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The 2008-2009 flu season has started and runs through late April.  Each year the flu kills 36,000 people and hospitalizes 200,000 annually. While the flu does affect young children, adults age 50 and above are the most susceptible group affected by the disease.

How can you tell if you’ve got the flu? The symptoms of flu and colds are similar, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have the flu or a very bad cold. The flu can cause more serious illness than a common cold.

What can you do to protect yourself against the flu?

By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall. However, there are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick;
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
• Wash your hands often; and
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

There are numerous places offering flu shots each year.  You can get your flu shot in a number of locations this year, and so far at least, the shots are readily available.   In doing a quick informal survey of prices around Flower Mound, we found prices ranging as high as $35 for the shots. Of course many insurance plans or corporate well-care programs cover flu shots, but we have elected to return to CareNow at Grapevine Mills Mall.  We went there last year for our first visit to their facilities and were most pleased, spending less than 20 minutes in the clinic on a Saturday. The staff was constantly smiling, pleasant conversations and highly recommended.   This year, they have even reduced their shot fee to only $15.  No appointment is necessary and you can simply walk-in.  They are open 7 days a week.

Preparing to Enter The Cotton Bowl for 2008 Red River Rivalry: 9:35AM
Has anyone noticed traffic being particularly heavy around town, even in our own little Flower Mound town in the past day?  Even driving the back roads to the shoping center was chaotic, FM407 was worse then usual, and the stores were packed all day long.  Guess that’s good for our local economy, but I had to wonder what the reason was.  And the only reason that makes sense was the little football game being held Saturday morning at 11am in the Cotton Bowl- The Red River Rivalry.

Thought we’d share a real-time image of Game Day.

State Fair of Texas - Sept 26-Oct 19, 2008
Fair Park, South of Downtown Dallas

IGNITE YOUR SENSES!

Did you know the State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the United States based on attendance? Did you also know that it has been held at Fair Park since 1886? And did you know that it has the largest Ferris wheel in North America?

Last year we saw the re-introduction of a new ride, the Texas Skyway, a $5 Million sky gondola system taking fair goers on an aerial tour of Fair Park. There are 34 Art-Deco gondolas each capable of holding 8 passengers, covering 1,800 feet traveling 65 feet above the ground.

Of course the centerpiece of the Fair is the annual football game, shootout, red-river rivalry, Big Red-Crimson Orange match…yep, the Oklahoma-Texas football game played in the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park. Due to recent agreements between the Universities and the City of Dallas, the Red River Shootout is expected to continue at Fair Park through 2015. This year’s game will be on Saturday, October 11, 2008.

The State Fair of Texas is the only Fair in the country to include a full blown auto show. It includes over 300,000 square feet of new model vehicles, two buildings, a Truck Zone and a Test Drive Track. The State Fair has been the site for several international launches including the 2007 Chevy Tahoe, the 2007 Ford Sporttrac and the 2008 Chevy Silverado.

Fair officials are also offering an online digital edition of their show guide you may access by clicking here.

For more information, show schedules, and to purchase tickets online, click here .

Ticket Prices:

Season Pass $39.95 (Early Bird Special-$29.95 till 9/2)
Adult Advance Purchase $11.95 Regular Price $14
Seniors Advance $8.95 Regular Price $10
Children Advance Purchase $ 8.95 Regular Price $10
(Under 48" tall)
2 and under - Free

NOTE: DISCOUNT TICKETS may be available at area Kroger stores!

The Town of Flower Mound will commemorate National Night Out and take a stance against crime and drugs from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7 by hosting a Neighborhood of the Year contest and Police Department Open House.

Neighborhoods that organize National Night Out block parties will compete for the annual Flower Mound Neighborhood of the Year Award. Registered block parties could receive visits from members of the Flower Mound Town Council, Police Department, Fire Trucks, and McGruff the Crime Dog.

In addition, the Flower Mound Police Department will host an Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Police Department, 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane. Residents are invited to attend the event and enjoy station tours, displays of police and fire equipment, a SWAT display, the K-9 unit, McGruff the Crime Dog, crime prevention information, and digital child identification services. A shredder will be available in the parking lot of the Police Department from 4 to 8 p.m. for disposal of old documents.

The 19th Annual Fort Worth Alliance Air Show is this Sat, October 11 and Sun, October 12, 2008.  The airshow features this year’s only North Texas performance by a major U.S. military jet team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.The US Army Golden Knights parachute team will also be performing.

Gates open at 9:00AM with performances beginning at 9:30AM. Benefiting the USO of Dallas/Fort Worth, Admission is free , and parking is $20 per vehicle this year regardless of size!

Activities include tU.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, Gene Soucy with wingwalker Teresa Stokes, Manfred Radius’s unique glider aerobatics, and the Shockwave Jet Truck, and military tactical demos, and lots of photo opportunties and aircraft displays.

The Fort Worth Alliance Air Show is an annual event held at Alliance Airport. Over 180,000 guest are anticipated over the two day event (though the competition is tough this year with the OU-Texas Game on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl).  Numerous corporate sponsors will also be presented showing their community involvement and support.

Here are some tips to help you have a fantastic day at the air show!

• Bring your friends and family to experience breath-taking stunts, inspirational patriotic displays and good old fashioned fun.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring a hat.
• Come early for photos of aviation displays.
• Leave unnecessary gear at home. No food, drinks, coolers of any kind, alcoholic beverages, pets, bicycles, skate boards, scooters or in-line skates allowed on the grounds, including the parking areas.
• Feel free to bring lawn chairs and umbrellas.
• Bring hearing protection.
• Buy a souvenir program for insightful articles about the performers.
• Splurge at the show! Bring spending dough for food, snacks, drinks and air show memorabilia.
• Don’t Forget the kids. With bounce houses and kid-fun activities, the whole family is sure to have a terrific time all day long.

Directions from Flower Mound:

• Travel West on FM-1171 to I-35W
• Turn South on I-35W
• Exit Eagle Parkway
• Follow signs and police direction to General Admission Parking

Additional Driving Directions, Click Here
For more information on the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show, see their website at www.allianceairshow.com .

About the USO of Dallas/Fort Worth

The USO of Dallas/Fort Worth offers our military a world-class 2,900 square foot facility, located in Terminal B at Gate 15 (on the secure side) of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The facility was formerly occupied by the Continental Airlines Presidents Club and was generously refurbished by the DFW Airport Board expressly with the USO in mind. In March 2005, their second facility was opened in Terminal D at Gate 22.

Since opening on June 14, 2004, the group has welcomed more than 254,000 patrons to the facilities as they pass through DFW Airport. Many guests are troops coming from, or returning to, duties while serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). DFW Airport is one of only two U.S. airport locations accommodating the Army’s Rest and Recuperation (R&R) program — and all of North Texas is proud to serve.

The facilities offer computers with internet access, a TV lounge, sleeping rooms, game room, cafe area, children’s play area, phone service and more.

For more information regarding the facilities, how you may assist by volunteering or becoming a corporate sponsor, or how you can contribute to this great effort, please contact the USO of Dallas/Fort Worth . Thank you.

The deadline to register for and be eligible to vote in the November 4, 2008, General Presidential Election is October 6, 2008.  Your registration must be postmarked or the application must be submitted to the voter registrar of the county in which you reside by this date.

For Denton County election information, please click here .
For Tarrant County election information, click here .

The Plano Balloon Festival comes to Plano’s Oak Point Park, Friday, September 19th through Sunday September 21st.

Live music includes Kraig Parker as Elvis, Friday at 7pm.  Saturday at 7pm it’s The Beatles Tribute Band “Me & My Monkey”.  Thrill to Skydivers and enjoy family fun all weekend long, including fireworks Saturday night at 9.

Go to PlanoBalloonFest.org for tickets and additional information!

WILLKOMMEN Y’ALL TO THE 21 ANNUAL ADDISON OKTOBERFEST
CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST AT ONE OF THE LARGEST AUTHENTIC CELEBRATIONS IN U.S.

Nearly 70,000 fans of polka, German food and Paulaner bier will gather September 18-21, 2008, in Addison’s spectacular Addison Circle Park. Addison’s 21st annual Oktoberfest features four days of music, folk dancing, sing-a-longs plus great German food and entertainment — in one of the largest and most authentic Oktoberfest festivals outside of the famed Munich celebration.

“People are sometimes confused by the September timing of Addison’s Oktoberfest event,” says Barbara Kovacevich, Special Events Administrator for the Town of Addison. “But we schedule Oktoberfest in Addison to coincide with the opening of the world renowned Oktoberfest celebration in Munich.”

This year, Grammy-award winners Brave Combo will join dozens of authentic German entertainers at the festival, which draws guests from across the Southwest. Special hotel packages, featuring lodging, event tickets and more, will be available from many of Addison’s diverse hotels.
EVENT SPECIFICS:
When: Thursday, September 18, 2008 5pm – 11pm
Friday, September 19, 2008 5 pm – Midnight
Saturday, September 20, 2008 12 noon – Midnight
Sunday, September 21, 2008 Noon – 6 pm

Where: 4970 Addison Circle Dr. Free parking located at the northwest corner of Dallas Parkway and Arapaho.

What: An authentic recreation of the Munich Oktoberfest featuring more than 30 hours of continuous family-oriented entertainment. German entertainers in authentic costumes perform traditional Bavarian folk dances, schuhplattling, oompah music, sing-a-longs, yodels and more. A special “Oktoberfest” Paulaner Bier is served along with several types of German sausage, sauerkraut, strudel, giant pretzels and more.

There are carnival rides, midway games, children’s entertainment and activities and a 5K run benefiting Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer.

Cost: $5 for ages 4 and older; FREE on Thursday. Discount tickets available at Tom Thumb Stores. Food & Beverage tickets are available for pre-sale. Go to Addison website for locations. For every $50 you pre-purchase, you will receive $5 free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: call 1(800) ADDISON or visit www.addisontexas.net . Addison
Oktoberfest is presented by the Town of Addison.

The Flower Mound Police responded to an attempted kidnapping call at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 on Crooked Lane.

According to witnesses, a group of children (6-11yrs old) reportedly were approached by a male driving a taxicab.   Reportedly, they were enticed to the car with money, and the man attempted to pull the child into the car by grabbing her arm. She was able to twist free and run away.  No children were injured.

Flower Mound Police took statements, developed a suspect description and discovered that the suspect was an employee of a Dallas taxicab service. The suspect, a Dallas resident is currently in police custody for the offense of Attempted Kidnapping.