Dads deserve an unforgettable celebration and Dodie’s Cajun Diner located on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall has the menu and a view to make his day great!

With Cajun specialties of Shrimp Brochettes, Redfish or Mahi Mahi, there is something on our menu for every preference! Whether he loves spicy and loaded with flavor or light and fresh with just a pinch of Cajun seasoning, Dodie’s will ensure Dad has his wish.

And don’t forget the refreshments New Orleans is known for! Enjoy a cold beverage, a classic Hurricane, smooth bourbon cocktail, or a refreshing brew while taking in the magnificent lakeside views.

The Dodie’s environment compliments our fantastic and flavorful menu with authentic Cajun flair! Dining indoors offers comfortable booths or tables to seat the whole crew, and our patio is a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy family time.

With limited seating, reservations for your dad’s special occasion are highly recommended and can be made online https://dodiesattheharbor.com/fathers-day/

Prefer to celebrate at home? Dodie’s has Crawfish Backyard Boil Party Packs available to go! Party in your backyard and enjoy more great memories with the man in our life!

Get directions to the award-winning Dodie’s Cajun Diner, see the full menu, and get all the details about Father’s Day at DodiesAtTheHarbor.com

Nearly 400 Gifts Delivered to Local School, Orphanage, and Senior Center

Mexico City, Mexico – May 2025 – The Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) recently completed a meaningful cultural and humanitarian mission to Mexico, fostering friendship and understanding through people-to-people exchange and heartfelt community outreach.

As part of ACAESUSA’s ongoing international cultural exchange efforts, the delegation visited Colegio Senda, a local school, as well as a senior care center and an orphanage. Nearly 400 thoughtfully prepared gift packages were delivered, including toys, school supplies, new shoes, toiletries, cosmetics, and original artwork by ACAESUSA’s young artists. These gifts were warmly welcomed by children and elderly residents, serving as symbols of care, respect, and cultural connection.

At Colegio Senda, the delegation interacted with students and educators, placing special emphasis on the school’s inclusive support for children with autism and other special needs. The classrooms were filled with bright smiles and joyful exchanges between students and their American guests.

The visit to the senior care center brought warmth and dignity, as the team shared gifts and meaningful conversations with the elderly—many of whom were deeply moved by the thoughtful gestures and personal attention.

At the orphanage, the children excitedly opened their gifts, expressing gratitude and joy. The moment underscored the power of cross-cultural compassion and kindness.

The delegation concluded their journey with a visit to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico’s national theater, where they attended a spectacular performance of traditional Mexican music and dance. The show celebrated the richness of Mexican heritage and left a lasting impression on all attendees.

“This journey demonstrated the power of cultural understanding and the deep impact of even small acts of kindness,” said Jian Xie, President of ACAESUSA. “We are grateful for the warm hospitality of our hosts in Mexico and look forward to deepening collaboration in cultural exchange and community service.”

Katelyn Hu, Youth Ambassador for ACAESUSA and Miss Asian Culture and Education Society USA 2025–2026, also reflected on the experience:

“Spending time with children my own age in another country helped me realize how connected we all are, no matter where we come from. Sharing art, smiles, and stories reminded me how important it is to build friendship through kindness and culture.” 

ACAESUSA extends sincere thanks to the volunteers from both the United States and Mexico who made this exchange possible. Special appreciation goes to Youth Ambassador Katelyn Hu the leadership, Annie, Monica, Rosa, Lleana Gonzalez, Jian Xie, Arthur Pei, Cecilia Li, Ian Song, and Amelia Peng for their dedication and support. Special thanks to Blue Bonnet Meadows RV Park for their generous sponsorship of this mission.

With renewed energy and commitment, ACAESUSA will continue to champion global youth development, cultural exchange, and charitable outreach—building unity through mutual respect and shared humanity.

Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) is pleased to announce the completion of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church renovation for the nonprofit organization, Dream Center Dallas. Dream Center Dallas provides resources and services in the areas of education, homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking within Dallas. Built in 1948, the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church was originally constructed to serve a congregation of about 250 members. 

MAA was engaged to provide architectural and interior design services and to lead the historic renovation process to preserve the building’s most iconic features. In accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the project included restoring the church’s original façade and prominent roof beacon. Key spaces and features such as the sanctuary, entrance vestibule, lighting, seating, and prayer rooms were also restored to honor the building’s original design and historic significance. 

Functional upgrades, including classrooms, offices, and meeting areas, were designed to meet ADA standards, with the addition of a new elevator to improve accessibility. As a State of Texas Historic Tax Credit project, MAA worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure all standards for historic preservation were met.  

The restored building marks the first of two historic structures being transformed to support Dream Center Dallas’ ministry and outreach operations. 

"The design of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church honors the rich legacy of this beloved local landmark," says Milton Anderson, President of MAA. "Our team is grateful to be part of a project that holds deep meaning for the community and aligns with Dream Center Dallas’ mission to share generosity and unconditional love with all." 

Merriman Anderson Architects is based in Downtown Dallas with offices also in Fort Worth, Austin, Charlotte, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. MAA is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm offering services including master planning, historic and adaptive reuse, project management, space planning, sustainable design, 3D visualization, and virtual reality. 

All Makes, Models & Years Welcome to Join This Community-Powered Event

Get ready to rev your engines for a cause! Cars for Kids is proud to announce its Inaugural Charity Car Show, taking place on Saturday June 28, 2025 at Cars for Kids HQ located at 7100 Marvin D. Love Fwy. Dallas, TX 75237. This high-energy, family-friendly event is open to the public and welcomes vehicle owners of all makes, models, and years to show off their rides while supporting a meaningful mission.

FREE ENTRY

SHOW OFF YOUR CAR & REGISTER: https://hubs.la/Q03p2R5y0

The car show is more than just chrome and horsepower—it’s about giving back. All proceeds from the event benefit Cars for Kids programs that provide educational support, mentorship, and life-changing resources for at-risk youth.

Event Highlights Include:

• Vehicle Showcase: Open to classics, customs, exotics, motorcycles, trucks, and more

• Awards and Trophies for fan favorites and judged categories

• Live Music, Food Trucks, Raffles, and Family Activities

• Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities for Local Businesses

“We’re inviting the entire community to come out, celebrate their passion for cars, and make a difference in the lives of students who need it most,” said Cars for Kids CEO, Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, at Cars for Kids. “This is more than a car show—it’s a movement powered by horse power, compassion and community.”

Gueriel and Eduardo Mendes-Flores thrived as undergraduates and members of the Aggie Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University before attending law school. Now it’s their mother’s time in the Aggie spotlight. Cristina Flores-Villarreal graduated May 25 from Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

Cristina Flores-Villarreal sent her sons, Gueriel and Eduardo Mendes-Flores, to Texas A&M University in College Station, like many proud Aggie parents, full of hopes and dreams for their futures. And she celebrated when each received a bachelor’s degree and went to law school.

“From a young age, I made sure they understood that college wasn’t optional; it was the next step,” she said. “I couldn’t give them everything financially, but I could give them vision, discipline and belief in themselves.”

It was her turn May 25.

When Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas hosted graduation, Flores-Villarreal of Lewisville was among 27 dental hygiene students to receive bachelor’s degrees. The oldest graduate in her class and possibly the oldest new graduate in the program’s history, at 58, she matches her diploma with decades of life experience.

“I always wanted to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I was raising my kids, taking care of my parents, and running my printing business,” Flores-Villarreal said.

After the passing of her father in 2013 and the loss of her mother during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Flores-Villarreal found herself at home alone in Mexico, especially with all of her children grown. She made the decision to return to school.

Flores-Villarreal had considered a career in dental hygiene about 20 years ago. After all, she comes from a dental family in Mexico; her father was a general dentist, her oldest brother is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, another brother is an orthodontist and one sister is a pediatric dentist. However, newly divorced, she dismissed the idea because family obligations in the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico-Laredo area prevented her from moving away for school.

With both family encouragement and financial support, this time, she finished her associate degree and additional science courses at Laredo College and was accepted to the College of Dentistry.

“When you are out of the loop for such a long time, it’s hard to believe that people would be interested in what you have to say,” said Flores-Villarreal, whose college records date back to 1987.

Eduardo Mendes-Flores said his mother was nervous about entering dental college in August 2023.

“My mom is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and keep your priorities straight,” he said.

Eduardo Mendes-Flores, like his brother, was a member of the Aggie Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. He graduated with a degree in political science in 2020 and earned a law degree from Elon University School of Law in North Carolina. He recently passed the bar exam and celebrated with his mother at the dental college, where she cleaned his teeth.

He also completed a master’s degree in business administration this month and will soon move to Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin a career in immigration law.

Gueriel Mendes-Flores graduated in 2018 with a degree in environmental studies and then from St. Louis University School of Law. He’s an entertainment attorney in Austin.

“She’s encouraged us to embrace opportunities and run with them; to be bold, even if it isn’t in our zone of comfort,” said Gueriel Mendes-Flores, who reminded his mother of her advice. 

Going back to school later in life isn’t easy.

Flores-Villarreal’s resilience and perseverance continue to impress Professor Maureen Brown, the interim executive director of the dental hygiene program.

“She made no excuses for her age, but she did comment many times how it took her longer to study and retain information than her younger counterparts,” Brown said. “Even with this knowledge, Cristina still volunteered her time to serve as one of the class technology chairs.”

One of Flores-Villarreal’s proudest moments was traveling to College Station in April with classmates to receive her Aggie class ring. All her children, including her daughter, Maria Cristina Mendes-Flores of Lewisville, a cybersecurity student at Western Governors University, attended; they, along with about 40 members of her extended family, watched Flores-Villarreal graduate.

She plans to work as a temporary dental hygienist until she finds a permanent position in a private practice. Flores-Villarreal also contemplates a faculty position at some point, which requires a master’s degree to teach in the classroom.

“It’s never too late…,” she said. “Everything has fallen into place exactly as it should have.”