June 29, 2011
0
Registration is under way for the next "Mom's Night Out Book Club" at 7 p.m. July 11.
The group will discuss Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
To register for the book club, click here.
June 27, 2011
The Allen Public Library will have a free showing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The film is being shown as part of the library's Adult Summer Reading Movie Series, with the theme "Dig Up a Good Book."
The library's address is 300 N. Allen Drive.
June 24, 2011
The annual Allen USA Celebration will be held Saturday at Celebration Park, 701 Angel Parkway.
Last year, about 75,000 people attended the event, which features a large fireworks show.
This year, the city is partnering with Market Street food store at Watters Crossing and hopes for an even larger crowd.
"For many, the music is the big draw," said Tim Dentler, Allen parks director. "For others, it's the unbelievable fireworks display that lights up the sky."
The headline act this year is the Lou Gramm Band. Gramm was with the popular rock band Foreigner for 27 years.
Other acts include the World Class Rockers, featuring former members of Santana, Journey, Boston, Steppenwolf, Toto and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
For more information, check the event website.
June 22, 2011
The Allen Public Library is encouraging adults to sign up for its "Dig up a Good Book" summer reading club.
People can sign up any time before July 16 and pick up a reading log.
If you complete five books, you get a free book.
Read 10, and you're entered in a $50 gift card drawing.
For more information, click here.
June 20, 2011
The city of Allen's 14th Annual Summer Sounds Concert Series ends at 7 p.m. Monday night.
As always, the concert will be at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center Amphitheatre, 1201 E. Bethany Drive.
Light concessions and snow cones are available for purchase.
Ground blanket seating is preferred so that concert goers of all ages can enjoy the best line of sight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 26, 2011
The Allen Adult Summer Reading Program begins June 6.
It's open to anyone 18 or older who has an Allen library card.
Those interested can pick up a reading log at the second floor reference desk starting June 6.
Participants are eligible to win prizes.
For more information, click here.
May 25, 2011
The Wiggles, a popular children's musical and entertainment act from Australia, will perform at the Allen Event Center on July 8.
Shows will be held at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
For tickets, click here.
May 13, 2011
Allen officials are holding an open house from 9 a.m. to noon May 21 at the new Municipal Service Center.
The event will mark National Public Works Week.
People who attend the open house can take a tour of the service center and see vehicles used by workers.
There will be games, prizes, interactive displays and photo opportunities.
The service center is at 900 S. Greenville Ave.
May 10, 2011
The Allen Civic Ballet will hold company auditions at 9 a.m. June 4 at the Allen Conservatory of Dance, 602 E. Main Street, suite E, Allen.
Those trying out must be 12 to 21 years old.
Females should bring pointe shoes.
May 9, 2011
The "Second Saturday Jazz Concert" will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Village at Fairview, across Stacy Road from the Village at Allen.
The 20-piece Texas Instruments Jazz Band will play.
People may bring blankets or chairs.
Glass containers and alcohol are not permitted.
For more information, visit the Village at Fairview website or call (972) 549-4010.
May 6, 2011
The Mom's Night Out Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday to discuss Up From the Blue by Susan Hendersen.
The meeting will be at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive.
Child care will not be provided, and registration is required.
For more information, call (214) 509-4905.
May 5, 2011
The East Texas Steel Guitar Association will present a steel guitar jamboree at 6:30 p.m. May 13.
The free program is at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive.
The performance will include a presentation on the history of the steel guitar.
For more information, call (214) 509-4911.
May 4, 2011
The third annual Watters Creek Fine Arts Festival will be held May 13-15.
More than 80 local, state and national artists will display their works for judging.
Allen High School students also will have their photographs and artwork available for viewing and purchase.
For more information about the festival, sponsored by the Allen Arts Alliance, click here.
May 2, 2011
Abbie Reeves, Kennedy Bailey and Jenna Barratt of Allen have been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency for their environmental awareness work.
They will receive the regional President's Environmental Youth Award
"These three students are connecting environmental awareness to a very simple approach to saving the environment -- reuse," said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz.
Since 1971, the President has teamed with the EPA to recognize youth people for protecting the environment.
April 29, 2011
Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven book series, will speak at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Allen Public Library.
After his talk, Mull will answer questions and sign books.
This free program is sponsored by the Bach to Books and Storyopolis Global Entertainment.
For more information, call (214) 509-4911.
April 27, 2011
The Noontime Pageturners book club will meet at noon Tuesday at the Allen Public Library to discuss.
They will discuss the Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa.
No registration is required, and people are invited to bring a lunch.
April 26, 2011
Keep Allen Beautiful, the city of Allen and local organizations will team up on the Great American Cleanup on Saturday.
Allen residents may donate items or drop off trash at Bossy Boots Drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At City Hall, paper shredding and medical waste disposal will be offered.
People must bring a water bill to prove their residency.
For more information, click here.
April 25, 2011
Award-winning author and photographer Carolyn Jones will share her story of addiction and healing at 7 p.m. Thursday at Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive.
She has photographed antique wrought iron gates in Victorian neighborhoods, with lights permeating the bars.
Jones also has written the book Opening the Gates of the Heart: A Journey of Healing.
The library event is free.
For more information, call (214) 509-4913
April 21, 2011
The Allen Public Library says it collected 1,840 pounds of food during its recent food-for-fines program.
Patrons were allowed to bring in canneds good and other nonperishable food in exchange for fines on overdue library material.
The food was delivered to Allen Community Outreach, a nonprofit group.
By the way, the library will be closed on Easter Sunday.
April 20, 2011
The Readable History Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday to discuss Lincoln and McClellan by John C. Waugh.
The meeting will be in the board room of Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive.
No registration is required to attend the meeting.
April 19, 2011
The Allen Public Library will show A Fistful of Dollars at 7 o'clock tonight.
The 1964 film by director Sergio Leone is part of the library's "spaghetti Westerns" weekly series.
Admission is free.
April 18, 2011
A candidate forum for those running for Allen City Council and Allen school board will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive.
The candidates will talk about issues in the election.
The forum is being sponsored by the Allen-Fairview Chamber of Commerce.
April 15, 2011
The outdoor superstore Cabela's opened yesterday, attracting hoardes of shoppers
"Thousands of people were in line outside the store before the doors opened following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony ..." a news release says. "Customers streamed into the store for more than 30 minutes after the doors were open."
The 100,000-square-foot store is near the southeast corner of Central Expressway and Stacy Road.
The store has hired about 300 employees.
April 14, 2011
The library's Armchair Travelers program will meet at 7 p.m. April 26.
Beka Tissell will share photos, souvenirs and anecdotes from her travels to Japan.
Japanese refreshments will be served.
There's no cost to attend the meeting, but registration is required.
To register, call (214) 509-4905.
April 12, 2011
The Arts of Collin County is considering a name change and is soliciting ideas from the public.
A news release explains the reason for the possible name change:
The Arts of Collin County is changing our name in order to better represent the wide variety of activities and venues on the site, more inclusive of all the surrounding communities and to increase the appeal to sponsorships and world-class performers.
To take a survey on possible names, click here.
Archives
About This Blog
Ed Housewright covers the city of Allen and Sam Hodges covers Allen schools. The community is encouraged to contribute by joining the conversation on this blog.
