Ever since that sad day in Texas history when Big Tex caught fire and burned down right before our eyes our spirits have been kept lifted by the fact that Big Tex will return. Throughout Big Tex’s reconstruction State Fair officials have been keeping us updated on his progress with short clips that show the computer design process of his various body parts. So far we’ve seen his hand, his head and now in the most recent installment we see his face.

It seems like they’re sticking pretty close Tex’s original face especially the creepy factor, but hey it wouldn’t be the Big Tex we know and love if he wasn’t just a little creepy looking, it’s all part of his Charm and we love him for it.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the DMA with a special Mother’s Day Brunch in the Museum’s Atrium. Sunday’s brunch features a carving station, made to order omelets, crepes made to order, and an interactive Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar.

Mother’s Day Brunch

$50 per person ($45 for DMA partners / children under 12 are free)

Sunday, May 12, 2013


Three reserved seating times:

10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Carving Station of Roasted Steamship Round, and Roast Pork

Breakfast favorites of eggs, and sausages, breads

Selection of market fresh vegetables

Build Your Own Omelets to Order

Eggs Benedict Station

Market Salads tossed to order

Savory & Sweet Crepes made to order

Bakery fresh breads and spreads

Chef’s selection of house-made desserts bar

Beverage station of assorted Starbucks teas, coffees, lemonade

Interactive Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar

Reservations are required for brunch in the DMA Cafe. Please make reservations now by calling 214-922-1858.

What is it and how does it work?

The Vampire 5k is no ordinary 5k race where you’re competing for better time or first or second place; no here you’re competing for survival! Each participant chooses to either run as a vampire or as a citizen (when making the decision ask yourself, “do I only run when I’m being chased or do I love the thrill of the chase?) or you can sign up with multiple people and create either a clan (vampires) or a group (citizens). The day of the “race,” vampires must wear all black and citizens must wear all white with each team starting at two separate locations. The course will converge at an unknown distance and after that the chase is on! Citizens will be wearing two flags both of which the vampires must snatch from the citizens in order to turn them into fellow blood suckers. All of this will be made more intense by the zones of red powder and fog and other surprises along the course.

At the finish line there will be prizes for the Vampire who “transforms” the most citizens (collects the most flags), the fastest Citizen who makes it through without any flags taken, the best “old school vampire”, the best “modern vampire (think Twilight or True Blood), and more!

After all the adrenaline has worn off vampires and citizens are invited to get together for an after party to die for with red drinks, music and dancing! The race starts at dusk and doesn’t end until moonrise. Follow the link for more information on registration and a copy of the course map.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than learning how to live eco-friendly with fun hands-on activities and performances from Dallas’ Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico and many others. The Festival will be filled with hundreds of exhibitors sharing colorful displays, innovative products, scientific apparatuses, demonstrations, and hands-on opportunities for the whole family.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can expect at Earth Day Dallas this year

Radio Disney Family Zone

Radio Disney will provide all-day entertainment and environmental programming featuring the Radio Disney AM 620 Team Green. Radio Disney will erect a stage, provide performances, and create an entertaining way to explain how families can help save energy, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Radio Disney will offer multiple interactive games, craft stations, activities and a whole lot more!

Chicken Coop Building & Raising Chickens

The father-daughter team of Ken and Jennifer Davis, Rain Ranchers, will teach attendees of Earth Day Dallas 2013 not only how to be successful in raising chickens in the urban environment, but also how to build a chicken coop!  Building and helpful instruction will begin on Saturday and continue through Sunday.  Come and learn all about it!  The fully functional chicken coop will be donated to an elementary school community garden.

Go Green with the Cast of Wicked!

In connection with CBS Radio stations, the cast of Wicked will be at Earth Day on Saturday providing guests with the opportunity to mingle with the cast, take pictures and sign up for a chance to win tickets for Saturday night’s show at Fair Park.

So wether you’re already a gone green goddess or just starting to dip your toes into the waters of sustainable living, Earth Day Dallas will undoubtably enlighten and empower you and your community to continue doing the best for our planet and ourselves .

All special event info via

Dallas’ Big Celebration - March 27

Inaugural Main Street Mudbug Bash - March 30

Dallas Art Fair - April 12-14

Earth Day Dallas - April 20-21

Homegrown Fest - May 11

Remember those crawfish boil parties from college? Did you just shed a tear? Relive the glory days in a completely acceptable (and probably nicer) setting. Join Downtown Dallas, Inc., 105.3 The Fan and 100.3 Jack FM for the inaugural Main Street Mudbug Bash is Saturday, March 30th from 2pm – 8pm at Main Street Garden in Main Street Garden.

The family friendly celebration of all things DFW includes 4,000 pounds of crawfish, Live Music from The O’s, Jay-B & the Zydeco Posse and DJ Moxie, Crawfish Races, all the BIG March Basketball Games, and lots of beer.

Tickets are $20. For more information, head to mudbugbash.eventbrite.com.

When you pass the 505 Riverfront property alongside the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, you’ll see an ambiguous list of possibilities as to what plans for the space will actually be, one of which includes gambling.

Is a casino actually a possibility in Dallas? Well, not now anyway. After a little Google magic, our skyrocketing hopes were dashed across the vast plot of land. In this video from NBC 5 DFW, 505 Riverfront investor Dale Foster admits that the list of possibilities along the property are just a way to “dress the site up” in the hope of attracting things that will help the area look like Uptown, which could include a casino if Texas ever makes that legal.

Watch the full video here and read more about Texas and casino gambling.

Dallas-based developer Jack Matthews, CEO of Matthews Southwest, is redefining the Cedars neighborhood adjacent to Downtown Dallas. Jack sat down with YouPlus last week at the Enroute event, to discuss his role in South Side, his next big project for the area, and what he envisions for the future of South Dallas.

The Rivers (or possibly River City if Jack gets his way) is a 60 acre development along the Trinity River, just south of the Dallas Convention Center. Located amidst the Downtown, South Side, and so close to nature, The Rivers will be a unique mix of retail, restaurant and entertainment venues, and will place a heavy emphasis on residential living.

To compare it to the South Side on Lamar lofts, The Rivers will have more of a focus on nature, being located directly next to the Trinity. Those who live in The Rivers will have the advantage of living in close proximity to Downtown Dallas, while still having access to nature and the beautiful Trinity River.

So what’s next for the burgeoning South Side in the next five to ten years?

“You’re living on the new side of the city… much of the new things that will be built will be built here, because we have the land for it,” said Jack.

The Rivers will perfectly compliment what Matthews Southwest has already accomplished in South Side. Matthews’ vision for the area will be as exciting to watch enfold as it will be for the City of Dallas as a whole.

Then imagine this:  you’re a CEO who has recently relocated or expanded your business to DFW, and you don’t know a soul. So you join CEOLink, a group of DFW private sector leaders and influencers who welcome you into their network of like-minded people. Their mission: to work collectively with those who helped build it and those who will be a part of its ongoing legacy. Sounds a little easier, right?

Several Dallas CEOs were invited to the NYLO hotel in South Side to learn more about CEOLink, an idea formed by Ed Curtis. The relatively new NYLO Dallas South Side Hotel was chosen as the location, with Jack Matthews and Donnie Nelson of Matthews Southwest and Michael Mueller of NYLO Hotels giving the Spotlight Presentation. Invited guest mingled in the boutique hotel’s unique urban lobby, occasionally sneaking a peek of the NYLO’s stunning skyline view. Ed Curtis, Chuck May, and Jason Barnes kicked off a presentation that quickly became focused on a mutual love for DFW.

“I didn’t chose to come here but I chose to stay,” said Curtis.

May and Barnes had similar feelings about the Lone Star State.

“It’s not just southern hospitality; it’s Texas hospitality, which I think is a little bit of a different flavor. So I wanted to be a part of this. I wanted CEOs who are coming to town to meet other CEOs and start experiencing it, and I know by my own experience that they can’t help themselves,” said May, who grew up in Texas.

Michael Mueller, Jack Matthews, and Donnie Nelson

Mueller, who relocated NYLO headquarters from Atlanta to Dallas in 2011, began the Spotlight presentation explaining reasons for the move including his meeting with Jack Matthews and their shared vision for a hotel in South Side.

“The concept was perfect for what we were trying to do here,” said Matthews. “The bar, your check in, the Soda Bar upstairs, all the pieces fit this area perfectly.”

Nelson, General Manager and president of basketball operations for the Mavericks, engaged the audience with the story of his and Jack Matthew’s meeting, and his love for South Side. The area came through for Nelson and the Mavericks when they needed them most: when there was a threat of relocating the team to Arlington. Nelson is also passionate about country music; so saving Gilley’s was key.

Donnie Nelson, General Manager of the Mavericks

“I travel the world. I’ve been blessed with sports to be able to experience other cultures,” said Nelson. “Texas does not need to be sold, okay; it sells itself. All you have to do is expose folks to coming here… This thing is going to take off on its own.”

Yes, the statistics all point to DFW as the place to be and do business, but it’s the people, the hospitality, and the culture that makes the difference in Texas.

Follow the link for more photos from the CEOLink event at NYLO.