It’s November Already?

This will be the scene in downtown McKinney in the next week or so, as the city prepares for the holiday season.

Doesn’t it feel like it was just September? Then we blinked and it was November. We did enjoy many wonderful activities in McKinney in October; it just seemed to go by in a whirl.

Now that we’re into November already (it’s Election Day, as we post this – we hope you all voted!), there is again so much to keep everyone busy as we close in on the holidays – music, art, drama, races, and of course, Dickens of a Christmas.

McKinney Art Studio Tour (MAST)

Three galleries and 22 artists’ studios will welcome guests for tours  (self-guided after buying a ticket booklet – get tickets HERE) during the McKinney Art Studio Tour (MAST). This is the fourth year of the tour which offers T-shirts for purchase, and those who complete at least 15 stops on the tour (validated by signatures from the artists) can enter a prize drawing. The self-paced, leisurely tour allows visitors to watch the artists where they work and live, and talk to them about their creative processes.

32nd Annual Dickens of a Christmas

McKinney Main Street kicks off the holiday on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 23-25) by hosting Dickens of a Christmas – Home for the Holidays. Historic Downtown McKinney will offer holiday shopping, entertainment, activities and food. This free event offer visitors to Historic Downtown McKinney a chance to enjoy strolling carolers, live entertainment, carriage rides, children’s activities, holiday shopping and dining at the more than 100 shops and restaurants downtown. The ever-popular show hill is coming back this year, and of course, Dickens wouldn’t be complete without Santa!

Believe Run (1 Mile/5K/10K)

This fun and healthy family event starts and ends at McKinney’s Mitchell Park early the Saturday morning after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24). The McKinney Rotary Club hosts this race that benefits Holy Family School and other charitable organizations. Before the race, kids get chase Santa (alias McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller) in the Great Santa Chase. Teams and families often dress in costume; strollers and dogs are welcome! Then hang around town after the race to enjoy Dickens.

ShopAnthropy Shopping Tournament

How fun is this? Teams of four each ($200 per team to enter) will spend the day (Nov. 10) on the downtown square, saving money (participating stores offer discounts to these teams), stopping for great food, and having 100% of the proceeds help kids in our area who have aged out of the foster care system and were never adopted. You can check out the charities here: www.embracetexas.org andwww.simplestofgifts.com.

On Stage

Everything from young performers to seasoned ones are performing this month.

Legally Blonde, the Musical (Nov. 10-11, 15-17): Fine arts students at McKinney Boyd High School bring this adaptation of the popular Broadway musical to their auditorium at 600 N. Lake Forest.  An opening night gala on Saturday (10th) features reserved seating, dinner, dessert at intermission, a silent auction and a meet-and-greet with the cast following the show, all for $25. Regular show tickets are $15 for adults. Get tickets HERE.

Young Actors Guild One-Act Plays (Nov. 16-18): McKinney Repertory Theatre’s Young Actors Guild presents two one-act plays, the mystery comedy “Who Murdered Who?” and an old-fashioned melodrama, “She Was Only a Farmer’s Daughter.” For showtimes at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC)  and to get tickets, click HERE.

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Nov. 23-25, 30-Dec. 2): The McKinney Repertory Theater once again presents this holiday class to MPAC in what has become a long-standing tradition for kicking off the

Steel Magnolia (Nov. 29): This country duo won Can You Duet? on CMT in 2009 and now they’re hitting the Courtroom Theater stage at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Winners of the McKinney Mash-Up (finalists were crowned earlier in the month) will open for the duo. Get tickets HERE.

Nightlife

Many talented musicians and singers call McKinney and our area home. You can see them almost any day of the week at many eateries and the wineries downtown and elsewhere throughout the city. Below are establishments that regularly offer live entertainment.

• Cadillac Pizza Pub
• Delaney’s Irish Pub
• Hank’s Texas Grill
• Grand/Rick’s
• Grotto
• Jack’s Pub
• Landon Winery
• Lone Star Wine Cellars
• Spoons Cafe

Second Saturday Art Exhibits & Activities (Nov. 10)

McKinney’s galleries and other businesses feature new art exhibits, starting each Second Saturday on the Square, or hold special events. During this special evening, the galleries and many stores stay open later than usual, and provide snacks as well as the opportunity to meet the artists and talk to them about their work. The artists being featured at various locales downtown this month include:

• Design Ten1 Studio: Ashley Bossung Bruegel; 110 S. Tennessee. 972-542-5514.
• Garret Gallery:  Garret artists Clara Stovall, Ginny Bitting, Babs Light, Gail Delger, and Marian Hirsch; 111 E. Virginia; 972-548-9361.
• Imaging on the Square: Jewelry artist Joy Jones. 109 S. Tennessee, 972-548-7575.
• Laura Moore Fine Art: Peggy Epner (GODSPEED); 107 S Tennessee. 214-914-3630.
• Orisons Art & Framing: Santa artist Brenda Brannon;. 110 E. Louisiana, 972-529-1441.
• McKinney Wine Merchant: Nick Saia (sample pictured at right) and wine tastings from Mt. Eden Vineyards; 120 W. Virginia, 972-542-4636.
• Main Street Magic & Fun Company presents two cabaret style magic shows in their Magic Attic Theater on Saturday – 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $10 each. Seating is limited so call 214-274-7802.

While we try to be as complete as possible in our monthly event blog, new things do come up, and then there are the monthly standards like flea market and vintage shopping at Third Monday Trade Days, Old Red Lumberyard, and the Flour Mill District; classes, garden shows and workshops, nature days and Dinosaurs Live! (at right) at the Heard Museum and more!

As always, check VisitMcKinney.com and the Destination McKinney Texas Facebook page for more event information.

And if you don’t have our Smartphone app yet (for iPhone, iPad or Android) by all means, go HERE now and get it! You’ll be glad you did.

Healthy Living in McKinney

McKinney is all about being health-conscious these days, one of the many things that makes our  “unique by nature” brand so appropriate. Yes, we have many beautiful parks, nature trails, biking paths, disc golf courses and athletic fields and gyms galore, but these amenities are not what make McKinney unique. Below are three reasons McKinney is setting the pace for healthy living in North Texas.

REASON 1: McKinney’s mayor is an avid healthy living and fitness enthusiast who is challenging the entire community to change eating and fitness habits by working together to all focus more on living the healthiest lives we can.

Mayor Brian Loughmiller (front, in black) at the start of McKinney's Believe Run in November 2011.

“The benefits of healthy living habits are immeasurable. Exercise and diet have been shown to help reduce the possibility of medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart health issues,” McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller said. “I am proud of the fact that many McKinney residents already participate in activities centered on health and fitness. I am also proud of the fact that our medical providers such as McKinney Medical Center, Methodist Hospitals, the Hospital at Craig Ranch and Baylor Hospital (to open soon) all embrace our efforts for preventive health care through healthy habits.”

Loughmiller doesn’t just talk the talk. He walks the walk, and runs and cycles and swims and anything else he can do to keep himself healthy…to lead by example. Residents and visitors who participate in 5Ks, 10Ks and even triathlons here in McKinney and elsewhere will often see Loughmiller among the racers at the starting line. Last year alone, he competed in the Believe Run and other local running races, the Historic McKinney Kiwanis Triathlon, cycled in the high-speed Bike the Bricks race then turned around and participated in the Hotter’N Hell 100 Mile Endurance Race (in Wichita Falls last August!), and even completed an Iron Man competition in the fall.

And he wants McKinney residents to do what they can to live a healthier life.

“For the next 100 days, employees of the city of McKinney and the McKinney School District will be participating in a Live Healthy North Texas Challenge,” Loughmiller said.

City employees began their fourth year in this program this week, and now our mayor has opened this program up to the entire community.

“I would encourage residents who are interested in improving their health through diet and exercise to accept the challenge and log on to Live Healthy North Texas,” Loughmiller said. “You can form a team with your friends, receive valuable information on health and fitness, and track your progress over the next 100 days. Through all of our efforts McKinney not only will be one of the best cities in America to live in, it will also be one of the healthiest.”

For more about joining the Live Healthy Challenge program, click HERE.

Owner Matt Hamilton (in hat) helps a customer pick out steaks at Local Yocal.

REASON 2: McKinney is becoming a mecca for those interested in healthy eating and “green living.”

Roam around our historic district and you’ll find all sorts of businesses and eateries where you can buy locally-grown food. Fresh produce, cheeses, herbs, baked goods and meats are all available at the Chestnut Square Farmers Market. Shoppers can also find fresh or prepared (ready-to-eat) grass-fed and free range meats, farm-fresh eggs, locally made grains and dairy and such at businesses like Local Yocal (pictured at right), The Pantry, Square Burger, Patina Green, and others. This type of food is considered “slow food,” as explained in this video produced by the city’s communications department.

Those interested in more “green living” have opportunities several times a year to take part in classes offered by the city’s Office of Environmental Stewardship. Recently, this office hosted a “make your own rain barrel” class for harvesting of rainwater residents could use for watering their lawns and flowerbeds. Residents also have opportunities through this office to learn more about recycling efforts (this includes fun, interactive children’s programs as well) and to take part in community clean-up programs. Keep up with the latest from this department by checking their website frequently.

REASON 3: McKinney is poised to become a “hub” of knowledge for helping those dealing with perhaps the scariest of health concerns – cancer.

Monika Norman, owner of Spa Esoteric, in one of the spa's treatment rooms.

Despite efforts to live the healthiest life possible, a percentage of people will develop cancer. In fact, most of us have been touched by cancer in some way. One such person is Monika Norman, owner of downtown McKinney’s Spa Esoteric. The passion she has for her profession and the fact loved ones and clients of hers have dealt with the disease sparked her drive to educate people about physical changes brought on by the disease and medical treatments, and how to safely treat oncology clients in a spa environment.

“I hear from my clients who’ve been dealing with cancer say, ‘It’s so nice to come here and feel normal.’ Spa treatments are so beneficial, especially to our oncology clients, to help relieve their pain and for well-being,” Norman said. “But there are only maybe a handful of properly trained oncology massage therapists and aestheticians between here and Houston, so these patients’ options are very limited.”

Chemotherapy and radiation change the skin on all layers, making it react differently than “normal” skin to the products that spas use.

“There are ingredients in regular products [creams, lotions and oils] that can really do more harm than good, but there are some great products out there that don’t interfere with healing and don’t cause any irritation,” Norman said. “For instance, we use Intraceuticals, products which help infuse oxygen and other components back into the skin that chemo removed from it. They also increase red blood cells and prevent the growth of bacteria, which are beneficial to oncology patients.”

Likewise, there are massage techniques (such as deep tissue massage) and skin care treatments that some cancer patients should not undergo because a client’s post-surgical body or one affected by chemo simply can’t handle the treatment. In fact, Monika and her staff have a questionnaire they go through each time an oncology client visits that assures they are able to assess (or re-assess) the client’s current situation.

Also, certain aspects of the spa and its equipment come into play when dealing with patients who have compromised immune systems.

“You have to have a proper protocol for dealing with these special needs clients, and I want to help develop that on a national level,” Norman said.

To this end, Monika performed exhaustive research as well as calling on her background as a medical aesthetician to create a “safe spa” environment here in McKinney. She has surrounded herself with people, including her like-minded staff, who share her philosophy and her passion for helping sooth those fighting cancer. This past weekend, visiting instructor Toni Muirhead worked with a dozen massage therapists from Monika’s staff, That Elegant Touch (McKinney) and Rough Creek Lodge (Granbury).  Future classes will also take place in the coming months as Monika brings in a certified aesthetician (in March) to teach about skincare for oncology clients, and then Muirhead returns (in April) to work with more massage therapists.

“I’m excited to be a knowledge hub for this area and in these specialized treatments,” Monika said. “We have so much interest in this first set of classes, and once we’re finished with those, we’ll just see what we need to do next.”

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As always, you can learn more about McKinney by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by downloading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click HERE.)

Countdown to Thanksgiving Weekend!

Downtown McKinney is getting ready for Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving is, of course, a special time we spend with family and friends, reflecting on the many things in life for which we’re thankful. Many of you will begin your holiday decorating (those of you who don’t already have that finished, that is – you know who you are!), others will be watching football while eating until you’re stuffed, and then there are those who will be stretching, carb-loading and scouring sale ads for the Black Friday deals, ready to hit the stores when they open Friday morning. (We have heard of  some chains even starting Black Friday deals when they open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.)

The Season of Giving

While all these things are special traditions for the majority of us, there are also plenty of people in need this holiday season who will look to volunteers to help provide their meals, holiday gifts for their children, and meet their other needs. The McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau consistently receives calls, specifically this time of year, asking where people can turn to devote some time, money, goods and services to those in need. In preparation for this, we’ve put together a list of links to help people with the desire to give back:

• The Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter
• The Salvation Army of McKinney
• Volunteer McKinney Center
• Community Food Pantry of McKinney
• Community Lifeline Center
• 3E McKinney (source for church-based volunteer force and resources)
• McKinney’s service organizations (Rotary Club & Sunrise Rotary, McKinney Kiwanis & McKinney Lions Club & Morning Pride Lions)

The Season of Fun and Good Spirits

Of course, the most exciting aspect of this time of year is the anticipation of the holiday season. Whatever your religious affiliation and the holiday you celebrate during this season, McKinney activities run the gamut from shopping and ho-ho-happy fun to inspirational and traditionally-warm and inviting.

Now in its 31st year, Dickens of a Christmas serves as the kick-off of the holiday season in McKinney (Friday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, 11/25-27). Featuring down-home fun that harkens back to the days of McKinney’s earliest settlers and beyond, this year’s festival will feature the return of the snow hill and “magic snow” as well as some new surprises. Santa will again be available for photos and for lap sitting and wish-list telling, and various musicians will share their  Sounds of the Seasons talents all around the square..

During Dickens weekend, you can also enjoy the following activities:

• City of McKinney Tree Lighting Ceremony (Friday, 11/25, 6:15 p.m.) featuring singer-songwriter Crystal Yates.
• The McKinney Repertory Theatre’s annual presentation of A Christmas Carol at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (Friday-Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. during Dickens, then the following weekend at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 12/2-3, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, 12/4).
• 6th Annual Believe! Run (1 mile, 5 and 10K), benefiting Holy Family School and presented by the McKinney Rotary Club, taking place at downtown’s Mitchell Park, on Saturday, 11/26. Kids can also participate in the Great Santa Chase before the race starts.

Also that weekend:

• Check out the Handmade McKinney Artist & Crafters’ Fair at the Historic Flour Mill (407 E. Louisiana,  11/25-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) where you can shop for locally-made items and enjoy food prepared by  McKinney caterers and bakers.
• Find vintage pieces and antiques at the Old Red Lumberyard (Louisiana/Throckmorton by the Flour Mill) on Friday and Saturday (11/25-26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
• Small Business Saturday is national day, now in its second year, dedicated to supporting small businesses in the U.S. during the busiest shopping weekend every year. McKinney is blessed to have a wide assortment of small businesses specializing in locally-made products and essential services that make for great gift-giving. For instance, who wouldn’t love to have receive oil changes for a year or a full-day of pampering or massage from a local spa? (Saturday, 11/26, all day)
• Lone Star Wine Cellars kicks off their Wine Scavenger Hunt as well as their Gift Drive (benefitting Community Lifeline Center) in downtown McKinney during Dickens  and continuing until Dec. 2. For $19.95, participants receive tastes of 12 wines, a painted holiday glass for tasting, and two chances to win prizes:  a case of wine – one each of The 12 Wines of Christmas (drawing on December 2) and the Grand Prize drawing, a gift basket full of merchandise from McKinney merchants (drawing on December 9). Players, or a designate, must be present for the drawings to win the prizes.

Don’t Want to Cook on Thanksgiving Day!

Every year, we also get questions about restaurants being open on Thanksgiving. We’ve found these few but would love readers to add comments on this blog entry if they know of more:

• Bill Smith’s Cafe, 1510 W. University: For the first time in their 50-plus years in McKinney, they’ll be open from 4 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to serve breakfast and Thanksgiving dinner.
• The Pub, 204 W. Virginia: Open from 7 p.m. to midnight. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m.
• Denny’s, 1615 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.
• IHOP, 1960 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours a day, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.
• Waffle House, 1432 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours a day, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.

However you and your family and friends celebrate Thanksgiving and the kick-off of the holiday season, we at the McKinney CVB wish you and yours a happy, safe holiday full of warm memories, fun and plenty of turkey! Gobble-gobble!