Spooky Safe Halloween

Spooky Safe Halloween by Teri Hebert

Halloween is almost here! Candy + costumes + community = FUN. As you head out to parties or trick-or-treating this year, be sure to stay safe! Here are a few tips to have a spooky – yet safe – Halloween.

For KIDS:

• Always make sure your mom or dad is within sight as you trickor-treat in the neighborhood. And never go into the house of someone you don’t know – even if they invite you in and have cute puppies. • Look both ways before crossing the street and only cross at corners. • Leave the “tricks” at home – no throwing eggs at houses or cars, no knocking over decorations or mailboxes.

For PARENTS:

• Know where your children are if they are going to a party and give them a curfew (it’s okay to be the party poopers). • Keep an eye on smaller children at all times when trick-or-treating and take them only to houses where you know the neighbors. • Make sure kids have costumes that are safe – Edward Scissorhands complete with real blades for hands? Cute, but maybe not safe. • Be sure to inspect all of your child’s candy haul for safety . . . before letting them eat all of the good stuff.

For ADULTS without kids to watch:

• Don’t drink or text or wear a scary mask or look for Pokémon while driving. • Be sure your party is scary enough that it is enjoyable for guests and good Facebook photos, but not so scary so that it frightens the neighborhood for as long as you live here. • When lighting jack-o-lanterns or candles, be sure they are away from other fl ammable things (costumes, decorations, small children, etc.) or use battery-powered lights.

For your PETS:

• Do not let your dog trick-or-treat alone, no matter how much she begs. • Be careful to inspect all of your cat’s trick-or-treat candy before letting her eat all of the good stuff. • Be sure your pet’s costume is pet-friendly (do not dress your dog as Animal Control – that’s just mean). Also be sure your pet can breathe in his costume.

In all seriousness, don’t hesitate to call 911 if you see something suspicious or dangerous while trick-or-treating or at a party. Keep a helpful eye on your family and neighbors, have fun, and be safe this Halloween!

Richardson Food Truck Park

by Teri Hebert

Can you believe the Richardson Food Truck Park is already celebrating its one-year anniversary? Neither can Michelle Chesney, a resident of Canyon Creek and the founder of our city’s beloved truck park! But on September 17, she celebrated a year of truck park goodness at RFTP and had a big party – complete with extra trucks and live music all day -- to commemorate the event.

Michelle has lived in Canyon Creek since 2007 when she spied her mid-century home on Grandview after it had been on the market for only 10 minutes. She knew she had to have it, so she snatched it up and she’s been there ever since, sharing the home with her son Jackson (12 years old) and daughter Iola (7 years old) who both enjoy the new pool that was added to the home this year. They also have a very affectionate Vizsla dog named Trigger.

As a real estate broker, Michelle has an eye for great properties and the possibilities that can come along with a unique place. She loves looking for “weird” properties, and in 2014 this lead her to the abandoned house near Interurban that sits on what is now the RFTP (Richardson Food Truck Park) property. She saw the house as a great place to make herself an offi ce for her brokerage business, and as that began to take shape, she saw the potential in that area to bring in food trucks and create a child- and pet-friendly oasis for people to enjoy.

But she didn’t do it alone! Michelle brought in her business partner, Katherine Hume, to help navigate through the permit process, manage the bar, help with the backend side of things, and even build the toys you see in the park. She also helps the trucks with any generator or maintenance issues while they are onsite. You’ll fi nd that Katherine and Michelle are quite handy! And they’ll do whatever it takes to help keep trucks running and coming back with their tasty treats for the community.

Some of the most frequent trucks include Mi Sazon (Mexican food), Meat in the Street (bringing some Venezuelan culture), Chez Flo (crepes and French fare), El Rudo (Mexican street food), Sweets by Selina (desserts), and Cousins Maine Lobster (lobster rolls) – just to name a few! Michelle makes it a priority to bring in great trucks and keep them coming.

Not only does the RFTP provide a great place to hang out, Michelle has a passion for helping others. You will fi nd frequent events at the RFTP that benefi t charities, including a fundraiser for Traffi c 911 (October 13) – an organization that helps free youth from sex traffi cking.

Michelle also enjoys connecting the Food Truck Park with other local businesses in that area to help build a sense of community and share resources (including parking!). You’ll even fi nd Four Corners brews at the bar!

Michelle’s vision a couple of years ago created a unique place in Richardson to gather with friends and family while enjoying a rotating variety of food trucks with a cold drink. She loves that the RFTP enhances Richardson’s community. She’s also a proud Canyon Creek resident who loves the neighbors on her street -- “a great kid street” with lots of playmates for her own kids, as well as families who keep a watchful and helpful eye on kids while they play. The street is known as the “Grandview Crue” with shirts that say so!

As the cooler fall weather sets in, it’s a great time to visit the Richardson Food Truck Park and support your neighbor or a great cause when a fundraiser is hosted! Check the website for schedules and trucks before you go (www.richardsonfoodtruckpark.com), or just wing-it and enjoy whatever happens to be the delicacies of the day when you get there. C’mon down to the RFTP!