The Front Porch

July 2026

Hey Neighbor!

Wow! That's all I can say about Allen USA last Saturday. If you missed it or want to relive it, be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes video on the City's Facebook page, and take a look at this photo montage from an unforgettable evening. It was truly a celebration to remember! Mark your calendar now for next year's celebration on Saturday, June 26, 2027. No excuses!

July Highlights:

4- Allen Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus 8 pm

8-11 - National Junior & Youth Golden Gloves Tournament

17 & 19 - National Ice Cream Day events

Look at the calendar below for details.

Warmly,

Linda Munson

lmunson@housewarmersusa.com

Call/text 214.642.4301

Don't miss out.....load the whole newsletter until you see "The End"!

'Like' Housewarmers of Allen on Facebook to stay connected or bookmark www.Housewarmersallen.com for quick access to local businesses and information.

We love 5-star reviews on Google. Click here to show appreciation for our connection.

Too hot to let your pup outside? Tired of them tearing through the house while you're working or tearing up the pillows while you're at the office? Send them to Doggie Daycare at K9 Resorts where they'll make friends and have fun. Summer Camp is going on now. Here's a video from Summer Camp Week 2. Week 3 is Nosework Games. Make your reservations NOW! (469) 702-8925 !

Multilingual staff! English, Spanish, Korean, and Farsi spoken.

Click to Make an Appointment

E-bike v E-motorcycles from Allen Police Department

There has been a lot of discussion about ebikes and emotorcycles on local streets and trails. The Allen Police Department has provided great information for the community. Know before you buy one of these cycles.

Allen Police

A great explanation video is at the bottom of the article. 51 seconds that could save a life. Ride Safe, Ride Legal!

The Community!

A Short History of Allen

City of Allen New Resident essential links: Welcome

City of Allen Bark Yard - off-leash dog park.

Obtain a Library card

Collin County Rides for seniors & residents with disabilities

Silver Eagles - 55+ Make friends and assist the school district

Join the Senior Center (60+) - Center Link Newsletter

Senior Trash Discount Applications - 65+ Allen residents, Fairview

Residential waste disposal for Allen, Fairview, Parker, Lucas

Household Hazardous Waste disposal

FEMA Bad Weather Guides

Parker Home Watch - Parker residents: go on vacation and have your home monitored by the police

Lucas Seed Library - share seeds for/from your garden at Lucas City Hall

Allen Seed Library - upstairs at the Allen Pubic Library

Allen trails: Map - 100 miles +! Congratulations Allen!

City of Allen Water Conservation - Find My Watering Day

City of Lucas - Find My Watering Day

Project HOME - register endangered residents

Voter Registration Information

Schedule a tour of this certified boarding facility and see why it's the number-one choice for pet care in the industry and Collin County!

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Schedule Fido's Summer Vacation and Day Camp Adventures Now! These are high boarding times. Reserve a spot now!

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View the all-inclusive packages and pricing options online or call (469) 702-8925 !

Follow on Facebook and Instagram to get your daily dose of puppy fun. So cute!

Local July Activities

LIFE in Allen - local activities/classes through Parks & Rec

Allen Library

Lucas Alerts - text LUCAS to 88877

Community Resources - food, shelter, transportation, mental health, AA, business support

McKinney Farmers Market - Chestnut Square - Every Saturday 8 am - 12 pm

Allen Arts Alliance

Fiber Friends of Allen - a local group of handcraft enthusiasts - meets up on Thursday morning & evening to work on individual projects in a social setting. Join the group on FB for locations & times.

Allen Contemporary Theater

AISD School Calendar

AISD New Families

CUTX Allen Americans Suites & Club Seats - Randell Holmes

Rholmes@cutxeventcenter.com - 972-912-1077

Events.AllenTX.gov - a new hub for everything happening in Allen

Frisco RoughRiders Schedule

1 - Happy 250th Birthday, America! 3 pm Allen Public Library - age 5+ crafts, games, fun

Stars & Strikes Softball Men's Tournament- 7 pm - Spirit Park
Fabric Note Cards - 7 pm - Allen Public Library - pgm rm C - Free

1 - 10 - Foster Friends annual shoe drive through Town of Fairview - drop new shoes at City Hall

2 - Celebrate USA 250 - 7:30 pm - Allen Public Library

3 & 4 - Library Closed for Independence Day!

4 - Independence Day! Happy 250th Birthday USA!

Red White & Boom - McKinney Hometown Parade & Block Party 10 am
Allen Philharmonic 8 pm - Watters Creek
All American 4th - Plano 6 pm - Fireworks at 9:30 pm -Jupiter & Spring Creek

5 - Adult LitBox Registration Begins - Library - until July 11 - Theme is Hidden Gems!

6 - Week 7 camps begin

Shark Party - 10:30 am - Library - celebrate Shark Week
Books & Brews - monthly book club- 7 pm - Brass Tap

7- Public Art Committee - 5 pm

Escape the Lab - 6:30 pm - solve puzzles & escape - age 12+

8 - Tales & Textiles - 7 pm - Library - bring a book & your creative project

8 - 11 - Golden Glove Tournament @ CUTX Event Center

8 - 28 - Register to Paint with Jennifer Seibert on July 29

9 - Pasta Paleontology - 3 pm - Library

Dinosaur Films & Lore: Part 2 - 6pm - Library

11 - 7-11 Slurpee Day - all 7-11 's giving out small slurpees for the Big 6-0!

Audio Adventures - 8 am - Library & Trail walking
Allen Depot - 10 am - interactive history of Allen
Lucas Farmers Market - Picnic in the Park 8 am -12 pm -Lucas Community Park
Family Fun Days: Summer Field Day - 9 am

12 - Take flight with Drones - 3 pm - Library - hands-on

13 - Monday Night Chess - 7 pm - Library

14 - Summer Movie - How to Train Your Dragon - 2:30 pm - Library

15 - Lucky Duck Kids Club - 10 am - Barnes & Noble - 988 Village Green

Mike the Magician - 2:30 & 3:45 - Library

16 - Summer History Workshop - Food & Recipes - 10 am - Allen Heritage Center - ages 8-13

17 - National Ice Cream Day - Taste Testers requested - 2:30 pm - Library - Free

18 - Allen Station Garage Sale - 7am - 12 pm - The Edge

Hobby Hop: Get the scoop on soap! 3 pm - Library - Free
Mystery dinner - Swingin' Suspicion at the USO Dance 7 pm - Senior Rec Center

19 - National Ice Cream Day Social - 2 pm - Allen Heritage Village

Know & Grow: Wildflowers in Texas - 2:30 pm - Library

20 - Fire Extinguisher Training - 6:30 pm - Allen Fire Dept

20 - 23 - ACT intensive camp 8:30 am - 4:30 pm - Beetlejuice Jr.

21 - Summer Movie: The Croods - 2:30 pm - Library

Allen ISD Job Fair 4 pm - 6 pm - 1451 N. Watters Rd
Shared Shelf book discussion- "Red River Road"- 7 pm - Library

22 - Window to the Wild - 2:30 & 3:45 pm - Library

North Texas Business & Networking Social - 4 - 7 pm
Shhh.....we're reading - silent book club - 7 pm - Library

24 - Friday Game Night - 7:30 pm - Ford Pool

25 - Better Coffee for the Average Joe - 2 pm- Library

26 - Christmas in July: Cards & Keepsakes - 3 pm - Library

27 - Week 10 camps begin

Monday Night Chess - 7 pm - Library

28 - Summer Movie - The Good Dinosaur - 2:30 pm - Library

29 - Painting with Jennifer Seibert - 6 pm - Library

Summer is the perfect time to get ahead of the back-to-school season. Our schedule fills up fast, so if your child is due for an eye exam, now is the time to book. A thorough pediatric eye exam ensures they're seeing their best before the first bell rings, setting them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

Is your child struggling to see the board or showing signs of nearsightedness? Myopia tends to worsen throughout childhood if left unaddressed. We offer advanced myopia management options, including specialized contact lenses and other clinically supported treatments, designed to slow that progression and support healthier vision as they grow. Ask us which option might be the right fit for your child.

Our team of experienced doctors is proud to offer personalized eye care for the whole family, combining advanced technology with a warm, welcoming approach. We invite you to schedule your visit and experience the difference that thoughtful, comprehensive care can make. Call or text (972) 727-6262 to reserve your spot, or book online at AllenEye.com.

New patients: Schedule today and receive $10 off Optomap retinal imaging, a revolutionary technology that provides an ultra-widefield view of the retina to support early detection and long-term eye health. We look forward to seeing your family!

Now accepting donations of previously used prescription glasses to bless those in need with the gift of sight. Drop your donations at the front desk.

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How to choose the best sunscreen for kids

What parents need to know about choosing a safe and effective sunscreen for kids

When it comes to kids' sunscreen, there are so many choices it can be hard to know which option is best. Find out what provides the best protection, what sunscreen ingredients to avoid and how to apply sunscreen effectively.

What's the best sunscreen for kids?

When picking out a good sunscreen for your kids, there are a few things you want to make sure it includes:

Broad-spectrum coverage. Choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage (meaning the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays). UVA rays can cause tanning, aging, leathery skin and skin cancer including melanoma. UVB rays can cause sunburns, skin cancer and increased moles in some individuals.
SPF 30+. Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Water resistance. If your child plans to spend time swimming or playing in water, choose one that is water-resistant. Water-resistant sunscreens can protect kids while in the water for 40-80 minutes.
Hypoallergenic. If your child has sensitive skin, choose a mineral sunscreen that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This kind of sunscreen doesn't get absorbed as readily through the skin as more chemical-based sunscreens and it starts working as soon as it's applied.

What's the difference between kid and adult sunscreen?

Click here for more in-depth information

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