SPARK!, a nonprofit that ignites the spark of creativity, announces its participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play as Dallas’ only host venue on Saturday, September 27, 2025. As a day dedicated to experiencing joyful learning through play, this event is focused on getting kids and their families up, out and playing around. The public is invited to come to SPARK! to play.

The day features play by connecting creativity and exploration. Children and families are invited to participate in this event by visiting SPARK! from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the door (adults and children: $15 each, $5 admission available for families participating through Museums for All*).

Each half hour, there will be a guided program to keep families moving and playing. At the top of the hour, staff and volunteers will facilitate nostalgic games based off of the classic 1990s Nickelodeon shows. Between guided games and play on SPARK!’s giant indoor creative play structure, children will have the opportunity to create their own Nickelodeon Green Slime.

Meg Bittner, Executive Director of SPARK! said, “We are excited to be a part of this momentous play day and invite you and your family to join us. At SPARK!, our mission to ignite the spark of creativity starts with play. Children and their families walk in speechless and leave transformed as they fully immerse into a world of imaginative play and access to creativity! A very special thank you to West Monroe for underwriting this event, too.”

“Play is a powerful experience that enriches people’s lives in museums, schools, homes and beyond,” states Arthur G. Affleck, III, executive director of the Association of Children’s Museums. “ACM is pleased to partner with Nickelodeon on amplifying the importance of play on wellbeing and healthy brain development, and to make learning more effective and joyful for everyone. As children’s museums, we believe in the power of play and we strive to nurture more play and playful learning everywhere we go.”

Our World: Worldwide Day of Play is part of Nickelodeon’s Our World global initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency.  As part of a network of more than 360 ACM member children’s museums who reach millions of families in North America, and the over 1,450 museums participating in Museums for All, a national access initiative that ACM manages, SPARK! is a vital collaborator in the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play.

For a list of all participating Our World: Worldwide Day of Play events and more information about the initiative, please visit www.childrensmuseums.org/dayofplay.

About SPARK! Dallas: A nonprofit founded in 2010, SPARK! Dallas provides children from second grade to high school with a fully immersive creative environment with hands-on learning that develops their self-definition as creative individuals. Through an endless roster of workshops and pop-up activities, students exercise their creativity and learn from creative experts, innovators and artists. The organization’s vision is to help students acquire creative skills to excel in school and compete in the work force. SPARK! also hosts interactive camps, field trips and birthday parties. SPARK! is located in the historic South Side of Lamar building at 1409 Botham Jean Blvd, Ste 004, Dallas, Texas 75215. For more information, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.

About Association of Children’s Museums (ACM): ACM is the foremost professional society supporting children’s museums in developing rich environments that stimulate children’s natural playfulness, curiosity, and creativity. With more than 470 members in all 50 states and in 19 countries, ACM champions children’s museums and together enrich the lives of children worldwide. As a global leader, advocate, and resource for the field, ACM and our member organizations strive to build a better world for children and serve over 30 million visitors annually. Started in 1962, ACM recently marked its 60^th year of impactful service to children, families, and children’s museums.”

About Nickelodeon: Nickelodeon, now in its 48^th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

*As a participating member of Museums for All, SPARK! offers $5 admission during Open Play hours, Monday-Friday 1-5pm for families who are on SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Medicaid. To receive their discounted admission, each family must present their form of assistance and valid photo ID. In its first 3 months, SPARK! has served more than 400 children and their family members by providing greater access to families who otherwise would not be able to experience the joy & creativity at SPARK! https://sparkdallas.org/museums-for-all/

KidLinks – a nonprofit organization committed to linking kids to healing, hope and happiness through music and media – announces its 16^th Annual Symphony of Chefs, an evening of culinary composition and the ultimate chef-driven dinner experience. The event will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:15 p.m. at Astoria Event Venue in Irving, Texas. 

Lisa Sides and Eric Peters will serve as 2026 Symphony of Chefs chairs. Sides has been a longstanding supporter of KidLinks alongside husband and board chair Stuart Sides, including co-chairing Symphony of Chefs in 2022 and 2023. Peters, with his wife Tracy, has supported the event for many years, including serving on the event committee. As well, the 2026 honorary chef chairs are Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore. As chefs and co-owners of Fond, the dynamic duo brings multiple years of support and energy to the culinary-focused fundraiser.

“We are so honored to have such an incredible leadership team for our 2026 Symphony of Chefs. Co-chairs Lisa and Eric both bring enthusiasm, expertise, experience and a true passion for the mission of KidLinks to this important fundraiser,” remarked Paul Pass, KidLinks director of development. “In addition, we are thrilled to have chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore as our honorary chef chairs, and are so grateful for their continued support of KidLinks. And, of course, Symphony of Chefs would not be celebrating its 16^th year without the vision of our founding event chairs Bonnie and Nathan Shea and honorary chef chair emeritus, Salvatore Gisellu, chef partner of Urban Family Restaurants.”

Guests of Symphony of Chefs will indulge in an interactive, chef-prepared four-course dinner with wine pairings from some of the world’s finest vineyards, while enjoying opportunities to win unforgettable prizes through the silent auction and raffle. The evening begins with cocktails and inventive canapés from a featured hors d’oeuvres chef, followed by a seated dinner showcasing the creative talents of the featured dinner chefs. Each chef will prepare a tableside, four-course menu with wine pairings for ten guests, culminating in a specially crafted dessert by the featured pastry chef. A chef announcement will be made at a later date.

Symphony of Chefs table sponsorships are available now. Or for more information, visit our website or contact Paul Pass at paul@kidlinks.org.

The Coppell Cowboys’ and Cowgirls’ cross-country teams competed at the Southlake XC 5K Invitational on September 6 at Bob Jones Park. Coppell was one of 29 schools in attendance, with over 1,600 runners across divisions that ranged from 182 to 453 athletes each. It was a competitive field on a fast course — and Coppell rose to the occasion.

Coach Wren noted, “It was great competition on a fast course. Overall, over 90% of the Coppell runners ran either a personal best or season best.”

Cowboys Highlights

In the Varsity Boys Elite race, Coppell finished 15th overall — with all eight runners earning season best times. Diego Morales, Sam Meier, Tyler Kim, and Sidharth Kerthipati led the way, showing strong progression. “I love the progression I saw from this group. I’m optimistic that we are moving in the right direction,” said Coach Wren.

The Varsity Boys Open team placed 11th overall. Srivanth Rudrangi and Marco Noyola led the team, with many runners working toward spots on the Elite Varsity squad. The JV Boys earned a 9th-place finish, led by Ansh Patel, Hugh Harris, Rigved Nehere, and Abishek Suresh.

Cowgirls Highlights

The Varsity Girls Elite team finished 19th overall, a strong performance given that five of the seven runners are freshmen and the squad was without its top runner this week. Finleigh Sanders, Anusha Patki, and Rachel Stumm led Coppell, with both Finleigh and Anusha running season best times. “This group continues to gain confidence each time out,” Wren shared.

In the Varsity Girls Open race, Hannah Stumm and Charlotte Baade led the Cowgirls to a 17th-place team finish. Coach praised the depth and competitiveness of the girls’ roster: “Like the boys, the girls on this team continue to battle for a spot on the Elite Varsity team. I love the competition that we have amongst our top runners this year. I believe it’ll lead to some great things later on.”

The JV Girls team placed 18th, with standout efforts from Shrriya Bedse, Marge Tse, and Joanna Benjamin.

Coach’s Perspective

Coach Wren reflected on the overall performance: “I’m extremely encouraged by what I saw this weekend. Over 90% of our runners achieved a personal best or season best, which shows how hard this team is working. We have a great mix of experienced runners and freshmen who are gaining confidence every meet.”

Looking Ahead

Next up, Coppell will compete at the Lovejoy XC Fall Festival on Saturday, September 13, at Myers Park in McKinney. The meet will provide another strong test as the Cowboys and Cowgirls continue to build momentum.

Until next time, Coppell Cross Country will keep pushing forward!

Photo credit: Adrian Holguin

Contact Information
For more details or to support Coppell High School’s Cross-Country team, please contact:
Patricia Chi
Email: chi.patricia@gmail.com
Cell: (469) 831-3709

This September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Avondale is pleased to offer a bespoke Mulliner-designed Bentley Bentayga vehicle named the Victoris Edition. This one-of-a-kind luxury SUV was created in collaboration with renowned Dallas artist Stephen Selzler, and proceeds from the vehicle will create change for three local non-profit organizations supporting those facing childhood cancer. This bespoke vehicle is available now at Bentley Dallas.

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month—a time to highlight the harsh realities faced by children with cancer, stress the critical need for life-saving research, and unite in support to create meaningful change for young patients and their families.

Elevating Charitable Missions

Net proceeds from the sale of this exceptional Bentayga vehicle will raise vital funds for three North Texas charities, each making a significant impact in helping people overcome obstacles:

• Children’s Health, which has been making life better for children in North Texas for more than 110 years as one of the nation’s premier pediatric care providers;
• Children’s Cancer Fund, on a mission to find a cure for all childhood cancers and support families affected by cancer; and
• The Child Study Center Cook Children’s, which provides children with complex developmental and behavioral disabilities the highest quality diagnosis, treatment and education to help them achieve their full potential.

Dedication in Design

Avondale called on internationally acclaimed artist Stephen Selzler to collaborate with Avondale and Bentley’s Mulliner division to create something truly unique for North Texas. A Dallas-based fine artist, Selzler has a focus on motoring culture, concourse events and motorsport. Known for his bold, expressive style, Selzler uses art as a means of storytelling.

Selzler’s design for the Bentayga reflects a powerful narrative of overcoming obstacles, with each detail of the vehicle serving as a tribute to those who have faced life’s toughest battles and emerged victorious. The artist’s intricate design touches every part of the vehicle—from the exterior to the interior—imbuing it with a message of hope, perseverance and strength.

The exterior features a unique, hand-painted design inspired by themes of renewal, featuring dynamic brushstrokes and vivid colors that symbolize the beauty found in resilience. Inside, the craftsmanship of the Bentley Bentayga is enhanced with Selzler’s bespoke artistic touches, including finely detailed embroidery, custom leather, and exclusive finishes from Mulliner that elevate the vehicle to an unprecedented level of elegance and artistry.

“Through this collaboration, we have created a moving tribute to the power of human resilience. The vehicle’s designs, from the bespoke paintwork to the interior details, are imbued with symbols of triumph and resilience, carefully curated to resonate with the stories of those overcoming life’s challenges. All of the design elements chosen are meant to reflect the spirit of victory and the courage of our community’s children that this project supports,” Selzler explained.

Bentley’s Mulliner division, known for its unparalleled craftsmanship and bespoke creations, has once again demonstrated its expertise in creating vehicles that transcend traditional luxury. These Bentley Bentayga vehicles are truly exceptional works of art, combining the iconic performance and refinement of Bentley with the profound message of hope and triumph.

“This partnership has led to the creation of an exceptional project that pushes the limits of automotive luxury, all while advocating for those overcoming life's greatest challenges. The outcome of this collaboration is the Victoris Edition, a blend of innovative design, expert craftsmanship, and compassionate philanthropy, designed to support organizations empowering children and their caregivers,” Hesham Elgaghil, president of Avondale, said. “We are proud to share Avondale’s commitment to community through this unique and moving collaboration.”

About Bentley Motors

Bentley Motors is the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering, Mulliner and production of the company’s five model lines, Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.

About Avondale Dealerships

Avondale Dealerships is an innovative business led by a team with decades of success and experience in the automotive industry. Avondale is supported by members who have an incredible spirit for delivering an elevated client experience. This SPIRIT of Avondale runs deep and is channeled in multiple ways to care for the local community. Avondale Dealerships operates Porsche Grapevine, Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine, Sprinter Grapevine, Aston Martin Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Koenigsegg Dallas, McLaren Dallas, Maserati Dallas and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas. In addition, the company manages Avondale Collision & Repair and Avondale Luxury Rentals.

For more information, visit www.avondale.com. Stay connected with Avondale on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@Avondaledealerships and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/avondaledealerships for the latest updates and stories from our team.

What the River Keeps

by

Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Damaged souls find healing much like the river valley where they live.

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom is a complex and ultimately satisfying story of two damaged souls whose meeting sets them both on journeys of healing. Biologist Hildy Nybo leaves her life in Seattle and returns to her family’s fishing retreat in the Elwah Valley of the Pacific Northwest when her mother succumbs to early-onset dementia. She intends to oversee her mother’s care while taking a leading role in the ecological research needed prior to the removal of the two dams on the river, an overly ambitious plan from the get-go if you’ve ever been a caretaker for a loved one suffering from this horrible disease. 

Hildy is a wonderful underdog, scarred from a childhood of dealing with unexplainable misperceptions of her daily activities, the constant loss of random everyday objects, and later, the disappearance of her beloved father, the parent who had unconditionally accepted who she was and encouraged her love of nature and building things. The disconnect between what she thought she’d done during the day and what she was told she’d done had led her to some compulsive activities intended to ground her in the day and offer physical proof that what she remembered was true. However, these activities filled her small living spaces with collected objects that her older sister described as hoarding, and isolated Hildy from others, preventing her from building meaningful relationships. 

Luke Rimmer is a kind, nurturing man, recovering from his own tragedy. He sees similarities in his healing journey in Hildy and believes he can help, and soon develops deeper feelings for her. His love is not an easy path, as Hildy is so wounded by her past. His patience and faith are put to the test, but it is exactly what he and Hildy need. 

The details of Hildy and her team’s research in preparation for the dams coming down were fascinating and, at times, I just wanted to know more about their activities and observations. Their days in the field are both exciting and frustrating due to the uncooperative weather. The vivid descriptions of the natural areas created almost cinematic visuals and had me wanting to see these places for myself. 

The storytelling is compelling, and I read this book through in one evening, staying up late for the shocking resolution of the mysteries behind Hildy’s childhood experiences and missing father, with no regrets. I recommend WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS to readers of Christian fiction, domestic drama, and mystery. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.