Week 6

Hey North Dallas!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Can we talk about this weather though? It got actually kind of COLD this week. Bundle up when you're out there, and be careful on the roads if temps drop even more. Ice is no joke, especially this time of year when nobody's ready for it yet.

Now we're in the thick of holiday season. Decorations are going up, lights are everywhere, and there's actually stuff to do around here. Let's get into it.

Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center Grand Reopening on Thursday, Dec 4 at 6pm (5801 W. Parker Road, Plano). Check out the newly renovated facility. Attendees get free access immediately following the ribbon cutting. Regular operations resume Friday, Dec 5 at 5am. Visit plano.gov/recmemberships for membership info.

Art & Wine Walk in Downtown Plano on Thursday, Dec 4 from 6 to 9:30pm at McCall Plaza. 10+ wine stops, live music, DJ sets, local artists, and interactive stations designed to engage all five senses. Dress code is "bright, sweet, and whimsical… your outfit should look good enough to eat." Ages 21+ only, IDs checked at check in. Tickets are $20.

Plano Winter-Spring 2026 Registration opens Saturday, Dec 6 at 8am for Plano residents (Monday, Dec 8 at 5am for everyone else). Dance, painting, computer skills, fitness classes, and spring break camps available.

Bag of Books Sale at Haggard Library from Dec 6-14. Buy a brown bag for $10 (cash or QR code) and fill it with used books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, and more. Volunteers restock daily. All proceeds benefit Plano Library Friends.

Job Resource Connection on Monday, Dec 8 from 6:30 to 8pm at Harrington Library (1501 18th Street). If you've been laid off recently, this is a great opportunity! Bi weekly skill building workshops led by professionals. Network, learn new skills, and get support during your job search. Future sessions on Jan 12, 26, Feb 9, 23, Mar 9, 23, Apr 6, 20. Free.

Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec 6 from 8am to noon at The Grove at Frisco Commons (8300 McKinney Rd). Cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, bacon, biscuits with gravy, hash brown casserole, and fruit. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Bring your camera. No strollers, highchairs, or refunds.

Book Page Christmas Trees on Wednesday, Dec 4 from 6 to 7:30pm at Lewisville Public Library (1197 W Main Street, Corner Classroom). Transform old book pages into charming decorations. Adults only. Registration required (just one session per person).

Cold Moon Night Hike on Wednesday, Dec 4 from 7 to 9pm at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (201 E. Jones Street). Trek along LLELA's trails and enjoy the "Cold Moon" full moon. $15 per person, ages 5 and up. Registration required (opens Nov 6, closes Dec 3).

Will Hearn's Grand Ol' Christmas Show on Friday, Dec 6 at 7:30pm at Lewisville Grand Theater (100 N. Charles St). Live from the Grand Ol' Radio Network on 1225 AM, NOEL Radio. Features Dalton Flake, Dirty River Jazz Band, Blue Water Highway, and the NOEL Radio Orchestra and Gospel Singers. Raucous retro radio show with festive Christmas classics and sketch comedy. Tickets are $60 for table seating (must purchase all four seats) or $40 for reserved seating.

You Can Paint: "Santa's Hat" on Friday, Dec 5 from 10am to 12:45pm at McKinney Senior Recreation Center (1400 S. College St). Learn color mixing, brushstrokes, and perspective while completing a detailed work of art. Instructor provides all supplies. Registration required by Dec 3. Call 972-547-7491. $16 for members, $22 for non members, plus $20 supply fee paid to instructor day of event (cash or check).

A Texas Bluesmen Christmas on Friday, Dec 5 from 7:30 to 9pm at McKinney Courtroom Theater (111 N. Tennessee St). Nine piece band tribute to The Blues Brothers featuring special guest Jade Nicol. They've appeared with Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi and have played 500+ shows since 2018. Tickets are $30.

Blind Nello Records Company Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec 6 from 7 to 10:30pm at McKinney Courtroom Theater (111 N. Tennessee St). Texas/Americana singer songwriters Max & Heather Stalling, Mark David Manders, Houston Marchman, and Kevin Deal tell stories and sing songs. 12th year these longtime friends have shared this stage. Tickets are $32, general admission.

Santa on the Square on Saturday, Dec 6 from 4 to 8pm in Historic Downtown Carrollton. Santa and his reindeer will help light up the Square. Live reindeer, toy soldiers, crafts, and more. Visit local businesses for gifts.

Hotel Revenue Reaches New Records: McKinney brought in more than $3.3 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, exceeding last year by roughly $200,000. The 6.7% increase reflects steady rise in overnight stays from leisure travelers, business groups, and event attendees.

Texas Health McKinney Hospital Coming: A Texas Health hospital is in the planning stages for northeast McKinney. City documents show project representatives presented two zoning change requests to allow a 12 story hospital named Texas Health McKinney at the northwest corner of Central Expressway and Laud Howell Parkway. The two sites total 68 acres.

New Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary Licenses: The Texas Department of Public Safety plans to issue nine new medicinal marijuana dispensary licenses this month, growing the Texas Compassionate Use Program from three providers to 12 statewide. Changes accompany HB 46, which expands conditions, raises THC limits, and introduces new application methods like patches, lotions, and inhalable devices.

Lewisville TV Shoot Road Closure Pushed to 2026: The City of Lewisville previously announced a production crew would be shooting scenes for a TV show on Thursday, Dec 4. That's been pushed back to 2026. When it does happen, both directions of SH 121 Business between Forestbrook Drive and Vista Ridge Mall Drive will be closed, along with traffic on Round Grove Road and Denton Tap Road. Detour routes will be marked.

Frisco Disables Emergency Alert System After Cyber Attack: Frisco's CodeRED alert system has been taken offline following a cyber attack that exposed user data. City officials are advising residents to change reused passwords immediately, as the compromised data may impact other personal or business accounts. The breach is part of a wider cybersecurity event impacting jurisdictions nationwide.

Pizza O' Pizza opened this fall at 25691 Smotherman Road Ste 180, Frisco. Classic pizzas like Margherita, vegetarian, four cheese, and pepperoni. Fusion pizzas include tandoori, tikka, butter chicken, and palak corn. Other menu items include jalapeno poppers, fettuccine alfredo, wings, chicken tenders, and various boba teas.

Jashan Opens in Plano: An upscale new Indian restaurant showcasing dishes from multiple regions of India is now open at 7401 Lone Star Dr B120 in Legacy North (former Farm + Feed space).

HVAC Contractor Forum Coming to Frisco: A year out but the new HVAC Contractor Forum will take place November 2-4, 2026 in Frisco. A new live event tailored specifically for residential HVAC contractors featuring peer to peer learning, structured dialogue, and technical case sessions.

Morgan Village Retail Center Approved: Plano's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a concept plan for Morgan Village Retail Center on Dec 1 after the original approval expired in October. The proposed retail center sits on 2.6 acres at the northeast corner of Ohio Drive and McDermott Road.

Market Street U Can Share Fundraiser: Market Street launched its annual U Can Share fundraising campaign to support the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank. Campaign runs through Dec 12. Customers can donate any dollar amount at checkout.

SMU lost to Cal 38-35 in their final regular season game, finishing 8-4 overall. They missed out on the ACC Championship game but will find out their bowl destination on Selection Sunday, Dec 7. Still a solid second season in for the Mustangs.

North Texas is playing in the AAC Championship game! The Mean Green are 11-1 (7-1 in conference) and ranked #21 in the AP Poll. They face #22 Tulane in New Orleans on Friday, Dec 5 at 8pm (ABC). Win and they may be headed to the College Football Playoff. Big news: UNT head coach Eric Morris left to become Oklahoma State's head coach, and the school hired former West Virginia coach Neal Brown as the 21st head coach in UNT football history.

The Cowboys are on a roll as they beat the Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Dallas improves to 6-5-1 and stays alive in the playoff race. They play in Detroit on Thursday at 7:15pm.

The Mavs are 7-15 after splitting games this week. They host Houston in Dallas on Saturday.

The Stars went 2-1 this week and sit at 17-5-5. Home games this week vs San Jose on Friday and Pittsburgh on Sunday. They're in good position in the Central Division heading into the thick of the season.

That's it for this week. Happy holidays and stay warm out there!

-Your Neighbor

P.s did I miss anything? Anything that MUST be on next week's edition? Let me know by replying to this email. I actually read them.