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Photo courtesy of The Home Edit

UPDATE 6-23-2023: Changes have been made to the tour schedule, but they do not affect the Dallas show. For an updated list of tour stops, visit the website.

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It’s time to pull out the labelmakers and look back at those #DesignInspo pics. The leading ladies behind the Emmy Award-nominated Netflix series The Home Editare coming to Dallas in July.

Founders and series hosts Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin will bring their vibrant personalities and passion for organization to the Eisemann Center on Friday, July 7 for their first-ever "Summer of Fun Tour." They’ll reveal some of their best tips for organizing and share candid (and funny) conversations about parenting, pop culture, business, and more.

The duo rose to fame thanks to their organizing services, Netflix series, New York Times bestselling books, and product line. Their signature style matches their three values, they say.

"With a unique blend of form, function, and fun, we strive to improve the everyday," The Home Edit's website says. "As we continue to cultivate a global collective, we remain committed to inspiring the individual."

On their top-rated Netflix series, the hosts help celebrities and everyday clients edit, categorize, and contain their clutter to make messy places into stunning spaces. Guests have included Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Eva Longoria, Neil Patrick Harris, Kane Brown, and more.

Attendees at the live shows also can expect to see special appearances by celebrities and friends of Clea and Joanna, they say.

The duo promise that the tour will be “perfect for enjoying with girlfriends and all the home-organizing obsessed people in your life,” according to a release.

Following their first stop in Dallas, they’ll visit the Brown Theater in Houston on July 9 as their only other Texas stop.

The full schedule for The Home Edit’s "Summer of Fun Tour" is as follows:

  • July 7 – Eisemann Center in Dallas
  • July 9 – Wortham Center in Houston
  • July 11 – Showroom at Wild Horse Path in Phoenix
  • July 13 – Saban Theater in Los Angeles
  • July 16 – Lynn Theater in Boston
  • July 21 – Miller Theater in Philadelphia
  • July 26 – Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C.
  • July 28 – Copernicus Center in Chicago
  • July 30 – Elgin and Winter Garden Theater in Toronto, Ontario
  • August 4 – Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville

Tickets ($49-$101) can be purchased at eisemanncenter.com. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. More information about the Summer of Fun Tour can be found on thehomeedit.com.

Photo by Avery Nicole

Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway

Hill Country excursion

A historic Hill Country property is being transformed into a glorious getaway destination fusing elegant Victorian-style design and Texas history.

The Menagerie, located at 302 West Travis St. in Fredericksburg - just blocks from the historic downtown Main Street - is in the final stages of renovation, with the overhaul expected to be completed by summer 2023.

The property spans 9,500 square feet across 12 total units on both sides of West Travis Street: the original landmark mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit converted barn/garage, and four units in three cottage-style bungalows. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests over 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

The original mansion was built in the early 1900s as the private residence for Fredericksburg’s first mayor, and was heavily influenced by Queen Anne Victorian-style design. Property owners Nicole and Ramzi Al Rashid wanted to keep those aspects in mind when choosing a design team to renovate the house, which led them to Austin-based land design studio Twistleaf and interior designer Sarah Stacey.

“We have an excellent team of all-stars working on this project, and we’re incredibly thankful for the work Twistleaf and Sarah Stacey have put into making The Menagerie inviting, restful and lively for groups of many sizes,” Ramzi Al Rashid says in a press release.

Nicole Al Rashid says they wanted to collaborate with inspiring designers who would “elevate [their] spaces and do great work for [their] guests and the local community."

Details of the property renovation include:

  • New fencing and gates
  • A hardscape reconfiguration
  • LED landscape lighting
  • Mutabilis rose bushes and native ornamental grasses by the pool
  • Native Hill Country plant species
  • Natural color schemes

The interior design refresh will include vivid, bold colors with theatrical elements and a few modern updates for practicality. Each room on the property will feature antique furniture, eccentric wallpaper, and vintage decor that pays homage to the site’s history.

Twistleaf founder Sarah Yant says renovating a property with a rich past like The Menagerie is an "exciting opportunity" for her team.

“Nicole, Ramzi and Sarah Stacey brought expansive vision to this project, and our landscape design mirrors their excellence," she says. "We're working to improve the land with Hill Country-friendly plants and create a design that adds to the intuitiveness, circulation and comfort of the outdoor spaces. All the changes are designed to enhance the functionality and hospitality of the property.”

The Menagerie is expected to open in summer 2023. More information can be found on themenagerieatx.com.

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Spectacular new drive-thru Light Park will electrify Frisco for 2023 holidays

Merry & Bright

A dazzling new holiday lights experience is coming to Frisco, and the lights are switching on very soon.The Light Park, an immersive drive-thru attraction that claims to have "the longest light tunnel in the world," will debut at Riders Field on November 3 and run through January 1, 2024.

It'll be the second Light Park in Dallas-Fort Worth this season; the popular location at Hurricane Harbor in Arlington also will return on November 3. There are also Light Parks in the Texas cities of Selma, Katy, and Spring.

The Light Park is a described in a release as "a mile-long drive-thru spectacular" during which guests "witness millions of lights synchronized to an electric mix of music by DJ Polar Ice from the North Pole’s #1 Hit Radio station, K-GLO."

"Everyone (pets, too) can experience the magic of traveling through the longest holiday light tunnel in the world, rocking out to the coolest tunes, and kicking off the holiday season with the most Instagram Reel-worthy shots, for just one admission fee,” says Matt Johnson, co-creator of The Light Park, in the release.

That admission fee starts at $29 per vehicle (not per person). Tickets must be purchased online, in advance, with a reserved entry time. Admission varies per showtime (weekdays and weekends).

Although DFW has some longtime favorite drive-thru light experiences (such as Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie and and Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway), they became a hot trend during the "socially distanced" holiday season of 2020. Visitors to The Light Park must stay in their cars the entire time while visiting the park and while on the park property, organizers say. Guests are encouraged to bring their snacks to enjoy while in their cars or can pre-purchase some snacks and souvenirs.

The Light Park will be at Riders Field, 7300 Rough Riders Tr., Frisco. Hours will be: 5:30-10 pm (weekdays), and 5:30-11 (weekends and Christmas week).

More information and early-bird tickets are available on the website.

Where to play pickleball in Dallas-Fort Worth

Pickle Mania

In case you missed it, pickleball is big news in Texas. Rockwall hosted a televised tournament this summer and the national championships, scheduled for November, are now located in Farmers Branch. You can even rent people's private pickleball courts by the hour.

If you have yet to get on the court — or are looking for a spot to share your obsession with friends on a night out — here's a quick list of places to play in Dallas-Fort Worth:

Food and fun

Chicken N Pickle
Really amp up the social aspect of the sport with this hybrid, a chef-driven restaurant, multiple bars, lawn games, and several courts. Grapevine and Grand Prairie already have locations, with one planned for Allen next fall.

Courtside Kitchen
The first in Fort Worth, its motto is "carpe drink 'em." You can purchase a membership for priority court booking, or just kick back with some apps and watch others at play — especially during happy hour.

Fieldhouse USA
Find a little bit of everything here indoors in Frisco, including open play pickleball Monday through Friday with a $5 pass.

At Fault
Technically it doesn't open until the spring, but make a mental note now for this "elevated" indoor-outdoor facility that will boast 40,000 square feet of entertainment space.

Just here for the sport

Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas
Indoor and outdoor courts are available for both members and non-members of this JCC, which also has lessons and clinics. It's bring-your-own-gear, as a heads up.

Cole Park
A little Uptown gem of a park, it has converted some tennis courts into six pickleball courts (that are also lit for night play). You can't reserve the courts, so either get there early or be prepared to wait.

Fretz Tennis Center
Three outdoors courts feature open play Tuesday through Friday, with games on Saturday. Reservations are $5 per person for 90 minutes. The Dallas Pickleball Club also plays games here, if you're looking to join a league.

LB Houston Tennis Center
Another facility where reservations are $5 per person for 90 minutes, but it also offers an unlimited monthly membership and several leagues you can join.

McLeland Tennis Center
Don't let the name fool you — there are two dedicated pickleball courts and four hybrid courts at this Fort Worth faciity, plus free entry-level paddles and only $3 for professional demo paddles.

Oasis Pickleball Club
With 42 outdoor courts, eight covered courts, and two championship courts, it's no wonder this Rockwall club hosts lots of pickleball tournaments.

Samuell Grand Tennis Center
Clinics and open play abound on these four outdoor courts near White Rock Lake, and a family of four can purchase an unlimited multi-club membership for only $36 a month.

The Courts of McKinney
Monday through Wednesday, anyone — both members and non-members — can play pickleball on the six painted courts and also take advantage of onsite instructors during open play.

Tower Club
This may be a private, members-only club located on the 48th floor of the 50-story Santander Tower in downtown, but non-members can rent courts by the hour on "the highest pickleball court in the world." A nice bonus is that part of the rental proceeds benefit Bonton Farms, which is committed to combating the effects of poverty in South Dallas.

Don't forget to check your local recreation center website — chances are your area has pickleball courts now!

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

This Week in Gluttony

Embark on a culinary tour around the world this week with food events influenced by Italy, Germany, and Canada. A taste of Texas is also on the menu thanks to a two-day barbecue festival at AT&T Stadium. Wrap up the weekend with a modern Mexican Sunday brunch inspired by the flavors of fall.

Tuesday, October 3

Bendt Distilling Rye Release Pairing Dinner at Whiskey Cake Plano
Local Bendt Distilling Co. will be featured during this five-course whiskey pairing dinner, which will come with a sneak peek tasting of Bendt’s new release, Unbendt Rye. The menu is big on fall flavors with items like apple and shaved fennel salad with duck fat croutons, “High Society Thanksgiving” with roasted duck and sage stuffing, and a bone marrow luge with smoked tomato preserves. The dinner is $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 7 pm.

Thursday, October 5

Piroshky Piroshky Bakery Pop-up at Outfit Brewing
Bakery founded in Seattle will stop in Dallas on a Texas-wide tour, offering their signature Russian hand pies in delectable fillings such as beef & cheese, cabbage & onion, and vegan-friendly mushroom & potato. The full menu is online, and pre-ordering is required by October 3 at 4 pm. There's a minimum order of $50. Pickup at the brewery is 5-7 pm.

Saturday, October 7

Canadian Thanksgiving at Maple Leaf Diner
Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday and Maple Leaf Diner is celebrating all weekend long. Visit Saturday October 7 through Monday October 9 for holiday specials including a Thanksgiving plate with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, acorn squash, carrots, green beans, a sweet potato tart, and a roll ($17.99), turkey poutine ($12.49), and Thanksgiving pumpkin pancake wrap ($11.99). Dine-in hours are 7 am-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 7 am-2:30 pm on Monday, but the Thanksgiving plate and bakery items will be available for pick-up until 6 pm.

Q BBQ Fest at AT&T Stadium
Arlington will get a little smoky when more than 30,000 pounds of brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs are dished out over two days at AT&T Stadium. Hosted by the Dallas Cowboys and Miller Lite, Q BBQ Fest will feature pitmasters from across Texas and throughout the nation. AYCE tickets start at $69 (alcohol not included). Or go VIP ($129) and enjoy an open bar along with access to exclusive lounge areas and VIP-only pitmasters. Tickets are $35 for young adults ages 13-20, and children under 13 get in free. The event runs from 11 am-8 pm on Saturday and 10 am-2 pm on Sunday. Note that tickets are sold in three- and four-hour time blocks.

Frisco Oktoberfest at The Star in Frisco
Fourth annual Bavarian celebration features stein-hoisting competitors in the Biergarten, brat-eating contests, keg rolling races, stein relays, live entertainment from authentic German groups and local talent, plus Oktoberfest favorites such as pretzels, sauerkraut, funnel cakes, brats, Bavarian sausages, kaiser rolls, apple strudel, baklava, and German bee sting cake, as well as selections from The Star eateries La Parisienne, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, The Common Table, and more. Plus Oktoberfest biers. 11 am-9 pm.

DFW Italian Heritage & Food Festival
An inaugural celebration of Italian culture with food, wine tastings, and musical performances, this festival will take place in Las Colinas at 5220 N. O’Connor Blvd. from 12-10 pm. Food for purchase from local vendors will range from New York-style pizza, parmigiano fries, and meatball sandwiches to arancini, tiramisu, and gelato. Patrons can also sip on frozen bellinis and Aperol spritz cocktails. The event is hosted by DFW Italians, a non-profit whose mission is to promote, celebrate, and preserve the rich heritage and culture of Italy. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for young adults 11-20, and children 10 and under get in free.

19th Annual Oktoberfest at The Sons of Hermann Hall
The historic German dance hall will host a 20-piece polka band to celebrate German culture with food, beer, and merriment. The $18 ticket price includes a traditional German brat dinner plate. The party will run from 5-10 pm.

Sunday, October 8

Basic B*#ch Brunch at La Neta Cocina y Lounge
The Las Vegas-based modern Mexican restaurant will dive deep into fall flavors with an autumn-themed activation featuring photo ops, fall décor, live music, and menu specials. Visit for pumpkin spice espresso pancakes with brûléed meringue, apple cinnamon French toast, and cocktails like apple cider mimosas, brown sugar espresso martinis, and pumpkin spice margaritas. Brunch will be served from 12-4 pm and reservations are recommended.