Park Cities, TX February 2026

The February Issue EMBRACING THE PARK CITIES BUBBLE WITH MARTHA JACKSON F E B R UA RY 2 02 6

LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Love Local Issue LOVE in our Community!

This season we celebrate the elegance of living locally; the artisans, the flavors, the landscapes and the stories that shape the places we call home.

“Love Local” is more than a theme- it is an invitation. Stepping into the quaint charm of a neighborhood bakery or to rediscover a boutique whose owner actually knows you by name and greets you remembering a previous purchase you had made. We discover a particular kind of luxury that cannot be purchased, ordered on Amazon or flown in from abroad - when you pause long enough to look around and breathe in your community - you fall in love with what is already yours.

When we choose local, we choose connection - purchases and experiences become conversations, routines become rituals, our communities become stronger, richer and more vibrant. In this issue you will find faces and names who are more than known in our area, they truly are part of our community. The special effort of years with “The Bubble Podcast” and citizen of the year Martha Jackson is fondly shared, and appreciated! The story of the compassion and the man behind “Earl Young’s Team” - this one is for the record books, literally! Your local neighbor and resident’s story of being an Olympian champion in Rome and being the face on the cover of Sports Illustrated who now shares efforts to save others’ lives is truly an effort of love, to say the least.

As you turn these pages, may you be inspired to explore the beauty just outside your doorstep known as Park Cities. Take time to indulge in the uncommon pleasures of the familiar and rediscover the art of living intentionally. So often the finest things in life aren’t always far away. Sometimes they’re right here at home - waiting to be loved.

Best to you, always 1 John 4:18 - “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

L I N DA L I V I N G S TO N , P U B L I S H E R @ PA R KC I T I E S L I F E S T Y L E (817) 613-7723

February 2026 PUBLISHER

Linda Livingston | linda.livingston@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Kristi Harvey | kristi.harvey@citylifestyle.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Mark Hanna | mark.hanna@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kelsey Kosh, David Muscari, Lauren Stone

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Park Cities Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Park Cities area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

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Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Park Cities Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 6 | LOV E LO CA L

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Featured

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Departments

A Legendary Love of Life

1960 Olympic Gold Medalist and Park Cities stalwart Earl Young is leading an effort to change lives..

Embracing the Park Cities Bubble

We honor the host of ‘Bubble Lounge’ and University Park’s Citizen of the Year, Martha Jackson.

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A New Standard of Luxury

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For The Love of The Bracco

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Private aviation leader Million Air Dallas has flown Dallas’ finest for 40+ years.

How il Bracco is Texas’ top Aperol buyer per-square-foot.

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Hometown Hero SPORTS + RECREATION

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Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

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Local Limelight AUTO + MARINE

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Must See FOOD + BEVERAGE

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Travel Journal TRAVEL

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Events

PROFESSIONAL HANDYMAN

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ELECTRICAL

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Park Cities Quail Coalition 20th Annual Dinner & Auction Please join us for our 20th Annual Dinner & Auction, where we will honor Robert Earl Keen with the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award.

For more information, visit parkcitiesquail.org

March 5, 2026 Armstrong Fieldhouse on the SMU campus

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FEBRUARY 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1: Preservation Park Cities 2025 Distinguished Speaker Luncheon with Lesley and Burton Rhodes 2: Porter Fuqua, Lauren Cooper, Luncheon Chairs; Jason Morski, President, PPC; Brent Hull, featured speaker 3: Krista Porteous, Corey Bowen, Tish Key, Amy Beale Photography by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

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February is all about Consistency, Momentum, and Showing up at Hola HP At Hola HP!, we use this time of year to help students strengthen skills, rebuild confidence, and push through mid-year burnout. Whether it’s small-group tutoring, targeted review sessions, or one-on-one support, our focus stays the same: meeting students where they are and helping them grow. Progress doesn’t always happen overnight, but steady effort makes a real difference, and we’re proud to support our students every step of the way this month and beyond. holahp.com

The Opening of the New Clubhouse at Ranger Ridge We’re excited to announce the opening of El Presidio, our new clubhouse at Ranger Ridge. This beautiful space features a stunning pool overlooking one of our pristine lakes, a full chef’s kitchen, a spacious game room, and plenty of room to relax or entertain. Designed for comfort and connection, El Presidio offers an elevated setting for gatherings, events, or quiet escapes, making every visit to Ranger Ridge even more memorable. rangerridge.com

CONTINUED >

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business monthly CONTINUED

maman, the Beloved French café and Lifestyle Brand, is Now Open

I F YO U A R E R E A D I N G

maman, the beloved French café and lifestyle brand, has opened its first Texas location in Dallas’ Plaza at Preston Center. Known for its pastries, curated goods, and community-focused hospitality, maman brings Dallas a charming all-day café experience with coffee, housemade baked goods, and cozy spaces to gather and celebrate what we love most—good food and good company. mamannyc.com

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A Legendary Love of Life 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist and Park Cities stalwart Earl Young is now leading an extraordinary effort of a different kind, designed to save lives around the world

ARTICLE BY DAVID MUSCARI

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H OM E TOWN H E R O | S P ORTS + RE CRE AT ION

Earl Young has always been a winner. As a world-renowned sprinter, at age 19, he was the youngest member of the American track and field team that won gold in Rome back in 1960, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Young’s travels took him to places he could only dream about: Moscow, Stuttgart, London, Sao Paulo, and more, where he competed against the world’s top athletes and rubbed shoulders with show business royalty like Elizabeth Taylor.

It was an eye-opener for the Abilene Christian University track star, navigating complex geopolitical scenes swirling around him, including Cold War-era KGB, CIA, and a host of situations he’d never encountered.

Eventually, Young left the track behind for a career, which included victories in oil and gas, mining, finance, and more, while working around the globe.

In his book, “Gold and Grace, The Higher Purpose of an Olympic Champion,” Young chronicles his life in 13 stirring chapters, peppered with rare historical insights and stories that demonstrate his inspirational, faith-driven purpose past athletics.

“I had ambitions beyond foot races in short pants,” he says.

Young moved to Dallas in the fall of 1964; the city was still mired in the aftermath of the JFK assassination.

The book follows his path out of sports and into business, and how Olympic connections helped him jumpstart a career.

He recalls stories of meeting bigger-than-life Texas characters like Billy Sol Estes and working closely with icons, including T. Boone Pickens.

Young’s oldest daughter, Stacey Mayfield, is among his biggest fans. She is the director of the Haas Moto Museum in Addison, a project she co-founded with her life partner, the late Bobby Haas.

“My dad has always been my hero, for as long as I can remember, not for his athletic accomplishments, but for the way he carries himself in this world,” she says.

Young writes candidly in a chapter called “The Race of My Life,” recounting an incident when he was concerned about what might be seasonal allergies, or so he thought.

After a battery of tests, he was referred to an oncologist and eventually underwent a bone

marrow biopsy. Young was informed, at age 71, that he had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood cancer.

From there, he was advised on medical matters like chemotherapy, DNA, and stem cell transplants, as well as a potentially grim timetable, seriously confronting issues he had never considered before.

Young had been a high-performing athlete, a world champion who rarely even thought about his health, much less his mortality.

But things unraveled quickly.

His arduous treatment began in Dallas. Nothing was a given. In “Gold and Grace,” Young details the painful procedures he endured.

As he entered a world filled with medical trials and uncertainty, Young describes dead ends, frustrations, and discoveries that would eventually lead to recovery.

It didn’t seem real, says Mayfield. “Not this guy, my hero, my dad, the man who always showed up with such strength.”

But Young never lost hope, he says. “As hard as the process was, I never thought I would die …

Cancer gave me a purpose that was missing in my previous life.”

According to Young, in the U.S., every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer; and every year, about 18,000 people will CONTINUED >

Earl Young

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H OM E TOWN H E R O | S P ORTS + RE CRE AT ION

“His strength, grace, and faith have guided him through every season of his life.”

face an illness in which a bone marrow or blood stem cell treatment offers their best chance for survival.

Such transplant treatments can slow down or even cure over 75 different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia.

Young laments the fact that about 70 percent of patients will not have a family member who is an appropriate match.

Thus, the process of registering donors worldwide is the best hope. “Imagine how many lives that would save,” says Young.

In Young’s case, he was the recipient of stem cells from a stranger named Christine Waag, who lived in a small town in Germany.

The young woman changed his life. “Christine was the only match out of the 22 million registered donors at the time,” says Young.

DKMS is an international nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of patients with blood cancers and disorders. Founded in Germany in 1991, it has over 12.5 million registered donors providing blood stem cell donations to those in need.

Waag was identified through her DKMS registration. But little did she know the impact she’d have on a Texan fighting for his life. Her selflessness saved Young’s life, and so far, Young says, 172 others have been rescued through her donations alone.

“Patients and donors are allowed to meet and share information after two years,” and evidence of a successful transplant, says Young.

When the pair met in person, Young recounts the emotion, the hugs and tears, and the formation of a lifelong bond.

Ultimately, he believes AML turned out to be a blessing. “His strength, grace, and faith have guided him through every season of his life,” says Mayfield.

Young’s book details extraordinary challenges and death-defying experiences he endured and salutes a series of inspirational people along the way.

Today, at age 85, he’s Executive Director of Earl Young’s Team, a nonprofit working to defeat blood cancers through awareness and registration, with 40,000 people so far.

“It’s a Preston Road Church of Christ ministry,” says Young. “One of our biggest drives was at Park Cities Baptist, plus SMU, Dallas Baptist Medical City Hospital, UTSW, and others.”

As far as a lasting legacy, Young says, “Nothing is as important to me now as this mission. I feel blessed to serve this higher purpose for the rest of my days on earth.”

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

HOST OF ‘BUBBLE LOUNGE’ AND UNIVERSITY PARK’S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR, MARTHA JACKSON REACHES 180,000 LISTENERS THROUGH HER PARK CITIESFOCUSED PODCAST.

ARTICLE BY KELSEY KOSH

EMBR ACING THE

Martha Jackson, 2025 UP Citizen of the Year

PARK CITIES BUBBLE Martha Jackson’s son laughed as his mom jumped up and down in the kitchen, smiling. “Are you okay, Mom?” her son asked her. She told him the mayor of University Park had just called her to share that she’d been chosen as the area’s Citizen of the Year. “I was just so excited. I was so honored. It's just not something I would have ever thought would have happened,” Jackson remembers.

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The host of hyperlocal podcast “Bubble Lounge” received the award early in 2025, recognizing her work to improve the quality of life in University Park. Jackson launched the podcast in 2018, as the stay-at-home mom’s kids were getting older. “I was itching to do something new, and I was just craving a deeper connection with the community, not just socially, but meaningful connections within the Park Cities,” she says.

With a previous career in public relations and having majored in television and radio at The University of Oklahoma, Jackson had the storytelling background to launch the podcast she conceptualized, and her husband Sean, an IT professional, had the audio editing expertise. “I just wanted to create a space in the community where people felt seen and valued and connected. The name the ‘Bubble Lounge’ reflects that idea,” she says. The podcast’s title refers to Jackson’s Park Cities “bubble,” or community.

Jackson says the podcast covers topics people might discuss over coffee or dinner with a friend—how to better tend to ageing parents, local sporting events, how to navigate teen relationships during Homecoming week, local writers’ books, and area entrepreneurs’ businesses. “There are so many neighbors who I don't even know about that people constantly tell me about,” she says. “Things like that are always popping up.”

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

“I WAS CRAVING A DEEPER CONNECTION W I T H T HE C OMMUNI T Y, NO T JU S T S OCI A L LY, BUT MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITHIN PA R K CI T IE S.”

Memorable episodes have included a talk about grief with Reverend Christopher Girata, the head rector of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, after the tragic flooding at Camp Mystic in Central Texas. “It was just such an awful tragedy to hit so many people from our little community,” Jackson says. She also says her educational content—such as episodes on how to navigate college recruitment or better care for aging parents—seems to resonate well with listeners. “We're always trying to educate ahead of time and make people feel like they have some knowledge before they get to a point in life where it's an emergency and you're emotional and not thinking straight,” Jackson explains.

The Bubble Lounge has grown to reach more than 180,000 listeners, a number more than double most population estimates for Park Cities. Jackson has recorded more than 330 weekly episodes, and rarely ever skips a week. “A lot of the content comes from just paying attention and listening or conversations that I hear at school events or on the sidelines of sports events, charity events— just being out and about in the neighborhood … seeing what the hot topics are and what people are concerned with at the time helps a lot,” Jackson explains.

Heading into the podcast’s eighth year, Jackson hopes to continue expanding the Bubble Lounge’s reach and platform. In the short-term, that means adding even more variety. “I want to mix up the content a little bit more,” she says. “We're exploring the format for the actual podcast, just adding some different segments in there to spice it up.” She also wants to incorporate more brand partnerships and video elements.

“The podcast itself is not on video right now, but I’m definitely interested in moving it to that, because that's where most podcasts are going these days,” she says. Jackson describes the longterm vision for the podcast in a similar way to how she described its launch: Not having a master plan. “I don’t really have it all mapped out yet…but it’s really important to me to make sure that it stays authentic and relevant and rooted in the connection to the community.”

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A NEW STANDARD

of Luxury

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | AUTO + MARIN E

PRIVATE AVIATION LEADER MILLION AIR DALLAS HAS FLOWN DALLAS’ FINEST FOR 40+ YEARS.

ARTICLE BY KELSEY KOSH

Forty years ago, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics Mary Kay Ash needed a place for business partners to land and be treated with the standard of luxury for which the beauty icon and her brand were known. “The Mary Kay HQ , and then the Million Air Dallas terminal, were placed in Addison with the foresight to know that Addison would soon be a bustling business center for the North Dallas area,” says Sr. Director of Business Strategy at Cara Tolentino.

Now, Million Air Dallas, the private jet services company born from Ash’s need has grown into one of the largest fixed base operators in the world. “We were the first to pioneer the idea of a luxury fixed base operator,” says Director of Charter Operations Kim Hexter. The company is now owned

by Richard & Nancy Rogers, with 15 aircraft under management, and flies approximately 3,700 hours per year.

Million Air offers its clients the ability to streamline the customs process when arriving on an international flight, as well as book cars, chauffeurs, and hotels via a single platform. It also publishes prices up front and prior to landing. Ramp fees are waived with a minimum fuel purchase, helping to ensure the pilots experience the same luxury standard as their passengers.

Other amenities include: complimentary wifi on the ramp, more than 13,000 square feet of heated hangar space, onsite showers and quick turn service, private snooze rooms, a business center with conference space, private pilot lounge, a newly renovated passenger lounge, and a surround sound-equipped theater room. Finally, private aviation passengers, like those at Million Air Dallas, have the ability to fly into 5,000 smaller airports, rather than the 500 commercial hubs accessed by major airlines and airports. “This means optimizing your most important asset: time,” says VP of Sales Amy Bowers.

In early 2025, Million Air Dallas launched its MAnext Brand to represent its aircraft management and charter divisions. “As the company expanded, we made the strategic decision to separate our business lines to better serve clients around the world,” says Tolentino. “This structure preserves the strength of the founding brand while enabling MAnext to focus exclusively on delivering premium, high-touch ownership and travel solutions.”

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Amy Bowers

Cara Tolentino

Aircraft management by a professional service like MAnext enables owners to sell their aircraft for 20 percent more on average. “We ensure 360-degree, transparent ownership—a partnership, not just a service,” adds Amy Bowers, vice president of aircraft management at MAnext. “We maximize your investment by offering an optional, professionally managed charter program, enabling owners to offset significant costs while retaining priority access and complete financial visibility. Our goal is to be your trusted aviation partner and make ownership seamless.”

PILOTED BY MANY WOMEN LEADERS

Bowers, Hexter, and Tolentino are among the 14 percent of women who hold senior leadership roles in private aviation. All three are 20+-year industry veterans. “We have an exceptional team of career aviation professionals who work hard for our clients and operate with integrity in everything we do,” says Hexter, who began her career in aviation as a commercial pilot, before becoming a flight scheduler at Million Air Dallas post 9/11. “Over the course of my career with Million Air Dallas and MAnext, I have worked exclusively within the flight operations department, progressing from flight specialist, to manager of flight operations, and now, director of charter operations,” she says.

Bowers began her career at Executive Jet Management, building the company’s Texas market from the ground up. “This included

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | AUTO + MARIN E

Kimberly Hexter

securing new aircraft management clients and driving charter revenue to keep our fleet busy,” she says. She then worked at the now defunct Dallas-based Wheels Up, helping the brand fill its weekday schedule. Now, she is leading growth for MAnext. “I am leveraging my extensive experience with this established aviation company, a 40-year legacy poised for its next chapter of expansion,” she says. MAnext has recently grown to serve Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and more.

Tolentino has spent her entire career in private aviation with Million Air Dallas. She began in line service for Million Air Dallas and has risen through positions in customer service, accounting, and flight operations, before landing in her current role overseeing business development, marketing, HR, and business operations for Million Air Dallas and MAnext. “Learning to navigate industry downturns and architect and execute strategic growth processes has handed me some of the biggest achievements along the way,” she says.

Piloted by these women leaders and the entire leadership team, Million Air Dallas and MAnext only hope to grow and continue perfecting and expanding the luxury services they offer. “Million Air Dallas continues to work on expanding the ground handling services that it provides at Addison Airport,” Tolentino says. And MAnext is continuing to expand operations. “Once we conquer the Texas charter and jet management service sector, the sky’s the limit!” she adds.

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ARTICLE BY LAUREN STONE

FOR THE LOVE OF THE BRACCO

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M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVERAGE

H O W I L B R A C C O ’ S C U LT- F A V O R I T E F R OZ E N C O C K TA I L B E C A M E A PA R K C I T I E S R I T U A L , H E L P I N G M A K E T H E R E S TA U R A N T T E X A S ’ T O P A P E R O L B U Y E R P E R - S Q U A R E - F O O T

There are certain places in the Park Cities that settle effortlessly into daily life, feeling familiar from the first visit and becoming the backdrop to ordinary Tuesdays and celebratory milestones alike. Il Bracco, the beloved Italian-inspired eatery in Preston Center, is one of those rare places. Since opening, it has become a community fixture: warm, polished, and undeniably loved.

In 2025, that affection translated into a striking milestone: Il Bracco became Texas’ top buyer of Aperol on a per-square-foot basis, purchasing more than 140 cases (1,250 liters) in a single year thanks to its cult-favorite frozen cocktail, The Bracco. For a neighborhood restaurant rooted in handmade pastas and hospitality, the numbers tell a simple story: Park Cities guests can’t get enough.

A LOCAL FAVORITE

Ask Robert Quick, founder, CEO, and chief culinary officer of Western Addition Restaurant Group, why il Bracco inspires such loyalty, and he points to the restaurant’s guiding philosophy. “People come to il Bracco because it feels like home, but elevated—and you don’t have to do the dishes,” he says. “Ultimately it’s about creating a

spot people make part of their routine, and that neighborhood trust shapes every decision we make.”

It’s an ethos Park Cities diners have embraced wholeheartedly.

The restaurant has become a place where guests recognize one another, the service is graceful, and the food is consistently excellent. “The Park Cities guest wants quality without pretension, everyday luxury,” Quick adds. And il Bracco delivers.

LOVE AT FIRST SIP

Il Bracco’s most iconic contribution to that sense of everyday luxury is, of course, The Bracco—its vibrant, frosty take on a greyhound, made with Aperol and freshly squeezed Ruby Red grapefruit. It was an immediate hit from the moment the team first tasted it. “We believed in it so much, we named it after the restaurant,” Quick says. “We’ve opened other concepts and tried other frozen cocktails, but nothing can beat a Bracco.”

The drink’s cult following crystallized during the early days of the pandemic, when to-go cocktails became legal and guests began picking them up for tailgates and barbecues. One guest CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ PA R KC I T I E S

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M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVERAGE

“ULTIMATELY IT’S ABOUT CREATING A SPOT PEOPLE MAKE PART OF THEIR ROUTINE, AND THAT NEIGHBORHOOD TRUST SHAPES EVERY DECISION WE MAKE.”

joked they would “buy a gallon” if they could—so the team made it happen. Today, half-gallon Braccos are a summer tradition, and some guests refuse to host a party without one.

AN APEROL POWERHOUSE

When you add it all up, the numbers are staggering: Il Bracco Dallas pours more than 100 liters of Aperol each month, serving up 2,700 Braccos at $17 apiece. Across the group’s other

restaurants—Bobbie’s Airway Grill in Dallas, Il Bracco in Houston, and Balboa Surf Club—those figures double, making Western Addition one of the top Aperol buyers in the state.

But for Quick, the distinction is about more than volume. “It reflects how much the community has leaned into Il Bracco as a place to gather,” he says. “Guests aren’t just ordering a cocktail; they’re choosing an experience they trust and come back to.”

That commitment to quality is also why the team is now pursuing a trademark for The Bracco. From hand-juicing the finest Ruby Red grapefruits to batching the cocktail in small, always-fresh quantities, every detail is deliberate. “Everyone’s had an incredible, freshly squeezed margarita, and everyone’s the pre-mixed jug version—a Bracco should never fall into that second category,” Quick says. “Seeking a trademark is simply our way of safeguarding the standard.”

As the group expands—including a Scottsdale location opening later this year—the goal remains the same: to create places that feel both elevated and familiar, where hospitality is heartfelt and the details matter.

“We’re honored by how guests have embraced il Bracco,” Quick says. “Every new reservation is a chance to create a memory. We feel so grateful to be part of the daily lives of so many people in the neighborhood, and we look forward to being their ‘second kitchen’ for years to come.”

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Take in sweeping alpine views across Switzerland’s Valais region.

D I S C OV E R T H E VA L A I S R E G I O N O F S W I T Z E R L A N D, W H E R E A L P I N E TRAILS, THERMAL SPRINGS, AND LO C A L T R A D I T I O N S C R E AT E R E S TO R AT I V E T R AV E L .

AN ALPINE ESCAPE AN ALPINE ADVENTURE IN ALETSCH ARENA

An easy train ride from Zurich lands visitors in the Aletsch Arena, a high-alpine region on the south side of the Bernese Alps, home to three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. Known for its ski slopes in winter and hiking in summer, the area is entirely car-free, making walking and local buses the main modes of transportation through its quaint chalet-lined streets.

One of the main attractions of the ski-in/ski-out area is the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12-mile glacier is visible from several vantage points, shaping every experience in the area.

Goms Bridge over Rhone River.

WHERE TO STAY

Located in the heart of Bettmeralp, Hotel Panorama provides no-fuss accommodations steps away from the picturesque Chapel Maria Zum Schnee. The hotel’s restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine, including raclette paired with Swiss wine. A good bottle of Pinot Noir or Gamay is also easy to come by because the Valais region of Switzerland is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the country, with vineyards dotting the steep slopes of the Rhône Valley. In addition to wine and cheese, eating cholera, a covered vegetable pie invented in the region during the cholera epidemic, is a must.

WHAT TO DO

ARTICLE BY GABI DE LA ROSA In Switzerland’s Valais region, wellness and adventure are always part of the same itinerary. Morning could bring a high-alpine hike, afternoon a soak in mineral-rich springs, and evening a table set with traditional cuisine, always including delicious wine and cheese. For travelers, the best part will be finding the perfect balance between exploring the outdoors and relaxing with wellness-infused activities in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Begin at Viewpoint Moosfluh, the closest and lowest vantage point of the Aletsch Glacier. From there, trailheads lead to Villa Cassel, once the home of a British financier and now a museum focused on history and conservation. The hike passes through a thousand-year-old forest with views of both the glacier and the Matterhorn.

Walk over Goms Bridge, a nearly 1,000-foot-long suspension bridge that connects two hiking areas over the Rhône River. For a final look at the majestic glacier, take the cable car to Viewpoint Eggishorn. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Jungfraujoch, or the “Top of Europe,” and the most comprehensive view of the Aletsch Glacier.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ PA R KC I T I E S

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FEBRUARY 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

F EB RUA RY 3 RD

Marissa Bode, Tate SMU Lecture Series McFarlin Memorial Auditorium (SMU) | 8:00 PM The actress made her debut as Nessarose in the motion picture “Wicked,” becoming the first wheelchair user to portray the role. Today, she champions disability representation with passion and innovation in the entertainment industry and other fields.

SMU.edu/TateSeries/LectureSchedule F EB RUA RY 4 T H

Napoleon Dynamite Live!

Arlington Music Hall | 7:00 PM Celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the hilarious cult classic with an entertaining blend of improv, game show stunts, and party time with actors Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), and Efren Ramirez (Pedro). ArlingtonMusicHall.org F EB RUA RY 4 T H

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society St. Valentine’s Luncheon & Fashion Show Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center | 11:00 AM With fashions provided by Highland Park Village and celebrating 42 years of service, the glitzy annual event salutes honorees and local families with corporate and community leaders, benefiting Blood Cancer United. LLS.org F EB RUA RY 7 T H - 1 5T H

The Dallas Open The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco | Check the website for details Big-time professional tennis is on the rise again in North Texas. In conjunction with the Dallas Cowboys, the ATP 500 tournament boasts top players like Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Casper Ruud in an environment that gets fans closer to the action than ever.

DallasOpen.com F EB RUA RY 1 1 T H

The Trouble With Angels Majestic Theatre | 7:30 PM Hollywood A-listers Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “Only Murders in the Building”) and Kate Flannery (“The Office,” “Dancing with the Stars”) star in an evening of mischief, music, and mayhem from two familiar faces, like The Rat Pack, but with a couple of sassy women in charge.

Majestic.DallasCulture.org

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F E BRUA RY 1 3T H - 15TH

AutoRama Dallas Market Hall | Fri 3-8:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM, to 8:00 PM, and Sun 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM If it’s on four wheels, you’ll find it at the 66th event that collectors and casual fans flock to see what’s new and classic at the massive annual car show. autorama.com/attend/dallas/ F E BRUA RY 1 5T H

The Harlem Globetrotters American Airlines Center | 3:00 PM For 100 years, the world-famous basketball team has combined athleticism, entertainment, and comedy to the delight of audiences in over 100 countries. Ball-handling, trick shots, and showmanship are all hallmarks of the team that’s inspired millions of fans for a century.

AmericanAirlinesCenter.com F E BRUA RY 1 6T H

District Professional Development Day/No Classes HPISD No classes.

F E BRUA RY 1 7 T H - M ARC H 1ST

The Great Gatsby, Broadway Dallas Music Hall at Fair Park | Check the website for times Based on what many literary critics consider the Great American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony-winning musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth, and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage. Broadway.Dallas.org F E BRUA RY 2 1 ST

DSOL Presentation Ball Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center | Cocktail Reception 6:30 PM, Program 7:30 PM The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is scheduled to present over 40 lovely debutantes at its annual ball. First held in 1987, the event is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL, raising millions to date for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. DallasSymphonyLeague.com CONTINUED >

THE DALLAS CONSERVATORY

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7979 Inwood Rd. Ste 201•214.357.8888•TheDallasConservatory.org FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ PA R KC I T I E S

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CONTINUED

FEBR UARY 21ST - APR IL 13T H

Dallas Blooms Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | Check the website for times Fodor’s Travel named it among the best spring floral festivals in the U.S. with an artful array of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, pansies, poppies, and the garden’s spectacular collection of 3,000 colorful azaleas. DallasArboretum.org FEBR UARY 28TH

Children’s Fishing Derby Caruth Park Pond 9:00 AM To Noon It’s an annual favorite with kids (ages 6 to 12), parents, and grandparents.

The Parks and Recreation Department stocks the pond with fish. Kids bring their own bait and poles, and prizes are awarded for the biggest and smallest fish caught. UPTexas.org

Fall in Love With

YOUR SMILE. This February, give your smile the love it deserves. At LVL Orthodontics, we’re helping Park Cities families feel confident, radiant, and ready for every Valentine’s Day moment—from date nights to selfies and everything in between. Whether you’re starting Invisalign® or braces, our personalized approach is designed for every age and every stage. Led by Dr. Diana-Beatrix Velicu Gardner—board-certified orthodontist, former Olympic skier, and master of smile transformations—LVL blends advanced technology with a warm, welcoming experience that makes orthodontic care feel effortless.

And because love is in the air, every comprehensive orthodontic treatment this February includes complimentary whitening—a little extra sparkle, just because. All Ages. All Smiles. All at LVL. LVLORTHO.COM | 469-455-1355 VLVLORTHODONTICS

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