Two North Texas schools are finalists in the "Make a Musical" contest to have their performance space renovated.  

Jasper High School and J.L. Long Middle School are among the 30 finalists in the contest that is a partnership between NBC’s show "Smash", Lowe's and iTheatrics, assisting schools across the nation to improve their theaters. 

The five schools who get the top votes will receive gift cards of up to $3,000 from Lowe's.

Students and teachers at J.L. Long Middle School in Dallas and Jasper High School in Plano say money is needed to make big repairs to succeed in their craft.

"With all the budgets cuts that have happened over the years, every little bit counts," Renee Harris, the theater arts teacher at Jasper High School said.

"The stage is constantly used and so we need help revitalizing it," Russ Sims Teacher, the drama teacher at J.L. Long Middle School said.

Sims and his students have had to deal with ripped stage curtains, water damage and a precarious screen overhead.

"It's live action and you're on the stage and you're moving from place to place and you don't want to trip over it," Emery Weis, a student said.

Students at Jasper High School performed their production of "Oliver" on the stage located in the school's cafeteria. 

If Jasper High School wins, its first priority is to cover the overhead windows to create blackout conditions during the shows and to include more indoor lighting.

The overall improvements will benefit the audience, too.

“We want to make our show the best we possibly can so we can reach our audience and that's what we're here to do and love doing that," Katelyn Deibert, a student said.

If you want to vote visit makeamusical.org, voting ends April 10.

The blooming buds of spring will be showcased at the 29th anniversary of Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum.

The floral festival kicks off this weekend featuring half-a-million blossoms including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and thousands of other annuals and perennials. The festival even blooms more than 100 Cherry Blossom trees for a 10-day period.

"Having these tulips in place this time of year is really special because it's not something you commonly see in this part of the country," said Dallas Arboretum Vice President Dave Forehand.

The botanical team includes more than two dozen workers that get the colorful efflorescence planted within two weeks; and much of the flora was shipped to North Texas all the way from Holland.

"I just like coming out and seeing the colors,” said Jenny Livergood, a Dallas Arboretum visitor. “It's just the freshness and the beginning of the spring."

Dallas Blooms runs through April 7.

Admission to the festival is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for kids aged 3 to12 years old.

The Dallas Museum of Art is now free to visitors.

Both the admission and membership prices for the DMA are free starting January 21, 2013.

The change was announced in December during a special news event.

Maxwell L. Anderson, the Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, published a video message addressing the change.

Anderson said current museum members will be transitioned to a new "Partners" status, which will give them special benefits including free admission to special exhibitions, free parking, and exclusive programs.

“Visitors literally bring life to the Dallas Museum of Art. Their participation in our galleries, exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programs activates the DMA and is the cornerstone of a vibrant cultural community,” Anderson said in a press release. “Through a return to free general admission and the new Friends & Partners program, we can open the doors of the Museum and show appreciation to our visitors for the many ways their participation matters to the DMA. We believe that by increasing access to the Museum and by finding new ways to say ‘thank you,’ we can fundamentally change the role museums play in a global society.”  

The free general admission will also offer visitors to become "Friends" of the museum and earn credits based on their participation with the museum. Those credits could allow "Friends" to become "Partners" as well.

“New technologies and online participation are already an integral part of many visitors’ daily lives,” said Rob Stein, the DMA’s Deputy Director, who, along with Anderson, is spearheading technology initiatives at the Museum. “As part of our new approach to visitor engagement, we want to provide our audiences with enhanced ways to feel connected to the Museum and to share their opinions with us and each other. In doing so, we hope to build a virtual community that is as strong as our physical one. The DMA Friends program uses technology to demonstrate to our visitors that the DMA recognizes the value they bring to the Museum when they engage deeply in sharing their creativity and ideas with us.”

The DMA previously was free to visitors until 2001. The 2013 change is being called a "reinstatement of the policy."

More information on the changes is posted to the museum's official site.

'Tis the season to be jolly! What better way to get in the holiday spirit than going to see Christmas lights, visiting Santa and ice skating. Here's a list of some of the Winter wonderlands around the Metroplex.

Dallas | Tarrant | Collin | Denton

DALLAS COUNTY

Farmers Branch - Farmers Branch Tour of Lights
Just follow the candy canes! Drive through an amazing display of over 300,000 lights in the Farmers Branch Historical Park. The tour starts at Valley View Lane and Interstate 35. The light display runs from November 23 through December 31, and will be turned on every evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Grand Prairie - Prairie Lights -- Powered by Gexa Energy
The must see light display of the season resides in Grand Prairie. Over 4 million Christmas lights adorn the World’s longest light tunnel.  Open Thanksgiving night until New Years Eve, this light display offers fun family activities from pictures with Santa Claus, walk-through light displays and a new Holiday Magic light show. Vehicle admission ranges from $20 for cars on non-holiday weekdays to $50-$80 for shuttle vans and buses.

Mesquite - Mesquite Parks and Recreation - Christmas in the Park
Taking a stroll through this beautifully lit park will definitely get you in the holiday spirit with all the lights illuminating! Taking place December 6 through December 8, the Westlake Parks annual event will be overflowing with holiday cheer. Live music and entertainment throughout the weekend will get everyone singing and dancing with holiday tunes. Even Santa and friends took time out of their busy schedule to stop by every evening. Do not forget to dress warm for this outdoor event as it may get so chilly that Frosty the Snowman may even make an appearance! 

Dallas - Highland Park Village Christmas Lights
This neighborhood is famous to the locals as the go-to spot in the area to drive through and see dazzling and creative Christmas lights. The lights will be illuminated on the evening of November 23 and will run through to Christmas. Additionally on that evening, festivities will include caroling, face painting, dance performances, carriage rides, and photos with Santa.

Dallas - City Lights
The annual holiday lights in downtown Dallas take over five blocks of the area with festive decorations, covering the city's official Christmas tree, Neiman Marcus Crawl Tube, and other holiday displays. Read more here: Hundreds Attend Downtown Tree Lighting

TARRANT COUNTY

Fort Worth - Fort Worth Parade of Lights
The 30th annual Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights will be held November 23. The parade will host over 100 highly illuminated entries, 500,000 lights and the Sundance Square Christmas Tree. The parade will transform Downtown with "The Wonder of it All!" theme. Bringing up the finale float of the parade will be a brand new Santa float featuring the stars of the show, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Fort Worth - The T's Holiday Lights Tours
The T and Stockyards Station will host their annual Holiday Lights tours of more than 200 decorated homes on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m. with pre-tour festivities and bus boardings from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Stockyards Station, at 130 East Exchange Avenue. Tickets are $5 per person, children 5 and under are free.

Fort Worth - Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Join the holiday season celebration at Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway going on through January 6. Families and visitors can drive the 1.7-mile route and experience sparkling holiday displays made with over 1 million energy-efficient LED lights, all within the comfort of their own cars. Tickets are $15 per vehicle on Monday-Thursday, $20 on Friday-Sunday.

Fort Worth - Chesapeake Lights
Holiday light lovers are welcome to visit Chesapeake Plaza at 100 Energy Way in Fort Worth through the end of 2012. Visitors can stroll through the plaza and gaze at the 1.1 million energy-efficient LED lights adoring 110 oak and cypress trees. Parking is available off Fifth Avenue and Forest Park.

Arlington - Holiday Lights Parade
A downtown Arlington Christmas tradition continues this year, where a flurry of floats adorned with lights marches through the streets surrounding City Hall. Families set up "camp" along the parade route, so make sure you plan accordingly to snag a good spot to view the parade. The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012 and ends with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the steps of City Hall. Santa will even be there to take pictures at the Levitt Pavilion.

Arlington - Interlochen
The holiday light tradition returns to Arlington as the Interlochen neighborhood comes alive with lights. More than 200 homeowners have decorated their houses with festive lights and Christmas displays. The display starts December 14 and runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day through Christmas. Visitors must enter the Interlochen neighborhood from Randol Mill Road at Westwood Drive. Arlington police will control traffic to help ensure safe travel in the area.

Cleburne -  Whistle Stop Christmas
Come celebrate the 16th anniversary of Cleburne’s Whistle Stop Christmas. Over 3.5 million lights have transformed Hulen Park into a Christmas Wonderland. The celebration begins on November 19 with the lighting of the Christmas lights and the parade in downtown Cleburne, and continues through December 31. There will also be live entertainment by a community choir, representing area churches, singing Christmas music and live theater groups presenting holiday plays.

Grapevine – The Christmas Capital of Texas
Grapevine offers the ultimate in Christmas celebration.  Every weekend in December come celebrate Christmas on Main Street.  Bring your family and friends to enjoy free hay rides, reindeer games, decorations, and of course Santa. Other Christmas activities in Grapevine include a North Pole Express Train, ice-skating, Christmas movies, and a Home for the Holidays musical. Don’t miss this one and only Christmas extravaganza. The holiday celebrations begin at 7 p.m. on November 19 with the Carol of Lights and on December 6 with the Parade of lights.

COLLIN COUNTY

Frisco - Christmas in the Square
If you’re in the Frisco area be sure to check out the dazzling light display in the Frisco Square.  The holiday lights and music show run nightly from November 23 through January 6. Drawing in 500,000 visitors annually, the holiday events range from a hot air Balloon Glow, to the traditional visit from Santa, and Frisco's first outdoor ice rink.

McKinney - Heard Holiday Trail of Lights
Escape hibernation! Bundle up your family, get out of the house, and experience the most unique holiday lighting display in North Texas. Enjoy the 4th annual Heard Holiday Trail of Lights on December 14th-15th from 6:30-9 pm. See thousands of holiday décor and lights—many synchronized to holiday music—along a half mile Heard nature trail

DENTON COUNTY

Corinth - Whetstone Lights
Every holiday season, this neighborhood just south of Denton becomes a village of 55,000 computerized lights. Drive through the neighborhood to see the dazzling display, all of which is synchronized to holiday music. The lights run from the 6 p.m. November 25th to Christmas til midnight.

Have other Holiday Light locations we should know about? Click here to e-mail us.

For the last 40 years, The Kimbell Art Museum has been collecting and displaying pieces of art in Fort Worth, with an emphasis on conservation.

In the new exhibit, "The Kimbell at 40: An Evolving Masterpiece," the museum is putting on the largest display ever of its permanent collection from Oct. 7 to Dec. 30.

More than 220 pieces from the collection will be on display throughout the museum -- and it's all free.

Going further, the Kimbell has produced a brand-new app for iPad that allows visitors to get additional information about 32 selected works from the collection.

"Conservation is one of the most important and fascinating things we do here at the Kimbell, and it's so rare that we have the opportunity to share this type of behind-the-scenes information with our visitors," Museum director Eric M Lee said. "With the iPad app, we're able to deliver in-depth research, descriptive images and intriguing discoveries too extensive to be included on the gallery wall labels, in an innovative format that allows for personalized exploration of the collection."

The app is a significant update to the labels, audio tours, or other interactive informational options as it allows visitors to access background text, zoomable images, and more for works by Caravaggio, Monet, Picasso, Michelangelo and others at their own pace.

The free app will be available for public use on 20 iPads available for public use at the museum.

NBC 5 is a media sponsor of "The Kimbell at 40" exhibit.

Tens of thousands of people attended Plano's annual Christmas Parade.

The Early Lions Club puts on the annual event.

"It's a tradition in Plano we think is very special that we enjoy doing every year," resident Mark Sims said. "The kids look forward to it. We get doughnuts and hot chocolate."

The marching bands of all nine Plano high schools performed in the parade, which had dozens of floats from civic groups and churches. Boy Scouts and other groups handed out candy to children.

The Lions say 4,200 people were in the parade.

Before the parade, which NBC 5 sponsors, the Lions held a pancake breakfast with Santa Clause where people donated canned goods to the Plano Food Pantries.

A previous version of this story had the incorrect start time for the Dallas Marathon. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. NBC 5 regrets the error.

The Dallas Marathon may be taking its cues from one of James Brown's signature lines.

Brown used to say "let's take it to the bridge" during his songs -- and the marathon's new route crosses the Trinity River into the West Dallas loop and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.

The change means a big single-day marketing opportunity for West Dallas businesses.

"It's the Super Bowl for all of us in this area," said Mike Babb, owner of Babb Bros BBQ. "Right now, it's a big deal."

About 25,000 runners are expected participate in the Dallas Marathon, formerly the Dallas White Rock Lake Marathon. Thousands more will line the streets as spectators.

West Dallas Loop organizers say the visitors will see the new hot spot for growth in Dallas.

"It's really just been in the last six months, if you will, that there's been an enormous amount of activity in terms of openings," said Jeff Herrington of West Dallas Loop. "They're going to be passing through and seeing a West Dallas that's transforming."

New businesses such as restaurants, health spas, and retail stores are along the west loop. There are plans to highlight them with micro-parties featuring food, live music, entertainment and children's activities.

Businesses plan to put their best foot forward during the marathon to build a lasting new customer base.

"For a long time it's been Kessler Park, Bishop Arts, the Methodist hospital and, now, it's another brand new community," said Dustin Thibodeaux of the Clairevista Vitality Club.

The marathon starts at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Feeling adventurous? A new reality show is looking for outgoing people, and there's a casting call in Dallas.

"We're going throughout the country looking for teams of two people; people who are up for the challenge, people who are outgoing, whether you're family members, whether you're co-workers, whether you're buddies. We're looking for people who already have a connection and people who are willing to give it their all for what is definitely going to be the ultimate reality survival competition," said Bear Grylls of his upcoming adventure show to air on NBC.

To be eligible, contestants must be a legal U.S resident who is at least 21 years old as of Feb. 1, 2013. They also must have a United States passport that's valid as of Feb. 1, 2013 through Oct. 15, 2013.

The North Texas casting will be Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Gilley's at 1135 South Lamar St. in Dallas, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show relies on pairs, and it's important that both people attend the casting call for the team to be considered.

Full details, the application and requirements are posted on NBCBearShow.com.
 

Mary J. Blige fans will be sad to hear the singer has canceled her Sunday concert and won't be rescheduling this time.

Blige was scheduled to take the stage at the American Airlines Center in November, but that show was rescheduled for Sunday, December 9.

The AAC reports The Liberation Tour with special guest Brandy has been canceled. Ticket holders can receive a refund from the point of purchase.

Reason for the postponement were not immediately released.

Unfortunately the singer's website was still urging fans to buy tickets for the canceled concert. And the singer's Twitter account touted tickets to the Dallas concert as well.

Blige has no other scheduled tour dates in 2012, but according to EW.com she's expected to join the Rolling Stones at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Saturday night.
 

Rockwall County is the fastest growing retail market in the state, according to a recent survey.

The county's retail market the most out of the state's 50 largest counties, according to the Texas Retail Survey.

The rankings are based on sales data information between 2006 and 2011.

"We were able to experience a 17.9 percent growth over the last five years, which is really remarkable, especially in these economic times," said Sheri Franza, Rockwall Economic Development Corp. president and CEO. "One of the things that this survey tells is that Rockwall is quickly becoming a place where people want to live and shop and set up business."

"I love Rockwall, I'm from Rockwall and I love putting my money where I live," said Cathy Trepte, who was buying jeans at a local boutique Tuesday..

Shop owners said they've seen more people coming to spend money in the city in the last few years.

"The growth that I have seen just in the last 10 years has just been unbelievable," said Amy Butler, of Groovy's Rockwall.

The city's economic development corporation said it's not just shopping. As the fastest growing county in the state, Rockwall is trying to push its lifestyle as "the total package" to attract transplants and visitors.

"There's just a draw to Rockwell," Butler said. "People from all over the nation and surrounding area come to Rockwall for the diversity that it has, but it also has a small-town feel."

Collin and Denton counties placed ninth and 21st on the list, respectively.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a spectacle inside and out, yet there were more jaw-dropping sights to be seen outside the museum Saturday as two acrobats danced to music while rappelling down the side of the museum. 

Minutes later, the museum opened and hundreds of people went in to explore Dallas’ latest wonder.

“It’s big,” said Qwun Davis, referring to the building and not the dinosaur bones he’s surrounded by in one exhibit.  “I like the outside.  I don’t really know how it (the building) stands up because it’s all placed weird.  It’s cool.”

On all five floors, and in all 11 permanent exhibit halls, there’s something to engage or challenge the mind and boddy.

“I just think they’re going to learn so much,” said Ann Hardaway moments after watching her 7-year old daughter Charlotte play meteorologist in front of a map, camera and teleprompter.  “I think they’ve (the museum) done a really good job putting all the information together.  They’ve touched on all the things kids can understand layman-wise.”

“It’s spectacular and it’s engaging, “ said Walt Davis, who’s touring the museum with his wife and grandsons.  “It draws you in and you do things and you learn things as you go along.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is all about inspriring young people to want to learn about science and it’s what Ross Perot said needs to happen.

“In our country, we don’t have near enough scientists and engineers,” Perot told NBC 5 shortly before the museum opened.  “80 percent of our PhDs at all of our elite engineering schools like Cal Tech and MIT come from two countries, China and India. Is that amazing?  We’ve got to create those engineers right here.”

Organizers hope the museum is unlike any other and amazes all who enter.

“It’s more than we ever expected,” said former teacher, and Ross Perot’s wife, Margot Perot.  "It’s going to mean a lot to people of all ages so I hope people come again and again."

The five adult Perot children made a $50 million gift to get the museum named in Margot and Ross Perot’s honor.

For more on the museum and to order tickets on line visit perotmuseum.org.
 

Dallas's newest museum, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, opens Saturday.

The museum, which has been under construction since 2009, will showcase 11 exhibit halls filled with interactive, hands-on learning that is spread out over 180,000 square feet.

In the sports hall, you can compare your form to professional athletes at the motion lab.  On the running wall, you can race a T-Rex, cheetah or even Cowboys running back Felix Jones while learning about your body in motion and velocity.

"The exhibits are finishing up.  The exhibits are fast and furiously getting ready for opening day," said Jennifer Scripps, director of business and partnership development.

Movie star Owen Wilson is a narrator in the Expanding Universe Hall.

"A lot of people know the voice.  You have to tell them, 'He's from Dallas.  It's Owen Wilson'  It's a lot of fun in the Universe Hall.  That's next to the dinosaur hall," said Scripps.

In the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall visitors will see the first-ever installation of the Alamosaurus.  You can also compete against an opponent in the "Predator vs. Prey" game to see how adapting to your surroundings is the key to survival.

"I hope people come and have fun.  This is a world-class science museum, and our community is in for a treat," said Scripps.

Tickets are $10 for kids, $15 for adults.  Annual memberships are also available. The museum is located along Woodall Rogers Freeway at Field Street.

It is a gathering unlike any other across the country, and it only happens in North Texas.

Throughout the day on Friday, more than 1,700 children and military spouses arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as part of the seventh annual Snowball Express, a event for the families of fallen service members.

American Airlines brought in nine charter planes full of families. Others arrived on regular flights, some flying from as far away as Guam, Puerto Rico and Germany.

The loads of planes were greeted with thunderous applause and cheers from dozens of volunteers, American employees, Patriot Guard Riders, military members and even regular travelers.

"It's the least we can do for these kids, for these families who have given so much," said Capt. Jim Palmershem, an American pilot who flew the first flight of the day from Nashville and Arkansas.

The Strattons arrived on a charter from Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. The family of three children and mother, Jennifer, from Stafford, Va., are attending their third Snowball Express.

"The first event we went to, my daughter, Delaney, looked around at all the people and she said, 'They haven't forgotten daddy.'" Jennifer Stratton said. "And I said, 'No they haven't.'  This is one of those weekends where it's America at its best. We just love coming to Texas and that Texans remember our fallen heroes."

The Snowball Express isn't just a warm greeting at DFW Airport. The five-day event includes for the first time a day of activities in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

"We do a thing called the 'Walk of Gratitude,' said Dan Ronan, a member of the board of directors of the Dallas-based charity Snowball Express. "And this is a chance for the community to come out and to try and show people how much they appreciate the service and sacrifice these families have made."

"On Sunday morning, about 10:30, we'll kick off with about 2,000 folks that we can cheer on and let them know how much we appreciate them," Palmershem said.

The Syversons from Carlisle, Penn., have attended every Snowball Express after Army Maj. Paul Syverson was killed by a mortar in Balad, Iraq, in 2004. His daughter Amy, who was just 2 months old at the time, said she enjoyed coming to North Texas for the events.

"It's really great to be here with everyone's support," she said. "It's really nice."

Her mother, Jackie, echoed the sentiment.

"It's a cool honor, because holidays are hard in their own way," she said. "And then when the kids get to come here and do something really cool like this and be around other kids who are like them, it works out great. It's just a really cool way to start the holidays, it means a lot to us."

It also means a lot to the volunteers, who spend hours coordinating the massive five-day operation.

Bridget Johnson, an American operations agent, helped decorate a part of Terminal C for the arriving planes. A former military member herself, Johnson said she can't think of a better way to honor the families.

"We didn't pay the ultimate sacrifice, and these families did," she said. "It means a lot for us to be able to give back."

"It's about creating some happy times around Christmas time," Palmershem said. "I'm not sure who gets more out of it, the kids or the volunteers. But we're just so glad to be here and be a part of this and looking forward to a great weekend here in Dallas-Fort Worth."

Jennifer Stratton said she knows her husband would be happy to hear that his family gets a holiday treat away from home and a chance to remember the families that have lost a loved one in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

"He would be happy to know that America doesn't forget their heroes," she said.

The Walk of Gratitude will begin at 10:30 on Sunday along East Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards. The public is encouraged to line North Main Street for the walk. Click here for more information.

Feel like your holiday light photos aren't shining as brightly as you'd hoped? Check these tricks for making those lights look clearer.

Hold the Flash Back
Using your camera's flash could wash out those twinkling lights. Snap your pictures without the flash to ensure the lights you're seeing are provided by the designed strands you're trying to capture. Most modern cameras have good sensors for detective what values to set exposure, even in the auto settings. Conversely, if you're more focused on what's not lit -- the kids in front of a Christmas tree, for example -- add that flash. Better yet, take one photo each way and see which one turns out better. Don't know how to turn off your camera -- or camera phone's -- flash? Now's the perfect time to learn.

Slow and Steady
Lowering your shutter speed will let more light into the camera, which could make those lights brighter -- but might add blur if the camera is moved. Try investing in (or borrowing) a tripod to keep your camera rock solid while the photo is taken. This slow and steady approach will make your photos clearer.

Dusk to Dusk
Use the twilight time to shoot your photos outdoors rather than waiting until it gets darker. You can often catch some of the color in the sky instead of a black sky, which will look a little nicer, plus you'll have some natural light that can illuminate decorations you might lose when only the strands are shining.

iPhone Home
The camera you're most likely to carry with you is on your phone -- but it's got some faults you'll need to overcome. First, many cameras on phones aren't able to make settings on shutter speed, ISO settings, or any of the advanced elements you might want to try. The more recent your phone is, the better the camera is likely to be -- but that's no gaureentee you'll get a good image. Also, while they're small enough to fit in your pocket, the tiny size of modern phones leads to blurry photos as you stuggle to shoot straight. You may want to check out alternate camera apps on the various app stores to make sure your camera's functions are accessible, too.

Once you've taken those shining shots, share them with us by e-mailing them to isee@nbcdfw.com and view other Holiday Photos here.

First there was FERRARI, followed FT WORTH and T-DALLAS, RANGERS and COWBOYS along with 27 other custom, high-profile Texas license plates.  Now, My Plates is ready for their next auction.

On Jan. 25, 2013, at Reliant Center in Houston, My Plates will auction off another vanity plate -- HOUSTON.

HOUSTON isn't the only plate to be auctioned, the company will also auction off nine other plates -- though exactly what those plates are they won't say just yet. The other plates to be auctioned will be announced over the next few weeks, though if history is any indicator, then ASTROS, ROCKETS and TEXANS may be good bets.

Of a mind to make a bid?  T-DALLAS sold for $1,500, FT WORTH for $5,000, RANGERS for $10,000, COWBOYS for $11,500 and FERRARI for $15,000. So take your checkbook.

With a win, you'll get the plate for 10 years along with first right of refusal for every renewal period thereafter -- which will come every 10 years.  The owner could, essentially, own the plate forever or, since they are transferable, sell it to a collector.

"Texas has had personalized license plates since 1965 but only recently added a 7th character for personalization.  That 7th character opened up a very valuable inventory of plate messages for the State, messages deemed too valuable to sell at regular market prices," said My Plates in a news release Wednesday. "Proceeds benefit chosen charities and the state's general revenue fund, which helps pay for services for all Texans.  My Plates will donate its auction proceeds to charity."

In the first auction, My Plates said Texans spent $139,400 on 33 plates, $78,195 of which went to the state's general fund.  Since Nov., 2009, Texans have bought more than 120,000 My Plates -- bringing more than $14 million into the state's general revenue fund.

The Great Plate Auction 2013 is open to the public with free admission inside the Hall B rotunda at Reliant Center. Register your interest at www.myplates.com/auction

Some people decorate their home with a few Christmas lights for the season.

Then there is Marty Pasieka.

Pasieka's front yard in Flower Mound has a 22-foot tall Christmas tree made of more than 4,000 lights. It stands next to 10 smaller Christmas trees that glow red, green and white.

And he's just getting started with the Christmas spirit.

Pasieka has synchronized the lights to blink to the beat of five different Christmas songs. Passers-by can hear the music if they pull up a few yards from the house and tune in to the radio station he's programmed the music to play through.

"This is just my second year doing this so, definitely, the palette is -- there's a lot more on there," he said. "Half empty or half full, definitely there is a lot more that I can do."

Pasieka said he has plans to expand the Christmas display from the current 10,000 lights.

"I have a few ideas," he said.

But he doesn't want to give too many of his secrets away, so Pasieka is keeping his plans quiet.

Meanwhile, his neighbors can't stop gushing about the display.

"My wife and I always pull up and stop," one man yelled out his window, before driving off.

Pasieka said it took him a few months to build the frame to hold the lights, and it takes a few days to program the lights to blink to the beat of the music. The computer work takes more time, he said.

"That takes a lot more time," he said. "You have to separate it by seconds, hundredths of a second, tenth of a second, to kind of look at it and, you know, see what you like, see what it looks like."

Pasieka also put on a light show for Halloween, with one sequence set to "Gangnam Style."

Pasieka jokes that decorating his lawn is just a hobby. His real job? A baggage handler for Southwest Airlines.

If you want to swing by and see the display, the family lives in the 4900 block of Marcus Drive in Flower Mound. The lights are on Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the lights are on from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Local businesses are also getting a piece of the pie on one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.

The owner of Loco Cowpoke Salsa Shop in downtown McKinney, which sells salsas and other products made in Texas, said his online sales doubled this year on Cyber Monday.

Randy Abshier said he woke up Monday morning to more than a dozen Internet orders. On Cyber Monday, about 50 percent of his sales came from the Internet, with the other half coming from foot traffic.

"I’m by far using the computer today way more than I do on a typical day," he said.

Shipments are going around the country, to Massachusetts, Missouri, even around the world.

"It's pretty much out of control through the first of the year," Abshier said.

Abshier and his wife opened their shop four years ago. After about a year, their shop went partially digital.

"I never really thought about the online piece of the business," he said.

Now, about 20 to 25 percent of his business is online sales, he said.

In 2005, a trade organization dubbed the Monday after Thanksgiving as "Cyber Monday" to promote online holiday shopping. Research firm comScore has predicted shoppers will spend $1.5 million on Cyber Monday this year, up 20 percent from the year before.

A  barbecue restaurant in Dallas is opening the door for new business and development. Babb Brothers BBQ and Blues sits at the base of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in West Dallas and is part of a major revitalization project called Trinity Groves. 

The restaurant's owner, Mike Babbs, said his food is bringing soul to West Dallas.

"It's awesome. It's something we've been waiting for," Babbs said.

His restaurant is the first place to open in Trinity Groves, an entertainment, restaurant and retail district located on the west side of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.

"We are the face. We are the first ones open. We are expected to do well out of the gate so people will come down to this area," Babbs said.

Though Saturday night was full of celebration, the Trinity Groves project was originally met with opposition. Residents were concerned that development would invade their neighborhood. The Dallas City Council approved a deal that pleased neighbors and developers. Mayor Mike Rawlings was among Saturday's crowd ushering in a new era.

"When I first saw the plan for West Dallas, I was excited and had a sense of urgency to get it done. So, the day has finally come where you can get right over the bridge and eat some great barbecue. It's an exciting time," Rawlins said.

From the mayor of Dallas to fans at the famed Southfork Ranch, many spent Saturday remembering Larry Hagman. 

The actor played J.R. Ewing on the hit television drama "Dallas" died Friday at the age of 81.

Small groups started gathering outside Southfork at about 9 a.m. Saturday.  Among those who stopped was Marianne Ferguson and her family from Memphis, Tenn.  

“He was the top dog, really,” said Ferguson, referring to Hagman’s conniving character.  “I don’t know what they’re going to do without him, but it’ll still be a great show.”

“As a kid  [I remember] watching it, every single one,” said Risa Rivers of Pennsylvania, who was in the gift shop waiting for a tour of the ranch to start.  “I cried when I found out he [Hagman] died.”

Jason Parrott lives in Allen now but grew up in Chicago watching the show. 

“It’s a very sad day,” said Parrott.  “But it’s very amazing how the show’s endured for so long, it just will live forever.”

As the morning wore on the crowds picked up and the folks at Southfork put a huge picture of Hagman out front along with flowers for a memorial where people could write cards and leave them messages.

Cindy Smith of Georgia was on her way to a football game and didn’t have time to tour Southfork, but she did pull off the road to pay respects.

“Just really sad to hear because his character just made the show.  He was such a villain that you loved.”

On Saturday, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings released the following statement:

"Larry Hagman created a role that was mythic and put Dallas in the spotlight in the 1980's and that attention has lasted decades; gaining world wide recognition for our City.  The recognition and affinity he created for Dallas can never be replicated - he was one of a kind. Larry is a North Texas jewel that was larger thank life and he will be missed by many in Dallas and around the world. We are grateful for his being a hard working ambassador for Dallas as well as the underdog with our City.  On behalf of the City and Citizens of Dallas - our thoughts and prayers are focused on his family and his fellow cast and crew as they grieve such a large loss."

Small business owners are hoping you don’t forget the little guy this weekend.

After shoppers flock to the mall and large retail chains on Black Friday, many are hoping customers participate in "Small Business Saturday."

“In order to compete with the big boys,” said Suzanne Roberts, who owns her own store, Suzanne Roberts Inc., in Snider Plaza in University Park.

Roberts said she can’t offer the big discounts like major stores, but to lure customers into the store, she is offering something.

“Our special is nothing like theirs. At 20% off, that’s a big special for us,” Roberts said.

Vickie Brown, who owns Love Tennis, also in Snider Plaza, is doing the same thing.

“Right now, we are having a sale. We moved it up just about three weeks. We usually do it just before Christmas, but we thought for Small Business Saturday we were going to offer 75-percent off of past seasons of Stella McCartney and Adidas is 30-percent off,” Brown said.

Both women said it’s important for shoppers to remember small businesses in order to support the local economy.

They also point out customers won’t have to deal with the hassle of long lines and crowded aisles.

“It’s so intimate with the customer and we have our clientele base where we get to know the customers one-on-one. So it’s not just a come in and shop. We really get to know you,” Brown said.

Sundance Square has the Christmas spirit.

On Friday, Sundance Square hosted the 8th Annual Fort Worth Parade of Lights. Tens of thousands of people crowded the streets to get a look at more than 100 floats decorated with lights.

But the big draw was a big tree. Santa Claus came into town to help light up a 55-foot blue spruce from Michigan decorated with ornaments.

Based on reaction from kids in the crowd, the event was a hit.

“We get to see the tree light up, and we get to see, we get to see Santa!” said an excited Kaila Delane of Irving. “It's my first time, but I kind of like it. It's like New York.”

Hundreds of people waited in line to pose for a picture with Santa and the tree. Pictures are $7 and benefit charity.

Want to see more local lights? Click here to find holiday lighting displays around North Texas.

Like so many shoppers this holiday season, Amanda Nutter is always looking for a deal -- even if it’s dealing with the long lines and Black Friday chaos at the big-box stores.

After the morning madness Nutter visited GW Boutique, one of the high-end Goodwill stores.

"There were people killing each other the last cabbage patch kid or the Barbie doll and this is so much more calm," Nutter said.

Nineteen Goodwill stores across the Metroplex held their own Black Friday sale with all items at the stores available for 50-percent off.

“We're a retailer just like everybody else, we offer already great prices, but we thought that this could be another way to offer for better prices,” Kristen Bostick, a Goodwill spokesperson said.

Stephanie Sisk, a cashier who's been busy behind the register, says customers appreciate the bargain.

"Half of them didn’t even know about it,” Sisk said.

The revenue generated will provide funding for job training and placement programs for people with disabilities or who are unemployed. 

"It's just something that were just joining in on the Black Friday craze, it something else we can give back to the community," Bostick said.

This is Goodwill's second year to host the sale and the company has plans to do the same next year.

For retailers in McKinney’s Historic Square, the 32^nd annual “Dickens of a Christmas” festival is an early start to Small Business Saturday.

"It’s automatic traffic for us - it’s automatic sales,” said Kendi Skeen, owner of boutique Bloom. “It wouldn’t be this busy on a Friday afternoon if it weren’t for Dickens.”

Around the corner, Stephanie Farrar, who’s been in business in the square for two years as “The Canine Cookie Company”, agreed.

“It is probably the biggest festival for the year for us, so we really do depend on it,” she said.

Both businesses will be participating in Small Business Saturday, a relatively new promotion nationwide to remind shoppers to spend money locally after Black Friday, when much of the holiday budget goes to “big box” chain stores.

“It gets people out shopping locally, which is great for the economy, because we all hire local people to help us,” said Ferrar, who noted on Friday, the foot traffic in and out of her store was “probably at ten times our usual volume”.

“For us, it’s huge,” said Skeen. “The traffic counts so much more.”

The Small Business Saturday effort started in 2010 and quickly spread.

According to survey cited by American Express, which promotes the motto “Shop Small”, more than 100 million people spent money locally on Small Business Saturday last year.

Who needs sleep when you can practically hear the sales calling from your nearby shopping mall?

That's the question tens of thousands of North Texas Black Friday shoppers are asking themselves, with the resounding answer of "Not me!"

"I mean, I ain't got nothing else to do.  I got four children and they said, 'Mom, it's the Black Friday.'  Mom is here!" said Tish Alexander of Fort Worth, who spent all night at the North East Mall in Hurst.

The North East Mall, like many other stores and shopping centers in the Metroplex, opened its doors at midnight.  And like a retail "Field of Dreams" --  if you open it, shoppers will come.

"The mall's not the first stop," said Gerald Jordan of Colleyville, his two kids in tow.  "[We] started with breakfast and it's progressively... we went from the mall to Kohl's to a lot of places."

Bargain hunting is the primary reason people told NBC 5 they came out in the middle of the night.

"Scarf, pants, sweater - everything, the entire outfit, for under $35!" one shopper exclaimed.  She, like so many others, has turned the overnight ritual into a holiday tradition -- zipping from store to store with friends and shopping bags in tow.

Over at the Galleria in Dallas, crowds were picking up Friday evening, looking even busier than Friday afternoon. Three of the parking garages were at capacity with the rest of the spaces at 95-percent capacity around 5 p.m.

The constant flow of people coming in and out are helping customers find places to park.

People took advantage of items discounted 60 to 70-percent off in some stores.  Many retailers are also offering gift cards for customers who spend a certain amount in their stores.

Customers that spoke with NBC 5 said they’re pretty happy with the bargains.

“A lot of great deals,” says shopper Sean Jones of Dallas.  “I’m probably spending a little less per item (than last year) but maybe spending near the same amount because I’m buying more.”

On Thanksgiving morning in Frisco, the city’s relatively new North Texas Turkey Trot tradition was bursting at its seams.

Thursday is, of course, Thanksgiving, but it's also Nov. 22 and the 49th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

It may seem hard to believe, but 2013 will bring the 50th anniversary of the president's death and many across North Texas are already coordinating plans for marking the occasion.

Earlier this week, city leaders in Dallas unveiled plans for a memorial service in Dealey Plaza on the 50th anniversary.  Two weeks ago, across the street from the hotel where Kennedy spoke to thousands on the morning of Nov. 22, the city of Fort Worth opened a new memorial to the fallen leader.

In Dallas, Southern Methodist University will partner with the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Sixth Floor Museum to host a yearlong series of public programs that will begin on President's Day.

"The series will begin with "The Politics of Memory" on President's Day 2013 (Feb. 18, 2013) and end on President's Day 2014 (Feb. 17, 2014) with "Coping With Crises: How Presidents Manage National Crises," a program sponsored with the Sixth Floor Museum and the Bush Library and Museum. Other programs examining the legacies of the Kennedy presidency and its impact on American domestic and foreign policy are planned for the months leading up to Nov. 22, 2013," SMU said in a news release Wednesday.

SMU said they will organize the programs with a special committee of distinguished SMU faculty members and guests known as the Tower Center Working Group on Remembrance and Commemoration:  The Life and Legacy of JFK. 

Here is more from SMU on the group:

The committee is led by Dennis Simon, SMU political science associate professor, a fellow in the Tower Center and director of the Tower Center program on American Politics. George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Director Alan Lowe is a member of the committee, as is Jeffrey Engel, founding director of SMU's new Center for Presidential History and associate professor in the Williams P. Clements Department of History.

The working group includes William Bridge, SMU associate professor in the Dedman School of Law; Lee Cullum, journalist and Tower Center fellow; Kenneth Hamilton, SMU associate professor in the William P. Clements Department of History and director of ethnic studies in Dedman College; James Hollifield, SMU professor of political science and Arnold Fellow of International Political Economy, director of the Tower Center and chair of the Sixth Floor Museum Board; Rita Kirk, director of the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility at SMU and a professor in the Division of Communication Studies;  Thomas Knock, SMU associate professor of history and member of the board of trustees of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library; Ruth Morgan, former SMU provost and professor emerita of political science; Daniel Orlovsky, SMU professor of history and SMU's George A. Bouhe Research Fellow in Russian Studies; and Tom Stone, SMU senior English lecturer who teaches courses that view the assassination through the works of writers, artists and scholars.

"SMU is looking forward to bringing an academic and scholarly orientation to the observance of this somber anniversary," Simon said.  "The Tower Center has a history of productive partnerships with the National Archives and Records Administration and presidential libraries, as well as with the Sixth Floor Museum. We are excited about the opportunity to reexamine the life and legacy of JFK and to help commemorate this tragic event."

The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which houses the Presidential Library and Museum, will be dedicated in late April 2013 on the SMU campus.

Further details of the JFK-related series will be released as they become available.

With the observance in mind, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas remains open on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There is perhaps no more glaring exhibition of American consumerism than Black Friday: shoppers spending their long Thanksgiving weekends camped outside big-box stores for the chance to fight through crowds for the latest gadgets and toys.

Retailers invest a lot of hope in that day, because it can be used to build momentum for the six-week holiday shopping season, their most profitable time of year.

But Black Friday isn’t the economic bellwether that it used to be. The thrifty financial landscape, and the growth of online shopping, have arguably diminished the event’s impact, even as it grows in popularity, with more stores opening on Thanksgiving or offering sales weeks earlier.

“Everyone’s going to hype it, and there are a lot of deals out there, and some people make it an experience in itself, but I don’t think it’s as much of a leading indicator of the holiday season,” said Dennis Jacobe, chief economist for Gallup, the research and polling firm.

The biggest reason, Jacobe said, is that while the recession has abated, consumer caution has not. His studies show that that more Americans say they’re confident in the economy, but they aren’t as willing to exercise that faith by opening their wallets. That includes upper-income shoppers, who may be growing anxious about the looming fiscal cliff’s impact on their taxes. The lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy could be a factor as well.

Many researchers have reported modest spending in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.

In other words, the crowds that turn out for door-buster deals this weekend can’t necessarily be expected to remain enthusiastic.

From an economic researcher’s perspective, Black Friday is more sport than science. Analysts say that sales figures during this brief period are less a function of the broader fiscal climate than of the effort retailers go to in drawing people to their stores.

Because that effort grows every year, Black Friday—and the rest of the weekend—typically performs well, said Allen Sinai, chief economist and strategist at Decision Economics Inc. The zeal usually fades a bit, then picks up again in the days right before Christmas.

Sinai also recalled a couple occasions when a Black Friday turned out to be “a dud,” but sales rallied later in the holiday season.

That record, he said, was why he didn’t “place a lot of stock” in Black Friday as an accurate gauge of holiday-season shopping.

Tell an economist you're trying to get accurate data on Black Friday sales, and the response will often be “good luck.” Many organizations—retail trade groups, market researchers, polling firms—try it, but methods, and margins of error, vary. U.S. Commerce Department statisticians don’t break down economic data that narrowly.

Barry Ritholtz, director of equity research at Fusion IQ, takes to his popular blog every year to bemoan the “wildly optimistic” surveys that the media quotes at the end of Black Friday weekend.

Without fail, he says, the reports exaggerate consumer enthusiasm. He pointed to last year’s National Retail Foundation’s claim that sales had spiked by 16 percent – which, if true, would have been a record-breaking sum. There was no apparent attempt to check the data later on, but economists generally agree that consumer spending increased by less than 6 percent over the entire 2011 holiday season.

The NRF has predicted a slight decrease in the number of Black Friday shoppers this year.

“You should be reluctant to draw too big a conclusion from one day,” Ritholtz said. “As we’ve seen, it never lives up to the hype. In fact, part of the reason there’s so much hype and false signals is there are so many people trying to get a read into that one day, far more than what you should typically be willing to see in one day. This is an economy, not an event.”

His prediction, shared by many other researchers, is that no matter how frenetic Black Friday turns out to be, holiday season spending will enjoy a modest uptick this year. Bain & Co., for example, predicted a 3.5 percent increase in spending, compared to a 3.7 percent increase in 2011 and 3.8 percent the year before. Gallup has predicted a "good, though not great" performance.

The biggest variable, many say, is the fiscal cliff, the expiration of Bush-era tax cuts and automatic spending reductions that will go into effect Dec. 31 unless President Barack Obama can reach some kind of deal with Congress. If there is no solution before Christmas, consumers may get nervous, and hold back on holiday spending, some economists say.

Lawmakers are expected to get back to work on the issue after Thanksgiving weekend.

“Uncertainty is even greater than usual at this point,” said Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics for Moody’s Analytics. “Whatever sales are like this weekend, it doesn’t really help to address that uncertainty."

With another beautiful day on tap, you may want to make plans to head to the Dallas Zoo on Wednesday, but you may have a little wait.

That's because the zoo is hosting its dollar day, which, of course, is one of the most popular days at the zoo.

That's right, for just a buck you can get into the zoo to enjoy everything it has to offer from its new Koala Walkabout exhibit, to the Wilds of Africa experience and everything in between. Kids 2 and younger get in free.

For a little extra cash, you can even feed the giraffe, take the monorail safari tour or hop up and take a camel ride.

The zoo is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and parking will cost you $8. Don't want to drive or bother with parking? No problem, the zoo encourages you to take the DART red line, which will take you right to the zoo entrance.

Getting there:
Dallas Zoo
650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway                                 
Dallas, TX 75203

Black Friday — it's the mother of all shopping days. A day when millions of people wielding billions of dollars scratch and claw for the biggest bargains. So what's the best plan of attack?

"My advice is to skip it entirely," says Jody Rohlena, senior editor at Shop Smart magazine.

Black Friday has been such a staggering marketing success that it's spawned Black Thursday, Cyber Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday… the list goes on. The upside, as Rohlena sees it, is there's no need to focus all your energy, time and money on one day.

"We're gonna see really good markdowns all the way up to the Holidays, and guess what — when retailers have inventory that they're trying to unload, they're going to keep setting up new sales, so there can be advantages waiting," says Rohlena.

But whether you brave the crowds of Black Friday or not, you still need to be prepared. Even if you're a dedicated brick-and-mortar shopper, the Internet is your best starting point. There's a host of websites — BFAds.net, BlackFriday.com and SlickDeals.net — dedicated to tracking the best deals out there, as well as store hours.

"Take a look at those ads beforehand and really find out if they're great deals or not," advises Rohlena. "You can do quick searches at PriceGrabber.com, for example. Don’t assume because it's in a Black Friday circular that it's a great deal."

To help assuage your fears of overpaying, Rohlena says the big news this holiday season is in the realm of price matching. At a lot of stores, if you buy something and then find it cheaper someplace else, they'll refund you the difference.

If big box stores and national chains aren't your thing, Rohlena is a big fan of Small Business Saturday.

"People may think that prices are higher in those smaller independent retail stores — they may not necessarily be," he said. "And there's an advantage: If you ask for a better deal, you might be dealing directly with the owner, they have a lot more leeway to give you a better price. If you ask nicely, of course.

"If you go on AmericanExpress.com, you can register you card, if you use your AmEx to shop on Small Business Saturday at a participating retailer, they will give you a $25 credit. Spend $25, get the credit back on your bill — there's another really good reason to participate: free money."

If there's something you just have to have in-hand, Rohlena suggests a reconnaissance mission: going to the store a few days early to find out where your prey will be on display, the nearest entrance and the exact hour it will be available.

Among the other Internet tools available to the modern bargain hunter is the Black Friday Survival Guide app, which has a newsfeed, lets you search each store by category or each category by item, tells you exactly when each sale begins, provides competitor prices and lets you build a shopping list you can email to a loved one.

If the thought of the traffic and the crowds makes your chest tighten, the Internet is here to help but still requires a good plan. Rohlena recommends CyberMonday.com, CyberMonday2012.com, FreeShipping.org to see who's got free shipping and @cybermonday at Twitter.

With all of the new shopping tools at our disposal, why wade into the insanity of Black Friday at all?

"For those of us who really want to make sure we're giving a nice gift to someone we care about, I think it's important to be able to compare things physically, if you know what I mean, as opposed to virtually, online," says Dr. Tina Lowrey, professor of marketing at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and editor of "Brick & Mortar Shopping in the 21st Century."

"And for a lot of people, I think they enjoy being around other people that are in the holiday spirit, it's sort of an infectious kind of social gathering to be around… the communal nature of going out and being with other people who are out for the same reason."

Rohlena is unmoved.

"I know too much," he said. "I'm not going anywhere on Black Friday."

Many women are choosing to style their hair naturally instead of chemically straighten it.

Like many black women, Vera Campbell, 52, has used chemical relaxers to make her natural hair straight.

"All my friends were doing straight, long hair, and the thing was straight, long, pretty hair," she said. "You thought that you were pretty if you had long, straight hair. That's not the case anymore."

But five years ago, Campbell opted to stay with natural hair.

"You can wear it straight sometimes, you can wear it curly, or you can do twists," she said. "There's such a variety of what you can do with your natural hair."

Campbell was among of hundreds to attend the Nappiology Expo in Hurst, where vendors and stylists focused on highlighting and embracing natural hair.

Cost is a factor in the trend.

Hair relaxers used in salons to straighten hair are around $60 -- and that doesn't include coloring or stylist tips. Many women must return to the salon within two to six weeks to maintain it. And hair extensions which are weaved into hair start at $20 each and take hours to add.

According to the Black Owned Beauty Supply Association, $9 billion are spent every year on hair care products.

Celebrities are part of the trend.

While celebrities such as singer Janet Jackson, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and actress Raven-Symoné have straightened their hair, many today are opting for natural hair.

In the September issue of O Magazine, Winfrey showed the public her natural hair on the front page.

Actress Viola Davis, who starred in the award-winning "The Help" wore natural on the red carpet during the Oscars.

Two years ago, actress and comedian Kim Coles cut off all her extensions and went natural.

"I would hide my hair or I would hide it with a weave or with braids for so long," she said.

Stylist Andrea Harmon at Studio 1514 in Dallas said the trend is growing among young women.

"The younger sisters are being edgier, because they're coming into their careers. You know, they're not vice presidents yet," Harmon said.

Besides avoiding the chemicals and the costs, black women say natural hair gives them something else -- pride.

"It's glamour within itself because you're like, 'Wow. I did not know that the look can be so diverse from one sister to another' as far as the curl patterns and designs," said Chandra Carroll, who now wears natural hair.