🎶 Free 90s Country + Korean BBQ Tacos

Hey, y’all!

Saturday night is the real decision this weekend, and you get two very different versions of it.

Out at Little Elm Park, 90 Proof Country plays the lakefront from 7 to 8, free, with the sun dropping over the water behind the stage. It is an hour of Garth and Alan Jackson, chairs on the grass, a cooler, room for the kids to run.

Same night, if your Saturday leans more toward the songs that lived on your iPod, The Fray and Dashboard Confessional are at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving. It is partially covered, parking is easy, and the drive over is short enough that it does not eat your whole evening.

We are starting Saturday slow at the Denton Community Market, then hiding indoors until it cools off. Sunday we plan to finally try Seven Doors over at Grandscape.

Also in here: Costco is really, truly going up at Grandscape, Lewisville ISD moved bell times around before the August 12 first day, a Highland Village showcase home to price out, and a retriever named Snoop who mostly wants your couch.

Stay cool out there.

- Jason

Little Elm Park
701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX
Saturday, August 1
7 to 8 p.m.
Free
Learn More

90 Proof Country is a DFW band built entirely around the 90s country songbook, and the set runs straight through Garth, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, and King George.

If those names still live somewhere on your playlist, Saturday night is yours. One thing worth knowing: the show runs 7 to 8, so that is one hour start to finish. Get there by 6:30, drop your chairs on the grass, and let the kids burn off some energy while you get settled.

Pack a picnic and something cold, because 7 p.m. in August is still August, though the breeze off the water usually shows up right about when the band does.

A FREE hour of Garth with the lake going pink behind the stage. Go take the Saturday.

Seven Doors Kitchen & Cocktails sits right in the middle of all the action near the big Ferris wheel, so we like it for date night, a birthday, or a long lunch when we want to linger over cocktails. The room is warm and buzzy without being so loud you have to shout, and the patio is a nice spot to people-watch on a summer evening. Their an approachable modern American grill serving chef-inspired shared plates and entrées, named for a collection of French colonial doors from the 1800s placed throughout the restaurant.

The menu is built around chef-inspired shared plates and grill entrees, so it works whether you want to graze or sit down to a real dinner. The Korean BBQ beef tacos come up again and again in reviews and they are worth starting with. From there folks tend toward the steaks and burgers, and the cocktail list gets a lot of love if you are in the mood to make an evening of it. They also do a Sunday brunch that draws a crowd.

One heads-up: this is a popular Grandscape spot, so weekend evenings can get busy and a reservation is smart. Prices run from around $10 to $13 for smaller plates up into the $20s to $40s for entrees, so it is more of a treat-night place than a quick weeknight bite.

Price: $$$
Hours:
Mon-Wed 11am-9pm
Thu 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Sun 10am-9pm

Allie started Feisty Florals back in 2020 while she was still teaching high school, then left the classroom in 2022 to do this full time. That leap shows in the work. Her arrangements lean romantic and garden style, all soft movement and saturated color, and she builds each one around the person she is making it for.

Couples keep coming back to the same thing in their reviews. Allie listens. One bride wanted bright, non-traditional colors and said Allie ran with the idea and nailed it. Others mention how she pins down exactly what you want when all you have is a vague picture in your head, and stays in touch about flowers, timing, and pricing the whole way through. Weddings are the specialty, but she also does everyday arrangements, sympathy flowers, and same-day delivery around Lewisville and Flower Mound.

One heads-up: the shop keeps daytime hours and is closed Sundays, so plan pickups accordingly.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon - Friday 10am to 4pm
Sat 8:30am to 4pm
Sun - Closed

4 beds
2.5 baths
3,448 sqft
0.23 acres lot

A) $660,000

B) $760,000

C) $860,000

D) $960,000

If you have driven past Grandscape lately, that steel going up along the Sam Rayburn Tollway is the new Costco.

The warehouse, approved by The Colony City Council last September and under construction since December, is a 155,000-square-foot store with its own gas station at Spring Creek Parkway and Grandscape Boulevard in The Colony, TX.

The retailer is expected to open this fall. It joins a wave of new Costco locations across North Texas driven by the region's fast growth. For those of us who have been making the drive to Frisco or Plano for a membership run, a closer option is nearly here.

Expect the usual opening-week crowds once the doors swing open.

Source: localprofile.com

School is back before we know it. Lewisville ISD's first day is Wednesday, August 12, and this year comes with a change worth marking on the fridge.

Starting with the 2026-27 year, the district is swapping start times so middle schoolers begin before high schoolers, and it is adding 10 minutes to every school day across all grade levels. Elementary runs 7:40 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., middle school 8:15 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., and high school 8:50 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The board approved the swap on a 5-2 vote back in January and the 10-minute extension unanimously. District officials say the longer day banks extra minutes for bad-weather days and gives staff more time for planning.

If you have a carpool or a bus stop routine, now is the time to rework it before the buses roll.

Source: communityimpact.com

The biggest road job in town is close to done. The city lists August 17 as the target finish date for the stretch of Corporate Drive running from Railroad Street east across the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. That's a little over two weeks out.

This piece of the work is called Segments 2 and 3, and it runs about $43 million on its own. It covers a four-lane divided road, roughly 2,000 feet of bridge over the river bottoms, a new water line, drainage upgrades, and about a mile and a half of 12-foot trail and sidewalk.

Corporate Drive keeps going east after that. Sundt Construction is building the whole run on a combined $69.6 million contract, and the full stretch is expected to be finished by winter 2027.

For us, that means a real new east-west route across the river and a fresh piece of trail along it. Until then, expect construction traffic near the job site.

Source: cityoflewisville.com | sundt.com

Just up the road, Denton is having a big conversation about growth. On July 14, Mayor Chris Watts won council support to explore a temporary moratorium on new apartment development, pointing to more than two dozen multifamily projects already in the pipeline, with 29 in development or under construction.

Council members did not vote on a pause itself. They simply directed staff to bring the topic back for a work session. A new state law, House Bill 2559, makes such a moratorium harder to pull off, requiring two public hearings at least 30 days apart and a three-fourths council vote, so officials note any pause likely could not take effect until next year.

If you rent in the area or watch the housing market, this is one to keep an eye on as budget season opens.

Source: keranews.org

Some dogs come into the shelter bouncing off the walls. Snoop is not one of them. He is a two-year-old Retriever mix, about 54 pounds, and the shelter says his idea of a perfect day is lounging in bed and soaking up naps.

Their words: a calm, easygoing guy who loves nothing more than relaxing and enjoying life's simple comforts.

He is friendly with other dogs and has a moderate energy level, so he would slot in nicely with a family that already has a pup or just wants a laid-back buddy for the couch. The shelter has not tested whether he is fully house-trained yet, so plan on a routine those first couple of weeks and he should settle in fast.

Snoop's adoption is $90 and covers everything: vaccination, microchipping, heartworm testing, and neutering, with city registration included for Lewisville residents. Go meet him!

Lewisville Animal Shelter
995 E Valley Ridge Blvd, Lewisville, TX
972-219-3478
Hours:
Monday is appointment only
Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday 12–5 p.m.
Sunday closed

🎶 Sounds of Summer: Caribbean Waves - Corona Stage & Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 8 to 10 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
The Friday concert series rolls on out on the big lawn. Bring a blanket, grab a bite from the surrounding restaurants, and let the kids have the run of the grass.

🏖️ Old Town Splash Park - 535 W College St, Lewisville, TX | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | More: playlewisville.com
Ninety spray features and no standing water, tucked behind Wayne Frady Park in Old Town. It runs seven days a week through September.

💦 McCord Park Splash Pad - 1001 Witt Rd, Little Elm, TX | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Free | More: littleelm.gov
Little Elm's splash pad runs automatically all day with nothing to push, and it stays open late for an evening cool-down.

💦 Doubletree Ranch Park Splash Pad - 310 Highland Village Rd, Highland Village, TX | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | More: highlandvillage.org
Three wet-play zones with a little creek feel, plus shade and a playground when the kids need a breather. Open daily except Thursdays through Labor Day.

🎢 Water Works Park - 2400 Long Rd, Denton, TX | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $19 (48"+), $14 (under 48") | More: dentonwaterworks.com
Denton's summer waterpark is open daily right up through August 9, so this is one of the last full-week windows for the slides and lazy river.

🏊 Civic Center Pool - 321 E McKinney St, Denton, TX | noon to 6 p.m. | $8 ages 15+, $6 ages 3 to 14 | More: cityofdenton.com
A beach-entry outdoor pool with a slide and lap lanes next to Quakertown Park, an easy and affordable way to cool off close to the square.

🏝️ Little Elm Beach - Little Elm Park, 701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX | open daily | Free entry, $10 per vehicle parking | More: lakefrontlittleelm.com
One of the largest open-swim areas in North Texas, with real sand and volleyball courts. No lifeguard, so keep the little ones close.

🚤 Sycamore Bend Park - Sycamore Bend Rd, Hickory Creek, TX | Open daily | $5 per vehicle day use, $10 boat ramp, $20 primitive camping | More: hickorycreek-tx.gov
Hickory Creek's quiet lake park with a boat ramp, shoreline, walking trails and a pavilion. Pay at the kiosk on the way in and put the receipt on your dash.

🧺 Denton Community Market - Denton County Historical Park, 317 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Free | More: dentonmarket.org
Growers, makers, and artisans set up weekly near the Denton square. Go early before the heat and let the kids pick out a treat.

🌳 A Day at LLELA - Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $5 per person | More: llela.org
Open all weekend for hiking, fishing, birding, and paddling on the Elm Fork of the Trinity. Bring water and bug spray and get there early.

🎶 90 Proof Country at The Lakefront - Little Elm Park, 701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX | 7 p.m. | Free | More: lakefrontlittleelm.com
A free 90s country tribute out by the water at Little Elm Park. Pack chairs and a picnic and let the kids run while the band plays the classics.

🏖️ Willow Grove Park Beach & Swim Area - 800 E Hundley Dr, Lake Dallas, TX 75065 | Open daily | Boat launch $10 at the kiosk, tent camping $25 a night | More: lakedallas.com
Lake Dallas's own beach and swim area, with shade trees, a pier and a shower house near the entrance. Weekend camping runs a two night minimum.

🦋 Shady Shores Butterfly Garden & Walking Track - Town Hall, 101 S Shady Shores Rd, Shady Shores, TX 76208 | Open to visitors | Free | More: shady-shores.com
A certified Monarch waystation with a quarter mile loop around it, and the town just picked up National Wildlife Federation habitat status in January. Go early, the monarchs start moving through in mid August.

🥕 Flower Mound Farmers Market at Parker Square - 1500 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound, TX | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | More: fourseasonsmarkets.com
A Four Seasons Sunday staple with produce, local honey, tamales, and breads. A relaxed morning stroll the whole family can graze through.

💦 The Commons at Agora - 3280 Agora Way, Corinth, TX 76208 | Splash pad 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., park 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Free | More: corinthtx.gov
Corinth's downtown gathering spot has a splash pad, a playscape, ADA swings and a boardwalk, plus restrooms and shade. Splash pad hours run through Labor Day.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Tour & Tasting - 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 6 p.m. | Reservation required, 21+ | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Walkable from Old Town, the 45-minute Friday tour of this small-batch distillery ends in the tasting room with a pour flight. Book ahead and bring your ID.

🎨 Free Gallery Exhibitions - Medical City Lewisville Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free | More: lewisvillegrand.com
Three shows to wander at once, including Songs Without Words and The Ninth Decade. A quiet, free way to start the weekend. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

🌳 A Day at LLELA - 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $5 per person | More: llela.org
The preserve is open Friday too. A late-day walk or paddle on the Elm Fork is a calm way to unwind after the week.

🎧 Late Nights at JĀKÖ Cocina y Agave - Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
Live DJ sets with agave cocktails and a good patio scene, the later end of a Grandscape night.

🎸 Lakeside Music Series: Barry Martin - The Shops at Lakeside DFW, 2314 Lakeside Pkwy, Flower Mound, TX 75022 | 8 to 10 p.m. | Free | More: lakesidevillage.com
Soul and pop on the plaza green, ten years running now. Summer hours push it to 8 p.m., so you get sunset over Grapevine Lake with dinner nearby.

🧘 Tai Chi in the Plaza - Wayne Ferguson Plaza, 150 W Church St, Lewisville, TX | 9:30 a.m. | Free | More: cityoflewisville.com
A free outdoor 16-form class in the shade of Old Town with instructor Lowell Johnson. No gear or experience needed.

🎲 Adult Board Gaming - Lewisville Public Library, 1197 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | noon to 4 p.m. | Free | More: library.cityoflewisville.com
The library's first-Saturday game afternoon lands on August 1. Drop in for a few rounds with neighbors, all games provided.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Tour & Tasting - 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 1 or 3 p.m. | Reservation required, 21+ | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Two Saturday tour times if Friday does not work, each ending in the tasting room. Minutes from Old Town for lunch after.

🎶 Acoustic Sessions with Rachel & Adam - Tande Craft Kitchen & Cocktails at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 5 to 7 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
A powerhouse acoustic duo every Saturday early evening. Grab a cocktail and a few bites and ease into the night.

🎸 The Fray with Dashboard Confessional and Colony House - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 7 p.m. | Ticketed | More: thepaviliontmf.com
The Summer of Light Tour brings a heavy dose of mid-2000s nostalgia to the covered pavilion and lawn. Easy parking and a solid pre-show patio make the Irving drive worth it.

🥂 $15 Bottomless Mimosas - Lambeau's America Kitchen and Taps, The Shops at Highland Village, Highland Village, TX 75077 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | $15 bottomless | More: lambeausamerica.com
Weekend patio brunch without the Grandscape parking lot. Runs Saturday and Sunday both, so pick whichever morning you actually get to sleep in.

🎶 Sunday Unwind with Chloe Clemente - Tande Craft Kitchen & Cocktails at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 5 to 7 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
Live music, handcrafted cocktails, and a slow, easy end to the weekend on the Tande patio.

🎸 Dogstar: All In Now Tour - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 8 p.m. | Ticketed | More: thepaviliontmf.com
Yes, that Dogstar, Keanu Reeves and company, playing the covered pavilion to close out the weekend. A fun story to tell afterward.

🎶 Sunday Live Music at Posh & Pours - 3032 FM 720, Suite 150, Oak Point, TX 75068 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | No cover published | More: poshnpours.com
Oak Point's neighborhood bar does live music with brunch every Sunday. Old fashioneds are their thing, and the room stays easy on a Sunday afternoon.

If you have not been out to Kids Kastle since the rebuild, it is not the splintery wooden castle you remember.

Neighbors built the original by hand in 1994, and when it finally wore out, voters approved a bond to replace it and the city held a design day so local kids could help draw up the new one. What is out there now has towers, slides, a zip line, and padded turf underneath, and the whole thing is fenced, so you can sit down for a minute without doing a head count every thirty seconds.

The rest of Unity Park is the part people forget about. Thirty-eight acres with hike and bike trails, two ponds, a fishing pier, a covered pavilion for snack breaks, restrooms, and twelve lighted pickleball courts if the grownups want a turn.

There is also K-9 Kastle next door, a fenced off-leash dog park with separate sides for big and small dogs, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day but Thursday, when it closes for maintenance.

Two heads-ups: That turf gets HOT by midday in August, so go early or wait until after dinner when the lights come on. And the lot is shared with Briarhill Middle School, so it fills fast on a Saturday when there are ball games running.

🚗 Get directions to Kids Kastle at Unity Park