Soulman's Bar-B-Que, the family-owned Texas barbecue institution that has served legendary slow-smoked barbecue since 1974, expanded its East Texas footprint with the opening of its newest restaurant at 938 W. Main Street, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156. The community is invited to celebrate the Grand Opening on Saturday, September 26, featuring family-friendly activities, giveaways, and Soulman's signature Rib Eating Contest. Guests can enjoy a full afternoon of celebration featuring prizes, giveaways, exclusive food specials and the always-popular Rib Eating Contest, where local competitors will battle for barbecue bragging rights.

The opening also delivers on expansion plans that drew statewide attention earlier this year, when MySA described Soulman’s as a “North Texas BBQ empire” in its coverage of the planned Gun Barrel City restaurant. The description reflects a brand that has grown from a single Pleasant Grove restaurant in 1974 into a multi-location North and East Texas barbecue institution while remaining family-owned and focused on its original recipes, hospitality and value

"For more than 50 years, Soulman's has believed that great barbecue has a way of bringing people together," said Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman's Bar-B-Que. "That's why we're excited to join the Gun Barrel City community. We look forward to serving authentic Texas barbecue, welcoming our neighbors like family, and creating a place where memories are made around the table."

Grand Opening Celebration Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 26
• Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: 938 W. Main Street, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156
• Festivities Include:
• Soulman's famous Rib Eating Contest
• Prizes and giveaways
• Soulman's merchandise
• Special food offers
• Family-friendly activities

The new Gun Barrel City restaurant brings Soulman's award-winning menu to residents throughout the Cedar Creek Lake area, featuring slow-smoked brisket, ribs, sausage, pulled pork, turkey and chicken, alongside the restaurant's beloved homemade sides and famous banana pudding.

That reputation has earned Soulman’s recognition well beyond its home communities. In recent years, the brand has been named among the Best Regional Barbecue Chains to Try at Least Once (2025), Best Roadside Restaurants in America (2024) and Top Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2024). Across its restaurants, Soulman’s also continues to emphasize the fundamentals behind those honors—great food, attentive service and a welcoming guest experience—while its 2026 company awards recognized individual locations for Best Food, Best Customer Service, cleanliness and operational excellence.

"Opening a new Soulman's is about more than serving great barbecue—it's about being part of the community," said General Manager Erik Rasmussen. "We can't wait to welcome our neighbors, get to know the families who walk through our doors, and build the kind of place where everyone feels at home around the table."

The Gun Barrel City location continues Soulman's steady growth across North and East Texas while remaining committed to the quality, hospitality and family values that have defined the brand for more than five decades.

About Soulman’s Bar-B-Que

For more than 50 years, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has satisfied the hardest to please bar-b-que lovers….Texans!  Founded in Pleasant Grove, Texas, in 1974, Soulman’s had only a few simple goals—serve great Texas-style BBQ and offer friendly, sincere service.  With a focus on Faith, Food, and Family, Soulman’s passed-down recipes are still the foundation for the company’s success from their 8 different types of meat that are smoked “low & slow” over only hickory wood to their famous homemade sides, including Ranch house beans and Texas style cream corn! Throughout the years, this family-owned and operated company has remained true to its original strive for success and customer satisfaction and is honored to be considered one of the Best Regional Barbecue Chains to Try at Least Once (2025), Best Roadside Restaurants in America (2024), Top Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2024), the Best Bar-B-Que in Dallas for Takeout  & Delivery (2020), and one of the Best Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2018).

Soulman’s currently owns and operates 21 North and East Texas locations in Allen, Cedar Hill, Fort Worth, Forney, Garland, Greenville, Hurst Grapevine Highway, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mabank, Mansfield, Mesquite, Quinlan, Red Oak, Rockwall I-30, Rockwall Goliad, Royse City, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, and Van. To learn more about Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, visit them online at https://www.soulmans.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulmansbbq.

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SPARK! hosted SPARKtacular, a fundraiser at the home of Carrie and Blake Rowling to raise funds to inspire creativity in students. Event co-chairs were Kristi and Ron Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill and Ross Martin. Honorary chairs were Beth and Chuck Thoele.

Local Dallasite singer songwriter Sarah Johnson sang and played guitar in the backyard while guests visited and enjoyed the delicious food from Roots Hospitality: Pimento Cheese Arancini, Crispy Mini Pork Tacos, Watermelon & Feta Salad, Ahi Tuna 'Poke Style', Grilled Shaved Beef Tenderloin Slider, Whipped Goat Cheese & Focaccia Toast and a Grazing Table. 

Meg Bittner, SPARK! president and CEO, welcomed everyone and encouraged them to visit SPARK!, which was designed and built by artists to encourage creativity in children. “Creative learning is rare, and in Title 1 schools, students might receive one hour of art per month, if they’re lucky. We raise funds for Title 1 school scholarships, so that they can attend a field trip at SPARK! By the end of the year, we will welcome more than 20,000 people to our place. Creativity is not a must have; it’s vital to our youth.”

Melissa Sherrill, SPARKtacular co-chair, added, “Thank you to Carrie and Blake for hosting us. Thank you to Beth for all you do. I love SPARK!, especially taking my littles there. Every child should have an opportunity to come experience SPARK!, whether it’s open play, a field trip or a birthday party.”

Kristi Hoyl SPARKtacular co-chair, said, “SPARK! doesn’t happen without philanthropy, and we thank you for supporting us. Please continue to bid on the silent auction items to raise even more funds. The next artist could be one of these students whose future is transformed through your support.”

Auction items included a Two Night Stay the Joule Dallas, "Practice in Release", Abstract Painting by MCat Davis, Bottega Veneta Cassette Crossbody donated by Neiman Marcus, Two Suite Tickets to the Thanksgiving Day Game (Cowboys vs. Philadelphia) with Cowboys Legend Timmy Newsome, Chroma Canvas & Custom Abstract Painting by Alyssa Burge, Five Night Stay in a Private Villa in Punta Mita, Mexico, Passed Appetizers & Four-Course Menu curated by Roots Hospitality paired with up to six bottles of wine from Sonoma Time, and 35 Guest Birthday Party at SPARK! Dallas.

To date, SPARK! has hosted 105 schools and organizations serving nearly 7,000 students on field trips during the 2025-2026 school year, with more than 51% of students from Title 1 schools. Nearly 40% of the open play admissions are from Museums for All attendees (reduced admission for families that receive government benefits such as SNAP, WIC and Medicaid).

Special thanks to sponsors:

Imaginator: KPMG, Beth & Chuck Thoele

Explorer: The Addy Foundation, Kristi & Ron Hoyl, Melissa Sherrill & Ross Martin, VanAmburgh Family Foundation

Valet: Sewell Automotive Companies 

For additional sponsors and host committee, visit https://sparkdallas.org/sparktacular/

For more information on SPARK!, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.

 (photo credit: Nancy Lovell)

Fitness Ambassadors is bringing its signature community-driven approach to wellness to Plano this fall with a new community fitness experience taking place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Legacy West. Legacy West, located at 5908 Headquarters Dr., Plano, TX 75024, will welcome guests for a morning of movement, shopping, wellness and social connection.

Called Rooftop Sweat & Social, the inaugural event, presented by Kinective Fitness, is designed to bring together movement, social connection and lifestyle experiences in one elevated setting, transforming the Legacy West rooftop into a vibrant wellness destination featuring back-to-back fitness classes, curated brand activations, shopping and a dynamic vendor marketplace.

The event is part of Fitness Ambassadors' continued expansion across North Texas as the organization celebrates its 10-year anniversary and evolves into a broader lifestyle and wellness platform centered around movement, community and culture.

"Over the past decade, we've seen firsthand how powerful movement can be in bringing people together," said Mai Lyn Ngo, founder of Fitness Ambassadors. "Rooftop Sweat & Social is designed to create an environment where guests can move their bodies, discover new brands, connect with others and experience wellness in a way that feels approachable, social and fun."

"At Legacy West, we're always looking for innovative ways to activate our public spaces and create memorable experiences for our guests," said Liz Gallagher, director of property marketing and specialty leasing at Legacy West. "Partnering with Fitness Ambassadors allows us to bring together fitness, wellness, retail and hospitality in a way that reflects the energy and sense of community that define Legacy West. We look forward to welcoming both longtime visitors and first-time guests for this inaugural festival."

Throughout the morning, guests will move through four signature workouts led by some of North Texas' leading fitness studios, beginning with an all-levels yoga flow from YogaSix, followed by strength training with Sweat440 Prestonwood, Mat Pilates with JETSET Modern Pilates West McKinney and a high-energy boxing workout led by KINECTIVE Fitness.

Following the workouts, attendees are invited to stay for a rooftop social hour featuring a live DJ, recovery opportunities, shopping, product sampling and immersive wellness experiences.

"Legacy West has become one of North Texas' premier destinations for lifestyle, dining and community experiences, making it the perfect backdrop for this event," Ngo said. "We're excited to bring together an incredible mix of fitness, wellness and retail partners while introducing new audiences to everything Legacy West has to offer."

In addition to the workout programming, the Legacy West Vendor Village will showcase a curated mix of fitness, beauty, wellness, retail and culinary brands designed to encourage guests to stay, explore and engage throughout the experience.

Festival attendees can expect:

• Four rooftop fitness classes led by premier local studios
• Product sampling, tastings and exclusive giveaways
• Beauty and wellness activations
• On-site shopping experiences
• Post-workout food and beverage offerings
• Networking and community-building opportunities

Participating partners include Kinective Fitness (Presenting Sponsor), BE So Selfish, Earls Restaurant, Hotworx Addison, OVME, and PopStroke, with additional partners and activations to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets

General Admission tickets are $15 and include:
• Access to all four fitness classes
• Curated swag bag filled with partner products and exclusive offers
• Vendor Village and brand activations
• Product sampling and interactive experiences

VIP Tickets are $35 and include:
• Everything included with General Admission
• Take-Home Yoga Mat
• Access to VIP Section for all four classes
• Access to Exclusive VIP Lounge access to all fitness classes, the vendor marketplace, sampling experiences and activations.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Event Details

Rooftop Sweat & Social at Legacy West
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Legacy West Rooftop
Plano, Texas

Schedule

8:30 – 9 a.m. | Check-In + Marketplace Opens
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Vendor Experience
9 – 9:35 a.m. | Yoga Flow with YogaSix
9:50 – 10:25 a.m. | Strength Training with Sweat440 Prestonwood
10:40 – 11:15 a.m. | Mat Pilates with JETSET Modern Pilates West McKinney
11:30 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | BODYCOMBAT with presenting sponsor KINECTIVE Fitness

While many events remain free and open to the public, Fitness Ambassadors Social Club offers optional membership tiers for those looking to plug in more consistently. With a community of over 200 members, the platform provides added perks like early access, partner offers, and invites to curated experiences. Membership starts at $20 per month for the basic tier, with a premium option available at $49 per month, creating a natural extension of the community that blends fitness, social connection, and lifestyle. Click here to join the club.

Founded by Mai Lyn Ngo, Fitness Ambassadors is a Dallas-based community platform redefining how people experience fitness, connection, and lifestyle. What began as grassroots group workouts has evolved into a citywide social club, hosting weekly events, brand partnerships, and curated experiences that bring people together across neighborhoods. Guided by its core pillars, Active, Aligned, Alive, Fitness Ambassadors creates welcoming, inclusive spaces where movement becomes a catalyst for connection, discovery, and community. For more information, please visit www.fitnessambassadors.com.

Legacy West, known as the most successful development in North Texas history, includes 343,000 square feet of retail; 435,000 square feet of office space; and 1,300 multi-family units. The mixed-use project located in Plano, Texas is home to national and international corporate office tenants, a 303-room Renaissance Hotel, luxury retail brands, a 55,000-square-foot artisan Food Hall, plus more than 20 restaurants and eateries to choose from. Legacy West is the destination of choice for work, live, shop, play and dine in North Texas. www.legacywest.com

Chef Kendall Williams has officially opened the doors of Bluebonnet & Thyme Southern Bistro & Bar, her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, in the heart of Victory Park. Located at 2610 N. Houston St. in the former Dirty Bones space across from American Airlines Center, the 3,386-square-foot restaurant and bar is now serving Dallas a concept Williams describes as a “Cajun and Texas culinary explosion” which is a mashup of her Louisiana heritage and Lone Star roots, built with the technique of Southern food. Bluebonnet & Thyme takes its name from two staples of Williams’ own story: the Texas state flower and a Southern herb she reaches for often in the kitchen. After a soft opening on Aug. 7 introduced the neighborhood to the menu, the restaurant is now fully open for dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour.

Dinner entrees include Golden Fried Hen with sweet cream corn, a 2 lb. Gulf Red Snapper served over dirty rice, Seafood Linguine made with lobster, crab, shrimp and a white wine butter sauce. Save room for dessert! Chef Williams family favorite is on the menu: a Southern Banana Pudding made with warm vanilla custard, wafers, fresh banana, and whipped cream. Weekend brunch includes catfish and shrimp with grits, whole fried Cornish hen, red velvet waffles, stuffed French toast with cheesecake and Strawberry compote, and $30 bottomless mimosas. Behind the bar, longtime William’s collaborator Dr. Angela Williams leads the beverage program, crafting Texas-inspired cocktails such as the DAMM Good Old Fashioned and the Bluebonnet Ranch Water from fresh, local ingredients.

Williams describes the newly designed dining room as “your grandmother’s house — if your grandmother happened to be Dolly Parton.” The look mixes alligator-skin seating, floral cast-aluminum bistro chairs, exposed stone walls, and a Texas longhorn skull, with an outdoor patio and lounge rounding out the space.

Williams has spent a decade building a name for herself in Dallas food circles. A history graduate of Texas Woman’s University, she taught herself to cook out of passion, made her first solo Thanksgiving dinner for her family at just 13, and later traveled internationally to sharpen her technique. In 2019, she founded Pretty Tasty Foods, the catering company and Pretty Tasty Pasta concept that first introduced her Creole- and Italian-influenced cooking to Dallas.

Her cooking has also earned recognition beyond her own kitchen, including a 2025 Big Tex Choice Award for Most Creative Dish at the State Fair of Texas for her Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders. While this particular creation isn't on the menu, diners can order an assortment plate of Chef Kendall's award-winning deviled eggs, featuring a half-dozen flavors: Texas BBQ, seafood boil, smoked paprika, hot honey chicken, Birria taco, and smoked salmon.

Bluebonnet & Thyme is open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable, and complimentary three-hour parking is offered at 1701 Payne St. More information, menus, and online ordering can be found at bluebonnetandthyme.com.

Photo credit: Jason Byg

Becker’s Spine Review has named Collin County’s Krishna Satyan, MD, to its latest list of Neurosurgeons to Know. It identifies 20 neurosurgeons across the country who are “making an impact on the field through clinical innovation, research and leadership,” according to Becker’s. The list is part of an ongoing series recognizing neurosurgeons who are “helping to drive progress in neurosurgery, while advancing research, refining surgical techniques and training the next generation.”

A Frisco resident, Dr. Satyan is the director of skull base surgery at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, and a neurosurgeon with Dallas Neurosurgical & Spine in Plano. He is one of only two Texas neurosurgeons on this list and the only neurosurgeon from the DFW Metroplex.

Dr. Satyan is an accomplished brain and spine surgeon, who has been in practice for more than a decade. His care philosophy centers on listening to the patient and providing highly personalized treatment options. He specializes in degenerative spine disease, traumatic spine injuries, metastatic disease and the resection of primary spinal cord tumors.

“When patients come in with a problem and I’m able to fix it, to correct what’s bothering them, that’s the best feeling,” notes Dr. Satyan.

Dr. Satyan earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford University, studying mechanical engineering. Afterward, he earned his M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery and his residency in neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine. After that, Dr. Satyan completed his fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University.

Dr. Satyan is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and is board certified by The American Board of Neurological Surgery. Prior to moving to Texas, Dr. Satyan was a practicing neurosurgeon with the Center for Neuro and Spine in Akron, Ohio.