Staff & Reader Submitted

Texas Womans, Girl Scouts Launch Partnership to Expand Higher Education Opportunities

Kathy Beazley — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:35:52 Z

Texas Woman's University (TWU) and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas launched a strategic partnership that creates expanded admissions, scholarship and college readiness opportunities for Gold Award Girl Scouts.

TWU and Girl Scouts leaders celebrated the partnership during Thursdays signing ceremony at Texas Woman's University's Brackenridge Hall Auditorium. The agreement establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration between the two organizations while strengthening the pipeline of future women leaders through education, leadership and service.

"As Texas Woman's University celebrates its 125th anniversary, this partnership reflects our longstanding commitment to recognizing leadership and expanding educational opportunity for women," said Dr. Carine Feyten, chancellor and president of Texas Woman's University. "Gold Award Girl Scouts have already demonstrated the perseverance, initiative and service that define exceptional leaders. We are proud to recognize those accomplishments and help these young women continue their leadership journey at Texas Woman's."

Through the partnership, eligible Gold Award Girl Scouts will receive admission consideration after completing their junior year of high school, subject to university admission requirements. Additional benefits include merit scholarship opportunities for qualifying students, admission application fee waivers, dedicated admissions counseling, financial aid guidance and college readiness programming. Eligible students also may qualify for TWU's Zero Tuition Guarantee.

Beyond student benefits, the partnership creates new opportunities for collaborative educational outreach, student engagement and leadership development initiatives while increasing awareness of Texas Woman's University among Girl Scouts throughout Northeast Texas.

"Leadership begins long before a young woman arrives on a college campus," said Jennifer K. Bartkowski, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. "Through Girl Scouts, girls develop the courage, confidence and character to lead, and Texas Woman's University will help them build on that foundation through higher education. Together, we're building the leadership pipeline for Texas."

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable projects that create lasting community impact. Under the partnership, Gold Award recipients will have expanded access to admissions support and educational resources designed to help them successfully transition to college.

As Texas Woman's University celebrates its 125th anniversary, the new agreement reflects the university's continued commitment to expanding educational opportunities and preparing future generations of women leaders through education, leadership and service.

ABOUT TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1901, Texas Woman's University is the nation's largest university system focused on women. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, TWU is a Carnegie-classified R2 institution with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston, offering programs in the liberal arts and sciences, nursing, health sciences, business and education. The university is committed to expanding opportunity through education, innovation and leadership.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves girls and volunteers across 32 counties, helping young people build courage, confidence and character through leadership experiences, STEM education, outdoor adventure and community service. The organization operates the first STEM Center of Excellence in the Girl Scout Movement and recently opened the first two Girl Scout DreamLabs in Texas.

5 reasons to visit the dentist before the school year starts

Stephanie Patrick — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:25:00 Z

School bells will ring again across Texas soon. As families make their to-do lists for supplies and new clothes, scheduling dental appointments for the entire family should be a priority too.

Dr. John Safar, clinical faculty in comprehensive dentistry at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, said a healthy smile is essential for a successful school year. He shared five reasons scheduling a dental appointment before school starts or any other time of year is important:

To detect cavities early

Cavities often develop without causing pain. During your visit, the dentist can identify early decay through a thorough exam and dental X-rays.

Treating cavities when they are small is more comfortable, more predictable, and far less costly than waiting until they become painful or require advanced procedures, Safar said.

Some schools require back-to-school dental visits, and its for good reasons. Cavities tooth decay are among the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Oral health problems affect school performance and a childs quality of life, Safar said.

Protect gums and bones

Bleeding gums often signal early gum disease, but bone loss usually progresses quietly.

Your dentist will measure your gum pockets, review X-rays, and provide personalized hygiene guidance, he said. Early care helps prevent long-term damage and reduces the risk of tooth loss as you age.

Children develop gum disease mainly from plaque buildup, the sticky film on teeth from bacteria and food residue. Gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease, is often reversible with proper oral healthcare.

Adults develop it, too. Periodontitis, a common form of gum disease, involves bone loss around teeth. More than 40% of adults 30 years or over have some stage of periodontitis, the American Dental Association reported. It can be slowed and managed, but periodontitis is irreversible.

Screen for oral cancers

Many oral cancers are painless in their early stages. A routine dental visit includes a careful examination of your head, neck and mouth to identify any unusual areas.

Early detection greatly improves treatment success and long-term outcomes, Safar said.

To monitor previous dental work

Fillings, crowns and other restorative work can wear down or become damaged over time. Regular checkups ensure dental work remains stable, functional and in good condition helping you avoid unexpected problems, Safar said.

To improve comfort, confidence and freshness

Professional cleanings remove stains caused by colas, coffee and foods, giving your smile a brighter appearance.

Your dentist can also help manage dry mouth, identify its causes and provide solutions for persistent bad breath so you feel confident every day, Safar said. Start the new school year off with a beautiful smile, whether youre a student, a parent or a teacher or all three.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: THE JULES VERNE PROPHECY by Larry Schwarz & Iva-Marie Palmer

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:11:57 Z

The Jules Verne Prophecy

Larry Schwarz & Iva-Marie Palmer

An exciting adventure story that will grab the attention and imagination of even reluctant young readers!

Thirteen-year-old American teenager Owen Godfrey is spending his summer in Paris with his physics professor mother while she guest lectures at the Institut Lagrange de Paris. But rather than enjoying lazy days relaxing and seeing the sights, his mother has enrolled him in a special summer course to study the life and works of the father of science fiction, Jules Verne. As it turns out, the course is interesting, and there are a couple of pretty cool kids in the class with him, but only hours before their first big exam over 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a street punk steals Owens backpack with his copy of the book that he needs to take the test.

His classmates, Nas and Rose, take Owen to a used bookstore where they purchase an old leather-bound copy of what appears to be a collection of all Vernes works and then hurry back to school just in time for the exam. But as soon as Owen opens La Prophétie de Jules Verne, he realizes its not a collection at all but something entirely different, and so does his teacher, who confiscates the book and dismisses Owen from the test.

Later that night, Owen returns to school to appeal to be allowed to take the test, and he spies Professor Bessier through his office window as he hides the strange old book and leaves. But before Owen can catch up to him, two goons grab the professor, shove him into a car, and speed away.

The following morning, when the professor fails to show up for class, the three friends fear hes been kidnapped because of the book. They retrieve the book from its hiding place in the professors now-trashed office and attempt to unravel the cryptic clues about a fabulous treasure Verne was rumored to have left behind and find the professor. However, they soon discover they are not alone; someone is following them and watching their every move.

The Jules Verne Prophecy by writing partners Larry Schwarz and Iva-Marie Palmer is an exciting adventure story that will grab the attention and imagination of even reluctant young readers. The pace is brisk, and the action is non-stop as the three main characters Owen Godrey, Rose Bordage, and Nasim Shirvani work out the meanings behind the clues and travel around The City of Lights. Owen has a crush on Rose, and their initial meeting is laugh-out-loud funny. The three friends learn many things, including first impressions and assumptions are not always accurate.

Their race across Paris ahead of the bad guys is riveting and creative in its execution, and their discoveries live up to the reputation of Jules Verne. A couple of loose ends are left hanging when the story closes, providing a great jumping-off point for a sequel. Ill be looking forward to more adventures with these characters with anticipation.

I recommend THE JULES VERNE PROPHECY to middle-grade readers and for reading aloud at school, after-school programs, and at home with the entire family.

For this and other book reviews, visit my blog, Boys' Mom Reads!

BOOK REVIEW: THE EFFICIENCY JOURNAL by Misha Saidov

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:01:49 Z

The Efficiency Journal

Misha Saidov

Simple yet stimulating process to achieve life and work goals.

Misha Saidov is an experienced life and performance coach, author, and founder of the Institute of Metacognitive Programming and the coaching company, Think Meta. His latest project is The Efficiency Journal, a self-contained time management tool that is applicable to anyones successful use in the form of a do-it-yourself self-examination journal.

The program follows these simple and successful five points developed over a century ago and attributed to productivity consultant Ivy Lee.

At the end of each working day, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow.
Prioritize those six items according to their true importance.
Tomorrow, concentrate only on the first task.
Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second task. Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion.
Repeat this process every working day.

The journal is organized into 12-week periods and stimulates users to begin by identifying ones goals and breaking down the individual tasks that need to be accomplished to achieve these goals, clearly requires examination of ones aspirations, developing a plan of attack, reflection on progress and results, and re-evaluation of processes and tasks. It requires paying attention to where you want to go, determining how to get there, removing obstacles and eliminating activities that dont further or support achieving those goals, acknowledging successes, and rewarding oneself for positive progress.

I recommend THE EFFICIENCY JOURNAL to anyone looking to energize their work life or life in general and achieve their dreams.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

12th Annual Celebración del Día de Muertos

Donna Miller — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:20:38 Z

Hughes Family Tribute Center will present its 12th annual Celebración del Día de Muertos over two weeks, Saturday, October 17 through Monday, November 2, 2026 on select days at Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum. The cemetery, located in the Bachman Lake area, is traditionally visited by families on Día de Muertos. Celebración del Día de Muertos builds on this cultural custom. Celebración del Día de Muertosis free and open to the public and held at Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum featuring the historic Art Deco style mausoleum, recognized as a City of Dallas Historic Landmark.

During Celebración del Día de Muertos, Hughes Family Tribute Center will be sponsoring the art exhibition Pathways of Past Lives: The Persistence of Existence which explores the connections between life, death, memory, and rebirth through contemporary art inspired by the traditions of Día de Muertos. Opening Saturday, October 17, and continuing on selected dates through Monday, November 2, 2026, the exhibition will feature a central installation by Josh Niccolai-Belfi, creating a powerful visual focal point. Curated by artist Art Garcia, the exhibition will also include works by regional area artists examining the themes of Día de Muertos.

Celebración del Día de Muertos on Monday, November 2, will showcase the musical talents of Carolina Imperial who recently won New Artist of the Year at the Catholic Music Awards held in Rome and was a finalist in Mexico Canta, an initiative of the Government of Mexico. Also featured will be Grupo Pakal - Mayan Performing Arts, a theatrical presentation by Teatro Dallas, Folklorico by Herrera Dance Project, live mariachi bands, and the catrina design skills of Alfa de las Catrinas by Anel Anaya. The event will also include family art activities, childrens entertainment, craft vendors, and food and beverage concessions.

For more information and specific performance and event schedules each day, please visit https://dayofthedeaddallas.com or https://www.facebook.com/HughesFTC

Celebración Details

Saturday, October 17 - Monday, November 2, 2026

Free admission

Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum

9718 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas, Texas 75220

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Grand Opening - Pathways of Past Lives; the Persistence of Existence Art Exhibition

Featuring central installation by Josh Nicolaii-Belfy

Installation and Art on view 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Musical/Theatrical Performance at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 18, 2026