Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) is pleased to announce the completion of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church renovation for the nonprofit organization, Dream Center Dallas. Dream Center Dallas provides resources and services in the areas of education, homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking within Dallas. Built in 1948, the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church was originally constructed to serve a congregation of about 250 members. 

MAA was engaged to provide architectural and interior design services and to lead the historic renovation process to preserve the building’s most iconic features. In accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the project included restoring the church’s original façade and prominent roof beacon. Key spaces and features such as the sanctuary, entrance vestibule, lighting, seating, and prayer rooms were also restored to honor the building’s original design and historic significance. 

Functional upgrades, including classrooms, offices, and meeting areas, were designed to meet ADA standards, with the addition of a new elevator to improve accessibility. As a State of Texas Historic Tax Credit project, MAA worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure all standards for historic preservation were met.  

The restored building marks the first of two historic structures being transformed to support Dream Center Dallas’ ministry and outreach operations. 

"The design of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church honors the rich legacy of this beloved local landmark," says Milton Anderson, President of MAA. "Our team is grateful to be part of a project that holds deep meaning for the community and aligns with Dream Center Dallas’ mission to share generosity and unconditional love with all." 

Merriman Anderson Architects is based in Downtown Dallas with offices also in Fort Worth, Austin, Charlotte, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. MAA is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm offering services including master planning, historic and adaptive reuse, project management, space planning, sustainable design, 3D visualization, and virtual reality. 

Two generations received recognition at Bachman Lake Together’s annual Community Action Network (CAN) graduation ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of parent leaders and preschool graduates in Dallas’ Bachman Lake neighborhood. 

Nineteen Bachman Lake-area parents completed the nine-month CAN program, which empowers parents by helping them build leadership skills, learn to advocate for their children’s education and access resources that support family well-being. Seventeen additional parents were honored for completing advanced levels of the program, which provides mentorship, training in early learning advocacy and volunteer leadership roles.

The ceremony, held at the Bachman Recreation Center, marked the culmination of Bachman Lake Together’s CAN parent leadership program.

Bachman Lake Together Executive Director Olga Martinez Hickman, Ph.D., welcomed the audience of families, partners and supporters, saying, “Today we celebrate a milestone not just for our parent leaders and their children, but for our entire community. Our CAN graduates have stepped into their roles as advocates, leaders and champions for early learning—and their commitment inspires us all to create a supportive environment where our children can grow and thrive.”

During the ceremony, AnaLorena Carrasco, Executive Director of AVANCE North Texas, which is a longtime partner of Bachman Lake Together, shared how AVANCE’s partnership with Bachman Lake Together and its role in delivering high-quality early education supports families holistically – ensuring parents and children learn side by side. 

Israel Rivera, Dallas ISD Parent Advocacy and Support Services Executive Director, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the importance of parent engagement in children's education. Graduate and past Bachman Lake Together board member Denisse Gutierrez her experiences as a parent in the program and her belief in the power of parents to lead change in Bachman Lake. 

The ceremony concluded with a joyful performance by the preschool-age AVANCE graduates and their parents, who danced to “El baile del sapito (The Little Frog Dance),” symbolizing the energy and unity of the families and community.

Bachman Lake Together extends heartfelt thanks to its partners, volunteers, and supporters for their continued dedication to empowering families. The organization remains committed to helping families build strong foundations—through early learning, parent leadership and family well-being—so their children are fully prepared to succeed in school and in life.

Carbon Companies and Greenway Investment Company, Dallas-based privately owned real estate firms, secured a loan for approximately $125 million to finalize the large-scale, luxury multifamily development, The Links on PGA Parkway, in Frisco, Texas. The loan, arranged by the Carbon Companies team, will be used to complete the final phases of the four-phase, 38-acre development. 

The Links on PGA Parkway is located at 15950 Paramount Way in Frisco, off of PGA Pkwy and Dallas North Tollway. The first two phases of the development, which opened in December 2021 and October 2023, introduced 690 units and a two-acre city park. With financing secured for the final two phases, an additional 620 podium-style units will be constructed with 815 underground parking spots. Each building will be complete with its own state-of-the-art wellness facilities and resort-style amenities. The Links on PGA Parkway will offer a total of 1,310 residential units after all phases of the development are complete. 

“We are grateful to all of our partners for working together to secure the loan to deliver the final phases of The Links on PGA Parkway,” says Ed Garahan, CEO of Carbon Companies. “We are proud of this development and look forward to offering luxury housing to more residents in Frisco.” 

The first two phases of the community feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with modern finishes and appliances, stylish interiors, top-tier amenities, and spacious common areas. The state-of-the-art amenities include two resort-style pools with outdoor lounges, two clubhouses, two fitness centers, a grab-and-go market offering grocery essentials, an advanced golf simulator, and complimentary yoga classes and golf lessons from local golf professionals. 

Located in the heart of the Frisco Urban Village, The Links on PGA Parkway is at the center of a rapidly growing and desirable area. Ideally situated near the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa – home to two 18-hole championship golf courses – PGA of America Headquarters, The Star, Stonebriar Centre, and Baylor Scott & White’s Health Complex, the residential community offers unparalleled comfort and convenience. With an array of dining and entertainment options nearby and easy access to the Dallas North Tollway, residents can enjoy luxury and accessibility. 

There are also several highly-anticipated, unique developments in the pipeline nearby, including Universal Kids Resort set to open in 2026, and the Fields West village which will feature premier retail, dining, entertainment, office spaces, and residences. Just across the street, Firefly Park is set to transform 160 acres into a vibrant destination, complete with a 45-acre park, scenic biking and walking trails, water features, luxury townhomes, multifamily residences, and an upscale hotel, all slated for completion in 2027. Adding to the area’s appeal, the City of Frisco and Prosper Independent School District plan to partner to develop the over $300 million, state-of-the-art “ Frisco Center for the Arts” performance hall, to be located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and PGA Parkway. 

With the completion of the Dallas North Tollway expansion and easy access to top attractions in the area, The Links on PGA Parkway offers an unbeatable location. Once its third and fourth phases are completed in 2027, this luxury multifamily development will be home to nearly 2,000 residents in the Frisco Urban Village.

For one night only on May 17, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven X Beyoncé, an electrifying mashup of classical genius and pop royalty! Maestro of the mashup Steve Hackman fuses the pulse of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony with 15 of Queen Bey’s biggest bangers – from “Single Ladies” to “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

Three powerhouse vocalists, a live band, and the full force of the DSO turning the concert hall into a dance floor. It’s bold. It’s genre-defying. It’s the Renaissance of classical, pop and R&B colliding in spectacular fashion.

Classical music has never slayed this hard. Don’t miss it!

Tickets start at $59 and are available at dallassymphony.org.

Meyerson Symphony Center is located in Downtown Dallas at 2301 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a delightful brunch buffet at Open Palette inside the Sheraton Dallas on Sunday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy a beautifully curated Mother’s Day Brunch menu featuring artisanal starters like a local cheese and charcuterie table, vibrant spring penne pasta, and a fresh salad station. The raw bar offers chilled crab claws and shrimp cocktail, while the traditional station serves comforting favorites including scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, lobster corn chowder, and made-to-order omelets.

The butcher station is a highlight with pepper-crusted smoked ribeye, smoked piglet sliders, and Gulf snapper tacos. End on a sweet note with an indulgent dessert spread featuring vanilla bean crème brûlée, passion fruit torte, pistachio-rosewater cake, and more. Enhance the experience with live music and $1 mimosas.

New this year: A Flower Bar Experience. Add a personal touch with our interactive flower station, where guests of all ages can handcraft a custom floral arrangement just for Mom – because she deserves something as beautiful as she is!

Whether you’re honoring Mom or gathering with loved ones, Open Palette’s Mother’s Day Brunch offers something special for everyone! Priced at $70/adult and $27/kid under 12 years old.

Reservations are available now on OpenTable.

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH MENU

Starters

• Local Cheese Table. Paired with Local Jam and Artisan Crackers.

• Charcuterie Table. Paired with Whole Grain Mustard and Artisan Bread.

• Penne Pasta. Spring peas, sunchoke, heirloom tomato, and lemon vinaigrette.

Raw Bar

• Crab Claws

• Shrimp Cocktail

Salad Station, with fresh greens, toppings, and dressings.

Traditional Station

• Scrambled Eggs

• Biscuit & Country Gravy

• Vanilla Pancake

• Lobster Corn Chowder

• Mac N Cheese

• Chicken Tenders

• Made-to-Order Omelet

Butcher Station

• Pepper-Crusted Smoked Ribeye, with rosemary potato, baby roasted vegetable, and chimichurri.

• Smoked Piglet, with coleslaw, bourbon BBQ sauce, and brioche.

• Gulf Snapper Taco, with pico de gallo, guacamole, and salsa roja.

Sweet Treats & Pastries

• Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée

• Passion Fruit Bavarian Torte

• Pistachio-Rosewater Cake / Mango Chantilly

• Traditional Apricot Sacher Torte

• Seasonal Fruit Tart

Open Palette is located in Sheraton Dallas Hotel at 400 North Olive Street.