Features

Entertaining. Compelling. Lively. Feature stories focus on the people, places and organizations making and shaping culture and the world around us.

The other neighbors of Plano
Collin County homeless census used to better serve needs, provide federal funding

As night fell on Thursday, the rain continued in a steady rhythm and the temperature seemed to steadily drop, while dozens of residents gathered at the Plano Municipal Center to participate in the annual homeless census, which was first organized in 2004 by the Collin County Homeless Coalition.

In the warmth of the City Hall’s council chambers, volunteers were divided into groups and given “care packages” to hand out to any homeless residents they encountered while conducting the census. Jesse Madsen, Plano community services analyst, reminded people that the face of homelessness in the city is not always what one imagines, and that many of the homeless volunteers might encounter throughout the night could look as if they’re just parked in an empty parking lot or walking down the street. (Read more)

Art for art’s sake

I don’t know much about modern and contemporary art. I can tell you that Monet and Manet are two different people, but that’s about where I draw the line.

I’ve been to the DMA, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Trammell Crow in Dallas, but when my girlfriend, Jasmine, told me we were going to a gallery opening at the Dallas Contemporary in the Design District last Saturday night, I wasn’t aware that there even was a contemporary art museum, much less a whole downtown district dedicated to that kind of thing. Located at 161 Glass St, the Dallas Contemporary has been open and free since 1978, so I guess I’ve been out of the loop. Not wanting to look unhip, I dressed up in all black because I figured that’s what all the trendy artist-types do, and we headed out. (Read more)

Roller Derby breaks into scene
Plano welcomes new team to Thunderbird Roller Rink

In a state that places a lot of emphasis in football, a group of women are taking part in a revival of a different kind of sport and making Plano their new home.

Beginning in February, the Assassination City Roller Derby League will be the city’s newest neighbors at the Thunderbird Roller Rink, 3200 Thunderbird Lane. While the costumed women of the four teams that  make up Assassination City may be putting on a show, the sport that they play is far from just a game. (Read more)

A different place for prayer
East Plano Islamic Center offers relevant message rooted in history

On Friday afternoons, the melody of the call to prayer at the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) resonates over worshipers as they enter the mosque. Some kneel silently in prayer, while others read on the teachings of Islam from a bookcase that lines the walls before Imam Nadim Bashir gives his khutbah, or sermon.

In the Quran, it says  “Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious Godwill create love in their hearts,” Bashir and the diverse, reverent group of followers offer services and small group studies to help create a thriving Muslim community in the area, as well as keep a religion rich with history relevant in modern society. (Read more)

Holocaust survivor speaks to Plano congregation
Nossbaum shares her story with residents at Adat Chaverim synagogue

Anneliese Nossbaum carried a picture of her father with her always. During showers, she would hide the photograph in her mouth to keep it from being confiscated, until one day the photo faded. That was the last time she ever saw her father.

It was also the last time she saw her then 29-year-old aunt and many of the other people she knew and loved who passed away from the atrocities wrought upon them in Nazi concentration camps. (Read more)

Year-round haunted house opens in Plano

In an unassuming warehouse building in Plano there exists a world completely separate from the normalcy of the north DFW suburbs, one where witches and all sorts of spooky creatures reign supreme.

Last month, I had the opportunity to visit the Dark Hour Haunted House, 701 Taylor Drive which offers year round shows, based on different season and holidays, each one telling another tale of the witches of the Dark Hour coven. For the Halloween season, the haunted house has created a set that pits witches against voodoo practitioners in the deep swamps of Louisiana. And while walking through the show, it’s no stretch of the imagination to believe you are actually there. (Read more)