Lyric Stage, a theatre company dedicated to the development and preservation of the musical, presents Forever Plaid - Plaid Tidings, a holiday classic by Stewart Ross. The show runs from December 5-21 at the Lyric Stage Studio located at 1170 Quaker St., Dallas, TX 75207. General admission tickets and reserved café tables, ranging from $42.50 to $62.50, are now on sale at https://www.lyricstage.org/season32.

Scott Guenther, Lyric Stage managing and co-artistic director, said, “This family friendly show was so popular last year that we are having an encore! There are well-loved pop songs from the mid-20^th century, comedy and an interactive portion with the audience that makes it engaging.”

Director is Mary Gilbreath Grim; Kelly McCain is the choreographer, and Hans Grim is the music director.

Key roles are as follows: Anthony Ortega as Francis; Daniel Hernandez as Sparky;

Shane Duckett as Jinx; and Ben Meaders as Smudge.

Storyline: At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren't sure why they've returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the "Day-O" in Excelsis!

The production is rated G.

For more information: https://www.lyricstage.org/season32

Tickets: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/7561

About Lyric Stage:

Lyric Stage, a Dallas-based 501c3 not-for-profit professional musical theatre company, was established in 1993 with the mission of the development and preservation of the musical, a unique art form. In its thirty-year history, Lyric Stage has produced more than 125 productions, which include 21 world-premiere musicals and two Off-Broadway shows. For more information, visit www.lyricstage.org

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New Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood provides a specialized home for those in the earlier stages of dementia, reflecting a rare multi-neighborhood model and person-centered I’m Still Here® philosophy

Juliette Fowler Communities (JFC), a faith-based, intergenerational living community in East Dallas, has expanded its continuum of care with the opening of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood, a new residential area designed specifically for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia.

With the addition of the Carroll neighborhood, JFC now offers two distinct memory support neighborhoods, enabling residents to receive care tailored to their stage of cognitive change. Rare among senior living communities in North Texas, this multi-neighborhood model provides early- and late-stage support in environments that promote engagement, dignity, and well-being.

“This new neighborhood is designed for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia, where active engagement—both mental and physical—can help slow progression and promote well-being,” said Nicole Gann, president and CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities. “Our original memory support neighborhood has maintained a consistent waitlist, and we’ve seen a growing demand due to the size of the Boomer generation and earlier dementia diagnoses. We also recognize the strain caregiving places on families.”

The Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood offers a home-like, open floor plan designed to foster comfort, connection, and independence. Bright, airy spaces include a welcoming kitchen, therapeutic dementia-friendly artwork, a peaceful serenity room, and lovely courtyard views. Residents also enjoy innovative, AI-powered Lucynt engagement tools – interactive, dementia-informed games that enhance cognitive stimulation and social interaction. The Lucynt system uses an interactive projector to cast games and activities onto a surface, such as a table, responding to a person’s touch for a fully immersive experience.

The new neighborhood consists of 19 private apartments with four floor plan options, from studio to one-bedroom with living room, reflecting JFC’s commitment to individualized, therapeutic care grounded in the I’m Still Here® philosophy.

“At Juliette Fowler Communities, the I’m Still Here® philosophy is at the heart of how we approach memory support,” added Gann. “Every person, regardless of their stage of dementia, still has purpose, identity, and the ability to experience joy and connection. This evidence-based model helps our team create daily moments of success, dignity, and engagement, ensuring that each resident is seen, heard, and known. The addition of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood reflects our continued commitment to offering environments where individuals can continue to flourish—because they are, indeed, still here.”

Residents in the Carroll neighborhood enjoy structured yet flexible days filled with therapeutic activities, social opportunities, and programs that foster connection and purpose. Volunteer opportunities are available for community members interested in leading activities, providing companionship, or assisting with events.

Families and staff also benefit from JFC’s I’m Still Here® and Dementia Friendly Dallas training programs, which build understanding and equip caregivers to create meaningful engagement and communication.

Tours of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood are available Monday through Saturday by appointment. Families interested in learning more about individualized care plans and pricing are encouraged to call the JFC admissions office at 214-827-0813 to schedule a visit.

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ABOUT JULIETTE FOWLER COMMUNITIES

Founded in 1892, Juliette Fowler Communities is a faith-based, intergenerational community located in East Dallas, offering independent and assisted living, memory support, affordable senior housing, foster-to-adopt programs, and youth services. Guided by its mission to serve as a place of hope, healing, and transformation, JFC empowers individuals of all ages to thrive through connection, compassion, and care. In addition to providing a home to nearly 500 older adults, Fowler is proud to host the Dementia Friendly Dallas initiative and recently attained I’m Still Here® certification as a program of distinction in cognitive health. Visit fowlercommunities.org or call 214-827-0813.

Driving into Uptown Dallas feels a little different now. Where once there was a gray, overlooked bridge entrance, visitors are now greeted by a joyful explosion of color—a sweeping mural that celebrates the neighborhood’s spirit and story. The new work, created by McKinney-based artist Andrea Holmes, is the latest effort by Uptown Dallas Inc. (UDI) to reimagine public spaces and foster community pride. It is located at the underpass where the Katy Trail meets Cedar Springs.

Holmes, who has earned the nickname “the bird lady” for her ongoing Wings Across the World 100 Bird Mural Project, is known for turning walls into vibrant ecosystems. For Uptown, she chose the Monk parakeet—a bright green bird that, while not native to Texas, has become an unmistakable presence in Dallas. Flocks can often be seen nesting around White Rock Lake and the Katy Trail, making the parrot both a surprising and fitting emblem for the district.

“I’ve painted birds in Hawaii and Austria, but Uptown gave me a chance to capture something close to home,” Holmes said. “This mural isn’t just about the parrots—it’s about the life of Uptown. People biking, walking dogs, hopping on the trolley. I wanted to celebrate the energy of the neighborhood while weaving in my passion for birds.”

The mural also includes a hummingbird darting through fields of Texas wildflowers, along with Uptown icons like Betty the Trolley and everyday moments—residents carrying groceries, a cyclist on the trail, a dog walker. It’s as much a portrait of community as it is a piece of art.

For Uptown Dallas Inc., the nonprofit that manages and promotes the district, the mural was a chance to create a “welcome mat” unlike any other. “We wanted something that told people they were entering a special place,” said Bailey Criado, events and marketing manager with UDI. “Andrea’s work brought that vision to life. She captured the soul of Uptown—its character, its vibrancy and the pride people feel living here.”

Painting the massive underpass was no small task. Holmes spent four weeks on-site, spray-painting from a boom lift and navigating the challenges of a high-traffic gateway. But the effort was worth it. Passersby stopped to cheer her on, neighbors offered words of encouragement, and trail users shared how much the mural brightened their daily routine.

The project is part of a larger push to elevate Uptown’s public spaces. UDI is working with the City of Dallas and the Turtle Creek Association to repaint surrounding bridge structures, restore medians, and add finishing touches that frame Holmes’s work. A protective anti-graffiti coating ensures the mural will remain vivid for years to come.

For Holmes, it’s one more milestone in her journey to paint 100 bird murals around the world—but this one carries extra meaning. “It’s number six,” she said, smiling. “And it feels like home.”

About Uptown Dallas, Inc.

Established in 1993, Uptown Dallas, Inc. (UDI) is a nonprofit organization and public improvement district encompassing one square mile. As one of Dallas’ first true live-work-play communities, Uptown offers vibrant urban living with some of the city’s best views of the notable skyline. UDI aims to increase the quality of life for the 19,000 residents Uptown, hundreds of businesses and property owners, and more than 50,000 workers. On any given weekday, as many as 100,000 people pass through the district. The organization also has a safety team working to keep people safe along with its maintenance team responsible for enhancements such as street lighting and landscaping. UDI hosts Pilates in the Park and Movies in the Park (at Griggs Park) and sponsors other community-wide events. For more information on Uptown Dallas, Inc., visit https://uptowndallas.net/

Seeing the increasing need for foster families across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Flower Mound resident Lisa Bethea felt called to support children in care. She began fostering, a journey that ultimately led her to adoption.

According to Tommy Jordan, Director of Family and Community Engagement for Our Community Our Kids, the need for foster families remains urgent. “Around 47 children are currently in foster care in Denton County,” Jordan shared. “We need 25 to 50 more homes willing to open their doors and hearts.”

Our Community Our Kids is a child welfare collaborative that supports foster parents and helps children find safe, loving homes across Metroplex West — including Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.

If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. Learn how you can make a lasting difference by visiting https://ourcommunity-ourkids.org/ to explore foster care resources, training, and support services. To read more about Lisa’s story visit: Denton County Magazine.