With September winding down and fall nearly upon us, it’s not too late to get in some “self-care” during #NationalWellnessMonth.

Put yourself first and put your well-being at the top of your “to-do” list with some much-needed “me” (or “we”) time. Here are some ideas to help you just take a breath and relax, restore, and regenerate. 

One of my favorite summertime activities is to visit our local museums and art galleries. Experiencing culture, fine arts, and history in a peaceful and thought-provoking setting satisfies my need for adventure. Unfortunately, this year has brought us social distancing and limited indoor activities instead. If you're like me during these times, you're choosing patios over dining rooms and outdoor workouts over indoor gyms.

So what are we to do when we want to see local art in Irving while remaining outdoors? Luckily, Irving is chock-full of incredible outdoor sculptures and art installations to get us through until we can fully enjoy the likes of the Irving Arts Center halls and Irving Archives exhibits; both of which are actually offering virtual tours so be sure to check those out. 

Covid cabin fever? For a tiny slice of normalcy in a pandemic world, we’ve rounded up some socially distant, foodie-friendly and fun things to do this weekend in Irving. Whether you’re a man-about-town, girl-around-town, new to town or just visiting, there is something on this list for you. So, break out of your quarantine routine, get out and enjoy the weekend!

       We’re dedicating this #ThrowbackThursday to a little known piece of history called the Ruth Paine House Museum. Some of you may have been living in Irving on November 22, 1963 and can remember one of the most tragic and talked about events in American history. Or you may not recognize the importance of that date.  Everyone, however, is familiar with President John F. Kennedy, who on that fateful day was assassinated in Dallas while riding in a motorcade. Our part of the story begins like this . . . 

While we all have been trying our best to stay home and safe during these times, it is so important to get fresh air and stay active if you can. In Irving, you will find several parks and trails, great for all levels of physical activity. From quaint neighborhood ponds to large wooded acres, here is a list of easy walking trails to find in Irving!  

Happy #FoodieFriday y'all! Many of us have been stuck at home without vacation plans this summer, but if you're anything like me, you still have your sense of wanderlust… like an unrequited love. Take heart! The culinary playground that is Toyota Music Factory offers a fun global journey within our very own entertainment district... and in our very own backyard. So let’s check out these international eateries that transport us to another country with food and drink and a party on the patio that's perfect for your weekend getaway! 

Are you struggling with cabin fever?  Here are a few ideas to get you and your family out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors – socially distanced, of course!

Welcome to August 3rd on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the juicy deliciousness of the refreshing summertime watermelon, and who doesn't heart watermelon? So here are some watermelon-inspired cocktails, treats and even a few not-so-secret recipes from Irving eateries that are going to make your participation in this summer holiday lots o fun! 

We’re dedicating this #ThrowbackThursday to some of the famous people who once called Irving home. Several of these superstars you know hailed from the Big I, but a few just might surprise you. As always, for the young and young-at-heart, we’ve included a Hidden Music activity and coloring page in honor of former Irvingites who – like the city itself – keep the beat going on. Click on the image at the bottom of the page to print the color page. Now, let's get started … 

Four hundred miles.

Since the virus was declared a pandemic and changed our lives. That’s how many miles I have either jogged or walked, just since mid-March. For me, what many close to me have called an obsession, started two years ago. My nutritionist encouraged me to start walking. This was early March, 2018. I did. At first it was a couple of miles. That led to three, then four, then five miles. Then I added jogging. Since then, I haven’t stopped.

My initial goal was 50-55 miles a month or 400 miles in 2018. I exceeded that goal and