McKinney, Texas Daily Photo

United Nations

2012-01-28T10:42:00.000-06:00

Veterans Memorial Park, McKinney Texas, Dedicated 12 November 2011

2011-11-12T10:42:00.001-06:00

Veterans Memorial Park, McKinney Texas, Dedicated 12 November 2011, originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

The McKinney Veterans Memorial is being dedicated this morning at 11:00. It lists the 345 names of county residents who have died in the the service or our country.

Old Mckinney

2011-03-08T06:48:00.000-06:00

I wonder what it must have been like to call a log cabin home? Those early settlers in North Texas were willing to endure a lot of hardship in order to establish a life and pursue happiness and prosperity. I hope we are good stewards of their legacy of perseverance, endurance, and self-sacrifice.

Not McKinney Sunday - Ancient Roman Homeland Security

2011-03-06T07:50:00.000-06:00

One of the homeland security techniques employed by ancient Rome was to set aside a group of girls who would attend to honoring Vesta, the goddess of the home. Their duty included tending a perpetual fire to Vesta. Housekeepers in Rome would come to the temple to light a torch at the sacred fire, carry the torch home, then kindle the hearth there. In this way the Vestals were kind of house keepers for all of Rome. In return for their housekeeping service to the goddess, Vesta protected the homes of Rome.

These girls, known as the Vestal Virgins, would be set aside for their duties between the ages of 6 and 10. To serve as a Vestal Virgin was a high honor for both the girl and her family. It was a very influential and sought after role. The picture above is one of the surviving columns from the Temple of Vesta where these girls served and lived.

Once selected for service as a Vestal the girl pledged herself to celibacy for a 30 year term of service. The first 10 years were spent learning her duties and responsibilities, the second was spent in service, and the final decade was spent teaching the new girls. The pictures above and below show the ruins of the temple and their home. Although mostly collapsed it is still apparent that the Vestal Virgins lived in relative opulence.

At the conclusion of their service the Vestal was free to marry. Marrying a Vestal was considered a real distinction for a man. On the other hand, having grown accustomed to being free from the patriarchal dominance of men for so long, most of the Vestals choose not to marry.

Croatian Village

2011-03-05T11:13:00.000-06:00

Friday Faces - Hula Hoop Girl

2011-03-04T00:01:00.000-06:00

Winter Visitors at Town Lake

2011-03-03T00:01:00.002-06:00

Texas Independence Day

2011-03-02T00:01:00.001-06:00

Especially the Snipers

2011-03-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

Narcissus

2011-02-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

Not McKinney Sunday - Chicago

2011-02-27T00:01:00.001-06:00

This is Millennium Park in Chicago. This is the view looking across the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, toward East Madison.

Just to the left is Crown Fountain. Where my new friend was frolicing in the water.

Another of Collin College

2011-02-26T00:01:00.001-06:00

Friday Faces - Melissa

2011-02-25T00:01:00.002-06:00

Collin College

2011-02-24T00:01:00.001-06:00

Blue and Red

2011-02-23T00:01:00.001-06:00

Chicken

2011-02-22T00:01:00.002-06:00

I am not exactly sure why someone would put a big chicken on the front of a clothing store, but it does get your attention.

Never Turn Your Back on a Dinosaur

2011-02-21T00:01:00.003-06:00

Not Mckinney Sunday - Dallas

2011-02-20T00:01:00.001-06:00

Deep Ellum, one of the neighborhoods in Dallas, is famous for music, art, food, and interesting people. I had the good fortune to spend the afternoon taking some pictures there about a week ago.

I found Daniel getting his paint ready. He is creating a mural on the side of a building in Deep Ellum.

I hung out with him for a while. Went away. Then came back later in the day and he was making steady progress. He was also waiting for some others who were supposed to show up to paint. They didn't get there while I was around.

There are a lot of interesting, boutique businesses in Deep Ellum. This one caught my eye.

Briar Ridge

2011-02-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

Friday Faces - Charlotte and Elizabeth

2011-02-18T00:01:00.001-06:00

Bella Donna Chapel

2011-02-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

I recently made several images at the Bella Donna Chapel in the Adriatica development. I will be sharing them this week. I used a technique call High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. The essential idea behind it is that you take several images, each at a different exposure. This allows you to get details in the shadows and in the highlights. You then merge all the images together in order to have an evenly lit image. Once the images are merged then I added various levels of color saturation and contrast to get an artistic look. Hope you enjoy them as I experiment with this method!

La Sima Pond

2011-02-16T00:01:00.001-06:00

The Last One of Bella Donna

2011-02-15T00:01:00.002-06:00

Bella Donna Chapel

2011-02-14T00:01:00.002-06:00

Here is The Bella Donna Chapel in the Adriatica development here in McKinney.

Not McKinney Sunday - Winchester Cathedral and Town

2011-02-13T00:01:00.005-06:00

Winchester Cathedral is in the Hampshire area of England, southwest of London. It is one of the most scenic area of England I have had the good fortune to see. This is the largest Gothic cathedral anywhere.

It was completed in about 1095 after nearly 25 years to build this. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Swithun it continues to be in active use today.

The cathedral fell into disuse and disrepair between the time Henry VIII took control of the Catholic church in England until the early 1900s. The cathedral was in a state of total collapse when restoration began. One of the most serious issues facing this massive structure was that the foundations were sinking into a bog. In order to reinforce the structure a diver spent 6 years putting sandbags, concrete blocks and reinforcement posts in place. If you take a tour of the cathedral you will hear all about the heroic efforts undertaken to restore this great old building.

The surrounding town of Winchester is also full of interesting sites, shops, and people. The city museum next to the cathedral grounds, is free and worth a visit.

Nothing But Ice

2011-02-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

Friday Faces: Out for a Run

2011-02-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

It is Always Tanning Season

2011-02-10T00:01:00.001-06:00

There Is Always Hope

2011-02-09T00:01:00.001-06:00

Even in the middle of winter there are always hopeful signs of warmer, pleasant, weather.

Road Closed

2011-02-08T00:01:00.001-06:00

The Cruel Season

2011-02-07T00:01:00.001-06:00

This has been the coldest, snowiest, and iciest winter we have experienced in Texas. After a few days of melting we should be getting some more of the winter cruelty later this week.

Not McKinney Sunday - National Museum of Rome, Portonaccio Sarcophagus

2011-02-06T00:01:00.001-06:00

One of the more fascinating items in the National Museum of Rome is the Portonaccio Sarcophagus. It dates to about 200 A.D. and is the burial place of a prominent, although unknown, general. Historians speculate that this is the resting place of Julius Pompilius, who served under Marcus Aurelius. This guess is supported by two military insignia carved into the sarcophagus. Both of the insignia were associated with units that Pompilius commanded.

As you can see the carving is very intricate. An amazing amount of skill and patience must have been needed to make such a precise and detailed sculpture.

A Room with a View

2011-02-05T00:01:00.001-06:00

Friday Faces - Abby and Alyssa

2011-02-04T00:01:00.001-06:00

Out the Back Door

2011-02-03T00:01:00.002-06:00

How would you like that kind of construction going on in your back yard?

The Guys That Make it Happen

2011-02-02T00:01:00.002-06:00

In contrast to the guy yesterday, these two were hard at work.

Watch Man

2011-02-01T06:03:00.000-06:00

Baylor Medical Center

2011-01-31T06:32:00.000-06:00

The medical business is booming in McKinney and across Texas. This multi-million dollar medical center is just one example of the growth in this industry. Across McKinney lots of smaller offices are being built for doctors, dentists, and medical specialists.

The reason for all this growth is not hard to find. In 2003 then governor George Bush spearheaded a tort reform effort in Texas that limited medical malpractice liability and frivolous lawsuits. This effort was supported by the democratic Speaker of the House, Bob Bullock, and approved by the voters. Since that time the number of licensed doctors has grown 58%, liability rates have dropped 25% and lawsuits have dropped 50%, insurance premiums have dropped 17% and the number of insurers went from just 4 in 2003 to over 30.

Not McKinney Sunday - National Museum of Rome Boxer of Quirinal

2011-01-30T00:01:00.001-06:00

Where Else Would They Come From?

2011-01-29T06:36:00.000-06:00

Friday Faces - Sheena

2011-01-28T05:59:00.000-06:00

Prehistoric McKinney

2011-01-27T06:25:00.000-06:00

Ferocious

2011-01-26T05:43:00.000-06:00

Big Loud Dinosaurs

2011-01-25T06:35:00.001-06:00

The dinosaurs at the Heard Recreation Area are large and loud. I think most of the kids who encountered them were at first startled, then afraid, but finally fascinated.

Dinosaurs Invade McKinney!

2011-01-24T06:40:00.000-06:00

For the rest of the month dinosaurs will be wintering at the Heard Outdoor Recreation Area. These animated reptiles are along a well maintained path. It is a perfect place to take your family to see and learn about these pre-historic animals

Not McKinney Sunday - National Museum of Rome

2011-01-23T07:05:00.000-06:00

The Romans collected all sorts of statuary from Greece and set them up in the front yards and gardens. A lot of what survives are fakes created by enterprising Greeks who saw a market opportunity. However, this one is an original dating from around 450 B.C.

When you first come upon it in the museum it looks as if you caught a lovely girl just waking from a nap. Or, perhaps, a yoga practitioner doing her Gomukhasana.

The Greeks however often used art to recall a mythic lesson about human weakness, hubris, and its consequences. In this case we find the daughter of Amphione and Niobe. She is not in a morning stretch but is rather struggling for life. She is dying.

This poor girl's mother, Niobe, was very proud. She boasted that the number and beauty of her own children was greater than that of Zeus and Leto, the father and mother of the twins, Apollo and Artemis. Insulting Zeus and his family was not a smart thing to do. In fact, boastfulness is frequently the downfall of the proud. Humility was a virtue valued among the Greeks, but quite neglected today.

Around the back we can see what she is reaching for. Up high on her back near that spot you need a back scratcher to reach is a hole which once held an arrow. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, has shot this girl in the back. Dying Niobid is the price paid for her mother's hubris.

Dinosaurs at the Heard Museum

2011-01-22T07:25:00.000-06:00

From now through the end of January the Heard has a special exhibit of almost real dinosaurs. If you are in the area, or are in the mood for a daytrip to McKinney, make sure you stop here to have a look.

Friday Faces - Visitors at the Heard

2011-01-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

Wildlife at the Heard

2011-01-20T07:08:00.000-06:00

The Heard musueum also is a refuge for lost, abandoned, or abused animals. They also host displays of other animal collections throughout the year.

Education at the Heard

2011-01-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

The Heard tries to inspire a love of nature through education. So, as you wander through the trails and museum there are lots of signs designed help you understand more about the north Texas ecosystem.

There are also informative lectures throughout the day provided by knowledgeable staff members.

Of course, all effective learning is hands on. So after the lectures there are sometimes assignments. These will usually require you to explore the area and write down your observations.

Trails at the Heard Museum

2011-01-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Heard Museum is criss-crossed by lots of well marked and well maintained trails.

The trails that cross marsh areas are elevated to keep feet dry and the marsh unharmed. There are also plenty of places to stop, rest, or take in the natural scene.

Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

2011-01-17T00:01:00.002-06:00

The Heard Museum is a little oasis in McKinney. It preserves some of the natural forest and grassland of the area. It is also refuge to local animals, waterfowl, and a few unexpected inhabitants.

As the sign says the mission of the Heard Museum is to inspire the love and appreciation of nature.

Not McKinney Sunday - Child of Hermes and Aphrodite

2011-01-16T09:39:00.000-06:00

Greek mythology was appropriated and preserved largely my Roman culture which pretty much wholeheartedly embraced everything Greek. According to the Greeks. Hermes was the wing-footed messenger of the gods. Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sexuality.

Hermaphroditus was their offspring. As you can see above their offspring blends the slender yet strong figure of a runner and the femininity and beauty fitting of a love goddess.

This combination left their offspring a little confused and visitors uniformly startled.

Time to Put Away Those Christmas Lights

2011-01-15T06:36:00.000-06:00

Friday Faces - Window Shopping

2011-01-14T00:01:00.001-06:00

The Chapel at Chestnut Square

2011-01-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for an intimate venue for a wedding then look no further than Chestnut Square. My son was married here last August and the reception was just a block away. Because of it's quaint atmosphere and historic setting McKinney is becoming a popular place to tie the knot.

...is Watching

2011-01-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

I get it. The low cost of remote sensing technology is a real force multiplier for local police. They can extend their presence and deter crime very effectively with platforms like this one. Yet, it still makes me uneasy. Government's reach is extending further and further. The best safeguard are engaged and informed voters. I am happy to say that McKinney is the county seat and has been the center of political activity in North Texas. I think we have some of the most politically engaged citizens in the region.

Snow Day!

2011-01-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

Having grown up in the Chicago area and after living for several years in Colorado I know what real snow is. We don't get real snow in North Texas. Nevertheless when a few inches of the white stuff falls it is a big deal around here. Yesterday for example was a snow day for the McKinney school district. So the kids got to stay home.

So did the golfers.

The roses however were caught in the open and unprepared.

Birds also were left to fend for themselves in the cold and snow. They come down here in the winter to escape the cold weather in the north. I bet next year they keep flying south.

Fit for Neither Man nor Beast

2011-01-10T00:01:00.001-06:00

Not McKinney Sunday - National Museum of Rome

2011-01-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

After a life of military leadership and murderous opposition against his rivals, Brutus, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Augustus settled into a desk job as Emperor of Rome. Here he is portrayed in the robes of a priest. He proclaimed himself to be a god which was kind of ironic since Jesus was born during the later end of his reign.

Here is how the historian Suetonius described him "He was unusually handsome. His expression was calm and mild. He had clear, bright eyes, in which was a kind of divine power. His hair was slightly curly and somewhat golden." Sounds a little like a hagiography or the writings of a sycophant to me. What do you think?

Chestnut Square Complex

2011-01-08T00:01:00.007-06:00

Chestnut Square is a collection of several other buildings which I will be showing you. The red house on the left is an old stage coach stop. The white house in the background is the oldest house in McKinney.

Friday Faces - Happy Baby

2011-01-07T00:01:00.008-06:00

What is better than a boy and his dog playing at the park?

Chestnut Square Dulaney Cottage

2011-01-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

The buildings in Chestnut Square were moved here from their original locations in order to preserve them for future generations. As a result this Dulaney family cottage is right next door to their house.

Chestnut Square Dulaney House

2011-01-05T00:01:00.007-06:00

Notice the Christmas ornaments that decorate the front of this classic old home. One of the things I appreciate about McKinney is the effort to grow and develop the community while preserving it's historical roots. Chestnut Square is the best example of this commitment to appreciate the past.

Slide

2011-01-04T00:01:00.000-06:00

I was at one of the parks here in McKinney with my grandson and the sbstract play of shapes and shadows on the slide caught my eye.

Chestnut Square, Strolling to the Dulaney House

2011-01-03T00:01:00.002-06:00

A couple of friends touring Chestnut Square walk along the path at the side of the Dulaney House

Not McKinney Sunday - Campo de Fiori

2011-01-02T00:01:00.003-06:00

The name Campo de Fiori means "Field of Flowers" and recalls the time when this area was just that, a flower filled meadow near Rome. This city square or "piazza" is on the route between two major churches, the Vatican and the Basilica of St. John Lateran. So, lots of people would pass through here on foot and horseback. In addition, in ancient times it was a focal point for artisans and craftsmen.

Today it is a bustling open-air market. It is also the most expensive and colorful street market in Rome. It attracts lots of tourists, my wife and I included.

Those t-shirts saying "I heart Roma" are are definitely tourist-ware. Of course, we bought some.

There are also lots of kiosks selling local fruits, vegetables, jewelry and clothing. It is also a fun place to wander through with camera in hand.

My recommendation is that you stop here if you get to visit Rome. Make sure you come here in the morning. Everything starts closing up around noon.

Old School

2011-01-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

I remember that my grandmother had one of these in her basement. She would ring out the clothes then take them through the back door and out into the yard so she could hang them up to dry. Definitely old-school clothes washing!

Friday Faces- The Other Jessica

2010-12-31T00:01:00.002-06:00

Last Friday I posted an image of Jessica taken at a shoot sponsored by the North Texas Photo Club. This woman is Jessica's assistant, also named Jessica. She is not a model, but ought to be in my opinion. I think I was lucky to get her in front of the camera.

Dulany House

2010-12-30T00:01:00.002-06:00

This home in the Chestnut Square complex was built in 1916. Inside there are period furnishings as well as a display of clothing dating from the mid-1800s through the 1920s.

Chestnut Square Historical Village

2010-12-29T00:01:00.002-06:00

Chestnut Square Historical Village is a McKinney Treasure. It is the result of a bunch of volunteers who have raised the money and manpower to preserve a glimpse of life from the mid 1850s. This is typical of the community spirit in McKinney. It is also typical of the can-do spirit of the people here.

I have posted about Chestnut Square before. However, it was brought to my attention that I didn't have any images providing an overview of the whole complex. So that is what I will be doing for the next few days. Enjoy!

Fall Colors in Winter

2010-12-28T06:58:00.001-06:00

Winters in McKinney are very mild for the most part. We will get some chilly weather and even some snow once in a while but most of the time it is comfortable outside. In fact, we are looking forward to a 70 degree (f) day later this week. These warm temperatures fool some trees into having a extended fall display of colors. This burst of color is right outside my front door.

City on a Hill

2010-12-27T10:45:00.000-06:00

I like to take my camera over to the Adriatica development in McKinney. Check out the link for a nice video overview. Its architecture and urban design is unique and attractive.

They recently completed the wedding chapel. It is in a great picturesque setting. However, I went to take some picture and they had a sign up indicating there was a fee for photography there. I could go on a little rant here about the idiocy of charging photographers to shoot at your business. Just imagine all the free exposure they would get if they opened that place up to shoot for free! Well, like I said, I could but I won't. I guess you won't be seeing the chapel in my McKinney Daily Photo blog!

Today's Treasures

2010-12-26T07:51:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day with family and friends. The joy of both giving and receiving gifts yesterday has given way to some reflection today. I wonder how many of our treasures will be in an antique store in the years to come? I am reminded that the only things that last forever are the people we love.

Friday Faces - Aspiring Models and Photographers

2010-12-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

Mckinney has a large and growing art community supported by patrons who understand and appreciate the many forms of creative expression. It is the home of the North Texas Photography Club which sponsors a lot of learning opportunities.

Today's image was from a recent studio photography workshop. This involved Jessica, a local aspiring model, and 7 local photographers. The club organizer, Reuben Mendiola, provided the studio space and all kinds of instruction about backgrounds, lighting, posing, camera control and working with models. Typically I am as nervous as a witch in church when working with a model in front of a group of other photographers. But, the supportive group, cooperative model, and knowledgeable instructor all made for a relaxed and fun learning setting.

If you are an artist looking for a supportive community, a photographer looking to improve your skills, or someone who appreciates art, then McKinney might be the place for you to live or visit!

Earth and Sky

2010-12-23T06:29:00.001-06:00

You can see some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets anywhere in the world right here in McKinney, Texas.

Sunrise Over McKinney

2010-12-22T08:35:00.002-06:00

Sunrise Over McKinney, originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

Not McKinney Sunday - Rome, Italy

2010-11-14T08:50:00.000-06:00

Before there was the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica there was the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore.

This is the back of the Basilica. The original was built about 440 B.C. and restored after a devastating earthquake in 1348. However, the restoration retained the core structure of the original church which makes it unique among the four "Maggiore" or major Roman basilicas. It is amazing to think that the original church was being built while Rome was being overrun by invaders from the North. About this same time Augustine of Hippo was writing "City of God" explaining why Christianity was not to blame for the collapse of the empire.

For a time the Pope was in exile from Rome and resided in Avignon, France. When he returned to Rome this church was his home and the seat of Christianity until the Vatican was built. The altar above is for the Pope alone. To this day only he is allowed to say mass at this altar.

Here are some details from the top of the altar.

Beneath the main altar is another chapel called "The Crypt of the Nativity". According to church tradition the golden container holds the remains of Jesus' manger from Bethlehem.

This crypt is also the final resting place of St. Jerome, who translated the Bible from its original language into Latin. St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, said his first mass on the altar in this crypt.

If ever you are in Rome I recommend a visit here. There are lots of other chapels to explore, works of art to gawk at, and people to watch.

Home Sweet Home

2010-10-23T08:43:00.002-05:00

Friday Faces - Body Art

2010-10-22T08:13:00.003-05:00

Out With the Old

2010-10-20T05:44:00.000-05:00

The old municiple court building will soon be gone.

Growth and Change

2010-10-19T05:51:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons that McKinney is among the top places to live in the U.S. is the phenomenal growth we have experienced here. While the rest of the country and the world have faced serious recession Texas and McKinney are thriving. Of course, this kind of growth brings lots of change to a community. What appeared to me to be a perfectly good office complex is being pulled down bit by bit to make room for .... who knows what!

Celtic Rock

2010-10-16T08:50:00.000-05:00

Celtic rock is a genre of music that I wasn't even aware of until I stumbled upon the Killdares at the Texas State Fair. Click on the title to learn more about them. I shameless stole some bio information from their website to introduce you to the band.

Go to their website and sample some of their music.

This is Gavin Kelso on bass.

Roberta Rast is the Killdares fiddle queen. She is from Boise, Idaho. Roberta joined The Killdares in 2002. She has been a competitive fiddle player since the age of 5, and has won numerous times for her incredible style and technical ability, including: 1st Place at the 2004 World Fiddle Championship (Crocket, TX), Six-time National Fiddle Champion (Weiser, ID), 1st Place at the 2005 Grand Masters Fiddle Championship (Nashville, TN)…and has performed twice on stage of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry! Roberta plays custom-made 5-string fiddles and is an active member of the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association (TOTFA).

Brek Lancaster, a Jackson Tennessee native, has been playing electric guitar since he was 12. Exposed to his first rock concert at the age of 7, he was immediately drawn to the guitar in all forms and fashion. Since then he has played in a variety of musical settings and genres, from Classical to Jazz to Renaissance to his beloved Rock n’ Roll. Trained in music theory and composition, Brek has studied under the likes of guitarist Jim Harkins and renowned jazz guitarist Lou Carfa.

Matt Willis is from the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas. He is an experienced player of the great Highland, Scottish, and Irish pipes. Matt has competed internationally and at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Matt is active in Austin in Pipe and Drum promotion, education and performance. He has won numerous awards and is a former competitor with the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association.

Tim Smith is drummer, lead singer and driving force behind this ground-breaking rock n’ roll band. Tim is a self-taught musician since the age of 14, and a native Texan with true Celtic roots. Raised as an avid fan of traditional Celtic music, his affinity for the grit and cutting-edge nature of rock and punk inevitably led him to begin assembling a group of like-minded musicians, who wanted to stretch the boundaries of contemporary musical expression. The result – The Killdares!

Too Cute

2010-10-15T06:37:00.002-05:00

A Man's Home is His....

2010-10-14T06:54:00.002-05:00

Temple of Sweat

2010-10-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

I am a "run outside" kind of an exerciser myself. Although I have sampled the stationary bike and treadmill here they are definately second or third choice options for me.

Fried Delectibles at the State Fair

2010-10-09T06:35:00.000-05:00

The state fair of Texas is in full swing in Dallas until the 17th of October. The weather this year is glorious so come on down!

If you attend make sure you pay special attention to fried gourmet treats that are offered. Here in Texas if a food is good, then it is better fried. If you don't believe me, well, you will just have to try it out for yourself.

Take, for example, the club sandwich. Normally, I am not a club sandwich sort of guy. There are just too many healthy looking ingredients crowded onto that thing for me. But add a little bit of batter to it and plunge it into a deep fryer for a minute or two and you have a treat only a cardiologist would love.

One of the award winning, innovative additions to the fried food menu this year is fried beer. It is no small trick to be able to put some beer in breading and deep fry it without having it all bubble away. Yet some innovative soul figured out this puzzle that has had mankind mystified for centuries. Would you believe they even carded you before serving this treat?

Even the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich gets a make over at the state fair. First, add a banana to it. That is where that extra "B" at the end comes from. Then, plunge the whole thing into boiling oil for a few minutes. I am telling you, this is good stuff.

Be watching for this on the menu at your local Starbucks. Just look for the deep fryer when you go in. When you hear that oil popping ask the barista for some deep fried latte. Go ahead, just ask 'em.

At the end of a long, hot day at the state fair you will probably be in the mood for some refreshing adult beverages. Here is the place to come. Show up at happy hour and you can take your pick from draft, domestic, or imported beer or a nice refreshing deep fried frozen margarita. I wonder if there are any Jimmy Buffett songs about frozen margaritas?

By now your mouth is watering. Your brain is probably aflame with yearnings for other fried treats like fried Oreos, Moon Pies, Butter, Dr. Pepper, and Coke. So what are you waiting for? Make sure your health insurance is paid up, grab your portable defibrillator, refill your statin prescription then jump in a car, hop on a plane, catch the next train, or get out on the roadside and hitchhike to the state fair of Texas.

Friday Faces - Zombies Invade McKinney

2010-10-08T06:40:00.000-05:00

Adriatica Chapel

2010-10-07T06:47:00.002-05:00

Art Walk

2010-10-06T17:48:00.002-05:00

Where I Spent My Sunday Afternoon

2010-10-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

Urban Assault Vehicle

2010-10-04T07:52:00.000-05:00

You can never have too many pockets!

Not McKinney Sunday - 7th Arrondissement

2010-10-03T00:01:00.040-05:00

Paris is organized into districts called arrondissements. The numbering starts at the Louvre area and works its way outward in a clockwise pattern around the city. I spent most of my time during my last trip in the 7th Arrondissement. Which is where these pictures were made.

This is Les Invalides. It is a military museum and retirement home. In fact is the permanent retirement home for Napolean, whose tomb is here.

From Les Invalides you cross Seine River over what must be among the most ornate bridges in the world, the Pont Alexandre III bridge. On the other side you will find the Grand Palais. This was built in about 1900 as a very ornate exhibition hall. It is on the Avenue Winston Churchill.

This spectacular sculpure is atop the Grand Palais and overlooks the Charles de Gaulle monument below.

During the occupation of Paris in WWII Hitler marched the German army right past this spot. Now however de Gaulle has his last and perpetual revenge. Yet, the fact that a statue of Winston Churchill is just up the street from here, must be a bit galling (pun intented!) for Charles.

Dog's Eye View

2010-10-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

For our family dog it is a very good day when he gets to ride with us in the car. I am not sure why but dogs in general and Chester in particular love to hang their head out of the window.

I wonder if he knows how goofy he looks as he is driving around town with us. He leans so far out of the window that one of the kids or my wife needs to hang on to him so he doesn't fall out.

He gets a unique perspective on McKinney. Maybe he should wear a helmet like a motorcyclist? One of these days I think he is going to get hit between the eyes by an overhanging branch or a kamikaze June Bug

Friday Faces- Michael Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist and McKinney Business Man

2010-10-01T09:11:00.000-05:00

Winner of four Olympic gold medals and eight time world champion. He holds the world record in the 400m and shares the record in the 4 x 400m relay. He once held the world record in the 200m and Indoor 400m. His 200 m time of 19.32 at the 1996 Summer Olympics stood as the record for over 12 years.

He is the only male athlete in history to win both the 200m and 400m at the same Olympics. He is also the only man to successfully defend his Olympic title in the 400m. In 2004 Michael was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame.

In addition to a sterling athletics record, Michael Johnson is a successful business man. He owns the Michael Johnson Performance Center here in McKinney. Is a athletics commentator for the BBC. Writes a column for the Daily Telegraph. He also owns Ultimate Performance, a sports management company that represents Jeremy Warnier and Galen Rupp, among others.

Food, Fun and Families in Downtown McKinney

2010-09-30T07:12:00.000-05:00

In addition to the beer and wine, there was lots of food being served at McKinney's Octoberfest celebration last weekend.

Despite the threatening skies, people from all over north Texas came and filled the tables on the streets of downtown Mckinney. The music and laughter that mingled with the smells of bratwurst, potato salad and sauerkraut created a festive atmosphere.

These guys are part of the team who labored behind the scenes to make sure everyone was well fed. There is a dedicated group of downtown merchants and Mckinney civic leaders who make this event a success year after year.

The lovely ladies of Franconia brewery also made sure there was plenty of their Octoberfest brew available to go with the food. If you are ever in McKinney on a Saturday morning take an hour or two to tour Franconia brewery.

Next year why not bring your whole family to enjoy a little bit of Bavaria right in North Texas?

A Bit of Bavaria in Downtown McKinney

2010-09-29T05:28:00.002-05:00

Having a Fun Day, originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

The people of McKinney obviously enjoyed Octoberfest this year. It seemed as if more people were in traditional Bavarian dress than ever before. This quartet outside of Landon Winery were clearly in good spirits.

These young ladies were at Landon Winery sharing the fruit of the vine with festers who wanted wine instead of beer.

For a great extended article about the festivities as well as some fantastic photos from the event check out Allen Rich's article HERE.

Family Fun at Octoberfest

2010-09-28T06:30:00.002-05:00

Family Fun at Octoberfest, originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

Volksmarching Through McKinney

2010-09-27T07:29:00.002-05:00

Volks Marching Through McKinney, originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

The weather cooperated and Octoberfest came to downtown McKinney over the weekend. Plenty of lederhosen clad revelers were quafing steins of beer and devouring mounds of bratwurst and sauerkraut while listening to music or visiting friends.

Octoberfest !

2010-09-24T06:56:00.002-05:00

Octoberfest (5 of 61), originally uploaded by Dan_Star.

Get out your lederhosen and head to downtown Mckinney this weekend to enjoy the beer, brats and dancing. Make sure you try out the beer from McKinney's own Franconia Brewery.