“Letting go of adult children. It’s something parents do all the time. At least we’re told that’s what parents are supposed to do about the time their children turn eighteen”, says author Arlene Harder in her book on dealing with grown children who haven’t turned out the way parents hoped and expected. Whether our grown “adult children stayed living under our roof longer than we want, or strike out into the world earlier than anticipated, parents are told they need to cut the apron strings that have kept us focused on our child.”

In other words, says Harder, “when our children reach the age of maturity, we are expected to make a major change in our relationship with them- to transfer responsibility for decisions concerning their lives from us to them. If we successfully complete this transition, we will, says conventional wisdom, accept our children as independent individuals just as they are, including imperfections, values that conflict with ours, and different needs and desires. And they will accept us in return. We will communicate openly and share our values and experiences with one another without believing we have the right, or the power, to change the other person.”

Sound easy? Not if you’re the parent of a grown child who marches to a drum very different from the one you played for your child when he or she was young. You know it would be better for both of you if you could let go. But you can’t. You remain uncomfortably, perhaps painfully, “stuck” because things haven’t turned out the way you expected.

Parenting Adult Children

Letting go of grown adult children can be especially difficult for parents with adult children who have serious problems with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental illness, and/or choose to break societal laws and perhaps go to jail or prison for crimes committed. Many such parents have discovered that there are no guarantees that children will turn out the way they were raised, or how the parents expected, hoped and prayed their children would become as adults.

Arlene Harder’s book, “Letting Go of Our Adult Children, When What We Do is Never Enough”, is a FREE online book parents and families struggling to let go can read and receive helpful tips and advice on letting go with love. Having been granted permission to reprint the intro of the free book, parents who enable their grown children, or parents who can’t or won’t let go of their adult kids for various reasons may relate to many of the personal experiences discussed in the book and find the encouragement and support needed. The Introduction to the nine-chapter book, published in 1994, continues with the author saying:

Parents may unintentionally fail their children in some fundamental way so they aren’t really able to meet the standards we hold for them. Even more, because they have minds of their own, they can choose a lifestyle that we don’t approve of or that we feel is less than they are capable of achieving. Being stuck and unable to let go can arise from minor, irritating differences between you and your child or major obstacles that appear to be intractable. For example, you may be unable to get past frequent arguments over relatively unimportant issues that both of you always seem to turn into contests of who is right. Or while you and your daughter don’t often disagree, you can’t shake the disappointment you feel when she loses yet another job.

You want to accept the fact that how well she does at work is her problem. But you know she doesn’t demonstrate the commitment to work that employers want. How can you let go when you blame yourself for not teaching her responsibility? Or perhaps you need the money from the sale of a family house your thirty-eight year old son has been living in rent-free for Fifteen years. The only “problem” is that he doesn’t have money to move else- where; forcing him out would make you feel like Simon Legree.

Or, while you may realize that there is probably nothing you can do to prevent your son’s divorce, you remain entangled in accusations and defenses with your son’s in-laws because you’re afraid you will lose contact with a precious grandchild. And sticky in-law problems are legion in complicated step-family configurations.

Even if your children are happily married, however, you may have a hard time understanding and accepting in-laws who are of a different race, religion, or social group. You hadn’t thought of yourself as prejudiced, but you are having a hard time adjusting. And what if your child is single and living with a member of the opposite sex; or has chosen a member of his or her same sex as a life partner? With less than 25 percent of families made up of father, mother, and dependent children, family constellations aren’t what they used to be.

Letting go may be particularly difficult if the problems you face seem highly resistant to change. This is especially true when your child is mentally ill or is in serious trouble with the law. And if your child is like my son, whose difficulties in relationships and jobs have been compounded by drug and alcohol abuse, the road to letting go can be extremely long and trying. Yet your situation may be even more painful if your child died before you were able to work out the issues that kept you from letting go; all that unfinished business leaves you with pain you are sure will never go away.

You may be a parent who claims you have no choice but to let go when your child refuses to have any contact, or has extremely minimal contact, with you. Don’t kid yourself. On the surface you may look as though you have let go, but anyone probing a centimeter deep can see that your hurt in being excluded from your child’s life penetrates deep into your heart. This may be especially difficult if you are at a loss to understand what went wrong.

Yet the situation isn’t any easier if you recognize all too clearly how you contributed to the rift that has torn the family fabric in half. For example, perhaps you abused alcohol or drugs when your children were small. Today, although you are now clean and sober, your child is unwilling to forgive you, despite your apologies. In that case you may be paralyzed by guilt; concluding that you have permanently injured your child and that the gap between you can never be bridged.

On the other hand, you may be a parent who is perfectly satisfied with how your child has turned out and who thought you had a good relationship with her. Recently, however, she has accused you and her father of being “dysfunctional” and perhaps even “abusive.” Even though you realize you weren’t perfect parents, you are saddened by alienation created by her anger and your hurt.

If you see yourself in any of these situations (or ones uncomfortably similar), you realize that you’ve been unable to let go no matter how hard you try. This is what is meant by the subtitle of this book, “When What We Do Is Never Enough.” No matter what we say, think or do — no matter how hard we try — until we let go with love we remain uncomfortably bound to a child who is legally old enough to make his decisions without parental interference or approval.

As parents of children whose values and lifestyles are in conflict with ours — whether we experience a fairly small amount or a great deal of disappointment in that fact — we have probably already discovered that heavy-handed bullying and significant bribes cannot make our child become what we had hoped he would become. Money may work in the short run, of course, but in the long haul it can’t buy the integrity, honesty, determination, and responsibility we desire for our child.

Yet masking our attempts to change our child through less obvious measures is not unlike trying to run him over with a fuzzy bulldozer; it only leaves him, and us, bruised. Let’s face it — as long as we keep trying to get our child to live according to our values, we don’t stand much chance of having the kind of adult-to-adult relationship we all deserve with our children when they grow up.

The first part of the book, “Getting Caught up in Our Expectations,” deals with what happens when parents discover their child is marching to a different drummer. In it I offer a path to letting go with love and to forming a more positive relationship with your adult child, a path involving five stages of healing. In these chapters you will see that your disappointment and pain are not unique; nor is it unusual for you to keep trying to get your child to change. Most important of all, you will realize why it is essential for you to shift your attention from your adult child to yourself.

If you already know you must change your focus away from whatever stands between you and your child, you may want to go directly to the second part of the book, “Finding Peace by Letting Go.” These five chapters offer suggestions for healing the pain caused by the realization that your child does not share your values or cannot live up to the expectations you once had for him or her. Here you will find motivation to explore the issues that keep you pulling on your end of the rope in the family tug-of-war, to grieve your unfulfilled expectations, to forgive yourself and your child and, finally, to let go with love. And if differences between you and your child are still irreconcilable, you can learn how to bring closure and healing to that situation as well.

The concept of a path of healing for parents first arose for me during the painful years when I struggled with great disappointment in a child who was not living the kind of life I envisioned for him. Gradually I realized that I was moving through a series of stages and turned my attention from my son’s problems to those which I needed to address in my own life. I continued to observe this process and to further develop my theory in working with disappointed parents as part of my practice as a licensed family therapist.

Later these ideas were reinforced in interviews with over seventy-five parents, both those who were disappointed in how things have turned out and those who were very satisfied. To protect confidentiality in sharing the stories of others, I have changed names and identifying characteristics. In a few instances I have combined several elements from more than one situation to emphasize a particular point.

Letting go can be difficult for parents whether they are married, divorced, or widowed; adoptive or biological parents; single or step-parents. Since the specific circumstances in everyone’s life are different, and since we all have somewhat different expectations for our children, we will each experience different reactions to our adult children if those expectations are not met.

Consequently, the act of letting go with love will be easier and go more quickly for some and be more difficult and take longer for others. Yet this book offers to every parent the evidence that it is possible to let go and find peace even in the most difficult of circumstances.

It is my hope that this book will guide you in moving past your disappointment and pain into peace, healing, and acceptance of your child, even if he or she continues to make choices that have, until now, driven you up a wall. We cannot change our grown children. But dealing honestly and openly with our disappointment creates an opportunity to change ourselves — and in the process to let go with love so that our disappointment no longer causes us pain.

Parents, you can begin reading the free online book by Arlene Harder on letting go of grown adult children at Support4Change.com.

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Deciding to leave an abusive marriage or relationship is never easy, and the decision to leave is very personal. Leaving abusive relationships can be downright dangerous, even life-threatening, especially during the first few months after leaving. The signs of abuse are all there, even if there are no visible bruises, wounds or scars from being physically abused. The mental and emotional turmoil experienced by victims of domestic violence may be unseen to those unaware of the pain abused husbands or wives have gone through.

But, the men and women who have been battered physically, mentally or emotionally abused and have had their self-esteem beaten down, feel the fear of leaving their abuser for many different reasons. Leaving an abusive husband or wife requires a plan of action, in order to safely and successfully leave the abusive partner or spouse. Statistics show that the chances the abuser will change, even with professional counseling, are slim to none. Men or women with an abusive personality do not change. A truly abusive person does not change, will not change, and victims must get out.

Beware of well-meaning family and friends who say you should stay in hopes of a better relationship in time, perhaps with professional help from counselors, therapists, clergy etc. Getting away from or leaving the abusive woman or man for good is necessary. Spousal abuse, in any of its forms, frequently becomes more severe over time, leading some abusive husbands or wives to maim or murder their spouse in cold blood.

The same is true in abusive relationships where the man and woman are not married, but have either recently started dating or are in a long-term relationship. Keep that in mind when talking to your children or teens about teenage abusive relationships between boyfriends and girlfriends. Abusive husbands and wives often feel trapped in abusive marriages by intimidation, threats of various kinds, financial control, and fear for the children living in homes where spousal abuse is prevalent.

Being afraid to leave an abusive wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend is especially true for victims whose self-esteem is low. Even though leaving abusive relationships is not simple or easy, it is important for abuse victims to remember that thousands upon thousands of men and women before you have not only left, survived and gotten a divorce, but became happier, healthier men and women as a result.

Emotional, physical, psychological, financial, mental or verbal abuse does not create or maintain happy, healthy marriages or long-term relationships. Angry, controlling, abusive behaviors and attitudes destroy marriages every day. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, or being beaten and battered by a violent abuser who claims to love their significant other, developing a safe exit strategy for leaving the abusive marriage is vital for your safety and well-being before leaving the relationship.

A healthy, happy marriage between a husband and wife should always be one that promotes and encourages love, respect, honor, friendship, communication, intimacy, commitment, fidelity, support, sharing common goals and dreams, and much more. Some of these qualities and personality characteristics are even included in traditional marriage vows marrying couples make to each other, right before saying “I do”.

Unfortunately, according to Susan Murphy-Milano’s new book How to Escape Abusive and Stalking Relationships, there are more than five million women and their children living in a violent relationship today, and this number is increasing as new technology from tracking devices on cell phones to computer technology allow an abusive person to track his or her victim’s every move.

It can be intimidating, scary, stressful and overwhelming to consider leaving a marriage where you have continuously been receiving the message that you are inferior, worthless, crazy, and otherwise incapable. Change is never easy; especially if you’ve been mentally and physically beaten down, and victims may not believe they have the strength and courage to leave. But they must leave. For good.

“Domestic violence and stalking related crimes are being dismissed in a flurry of shuffled divorce documents and court orders of protection. You cannot plead with an abuser and walk away from potentially life threatening situations if you are unable to learn the steps necessary to protect yourself”, says veteran violence safety expert Susan Murphy Milano in her Time’s Up guidebook.

Spousal abuse victims desperately need the tools, advice, help and support provided in Susan’s new book, as abused men and women face the debilitating problems in their marriages and take steps to regain control of their lives. Victims of abusive marriages, those considering leaving their abusive spouse and getting a divorce, or victims going through divorce proceedings now are able to provide valuable, documented information about their case to their divorce lawyer and court judges about the fears, dangers and personal experiences they have had at the hands of their abuser.

Abusive personality types are clever like a fox and master manipulators. “Snake in the grass” seems like a good description to me. This book doesn’t merely discuss when you should leave or why you should leave, it tells you HOW you should leave. Included are step-by-step instructions how to covertly and secretly make a plan, set-up a safe escape, deal with financial issues, and the paperwork.

Susan’s book teaches abuse victims the techniques and strategies required to remain ten steps ahead of the abuser while in process of leaving and after leaving, and before a threat against your life can be carried out against you or your children. Susan’s book is like the “Bible” for anyone in an abusive relationship. Susan takes your hand and walks you step-by-step through what you need to do to safely leave and survive, all in one piece.

If you have a friend or family member in an abusive relationship, her book is the best gift you can give them as a way of helping someone you know leave an abusive relationship. Susan’s book also serves as a reality check for an abusive husband or wife, rather than a defensive resource for an abusive person to use against their victims. The pages that call out the different types of abuse, and the profile of an abuser, are excellent reading for anyone in a domestic relationship.

With the Evidentiary Abuse affidavit provided in the book, victims are able to provide legal documentation and answers that describe:

• Threats made against your life or well being,

• Incidents of past abuse that a victim had endured

• Admissions of how a threat will be carried out against a victim once they announce they are leaving or filing for a divorce

• Where evidence or weapons would or could be located

• Portray visible injuries or marks

• Determine how to begin and continue through the complex maze a victim faces with police and prosecutors

• How to leave a Perpetrator

• How to collect evidence “on the fly”

• How to begin and continue on the road to safety using a virtual toolbox of techniques

• How family and friends can be crucial in this process

Susan’s book gives victims the strength, courage, determination and tools needed to get a divorce from an abusive husband or wife safely. Victims are taken from the State of being controlled to the “State of Being in Control”. The denial stops now. The reality of the abusive marriage or relationship is clear. You may be an abused husband or an abused wife. Or you may be dating or living with an abusive boyfriend or girlfriend. Love doesn’t hurt. Love doesn’t abuse. If you are being abused mentally, emotionally or physically, the time has come for the abuse to end so you can move on with your life free of abuse. Now.

Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis says of Susan’s book, “There is nothing like this out there. The reason this book is so valuable is that it’s the first book to provide step-by step procedures and structure to protect everyone from dangerous and abusive relationships.” Susan Murphy-Milano is also the author of “Defending Our Lives, Getting Away From Domestic Violence and Staying Safe” and the “Moving Out, Moving On, When a Relationship Goes Wrong” workbook.

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There is only a couple of weeks left before Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky chooses her supposed husband-to-be, but of course, we already know what the results will be on that front, thanks to Reality Steve’s Bachelorette spoilers. Apparently, for many viewers of the very popular Bachelorette show, this season’s ending will be a big disappointment.

The Bachelorette “Men Tell All” was taped this past Saturday, July 17 in LA. Viewers will likely be surprised and disappointed when they realize that the final 3 Bachelorette contestants were not at the “Men Tell All” taping. Chris Lambton, Roberto Martinez and Frank Neuschaefer did not show up for the tell-all event, and neither did Justin “Rated R” Rego.

The Men Tell All episode sure sounds like it’s going to be rather boring and dull, a complete time-waster, so there’s really no point in even tuning in to ABC to watch a bunch of nothing. Ali barely even talks to the previous contestants from her season, but only answers a few general questions and is then whisked off stage, and she didn’t go to the afterparty.

Even with all the drama surrounding the “Justin Rego has two girlfriends” scenario, Jessica and Kimberly did not show up for the Men Tell All either. Reality Steve explained on his blog that Justin felt betrayed by ABC (no kidding, really?), that there is much more to his story than appeared, and wasn’t going to help them at all by showing up to the tell-all. Future contestants for either the Bachelor or Bachelorette shows need to understand what “Frankenbiting” really means and how Reality TV shows use it to boost ratings, to the detriment of the contestants reputation.

Frank does not appear in the finale as some have speculated, but Reality Steve says Frank is brought to the ATFR taping, perhaps to “make it more interesting” for viewers. It’s all about the ratings, people. Frank won’t be announcing his engagement to Nicole on the ATFR, nor will Frank be proposing to Nicole on the ATFR episode. Ignore the rumors and tabloid speculations that Ali is engaged to Roberto or Chris, or that Ali knew Roberto before the show. Complete, total nonsense.

Future contestants of either the Bachelor or the Bachelorette would be wise to carefully and methodically read the Bachelor/Bachelorette contract, and then go read Reality Steve’s blog from start to finish. ABC puts on these shows for the viewers and ratings, and couldn’t care less about the individual contestants and how the contract allows ABC to create false impressions of people, and give contestants “bad edits” to make the show more interesting.

During the Men Tell All, Ali was not asked any specific questions such as, “Are you happy? Are you engaged and planning on getting married? Makes one wonder why, doesn’t it? None of the questions Bachelorette viewers might expect would be asked of Ali were asked, even as a teaser to tune in to the final rose ceremony. No video clips were shown of the finale either, hmm.

Both Kasey and Kirk were called up to the “hot seat”, and unfortunately, viewers who tune in to the Men Tell All are going to hear Kasey sing another song to Ali. The weatherman contestant gets picked on for his comment about Craig being “dangerous”, and Craig takes his turn calling out some of the other guys on the show. Dull, boring, tedious, waste of time Men Tell All show. Zzzzz.

Anyway, here’s the video clip ABC is circulating of Frank talking to Nicole. Keep in mind, and listen carefully to what Frank says to Nicole, that this conversation was taped after Frank received the rose at the rose ceremony but before Frank left for Tahiti. It was after accepting the rose from Ali that Frank flew to Chicago to tape this little tidbit with Nicole, and then headed off to Tahiti to tell Ali he’s leaving the show.

Be sure to go read the play-by-play Bachelorette recap from Monday night’s show and previous episode’s on Reality Steve’s blog, at www.realitysteve.com. Steve’s posting delays of a day or so after each episode has aired is tolerable and well worth the wait. The guy has his life to live too. It makes watching this goofy show all the more entertaining, and clears up questions and doubts as to the “reality” of the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows ABC puts on.

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Free dental care is available at FREE Dental Clinics for low income people in Dallas TX and surrounding cities, who can prove they meet eligibility requirements for free or low cost dental treatment. Trying to find a dentist who provides low cost or no cost (free) dental services for needy dental patients, with or without dental insurance, can seem daunting if patients don’t know where to look for such care.

There are numerous sites online that provide information, locations and application criteria for low income or no income dental patients in need of free dental clinics in Texas or by state. There is also a great deal of information online about free clinical trials and research studies patients may choose to participate in, where their dental care and treatment is provided at little or no cost by experienced dentists and dental teams.

Donated Dental Services for Elderly and Disabled

Donated dental services are provided in each state by volunteer dentists and dental labs who donate their time, offices, supplies and equipment for charitable dental care to those in need. The Texas Donated Dental Services (TXDDS) program provides free dental care for individuals who can show they have no other means of getting needed dental care.

They must be uninsured and not eligible for any state dental health programs, and must complete, sign and return the application form found here in order to be approved and placed on the waiting list. Prospective dental patients for the TXDDS donated dental program must meet at least one of the eligibility requirements of being 55 years of age or older, and/or have a permanent debilitating disability, otherwise these patients do not qualify for the TXDDS program.

Dallas Texas area residents in need of scheduled or emergency dental care at low cost or completely free have several options to choose from. Consider this list of low cost or free dental clinics in the Dallas and North Dallas area for children of low income families and adults, the elderly and/or disabled in need or low cost, sliding scale or free dental work.

Free Dental Clinics in Dallas Texas

1. Dallas County Hospital District, located at 5000 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75235. 214-590-0153. Services include: Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services, Other Professional Services, Primary Medical Care, Specialty Medical Care.

2. Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, located at 809 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75212. 214-571-6132. Services include: Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, Other Professional Services and Primary Medical Care.

3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic, located at 2922-B Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75315. 214-426-3645. Services include: Dental Care Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, Primary Medical Care and Other Professional Services.

4. North Dallas Shared Ministries, located at 2875 Merrell Road, Dallas, TX, 75229. 972-620-8696. Services include both Medical care and a Dental Clinic (Adult Extractions & Gum Disease Only) Website: www.ndsm.org

5. The Stewpot/Homeless, located at 408 Park Avenue (at Young Street), Dallas, TX, 75201. 214-746-2785. Services include: dental and medical care, mental health services, legal aid to the homeless and at-risk, and much more. Website: www.thestewpot.org

6. Parkland Health & Hospital System, located at 5201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75235. 214-590-8000. Parkland Hospital’s 11 Community Outreach Patient Dental Care (COPC) local facilities are listed here, including addresses, phone numbers, map and directions, fees and more.

7. Baylor College of Dentistry Clinic, located at 3302 Gaston, Dallas, TX, 75246. 214-828-8110. Website: www.tambcd.edu. Baylor College clinics provide a full range of comprehensive dental treatment for those who have needs that correspond to the teaching needs of the dental students. Baylor’s Dentistry Clinic also offers an Urgent Care Emergency Extraction Clinic to extract (pull) teeth on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fees are somewhat lower than in a private dentist’s office, but more frequent and longer visits are typically required.

8. Dental Health For Arlington Inc, located at 201 N. East Street, Arlington, TX, 76011. 817- 277-1165. Services include: preventive and pain relieving dental care for low-income families and to educate children about good oral hygiene. Website: www.dentalhealtharlington.org

9. Bluitt-Flowers Health Center, located at 303 E. Overton Road, Dallas, TX 75216. 214-266-4200. Services include: Dental, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology/ Psychiatry, Social Work, TDHS, WIC, Adolescent Medicine Specialty.

10. deHaro-Saldivar Health Center, located at 1400 N. Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75211. 214-266-0500. Services include: Dental, Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Mammography, Psychology/Psychiatry, Social Work, Language Assistance.

11. East Dallas Health Center, located at 3320 Live Oak, Dallas, TX 75204. 214-266-1000. Services include: Dental, MHFP, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology, Refugee Program, Social Work, TDHS, WIC.

12. Garland Health Center, at 802 Hopkins, Garland, TX 75040. 214-266-0700. Services include: Dental, MHFP, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Epilepsy, WCS and Anti-coagulation, Adult Diabetes Education, Pediatric Asthma Education, Epilepsy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology / Psychiatry, Social Work, TDHS, WIC.

13. Dental Health Clinics of Collin County McKinney Clinic, located at 825 N. McDonald Street – Suite 130 (inside Collin County healthcare), McKinney, TX, 75069. 972-548-5580. Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

14. Community Dental Center of Plano TX, located at 900 E. Park Blvd, Plano, TX, 75074
972-633-3380. Same details as the McKinney Community Dental Center: Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

15. Community Dental Center of Carrollton/Farmers Branch, located at 13551 Dennis Lane, Dallas, TX, 75234. 972-241-2259. Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Reduced rates for low-income children, proof required of low-income status (check stub, income tax form, notarized letter from employer). Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

16. Dental Hygiene Center Collin County at the Community College McKinney, (hygiene students provide supervised, quality dental care) on a sliding scale. The clinic is located at the Central Park Campus, 2200 W. University Drive in McKinney. 972-548-6537 or 972-516-5030. Community Dental Programs of Collin County provides primary dental care for low income children ages 1-20, who qualify for the National School Lunch Program or Medicaid. Services include exams, cleaning, x-rays, pit and fissure sealant application, periodontal scaling and root planing, restorations and extractions.

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of U.S. dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country. The ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children.

Give Kids A Smile activities also highlight for policy makers the ongoing challenges that low-income families face in finding affordable dental care. For more information, dates and locations of upcoming Give Kids A Smile programs in your area, visit the American Dental Association (ADA) website at www.ada.org.

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The 2010 State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in Dallas starts with opening day Friday, Sept. 24th and runs until Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. Fair Park in Dallas, with the infamous 52-foot tall Big Tex, is located at 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd, Dallas, TX 75210.

The theme for the 24-day 2010 State Fair of Texas is “Super Sized Fun.” The theme is appropriate since we have Big Tex greeting visitors, the tallest Ferris Wheel in North America, the largest new car show in the southwest, and lets not forget the annual Big 12 college football rivalry around in the Red River Shootout between the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners on Saturday, October 2nd.

In addition to the Red River Rivalry and the annual State Fair Classic featuring Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference on Saturday, Sept 25th at 6 p.m., the other Big 12 contest pits the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Baylor Bears on Saturday, October 9th at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

There will also be another high-profile soccer match, following on the heels of last year’s successful doubleheader. The must-see Halftime show is the legendary GSU Tiger Marching Band, “The Granddaddy of All Collegiate Show Bands,” and the mighty “Marching Storm” of Prairie View. Tickets will be sold through the respective universities and your local Ticketmaster outlet locations.

Each year, the Texas State Fair attendance at Fair Park brings in more than three million people to this excellent annual event, making the State Fair of Texas one of the largest annual expositions in North America. The event features amusement rides, livestock shows, an all-new canine show, cooking contests, art competitions, outdoor live entertainment on the main stage, starlight parade, the famous Fletcher’s Corny Dog and some of the strangest fried food concoctions imaginable, and lots more.

Shrek the Musical at the 2010 State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas spotlight will shine on Shrek the Musical during this year’s event, starting on Sept. 28 through Oct. 17. The Broadway hit show will be presented every day (except Mondays) at the Fair Park Music Hall. Shrek the Musical Tickets will include admission to the State Fair on the day of the performance.  Music Hall at Fair Park is celebrating its 85th anniversary on October 10th of this year.

The show time schedule for Shrek the Musical is Tuesday-Friday 8 p.m., with two Saturday and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket price ranges for Shrek vary, so shop early and buy your tickets before they’re sold out, to get the best seats and price for the money. Tickets for Shrek the Musical may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, at any Ticketmaster outlet or by phone at 214.631.ARTS.

Tickets for Shrek are also available for purchase at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas. For more information, visit Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or Dallas Summer Musicals at www.dallassummermusicals.org. Season ticket holders for the Dallas Summer Musical shows should call 214.691.7200 for more information.

State Fair of Texas Main Stage Performances

Chevrolet Main Stage is a festival-type venue sponsored by Chevrolet, with State Fair concerts all week long and headliner performances on weekends. Concert tickets are FREE with State Fair admission.

The list of this year’s main stage performers are still being decided as of this writing, but those already scheduled to appear include Eli Young Band on Saturday October 2; Wade Bowen and the Josh Abbott Band on Saturday October 9; Intocable on Sunday October 10; Allstar Weekend on Monday October 11th (Columbus Day); and Laura Bell Bundy on Saturday October 16.

Be sure to check the official State Fair of Texas website at www.bigtex.com for the complete list of live, headliner performances as they become available.

State Fair of Texas Discount Tickets and Coupons

General Admission: $15
Kids under 48” tall:  $11
Seniors 60 and over: $11
Children 2 and under: Free
Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday. (Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & Oct. 14)

While there is no specific coupon policy listed on the State Fair of Texas website, coupons will have a specific season for which they are valid. Coupons for earlier years are not valid the following year or later. Coupons and special discount offers for the State Fair of Texas are often valid for only one specific day, so be sure to read the specific offer or coupon details carefully.

Advance discount tickets to the State Fair of Texas starts on September 1, 2010, including DART combo tickets, general admission and season passes. As the official advance ticket outlet for the State Fair, Kroger stores will have discount tickets in combination with special Fair prices for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green Line.

As has been the case in previous years, State Fair sponsors, radio and news stations, movie theatre and fast-food restaurants like McDonalds have offered discount deals for the Fair. Watch for Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays and Dr Pepper $5 after 5 p.m. discounts, where every Tuesday, Fair patrons bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter the State Fair for just $3, or the $5 after 5 p.m. deal to enter for just $5.00.

Watch for Kroger “Three for $1″ Wednesdays deals, where admission has previously been $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for local area food banks. Coca-Cola admission discount offers called “Coke $4 Thursdays” has offered patrons entry to the Fair for just four dollars by bringing an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product for a discounted admission fee. McDonalds, Dickies, Cinemark, “Save Me Steve”, radio station KISS-FM and others typically offer a variety of deals and discounts for the State Fair of Texas, so be sure to check their respective websites for specific details.

State Fair of Texas coupon tickets for food, rides and drinks can be purchased at coupon booths throughout the State Fair fairgrounds. Credit cards are accepted and ATMs are available.

State Fair of Texas Parking

Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Disabled parking spaces are clearly marked and can be located at each lot. If spaces are full, an attendant will direct you to other available parking spaces/lots. Be sure to look for “Official State Fair Parking” signs for self-parking lots, at a cost of $15.00 per space.

Don’t risk getting your car towed! Watch out for unsavory characters trying to rip-off Fair-goers pretending to be a reputable car lot, only to discover your vehicle has been towed upon your return to the unofficial lot. Valet parking is offered at Grand Avenue daily for $30.00, and Saturday/Sunday weekend parking at Haskell/Parry for $30.00.

The State Fair of Texas is a fun, family-oriented annual event, one of the most fun things to do in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Fun and entertainment of all kinds at the Fair means there is something for everyone, for all ages. Keep safety in mind, don’t leave valuables in your car or in plain sight, and if possible, don’t bring a purse.

Pickpockets and thieves look for easy targets, so consider wearing a fanny pack around your waist with your wallet, keys and other valuables inside. Have a safe and wonderful time at this year’s 2010 State Fair of Texas at Fair Park!

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• Plano Balloon Festival 2010 – Plano InTouch Credit Union Balloon Fest at Oak Point Park

The 2010 Plano Balloon Festival is an annual Plano Texas event held in September each year, and is one of the city’s largest celebrations for kids and families alike. The Plano Balloon Festival in Plano is celebrating its 31st year in 2010, where approximately 95,000 attendees will experience more local fireworks, fun and excitement of the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival scheduled on September 17, 18, & 19, 2010 at Oak Point Park in Plano. Oak Point Park is located at 2801 East Spring Creek Pkwy in Plano TX, 75074.

The Plano Balloon Festival is the largest balloon event in Texas, and has evolved over the thirty plus years of its existence into an important fundraiser for local nonprofit organizations. While the specific festival events vary from year to year, the typical balloon festival schedule includes five hot air balloon launches (weather permitting), a large Kids Fun Zone, two stages showcasing local community acts and live bands on Friday and Saturday night, sky divers, fireworks, food and merchandise vendors, and nighttime balloon glows.

A Plano Balloon Festival balloon glow occurs after dusk when the many balloon pilots assemble together with their balloons and equipment on the balloon launch field and then conduct synchronized firings of their balloon’s burners. Weather-related problems may alter the performance of events, perhaps by either preventing or delaying a particular performance, or by eliminating some element of the performance altogether.

The State Farm Kids Fun Zone offers continuous entertainment on the Community Stage; Free “Kid’s Korner” make-and-take art activities; a rock climbing wall; inflatable rides; face painting; sand art, an obstacle course, the Plano Symphony Orchestra will be present, and much more. There are also opportunities for Balloon Festival attendees to take a hot air balloon ride, for a price of course.

The estimated cost to take a hot air balloon ride is $250.00 per person. Hot air balloon riders must be over the age of 10 and be in good health. Pregnant women, people recently released from the hospital, or anyone who currently has any broken bones or casts will not be able to qualify to purchase a hot air balloon ride. To take a hot air balloon ride, contact Air Venture Balloon Port at 972-422-0212 for more information.

Hot air balloon passenger hopefuls under the age of 18 must have parental permission or the parent must also buy a balloon ride and fly with them. All passengers will be required to sign a release form provided by the Festival ride provider, and all riders are accepted or denied at the discretion of the ride operator. The balloon ride ticket booth will be located near the Main Entrance and will be open prior to each balloon launch.

The spectacular three-day event provides spectators an action packed weekend at the Plano Balloon Festival sponsored by InTouch Credit Union, beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, September 17. This weekend event offers something for everyone, regardless of age; Entertainment on the Community Stage and Main Stage, Saturday Evening Spectacular Fireworks Show, special kids activities, and the incredible hot air balloons in various shapes and colors.

Plano Balloon Festival Schedule

Friday, September 17, 2010

4:00 PM Festival Opens and Bus Service Begins
5:30 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by RE/MAX
7:00 PM Concert on the Main Stage
8:00 PM Balloon Glow
8:45 PM Family fun-filled Street Dance

Saturday, September 18, 2010

6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch presented by the City of Plano
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by InTouch Credit Union
7:00 PM Concert on the Main Stage
8:00 PM Balloon Glow
9:00 PM Spectacular Fireworks Show

Sunday, September 19, 2010

6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
6:00 PM Balloon Launch
7:00 PM Festival Closes

Plano Balloon Festival Food

The list of food and drinks available for purchase from vendors at the Plano Balloon Festival include: Baked Potatoes, Iced Tea, Bratwurst on a Bun, Italian Sausage on a Bun, Texas Skillet Breakfast Burrito (cooked on a 6-foot skillet), Kettle Corn, Cake Balls, Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breasts, Cake Pops, Muffins, Chicken Tomatillo Tacos, Nachos, Chicken Wings, Pancakes, Chopped Beef Sandwich, Philly Cheese Steak, Cinnamon Roasted Nuts, Picadillo Tacos, Conway’s Corn Dogs, Pizza, Cotton Candy, Pretzels, Cuban Sandwich, Roasted Corn, Cupcakes, Sausage on a Stick, Curly Fries, Sausage Biscuits, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Skillet Potatoes, Fried Everything, Smoothies, Frito Pie, Snowcones, Fruit Cup, Spiral Cut Potatoes, Funnel Cakes, Steak Sandwich, Gelato, Sweet Potato Chips with Ancho Mayo, Hamburgers, Sweet Tea, Hot Dogs, Turkey Legs, Hot Link on a Bun, and Ice Cream.

Plano Balloon Festival attendees can bring blankets and chairs to sit and watch the balloon launches from the grassy viewing area. Although coolers are not prohibited at the festival, they are discouraged, since the non-profit organizations benefit from the sales made at the event.

The admission fee to the Plano Balloon Festival is $5 per person for one-time admission; $8 per person for a two-time admission; seniors over 65 get a $1 discount, and children under 36″ are free.

On site parking for the balloon festival is available at the Collin County Community College Spring Creek campus, Oak Point Recreation Center, and First United Methodist Church for $10 a car. Off site parking is available for $5 at the Plano Centre and Collin Creek Church.

For more information about this family oriented fun event, or to see current photos of balloons scheduled to participate this year and from past years, visit the official Plano Balloon Festival website at www.planoballoonfest.org or call 972-867-7566.

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Reading Reality Steve’s blog, after each Bachelorette episode with Ali Fedotowski, makes watching The Bachelorette show a lot more entertaining than watching the silly show without Steve’s hysterically sarcastic recaps. While the internet buzz surrounding the recent Jake and Vienna breakup continues, with questions about the real reasons for the breakup, many seem to agree that what happened between Vienna and Jake and their now defunct relationship will be forgotten soon enough.

Bachelorette spoiler alert! If you don’t want to know who the final two Bachelorette guys are, or who Ali chooses during the Finale (if any), stop reading now! Reality Steve, aka Steve Carbone, posted the season 6 spoilers on his blog some time ago, including spoiling the question and speculation surrounding which Bachelorette contestants were the final two men left standing, and ultimately, who Ali would choose as the “winner” on The Bachelorette. But, did Ali pick anyone in The Bachelorette finale yet to be aired?

Episode 6 of The Bachelorette, to air tonight on ABC, with the scandal surrounding Justin “Rated R” (wrestler guy) will be shown. Ali kicks Justin off the show in Turkey for having, not just one girlfriend, but there are TWO girls involved. This scandal is not the only scandal Bachelorette viewers are going to see during this season. Although there aren’t any “sex scandals” associated with Ali’s season on The Bachelorette, as there have been on other seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows, there is yet another humdinger coming up involving Frank Neuschaefer.

Reality Steve has revealed on his blog that the final 4 Bachelorette contestants for the hometown dates are Kirk DeWindt from Wisconsin, Frank Neuschaefer from Chicago, Roberto Martinez from Florida, and Chris Lambton from Cape Cod. Kirk is then eliminated, leaving the remaining three guys to fight for the final two spots, in hopes of being chosen by Ali as her prospective husband.

It is during Episode 9, shot in Tahiti, where the overnight dates take place and the Frank scandal is aired. Basically, Frank eliminates himself from the Bachelorette show to return home to Chicago because he decides that he’s still in love with his ex-girlfriend Nicole. Why Frank waited so long to actually leave the show, knowing he was still in love with his ex and wanted to get back with her, may have more to do with the Bachelor/Bachelorette contract the contestants sign and must abide by than Frank actually being just a scumbag dog.

Reality Steve says his secret sources told him that Frank wanted off the show long before all of this scandal stuff took place, and that the producers made Frank shoot some film footage with his ex before going to Tahiti for dramatic effect, which will be shown. The contract contestants must sign is a legally binding document, so Reality Steve feels there may have been some threatening of some kind going on, to force Frank to go along with the whole sordid affair.

Bachelorette Final Two – Who Does Ali Choose?

Which of course leaves the final two Bachelorette contestants being Chris Lambton and Roberto Martinez to “guard and protect” Ali’s heart. Oh wait, that was Kasey, sorry haha. So, of the two remaining guys going into the finale, who does Ali choose in the end? Does Ali find true love? Take a guess. Do you think Ali picks Chris or Roberto to be her main squeeze?

As Dallas’ own Reality Steve Carbone revealed on his blog at www.realitysteve.com, Ali does not choose Chris Lambton. Which of course leaves Roberto Martinez as the one man Ali chooses to be her one and only, right? Wrong. Steve revealed on his blog that Ali did not choose anyone, Mr. Nobody was her choice. Ali is not dating, not engaged, not getting married to either of these two Bachelorette finalists. Ali is Single and available.

As expected, speculation has been building that Ali didn’t choose either of the two final men in hopes of getting back together with Jake Pavelka, but Ali has already said in interviews that she is over Jake and has no interest in him whatsoever. For the full, complete, blow-by-blow Bachelorette episode recaps and spoilers, go and read Reality Steve’s blog at www.realitysteve.com for all the details.

The next big question yet to be determined is, Who will be the next Bachelor? Who would you choose or vote for to become the next Bachelor, Chris Lambton or Roberto Martinez or ____???

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Addison Kaboom Town fireworks isn’t the only July 4th Independence Day celebration event in the Dallas-Forth Worth area this year. If attendance at last year’s Kaboom Town in Addison is any indication of its popularity, Dallas/Fort Worth area city officials should stand up and pay attention. The City of Dallas initially announced the cancellation of their annual July 4th fireworks show due to budget cuts, but Dallas officials have since realized that not having a fireworks event in their city would send the wrong message.

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem, Dwaine Caraway, who became angry that the city had scheduled no fireworks this Fourth of July because of budgeting problems, told city officials they had better come up with a plan for fireworks – or else. In an interview in his Dallas City Hall office, Caraway said, “It’s gonna be some fireworks if they don’t find fireworks. To not have fireworks – it’s sending an invitation to all of the surrounding cities that you’re better than Dallas,” Caraway said. “Everybody’s got some but us.” Caraway said Monday that the city hadn’t tried hard enough to find sponsors of its own. He said that if Friends of Fair Park can’t find the money, the city Park Department needs to make it happen somehow – at Fair Park or elsewhere.

Dallas will have a Fourth of July fireworks celebration this year at Fair Park after all, city officials announced Wednesday, but it’ll be held on Monday, July 5th. Mayor Tom Leppert said two local businesses put up the money to stage the event. Tom Leppert held an impromptu news conference in City Council chambers to make the official announcement: “You can bring a picnic or there’ll be food that’ll be sold out there, but one way or the other it’s going to be a party and a great time. I’m not going to sit here and feel comfortable about folks going to watch the Plano fireworks, the DeSoto fireworks, the Texas Rangers fireworks, the Lone Star Park fireworks, the Garland fireworks, and leave our city. We are the lead city.”

Fair Park Fireworks are on July 5 this year. It’s a FREE event, but Fair Park parking is $10.00, or attendees can take DART’s Green Line train to Fair Park Station. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at Fair Park in Dallas. Music entertainment by Dallas Wind Symphony from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m. Dancing waters all night. Concession stands and games open at 6 p.m. For more details, visit the official Fair Park website at www.fairpark.org

Lake Grapevine Fireworks July 4th Extravaganza is the 28th Annual Fireworks held at Grapevine Lake, with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m on July 4. Admission is free at most viewing locations, but some parks along Lake Grapevine may charge a minimal admission fee. For public safety reasons, the City of Grapevine will be shutting down Fairway Drive between State Highway 26 E. and Silveron Blvd. on July 4th beginning at 9:15 PM until the fireworks show ends. All traffic (except for emergency vehicles) and parking will be prohibited along Fairway Drive during this time.

Red, White & Lewisville Fireworks Display begins July 4, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. around the Vista Ridge Mall area. The best viewing opportunities to watch fireworks in Lewisville will be on the South side of Vista Ridge Mall and along the 121 Bypass. For more information, visit the official City of Lewisville website at www.cityoflewisville.com or call 972.219.3401.

City of Bedford 4th Fest / Island Adventure 2010 is being held on Sunday, July 4, 2010 from Noon to 11 p.m. at 2801 Forest Ridge Road, Bedford Boys Ranch Park, Bedford, TX. Bedford’s 4th is an Independence Day Celebration with an Island twist. 4thFEST Island Adventure Celebration includes a free concert, InflataFUN Zone, a variety of island adventure family fun FREE activities, festival-style culinary delights and of course, the spectacular fireworks extravaganza. There is no on-site parking. Parking and shuttle service will be offered at Pennington Field, 1501 Central Drive, for $3.00 per person. The last shuttle TO the Boys Ranch Park will leave Pennington Field at 9:30 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. For more information, call 817-952-2300

Flower Mound’s Annual Independence Day Celebration fireworks display is on July 4, 2010, starting at 9:25 p.m. Flower Mound’s fireworks celebration is at Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound, TX. Gates open at 7 p.m. with concession stands, kid’s and family fun activities including a bounce house, giant slide, obstacle course, rock wall and face painting. The Walton Stout Band will play from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:25 p.m. No glass, alcohol, or tobacco products are allowed on the park grounds. For more information, call 972-874-7275.

Arlington Highlands July 4th Celebration is being held on July 4, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Fireworks Extravaganza begins at about 9:30  p.m. at Arlington Highlands, Arlington, TX. See details here. Bring the whole family for an evening of family fun and festivities at the Arlington Highlands July 4th Celebration from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with live entertainment. No alcoholic beverages allowed.

Rowlett’s QueFest/Fireworks is a 3-day fourth of July event on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2010 at Elgin B. Robertson Park on Lake Ray Hubbard. The Rowlett Exchange Club will celebrate Independence Day July 2, 3 and 4 with QueFest. Proceeds from the fireworks event in Rowlett go to support Exchange Club programs. The fest will feature live music entertainment, world class barbecue, a children’s area, carnival rides, “State Fair foods” and fireworks every night. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. VIP tickets are $95 and sponsorships are available. The general admission price will be $8 for adults and $6 for kids under 12. For more information, call 214-364-1632.

38th Annual 4th of July Fireworks – Denton Kiwanis Club will be on Saturday, July 3rd. The fireworks show will begin at dusk at the University of North Texas Fouts Field in Denton Texas. Sponsored by the Denton Kiwanis Club, Denton’s 38th annual 4th of July fireworks show is a free event. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with fun activities for the whole family including bounce houses for the kids, concessions and live music.

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July 4th events, in celebration of Independence Day, provide many fun things to do in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, for adults, children and families. Kaboom Town in Addison Texas is a highly rated and extremely popular July fourth location for people wanting to watch fireworks shows and enjoy the family fun activities included.

Kaboom Town 2010 is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is described as Addison’s most explosive party of the year, for very good reason. The dazzling 30-minute fireworks show is choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast on 100.3 JACK FM. Kaboom Town is rated one of the top places to watch fireworks in the country by USA Today, the American Pyrotechnics Association, Travel + Leisure and The Wall Street Journal.

The nationally-recognized fireworks show known as Kaboom Town is held at Addison Circle Park in Addison TX, can be seen from anywhere in Addison, including the Addison Circle Park watching party, and many of Addison’s 170 restaurants, 22 hotels and more. There is great food, live music entertainment, a free movie after the fireworks show (Cinema in the Circle) and the spectacular historic Cavanaugh Flight Museum Warbird Flyover with live narration on radio station KRLD AM 1080.

Fun family activities at Kaboom Town include a rock climbing wall, a giant slide, fun inflatables, sand art, an obstacle course, massages and much more. Food and beverages for the Addison Kaboom Town watching party include such things as: hamburgers, hotdogs, barbeque, chicken sandwiches, cotton candy, ice cream, beer, wine, soft drinks, water and much more. Bringing your own food, picnic baskets or to-go orders from any of the area restaurants is allowed.

Kaboom Town in Addison TX is being held on Saturday, July 3rd at Addison Circle Park – Bud Lite Main Stage from 5 pm to Midnight and is FREE, no admission fee whatsoever. The fireworks show begins at approximately 9:35 pm, lasting for thirty minutes. The address for Addison’s Kaboom Town is 4970 Addison Circle Drive in Addison Texas.

The Main Stage entertainment schedule of who will headline the event is still being gathered at this time, so be sure to keep checking the official website for Kaboom Town for further details of Main Stage entertainer performances. So far, Studio 54, Dallas Wind Symphony, the fireworks show and the free “Cinema in the Circle” movie (Ferris Buellers’ Day Off) are listed. The 5 pm Main Stage entertainment is listed as “to be determined” as of this writing.

There are many Dallas area July 4th events, activities, parties, parades and fireworks shows to choose from, and Guidelive.com is a great resource for finding fun things to do for Independence Day and any other day throughout the year. Garland residents went without a fireworks show last year due to budget cuts, but according to the Garland City Press, Firewheel Town Center will host its 2010 “Star Bangled Celebration” on Saturday, July 3rd from 4 pm – 9 pm, located on State Highway 78 at State Highway 190. Garland’s Main Stage features KLTY 94.9 FM “Celebrate Freedom” music artists Anthony Evans and Charmaine.

The Blind, Ken Savage and the Best Kept Secret, and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra will entertain with rock ‘n roll hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, classic oldies, rhythm and blues, smooth jazz and inspirational songs at Garland’s Firewheel Town Center. All concerts are FREE, with patrons encouraged to bring blankets and/or chairs, since open seating is limited to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis. Fun children’s activities at the mall include games, bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, the return of The Red Hatter to help festival patrons make and decorate their own festive and whimsical hats from paper sacks with paint, feathers, beads, etc, and much more.

Frisco Freedom Fest is being held on Saturday, July 3rd from 4 pm until the 20-minute fireworks show ends. Frisco’s Freedom Fest happens in the heart of Frisco Square at Pizza Hut Park and Simpson Plaza at City Hall, at 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Frisco’s Party in the Plaza includes the popular Children’s Expo featuring two Euro bungees, a rock climbing wall and a mini train ride. The fireworks party extravaganza also includes the Taste of Frisco, a Community Stage featuring local artists, dancers, singers, bands and entertainers, a Soccer match at Pizza Hut Park between FC Dallas and the Kansas City Wizzards, and a Hometown Hero Exhibit which showcases and honors Frisco’s Fire and Police Departments.

Farmers Branch Historical Park Independence Day celebration is being held on Saturday, July 3rd from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and will feature the famous Emerald City Band and a fireworks finale. Admission is FREE, with first-come-first-served lawn seating. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are allowed and encouraged. Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane in Dallas.

Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks celebration is a TWO night fireworks show following live racing on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4th at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie Texas, starting a 5 pm on both days. Activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, live entertainment and much more. Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is located at 1000 Lone Star Parkway in Grand Prairie TX.

Sachse’s Red, White and Blue Blast is on Saturday, July 3rd from 6 pm to 11 pm at Heritage Park, starting with its 6th annual Independence Day parade. At Heritage Park beginning at 7:30 pm, the AnnaGrey Band performs live until 9:30 pm, when the choreographed Zambelli Fireworks Show starts. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs for seating, however, no alcohol is allowed on school or park grounds. The event is FREE, with public parking available at Sachse High School and shuttles to Heritage Park. Heritage Park is located at 4400 Hudson Drive in Sachse TX.

Residents living in or around Allen, McKinney, Plano, Carrollton, Lewisville, Denton, Dallas and other cities can enjoy attending any of these local events to watch fireworks or find further information on July 4th fireworks shows and Independence Day celebrations on Guidelive (www.guidelive.com) or their local city’s official website for locations, phone numbers, addresses, etc for more details and information.

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Do I have Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow, or perhaps both? I would not have thought it possible nowadays to receive a wrong diagnosis about the elbow pain, strain and “pulling” sensation I’ve felt in one of my elbows and forearm for almost a month now. Having seen a medical doctor to determine the possible cause and treatment for the elbow problems I’ve been experiencing, and being diagnosed with Golfer’s Elbow instead of Tennis Elbow, left me feeling perplexed.

Having spent a great deal of time researching the difference between Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow before and after seeing the doctor, in order to get a pretty good idea of the causes and treatment for either Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow, it seems to me that I actually should have been diagnosed with Tennis Elbow instead of the other. The primary differences between Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow are the location of the pain and the physical activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint.

Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow Causes

What is Golfer’s Elbow? Golfer’s Elbow, also called Medial Epicondylitis, is similar to Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) in some ways. But, the pain and tenderness from Golfer’s Elbow is said to be felt on the INSIDE (medial) of the elbow, on or around the joint’s prominent bony area, rather than the outside area of the elbow. Any repetitive activity, such as pitching/throwing a baseball or softball, typing, vacuuming, lifting weights during exercise, repetitively lifting too-heavy items with one arm, painting, hammering, raking or chopping wood and other repetitive wrist, hand or arm movement can lead to overuse of the muscles and tendons and cause golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow.

Tennis Elbow, on the other hand, is said to be felt on the OUTSIDE (lateral) area of the elbow, which is where my elbow pain primarily exists, plus strain and a shooting sensation along my forearm when lifting a coffee cup or just about anything else. In most cases, according to legitimate sources, “the pain is generally caused by inflammation of the tendons which connect muscles to bones in the elbow. As the elbow tendons become inflamed with this condition, it is considered to be a type of elbow tendonitis.”

It should be noted that Bursitis, pain on the back of the elbow, is often due to “excessive leaning on the joint or a direct blow or fall onto the tip of the elbow. A swollen lump can often be seen and the elbow is painful at the back of the joint.” Since I don’t recall hitting my elbow on anything that might have caused the elbow injury, but having an unconscious tendency to lean on that elbow, I couldn’t help but wonder if I might have bursitis, but the doctor said no.

With Golfer’s Elbow, pain may radiate down the entire affected arm, along with elbow inflammation or noticeable elbow swelling. The affected elbow may be stiff and tender to touch and some people may find that holding the arm in certain positions will alleviate the discomfort for a short period of time. This condition may affect the arm, hand and wrist and often, some daily activities such as holding and grasping may become difficult to do.

Overuse injury, also called cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or repetitive strain injury (RSI), are conditions characterized by chronic irritation to a body part. Many conditions fall under the category of overuse syndromes, some of these are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Wrist Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Bursitis and other conditions affecting the hip, knee and leg, foot and ankle joints.

Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow

Since I do regularly engage in several of the possible causes listed above for either Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow, I can’t really be sure as to the specific cause of the problem. Treatment and prevention is more important to me now than knowing what exactly caused the current problem in the first place.

There are a variety of treatments available for either or both conditions including application of heat or ice; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), Naproxen (Aleve), Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), or aspirin. I decided against cortisone injections due to poor results from numerous studies done on its effectiveness, but rather chose to wear an elbow support strap/brace to reduce strain and movement of the affected elbow, and am pleased with the results thus far.

The medical doctor prescribed two medications for me (besides the elbow brace and “rest” of the elbow/arm), neither of which I am willing to take due to the extensive list of possible side effects and warnings of taking either medication. One medication prescribed is called Nabumetone (Relafen), where the label says the drug itself may cause some rather unpleasant and downright serious side effects, even life-threatening (possible blood clots resulting in heart attacks or strokes). The prescription information page included with the medication says, “Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug”, but fails to explain why. Umm, thanks but no thanks, doc.

The other medication is called Methlyprednisolone (Medrol), has the same or similar “possible” side effects as the previous medication, including “vomit that looks like coffee grounds”, amongst many other unwanted possible side effects. Again, thanks but no thanks. While either or both of these medications may actually be of great help treating Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow, and the prescribing doctor may have many years of education and experience, I do my own homework and research regarding health matters (It is MY body after all) rather than blindly following the advice of someone else, anyone else.

Even with the medications prescribed by the doctor and the recommendation to wear the elbow brace and “rest” the elbow/arm, the doctor said “give it a month” to heal and focus on prevention for the future. Following the doctor’s orders to rest the arm for a month includes “not lifting anything more than 5 pounds”, no “heavy” house cleaning including pushing a vacuum (with that arm), and just giving the elbow time to recuperate. That’s about as close to a “cure” for Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow as I’ve heard so far that sounds remotely reasonable.

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