Hello Allen! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: $2 billion Sloan Corners project, Bravo Park grand opening, and summer dive-in movie + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Major mixed-use growth ahead: Billingsley will advance the $2 billion Sloan Corners project spanning Allen and Fairview, preparing a retail district at Chelsea Boulevard and SH 121, plus 1,100 apartments and future offices -- see what’s planned next.
New community gathering spot: Bravo Park at Sloan Corners will mark its grand opening Aug. 1 with live music, food trucks, and pickleball demos, plus a chance to win six months’ rent at Hartwood -- see what’s happening there.
College talent shines bright: Five Collin College students earned three golds and a bronze at the SkillsUSA national conference in Atlanta, among 19,000 participants, highlighting the college’s strong workforce and technical programs -- meet the medal winners.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees 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 $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Backyard rescue, anyone? A short hop from Allen, Calloway's Nursery keeps North Texas gardens thriving with indoor and outdoor plants that actually handle our weather, plus bird feed, fertilizers, pottery, and weed control. Ask their Texas Certified Nursery Pros for smart picks, or use Pick & Plant and skip the heavy lifting.
Rain-or-shine fun: Because some weeks need an easy win, PINSTACK wraps bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, an indoor high ropes course, and a big arcade with a full-service restaurant and bar into one indoor sanity saver. Grab friends or kids, keep score, and let someone else do the cooking.
Fresh-air reset: When the week gets loud, Spirit Park is the kind of low-key green escape that lets you walk, lounge, or let the kids and dogs burn off energy. Pack a ball, a book, or your best sunset-watching self, then breathe a little easier right here in Allen.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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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.
🤠 Unearth the Story of the American Cowboy @ Allen Public Library Civic Auditorium | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:45 PM – At the Civic Auditorium, Cowboy Ken brings the American West to life with stories, puppets, and 1800s cowboy songs. Kids 5+ wrangle a trail drive and trick roping, you get nostalgia, toe-tapping, and zero screen time. Free with a ticket.
🦎 Rockin' Reptile Crafts @ Allen Public Library Civic Auditorium | Thursday (6/25) at 3:00 PM – Release the K through 3 crowd to celebrate our scaly friends with pop-in crafts and activities in Children's Program Rooms A and B. No ticket, just come and go as space allows, which is parent code for blessedly flexible. Educational, cute, and safely indoors.
🎬 Summer Dive-In Movie @ Ford Pool - Parks and Recreation | Friday (6/26) at 7:30 PM – Swap the drive-in for a float-in at Ford Pool, where GOAT plays while you bob like a content otter. Bring a suit and towel, snag concessions, rent a tube before they vanish, and enjoy small-town luxury for $5 members, $7 non-members.
🎸 Fleetwood X - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac @ HUB 121 (McKinney) | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 PM – Free Fleetwood Mac fix at HUB 121, courtesy of Fleetwood X, the tribute band that actually nails the harmonies. Think Rumours in the suburbs, Stevie twirls without the Ticketmaster surcharge, and a communal Landslide moment that will make you text your high school crush.
🐦 Farmers Market @ Lucas Community Park | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Take a break from errands and wander the Lucas Farmers Market for fresh finds, local vendors, and neighborly chatter. Then channel your inner carpenter with a build-a-birdhouse project, a home improvement you can actually finish before lunch, kids and grandkids approved.
🛍 Black-Owned Business Expo @ Credit Union of Texas (McKinney) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Black-Owned Business Expo is popping up with local entrepreneurs, standout goods, and community energy to make your reusable tote feel underdressed. Hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Omega Alpha Omega Chapter, it is part marketplace, part mixer, all about building Black-owned wealth, culture, and neighborly vibes.
🎨 Kids and Families Watercolor Adventure June 20 @ Jump Into Art Studios (McKinney) | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Give the kids a six-week Saturday watercolor adventure with Miss Kara, geared to ages 6 and up, all materials included. They’ll learn wet-on-wet, dry-on-dry, and basic drawing, and you’ll get fridge-worthy art with only moderate kitchen-table splatter. Miss a week, they’ll send a take-home project.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Allen report Weather forecastToday — High: 96°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 79 overnight. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 96°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 96. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 79 overnight. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. This house is wildThe Ashland III brings dramatic style and everyday function together in one smartly designed four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home. A dedicated study, two downstairs guest rooms, and a main-floor owner’s suite keep things versatile, while the open living area shines with a gorgeous fireplace. An upstairs game room and optional bar, media room, or extra suite add extra flair.
Take a peek inside → |
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