Dr. Martin Wells, Austin College associate professor of classics, has recently completed his fifth year as the architectural specialist for the Huqoq Excavation Project in Israel. This year, working with a team of other specialists and students led by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor Jodi Magness, Wells and the group recently returned to Israel’s Lower Galilee to continue unearthing nearly 1,600-year-old mosaics in an ancient Jewish synagogue at Huqoq. Discoveries made this year include the first known depiction of the biblical heroines Deborah and Jael as described in the book of Judges. photo by Jim Haberman

For the first century it existed, life in the Santa Fe Railyard revolved around the train schedule. These days, it's the year-round Santa Fe Farmers Market and Artisan Market held every Saturday that dominates the schedule at the 140-year-old railyard. Area residents hoping to find fresh ingredients for dinner mingle with tourists who have timed their arrival in Santa Fe to be there for the opening of this popular weekly ritual.

The talk by Bryon Clark on July 9 will include an overview of bat characteristics and what separates them from other groups of mammals. Specific topics discussed will include the distribution, habitats, diet, movements, and diversity of bats. Even though the presentation will focus on the species found in Texas, the talk will also include facts about bats from across the United States and throughout the world.

The Grayson County Historical Society will have as its guest speaker, Dr. Kim Snipes, Austin College biologist, to come and share her knowledge of dinosaurs and sharks with us during our July 12 meeting. It will be interesting to learn more about the history of our local area.

The whole family is invited to don their favorite pajamas and experience the magic of Christmas onboard the beautifully decorated Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express. Join Mrs. Claus on a holiday adventure to Santa’s Workshop in the Christmas Capital of Texas®. All guests will receive a cookie baked in Mrs. Claus’s North Pole kitchens and a taste of Santa’s Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a keepsake Memory Mug. Children will also receive a beautiful “We Believe” bell.

Cobblers to be cooked on site and ready to be judged by 6:30 p.m.

Programs will be held at the Bonham TEAM Center at 6:00 p.m. on July 5, July 12, and July 19. The TEAM Center is located at 806 W. 16th Street in Bonham, TX 75418. Space is limited; to register for this three-lesson series, please call Bethany Arie at (903)583-7453 or email bethany.arie@ag.tamu.edu.

Free and open to the public, Fair Park Fourth will feature family-friendly activities for all ages, with live music from the United States Air Force Rock Band and the Kickin Brass Band. In addition to the live music, the DJ School will play fan-favorite hits in between sets. Visitors can enjoy local vendors and exhibitors, inflatable bounce houses, slides, and obstacle courses. Fair Park Fourth also features other attractions, including lawn games across Leonhardt Lagoon, face painters, animal balloon makers, an outdoor gaming trailer, and a kid’s express train.

Plano's Fourth of July bash includes a rather different take on the Independence Day parade with the city’s first ever "static parade." Parked floats will be on display for viewing, rather than moving through the city streets, giving attendees a chance to really stop and admire these oftentimes beautiful and colorful creations. There will also be the classic Fourth of July food and firework display standbys. The free event starts at 6:00 p.m. and runs through 10:00 p.m.

In celebration of The Magdalen House’s 35th Anniversary, this year’s Game, Set, Match event was all about the '80s. Guests enjoyed a great day of tennis and live music from The Vinyl Countdown.

There will be a Bonhi Mini-Reunion sponsored by the classes of '55-'65 at the Creative Arts Center on September 10, 2022 from 1:00 till 5:00 p.m. Donations accepted.

With a recent rebrand back to Old City Park from Dallas Heritage Village, and now offering free admission on Thursdays through Saturdays, the park is evolving while honoring its rich history, even while changing how guests view and understand some of that history. This year's Old-Fashioned Fourth, which takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Independence Day, is slated to once again have a wide variety of fun, family-friendly activities on hand. Food trucks, local vendors, crafts, face-painting and free Kona Ice will all be part of the event this year, as well as the annual "all join-in parade." photo by John Lehman

If you want to learn how to identify the birds of North Texas, the "Little Sit" is the perfect way to start. Modeled after Cornell's "Big Sit," a group of dedicated birders meet once a month at the end of Pad H on the West side of Hagerman NWR. NOTE: The water crossing at Bennett Lane may be closed; Pad H may only be accessible via Route 901 in Sadler.

Free and open to the public, Fair Park Fourth will feature hands-on activities for kids, local market vendors, live music from the United States Air Force Band, entertainment, food trucks, and other concession offerings. In addition to the fun-filled activations for all, Fair Park Fourth will light the sky with a spectacular firework show. Guests can experience the show from inside the iconic Cotton Bowl Stadium or across Fair Park.

We are starting breakfast tacos on Wednesday mornings again, and will be opening the grill at lunch again starting Wednesday. Have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Frisco's massive Fourth of July celebration begins a night early on July 3 with a variety of running events, including some adorable ways to get your four-legged friends in on the Fourth fun. A Dachshund Dash and Yankee Doodle Poodle Parade will be star attractions for pet lovers everywhere that night. In the 2021 Dachshund Dash, Max left the contenders in his dust! On the big day itself then, the Frisco Freedom Fest looks to have one of the most diverse lineups of activities in all of North Texas planned. photo courtesy of City of Frisco

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Honey Grove Library & Learning Center a $9,500 grant to support adult literacy. This local grant is part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s recent award of $10.5 million donation to support summer, family, and adult literacy programs, representing the organization’s largest one-day grant donation in its 29-year history.

For more than three decades, Addison Kaboom Town! has thrilled fans with its unparalleled 30-minute fireworks show choreographed to a patriotic soundtrack that is radio simulcast to hundreds of thousands of fans across the 4.4-square-mile town. Book an Addison Kaboom Town! hotel package and enjoy quality accommodations, a complimentary blanket and guaranteed admission for up to 6.

Celebrate Independence Day in Downtown Arlington with live music, kid-friendly activities, food trucks and a spectacular firework display on Sunday, July 3. Festivities, which are free and open to the public, start at 6:00 p.m. July 3 at Parks and Recreation Department's annual Light Up Arlington. photo by Allen Rich

"Although we prosecute dozens of scammers each year, there are hundreds, if not thousands more we never know about," said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. "Scammers are particularly skilled at tricking victims, often causing the victim to be embarrassed when they realize they have been duped and not report the crime. By educating our seniors we hope to spare them from this heartache. Preventing this crime is a lot easier than trying to investigate and get back the money!"

Powder Creek Pavilion in Bonham welcomes one of the best classic rock dance bands around, Jackson Crossing, to the stage Friday evening, July 1. This is a premiere DFW cover band that blends your favorite Rock, Pop and Country hits, from the classics to today's top tunes.

With over fifteen years of touring to date, The Quebe Sisters have delivered their authentic triple fiddle and three-part harmony sound to the concert halls and festivals of North America and Europe. On Friday, July 1, their ship will sail into home port for a show at The Kessler, an iconic Art Deco theatre that has been called "the best-sounding room in Texas."

The internationally influenced coffee destination will offer artisanal coffee served with the spirit of hospitality...

From the moment you step out of your car at Wimberley Glassworks, you step into a world where art and color, form and function become one. Imagine a place where you can order a one-of-a-kind, hand-blown glass lamp, vase or sculpture, and then watch your personal artwork begin to take shape before your eyes. For more than 30 years, Wimberley Glassworks has been Texas' premier hand-blown glass lighting and art glass studio, bringing exclusive glass collections and lighting to life.

In recognition of July 4th, members will give presentations on an ancestor that inspires patriotism. Veterans and other visitors are welcome.

There's a certain stereotype of the local comic shop that's repeated throughout popular media. For businesses that give so much back to the entertainment industry, shows like The Big Bang Theory oftentimes portray them as socially awkward, male-dominated spaces that are aggressively uncomfortable to visit.

After the ribbon cutting, the new 2-story, 20,000-square-foot building will be open to the public for viewing. Parking on-site will be limited to invited guests, board members, vendors, and museum staff. Special parking arrangements for the public will be available on the VF Outlet parking lot on Hwy 180 in Mineral Wells, with overflow parking at the Mineral Wells Airport. Free shuttle buses will be provided from both places. It is recommended that the public arrive earlier than usual, allowing 30 minutes to an hour to reach the seating for the event. The public parking areas will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. on June 25. The museum’s grand opening has been over twenty-five years in the making.

Although it has long been known for scenic rolling hills, deep blue artesian springs like Jacob's Hole and the chilly waters of Blue Hole on Cyprus Creek, don't be surprised if what lingers after a Hill Country getaway to Wimberley is just how enchanting and cozy this small town feels, even though it is hard up against the fastest-growing metro area in Texas.

July 15 - 1st place - $150, 2nd place - $100, 3rd place $50