Happy Friday, Grapevine Lake. In today’s edition: Holiday Hunger Relief Project, Vintage Christmas, Artisan Market: Annual Library Fundraiser, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Neighbors unite against hunger: Altrusa DFW’s Holiday Hunger Relief Project will deliver bags in Southlake and portions of Keller, Westlake, and Trophy Club Dec. 6 and 7, with collection and drop-off on Dec. 14 — see drop-off times and locations.

Major highway upgrade explored: TxDOT is considering a $24.5 billion plan to convert U.S. 287 into an Interstate linking Port Arthur, Fort Worth, and Amarillo, promising faster travel, significant economic gains, and fewer crashes — see projected impacts and hurdles.

Private dining and family flair: DFW chefs behind Istanbul Cuisine and Flying Carpet have opened Truva Mediterranean Bar & Grill in Colleyville, billed as Texas’ largest Turkish Mediterranean restaurant, featuring kebabs, steaks, and a bar — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• VIP views of the Christmas drone show
• Shop 45+ vendors, enjoy live music
• Enjoy free Winter Wonder Lights festivities
• Visit Lewisville’s psychic fair event
• Lay wreaths to honor fallen veterans
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Holiday cheer in full swing: “The Official Christmas Capital of Texas” threw its 46th Parade of Lights on Dec. 4 along Historic Main Street in Grapevine. The Storybook-themed spectacle packed more than 100 floats, marching bands, and a Santa cameo. Missed it? Holiday magic continues with ICE! at the Gaylord Texan and skating at Peace Plaza. See parade route and more.

Reimagining complex aerospace engineering: NASA has awarded an SBIR to Las Colinas-based Targeted Convergence Corp. to advance early mission design modeling with its Success Assured software. Led by CTO Brian Kennedy, Phase I will tackle scalability, variable fidelity, and massive trade-space exploration, aiming to cut rework and bridge phase handoffs. A Phase II expansion is possible. Get all the details.

Chill beer garden vibes: Whether you’re after an easy after-work hang or a weekend reset, Hop and Sting Brewing Co. keeps it low-key with a dog-friendly beer garden, family-friendly vibe, and a steady lineup of trivia, live music, and food trucks. Casual, comfortable, and likely to become your go-to.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎷 Big Band Holiday Swing Thing @ Palace Arts Center | Friday (12/5) at 3:00pm – Nothing kicks Grapevine into Christmas mode like a 20-piece big band blowing the roof off the Historic Palace Theatre. Expect brass that wakes your inner Santa, holiday favorites with swing to spare, and a few sizzling classics, all loud enough to drown out mall carolers.

🍰 Fruitcakes @ Coppell Arts Center | Friday (12/5) at 8:00pm – Fruitcakes is hitting Theatre Coppell with a wayward teen, a tiny town, and a crash course in chosen family. Count on a Christmas tree seller, a straight-shooting constable, pageant chaos, and two sweet troublemakers guarding a secret fruitcake recipe. You’ll leave cheerful, and yes, sentimental.

This weekend

🕯️ Vintage Christmas @ Old Town Coppell | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Old Town turns delightfully old-fashioned with live reindeer, hot cocoa, caroling, kid crafts, and vintage shop deals, all wrapped in small-town charm. Bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner child for cookie decorating, letters to Santa, a holiday train, and sugary bribes.

📚 Artisan Market: Annual Library Fundraiser @ Grapevine Public Library | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Clear trunk space and wander the artisan market where pottery is sturdy, scarves are handwoven, and guilt is nonexistent because it all benefits Friends of the Grapevine Public Library. Knock out gifts, treat yourself, feel civic. Then grab a glass on Main.

🐎 Trot Through Trophy Club Christmas Tour Experience @ Multiple Locations | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Enjoy nosy-neighbor privileges as you stroll five gorgeously decked Trophy Club homes, sip festive drinks, and savor catered bites, all to benefit Living Hope Equine Therapy. Expect silent auctions in each house and online, a thank-you gift, and maybe a certain grouchy green neighbor lurking.

🛍️ Pop-Up Shop @ St. Ann Catholic Parish | Sunday (12/7) at 9:00am – Swing by for a one-day drop of exclusive St. Ann merch, including fresh new sweatshirts you’ll want to snag before they disappear. It’s card-only, so come ready to tap, swipe, and shop. A little sneak peek is on the way… but trust us, you’ll want first pick.

🕊️ The Sound of Hope Christmas Festival Market ’25 @ The Sound at Cypress Waters | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Holiday market season in DFW means one thing, good cheer that actually does some good. Bring the crew for Emerald City Band, festive eats, and legit local artisans, then kick in a few bucks to Mary’s Meals, where every dollar becomes dinner, and hope.

☘️ Christmas in Killarney @ Coppell Arts Center | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Ready to swap mall Muzak for a trip to Killarney without leaving town? This festive concert packs beloved carols, soaring harmonies, and high-kicking Irish dancers, delivering Christmas the Irish way. Bring the family, pocket the passport, enjoy the craic, and skip the jet lag.

Next week

🎆 Merry and Bright Christmas Drone Show Watch Party @ Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau | Monday (12/8) at 6:30pm – Grapevine’s Christmas Capital drone show is best watched from the VIP balcony at the CVB, above the stroller gridlock and selfie sticks. Expect hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats, and sparkling wine from local spots, plus warm fuzzies since proceeds benefit MetroPort Meals on Wheels.

❄️ DIY Watercolor Holiday Cards @ George Provisions | Tuesday (12/9) at 6:00pm – Trade in the holiday rush for an evening filled with watercolor magic, festive snacks, and warm seasonal drinks. Everything you need to create beautiful cards is waiting for you plus a cute photo spot for those holiday pics. Bring your creative energy and enjoy a relaxing seasonal reset.

🍷 Wonderment Wines Tasting @ Next Bistro | Tuesday (12/9) at 6:00pm – Winemaker Stephanie Cook returns to Next Bistro, pouring four Wonderment wines while she tells her backstory and you ask smart questions. You sip, she spills. Hyde Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah meet hush puppies, bacon-wrapped jalapeño boats, and duck confit, all for $79.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Phenomenomaly @ Meow Wolf – 1 pm
• 12/6 Zac Harmon @ The Bartonville Store – 8:30 pm
• 12/11 A Holly Jolly Christmas @ Palace Arts Center – 4 pm
• 12/11 3418 Pop-Up Show @ The Bartonville Store – 7 pm
• 12/12 Texas Flood @ Rock & Brews – 8 pm
• 12/13 Bublé Christmas Tribute @ Palace Arts Center – 3 pm
• 12/14 Byron Haynie @ Didi’s Downtown – 11 am

🏠️ Price is right – Grapevine Lake edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: David Burgher (Briggs Freeman Sotheby's Int'l)

Modern architecture meets equestrian grit at the property’s high point. Sightlines run straight from the threshold to the back deck, koi ponds, and 80 foot saltwater pool, then across pasture to the pro grade facilities. An airy living space pairs with a Gaggenau kitchen and full butler’s pantry. Upstairs brings a viewing lounge with wet bar. Downstairs hides an acoustically tuned theater, 250 bottle wine cooler, and eight foot walls.

Barn holds six stalls plus a foaling stall with individual turnouts, a covered arena, grazing turnout, and round pen. Backs to Corps land on Lake Grapevine.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →