By Dr. Carolyn Scott, Family Medicine, WellMed at Rosedale

Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember and honor the men and women who have served our country. It’s also the traditional start of the summer vacation and travel season – a time for family getaways and flavorful barbecues and picnics.

During this time, it’s important to take precautions when it comes to safe food handling, preparation and cooking, to avoid foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and E. coli, which can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 48 million Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.

Typical food-poisoning symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and fever, all of which may range from mild to serious and can last from a few hours to several days. Health care professionals caution that certain people have an increased risk of becoming very sick from foodborne illness including pregnant women, older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems.

To help you keep your families healthy and protect them from food poisoning, here are some general food and kitchen hygiene tips to help you safely prepare and serve your Memorial Day meal.  Foodborne illnesses tend to increase during the summer months because bacteria multiply faster when it’s warm, so following food safety guidelines is especially critical for raw meats, summer salads, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, which are among the most perishable foods at cookouts.

• Clean everything: It is important for those preparing and handling food to frequently wash their hands before, during and after they start cooking, and to use fresh, clean plates and utensils for serving cooked food.

• Do not cross contaminate: Raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat food unless you keep them separate.

• Cook to the right temperature: The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry and fish are cooked to a safe internal temperature.  

• Refrigerate perishable food within two hours. When food is left unrefrigerated for more than two hours, bacteria grow rapidly. For temperatures over 90 F, food should be refrigerated within an hour.

Have fun this Memorial Day but be mindful of food safety to help keep your family healthy.

Dr. Carolyn Scott is board certified in Family Medicine and practices with WellMed at Rosedale. She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Scott is proud to work with such a resolute team of medical professionals to help her patients achieve their healthcare goals.

Resources:

• Food Poisoning Symptoms | CDC
• Foodborne Germs and Illnesses | CDC
• Factors That Increase Your Risk for Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC
• People With a Higher Risk of Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC
• Four Steps to Food Safety | CDC
• Food Safety by Events and Seasons | FoodSafety.gov

Thursday nights in Rockwall are extra special this summer as the city presents its annual series of Concerts by the Lake. Held at The Harbor between 7 and 9 p.m. each week from May through July, the concerts feature a wide assortment of musical artists. Performing next in the series on May 30 is party band Jukebox Heroes.

Jukebox Heroes is a DFW-based party band who performs Top 40 songs. The nine-member band boasts a repertory of more than 1,000 songs and is known for engaging crowds.

Rockwall is the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas.” Through the years, the city has hosted more than 200 different bands at Concerts by the Lake.

The free concerts take place on the Amphitheater Stage at The Harbor, 2059 Summer Lee Drive, on the shores of beautiful Lake Ray Hubbard. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnics and beverages. Restaurants at The Harbor provide a variety of food choices. Food can be brought in or delivered. Concerts take place unless there is rain or severe weather at showtime; however, the start of a show can be delayed if it appears rain will stop soon.

One of the best things about Concerts by the Lake is that you can experience the shows from land or from water: Scores of boats will fill the Rockwall Harbor enjoying the sounds of the summer concerts.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Concerts by the Lake: Jukebox Heroes

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 30

Other concerts in the series:

• June 6                 Bidi Bidi Banda: Selena tribute band
• June 13              Escape: Journey tribute band
• June 20              Soulful Soundz: R&B/Soul band
• June 27              Lone Star Skynyrd: Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band
• July 4                  No Concert This Week
• July 11                IDT Band: Party band
• July 18                Bad Moon Rising: Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band
• July 25                David Whiteman Band: Party band

Where: The Harbor, 2059 Summer Lee Drive, Rockwall

Cost: Free

Parking: Free parking is available in the garage in the TrendHR building at the top of Summer Lee Drive. Note: There is no on-grass parking anywhere at The Harbor.

Information: Rockwall.com

Barrel & Bones is known for the wide array of prime meats it smokes daily, including brisket, sausage, pork belly and more. But for Father’s Day, the pitmasters are crafting a special perfect to celebrate dear old dad in style – smoked Prime Rib.

On Sunday, June 16, diners at all four Barrel & Bones locations can select a 12 oz. portion of smoked prime rib. The espresso-rubbed prime rib will be cut to order and served with au jus and horseradish crème fraiche. Side dishes can be purchased a la carte including specially paired roasted garlic mashed potatoes for $6.99.

For more information on Barrel & Bones or to place a reservation or an order, visit barrelandbonestx.com.

LOCATIONS

Dallas

12300 Inwood Road, Suite 130

Dallas, TX 75244

469-324-4862

Carrollton

1011 S. Main, Suite 110

Carrollton, TX 75006

 469-848-8333

The Colony

2801 Plano Parkway, Suite 140

The Colony, TX, 75056

469-353-8810

Farmers Branch

1980 LBJ Freeway

Farmers Branch, TX 75234

214-778-3769

About Barrel & Bones

Barrel & Bones Craft Bar & Smokehouse celebrates the art of in-house smoked barbecue. The restaurant, with locations in Dallas, The Colony, Carrollton and Farmers Branch, is renowned for its mouthwatering smoked brisket, tender turkey, savory sausages and more. Barrel & Bones’ menu extends beyond the classics to feature chef-driven interpretations of classics that better appeal to today’s discerning diner. In addition to its extraordinary menu, Barrel & Bones offers one of the largest selections of bourbon and whiskey in Dallas/Fort Worth, along with a wide range of craft beers and cocktails.

Kitchen Design Concepts, a leading provider of turnkey remodeling services in Dallas, proudly announces the grand opening of its new design studio located in the vibrant Dallas Design District. With a commitment to delivering unparalleled design solutions tailored to each client's unique lifestyle and preferences, the expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's continued growth and dedication to serving the Dallas community.

The new design studio, spanning an impressive 5,000 square feet, offers clients an immersive experience in luxury kitchen, bath and whole home design and remodeling. Nestled in the heart of the Dallas Design District, the studio showcases Kitchen Design Concepts' signature blend of innovative design concepts, superior craftsmanship and personalized service.

The design studio features 14 distinct spaces personally tailored by the dedicated design team. Featuring a reception area with a backlit Cambria Skara Brae; a fully functional kitchen with pastel tear-shaped backsplash and sage, gloss-finished cabinets; a cabinet room with natural lighting for clients to view selections in different environments; a moody primary bathroom featuring an array of material selections; and a half bathroom with pink lacquer wall and pink plumbing, the design studio showcases styles and materials for clients to explore and inspire for home projects.

The space also features a Revive display, the company’s line of business that focuses on refreshing kitchens by making cosmetic changes for a budget-friendly option. An updated kitchen display with repurposed cabinets is another in-studio example of Kitchen Design Concepts’ Revive services.

"At Kitchen Design Concepts, we believe that exceptional design is born from a deep understanding of our client's needs and aspirations," said Mary Kathryn Reese, CEO at Kitchen Design Concepts. "Our new design studio embodies our commitment to providing Dallas homeowners with a space to explore their visions and collaborate with our team of experts to bring their dream homes to life."

The design studio is located at 150 Payne St. Dallas, TX, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

For more information about Kitchen Design Concepts or to schedule a consultation, visit kitchendesignconcepts.com.

ACAES USA participated in the 7th Annual Fundraising Luncheon for Girls' Education and Gendercide Awareness on Friday, April 12th, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Kudos to Gendap Founder Beverly Hill for her incredible efforts! Support the mission to send at-risk girls in low-income countries to school. Featured in the photos are volunteers Kenzie Song, Monica Howe, Coco Li, Sara He, June Chow, Jan Xie, and Mr. and Mrs. Hill.