Posted November 15, 2010

When: Sunday, November 21, 2010, Registration 10 a.m. – Noon, Parade Leaves @ 1:30 p.m.

Where: Dallas Harley Davidson, 1334 W. Centerville Rd, Garland

The Garland and Colleyville Police Departments and the Dallas, Texas Chapter – Harley Owners Group are joining forces to host the 9^th Annual MotorCops for Kids Toy Run on Sunday, Nov. 21. The Toy Run will begin at Dallas Harley Davison, 1334 W. Centerville Road in Garland, and will end at the Hella Shrine Temple, located at Rowlett and Roan Roads in Garland. 

Festivities will include Shriners clowns, bike games, an obstacle course, silent auction, food and much more. All proceeds go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Money and toys will also be collected at the Colleyville and Garland Police stations, and other designated locations, for those who are unable to participate in the Toy Run. All donations are tax deductible.

Registration for the Toy Run is $10 per person. Pre-registration forms are available at Dallas Harley Davidson or at MotorCopsForKids.com or GarlandPolice.com. For more information, visit the website or call Jerry Patterson at 972-270-3962. 

MotorCops for Kids is a non-profit organization designed to raise toys and money for children in need.

Posted October 4, 2010

The city of Garland welcomes the return of the Mosaic Multicultural Festival of Art, Dance and Music. The Community Multicultural Commission will stage this event on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the square in downtown Garland at the corner of State and Sixth Streets.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be vendors with various arts and crafts, performances by live bands, singers, and dancers representing many countries from around the world. This family friendly event will also have a bounce house for kids, henna artists, and much more. For information contact Martha Melaku at 214-228-0199 or martha@lawyer.com. 

In past years, the event has featured performing artist, representing various cultures from South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, North American, and Central America, as well as displays of artwork, clothing and much more.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America.
 

Are you up to the challenge? Start a Chain Reaction!

Attend the parent / community event, Tuesday, Sept. 14^th, 7 p.m. at the GHS Auditorium

The English as a Second Language program at Messiah Lutheran Church at 1801 West Plano Parkway in Plano begins its ninth year teaching English to international students living the North Dallas and Collin County areas. The volunteer teachers invite former and new students to join them for the new school year that begins Monday, September 13.

Conversation classes are from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Mondays. The traditional level classes that emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Students may join both types of classes.

Posted June 16, 2010

Keep kids hungry for learning with “Feed Your Brain” reading program

Posted June 8, 2010

Now that the end of school is here, kids are thinking about their summer activities, dreaming about video games, sporting events and hanging out with friends.  While all of those activities are great, it is important for parents to remind their kids to work reading into that schedule.

Statistics show the average child loses 1.5 months of learning over the summer, putting kids behind when they start a new grade in the fall.  To help them prepare for the coming school year, Half Price Books encourages kids to read through its third annual “Feed Your Brain” program, offering rewards to young readers.

Children 14 and under can participate by picking up a reading log at their local Half Price Books each week.  From there, they fill out the number of minutes they read each day, and have it signed by a parent or guardian.  Completed logs that average at least 15 minutes of reading per day for five days can be exchanged for a Feed Your Brain Reading Reward – a $3 Half Price Books shopping card.  This can be done each week of the program, ending Saturday, July 31. 

“Encouraging a child to read and making reading fun is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child,” said Kathy Doyle Thomas, vice president of Half Price Books.  “In addition to books, find magazines and newspaper articles that fit your kid’s interests. By providing reading materials related to a favorite subject, they’ll learn more about that topic and have the added bonus of a bigger and better vocabulary.”  For your nearest Half Price Books, visit www.halfpricebooks.com.

Celebrate Independence Day
on the 3rd or 4th, or both

Posted June 28, 2010

Downtown Garland – July 3 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Garland Fire and Police Departments will be represented, and entertainment will include Indian dancers, a belly dancer, fiddlers, and bluegrass, country, classical, and gospel music. 

The family-friendly event will be fun for people of all ages with lots of free gifts and a variety of activities. 

Firewheel Town Center – July 3 – 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Firewheel Town Center will host the 2010 “Star Spangled Spectacular.” 

The annual Independence Day celebration offers a variety of activities. This year’s Main Stage will feature KLTY 94.9 FM “Celebrate Freedom” music artists Anthony Evans and Charmaine.  Fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m.

VFW Post 5076 – Sunday, July 4 – 3 p.m.

Come out and enjoy America's birthday with the veterans that helped us keep our freedom!  VFW Post 5076 is located at 2180 Meridian Way in Garland.

Donations are being accepted to help send boxes overseas to adopted veterans and other Unmet Needs programs. Call Beverly Snow, president of the Ladies Auxiliary at 214-674-0791. $5 charge. Dinner at 4 p.m.

July 4^th celebration scheduled for downtown

Kim Everett / June 4, 2010

Jessica Acosta, Ms. Senior Garland and advocate of downtown Garland, announced that the downtown area will host a Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 3.  The event will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m.

The Garland fire department and police departments will be represented, and entertainment will include Indian dancers, a belly dancer, fiddlers, and bluegrass, country, classical, and gospel music.

The family-friendly event promises to be fun for people of all ages with lots of free gifts and activities.  Stay tuned for more announcements.

Event organizers are looking for someone to do children's face painting at no cost during the event.  If interested, call 972-272-2257.

Patriotic fireworks, music, and family fun at Star Spangled Spectacular

Posted June 25, 2010

Firewheel Town Center will host the 2010 “STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR” on Saturday, July 3.

The annual Independence Day celebration will take place from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Firewheel Town Center, located on State Highway 78 at State Highway 190.  This year’s Main Stage will feature KLTY 94.9 FM “Celebrate Freedom” music artists Anthony Evans and Charmaine. 

• Playing everyone’s favorite hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s will be the great rock-n-roll sounds of music from The Blind. 

• Ken Savage & The Best Kept Secret will perform their high-energy show that includes classic oldies, rhythm and blues, smooth jazz and other popular hits.  

• The Dallas Jazz Orchestra will perform an inspirational concert and much more! 

• All concerts are free and a limited number of open seating will be available to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Patrons are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. 

• “I’m delighted that Firewheel Town Center is continuing the tradition of hosting a family-friendly

• Independence Day celebration in Garland,” said Garland Mayor Ronald E. Jones. “The city supports their efforts and we encourage everyone to head to Firewheel on July 3 to enjoy the event!”

• Firewheel Town Center is presenting a day of family fun in the Park area, which will be called

• “Patriot Plaza.”  Patriot Plaza will host the Disney Stage featuring Radio Disney’s Jay Jenson with fun, games and prizes.   

• First Baptist Church of Garland will present fun games and activities for children, bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists and great family fun! 

“We are excited to host this wonderful community celebration and truly enjoyed working with the City of Garland in years past,” said Melody Kamp, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Firewheel Town Center.  “We know that last year was a challenging year economically and know that people missed the festivities. This year, we wanted to work with community partners and help bring a celebration back for the regional community to enjoy.”

The Rad Hatter will return this year to help festival patrons create their own festive and whimsical hats.  The hats are made from paper sacks and decorated with paint, feathers, beads and fun, flashy festoons.

The Super Duper Mini Chefs, a free culinary event for kids will be at Firewheel Town Center in the Park from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Hosted by the Simon Kidgits Club, Super Duper Mini Chefs combines demonstrations with hands-on activities that encourage kids to have fun and get creative while learning about food, preparation and manners.

During the event, pint-sized chefs can pick up a food-friendly activity sheet provided by A Kid’s Life!, which encourages learning, discovery and self esteem through games, music and other activities available in an ad-free and secure online environment.  Kids will also receive a free Strawberry Shortcake™ toy and coloring sheet with a special Strawberry Shortcake recipe, while supplies last.

At 9 p.m. spectacular fireworks will light up the night sky choreographed to an exciting arrangement of patriotic songs with KLTY 94.9 FM.

In addition, Four Seasons Farmers Market will offer a great variety of local foods, produce and local arts and crafts.  Some of the popular local favorites will include Ain’t No Mo Butter Cakes, Brisket Heaven, Cupcake Crazee, Dallas Spice Market, Gourmet Roasters Coffee Co., Heddin Family Farms, the Joy Farm, JuHa Rach, Little John’s Plants and Produce, Lucidos Pasta, Magnolia Seafood, Mill Creek Farms, Miss Ellie’s Gourmet, Nana’s Bananas, Natures Best Market, Round Rock Honey, Rowdy’s Produce and Plants, Sachse Heritage Farms, Sharla’s Sweets, Sunshine Hand Pies, Texas Honey Bee Guild, Truth Hill Farms, Walnut Creek Farm Texas, We Me Bread, Baskets and Quilts by Bless, Bella Rose Jewelry Designs, Hearts & More, HisGems, J & S Metalworks, Just a Stick, Ladybug Cottage, Paws Fur Treats, Purple Ranch Lavender Farm, Scribbles n Stitch, Terra Cotta Potts Stone Art and more! The celebration will feature many food favorites, arts and crafts, carnival fun and much more. 

Firewheel Town Center retailers and restaurants will join the fun by adding great summer sales, great restaurants and in-store events throughout the day.