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Hello Allen! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free pickleball social, pediatric behavioral care expansion, and glow back to school party + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Allen help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Celebrate a championship season: Dallas Pulse hosts a free social today at Chicken N Pickle in Allen, with pickleball, raffles, giveaways, Kaylee Cox autographs, and the 2026 MLV Championship Trophy on display -- get the event details.
Expanding support for families: Children's Health expanded pediatric behavioral services in Plano, adding four outpatient programs at Children's Medical Center Plano to bring care to Allen families amid rising need for mental health support -- read the full story.
New life for a vacant giant: Just south of Allen, Plano’s Fry’s will become a WareSpace hub for 160-plus small businesses, offering 200 to 2,000 square foot climate-controlled units, loading docks, Wi-Fi and shared amenities -- read the full story.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Rustic upgrade, anyone? Restaurant & Cafe Supplies Online (RCG, LLC) - Furniture Headquarters turns reclaimed wood into seriously good-looking table tops, bar tops, seating, and shelving for homes, offices, and local spots. If your place needs a refresh this week, their Harvest, Heritage, and Industrial collections deliver that cozy, durable vibe Allen folks love.
Build-your-own boba fix: Bottomless boba, build-it-your-way drinks, and a chill hangout vibe make Miao the spot to hit this week when you want to experiment with flavors and actually see your friends IRL. Customize tea bases, tweak sweetness and ice, then dive into board games while the conversation keeps pouring.
Local history, zero homework: Built in 1874 to supply the Houston & Texas Central Railway, Allen Old Stone Dam still anchors Cottonwood Creek, with a mellow trail and interpretive signs that turn a quick walk into a history lesson... the good kind you’ll actually remember. Perfect for a low-key after-dinner stroll.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎉 End of Summer Bash @ Ford Pool | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Close out summer with a poolside bash built for big kids who pay property taxes. Take the plunge in the cannonball contest, with judges scoring for style, height, and maximum splash. Admission is free, registration required, bragging rights nonnegotiable.
🍧 Halo-Halo Jam 2026 @ Sambuca 360 (Plano) | Friday (8/7) at 7:30 PM – Craving a concert that hits the heart and the playlist? Halo-Halo Jam 2026 brings artists, families, and friends together for a feel-good show where your ticket, donation, or sponsorship buys more than bragging rights, funding Biyaya Foundation USA Inc.’s disaster relief, education, and community needs.
🎸 Texas Clearwater Revival @ HUB 121 (McKinney) | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 PM – Free CCR at HUB 121 with Texas Clearwater Revival, an outdoor sing-along for those of us who still know Fogerty riffs. Bring chairs, blankets, and your inner Proud Mary, skip the cooler, and let the restaurants, concession stand, and parking do the heavy lifting.
🎨 Open Studio/Art Drop In Saturday 9am - 12noon @ Jump Into Art Studios (McKinney) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Feeling crafty, or tired of staring at that blank wall? Drop into this McKinney open studio to paint canvases, design t-shirts, make mosaics, or tinker with a project using their supplies, know-how, and no-judgment vibe. Cheaper than therapy, and you leave with something pretty.
🤝 Swag Trade & Meet-Up @ Frisco Embassy Suites & Convention Center (Plano) | Saturday (8/8) at 3:30 PM – Clean out that bin of duplicate minis and meet your fellow nerds at Rebel Scum Con’s Community Tables, where swag is happily traded, freely given, and occasionally bragged about. Expect friendly haggling, deep-cut trivia, and the chance to finally swap that extra Greedo.
✨ Glow Back to School Party @ Watters Creek | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 PM – If the back-to-school aisles stressed you out, this glow-in-the-dark creekside bash is the antidote. Expect neon, live music, and a last hurrah of summer before early alarms return, with plenty of room for eye rolls, dad jokes, and a discreet two-step.
🥷 Ninja Camp - Back to School Week @ Ninja Nation (Murphy) | Monday (8/10) at 8:30 AM – Ninja Camp’s Back-to-School Week is channeling end-of-summer fidgets into obstacle courses, skill stations, and open gym, plus lunch and a snack. Ages 5-12 can pop in for a day or the week with discounts and age groups. Let them climb real walls, not yours.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Allen report Weather forecastToday — High: 101°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 103. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 80, with temperatures rising to around 82 overnight. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 100°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 100. South wind around 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 80, with temperatures rising to around 82 overnight. South southeast wind around 10 mph. This house is wildSet on a quiet cul-de-sac in prestigious Starcreek, this light-filled home pairs soaring ceilings and hand-scraped wood floors with crown molding, plantation shutters, and a dramatic stone fireplace. The remodeled kitchen shines with granite, stainless appliances, and a big island. Upstairs, game and media rooms add fun, while the backyard brings a pool, spa, and covered patio.
Take a peek inside → |
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