Good morning!

Just a heads-up—Martin Luther King Jr. Day is next week! We’ve rounded up local events so you can start planning your day of celebration, service, and childcare if you’re like us have work that day while the kids don’t have school.

And speaking of planning… Valentine’s is around the corner! Got an event or sale? We want to hear about it—email us at [email protected].

Let’s make January and February full of fun and community! 🎉

THE DIGEST

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January each year. It honors the life and legacy of Dr. King, a leader in the American Civil Rights Movement who worked for justice, equality, and nonviolent change. The day is also celebrated as a Day of Service—encouraging community involvement and giving back.

Holiday Closures

Event Schedule

Whether you march, volunteer, or simply reflect, MLK Day offers many ways to celebrate Dr. King’s vision of unity, equality, and service.

We recently had the chance to meet Laura Hill for lunch and take a walk through of Justin Tower Plaza off 156—and it was such a fun way to meet the owners and hear about their businesses firsthand!

Laura, former Mayor of Southlake (2015–2021), and author of Walking in My Shoes: A Woman’s Story of Leadership and Where the Mean Girls Go comes from a family with strong entrepreneurial roots. Her father founded Downey Publishing, which Laura later became the co-owner of herself. Her husband’s Texas Ice Cream truck has been serving up smiles across North Texas since 2008—proof that ice cream really does bring people together.

The 156 strip is already lively with businesses like Kahwa Coffee, Justin Nail Lounge, PetMePlus, Riatatherapy, Best Brains, MyLan Pho and Grill, and of course Texas Ice Cream. Coming soon: Longhorn Car Wash and flex spaces for lease for local entrepreneurs who want a spot to grow their business. Plans for a future three-story building are still in the works, and we can’t wait to see what ideas come to life!

Laura has been thoughtful about who she brings to the strip, focusing on family-friendly businesses and experienced owners, with smart planning for parking and hours so everyone can enjoy the space. Fun extras: the strip sits next to Cornerstone Christian Academy (the former Downey Publishing building) and the oldest water tower in Justin—a neat piece of local history.

While we’ve highlighted a few businesses in past newsletters, we’ve got even more in store for you in the weeks ahead, and after seeing it all in person, we can promise it’s a spot worth visiting!

SYNERGY HomeCare, the nation’s fastest-growing in-home care franchise, has opened a new location in Justin. Locally owned by Victor Nava and Juan Contreras, the team offers non-medical, in-home care services—including companion, personal, and respite care—from their office at 305 West 1st Street.

Looking for something fun to do this week? We’ve rounded up the best local events—from exciting activities in Justin to can’t-miss happenings in Denton—so you can plan your week and make the most of your time around town.

Monday~ Jan. 12

Tuesday~ Jan. 13

Wednesday~ Jan. 14

Thursday~ Jan. 15

Friday~ Jan. 16

Saturday~ Jan. 17

Sunday~ Jan. 18

_{Plan Ahead:}
^{1/19~ Martin Luther King Day, NISD no school
1/28-2/1~ Denton Black Film Festival
1/19~ Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Marcus High School}

We’re taking a short pause from our look at Justin’s first city council to spotlight another important figure whose name still echoes through the community today—Clara Helen Wilkerson.

Born in 1912 right here in Justin, Clara never strayed far from the town she called home. After graduating high school in Roanoke, she went on to attend North Texas State in Denton. In 1933, she married William Love during a game of 21, and together they raised two daughters.

While still in college, Clara began teaching at a one-room schoolhouse in Argyle. There, she did it all—serving not only as a teacher, but also as coach, janitor, and cook, caring for both the education and daily needs of her students. She worked at the Argyle schoolhouse for six years before having children and returning to school to earn her degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Clara’s teaching career continued at Roanoke Elementary, where she worked for five years, before moving on to Justin Elementary. It was there that she spent 20 years shaping young minds in the very community where she was born.

At 70 years old, Northwest ISD forced Clara to retire—but she wasn’t finished yet. She fought the school board in an attempt to keep teaching and, though unsuccessful, continued serving students by substitute teaching within NISD for another 20 years, finally retiring at the age of 90.

Today, her legacy lives on through Clara Love Elementary, located just outside Justin—a lasting reminder of her lifelong dedication to education. Beyond the classroom, Clara also made a direct impact on the town as president of the Justin Business and Professional Women’s Club, where she spent many years supporting young women pursuing further education.

Clara Helen Wilkerson’s story is one of commitment, resilience, and a deep love for her community—proof that some of the most lasting legacies are built quietly, one student at a time.