June 17 issue

Meadowbrook Park

The Local Music Scene

your community • your magazine

Mark Caffey Entrepreneur, philanthropist, (and, yes) a very big sports fan

Serving Arlington, Mansfield, Kennedale and SW Grand Prairie

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Contents June 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 6

HIGHLIGHTS 28 Entrepreneurs you need to know

Meet some of the movers and shakers who help drive the local economy with needed products and services.

On the Cover

In our cover story on page 26, you’ll learn how local entrepreneur – some would say, “icon” – Mark Caffey manages to operate more than a dozen businesses, while helping support almost as many local charities. Oh, and he enjoys watching a game or two, in the meantime.

40 Our oasis

For the past 93 years, Meadowbrook Park has afforded visitors a beautiful view and many great memories.

40

42 Cool cats

Collecting and caring for Mercury Cougars is a passion for Grand Prairie’s Gene and Pam Mullenberg.

Photo: Richard Greene

46 Celebrating a stellar school year

DEPARTMENTS Starting Line ... 10 This ‘n Data ... 12 Around Town ... 20 Scene ... 24, 66, 70 Style ... 60 Tennis Tip ... 68 Dining Guide ... 72 Health/Fitness ... 74 Sights/Sounds ... 76 Speaking of Sports ... 78 Itinerary ... 80 Finish Line ... 82

As the 2016-17 school term comes to a close, we look at students, organizations and teams that made this a year to remember.

56 A world of art

42

58 To our dads!

56

Here are five “can’t miss” options to help you and your father make the most of his big day.

62 The beat goes on

New and soon-to-be Downtown venues are opening doors for local musicians – and music fans.

64 Home(s) SWEET! Home(s)

This month, we take a detour from the main road and check out what’s happening at Mansfield’s new residential development, South Pointe.

64

8

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market at Arlington is coming to the Green at College Park this month and will feature exquisite works from around the world.

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Women’s Health Services now in two Arlington locations: Women caring for women Dr. Kiran Nangrani grew up in Arlington and graduated from the Texas Christian Academy at age 16. She was accepted into a seven-year combined undergraduate and medical school program offered jointly through the University of Texas at Arlington

Dr. Kiran Nangrani

and the University of North Texas. She received her medical degree in 2007. She then completed her Ob-Gyn residency training program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. In 2011, after completing her residency, she decided to come “home to Arlington” and joined the team of physicians at Women’s Health Services.

When she was in medical school Dr. Nangrani met her husband, Manesh, and they got married when she was in residency. Her husband is an attorney in Dallas, and they have one daughter. In her spare time, Dr. Nangrani loves spending time with her family and is an avid exerciser.

A close and committed patient-doctor relationship is a priority to Dr. Nangrani. She enjoys all aspects of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including educating her patients and sharing in their journey through pregnancy and childbirth, adolescent gynecological health, well woman preventative care, and treatment of a wide range of gynecologic issues. She also has special interests in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, operative hysteroscopy, family planning, and perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Nangrani is accepting new patients at both the North and South office locations of Women’s Health Services. The office locations of Women’s Health Services are: 1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 and 5005 S. Cooper, Suite 275. Call 817-277-9415 or book your appointment with us on-line at www.womenshealthservices.com.

North Office:

South Office:

1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 Arlington, TX 76012

5005 S. Cooper St, Suite 275 Arlington, TX 76017

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

Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay

To the Class of 2017 Graduates, take note: Your race isn’t even close to being finished yet

T

his month, as we continue what is closing in on four years of celebrating Arlington and its surrounding areas, we take a special look at the accomplishments of folks attending, guiding and supporting local schools (please see page 46). To that end, I would like to offer the following congratulatory address (or some such) to the members of the Class of 2017: Yo, grads ... OK, maybe that’s not the most appropriate way to commence a commencement speech to those who will shape the future of our city, state, country and world. But as someone who once had to attend three high school graduations in a single day, I believe I earned the right to start my speech however I want to. Anyway ...

Kudos to you who earned the privilege to walk across the stage this year. In doing such, you have reached a milestone that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I hope you were listening to the audience members when your name was called. A lot of them certainly considered the moment special. Some of them probably never got to do what you did, and they’re oh-so-proud that you bested their standard.

Yale Youngblood Speaking of standards, please don’t let the day you shook Editor the principal’s or dean’s hand and accepted a rolled up piece of paper or bound version of the document be your high-water moment. Sure, it’s great that you accomplished something. Now, go really accomplish something. Find a way to make life better – and not just easier – for people. Be someone people will want to emulate, not because you will become rich financially doing it, but because everyone with whom you interact will become richer emotionally and intellectually and spiritually for your doing it in their presence.

During the next phase of your life, acquire and embrace friends who will challenge you to continue thinking and growing, because here’s the deal: When you think and grow, you improve. And when all of you improve, we as a society improve.

Always cherish the past few years of your life, but remember that there are years to come – hopefully many more than were spent behind an ensemble of desks in a collection of rooms that represented a means and not an end. The end will define how well you spent your time in this life. The end is how you’ll be remembered. How would you like to be remembered?

Finally, consider this simple notion: Everything you do today – as well as everything you do in all the todays that follow – will have an impact on someone. Please make it your quest today to make a positive impact.

You can start by picking up that mortar board you hurled into the air. Your mom might want that as a keepsake.

yale@arlingtontoday.com

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • 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 Director Sam Thomas Contributing Graphic Artists Susan Darovich, Susan Youngblood Contributing Writers Michele Duskin, Karen Gavis, Bill Lace, Kenneth Perkins, Toni Randle-Cook, Sam Thomas Contributing Photographers Gary Coots, Hasson Diggs, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Amy Lively, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Sam Thomas PRODUCTION Production Manager Susan Darovich ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2017 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

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This ‘n Data

For the Record

CHOSEN 1:

Arlington’s Myles Garrett

TEXAS A&M DEFENSIVE END MYLES GARRETT, who played his high school ball at Arlington Martin High School, was the first selection of the the recent National Football League player draft, held in Philadelphia. Garrett was selected by the Cleveland Browns.

“It was really just a weight off of my shoulders to finally just get the announcement that what I have been working for is finally came to fruition and I can actually know where I am going, know who I am going up against and know the schedule,” said Garrett, who did not attend the draft in Philadelphia, instead watching with family and friends in Arlington. For more on Garrett, check out John Rhadigan’s “Speaking of Sports” on page 78. Photo: toledoblade.com

restaurant506’s brunch is recognized by OpenTable IF YOU’VE EVER eaten brunch at restaurant506 at The Sanford House, you realize what a treat it can be. Now, a whole lot of people have become party to that notion, thanks to the eaterie’s distinction as one of “America’s Favorite Brunch Spots,” according to opentable.com.

OpenTable recently listed its top 100 places for brunch, and restaurant506 was one of eight Texas locales to make the list.

Winners were selected from 10 million reviews of 24,000 restau-

rants the site’s users submitted between March 2016 and February 2017.

The results are tallied using a few factors, according to OpenTable. “All restaurants with a minimum ‘overall’ score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration,” the website noted. “Qualifying restaurants were then scored and sorted according to the percentage of reviews for which ‘great for brunch’ was selected as a special feature.”

12

ACTRESS/SINGER (and former girlfriend of Justin Bieber) Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie.

FOR YOUR PLANNER: Year Three of Arlington on Tap will start on Sept. 11 at Legal Draft, 500 E. Division St. The first speaker of the popular, year-long series that focuses on “things Arlington” will be former UTA President James Spaniolo, now the president of the North Texas Commission.

Photos: yelp.com

CALLING HIS RECENT ELECTION “an extreme honor,” Pantego’s new mayor, Doug Davis, is eager to tap his 34 years of civil service experience. “My priorities will be to improve and enhance transparency and efficiency in the town,” he says. To that end, he vows to maintain financial stability, prioritize infrastructure needs, expand economic development strategies and increase community engagement. “In addition we will continue to provide the citizens and business owners with the highest level of Town services.”

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

SO, YOU MIGHT be wondering, how many doctors keep the residents of Arlington healthy? According to the city website, arlington-tx.gov, more than 500 physicians fix what’s broken and help us avoid health issues.

SPEAKING OF OUR neighbor, Grand Prairie holds the rather interesting distinction of being located in three counties: Tarrant, Ellis and Dallas.

New Mayor set to take the reins in Pantego

Doug Davis

RAISE YOUR HAND if you ventured to Arlington Stadium to watch Gaylord Perry pitch for your Texas Rangers, back in the day.

IF YOU THINK Arlington is wholesome now, consider that in 1903, Rev. James and Maggie Upchurch joined forces to dedicate the Berachah Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls.

That scoop-worthy note is brought to you by the Arlington Historical Society.

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This ‘n Data

Dan Dipert

Photo: Mount Olive Baptist Church

Photo: Richard Greene

When N.L. Robinson became pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church, it had 17 members. Today, more than 12,000 people consider Mount Olive their church home.

New AISD facility named for Dipert

In memorium

Longtime Mount Olive Baptist Church Pastor N.L. Robinson dies at age 96 NORMAN L. “N.L.” Robinson, senior pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church – and a minister at the church for more than five decades – died on April 28. He was 96.

When Robinson answered the call to pastor Mount Olive in October, 1966, he was greeted by 17 church members. At his passing, the number of people who call the church home has eclipsed 12,000.

In the meantime, Mount Olive grew to have 35

ministers and more than 100 deacons to meet the spiritual, social and physical needs of its growing congregation.

Robinson was born on Feb. 23, 1921, in Sanger, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge on Nov. 25, 1945, and married the late Pearl Marie Taylor in 1948. He had a career with the Dallas Housing Authority that would span 30 years before he entered the ministry, a move that would culminate in the

Images courtesy of AISD

virtually unparalleled growth of his Arlington church.

In July of 1992, the City of Arlington named “N.L. Robinson Drive.” Robinson received keys to the cities of Arlington and Grand Prairie for his years of service to his congregation and community.

He was also presented letters of commendation from President Ronald Reagan by Rev. Ronald Bryant and President Bill Clinton by Congressman Martin Frost.

ARLINGTON businessman Dan Dipert has been chosen as the namesake for the new Arlington ISD Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

The announcement came last month during an AISD board meeting. Renderings were shown of the facility, which will open next fall and will serve students from all district high schools, offering courses in a wide variety of career and technical fields.

Dipert has been a champion of AISD educational causes for more than 40 years.

Calling all Patriots ...

Arlington’s 4th of July Parade is always interesting.

14

Photo: arlington4th.org

JULY IS NIGH UPON US, so you’ll want to make plans to celebrate. Here are four good ways ...

Arlington’s 4th of July Parade is the longest running event in city history. The caravan that will feature upwards of 100 entrees will start rolling through downtown at 9 a.m. A day earlier, Light Up Arlington starts at 6 p.m. with music at Levitt Pavilion, followed by fireworks shot

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

from the munical tower office (101 Mesquite St.). Mansfield’s annual Rockin’ 4th of July will take place on Independence Day at Big League Dreams Mansfield Sports Park and feature music, food and fireworks. If you really want to get a jump on matters patriotic, on July 1 Viridian will have music at 6 p.m. at 1001 Viridian Park Lane, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

3

This ‘n Data

Scoops ...

Live! by Loews

Hotel/convention center to anchor upcoming Texas Live! development vision for the Arlington Entertainment District that includes the Rangers’ new $1 billion ballpark and preservation of Globe Life Park. Ideally positioned between the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park and the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, the project will become a resort-style destination for Here is an artist rendering of the Live! by Loews hotel and sports fans, visitors and families, convention center. as well as a spectacular location for meetings, special events and conventions.

Designed by internationally acclaimed HKS Architects, the 14-story tall contemporary glass tower will feature 302 luxury guestrooms, including 26 Image: Texas Live! suites, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that show off expansive views tion being developed in the Arlington of the entertainment district from each Entertainment District. room. Other highlights include a Tower The new $150 million flagship hotel, Terrace and Event Lawn featuring a cutLive! by Loews - Arlington, TX, will be ting-edge LED screen for sports viewing, the first of its kind in the country, promovies and concerts; a resort-quality viding guests an unprecedented upscale Outdoor Infinity Edge Pool; rooftop terexperience that blends sports and enterrace private event space; and a two-story, tainment with first-class hospitality and 35,000-square-foot Grand Event Center. superior amenities. Texas Live!, anchored For more: texas-live.com.

by Live! by Loews, is a part of a $4 billion LOEWS HOTELS & CO., The Texas Rangers and the Cordish Companies recently announced their vision for the hotel and convention center at Texas Live!, the $250 million world-class dining, entertainment and hospitality destina-

Jerry McCullough was presented the ”Extra Mile Award” for his service with Arlington’s youth during the recent “First Rate Living“ luncheon. Pictured with him here are Judson I. Stone, Mayor Jeff Williams and Police Chief Will Johnson.

16

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

2. Methodist Mansfield Medical Center recently announced that six hospital staff members have received award recognition as outstanding care givers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Three nurses received 2017 Excellence in Nursing awards: Ashley Bolen, Leslie Dillard and Katie Mosteller.

Two employees, Janice Womble and Samir Nangia, MD, were honored as Healthcare Heroes, and Ethel Tate was honored as a Great 100.

3. restaurant506 at The Sanford House will host a Grill Out Cooking demonstration from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on June 6 in the hotel’s Grand Courtyard. The price for the event includes the demonstration, a three-course dinner, a glass of wine, and a recipe packet to take home. Call (817) 861-2129.

The best medicine ...

DEAR DAD ... $chool i$ great. I’m making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying hard. I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o ju$t $end a card ... Your $on Dear Son ... I kNOw astroNOmy, ecoNOmics and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task ... Love, Dad

HL Radio & TV debuts

Local heroes ...

Photo: Jerry McCullough’s Facebook page

1. This month, Dr. Teik C. Lim assumes the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University of Texas Arlington. Since 2012, Dr. Lim served as the 19th dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati, overseeing significant growth in enrollment, reputation, faculty size, corporate partnerships, research funding and endowments.

THE CITY’S NEWEST electronic media outlet, HL Radio & TV, recently celebrated its launch with an opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the debut of the first full-time Vietnamese FM radio station in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

The station, formerly known as Dallas Vietnamese Radio, has the frequencies FM106.5 and TV30.6 and features programs that address community development, contemporary and classical music, sports, entertainment, travel, health and law. It also offers exclusive interviews with government and private officials.

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Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

AISD Congratulates our Class of ‘17 Seniors

Megan Nguyen

Arlington High Valedictorian Heading to UT Austin

Danny Siu

Lamar High Valedictorian Heading to UC Berkeley

Amy Lam

Sam Houston High Valedictorian Heading to TCU

Laura Britton

Arlington High Salutatorian Heading to BYU

Nicole Silver

Lamar High Salutatorian Heading to UNT

Tanner Simon

Sam Houston High Salutatorian Heading to Univ. of Pennsylvania

Jacob Scanlan

Bowie High Valedictorian Heading to UT Dallas

Marshall Brandt

Martin High Valedictorian Heading to UT Austin

Devin Dowling

Seguin High Valedictorian Heading to Case Western Res. Univ.

Quyen Huynh

Bowie High Salutatorian Heading to TCU

Shazib Haseen

Martin High Salutatorian Heading to UT Austin

Elizabeth Hoang

Seguin High Salutatorian Heading to UT Arlington

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

Arlington ISD announces namesake for Career and Technical Center

The Arlington ISD Board of Trustees has officially named the Arlington ISD Career and Technical Center the Arlington ISD Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

The Arlington ISD Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center will offer state-of-the-art courses in career and technical fields to all district high schools. It will accommodate 4,800 students every two days in programs such as animation, architecture, automotive, biomedical science, broadcasting, cosmetology, construction, culinary/ hospitality, engineering, entrepreneurship, Fire Academy, graphic design, health sciences, horticulture, information technology, law enforcement, photography, precision manufacturing and welding.

In 1972, Dan Dipert purchased a small travel agency and built it into a multimillion-dollar travel and tour business that is among the safest and most respected motorcoach charter operators in the nation. He was awarded the MidCities Entrepreneurial Achievement Award by the University of Texas at Arlington and the Dallas/Fort Worth Chambers of Commerce in 1995 and the Star Award by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in 2015. The Dipert family formed the Dan Dipert Family Fund to benefit Arlington causes and currently supports the AISD Education Foundation, where Dan helped establish an endowment fund to help students and educators with classroom grants. Dan also served two terms as a trustee on the AISD Board of Trustees.

Follow Arlington ISD on...

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

Around Town

Meet Sphero

How something so round and cute is a gateway to technology • By Kenneth Perkins

S

o Princeton McLauchlin isn’t easily swayed when it comes to the latest technological do-dad. You can tell by the crossing of the arms. The stare. The sneer. He’s 13, which certainly explains a bit of the attitude, though basically he’s one of those “yeah, whatever” kids convinced there’s no such thing as innovation, at least not something he and his other jaded buddies at Nichols Junior High School haven’t already mastered, taken apart and pieced back together.

Princeton is in the activity room of the Northeast Branch Public Library being introduced to Sphero, the latest in robotic ingenuity, and he’s yawning while grabbing what looks like nothing more than a round plastic ball and fidgeting with a iPad that comes along with it.

Princeton McLauchlin Before Librarian Morgan Brickey can meets his new friend, Sphero. complete her instructional lowdown on what Sphero is and what he can do – Brickey refers to this technological toy as a he, but more on that later – Princeton already has the little guy out of its secure wrapping and turning its colors from red to blue to green.

Sphero joins the family at the Arlington Public Library’s already robust robotics offerings that include classes and workshops and the actual planning and building of programmed robots able to do what you want them to do. That is, in fact, the joy of Sphero, and you don’t have a trillion little pieces to connect.

“It’s deceptively simple,” Brickey had said to me days earlier when I stopped by the Central Library to meet Sphero.

When Brickey lifts one of the robots out of its case she puts it on the floor and begins to tap on an iPad. When he doesn’t move at first, she whispers to Sphero, “C’mon buddy. Wake up from your little nap.”

Therein lies one of the enticements of this robot that the library wants to use to engage teens, especially those often intimidated by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), which students often equate to brilliant classmates on an MIT track.

These Spheros are distant cousins to the roundly joyful machinery of Star Wars – a ball without a face but oddly human. “They’re cute,” Brickey says. “You can see inside of them. It almost looks like it has a little face on it. Before long, he’s like your little buddy.” iPads can program Sphero. You can tell the robot how long to roll, or spin, and in what direction. When to stop. Go. What to do next.

For a shining brief moment, teens are giving instructions instead of following them. Brickey says their expansion will eventually include teens that fall along the autism spectrum.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

At Northeast, about 16 kids – almost all of them from Nichols, which is within walking distance of the library – are sending a number of Spheros around the room, bumping into walls and chairs and one another. They first follow an existing program within Lightning Lab software. This is the first step to learning the idea of programming before customizing a design. The kids all seem extra excited by the notion of making the robot do what they want it to do.

Brickey wanted this introduction to be just that. Play with it. Mess around. See what it can do and can’t. The challenge (and more fun) comes later when coding Sphero to navigate through mazes, swim in small pools and roll up and down bridges.

“We were really interested to see how middle school kids react to Sphero partly because modern technology is such a large part of their lives – what do they see as challenging and fun?” Brickey says.

Kids are digital natives with technology embedded into their lives. A natural understanding and its benefits are formed early on, which also means there’s a huge upside for integrating intelligent technologies into learning environments. Sphero might not Photo: Kenneth Perkins be the Cadillac of robotics, but these cute little guys will undoubtedly spark an interest in technology and computer programming. Watching the teens go at it for an hour or so clearly shows the huge potential for blurring the lines between learning and play.

Would you rather answer multiple-choice questions out of a booklet or let loose with Sphero?

No need to ask Princeton. At one point we catch him rolling around the floor with Sphero, and finally lying on his back, Sphero on his tummy like some sort of robotic pet.

Thought for a minute he’d hug the thing.

Oh no. He goes the typical boy route. “This is just so cool,” he says, with warm, 13-year-old affection. “So cool.”

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

Dream it.

Love it. Live it.

Chip’s

Kitchens & Baths

We specialize in complete remodel projects from top to bottom. Because all our work is custom, you can choose the design of your room: the colors, the floor, the countertops and wall finishes. After your choices are made, leave it to us. We’ll handle the entire project, saving you time, money and aggravation.

7503 U.S Hwy. 287 South • 817-478-2447 • Arlington, Texas • www.chipskitchens.com

UTA Today

UTA confers record number of degrees

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he University of Texas at Arlington conferred 5,600 degrees in commencement ceremonies The University of Texas at Arlington conferred 5,600 on May 11-13 at College Park Center on the degrees this year.

Photo: City of Arlington UTA campus. This represents the largest graduating class in the university’s history, a projected 8 percent increase in degree conferrals over the 5,168 graduversity of Texas at Arlington alumna and Senate Finance Chair. ates in Spring 2016. Conferrals increased significantly in the College “These highly educated graduates will quickly find jobs across of Nursing and Health Innovation and the College of Engineering.

North Texas and our state – making significant economic contri The newest graduates will join the ranks of more than 214,000 butions to our region and beyond.”

UTA alumni around the globe.

The increase in graduation numbers is largely attributed to the “UTA graduation figures continue to fuel the North Texas university’s strong commitment to high-quality education and workforce,” says state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, a Unimaintaining low student debt.

2ND LOWEST student debt

in U.S.

Welcome to Excellence

Arlington Today Ad June 1, 2017.indd 1 ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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5/11/17 4:49 PM

It’s been a great year at UTA It’s been a great year so far for The University of Texas at Arlington. Our growing campus and student body are setting new records: • Highest enrollment numbers in history - 57,225 (global) • Highest graduation numbers in history - close to 12,500 (2016-17) To accommodate our increasing enrollment and our expanding research, we have exciting construction projects underway.

Projects include:

O’Leary

Zakaria

Guest speakers and visitors to campus this spring included entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary from TV’s Shark Tank and CNN host Fareed Zakaria. The Maverick Speakers Series provides a forum for today’s brightest minds to examine the ideas, actions, solutions, and people that impact the world around us. See uta.edu/ maverickspeakers for the 2017-18 lineup.

It’s been a great year for our Maverick students, too!

New 534-bed residence hall

West campus dining hall and student activities space next to the Maverick Activities Center Science and Engineering Innovation and Research building that will add 220,000 square feet of lecture halls, classrooms, and research labs

The new Lockheed Martin Career Development Center, which moved into expanded space last fall, honors the Fort Worthbased company for its donations and dedication to UTA. The center helps students and alumni with their internship and job searches. Resumé workshops and mock interviews cover the basics, while employers from across the nation host information sessions about job openings. UTA is meeting the workforce needs of Texas as never before.

• The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team won its eighth national championship.

• UTA men’s basketball won the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and played in the quarterfinals in the National Invitation Tournament.

• The Maverick cheerleading team won its fourth consecutive national championship at the National Cheerleaders Association collegiate cheer competition.

• UTA’s undefeated Esports Club won the Heroes of the Dorm National Championship.

Teik C. Lim joins UTA later this month as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Lim is an internationally known scholar joining us from the highly ranked University of Cincinnati. He will help lead UTA’s progressive approach to meeting the needs of students and an ever-changing job market. He’ll support the research being conducted to create tomorrow’s technology and meet health care demands.

It’s been a great year, and our future is bright!

Picture-perfect Moments

Photo: Beth Owens

Rebecca Jensen, Grand Prairie Mayor Jensen, Richard Ray of Fox 4 News and Catherine Ray

Photo: Rhonda Aghamalian

Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen and City Manager Tom Hart at the Lone Star Park event

Scene

Snapshots from the Grand Prairie media party at Lone Star Park, from singer Kirk Franklin’s new Fo Yo Soul Entertainment Recording Studio, from a recent performance by Miss Persis Dance Theatre of Arlington, from the Overture Highlands event with clients and from the The Salvation Army’s “Inspiring Hope” lunch

Photos: Richard Greene

Dance Theatre of Arlington chairman Paul Folks and Persis Ann Forester join student performers to unveil the new name and new logo for Triple Threat Texas, formerly known as Dance Texas.

Photo: City of Arlington

Mayor Jeff Williams recently stopped by 12-time Grammy-award-winning Gospel musician Kirk Franklin’s new recording studio on West Main St. 24

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Jackie Troup Miller with DTA student performers Maggie Bullington and Ashley Greene

Debra Riech, Aquile, Tamara Sample, Aaron Reich and Mark Caffey

Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army

Michael Coleman with keynote speaker Emmitt Smith

Lt. Timothy Israel, Mansfield Mayor David Cook, Charlotte Jones Anderson, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams

Susan Skaggs, Linda Dipert and Dan Dipert

Chris Pomeroy, Chrissy Pomeroy, Emily Rand and Scott Rand

AISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and Charlotte Jones Anderson

Michael Cunningham, Claire Wheeler, Emmitt Smith and Linda Magazine arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Entrepreneurs

Group, LLC. In a nutshell, the company specializes in all aspects of land-related issues in oil and gas.

More specifically, that means leasing, minerals, title, pipeline right of way, seismic acquisition and due diligence for oil and gas companies. The company also generates oil and gas opportunities clients and friends can participate in and profit from.

It’s that next-to-last word that matters to savvy entrepreneurs. Caffey’s experience as CEO of the company along with his brother Chris as COO has been quite profitable, so much so that it has opened the door to other business opportunities, such as Lodge Energy; and Lodge Realty Partners; and Vernon Wells Sportsart Inc.; and Master Title and Escrow; and Legend Records, the recording studio he recently opened just west of Arlington; and his quest to bring chef and restaurateur Brian Olenjack back to Arlington; and his support of rising singing star Aquile and ... ... Well, suffice it to say there are another 10 (or a dozen) other commercial pots on the stove, which explains why, not long ago, he made a significant business decision: He’s worked hard enough at the main gigs, so now he’s going to turn his primary attention to those ventures that are his passion. In other words – his – “It’s time to have fun.”

To that end, he’s focusing on four primary areas: music, art, charitable work and community involvement (not that the latter two were ever under-invested – but more on that later).

On the music front, he hopes the new studio will help aspiring artists find the success he helped Aquile achieve. “My daughter Emma heard him playing a fair in Oceanside (Calif.), and she said, ‘Daddy, you’ve got to hear this boy sing,” he recalls. “So I took her up on that. I knew in 15 minutes that he was going to be a superstar.” Indeed, under Caffey’s guidance, Aquile appeared on the star-producing television show “The Voice” and subsequently launched a successful recording and touring career.

Caffey’s latest “star in the making” is country singer Jesse Jennings from Fort Worth, whose new album “A Long Way from Home” is rapidly climbing the charts.

As for art, all you have to do is take one quick tour of the Main Street office Caffey shares with his brother and friend Toby Wilson to realize: (A) what a talented artist Vernon Wells II (known as V Wells) is, and (B) that Caffey has a lot of Vernon Wells art. The works are found throughout office, and he also has 31 pieces of Wells’ sports art on display at the Salvation Army and YET Center.

“I actually may have the world’s largest collection of works by Vernon,” he says. He also has a stake in helping others vie for that title as a partner who has helped finance and continues to market for Vernon Wells Sportsart Inc. That venture and Vernon’s amazing talent have helped the artist transform from being known as the dad of the former Arlington product/major league great Vernon Wells III into a renowned painter whose works are now hanging on

Mark Caffey’s Main Street office is a shrine to his sports heroes and a place where many a successful business deal has been transacted.

Photo: Richard Greene

Here’s what a SUCCESS story looks like Mark Caffey is a savvy entrepreneur and a prolific community benefactor – and he isn’t finished, yet

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ome people tell great stories. Mark Caffey is living one. He can’t vouch yet for how “happily ever after” the ending will turn out, but it’s safe to say he has laid a very solid foundation that is paving the way in that direction.

For starters, Caffey is a successful entrepreneur who is involved in 17 to 19 businesses at the moment. “I honestly have trouble keeping track,” he says. The one that most often put him on the front page of the business section over the past 18 years is The Caffey 26

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Mark Caffey: A busy and fulfilling life

produced a daughter, Emma, walls all over the country. and a step-daughter, Dakota, Speaking of walls, those who bring Caffey great joy on a adorning Caffey’s office speak to 2 daily basis. another of his passions: sports.

In fact, he now lives in Practically every inch that can Colleyville – that’s probably a accommodate collectible items surprise to those who see him at accommodates them. virtually every Arlington event There are golf clubs used by – to be able to spend more time Ben Hogan, boxing gloves worn with Emma, a student at Grapeby Muhammad Ali, pictures of vine High School.

Cassius Clay before he became 3 Another passion is the time Muhammad Ali, and autohe devotes to charitable work, graphed baseballs and jerseys which goes hand-in-hand with from dozens of Hall of Fame his community involvement. players, including the legendary Growing up a “Boys Club Babe Ruth.

4 Kid,” he considers the Boys & And, of course, there’s the Girls Clubs of Arlington one of NFL helmet collection that the more important organizaappears with Caffey on this tions in the area. Likewise, The month’s cover. Headgear are Salvation Army, where he conaligned, top to bottom, in rows Photos courtesy of Mark Caffey tributes time and money helpdepicting each division in the ing the young people served league. “My friends and I have a 5 by its Youth Education Town pool each year, where we predict and was chair of the “Inspiring how each division will wind Hope” Luncheon benefitting up,” Caffey says. For the record, the YET Center. they nailed last year’s winners He is an active board memin half the divisions – including ber of Miracle League, which successfully predicting “his” gives children with disabilities Dallas Cowboys’ title. a chance to play baseball. And Caffey has season tickets for he supports The Gatehouse and the games of all four local profesSafe Haven, organizations that sional teams, is a member of the help women in crisis.

Dallas Stars’ Ownership AdvisoPhoto: Andrea Proctor “I’m a big believer in giving ry Group, and even owned his 1. Caffey with step-daughter Dakota and daughter Emma during a break at back to the community,” he says. own women’s soccer franchise, a dance performance. 2. One of his favorite charities is The Miracle League, “My brother and I were raised the Dallas Lightning, which won which gives children with disabilities a chance to play baseball. 3. Here he joins Lt. Timothy Israel of The Salvation Army and former Dallas Cowboys by an incredible single mom, two national championships. great Emmitt Smith during the VIP get-together prior to the “Inspiring Hope” who married a Texan named By now, you see why we luncheon. 4. A photo with children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington. 5.

Bob Caffey when we were chose the headline we used at In the studio with Jesse Jennings. young, and we moved to Texas the beginning of this article – from California into a house on Mark Caffey’s story, which is Johnson Creek where AT&T Stadium is now. I keep a picture of our still-being written every day, has been quite successful. old house to remind me who I am and where I came from. I was But not always. so fortunate to have had many great mentors growing up, and in “I’d like to sit here and tell you that everything thing I’ve done in my business dealings I’ve met so many great people who serve as business has been a success,” he says. “But that’s simply not true. A mentors to others and who give back to their communities. People great entrepreneur has to be willing to take risks. I’ve certainly taklike Jerry and Jean Jones and Charlotte Jones Anderson and Roger en my share. And some have fallen flat, and I’ve had to pick myself Staubach and Emmitt and Pat Smith and Jeff and Karen Williams. up and start over. But I’ve learned something every time I’ve failed, They know how important it is to give back, and I cherish the opand I’ve been fortunate to see most of the risks pay off.” portunity to do my part. When everything is said and done, that’s One that did – even when it didn’t – came when Caffey what’s important.” finally decided to marry at age 42. The union didn’t last, but it arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club 3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 478-2114 • greatskin4you.com

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renda Cureton Smith began her career in the skin care and beauty business 12 years ago as the first U.S. franchisee of Canadian-based Faces cosmetics. Taking that experience, she founded Great Skin Spa & Facial Club seven years ago in Arlington, where the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider.

“I’ve always loved going to spas for professional spa treatments and was intrigued with how one could keep their skin looking more youthful, beautiful and relax in bliss while getting some ‘me time,’ at the same time,” she says. “As I continued to live with the intrigue and love of skin and makeup, and wanting to keep my own skin looking youthful, and then owning and operating a cosmetic store, and working with thousands of clients looking to increase their beauty and age gracefully, I quickly learned that makeup was a temporary fix and the real foundation to looking and feeling beautiful and even having makeup look better on you, was to take great care of your skin and manage the signs of aging, which would Brenda Cureton Smith founded Great Skin Spa & Facial Club also give you the option to comfortably go barefaced and feel good just over seven years ago. about doing so.”

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Cureton Smith developed the concept of Great Skin based on the goals of the thousands of clients – men and women – wanting to have more beautiful skin and manage the signs of aging skin through treatments, knowledge and skin care, and from that was the birth of Great Skin Spa Skin Care & Facial Club!

PHILOSOPHY: Great Skin is 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 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: Great Skin offers cutting-edge skin care technology such as Micro-Needling for Anti-Aging, Skin Tightening and Facial Contouring, Microdermabrasion, LED Light Therapy customized facials for all skin types and conditions including anti aging (their specialty) wrinkle and fine line reduction, hyperpigmentation, dark and sun spots, acne scars, collagen stimulation, Chemical and Non chemical fruit based skin peels, full face and body spa quality waxing; Slimming Body Treatments, Slimming Body Wraps, Non surgical, Fat Cavitation (fat melting) and body contouring, Endermologie (LPG) for Cellulite reduction and Photo: Southern Flair Photography body contouring, foot detox and nutritional drinks and special occasion makeovers. Services are offered for the entire family.

Their signature product, outside of their customized skin care systems, is their “Anti Aging GoldTox” kit, which is formulated to increase collagen stimulation, lighten dark spots, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, tighten the skin and infuse antioxidants and vitamins A, E and C into the skin. GoldTox is exclusive to Great Skin, and many customers refer to it and say “it works like a topical Botox.” It’s known for having amazing results!

WHAT SETS THE COMPANY APART: Her standards of high quality to the clients of GS is evident from service to the environment. Every aspect speaks quality and affordability. Cureton Smith is a resident of Arlington, is from Wisconsin, is a licensed Texas Esthetician, Certified Fat Cavitation, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Specialist, Certified LPG Endermologist and holds a Bachelors Degree in Professional Communication. Her background is in media, training and management, and she is a three-time winner of Best Skin Care/spa in Arlington.

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 which was founded in 2008. The owners are not only audiologists but mothers who desired a balanced life – helping patients be successful and participating in the day-to-day while their children were young.

Audiology Experts started small, but with big ideas of how to best serve people with hearing loss. Using their expertise, they are able to educate the families of patients, as well. Nine years of steady growth means the future is very bright.

MEET THE AUDIOLOGISTS: Audiology Experts is owned by Dr. Lisa B. Fell and Dr. Kristin Robbins. Both audiologists are Board Certified in Audiology and are licensed to evaluate hearing and fit hearing aids in Texas. Colleagues and friends since the mid-1990s, both have enjoyed complementing parallel careers. They earned their Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees from Arizona

Dr. Kristin Robbins and Dr. Lisa B. Fell

SERVICES: Audiology Experts is a provider-based practice for the hearingimpaired and hearing aid consumers. Dr. Fell and Dr. Robbins have high standards of care for maximizing the consumer’s hearing, listening and communicative abilities so they can continue to be productive in their daily professional and personal activities. In addition to hearing evaluations and hearing aid fitting, they offer tinnitus evaluation and management, custom solutions for hearing protection, assistive listening devices and hearing aid supplies.

PHILOSOPHY: Hearing healthcare is more than just fitting hearing aids!

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.

Since 2008, the word is getting out: Audiology Experts wants the people of DFW to know that Arlington has a thriving, privately owned practice of audiologists who want the best hearing and communication possible for individuals with hearing loss who want to live full and busy lives. Audiology Experts was founded on its belief that success with hearing instruments depends on accurate diagnostic testing, excellent service, experience and dedication to our patients.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Audiology Experts supports the Kiwanis Club of Arlington and Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington via Cinderella Ball. In May, Dr. Fell and her daughter worked in the Athlete Village at Special Olympics in Arlington. Dr. Fell also gives speaker presentations to organizations that want to know more about hearing loss and its effects. Dr. Robbins visits with local physicians and their staff members, providing information about the importance of recognizing hearing loss and where to refer those patients to the hearing care they need.

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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.

ABOUT THE STAFF: Dr. Robbins and Dr. Fell are also the practice’s providers.

Audiology Experts employs an outstanding receptionist and an invested insurance coordinator. In April, a practice manager, with over 25 years of healthcare experience, was hired to handle the daily business operations so Drs. Fell and Robbins could devote more time to the patients and their hearing care needs.

WHAT MAKES THE PRACTICE SPECIAL: Audiology Experts staff members take 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. Their goal is to build lasting relationships with each patient. Trust and confidence are integral to a patient receiving the most rewarding and unique hearing care experience he or she deserves. The audiologists’ 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.

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

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

Entrepreneurs Fernando Nogueira and Joe Seyedmorteza have turned their restaurants, Café Sicilia and Pancho’s, into two of Arlington’s favorite eateries.

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

Café Sicilia & Pancho’s Café Sicilia: 7221 Matlock Road • (817) 419-2800 • cafesicilia.com Pancho’s: 5751 SW Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 483-7085 • panchosmexicanbuffetdfw.com

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afé Sicilia is a small chain of Italian restaurants that came about from the hard work of another very well known brand, Pancho’s, and the love of creating home cooked meals like they were done as we were kids!

HISTORY: With more than 40 years experience, Fernando Nogueira and Joe Seyedmorteza developed this one restaurant into a small chain where home cooked meals are served.

“Now, many years later, we can say that the brand is established,” Nogueira says. “Between both companies, time is always in short supply – many holidays were spent with the more than 130 employees that make these great companies. They really have become a part of us as we

attempted to achieved our goals.”

The restaurants will soon welcome a new addition to the management team: Lucas Nogueria.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: “Our involvement with the different communities runs deep within our operations, high schools, churches, police departments, fire departments and hospitals throughout Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills and Watauga,” Nogueira says. “Giving back to the community is always very high on our priority list.”

PHILOSOPHY: One of Café Sicilia’s greatest accomplishments, says Nogueira, was to be able to develop something that will continue

into the future. “As we incorporate soon-to-be Business Graduate Lucas Nogueira into our operations, that will insure that we’ll continue serving ‘our friends,’ not customers, for years to come,” he says.

WHAT MAKES THE RESTAURANT SPECIAL: Nogueira says teamwork is the key to attracting and keeping those “friends.”

“I know that with Joe’s support, Café Sicilia will be able to get many more goals accomplished,” he says. “We will continue to dazzle our friends with dishes that come out of our kitchens as if they were cooked at home.

Between us – Joe and I – we bring more than 50 years experience that will secure our future for many years to come. “

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

Practice founders John R. Lively Sr. and John R. Lively Jr.

Photo courtesy of Lively & Associates, PLLC

Lively & Associates, PLLC 301 Commerce Street, Suite 2900 • (817) 338-1030 • livelyllp.com

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AREAS OF PRACTICE: 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. The attorneys are licensed to practice in all courts in Texas at both the state and federal levels and the United States Supreme Court.

HISTORY: Though the firm was founded in 2008, the attorneys representing the firm have served the community and surrounding areas since 1965.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The team of attorneys at Lively & Associates has served the community and surrounding areas for more than five decades.

As a small firm that has established deep ties to the community, Lively & Associates is uniquely positioned to provide personalized legal counsel throughout North Texas.

he law firm of Lively & Associates, PLLC, is a boutique business and litigation firm located in Fort Worth. Lively & Associates focuses on its clients, keeping them informed and involved throughout the legal process. 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. Clients include large corporations, small business owners, and individuals.

THE PRINCIPALS: 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.

ABOUT THE PRACTICE: 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.”

WHAT MAKES THE LAW FIRM SPECIAL: “The strengths of the firm lie in the skill and experience provided to our clients by our team of dedicated attorneys,” Lively says. “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.

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.”

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

Hiltons Flooring owners Kateri and Chris Dodson

Photo courtesy of Lively & Associates, PLLC

Photos courtesy of Hiltons Flooring

Hiltons Flooring 2800 W. Division St. • (817) 461-5189 • hiltonsflooring.com

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HISTORY: Hiltons Flooring has served the North Texas region for the past two decades, providing quality products and services to satisfied customers in the Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington area. What separates us from our competition is we care.

PHILOSOPHY: We are not satisfied until you are. We are family owned and operated. Our contractors and in-store vendors are licenced and insured for your protection and comfort. Our professionals will be pleased to come to your home and measure for a FREE estimate and consultation for all your flooring needs including Carpet, Hardwood, Exotic Woods, Tile, Stone, Ceramic, Porcelain, Granite, Slate, Laminate, Vinyl, Cabinets and Countertops. We feature and install the brand names you know and trust, including Alexander Smith, American Showcase, Legendary Beauty, Softique®, Infinity Nylon Carpet Fiber®, Premier Stainmaster®, Mohawk, Shaw, Karndean, Armstrong, Congoleum, Legacy, Bruce, Teragren, Natural Cork, Mullican, Columbia and many more.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: How do we provide you with such quality and low prices and beat the big boys in the industry? We start with our Showroom Store. We have one regionally located store for the Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington area. The Hiltons Flooring showroom has a complete line of flooring, cabinets and countertops on display. There’s also a full warehouse of flooring in the company’s outlet center at prices that are among the best in the market. We maintain low overhead so you are not paying for a costly location. We make smart buys so we pass the savings to you. We only hire qualified employees and vendors so we get the job done right.

WHAT SETS THE COMPANY APART: Our Staff - Our showrooms are staffed with flooring experts who go through continuous training to understand consumer needs, recommend the best possible floor choice based on your needs, lifestyle, and budget. 24-7 Shopping - We have a state-of-the art website where you can view flooring options and get information on how to select a new floor when you want, and where you want. Convenience - If you cannot come to our showroom, we will bring the store to you. We will bring samples to your home and provide assistance in selecting the right floor for your needs.

he team at Hiltons Flooring recognizes that you have many choices of where to shop for your flooring, cabinets and countertops. That’s why the company is dedicated to providing quality products at competitive prices. Hiltons Flooring also provides customers with experienced in-store consultants and design centers to help fulfill their home designs.

John Parker Parker & Richardson, P.C. • 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 310, Arlington, Texas 76011 • (817) 226-6100 • parkercpas.com Texas Insurance Agency • 500 E. Broad St., Suite 150, Mansfield, Texas 76063 • (817) 226-9988 • texasins.net

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ohn Parker is involved with 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 offers 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 MAKES THE COMPANIES SPECIAL: 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.

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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

E N T R E P R E N E U R S Dr. Atif Sohail, M.D., F.A.C.C., and Dahlia Ferilina, FNP-C (seated) head the medical team at Heart and Sleep Clinics of America.

Photo: Hasson Diggs

Heart and Sleep Clinics of America 400 W. Arbrook, Suite 220 • (817) 419-7220 • heartandsleepclinics.com

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r. Atif Sohail started cardiology practice in 1999 under his family name “Ellahi Heart Clinic” and relocated in 2004 in the Arlington area. Heart and Sleep Clinics of America was founded in 2017 under the original clinic umbrella to improve public awareness of the connection between heart diseases and sleep apnea and their frequent coexistence, acknowledging the profound and irrepairable impact in the form of loss of life and disability if left undiagnosed and untreated.

ABOUT THE STAFF: Atif Sohail, MD, FACC, is board certified in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, and cardiac CT and has prior certifications in internal medicine and Nuclear Cardiology. After graduating from and training at King Edward medical college, a prestigious medical school in Lahore, Pakistan, Dr. Sohail relocated to Britain for postgraduate education.

After several years of additional training and obtaining the membership of the Royal College, he moved to the U.S. to train in cardiology and went into clinical practice in 1999. He works with a dedicated team of highly trained nurse practitioners in close collaboration with other allied specialties.

SPECIALTY AREAS: This comprehensive cardiology practice offers stateof-the art cardiovascular testing and treatment in both outpatient and inhospital environments, performs home-based or in-lab sleep testing, and provides treatment in collaboration with allied specialties.

PHILOSOPHY: We provide comprehensive care of the cardiac patient with a personalized and simplified patient-centered approach utilizing a strong clinical foundation, a dedicated and caring team of workers, and the most optimum, appropriate and sensible utilization of testing and treatment modalities.

WHAT MAKES THE PRACTICE SPECIAL: Maintaining a very high index of suspicion for undiagnosed sleep apnea, given its high prevalence in cardiac patients, remains the hallmark of this practice. It keeps Dr. Sohail on the cutting edge of clinical care and is the basis of the practice’s logo and slogan, “connecting the dots between heart and sleep.”

“I had always had an interest in sleep apnea and heart diseases, and in the last decade this awareness had become much more acute as I tested and treated a large number of cardiac patients and found sleep apnea to be highly prevalent,” Dr. Sohail says. “Furthermore, treatment resulted in dramatic clinical improvement.”

He notes that drastic outcomes such as stroke, brain hemorrhage, heart attack, sudden death, uncontrolled blood pressure, and roadside accidents remain an important reason to maintain this dedicated and cutting-edge approach and to maintain this high suspicion and offer early sleep testing in people with heart disease and who are in at-risk categories. He also does cardiac evaluations in patients with established sleep apnea or in those suffering from symptoms highly suspect for acquiring sleep apnea.

The link between healthy sleep and a healthy heart

I

f you can’t recall the last time you had a good night’s sleep – we’re talking restorative, healthy, wake up feeling refreshed sleep – you might not be just tired. You might be ill. If your day is routinely marked by symptoms such as exhaustion, lethargy, forgetfulness, irritability or brain fog, you could be suffering from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.

Further, you could be suffering from something far more serious.

Dr. Atif Sohail founded Heart and Sleep Clinics of America after years of studying the link between healthy sleep and a healthy heart. He made increasing observation that obstructive sleep apnea might be the culprit behind the aforementioned symptoms, which often suggest problems that go far beyond the simple ability to get a good night’s sleep – straight to the heart.

“I wanted to develop a way to reach out to people and shed light on this important connection,” Dr. Sohail says. “This became my mission: to find heart disease in sleep disorders and vice versa. Sleep apnea affects many different people in various walks of life and in different vocations. Sleep apnea affects 5 to 10 percent of people in the general population and 50 percent in heart patients, which is 10 fold higher.”

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which there is obstruction to the airflow and pauses in breathing while sleeping. Breathing pauses can last up to several seconds and occur multiple times during sleep. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound. Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts a person’s sleep. As a result, the quality of sleep is poor, and causes fatigue, tiredness, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits. It requires a dedicated sleep study.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea.

It manifests when the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses. When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone.

Central sleep apnea is a less-common type of sleep apnea. This disorder occurs if the area of the brain that controls one’s breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles. As a result, there is an interruption in breathing. Central sleep apnea can affect anyone. However, it is more common in people who have certain medical conditions or use certain medicines. Central sleep apnea can occur with obstructive sleep apnea or alone. Snoring typically doesn’t happen with central sleep apnea. Some people have overlapping sleep apnea.

Untreated sleep apnea Sleep apnea has been clinically connected to reduced oxygen levels at night, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, memory loss, diabetes, and daytime sleepiness. If it goes untreated it puts great pressure on the heart and raises blood pressure.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke and sudden death.

A solution to your sleep apnea When he was training in Great Britain, Dr. Sohail became interested in sleep apnea and its manifestations. This interest continued to build and culminated with the founding of Heart and Sleep Clinics of America, where he and his entire staff are dedicated to helping patients reach better health through the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease. The process can begin with a simple test.

Dr. Sohail suggests that prospective patients monitor their routine to see if they experience any of the following symptoms: • Loud snoring • Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep • Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat • Morning headache • Excessive daytime sleepiness • Difficulty concentrating during the day • Experienced mood changes, such as depression or irritability • High blood pressure • Nighttime sweating • Decreased libido • Heart rhythm irregularities • Uncontrolled Diabetes • History of Stroke • Night shift workers • Excessive use or craving for caffeine If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms, Dr. Sohail encourages you to schedule an appointment today. It just might save your life!

NOT ONLY DOES obstructive sleep apnea rob you of much-needed restful slumber, it is associated with a host of potential life-threatening conditions, including cardio-vascular problems.

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

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

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

ctive Family Wellness Center is the go-to-place for holistic family health. The practice has been named Arlington’s top chiropractic practice in Arlington Today’s Readers’ Choice awards three years in a row. It won the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year. And recently, Angie’s List invited Active Family Wellness Center to participate in its acclaimed service. HISTORY: Dr. Kenyon Godwin founded the practice in 2010. ABOUT THE CENTER: AFWC combines education, training and people-focused service to help families live longer, stronger, healthier lives. Dr. Stephanie Beavers joined the team to give Active Family Wellness Center a whole new realm of expertise. She is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, and a specialist with athletes, sport injuries and functional rehabilitation. Dr. Godwin recently completed training to become a Whiplash Specialist, and they both are concussion specialists. For concussions they use the only FDA Approved Technology available to establish baselines and determine treatment with proper return to play. PHILOSOPHY: “Our catalyzing statement is a holistic and healthy family inside of every home,” Dr. Godwin says. “Arlington is a place where families enjoy professional sports teams, theme parks, recreational sports, traveling and outdoor events. We help the family step up to those physical demands. We help people in the American Dream City live their dream by having the health to do so.” SERVICES: Specific science-based adjustments, corrective care for scoliosis, spinal decompression, concussion testing/treatment and injury prevention for all levels of athletes. On the wellness side, AFWC offers weight loss, prenatal adjustments, pediatric adjustments, health talks, orthotics, water pillows and organic, all-in-one vitamins. WHAT MAKES THE CENTER SPECIAL: The practice is built on the concept of treating the whole individual by correcting the cause, versus just addressing specific medical issues as they arise. “Patients tell us we are more than chiropractors and can tell a stark difference on the first visit!” Dr. Godwin says. “They love the feel of our office that adds to the results. We are able to help people where our current healthcare system has failed. In 2016, we helped one of our patients lose 100 pounds! We love to work with people who want to be in control of their most valuable asset, their health!”

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hat began in 1995 as a one-person operation has grown into a wellrespected financial planning firm serving hundreds of clients throughout Dallas/Fort Worth. Based in Arlington, founder Derrick Kinney started Derrick Kinney & Associates because he saw no other professionals helping people create and design the ideal retirement they really wanted. No one was listening to what people truly wanted. They began to fill that need.

Photo courtesy of Derrick Kinney

Derrick Kinney, wife Kara, Children: Conner, Lauren, Hannah and Dillon

Derrick Kinney & Associates 700 Highlander Blvd., Suite 335 • (817) 419-6001 DerrickKinney.com 36

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

ABOUT DERRICK: Derrick holds four professional designations: Chartered Advisor for Senior Living, Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Long Term Care specialist and Certified Retirement Planning Counselor. Having worked in the financial planning field for 22 years, Derrick is a nationally-known retirement specialist. He’s been named a 5-Star Wealth Manager and has been interviewed on FOX Business, FOX News, CNN and by The Wall Street Journal. THE STAFF: I call my team the “A-Team” because they care so deeply for our clients. Our team has two licensed advisors as well as six support staff members. When clients come to our office, they are treated like family. Our team comes out to visit with them. I’m blessed to work alongside with such a caring, client-focused team! SERVICES: Listening, planning, investing – we do it all! We are in the goal-achievement business. We specialize in advising clients who are retired or close to retirement. We help facilitate discussions on what clients want and then custom-tailor their investment plan to help them reach those goals. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: At Derrick Kinney & Associates, we’re passionate about supporting local education and recognizing great teachers and student leaders. What clients love about working with us is that they are part of something bigger than us managing their life savings. They are part of us giving back to local community and the many organizations that make an impact.

WHAT MAKES THE COMPANY SPECIAL: Recently, we received a 99% Client Satisfaction score. Clients said they love “the caring experience” they receive working with our team. Our goal is to make our client’s lives better.

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

he team at Mansfield Custom Homes enjoys working closely with clients to build a truly “custom” home specifically designed to meet each family’s individual needs and desires. Owner Stoney Short says his company has a full-time supervisor assigned to each project to manage all aspects of the build, and to ensure that all work meets the highest standards – and the customer’s expectations.

Owner Stoney Short and lead builder John Kirpach Photo courtesy of Mansfield Custom Homes

Mansfield Custom Homes P.O. Box 1927, Mansfield, TX 76063 (682) 518-1158 mchtexas.com

ABOUT THE COMPANY: When the construction industry is booming, you better make sure your builder has integrity and a history in the business.

Choosing the right builder for your new home makes all the difference in your experience and ultimate satisfaction. Mansfield Custom Homes is committed to going above and beyond expectations by providing unparalleled service and quality. MEET THE TEAM: Owner Stoney Short has strong ties in the community, working with Feed the Kids, serving as a Vice President for Mansfield Cares, President of The Caring Place Clinic Board, member of Mansfield Churches For The City and many others. He has been in the construction industry for more than 40 years and honors his word. John Kirpach is the lead builder with more than 40 years experience and a keen attention to detail. MCH is partnering with Homes For Our Troops to complete a home for a local disabled veteran, and the project should begin soon. SERVICES: Complete home building; MCH can help locate a lot, connect you with an architect and ensure your home is exactly like you want it. AWARDS: MCH is a truly custom builder and has won several awards for “Best Custom Home Builder.” One of their projects was recently featured in “Homes & Estates - Luxury Living Worldwide.” WHAT MAKES THE COMPANY SPECIAL: They can build on your lot or they have lots available in the exclusive, gated community of South Pointe, Mansfield. They also have lots available in Historic Downtown Mansfield, where they have completed several craftsman style homes in an effort to help revitalize the area.

J

ulie Short, who founded her company, The Julie Short Team, Coldwell Banker Residential, has more than six years experience in the real estate industry. Here, she shares how her team takes the extra steps to best serve the area’s residential and commercial real estate needs ...

Photo courtesy of Julie Short

Julie Short

The Julie Short Team Coldwell Banker Residential (682) 552-4384 julieshort.cbintouch.com

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Currently there are three team members: Julie Short Team Lead, Laura McCaskill, and the team is pleased to announce the most recent addition, Courtney Short. You will not meet a more friendly, more helpful team to assist you with your real estate needs. The team was recently recognized as the “Top Producing Team - Gross Commission Income” for 2016. PHILOSOPHY: We are committed, connected, compassionate. We are COMMITTED to giving our clients the best service possible. We are CONNECTED in the community – serving with Mansfield Cares, Mansfield Churches For The City, The Caring Place Clinic, Feed the Kids and many others. We are COMPASSIONATE – we realize real estate transactions can be stressful. I think it is important to set the right expectations for your clients. I like to explain that real estate is not a sprint, it is not a marathon, it’s hurdles; you get the contract (hurdle 1), get the inspection and negotiate any repairs (hurdle 2), appraisal (hurdle 3), financing (hurdle 4), closing (hurdle 5) ... and that is if everything goes smoothly. We are here to run along side you and assist with every hurdle so that you finish your race strong. WHAT MAKES THE COMPANY SPECIAL: We are a full-service real estate team, proficient at working with sellers and buyers. We are focused on customer service and being available to our clients. When we list your home, we don’t just stick a sign in the yard and wait for buyers to come. We always have professional photos of your property because first impressions are everything. With an extensive background in the building/construction industry, we are certified as “New Construction Specialist,” you want us to represent you with a builder, and, as always, there is no charge for our services to assist you in your new home purchase. arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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

F

or the past two decades, C&W Antiques has been the area’s premier destination for 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 candles, music and vignettes of oldworld rooms that stimulate the senses.

C&W Antiques has one of the largest Faberge collections in the world.

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

ABOUT C&W ANTIQUES: The owners’ philosophy is to make customers feel welcome. “With our passion for antiques, Patrick and I welcome each customer and provide a friendly atmosphere for their unique shopping experience,” Carpenter says. “We treat our customers like family. Many customers have become great friends and have referred to our store as their ‘happy place’ and their second home.” PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: 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 U.S. artists, and its Faberge collection is the largest in the state of Texas and one of the largest in the world. In addition to in-store service, C&W Antiques provides floral arrangements by designer Tony Houston (formerly with The Market), as well as decorating consultations in the store or in the customer’s home by appointment. “In the event a customer could not find a particular item they are looking for, we will reach out to our European buyers and import the items for the customer,” Carpenter says.

“We also offer layaway.” SHOWROOM HOURS: The showroom is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment.

WHAT MAKES C&W ANTIQUES SPECIAL: The showroom is a unique shopping experience in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. “Guests can expect superior customer service with attention to detail that is unparalleled in the industry,” Walsh says.

“We have been in the antique and fine arts business for well nearly two decades, and we love working with customers.”

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arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

39

Local Treasures

Our OASIS

For the past 93 years, Meadowbrook Park has afforded visitors a beautiful view and many great memories • By Donna Darovich

S

cores of Arlingtonites learned to swim in the Meadowbrook Park pool. Countless duffers learned to play golf on its nine-hole course. And many park visitors learned you Meadowbrook Park holds a special place in the hearts of don’t mess with monkeys.

Lana Wolff, Sue Phillips The pool is no longer there, but the lush greens and Geraldine Mills. and narrow fairways of the golf course still carpet Photos: Donna Darovich and the City of Arlington the south side of the 52-acre park.

And, yes, monkeys are part of the folklore of the 93-year-old natural oasis that was the genesis of the Arlington Nevertheless, because Meadowbrook was the city’s first park, park system. every amenity in it was a first – the first public outdoor pool, first Sometime in the 1930s, historians believe, someone donated golf course, and first indoor recreation center. several lively monkeys to the park (no one recalls what kind of Even its location is unique. When the land for the park was purmonkeys or exactly how many, but three or four seems to be the chased in 1923 it was considered to be in East Arlington. But as the best historic guess). city has grown, its location, on Abram Street, just east of Collins They were housed in a cage and were a popular attraction for Street, is more East Central Arlington. children who were simultaneously delighted and shocked by the For years, in addition to having the only golf course, Meadowmonkeys and their natural inclination to fling feces at them. brook had the city’s only softball diamond, and players and the One morning, a golf staffer discovered the cage door open and golfers evidently had a good rapport. the monkeys gone. The City soon began getting calls from irate The ninth hole once crossed through the diamond, but golfneighbors regarding the renegade simians who were wreaking ers would yield to the softball players during summer evening havoc. But attempts to catch and/or trap the monkeys were futile, hours, playing a short ninth hole, Mills said. so a posse of armed city workers was There was also a relationformed. ship between golfers and “WE’VE NEVER COME ACROSS anything that says And let’s just close the monkey boys who would retrieve chapter there. exactly why it was named Meadowbrook, except the errant golf balls from the But those who spent their childcreek and sell them (perhaps fact that there’s a meadow and Johnson Creek there.” hood in the park and have a bond “back”) to golfers. with it are quick to defend one element of the story that persists.

Mills recalls the field’s lights were a gift from W.T. “Hooker” Some (who never saw the monkeys but have heard their story) are Vandergriff, local businessman and father of iconic Arlington Mayquick to correct others (who also never saw the monkeys) when or Tom Vandergriff. they say they were “part of a Meadowbrook zoo.”

Three generations of her family have memories of Meadow “No zoo, just a few monkeys,” they inevitably counter. brook, although she particularly recalls a visit to the park when The monkeys aren’t the only mystery of Meadowbrook. So is its she was four-years-old: “I took off on my own from our house on name. “We’ve never come across anything that says exactly why it Arnold St. to walk the park and because I made the trip alone, I was named Meadowbrook, except the fact that there’s a meadow got a whipping when I got home.” and Johnson Creek there,” says Arlington historian Geraldine Mills, But her other memories are good ones that belie a simpler era: who was born in Fort Worth but spent most of her life in Arlington.

Crawdadding in the creek, tight-walking across a small 30-foot40

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Meadowbrook Park and its garden also have long been a long concrete pipe that straddled the creek in a game of dare, priority for the 40-plus-year resident who served as chair of the along with the Girl Scout Little House, and an old Army barracks Arlington Parks and Recreation Board for many years. Phillips is that was moved to the park. Girls spending the night there would determined to add more sculptures to the park, and anyone who hang a sheet on the wall at night and watch projected cartoons. expresses an interest in funding one will find she has a list of ideas Easter sunrise services on the softball field bleachers are another for subject matter. She proudly notes that there was some concern pleasant memory. when the garden was suggested that the art would be vandalized.

Mills says teenagers (and demurs that she might have been one) ”It hasn’t happened,” she says, and jokes, “Maybe taggers are often “cruised” through the park in their cars “and there might frustrated artists and have respect for art.” have been some smooching going on in the park.”

Longtime Arlington City Coun “It was just good, wholesome cilwoman Lana Wolff, who repfun,” she says, adding that beresents East Arlington and thus cause it was the only park, MeadMeadowbrook Park, has been an owbrook was the hub of many Arlingtonite since she was in the family activities. One family was second grade and also has a bond there so often they had a bench with the park. with their name on it placed there.

She recalls it is where she took Meadowbrook’s more traditionswimming lessons. She would al current amenities – a covered ride her bicycle to and from the pavilion, playground, lighted park from her home near Collins basketball court, and horseshoe and Park Row. pits – are still a draw, but so is “I would even ride my bicyits newest amenity, the Meadowcle with my girlfriends from my brook Park Sculpture Garden. home to New York and Browning The sculptures are part of the streets, “she says. city’s Entertainment District Wolff was also involved in the Sculpture Trail that starts at the establishment of the Sculpture Arlington Convention Center just Garden because she is a member south of Interstate 30 and ends in of the Downtown Rotary Club Meadowbrook Park. that was part of a citywide effort So far, the garden has a bronze with other Rotary clubs to raise sculpture, one large-scale metal funds to start the garden as a way sculpture and one whimsical to commemorate the 100th annisculpture, “Dragonflies,” that versary of Rotary International. moves in the wind like a weather Eighty-six years before the vane and then quivers. sculpture garden and a half-centu “Blue Sky Dream,” the garry before visitors came to Arlingden’s first sculpture, is a bronze ton for the rides at Six Flags Over depiction of parental love.

Texas, they came to Meadowbrook The garden’s latest piece of art Park – to walk through its nationis a metal sculpture, ”The Sea” by al award-winning rose garden.

Otello Guarducci of Italy that was The garden was a Depressiondonated to the city for public disera project of the Arlington Garplay by the Perard family. It was den Club that won the Municipal once at Ditto Golf Course, which Rose Garden Contest hosted by is being renovated on the city’s the Woman’s Home Companion north side. magazine and the American Rose Another bronze titled “Boy Meadowbrook Park, which is closing in on its 100th birthday, spans 52 acres and many lifetimes of memories. The picturesque, natural wonder Society in 1931. The magazine Playing Golf” that depicts a small has entertained families, romantic couples and more than a few golfers and society wanted to increase inboy, putting a golf ball, is near the since 1923, when land for the park was first purchased. terest in public rose gardens, and golf course pro shop. The most the contest criteria was to reward recent edition is a five-foot star the city showing the greatest progress on a public rose garden betitled “Tex Scape.” tween June 1 and Dec. 31 of 1931. The Arlington club designed and The president of the Meadowbrook Sculpture Garden Board built the massive garden and won the $1,000 first prize over enis Sue Phillips, who is also head of the East Arlington Renewal tries from across the nation. The garden was eventually replaced. organization (and often unofficially called and considered ”the The park also boasts a Monarch Butterfly Waystation that promayor of East Arlington” because of her longtime work with the vides resources needed by the butterflies. neighborhoods there).

Then and now ...

arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Classic Car

Gene Mullenberg puts a shine to one of his several Mercury Cougars. The Cougar will be the featured model at the Yellow Rose Classic this month.

Photos: Richard Greene

COOL cats

Collecting and caring for Mercury Cougars is this family’s passion • By Richard Greene

T

his year’s Yellow Rose Classic Car Show, opening on July 8 at the Arlington Convention Center, will feature 50 years of the Mercury Cougar.

Grand Prairie’s Gene and Pam Mullenberg will be right in the middle of the two-day event bringing along their 1967 Dan Gurney Special that Motor Trend Magazine honored with its prestigious Car of the Year award. This is the car that Mercury introduced that year that shares much of its underpin-

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

nings with the Ford Mustang. What’s even more special about this particular Cougar is that it has been in the Mullenberg family since it was purchased by Gene’s sister the year it was introduced. She used it as her everyday driver for the next 11 years – and then she upgraded to a new 1978 Cougar.

The ’67 then remained parked on the family farm until 1992 when she decided to have it restored. After years of participating in shows in Minnesota, Iowa and Texas, it eventually became

Gene and Pam Mullenberg know a thing or two thousand about Mercury Cougars. The couple’s collection features the two beauties pictured here, which sport the kind of sleek styling and attention to detail that helps earn “Car of the Year” honors.

part of Gene’s collection in 2013. This pristine beauty is equipped with factory air conditioning, power steering, disc brakes, a radio, full console and comfort weave flo-thru seating.

Its Dan Gurney moniker derives from a deal that Lincoln-Mercury made with the famous captain of the Cougar racing team.

The package came with a sticker on the passenger-side window, turbine wheel covers and a chrome engine dress-up kit for the air cleaner lid, valve covers, oil dipstick, and radiator cap in the presence of a 289-cubic inch V-8 engine.

Other of the classic’s features include concealed headlamps that open cat-like at night, sequential rear turn signals, foam padded front bucket seats, a simulated wood-grain steering wheel, pleated vinyl upholstery, and wall-to-wall carpeting.

BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE from the photo spread on these pages, the ’67 is just one of the Mullenberg’s collection.

Along side of the 50-year old model is a younger sibling – a blue 1972 convertible XR-7 receiving a bit of sparkle on the front of the hood from its owner.

The front end features four exposed headlights, the center grille piece is larger, and the rear features a semi fastback with a “flying buttress” sail panel. The following year would mark the end of Cougar convertibles.

Gene and his blue and white one were featured on the cover of the Legendary Cougar Magazine in February of 2015, along with their story.

He found what he wanted in 1974 when the car’s owner, stationed in Germany, told his brother to sell it.

“It was neglected, the top had two small holes in the c-pillar part of the roof, the front door panels had cracked, and the ash tray in the console was overflowing with cigarette butts that were falling down between the seats and console.”

All of that, and much more, had to be corrected and restored.

Taking a look at Gene’s garage/museum with a trove of trophies that is located behind his and Pam’s beautiful home, you can imagine he was up to the task. In fact, working on his cars is a cherished past time for the couple. >>> arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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For information on the 28th annual Yellow Rose Classic, visit goo.gl/5jc5dJ

Gene’s Garage is full of Cougars ranging from Beanie Babies (below, right) to some of the more collectible vehicles anywhere. The neon sign identifying Gene’s Garage (right) was a surprise birthday gift from wife Pam.

In 2005, Gene embarked upon a major upgrade of the car’s appearance. After completely disassembling the car, including removing all chrome, trim, doors, trunk lid, hood, fenders, grill, taillights and virtually the entire interior, the work was well underway.

With the help of fellow Lone Star Cougar Club member Ken McDowell, who agreed to do the body work, all the pieces were brought together. Gene had the driver’s seat repaired, brought in new carpet, and made arrangements to have a new convertible top installed.

“THE CONVERTIBLE THAT I BOUGHT to have some fun with all those many years ago just celebrated its 42nd anniversary with Pam and me,” he says. “We drove it hard over a span of 10 years, pulling a ski boat on weekends and touring around for fun for the most part. It’s been one heck of a ride with a wagon load of memories.”

The couple would welcome the opportunity to share those memories with visitors to this year’s Yellow Rose event.

There you will also get to see these two and their other three Cougars, as well – a 1970 coupe along with their 1969 and 1973 convertibles.

It’s a show not to be missed that includes an opportunity to learn everything there is to know about Cougar automobiles from one of the country’s top experts.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

45

Education

Celebrating a STELLAR school year AS GRADUATES THROUGHOUT the region made their way across stages last month to formally conclude the 2016-17 school year, their achievements were just a small part of a school year that was special in practically every corner of the Arlington/Mansfield/Kennedale/South Grand Prairie area.

On this and the ensuing pages, we share a few of the better moments from the just-concluded term, which underscored, once again, how the administrators, teachers, students and support staff of the local school districts and private institutions are a significant reason why living here is living well.

Oakridge School students shine (again) AS IS CUSTOMARY during this time of year, 2017 graduates of The Oakridge School scored very well in the classroom.

Check out these numbers: • 5 National Merit Scholars • 5 National Merit Commended • $7.1 million in merit-based scholarship offers • 83% of college acceptances are out of state

Mayfest honors artists from Oakridge School

SEVEN STUDENTS from The Oakridge School received awards at the Student Art Contest at Mayfest, the annual festival held in Trinity Park. Recognition was distributed across all four divisions, representing excellence in art in multiple mediums. Here are the honorees: First place: Kindergartener Libby Caldwell and seventh grader Grace Crutchfield.

Second place: Kindergartener Emma Whitman; third grader Diana Nguyen and ninth grader Annie Li. Third place: Second grader Skye McGraw and Seventh grader Mia Petersen.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo: St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy Facebook page

St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy’s Class of 2017 Here are the recent graduates of St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy, located at 6900 US 287 Hwy

Three Mansfield ISD track and field athletes win state

THREE MANSFIELD ISD TRACK AND FIELD student-athletes earned gold medals at the recent University Interscholastic League Track and Field State Meet in Austin. Twelve other Mansfield ISD athletes won medals at the meet. Here are the medal winners: Gold: Faith Ette (Lake Ridge) - shot put; Ja’Leesa Giles (Legacy) - 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash; Jasmine Moore (Lake Ridge) - triple jump and long jump.

Silver: Valencia Bullock (Lake Ridge) - triple jump; Ariel Ford (Lake Ridge) – 400-meter dash; Kelly Rowe (Lake Ridge) - 100-meter dash; Jasmine Moore, Ariel Ford, Valencia Bullock, Kelly Rowe (Lake Ridge) - 4x100 relay.

Bronze: Zion Smith (Lake Ridge) - 800-meter run; Kennedy Brooks, Ziphion Reevey, Cam Jones, Saiid Adebo (Mansfield High) - 4x200 relay.

457 scholarship offers exceeding $17. 7 MILLION have been awarded to 209 SENIORS from the Class of 2017.* This represents 64% of the senior class. We congratulate them for their tremendous effort and success.

THEATER NOMINATIONS DALLAS SUMMER MUSICAL AWARDS

4

Sophia Aleman

13

BAND YEARS STRAIGHT MARCHING BAND

STATE CHAMPIONS

Raquel Garcia-Geary

ROBOTICS

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALIST

Paola Moctezuma

ATHLETICS

11

SIGNED NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

FINAL FOUR SOFTBALL FINAL FOUR WOMEN’S SOCCER

Damon Ramirez

2

MATH YEARS IN A ROW

NATIONAL

ALGEBRA

CHAMPIONS

Victoria Stranczek

2016-17 AWARE winners

Photo: City of Arlington

HERE ARE THE 2016-17 AWARE FOUNDATION WINNERS, who were honored during the organization’s recent annual banquet: (left to right) Dr. Jim Pettit from Lamar High School, Pauline Medlin from Burgin Elementary, Eric Hernandez from Bailey Junior High, Evan Sanchez from Butler Elementary and Ashley Johnson from Hale Elementary School. Runners up are Kay Owens from Martin High School, Letanja Stewart-Brooks from Nichols Junior High, Davy Frankiewicz from Wimbish Elementary, Veronica Puente Salinas from Johns Elementary and Kristen Clark from Little Elementary.

Planning for 2017-18

Here are some winning strategies to help your student learn to be better organized AS SUMMER TICKS DOWN and back-to-school sales seem to be popping up everywhere, it’s a good time to ask yourself, “Is my student organized?” Symptoms of disorganization include: forgetting assignments, leaving uncompleted work at school, and the dreaded spaghetti backpack syndrome. A “spaghetti backpack” is where a student has such a weave of papers, notebooks, notes and random items that it’s impossible for the student to find something efficiently when asked.

Like trying to untangle spaghetti.

As a professional tutor, I run into the spaghetti backpack all the time, and parents and guardians often tell me that although they see disorganization as an issue, they were the same way in school, too. Staying organized in school is not just an academic skill but a life skill.

The biggest reason middle school and high school students are disorganized is that it’s not easy or natural. If organization is not automatic for students, then students tend to perform below their academic potential. Some schools try their best to push one-size-fits all approaches like mandatory 3-ring binders or spiral notebook calendars.

Students that struggle with organization will end up with papers floating in their binder and empty calendars.

My approach is to use a timeline as a tool – for example, a student’s schedule. If her first class of the day is English, followed by History, then PE, Math, AVID, and finally Science, I will ask her about assignments, projects, and tests in those classes in that order. I suggest parents and guardians also ask specific questions in this order at the same time every day. “Do you have any assignments in English? No? Ok, how about upcoming tests and projects in English? Ok, what about History? . . . “

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Just like kids often hear adult influencer’s voices in their head as they face challenges, creating this level of awareness will help the student find an organizational system that works for him or her.

The consistency will help make this automatic. I encourage adults to set daily phone reminders to have this conversation with their student. I have clients who travel for work, but when their phone reminder dings, they call home to specifically ask about homework.

What happens when students don’t know if they have assignments or can’t remember? This is an opportunity to encourage honesty and work on problem solving skills. Your child’s future employer will thank you for fostering these. If a child cannot remember if she has math homework, encourage her to say, “I don’t remember.” and praise her for being honest and provide these “bread crumbs” to get to a solution: 1) Please paint a picture for me for what happened in that particular class today. Did you have a lesson/lecture? Did you finish all the in-class assignments? Did the teacher write anything on the board (some teachers have homework sections on their whiteboards)?

2) Does your teacher keep a website where assignments are listed? Does your teacher have a virtual classroom?

3) It’s important to work in teams. Who is someone you trust in that class? Let’s text or call them.

4) You are very creative. Are there any other ways you can think to figure out if you have an assignment?

Once again, the order of these questions is important. Using the same order over and over again is like how an athlete practices. It drills into the brain how to solve problems, and then the process

becomes automatic.

Once you have an answer for “is there homework?,” follow up with how you and your student can prevent the epic search for homework in the future. It’s going to be hard, but don’t jump in with suggestions yet. It’s important for students to own this process, because once they invest in the process of staying organized, it’s part of them – it’s automatic. Listen and repeat back observations from your student. For example, if the student says, “I forgot I had math homework because it was at the bottom of my backpack,“ validate up with, “that sounds very frustrating, what can we do to prevent this frustration in the future?”

Students will often go for the easy answer like “I put my homework in my binder,” but I encourage you to gently challenge students and say something like, “I see, but that’s what you tried today, and it didn’t work, so there has to be a better way. I want to make this easier for you.” It’s not kid-versus-adult smack down; be on your student’s team focused on alleviating hardships.

Finally, you can make suggestions and ask if your student thinks one would work. Suggestions I’ve made to students include color coding, having a homework-due folder, using a custom one-page easy-to-see weekly calendar, and buying a flat 3-hole punch.

Organizational skills aren’t built overnight, but with consistent practice, your student can thrive academically while having marketable life skills.

– Kate Van Dellen President, New Trees Education, LLC newtreeseducation.com

Here, BRIGHTMINDS MINDS Here, Here, BRIGHT MINDS BRIGHT BRIGHT MINDS DISCOVEREDAAA WORLD DISCOVERED WORLD DISCOVERED WORLD DISCOVERED WORLD OF OF OF Possibilities!

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• 5 National Merit • 5 National Finalists NationalMerit Merit • •55National Merit

Finalists Finalists Finalists

• 5 National Merit Commended • •55National NationalMerit Merit

• 5Commended National Merit Commended Commended • 6 committed college athletes • •66committed committed • 6college committed collegeathletes athletes college athletes 100% of our 72 graduates accepted by 141 colleges and universities Abilene Christian University University of Delaware Lynn University Agnes Scott College DePaul University Marquette University The University of Alabama Eckerd College University of Mary Hardin-Baylor The American University of Paris Elon University Maryville University Arizona State University Emory University University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Arkansas University of Florida Massachusetts Institute Auburn University Florida State University of Technology Austin College Fordham University University of Miami Baylor University Franklin & Marshall College Miami University, Oxford Bennington College The George Washington University Michigan State University University of California, Davis The University of Georgia University of Minnesota, University of California, Irvine Georgia Institute of Technology Twin Cities University of California, Green Mountain College University of Mississippi San Diego Gustavus Adolphus College University of Missouri University of California, Harding University Kansas City Santa Barbara University of Hawaii at Manoa Muhlenberg College California College of the Arts Hawaii Pacific University New York University (San Francisco) Hilbert College State University of New York California Institute of Technology Hofstra University at New Paltz Carnegie Mellon University University of Houston The University of North Carolina at Case Western Reserve University Howard University Chapel Hill Chapman University University of Illinois North Carolina A&T Clemson University at Urbana-Champaign State University University of Colorado Boulder Indiana University North Carolina State University University of Colorado at Bloomington University of North Texas Colorado Springs The University of Iowa Northeastern University Colorado School of Mines Johns Hopkins University Northern Arizona University Colorado State University University of Kansas University of Connecticut The Ohio State University Lehigh University Creighton University The University of Oklahoma Lewis & Clark College CO-VALEDICTORIAN CO-VALEDICTORIAN Dallas Baptist University Oklahoma Baptist University Lindenwood University Mark Wright Amy Zhang Davidson College Oklahoma City University Loyola University Chicago

Oklahoma State University The University of Texas The University of Texas, Arlington Oklahoma Wesleyan University The University of Texas, Oral Roberts University San Antonio University of Oregon Texas A&M University Pennsylvania State University Texas A&M University, Pepperdine University Corpus Christi University of Pittsburgh Texas A&M University, Texarkana Prairie View A&M University Texas Christian University Princeton University Texas Tech University Purdue University Texas Wesleyan University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Trinity University Rhodes College Tulane University University of Rochester University of Tulsa Rochester Institute of Technology United States Air Force Academy Samford University United States Military Academy University of San Diego University of Utah Savannah College Vanderbilt University of Art and Design Vassar College Seton Hall University Vernon College Skidmore College University of Virginia University of South Carolina Virginia Tech Southern Adventist University Wake Forest University University of Southern California University of Washington Southern Methodist University Washington University Southwestern University in St. Louis Spelman College Wayland Baptist University St. Edward’s University Wesleyan University Stanford University West Texas A&M University Stephen F. Austin College of William and Mary SALUTATORIAN State University 5900 W. PIONEER PARKWAY Williams College Tarleton State UniversityARLINGTON, TX 76013 Evan Skinner University of Tennessee,817-451-4994 Knoxville W W W.T H E OA K R I D G E S C H O O L . O R G

CO-VALEDICTORIAN CO-VALEDICTORIAN Mark Wright Wright Mark CO-VALEDICTORIAN Mark Wright

CO-VALEDICTORIAN Amy Zhang CO-VALEDICTORIAN Amy Zhang

SALUTATORIAN SALUTATORIAN Evan Evan Skinner Skinner SALUTATORIAN Evan Skinner

5900 W. PARKWAY The Oakridge does not discriminate on 5900School W. PIONEER PIONEER PARKWAY the basis of color, creed, sex or ethnic origin in ARLINGTON, TX 76013 ARLINGTON, TX 76013 school-administered programs. PARKWAY 5900 W. PIONEER

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

The outdoor amphitheater at the Jimmy and Laura Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language is the first of its kind in the Arlington Independent School District.

AaronBryant in “Godspell”

Nolan student comes to the aid of his sick friend NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL student Clay Grogan was a top athlete on the basketball team and had high hopes to start at point guard and help lead Nolan Catholic to a state championship. Then his world turned upside down.

Clay was diagnosed with a rare genetic deficiency – his body’s immune system was attacking itself. The diagnosis was devastating: No more basketball. Restrictions on what he could do physically. And big medical bills for his family.

Assistance for Clay came from an unexpected source – fellow student Aaron Bryant.

Aaron and Clay were long-time classmates, and had met when both ran for class president in middle school. At assembly, Aaron had given the first speech, and Clay was so impressed that he withdrew his candidacy announcing he would vote for Aaron.

It was now Aaron’s turn to say thank you.

Aaron was a theater enthusiast and had won the role of Jesus in Nolan Catholic’s production of the popular play “Godspell.” He rallied his fellow cast mates and convinced the Drama Department to contribute a portion of the show’s proceeds to Clay and his family.

“If it were as humble as $100, that would have been totally fine,” Aaron said. “But we raised over $7,000.”

The contribution had a big impact on Clay.

“It showed me that I have a good support system as I go through this tough time in my life,” he said.

– from nolancatholichs.org

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Taking education outside

SOME STUDENTS IN ARLINGTON are taking learning opportunities – to the great outdoors!

The outdoor amphitheater at the Jimmy and Laura Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language is the first of its kind in the Arlington Independent School District.

Construction of the project, which was funded through a partnership with Texas Trust Credit Union, was completed in April.

“I understand,” says Principal Katiuska Herrador, “that it was made possible through Texas Trust’s Spirit Debit Rewards program, in which they donate money to various schools and districts to support educational excellence.”

And educational excellence is what Principal Herrador plans to achieve. “Our educational model integrates language, culture, and fine arts with core curriculum,” she says. “We foster continual cooperation and creativity among students and teachers.”

The Jones Academy, housed in the building formerly known as Roquemore Elementary, is one of two fine arts and dual language academies opened in the fall of 2015. It serves north Arlington residents, while The Dean P. Corey Academy accommodates those who live in south Arlington. The academies provide elementary students with the opportunity to learn Spanish, Chinese, visual arts, music (choral, strings and piano), dance and theater. And, while the two academies have similar curriculums and teaching methods, Jones is the only school to have an outdoor amphitheater.

The district says the amphitheater will provide additional performance opportunities for students attending the fine arts and dual language program and include the possibility for amplified sound. Right now, it is being used mostly for “informances.”

“Informances are a way for students to share their learning through music, dance, art or theater,” says Herrador. “During informances we highlight how students integrate the fine arts into the core curriculum.”

Informances tend to be brief and less formal than a full-blown performance showcase. For example, students have created skits to demonstrate a notable person’s contributions to society, or songs about shapes’ attributes and moon phases. The outdoor amphitheater has also been used for reader’s theatre lessons and musical rehearsals, and the physical education teacher has used the structure’s steps for exercises in class.

But the possibilities are endless. “With such a beautiful outdoor area, I envision collaborative opportunities really blossoming for the local community,” says Herrador.

Herrador hopes the amphitheater could be used for community activities with local performing arts organizations and to host live music events. She says she’s already talked to the Jazz Director at Lamar High School about hosting jazz and cluster concerts (those that bring school groups together) at the outdoor venue.

The Jones Academy was formally dedicated last month. Of course, the outdoor amphitheater was featured at the special ceremony.

– Toni Randle-Cook

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51

A blog just for parents St. Joseph School: Play like a Champion Today TO HELP STUDENTS grow physically, emotionally and spiritually, St. Joseph Catholic School participates in the Play Like A Champion Today program through the University of Notre Dame.

The PLACT Character Education Through Sports program is a national coach and parent educational series designed specifically to elevate youth/high school Catholic sports programs. Play Like a Champion serves children and adolescents by partnering with sports organizations to provide all children with an opportunity to play sports in a safe, supportive, and inclusive sports environment.

Play Like a Champion provides research-based, character-oriented educational clinics and resources at the youth through high school level for administrators, coaches, parents and athletes.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

IN ADDITION TO providing a premier early education and child care experience for children and families, Primrose School of NE Green Oaks and the soonto-open Primrose School of Southwest Arlington offer invaluable advice to parents of young children via their Pointers for Parents blog.

The blog, which can be found on the website, primroseschools.com, provides all manner of resources, tips, and activities for families from Primrose Education Leadership Team and early childhood experts.

Photo courtesy of Primrose Schools

Arlington Classics Academy ranks high

NICHE.COM RECENTLY RELEASED its school rankings, and Arlington Classics Academy was included among the top charter schools in the state.

In the category, “2017 Best Charter Middle Schools in Texas,” Arlington Classics Academy Middle School was fifth-ranked in Texas. It scored an “A” for an overall Niche grade. In the category, “2017 Best Charter Elementary Schools in Texas,” Arlington Classics Academy Primary School was seventh-ranked in Texas. It also scored an “A” for an overall Niche grade.

Congratulations to our 2017 graduates!

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

Saint Maria Goretti and Saint Joseph students celebrate 8th grade mass with Bishop Michael Olson.

Congratulations Class of 2017!

Teaching the mind . . . Nourishing the soul.

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

A LiiNK to SUCCESS?

AISD elementary schools conclude that the LiiNK Project helps produce healthier, more productive students APPARENTLY THERE IS A LiiNK between better students and more recess time! This school year, two Arlington schools implemented the Let’s inspire innovation ‘N Kids, or LiiNK Project.

Students at Ashworth and Butler Elementary schools received four 15-minute recess periods throughout each day. Dr. Debbie Rhea, Professor of Kinesiology and Associate Dean for Health Sciences and Research at TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, created the Project after spending six months on sabbatical in Finland.

There, creativity and free time are encouraged during the school day. And she noticed people seemed happier, less stressed or anxious because of it. Finnish students are also some of the higher-performing in the world.

While data from the 2016-2017 school year has not yet been analyzed, Dr. Rhea says LiiNK has made a big difference.

Dr. Rhea met with the kindergarten and first grade teachers for their spring focus group sessions and says they’ve reported more creative writing, very fit (stronger, agile, coordinated) students, fewer injuries, more confidence trying new things, better reading, sharper focus, ontask behaviors and shorter absences when children are sick.

“Overall, [they say] they don’t know what they would do without LiiNK,” says Rhea.

Stacy Humbles, Principal of Butler Elementary agrees. She has even incorporated the program into her own daily routine. “I have enjoyed the change in our kids and teachers,” she says. “The schedule is busy, but it has really helped us to maximize every minute of the day. I have even tried to get outside a few times a day to help with my own productivity.”

Dr. Rhea launched LiiNKin 2013 with two private kindergarten and first grade classrooms in Fort Worth. And she says this year’s positive feedback is very much in line with the results her team has analyzed from the first cohort of public schools.

The program continues to grow. In addition to the five more North Texas ISDs and a public school in Chattanooga, Okla., that have been

added since its launch, Rhea says two districts – Little Elm ISD and Eagle Montain-Saginaw ISD – are moving forward to have LiiNK in all of their elementary schools.

But the program is not only about playtime. There is a second component to LiiNK. In an effort to boost confidence, self-esteem and social responsibility, students take part in a character-building curriculum called “Positive Action” three times a week.

“The way the two components work together is that recess in U.S. schools has shown to be the ultimate place for bullying,” says Dr. Rhea, “Introducing multiple recesses into a school day could elevate bullying practices if not countered with a curriculum that teaches on a daily basis to think before acting, and, as a result of the action, ‘what would you feel?’”

Rhea says the Arlington schools have done very well for their first year. “We haven’t seen a huge change in our academic or behavioral data, but I do think the recesses help with morale and stress,” says Humbles. “It’s nice to get outside and start fresh throughout the day.”

Ashworth and Butler Elementary schools will participate over the next three years, adding an additional grade level as the students who are currently in the Project matriculate.

That means in the fall, LiiNK will be in kindergarten, first and second grades. Rhea trained the second grade teachers in the spring, so they are ready to start come August.

“We’ll be adding second grade next year, so it will be running in K-2, four recesses each day,” Humbles says. “We need more playgrounds!”

Meanwhile, Rhea intends to build the program nationwide. But moving forward, schools will have to foot the bill for LiiNK. “This has stopped some of the growth at this point because budgets of school districts are pretty much a year ahead of when they will need them,” says Rhea. “Therefore, I think nationwide growth will begin starting this next year once districts realize they have to factor this cost into their budgets.”

– Toni Randle Cook

Arts Schools Network honors Grand Prairie ISD superintendent

St. Maria Goretti class 3B donates $191 to book fair CLASS 3B at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School donated $191 to the “All for Books” book fair at the school.

The students’ total was the most raised by any group at the school. As a result, the children were rewarded with a picnic, supplied on the playground, where they also got to fly kites, play whiffle ball and more.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo: Saint Maria Goretti School

GRAND PRAIRIE ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Hull received the 2017 Superintendent Award from the Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. This national recognition pays tribute to an outstanding arts education administrator serving as a superintendent or the top leader of a local school system, who supports inclusion of a sequential artsbased curriculum.

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Q &A

A WORLD of art

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market at Arlington is coming to the Green at College Park this month

T

he Santa Fe International Folk Art Market at Arlington will take place June 16-17 at the Green at College Park. Here, Linda Dipert, co-chair of the prestigious Market, shares why the event is important to the artists and the community.

Arlington Today: What is the Santa Fe Market?

Linda Dipert: This is the 14th year for Santa Fe. The mission is to help artists from around the world become self sustainable, to create sustainable impact. Artists earn income and serve as catalysts for positive social change in their communities by improving employment, health care, education, and well-being.

The artists are curated by art historians, artists, and museum curators to be sure the offerings are the best of that art from that part of the world. The artists take 90 percent of what they sell – last year was over $3 million. Before returning home many of them will add to our local economy by purchasing what they cannot get at home including computers, televisions, furnishings, and more. The economic impact for Santa Fe last year was over $13 million.

AT: Who is involved locally?

LD: I am co-chair along with Tony Pompa.

The Steering Committee also includes Aaron Reich, Mary Gilman, and Sylvia Nichols.

There are 10 committees each having two co-chairs. They are Linh Nguyen, Jeremy Earnhardt, Gloria Pena, Patty Decker, Denise Wilkerson, Mike Gerro, Terry Gaines, Tom McCarty, Aaron Perales, Barbara Kovacevich, Georgie Zang, Jollyn Mwisongo, Petrina Bonnick-Higgins, Sissy Day, Bob Pruitt, Susan English, Caitlyn Barbee, Gara Hill, Holly Harvey, Kay Duggan, Robert Hower, plus a dozen of the Santa Fe staff who are our partners. Others involved include Commissioner Andy Nguyen, Yen Nguyen and Demetria Bivens.

AT: How did the Market make its way to Arlington?

LD: From the first day we started talking about the feasibility of the Market we have had grassroots support – from Mayor [Jeff]

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art from 35 artists represented by Botswana, Burkino Faso, Ghana, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Italy, Ukraine, Pakistan, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, India, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Cuba, Haiti, and Mexico. Tickets are $150. Saturday morning from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. will be an Early Bird Opening with tickets for $25 and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. tickets are $10. From 6 p.m.-8 p.m. entrance is free, and under 16 is free all day Saturday. Food and drink on Saturday will be authentic international cuisine from several local restaurants.

Both days you will have the opportunity to talk with the artists and hear their amazing stories.

AT: What kind of art will be on display for purchase?

LD: The International Folk Art Market Santa Fe has been voted the Best Art Festival by USA Today because there is a greater variety.

Some of what you will be able to buy include textiles, jewelry, ceramics, pottery, home accessories, carpets/rugs, wood carvings, metalwork, paintings, hats, beadwork, musical instruments, Photos courtesy of Santa Fe International Folk Art Market basketry, and much more!

AT: Who should attend?

LD: Anyone looking for an International experience. With food, music, and costumes there is no place else to enjoy this without traveling overseas.

Here’s a small sample of the type of art at the Market.

Anyone looking for unique high quality art and a good time is welcome!

Union, Dan Dipert Family, Jim Ross Law The expansion of the market into Arlington Group, Best Associates, Brad Cecil & Associaligns neatly with the mission, which is to supates, SkyWalker Property Partners, Frost Bank, port and sustain artists from around the world.

Tom Cravens, Costco, Arlington Independent While the market is an opportunity for visitors School District, Indulge, The Star Telegram, to hear the stories of the artists and buy their Arlington Chamber of Commerce plus many crafts, the money these artists take home goes other companies with volunteers. to build schools, bridges, water wells and comAT: What will the market entail? munity centers. It pays for school tuition, fights LD: Friday evening from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. will social and economic oppression, and preserves be a Night in Old Havana VIP Party with traditional artistic enterprises. The Arlington street musicians, salsa dancing, paella, Cuban market will be the first outside of Santa Fe. sandwiches, Mojitos, Cuba Libres, and the first Williams on down. We have been amazed at the number of volunteers who have come forward to help. Anyone and everyone we have reached out to has answered with an enthusiastic, “Yes, I want to help.”

Arlington is the second most diverse city in the state, the AISD is the fifth most diverse district in the state, and UTA is the fifth most diverse university in the country. That makes Arlington the perfect city for a diverse art event. Add that we truly believe Arlington is “The American Dream City,” and we have a winning combination.

The community has been engaged from day one. UTA was the first partner to sign on, then the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council, the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Women Inspiring Philanthropy, Texas Trust Credit

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57

Celebrations 1

5 GREAT ways to say ‘Happy Father’s Day’!

Photo: touthouse.com

2

1.

It’s Texas. It’s summer. Over the past 40-plus years, that combination has pointed many a dad and his offspring toward the park – specifically, toward Globe Life Park – where, this year, your Texas Rangers are vying to win their third consecutive American League West Division title. Even if you and your father aren’t big baseball fans, you’ll find good food, good folks and good fodder for those special kind of memories that are born at the ballpark. The club is playing host to the Seattle Mariners on Father’s Day (June 18), but one of the great things about having a major league team in your hometown is that you can simply order tickets for any game (at texasrangers.com) and present them as your special present to Pop.

2.

You and Dad can spend an evening under the stars – even before the stars come out. The University of Texas Arlington Planetarium has weekend shows scheduled throughout the summer – there are programs that begin at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Father’s Day proper. OR ... you can find another date that suits both your calendars, purchase tickets in advance at uta.edu/planetarium, and then spend some quality time watching the show and then discussing afterward just how awesome your universe is – because you just witnessed some of its wonders in person.

3

3.

What dad doesn’t enjoy a good concert? On Father’s Day Weekend, we have two – and they are free!

On Saturday, The LOT Downtown in Mansfield will feature a performance by the Peterson Brothers at 7 p.m. This Austin-based teen duo possesses a uniquely modern blend of blues, soul and funk that has made them a musical force in a state known for producing musical forces. Then, on Father’s Day proper, the Levitt Pavilion (pictured) will feature Los TexManiacs with Flaco Jimenez at 8 p.m. This band combines a hefty helping of Tex Mex conjunto with several parts Texas rock and a daring dash of well-cured blues and R&B riffs. Translation: Dad will be rockin’.

Photo: arlingtontexastoday.com

4

4.

Now the race is on, and here comes Pride up the backstretch. Heartaches are goin’ to the inside. My Tears are holdin’ back. They’re tryin’ not to fall. My Heart’s out of the runnin’. True Love’s scratched for another’s sake. The race is on, and it looks like Heartache, and the winner loses all ... OK, we’re just trying to set the mood for Dad’s Day Option No. 4 with the only horse racing-themed song we could think of. While the poetry is a bit of a downer, you have to admit that the tune is pretty catchy. You also have to admit this: Father’s Day at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie is an off-the-beaten-path but potentially delightful experience – even if you’re not into wagering. Watching the emotional ebb and flow with each race is almost as fun as watching the ponies, and there’s always a good “I WON! (or, more likely, an “I came THAT close to winning!”) story to share with family members after your trip to the track. Father’s Day races start at 2:35 p.m.

Photo: laquintagp.com

5

5.

The region has plenty of hustle and more than its share of bustle. This Father’s Day, you can help Dad get away from all that – without getting away very far. We suggest a picnic breakfast/lunch/dinner at Arlington’s River Legacy Parks or Mansfield’s Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park (pictured). Your father will appreciate the luscious, natural scenery at both locales– and he certainly will appreciate the opportunity to spend his day with loved ones in places none of us visit enough. Two suggestions, though: Be sure to bring something to keep mosquitoes at bay, something to keep the sun from spoiling the outing afterward and something to take pictures of the many joys the parks have to offer.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo: Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park

arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

59

Great gift ideas for the Graduate and for Father’s Day

1

Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, Super Bowl Champion Quarterbacks memorabilia - Man Cave, Gracie Lane

2

The University of Texas at Austin quilt, fabulous gift for the UT fan in your life - Gracie Lane

3 Wooden ducks, great Father’s Day gift for the animal/nature lover - River Legacy nature shop

4

Great cocktail shaker with rope detail and drink tags for the entertainer - Gracie Lane

6 5 Sterling Sliver graduation cap and 2017 graduate charms, great for the new graduate - Dixie’s

Corkcicle whiskey wedge, great for the Whiskey lover - Gracie Lane

7

Pink Flamingo pool float, cupcake beach towel and wet bikini bag, fun gifts for the graduate - Jazzy Jems

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Wood BBQ cutting/serving board, fun gift for any Father who loves to grill and entertain - Anything Goes

9

Fish canvas and ceramic fish mug, great gift for the fisherman dad - Anything Goes

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Fabulous cattle hand-painted canvas, fun gift for the nature/animal lover - Gracie Lane

10 UTA koozie, Texas Tech clear cross body (great for the games) and Ole Miss coin purse w/ keychain - Anything Goes

12 Corkcicle tumbler, great for the college student and a great Father’s Day gift - Gracie Lane

Local Music Scene

Local musicians Kasey Tackett (left) and David Conant are helping key the local music renaissance that gives musicians such as Bailey Limmer (right) a chance to perform at places such as ON TAP.

Photo courtesy of Kasey Tackett

Photo courtesy of Bobby Duncan Photo courtesy of David Conant

Photo: Karen Gavis

The BEAT goes on

New and soon-to-be Downtown venues are opening doors for local musicians – and music fans • By Karen Gavis

L

ive entertainment is nothing new to downtown Arlington – venues like J. Gilligan’s and Arlington Music Hall (remember Johnny High’s Music Review?) have been entertaining us for years. Somewhat suddenly, though, the area is becoming more of a magnet for local artists.

Bartenders now polish craft beer glasses, and local musicians showcase their skills, in places that once showcased the latest model vehicles. And with venues like Lester’s Backyard Bar, Live Oak, and Tipsy Oaks moving in, there will soon be more places to share their talents.

One of the district’s newer craft beer vendors, ON TAP, hosts MOMOM, a middle-of-the-month open mic night led by Arlington singer-songwriter Kasey Tackett. Tackett’s friend, Austin Leach, also conducts a monthly open mic at Legal Draft Beer Co. on Division Street.

“On Tap is killing it right now,” Tackett says. “There are a lot of new businesses moving in. It’ll be interesting [to see] how this is going to turn out.”

While lunching at Mellow Mushroom, Tackett talks about Arlington Music Hall located next door. He describes the former-movie-theater-turned-music-venue as a “true, hidden gem in the middle of Arlington.” He also recalls Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris’ gigs at the nearby Grease Monkey Burger Shop.

Tackett says “a lot of people are extremely hungry for new music,” and notes that he would like to see more original talent

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

downtown as well as a bit more diversity. “Music is for everyone.”

People come to Arlington to work and raise their families, Tackett says, adding that among the working class people who frequent the Downtown Arlington district, there appears to be a lot more men than there are women. “And that’s something that needs to change,” he says. “On that note, the music suffers.”

Many of the same people who attend outdoor concerts at Levitt Pavilion also go to other downtown venues, but at different times, Tackett says. Levitt Pavilion hosts more than 50 free concerts each year, and according to its website, the summer concert series attracted about 120,000 people last year.

Live Oak, which recently closed in Fort Worth but plans to reopen in downtown Arlington, is owned by the same group that also hopes to open Lester’s Backyard Bar in downtown Arlington this July, says Brooks Kendall Jr., the venues’ entertainment director. Lester’s will most likely complement the great shows that already happen at the Levitt Pavilion, rather than compete, Kendall says. He also believes the City’s recently expanded smoke-free ordinance will not have an adverse effect on the establishment, as its indoor space was intended to be smoke-free from the start.

In addition to live entertainment, Kendall says Lester’s menu will offer a dozen or so specialty craft margaritas and about a half dozen specialty frozen margaritas. However, the specific drink details have yet to be unveiled.

While a few local venues may experience negative effects because of the recent smoke-free ordinance, Tackett says others could

“A LOT of people are extremely hungry for new music.”

Photo courtesy of Bobby Duncan

One of the beneficiaries of the new and planned Downtown development projects is the local music scene. Venues such as Division Brewing and Legal Draft Beer Company host concerts by area musicians on a regular basis. Among the performers who have “played Arlington” are Henry the Archer (left) and Bobby Duncan (above).

Photo courtesy of Division Brewing

actually see a boost in business. “A lot of people can’t be around [cigarette smoke],” he says. “So it drives out the other half of the crowd that might want to see a show.”

Division Brewing, which is actually located on East Main Street, has an outdoor patio where live music is played every weekend.

Tackett says the music is top-notch, plus, he adds, “their beers are phenomenal.”

“When Live Oak actually comes here, that is going to bring more attention to the area,” says Arlington Nights founder David Conant, adding that nearby “Texas Live! is going to bring more people to the game and keep people here longer.”

Although Conant claims he is tone deaf and lacks rhythm, that did not stop him from majoring in music. In fact, he loves it so much that he and his girlfriend, Alicia Elam, keep track of where area musicians are performing in order to keep everyone in the loop via Arlington Nights.

Conant, who is also a board member for Arlington Proud, which promotes everything Arlington, says he helped secure most of the 25 bands for this year’s East Main Street Arts Festival, which drew about 4,000 people to downtown last month. “People want music, I get music,” he says. Tackett says Conant has done more to promote Arlington musicians than anyone he knows.

While waiting for Tristan Bugenis to begin his open mic session at J. Gilligan’s, Conant describes the artist as a “true musician,” who plays solo electric guitar rather than acoustic. Tackett and his band, Super Lotus, have also played at Gilligan’s, and Conant

says some UT-Arlington students recently put on a good rap show there. In addition, JR Bentley’s on Abram Street hosts occasional open mics.

Conant hopes that Urban Alchemy Coffee and Wine Bar, which is expected to open in Downtown Arlington this summer and is being billed as a community gathering place, will become a gathering spot for local musicians, as well.

He says he expects Downtown Arlington to have a different vibe within the next three years, while Tackett maintains the area could use more spaces like Urban Union’s plaza, to create “little nooks for people to walk around and enjoy the area businesses.”

Although people can currently park in Downtown Arlington, walk around, and be entertained, Tackett says a bridge from Main Street over to Front Street would help people avoid having to walk for “huge blocks or jump the [railroad] tracks.” “[It would be good] if we could make the journey of getting to these places a bit more joyful,” he muses. He also would like to see helpful signage and larger walkways. But for now, even though it generally means no pay and very few tips, Tackett says he is thankful to be part of Arlington’s “underground” music scene, to have a place to play his music, and to be able to go somewhere to host an open mic.

“It has nothing to do with the music business and everything to do with fostering the music community,” he says. “It’s about passion, giving the art back to the community, and fulfilling yourself, you know, as a musician.” arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

63

Local Homes

Home(s) SWEET! Home(s) Construction has begun in the exclusive, gated, estate area of the new development South Pointe in Mansfield, where homes ranging in price from $650,000 to more than $1 million can be found.

Photos courtesyPhotos of Juliecourtesy Short of Linda Magazzine

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ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Join us as we take a look at the exclusive, gated, estate area of South Pointe, the new master planned community in Mansfield

T

his month, we take a detour off the main road and head not to a single home but rather to a neighborhood, specifically to the exclusive, gated, estate area of the new development South Pointe in Mansfield. Here, Julie Short, who fronts her own real estate company, The Julie Short Team, Coldwell Banker Residential, takes us through the gates – straight toward a soon-to-be residential nirvana.

Some houses, many constructed by Short’s other company, Mansfield Custom Homes, are already in place, and folks are moving in – or are about to move in. Take, for example the brick/stone/stucco two-story home pictured below left. “It’s 4,464 square feet, with four bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms,” Short says. “It has an amazing double study with a turret roof, wood beams on the ceiling and a private courtyard as you step out-

The homes in the estate area of South Pointe are tailored to meet the needs and desires of the homeowners.

side. There’s a media room, game room, oversized three-car garage, outdoor kitchen and balcony overlooking the backyard.”

There’s also a formal dining room, a breakfast room and a chef’s kitchen. The home has wood beams in the family room, study and back porch, groin ceilings in master bedroom, and it has been hand-textured throughout.

“Every detail in this amazing home was dreamed by clients,” Short says. “The linear fireplace that is 60 inches wide with options for lighting and ventilation, the floating shelves that flank the stone encrusted fireplace, stone wall in the kitchen, a brick front porch, a salted concrete back patio and courtyard, an ornate iron front door.”

And, outside, there’s the development’s lake with a fountain that lights up at night. Short says the estate area of South Pointe consists of custom homes ranging in value from $650,000 to well over

$1 million. “There are three exclusive custom builders in this area, and there are 32 lots,” she says. “The remainder of the subdivison consists of over 800 lots in this master planned community, and there are many generous open spaces throughout the community that consist of natural areas, parks, squares, circles, small lakes and fountains, walking/jogging trails and a community center to cater to the residents’ desire for fun and relaxation.”

When you drive in to South Pointe you immediately know you have arrived somewhere special. There is a plethora of trees, elegant stone monuments and gorgeous homes. “Phase 2 has just begun and is sure to be as successful as Phase 1,” Short says. “Several of the builders have already compiled a wait list of eager buyers to begin their homes in this highly sought-after area with easy access to 287 and 360.”

arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

65

Picture-perfect Moments

Vanessa Colon, Daniel Bailey and Amy Bailey

Photos courtesy of Beth Hellier

Bruce Medley, Polly Walton, Dan Dipert and Linda Dipert

Scene

Snapshots from the Aware Foundation’s “A Celebration of Excellence” Dinner held at the University of Texas Arlington’s Bluebonnet Ballroom

Bowie Hogg, Jamie Sullins, Kecia Mays, Aaron Reich, John Hibbs, Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and Debra Reich

Dege Leedy, Julie Ryan, Sarah Wood, Peggy Martin and Patti Belknap Worris Levine and Melodynee Levine

Marian Kellerman, Janna Rosier and Joy McKee 66

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Micah Green and Jennifer Nguyen

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67

Tennis Tip

Let’s get that racquet restrung!

A

re your shots getting a little off? More miss-hits? The solution may be as simple as restringing your racquet. Restringing your tennis racquet can change your racquet fees, and may improve performance.

Choosing a string does not need to be confusing if you use this quick guide to help you make a decision. The first step is to select your type of string.

Natural Gut: Made from cows or sheep through a complex process. Natural gut boasts elasticity, tension stability, and liveliness. It has a short shelf life, so it may be a special order, and it is pricey. It is not durable and is very sensitive to moisture. Few players at any level use natural gut.

Synthetic Gut: Great all-around string that provides a crisp feel. It is gentle on the arm and holds tension fairly well. Synthetic

68Arlington ARLINGTON TODAYAd_Arlington • June 2017 •Today.indd arlingtontoday.com Parks June2017 1

gut is a good choice for balance of power and control.

Polyester: Polyester is durable and a good choice for big hitters, string breakers, and people without arm problems. Polyester has lots of “playability” and holds tension well. Beware of arm problems if you have your racquet strung too tightly with polyester!

Textured Strings: Textured string has an added seam or raised band around it to give it texture to produce more bite on the ball, giving is more spin.

Hybrid Strings: Hybrid strings are a blend of two different types and or thicknesses on the mains and crosses, which can allow for more fine-tuning to suit personal taste.

The next two decisions are thickness and tension. String thickness is referred to in gauges. 16 gauge is the most popular and standard.

15 gauge, or 15L, is a little thicker, which helps with durability. 17 gauge is thinner and helps in the control department, but it may break more easily. Tension has the most impact on “feel” and control, with some impact on power. To keep it simple, start in the lower twothirds of the recommended tension range for your racquet. Lower tension allows more energy to be given back to the ball (more power), but may result in a loss of control. Higher tension reduces energy from the racquet (less power), but may result in more control.

Work with a teaching professional to determine what string is best for you and your game, and choose a string that is best for you. The good news is that if you don’t like the way the string performs, it’s an easy fix by just having it restrung with different options.

– James Helvey, Head Tennis Professional, Arlington Tennis Center

5/19/2017 1:31:12 PM

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69

Picture-perfect Moments

Photos courtesy of Eddie Miranda

Radio personality and former television sportscaster Scott Murray, right, moderates a panel discussion at the YMCA event that included Dr. Dean Posey, Kathryn Jacob, Capt. W. Patrick Jones and Mayor Jeff Williams.

Photos: Yale Youngblood

Roberto E. Aguirre, Glynda Patterson, honorees Bill and Shari Bowie and Congressman Joe Barton

Sue Phillips, Suzanne Sweek, Joni Wilson and John Sweek at Arlington on Tap

Scene

Snapshots from the May Arlington on Tap Speaker Series, from the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA Better Together Community Gathering and from the April Show Out DFW award presentation

Congressman Joe Barton presents Shari and Bill Bowie with their award.

Photo courtesy of Kristina Anderson

Lisa Flores and Lori Martin at Arlington on Tap 70

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Laura Stinson, Carmenza Moreno, award recipient Glenda Bell with Dental Health Arlington, Dr. Shad Hattaway, DDS, The Chick Fil A Cow, Nancy Blinn and Kristina Anderson at the April Show Out DFW award presentation by the Kristina Anderson Group of Ebby Halliday Realtors and Chick-Fil-A North Collins

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71

Dining Guide

RECIPES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME

Keen cuisine!

Here are local restaurants you should check out

Photo: Café Sicilia

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 Piccolo Mondo piccolomondo.com 829 Lamar Blvd. E. • (817) 265-9174

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

restaurant506 at The Sanford House restaurant506.com 506 N. Center St. • (817) 801-5541

Rio Mambo riomambo.com 2150 E. Lamar Blvd. • (817) 795-4555

AMERICAN Candlelite Inn candleliteinnarlington.com 1202 E. Division St. • (817) 275-9613

6407 S. Cooper St. • (817) 465-3122

Chop House Burgers chophouseburgers.com 2230 W. Park Row Drive • (817) 459-3700 Dino’s Subs 2221 S. Collins St. • (817) 274-1140 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 Mac’s Bar & Grill macsteak.com 6077 West-I20 • (817) 572-0541 MEXICAN/TEX-MEX Blue Mesa Grill bluemesagrill.com 550 Lincoln Square • (682) 323-3050 72

ITALIAN/PIZZA Cafe Sicilia cafesicilia.com 7221 Matlock Road • (817) 419-2800 Gino’s East ginoseast.com 1350 E. Copeland Road • (817) 809-7437 Mama’s Pizza mammaspizzas.com 1200 N. Fielder • (817) 795-8700 SEAFOOD Pantego Bay Gulf Coast Café 2233 West Park Row, Pantego (817) 303-4853 BARBECUE Bodacious Bar-B-Q bodaciousbbqarlington.com 1206 E. Division St. • (817) 860-4248 David’s Barbecue davidsbarbecue.com 2224 West Park Row • (817) 261-9998

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Sicilian Caponata

The flavors of Sicily SICILIAN CUISINE OFFERS a unique fusion of flavors. Make no mistake, it is Italian, but it is also so much more! Through the centuries Sicily was invaded by the Spanish, Greeks, French and Arabs. They brought apricots, raisins, pine nuts, saffron, nutmeg, rice, couscous and so much more to the island of Sicily and helped create Sicilian food as we know it today.

The island is blessed with a warm climate and rich volcanic soil. Orange and lemon groves, vineyards, olives and almond trees give abundant harvests. Sicilians have mastered the art of using the earth’s bounty to create simple and delicious food.

Caponata is a great example where the use of simple ingredients creates a dish which balances sweet-and-sour flavors beautifully.

Sicilian Caponata

Ingredients: 1 large eggplant, cubed; sprinkle of sea salt; 1 large yellow onion, chopped; 1/2 cup celery, chopped; 1/2 cup carrots, thinly sliced; 1 roasted red pepper, chopped; 1/2 cup pitted green olives, sliced in half lengthwise; 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons more for roasting; 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 (15oz) can Italian tomatoes, diced; salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped (optional); toasted pine nuts (optional) Method: Place the chopped eggplant in a colander. Sprinkle with sea salt and let it sit for about an hour. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Do not rinse the eggplant! Place the eggplant on a lined baking sheet. Toss the eggplant with about 2 tablespoons olive oil and roast for 25-30 minutes or until the eggplant is slightly browned and has shrunk in size.

Meanwhile, in a large non-stick pan, sauté the chopped onions in a 1/4 cup olive oil until softened but not browned. Add the celery and carrots and sauté for a few minutes. If the pan gets too dry add 2 tablespoons of water rather than more oil!

Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the roasted red pepper, olives, capers, vinegar and sugar. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the warm roasted eggplant and simmer a little longer until all the ingredients are softened and well combined. Check the seasoning and adjust accordingly.

Leave to cool to room temperature before covering and chilling. Leave it refrigerated for a day or two to allow the flavors to blend. Before serving, add the chopped parsley and pine nuts. Serve as a side dish with grilled swordfish or with some crusty bread as part of an antipasti plate.

Caponata will last several days in the fridge. It can be frozen or even be preserved in glass jars. So double up the recipe and customize it to your own liking just as an Italian Mama would do!

Buon Appetito!

These cultures brought their various cuisines and help create Sicilian cuisine as we know it today.

Karin

with the purchase of a bundtlet

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Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 583-6522

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Takeout available. Fax 817.226.3474 arlingtontoday.com • June 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

73

Health & Fitness

Summer skin care

Photo: semprenaturalskin.care

Here are factors to consider as you prepare to stay and play in the hot, summer sun • By Dr. Mark Bishara

S

kin is the body’s largest organ and one of the most important. To achieve optimal skin health you must understand the various skin types and conditions as well as factors that can potentially cause damage. At the office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Med Spa, we emphasize the importance of taking care of your skin. We offer SkinCeuticals products and treatments to help you properly treat your skin, and our staff can educate you on the products that are right for your own skin type. Here are factors to consider as you ready yourself for the hot, summer sun.

Sun damage and sun protection Accumulated exposure from the sun without proper protection has negative consequences. The three main types of rays that damage our skin are UVA, UVB, and infrared rays, all of which have the ability to penetrate skin and cause damage to cells and DNA. On the surface, this damage manifests as fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, and discoloration, but the most dangerous consequence beneath the surface is the risk of skin cancer.

To adequately shield skin from the sun, sunscreen needs to be a part of every daily routine. Options include physical UV-reflecting ingredients, chemical UV-absorbing ingredients, or a combination of both, but the most important thing to look for on a label is the term “broad spectrum”. This indicates full coverage from the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB radiation, whereas SPF only measures the length of time one is protected from the UVB rays responsible for sunburn.

Research has shown that sunscreen alone does not provide adequate protection from environmental damage. The average consumer does not apply enough sunscreen, therefore only obtaining up to half the protection stated on the bottle. Second, sunscreens only block 55 percent of the free radicals generated by UV exposure. Finally, UV filters do not provide protection from damaging infrared radiation.

For broad range protection against all sources of environmental skin insults, it’s imperative to use a topical antioxidant in conjunction with a daily sunscreen. Our SkinCeuticals products offer eight antioxidant products that have been clinically proven to provide optimal protection from the damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors.

Environmental aggressors Natural protective antioxidants help the skin repair itself, but when it is hit with environmental aggressors, this supply is quickly depleted. Without antioxidant protection, the skin can be damaged in 74

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

both its appearance and long-term health. The main environmental factors that contribute to skin damage are sunlight, infrared radiation, air pollution, alcohol, and smoking. These aggressors generate free radicals, which cause damage in the skin that compromises vital cellular components as well as the cells’ DNA. When cells can’t defend themselves, they then lose their ability to replicate correctly- and the visible signs include fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, discoloration, and potentially skin cancer.

The importance of a proper regimen Although the specific products depend on skin type and skin conditions, every effective regimen must include three fundamental elements—Prevention, Protection, and Correction.

To “Prevent” accelerated skin aging and skin cancer, it’s imperative to use a daily topical antioxidant. This targeted range of products prevents skin damage by neutralizing the free radicals generated by UV rays, infrared radiation, and other environmental factors like pollution, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoke.

Photodamage created by the sun is the number-one cause of accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. In order to prevent this damage, it’s essential to “Protect” skin with sunscreen.

To minimize lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and other visible effects of past damage, we offer products designed to “Correct.”

These potent skincare products are formulated with powerful ingredients and advanced technologies to restore a healthier, younger-looking complexion.

These three components ensure an effective skincare regimen for maintaining and improving the health and appearance of skin. To properly choose a skincare regimen and proper treatments we now offer Digital Facial Scanning. The Reveal Computer Skin Analysis System is computer imaging software that takes high resolution photos and demonstrates areas of aging and sun damaged skin.

After your digital facial scanning we can discuss proper SkinCeutical products and laser facial rejuvenation procedures that would correct your skin conditions. For more: (817) 473-2120.

Dr. Mark Bishara is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS), the Tarrant & Dallas County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association.

Health for the Whole Family!

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75

Nightlife & More

Sights/Sounds

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Your resource for entertainment in and around Arlington THEATER: Legally Blonde: The Musical When: June 1-4 Where: Theatre Arlington (305 W. Main St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday Notes: Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery. Perky Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy, UCLA sorority girl finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend. To prove she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she follows him to Harvard Law, where she ultimately proves the power of pink.

For more: theatrearlington.org

MUSIC: June concerts at Levitt Pailion When: June 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 29 Where: Levitt Pavilion (100 W. Abram St. Show times: Check website for show times.

Notes: Featured performances at the Levitt this month include Humming House (June 2), Uncle Lucius (June 3), American Jazz Composers Orchestra plays Stevie Wonder (June 4), Bri Bagwell and Reckless Kelly (June 9), The Gibbonses and Orleans (June 10), Dylan Chambers and Black Violin (June 11), Patrice Pike (June 16), Prophets and Outlaws (June 17), Los TexManiacs with Flaco Jimenez (June 18), and Cory Morrow and Robert Earl Keen (June 23), 76

There also will be tree movie nights, featuring the showings of “Moana” (June 8), “Sing” (June 15) and “The Secret Life of Pets” (June 29).

For more: levittarlington.org

MUSIC: June Concerts at Arlington Music Hall When: June 2, 9, 16, 24 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show times: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: This month’s featured performers/performances include Wynonna & The Big Noise (June 2), Sha Na Na (June 9), Petty vs.

Eagles: A Musical Shootout (June 16) and Mickey Gilley (June 24).

For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

MUSIC: June concerts at The LOT Downtown When: June 3, 10, 17, 24 Where: The LOT Downtown (110 S. Main St., Mansfield) Show times: 7 p.m.

Notes: Four artists will perform at Mansfield’s showcase music venue this month: Warren Hood (June 3), The Gypsy Playboys (June 10), The Peterson Brothers (June 17) and Amber Digby (June 24).

For more: thelotdowntown.com

MUSIC: John Mellencamp: Sad Clowns & Hillbillies Tour When: June 14 Where: Verizon Theatre (1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Notes: Mellencamp’s career in music has spanned more than 35 years during which time he transitioned from pre-fab pop idol to one of the most highly regarded mature songwriters of a generation.

For more: verizontheatre.com

MUSIC: Metallica: WorldWired Tour 2017 When: June 16 Where: AT&T Stadium Show time: 6 p.m.

Notes: The tour, in support of Metallica’s new album Hardwired...

To Self-Destruct, marks the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy® Award winning band’s first proper North American tour since 2009. Avenged Sevenfold will be the main support act for the tour run.

For more: attstadium.com

THEATER: Seussical Jr. When: June 16-17 Where: Willie Pigg Auditorium (1520 N Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield) Show time: 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday Notes: Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and presented by Mainstage Classic Theatre.

For more: mainstageclassic theatre.org

Photo: kansasband.com

Kansas will play Levitt benefit show THE ICONIC ROCK BAND Kansas will perform in Arlington for the Levitt Pavilion’s annual benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sept.

23. Best known for its two one-million-selling single hits, “Carry On My Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” Kansas has produced records and pleased crowds for more than four decades.

Tickets for Texas Health/Arlington Memorial Hospital presents Kansas are $45 for general admission and $185 for VIP tickets. VIP tickets include a reserved parking area, preconcert party, silent auction and reserved seats in the VIP section at the concert. Tickets are available online at levittpavilionarlington.org.

The Topeka-based band released its debut album in 1974 and has gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. The band’s catalogue includes 15 studio albums and five live albums, eight gold albums, and three six-time platinum albums. Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for 200 weeks in the ‘70s and ‘80s. “Carry On My Wayward Son” continues to be one of the top-fivemost-played songs on classic rock radio.

Proceeds from Levitt Pavilion Arlington’s annual benefit concert help the outdoor concert pavilion provide more than 50 free concerts a year for everyone to enjoy. The benefit concert is also sponsored by Levitt Foundation, MillerCoors and the University of Texas at Arlington.

BAYLOR ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE HOSPITAL Presents

2017 Summer Concert Season

Now part of Baylor Scott & White Hospital

FREE MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

100 W. ABRAM ST. 817.543.4301

June THURSDAYS ARE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT! THURSDAY, JUNE 8 • 8 P.M.

American Jazz Composers Orchestra JUNE 2 • 8 P.M. JUNE 4 • 8 P.M. JUNE 3 • 8 P.M. DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON CENTER STAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Humming House

Presented by

Presented by

Uncle Lucius

Presented by

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 • 8 P.M.

Presented by

Reckless Kelly

JUNE 9 • 8:30 P.M.

Presented by

Orleans

Black Violin

JUNE 10 • 8:30 P.M.

JUNE 11 • 8:30 P.M.

Presented by

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 • 8 P.M.

Patrice Pike





Presented by

JUNE 16 • 8 P.M.

Prophets and Outlaws JUNE 17 • 8 P.M.

Presented by

$35 General Admission

Los TexManiacs & Flaco Jimenez

Presented by

Somebody’s Darling

Presented by

JUNE 18 • 8 P.M.

Tickets available online at LevittPavilionArlington.org 100 W. Abram St. in Founders Plaza 24-Hour Info 817.543.4301

Presents

Fri., June 23 •7:30 P.M.

 ROBERT EARL KEEN

with Special Guest

Thank you to our Benefit Concert Sponsors!

CORY MORROW

Presents

JUNE 30 • 8 P.M.

Saturday, September 23 • 7:30 p. m. $45 General Admission • $185 VIP

VIP includes: Reserved Parking Area, Preconcert Party, Silent Auction & Reserved Seats in VIP Area at the concert.

Tickets on sale online at LevittPavilionArlington.org With Special Guest All proceeds from the Kansas VIP concert help the Levitt Pavilion Experience provide more than 50 free Sponsor concerts for everyone to enjoy!

Thank You to all our Benefit Concert Sponsors!

2017 Levitt Summer Concert Season Sponsors ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine

Speaking of Sports

Gearing for greatness

Arlington’s Myles Garrett is ready to show why he was the No. 1 selection in the recent NFL draft • By John Rhadigan

T

he sports world spins on an axis that is different from the real world. In the real world, all places experience light by day and stars at night. It is a cycle that repeats itself over and over again. In the sports world, as the saying goes, “ the sun does not shine on the same dog’s behind every day.“ Thankfully, the bright light of the sports universe shines on Arlington, Texas, a lot. The presence of three professional sports teams and some awesome venues help attract that light. But last month, an unexpected light shone on Arlington when the NFL conducted the annual draft.

The draft was held in Philadelphia, and, as expected, the first player taken was Arlington’s own Myles Garrett. Most often the players who are expected to go very high in the draft are at draft headquarters, where they can meet with representatives of their new team and they can meet the media.

Not Myles Garrett.

This remarkably talented young man was right here in Arlington at Tierra Verde Golf Course when his Photo: 1newsnet.com name was called. It wasn’t like his name being called was a surprise. In fact, one of the great moments of the evening happened just after the Cleveland Browns selected Myles first overall. While still on the phone with the team, Myles removed his dress shirt to reveal that he was wearing a Cleveland Browns undershirt.

Myles comes from an incredibly athletic family. His mother Audrey was an All-American in the 60-meter hurdles at Hampton in 1982. His brother Sean Williams was a first round pick of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets in 2007. Like Myles, Sean graduated from Arlington Martin High School. So did his sister Brea. She is two years older than Myles, and she is the one who blazed the family trail to Texas A&M. As a senior at Martin, she won Class 5A state titles in the shot put and the 100-meter hurdles. She also won the NCAA indoor championship in the weight throw for the Aggies.

For Myles, the next step is to live up to the pedigree. He has all the tools, both on the field and off. At his introductory press conference, Myles told the Cleveland media that he was looking forward to sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisbeger in the opener next fall – strong words when you consider how the Steelers and Big Ben have dominated the Browns for the past dozen years.

But the acquisition of this Arlington product has everyone in the 78

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Browns organization feeling good. When asked what he thought of Myles’ prediction, Browns VP of football operations Sashi Brown said, “We’re not scared of it. Myles, if you go back and look at his introductory press conference, he had the right amount of levity balancing that confidence.”

Not surprisingly, when he returned for a mini-camp last month Myles was asked about his bold prognostication. “You just gotta back up your words. Don’t be scared from it or don’t shy from it,” Garrett said. “Make sure, if you’re willing to say something that you worked hard enough and prepared well enough to back those things up.”

Myles Garrett works out at the NFL Garrett does not shy away from combine prior to anything, even criticism before he becoming the first has taken his first snap in an NFL pick of the 2017 draft. game. On the second day of minicamp Myles watched film with Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith, who had a surprising assessment of the first overall pick. He told Myles, “that I was slow off the ball,” Garrett said. Myles admits he was surprised to hear that criticism, but he respects the opinion of Smith, who played in four Super Bowls with the Bills.

If history is any indicator, Myles will take Smith’s words to heart.

Smith will be a special coach to Myles during mini-camps and training camp, and – maybe, just maybe – Myles will have a career like Bruce did. Smith was an 11-time Pro-Bowler and a part of the NFL 1990s All Decade team that included a lot of your favorites from the ‘90s Cowboys.

The sun is shining on the behind of Myles Garrett, who will help the Browns try to forget the futility that has dogged them for so long. He will approach his new job with skill, humility, confidence and levity – all of which he learned in your midst, right here in Arlington Texas.

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

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79

Events, etc.

Itinerary

Be there, or be square

Your official Arlington-area guide to fun (and the like) June 1-30 What: Planetarium Spring Shows Where: The Planetarium at the University of Texas Arlington (700 Planetarium Place) When: See below for show times In a nutshell: Spring shows at one of the region’s premier planetariums will include “Phantom of the Universe” (6 p.m.) and “Pink Floyd” (7 p.m.) on Fridays; “One World One Sky, Big Bird’s Adventure” (1 p.m.), “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” (2 p.m.), “Phantom of the Universe” (6 p.m.) and “Pink Floyd” (7 p.m.) on Saturdays; and “Astronaut” (1:30 p.m.) and “Spacepark 360” (2:30 p.m.) on Sundays.

For more: uta.edu/planetarium

June 1 - Aug. 6 What: Milton H. Greene: Women Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

In a nutshell: The range of Milton Greene’s subjects include such notable women as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, Judy Garland, and Catherine Deneuve, as well as many others. The exhibit is organized by diChroma photography and curated

by Anne Morin.

For more: arlingtonmuseum.org

June 1 - Dec. 31 What: Donray Traveling Exhibits Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) 80

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on TuesdaySaturday; 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

In a nutshell: This unique and fascinating exhibit demonstrates the majesty of the Western American landscapes, birds, and performers. Donray’s technique captures the beauty of the natural world while commenting on the silent danger that exists out in the open, secluded space.

For more: arlingtonmuseum.org

June 2-4, 6-7, 16-22 What: Texas Rangers baseball Where: Globe Life Park When: Check website for times In a nutshell: The defending American League West champs will entertain four teams this month: the Houston Astros (June 2-4), the New York Mets (June 6-7), the Seattle Mariners (June 16-18), and the Toronto Blue Jays (June 19-22).

For more: texasrangers.com

June 6 What: Painting at the Park Where: Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park (1650 Matlock Road, Mansfield) When: 9-10:30 a.m.

In a nutshell: Attendees can participate in this nature-themed painting class, which focuses on cardinals this month. An artist will guide you step-by-step as you complete your masterpiece. This class is geared toward ages 5 and up, with no prior experience required. All materials will be supplied. Pre-registration is required.

For more: (817) 728-3680

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

June 6, 9, 11, 16, 21, 25 What: Dallas Wings basketball Where: College Park Center When: Check website for times.

In a nutshell: The city’s WNBA team will host six games this month: the Washington Mystics (June 6), the Los Angeles Sparks (June 9), the Minnesota Lynx (June 11), the New York Liberty (June 16), the San Antonio Stars (June 21) and the Connecticut Sun (June 25).

For more: wings.wnba.com

June 10 What: The 4th annual Grand Prairie Dragon Boat Festival Where: Loyd Park (3401 Ragland Road, Grand Prairie) When: 9 a.m.

In a nutshell: Forming a dragon boat team is easy. Included in your team registration is a practice session where experts will show you how to paddle and race. Practice sessions and race day include all of the necessary equipment such as a boat, paddles, lifevests, etc.

For more: gpdragonboat.com

June 17 What: Baila si Puedes ( Dance if you Can) Where: Traders Village (2602 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

In a nutshell: Traders Village and Azteca 55 present this dancing contest, which features a chance to win cash and other prizes.

For more: tradersvillage.com/ grand-prairie

Photo: communityimpact.com

Here’s a smart deal for smart students THE MELTING POT of Arlington will honor members of the “Straight A Club” Sundays though Thursdays this month. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can bring their Straight A report cards and receive one complimentary child’s entrée plate (Teriyaki-Marinated Sirloin, All-Natural Chicken Breast, Pacific White Shrimp, & Spinach Artichoke Ravioli) with the purchase of one regularly priced four-course dinner.

The offer is good during dinner hours (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the restaurant located at 4000 Five Points Blvd, #119.

For more: meltingpot.com/arlington-tx.

Photo: spartan.com

Spartan Sprint is a race like no other THE REEBOK SPARTAN SPRINT will be held June 10 at AT&T Stadium. Races start at 7:30 a.m. and run throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Athletes of all skill levels will traverse a course from 3 to 5 miles long and take on 20-some obstacles before they reach the finish line.

For more: spartan.com.

Lace Up&give a Leg Up What is The MOST Amazing Race? Teams of two race around Arlington, follow clues and complete tasks to advance to the next checkpoint. The tasks can be mental or physical, just plain fun or down-right thrilling. The MOST Amazing Race is a unique experience for all skill and fitness levels. PLUS, the more money you raise for The Salvation Army’s programs, the bigger your time advantage on race day.

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$100 registration fee satisfies the minimum fundraising requirement

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September 9 • 3:00 pm Central Arlington Register at MostAmazingRaceTX.org

Community Partners

The Salvation Army Family Life Center and Youth Education Town • 712 W. Abram, Arlington, TX 76013 • (817) 860-1836 • www.sayet.org

The Junior League of Arlington thanks our 2016-2017 sponsors and in-kind donors for their generous support.

You all truly help us make a positive impact in the community.

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81

Finish Line

When GM almost closed its Arlington plant

E

ditor’s note: This month’s Finish Line is one in an occasional series that former Mayor Greene calls “How our community was shaped by 10 things that didn’t happen.” This month’s commentary is the sixth of those 10 things.

With Christmas approaching in 1991, my assistant walked into my office and announced that the chairman of General Motors was on the phone.

How nice, I thought. GM brass called their plant city mayors from time to time, and I always enjoyed the opportunity to reinforce Arlington’s commitment to support our city’s leading corporate employer and largest taxpayer.

Only thing was, this time the call was not any kind of Christmas greeting. It was bad news. Really bad news.

Chairman Bob Stempel first described something I already knew – that the national recession was taking a toll on the big car company. He then went on to say something I feared – that sales were way down of the Chevrolet Caprice they were building in Arlington.

Worst still, they were building it not only in Arlington but also in a plant in the Detroit area. He said they certainly didn’t need to be producing a car in two different plants that they couldn’t sell.

He said I needed to begin to think about how my town would deal with the shutdown of the 40-year-old plant that had undeniably launched the city’s prominence in the modern era of its history.

To say the least, I was stunned by his very unwelcome news. I remember walking around in a daze trying to think of what to do next. I had never imagined such a thing as watching a padlock affixed to the gate of the place where almost 4,000 local people were employed.

The Dallas Morning News summed it up by reporting, “Unemployment would surge, nearby businesses would suffer and the city would lose its largest taxpayer.”

However, Stempel had left a crack in the door by saying the final decision of which of the two plants to shutter – ours or the one in Detroit – would not be made for a couple of months. Even with that, it was not immediately certain that the city could do much of anything to avoid the economic calamity about to befall us, as our fate was in the hands of the big car company.

Without any kind of agenda yet developed, I called an emergency meeting of the city council. If nothing else, I planned to declare that the city’s leaders were mobilizing an all-out campaign to save the plant. Every member of the council got a specific assignment that day to lead our quickly developing effort to send a message that we weren’t going to just sit around and wait to see what was going to happen.

A call to Governor Ann Richards found her to be ready to help. She came to Arlington soon thereafter and joined with me in a couple of 82

ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Here’s the front page of the Dallas Morning News from Feb. 25 proclaiming that the Arlington General Motors plant would remain in operation.

• By Richard Greene

news conferences to declare the resources of the state were at our disposal. I had similar conversations with our Washington D. C. delegations in the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives. A high-profile mobilization of local, state and national leaders was quickly initiated. I traveled to Austin, Washington, and Detroit with these folks, and they all spent time in Arlington with us – always in front of news reporters.

Members of the national media found their way to Arlington.

Covering the story of what was happening here was a reflection of the toll the recession was taking across the country. The New York Times ran a feature article, the ABC prime time Nightline news show was broadcast twice from Arlington, and the local media provided daily reports throughout.

I spent more time with the plant manager and chairman of the local UAW chapter than anyone else. Reworking the local labor agreement to reduce costs, increase efficiency and ensure the highest quality of fit and finish for the cars built in Arlington were all critical elements.

Meanwhile, the labor leaders in the Detroit plant were taking a different approach. Instead of talking about modifying their contracts, their strategy was to warn the GM brass of terrible consequences.

They promised reprisals, lawsuits and work stoppages if the company closed their plant.

In the end, I imagined myself in the GM boardroom to witness the discussions. One plant – the one in Arlington – was surrounded by the whole community, an entire team of political leaders, and a work force saying they would do whatever it took to keep their plant open. The other plant was issuing threats. I liked our strategy better.

You know the result.

Not only did GM chose the Arlington plant but later transformed it to build the icon of the new line up – the Suburban, also known as the National Car of Texas. Today our plant is the most productive among all the company’s assembly facilities and about to undergo a $1.4 billion expansion and add more than 500 new jobs.

So, the thing that didn’t happen in this case was that GM’s decision makers didn’t cave in to the intimidation tactics of Arlington’s competing facility and chose instead to go with a winner.

Richard Greene was Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997, appointed by President George W. Bush as Regional Administrator to the EPA, and currently teaches in the University of TExas Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

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