June

GRADS ‘N DADS ||| ENTREPRENEURS ||| AUTHOR JULIE MURPHY June 2018

your community • your magazine

Today

International Folk Art Market Arlington Santa Fe’s Best Festival Returns to Texas

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contents June 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 6

Highlights 24 Art for artists’ sake The philanthropic International Folk Art Market Arlington returns to the city for the second year, bigger and better.

28 A new chapter begins

28

The George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, opening this month, is a sight – and site – to behold.

32 Addressing Autism Lonestar Solutions Autism Services is changing lives with state-of-the-art programs and hands-on instruction.

34 Celebrating 50 years of Mustang mania Photo: Michael Benanav

On the cover Meeri Tuya will be among more than 40 artists whose works will be on display at the second annual International Folk Art Market Arlington. The event, which will take place at The Green at College Park at UTA, is featured in our cover story on page 24.

Departments Starting Line ... 10 • This ‘n Data ... 12 Scene ... 20, 50, 68 • Around Town ... 22 Style ... 54 • Tennis Tips ... 78 Dining Guide ... 80 • Health/Fitness ... 82 Sights/Sounds ... 84 • Speaking of Sports ... 86 Itinerary ... 88 • Finish Line ... 90

Tom Egan’s Fastback GT will be on display at the Yellow Rose Classic Car Show next month.

38 Meet Eric Tucker The President & CEO of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA discusses his new opportunity – and the future of the Y.

39 Entrepreneurs

34

Here are some local business leaders who are making our area better by the day.

52 A very special Father’s Day Life comes full circle for Peter Scott, now that he is a new grandfather.

56 Home SWEET! Home This is the dwelling of Steven Laird and Patricia Calabria.

And, yes, it is pretty much the dream home.

64 The Class of 2018!

Here are some highlights from the recent school year for area students, schools and districts.

56

70 Prescription for success Medical City Arlington and CEO Keith Zimmerman are redefining how the hospital serves the community.

72 Happily ever after Striking a chord with folks who don’t always ‘fit in,’ author Julie Murphy has readers turning pages.

74 Take a hike! (no, really, take a hike!)

Special section: Entrepreneurs This month, we provide an up-close and personal look at some local entrepeneurs whose drive and business savvy make them successful. See page 39.

8

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Mansfield’s Oliver Nature Park holds all manner of treasures to delight the senses.

74

Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay

An ode to our enrepreneurs

This month, we pay tribute to those who not only dream, but who live dreams

I

have a healthy respect for entrepreneurs. Were it not for the fact that I didn’t have the gumptious wherewithal to follow through on notions, you’d be listening to Yale FM (“playing what we want”) on your morning drive, riding Yaleber to the airport, and paying Youngblood Enterprises a tidy sum for both the water you drink from a bottle and the air you put in your automobile’s tires. Yep, those were all ideas I pondered, back in the day.

Of course, I also came up with the less-than-pragmatic notion of having the outfield walls in major league baseball parks alternately glide forward and backward over the course of a game, thus converting some monster shots into outs and some routine fly balls into home runs. (And likely extending games that last too long already as the pitcher glances not at the baserunner but at a wall in retreat mode before making his next delivery to the plate).

Maybe it’s just as well that I forewent “Entrepreneurship 101” at Good Ol’ BU in favor of Dr. Williams’ “Advanced Newswriting” class, a decision that, ironically, ultimately rendered the only “B” I ever made in a journalism course.

But enough about me. I want to talk about people who Yale Youngblood, Editor accomplish things. People like Dr. Kenyon Godwin, who, as a holistic chiropractor, doesn’t just fix an aching back; he redefines lifestyles to help his patients avoid doing things that lead to aching backs. People like Drs. Lisa B. Fell and Kristin Robbins, whose Audiology Experts practice isn’t confined to plugging a small piece of gadgetry into the ear canal, but is devoted to addressing the needs of the person suffering hearing issues and the needs of his/her family – all while redefining the dynamic between the two entities to help every party live a fuller life.

This month, in a special section that starts on page 39, we celebrate locals whose ideas inspired a career, and whose drive guaranteed the successful transition from notion to product or service. Or, as in the case of John Parker, whose ideas inspired two careers, and whose drive guaranteed that people who need accounting help and people who need insurance help both get the help they need.

The folks profiled on those pages are special, not just because what they do is worth doing, but because their doing it also enhances our ability to do. Figuratively speaking, is your life not enhanced every time you cover a pita chip with Babaganoush Dip and take a bite at Prince’s Lebanese Grill? And what about the clients of Brenda Cureton Smith’s Great Skin Spa & Facial Club? They literally feel better once they’ve paid her entrepreneurial endeavor a visit.

Here’s the deal: Entrepreneurs rock!

Wait ... Maybe I can turn that idea into a bumper sticker ...

yale@arlingtontoday.com

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

and follow us on Twitter

and Instagram

CEO Richard Greene EDITORIAL Editor Yale Youngblood Contributing Editor Marla Thomas Sports Columnist John Rhadigan Style Editor Tricia Schwartz Website & Social Media Manager Courtney Lackner McCoy Contributing Graphic Artists Susan Darovich, Susan Youngblood Contributing Writers Karen Gavis, Bill Lace, Kenneth Perkins, Toni Randle-Cook, Amanda Rogers Contributing Photographers Hasson Diggs, Karen Gavis, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell Toni Randle-Cook, Amanda Rogers SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Amy Lively, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Logan Taylor PRODUCTION Production Manager Susan Darovich ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2018 Arlington Today, Inc., 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 308, Arlington, TX 76011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher.

The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products.

Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues (price includes tax and shipping). E-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com

• Phone number: (817) 303-3304

This ‘n Data

Dignitaries at the check presentation event.

Texas Live! CEO to speak at final 2018 ‘On Tap’

T

hose attending Arlington on Tap at its season finale on June 12 will have an early opportunity to hear newly-named Texas Live! Chief Operating Officer Jim Watry expound on a subject of interest to everyone in Arlington and the region: The topic: “Everything You Wanted to Know About Texas Live!”

The place and time: Legal Draft (500 E. Division St.), from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. It’s free; RSVP not required, but seating is limited to about 200 people. Legal Draft is an upscale craft beer endeavor with a growing list of brew aficionados across Texas.

“Texas Live! is a $250-million synergistic partnership between the Texas Rangers, Cordish Companies and the city that includes a variety of restaurant and entertainment venues as well as a world-class hotel and convention facility,” says O.K. Carter, creator of “Tap” with Arlington Proud CEO Mark Joeckel. “Located on the banks of Johnson Creek midway between AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park, it’s expected to be a year-round attraction.”

Jim Watry Watry comes to Arlington with considerable experience in similar endeavors, first serving as manager of Cordish’s Power and Light District, a nine-block dining, entertainment, residential and office district in downtown Kansas City. More recently he was CEO of Ballpark Village, a sports-anchored dining and entertainment district partnership between the The Cordish Companies and the St. Louis Cardinals. The amenity opened in 2014, and there’s already been an announcement of a $260-million expansion that will further transform the area into a 24/7 live-work-play urban neighborhood for downtown St. Louis.

Arlington on Tap revolves around a growing number of downtown restaurants and venues. Its sponsors are Arlington Proud, the Arlington Historical Society and Arlington Today Magazine.

Photo: City of Arlington

Donation sets in motion AISD facility upgrade

T

he City of Arlington, Arlington ISD, the Dallas Cowboys, the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation, the NFL Foundation and Hellas Construction recently teamed up to ensure that the legacy of the NFL Draft extends far beyond April’s festivities.

The Gene and Jerry Jones Arlington Youth Foundation, the NFL Foundation, and Hellas Construction donated $1.85 million to AISD to replace the current grass on the field at Workman Junior High School with a synthetic turf surface. In addition, there will be an upgrade and replacement of the lighting and scoreboard. Arlington ISD will replace the track.

“The NFL Legacy Project and work at Workman Junior High to construct a competitive field for our students and community will be beneficial and provide opportunities for years to come,” Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said during a ceremony to mark the project. “We believe that our success depends on an engaged community, and we appreciate the partnership and generosity of the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and Hellas Construction.”

The upgraded field at Workman Junior High will change the face of AISD athletics, providing the junior high school football and soccer teams with a state-of-the art playing field at a facility dedicated to the level of competition. Currently, Arlington ISD junior high student-athletes play at a variety of district facilities that are at the mercy of weather, with a lack of field lighting – and are often impacted by schedules for the older athletes’ practices and games.

The new field at Workman was officially unveiled as the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Field. “This is going to help our kids, our students, realize their American dream right here in our community,” Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams said during the ceremony.

RAISE YOUR HAND if you, your parents or your grandparents were members of the Arlington High School Class of 1944. If your hand is in the air you might recall at least a few of the teachers pictured here, including Dora Nichols, who shared this photo with the Arlington Citizen-Journal for its Feb. 25, 1976 “Censational Century” edition celebrating Arlington’s 100th birthday.

Source: Arlington Historical Society

12

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

This summer, we’re putting

HIGH PERFORMANCE ON DISPLAY. Nothing sets off a season of excitement quite like the Mercedes-Benz Summer Event at Park Place. Come in for limited-time offers on the latest models—from the sporty C-Class Sedan to the sleek and versatile GLA and the turbocharged GLC. And while you’re here, enjoy the personal attention and luxurious dealership amenities that always make Park Place feel like Your Place.

PARK PLACE MOTORCARS ARLINGTON 4201 Beltway Place (I-20 & Matlock) | 817.807.4800 ParkPlace.com

This ‘n Data

A UTA study shows that a vast majority of veterans found art therapy helped them cope with service-related trauma.

Photo: countrybaptist.org

Tiya Sircar

Photos courtesy of UTA

welcome to artopia UTA study shows that art therapy helps veterans cope with trauma

R

esearchers at The University of Texas at Arlington have found that 98 percent of veterans participating in the University’s Artopia program consider that art therapy helped them cope with service-related trauma or disability. An equal percentage reported that art therapy helped them cope with everyday life.

“Texas has one of the highest populations of veterans in the U.S. and very little accredited art therapy support,” says Amanda Alexander, UTA associate professor of Art Education and leader of the UTA program.

“We decided to develop art therapy workshops and measure symptom relief and healing for men and women dealing with service-related trauma or disabilities.”

Alexander received an initial seed grant from the College of Liberal Arts to start the Artopia program and research its effectiveness among veterans at UTA. Five workshops and an art exhibition were developed in 2016 and 2017.

The multidisciplinary project was guided by Alexander from the Art + Art History Department and faculty from the Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Veterans Assistance Center at UTA. Licensed art therapists from The Art Station, a Fort Worth nonprofit art therapy organization, provided the professional art therapy support.

Jane Avila, founder of The Art Station, explains that her organization aims to “find a holistic way of helping veterans to bridge the gap from deployment to civilian life. Art therapy has been shown to reduce cortisol or stress hormone in the body within half an hour, and professionals like ourselves who also have mental health qualifications alongside knowledge of art can enhance that experience.”

Before and after each workshop, researchers conducted a Profile of Mood States (POMS) survey with the veterans to measure psychological distress. More than 50 veterans attended the workshops and 33 completed the pre/post POMS survey.

– Louisa Kellie

Arlington actress Tiya Sircar is quite busy these days

A

s an actor in two television shows currently on the air, Tiya Sircar is the latest Arlington native to make a significant mark in the arts.

In ABC’s “Alex, Inc.,” the former Martin High School student plays the wife to Zach Braff’s character, a radio host who quit his job to start his own company. Sircar is also on the NBC hit comedy “The Good Place,” in which Entertainment Weekly recently dubbed her the series “Scene Stealer.” She appears on the comedy opposite Kristen Bell and Ted Danson in multiple shifting roles, from an altruistic human rights lawyer to a power-hungry demon.

You also might know Sircar as Neha from the Owen Wilson/Vince Vaughn film “The Internship.” What you probably don’t know about her is that she is an established voiceover actress, lending her pipes as Sabine Wrenon in the Disney/Lucas Film animated series “Star Wars Rebels” and in the shortform interstitial series “Star Wars: Forces of Destiny.”

2 BECOME 1: Arlington, Fort Worth Boys & Girls Clubs merge T he Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington and Greater Fort Worth announced last month a merger that will create the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. The consolidation will be complete in October.

Daphne Barlow Stigliano, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, will be 14

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

the CEO of the combined organization. Steve Wurm, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington, will be executive vice president.

“Because our Boys & Girls Clubs are located where the kids and teens need us, in their communities and schools, this consolidation uniquely provides the

benefits of combining resources without losing a strong local presence,” Mike Garro, chairman of the board in Arlington, said in the release announcing the merger.

The Arlington organization began in 1959 as the Arlington Boys Club and became the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington in 1991.

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Women’s Health Services now in two Arlington locations: Women caring for women Women’s Health Services is excited to announce that in addition to providing patient care in both north and south Arlington, we also provide state-of-the-art maternity care in the newly renovated labor and delivery suites at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital (THAM). THAM is ranked among the best hospitals in Dallas-Fort Worth, and was awarded American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet status, an award that recognizes hospitals that provide nursing excellence.

In 2017, Women’s Health Services won Suburban Parent magazines’ award for Best Of Family Healthcare in Obstetrics And Gynecology, as well as DFW Child Magazine’s Mom-Approved Doctors award for OB/GYN. The doctors of Women’s Health Services provide full OB/GYN services and are skilled in managing all aspects of women’s health care, such as normal and high risk pregnancy care, gynecologic surgery, incontinence treatment, annual exams, and contraceptive and hormone therapy needs. Their goal is to provide quality care with high patient satisfaction. Visit our new website and make your appointments online at www.womenshealthservices.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!

North Office:

South Office:

1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505

5005 S. Cooper St, Suite 275

Arlington, TX 76012

Arlington, TX 76017

Phone 817-277-9415 • Fax 817-277-0360 Email info@womenshealthservices.com

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Women’s Health Services doctor spotlight: Dr. Joy Carter Dr. Joy Carter grew up in the Mid-Cities in Texas. She went to college at Baylor University for her bachelor’s in Biology, and then went to Southern Methodist University for her master’s in Biology Science. She was accepted to medical school at University of Texas in San Antonio and completed her OG/GYN residency at the UT Medical Branch in Galveston.

After practicing in a solo environment for three years in South Texas, she decided to look for a more family-friendly practice.

She joined Women’s Health Services in 2016. Dr. Carter loves the practice of both obstetrics and gynecology. She focuses on promoting the right health care options for each of her patients. She enjoys taking care of women throughout their reproductive years, pregnancy, and menopause. She is skilled at performing gynecological surgery, including minimally invasive and in-office procedures.

Dr. Carter and her husband, Brian, have three children. When she’s not busy with work or family, she enjoys hiking, outdoor camping, and knitting. Dr. Carter practices out of both the North and South office locations of Women’s Health Services. Call 817-277-9415 or book your appointment today at www.womenshealthservices.com.

This ‘n Data

#atpetofthemonth

Flying Coach Junior student is part of the Martin High football staff

T

tar-Telegram

an Gosset/S

Photos: Bri

he youngest member of the Arlington Martin football coaching staff won’t be a head football coach any time soon. Here’s the deal: Rajesh Murti is a junior student at the school.

He was the equipment manager his freshman season, mainly because he was too small to be a player. But after he shared some plays

Angel Woods Blondin is a miniature Shih Tzu rescue who lives in Arlington with her mother Lori Woods Blondin (an AISD teacher and local performer), her father Jayson Blondin (a local artist) and her two brothers Benny and Ollie (also Shih Tzu rescues).

She has been featured on stage as Willabee in “Mary Poppins” at Pantego Christian Academy and as Rufus in “Legally Blonde” at Theatre Arlington. Some of her favorite things include dancing, goodies, cuddles, dog friendly patio dining and chasing her brothers and other furry friends at Rush Creek Dog Park.

he drew up for his 7-on-7 team during the summer, the Martin coaching staff offered him an offensive assistant role who signals plays and helps coach the quarterbacks.

“I wanted to be a part of it, but I didn’t know how,” Murti said in an interview with the Star-Telegram. “When I showed [Martin offensive coordinator Chad Rives] my plays I always hoped he would give me some type of shot, and thankfully he did.”

That shot includes the shots he takes of practice via his expertise with drones. As a freshman, he was the only one that knew how to fly Martin’s only drone. Now the Warriors have a team of drone pilots, two drones – and a new coach.

A+

City’s draft experience earns an

A

mong the many kudos Arlington earned for its hosting of the 2018 NFL Draft was this “thumb’s up” from Matthew Jussim of Muscle & Fitness magazine: As the saying goes: ‘Everything is bigger in Texas.’

The 2018 NFL Draft was no exception.

[Last year] Philly set records with 250,000 people attending the Draft, but the city of Arlington smashed that with estimates of 400,000 attendees over three days. Between the fan experience outside the stadium, and the actual NFL Draft inside of AT&T Stadium ... the 2018 Draft was a must-see for football fans.”

For Jussim’s full report, visit tinyurl.com/y78yzd6e.

3 Scoops 16

Photo: muscleandfitness.com

1. Following a year that saw sales double

2. More than 150 dealers will display

3. Longtime UTA professor of mechanical

in Viridian, the Arlington master-planned

millions of dollars in rare coins and

and aerospace engineering David Hullender

community is again setting records, with a

paper money at the Texas Numismatic

has been named a 2018 Piper Professor

74-percent increase in home sales during the

Association Coin & Currency Show on

by the San Antonio-based Minnie Stevens

first quarter of 2018 compared to the same time

June 1-3 at Arlington Convention Center.

Piper Foundation. The award, established

last year. Builders sold 120 homes in the 2,000-

The event will feature free coin appraisals,

in 1958 to recognize outstanding college

acre development during January, February and

free educational seminars, free exhibits, a

professors across Texas, is made annually

March compared with 69 sales during the first

youth coin auction, and a Scout Merit badge

to 15 educators to honor their dedication to

three months of 2017. This year’s total is nearly

program. The event runs from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

teaching. Hullender is the 11th UTA professor

half of the 287 homes sold for all of 2017.

For more: TNAcoinshow@gmail.com.

to be named a Piper Professor.

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

He fought for our country. Let him fight for you!

• Personal Injury • Family Law • Criminal Defense

Voted 2016 & 2017 Winner “All Star Lawyer” - Arlington Today readers

• Wills & Probate • Business Litigation • Phones Answered 24/7

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17

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

Arlington High Valedictorian

Arlington High Salutatorian

Joann Chen

Jonathan Coria

Emily Anderson

Andrew Kan

Karen Yang

Peyton Reine

Luke Overman

Linda Vu

Britney Luong

Briana Syed

Hannah Lei

AISD Proudly Congratulates Our Class of 2018 Graduates

Lamar High Valedictorian

Heidi Estrada

Sam Houston High Valedictorian

Esteban Hurtado

Arlington Collegiate High Valedictorian

Lamar High Salutatorian

Sam Houston High Salutatorian

Idararosa Ekong

Arlington Collegiate High Salutatorian

Bowie High Valedictorian

Martin High Valedictorian

Seguin High Valedictorian

Bowie High Salutatorian

Martin High Salutatorian

Seguin High Salutatorian

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

AISD Pre-K Academy, former Sesame Street star Sonia Manzano a big hit

The first clue that the fourth annual Arlington ISD Pre-K Academy presented by the AISD Education Foundation was going to be a big deal was when enrollment for the training session had to be stopped because there was no more room available at the Professional Development Center.

The academy lived up the billing as the full-day event included training sessions and a keynote address from Sesame Street star Sonia Manzano.

“The main goal of this was to continue to educate our pre-K teachers in best practices and to continue to grow the program,” said Rhonda

Greer, early childhood and elementary educational operations coordinator. “It greatly exceeded our expectations, and we could not have done this academy without the help of the AISD Education Foundation.”

Manzano set the tone with “Working with Poverty Students.” The veteran of 44 years on Sesame Street grew up in poverty in the Bronx after coming to the United States from Puerto Rico.

Following her talk, the 250 attendees went to breakout sessions on managing early childhood classrooms, the behavior toolbox, and successful centers and standard-based learning centers.

The event was open to AISD pre-K teachers and aides. School principals, assistant principals and deans also attended as well as community-based pre-K staff members. It was also open to workers from childcare facilities that are linked to AISD schools with those workers receiving 8 hours of credit toward certification.

“This is the kind of fabulous training we hope to continue,” Greer said. “It’s vital to our success as we move forward.

I can’t say enough about the work that went into making this event so successful.”

Follow Arlington ISD on...

1203 W. Pioneer Pkwy. • Arlington, TX 76013 682-867-4611 • AISD.net

Picture-perfect Moments

Scene Snapshots from the AWARE Foundation dinner, from Urban Ministries’ Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats Fundraiser, from The Salvation Army’s Inspiring Hope luncheon and from Arlington Charities’ Help & Hope Celebrity Chef Showcase

Mary Frances and Philip Nelson at the AWARE event

Biana Gholston, Cristal Rubio, India Helm and Julio Castillo

Photos: Mark Murray

AWARE winners Lisa Sharp, Leah Smith, Leslie Powell, Alicia Vandenbroek and Michelle Heath

Photos courtesy of Urban Ministries

Elena Dickard, Kyle Dickard and Rebecca Nolette at the Urban Ministries event

Diane Mycoskie, Dr. Phil Mycoskie, Robert Mahoney and Glenda Mahoney

Photos: Kelly Alexander

Don Henderson and Joe Owens

Dr. Kenyon Godwin with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at the Inspiring Hope luncheon

Captains John and Barbara Rich, Darren Woodson and Lts. Andrea and Timothy Israel

Donna Darovich, Angie Summers and Mary Jean Maloney at the Arlington Charities event

Annie Wheeler, Darren Woodson and Claire Wheeler

Photos courtesy of Penny Rowell

20

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Faye Panzer and Nicole Curtis

In an emergency, trust Methodist.

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center provides quick and convenient treatment for emergencies.

At QuickER.org, you can select a treatment time and wait at home instead of the waiting room.

With QuickER.org, Methodist Mansfield is not only one of the area’s most convenient ERs, it’s also QuickER. Trust. Methodist.

QuickER.org

For life-threatening or severe symptoms, please call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine.

The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Around Town

A great day to be in Arlington Suddenly, Downtown is looking like a downtown, and the city is enjoying an unprecedented boom • By Kenneth Perkins

J

ulia Hermann is standing in front of the shiny new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library with an 11-month-old snuggled inside a stroller. She looks puzzled and perplexed. She glances left, right, left again.

“Lost?” I ask.

She answers yes. Then no. Then kinda.

Says she lives in Southwest Arlington with her husband, two kids, two dogs and five fish. Last time she was here – here meaning downtown Arlington – it didn’t look like this.

“So ... where’s City Hall now?” she wants to know. I tell her it’s still there. Just can’t see it over the sprawling library. And where the library used Urban Alchemy is part of the Arlington renaissance. to be is now 101 Center, high-end apartments with ample retail space planned for the first floor.

She spins around again as though she’d just been beamed down. Excuse Julia if she can’t quite figure out east from west. “Wow,” she says. “I’m really turned around here.”

This is a good thing.

Time was you could stand at Abram and Center, take a quick spin, and see all of downtown.

Try that little trick now.

A downtown transfiguration before our eyes means a city transfiguration, and that says a lot about a place once written off for its elder status and an unfortunate proximity between a couple betterknown behemoths. Not only is downtown becoming what it ought to be – I’ll touch a bit more on that in a sec – but also it’s as though Arlington itself has taken a few shots of adrenaline.

Mayor Jeff Williams is darn near comical these days with his “What a great day to be in Arlington!” mantra he tosses out at schools, at churches, at groundbreakings – wherever there’s a microphone, basically – but it’s as though our fearless leader has willed such a thing into existence. It means Arlington’s boast of being this terrific place to work/live/play is coming to fruition, and pretty much the way it was planned some time ago by those who have a far better entrepreneurial sense than I do.

Just northeast of us the $1.1 billion Globe Life Field will emerge, in 2020, I hear. Adjacent to the new ballpark will be a 300-bed hotel, a convention center annex and 100,000 square feet of dining, retail

22

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

and entertainment venues. Texas Live! Is what they call it. Arlington Backyard, an outdoor event pavilion, will be a space large enough to accommodate 5,000 live event-going folks; a 100-foot-diagonal video screen will lift up to reveal the concert stage. (AT&T Stadium, just a quick jog up the road, has spoiled us. It’s as though we can’t live without those things now).

It all starts, for the most part, with a downtown that creates a kind of critical mass of activities and a place where commercial and cultural functions converge, giving it the sort of aesthetic that conjures up feelings of urban pleasure.

Underneath all that is a thriving business economy and entrepreneurial spirit giving Arlington a personality of its own, or at least walkways to bump into people, as I did. It was Libraries Director Yoko Matsumoto, who was out in front of Hawkes checking out some new signage.

The place opens this month.

I ask what it is like to be in the midst of this revival of sorts.

“Exciting,” she says. “Having all of this Photo: arlington-tx.gov around us is such a great thing. It only adds to what we’re trying to do here.”

As we talk, a skateboarder zooms by. Then a man with his dog.

Then three UTA college students.

That’s what we are trying to do. When Tony Rutigliano presided over the Downtown Arlington Management Corp., this is the world he spoke of.

Now he’s actually a part of it as owner of Urban Alchemy, a muchchatted-about coffee and wine bar on east Main Street. That’s where the students were headed, I bet.

Didn’t catch Rutigliano when I stopped by. Never mind. I already know what he’d say when asked how things are going.

It’s a great day to be in Arlington, Ken. It’s a great day to be in Arlington.

Columnist Kenneth Perkins has been a contributing writer for Arlington Today since it debuted. He is a freelance writer, editor and photographer.

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Cover Story

The second annual International Folk Art Market Arlington will take place on June 14-16 at The Green at College Park on the University of Texas at Arlington campus.

Photos courtesy of International Folk Art Market Arlington

Art for artists’ sake The philanthropic International Folk Art Market Arlington returns to the city for the second year, bigger and better

T

he world’s largest International Folk Art Market returns to Arlington for its second year, bringing with it global folk art, international cuisine, live entertainment, familyfriendly activities, VIP events, and more. On June 14-16, the International Folk Art Market will feature more than 40 master folk artists from 30 different countries, a collection that will exhibit and sell their handmade artworks to local, state, national and international visitors.

The three-day Market will be held at The Green at College Park on the University of Texas at Arlington campus.

Linda Dipert, who, along with Tony Pompa, is co-chair of the event, says Market organizers are hoping to double last year’s attendance of 3,400. To that end, they have enhanced practically everything that 24

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

2017 patrons experienced. “This year, we are looking forward to more artists, an extra day of activities and a new setup with bigger tents that will make the experience even more enjoyable for our attendees,” says Dipert, who notes that the concept behind the market is what makes it so appealing.

Seventy-five percent of profits go home with the artists to benefit their families and communities. “The International Folk Art Market Arlington is much bigger than the art itself, because of its dramatic economic impact on the home communities of the artists,” says Dipert, who founded the Market in Arlington last year. “Our exhibiting artists typically earn around $3 per day in their home country. As a result of their participation in the International Folk Art Market, each artist takes home an average of nearly $10,000,

providing as much as five years of income that could sustain their entire community.”

More than $350,000 worth of art is expected to be sold in 2018, with prices ranging from $5-$5,000.

Pompa shares Dipert’s enthusiasm for the Market and has been spreading the word about it at a variety of local gatherings during the month preceding the event. “I’m really excited to have a chance to do it a second time,” he says. “I love the mission behind the market, and I love what it brought to Arlington last year and will bring to the area again this year.”

Fare at the Market runs the gamut. Mediums will include jewelry, beadwork, basketry, carvings, ceramics, glasswork, metalwork, paintings, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, musical instruments, and home goods, from artists who have traveled from countries such as Italy, Ghana, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Ukraine, South Sudan, Myanmar, Peru and many others.

In addition to the artwork, the event will feature internationally inspired food, drinks, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and VIP shopping opportunities. 2018 Market specifics include: • “Shop the Kasbah” VIP Preview Party on June 14 – On Thursday, from 7 - 11 p.m., this VIP event will kick-off the 2018 Market, offering attendees a preview of the Market with the first opportunity to shop one-of-a-kind art. “Shop the Kasbah” is the theme, and the evening will include authentic Moroccan cuisine, spiced cocktails, belly dancing, henna tattoos, street musicians and more. Tickets are $150 and include all-day Market access on Friday and Saturday.

• “Early Bird” Shopping on June 15 – On Friday, from 8 - 9 a.m., attendees can purchase $25 tickets that include all-day Market access on Friday and Saturday, as well as a chance to “early bird” shop on Friday.

• Friday Market on June 15 – The market is open to the public on Friday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 if purchased online (folkartmarket.org/arlington/) or $15 at-the-door. Admission is free for youth, ages 16 and younger.

• Saturday Market on June 16 – The market is open to the public on Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon. As is the case on Friday, tickets cost $10 if purchased online or $15 at-the-door, and admission is free for youth, ages 16 and younger.

• Saturday Afternoon Community Market on June 16 – From noon - 2 p.m. on Saturday the market is open to the public with no tickets required – there is free admission for all.

• Family Day Saturday & Children’s Passport Project on June 16 – From 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, young children and their families are invited to participate in the Passport Project by receiving a special Market passport to explore around the world, “visit” a list of countries/artists, and get their passport stamped. After children complete their itinerary, a refreshing treat will be provided to celebrate their travels. Participation is free. >>>

Artists who will be at the Market Mireille Delisme Country: Haiti; Media: Beadwork Manvee Vaid Country: India Soni Gurung Country: Nepal; Media: Textiles Ujjwal Shrestha Country: Nepal; Media: Mask Making Ly Ta May Country: Vietnam; Media: Media: General, Textiles Ebenezer Nomoda Djaba Country: Ghana; Media: Beadwork Meeri Tuya and Loice Sanaipei Lolkinyiei Country: Kenya; Media: Jewelry Marie Alexandrine Rasoanantenaina Country: Madagascar; Media: Basketry, Textiles Aissata Namoko Country: Mali; Media: Textiles Mohamed El Maouloud Ag Hamid Country: Mali; Media: Jewelry / Leatherwork Lhoucine Taous Country: Morocco; Media: Metalwork Ella Kamati Country: Namibia; Media: Basketry, Jewelry Akeem Ayanniyi Country: Nigeria; Media: Other (Musical Instruments) Evah Mudenda Country: Zimbabwe; Media: Basketry Chantha Nguon Country: Cambodia; Media: Textiles Andrea Usai Country: Italy; Media: Jewelry Luis Méndez López Country: Spain; Media: Jewelry Lesia Pona Country: Ukraine; Media: Several Amina Yabis Country: Morocco; Media: Jewelry, Other Hamdi Natsheh, Hamzeh Natsheh Country: Palestinian Territories; Media: Glasswork

As might be expected of a project of this magnitude, a number of entities have been working together to make this year’s Market even better than its predecessor, which featured just over 30 artists, some 400 volunteers and extensive coordination with both the city and the University of Texas at Arlington. The Market is produced in partnership with the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council, The University of Texas at Arlington, and the City of Arlington.

Beginning literally just after the 2017 event concluded, Dipert and Pompa began laying the groundwork for this year’s Market.

“The day after we closed last year, we sat down and asked if everyone was on board [for 2018],” Dipert recalls. “They said, ‘yes,’ and off we went.”

Pompa says he, Dipert and the steering committee reviewed what worked well last year and what “looked like it worked well to visitors but actually had us frantically scrambling around,” and began plotting the enhancements Dipert noted earlier.

One of the notable improvements for guests will be an expanded number of tents to keep the area cooler. “June is June in Texas. There’s no way around it,” Pompa says. “But this time there will be shade for vendors and shoppers, too, and that will be a welcome addition.”

For advice on some of the other enhancements, volunteers and Sylvia Nichols of the steering committee – which also consists of Dipert, Pompa, Andy Nguyen, Dr. Aaron Reich, Mary Gilman and Terry Gaines – traveled to Santa Fe, N.M., the site of the original International Folk Art Market, to confer with veteran event planners 26

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Amna Shariff Country: Pakistan; Media: Jewelry Santosh Kumar Rathi Country: India; Media: Textiles Kartik Hirabhai Chauhan Country: India; Media: Textiles Mamta Varma Country: India; Media: Textiles Kadyrkul Sharshembieva, Aliya Sharshembieva, and Raushan Sharshembieva Country: Kyrgyzstan; Media: Textiles Pa Mang Country: Myanmar; Media: Textiles Gulnora Odilova Country: Uzbekistan; Media: Textiles Artesanias Chilenas Country: Chile; Media: Jewelry Marco Remigio Paillamilla Ortiz Country: Chile; Media: Jewelry Reinel Mendoza and Magno Mahecha Country: Colombia; Media: Apparel, Jewelry Roberto Gil Esteban Country: Cuba; Media: Painting Creaciones Ecologicas La Colonia (CRÉELA) Country: Dominican Republic; Media: Handbags Andrea Tello Country: Ecuador; Media: Jewelry Josnel Bruno and Jean Mickerson Country: Haiti; Media: Metalwork Carla Fernández Country: Mexico; Media: Apparel Daniel Paredes Cruz Country: Mexico; Media: Home Accessories Porfirio Gutierrez and Juana Gutierrez Contreras Country: Mexico; Media: Textiles Innovando la Tradicion Country: Mexico; Media: Ceramics Agustín Cruz Prudencio Country: Mexico; Media: Carving (wood) Claudio Jimenez Quispe Country: Peru; Media: Mixed media

there about how to make the 2018 Market better. “We went to the Mother Ship,” Dipert says with a laugh. “We got some great feedback, as well as their endorsement of what we did last year.

They said we did a really good job. That meant a lot, because they understand better than anyone all that goes into an event like this.”

When the time came to rally the roughly 400 volunteers who participated in 2017, virtually 100 percent said they wanted to “re-up.”

With the planning completed and the personnel in place, that left one major base to touch that Dipert says didn’t get sufficient attention last year: marketing the Market.

After weighing several options, the steering committee decided to work with the Fort Worth-based Pavlov Agency. “They handle the marketing for Main Street Arts Festival in Fort Worth,” Dipert says. “We liked that they had previous experience and expertise in a one-off event, something that happens just once a year. They’ve done a great job getting the word out. There’s so much activity in this community and area. It’s hard to get people to notice you. But I don’t think there’s any media we haven’t touched on this year.”

So now, Dipert, Pompa and Co. will welcome the artists and their patrons, one of whom hails from London. Another will come from Minnesota. “This truly is an international event,” Dipert says. “We’re very excited how far we’ve come in a very short time.”

Information on the Market can be found via the event website, folkartmarket.org/Arlington/. There are also regular updates on Facebook (facebook.com/FolkArtArlington/) and on Instagram (instagram.com/folkartarlington/).

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27

Development

Highlights of the new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library include the children’s area pictured below, with its bold color scheme. Just left is a photograph of the main entrance on the southeast corner. The latticework on the third floor covers the rooftop garden. To the far left is a multi-hued glass wall and a pair of avant garde chairs on the second floor.

A new chapter begins The George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, opening this month, is a sight – and site – to behold • By Bill Lace

I

t’s big, bold, beautiful and – best of all – it’s built. Finally!

Arlington’s long, long awaited George W. Hawkes Downtown Library opens this month with a double-barreled celebration.

The official public debut comes on Saturday, June 16, but the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library offers a sneak peek at its “Dreams Do Come True” celebration the preceding Wednesday, June 13.

Proceeds from that event, which will be conducted from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., benefit the new Library. In addition to heavy hors d’oeuvres

by Awesome Catering’s Jorge Ventura (including his haute cuisine mac and cheese), drinks, live music by Sara and the Saratones and a silent auction, Library staff will be on hand throughout the building to show off and demonstrate its features, including the rooftop garden, in which dessert and champagne will be served.

Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online at https://clcc. abilafundraisingonline.com/dreamscometrue.

The Downtown Library has, indeed, been a dream, and a long one. The official timeline began in December 2009 with a stakeholder kickoff meeting, but the project took its first step toward reality in 1999 when a city bond election provided $300,000 to fund a 28

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

study whereby the existing facility might be expanded or replaced.

Serious infrastructure problems ruled out expansion, so the study by Providence Associates proposed three alternatives – a new building on the current site, elsewhere in the central area or in some other sector of the city.

Eventually, City Council decided to raze the old building in favor of a retail/residential development and to construct a new facility north of City Hall. Newberry Architects of Houston was chosen for the design, and Byrne Construction of Fort Worth as the general contractor. Construction cost was about $30 million – $22 million from the City of Arlington and the remainder from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and the Friends and Foundation.

David Tees, chair of the city’s Library Advisory Board, sees the new Library as a catalyst for the continued growth of Downtown Arlington.

“Libraries historically are well-grounded in the life of a community. By nature, they serve as gathering places and ‘vibrant activity hubs’ such as envisioned by the city’s strategic plan,” he says. “When the new Downtown Library opens this month, people will want to see this magnificent new building and experience

for themselves the amazing and unexpected new applications, technologies and processes available there.

“It stands to reason that many of these people will be hooked on the library after a visit or two, and that they will encourage their neighbors to come and see. And when they do, and this is the catalytic effect, they will be inclined to take advantage of nearby restaurants and other local businesses, thereby boosting the local economy and encouraging other businesses to join the party by relocating to and investing in Arlington’s vibrant downtown.”

Yoko Matsumoto, named director of the Library System only a few months prior to the May 2016 groundbreaking, has vivid memories of the day. “I remember sitting there in that parking lot and thinking, ‘How can we actually fit this building in this space?’” she says. “There was no way.”

There was a way, however, and Matsumoto was a big part of it, learning on the job about the ins and outs of construction and adding her own touches. “It’s been pretty fascinating to see all the different phases and the problem-solving that had to come into it,” she says.

The result is 80,000 square feet over three floors. It doesn’t sound much larger than the old facility (60,000) until one remembers that much of that space was taken up with Library System administration and materials processing, two functions now to be housed elsewhere.

It’s a point of pride to Matsumoto that those three floors, though the same general shape, are vastly different in tone. “The textures, colors and vibe of different spaces are made for different areas,” she says. Some visitors might not find the borderline rambunctious children’s area appealing, she says, “but you’re going to find your space. There’s a space for every type of person who comes into our building.”

So, while the first floor resounds with activity in the children’s area, the second floor is more muted, even if it does include the teen and “tween” sections with their neighboring “maker spaces,” one for art and one for science/technology. But there’s also “Arlington Reads” – the adult literacy area – and a large section devoted to business and technical materials and to computer stations.

Visitors seeking quieter, more traditional venues find them on the third floor with its vastly expanded genealogy and local history section, study rooms and the adult fiction and non-fiction collection. This floor also contains two of what Matsumoto calls “wow factors.” The rooftop garden on the southeast corner provides a spot for al fresco reading or laptop perusal. In the northeast corner is the space ideal for quiet reading or contemplation – comfy chairs, a glass wall looking out at the

butterfly garden and even a fireplace for maximum coziness. The fireplace owes itself to Matsumoto’s persistence.

“We wanted that space to have a special ambience,” she says.

“Environment is really important.” When the planned gas fireplace fell victim to costs, she argued for – and got – an electric model.

“I have one in my house, and it just means having this space that relaxes you,” she says, “makes you feel tranquil.”

On the more serious side, she went to bat for “hearing loops” built into the periphery of nine rooms (and also in the new City Council Chamber) to provide a magnetic, wireless signal picked up by those hearing aids equipped with a telecoil. “That was a big thing for me,” she says. “I feel very proud that we pushed the envelope. Hearing problems are something that affect more children and also veterans returning from war. Usually, municipalities tend to be behind the times [on such services for the disabled]. This is putting us ahead.”

But just as important to Matsumoto as what the new Library is, is what it might become – or rather what it might evolve into with the efforts of her staff. “We have this wonderful new space, and we can break the mold of what we have done in the past,” she says. “You can build a great building, but you need the staff with the vision or the creative minds to understand our community and figure out services that meet its needs in unique ways.”

For instance, the children’s programming room, officially “The Play Room,” will be just that. When there’s no specific event, such as Story Time, scheduled, it’s available for parents to bring their

Here is the DISCOVER wall, whose 10-foot letters mark the entrance to the children’s area of the new library facility.

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

29

Yoko Matsumoto, director of the Library System, poses beneath a soon-to-be-installed electric fireplace, which she championed to help create a special ambience on the library’s third floor.

kids just to play – safely and free from weather extremes. The same idea holds true for all other public areas and reflects Matsumoto’s belief that “human connection spaces” are part of the mission of the modern public library. “We’re in a time where technology has both connected us and, in another way, disconnect us from one another,” she says. “So, I think libraries need to be places people can go to have that human connection in terms of space, getting connected with different community things.”

To that end, there are more than a dozen meeting rooms of all sizes and for all ages, and the rooms’ names echo the concept of

positive and productive interaction. “I did some research on ways to incorporate positive words or empowering words,” Matsumoto says. “We want to incorporate positivity in the vocabulary our staff uses, the vocabulary the public comes across.”

Thus, what may be labeled study or meeting rooms on the floor plan now carry such names as Excellence, Inspire, Explore, Dream and Resilience. A teen room is named Be Unique, Be You. Matsumoto’s contributions to the Downtown Library are built atop those of prior directors Betsy Burson, Rick Smith and Carrie Siegfried.

“I just happened to come in at a really interesting time,” she says. “I wound up being the lucky one who got to work on the fun stuff.”

This is not to say she’s been idle. Rather she’s been in perpetual motion, going anywhere and everywhere in Arlington to answer questions (yes, there will be adult restrooms on each floor, and yes, the elevators will be speedier) to imbue audiences with her passion and exuberance about the new building. In fact, she had a niggling worry that she’s been too effective a cheerleader.

“It’s going to be a really cool thing, and I hope the Library System will live up to the expectation,” she says before, in the next breath, regaining her natural buoyancy. “We’ll be fine. Maybe I just tend to put a lot of pressure on myself.”

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Hometown Heroes

I

Under the leadership of Behavior Analyst Jessica Smith and Program Manager Kathleen Lively (below), Lonestar Solutions Autism Services is helping children learn.

Photos: Toni Randle-Cook

Addressing Autism Lonestar Solutions Autism Services is changing lives with state-of-the-art programs and hands-on instruction • By Toni Randle-Cook 32

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

t is not your typical clinic.

When you walk through the doors of Lonestar Solutions Autism Services, the space is warm and inviting with a large, comfortable couch in the waiting area. It is colorful and creative – you get a sense it’s a place where kids come to learn and have fun in the process.

Lonestar Solutions, located at 1112 East Copeland Road, Suite 310 off of Interstate 30 in Arlington, is a clinic that exclusively offers services to children with Autism. And it’s the only one in Texas affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism (internationally recognized as a world leader in Autism services).

Kathleen Lively is the program manager. “We went to the Cleveland Clinic for training, we use their curriculum and data system,” says Lively.

“They actually do check us about three to four times a year to ensure we are meeting their standards.”

Lonestar Solutions uses Applied Behavior Analysis to teach its learners important skills they need to succeed at every stage of development. These methods are based on using motivation and positive reinforcement to direct the child’s efforts toward adaptive abilities and behaviors.

“Once I do their assessment, I complete a treatment plan and then we incorporate programs based on the child’s skill level and what we want to build on,” says Behavior Analyst Jessica Smith. “We are all one-on-one with a therapist. How the program is worked on may look like them sitting at the table in more of an instructional setting or it may look like play.”

There are currently about 20 children in the training program. “The programs are going to target how to reduce the symptoms of Autism, primarily communication and social skills,” says Smith.

Throughout their day, the children also partake in circle time, arts and crafts, a gross motor skill group and meals. Each of these activities are done with their own therapist.

Lonestar Solutions prides itself on the fact that, unlike other clinics, its employees have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field. It also touts itself as being more personal and accessible. “We do quite a bit of stuff with parents and help with their social interaction, we are fairly transparent, you can get close to us, you can see Jessica just by asking, you don’t need to make an appointment,” says Lively.“ They meet monthly, which I think is unusual to have the [Board Certified Behavior Analyst] available to meet regularly.”

Lively hopes to make Lonestar Solutions a resource to North Texas families, even if their child does not attend. She says her clinic has a library full of resources for parents to borrow, and she often receives calls from people working their way through the system, and she’s happy to help. Lonestar Solutions offers monthly parent groups, “meet and greets” and informational meetings on a variety of topics – all open to the public. The next informational meeting is on June 20. The topic is “Family Emotional Health.”

“I think a huge deal of what Lonestar brings is that openness and acceptance and understanding,” says Smith. “And we are just here for them.”

For more: www.lonestarsolutions.org.

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Classic Cars

Celebrating 50 years of Ford’s iconic Cobra Jet Tom Egan’s Fastback GT will be on display at the Yellow Rose Classic Car Show next month • By Richard Greene

T

Tom Egan stands with his 1968 Fastback GT Cobra Jet, which is part of his vast collection of Ford Mustangs.

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS the 2018 Yellow Rose Classic Car Show, which takes center stage at the Arlington Convention Center on July 7-8.

34

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

he National Muscle Car Association is hosting the 50th anniversary of Ford’s iconic Cobra Jet at a big extravaganza in Ohio later this summer. They bill the event as a celebration of Cobra Jet heritage in “a snake pit where fangs come out and venom will pump through your veins as participants fill it up with a sea of colors, chrome and high horsepower.”

However, local enthusiasts won’t have so far to journey to mark the big anniversary, as it will all be on display at Arlington’s own extravaganza.

This year’s Yellow Rose Classic Car Show takes center stage at the Arlington Convention Center on July 7-8.

One of the finest examples of the first generation of Ford’s pony car will be on display as Tom Egan arrives with this wildly popular 1968 Fastback GT version of one of the renowned Mustangs from the car’s earliest era.

Tom may qualify as one of the country’s premier Mustang devotees. He owns 15 of them, including five Cobra Jets, ranging just from the model years of 1967 to 1970.

I asked him what first got him interested in collecting Mustangs, and his answer was typical of youngsters coming of age when discovering the wonders of the automobile.

“My dad had one of these, and he let me sit on the center console and shift the ‘four on the floor’ gears,” he says. “I was hooked right then and still am.”

Among Tom’s collection, of course, is one just like his father’s 1970 Mustang Mach 1. It brings back those childhood memories every

This classic car is as stylish as it is powerful, and, with its big block Cobra Jet 428 engine, it is very powerful. The side C stripes, the iconic GT logo and the pristine instrument panel add further evidence that when Tom Egan gets behind the wheel of this vehicle heads routinely turn.

Photos: Richard Greene

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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TOM EGAN may qualify as one of the country’s premier Mustang devotees. He owns 15 of them, including five Cobra Jets, ranging just from the model years of 1967 to 1970. time he sits behind the wheel and does the shifting from the more conventional location.

But, this Highland Green beauty was his first acquisition. “I have it equipped with the pinnacle of performance – the big block Cobra Jet 428 engine that was offered as a mid-year option,” he says.

It was rated by Ford at 335 horsepower, but aficionados say that claim was nothing more than a ploy to distract the National Hot Rod Association from the engine’s true ability in hopes of getting more advantageous classifications in stock and super stock competition.

Some reports say the car is capable of speeds of 160 mph, and maybe more. Tom’s driving record, however, is spotless. He has never gotten a moving violation or been in an accident.

The Mustang Fastback, with GT options of front fog lamps, the side “C” stripe, black scoop and hood stripe, sold new in 1968 for about $3,000. Today, one like Tom’s is valued well into six figures.

The exact selling price is unlikely to be known since his is not for

sale even though he frequently gets offers. He also long ago ran out of room for the trophies his Mustangs have accumulated from all kinds of car shows and competitions around the region. He has had his cars in Arlington’s Yellow Rose show for the past 14 years and won an award every time.

This year’s anniversary show is very likely to produce another victory for him.

In addition to the Cobra Jets, the event will feature models ranging from the Shelby GT500KR, the Torino, and the ones made famous by Lieutenant Frank Bullitt in the 1968 film bearing his name.

You will also be able to enjoy the showcasing of the history of the F-Series Ford Trucks that will be on display along with the cars.

The North Texas Mustang Club hosts the show that benefits the Scottish Rite Hospital. Admission is $12; kids 12 and under are free.

It runs from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Egan’s Mustang sports the style and sophistication that have made the cars icons over the years, as well as collectors’ dream machines. Here are three views from the outside and inside that show just how special this automobile is.

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Q&A

Meet Eric Tucker The President & CEO of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA discusses his new opportunity – and the future of the Y

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his month, Eric Tucker assumes the role of President & CEO of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA. Since 1998, he has served in senior leadership capacities at YMCAs across the country, including in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Idaho, Connecticut, South Dakota and Missouri.

Here he shares his thoughts about his new opportunity – and about the future of the Y. Arlington Today: Why was the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA position appealing to you?

Eric Tucker: The first thing that really caught my attention when I interviewed for the position was the sense of community pride and spirit evident within everyone I spoke with. Communities that seek to positively change the lives of its residents are very receptive in including the YMCA as a key partner.

Secondly, our YMCA is very successful in meeting critical community needs. In 2017, the Arlington-Mansfield YMCA served over 57,000 children, teens, senior citizens and families in our community. Now that is impressive! In addition, YMCA volunteers raised funds and awarded over $400,000 in financial assistance to ensure that no one is turned away for an inability to pay.

Thirdly, our YMCA is a mission-driven charity. Oftentimes, the YMCA can be perceived as simply a “swim and gym.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The YMCA served over 85,000 meals to hungry children last year alone. The YMCA engaged hundreds of special needs adults in social and well-being programs. The YMCA ensured that over 3,000 children were engaged in meaningful afterschool programs so that families, and in particular single-parent households, could go to work and provide for their families.

Finally, the YMCA is led by a remarkable group of volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors. They are truly excited and ready to develop a new strategic plan that will ensure our YMCA grows with the needs of the community.

AT: What have been your initial impressions regarding the new job?

ET: Our YMCA and community are special in so many ways. I am truly impressed with the caliber and professionalism of the YMCA staff team. They have a passion for the YMCA mission and are true servant leaders. I am also amazed at how so many community organizations work together collectively. It’s been a busy month for me. I have already met with municipal and school district leadership in Arlington, Mansfield and Kennedale and attended special events at the Chamber of Commerce and for the Salvation Army.

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Eric Tucker

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

AT: What are your initial goals for the YMCA? ET: We are going to focus on conducting a comprehensive needs assessment that will ultimately lead to a new strategic plan. Our community is in a constant state of change, and the YMCA will be a leader in identifying how we can better serve children, teens, seniors and families. I expect excitement and pleasant surprises along the way.

AT: What strengths do you believe you bring to the job, and how will you implement those?

ET: I’ve been successful in my career primarily because of the support provided by excellent volunteers and staff. The YMCA tends to attract top talent, and I’ve been blessed by those I’ve worked with. I also consider myself to be a passionate, enthusiastic “cheerleader” for the YMCA. I believe in what we do. I’ve seen the YMCA positively change lives of so many, including my own. I am always eager to grow the YMCA and ask the simple question, “How can the YMCA serve the community?”

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Image: womenonthefence.com

Entrepreneurs arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

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3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. • 817-478-2114 • greatskin4you.com

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renda Cureton Smith, owner of Great Skin Spa & Skin Care, Great Skin Franchising Company and The Great Skin Care Co., LLC, began her career in the beauty business 12 years ago as the first U.S. franchisee of Canadian-based FACES Cosmetics.

From the multitude of experiences she gained from such, Brenda developed Great Skin Spa & Skin Care, headquartered in Arlington, eight years ago, where the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider, and GS is known for clients getting excellent results.

Brenda’s original interest in beauty stemmed from her many years of being intrigued by learning how to take care of her skin – how to retain its youth, how to age gracefully and how to use makeup as an enhancement vs. having to rely on it and still feel great about your appearance after removing your makeup. She pondered how to make receiving professional spa services a part of personal care vs. a special occasional visit or gift due to affordability.

Additionally, she recognized the need for relaxation, and the connection between looking good and feeling good (you know, feeling like a star or someone “Rich and Famous,” so to speak), all while feeling celebrated as a client and having your needs met through someone knowledgeable who partners with you to meet your skin and body care needs.

Brenda’s original interest in bringing FACES Cosmetics to the U.S. was focused on being able to serve every skin tone of the world; to offer high-quality spa services to women, teens and men, affordably, in a spa atmosphere; and to see women as a whole experience enhancing their beauty and really looking forward to their beauty visits at her franchise location in the Parks Mall.

However, while it was an incredible brand and her store became the top store among the company’s 50 worldwide locations, the corporate challenges were outside of her ability to impact.

As she watched four women in different parts of the world have to close their franchise location of FACES, she found it necessary to have to start over from scratch, literally, at 50 years old, and worked diligently to develop a brand, concept and operating principals that embodied all of what she had learned and found to be important to clients with great consideration on what it takes to run a quality business so that it thrives and clients receive greatness and meet their beauty and skin care goals. Great Skin operates on principals of integrity, service, commitment and results! Clients rave about Great Skin, the results they get and the customer service and being a GS Facial Club member.

Great Skin is now a franchise company, and while Brenda is an operating Master Esthetician, she is also the CEO of the company. Great Skin is an award-winning Day Spa and skin care company, well known for highly respecting each client’s goals and working with them to achieve those goals by fully understanding and matching their needs to the perfect skin care treatment plan and home care system. A brief needs assessment is done with each client prior to developing a treatment plan that is fitted to

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Brenda Cureton Smith founded Great Skin Spa & Facial Club just over eight years ago.

their exact needs. Often, your Great Skin esthetician will ask you to take a picture of your skin and/or body prior to the treatment and throughout the treatment plan so you, too, can celebrate your success of achieving your goals. It’s about partnership at Great Skin! Great Skin’s slogan is “Relax, Rewind, Renew!

SERVICES OFFERED: Great Skin specializes in Anti Aging; Acne; hyperpigmentation skin treatments; Facials; Chemical Peels; LED; Microneedling; Microdermabrasion; Waxing; Slimming Body Treatment, including non-surgical Fat Cavitation; Cellulite Treatments (Endermologie); Foot Detoxing, Makeovers, Teeth Whitening and their award-winning Skin Care. Their signature product series is their Anti Aging Gold Tox System, a home care system that reduces wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines and increases collagen.

WHAT SETS THE COMPANY APART: Exceptional customer service, knowledgeable and educated skin and body care specialists, Affordable Pricing, Facial Club membership. Brenda is a resident of Arlington, originally from Wisconsin, and she holds a Bachelors Degree in Professional communication. She previously worked for AH Belo, the Dallas Morning News and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She invites and welcomes readers to come in and experience Great Skin Spa & Facial Club and the myriad of services and products it offers, as well as those interested in owning a Great Skin franchise location(s)! The company is expanding its locations throughout Texas and offers a turnkey franchise program that includes everything needed to successfully own and operate your own Great Skin Spa & Facial Club!

PS: Even though FACES is no longer offered in the U.S., you can purchase its foundation & powders at Great Skin!

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For a no-obligation visit with one of their friendly and knowledgeable financial advisors, contact Derrick Kinney & Associates at 817-419-6001 or online at DerrickKinney.com.

John Parker

E N T R E P R E N E U R S

Parker & Richardson, P.C. • 500 E. Broad St., Mansfield • 817-226-6100 • parkercpas.com Texas Insurance Agency • 500 E. Broad St., Suite 150, Mansfield • 817-226-9988 • texasins.net

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ohn Parker is a principal at two local businesses: the CPA firm, Parker & Richardson, P.C.. and an insurance company, Texas Insurance Agency. Both have been in business in the Arlington/Mansfield area since the early 2000s, helping North Texas area clients meet their respective accounting and insurance needs. Here, he shares his thoughts on his companies and how they effectively serve their customers ...

ABOUT PARKER & RICHARDSON: I am fortunate to be involved in two distinct and separate businesses, the first being the CPA firm, Parker & Richardson, P.C. This firm was started in 2004, but its origination dates back to my solo CPA practice that started in 1995. Over the years, it has evolved into a boutique practice that specializes in catering to the distinct needs of our business owners. As both an entrepreneur and business owner, I can relate to and understand the issues associated with owning and operating a business. This experience, coupled with my tax expertise, allows me to be as tax-efficient as possible when assisting clients.

John Parker owns and operates two local companies: Parker & Richarson, P.C., and Texas Insurance Agency.

ABOUT TEXAS INSURANCE AGENCY: My other business venture is an insurance agency, Texas Insurance Agency, that has several locations in the north Texas area. The insurance agency started in 2001 and has grown steadily year after year.

SERVICES: The CPA firm provides tax planning and tax preparation, as well as accounting and consulting. We have several clients that have us handle all facets of their accounting needs. On the insurance side, we provide auto, homeowners, life and commercial insurance. We represent some of the best-known carriers, including: Allstate, Hartford, Progressive, Safeco and Travelers.

WHAT SETS THE COMPANIES APART: Both businesses work off of the same principles. We provide great service and do what is best for the client. These principles have been emphasized from day one and continue to be our focus on a daily basis. We truly care about our clients and their businesses. They see this and really come to trust and appreciate our services.

CONSULTATION INFORMATION: The best way for a prospective client to contact us is to call our CPA office at 817-226-6100 or the insurance office at 817-226-9988. I personally call back each prospective client to make sure that we can provide value to them. If it seems like we have the potential to help the client, we schedule them for a free initial consultation to discuss everything in more detail. My goal is to gain an understanding of the client so we can help him/her to succeed and accomplish their goals.

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Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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Audiology Experts 1261 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Suite 105 • 817-451-4818 • audiologyexperts.com

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udiology Experts is a privately-owned audiology and hearing aid practice located in North West Arlington that was founded in 2008 by Dr. Lisa B. Fell and Dr. Kristin Robbins. The Board Certified Audiologists – and longtime friends – have steadily grown the practice by providing patient-friendly service and by implementing state-of-the-industry technology to help patients successfully address hearing issues.

PRACTICE HISTORY: Colleagues and friends since the mid-1990s, Dr. Fell and Dr. Robbins have enjoyed complementing parallel careers. They earned their Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees from Arizona School of Health Sciences Center and both also hold undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Prior to opening Audiology Experts, they worked together at an ENT clinic in Arlington as clinical audiologists.

“We are not only audiologists but mothers who desired a balanced life – helping patients be Dr. Kristin Robbins and Dr. Lisa B. Fell successful and participating in the day-to-day while Photo: Southern Flair Photography our children were young,” Dr. Fell says. “Audiology Experts started small, but with big ideas of how to best hearing and communication possible for individuals with hearing loss who best serve people with hearing loss we’ve seen our practice flourish. Using our want to live full and busy lives: “We were founded on the belief that success expertise, we are able to educate the families of patients, as well. A decade of with hearing instruments depends on accurate diagnostic testing, excellent steady growth means the future is very bright.” service, experience and dedication to our patients.”

SERVICES: Audiology Experts is a provider-based practice for the hearingCOMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Audiology Experts supports the Kiwanis impaired and hearing aid consumers. Dr. Fell and Dr. Robbins have high Club of Arlington and Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington via Cinderella Ball. Dr. standards of care for maximizing the consumer’s hearing, listening and Fell speaks to organizations that want to know more about hearing loss and communicative abilities so they can continue to be productive in their daily its effects. Dr. Robbins visits with local physicians and their staff members, professional and personal activities. In addition to hearing evaluations and hearing providing information about the importance of recognizing hearing loss and aid fitting, they offer tinnitus evaluation and management, custom solutions for where to refer those patients to the hearing care they need. hearing protection, assistive listening devices and hearing aid supplies.

PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY: “Hearing healthcare is more than just fitting hearing aids!” Dr. Robbins says. “Hearing loss is being linked to many things people find important today, such as mental health matters, including depression. What we do works in relationship with physicians to give them a more complete picture about their patient’s health because hearing loss means more than saying ‘huh?’ We take time to look at the individual concerns and medical health – more studies are showing how health conditions like diabetes, dementia and heart disease are being linked to hearing loss.”

Dr. Fell says Audiology Experts wants the people of DFW to know that Arlington has a thriving, privately owned practice of audiologists who want the

WHAT MAKES THE PRACTICE SPECIAL: Audiology Experts takes the time to put patients at ease by guiding them through the maze of options and correcting all the clutter of misinformation that the hearing aid advertisements provide.

“Our goal is to build lasting relationships with each patient,” Dr. Fell says. “Trust and confidence are integral to a patient receiving the most rewarding and unique hearing care experience he or she deserves. Our recommendations for managing hearing is tailored toward optimizing comfort, communication, and happiness. Pursuing hearing aids with a caring provider at a conveniently located office with a friendly, well-trained staff makes the reward of better hearing and easier communication much more satisfying for all involved.” arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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E N T R E P R E N E U R S

John R. Lively Sr. and John R. Lively Jr.

Lively & Associates, PLLC 301 Commerce St., Suite 2900, Fort Worth 817-532-3110 • LivelyLLP.com

he law firm of Lively & Associates, PLLC, is a boutique business and litigation firm located in Fort Worth. Lively & Associates was founded in 2008 and is known for its keen focus on its clients, keeping them informed and involved throughout the legal process. PRACTICE HISTORY: Though the firm was founded in 2008, the attorneys representing the firm have served the community and surrounding areas since 1965. The firm’s attorneys – John R. Lively, John R. Lively Jr., Daniel Aguilar and David F. Farris – are licensed to practice in all courts in Texas at both the state and federal levels and the United States Supreme Court. A ‘CLIENT FIRST’ FOUNDATION: Legal strategies are developed to fit the client’s specific needs, goals, and objectives. The attorneys possess a broad knowledge of business that allows them to identify and seize upon critical issues specific to a wide range of business practices.

PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY: Lively & Associates specializes in business law to protect clients who have family businesses both big and small. “Working together with my father has allowed us to truly understand the personal side as well as the daily operations of these businesses,” John R. Lively Jr. says.

“There is so much that goes into a family business. We are here to help.” The firm’s primary areas of practice include Business Law, Business Litigation, Civil Appellate Law, Creditor Rights, Estate Planning and Probate, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. WHAT MAKES LIVELY & ASSOCIATES SPECIAL: “Rarely found in a firm of this size, the attorneys and support staff possess the technological capabilities and resources of a large law firm while retaining the personal attention of a small firm,” Lively says. “With over 80 years of experience in the courtrooms in Tarrant, Dallas and surrounding counties in both state and federal jurisdictions, we have a vast knowledge of the judicial process as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution.”

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Fontana’s Fine Cuisine 6407 S. Cooper St., Suite 101 • 682-323-5704 fontanasfinecuisine.com

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hough it has been open in Arlington only since January 2017, Fontana’s Fine Cuisine has been providing fine dining experiences for patrons for more than 40 years. Owner Reza Rajestari comes from a family of restaurateurs, who have devoted their careers to providing the best experience in cultural cuisine and fine service. ABOUT THE OWNER: Rajestari has a passion for offering fine dining experiences. “I came from a family in the business, and I’ve pretty much done this my entire life,” he says. “I remember when I was about 10 or 12 lending a hand at my family’s restaurant, doing whatever was needed.

It is kind of in my blood. It’s something I love to do.” HOW FONTANA’S CAME TO BE: Rajestari says he decided to open Fontana’s Fine Cuisine after taking a look at the local dining environment and deciding he could provide something that was missing. “I wanted to open something that was totally different than what was already out there,” he says. “We decided even before we opened that we would become the exception.” WHAT MAKES THE RESTAURANT EXCEPTIONAL: Rajestari says Fontana’s is special from A to Z. “Our service, our quality, our scratch kitchen – everything is made from scratch; nothing is pre-prepared – all these things are what sets us apart,” he says. “We don’t even have a walk-in cooler here. When we say it’s fresh, it’s fresh.” The restaurant also has an extensive wine menu – more than 100 selections. And Rajestari and the staff take special pride in the setting. “With experience in cultural cuisine and fine service, we are pleased to bring to the table an unforgettable night with love and joy.” THE RESTAURANT’S PHILOSOPHY: “We want people to be familiar with fine-dining style. At the same time, they don’t have to pay for finedining style,” Rajestari says. “Because of the love and passion we have for the business, we are able to provide the ideal dining experience, and our guests tell us over and over how much they appreciate that.”

The winning team at Prince Lebanese Grill

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Prince Lebanese Grill, Inc. 502 W. Randol Mill Road • 817-469-1811 princelebanesegrill.com

you

are our most important asset

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he Original Prince Lebanese Grill opened its doors in March of 1989. The current location opened in 2007. Here Manager Aziz Kobty talks about how the restaurant has been doing business in Arlington for almost 30 years. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? My family comes from a long line of entrepreneurs.

Most of my uncles, cousins and other family members own their own businesses. So you could say it is in my blood. However, my biggest inspiration is definitely my father. He came to this country over 40 years ago to start a new life. He did not start with much, his father passed when he was very young, and his mom was a seamstress.

He taught me how to work hard, and treat people the right way. He has an unbelievable work ethic and commitment to his craft. I try to model everything I do in our business and life after the example he has set. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT YOUR FIELD THAT DREW YOU IN THAT DIRECTION? I love sharing food and experiences with people. For my family we grew up really enjoying hosting people at our house. I really enjoy sharing culture and conversation. My family has always done this through hospitality. I love firing up the grill and creating an atmosphere where people can come enjoy delicious food and a pleasant experience. WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR EATERY OFFER? Prince is a full-service restaurant. We offer dine in, take out, catering, and online delivery. We specialize in top-quality food. We use the freshest of ingredients and take pride in providing tasty healthy options. Our style of food is Lebanese/Mediterranean. But more than that we provide a dynamic environment where you can enjoy a great meal with your friends and family. WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY? As entrepreneurs, it’s important to have a vision, and bring that vision to life through your business. Our vision at Prince is top-quality food, reasonable prices and a family environment.

Prince Lebanese Grill’s philosophy is to take care of others. From the customers to the Staff we strive to treat everyone like family. We try to bring this passion into everything that we do here, and I think people can taste it in the food.

Linda Magazzine Michael Cunningham 817-980-8733 817-654-8445 lindamagazzine@ebby.com michaelcunningham@ebby.com Kathy Rogers 817-988-1975 kathyrogers@ebby.com

Susan Daniels 817-797-5076 susandaniels@ebby.com

Linda Broadus 817-929-0082 lindabroadus@ebby.com

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Dr. Kenyon Godwin founded Active Family Wellness Center in 2008.

Active Family Wellness Center 4927 S. Collins St., Suite 105 (817) 532-3110 • txwellnessdoc.com

ho Needs Chiropractic & Wellness?

Less than 10% of the population visits a chiropractor; why choose the narrow path? Americans have been conditioned that the doctor-insurance companies are responsible for their health, pills and quick fixes are real solutions, and that holistic methods are risky. This mentality has us spending the most with the worst health of all major countries. My favorite health quote is, “You can’t medicate your way out of a problem you behaved your way into!” A healthy lifestyle is the answer: a healthy spine, eating, moving, thinking and sleeping better. This is why I chose to be your chiropractor, wellness expert, speaker, and health advocate.

We have the resources, programs and results to drive Arlington to the healthiest city in Texas (Currently #8). To do this, it will require us to expand our influence; therefore we are looking to open a second office in North Arlington this fall!

Our office has two new premium programs. The first is our “8 Weeks to Wellness,” guaranteed to change your life in eight weeks. Recently, a participant lost 21 pounds and seven inches off of their waist! We are proud to be one of three offices in the state of Texas to offer it and the only one in Arlington! The program is aimed at preventing and reversing Inflammation and Metabolic Syndrome, the culprits to chronic diseases. Save your spot at our next FREE, no-obligation orientation.

Imagine aging without feeling or looking old? We have a premium health and wellness curriculum designed for our community at all levels. We want to help the women in our community to be that SuperWife and SuperMom. While helping the men be the SuperMan and SuperDad without fatigue and limitations. This new approach will dramatically change households, communities and the Greater Arlington Area. Follow us online at facebook/ ActiveFamilyWellness for our weekly videos to reveal more info soon and helpful videos.

Learn how to get your FREE health report when you sign up for our education process. Call our office, check out our website, testimonials and reviews for real results!

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Stephanie Foster Gilbert

Stephanie Foster Gilbert 4214 Little Road, Suite 1000 817-277-2805 • stephaniefosterlawyer.com 46

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

tephanie Foster Gilbert started her legal firm, The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, P.C., in 1992, and for more than two and a half decades she has been devoted to the practice of family law. WHY SHE BECAME A LAWYER: “I always wanted to be an attorney,” she says. “My father, John Foster, is an attorney. When I was a child, I would beg him to take me to work with him at his law firm every summer.” Her father always sparked a lively dinner conversation by challenging his three young daughters to solve legal dilemmas.

All three became lawyers. THE LEGAL TEAM: The firm has produced a formidable team that also features Associate Attorney Michael Muñoz (2 years), Legal Assistant Ashleigh Bell (20 years), Paralegal Sandra Patino (15 years), Legal Assistant Stephanie Bryce (1 year) and Administrative Assistant Kathryn Spencer (1 year). Together they concentrate on family legal issues, including divorce, modifications, custody, child support, spousal support, visitation, enforcement of custody/support, paternity and step-parent adoption.

PHILOSOPHY: From day one, Stephanie Foster Gilbert has focused on family law at her practice. “My professional philosophy is divorce with dignity,” she says. “I was one of the first attorneys trained in collaborative law, in 2008. Collaborative Law is a way to divorce with dignity with no courts and no war.” She believes the collaborative law process is a powerful way to generate creative solutions in family law disputes while minimizing financial and emotional damage to the couple and their children, all the while promoting post-divorce psychological and financial health of the restructured family. FAMILY: Married 22 years to Richard Gilbert, with two children, two stepchildren and a step-grandaughter, Stephanie Foster Gilbert believes her parenting roles as a mother, stepmother and grandmother have given her insight and sensitivity to understand her clients. She is especially happy to be able to continue a family tradition started by her father in Arlington. “I take great care and pride in serving families in the community where I grew up,” she says, adding that her best service isn’t marked by a victory in the courtroom. “My proudest professional moment is when I am able to work my magic and reconcile a marriage instead of terminating it.”

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Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Helen Burnell, Kathy Hart and Cami Green

The Pilates Effect, LLC Shoppes at Brownstone Village 2410 W. Abram St., Suite 112 • 214-558-0996 thepilateseffect.com

he Pilates Effect, which opened in April 2017, is a fully equipped Pilates Studio dedicated to the overall well being of its clients. Studio Owner/ Instructor Cami Green says she has long wanted to teach and help people accomplish their health and fitness goals by means of Pilates.

HOW THE COMPANY CAME TO BE: There was not a studio to teach out of in Arlington, so I opened one! I am from Fort Worth and graduated from UTA in 1990, I moved back to Arlington in 2013 and saw an opportunity for a Pilates boutique type studio, tailored to its clients, their fitness goals and fitness issues.

I am STOTT certified. ABOUT THE PILATES EFFECT: The Pilates training that I have is geared toward the individual, their needs and specifications to their body type, fitness level and or any issues keeping them from their goals.

We are trained to deal with these different body types and needs and on how to correct them. Our studio and type of Pilates training isn’t a one-size-fits-all, its specific to the individual. COMPANY SPECIFICS: We are a fully equipped Pilates studio, offering classes for every fitness level and private sessions for more individualized private Pilates training. We offer Mat with Props, Reformer, Stability Chair, Barre and Core class, and we now are teaching the specialized Facia training class, The MELT Method. There are three instructors, Cami Green (owner), Helen Burnell and Kathy Hart, all three are STOTT trained and certified instructors, Kathy is certified in The MELT Method. PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY: I always tell my clients, while we are serious about the body and applying the most effective training for your needs and goals, this isn’t the military ... its about having fun and feeling at ease and being comfortable with yourself and comfortable at the studio. First and foremost, the studio is for the CLIENTS, what’s best for them, what they need and want. WORTH NOTING: We are offering a new client special, $75 for one private and two group classes.

E N T R E P R E N E U R S

F

C&W Antiques 2100 N. Hwy 360, Suite 705-706, Grand Prairie 817-637-7637 • candwantiques.com

or the past two decades, C & W Antiques has offered unique, rare and interesting furniture and accessories not found at most stores stateside.

From their flagship showroom in Grand Prairie, Co-proprietors Jim Carpenter and Patrick Walsh create an inviting ambiance with fragrant Market candles, music and vignettes of old-world rooms that stimulate the senses.

PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY: “C & W Antiques’ philosophy is to make each customer feel welcome,” Walsh says. “With our passion for antiques, we welcome each customer and provide a friendly atmosphere for their unique shopping experience. We treat each customer like family.” UNIQUE PRODUCTS: C & W Antiques specializes in 17th, 18th and 19th century English and French furniture. It also has an exquisite collection of original fine art by Italian, French, Russian, English and US artists, and its Faberge Collection is the largest in the state of Texas and perhaps the world.

SPECIAL TOUCHES: During the holidays and other important occasions, the show room is filled with attractive floral arrangements and decorations by Mark Roberts. Carpenter and Walsh often host small events and gatherings at C&W Antiques and take special pride in adorning the show room appropriately.

“This serves as an excellent backdrop for these events, which have become commonplace at C & W,” Walsh says, noting that patrons can book a “Sip and Shop” event by calling 817-637-7637. OTHER SERVICES: In addition to in-store service, C&W Antiques offers consultations at a customer’s home by appointment. Carpenter and Walsh post updates on items of interest and special occasions on the company’s Facebook page, facebook.com/C-WAntiques-1056529407749350. HOURS OF OPERATION: The show room is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment. arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

47

E N T R E P R E N E U R S

Julie Short is a new City Council member in Mansfield.

Julie Short 682-552-4384 facebook.com/julie.short.54540

M

ansfield City Council has a few new faces after this most recent election. Julie Short is your new City Council Member, Place 5, winning the majority of the vote on May 5 and is currently the only woman on council. Julie says her love of the city is what motivated her to run. She and husband, Stoney Short, have been involved with many charities, boards and commissions throughout the city over the past 15 years, including; Mansfield Cares, The Caring Place, MISD Education Foundation, Mansfield Churches For the City, Feed the Kids and many others.

Both Julie and Stoney run their own businesses, a successful real estate team with Coldwell Banker and Mansfield Custom Homes, respectively, and Julie believes that as with any successful endeavor you do not do it alone.

She attributes the success of this campaign to her family and friends who encouraged her and spent so much time and effort in support of her run for office, and to the citizens of Mansfield that believe she will continue its positive growth moving forward.

Communication was a big focus for Short, and she plans to update citizens after each council meeting with her “SHORT TAKES” on what happened in each meeting in case citizens weren’t able to attend or watch online. Like her Facebook page for updates, Julie Short, Mansfield City Council Place 5.

Photo courtesy of Julie Short

A

Mary Davis with her husband Doug

Mary Davis 2504 W. Park Row Drive, Suite A • 817- 542-0862 anythinggoesgiftshop.com 48

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

nything Goes has become a favorite “Go To” place in Pantego/Arlington for all your gift buying needs from infants to adults. Fun and unique products line the shelves and are hand selected by Mary Davis, whose keen eye brings the fun into shopping from visit to visit. HOW THE COMPANY CAME TO BE: Anything Goes started out as a dream and has far exceeded Mary’s expectations. Beginning with 1,200 square feet, Anything Goes has gone through two expansions and now occupies over 3,600 square feet of showroom space.

The growth has been exciting and is attracting customers from all over the Metroplex. A “CUSTOMER FIRST” PHILOSOPHY: Ten- to 12-hour days are not unusual, and though Anything Goes is closed on Sunday and Monday, you may still be able to shop if the lights are on. Although Mary’s responsibilities include the overall operations of the store, her main philosophy is to keep the customer first and ensure that each person that comes to Anything Goes has a great shopping experience. WHAT SETS ANYTHING GOES APART: Mary’s fun and caring personality shows when trying to find that special gift for a friend or loved one. Mary also encourages customers to provide input on what gift lines they would like to see Anything Goes carry in the store. Mary believes that communicating with her customers is the key to building long-term relationships and enhances business success. Mary also is committed to partnering with the community, non-profits and local schools. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU SHOP AT ANYTHING GOES: Many customers who come into Anything Goes say its like shopping with family. That’s largely because Anything Goes is a family business. Mary’s husband Doug, the Mayor of Pantego, is often in the store, helping her entertain customers. “Our goal,” Mary says, “is to provide you with a one-stop unique gift shop with selection opportunities for a wide variety of occasions.”

At last. Fine dining in Arlington.

2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910 • Arlington, Tx 76006

2100 N. Hwy. 360 Suites 705 & 706 (NE corner of 360 & Carrier Pkwy.)

Grand Prairie, TX 75060

World-class food, live music, and impeccable service blended with a breathtaking, panoramic view of Arlington’s Entertainment District. Call 817-381-1157 for reservations.

Open Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm M-F by appointment 817-637-7637

Fabergé, Floral Arrangements, Market Candles, Various Gift Items for All Occasions, Mark Roberts and Decor.

Call for Small Venue Parties.

Fabergé, Mark Roberts Collection, Williamsburg by Winward, Katherine’s Collection, Arthur Court, arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY 49 Décor and Gifts Aromatiqué, Market Candles, Vagabond House, Antique Furnishings, Fine Art, Christmas

Picture-perfect Moments

Scene Snapshots from Concours d’Elegance of Texas, from The Arlington Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards ceremony and from Dental Health Arlington’s Casino Night event

Two classics on display at Concours d’Elegance of Texas

Photos: Richard Greene

Sylvia Greene pays a visit to the Good Humor Man’s Concours entry.

There were great cars everywhere you looked.

The driver of this vintage vehicle visits with the judges.

Mayor Jeff Williams and Larry Fowler with Heidi Allison of Sugar Bee Sweets, winner of Best Small Business – For Profit

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

Mayor Jeff Williams (left) and Larry Fowler (right) with Chris McLucas and James Watson of Arlington Sunrise Rotary, co-winner of Best Small Business - Nonprofit

River Legacy Foundation was also co-winner of Best Small Business - Nonprofit.

The Arlington Today team was the 2018 Winner of the Scott Murray “Excellence in Media” award.

Tony Tran was named a Volunteer of the Year at the DHA event.

Paul Fulks of 3Di Signs+Designs (center) accepts the award for Best Small Business - Veteran-owned.

Photos: Naoku Timoteo

50

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Nancy Blinn, Dr. Brad Hattaway, Volunteer of the Year Teresa Phan and Glenda Bell

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51

Family

A very special

Father’s Day Life comes full circle for Peter Scott, now that he is a new grandfather • By Jonnie Martin

Peter Scott, daughter Kristin, grandson Hudson, and wife Lynn Photo courtesy of Peter Scott

R

etired businessman and Arlington community leader Peter Scott had a late start at fatherhood, and Father’s Day celebrations have likewise been a bit unconventional – until this year when they took on new meaning with the birth of his first grandchild.

Scott was only 21 when his own father died; 35 when he married wife Lynn. He was nearly 40 when the couple adopted daughter Kristin and, later, son Joseph. Scott admits that while Lynn always wanted children, he was not convinced he would make a good father.

Both Scotts were working professionals – he was a financial adviser, helping clients plan for retirement, and taking on various leadership roles in the community; she was on the partner track with a law firm.

But this fatherhood thing – that did not come so naturally to Peter Scott. “After all, I grew up in the 1960s, when life was about me and my causes,” he explains.

Still, Peter and Lynn were a modern couple, sharing household duties and parenting tasks, and building a life around their children.

Father’s Day was more an outing than an observance. Of course there were gifts and cards, but it was primarily a family event, with a movie and dinner out (barbecue – Peter’s favored food).

For two decades the Scotts grew together in this new parenting model, then came the empty nest with Kristin and Joseph leaving for college and the start of careers. Joseph followed a path that led him to a business opportunity in Oklahoma;

52

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Kristin completed a degree in Hospitality Management at the University of North Texas. For Peter, the leadership roles expanded, including activities in Rotary (Past President of a local club and on track to be District Governor in 2019), immediate Past President of Theatre Arlington, on the Board for Downtown Arlington Management Corporation and on the Convention & Visitors Board, where he chairs their new Foundation.

Then on Jan. 11, on Kristin Scott’s 28th birthday, she gave birth to Hudson James Scott, and Peter and Lynn entered the new world of full-time grand-parenting. Now the household is aflutter again with the important activities of childhood, and this time Peter has embraced the new role without hesitation.

“I always enjoyed my children,” Peter says, “but I have come to understand that fatherhood is a work in progress. I wish I had known then what I know now – how to be more patient; how to better give emotional support.”

Perhaps Peter improved at this parenting thing with practice; perhaps he matured, mellowed over the years. He also has more time now that he is retired. Still, there is something else afoot in regard to this coming Father’s Day observance, a special celebration in his new role as “grandfather.”

As Peter explains it, it was a moving experience to watch Kristin change from “daughter” to “mother” in the span of a few hours; now Hudson is her extension. “Perhaps an exclamation point to Kristin’s life,” he notes.

Perhaps an exclamation point to Peter’s life, as well.

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5/17/2018 10:02:30 arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAYAM 53

Great Gift Ideas for

Fathers and Graduates

1

2

from Anything Goes

3

6 from Anything Goes

5

from Anything Goes

from Gracie Lane

4

from Anything Goes from Gracie Lane

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from Anything Goes

8 from Gracie Lane

12

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Local Homes

Here’s what (roughly) 10,000 square feet anchoring one and a half acres looks like – at least, here’s how it looks as you drive by the home of Steven Laird and Patricia Calabria.

Home SWEET! Home This is the dwelling of Steven Laird and Patricia Calabria. And, yes, it is pretty much the dream home.

I

t is not a stretch to dub the home of Steven Laird and his wife, Patricia Calabria, “palatial.” But you probably already decided that after a quick glance at the photographs on this and the ensuing pages. Located in Somerset Estates on the east side where Arlington and Fort Worth come together, the dwelling offers plenty of space and even more pizzazz, pretty much from any vantage point.

The home has five bedrooms in the main house, with a full gym that could easily be converted into a sixth bedroom, Laird says. There is a separate living quarter with another queen-size bed, as well.

“The house and gardens sit on more than one and a half acres,” he notes. “The total living area is approximately 10,000 square feet.”

The Italian-inspired structure hosts picturesque views through expansive arched windows. Inside, it is both warm and welcoming, with an expansive and versatile floor plan. A neutral palette with subtle differences in shades and tone keep the home current and timeless.

It has a safe room, a generator, a well for watering manicured gardens, a dramatic entry, a chef kitchen, a walnut-paneled study, an elevator and multiple outdoor living spaces accented by manicured gardens. Laird also notes that a spacious media room, a fun game room area and the exercise room provide ample opportunities for

56

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

The home of Steven Laird and Patricia Calabria has ample space, as well as its fair share of functional and decorative items to fill it.

Photos courtesy of Linda Magazzine

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

57

Though most visitors are inspired the moment they approach the house from the outside, the interior portions of this home are equally enthralling.

entertainment, leisure and workouts – amenities the family has enjoyed immensely.

Outside, the gardens have an orchard with a variety of fruit trees, herbs, and a raised vegetable garden. The gardens have a separate well for irrigation, while the house and five fountains are supplied by city water.

Laird, an attorney for 38 years, and Calabria, a dentist in Colleyville, are the lone dwellers, now that their kids are grown.

That is a big reason why the couple has put the house on the market. “Although we truly love the home and grounds in every way, we simply don’t need this much space,” Laird says. “We hate the thought of leaving a perfect home, but downsizing just makes sense.”

The family has lived in the house for the past 12 years. Laird says they were drawn by the exclusiveness of the area, the “incredible” friendliness of the neighbors, and the privacy of the subdivision in the gated neighborhood.

The area sports a large common area park, a beautiful lake in the middle of the subdivision, majestic homes – and “most importantly, great people,” Laird says. Doctors, lawyers, dentists, business owners, and retired individuals help make up the community. “It’s an eclectic, but very friendly, group,” he says. “Neighbors really do become friends, and this subdivision proves it.”

As for the home proper to which he and his wife will bid farewell, he says it’s like many in today’s world, where people congregate in the kitchen and den areas during most social events. “Thankfully, our kitchen and den areas are welcoming and large,” he says. “Outside, 58

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

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59

Entertainment is a big player at the home of Steven Laird and Patricia Calabria, as these photos suggest.

the patio and backyard fireplace have entertained many people during different events all during the year. Whether warming by the fire or cooking s’mores, the outdoor fireplace has been a great gathering place. On the patio by the cabana, we have had two outdoor weddings. Many other events have been held here, both inside and out, including both large and small dinners inside and outdoors.”

Laird and Calabria have had to do almost no renovations since moving in. “The house has been perfect for entertaining, and just living, including raising a family,” he says. Beyond providing them ample pleasure, the dwelling also has been the site of events for national and local politicians, the aforementioned weddings, birthday parties, holiday gatherings, neighborhood parties, and family dinners and events, all accommodating everyone easily and comfortably. “It has been an incredible home for simply relaxing with family or entertaining on a grand scale,” he says.

Laird says some of his and Calabria’s most pleasant memories include sitting on the front upstairs balcony and surveying the lake, common areas, and other magnificent homes from an elevated level at a distance.

“The great times that we’ve had with our kids, family, and friends enjoying the home and gardens cannot be replaced,” he says. “Our home is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure. We always wanted the home and gardens to complement each other. So many people have confirmed what we have always felt and wanted: that this is a unique home and property in every way imaginable.”

In other words, it is just what a palace should be.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Prepared to Fulfill Their Dreams 79% of college acceptances are out-of-state $9.6 million in merit-based scholarship offers 2 National Merit Finalists 3 National Commended Scholars 10 committed college athletes

Congratulations, Class of 2018

100% OF OUR 84 GRADUATES ACCEPTED BY 143 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Abilene Christian University The University of Alabama Albany State University American University Amherst College Arizona State University The University of Arizona University of Arkansas Auburn University Austin College Baylor University Belmont University Benedictine College Bridgewater College University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego Case Western Reserve University University of Central Oklahoma Claremont McKenna College The College of Saint Rose University of Colorado, Boulder University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Colorado State University

VALEDICTORIAN Funmilola Solano

Stanford University

Colorado State University, Pueblo University of Connecticut Creighton University Dallas Baptist University University of Dallas Davidson College University of Denver DePaul University Drexel University Duke University Emory & Henry College Fitchburg State University Florida Institute of Technology Florida Southern College Florida State University Franciscan University of Steubenville Furman University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Goucher College Hampton University Hardin-Simmons University Harvard University Hofstra University College of the Holy Cross University of Houston Illinois Institute of Technology

SALUTATORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Texas A&M University

Knox College

Michael Fong-Kutchins

Indiana University, Bloomington Knox College Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Lindenwood University Loyola Marymount University Manhattan College Marquette University University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Maryville University Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Massachusetts, Boston The University of Memphis Miami University, Oxford University of Miami Midwestern State University Millikin University Millsaps College Mississippi State University University of Mississippi University of Missouri, Columbia

Ransom Swinney

Morehouse College New York Institute of Technology The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill North Carolina Wesleyan College University of North Texas Northeastern University Northern Arizona University University of Northern Colorado The University of Oklahoma Oral Roberts University University of Oregon Pace University, New York City Parsons School of Art & Design University of Pittsburgh Pratt Institute University of Puget Sound Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rice University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University of Bahrain Saint Louis University

The Oakridge School does not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, sex or national and ethnic origin in school administered programs.

5900 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, TX 76013 817-451-4994 WWW.THEOAKRIDGESCHOOL.ORG

Sam Houston State University Samford University University of San Diego Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design Scripps College Smith College University of Southern California Southern Methodist University Southern Nazarene University Southwestern University St. Edward’s University St. Gregory’s University St. Norbert College St. Olaf College Stanford University Stephen F. Austin State University SUNY College at Potsdam Sweet Briar College Tarleton State University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University, Commerce Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Texas A&M University, Galveston Texas Christian University

Texas State University Texas Tech University Texas Wesleyan University Texas Woman’s University The University of Texas, Arlington The University of Texas, Austin The University of Texas, Dallas The University of Texas, San Antonio Thiel College Trinity University University of Tulsa University of the Incarnate Word Vanderbilt University Virginia Commonwealth University Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis University of Washington Wesleyan University Western State Colorado University Western Washington University University of Wisconsin, Madison Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Congratulations 2018 Class of

Valedictorian

Salutatorian

Daniel Aaron Bryant

Rachel Anne Emrich

National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars

Katherine Borta

Emma Flores

Clay Grogan

Fernando Kuahara

Martin Perez

Miranda Rivera

Matthew Sedillo

239 scholarship offers exceeding $9.4 million have been awarded to 101 seniors from the Class of 2018. This represents 51% of the senior class.

We congratulate them for their tremendous effort and success.

4501 Bridge Street, Fort Worth, TX 76103 | 817.457.2920

Congratulations to all our Graduates!

Top Ten L.D. Bell High School Graduates by GPA

Lucy Hwang, 4.75256 UT Austin Business - Int’l Finance

Samuel Ketner, 4.71766 University of Tulsa Computer Science

Gillian Swann, 4.70349 Boston College Psychology or Poli Sci

Oland Carter, 4.69817 Rice University Economics

Sher Isada, 4.68108 Baylor University Medical Humanities

Janae Steggall, 4.66651 UT Austin Am. History & Poli Sci

Samantha Tuapen, 4.66643 UT Austin Computer Science

Brianna Do, 4.66096 UTA Biology

Natasha Pooran, 4.65649 UTA Biomedical Engineering

Erin Keohane, 4.65078 Texas A&M or Naval Academy, Engineering

Top Ten Trinity High School Graduates by GPA

Joel Ninan, 4.844 UT Dallas Finance

Tatiana Olalde, 4.72 UT Dallas, Arts, Technology & Emerging Communication

Hariza Mast, 4.683 Texas A&M Mechanical Engineering

Mikayla Olson, 4.651 Baylor University Biology

Brendan Norman, 4.649 Texas A&M, Business (Finance/Accounting)

Alexander Valtchanov, 4.646 Princeton University Mathematics, Comp. Science

Colin Williams, 4.64 UT McCombs School of Business, MIS

Hasnat Ahmad, 4.635 University of Chicago Economics

Jannelle Navales, 4.624 UT Dallas Neuroscience

Rojan Satyal, 4.596 UT Dallas Biomedical Engineering

Education UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON student Wahib

ARLINGTON CLASSICS ACADEMY students

Muhammad recently finished his bachelor’s degree of business administration-

engaged in a unique program to help them learn.

finance from start to finish in two years – while working full time.

Odyssey of the Mind provides creative problem-solving

Muhammad took six classes or 18 credit hours each semester at UTA, plus two

opportunities for students. Creative problem solving is a results-

to four classes at Tarrant County College for a total of 24 credits. During this time,

oriented method of learning. It encourages students to analyze

he also was studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst or CFA exams, working

a situation, imagine all the possibilities, then synthesize the best

on research papers and teaching as a supplemental instructor for third-year

qualities of their ideas into a workable solution.

business statistics.

In Odyssey of the Mind, students learned creative problem-

“I got to stretch and explore my own potential,” Muhammad says. “I felt the sky

solving skills by ... What else? Solving Problems!

was the limit.”

Odyssey of the Mind develops and nurtures the creativity that lies in every individual. The more students apply their creativity, the more creative they become.

The class of

2018

Photo courtesy of St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy

Peter Scott, daughter Kristin, grandson Hudson, and wife Lynn

ST. PAUL’S PREPARATORY ACADEMY not only combines a

classical college-preparatory education from a Christian perspective with some of the area’s premier teachers and leaders, it has some pretty fast students, as well.

Indeed, the Lion’s boy’s track team finished first and the girl’s track team took second at the recent Texas

Some highlights from the recent school year for students, schools and districts in the area

ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL students have long been known for their benevolence, and the 2017-2018 school year was no exception.

The school’s sixth graders participated in the 6th grade Catholic Charities Drive for the House of Hope Project, an annual food drive that assists the social service organization in helping people in need of food, clothing and shelter.

The school also puts an emphasis on volunteering in general with its Volunteer Spirit Hours program, in which the students devote time and services to

Christian Athletic Fellowship track and

charitable endeavors.

field meet in Springtown.

Their volunteer time is tabulated over the course of the school year to help them see how much they helped others.

THE OAKRIDGE SCHOOL seniors Dawson Kundysek and Jake Oglesby recently put their education and technology skills to use in a way that brought chemistry to life for some of their peers.

UTA conferred nearly 6,400 degrees in

“We turned a 2-D Lewis dot structure on paper into a 3-D structure to

commencement ceremonies at College Park

make things more engaging and more interesting,” said Kundysek. “With

Center last month.

the new structures, our classmates can actually see where things bond.

This graduating class represents the largest

They don’t have to wonder whether they’re looking at a double or single

number of graduates in the University’s history,

bond and what elements are bonding together.”

an approximate 11 percent increase in degree

Lewis structures are diagrams that show the bonding between atoms

conferrals over the 5,773 degrees awarded

of a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist in the

in Spring 2017. The newest commencement

molecule. The two students made more than two dozen of the Lewis dot structures, enough for use by students in each chemistry class.

64

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

candidates joined the ranks of more than Photo: City of Arlington

220,000 UTA alumni.

Congratulations to our 2018 graduates!

COMPASSIONATE SERVICE • ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE • SPIRITUAL FORMATION

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School

1200 South Davis Drive • Arlington, TX 76013 • 817-275-5081 • smgschool.org

Congratulations Class of 2018!

Teaching the mind . . . Nourishing the soul.

2015 SW Green Oaks Blvd. • Arlington, TX 76017 • 817-419-6800 • stjosephtx.org

ARLINGTON ISD had leadership teams from Arlington and Lamar high

HEB ISD was recently named to the NAMM Foundation Best

schools, Young Junior High, and Crouch, Crow, Hale and Pearcy elementaries

Communities for Music Education for the 12th consecutive year.

selected to participate in the new – yet still highly competitive – Holdsworth

The honor reflects the district’s commitment to supporting music

Center’s Campus Leadership Program.

education and assuring opportunities for music learning in the

This group is Cohort 1 of five cohorts over the next five years that will go

curriculum for all students.

through the Holdsworth Center’s Campus Leadership Program. The program

Now in its 19th year, the NAMM Foundation reviews school

is a rigorous two-year experience that will allow each campus to grow capacity,

districts across several categories: funding, graduation

advance toward their goals related to a campus program of practice and learn

requirements, music class participation, instruction time,

from world class experts.

facilities, support for the music program, and community music-

The core focus has three main leadership objectives: teacher development,

making programs.

individual growth plans and campus transformation.

Out of more than 13,500 school districts nationwide, fewer than 5 percent make the cut to be named the “Best Communities for Music Education.”

Peter daughter Kristin, grandson Photo Scott, courtesy of Nolan Catholic High School Hudson, and wife Lynn

NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL’S David Mabry was cited as one of the area’s best teachers by

Fort Worth Magazine in 2017. A year later, he was one of the coolest teachers ever.

Mabry led a group of NCHS students on a tour of Europe during Spring

The class of

2018

Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL seventh grade math students found an engaging and fun way to learn math this year – all while playing games.

The students were challenged by their

Break. While roaming the continent the

teacher, Ms. Gavin, to design games

ensemble enjoyed a number of historic

and then play them to test rules and

sites, including the Eiffel Tower.

strategies. That was a great lesson in problem solving for the Knights.

SEVEN MANSFIELD ISD seventh-graders were recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) for their high scores on the ACT or SAT college entrance exams.

PRIMROSE SCHOOLS’ two Arlington locations are known as

Duke TIP’s Seventh Grade Talent Search is the largest program of its

leaders in early education and care, but they don’t just teach children. In

kind in the nation and identifies academically talented seventh-graders

fact, the schools’ blog, found on the website, primroseschools.com, offers

based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary

regular parenting advice that complements the teaching at the school

or middle school.

to help parents and children get the most out of their Primrose Schools

The MISD middle school students earned the State Recognition

experience.

distinction, meaning they scored at or above the national average of

Recent blog topics include: “Handmade Flowers Craft,” “Scavenger

recent high school graduates on at least one part of the ACT or the SAT.

Hunt Ideas: Encourage Exploration,” “4 Fun Preschool Graduation Ideas”

The students who were recognized included Jordan Boles, Dominic

and “Don’t Pass the Phone: 7 Alternatives to Screen Time.”

Byles, Mariam Dohadwala, Tyler Dozier, Sualeha Irshad, Lauren

Most blog entries are full of hands-on ideas that are both educational

Krombach and Thompson Le.

and fun for the entire family.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Congratulations, Mansfield ISD Seniors!

Y-Thu Tran Frontier High Valedictorian

Nicholas Vo Lake Ridge High Valedictorian

Margaret Vo Legacy High Valedictorian

Amy Vo Mansfield High Valedictorian

Cara Hanshew Summit High Valedictorian

Thu Hoang Timberview High Valedictorian

The Mansfield ISD Class of 2018 earned more than $32 million in scholarship money!

’s S t .

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Valedictorian Prestelle Egbu

Terence Abram

Congratulations Class of 2018!

Dante Anderson

Elaine Bumhiko

Haylie Cartwright

Haley Gaccetta

Salutatorian

Victoria Miles

Parker Hughes

Sam Kinard

Kyrah Phillips

Trey Stanton

St. Paul’s Class of 2018 graduates were accepted by 49 colleges and universities for a combined total of $2.6 million in scholarships.

Haley Neuzil

Chidozie Nwankwo

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

67

Picture-perfect Moments

Scene Snapshots from the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA’s 60th anniversary luncheon, from Art on the Greene, from the AISD Foundation’s VIP Party at Six Flags Over Texas and from the recent Timeless Concerts event

Aaron Perales and Eric Tucker

Photos: Sarah Miller

Karen Williams, Tillie Burgin and honoree Mayor Jeff Williams at the YMCA event

Bill Bowie and Shari Bowie

Amy Lorenz and Linda Castillo

Michael Cunningham and Linda Magazzine

Photos: Bob Brennan

An artist makes a sale at Art on the Greene.

This artist specialized in vivid color works.

It was easy to find the art at Art on the Greene.

An example of the outstanding art at Art on the Greene

Mike Wade got to blow the train whistle at Six Flags Over Texas during the AISD Foundation event.

Photo courtesy of Reba Blevens

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo courtesy of Timeless Concerts

Miguel Cantu, Sergio Cepeda, LeeAnne Chenoweth, Heejung Kang and Sara Birnbaum Hood

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69

Health Care

As CEO of Medical City Arlington, Keith Zimmerman visits frequently with clinical staff to support patient care efforts.

Photos courtesy of Medical City Arlington

Prescription for success Medical City Arlington and CEO Keith Zimmerman are redefining the way the hospital serves the community

T

here is a daunting, perpetual challenge facing Keith Zimmerman, the CEO at Medical City Arlington: What’s the best way to lead the medical team and support staff at a hospital, where constantly changing norms represent the only norm?

Today’s groundbreaking curative advance is tomorrow’s “old school” medicine. Revolutionary technology, no matter how significant it is, has a shelf life. Likewise, patients’ expectations – if they aren’t met at your medical center, they will be met at another.

Zimmerman, who began the job in April 2017, is amply equipped for the leadership role with which he is tasked. He has spent more than two and a half decades in the health care field and served seven and a half years in leadership roles in the Medical City Healthcare system.

A former college football player at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, he is wired for the competitive nature of the health care industry. And, as a family man married to Kim and father of sons Charlie and Zack, he can empathize with those who enter the doors of his facility – whether it’s the Emergency Unit door, the 70

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Operating Room door, the door to a room in the Women’s Center, or the Chapel door.

Indeed, he knows how to lead, and – even more importantly – he knows how to care.

The photographs on this and the next page weren’t staged.

Zimmerman routinely engages with staff and patients. He studies the latest “this” and the cutting edge “that” to help the hospital find what best serves patients. He consistently confers both with administrative peers in the Medical City Healthcare family and with noted leaders in other fields, picking their brains to find out how he and his team can achieve the goal he puts ahead of everything else.

“Above all else, we’re committed to the care of human life,” he says. “We’re gratified to be a member of this community, serving the Arlington, Mansfield and Grand Prairie healthcare needs.

And we are constantly trying to improve the quality of service we provide to our patients.”

You don’t have to look far to see how hard Medical City Arlington is trying. The most notable example of progress “in progress” is the evolving construction site representing what will

be the revolutionary $60 million Women’s Hospital that is set to open in April 2019.

Once complete, the facility will include more than 125,000 square feet of new and renovated space covering two new floors.

It will have 55 additional beds, 23 modern labor and delivery rooms, three modern C-section operating rooms, three women’s VIP suites, 14 antepartum rooms, 53 postpartum and gynecology rooms, 35 Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit beds and 35 nursery beds.

Medical City Arlington currently delivers more than 4,200 babies each year. With increased capacity in the new Women’s Hospital, the facility will be able to accommodate more than 5,800 births annually.

“Our vision,” Zimmerman says, “is to create a destination center for women, where they can be cared for in one area.”

Medical City Arlington continues to improve the way it serves patients elsewhere, as well. Here are some highlights: • The hospital will break ground this summer on a four-story medical office building and seven-story parking garage, both due to open late next summer.

• The hospital is currently in pursuit of Level 2 Trauma accreditation, the highest ranking among area health facilities.

• Medical City Arlington is the first hospital in the city to use the new SCOUT® wire-free radar localization system that can precisely locate and direct the removal of a tumor to ± 1 mm of accuracy during a lumpectomy or surgical biopsy procedure.

• Medical City Arlington is now offering the world’s smallest pacemaker, the Micra®, for cardiology patients.

• In February, five Medical City Arlington nurses – Jane Maza, Michele Gray, Cynthia Moseley, Trang Nguyen and Tamesha Tucker – were named to DFW’s Great 100 Nurses list for 2018.

• Last month, the hospital received the 2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals.

Meanwhile, as the patients benefit from the various ongoing enhancements to and achievements of the hospital, Zimmerman has made a priority to “take care of the people who take care of people.”

“Our vision is to be the hospital of choice both for patients and physicians,” he says. To that end, Medical City Arlington partners with physicians to create a physician-led, professionally managed health care center. “That partnership ensures that our patients receive the best care possible,” Zimmerman says. “That’s always our goal.”

Part of reaching that goal also includes interaction with staff.

“One of the most fulfilling hours of my week is when I get to go

Medical City Arlington currently delivers more than 4,200 babies each year. With increased capacity in the new $60 million Women’s Hospital set to open in April 2019, the facility will be able to accommodate more than 5,800 births annually. to different departments for our reward/recognition ceremonies for different employees who’ve done something special,” he says. “I like to say, ‘let’s catch people doing something good.’ We do that in a different area of the hospital every week.”

All of these parts – the inspired leadership, the ongoing physical and technological advances, the focus on those receiving care and on the caregivers – have rendered a Medical City Arlington that, indeed, meets Zimmerman’s primary goal of providing an unwavering commitment to the care of human life.

“In 1976, when the hospital started, it was primarily a small community hospital,” he says. “Fast forward to today, and we’re a large, tertiary care hospital with 24/7 critical care intensivist staffing, allowing us to provide a higher level of care than ever before. I like to say that we have all the services nobody wants.

But they are very glad we have them when they need them.”

Medical City Arlington CEO Keith Zimmerman makes a point to routinely meet with patients for feedback on their experience at the hospital.

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

71

Literature

Happily ever after Striking a chord with folks who don’t always ‘fit in,’ author Julie Murphy has readers turning pages • By Karen Gavis

F

ans who lined up to get an autographed copy of Arlington resident Julie Murphy’s latest book, “Puddin,’” were in for a treat at its launch party. The mostly young adult crowd that packed South Irving Public Library on May 7 was welcomed with themed pillowcases for sleepovers, nail embellishments and pudding cups.

“Puddin’” is a companion to Murphy’s earlier book, “Dumplin,’” a New York Times best seller whose film adaption includes Jennifer Aniston.

Aniston plays the main character’s mother, Murphy wrote in an email, adding that all of her books are entirely fictional.

The film rights to “Dumplin’” were originally purchased by Disney, which had hired people to write the screenplay and produce the movie, Murphy says. After Disney decided not to make the film, people dedicated to the project moved forward with it independently.

“We’re currently looking for a distributor,” Murphy says.

“Hopefully, we’ll have it in theaters this fall.”

Emily Davis, a 16-year-old homeschooler, who says she reads about 100 books a year, waited in line at the launch party to meet

Best-selling author Julie Murphy signs copies of her books for fans during a recent event at a local library.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Murphy and get her copy of “Puddin’” signed. Davis had read “Dumplin,’” she says, and was excited that Murphy had written another book. She explains how she had always felt different from her friends because she was not quite as thin, and Dumplin,’ “with all her imperfections,” was really the first character she could relate to in her age group.

“I wrote this book because I never really saw reflections of myself or my experience in fiction,” Murphy says. “And I knew I couldn’t be, there was no way I could be, alone in that.”

Murphy says the first time she ever thought of herself as ugly was when her mom had called herself fat in front of her.

“I thought my mother was the most beautiful woman in the world, and I still do,” she says. “I remember thinking, if my mom thinks she’s fat and ugly, then what does that make me?”

Murphy says it’s rewarding when mothers tell her that her writing has made them reconsider the way they talk about their own bodies and how they discuss their children’s bodies with them. “That just tells me that we’re going to do better and better with the next generation,” she says.

Murphy also shares how she became a published author. While attending Texas Wesleyan University, studying political science and contemplating a career in law or library, she was overwhelmed by the denseness of the content of her studies, she says, and found herself reading young adult novels. Later, while working at Lancaster Public Library, she became involved in National Novel Writing Month, which encourages authors of all ages to pen 50,000 words in a month.

Murphy did and created “Side Effects May Vary,” which became her first novel. “Once I found an agent,” she says, “it was like dominoes falling into place.”

Murphy says she feels fortunate and happy as an author but wants to keep getting better at writing.

“The best, and kind of the worst, thing is that we’re never satisfied,” she says.

Murphy can’t say that all of her dreams have come true yet, but writing has given her the chance to communicate with people across the world that she never would have met otherwise.

Originally from Connecticut, Murphy and her husband have made Arlington their home for the Photo: Karen Gavis past decade.

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73

Natural Splendor

Tiffany Chrzanowski, nature education supervisor at Oliver Nature Park, takes delight in sharing the wonders of the park with visitors.

Take a hike! (no, really, you should take a hike!)

Mansfield’s Oliver Nature Park holds all manner of treasures to delight the senses • By Amanda Rogers

A

dragonfly floats in the wind, while a hummingbird whizzes past. A rabbit bounds into the brush, stopping to look back and wiggle his tail. Sounds like a Disney movie, but it’s just a walk through Mansfield’s Oliver Nature Park.

Since opening in 2014, the 80-acre park has drawn visitors like bees to nectar. People come to fish in the two stocked ponds, walk the mile and a half of decomposed granite trails, stroll through the wildflowers on the board walk, get a bird’s eye view of Walnut Creek from the tree house and marvel at the giant pathway of stones in the rocky ford.

But most visitors miss a lot of the nature in this natural park.

Mansfield’s Nature Education Supervisor Tiffany Chrzanowski recently took us for a walk through the park to show us where to look and how to listen.

“When you’re observant and looking in the forest, you can find things,” Chrzanowski says. “Come when there are fewer guests earlier in the morning on the weekdays. On the weekends, go to the back of the park.”

Oliver Nature Park is unique because the city has left it in as natural state as possible, she says.

“It’s one of the top (nature parks), in my opinion,” Chrzanowski says. “You have the cross timbers forest, aquatic

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

habitats and blackland prairie, three ecosystems all coming together, so you get all these species.”

Herons and egrets come to fish in the ponds, where turtles pop their heads above the water and bullfrogs croak. Squirrels bound through the trees where a barn owl hoots as evening draws near.

Mallards, green-winged teal and whistling ducks have been spotted on the ponds.

Chrzanowski stops to listen.

“Hear that pew-pew, like a laser? That’s a cardinal,” she says.

The tap-tap-tap signals a woodpecker nearby.

She leans down to point out a snail on a fallen rock and a spittle bug (which looks like a wad of spit) on a blade of grass.

Just like a Disney movie, there are villains lurking in the grass.

“There is a LOT of poison ivy, which is why we say to stay on the path,” Chrzanowski says.

She points at a cluster of pretty white flowers.

“That’s bull nettle,” she notes. “The spines, if you touch them will make you hurt and burn. Imagine if you don’t see the pretty white flowers, they’re just hidden in the grass.”

If you turn over a rock, you might find a lizard, snail or snake, she says. The list of reptiles that roam Oliver Nature Park runs the gamut. Texas spiny lizards, green anoles, skinks, rough

Here are a few of the beautiful sights you can see at Oliver Nature Park in Mansfield.

green snakes, Texas rat snakes, yellow belly water snakes and copperheads call the park home.

“We found a snake in a tree and stopped to watch it,” she says.

“All of these people were walking by, but not a single walker saw him. These animals are good for the environment. A lot of people don’t like snakes, but they keep the rodent population in control.”

Chris Del Re of Arlington and his dog Fozzie come to Oliver Nature Park a couple of times a week, looking for peace and serenity. He says he has seen a lot of wildlife on their walks. “I haven’t seen any coyotes, but other people have,” he says.

For youngsters and people interested in learning about the outdoors, nature classes, programs and field trips keep the park buzzing. Go to olivernaturepark.com to find the schedule.

Chrzanowski, who has always loved being outside, enjoys sharing the park with children.

“I like teaching them, seeing rabbits, using their senses to find things,” she says. “It’s a treasure hunt. This is a place they can go and appreciate nature, but also enjoy themselves.”

Oliver Nature Park is at 1650 Matlock Road, open 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily through October, and open 5 a.m. - 6 p.m. from November through February. It is free to the public.

Photos: Amanda Rogers

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

75

Community Corner

Parks & Rec Department named finalist for Gold Medal Award for Excellence

T

he Arlington Parks and Recreation Department last month was named a finalist for the 2018 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, announced by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through longrange planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

Arlington Parks and Recreation is a finalist in the Class II category (population 150,001–400,000).

The department was also named a finalist for the prestigious honor in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

The other three finalists in Class II are Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation (Arlington, Va.), Tampa Parks and Recreation Department (Tampa, Fla.) and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (Beaverton, Ore). The Grand Plaque Award winner will be announced during the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis set for Sept. 25–27.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

“I am proud of the entire parks and recreation staff, park board, numerous advisory and volunteer groups, city management and the City Council for their tremendous support for the provision of parks and recreation services in our city,” Parks and Recreation Director Lemuel Randolph says. “The almost 400,000 citizens of Arlington directly benefit from the department’s mission to provide quality facilities and services that are responsive to a diverse community and sustained with a focus on partnerships, innovation and environmental leadership. This NRPA Gold Medal Finalist designation is a true reflection of the critical alliance between City Council, department staff and our citizens.”

The city’s application may be viewed at gold. naturallyfun.org/.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo: City of Arlington

viva via!

Rideshare program records 24,000 rides in first six months

M

ore than 4,000 people have ridden with Via since the City of Arlington’s rideshare pilot program rolled out last December. Arlington, partnered with Via, is one of the first cities in the nation to offer on-demand ridesharing as an innovative public transportation solution. The service is designed to provide affordable transportation to key areas of Arlington, allowing riders to access entertainment, shopping and dining options, work or school, and even medical appointments.

Roughly 24,000 trips have been booked on Via vans in the first six months of service, according to the latest data. For more: arlington-tx.gov/residents/via/.

5th annual ACPAA golf tournament is set for June 11 at Tierra Verde Golf Club

T

he fifth annual Arlington Citizen Police Academy Alumni golf tournament will be played June 11 at Tierra Verde Golf Club. Registration for the event starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

This event is ACPAA’s largest fundraiser, and the funds generated by the tournament will be used to purchase items for the Arlington Police Department that are not included in the city budget.

Some of the items the ACPAA has purchased recently for APD include: • Six portable mini-drones. The purchase provides a mini-drone for each APD station, plus one for SWAT and another for the accident investigation team.

• Enhanced LED lighting for the motorcycles of APD officers.

• Special equipment for the crime scene investigation unit used for gathering evidence.

• Child car seats for the Victims Services unit.

• Pop-up tents with the APD logo for use during community events.

The entry fee is $100 per player ($400 for a team). Payment can be made for sponsorship or registration of golfers using PayPal via the website acpaaa.org or by mailing a check to ACPAA, P.O. Box 944, Arlington, TX 76004.

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Light Up Arlington to be held downtown on July 3 ...

T

his year’s Independence Day celebration will be held from 6 - 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 in Downtown Arlington, with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.

Light Up Arlington will include multiple stages with free entertainment from some of the top acts in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, kids’ activities, carnival concessions and food trucks and much more.

Along with sponsorships, Parks and Recreation is currently signing up retail vendor spots for the popular family friendly event. Vendors who are interested in obtaining an application can contact Angie Dennehy at 817-459-6231. Those who are interested in becoming Light Up Arlington sponsors can contact Derek DeBusk at Derek.DeBusk@arlingtontx.gov.

For event updates, visit lightuparlington.com.

... And then, of course, there’s the parade on the 4th of July T

he Arlington 4th of July Parade, the oldest event in the city, will bring local patriots to the downtown area for the 53rd time when hundreds of floats, riders, walkers and entertainers wind through downtown Arlington.

“Star Spangled Independence Day” is the theme for this year’s parade, which begins at 9:03 a.m. It will last until 11 a.m. when the final entry returns to the staging area/starting point on the University of Texas at Arlington campus, between S. Cooper and S. West streets.

For more: arlington4th.org.

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Tennis Tip

How you can take your game to the next level

T

ennis players who want to raise their game to the next level may not know where to begin. The right information and commitment to improve are the place to start.

The Right Information: The four areas for game improvement are Skill, Strategy, Physical Fitness and Mental Strength. The first step for everyone should be to break down the areas of their game that need the most work. Recreational players may need help with their technique (Skills). More experienced players may need work on their Strategy or Mental Strength. Whatever area that needs the most improvement, start with the one that will give the “biggest bang for the buck.” Seeing significant progress should also result in more FUN and keep you motivated. To be sure you are on the right path, connect with an experienced tennis professional to identify where your strengths and weaknesses are and let him/her help you develop a sensible improvement plan.

Photo: huffingtonpost.com

Commitment: The second step to game improvement is making a commitment to the process. First, set reasonable goals and time frames for you to reach those goals. Stick to the plan and be consistent. Challenge yourself in your practice sessions.

Avoid comfort zones to minimize plateaus. Once you start seeing improvement, the hard work is more fun!

Beware: Changing certain aspects of your game may seem to make your game worse before it gets better. Have faith! Before you know it, you will see your game bump up to the next level.

Remember to start with the right information by assessing your game to identify the areas that need the most improvement. Connect with an experienced professional who can help pinpoint the trouble spots and design a plan that fits YOU. Make the commitment and stick to your plan. That next level is ready and waiting!

– James Helvey Jr., head professional, Arlington Tennis Center

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The Peterson Brothers

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June 14

Family Movie Night!

June 21

Family Movie Night!

June 28

Family Movie Night!

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Sunday@8PM

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Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band Fab Four faves with a bluegrass spin

Vocal Trash

Stomp-style rock stars take on trash

ARLINGTON Today

Family Summer Celebration!

DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON MUSIC FEST

June 7

Family Movie Night!

Saturday@8PM

Joe Ely

June 8

Preaching the gospel of the roadhouse

June 15

June 22

Outlaws

Liz Longley @7pm

June 16

Green River Ordinance

June 23

Mingo Fishstrap

Bluesy, gritty musical soul food

Southern rock with a passion for the blues

June 29

Good Americana music for good people

Radney Foster

June 10 Delta Rae An electrifying alt/pop experience

Hopeful songwriting and soaring harmonies

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The O’s

Bowling For Soup Not Ur Girlfrenz @7pm

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Prophets

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Punk/pop fun!

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Rick Trevino

June 17

Grammy-winning classic country with a Hispanic heritage

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Jaime y los Chamacos Conjunto music that makes you shout for more!

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A West Texas poet’s enduring country music

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ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine

Dining Guide

Polenta, the gluten-free alternative to pasta

Keen Cuisine!

Local eateries you definitely need to check out UPSCALE Chamas do Brazil chamasdobrazil2.tru-m.com 4606 S. Cooper St. • 817-618-2986 Fontana’s Fine Cuisine fontanasfinecuisine.com 6407 S. Cooper St., Suite 101 682-323-5704 The Keg Steakhouse & Bar kegsteakhouse.com 4001 Arlington Highlands Blvd.

817-465-3700 Mercury Chophouse mercurychophouse.com 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910 817-381-1157 Piccolo Mondo piccolomondo.com 829 Lamar Blvd. E. • 817-265-9174 restaurant506 at The Sanford House restaurant506.com 506 N. Center St. • 817-801-5541

AMERICAN Candlelite Inn candleliteinnarlington.com 1202 E. Division St. • 817-275-9613 Dino’s Subs 2221 S. Collins St. • 817-274-1140 frieddaze frieddaze.com 5005 S. Cooper St., Suite 159 817-472-6666 The Grease Monkey greasemonkeyburgers.com 200 N. Mesquite St. • 817-665-5454 J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill jgilligans.com 400 E. Abram St. • 817-274-8561 80

Mac’s Bar & Grill macsteak.com 6077 West-I20 • 817-572-0541

MEXICAN/TEX-MEX El Arroyo elarroyoarlington.com 5024 S. Cooper St. • 817-468-2557 El Primo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina elprimos.net 2300 Matlock Road, #21, Mansfield 817-225-4140 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop fuzzystacoshop.com 510 E. Abram St. 817-265-8226 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd.

817-516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield 817-453-1682 Rio Mambo riomambo.com 2150 E. Lamar Blvd. • 817-795-4555 6407 S. Cooper St. • 817-465-3122

ITALIAN/PIZZA Café Sicilia cafesicilia.com 7221 Matlock Road • 817-419-2800 Gino’s East ginoseast.com 1350 E. Copeland Road • 817-809-7437

SEAFOOD Pantego Bay Gulf Coast Café 2233 West Park Row • 817-303-4853

BARBECUE Bodacious Bar-B-Q bodaciousbbqarlington.com 1206 E. Division St. • 817-860-4248

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

P

olenta is a cornmeal porridge that is eaten all over Italy but is especially popular in Northern Italy. It is naturally low in fat, salt and sugar. Of course, that can be changed depending on what you decide to add to it! This staple can be enjoyed as a creamy porridge for breakfast or as the replacement for rice or pasta in any meal. Once cooked, the polenta can be cooled and cut into squares, and with then itasta can isbesynonymous grilled, baked or Italian cuisine. There are fried. For a nice crunchy texture many theories as to how polenta can also be used to coat pasta became such an important chicken or fish before frying. part of the Italian food scene.

Polenta is available in One theory is that Marco Polo various grades, from course to introduced pasta to the Italians fine.

Generally, the more coarsely ground the longer the cooking time. after a trip to China. It could even date further back to the Etruscan Instant polenta onlyItalians a few have minutes, but if you have the alla time the civilizations.

No cooks matter,inthe embraced it, and Ragu traditional so muchpasta more isflavorful!

Bologneseway with istagliatelle recognized as the national dish of Italy.

also eat be used cookies andper pastries glutenOnPolenta averagecan Italians aboutin57cakes, pounds of pasta personas pera year! free alternative to flour.

Cakes made with polenta tend to be moist andper Americans love pasta, too, and our consumption is about 19 pounds aperson little more dense.

Perhaps the best example of this is an olive oil and per year. polenta thatdaunting is a recipe for another time.pasta, but it actually is It cancake, seembut a little to make your own

P

very easy. All you really need is flour, eggs and a rolling pin.

Cheesy Polenta with Beef and Mushroom Ragu (serves four) Ingredients for cheesyPasta polenta: cupsmachine water; 1 cup polenta; 1 teaspoon Homemade Tagliatelle (no 4pasta required; serves 4) kosher salt; 1/2 stick of butter; 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan Ingredients: 2 large eggs; 7 ounces 00 flour, plus extra for dusting cheese; (00 1/4 cream (optional) flourcup canheavy be substituted for unbleached all-purpose flour); a little semolina Method: Bring 6the waterflour and on theasalt to work a boilsurface. in a large saucepan.

Method: Place ounces clean Reserve the Over medium-low heat gradually whisk in the polenta. Keep whisking until the remaining 1 ounce to use if necessary.

Shapeisthe flour into volcano with a large hole the in the center.

Crack mixture smooth andastarts to thicken.

Reduce heat to low and stir the eggs and pour them into the middle of the flour volcano.

Use a fork to often. Cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Be careful, as the polenta lightly beat the eggs and start incorporating the flour with the eggs a little at will “spit” as it cooks. When the polenta is cooked remove it from the a time.

It isadd important to slowly incorporate from is thetoo center heat and the butter and the cheese. Ifthe theflour mixture thicksotothat you don’t break volcano soon andorhave the eggstock flow can all over your liking, add the theflour heavy cream.too(Chicken vegetable be the work surface! substituted for the water.)

If the dough is still too moist once all the flour is incorporated into the Beef and Mushroom Ragu ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound eggs, add the reserved flour a little at a time to form a ball of dough. If the mixed mushrooms, chopped; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, finely dough is too dry add a teaspoon of water at a time to the dough. Use your chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped, plus extra for garnish; hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and very elastic (about five to 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 cans seven minutes). chopped tomatoes; sea salt and ground black pepper to taste Tip: To check if the dough has been kneaded enough, press it with your Method: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a non-stick frying pan over high heat. thumb, if it is a little springy the dough is ready.

Add the mushrooms all thetowater hasatevaporated and Wrap the dough in and clingcook film until and allow rest for least 30 minutes. the are golden Remove pan.ball Heat Dustmushrooms the work surface with abrown. little flour.

Dividefrom the the dough intothe four remaining and parts add the meat, with garlic, rosemary seasonings. parts. Keepoilthree covered plastic wrap. and Flatten the doughBreak with a up any lumps with a wooden spoon and cook until golden.

Return the rolling pin and roll out to 1/8th of an inch thickness. mushrooms to up thethe panpasta and sheet add the tomato sauce Loosely roll and cut thepaste, pastaWorcestershire into 1/4-inch-thick and tomatoes.

Reduce the with heatsemolina. and simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid strips.

Dust a baking sheet Gently loosen the tagliatelle strips and place onto baking sheet. Dust the tagliatelle with semolina is reduced.

Check thethe seasoning. to stop pasta sticking together.

Roll andwith cutadditional the remaining dough.

Servetheover thefrom cheesy polenta and garnish rosemary.

Allow theAppetito! pasta to dry for an hour.

Buon Cook in plenty of salted water for about one to two minutes. Test for doneness. Don’t overcook, or it will become mushy!

Serve immediately with Ragu alla Bolognese or your favorite sauce.

Buon Appetito!

Karin

Buon Appetito!

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One coupon per customer per table. Expires 6/30/2018

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One of the most popular restaurants in the Metroplex, Piccolo Mondo is known for its exceptional food and atmosphere.

For all your business lunches, holiday family dinners or just a romantic night out, it’s simple. Piccolo Mondo.

Thank you for voting!

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www.piccolomondo.com

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your community • your magazine

829 E. Lamar Blvd. • 817.265.9174 Whole Foods Shopping Center NW corner of Lamar & Collins

Takeout available. Fax 817.226.3474 arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

81

Health / Fitness

Buzz kill (and that’s a good thing) How the City of Arlington is taking on the mosquito to make this a more pleasant summer for you

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mosquitoes can breed. This includes old tires, flowerpots, clogged wet spring has teamed with rising temperatures to produce rain gutters, etc. Mosquitoes may develop in any water stagnant an all-too-familiar nemesis for area residents. In 2018, a for more than three or four days. For shallow standing water that mosquito infestation not only threatens outdoor activity but cannot be eliminated, check regularly for the presence of mosquito can produce health risks, as well. The City of Arlington has larvae and if seen, apply a biological larvicide often referred to as introduced a strategy to help residents and visitors “Be Mosquito “mosquito dunks,” available at local hardware stores.

Free.” Here are the highlights.

The City also encourages you to learn about two particular The most effective strategy focuses on keeping down the mosquito-related health issues: Zika Virus and West Nile Virus. mosquito population. From April through November, the City of The former is primarily spread to people through mosquito bites.

Arlington traps mosquitos to be tested by Tarrant County Public Approximately 80 percent of people infected with the Zika Virus Health for the West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses. If a do not become ill. For those who trapped mosquito tests positive, do develop symptoms, illness is the City’s vector control contractor generally mild and typically lasts a conducts targeted ground spraying few days to a week. within a half-mile radius of the The most common symptoms of trap site over two consecutive Zika virus disease are fever, rash, nights. Arlington also surveys joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red low-lying areas for standing water eyes). Mosquitoes that spread Zika and deploys larvicide at strategic virus are aggressive daytime biters. locations to prevent mosquito larva Zika virus is a new, emerging from developing. threat, and the City’s response will This year, the City will conduct be adapted to address the changing targeted ground spraying on The City of Arlington is taking measures to help make sure that this doesn’t happen to you. needs with guidance from Tarrant Wednesday and Thursday nights Photo: berkeleywellness.com County Public Health, Texas between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather Department of State Health Services, and Centers for Disease Control permitting. This targeted ground spraying schedule is intended to and Prevention. knock down the known virus-infected adult mosquito population West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can not only as quickly as possible but also prior to the weekend when infect humans, birds, horses and other mammals. You can reduce individuals and families are more likely to be outdoors. your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent The City uses an ultra-low volume application of Aqua-Reslin, a and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. There water-based permethrin product, in specific areas where deploying are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection. larvicide and other measures have not proven effective. These Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. mosquito control efforts align with City of Arlington Health Less than 1 percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes Authority, Tarrant County Public Health and the Centers for Disease fatal, neurologic illness.

Control and Prevention recommendations.

WNV symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, or body aches The City of Arlington also partners with Tarrant County Public before fully recovering. It is estimated that 20 percent of people who Health to educate the public on simple measures they should become infected with WNV will develop West Nile Fever. Of these, take to prevent potentially dangerous mosquito bites. The City 1/150 persons may develop the more serious neuroinvasive West Nile. recommends that you embrace the “3 D’s”: Some persons may also develop a rash or swollen lymph glands.

• Dress in long sleeves and pants when you’re outside. For extra In some individuals, particularly persons 50 years of age and older, protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.

WNV can cause serious brain and spinal tissue damage.

• DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent.

For more information about the targeted ground spraying, please Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors. call the City of Arlington’s Action Center at 817-459-6777.

• Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood where 82

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Party For A Purpose 6pm at Park Place Motorcars Arlington

Casino Night & Live Auction For more information, please contact: Patti Ouart at rd@bgcarlington.org or call 817-275-6551 (ext 228)

Nightlife & More

Sights/Sounds

Your resource for entertainment options in and around Arlington THEATER: Footloose the Musical When: June 1-3 Where: Theatre Arlington (305 W. Main St.) Show times: 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday Notes: This explosive musical based on the hit movie bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. The heartfelt story celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

For more: theatrearlington.org

MUSIC: Concerts/Events at Levitt Pavilion Arlington When: June 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21- 24, 28-30 Where: Levitt Pavilion (100 W. Abram St.) Show times: Check website for show times.

Notes: Scheduled performers/performances include The Peterson Brothers (June 1), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band (June 2), Vocal Trash (June 3), Singa-long “Frozen” (June 7), Jamie Lin Wilson (June 8), Joe Ely (June 8), Not Ur Girlfrenz (June 9), Bowling for Soup (June 9), Liz Longley (June 10), Delta Rae (June 10), “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (June 14), Cas Haley (June 15), Green River Ordinance (June 16), Rick Trevino (June 17), “Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle” (June 21), Prophets and Outlaws (June 22), Mingo Fishtrap (June 23), Jamie y los Chamacos (June 24), “Early Man” (June 28), The O’s (June 29) and Radney Foster (June 30).

For more: levittpavilionarlington.org

MUSIC: Concerts/Events at The Lot Downtown When: June 2, 15, 16, 23 Where: The Lot Downtown (110 S. Main St., Mansfield) Show times: Check website for show times.

Notes: Scheduled performers/performances include D and Chi (June 2), Movie Night - “Jumanji” (June 15), Jerry Audley with The Highway Sisters (June 84

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

16) and The Damn Torpedoes with The Lonely Wheel (June 23).

For more: thelotdowntown.com

MUSIC: Arlington Music Hall Concerts When: June 2, 6, 15, 22, 28 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show times: Check website for show times Notes: Scheduled performers/performances include Fuller Rhythm Studio presents the 3rd Annual Recital-Dancing the Yellow Brick Road (June 2), The Marshall Tucker Band (June 6), Chronicles of Love Chanté Moore and Friends (June 15) Doug Stone (June 22) and Connie Smith w/ Opening Act Dallas Wayne (June 28).

For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

Eat, drink and be merry at Mansfield’s new fest

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eat, Mugs and Music, set for June 9, is Mansfield’s newest downtown festival.

This event, which will run from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. at The Lot Downtown, will combine three things Texans love: steak, craft beer and live music. This family friendly event will feature a competition-style steak cook-off, a taste testing of some of the finest craft beers this state has to offer and live music.

Once judging of the cook-off is complete, visitors can buy a steak dinner plate for $30 that will feature a rib-eye steak, baked potatoes and salad. They can enjoy the meal with mugs of craft beer and listen to local musicians. Vendors will be set up throughout the day, so visitors can shop, dance and rock the night away.

For more: thelotdowntown.com.

TRIVIA: Trivia Tuesdays When: June 5, 12, 19, 26 Where: Mellow Mushroom (200 N. Center St.) Show time: 7 p.m.

Notes: Prizes include a $30 gift card for first place, a $15 gift card for second place and a $10 gift card for third place.

For more: 817-274-7173

THEATER: Cinderella When: June 15-16 Where: Mansfield Legacy High School (1263 N. Main St., Mansfield) Show times: 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. on Saturday Notes: In this Mainstage Classic Theatre Getting to Know Series version, all the beloved songs and familiar characters are present and accounted for.

However, the entire script has been condensed to better suit young attention spans, and the plot has been slightly altered to highlight some important lessons that exist in this timeless tale.

For more: mainstageclassictheatre.org

Enjoy 3 shows in one night at Division Brewing

D

ivision Brewing will present a concert triple-header on June 19, as Gypsy Sun Revival, Big Red Ants and King Country display their talents at the local craft brewery.

King Country’s show will start at 8 p.m., followed by the Big Red Aunts concert at 9 p.m.. Gypsy Sun Revivall will cap the night with a performance beginning at 10 p.m.

For more: 682-276-1276.

AWARE Award of Excellence Honorees

AWARE Foundation Winners

(L-R): Lisa Sharp – Hale Elementary (PreK-1st), Leah Smith – Larson Elementary (2nd-4th), Leslie Powell – Wimbish Elementary (5th-6th), Alicia Vandenbroek – Shackelford JHS (JHS), Michelle Heath – Seguin HS (HS)

AWARE Foundation Runners-Up

(L-R): Hillary Hutto – Moore Elementary (PreK-1st), Elissa Worster – Starrett Elementary (2nd-4th), Maria Luna – Webb Elementary (5th-6th), Lori Green – Boles JHS (JHS), Brad Beck – Bowie HS (HS)

AWARE Foundation Sponsors: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP, SA-SO, Sewell Lexus and Sewell Infiniti of Fort Worth, Star Telegram, Arlington Today, The Candlelite Inn, Al Clark State Farm Insurance, UEA of Arlington in Recognition of AISD Board of Trustees, Denise Dillow, Sherry Kever Howell, in Memory of Ron Howell, The Peters Family Fund, M. E. Wade Family Funeral Home, LP

STELLALUNA

Photos: Mark Murray, Arlington AISD

July 13-22, 2018

Fridays @ 7:30 pm • Saturdays @ 2 pm & 7:30pm • Sundays @ 2pm Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule until she is separated from her Mother Bat in the forest.

Thankfully she is adopted by a family of birds who teach her their boisterous, baby bird ways, but only if she no longer lives and behaves like a bat. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts - and possibilities - Stellaluna faces. Young audiences will delight in the music, artistic puppetry, and dance, empathizing with Stellaluna as she swoops and crashes through the forest trying to be just like her feathered friends.

By Saskia Janse Based on the children's novel by Janell Cannon Guus Ponsioen, Composer • Directed by Caroline Cole 305 W. Main Street Arlington, Tx 76010 Box Office 817.275.7661 TheatreArlington.org

All Youth Play • Appropriate for ages 4-12 - Season Sponsors -

ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

85

Speaking of Sports

Green (and, hopefully, gold) The Rangers’ young players provide promise for a bright future for the club • By John Rhadigan

T

here are certain things that cannot be separated from the human spirit. Failure is one of them. In sports and in life, we don’t lose – we learn, and failure can be a great teacher. It can teach us how to succeed the next time. Success is another thing that cannot be separated from the human spirit. No one can take your success from you. Hopefully, you can learn from it, too, and build on it and repeat it.

Joey Gallo remembers it like it was yesterday. Back in the summer of 2012 the AZL was abuzz with talk of the Rangers rookie crop. The AZL is the Arizona League, and it is a short-season league for young players drafted in June and just beginning the long road to the dream of Major League baseball.

“We would get off the bus, and people would ask, ‘Are you a football team?’” Gallo recalls with a smile.

At 6’5”, 230 pounds, Joey is the biggest. Among the others riding the Nomar Mazara is one of the young stars on bus with him in 2012 was the 6’4,” which the Texas 215-pound Nomar Mazara. Ronald Rangers are pinning their hopes.

Guzman is 6’4,” 225 pounds, and Lewis Brinson, now with the Miami Marlins, was on that team. He is 6’5” and weighs 206 pounds.

The football questions were apt; I think I would take my chances with these four guys at linebacker in a 3-4 scheme today.

The truth is, add a point guard, and you would have a pretty good basketball team with all that size, too. But these guys are baseball players, and from the first day they were together, they knew that they were a special group.

Relief pitcher Keone Kela was in the draft class, too. “I knew this was a great group of guys,” Kela says. “A group that could do something big when we reach our potential.”

In order to reach said potential you must go through the trials and tribulations that are minor league baseball.

“I remember sleeping on egg crates under Guzman,” Kela recalls.

So Guzman got the bed, and Keone was on the floor on an eggcrate mattress. There is nothing fun about minor league travel.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Actually, that is not true. There is nothing glamorous about minor league travel, but when Kela remembers the egg crates he has a wistfulness about him. He enjoyed those days, and so did the others.

Guzman and Mazara go back even farther than the AZL – they became teammates as teens in the Dominican Republic. “I was from a small town,” Guzman says. “And I came to a tryout in the big city.

When I got to the field I saw this kid hit 13 balls over the fence. They only threw him 15 pitches. He hit 13 over the fence. I thought I was at the wrong tryout.”

That kid was Nomar Mazara.

On the baseball-crazed island of the DR, Nomar and Guzman were two of the best, discovered at a young age and living up to their pedigree today. But you don’t get to be where they are by dreaming small.

For them the dream is much bigger than making it to the big leagues. “I am what I wanted to be,” Guzman says.

“I’m proud of myself, but I have to keep it rolling.”

He and all the guys from the 2012 class know what success is supposed to look like. That group won a Championship. They play a one-game championship series in the AZL, and the Rangers’ contingent beat an Photo: Houston Chronicle Oakland A’s team that included Renato Nunez and Daniel Robertson, now with Tampa Bay, and A’s first baseman Matt Olson.

“That 2012 ring is the most precious thing I have gotten in baseball,” Kela says.

But that experience, that camaraderie, that success, might prove to be even more special. There are certain things that cannot be separated from the human spirit. Success is one of them.

Sports columnist John Rhadigan is an anchor for the Fox Sports Southwest television network.

Events, etc.

Itinerary Your official Arlington-area guide to fun (and the like) Bikes and Coffee When: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Where: Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar (403 E. Main St.) Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.

In a nutshell: Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar teams with Third Shift Vintage Motorcycles for this event, which offers an opportunity for motorcycle enthusiasts to meet, grab a cup of coffee and share their love of bikes.

For more: urbanalchemy.bar

Planetarium shows When: June 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 3-July 1 Where: The Planetarium at UT Arlington (700 Planetarium Place) Time: Check website for show times In a nutshell: With a 60-foot-diameter dome and state-of-the art Digistar 5 DLP Projection system, The Planetarium at UT Arlington is one of the largest and most sophisticated in the state of Texas.

The Digistar 5 system can project stars, planets, galaxies, and virtually anything else onto the dome as they look in the real sky.

For more: uta.edu/planetarium

Texas Rangers baseball When: June 5-10, 15-17, 25-27, 29-July 1 Where: Globe Life Park Time: Check website for game times In a nutshell: Your Texas Rangers will host five series this month: the Oakland A’s (June 5-6), the Houston Astros (June 7-10), the Colorado Rockies (June 15-17), the San Diego Padres (June 25-27) and the Chicago White Sox (June 29-July 1).

For more: mlb.com/rangers

Paint Your Pet Party When: June 10 Where: Legal Draft Beer Co. (500 E. Division St.) Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

In a nutshell: Create your own masterpiece 88

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

painting your furry loved one. Legal Draft is also partnering with pet rescue group, Tzu Zoo Rescue, for this event, so there will be some pups that need a home. Enjoy some great company, great beer, and great puppy love. Food trucks will be on site as well. Tickets are $50 per person and include everything except food and drink.

For more: 817-962-2210

Dreams Do Come True: A Celebration of the Downtown Library

Mansfield will art the rock world this month

M

ansfield Rocks will take place from 2 - 3 p.m. on June 5 in the Community Room of the Mansfield Public Library (104 S. Wisteria).

This fun event gives attendees the chance to create unique painted rocks to hide around Mansfield. Supplies are provided.

Registration is required.

For more: morelibrary.org/program/2685/ mansfield-rocks.

When: June 13 Where: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library (100 Center St.) Time: 8:30 p.m.

In a nutshell: Tickets to the event are $75 each and include an evening of early access to the 70,000-square-foot Downtown Library, demonstrations by library staff, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, drinks, desserts and more. Attendees receive a year’s membership to the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library.

For more: arlingtonlibrary.org

Urban Traders Market When: June 16 Where: Urban Union (400 E Division St.) Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In a nutshell: This up-and-coming area includes a number of new shops, restaurants, and the Legal Draft Beer Co. Shop for the best in local handmade goods by makers and crafters.

For more: urbantradersmarket.com

Downtown Chess Club When: June 19 Where: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library (100 Center St.) Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

In a nutshell: Come for an evening of fun and learn some strategies with the Arlington Chess Club.

For more: arlingtonchess.com

Splish splash, I was watching a flick ...

S

ix Flags Hurricane Harbor will feature “Dive-in Movies” all summer, beginning with four great films this month.

On June 8, “Despicable Me” (PG) will be the featured film, which will show on a Texassized big screen over the park’s iconic wave pool.

Here’s the remaining June schedule: June 15 - “Thor: Ragnorok” (PG-13); June 22 “Beauty and the Beast” (PG); and June 29 - “Justice League” (PG-13).

Films start at approximately 8:15 p.m.

For more: alturl.com/i6iw6.

★

2018 Readers’ Choice

All Star

★ Coming in August ...

Our 2018 Readers’ Choice All Star issue

ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine

★

★

arlingtontoday.com • June 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

89

Finish Line

Allan & Ruthie The courtship has finally run its course to a happy destination • By Richard Greene

W

hile I don’t really know what qualifies as a customary period for courting before marriage, I’m confident that one of Arlington’s most beloved couples may have set the all-time record. After being together for more than 40 years, Allan Saxe and Ruthie Brock are now husband and wife.

The marriage was made official at the county sub-courthouse in April that Allan described in his usual idiosyncratic style: “We had quite a wedding crowd at the sub-courthouse across the hall from auto license renewals, where we signed a one page document and then had a wedding lunch for the two of us at Grease Monkey and then Gilligan’s Bar and Grill.”

Ruthie’s version varies some, explaining the clerk wanted a specific date for the instrument, “So we fussed a little bit at the counter, Allan said it didn’t matter, so I picked Valentines’ Day, 1987.

“We had been back and forth between our two houses before we bought one together, so I’m thinking that Allan considered that as our courtship. We really wanted to make a statement that we respect the institution of marriage, even though we were slow to act upon it.”

The popular couple actually made the announcement of their planned nuptials almost four years ago on the occasion of my and Sylvia’s 50th anniversary celebration. We were honored they chose that setting to deliver the news.

Like most others, we thought that meant it would take place in the near future. I suppose Allan would say that, based on their history, four years later qualified as the near future.

They met at UTA in the 1970s – Allan’s not sure of the exact date – when introduced by a mutual friend. He had begun his teaching career there in 1965 after migrating from the University of Oklahoma at Norman.

A big reception honoring Dr. Saxe’s 50 years of service to UTA was staged three years ago where he announced his plans to continue teaching in the Department of Political Science. That came as good news to students, as his classes are often over-subscribed as they seek the wisdom, wit, and style of teaching that has put him in the rare company of the most popular professors on the big campus.

My developing relationship with him was enhanced when I first sought the office of mayor. He wanted me to join him on his daily route delivering Meals on Wheels to people who had no other way to get the food they needed.

His purpose was to introduce me to a part of the community that he correctly thought I was not familiar with and needed my attention.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Newlyweds

When I accepted his invitation, he decided he could support my bid for office, and we became friends. I quickly learned that his and Ruthie’s passion for community service was extensive in both time and money.

Among Arlington’s philanthropists there are some who have given more money to non-profit organizations, but none has given a greater percentage of their wealth than has Allan. I can say this with confidence since he has spent his life basically giving away all he has.

Aided by his inheritance from his mother, the total is estimated to be in the range of seven figures.

A partial list of beneficiaries throughout the area include hospitals, universities, churches, the Arlington Life Shelter, Mission Arlington, the River Legacy Foundation, the Levitt Pavilion, the Humane Society, the Fort Worth Zoo, baseball and softball fields – and the list goes on and on.

So much so that a few years ago he received the Greater Fort Worth Philanthropy Award. In accepting it he explained his motivation: “I cannot do anything, so I give to people and institutions that can. I am not a wealthy man. Life to me is so ephemeral and fleeting, so I donate to good places.”

Rather beneath the radar, he also demonstrates his actions as a role model. “Today’s students can be great if someone good leads them in correct directions,” he says. He has done just that, teaching leadership classes for the past 20 years in the Texas Rangers/Richard Greene Scholarship Program.

Ruthie’s devotion to Arlington’s libraries, beginning with the UTA system where she has worked for 43 years, includes service as the chair of the library board and its foundation. The lobby at the new Downtown Library opening this month will bear her name, as does the big stairwell at the Fort Worth Central Library.

After saying he would never quit teaching, Allan has recently begun to change his mind about that. “I do want to retire and be a greeter at the new library,” he says.

Such seems an appropriate role bringing the newlyweds (he’s 79, she’s 74) ever closer together in their new status while doing what they are truly famous for – serving others.

Richard Greene served as Arlington’s mayor from 19871997, was appointed by President George W. Bush as Regional Administrator to the EPA, and currently teaches in the University of Texas at Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

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