Held at Peace Plaza outside Harvest Hall, Summer Splash Bash invites families to beat the heat with splash pads, bounce houses, bubbles, foam machines, music and more. Kids can splash into the excitement while parents unwind and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Dates:                Sunday evenings in July
Times:               5 – 8 p.m.
Where:              Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Station (815 S. Main Street)
Cost:                   Free!

Families are encouraged to B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Towels) and come ready for water-filled fun. With activities designed especially for young children, this event is a great way to create lasting Summer memories.

Park at FREE parking lots along Historic Main Street or at Grapevine Main Station, where parking is complimentary for the first 90 minutes. You can also ride Trinity Metro TEXRail, which brings you directly to Grapevine Main Station.

It’s easy to celebrate Summer even more in Grapevine. Experience the exciting All-American SummerFest at Gaylord Texan Resort, Summer Camp In at Great Wolf Lodge and explore dinosaur adventures with All Tracks Lead to Grapevine along Historic Main Street. With plenty of ways to keep the little ones entertained and lots of great spots on Main Street for a relaxing family meal, it’s easy to enjoy everything Grapevine has to offer. For more information visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.

The post Summer Splash Bash Comes to Grapevine! first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and since dementia continues to gain national attention, the James L. West Center for Dementia Care will host a free six-hour “streamathon” that will showcase and address three timely topics on Monday, June 22.

“Brain health is moving into the foreground as people are asking how to avoid or delay experiencing dementia for either themselves or a loved one,” says Jaime Cobb Tinsley, Vice President of Family & Professional Education at The James L. West Center. She adds, “They are craving information about how to address this disease.”

The streamathon is presented by Dementia-IQ, powered by the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, as an educational outreach program for the community that offers flexible online and in-person training, support groups, and on-demand resources.

The Center is a nationally recognized leader in dementia and caregiver education and specialized care for persons living with dementia through long-term and short-term residential care, the Adult Day Program, and At-Home Services.

Interested participants can access the streamathon via Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, featuring the timely topics of:

• Dementia and Communication Essentials
• The Many Faces of Grief During the Caregiving Journey
• New Insights into Brain Health

“We receive calls every day as people want to learn how to care for a loved one with dementia,” continues Tinsley. “They want to discover how to identify the early signs of dementia with a loved one, how to care compassionately, and how to help that loved one maintain their dignity throughout the process.”

Dementia impacts more than the estimated 7.2 million Americans diagnosed with the disease, and when one person is diagnosed with dementia, the entire family experiences the disease.

The first session of the streamathon will address “Dementia and Communication Essentials,” which will include early diagnosis, how dementia impacts the person living with the disease, and how to communicate most effectively.

The second session will speak to “The Many Faces of Grief During the Caregiving Journey,” which will include a better understanding of how to recognize signs of grief and how to address and resolve those concerns, which are a natural process in the dementia experience.

The third session will focus on “New Insights into Brain Health,” and will help participants grasp actions they can take to keep their brain active and engaged, and will share how important nutrition, movement, sleep, and many other lifestyle factors can significantly reduce the risk for developing dementia.

The streamathon reinforces The West Center’s dedication to providing insightful information that can help families who are experiencing dementia or who may experience the disease in the future.

Tinsley concludes, “So many families tell us that they wish they had paid more attention to early warning signs, and they appreciate how helpful and comforting our caregiver education programs are. At The West Center, part of our mission is to help caregivers better understand and provide the compassionate care that brings comfort and support to individuals living with dementia, wherever they are in the dementia journey. We are proud to offer programs that encourage people to take meaningful steps toward healthier aging.”

Photo courtesy of James L. West Center for Dementia Care

About the James L. West Center for Dementia Care 

For 33 years, the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, a not-for-profit organization, has served those impacted by dementia. Established by Eunice West in honor of her late husband, James L. West, who passed away from dementia, the Center continues to build on its excellence in compassionate care and caregiver and dementia education by expanding its service lines to meet the community’s needs. The Center offers residential care, a Senior Day Program, Short-Term Respite Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation, Home Care, and professional and family caregiver education, which was recently rebranded as Dementia-IQ Powered by James L. West. 

The post A Day of Dementia and Caregiver Education first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

That trip was our favorite family vacation (so far), and we’ve dreamt of returning to that little slice of paradise since then. This February, we made that dream come true. We mimicked our last trip, staying at the same resort and undertaking many of the same activities, so this trip was very familiar, but in some ways, it was quite different.

2021

In April of 2021, the world was coming back to life from the global pandemic and its travel restrictions. Turks and Caicos was particularly strict in their travel requirements. Negative Covid tests for entry and exit were non-negotiable. That, coupled with near universal reticence to venture outside, kept the crowds to a minimum, so we had the Windsong On The Reef resort nearly to ourselves. In fact, the entire island lacked the bustle we expected of a world-class tourist destination. Airfare and lodging prices were low and enticing. It was a great time to travel.

Fast forward five years, and the travel landscape was quite different. Airfare and lodging prices are back, baby! And so are the crowds. Windsong was hopping, and while the food and service were still top-notch, this time we had to strategize for pool, beach, and dining spots.

2021

In 2021, we had been spoiled by what felt like exclusivity but was in fact a universal tourism depression. Oh well. We just had more people to share paradise with this time. In April of ’21, the water in TCI was gin-clear with unlimited visibility. This time, our trip followed a biggish storm that had hit the area the week before, and underwater visibility suffered as a result. Oh well. We just had to look a little harder for the abundance of sea life that graces the waters around the island of Providenciales. I am happy to report that the weather was still perfect.

The biggest difference between our trips was in our travel companions. My wife and I hadn’t changed in our attitudes to exploration and relaxation. We were nerdily excited about boat trips and snorkeling. We were just as ready to relax by the beach and pool, reading books and catching rays. But something was different about our four children. Shockingly different. Annoyingly different.

In 2021, our firstborn was just 13, the girl-child was 12, and the twins (Thing One and Thing Two) were a mere 10 years old. They were young, open to experience, and even expressed gratitude. The world was still mysterious and fascinating to their young minds, but most importantly, they were malleable. They generally did what we asked of them, usually happily. They boarded boats with enthusiasm, cheered loudly upon seeing dolphins and sea turtles, and swam tirelessly in search of sand dollars and conch shells. They were excited about the unknown.

2026

Five years on, they’ve become insufferable, recalcitrant urchins. In short, they are quintessential teenagers. Don’t get me wrong. I still love them with every molecule of my being, but damn, they do make it difficult sometimes. They’d rather stay in bed until 2 PM, “Snapping” their friends whose parents have also taken them on some fabulous vacation to commiserate about how boring it all is.

They grumble about walks on one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. They’d rather eat a mediocre pizza than explore the unique, and, might I add, delicious, cuisine of the West Indies. And now they want rum in their formerly virgin pina coladas. Rum! We are open to our kids trying new things, but am I the bad guy for thinking 15 might be a tad young for your first mojito? One must draw the line somewhere.

2026

It used to be that when we said “no,” they accepted our authority, knowing it was born out of hard-won parental wisdom. Now, “no” is a challenge to prove what they know with a depressing certainty – that their parents are complete morons. Despite having proved we have the wherewithal to have fed, clothed, and sheltered them for the entirety of their blessed lives, we are utter nincompoops.

We left Turks and Caicos this time with new hard-won knowledge. Parenting, even in paradise, is hard. Traveling with teenagers, even to paradise, is hard. But it is still fun, and it is still worth it. And we have the pictures to prove it!

What the heck is “Snapping” anyway, and who took my mojito?

The post Here We Go Again first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

FIFA World Cup 2026 

 Cook Children’s Health Care System made it official on June 1 during a “Flag Bearer Signing Day”. In front of friends, family, and hospital staff, the teens signed the Peaks the Dragon soccer ball to commemorate the milestone.

Two Brothers, One Unforgettable Call 

“I’m going the World Cup!” said Christian Meza. “I’m going to watch some of my favorite players play. It’s just a lot of emotion for me.”

Christian’s mother, Margarita Fuentes, received the call for the pitch while he was undergoing treatment at Cook Children’s. Christian noticed the phone call was lasting longer than usual. When he asked about it, his mother delivered the once-in-a lifetime news.

“I’m literally talking to the phlebotomist like I’m going to the World Cup,” recalls Christian, “I’m just really spilling my heart out to them.”

Attending the match was once a distant dream for Christian and his brother, Landon Meza, especially after they previously looked up ticket prices and realized it felt unattainable. The brothers have played the FIFA video game for as long as they can remember. Now, they are transitioning from the virtual game to the actual field.

Through a partnership between Children’s Miracle Network, Walmart, and Coca-Cola, Cook Children’s Health Care System was chosen to provide all 12 Flag Bearers for the opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match at Dallas Stadium on June 14. The official pre-match ceremony requires 12 youth participants (ages 13–17) per match to carry national flags onto the pitch. Cook Children’s is a proud member of the Children’s Miracle Network and receives 100% of funds raised through its corporate partnerships and initiatives.

While these brothers share a passion for soccer, every single flag bearer chosen has overcome significant medical challenges. Representing unity, pride, and the global spirit of the game, Coca-Cola is bringing these resilient young fans to the pitch for an unforgettable experience.

Meet the 12 inspiring Cook Children’s flag bearers heading to the World Cup:

Name: Christian Meza

Age: 15

Hometown: Arlington

Superpower: One of my greatest skills and talents is barbecuing and smoking food. I enjoy learning different cooking techniques, managing the smoker and making meals to enjoy outside. I am also really good at gaming on my PS5.

Medical goal: My goal is to achieve full remission from ulcerative colitis and support healing and recovery of my kidney health.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: I love the service the staff and care team provide. Everyone is always so nice.

Favorite soccer players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gigi Buffon

Name: Cristo Hernandez

Age: 17

Hometown: Fort Worth

Superpower: Be able to build things quickly and focus on my goals.

Medical goal: To finish my treatment and be happy with myself.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: Seeing the dogs that help in the hospital and Peaks.

Favorite soccer player: Alvaro Fidalgo

Name: Dylan Gross

Age: 13

Hometown: Fort Worth

Superpower: Confidence

Medical goal: To not have my hemoglobin below 8-9

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: They make me feel safe and comfortable.

Favorite soccer player: Messi

Name: Emily Avila

Age: 17

Hometown: Fort Worth

Superpower: Kind, sympathetic, attentive and compassionate

Medical goal: Being medicine free.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: I like the snacks, staff, care teams, AYA Careteam.

Favorite soccer team: Club América

Name: Jaden Lowery

Age: 16

Hometown: Grand Prairie

Superpower: Bringing positivity and encouragement to the people around me, even during difficult situations

Medical win: Beating leukemia lymphoma at the age of six.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: The inviting staff and the way they make everyone feel welcome

Favorite soccer player: Alejandro Balde
Name: Kian Francis

Age: 16

Hometown: San Angelo

Medical Goal: Remission in 2 months.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: People and popcorn at Goodies to Go.

Name: Landon Meza

Age: 14

Hometown: Arlington

Superpower: Being creative, building things and figuring out how stuff works. I really enjoy robotics and STEM activities because they let me solve problems, think outside the box while creating cool projects.

Medical goal: Be healthy overall and continue to manage my asthma.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: The game room, the nice care team and the café.

Favorite soccer players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Landon Donovan

Name: Gunnar Stovall

Age: 17

Hometown: Grandview/Alvardo

Superpower: Powerlifting

Medical Win: I feel like my win is learning that my diagnosis (all of them) are life long and that I have to take it day by day and push through. 

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: Nurse and doctors are nice and always want to help.

Favorite soccer player: Messi

Name: Molly Hipple

Age: 13

Hometown: Abilene

Superpower: Playing the trombone.

Medical goal: For my hair to grow back.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: Seeing Steve and Bianca.

Name: Noa Davila

Age: 17

Hometown: Euless

Superpower: Goalkeeper skills

Medical win: Beating Cancer

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: The loving staff.

Favorite soccer player: Federico Valverde

Name: Sergio Herrera

Age: 17

Hometown: North Richland Hills

Superpower: Reading

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: Everyone’s very nice.

Favorite soccer player: Vini Jr.

Name: Wesley Duncan

Age: 16

Hometown: Weatherford

Superpower: I’m proud of my ability to be able to understand computers and coding.

Medical win: Being alive right now, I consider myself lucky to be living day after day, and I treat every day as if it’s a treasure.

Favorite thing about Cook Children’s: My favorite thing about Cook’s is the friendly nurses that take care of us as patients, my nurses are more like some of my best friends than people who take care of me.

The post From Treatment to the Pitch first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

We love almost all kinds of soup, and I find it’s a great way to use up leftovers and garden and/or farmers’ market vegetables that aren’t bad but really shouldn’t be used in salads. (Remind me to share a BLT soup that I used to make for one of the restaurants I worked at back in the Late Pleistocene – it’s delicious!)

This summery chowder is full of great summer produce. It’s lighter than a traditional chowder, as it doesn’t have a roux, and it keeps well in the fridge. It can be made vegan, vegetarian, or you can chuck in some bacon or leftover grilled or roasted chicken or seafood. If you have some grilled vegetables, throw them in. It’s refrigerator Velcro!

Summer’s Bounty Chowder

I’m writing this as we usually make it. You can throw almost any kind of vegetables that you have into it!

Ingredients

1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 to 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 poblano pepper, diced (you can substitute a couple of jalapeños or serranos; we’re just growing poblanos this summer, so that’s what we have)
1 to 2 zucchini or yellow summer squash, diced
1 bag baby red or yellow potatoes, halved
3 to 4 ears of corn, husked and the kernels removed from the cobs (DO NOT throw away the cobs – you’re going to use them!)
Handful of green beans, topped and tailed and snapped into bite-sized pieces
12 ounces thick cut bacon, diced
48 ounces broth – either chicken or vegetable
1 cup heavy cream or half and half
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (I use half hot and half sweet smoked paprika, but you do you)
Your favorite hot sauce to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, start to render the bacon while you are chopping your vegetables. Once the bacon is crispy, remove the bacon pieces and drain them on a piece of paper towel. Pour off all the bacon fat except for about 2 tablespoons and put the pot back over the heat.

Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in the reserved bacon fat until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté only until you can smell it. This will take less than a minute. Add in the peppers, squash, and potatoes, and sauté for another 5 minutes.

Pour in the broth and add the corn cobs to the pot. This will slightly thicken the soup and will give it a more pronounced corn flavor. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Remove the corn cobs from the soup and add in the green beans. Continue to simmer for about 5 minutes and then add in the corn kernels, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper. Just before serving, add in the cream or half and half and the reserved bacon pieces, and warm through. This is when you can add leftover chicken or seafood and grilled vegetables. If using half and half, DO NOT BRING TO A BOIL. It will separate. Season with more salt and pepper and your favorite hot sauce, and serve. This makes enough for 4 for dinner with leftovers. Like all soups, it’s better the next day!

The post Healthy Waists, Healthy Wallets – Farmers’ Market Chowder first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Litsey comes to TCU from Texas Tech University, where he served as associate dean of libraries, providing oversight for multi-library public services operations, large-scale budgets, personnel and strategic initiatives aligned with institutional priorities. His strengths include organizational transformation, faculty engagement, student success outcomes, fundraising and national professional leadership. He is a member of the Texas Education Policy Fellowship.

“I welcome Dr. Litsey to the TCU community. As a recognized leader and innovator in academic libraries, research impact, and digital transformation, he will propel our library to even greater heights as a premier resource hub for our students, faculty and staff,” said Floyd L. Wormley Jr, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Ryan Litsey
Photo courtesy of TCU

Among Litsey’s accomplishments are leading the relocation of more than 500,000 volumes to repurpose 75,000 sq. ft. for student-centered learning spaces; creating new scholarly service units for online learning and open educational resources, and securing public and private funding exceeding $1M in grants, gifts and administrative allocations.

“I look forward to continuing TCU’s tradition of library excellence and partnering with library staff and colleagues across campus to build on the library’s strong foundation while creating meaningful impact for students, faculty and the broader TCU community,” said Litsey. “Academic libraries are at a pivotal moment where innovation and tradition must work in tandem, and I believe the modern library should stand at the very center of that evolution. It must serve as both the intellectual and communal heart of the university: an engine for student success, a catalyst for faculty research and a bridge to the broader community.”

Litsey holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Research from Texas Tech University, a Master of Library and Information Studies from Florida State University, and a M.A. and B.A. in political science from California State University.

Litsey will join TCU on July 31, 2026. Provost Wormley has appointed Kristen Barnes, associate dean of the library, to provide oversight of the day‑to‑day operations of the Mary Couts Burnett Library from June 1 through July 30, 2026.

The post TCU Names Rylan Litsey as Dean of the Mary Couts Burnett Library first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

We review restaurants that serve (you guessed it) lunch. Please note, The Ladies are not professional food reviewers but are enthusiastic eaters and day drinkers who enjoy each other’s company over a good meal. We have extremely rigorous criteria for choosing restaurants to review:

• The restaurant must have either a full bar or a very good wine list. (The Ladies do enjoy a cocktail or cheeky glass of wine with their meals.)
• Lunch and drink specials are a nice bonus but are not necessary.
• The Ladies like new restaurants, but we also return to old favorites and seek out hidden gems and hole-in-the-wall spots. We are fairly catholic in our tastes, loving everything from a great burger or a big ol’ plate of enchiladas to foie gras and caviar.
• The Ladies try to always go local, and if they can find a women-owned restaurant, they give themselves an extra pat on the back.

And now, The Ladies Who Lunch review The Henry McCarty Irish Pub!

Lady the First: The Ladies were in the mood for something a little different this time – an Irish pub. Henry McCarty occupies the former Cork and Pig location off West 7^th – a spot I still miss. The space appears largely unchanged and remains a beautiful setting with a beautiful bar area and nice atmosphere.

The first order of business, as per usual, was ordering dirty martinis. They were top-notch!

For a starter, we couldn’t resist trying an offering called What the Duck! These duck wings were outstanding – perfectly crispy and glazed with the most delicious, sweet yet slightly spicy marmalade glaze. Our only suggestion is that they need to be served with a side of wet naps.

I ordered the shepherd’s pie for my entrée. The presentation was impressive, and the side salad was generous and tasty. The hearty mixture of lamb, beef, carrots, and onions was rich, while mashed potatoes were beautifully piped on top of the mixture and browned to create a crispy crust.

This was certainly not a light lunch, and I was full for the rest of the day. Henry McCarty is a fun spot that I would definitely revisit. The rest of the menu looks great, but I would have a hard time diverting from these wings and pie!

Lady the Second: The Henry McCarty Irish Pub claims that they are where “the bold taste of traditional Irish cuisine and the spirit of community come together in the heart of Fort Worth, TX.” (Fun fact: Henry McCarty was the birth name of Billy the Kid, who, legend has it, may have visited the Stockyards while he was on the run from the law. Possibly. Perhaps.) The menu features an interesting fusion of Irish and American cuisines with items like fish tacos, Irish nachos (kettle potato chips with a Guiness cheese sauce, pico de gallo, and sour cream), a Monte Cristo, and a traditional Irish breakfast.

After ordering dirty martinis made with Hendrick’s gin (okay, so Hendrick’s is Scottish – sue us) that were not too dirty and perfectly chilled for a warm afternoon, we decided to take our server Sam’s advice and start with the What the Duck! duck wings. The duck was a more interesting meat than your usual chicken wings, and the sweet and spicy orange marmalade sauce was the perfect foil for the nicely-fried wings. As Lady the First says, our only complaint was that we needed wet wipes after we devoured them.

(Our server, Sam, was delightful. She’s a Libra. Be sure to ask for her when you go.)

For my main, I ordered the Spice Bag, a lunch time special. “What is a Spice Bag?” I hear you ask. Originating in Chinese take-away shops all over Ireland, a spice bag is a combination of fries, fried chicken, peppers, and onions coated in spices and served in a brown paper bag. Henry McCarty serves their Spice Bag with a side of pub-style curry sauce.

The chicken was flavorful but scanty, and I could have used more spices and more fried onions. However, as I always want more fried onions, that isn’t necessarily a drawback for others. The curry sauce was flavorful yet mild, and of course, serving the food in a paper bag is a cute concept. Be warned: this is not a light meal. This is something that will stick to your ribs.

One thing to remember: this is a pub, so there are lots of televisions, and they play the music at a level only slightly lower than a demolition crew. However, the playlist was a delightful mix of Irish musicians and bands.

The Henry McCarty Irish Pub is, as Lady the First mentioned, on Artisan Circle, which is notorious for poor parking, but fear not! Your server will happily validate your parking so that you can avoid paying through the nose.

The Henry McCarty Irish Pub: 3.5 Martinis out of 5

2869 Crockett Street

Kitchen Hours
Monday through Wednesday: 11 am to 11 pm
Thursday and Friday: 11 am to 1 am
Saturday: 10 am to 1 am
Sunday: 10 am to 11 pm

Bar Hours
Monday through Wednesday: 11 am to 12 am
Thursday and Friday: 11 am to 2 am
Saturday: 10 am to 2 am
Sunday: 10 am to 12 am

The post The Ladies Who Lunch Review The Henry McCarty Irish Pub first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Whether you like the tide lapping over your toes, the freshest seafood imaginable, or just getting out of your routine to be with your loved ones, the United States has a plethora of lovely coastal hamlets to visit that are far from the madding crowds of the typical tourist spots. These towns are perfect for laid-back vacations, full of nature and lovely downtowns. As this issue is all about finding your happy place, who knows? You might find your happy place on this list.

Tremont, Maine

Located on what locals call the “quiet side” of Mount Desert Island, Tremont lies on the southwestern coast of the island. While Tremont and the villages of Bass Harbor, Seal Cove, and Gotts Island aren’t as well-known or as flashy as Mount Desert’s resort towns like Bar Harbor or Northeast Harbor, they are just as lovely and far less crowded. (Less expensive in the high season, too!) Tremont is also minutes from Acadia National Park, the first national park in the eastern United States, which is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails along the East Coast. Whether you want to hike in a national park or explore the little shops and local restaurants, this is sure to be a happy place for you.

New Castle, New Hampshire

The town of New Castle is the easternmost town in New Hampshire, situated at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. Stay surrounded by historic luxury in the 152-year-old Wentworth by the Sea hotel. This hotel is where, in 1905, Theodore Roosevelt hosted the Russian and Japanese delegations who negotiated the end of the Russo-Japanese War and the Treaty of Portsmouth. (President Roosevelt won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.) Explore Fort William and Mary and Fort Stark Historic Sites. Hike or bike the Portsmouth and New Castle Scenic Loop. Or simply soak up the peace on Great Island Common.

Chatham, Massachusetts

Sitting on the southeastern tip of Cape Cod, Chatham is a quintessential East Coast beach town. If you have a serious angler in your family, Chatham is the place to visit, as you can charter a boat to go out to the southern end of the famous Georges Bank. There are charming inns and cottages to stay in as you explore the four villages that comprise Chatham. Whether you prefer art galleries or boutiques, you can spend a day shopping. If a day of biking is more your speed, rent a bike at one of the several bike rental shops and hop on the Cape Cod Rail Trail before ending the day at one of Chatham’s dockside restaurants, where the seafood is guaranteed to have been swimming just that morning.

Cape May, New Jersey

One of the most beautiful Victorian towns in America, Cape May, while technically on the Jersey Shore, is about as far away from the traffic, crowds, and mess that the rest of the Jersey Shore is (in)famous for. Cape May’s pristine beaches are the perfect place to look for “Cape May diamonds,” beautifully clear quartz pebbles that have been polished smooth by the tides. Take a trolley tour of the historic town, or if you’re brave enough, take a ghost tour at night. Are you a birder? Cape May is the crossroads of several migratory paths, and the Cape May Bird Observatory is the place to add to your Life List. And if you just want to spend a lazy afternoon, why not head to the Cape May Brewing Co. to enjoy an afternoon/evening of good beer, good food, and good music?

Duck, North Carolina

On the northern end of the Outer Banks, Duck sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound. Explore the mile-long boardwalk or shop the waterfront shops before having a picnic in the 11-acre Town Park. One of the best ways to explore the area is to rent a kayak and spend the day on the Sound. If you’re a history geek, explore Island Farm, a living history site, or head to Fort Raleigh, where Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to found a colony. If you really want to immerse yourself in the history of the area, spend an evening enjoying The Lost Colony!, an outdoor dramatic retelling of the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Maybe you can figure out what happened to those colonists.

Apalachicola, Florida

Let the tourists flock to the towns of 30A. If you want to experience beautiful beaches, art galleries, and possibly the best Gulf oysters you can find, you want to spend a week in Apalachicola and Florida’s Forgotten Coast. This historic fishing town is located on the shore of Apalachicola Bay and is a center for Gulf Coast eco-tourism. Stay in an historic inn or rent a house on the beach. Take a sunset cruise along the Apalachicola River or go snorkeling in the shallows of St. Joseph Bay. You can explore the John Gorrie Museum State Park, which commemorates the inventor of air conditioning. Whatever you do, Apalachicola is the perfect place for a quieter Florida vacation.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

Dauphin Island is known as the “sunset capital of Alabama,” and boy, does this family-friendly town deliver. Spend an evening picnicking on West End Beach to catch some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen. Rent a bike and spend a morning on the seven-mile-long bike path around the island, or hike the trails of Indian Shell Mound Park. The Alabama Aquarium is open year-round, as is the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. (Dauphin Island has been voted “America’s Birdiest City” for the last three years.) There are charming boutiques and little art galleries, but the best thing to do in Dauphin Island is to grab a book and spend a day relaxing on the beach.

Palacios, Texas

We’re all familiar with Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Port Aransas, but if you want a slower-paced, less crowded vacation, head to historic Palacios. Palacios offers some of the best fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast, and birders flock to the town (see what I did there) for the spring and fall migrations. Spend the morning or evening fishing off the Palacios Seawall, and explore the City by the Sea Museum in the afternoon. Stay at the Peaceful Pelican bed and breakfast or rent a cottage by the shore. And if you’re not into fishing or birding or exploring, head to the Old Main Bookstore to grab a coffee and pastry while you browse the bookshelves.

Solana Beach, California

Just north of San Diego lies the city of Solana Beach. This walkable gem is perfect for a week spent hiking, shopping, and relaxing on the beach. Tide Beach Park is known for “table top” reefs and the eponymous tide pools, which are chock full of sea life when the tide goes out. The 2.3-mile loop of Annie’s Canyon Trail meanders through a sandstone slot canyon that opens out to stunning coastal views. Spend a day wandering through the shops, galleries, and cafes that make up the Cedros Design District, or explore the Cedros Avenue Farmers Market on a Sunday. There’s live music at the Belly Up Tavern, horse racing in the summer at the historic Del Mar Racetrack, and surfing at Fletcher Cove.

Cambria, California

Located almost directly between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway, the town of Cambria sits amidst one of only three native Monterey Pine forests in California. Blessed with scenic beaches and rocky cliffs, Cambria is a paradise for the whole family. Want to shop? Cambria’s downtown is full of galleries and boutiques, but not full of tourists in the high season. Are you a nature lover? Kayak or snorkel in one of the nearby marine conservation areas, hunt for moonstones on the aptly-named Moonstone Beach, hike the numerous trails around the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (alone or with a guide), or visit the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas. (Just don’t ask why those rocks are white!) If you’re a history geek or movie fan, spend the morning at Hearst Castle, and then reward yourself with an afternoon tasting the award-winning wines at Cutruzzola Vineyards. The local surfing is great, the beaches aren’t crowded, and the town has charming bed and breakfasts to ensure you’re well-rested for tomorrow’s adventures.

Ferndale, California

Northern California is as different from Southern California as Galveston is different from El Paso. Instead of the palm trees and sandy beaches and lonely deserts of Southern California, Northern California is home to redwood forests and green mountains and foggy mornings. Ferndale is a beautifully preserved Victorian town at the mouth of the Eel River, off the beaten path. Whether you want to commune with the redwoods in or shop in an authentic general store, Ferndale is your place. Take a spin down the Lost Coast Scenic Drive, a wildly remote and spectacularly scenic drive twisting through high alpine forests down to the Pacific coast along a narrow, deserted highway. Or drive north to the Avenue of the Giants, and drive through a redwood in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Regardless of what you choose, Ferndale is sure to become a happy place.

Neskowin, Oregon

Nestled between Cascade Head and Nestucca Bay on the unspoiled Pacific coast of Oregon, the quaint hamlet of Neskowin is the perfect place to spend a laid-back week of exploring and relaxing. Unlike some of the other places on this list, Neskowin is best visited in winter. (Yes, you read that correctly.) During the winter, the low tides reveal the Neskowin Ghost Forest, a Sitka Spruce forest that, for whatever reason, disappeared beneath the waves over 2,000 years ago, making for an eerie-yet-arrestingly picturesque sight through the winter mists. The famous Proposal Rock lies just to the north of the Ghost Forest along the coast, and is a beautiful place to picnic, explore tide pools, or fly a kite (or, you know, propose). The whole stretch of coast around Neskowin is perfect for winter storm watching or whale watching, and the bird population at the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge during the spring and fall migrations fill the tidal marshes and freshwater wetlands. Neskowin is also home to the historic Neskowin Beach Golf Course. Opened in 1932 and in continuous use since, the Golf Course is a public, nine-hole course set in one of the most beautiful locales you’ve ever golfed.

Long Beach, Washington

On the Long Beach Peninsula, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach is the perfect headquarters for exploring Washington’s Evergreen Coast. The historic town of Oysterville lies to the north of Long Beach and is the gateway to Leadbetter Point State Park and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. To the south, Cape Disappointment State Park offers beautiful hikes, World War II bunkers, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, as well as spectacular storm watching in winter. If you’re a Goonies fan, Astoria, Oregon, is just across the Columbia River. But the best thing to do in Long Beach (in my opinion) is to fly a kite on the beautiful, uncrowded beach that looks out over the Pacific before exploring one of the craft breweries or local wineries.

Port Townsend, Washington

An exquisitely preserved Victorian seaport on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the picturesque town of Port Townsend has a little something for everyone. Walk along the beach to Point Wilson Lighthouse and then explore historic Fort Worden State Park (which served as the main filming location for 1982’s award-winning An Officer and a Gentleman). If you are a festival fanatic, you will be sure to enjoy the annual Rhododendron Festival, Wooden Boat Festival, or Port Townsend Film Festival. Grab some delicious goodies at the Crusty Crumb Bakery (seriously, the cardamom buns are amazing) and have a picnic and toss a Frisbee in the beautiful Chetzemoka Park with its breathtaking views over Admiralty Inlet. Explore the Port Townsend Historic District, home to numerous charming Victorian homes and storefronts, and shop the local boutiques of Water Street. Any budding marine biologists in your family will love the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and ghost hunters will want to stay in either Room 302 or 306 of the Manresa Castle Hotel. Whatever kind of vacation you desire, Port Townsend has you covered.

Coupeville, Washington

The only town on this list located in a National Historical Reserve, Coupeville is probably best known as the filming location for 1998’s Practical Magic. Filming location aside, Coupeville is a beautiful town on the southern edge of Penn Cove, home of the world-famous Penn Cove mussels, on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. Surrounded by the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Coupeville is the perfect base for exploring Whidbey. Hike the bluff trail of the Historical Reserve for jaw-droppingly beautiful panoramic views of Mount Baker to the east, Mount Rainier to the southeast, and the Olympic Mountains to the west. Visit Price Sculpture Forest or the Lavender Wind Farm. Explore Coupeville Farmers Market, one of the oldest farmers’ markets in Washington State, or take a whale watching tour out into Puget Sound. Whatever you do, Coupeville and Whidbey will definitely make your list of happy places.

Roche Harbor, Washington

Located on scenic San Juan Island, tiny Roche Harbor is just 20 minutes north of the bright lights of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island at the northern end of Puget Sound. This winsome hamlet is the perfect base for exploring all the island has to offer. To get to San Juan Island, you can take a ferry from Anacortes on the mainland, but if you want a real treat, take a Kenmore Air seaplane from Seattle to Friday Harbor. The views as you fly over the sound are astounding. Stay at the historic Hotel de Haro, the oldest operating hotel in Washington State. Grab lunch at the Lime Kiln Café and picnic in Lime Kiln Point State Park to watch the orca pod playing in the Sound. (There’s a reason Lime Kiln Park’s nickname is Whale Watch Park.) Shop the boutiques and art galleries in Friday Harbor or explore the two wineries or the alpaca farm on the island. Hike through the 20 acres of outdoor art in a beautiful natural setting at the San Juan Sculpture Park, maintained by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. Whether you love history, the outdoors, art, or the sea, Roche Harbor and San Juan Island are sure to become happy places.

The post Coastal Gems to Explore first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS

The calendar of events below is accurate as of June 4, 2026. The most current information can always be found at kimbellart.org/calendar.

Ongoing Programs

In addition to the free programs listed below, the museum also offers a range of regular, free Public Tours exploring the museum’s permanent collection, special exhibitions, and architecture.

Kimbell Kids Drop-In Studios introduce children (ages 12 and younger) and their adult companions to fun and inspiring ways to enjoy art through gallery explorations and related studio-art projects on selected Saturdays from 1 to 1:45 p.m. The themes are VIPs in June and FUNctional Art in July and August. Sign-up begins at noon in the Kahn Building.

Happy Hours on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Kimbell Café feature live music and a selection of beverages and snacks available for purchase. No reservations are required. Members receive a 10% discount on beverages during Happy Hours. Note: The Kimbell Café will not be open for Happy Hour on Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday, or on July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

For Adults

Films

Documentary films feature expert commentary and high-quality cinematography to complement special exhibitions, architecture, and the Kimbell’s permanent collection.

SECOND SUNDAYS, 2 p.m.

Piano Pavilion, Auditorium

No registration required

Space is limited.

JUNE 14

Picasso: A Rebel in Paris (2024, 52 min.)

JULY 12

Munch: Love, Ghosts and Lady Vampires (2022, 90 min.)

AUGUST 9

Modigliani and His Secrets (2020, 53 min.)

Kimbell Casual Fridays

Bring friends and a sense of adventure for interactive gallery experiences that mingle Friday night vibes, collaboration, and creative expression. This free, forty-five-minute program occurs once a month during the Kimbell Café’s regular Happy Hour.

SELECTED FRIDAYS, 5:30–6:15 p.m.

Kahn Building, West Lobby

No registration required

JUNE 26

Muses

JULY 17

Nature Walk

AUGUST 21

Dynasties and Destinies

Fête Nationale Française Happy Hour Celebration

Join the Kimbell and Fort Worth Sister Cities International to celebrate French art and culture. Highlights will include live music by String Theory Manouche, a French-themed scavenger hunt with prizes, and an art-making activity.

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 5–7 p.m.

Kahn Building

No registration required

For Kids and Families

Pictures and Pages

Join us for stories, art, and creative play! This free program is designed for children (ages 4–6) and their adult partners. Spanish-language facilitation is available with advance notice.

FIRST TUESDAYS, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Kahn Building, Galleries

Registration required

Space is limited.

JULY 7

Parade of Colors

AUGUST 4

Catch of the Day

Photo courtesy of the Kimbell Art Museum

First Thursday Sketching Tours

Designed for homeschool students (K–8 grades), these free programs explore selected themes through sketching and writing activities in the Kimbell’s permanent collection. All materials are provided.

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Kahn Building, Galleries

Registration required

Space is limited.

JUNE 4

Geography Games

AUGUST 6

If These Walls Could Talk: Museum Models

Second Saturdays

Experience dynamic and diverse forms of creative expression during afternoon events hosted in conjunction with the special exhibition The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem.

Piano Pavilion, Auditorium

No registration required

Space is limited.

JUNE 13, 1–2 p.m.

Texas Camerata presents Echoes of the Holy Sepulcher: 18th-Century Music for Church and Chamber

Sensory Hour / Hora Sensorial

Enjoy a calming, sensory-friendly visit to the Kimbell prior to general public hours. Sensory Hour accommodations include lower light levels, reduced attendance capacity, and quiet zones. Communication boards, social narratives, fidgets, and noise-reduction headsets will be available at the Welcome & Information Table.

Ice Cream Sunday

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 11 a.m.–noon
Kahn Building and Piano Pavilion
Registration required

Family Festival / Fiesta de la Familia

Beat the heat at this event featuring art making, gallery activities, live music, and complimentary Melt Ice Cream (while supplies last).

Photo courtesy of the Kimbell Art Museum

Ice Cream Sunday

SUNDAY, JULY 19, noon–5 p.m.
Kahn Building and Piano Pavilion
No registration required

Teen Summer Studio

Teens interested in developing their studio skills and creative practice are invited to apply to participate in immersive studio workshops led by professional artists. Students will participate in both the morning and afternoon sessions.

MONDAY–FRIDAY, JULY 27–31, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Piano Pavilion

Applications are due June 15, 2026.

Space is limited.

SUPPORT

The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem is supported in part by the Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District. Promotional support for the Kimbell Art Museum and its exhibitions is provided by American Airlines, the Fort Worth Report, and NBC 5. Additional support is provided by Arts Fort Worth and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Special thanks to the Nuestro Kimbell committee for their support of our community programs.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The post The Kimbell’s Free Summer Community Programs first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Especially for kids, but even for adults. Everything seems to slow down a bit. Often there’s a vacation to be taken, and plenty of backyard barbecues and pool time. For parents, this is a great time to take a break from the morning hustle and bustle of getting kids to school on time and all the school-related extracurriculars we must plan for. However, the big challenge when school is out is keeping our kids busy. Clearly, we can’t have them sitting around the house playing video games all day for two and a half months. Some programming is helpful to busy parents, and it’s healthy for kids to have some structure when school isn’t in session. This is where the best summer tradition of all comes in. Summer Camp!

Splish Splash
Courtesy of YMCAFW

Summer camps come in all shapes and sizes, and while there is something for everyone, it can be hard to choose the right environment and program for our kids. We all want to find summer programs that are safe, fun, entertaining, and educational for our kids. It may seem like a tall order, but take heart, dear parent; our local YMCA has all the answers and options that tick all the boxes.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth has been doing summer camp longer than most of us have been alive. They know what kids want and what parents need. That’s why they have developed systems to keep kids busy having fun in an environment parents can trust. They have weekly adventure day camps at multiple branches throughout the entire summer where kids can unplug, explore, learn, play, and have a blast being silly and carefree. YMCA Camp Carter offers weekly day camp and also overnight camp opportunities for kids who are ready to take their summer camp experience to the next level and test their independence in a wholesome and safe environment.

As Holli Winn, the Senior Vice President of Programs for the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, says, “I believe summer camp is important because it builds confidence and creates friendships. It generates social and emotional learning. It offers kids the opportunity to have adult role models to learn from and bond with. It is a place that is safe for kids to explore and grow, and it provides high-quality programming that parents can feel good about.”

Camp Carter Big Swing
Courtesy of YMCAFW

Adventure camps give kids opportunities to put down their devices, discover nature, play sports, swim, improve their fitness, get some sunshine, discover their talents, and make new friends. Each weekly adventure camp has a specific theme, from superheroes to sports, that each branch participates in. With locations all over the Fort Worth metro area, there is a convenient location for every family. Best of all, YMCA adventure camps are refreshingly affordable.

In addition to weekly day camp, YMCA Camp Carter offers several overnight camp sessions on a beautiful 360-acre campus right on the Trinity River, a mere 15 minutes from downtown Fort Worth, that feels like another world altogether. Many of us who grew up in Fort Worth attended Camp Carter, and we can attest to the magical feeling we got there. A feeling that only summer camp can provide. Camp Carter is a true overnight camp experience, and all that implies right here in our own backyard. It is the perfect next step when your child, and you as parents, are ready to graduate from day camp to the full summer camp experience.

For kids, summer camp is pure fun. For parents, it can be an anxious time. We want our kids to have fun, make great memories, and learn, but we also want them to be safe. The YMCA, perhaps better than any organization, understands this and takes measures above and beyond any required steps to ensure the safety of our most precious gifts: our children. YMCA camp counselors, lifeguards, and staff receive extensive training across myriad topics to ensure kids not only have fun but also feel safe and respected during their time at camp.

Field Trip!
Courtesy of YMCAFW

The summer experiences the YMCA offers are fun, safe, affordable, and convenient. By working with kids in this way, YMCA summer camps build confidence by allowing them to be themselves, grow, learn, explore, create new friendships, and make lasting summer memories. They offer everything kids and parents want and need in a summer camp, and that is why we love them!

For more information and to register your kids for unforgettable summer experiences, visit the Fort Worth YMCA website.

The post Quality Camps Parents Can Feel Good About first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.