Once upon a time, the McKinney Performing Arts Center was the Collin County Courthouse. It sits in the center of the square in downtown McKinney. The courthouse sat abandoned for quite a few years, until it was recently renovated, at which time it became the MPAC. What a gem this is, a mere 15 maximum minute drive from even the furthest corners of McKinney.

The MPAC consists of the Courtroom Theater, which is the main auditorium, and seats over 400. Then, on different floors, there are various other rooms for smaller events. There is also a kitchen on the premises. Parking is free on or adjacent to the square, or in various city lots very close to the venue.

One of the best tips I can offer is that the wooden seats in the Courtroom Theater, while historical and lovingly restored, are not very comfortable. So, do stop by the ticket office on your way to the theater and request seat cushions, for which the suggested donation is $1 each for the evening's use. The special "insider's tip" is to get two cushions per person. You may also bring your own cushion.

My second tip is that the temperature inside the Courtroom Theater may vary. It is an old building, with a balcony. The upper level can get quite warm in the summer. The lower level can get quite cold if there isn't a large crowd. Dress in layers!

The MPAC mails occasional materials and also maintains an email list, both of which are quite useful as sometimes discount tickets are included. You can also go to the MPAC website to see what events are on the horizon. We have attended several events at the MPAC lately, and at each event, we have been pleasantly surprised by the turnout. Some of the more recent events we've attended include:

MPAC Monday Movie Madness: One Monday each month, the MPAC shows classic movies, one feature in the afternoon and a different feature in the evening. Admission is only $3 and you may bring your own refreshments (there are none for sale at the event). Tonight, we saw Metropolis, a 1927 German film with subtitles. It was very interesting, something we would never have selected on our own, but were glad to have experienced. In spite of a little technical difficulty in the middle of the viewing, it was a pleasant evening. The audience seemed genuinely interested in the film, even one young boy of perhaps seven or eight. We packed a light supper of rolled sandwiches and bottled water. I believe that the afternoon movies are more geared towards the ladies, but all are classics.

Dixie's Tupperware Party: Dixie Longate is the most successful Tupperware salesperson in the United States. Dixie played to a packed house the night we attended, with people coming from as far as Chicago to see the show. In spite of the bawdy humor, and audience participation, this was a real Tupperware party! We managed a pre-show dinner at Cafe Malaga, and enjoyed some wine during the show.

Five Funny Females: This actually turned out to be Four Funny Females. While an enjoyable evening, it wasn't so much my kind of humor. The program consisted of four female stand-up comediennes, each very different. If I recall, there was a bar offering mixed drinks during the show. This same show will be seen at the Eisemann Theater in Richardson within the month.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical: A musical comedy, silly and fun, with pink plastic flamingos. One of the earlier events at the MPAC, the opening of this comedy was celebrated with the display of flamingos in numerous yards in McKinney's historic district.

The MPAC calendar is definitely worth checking out regardless of the day of the week. Every time we attend an event, the theater seems to be busier. While there were only perhaps 30 people in the movie tonight, there were several other groups using the facilites. In the hallways, children could be heard singing. And the night of Dixie's Tupperware Party, there was an art exhibit on the basement level.

So, don't forget the MPAC!

Located on the northwest corner of McKinney's Square is Lone Star Wine Cellars. It is located in the old Ritz Theater building, which is kind of like a tiny mall, with an interior corridor leading to a jeweler, florist, gift shop, and the salons.

If you are passing by Friday or Saturday night, you can't really miss it, as they broadcast the evening's live music towards the square via an outdoor speaker. It is one of two wine bars on the square, I will write about Landon Winery another time.

The music at Lone Star is simple. So far we have seen solo musicians, but always playing to a packed crowd. On weekend nights, tables and chairs are available in the Ritz's hallways to accommodate those patrons spilling out of the main bar. Couples dance in the hallways as well, since it is such a small venue. The smokers dance outside on the sidewalk to the music piped out via speaker. I've heard country, pop, reggae, and plenty of Jimmy Buffet of course.

We went on Valentine's Day, since our table at Cafe Malaga wasn't ready quite at 9:00. We really just went to waste a little time, but it turned out to be a fun discovery.

Our server informed us that they have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday is "date night" and Saturday is "party night".

The wines were mostly local Texan. The prices were remarkably reasonable. I selected four tastes for under $8 and I think David had the same. I had the Wales Manor Sweet Ruby Cabernet, a Blueberry wine, and a Blackberry wine (yes, they were good, as I enjoy sweet wines) and I cannot recall the final selection. David had a series of reserve selections, which he enjoyed.

There is a selection of light foods available, including cheese trays and baked brie, typical cellar fare. Also, Cafe Malaga will deliver to Lone Star Wine Cellars... interesting!

The variety of patrons was interesting. There were cowboy types with dates, girls out on the town, next to us a man was introducing his fiance to his family. A family came in with teenaged kids and sat in comfortable looking winged back chairs in the hallway/foyer. It was Valentine's Day, so there were quite a few Valentines.

The music is loud enough to sing along to, yet it is easy to have a conversation. It is a nice low-key weekend evening outing, especially if one has plans to dine elsewhere on the square or in the historic district.

This one is a no-brainer. The Square is a great place to spend the day or to take visitors.

I don't usually walk about the square on Saturdays. Usually I park off the square, get my hair done at the Salons at the Ritz, dash down the back alley for some meat and cheese and Hamm's for the upcoming week of lunches, and then get the heck out of Dodge. But today, I had an hour to kill while David had his massage, so I checked out the Saturday square happenings.

The square was packed with people. It was great to see. I even had to dodge people on the sidewalk the entire time, Yeah!

My first stop, after leaving David at Diana's Healing Hands for a massage, was the Garrett Art Gallery. Here, one will find some wonderful artwork, including a bunch of Texas and McKinney art. I spoke with Gail Delger regarding the work she had on display. It was fun stuff, especially her bird art. There are also McKinney tee shirts available for purchase in the gallery, and they are nice.

After the gallery, I walked around the corner towards Hamm's. I decided to putter about the antique mall adjacent to the newly remodeled Herby's Soda Fountain. Herby's was packed, which was encouraging. There was even a group of cute Boy Scouts having lunch at Herby's. The burgers and fries looked huge. Maybe someday soon I'll have lunch there.

I continued to walk around the square, and was very surprised to see a new addition, "Loco Cowpoke", at 206 E. Louisiana Street. Take your out of town visitors here the day before they fly home so that they can buy some Texas condiments and tasty stuff to take home with them. This is the place for corn salsas, habanero sauce, dips for chips and vegetables, chili mixes, etc. Here you can also find various "pies in a jar" and other goods that look delicious. The owner's business card states, "country fixin's, salsas & jellies" and outside of the apostrophe abuse, he's dead on on his inventory.

Also new on the square is UPTOWN, which is a home store, full of kitchen stuff, bath towels, and a selection of furniture. It reminds me of Z Gallery a bit. I was a little surprised by the odd mix of a small section of utility and a large selection of decor. Yet, it is a nice store!

A walk along Kentucky Street highlights the new patio dining options for Landon Winery, Bob's Chophouse, and Mischa's.

A sharp left at Virginia takes you to Cafe Malaga or even Doll Haven, which is an interesting place if you like dolls. Especially if you like unusual dolls such as lifelike baby dolls, perhaps one of a kind. What caught my eye was a new in box Mrs. Beasley doll in a box signed by Cheryl Ladd of Charlie's Angels fame. What does Family Affair have to do with Charlie's Angels? I don't know, but the dolls were exquisite.

In general, the square was bustling with activity, and I was glad to see it. It was a relief to see the Pantry doing a hefty lunch business and to see that they had featured a breakfast menu earlier in the day. Spoons was packed with a waiting "crowd". The Londoner was sharing their music with the passersby. Cars were parked down the streets in all directions.

And of course, in the middle, is the MPAC, the McKinney Performing Arts Center and once the Collin County Courthouse, beautifully restored. Just last Saturday night, we were there, enjoying a night of female standup comics with a theater packed full of others. I heard the people behind me say, "I didn't know McKinney was such a happening place..." Well, as a matter of fact, it is. I doubt David heard the comment though, as he was off getting us drinks at the bar, which was shared by the art show downstairs. So, two groups were enjoying the MPAC on the same night.

So the McKinney Square is definitely on the top of the list for things to do.

The Sixth Floor Museum is a popular DFW destination for tourists. It's a shame to refer to it as an "attraction", but in a city that can appear so void of unique things to see and do, this museum is an important part of the city, one of the few tourist draws. Plan to devote a full day if you visit the area, since you may wish to also visit the JFK Memorial, just 200 yards from the assassination site.

The Sixth Floor Museum is in the old Texas School Book Depository, the building's sixth floor houses the sniper's perch from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated the president in 1963. The museum is very well done, with exhibits of many issues of the day, including motives and backgrounds, Kennedy campaign memorabilia, fashions and lifestyles of the day, and insights of the lives of those involved in this part of our history.

The ground floor houses temporary exhibits. When we were there in 2004, there was a very interesting exhibit of photographs of Jackie Kennedy.

It is an interesting place. History buffs and conspiracy theorists can be found in Dealey Plaza at all hours of the day and night. While in Dallas for our wedding in February 2001, my brother found himself unable to sleep in his hotel room. He wandered down to Dealey Plaza, where even in the middle of the night, people were milling about the assassination site, gathering on the Grassy Knoll.

For those of us old enough to remember the styles of the day, or the aftermath of the day (I was born in December of the following year), the area is fascinating. It is like looking in my parents' photo album, a snapshot of their lives. It was the day that changed their world, like September 11, 2001 most recently changed our world.

It is an important place. This was where my husband took me for my 40th birthday, since it was a place that I had long wanted to see, one of great importance in the history of our country.

Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 214-747-6660, Fax: 214-747-6662, E-mail: jfk@jfk.org

Adult—$13.50 U.S., Senior (Ages 65+)—$12.50 U.S., Youth (Ages 6-18)—$12.50 U.S., Children (Ages 0-5)—Free or $3.50 U.S. with audio guide. Admission price includes audio guide.

Third Monday Trade Days is a long standing event in McKinney that takes place the weekend before the third Monday of the month.

Basically, it is what we used to refer to in California as a "swap meet". Sellers from near and far rent a space from which they hawk their wares. People from near and far come to shop at the stalls that sell new and craft-type merchandise, or secondhand inexpensive goods. All this with a smattering of carnival food vendors thrown in the mix.

I've been one time, and it was interesting, although we didn't buy anything. Or perhaps David bought some shot glasses. It was nice to get out for an afternoon, one that didn't cost anything, other than the $3 to park the car.

Notable vendors featured antiques, salsas and other condiments (with samples), fruit, lawn equipment, gifty cruft of the unicorn variety.

Be careful driving along Highway 380 on Trade Days weekend, as Hwy 380 traffic can suddenly stop when vehicles turn into the grounds from the 60 MPH roadway. Ouch. This is a prime example of being slow to manage growth as the Third Monday Trade Days has been there "forever", hasn't changed, but the changing area has made it into a hazard. The city has grown up around it.

Anyway, this would be a fine way to spend a Friday afternoon, when the crowds are low and the merchandise is fresh.

It was very cold this morning, in the teens, which is extreme for us here in the Dallas area. When it gets this cold, if there is any sign of impending moisture, schools and government offices tend to close. Face it, we do not know how to drive in "weather" and we are better off at home.

This morning I was driving east along U.S. Hwy 380 at full speed, about 60 miles per hour. The roadways were completely dry, and I was behind other traffic that was moving at the same pace. There was no one behind me.

As I approached Hardin Road, the signal turned to yellow. It was one of those moments: Can I stop safely, or do I go on through? I probably should have stopped, but I saw some sort of slow moving convoy of work vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, and I somehow processed that they were sand trucks, and therefore I should not apply my brakes in case of ice on the roadway.

The light turned red just as I entered the intersection.

I made the requisite "horrified that I did that" facial expression to signal to other motorists that I am not a jerk.

As I drove through the intersection, it became clear that the convoy was a street sweeper and not a sand truck. I never see street sweepers here in Texas, so where did this come from and why was it sweeping the center lane of the three westbound lanes?

As luck would have it, a police vehicle turned onto Hwy 380 from Hardin Road and began to follow me in my lane. There was no other traffic behind me, so it was glaringly obvious that he was behind me. I could even feel him glaring at me, running my plates.

He followed me for a while. I fumbled around the center console of my car for my work badge. At least if he saw the logo on the badge he would assume that I was poor and perhaps take pity on me and just issue a warning. Except for my car, while several years old, is considered a luxury vehicle. Crap.

So he followed me almost to Central Expressway, in that intimidating way that cops do, by driving near or behind one who has just committed some infraction.

Then he turned into Chic-Fil-A, a popular place for the officers to stop for a meal.

I seriously thought, as I continued straight and he turned into the parking lot, hooray, "Eat Mor Chikin!"

This is one of my favorite places in the world. A real 1950s drive in theater, which has been operating continually. It has just one screen, but no remaining speakers, unfortunately, so you have to either listen on your car radio or bring a boom box. We do the latter.

The Brazos is in Granbury, TX, which can be a two hour drive from McKinney, but I am including it as it is absolutely worth the drive.

There isn't an actual playground (with a swing set, etc.) under the screen, like what we had growing up in California, but the kids all still congregate under the screen to kick balls, play Frisbee, etc. both before the movie and when the lights are turned on in between features. Also, unlike California drive-in theaters, people in Texas tend to sit in chairs outside their vehicles when watching a movie at the drive-in. So, take those comfy folding chairs and enjoy the evening's cooler weather.

We've always been lucky enough to get a spot in the front row.

There is a porch area with 1950s metal clam shell chairs, adjacent to the snack bar,  where the soundtrack is broadcast. Some people prefer to watch the movie from that vantage point, and it is nice to be able to see the movie during runs to the snack bar.

The Brazos is a family operated business, and the clientele is very family oriented. What a pleasant evening, and something most people cannot do near home these days. Check it out.

Cafe Malaga is one of my favorite places to eat around DFW. It is just off the square in downtown McKinney, at 111 W. Virginia Street.

Cafe Malaga is one of those places where you plan to just go have a little something, yet you end up having a lot of little somethings. That's because it is a tapas restaurant, where typically one orders several small plates to share. And then, of course, there's that wine list.

It is a small restaurant, and reservations are suggested for Friday and Saturday evenings. It is so small, that we frequently find ourselves chatting with the people at the next table. It is just that type of place, and so often we have the good fortune to sit next to, or between (!) parties who have never been to Cafe Malaga before. Last time, we were between two parties who inquired about what we had ordered, and they followed suit.

My personal favorite is the wood grilled hanger steak over fried potatoes in paprika bleu cheese vinaigrette, but how can I not have the mojete, or the delicious potatoes with garlic aioli? And then how can we not have some wine, perhaps an Argentinian Malbec, and a San Pellegrino to go with that?

The menu has so much variety, there is truly something for everyone. And I love the tapas style. I would much rather select a few quality small dishes than have one overwhelmingly large bulk food entree.

I hate to say it, but the service has been spotty at times. Our last visit was for my birthday dinner, and the waiter had to be reminded to bring several things, including my San Pellegrino, our cheese plate, and a few other items. Of course the dinner was still delicious, and the evening wonderful. And, I was glad that the two adjoining tables of new patrons were chatting with us so that I could mention that the service was usually much better.

It is worth scheduling dinner when they have live music. It's great when they clear some room in this already small restaurant to add a few guitar players, or the second Saturday of the month when they feature the E-Flat Porch Band.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
3200 Darnell Street (in Fort Worth’s Cultural District). Parking is available on premises.
Tues - Sat 10A–5P, Sun 11A–5P. Closed Mondays and holidays, including New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

We really enjoy The Modern. This is a good thing, since we have been members for several years. The building itself is impressive, a simple concrete edifice with a beautiful reflecting pond visible through soaring windows.

We usually find the exhibits to be quite interesting, sometimes shocking. We don't claim to know a huge amount about art, and to be honest, some of the "art" escapes me. But, there is always enough to enjoy to keep us going back, or at least wanting to go back.

The Magnolia at The Modern is an ongoing series of critically acclaimed films. The theater is small, without all the cushy accoutrements of the other independent film theaters (such as the Angelika), and I don't believe food or drink is allowed. In fact, the theater's use as a film venue seems to be almost an afterthought. It is comfortable, though, and I would not hesitate to see another film there.

Last weekend we decided to have a date at the Modern, and we timed it so we could see The Pool, an Indian movie with English subtitles. I really enjoyed it. A boy working in a hotel becomes obsessed with a swimming pool in the opulent hills of Panjim, Goa in India. His life gets turned upside down when he attempts to meet the mysterious family that arrives at the house.

Also, check out Cafe Modern, named one of America's best restaurants by Gourmet Magazine. David took me to Cafe Modern for a special Valentine's dinner last year, and we have also had light brunch. It is very good food indeed.

Check out First Fridays at the Modern. The first Friday evening of each month, enjoy live music and cocktails from 5P - 8P, and dine in the cafe by night.

It is a frequently asked question in our area. What can we do when the relatives come to visit? And it's a good question, as Dallas doesn't have too many interesting natural sights to see. We've no beach, no mountains, and not much that really stands out from the rest of the country. In fact, we seem to have a large percentage of chain retail and restaurants, and a short list of unique or interesting attractions.

So, I'm assembling this catalog of good things to do in the north Texas area, especially those things to do near McKinney.

I'm not ruling out shopping altogether, but I am leaving out most malls and chain stores. Who really wants to travel across several states to go to a generic mall with the same stores and merchandise as one can find at home?

If you have any suggestions of additions to my list, feel free to comment!