I brought my camera just in case, and we arrived early at the Rockwall campus where my family and I regularly attend church - where the American Idol finalist practically grew up.

With 25 minutes to go before the start of the candlelight service, we found four seats about 20 rows from the front of the stage. At first the sanctuary didn't seem packed to capacity like in Christmas' past - but later I realized that was because we got there early enough to avoid all the congestion. By 6pm, every seat in the sanctuary was filled (and this is a BIG sanctuary) and rows of people were standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the back. Still, this is not unusual for LakePointe, especially at Christmas.

Here are this week's links to some of the top stories posted by our contributors at neighborsgo.com for and about the Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity areas. 

>> ROCKWALL/HEATH

Jason Castro performs Christmas concert with Patti LaBelle http://www.neighborsgo.com/jasoncastrocentral

Photographic evidence that it snowed in Houston http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/27308

Young go kart racer heads to Daytona  http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/27217

First parade float for Rockwall Medical Association http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/27216

Jason Castro and Patti LaBelle's Christmas concert benefiting the BEST Education Foundation (Business Educators Students Together) included an after show meet and greet. Howard Taper snapped this photo and shared it with neighborsgo. Jason (a Garland alumni) is joined by Garland ISD trustee Linda Griffin (left) and Mary Patterson at the Garland Special Events Center.

Garland neighborsgo editor Marcus Murphree was at the Christmas concert on Dec. 13, and reports that Jason sang many fan favorites like Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Hallelujah, and concluded his performance with White Christmas.

American Idol finalist Jason Castro will be at Firewheel Town Center for a special appearance and autograph signing at 2 p.m. this Sunday, at Barnes & Noble. It's all part of the Hometown Holidays Celebration, which also features horse-drawn carriage rides and children's activities. Firewheel is at 245 Cedar Sage Drive in Garland. Bring your cameras and post your pics at neighborsgo.com! 

If you want to know what your neighbors are posting online, here are links to some of the latest and greatest stories written for and about the Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and Royse City communities. Look for many of them to be featured in an upcoming print edition.   

>> ROCKWALL/HEATH 

Rockwall Art League Show and Sale at Harbor http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26884

‘Girls on the Run’ in Rockwall http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26819

Dobbs second graders plant apple tree http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26628

Dobbs KC Club appreciates firefighters http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26627

Living nativity at First Christian Church-Rockwall http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26610

Hilton: putting their money where their mouth is http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26609

Can Katie Mariah call Rockwall home?
http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/26749

I just got word that the Dreadheads are meeting on the terrace of the beautiful Hilton Bella Harbor in Rockwall around 5pm Friday. For out-of-towners, that's located at 2055 Summer Lee Drive, on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. 

The Dreadheads plan to watch the sun set, and they welcome all Jason Castro fans to join them. (As a preview of what you'll see, check out this photo taken from the hotel's executive floor, where I just spent the weekend with my daughter on her birthday.)

This is same spot where Jason sailed aboard Seawolf, the 40-foot catamaran owned by Captain Scott and Jan Self of Rockwall; they docked near the lighthouse following the American Idol finalist's homecoming parade this summer. Jason performed right there, in the outdoor amphitheater situated in front of the boat docks.

I can't think of a better way for Castro fans to spend the night before the Christmas concert.

Post all your fan photos and concert pics at neighborsgo.com.  

Santa isn't the only one coming to town. Fans are headed by busloads to see Jason Castro, Rockwall's favorite dreadlocked, blue-eyed music man, perform a Christmas concert with Patti LaBelle at Garland Special Events Center this Saturday....while Michael Castro sets his sights on the American Idol stage!

Brothers in Christ, brothers at home - Jason the Dreadhead and Michael the Redhead are bringing Castro fever to a new high.  

The anticipation of hearing Michael sing is sure to be a hair-raising experience!

"This is a story. Are you ready for a story?" Jason begins with a grin. And what a story it is.

With Jason Castro's Christmas concert just around the corner (Dec 13 at Garland Special Events Center), Jason is spreading a message that is too powerful not to share here.  

Take a listen: Jason Castro: "I Am Second" video

Here are the latest headlines and links to some of the top stories posted by contributors like you, covering the Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and Royse City areas. Look for many of these stories to be featured in an upcoming print edition of neighborsgo.

 >> ROCKWALL/HEATH 

Lucky charms: ‘We Believe’ in the Hawks neighborsgo.com/stories/26464

Williams Middle School football got the job done neighborsgo.com/stories/26564

Grandparents write new chapter in library’s history neighborsgo.com/stories/26440

Fast start for Christian Corneau Memorial Run neighborsgo.com/stories/26397

Ask the astronomer video: why doesn’t the moon fall? neighborsgo.com/video/1455

Hawk swimmers send 12 to TISCA in Corpus Christi neighborsgo.com/stories/26295