Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world make the trek each year to Collin County to visit Southfork Ranch to experience what life might be like as a legendary oil baron. Now, whether they are coming to the famed ranch and mansion or entertaining in their own space, party hosts can bring the big flavors of Texas to their table with catering from Southfork Ranch Catering.

Executive Chef Juan Rivas has created an expansive collection of catering menus, with beautiful options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. While there are unique offerings representing our global community here in North Texas, some of the menu’s most exciting highlights celebrate the dining that might have been experienced by the Ewing family for their celebrations at Southfork Ranch.

Bobby’s Barbecue celebrates the character brought to life by Patrick Duffy and includes a broad array of Texas-style barbecued meats, including a mesquite smoked brisket, barbecued chicken, smoked sausage and pork ribs. The fabulous smoked meats are accompanied by all the favorite sides like potato salad, creamy cole slaw, beans and a wide array of relish options, all along with Southwestern cornbread muffins. The Ewing theme continues with JR’s Steak Dinner, which starts with a wedge salad served with a cooked-to-order rib-eye. Sides include a loaded baked potato, grilled vegetables and house-made warm rolls. Miss Ellie’s Recipes presents a delicious take on Lone Star favorites. Guests choose between chicken friend steak or chicken with cream gravy. The meal is served with a mixed salad, red-skinned mashed potatoes and seasoned green beans with sauteed onions and applewood-smoked bacon.

The menu celebrates not only the Ewing clan, but also the history of Dallas itself. Plated entrees are named after signature streets in Dallas such as Commerce Avenue, Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue. To bring experiential dining, Southfork Catering offers a wide array of carving stations, including Barbecued Brisket, Whole Prime Rib and Beef Tenderloin. Small plate action stations range from Shrimp & Grits and Braised Beef Short Ribs to Pork Belly and Wild Mushroom Ragout.

All meals have the option of ending with a sweet treat. Desert offerings include a traditional bread pudding, strawberries Romanoff and JR’s Triple Threat, a dark and white chocolate chip cookie in the shape of Texas with caramelized bananas and Baileys anglaise.

Southfork Ranch Catering can accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 10,000 people and can be offered throughout the ranch property and across the entire Metroplex. Its expert event coordinators can work to craft a custom menu for any event including all food, beverage and alcohol, and can assist with rentals and other event needs as well.

Those interested in learning more about Southfork Ranch Catering can find more information at SouthforkRanchCatering.com or by calling (972) 442-7800.

Toast Mom this Mother’s Day with an impressive dining experience at Table 13, North Dallas’ fine supper-club inspired restaurant.

The exclusive Prix Fixe Mother’s Day brunch menu is offered at $49.99 per person Sunday, May 12 between 11:00am – 4:00pm and reservations are required.

The celebratory menu features Classic Southern Deviled Eggs for the table with individual starters of House Salad, Ceasar Salad, or Lobster Bisque. Your choice of entrée Steak & Eggs, Surf & Turf Omelette, Pasta Primavera, Pecan Crusted Salmon, Lemon Caper Chicken, Filet Mignon, or Ribeye. A delectable dessert of Southern Chocolate Cake, Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake, or Mango Frozen Sorbet provides a sweet conclusion.

Include a Mimosa ($5.00) or Blood Mary ($7.00) to highlight the dining experience.

Should you prefer to celebrate the occasion during the evening hours, our regular dinner menu is available from 4:00pm – 8:00pm with the live music of Henry Munoz providing a unique ambiance to your Mother’s Day celebration.

Whenever you choose to celebrate the special lady in your life, Table 13 will ensure a memorable experience. With white glove attention in a classic dining room with an exemplary menu, Mom will feel like the queen she is.

Table 13 is located at 4812 Belt Line Road in Dallas. Visit Table 13 at https://table13addison.com/mothers-day-at-table-13/ for more details including the full menu, reservations, and entertainment schedule.

On Saturday, April 27, Operation Kindness brought together its esteemed Kitten Nursery staff and dedicated volunteers for an enriching training session aimed at equipping individuals with the skills needed to care for bottle-fed kittens.

Led by Kitten Nursery Manager Angela Cariotis and her expert team, the day consisted of two informative training sessions attended by over 40 enthusiastic volunteers in total. The sessions began with a thorough discussion on the fundamentals of nurturing underaged kittens, covering crucial topics such as feeding frequency, bathroom assistance, temperature regulation, weight monitoring and early signs of illness to be vigilant about.

Following these presentations, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the nursery team, asking questions and seeking clarification on various aspects of kitten care. The nursery team then took center stage, demonstrating how to bottle-feed some of the kittens they were caring for in the nursery.

With precision and care, the nursery staff showcased the process of encouraging kittens to latch onto the bottle, demonstrating the correct angle and technique for holding the bottle and ensuring the kittens’ comfort and safety during feeding time.

Volunteers were then invited to step forward and try their hand at bottle-feeding. Under the watchful guidance of the nursery nurses, participants took turns practicing how to feed and handle the kittens. It was a moment of connection and learning, as volunteers immersed themselves in the experience.

The Operation Kindness’ Foster staff provided a thorough selection of essential equipment for the fosters to take home with them, including kitten-sized litter boxes, toys, blankets and mixing bottles.

Foster Coordinator Katie Keiler said the team plans to host more training sessions in the future, with dates to come as planning continues. Those interested in attending future training sessions, signing up to foster or learn more about our foster program can check out the Operation Kindness foster webpage or contact the Operation Kindness Foster Team.

Minutes count when someone is having a stroke, and many strokes are preventable.

Those are key takeaways for National Stroke Awareness Month, according to Jyutika Mehta, PhD,  director of the Texas Woman’s University Stroke Center-Dallas, located at the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences in the Southwestern Medical District.

“Stroke can happen to anyone, but it’s not always inevitable,” Mehta said. “There are steps you can take to reduce your risk.”

One important step is to talk to your doctor about your risk for stroke, Mehta noted. “Family history and lifestyle are factors in stroke risk,” she said. “If you’re at higher risk, your doctor can help you identify the factors you can control or influence — such as physical activity, smoking, weight, diabetes and high blood pressure management, and stress management — and offer advice, resources or interventions to help you significantly reduce your risk.”

Mehta also stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when stroke is suspected.

“Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the U.S., which means that everyone should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of stroke,” she said. “When a stroke happens, getting help quickly can greatly increase a person’s chances of recovering from a stroke. In some cases, a quick response can literally save someone’s life.”

Established in 1992, the Stroke Center-Dallas is a specialized facility providing internationally-recognized research and state-of-the-art outpatient rehabilitation of stroke and traumatic brain injury, as well as hands-on training for TWU graduate students.

Patients who qualify for the program receive intensive, customized treatment plans designed to improve speech, language, cognition and motor outcomes, at no cost to the patient. The Stroke Center also provides treatment options for oral and pharyngeal dysphagia (swallowing and feeding dysfunction).

“Stroke is a dangerous and deadly disease, but there is hope for stroke survivors,” Mehta said. “Research happening at Stroke Center-Dallas and at facilities around the world are leading to continually improving, advanced rehabilitation treatment protocols and technology that are helping healthcare providers help their patients achieve positive, sometimes life-changing outcomes.”

STROKE AWARENESS:

Symptoms of stroke include numbness, confusion, trouble walking or seeing, dizziness, and severe headache. Since these symptoms can be caused by many conditions, use the FAST test to help you react quickly:

F (Face): Is any part of the face drooping? Can the person having symptoms smile? Does the smile appear uneven?

A (Arms): Can the person lift their arms? Does one arm drift downward?

S (Speech): Is the person’s speech slurred or nonsensical?

T (Time): Remember that time is critical. If stroke is suspected, call 9-1-1 immediately.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STROKE CENTER-DALLAS

To learn more about Stroke Center-Dallas clinical trials or treatment programs, visit twu.edu/stroke-center-dallas or call/email 214-689-6592 or strokecenter@twu.edu. To find out more about eligibility for treatment, visit https://twu.edu/stroke-center-dallas/how-to-apply-for-treatment/. To make a donation to the Stroke Center, visit giving.twu.edu.     

About TWU: Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery and health and wellbeing, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a $125 million fundraising effort to support programming, equipment, scholarships and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.

About TWU Dallas: Texas Woman’s first established a presence in Dallas in 1954, when the nursing program was launched at Parkland Hospital. Today, the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center is a 190,000-square-foot facility that sits in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District. Since then, Texas Woman’s has become a notable contributor to the healthcare workforce, graduating an average of 2,000 nursing and allied health professionals each year.

The Dallas campus also is home to the renowned Stroke Center, which provides more than 5,000 hours of clinical, neuro-rehabilitation services annually at no cost to members of the community. In addition to an MBA and graduate level Healthcare Administration programs, the Dallas campus offers upper-level undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Grant Halliburton Foundation held its 15^th annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel on April 19where nearly 700 people attended to raise funds for the nonprofit. The event raised more than $350,000—a record for the nonprofit organization.

During the reception, guests enjoyed the champagne wall and mental wellness activities. While DJ Lucy Wrubel played entertaining tunes, guests wrote and drew on the Hope wall, bid on a raffle packages, and made connections at the Beacon Brews Coffee House.

The luncheon kicked off with the L.D. Bell High School (Hurst) Bell Tones and Decibelles singing “You Will be Found” from the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen.

Jenny Anchondo, host and producer of CW33’s “Inside DFW,” welcomed everyone. Rev. Katie Newsome, executive director and lead pastor of Union Coffee, gave the invocation. Guests ate lunch and visited at their tables.

Anchondo introduced The Beacon Award honoree through a video. This year’s honoree was Eric Nadel, Voice of the Texas Rangers, who was open about his struggles with depression and mental health issues during last year’s baseball season. Nadel spoke openly about his struggles and came back the last couple of months of the season—just in time to commentate the Rangers winning the World Series.

Next, attendees watched a video about Grant Halliburton Foundation and its work. Foundation President Kevin Hall spoke next. “We envision a world where suicide is no longer a leading cause of death for young people and where everyone affected by mental illness has the support and resources they need.” He discussed all the services that the Foundation provides in English and Spanish.

The 2024 luncheon co-chairs, Natalie Hatchett and Courtney Hubbard, thanked sponsors including presenting sponsor Emily Lewis, Vice Chairs Chris and Brent Bolding, Founding Luncheon Chair Barb Farmer and the others for their support.

A video told of Hatchett and Hubbard’s close friendship spanning three decades with all of life’s milestones. Hatchett shared openly about her son Preston having mental health issues and depression. He died by suicide at age 20 in 2021. After the video and many tears from them and the audience, the co-chairs asked for people to support Grant Halliburton Foundation by giving hope. Many people were moved to give generously.

Katie Norris, producer and founder of nonprofit Fotolanthropy, introduced the featured speakers Kevin Berthia, suicide prevention advocate and suicide attempt survivor, and Kevin Briggs, California Highway Patrolman and author of Guardian of the Golden Gate: Protecting the Line Between Hope and Despair. Fotolanthropy is creating 92 Minutes, a feature documentary, on their powerful story. She showed a short clip of the film, and then the Kevins spoke about the day they met in 2005 on the Golden Gate Bridge when Berthia was about to take his life.

Though both came from different neighborhoods, they both had trying circumstances, suicides, mental illness and depression as a common bond. When Berthia was on the Golden Gate Bridge to end his life, he said, “This voice distracted me. His voice was of hope, peace, compassion. It’s the first time I talked about me, the real me.” That day marked Berthia’s 11^th suicide attempt. With Briggs asking him questions about his life, after 92 minutes, Berthia chose to come back over the rail. This moment was captured by a photographer resulting in an image shared globally. Fast forward to 2013, Berthia attempted suicide 22 times.

In 2013, Briggs won an award for his service as a California Highway Patrol, and he asked Berthia’s mom if Kevin would present this award. Berthia reluctantly agreed to do it and to tell his story, which he had not done. Berthia said, “A woman came up to me afterwards and said she hadn’t slept in five years and told me my story gave her hope. She said, ‘I now know how Jacob (her son) felt, and I can sleep tonight.” This moment was a pivotal one for Berthia.

Since 2013, Briggs and Berthia have shared their story connection, hope and listening to encourage people to live life to the fullest.  

The Beacon of Hope Luncheon supports Grant Halliburton Foundation’s work to provide education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health.In the last 18 years, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to nearly 325,000 students, educators, parents and professionals, thanks to funds raised from the Beacon of Hope Luncheon. To learn more, visit GrantHalliburton.org/boh.

Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including education, conferences, collaboration and encouragement. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to more than 325,000 students, educators, parents and professionals. The Foundation also offers Here For Texas, which includes HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools aim to offer easy access for North Texans seeking mental health and addiction information and resources. Learn more about the Foundation at GrantHalliburton.org.