Issuu

Season of Giving!

D E C E M B E R 2 022

Merry Christmas

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Gift of Giving

December 2022 PUBLISHER

Angi Burns | angi.burns@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Katelyn Reed | katelyn.reed@citylifestyle.com

My mom used to tell me that I would be an official grown-up when I appreciated the opportunity to give a gift more than the chance to receive one. I'm still not sure if I am all grown up, but I do know the satisfaction I feel when I am able to bless my children or someone with a gift that brings them joy. There is rarely a better feeling. According to author and marriage counselor, or Gary Chapman, giving and receiving gifts is one of the five primary love languages. While gift giving is not my personal love language, the act of giving can be fulfilling in many ways. A gift does not have to be material in nature. Sometimes the best gifts are intangible, like a compliment, your time, or a hug. Our December issue is jam-packed with servant leaders who give not only material goods, but necessary services and their invaluable time. Our featured business partner for December, Fairview EyeCare, uses their practice to give to others around the world. The Boyd Foundation, led by our First Responder of the Month, selflessly gives to firefighters and their loved ones. Our Students of the Month created a nonprofit to give back to children in need across Texas, and our Nonprofit of the Month continuously gives food, resources, and peace of mind to local families. The holiday season is filled with heartwarming stories of altruistic acts and good deeds, in addition to the traditional exchange of gifts. After reading this issue I hope you are moved to give to those around you and, in return, are blessed by the joy that giving brings.

STAFF WR ITER S

Alisa Hauser, Blaine Mountain, Katelyn Reed STAFF PHOTOGR APHER S

Amy Wales, Alisa Hauser, Rebekah Ussery AD DESIGNER

Josh Govero LAYOUT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Jodie Jolley, Mary Muller

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

ANGI BURNS, PUBLISHER @ALLENCIT YLIFEST YLE

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Note: Our October issue contained a misprint. Boards by B can be found by visiting https://linktr.ee/BoardsByB or @boardsbyb_ on social media.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Allen City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Allen area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Allen City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

CITY LIFESTYLE

INDUSTRY EXPERTS ALLEN PAINTING SERVICES

JEWELRY

Phillips Home Improvements

Griffin Jewelry

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ROOFING & SOLAR

LEGAL SERVICES

ProNail Roofing & Solar

Palmer Law Group

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INTERIOR DESIGN

DENTAL SERVICES

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PREPARED MEAL SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

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WINDOW SERVICES

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DECEMBER 2022

inside the issue The Holiday & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Here to Help

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

Hometown Hero

Decor Trends

Back Stage

Local Limelight

A RTS + C U LTU R E

Party Planning

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Giving Back

Events

Healthy Lifestyle

Inspired By

Realty Report

Education Corner

First Responder of the Month: Jonathan Boyd

19 The Holiday Table

Interior Designers Share Elevated Holiday Place Settings

24 "Nutcracker" Presented by Allen Civic Ballet An Interview with Allen Civic Ballet President and Artistic Director, Stefanie Best

36 Meet Dr. Carey Patrick

With a Vision to Help Others, Fairview EyeCare Gives Back

O N T H E C OV E R

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DECEMBER 2022

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

ALLEN FAIRVIEW CHAMBER

4 ANA GONZALEZ

2 ALLEN ISD LOVEJOY ISD

LEGACY KEEPERS OF OLD EAST MCKINNEY

PRONAIL ROOFING & SOLAR

ALLEN CONTEMPORARY THEATRE

1: The City of Allen swore in the Community Engagement Advisory Board 2: Mayor Fulk at ProNail's "Go Green" installation of the first solar shingles in Allen 3: Meet the Candidates Forum hosted by the Allen Fairview Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee 4: The 2nd Annual Día de los Muertos Festival in Downtown McKinney was a huge success 5: The cast of "The Drowsy Chaperone" at Allen Contemporary celebrates a successful run! 6: Green Elementary kicked off their Raise Craze fundraiser with a visit from the Mavericks' mascots 7: Congratulations to the Lovejoy Band for receiving straight ones at Region Marching Contest

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C I T Y SC E N E

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Come Home for the Holidays

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DECEMBER 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Allen Dental Center is Breaking Ground on Expansion Allen Dental Center celebrated their expansion with the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce on October 27th. This event was an excellent opportunity to connect with the community, get to know the staff better, and celebrate their patients! The event included an exciting announcement: Allen Dental Center will be expanding their office by adding a new 3,000-squarefoot wing containing six operatories.

Scan to read more.

Collin County Rotary Club Awards Local Nonprofits Over $15,000 Collin County Rotary Club partnered with Maylee Thomas-Fuller and McKinney Mayor George Fuller to give donations to six not-for-profit organizations. They presented a check for $5,000 to Streetside Showers. Hope Clinic also received a check for $5,000. Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County accepted a check for $2,500. There were also checks of $1,000 each donated to Shiloh Place, Embrace Texas, and Meals on Wheels. In total, $15,500 was donated and matched!

Photography by Collin County Rotary Club

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Heritage Ranch Collects 3,310 Pounds of Peanut Butter Heritage Ranch Peanut Butter Drive collected 3,310 pounds of peanut butter for the North Texas Food Bank. Neighborhood blocks competed to collect the most peanut butter, and Branding Iron Way won, averaging 10.6 pounds collected per household!

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/AllenTX

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DECEMBER 2022

local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.

Whether you're looking to have your picture taken with Santa himself or feel like getting crafty, we've got you covered with all the fun festivities in our area. Learn to make traditional British Christmas crackers at the Allen Public Library, enjoy Merry TubaChristmas at Watters Creek, or try your hand at painting or pottery making while you sip your favorite vino. The weather outside may be frightful, but these exciting experiences in our area are nothing but delightful!

Winter Celebrations SANTA ON THE SQUAR E: Santa on the Square photography sessions by Chris Fritchie with Magic Makers Studio. In Santa's little house on the Downtown McKinney Square. Reservations at santaonthesquaremckinney.org 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX HAPPY BR ITISH CHR ISTMAS! AT ALLEN PUBLIC LIBR AR Y: Make snapping Christmas crackers and mince pies, all while enjoying a 'cuppa and tasty British treats! Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m. Call 214.509.4905 to register. 300 N. Allen Drive, Allen, TX MER R Y TUBACHR ISTMAS! : Presented by the Allen Philharmonic and conducted by Jeff Baker, tuba players congregate around the tree to play Christmas carols Saturday, December 10th at 2:30 p.m. 970 Garden Park Drive, Allen, TX HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE AT ALLEN PUBLIC LIBR AR Y: Bring two dozen favorite holiday cookies to share while enjoying wintery drinks and friendly conversation. Saturday, December 11 at 3 p.m. Call 214.509.4905 to register. 300 N. Allen Drive, Allen, TX CHILDR EN'S HOLIDAY TEA AT HEAR D-CR AIG CENTER : Enjoy an elegant event featuring a holiday music performance, tea, desserts, and sandwiches. Friday, December 30 from 11 a.m - 12:30 p.m. 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney, TX

Scan for more photos and the full list.

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R E S P O N D E R F I R S T

HER E TO HELP 16

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

FIRST RESPONDER OF THE MONTH: JONATHAN BOYD ARTICLE BY ALISA HAUSER PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WALES

They’re the first to answer the call. Whether they’re rushing into a burning building, doing chest compressions to save a life, or conducting community COVID tests, first responders are ready for everything. Especially in times of chaos like the recent pandemic, first responders keep our communities safe, calm, and organized. “We step in when it’s an emergency, when existing resources can’t handle it alone. We have the logistics and ability to marshal forces and get it done,” says Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd. In short, they do it all. “Hey, Chief,” his staff chimes, greeting him with firm handshakes as he passes. “Hey, Chief.” Handshake. “Hey, Chief.” Handshake. The respect is real. “He’s for us,” says one his staff, “We’re expected to be the best, so he treats us the best.” “It’s because I’ve done what they’re doing,” Chief Boyd humbly responds, “I understand what firefighters need to be fully supported.” As he’s risen through the ranks, Chief Boyd says his focus has shifted from the adrenaline rush of saving lives to this mindset: “How can we make the community safer and empower them to help each other?” He’s from a family of 12 kids, five of whom went on to become firefighters. The five brothers formed the Boyd Family Foundation with a mission to remove barriers for individuals who desire to pursue a career in public service. They provide full-ride, need-based scholarships to Collin College’s Fire Academy as well as access to a large network of experienced firefighters. “It’s a rewarding career and we need more people in it,” says Chief Boyd, “We’re here to help.”

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

Mindful Mermaid Metaphysical Boutique

www.mindful-mermaid.com Vonda Kay, Owner 604 W. Bethany Dr., Ste. 108 Allen, Texas 75013 Tel: 214-427-5777

Mindful Moments – Meditation with Crystals each Tuesday & Saturday 9 AM

Featuring: Crystals! Candles! Incense!

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Jewelry! Books & Journals!

End of Year Event: Manifest Your Soul’s Purpose – Envision Your Best Life Now for 2023! A fun catered event to celebrate the new year!

Meditation Supplies! Visit our Allen shop or Online! Free shipping and holiday gift wrap in December!

December 2022 CLASSES & EVENTS in our MERMAID ROOM!

Dates and times are online! Space is limited so be sure to register online for classes and events! We also offer private parties for any occasion!

The Holiday Table

Four local interior designers share their takes on elevated holiday place settings.

ARTICLE BY KATELYN REED PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBEKAH USSERY

CONTINUED >

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

Andrea Krolick of Andrea Krolick Custom Interiors [top left]

As the holidays approach, streets are aglitter with twinkling lights. Inflatable snow globes bloom on lawns. Trees preen in windows. Mistletoe beckons mischievously from doorways. But one surface often goes overlooked: the holiday table. Why wait until the big day to decorate? We invited four local interior designers to Stacy Furniture and tasked them each with a special mission: create an elevated holiday place setting. Each design is a unique take on setting the holiday table. Andrea Krolick’s is all about “bling” and Holly Bellomy’s showcases a fresh spin on traditional, while Meg Labaziewicz’s details dazzle and Mary Edwards’ elevates a classic combination. No matter your style, these designs are sure to inspire.

Andrea’s design, with sleek silver accents and touches of bling, embodies our desire to dress up and have fun this holiday season. Andrea specializes in transforming clients’ ideas into aesthetically pleasing creations. She’s passionate about “personalizing a client’s space and making it uniquely them!” While Andrea’s interest in interior design dates back to childhood, she began her professional career in 1985. She loves helping her clients achieve their design dreams while staying on budget—without sacrificing quality. Email andrea@akcustominteriors.com or visit akcustominteriors.com.

Meg Labaziewicz of Inspired Interiors by Meg [top right] Meg’s design features a touch of the earth with flocked greenery, encapsulating memories of fresh, sparkling snow on Christmas morning. Meg enjoys bringing clients’ visions to life and delights in moments when they reveal hidden treasures. Meg says, “Having the things around you that are most important to you is what makes a house a home.” Her interest in interior design began when her children were in school and she was updating her family’s home. After helping countless friends with their homes, she started her own firm. Email meg@inspiredinteriorsbymeg.com or visit inspiredinteriorsbymeg.com.

Holly Bellomy of Holly Bellomy Interiors [bottom left] Holly’s fresh take on traditional features classic red and green, but incorporates a sleek black plate for a masculine edge and a trendy touch with champagne flatware. Holly enjoys client collaboration and especially looks forward to the final design presentation when the final concept with computer renderings is revealed. She notes, however, that “There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a plan come to fruition!” Holly transitioned out of real estate staging and has relished the creative fulfillment of interior design since 2012. Email holly@hollybellomy.com or visit hollybellomy.com.

Special thanks to Stacy Furniture & Design. Visit their showroom at 111 N. Central Expressway, Allen, TX 75013.

Mary Edwards of Stacy Furniture & Design [bottom right] Mary’s design draws on her love of green and gold. Gold, she notes, is making “a huge return in every facet of design” this year. Her place setting also features a serendipitous find: a golden wine glass. Mary loves the look on clients’ faces when they see their finished spaces. Mary was nine when she first started drawing house plans and jokes that her mother never knew where the furniture was going to be. Her grandfather, by the way, owned a furniture store in downtown Dallas in 1900. Email medwards@stacyfurniture.com or visit stacyfurniture.com.

D E C OR T R E N D S | L IFE + CULTURE

Andrea Krolick

Holly Bellomy

Mary Edwards

Meg Labaziewicz

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Taverly Cox as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the 2021 production of "The Nutcracker"

B ACK STAGE | A RTS + CULTURE

Tiit Helimets, Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet

“The Nutcracker” Presented by Allen Civic Ballet AN INTERVIEW WITH ALLEN CIVIC BALLET PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, STEFANIE BEST

ARTICLE BY ANGI BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLEN CIVIC

ACL: Can you tell us about Allen Civic Ballet’s history? SB: I had been running the Allen Conservatory of Dance since 1995, and our school production of “Nutcracker” had become increasingly popular within the community. In 1999, I felt the time was right to create a separate performing company, The Allen Civic Ballet. The Allen Civic Ballet has two goals. First, we seek to offer affordable, educational, and entertaining dance programs to the citizens of the greater Allen community. Our second goal is to provide supplementary education, performing experience, support, and resources to young dancers considering a career in the profession. To this end, the Ballet presents the “Nutcracker” ballet each December, with live music provided by the Allen Philharmonic.

BALLET, MARY MULLER CONTINUED >

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

The most special aspect of this year’s “Nutcracker” is the caliber of the guest artist we have contracted to dance with our Sugar Plum Fairy. This year our guest artist is Tiit Helimets, Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet.

ACL: Will you share specifically about your upcoming performance of “Nutcracker” and why it is a special production? SB: Every production is special because each performance is unique. Every year we change some choreography or add new costumes or have new guest artists. The most special aspect of this year’s “Nutcracker” is the caliber of the guest artist we have contracted to dance with our Sugar Plum Fairy. ACL: Can you elaborate on the guest artist who will be joining the company? SB: This year our guest artist is Tiit Helimets, Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. Tiit Helimets was born in Viljandi, Estonia and received his ballet training at the Tallinn Ballet School. In 2005, Mr. Helimets joined the San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer. Tiit has been a guest dancer here twice before in productions that the Allen Civic Ballet did in partnership with the Allen Philharmonic. But this is the first time he has been asked to partner one of our own dancers. Our Sugar Plum Fairy this year is 15-year-old Mia Heath. Mia was a 2022 Finalist at Youth America Grand Prix, the largest student ballet competition for scholarship. YAGP awarded Mia a full scholarship to the prestigious HARID Conservatory. ACL: How did the partnership for this production with Allen Philharmonic Symphony come about?

B ACK STAGE | A RTS + CULTURE

SB: We have worked with the Allen Philharmonic on a number of projects throughout the years. So when the Performing Arts Center opened in 2010 with an orchestra pit, I leapt at the chance to have them play for our “Nutcracker” productions! ACL: Tell us a bit about some of the philanthropy projects that your organization is involved in. SB: Help is always available from us to dancers in need. We have a pointe shoe fund. At over $100 a pair, pointe shoes are a great necessity for dancers who go through a pair every couple of weeks. There are also scholarships available as well. We have donated performances for various community events and fundraisers. Our favorite charitable endeavor is our annual “Pirouettes for Pets,” a free dance concert to raise funds for the Allen Animal Shelter. ACL: How can we get tickets or learn more? SB: Allen Civic Ballet (501c3 nonprofit) is located at 602 E. Main St., Suite E, Allen, TX 75002. For more information, visit allencivicballet.org or contact Stefanie Best, President and Artistic Director, via email at stefaniembest@yahoo.com or phone at 972-467-0712. “Nutcracker” will be performed at the Allen Performing Arts Center on December 17 at 7 p.m. and December 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale at allencivicballet.org.

Contact Randell Holmes today at 972.912.1077 | 214.931.6057 RHolmes@CUTXEventCenter.com

TICKETS: ALLENPHILHARMONIC.ORG

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

GOOD HUMANS

artist DOING edition

G R E AT T H I N G S

"I use my art to give back to kids going through similar situations to what I experienced." — Ash Burns

ash burns

FOUNDER OF THE ART OF COPING 20-year-old childhood trauma survivor, Ash Burns, is the founder of The Art of Coping. Ash recently began selling her original art in order to provide coping kits to youth who are dealing with trauma such as abuse, neglect, or chronic illness. Each Art Therapy Cope Kit contains art supplies to help recipients relax and process their emotions in healthy ways. Ash is working with local advocacy groups, therapists, and hospitals to deliver the cope kits to local children in need. To support Ash and The Art of Coping, email, Ashburns313@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram @_theartofcoping_ .

TOP-LEFT: Cope Kit donated to the Children’s Advocacy Center. TOP-RIGHT: Ash Burns painting live at Shakespeare McKinney 2022

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE

I F YO U A R E READING THIS... S O I S YO U R B E S T C L I E N T.

2 OU T OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

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ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

W I NTER’S R E VEL YOUR GUIDE TO A SIMPLE AND STYLIZED NEW YEAR’S SOIRÉE

FOLLOWING CLOSELY ON THE COATTAILS OF AUTUMNAL AND WINTER HOLIDAYS, THE NEW YEAR CAN OFTEN BE OVERLOOKED DUE TO AN UNDERSTANDABLE DESIRE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SEASON. But, a holiday that celebrates past memories and the opportunity for a fresh start shouldn’t lack any of the glitz of its celebratory predecessors. Round out the final days of the year reminiscing on or saying goodbye to the experiences of the previous 12 months with a simple end-of-theyear gathering that isn’t lacking any of the glamour.

TH E D R INK S

Champagne has long been a traditional drink to toast to the new year. Keep it simple but step up your game with your own DIY Champagne cocktail

THE D ECOR There’s no need to go out and buy a ton of additional decor when you just decked the halls (quite literally) with holiday ornamentation. Make those decorations work as hard as you did by repurposing all the greenery, pine cones and wood place settings you just couldn’t say no to. Throw in some neutral napkins, some natural twine and some dried orange peels for a woodsy (and fragrant) twist.

bar. Consider stocking your bar full of custom Champagne or bubbly choices, festive mixers like cranberry juice or rosemary simple syrup and unique garnishes like fresh fruit and herbs or decorative ice cubes with edible flowers.

WHAT YOU NEED + Cheese board or serving plate + Assortment of cheeses

(We recommend Brie, Port Salut, Muenster, Camembert or Gruyere) PUTTING IT TOGETHER

THE SNACKS

Keep your guests happy with the perfect cheese plate. Consider how many people you’ll be serving, whether you’ll be serving before or after dinner and what cheeses you’ll want to include. According to WineFolly.com, sparkling wines pair best with creamy, sticky cheeses due to the high acidity and carbonation.

PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | L IFE + CULTURE

Cheese is best served at room temperature, so be sure your cheese has time to rest prior to serving. Slice the cheeses and arrange artfully on your cheese board with labels for each. Consider providing separate serving knives for each cheese to avoid any mixing of flavors. Add any additional bites you’d like and enjoy!

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Mobile Food Distribution program

Community Lifeline Center: Empowering Neighbors in Need Nonprofit of the Month ARTICLE BY ALISA HAUSER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISA HAUSER, COMMUNITY LIFELINE CENTER

Did you know that nearly one in five children in Collin County don’t have consistent access to nutritious food? Although hunger is most often associated with urban areas, it affects people from all walks of life and in all communities. Today, hunger in suburban areas is growing faster and faster. Too many families here in the Allen area are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from hunger. Conservative estimates suggest there are more than 100,000 Collin County residents who currently do not

G IV IN G BAC K | EVENT PLANNI NG + S E RVI CE S

have enough to eat, including at least 40,000 children who go to bed hungry each night. One local nonprofit doing its part to help is Community Lifeline Center, a community organization in charge of getting food into the pantries of people who need it. “Here in Collin County, one in four families are unsure how long what they have in their pantry will last,” says Executive Director Michael Schwerin. “In times like this, food becomes less about the luxury of feeling full and more about fueling your body enough to get through another day.”

Community Lifeline Center's Food Pantry

Executive Director, Michael Schwerin

The reality is that more people live below the poverty line in the suburbs than in cities. “As people move out to the suburbs searching for a better cost of living, there’s a growing need for assistance,” explains Schwerin. Community Lifeline Center is dedicated to preventing food scarcity for all. With that vision in mind, they work diligently to come alongside neighbors in times of need. At no time in recent history was that need more urgent than during the pandemic. With many local businesses shutting down, many families lost jobs. Community Lifeline Center had to quickly adapt. “We’re as nimble as we can be, staying open to new and different ways of operating,” says Schwerin. One of these innovations is the Mobile Food Distribution program. During the pandemic and to this day, the Mobile Food Distribution program spends every Saturday morning going out into the community to distribute 100 to 200 pantry boxes per weekend. Unfortunately, circumstances haven’t improved since the pandemic. “It’s a different kind of need,” explains Schwerin. “Inflation, skyrocketing utilities, and increased cost of living are causing more and more families to struggle. It’s going to be a long trek back to normal.” “The biggest barrier is asking for help, so we are as nonjudgmental, empathetic, and caring as we can be,” says Schwerin. And it’s working. “Just in the past six months since I’ve been the director, requests for financial support have risen from 30 to 40 per week to 50 to 60 per week,” Schwerin continues. Although he is new to the position, Community Lifeline Center has been helping residents of Collin County for over 30 years, providing firm footing to those experiencing temporary crises. Their mission is to guide local residents in crisis back to self-sufficiency and independence, serving as an invaluable

“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well… may that be truly said of us, and all of us!” — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

resource for assistance, information, and referral services. They form partnerships with utility providers to prevent families from having utilities disconnected, and work with landlords to save families from being evicted. Eviction, Shwerin explains, “Creates a whole avalanche of compounding issues.” How can you help? Donate. ‘Tis the season for giving, and there is no better way to end the year than by giving back to your community. Your generous cash donations go the furthest because Community Lifeline Center partners with local grocery stores to make your donation stretch even further, allowing them to secure even larger quantities of food at reduced prices. By working together to help our neighbors, we can create a stronger community, empowering the ones who need help when they need it the most, and reminding them of the strength of our community — not just in this joyous season, but throughout the whole year.

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

DECEMBER 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

D E C E M BE R 3R D, 1 0 T H, 1 7 T H

D EC E M BE R 8T H

Holiday Event Series

T HE PAR K AT FAIRVIEW TOW N C E NT E R , 239 TOWN P L AC E , FA I RV I E W, T X 7 5 0 6 9 | 3:0 0 P M FTC is hosting a series of SIX Holiday events every Saturday afternoon between November 12 and December 17. Each event features a different theme. This series replaces Candy Canes for Kids — but does not replace FTC's commitment to helping children served by Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.

Fighting for Justice — JFK, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Marilyn Monroe

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBR ARY, 300 N. A L L E N DR I V E , A L L E N, T X 7 5 0 1 3 | 7 :30 P M Join author Mark Shaw as he discusses his new book, Fighting for Justice. In it, Shaw exposes the cover-ups of the JFK assassination and the murders of Dorothy Kilgallen and Marilyn Monroe. Shaw also reveals the corrupt inner workings of the Warren Commission, information gathered from a firsthand "whistleblower" account of an actual, never before identified Commission member. DE C EMBE R 1 0 T H

North Pole

JOE FAR MER RECREATION CEN T E R , 1 20 1 E . B E T H A NY DR I V E , A L L E N, T X 7 5 0 0 2 | 9 :30 A M Stop by the North Pole to meet Santa and create toys as an honorary elf. Participants can purchase gifts from Santa's toy shop, enjoy breakfast with Santa, and take a picture with the big guy himself. DE C EMBE R 1 0 T H

Dallas Sidekicks Home Opener

at the McKinney Performing Arts Center

EVE N TS

Coming in 2023

CREDIT UNION OF TEXAS EVENT CENTER, 200 E. STACY ROAD, SUITE 1350, ALLEN, TX 75002 | 7:00 PM The Dallas Sidekicks are an American professional indoor soccer team. The Dallas Sidekicks make their home at the Allen Event Center and continue to produce an entertaining and family-oriented experience for all ages, with the ultimate goal of raising a few more banners along the way. Go Sidekicks!

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/AllenTX

D E C E M BE R 1 1 T H

Holidays on Ice Show

CREDIT UNION OF TEXAS EVENT CENTER, 200 E. STACY ROAD, SUITE 1350, ALLEN, TX 75002 | 4:00 PM Allen Community Ice Rink celebrates "Holidays on Ice" featuring the Allen Academy of Skating and Allen Community Ice Rink Skaters. Bring a nonperishable food donation for FREE admission. DE C E M BE R 1 6T H

Celtic Christmas

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, 300 N. A L L E N DR I V E , A L L E N, T X 7 5 0 1 3 | 7 :30 P M Light up your holidays with violinist KeyReel, harpist Sarah Copus, and the groups Real Treble and the North Texas Celtic Strings. DE C E M BE R 1 6T H

Swim with Santa

DON RODEN BAUG H N ATATO R I UM, 1 1 0 E . R I V E R C R E ST B LV D. A L L E N, T X 7 5 0 0 2 | 5 :4 5 P M Join Santa for a swim and tell him what you want for Christmas! Santa is available for pictures with guests who bring their own cameras. Parents swim free with each paid child. Children age 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water. $15 admission. D E C E M BE R 1 7 T H

Holiday Skate

CREDIT UNION OF TEXAS EVENT CENTER, 200 E. STACY ROAD, SUITE 1350, ALLEN, TX 75002 | 1:00 PM Kick off the holiday break at CUTX's annual Holiday Skate! Enjoy themed activities, festive holiday music, and a holiday sweater contest. Bring a nonperishable food donation for a FREE skate rental. All on-ice participants must wear skates. Food donations benefit All Community Outreach. DE C E M BE R 1 8T H

OnStage @ APL: Allen Community Jazz Band

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, 300 N. A L L E N DR I V E , A L L E N, T X 7 5 0 1 3 | 3:0 0 P M Celebrate the holidays with the Allen Community Jazz Band as they play jazz and swing arrangements of holiday favorites, including “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | HE ALTH + W E LLNE S S

ARTICLE BY BLAINE MOUNTAIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WALES

Meet Dr. Carey A. Patrick, O.D. With a Vision to Help Others, Fairview EyeCare Gives Back

Girl Scout’s mission is to prepare every girl for a lifetime of leadership. Dr. Carey A. Patrick, O.D., the owner of Fairview EyeCare, is a lifelong Girl Scout who embodies the pillars of the organization. She is a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader in her field, but her journey to serve others didn’t start with optometry. “Optometry is a second career for me. I picked it because I kept hitting my head on the glass ceiling of marketing communications. That career wasn’t sustainable with family life, and so I looked for something that would better support women in business and made it my own.” When considering the professional move, she reflected on her own vision journey. “My first experience wearing glasses and being able to see the leaves on the trees was eye-opening. That was the fourth grade, which motivates me to reach back to the pediatric population.” Dr. Patrick is actively involved in InfantSEE, a public health program that prioritizes the wellness of six to twelve-month-old children and provides them with free eye exams. “We are looking for vision development milestones. Are both eyes healthy and developing on progress?” These children are too young to read an eye chart, tell you their ABCs, or explain that one eye works and one doesn’t. As Dr. Patrick puts it, “They don’t have those articulatory abilities, but there are diseases and things that can go wrong with kids.” InfantSEE helps infants make massive developmental leaps and has life-changing results. One of Dr. Patrick’s proudest moments with InfantSEE involves a 9-month-old baby experiencing “failure to thrive.” Dr. Patrick explains, “I realized he was in such need of glasses that he couldn’t see his mom’s face. He was

failing to thrive because he couldn’t see the floor to touch. He didn’t know where to put his feet to begin to learn to walk.” Dr. Patrick made him a pair of glasses, put them on, and saw instant results: “His physical response to suddenly being able to see the world around him was rewarding and heartbreaking. But we figured that out at nine months old.” Proactive eye care is monumental in developmental success. Patients should visit their eye doctor consistently. An annual eye exam is recommended, and children should have their first eye exam before their first birthday, their second exam between two and three years old, and their third before they start kindergarten. Dr. Patrick explains, “If their first opportunity to get screened doesn’t happen until kindergarten, you’ve missed out on so much of the development window that you could have done something easy. Now you’re faced with having to do something much harder.” If a patient doesn’t proactively pursue regular eye exams, the outcome can be catastrophic. “A young man once came in with acute angle closure, meaning he had fluid pressure inside the eye that had elevated beyond the tolerance level of his eye’s physical structure.” The office was about to close for the weekend, but Dr. Patrick’s team stayed late to get him back to a safe space. They saved his vision. Dr. Patrick attributes her professional growth to colleagues, professors, and other leaders in her life. “People encouraged me to take a leadership role in the local professional society. People encouraged me to serve on the state licensing board. That’s part of why I push myself forward. I’m just an average Jane; why couldn’t another doctor also push themselves forward? It grows the profession. It makes it better for everybody, whether you’re a patient or a doctor. We all win.”

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent struggling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does. To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.) Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amount up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.” Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue. “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.” City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

W here ha s t he c a mpa ig n g i f t e d?

Scan Code to

Nominate between Dec. 1 – 15, 2022

Follow @citylifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / A L L E N T X

2022

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Allen. N E I GH BO RH O O D

OR IGIN AL PRICE

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Woods Of Ascot Heath

$2,995,000.00

89.00%

Parkside At Fairview

$2,000,000.00

92.50%

Starcreek

$1,350,000.00

100.00%

Bridlegate

$1,275,000.00

100.00%

Twin Creeks

$1,295,000.00

93.10%

Ridgeview Crossing

$1,025,400.00

100.00%

Collinwood Acres

$924,900.00

98.80%

103

Twin Creeks

$875,000.00

102.90%

Twin Creeks

$914,900.00

97.60%

Starcreek

$810,000.00

98.80%

Starcreek

$800,000.00

97.50%

$741,068.00

100.00%

Lexington Estates Twin Creeks

$775,000.00

95.50%

Country Brook Estates

$799,000.00

91.40%

101

Park At Montgomery Farm

$725,000.00

100.00%

Country Brook Estates

$749,900.00

96.10%

Waterford Parks

$725,000.00

98.60%

The Village at Twin Creeks

$768,888.00

92.90%

Twin Creeks

$725,000.00

98.20%

Lost Creek Ranch

$699,995.00

100.00%

Summerfield

$674,999.00

103.00%

4 2

Fairview Farms

$680,000.00

100.00%

Ranchette Estates

$665,000.00

95.00%

Legends at Twin Creeks

$694,400.00

95.00%

119

Village at Twin Creeks

$650,000.00

101.10%

120

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | R EAL E STATE

Student(s) of the Month PIYUSH CHINTALWAR & CARSON SHEFFIELD — ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL ARTICLE BY KATELYN REED PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WALES

Piyush Chintalwar and Carson Sheffield first met in middle school band. Both trumpet players, the pair became fast friends—band has that effect on people. Their idea to start Toys for Texans wasn’t born at a Friday night football game though; inspiration struck as the two were playing video games together one Friday evening. Their original plan was simple: host a two-week toy drive and give the donations to local children. With the help of friends from their biology class, they were able to make their first donation to the Samaritan Inn. Today, Toys for Texans is much, much more than that original vision. The boys and the growing Toys for Texans team organize drives throughout the year, collecting toys and books at various drop-off locations across Allen and McKinney. As the holiday season approaches, case workers from the Department of Family and Protective Services gather wish lists from their children to share with Piyush, Carson, and the team. Together, they work diligently to create gift bundles tailored to each child’s unique wishes—each child receives at least one book and at least one toy. Toys and books are also organized and wrapped for distribution to local homeless shelters. Toys for Texans spends countless hours organizing events, gathering donations, and seeing that underprivileged children experience the joy of receiving books and toys during the holidays. They hope to continue to serve our community and, eventually, spread their program to nearby schools and communities. Piyush makes a point to note that none of this would be possible without the volunteers and team: “We wouldn’t be here without our 30+ student officers.” Toys for Texans’ next event is their annual day of gift wrapping on December 19. To volunteer or donate, visit www.toysfortexans.org and show these remarkable young men and our community your support!

EDU CAT ION COR N E R | EDUCATI ON

To date, Toys for Texans has raised over $20,000 and helped make dreams come true for over 900 local children. But Piyush and Carson are just getting started. Join them in helping provide children in our community with books and toys this holiday season!

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