The Bubble Lounge (Highland Park & University Park Texas)

What would approximately $193 more a year fund in University Park?

Proposition A would fund four additional police officers, two firefighters, improved firefighter retirement benefits and residential parking technology. The city's $193 estimate is for a median taxable home compared with the base budget rate; your cost depends on taxable value and exemptions.

And that parking technology? It's separate from Flock, and enforcement images aren't stored.

City Manager, Robbie Corder, Police Chief, Bill Mathes and Fire Chief, Randy Howell, join us to explain the proposal, the costs and what happens if it passes or fails.

Listen before you vote. This is a decision about our community worth understanding.

Early voting: October 19–30

University Park early voting location: University Park United Methodist Church, Caruth and Preston.

Hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday–Saturday; noon–6 p.m. Sunday, October 25.

Election Day: November 3, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Local Election Day locations listed by the city:

• UP United Methodist Church
• UP Elementary
• Highland Park Middle School
• HPISD Administration Building
• SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center

City staff can also give presentations to neighborhood and community groups. Contact: [email protected].

To learn more click here 

A missing dog, a package on the wrong porch, a burst pipe while you're out of town. These are the moments when knowing your neighbors makes a difference. But do you know how to reach them?

Our Block founders Sarah Brown and Trey Bowles join Martha to share how their app helps you connect with the people who live closest to you. We talk about verified neighbors, privacy controls and practical ways to stay informed, find recommendations and help each other, especially as winter approaches.

You'll also learn how to become a Block Leader and get your neighbors involved. Listen to hear how it works, then download Our Block, enter your address and invite the neighbors you know. If your block hasn't started yet, you can be the one to bring it together.

To learn more about Our Block click here 

Your weekly catch up on all things Bubble! 

Starbucks is leaving Snider Plaza. Australia’s Yo-Chi is moving into the neighborhood. University Park has an important election coming up. The Scots got the Homecoming reset they needed. And we’re celebrating a pretty big milestone of our own: eight years of The Bubble Lounge and the start of Season 10!

This week I’m also taking you inside the SMU Impact Lab and sharing why I walked away so impressed with the opportunities SMU is giving its students.

Plus, we’re celebrating Highland Park’s six Homecoming Queen nominees and 2026 Queen Ellington Heis, looking ahead to Chefs for Farmers and a VIP ticket giveaway, and I’m taking you along on our first Texas A&M visit with Blake, including an unforgettable experience with the Corps of Cadets.

Season 10 also brings a new sound and a new format to The Bubble Lounge, and I want YOUR input. What do you want to hear more about each week?

Who to know. Where to go. What’s happening.

It’s all in this week’s Bubble Lounge.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Links to things we talked about:

ABPA Home Tour 2026
SMU Impact Lab
Chi Omega Christmas Market
Chefs for Farmers
City of University Park Tax Rate Election 

It’s Homecoming week in the Park Cities, and there’s plenty buzzing around the Bubble.

This week, I’m catching you up on the latest in the Highland Park Methodist lawsuit, what’s coming to the former Sprinkles space in Preston Center, and everything you need to know before Highland Park kicks off district play on Homecoming night.

I’m also recapping a fabulous afternoon at the KidneyTexas Runway Report, looking ahead to Chefs for Farmers, and yes, The Bubble Lounge will be giving away VIP tickets. Stay tuned for that one!

Plus, I’m sharing a little from Theta Parents Weekend in Austin with Alexis and why your child’s senior year suddenly seems to be filled with “lasts” you didn’t see coming.

It’s your weekly catch-up on who to know, where to go and what’s happening around the Bubble.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

One missing letter, one very public caption mistake and suddenly half of HPHS had something to talk about. This week, Martha owns her football flub, celebrates the Scots’ first win, talks with Clayton Kershaw and Anna Harper about Partners in Opportunity, and shares what’s coming up around the Park Cities. Plus, North Texas Giving Day, Caniac Supper and her mission to meet Bevo during her final Theta Parents Weekend at UT.

Links to things we talked about
North Texas Giving Day
Kidney Texas 2026 Runway Report ​​Luncheon and Fashion Show
"Handbags & Heels"
Caniac Supper
2026 Tax Rate Election
UP vote - check if you are registered 
Partners in Opportunity
The Family Place Partners Card
 

What the flock is going on in the Park Cities?

In this episode, Martha takes a closer look at the Flock cameras quietly tracking vehicles around Highland Park and University Park. What do they collect, who can access the information, and are they keeping us safer or watching us a little too closely?

Then it’s time for Friday Night Lights. Martha recaps Highland Park’s thrilling 49 to 46 battle against Rockwall-Heath and looks ahead to the Scots’ first home game against the undefeated Tyler Lions. Plus, everything you need to know about the Highland Belles Spaghetti Supper before kickoff.

Also in this week’s Park Cities catch-up: Is Kilo Coffee really worth that line stretching through Snider Plaza? Which Dallas charity events belong on your calendar? And why has “Are you going to this?” officially replaced “How are you?” as the standard September greeting?

Local news, football, openings, events and a little Park Cities humor. It’s everything you need to know about what’s happening around the Bubble this week.

SAT or ACT? When should your student start test prep? And does “test optional” really mean you shouldn’t submit a score?

If you have a high school student thinking about college admissions, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Nima, founder of Scholastic Success, to talk about what parents need to know about SAT prep and ACT prep today, including:

• How to decide between the SAT and ACT
• When your student should start preparing
• Why great grades don’t always translate to great test scores
• Test optional admissions and when to submit scores
• SAT and ACT accommodations
• Realistic score improvement
• The biggest mistakes parents make during test prep

One of my biggest takeaways? Standardized testing isn’t just about what your student knows. Pacing, pressure, anxiety, adaptability and test-taking strategy can make a huge difference.

If you have a sophomore or junior, this is an episode worth saving and sharing with another parent.

🎧 Listen to The Bubble Lounge Podcast wherever you get your podcasts

To learn more about Scholastic Success click here 
Email Nima Baha [email protected]

🏈 Highland Park football is BACK, and there’s nothing quite like the start of a new season.

We sat down with this year’s Scots football captains for an inside look at the 2026 team, from the players to watch and what’s happening behind the scenes to the traditions, expectations and energy they’re bringing to the field this fall.

Every season has its own story, and these guys are ready to write theirs.

The lights are on, the stands are filling up, and Friday Night Lights are officially back in Highland Park. 💙💛

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Bubble Lounge Podcast and get ready for another season of Scots football.

To purchase tickets to the Caniac Supper click here

Thank you to Mother Modern Plumbing for supporting this episode. To learn more and book an appointment click here

Back-to-school season means new schedules, fall sports…and inevitably, a few illnesses and injuries along the way. But when your child is sick or gets hurt, how do you know when to wait it out, call the pediatrician, head to urgent care, or go straight to the ER?

In this episode of The Bubble Lounge, we sit down with Dr. Thomas Allen and Dr. Larry Pettit of Advance ER to answer the questions parents are actually asking this time of year.

We talk about the illnesses that tend to show up once kids are back in school, what symptoms parents shouldn't ignore, ER vs. urgent care, concussions and common sports injuries, heat-related illness, and the warning signs that mean it's time to seek emergency care.

It's practical, straightforward advice from two experienced emergency physicians designed to help parents feel more confident making those "Do we need to go in?" decisions.

This is one you'll want to save for the school year.

This episode is a sponsored podcast feature in partnership with Advance ER

To learn more and to contact Advance ER click here

Advance ER Park Cities: (214) 494-8222

Advance ER Preston Hollow/Galleria: (214) 247-7909

In honor of National Tequila Day, I'm bringing back one of my favorite conversations with Pablo Antinori, co-founder of Socorro Tequila, one of Dallas' most exciting success stories.

What started as an idea among friends during the pandemic has grown into an award-winning tequila brand that's now served on American Airlines flights and enjoyed across the country. But behind the bottles is an even better story about friendship, taking risks, building a business from the ground up, and giving back to the community.

We talk about how Socorro got its start, the challenges of breaking into one of the most competitive industries out there, and, of course, share plenty of laughs, tequila tips, and behind-the-scenes stories along the way.

Whether you're hearing this episode for the first time or giving it another listen, it's the perfect way to celebrate National Tequila Day. 

So pour yourself a margarita (or your favorite tequila cocktail), sit back, and enjoy. Cheers!