Three members of the Creative Arts Center took a sunny field trip to Fannin County to marvel at David Keene’s bois d’arc craftsmanship - and left convinced that artisanal pens can be geopolitical . Keene, a former engineer, runs a finely tuned barn workshop where he quarter-saws Osage orange, rigs clever dust-management systems, and even dries pen blanks in a kitchen food dehydrator - because precision sometimes demands domestic appliances. He demonstrated the full pen-making process, shared hard-won shortcuts, and donated a vintage kerosene lamp to the Center’s upcoming Taste of Chocolate auction, proving local craft still fuels community pride (and auction nights).

Hillsboro’s long-abandoned outlet mall is finally getting a second act - this time as a restaurant hub. The city and Glaser Retail Partners have landed four major chains - Chili’s, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and Waffle House- to anchor the redevelopment, with more on the way. Once a bustling shopping stop along I-35, the site had sat empty for years, collecting dust and nostalgia. Now, demolition is underway, jobs are coming, and Hillsboro officials say the project will feed both locals and travelers hungry for new options. In short: goodbye outlet racks, hello snack stacks.

After eight long years of wishing and waiting, Raguet Elementary in Nacogdoches, Texas, finally has a brand-new playground -and the kids are loving it. Principal Julia Wells said the old one was so rundown it looked “like a crime scene,” with broken slides and taped-off areas. Thanks to a $400,000 upgrade, the school now boasts modern equipment for both younger and older students, giving everyone a reason to run, climb, and laugh again. Wells says seeing 400 students enjoying the new space “makes my heart so happy.” After all, every childhood deserves more jungle gym and less caution tape.

The City of Amarillo is rethinking the future of its zoo - and this time, it might hand over the reins. City officials are considering leasing the Amarillo Zoo to the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, allowing the nonprofit to manage operations while keeping the gates open to the public. Executive Director Stephanie Brady says the plan isn’t a takeover but a transformation - turning the space into the “Amarillo Zoo and Sanctuary,” complete with upgraded habitats, an on-site vet clinic, and themed regions like “Asia” and “South America.” The move could cut the zoo’s $600,000 budget in half within a year and make it self-sustaining through donations, events, and a revamped café. In short, Amarillo wants its zoo to roar again - just with a little nonprofit muscle behind it.

Trivia met charity in style at the North Texas Area United Way’s first-ever Trivia Night - a sold-out success at Wichita Falls’ Backdoor Theatre. Seventeen teams battled through rounds on movies, music, and pop culture (with a few United Way facts sneaked in for good measure). Executive Director Carol Marlar said the goal was to kick off the campaign season with something “fun and engaging,” and judging by the laughter, mission accomplished. The night ended with prizes, bragging rights, and - more importantly - every dollar raised going to local nonprofits. Turns out, doing good can be just as entertaining as winning trivia night.

Highland Woods Health turns 40 - and still going strong.
The Woodlands clinic, founded back in 1985 when shoulder pads and pagers were in fashion, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this December. The privately owned practice has been keeping locals healthy with everything from annual checkups to cancer screenings and flu shots. Located at 4840 W. Panther Creek Drive, Highland Woods Health has seen four decades of medical trends come and go - and somehow still manages to make people schedule their physicals on time.

Austin’s long-awaited Wishbone Bridge is finally spreading its wings - early 2026, to be exact.
After years of construction dust and detours, the $25 million project will soon give cyclists and walkers a fresh way to cross Lady Bird Lake (and maybe an even better selfie angle). Funded by the 2020 Mobility Bond, the bridge links the Ann and Roy Butler Trail with a new underpass below Pleasant Valley Road - complete with lights, planters, and that all-important Austin touch: a mural. Meanwhile, just a few miles away, plans for a new boardwalk along the south shore are moving forward, promising even more waterfront Instagram material. In true Austin fashion, it took years - but hey, at least it’ll look good once it’s done.

Lufkin students took a trip around the sun - without leaving the library.
At Burley Primary, a mobile planetarium transformed the school library into a mini universe, dazzling some 500 kids with cosmic sights and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs.” Sponsored by the local Lions Club, the show came from the Discovery Science Place in Tyler and gave students a hands-on look at the solar system - a nice change from YouTube videos. Principal Yaneth Clifton said it’s all about sparking curiosity, and maybe even a future astronaut or two. Because hey - every space career has to start somewhere, even if it’s between the bookshelves.

Teachers in Bryan ISD got a welcome surprise this week - $150,000 in grants from the district’s Education Foundation. The so-called “Grant Patrol” rolled through schools Thursday, handing out checks to fund everything from new soccer goals to classroom tech. Fourth-grade PE teacher Lori Stewart crossed her fingers for new equipment - and scored big. Meanwhile, Bonham Elementary’s Yvonne Williamson was stunned when a committee member showed up with her own oversized check. Consider it a rare day when teachers get something back for all they give.

Move over, Chick-fil-A - there’s a new bird in town. Houston TX Hot Chicken, a Las Vegas-born chain with a Texas-sized name and Nashville-style flavor, is gearing up to conquer 2026. Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur duo Houston Crosta and Edmond Barseghian, the fast-growing brand already boasts 29 locations across nine states - and just snagged the No. 1 spot on Restaurant Business’s Future 50 list. The menu is a heat-seeker’s dream, with spice levels ranging from “mild” to “Houston, We Have a Problem!” - the latter requiring both a $2 upcharge and, yes, a waiver. With rave reviews, all-natural ingredients, and ambition hotter than their sauce, this chicken chain might just give America’s poultry powerhouses something to sweat about.

After Halloween, the folks at Gilt-T-Pleasure Farm in Lubbock County are asking residents to donate their leftover pumpkins - not to compost bins, but to pigs. The farm’s 120 hogs, sows, and piglets happily feast on local produce, and now pumpkins are on the menu. Families can drop them off at the farm or arrange a pickup by phone, turning spooky décor into sustainable snacks. It’s a win-win: less waste, happy pigs - and one last good deed from your pumpkin before it rots on the porch

Bad harvests and global cocoa shortages are making chocolate a luxury item this Halloween, with candy prices up nearly 11% from last year. Single mom Nei Burton says what used to cost $5 now hits $10 - “and that’s just for a bag of candy.” Even big brands like Hershey’s are cutting corners, swapping cocoa butter for cheaper oils, while smaller chocolatiers like Sweet Shop USA vow to keep their treats authentic (and their margins slimmer). Cocoa once cost $2.50 a pound; now it’s $10 -proof that inflation has a sweet tooth too. Still, with Ghana planning new plantations, chocoholics everywhere are praying relief comes before the next holiday binge.

A new upscale consignment boutique, Whatchama Closet, has opened its doors in Champions Village Center, promising to turn secondhand into first-rate style. Owner April Lockwood describes it as an “unconventional” space where women can sell designer clothes, shoes, and accessories - and earn some cash while doing it. Sellers rent hangers and shelves for $50–$100 a month, giving their fashion finds a glamorous second act. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the boutique’s mission is simple: sustainability, style, and a little extra sparkle (and spending money) for everyone.

Nearly 100 residents packed into the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center this month to debate the future of South Dallas. The city’s new Fair Park Area Plan promises revitalization - small businesses, mixed-use corridors, prettier streets - but locals worry it could also mean bulldozed history and “grossly incompatible” modern homes popping up next to 1940s bungalows. City planners insist the public meetings are a chance to shape zoning rules before they’re set in stone. “Your presence is important, your voice is important,” said task force chair Scottie Smith II - a gentle reminder that in Dallas, silence is the fastest way to get rezoned.

Austin might call itself “weird,” but these days it’s more work hard. Tech giants like Apple and Google have turned this once-sleepy college town into Silicon Valley with cowboy boots - though there’s still enough live music and breakfast tacos to make you forget your 9 a.m. pitch deck. Stay downtown if you want skyline views, or east if you prefer craft beer and ironic mullets. By day, you’ll find sleek coworking hubs buzzing with founders “disrupting” lunch breaks; by night, you’ll chase smoked meat and two-stepping until the spreadsheets blur. Just remember: if there’s no line at the barbecue joint, you’re in the wrong place.

The Dallas Museum of Art is inviting visitors to ditch reality this fall with International Surrealism - a mind-bending exhibition on loan from London’s Tate. Over 100 works by dreamworld heavyweights like Dalí, Magritte, and Carrington promise a deep dive into the weird and wonderful logic of the subconscious. From Freud-inspired “automatic” doodles to sculptures that make you question your sanity (and your furniture choices), it’s a crash course in beautiful absurdity. The show also shines a light on often-overlooked women and global artists who proved surrealism was never just a European boys’ club. In short: expect a lot of art that’ll make you say, “Wait… what?” - and that’s exactly the point.

At Hudson High School in Lufkin, Texas, students aren’t just studying - they’re running a full-on dog grooming business called Maroon Grooms. What started three years ago in a tiny barn has now grown into a bustling, student-led operation with a brand-new facility and a steady stream of four-legged clients from the community. Under the guidance of Ag teacher Laura Wise, students learn everything from pet care and business management to handling everything from nervous chihuahuas to overexcited labs. It’s hands-on education at its furriest - and yes, homework occasionally includes brushing, nail trimming, and the occasional slobbery kiss.

About 300 runners lit up Laredo’s North Central Park for the Día de los Muertos 5K Glo Run - because nothing says “honoring the dead” like glow sticks and sneakers. Families enjoyed horse rides, mariachi tunes, and vibrant folklórico dancing as part of the evening’s festivities. The highlight? A best-dressed Catrín and Catrina contest that turned the park into a runway of skeleton chic. Proof that in Laredo, even the afterlife comes with good music and great outfits.

With just six weeks left, Grayson County’s Toys for Tots campaign is facing a holiday-sized shortage - fewer than 2,000 toys in stock and over 3,000 kids already on the list. Last year, they handed out 43,000 toys; this year, they’ll need a small Christmas miracle (and about 40,000 more donations) to do it again. Even the youngest volunteers are making their plea: “We need more baby dolls and books,” said Youth Ambassador Ava Turner. In other words - Santa’s warehouse could use a serious restock.

The Better Business Bureau has handed out its 2025 Torch Awards for Ethics, honoring north Texas businesses that prove integrity still pays off. The awards celebrate the “four C’s” - character, culture, customers, and community - and this year, out of 52 applicants, only six winners and one Spark Award recipient made the cut. Among them is Pamper Pets, a Wichita Falls favorite that started from scratch in 2022 and now calls itself “not just groomers, but innovators.” Owner Shae Clemons says the recognition reflects their mix of hard work and hometown pride - proof that doing good business and doing good for the community can, in fact, go hand in hand.

The Sheppard AFB Cookie Committee is rallying Wichita Falls to bake (or buy) some holiday spirit - they need enough supplies to assemble 4,000 goodie bags for airmen, each including a homemade cookie, candy cane, and a hot cocoa or apple cider packet. Local groups can drop off donations at the Chamber of Commerce or use the committee’s Amazon wishlist - and the top donor walks away with the coveted 2025 Community Partner Trophy.