Bringing Hope to Dallas Youth

Rainbow Days marked a triumphant milestone at its 28th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon, where more than 450 guests gathered at the Westin Galleria Dallas to support children and youth facing adversity. The luncheon exceeded expectations, raising over $272,000 to fund essential programs and services, thanks to generous supporters and community partners in the Dallas area and beyond.

The afternoon began with the highly anticipated annual performance by Rainbow Days program participants, where they sang and danced to Reach by S Club 7. Their animated performance captured the hearts of attendees and highlighted the organization’s mission to uplift and empower young lives. The performance set the stage for a celebration of resilience, hope, and community support.

The luncheon was highlighted by a powerful keynote address from actor and author Victor Rivas Rivers, whose riveting personal story underscored the urgent need for collective action. His words were a profound call to build strong, compassionate support systems for the most vulnerable among us—the children and youth who are facing hardship, trauma, and adversity.

Victor is a veteran star of more than two dozen films, most known for The Distinguished Gentleman, Mask of Zorro, The Hulk and more. Born in Santi Spiritus, Cuba, Victor immigrated to the United Sates at the age of two. After growing up in an abusive household where he endured years of punishing beatings and torture at the hands of his father, he took legal action against him at age 15 and entered the foster care system. With the help of his community, he turned his life around from hard gang member to earning a senior class football scholarship. Upon graduation he was drafted to play for the Miami Dolphins and then pursued acting.

Victor's impactful story of overcoming adversity with the help of his community emphasized the idea that it really does take a village of people coming together to raise even just one child. Rivers’ journey from childhood adversity to personal triumph left a deep, almost palpable impression on the audience, stressing the importance of caring individuals and support systems in changing the course of a young person’s life.

Tiffany Beaudine, CEO of Rainbow Days, spoke at the 2025 Pot of Gold Luncheon, sharing powerful insights about the organization’s mission and the urgent challenges facing children in our community.

She energized the crowd with inspiring updates on Rainbow Days’ recent achievements, including the introduction of new initiatives such as the Classroom Connection Curriculum, the Strengthening Families Program, and the Youth Substance Use Prevention Community Coalition. Tiffany also shared a touching story about three sisters who have been supported by Rainbow Days over the past eight years. Their individual journeys of success touched the heart of each audience member and highlighted the profound and lasting impact of the organization’s programs.

The 2025 Pot of Gold Luncheon was made complete with a heartfelt invocation by Father Michael Forge from Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

This year’s event was made possible through the hard work, time and resources of the 2025 Pot of Gold Luncheon Committee members. Event leadership included Luncheon Chairs Mathew and Tiffany MacLeod and Silent Auction Co-Chairs Leticia Espinoza and Jill Sabeh.

Rainbow Days would also like to recognize the many sponsors, donors and volunteers who helped make the 2025 Pot of Gold Luncheon a success. Featured here are sponsor levels “Silver” and above:

• Title: Nancy Ann & Ray L. Hunt
• Platinum Sponsors: Miramar Equity Partners and Darla and Mark Whitaker
• Gold Sponsors: Citi, B-Still Ministries, Fortium Partners, Francisco Ramos & Irma Hinojosa, Jill & Dale Hurd, Lacy & David Lange, Thompson Coburn LLP and Vaquero Private Wealth.
• Silver Sponsors: Tiffany & Terry Beaudine, Jennifer & Jody Bishop, Bragalone Olejko Saad PC, The Live Like Knox Foundation, Mary Jo & James McKellar, National Life Group, Sky Island Capital, Telisa Schelin & Rebecca Massiatte, Tiffany & Matthew MacLeod, and Vaquero Private Wealth.
• Media Sponsor: Good Life Family Magazine

The Pot of Gold Luncheon spotlighted the real challenges facing children and youth in the Dallas area while celebrating the strength and impact of a community united in purpose. Rainbow Days invites the public to learn more about its impact through its 2025 Impact video available on its website, www.RainbowDays.org .

ABOUT RAINBOW DAYS: Rainbow Days is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1982, Rainbow Days has a mission to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. Through support groups, substance abuse prevention programs, supportive services and tangible items, Rainbow Days makes a positive impact in the lives of meaningful connections with more than 20,000 at-risk children and youth in the Dallas area annually. Rainbow Days expands its impact through international training services, which trains other nonprofit staff, teachers and counselors in its award-winning CBSG® Program.  Visit the website at www.rainbowdays.org

Photos by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

Shockwave Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Helping Pets and Horses Heal

Introduction

When our animals are hurt or in pain, we often look for the fastest and safest way to get them back to comfort. One treatment that has become increasingly popular in veterinary medicine is shockwave therapy. Although the name may sound a bit intimidating, this treatment is safe, non-invasive, and can be highly effective for many orthopedic and soft tissue problems. It has been widely used in human medicine for years — especially in sports medicine — and is now making a big difference for dogs, cats, and horses.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves (not electrical shocks) to stimulate healing inside the body. A special machine sends these waves into the injured tissue. As the waves pass through, they trigger biological changes that:

• Increase blood flow

• Reduce inflammation and pain

• Encourage the body to repair bone, tendon, ligament, or joint tissue

• Help break up scar tissue and stimulate new cell growth

In simple terms, shockwave “wakes up” the body’s natural healing systems and speeds up recovery.

Conditions It Can Help With

In Horses

Shockwave is especially popular in equine sports medicine. It can be used for:

• Tendon and ligament injuries (suspensory desmitis, bowed tendons)

• Joint arthritis

• Back and sacroiliac pain

• Navicular disease

• Kissing spine

• Delayed healing of bone injuries or stress fractures

Because it can reach deep tissues without surgery, it’s often used to get performance horses back into training and competition more safely.

In Dogs (and Cats)

Small animals can also benefit, particularly for:

• Hip and elbow arthritis

• Knee injuries (CCL tears, post-surgery recovery)

• Chronic back pain

• Slow-healing fractures or bone injuries

• Wounds and skin ulcers (in some cases)

In older dogs with arthritis, shockwave may help reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and cut down on the need for high doses of pain medication.

What Does a Treatment Look Like?

• Non-invasive: No cutting or surgery is involved.

• Sedation: Most animals are lightly sedated to keep them calm and comfortable, since the sound waves can be startling.

• Application: A hand-held probe is placed against the skin over the injured area. Treatments usually take 10–20 minutes.

• Schedule: Often given every 2–3 weeks, for a total of 2–4 sessions depending on the condition.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

✔ Drug-free pain relief – helpful for animals that cannot tolerate certain medications.
✔ Faster healing – especially for stubborn tendon or ligament injuries.
✔ Non-invasive – no surgery or long recovery times.
✔ Improved mobility – many owners notice their pets moving more freely within days to weeks.
✔ Versatile – can be used for bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and even certain wounds.

Is It Safe?

When performed by a trained veterinarian, shockwave therapy is considered very safe. The main risks are mild soreness at the treatment site or temporary swelling. Because sedation is often used, your vet will make sure your pet or horse is healthy enough for that beforehand.

Importantly, shockwave is not allowed in some equine competitions within a certain time frame before showing, since it can temporarily reduce pain. Your veterinarian will know the specific rules for your discipline.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

• Not a “magic bullet” — best results come when it’s part of a complete treatment plan (rest, controlled exercise, rehab, medications when needed).

• Some conditions need multiple sessions before real improvement is seen.

• Works better on certain tissues (tendons, ligaments, bone) than on others.

• Cost may be higher than traditional treatments, though often less than surgery.

Conclusion

Shockwave therapy is one of the most promising tools in veterinary medicine today for managing pain and speeding healing. For horses with sports injuries or dogs with arthritis and joint pain, it offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive option.

If your pet or horse is struggling with chronic pain or a slow-healing injury, ask your veterinarian whether shockwave therapy could be the right choice. It may just be the spark their body needs to start healing again.

Cerulean Blue Coffee House is leaning into a classic comfort flavor this season with the debut of its September Cookie of the Month: Peanut Butter. 

The Peanut Butter cookie strikes the perfect balance of sweet and salty, featuring a crumbly base blended with plenty of peanut butter. Each cookie is golden on the edges, soft in the center, and packed with rich, nutty flavor. It’s the ultimate treat for those who love all things peanut butter – satisfying, indulgent, and only available through the end of September.

“Peanut butter is a perfect addition to any creation when it comes to baking,” said Jessica Dietzler, Chief Baker at Cerulean Blue Coffee House. “Our Peanut Butter cookie is all about enjoying those craveable sweet-and-salty flavors wrapped up into one perfect bite.”

Along with the limited-time cookie of the month offerings, customers can enjoy two other Cerulean Blue staples: the Chocolate Chunk and The Caramel White Chocolate cookie. New food offerings are also joining the menu this month, including the crispy chicken biscuit sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, and acai bowl.

Located at 420 Parker Square Road in Flower Mound, Cerulean Blue is a family-owned coffee house featuring breakfast and lunch including sandwiches and salads in a spacious, yet warm and cozy environment. 

Cerulean Blue features comfortable seating, soft lighting, two fireplaces, and a calming ambiance for conversations, relaxation or productivity. Beyond serving excellent coffee, Cerulean Blue’s mission is to be a cornerstone of the Flower Mound Community by hosting events and fostering relationships.

Cerulean Blue Coffee House provides a water filtration system to a family in Central America for every 10 pounds of coffee sold. Each system produces 100,000 gallons of clean water, and is deployed by Serve Hope International.

About Cerulean Blue

Cerulean Blue is a community-focused coffee house in Flower Mound’s Parker Square. It offers a welcoming ambiance, a variety of high-quality beverages and pastries, and a space designed to foster connections within the community. Cerulean Blue is owned by Paul and Jackie Dietzler, owners of Expo Home. For more information, visit CeruleanBlue.com, or on the social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.

The Coppell cross-country teams competed in the Greenhill-Luke’s Locker 6-Mile Relay on August 23, opening their second meet of the season in a unique and competitive format. Each runner completed a 1.5-mile leg, combining for a total of six miles per four-person team. The Texas heat added an extra challenge, but Coppell’s athletes showed resilience and teamwork throughout the event.

Coach Wren’s Perspective

“This meet was a lot of fun for the kids that competed,” said Coach Wren. “The setup is different than a typical cross-country meet. Each school is made up of multiple four-person teams that each run a total of six miles, with each runner completing 1.5 miles individually.”

Cowgirls Highlights

• Varsity Girls: Finleigh Sanders, Anusha Patki, Bishakha Sinha, and Rachel Stumm placed 8th in 39:28.

• JV A Girls: Vanini Agarwal, Rhea Bala, Pragna Vykuntam, and Carolina Saenz finished 9th in 44:54.

• JV B Girls: Marge Tse, Joanna Benjamin, Lojayna Ahmed, and Sophia Sarmiento placed 10th in 47:48.

“It was fun to see all of the girls compete in a fun but competitive atmosphere,” Wren said.

Cowboys Highlights

• Varsity Boys: Sam Meier, Tanish Neelapu, Sidharth Kerthipati, and Diego Morales earned 4th in 31:05. Tyler Kim, Itsuki Pena, Jose Murillo, and Srivanth Rudrangi followed with a 9th-place finish in 32:38.

• JV A Boys: Vihaan Sahni, Vihaan Sharma, Farhan Mohammed, and Marco Noyola placed 3rd in 33:14. Allan Ramirez, Cannon Stehly, Lukas Stumm, and Aiden George finished 8th in 35:23.

• JV B Boys: Noah Law, Hugh Harris, Nolan Reeder, and Rigved Nehere ran 33:41 to take 3rd. Aaron Joseph, Dee Raibourn, Nehemiah Skariah, and Nikhil Pande secured 10th in 35:50.

“It is a lot of fun for me to watch the kids work together in their relay teams,” Wren added.

Looking Ahead

Coach Wren noted, “We really seem to be progressing. This week’s Coach T-Marcus Invitational is going to be a good measuring stick to see where we are as a team right now. It’ll be our first 5K of the season on the district course against many of our district opponents.”

The upcoming T Marcus Invitational in Denton will mark Coppell’s first 5K of the season and a key test against district competition.

Contact Information

For more details or to support Coppell High School’s Cross-Country team, please contact:
Patricia Chi
Email: chi.patricia@gmail.com
Mobile: (469) 831-3709

The Largest Hotel in Texas Is Offering Exclusive “Stay and Play” Package for Fair Season, September 26–October 19, 2025

DALLAS – August 25, 2025 – This fair season, Sheraton Dallas is giving a Big Tex welcome to travelers visiting Dallas for the State Fair of Texas. From September 26 to October 19, 2025, the largest hotel in Texas will debut a special Stay and Play at the State Fair of Texas Package, designed for unparalleled convenience, comfort, and a front-row seat to one of America’s most iconic fall events.

Located just minutes from Fair Park, home to the legendary State Fair of Texas, Sheraton Dallas offers guests one of the most convenient stays in the city. Guests can immerse themselves in all the excitement of the State Fair of Texas right at the heart of Downtown Dallas. The Stay and Play package includes overnight accommodations, $25 daily food & beverage credit, complimentary on-site parking for one vehicle each night, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Guests can park their car in Sheraton Dallas’ garage and avoid the hassle and cost of parking at the fair by hopping on the DART Rail. The Pearl/Arts District Station is just steps from the hotel, offering a direct ride to Fair Park. The train drops riders off right in front of one of the fair’s entrances, making it the most convenient, stress-free way to get to the State Fair.

Whether by rail or a short drive, Sheraton Dallas puts fairgoers just moments away from all the rides, games, and delicious fair foods. The Stay and Play at the State Fair of Texas Package is now available to book online using code MAJ for stay dates from September 26, 2025, to October 19, 2025.

“We’re excited to welcome guests to extend their State Fair of Texas experience beyond the gates,” says Chandana Weerasekara, Sheraton Dallas Hotel Manager. “Whether our guests are here to experience all things State Fair of Texas or want a taste of the festivities while they are staying in Dallas, we look forward to giving them a Big Texas welcome at Sheraton Dallas.”

The State Fair of Texas has been bringing people together from all walks of life to create lifelong memories since its establishment in 1886. Each year, Texans, and those eager to be Texan for a day, flock to the fair for unique fried creations, funnel cake beer, carnival games, thrilling rides, petting zoo, culture exhibits, livestock activities, one-of-a-kind shows including the car show and music artist performances, and more. The State Fair of Texas opens on September 26, 2025, and will be open daily until October 19, 2025.

True to the saying that everything is bigger in Texas, Sheraton Dallas stands as the state’s largest hotel and the second-largest Sheraton in the world. The hotel boasts 1,841 guest rooms, more than 230,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space, a rooftop pool, fitness center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and Peloton bikes, and four dining outlets: Draft Sports Bar & Lounge, Open Mkt. Grab ‘n Go, Open Palette, and The Parlor.

Open Palette serves fresh, flavorful American classics inspired by the hotel’s Dallas roots, including the newly launched house-smoked BBQ menu. Draft Sports Bar & Lounge is a 4,000-square-foot sports haven featuring 25 TVs, local beers on tap, outstanding eats, craft cocktails, and a private Karaoke Room available for rent. Open Mkt. Grab ‘n Go provides a wide selection of healthy foods and plenty of options for those on the go. The Parlor is an upscale, speakeasy-inspired lounge bar designed for intimate gatherings and special events.

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

For more information about the Sheraton Dallas, or to book a stay, visit www.SheratonDallas.com. For more information about events, contact the sales team at DALDHOutletmanagers@marriott.com or call 469-371-1486.