Staff & Reader Submitted
 
Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

As the holiday decorations come down and the calendar turns to a new year, Tianyu Lights Festival is extending the magic with a final opportunity to experience one of North Texas’ most beloved winter attractions. Following a record-breaking 2026 season, the internationally acclaimed lantern festival remains open Thursday through Sunday evenings through January 18, offering families and friends a joyful way to celebrate the season beyond the holidays. 

“This final stretch is about joy after the holidays—slowing down, spending time together, and starting the new year surrounded by light and beauty,” said Huiyuan Liu, Event Manager at Tianyu Arts & Culture. “We’re grateful for the incredible support from the DFW community and are thrilled to close out this record-breaking season by welcoming guests for one last magical experience.”

With lighter crowds and crisp winter evenings, January offers an ideal time to explore the festival at a relaxed pace, capture stunning photos, and savor the uplifting atmosphere that has made Tianyu Lights Festival a standout winter tradition across North Texas.

Located at the festival grounds of Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, Tianyu Lights Festival has welcomed visitors from across the DFW Metroplex for a spectacular display of larger-than-life illuminated lantern art, immersive themed environments, and live cultural performances. Produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.—the largest lantern festival producer in North America, the festival continues a tradition of blending authentic Chinese lantern craftsmanship with modern storytelling and family-friendly experiences 

Back by popular demand for its record-breaking second season in North Texas, the festival features 19 immersive scenes handcrafted by skilled artisans using metal, fabric, and LED lighting. Guests can wander through two signature themed worlds inspired by a child’s imagination: Starlit Farm, a glowing countryside dreamscape, and Magic Ocean, an illuminated undersea journey filled with reefs and dreamlike creatures

Each evening, the festival comes alive with live cultural performances, including the dramatic art of Face Changing (Bianlian), breathtaking acrobatics, and the elegant Peacock Dance, with shows scheduled throughout the night, weather permitting. Families can also enjoy an illuminated playground, interactive displays, photo-ready backdrops, and the popular glowing Magic Rides, available for children through 9:00 p.m. for an additional fee.

Tianyu Lights Festival runs through January 18, 2026, and is open Thursday through Sunday evenings. Tickets are available online, and advance purchase is encouraged as the final weekends approach.

For tickets, hours, and additional information, visit tianyuculture.us/dallas

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Steve Burns

Steve Burns, best known as the original host of Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues,” will be the featured speaker at Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 17th Annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Omni Dallas Hotel (555 S. Lamar St., Dallas). Burns will present “The Cost of Showing Up Happy: Burnout and the Wisdom of Asking for Help.”

The luncheon is the first fundraising event of Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 20th anniversary year.

As the implacably happy, beloved host of “Blue’s Clues,” Steve Burns was the guy who sang, danced and cheerfully bolstered children’s self-esteem. What most don’t know is that he was doing so with undiagnosed severe clinical depression. He will talk about the following:

  • What is the cost of forcing joy?

  • How can one maintain peak-level achievement and be completely burned out at the same time?

  • And once it’s all over, how do you re-engage with your own life when the tank is completely empty?

Burns will share lessons from his own struggles as “the happiest depressed person in North America” and how he has learned to apply the messages he shared with an entire generation.

The Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon supports Grant Halliburton Foundation’s work to provide education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health. Event sponsorships and underwriting range from $600 to $25,000. Individual tickets go on sale in February for $250.To learn more and to purchase a sponsorship or underwriting opportunity, visit GrantHalliburton.org/boh.

Amy and Michael Roseman and Meredith and David Camp are the 2026 Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon co-chairs. The founding luncheon chair is Barb Farmer.

Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, said, “Steve helped shape how generations of children learned about curiosity, kindness, and problem-solving. We’re honored to hear his honest story and how those same values continue to guide his approach to mental health today.”

Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to nearly 350,000 students, educators, parents and professionals, thanks to funds raised from the Beacon of Hope Luncheon.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among Texas youth ages 10-24 (CDC). The Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon aims to bring focus to the vital work needed to educate the North Texas community on adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. Through its work in North Texas schools and communities, Grant Halliburton Foundation aims to change this reality as it works to promote awareness and understanding of teen and young adult mental health and to prevent suicide.

About Steve Burns: Steve Burns is best known as the original host of Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues,” where he spent seven surreal years solving mysteries with a cartoon dog and a talking mailbox. Then he disappeared. On purpose.

Since then, Steve has released indie rock albums, toured with The Flaming Lips, wrote the theme song for “Young Sheldon,” been a host and storyteller for The Moth and currently hosts the new podcast “Alive with Steve Burns.” In 2021 and 2024, he went massively viral by quietly breaking the internet with a heartfelt message to a generation of now-grown-up viewers.

About Grant Halliburton Foundation:
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 prevent suicide by providing education, resources, and support for children, teen, and young adult mental health. Over the past 19 years, the Foundation has provided mental health education and training to more than 350,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals. The Foundation also offers help and support through HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools provide easy access for Texans seeking information and resources for mental health and substance abuse. Learn more at GrantHalliburton.org.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
All photos courtesy of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry

The forerunner of what’s now Texas A&M University College of Dentistry opened 120 years ago in Dallas with the mission of educating dentists to provide quality care to patients in North Texas and beyond. That includes providing an array of dental services to the community at reduced fees. 

To give back to the North Texas community that has supported the dental college, effective immediately, A&M Dentistry has eliminated initial deposit fees charged to potential adult patients – a $194 savings to oral health care already offered at discounted rates. A person seeking to become a new patient is now charged a flat $120 for registration, the screening appointment and X-rays. If a person is not accepted as a patient, no fee will be charged. 

“We know budget constraints often keep people from seeking the oral health care they need,” Dr. Erica Teixeira, professor and head of comprehensive dentistry, said. “We are committed to expanding access to high-quality, affordable oral health care across the communities we serve. Restructuring our fees is an important step toward achieving this goal.” 

Patients are treated by students under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty. More information is available at https://dentistry.tamu.edu/patient-care/index.html.  

To schedule a screening appointment, call 214-828-8981.  

To schedule a screening appointment for a child under 18, call 214-828-8133. The screening fee is $5 and is nonrefundable. Medicaid and CHIP are accepted. 

For consideration as an orthodontics patient, call 214-828-8121 or go to http://tx.ag/OrthoContactTAMU. Children and adults ages 7 and up are considered. There’s no screening fee. 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Celebrate Allen Heritage Guild’s 30th anniversary 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 17, at an open house hosted at the Allen Heritage Village Train Depot, 100 E. Main. This event will feature memories, fellowship, and activities showcasing the Guild’s history. 

Beginning as a project of Leadership Allen’s Class 7 in 1995-1996, the Allen Heritage Guild was incorporated in January 1996.  Preserving Allen’s history was the primary goal, and the members immediately began recording stories, gathering vintage photos and restoring historic buildings. 

Filming descendants of Allen’s pioneers resulted in a project known as Recollections and Remembrance. Later, the Guild collaborated with ACTV and produced The Tales of Allen.

Restoration of St. Mary Church, which served as a school and church for Allen’s African American community, was completed in 2002.  Architectural plans for the Allen Heritage Village were then consummated with Allen Parks and Recreation Department, and restoration of the structures ensued. 

Call 972-740-8017 for additional information.

 

 

 

 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Texas-based Forum Meat Company, a family-owned purveyor of fine meats, is proud to announce the launch of Forum Meat At Home, a new direct-to-consumer offering that brings restaurant-quality meats straight to home kitchens. Forum Meat at Home is your direct link to the premium cuts once reserved for top chefs, luxury hotels, and renowned butcher shops, offering a new way to elevate everyday meals with the highest quality beef, poultry, pork, and game.

For decades, Forum Meat Company’s founders haveserved as key partners to chefs, hotels, private clubs and fine dining establishments throughout Texas, supplying premium beef, pork, poultry, and specialty proteins with unmatched quality and consistency. 

“We’ve always believed that quality meat should be accessible to everyone,” said Todd Winn, co-founder and co-owner of Forum Meat Company. “With Forum Meat At Home, we’re thrilled to be able to now share the same high standards and carefully curated cuts with home cooks.”

Each Forum cut is expertly trimmed, portioned, and frozen at peak freshness for maximum flavor and convenience. Whether you're craving a beautifully marbled Wagyu steak; tender Duroc pork; all-natural, air-chilled chicken or something more adventurous, Forum Meat at Home delivers the same quality chefs demand, right to your door. No trimming or guesswork, just exceptional cuts ready when you are.

Headquartered in Ennis, just 35 miles south of Dallas, Forum Meat Company is a third-generation family-owned business with deep roots in the Texas food industry. Founders Walter Wilkerson and Todd Winn bring more than 60 years of combined experience in meat processing, sourcing, and food safety. Together, they’ve built Forum into a trusted, local supplier for some of the state’s most discerning culinary professionals, and now, they’re extending that legacy to households throughout the country.

“Whether you’re searing steaks for a weekend dinner or stocking up your freezer, we offer artisanal, hand-cut meats you can count on,” said Walter Wilkerson, co-founder and co-owner of Forum Meat Company.

Orders are now available through the company’s website, www.forummeatathome.com, with a selection of offerings that reflect Forum’s commitment to supplying products of the best quality. 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Celebrate Allen Heritage Guild’s 30th anniversary 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 17, at an open house hosted at the Allen Heritage Village Train Depot, 100 E. Main. This event will feature memories, fellowship, and activities showcasing the Guild’s history. 

Beginning as a project of Leadership Allen’s Class 7 in 1995-1996, the Allen Heritage Guild was incorporated in January 1996.  Preserving Allen’s history was the primary goal, and the members immediately began recording stories, gathering vintage photos and restoring historic buildings. 

Filming descendants of Allen’s pioneers resulted in a project known as Recollections and Remembrance. Later, the Guild collaborated with ACTV and produced The Tales of Allen.

Restoration of St. Mary Church, which served as a school and church for Allen’s African American community, was completed in 2002.  Architectural plans for the Allen Heritage Village were then consummated with Allen Parks and Recreation Department, and restoration of the structures ensued. 

Call 972-740-8017 for additional information.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

DALLAS – Vaping is illegal in Dallas’ public and enclosed places, effective Dec. 11, thanks to a city ordinance that expands the city’s no-smoking zones to include the use of all electronic smoking devices. Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned where smoking is already prohibited, such as in all indoor and enclosed spaces and within 15 feet of building entrances and on park property. 

The ordinance, proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission and the city’s Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, was passed last year amid growing concerns about the health dangers of all forms of nicotine consumption.  

Dentists and dental hygienists at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas share in those concerns and routinely see the effects of vaping and e-cigarettes on patients’ teeth. The battery-powered devices are promoted as healthier than traditional cigarettes and chewing tobacco, but users still inhale nicotine and other chemicals. And vapors hit teeth and gums. 

“As a dental public health specialist and certified tobacco cessation counselor, I can tell you vaping is far from harmless,” said Dr. Hoda Abdellatif, clinical associate professor in public health services and director of the department’s Community Outreach Office. “Beyond addiction, it creates a perfect storm for oral disease. And the aerosol cloud doesn’t just affect the user; it exposes people nearby to harmful chemicals, making this a community health concern.” 

Dangers don’t end there. Propylene glycol is commonly used in vape e-liquids and can cause dry mouth. Saliva washes away food particles and neutralizes acids produced by mouth bacteria. A dry mouth, or reduction in saliva, increases the chances of cavities and gum disease, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.  

Vaping also causes mouth sores. Heat, chemicals and flavoring agents irritate oral tissues, leading to ulcers that can be painful and slow to heal, Abdellatif said. Chronic irritation may increase the risks of oral infections and precancerous changes. 

“E-cigarette aerosols contain more than 60 known carcinogenic substances that can contribute to throat irritation,” said Jane Cotter, associate professor in A&M Dentistry’s dental hygiene program. “These chemicals also have a drying effect on oral tissues, creating an environment that allows harmful bacteria to accumulate more readily.”  

Dental professionals would prefer you quit vaping and puffing on e-cigarettes, but here’s some advice to lessen the damage to your oral health: 

  • Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day. Floss once a day. 

  • Drink water after vaping and puffing to avoid dry mouth. 

  • Chew sugar-free gum containing xylitol. It helps prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. 

  • Keep up your dental appointments. Visit a dentist every six months. 

“Your dental health care provider can help you quit your vape habits,” Cotter said. “We are committed to supporting you to reduce your risk for disease and stay healthy.” 

 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

The region’s largest indoor boating event makes a splash with hundreds of boats, exclusive pre-season deals, fan-friendly experiences and Boatgating 101 at Dallas Market Hall

 

The Dallas Winter Boat Show is making waves like never before as it returns to Dallas Market Hall for two back-to-back weekends, January 30–February 1 and February 5–8, 2026. Coinciding with the excitement of Super Bowl weekend, this year’s theme — “Boats, Bowls & Big Waves” — transforms Market Hall into Dallas’ biggest indoor pre-game party on the water, complete with immersive activations, exclusive deals, family fun, and high-energy lake-life inspiration.

Known as “The Super Bowl of Boating,” the Dallas Winter Boat Show will feature more than 600 boats from North Texas’ top dealers, plus the latest in motors, watersports gear, technology, and accessories. Attendees will experience the region’s most comprehensive showcase of lake lifestyle recreation ahead of peak Texas boating season.

As one of the country’s most active freshwater recreation regions, North Texas continues to fuel national boating trends:

  • Texas ranks Top 10 in the U.S. for boat registrations, with more than 625,000 registered boats statewide.
  • The Dallas–Fort Worth region is home to over a dozen major lakes within 90 minutes, driving consistent year-round boat demand.
  • According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), 68% of all boat owners are middle-income households, reflecting the Dallas show’s strong family audience.
  • Recreational boating participation nationwide has reached 100 million Americans annually, with Texas among the fastest-growing markets.

With booming population growth, rising disposable income, and early-year pre-season buying patterns, Dallas has become a national proving ground for new models, lake trends, and emerging boat categories.

“North Texas is one of the fastest-growing boating regions in the country, and this year’s show brings all the energy of Super Bowl weekend into one massive immersive event,” said Bron Beal, Executive Director of the Dallas Winter Boat Show. “Whether you’re a first-time boat buyer or a lifelong lake lover, there’s no better place to get inspired, learn, and score the best deals of the season.”

Attendees can explore:

  • Pontoon boats
  • Wake surf and ski boats
  • Center consoles
  • Jet boats & PWCs
  • Electric innovations
  • Fishing vessels
  • Luxury cruisers
  • Outdoor accessories, docks, gear & more

The show kicks off Opening Night with an exclusive “Boats, Beats & Eats” Media & Influencer Preview Party, featuring DJ entertainment, tailgate-inspired bites, signature beverages, and first access to the boats before the crowds.

 

ABOUT THE DALLAS WINTER BOAT SHOW

For more than 40 years, the Dallas Winter Boat Show has been the region’s largest celebration of boating and the Texas lake lifestyle. Bringing together top dealers, manufacturers, and industry experts, the show offers families and enthusiasts a one-stop experience to shop, learn, and get inspired for the boating season ahead.

 

DALLAS BOAT SHOW DETAILS:

When: January 30–February 1 and February 5–8, 2026

Where: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207

 

Show Schedule:

Friday, January 30, 2026 from 12-8pm

Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10am-8pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 10am-5pm

Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 3-8 pm

Friday, February 6, 2026 from 12-8 pm

Saturday, February 7,2026 from 10 am- 8 pm

Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 10 am -4 pm

 

Cost & Ticket Information:

Adults:                                 $15

Children (ages 5-13):          $8

Children under 5:               Free

Parking is free of charge

 

Boating Dealers include:

Action Watersports, Big Water Marine, Boaters World Marine Center, Buxton Marine, Carey & Sons Marine, Eisenhower Yacht Club, Fun N Sun Sports Center, Boardco Boats, Marine Max Dallas, Lakeview Boating Center, NXTLVL Marine, Phil Dill Boats, Lake Kings Boats, H2GO Paddle Co, Ridenow Powersports, Slalom Shop, Texas Malibu, Texoma Boathouse, Nichols Marine

Gravatar

The electric SUV space is growing fast with a variety of options from brands you know and love and those that are new to every automotive space. From that space, the 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S feels different in a way that matters. Instead of overwhelming you with tech just to prove a point, Jeep knows its EV audience. They are dedicated to functional luxury, reliable performance and relatively seamless tech. With the Wagoneer S, Jeep delivered a vehicle focused on making the new technology feel intuitive, elevated, and actually fun to live with.

Most features inside are designed to support your day-to-day life while still feeling modern, luxurious, and future-forward. The mid-range battery delivered around 300 miles of range on a full charge, and the interior lives up to its heritage and feels like a Cherokee with dressed up in its Sunday finest.

Here are five of the features in the Wagoneer S that I enjoyed and helped it stand out from the pack.

A Digital Cockpit and Front Cabin That Feels Clean and Intentional

The moment you step inside the Jeep Wagoneer S, you realize that you are inside a good one. The digital cockpit sets the tone. Screens are expansive but thoughtfully laid out, creating a sense of clarity rather than clutter. Driving information, navigation, and media are easy to see and customize, which means your eyes stay where they should—on the road.

What I appreciate most is how natural it feels. The elevated feel of the interior shines with premium materials accented by an intuitive technology integration. This isn’t tech for the sake of tech. It’s designed to support confidence behind the wheel without demanding constant attention.

A Touchscreen Experience That’s Actually Easy to Use

The central touchscreen is responsive, quick, and refreshingly intuitive. No weird scrolling through endless screens to find the features that you use regularly. Wireless smartphone integration connects seamlessly while menus are simple to navigate, and controls respond instantly. There’s no lag, no unnecessary complexity—just smart design linked with the award-winning U-Connect System that respects your time and adds an extra layer of support.

A gorgeously clear camera makes parking and getting out of tight spaces a breeze. (Teia Collier)

This is the kind of system you can plug in and use immediately, whether you’re heading to a meeting or setting up navigation for an impromptu road trip.

Ambient Lighting That Changes the Mood

Ambient lighting is one of those features you don’t realize how much you love until you experience it and then wonder how did you not realize how fantastic of a gift that it is. In the Wagoneer S, it adds a calm, refined atmosphere—especially during nighttime drives. The cabin already feels relaxed, modern, and quietly luxurious with premium textures, cool contrasts and the signature cool imprint of Jeep echoes throughout.

Customizable ambient lighting adds a smooth touch of beauty to your daily drive experience. (Teia Collier)

It’s subtle, but it completely elevates how the interior feels, turning everyday drives into something more intentional and enjoyable.

Comfort Tech That Works in the Background

 

Smart details elevate the space.

Customizable drive modes make for a versatile drive experience.

The Wagoneer S rides on a nearly silent electric platform that delivers 500HP and an impressive 524lb-ft of torque in the tested Limited trim. The refined and modern SUV is packed with smart comfort and driver-assistance features that do their job quietly and effectively.

Charging is simple. (Teia Collier)

Digital climate controls, advanced safety systems, and the smooth nature of the electric powertrain all work together to create a calm driving experience. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is organized intuitively and serves as an access point for smartphone projection and information while there are additional screens for passenger entertainment and climate control.

Designed for Real Life in a Digital and Physical World

One of the Jeep brand's strengths is clearly thought design features that take into account how people actually live. USB ports are right where you expect them. Cupholders are where they need to be. Drive features are not hidden within complicated screens. Real knobs are still in use, and charging options are easy and accessible. Screens are integrated in a way that feels cohesive instead of overwhelming and confusing. Cargo spaces are generous and fully functional. The design overall is smart and ready for the stuff of real living.

A petite frunk is a smart use of the new available space in the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S. (Credit: Teia Collier)

Rear cargo space that makes sense and still leaves from for the rear seat to stay up and intact. (Teia Collier)

Whether I was doing the multi-school drop off lap, planning a road-trip, carrying for an elder generation or running daily errands, the Wagoneer S adapted effortlessly. I loved that it's tech that fit into my lifestyle instead of forcing me to adjust and adapt to it.

Final Thoughts

Elevated details bring the whole package together. (Teia Collier)

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S blends a smart combination of Jeep heritage and the innate luxury of an electric vehicle. It proves that advanced technology doesn’t have to feel cold or complicated, but rather functionally sound and premium without being stuffy or pretentious. It can be warm, intuitive, and beautifully designed with the added edge AWD performance. This is an electric SUV built for people who appreciate innovation but still want comfort, clarity of purpose and ease.

For more information on the 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, visit here.

2024 Jeep® Wagoneer S Launch Edition

To get a recommendation to a trusted dealer, let us know here.

 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

The Patsy

by

D.J. Hupp

 

An imaginative, fantastical, and totally absorbing alternate vision of the "truth" behind the JFK assassination.

 

The Patsy is author D.J. Hupp's debut novel, and in it he tackles one of the most well-known and much speculated about events in American history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The story launches via an alternate timeline that blends historical detail and creative fiction to build an imaginative, exciting account of the events behind Kennedy's tragic death that day. 

In The Patsy, JFK was not the target of an assassin on 11/22/63, but rather went on to successfully fulfill his first four years in office and even won a second term. However, his policies set the US on a disastrous collision course with the USSR, which culminated in worldwide nuclear obliteration, except for a handful of government employees, scientists, and their families who made it into secret underground bunkers where they've survived for the past 19 years. During this time, research on time travel advanced to the point that the bunker leaders developed a plan to send an agent back in time to kill Kennedy before his actions could lead to the eventual destruction of civilization on the planet's surface. 

The main character is 41-year-old Wayne Bronson, a young West Point graduate, when he entered the bunker. An expert marksman, trained on the same bolt-action rifle Oswald owned, he is tapped by the bunker commander to be sent back in time, inhabiting both Oswald's mind and body, in order to implement their plan to kill the president as his motorcade passes through Dealey Plaza past the Texas Book Depository: an event which never occurred in their timeline. The author makes the setting and time period come alive through strategically placed references to books, music, movies, television shows, and iconic Dallas landmarks and institutions. As a contemporary of the time period and a local to boot, the story was a magical trip to the past. I was fascinated by how Wayne's exciting fictional mission was so cleverly woven into the historical record of the actual events, including the known movements of the major figures involved on the days before, during, and beyond the assassination itself, as well as the imagined aftermath of the changes the manipulation of events had on the new present and especially Wayne's life. 

With its clever mix of fact and fiction and the very human reactions of the formerly bunkered characters to their sudden freedom, I recommend THE PATSY to readers of speculative or historical fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.