Allen Public Library offers an exciting free concert with the Dallas-based Waiting For Julio at 7:30 pm Friday, July 17. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr., in Allen.  Formed 10 years ago, this seven-piece band’s music evolved into an eclectic mix of styles from the 1950’s to the 2000s. Their performances cover rock, blues, reggae, soul, country, and rockabilly.  Performing at a variety of venues including clubs, restaurants, conventions, festivals, major fundraisers, and outdoor venues like The HUB in Allen, group members are a mix of transplants and native sons.

Waiting for Julio comprises Chris Shaw (Birmingham, England) on guitar and vocals, Fred Moss (Washington, DC) on guitar and vocals, Ken McIntyre (May Pen, Jamaica) on percussion and vocals, Tony Pirro (Cleveland, Ohio) on drums and vocals, Ron Lansing (Heath, Texas) on guitar and vocals, Kyle Cole (Garland, Texas) on bass guitar and vocals, and Chase Crenshaw (Garland, Texas) on keyboards and vocals.

Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

If you're planning to take in the excitement of the international soccer tournament, the Venetian Champions Club at Fairmont Dallas will be open through July 19, offering an indoor viewing experience in the hotel's historic Venetian Room.

The 4,400-square-foot fan zone features a massive 16-by-20-foot viewing screen, multiple TVs, three bars, interactive games, local craft beers, specialty cocktails, and game-day food specials, making it an easy spot to gather with friends or fellow fans.

One of the highlights is the Passport Cocktail experience. Throughout the tournament, guests can "travel" the world one cocktail at a time with drinks inspired by participating countries, including the Netherlands, Japan, England, Argentina, and more. Each featured cocktail earns a passport stamp, and completed passports can be turned in for a chance to win a luxury Fairmont Dallas experience.

Whether you're following every match or simply looking for a fun downtown outing, it's another way Dallas is embracing visitors and celebrating the global energy that's filling the city this summer.

A simple family meal can make a meaningful difference this summer.

From June 29 through July 26, participating Bojangles restaurants are supporting military families, veterans, and first responders through a fundraising campaign benefiting Folds of Honor North Texas. For every Big Bo Box sold, $1 will be donated to help provide educational scholarships for the spouses and children of those who have served our country and communities.

As the cost of college and vocational education continues to rise, these scholarships help open doors for families while honoring the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

Whether you're picking up dinner for the family or grabbing a meal on the go, your order can help support a student's future. The limited-time Big Bo Box includes Bojangles favorites like hand-breaded chicken, made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits, Southern fixin's, and Legendary Iced Tea®, and is available in restaurant, through the drive-thru, on the Bojangles app, and via participating delivery services.

If you're planning a Bojangles run this month, it's an easy way to enjoy a meal while helping invest in the next generation of military and first responder families.

EMPOWER has promoted Keshaun Vinson to Vice President of Permanency, recognizing her more than 20 years of experience in child welfare and behavioral health.

As a child welfare collaborative led by Texas Family Initiative, EMPOWER serves children and families across the Metroplex East region, overseeing foster care, case management, kinship and reunification services. In her new role, Vinson will lead permanency efforts for youth in Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC) and extended care, with a focus on helping children achieve safe, stable and permanent homes.

Prior to her promotion, Vinson served as EMPOWER's Permanency Director and has held leadership roles with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and other community-based organizations.

To learn more about EMPOWER and how you can support children in foster care, visit 3EMPOWER.org.

In celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the United States, a rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the Hall of State in Fair Park until July 17, through a partnership between the Dallas Historical Society, Dallas Public Library, Dallas Police Department and the Dallas City Manager's office. The document is showcased as part of the "Declarations: America and Texas" exhibition alongside other historic documents from the Dallas Historical Society's collection, including the only known original printed General Order No. 3 handbill, the historic order proclaiming that all enslaved people in Texas were now free. The official original handwritten General Order No. 3 is housed at the U.S. National Archives.
           

Also included in the exhibit are:

• An 1829 reproduction of Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence
• The original journal of the Convention of 1836 from Washington-on-the-Brazos documenting the creation of the Texas Declaration of Independence

At the request of Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, the Declaration was transported from its permanent home at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library to Fair Park under the supervision of Dallas Police and archivists from the Dallas Historical Society. Officers will provide 24/7 security throughout the exhibit, and archivists will monitor the document during its stay. Dallas Historical Society commissioned a specially designed display case to house the document while on view.
        

Entry to the exhibit at the Hall of State at Fair Park is free and is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily. Address is 3939 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX  75210.
        

"As we celebrate America's 250^th birthday, I am thrilled to invite both Dallasites and visitors from near and far to experience firsthand an original copy of our nation's founding document and reflect on the ideals that make America exceptional," said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson.

Karl Chiao, executive director of the Dallas Historical Society said, “We are deeply honored to house this exhibit during the FIFA Fan Festival and welcome visitors to the Hall of State as they catch a glimpse of American history, Texas history and experience our interactive exhibits, as well. Young and old alike will be delighted and amazed at two interactive experiences, including the AR (augmented reality) Moody Digital Immersive Experience and the Alamo diorama, which fills an entire room.”
          

The Fan Festival runs through July 19. "This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce FIFA visitors to such a rare and significant piece of American history," said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. "As Dallas welcomes guests from across the world, we are excited to showcase an important part of our nation's story."
        

Dallas's copy of the Declaration of Independence was printed in Philadelphia on July 4,1776. Today, only 26 original copies are known to survive, with Dallas owning the only copy on public display west of the Mississippi. Rediscovered in 1968 and bought by Dallas business leaders, the "lost copy" was gifted to the city in 1982. The Friends of the Dallas Public Library built its permanent exhibition space at the Central Library.

Throughout 2026, Dallas Public Library will host events and programs as part of its America 250 celebration, inviting the community to engage with history and explore the stories that shaped the nation. Visitors are invited to participate in the library's America 250 programs, featuring The Amazing Race for Independence activity challenge.
       

For more information about Dallas Public Library's America 250 programs and events, visit  https://www.dallaslibrary.org/america250.
       

Learn more at the Dallas Historical Society’s website: www.dallashistory.org

About Dallas Historical Society

Established in 1922, the Dallas Historical Society is the preeminent organization of its kind in Dallas, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the heritage of Dallas and Texas to educate and inspire future generations. Housed at the Hall of State in Fair Park since 1938, the Society presents these collections through education programs, exhibitions, tours, access to research materials and workshops. Each year, the Dallas Historical Society is visited by more than 160,000 people and serves more than 20,000 students through guided tours and educational programming at the Hall of State, as well as outreach programs at school locations. More information is available at https://www.dallashistory.org/.

About Hall of State

Built by the State of Texas for the 1936 Centennial Exposition in Fair Park, the Hall of State has hosted events honoring presidents, royalty, heads of state, and other dignitaries for over eighty years. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas, the Hall of State can be rented for private functions ranging from corporate dinners or meetings to weddings or gala social events. Rental fees support the operations of the Dallas Historical Society, which calls the Hall of State “home.”