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Reporting by Janae Rogers

Prosper, TX — More than a hundred Prosper area children, young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered at an Olympic-themed event on July 19 to celebrate community and unity through a day of service.

“We love giving our children the opportunity to get together to have fun, establish new friendships, build community, serve others, learn of Christ, and be introduced to new things,” says Julie Clark, the ministry’s leader and event organizer. “??With the Olympics coming up in Paris, we thought it would be exciting for the children to have an event with that focus.”

The young participants were divided by age group and cycled through stations where they played games, learned new skills, and listened to a variety of stories about Olympic heroes who overcame adversity and pushed through hard things.

“We learned about someone who got hurt during his race,” says Archer Rogers (9), a ministry participant about Derek Redmond who tore his hamstring during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. “But his dad came to him and helped him finish. We learned we can help people too, even if it’s just being a friend to someone who is having a hard time.

Another participant explained that the Olympics reminds her that we are all brothers and sisters, no matter where we are from — just like Jesus teaches.

“We are so lucky to have so many great children from wonderful families in our area who were willing to donate food and decorate lunch bags for the homeless in Dallas,” says Clark. The children decorated 500 bags in all and collected cereal, snack bars, fruit cups and applesauce. These donations will benefit Salvation Army North Texas and Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors in their efforts to relieve hunger in our area.

If you would like to help the Salvation Army or Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors with their ongoing needs, visit their websites or JustServe.org. Find specific projects here and here.

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Dallas-based Revere Capital recently added Timothy Lister, Vice President of Specialty Finance and Tiffany Rippa Culwell as Vice President of Asset Management. 

Tim Lister of Carrollton brings more than eight years of experience as a Finance Associate, specializing in revolving lines of credit, risk management, and underwriting.

“Even established businesses can have challenges with financing,” said Lister. “With the current high interest rates, this is the golden era of specialty finance. Revere Capital is the lender to lenders. Their emphasis is on culture, and they have a great reputation for doing the right thing.”

Prior to joining Revere, Lister worked at Primalend Capital Partners, EZCORP, Inc. and Santander Consumer USA. He holds a master’s degree in finance from St. Edward’s University and a BBA in Finance from UT San Antonio.

As VP of Asset Management for Revere, Tiffany Rippa Culwell of Lake Highlands sees herself as the “eyes and ears of a living loan.”

"Once a deal closes and the loan agreement is signed, it’s up to my team to communicate every move going forward with the borrower,” explained Culwell. “I chose Revere Capital because I was attracted to its intimate size. Everyone has a seat at the table here. I’m looking forward to working with this amazing team.”

Culwell recently worked as an asset manager at ACORE Capital where she managed an investment portfolio of up to 20 complex loans totaling more than $1.1 billion. Prior to ACORE, she spent five years at Trammell Crow Residential as a Development Analyst. 

Founded in 2006, Revere Capital is an institutional private credit manager with expertise in the lower middle-market commercial real estate bridge lending and specialty finance. Revere’s team has more than $3 billion of transaction experience across real estate and specialty finance. More information is available at reverecapital.com

 

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DALLAS, Texas (Aug. 9, 2024) – Olympic gold medalist (2016) and three-time world rowing champion Will Satch is headed to Dallas this month as the featured guest of a rowing clinic for the youth athletes of White Rock Rowing. His arrival on Monday, Aug. 19 also marks the beginning of a free two-week trial, where any Dallas student in middle school or high school can sign up to try the fastest growing sport in Texas.

On the heels of the Olympics, and in celebration of the US Men’s rowing team breaking an 86-year gold medal drought, White Rock Rowing is bringing Satch to Dallas to invest in the performance of rowers and elevate the visibility of the sport locally.

“During the Olympics, it’s been wonderful to see people watch sports that they’ve never watched before in their life, like rowing. Now, the local rowing community is thinking, ‘How do we keep that momentum going?’ Let’s keep talking about rowing and inviting more and more people to try it. For adults, it’s one of the best cross-training workouts you could possibly do. For youth, it’s an excellent way to build lifelong friendships and open collegiate scholarship doors,” said Sue Ellen Chambers, board president of White Rock Boathouse, Inc.

White Rock Rowing, which won national youth championships in 2014 and 2021, plans to host Satch’s guest clinic at White Rock Boathouse, the biggest boathouse in the central U.S. From Aug. 19-29, Satch will be a featured staple of all workouts on land and practices on the water for youth.

Since most school districts do not offer rowing as an extracurricular activity, White Rock Rowing is allowing any student to try the sport for free in a two-week trial that begins on Aug. 19 with Satch.

Satch brings more than two decades of rowing expertise, and he looks forward to sharing his stories and advice with the youth athletes.

“This is an exciting time for Dallas! The level of mentorship and coaching that Satch brings as a world champion and gold medalist is unmatched. White Rock Rowing is honored to provide our city’s youth exceptional tools and experiences that contribute to their future success in sport and in life. That’s what we’re here to do,” added Chambers.

Any Dallas area youth can sign up for the free two-week trial with White Rock Rowing and Olympian Will Satch by visiting https://whiterockrowing.sportngin.com/survey/show/904728.

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About White Rock Rowing

White Rock Rowing is the premier rowing destination in North Texas for youth and adults, featuring multiple national championship titles, elite training and the largest boathouse in the state. It proudly invests in Dallas youth by teaching them life skills including teamwork, perseverance, leadership and self-discipline, while also providing equal rowing opportunities through financial aid regardless of a rower’s financial status or background. White Rock Rowing is housed under White Rock Boathouse, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to steward and use city property to bring recreational fun to Dallas residents. Learn more by visiting whiterockrowing.org.

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Increasingly, people consider their child's safety at school, and many even turn to homeschooling. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the top reasons for families choosing to homeschool are concerns about the school environment, including safety issues and negative peer pressure. This is an issue that people face from coast to coast, and it's one that communities must address. The good news is that there are some things parents can do to help keep kids safer this school year.

"Only around five percent of families homeschool. It's simply not an option for most people," says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. "We have to take a stand against the safety issues in school, especially when it comes to bullying and negative environments.” 

As families prepare for the school bells to ring, some are already fearing the idea of the bullying culture that may be waiting in the hallways and classrooms. Now is the time for parents, schools, and communities to proactively address the situation so that it doesn't become a big issue later on. Some things can be done to help address the problem at all levels, and it is better to get ahead of now rather than wait until it is a big issue.

Here are some tips for keeping kids safer this school year:

  • Talk to kids about the issue. They need to know what bullying looks like, what to do about it, how to report it, why it's unacceptable, etc. We need to normalize discussing these issues with kids so that they are prepared if and when it happens and so that we set the bar on what acceptable behavior is. Discuss bullying in school and online. 
  • Create a culture of kindness. It's important to respect people's differences. We will never have everyone the same in any community, home, or classroom. We need to instill a sense of understanding and respect so that people focus more on other things. No matter how different people are, we all have certain things in common, and if we focus on those, we will create a kinder culture.
  • Be mindful of sharing personal information. It's a common practice for proud parents to post pictures of their child headed back to a new school year. When doing this, exercise caution in what personal information is being shared and who can see it. Avoid putting too much personal information in the photo or post, and be sure to check your account settings first so they are set only to show to your friends and not the whole world. That personal information can end up in the hands of predators and be used by others.
  • Help kids become more confident and learn self-defense. The National Institutes of Health reports that those who are more vulnerable to being bullied are often seen as weak, unable to defend themselves, and having low self-esteem. Improving in these areas may go a long way toward reducing bullying incidents.
  • Teach healthy phone habits. Not having a phone is not a solution for most families. Kids today have phones, which is not going away for the most part. It's better to focus on teaching kids how to use them healthily, the dangers of using social media, and how to protect themselves. They also need to know about cyberbullying and what to do about it. Parents must also be sure they are leading by example when using their phones and social media.

"Addressing safety and bullying concerns is within all of our power, and we must do it to protect the kids," added Smalley. “We are happy to help every community and school become a safer learning environment for kids. Book one of our seminars, and let us help you kick off a culture of kindness at your school.”

Stand for the Silent has also launched a Student Stand Out program this school year. Teachers can nominate students who they feel stand out by being kind, addressing bullying, being a positive role model, having good leadership, having respect and integrity, and demonstrating actions that show initiative to end bullying at the school. Each week through the school year, one nominee will be chosen to receive a $50 Visa gift card, and at the end of each semester, one person will be selected to win a $100 gift card. The nomination period runs from August 1 to December 1 and then from January 1 to April 1. For more information about the program, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/schools/standout

Stand for the Silent travels the country, providing seminars and talks for communities and schools. They also offer helpful materials online to help people with bullying issues. Each year, they also give scholarships to students who help address bullying at their schools. To get more information on how to have the organization do a presentation or how to start a local chapter, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

Smalley and his wife, Laura, started the organization following their 11-year-old son, ending his own life due to bullying. They turned their pain and loss into a mission of helping others. He travels the country giving presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies, and more. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or cyberbullying handbook for parents, host a presentation at their school, introduce the How All Started video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

Diane Feffer

From author, chemical engineer and global energy expert L.A. Starks, comes Winner's Curse - a pulse pounding new thriller that will grab and hurl you through the eye-opening and unexpectedly dramatic world of the oil and gas sector.  While taking you from the desolate, windswept plains of west Texas to the salons of Hungary, Starks expertly infuses her insider knowledge of this trillion-dollar industry, and her experiences of being female in a male dominated field into this stand alone, science adventure. 

We invite you to meet L.A. Starks at Interabang Books located at 5600 W. Lovers Lane in Dallas.  Discussion starts at 6 pm on Thursday, Aug. 22nd.  

What others are saying about Winner's Curse 

Winner's Curse, a smart oil and gas thriller with remarkable breadth, depth, and international intrigue, proves yet again that L.A. Starks is a master storyteller!

William J. Carl, author of Assassin's Manuscript

 

Taut, suspenseful, and full of Texas flare, Stark's latest mystery will have you rooting for Lynn Dayton as she risks her life to uncover deadly secrets before it's too late.

Winner's Curse is a winner! 

Karen Harrington, Winner of the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Reader's Choice Award 

 

Compelling characters, non-stop action, shockingly current plot, and Starks experience as an insider makeWinner's Curse the next thriller you must read. 

Jim Kipp, Investment expert 

 

Listen to Laura on recent podcast interview  Mark My Words - Conversations with Remarkable People Like L.A. Starks (youtube.com)

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Making Labor Day plans in Dallas? Make a weekend of it at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District.

The property, which just celebrated its first anniversary, is a great location to spend a three day weekend in the Dallas Arts District, recently voted the best arts district in the country by USA Today readers. With walkable access to world class museums and performance halls, there’s a lot to do over the holiday weekend:

On property:

  • Day passes and luxurious pool cabanas available via ResortPass

  • Brunch from Margaret’s including green juice boosters, banana espresso overnight oats, TX shakshuka, and lemon blueberry pancakes with raspberry honey whipped cream and candied pecans
  • Golden hour or evening handcrafted cocktails under the stars at Vincent’s Sky Bar

In the neighborhood:

Indulge in the Sweet Escape offer, which includes bubbles and a sweet treat delivered to the room upon arrival late checkout to make the most of a pool day with code LVU. 

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Toby Hooser, Vice President Market Manager at Legacy Bank & Trust, cuts the ribbon at the Dallas branch grand opening.

Legacy Bank & Trust is excited to announce the opening of its new location off Dallas Parkway and Trinity Mills Rd. at 17561 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75287. This is one of three locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as the company expands in the region. The other two branches in the Metroplex are located in Fort Worth at 5721 N. Tarrant Parkway and in Plano at 437 Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075. Legacy Bank & Trust also opened a corporate office in the Uptown area of Dallas at 2401 Cedar Springs, Suite 305, Dallas, TX 75201.

 

The Dallas community showed their support by attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony and joining local businesses and customers in celebrating the occasion.

 

“We are pleased to have a presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and look forward to providing customers in the area with the personal service, attention, and commitment Legacy is known for,” says Jeremy Loftin, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer at Legacy Bank and Trust. “Our bank has been in business since 1907 and has been committed to providing leading services in banking for our customers since the day we opened. Our new branches are designed with a warm, welcoming environment to foster personal relationships with our customers. We hope our surrounding neighbors will stop in to meet us.”

 

Legacy Bank & Trust offers innovative products and services with personalized, in-house lending services and strong account benefits. With the foundation of providing the best in banking for citizens looking for a trusted local partner and a personalized experience, Legacy Bank & Trust offers many innovative services to meet customers' banking needs and a toolkit of resources to support clients in making the right financial decisions for themselves or their business. In addition to Legacy’s trusted services, the Texas branches offer top-of-market certificate of deposit rates and four signature checking account options.  

 

 

 

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As the back-to-school buzz begins, there’s no better way to savor the final moments of summer than with a visit to Puttshack in Addison. This high-tech, indoor mini golf venue is offering an unbeatable deal to make the end of the season even more special.

From Tuesday through Thursday, Puttshack is treating Perks members to an incredible 50% off their second game of mini golf. After enjoying the first round, players can dive into a second game at half the price! Whether it’s a fun family outing, a lively get-together with friends, or simply a day of enjoyment before heading back to class, this offer ensures that the fun keeps going without breaking the bank.

Puttshack in Addison offers more than just typical mini golf. It features high-tech elements combined with classic fun, providing an engaging and interactive experience suitable for players of all ages and skillsets. With innovative gameplay and vibrant, immersive environments, it’s the perfect place to make the most of summer’s final days.

What to Expect:

  • State-of-the-Art Mini Golf: Experience mini golf like never before with courses designed to entertain and challenge.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to enjoy a day out.
  • Great Food and Drinks: Enhance your outing with a selection of globally-inspired food and beverages.

How to Make the Most of the Deal:

  1. Sign Up for Puttshack Perks: Visit puttshack.com to sign up and access great savings.
  2. Plan a Visit: Head to Puttshack in Addison from Tuesday to Thursday to enjoy the 50% discount on your second game.
  3. Book Ahead: Reserve your spot by visiting puttshack.com to secure your preferred time.
  4. Bring Your Competitive Spirit: Whether a mini-golf enthusiast or a casual player, the second game at half price is a great opportunity to sharpen skills or simply have more fun.

Gather friends and family, gear up for an exciting day, and head to Puttshack in Addison for a spectacular end-of-summer celebration. With 50% off the second game from Tuesday to Thursday, this deal is too good to miss. Make the most of the remaining summer days before school starts and enjoy a day full of friendly competition and unforgettable fun!

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What are exosomes you ask? These tiny particles were once thought to be mere cellular waste. However, recent research has unveiled their critical role in intercellular communication.

In the realm of cellular biology, exosomes are emerging as fascinating entities with immense potential for healing and therapeutic applications. But what exactly are exosomes, and how can they be harnessed for medical purposes? Let's delve into the world of these microscopic messengers and explore their promising role in health and medicine.

What Are Exosomes?

Exosomes are small, membrane-bound vesicles that are secreted by various cell types into the extracellular environment. Typically ranging from 30 to 150 nanometers in diameter, these tiny particles were once thought to be mere cellular waste. However, recent research has unveiled their critical role in intercellular communication.

Exosomes are packed with a rich cargo of proteins, lipids, RNA, and other biomolecules. They act as carriers, transporting these molecules from one cell to another, thereby influencing various physiological processes. This ability to transfer bioactive molecules makes exosomes pivotal in maintaining cellular health and function.

The Healing Potential of Exosomes

The unique properties of exosomes have sparked significant interest in their potential therapeutic applications. Here are some ways exosomes can be used for healing:

1. Regenerative Medicine

Exosomes derived from stem cells have shown remarkable potential in regenerative medicine. They can promote tissue repair and regeneration by delivering growth factors and other regenerative molecules to damaged tissues. For instance, exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to enhance wound healing, repair cardiac tissue after a heart attack, and even regenerate cartilage in osteoarthritis patients.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is a common underlying factor in many chronic diseases. Exosomes can modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation by delivering anti-inflammatory molecules to affected areas. This property is being explored for treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

3. Cancer Treatment

Exosomes are being investigated for their potential in cancer therapy. They can be engineered to carry therapeutic agents, such as drugs or RNA molecules, directly to cancer cells, thereby minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. Additionally, exosomes can be used to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

4. Neurological Disorders

The ability of exosomes to cross the blood-brain barrier makes them promising candidates for treating neurological disorders. Researchers are exploring their use in delivering therapeutic molecules to the brain for conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

Challenges and Future Directions

While the potential of exosomes in healing is immense, there are still challenges to overcome. Standardizing the isolation and purification of exosomes, ensuring their stability and scalability, and understanding their long-term effects are critical areas of ongoing research.

Moreover, the regulatory landscape for exosome-based therapies is still evolving. Rigorous clinical trials are necessary to establish their safety and efficacy before they can become mainstream treatments.

In conclusion, exosomes represent a frontier in medical science with the potential to revolutionize the way we approach healing and therapy. As research continues to unravel their complexities and capabilities, we may soon witness the advent of exosome-based treatments that can address a wide range of medical conditions, offering hope and healing to countless patients.

Stay tuned to this exciting field, as the tiny messengers known as exosomes may hold the key to some of the most significant medical breakthroughs of our time.

Anchor Restorative Medicine, located in Irving, TX, is dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of regenerative medicine. Specializing in advanced treatments for significant medical challenges, trauma, and aging-related issues, our clinic offers personalized care plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. At Anchor Restorative Medicine, we pride ourselves on empathy, compassion, and a commitment to ensuring patient comfort and confidence throughout their treatment journey. Guided by our founding vision, we strive to innovate and empower individuals to regain their strength and vitality, impacting lives positively with every step. Anchored in hope and driven by innovation, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of medical possibilities, offering hope and healing to those in need. For more information, visit our website or contact us at (877) 567-3988.

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The star-studded film BORDERLANDS debuts in theaters this Friday, August 9 and there’s no better place to catch the premiere than Galaxy Theatres Grandscape, especially after winning a custom PlayStation 5 exclusive to Rewards Members.

 

All Galaxy Theatres Rewards Members are eligible for this free giveaway and can enter via email sent to Members. The fully custom PS5 is one of three in the world, exclusively available to Galaxy Theatres Rewards Members.

 

More information and giveaway rules can be found here.

 

Benefits of being a Galaxy Theatres Rewards Member include:

  • Free membership access

  • Earn 1 point for every dollar spent - points never expire!

  • Earn free movie tickets and $5 rewards for concessions

  • A free movie ticket on your birthday, valid for 30 days

  • Deals on movie-themed collectibles

  • Two complimentary tickets for a Flashback Cinema movie, good for 365 days

  • Access to enter exclusive prize pack giveaways 

  • Presale and advance ticket sale notifications 

 

Tickets for screenings of BORDERLANDS are available at https://www.galaxytheatres.com/movie/Grandscape/BORDERLANDS#.