The African American Museum, Dallas presents Icons of liberation: King and Mandela, an educational and interactive exhibit exploring the shared leadership values and global impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. The exhibit is open now through April 17, 2026. Free and open to the public, the Museum is located in the heart of historic Fair Park at 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas 75210.

Designed as a learning-centered experience, Icons of Liberation: King and Mandela invites children, families, educators and community groups to actively explore ideas of citizenship, leadership and standing for justice. Rather than a traditional walk-through, do-not-touch exhibit, the gallery features interactive activity stations that encourage visitors to pause, reflect, read, write and engage with the material in meaningful ways.

The exhibit also serves as a thematic introduction to the Museum’s upcoming presentation, Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition, opening June 13, 2026, and on view through Nov. 1, 2026.

Through photographs, historical texts, interpretive panels and hands-on learning tools, visitors are introduced to King and Mandela as central Icons of Liberation while also encountering additional local and national figures whose lives reflect courage, service and collective responsibility. These layered stories invite visitors to form personal connections and consider leadership as a daily practice grounded in values.

The exhibit further extends learning beyond the gallery by connecting the space to the Museum’s Carol and Royce West Library and Research Center. Visitors are welcomed into the reading room to browse selected materials from the African American Museum archives and library collections, encouraging deeper exploration, literacy and reflection. This intentional connection transforms a gallery visit into an extended learning experience rooted in primary sources and cultural history.

Icons of Liberation: King and Mandela is part of the Museum’s broader “Icons of Liberation” initiative, which uses education and public engagement to explore leadership across generations. Student activity materials and group-friendly learning experiences are available to support school visits, youth programs, faith communities and nonprofit organizations.

Admission is free. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.

To make group reservations for 10 or more, contact dstephenson@aamdallas.org. For more information, go to aamdallas.org.

About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African American Museum, Dallas, was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College and has operated independently since 1979. For more than 50 years, the African American Museum, Dallas has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum, Dallas is the only museum in the Southwest devoted to the collection, preservation, and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. Anchored by ongoing funding from the City of Dallas through its Office of Arts and Culture, the Museum’s responsibility is to ensure that these irreplaceable treasures will endure to educate and inspire current and future generations. The African American Museum, Dallas incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the nation, the Southwest and Dallas. The Museum has a small but rich collection of African art, African American fine art, and one of the largest African American folk art and decorative art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.

The region’s largest indoor pre-game party on the water features hundreds of boats, exclusive pre-season deals, fan-friendly experiences at Dallas Market Hall Beginning January 30^th

The Dallas Winter Boat Show is making waves THIS WEEKEND as it returns to Dallas Market Hall for two action-packed weekends, January 30–February 1 and February 5–8, 2026. Timed with the excitement of Super Bowl weekend, this year’s theme—“Boats, Bowls & Big Waves”—turns Market Hall into Dallas’ ultimate indoor pre-game experience, blending lake life, tailgate energy, exclusive boat deals, immersive activations, and family-friendly fun.

Often called “The Super Bowl of Boating,” the Dallas Winter Boat Show will feature more than 600 boats from North Texas’ top dealers, along with the latest motors, watersports gear, marine technology, and accessories. The event delivers the region’s most comprehensive showcase of recreational boating—just in time for peak Texas boating season.

North Texas continues to drive national boating trends as one of the most active freshwater recreation regions in the country:

• Texas ranks Top 10 nationally for boat registrations, with more than 625,000 boats statewide
• The Dallas–Fort Worth area is home to a dozen+ major lakes within 90 minutes
• According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), 68% of boat owners are middle-income households, underscoring the show’s strong family appeal
• Recreational boating participation has reached 100 million Americans annually, with Texas among the fastest-growing markets

With rapid population growth, rising disposable income, and strong pre-season buying momentum, Dallas has become a national proving ground for new boat models, emerging lake trends, and innovative on-water lifestyles.

“North Texas is one of the fastest-growing boating regions in the country, and this year’s show brings all the excitement of Super Bowl weekend into one massive, immersive event,” said Bron Beal, Executive Director of the Dallas Winter Boat Show. “Whether you’re a first-time boat buyer or a lifelong lake lover, there’s no better place to get inspired, learn, and score the best deals of the season.”

Attendees can explore:

• Pontoon boats
• Wake surf and ski boats
• Center consoles
• Jet boats and PWCs
• Electric boat innovations
• Fishing vessels
• Luxury cruisers
• Docks, outdoor accessories, gear, and more

ABOUT THE DALLAS WINTER BOAT SHOW

For more than 40 years, the Dallas Winter Boat Show has been the region’s largest celebration of boating and the Texas lake lifestyle. Bringing together top dealers, manufacturers, and industry experts, the show offers families and enthusiasts a one-stop experience to shop, learn, and get inspired for the boating season ahead.

DALLAS BOAT SHOW DETAILS:

When: January 30–February 1 and February 5–8, 2026

Where: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207

Show Schedule:

Friday, January 30, 2026 from 12-8pm

Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10am-8pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 10am-5pm

Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 3-8 pm

Friday, February 6, 2026 from 12-8 pm

Saturday, February 7,2026 from 10 am- 8 pm

Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 10 am -4 pm

Cost & Ticket Information:

Adults:                                 $15

Children (ages 5-13):       $8

Children under 5:             Free

Parking is free of charge

Fairmont Dallas is setting the stage for an unforgettable evening in the city’s culinary heart. Long regarded for its refined approach to seasonal, ingredient-driven cuisine,The Pyramid Restaurant will host an exquisite, prix-fixe Valentine’s Day dinner on Saturday, February 14, beginning at 5 PM.

Priced at $125 per person, the five-course experience showcases The Pyramid’s signature balance of sophistication and creativity, offering couples a memorable way to celebrate their affections. Reservations are now open on OpenTable.

Specially curated by Executive Chef Adam Reson, the Valentine’s Day menu features luxe touches such as Kusshi oysters with sturgeon caviar, lychee-pink peppercorn sorbet, and indulgent entrées ranging from saffron-kissed sea bass to an 8-oz prime filet with the option to add foie gras bordelaise.

Fairmont Dallas is located at 1717 N Akard St.

VALENTINE’S DAY MENU

Amuse-Bouche

• Kusshi Oyster. Served on the half shell with sturgeon caviar and fermented chili.

First Course

Choice of:

• Amberjack. Seville orange, pistachio, mint, and arbequina olive oil.

• Roasted Heirloom Beets. Prosciutto san danielle, ultra crudite, raspberry, romaine crème fraiche, and honeycomb.

• Endive. Sourdough granola, pecorino, walnuts, Spanish anchovies, and chardonnay vinaigrette.

Intermezzo

• Lychee Sorbet. Pink peppercorn.

Entree

Choice of:

• Risotto. Burrata, tomato conserva, salsify, and mint.

• Sea Bass. Saffron, calamari, Spanish octopus, and rouille.

• Duck. Artichoke, roasted almond, and amarena cherry jus.

• 8 oz Prime Filet. Pommes à ligoté and asparagus. Foie gras bordelais +$35.

Dessert

• Pavlova. Topped with balsamic-glazed strawberries, served with honey-basil ice cream.

The start of a new year often brings quiet reflection. Many families think about what they want more of in the months ahead: more purpose, more connection, more ways to show up for the people around them.

For children in foster care across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, the idea of a “new beginning” can carry special weight. These are children navigating big transitions through no fault of their own, often moving between homes while waiting for stability and consistency. What they need most is not perfection, but care, patience, and a sense of belonging.

Across Dallas County and neighboring communities, the need for foster families continues. Each child represents a story still unfolding and a future shaped by the support they receive today.

Foster care looks different for every family. Some provide temporary care, others step in for relatives, and some offer long-term stability. No matter the path, families are supported with training, resources, and a network that understands the challenges and rewards that come with caring for children in foster care.

As the year unfolds, it offers a chance to consider how small, intentional choices can create meaningful impact. For some, that may mean learning more about foster care. For others, it may simply mean gaining a deeper understanding of the children and families in our community who need support.

EMPOWER is a child welfare collaborative that supports foster parents and helps children find safe, loving homes across Metroplex East — including Dallas, Grayson, Fannin, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis and Navarro counties.

New beginnings do not always come with fireworks. Sometimes they begin quietly, with compassion, patience, and the willingness to care.

The Collin County Soil & Water Conservation District is currently taking orders for conservation tree and shrub seedlings. The purpose of this program is to assist farmers, ranchers & landowners with conservation practices such as windbreaks, noise and site barriers, erosion control and water conservation.  Several varieties of evergreen and hardwood trees are being offered this year. 

The plastic tube container species available include Afghanistan Pine, Austrian Pine, Buttonbush, Desert Willow, Honeylocust (thornless), Italian Stone Pine, Loblolly Pine, Oriental Arborvitae, Osage Orange, Retama, and Texas Ash.  These containerized species are sold in bundles of 25 for $130.00, plus sales tax, and have a top growth of 6-12 inches. 

D-40 container species available include Loblolly Pine and Pecan . These seedling species are sold in bundles of 10 for $80, plus sales tax, and have a top growth of 18-24 inches.

All species being offered are tolerable to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8, which includes North Texas and all of Collin County, and are provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service. 

Conservation tree order forms are available at the SWCD office, 1404 N. McDonald Street, Suite 100, McKinney, TX, or you can request a form via email at Jilane.Carper@tx.nacdnet.net  Tree orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis in case of depletion of inventory.  Supplies of some species are limited, so order early for a better opportunity of having your order filled.  All orders must be received by Wednesday, February 18, 2026.  The District promotes the tree seedling sale program solely to encourage conservation.  Tree seedlings purchased from the District are NOT for resale.  Orders will be ready for pick up on or around the week of February 26, 2026.  A reminder email will be sent with pick-up day and time information once it has been confirmed.  If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please call 972-542-0081 ext. 3.  All proceeds from these sales help fund the SWCD’s conservation and education programs throughout Collin County.