North Texans can now reserve their holiday favorites—complete with hickory-smoked meats, Southern sides, and homemade desserts—for effortless Holiday celebrations

The holiday season is here, and Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is once again making it easier than ever for families, friends, and co-workers to gather around the table with flavor. Beginning today, customers can pre-order from Soulman’s special holiday menu, ensuring stress-free celebrations filled with slow-smoked favorites and classic Southern sides.

This year’s holiday offerings feature Soulman’s best-loved dishes, including:

• Slow-Smoked Brisket – tender, juicy, and smoked low and slow over hickory.
• Whole Smoked Turkeys – a traditional holiday centerpiece with a Soulman’s twist.
• Savory Southern Sides – homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, baked mac & cheese, cornbread dressing, and more.
• Holiday Desserts – Soulman’s fresh baked pies are sweet endings that make every celebration complete.

“Holiday traditions are meant to be enjoyed—not stressed over,” said Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. “By pre-ordering our curated holiday meals, families and businesses spend can more time together and less time in the kitchen. We’re honored to be a part of holiday tables across North Texas again this year.”

Soulman’s Traditional and Soulful holiday meals are available for customers to pre-order online and schedule convenient pick-up times, perfect for family gatherings, office parties, or festive get-togethers.

Orders can be placed now through December 20, 2025 at www.soulmans.com

With just a few clicks, Soulman’s will bring the flavor and tradition of Texas barbecue straight to your holiday table.

About Soulman’s Bar-B-Que

For 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.  Soulman’s original family 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 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, North Richland Hills, 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 http://www.soulmans.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulmansbbq.

Mayor Welcomes More Than 60 Guests to Opening Night of the DFW Holiday Tradition

The Light Park officially kicked off its 2025 holiday season in Little Elm with a festive ribbon-cutting celebration, drawing more than 60 guests, community partners, and city officials on opening night. Mayor Curtis J. Cornelious delivered welcoming remarks, celebrating The Light Park’s Little Elm presence as a beloved, family-friendly holiday tradition in North Texas.

Held at The Light Park – Little Elm at 701 Eldorado Pkwy, the ceremony opened with networking and photos under the glow of the park’s dazzling displays. Guests—including representatives from the Little Elm Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and area families—were among the first to enjoy the immersive, drive-through experience featuring millions of synchronized lights, holiday music, and interactive displays.

“We’re thrilled to welcome The Light Park to Little Elm,” said Mayor Cornelious. “This event brings joy to families across our city and the DFW region. It’s an honor to celebrate the opening of a season that brings our community together in such a magical way.”

The Light Park’s leadership team thanked the Mayor, city partners, and attending guests for their support and enthusiasm for the new holiday tradition.

“We couldn’t ask for a better community to help us launch another spectacular season,” said Matt Johnson of The Light Park. “Little Elm has welcomed us with open arms this year and we’re delighted to bring even more holiday magic to families in 2025.”

After the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to drive through the full Light Park experience and received a complimentary Blitzen Bundle as a thank-you for attending opening night

The Little Elm location is one of multiple The Light Park experiences across North and Central Texas, offering visitors an accessible, family-friendly holiday outing filled with lights, music, and festive surprises.

The Light Park is open nightly through the holiday season. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance to secure their preferred date. More information, including pricing, event schedules, and special themed nights, is available at TheLightPark.com.

About The Light Park

The Light Park offers nine parks in Texas: Round Rock, Spring, Katy, Sam Houston Race Park, Selma, San Antonio, Arlington, Little Elm and Frisco. Each Park features more than one million LED animated lights and boasts the world’s largest synchronized LED light tunnel. Open from November 7, 2025, through January 4, 2026, shows start at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (weekdays), and 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (weekends and Christmas week); visitors can enjoy a safe and unique experience as they drive through the one-mile holiday light show curated to seasonal music. To Purchase Online: https://www.thelightpark.com/

Breathing Easier: A Conversation With Dr. Nijim on Lung Health at CRMC

At Carrollton Regional Medical Center, our pulmonology team is committed to helping patients breathe better and live better. We spoke with Dr. Ala Nijim, Head of Pulmonology, to learn more about her role, the conditions she treats, and how people can protect their lung health.

What Does the Pulmonology Team at CRMC Do?

Dr. Nijim leads a specialized team that diagnoses and treats a wide range of respiratory conditions. “Every day, we see patients who struggle with shortness of breath, chronic cough, or fatigue,” she explains. “Our goal is to help them find relief and improve their quality of life.”

Some of the most common conditions treated in the department include:

• Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pneumonia and bronchitis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders
• Post-COVID or post-viral lung complications

From the hospital to the clinic, the care provided is comprehensive and coordinated, ensuring patients receive support wherever they are in their treatment journey.

When Should You See a Pulmonologist?

Dr. Nijim notes that many people don’t realize they need to see a lung specialist until their symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. She advises patients to consider scheduling an appointment if they experience:

• A persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Sleep disturbances or snoring that interrupts rest
• Swelling in the legs or ankles associated with breathing difficulty

“The earlier we can identify what’s causing breathing issues,” she says, “the better we can treat it and in many cases, prevent it from worsening.”

How Can People Protect Their Lung Health?

Prevention is at the heart of Dr. Nijim’s approach. She recommends a few simple, but powerful, steps to keep lungs strong and healthy:

• Avoid smoking and limit exposure to secondhand smoke or pollutants
• Stay physically active to improve lung capacity
• Eat a balanced diet to support overall immune health
• Get vaccinated, especially for flu and pneumonia
• See your doctor regularly — particularly if you have asthma, COPD, or another chronic lung condition

“Most of us take breathing for granted until it becomes difficult,” she reflects. “Taking care of your lungs now helps protect your overall health for years to come.”

How CRMC Supports Patients Through Recovery

At Carrollton Regional, the pulmonology team takes a collaborative, patient-focused approach. Dr. Nijim shares that they work closely with primary care physicians, cardiologists, and respiratory therapists to deliver well-rounded care. Whether someone needs advanced diagnostics, ongoing therapy, or inpatient support, CRMC’s team is ready to support them every step of the way.

“Our mission is simple,” Dr. Nijim says. “We want to help patients breathe easier, recover faster, and return to the activities they love.”

Carrollton Regional Medical Center is a 216 - bed Acute Care Hospital managed by Sana Healthcare. CRMC serves Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Lewisville, The Colony, and other surrounding communities. CRMC offers an array of services including 24/7 Emergency Care, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Imaging Services, Rehabilitation and Therapy Services, Cancer Care, a 16- bed Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Services, and an Inpatient Orthopedic Center of Excellence. Our Women’s Imaging Center is just 2 blocks north of the hospital and provides 3D digital mammography and other specialized breast procedures. CRMC is here to serve its community with high quality, patient-focused care, close to home. Visit www.crmc.health.a

For many families, the holidays mean warm meals, laughter and time together. But for hundreds of North Texas parents whose children are fighting cancer, the season can bring unimaginable stress – hospital stays, mounting bills, and the heartbreaking question of how to keep the lights on while their child fights for life. 

According to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), one in three local families with a child battling cancer live at or below the poverty line – a reality that becomes even more painful during the holidays. 

North Texans can help support local families enduring unimaginable stress this holiday season by providing a gift of $33 or more to WOKC before the end of the year at wokc.org/hope.

“When your child is fighting for their life, the last thing a parent should worry about is how to keep food on the table or the electricity turned on,” said Kris Cumnock, CEO of Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. “Hope can’t take a holiday – it is essential to these families who are living a nightmare.”

Through its Family Assistance Program, WOKC provides direct, practical relief to families in crisis. The local non-profit has stepped in to meet urgent, real-world needs this year – paying for housing costs, groceries, gas and parking, utilities, hotel stays and even helping a family afford a cap and gown while their high school senior underwent treatment. 

But as the cost-of-living rises, the need keeps growing. This season, WOKC is asking the community to come together to support every DFW family battling pediatric cancer. Each donation provides meaningful relief that allows parents to focus on what matters most, their child’s recovery.  

“We’ve seen families sleeping in their cars in hospital parking lots,” Cumnock said. “Our message is simple: hope can’t take a holiday. Families shouldn’t face cancer or hunger, eviction or isolation, alone during the holidays.” 

In addition to supporting families in crisis, WOKC provides Buddy Bags to every pediatric cancer patient admitted to a North Texas hospital. Each bag is carefully curated to meet the needs of newly diagnosed kids with cancer and their parent(s). The contents of the bag include toiletries, a cozy blanket pillow, dining gift cards for parents, as well as age-appropriate entertainment items for kids, such as an iPad and wireless headphones so patients can FaceTime friends and family or download schoolwork. Each of the bag’s 40 items has a specific role in easing the transition from home to hospital.  

For over 45 years, WOKC has significantly impacted the pediatric cancer space by funding more than $13 million for innovative and novel childhood cancer research projects. The non-profit invests in cutting-edge pediatric cancer research projects. 

Since 1980, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer has offered comfort and hope to kids with cancer through support programs serving the entire family and funds innovative research leading to new discoveries and treatments in the fight against pediatric cancer. WOKC approach features three primary initiatives:   

WOKC funds national novel pediatric cancer research projects that lead to advancements in treatment outcomes. WOKC has significantly impacted the pediatric cancer space by funding over $13 million in pioneering research. This seed money has yielded more than $32 million in grant money from large cancer organizations like the National Cancer Institute. While WOKC is relentlessly searching for a cure, the significance of increased survival rates, less invasive treatments, and prevention of harmful side effects are also reasons why research is critical.  

WOKC refers to pediatric cancer patients as “Warriors” to recognize their strength, resilience, and courage. We know, however, cancer impacts the entire family emotionally, socially, and financially. That’s why our Warrior Family Program is thoughtfully designed to support not just the patient, but every member of the family. The Warrior Parent Socials Program provides “date night” experiences (i.e., cooking classes, Karaoke, game show competitions, etc.) for groups of parents who are navigating a pediatric cancer journey. This program not only helps couples reconnect (combating the elevated divorce rate for parents of critically ill children), but also helps organically foster peer support systems. The WOKC Financial Assistance Program targets families at or below the poverty line (33% of DFW families who have a child with cancer fit into this category). 

For more information on WOKC, follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or visit WOKC.org.