March 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

These standout women tell us what drives and inspires them to achieve

These

Women

Starting Line 6

Itinerary 8

This ‘n Data 10

Around Town 18

Scene 20

Bulletin Board 50

Keen Cuisine 54

Speaking of Sports 58

Finish Line 62

New chapters for telling Arlington's stories

It’s kind of amusing to me that this column is called the “Starting Line.” It’s piece of content that introduces you to what’s contained in these pages, but if you want to get philosophical about it, the work started well before I even began to put words to this document.

In our Sports column, John Rhadigan introduces us to the Texas Rangers’ new (albeit formerly retired) manager Bruce Bochy, who was hired by Rangers’ new GM Chris Young, who himself inherited the team when he replaced longtime GM Jon Daniels.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Executive Publisher

Judy M. Rupay

CEO

Richard Greene

EDITORIAL

Editor

Mark Bauer

Sports Columnist

John Rhadigan Designer

Sara Pintilie

Website & Social Media Manager

Bailey Woodard

Graphic Artist

Francisco Cuevas

Contributing Writer

Kenneth Perkins

Contributing Photographers

Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bobbie Jo Majors, Bruce Maxwell

I recently heard a leader share an ancient piece of wisdom that I keep coming back to: We all drink from wells we did not dig, and sit under the shade of trees we did not plant. That’s certainly the case of this column that I inherited from Yale Youngblood, this magazine’s inaugural editor and the man at the helm for 111 issues of Arlington Today. I’m grateful for him and the care and

In his Finish Line column, Mayor Richard Greene pays homage to Jill Hill, who’s retiring as executive director of River Legacy Foundation. We’ll literally be sitting under the shade of trees Hill planted for years to come.

As for who I am? A son of Arlington through and through. Graduated from James Bowie High School, worked my

Mark Bauer

commitment he demonstrated for our readers all these years, and I wish him the best in his retirement.

That bit of wisdom is also true of the stories shared by women in our Women in Business section. These high-achieving women share about the people in their lives who served as a source of inspiration and who drove them to succeed. They also provide words of wisdom to aspiring young professionals who are just beginning to write the early chapters of their own careers.

scorched my skin as a lifeguard supervisor at Hurricane Harbor while working my way through college; headed up The Shorthorn student newspaper as editor in chief at University of Texas at Arlington, and even wrote a couple of pieces for this magazine in its early days. Back then, though, I didn’t know what I didn’t know and had to bop around a little bit from DC to Los Angeles to learn a thing or two before Arlington Today’s publisher Judy Rupay called me back home.

There’s a lot of goings on in Arlington. And while it might sometimes feel like we’re just getting started, we’re participating in a long lineage of people who came before us and left their mark on our city. I look forward to continuing to tell those stories.

SALES / CIRCULATION

Business Manager

Bridget Dean Sales Managers

Laura DiStefano, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz

Distribution Manager

Hanna Areksoussi

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

Francisco Cuevas

ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2023 Arlington Today, Inc. 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.

To subscribe, e-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com.

PHONE US AT (817) 303-3304

ARLINGTON TODAY GIVES BACK

Arlington Today magazine proudly sponsors the AISD Education Foundation, Arlington Charities, Arlington Museum of Art, the Arlington Police Foundation, the Junior Cares, the Pickle Parade, the Texas Sports Legacy Foundation, Theatre Arlington and the Women's Alliance.

Mark Bauer is the Editor of Arlington Today Magazine.

MAVERICK SPEAKER SERIES

Maverick Speaker Series

A Conversation with Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi is coming to Texas Hall as the latest speaker in UT Arlington’s Maverick Speaker Series. Nooyi is an accomplished business leader who currently sits on the board of Amazon, where she chairs the audit committee. She’s best known for her previous role though as the chair and CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2019. During her tenure, she was the chief architect of Performance with Purpose, which helped PepsiCo grow its net revenue by more than 80%, and the company's total shareholder return was 162%, beating the S&P over the same period.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

7:30 P.M. at Texas Hall

Tickets: www.uta.edu/maverick-speakers

SWING THROUGH THE TREES Go Ape Zipline Park opens in Arlington

The City of Arlington Parks and Recreation has

Adventure Park company in the U.S., to launch two new zipline and ropes courses at River Legacy ParkEast in Arlington. The new adventure park will offer exciting outdoor activities with multiple ziplines

over the Trinity River. The park will also feature can compete with friends in various games and

www.goape.com/location/texas-arlington

LAY OUT ON THE GRASS

Muslim American Celebration at the Levitt Pavilion

Advisory Council is sponsoring a public cultural 6 pm. There will be a traditional Syrian sword and dances. Special guest speakers will include Representative Salman Bojani. Admission is free and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or

SOMETHING XTREME

blankets. Food and drink is available for purchase, but coolers are also permitted as long as they don’t contain glass containers. A portion of the fundraising proceeds will be donated to US-based humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

Saturday, March 4 2 P.M. to 6 P.M. levittpavilionarlington.org/events.

UPCOMING GAMES

March 5 @ 3 pm

March 26 @ 2 pm vs San Antonio Brahmas

March 31 @ 6 pm vs the Seattle Sea Dragons

April 23 @ 2 pm vs the Houston Roughnecks

The XFL team in Arlington, the Arlington Renegades, kicked off their season opener at Choctaw Stadium in February. XFL co-owner Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was on-hand for the kickoff. Check out one of the upcoming home games and see what all the buzz is all about.

A Conversation with Indra Nooyi

Arlington Charities Rolls Out New Meal Initiative to Combat Food Insecurity

Arlington Charities is rolling out a new initiative this year to against hunger and poverty.

The organization unveiled a new mobile pop-up pantry for providing nutritious food to residents in food deserts across the city. The food insecurity rate in Tarrant County is above the national average at 18.1%, with more than one-third of those residents unable to qualify for government programs.

tering graphics of fresh produce and is equipped with a refrigerated cooler to store meat and dairy.

The truck was designed to give residents a full shopping experience, with one side of the truck opening to display deep slanted shelving for selections of fresh fruit, produce and bakery items just as residents are accustomed to at any neighborhood grocer.

Not only will residents have access to healthy foods at the pop-up pantries, but they will also have the opportunity to receive nutritional education, assistance with signing up for

take feedback from our clients and community partners seriously and use it to identify areas of need and determine future site locations.

As one of Arlington's largest food pantries, Arlington Charities has been providing supplemental groceries to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Arlington and Tarrant County since 1978.

In 1957, newly developed Lake Arlington became known as “Miracle Lake” when 17 inches of rain

45,000 surface acres of water, enough to supply the city’s water needs for the next eight years. Engineers originally estimated the lake would take

$179,332,500

The total estimated payroll for the 2023 Texas Rangers, which places the team in the top-10 of MLB teams for spending. Before the offseason spending spree the Rangers payroll sat right around the league average of $85 million.

Source: Spotrac.com

14

The number of bowling lanes at the Bowling International Training & Research Center. The ITRC uses leading-edge technology to help bowlers improve their game, including video analysis, biomechanical motion and bowler vision.

Source: BowlingITRC.com

46th

The Arlington Police Department is the 46th largest law enforcement agency in the country with almost 900 sworn

Source: arlingtontx.gov

13.2%

The percentage that assessed property values increased from last year.

Source: arlingtontx.gov

ARLINGTON BY THE NUMBERS

ARLINGTON MUSEUM OF ART TO DEBUT DISNEY ANIMATOR EYVIND EARLE PAINTINGS AT YOUTH ART MONTH SHOW

The Arlington Museum of Art is the new recipient of four paintings by Disney Legend Eyvind Earle, and the works will debut March 3 to coincide with the 2023 Youth Art Month show.

Eyvind Earle (1916-2000) worked as a background painter for Walt Disney Animation Studios from 1951-1966. During that time, he created worlds for styling, background, and colors.

The paintings given to the AMA by the Earle Family Trust are:

Big Sur Branch and Fog, Eyvind Earle, oil on board, 48” x 36”, 1-5-1988

Bonsai, Eyvind Earle, oil on board, 28” x 22”, 1-2-1978

Fire Magic, Eyvind Earle, 48” x 36”, oil on board, 4-26-1993

Late Autumn Leaves, Eyvind Earle, 48” x 24”, oil on board, 4-26-1996

“The Arlington Museum of Art is thrilled to receive this generous gift from the Earle Family Trust,” said Kendall Quirk, AMA Registrar and Director of

Exhibitions.

Quirk described Earle's artistic style as innovative and unmistakable.

“He was a magician at creating a animators, and designers worldwide.”

The paintings will become a part of the Arlington Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

During Summer 2022, the AMA exhibited more than a dozen original paintings and serigraphs by Earle at the Arlington ISD Center for Visual

The collaboration was a companion show to the museum’s Summer 2022 blockbuster exhibition, Disney Art from

The artwork will be displayed along with the 2023 Youth Art Month show. From March 3-23, 2023, artwork by students from AISD high schools, junior the museum’s galleries. Admission is free.

by Jason Boyd

UTA COOPER STREET BRIDGES TO GET MAKEOVER DESIGNED BY STUDENTS

3 Scoops

1. The city of Arlington is seeking resident input on Meadowbrook Park improvements ahead of its 100 year anniversary. Public meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 March 8 and April 4 at the Levitt Center at Levitt Pavilion Arlington, 100 W. Abram St. in downtown.

2. Registration is open for the Arlington Museum of Art Summer Art Camp. The half-day camps are tailored for children ages 6-12 and are held weekly between June 12 through July 21, 2023.

Two of the three Cooper Street bridges that connect the halves of The University of Texas at Arlington's campus are set to receive a makeover courtesy of winning designs submitted by students.

The bridges, which opened in 1990,

for many motorists, because many of the campus' noticeable buildings and greenery are hidden behind hills and slopes.

According to Austin Allen, CAPPA interim associate dean and associate professor of practice in architecture, the Bridging the Gap: The North Bridge, South Bridge Competition's broader aim was to use the redesign to bridge the gap between UTA's east and west, otherwise known as the "UTA Connecting Corridor."

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students and faculty to not only contribute to the University, but also to become part of UTA’s history,” Allen said in a statement.

Forty groups of students competed in the design event, and the top three teams won prizes of $1,250, $1,000 and $750. Prize funding comes from CAPPA

and University administration.

In an interview with The Shorthorn, UTA's student newspaper, a member of the winning team said the main focus of their ideas for the bridge was to implement an open space and a sense of community.

“We wanted to create a bridge with lots of greenery, open space and a place for the community to interact and gather without the bridge being too enclosed,” architecture junior Michelle Marquez said.

UTA President Jennifer Cowley and a panel of industry professionals served as judges for the contest, and residents of City of Arlington as well as students, faculty, and staff of UTA were welcomed to weigh in on the entries. They considered factors such as connectivity, sustainability, long-term impact, and short-term impact.

Over the course of the next several months, the top teams will now work bring their visions to life with a $2.5 million budget supplied by the UT System Library, Equipment, Repair and Rehabilitation fund.

3. Eight Arlington parks are slated to receive new playground structures this year. The project includes playground equipment at the following parks: Don Misenhimer, Clarence Thompson, College Hills, Bowman Springs, Gene Schrickel Jr., Howard Moore, Dixon W. Holman and Mary and Jimmie Hooper.

#atpetofthemonth

by Jason Boyd – Sara Pintilie

Meet TATL! Tatl is a feisty 10-year-old Khao Manee. She's a hometown girl, rescued from the Arlington Animal Services, and rules the household with her antics. She might be mostly blind but she still bosses around everyone she meets. This special needs kitty requires a bath or two from her human, but she forgives the audacity with the help of a few chicken treats. Though she might not look like it, Tatl is honored to be Arlington Today Magazine's Pet of the Month.

Pro Golf Could Be Yet ‘Another Gem’ in Arlington’s Sports Crown

Cole Brantley has been swinging a golf club since the days he behind his big brother, he was often a little dude on a big course, eventually graduating from pee wee player to high school golfer to a sometimes slicer on public courses around DFW.

“I was okay, not great, not horrible,” is the description he robotically dishes out to anyone reasonably curious about

Brantley was astonished about a professional golf tournament in his backyard.

“Really?” he said to me. “In Arlington?”

Really. In Arlington.

“I know, I know,” said Clay Kelley when I brought up this little scenario during a phone conversation the other day. Kelley is on the advisory committee for the Korn Ferry Veritex Bank Championship played at the Texas Rangers Golf Club.

Few are more invested in seeing golf come alive in Arlington than this guy. For the Veritex Open, he’s hosted players in his own home, so they don’t have to shell out hundreds on lodging, food, and apprehension.

KENneth Perkins

“We’d rather see them concentrate on playing well than worrying about how they will afford to come here and get to the PGA tour,” Kelley said. Oh, the PGA Tour.

The Korn Ferry Veritex Bank Championship, set for April 10-16, is part of a developmental tour featuring golfers who have yet to reach the PGA Tour or failed to win enough FedEx Cup points 25 spots and getting a shot at glory, a career, a victory stroll on ESPN.

Last year’s winner, Tyson Alexander, has since earned over a million dollars in prize money. No, it’s not the Colonial of Fort Worth or the Byron Nelson of Dallas, but, as Kelley put it, “It’s yet another gem in the crown jewel” that is Arlington’s reputation as

a sports and entertainment hub of North Texas.

The Texas Rangers Golf Club course is an exquisite sliver of bliss with a newly built 33,871-square-foot clubhouse featuring a full-service restaurant and bar, a covered patio overlooking the greens, a pro shop, locker rooms, and numerous rental and event spaces.

Fairways are nice and broad, the greens large. It has 111,000 square feet of sand bunkers framing each hole. It’s the real deal.

“This is a unique event,” Kelley said, “but because of Colonial and the Bryon Nelson, it does not get great attention. It would be great if we could keep this tournament in Arlington for years to come. To do that, we need to draw more people to the tournament.”

Kelley, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Jacobson, former mayor Jeff Williams, current Mayor Jim Ross, and other Arlington powers-that-be are all hyped about the possibility of golf being another impact player in the city. Could be, should be, particularly if this becomes a well-known pipeline to PGA Majors.

Public enthusiasm would result in an economic engine for the

that is Arlington’s sports and entertainment reputation. As these things tend to do, it would help drive tourism, positively affect goes on.

Arlington would love to see Texas Rangers Golf Club become a destination course for professional golfers and even slicers like Brantley. When the tournament begins this month, he plans to be there. So will dozens of PGA Tour wannabes.

To Kelley, it will be nice to have these professional golfers back in the city, with one exception: “We don’t want to see these guys back,” he said.

I suspect they want to move on, too.

Kenneth Perkins has been a contributing writer for Arlington Today for nearly a decade. He is a freelance writer, editor and photographer.

SNAPSHOTS OF ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE AREA NEWSMAKERS

1. Arlington Renegades wide receiver Jordan Smallwood takes a photo with a fan at the XFL team's Meet the Team event in February. 2. Ollie and Melissa Cepeda, Jordan and Aaron De La O at Timeless Concerts. 3. Kenya Mobley and Taylor Calton at Galentine's Happy Hour. 4. Attendees at the Arlington Charities unveiling of its new Mobile Market. 5. TaShunda Scott, Shervonne Cherry, Cari Furman, Maggie Terhune at Spark co-working space grand opening at Choctaw Stadium. 6. Jennifer Cozart & Kelsi Couture at Galentine's Happy Hour.

7. Tanya Merlino, Brandon Arconado, Heather Shipman and Kelsi Couture at Galetine's Happy Hour.

8. Attendees at Galetine's Happy Hour.

9. Hani Kobty, Mayor Jim Ross, Aziz Kobty at Arlington Renegade's season opener at Choctaw Stadium.

10. Susan Anderson, Dana McCoy, violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, Don Anderson and Tony McCoy at Timeless Concerts.

The Frederick

Republicans of Tarrant County hosted its fourth annual reenactment of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s meeting. Lawyer Larry Mike moderated a panel discussion with former Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Texas A&M Law dean Bobby Adieh, and the Hon. Michael Williams. Actors Landry Beckley and Tanner Mobley performed the reenactment.

Douglass

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Women in Business

Spotlighting some of Arlington's best and brightest

Wyears ago, it’s not surprising that it was a very male-dompair with some great men who mentoredagement, I would not be the person I am

the vital role that women play in the What you’ll see in these pages aredone!

strong women who are paving the way

-

ness world, and to shine a light on the hope to inspire more women to pursuepanies, but to the health and well-being -

Judy Rupay Publisher

Amy Cearnal Front Real Estate Co.

Amy Cearnal didn’t necessarily plan to get into real estate. She needed a job and responded to a “Help Wanted” ad by a local real estate company looking for an said. “Seeing the richness of those friendchanged my life.”

clients and taking a hands-on approach

learn. Cearnal has seen the real estate-

‘do the right thing’ so many times that get a sign in the yard if it’s not the best

Front

(817) 543-0000 PO Box 13587 Arlington TX 76094 www.frontrec.com

Women in Business

Judge Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt

Tarrant County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

Judge Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt is a dedicated and experienced jurist who has presided over one of the highest volume courts in Texas for over 9 years. As Tarrant County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Judge Curnutt hears an average of 15,000 cases annually in areas such as truancy, small claims, evictions, and mental warrants. She has collaborated with agencies and programs in Court to help thousands of students graduate and arranged $40 million since 2019, saving county resources by using advanced technology and processes to create one of the most

Judge Curnutt is a dedicated communi-

(817) 548-3925

700 E. Abram, Suite 200 Arlington, Texas 76010

ty volunteer, a successful businesswoman, a devoted wife and mother, and a thankful Christian. She credits her parents for instilling in her the values for faith, love, commitment, and hard work. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Business Administration-Management and worked her way up to lead a $20 million-a-year sales team at a software company in Dallas.

Judge Curnutt is an Arlington High Colt and has been involved personally and professionally at almost every level of the Arlington community. She has been recognized by Tarrant County Dispute Resolution and the Texas Justice Court Training Center for her excellence in case management and dispute resolution, and currently teaches best practices at Judges School on Truancy/Failure to attend school.

Judge Curnutt is married to her high school sweetheart for over 35 years and has 3 grown sons, one perfect daughter-inlaw, and is looking forward to the birth of

serves as the Immediate Past Board Chair

Brenda Cureton-Hunt

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

Brenda Cureton-Hunt, the owner of Great Skin Spa & Facial Club, has been in the beauty industry for over 16 years. She founded Great Skin after her experiencean-based Faces cosmetics. The company has grown and gained a reputation as an exceptional day spa and skincare provider due to their commitment to creating personalized solutions for each individual skin situation.

Cureton-Hunt is a big proponent of receiving professional spa services as part of personal care rather than a special occasion visit. “I developed the concept of Great Skin based on the goals of the thousands of clients wanting to have more beautiful skin and manage the signs of aging skin through treatments, knowledge and skin care,” Cureton-Hunt says. award-winning skin care products for anti-aging, like its signature anti-aging line, GoldTox, a system clients use at

home to beautify their skin. As adept as Great Skin is at caring for women, the spa is ideal for men and teens wanting to look younger and take care of their skin. services.

Great Skin became a model business for implementing safety measures early into the pandemic and still follows oper-

of Downtown Arlington and is past President and currently on the boards of the Rotary Club of Arlington, Arlington ISD Education Foundation, Women Inspiring Philanthropy. She and her husband are honored to lead an apartment church with Mission Arlington in their spare time. Finally, their favorite area of service together is leading an Apartment Church through Mission Arlington where they joyfully get to love on people and share the Gospel!”

ating principles of disease control to keep Customers rave about the calming atmosphere, services, results, and

is "Relax, Rewind, Renew!" and they specialize in treating every skin type, tone, and texture with excellent results from knowledge, education, and experiCream" for skin and body care, paying

treatments. Great Skin also accepts CareCredit, which is a credit card for health and beauty services.

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

(817) 478-2114

3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington TX, 76017

greatskin4you.com

Texas is the Wild West regarding roofing, construction, and general contractors as our state lacks licensing and insurance requirements Unfortunately, these contracting mistakes usually come back on you, the home or building owner rest assured a Joe Hall roof or general contracting project is installed by craftsmen backed by over three decades of experience and technical know-how in the industry

We put YOU in the driver's seat- inviting you to take a holistic view of your situation, illuminate blind spots, and present routes to resolution

At this time, we see an opportunity to capitalize on a diverse multigenerational workforce focusing on creating one-of-a-kind solutions for roof owners and property managers. Our mission is to "Empower homeowners, business owners, and property managers to ma ke educated and effective construction decisions, from residential to commercial." Our material expertise includes but is not limited to composition shingles, synthetic slate, standing seam metal, concrete tile, authentic slate, TPO, coatings, large scale interior/exterior storm restoration (residential and commercial), commercial remodels, upgrades and build out.

A message from CEO Tina Hall, "As we tr ansition into the third generation of our family business, we ' re putting a lot of effort into our company culture and the personal/professional development of our team members The new core values of integrity, family, knowledge, innovation, and health serve as guiding beacons for our team's decision-making I envision a workplace that empowers everyone to actualize their full potential, ultimately to i mpart top-tier service to you, our customer."

We are proud to have a solid representation of women within our team- from CEO and COO to production coordinators, project leads and accounting support - we ' re raising awareness of opportunities for women in the construction industry!

Women in Business

Georgie Zang Zang | Adams

Georgie Zang cares about Arlington, and that’s evident in how attentive she is to the organizations she serves and to her clients' needs, both residentially and you that she is amazed at the opportunities in front of her, “it’s been nothing short of remarkable,”says Zang, who happening is not by her hand alone.

At Zang Adams, their tagline "LEAD. SERVE. CONNECT." isn’t just a slogan, but a driving philosophy behind the business. The team's core philosophy is all about the people they work with. For Georgie, real estate is “a conduit to do good things for great people,” she says.

Zang credits God and her family overall, but in particular her Dad as the single biggest impact on shaping who she is today. “My dad has always been my biggest fan,” she says. “He has always pushed me hard to do my best and to give more than I get.” She says her drive to achieve comes in part from

Julie Short Coldwell Banker Realty

Julie Short had considered several careers before she fell into real estate, which she originally dove into to help her husband who is a custom home builder. She didn’t realize it then but all the careers she’d considered to that point as a writer, psychologist, interior designer, marketing guru all blend together in this one job in some form or another.

Julie's experience in construction has clients, as she’s able to help them through remodels.

“I really enjoy real estate. I quit looking at every obstacle as a problem and started out how to conquer,” she said. “I can't help but ride the roller coaster of emotion with my clients when a deal has challenges but it forces me to pray a lot and to get creative with solutions because I truly care about my clients and I want them to win! I never want to go backwards, every

year I try to do better than I did the year before.”

Julie's advice to aspiring realtors is to have a holistic understanding of what the industry entails.

“There is nothing easy or quick about real estate so you need to have a realistic idea about what you are getting into, but it is also very rewarding and you can make a great living doing this,” she said. “Do your best to make every day fun. All the things you do in a day may not day. Whether you are raising babies or working in the corporate world, life is too short to not enjoy every day!”

passionate about and by doing her part to general, Zang advises taking one day at a time, trying not to get overwhelmed or controlling, and keeping priorities straight. She also reminds women not to compare their Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20.

Zang’s dedication to people and the incredible growth, with $18M in their a whopping $77M in their third year.

Georgie's journey is a testament to the power of following one's passion, being dedicated to people, and never losing sight of one's values. It's a journey that inspires and encourages others to do the same.

1000 Ballpark Way, #300 Arlington, TX 76011

zangadams.com

Zang | Adams

Cindy Salter Curnutt & Hafer

Cindy Salter has a unique role at Curnutt & Hafer, splitting her time between practicing law on their personal injury team and leading marketing, community relations, and business development initiatives. Her performance led to her promotion to Senior Counsel and Chief

member of the leadership team. from the opportunity to utilize her legal skills while also exercising her creative and entrepreneurial muscles to brainstorm innovative marketing and business development projects. A New

Curnutt & Hafer

(817) 548-1000

301 W. Abram St., Arlington, TX 76010 curnutthafer.com

Jersey native, she earned her degree in biology from Rutgers College and her law degree from Rutgers School of Law, where she served as a law review editor.

Jersey and Philadelphia, Cindy moved to Arlington in 1993 and has practiced law in Dallas and Fort Worth.

a personal and hands-on approach to both clients and team members. She believes

its focus on serving the community. The

of public art to the city, in particular, the Downtown Arlington section where itsdom,” was completed in December 2022, commissioned by Arlington-born muralist Christ Gonzalez. The piece embodies motifs of wisdom and Lady Justice, with

Kenya Mobley On-Track Truck Driving School

the stage to receive her high school diplo-

At the age of 6, she found her parents shot in their bedroom. She became pregnant at 13, dug deep as a young teenager family sent her to an alternative school for pregnant teens in Virginia. Eventuallypi where she felt like she was sinking in quicksand. Shortly after the birth of her second child, she loaded her car up and drove to Arlington, TX with only a couple thousand dollars to her name.

Texas and provided her the care she needed to establish her new home. She was determined to do more for her family and opened a childcare center, which she owned and operated for 11 years. that permitted me to dream again,” she

to always approach the day with curiosity and awareness.”

After a decade in the childcare business, Kenya pivoted again and despite never driving a truck before, she opened a truck driving school. The school is women owned and operated, with one-third of her students previously experiencing incarceration.

very hands-on and reassure my students also provide community resources to assist with their day-to-day needs,” she says.

Kenya attributes her driving force to her army of supporters. Among them: Her City of Arlington.

of how we live is how we believe and how we worship.”

Salter has been pleasantly surprised by how genuinely close-knit and supportive the Arlington business community is, in particular, the professional women. Salter is an active member of local boards and reward in mentoring women pursuing their dreams. Her advice to others is to dream big, be bold, and surround themselves with positive, uplifting people who align with their values.

Women in Business

Jordon Street

CORE Insurance Group

If there’s anyone who will make you believe that you’re capable of achieving anything, it would be Jordon Street’s mother, who was a groundbreaker in her industry.

“She found her way into the auto manufacturing industry in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s at General Motors. This was challenging to be a single mother in a male-dominated arena. She became a journeyman electrician, an infrared thermal thermographer and a vibration analyst during her career,” Street says. “It is because of her that I believe that women can do anything. We lost her to cancer in 2019.”

Street got her start in underwriting, which gave her a wealth of knowledge in creating solutions for unique risks and challenges. Street’s heart quickly led her to consulting with agency owners to help them serve their clients better, and now as an agency owner, she views herself as a strategic advisor and partner in her clients' family and business needs. “My job is to make sure you succeed and are appropriately protected,” she says.

Shirley Cox Amegy Bank

Shirley Cox knew from the time she was 15 years old that she wanted to be a banker. Her dad was a business owner in a small rural Texas town where he was a director of a local bank. “His involvement allowed me to visit regularly with the president of the bank,” she says. “It impressed me to see all that he did in the community and how he helped so many people.”

As a senior vice president of commercial lending at Amegy Bank, Cox has spent three decades helping plenty

of people herself. She began her career in banking in 1988 as part of Texas Commerce Bank's credit training program, where she gained experience in underwriting and analyzing businesses, laying the foundation for her successful commercial lending career.

Cox forged through the challenges that you’d imagine accompany being a female banker in the 1980s, and has become a role model, mentor, and resource for other women in the industry.

“Although there have been times in which I had to work harder than my male counterparts, I never allowed that to be my focus. Instead, I focused on what I can control—developing relationships and following through with my commitin the details,” she says. “To this day, it’s my practice to send handwritten notes when it’s applicable. It’s a small detail, but a personalized gesture that goes a long way in today’s digital world.”

And while the world is increasingly connected virtually, Street emphasizes the importance of actually knowing your agent.

“In a world where almost everything you do is online, insurance shouldn’t be one of those things. You should be able to talk to your agent in person, or at least via phone, to truly discuss your situation and get tailored insurance programs,” she says. “We are able to work in almost every state and in Mexico so we have a broad reach.”

Ninety-nine percent of the marketing budget at Street’s agency goes toward Street herself serves on several boards and committees for United Way of Tarrant County and The National Juneteenth Museum, among others.

joy in being an insurance expert, but I can’t get enough of it. I learn something new everyday and there is always a new challenge. I get to create platforms and as well,” she says. “I am lucky.”

shirley.cox@amegybank.com amegybank.com

In her personal life, Cox has found a lot of joy in raising her family in Arlington for the last some 30 years. She’s a proud

Fightin' Texas Aggie and enjoys drinkon the board of directors for Arlington Charities. In her professional life, she is proud to lead the charge for Amegy Bank in Arlington and to have developed a and personalized support to business

Angel Biasatti

says. “I enjoy empowering our citizens to make informed decisions about their in their lives."

Angel places an emphasis on making the community healthier and is eager to go out of her comfort zone to learn

She has drafted business proposals and contracts with the cities and school districts, some of which resulted in employee wellness clinics, athletic partnerships, and lifesaving sports physicals and echocardiograms while others have earned the hospital’s name on football stadiums and parks, to name a few.

DCEO and Fort Worth Business to Gold Healthcare AD and Aster awards. In her spare time, Angel believes in giving back, serving others, and making a difference in the world by serving on local boards of directors and school advisory boards, mentoring students through PR internships, hosting students for career days, providing advice for young professionals, and helping increase literacy through the Read to Me program, to name a few.

Texas native Angel Biasatti works Medical Center a household name in the communities it serves. As director of community and public relations, she spends her days raising awareness of the quality of healthcare the hospital provides. “I love this community,” she

She created one of the area’s premier running events called Run With Heart. This annual run promotes heart health while honoring individuals living with heart disease and remembering those who have lost their lives. Most recently -

appreciation for the arts.

been honored with several awards from

Brittney Garcia-Dumas

When Brittney Garcia-Dumas started her marketing company, several people referred to her as “the girl that’s always on her phone” and (playfully) mocked as “always looking for the Instagram moment.” But as the dust settled on the social media landscape, Brittney was to bridge the gap between traditional business marketing and authentic online branding on those platforms.

Now BGD Digital Marketing specializes in launching and modernizing businesses through branding, social media

BGD Digital Marketing

817-692-2115

management, and marketing consulting. The company began in 2020 as a fully remote, COVID-era business, which taught Brittney the importance of clear communication and adaptability. These lessons have helped the company succeed and

Brittney believes that true connection with the consumer is what creates brand loyalty and has always persisted in her desire to personify brands. Her company's value approach to marketing is dynamic, trustworthy, and relational, which turns strangers into repeat customers and corporations into community members.

Brittney credits her success to her ability to see the good in people and her passion for reigniting the passion of business owners through clear communi-

“I was lucky to have parents who taught me to listen to others, never stop learning, and never give up,” Angel says. “They encouraged me to take risks, make good choices, and make a

cation and knowledgeable support. She in general to pursue their dreams and to never doubt themselves.

At BGD Digital Marketing, the company's consultation program is Brittney’s favorite as it helps create clear pathways to marketing success for business owners. The company utilizes state-of-the-art processes and provides one-on-one customer care to help businesses gain trust, stay relevant, and sell products.

Women in Business

Reba Blevens Media Matrix

While Reba Blevens may be in what she says is the “twilight” of her career, she still possesses a twinkle in her eye when bringing together a creative promotional project. She was on hand during the cover photo shoot for this issue, working in tandem with the photographer to conceptualize ideas that would best showcase the women featured in this special section.

While that’s now, her career actually started as a sales representative for Roundup in the Ag Chem Division of Monsanto. “My responsibilities included calling on distributors, local dealers, and farmers in Northwest Arkansas,” Blevens says. “I had the opportunity to solicit testimonials from end users for television and radio commercials.”

817-925-7141

Donna J. Smiedt

After returning to Arlington in 1983, she joined WBAP as an account executive, where she gained experience selling radio advertising. In 1990, at the prompting and encouragement of her clients, she founded her own business.

Reba attributes her business success to her strong relationships with clients, many of whom she has worked with since the 1980s. She is also grateful for the inin Arlington ISD who made sure she was challenged and supported. In terms of the biggest impact on who she is today, she credits the Moritz family and the GM for Moritz Dealerships, Jim Hardick.

“I have learned so much during my tenure with them. They support our community philanthropically with humility and grace,” she says.

Reba's advice to aspiring women in businesses with integrity and honesty, give back to the community, and invest in others. She is involved with several

philanthropic organizations, including the AISD Education Foundation, Salvation Army Advisory Council, Salvation Army Family Life Center, and the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation.

Reba's legacy is her commitment to making life better for the children in her

favorite quote by Abraham Lincoln: "No one stands as tall as when they kneel to help a child." And as she moves into the twilight of her career, Reba is focused on leaving a positive legacy that inspires others to follow their dreams: “I have a great life!”

The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt

Donna Smiedt’s life has taken her on a long, winding journey, spanning two continents and countless hours of work in pursuit of her goals. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, she immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 14. After graduating from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas at the age of 15, she attended Southern Meth odist University in Dallas and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science in 1982. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from SMU School of Law in 1985 at the age of 22 and immediately opened a solo law practice in Dallas, where she served clients for a decade.

Donna met the love of her life, an Ar lington resident, on a hot Texas summer day and instantly felt at home in the city. They bought a beautiful home at Lake Arlington before departing on their honeymoon, and twenty-seven years later, they still reside there, enjoying their friendly and cohesive neighborhood just

Throughout her time in Arlington, Donna has served on the board of the Arlington Animal Shelter, as President of the Arlington Bar Association, and the Arlington Business and Professional Women’s Association, earning appreciation and respect from the community. As

The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt

(817) 539-6571

3216 W Arkansas Ln Arlington, TX 76016 arlingtondivorces.com -

ing Arlington with the most superlative family law services tempered with empathy, her bond with the city was further cemented.

Donna attributes the meteoric growth and prosperity of Arlington to the exceptional leadership of its city council and mayors. She is inspired to watch the metamorphosis of Arlington from a small town to a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, while never forgetting its roots. Donna believes that the success of the city is due to the dedicated public servants who have worked tirelessly to attain its goals.

Mayor Laurie Bianco Dalworthington Gardens

grew after several years as a stay-at-home mom. As her daughter grew, Mayor Bianco desired to be a more active participant in her community.

“My involvement with the city began DWG Citizens Public Safety Academy. We created a 501(c)(3) to raise money for our DPS,” she says. “As my love for

and with the encouragement of others, I decided to engage in a higher level of involvement by serving as the mayor of our community.”

Mayor Bianco’s success as a tender-hearted community leader is driven by her commitment to surrounding herself with capable individuals, learning from their attributes, and using that knowledge to better herself and her community.

city for future success, making it a safe and ideal place to live and do business in the DFW metroplex. With streamlined in-house processes and an extraordinary and neighbors to consider DWG as their future home. -

ence of her parents, Jesus, and the various challenges she has faced throughout her life. Her advice to aspiring women

humble, and show kindness and love to others, never underestimating the value of a simple smile or a kind word.

“As my friend Karen Cherry says, ‘Without a test, you can’t have a testament,’” she says. “My sincerest hope is that at the end of each day, I will have impacted someone else’s life in a positive way.”

Mayor Laurie Bianco's experience as a teacher both here in the U.S. and abroad in Italy for two decades has contributed to her ability for meeting the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. But her journey toward public servanthood

“I pray every day for guidance, wisdom, and prosperity for our community. I pray for each individual who lives and and DPS,” she says.

As the mayor of Dalworthington Gardens, Laurie's focus is on setting up the

Elizabeth Kobty Prince Lebanese Grill

Elizabeth Kobty's role at Prince Lebawhen she started as a young teeneager. The restaurant is an Arlington staple that’s been family owned and operated since 1989. Today, Elizabeth has stepped into the role as owner/operator, working alongside her family to serve up fresh, made-to-order Lebanese cuisine and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all customers.

Early on, Elizabeth dreamed about she found her true passion in serving

Prince Lebanese Grill

(817) 469-1811

502 W Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011

www.princelebanesegrill.com

her community and sharing her family's culture and values through hospitality and food. She believes that her business stands apart from competitors due to the strong relationships they have built with their customers, who are treated like family.

Kobty credits her father with having the single biggest impact on shaping who she is today. He instilled in her the values of hard work, dedication, and caring for others. She has always been driven to achieve and exceed expectations, and to do the same. She advises aspiring business owners to always try their best, never give up, and be consistent in their

Prince Lebanese Grill is a community-focused business that values giving back. Their recipes have been passed down through generations, and they use

www.cityofdwg.net

only top-quality ingredients in their dishes. Kobty is proud of the legacy that her family has built through the restaurant, and she encourages everyone to come and experience the warm hospitality and delicious food that Prince Lebanese Grill

UTA Professor Paves Way for Plastic Road Material

By Herb Booth

Photo: UTA

Sahadat Hossain

Friday

Home SWEET! Home

Urban living can be just as sweet

By Georgie Zang

Welcome to Main 7 Urban Living Townhomes, a vibrant oasis in the heart of Arlington. These townhomes represent the missing element in the city's growth, family living but in an urban setting.

own a home in the city.

“With so much growth in our

apartment living, it was clear to me that there was a missing element to townhome living for people who

features.

allow the buyers to bring their own style

a little more contrast in the kitchens while still keeping things light, bright,

want to set a high bar for Downtown Arlington living.”

Nagy assists the homebuyers in putting together a timeless color palette that will

with urban views from the kitchen,

with over 1,600 square feet of space to work with. Another exceptional feature to this development is that all the villas are Fee Simple, a unique characteristic

Main 7 residents have the best of everything, with easy access to Arlington's cultural district, including the Arlington Museum of Art, the Arlington Symphony, Arlington Music Hall, and Theatre Arlington. Additionally, Main 7 is within walking distance of the Levitt Pavilion and entertainment options for a truly urban experience.

The development will also feature sculptures commissioned by UTA's art department that will bookend the Garden Green. And, for sports fans, Main 7 is less than three miles from the internationally recognized Arlington entertainment district, with many of the

ATT Stadium from their balconies. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this vibrant community. With villas selling as quickly as they are built, pricing for the Main 7 townhomes starts at $415K and goes up to $625K. Contact us today to schedule a visit and discover your new urban oasis at Main 7.

A Presidential Revelation

Adlai Pennington’s 1949 Packard is as historical as it is impressively crafted • By

When Adlai Pennington set out to

Richard Greene

When Pennington is sitting behind the steering wheel, he can visualize it as a seat once occupied by the man who helped to shape the world in World War II.

antique Custom 8 Packard that was bound to turn everyone’s head upon its arrival. He gladly agreed – only the old limo never made it to the desired destination. En route it sputtered to a stop on the highway. With a fresh battery, Adlai was able to maneuver it into the parking lot at again.

Fortunately, a backup plan was available just in case something like this happened. His daughter was following in a SUV with the bridesmaids, so she was able to rescue

the bride and get her to the altar. Adlai’s wife retrieved him from the parking lot so he could join the ceremony, and he left the Packard behind. It would be several days before arrangements could be made to get it going again, so it just sat there appearing, for all intents and purposes, as an old deserted car. Local authorities weren’t sure how to

entered the picture and began to report on what had become the “Mystery Packard.”

Aside from new paint and seat covers, this classic automobile features all of its original equipment. The vehicle was considered one of the post-WW II-era prestige cars, and it still is an impressive site on the road today.

delivered to the White House, where it

This play-within-a-play captures a touring theater troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and -- of course -- flying sardines!

Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

James McKnight Park West in

untouched since it opened nearly 35 years ago. That’ll soon change as

Department has been awarded a $750,000 non-urban outdoor recreation grant for the park from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. In its January meeting, the TPWC approved $9.9 million in competitive grants for city and county park projects from across the state, funding 20 of 52 eligible requests.

“We are absolutely thrilled with this announcement and so grateful to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for sharing our vision for this wellestablished but under-developed park,” Matt Young, Executive Director of Community Services said in a press release. “Not only does this project serve a huge range of ages and interests, it truly checks all the boxes for our mission as an organization: providing welcoming spaces for residents to grow healthy families, preservation of

Texas Commission Awards Park Grant

precious natural, green spaces and lots of exciting new ways for residents of all ages to play.”

Wildlife grant for the park since the state organization funded its initial development 35 years ago.

While heavily used as a major trailhead for the Walnut Creek Linear Trail, the park, located at 302 N. Wisteria St., has remained largely untouched since its opening and has no recreational opportunities for residents.

assessments. Before the funding announcement this project was the highest unfunded item on that list.

The exact amenities and layout will be determined during the planning process and after a series of public engagement opportunities starting this spring to get current feedback from residents and stakeholders.

• Accessible, multi-age playground and swings and shade

• • Pavilions, picnic tables and other park amenities

• Looped walking trail with exercise equipment

• Walnut Creek Linear Trail expansion to Julian Field Park

as the fourth highest priority for the southwest quadrant of the city based on community feedback and needs

The Parks and Wildlife Commission grant will be federally funded through the Land & Water Conservation Fund, which requires a 50 percent matching contribution from the city. The total cost for the improvements at James McKnight Park West are estimated at $2.1 million. The required matching funds for the grant will come from the city’s half-cent sales tax fund.

UT Arlington Announces Addition to the Volleyball Coaching Staff

Texas Trust Credit Union COO Retiring

Ginia Chapline, the Chief Oper-

Gotta Love It: Law Firm Gifts

Valentine’s Steak Dinner to Deserving Arlington PD Lieutenant

When lawyer Rocky Walton and his wanted to show support to local police, steak dinner at Del Friscos Double-Eagle Steakhouse for Valentine’s Day to a dethey posted a Facebook promotion that invited input from those in the community to vote for their favorite Arlington

The post received 83 comments through the duration of the promotion,

Texas Trust Employees Graduate from Leadership Academy

Two employees of Texas Trust Credit Union, Silvia Avila and Travis Tedford, have completed the Cornerstone League's Leadership Academy, an exclusive ninemonth higher-level education program designed to prepare future credit union leaders.

Tedford, who is the Member Experience Manager at Texas Trust, currently works with multiple departments and strives to provide a superior member experience both in-branch and online.

the leaders in our industry that Corner-

stone Leadership Academy provided was an incredible experience," he said in a statement. “We were able to interact with and grow from the knowledge of multiple credit union CEO’s in addition to learning from each other.”

Avila, the Payment Engagement Advocate at Texas Trust, said that the CLA helped her grow as an individual and sharpened her skills. She also said that face challenging situations and a better functions within the credit union.

Chaplain to be Awarded Lifetime Achievement

Chaplain Rich Stoglin will soon be awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by the University of Wisconsin at River

black American to receive this honor. In

May 7 as Chaplain Rich Stoglin Day, “recognizing his service to our country in the U.S. Navy and his dedication to the advancement of others in and around the American Dream City!”

and once votes were tallied Rocky and mouth-watering steak dinner.

PD for more than 17 years. He worked his way up the ranks, starting as a police Police Sergeant, and in 2018 was promoted to Police Lieutenant.

something they plan on continuing every Valentine’s Day. That’s a heartfelt tradition you can really sink your teeth into.

Texas Hospital Association Honored with Community Service Award

Texas Health Resources has been awarded the Excellence in Community Service Award by the Texas Hospital Asenhance community well-being through the implementation of the Blue Zones Project. This initiative is led by North Texas Healthy Communities, the health award serves as recognition for Texas Health's contributions to the community through this impactful program.

Cinderella Charity Ball T he 63rd Annual

Congratulations to Emily Hill

Miss Cinderella 2022

The 63rd Annual Cinderella Charity Ball presented by the Ladies’ Auxiliary, will take place April 8th at Esports Stadium & Expo Center in Arlington. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by

event, the Cinderella Charity Ball raises money to support the Arlington branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County The event has raised more than $14 million to date Last year ’ s candidates raised $861,091, with Emily Hill raising - $164,587 - to earn the title of Miss Cinderella 2022.

Introducing the 2023 Miss Cinderella Candidates...

Daughter of Julie and Jake Hill

Kate Elizabeth Autrey Pantego Christian Academy

Sophomore

Faith Wanell Browne Martin High School

Junior

Kelsey Ann Cooner Lamar High School -Sophomore

Carolyn Olivia Allen Martin High School -Junior

Hailey Ann Spraggins The Oakridge School – Junior

Libby Jane Smith Lamar High School – Junior

Ryan Ann Richter Martin High School – Junior

Landyn Elizabeth Nichols Martin High School – Junior

Amesley Erin Noll Pantego Christian Academy – Sophomore

Olivia Grace Parvin The Oakridge School – Junior

Reese MacLaine Richardson Arlington High School – Sophomore

Maggie Leigh Mittig Lamar High School – Sophomore

Sophia Hana Mirzaei The Oakridge School – Junior

Kyley Lynette McLean Grace Preparatory Academy - Sophomore

Lya Nhu Lang Martin High School – Junior

Ella Caroline Jay Lamar High School -Junior

Amelia Rebecca Harvey Pantego Christian Academy – Sophomore

Halin Jane Griffith Lamar High School – Sophomore

Jenna Kathryn Ferguson Martin High School – Junior

Cut & Bourbon

UPSCALE

Chamas do Brazil • 4606 S. Cooper St. • 817-618-2986 • chamasdobrazil2.tru-m.com

Cut & Bourbon • 1600 E. Randol Mill • 682-277-4950 • loewshotels.com/live-by-loews-arlington-texas

Mercury Chophouse • 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910 • 817-381-1157 • mercurychophouse.com

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

Restaurant506 at The Sanford House • 506 N. Center St. • 817-801-5541 • restaurant506.com

MEXICAN / TEX-MEX

Cartel Taco Bar • 506 E. Division St., Suite 150 • 817-200-6364 • carteltacobar.com

El Arroyo • 5024 S. Cooper St. • 817-468-2557 • elarroyoarlington.com

El Gabacho Tex-Mex Grill • 2408 W. Abram St. • 817-276-8160 • facebook.com/elgabachotexmex La Isla Restaurant • 2201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. • 817-459-1498 • laislarestauranttx.com

Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch • 2614 Majesty Dr. • 817-640-5118 • laharanch.com

INTERNATIONAL

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

R'Haan Thai Cuisine • 2500 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd. • 817-795-9188 • facebook.com/rhaanthaicuisine

Taste of Europe • 1901 W Pioneer Pkwy. • (817) 275-5530 • tasteofeuropetx.com

Taste of Europe

Vietalia • 1220 S Cooper St. • (817) 460-1945 • vietaliakitchen.webs.com

Kintaro Ramen • 101 E Abram St #130 • (817) 538-5344 •kintaroramen.com

This Month's Keen Cusine

El Arroyo

More Mental Health Programs Now Available in Arlington

Texas Health Arlington Memorial is adding more mental health programs in the wake of a recent increase in life stressors faced by adolescents and adults.

This expansion was vital to provide even more individuals and families with the care and support that they need to improve their mental health and well-being, according to Aliza Hirani, Director of Clinical Services.

“Many stressors arose because of the pandemic, such as social isolation, children suddenly doing virtual schooling at home, and adults who lost their jobs or had to adjust to working from home,” Hirani said. “As a result, repeated studies have shown that more people experienced mental health issues like depression and anxiety and even drank more to try to cope.”

That hit especially close to home for one Behavioral Health Center Arlington nurse, whose 16-year-old son was recently enrolled in a partial hospitalization at the center. He gave permission to talk openly about his

experience.

By Jason Boyd

“He was happy, always going out dancing, always fun,” Mora said in a statement released by the center. “It was a shocker. I got a call from his father saying he was in the hospital and that he had called the cops and told them he wanted to commit suicide.”

During his hospitalization, Mora’s son was attended to by nurses, doctors and therapists for two weeks, including daily group therapy.

“Most parents don’t seek help, especially in our community as Hispanics. They feel like, ‘Oh, it’s just a phase. They’ll get over it,’” Mora said. “But he didn’t want to talk to us about it. Now

he’s doing so much better. He’s taking his medication. He’s more interactive, smiling. Mental health struggles are real, and they can happen to anyone.”

For more information on the mental health services available at Texas Health Arlington Memorial, visit texashealth.org.

Expanded services:

• Partial Hospitalization programs: Patients are not admitted overnight but have access to a nurse and doctor, as well as every weekday.

• Intensive Outpatient Care programs: Patients take part in three-hour group therapy sessions three days a week.

New services:

• Women’s Partial Hospitalization Program: In-person group therapy where women can address issues and challenges in a safe, therapeutic setting including postpartum depression, menopause, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

• Women’s Intensive Outpatient Program: In-person or virtual group therapy for women to address issues including postpartum depression, menopause, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

• Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program: In-person group therapy offered from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to help adolescents ages 13 to 17 struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, bullying, abuse, trauma or boundaries to balance school and their mental the other.

• Adult Co-Occurring Disorders Program: In-person group therapy tailored for adults who struggle with both mental health and substance use issues.

Getting to Know Rangers’ New Skipper Bruce Bochy

baseball. His big league career started as a backup catcher for the Astros in 1978. It ended after the 2019 season. In those forty-one years, he played for three teams and managed two. He took both teams he managed to the World Series, ultimately winning three championships with the Giants.

In 2022 Bruce and his wife Kim were invited to attend a Rolling Stones concert. Watching Mick Jagger move and perhaps listening to the lyrics of one of the Stones’ most famous songs, Bruce realized that he “can’t get no satisfaction” from retirement. After the show he said to Kim, “Jagger is almost 80 years old and he is still working. Why do I have to stay retired?” At 67 years old, Bruce was ready to get back in the game.

As you know, thanks to a great relationship with a former player of his, president and general manager of the Texas Rangers Chris Young, Bochy is back. At Fan Fest the new manager and I sat before hundreds of Rangers fans to discuss this next chapter.

John Rhadigan

outlined his vision for completing the rebuilding process. But he admits that he never thought the Rangers would be able to sign

Perez, acquiring Jake Odorizzi from Atlanta and signing Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney, the Rangers added 31 years of big league pitching experience to a staff that is full of young talent.

The 1996 National League Manager of the Year knows that veteran pitching is so valuable. Not only will it help you win now, but those vets can show the young guys what it takes to succeed at the big league level. He referenced the 2009

winner Randy Johnson pitched for the Giants. Bochy credits the Big Unit with showing Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathon Sanchez and even Madison Bumgarner how to win. The next year in 2010 they did win. Johnson was retired but the Giants

beat the Rangers in the World Series.

During a Q&A portion of Fan Fest the new Rangers’ skipper took several trips down memory lane. All the way back to his playing days when one fan asked him to tell us about hitting a walk off home run off Nolan Ryan. When he heard that question he looked at me and asked, “how much time do we have?”

The short version of the story goes like this: Bochy was called on to pinch hit in the10th inning of a tie game. Nolan had started the game and was still pitching in the 10th. Bochy came to the plate, got his pitch and hit a walk-off home run. The next day Nolan was throwing a bullpen while Bochy was shagging during batting practice. The two had been teammates in Houston so they knew each other well. When Bruce got to the fence near the bullpen Nolan said, “I got something for you.”

level where a right-handed batters head would be. They both laughed but Bruce got the message. The one thing he didn’t mention in retelling that story was that it was the only walk-off home run Nolan ever surrendered.

Back to the future, when asked about a couple of impending rule changes Bochy admitted he doesn’t like the elimination of a way to beat the shift, in other words, as Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler once said, “hit it where they ain’t.”

As for the pitch clock, he is all for it. He says he was resistant to the idea but having seen a few games where it has been used he loves how it quickens the pace of the games and he thinks that fans will too.

At the end of the session Bruce thanked the fans for the warm welcome and you could almost hear another lyric from The Rolling Stones, “pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name.”

Actually a year ago, few would have guessed that a threetime World Series Champion manager would be the next manager of the Texas Rangers. But here he is, his name is Bruce Bochy.

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

The Surprising Psychological

Next Month's Book Clubs

Good Grounds Book Club

March 15

@Woodland West Branch

Book for March: Choose Your Own Book

KUTUB: Arabic Book Club

March 4

@Southeast Branch

Book for March: Choose Your Own Book

Night Out Book Club

March 9

@locations vary

Book for March: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Southwest Morning Reading Group

March 8

@Southwest Branch

Book for March: City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman

Southwest Spine Crackers

March 16

@Southwest Branch

Book for March: Someone Knows by Lisa

Scottoline

Wine Down Book Club

March 24

@virtual meetings

Book for March: Professional Troublemaker

by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Source: arlingtonlibrary.org/book-clubs

• By Mark Bauer

What book stands out as a favorite that you've read this last year and why?

Has the perspective someone else shared made you appreciate a book more than you would have otherwise?

What would you tell others—both readers and non-readers alike—about book clubs that might encourage them to participate?

A Tribute to One of Arlington’s Best

During the last 15 years Arlington’s River Legacy Foundation enhancing the quality of life for all of Arlington’s residents.

The leader of that remarkable success story has retired, and it is past time to sing her praises and that’s the purpose of this month’s Finish Line.

Jill Hill took the reins of the Foundation in 2009 at a critical time in its service to the community. While the mission of the organization to educate the next generation and preserve the Trinity River and its unique eco-system remained its driving force, resources to achieve that goal had run thin.

Fast forward to now and we discover one of the community’s most dynamic achievements in serving the public by providing experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.

It takes an annual budget of about $1 million to fund the education programs at the Living Science Center and promote the wonders of nature found only in the 1,300 acres of forest

North Arlington’s River Legacy Park—the city’s largest and among its most visited.

That resource is made available and fully protected through a unique public/private partnership with the City of Arlington.

Funding for its operations throughout the years has been developed from many corporate and private resources and sponsorships for the organization’s annual community events. Those include the always fun Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Sporting Clay Fun Shoot, the Classic Golf Tournament, the always popular Night With Nature, and the biggest of them all: the River Legacy Fall Festival which attracts visitors from throughout the region.

when Jill joined the foundation, others on the list didn’t yet exist. Among many other reasons to salute her devotion to commitment of Jill and her team to annually stage these

Jill Hill

labor-intensive projects and ensure they produced the desired results.

The original cost to develop the nature center, with my wife Sylvia chairing the Foundation board, was funded by $500,000 in park bond money and a record-setting $4.5 million of private ago, another $2.5 million was raised to bring the Center to a museum-quality experience for all who visit.

That transformation resulted in the Center hosting visiting exhibits beginning with The Nature of Things in 2019, then the Art and Science of Arachnids, the Dinosaur Safari was up next, and the Dragons: From Lizards to Legends exhibit having just concluded its run last month.

Last year provided the opportunity to celebrate passing the mark of one million children, many through the foundation’s partnership with the Arlington Independent School District, having achieved their environmental and natural science education at the center.

With education being a primary goal of the foundation’s operations from the beginning, that initiative now includes clubs, home school clubs, wildlife outreach and scout programs. The watch word always guiding the educational work at the center is “It’s one thing to read books and look at pictures, it’s another thing to immerse yourself in the experience.”

I’ve run out of space to describe all the results Jill Hill and her team have produced for this community. There’s lots more you can explore on the foundation’s website and social media.

When you look upon it all, you will agree with me that Arlington is very fortunate that Jill Hill, with her formidable business acumen, came our way and her positive impact on our city will always be regarded as among our best days.

Jill’s replacement is her long-time colleague Shannon Porter who promises a future built upon the organization’s remarkable history.

Richard Greene was Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997 and currently teaches in UT-Arlington’s graduate program of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs

Richard Greene