Trader Joe's, Maybe? And Lebanese Food Fest This Weekend

Hey, y'all!

For 27 years now, the folks at Our Lady of Lebanon on University Place have spent one October weekend cooking for the whole city. This is that weekend. The Lebanese Food Festival runs Friday and Saturday, 11 in the morning to 11 at night, and Sunday until 3. Walking in costs nothing. You buy $1 coupons at the gate and spend them on garlic chicken sandwiches, kafta, stuffed grape leaves and baklawa, all made by church volunteers. Saturday night the dabke dancers and a belly dancer take the stage, and a fella named Sal Tabla plays the derbakeh.

Saturday morning, before the festival, the Lewisville Fire Department throws open the Tittle McFadden Public Safety Center on W Main for its annual open house. Kids climb on the engines, meet the crews, and everybody leaves with a smoke alarm reminder. Free, 10 to 2.

Two news items worth your time. Trader Joe's has filed permits for the old Party City space in Flower Mound. And the Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial of a 24-hour emergency room on FM 1171.

Also inside: a scratch kitchen and whiskey bar in The Colony where the patio looks straight out at the lake, a Lake Dallas bakeshop with pumpkin toffee pecan cheesecake one the menu, and a Hickory Creek home with its own guest house (guess the price below).

See you at the kafta line.

- Jason

If your home or auto insurance has been on autopilot for a while, this is a good reminder to take another look. Bramble Insurance is a southern-focused independent agency that specializes in Texans’ needs. Fill out their form online and complete a quote with a licensed agent and they’ll send you a $5 gift card to Chick-fil-A.

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church
719 University Place, Lewisville, TX
Friday to Sunday, October 2 to 4, 2026
Fri and Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission and free parking, food and drinks by $1 coupon

26th Annual Lebanese Food Festival, Our Lady of Lebanon, Lewisville

Twenty-seven years. That's how long the parish at Our Lady of Lebanon has been cooking for the whole city, and the recipes have not budged. Same families, same pots, every October. You walk in. You buy a stack of $1 coupons. Then you work your way down the line.

Here's what we get. A garlic chicken or kafta sandwich runs 15 coupons. The beef kabob is 16. The combo plate with kafta or chicken is 22. Sides like hummus and grape leaves go $1 to $5, same for the baklawa and maamoul, and a glass of Lebanese wine or an Almaza beer is $7.

The entertainment is the other half of it. Saturday is the big day. Cowboy Kris teaches the kids to rope. Reptile Adventures sets up in the kids' area. There's a learn-to-make-tabouli demo in the afternoon. Then night hits and it's dabke troupes, a belly dancer named Raena, and Sal Tabla on the derbakeh until DJ Ashraf takes over.

Sunday the church's own folk dancers take the stage, and the raffle draws at 2. First prize is $3,000.

Never seen a dabke line get rolling in a church parking lot? This is your weekend. Bring cash for the coupons. Bring the kids. And buy the pastries FIRST, because the maamoul goes fast.

We've driven past the big whiskey-barn building on Main Street in The Colony a hundred times. Never stopped. Turns out the second-floor patio looks straight out over Lewisville Lake, and come sunset on a Friday it's one of the better tables in Denton County.

Rob and Amy Jones started building The Rackhouse in 2021. The idea, the way D Magazine put it, was a killer smashburger and a whole lot of whiskey. The Dallas Observer named it the best bourbon and whiskey selection in Dallas in 2025, and says the list is down to about 70 favorites now, not counting Scotch or Irish.

The food holds up. The Rackhouse Smash Burger is two Oklahoma-style patties with cheddar on brioche for $15. The Chicken Fried Steak comes with roasted jalapeño cream gravy, garlic mashed potatoes and corn cobbler for $21, and the Observer drove 35 minutes north for it and called the gravy "the star here."

The Whiskey Rebellion Pot Roast is bourbon-marinated and slow-cooked for $24. The Brisket Grilled Cheese is $16. The Buffalo Trace Bread Pudding with warm bourbon sauce is $10. Kids' meals are all $7.

Weekend brunch starts at 10. Chicken and Waffles at $18, Breakfast Tacos at $12. Happy hour runs 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and all day Monday and Tuesday, and that gets you an $11 cheeseburger and fries, $5 draft pints and a $10 Buffalo Old Fashioned.

One Yelp reviewer this month kept it simple: "We sat on the patio, which is very well situated." Another called the tenders and fries a "super great sharing plate."

One thing to know. Live music hits the patio Friday, October 2 (Mick Tinsley, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) and (The Alley Katz, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.). The patio fills up fast on music nights and for brunch. Reserve.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon to Thu 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Right off I-35E in Lake Dallas sits a bakeshop that opened in September 2020, outgrew its first space in a year, and moved into this one after a 33-day buildout. Founder Lisa Britten has owned bakeries and food trucks since 1997, with a few years off to raise her four kids. She named it after her mother and her daughter. Her cupcakes got named Best in Texas back in 2010.

The case is the draw. Twelve cupcake flavors at a time. Eight regulars, four weekly specials. $19.75 for a half dozen, $39.50 for a dozen.

The cookies take three days to make and run $2. Cookie sandwiches are $4.25. Stuffies and Tuxedo cookies are $4.95.

It's October, so here's the part we care about. The whole cheesecakes run $72 and serve 12 to 14, and the fall flavors are Pumpkin Toffee Pecan and Texas Turtle. There's a Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie too, a French Silk pie on a pretzel crust, and layer cakes from $55 for a 6-inch.

It doubles as a coffee shop. Breakfast tacos, scones, cinnamon rolls, three kinds of chicken salad, and a room you can rent for a shower. One Yelp reviewer in July put it this way: "Their drip coffee is immaculate. Matt was awesome and super friendly with helping me pick out the cupcakes."

One thing to know. Online pre-orders need 48 hours. Custom cakes book two to three weeks out for weekends. And Sunday hours end at 2.

Price: $ to $$
Hours:
Mon to Fri 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4 beds
3 baths
3,162 sqft
0.61 acres

A) $899,000

B) $949,000

C) $1,025,000

D) $1,110,000

Flower Mound has wanted a Trader Joe's about as long as it's had a Kroger. It may finally be getting one. The town says permits and plans submitted earlier this year list Trader Joe's as the proposed tenant for a remodel of the old Party City suite in the Highlands of Flower Mound shopping center along FM 2499, Flower Mound, TX.

The town hasn't heard from Trader Joe's directly, though, so it can't officially confirm anything. No timeline posted. The Economic Development team says it's been working with the property's development team, and that's about all anybody will say.

If it lands, it joins Costco (planned along Dixon Lane) and H-E-B (FM 2499 at Waketon Road). Those are three of the most-requested names in the town's own retail surveys, all chasing Flower Mound at once.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

The Texas Transportation Commission put $555.4 million of new money into I-35W frontage roads and interchanges in Denton County when it adopted its 2027 Unified Transportation Program on Aug. 26. The plan lays continuous frontage roads from south of FM 1171 to north of John Paine Road, plus full interchanges at FM 1171, Denton Creek Drive, FM 407, Old Justin Road, Robson Ranch Road and John Paine/Allred.

Work is phased over the next decade. It starts as early as summer 2027, and TxDOT is targeting completion in 2036. Denton County is kicking in $20 million of its own to speed up utility relocations.

Now, this is I-35W, the west leg through Argyle and Northlake. Not I-35E through Lewisville. But if you commute toward Fort Worth or run up to Alliance, this is your road.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Flower Mound Town Council voted Sept. 21 to postpone a decision on Total Care ER's request to run a freestanding emergency room around the clock in a new shopping center on FM 1171 between Fireside Drive and Arrowhead Drive, Flower Mound, TX. Most members liked the idea but told the applicant to talk with neighbors first, since many wrote in against it. No new date is set.

Planning and Zoning recommended denial 4-2 on Sept. 14, after a first motion to deny failed 2-4. The sticking point was 24-hour operation on a pad zoned for community retail, plus noise and light concerns. The applicant says the 7,980-square-foot space would have nine beds and one ambulance on site, which similar Total Care ERs use about 11 times a year, and it would not receive ambulances.

Because P&Z said no, approval now takes a supermajority, four council votes. Total Care ER is also opening at Rayzor Ranch in Denton.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

The Denton County Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Unit and Lewisville police served an arrest warrant and three search warrants on Sept. 10. Lewisville resident Shujun Sun was arrested on a warrant for trafficking of persons. Investigators say she's associated with two Lewisville massage parlors, Zen Health Therapy Spa and Massage 7, both shut down after licensing inspections in June.

A search of her home allegedly turned up more than $8,000 in cash and business records. Three women, all Chinese nationals, were detained by ICE and offered victim services through Denton County Friends of the Family.

Charges are pending.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

A contract worker fell about 30 to 40 feet into an excavation where a new water tank is going in, along the 600 block of Holfords Prairie Road, Lewisville, TX. He hurt an arm and a leg. But he stayed conscious, and he's expected to make it.

Lewisville firefighter-paramedics were lowered into the pit, stabilized him, and brought him up by rope rescue before a medical helicopter flew him to a hospital just to be safe. The city credited its crews' rope rigging and hauling training.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Texas Health's Faith Community Nursing program is running free flu shot clinics at churches and community centers across Denton County this fall. The first one near us is this weekend. Friday, Oct. 2, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Islamic Association of Lewisville/Flower Mound, 3430 Peters Colony Rd, Flower Mound, TX 75022. Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 300 W Oak St, Denton, TX.

Lewisville's turn comes later, Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Westside Baptist Church, 900 Bellaire Blvd, Lewisville, TX 75067. Denton gets an Oct. 6 clinic at the county courthouse amphitheater and an Oct. 10 clinic at Morse Street Baptist. All free.

Adults and kids 9 and up are eligible, and you do not need insurance, ID or an appointment.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Live in the Eastvale neighborhood of The Colony, TX? Don't panic when you see smoke coming up out of the ground Thursday and Friday, Oct. 1 and 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The city's Wastewater division is running sanitary sewer smoke testing street by street on W Lake Highlands Drive, N Shore and W Shore drives, Lakeview, Lakecrest, N and S Horseshoe Trail, Lakeland and Bevily.

Crews push a non-toxic, water-based vapor into the sewer lines, then watch where it comes up. That's how they find leaks and bad connections. The city says it's safe for people, pets and property, and it clears out quick.

Source: City of The Colony

Plenty of cats ignore you until dinner. This one wants to talk. Her name is Nani. She is 3 years old, and her listing says she has spent nearly two years waiting at a rescue in Lewisville.

You would never guess she has waited that long. She greets you with soft little meows and keeps you company all day. Pet her once and she leans in for more. She makes sure you know she is in the room. Some people want a cat that stays out of the way. Nani is for everybody else.

She would do best in a house where somebody is around to talk back. She gets along with other cats, so a house with a cat already in it is no problem. Nobody knows yet how she does with dogs or kids. If you have either, say so on your application.

Nani lives at Texas Rustlers, a Lewisville rescue for guinea pigs, rabbits and cats. The cat side goes by Fat Cats. Start with the rescue's online application. Once you are approved, they will set up a time for you to meet her at 698 Metro Park Circle. She is house-trained, spayed and up to date on her shots, and her listing says she goes home microchipped and tested for feline leukemia and FIV. The fee is $100.

Texas Rustlers Fat Cats Rescue
698 Metro Park Circle, Lewisville, TX 75057
972-219-1963
Phone line open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visits by appointment.

🎸 Live on the Stage: Barefoot Nation, a Kenny Chesney tribute - Corona Stage and Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 7 to 9 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
Bring a blanket or chairs to the lawn for two hours of Chesney covers. No outside coolers, and the Crest garage parking is free.

🧙 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Shared Reality - Cosm, 5750 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 10:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. | Dome seats from $26 | More: cosm.com
The first movie on the 87-foot dome with a themed menu. Daytime shows are the family slots and run about 2 hours 45 minutes.

📚 Bilingual Story Time - The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main St, The Colony, TX | 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. | Free | More: thecolonytx.gov
Stories, songs and rhymes in English and Spanish in the Multipurpose Room. No sign-up.

👶 Baby Playtime and Music, Motion & Play - Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound, TX | 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Free | More: fmlibrary.libnet.info
Two rooms, two ages, same hour. Babies 6 to 18 months get open play in the Multipurpose Room while toddlers and preschoolers sing and dance in the Children's Program Room.

🔬 Full STEAM Ahead - Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton, TX | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Free | More: denton.bibliocommons.com
Hands-on science, engineering and art projects for school-age kids after the bell.

🏄 The Cove at The Lakefront - 417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm, TX | 4 to 8 p.m. | $14 ages 15 to 49, $11 ages 2 to 14 and 50+, under 2 free | More: thecoveatthelakefront.com
Indoor and climate controlled, on fall hours. Friday is weekday pricing, which makes it the cheapest night to go.

🌳 LLELA Trails - Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $5 per vehicle, card only | More: www.llela.org
No guided programs this weekend, so it's self-guided trails, the bison herd and the marsh. Card only at the gSelf-guided trails, the bison herd and the marsh all weekend. Saturday's monthly nature walk runs 10 a.m. to noon with a naturalist, free with gate entry, but you have to register. Card only at the gate, no pets.

🚒 Lewisville Fire Department Open House - Tittle McFadden Public Safety Center, 1187 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | More: cityoflewisville.com
Climb on the engines, meet the crews, and get the home fire-safety talk the day before Fire Prevention Week starts. Our Free Event of the Week, see below.

🪦 Bridges Cemetery Walking Tour - Bridges Cemetery, NW corner of Chesapeake Dr and Morning Star Dr, The Colony, TX | 9 to 11 a.m., tour starts at 9 sharp | Free | More: thecolonytx.gov
The Local History Committee opens the gates of the pioneer cemetery, which dates to 1855, for a guided walk. Weather permitting, and it doesn't happen often.

🌱 Plant and Seed Swap - Lewisville Public Library, Corner Classroom, 1197 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | 10:30 a.m. to noon | Free | More: lewisville.libcal.com
Bring cuttings, seeds or spare tools and leave with new plants, with Keep Lewisville Beautiful. Label what you bring and make sure it's pest-free. The fire station open house is right next door.

🥔 Spice Club Pop-Up: Potato Chip Palooza - The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main St, The Colony, TX | 2 to 4 p.m. | Free | More: thecolonytx.gov
Taste oddly spiced potato chips from around the world. All ages, come and go.

🌳 Tales and Trees: Fall in Love with Trees - Westchester Park Pavilion, 3901 Churchill Dr, Flower Mound, TX | 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | More: fmlibrary.libnet.info
Nature stories with Flower Mound Environmental Services and the library, then a scavenger hunt through the park to find your perfect-match tree. All ages with a grown-up, and dress for mess.

🥕 Denton Community Market - 317 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Free | More: dentonmarket.org
Paloma YeYe plays live with DJ Allusion as the market keeps celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Local farmers and makers every Saturday through December.

🖨️ Beginner 3D Design: Tinkercad - Lewisville Public Library, The Hive, 1197 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | 2 to 3 p.m. | Free, in-person registration required | More: lewisville.libcal.com
Browser-based CAD for beginners in the makerspace. All ages, under 13 brings an adult. Registration opened Sept. 19 at the desk, so check for spots.

📰 Denton Zine and Art Party: Zine Fest 2026 - Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, 411 E Sycamore St, Denton, TX | 2 to 6 p.m. | Free, all ages | More: rubberglovesdenton.com
Once a year, local makers table their handmade zines, prints and comics with music going. Kids who draw will love it.

🏈 Dallas Game Day: Cowboys at Texans on the big screen - Corona Stage and Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | Noon kickoff | Free | More: grandscape.com
The in-state game on the giant outdoor screen, with game-day specials inside at Gas Monkey, Thirsty Lion, Truck Yard and Walk-On's if the lawn fills.

📚 Friends of the Library Book Sale, final day - Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound, TX | 1 to 4 p.m. | Free admission | More: flowermound.gov
Last day of the sale. Cash, check or Zelle.

🎵 Doctoral Recital: Xinjin Yang, voice - UNT Music Building Recital Hall, 415 Avenue C, Denton, TX | 3:30 p.m. | Free | More: calendar.unt.edu
A free hour of classical voice from a UNT doctoral student. Good first concert for a kid who can sit still.

📖 StoryWalk on the Square - Denton Square, 110 W Hickory St, Denton, TX | Anytime, daylight hours | Free | More: library.cityofdenton.com
Picture-book pages posted around the courthouse square, September through November. Read a whole book on a walk, then hit a bakery.

🩰 Ballet Papillon: Redefined, Loves Lost and Found - Lewisville Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 7 p.m. | $35 adult, $30 senior/military, $25 student online; $2 more at the door | More: balletpapillon.org
The Dallas contemporary company opens its fourth season with a piece the dancers built from their own love and heartbreak stories. About 90 minutes with intermission.

🪕 Stone Creek Sparrows with Armchair Rebels - Dan's SilverLeaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | $12 advance, $15 door, 21+ unless with a parent | More: danssilverleaf.com
Americana double bill in Denton's best listening room. Reserved tables for four are $75 if you want to sit.

🎧 Graveyard Shift DJ Night - Harvest House, 331 E Hickory St, Denton, TX | 9 p.m. | Free, 21+ | More: dentonharvesthouse.com
Late DJ set on the outdoor stage at the 54-tap beer garden. Spooky season starts here.

🎈 IT in Shared Reality, late show - Cosm, 5750 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 11:30 p.m. | Dome seats from $27 | More: cosm.com
Pennywise on the dome at almost midnight, with a full bar. For people who want to be properly unsettled.

🥃 BENDT Distilling tour and tasting - 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 6 p.m., about 45 minutes | $10, 21+, reservation required | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Walk the still house, then taste. The bottle shop is open 5:30 to 7:30 if you just want a bottle.

🧶 Crafter's Corner - Denton Public Library North Branch, 3020 N Locust St, Denton, TX | 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Free, adults | More: denton.bibliocommons.com
Bring your knitting, crochet or whatever you're stuck on and work next to other grownups. Come and go.

🍷 LaRue Winery tasting room - 1491 N Kealy Ave, Suite 1, Lewisville, TX | 6:30 to 11 p.m. | No cover, pay per pour or bottle | More: laruewinery.org
Lewisville's first winery, open late Fridays. Natural wines, no sugar added, ask for the production room walk-through.

🎤 Damien Jurado with St. Yuma - Dan's SilverLeaf, 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | $25 face value, 21+ | More: danssilverleaf.com
The Seattle indie-folk veteran tours his 18th album in a 300-cap room. Rooms this small don't get names this big very often.

🧛 Nosferatu Beach Party Drag Show - Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, 411 E Sycamore St, Denton, TX | Doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m. | $15 advance, $20 door, 18+ | More: rubberglovesdenton.com
Miss Putricia and Eden Minx host what the flyer calls DFW's first Nosferatu beach party. Dress code is whatever that means to you.

🎶 Joyer with Palefire and Honey Saxon - Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, Showroom, 411 E Sycamore St, Denton, TX | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | $12 advance, $16 day of show, 18+ | More: rubberglovesdenton.com
New Jersey shoegaze duo in the Showroom, while the drag show runs out on the patio the same night.

🥊 UFC 332 in Shared Reality - Cosm, 5750 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 8 p.m. | Dome from $55, Hall from $22, general admission from $11 | More: cosm.com
Fight night on the dome. General admission gets you in the building and the bar for eleven bucks.

🏈 LSU Football Watch Party - Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux at Grandscape, 5774 Grandscape Blvd, Suite 200, The Colony, TX | 6:30 p.m. | No cover | More: grandscape.com
Dedicated game sound and a private room with LSU Alumni Dallas. Ten percent of sales go to the alumni scholarship fund.

🧄 Vampire-Proof Your Garden with Garlic - Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton, TX | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Free, ages 18+ | More: denton.bibliocommons.com
Denton County Master Gardeners on planting garlic in North Texas, plus the Halloween lore. Tickets at the door because the room is small.

🎲 Adult Board Gaming - Lewisville Public Library, Crawford Meeting Room, 1197 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | Noon to 4 p.m. | Free, adults | More: lewisville.libcal.com
Catan, Lords of Waterdeep and deck-builders with other adults, no kids. Drop in whenever.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Saturday tours - 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 1 or 3 p.m. | $10, 21+, reservation required | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Two afternoon slots that pair with the Lebanese festival up the road. Shop is open noon to 5.

🧘 Community Yoga - Harvest House, 331 E Hickory St, Denton, TX | 11 a.m. | $20 | More: dentonharvesthouse.com
Outdoor yoga on the beer garden stage. Bring a mat, stay for a beer after.

📺 NFL: Cowboys at Texans in Shared Reality - Cosm, 5750 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | Noon | Dome from $143, general admission from $22, Hall sold out | More: cosm.com
The in-state game on the dome with field-level angles. Dome seats were nearly gone at press time, but general admission still gets you in.

🎤 Unmuted Comedy: Jessimae Peluso Live - Galaxy Theatres Grandscape, 5740 Grandscape Blvd, Suite 100, The Colony, TX | 7 to 9 p.m. | $35 general admission, $50 VIP with meet and greet | More: grandscape.com
The MTV Girl Code alum headlines an all-women lineup inside a movie theater auditorium. Stand-up at Grandscape is rare, so grab it.

🎺 Metropolitan Winds: American Patchwork - Lewisville Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 3 to 5 p.m. | $15 | More: metropolitanwinds.org
The DFW community wind ensemble opens its 33rd season with Copland's Appalachian Spring, Sousa's The Thunderer and Harlem Nocturne. Fifteen dollars for a full wind orchestra is a deal.

🎭 Stardust Revue - Harvest House, 331 E Hickory St, Denton, TX | 7 p.m. | Free, 21+ | More: dentonharvesthouse.com
Sunday-night variety revue on the outdoor stage. No cover, so it's a cheap way to end the weekend.

🏟️ NFL: Lions at Panthers, Sunday Night Football in Shared Reality - Cosm, 5750 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 7 p.m. | Dome from $17, Hall from $17, general admission from $11 | More: cosm.com
Sunday Night Football on the dome after the Cowboys crowd clears. Dome seats were still open at press time.

Once a year, right before Fire Prevention Week, Lewisville Fire opens the doors at the Tittle McFadden Public Safety Center. And they let your kids do the one thing they've wanted to do since they were two: climb up into a real fire engine. The trucks are parked out front. The crews are standing right there. Nobody's in a hurry.

Here's how it goes. You walk up, the firefighters and paramedics show the kids the engines and the rescue trucks, and the fire investigators explain what they do. There's stuff set up for the little ones too.

Somewhere in there a firefighter is going to ask when you last tested your smoke alarms. You will not have a good answer. That's the point.

We take ours every year, and the drive home is nothing but questions about ladders. Four hours. Costs nothing. Right next door to the library on W Main.

Make it a morning. The library's plant and seed swap runs 10:30 to noon right next door. Hit that, walk the fire station, then roll over to University Place for the Lebanese festival and lunch. That's a Saturday.