AllenLibrary.org | AllenFriends.org | CityofAllen.org

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Allen Arts Alliance • Allen Public Library • City of Allen Foundation for Allen Schools • Humanities Texas *

Allen ISD • Allen Kiwanis Club Allen Noon & Sunrise Rotary Clubs • Barbara Buehler Red Pepper Productions, Inc.

Allen High Noon Lions Club • Allen Community Theatre Barnes & Noble • BLU • Elke’s Market Café Food for Thought Café • Two Rows Classic Grill

*This project was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

and the Friends of the Allen Public Library say “Thank You” to the people, organizations and businesses that made this project possible for 2016! 

February 11 Kickoff: The Music and History of Texas, as Told through Its Cuisine • 7:30 p.m. February 15 Family Celebration Day • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. February 23 Allen Reads “Spirit Day”-Two Rows • 11 a.m.-close February 25 Echoes of WPA, CCC, & Other New Deal Projects in Texas • 7:30 p.m. March 2 Food Demonstration, Food for Thought Café • 7 p.m. March 18 Texas Rock Band • 7:30 p.m. March 19 Allen Reads “Spirit Day”-Elke’s • 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 22 “A Cultural Connection” movie & speakers • 7:30 p.m. April 8 “The Dancers,” a play by Horton Foote • 7:30 p.m. April 9 Author Reception • 6-7 p.m. Author Talk • 7:30 p.m. Book signing • 8:30 p.m. April 10 Texas Tunes: A Musical & Theatrical Performance • 3 p.m.  

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Book Discussions at the Library-2nd Floor Program Room February 3 Noontime Pageturners Noon-1 p.m. February 17 Ladies Night Out 7-8:30 p.m. March 15 Let’s Talk Dewey : Texas Eats 7 p.m. (a Choose-Your-Own-Book Club)  

More detailed descriptions of all these events are in the brochure. Continue to check our website for additions and changes,

AllenFriends.org

All programs are free and open to the public and will be held at the library, unless otherwise noted.

Brochure design‐D  P  

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Friends website is “under construction” but we hope to have it up to date by February 1st. 

SAV E T H E S E DAT E S ALLen Reads Programs: For the Family

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“THE DANCERS,” A PLAY BY HORTON FOOTE Friday, April 8 • 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium This is the story of two shy teenagers who find the confidence they need through their friendship. It will be performed by the actors of the Lowery Freshman Center, under the direction of Janet Flynn.

ROBB WALSH Saturday, April 9 • Open Reception • 6-7 p.m. Library Gallery and Meeting Room Allen Eats, a delicious array of treats created by the library’s

own Food for Thought Café, is a reception open to all attendees. Come meet author Robb Walsh in this relaxed and inviting way, then stay for his talk and book signing. Author Talk • 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium Book signing follows the author’s talk in the library gallery. Bring your own book or books will be available for purchase. TEXAS TUNES: A MUSICAL & THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE Sunday, April 10 • 3 p.m. • Library Auditorium From Gulf Coast seafood to vintage Tex-Mex, the food of Texas is as diverse as our history. Explore the culture and music behind the food from across our great state. Presented by the Lowery Theatre and Orchestra with direction from Ellen Townley and Janet Flynn.

ALLen Reads Programs: For the Family

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TEXAS ROCKS-SOUTHERN FLIGHT Friday, March 18 • 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium Rock in the spring with Southern Flight band, a Dallas-based band that performs music from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and up to the present. They play Rock, Southern Rock, Rockabilly, Pop, Country and Spanish Pop Rock. Enjoy an evening with this exciting band as they play with an exuberance that rocks the house.

ALLEN READS “SPIRIT ” DAY ELKE’S Saturday, March 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (eat in or carry-out) ALLen Reads will receive 10% of the check if you, as the customer, let your server know when you

order that you are supporting ALLen Reads. 105 N. Greenville Ave @ McDermott • Allen, TX 75013 • 214.495.0200 “A CULTURAL CONNECTION” Tuesday, March 22 • 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium

Come see the premier showing of this original documentary about the history of Tex-Mex food.

Ever savored a frozen margarita? Nachos? Many of the Tex-Mex delicacies that are enjoyed throughout the world originated in the Dallas Metroplex. Forty-four years ago, Mariano Martinez transformed the margarita from a border cantina concoction to one of the nation’s most popular beverages with his innovative invention in Dallas of the frozen margarita machine. Tex-Mex food was once only served in Hispanic neighborhoods, but after World War II, industrious families such as the Cuellars, Martinez’s and others introduced Tex-Mex food to new customers throughout Dallas.

G e t I n vo lv e d . . .

Come Be Part of the Fun

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For the 9th year, Allen joins cities across the country participating in a community “One Book” project that involves everyone reading and discussing the same book. The 2016 selection is Texas Eats, by Robb Walsh. The companion book, Cook-A-Doodle-Doo, by Susan Stevens Crummel, communicates a similar theme to younger readers. Everyone in Allen can have “one book” to share

and discuss with their family and friends.  

Check out AllenFriends.org for updates and links to discussion questions for our main ALLen Reads book selection and activities. Share the book with others and join a discussion group. Attend one of many special events at the Allen Public Library and throughout the city. 

The programs for this year are planned and funded, and we are already starting to think about next year’s book! It’s our volunteers that make all this happen: grants, book selection, celebrity readers, author visits, other speakers, family celebration day, publicity, and more. If you have enjoyed participating in ALLen Reads and would like to be involved in planning for 2017, contact Jane Bennett,

jane@jrbennett.net. 

Welcome to the ALLen Reads Program

Robb Walsh is scheduled to speak at the Allen Public Library on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. Attend the author reception at 6 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres created by the

Food for Thought Café. A book signing in the library gallery will follow his talk, with books available for purchase, should you desire.

The Main Book

TEXAS EATS by Robb Walsh Recommended for grade 4 through adult Our main book this year is Texas Eats: The New Lone Star Heritage Cookbook by Robb Walsh. Texas Eats is the definitive, illustrated guide to the cuisines of Texas and their attendant histories and cultures. It is a colorful and deeply personal blend of history, anecdotes and recipes from all over the Lone Star State. Based on a WPA project idea from the 1930’s, it’s a unique way to learn about the origins of our state’s colorful and delicious past and present. Texas Eats covers the standards, from chicken-fried steak to cheese enchiladas to barbecued brisket. The author makes stops in East Texas for some good old-fashioned soul food, the Hill Country for German and Czech-influenced favorites, the Panhandle for traditional cowboy cooking and the Gulf Coast for timeless seafood dishes and lost classics like pickled shrimp. Recipes also include beloved-but-obscure gems: barbecued crabs, chili con carne, grilled oysters on the half shell, crispy jalapeño peppers, Hill County goulash, King Ranch casserole, pulled pork, mayhew jelly, Indian Pudding, and sweet potato cobbler, all highlighted by first-person stories and geographical details.

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ALLen Reads Programs: For the Family

COOKING DEMONSTRATION ALLEN COOKS: CULINARY DEMONSTRATION Wednesday, March 2 • 7 p.m. Meeting Room Come to a cooking demonstration of some of the best recipes from Texas Eats, presented by Food for Thought Café proprietor/cook/baker Jennifer Bell. A great opportunity to learn … and taste!

ECHOES OF WPA, CCC & OTHER NEW DEAL PROJECTS IN TEXAS: A Presentation by the State Historian of Texas Thursday, February 25 • 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium The official State Historian of Texas, Bill O’Neal, will visit Allen Public Library to speak about the lasting effects in Texas of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and other Great Depression programs. The title Texas Eats is author Robb Walsh’s tribute to the unfinished America Eats, a WPA undertaking about our national food culture. O’Neal is serving his second term as State Historian. The prize-winning author has written over 40 books and more than 300 articles and book reviews. He has made television appearances on the History Channel, Learning Channel, CMT, A&E and others. O’Neal recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West History Association. The speaker will take questions from the audience and invite relatives of WPA or CCC workers to share their stories.

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ALLen Reads Programs: For the Family

ALLEN READS KICKOFF THE MUSIC AND HISTORY OF TEXAS, as Told through Its Cuisine Thursday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. • Library Auditorium Welcome to the 2016 Kick-Off Event for ALLen Reads. This year, the season begins with a night of music provided by Mariachi Rosas Divinas, in a return engagement to the Allen Public Library. In addition, students from the Lowery Freshman Center, under the direction of Janet Flynn, will once again provide dramatic readings from this year’s text, Texas Eats, by Robb Walsh. In and around the musical performances, the readings will highlight Texas' cultural history and the wide variety of foods that grew from these varied settlers. Don’t miss what will prove to be an exciting introduction to the work by this year’s author and a fun-filled evening for the whole family. FAMILY CELEBRATION DAY Monday, February 15 •11 a.m.-2 p.m. • Library A delicious menu of activities throughout the library for the whole family. The Food for Thought Café in the library will be open for lunch. Join the Friends of the Allen Public Library and get a coupon for $2 off your café purchase! ALLEN READS "SPIRIT" DAY TWO ROWS Tuesday, February 23, from 11 a.m. to close (eat in or carry out). ALLen Reads will receive 20% of the check if you, as the customer, let your server know when you order that you are supporting ALLen Reads. Note: Two Rows also features 1/2 lb. burgers for $6 every Tuesday (dine-in only). 711 Central Expressway @ Bethany • Allen, TX 75013 • 972.396.8670

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COOK-A-DOODLE-DOO! by Susan Stevens Crummel Recommended for our younger readers

The Companion Book

Tired of eating the same old “chicken feed,” Big Brown Rooster is ready to test his wings and try to cook for himself. When he happens upon a cookbook from his great-grandmother, Little Red Hen, Rooster decides to make a favorite: strawberry shortcake. His animal friends laugh, but in the end, Turtle, Iguana and Pig volunteer to help. Comically, Turtle reads the recipe, and when he says that they need flour, Iguana rushes outside to pick a petunia. When Iguana is asked to beat an egg, he raises a baseball bat. Against all odds, the end result looks delicious, but clumsy Iguana drops the strawberry shortcake on the floor and Pig quickly gobbles it up. Luckily, Rooster is determined to “make” this happen. When the four friends create another beautiful cake, even the animals that chose not to participate are invited to enjoy the feast. This year’s ALLen Read’s picture book illustrates friendship, determination, and generosity, as well as humor. It’s really delicious.

SUSAN STEVENS CRUMMEL Susan Stevens Crummel, in collaboration with her sister, Janet Stevens (Caldecott Honor Medalist for Tops and Bottoms), has written several children’s books including New York Times Best Seller Help Me, Mr. Mutt! (winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award and named one of Time Magazine’s Best Children’s Books), The Little Red Pen (Arkansas Diamond Honor Award), Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! (Texas Bluebonnet Award, And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon (ALA Notable Book, Colorado Book Award, California Young Reader Medal), Jackalope (Storytelling World Award, IRA Children’s Choice Award), New York Times Best Seller, The Great Fuzz Fenzy (NCTE Notable Book and winner of ten state book awards.) She has also written picture books illustrated by cut-paper artist, Dorothy Donohue, including City Dog/Country Dog, featured at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Susan travels over 50,000 miles a year speaking at schools, conventions, and workshops throughout the United States. She shares her love of writing with over 100,000 students from coast to coast. In 2005 and 2006 she was invited by Laura Bush to read at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Susan is married to Richard Crummel, former Superintendent of Schools in Burleson, Texas. She has three grown children—Christie, Jason, and Courtney; three grandchildren– and one feisty cat—Tweeter, supreme ruler of the universe.

about the author

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AUTHOR RECEPTION, TALK AND BOOK SIGNING ROBB WALSH Saturday, April 9 • 7: 30 p.m. • Library Auditorium Veteran food writer and three-time James Beard Award winner Robb Walsh is the author of more than a dozen cookbooks including the iconic Tex-Mex Cookbook and Legends of Texas Barbecue. His latest books, published in fall 2015, are The Chili Three-Bean to Four-Alarm and Con Carne to Vegetarian. A former restaurant reviewer for the Austin Chronicle, Houston Press and Houstonia Magazine, Walsh now co-owns El Real Tex-Mex Café in Houston. He is cofounder and board member of Foodways Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Texas food heritage. Walsh has worked as a commentator for National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Sunday, the editor-in-chief of Chile Pepper Magazine and the food columnist for Natural History. He is also the founder and head judge of the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival. Nobody knows Texas foods like Walsh. Texas Eats covers all of the Lone Star State’s wide-ranging cuisines, including the Cajun influences of the bayou, the German and Czech immigrants who brought to Texas traditions of beer brewing and sausage making, the distinctive flavors from Texas’ Mexican neighbors and even the latest trends such as Viet-Cajun fusion and Pakistani fajitas.   

 

Discussion Questions for TEXAS EATS

1. Prior to reading Texas Eats, what foods did you most identify as “Texan”? Did that change after reading?

2. Were you already aware of the diversity of Texas’ cultures and foods? Did you learn anything about Texas’ cooking and history that surprised you?

3. Where are you originally from? What ethnic cultures and foods were part of life there?

4. Did you find a favorite recipe in the book? What is it? Did you make it? 5. Do you have a Texas recipe you feel would have fit into this book?

What is it? 6. If you were to add another chapter to Texas Eats, what would it be? 7. Do you collect cookbooks? If so, is Texas Eats an interesting addition

to your collection? Why? If not, does this book make you think that’s something you might like to do?

8. Would you be interested in starting/hosting a Cookbook Book Club? Maybe an online club would be more convenient. Take a look at The Kitchen Reader, https://the kitchenreader.wordpress.com/. It is an online food-related book club that anyone can join!

Book Discussions at the Library Noontime Pageturners: Texas Eats Wednesday, February 3 • Noon-1 p.m. • 2nd Floor Program Room Rebecca Crookston, facilitator Ladies Night Out: Texas Eats Wednesday, February 17 • 7 p.m. • 2nd Floor Program Room Kristen Amen, facilitator Let’s Talk Dewey: Texas Eats (a Choose-Your-Own Nonfiction Book Club) Tuesday, March 15 • 7 p.m. • 2nd Floor Program Room Debbie Vavra, facilitator The book club will be discussing books on Texas cooking (located in 641.59764),featuring Texas Eats. C.H.A.T. will be sharing Texas Eats at some meetings and talking about their own ethnic recipes. Cindy Deboer, library coordinator for this group, will also read aloud the picture book, Cook-A-Doodle-Doo.

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