Conversation and connection

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush bring Superpower Sisterhood book tour to Dallas

The Bush sisters are appearing together in Dallas.

Photo courtesy of Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation

Former first daughters-turned-bestselling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush are coming to Dallas to chat about their new book, The Superpower Sisterhood, in an event at — where else? — the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

According to a news release, the "afternoon of conversation and connection" will take place at 2 pm Sunday, April 24 in the Bush Center auditorium. While tickets are already sold out, overflow tickets are on sale for $10-$30.

"Jenna and Barbara will share memories from growing up together in a political family, to pursuing their own separate careers, to life on the Today set, and starting a global nonprofit," says the release. "Through the years, they have been able to lean on and encourage each other, proving that nothing endures like the unshakeable bond between sisters — whether they’re the ones you’re born with or the ones you choose."

Their own sisterhood "superpowers," they say, are the inspiration for their new heartwarming children's book, just released Tuesday, April 19.

A description of the book reads:

Emma has been lonely all her life growing up in a neighborhood with no other kids — until the day two sets of sisters move to her street! The girls immediately form a club, only to discover that something mysterious is going on. They’ve each always had special talents, but when they work together, it's almost like their skills become ... superpowers. Now the sisterhood is ready to help their neighborhood thrive, as long as they can keep the spooky Ms. Wigglestoot from discovering their secret. Or maybe there’s a way these super sisters can help their archnemesis too ....

The Bush sisters also penned the No. 1 New York Times bestsellers Sisters First and Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life.

They're making a few stops in the family's home state of Texas this week, appearing at the The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's annual A Celebration of Reading (named of course, for their late grandmother), in Houston on Thursday, April 21.

Meanwhile, their mother, Laura Bush, is being honored with the Junior League of Dallas Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Milestones Luncheon on the same day.

On Saturday, April 23, the sisters will appear at Barnes & Noble at The Parks at Arlington for a book-signing event at 5 pm. (Tickets and information here.)

The Dallas book tour event is part of the Engage at the Bush Center series, presented by NexPoint program. Overflow tickets are $30 for adults, and include a signed copy of the book; they're $10 for children (no book included).

For more information and tickets, visit the website.

celebrities books

Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen