Investment Issue
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April Can Be Taxing
April often brings one word to mind: taxes. For many of us, this season can feel overwhelming as we gather documents, meet with accountants, and focus on deadlines. While tax time demands our financial attention, it also offers something else. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how and where we are investing our energy, our resources, and ourselves.
Investment is not only about portfolios and returns. It is about the choices we make every day that shape our future. Yes, we want to make wise financial decisions for our families and our businesses. But true wealth also includes mental clarity, physical health, strong relationships, and a thriving community.
In this April Investment Issue, we are proud to feature local experts who share insight across a variety of topics. From financial planning and smart business strategies to wellness practices and personal development, these voices remind us that growth happens in many forms. Investing in yourself might look like meeting with a financial advisor, but it could also mean scheduling that overdue wellness appointment, committing to a fitness routine, or simply creating space to rest and reset.
Our local business leaders also understand that investment is about more than profit. It is about pouring back into the community, supporting one another, and building something sustainable for the next generation. When we choose to shop local, collaborate, and mentor others, we strengthen the economic and social fabric of our city.
This month, as you review spreadsheets and tax statements, I encourage you to pause and ask a bigger question. Are you investing in the life you truly want to build? Are you caring for your mental and physical health with the same intention you give your finances?
When we commit to investing in ourselves, our businesses, and our community, we create returns that extend far beyond April. We build resilience. We build opportunity. And together, we build a stronger future for everyone.
April 2026
PUBLISHER
Angi Burns | angi.burns@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Deborah Dove | debie.dove@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Valerie Merrick | valerie.merrick@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Kathy Moreno | kathy.moreno@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jennifer Dartez | jennifer.dartez@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Ashton Burns | ashton.burns@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITERS
Ayesha Durrani, Travis Hager, Deborah Dove, Fatima Durrani
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ty Harper Photography, Chris Bigenho Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Simon Trask, Amy Bailey, Angela Broockerd,
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Greg King, Mark Bishop, Matt Markel, Amy Bailey
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: Watters Creek was buzzing with energy during the “Allentine’s Day” Wine Walk, a daylong celebration of Allen’s 150th anniversary filled with scavenger hunt-style wine tastings, festive fun, and plenty of hometown pride. Mayor Baine Brooks popped a cork to kick off the festivities as city leaders and community members gathered to show their love for Allen. The event also benefitted the Allen Arts Alliance Photography courtesy of Matt Markel
A liate and Partner with The Franchise Consulting Company, a collection of professional franchise executives with decades of experience who collaborate to make these dreams a reality.
NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH
YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE FIND HOPE AT DIRECTION61:3
She was one day away from her eighteenth birthday and scared to death. Jazmine Goode was performing brilliantly in her senior year of high school, weeks from speaking at her graduation ceremony. She had been accepted to Texas Woman’s University, aspired to become a medical professional, and was hours away from homelessness—all because of a date on the calendar.
Jazmine—“Jaz” as she is affectionately known—was facing a deadline common to teens in the foster care system: “aging out.”
THE CRISIS OF AGING OUT
ARTICLE BY SIMON TRASK
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DIRECTION61:3
“Aging out” of foster care typically occurs when a teen turns 18 without being adopted or reunited with their biological family. Every year, tens of thousands of teenagers face the same fear as Jaz.
Without support systems, financial preparedness, and sometimes even basic documentation like a birth certificate or social security card, these teens are left hopeless. Aged-out teens commonly experience homelessness, trafficking, addiction, and incarceration.
According to the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI), over 20,000 youth age out of foster care across the nation each year. Typically there are over 1,000 per year in Texas alone.
A RENEWED HOPE
Thankfully, Jaz quickly found a new home at DIRECTION61:3.
This local organization serves youth ages 14-24 who have been in foster care. With houses in Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties, Jaz was able to join the program the day before she aged out.
Now Jaz is a senior at the University of North Texas, fully independent, and preparing for graduate school.
Despite qualifying for free tuition from Texas state-funded colleges, less than 3% of students who age out of foster care will earn a college degree in their lifetime according to the National Foster Youth Institute. Jaz is proof that with attentive love, invested support, and helpful guidance, youth aging out of foster care can defy the statistics in order to accomplish great things.
FROM A DREAM TO A NEIGHBORHOOD
DIRECTION61:3 began with one home and a hope to serve young adults who have aged out of foster care. Now there are seven homes across North Texas, with big plans to grow.
The organization also has a 4.7-acre development in the McKinney area called “The Farm” that will add another 19 homes to serve these young adults. They have already broken ground on the first two homes.
Dr. Myron Wilson, the founder and executive director of DIRECTION61:3, has had the joy of seeing real life change happen in this program.
“Our name is taken from Isaiah 61:3, which talks about serving people who are oppressed and helping them to find purpose in life,” Wilson says. “That is why we exist as an organization.”
“THRIVE” is DIRECTION61:3’s weekly life skills and discipleship programming. Residents gather to share a meal and hear from local volunteers who share their careers, skills, and tips for thriving in adulthood.
For the residents, THRIVE is all about building a foundation of skills and knowledge in a judgement-free and supportive family environment. There is also an overarching message of faith in Jesus Christ as the center to a fruitful life.
To discover more about what this organization is doing to help local youth and find ways to get involved, visit DIRECTION613.org or text “INFO” to 79613.
-Joanna
Fighting Hunger—One Bowl at a Time
EMPTY BOWLS MCKINNEY
ARTICLE BY DEBORAH DOVE | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARK BISHOP
Imagine live music drifting through the air, the irresistible aroma of savory soups, stews, and freshly made donuts wafting from every direction, tables lined with one-of-a-kind handmade bowls, and people coming together for the evening, united by something greater than themselves. That’s the magic of Empty Bowls McKinney’s annual event that brings art, community, and food together to fight hunger—one bowl at a time.
While Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists around the world to raise money for food-related charities, Empty Bowls McKinney’s event is unique. Instead of a limited-seating fundraiser, the entire community is invited to their festival-type
event held outdoors. The event—which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year—has typically been on the Square in Downtown McKinney, but courthouse renovations necessitated a new location, so this year’s event will be at Tupps Brewery on April 23rd from 6-8 p.m.
The $35 ticket entry price includes the attendee’s choice of a unique cereal-sized bowl to take home, live music by Pat Harrigan, and delicious food provided by local venders, including title sponsor Blount Fine Foods, Tupps Brewery, Bernard’s Gourmet Food, Hugs Café, Harvest at the Masonic, Rick’s Chophouse, Local Yocal, Patina Green, Donut NV, the Celt, and Hevnly Eats. Enjoy all types of food that fits in a bowl—soups, stews, mac and cheese, and crowd favorite donut holes.
“It’s like a mini Taste of McKinney,” says Becky Aly, Empty Bowls McKinney Co-Director and Vender Coordinator. “And we couldn’t do it without all our wonderful sponsors.”
However, the bowls themselves are the star of the show, with 1200-1500 to choose from, all donated by world-renowned artists, local artists, art students, and pottery hobbyists. Empty Bowls McKinney partners with Make Expressions, Jump into Art, and Glaze Ceramic Studio, who hold workshops leading up to the event for people who want to make or paint a bowl to donate (or keep). Walls of Clay in McKinney sells kits to paint pottery at home. Then there are the premier, upscale bowls—those crafted by professional artists—which are for sale in the Limited Edition tent and featured in a silent auction. Guests can also opt to buy one of only 65 Collector’s Club tickets, which provides early admission and access to the gallery, featuring the top artisan crafted bowls.
“We’re lucky that McKinney has such a big art community,” says Molly Jones, Empty Bowls McKinney Co-Director and Sponsorship Chair.
The take-home bowls are also a reminder that 12% of Collin County, including one in six children, face food insecurity. Each bowl contains a prayer card and quote from a past beneficiary that drives home the point that this is more than a fun event— it’s life-changing. All funds raised (typically over $80,000) support local organizations that address food insecurity, including the Community Garden Kitchen, McKinney Little Free Pantry, Samaritan Inn Food Pantry, and Community Food Pantry McKinney.
Visit emptybowlsmckinney.com for more information.
“Each bowl contains a prayer card and quote from a past beneficiary that drives home the point that this is more than a fun event—it’s life-changing.”
Raising Money-Smart Kids
TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY AT EVERY AGE
ARTICLE BY ANGI BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TY HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY
In a world of one-click purchases, digital wallets, and instant gratification, teaching children the value of money is more important than ever. Financial literacy is not just about dollars and cents. It is about responsibility, discipline, confidence, and long-term security. When we start early and build intentionally, we give the next generation one of the greatest gifts possible: financial independence and opportunity.
Financial stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety in adulthood. When we teach children how to earn, save, invest, and spend wisely, we give them more than knowledge. We give them confidence and freedom.
Here is how to teach money skills at every stage, from preschool to young adulthood.
EARLY CHILDHOOD (AGES 3–7): BUILD THE FOUNDATION
Young children learn best through play, visuals, and repetition. At this stage, focus on helping them understand that money is earned and choices matter.
• Use clear jars labeled Save, Spend, and Give so they can see money grow.
• Divide birthday money or small allowances into the jars together.
• Read age-appropriate books about earning and saving.
• Play simple money-themed games like Monopoly Junior.
• Offer paid “extra jobs” beyond regular chores to connect effort with income.
Lesson: When children see that money is earned and managed, they begin building healthy financial habits early.
ELEMENTARY YEARS (AGES 8–12): TEACH PLANNING AND PATIENCE
As children mature, they are ready to set goals and practice delayed gratification.
• Tie allowance to a simple budget that includes saving and spending.
• Help them save for a specific goal instead of buying items for them.
• Encourage small business ventures like lemonade stands, lawn care, craft sales, pet sitting, or Girl Scout cookie sales.
• Review earnings together and discuss profit, spending, and saving.
• Open a savings account to introduce the concept of earning interest.
Lesson: Learning to plan, save, and earn builds patience, confidence, and decision-making skills.
TEENAGE YEARS (AGES 13–18): PRACTICE REAL-WORLD RESPONSIBILITY
The teen years are when financial habits begin to solidify and independence increases.
• Encourage a part-time job to teach time management and responsibility.
• Review pay stubs together and explain taxes and deductions.
• Create a simple monthly budget that includes saving a percentage of income.
• Introduce compound interest and basic investing concepts.
• Discuss college costs, scholarships, savings plans, and student loan realities.
Lesson: Financial choices made during the teen years can shape long-term freedom and opportunity.
YOUNG ADULTS (AGES
18–25):
BUILD INDEPENDENCE AND STRATEGY
As young adults enter college or the workforce, financial decisions carry real consequences.
• Teach responsible credit card use and the importance of paying balances in full.
• Explain credit scores and how they impact renting, car loans, and future borrowing.
• Encourage building an emergency fund with several months of expenses.
• Promote living within their means and avoiding lifestyle inflation.
• Start retirement savings early through employer plans or individual accounts.
Lesson: Intentional financial planning in early adulthood creates long-term stability and wealth-building potential. By modeling healthy financial habits, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking, and creating opportunities to practice money management at every age, we set the next generation up not just to survive financially, but to thrive.
“When we start early and build intentionally, we give the next generation one of the greatest gifts possible: financial independence and opportunity.”
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FRANCHISING
Outside the BOX
IT’S NOT MAGIC. IT’S STRUCTURING YOUR INVESTMENT SO YOUR MONEY WORKS HARDER THAN YOU DO.
Investing. Like it or not, if you truly wish to get ahead in this day and age, you need multiple revenue streams. One great option is franchising. Not franchising in the typical sense but absentee or semi-absentee franchising.
For many, the first image that comes to mind when you say “franchise” is a golden-arched restaurant or a stretch of identical coffee shops. That’s franchising in its most familiar, hands-on form—a business where you’re involved daily in operations. But there’s another side to franchising that’s increasingly attractive: businesses you own and oversee without running them dayto-day. This category splits into absentee and semi-absentee ownership.
STRUCTURING YOUR INVESTMENT SO YOUR MONEY WORKS HARDER THAN YOU DO
Absentee franchising means you hire a manager or team to run your business entirely. You’re the owner on paper, and strategic decisions still fall to you, but your daily time commitment can be limited. Semi-absentee ownership is a middle ground. You might be involved evenings or weekends, or focus on planning, staffing, and customer experience while others handle operations. Both models can transform a solid investment into a reliable secondary income stream without consuming your whole life.
Imagine this: by day you work your regular job, at night and on weekends you check in with your business dashboard, meet your manager once or twice a week, and gradually watch revenue grow. It’s not magic. It’s structuring your investment so your money works harder than you do.
Franchising stands apart from starting a business from scratch. A franchise gives you a proven business model, established branding, and ongoing support from the franchisor. Instead of building everything from nothing, you step into a system that has been tested and refined. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it dramatically shortens the learning curve, and for many investors, that’s invaluable.
For someone seeking smart financial diversification, especially if you’re already juggling a career, freelancing, or entrepreneurial ambitions, this approach can fit a unique lifestyle. You get the benefits of ownership—potential growth, equity buildup, community recognition—without full operational burnout.
That’s where an experienced guide like Rudy Frederico can make all the difference. The Franchise Consulting Company
isn’t a franchise itself but a resource for people exploring these opportunities. Frederico has spent more than three decades in franchising and has helped hundreds of people identify and secure the right franchise that matches their goals, interests, and budgets.
Through a pleasant phone call, you’ll find guidance that goes beyond buzzwords. Rudy and his team help demystify the process, from understanding what a franchise really is to discussing financing, training, and the realities of running a franchised business. His experience and process can ease early challenges for new owners.
The real genius of absentee or semi-absentee franchising comes down to leverage. You’re using a proven system, a team you trust, and your own vision to build a business that doesn’t require your every waking hour. It’s not effortless, and smart investors will still take time to learn the industry, understand their contracts, and choose the right fit.
Franchising isn’t a guarantee of wealth. But for those willing to understand the business, put in thoughtful effort up front, and trust a proven system, it can become a cornerstone of a diversified economic future.
If you’re curious about how to make franchising work for you—whether as a semi-absentee revenue stream or a longer-term investment pillar—start by learning the language of franchising, know what to expect, and work with experts who know the terrain. Rudy can be reached by email rudy@thefranchiseconsultingcompany. com or phone at (214) 725-4867.
Business Protection Essentials
The Legal Pillars Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Launching a business is a huge milestone. Business owners know how much blood, sweat, and tears go into a business’s formation, and into its maintenance too. But what many don’t stop to think about is how to safeguard it for the long haul.
Investing in business protection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s world of disinformation, heightened litigation, and fraud.
At its core, business protection is built on several foundational pillars, including entity structure, tax strategy, contracts, and insurance coverage. Together, these elements form a comprehensive framework designed to preserve assets and minimize risk.
“A business must be structured correctly from the beginning,” says Carolyn Northcutt, founder of Allen Texas Attorneys, senior attorney managing member, CPA, and real estate broker. “For example, a real estate investor may benefit from a Series LLC, which helps shield individual properties from liabilities associated with others. In other cases, an S Corporation or C Corporation may be the more appropriate choice.”
Business structure and taxation are closely intertwined, Northcutt explains. “Entrepreneurs should never pay more tax than legally required. I’ve seen situations where a business owner formed an LLC
with the advice of a CPA but didn’t make the proper tax election and ended up paying significantly more than necessary.”
Contracts and insurance are other elements that complete the framework. “Strong contracts are a proactive measure which can prevent disputes before they arise,” Northcutt adds. “Insurance then serves as another layer, ensuring the business is protected with the correct type of policy, especially if the unexpected occurs.”
These risk mitigation elements double as business strategies that concurrently act as layers of protection. While applying all of these layers are especially beneficial for high-net-worth individuals, an attorney can help discern which of the layers are relevant to you if you’re a solo entrepreneur or a mom-and-pop shop as well.
Protecting your business through estate planning is an important consideration too. “A critical question many owners overlook is what happens to the business if something happens to them,” says attorney Kayla Smith Wood. “Who is authorized to run the business if you’re incapacitated, and who ultimately inherits the ownership of the business, are two separate considerations. Both must be clearly addressed in business documents and estate plans.”
“Investing in business protection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s world of disinformation, heightened litigation, and fraud.”
Understanding how estate planning may change in the future, especially with legislation that is constantly moving, is a niche that an attorney can help with. For example, after Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill emerged, changes surfaced on how much inheritance parents can pass on to their children. The bill increased the dollar amount of inheritance that is exempt from federal estate tax to $15 million per person, and $30 million for a married couple.
Most consumers don’t consider how this might play out in their succession planning and long-term business preservation. While no one has a crystal ball, consulting with an attorney can help to anticipate risks that are coming over the horizon.
Educating clients on these pillars, and the benefits of business continuity planning, is increasingly important—and even more so in the age of AI.
“Using AI to write your own will without the correct parameters and clauses and without legal consult can lead to tragedy,” Northcutt reflects.
“AI simply cannot replace the human element and that eye-to-eye contact between an attorney and their client,” Wood adds.
Many consumers pursue the AI avenue because it’s free. But what value are you really getting in return? Similarly, choosing an attorney solely because of a free consultation or the lowest fee can be shortsighted. Wood and Northcutt recommend “shopping around” and meeting with multiple local attorneys to better understand their fee structures.
Another reason to shop around is to gauge how collaborative an attorney may be. For example, a particular red flag, they note, is when attorneys consistently position themselves as executors only for high-networth estates. “If a client absolutely does not have a trusted individual or family member to act as their executor, then it may be appropriate for the attorney to be assigned as the executor,” Northcutt explains.
“AI simply cannot replace the human element and that eye-to-eye contact between an attorney and their client,” Wood adds.
It’s obvious that selecting the right legal partner isn’t always a straightforward process. Seeking referrals, reading client reviews, and meeting with the attorney directly during the initial consultation (in lieu of a paralegal or admin) are critical too.
“The one thing that’s nonnegotiable for me is that an attorney is both knowledgeable and approachable and is someone who I can see myself building a relationship with,” adds Wood.
“For me, an attorney who can explain everything in the estate plan or business document without throwing around big, complex legal terms, or make you feel like you can’t ask questions, is key,” says Northcutt.
Don’t take shortcuts when it comes to protecting your business. For more information, contact Allen Texas Attorneys at 80 E. McDermott Drive, Allen, TX 75002, (972) 390-1608, or at allentexasattorney.com.
ARTICLE
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN COST YOU
BY DEBORAH DOVE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER BIGENHO PHOTOGRAPHY
EXPERT STRATEGIES FOR MAXIMIZING DEDUCTIONS, AVOIDING COSTLY MISTAKES, AND PROTECTING YOUR WEALTH
While we invest in many things in our lives—our families, careers, hobbies, and causes we believe in—our financial investments are what make those possible. Saving money, and investing it wisely, helps us achieve financial independence, provides a safety net for emergencies, and enables us to reach major life goals like buying a home, traveling, or retiring. However, it’s easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools for building wealth: maximizing tax savings to boost our financial investments. When tax strategy is aligned with investment planning, the result isn’t just lower tax bills but stronger, more sustainable long-term growth.
However, as the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” and many individuals and small business owners end up paying more taxes than necessary because they don’t understand how tax planning can work in tandem with their investments, or that taxes can even erode investment returns if not managed proactively.
PLANNING AHEAD MATTERS
Hiring a professional CPA who’s also a financial advisor can make a huge impact, because tax planning must be proactive instead of reactive. That’s why Henry Harris—a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Financial Advisor, and partner at Altland & Harris Financial Group, Inc. for the past 17 years—recommends meeting with a professional quarterly. “I have a lot of knowledge about strategies to mitigate my clients’ tax exposure, but I can only apply it if I see them more often than once a year in April,” he says. “More frequent consultations reduce anxiety and can draw attention to things that might need to be addressed from an operational basis to achieve a better result.”
For example, if a client has cashed in on capitals gains, with advance planning, Harris can look for areas of loss to offset the tax implications. Similarly, if a client is selling real estate, would
a 1031 exchange—which allows real estate investors to sell a property, reinvest the proceeds in a new “like-kind” property, and defer paying capital gains taxes—be a good idea? Or perhaps a small business’s current entity structure needs to be reevaluated to ensure it’s the most beneficial for tax purposes. Additionally, “there are no surprises about tax outcomes,” Harris says.
TAX PLANNING VERSUS FINANCIAL PLANNING
According to Harris, tax planning and financial planning are complementary and work in tandem, so being both a certified public accountant and a financial advisor allows him to have a greater impact when helping his clients. “A CPA alone can’t make certain investment recommendations, and a financial advisor alone can’t make certain tax recommendations, so getting licenses in both areas gives me more freedom to advise clients. Now I can say ‘Here’s what you should do, and I can do it,’” he says.
Above and beyond simple tax return preparation, a CPA and financial advisor like Harris can help clients: avoid missed deductions, inefficient investment placement, or tax-inefficient strategies; review a clients’ accounting books and tax returns to identify misclassifications and missed opportunities for tax savings; set up retirement plans for small businesses and provide options for them to contribute to a retirement plan and reduce their taxable income; make suggestions for the best and most beneficial entity structure for tax purposes; social security planning; and much more.“Little things can make a big difference,” Harris says. He adds that Altland & Harris now offers quarterly seminars on social security planning for retirement with representatives from Medicare and Social Security to better serve their clients.
TAX TIME TIPS
As tax season rolls around, Harris offers the following tips and tricks for those looking to maximize their tax savings:
1. Meet with your CPA/financial advisor quarterly to ensure you haven’t missed tax savings and address potential tax liabilities early.
2. Small business owners should make sure their books are up-todate and include all business assets. For example, if the business records a $5,000 down payment on an $80,000 work vehicle, the accounting should also reflect the vehicle as a business asset.
3. If anything in your life has changed—you’ve bought or sold a property, received an inheritance, etc.—tell your CPA/financial advisor.
4. Consider integrating business planning with retirement planning to take full advantage of free money and/or tax strategies.
For more information, email marion.harris@altlandharris.com, call (972) 731-5050, or visit 5600 Tennyson Pkwy Ste 115, Plano, TX 75024.
All Securities Through Money Concepts Capital Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC Investments are not FDIC or NCUA Insured Disclosure May Lose Value – No Bank or Credit Union Guarantee. Money Concepts Advisory Service is a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC All Non Securities and Non Advisory Products Through Money Concepts International, Inc. Altland and Harris Financial Group, Inc. is an independent firm not affiliated with Money Concepts Capital Corp.
Where Art and Community Thrive
Allen Arts Alliance Nurtures Creativity, Connection, and Lifelong Artistic Growth
Investing in the local arts is about more than just nurturing creativity; it also brings about social, cultural, and economic benefits that directly enrich a community. The Allen Arts Alliance, a dedicated nonprofit organization founded in 2006, was established with this mission in mind. Located in Watters Creek, it features a vibrant gallery that showcases local talent alongside local events. The alliance pursues its goals through several key initiatives, including arts literacy programs, community outreach, scholarship opportunities, festivals and events, and educational workshops. Central to the Allen Arts Alliance’s work is a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, ensuring that everyone has access to the transformative power of the arts.
Supporting local arts offers a multitude of benefits. Economically, local art businesses fuel Allen’s growth and vitality. For youth, participation in the arts helps develop essential skills such as discipline, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. Numerous studies have shown that the arts can provide therapeutic benefits, including promoting mental health, reducing stress, and offering a vital outlet for personal expression, benefits that strengthen and enrich the entire community.
Moreover, the arts play a vital role in enriching Allen’s community by fostering social connections, bringing people together, and encouraging collaboration among residents.
ARTICLE BY AYESHA DURRANI
Allen Arts Alliance facilitates this by partnering with local civic and community organizations, such as the Allen Quilters Guild, Lovejoy ISD’s Performing and Visual Arts programs, the Note-Ably North Texas Chorus, Allen Contemporary Theatre, the Allen Heritage Guild, the City of Allen, the Allen Civic Ballet, the Visual Arts League of Allen, Friends of the Allen Public Library, Allen ISD's Performing and Visual Arts Programs, and the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Chorus.
“Generally speaking, creative thinkers are often open to new experiences and can adapt their thinking to explore and refine ideas. Engaging in creative processes often involves a sense of play and experimentation where mistakes are embraced and give opportunity for growth,” explains the executive director of the Allen Arts Alliance. This insight reminds us how valuable creativity is to personal development and the importance of encouraging it more within society.
The Allen Arts Alliance hosts a diverse range of exciting events, including workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, and musical performances. They also organized the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for high school students, where the firstplace winner earns a year-long display of their artwork in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the Alliance offers six-week-long classes, particularly designed for ages 8-14, that are affordably priced. Courses such as Adventures in Painting and Little Bit of Everything are perfect for beginners or intermediate artists. These classes focus on various mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, pastel, marker, ink, pencil, and collage, with an emphasis on practicing portrait anatomy. Another engaging class, Altered/Recycled Art,
encourages students to explore creativity by transforming every day, ordinary objects into captivating three-dimensional artworks.
One of the Allen Arts Alliance’s most anticipated highlights is the Allen Arts Festival, returning for its 18th year this May, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, from May 8-10. Hosted on the scenic grounds of Watters Creek Village, this lively festival features regional and national artists and craftsmen showcasing their talents across various mediums.
Visitors can explore displays of paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, metalworks, glassworks, and more. Live performances by musicians, dancers, and theatrical groups will fill the air with energy and entertainment. There will also be hands-on activities suitable for all ages, making it a fun, family-friendly event that offers a perfect outing for community members of every age.
To learn more about this exciting festival or the Allen Arts Alliance, visit allenartsalliance.org/ or call 972-727-7272.
Summer tutoring packages focused on PK-7 graders th Catch up or get ahead!
Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL
An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.
Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.
A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.
Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?
A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.
Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?
A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.
Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?
A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.
“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”
Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?
A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”
Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.
This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.
for the exclusive reveal and more with Tim Tebow unfiltered.
the first time ever, Tim shares the inspiration behind a project he’s been holding close to his heart.
Redefining MVP
FEATURING TIM TEBOW
SATURDAYS IN APRIL
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
Concerts by The Creek - Spring Series
Watters Creek Village Green: 970 Garden Park Dr., Allen, TX 75013 | 7:00 PM
Settle in on the Village Green for an open-air evening of live music and effortless alfresco dining. Pick up curated bites from on-site restaurants and enjoy a relaxed, first-come setting as local bands create the perfect soundtrack under the stars. Please note that outside food or drink is not allowed. Plan your evening by visiting www.watterscreek.com/event/35319-concerts-by-the-creek
APRIL 1ST - 4TH
Easter Bunny Photo Op!
Watters Creek Village, next to Hindy House: 970 Garden Park Dr., Allen, TX 75013
Create a picture-perfect spring memory with a visit to the Easter Bunny in a beautifully styled setting designed in partnership with Allen High School’s CTE programs. Thoughtful details in floral, interior, and graphic design elevate the experience into a charming seasonal keepsake. Book your reservation with The Easter Bunny at www.amusemattebookbunny.com/watters-creek.
APRIL 9TH - 10TH
Elke’s Wine Club
Elke’s Market Café: 105 N Greenville Ave. Ste. 11, Allen TX 75002
Discover new favorites at an inviting monthly tasting where expertly selected wines take center stage. Enjoy thoughtfully paired bites, optional chef-driven dinners, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for conversation and connection. Members receive curated bottles and exclusive perks, while guests are always welcome. Visit the website to learn more and join the experience. Contact Elke's for details at 214-495-0200.
APRIL 19TH
Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves
Credit Union of Texas Event Center: 200 E Stacy Rd., #1350, Allen, TX 75002 | 2:00 PM
Step into a lively, music-filled celebration as Elmo and friends take the stage for an interactive adventure packed with dancing, laughter, and high-energy fun. This joyful production brings beloved Sesame Street characters to life in a performance designed to delight audiences of every generation. Buy tickets at www.cutxeventcenter.com.
APRIL 23RD
Voices of Allen
Allen Library Civic Auditorium: 300 N Allen Dr., Allen, TX 75013 | 7:30 PM
As part of Allen’s 150th celebration, this powerful panel brings together African Americans who grew up in Allen during the 1960s through 80s, sharing personal reflections on family, education, opportunity, and change as the city evolved. Experience an intimate look at history through lived stories. View the City of Allen event's calendar to learn more.
APRIL 25TH
Allen 150 Fest
100 E Main St., Allen, TX 75002 | 3:00 PM
Downtown Allen transforms into a vibrant citywide celebration honoring 150 years of community spirit, heritage, and progress. Enjoy live music across multiple stages, artisan showcases, culinary favorites, family-friendly entertainment, and a spectacular drone finale. This one-time celebration promises unforgettable energy and connection. Visit the website to learn more and plan your experience. Learn more at www.allen150.org.
S
P A G H E T T I
P O M O D O R O
BY AMY BAILEY
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Enjoy this simple, flavorful food for the soul. ‘Pomodoro’ means tomato in Italian, and that’s what this dish is - a fresh tomato sauce with basil, garlic, onion, and olive oil.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely diced or minced
• 1 lb fresh tomatoes, halved or chopped (I use garden cherry tomatoes if in season or Roma tomatoes are a good choice)
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 basil sprigs, divided
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1 cup Parmesan, finely grated, divided
• 1 Tbsp butter
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat medium-size Dutch Oven or large skillet over medium heat then add extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. Once hot, add chopped onion then saute until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add fresh garlic and saute until golden but not brown, another 30 seconds.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan with a pinch of sugar then simmer on medium-low for 20-25 minutes. Stir and press the tomatoes against the bottom and sides of the pan to make saucier. If sauce begins to pop too much, turn down even further. (If sauce starts to thicken too much add pasta water as needed.)
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta and season generously with salt.
4. When sauce is almost ready, add fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces, plus butter, remaining salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Add more salt to taste if needed.
5. Cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente then transfer it to the sauce pot with tongs to finish cooking directly in the sauce. Add splashes of pasta water if needed to cook pasta all the way and to keep it saucy.
6. Toss pasta and sauce with 1/2 Parmesan cheese. Serve in pasta bowls and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Garnish with fresh basil.
