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Around Town

Reimagining Arlington

One year in as Chamber CEO, Michael Jacobson – and the city – are off and running • By Kenneth Perkins

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he conversation was going rather smoothly until I brought up the whole idea of Arlington as a city pent in by heftier models to the east and west, shinier models to the north and south – trapped, chained, suffocating under success that happened way back when. Maybe it was one of those statement-slash-questions-slash-provocations designed to pick and rattle the brain of our Chamber of Commerce CEO. Michael Jacobson has been in the economic trenches long enough where you can pick at all you want but rattling is at a minimum, and no one would be the slightest surprised to know that he saw the ambush coming.

Anyway, Jacobson didn’t really move at this shift in mode and mood. He didn’t Michael frown. He didn’t groan.

Jacobson He smiled. Then leaned in and said, “The one thing I tell folks is that New York City was probably built out in or around 1830. Did that mean it was over for them at that point? No. You continually build and reimagine and redevelop. Arlington’s future is as bright as it has ever been. To me, it’s just really the beginning.”

Anyone trying to make their way through downtown can see beginning all over the place in those orange cones and guys in orange vests and bright, blinking arrows saying, uh, you can’t go this way. You go left or right and run smack into the University of Texas at Arlington, which is now like a little city all its own. Or you find yourself near City Hall, where that glorious library is taking shape. Stuff is happening in the city, and that’s exactly what Jacobson wants to hear.

He is not the guru of Arlington prosperity or the chief designer of the new downtown that is being erected, but there is something about the word “reimagine” that gets people going – it is the galvanizing force helping to make Arlington matter in a whole, new way.

To imagine is to form a mental imaging, to conceive, to comprehend through the intellect something not necessarily perceived through the senses. This is actually old hat for Jacobson, which is why he was a solid choice to strap the Chamber on his back and go.

So reimagining is rethinking, reworking, what’s already there.

What matters to Jacobson is how a city grows big; not how big the city grows. When people suggest a city is getting too big or not big enough or too this or too that, he shifts the conversation from quantity (or the lack thereof) to quality.

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Chambers of Commerce are uniquely situated to affect this sort of thinking, or rethinking, partly because they are the grassroots of a city, the backbone, since business large and small play such a significant role in the building and sustaining of economic livelihood.

Jacobson and the Chamber Board know that chambers are not the leading force of Arlington’s new downtown – Tony Rutigliano and the Downtown Arlington Management Corp. is knee deep in that, or that they represent the driver of city governance. Mayor Jeff Williams is aptly capable. Yet Chambers are the center sphere of influence in the community.

In just a year, Jacobson has built alliances and is leveraging the talents and resources of its member businesses to improve economic opportunities. As go the businesses here, so goes Arlington.

“A year after being here I have a better understanding,” Jacobson says. “The good news is that what I thought was true turned out to be true. Arlington is a community that comes together, that works hard, is passionate, that dreams big dreams. But more important than dreaming big dreams, they realize dreams.”

He points to the big Yes Campaign to build the new Rangers stadium (Jacobson Photo: Kenneith Perkins served as treasurer) as Exhibit A of that dream realization.

Jacobson is well aware of strength in numbers. When the Chamber hosted its Business Over Breakfast event, the turnout was high despite a cold, rainy morning.

“We have had a year of amazing events and activities, and have been surprised that each event was the biggest and most profitable we’ve had,” Jacobson says. “We couldn’t be more excited.”

To Jacobson, Arlington is moving on. And up.

All it takes is a little bit of reimagining.

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

Gerald B. Alley Homewood Suites in South Arlington

4550 Waxwing Drive • (817) 465-4663 • homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

Independently owned by DPG BRAVADO ARLINGTON LLC

Support Locally and Expand Globally

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s a business grows, it needs to maintain a connection with its employees and its clients. However, with all great organizations, whether it’s Starbucks in Seattle, Wash.; Apple in Cupertino (Silicon Valley), Calif.; or Walmart in Bentonville, Ark., there is a direct relationship between a business performing as a servant leader and the support of the community it serves. That has been the founding principal in which Gerald Alley believes and practices with his city, Arlington.

Gerald Alley is the founder and CEO of Con-Real LP, the leading African-American-owned construction and real estate firm in Texas, as well as in the Southwest United States.

Alley credits his success to the legacy of his parents, Troy and Gladys Alley. In 1934, his father founded one of the first black businesses in Pine Bluff, Ark., the Alley “ESSO” Service Station.

The service station was located across from what is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and it remained in business until the 1980s. His mother, an educator, served in many education and community organizations. His parents were a great inspiration to him as they believed in a sense of giving 36

ARLINGTON TODAY • March 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

back to their community as the business and the city grew together.

Since his college days at the University of Arkansas in the early ‘70s, Alley has practiced the theory whenever there was an opportunity to give back to the institution. This philosophy can be seen in his deeds 40 years later with an ongoing relationship with the university, including the Sam Walton School of Business. Gerald and Troy, his brother and business partner, support these schools through scholarships and school endowments such as the Gerald and Candance Foundation and the Alley Scholars, a program that mentors college students towards entrepreneurship.

This practice continued after he received his MBA at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Alley made a commitment to support the university and was recently appointed as the first African-American entrepreneur to serve on the Board of Trustees at SMU. Gerald moved to Arlington in 1980 where he met his wife, Dr. Candace Alley and there, they raised their children, Gina, Stephanie, and Byron who all attended Arlington schools. Upon

moving to Arlington, Gerald was appointed by Mayor Harold Patterson to the Arlington Housing Committee, which addresses the need for affordable housing in the city. In 1999, he relocated Con-Real’s main office from Grand Prairie to Arlington located just outside the Entertainment and Corporate Business District.

Since his youthful days in Arkansas, Alley was a club kid at the Boys & Girls Clubs and, driven by a need to do even more for the community, he now serves on the board at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington.

The board consists of leadership such as Mark Caffey, Kay Duggan, John Landry, Mike Gerro, and Karen Bass, who all share his sense of commitment in making the City of Arlington the city of the future.

Not only has the Arlington Boys & Girls Clubs been vital to the community, other leaders have provided tremendous support in Gerald’s understanding of what makes a better city. Dr. Reverend Dwight McKissic of Cornerstone Baptist Church; Alisa Simmons, President of Arlington’s NAACP; and Dan and Linda Dipert have been influential in addressing the needs and provided voices for many Arlington citizens.

Since moving Con-Real’s corporate office to Arlington, Alley was welcomed by other organizations and business leaders, such as Arlington’s former Mayors Richard Greene and Elzie Odom, Moji Haddad, who owns an architectural firm; and Jim Brothers, an executive with Six Flags. The latter two were chairmen of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce on which Alley had also served.

Charles Green, Jim Maibach, and Mike Patterson also served as fellow board members with Alley at Southwest Securities Bank, the city’s largest locally owned bank during the ‘90s. These individuals all seem to have the pulse on the city and its potential.

Alley was very pleased to see major entertainment venues being developed, from the first Rangers Ballpark Stadium to the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. However, during the construction of the Cowboys Stadium, Alley felt that in order for Arlington to maximize its growth, it needed to have more locally owned businesses grow from this major development. Thus, he developed his first hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, through Bravado LP, an entity owned and managed by Gerald, located on Lamar Boulevard, which was the newest hotel in the Entertainment District for over 20 years.

He credits the support of the hotel development to his relationship with the local community. From that experience, Alley became supportive of several public and private organizations, including the

Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, on which he was a member – and now where he serves as Chairman after being recently appointed as Chairman by Mayor Jeff Williams. In this role, he envisions the growth of Arlington as the entertainment capital of Texas and feels that Arlington will need to assert itself as a corporate location market for global companies. Along with stakeholders such as the City of Arlington and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the ACVB will be involved in marketing the entire benefits to corporations to expand or relocate major facilities into Arlington. Alley believes Arlington is one of the most diverse cities in Texas with strength in every aspect of positive attraction that any corporation would consider important. The mayor and Ronnie Price, president and CEO of ACVB, agree with this opportunity.

With the recent announcement of “Texas Live!,” a mixed-use entertainment venue that will keep Arlington the leading entertainment venue in Texas, Alley is very proud to have been selected by the Cordish Companies and the Texas Rangers to be a joint venture partner to construct this monumental development. Despite having been involved in large projects in the past, Gerald is proud to build a major project in his very own city. Through the commitment and the support of the mayor, the city council, and the city staff leaders, they have adopted an inclusion program that has a goal of increasing MWBE and local-based businesses to be a part of these local projects.

Alley is also proud to have just built his newest hotel, the Homewood Suites by Hilton through his real estate development partnership, DPG/Bravado LP, located at Interstate 20 and Collins Street. DPG is a Daugherty family business that has successfully owned and managed another hotel in Arlington. Gerald is noticing that after only a few weeks since the grand opening of the Homewood Suites, several of his guests are Arlington residents that are utilizing the hotel for their entertainment, staycation, and guest needs. He is elated to see his fellow Arlingtoners supporting this local-based development.

Alley believes this the beginning of America’s Dream City by growing and supporting his local businesses that will not only serve Arlington and North Texas but the nation and the world. Alley’s vision can be summarized by his new unofficial proclamation of the identification of the Metroplex as DFWA (Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington) because the Dream City should be a part of the foundation of the North Texas region.

To learn more about Gerald’s company, Con-Real, please visit our website at www.Con-Real.com. arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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The Atlas Vein Care team Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Atlas Vein Care 2705 W. Arkansas Lane • (817) 795-8346 • atlasvein.com

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tlas Vein Care provides compassionate, personalized care to improve quality of life by serving those suffering with vein disease. Dr. Thomas “Eric” Eidson, DO, and his wife Leanora, opened Atlas Vein Care in June of 2016 and began treating patients in the Arlington and surrounding areas.

Born and raised in Arlington, Dr. Eidson knew he wanted to come back home and treat his fellow Texans. After many years of medical and specialty training he found his way back home five years ago and began his medical career dedicated to the treatment of vein disease.

In 2016, after safely and successfully performing thousands of vein procedures to help make his patients look and feel their best, Dr. Eidson founded Atlas Vein Care as a family owned and run medical practice. Dr. Eidson is double board certified in Vein Disease (Phlebology) and Family Medicine. He is certified through the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians, successfully completing rigorous training and comprehensive testing in each medical specialty.

“Our Atlas Vein Care promise is ‘You will always be evaluated and treated by a doctor certified to treat vein disease,’” Dr. Eidson says. “All evaluation, diagnostic imaging and treatment is done in house and performed out-patient, saving our patients time and money. We only offer the safest, most up-to-date, and minimally invasive treatment for those suffering from vein disease. We mean it when we say, ‘No more vein stripping.’”

The practice is dedicated completely to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients suffering from the full spectrum of vein disease,

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from the purely cosmetic, to the medically significant. “We are not dabblers in the field of venous medicine,” Dr. Eidson says. “Our focus is on the treatment of spider vein, varicose veins, and other vein-related issues. You will be able to achieve your ultimate goal of healthy and beautiful legs without surgery, downtime, or a hospital visit.”

Dr. Eidson and his team of health care professionals at the practice embrace the following core values: • Humble Service – No concern is too big or too small • Love & Kindness – Treat patients like family • Integrity – We will never recommend unnecessary treatments or procedures • Teamwork – “That’s not my job” is not in our vocabulary • Positive Attitude – Nothing can stop a determined mind • Be Happy, Smile – Life is too short for frowns Dr. Eidson says that because the practice is family owned and operated, he and his team of experts are especially committed to keeping the personal touch that seems to be missing in so much of the medical field these days.

“I truly believe that the success of any individual or company begins and ends with our service to our patients and our team,” he says. “If we treat our patients how we would want to be treated, and continually look for ways to better serve our team and our patients, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”

Mary Macken, Teresa Burda and Mike Burda Photo courtesy of Grace Lane Collection

Gracie Lane 4720 S. Cooper St. • (817) 468-5263 • gracielanecollection.com • Follow us on: Facebook-Gracie Lane • Instagram-gracielanecollection • Snap Chat-gracielanearltx

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s long time enthusiasts of the best boutique venues, Mike and Teresa Burda started Gracie Lane in 2013 along with their daughter Mary Macken. With the goal of creating a one-ofa-kind shopping experience in Arlington, Gracie Lane now offers over 80 individual boutiques under one roof. When you visit, you will be pleased with the quality and excited by the experience. If you are looking for a new place to explore exceptional selections, you need to put this boutique on your “must shop” list.

Gracie Lane is all things pretty wrapped up in one package. From the moment you walk through the door you will feel a sense of elegance and lovely fragrances catch you by surprise. You have to spend time at Gracie Lane to truly know the wonderful variety of children’s clothing, stand out pieces for women, gifts that express true personal connections, and home decor that will become focal conversation pieces.

Whether you are looking for a gift for someone special or a stylish accessory for yourself, Dixie’s Charms & More, one of many shops within Gracie Lane, has you covered. Another swoon-worthy boutique, The Lily Field, offers an amazing selection of farmhouse and vintage style decor at affordable prices! You will also discover some of your favorite brands at Gracie Lane, such as Circle E Candles, Tyler Candles, Flax Linen, Joseph

Ribkoff, Umgee, MudPie, Corkcicle, Poo-Pourii and World’s Softest Socks ... just to name a few! With over 20,000 square feet of boutique shopping anyone can achieve hip, trendy design with the latest looks and style.

For those social butterflies out there, Gracie Lane offers various events throughout the year. Gather your “besties” and swing by the Lane for their monthly Sip ‘n Shop events. If you have ever been called a “shopaholic,” this event is most definitely for you. Next Sip n’ Shop will be hosted on Thursday, March 23rd from 6-8 p.m. Follow Gracie Lane on social media or sign up to join their email list to stay in the loop of all things Gracie.

Teresa Burda had two things in mind when concocting the idea for Gracie Lane: Family and Exceptional Shopping. Burda has the rare privilege to work alongside her husband and daughter while doing what she loves.

Her goal is to treat every customer as an extension of her family. You can count on a warm smile and helpful staff to greet you at the door and help locate that perfect find. Customers will enjoy a fresh shopping experience each visit ....with shops updating on a regular basis. Gracie Lane is unique in that it gives customers a “small shop feel” with such a vast variety of selections.

Gracie Lane has been voted best gift shop three years in row by Arlington Today readers. arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Photo courtesy of Anything Goes

Anything Goes 2504 W. Park Row Drive, Suite A • (817) 542-0862 • anythinggoesgiftshop.com

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nything Goes gift shop has more than you can imagine when you see it from the outside. The store owned by Mary Davis, an Arlington High School graduate, recently celebrated its 6th year in business. Many times you will also find Mary’s husband Doug, her mom or girlfriends working the shop, which adds a very warm, family atmosphere. Mary recognized the need for a gift shop in the area of Bowen and Park Row that provided a wide variety of specialty gift items. Her vision became a reality when she opened Anything Goes in February of 2010.

There is something for everyone at Anything Goes – the biggest problem is deciding what not to buy.

The store carries gift items for all seasons and occasions. Mary’s ability to find new product lines from across the country makes shopping for the customer an adventure.

Anything Goes offers a wide range of specialty items: home décor, fine jewelry, collegiate, sorority and fraternity product lines. They have several items that can be personalized from jewelry, drink ware, totes and, most recently, notepads. They are known for that quick “pick me up” item for a co-worker, neighbor or best friend!

(Wrapped and out the door).

There are many well known lines, including Mud Pie, Consuela, Natural Life, Baggallini, Home T and Stephan Joseph for kids. If you need something showing your Texas Pride, they have you covered, too! There are lots of jewelry options, from the latest trends to classic and custom-made pieces crafted by Jewels by Molly. The latter includes a wide variety of earrings, bracelets and necklaces made in sterling silver, 14K gold-filled, semi precious stones, leather and pearls.

Some of the favorite gift ideas include frames, candles, signs, magnetic boards, chalkboards and lots of drink ware. Now, what’s better than to have a fun “boutique” for the ladies, but a place the boyfriends and husbands like, also?

There are lots of sports memorabilia choices, great gifts for the hunter and fisherman and Ranger/Cowboy items for our fans. Many other gift items include military, newborn, wedding and much more.

“The goal at Anything Goes is to make the customer feel as special as all the fantastic merchandise we have to offer,” Davis says. “We want everyone who visits the shop to leave feeling special with a smile on their face. The shopping experience at Anything Goes is like meeting a girlfriend for coffee. It is the place to shop for all your gift needs.”

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Alexandra Harris, Doctor of Audiology, Melissa Danchak, Owner/Doctor of Audiology, and Marc Gracia, Doctor of Audiology

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Kos/Danchak Audiology 101 W. Randol Mill Road • (817) 277-7039 • NorthTxHearing.com Improved Hearing Health Has Many Benefits It has been proven that hearing health is directly connected to overall health and well-being. People who are able to hear well and clearly understand what is being said engage with the world around them and have an overall better quality of life.

Helping people hear the best they can is why Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids has been a cornerstone in the Arlington community for over 30 years. Since day one in 1984, they have centered everything they do around their patients.

Dr. Melissa Danchak, owner/audiologist, says “our approach has consistently and successfully improved the overall quality of life for the people we meet with every day. We believe that our consistent success is the result of our efforts to adapt and improve upon the way we meet with and help people who need hearing health care services.”

Each day, people are exposed to many situations that include a variety of sounds. Today’s hearing aids have been designed to handle the demands of the many complex listening environments we all experience. Dr. Marc Gracia, Audiologist at Kos/Danchak Audiology, says “our patients have told us they experienced an immediate difference in clarity and that they’ve noticed a significant improvement in sound quality when comparing their older technology to newer devices. They have also shared with us that they are impressed with the sound quality and clarity when they listen to music and when they are on the phone.”

People will say that they hear just fine – they just don’t always understand everything that is being said. That is what hearing loss really is. The features of today’s technology optimizes speech so the user will hear better and understand more clearly what is being said whether they are in a one-on-one setting with their doctor, on the phone with their grandchild, or at a social event with friends.

Dr. Alexandra Harris, audiologist at Kos/Danchak Audiology, says “what we have found is the majority of our patients do not live in discreet listening environments.

Their world is full of various situations and listening settings. Hearing aid technology today provides them with the most natural hearing experience for their needs.”

Consumers in general want choices and options that specifically fit their lifestyle. Hearing aid users are no different. They want a natural listening experience and they want to better understand in a variety of settings. They also want a choice when it comes to the style of devices they wear, including the color!

Dr. Danchak says “what we have also noticed is that more and more younger North Texans are addressing their hearing health care needs earlier than ever before. This younger generation has their own set of communication needs, and those needs are very centered around staying connected from a technology perspective. These patients have shared with us that they feel their devices are no different than the glasses that they wear. Their hearing aids are a part of who they are, and a necessary one for sure.”

While hearing aid technology plays a significant role in the satisfaction of their patients improved hearing experiences, the staff at Kos/Danchak Audiology believes that a person’s experience with hearing aids is really only as good as the expertise of the person fitting them and the counseling and follow-up care they provide.

Kos/Danchak Audiology is so emphatic about their patients having the best possible hearing health care experience, they provide a complete hearing health care program. It is essentially a warm blanket of services after you buy your hearing aids. And, you don’t have to reach into your pocket and keep paying after you are fit – they supply the batteries for the lifetime of your devices! In many other offices, there is a fee-for-service approach every time you visit the office.

Serving the customer at the highest level with quality hearing healthcare and consistent service, and providing the latest in hearing aid technology is the culture at Kos/Danchak Audiology. As their mission states, they strive to provide the highest standard of audiology and hearing healthcare services for their patients.

Dr. Danchak says “we are very proud that many of our satisfied patients refer their friends and family members to us every month, and we are humbled that over 50 physicians and family doctors in the Arlington and DFW communities trust us for their patients hearing health care needs.” arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Dr. Nathan J Flesher, his wife Becca and their dog Hank Photo courtesy of Dr. Nathan J Flesher

Dentistry by Nathan J Flesher, DMD 3310 W. Park Row Drive, Pantego (817) 277-1188 nathanjflesherdmd.com

entistry by Nathan J Flesher, DMD, was recently established in a transition involving the 39-year-old practice formerly operated by Dr. David Bridgwater. Dr. Flesher heads a small, personable staff consisting of hygienist Greg Little, two assistants and his wife Becca, a registered nurse.

Dr. Flesher is passionate about providing high-quality general dentistry services for the entire family at any age. He has extensive training in both emergency dentistry and comprehensive dentistry (complex cases). “My emergency experience taught me so much about relieving both dental pain and dental fear. People are always so relieved to find that we can take them out of pain in a gentle and caring way,” he says.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2014, he then “followed God’s calling to Texas through the Christian Medical and Dental Association placement program,” ultimately winding up in Pantego.

Among his proudest accomplishments was commissioning as an officer in the Army National Guard Dental Corp, where his main mission is to promote and restore the dental health of service members.

Despite the demands of private practice and Army responsibilities, Dr. Flesher devotes as much time as possible to giving back to the community and staying active in organized dentistry. Most Fridays he can be found performing charitable dentistry at Beautiful Feet Ministries in Fort Worth, where Becca also volunteers on Wednesdays in the medical clinic.

Greg Little, the team’s hygienist, has been practicing since 1997, and is also active in the community. He is president of the St. Jude Association, a board member of the City of Arlington Ethic Review Board, and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus council 6269.

Dr. Flesher says his team is passionate about providing best care possible for its patients. “We are here to educate and support your decisions in a zero-pressure atmosphere,” he says. “New patients notice that we’re different in that we take our time getting to know them and what each individual wants for their oral health.”

Lane Boots 1101 Avenue G (214) 412-1108 • LaneBoots.com Photo courtesy of Lane Boots

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very day, we come to work hoping to do two things: spread our passion for boots and help make the world a little better. That was true when we created the first pair of Lane boots in 2007 and it is just as true today.

The owner and visionary behind the brand is Patrick Lane. He is an entrepreneur with a “Let’s Do This” approach to business.

Patrick, a Texas native from Fort Worth, brought Lane to life in 2007.

We have a number of different capsules in the line and have been able to incorporate fashion trends for a fun, contemporary take on western. We are also known for our turquoise soles and superior comfort. Fashion and Function, nailed it!

We moved our home to Arlington in 2013 and are proud to have our corporate office here. We love being so close to the airport and enjoy showing our clients the AT&T Stadium from our conference room!

Everyone on the Lane team is very passionate about what we do, and we push 42

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each other to accomplish our goals. Collaboration is the key to our success, and we are constantly trying to make both ourselves and our brand better!

In late 2013 we officially opened our manufacturing facility in Leon, Mexico, to keep up with the souring demand.

Developing partnerships with other design leaders has given our artisans in Mexico the opportunity to push the envelope when it comes to intricate details and workmanship. These partnerships have allowed us to try new processes, develop new talents and work with amazing people who have the same passion for quality and that we do!

Our customers are a part of our Lane family, and we truly value their business.

In this world of one-click online purchases we want our customers’ experience to be a more personal and tailored experience. We are known for our beautiful and comfortable boots, but we also want to be known as a company that cares and is easy to work with!

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r. Kristin Robbins and Dr. Lisa B. Fell founded Audiology Experts in 2008 on the belief that every person impacted by hearing loss should be educated and informed on how to manage it so that life can be lived to the fullest. Nearly a decade later, Audiology Experts has become the Arlington area’s trusted source for audiology solutions.

“It takes passion, and finding solutions for improved communication is something we are passionate about,” Dr. Fell says. “We are pleased to say that we are nine years into the venture and growing every year and happy while doing it.”

Audiology Experts provides a wide range of services, including professional hearing healthcare, complete hearing assessment, tinnitus evaluation and management, solutions for easier communication, hearing aid selection and fittings, and custom solutions for hearing protection.

“Managing hearing loss is not just about fitting hearing aids,” Dr. Fell says.

“Adapting to hearing aids is a process. In fact, only one-third of the fitting is about the actual device and the remaining two-thirds is about the process. The process includes discussing patient history, thorough evaluation, pre-fitting counseling, instrument selection, impression-taking and building a custom product, fitting the hearing aids, making physical and program modifications, teaching orientation and maintenance, long-term follow-up care, repair service and report correspondence with primary care physicians. This list encompasses what we do. The process is what makes users successful with their hearing aids, it’s not the aids by themselves.”

Since studies are showing how health conditions like depression, diabetes, dementia and heart disease are being linked to hearing loss, it is important that people get evaluated sooner than later. Once you or a significant other is noticing the TV volume is too loud or if you are frequently asking for repetition it is time to have the hearing tested!

Because Audiology Experts is privately-owned, patients can be assured of quality, personal service. “I do not envy the person that has to sort through all the

Country Acres Kennels offers limo service.

Photo courtesy of Country Acres Kennels

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Dr. Kristin Robbins and Dr. Lisa. B. Fell

Photo courtesy of Audiology Experts

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

hearing aid junk mail, infomercials and newspaper advertisements that highlight a tiny, cheap device as the solution,” Dr. Fell says. “We attempt to be as informative and straight forward as possible. We understand that people aren’t real excited about getting hearing instruments, but we try to make the experience positive and rewarding, and our patients appreciate that.”

Country Acres Kennels 7817 S. Cooper St. (817) 467-2511 countryacreskennels.com

ountry Acres Kennels is a veritable country club for dogs, cats and other pets, including birds, fish, hamsters and rabbits. Established in 1972, Country Acres Kennels is nestled in 20 acres in the middle of the city, and owner Don Praeger and his team are dedicated to providing superior service at what he calls “the only real kennel” in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Kennedale and the surrounding area.

“We are animal people,” Praeger says. “We treat all pets like they were our own pets. There has never been a day in over 40 years that all pets in the kennel have not been properly cared for. That includes Christmas, etc.”

Country Acres Kennels has managers who live on the property in different

homes, overseeing services that include boarding (inside or outside with pools and play yards), training (puppy kindergarten through advanced off-leash obedience training) and day care (dogs can stay and play while the owner is at work).

Additionally, Country Acres Kennels offers grooming, pet supplies, low-cost vaccinations and flea/tick products, as well as a 5-acre dog park, where its “guests” can enjoy the spacious grounds.

Praeger also takes pride in the company’s limousine pick-up and drop-off for boarding or grooming, which has been expanded to have staff members take customers who board their pets at the kennel to and from the airport for a nominal charge. arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Dr. Kenyon Godwin Photo courtesy of Dr. Kenyon Godwin

Active Family Wellness Center 4927 S. Collins St., Suite 105 (817) 532-310 • txwellnessdoc.com

ctive Family Wellness Center is the go-to-place for holistic family health – and that’s according to patients living all over the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Area. For the past three years, the practice founded by Dr. Kenyon Godwin in 2010 has been named Arlington’s top chiropractic practice in Arlington Today’s Readers’ Choice awards. It also won the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year. And just recently, Angie’s List invited Active Family Wellness Center to participate in its acclaimed service.

Dr. Godwin says AFWC combines education, training and people-focused service to help families live longer, stronger, healthier lives. To that end, Dr. Stephanie Beavers recently joined the staff 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. And Dr. Godwin recently completed training to become a Whiplash Specialist.

“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.”

The practice is built on the concept of treating the whole individual, versus just addressing specific medical issues as they arise. By taking this preventative wellness approach, Dr. Godwin and his team are able to help patients reach their optimal level of health, move beyond illness and injury, and prevent future maladies. Services include specific science-based adjustments, corrective care for scoliosis and weakened spines, spinal decompression and injury prevention for all levels of athletes. On the wellness side, AFWC offers weight loss, prenatal adjustments, pediatric adjustments, health talks, and organic, all-in-one vitamins.

“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! People just need doctors that care about their health more than their wealth.”

Active Family Wellness Center uses cutting-edge technology and now offers advanced motion study X-rays, and the latest software for notes, check-in and appointment reminders. Says Dr. Godwin: “Our two top values are 5-Star Service and adding value – that is what AFWC is all about!”

Texas Insurance Agency 1000 Ballpark Way, #311 • (817) 226-9988 500 E. Broad St., #150, Mansfield • (817) 453-8692 texasins.net

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exas Insurance Agency traces its start back to 1959 in east Texas. The agency has gone through many changes over the years and has grown to include several locations in the north Texas area. Texas Insurance Agency is locally owned and operated.

“People often ask why choose a local Independent Agency?” says owner John Parker. “Our response is we represent many different insurance companies, so we can compare coverage and price to give you the best possible value. Simply put ... we work for our clients. We also live and work in the same communities as our insureds, and as such we are always available for a face-to-face meeting.”

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ance. It is associated with reputable insurers, including Allstate, Hartford, Mercury, Progressive, Safeco, and Travelers. “These insurance companies allow us to offer a wide range of quality insurance products that are competitively priced,” Parker says.

The company has added the ability for prospective clients to get actual real time quotes directly from its website, texasins.net.

“This allows the insured to reach out to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year,” Parker says. “The client information, as well as the policy pricing, is uploaded to us. We contact the client within 24 hours to confirm and update the information. This has been a valuable tool for prospective insureds because it gives them an idea of what their insurance costs will be.”

The Farah Law Firm, P.C. 1801 W. Pioneer Pkwy.

(817) 467-1889 farahlegal.com

Michael E. Farah, Coutney Kelly, Amira Farah, Natalie Grounds and Wayne M. Taylor

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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he Farah Law Firm is one of the highest-volume residential real estate law firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and represents some of the most successful investors of property in Texas.

Owner Michael Farah and Associate Wayne Taylor lead a team that is community-minded and dedicated to the success of its clients.

The firm specializes in real estate law and offers real estate investors a host of services. “As a lawyer, my job is to solve problems,” Farah says. “Fortunately, my professional background of owning and managing a large portfolio of

property allows me to relate to my clients in order to develop the most costand time-effective way of resolving an issue or ensuring future problems will not arise with good planning.”

The firm offers prospective clients a free, 15-minute call to discuss goals and desired solutions. “At the same time, we make clear the cost estimates for our services going forward and in many cases can provide guidance on how a particular matter will resolve,” Farah says.

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Laura McCaskill and Julie Short of The Julie Short Team, Coldwell Banker Residential

Photo courtesy of Julie Short

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

s a real estate agent who’s an expert in this local area, Julie Short of The Julie Short Team, Coldwell Banker Residential, brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to customers hoping to buy and sell real estate in Arlington, Mansfield and the surrounding region.

Because of her experience in the construction realm, Short and her staff can help customers negotiate with builders, find a home in “just the right location,” and sell their homes. In fact, she offers consultation services on home-selling tactics such as effective staging, making appropriate repairs or minor improvements and painting.

“We are a full service real estate team, proficient at working with sellers and buyers,” Short says. “One of the biggest complaints people have with Realtors is that they never answer their phones. We are focused on customer service and being available to our clients.”

When the company lists a home, it doesn’t just stick a sign in the yard and wait for buyers. “Our marketing is second to none and widespread to promote your home to a large audience and bring in the best offers,” Short says. “We always have professional photos made of your property, because first impressions are everything.”

Short says that because of her extensive background in the building/construction industry, the company is certified as a “New Construction Specialist.” “You want us to represent you with a builder,” she says. “And, as always, there is no charge for our services to assist you in your new home purchase.”

Short and her team have a shared philosophy. “We are committed, connected, compassionate,” she says. “We are COMMITTED to giving our clients the best service possible. We are CONNECTED in the community. We are COMPASSIONATE – we realize real estate transactions can be stressful, so we do our best to ensure that things run smoothly by anticipating hurdles and helping our clients prepare and overcome. Also, we really work to put our clients’ needs first. It is never about the paycheck; we strive to treat our clients just like we would want to be treated. The Golden Rule never fails.” arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Elegant ambience and quality recipes make Piccolo Mondo an Arlington-area favorite.

Piccolo Mondo 829 Lamar Blvd. East (817) 265-9174 piccolomondo.com Photo courtesy of Piccolo Mondo

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iccolo Mondo Italian Restaurant was established more than three decades ago and is known as one of the more popular and famous Italian eateries in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. And, why not? The restaurant combines unique, delicious dishes with good service and an elegant atmosphere – such so that it has been honored as one of the area’s finer restaurants three straight years in Arlington Today’s Readers’ Choice poll.

Soon after Antonio Capaccioli and Nicola Saracino opened Piccolo Mondo in a strip center on the farthest end of East Lamar Boulevard, patrons began visiting and returning to enjoy a little slice of Italy right here in Arlington. Capaccioli credits the outstanding cuisine to Saracino’s culinary genius, but he adds his own touch

of charming hospitality to the recipe, which continues to attract customers to daily dinners and weekday lunches. The restaurant’s piano bar and banquet room are additional draws, and take-out orders aren’t just available, but quite popular.

“We’re more traditional in style, I guess,” Capaccioli says. “I traveled a lot when I was younger, and when I found something I liked to eat, I took note. And when we opened here, we offered all the things I liked myself – plus what Nicola liked and like to cook.”

Patrons obviously approve of the menu – as do food critics. “The Zagat DallasFort Worth Restaurant Guide named Piccolo Mondo “One of the Top 10 for Food in the Fort Worth area.”

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isa Ostrowski, MPAS, PA-C, is the primary care provider at Texas Dermatology Associates-Mansfield office. An interview with Lisa bought us up to date on her career. Clearly inspired along the way, she explains: ”What is a PA “? many ask – especially when I graduated from UTMB-Galveston in 1986. The long answer is that we are educated by Physicians to work with physicians as an extension of their practice. Board certified every six years in all specialties, so we may be found from Pediatrics to Geriatrics. Often Mastered in specialties, as I am in Dermatology. The short answer is “forever a resident,” we are always affiliated with a Physician and may not hang our own shingle.

This dependence sets Physician Assistants apart from most Providers in that we are forever gleaning from the expertise of those we have been blessed to work with. My dermatology journey began with Dr. Moore, a brilliant educator and Dermatologist, who was a springboard to the experience of our beloved Dr. Gayle Mullanax, “Big Daddy;” he welcomed me to the family at the climax of an esteemed 40-plus-year career. He had such an eye for talent, assembling renaissance man Dr. Hensley and innovative Tri Nguyen. The experience and expertise of Drs. Gano and Silverman were undeniable assets. Working with Dr. Hoang and her hunger for evolution in the approach to treating holistically accentuated and exploded the possibilities of healing from the inside out. Blessed to collaborate with PA-Cs Slay, Brant, Wilbanks and Moody, each have their own flair, sharing pearls and perils. It’s no wonder the PA profession is the fastest growing and one of the most rewarding professions of all time!

How can I thank my patients that have followed me from “A” to now our final “Z” – Dr. Alan Menter, the renowned international Dermatologist and the founder of Texas Dermatology Associates, P.A. I can both grow in expertise from Menter Cosmetic Institute, Menter Research-psoriasis and eczema trials, or the Texas Dermatology Clinic, where patients travel from around the world to be treated and where high-caliber Dermatology Residents train.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • March 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Lisa Ostrowski, MPAS, PA-C, of Texas Dermatology Associates, P.A. Photo: Bruce Maxwell

Texas Dermatology Associates, P.A. 1830 E. Broad St., Suite 102, Mansfield • (682) 518-1515 • texasderm.com

What we all have in common is our love for our patients! People who over the past 20 years have become family. I am blessed to contribute to their wellness and hope to help them embrace the beautiful gift that they are to all they connect with, most especially to me!

Photo courtesy of Rocky Walton

The Law Firm of Roger “Rocky” Walton, P.C. 2310 W. Interstate 20, Suite 200 • (817) 429-4299 • rockywaltoninjurylawyers.com

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he Law Firm of Roger “Rocky” Walton, P.C., has been located in Arlington since 1975 and has been at the 2310 W. Interstate 20 location for 13 years. Rocky Walton is a specialist in Personal Injury Trial Law, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

John Parker, owner, Parker & Richardson

“We work very hard for our clients and we keep them very informed,” Walton says.

“We are highly qualified and know the law and best strategy to get the desired results. We are completely honest and ethical with our clients and treat them the way we would want to be treated.”

Parker & Richardson 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 311 (817) 226-6100 parkercpas.com

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

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arker & Richardson, a certified public accountant firm, opened in 2004, but its origination dates back to the solo CPA practice owner John Parker started in 1995.

Over the years the practice has evolved into a boutique CPA practice that specializes in catering to the distinct needs of business owners.

“As both entrepreneurs and business owners, we understand the issues associated with owning and operating a business,” Parker says. “This experience, coupled with our tax expertise, allows us to be as tax efficient as possible when assisting clients.”

Parker & Richardson 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,” Parker says, also noting that the firm’s staff strives to provide great service and always do what is best for the client. “These two 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.”

Parker says the firm has had numerous clients over the years praise its work.

“They tell us what a great job we have done for them and that they trusted us enough to refer their family members to us,” he says. “We appreciate the faith and trust that our clients place in us, and we work extremely hard to provide them with superior service.” arlingtontoday.com • March 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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C &W Antiques C&W Antiques offers a vast array of unique and rare items.

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

Photo courtesy of C&W Antiques

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or the past two decades, C&W Antiques has offered unique, rare and interesting furniture and accessories not found at most stores stateside. From their flagship showroom in Grand Prairie, co-proprietors Jim Carpenter and Patrick Walsh create an inviting ambiance with fragrant candles, music and vignettes of oldworld rooms that stimulate the senses.

C&W Antique’s 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.”

RJ

RJ Construction offers an array of services, all geared to satisfy the customer.

Photo courtesy of RJ Construction

RJ Construction 2912 W. Park Row Drive, Pantego (817) 412-9899 rj-construction.com

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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 Metroplex.”

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.”

The showroom is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment.

Construction is a true General Contractor in every sense of the word.

The company specializes in insurance work, from a fire loss, storm damage (wind, hail and tornado), water loss, flood loss, and even vandalism. “We handle everything from start to finish,” says owner Robert Jordan.

“We are there with the fire trucks and bring flowers to the final move home day.”

RJ Construction has an army of people to ensure quick, quality professional service. “If you have a need for our services we will start work faster than anyone else,” Jordan says. “We also offer high-end remodeling, along with commercial, residential, and new construction roofing.”

Jordan says one of the company’s strengths is in helping customers work with their insurance companies. “Dealing with an insurance company is complicated by design, and we have a process that simplifies the entire experience,” he says. “From the first moment we land on the job site we are taking pictures, and preparing the loss for mitigation that will not hurt the financial impact of the customer. Once the site is secured, we meet with the insurance adjuster and walk though the loss to make sure that nothing is missed and all financial obligation by the insurance company is met. During the construction process, we often find things that are not readily seen by the adjuster at the initial inspection. We handle the supplement with the insurance company, which saves you time with phone calls, and not getting the run-around about extra money needed to complete your job.”

RJ Construction’s roofing prowess is also virtually unsurpassed. “We are one of the top 100 largest roofing companies in the entire country without chasing storms across the country, but by building relationships, building a reputation, and repeatedly putting a top-quality product on the table in our own backyard,” Jordan says.

In 2016, the company was awarded Texas’ highest roofing honor, and it has won the Golden Hammer award from the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association for the preservation of a 1920s clay tile roof. Also in 2016, GAF, the largest shingle manufacture in North America, awarded the company with the Triple Excellence award.

Dino’s Subs 2221 S. Collins St., Suite 105 (817) 274-1140

Photo: yelp.com

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hen Jade Dino, owner of Dino’s Subs, learned her popular eatery had been tabbed as the “Best Deli” last August in the annual Arlington Today magazine All Stars Readers’ Choice poll, she exclaimed, “My father is looking down and smiling. He would be so proud.”

Jade took over the primary roles at the popular sandwich shop after the passing of her father and Dino’s founder, Larry Dino. And, she says, Daddy taught her well.

“He said, ‘never, ever, go down on quality,’” Jade says. “All our meats are fresh to order; everything is fresh. That’s the way he did it, and that’s the way we still do it at Dino’s Subs.”

Patrons clearly appreciate the attention Dino’s Subs gives to making their meals fresh and delicious. In fact, here are a couple of the reviews on yelp.com lauding the restaurant: “I come here any time I’m in the area and need a somewhat quick meal or something to go. I was introduced to this place by a professor of mine when I went to UTA, and when he said you will never want to eat a [sub sandwich] anywhere else again, he was right!”

“Oh my ... Oh my ... how I love this place. It was my first time here, and I can tell if I lived closer, I’d eat here a couple times a month. If you love a good sandwich, don’t walk ... run towards Dino’s!”

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