The two missing emperor tamarin monkeys from the Dallas Zoo were found in an abandoned Lancaster home and appear to be healthy. They were found in the community house of The Family Center Church of God in Christ according to a Fox 4 News article. They say,

“The Dallas Zoo says the two emperor tamarin monkeys who went missing earlier this week appear to be healthy and are recovering from the experience.

The monkeys, named Bella and Finn, lost weight during the ordeal, but showed no signs of injury, according to the zoo.

Both animals starting eating and drinking shortly after they were recovered from an abandoned Lancaster home Tuesday evening.

On Monday, police said the monkeys’ habitat had been tampered with and that they believed the animals had been taken.

People close to The Family Center Church of God in Christ in Lancaster confirm to FOX 4 that the monkeys were found inside the church’s community house, which is next door to the church.”

The monkeys, Bella and Finn, were found to be healthy and eating shortly after being recovered from an abandoned Lancaster home. Police are still searching for a man seen in connection with the monkeys’ disappearance according to an AP News article which reports, 

“The zoo said Wednesday on Twitter that both Bella and Finn “started eating and drinking almost immediately” after they were examined, and the two were “so happy to snuggle in their nest sack” on Tuesday night.

“We will continue to monitor them closely, but for now, we’re so glad they are safe and back with us,” the zoo said in a Wednesday statement.

Police had released a photo and video of a man they said they wanted to talk to about the monkeys, and were still seeking him Wednesday.”

No arrests have been made. Bella and Finn will undergo quarantine before returning to their habitat.

Meridian, a modern Brazilian restaurant in Dallas, has revamped its menu and promoted Justin Mosley to executive chef. Mosley will work alongside James Beard-nominated Chef Junior Borges according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say,

“Change is in the air at Dallas restaurant Meridian. The modern Brazilian restaurant recently rolled out a four-course prix fixe menu format and announced a new executive chef. 

Justin Mosley, who helped open Meridian as chef de cuisine, was recently promoted to executive chef. Chef Junior Borges, who was recently named a 2023 James Beard semifinalist in the Outstanding Chef category, is still at the helm of the restaurant and will continue to work alongside Mosley. Borges also remains vice president of culinary over all of the restaurants at the Village Dallas, where Meridian is located.

“He deserves to be executive chef,” Borges says of Mosley. “He deserves to further his career. He is one of the most talented people I have worked with and one of the most talented chefs in Dallas. We’ll still be working together every day.””

The menu at Meridian, created in collaboration with Chef Junior Borges and his team, is designed to frequently change with the seasons and micro seasons. These include food for each course,

• Mortadella
• Burrata
• Canja De Ostra
• Stuffed Quail
• Pavlova

Diners can get add-ons to complement their course meals. The restaurant also offers a la carte meals, bites, and  drinks to go with the food such as beer, cocktails, and wine.

Anna City Council approved a development agreement with Megatel Homes for the Anacapri Project, an $800 million development featuring 1,239 single-family homes, 600 multifamily units, and a 2.3-acre crystal lagoon with a Flow Rider surf simulator, swim-up bar, and more. The public-private lagoon will offer recreation and entertainment options for residents according to a WFAA article which says,

“Anna will be the next North Texas city to land a lagoon-anchored residential community after the City Council approved a development agreement with Megatel Homes in a meeting Tuesday night. 

Plans for the Anacapri Project, at an estimated cost of $800 million, include 1,239 single-family units, 600 multifamily units, a 30,000-square-foot commercial entertainment building, a 2.3-acre crystal lagoon and other amenities, according to Joey Grisham, director of economic development for the fast-growing Collin County city north of McKinney. 

The artificial lagoon will have two sand beaches — one public and one private — a Flow Rider surf simulator, swim-up bar, kids play area and a water slide.”

The lagoon-anchored residential community in Anna, Texas will have a “soft opening” by the end of the year and is expected to be fully operational and staffed by summer 2024. The residential community will consist of apartments in three- and four-story buildings, with a program for renters to receive up to $25,000 in rent towards a Megatel home after a year of on-time payments according to a Dallas Morning News article which reports,

“The builder plans to wrap up approvals by next month and begin constructing the lagoon in February or March, Maglisceau said, adding that the lagoon will be full of water after about six months. 

Maglisceau said a “soft opening” is planned for the lagoon by the end of the year. At that point people will be able to walk around the lagoon, paddleboard and kayak. The lagoon is expected to be fully open and staffed up by about the summer of 2024. He said the company needs about 45 employees to run the lagoon. 

The apartments will be spread across three- and four-story buildings, the first of which Maglisceau said the company aims to complete by the end of 2024. He said Megatel will have a program where renters in the apartments who pay on time will be able to get a refund up to $25,000 in rent to go toward their purchase of a Megatel home after renting for a year.

Lagoon projects have been proposed in several cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in recent years, with the first one opening in Prosper’s Windsong Ranch in 2019. The $1 billion Sapphire Bay development in Rowlett, which includes a 7-acre lagoon, is currently under construction. Megatel has also announced plans for lagoons in Forney and West Dallas.

Cook Children’s Medical Center makes history with successful separation of conjoined twin sisters. JamieLynn and AmieLynn’s 11-hour procedure was a triumph, reuniting them with overjoyed parents James Finley and Amanda Arciniega according to a Checkup Newsroom article. They say,

“Sisters JamieLynn and AmieLynn underwent surgery on Monday, becoming the first conjoined twins to be separated at Cook Children’s Medical Center. 

Jamie and Amie lay face-to-face and shared a liver, which was successfully separated during the 11-hour procedure. 

After the surgery, the girls returned to Cook Children’s NICU to begin their journey to recovery, this time on the road together, but separate. 

Parents James Finley and Amanda Arciniega of Saginaw, Texas were overjoyed to reunite with their girls and see them in their separate cribs, laying on their backs for the first time on Monday evening.”

The medical team was divided into two groups, each wearing a different color scrub hat and focused on one twin. They used 3D models to plan and practice for the surgery, until finally, the director of perioperative services was able to tell the parents that they had two babies according to a Dallas Morning News article which says, 

“So, the expansive team divided into two. One side wore green scrub hats and focused solely on AmieLynn, while the other team wore purple and focused solely on JamieLynn. They printed 3D models of the twins’ chest and practiced what before, during and after the surgery could look like. 

With every specially tailored movement, the medical staff inched closer to the moment Valerie Gibbs, Cook Children’s director of perioperative services, could tell the twins’ parents the news they’d waited months to hear: “You have two babies.”

The medical staff behind JamieLynn and Amielynn’s successful separation surgery formed a close bond with the parents and were moved to tears at a news conference. The support extended beyond the medical team to include friends, family, and even Bishop T.D. Jakes who prayed with the family. The parents and their baby girls are now focused on recovery.

Suspicious death of endangered vulture marks 3rd incident at Dallas Zoo in 2 weeks, with unusual wound. Death not from natural causes according to a USA Today article. They say,

“An endangered vulture has been found dead Saturday at the Dallas Zoo with an “unusual wound,” facility officials said, marking the third suspicious incident there in the last two weeks.

Pin, an adult lappet-faced vulture, died over the weekend while inside its enclosure at Texas’ largest zoo, faculty there said.

“The circumstances of the death are unusual, and the death does not appear to be from natural causes,” the zoo posted on Twitter Monday.”

Dallas Zoo offers $10,000 reward for information in endangered vulture’s death, police and US Fish & Wildlife Service investigate. Zoo increases security with more overnight guards and cameras according to a BBC news article which report, 

“A spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department said the US Fish and Wildlife Service had been called to assist with the investigation into the vulture’s death.

The zoo has recently ramped up its security efforts across the 110-acre campus, Mr Hudson said, including doubling the number of overnight security guards and adding to the 100-plus cameras already on zoo grounds. It is also offering a $10,000 (£8,122) reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment, according to a statement from the zoo.

The lappet-faced vulture, named Pin, was 35 years old and had been at the Dallas Zoo for 32 years, during which time he sired 11 offspring and one grandchild.”

The lappet-faced vulture found dead at the Dallas Zoo is one of only 27 in US zoos, with a global population of only 6,500.

Red Phone Booth is a hidden speakeasy tucked away in the subterranean level of the Grandscape development in The Colony. Accessible only by dialing a secret number from the refurbished red phone booth, the bar offers a unique and exclusive cocktail experience for those who are able to find it, according to a Dallas Morning News article which report, 

“If you want to sip a cocktail at the new Red Phone Booth speakeasy, the first part of this adventure sounds simple: Find the bar. 

But simple it isn’t, and maybe that’s part of the plan. Red Phone Booth is in Grandscape, the sprawling development that includes Nebraska Furniture Mart in The Colony. You could tell anyone something is “in Grandscape,” and they’d have more than 400 acres of land to consider. So here’s another clue: Red Phone Booth is in “the grotto.” That’s a two-story part of Grandscape with a subterranean section, where Red Phone Booth fits nicely under a crook of a set of stairs. 

Once at the grotto, you’ll need to find the refurbished red phone booth. Now what?”

Guests enter by dialing a secret phone number into a restored antique London red phone booth. Attire guidelines are in place, with collared shirts or sports coats required for men and tasteful attire for women. Access to the speakeasy is limited to those with the secret phone number according to their website which say, 

“Gentlemen may not wear ball caps, cargo or ripped shorts, open-toed shoes, or athletic gear. Either a collared shirt or sports coat is required for gentlemen. Gentlemen may request to use one of the house sports coats while visiting the Red Phone Booth. 

Ladies may not wear athletic gear or excessively ripped clothing. Appropriate, tasteful attire must be worn at all times.”

Red Phone Booth is open from 4 PM to 12 AM from Sunday to Wednesday and from 4 PM to 1 AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Oren Salomon, a Polish-Jewish bagel expert, opened a new satellite location of his Lewisville-based Starship Bagel in downtown Dallas according to a Dallas Morning News article which say, 

“As a Brooklyn-born Polish Jew who mastered the craft of bagel-making at one of America’s top-ranking bagel shops, Oren Salomon has major bagel credentials. Since July 2021, he’s been discreetly serving game-changing, small-batch, kosher-style bagels at his shop, Starship Bagel, in Lewisville. 

With a massive kettle and rotating deck oven in the back, the Lewisville location is the mother ship that will supply fresh, real New York-style bagels to Starship’s satellite location that opened in downtown Dallas on Jan. 20, 2023. 

Bagels have always been Salomon’s favorite food, and his connection to them is special. Bagels are “bread brought by Polish Jewish immigrants to New York. So I feel like I identify with the bagel, just from like — this is the bread of my people.””

Starship Bagel offers a diverse menu of classic bagels and creative bagel sandwiches, along with a variety of spreads and fish options. The menu also includes coffee and drinks to complete the perfect bagel experience.

• Bagels: 
  • Bagel + Schmear 
  • Bagel (Single) 
  • Bagels (Half Dozen) 
  • Bagels (Dozen) 

• Bagel Sandwiches: 
  • Build Your Own Bagel 
  • Cucumber Sandwich 
  • Millennial Falcon 
  • Nova Lox + Magel 
  • Supernova Lox + Bagel 

• Schmears: 
  • Plain Schmear 
  • Scallion Schmear 
  • Green Olive Schmear 
  • Garden Veggie Schmear 
  • Fermented Jalapeno Schmear 
  • Blueberry Schmear 
  • Honey Almond Schmear 
  • Lox Spread 
  • Vegan Schmear 

Amazingly, their menu options can be complimented with their special coffee drinks which include Drip Coffee, Iced Coffee, Iced Latte and more. 

Two Hands eatery to open 2024 in Uptown’s The Quad. The New York-based restaurant offers an all-day menu, larger entrees for dinner according to a Paper City article. They say,

“In 2024, a healthy Australian-style restaurant called Two Hands is set to open at the newly renovated The Quad (formerly the Quadrangle) in Uptown. Based in New York, the cafe opened its first Texas spot in Austin in 2020. The cafe offers an all-day menu featuring breakfast bites, salads, bowls, and burgers, while the dinner menu opts for shareables and larger entrees.”

Two Hands’ Uptown location will feature health-conscious fusion cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and a full-service bar with specialty cocktails according to a Dallas Innovates article. They say,

“Each Two Hands eatery is individually designed to respond to the surrounding community, ” Stream said.

Culinary Director and Chef Barney Hannagan creates his menus with a conscious approach to health and lifestyle, Stream said. Two Hands’ offerings feature bright, flavorful dishes infused with bold flavors and locally sourced ingredients that vary by season and location.

Popular items include a salmon quinoa bowl with grilled salmon, soft egg, turmeric quinoa, hummus, crunchy shaved veggies, avocado, cucumber, seeds, and puffed rice; and the tamarind chicken, a glazed half-chicken served with whiskey shoyu, sesame chili crunch, and ginger sauce.

Stream said that a lavender matcha latte will highlight the coffee choices, and the full bar will feature natural wines and local beers, a classic cocktail list, and specialty cocktails.”

The QUAD in Uptown will have a fitness studio, outdoor space, parking, and advanced technology including hospital-grade air filtration.

Chick-Fil-A has landed on Dallas and it has chosen a high-profile tower according to a CultureMap Dallas article which says, 

“The Chick-Fil-A chain has opened a new location in Dallas, which ordinarily would not seem all that surprising, as the Georgia-based chain has more than 2,900 locations across the U.S. including 140 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

But this one is in downtown Dallas, on the ground floor of The National, the high-profile 50-story high rise at 1401 Elm St. on the corner of Akard, la-dee-da.

This new Chick-Fil-A has to be among the fanciest of its kind, with luxe interiors that match the ultra-fancy The National, including fresh floral arrangements throughout by The Botanical Mix, The National’s in-house florist.

“I am excited to open and operate Chick-fil-A’s only downtown Dallas location,” Calva says. “Being on the ground floor of an historic building like The National is an incredible honor. This new restaurant presents a tremendous opportunity, and we will be uniquely positioned to serve nearby residents, visitors from out of town and daily commuters.”

Chick-Fil-A is not just set to bring their fancy interiors to Dallas but also their renowned food and menu which include the following:

• Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
• Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich
• Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich
• Grilled Nuggets
• Chick-fil-A Chick n Strips
• Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap
• Spicy Southwest Salad
• Frosted Lemonade
• Frosted Coffee

However, the Chick-Fil-A Dallas location will not be having a drive-thru unlike most of the other locations. 

With the entire Texas progressing massively, a certain warehouse in Dallas County recently benefited from Nike according to a ENews article which says, 

“Another large warehouse rental has filled a new industrial building in south Dallas County.

Logistics Property Co. has leased all of its more than 1 million square feet of Southport Logistics Park Building 3 in Wilmer.

Developer Logistics Property in its lease notice did not identify the tenant, but said it was an American multinational corporation in the business of “footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories and services.”

Both Nike and Dallas County are investing in one another as one benefits from a tax break and the other benefits from job opportunities according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say, 

“Dallas County previously provided economic incentives in the form of property tax abatements to Nike USA Inc. at the same address.

“Nike would improve the build-to-suit facility to serve as a major distribution fulfillment center,” according to Dallas County documents related to the tax abatements. “The project would create and maintain 500 new jobs with an average salary of $37,000, which is about $7,000 more than most salaries in the inland port.

“Additionally, this project will increase the county’s tax base by at least $60 million.

The county approved the $68,000 annual tax break in November.”

Surprisingly, the DFW area has taken the majority of the nationwide of over a million square-foot of warehouse leases that were signed in 2022.