Little Elm's 60th + a Watermelon 5K

Howdy, neighbors!

Little Elm is throwing itself a party for its 60th birthday on Saturday, and the whole Lakefront District is going all in with one-day specials, a morning Walk and Talk at Beard Park, and the return of the Melon Dash, a lakeside run that ends with a watermelon eating contest. It only comes around once, so go be part of it even if that is not your usual corner of the lake.

The night before, Grandscape has a free Taylor Swift tribute band out on the lawn from 8 to 10. Bring a chair and grab dinner from one of the spots right there.

The many splash pads and aquatic centers nearby are open too, and the lake is at full pool if the boat has been calling your name.

Me and Tess are keeping our weekend slow. A lap through the Flower Mound farmers market, an afternoon out of this heat, and then that Halal Thai place we keep meaning to get back to.

Also in this issue: an Old Town coffeehouse that roasts its own beans, a Flower Mound showcase home to test your price radar, a two-year-old Lab named Kevin, and a new spot coming to Highland Village where you can pay to SMASH things.

Stay cool out there!

- Jason

The Lakefront District
701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX
Saturday, July 11
All day, with a Walk & Talk at Beard Park 9 to 11 a.m.
Free to attend
Learn More

Little Elm was barely a dot on the map 60 years ago, and this Saturday the whole Lakefront District is throwing a party to celebrate how far it’s come.

Shops and restaurants down by the water are running one-day-only specials, from dining deals to discounts on water sports, so it is a great excuse to spend a day at the lake and support the local spots while you are at it.

Here are the publicly listed 60th specials:

Start the morning with the Walk and Talk at Beard Park from 9 AM to 11 AM, where you can stretch the legs and hear a little of the town's story. The city promises snow cones to keep you cool and a craft to take home.

Afterward, wander the district as it fills up. If you have got kids, the timing lines up perfectly with the Melon Dash race and watermelon eating contest happening the same morning at Little Elm Park.

It’s is free to show up, it is right near the water, and it only comes around once. Even if you’re from elsewhere around the lake, go be part of it.

When me and my girlfriend Tess want something with a little more spice than the usual weeknight rotation, this is where we land.

It is a casual, family-friendly Thai spot tucked into a strip center on Long Prairie, easy to drive right past, which is honestly my favorite. And it’s the kind of place that quietly becomes your go-to. The kitchen is Halal-certified, and there are plenty of vegetarian options too, so it caters to everyone.

The pad Thai gets the most love from me and everyone else online. But the spicy cashew shrimp has its regulars. Some people also rave about the Thai omelet with shrimp, and others say you should save room for the sticky rice with fresh mango. Other favorites from people we have taken are the pho and fish cakes. Come a little hungry.

One heads-up. It is in Suite 260, so look for it in the strip and not on the main drag.

Price: $$
Hours:
Daily 11 AM - 10 PM

If you’ve ever wandered Old Town Lewisville one morning, you’ve probably smelled this place before you saw it.

The Perc has been roasting its own beans on Main Street since 2016, and it has grown into the kind of neighborhood coffeehouse where the barista knows the regulars and nobody rushes you out. Craft coffee and tea, fresh-baked pastries, and a few yummy sandwiches, all under one warm, quirky roof.

What sets it apart is that it actually roasts in-house, so the coffee tastes like somebody cares and not like it came off a truck. Reviewers keep using words like "perfectly balanced," and I agree. More than 1,200 reviews have them at a 4.7, which is a crazy high rating for that kind of volume. But it’s true!

It is an easy spot for a slow morning, a laptop session, or catching up with a friend. Plus, the weekend hours run late, which I love for a coffee shop, because I need my caffeine at all hours of the day.

Parking is street and lot, which fills up on busy mornings and makes it hard to find a spot. So, give yourself extra time in your errand-running to walk to it from your car.

Price: $
Hours:
Mon - Thu 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Fri-Sat 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

4 beds
3.5 baths
3,386 sqft
0.22 acres lot

A) $725,000

B) $749,000

C) $775,000

D) $825,000

A second mosquito trap in Flower Mound tested positive for West Nile Virus this week, this one near Emerson Lane, and the town scheduled overnight spraying in the area. It is not only Flower Mound either. Traps have also come back positive over in Lewisville and near Argyle, so this one touches a good chunk of the lake area.

None of this is a reason to panic, it is a normal part of a hot Texas summer, but it is a good nudge to cut down on bites.

Denton County Public Health says to dump any standing water around the house (think bird baths, flowerpots, and clogged gutters), throw on long sleeves at dusk, and use a repellent with DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Flower Mound also gives out FREE mosquito dunks for the standing water you cannot get rid of.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Crews broke ground this week on a $2.82 million redo of the FM 2499 and Flower Mound Road intersection. The finished version will add double left-turn lanes, three through lanes, and a dedicated right turn in every direction.

Here is the part to plan around: this is a long one, with the town targeting summer 2027 for completion, so expect cones and lane shifts through there for a while. The upside a lot of us will appreciate, they are adding a right-turn lane into the Chick-fil-A so that drive-thru stops backing up onto FM 2499. Denton County is covering $3.5 million of the cost.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Good news for the frozen-treat crowd. Jeremiah's Italian Ice is opening a shop at The Highlands center on Justin Road (2201 Justin Road, Suite 303). It would be the chain's 12th spot around DFW, joining the ones in Little Elm, Frisco, and Keller.

One catch, it will not save you from this heat wave. Construction starts in August and the doors are not expected to open until early October. Along with the Italian ice, they do soft serve, Jelati, and ice cream sandwiches. Something to file away for those still-toasty fall afternoons.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

File this under things we did not expect on the agenda. On June 16, the Highland Village Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for iSmash, a rage-room entertainment concept that would be the first of its kind in North Texas. Think smash rooms, a splatter-paint studio, and an interactive floor room, all designed to let you take the day's frustrations out on some breakable objects.

Owners Roopa Seshadri and Sangeetha Srinivasan say they picked Highland Village over other suburbs because of its family feel and steady growth. The plan calls for soundproofed walls and reservations over walk-ins. The permit now heads to City Council for the final say, so keep an eye out.

The location is planned for 3090 Justin Rd, Highland Village, TX 75077.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Here is one for the civic-minded in The Colony. The candidate filing period for the city's upcoming City Council general election opens Monday, July 20, and runs through 5 p.m. on August 17. If you have ever thought about serving your city, this is the window to make it official.

Candidates need to live within the council place or district they are seeking. Full details, forms, and deadlines are posted on the city's election page, and it is worth a look even if you are just trying to figure out who will be on your ballot this fall.

Source: The Colony

There's a two-year-old Lab down at the Lewisville shelter named Kevin.

The shelter hasn't posted anything about his personality, so the best thing to do is visit and see for yourself. But what I can tell you is that Labs this age are usually up for whatever you are: a walk around the lake, a game of fetch in the yard, or a lazy afternoon on the floor.

If your family has been talking about a friendly, medium-to-large dog who can keep up with the kids, a young Lab like Kevin is worth a drive to go meet.

Adoption at the Gene Carey shelter is a flat $90, and that covers his neuter, microchip, vaccines, heartworm test, and city registration. Walk in during open hours, or call first if you have questions. Tell them you came for the big black Lab.

Lewisville Animal Shelter (Gene Carey Animal Shelter)
995 E Valley Ridge Blvd, Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 219-3478
Hours:
Mon by appointment
Tue 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Wed-Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Sun Closed

💧 Doubletree Ranch Park Splash Pad - 310 Highland Village Rd, Highland Village, TX | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | highlandvillage.org
Another free splash pad, tucked into a park with trails and a pond if the kids want a lap around after. Mornings are calmer for the toddler crowd.

🎵 Acoustic Jam Session - MCL Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 6 p.m. | Free | lewisvillegrand.com
An open, all-ages acoustic jam in Old Town's theater. Bring an instrument and sit in, or just come listen. A mellow, free way to start the weekend.

🎨 Art Exhibitions at MCL Grand - MCL Grand Theater Gallery, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free | lewisvillegrand.com
Two free gallery shows running now, an easy, air-conditioned culture stop for the family in the middle of a hot day.

🍉 Little Elm Melon Dash - Little Elm Park, 701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX | 7:15 a.m. to noon | Paid registration, see site | lakefrontlittleelm.com
A summer 5K and 10K along the lake, capped with a watermelon eating contest. Sign up ahead, and get there early before the Texas sun means business.

🥬 Denton Community Market - 317 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX | 9 a.m. to noon | Free | dentonmarket.org
Local makers, farm stands, food trucks, and live music on the historical park grounds. Get there early for the good produce and the shade.

💦 Denton Water Works Park - 2400 Long Rd, Denton, TX | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $19 over 48 inches, $14 under, $6 non-swimmers | dentonwaterworks.com
Tube slides and a lazy river with free parking. You can pay a little to bring your own cooler, which makes a whole day easy.

🏊 Sun Valley Aquatic Center - 801 S Valley Pkwy, Lewisville, TX | 1 to 6 p.m. | Residents $4, non-residents $8 | playlewisville.com
Lazy river, slides, and a tot pool under one gate. Get there near open on a hot Saturday before the crowd builds.

🌊 The Cove at the Lakefront - 417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm, TX | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $22 adult, $18 youth and senior, under 2 free | thecoveatthelakefront.com
An indoor-outdoor water park, so slides and a lazy river without the full sunburn. A solid call when the afternoon heat turns mean.

💧 Heritage Park Splash Pad - 600 Spinks Rd, Flower Mound, TX | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | flowermound.gov
Free all day, with 14 jets and a toddler zone. An easy, no-cost way to cool the little ones off.

🦖 The Bone War - Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane, Flower Mound, TX | 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | fmlibrary.libnet.info
The Dallas Paleontological Society acts out the 1800s dinosaur feud, and every kid leaves with a real Texas fossil. Indoor, air-conditioned, and free, which is the whole point of a 2 p.m. plan in July. Best for kindergarten and up.

🛍️ Flower Mound Farmers Market at River Walk - 4203 River Walk Dr, Flower Mound, TX | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | flowermound.gov
Produce, local vendors, and a pretty walk along the River Walk. A nice, slow Sunday stop before the afternoon heat.

🎭 Cabaret - MCL Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 7 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | lewisvillegrand.com
Scratch Theater Company stages the classic musical in Old Town's intimate theater. A grown-up night out that skips the drive into the city.

🎶 Dan's House Party ft. Beelzebarber & Affogato - Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 9 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | prekindle.com
A late-night bill at one of Denton's beloved music rooms. Dan's is small, the sound is great, and the crowd is all in.

🎸 Factory Fridays on the Plaza - Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 6:30 p.m. | Free | irvingtexas.com
Free live music on the plaza alongside the bars and restaurants. Good for a drink and a few songs if you are already over that way.

🍺 Truck Yard - 5959 Grove Ln, The Colony, TX | 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. | No cover, 21+ after 9 p.m. | truckyard.com
The dog-friendly beer garden with rotating food trucks and live music most nights. Fridays go till 1, and the back patio is the move once the sun drops.

🧙 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Shared Reality - Cosm Dallas, 5776 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | Friday, July 10, 6 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | cosm.com
Movie night, but the movie is wrapped around you. Cosm plays the first Harry Potter inside its 87-foot dome, so the Great Hall ceiling and the Quidditch pitch fill your whole field of view.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Tour - BENDT Distilling Co., 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. | $10, 21+ | bendtdistillingco.com
Two afternoon tour slots with a tasting at the end. The tasting hall, lounge, and whiskey garden stay open after, with happy hour from 7 to 10.

🎸 Young the Giant: Victory Garden Tour - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 6:30 p.m. | From $46 | thepaviliontmf.com
An open-air headliner night with Cold War Kids and KennyHoopla opening. Dress for a warm Texas evening and get there early for parking.

🎷 Yoko Miwa Trio Celebrates Ahmad Jamal - Windmills Craftworks, 5755 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 7 p.m. | $20 bar, $30 table | windmills-usa.com
Standards and jazz in the showroom with house beer and a lake view. An easy dinner-and-a-set that skips the crowds.

🎶 Slobberbone w/ Kevin Kerby & Hamell On Trial - Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 8 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | prekindle.com
Denton alt-country legends back on the Dan's stage. Loud, loose, and exactly what a Saturday night in Denton should sound like.

🎸 Saturday Sips & Sounds on the Plaza - Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 6:30 p.m. | Free | irvingtexas.com
The Saturday version of the free plaza series. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants and drift over for the show.

🎬 The Matrix in Shared Reality - Cosm Dallas, 5776 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 6:30 p.m. | From $17 | cosm.com
The sci-fi classic wrapped around you inside the dome. A wild, immersive way to spend a Sunday evening, drinks included if you want them.

🥁 Big Mike & RTB2's Tribute to CREAM - Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 2 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | prekindle.com
An afternoon tribute to the power trio at Dan's. A great low-key Sunday set if you like your rock loud and bluesy.

🎺 Mike Dillon Band ft. Brian Haas & Ginny Mac - Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 7 p.m. | Ticketed, see site | prekindle.com
A high-energy evening set to close out the weekend. Dan's does this kind of adventurous booking better than just about anybody.

If there's a Swiftie in your house, you already know what you're doing Friday night. And if there isn't one yet, give it two songs.

Grandscape's free Sounds of Summer series brings Red, a full Taylor Swift tribute band, out to the Corona Stage and Lawn from 8 to 10. Two hours of the songs everybody in the car already knows every word to, played live, out under the open sky, and it won't cost you a dollar to walk up.

The shops and restaurants are right there, so you can grab dinner, an ice cream, or a cold drink and carry it back instead of hauling a cooler. Bring your own seating, since no chairs are provided. Parking in the garages is free.

Kids dance down front. Parents actually get to sit for a minute.

Texas Health Presbyterian Flower Mound is hiring across the hospital, with recent listings for Telemetry RN, a Cath Lab Nurse Manager, and a NICU Charge RN. Worth flagging: they're holding a NICU hiring event on July 23 with on-the-spot offers, so it's a good week to get an application in.

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Nebraska Furniture Mart (Grandscape, The Colony) hires across the sales floor and the warehouse, so there's a fit whether you want to be with customers or moving freight. Recent role types include Warehouse Supervisor, Customer Pick-Up, sales Floor Manager, Machine Operator (2nd shift around $18.58 to $23.13 an hour), and a Forklift Mechanic ($30.93 to $38.35).

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City of Lewisville has around 50 positions posted across departments right now, from a School Crossing Guard to public-works and parks roles. These are local, benefited city jobs with TMRS retirement and up to four weeks of vacation, and salary is listed on each posting.

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Town of Flower Mound drops fresh openings every Friday across police, dispatch, fire, public works, parks and rec, and administration, so it's worth a standing weekly check. Benefited municipal jobs close to home.

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City of The Colony is filling around a dozen roles across police, fire, public works, library, and recreation. If you're on the west side of the lake, it's the closest city payroll, and salary runs on each posting.

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Lewisville ISD is staffing up for the 2026-2027 school year through its Frontline/AppliTrack portal, hiring teachers, aides, child nutrition, transportation, and custodial. The 2025-26 starting teacher salary was $64,250, and a lot of the support roles don't need a teaching degree.

👉 Browse openings