Love This Lineup

Mark your calendar for these upcoming Dallas fitness events

After this, you get tacos.

Photo courtesy of Fitness Ambassadors

Mai Lyn Ngo founded Fitness Ambassadors so Dallasites could have a resource for fitness related-news, upcoming health-related events, studio openings, and other fun local happenings.

This mission has become extra important during the pandemic, as people have sought out community while trying to stay in shape, and Fitness Ambassadors hasn't let coronavirus slow it down one bit.

Below are some upcoming Fitness Ambassador events, all of which combine a good time with a great workout. Mark your calendar, and get ready to sweat (safely).

Pilates and Palomas at Virgin Hotels Dallas
October 17 at 10:30 am
Join TruFusion for a nonstop, high-energy class that helps build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Expect a lot of core-building Pilates movements, high-intensity interval training with bodyweight movements, and strength training with dumbbells and resistance bands (all of which will be sanitized and provided by TruFusion). After class, cool down with a complimentary Paloma cocktail.

I Am Lifted Boot Camp
October 17 at 12 pm, October 18 at 10 am
All fitness levels are welcome at this two-day event, which will have mats for rent if you can't bring your own. Social distancing guidelines will also be followed, with plenty of cleaning supplies on hand. The boot camp takes place at Alta Trinity Green (990 Singleton Blvd.) on Saturday and 136 Glass St. on Sunday.

Transform Through Breath with Breathe Meditation & Wellness
October 18 at 3:30 pm
This 90-minute workshop is all about learning how to properly breathe — and how that will transform your life. Begin with an understanding of our breathing and the components of a complete and proper breath. A good portion of the workshop will be spent practicing this specific type of breathing and observing for improvement. From this new place of clarity, activate your own transformational desires through a special sound bath meditation, curated with new instruments and elements to breathe new life and harmony into your life.

Torch and Tacos at Omni Dallas
October 18 and 25 at 11 am
Gather on the Pegasus Lawn at the Omni Dallas in your own private 8-by-8-foot sweat space (each spaced six feet apart, of course) for a 50-minute BYOM (bring your own mat) class. October 18 is agility and endurance training with 3VOLT Fitness, while October 25 is box and shred with JC and Ariana. Afterward, chow down on two breakfast tacos during a patio social at The Owners Box — you can even stay to watch some Sunday football.

Virtual Don't Quit half-marathon and 5K
October 24 at 7:30 am
Produced by The Don't Quit Foundation, a 501(c)3 dedicated to giving back to the mental health community and benefitting NAMI North Texas, this run is all about raising funds and awareness for mental health. The current health and economic crises mean that depression, anxiety, and suicide rates are drastically increasing. You can make a difference by tackling the miles to make sure that those struggling with their mental health won't ever feel alone.

Bonus: Free class for voting at Lync Cycling
Get rewarded for doing your civic duty. Send a DM to Lync Cycling on Instagram showing you and your "I voted" sticker and enjoy a free class. The studio is currently open at 50 percent capacity with all COVID-19 cleaning protocols in place. First-time guests can take advantage of a discounted $15 drop-in class, and student pricing is also available. Location in Dallas and Plano offer both rhythmic cycling and a rhythm-based CORE classes that focus on intentional repetition to dive deeper into different muscle groups.

tacos fitness promoted health

always be prepared

Texas tax holiday offers 3 days to stock disaster supplies tax-free

Fire extinguisher, emergency supplies tax free weekend Texas

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Emergency supplies like fire extinguishers that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

tax free weekend emergency supplies texas