When the Harrisons first visited the Meyerson Symphony Center, they looked at each other and said, "Could you imagine if we could worship in this place?" 

And now, every Sunday, they will do just that – and they’re inviting everyone to join them.

To celebrate the power of God and faith in action, AMEN Church will hold its first service on Sunday, October 3, inside the Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas’ beautiful Arts District. The new church is an outgrowth of the faith of renowned North Texas entrepreneurs Dr. Field and Sabrina Harrison, who have founded AMEN Church to empower people to form a close relationship with God. Service will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to everyone. Complimentary parking is available during Sunday morning services at 1726 N. Pearl Street in Dallas. Children are welcome inside the services, and complimentary on-site child care also is available.

AMEN Church founders Dr. Field and Sabrina Harrison felt a calling to bring AMEN Church to life to share the love of God, the truth of the Gospel, and to create a place where people can feel the power of God. “So many people have lost hope and become discouraged and isolated over the past year,” Sabrina Harrison said. “That's why I feel hungrier than ever before to share the love of God and to create a place where people can meet with Him.”

Since founding MINT dentistry, one of the fastest-growing dental companies in the U.S., the Harrisons have used their platform in business and entrepreneurship to advance the Kingdom of God through their partnership with many ministries, local charities and global humanitarian causes including Equipped by Faith, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, MINT Cares and now planting AMEN Church at The Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas.

AMEN Church will have worship services held inside the beautiful and historic Meyerson Symphony Center on Sunday mornings, but the church believes that its ministry lives far outside its walls. AMEN Church’s mission is to spread the Word of God throughout the world and create Christ-like disciples of men and women who believe that the concept of “church” is more than just Sunday services, and that are committed to living a life of generosity, of discipleship, and who use their gifts to grow the church locally and globally.

“It’s not about AMEN or any other church ‘brand.’ It’s about Jesus and growing His church,” said Dr. Harrison, who, along with his family, is funding AMEN Church from their own personal tithes. Any donations made to AMEN Church will go directly to helping serve those in need.

Services at AMEN Church will make room for worship and Bible teachings, Sabrina Harrison noted, as a catalyst for nurturing a deeper relationship with Jesus. “Our hope and goal is to bring blessings and restoration to our city,” she said. Along with serving others through MINT dentistry, her family’s dental practice, Sabrina Harrison also founded Equipped by Faith in 2014, a non-profit organization that equips and empowers women of faith. She also serves on the executive board of non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Our goal as a family has always been to introduce God to people through whatever means we have,” said Sabrina Harrison, who raises son Field Christian and daughter Camila with her husband, Dr. Field Harrison. “We have devoted our lives to serving others and growing the Kingdom of God on Earth – and now, we are so excited to be able to fund an urban church campus right here in our own community of Dallas, Texas.”

“Any earthly success and accolade we’ve received is a complete miracle—and we take no credit for it. I give all glory, honor, and praise to God—only He is worthy of it all,” Dr. Harrison noted. “We’re just stewards of everything He’s given to us and we want to steward it well with the little time we have to bring heaven to earth.” 

“Our business is our ministry,” Sabrina Harrison added. “My husband and I believe we are called to be a bridge between the church and the marketplace. Because of MINT, we have access to people that may never step foot inside a church. If we surrender our work to God, our everyday activities can take on exceptional meaning and have a massive impact in the lives of others." 

Limited capacity will allow social distancing during services.

AMEN Church is seeking volunteers. If you feel led to serve through your gifts and talents, join the AMEN Serve Team, visit @theamenchurch or email info@theamenchurch.com to find out more about the organization’s mission, and to sign up to volunteer. 

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Free Guacamole offered with new loyalty program sign-ups

Delicious Haas avocados paired with fresh mix-ins like crisp onions and vine-ripened tomatoes  make guacamole just the way you like it. On National Guacamole DaySeptember 16, enjoy a guacamole from Uncle Julio’s to celebrate guac the way it was meant to be enjoyed (fresh!) and acknowledge it as one of the many contributions of the Latinx culture during Hispanic Heritage Month.

For a complimentary order of guacamole, guests 18 and older can sign up for the Amigo Especial Loyalty Program in an Uncle Julio’s restaurant or at UncleJulios.com. It’s free to sign up for the program, which simply requires a valid e-mail address. Guests can begin accruing points toward free dessert, priority seating, an appetizer fiesta and more – and they can get their complimentary guacamole on National Guacamole Day, or on their next visit. (Complimentary guacamole is valid for new member sign-ups only.)

Guests dining in (or enjoying the weather on an Uncle Julio’s patio!) can request a large Prepared to Order Guacamole. Guests select from a variety of fresh ingredients, including onions, cilantro, jalapenos, tomatoes and more to be added to their Haas avocados, which are freshly mashed and mixed with all their preferred ingredients. Prepared to Order Guacamole is served in a hand-carved stone Molcajete for guests to enjoy at their leisure with warm, fresh tortilla chips. The Molcajete is yet another aspect of Hispanic culture – this Mexican mortar made of volcanic stone has been used for thousands of years by pre-Hispanic culures like the Aztecs and Mayans. And guac tastes delish out of this dish!

Did you know that avocados are native to Mexico? Guacamole is one of the many culinary creations from the Hispanic culture, a culture that Uncle Julio’s is proud to celebrate every day and especially during National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15. The histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America are part of the rich tapestry of America. This month, Uncle Julio’s highlights the Latino, Hispanic and Latinx communities by sharing perspectives of Hispanic team members, hyper-regional recipes, music that moves us, cultural centers to discover and more. Find this celebration in Uncle Julio’s restaurants, in information placed in to-go orders and on UncleJulios.com.

What goes better with guacamole than delicious margaritas (an invention of Mexican-American Francisco Morales)? Join Uncle Julio’s for happy hour on September 16 from 3 to 6 p.m., when dine-in guests have their choice of a Julio’s Gold Margarita, Frozen ‘Rita or Swirl Margarita for only $5 each (at participating locations). To-go customers have their choice of Frozen ‘Ritas or Swirl Margaritas for only $5 each (also only at participating locations).

Uncle Julio’sserves made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes to create its signature taste in everything from mesquite-grilled meats to hand-crafted margaritas. Headquartered in the Dallas, Texas area, the first Uncle Julio’s opened in 1986 and continues to expand to define the polished casual Mexican industry. To find a location near you or to peruse the mouth-watering menu, visit UncleJulios.com, or connect with Uncle Julio’s on Facebook @UncleJulios and Instagram @UncleJuliosMexican.

Organization achieves non-profit status; sets goal to raise $250,000 

in its initial Wild for Cats campaign

To enhance the educational experience for students at Lake Highlands High School, provide support for staff and foster strong relationships with alumni, the Lake Highlands High School Education Foundation (LHHSEF) has been established in Dallas in support of the Richardson ISD school. The organization was formed in March and granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status. It now serves as the home for Wild for Cats, the annual fundraising campaign to support academic needs, and the Lake Highlands High School Alumni Association.

“Maintaining and strengthening the academic excellence at Lake Highlands High School is important and is reflective of our community’s core value that education for all students is essential for a strong neighborhood,” said Robin Moss Norcross, president of the LHHSEF. “We appreciate the support from parents, students, educators, local businesses and alumni who choose to help create a brighter future for all of us by supporting the education of students of Lake Highlands High School, and to keep that school spirit strong last past graduation.”

Wild for Cats previously operated under the RISD Foundation. The move to a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit, the LHHSEF, along with the Lake Highland High School Alumni Foundation, creates a synergy to achieve a broader vision, allowing for targeted donor recruitment and engagement opportunities, more expansive enhancements to student and teacher support, enhanced communications and networking between LHHS and its alumni, with plans to create scholarships for LHHS seniors and an LHHS Alumni Awards program to further the legacy and traditions of the high school. 

“The success in establishing the LHHSEF is the direct result of the tireless dedication of volunteers including Kristen Moran, Kay Shelton and Kari Urban, without whom we would not be where we are today,” Norcross said.

To celebrate the formation of LHHSEF, the annual Wild for Cats fundraising campaign will recognize donors at $1,000 or above as Founding Partners of LHHSEF.  These founding partners will not only invest in LHHS academics but will contribute to start-up and ongoing operations of the foundation. Founding Partner contribution levels include:

?      Founding Partners

• Legacy ($50,000+)
• Tradition ($25,000-$49,999)
• Excellence ($10,000-$24,999)
• Distinguished Scholar ($5,000-$9,999)
• Scholar ($2,500-$4,999)
• Honor Society ($1,000-$2,499)

Founding Partners will have permanent recognition on the LHHSEF website, select printed materials, and at LHHS, as well as lifetime membership in LHHS Alumni Association for alumni donors of $2,500 or more.  Wild for Cats offers several other levels of support.  All donors will be recognized and receive a Wild for Cats yard sign. 

For more information about these founding sponsorships, please contact Robin Moss Norcross at robin@localresidentrealty.com.

Wild for Cats can trace its roots back 20 years ago, when LHHS teacher David Wood, former executive assistant Karen Clardy (now RISD Board of Trustees president) and then Principal Dr. Bob Iden collaborated to create an academic booster to counteract the statewide recapture plan set in place in 1993. In 2005, LHHS supporter Jim Adams worked with Dr. Iden to formalize a steering committee. With this change, the Wild for Cats theme gained steam, raising $300,000 and establishing a legacy. Wild for Cats became a fund under the RISD Foundation 501(c)(3) umbrella in 2005, and, with the founding of the LHHSEF, is now located under the LHHSEF 501(c)(3) organization. Since its inception, Wild for Cats has provided additional funding to further enhance learning opportunities for students, provide tools that improve the learning environment and offer training opportunities for staff. Utilizing donations from the community, Wild for Cats has disbursed approximately $1,500,000 to date. 

“We have already been met with support from our community, and for that, we are grateful,” noted Norcross. “If you want to change the world, the best place to start is in your own neighborhood, with the education of the students who will create our future and support for the teachers that guide them. We’re elated to offer that opportunity to residents, businesses and alumni, and we look forward to working together to create unparalleled educational opportunities at LHHS.”

For more information on the LHHSEF, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.LHHSFoundation.org.

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Shop and help a great cause at the same time.

Metrocrest Resale, a resale boutique with home décor, furniture, jewelry, clothing, household items and other one-of-a-kind finds, offers a great selection to give you and your home a new look. And now, Metrocrest Resale has a new look of its own! Closed for several months due to the pandemic, Metrocrest Resale has undergone a transformation and is now celebrating a grand reopening.

“Our store’s look is new but your purchases will still help families and seniors in the community through the many programs provided by Metrocrest Services,” said Tracy Eubanks, CEO of Metrocrest Services, the non-profit agency that benefits from Metrocrest Resale. “Shoppers can feel good about getting a great deal while helping others at the same time.”

On Thursday, July 29, the public is invited to join Metrocrest Services and the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce as they cut the ribbon at the grand reopening celebration of the Metrocrest Resale store. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m., with the ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and a special 50% off coupon (not available with other promotions) will be provided to those who attend the event.

Still located at 2661 Midway Road, Suite 207, in Carrollton, Metrocrest Resale is showing off its new look in an upgraded space with a boutique feel. Shoppers can peruse the many upscale items available for sale, including name-brand clothing, accessories and housewares. Metrocrest Resale is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shopping at Metrocrest Resale is both rewarding and fun. “Thank You Tuesdays” offers shoppers ages 55+, as well as veterans, teachers and first responders 20% off regular priced items, adding even more savings to your final purchases. Shoppers also get added incentives with a frequent buyer card available at the register, where shoppers receive one stamp for every purchase over $10; fill up your card and get 50% off your next purchase (excludes sale and furniture items and any other offer). New items are added to Metrocrest Resale daily, giving you even more reason to shop often. Visit Metrocrest Resale on Facebook for featured items and in-store promotions.

And, next time you clean out your closets or living spaces, consider donating your gently used or new items to Metrocrest Resale. To request a pickup, please call (972) 250-1900 to schedule and get availability. Donation policies are available on the Metrocrest Resale website.

Whether you are shopping or donating, this is the time to help: Now in its 50^thanniversary year, the need that Metrocrest Services faces is greater than ever. Exacerbated by the pandemic and the deadly winter storm, this year finds North Texans in need in greater numbers than the non-profit agency has ever seen as it helps with rent, food, utilities, jobs and more in its mission to help end poverty and decrease inequities. The non-profit estimates that needs of its clientele have more than doubled in the past year, with the agency serving 28,066 clients in 2020, an increase of 68 percent over previous years. 

Metrocrest Services, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs for individuals, families, and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence. Programs include rent and utility bill assistance, financial and budgeting assistance, food pantry, employment counseling, and transportation, minor home repairs, and home-delivered meals to benefit seniors. Additionally, Metrocrest provides programs focused on children including holiday gifts and summer food. For more information, visit www.metrocrestservices.org.

Athlete Training and Health experts, who coach athletes we will see compete for gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, offer tips anyone can use to up their game.

While many of the world’s elite athletes converge upon Tokyo, Japan, for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, the summer Olympics, all eyes will be on the incredible performances that these well-trained competitors can achieve. Whether you are training at the highest level like an Olympian — or are simply enjoying cheering them on from the comfort of your couch — we can all learn lessons in upping our own game from these incredible athletes’ dedication.

The sports performance experts at Athlete Training and Health know what it takes to train at levels that range from everyday health to elite feats of athleticism. During the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, they will be cheering on athletes who have strengthened and conditioned their bodies with expertise from Athlete Training and Health, including Kristie Mewis and Jane Campbell, who will compete on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team; English Gardner, a track and field star on the U.S. Women’s Track and Field 4x100m relay team; Kelley Hurley and Courtney Hurley, who will compete on the U.S. Fencing Team; and Victoria Stambaugh, who competes for Puerto Rico in the sport of Taekwondo.

Chris Slocum, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and regional athletic performance director with Athlete Training and Health, works with Olympians who will compete in Tokyo. Slocum and fellow Athlete Training and Health coaches Blaine Schmidt and Mark Pryer —who have all trained clients to Olympic glory —offer these tips that athletes of all abilities and skill levels, can use to achieve any goal, whether that’s an Olympic gold medal or perhaps just losing those pandemic pounds:

Consistency, consistency, consistency.Being an elite level athlete starts with being consistent in your training, your recovery and in your attention to your overall health, Slocum explained. “Whatever your goal is, doing what it takes to achieve that goal starts with consistency. For an average person, that means showing up to the gym every day and being consistent with your activity and your nutrition. Do the work,” he said.

Prioritize recovery.While working out and training is an important component of building muscle and losing weight, recovery should be considered an important part of the process, too. “Sleep is one of the most underutilized recovery tools,” Slocum said. “The highest levels of testosterone production — a hormone that helps build muscle — occur during the REM stage of sleep. Because of this, it doesn't take long for poor sleep quality to cause lowering levels of the hormones you need.” Focusing on recovery also extends to how you fuel your body, Slocum said, with good nutrition and appropriate supplements, as well as excellent hydration, being key.

Track progress.English Gardener, a track and field sprinter who specializes in the 100-meter dash, is an Athlete Training and Health client who will be competing this summer in Tokyo. She, like other elite athletes, carefully tracks her progress to best understand how her body is reacting, and works with the performance coaches at Athlete Training and Health to adjust her workouts accordingly. “For Olympic athletes and also the general population, we always start with an evaluation to get information on where they are in their performance, and then we reevaluate every three months,” Slocum said. “We train their programs up around these evaluation results, working to increase their strength, and then we’re able to see how they lose weight and progress through exercises.” Slocum stressed how individual the programs are--not just for the elite athletes but also for the average person just trying to be at their best: “At Athlete Training and Health, our training programs are carefully pre-planned. We’re able to progress those based on your training history,” he said.

Work with specialists in athletic development.Whether your goals are breaking world records or simply being able to dance to your favorite record, seek out strength and conditioning experts who specialize in athletic development, just as Olympic athletes do. Slocum and the other coaches at Athlete Training and Health have master’s degrees in fields of human sports performance, and are certified strength and conditioning specialists who work integrally with physicians, physical therapists, registered dietitians and other experts the athlete may need on his or her team. The sports performance expertise offered at Athlete Training and Health is an important part of the strength and conditioning of Olympic athletes competing in Tokyo—and also the high school athlete trying to make a team, a mom getting back to activity after a knee injury, a dad hoping to get healthy to improve his heart function, or that young professional with a dream to break her own personal best record. “Everyone can benefit from the science behind athletic development,” Slocum said.

Train your mind like any other muscle.The importance of mindset and focus can’t be underestimated. “It’s easy for people to get distracted by things,” Slocum said. “But whether you really want to lose weight or go to the Olympics, the focus has to be consistent.” Slocum uses Taekwondo athlete Victoria Stambaugh as an example: “Her mindset is one of wanting to get better every day. During the one and a half or two hours we train together, she is focused in,” he said. “Kristie Mewis and Jane Campbell are the same; they are focused and ready to go, regardless of what else was going on in their lives. Once they had the vision and mindset, nothing could stop them.” Make the time you spend on your workout count, Slocum said, to benefit from your training, just like Olympians do.

What is your goal? Whether it’s losing the pandemic pounds, living in a healthier body, or even reaching the pinnacle of your sport, the certified, experienced experts at Athlete Training and Health have the expertise and a program tailored just for you.

ABOUT ATHLETE TRAINING AND HEALTH

The mission of Athlete Training and Health is to utilize best practices from scientific research in human performance to provide a world-class training environment for athletes and adults of all fitness levels. Athlete Training and Health’s forward-thinking approach of collaborating with hospital systems, professional sports teams, universities and independent school districts is setting new standards for health and performance training. Athlete Training and Health invests heavily in the post-graduate education of its performance coaches, who in turn develop evidence-led training programs guaranteed to deliver sustainable results. The state-of-the-art facilities at Athlete Training and Health facilities feature best-in-class turf fields, pro-style weight rooms and cutting edge technology to exceed the needs of their athletes, communities and healthcare partners. Based in Katy, Texas, Athlete Training and Health operates three training centers: two in the Houston metro area and one in Allen, Texas, where, thanks to Athlete Training and Health, the competition has never been healthier. For more, please visit athletetrainingandhealth.com.