding, Nike, Chick-fil-A and Malibu Boats. Their productions are seen on MTV, Fox Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports television, YouTube’s Dude Perfect, K-Love Radio Awards Show as well as the opening of every Mavericks game this year. Thanks to the Internet and international markets, their designs are now viewed or on display around the globe. An Allen company since 2010, Already Been Chewed’s (ABC) founder and creative director Barton Damer, 40, and business manager John Davidson, 33, are anxious to share their experiences in hopes of encouraging others to pursue their dream careers. Long before the creation of ABC, John and Barton were friends through their mutual love of skateboarding. Growing up in Reedley, in the agricultural region of central California, John first met Barton in Washington, D.C., while on a skateboarding tour. John eventually moved to D.C. and the two were skateboarding cohorts for the two years John lived there. During their skateboarding years, the two entered contests and even snagged a few small sponsors, but neither had the opportunity to go professional. While in D.C., John took a job with a tax firm to do office services work. Noting that this highly rated firm for both management and employee satisfaction was “a great place to work,” John discovered he enjoyed working in the business world. So he opted to return to California and get his degree in marketing from California State

University, Sacramento. He graduated in December of 2011. Barton had already earned his degree in commercial art from Pensacola Christian College in 1998. Working in print graphics in D. C. for eight years, he recalls, “I was bored with graphic design and was going to pursue a different career, and then I discovered motion graphics and fell in love.” So he taught himself what he needed to know to secure a job in the motion graphics industry. “Once I landed that job, I was so scared that I was going to lose it that I continued to learn,” he asserts. “It is always changing.” Then nine years ago, Barton was lured from Washington, D.C., to North Texas with a position at Igniter Media in Dallas. And why did Barton choose Allen to settle in with his family? “Because of the skate park! Allen had the largest skate park in Texas at the time,” he laughs. “It’s kind of funny when people realize, wow, one of those little skate rats turned into a businessman and he lives right here in Allen with his family.” Over the years of schooling and job changes, the two friends continued to keep up with each other via Facebook and regular phone calls. “And since we are both skateboarders, we were like, ‘Hey, I learned this trick today.’” John recalls. “True guys, we didn’t talk about anything other than skateboarding or basketball when we talked with each other.” The two occasionally visited each other so they could skate together. “I knew he was a great artist, but no more than that, and he didn’t know what I was doing in college,” John continues. “Then he called me up one day when I was doing my homework and asked, ‘What is your major in? Are you doing anything you will be able to get a job in after school?’” The timing of Barton’s query about John’s degree proved particularly auspicious. As recipient of

the 2009 Digital Artist of the Year Award presented by Intel, 3D World and Computer Arts magazine for his artwork for the Australian band Wolfmother, Barton felt the nudge. With a wife and three children to support, he now had the confidence to move on from Igniter Media to work on his own as a freelancer from home. John’s response that he chose marketing because it was “pretty central to business” got the wheels in Barton’s head turning. The friends’ phone calls increased, but this time the conversations centered around what John was learning in school. Recognizing the value of having someone to handle the business end of the company, thus freeing himself up to spend more time on the art he loved, Barton brought on John when he graduated in 2011. “I had no experience in the design industry before coming here, so it was like learning a new language,” John notes. “But this also helped me to be able to relate to clients who have no experience in the design industry. I can put this stuff in layman’s terms that are easy to understand.” Like Barton, John also recognized the values Allen had to offer so he chose to live here as well. Today, he and his wife have one child. Business proved so successful that soon another artist was added to the fold, and then another and another…. Today, the other artists are Mark Wilson of Allen who moved here from Cincinnati, Ohio, to work at ABC, Bryan Talkish of McKinney who ABC lured from Birmingham, Alabama, and Donny Smith who commutes from Fort Worth. Another artist is coming on board in June. In addition, Barton’s wife Sandra works behind the scenes on ABC’s financials such as payroll and accounts payable, and John’s wife Ariel is employed part-time in accounting development. After a year of working out of his home-based office, Barton knew he was going to have to procure more office space. He wanted some place Allen Image | June 2016

close to home that provided a creative environment to inspire the artists but with a minimal impact on the budget. And he found just what he was looking for while standing on Main Street in Allen with his family watching the Christmas parade. Before moving into the thenvacant downtown Allen office space, cubicles and carpeting were removed,

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walls were renovated, wood flooring was put down, and an artist friend painted a mural on one of the walls. The hanging art is a combination of ABC’s creations for an assortment of clients as well as, no surprise, skateboards. Although most motion graphic companies are in either Los Angles or New York, being located in Texas isn’t an issue since ABC is internet based. “I would say that probably 75 to 80 percent of our clients we have never met in person,” John points out. “We work with people from all over the world.” Occasionally a job does require them to be on site, and one favorite was a trip last year to San Diego, California, for a DC Shoes shoot to promote a new shoe for skateboarders to be used for both online video and print. John laughs as he recalls creating the video effects, “We cut up all these shoes and we were behind the desk throwing pieces of shoes up

in the air, and we got a fog machine and people were moving with flashlights. The tough part was that this was in a real skate shop, so we had to clean up and set it back up for the next day.” By making a 3-D model of the shoe and animating it for this job, ABC created an Alfred Hitchcock-like effect for a three-minute video leading up to seeing the shadow of the featured shoe eating the other shoes in the store. As an added bonus, some of the top professional skateboarders served as the actors. The ad proved a hit and gained media attention. Already Been Chewed’s five-year association with professional skateboarder, producer and reality TV star Rob Dyrdek proves the tenacity of Barton and John. Dyrdek, of Rob and Big, Fantasy Factory, Ridiculousness and Street League Skateboarding fame, was an ideal candidate for ABC’s skills. His Street League involves building a cement skate park in different arenas where the top 20 best skateboarders in the world compete. “We had been to a Street League contest before and could tell that skateboarders weren’t doing the graphics,” John explains. “Within any subculture there are little things, intricacies that you can tell that they are a part of it and understand that

world—this is cool, this is proper, this is uncool. We could tell they were slightly missing the mark there, so we sent them an email about why Street League should be branded for skateboarders by skateboarders.” But, cutting through the red tape in order to gain his attention seemed daunting. So Barton and John did the next best thing—they guessed his email address after just a few tries. Dyrdek’s general manager responded with an offer to let them try a few small projects and today ABC still provides the graphics for his television show that now runs on FOX Sports. John mentions that they have had the opportunity to visit the Los Angeles office, a particular treat since this work space includes a built-in skate park. One perk of working with Dyrdek’s skateboarding contest is that during down times when the competition course is not in use, Bart and John have been able to skate on them. “Only the best 20 skaters in the world are at these courses,” John exclaims. “We would never have an opportunity to skate a Street League course if it was based purely on our skateboarding abilities!”

In addition to the 2009 award, Barton won the 2011 Veer Creative Catalyst Competition for his illustration “Malaria Kills,” created for the charity Malaria No More. Printed on t-shirts and sold via Sevenly.org, his design raised over $3,900 for the organization. In addition to being displayed at the Onedotzero Museum in London as well as at various locations in Berlin, John adds, “The top prize allowed ABC to donate an additional $2,580 to Malaria No More to help fight the devastating disease in Africa.”

Despite this early attention for the Allen company, John admits, “We’d probably win more awards if we ever submitted work to try to win them. It hasn’t been a priority.” Another recognition came in the form of a public talk. Ben Arment, an earlier producer for Story Chicago, discovered Barton’s illustrations and animations on the Internet and had him create the visuals for the conference during the five years he was involved with the organization. In 2014, Barton was invited to take the stage as one of the featured speakers. A recent coup for ABC was securing the contract for Van Shoes’ 50th anniversary 30-second television commercial, 15-second social media ad and still images for print and storefront displays. The challenge came with Van’s request for the use of anamorphic artwork—in this case, pictures made up of an assortment of images related to the history of skateboarding and Van’s skateboarding

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shoes—to convey the creation and development of their Pro Classics. Although Barton had created anamorphic images for print, conveying this via animation was a first for his company. Undaunted by the challenge, the team shared ideas and combined forces to produce an eye-catching video designed to share 50 years of history to skateboard aficionados as well as motion graphic fans. Today, half their assignments are skateboard related but the remaining jobs are diverse enough to demonstrate ABC’s wide range of talents. They’ve had assignments for an assortment of Nike sports products, the most recent being for

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Nike Golf’s newest line of golf clubs that are featured online, in-store and in magazine advertising. For their booth at the international Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, ABC designed hip and colorful 2-D vector graphics for the American Heart Association to promote “Energizing Stroke Science.” John explains, “The International Stroke Conference is basically all neurosurgeons, so the goal was to give a fresh, new eye-catching look. There are so many vendors at this conference that it is very easy to blend in and very difficult to stand out.” When the fan-supported national and online K-Love Christian radio station decided in 2013 that it wanted

to host an annual K-Love Fan Awards show in Nashville, Tennessee, ABC was tapped to design the logo, trophy and the initial motion package to allow for branding consistency. ABC recently wrapped up its fourth year working with this event. Despite all the demands of running a successful business, Barton and John still carve out time to skateboard together several times a week. One question that begs an answer is how did Barton come up with the name Already Been Chewed, and of course, there is a skateboarding angle to it. “Because long time skateboarders are always filming in the streets, the first thing you do

when you get to the obstacle you are going to do your trick on is ask the filmer, ‘Okay, what’s already been done on here?’” Barton begins. “It’s really taboo to film a trick that somebody else has already done at that street spot before.” He continues, “So that’s how we approach a project with our client. We look at it and say, ‘Okay, what’s being done in your industry because we’re not going to do that; we’re going to do something else. Already Been Done isn’t as memorable a name as Already Been Chewed, but both have the same idea of not regurgitating the same ideas over and over, and wanting to do something fresh. We are always motivating ourselves to be learning and doing new things, not just kick out the same design tricks for years and years and years.” Laughing about how often people have inquired if ABC was a composting business, Barton adds, “Anyone who thinks the name is gross or weird, we probably don’t want to work with, and anybody who gets it and thinks it’s super clever is probably the right client for us.” “And whatever your initial reaction is, it’s memorable,” John adds. “I think a lot of younger people see ‘business’ and think, ‘Well, that’s

boring,’ or ‘you’re going to be in a cubicle, behind a computer.’” John shakes his head. “But the truth of the matter is that everything is business. And you can work for a really cool business or start your own really cool business. You can pursue your dream through business.” Learning how to do an ollie,

kickflip or boardslide on a skateboard is optional. To see examples of the Already Been Chewed projects mentioned in this article, along with numerous other projects they have worked on, go to www.alreadybeenchewed.tv. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

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pet page

“Chip” Chip was roaming the streets with his buddy when animal control picked them up. His owner went to the shelter but only claimed his buddy. On his last day, his foster mom stepped up and saved him. He is a great, loving, little guy who weighs 7 pounds and is 5 years old. He loves to play with other dogs and is great with people, but he would do best in a home with no children. Chip is very well trained and he is great with commands. He will sit, go down and stay on command. He is a loyal companion and a wonderful little dog! He has been neutered, microchipped, heartworm negative and he’s current on vaccinations. He is also crate and potty trained and he’s all ready for his forever home. Chip is one of our “diamond dogs” and he has a reduced fee of $125.

Do you think Chip would be a great addition to your home? Complete an online application today to meet him! He can’t wait to meet you! http:// legacyhumanesociety.org/adoptfoster/ adoption-application/. v

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