November 2021

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Contents Contents

November 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 11

In the August All Star edition we revealed what our readers like. Here, we offer our editorial nods in more than six dozen categories (along with a close look at some of the winners).

St arting on page 24

ON THE COVER

The annual Editor’s Choice feature is back! Winners highlighted on the cover include Dr. Melissa Danchak of Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids, Dr. Kelly Frasier of Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas, and Dr. M. Waseem Imam of Cure Allergy Clinic

DEPARTMENTS

52

Home SWEET! Home

How a couple crafted their home in Historic Downtown Mansfield to match their tastes with a desire to celebrate the personality of the neighborhood

56

Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Chevy Impala

This month’s “Behind the Wheels” story spotlights how David Peterson came to own his 1959 classic automobile

60 Taking on cancer

A University of Texas at Arlington team is researching a potentially revolutionary treatment option

62 Another gem!

A state-of-the-art Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center will open in Arlington in early 2024

66 It’s show time!

Farr Best Theater’s 2021-22 schedule offers an array of entertaining options for show goers

68 Paying tribute to a special postman

David Williams is retiring after delivering the mail for more than 35 years. His Wimbledon neighborhood friends gave him a special “thank you.”

NEXT MONTH ...

As is our holiday tradition, we will feature an activity calendar in the December issue to help you make plans to see the sights and hear the sounds in a special way this year.

The password is ‘thanks’

There is a word atop the page that represents the current month on the wall calendar thumbtacked to a bulletin board in my parents’ kitchen. And it is reminding me that it is time to make a resolution.

Relax ... that word is “November.”

My parents forget a lot of things these days, but they religiously tend to their calendar. It marks kids’ and grandkids’ birthdays, the day/time for doctor appointments, the specific date on which the air conditioner filter should be changed, and the like.

And, while I, too, forget things that I used to recall, I am well aware that November hasn’t supplanted January in the conventional resolutionmaking realm. I’ve just chosen to defy convention this year.

So ...

WHEREAS we are living in a veritable Twilight Zone, with regard to national political upheaval, and ...

WHEREAS we are experiencing an epidemiological evolution the likes of which most of us never have experienced, and ...

WHEREAS we are consistently overwhelmed by technology that consumes the lion’s share of our spare time, and ...

WHEREAS the answer “(D) all of the above” likely explains why it’s getting ever more difficult to count blessings ...

I HEREBY RESOLVE to count blessings anyway.

Luckily, my parents’ calendar has a day circled that is dedicated to that very endeavor. It’s under that word “November,” in the box marked by the number “25.” You probably know it as “Thanksgiving.”

I resolve this “Thanksgiving” to ... well ... be thankful.

The list that marks that and those for which I’m grateful begins with the aforementioned kinfolk. My life is blessed because my dad, mom, sister, wife, sons, daughter and grandkids make it so. Likewise, my friends, many of whom I met through my work with this magazine. I’m thankful those unions occurred. In fact, I’m thankful for all the unions that have made me smile – and I’m thankful I have been able to smile a lot over the years.

Sometime on the 25th, I’ll sit down to enjoy a wonderful meal in a wonderful home amidst wonderful people, and I’ll smile again.

I sincerely hope you’re able to smile this Thanksgiving, too.

yale@arlingtontoday.com

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Executive Publisher

Judy M. Rupay CEO

Richard Greene

EDITORIAL Editor

Yale Youngblood

Sports Columnist

John Rhadigan

Special Columnist

Major General Patrick Brady

Website & Social Media Manager

Bailey Woodard

Graphic Artist

Francisco Cuevas

Contributing Writer

Kenneth Perkins

Contributing Photographers

Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell

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 2021 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.

ARLINGTON

Arlington Today magazine proudly sponsors the Alzheimer’s Association, Arlington Urban Ministries, CASA, Junior League of Arlington, Levitt Pavilion Arlington, and Theatre Arlington.

Yale Youngblood Editor

Ramblin’ Roads set the stage for more great music events

The Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival started as an idea to create something special in Arlington to highlight the unique assets of downtown while showcasing Arlington’s diverse music scene for one big weekend, Oct. 1-3.

“Bringing the City together to spotlight the best of Arlington was the hope for the Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival,” says Maggie Campbell, President and CEO for Downtown Arlington, the organizer for this firsttime festival. “The smallest of businesses and largest of companies came together on multiple levels and collaborated to make this inaugural event happen.”

With more than 18 participating venues and involving hundreds of local artists and performers, the Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival demonstrated the value of working together to promote Arlington as a destination for live music.

“We are grateful to The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, and to all of our sponsors and supporters that saw the value of this festival concept,” says Campbell.

While live music and concerts were the focus, there were several special events “between the sets” that people could enjoy: residents and visitors alike meandered through the streets of Downtown Arlington to enjoy a free classic car show, with more than 50 cars showing up despite the rainy weather. On Sunday the city really came alive with a sold-out Sunday Gospel Brunch at the Sanford House hosted by The Franklin Imagine Group, and an Urban Artisan Market at Legal Draft. Later that afternoon at Arlington Music Hall, hundreds of audience and family members enjoyed 16 fresh voices that took the stage for the first “Start the Journey” Youth Voice Competition.

• Grand Prize was awarded Kiara Mullins of Martin High School in Arlington ISD for “I Want You Back” by The Jackson Five.

• Mallory Rose Gomez from Lamar High School in Arlington ISD won Best in Rock and “Fan Favorite” for “Blue Bayou” by Roy Orbison.

• Riley Gilbreath of North Crowley High in Crowley ISD won Best in Country with an original song, “Down by the River.”

• Anyssa McDonald from Summit High School in Mansfield ISD won the Best in Pop for the Broadway classic, “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl.

“Downtown Arlington is definitely a place with a live music scene and the Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival is designed to help put us on the map,” says Campbell. “We are excited about the community’s response to this first-time event, and we believe it’s something we can grow over time.”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS POP-UP SHOP WILL PROVIDE A LOCAL SHOPPING FLAVOR

The Happy Holidays Pop-Up Shop presented by 817 Arts Alliance will be open from Nov. 30-Dec. 23 and will feature hand-crafted gifts by local artisans.

The shop will be located at 2230 W. Park Row Drive in Pantego. Shopping hours are 10 a.m.- 2 p.m on Monday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday: and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Visitors can shop the Happy Holidays Pop-Up Shop to find many one- or fewof-a-kind works of art, fine craft and other hand-crafted goodies.

The local artisans who are participating can be found at 817artsalliance.blogspot.com. You can click on an image on the website to gain access to one of the artisan’s online presences.

For more: artisanspaces.blogspot.com.

This is 8-year-old Gizmo taking a stroll through the Vincas only to find he is sharing the beauty with Mr. rabbit!

– Suzanne Tanner

3 SC OOPS

1. Jachob Brasher, Boy Scout Troop 421, sponsored by Grace Presbyterian Church in Arlington, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America. Fewer than 8% of all scouts achieve this rank. Brasher says he wants to be an example to youngsters in the community and lead and guide them to learn and live the Boy Scout Oath.

2. Wimbish World Language Academy was presented a plaque by French Education Abroad for its excellent standards in the French immersion program. The LabelFrancÉducation committee recently published the 2021 list of recognized schools, and Wimbish is now part of the network composed of 523 bilingual schools in 62 countries.

3. The City of Grand Prairie invites artists to compete in a contest for the 2021 Christmas card cover art. Submitted artwork should incorporate a Grand Prairie theme and the holiday season. The winner of the contest will be awarded a $300 gift card and their artwork will be used on the cover of the 2021 City of Grand Prairie Christmas cards. For more: shorturl.at/qwAKT

COMMEMORATIVE EVENT TO BE HELD AT VETERANS PARK

The 14th Annual Veterans Day Commemorative Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Veterans Park (Spanish Trail and 3600 W. Arkansas Lane). Sponsored by the Arlington Veterans Park Foundation and the Arlington Great Southwest Rotary Club, the ceremony, free to the public, will pay respects to all Veterans who bravely served our nation.

Special honorees at the event will include members of the United States Armed Forces who are recipients of the Medal of Honor. Col. Jim Quick, U.S. Air Force, retired, will be the Master of Ceremonies, and Captain Florent A. Groberg is slated as the featured speaker. Captain Groberg was awarded the MOH for his sacrificial bravery in Afghanistan in 2012. Special patriotic music will be provided by the Honorable Judge Brent Carr and the Cowtown Music Club. Attendees to the ceremony are invited to a complementary lunch immediately following the ceremony, courtesy of the Heroes of South Vietnam Memorial Foundation. Also co-sponsoring the event are the National Medal of Honor Museum and the Heroes of S. Vietnam Memorial Foundation.

For more information or to reserve a lunch, please call Jim Runzheimer, event chairman, at 817-795-2020 or email him at runz-law@att.net. You may also find more information at facebook.com/arlvetpark

THE OAKRIDGE SCHOOL NAMES MATTHEW BURGY HEAD OF SCHOOL

RAISE YOUR HAND if you remember dining at the Colonial Cafeteria on E. Park Row. Keep it up if your “goin’ out to eat” routine also included meals at Zuider Zee in Town North. Continue to keep that paw in the air if you not only ate at the Blue Hawaii restaurant at Forum 303, but did the hula there with Pat.

The Oakridge School has named Matthew R. Burgy as the new Head of School to succeed Jon Kellam, who is retiring from the school he served for nearly three decades.

Burgy was assistant head for teaching and learning at St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Houston and served at the school since 2013. He will begin his tenure at Oakridge on July 1, 2022. Burgy has served as a Head of School, Dean of Students, Director of Admission, Head of Middle School, Head of Upper School, Athletic Director, and mathematics teacher for 5th grade through AP Calculus.

‘EXPLORE ARLINGTON’ IS A NEW WAY TO ENJOY THE CITY WITH MAYOR ROSS

Anew series hosted by Mayor Jim Ross titled “Explore Arlington” takes viewers on a journey across multiple small businesses, tourism destinations, outdoor activities and many other venues and topics highlighting fun things happening in Arlington.

“There are so many amazing things happening in our community, and it’s happening all the time,” says Ross. “One of the things I want to do as mayor is highlight all that Arlington has to offer. And I hope that you will help me spread the word.”

The debut adventure of “Explore Arlington” took residents and visitors to Globe Life Field, where Mayor Ross took on the challenge of the annual “dot race” tradition at the ballpark. This tradition actually originated at Arlington Stadium and has spread to other venues around the country, morphing into such races as the Hot Dog Race, the Sausage Race, and the Brat Race.

“Explore Arlington joins a host of regular video programming produced by the City of Arlington’s Office of Communications that are intended to showcase the great things happening in the American Dream City,” says Jay Warren, director of Communication and Legislative Affairs for the City of Arlington. “There is a lot to be proud of in Arlington. It’s our job to tell those stories and hopefully, by doing so, continue to build a sense of community pride.”

The City’s Office of Communication schedules and produces franchise programs for MyArlingtonTV. Viewers can find MyArlingtonTV programs on Spectrum Channel 16 and AT&T U-Verse channel 99, and streaming capabilities at arlingtontx. gov/broadcast. All episodes are also available on the City’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter account.

BRENT DERAAD NAMED NEW ACVB PRESIDENT & CEO

After a nationwide search, the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau has chosen Brent DeRaad, current President & CEO of Visit Tucson, to lead the city’s destination marketing organization into the next phase of success and growth.

He will start his new position on Dec. 6.

DeRaad is replacing Ron Price, who had been President & CEO since 2013. Price resigned in May to head Visit Phoenix in Arizona.

DeRaad comes to Arlington with more than 20 years of hospitality leadership, sales and marketing experience. With Visit

Tucson, he was responsible for a $10MM annual budget and 16,000 hotel rooms.

“I am honored to lead the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and to take the baton from Ron Price,” DeRaad says. “The CVB’s knowledgeable staff, city leaders, industry stakeholders and I will work together to continue the growth and impact of the organization and the city as we move into the future. Arlington is a top sports, leisure and business destination, and I look forward to being a part of its continued success.”

Brent DeRaad

20 years teaching (and loving) music

When the glam metal band KISS strutted out on stage last month at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, gloriously clad in its customary face paint, glitzy outfits and those massive-heeled boots, Jimmy Adcock was right there rocking with them. Adcock has been a fan for as long as he can remember, and if you talk to him about Kiss, or Guns N’ Roses, or the legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, it’s not about some groupie fixation but the semantics of musical outliers: how, for instance, Gene Simmons was one of the most melodic and instant recognizable bass players around.

Adcock has always been, and still is, a guitar nerd, which helps explain why as an educator he’s credited with tinting thousands of lives when it comes to learning and, more importantly, loving music.

It’s hard to tell exactly how many people have graced the grounds of Adcock’s Arlington School of Music, although, when asked, Adcock puts it, “somewhere between five ... and seven thousand ... probably.”

Excuse him. When Adcock first started the school, in two rooms inside the education building of a Methodist church, it was out of sheer love and fun. Love of the music, fun of teaching it. Close to 30 students were taking lessons the first year; by year four 70 students were using six upstairs rooms and one downstairs.

You can say without indecision that The Arlington School of Music, which now sits in Garden Plaza Shopping Center off west Arkansas, sandwiched between a nail salon and dog groomer, is a hidden gem even though it’s celebrating a 20-year existence. Over the years, students have learned not just how to perform some guitar riffs, a la Simmons and Beck, but acquire skills in everything from piano, drums, violin and viola to cello, ukulele, bass, saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, even voice.

“Our main goal has always been to make connections with each student,” Adcock says one afternoon, sitting in his office in a Van Halen shirt and flanked by an impressive

backdrop of musician photos, some of whom Adcock, an accomplished musician in his own right, has jammed with on stage.

“There is not a set curriculum,” he adds. “I ask them what music they are listening to, what songs they like, what bands they like. They will bring me a list, and we start forming a lesson plan specific to that.

“They still start in the same place learning the scales and basics but relate it to the songs they like. That gets them excited and motivated because they are learning something they are interested in. It means more to them.”

Adcock knows. He took lessons at a school similar to this one, in Grand Prairie, with his mentor and friend, Terry Humphries. He got good mighty fast; at least good enough for the music store where he was working to ask him to become part of its teaching rotation. That was it. He was in.

So far, the most famous of his students is Maren Morris, who enrolled shortly after her father bought her a guitar.

“She was talented from the beginning,” Adcock recalls about the then 13-year-old future country music star. “She was able to write her own songs and everything.”

Currently, 160 students are enrolled, taking lessons from over a dozen teachers. Afternoons the 2,000- square-foot building is packed, each room occupied. Thank goodness he brought his wife, NG, in a few years ago to help him.

“I’d be lost without her,” Adcock confesses.

There are times he looks around to see what he has built, often recalling when he actually pitched the idea to the church music director.

“I had sent him the information in the mail but heard nothing and was about to give up,” Adcock says.

He did get a call back. Two years later.

Was he still interested?

“Yeah,” was Adcock’s quick answer. “So here we are.”

KennEth Perkins

For the past two decades, Jimmy Adcock has helped Arlington musicians grow their skills, as well as their appreciation for the art form.

For the past two decades, Jimmy Adcock has helped Arlington musicians grow their skills, as well as their appreciation the art form.

Scene

Snapshots of note from places and events in the Arlington/Mansfield/ Grand Prairie area

Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce President Michael Jacobson honors Chaplain Rich Stoglin, who is stepping down as Chairman of the Community Influence Leaders Roundtable.

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Honoring Chaplain Rich Stoglin Honoring Chaplain Rich Stoglin

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County celebrated their outstanding youth on the field at AT&T Stadium during their annual Youth of the Year Gala presented by BNSF Railway. The keynote speaker was Dallas

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County Youth of the Year event

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County Youth of the Year event

Photos: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County

The 2021 State of the City event, featuring Mayor Jim Ross

The 2021 State of the City event, featuring Mayor Jim Ross

Four months into the job, Mayor Jim Ross entertained and enlighted a capacity crowd at Esports Stadium Arlington last month during his inaugural State of the City address, which was presented by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

Dr. Joan Bergstrom

Oncologist Texas Oncology Optometrist Gayle Karanges - First Eye Care

Orthodontics

Drs Alexander Orthodontics

Pediatric Dentist

ikids pediatric dentists

Pediatrician

Gold Pediatrics

Pharmacy

Randol Mill Pharmacy

Podiatry

Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers

Spine Surgery

Texas Spine Associates

Urologist

Dr. Justin Lee (Urology Partners of North Texas)

Personal Services

Customer Service

Wade Family Funeral Home

Dance Studio

Miss Persis Studio of Dance

Event Venue

Urban Alchemy

Golf Course

Texas Rangers Golf Club

Hair Salon

Maren Karsen Aveda Salon

Hotel

Live! by Loews

Natural Setting

River Legacy Parks

Photographer

Bruce Maxwell

Skin Care

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

Spa

Spa at The Sanford House

IN AUGUST’S ALL STAR EDITION we learned what our readers like. Here, we offer our editorial nods in more than six dozen categories (along with a close look at some of the winners).

Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas

Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas have been improving Texan’s lives through better vision and patient centered experiences for 38 years. Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas provide comprehensive, individualized eye care from a team of highly trained and experienced surgeons utilizing the most advanced technology and techniques to meet our patient’s eyecare and lifestyle needs.

Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas offer a wide range of surgical and non-surgical services including cataract surgery with advanced technology lenses to offer clear vision at near-, midand distance ranges; vision correction procedures including LASIK, PRK, Visian ICL, and Clear Lens Exchange, and the treatment of medical eye conditions including glaucoma, diabetic eyecare, and corneal and retinal conditions.

Kleiman Evangelista also offers medical and aesthetic surgical and non-surgical oculoplastic treatments blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, and non-laser aesthetic treatments.

At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas, we have teams of doctors, both ophthalmologists and optometrists, who work together to provide holistic care for your eyes.

The surgical team at Kleiman Evangelista has four decades of combined experience in ophthalmology and includes Kelly Frasier, MD; Moulaye Haidara, MD; Ashish Singh, MD; and Sahmon Chinichian, DO.

ABOUT THE KLEIMAN EVANGELISTA TEAM

• Dr. Kelly Frasier serves as Kleiman Evangelista’s Medical Director. A board-certified refractive surgeon, Dr. Frasier specializes in LASIK and laser vision correction surgery, cataract surgery, and both traditional and surgical glaucoma treatments.

• Dr. Moulaye Haidara is a board-certified refractive surgeon, specializing in cataract, glaucoma, and vision correction surgery, including LASIK.

• Dr. Ashish Singh specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, including laser assisted cataract surgery and LASIK, as well as traditional and surgical glaucoma treatments.

• Dr. Sahmon Chinichian specializes in cataract and vision correction surgery, including LASIK and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

We believe you shouldn’t compromise when it comes to your eyes and we won’t either

Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids

An Editor’s Choice winner for the second consecutive year, Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids has been virtually unmatched in achieving its honorable mission of “helping people hear better” – for more than three and a half decades .

We italicize the latter part of that sentence, because it underscores just how consistently important the team at Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids has been to its patients and to the community since its inception in 1985.

“There are not many audiology practices in the North Texas area that can say they’ve been helping people hear better for over 35 years,” says Dr. Melissa Danchak, owner of the practice. “We believe that the hearing health care experience is about making folks feel confident in their decision to address their hearing health care needs first and foremost. We believe our patients feel confident in the services we provide – they know we are walking with them on their journey to better hearing!”

Dr. Danchak began working at Kos/Danchak Audiology in 1997 and purchased the practice five years later. With more than 23 years of experience helping those with hearing challenges in the Arlington and surrounding communities, Dr. Danchak’s passion for providing unparalleled care and service for her patients is on full display with the hundreds of online reviews they have been sharing for years.

While her formal education gave her the book knowledge needed to become an audiologist, Dr. Danchak certainly believes that learning is a lifelong process.

“Like any small business, we experience change, adversity, success, and a whole host of other ‘stuff’ on a regular basis,” she says. “We try to learn, every day. We evaluate how we help people, and we try to make the hearing health care experience better for the people that we meet with each day. Our goal is for each person

to have a better experience with us every time they visit. The fact that we have thousands of patients that have been trusting us with their hearing needs for 10 and 15 years tells us that we are doing a good job of providing a positive experience for our patients.”

Dr. Danchak and her team live by a fairly simple (professional) philosophy: Do our absolute best to serve our patients and fellow employees to the best of our ability; continue to learn and grow, every day, so that we can accomplish that in the best way possible!

“We make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “We see it on their faces when they hear and understand clearly what a loved one is saying. We see it when a spouse or child experiences the feeling of being able to communicate again without raising their voice or repeating themselves. Patients and their families share with us that their investment in better hearing, and us, has changed their lives. It’s not always easy for people to admit that they have hearing loss or that they need hearing aids. We know we make a difference in people’s lives because so many of the new patients we meet each day are referrals from current patients that we have been helping for years! It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Here’s the deal: PEOPLE LOVE TO READ MAGAZINES!

the deal: PEOPLE LOVE TO READ MAGAZINES!

There are some 7,416 magazines printed in the United States, producing some $23.92 billion in aggregate revenue, according to the website statista.com. Further, the number of readers of magazines grew to more than 220 million in the period between 2012 and 2020.

There are some 7,416 magazines printed in the United States, producing some $23.92 billion in aggregate revenue, according to the website statista.com. Further, the number of readers of magazines grew to more than 220 million in the period between 2012 and 2020.

More Americans read print magazines than use the Internet! Bet you didn’t see that one coming, but according to wainscotmedia.com, 91 percent of American adults have read a magazine in the past six months, compared to 85 percent of American adults who surf the net.

More Americans read print magazines than use the Internet! Bet you didn’t see that one coming, but according to wainscotmedia.com, 91 percent of American adults have read a magazine in the past six months, compared to 85 percent of American adults who surf the net.

Source: statista .com

The Simmons Multi-Media Engagement Study revealed that magazines are the No. 1 medium of engagement – across all dimensions measured. The study showed magazines score higher than TV or the Internet in ad receptivity and all of the other engagement dimensions, including “trustworthy” and “inspirational.”

The Simmons Multi-Media Engagement Study revealed that magazines are the No. 1 medium of engagement – across all dimensions measured. The study showed magazines score higher than TV or the Internet in ad receptivity and all of the other engagement dimensions, including “trustworthy” and “inspirational.”

Magazines engage readers!

Here’s something else from wainscotmedia.com: We think of magazine readers and picture bored people flipping through pages in waiting rooms, but the reality is that the average reader spends more than 53 minutes on each issue – and more than eight hours each month reading magazines.

Magazines engage readers!

Here’s something else from wainscotmedia.com: We think of magazine readers and picture bored people flipping through pages in waiting rooms, but the reality is that the average reader spends more than 53 minutes on each issue – and more than eight hours each month reading magazines.

Print is memorable!

Print is memorable!

Print creates an emotional connection. Print builds relationships.

Print creates an emotional connection. Print builds relationships.

Physical material is more “real” to the brain, involves more emotional processing, is better connected to memory, with greater internalization of ads – all important brand associations.

Source: Forbes

Physical material is more “real” to the brain, involves more emotional processing, is better connected to memory, with greater internalization of ads – all important brand associations.

Source: Forbes

ALLERGIST

Cure Allergy Clinic

Cure Allergy Clinic in Arlington is one of DFW’s top Allergy clinics. We focus on the treatment of allergyrelated concerns, including sinus issues, runny noses, sneezes, wheezes, hives, eczema, and food allergies!

Cure Allergy Clinic is unique because we focus on immunotherapy, or the process of retraining the immune system to decrease allergy symptoms, and possibly throw allergies into remission.

This allows individuals to get off chronic medications, feel better, and live healthier lives.

We treat allergy-related conditions for all age groups, from infants to older adults.

Patients choose Cure Allergy Clinic due to our expertise in allergy treatments, as well as our exceptional patient

service. Dr. M. Waseem Imam, our Chief Medical Officer, is board certified in Pediatric and Adult Allergy, Asthma, Immunology, as well as Internal Medicine. He serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of North Texas HSC. Dr. Imam is a Fellow at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and serves on its Food Allergy Committee.

We are proud to be a teaching site for Internal Medicine residents and medical students at our Arlington location. Cure Allergy Clinic is specialized in allergies, which is why we are experts in the specialty.

Conditions we treat include asthma, food allergies, GI issues due to allergies, sinus issues, allergic rashes or hives, pet allergies, eczema, and more.

SERVICE

Wade Funeral Home

An Editor’s Choice winner for the second consecutive year, Wade Funeral Home has years of experience combined with a highly professional, compassionate family and staff that have comforted area residents for the past 18 years.

Mike and Amy Wade purchased Wade Funeral Home in Hubbard, Texas in 1985, and built Wade Family Funeral Home in 2003. Mike is owner and funeral director in charge and works along side his son, Blake Wade and daughter, Keely Gillham; both funeral directors.

Mike actively supports the community and is a member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club, downtown Rotary Club, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington High School Alumni Association, Texas Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and Toy Train Collector’s Association.

Amy is the marketing director for Wade Funeral Home. She is very active with the community, serving on numerous committees of organizations in Arlington. She and Mike are members of First Baptist Church of Arlington.

Mike and Amy have three children and eight grandchildren.

For more: wadefamilyfuneralhome.com

REAL ESTATE

Ebby Halliday Realtors

For more than 75 years Ebby Halliday Realtors has served the real estate needs of North Texans and those relocating to the region. That rich heritage, as well as the manner in which the company takes care of its customers, makes Ebby Halliday special – as in Editor’s Choice winner special.

It all began in 1945, when one bold woman parlayed her wisdom, generosity, business acumen and endurance into what is today the No. 1 residential real estate brokerage in Texas.

“Long life is a privilege not everyone – or every company – gets to enjoy,” says Ebby Halliday Companies President & CEO Chris Kelly. “As we think about what Ebby Halliday has accomplished, we acknowledge this fact with a spirit of gratitude.”

Today, Ebby Halliday is the largest real estate company in Texas, with more than 30 offices covering some 12,000 square miles of North Texas.

The company has offices in Arlington and Mansfield to help buyers and sellers across North Texas realize their residential real estate goals.

For more: ebby.com

Texas Appliance

When it comes to amenities for the home and yard, Texas Appliance is virtually without peer in this area.

With roots back to the 1940s, Texas Appliance is an established, locally owned and operated retailer serving both residential and builders’ needs. The company operates its retail division from three showrooms in South Arlington, Hurst and Fort Worth, along with its outlet store in Pantego.

The beautiful showrooms offer a full spectrum of appliances to meet practically every household need. With more than 40 major quality brands, Texas Appliance has one of the largest displays of built-in and free-standing appliances in the state of Texas.

Texas Appliance offers refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers and dryers, indoor and outdoor cooking appliances, ice makers, wine coolers, disposers, trash compactors, mattresses and more, all of which can be delivered straight to your home. Its experienced staff of contract sales representatives will meet with builders or their customers at their offices, job sites or in the showroom to assist in the selection, installation and demonstration of the appliance package.

For more: txappliance.com

FURNITURE Ivan Smith Furniture

If you’re in the market for furniture – any kind and all kinds of furniture – we strongly suggest that you check out Ivan Smith Furniture in Mansfield.

Conveniently located at 451 N. US Hwy 287, Ivan Smith Furniture offers well known brand names like Mayo, Hooker, Flexsteel, Craftmaster, Bernhardt, Klaussner, Riverside, Stanley, and more – giving you the big city selection while offering hometown service. Company products feature designs and pieces in contemporary styles and textures to add depth and detail to your space. Completely customizable options for upholstered sofas and chairs, power recliners, and sofas are available so that you can special order the piece that you’ve dreamed of enjoying in your home for many years to come.

Ivan Smith Furniture has living room furniture selections that include love seats, recliners, and complete sofa sets. In terms of dining room furniture, the company sells dining tables and dinette sets, as well as stylish home bar furniture. It also has an extensive collection of bedroom furniture for adults and children including durable bed sets and mattresses. In addition, Ivan Smith’s stellar staff sells office furniture, entertainment centers, elegant home accents, and even appliances.

For more: ivansmith.com

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

Athree-time Editor’s Choice winner, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital offers full emergency services in an exemplary and award-winning fashion.

The emergency department is staffed by independent, fulltime physicians who are board certified in emergency medicine and by nurses certified in emergency care and advanced life support. Many Texas Health Arlington Memorial nurses have also earned the title of Certified Emergency Nurse and have completed the Trauma/Nurse Core Curriculum, as well as training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Emergency physicians on the medical staff at Texas Health Arlington Memorial and the nurses and technicians all participate in ongoing continuing education programs to keep abreast of current trends and developments in emergency care.

Five years ago, the hospital began an innovative outreach program in collaboration with the Arlington Fire Department to help hundreds of patients with chronic conditions avoid emergency room visits. For more: texashealth.org/arlington

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, a 262-bed acute care hospital, has served the community for more than 14 years while it continues to expand to meet patients’ needs.

At the Breast Center at Methodist Mansfield a multidisciplinary team of specialists offers breast imaging services, women’s health services, bone density scans, and pelvic health therapy — all under one roof. To enhance care for its smallest patients, an $8.7 million Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion opened two years ago, providing a neonatal procedure room, lactation center, and newborn clinic. The advanced facility also boasts robotic telemedicine services, the AngelEye camera system for enhanced security, a respiratory therapy work area, and rooms for parents with an adjacent laundry unit and family lounge.

The newly completed 82,000-square-foot, four-story Professional Office Building II on the south campus is home to family medicine physician practices and Texas Oncology –Methodist Cancer Center.

For more: methodisthealthsystem.org/methodist-mansfield-medical-center

Women’s Health Services

For the third straight year, we present an Editor’s Choice award to Dr. Joan Bergstrom, founder of Women’s Health Services – and to her team of dedicated physicians taking care of women’s health needs in the North Texas area.

Dr. Bergstrom has come about her success by establishing a unique rapport with each patient over a span of more than three decades, during which she has delivered more than 4,000 local babies.

“The ability to develop relationships with patients that last through decades of life is a very special opportunity,” she says. “Every day I get to go to work and meet new patients and continue relationships with established patients.”

The Women’s Health Services team also includes Drs. Jessica Brown, Joy Carter, Maya Kuriakosi, Kiran Nangrani, Dawnette K. Peppler and Sheri Puffer. Collectively, they and their support staff strive to provide excellent patient service, and the practice was one of the first in the area to implement on-line flexible appointment scheduling.

Women’s Health Services features two offices in Arlington to offer convenient and compassionate care to patients all over the city and Arlington area.

For more: womenshealthservices.com

ONCOLOGIST

Texas Oncology

Texas Oncology earned this year’s Editor’s Choice award by being a practice that delivers high-quality, high-touch care to help patients achieve the practice’s mission of “More breakthroughs. More victories.”® in their fight against cancer.

Texas Oncology is an independent, physician-led practice delivering leading-edge technology and treatment options and conducting innovative research. Founders of the practice pioneered community-based care to enable more cancer patients to receive high-quality care while staying close to the critical support of family and friends.

The team of physicians, nurses and support staff at Texas Oncology helps patients receive comprehensive treatment, advanced treatment options, and clinical trials, all under one roof at practice locations in both Arlington and Mansfield.

Texas Oncology uses evidenced-based best practices to guide patient treatment across its network in a program known as Pathways. These guidelines, based on evidence, direct treatment to clinically proven options that optimize outcomes and minimize side effects. Health information technology gives doctors electronic access to these guidelines and other decision-support resources at the point of care.

For more: texasoncology.com

PHARMACY

Randol Mill Pharmacy

We’re quite partial to local entities with staying power, so it’s worth noting that Randol Mill Pharmacy has been an area favorite for more than five decades.

Since its genesis in 1965, several generations of talented team members have been striving to provide the friendliest, most professional and efficient pharmacy service in town.

Five words embrace the Randol Mill Pharmacy team’s philosophy, highlighted in the company’s “5-C’s”: Care, Convenience, Cost-effectiveness, Confidentiality and Communication.

Randol Mill Pharmacy is one of the area’s premier resources for prescription medications, over the counter (OTC) medications, flu shots, shingles shots, pneumonia shots, tetanus shots and compounding (where you are not bound by commercial medications, but can have medications in the strengths and dosages that fit your particular needs).

The pharmacy accepts most insurance plans, provides complementary local delivery for your convenience and features 6,000 square feet of shopping space stocked with a full range of medical equipment, as well as unique upscale gifts, greeting cards, seasonal gifts and candies.

For more: randolmillpharmacy.com

FINE DINING

Mercury Chophouse

You know the best-in-town view. You know the delicious cuisine. You know the impeccable service. And now you know why, for the third straight year, Mercury Chophouse has earned an Editors’ Choice award. In very short order, Mercury Chophouse has gained a reputation around town (and around all of North Texas, for that matter) as the place to meet for a business lunch or for a dinner to celebrate a special occasion. Because of its vast reserve of fine wines and cocktails and the small-plate selections, Mercury Chophouse has drawn in the happy hour crowd, as well. Add it all up, and the sum is literally an award winner.

For more: mercurychophouse.com

GAME DAY MEAL

No Frills Grill & Sports Bar

S ports fans (and editors who love sports) revel in the notion that No Frills Grill features televisions everywhere you look that spotlight the fare of the NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, ESPN Game Plan, NHL Center Ice, and MLB Extra Innings. Then there is one of the more diverse menus you will find. With American Pub food to Tex–Mex and many Seafood entrees, the popular eatery makes sure you can always discover something new to eat, from great chicken sandwiches or light and tasty salads to an array of tasty appetizers. You can also play pool or the latest in video games as you enjoy your game-day experience.

For more: nofrillsarlington.com

Self-Care Makes a Difference in Preventing and Detecting Gynecologic Cancer

Chances are that COVID-19 has impacted your self-care practices. Due to difficulty managing the stresses of the pandemic in healthy ways, physical health among adults in the United States may be declining, according to a recent study by the American Psychological Association. Nearly half of U.S. adults have put off or canceled healthcare services altogether.

When detected early, the ability to treat and survive gynecologic cancer is exponentially greater, so consider incorporating healthy habits – such as cancer screenings – into your self-care routine.

Educate yourself on gynecologic cancer.

Gynecologic cancer – including ovarian, cervical, and uterine (endometrial) cancer – is any cancer that begins in a woman’s reproductive organs, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As women age, so does their risk for gynecologic cancer.

Check regularly for new symptoms or changes.

Symptoms often associated with gynecologic cancer include, but are not limited to, pain in the abdomen or pelvic area; painful intercourse; heavier, painful, or irregular periods; urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency); or unexpected weight loss.

Schedule your cancer screenings or testing.

Women should begin regular Pap tests in their 20s, which is the most effective screening tool for cervical cancer. Uterine and ovarian cancer can occasionally be detected through Pap tests and routine pelvic exams, talk with your physician about other ways to reduce your risk.

Good self-care should always include cancer screenings and regular monitoring. Your life-long health is worth it.

For more information, visit TexasOncology.com.

Grounds & Gold Coffee Co.

Grounds & Gold Coffee Co. has always been about community, so it’s only fitting that the cafe would be our choice as the place to meet. It started with Gold Ribbon Confections, a bakery founded in honor of owner Maurice Ahern’s son, Micah, who died in 2015 after a six-year battle with cancer. Since Gold Ribbon was founded, Maurice dreamed of expanding the bakery to a brick and mortar, café-style location that would focus on benefiting the community. Maurice partnered with family members Jenifer and Jimmy Kinley to create Grounds & Gold, a community café that proudly serves Gold Ribbon Confections’ baked goods and some of the best coffee in the area.

For more: groundsandgold.com

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

F or more than four decades, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill has been one of Arlington’s premier destinations for culinary and social pleasures. In fact, it’s so popular that our readers keep selecting it as an All Star and we keep lauding it in our annual Editor’s Choice issue. We’ll say it right now: We love J. Gilligan’s burgers (and everything else on the menu). But we also need to note that there’s always a game or several on the televisions scattered inside and out on the patio, where dining and cheering for your favorite team aren’t optional; they’re virtually required ... and, in the end, J. Gilligan’s is the real winner. For more: jgilligans.com

ATTORNEY

Jim Ross Law Group, PC

Jim Ross, founder of the acclaimed firm, Jim Ross Law Group, PC – and Arlington’s newest Mayor – has another accolade to add to his list of accomplishments: He’s an Editor’s Choice winner for the second straight year. The former Marine, Arlington policeman and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) task force officer heads a general practice litigation firm that handles cases involving personal injury, family law, civil and business litigation, criminal defense and probate matters. The firm operates on the philosophy that all people deserve representation. “It’s the Texas way and part of the American spirit,” Ross says. We agree. For more: jimrosslaw.com

ATTORNEY - ELDER LAW Karen Schroeder

O ur Editor’s Choice in the category of Elder Law, Karen Schroeder, is a fourth-generation Texan and a hometown girl who grew up in Arlington, graduated from Arlington High School in 1985 and continues to reside in Tarrant County with her family. At her practice in Mansfield she specializes in wills and trusts (including gun trusts), elder law and guardianships, asset and wealth protection and probate. Licensed as a Texas attorney since 1994, Schroeder has built a reputation as a problem-solver who serves clients’ needs with legal professionalism and a commitment to individualized attention.

For more: karenschroederlaw.com

ATTORNEY - FAMILY LAW Donna J. Smiedt

Four-time All Star Donna J. Smiedt, founder of The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt, is now also an Editor’s Choice winner – and with good cause. Smiedt has earned a stellar reputation for her dedication to serving her clients during challenging times involving the prospect of divorce. Smiedt is a Board Certified Family Law Attorney - Texas Board of Legal Specialization who has received extensive training – and earned many honors for her work – in this area. The firm can handle the simplest uncontested divorce to the most contentious custody litigation, as well as non-litigation forms of dispute resolution, such as mediation and collaborative law. For more: arlingtondivorces.com

ATTORNEY - PERSONAL INJURY Roger “Rocky” Walton

Accolades of this type are nothing new to Rocky Walton, an icon in local legal circles. The founder of the Law Firm of Roger “Rocky” Walton has been serving the Arlington community since 1975 and is a consistent Arlington Today Readers’ Choice All Star. In 1987 Walton’s firm began handling nothing but personal injury and wrongful death claims. In 1994, after a lot of hard work, Walton was able to become certified as to special competence in the area of Personal Injury

Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Fewer than 3% of Texas lawyers are board certified specialists in that area of law. Rocky has been re-certified every five years. For more: rockywaltoninjurylawyers.com

ATTORNEY - REAL ESTATE Harris Cook, LLP

David L. Cook, who in recent years has won elections for Mayor and State Representative, adds another victory with our nod to his law firm, Harris Cook, LLP. But that’s not surprising; the firm has built a reputation for professionalism and effectiveness in a wide range of legal matters. The practice features a highly-skilled team composed of Cook, Patrick L. Dooley, Paul J. Johnson, Larry L. Fowler, Jr., Cynthia L. Hill, Lin Morrisett, Marc A. Stach, Arin K. Schall and Wesly C. Maness. Harris Cook is an AV Rated Firm, which represents the Gold Standard in attorney ratings, and features a wide depth of experience and talent across multiple practice areas. For more: harriscooklaw.com

ATTORNEY - DIVORCE Stephanie A. Foster

S

tephanie Foster has earned our nod this year because of her compassion and persistence while dealing with one of the more important legal decisions a person can make: divorce. Foster is a strong litigator who effectively articulates and argues for her clients’ interests in contested divorce cases. But her main priority is finding solutions that are beneficial to the family as a whole. Foster believes the collaborative process is a powerful way to generate creative solutions in family law disputes while minimizing financial and emotional damage to families facing divorce. And we applaud her for that.

For more: StephanieFosterLawyer.com

Frazier Roofs & Gutters

Because of its quality service – over more than four decades, no less – Frazier Roofs & Gutters and owner Rich Frazier are our pick for the Roofing Category Editor’s Choice award this year. The company provides fair services at competitive prices, and goes the extra mile to take care of its customers by offering free estimates and working with top manufacturers and all types of roofing. Frazier and the company specialize in asphalt shingles, stone coated steel, modified bitumen roofing, and pretty much any other residential or commercial roofing material you may have on your roof – all in the quest to fit any type of budget.

For more: frazierservices.com

BUILDER Mansfield Custom Homes

Mansfield Custom Homes proudly notes that it “builds dreams from the ground up.” Based on the fact that the company has won both Readers’ Choice and Editor’s Choice awards in back-to-back years, the company obviously also meets its customers’ expectations. “Mansfield Custom Homes is truly a custom builder,” says Julie Short, the real estate specialist at the company. “Start with your dream, and the MCH team will make it your address.” Team owner Stoney Short works with each customer during every step of the process, and the design team, real estate team and the construction team collaborate to ensure your satisfaction.

For more: mchtexas.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Frost Bank

In addition to back-to-back Editor’s Choice nods, Frost Bank has been named an Arlington Today Readers’ Choice All Star each of the past five years. So it’s easy to see why it finds itself in yet another winner’s circle. Founded in 1868, Frost provides a full range of banking, investments and insurance services across Texas. With a philosophy that emphasizes building long-term relationships and treating everyone with integrity, caring and excellence, Frost Bank has earned numerous awards for customer service to consumers and businesses, and it is one of the more locally philanthropic financial institutions in the area. For more: frostbank.com

FLOORING

Hiltons Flooring

H

iltons Flooring is an ideal one-stop showroom for practically any floor-covering need.

Since 2013, Hiltons Flooring has been passionately serving customers as an accredited business with an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau. The team at Hiltons Flooring is devoted to providing the best and largest selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate vinyl, tile and stone in a friendly, comfortable and helpful atmosphere. Hiltons carries most name brands of flooring and also granite, marble, quartz and quartzite counter tops, backsplash and showers, making it the ideal place to shop for practically any home improvement project.

For more: hiltonsflooring.com

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Gracie Lane

F or the second year in a row, we think the “go to” destination in Arlington for items both fun and functional is Gracie Lane. Since opening in 2014, Gracie Lane has rapidly become recognized as the Arlington area’s premier destination for clothing, jewelry, home decor, gifts and more. Manager Mary Macken says the real key to Gracie Lane’s success, though, is the relationships she and the Gracie Lane team of friendly, enthusiastic staffers build: “I believe our philosophy of treating every person that walks through our doors as a family member really resonates with our customers.” She’ll get no argument here. In fact, she’ll get a nice plaque noting the greatness of her company. For more: gracielanecollection.com

ANTIQUES

C&W Antiques

When it comes to antiques, C&W Antiques is in a class by itself in this region. Its showroom features unique, rare and interesting furniture and accessories not found at most stores stateside. Co-proprietors Jim Carpenter and Patrick Walsh routinely create an inviting ambiance with fragrant Market candles, music and vignettes of old-world rooms that stimulate the senses. C&W Antiques specializes in 17th, 18th and 19th century English and French furniture. It also has an exquisite collection of original fine art by Italian, French, Russian, English and U.S. artists, and its Faberge Collection is the largest in the state of Texas and perhaps the world. For more: candwantiques.com

GIFTS

Anything Goes

In 2012, Mary Davis’ dream of creating an eclectic gift shop became a reality when Anything Goes opened its doors at 2504 W. Park Row in Pantego. Over the past nine years, Anything Goes has grown from 1,200 square feet to almost 4,000 square feet of retail space that features products that meet the needs of customers of all ages. “I work hard to find our customers new products so they have the diversity in the gifts that they’re giving, and there’s always something new and fresh for them on the shelves,” Mary says. We wholeheartedly agree and equally wholeheartedly recommend you pay Mary and Co. a visit soon.

For more: anythinggoesgiftshop.com

CHIROPRACTIC CARE/WELLNESS Dr. Kenyon Godwin

D r. Kenyon Godwin, who recently moved his practice to the Curis Functional Health team, has earned Editors’ Choice honors for the third straight year. The practice, which now has two offices, is based on a simple philosophy Dr. Godwin has embraced since he started in Arlington 11 years ago. “We believe people should have the freedom to pursue their purpose without limitations!” Dr. Godwin says. “We offer an effective lifestyle modification program utilizing Functional Medicine.” This program incorporates the best of wellness, from Chiropractic to Nutrition, Comprehensive labs, Meditation / Prayer and more. For more: gocuris.com

Dr. Jackilyn Dang

Great dentists bring smiles to the faces of their patients, and for nearly a decade, Dr. Jackilyn Dang has been making people smile all over the Metroplex. Since opening her initial local practice, Great Oak Dental, Dr. Dang has provided state-of-the-art dental care to Arlington-area patients – so much so that she opened a second practice, Legacy Park Dental. At both locations she and her staff provide the utmost care in blending compassion and expertise as part of each patient’s customized treatment plan. “It’s important for our patients to be fully educated about their dental options,” Dr. Dang says. “We always put the patient first.” For more: greatoakdental.com or legacyparkdental.com

PET CULINARY CARE

Three Dog Bakery

Three Dog Bakery’s trip to the Editor’s Choice winners’ circle began in 1989, when three dogs, two guys and one $0.59 biscuit cutter created the world’s first bakery for dogs. The revolutionary idea – 100% natural, wholesome, human-quality ingredients – gave pet owners a new option in healthy feeding. Today, the Arlington and Mansfield locations represent an inviting and exciting resource for pets and the people that treasure them. Customers enjoy the pleasant aroma of fresh-baked pastries, treats and food for dogs in a comfortable setting, where Three Dog Bakery feeds the souls of dogs and the people that love them.

For more: threedog.com

SKIN CARE

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club owner Brenda Cureton Hunt began her career in the beauty business as the first U.S. franchisee of Canadian-based FACES Cosmetics. She developed Great Skin Spa & Facial Club in Arlington more than a decade ago, and the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider. Great Skin specializes in dozens of skin treatment protocols and instant slimming and body contouring procedures. Through its Facial Club, Cureton Hunt and her team make it affordable for clients to care for their skin in the spa and at home. For more: greatskin4you.com

GOLF COURSE

Texas Rangers Golf Club

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ince opening in 2019, Texas Rangers Golf Club has become a mecca for local players. And why not? The fairways are broad and playable, and the greens are large and golfer friendly. The overall scale of the course is “Texas Big,” and the 111,000 square feet of sand bunkers frame each hole nicely. Texas Rangers Golf Club stretches to 7,010 yards for low-handicap golfers and potential collegiate events, and features four sets of tees to ensure a great playing experience for golfers of all ability levels. A large driving range, coupled with an expansive practice putting green and short-game facility, make Texas Rangers Golf Club a great place for all golfers.

For more: arlingtongolf.com/texas-rangers-golf-club

DATE NIGHT, SPA

The Sanford House

As was the case in August’s Readers’ Choice balloting, where The Sanford House earned All Star status in six categories, our editorial voters hold the local treasure in high esteem. Whether you’re talking the luxurious amenities in one of the region’s premier inns, Restaurant506’s exquisite menu and ever-courteous staff, the “made for a perfect wedding” courtyard or the gold standard of spas, The Sanford House is worthy of every honor it receives – and it certainly is the stuff Editor’s Choice awards are about. If you haven’t paid a visit – or if it has been a while since you dedicated a weekend to treating yourself well – we highly recommend that you amend that situation, pronto.

For more: thesanfordhouse.com

BOUTIQUE Ashlaroo’s

Earning a second straight Editors’ Choice nod less than three years after it opened for business shows just how quickly Ashlaroo’s has become a local shopping hot spot. Ashlaroo’s started as a dream by Arlington native Ashley Barling, who founded the company based on her love for fashion and her passion to create joy in the people around her. Ashlaroo’s carries women’s and juniors’ clothing, accessories, gifts and more. Barling came up with the name based on a nickname her family gave her during her childhood. In addition to her business acumen, Barling also engages in her community through many endeavors, which is even more confirmation that this is a special store. For more: ashlaroos.com

HAIR SALON

Maren Karsen Aveda Salon

An Editor’s Choice for the second straight year, Maren Karsen Aveda Salon & Store is a full-service hair salon and Aveda Experience Center located in the heart of Downtown Arlington in the beautiful Vandergriff Town Center. Aveda is an industry leader in haircare, skincare, body products and cosmetics. That is why Maren Karsen carries only Aveda products and uses only the Aveda hair color line. Whether you visit for a professional haircut, highlights, color or just your favorite styling product, Maren Karsen Salon is ready to deliver by offering evening and Saturday appointments, in addition to serving the “9 to 5” crowd. For more: marenkarsen.com

DANCE STUDIO Miss Persis Studio

With a rich history and a legacy of dance excellence that extends all the way to Broadway, Miss Persis Studio is one of the city’s treasures. Founded in 1954 by the late Persis Forster and now led by her daughter Persis Ann Forster, the studio features teachers and staff members who are highly professional and dedicated to helping children, young adults and “not so young” adults receive a dance education. Many alums have gone on to perform in community theatre and even under the lights in New York, but the dance and life training at Miss Persis Studio has been invaluable to literally thousands of Arlington residents over the years. For more: misspersisstudio.com

Help them discover who they are meant to be.

THEOAKRIDGESCHOOL.ORG

THE OAKRIDGE SCHOOL IS A COED COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SERVING STUDENTS AGE 3 THROUGH GRADE 12.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

The Oakridge School admits students of any race, color, sex, religion, physical ability, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Oakridge School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, physical disabilities, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, financial aid, and other school sponsored programs.

HOME SWEET! HOME

By Daryle Perez

Our home is located in Historic Downtown Mansfield a block west of Main Street. Sitting on top of a hill gives it a grand appearance when you approach it headed southbound into downtown. Downtown Mansfield has been going through a revitalization for the past six years, and we wanted to build our house in the middle of the new and future development of this Historic area.

The one-story house plan is a modern translation of a prairie styled farmhouse home plan, evident by its hipped rooflines. The home has the traditional broad bracketed eaves and an entry porch supported by antique bricked pilasters and square tapered columns. Cement fiber siding with the bold, continuous cornice emphasizes the strong horizontal plains of prairie home designs. The rear garage de-emphasizes the auto and celebrates the home.

From the curb, you can see a set of concrete steps from the original home that once stood on the property. We

incorporated them into the design of the front landscaping to preserve some history of the land. We wanted passersby to see a home that enhances the Historic area and feels like it has already been established downtown for many years.

We designed the home to look as if we purchased an older historic home and restored it to a classic yet modern look. It is a two-bedroom with one flex room that we have furnished as an office, with a laundry room, dining room, great room, and full-size guest bath. The gas fire place in the great room is surrounded by the same exterior brick to bring outside decorative elements into the home. Classic white shiplap walls can be seen in the guest bathroom and above the master bedroom fireplace. The home is surrounded by swing-out casement windows, another added old style characteristic.

Upon entering the foyer of the home, one views the open floor plan with the formal dining room to the left and the spacious great room with beamed ceiling and views to beyond.

How we crafted our home in Historic Downtown Mansfield to match our tastes with our desire to celebrate the personality of the neighborhood

The island kitchen is to the left with a walk-in pantry for additional storage. The kitchen is accented by a coffee bar and wine cooler. The master suite of this home is entered via the master foyer with double doors leading to the rear porch. The master bedroom has it own gas fireplace. Separating the his and hers closet is the master bath with the large double mirrors, plenty of storage space and a stylish tub. The two bathrooms are the only spaces in the house that are tiled. The floors throughout the home are hardwood and provide a warm, classic feel. Although the home looks modernized, we wanted to add classic characteristics into the home that are timeless.

Before we designed this home, we evaluated the time we spent in our former house. During holidays and get togethers, people always seem to migrate to the kitchen area or to the back yard patio where we spent most of our time in the warmer months. This home was designed to embrace how our

guests utilized our home. Our former home had the formal dining room separate from the living and kitchen. During holidays, we had the family separated for meals because our table could not accommodate everyone. By opening the remaining barriers between the great room, the dining room and the kitchen, we can all be together for family events as our family continues to grow.

Walking out to the back porch, we added the table and chairs near the outdoor TV for sports; it swivels out to be viewed by anyone that may be in the pool. The swimming pool was designed to also bring a modern touch outside. We love to entertain, especially when the weather presents the perfect conditions for being outdoors. The main artwork in the home and along the walls of the back porch were all commissioned by local artists, and each has a story behind them. The garage is an oversized two-car that was placed at the rear of the home to not distract from the curb appeal of the front.

Photos: Landon Day

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ROCK ‘N’ ROLL AND THE CHEVROLET IMPALA

By Richard Greene

Some 40 years after Chevrolet first delivered this 1959 Impala, it was sitting in a garage apparently waiting for someone to haul it off to a wrecking yard. Its current owner, David Peterson of South Arlington, acquired this splendid classic a dozen years ago from its then owner who declared it to be “way too good” for that kind of treatment and proceeded to restore it to its original splendor.

I caught up with David at the Classic Car Show premiering as one of the central events of last month’s first Downtown Arlington Ramblin’ Roads Festival.

The setting was perfect for this car that just seemed to be at home in the Vandergriff Plaza in front of the Arlington Music Hall with the aroma of burgers on the Grease Monkey grill next door and the striking backdrop of the Legendz Classic Barber Shop Mural framing your view from the front of the car.

It wouldn’t take much imagination to believe yourself in the era of cruising and rock ’n’ roll. To make sure you didn’t miss the connection, “American Graffiti” starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Cindy Williams was, in fact, showing on the Music Hall’s screen across the street.

Among many others, this end-of-the-’50s-decade Chevy stood out as an impeccable example of the second year of the Impala that David describes as original in every detail with “everything working except for the clock.”

Following the success of the “Tri-Five” Chevrolet era (1955-57) the big car company was ready to launch a new model and decided to name it the Impala. From its debut in 1958, and into its 10th generation, it became the popular flagship

David Pearson takes a gander at one of the great cars of the 1950s, his Chevrolet Impala.

David Pearson takes a gander at one of the great cars of the 1950s, his Chevrolet Impala.

An automobile ...

... for

... the ages

and among the best selling Americanmade automobiles in the country.

I checked Wikipedia for the history of how General Motors was promoting their 50th year of production and introduced anniversary models for each of their brands in 1958.

The new Chevy’s were longer, lower, and wider and the first year with dual headlamps. The now immediately recognized tailfins of the 1957 were replaced with deeply sculptured rear fenders and three taillights on each side –a striking departure from the long-established practice of just one.

The result: Chevrolet regained its position as the number-one producer of cars in America.

Impala’s second generation introduced a striking redesign with the 1959 model like David Peterson’s featured here. Its tailfins protruded outward rather than upward.

Those outward tailfins might have been the reason that a cartoon version of the car made its way onto the big screen in the animation movie, Batman: Gotham Knight. That’s likely because it sort-of resembled the Caped Crusader’s Batmobile.

The taillights were remarkably redesigned as large “teardrops.” However, the following year, the Impala came with reintroduced three round ones sitting just above the rear bumper. That makes it possible now to correctly identify the model year of the two versions that are otherwise almost identical.

Wikipedia’s further account tells of a whole new interior as part of the transition from previous models. Inside it featured as standard equipment front and rear armrests, an electric clock, dual sliding sun visors, and crank-operated front vent windows.

The contoured hooded instrument panel held deep-set gages and a six-way power seat was a new option as was the “speedminder,” for the driver to set a needle at a specific speed and a buzzer would sound if the preset was exceeded.

And, yes, David’s has still-working factory air-conditioning.

Restyled again for the third generation that ran from 1961-1964, the car became “finless” as the demand for a more modern look locked in the provenance of just two years of automotive history.

David’s Impala is always popular at car shows, and he enjoys sharing stories with people who like to recall their own experiences. But he quickly assures them it’s not just for show: “I pretty much drive it anywhere. Her name is Rose, and I take her all over North Texas. These cars are meant to be driven – they don’t like to just sit around.”

With that description, Rose in all her beauty, certainly was in her element at the Ramblin Roads Festival, and we can expect to see her there again next year.

“I PRETTY MUCH drive it anywhere. Her name is Rose, and I take her all over North Texas. These cars are meant to be driven – they don’t like to just sit around.”

TAKING ON CANCER

A UTA team is researching a potentially revolutionary treatment option • By Herb Booth

The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded a University of Texas at Arlington bioengineering professor a nearly $250,000 grant to better identify cancer cells so they can be destroyed.

Kytai Nguyen says her goal is to build and mimic T cells that attach to cancer cells, serving as targets for nanoparticles transporting medication. Once the nanoparticles find the T cells, they would release the medication and destroy the cancer cells without damaging surrounding good cells and tissues.

Nguyen says current therapies for cancer don’t identify the cancer cells and can damage or destroy healthy cells.

“In this research, we will take the T cell, which is a white blood cell that is integral in the fight against disease, and make it search out and find the cancer cells so that

Weidanz, UT Arlington associate vice president of research and a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

“Any time UTA can secure a grant like this, it does a great job of fostering a better understanding of this University’s ability in the arena of academic research,” says Weidanz, who will be engineering the T cell to identify the cancer cells.

According to the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute, about 1.8 million people in the United States were diagnosed with cancer in 2020. More than 600,000 of those people will die from the disease.

Michael Cho, chair of the Bioengineering Department, says Nguyen’s research shows promise in cancer treatment. “This research could save so many cancer patients from the devastating side effects of current treatments,” Cho says.

“Dr. Nguyen has excelled in this area of study. She has a real heart for discovering and building better ways to attack cancer.”

Nguyen, who has been at UT Arlington since 2005, received CPRIT grants in 2016 and 2010. She also has received funding through the NIH, National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, Department of Education and the Department of Defense, among others

She is a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, a fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a member of the UTA Academy of Distinguished Scholars, a fellow of the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering and a fellow of the American Heart Association.

nanoparticle-laden drugs can bind to cancer cells and do their job,” she says.

The title of her project is “Novel Tumor-Specific Bioactive Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy.” Coprincipal investigators include Raquibul Hannan, a radiation oncologist and medical doctor at UT Southwestern, and Jon

CPRIT was created when Texans voted in 2007 to create the organization and to invest $3 billion in the state’s unprecedented fight against cancer. In 2019, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to continue CPRIT’s work and invest an additional $3 billion for finding and funding the best cancer research and prevention opportunities in the state. CPRIT is now a $6 billion, 20-year initiative – the largest state cancer research investment in the history of the United States and the second-largest cancer research and prevention program in the world.

“This research could save so many cancer patients from the devastating side effects of current treatments.”

Dr.

Kytai Nguyen

ANOTHER GEM!

State-of-the-art Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center will open in early 2024

By Susan Schrock

Loews Hotels & Co, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loews Corporation, has officially broken ground on the new $550 million Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. Executives from the company were joined last month by Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, former Mayor Jeff Williams, Chairman & Managing Partner of the Texas Rangers Ray Davis, The Cordish Companies’ Director of Communications, Cari Furman, along with members of the Arlington City Council and other community and business leaders, to recognize and celebrate this milestone.

The addition of the Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center, a full-service resort, will further strengthen Arlington’s robust convention and tourism opportunities. The city is one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the United States, and a leading destination for meetings, events, and leisure travel.

This property will be the second Arlington hotel for the hospitality company. Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is scheduled to open in early 2024. This new hotel will be located across from Live! by Loews, which is a joint venture among Loews Hotels & Co, the Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies, built on the former Texas Rangers’ Lot J parking lot.

This new project marks the first time that Loews Hotels & Co is acting as the developer as well as the owner and branded operator. The nearly $550 million project is financed with Loews Hotels & Co capital and a $300 million loan from MetLife Investment Management.

“Arlington continues to build on our incredible economic momentum, and today’s groundbreaking is another exciting example of our commitment to job creation and providing world-class amenities to our residents and visitors,” says Mayor Jim Ross. “Loews Hotels & Co is a best-in-class hotel brand and with innovative partners like Loews Hotels & Co, the Tisch Family, the Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies, we’re able to further establish The American Dream City as a premier destination for visitors around the globe.”

Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center will feature: 888 guestrooms and suites; 200,000 square feet of indoor meeting space; 66,000 square feet of outdoor space, including an oversized event lawn; Five food and beverage outlets, including a three-meal indoor/outdoor restaurant featuring two wood-fire pizza ovens and homemade pasta made onsite and a soon-to-be-named third-party restaurant from a well-known restaurateur; a 1,550-space parking garage; a resort-style beach club with two pools, a man-made beach, cabanas, fire pits and a water slide.

The Arlington Convention Center, also operated by Loews Hotels & Co, will be located

Situated between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center will be accessible to the 300-room Live! by Loews via a Sky Bridge. The two hotels combined will offer nearly 1,200 guestrooms and more than 300,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

within the hotel.

Images: City of Arlington

Snapshots of note from places and events in the Arlington/Mansfield/ Grand Prairie area

Cherry Blow Dry Bar celebrates its anniversary Cherry

Bar celebrates its anniversary

Cherry Blow Dry Bar finally was able, after opening a year earlier during the pandemic, to celebrate its One-Year Ribbon Cutting.

Photo: The Reo Agency

Blow Dry

Dignitaries in Grand Prairie broke ground on a new 172-acre project at EpicCentral, which will include two connecting hotels with a shared conference center, six restaurant spaces, parking garage and a water/light show on the lakes, as well as interactive technology experiences on the land. The project will emphasize Grand Prairie’s family friendly, fun culture and offer exciting new options for dining and entertainment.

University of Texas at Arlington sophomore Elise Milburn has won back-to-back Best in Show painting awards at the State Fair of Texas. Milburn’s painting, “Flute and Pearls,” won the adult category for any medium in fine art at the fair.

Photo: Texas Rangers

Photos: City of Grand Prairie

Mezzo Soprano Rachel Moon, cellist Oliver Schlaffer, violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth and tenor Sergio Cepeda

Gil and Mia Russo. The next Timeless Concerts event, “Germany to Austria!,” will occur Nov. 13 at Holt Hickman Center in Fort Worth.

Texas Rangers fans everywhere mourn the recent passing of John “Zonk” Lanzarillo, Jr., a legendary fan.

Photos: Timeless Concerts Brian Brode, Janet Brode, Cheryl Lutz and David Lutz at the Timeless Concerts event at the Rose Garden Tearoom

Knapp

crew members from Circle-E, owned by Seann Slosson, did a number

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

IT’S SHOW TIME!

Farr Best Theater’s 2021-22 schedule offers an array of entertaining options

The Farr Best Theater last month launched its 202122 season, which features an eclectic mix of shows that will entertain audiences through the month of February.

“We’re changing the way we program shows at the Farr Best this season,” Rosalie Gilbert, the Cultural Arts Supervisor for the City of Mansfield says. “Instead of one to two shows each month, we’ll have four themed months of programming with four to five shows each month.”

The fun began with four Halloween-themed shows and events in October, and the momentum will continue this month. November’s theme is Freedom, with shows celebrating every aspect of liberty.

January 2022 kicks the new year off with The Classics, including the critically acclaimed, internationally touring Pandolfi-Deutsch Duo.

To conclude the presentations the theater will highlight

February as Black History Month with shows celebrating African-American heritage, led by a weekend of performances of the Pulitzer prize-winning play “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage.

“We’re excited to have more shows than ever scheduled for our 2021-22 season,” says Gilbert. “We have something for everyone: music, movies, live theater, storytelling, and magic for audiences of all ages.”

Tickets for all shows are available online at FarrBestTheater.com. Every ticket purchased already includes all fees, as well as a premium concession item.

This season is sponsored by Mouser Electronics, McKnight Insurance, Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, Allies in Youth Development and Visit Mansfield.

About the Theater

The Farr Best Theater, an intimate, 158-seat venue in downtown Mansfield, is a gem of Mansfield history.

It was opened on Oct. 10, 1917 by Milton May Farr, who became one of the city’s more prominent citizens and who oversaw the installation of the first electric lights in the city and a modernized water system. He named the theater the Best Farr Theatre, and then in 1950 it became known as the Farr Best Theater. For 58 continuous years, it was operated by Milton and Annie Farr and their nine children.

The Farr Best Theater has seen several owners and uses since then. It was purchased in 2017 by the City of Mansfield to preserve the building and return it to its intended use as a theater.

It is undergoing a revitalization to retain and enhance its original historic charm. It operates as a community arts venue, hosting concerts, movies, theatrical productions, lectures, dance, magic, and a variety of community events.

The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic places on Sept. 12, 1996.

Bulletin Board Bulletin Board

M&P Group acquires Shady Valley CC

Shady Valley Country Club was recently sold and is now privately owned by the Dallas-based M&P Group, which is under the leadership of President Myoung S Choi.

In short order, M&P Group began implementing new plans and ideas for the future of the club. It began remodeling the interior of the club house, installing new wall colors, new bathrooms, and new floors.

US Pan Asian American Chamber-SW honors Arlington Today

During last month’s virtual meeting celebrating its 20th anniversary, the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce-Southwest presented Arlington Today magazine with the Excellence Publication Award. Other highlights at the Zoom conference included addresses by Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, DART

CEO Nadine Lee, Lockheed Martin CEO Tim Taiclet, UTA Interim President Teik Lim, UTSW Medical Center President Sherwood Brown, and ATMOS Energy EVP Liz Beauchamp.

Neighborhood pays tribute to mailman David Williams

Last month, Wimbledon neighbors held a celebration for “Postman Extraordinaire” David Williams, who is retiring after delivering the mail in Arlington for more than 35 years.

“He has delivered to many longtime Arlington residents who consider him part of their extended family,” says Ella Anderson, who joined her neighbors for “David Day” last month. “David is another example of courageous service, enduring deliveries without a whimper in snow, ice, brutal Texas summer heat, tornadoes, hail and, last but not least, thousands and thousands of red Christmas bows that deck the mailboxes (gratis Wimbledon Garden Club) in November through December!

I know he will miss the Christmas bows – and us.”

New business park is in the works in the City of Mansfield

Dallas-based Stonelake Capital Partners

has submitted a proposal to the City of Mansfield to develop a 146.5-acre industrial site into “Mansfield Business Park,” which will include 1.8 million square feet of Class-A warehouse buildings upon approval of a zoning change.

Located at the intersection of Seventh Street and Klein Boulevard directly adjacent to Amazon’s new Class-A warehouse, the new Mansfield Business Park will provide first-inclass service and convenience to both Fortune 500 and local companies for manufacturing, office headquarters and distribution.

“Mansfield Business Park has the ability to provide a meaningful economic impact for the City of Mansfield,” says Blake Wilson, Director at Stonelake Capital Partners responsible for the development (and who also was born and raised in the City of Mansfield.)

For these things we give thanks ...

Iwill never forget my first November in Texas. It was 1990. My wife and I had moved here from Michigan the previous February. Where we’re from, the weather is terrible in November. Typically not wintry, but it is always cloudy, rainy and cold. So imagine my delight as I sat on the sidelines of the Arlington Lamar practice field experiencing a bright, beautiful day with temperatures in the middle 70s. I was there to cover yet another playoff run by the late, great Eddy Peach and the Vikings. And I remember like it was yesterday thinking, “Wow, this feels like summer in Michigan.”

If you are having any difficulty remembering those things for which you should be thankful, let’s start there! The weather here is awesome this time of year. They have turkey trots, parades and tailgate parties in every big city in America this month, and no one has better weather for those activities than we do.

There is plenty more for which we can give thanks. Like the fact that Arlington is home to the best new baseball stadium in the world. More than two million fans came to Globe Life Field, to Arlington, to watch a baseball team that lost over 100 games. The team is still in rebuild mode, and they are headed in the right direction after tearing this thing down to the studs. But the two million fans is a testament to the vision of Rangers Ownership and Arlington Leadership. The exterior look has been lampooned on social media and various websites, but I have attended over 100 games there over the course of the past two years, and I have not encountered one person who disparaged the interior.

From its intimate layout, to the artistic design, to the air conditioning, fans love this place. If you have not seen the inside yet, take advantage of a tour or a holiday event and visit. It is all part of the Arlington Backyard, and the weather is perfect for backyard activities this time of year.

Speaking of the backyard, Loews has announced that we are getting a new pool. Actually, the pool will be part of a $550 million resort hotel that is now being built

on the land that was a parking lot and a helipad. Jerry Jones will have the only helipad in the neighborhood, but the residents of Arlington will have a new source of entertainment, economic growth and employment. Mayor Jim Ross is understandably giddy about the addition to our community. “Arlington continues to build on our incredible economic momentum, “ Ross says. “It is another exciting example of our commitment to job creation and providing world-class amenities to our residents and visitors.”

There are 888 guest rooms being built to supplement what is already available at Live! by Loews, which means over one thousand families of fans can stay within walking distance of the games at Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium.

John

Perhaps you have noticed that the guys who call AT&T home are having a pretty good year. The Cowboys are another reason to be thankful. They have assembled a team that may just bring back memories of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. With Dak Prescott healthy we figured the offense would be good, but who would have bet this defense would be as good as it has been? The Cowboys have made a commitment to the defense in the past couple of drafts, and Dan Quinn has coordinated like he once did with Seattle’s Legion of Boom.

The best thing about this team is how much they like each other. Team chemistry can be very elusive, and it appears this group has found the correct formula for success.

I know you all have so many reasons to give thanks, but these are just a few more to help you remember that we live in a great state, a great city at a great time. If none of the things I have suggested resonate with you, then do me a favor: Just step outside and realize that it is cloudy, rainy and cold in so many places – and perfect here.

Rhadigan

As we count our sports blessings this year, Globe Life Field and ideal weather are easy to put at the top of the list. Photo: reddit.com

Itinerary Itinerary

THE ELF ON THE SHELF’S MAGICAL HOLIDAY

JOURNEY will take place from Nov. 18-Jan. 2, 2022 at Choctaw Stadium (formerly Globe Life Park).

Santa’s Christmas Compass has gone haywire, and Scout Elf Tiny Tinkerman and the Scout Elves need human help to get Christmas back on course. Audiences will journey into the concourse at Choctaw Stadium, shrink down to elf size, and explore enchanting, Texas-sized scenery showcasing a company of 50 cheerbuilding performers.

In the spirit of giving, The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey invites guests to join them in spreading some holiday cheer by donating a toy to benefit Toys for Tots. The Toys for Tots toy drive will be collecting donations at Choctaw Stadium.

elfontheshelfjourney.com

THE TEXAS CHRISTKINDL MARKET, the unique outdoor holiday shopping experience, will return to Arlington from Nov. 18 – Jan. 2, 2022 at Choctaw Stadium (formerly Globe Life Park).

Inspired by the cherished German tradition, the Texas Christkindl Market is a free, family-friendly market featuring holiday gifts, decorations and unique finds. Guests can shop for traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from Germany, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village. Meanwhile they can enjoy German treats and eats and festive music.

txchristkindlmarket.com

Dallas Cowboys football Dallas Cowboys football

The Cowboys will host the Denver Broncos at noon on Nov. 7. They’ll welcome the Atlanta Falcons at noon on Nov. 14. And they will play the Las Vegas Raiders in the annual Thanksgiving game at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 25.

dallascowboys.com

Photo: dallascowboys.com

Creative Courage Creative courage

Arlington Museum of Art will host the exhibit, “Creative Courage,” through Nov. 14. The exhibit features four collections that pay homage to the common thread among all of them: the power of community and art. arlingtonmuseum.org

reo Speedwagon in concert REO SPeedWagon in concert

The legendary rock band REO Speedwagon will perform at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. The group’s hit list includes “Roll with the Changes,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Keep on Living You” and more. grandprairietheatre.com

Photo: arlingtonmuseum.org

Photo: grandprairietheatre.com

Expanding the arts in Arlington

“The life of the arts is far from an interruption or distraction in the life of a nation; it is close to the center of a nation’s purpose and is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization.” – John F. Kennedy.

And so, after almost a half-century of progress in meeting that challenge, Theatre Arlington is advancing the quality of our city’s contribution to the nation’s civilization with a $3 million expansion in the heart of the city’s Cultural Arts District.

President Kennedy would salute the achievement and all that it means in realizing what he acknowledged as essential to American life.

When the work now underway is completed, the renovated theater will have an expanded lobby, new theater seating, a new stage with turntable, state-of-the-art lights, sound, and video projection, expanded wing space backstage, new dressing rooms and new classrooms for its educational programs.

Theatre Arlington’s Executive Producer, Steven Morris describes the purpose of the project, “As Arlington’s only live theater, 30,000 people from 3 to 103 years old attend shows and educational programming every season at Theatre Arlington – all in a building that has been adequate for many years but no longer enough to support us now or in the future.”

The results will enhance the patron experience and broaden the audience as Theatre Arlington maintains its major role as Arlington’s only live theater.

It all started in 1973 when a group of Arlington citizens met together in the Potluck Room of Miss Persis Dance Studio and decided to call themselves The Potluck Players. Their first production of I Do, I Do was performed at Arlington High School.

Morris, who has acted in or written more than 60 of the Theatre’s shows, continues, “Times were tough for this ragtag troupe of theater gypsies, but with passion, energy and the ability not to say no, the group continued to perform anywhere they could find space.”

By 1981 they had acquired an old church on Division Street that provided a 134-seat theater and produced seven shows every season.

As a personal experience for our family, daughter Amy, in elementary school at the time, landed a small role in Evita staged there where she took her first steps toward a career as a producer in film making. Last year, one of her movies was recognized with ten Academy Award nominations.

Ten years later, under the leadership of Executive Director Penny Patrick, the team was able to acquire a hardware store building on Main Street in the heart of Downtown Arlington and opened as a 199-seat cabaret-style theater with a dynamite production of Pump Boys and Dinettes – one of my favorites. I still have the Pump Boys official uniform shirt the cast gave me as a tribute to my enthusiasm for the show. A third-generation member of our family, granddaughter Ashley, also has her own history as a student in the theater’s education program that put her on stage for a couple years with some memorable performances.

Equity actor and exciting performer on stage, B. J. Cleveland became Artistic Director in 1994 when the facility was transformed with the Allan Saxe Mainstage providing traditional seating and now being renovated into a major upgrade for audiences with the work currently underway.

The excellent quality of the actors throughout the years has placed Arlington’s reputation among the top in the area’s opportunities for exciting live performances that have endured for five decades. What now lies ahead will advance that standing and provide our city with even more reasons to be proud of its place in the arts.

There’s lots more to learn about all that is taking place in the project including the 12 shows scheduled for the 2022 season and how you may become a contributing partner in the theater’s exciting future. Take a look at the website for all the details: theatrearlington.org.

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

The City of Arlington has earned a Class 5 Community Rating System rating from the National Flood Insurance Program that will provide property owners and renters up to a 25 percent discount on flood insurance premiums.

The City of Arlington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters, and business owners who live within a community that adopts and enforces ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA standards to reduce the risk of flooding.

The NFIP Community Rating System Program recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum FEMA standards. Under the CRS Program, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that reduce flood damage; strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Flood insurance premium rates in Community Rating System communities are discounted in increments of 5 percent, ranging from a Class 1 to a Class 10. The City previously held a Class 6 rating, which provided residents a 20% discount on flood insurance. To achieve the new Class 5 rating, Arlington was credited for its stormwater education and outreach program, capital improvement project planning and implementation, buyout of flood prone properties, preserving open space in the floodplain, maintaining historic floodplain records and having higher building

Cash flow

standards that reduce the risk of frequent flooding. Floodplain management efforts include:

Watershed Study Program: Prior to the implementation of the City’s Watershed Study Program, only limited or out-of-date floodplain data was available for the community. In 2011, the City began to study every watershed within the community (excluding Walnut Creek due to the limited footprint). These watershed studies identified and addressed existing flooding problems and provide mitigation alternatives and design concepts to alleviate flooding. Watershed studies also provide the City with the necessary updated floodplain information

to coordinate future development to minimize existing and potential flood damages.

City Voluntary Flood Mitigation Buyout Program: This program acquires flood-prone structures based on eligibility requirements. Acquisition of flood-prone structures reduce flood hazards that could impact public safety and reclaims floodplain to preserve open space in the floodplain. Since the September 2018 floods, the City has mitigated 11 flood-prone structures (four of which were NFIP-designated repetitive-loss structures). Floodplain Program for Public Information Committee: The FPPIC consists of Arlington citizens and City staff to provide recommendations on developing outreach to better inform and prepare the City of Arlington on various floodplain related topics. Recommendations from the FPPIC were used to develop the Program for Public Information (PPI) Plan. The development of the PPI Plan was paramount in achieving the Class 5 rating. Outreach Efforts: The City notifies residents by various outreach efforts which include mailouts, brochures, social media posts, and the Stormwater webpage. Notification topics include but are not limited to changes to the regulatory floodplain, flood insurance information, identification of flood hazard areas to

minimize impact to public safety, flood awareness, repetitive loss areas. In FY21, 11 mailouts were sent to residents.

Risk Rating 2.0

FEMA is also rolling out a new methodology, Risk Rating 2.0, that will affect new flood insurance policies in the City and may affect renewals of existing policies. Existing policy holders that will renew their policies between Oct. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, should contact their flood insurance agent for a rating comparison to ensure they receive the best premium.

City’s flood management skill will benefit local residents

Keen Cuisine Keen Cuisine

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

AMERICAN

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

Dino’s Subs • 2221 S. Collins St. • 817-274-1140

frieddaze • 5005 S. Cooper St., Suite 159 • 817-472-6666 • frieddaze.com

No Frills Grill • 4914 Little Road • 817-478-1766 • 1500 Eastchase Pkwy., Suite 1200 • 817-274-5433

2851 Matlock Road, Suite 422, Mansfield • 817-473-6699 • nofrillsgrill.com

The Grease Monkey • 200 N. Mesquite St. • 817-665-5454 • greasemonkeyburgers.com

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill • 400 E. Abram St. • 817-274-8561 • jgilligans.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

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop • 510 E. Abram St. • 817-265-8226 • 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd. • 817-516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield • 817-453-1682 • fuzzystacoshop.com

La Isla Restaurant • 2201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. • 817-459-1498 • laislarestauranttx.com

ITALIAN / PIZZA

Café Sicilia • 7221 Matlock Road • 817-419-2800 • cafesicilia.com

Gino’s East • 1350 E. Copeland Road • 817-200-6834 • ginoseast.com/arlington

BARBECUE

David’s Barbecue • 2224 W. Park Row Drive, Suite H • 817- 261-9998

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

Chamas do Brazil

Cartel Taco Bar Cartel Taco Bar