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When it comes to having fun at a waterpark, safety always comes first. So, in appreciation for all those who keep us safe, Hawaiian Falls is celebrating Heroes Week August 5th– 11th by offering free admission to all police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, EMT and medical personnel.

 

Eligible individuals can just show their badge or work ID at the ticket booth at any of Hawaiian Falls’ five Texas waterparks – located in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. Each hero can also bring up to four guests at a discounted rate of $21.99 each.

 

“The feelings of safety that emergency responders and medical professionals provide to our communities are what allows families to be able to escape worry, relax, and focus on spending quality time together,” said JodyKneupper, Managing Director of Hawaiian Falls. “Heroes Week is simply a way for us to show our gratitude to the people who make that possible.”

 

More information about tickets, hours of operation, special events, directions and park information are online at hfalls.com.

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Looking for a place to be pampered after a long day of work or shopping? Ziva Nail Loungewill open spring 2019 at 408 Houston Street in Sundance Squarewith a full array of services.

 

The 5,500-square-foot facility will offer manicures, pedicures, eyebrow micro-blading, eyelash extensions, facials, tanning, full-body massages, waxing, and blowouts. For those who enjoy a great massage, Ziva will offer a variety of hour-long massages in a beautiful setting in the heart of Sundance Square. 

 

Ziva stands out with its additional offerings beyond traditional nail services including offering guests a beverage from the bar. 

 

“Ziva is more than a nail salon, it’s a destination in its own right,” said Johnny Campbell, CEO and President of Sundance Square. “The feedback we received from people who work and shop in Sundance Square is they want to have a location where they can indulge in taking care of themselves and Ziva will provide the perfect ambiance.”

 

Local groups will appreciate the private party rooms available for booking special events. And for corporate entities in downtown Fort Worth, a designated conference space – projector included – will be available for reservation, making Ziva an enticing site to mix business with pleasure. 

 

Sundance Square will be Ziva’s third location with other storefronts located in Willow Park, TX and Scottsdale, AZ. The management team – who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry – looks to make Sundance Square the company’s flagship location.

 

Parking is always free in Sundance Square after 5 pm on weekdays. Before 5 pm, parking is free with purchase from a Sundance Square restaurant or retailer.  Validation is good for 2.5 hours of dining or shopping, or four hours for weekday movies. Weekends are free throughout the day and evening.  

 

Launched in 2012, Sundance Square’s complimentary valet service has 10 locations throughout the development for guests to utilize. Guests can park their vehicle at one of the valet red umbrellas and pick it up at another location. All complimentary for customers. The valet service enhances Sundance Square’s extensive parking program that includes free parking during the weeknights and all weekend. 

 

SUNDANCE SQUARE

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 36 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.comor follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter @sundancesquare. Commercial and residential leasing information can be found at www.ssqmgmt.com.

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Summer vacation may be winding down for area kids, but teachers, administrators and other school employees, are invited to one last hoorah as Hawaiian Falls celebrates School Worker Appreciation Week July 29th through August 4th.

 

Hawaiian Falls is offering teachers, administrators, aides, custodians (and any other individuals with a school employee ID) free admission to any of its five Texas waterparks – located in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. Just show your school ID at the ticket window of any of the parks.

 

School workers are also eligible to get up to four discounted admission tickets at $21.99 each. Children two years old and younger are always free.

 

“At Hawaiian Falls, our mission is bringing families closer together,” said Jody Kneupper, Managing Director of Hawaiian Falls. “We often say kids are our future, but their future success really is in the hands of our teachers and school administrators. We’re very grateful for the time and care they put into helping our children succeed.”

 

More information about tickets, hours of operation, special events, directions and park information are online at hfalls.com.

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TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and Hawaiian Falls are teaming up for the seventh consecutive year to raise awareness and help fund research to find a cure for childhood cancers.  Splash Out Childhood Cancer is a summer long program that everyone can enjoy through Labor Day.

Splash Out Childhood Cancer tickets to Hawaiian Falls are only $20 plus tax (regular price is $28.99 plus tax). Children two years old and under are free.  Tickets are valid throughout the summer (May 26, 2018 – September 3, 2018) to any of the five Hawaiian Falls waterparks: Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke, and Waco. Tickets must be purchased at SplashOutCancer.org to receive the discount and available for immediate download. The discount code is TEAMCONNOR18.

TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse of Frisco was in the midst of his four-year battle with neuroblastoma cancer.  Connor lost his battle on July 10, 2009, but TeamConnor remains committed to fight for children who are battling cancer.

“Hawaiian Falls was a special place for Connor before and after he got sick,” said Joy Cruse, founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and Connor’s mom. “Partnering with Hawaiian Falls for the seventh consecutive year is making a huge difference in funding more research specifically for childhood cancer. When people purchase tickets for their family and friends, we are able to allocate the proceeds for research that could lead to better treatments for kids battling this dreadful disease. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 19 in the United States. We need better treatments and to keep looking for cures.”  

Hawaiian Falls - The Colony has designated July 24, 2018 from 10:30 am – 6 pm as the day to officially Splash Out Childhood Cancer. The special day will be filled with fun games, contests and activities. Several honored families will be at Hawaiian Falls representing kids who are currently fighting childhood cancer, survivors, and even families who lost their child to childhood cancer.

In addition to Splash Out Childhood Cancer, TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, 7thAnnual National Childhood Cancer Awareness Concert at Watters Creek, September; 8th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 5th; III Forks Golf Classic, May 5-6 2019.  In addition, TeamConnor’s Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. Details on those events can be found at teamconnor.org.

Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes. In the United States, less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget supports childhood cancer research. Yet, cancer kills more children every year than AIDS, asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies combined.  The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation mission is to raise funds for national childhood cancer research projects, to build awareness of the limited government funding for childhood cancer research, and to support patient programs.

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

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Hawaiian Falls The Colony is hosting Champions Day for individuals with special needs. The “Champions” (special needs children or adults) get in free. Companion tickets for family members or caregivers are only $10 (for up to 4 people per Champion.)

Special needs individuals and their families will have exclusive access and use of the park from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. The parks will open to the public 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Champions and caregivers can stay all day.

To be sensitive to the Champions’ needs, Hawaiian Falls turns down the music, adds more staff to assist families, and asks staff to be thoughtful about using their whistles.

Hawaiian Falls The Colony is located at 4400 Paige Rd., The Colony, TX 75056, just ½ mile north of Highway 121 & Plano Parkway.

Hawaiian Falls season pass holders enjoy unlimited access to all five Texas waterparks all summer long, including parks in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. The waterparks are open to the public Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Season tickets, day passes, events and park information are online at hfalls.com.

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Elliot Stieglitz, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Kathryn Copple, Executive Director of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation wrapped up 2017 by awarding more than $287,000 to hospitals across the country, in support of cutting-edge research for childhood cancers and patient programs.  Hospitals receiving the grants included Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Colorado, Denver; University of California, San Francisco; Children’s Health Dallas and Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, Texas. 

“We are committed to funding research for childhood cancers at some of the best research centers in the country,” said Joy Cruse, founder of Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “Despite being one of the leading causes of death among children, childhood cancer receives very little government funding for research. Therefore, if better treatment protocols and cures are to be found, it will take significant private and corporate support to fund the research.” 

Dr. Hamid Bassiri MD, Ph.D. (in collaboration with Dr. Michael Hogarty) of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia received $100,000 to explore the immunometabolism and therapeutic potential of invariant natural killer T Cells in neuroblastoma.  This trial will lead to the design of combinational immunotherapies for difficult to treat neuroblastoma and other solid tumors in the future.

TeamConnor awarded a $62,619 grant to support Dr. Jean Mulcahy Levy, MD, University of Colorado, Denver. Dr. Levy’s study focuses on the specific mechanism of cell death caused by a type of new drug treatment (proteasome inhibition) with bortezomib and marizomib (MRZ).  This drug will be used for Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumors (AT/RT), which is a cancer of the central nervous system.

In addition, TeamConnor also awarded $94,414 to support Dr. Mignon Loh, MD, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Loh will focus on targeted therapeutics in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare and aggressive cancer of young children where only 50% of children survive the bone marrow transplant. This grant uses excellent technology and science to study drug sensitivities for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Dr. Loh is one of the most recognized investigators in childhood leukemia. 

“Funding research is imperative to moving closer to cures in the childhood cancer arena,” said Kathryn Copple, executive director of TeamConnor. “We are blessed to have numerous supporters who want to make a difference.  It is through our volunteers, corporate sponsors and private donations that we are able to award numerous grants each year to childhood cancer research projects. TeamConnor has donated more than $2.3 million in its mission to find cures for childhood cancers and we will continue this fight until cures for all childhood cancers are realized.”

In addition to funding these research projects, TeamConnor donated $15,000 to Children’s Health Dallas and $15,000 to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth to fund the Art Box Program. TeamConnor provides resources for hospitals to create personalized boxes of materials, including paints, canvases, crayons, markers, coloring books, digital tablets, and other items for kids to be creative while going through life-saving stem cell transplants in the hospital. These treatments typically result in extended and isolated hospital stays often lasting up to 90 days. During the treatment, a child often has very limited visitation. The Art Box Program drastically improves a patient’s overall experience.  

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find cures for all childhood cancers.   

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 14th Annual III Forks Golf ClassicMay 6-7, 2018; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, Summer 2018; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 2018; and the 8th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2018.  For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor.  

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Plaza Palooza, a free two-day festival by Sundance Square, will take center stage June 1 - 2 with chalk artists, a popular line-up of music, visual street artists and other fun entertainment.

“Plaza Palooza’s return this year promises a great lineup of visual and musical entertainment for North Texans to enjoy,” said Tracy Gilmour, director of marketing for Sundance Square. “This festival will offer great entertainment including new, emerging and popular bands, 3D Street Painting artists from across the country who will create 3D scenes, whimsical portraits, and fictional characters under the umbrellas in the plaza.”

The professional chalk artists will begin their street paintings Friday, June 1 from 1 to 9 pm. The 16 artists also will be in Sundance Square on Saturday, June 2 from 1 pm until they finish their original works of art, which will be on display throughout the weekend.

The schedule for the two-day festival:

Friday, June 1

1 – 9 pm – 3D Street Art

7 pm – Caleb Hawley (New York)

9 pm – The Hip Abduction (Florida)

Saturday, June 2

11 am – The Soul Rebels (New Orleans)

1 pm until completion – 3D Street Art

1 pm – Lawrence (New York)

3 pm – Winston Ramble (Alabama)

5 pm – The Roosevelts (Texas)

7 pm – Prophets and Outlaws (Texas)

9 pm – Luke Wade (Texas)

Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome during the concerts.  Beverages will be available for purchase from the craft beer pavilion during the performances and restaurants will be open throughout the evening.

“We are only able to offer complimentary entertainment in Sundance Square when visitors support the restaurants and shops during these events,” remarked Gilmour. “Therefore, we will not allow outside coolers and food.  We hope to continue to grow this event to become one of Fort Worth’s annual festivals for the community to enjoy.”

Parking is always free in Sundance Square after 5 pm on weekdays. Before 5 pm, parking is free with purchase from a Sundance Square restaurant or retailer.  Validation is good for 2.5 hours of dining or shopping, or four hours for weekday movies.  Weekends are free throughout the day and evening. 

Sundance Square’s complimentary valet service has 10 locations throughout the development for guests to utilize. Guests can park their vehicle at one of the valet red umbrellas and pick it up at another location. 

SUNDANCE SQUARE

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.  The one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, fountains, a stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare. Commercial and residential leasing information can be found at www.ssqmgmt.com.

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Northwestern Mutual Donates For Denim

Corporate America has long frowned on wearing jeans to the office, but a fun trend has emerged TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation created a new program, Donate for Denim, that allows employees to wear jeans to the office on Fridays when they make a donation to the childhood cancer organization.

Northwestern Mutual – Dallas, a financial services firm, signed up for the program in 2017 and by all accounts, Donate for Denim has already been a great success. In just one quarter, Northwestern Mutual employees donated more than $1,500 to TeamConnor. Employees contributed $5 or more for the freedom to wear denim on Fridays.

“This is a great program for companies that are looking for unique opportunities to involve their employees in philanthropic efforts without asking for large donations or a significant investment of time,” said Kathryn Copple, executive director of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “Donate for Denim combines the trend of relaxing dress codes with a great cause, childhood cancer, and gives the employees freedom to work in comfort.”

There are do’s and don’ts of wearing jeans in the workplace and according to LiveAbout.com, a few simple guidelines will keep everyone stylish and HR happy: 

DOs: 

  • Darker denim tends to look dressier than a light wash jean or distressed jean.
  • Pairing dark denim with a pair of black dress shoes and a black or navy blue blazer looks smart. 
  • Short-sleeved polo shirts with dark denim pairs well with bold colors as well as cardigans over a button-up dress shirt. 

DON’Ts

  • Never wear skinny jeans, baggy, ripped or torn jeans to work as these can leave the impression you do not take work seriously.
  • Embellishments of any kind, such as patchwork, rhinestones, or studs are not appropriate.  
  • Leave the flip-flops, strappy sandals, and tennis shoes at home. 

To join the Donate for Denim program, contact info@teamconnor.org.

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 14th Annual III Forks Golf Classic, May 6-7, 2018; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, Summer 2018; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 2018; and the 8th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2018.  For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor. 

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The seventh annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot returned to the Dallas Gun Club for another year of outdoor fun benefiting TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.  The sold-out event raised more than $77,000 for childhood cancer research and programs implemented by TeamConnor, a 42.1% increase over last year.

“The Clay Shoot has become one of our most popular events and we appreciate the dedication and support of such a generous group,” said Kathryn Copple, executive director of TeamConnor. “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their future hopes and dreams seem bleak. With every dollar that is raised, we can commit more funding to prominent researchers; hopefully, leading to the eradication of childhood cancer.” 

Sponsors for the event included Northwestern Mutual Dallas, WebTPA, BenefitsTexas, Partners National Corporate Real Estate Services, Vilhauer Enterprises, Forte’ Benefits, Frisco Gun Club, Messick, Peacock and Associates, The Beck Group, Diversified Metroplex Investors, Frost Bank, Thompson Pipe Group, Motorcars of Dallas, Mullis Newby Hurst, ASI, Blake Brawner, Dodson Legal Group, Motorcars of Dallas, Prestonwood Pond LLC/Glenway Plaza and Freedom Power Sports. 

TeamConnor has donated more than $2.3 million to research institutions since it was founded in 2008, following the cancer diagnosis of four-year-old Connor Cruse of Frisco who lost his battle in 2009.   

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet, the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.   

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 14th Annual III Forks Golf ClassicMay 6 - 7, 2018; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, Summer 2018; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 2018; and the 8th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 5, 2018. For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor. 

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Lauren & Clint Brock of Candlelight Films

Candlelight Films, owned by husband/wife team Lauren and Clint Brock, have created beautiful heart-felt stories and viral wedding videos.  Filming from the heart, they are dedicated to creating films that touch people’s hearts.  Rated as one of the top wedding videographers in Texas, they chose TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation as their charitable partner. 

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is the legacy of eight-year-old Connor Cruse of Frisco who lost his four-year battle with neuroblastoma in 2009. TeamConnor has awarded more than $2.3 million in funding for childhood cancer research and patient programs across the country since 2008.  

“Lauren and I had the privilege to work with TeamConnor creating the “Call to Action” video for TeamConnor’s largest fundraiser, the III Forks Golf Classic and Celebratory Dinner,” said Clint Brock of Candlelight Films.  “We talked to the parents of a child who is battling neuroblastoma cancer, the same kind of cancer that took Connor’s life.  We filmed in an isolated, lead-lined room where parents watch their child through a window for 5 - 7 days with limited interaction and no physical touch.  As parents of two healthy children, going into this isolated room really tugged at our hearts. With the North Texas Giving Day video, we want to bring awareness to what kids endure in existing cancer treatments. We really need to find better treatment options, and ultimately a cure, for childhood cancers.”

Every year, more than 12,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet, the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

“We are committed to funding research for childhood cancers at some of the best research hospitals in the country,” said Kathryn Copple, TeamConnor’s Executive Director. “Last year, TeamConnor awarded more than $272,000 to six hospitals across the country to support cutting-edge research for childhood cancers. It is through our generous volunteers, corporate sponsors, and private donors that we can award these grants. Funding research is imperative to finding cures in the childhood cancer arena.”

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 14th Annual III Forks Golf Classic and Celebratory Dinner, May 6-7, 2018; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, Summer 2018; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 2018; and the 8th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2018. 

TeamConnor’s Coins for Kids with Cancer® program raises funds in schools, churches, offices, and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor. 

Founded by Lauren and Clint Brock in 2011, Candlelight Films takes a ‘story telling’ approach to capture lasting memories.  In addition to weddings, the company creates corporate videos and other projects across the country.  More information about this Texas-based company can be found at candlelightfilms.com.