﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>Staff &amp; Reader Submitted</title><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter</link><description>Staff &amp; Reader Submitted</description><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352675621/CHILDRENS_AUDIOBOOK_REVIEW_RELATIVELY_NORMAL_SECRETS_FALINNHEIM_CHRONICLES_1_by_CW_Allen</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>CHILDREN'S AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: RELATIVELY NORMAL SECRETS (FALINNHEIM CHRONICLES, #1) by C.W. Allen</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Relatively Normal Secrets&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Falinnheim Chronicles, #1&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;C.W. Allen&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fast-paced and full of surprises, with engaging main child characters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Relatively Normal Secrets&lt;/i&gt; is the first book in author C.W. Allens delightful middle-grade fantasy series, &lt;i&gt;The Falinnheim Chronicles,&lt;/i&gt; and features two precocious and curious siblings, Zed and Tuesday Furst. Obsessed with their parents shadowy pasts that no amount of questioning seems to shed any light on, Zed and Tuesday decide to take the opportunity to search their house for clues when their parents leave for a short business trip. Instructed to head directly to a trusted neighbors home after school, the brother and sister decide to detour to their own home instead to put their plan in action. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Before they can even make a cursory look, two large, menacing men show up at the house and try to grab them and their pet dog, Nyx. With Nyxs intervention, they escape through the woods behind the house, where they are magically transported to another land called Falinnheim. Suspecting the evil men will soon be on their trail, they travel to the nearest town in hopes of finding a way to return home and reunite with their parents. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The two Furst siblings are fun, smart kids with engaging personalities and a talent for getting into trouble. Their questions about their parents pasts are relatable, and their parents deft deflection very mysterious. The various conspiracy theories and possible alternate lives the kids dream up to explain their parents reactions were wild and fun, and I loved how the two siblings worked together to find answers throughout the story. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The plot is fast-paced and full of surprises, with magical elements, bandits, an evil, tyrannical leader, and a dangerous resistance group in hiding. The children find direction in mysterious, altered nursery rhymes left for them along the path of their journey, and Nyx proves to be more than just a pet dog. The exciting cliffhanger ending left me anxious for the next book. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ivy Tara Blair ably narrates the audiobook and creates distinct voices for each character. I appreciated the clarity of her delivery and the variety and vocal nuances she used to create the impression of different speakers. I would be happy to listen to more of her narrations. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I recommend RELATIVELY NORMAL SECRETS to fans of middle-grade fantasy books.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For this and other reviews, visit by blog - &lt;a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/2026/04/12/book-review-relatively-normal-secrets-the-falinnheim-chronicles-1-by-c-w-allen/" target="_blank"&gt;Boys' Mom Reads!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564474073/relatively_normal_secrets.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352677533/CHILDRENS_BOOK_REVIEW_CHICKEN_FUN_by_Mary_Jo_Huff</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: CHICKEN FUN by Mary Jo Huff</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chicken Fun&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by Mary Jo Huff&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Illustrated by Wendy Fedan&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;For the chicken fan inside all of us.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Chicken Fun&lt;/i&gt; by Mary Jo Huff and illustrated by Wendy Fedan gives readers exactly what the title says: Chicken Fun, and that fun is for the cartoon chickens and readers as they smile their way through the ten chickens' antics. With bright colors, clever rhymes, and delightful drawings that magically portray the flock's energetic movements, readers of all ages will find something to enjoy. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Each set of pages highlights the activities of a pair of fluffy cartoon chickens, who could be dancing, munching on snacks, outrunning an aggressive bee, or even going on a date. Rhyming descriptions tell the story, which are punctuated by a funny "Bakk Baba Bakk Baba Bakk Bakk Bakk" refrain that, if delivered with gusto, will capture the attention and amusement of young listeners during a read-aloud. Rhyming, cadence, numbers, and counting are all there to build young ideas and reinforce familiarity with such concepts. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;My boys would have loved this book when they were small, and I would have been clucking and "Baba-Bakking" until I couldn't possibly have "baba-ed" out another "bakk" to save my life. I recommend CHICKEN FUN for reading aloud and sharing with the youngest readers and listeners among us at home, in the classroom, or in afterschool programs. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through &lt;a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/2026/04/10/book-tour-giveaway-chicken-fun-by-mary-jo-huff/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;RABT Book Tours and PR.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564146490/chicken_fun.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352677831/As_Texas_Home_Prices_Go_Up_It_Might_Be_a_Good_Time_to_Remodel</link><author>Culver Public Relations</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>As Texas Home Prices Go Up, It Might Be a Good Time to Remodel</title><description>&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;If youve been browsing real estate listings lately and felt your jaw drop, youre not alone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Home prices across Texas have started to level out, but they are still sitting higher than what most people would call a great deal. And while we all love an upgrade, paying more for less space is not exactly the dream when you are trying to find your next home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Here is the good news. You may not need to move at all to get the home you have been dreaming about.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Remodeling your current space&lt;/b&gt; can give you the lifestyle upgrade you want without bidding wars, packing boxes, or losing out to another offer at the last minute.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Lets break down why remodeling might be one of the smartest financial and emotional decisions you can make this year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Over the past few years, home prices across Texas have climbed significantly. Even with some recent cooling, buying a new home is still far more expensive than it was just a short time ago.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;When you combine higher interest rates, limited inventory, and strong competition, it creates a challenging environment for buyers. A home that might have cost $450,000 a few years ago could now be closer to $600,000, often with fewer updates or less space.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;That is not just frustrating. It can feel discouraging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Buying vs. remodeling: where does your money go?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;It is easy to assume moving is the best way to get what you want. But the &lt;b&gt;hidden costs&lt;/b&gt; add up quickly:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li dir="ltr"&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Closing costs, often 3 to 6 percent of the purchase price&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li dir="ltr"&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Real estate commissions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li dir="ltr"&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Moving expenses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li dir="ltr"&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Inspections and appraisals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li dir="ltr"&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Immediate repairs or updates in the new home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;And that does not even account for the emotional side of leaving a home filled with memories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;With remodeling, those same dollars go directly into your own space. Instead of spending tens of thousands just to move, you can invest in a kitchen you love, a bathroom that feels like a retreat, or storage that actually works for your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;When you buy a new home, there is almost always compromise. The layout may not flow quite right. The finishes may not match your style. You may find yourself planning renovations before you even unpack.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Remodeling flips that dynamic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;You choose the materials, the layout, and the details. You can create a kitchen that functions the way you cook, add storage where you need it, or design a space that truly reflects your style. It is about building a home that fits your life, not adjusting your life to fit the home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Remodeling is not just about how your home looks and feels today. It can also be a smart long-term investment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Updates like kitchen and bathroom renovations or opening up living spaces can increase your homes value and appeal. If you decide to sell in the future, buyers are often drawn to homes that feel updated and move-in ready.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;In a competitive market, that can make a meaningful difference.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Moving can be overwhelming. Between searching for the right home, handling paperwork, coordinating timelines, and physically relocating, it can quickly become exhausting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Remodeling is still a process, but it is one you can manage with the right team. You get to stay in the neighborhood you love, keep your daily routines, and avoid the disruption that comes with starting over somewhere new.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Instead of leaving behind what works, you improve what does not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;When compared to todays housing market and the cost of moving, &lt;a href="https://kitchendesignconcepts.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;b&gt;remodeling is often the more cost-effective choice.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564146990/image4-1.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:16:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352544143/Wipe_Out_Kids_Cancer_Secures_Major_Commitment_For_Pediatric_Cancer_Research</link><author>Mary Jane Coker</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Wipe Out Kids' Cancer Secures Major Commitment For Pediatric Cancer Research</title><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WIPE OUT KIDS CANCER SECURES MAJOR COMMITMENT FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH, UNLOCKING $4 MILLION IMPACT&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WOKC and the V Foundation for Cancer Research &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Partner to Eradicate Pediatric Cancer   &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Wipe Out Kids Cancer (WOKC) is partnering with the V Foundation for Cancer Research as WOKC celebrates its 45&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; anniversary gala on Saturday, April 25 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. The V Foundation is matching $2 million of WOKC gala proceeds to co-fund a total of $4 million in game-changing pediatric cancer research grants. Remaining funds raised from the gala will support WOKCs year-round programs, including its signature Buddy Bags and Warrior Family Program that provide activities and other much-needed support for kids with cancer and their families, many living under the poverty line. The partnership with the V Foundation underscores WOKCs continued impact in the pediatric cancer space as the non-profit organization prepares for its gala with the rallying call of Cancer Does NOT Define ME! as its theme. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The research commitment reflects what has set WOKC apart for 45 years: the organization supports children and families in the earliest, most overwhelming moments of a cancer diagnosis while also investing in innovative research that can change outcomes for future patients.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This $2 million matching opportunity is powerful not only because of its co-funding strength, but because of what $4 million represents in research discoveries for children and families facing pediatric cancer, said Cindy Brinker Simmons, founder of Wipe Out Kids Cancer. WOKC has always provided comfort and hope for the entire family through its multiple support programs while also relentlessly helping advance research that can lead to better treatments and brighter futures. This match allows WOKC to make an even greater impact in the fight against childhood cancer. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This partnership reflects a shared commitment to accelerating best-in-class research that drives real progress for children and their families battling cancer, said Roger Ferguson, Chief Marketing Officer at the V Foundation. Were proud to work alongside WOKC to fund the most promising scientists on the frontlines of pediatric cancer research. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;WOKCs 45&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; Anniversary Gala will be held with Tatiana and Peter Cancro serving as Honorary Chairs. Peter Cancro is the founder of Jersey Mikes Subs. Through the enormous generosity of the Cancros and Jersey Mikes since 2010, WOKC has been the recipient of over $6 million from them to further its critical mission to eradicate pediatric cancer. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation funds game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process overseen by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because an endowment covers administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. The V Foundation has granted more than $107 million toward innovative childhood cancer research through the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;About WOKC&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Founded in 1980, Wipe Out Kids Cancer offers 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. For more information on WOKC, follow on &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/WipeOutKidsCancer/)"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/wokc/"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://x.com/wipeoutkdscancr"&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt; or visit &lt;a href="http://wokc.org/"&gt;WOKC.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To learn more about WOKCs 45&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; Anniversary Gala, visit &lt;a href="https://www.wokc.org/gala"&gt;wokc.org/gala&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564146822/wokc_logo_standard-blk.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:04:12 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352541173/BOOK_REVIEW_EARLY_SNOW_GUY_HOGAN_MYSTERY_2_by_Kevin_Wolf</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: EARLY SNOW (GUY HOGAN MYSTERY, #2) by Kevin Wolf</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Early Snow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guy Hogan Mystery, #2&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kevin Wolf&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Intriguing and original mystery series with a paranormal twist!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Early Snow&lt;/i&gt; is the second book in author Kevin Wolf's refreshingly original &lt;i&gt;Guy Hogan Mystery&lt;/i&gt; series, where 1980s-set mysteries and suspense rub elbows with the paranormal. In this sophomore outing, Guy goes to work with his old friend, Dalton Cummings, now retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service, who has started his own security business. Their task is to keep watch over a weekend art auction at an historic hotel in Estes Park. But as the art prepares to move in, a massive snowstorm hits, and Guy, Dalton, hotel staff, and guests must hunker down, snowed in and without power. But as ghost stories about the hotel are passed around, those stranded there, including Guy himself, start seeing things that hint they are not alone. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Guy Hogan is such a relatable character, a widower still adjusting to life without his Jenny, he's kind and considerate, and trying to help Dalton with his new, post-retirement gig. While Dalton is definitely in charge of the job, he has his limitations when it comes to dealing with the public, especially the ladies, and those tasks fall to Guy. As the guests were still arriving for the weekend when the storm hit, the big-name celebrities expected to bid at the auction had gradually canceled, so at least they weren't having to deal with that extra bit of distraction. However, I loved reading the "Who's Who" of early 80s celebs mentioned in the story. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The mood is deliciously creepy and was kicked off by early arrivals taking a ghost tour of the hotel, heightened by loss of power, and galvanized by the ghost stories shared around the lobby fireplace the first night by the in-house tour guide and professional storyteller. The ghost stories, the heavy, falling snow, the extreme cold, the dark, and the sudden isolation due to the storm all contribute to a brooding, expectant atmosphere and building suspense. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The story moves steadily onward with the frightening sightings of child ghosts from days gone by; the hotel had been a happy, memorable setting for these children when they were living. But as Guy, the story's narrator, doesn't believe in ghosts, he is thoroughly thrown off, wondering if what he's seeing is real. The murder is sudden and surprising, with much mystery surrounding it from the very beginning. The reader is kept in suspense for quite a bit before the identity of the deceased is revealed, while we hear accusations immediately regarding who the murderer is. The resolution, while probably closer to what happens in real life than most mystery novels, leaves everyone with questions. However, Guy may have finally found someone he can start spending some time with, other than Zac, his beagle, and that's a good thing. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I recommend EARLY SNOW to fans of mystery and suspense stories with a ghostly touch. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through &lt;a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/book-tour-giveaway-early-snow-guy-hogan-mystery-2-by-kevin-wolf/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;RABT Book Tours and PR.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564145304/early_snow_mock-up.png?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:47:51 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352546454/Festival_of_Joy_to_feature_parade_free_feast_live_music_and_more_April_18_at_Klyde_Warren_Park</link><author>Taylor Mayad</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Festival of Joy to feature parade, free feast, live music and more April 18 at Klyde Warren Park</title><description>&lt;p&gt;A kaleidoscope of colors, flowers, music, dancing and more will transform Klyde Warren Park as the seventh-annual &lt;a href="http://festivalofjoydallas.org"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Festival of Joy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; returns Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m.9 p.m. Inspired by a global Indian tradition now celebrated in cities around the world, the free family-friendly event kicks off with a vibrant parade and ceremonial chariot pull followed by a day of childrens activities and crafts, yoga, wellness activities, performances, face painting, henna and more. Presented by the popular East Dallas restaurant &lt;b&gt;Kalachandjis&lt;/b&gt;,&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;the &lt;b&gt;Festival of Joy &lt;/b&gt;will feature a free vegetarian feast at 5 p.m. and culminate with a soulful concert by returning headliner The Mayapuris at 7 p.m. as the sun sets in the heart of the city. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Festival of Joy is rooted in tradition, but at its heart, its about bringing people together, said Nityananda Das Adhikari of the Radha Kalachandji Temple. Each year, thousands of North Texans come together to enjoy music, culture and great food. Its a celebration where everyone is welcome and invited to take part.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; At 11 a.m., a welcome ceremony with dancing and drumming gets underway at Klyde Warren Park, followed by the &lt;b&gt;Great Chariot Pull Parade &lt;/b&gt;at noon as hundreds of neighbors grab long ropes to pull a colorful, towering chariot through the Dallas Arts District. New this year, attendees can participate by waving vibrant silk joy wands to create a mesmerizing sea of color in what is being called the "Ribbon Wave." &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; After the procession returns at 1 p.m., guests can enjoy live stage entertainment, browse a bazaar with colorful attire and unique gifts, try on a sari or turban, and explore holistic and healthy living exhibits. From Ayurveda and yoga to traditional crafts, 360-degree photo booths, ask-a-monk sessions, mehndi (henna) and more, attendees can discover a range of rich cultural offerings. Throughout the day, families can enjoy arts and crafts, face painting and decorative gopi dots at the Kids Zone.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; At the Street Foods corner, foodies can sample and savor popular Indian snacks such as samosas, masala dosa, channa bhatura and vada pav, along with sweet treats like jalebi and crowd-favorite vegan brownies. The free vegetarian feast offers visitors a taste of the famous Kalachandjis with dishes such as vegetable pilaf, mixed bean curry, mixed vegetable curry, crispy fryums and a pineapple coconut halvah dessert.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; At 7 p.m., &lt;b&gt;The Mayapuris &lt;/b&gt; a U.S.-based kirtan music group  take the stage for a high-energy concert blending Bhakti beats with uplifting global music. Having toured across six continents with big names like Moby and MC Yogi, the group brings an infectious energy whose soul-stirring melodies bring crowds onto their feet. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; The Festival of Joy, also celebrated as Ratha Yatra or Festival of Chariots, has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years, making it the worlds longest-running street festival. It is held in cities across the U.S. and major cultural hubs worldwide, including New York Citys Fifth Avenue and Londons Piccadilly Circus. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Admission is free. Klyde Warren Park is located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas. Paid parking is available in nearby lots. Ride sharing is recommended. For more information and the latest updates, go to &lt;a href="https://festivalofjoydallas.org/"&gt;festivalofjoydallas.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142671/4c1a1678.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142542/4c1a1595.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142514/festival_of_joy_18.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142564/282147827_668146027618853_1398606609972314202_n.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142553/parade_4.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142592/4c1a2022.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142503/4c1a1865.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564142520/henna2.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:48:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352685521/Job_Search_Workshop_in_Allen_Integrates_Proven_Career_Strategies_with_Emerging_Technoligies</link><author>Martha Jane Brounoff</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Job Search Workshop in Allen Integrates Proven Career Strategies with Emerging Technoligies</title><description>&lt;p&gt;The St. Jude Career Alliance, a faith-based ministry that offers hope, guidance, and practical tools for job seekers, will offer its next quarterly job search workshop on &lt;b&gt;Saturday, April 18, 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 North Greenville Avenue in Allen, TX  75002&lt;/b&gt;.  Titled &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Empowering Your Career Journey, One Step at a Time&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, this workshop reflects the post-Pandemic changes in the job search market while incorporating emerging technologies such as AI to refine parameters and identify new opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Empowering Your Career Journey, One Step at a Time&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; workshop will integrate interactive exercises such as S.T.A.R (Situation. Task. Action. Result.) stories, targeting specific companies, and crafting a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to enable attendees to differentiate themselves from competitors. Attendees are encouraged to network during breaks and practice skills learned during the sessions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This workshop is ideal for:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;People who are unemployed and want an effective job search process.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;People who want to get back into the job market after an extended career break. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;People who are looking to do a career shift but are not sure just where to begin.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; People who are recent graduates and are looking to land their first job.  &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Parties interested in participating in this job search workshop &lt;b&gt;will need to register online and pay a $25&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;fee.&lt;/b&gt; The fee will cover the cost of a presentation booklet, as well as lunch, drinks, and snacks. Registered attendees also need to bring&lt;b&gt; a printed copy of their resume &lt;/b&gt;to the workshop&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;In addition, they need to&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;download &lt;b&gt;the Free Version of ChatGPT, the AI chatbot for everyday use, &lt;/b&gt;on their cell phones&lt;b&gt;.  &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The link for Online Registration appears below: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://osvhub.com/stjudeparish/forms/career-alliance-quarterly-workshop-04-18-26"&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://osvhub.com/stjudeparish/forms/career-alliance-quarterly-workshop-04-18-26&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This link connects to a registration form that includes a payment button. Registration forms cannot be submitted until payment is made.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The April 18 comprehensive job search workshop will take place in the Lecture Hall on the St. Jude parish campus. &lt;/b&gt;Participants should park in the northeast parking lot on Greenville Avenue, enter through the church office doors, and follow the signs inside to the Lecture Hall location. This event is open to all job seekers, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or age. Everyone is welcome!  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; T&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;he upcoming 2026 St. Jude Career job search workshops will be held:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;3Q2026 Saturday, August 1, 2026&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;4Q2026 Saturday, October 17, 2026&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit the St. Jude Career Alliance website at &lt;a href="https://stjudecareeralliance.com/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://stjudecareeralliance.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Email &lt;a href="mailto:careeralliance@stjudeparish.com"&gt;&lt;b&gt;careeralliance@stjudeparish.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Call the St. Jude parish office at &lt;b&gt;972-727-1177&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt; &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt; &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564455370/sjca_png_horizontal_flyer_apr_2026.png?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352675711/Free_Oral_Cancer_Screenings_in_Dallas_and_Prosper</link><author>Krista Simmons</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Free Oral Cancer Screenings in Dallas and Prosper</title><description>&lt;p&gt;In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, two local oral surgery practices will offer free oral cancer screenings. They will be available:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;April 15 from 2 to 5 pm at Metroplex Surgical Arts  7988 W. Virginia Dr., Suite 200, Dallas, Texas, 75237&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;April 16 from 11 am to 1 pm at Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas (OSANT)  540 W. Frontier Parkway, Suite 100, Prosper, Texas 75078.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To participate, arrive at either clinic during its designated date and times, and ask for a free cancer screening. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head &amp; Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;April is widely recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics and screenings. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer  with 13,150 deaths attributed to it  in 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The good news is oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head &amp; Neck Cancer Foundation. Thats why screenings like this are important, said Howard F. Cooke, DMD, MS, MBA, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with Metroplex Surgical Arts. For most patients, we recommend yearly screenings by a qualified healthcare professional as well as monthly self-exams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;OSANTs Phillip Newton, DDS, MD, also recommends yearly screenings and monthly self-examinations to most patients. For monthly self-examinations, he recommends using a bring light and mirror to look for anything out of the ordinary, such as lumps, swelling, bleeding, white or red patches, or sores that wont heal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you find anything out of the ordinary, get it checked out as soon as possible, said Dr. Newton. Dont wait until youre in pain because you might not feel pain during the initial stages. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the CDC, some additional symptoms to watch for include difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking and chewing or swallowing food.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 64 and that one in five cases occur in people younger than 55. Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, nutrition, mouth/face injuries, oral hygiene and certain medical conditions/diseases.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Located in Dallas, Metroplex Surgical Arts is a full scope oral and maxillofacial surgery practice led by Dr. Cooke, who is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the highest credential that can be obtained in the specialty, according to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Dr. Newton is also a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He leads OSANTs Prosper clinic. OSANT has locations in Dallas, Allen, Plano, Cedar Hill, Rowlett, McKinney and Prosper.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564471693/dr-cooke-headshot.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352679131/BOOK_REVIEW_AGATHA_CHRISTIE_SHE_WATCHED_by_Teresa_Peschel</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: AGATHA CHRISTIE, SHE WATCHED by Teresa Peschel</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Agatha Christie, She Watched&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Teresa Peschel&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Comprehensive guide with fantastic, down-to-Earth reviews and commentary.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Billed as the only comprehensive guide to Agatha Christie movies, &lt;i&gt;Agatha Christie, She Watched,&lt;/i&gt; is truly the only one needed. It provides everything you need to know to hunt down and enjoy the over 200 film adaptations of the world's bestselling author's works. Full of insightful reviews, the guide also provides quick visuals and graphic indicators of the quality of each film entry as well as how closely the result adheres to the original source materials: Christie's books, stories, and plays. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Like many mystery readers, I am a fan of Christie's work, having come across her books as a pre-teen and early in my mystery-reading hobby, especially enjoying the longer series featuring Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. Yet, I've seen very few of the literally hundreds of film adaptations, not that I didn't want to! I loved how the book is organized, so even someone new to this massive field like myself can weed through the volume and start with those I would probably enjoy the most: first, by the Christie detective in the film, and secondly, in order of the films' release dates. However, I simply enjoyed reading through the two-page layouts for each film, which not only gave an overview of the film but also which book, story, or play provided its inspiration and how the plots differed. I loved how the author included real-life facts related to the film, such as the addition of the character Jim Stringer to the Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford. The character was played by Stringer Davis, Rutherford's real-life husband. The author also examines how changes to the script affected how well the movie worked compared to the original source material; some didn't fare so well. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Each film's pages list the cast members and photos of six of the more prominent characters. I was surprised to see how many well-known actors appeared in Agatha Christie adaptations, especially before they had attained their celebrity. Other surprises for me included the number of films with all-star casts and the number of times Peter Ustinov and David Suchet portrayed Poirot. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With its amazing number of interesting facts, down-to-Earth commentary, and its comprehensive and very useful index, I highly recommend AGATHA CHRISTIE, SHE WATCHED to Agatha Christie fans wanting to experience the film adaptations of her works. (For those really wanting to experience the full cinematic scope of Christie's works, the author has also released an international edition of AGATHA CHRISTIE, SHE WATCHED, which highlights foreign (non-UK/US) films and subtitled "How The World's Best-selling Author Is Seen By Audiences In China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Sweden, and Thailand" (and others.) &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through &lt;a href="https://guatemalapaula.blogspot.com/2026/04/virtual-book-tour-giveaway-agatha.html" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564471014/agatha-christie-she-watched-by-teresa-peschel--sm-3dimages-sq.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:47:47 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352670110/Texas_Womens_Foundation_Honors_High_Tech_Rising_with_Special_Recognition_Award_on_April_29th</link><author>Juliette DC</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Texas Womens Foundation Honors High Tech Rising with Special Recognition Award on April 29th</title><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://txwf.org/"&gt;Texas Womens Foundation&lt;/a&gt; (TXWF) has announced that High Tech Rising (formerly High Tech High Heels), a nonprofit incubated at Texas Womens Foundation 25 years ago, will receive its Special Recognition Award at the upcoming 2026 Leadership Forum &amp; Awards Celebration on April 29.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;High Tech Rising is dedicated to achieving equitable representation for women in the STEM workforce, creating pathways for women to achieve economic, security, stability and success in alignment with TXWFs mission.   &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Karen Hughes White&lt;/b&gt;, Texas Womens Foundation president and CEO, said, We are so proud to celebrate High Tech Rising. What began as a quiet movement led by The Women of TI in 2001 has become a regional force for good, with more than $2 million awarded in scholarships and support for girls in STEM. High Tech Rising is building the next generation of leaders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Laura Steffek&lt;/b&gt;, president of High Tech Rising, said, Texas Womens Foundations Special Recognition Award is a powerful milestone as High Tech Rising embarks on our next chapter. Twenty-five years ago, we began as a small group of colleagues at Texas Instruments who saw a critical gap in the STEM pipeline and formed High-Tech High Heels to help solve it. Every young woman deserves the opportunity to pursue the STEM career of her choice, limited only by her talent, aspiration and willingness to do the work. Not all girls have that opportunity today&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt; This award belongs to the pioneers who started this journey in 2001, the hundreds of board members and volunteers who have fueled our growth, and most importantly, the 89,000+ young women we have served.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In addition to honoring High Tech Rising at the 2026 Leadership Forum &amp; Awards Celebration, TXWF will honor seven outstanding women:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Five Maura Women Helping Women Award honorees:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrahunterjohnson/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Debra Hunter Johnson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; Reciprocity Consulting Group, CEO&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-bizor-tolbert-5843b9142"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kimberly Bizor Tolbert&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; City of Dallas, City Manager&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/margie-aguilar-015a2310/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Margie Aguilar&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; ISP Creative, Company Lead&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-martinez-hickman-phd/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Olga Martinez Hickman, Ph.D&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt; Bachman Lake Together, Executive Director&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thear-sy-suzuki/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thear Suzuki&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; EY, Retired, Global Client Service Partner&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="paragraph"&gt;And two Young Leader Award honorees:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-valentine/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Amanda Valentine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; Memorial Hermann Health System, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/prismagarcia/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prisma Y. Garcia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt; Pizza Hut US, Associate Manager of BOOK IT!&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sponsorships, ticket packages and tickets are available for purchase: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.txwf.org/leadership"&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.txwf.org/leadership&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;. Forum information: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/lfac-award-leadership-forums/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/lfac-award-leadership-forums/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Texas Womens Foundation: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Texas Womens Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year to help eliminate the barriers to womens economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women, their families and their futures, and another $25 million in research, advocacy and educational programs for a total impact of $115 million over the last 40 years. As TXWF prepares for its next 40 years, the organizations vision for a strong and vibrant Texas for all will remain at the forefront of its work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;TXWFs targeted research into the issues impacting the economic security of Texas women and families will continue to guide its work. The biannual Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report also provides corporate and community leaders, and state and local lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. In addition, Texas Womens Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets  endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds  in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits that align with its mission. For more information, visit &lt;a href="http://www.txwf.org"&gt;www.txwf.org&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/texaswomensfdn/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/texaswomensfdn"&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/925808/admin/"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/texaswomensfdn/"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="https://www.txwf.co/donate-now"&gt;donate now&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;About High Tech Rising:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Founded in 2001 by a group of women at Texas Instruments, High Tech Rising (formerly High Tech High Heels) is a volunteer-led non-profit dedicated to increasing the number of young women pursuing degrees and careers in STEM. Through strategic grants, partnerships, and volunteer engagement, High Tech Rising works to ensure that every young woman has the confidence to pursue a STEM career, limited only by her talents, efforts, and aspirations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, visit:&lt;a href="http://hightechrising.org"&gt;hightechrising.org&lt;/a&gt;    &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564475451/202507-volunteering-community-service_.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564475401/ohsnap-program_image_fit.jpeg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564475484/ohsnap-feature_image.jpeg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564475473/ohsnap-girls.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:31:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352670851/El_Da_de_los_NiosEl_Da_de_los_Libros</link><author>Donna Miller</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros</title><description>&lt;p class="isSelectedEnd"&gt;The Hughes Family Tribute Center will present its second annual &lt;em&gt;El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros&lt;/em&gt; on Sunday, April 19, 2026. This special celebration honors children and families with a joyful day of community activities, including free childrens books, roses, music, refreshments, games, storytelling, face painting, and family art activities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="isSelectedEnd"&gt;The event is free and open to the public.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Each child in attendance will receive a complimentary hardcover book, with a choice between &lt;em&gt;Paletero Man&lt;/em&gt; by Lucky Diaz and Micah Player or &lt;em&gt;Milo + Niko&lt;/em&gt; by D. Guzmán.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564470041/poster_dia_del_nino_copy_1_page_2.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564470013/poster_dia_del_nino_copy_1_page_1.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564470063/paletero_man_by_lucky_diaz.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564470052/bounce_house_-_ninos_2025.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:26:26 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352672544/Susser_Bank_has_appointed_Jamie_Kile_as_Senior_Vice_President_Treasury_Management_Solutions_Officer</link><author>Carolyn Alvey</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Susser Bank has appointed Jamie Kile as Senior Vice President, Treasury Management Solutions Officer</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Susser Bank has appointed Jamie Kile as Senior Vice President, Treasury Management Solutions Officer, a strategic addition to its Dallas team located at the new Old Parkland East Campus. In her role, Kile will work closely with commercial clients, helping businesses optimize cash flow, manage payments, enhance liquidity, and mitigate financial risks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With more than 25 years of experience in banking and treasury management, Kile brings a wealth of expertise to Dallas-area companies. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jamie brings a rare combination of deep treasury management expertise and a proven ability to build strong, trusted relationships with commercial clients, said Carl Cravens, President and Chief Banking Officer of Susser Bank. Her appointment strengthens our Dallas teams capacity to provide strategic solutions that help businesses optimize operations, manage risk effectively, and pursue growth with confidence. She is a resource our clients can rely on for guidance on complex financial challenges."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kiles role is designed to make Susser Bank a go-to partner for Dallas businesses navigating the complexities of treasury management. She will work closely with clients to tailor solutions to their specific needs, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Beyond her professional work, Kile is an advocate for financial literacy and community engagement. She partners with Youth with Faces, a Dallas-based nonprofit supporting at-risk youth across Dallas and Collin counties, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening local communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Susser Bank is a Texas-based company, founded in 1959, offering a full suite of personal and commercial banking solutions with offices across Texas  Dallas, Arlington, Austin, Bedford, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Plano, Round Rock and San Antonio. The company is a diversified bank with robust capital, liquidity, and leading-edge technology led by the Susser family and a legacy of six generations of Texas entrepreneurs. Susser Bank is dedicated to building long-term client relationships and providing outstanding financial solutions that make Texas stronger. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;More information is available at &lt;a href="http://www.susserbank.com/"&gt;susserbank.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564478634/jamie_kile.png?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:52:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352672702/Wipe_Out_Kids_Cancer_to_Host_45th_Anniversary_Gala</link><author>Carolyn Alvey</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Wipe Out Kids' Cancer to Host 45th Anniversary Gala</title><description>&lt;p&gt;With the bold theme &lt;b&gt;Cancer Does NOT Define ME!, &lt;/b&gt;Wipe Out Kids Cancer (WOKC) will host its 45&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 25, at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas in support of children battling cancer and the families who stand beside them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For 45 years, WOKC has worked to bring comfort, hope, and meaningful support to children facing pediatric cancer, affectionately called WOKC Warriors. The organizations Buddy Bag and Warrior Family programs and its relentless efforts to fund pediatric cancer research are designed to help families and to remind every child a diagnosis does not define who they are.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Everything we do is for these courageous and heroic kids, exclaimed Cindy Brinker Simmons, founder of Wipe Out Kids Cancer. From the initial diagnosis, we meet children and their families at their point of need. Working with childrens hospitals, we provide Buddy Bags filled with essentials designed to bring comfort, hope and a modicum of normalcy to the child and their parents  every Buddy Bag contains an iPad to allow the child to communicate with family, friends, and their school while hospitalized and homebound. Perhaps one of WOKCs Warriors will someday unlock the mystery of childhood cancer. These mighty kids do not let cancer define them! &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jersey Mikes founder Peter Cancro and his wife, Tatiana, are serving as Honorary Chairs for the milestone evening. Their generous underwriting of the gala allows all proceeds raised that evening to directly support WOKCs mission and to fund novel, innovative pediatric cancer research.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cancros life changed at age 17, when he gave up a potential college football career to purchase a small sub shop, Mikes Subs, in his hometown of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. That shop became Jersey Mikes, now one of the top fastest-growing food franchises and fast-casual restaurant chains in America. Under his leadership, Jersey Mikes launched its popular Month of Giving in 2011, a philanthropic initiative that has generated $143 million for more than 200 charities nationwide through 2025, including $5 million for WOKC during those years. Although Cancro sold Jersey Mikes in 2025, he remains a shareholder and now serves as Chairman of the Board.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Award-winning ESPN and ABC Sports broadcaster Holly Rowe will serve as master of ceremonies. A five-time Emmy Award winner and recipient of the 2023 Curt Gowdy Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Rowe has spent more than 30 years covering college sports, the WNBA, and other major events for ESPN and ABC Sports. After her own battle with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, she has become a passionate advocate for cancer research and prevention.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cindy Brinker Simmons and Karee Sampson are serving as Gala Co-Chairs, helping bring the community together in support of WOKCs mighty Warriors and the organizations work to fund research and care for families facing pediatric cancer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Founded in 1980, Wipe Out Kids Cancer offers 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. For more information on WOKC, follow on &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/WipeOutKidsCancer/)"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/wokc/"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://x.com/wipeoutkdscancr"&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt;or visit &lt;a href="http://wokc.org/"&gt;WOKC.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To learn more about WOKCs 45&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; Anniversary Gala, visit &lt;a href="https://www.wokc.org/gala"&gt;wokc.org/gala&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:30:33 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352678062/BOOK_REVIEW_MURDER_ON_SITE_RIZK_BROTHERS_LEGAL_MYSTERIES_1_by_TG_Wolff</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: MURDER ON SITE (RIZK BROTHERS LEGAL MYSTERIES, #1) by T.G. Wolff</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;Murder On Site&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries, #1&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;TG Wolff&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Great characters and an intriguing murder mystery land this book on my list of top books of the year!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Murder On Site&lt;/i&gt; is the first book in veteran author TG Wolff's new &lt;i&gt;Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries&lt;/i&gt; series, and I couldn't imagine a better start. With a host of great characters working together to solve a baffling murder, I happily read this book in one sitting, riveted to its pages. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The main characters, the titular Rizk brothers, Jakob and Seth, are twins and, though physically alike, personality-wise are as different as night and day. However, both are called to lives of service, Jakob as a prosecuting attorney and currently the interim attorney general for the state of Indiana, and Seth, a Miami police detective, back home in Indianapolis for the funeral of Harrison Stanley, the previous AG and a father figure to the brothers, especially Jakob. Harry had died while he and Jakob were playing golf, and Jakob was really struggling with his sudden passing. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jakob assumes the position of interim AG at the governor's behest until a new one can be elected, and he faces intra-departmental competition and sabotage from his former supervisor, Jessica Hartley, and a state senator who's in her corner. As Jakob settles in, a former colleague calls for advice on a difficult case. The family of a woman whose body was found on the construction jobsite where she worked as an inspector is pressuring his office to charge the only suspect in her murder immediately. The case against the man is extremely weak, with little evidence truly tying him to the murder. Unfortunately, the family is politically connected to the same state senator already causing Jakob grief. Jakob needs help to find the killer and find them fast, so he turns to Seth, who has his own struggles, personal and professional, he needs to face back in Miami. Together, they function like a machine as they conduct a solid investigation. With few clues to start with, it is up to Seth to open new, productive lines of inquiry and, perhaps, prompt some forgotten observations or answers to previously unasked questions from potential witnesses. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The plot is well-paced, with details of the case, the twins' backstories, and other exposition seamlessly woven into the narrative. While the subject, a tragic murder, is serious, the author works quite a bit of humor into the story through dialogue. I laughed out loud several times at snarky comments, clever comebacks, and even at attorney Andrew Rosenfelt's name. Having worked in a city engineering department for almost two decades, I found the construction elements relatable and familiar, and the setting perfect for intrigue. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I recommend MURDER ON SITE to readers of mysteries, especially those who enjoy a legal or construction setting. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through &lt;a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/2026/04/04/virtual-book-tour-giveaway-murder-on-site-rizk-brothers-legal-mysteries-1-by-tg-wolff/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564473404/murder-on-site-by-tg-wolff-sm-3dimages-sq.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:20:48 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352673602/A_Day_on_the_Course_A_Lasting_Impact_Wingman_Open_Returns_to_Fort_Worth</link><author>Culver Public Relations</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>A Day on the Course, A Lasting Impact: Wingman Open Returns to Fort Worth</title><description>&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;If youre looking for a meaningful way to spend a spring day outdoors, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://northtexas.foldsofhonor.org/"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Folds of Honor  North Texas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; has one of those events that truly delivers, both on experience and impact.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;On Monday, April 13, Folds of Honor North Texas will host the 2026 Wingman Open at Ridglea Country Club. Organized by the Fort Worth Board of Directors, the event brings together community members, supporters, and local leaders for a full day of golf, connection, and purpose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;The Wingman Open is designed to be more than a traditional golf tournament. While participants will enjoy 18 holes on one of Fort Worths well-known courses, the day also includes dinner, live music, an auction, and guest speakers. It is a chance to gather, reflect, and contribute to a mission that has a direct impact in North Texas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Proceeds from the event support educational scholarships for the spouses and children of Americas fallen and disabled service members and first responders. For many families, these scholarships provide critical access to educational opportunities and help ease the long-term impact of service and sacrifice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;The day begins with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 10:00 a.m. start. Programming continues through the afternoon and into the evening, concluding around 6:00 p.m. with dinner and entertainment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Whether you are an avid golfer or simply interested in supporting the cause, the Wingman Open offers several ways to get involved. Attendees can register as players, form teams, or explore sponsorship opportunities to further support the mission.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;To learn more or register, visit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://northtexas.foldsofhonor.org/event/2026-wingman-open/"&gt;&lt;span&gt;https://northtexas.foldsofhonor.org/event/2026-wingman-open/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; or email &lt;a href="mailto:mscott@foldsofhonor.org"&gt;mscott@foldsofhonor.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Events like the Wingman Open highlight the strength of the North Texas community and its ongoing commitment to honoring and supporting those who have served.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:18:12 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352671122/Dwell_with_Dignity_Announces_Return_of_The_STUDIO_Formerly_Thrift_Studio_Presented_by_Amazon</link><author>Juliette DC</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Dwell with Dignity Announces Return of The STUDIO (Formerly Thrift Studio), Presented by Amazon</title><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dwellwithdignity.org/"&gt;Dwell with Dignity&lt;/a&gt; announces the return of &lt;strong&gt;The STUDIO (formerly Thrift Studio), presented by Amazon&lt;/strong&gt;, the organizations flagship annual fundraiser and a longstanding spring event within Dallas design and philanthropic communities. The VIP Party is April 9 (ticketed) and the shopping extravaganza, which is free and open to the public, is April 10 to May 9.  &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Launched in September 2011, The STUDIO is now in its 15th year, marking a milestone moment in the events evolution and continued impact across North Texas.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Since its inception, the event has grown into a highly anticipated event, bringing together interior designers, showrooms, retailers, corporate partners and supporters to generate critical funding for Dwell with Dignitys home transformation work across Dallas. The STUDIO provides approximately one-third of the organizations annual operating revenue.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Formerly known as Thrift Studio, the updated name reflects the continued evolution and maturity of the event. As designer participation and community engagement have expanded over the years, The STUDIO aligns with the caliber of the experience and the design-forward presentation the event has become known for.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;The STUDIO is a high-end pop-up shop featuring donated and purchased furniture, housewares, accessories, artwork and designer finds sold at significant discounts, with &lt;strong&gt;100 percent of proceeds benefiting Dwell with Dignitys mission&lt;/strong&gt;. The space is transformed into fully styled one-of-a-kind room vignettes by leading local designers, creating an immersive shopping environment that blends design, retail and philanthropy.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Each year, The STUDIO features a new roster of designers. The 2026 lineup includes nationally recognized and Dallas-based firms whose work spans residential, hospitality and showhouse projects: &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ashleighgraberdesign.com/"&gt;Ashleigh Graber Design&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.grahaminteriors.co/"&gt;Graham + Co Interiors | Sarah Graham&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Living Luxury Lab by &lt;a href="https://www.mxdinteriors.com/"&gt;MxD Interiors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rocoandxander.com/"&gt;Roco and Xander by Amara Home Designs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.studio11design.com/"&gt;Studio 11 Design&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://studiothomasjames.com/"&gt;Studio Thomas James&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://yatesdesygn.com/"&gt;Yates Desygn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;The 2026 event is chaired by &lt;strong&gt;Jean Liu, Jean Liu Design&lt;/strong&gt;, with &lt;strong&gt;Art Chair Kendall Bardin.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;The STUDIO is our flagship fundraiser and a critical driver of our mission to transform lives through design, said &lt;strong&gt;Teresa Charnock, executive director of Dwell with Dignity&lt;/strong&gt;. Dwell with Dignity provides families with renovated fully furnished home interiors that give stability, support and comfort to empower them to lead their best lives in a beautiful environment. When someone shops at The STUDIO, they are directly supporting that work.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Amazon returns as Presenting Sponsor of The STUDIO. Since Amazon became presenting sponsor, the partnership has helped generate more than $1.5 million in merchandise sales, providing life-changing home transformations for 72 families and redesigning 21 community spaces into inspiring, functional environments that serve thousands.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;"At Amazon, we invest in organizations that create lasting solutions for families in our community," said &lt;strong&gt;Vickie Yakunin, Amazons head of community engagement in Texas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;"Through our continued partnership with Dwell with Dignity and The STUDIO, we're supporting their work to create thoughtfully designed spaces that foster stability and long-term opportunity for families across Dallas."&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EVENT DETAILS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;VIP Premiere Party&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Thursday, April 9, 2026&lt;br /&gt;6  9 p.m.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;VIP early access: 6 p.m.  7 p.m.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;General admission: 7 p.m.  9 p.m.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ticketed event | Limited capacity&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;General Admission: $200&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;VIP: $300&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Host Committee: $350&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Purchase tickets &lt;a href="https://www.dwellwithdignity.org/pages/thrift-studio-tickets"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;The Premiere Party serves as the exclusive kickoff to the month-long pop-up, drawing industry leaders from Dallas design, business and philanthropic communities.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Open to the Public Pop-Up&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;April 10  May 9, 2026&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tuesday  Saturday&lt;br /&gt;10 a.m.  5 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;Free admission&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Location:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1833 E. Levee St.&lt;br /&gt;Dallas, TX 75207&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Following the Premiere Party, The STUDIO opens to the public for four weeks, offering access to designer-created installations and one-of-a-kind pieces available for purchase at significant discounts.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ABOUT THE STUDIO&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;The STUDIO (formerly Thrift Studio) is Dwell with Dignitys flagship fundraising event. Now in its 15&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; year, the month-long pop-up features designer-created vignettes showcasing donated home furnishings, décor and artwork available for purchase at significant discounts. The STUDIO supports Dwell with Dignitys mission to create fully furnished homes and community spaces for families across Dallas.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ABOUT DWELL WITH DIGNITY&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Founded in 2009, &lt;a href="http://www.dwellwithdignity.org/"&gt;Dwell with Dignity&lt;/a&gt; is a Dallas-based nonprofit with a mission to transform lives through design. By providing and installing interiors for family homes and community spaces for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, the transformations inspire people to lead their best lives and thrive in a safe, functional and beautiful environment. Dwell with Dignity has completed more than 285 home design projects and 55 community spaces, and in 2025 the organization served more than 3,000 people through its home and community projects. The nonprofit is backed by the support of over 100 designers, 1,100 dedicated volunteers and 150 sponsors and donors. &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564433141/1aaron-dougherty-photography-062926-001.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:17:59 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352637393/BOOK_REVIEW_THE_LAST_PERFECT_SUMMER_by_Karla_Stover</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: THE LAST PERFECT SUMMER by Karla Stover</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Last Perfect Summer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Karla Stover&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;As the country gears up for war, changes come quickly to small-town America.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Last Perfect Summer&lt;/i&gt; by Karla Stover is a close-up view of an earlier time as war comes to a fast-changing America. Louise Tanquist, the adopted daughter of a successful Tacoma modiste, is building her own life and following her dreams of opening a photography studio by working for and learning all she can from the owner of a local business. But as the war that will become known as World War I gains momentum, life speeds up, new technologies and innovations are everywhere, and Louise is swept up in the changes and what they bring to her life and hometown. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Louise is an engaging, truly likable heroine, with solid hopes and plans to achieve them. A thoroughly modern young woman, she is involved in her community and the efforts to assist in the ongoing European war when President Wilson announces the United States is joining the fray. Life, as she knows it, is about to change forever. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The plot moves steadily forward as tragedy visits. The authors attention to detail, physical and emotional, and the historical reconstruction of the time and place is an absolute marvel as the story is dotted with real people and actual places  an absorbing and satisfying creation of historical fiction. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I recommend THE LAST PERFECT SUMMER to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in pre-World War I America and the early Pacific Northwest. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through &lt;a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/2026/03/24/review-tour-giveaway-the-last-perfect-summer-by-karla-stover/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564432033/bookcover_lastperfectsummer-stover.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:47:45 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352674401/Managing_Stress_for_Better_Health_with_CRMC</link><author>Liz McGathey</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Managing Stress for Better Health with CRMC</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Everyone can experience stress  its a natural physical and emotional response to lifes challenges. Whether related to school, work, money, or relationships, stress can sometimes help us stay focused and problem-solve effectively. However, when stress becomes long-term, it can take a toll on both your physical and mental health.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When Stress Becomes a Concern&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chronic stress, or stress that persists over time, can contribute to a range of health issues. Recognizing the signs early is an important step toward protecting your well-being. According to the CDC, common effects of stress may include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, or frustration&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Changes in appetite, energy levels, and interests&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Difficulty concentrating or making decisions&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, or stomach problems&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Worsening of existing health or mental health conditions&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Increased reliance on alcohol or other substances&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Effective Ways to Manage Stress&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Incorporating simple, healthy habits into your routine can make a meaningful difference in how you respond to stress. Try these physical and mental techniques to help reduce mental overload:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Spend time in nature.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Take up daily walks, yoga, or other forms of exercise.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Take a few moments to breathe deeply.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Focus on what you can control and shift away from negative thinking patterns.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Write down your thoughts to help process emotions and reduce mental overload.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is an important part of managing stress. Start by managing your time effectively  break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and prioritize what matters most. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Support your overall well-being by maintaining healthy routines, including eating a balanced diet, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Its also important to set boundaries, allowing yourself to say no and step back from stressors when needed. Finally, staying connected with friends and family can provide valuable support and perspective during challenging times.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When to Seek Support&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If stress becomes overwhelming or difficult to manage, seeking support is an important step. Talking with a healthcare provider or mental health professional can help you develop effective coping strategies and improve your overall well-being.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At Carrollton Regional Medical Center, we are committed to supporting your health, both physically and emotionally. Taking steps to manage stress today can lead to a healthier, more balanced tomorrow.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;Carrollton Regional Medical Center&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;is a 216-bed Acute Care Hospital managed by S&lt;/i&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;ana Healthcare&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;. 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 Womens 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 &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.crmc.health/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;www.crmc.health&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564432870/managing_stress.png?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:54:46 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352632073/BOOK_REVIEW_THE_THROWBACK_WEST_COAST_MYSTERY_2_by_CS_Cowan</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: THE THROWBACK (WEST COAST MYSTERY, #2) by C.S. Cowan</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Throwback&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;West Coast Mystery, #2&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;C.S. Cowan&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Complex and compelling, a riveting mystery of murder, betrayal, and revenge.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Throwback&lt;/i&gt; is the second book by author C.S. Cowan in her riveting West Coast Mystery series, a series tied together by its Canadian Sunshine Coast setting rather than recurring characters, so it works perfectly as a standalone. This entry features a mystery writer, Skylar "Skye" Whelan, who returns to her small coastal hometown of Sechelt after her financial advisor husband is revealed as a conman who's bilked his senior citizen clients out of their retirement funds. Skye plans to focus on her next novel and keep a low profile, but finds herself drawn into a decade-old disappearance that someone doesn't want her meddling in. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Skye Whelan is a wounded soul after her husband betrays his clients, and the victims and the public find it hard to believe she wasn't in on his scheme. She dropped her married name and returned to Sechelt, hoping to fade from the limelight and the public's memory. Still, her notoriety keeps following her. The discovery of bones at a local construction site brings her to the attention of the new RCMP supervising detective, Staff Sergeant Noah Rimes, who replaced her father in that position on his retirement from the service. There is an immediate connection between her and Noah, but her unfortunate past colors their budding relationship. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Noah has a complicated and tragic past as well. His career move from Vancouver to this small coastal outpost is an attempt at a second chance at life. He's settling in but is concerned about whether he will fit into the slower pace of his new jurisdiction. However, he is soon facing a baffling rash of petty break-ins and incidents of vandalism, when he really needs to focus on the newly uncovered murder. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Along with strong characters, the story is complex, featuring twists and turns everywhere and some seemingly unconnected subplots. There is a storyline involving two inept young criminals that is particularly absorbing, and their unexpected relevance to the bigger picture really had me fooled. However, while the narrative included understandable, easy-to-follow flashbacks, a couple of scenes in the present-day timeline seemed out of order. While these instances made me question what I had previously read, they didn't affect the plot's trajectory. For example, an injured pet is rushed to the vet, only to reappear next, frolicking on the beach with a neighbor's dog, with no mention of the medical emergency. A chapter or so later, the emergency incident comes back up, and the dog is recuperating, not yet up to any frolicking. Still, the story returned to page-turner status, keeping me reading and engaged until the final reveal. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I recommend THE THROWBACK to readers of mystery, suspense, and thrillers, especially those craving an intriguing West Coast Canadian setting. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from &lt;a href="https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the-throwback-a-west-coast-mystery-c-s-cowan" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Reedsy Discovery.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564435402/throwback.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://arlington.bubblelife.com/community/arlington_ireporter/library/35637821/key/352630571/BOOK_REVIEW_SHE_THOUGHT_I_KNEW_WEST_COAST_MYSTERY_1_by_CS_Cowan</link><author>KAREN SIDDALL</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>BOOK REVIEW: SHE THOUGHT I KNEW (WEST COAST MYSTERY, #1) by C.S. Cowan</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;She Thought I Knew&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;West Coast Mystery, #1&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; by&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;C.S. Cowan&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;With its deceptively intricate plot and engaging main character, SHE THOUGHT I KNEW had me hooked from start to finish.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;She Thought I Knew&lt;/i&gt; is the first book in author C.S. Cowans new &lt;i&gt;West Coast Thriller &lt;/i&gt;series featuring Simon Fraser University criminology professor Dr. Maeve Rosetti. Maeve returns home to her roots to support her estranged sister when Kathleens 15-year-old daughter, Jessica, goes missing after sneaking out of the house to attend a local dance. With time running out for a happy resolution, Maeve must confront the demons of her past to help bring her only niece home. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The plot for the book is robust and full of intriguing secondary storylines: the death of Maeves husband, the old hurt standing between the two sisters, and their fathers unsolved disappearance when they were young, to name a few. But even more tangles are in store for readers as the story progresses. The author cleverly eeks out clues but reserves just enough detail to obfuscate the truth behind Jessicas disappearance. I was certain I had this one figured out, only to find out I couldnt have been more wrong. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The story focuses on the impact on the missing girls family and the subsequent unfolding of family secrets. Maeve and Kathleens estrangement runs deep, and there is a walking-on-eggshells tension, which extends to include Kathleens husband, Doug, whenever the two are together. The appearance of Dougs best friend, reporter Hank Jensen, was like a breath of fresh air in the highly emotional atmosphere. He and Maeve worked well together as they talked to possible witnesses or checked out leads to Jessicas whereabouts. One aspect I liked about the plots very foundation is that Maeve lets the police do their job. She is the first to draw a line between her profession and that of the trained investigators, and everyone adheres to and respects that distinction. What she does uncover is that there are consequences to our actions, some immediate and some that manifest themselves long afterward. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The authors writing style was comfortable and easy to read, and I was absorbed into these characters lives from the start. The story is smartly paced, with twists occurring as new clues to Jessicas disappearance start to taper off. The setting on the Sechelt Peninsulas Sunshine Coast was unique, providing a lot of possibilities to figure in the search: populous Vancouver and rural west Canada, tourist hotspots, lonely stretches of beach, and mountainous areas, with drifters, Coasters, and the indigenous people all present and available for plot twists. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With its deceptively intricate plot and engaging main character, I recommend SHE THOUGHT I KNEW to mystery and thriller readers and those who enjoy Canadian settings. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from &lt;a href="https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/she-thought-i-knew-c-s-cowan#review" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Reedsy Discovery.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://arlington.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3564431302/she_thought_i_knew.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:44:34 Z</pubDate></item></channel></rss>