Fort Worth Magazine - April 2024 by fwtx

609 OF THE CITY’S BEST PHYSICIANS AS CHOSEN BY THEIR PEERS

TOP DOCTORS

Dr. Kia Carter

Co-Medical Director, Psychiatry Inpatient Services at Cook Children's Medical Center

Dr. Kristen Pyrc Co-Medical Director, Psychiatry Outpatient Services at Cook Children's Medical Center

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Couldn’t have done it without you.

Same family, new name.

new name.

Expressions Home Gallery Fort Worth Showroom is becoming Reece Bath+Kitchen, May 6th 2024!

While our name is changing, the level of service you expect and our dedicated showroom team remain the same. From exquisite faucets to state-of-the-art appliances, outdoor living essentials, and

While our name is changing, the level of service you expect and our dedicated showroom team remain the same. From exquisite faucets to state-of-the-art appliances, outdoor living essentials, and everything in between, our showroom is your destination for exceptional quality and expertise.

Above-and-Beyond Customer Service

“Everything about the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is so cool,” says busy Walsh Ranch resident Laura Van Hoosier. This mother of three daughters says her chic, conversation-starter Volkswagen SUV from SouthWest Volkswagen in Weatherford is a perfect family vehicle — stylish, comfortable, and fun to drive. “Besides working with Stephen Gilchrist, my go-to salesperson, Rachel Dover, helps me with everything and is amazing to work with,” says Van Hoosier, who’s had a 30-year career in health care public relations. “What I love about SouthWest Volkswagen is its above-and-beyond customer service,” she says. “Every chance I get, I sing their praises. Absolutely. When I hear someone is going to buy a car, I tell them about SouthWest. Any Gilchrist dealership they go to, they’ll have a great experience.”

PICTURED: Laura Van Hoosier, customer; Stephen Gilchrist, Dealer Operator; Chris Bonnett, General Manager.

By John Henry

By Malcolm Mayhew

By Brian Kendall

64 Green Days Beef eaters and vegans are living in complete harmony in the Town of the Cow, as nearly a dozen new plant-based restaurants and eateries dot the culinary landscape.

80 The Kids Are Not All Right

Kristen Pyrc and Kia Carter, co-medical directors of psychiatry at Cook Children’s Medical Center, are on the front line of society’s quiet epidemic: teen suicide.

THE LONE RANGER Cussing, brawling, sign stealing, and a whole lotta drinkin’ — for one season 50 years ago, the Rangers were the strangest show in baseball. And it was all one man’s doing.

DEPARTMENTS

THE FORT

18 City Dweller

The Fort Worth Zoo’s search for a troop for baby gorilla shifts to Cleveland.

24 Calendar

Faith Hill’s husband has a date arranged for Dickies Arena in April. You can bet it’ll be “Standing Room Only.”

28 Fort Worthian

Evan Michael Woods, actor, writer, renaissance man.

30 Resident Art

Brian Dickson Jr. highlights the beauty of the Black community while exposing injustice through his thoughtful approach.

36 History

The all-grown version of Spanky McFarland, “a delightful fellow in so many ways — but haunted.”

42 State Lines

Bienvenido a Port Isabel, onetime stomping ground of Jean Laffite.

48 Closet Raid

Out with the cold, in with her spring wardrobe, says Fort Worth debutante Kendall Schlegel.

60 The Reverie

Musings, commentary, and insights about the people, places, and things that make our city.

CHOWTOWN

The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival — the four yummiest days in April — is back for its landmark 10th birthday

Oscar Bait

Ihave to admit that I put too much damn stock in awards. You know, honors, praise, “good job, fellas” in the form of trophies, plaques, and statuettes. I honest to goodness wish I was one of those easygoing cats who could say, in my best Robert Mitchum impression of complete aloofness, “I don’t give a rat’s ***.”

But truth is, I do.

I’m one of those people who still religiously tunes into the Academy Awards (yeah, one of its 18 Cowtown viewers) and enjoys watching the elation of the winners and their ensuing anxiety when being played off stage by the orchestra. I recall Kenneth Branagh’s win as much as I recall Will Smith’s slap. If I were in the film industry — an ambition that never quite materialized — I’d dream of winning an Oscar.

But I’m in the magazine industry. The city magazine industry. And, in this industry, we have our own Oscars, if you want to call it that. It’s the City and Regional Magazine Association Awards. CRMA Awards, for short.

While I enjoy and am incredibly proud of the content our creative and editorial team produces on a monthly basis, in CRMA, we’re a modestly sized fish (that’s as self-deprecating as I assume my publisher would want me to get) in a big pond. And this big pond is full of blue whales and man-eating kraken.

Every year since my employment, we’ve thrown our name into the hat for a few awards, and my natural optimism gets my hopes up that we’ll make the elusive list of finalists. Of course, it’s only resulted in disappointment.

This year, after submitting our nominations, I felt different. I felt even more confident than before. More specifically, I felt more confident than before because of a par-

ticular submission that, even with my biases set aside, I thought was brilliant.

Our photographer, Crystal Wise, had labored for many months over a concept about Western artists. It was to be a photography-heavy piece highlighting cowboy and cowgirl creators in different disciplines. The aha moment came when artist Jacob Lovett, who’s featured in the piece, told Crystal it reminded him of the nine muses of Greek mythology. That was it. That was the angle we needed: The 9 Muses of Western Art.

Crystal would go on to deliver an extraordinary piece with nine conceptual photographs that defied all expectations. The feature would appear in our September 2023 issue, and, rightfully so, it was announced on this, our press week, that Crystal became a CRMA Award finalist for her work.

Again, I know I put too much damn stock in this stuff, but I don’t care. To see Crystal’s name on that list of finalists makes any misguided importance completely worth it.

ON THE COVER:

Best friends and colleagues, Dr. Kia Carter and Dr. Kristen Pyrc, who are also the codirectors of Cook Children’s Medical Center’s psychiatry department, pose in the Fort WorthMagazinestudio for the April cover shot taken by Crystal Wise. Read the full story on page 80.

CORRECTIONS?

COMMENTS?

CONCERNS? Send to executive editor Brian Kendall at bkendall@fwtexas.com.

Brian Kendall EXECUTIVE EDITOR

What is your favorite springtime destination or outdoor activity?

For the first time in my adult life, I have my own honest-to-goodness backyard. Horseshoes, cornhole, badminton, croquet … bring it all on.

Photographing the bluebonnets, which is especially fun during this small window between the hot and cold weather of North Texas.

Archie’s Gardenland! I love to overspend on tons of plants for my yard that I will probably kill.

Anything all-inclusive in Mexico (Tulum, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen). Super relaxing, nice beaches, includes food and drinks, and the food options are plentiful.

owner/publisher hal a. brown

president mike waldum

EDITORIAL

executive editor brian kendall

contributing editor john henry

digital editor stephen montoya

contributing writers malcolm mayhew, michael h. price, charlotte settle, shilo urban copy editor sharon casseday

ART

creative director craig sylva senior art director spray gleaves

advertising art director jonathon won director of photography crystal wise

ADVERTISING

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account executive tammy denapoli x141 account executive jim houston x158 territory manager, fort worth inc. rita hale x133

senior production manager michelle mcghee x116

MARKETING

director of digital robby kyser

marketing manager grace behr events and promotions director victoria albrecht

executive administrator/project coordinator kaitlyn lisenby

CORPORATE

chief financial officer charles newton

founding publisher mark hulme

main line 817.560.6111

subscriptions 817.766.5550, fwmagsubscriptions@omeda.com

Baseball, hot dogs, Coke Zero (or beer). Texas Rangers Opening Day day game ... 80 degrees at first pitch.

I love working in our yard on warm, sunny days. Springtime weather makes me want to start digging in the soil — weeding, mulching, and getting ready to plant flowers and veggies.

I love being outside on my patio listening to the birds sing and watching them fly around. Occasionally, I will see a fox sunning and will also see raccoons and possums. I just like looking at nature bloom!

Favorite destination is the Botanic Garden. It’s just blocks from my house, so I walk there and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Such a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

DIGITAL EDITION: The virtual editions of both current and previous issues are available on our website. Flip through the pages to read more about the great city of Fort Worth by visiting fwtx.com.

FortWorthMagazine(ISSN 1536-8939) is published monthly by Panther City Media Group, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76116. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to Panther City Media Group, PO Box 213, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. Volume 27, Number 4, April 2024. Basic Subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $4.99

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November 2004

It was only a few years after they had arrived in the U.S. — five young men escaping civil war and genocide in Sudan and taking refuge in Fort Worth — when then-FortWorth Magazineeditor Alexis Wilson would write a story about their escape, their experiences, and their new lives.

Simon, A.J., Emmannuel, Gar, and Gabriel, deemed the Lost Boys in an homage to Peter Pan, were still learning, both English and how to navigate a world that was previously unknown

to them. But neither obstacle stopped them from sharing — with lucidity and detail — their harrowing stories of survival.

“Fear was the greatest force,” Emmannuel told Alexis. “We had to walk hundreds of miles on bare foot in thick bushes and jungle forest. We were tired, thirsty, hungered, sick, and attacked. We ate green leaves to sooth hunger and drank dirty water to wet our throats.”

The five men endured these hardships because of a civil war that, when the article was published in November 2004, was still ongoing. In 1983, southern Sudan founded the rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) seeking autonomy from the central government. A separate, unrelated coup would occur two years later, and religious and political disagreements between the new Islamic government and the non-Muslim SPLA would ensue. Economic issues only intensified the divide, and the Second Sudanese Civil War would break out.

“Northern guerrillas invaded southern Sudan, killing every man they encountered and then turning their guns on the boys, who represented the next generation of ‘resistance,’” Alexis wrote.

According to Gar, “Whatever we have gone through is because of a misunderstanding. They [Muslim government leaders] have taken their religion in a different way. We pray God will show them that people are the same and that they will take their religion out of the government.”

The five men, then very much boys, escaped southern Sudan with 30,000 other boys, making a 1,200-mile walk to the border of Ethiopia. They would spend the next decade in refugee camps — being forced to leave Ethiopia for Kenya in 1991 — before the U.S. accepted 3,800 for resettlement in November 2000. Seventy-five boys would end up in the DFW metroplex.

Despite the traumatic events that led them to Fort Worth, the article paints a picture of five men excited about what lies ahead. “They are mature beyond their years in understanding their opportunities,” Alexis wrote. “Ask them what they need, and they don’t name anything grand or material. Spending time with them is appreciated.”

The Second Sudanese Civil War would finally end in 2005, one year after “The Lost Boys of Sudan” hit newsstands. An estimated 2 million lives were lost during the 20-year conflict.

photography by Jeremy Enlow

THE FORT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND THE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO

FORT WORTHIAN

Evan Michael Woods, a TCU graduate, juggles creative pursuits in his quest to become the complete artist.

by Stephen Montoya

Bye-Bye, Baby, Goodbye

Baby gorilla born by C-section at Fort Worth Zoo transfers to Cleveland Zoo

It hasn’t been an easy start for baby Jameela, the 8-pound infant gorilla who made headlines in January as the first gorilla born by cesarean at the Fort Worth Zoo.

Zoo officials said in March that they have been unable to integrate the baby in with the troop.

Not left with many options, the zoo is sending Jameela to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which has had success with a case like this one.

“While we hoped for a different outcome — one that includes Jameela fully integrated into our troop — our main goal has always been that Jameela is raised by gorillas,” the zoo posted on

Instagram.

Jameela’s mother, Sekani, failed to bond with her baby, likely, zoo officials believe, because she did not experience the normal hormonal fluctuations that occur during a natural and full-term birth.

The zoo tried to train two other female gorillas in the troop, 24-yearold Gracie, the mother of two, and Winifred — Fred — who does not have offspring on her own but had shown in interest in Jameela.

Both attempts failed.

Since her birth on Jan. 5, Jameela, beautiful in Swahili, has been raised by zoo staff, attending to her around

the clock, while doing as best as they can mimicking the habits and feel of gorillas.

Jameela is a western lowland gorilla, a species that is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Another fact that makes Jameela’s birth significant is the alarmingly low reproductive rate for gorillas — which is at an observed rate of 3% population increase. So, even if there were a drastic decline in hunting and disease, it could take at least 75 years for population recovery to occur in optimistic scenarios, zoo officials say.

Zoo officials decided on the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which already has one successful surrogacy story. Much like Jameela’s situation, baby Kayembe’s parents failed to bond with the infant. However, zoo staff were able to successfully train Fredrika as a surrogate.

“We have been in close contact with Fort Worth Zoo and following Jameela’s journey,” Cleveland Metroparks Zoo executive director Chris Kuhar told Cleveland’s Fox 8. “We’re thankful for the partnership with Fort Worth Zoo and the tremendous work by their team.

“As AZA [Association of Zoos and Aquariums] accredited organizations, we have the ability to leverage strong collaborations like this to ensure the best positive well-being for the animals in our care. Together, our zoos, along with the entire Gorilla SSP [Species Survival Plan], are hopeful that Jameela will quickly bond and thrive with our troop.”

Local zoo officials, meanwhile, always aware of the scenario of Jameela having to leave, are having a difficult time saying goodbye. They are consoled by knowing that it’s for the best.

“We are understandably heartbroken — Jameela has left an indelible mark on all of us here at the zoo and in the Fort Worth community,” a Fort Worth Zoo official wrote on Instagram. “She will always be a part of the Fort Worth Zoo.”

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by John Henry

Nikki Haley Goes to Fort Worth

The former presidential contender cuts through the bull in the Stockyards.

Presidential politics — and all that comes with it — paid a visit to Fort Worth in March.

On the eve of the Texas primary on Super Tuesday, Nikki Haley brought her longshot bid for the Republican nomination to the Stockyards. She was hosted by two prominent Fort Worth women, past and present mayors Betsy Price and Mattie Parker, who both offered the former South Carolina governor a warm embrace.

Like a presidential candidate of yesteryear, Haley made her own “declaration of conscience” in a political rally titled “A Better America,” which to one observer rivaled something akin to a “Return to Normalcy.”

The COVID crisis, rising prices on everything from a frozen pizza to

a home, the national debt, and an “umbrella of anger and division” in the national discourse.

The kids, she said, don’t know what normal is, particularly when it comes to the dark comedy that has become American electoral politics.

“It’s not normal under Joe Biden to allow millions of illegal immigrants to come into this country and do nothing to stop them,” an energized candidate, the daughter of Indian immigrants, told an equally enthusiastic gathering of several hundred people in the early evening Monday at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall.

“It’s not normal for Joe Biden to worry more about gender pronouns than whether the kids can read them.”

Most analysts would have considered coming within double digits of former President Donald Trump as work well done. She didn’t. Trump received 78% of the vote in winning the Texas Republican primary. Haley received 17%. She fared better in Tarrant County, winning 24% of the vote. She did, however, win in Vermont, her first state primary victory. She made history as the first woman to win a Republican primary contest.

The next morning, as expected, she suspended her campaign.

Two things came to mind as she stumped in Fort Worth.

One was Margaret Chase Smith, who when asked if she planned to take her fizzled out, longer-thanlongshot bid for president to the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco, Margaret Chase Smith responded, “I see no reason to drop by the wayside.”

She went on to become the first woman put in nomination for president by a major party, though not even Nelson Rockefeller could stop the Goldwater train.

The other was another time and place when presidential candidates made Fort Worth a regular, vital stop in the battle for votes.

One memorable occasion was in 1968 when in a two-week span

George Wallace, Hubert Humphrey, and Richard Nixon brought their campaigns to Burnett Park in downtown Fort Worth in the leadup to the general election in November.

“We hope to turn out the largest crowd for a political speech in the history of Burnett Park,” said John Justin Jr., Nixon’s Tarrant County campaign manager.

That would be saying something considering Wallace and Humphrey, according to police estimates, brought out 10,000 and 9,500 shouting and poster-waving crowds each. Humphrey brought Sonny and Cher to warm up the masses.

But the Nixon campaign did it. More than 12,000 appeared for Tricky Dick.

Jim Wright called the Humphrey crowd the week before the biggest ever in the park, said Tiny Gooch, master of ceremonies for the Nixon gather. “I wish he were here today to look out over this vast throng.”

Nixon, calling Fort Worth “the most Texas of Texas cities,” himself said the crowd was “three or four times” as large as the throng that heard him speak in the park in 1960.

Last month, Haley was interrupted several times by moshing protesters advocating for Palestine. Fort Worth police and presumably Tannahill’s staff got their steps in in escorting to the front door those making their own declarations of conscience.

In comparison, the handful or so of Trumpsters out front appeared to be of the most refined social positions. Cotillion training in their youth had obviously taken root.

“Say no to neocon Nikki Haley,” one advised to me.

Though Haley fell far short of toppling Trump, she certainly did better in Texas than Margaret Chase Smith, who didn’t even campaign here in 1964. Chase Smith accepted no campaign contributions that year which meant she presumably couldn’t afford the train fare for the conveyance.

by John Henry

Home Run Trot

Major League Baseball bringing its draft to the historic Stockyards

Over the course of its almost 120 years, Fort Worth’s iconic Cowtown Coliseum has hosted two presidents — Teddy and Jimmy — 60-odd years apart.

Bob Hope made some memories there, and the arena broke out the hosannas and essential oils for two other personalities, distinctly separate from one another: Gen. John J. Pershing, hero of WWI — the Big One (sadly there was a Bigger One to follow) — and Elvis, hero of rock ’n’ roll.

Four times “The King” played there over two years in the 1950s.

Well, now add the great American pastime to the history.

Major League Baseball announced in early March that it was bringing a major event to the historic Stockyards: Opening night of its first-year player draft on July 14 will be conducted at the venerated coliseum, the basilica of Fort Worth’s public events spaces.

It’ll be open to the public.

Details including attendees, broadcast information, timing, and ticketing will be announced at a later date, officials added.

The event is being held in conjunction with the 2024 All-Star Week, July 12-16.

The 94th All-Star Game will be played at Globe Life Field on July 16, marking the second Midsummer Classic hosted by the Texas Rangers, reigning World Series champions. The Rangers hosted the 1995 game at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Four years ago, MLB moved the draft, which had been conducted each June, to All-Star Week in July.

“Fort Worth and Arlington are powerhouses for hosting major sporting events together,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement. “I am thrilled that our cities are partnering to welcome the 2024 MLB All-Star Week to the region.

“It is an honor to kick off the MLB Draft in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards, an entertainment district unlike anywhere else in the country. Visiting baseball fans will get to experience the unexpected

sights, sounds, and flavors that are truly Texas.”

In addition to the MLB Draft, All-Star Week events include three major youth sports events: the All-Star Commissioner’s Cup youth baseball tournament, the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF), and the Jennie Finch Classic youth softball tournament presented by ARM & HAMMER. Fans can also attend the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 15. Fans can also attend the All-Star Futures Game and Celebrity Softball Game on July 13, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 15, and the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on July 16.

The Cowtown Coliseum, built in 1908, is under new management, with a new direction.

A newly formed joint venture management group, which includes Stockyards Heritage Development, Professional Bull Riders, and ASM Global, was recently formed to put on more than 200 events a year, including weekly rodeos, PBR events, and Ultimate Bullfighters, among many others. Last year, a renovated coliseum reopened to the public. Some of the new items include 17 new digital displays, more seating, and an all-new VIP Platinum Deck area that includes a view from atop the bucking chutes. Other upgrades include a new concert quality lighting rig, and a state-of-the-art audio/visual infrastructure.

“Hosting an event of this caliber is a defining moment for our city,” said Jason Sands, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “This event provides us with a unique platform to showcase the vibrant sports culture and hospitality of Fort Worth to baseball fans across the nation.”

Around Cowtown in 8 Seconds

A smattering of things you might’ve missed

1. Joe T. Sheridan’s Local media outlets have been abuzz with speculation that Taylor Sheridan (of “Yellowstone” and “1883” fame) has shown interest in purchasing renowned Mexican joint Joe T. Garcia’s from longtime owners, the Lancarte family. As of press, no sale has been confirmed.

2. Good Sport Fort Worth lands in the No. 1 spot on SportsBusiness Journal’slist of cities without a big-five professional sports team (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS), arguing the success of Dickies Arena proves the city’s ability to support a team.

3. It’s a Zoo The Fort Worth Zoo went viral after an October 2023 video that showed two zookeepers momentarily trapped in a gorilla enclosure with famed silverback Elmo surfaced on TikTok courtesy of an ex-security guard.

4. Coming to Our Census According to the latest census data, the DFW metroplex added over 150,000 residents between July 2022 and July 2023, with Tarrant County adding over 27,000 new residents, ranking ninth in growth in the nation.

5. Dope New Beverage Two local companies that specialize in mindaltering substances (Martin House Brewery and Power Biopharms) teamed up to create a THC-infused seltzer, Power House, that sports a raygun-wielding T-Rex on its can.

6. Fighting the Influence Social media influencer Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will trade verbal and physical jabs during a boxing match scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on July 20.

7. Disciples of Partying? On a podcast, 2012 Heisman winner Johnny Manziel recounted his brief flirtation while attending TCU, where he was, by his own admission, enamored by its attractive student body and reputation as a “party school.”

8. That’ll Do Pig, That’ll Do A six-month-old Springtown pig got out of a thorny situation (he was literally trapped in acres of thick thorny brush) thanks to nearly a dozen respondents to a rescue reward that included $100 and a six-pack of beer.

April

4–7

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

Billed as “the tastiest tickets in town,” the annual foodie fest brings back its five staple events (Tacos + Tequila; The Main Event; Rise + Dine; Burgers, Brews + Blues; and Ring of Fire) in the hopes of expanding your waistline over the course of four days.

Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork fwfwf.org

April 11–14

Dixie’s Tupperware Party

How many ways can you use your Tupperware? Dixie Longate, a gum-chewing Alabama eccentric, will answer this question and many more with five performances, including a Saturday and Sunday matinee, at Bass Performance Hall. Bass Performance Hall | basshall.com

5–28

‘Marie and Rosetta’

The local theater will test its acoustics with this musical homage to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. The play follows the first rehearsal between the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé, Marie Knight, before setting off on a world tour in 1947.

Amphibian Stage Theatre amphibianstage.com

6 Green River Ordinance

Though the popular Fort Worth-based Americana act hasn’t released an album in over eight years, they’ve been busy in 2024, releasing two singles. The April 6 show at Tannahill’s will coincide with the release of their seventh full-length studio album.

Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall tannahills.com

12

Tim McGraw

The chart-topping country musician, who also happens to be a fine actor and married to Faith Hill, brings his hits, along with songs from his 2023 album, Standing Room Only, to Dickies Arena.

Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

13 Syndicate Smokedown and Music Festival

The aroma of smoked meats will fill the air at the Stockyards — even more than normal — where a barbecue competition and music festival will be going on simultaneously. We say it’s a solid pairing.

Stockyards syndicatesmokedown.com

20

13 Tyler Childers

One night after Tim McGraw plays his classics at Dickies Arena, one of country’s newer stars, Tyler Childers, takes the stage in support of his 2023 album, Rustin In The Rain.

Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

18-20

NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships

Oklahoma will be going for a three-peat, and its fourth title in five years, at this year’s NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. Events include vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

Beach Weather

Last year’s breakthrough indie rockers, Beach Weather, have amassed over 700 million streams on their 2023 song, “Sex, Drugs, Etc.” The official hitmakers will be playing 600-capacity Tulips, so grab your tickets fast. Tulips tulipsftw.com

26–28

‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’

You’ve no doubt seen the film, but have you seen it with a live score courtesy of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Bass Performance Hall? There’s no better way to enjoy the best movie in the Star Wars canon. Bass Performance Hall basshall.com

photos provided by Bass Performance Hall // Dickies Arena // Tulips

Tyler Childers

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Evan Michael Woods

Actor and photographer

By Charlotte Settle

Photo by Crystal Wise

Evan Michael Woods is a theatrical renaissance man. Whether he’s writing, photographing, or starring in a show, he consistently proves his ability to thrive in any role, onstage or off.

When Woods stumbled into his first theater class at his small-town Mississippi middle school, he immediately fell in love with the art form’s amalgamation of creative disciplines. He later set his sights on attending a premier college theatre program, and despite navigating the audition process without a coach or mentor, earned a full ride to study acting at TCU.

During college, Woods added photography to his creative repertoire. He was drawn to the art form because he could practice it freely, without a casting director’s permission. “I was completely self-taught, but I was very voracious about it,” he says. It didn’t take long for Woods to hone the skill and make a name for himself. Over the next several years, his photos were featured by theater companies and publications near and far — from Dallas Theater Center to the New York Times.

Woods’ photography and acting careers turned out to be mutually beneficial, allowing him to both perform in and shoot productions at acclaimed theater companies throughout DFW. In 2019, he photographed and starred in Jeremy Kareken’s “The Lifespan of a Fact” at Stage West Theatre. He was the second actor to ever play the lead role of Jim following Daniel Radcliffe’s Broadway run the year prior. When he was in character, Woods had a friend take over as photographer — and one of the photos she snapped of him ended up in a two-page Arts & Life spread in the Dallas Morning News. “My work as both an actor and a photographer came together in a huge way, and it was very exciting,” he says.

For the last five years, Woods has lent his talents to Amphibian Stage — a hub for groundbreaking new theater, which has proven to be the perfect incubator for his creative genius. As the company’s marketing director, his day-to-day duties

consist of graphic design, art direction, photography, and more. In 2023, Amphibian afforded Woods the opportunity to add directing to his list of skills. “I’d done nearly everything except direct, and I felt like it was a logical way to flex all of my creative muscles,” he says.

Woods made his triumphant directorial debut last July with “Miss Molly” — a world premiere comedy, which he also co-wrote with his former college roommate, Christine Carmela. Since then, his expert eye has been in high demand. This year alone, he will direct two shows in Fort Worth: “Hundred Days,” an indie folk-punk musical at Circle Theatre, and “The Amazing, Fabulous, and Spectacular Untruths of Juan Garcia,” a Shakespearean comedy at Amphibian.

In everything he does, Woods embodies the element of surprise. Whether he’s staging the perfectly timed delivery of a line, orchestrating a slightly off-kilter photo, or delighting crowds with an unexpected dance solo, he continuously astounds colleagues and audiences with just how good he is at, well, everything.

“Sometimes I pinch myself thinking of all I’ve done, and in a lot of areas where I have no formal training,”

Woods says. “It’s all intrinsically tied to Fort Worth and all of the opportunities I’ve been given here, so I’m very grateful to the city and all the people who have told me, ‘yes.’”

BY THE WAY....

What’s your favorite piece of theater and why?

“My theater career really started when I saw the national tour of ‘Wicked’ in middle school. I was completely astounded by every aspect of the production — awe-inspiring design, mind-bending theatricals, life-changing performances. I didn’t even care how; I just knew I wanted to be a part of something like that.”

What’s your ideal day in Fort Worth?

Brunch at Press Cafe • Walk on the Trinity • Peruse Doc’s Records and Vintage • Take a nap • Walk my dog around Westover Hills at sunset • Dinner at Walloon’s • Finish the night at the Amber Room or Atico in the Stockyards

1. Photo by and of Woods as Jim Fingal in “Lifespan of a Fact” in the DallasMorningNews.2. Photo by and of Woods with cast of “Miss Molly” at Amphibian Stage. 3. Photo by and of Woods as John Buchanan in “Summer and Smoke” at The Classics Theatre Project. 4. Photography behind the scenes. 5. Photo by Woods of “Cryano” at Amphibian Stage. 6. Performing a dance solo in “Witch” at Stage West Theatre. 7. Eighth grade play, “Shuffling.”

by Shasta Haubrich

Mixing Art and Activism

Take a look at the things Brian Dickson Jr. has to say.

In this day and age, considering one’s thoughts before speaking — not merely reacting but carefully constructing responses — is an art unto itself. With that in mind, one could say local mixed media creator Brian Dickson Jr. has dual disciplines in the art world. And his thoughtful, contemplative approach to communicating comes across in his work and his choice of projects, which highlight the beauty of the Black community while exposing injustices in society.

Currently a gallery assistant and education coordinator at Letitia and

Sedrick Huckaby’s collaborative project space, Kinfolk House, Dickson was one of the artists chosen for Fort Worth Public Art’s mentorship program in late 2022. With this program and grant, Dickson will have a hand in the creation of the Rosedale Street underpass improvement project. The project, at the intersection of Rosedale Street and Interstate 35, will enhance underpass lighting and create a safe pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. This pathway, which stretches over 80 feet, will include engaging art by the likes of Dickson

and is slated to open to the public in 2025.

His aptitude for both art and activism came at a young age. As a preschooler, he used his grandmother’s bathroom wall — what he deems his “first canvas” — to create, with a combination of nail polish and Sharpies, mixed media pieces. Visitors to the home can still see these works today.

By first grade, Dickson gained recognition from his teachers who consistently entered his work into competitions. But his work, shockingly, would struggle to come out on top.

“At an early age, I was learning how to cope with rejection because I never won any competitions throughout elementary school,” Dickson says.

“Despite this, my teacher saw something in me, enough to recognize my value and worth, and continued to submit my work.”

By middle school, he was looking to say something with his art, to address and expose social ills and challenge his audience. “I would speak out on controversial topics, such as issues affecting the Black community and communities of color, as well as individuals living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods,” he says. “From there, I began to find my voice.”

Realizing he had been a mixed media artist at home — using whatever materials he could find due to financial constraints — Dickson would begin leaning into this medium. He credits his art teacher, Megan York, with helping him to remove limitations on his art. High school would also provide him with the language to describe his work, and he felt encouraged to explore and experiment further. Dickson would go on to become one of the inaugural graduates of Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Men’s Leadership Academy in East Fort Worth.

Staying in town, the young artist would earn a full-ride scholarship to TCU through its Community Scholar Program. Off University

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Drive, Dickson continued to practice and experiment, including with oil painting, and resumed his focus on activism. He would use his own experiences with covert racism as a springboard.

“[Covert racism] is different from overt racism,” Dickson says. “Covert racism is more sinister, requiring a level of discernment to understand the language and rhetoric. It’s hidden, secretive, and masked behind wide smiles and firm handshakes. It’s very much still real, and that’s what my work began to expose.”

Since enrolling at TCU, students and campus visitors have had a front-row seat to Dickson’s art.

In 2021, he worked with the TCU Department of Theatre to create art for promotional material for performances of “For Bo: A Play Inspired by the Murder of Botham Jean by Officer Amber Guyger.” And he collaborated with artist Cristian Gaton on a campus mural that’s housed in the new TCU Intercultural Center.

Dickson has also remained active with art outside of the university. In September of last year, Dickson was chosen to represent the Huckabys’ Kinfolk House, at the Rising Star Art Competition in Oak Cliff. His work was featured among selections from other notable galleries in DFW, including Artspace 111, Fort Works Art, and Daisha Board Gallery.

Having been at the Kinfolk House since June 2022, Dickson has been able to work alongside world-renowned Huckabys, who have shown in exhibitions across the U.S. They, along with local artist and arts writer, Jessica Fuentes, have helped inform his practice.

“It’s been a blessing to be able to work closely with the artists that they invite to exhibit at Kinfolk House,” Dickson says. “I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge.”

Dickson will soon graduate from TCU with a master’s degree, after which he plans to continue his work in the community as a teacher, paying forward the inspiration he attained from his own educators.

“I think that being in the classroom will be a great experience for me because I genuinely enjoy encouraging people,” he says. “I believe that in the classroom, many of our youth need substantial encouragement, especially in communities like where I’m from. I recognize the profound impact that a teacher’s encouragement can have on an individual.”

@briandicksonjr

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Michael H. Price

Still Spanky After All Those Years

Piles of lawsuits and inspiring the King of Pop, the fascinating life of George McFarland, leader of the “Little Rascals”

Spanky McFarland of Fort Worth. Let that soak in. Yes, the standout player of Old Hollywood’s “Our Gang” comedy franchise, also known as “The Little Rascals” series. George “Spanky” McFarland — accept no substitutes — settled in Grapevine and Fort Worth for much of his life. And he spent much of the 1980s–1990s hanging out at my newsroom office.

I was astonished to find McFarland receptive to my out-of-the-blue request in 1984 for a career interview. I had dedicated my movie-review desk at the Star-Telegram to the rediscovery of bygone film stars of local origin. But the request also coincided with McFarland’s brief return from actorly retirement in a made-in-Waxahachie picture, “The

Aurora Encounter” — an offbeat science-fiction Western. (“Aurora” went unreleased until 1986.)

Now, McFarland (1928–1993) had developed a reputation as a recluse, known for pursuing resentful litigation against any business that dared to use the trademark-identity of Spanky to adorn a barroom or a rock ’n’ roll band. But he answered his own telephone, cordially, without any firewall of agents or secretaries, and he kept himself on view as a pitchman for Fort Worth’s Justin Boot Co. He proved ready and willing, as forward-looking as he was nostalgically inclined.

My newspaper coverage and National Public Radio commentaries of 1984 fetched an enthusiastic popular response — and one unexpected inquiry from the managers of a hitmaking rock-and-soul star who considered Spanky McFarland an idol. I had theorized that the TV revival of “The Little Rascals” comedies must have persuaded many schoolchildren of the 1950s–1960s to make their own entertainment, just like Spanky and his chums. Michael Jackson, progressive spawn of the Motown music-making conglomerate, would fit that description.

“Funny thing you should mention that,” McFarland told me one afternoon in 1988. “You remember, a few years ago, when you brought Michael Jackson out to meet me, here, in Grapevine?”

Well, sure, I remembered. Arrangements for that 1984 meeting — during Jackson’s post-Thriller concert tour — had been a tangle of logistics and armed security. The visit had come together with rewarding results, though, as Jackson fulfilled an ambition to commune with a childhood hero. (Jackson’s stage-costumes included a button bearing Spanky’s likeness.) McFarland seemed pleased with the attention.

McFarland continued, there in the newsroom in 1988: “Well, y’know, what Michael Jackson went yammering on and on about, was how I’d ‘inspired’ him, or so he said,” McFarland told me in 1988. “Said he’d watch us ‘Our

Gang’ kids on television, actin’ like the whole world was our stage, and got the performing bug. I guess it helped him to have a musically inclined family. And that noise they call rock ’n’ roll was about all there was to play, I guess, by the time he’d’ve been comin’ up.

“So anyhow,” said McFarland, “I guess I’d never’ve thought of our pictures as being any kind of an influence on this rock ’n’ roll business.”

“Yeah, well,” I replied, “so where do you think the Young Rascals [a blueeyed soul band of the 1960s] came up with their name or their early image? And how about that other band that called itself Spanky & Our Gang?”

McFarland said: “I never listened to any Young Rascals recordings — I prefer Glenn Miller … As for Spanky & Our Gang — well, I guess that was meant as some kind of a tribute. But I sure as hell sued their management for infringement, all the same.”

The spectacle of Spanky McFarland, cussing and boasting of lawsuits, took some getting accustomed to. Even though he was 59 at the time and by turns businesslike, gruff, and ebullient, McFarland was still recognizably the chubby little kid who had joined the “Our Gang” ensemble in 1931 and stuck with it into the 1940s.

“It was a lark when I was really little,” McFarland said of his early stardom, “but once the Spanky identity caught on permanently and my kid-comedian career was assured — most kid actors tended to get forcibly retired at around age 7 — then my folks just took it for granted that I was their cash cow. When I’d exhibit any sign of wantin’ to quit or broaden my prospects, my old man’d tell me, ‘Why, you can’t! You’re all we’ve got sustaining us!’ Manipulative hogwash like that.

“Which is why, if you look at those later ‘Our Gangs’ after Mr. Hal Roach [the producer] had sold the trademark, you can see me lookin’ not altogether pleased. I was bustin’ at the seams, and I don’t just mean the seams of that damned little fat-boy wardrobe they made me keep wearin’.”

By this time, the Dallas-born

McFarland had settled into Fort Worth as a businessman — “but once a ham, always a ham,” he would say — indulging a lingering interest in show business with the advertising sideline for Justin Boots. He had been, variously, a military aviator, a chauffeur, a softdrink deliveryman, a television host in Oklahoma, and a salesman for Magic Chef kitchen appliances. He never quit using the nickname of Spanky, though mingled emotions persisted.

As a young adult, McFarland found that Hollywood “just couldn’t see me as anything but Spanky — opened ab-sodamned-lutely no doors … Nowadays, I guess the identity opens more doors than it seals shut.”

Hal Roach, a comedy specialist since the 1920s, had launched the “Our Gang” franchise late in the silent-screen age, inspired by a bunch of neighborhood children whose antics he observed in the distance of his office window.

George McFarland, already an advertising model in Texas by age 3, was presented for a 10-minute screen test at Roach Studios in 1931, improvising a nursery tale before the cameras. Roach signed the boy that November. “And the rest is histrionics,” as the adult Spanky was fond of saying, relishing the wordplay.

In 1992, while working with the USA Film Festival at Dallas, I arranged a meeting between McFarland and Roach when that eminénce grisé of Old Hollywood visited for an event to mark his 100th birthday. The encounter proved cordial, if stilted. Although both

men remembered one another fondly, they hardly had been chums, back in the day.

“Kind of a token summit meeting,” McFarland reflected. “Mr. Roach always had been kind of a distant figure of authority… But it was nice to see him again for that one last time.”

Roach died not long after that century-mark. Spanky McFarland died, unexpectedly, the following year.

“George was predisposed to apoplexy,” as a lawyer who had handled McFarland’s outbursts of brand-name litigation wrote to me after I had published a memorial column. “Always looking to get all bent out of shape about some hapless entrepreneur trying to cash in on the name of Spanky. A delightful fellow, in so many ways — but haunted.”

That litigious legacy reasserted itself one last time in 1994 when corporate Hollywood mounted a postmodern “Little Rascals” film. No sooner had the movie appeared, than McFarland’s widow, Doris Taulman McFarland, announced a lawsuit on a complaint of misappropriation of the Spanky monicker. The action proved ineffectual, although its last hurrah for George McFarland’s pastime of litigation-with-indignation may have been an end in itself.

Nor did the new film or its Spanky-surrogate, a vaguely look-alike kid from Rockwall, Texas, named Travis Tedford, do anything to diminish the overriding and age-defiant appeal of the genuine article.

Our Roots Run Deep in Fort Worth

Log Cabin Village Lane, Fort Worth, Seela Cabin

Thompson family ancestors, the Seela family, purchased land in 1859 just west of Fort Worth. The original cabin was destroyed by a flood in the early 1860s and was rebuilt. The cabin remained strong until it was moved in the 1950s to the Fort Worth Log Cabin Village.

Our connection to the area extends to the founding of Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home in 1911. We take pride in being one of the last remaining family-owned and-operated funeral homes in the area.

In 2012, Jon and Martin opened a second location, Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, providing additional options for our customers during a stressful time.

Pictured: Jon, Palmer and Martin Thompson

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Port Isabel, Texas

Population: 5,094

Pirates, Nazis, Gold Rushers, Spanish conquistadors, and Civil War soldiers all pop up in the history of this peaceful little fishing village, which perches at the bottom tip of Texas. Tourists and snowbirds have replaced the smugglers and scallywags, but the charms that attracted the area’s earliest inhabitants (the Coahuiltecan people) are still there: pristine beaches, balmy weather, and bountiful seafood at

every turn. Colorful flowers found nowhere else in America bloom brightly in this subtropical playground, where shrimp boats bob in the water and pleasant sea breezes drift in from the Gulf of Mexico. Spanish adventurers navigated along this coastline in 1519, the first Europeans to set eyes on Texas. Treasure ships stuffed with Aztec gold soon began sailing by on their way

back to Spain — but one fleet never made it, sunk in a hurricane off Port Isabel in 1554. Only one sailor out of hundreds survived. You can learn his story at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum while you browse through historic artifacts, maps, and murals dedicated to the Spanish shipwrecks.

Three centuries later, the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte marauded around Port Isabel and allegedly dug a well with his thirsty shipmates in nearby Laguna Vista. If a visit to the famous watering hole ignites your swashbuckling spirit, consider cruising on the four-deck Black Dragon Pirate Ship — complete with sword fights, sea shanties, rum punch, and a booming cannon. You’ll set sail on the Laguna Madre, the long lagoon between Padre Island and mainland Texas, whose shallow waters made it easy for freebooters like Lafitte to scamper away from larger ships. Lafitte was long gone when the California Gold Rush hit in 1849, transforming Port Isabel into a boomtown as fortune seekers searched for a quicker route to the riches. The sixstory Port Isabel Lighthouse was built in 1853 to deal with the harbor traffic and is now the only one in Texas open to the public. Climb almost 100 steps to the top for a totally-worth-it view of South Padre Island and the Gulf.

Shilo Urban

Port Isabel Lighthouse

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This view (and a strategic location) made Port Isabel a hot potato during the Civil War; the harbor and lighthouse changed hands between Union and Confederate armies multiple times. Daring blockade runners hid in the same secluded coves favored by Jean Lafitte. The very last battle of the war was fought within spitting distance at Palmito Ranch, 45 days after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

The lighthouse ceased operations in 1905 but served as a lookout during World War II when German U-boats were crawling around the Gulf and sending American vessels to the bottom (56 in all). Port Isabel’s residents were trained as a first-response militia just in case the Nazis began an invasion of the country in their placid little village.

Despite such a profound history, Port Isabel is anything but stuck in the past. Just 10 miles across the South Bay is the launch facility for SpaceX, where Elon Musk’s spaceship company shoots the most powerful rockets ever built into the cosmos. From the sandy beaches to the sparkle of stars, Port Isabel will quietly keep doing its thing with easygoing style and the freshest shrimp you’ll ever find.

Explore Port Isabel

Savor: Get your fish fix at Los Tortugos Seafood Market or bring in your catch and they’ll cook it. Shrimp ceviche and grilled shrimp tacos are standouts (the restaurant is owned by a shrimping family), but don’t sleep on the raw oysters, flaky redfish, and Cajun-seasoned king crab. Burgers come on jalapeño-cheddar buns at Hopper Haus, a gastropub and biergarten with an impressive selection of brews. Thirsty for something stronger? Sample wild flavors of moonshine at Rio Grande Distillery, like horchata, mango, and apple pie. If you have kids in tow, the atmospheric kitsch of Pirate’s Landing is sure to please — snag a waterfront table with your mateys and enjoy the view.

Shop: Shops stocked with colorful beachwear and ocean-inspired gifts cluster around Lighthouse Square. Browse handcrafted jewelry and ceramics at Art Sea Gallery & Goods, along with locally roasted coffee beans and dreamy Port Isabel watercolors. Laguna Madre Art Gallery is a co-op of 20 area artists with a stout selection of paintings, photographs, and woodworking. Tesori is tops for stylish swimsuit cover-ups and breezy accessories, and if you’re looking for seashells — it’s off to Bobz Castle for you. Behind medieval turrets and giant conch shells lies a cavalcade of seaside trinkets and oddities, including a pirate ship inside the store.

Isabel Inn, a beachy white charmer opened in 1906 with a palm-fringed pool and a classic bungalow vibe. Sleep in cushier digs at the Lighthouse Boutique Hotel, which boasts a beautiful little café with excellent espresso and gelato (try the lemon pie flavor). On Airbnb and Vrbo, you’ll find cute waterfront cottages, modern beachside condos, and luxurious casitas with hot tubs and boat docks. If you’re looking for a fancy beach resort, you’ll have to cross the 2.4-mile Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island.

Enjoy: Take a slow-paced stroll out onto Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier; you can rent a rod and reel if you didn’t bring your own. Fishing charters and dolphin-watching cruises are always popular here, and the Laguna Madre’s gentle waves are ideal for watersports like parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Birdwatching is big news, and Port Isabel’s green spaces are planted with special foliage to attract birds as well as butterflies. Go old-school with a metal detector and look for Lafitte’s lost treasure in the sand dunes, or simply relax under palm trees and watch the boats float by.

Snooze: Port Isabel’s accommodations are akin to the town itself: low-key, laid-back, and full of character. Like the historic Queen

How to Get There: Drive south on Interstate 35 to San Antonio (about 260 miles), then take Interstate 410 S to Interstate 37 S (about 11 miles). Follow I-37 south toward Corpus Christi (120 miles), then exit onto Interstate 69 E/US 77 S toward Brownsville. In about 140 miles, I-69 splits. Follow the signs for Interstate 169 E, which soon turns into TX-550. In about 9 miles you’ll reach TX-48 E; turn left. It’s 15 miles to Port Isabel, where TX-48 ends at a T intersection with Highway 100. Most points of interest are to your right. This 556-mile trip takes a minimum of 8 hours.

Black Skimmer (Rynchops Niger), adult with young.

Jesus Christ of the Fisherman Statue

Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge in the Blue Hour from Port Isabel.

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Kendall Schlegel

By Brian Kendall

Photos by Crystal Wise

White jeans: Free People

Black and white top: Ulla Johnson

Black sandals: Steven

Black bag with gold ring: Cult Gaia

Gold hoop earrings: Amazon

Gold bracelet: Chanel

Beyond the nearly 4 decades of serving North Texas, as well as the hundreds of awards Claffey Pools has won over the years, our number one mission is to build the absolute finest projects with the best technology, methodologies, and principles. We do not cut corners and we deliver projects with an uncompromising passionate commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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Concerning the world of debutantes, Kendall Schlegel, a 21-year-old studying finance at the University of Oklahoma (apologies to our Longhorn subscribers) and an upcoming 2025 Steeplechase debutante, is being interviewed by a complete noob. Turns out, there is indeed more to a debutante ball than white dresses, satin evening gloves, and a night of waltzing.

“Originally, [becoming a debutante] was a woman getting accepted into society,” Schlegel explains. “But I think in modern ways, it’s more of a networking opportunity, as weird as that sounds. You have an opportunity to meet all of these influential businesspeople from Fort Worth while getting to know your community at the same time.”

Ultimately, it’s a tradition — initially for the purpose of introducing a young woman with an affluent family background to eligible bachelors — that has evolved over time. After all, when debutante balls kicked off in the 19th century, few women attended college or had careers outside of home (heck, women couldn’t even vote). So, Schlegel, who has big ambitions in the professional world and an interest in private equity — another topic that sails over this interviewer’s head — is the epitome of a modern deb. Smart, aspiring, motivated, and, yes, even stylish.

And, on that note, Schlegel was kind enough to take some time away from Norman to give us a tour of her stellar wardrobe. Taking cues from fashionable influencers like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Ken Eurich, Schlegel has amassed an impressive collection of clothes that manages to toe the line between timeless and contemporary.

“I think my generation is so focused on trends,” she says. “But as you mature, your style remains and doesn’t constantly evolve. I’ve started buying really versatile pieces, so when trends change, I can mix it up.”

From midi dresses and snakeskin boots to blue blazers and white jeans, Schlegel gives us a taste of her generation’s debutante style — minus the evening gloves.

Below

Tan

Pink and blue drop stone earrings: Gifted from family, purchased at boutique in Chicago

Places to shop:

Esther Penn: “One of the best boutiques in the area.”

Veronica Beard: “My absolute favorite designer of all time, especially when it comes to jeans … and shoes.”

Shop Bop: “If you’re just looking for trendy, easy clothes, this is the place. They also have a wide variety.”

Zara: “Affordable and a great place to shop.”

midi dress: Zara

Snakeskin boots: Report Hat: Stetson

Pink bag: Valentino

Below

Red dress: Zara

White sneakers: Veja

Blue blazer: Generation Love

Gold hoop earrings: Amazon

White bag: Gucci

Above

White shorts and blazer set: Cinq à Sept

White bow heels: Antonio Melani

Pink under top: Banana Republic

Pink and blue drop stone earrings: Gifted from family, purchased at boutique in Chicago

Pink bag: Valentino

Style Tips:

“Always edit. Every time I put on an outfit, I’ll take one thing out of it because I think people tend to wear too much at one time.”

“Buying versatile clothes is key to your wardrobe.”

“I would say my style is elevated casual. I like to pair sneakers with blazers. That’s a big look for me right now.”

INCREASING HEALTHSPAN TO MEET LIFESPAN

Performance + Longevity Center at the Fort Worth Club

Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, today’s average lifespan has been extended. However, it’s the quality of those years, known as healthspan, that truly matters.

In the heart of downtown Fort Worth, there’s a place where members have access to cutting-edge technologies, equipment, trainers, therapists, cognitive testing, and physical assessments aimed at achieving a new mission: increasing healthspan to meet lifespan.

That place is The Fort Worth Club.

THE FORT WORTH CLUB ﬁtness facilities have been consistently evolving since 2009 — the year expansive renovations added studios for equipment, Pilates, yoga, cycling, and high-intensity training. Nutritional services were added in 2012, along with lab testing in 2018 under the direction of a full-time registered dietitian. Cryotherapy and infrared sauna therapies were added in 2021.

This year will mark the ﬁtness center’s biggest transformation yet.

Introducing the Performance + Longevity Center, a place where members have access to cutting-edge technologies aimed at increasing one’s healthspan to meet their lifespan.

“Healthspan is more important than lifespan because it prioritizes the quality of our years, emphasizing staying healthy and active rather than simply living longer,” says Ashli Davenport, Director of the Performance + Longevity Center. “It’s about enjoying a vibrant and fulﬁlling life, not just counting the number of years lived.”

The rebranding has been in the works for more than a decade, and there is not another facility in Fort Worth that oﬀers the same amount of health and wellness amenities under one roof.

A New Foundation for Personalized Health Strategies

The plan to rebrand the center did not happen blindly. The Fort Worth Club has long catered to a population looking to age stronger, live longer, and improve performance — whether they’re on the basketball court, playing golf, or in the weight room.

The foundation of the Performance + Longevity Center lies in the establishment of eight pillars that serve almost as a “wellness checklist.” The belief is that helping members address each of these eight pillars will only aid in improving their healthspan.

Those eight pillars are mindset, meaning the mental foundation that shapes one’s approach to any task; lifestyle, which ranges from diet and exercise to sleep and stress management; regenerative, referring to core body systems; brain, meaning cognitive function and mental health; performance, which refers to everything from strength and body composition to bone density; mobility, which includes balance and posture; nourishment; and diagnostics, meaning assessments and preventative testing.

New technologies have been selected with intention to address these eight pillars and help meet the new goal of increasing members’ healthspan.

NeuX is an interactive neuromuscular stimulator designed to reset the nervous system and help uncover underactive and overactive muscle groups that can ultimately lead to imbalances and injuries.

The Ammortal Chamber is a red light therapy bed experience that integrates vibration, electro-magnetics, molecular hydrogen, music, meditation, and breath work. Studies show the Ammortal Chamber may help reduce inflammation and pain, improve bone strength, provide cognitive enhancement, enhance recovery and performance, improve joint flexibility and mobility, and much more.

The Fort Worth Club’s 8 Pillars of Performance + Longevity

Mindset

This is the base of longevity, encompassing the mental foundation that shapes our approach to life. It embraces the power of positivity, habit formation, and purpose-driven living.

Lifestyle

Studies show that 75-80% of aging is dictated by lifestyle. This means we have incredible power and control over our health in preventing chronic diseases and increasing longevity.

BrainTap is an advanced headset technology that utilizes guided meditation and brainwave entrainment to promote relaxation, focus, and overall mental well-being.

“Our mission transcends mere lifespan extension. We are committed to elevating the quality and vitality of each individual’s years, fostering optimal healthspan and well-being through worldclass collaborations and innovative approaches, leveraging state-ofthe-art technology.”

MICHAEL THACKERSON , ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, THE FORT WORTH CLUB

Regenerative

Nurturing cell health supports optimal functioning while addressing core body systems. Root cause assessments identify and address underlying issues, while managing inﬂammation helps prevent chronic conditions.

Brain

From physical vitality to emotional balance and mental acuity, the brain acts as the command center, enabling effective decision-making. A healthy brain forms the bedrock of a fulfilling life.

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VO2 max, a key measure of cardiovascular health, strongly correlates with longevity. Strength training enhances muscle power. Sustaining bone density supports skeletal health, laying a strong foundation for an active lifestyle.

Mobility

Stability, ﬂexibility, balance, and posture establish a foundation of pain-free movement. Prioritizing mobility contributes to an agile body, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing daily activities.

Nourishment

Emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods, gut health, nutraceutical support, and strategic fasting, this pillar embodies a holistic approach to nourishment, guiding individuals toward resilience and vitality.

Diagnostics

Personalized diagnostics provide tailored insights, emphasizing the significance of early detection and prevention through comprehensive assessments like movement screens, blood work genetics, and more.

The InBody 970 provides deep insights into your body composition and bone mineral content, helping to optimize your training and nutrition plans for enhanced performance and well-being.

t innovative

The innovative CAROL Bike maximizes workout efficiency. With its science-backed sprinting protocol, just a 9-minute ride yields the benefits of a 45-minute jog.

Vasper combines precise compression technology, body temperature cooling, and grounding for a 21-minute workout that emulates the outcomes of a much longer high-intensity workout. The apparatus is used by NASA and many professional sports organizations, including the Texas Rangers.

“Healthspan is more important than lifespan because it prioritizes the quality of our years, emphasizing staying healthy and active rather than simply living longer.”

ASHLI DAVENPORT , DIRECTOR OF THE PERFORMANCE + LONGEVITY CENTER

Collaboration with Human Longevity, Inc.

The Fort Worth Club’s Leap with Human Longevity

In a visionary move, The Fort Worth Club partners with Human Longevity Inc., founded by genomics pioneer Dr. Craig Venter. This collaboration redefies preventive care, leveraging The Fort Worth Club’s advanced technologies combined with Human Longevity’s diagnostics for pre-symptomatic detection of cancer, cardiac, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases.

A Tailored Health Plan

The collaboration’s essence lies in translating complex health data into personalized, actionable wellness strategies seamlessly integrated into each member’s lifestyle. By crafting a meticulous 12-month health plan, The Fort Worth Club, alongside Human Longevity, demonstrates a commitment not only to monitoring health indicators but also to improving them through science-backed, personalized care. Positioned at the forefront of health innovation, The Fort Worth Club leads its members toward a future where wellness is optimized, and personalized and preventive healthcare becomes the norm.

VO2 Max testing provides insights into overall fitness by measuring maximum oxygen uptake — a pivotal metric associated with healthspan.

by John Henry

The Last Time the Sun Disappeared

The highly anticipated total eclipse of the sun on April 8 will connect us to another time and place in history.

The day was July 29, 1878, the last time Fort Worth witnessed a total solar eclipse.

I’ll spare you some battery life on your smart phone. That was 146 years ago.

Rutherford B. Hayes, who ascended to the presidency in, believe it or not, the most fiercely disputed election in U.S. history, was in the midst of the second year of the only term he said he would serve.

Richard B. “Dick” Hubbard, better known to friends, family, and presumed political enemies as “Jumbo,” was the governor of Texas, having succeeded as lieutenant governor, to the state’s highest elected position

under the post-war Constitution of 1876 when Richard Coke resigned to run for the U.S. Senate. The Legislature was never in session during his abbreviated term of Dec. 1, 1876 – Jan. 21, 1879.

In Fort Worth, then still in swaddling clothes, Captain Giles Hiram Day, the second mayor, was in the final two weeks of his approximately four years in office. Day had succeeded Fort Worth’s first mayor, under the mayor-council form of government, when William Burts resigned under the burden of controversy revolving around the city deficit.

Much has changed since that time, though, as a wise man or woman once surmised, much has stayed the same.

For example, astronomers are as giddy today as they were 146 years ago about the opportunities the eclipse gives to study one of the most mysterious parts of the sun, the solar corona. The corona is the ring of fire, for lack of a better phrase, that stands out when the moon blocks out the blazing, bright star.

Originally, scientists believed the corona was a feature of the moon. Perhaps, they hypothesized, it was sunlight reflecting off the lunar atmosphere. Except that the moon has no atmosphere. It was in 1806 that Spanish astronomer José Joaquín de Ferrer recognized it was rather a feature of the sun. He gave it the name “corona,” the Spanish word for “crown.”

“An eclipse of the sun is always in the highest degree interesting because there is hardly any phenomenon of the heavens at once so startling, so beautiful, and so awe inspiring,” remarked Garrett T. Serviss, the secretary of the American astronomical society and wellknown lecturer on astronomy, in remarks given to the Dallas Morning News only a few years after 1878.

“The number of persons who have ever seen a solar eclipse is very small. Probably the majority of astronomers themselves have never seen one.”

The path of totality for the 1878 eclipse ran eastward from a point in Siberia across the Bering Strait to Alaska, where it curved in a southeasterly direction, crossing British Columbia, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, what would become Oklahoma (then Indian Territory), and Texas, finally passing over the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba, and vanishing over the Atlantic Ocean.

We know much more about the corona today than we did in 1878, thanks to the work of scientists like Leonard Waldo, a Harvard astronomer who made Fort Worth his destination to observe and note the eclipse.

A news report of that day said:

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“The purpose of this is to arrive at a knowledge of the composition of the corona and what it consists of. There is a mystery about the composition of these banners of the sun that has never yet been solved. Some have regarded them as consisting of gaseous matter surrounding the sun and being perhaps the product of ejection from it. Others have thought that they might be vast swarms of meteors in its light, or perhaps something that might be likened to colossal dust clouds surrounding that tremendous solar engine, to whose unceasing activity we owe the light and heat that make earth habitable. It is to be hoped that a good deal of light will be thrown upon this question by the observations of the coming eclipse.”

Waldo’s team was comprised of R.W. Wilson, a Harvard colleague; J.K. Rees of Washington University in St. Louis; W.H. Pulsifer, also of St. Louis; and F.E. Seagrave of Providence, Rhode Island.

Waldo saved for history his experience and findings, as well as Fort Worth’s prominent role in it all, in a book published in 1879 titled, Fort Worth Eclipse Observations, July 29, 1878. As if we needed more evidence that its dominion is all of the world of retail, you can buy a copy of Waldo’s book on Amazon, shipped — “usually” — in three to five days.

Waldo noted that he selected Fort Worth as his base of operations for observation because “the chances of a clear day were as great [in Fort Worth] as for any point along the line of totality, according to the United States Signal Service.” Totality, he noted, would occur here 15 minutes after occurring in Colorado, which would cause the data recorded in Texas to have additional value as it concerned the rapid changes in the corona.

Plus, Waldo said, “there would be plenty of observers who would go to Colorado on such a mission, but it was not so certain that any wellequipped party would go to Texas in the summer.”

We could have told him that.

The observation site was at the home of S.M. Lomax, near Daggett Street at the intersection of South Adams and Ballinger or Summit, according to previous reporting on the subject. The team, which also included some amateur astronomers from Fort Worth, set up at the home of S.M. Lomax, roughly about a halfmile from the city limits.

In addition to the naked eye, they used seven telescopes with a variety of eyepieces that were also part of the team’s equipment. In all, 40 instruments were positioned about 40 feet apart.

On the top of the home’s roof, a flat platform, were nine people, eight of whom were assigned to draw what they observed.

One was to call off seconds remaining in totality every 15 seconds. A.M. Britton of the City National Bank was tasked with this duty.

To keep time, a pivotal element fraught with concern because of the Texas climate, the team used the Victor Kullberg 1178, a sidereal chronometer. Kullberg was one of London’s most notable watchmakers.

The timepiece, Waldo noted, “performs admirably at ordinary temperatures, [but] the extremely high temperatures at the observation station proved destructive to regularity.”

In addition to the heat, the team encountered something we generally only dream of in late July: rain. A good storm system came through on Friday, mere days before Monday’s eclipse. The rain continued through Saturday and Sunday.

This generated some angst, obviously, Waldo writing that he was “particularly fearful about the photographs.” And sure enough, the sky was overcast the day of, but, as if on command from a higher being, “the sun came out gloriously just before the time calculated for first contact.”

As the moon moved over the sun, eight sketcher artists began to draw

what they saw as Britton, seated next to them, counted off every 15 seconds.

Waldo, Wilson, Rees, Pulsifer, and Seagrave were at their instruments looking toward the heavens. They also took photographs.

Western Union and Texas and Pacific Railroad Telegraph Co., meanwhile, were transmitting longitudinal signals between Fort Worth and St. Louis, where another observer was stationed.

The duration of totality was 2 minutes, 28.75 seconds.

There was one other dynamic Waldo’s non-Texan team of astronomers had to deal with.

Bugs. Those are the same as 146 years ago.

We’re guessing there were no repellent products for insects that faithfully served its role of irritant. They “crept under their clothing or got into positions such that a movement of the instrument would jam them along with the extreme heat, conspired to render … observations both for time and latitude less accordant” than the team had hoped.

File that one under the “things we’d like to see disappear in 2024, even for a few moments.”

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A BLOSSOMING HISTORY, Founded by Mike Cook, Sr. in 1972, Mike’s Garden Center has flourished into a second-generation legacy. Mike Cook Jr. joined in 1997, expanding the business by integrating his landscape design expertise. In 2023, the tradition continued with Bridget, Mike Jr.’s daughter, joining the team to spearhead social media and marketing initiatives, connecting with a wider audience of gardeners and landscapers.

DIVERSE OFFERINGS, Explore our expansive selection, featuring the metroplex’s largest assortment of fountains. Not only do we boast the most significant fountain sales, but we also provide delivery and installation services. Dive into a world of creativity with our diverse collection of pots, available in various sizes, shapes, designs, and colors.

A PET-FRIENDLY PARADISE, At Mike’s Garden Center, we’re not just about plants—we’re a pet-friendly paradise! On-site, you’ll encounter our beloved cats and birds who are an integral part of our garden-loving family. Rumor has it, even Bigfoot has been spotted at our Fort Worth store location—snap a picture and tag us for a chance to share in the excitement!

WEATHERING CHALLENGES, Our journey hasn’t been without challenges. In 2014, a snowstorm wreaked havoc, causing three-quarters of our greenhouses to collapse. However, we emerged stronger, determined to continue providing exceptional products and services to our valued customers.

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC COMMITMENT, At Mike’s Garden Center, customer satisfaction is our driving force. We take pride in servicing three generations of customers and have dedicated employees who have been with us for over 25 years. As a family-owned business, we extend our warmth and expertise seven days a week, ensuring a memorable and pleasant experience for all.

BEYOND THE GREENERY, Beyond our lush landscapes, we are a small business with a big heart. Our willingness and commitment to supplying top-notch merchandise at reasonable prices set us apart. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, we strive to cater to your needs with the latest and greatest plant materials entering the market.

CAPTURING MOMENTS AND MEMORIES, In 2019, we bid farewell to our founder, Mike Cook Sr., but his vision lives on through his son, granddaughter, and our dedicated team. Join us as we continue to expand our product offerings and services, leaving an indelible mark on the gardening community for years to come.

DISCOVER THE WOW FACTOR, Our longevity speaks volumes—50 plus years in business, with eight employees dedicating a quarter-century or more to our green haven. As you explore our six-acre showcase, you’ll encounter a nursery adorned with yellow paint and green lettering, presenting thousands of plant choices.

JOIN OUR GARDENING COMMUNITY, Mike’s Garden Center is not just a store; it’s a community of green enthusiasts. Whether you seek gardening advice, unique decor, or a friendly environment, we invite you to be part of our growing legacy.

Owner, Mike Cook and daughter, Bridget Cook

SGreen Days

Fort Worth’s appetite for plant-based diets

Fort Worth’s appetite for plant-based diets and food has increased considerably over the past few years, leading to the opening of nearly a dozen new vegan restaurants and eateries

By Malcolm Mayhew Photography by Crystal Wise

ix years ago, when Belen Hernandez opened her first vegan restaurant in the area, a Mexican food spot in Granbury called Belenty’s Love, she knew she’d have to deal with a bit of a backlash. Vegan restaurants, after all, were few and far between in North Texas, and who’d ever heard of a vegan Mexican restaurant?

“But I had no idea what was coming,” she says. What came was an often-heartbreaking adverse reaction to her restaurant that found diners coming in, realizing no meat or dairy products were being served, then angrily leaving, sometimes using choice words on their way out.

“That’s one of the worst things a restaurant owner can experience, people getting up and leaving,” she says. “I understand if maybe your prices are too high or there’s something you want but it’s not on the menu. But to not even give the place a chance, it was so depressing. There were times when we wanted to give up and close.”

Hernandez toughed it out, though, and found an audience for her unique Mexican cuisine.

Much to her surprise, she discovered where many of her diners were coming from: Fort Worth. That led her to open a second location of Belenty’s Love on the Bluebonnet Circle, just south of

Vida Café

TCU. Initially, she again dealt with some resistance from newcomers, but it dissipated after a few weeks.

The popularity of that restaurant led to her and her son, who is now a chef, to open a third endeavor: Vida, a vegan Italian restaurant; it’s located right next door to the Fort Worth outpost of Belenty’s Love on the traffic circle.

“The No. 1 favorite cuisine in our house is Mexican food,” she says. “No. 2 is Italian. Vegan doesn’t have to mean a certain type of food. Any style of food can be done with vegetables and plantbased products.”

Belenty’s Love and Vida are among a growing number of Fort Worth restaurants that are proving that point. The days of the term “vegan” being associated with a certain type of food — or a certain type of person, for that matter, are long gone. Sky’s the limit, say the chefs and restaurateurs who are blazing a trail for plant-based food in Fort Worth.

The seeds of this movement were, of course, planted by Spiral Diner, opened 20 years ago by thenrestaurant newcomer Amy McNutt in a historic building on Magnolia Avenue. For years, Spiral Diner was the only vegan game in town. But today, there’s a dozen plant-based food concepts in a city nicknamed “Cowtown,” from casual restaurants to food trucks to fine dining.

Many of the concepts are groundbreaking. Maiden Fine Plants & Spirits, opened last year by McNutt and her Spiral Diner team, is Texas’ first plant-based fine dining restaurant. Vida is the state’s first and only vegan Italian restaurant and only the second in the country. VBQ Smokehouse, a cleverly named collaboration between local vegan chef Hank Storm and Mariachi’s Dine-In owner Ashley Miller, is a twice-a-week pop-up at Mariachi’s where a wholly unique cuisine is served: vegan barbecue.

“We sell out every time,” Miller says.

and other foods. As these products have become easier to attain, more plant-based restaurants have opened.

Plus, says Jennifer Cabarubio, plant-based food can now taste like regular food — sometimes, in the right hands, even better. She would definitely know: Jennifer and her husband Landon run Pizza Verde, a two-year-old vegan pizza joint on the city’s west side that is often considered one of the best pizza spots in Fort Worth.

“A lot of our customers aren’t vegan,” she says. “For them, it’s about the quality of the food and the preparation. For normal, everyday customers who don’t care about the word `vegan’ to come in and order one of our pizzas means a lot to us. It means tastes are changing. It means our food is becoming a bigger part of their everyday lives.”

What’s happening in Fort Worth reflects a national food trend in which sales of plant-based products are on the rise.

Between 2018 and 2021, vegan meat alternative sales grew 75%, according to Tastewise, a food data, statistics, and trends-tracking website. Worldwide sales of plant-based meat alternatives are expected to be around $7.5 billion by 2025, according to the site.

It’s certainly a lot easier to adhere to a plant-based diet today than it was, say, a decade ago, when such products were more difficult to find. These days, most major grocery stores carry plant-based alternatives to beef, cheese, eggs, butter, ice cream,

Jennifer says she’s thrilled to see an uptick in vegan restaurants in Fort Worth. To her, it’s indicative that Fort Worth is finally catching up to a way of eating that has already become a part of the dining vernacular in other cities.

“For the rate the city has been growing, we’ve been a bit behind the other major cities like Austin, D.C., San Francisco,” she says. “We’re now on par with what is normal in major food cities. It’s been a long time coming.”

People who follow a vegan diet do so for a variety of reasons. Studies have shown that plant-based diets have many health benefits. The leading reason for becoming vegan or pursuing a non-meat diet, according to a survey conducted by Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, is to have a healthier diet and/or lose weight.

Others are concerned about animal welfare. It was because of her deep love of animals that Amy McNutt spent her childhood years practicing vegetarianism. Years later, at age 19, when she was a film student at the University of Southern California, she made the jump to veganism.

“Someone on Venice Beach handed me a flyer about dairy cows and how they’re mistreated,” she says. “I had no idea. I actually believed the old TV commercials about happy dairy cows.”

Inspired by the vegan restaurants she came to love and admire in California, she came home to North Texas and decided to open a vegan food concept. Initially, she and partner James Johnston worked out of a storefront at the Fort Worth Rail Market downtown, focusing on baked goods. The demand, she says, was so high, the two turned their attention to opening a brick-andmortar.

Belenty’s Love

“I had zero restaurant experience,” she says. But she and Johnston worked on menus and concepts until they finally landed on Spiral Diner’s old-school cafe vibe and plant-based menu of baked goods, breakfast items, and sandwiches, a menu that grew immensely over time.

“I don’t remember there being much resistance when we first opened,” she says. “But I didn’t really ask anybody else’s opinion. We just did it.”

In the same way Spiral Diner broke ground 20 years ago in Fort Worth, so did her latest concept, Maiden: Fine Plants & Spirits, her nearly year-old plantbased fine dining restaurant in the Near Southside. In vegan circles, it’s a pioneer — the first plant-based dining restaurant in Texas. Guests can choose to dine at intimate, stylish tables from a prix fixe menu or nibble on small, refined plates such as beer-battered tempura leeks or parsnip fries with serrano-orange aioli at the restaurant’s low-key bar.

“We have a lot of different ways to experience Maiden,” says McNutt. “You can do the full eight-course menu. That’s about a three-hour experience, and you’re completely pampered, or you can do the shorter four-course option, which is perfect if you don’t have three hours to kill.”

Maiden’s artfully presented dishes, such as celeriac root over vanilla citrus cream sauce and artichoke with chestnuts and wild rice, are as visually striking as they are flavorful. Moreover, Maiden’s food is proof that vegetables can be as fanciful as proteins.

In addition to Spiral Diner and Maiden, McNutt also opened a doughnut and ice cream shop last year called Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops; it’s next door to Maiden.

To be the owner of three vastly different vegan concepts in one city has been nothing short of a dream come true for McNutt, she says.

“That’s the dream, right? To see a vegan restaurant on every corner in every town,” she says. “We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting there.”

Plant Yourself Here

We round up the city’s best vegan dining experiences, from restaurants to food trucks

Vegan dining in Fort Worth is, at this point, much like non-vegan dining. Fort Worth diners with an interest in plant-based diets can indulge in pizza, Mexican food, burgers and shakes, and Italian cuisine, and much more, thanks to several plant-based restaurants that have opened recently throughout the city.

Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just testing the waters of veganism, there’s undoubtedly a spot that’ll pique your curiosity, and please your palate.

Here, then, is a guide to Fort Worth’s many vegan eateries:

Spiral Diner, Dreamboat Donuts, Maiden: Fine Plants & Spirits

At 22 years old and as the first vegan restaurant in Fort Worth, Spiral Diner is the city’s elder statesman for true plant-based eating. Owner Amy McNutt offers an expansive menu of vegan eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a cool, classic-diner atmosphere. Beef alternatives such as Beyond Meat and fresh vegetables are put to creative use on dishes such as Shepherd’s pie, Texas red chili, and on the restaurant’s many, many burgers, including the must-try (and must have a glass of water nearby) Ghost Burger, made with sweet and spicy ghost-chile jam, creamed cheese, grilled spinach, and fried onions. There’s also a host of breakfast dishes,

served all day, including breakfast tacos made with tofu, home fries and chipotle mayo, and scratch-made biscuits with plant-based sausage and gravy. Spiral Diner is a great place to take kids. There’s a sizable kid’s menu, along with fun desserts and shakes.

Be sure to try: Thick pancakes are as filling as they are flavorful.

Good to know: McNutt has also opened two other vegan concepts in the PS1200 development, not far from Spiral Diner: the fine dining Maiden: Fine Plants & Spirits (written about elsewhere in this story) and Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops, which serves vegan renditions of ice cream and scratch-made doughnuts.

Dreamboat Donuts

Info: Spiral Diner, 1314 W. Magnolia Ave., spiraldiner.com; Maiden, 1216 Sixth Ave., maidenvegan.com; Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops, 1204 Sixth Ave., dreamboatdonuts.com

Boulevard of Greens and Vice Burger

Like Spiral Diner, Boulevard of Greens has been a major pioneer in the plantbased restaurant scene in Fort Worth. Opened in 2018 by Charlsye Lewis and her husband Marcus Brunt, the restaurant offers bowls, salads, soups, smoothies, and sandwiches in a snug room with a warm, coffeehouse feel. Lewis says the store was born out of the couple’s love of animals and also their shared passion for eating healthy and wanting the people in their lives to do the same. “My father was a talented helicopter pilot who lost his eyesight and had to stop flying,” Charlsye says. “He passed away from complications from diabetes. Afterward, we went into overdrive learning about diabetes and how to prevent and help it with diet choices. Marcus’ mom recently beat cancer. We think it helped that she eats at Boulevard of Greens every day. We care very deeply about our family’s health and want to make it easy and tasty to make good choices.” Many of the menu items are inspired by other cities: Times Square is a New York-themed bagel topped with creamy vegan cream cheese, smoky carrot lox, capers, shallots, and fresh dill; and the Bay Bridge sandwich combines spinach, sliced Roma tomatoes, parsley, and a special housemade dip. There are also freshly made pastries, coffee, and tea.

Last year, the couple opened a second concept called Vice Burger on Magnolia Avenue. There, they’re serving burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese and fried chicken sandwiches, plus shakes and sides like sidewinder fries, all made entirely of plantbased ingredients.

Be sure to try: Smoothie bowls are a thing at Boulevard, and they’re dynamite. They’re served in a bowl, with a smoothie of your choice as a base, then filled with fresh fruit and other toppings, such as nuts, chia seeds, and protein powder. Good to know: Vice Burger’s super-creamy

milkshakes are made with vegan gelato in flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream.

Info: Boulevard of Greens, 2700 Horne St., Ste. 110, boulevardofgreens.com; Vice Burger, 1515 W. Magnolia Ave., vice-burger. square.site

Mariachi’s Dine-In and Guapo Taco

Mariachi’s first came to life in 2018 in a ramshackle gas station a few minutes east of downtown. While the tiny restaurant served meat dishes, it was also among the first restaurants in the area to have a full vegetarian and vegan menu, not just an item or two. In 2021, the two owners, Ashley Miller and Angel Fuentes, went separate ways, with Miller moving Mariachi’s to the west side, to the Locke block spot occupied by the much-missed Mariposa’s, while Fuentes rebranded the gas station restaurant as Guapo Taco. Both offer a wide assortment of vegan options. Mariachi’s plant-based menu items include a trio of birria dishes made with jackfruit instead of goat or beef; a torta sandwich piled high with beans, cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, and your choice of meatless protein; and several variations of burritos, nachos, and tacos, all made with plant-based products. Guapo Taco’s vegan options are similar, which makes sense since Fuentes created many of Mariachi’s original menu when it was still located in the gas station. Where the two differ most is atmosphere: Mariachi’s is a sit-down restaurant, while Guapo has kept its counter service and scrappy vibe. Fuentes is often a one-man show, serving as host, cook, and cashier.

Be sure to try: Mariachi’s vegan pineapple burrito is a must. It’s designed to impersonate the flavors of a pastor burrito, and it does a great job mimicking the flavors of pork and pineapple. Likewise, Guapo’s El Borracho taco — made with roasted corn, guajillo crema, fresh pico, and sweet pineapple-habanero sauce — is a must. Good to know: Mariachi’s also hosts a twice-weekly vegan barbecue pop-up called VBQ, written about elsewhere in this story.

Info: Mariachi’s Dine-In, 5724 Locke Ave., mariachisdinein.com; Guapo Taco, 301 S. Sylvania Ave., facebook.com/guapotacofw/

Belenty’s Love and Vida Café

A native of Tamaulipas, Mexico, Belen Hernandez once owned a string of Mexican restaurants throughout Central and North Central Texas. When her son Sammy decided to switch to a vegan diet, she did, too. She was so passionate about changing the way she ate, she closed all of her restaurants to focus on a new one: the original Belenty’s Love in Granbury, which served plant-based renditions of Tex-Mex classics. This was followed by a Fort Worth location, which, like the original, serves a huge menu of Mexican fare, including tacos, enchiladas, and nachos, all made with 100% vegan ingredients. Then, when a nearby space became available, she jumped on it to open Vida Cafe, her and Sammy’s homage to their second favorite kind of food, Italian. In a dining room filled with a pink and floral motif, the two serve vegan versions of Italian standards, such as chickenless marsala and spaghetti and meatless meatballs. “You’d never know it’s vegan Italian food,” she says. “Sammy and I worked a long, long time on getting the recipes right, making sure that it would be hard to tell a difference. Most customers have said to me that they can’t, which we love to hear.”

Be sure to try: At Vida Cafe, try the excellent aglio e olió y, the restaurant’s fabulous rendition of the classic olive oil and garlic spaghetti. At Belenty’s, go for the portobello fajitas.

Good to know: Vida Cafe often hosts live music on the weekends.

Info: Belenty’s Love, 3516 Bluebonnet

Maiden: Fine Plants & Spirits

Circle, belentyslove.com; Vida Cafe, 3522 Bluebonnet Circle, instagram.com/vidacafe2023/

It’s Food

One of the latest arrivals — and most imaginative additions — to Fort Worth’s vegan scene is this Near Southside food truck with a quirky name. The truck was once a collab between two die-hard vegans, Lu Laac and Armando Perez, but Perez is now a chef at vegan pizza spot Pizza Verde, so now Laac is doing It’s Food on his own. He specializes in burgers made with Beyond Meat, but creative burgers piled super high with fresh vegetables, housemade sauces, and toppings such as fried avocado and slabs of tofu. Sides include fries, onion rings, and vegan eggrolls. There are whimsical specials galore, too, like mushroom tenders, popcorn tofu, and vegan gumbo. A big plus: Laac keeps late hours on the weekends.

Be sure to try: Pray you’re there when Laac is offering his eggplant-wrapped tofu, consisting of soft-fried tofu wrapped in grilled eggplant marinated in hoisin sauce and caramelized with teriyaki sauce, then topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Good to know: Instead of plasticware and Styrofoam, It’s Food admirably uses

sustainable and biodegradable food containers.

Info: It’s Food is usually parked at 1001 W. Magnolia Ave., in the parking lot of Fort Liquor. Itsfood.lol

Pizza Verde

One of the city’s top restaurants — not just top “vegan” restaurants, but restaurants in general — is this cozy pizza spot on the west side, which took over the old Rocco’s Pizza space. Here, couple Jennifer and Landon Cabarubio serve 12-inch-size, wood-fired pizzas topped with delectable combinations of veggies and vegan ingredients. Featured pizzas include the popular potato leek pie, made with an olive oil and garlic base, diced potato, leeks, rosemary and lemon aioli drizzle; the Lando, a combo of tomato sauce, vegan mozzarella, red pepper flakes, garlic, Parmesan, and basil; and the Funghi pie, which comes topped with roasted oyster and cremini mushrooms. Over the past several months, they’ve expanded their menu to now include pastas, a build-yourown-calzone, and sandwiches.

Be sure to try: Definitely get a pizza, but don’t sleep on the sandwiches, especially the new fried mushroom sandwich, made with crispy fried oyster mushrooms, lemon aioli, seasoned tomatoes, red onions, and arugula.

Good to know: Pizza Verde offers a $10 lunch special on Fridays only that includes two slices of pepperoni or cheese pizza, a side salad (house or Caesar), and a glass of tea.

Info: 5716 Locke Ave., pizzaverdetx.com

VBQ Smokehouse

VBQ Smokehouse is an exciting new pop-up collaboration between Mariachi’s owner Ashley Miller and local chef Hank Storm, in which the two serve vegan versions of barbecue favorites at Mariachi’s on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. As with a regular BBQ joint, brisket is the star. A longtime chef who has worked at some of the city’s top vegan restaurants, including Spiral Diner and Vegan Food House in Dallas, Storm makes his from seitan, a common plant-based substitute for meat. Other items include brisket burgers and tacos, mac and cheese, and brisket elote.

Be sure to try: Raspberry-glazed burnt end brisket on a housemade blueberry waffle; it’s only available on Sundays.

Good to know: Right now, VBQ is only open two days a week, on Sundays and Mondays.

Info: 5724 Locke Ave., instagram.com/ vbqsmokehouse/

The High Vegan

Another new entry into Fort Worth’s burgeoning vegan scene is this low-key spot on the far west side of Fort Worth. Owner and New Orleans native Imiry Perkins, who learned how to cook from her great-grandmother, serves dishes such as a Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta and a meatball marinara sandwich. Her specialty item: empanadas, made in flavors both sweet and savory, from apple pie to garlic chicken Parmesan.

Be sure to try: Her excellent sweet potato empanada, the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Good to know: Hours are a little unusual: It’s open Sunday and Thursday from 5:309:30 p.m. and 6:30-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Info: 8008 Camp Bowie W. Blvd., Ste. 110, thehighvegantx.com

It’s Food

Pizza Verde

the LONE RANGER

Cussing, brawling, sign stealing, and a whole lotta beer drinking — for one season 50 years ago, the Rangers were the strangest show in baseball. And it was all one man’s doing.

By John Henry

Rascally Billy Martin always knew just what to say, like he did in Cleveland on Ten-Cent Beer Night.

The beginning of baseball season feels altogether different this year for long-suffering Texas Rangers fans, whose team, at long last, sits atop the realm of the national pastime as the defending World Series champion.

The obstacle course of land mines the Rangers had to go through to make the history many doubted they’d ever see required the aid of nothing less than the influence, if not the hand, of a merciful, gracious, and slow-to-anger God.

There are few other explanations for this seemingly hexed franchise whose infield dirt was intermixed with some sort of bad voodoo that was suspected of derailing a great season in a catastrophic fashion that closely resembled the spectacular demise of the Hindenburg.

With the steadying hand of Bruce Bochy, a maestro directing the orchestra from his managerial perch, the Rangers extinguished all the fires, kept the ship afloat, and went on to do the once unthinkable.

It was clearly the best season in franchise history, a history that goes all the way back to 1961 with the second iteration of the Washington Senators.

“Up until last October, I’d always said the ’74 season was the best season in Rangers history,” says Randy Galloway, the original Rangers beat reporter for the Dallas Morning News who went on to become the area’s leading sports pundit and observer in Fort Worth and Dallas as a columnist for the Morning News and Star-Telegram.

“I don’t know if people believed it, mainly because if you weren’t there, maybe you didn’t appreciate it, if you were too young, or didn’t live here. Whatever, but I’ve always said ’74 season was the best season in Rangers history. Now, it’s the second best.”

Panhandle, was the AL Rookie of the Year. Another very promising rookie made his debut, catcher Jim Sundberg.

One guy who had been on the roster had a breakout season. Jeff Burroughs won the AL MVP.

That was the same Burroughs who was at the center of some attempted corrupt dirty dealings three years earlier. Charlie Finley, the owner of the A’s, who had considered a move to Arlington only four years before, tried to hold his vote to move the Rangers from Washington to North Texas for ransom. He would vote for owner Bob Short to move the Senators to Arlington only if the Senators agreed to trade him Burroughs.

What was this, Washington politics?

Finley’s vote would have been decisive since one owner was absent. Angels owner Gene Autry had been hospitalized after falling ill. Owners in favor of a team in Texas went to the hospital to get a proxy vote from Autry, who happily signed off.

What was going on in the year 1974, other than the debut of Arthur Fonzarelli?

The Super Bowl at Rice Stadium. The Harry Hillaker-designed F-16, built in Fort Worth, takes flight. “Blazing Saddles.” Idaho’s Snake River Canyon proves too much for Evel Knievel, who escapes the ultimate sacrifice. Watergate. Richard Nixon, still the only U.S. president to resign his office, is out; Gerald Ford in.

And it was also the year the Texas Rangers franchise in Arlington was saved. One of the worst teams in all of baseball in 1972 and 1973, the little ol’ Rangers rose from baseball’s ash heap to make what could not be described as anything other than a mystical run at perhaps baseball’s greatest dynasty, the Oakland A’s, who went on to win the 1974 World Series, the organization’s third consecutive championship.

The Rangers were different from the previous two seasons, make no mistake. They traded for right-hander Fergie Jenkins, the 1974 Comeback Player of the Year who finished second in the race for the AL Cy Young Award. Mike Hargrove, a native Texan from the

Arlington, and Fort Worth and Dallas, finally had its baseball team, saved by The Singing Cowboy.

It’s not a stretch to say that without 1974, there never would have been a Texas Rangers championship in 2023. They likely would have moved. And their savior this time around was another cowboy, the manager, perhaps the most enigmatic personality ever to roam a professional sports sideline in DFW and with the most exceptional aptitude for his job.

Billy Martin was a baseball savant, that there is no doubt, despite his philosophy being at complete odds with the way the analytic nerds watch and play the game today. Today’s game would drive Billy to drink … more.

Toward the end of 1973, with Billy having been made a free agent after being fired in Detroit, Short went out and got him. That was the same season the Rangers languished for a second season since relocating. Fans had largely turned them off. The David Clyde debut that season was made only because Short was desperate to fill seats and pour beer.

Underfunded and underwater and looking to identify a local buyer — or an out-of-town buyer who might move the team — Short, who, as one put it, “was losing his ass,” needed a shot in the arm.

No one infuses a team with a passion for living, for better or for worse, quite like sparkplug Billy Martin, whose nose for the game of baseball was equaled only by his self-destructive shortcomings.

Out was Whitey Herzog, then a young up-and-comer who had made his name in the sport as an excellent eye for young talent. Building and developing young talent was something the cashstrapped Rangers needed.

Herzog would go onto a Hall of Fame career with Kansas City and St. Louis, where he won three National League pennants and the 1982 World Series. Joe Burke, the Rangers GM who said he’d fire Her-

zog over his dead body, was also fired. Burke, who was unemployed for figurative days before being hired by Kansas City, hired Herzog the next season.

“The complaint was, and I may have even asked the question, ‘You’re firing Whitey Herzog? This looks like a great young manager,’” Galloway says. “And Short said, ‘I’d fire my grandmother to hire Billy Martin.’

“Billy’s brilliance overall as a manager was the best. Just the best. But Billy’s demons were just some of the worst. Those didn’t surface a lot within the team in 1974, but we saw moments for sure, and they would be off-the-field moments. Billy wears thin, as brilliant, and I do use that word again, as he was as a baseball strategist. A lot of it had to do with the alcohol.”

Billy, a disciple of Leo Durocher’s adage that “nice guys finish last,” also had a history.

In his first big-league managerial job in 1969, Martin led the Minnesota Twins to an 18-game improvement from the year before and a division title.

He was fired after that one season.

In 1971, after sitting out the previous season, Martin took over the Detroit Tigers, who won 91 games in their first season under Billy, 12 games better than the 1970 season. The Tigers won a division title in 1972.

However, Billy was fired in 1973. He had been suspended for ordering some of his pitchers to throw spitballs.

“It was a breakdown on company-policy matters,” said Jim Campbell, the Tigers general manager. “There were misunderstandings. From foul line to foul line, he did a good job. I cautioned Billy about making comments about the commissioner, the league president, and club executives.”

Mike Shropshire, a Star-Telegram beat reporter who covered the team, wrote in his quite funny Seasons in Hell: The Worst Baseball in History: “Persons who actually knew Billy Martin were also certain that wasn’t the case. They suspected his dismissal in Detroit was likely due to what the engineers at Three Mile Island would one day refer to as an ‘incident.’”

The “incidents” were almost always a result of a dispute about power structure within the organization. Billy’s fallouts with Yan-

Billy, with Jim Sundberg, left, and Fergie Jenkins, standing.

Billy’s disputes with umpires were legendary. He was among those managers whose debate tactics included kicking dirt on umpires’ shoes.

kees owner George Steinbrenner over who was calling the baseball shots are as fabled as Bunyan’s blue ox.

The same happened here, the last straw a dispute over a John Denver song. You can’t make this stuff up.

“He loved Texas,” says his son Billy Martin Jr., today still a resident of Arlington. “He so embraced the Western culture. That’s where he started wearing cowboy boots for the rest of his life. I mean, talk about fun, walking down the streets of New York with my father when he had boots and a hat on. Cabbies would be driving by, opening their window, screaming, ‘Give them hell today, Billy!’”

Billy gave ’em hell like no one else, with all due respect, Harry Truman.

At a Sunday doubleheader in Milwaukee in 1974, as recalled by Shropshire, when Martin took out his lineup card for the pregame meeting with Brewers manager Del Crandell and the umpires, he announced to Crandell that “your pitcher threw at our shortstop four times yesterday. So I’m telling you now that your shortstop” — rookie and future Hall of Famer Robin Yount — “will be going down today.”

A beanball conflict had been declared and, sure enough, one ensued.

Rangers pitcher Pete Broberg sent a high, hard one at Yount’s chin. The Brewers retaliated. Billy got a three-game suspension from the American League’s kingpin, Lee MacPhail, the league president.

Billy’s specialty, on and off the field, was making things happen. More likely, making all hell break loose.

“I loved playing for Billy,” says Tom Grieve, who before a career as a team executive and broadcaster played for the Washington-Texas franchise from 1970-77. “He was a players’ manager. I loved his intensity, his competitiveness. We always felt — at least I did — that all things being equal on the field, that we would win because our manager was better than the other team’s manager.”

Lenny Randle, remembered in infamy for beating up Martin’s successor, Frank Lucchesi, told Billy biographer Peter Golenbock, author of Billy biography Wild, High and Tight: The Life and Death of Billy Martin: “Playing for Billy was the most fun I ever had in baseball. It was terrific. I remember squeezing [bunting in a runner from third] in three games. There was a man on third, get him in, bunt. Billyball. You did the little things to win games. You’d steal a base or hit-and-run, or you’d steal a sign from the catcher while you were on base and pass it to the hitter. Billy taught us strategy, the scientific approach to baseball. A lot of managers don’t teach that, and it’s the difference between winning and showing up.”

Today, 50 years later, Billy’s friends are advocating for his induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame as a manager. They have a strong case.

Billy won 1,253 games against 1,013 losses. He won two American League pennants and a World Series with the New York Yankees. He also won five division titles, including one each with the Twins and Tigers.

Conversely, his teams might have achieved more except for his self-destructive character traits, which all manifested in empty bottles. Billy’s ego — and insecurities from growing up poor and

without, and all that goes along in a dysfunctional family — seemed to grow bigger and bigger as he got more and more into his cups.

“Billy didn’t have a problem drinking,” Galloway says. “He had a problem stopping. And his problem was, it only took two or three beers, certainly three beers, and Billy was rolling. He couldn’t hold his alcohol, but he didn’t stop drinking it. And that’s where the problems really came in. And I’ve been in bars with him a couple of times where somebody would come by and say, ‘Billy, you really got a horseshit team.’ Just saying something to piss him off. I guess it was that Old West thing of trying to piss off the sheriff. But Billy would just kind of, ‘Hey, get lost, f---head.’”

Now, if they didn’t “get lost,” all hell might break out.

Growing up, Billy loved team sports, particularly baseball, but, as Golenbock said, “What he enjoyed most as a young boy was fistfighting. It was a skill he learned from his mother.”

Billy grew up in Oakland, born Alfred Manuel Martin Jr., named for his father who abandoned the family very early. His mother always referred to senior as that “jackass.” His Italian grandmother called him “Bellisimo” or “Bellino,” which became his name, “Billy.”

“It was Jenny who taught him that life was a struggle and that to earn the respect you deserved you had to use your fists,” Golenbock wrote in Wild, High and Tight. “It was from her that he learned that a strong right hand was the most satisfying way to solve disputes. Said Jenny, ‘I’ll tell you, when I would hear anyone say anything about me, I wouldn’t ask twice. I’d start swinging. I beat up three or four ladies. Why? Because as soon as they said something about me I didn’t like, I’d hit them.’

“‘One time we had a neighbor who was picking on Tudo [her oldest son by a previous marriage] because Tudo hit his kid, or so he said. The guy grabbed Tudo. I ran out and shoved the guy. I told him, ‘I’m his father. I’m his mother. Now you’re going to have to fight me.’ … And he and I went at it. When he picked up some dirt and threw it in my face, that made me madder. And I really beat the hell out of him. He didn’t give me a scratch, nothing. He went home, and the next day I found out the guy had been in the war, and they were poor, so I sent food over there.’”

Billy was his mother’s son. His mother was also no fan of authority, another trait clearly passed down. It would be to no one’s surprise that Billy “adored” Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who, as Golenbock wrote of Billy, “stood up to that pansy Harry Truman.”

“She was really hard on him,” says Billy Martin Jr. “She would say this to him regularly, ‘You look just like the jackass that broke my heart and left me.’ Which if you really sum up my father makes a lot more sense if you know that. He never truly felt like he fit in.”

His mother remarried and more children followed.

“My father never said the N-word. Ever. One day, I heard one of his coaches tell a joke … this is when he’s in Oakland. Dad saw that look on my face like, ‘Oh, crap, I’m not supposed to say that.’ He walked over and put his arm on me and said, ‘He didn’t mean it like that.’ I said, ‘OK, I see that. How come I’ve never heard you say that word in my life?’

“I stumped him. That was the only time Dad walked around for a minute without answering me in that second. And he said, ‘I guess because I was like them.’ Because if you were Italian or Irish

in the ’30s and ’40s. Pretty much the same, right? And he goes, ‘It hurt. Those were fighting words for me. I don’t ever want to make anybody feel that way.’”

While playing for the Yankees, Billy Martin Jr. says, Billy and Mickey Mantle would always stay on the bus with Elston Howard, a Black player not allowed in some locales in the South.

“They didn’t get all political about it,” Martin Jr. says. “Somebody asked him, ‘Why didn’t you guys go in?’ ‘Because we’re Ellie’s bodyguards. We stay with him.’”

As a player, Billy played for the Yankees from 1950-57. Hitting low in the order primarily as a second baseman; Billy was a career .257 hitter. He was a member of six World Series teams, including champions in 1950, ’51, ’52, ’53, and ’56. In the postseason, he was a career .333 hitter with five home runs and 19 RBIs.

Billy was that guy every championship team needed. He’d do all the little things. He’d stick up for players. He’d literally fight for his teammates.

The Yankees traded Martin away to the Kansas City A’s in 1957 after a notorious brawl at the Copacabana Club. Six Yankees and a bowling group were involved. Martin was fingered as the troublemaker, though he reportedly hadn’t thrown a punch. The club, however, wasn’t about to get rid of Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, or Hank Bauer.

Billy never got over the trade. And didn’t talk to Casey Stengel for years, says his son.

“He didn’t fight for him like he should have.”

Brash

The Rangers opened the season losing two of three to the World Champion A’s. Slightly more than 21,000 showed for Opening Day. A number closer to 17,000 for the next day, and Game 3 brought out a more typical number of 13,000 fans. The Rangers went into the All-Star break two games under .500 after beating the Red Sox at Arlington Stadium, 2-1, in front of 11,770.

Shortstop Toby Harrah was the only Rangers representative at the All-Star Game in Atlanta.

The Rangers, however, went 10 games over .500 in the second half, nipping at the heavily favored frontrunners, Oakland, all along the way.

“Who were the dynasty teams? [Cincinnati’s] Big Red Machine, the ’27 Yankees. You can go up now to the late ’90s Yankees,” Galloway says. “I never saw the ’27 Yankees, but I tell you what, the Oakland A’s in the early ’70s may have been better than all of them. But there’s the Texas Rangers, of all teams, chasing and causing some concern. They had the A’s, and they had cut the A’s lead in the division at one point to, like, three games. They were just playing their ass off, man.”

Billy Martin came into spring training in 1974 with a bold, assured vow for a team that had just lost 103 games.

“In one of his first clubhouse meetings,” recalls Tom Grieve, who before a career as a team executive and broadcaster played for the Washington-Texas franchise from 1970-77, “he said, ‘I didn’t come here to watch this team improve. I didn’t come here to make you a .500 team. I came here because we’re gonna win. Anybody who doesn’t want to be here or believe that come to my office, let me know, and I’ll make sure you’re not here tomorrow.’

“When he was done, I remember looking at Jeff Burroughs, and I said, ‘Whoa, this guy has never seen us play if he thinks we’re going to win.’”

Short was desperate for something good to happen. He wanted — no, needed — to sell the team. Not surprisingly, no one wanted this version of “The Bad News Bears” who couldn’t draw spectators.

Short gave Billy complete control over the team, including all personnel decisions.

And something good did happen.

The 1974 season is best remembered for what happened in Cleveland’s “10Cent Beer Night.” A crowd of 23,000 came out to watch Cleveland and the Rangers. And, of course, indulge in 10-cent beers. What could possibly go wrong?

In the top of the second inning, a fan climbed from the stands and appeared to stagger into the on-deck circle near Cleveland’s dugout.

“This was a large female fan, and she exposed her breasts to the crowd,” Shropshire wrote in Seasons in Hell.

“The mood of the evening was clearly in place. … After the seventh-inning stretch, the playing field was the place to be. The primary point of entry was an area near the right-field foul pole. Many stopped by to say hello to Jeff Burroughs, the Rangers right-fielder, who looked like a campaigning politician glad-handing a procession of workers at the factory gate.”

One player called the intrusions people pouring on the field like ants.

“When the game reached the bottom of the ninth inning,” Shropshire wrote, “the temperament of the crowd became strikingly like that of Billy Martin when he reached his hour of belligerence in the cocktail lounge.”

Rangers outfielders were now being bombarded with bottles, rocks, golf balls, and other debris. Someone tried to snatch Burroughs’ glove. Burroughs shoved the intruder and then chased him back over the right-field wall.

The Rangers ran onto the field to defend Burroughs, carrying bats. Billy led the way. Cleveland players were on the field, too, fighting off their own fans.

The chief of the umpiring crew called the game. Cleveland forfeited.

Said Billy: “They tried to reason with the fans and then laid a couple out when they wouldn’t listen.”

“Of course, Billy would pay box-seat prices to witness a production like that,” Shropshire concluded.

Executives of the Cleveland Indians, naturally, laid the blame of the fiasco on one person.

It wasn’t the Beer Night promotion, said an Indians executive vice president. It was Billy. Billy started throwing gravel and “shooting our fans the finger, and when he led his men out of the dugout, that was when matters got out of hand.”

Someone might have pointed out, Shropshire said, that Billy was probably throwing gravel and shooting people the finger at his First Communion. That’s not the stuff of inciting a riot. That’s just Billy.

The Rangers’ pursuit of the impossible — actually catching the A’s — died on the vine. They were mathematically eliminated after being swept in a doubleheader to the Chicago White Sox. Still, it was a feat that would seem to call for some sort of consolation “attaboys.”

Billy would go on to win AL Manager of the Year for the job well done, but Billy wasn’t concerned about any attaboys or commendations.

“You know who cost us the pennant? That f---ing little David Clyde, that’s who,” Martin told Shropshire on the plane ride back to Arlington. “Put that in your gawddamn newspaper.”

The plane ride got even more interesting as Billy, already into his cups, had more to say. He wasn’t pleased about the players’ wives club that the wife of the Rangers public relations director Burt Hawkins had dreamed up. Or at least Billy thought it was her idea.

According to Galloway, who was on the plane but didn’t witness the, ahem, incident, Billy, who, again, had been imbibing, told Hawkins to “shut your wife up.” Hawkins stood up to Billy and demanded he never “cuss my wife.” Hawkins reached back to swing, but Billy got him first.

It was a commotion — an incident — to say the least.

“Billy said, ‘I never cussed his wife. I just said, please tell your wife we don’t need a women’s club,’” Galloway says.

That explanation seems as improbable as, say, Biden and Trump dining together at Reata.

According to Seasons in Hell, a hellbent Hawkins told players that, “If that little c***sucker doesn’t apologize, then I’m going to ownership and tell them they can stick this job up their ass.”

A contrite — and sober Billy — did apologize the next day. Billy survived that incident.

Short finally was able to find a buyer for his team. Brad Corbett of Fort Worth and a group that included Amon Carter Jr. purchased the team during the 1974 season. For the first time since the Rangers moved to Arlington, the team drew more than one million fans, some 500,000 more than in 1973.

“[Corbett] and my father just loved each other at first,” Martin Jr. says. “They really hit it off at first.”

At one point, Martin was even quoted as saying, “I think I’ll stay here the rest of my career.”

Not surprisingly, the honeymoon didn’t last.

Much of the falling out had to do with control. Billy now had three bosses: Dr. Bobby Brown, team president; Dan O’Brien, the general manager; and Corbett. Soon there was what was described as “constant snarling” between the front office and the manager.

One reporter wrote that Billy smashed his $500 wristwatch, a Christmas present from Corbett, against the wall of his manager’s office, after an argument.

There were incidents, too.

Corbett had bought Billy a membership to Shady Oaks Country Club. For years, it was rumored that Billy and Mickey Mantle had almost run over Ben Hogan with a golf cart.

However, something happened. Billy told Shropshire that he had been kicked out of the club.

“‘Look at this,’ he said in his office one day as he showed me a delinquent food and drink tab of more than $3,000 from Shady Oaks. ‘How in the hell do they expect me to go out there and pay that bill if I am no longer welcome on the premises?’”

In the end, it was a song performed by John Denver, the pride of Arlington Heights High School, that did in Billy in Texas.

Billy wanted Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” as the song for the traditional seventh-inning stretch. Corbett mandated that it be “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

It was his team, after all.

According to Bill Pennington’s 2015 biography, Billy Martin: Baseball’s Flawed Genius, on July 20 of the 1975 season, during which the Rangers underwhelmed, Martin called the press box between innings. Umpire Ron Luciano, who had walked over to the Rangers dugout for a drink of water, confirmed the story in his autobiography. “Billy was saying, ‘I don’t care what the owner says, play the gawddamn John Denver song.’ I couldn’t believe my ears. Billy’s yelling, ‘I better hear “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”’ And he slams the phone down.”

The very next day, Corbett swung his axe. The Rangers’ Billy Martin era was over.

It was the most Rangers ending ever.

“Billy was by far the best manager I ever played for,” says Grieve. “He was a fearless manager. He didn’t care what the owner thought, what the sportswriters thought, what the fans thought. He was going to manage the game the way he wanted.

“It’s also not far-fetched, looking back, to wonder if Whitey Herzog was given five or six years to manage the Rangers, short term, we would have suffered. But long term, it would have been exactly what we needed to become a contending team.”

Says Galloway, laughing through parts: “The bottom line on the story is, as good as Billy was and the ’74 season was, what we knew, what we found out, in retrospect, and it didn’t take this long, it took about 10 years … the worst mistake they ever made was firing Whitey Herzog in 1973 and bringing Billy in to start with despite the ’74 season.

“That’s, by the way, kind of the Rangers for a lot of decades. There’s all kinds of contradictions, and all of them bad.”

THE KIDS ARE NOT ALL R IGHT

Hey, Texas, we have a mental health crisis going down, and these two pediatric psychiatrists are taking matters into their own hands.

By Brian Kendall

When they’re together, it’s difficult for them not to smile. After all, the two psychiatrists, Dr. Kristen Pyrc and Dr. Kia Carter, have been best friends since they started working together at Cook Children’s Medical Center in 2016. They josh around like a couple of old pals or siblings, frequently one-upping each other with quips and humorous selfdeprecating remarks. So, the persistent grins are understandable.

But their expressions quickly straighten when I pose a specific question: “Why have the suicide rates among teens gone up?”

Few subjects are as difficult to discuss — or difficult to imagine. But the sudden serious looks on the doctors’ faces are not because of shock due to the subject matter. No, this is what this pair of psychiatrists do for a living. They don’t have to imagine anything. Both Dr. Pyrc and Dr. Carter are the co-medical directors of psychiatry at Cook Children’s — Pyrc leads the outpatient unit and Carter leads the inpatient unit (children admitted to the inpatient unit display an imminent risk to themselves or others). Talking about, combating, and even witnessing the aftermath of teen suicide and suicide attempts are a near everyday part of their lives.

At one point during our hour-long interview, Carter mentioned that she had received a text message about a kid who had just posted a video, a goodbye video, as Carter called it, on TikTok. This was the Friday before spring break.

I continue my earlier question with earnestness turned to a 10. “I mean, since the pandemic, [teen suicide] has been a real problem. It’s almost like its own pandemic, right?”

Suicide attempts among U.S. youth (aged 15 to 24) did increase 8% in the two years (2020 and 2021) during the pandemic, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Even Cook Children’s saw a significant uptick in the number of kids they had admitted

for suicide attempts, reaching 434 attempts in 2021 — the most in the hospital’s history by 140 attempts.

And it doesn’t take a leap away from logic for this to add up. After all, regardless of one’s age or geographic location, feelings of isolation, fear, and uncertainty became universal in the wake of COVID-19. The mental health of the world as a whole had seen better days.

But for those in the thick of growing, learning, and gaining an understanding of the world and one’s place in it, you know, teens, one could imagine the effects of the pandemic being even more severe.

“I’d like to correct that, though,” Carter responds to my question. “The suicide numbers were increasing before the pandemic.”

True. I fell for a common misconception and placed too much blame on the pandemic’s disruption of social development. The increase doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of COVID-19.

According to the AFSP, suicide rates have been on an upward trajectory since 1999, when they hit an all-time low. The trend is true for Texas, as well. And suicides among 13- and 14-year-olds doubled between 2008 and 2018. A 2023 study conducted by Pew found that 22% of high school students “said they had seriously considered suicide within the past year.”

So, I return to my earlier question. Why?

Well, according to Pyrc and Carter, there’s no one reason. Much like I was quick to place blame on COVID-19, it’s just as easy to point fingers at social media, bullying, access to disturbing content and guns, global unease, and absent parents, each of which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair and can result in suicidal ideation.

Progress and advancements in communication and feeding our economic machine have had their drawbacks. We now live in an era where triggers for mental health disorders are innumerable.

Add to this a lack of pediatric mental health resources and infrastructure, and you have a perfect storm. Mental health resources — psychiatrists, facilities, programs — in Texas are far from matching their increased demand.

“Child psychiatrists are in really short supply,” Pyrc says. “If your kid’s struggling, a parent may call, and the psychiatrist won’t be able to get them in for six months. When your kid’s struggling, they need to be seen in six days. This shortage is what’s led to so much of the deterioration in kiddos’ mental health. It’s a lack of mental health resources.”

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the country needs 47 child psychiatrists per 100,000 children aged 0 to 19. The U.S. currently sits at 9.75 child psychiatrists per 100,000.

Taking matters into their own hands, Dr. Carter has testified “two or three times now” at the Texas State Capitol in front of the appropriations committee advocating for an increase in mental health resources for pediatrics. Pyrc and Carter are also in the midst of planning and creating the Behavioral Health Assessment Center — “One of our ideas we hatched,” says Pyrc — a program aimed at drastically decreasing teen suicide attempts by improving Cook Children’s outpatient resources so they can see and assess more children. As Pyrc alluded to earlier, ensuring children are seen within six days, not six months.

Pyrc and Carter are both advocates and innovators, fighting for resources while simultaneously using their ingenuity to improve results regardless of those resources.

You can’t take away smart phones. Bullies will always exist. You can’t rid the world of the things that might cause suicidal ideation. But you can seek ways to better help those in need.

Perhaps I’m asking the wrong question. I shouldn’t be wondering why. I should be asking what can be done.

“Phones,” Pyrc says when asked what the biggest barrier is to a parent understanding their child’s mental health. And she’s not only talking about children on their phones, she’s talking about parents, too.

“Everybody’s on their phone. They’re distracted, and they’re distracted from their kid, as well. And their kids are on their phone, and they’re not really interested in what their kid is looking at on their phone.”

There’s a litany of studies that dive into how phone screen time impacts one’s quality of life, and they all come to the same conclusion: It does.

A Yale School of Medicine study from last year reported that, among children ages 9 and 10, digital technology directly correlated to the likelihood of developing depression and anxiety within a couple of years.

Despite this, according to a Common Sense Census report, phone usage is up 17% among teens between 2019 and 2021.

And what are they up to on these devices?

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, teens spend nearly five hours a day (4.8 average) on social media. That’s an hour longer than the running time of “Lawrence of Arabia.”

And a 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC provides some insight into how that time on social media is impacting children.

According to the survey, 16% of high school students said they were bullied through text or social media in the past year. One in three girls said they felt bad about their bodies when using TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat. And nearly half of teens surveyed blamed their overuse of social media on an increase in anxiety, stress, and depression.

On the flip side, mobile devices can be equally detrimental to parents and the parents’

parenting, which, by extension, is also detrimental to their kids. Pew Research Center reported in 2020 that 68% of parents say they are at least sometimes distracted by their phone when spending time with their children.

Both Pyrc and Carter are parents, Pyrc to a 9- and 5-year-old and Carter to a 14-year-old. So, they’re well aware of the hardships that come with parenting. And when they give advice, they often use experiences with their own children as examples.

Their main advice for parents is simple, but they’re also aware it isn’t always easy: talk to your kid and ask questions.

“So, I have a teenager,” Carter says. “When the pandemic hit, she’s dealing with social isolation. So, I start to wonder, is her hanging out in her room a concern? But, no, she was just being herself. But it’s important to have those conversations and being comfortable talking to your child about mental health. Ask them how they’re feeling. Are you having any sad thoughts? What are you watching on TikTok?

“As a parent, you won’t know unless you ask. You wouldn’t imagine how many kids get admitted to our inpatient unit for suicidal ideation, and the parent was clueless.”

Pyrc adds that a depressed teen won’t show the same signs as a depressed adult.

“Our heart attack in psychiatry is suicide. So, that’s the thing that we’re always trying to avoid,” Pyrc says.

“Whenever an adult thinks about depression, they think about the person who can’t get out of bed, who’s really sad and crying. And that’s one way depression can manifest. Depression in a kid, however, would look different. They’re more likely to be really irritable and really grumpy. And the thing you look out for is loss of function. For instance, they really enjoyed playing soccer and were on the soccer team. And now, they don’t care if they do soccer anymore. And it’s not a big deal if they hang out with their friends or not. And for a teenager, that’s so important. Their friendships are often more important than their relationship with their parents.”

Kia Carter, with her 14-year-old daughter, has advice to parents: Talk to your children and ask questions.

The difficulty, Pyrc admits, is that some of these behaviors come naturally to teenagers, making it difficult to distinguish between a moody teen and a youngster who’s battling depression. As a dear friend once told me, “Never in our lives do we experience more social pressure, and never are we more socially inept.” It’s easy to put up barriers during an awkward time.

“You want kiddos to be successful in school, in their relationships at home, and in their relationships in the community. And whenever those things aren’t happening, that’s when we get worried.”

The way Pyrc puts it, kids don’t exist in a vacuum. When a psychiatrist sees a child, they address what’s going on in the kid’s school and family. This is why powers that be will call them dependents; they very much depend on these things.

“You need all of those things working together to help the kid.”

The Lone Star State can proudly claim the No. 1 spot when it comes to a lot of things. Barbecue, rodeos, oil and gas,

overzealous and overreactive football fans, and heat and humidity. Well, Texans might hesitate to boast about the latter, much like they wouldn’t pride themselves on being tops in the nation when it comes to having an abysmal record on mental health care and resources for its residents.

In May 2023, Forbes published an article ranking Texas at the bottom of the barrel for mental healthcare. Not only did it “win,” but Texas also received the distinction of earning a perfect 100 out of 100 score — don’t be fooled, a 100 in this study is not acing the test.

One striking statistic from the study showed 73.1% of Texas youth who had a major depressive episode in the past year did not receive mental health services, more than any other state.

Texas has the fourth highest percentage of children with private health insurance that does not cover mental or emotional problems, clocking in at 13.8% of those insured. And the state also has the fifth lowest number of mental health treatment centers per capita in the nation.

While mental health is no longer a taboo phrase in the good ol’ cowboy land of the Lone Star State, it still has a way to go to catch up to other states. Perhaps, when it comes to this subject, Texas is just a few years behind. It’s as if it got held back in grade school and started college in its 20s.

When Carter spoke at the State Capitol, she spoke of witnessing the issue of limitations with Texans’ insurance coverage, declaring this issue an impediment for many seeking care.

“What we have observed and studied is that families with limited financial resources or limitations through their insurance coverage regarding mental health services limit their ability to access the most appropriate care that they may need,” Carter said before the appropriations committee in Austin. “What we feel would be beneficial is all insurance companies and payer sources offer the same access to care as well as reimbursement of care to the providers in order to allow easier access to all mental health services.”

For lower income families reliant on Medicaid — which, while a federal program, is administered by the state — the program in Texas only reimburses between $60 and $122 for a 50-minute therapy session. As you probably presumed, most other states have more robust mental health coverage through their Medicaid program. With such a low payout for sessions in Texas, those using the government provider, and who generally have no other choice due to an inability to afford private insurance through the marketplace, end up toward the rear of the line and waiting months to see a therapist. But this isn’t to say no efforts are being made to curb this problem. The Fort Worth-based My Health Resources of Tarrant County, one of the state’s 37 mental health authorities and operates four clinics, is a state-subsidized entity that services only uninsured low-income families and, occasionally, those on Medicaid. According to an article published by the Texas Tribune on Dec. 22, 2023, one of the four outpatient clinics provides treatment to over 1,300 people per month. The wait time to see one of the clinic’s three healthcare providers: weeks or months. Even the fix can leave Medicaid users feeling hopeless.

In April 2023, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 26, which established a $15 million grant program to “provide support to eligible entities for community-based initiatives that promote identification of mental health issues and improve access to early intervention and treatment for children and families.” Of those qualified to receive grants include the local mental health authorities similar to My

photo photo by Crystal Wise

Health Resources of Tarrant County.

Today, 251 of Texas 254 counties are wholly or partially deemed “mental health professional shortage areas” by the federal government. Yes, Tarrant County is one of these areas. Not a fun club.

While Texas isn’t the only state whose mental health resources are inadequate, neither Carter nor Pyrc feels the state is adequately dealing with the problem.

“In Illinois, where I practiced before, I didn’t realize the mental health system they had was so great until I moved to Texas,” Carter says. “I’m like, ‘oh, they don’t have this’ or ‘they don’t have that.’ In Fort Worth, when people seek out for help, they can’t find the help. And I think [the state] struggles with that every day. I mean, there are six-month waits to go see a therapist.”

Another area where Texas falls behind is residential care. As Carter explains it to me, residential care is a step above inpatient care, where a patient remains in the hospital until they’re stabilized, in terms of the level of care and attention a patient requires.

“If we have a child who’s actively suicidal or actively psychotic, our goal is to admit them and stabilize them so they’re safe to leave to go back home,” Carter explains. “But that’s not fixing the problem. We’re not working through the trauma, and we’re not figuring out why mom is not able to help the kid. We’re just there to make sure the child is safe.”

Residential care is more of a rehabilitation clinic — where kids remain for two or three months to receive the care they need. This is where a child who’s actively attempting to do harm to him or herself can see improvement.

And, having zero state-funded residential services, Texas is, yet again, well behind the curve; it’s one of only a handful of states that currently does not.

“The reason that’s important is because insurance dictates treatment a lot of times,” Carter says. “If a kid has an insurance that does not contract with a certain residential facility or a parent is self-pay, the kid can’t get residential treatment. They can’t get the treatment they truly need. But a state-funded facility would provide them treatment regardless of the payer source and their ability to pay.”

Neither Dr. Pyrc nor Dr. Carter was pining for the position that had opened a few months ago — medical director of the psychiatry department. They’d both been approached individually and, well, according to Pyrc, no one wanted to do it. Pyrc was trying to have a kid, and the seemingly endless list of responsibilities wasn’t exactly appealing to anyone within the eight-person department.

At least, it wasn’t appealing to anyone on an individual level. But when presented with the idea of pairing Carter and Pyrc together came up, there was no hesitation. The two besties were in.

“I think we decided that we really work better as a team,” Carter says. “I think that since we’ve agreed to do it, it’s really been like this ebb and flow, and we don’t even talk about what our different responsibilities are. We’ll get an email and then one of us will just do it. We don’t say, ‘You want to do it, or should I do

it?’ We just do it.”

Sometimes, people just hit it off. There’s no rhyme or reason. It’s just a vibe, to use a little previous generation’s vernacular. Within 15 seconds of meeting, you’re thinking, “I’ve had some previous moments when I could’ve appreciated this person in my life.”

And it is an interesting pairing. It’s not like one’s strengths compensate for the other’s weaknesses or they see things from entirely different perspectives and have different ideas, which requires compromise. No, they’re a couple birds of a feather and on eerily similar wavelengths. The clothes they wear, the purses they buy, the things that go unsaid that remain entirely understood.

I considered jokingly bringing up clairvoyance but wasn’t sure how such a word lands with legit psychiatrists.

They’re both originally from Texas, Carter names Houston her hometown, and Pyrc is from the northeast Texas town of Hooks — “Don’t blink and you’ll miss it,” she says. They both have children, Carter has one teenage girl, and Pyrc has a couple grade schoolers. And they both live in Mansfield, where Carter moved after some persuasion from Pyrc.

Carter calls herself the miracle child, as her mom got pregnant with her after her tubes had been tied — her sisters are 16 and 14 years older than her. “Back in the day, they just tied the tubes. They didn’t clip and burn.” She’d go to school in New Orleans at Xavier University and attend medical school at Louisville followed by her fellowship training at Northwestern Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She admits to initially wanting to be an OB-GYN but found the field didn’t agree with her inability to sit still for long.

Neither Carter nor Pyrc wanted to become Cook’s director of psychiatry. Together as co-directors, however, was something they wanted to do.

Pyrc grew up in the aforementioned rural part of northeast Texas with her parents, who are still together, and a brother. She would also attend college in Louisiana but calls Centenary in Shreveport her alma mater and would go on to medical school in Houston at the University of Texas. She’d then go to North Carolina for her residency and fellowship. Like Carter, she was also on the fence about entering psychiatry, initially thinking she wanted to be a pediatrician. But once they started doing their rotations, the field piqued her interest. “I was more interested in the ‘Why?’” she says. “I’d always wonder what happened to get [the patient] there. I was always more interested in the why and the social history.”

Sharing the helm of the psychiatry department, Pyrc and Carter’s big undertaking is the Behavioral Health Assessment Center, a new project within the psychiatry department that alleviates many of the issues families are contending with when seeking care. The center provides urgent evaluations for children not actively suicidal, but have perhaps had some self-harm, and uses an assembly line of intake workers, psychiatrists, and social workers to ensure the child is receiving the right treatments, medications, and therapy. It’s preventative care.

“Because the risk is if that child doesn’t get the treatment and doesn’t start medication, then in two weeks, we’re probably going to see that child in the ER from a suicide attempt,” Carter says. “Ultimately, it’s made to support the families who may not have access to the necessary care in the community.”

Education and raising awareness are other substantial parts of their job. Both regularly speak at local middle schools and high schools — having the difficult conversations with teen-

agers. And, sharing hosting duties with Wini King, Pyrc even has her own podcast, Raising Joy, which has aired for over two years and focuses on children’s mental health. Not steering away from the heavy topics, Pyrc discusses suicide prevention, coping with the loss of a pet, protecting women from abuse, and drug overdose.

“What’s tough about our job is that we talk about really terrible, hard things, but we have to find a way to keep going,” Pyrc says.

“And I think that [Kia and I] do that with each other by laughing and being silly when we can.”

There was a headline I remember seeing last year stating that CDC data found that suicides had reached an all-time high in 2022. The rates, which had been rising since an all-time low in 1999, had soared past the previous peak, which occurred the year before.

Whether you trust the accuracy of any measurements from the early 20th century or not, the National Center for Health Statistics calculated the suicide rate in the United States during the early 1900s, which would give some insight into a world not dominated by computers, phones, televisions, or any screens at all. (NOTE: No data could be found specific toward teen suicides)

Unsurprisingly, 1932, the last full year of the Great Depression, had the highest suicide rate. What was surprising was its number — 22.1 per 100,000. Sixty-three percent higher than 2022, the year that suicide rates reportedly hit an all-time high.

The rate, according to NCHS, had surged since 1928, when the rate was 18 per 100,000. In fact, according to the data, during much of the 1920s, a time of great prosperity, the suicide rate was higher than it is today.

Again, no screens. No social media. Bullying … undoubtedly, but not in the same menacing way that dominates Facebook and TikTok. However, suicide, and its root causes, were still largely unexplored, misunderstood, and met with a suppression of feelings.

While mental health, as an idea and study, has existed since 1847, championing its awareness didn’t occur until 1949. Coincidentally or not, the suicide rate has remained fairly steady since, generally fluctuating between 11 per 100,000 and 14 per 100,000.

Mental health awareness, meanwhile, has only increased since the middle of last century, culminating in what it is today — films that regularly address the issue, celebrities candid about their experiences, and social media channels unironically devoted to the cause,

While I didn’t pose the question directly, Carter, for her part, believes that awareness and sharing experiences is one of the great deterrents of teen suicide.

“It’s important for people to talk about [mental health] and make it normal,” Carter says. “Just like we screen for blood pressure; it’s normal. You do it at every visit. We normalize to a point where people become more comfortable talking about it and seeking help.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, visit 988lifeline.org for immediate help.

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From allergy to urology and pediatrics to psychiatry, we asked Tarrant County doctors to nominate their peers for inclusion in our annual Top Doctors list via an online ballot. With over 3,250 votes cast, the magazine staff vetted each physician through the Texas Medical Board and asked a panel of more than a dozen physicians to review our final selection and make recommendations. The result is a list of 608 physicians in 50 specialties whom we deem leaders in their fields.

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Gurpreet Baweja

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Randall Hall

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Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy

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Seyed “Reza” Khalafi

Ganesh Kumpati

Richard Vigness

Child/Adolescent Psychiatry

Nanette Allison

Malik Farooq

Gunit Kahlon

Maria Lopez-Rosario

Prema Manjunath

Colon/Rectal Surgery

Jason Allen

Michael Bryan

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Nezar Jrebi

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Nathan B. Haile, M.D.

Paul A. Tavakolian, M.D.

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Texas Orthopedic Specialists is a team of fellowship trained orthopedic and hand surgeons, and sports medicine physicians. Our physicians share a passion and dedication to providing the highest quality orthopedic care for all your musculoskeletal needs. Their sub-specialty services include: sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, hip and knee, orthopedic fracture management, minimally invasive joint replacement, foot and ankle surgery, and hand and upper extremity surgery. Durable medical equipment, clinical research and imaging services are also available on-site.

Adult Reconstructive Orthopedics

Dr. David Brigati

Breast Oncology Surgery

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Dr. Joseph Heyne

Cardiology

Dr. Scott Ewing

Colon & Rectal Surgery

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Dr. Lori Gordon

Dr. Glen Hooker

Dr. Paul Senter

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Dr. L. Scott Bloemendal

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Dr. Paul Gray Jr.

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Dr. Eric Wroten

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Dr. Alan Davenport

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Dr. Amber Lesley

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Neurology

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Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Lori Atkins

Dr. Taylor Bradley

Dr. Lindsay Breedlove Tate

Dr. Doug Decker

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Dr. Jacqueline Garda

Dr. Ashita Gehlot

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Dr. Mickey Hooper

Dr. Natalie Hughes

Dr. Beatrice Kutzler

Dr. Alicia Larsen

Dr. Rachel Lusby

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Dr. Elisabeth Wagner

Dr. Robert Zwernemann

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Dr. Stephen Brotherton

Dr. Andrew Lee

Dr. Joe Milne

Dr. Torrance Walker

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Dr. J. Bradley McIntyre

Dr. Andrew Vories

Dr. Jeremy Watkins

Pain Management

Dr. Chris Pratt

Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery

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Dr. Jesse Smith

Rheumatology

Dr. Rajni Kalagate

Spine Surgery

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Diego Marra

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Saira Momin

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Steven Richardson

Robin Roberts

Shalini Vemula

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Molly Warthan

Dustin Wilkes

Emergency Care

Christopher “Chris” Bolton

Jeffrey Chase

Robert Gullinese

Dennis Haslam Jr.

Christopher Houston

Curtis Johnson

Terence McCarthy

Esi Quayson

Endocrinology

Chris Bajaj

Madhuri Devdhar

Chandana Konduru

Vani Kotha

Darren Lackan

Saraswathi “Sara” Saiprasad

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Foot & Ankle Surgery

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Abdullah Abdussalam

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Nandini Nagaraj

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Murali Pathikonda

Jessica Shah

Kenneth Yang

Jay Yepuri

General Surgery

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John “Mark” Bayouth

John Birbari Jr.

Lee “Scott” Bloemendal

Cathryn Coleman

Travis Corgan

Bryan David Tai Do

Melvin “Joseph” Elieson

Andre Graham

Paul Gray Jr.

Chad Hamner

Hyungmin Jung

Erol “Marty” Knott Jr.

Wesley Marquart

Maria Martinez

Ashley Mekala

Richard Miller

Long Nguyen

Arvind Patel

Denish Patel

Jay Patel

Paresh Rajajoshiwala

Leslie Reddell

Carlos Rodriguez

Thomas Rothenbach

Mohammad Siadati

Casper Webb III

Richard Wikoff

General/Family Practice

Tracey Angadicheril

James Aston

Fredricka Barr

Mikel Bell

Lisa Buell

Abdullah Abdussalam, MD Gastroenterology

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Hussein Alammar, MD

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With over 30 primary care and specialty physicians, you can trust our team to provide compassionate and personalized care. So, whatever your healthcare needs, our expansive network of providers has you covered.

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Alfonso “Barnard” Barragan

Benjamin “Todd” Drury

Nathan Lesley

Steven Niedermeier

William Pientka

Ryan Reardon

Paul Tavakolian

Eric Wroten

Hematology

Timothy McCavit

Infectious Diseases

Nikhil Bhayani

Mandeep Matta

Cheryl McDonald

Mallikarjuna Mukka

Obulakshmipriya “Priya” Subramanian

Mary Whitworth

Bryan Youree

Internal Medicine

Hussein Alammar

John Briscoe

Denise Bruckerhoff

Norman “Alan” Davenport

Craig Dearden

Sumeesh Dhawan

Wilder Diaz-Calderon

James “Kevin” Eldridge

Roger Eppstein

Prabhash Kakarla

Jason Ledbetter

Amber Lesley

Mehul Patel

Morvarid Rezaie

Mauricio Ruiz-Baron

Chandini Sajja

Christian Sanchez

Sakthiraj Subramanian

Basanti Vrushab

Anh “Angelo” Vu

Richard Ward Jr.

Brian Yu

Interventional

Cardiology

Farhan Ali

Scott Ewing

George Khammar

Yuvaraj “Darren” Kumar

F I GHT CAN CER

WITH AWARD-WINNING PHYSICIANS

Cristi Lynn Aitelli, D.O. • Noelle Gillette Cloven, M.D. • Ajay K. Dubey, M.D.

Sandeep S. Gill, D.O. • Patrick Thomas Griffin, M.D. • Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS

Henrik B. Illum, M.D. • Chi Pham, M.D. • Kathleen L. Shide, M.D., FACR

Rachel L. Theriault, M.D. • Mary Katherine Watters, M.D.

When you’re treated at Texas Oncology, you can be sure you’re getting leading edge cancer care. In fact, Fort Worth Magazine recently recognized our expertise by presenting eleven of our physicians with the “Top Doctors” award. These physicians are part of our knowledge base of cancer specialists. That means at every Texas Oncology location you have access to a team of award-winning experts. For more information on Texas Oncology or to find a location near you, please call 1-888-864-4226 or visit us at TexasOncology.com.

“Best Doctors in Tarrant County.”

Introducing the 2024 "Best Doctors in Tarrant County." As voted by the doctors in Tarrant County. We’re grateful to have their exceptional compassion and care in our community.

Anita Bhansali, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Gurpreet Baweja, M.D. Texas Health Heart & Vascular Specialists

Olaide Ajayi, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Patrick Conway, D.O. Texas Health Family Care

Cynthia Kulik, D.O. Texas Health Family Care

Neeraj Badhey, M.D. Texas Health Heart & Vascular Specialists

Amelia Tower, D.O. Texas Health Breast Specialists

Richard Ward Jr., M.D. Texas Health Adult Care

Moneeb Ehtesham, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Sarah Kennedy, D.O. Sideline Orthopedics and Sports

Kulik,

Carlos Rodriguez, D.O. Texas Health Surgical Specialists

Cyrus Wong, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Gregory Smith, D.O. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Christopher Shank, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Mark Wylie, M.D. Texas Health Orthopedic Specialists

Adrian Harvey, D.O. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Yinn Cher Ooi, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Rob Hruska, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

Ahmed Shakir, M.D. Texas Health Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists

David Shau, M.D. Texas Hip and Knee Center

TOP DOCTORS 2024

Maternal Fetal Medicine/Perinatology

Tracy Papa

Neonatology

Megan Schmidt

Terri Weinman

Nephrology

Oladapo “Dapo” Afolabi

Saravanan Balamuthusamy

Samatha Chandupatla

Ira Epstein

Shea Holt

Nishant Jalandhara

Prasad Kannaeganti

David Martin

Patrick Nef

Raju Patil

Geethanjali Ramamurthy

Daniel Richey

Balamurugan Sankarapandian

Sandeep Shori

Neurology

Sharique Ansari

Bhagyalakshmi “Bhagya” Boggaram

Lincoln Chin

Charlece Hughes

Hamid Kadiwala

Cynthia Keator

Mike Liu

Rebecca Luke

Saleem Malik

Vinit Mehrotra

John Orr

Linh Tran

Neurosurgery

Olaide Ajayi

Brent Alford

Anita Bhansali

Tanya Dixon

Moneeb Ehtesham

Thomas Ellis

Domenico Gattozzi

Atif Haque

Adrian Harvey

Rob Hruska

Stephen Katzen

Anthony Lee

Yinn Cher Ooi

Ahmed Shakir

Christopher Shank

Abdolreza Siadati

Gregory Smith

Diana Wilson

Cyrus Wong

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Lori Atkins

Linda Bernstein

Laura Bradford

Taylor Bradley

Lindsay Breedlove Tate

Chandra Chellappan

Douglas “Doug” Decker

Cynthia English

Jamie Erwin

Noushin Firouzbakht

Teri Forney

Jacqueline Garda

Ashita Gehlot

Sunny Glenn

Martha Guerra

Pattyann Hardt

James “Jay” Herd

Kollier Hinkle

Christine Hoang

Mickey Hooper

Natalie Hughes

Asra Jawed

Beatrice Kutzler

Alicia Larsen

Rachel Lusby

Steven Morse

Carolyn Moyers

Jason Neef

Heather Neville

Manisha Parikh

Martin Read

Cynthia Robbins

Raquel Robles

Roopina Sangha

Gladys Tse

DIANE BLAISING, AU.D., ADA, ABA, FAAA

CITYVIEW AUDIOLOGY & HEARING AIDS, INC. By Meredith Knight

It should have been no surprise to Diane Blaising’s family when she found her calling helping others live a better life through improved hearing. Way back in elementary school, it was a young Diane who wowed her classmates with a science project demonstrating bone-conduction hearing.

“This was back when we had portable record players,” she says. “I took the record player to school, and instead of using the needle on the record, I had a sewing needle stuck into a pencil eraser. We’d hold the wooden end of the pencil between our teeth and place the needle on the turning record and could hear the record through our teeth and bones in our skulls. It’s not coming through your ear canals. It’s bone-conduction hearing.”

The workings of the human auditory system haven’t ceased to amaze Diane. Now, as a board-certified doctor of audiology, she’s discovered she likes the human side of audiology even more than the medical/science side. “I love the patient contact and making a difference in the lives of my patients the most,” she says.

After more than 27 years serving as an audiologist, the last 15 with her own practice, Dr. Blaising provides a source for total hearing care. “I want my office to serve as a resource center for everything hearing,” she says. “I opened Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids because I wanted to do more for my patients. For instance, we offer a free aural rehab class for anyone who wants to learn coping strategies for people with hearing loss and their families. Sometimes family members need a little education about how to communicate with the one with hearing difficulties.”

Dr. Blaising says, “Our entire team joins me in our mission to help our patients obtain a better quality of life by enhancing their ability to communicate with

family and friends, leading to deeper, more meaningful relationships,” she says. “We love helping working men and women be more successful in their careers. We love helping grandparents have better communication with their grandchildren. We live in a time when hearing aid technology is extremely sophisticated, and we have the ability to treat any hearing loss successfully. Every patient is different. So we stay abreast of advancements in the programming software that allows us to correctly fit hearing instruments to each unique hearing loss.”

“Research is out now that proves hearing loss is a major contributing factor for dementia. Our office now offers our patients a cognitive domain screening. This helps us to help our patients as we treat their hearing loss.”

Dr. Diane Blaising began her career in audiology in 1992. She received her doctor of audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences and her master’s degree in audiology from the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has years of experience working with hearing- impaired adults and children in otolaryngologists’ offices and as a pediatric audiologist at the Louisville Deaf Oral School. Dr. Blaising is boardcertified in audiology by the American Board of Audiology and has twice been given the Ace Award for continuing education.

Congratulations to HSC Health’s Top Docs

HSC Health is the academic clinical practice of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth , where quality care meets quality education. Our primary and specialty care clinics are focused on improving health outcomes in our community, through a patientcentered approach.

Our doctors have been recognized consistently for more than a decade as the most respected in the DFW area.

James Aston, DO Family Medicine

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Fredericka Barr, MD Family Medicine

Michael Carletti, DO Dermatology

Toyya Goodrich, DO Pediatrics

Priya Bui, DO Pediatrics

Tyson Garfield, DO Center for Older Adults

Raheela Hafeez, MD Pediatrics

Geoffrey Kline, DO Cardiology

Kendi Hensel, DO Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Long Hoang, DO Gastroenterology

Malinda Hansen, DO Family Medicine Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Janice Knebl, DO Center for Older Adults

Dante Paredes, DO Family Medicine Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Sajid Surve, DO Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

John Orr, DO Center for Older Adults Neurology

Sarah Ross, DO Center for Older Adults

Ryan Seals, DO Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Sarah Matches, DO Pediatrics

David Mason, DO Center for Older Adults

Yein Lee, DO Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Christopher Medina, DO Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Brittany Love, DO Center for Older Adults

TOP DOCTORS 2024

Elisabeth Wagner

Christiaan Webb

Ruth Wiley

Rita Wood

Robert Zwernemann

OMM

Matthew Barker

Malinda Hansen

Kendi Hensel

Yein Lee

David Mason

Christopher “Chris” Medina

Meaghan Nelsen

Dante Paredes

Ryan Seals

Sajid Surve

Oncology

Cristi Aitelli

David Barrera

Prasanthi Ganesa

Bassam Ghabach

Sandeep Gill

Patrick Griffin

Henrik Illum

Muhammad Isa

Anuradha Lingam

Shadan Mansoor

Mary Milam

Latha Neerukonda

Alberto Parra

Chi Pham

Bibas Reddy

Rachel Theriault

Mary Watters

Robyn Young

Ophthalmology

Musa Abdelaziz

Andrew Bowman

Charles Bradley Bowman

Richard Chu

Mayli Davis

Joanne Francis

Aaleya Koreishi

Shaam Mahasneh

Hiren Parekh

Luv Patel

Patricia Ple-plakon

Jawad Qureshi

Ann Ranelle

Johnathan Warminski

Joshua Zaffos

Orthopedic Surgery

Brook Adams

Gurpreet Bajaj

Eric Barcak

Michael Boothby

Stephen Brotherton

David Brown

Curtis Bush

Tyler Caton

Benjamin “Ben” Deheshi

Kerry Donegan

Von Evans Jr.

Kristen Fleager

Howard Harris

Hannah Kim

Lauren Lamont

George Lebus

Andrew Lee

Joseph “Joe” Milne

Bryan Ming

Vincent Moretti

Arvind Nana

Dean Papaliodis

Shiv Patel

Joshua Payne

Mayme Richie-Gillespie

David Shau

Steven Singleton

John Thomas

Russell “Russ” Wagner

Torrance Walker

Keith Watson

Brian Webb

Otolaryngology

Mary Ashmead

Allison Chisholm

Opeoluwa Daniyan

John Fewins Jr.

Kristen Honsinger

Michelle Marcincuk

Dr. Cynthia Robbins, Dr Laura Bradford, Dr. Pattyann Hardt, Dr. Rita Wood, Dr. Ruth Wiley, Dr. Heather Neville, Dr. Natalie Hughes, Dr. Noushin Firouzbakht

2024 Top Doctors

Dr Robbins, Bradford, Hardt and Wood

1425 8th Avenue

Ft Worth, Texas 76104

Phone: 817-926-4118 www.obgynson8th.com

Dr Wiley, Neville and Hughes

1307 8th Ave, Suite 602

Ft Worth, Texas 76104

Phone: 817-926-4118 www.obgynson8th.com

Dr Noushin Firouzbakht

1125 S Henderson St

Ft Worth, Texas 76104

Phone: 817-878-2667 www.drfobgyn.com

CONGRATULATIONS I

Stuart Aronson, MD General Radiology

lkponmwosa lyamu-Osagiede, MD lnterventional Radiology

Jill Chilcoat, MD Breast Imaging

Scott Kayser, MD General Radiology

Matthew Fiesta, MD Neurointerventional Radiology

Robert Reeb, MD lnterventional Radiology

Ronald Gerstle, MD Neurointerventional Radiology

Susan Schmidt, MD lnterventional Radiology

Kurt Schoppe, MD Body Imaging

Kanwar Singh, MD lnterventional Radiology

Scott Smith, DO lnterventional Radiology

Because of your dedication to children and their families, you help us to fulfill our Promise and connect to what’s possible.

Let’s connect! Congratulations to all of our top doctors!

TOP DOCTORS 2024

John “Brad” McIntyre

Mai Nguyen

Patricia Purcell

Timothy Ragsdale

Charles Saadeh

Andrew Vories

Jeremy Watkins

Peter Wickwire

Pain Management

Syed “Irfan” Ali

Michael Balderamos

Jason Butler

Mark Dirnberger

Artee Gandhi

Thomas Hong

Ramanjot Kang

Bradley “Brad” Keneson II

Raul Llanos

Alfredo Marti

Mike Martinez II

Robert Menzies

Ricardo “Aaron” Miranda

Cindy Ng

Christopher “Chris” Pratt

Thomas Ratino

Christopher Tucker

Pathology

Janet Miles

Pediatrics

Diane Arnaout

Priya Bui

Samson Cantu

William “Kirk” Davis

Michael Deitchman

Aakanksha Gera

Cynthia Giovannetti

Toyya Goodrich

Raheela Hafeez

Eriel Hayes

Tamara Hayward

Sana Kayani

Suzanne Kelley

Ramon Kinloch

Kathryn Mandal

Devona Martin

Sarah Matches

Bradley “Brad” Mercer

Alice Phillips

Kristen Pyrc

Robert Readinger

Likhitha Reddy

Kristina Reed

Jenica Rose-Stine

Paulette See

Bianka Soria-Olmos

Kara Starnes

Jason Terk

Amani Terrell

Jordan Torres

Krystyna Wesp

J. “Ben” Worsley

Kevin Wylie

Plastic Reconstructive Surgery

Saad Alsubaie

Casey Anderson

Robert Anderson

Ruth Arumala

Edgar Bedolla Perez

Jeremy Bosworth

Dustin Derrick

Yadranko “Yadro” Ducic

Jonathan Heistein

Eric Hubli

Kelly Kunkel

Theodorus “Jon” Kurkjian

Danielle LeBlanc

Steven Mapula

Yukihiro “Anthony” Nakamura

Sacha Obaid

Maxim Pekarev

Kiran Polavarapu

Jordan Rihani

Jesse Smith

Matthew Steele

Louis Strock

Podiatry

Glen Beede

Robert Dominguez

DALLAS NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES (DNA) congratulates Dr. Daniel Richey, who was nominated by his peers as one of Fort Worth Magazine's Top Docs in 2024. For over fifty years, DNA has been a trusted source of quality kidney care in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. DNA provides care for patients with kidney disease, hypertension, kidney transplants, and complicated electrolyte disorders.

Fort Worth Eighth Avenue

EXPERIENCED SURGEONS THAT PUT PATIENTS FIRST. ALWAYS.

*Besem Beteck, MD Vascular Surgery

*Travis Corgan, MD General Surgery

*Saadi Halbouni, MD Vascular Surgery

Michael Brooks, MD General Surgery

Robert Dillard, MD Bariatrics | General Surgery

*Charles Jaiyeoba, MD Gastroenterology

*Cathryn Coleman, MD General Surgery

*Tai Do, MD General Surgery

*Nezar Jrebi, MD Colorectal Surgery

Robert Connaughton, MD Vascular | General Surgery

*Andre Graham, MD Bariatric | General Surgery

Hyungmin Jung, MD General Surgery

*Ashley Mekala, DO Bariatric | General Surgery

*Arvind Patel, MD General Surgery

*Leslie Reddell, DO General Surgery | Trauma

*Long Nguyen, MD Bariatric | General Surgery | Trauma

*Denish Patel, DO General Surgery

Bariatric | General Surgery

*Ivan Noffsker, MD Vascular Surgery

*Jay Patel, DO Bariatric | Surgical Oncology | General Surgery

John Paek, DO Bariatric | General Surgery

*Paresh Rajajoshiwala, MD Bariatric | General Surgery

TOP DOCTORS 2024

Gary Driver

Alan Garrett

Gregory Jaryga

Lena Levine

Matthew McCabe

Travis Motley

Brady Rhodes

Dalton Ryba

Sara Suttle

Christopher Werner

Psychiatry/Neurology

Helene Alphonso

Debra Atkisson

Jamie Benjamin

Sandra Davis

Dustin DeMoss

Brian Dixon

Justin Dyniewski

Elma Granado

James Haliburton

Alesha Hill

Cheryl Hurd

David Marvin

Lili Meisamy

Carol Nati

Nekesha “Nikki” Oliphant

Darryl Ong

Thomas Pierce

Alan Podawiltz

Paul Schneider

Ryan Seaver

Ramya Seeni

Ross Tatum

Amelia Villagomez

Pulmonology

Hisham Bismar

Steven Davis

Richard Hazen

John Hollingsworth II

Salam Jarrah

Andrew Miller

Paras Patel

Carmen Rosario

Jason Seiden

Harpreet Suri

Radiation/Oncology

Jerry Barker

Ajay Dubey

Kathleen Shide

Radiology/Diagnostic/ Interventional

Stuart “Stu” Aronson

Jeffry Brace

Jill Chilcoat

Matthew Fiesta

Ronald “Ron” Gerstle

Rajesh Gogia

Erin Happ

Ikponmwosa Iyamu-Osagiede

David Johnston

Scott Kayser

Robert “Rob” Reeb Jr.

Susan Schmidt

Kurt Schoppe

Kanwar Singh

Scott Smith

Lloyd “Glen” Wilbert III

Rehabilitation/ Physical Medicine

Lan Le

Omar Selod

Scott Stoll

Kristen Taylor

Austen Watkins

Benecia Williams

Reproductive Endocrinology

Robert Kaufmann

Laura Lawrence

Anna Nackley

Rheumatology

Sampada Acharya

Sonia Bajaj

Dhiman Basu

Priyanka Jalandhara

Rajni Kalagate

Rosy Rajbhandary

Oral appliance therapy is a great option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and snoring patients who find CPAP uncomfortable or inconvenient when traveling. OSA and snoring have been linked to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and obesity, so the quality of your sleep does matter. Our appliances are custom fabricated, medical grade devices designed to be comfortable, effective and easy-to-use. All oral appliances we prescribe are FDA approved.

TOP DOCTORS 2024

Spine Surgery

Adewale Adeniran

Saeid Aryan

Grant Booher

Brian Braaksma

James Brezina Jr.

Michael Briseno

Iyooh “Uche” Davidson

Michael Duffy

Carson Fairbanks

Brian Gengler

Christopher Happ

Jeffrey “Jeff” Phelps

Cezar Sandu

Jarren Section

Jason Tinley

Mark Wylie

Sports Medicine

Alex Autry

Elizabeth Batterton

Damond Blueitt

Gregory “Greg” Bratton

Daniel Clearfield

Matthew Dow

Sarah Kennedy

Steven Meyers

Travis Rhodes

Christopher Trinh

Gregory “Kyle” Youngs

Theodros Zemanuel

Urology

Harrison “Mitch” Abrahams

Jeffrey “Jeff” Applewhite

Richard Bevan-Thomas

Michael “Pat” Collini

Adam Hollander

James Kelley

Justin Lee

Wendy Leng

Frank “Trey” Moore III

Geoffrey Nuss

Jason Poteet

David Rittenhouse

Robert Stroud

Andrew Sun

Scott Thurman

Keith Xavier

Todd Young Vascular Surgery

Besem Beteck

Daisy Chou

Gabriel Gonzalez

Saadi Halbouni

Ivan Noffsker

Improving Health Together

Congratulations to Our 2024 Top Doctors!

Cardiology

▪ Sandeep Kamath

▪ Balaji Veerappan

Cardiothoracic Surgery

▪ Ganesh Kumpati

Critical Care Medicine

▪ Amanda Pientka

▪ Manuel Lois-Rodriquez

▪ Jocelyn Zee

General Surgery

▪ John “Mark” Bayouth

▪ Richard Wikoff

General/Family Practice

▪ Grant Fowler

▪ John “Jay” Haynes

Geriatrics

▪ Christian Burton

▪ Nnyekaa Collins

▪ Reena Mathews

▪ Omolara Olajide

Orthopaedic

Hand Surgery

▪ Hannah Kim

▪ William Pientka

Infectious Diseases

▪ Mandeep Matta

Neurosurgery

▪ Domenico Gattozzi

Obstetrics/Gynecology

▪ Christine Hoang

Oncology

▪ Bassam Ghabach

▪ Muhammad Isa

▪ Anuradha Lingam

▪ Latha Neerukonda

Orthopaedic Surgery

▪ Eric Barcak

▪ Tyler Caton

▪ Rajesh Gandhi

▪ Bryan Ming

▪ Vincent Moretti

▪ Arvind Nana

▪ Mayme Richie-Gillespie

▪ Russell “Russ” Wagner

▪ Brian Webb

Otolaryngology

▪ Mai Nguyen

▪ Peter Wickwire

Pain Management

▪ J. Ricardo “Aaron” Miranda

Palliative Care

▪ Anthony Zepeda

Pediatrics ▪ Suzanna Kelley

Plastic Surgery

▪ Steven Mapula

Podiatry

▪ Alan Garrett

▪ Lena Levine

▪ Travis Motley

▪ Brady Rhodes

Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

▪ Nanette Allison

▪ Malik Farooq

▪ Gunit Kahlon

Psychiatry/Neurology

▪ Helene Alphonso

▪ Dustin DeMoss

▪ Elma Granado

▪ James Haliburton

▪ Prema Manjunath

▪ Nekesha “Nikki” Oliphant

▪ Darryl Ong

▪ Thomas Pierce

▪ Alan Podawiltz

▪ Paul Schneider

▪ Ryan Seaver

▪ Jamie Benjamin

▪ Lili Meisamy

▪ Ramya Seeni

Pulmonology

▪ Razaq Badamosi

▪ Steven Davis

▪ Salam Jarrah

▪ Paras Patel

▪ Carmen Rosario

Spine Surgery

▪ Cezar Sandu

Sports Medicine

▪ Alex Autry

▪ Travis Rhodes

▪ Gregory “Kyle” Youngs

Trauma & Acute

Care Surgery

▪ Rajesh Gandhi

Vascular Surgery

▪ Gabriel Gonzalez

Specializing In:

Cardiology

Anticoagulation Clinic

Acarix CADScor

Cardiovascular

Electrophysiology

EP Studies (Hospital Procedure)

Pacemakers/ICD (Hospital Procedure)

Holter Monitor

Event Monitor

Ultrasound: Renal

Ultrasound: Venous

Segmental Limb Pressures

Venous Laser (Radio Frequency Ablation)

Coronary Angiogram (Hospital Procedure)

Coronary Angioplasty/Stenting (Hospital Procedure)

Device Clinic

Exercise Stress Test

Echocardiogram/StressEcho

ECG

Nuclear Stress Testing

Renal Denervation (Hospital Procedure)

Cardioversion (Hospital Procedure)

Tilt Table Testing

Peripheral Vascular

Carotid Angiogram/Stenting (Hospital Procedure)

Renal Angiogram/Stenting (Hospital Procedure)

Ultrasound: Abdominal

Ultrasound: Carotid

Wound Care

Structural Heart

TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) (Hospital Procedure)

MitraClip (Hospital Procedure)

Farhan Ali, M.D., M.A., M.P.H., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I., R.P.V.I., George Khammar, M.D., F.A.C.C. , Amir Malik, M.D, F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I., Lorren Mott, M.D., F.A.C.C., Stephen Newman, M.D., F.A.C.C. , Srujana Chakilam, M.D. F.A.C.C., R.P.V.I , Akif Mohammed, M.D., F.A.C.C., M.R.C.P. , Aleem Mughal M.D., FHRS , Cyril Varughese, DO, F.A.C.C. , Karan Gupta, DO, F.A.C.C, Mehdi Khalafi, M.D., F.A.C.C, Michael Clark, P.A.-C, Kathryn Marcinowski, MSHS, PA-C, Carrie Platt, FNP-BC, CVNP, Alla Havens, MSN, NP-C, Danielle King, MPAS, PA-C, Michael Nizinski, MPAS, PA-C

Granbury 1200 Crawford Ave. Suite A, Granbury 76048 2003 Rockview Drive Granbury 76049

Stephenville 351 E Tarleton Street Stephenville 76401

Pictured:

FOCUS

Doctors to Know

The doctor-patient relationship is one of life’s most important partnerships, and choosing the right practitioner can make a marked difference. To help you select a practitioner who will meet your needs, the following doctors want to tell you more about themselves, their practices, and how partnering with them will improve the quality of your life.

The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.

SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: B.A., UT Austin; M.D., UTMB, Galveston; Intern resident and general surgery, LSU School of Medicine, Charity Hospital New Orleans; Plastic Surgery resident, UTMB, Galveston. CERTIFICATION: Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Fort Worth Society of Plastic Surgeons. WHAT SETS US APART: My concentration in the body contouring part of aesthetic surgery, as well as 30-plus years of experience in knowing what works and what doesn’t.

COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER SERVICES: Breast enlargement, breast lift, liposuction body contouring, tummy tuck, waist tuck, and mommy makeover. MEDI SPA SERVICES: Wrinkle relaxers, the SaltFacial, facial fillers, ZO® Skin Health products, lip enhancement, Revision Skincare, Sculptra/Radiesse, ISDIN, SkinPen Microneedling, and LED light therapy. PATIENT CARE: My goal is to create a beautiful and natural appearance. To ensure the highest level of care possible, our beautiful facility combines a surgery center that is fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. with a medical spa. We are one of very few surgery centers that has a private, one doctor, fully accredited facility. CHARITABLE WORK: Boys & Girls Club, Wounded Warrior, and CWC.

Accent On You

Cosmetic Surgery Center and Medical Spa

Y. Anthony Nakamura, M.D., P.A.

Accent On You

3030 S. Cooper St. • Arlington, Texas 76015 817.417.7200 • Fax 817.417.7300 accentonyou.com

Cook Children’s Pediatric Surgery

SPECIALTY: Pediatric Surgery – Children aren’t just little adults. They should be cared for by specialists with additional fellowship training and understanding of their needs, based on their developmental stages and unique conditions. Many conditions are specific to children or affected by their age, and care should be tailored for appropriate evaluations and procedures in a compassionate environment. AREAS OF SPECIALTY: We treat various congenital malformations of the chest, abdomen, and other sites; hernias of all types; undescended testes; most abdominal problems including gallbladder disease and acid reflux; chest wall deformities; various tumors and cancers; hyperhidrosis; trauma care. Many of these conditions can be performed with minimally invasive techniques. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: All surgeons are board-certified

or board-eligible in general surgery and pediatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery. AWARDS/HONORS: Multiple Super Doctor, Top Doctor, and Top Surgeon awards for over 20 years, as well as multiple academic, research, and teaching honors. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Combining experience with compassion, our dedicated team of skilled pediatric surgeons provides high-quality care with the added support of our pediatric specialists throughout Cook Children’s. With multiple easy-access clinics and physicians, we can see your child without unnecessary delays. PHILOSOPHY: We treat each child and their family like the unique individual they are. We understand that you are seeing us at a difficult time, so you can expect an experienced and compassionate team to be with you on this journey. INNOVATIONS: Minimally invasive and robotic

surgical techniques in the areas of hepatobiliary, intestinal, abdominal wall, and thoracic conditions. Collaboration with our other pediatric subspecialists in cancer research, clinical trials, and ECMO. Leaders in quality through our National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

AFFILIATIONS: Cook Children’s Physician Network, American Pediatric Surgical Association, American College of SurgeonsSurgical Quality Partner, American Academy of Pediatrics and Texas Medical Association. Practicing at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Cook Children’s Surgery Center, and Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth. PICTURED: (left to right, top row) Marty Knott, D.O., Ph.D.; Rodrigo Interiano, M.D.; Ellen Jones, M.D.; José Iglesias, M.D.; Daniel Lodwick, M.D.; and Chad Hamner, M.D.; (left to right; bottom row) Chip Uffman, M.D., MPH, and Ali Mokdad, M.D.

Cook Children’s Pediatric Surgery

Dodson Specialty Clinics

1500 Cooper St., Third Floor

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

682.885.7080

cookchildrens.org/pediatric-surgery

Additional locations are in Mansfield, Alliance, and Southlake

Key-Whitman Eye Center

SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology – adult eye care including treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and dry eyes. Also offering laser vision correction and high-tech lens implants for reduced dependence on glasses and contacts, as well as cosmetic eyelid surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: ChianHuey “Amy” Hong, M.D. – cum laude, Columbia University; B.A., pre-med and economics; medical degree, UT Southwestern Medical School; internship, ophthalmology residency and glaucoma fellowship, Tulane School of Medicine. Ronald Barke, M.D. – undergraduate and medical school, University of Southern California; internship, Los Angeles County University

of Southern California Medical Center; fellowship, Jules Stein Eye Institute in lens and cataract biochemistry; training, UT Southwestern Medical School, fellowship in oculoplastics and residency in ophthalmology; currently on staff as a clinical volunteer at UT Southwestern Medical School. Lauren May, M.D. – Northwestern University in Chicago; medical degree, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina; two-year fellowship in oculoplastics. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Key-Whitman is one of the few eye centers that offers the full range of options to improve your vision, with customized LASIK and high-tech lenses for cataract procedures. INNOVATIONS: The advances in

high-tech lenses like the Light Adjustable Lens, Vivity, PanOptix, and Symfony using the latest techniques with Femtosecond laser, which give many patients a wide range of vision for near or far distances with less dependency on glasses or contacts. FREE ADVICE: Everyone needs to have regular eye health exams. Oftentimes, permanent vision loss can be easily prevented with early diagnosis and treatment of conditions before any symptoms are present. PICTURED: Mingi Choi, O.D.; Ronald Barke, M.D.; C. Amy Hong, M.D.; Rosmary Sanchez, O.D.; (not photographed) Lauren May, M.D.

Key-Whitman Eye Center

910 N. Davis Drive • Arlington, Texas 76012

400 W. Arbrook Blvd. • Arlington, Texas 76014

3400 N. Tarrant Parkway • Fort Worth, Texas 76177

817.460.2272 • Toll-free 1.800.442.5330 • Fax 817.265.9684 patientservices@keywhitman.com • keywhitman.com

Metroplex Dermatology

SPECIALTY: Board Certified Dermatologist. EDUCATION: David Hensley – undergraduate, University of Texas, Austin; M.D., Texas Tech University; residency, Geisinger Medical Center; P.A., fellowship, University of Texas, Houston. Stephen Blum –Southwestern Medical School. Richard Brandt – Doctorate, Texas Tech University; P.A.-C, Hahnemann University; MPAS, University of Nebraska. Heather Hughes – Master of Science in Nursing, Texas Woman’s University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Texas in Arlington. Debbie Slay – PA-C, MPAS, is a Dermatologist Physician Assistant with 20 years of experience. PA Slay graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University and with honors during the completion of her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center in Fort Worth. She also earned a master’s

in dermatology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center for her work on psoriatic therapies. Josie Karl – Dermatologic P.A., University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Holly Glover – PA-C, is a Dermatologist Physician Assistant who specializes in Medical and Surgical dermatology for both pediatric and adult patients. Holly obtained a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center. Holly currently serves on the board of Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants as the Director at Large. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. Jana King – B.S. in Nursing, Texas Christian University. Mary Ann Culwell, Jr. – RN, Texarkana College. MEMBERSHIPS:

American Academy of Dermatology, DFW Dermatology Society, Tarrant County Medical Society, Texas Dermatologic Society, Arlington Chamber of Commerce. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Serving patients and their families locally and abroad on our medical mission outreach. INNOVATIONS: Xtrac Laser, Blue-U (PDT) for medical treatments, Body Sculpting, Moxy/ BBL, HydraFacial, and new state-of-the-art lasers. FREE ADVICE: Be smart when enjoying outdoor activities — wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Watch for new and changing spots on yourself and loved ones. PICTURED: (back, left to right) Stephen Blum, M.D; MaryAnne Culwell, RN.; David Hensley, M.D.; Richard Brandt, PA-C, Ph.D.; Heather Le, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, NP; (front, left to right) Jana Hargrove, RN.; Holly Glover, PA-C; Josephine Karl, PA; Debra Slay, PA-C.

Metroplex Dermatology

300 W. Arbrook Blvd., Ste. D Arlington, Texas 76014

817.704.4777

Fax 817.701.2323 info@metroderm.com metroderm.com

Texas Eye and Laser Center

Texas Eye Surgery Center

Texas Eye Research Center

Jerry G. Hu, M.D.; Scott A. Cherne, M.D.

WHAT SETS THEM APART: Texas Eye and Laser Center (TELC) has been delivering cutting-edge eye care in Tarrant County for nearly 50 years. They introduced LASIK and PRK to Fort Worth in 1997 and have remained at the forefront of laser vision correction ever since. In 2011, TELC introduced LenSx® Blade-Free LaserAssisted Cataract Surgery to the metroplex. As clinical investigators in numerous FDA studies, they have also pioneered in each generation of intraocular lenses for the treatment of cataract, presbyopia, and astigmatism, including the PanOptix trifocal implant, Tecnis Synergy, Vivity extended-depth-of-focus lens, Tecnis Eyhance lens, ClearView by LensTec and light-adjustable-

lens by RxSight, among many other state-of-the-art intraocular implants. In 2019, they brought to Fort Worth the most advanced laser vision correction — SMILE (aka no-flap LASIK). Advanced technologies aside, what makes Drs. Hu and Cherne truly special is their emphasis on personal touch and exceptional patient experience. AREAS OF SPECIALITY: TELC offers a complete range of eye-care services including Blade-Free Customized LASIK; SMILE (no-flap LASIK); LenSx® Blade-Free Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery; premium cataract implants including PanOptix, Synergy IOL, Vivity, Tecnis Symfony and Eyhance, Toric IOLs, lightadjustable-lens by RxSight, EVO™ Phakic ICL; cornea collagen

crosslinking (CXL), Intacs intracorneal rings, corneal transplants; MIGS; glaucoma care; treatment of macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. EDUCATION: Jerry G. Hu, M.D. – Duke University School of Medicine; fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA; Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. Scott A. Cherne, M.D. ‒ Loma Linda University Medical School, American Board of Ophthalmology. PICTURED: D’Laine Heisterkamp, O.D.; Keith Head, O.D.; Megan Solis, O.D.; Jerry G. Hu, M.D.; Stacey Webb, O.D.; and Scott A. Cherne, M.D.

Texas Eye and Laser Center 1872 Norwood Drive • Hurst, Texas 76054

3405 Locke Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107

817.540.6060 • Fax 817.571.9301 texaseyelaser.com

FOCUS DOCTORS TO KNOW

MYTexasHealthCareOBGYN

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: We are Obstetricians and Gynecologists caring for women through all stages of their life. It takes Top Docs to make Top Docs. MYTexasHealthCareObGyn thanks our community for recognizing all of us as Top Docs. We are excited to introduce our newest member, Katy Wagner, M.D. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATION: Our doctors are Fellows of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have additional training in special focus areas like DaVinci Robotics and NAMS Menopausal Care. Dr. Katy Wagner is board eligible. RECOGNITIONS: Named many times as Top Docs in Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West Magazine and many times as Mom-Approved Doctors in DFW

Child magazine. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Our team has led women’s health care in Fort Worth for over a quarter century, and we continue to be vibrant clinicians and educators. We serve our community at TCU Medical School, Baylor All Saints Medical Center, Andrews Women’s Hospital at Baylor All Saints Medical Center, and Baylor Graduate Medical Education Residency programs. INNOVATIONS: We provide personalized women’s health care in both obstetrics and gynecology. We take care of low- and high-risk obstetrics and deliver at the award-winning Andrews Women’s Hospital at Baylor All Saints Medical Center. We offer annual screening,

gynecologic care for adolescents through the midlife. Many of our physicians are specialty trained in menopause, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and we use innovative technology to educate, stay connected, and improve care. UNIQUE PATIENT

CARE: We believe in working with you to achieve your health care goals. Compassionate, trustworthy, and dedicated. Our mission is to find the right doctor for your needs — for life. PICTURED: (l-r, top) Dr. Rachel Lusby, Dr. Martha Guerra, Dr. Rob Zwernemann, Dr. Jay Herd, Dr. Martin Read; (l-r, bottom) Dr. Mickey Hooper, Dr. Elisabeth Wagner, Dr. Bea Kutzler, and Dr. Katy Wagner.

MYTexasHealthCareOBGYN

1250 Eighth Ave., Ste. 430 (817.923.0023) and Ste. 435 (817.923.0088) • Fort Worth, Texas 76104

4760 Barwick Drive, Ste. A Fort Worth, Texas 76132 • 817.346.9533

134 El Chico Trail, Ste. 103 Willow Park, Texas 76078 • 817.441.1644

6200 N. Beach St., Ste. 101 Fort Worth, Texas 76137 • 817.847.4600

MYTexasHealthCareObGyn.com

Advanced

Eyelid Surgery and Laser Center

Mayli Davis, M.D.

SPECIALTY: Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: Undergraduate, University of Kansas; M.D., University of Kansas; Ophthalmology Residency, Mayo Clinic; Ophthalmic Plastic Fellowship, UT Southwestern. AWARDS/HONORS: “Top Docs” 2005–2007, 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2018, Fort Worth Magazine. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Texas Medical Association. AFFILIATIONS: Plaza Day Surgery Center, Medical City Fort Worth, Calloway Creek Surgery Center. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Davis is pleased to offer a variety of treatments to help you look your best. In addition to our specialty, eyelid and brow surgery, we offer Botox, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and dermal fillers including Sculptra. Dr. Davis further enhances your personalized treatment plan with laser treatments and our newest addition, Total Skin Solution, which combines radio frequency microneedling with a gentle laser resurfacing.

Advanced Eyelid Surgery and Laser Center 6208 Colleyville Blvd., Ste. 100 Colleyville, Texas 76034

817.329.4480 Fax 817.488.5993 drmaylidavis.com

Advanced Institute for Diabetes & Endocrinology

Lindsey

M. VanDyke, DO, FEAA, FACOI

SPECIALTY: Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism. EDUCATION: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA; Internal Medicine residency, College Medical Center, Long Beach, CA; Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism fellowship, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: The greatest achievement has been the creation of a patient-centered practice that sets the gold standard for comprehensive diabetes care. When patients are given enough time with their doctor and access to the right tools and training, they truly thrive. INNOVATIONS: In 2023, the team launched DiaDirect, a platform for the remote management of diabetes that gives patients flexible access to the clinic and provides up-to-date information about their vitals and blood sugar to anyone on their care team. Dr. VanDyke has been a pioneer in nonsurgical treatment of thyroid nodules with Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) since 2021. PATIENT CARE: Dr. VanDyke grew up in hospitals while fighting cancer and finds those experiences to be invaluable in forming her bedside manner and clinical approach. Her previous career in broadcasting also trained her in the art of communicating. She says, “I attend to patients with the same care, communication, and thoroughness that I would want to experience as a patient myself.” PICTURED: Jaqueline Faller, Practice Manager; Pamela McGilberry, LVN; Lindsey M. VanDyke, DO, FEAA, FACOI.

Advanced Institute for Diabetes & Endocrinology

1900 Matlock Road, Ste. 304 Mansfield, Texas 76063

817.380.4880

info@aidendo.com

Bagshahi Bariatrics and General Surgery

SPECIALTY: Bariatric and General Surgery.

CERTIFICATIONS: American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, MBSAQIP. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Health Systems, Texas Health Resources, HCA Healthcare. RECENT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Appointed as medical director of bariatric surgery at Baylor Trophy Club, surgical preceptor at TCU Burnett School of Medicine, nationally recognized for bariatric surgery excellence, and a destination center for bariatric surgery for not only patients in Texas but nationally and internationally.

INNOVATIONS: We remain on the forefront of innovative procedures in bariatric surgery and perform most surgery with minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery, leading to better outcomes and faster recovery and less downtime. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Despite being one of the busiest bariatric surgery practices in DFW, we approach each patient as an individual in a caring and compassionate manner and devise treatment plans according to their unique scenario and needs. FREE ADVICE: Don’t live with obesity; treat it!

PICTURED: Lauren Isbell, Rachael Trujeque, Dr. Laura Gallagher, Brittany Adams, FNP-C, Dr. Hossein Bagshahi, Aundrea Juarez.

Bagshahi Bariatrics and General Surgery 1101 W. Rosedale St., Ste. 1 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.289.4200

Fax 817.289.4201

DFWweightLossSurgery.com

Baylor Scott & White Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Institute

Christopher Trinh, D.O.

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Non-Surgical Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

EDUCATION: Undergraduate, Texas Christian University; Medical School, University of North Texas Health Science Center; Residency, University of Oklahoma; Fellowship, University of Arkansas. AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Business Press 40 under 40 honoree; Texas Monthly’s Super Doctor Rising Star; Living Magazine’s Best Of Arlington & Mansfield for Sports Medicine and Regenerative Medicine; Ellis County’s 40 under 40. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Dr. Trinh has worked with University of Arkansas Athletics, LA Dodgers Minor League, OKC Thunder G league, Big 12 Baseball, NCAA Soccer, USA Gymnastics, Big 12 Softball, NCAA Women’s College World Series, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Texas UIL Football state championships, International Ice Hockey World Championships, and Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon. INNOVATIONS: Highly skilled in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound. Provides specialty care using corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation injections, and toradol injections. Frequently utilizes regenerative medicine and ortho-biologics like platelet rich plasma (PRP). Concussion specialist certified. PATIENT CARE: From high-level professional athletes to weekend warriors, from teenagers to seniors, anyone who desires to maintain their physical fitness can benefit from sports medicine care. My clinical goals are to maximize function and minimize disability while focusing on the patient as a whole.

Baylor Scott & White Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Institute

4431 Presidential Parkway • Midlothian, Texas 76065 2360 N. I-35E, Ste. 320 • Waxahachie, Texas 75165 469.800.9790 OrthoWax.com

Angela Bowers, M.D.

Southlake Dermatology

SPECIALTY: Dermatology. EDUCATION: Texas A&M, summa cum laude; M.D., U.T. Southwestern Medical Center; Internship, Baylor University Medical Center for Internal Medicine; Residency, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center. AWARDS/ HONORS: Texas Monthly Super Doctor; Fort Worth Magazine Top Doc; Healthcare Hero; Medical Honor Society-AOA; Chief Resident in Dermatology. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Past-president, Dallas Dermatological Society; American Society of Dermatological Surgery; Texas Dermatology Society; American Academy of Dermatology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Medical CenterGrapevine and Southlake Methodist Hospital. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS: Started Southlake Dermatology in 1999 and mother of two sons. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE: Keep government and insurance companies out of medical decision-making. INNOVATIONS: One of the first offices in DFW to offer Potenza, which helps create healthy skin and restore our youthful glow. ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT MEDICINE: Patients would have incentives to make healthy choices and consequences if they don’t. BEDSIDE MANNER: We offer the latest in dermatological care in a serviceoriented practice. CHARITABLE WORK: Grace Community Medical Clinic, Gatehouse, and supporting charitable organizations financially.

FREE ADVICE: Wear daily sunscreen with zinc oxide and consider Heliocare oral pills when more protection is needed.

Southlake Dermatology

431 E. State Highway 114, Ste. 300 Southlake, Texas 76092 817.251.6500

southlakedermatology.com

Cornea Associates of Texas

SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology – Specializing in Premium Lens Cataract Surgery, Refractive Surgery including LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL, Corneal Crosslinking, and Corneal Transplantation. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATION: C. Bradley Bowman – M.D., University of Oklahoma School of Medicine; Residency, Ophthalmology, The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; Fellowship, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Emory Eye Center; Licensed, Texas Medical Board; Board-Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. Joshua Zaffos – M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Residency, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore/Krieger Eye Institute; Fellowship, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute; Licensed, Texas Medical Board; Board-Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. Andrew C. Bowman – M.D., University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio; Residency, University of Florida Health, Gainesville; Fellowship, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Duke University Medical Center; Licensed, Texas Medical Board; Board-Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. AWARDS/HONORS: America’s Best Ophthalmologists, Newsweek Magazine; Best Doctors by D Magazine; Top Doctors by Fort Worth Magazine; DFW Top 100 Places to Work, 10 consecutive years by Dallas Morning News. INNOVATIONS: For 40 years, Cornea Associates of Texas has been the name to know for patients in need of medical and surgical cornea treatment. Cornea Associates is dedicated to achieving exceptional eye care results and providing first-class service to its patients at all its office locations. PICTURED: (left to right) Andrew C. Bowman, M.D.; C. Bradley Bowman, M.D.; and Joshua Zaffos, M.D.

Cornea Associates of Texas 1101 Sixth Ave., Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.850.9282

Fax 817.850.9218

corneatexas.com

SPECIALTY: Drs. Koreishi, Ple-plakon, and Francis are fellowship-trained ophthalmologists providing compassionate, cutting-edge specialty care in cornea transplantation, cataract, and refractive surgery. We are experienced in the most advanced cornea transplant techniques, refractive and complex cataract surgery/intraocular lenses, and all-laser LASIK. We perform multiple office-based procedures including corneal crosslinking for keratoconus.

EDUCATION: Dr. Koreishi — B.S. and M.D., University of Michigan; ophthalmology residency, Johns Hopkins; fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, Refractive Surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Dr. Ple-plakon — B.A., Rice University; M.D. and ophthalmology residency, University of Michigan; fellowship Cornea, External Disease, Refractive Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Francis –M.D., Northeast Ohio Medical University; ophthalmology, SUNY Stony Brook; fellowship Cornea at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia. HONORS: Drs. Koreishi and Ple-plakon have been named Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs for several years. Dr. Koreishi was selected as one of America’s Best Eye Doctor’s by Newsweek, 2023. PATIENT CARE: We are committed to providing quality, state-of-the-art care in a friendly atmosphere. Patient education is the key to successful treatment, and we strive to educate our patients so that they can play an active role in their treatment.

Cornea Consultants of Texas

Aaleya Koreishi, M.D.

Patricia Ple-plakon, M.D.

Joanne Francis, M.D.

Cornea Consultants of Texas

3455 Locke Ave., Ste. 220 • Fort Worth, Texas 817.529.3100

801 W. Road to Six Flags St., Ste. 131 Arlington, Texas • 817.987.1248

4825 Alliance Blvd., Ste. 100 • Plano, Texas 469.246.1824

corneaconsultantstx.com

Connections Wellness Group

Debra Atkisson, M.D., Senior Vice President of Clinical Services

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Connections Wellness Group, A Blended Health Company, specializes in providing access to outpatient behavioral health care services for adolescents and adults struggling with intermediate acuity mental health challenges, patients with substance use disorders, and frontline first responders and veterans. We provide a strong continuity of care that includes convenient, innovative, and high touch individual and group services. The company focuses primarily on day treatment through partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) along with psychiatry medication management across its 12 locations in the DFW metroplex including facilities in Willow Park, Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, and Southlake. RECOGNITIONS:

Connections Wellness Group – Best Mental Health Practice, Best Psychiatry Practice, Best Child & Adolescent Practice, and Best Trauma Treatment Center. Dr. Atkisson – Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctor; Texas Monthly Super Doctor. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Connections Wellness Group empowers patients to take the steps moving forward to their wellness. FREE ADVICE: Do not hesitate to seek help for any mental health concerns you have. Taking that first step can move you to the positive place you wish to be. PICTURED: (standing, left to right) Darren Shang, PMHNP; Cheryl Rohlik, PMHNP; Debra Atkisson, M.D.; Casey Green, M.D.; Cheryl Hurd, M.D.; Jayton Chapa, PAC; and Katrina Coulter, PMHNP.

Connections Wellness Group

877.747.4CWG

connectionswellnessgroup.com

Diabetes and Thyroid Center of Fort Worth, PLLC

SPECIALTY: DTC is honored to serve our community with the highest quality Endocrinology care in Fort Worth.

CERTIFICATIONS: All of our physicians are board-certified by The American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Drs. Bajaj, Lackan, and Tan are Fellows of the American College of Endocrinology and are Endocrine Certified Neck Ultrasonographers. WHAT SETS US APART: Our providers deliver compassionate patient care with the most medically advanced treatments available. Our personalized care includes in-office thyroid ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules, and radioactive iodine treatment. We now offer microwave ablation therapy, an office-based procedure for the treatment of thyroid nodules. DTC also participates in clinical research trials in the fields of diabetes, lipid, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid management, to provide our patients with access to the newest therapies. APPROACH: Our clinic takes pride in a team approach to manage and prevent the complications of diseases including diabetes, osteoporosis, pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid disorders. Our physicians and providers continue to answer the needs of our patients with facilities in Southwest Fort Worth and Southlake. We are excited to see patients in our new, state-ofthe-art medical office building. PICTURED: (left to right) Chris Bajaj, D.O.; Sara Matani, M.D.; Darren Lackan, M.D.; Anjanette Tan, M.D.

Diabetes and Thyroid Center of Fort Worth, PLLC

6844 Harris Parkway, Ste. 300

Fort Worth, Texas 76132

817.263.0007

Fax 817.263.1118

info@dtc-fw.com

dtc-fw.com

Ashita Gehlot, M.D., FACOG Empower Gynecology

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dr. Gehlot offers comprehensive gynecologic care with tailored services for women of all ages. Partnering with her patients in their health from adolescence to menopause, she is committed to providing personalized care to each patient’s unique needs and concerns.

EDUCATION: B.S., University of Delaware; M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Residency, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. AWARDS/HONORS: DFW Magazine Mom-Approved Doctor, Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctors, Privia Health Clinical Leadership Program graduate. MEMBERSHIPS: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Methodist Southwest Fort Worth. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Opening a gynecology-focused private practice from the ground up which provides an open, engaging evidence-based platform for patients seeking to maximize their health. PATIENT CARE: Dr. Gehlot is the patient’s biggest cheerleader. She focuses on shared evidence-based decision-making to help patients feel empowered to take control of their health and well-being. PICTURED: (left to right) Natalie Lopez, Medical Assistant; Ashita Gehlot, M.D.; Joan Trevino, Office Director.

Empower Gynecology

7100 Oakmont Blvd., Ste. 220 Fort Worth, Texas 76132

682.250.8400 empowergynecology.com

Executive Medicine of Texas

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Concierge Medicine, Executive Physical Exams, Age Management. Age Management. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Anderson – M.D., University of Texas Medical branch at Galveston; Board Certified and Diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine; master’s in public health, University of Michigan, Certified Age Management Medicine Education Foundation. Dr. Gaman – M.D. and degree in infectious disease, University of Manitoba, Canada; Board Certified and Fellow of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Naidoo – D.O., Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; Board Certifications in Family Medicine, Integrative and Holistic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. AWARDS/HONORS: Living Magazine Best of 2019; Top Doctors Top Physicians, 2018-2020; Tops in Tarrant, 2019- 2023. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Our founding partners (Drs. Mark Anderson and Walter Gaman) are published authors and co-host the Stay Young America! podcast. INNOVATIONS: We are dedicated to bringing new and exciting options to our clients including, but not limited to: Peptide Therapy, Virtual Colonoscopy, DNA Testing, Red Light Therapy, Brain Mapping, and Neurofeedback. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Executive Medicine of Texas helps busy individuals get their energy and health back so that they can do more of what they were meant to do. PICTURED: (left to right) Lé Santha Naidoo, D.O.; J. Mark Anderson, M.D., MPH; and Walter Gaman, M.D., FABFM.

Executive Medicine of Texas 2106 E. State Hwy. 114, Ste. 300

Southlake, Texas76092

817.552.4300

Fax: 817.552.4301

EMTexas.com

Expert ENT Care

John L. Fewins, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Jennifer Booker, M.S.N, A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-C.

SPECIALTY: Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.A. biology, University of Pennsylvania; medical school, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; residency, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; board certification, American Board of Otolaryngology. MEMBERSHIPS: American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Otolaryngology, Tarrant County Medical Society. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Baylor Surgicare at Fort Worth. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Celebrating 20 years of caring for and earning the trust of thousands of individuals and families that have visited me at my Fort Worth office. INNOVATIONS: All state-of-the-art techniques in ENT, such as in-office balloon sinus dilation, minimally invasive thyroid surgery, thermal tissue welding, Coblation plasma technology, allergy immunotherapy, video stroboscopy for voice, and the latest in hearing aid options. BEDSIDE MANNER: I am very honest and straightforward with all of my patients. More importantly, I treat each patient as if he or she were a member of my own family, recommending only what I would do for my wife, children, parents, or myself. PICTURED: Kim D. Miller, M.S., CCC/A; Donna Kilbourne, LVN; John L. Fewins, M.D., F.A.C.S.; and Jennifer Booker, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., F.N.P-C.

Fort Worth Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Paul R. Senter, M.D., FACS, FASCRS

Jason W. Allen, M.D., FACS, FASCRS

Bethany C. Malone, M.D., FACS

SPECIALTY: Colon and Rectal Surgery. All surgeons are dual board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

EDUCATION: Senter – B.S., University of Dallas; M.D., UTHSC at San Antonio; General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery Residencies, Baylor University Medical Center. Allen – B.S., Davidson College; M.D., UT Southwestern; General Surgery Residency, Baylor University Medical Center; Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Cook County Chicago. Malone – B.A., Boston University; M.D. SUNY Downstate; General Surgery Residency, Summa Health System; Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Allegheny Health Network. AFFILIATIONS: THR Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Baylor All Saints, Baylor Surgicare at Oakmont, Southwest Fort Worth Endoscopy Center, Fort Worth Endoscopy Center, and Baylor Surgicare at Fort Worth. INNOVATIONS: Robotic surgery with enhanced recovery protocols. Screening and diagnostic colonoscopy at convenient outpatient endoscopy centers. Novel Interstim® therapy for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

PATIENT CARE: We provide personalized care plans incorporating medical and lifestyle considerations. FREE ADVICE: Follow screening guidelines, including colonoscopy for early detection of colon polyps and cancer.

PICTURED: Jason W. Allen, M.D., FACS, FASCRS; Bethany C. Malone, M.D., FACS; Paul R. Senter, M.D., FACS, FASCRS.

Fort Worth Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

1325 Pennsylvania Ave., Ste. 400 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.250.5900 • Fax 817.250.5901 fwcrs.com

SPECIALTY: Otolaryngology. EDUCATION: Callahan – University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas; residency, University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas. Watkins – Louisiana State University of Medicine; residency, University of Tennessee. McIntyre – University of Oklahoma Health Science Center; residency, University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas.

AFFILIATIONS: Park Hill Surgery Center, Baylor Surgical Hospital, Baylor Scott & White, Medical City Surgery Center, Chisholm Trail Surgery Center. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology, American Rhinologic Society, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.

INNOVATIONS: In-office balloon sinuplasty, minimally invasive sinus surgery, minimally invasive thyroid surgery, comprehensive allergy management (medications, allergy shots, and allergy drops), state-of-the-art hearing aids.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: To maintain devoted relationships between physicians and staff, as well as their patients. BEDSIDE MANNER: We strive to care for each patient from a multidisciplinary perspective and treat each patient as if they were our own family.

PICTURED: (left) Jeremy P. Watkins, M.D.; (seated) Sean M. Callahan, M.D.; and (right) J. Brad McIntyre, M.D.

Fort Worth ENT

5751 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.332.8848 fortworthent.net

Fort Worth ENT

SPECIALTY: Our physicians aren’t just cuttingedge eye docs, they’re visionaries of eye care! From eye exams filled with laughter to cataract surgeries that remove the blur, your vision will be stellar. If you’re looking for laughs, we’ve got jokes for days! But, we take our job seriously when it comes to keeping your eyes sharp. EDUCATION: Dr. Ann Ranelle honed her comedic timing with a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship. Dr. Tyler Moore cracked up his classmates with his humor and impeccable timing at UT and Texas Tech. Dr. Kacy Pate polished her comedic skills as an OU Sooner. AWARDS/HONORS: Dr. Ranelle wears many hats: She is a multiyear Top Doc, pastpresident and humanitarian award recipient of the Tarrant County Medical Society. She juggles board memberships at Trinity Valley School and TIOPA and is an AAO LDP 2009 participant — because why have one job when you can have five. MEMBERSHIPS: Dr. Moore is a board-certified American Academy of Ophthalmology member where he’s known for his dry wit. AFFILIATIONS: We partner with Baylor Surgicare, Parkhill Surgery Center, and Cook Children’s. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Making Fort Worth happy for 40 years — our punchlines might be old, but they’re still gold! UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We treat our patients with compassion and humor because laughter is the best medicine!

Fort Worth Eye Associates

5000 Collinwood Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817.732.5593 • Fax 817.732.5499

ranelle.com

Fort Worth Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Robert G. Anderson, M.D. – American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Tony Daniels, M.D. –American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dustin C. Derrick, M.D. – American Board of Surgery; American Board of Plastic Surgery - Board Eligible. AWARDS/HONORS: Voted Top Docs 2001–2023 by peers in Fort Worth Magazine; voted Top Docs 2017–2023 by peers in 360West Magazine; awarded a “Best Companies to Work for in Fort Worth” by Fort Worth Inc.; honored by Forbes magazine as Top 10 Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeon in the U.S. and Newsweek magazine as a Texas Plastic Surgeon You Should Know. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Retaining longtime dedicated staff and patients who continue to choose us each year. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our commitment to the total well-being of our patients. Looking good is only one piece of the puzzle. Our physicians and team are certified in Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Therapy offering the complete package of looking and feeling your best. FREE ADVICE: Cosmetic Surgery is a personal choice. Consultations can feel overwhelming; create a list of questions in advance so you stay prepared. We are dedicated to educating patients and strive to create the most comfortable environment.

Fort Worth Plastic Surgery & MedSpa 800 12th Ave., Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.810.0770

fortworthplasticsurgery.com @fortworthplasticandmedspa

Robert A. Kaufmann, M.D.

Fort Worth Fertility

MEDICALSPECIALTY: Reproductive Endocrinology. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: M.D., Sackler School of Medicine; boardcertified Reproductive Endocrinologist; board-certified Obstetrics and Gynecology.

AWARDS/HONORS: America’s Best Fertility Clinics 2023, Newsweek; Mom Approved Doctor, 2012 - 2023; Most Honored Doctors - Top 5%, 2023. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor All Saints Fort Worth; Baylor Surgicare Fort Worth. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

The number of patients who trust us to help create their families. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our goal is to provide patient-centered care no matter the diagnosis or financial situation. Our front desk greets you by name, each patient has a nurse dedicated to her care, and all sonograms and clinical procedures are performed by your physician. FREE ADVICE: Understand your fertility options and then follow your heart. PICTURED: Dr. Robert A. Kaufmann.

Fort Worth Fertility

1800 Mistletoe Blvd.

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.348.8145

Fax 817.348.8264

fwivf.com

Kelly R. Kunkel, M.D., P.A.

SPECIALTY: A board certified plastic surgeon, specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, and breast cancer reconstruction. EDUCATION: Undergraduate, Notre Dame; M.D., University of Texas Medical Branch; Plastic Surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences University. AWARDS/HONORS: Kunkel has been selected by Fort Worth Magazine as one of the area’s Top Docs 23 times, by Texas Monthly magazine as a Texas Super Doctor 20 times, and by 360 West Magazine as a Top Doctor eight times. He was also named a Health Care Hero by Fort Worth Business Press PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Tarrant County Medical Society. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth Hospital, Texas Health Fort Worth Hospital. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: We have created a remarkable culture of compassion, care, education, and service in our office. BEDSIDE MANNER: We treat you like you are a person who has desires and needs; you’re not just another surgical procedure. OFF HOURS: Kunkel enjoys playing golf, taking photographs and blogging about murals found around Fort Worth, and enjoying and enhancing the environment of his adopted segment of the Trinity River. FREE ADVICE: In cosmetic surgery, experience matters. Find someone who not only understands your needs but can also demonstrate experience with a variety of techniques.

Kelly R. Kunkel, M.D., P.A.

1830 Eighth Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76110 817.335.5200

info@kunkelplasticsurgery.com

kunkelplasticsurgery.com

SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery, sub-specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face and body.

EDUCATION: Aesthetic surgery fellowship, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital; plastic surgery residency, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; medical school, UT Southwestern Medical School, summa cum laude; undergraduate, University of Oklahoma, B.S., microbiology, summa cum laude. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Face lift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. CERTIFICATION: Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. AFFILIATIONS: UT Southwestern, Clinical Assistant Professor; Baylor All-Saints Medical Center; Harris Methodist Fort Worth; Baylor Surgical Hospital; Texas Health Surgery Center Fort Worth Midtown. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Building a busy clinical practice from the ground up while maintaining a focus on academic pursuits including the education of both current and future plastic surgeons. UNIQUE BEDSIDE MANNER: We always aim to fulfill the golden rule: Treat every patient as we would want to be treated ourselves. The rest falls into place.

5825 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.870.5080 • Fax 817.870.5064

jkplasticsurgery.com doctor@jkplasticsurgery.com

Jon Kurkjian, M.D.

Danielle Le Blanc, M.D.,

F.A.C.S.

Le Blanc Plastic Surgery

SPECIALTY: Board-Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. EDUCATION: B.S., University of Texas at Austin; M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Breast reconstruction featuring direct to implant and pre-pectoral breast reconstruction, revision reconstruction, breast augmentation, breast lift and body contouring, fat grafting and facial injectables. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Medical Association, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tarrant County Medical Society, Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Society. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Harris Methodist Fort Worth; Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center; Texas Health Surgery Center Fort Worth Midtown. DURING OFF-HOURS: I find my joy in spending time with my husband and our 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. I also enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, skiing, traveling to exotic places, and photography. PICTURED: Danielle Le Blanc, M.D.; Brandi Weston; Chelsea Gould; Kate Harvey; and Tracy Skinner.

Le Blanc Plastic Surgery

800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 406 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.698.9990

Fax 817.698.9997

info@drleblanc.com drleblanc.com

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dr. Robert Stroud has had a successful urologic practice, which includes male/female bioidentical hormone replacement and sexual dysfunction treatment, in Fort Worth and Southlake for over 30 years.

EDUCATION: Dr. Stroud is proud to introduce his new partner, Dr. Edwin Morales. Originally from Fort Worth, Dr. Morales accepted an appointment to West Point Military Academy and then the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Since completing his fellowship at M.D. Anderson, Dr. Morales has been serving San Antonio’s rural community until his devotion to Fort Worth led him to Lonestar Urology. HOSPITAL

AFFILIATIONS: Baylor and Medical City Hospitals. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Dr. Stroud, the founder of Lonestar Urology, has been selected as a Top Doc in Fort Worth Magazine 20 times. Dr. Stroud has great confidence that with Dr. Morales’ knowledge and energy Lonestar Urology will continue to provide excellent urologic care to this great city. PATIENT CARE: Our goal is always to give patients complete information that doesn’t require them to perform a Google search after their visit and to ensure our patients receive the care that best suits their lifestyle and needs. We will spend the time to make sure the patient is confident in their diagnosis/treatment options.

PICTURED: Robert G. Stroud, D.O.; Edwin E. Morales, M.D.

Lonestar Urology

1107 University Drive

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

817.335.0199 lonestarurology.com

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: OB-GYN — Menopause, Sexual Medicine, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

EDUCATION: Texas Woman’s University, BS; University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine – Doctor of Osteopathy, MS in Clinical Research and Education, Predoctoral Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Fellowship; Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, OB-GYN Residency.

AWARDS/HONORS: Texas Top Doc, 20212024; DFW Child Mom Approved, 2021-2024; Best of Fort Worth Medical Clinic, 2022; Best Full Service Gynecology Clinic South USA GHP Healthcare and Pharma Awards, 2022.

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center; Baylor Surgicare; Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: My proudest professional accomplishment is establishing my gynecology and osteopathy practice. By stepping outside the box, I strive to fill a crucial gap in women’s health care — specifically in menopause and sexual medicine — by providing my patients with a more comprehensive and personalized level of care. PATIENT CARE: What sets my patient care apart is the emphasis on providing women with the time and space they need to feel truly heard and valued. In a healthcare system where women often feel dismissed or rushed, I prioritize creating an environment where patients feel respected and understood.

PICTURED: Carolyn Moyers, DO, FACOG, MSCP.

Photo by Amber Tice.

Sky Women’s Health

1125 S. Henderson St. Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.915.9803 hello@skywomenshealth.com

James A. Murphy, M.D. Craig Kneten, M.D.

Baylor Scott & White Signature Medicine – Fort Worth

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Primary care, concierge medicine. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Drs. Kneten and Murphy – medical school, University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston; internship/ residency, John Peter Smith Hospital; Board Certification, American Board of Family Medicine. AWARDS/HONORS: Press Ganey HX Pinnacle of Excellence award, a prestigious recognition bestowed upon exceptional health care organizations that have maintained consistently high levels of patient satisfaction over three years. Dr. Kneten – Currently serves as Medical Director of Population Health for Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance. He teaches part time at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine, served as the Chairman of HealthTexas Provider Network and as the Tarrant County Regional Medical Director for HealthTexas. Dr. Murphy – Served as Chief of Staff at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center. He also served on the board of directors for Texas Academy of Family Medicine, HealthTexas, and the Tarrant County Medical Society. PATIENT CARE: We provide private, attentive primary care services at an affordable annual rate. You have access to many services beyond those offered through a traditional practice, including a personalized wellness exam, enhanced availability and communication, specialist referrals, and care coordination.

Baylor Scott & White Signature Medicine –Fort Worth

900 W. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 202 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.912.8090

Neurosurgical and Spine Consultants

Diana E. Wilson

SPECIALTY: Board Certified in Neurological Surgery. EDUCATION: B.A., Northwestern University; M.D., UT Medical School, Houston; Neurosurgical Internship & Residency, Rush Medical Center, Chicago. HONORS/AWARDS: First female Chief of Neurosurgery at THR Harris Fort Worth; Medical Executive Board member at Medical City Fort Worth; America’s Top Surgeons - Neurological Surgery; Leading Physicians of the World’s Top Neurological Surgeon, Fort Worth; Patient’s Choice Award; Vitals Compassionate Doctor Award; Top Doc, Neurosurgery; Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctor; member of AΩA. HOSPITAL

AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Fort Worth, Baylor Surgical Hospital, THR Harris Methodist, JPS. WHAT SETS HER APART: Founded Neurosurgical & Spine Consultants in 2003. Renowned for her comprehensive approach and bedside manner in treating disorders of the neck, spine, brain, nerves, tumors, and trauma. Utilizes cutting-edge technology such as UNiD Adaptive Spine Intelligence, Disc Replacement, Micro & Minimally Invasive Surgery, and STEALTH Navigation. OFF HOURS: Dr. Wilson is a classically trained musician; enjoys classical and jazz music, playing the piano and saxophone; is an active participant in the Fort Worth arts scene, and enjoys recreational runs and bike rides with her family of three adult children, who have careers in clinical trials, health care administration, and sales.

Neurosurgical and Spine Consultants

1001 12th Ave., Ste. 171 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.576.6500 • Fax 682.703.2064 texasnasc.com

New Leaf Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Candis Lovelace, M.D. FACS

SPECIALTY: Plastic and reconstructive surgery with a focus on cosmetic procedures of the breast, body, and face. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University (summa cum laude); Medical School, St. George’s University School of Medicine; Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Oklahoma; Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery. AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs, 2014 – 2021; Fort Worth Magazine Top Plastic Surgeons; Living Magazine Top Healthcare 2021. MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Tarrant County Medical Society, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. AFFILIATIONS: THR Alliance, North Hills Hospital, Medical City Alliance, Medical City Decatur, and Medical City Denton. SURGICAL SERVICES: Body contouring, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, Brazilian butt lifts, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, tummy tucks, arm/thigh lifts, face lifts, brow lifts, neck lifts, MyElevate, FaceTite, BodyTite, eyelid rejuvenation, otoplasty, mommy makeovers. SPA SERVICES: FaceTite; BodyTite; laser services for brown spots, vessels, hair removal, cellulite, skin tightening, and skin resurfacing. Skin care products, Botox®, Daxxify, facial fillers (Juvederm®, Voluma®, Vollure®, Volbella®, Redensity, RHA 2®, RHA 3®, RHA 4®), KYBELLA®, eyelash/brow services, wraps, medical-grade chemical peels, microdermabrasion. BEDSIDE MANNER: We combine compassion, confidentiality, experience, and safety with personalized attention to your individual needs.

New Leaf Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

4400 Heritage Trace Parkway, Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76244

817.380.1087

Fax 817.380.1088

information@newleafplasticsurgery.com newleafplasticsurgery.com

Northstar Dermatology

Amir Aboutalebi, M.D., FAAD

Nicole Strickland, M.D., FAAD

Shalini Vemula, M.D., FAAD

Christine Read, PA-C

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatology. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Amir Aboutalebi – M.D., Baylor College of Medicine (AOA member); residency, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Nicole Strickland – M.D. and residency, UT Southwestern Medical School (AOA member). Dr. Shalini Vemula – M.D. and residency, Boston University School of Medicine (AOA member). Christine Read, PA-C – MPAS, UNT Health Science Center; BS, University of Dallas. AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs for seven years. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: We have built a practice that boasts the talents of the most highly trained physicians, physician assistant, and staff. This incredible team has allowed us to serve an amazing patient population. We are proud of our company values which emphasize continuous learning and investigation, transparency, efficiency, and the education of our patients. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Given every individual’s unique genetic background and varying environmental exposures, we recognize each patient’s skin as inherently different, meriting personalized medical attention. We emphasize evidence-based medicine but also maintain an eye to the human aspect of health care. FREE ADVICE: Invest in your skin now for visible returns in the future. Whenever possible, seek to prevent conditions before they arise. Wear sunscreen, use retinoids, maintain a healthy diet. Don’t waste time, money, and energy on fads. Seek the expertise of a board-certified dermatologist. It’s your skin; wear it proudly!

Northstar Dermatology 8169 Precinct Line Road, Building 2 North Richland Hills, Texas 76182

817.427.3376 Fax 817.427.3379

northstardermatology.com

The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute

SPECIALTY: Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine; Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Surgery of the Shoulder, Hip, Knee, Foot and Ankle; Shoulder, Hip and Knee Replacements. AWARDS: Top Docs Awards for a decade. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Surgicare Fort Worth, Mansfield; Park Hill Surgery Center; Baylor Surgical Hospital Fort Worth; Texas Health Downtown Fort Worth, Southwest, Cleburne, Mansfield, Willow Park; Methodist Hospital Mansfield, Midlothian; Medical City Hospital Fort Worth. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: State-of-the-art care including robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements; reverse total shoulder replacement technique.

INNOVATIONS: Orthopedics Today, walk-in clinic for same-day treatment of orthopedic injuries, provides convenient, expert care on-site at OSMI Fort Worth. Physical therapy at Fort Worth and Willow Park delivers expert rehabilitation by highly experienced therapists. Adjustable depth, Hydroworx Pool with underwater treadmill for training and rehab is available at Fort Worth.

PATIENT CARE: OSMI’s philosophy is to provide professional athlete level of care to all who seek it.

ADVICE: Determine your personal goals for your health care. Seek that level of care and trust until you find the physician who meets your needs and expectations. PICTURED: G. Todd Moore, D.O.; Michael H. Boothby, M.D.; Vincent Inglima, DPM, Bret Beavers, M.D.; G. Keith Gill, M.D.; Nicholas Martin, M.D.

The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute

2901 Acme Brick Plaza Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.529.1900

305 Regency Parkway, Ste. 405 Mansfield, Texas 76063

817.968.5806

1000 Medical Center Drive Decatur, Texas 76234

940.626.2410

OSMIFW.com orthopedics2day.com

SPECIALTY: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our physicians specialize in all aspects of rehabilitation including neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, sports medicine, orthopedic rehabilitation, amputee care, and occupational medicine. Our physicians perform EMG and nerve conduction studies, baclofen pump management, botulinum toxin injections, peripheral joint injections, and Visco supplementation. We provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient therapeutic management. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Omar Selod, D.O. – Kansas City University of Medical Medicine and Bioscience; residency, Baylor University Medical Center. Lan Le, D.O. –UNT Health Science Center; residency, Baylor University Medical Center. Austen Watkins, D.O. – UNT Health Science Center; residency, UT Southwestern Medical Center. Neha Shah, D.O. – UNT Health Science Center; residency, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital/University of Chicago. Benecia Williams, D.O. – UNT Health Science Center; residency, Baylor University Medical Center; Sports Medicine fellowship, JPS. Hayden Smith, D.O. – UNT Health Science Center; residency, Baylor University Medical Center.

AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth, Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Kindred Southwest. PICTURED: Hayden Smith, D.O.; Benecia Williams, D.O.; Austen Watkins, D.O.; Neha Shah, D.O.; Lan Le, D.O.; Omar Selod, D.O.

PMR Fort Worth

New Office: 5632 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.336.7188

Fax 844.231.8865

pmrfortworth.com

PMR Fort Worth

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: American Board

Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and fellowship trained in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvardteaching program) (General Surgery);Louisiana State University (Plastic Surgery) and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (Aesthetic Fellowship).

AWARDS/HONORS: Compassionate Doctor Recognition, Super Doctors Texas Rising Stars, Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctors.

MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

Closing a practice in Chicago and moving to New York City to train under world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Wood-Smith to complete an Aesthetic Fellowship.

INNOVATION AND SPECIAL INTERESTS: Dr. Polavarapu specializes in facial rejuvenation with personally compounded chemical peels and creates a “natural look” with her approach to anti-aging, fillers, neuromodulators, and lasers. She has a unique approach on breast augmentation, tummy tucks and body contouring and otoplasty. She is also certified in the hidden scar approach to breast reconstruction. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Ability to relate to all patients and treat them like family. FREE ADVICE: Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Look at beforeand-after pictures and help set expectations with your plastic surgeon ... as everybody and everyone is unique.

Polavarapu Plastic Surgery, PLLC 5701 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 113 Fort Worth, Texas 76109 817.615.8576

facebook.com/fwplastics Instagram @fwplastics polavplastics.com

Kiran Polavarapu, M.D. Polavarapu Plastic Surgery, PLLC

Regency Pain & Therapy Institute

Mark Dirnberger, D.O.; Jason Butler, M.D.; Cindy Ng, D.O.; Damian Sacky, D.O.

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Interventional Pain Medicine, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, and Sports Medicine. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Mark Dirnberger, D.O. – medical degree, Texas College of Osteopathic Medical, UNTHSC; internship, Medical City Fort Worth; residency, OMCT Hospital Fort Worth. Jason Butler, M.D. – medical degree, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; residency and fellowship, JPS, Fort Worth. Cindy Ng, D.O. –medical degree, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, UNTHSC; residency, Baylor Scott & White – Temple. AWARDS/HONORS: All doctors have been named Top Doc and Best Of in Interventional Pain Medicine, multiple years. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Surgicare, Mansfield; Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and USMD Hospital, Arlington; Baylor Surgical Hospital, Fort Worth. INNOVATIONS: Regency utilizes multiple modalities when treating pain patients. One treatment option unique to Regency is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. SERVICES: Regency Pain & Therapy Institute provides a full range of treatment options and services for patients suffering from chronic and acute pain. The practice is all inclusive, utilizing education, medications, physical therapy, injections, and various procedures to treat pain. And for patient convenience, everything is available under one roof. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: All doctors are well known for their thoughtful approach to providing care. They share a personal and professional “Commitment to Excellence” in patient care delivery. PICTURED: Mark Dirnberger, D.O.; Cindy Ng, D.O.; Jason Butler, M.D.; and Damian Sacky, D.O.

Regency Pain & Therapy Institute 74 Regency Parkway

Mansfield, Texas 76063

817.419.6111

regencypain.com

SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology: Cataract Surgery, Premium Lens Implants (Toric Lens, PanOptix, Vivity, Tecnis Symfony), Diseases of the Retina and Vitreous, Diabetic Retinopathy/Lasers, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Treatment.

EDUCATION: B.A., magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1986; M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 1990; Ophthalmology Residency, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, 1995; Vitreoretinal Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1997.

CERTIFICATIONS: Board Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. AWARDS: Physician’s Recognition Award, American Medical Association. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Texas Ophthalmological Association, Texas Medical Association, Tarrant County Medical Society. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital Las Colinas, Baylor Scott & White-Irving, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Texas Health Surgery Center Arlington. PATIENT CARE: A commitment to excellence in eye care is enhanced by our outstanding, caring staff. Dr. Reinke is a uniquely talented surgeon who personally provides all preoperative and postoperative care.

Reinke Eye and Laser Center

1310 N. White Chapel Blvd. • Southlake, Texas 76092 817.310.6080 • Fax 817.310.6014 1916 Central Drive • Bedford, Texas 76021 817.283.6607 • Fax 817.283.2674

7433 Las Colinas Blvd. • Irving, Texas 75063 972.556.1915 • Fax 972.556.1877

reinke.southlake@gmail.com dfwlasercataract.com

Reinke Eye and Laser Center

Martin Reinke, M.D.

SPECIALTY: Retina specialist; board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologists specializing in the most advanced treatments for medical and surgical diseases of the retina including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membrane, and intraocular tumors.

EDUCATION: The physicians have trained at leading institutions, including the Johns Hopkins Hospital Wilmer Eye Institute, Harvard Medical School, Duke University Eye Center, Wills Eye Hospital, University of Southern California, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, Associated Retinal Consultants/ Beaumont Health, and the Georgetown University/Retina Group of Washington.

PATIENT CARE: We believe the most important qualities of the doctor-patient relationship are communication, trust, and compassion. As physicians, we should know more than our patients about their disease; our goal is to have them understand their disease at least as well as we do. We are humbled by our patients’ trust and feel that trust is a strong foundation upon which our relationship is built. Our goal is to heal; often, that healing comes from soothing the mind or the heart through compassion. We advise our patients to take an active part in their treatment.

Retina Center of Texas

3455 Locke Ave., Ste. 310 Fort Worth, Texas 76107

305 Morrison Park Drive, Ste. 100 Southlake, Texas 76092

3804 W. 15th St., Ste. 130 Plano, Texas 75075

12222 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 250 Dallas, Texas 75243

817.865.6800 • Fax 817.865.6790 retinacentertx.com

Retina Center of Texas

SPECIALTY: Rheumatology. EDUCATION: Internal Medicine residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey; fellowship in Rheumatology at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California.

CERTIFICATIONS: Board-certified in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine; certified in Medical Humanities, Drew University; certified in rheumatological procedures under ultrasound guidance by the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR). AWARDS/ HONORS: Top Doc, 2017-2024; Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars, 2020-2024; 360 West Top Doc, 2020-2024; Medical Honoree for the Arthritis Foundation; Barbara Sloan Patient Comfort Award for outstanding compassion and care of patients; Assistant Chief Medical Resident. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American College of Rheumatology (ACR), American Medical Association (AMA), Texas Medical Association (TMA). AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Huguley Hospital. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Rajbhandary specializes in treating both common as well as rare rheumatic conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia etc. She performs steroid and Visco supplementation injections, injections for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and bursitis.

PATIENT CARE: Dr. Rajbhandary is known for her empathetic approach toward patients, providing unwavering support and understanding to all those who are suffering from acute and chronic pain due to their autoimmune disease.

Rheumatology Clinic of DFW, PLLC

11803 S. Freeway, Ste. 104 • Fort Worth, Texas 76115 817.551.3812 • Fax 817.551.3813

rheumatologyclinicofdfw.com

Rosy Rajbhandary, M.D. Rheumatology Clinic of DFW, PLLC

Matthew H. Steele MD

SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: B.S., M.D., University of Florida; Board Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, LSU Health Sciences Center; Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine. AWARDS/ HONORS: Top Doctor, Fort Worth Magazine, 2013–2016, 2024; RealSelf 100 Award; Exemplary Teacher Award, University of Florida, College of Medicine; Outstanding Young Alumnus, University of Florida Alumni Association. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons; American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Being accepted into a prestigious accelerated medical school program at the University of Florida and teaching young residents and medical students at my alma mater. INNOVATIONS: We offer virtual reality 3D breast imaging so that patients can get a more realistic visualization of their results after breast augmentation. Additionally, Dr. Steele offers awake, in-office liposuction combined with Renuvion J-plasma for optimal skin contraction and a speedy recovery. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our team prides itself on providing an individualized, first-class experience. We take the time to build a trusting, collaborative relationship with each patient. FREE ADVICE: Always check for board certification and get a few opinions from several plastic surgeons. PICTURED: Dr. Matthew Steele, Keri Steele, Jessica Garcia, Sheniqua Lawson, Jennifer Geyer, and Victoria Puff.

Matthew H. Steele, M.D. 5656 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 202 Fort Worth, Texas 76109 817.731.5330

info@drsteeleplasticsurgery.com drsteeleplasticsurgery.com

SPECIALTY: Cosmetic surgery of the breast, body and face, and breast reconstruction.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: B.S., Amherst College; M.D. and residencies in Surgery and Plastic Surgery at UTMB Galveston; Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. MEMBERSHIPS: The Aesthetic Society, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons.

INNOVATIONS: Dr. Strock is an internationally recognized authority on breast implant surgery. He is widely known for his expertise in the treatment of complications from previous breast implant surgery, including both implant replacement and removal, with use of the patient’s own tissue to create optimal breast shape. He is also well known for his expertise in first time breast enhancement, including transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation, an approach that allows patients to have silicone gel implants placed using a short incision in the armpit, avoiding any incisions on the breast. Dr. Strock teaches plastic surgeons in practice the latest concepts and techniques in breast implant surgery at The Aesthetic Society’s Sponsored Symposia and Annual Aesthetic Meeting. He has served as president of the The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Traveling Professor for The Aesthetic Society, and serves as adjunct faculty at UTSW. This dedication to education and his specialty gives him access to the latest information that he routinely applies to help his patients. PICTURED: Hannah Bagstad, Clinic Coordinator; Louis L. Strock, M.D., P.A.; Kelly Sheldon, Patient Coordinator.

800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 606 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.335.1616 drstrock.com Louis L. Strock, M.D., P.A. Strock Plastic Surgery

Strock Plastic Surgery

Texas Back Institute

SPECIALTY: Spine Surgery. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS: Spine research, teaching, and training, participating in the advancements in spine surgery. INNOVATIONS: TBI research arm, which participates in FDA studies and trials. Research and education are the foundations on which TBI was built, and they continue 45 years later. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Its educational component and use of advanced techniques and technology. Its doctors attend internal conferences, share interesting cases, and have a peer review committee and journal club. TBI employs the use of artificial discs, robotics, and endoscopic procedures. ADVICE: Michael F. Duffy, M.D. – If you are told you need a fusion, ask about disc replacement. Uche Davidson, M.D. – Arm and/or leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness when associated with neck or back pain could be a sign of nerve compression and should be evaluated by a spine specialist. Brian Braaksma, M.D. – Get all your questions answered. You should understand what is going on in your body, your treatment plan, and your expectations from recovery. Adewale Adeniran, M.D. – Don’t delay seeing a spine surgeon for an evaluation if you are losing balance, developing weakness in your arms or legs, or having more and more difficulty walking long distances. PICTURED: Top Docs (front, left) Uche Davidson, M.D.; (front, right) Adewale Adeniran, M.D.; (back, left) Michael Duffy, M.D.; (back, right) Brian Braaksma, M.D.

Texas Back Institute

Alliance • Fort Worth • Mansfield 972.608.5100 texasback.com

Texas Center for Urology

SPECIALTY: Urology/Urologic Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Todd Young – D.O., UNTHSC; Urology Residency, Michigan State University. Michael Waters – D.O., Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Urology Residency, Michigan State University. James Kelley IV – D.O., UNTHSC; Urology Residency, Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Jay Carpenter – D.O., UNTHSC; Urology Residency, Rowan University. AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Huguley Hospital, Texas Health Huguley Surgery Center, Texas Health Mansfield Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Surgicare Fort Worth, Medical City Fort Worth, Medical City Weatherford, Baylor Surgical Hospital of Fort Worth. PRACTICE INNOVATIONS: Our doctors are committed to providing leading-edge, minimally invasive, and solutionsoriented treatments for a wide range of urological needs. We work closely with each patient to come up with a treatment plan that considers all aspects of a patient’s life. PICTURED: David Rittenhouse, D.O.; Todd Young, D.O.; Michael Waters, D.O.; James Kelley IV, D.O.; and Jay Carpenter, D.O.

Texas Center for Urology

2900 Acme Brick Plaza

Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.871.9069 • Fax 817.871.9067

11797 South Freeway, Ste. 330 Burleson, Texas 76028

817.769.3370 • Fax 817.769.3377

1212 Clear Lake Road, Ste. 200 Weatherford, Texas 76086

817.871.9069 • Fax 817.871.9067

1759 Broad Park Circle, Ste. 101 Mansfield, Texas 76063

817.769.3370 • Fax 817.769.3377

texascenterforurology.com

Texas Health Care Bone & Joint Clinic

SPECIALTY: Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Total Joint Replacement, Spine Surgery. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Board-certified orthopedic surgery, fellowship-trained sports medicine, hand, total joints, spine, arthroscopy. AWARDS/HONORS: Team physicians for Fort Worth Country Day School and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; TCU’s official orthopedists and team physicians for 58 years until 2015; Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs; Texas Super Doctors. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Established in 1958, the Bone and Joint Clinic is the oldest and largest orthopedic clinic in Fort Worth. INNOVATIONS: Local, North Texas-based physicians with nationally recognized practices perform myriad of highly specialized procedures, such as hip arthroscopy, minimally invasive total hip replacement, and regenerative orthopedic injections with patients’ own platelets and stem cells. MEDICAL STAFF ADDITION: The Bone & Joint Clinic is pleased to welcome Grace Reynolds, M.D., a Fort Worth native who specializes in sports orthopedics. PATIENT CARE: With highly specialized physicians and integrated, on-site physical therapy, we can diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate any orthopedic condition, either a degenerative condition or injury to any part of the body. PICTURED: Joseph C. Milne, M.D.; Torrance A. Walker, M.D.; James Brezina, Jr., M.D.; Andrew Lee, M.D.; Stephen L. Brotherton, M.D.; David P. Brigati, M.D.; Steven J. Meyers, M.D.

Texas Health Care Bone & Joint Clinic

1651 W. Rosedale St., Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.335.4316

Fax 817.336.2504

thcboneandjoint.com

Texas Health Medical Associates

Raquel Robles, M.D.

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Obstetrics and Gynecology. EDUCATION: Dominican University, Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry; Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Medical Degree; Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago - Obstetrics and Gynecology residency; board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG); Dr. Milk (Physician Mothers Interested in Lactation Knowledge). HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Huguley Hospital in Burleson. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Certified in use of robotics for gynecological procedures (Da Vinci Robot). INNOVATIONS: We perform hysteroscopic procedures using Myosure and endometrial ablations using Novasure. We perform robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy using the Da Vinci Robot. PATIENT CARE: I take my time to get to know each patient personally and ensure all of her questions are answered. I also ensure that the patient understands all of her options for a treatment plan and that she comfortable with any next steps that are taken. Each visit should end with a sense of comfort. I am fluent in Spanish which is also helpful to communicate effectively with my patients. PICTURED: Raquel Robles, M.D.; Lorena Graves, reception and surgery scheduling; Lisa Neal, registered medical assistant.

Texas Health Medical Associates

11803 South Freeway, Ste. 213 Burleson, Texas 76028 817.806.1123

raquel.robles@adventhealth.org

Texas Oncology

Fort Worth and Southwest Fort Worth

UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We provide comprehensive care to women with cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, genetic counseling, nutrition assessment, and social services. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Noelle Cloven, M.D. – Gynecologic Oncology; M.D., Baylor College of Medicine; Residency, UC Irvine; Board-Certified in Gynecologic Oncology. Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS – Breast Surgical Oncology; D.O., Oklahoma State, Breast Surgical Oncology, Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Board-Certified in General Surgery. Cristi Aitelli, D.O. – Medical Oncology; D.O., UNT-HSC; Residency, BUMC; Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Kathleen L. Shide, M.D., FACR – Radiation Oncology; M.D., UT Southwestern Medical School; Residency, Mayo Clinic; Board-Certified in Radiation Oncology. Rachel Theriault, M.D. –Medical Oncology; M.D., Baylor College of Medicine; Residency- Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine; Board Certified in Medical Oncology. Chi Pham, M.D. – Medical Oncology; M.D., UT Southwestern; Residency - Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern; Board Certified in Medical Oncology. Reagan Street, M.D. – M.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Residency, University of Texas Medical Branch; Board-Certified in Gynecologic Oncology. INNOVATIONS: Minimally invasive surgery, genetic counseling and testing, molecular profiling to allow for targeted therapy, clinical trials through NCI and Gynecologic Oncology Foundation. MOTTO: More breakthroughs. More victories.® PICTURED: Cristi Aitelli, Noelle Cloven, Kathleen L. Shide, Jennifer Hecht, Rachel Theriault, and Chi Pham

Texas Oncology

Fort Worth Cancer Center

500 S. Henderson St. Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.413.1500

Southwest Fort Worth

6500 Harris Parkway

Fort Worth, Texas 76132

817.263.2600

texasoncology.com

Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists

SPECIALTY: Foot & Ankle Surgery. EDUCATION: Beede – California College of Pod Medicine, San Francisco; Surgical Residency in Portland, Oregon. Driver – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, Chicago; Surgical Residency, Rocky Mountain Regional, Colorado; Fellowship, Professional Education and Research Institute, Virginia. Jaryga – University of Toledo College of Pharmacy; Ohio College of Pod Medicine; Surgical Residency in Fort Worth. AWARDS/HONORS: All doctors graduated with Honors from medical school and are Board Certified. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Resources and Baylor Health Care System. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: The evolution of foot/ankle practice to trauma and true reconstruction/limb salvage surgical practice that allows patients the opportunity to return to a higher-level quality of life. INNOVATIONS: Trauma; minimally invasive surgical techniques; Lapiplasty; total ankle replacement surgery; the usage of the only FDA-approved laser for foot and ankle and pain issues; Charcot limb salvage surgery. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our goal is to deliver comprehensive quality care using the latest proven and sophisticated techniques in treating your foot/ankle problems. Our dedicated team of trained professionals remains committed to working with our patients to maintain and improve foot/ankle health. Our doctors are known for transparency and compassion when treating patients, including clear and concise communication to all. PICTURED: Dr. Gary L. Driver, Dr. Glen A. Beede, and Dr. Gregory A. Jaryga.

Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists

5801 Oakmont Trail, Ste. 140 Fort Worth, Texas 76132

817.377.3668

trinityfootandankle.com

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Timothy Hadden, M.D.

SPECIALTY: Dr. Hadden specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, with a focus on complex coronary interventions. He is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and its Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. EDUCATION: Medical school, University of Oklahoma; medical residency, Vanderbilt University; cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowships, Texas Heart Institute/St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital/ Baylor College of Medicine. AWARDS/HONORS: Top Doctor – Cardiology, 2005-2023, Fort Worth Magazine; Chief Interventional Fellow 2004, St. Luke’s Episcopal/Texas Heart Institute; Academic Distinction, 1997, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: With an established, successful practice and long-standing patient relationships in Fort Worth, Dr. Hadden was excited to broaden the scope of his practice by joining UT Southwestern in 2023. This gave him the opportunity to advance his skills in complex coronary interventions while educating others. He feels he now has the best of both worlds, maintaining his practice and relationships in Fort Worth while performing his procedures at the state-of-the-art William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital in Dallas. PATIENT CARE: Dr. Hadden is renowned for his compassionate approach to patient care. He is unwavering in his desire to help others, a trait that is consistent with his outstanding patient ratings. During his time at UTSW, he has gained the admiration of students, hospital staff, and colleagues.

UT Southwestern Medical Center

600 South Main St. 2nd Floor, Ste. 2.200 Fort Worth, Texas 76104

682.710.7628

timothy.hadden@utsouthwestern.edu

Denise Bruckerhoff, D.O.

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Internal Medicine. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine. AWARDS/ HONORS: ACOI Fellow of Internal Medicine; 2014 American College of Osteopathic Internists Fellow; 2011, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Fort Worth Magazine Top Doc, Internal Medicine; 2009 American College of Osteopathic Internists Board Certification; 2020 Inner Circle Executive Top Doc, Internal Medicine; 2022 and 2024 TX Top Docs, Internal Medicine; 2023 Top Doctors in America, Internal Medicine. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: AOA, TOMA, ACOI. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Methodist Mansfield, Texas Health Resources.

Denise Bruckerhoff, D.O.

1900 Matlock Road, Building 6, Ste. 604 Mansfield, Texas 76063

817.755.1005

bimadr.com

Dermatology Solutions

Sanober Amin, M.D., Ph.D. Brigitte Sallee, M.D.

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Medical, pediatric, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. EDUCATION: Drs. Sanober Amin and Brigitte Sallee are board-certified dermatologists. Their academic journey, marked by numerous scholarships and awards, reflects their dedication to academics, public service, and research. PATIENT CARE: While treating all skin types and ages, they are committed to partnering with their patients to deliver compassionate, ethical, and personalized care in medical, pediatric, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Medical Center Grapevine. PICTURED: Sanober Amin, M.D., Ph.D.; Brigitte Sallee, M.D.

Dermatology Solutions Grapevine

1600 W. College St., Ste. LL40 Grapevine, Texas 76051

Dermatology Solutions Argyle

7226 Crawford Road, Ste. 100 Argyle, Texas 76226

214.337.6362

dermsolutionstx.com

DFW Infectious Diseases, PLLC

SPECIALTY: DFW Infectious Diseases is part of an integrated health care delivery system comprised of physicians, hospitals, case managers, community clinics, managed care partners, and other health care professionals, all of whom work together as a team to deliver the integrated care that is more effective to managing patient infections.

MISSION: Our mission is to develop and maintain a patient care environment that enhances our ability to provide comprehensive care in a sensitive and caring setting.

PHILOSOPHY: Our philosophy is to approach each patient as an individual and address his or her concerns through proper research and examination, effective and accurate diagnosis, proper treatments, early prevention. and up-todate education. We constantly strive to significantly improve the health and quality of life of our patients, decrease the duration of illness, and have more positive outcomes.

PICTURED: Dr. Nikhil K. Bhayani and Dr. Priya Subramanian

DFW Infectious Diseases, PLLC

1615 Hospital Parkway, Ste. 200 Bedford, Texas 76022

817.916.8877

Fax 817.527.2969

dfwid.com

Atif Haque, M.D., FAANS, FACS

Baylor Scott & White Neurosurgery and Spine Associates

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Neurosurgery. EDUCATION/

CERTIFICATIONS: Medical School, University of Mississippi School of Medicine; Internship and Residency, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Fellowship, Spine Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Board Certification, American Board of Neurological Surgery. GREATEST

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Consistently rated as a top doctor in the community, I receive word-ofmouth referrals to see prior patients’ family members and friends. INNOVATIONS: Whenever possible, I try to recommend motion-sparing surgery, including artificial disc replacement. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: So many patients tell me that they have never actually met their surgeon — only his or her assistant(s). I have built my practice from the ground up to be able to see every patient, every time, myself.

Baylor Scott & White Neurosurgery and Spine Associates

1400 Eighth Ave., Ste. A1131 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817.912.9250 • NeurosurgeryAssociates.com

Texas Bone and Joint

Brook Adams

MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dr. Brook Adams is board-certified in orthopedic surgery with additional fellowship training in sports medicine. Areas of interest include prevention and treatment of sports injuries, nonoperative treatment of arthritis as well as joint replacements of the hip, knee, and shoulder. Level I musculoskeletal trauma trained.

EDUCATION: M.D., University of Texas Houston; residency at University of New Mexico; sports fellowship in Jackson, Tennessee, where training was completed in 2012.

AWARDS/HONORS: Board certified and current fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. HOSPITAL

AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth. PATIENT CARE: Dr. Adams strives to devote quality time and give compassionate care to patients.

Texas Bone and Joint 1650 Rosedale Road, Ste. 120 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 682.286.7011 brook.adams@hcahealthcare.com

A family owned and operated Swimming Pools Design, Build, and Service Company. We specialize in residential and commercial design/builds, weekly maintenance, equipment repair, and renovation. For over twenty-five years we have provided our clients with quality service and an exceptional experience.

A Celebration of Fort Worth’s Most Influential People

Each year, Fort Worth Inc. produces its list of The 400: Fort Worth’s Most Influential People. One standout individual is selected from the list to receive the magazine’s Person of the Year award for their contributions towards making Fort Worth a better place to live and work, particularly within the past year. Fort Worth Inc. announces John Goff as the magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year after Goff’s successful leadership in overseeing the completion and opening of The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth development, among other impressive achievements.

A cocktail reception will be held at The Fort Worth Club on May 23 to celebrate these deserving individuals. Tickets may be purchased by scanning the QR code below. Thursday, May 23 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM

The Fort Worth Club $45 each

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to: bit.ly/The400Event

SPONSOR:

PLATINUM

CHOWTOWN

LOCAL EATS AND RESTAURANT NEWS

DINING

With over-the-top shell fish towers and fish carved tableside, this restaurantwithin-a-restaurant is more than worthy of standing on its own two feet.

by Shilo Urban

Cowtown’s Culinary Renaissance

A decade of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival (and delicious dining in the Fort) — and what’s to come

Reset the table to 2014, the first year of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival.

Clay Pigeon and Pacific Table were new on the scene and would be joined a few months later by Melt and Righteous Foods. South Main Village had one major player, Stir Crazy Baked Goods. Magnolia Avenue was starting to take off as a foodie destination and The Shops at Clearfork (and restaurants) didn’t exist. Travis and Emma

Heim were hosting backyard barbecues and dreaming of a food truck. No one had ever shared the housemade ricotta at Piattello, slurped the pork pozole at Tinies, or sipped a second mimosa on Press Café’s patio. Oh, how the times have changed.

“Ten years ago was when the local, farm-to-table movement really got going,” says Russell Kirkpatrick, the festival’s co-founder and a luminary

of the Fort Worth restaurant world. Recently honored as the namesake of the new Kirkpatrick Visionary Award for gastronomic innovation, he was the general manager at Reata for 18 years and recently joined forces with prolific restaurateur Marcus Paslay to expand longtime hometown favorite Mercado Juarez.

As the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, reflecting on the past decade of culinary development reveals just how far Tarrant County has come. While there were plenty of prominent restaurants back in 2014 (Ellerbe’s, Grace, and Lili’s Bistro come to mind), it was a far cry from the bounty we encounter now.

“Just look at the new breakfast places,” says Kirkpatrick. “Ten years ago, you would go to Vickery Café or West Side Café or Montgomery Street Café — which are awesome in their own right, which I love — but then to have a Hot Box Biscuit Club, it’s a totally different experience. To see the success of restaurants like that has been super encouraging.”

“Fort Worth is one of those cities that doesn’t love change … in a good way,” says Sarah Hooton, co-owner of Hot Box Biscuit Club. “For instance, I’m pretty sure there would be an uproar if Kincaid’s even thought about touching that burger. People are fiercely loyal here, which is heartwarming.” Yet our loyalty lives alongside a taste for adventure, just as it did for our cowboy forebears. “I love seeing a place like Tokyo Café where Kevin [Martinez] is constantly creating new ways to eat and experience food. All kinds of people show up for his random events with 12 hours’ notice because he wants to try something cool.” Hooton and Martinez co-hosted a brunch on New Year’s Day that sold out before they could post the menu. “It says a lot about a city and its people when they’ll buy tickets to a brunch even though they have no clue what the menu is. I love how adventurous people are with food now.”

Hot Box Biscuit Club is one of the many eclectic eateries in South Main Village, now a prime destination for

Photos by Nancy Farrar

Jill Johnson

Larry Garcia

independent restaurants, bars, and coffee houses. “I’ve seen an incredible increase in the diversity of business owners and the cuisine they serve,” says Megan Henderson, Near Southside’s director of events and communications since 2013. “From the emergence of our own vegan village with Spiral Diner, Maiden Fine Plants & Spirits, Dreamboat Donuts, and Vice Burger, to the warm embrace of dumplings from Hao’s Grocery, Teddy Wong’s, Pantry on Magnolia, and Spice … it’s exciting to see our taste buds reaching into new areas beyond the steak and potatoes Fort Worth is best known for.”

Kirkpatrick agrees. “You’re starting to see these restaurants that are really diving into international flair and flavors mixed with the traditional. Barbecue’s a great example.” After Heim kicked off with Central Texas

salt-and-pepper-style craft barbecue in 2015, barbecue restaurants with a global twist started popping up, like the Mexicue at Hurtado and Panther City BBQ. Arlington’s Smoke’N Ash offers Tex-Ethiopian barbecue and Sabar food truck brings the Tex-Pakistani (courtesy of Goldee’s former pitmaster Zain Shafi). One can only dream of the barbecue fusions that will pop up next: Peruvian brisket wrapped in banana leaves and stone-smoked underground? Filipino lechon pork spit-roasted over charcoal? Turkish lamb testi kebab cooked in a clay pot you smash before eating? Sign us up.

As Cowtown’s palate expands into new horizons, the city is becoming a culinary destination on the national stage. Mexican eatery Don Artemio received a nomination for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Awards, the Oscars of the food and beverage industry. James Beard semifinalist Goldee’s BBQ snagged the No. 1 spot on Texas Monthly’s list of the best barbecue joints in the state. Fort Worth is attracting talent and keeping it, such as the two Michelin-starred chef Graham Elliot. The TV celebrity teamed up with restaurateur Felipe Armenta to open the thoroughly French bistro Le Margot.

Chefs like Armenta and Paslay have underpinned the scene for well over 10 years, joined in their enthusiasm for local cuisine by Kari Crowe (Melt), Molly McCook (Ellerbe’s), Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s), Adam Jones and Blaine Staniford (Grace and Osteria 61), Lou Lambert (Paris Coffee Shop, Dutch’s Hamburgers) … plus far too many others to name here.

You can sample from many of those unnamed chefs at the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, taking place April 4-7 in 2024. While you probably know the FWFWF from its annual extravaganza and mouthwatering events throughout the year (including wine tastings and cross-cultural dinners), you might not know that it has raised over $325,000 to support the culinary community since its launch in 2014. The nonprofit organization awards scholarships to students in cooking school and provides relief funds to chefs and restaurant employees experiencing hardships — which has no doubt contributed mightily to the epicurean upswing in the city.

Wider cultural trends have also played a role, like the explosion of food TV and internet. “Today the 30-year-old that has a little bit of money burning a hole in their pocket was watching “Top Chef” or “MasterChef” when they were 20 or even younger,” says Kirkpatrick. More than ever, people know what kinds of food are out there. “Chefs like Bourdain and Zimmern have excited people with adventurous dining so they’re a lot less hesitant to try something they never have before … the TCU student is chomping at the bit for stuff like that.” Younger generations are seeking status not through fancy houses and cars, but with experiences like travel and food — and they post it all on Instagram — fueling the rise of foodie culture.

And it’s not just TCU students: More tourists arrive every year. According to statistics from Visit Fort Worth, arrivals increased from 6.5 million in 2014 to 10.8 million in 2022. Events at Dickies Arena give travelers new reasons to visit the city and stay a few days, as

does the surge of luxury hotels opened in the last decade: Sandman, Bowie House, The Crescent, Hotel Drover, Kimpton Harper, and The Sinclair. Most sightseers find their way to the Stockyards, where celebrity chef Tim Love (another local MVP) has perfectly positioned six of his restaurants for the inflow of tourists that recognize his famous name. His three newest eateries (Paloma Suerte, Tannahill’s, and Caterina’s) sprawl along the new Mule Alley development, which also didn’t exist in 2014.

“I think the Fort Worth restaurateur and chef community has kept up with the growing pace of visitors coming to town,” says Kirkpatrick. “There’s a restaurant for each of those diners for whatever the occasion, from casual to high-end, counter service to white tablecloth.”

The tourist dollar is crucial for supporting Fort Worth’s restaurants, but there’s one factor that’s even more important: you. Whether you were born and raised in North Texas or a recent

transplant (welcome home!), hungry locals will determine the course and development of the culinary scene. “As DFW continues to grow and the population influx of out-of-state residents grows, I think you’ll see a tremendous leap in the cuisines that are available because there’s going to be more of a demand,” says Kirkpatrick. “I think your Fort Worthian 10 years down the road is going to look different.” But don’t worry, carnivores — traditional Texan meat-and-potatoes cuisine is around to stay, he says. “We’re still in Fort Worth.”

Our hometown’s delicious renaissance will continue as long as we patronize local restaurants with zeal, patronize them again, and share our passion with others. We all have that friend or family member who always wants to eat at corporate chains like Saltgrass, Cracker Barrel, or Red Lobster. No judgment: Those cheddar biscuits are fantastic. But consider it your mission as a citizen of Fort Worth to draw your friends out to independent restaurants. They’ll thank you for broadening their gastronomical horizons, and so will the culinary future of the city.

ATLAS FORT WORTH

A Cocktail Bar Celebrating Cultures through Food & Drink

Welcome to Atlas Fort Worth, where cultures converge in an upscale setting, tantalizing taste buds and igniting the imagination. Nestled within Fort Worth’s vibrant Near Southside neighborhood, our gothic library-themed bar offers an ambiance that seamlessly blends mystery with allure. Renowned for our innovative cocktails and masterful mixology, each drink is crafted with precision and flair, inviting patrons to indulge in a symphony of flavors. But it’s not just the cocktails that set us apart; our menu, inspired by global cuisine, offers a tantalizing array of dishes reflecting the rich tapestry of cultures. As you savor each bite, you’ll feel transported to distant lands and exotic locales. But perhaps what truly sets us apart is our ability to evoke a sense of wanderlust in our patrons. With each visit, you’re invited on a culinary journey, exploring the world one sip and one bite at a time. Join us at Atlas Fort Worth and prepare to be transported to far-off lands and exotic shores, all without ever leaving your seat. In this hidden gem, the world is yours to explore.

by Malcolm Mayhew

In Living Color

The Blue Room, the new restaurant-within-a-restaurant concept at Emilia’s, is a luxurious but approachable fine dining experience like no other

At one point, four servers encircled our table of two. At other restaurants, I joked with my dining companion, it’s sometimes hard to get just one server’s attention. One came forth to brush away the crumbs my wife-slash-dining-sidekick had left behind from her appetizer of wagyu beef tartare, scarfed so quickly I barely got a bite in. Another refilled her glass of sparkling water, while a third reached to refill my still water.

This culinary ballet unfolded as a fourth server made suggestions for dinner entrees, speaking with all the knowledge and expertise of the restaurant’s chef, who, yes, would also make an appearance at our table. Did I mention a sommelier and manager swung by, too?

By the time we left, two hours later, the staff knew our names, and if my memory wasn’t so bad, I would know theirs, too. This was a level of service seldom seen in Fort Worth.

And so went our first experience at The Blue Room, the new restaurant-within-a-restaurant at Emilia’s, the in-house restaurant at the Crescent Hotel in the

Cultural District. Opened last fall, Emilia’s, on its own, is impressive enough, with its spectacularly grand dining room and Mediterranean-inspired, from-scratch menu designed by executive chef Preston Paine.

The Blue Room, which arrived in February, operates under the same roof as Emilia’s but offers a more elevated — and highly personal — experience. Separated from its mothership restaurant by a pair of frosted glass doors, the room is considerably more intimate than Emilia’s, with seating for about 50. Its riveting, American-inspired menu, too, is separate from Emilia’s, made up of small plates, entrees, and luxurious desserts hand-picked by Paine exclusively for Blue Room diners. A small army of servers cordially dote and chat and deliver a honeymoon suitelevel of service.

“When we first started working on the concept, we knew we wanted The Blue Room to be this jewel box inside Emilia’s,” Paine says. “There was a lot of back and forth and conversations about what that would look like. What we ended up going with is not only unique to the Crescent but unique to Fort Worth.”

The dining room is striking: White tablecloths and high windows imbue a sense of grandeur and elegance, while fresh flowers and dimly lit lamps, resting on each table, emphasize the room’s intimacy. As the name implies, there’s a lot of blue: Snug booths are bathed in a light sky blue, an appealing contrast to the plush, midnight blue wall coverings. Overhead is the room’s centerpiece: a large, custom-made chandelier whose arrow-shaped bulbs were inspired by the rare Mediterranean willow tree.

For all of its visual razzmatazz, The Blue Room is both approachable and affordable. We wore khakis and button-downs and sat across from people donning jeans and cowboy hats. Prices are on par with Fort Worth’s upper echelon restaurants, with most entrees hovering in the $30-$50 range.

During our visit, those entrees included venison filet, served upon

a pool of blueberry compote, with a side of creamed kale; farro risotto with fresh black truffle; seared scallops over a celery root puree; and, one of the dishes we tried, lobster fra diavolo, an excellent bucatini pasta punctuated with fresh Maine lobster.

For those with deeper pockets, there were big-ticket items, including traditional caviar service; a mammoth shellfish tower; dover sole for two, deboned tableside by a server; and roasted rack of lamb, also made for two and also carved tableside.

Appetizers included the aforementioned wagyu beef tartare, tuna carpaccio, and a small collection of imaginative and thoughtful salads. Hors d’oeuvres were bite-size thrills: a lardo-dipped piece of toasted brioche topped with pineapple-jalapeno jam and rich sea urchin roe; a roasted squash tartlet crowned with caramelized peanuts and pickled mustard seed; an East Coast oyster tricked out with warm chowder and served on a bed of sea salt.

For drinks, there are specialty cocktails and select reserve wines and vintage champagnes, which are made, poured, and served before your eyes at a private bar open only to Blue Room guests.

Many of the flavors we experienced throughout our meal were new to our palates.

“I love to hear that,” Paine says. “That’s one of many things I want to bring to the table here. I want to introduce flavors to Fort Worth, flavors that may be unfamiliar or maybe they’re known on their own but combined with other elements, other ingredients, are new to our diners.”

Although a newcomer to Fort Worth’s restaurant community, Paine has been cooking most of his life, he says. The Dallas native embarked on his culinary journey after high school, moving to New Orleans to attend Tulane University, where he played football and graduated with a degree in business development with an emphasis on the restaurant industry.

After graduating, he returned to Dallas to work for a restaurant management firm. Paine says he grew restless and left the company to travel and cook in kitchens around the world. Much of the culinary inspiration that inhabits his food at Emilia’s and The Blue Room, he says, comes from the time he spent in Manhattan at Eleven Madison Park, a critically acclaimed restaurant honored with three Michelin stars.

Many local diners already knew Paine before Emilia’s arrival: He was one of the contestants on “Ciao House,” a competitive cooking show that aired last spring on the Food Network. When the show hit the airwaves, the Crescent took notice and eventually he was offered the executive chef role.

“It’s actually four jobs,” he says, laughing, reminding me that he’s in charge of four food-related concepts under — and on top of — one roof. In addition to Emilia’s and The Blue Room, he also oversees and creates the menu for The Circle Bar, the Crescent’s lobby bar, where diners can order anything off Emilia’s menu, plus bar bites that are exclusive to The Circle Bar. In addition, he’s curating a special menu of light bites for the Crescent’s forthcoming rooftop patio and bar.

“It’s a lot of work, since each space has a different vibe and different menu,” he says. “But having four concepts in the same space allows me to be so creative. That’s the most rewarding part of this — having someone say, `I’ve never had anything like this before.’ That’s the ultimate compliment any chef loves to hear.”

TheBlueRoomatEmilia’s,3300CampBowieBlvd.,emiliasfortworth.com/blue-room

The Chowtown Lowdown

An Arlington restaurant that specializes in staples of Chicago cuisine is expanding. Hershey’s Palace, a small mom-andpop restaurant that serves pizza puffs, Italian beef sandwiches, and other dishes closely associated with Chicago, has opened a second location at 1110 S. Bowen Road. “It was always my intent to open multiple locations,” says owner Anthony “Hershey” Jones. “Now that I’m in a good place with the first location, it’s time to start expanding.” As I detailed in a story about Italian beef sandwiches earlier this year, Jones is a Chicago native who brought the flavors of his hometown to Arlington. He first landed in a spot near UTA, then moved to a more neighborly neighborhood on W. Arkansas Lane, where business has boomed. The new location on Bowen has two things going for it: the same menu as the original location and a much bigger dining room. His must-get is the Italian beef — a sandwich made with thinly sliced roast beef that’s wildly juicy, a little spicy, and incredibly messy, the way it should be. He also serves pizzas by the slice or whole, along with pizza puffs, fried dough filled with tomato sauce, cheese, and pizza toppings of your choice. They’re similar to Hot Pockets but so much better. hersheyspalacemenu.com

Bailey’s Barbecue, one of North Texas’ oldest barbecue joints, has a new name and new menu items, thanks to Panther City BBQ, whose owners have purchased the historic downtown ‘cue joint. Opened in 1931, Bailey’s is now known as Fort Worth Barbecue Co., and it now serves brisket elote, Nutter Butter cheesecake, and a few other select items from Panther City. Bailey’s longtimers shouldn’t sweat the changes; the old-school ‘cue, with old-school prices, are being left intact. 826TaylorSt.instagram.com/fort_worth_barbecue_co

Local culinary couple Victor Villarreal and his wife and business partner, Misty, have been hired to help breathe new life into another one of Fort Worth’s golden oldies, The Star Cafe, an American restaurant in the Fort Worth Stockyards known for essential Fort Worth eats: burgers, steaks, and chicken-fried steak. Villarreal teased the news recently on social media, not long after the diner was purchased by Drew Boatman, who owns or co-owns several bars in Fort Worth. Villarreal says Boatman hired the couple to revamp the restaurant — Vic will take care of sprucing up the menu (he’s already unveiled a new line of burgers); Misty will handle redesigning the dining room and bar area. Originally known as Edna’s Star Cafe, the restaurant opened in the 1930s and has gone through a handful of ownership and name changes. In the 1970s, it was an early location of Black-Eyed Pea, when the chain was first starting out. Don Boles purchased the restaurant in 1980, giving it back its original name. In 2022, Boles sold the restaurant to entrepreneur Chris Flores, who, in turn, recently sold it to Boatman. Villarreal says Boatman hired the pair to bring it into the 21st century.

“It’ll be a little like what the new owners of the Paris Coffee Shop did,” Villarreal says. “We’re making something old new again.” starcafefortworth.com

JD’s Hamburgers, the popular burger joint in Westland opened by Gigi Howell, has introduced a new lunch menu. Items include a grilled pimento cheese sandwich; a spinach and chicken wrap; a smoked and fried bologna sandwich; and a bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato sandwich. All come with fries and are all are priced at $10 or less. 9901CampBowieWestBlvd., jdshamburgers.com

Go Red American Heart Association

The American Heart Association The American Heart Association held its annual Tarrant County Go Red for Women® experience and luncheon on March 1. The event helped raise almost $800,000, and contributions will continue to accumulate through June as part of the Association’s Tarrant County Go Red yearlong initiative. The event, nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Texas Health, took place at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel in the heart of North Texas. Supporters and survivors gathered to spread awareness about the effect heart disease has on women as it claims the lives of one in three women per year and remains the No. 1 killer of women in America.

This year’s inspiring entertainment was a fireside chat hosted by “Kidd Kraddick in the Morning’s” Kellie Rasberry, featuring the 2023 Miss North Texas Chloe Burke and current Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. The first annual Maria Hinz Award for Outstanding Courage was presented to its namesake, Maria Hinz. The Tarrant County 2024 Go Red co-chairs who led the event were Melissa Huffman, vice president of Omni Group, and Dr. Monika Mathur, chief medical and quality officer of Texas Health Alliance. Mayor Mattie Parker also served as this year’s honorary chair.

Melissa Huffman, Jennifer Chavez, Monika Mathur, Becky Tucker

Matt Dufrene, Laura McWhorter, Barclay Berdan

Barbara Schweitzer, Janet Hahn, Pam Presswood

Ashley Baker, Kelly Decker

Chloe Burke, Kellie Rasberry, Mattie Parker

photos by James Edward

Beyond the Bag

Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center

The 13th annual Beyond the Bag, benefiting the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center, dialed up the excitement, good vibes, and giving on Jan. 27. Proceeds from the event soared to new heights for the purpose of expanding nonmedical navigation services offered to the increasing number of men and women who turn to the Center after hearing those three words: “You have cancer.” It was a night of fun, purpose, and meaning for an incredible cause.

Steve & Alicia Deane, Joan & Howard Katz

Lily & Andre Le

Arnie Gachman, Amy Adkins, Demetra & Charles Williams

Shirley Dean, Corliss Baldwin, Harriette Gachman, Jeanie Huffman

Kristin Miller, Robin Ponitz, Malathi Ravi, Molly Snyder

Paul Dorman, Robin Froschke

photos by Britt Stokes

Fort Worth Magazine and the ASID Texas Fort Worth Design Community are proud to co-present the

This comprehensive design competition features 30+ categories encompassing residential, hospitality, workplace, outdoor living, historic preservation, and more.

The competition is open to all design professionals (interior designers, architects, and builders) — both ASID members and non-members — in the greater Fort Worth and West Texas areas.

Winners will be recognized:

• in Fort Worth Magazine

• on Fort Worth Magazine’s website [fwtx.com]

• on Fort Worth Magazine’s social media channels

• in Design Texas, the ASID Texas Chapter magazine

• on the ASID Texas Chapter’s website [tx.asid.org]

• on ASID Texas Chapter’s social media channels

Entry Window: March 1 - April 26, 2024

Jewel Charity Ball

Cook Children’s

The Jewel Charity Ball played host to nearly 1,600 guests on March 2 to celebrate a “70 Year Legacy of Giving, in Fabulous 70s Style.” The Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall at Will Rogers Memorial Center was re-imagined as a sequined, groovy disco club. Jewel Charity president Kathy Sneed and ball chairs Michelle Miles, Laura Rooker, Sandra Tuomey, and Tara Warren enlisted Melanie Tatum Events to bring their vision to life. The ball is a long-standing Fort Worth tradition in celebration of Angel donors who generously support the patients at Cook Children’s.

Cortney Pelley, Rachel Quisenberry, Abigail Bebee, Caroline Farish, Caroline Hairston

Mark & Laura Standish

Alex & Kathleen Cammack

Prudence Graham, Nardos Imam

Marc & Susan Semmelmann, Michelle & Scott Marlow

Eric & Sainty Nelson

Camille & Hal Brown

photos by Rachel DeLira/ StyleFW Pictures

Canon Sawyer/Canon

Elizabeth Photography

Please visit our showroom or call and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members to help you with your new or replacement garage doors and operator needs.

Open Up Garage Doors & Services has been servicing the metroplex for over 22 years! We would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to everyone who has allowed us to be a part of their projects and look forward to many more years together. Here are just a few of our team members that help us everyday make our company successful. Left to Right: (back) Cameron

Victoria Henry, Derrick San

Joshua Cross. We specialize in custom garage door design and application as well as offer standard garage door options. ¡ Cedar Wood Overlay Doors ¡ Fullview Glass Doors with numerous choices for frame finishes ¡ Flush Garage Doors including side window options ¡ Accent Wood-Tone Steel Doors in multiple color options, with the appearance of wood but not the maintenance ¡ Carriage House Style Doors ¡ And Many More.

Hieb,

Miguel; (front)

GIVE BACK

GREATER FORT WORTH’S CHARITY/SOCIAL EVENTS

Apr. 4-7

Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival

Tacos + Tequila - Apr. 4

The Main Event- Apr. 5

Rise + Dine - Apr. 6

Burgers, Brews + Blues - Apr. 6

Ring of Fire - Apr. 7

Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork

Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival

Apr. 4

The Big Night

Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall

The Big Good

Apr. 5

Spring Fashion Show

City of Hurst Conference Center

Colleyville Woman’s Club

APRIL

Apr. 10

Puttin’ On The Pink Dickies Arena

Texas Health Resources Foundation

Apr. 13

Night for Navy Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena

All Saints’ Episcopal School

Apr. 14

BIG Taste of Fort Worth

The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel

Barrett Havran Memorial

Apr. 19

Visionaries of the Year

Hotel Drover Fort Worth Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Apr. 25

Night of Champions Banquet

Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Apr. 26

Women of Distinction Luncheon

City of Hurst Conference Center

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Apr. 26

Annual Black Dog Auction Party/Dinner River Ranch Stockyards

Black Dog Charity

Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience at the 43rd Annual Barrett Havran Memorial BIG Taste of Fort Worth! Indulge in delectable dishes from renowned chefs, savor exquisite wines, and enjoy live entertainment, all while supporting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Mark your calendars for April 14, 2024, at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, and be part of an evening that celebrates the vibrant food scene of Fort Worth and makes a meaningful impact in our community. Don't miss out on this gastronomic extravaganza!

5:00pm | VIP Wine Tasting 6:00pm | Main Tasting 8:30pm | Best of TASTE Announced

Secure your tickets on our website at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/bhmbtofw/sponsors/

our sweet 16!

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024

HURST CONFERENCE CENTER

The Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains’ Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon brings together and celebrates community leaders who embody what it means to make the world a better place and help empower the girls we serve.

For tickets and event information, visit gs-strong.org/ fwwod24 or contact Tasha Reid at treid@gs-top.org

Special thanks to:

Jewel Charity extends sincere gratitude to our donors for their support and generosity.

ROGER WILLIAMS CHRYSLER DODGE

JEEP AND RAM

ROXO MEDIA HOUSE

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LOCKHEED MARTIN

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MILES & MILES ARGENTINA

THE WILLIAM AND MARSHA RICKETT FAMILY FUND AT THE DALLAS FOUNDATION

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HKS

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JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.

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LINBECK

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ORIGIN BANK

A.M. PATE JR. CHARITABLE TRUST, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., TRUSTEE

CORTNEY AND ALEX PELLEY

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REGIONS BANK

ROYER COMMERCIAL INTERIORS AND HAWORTH, INC.

THE STADLER FAMILY

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STUDIO 74 VINTAGE / SIMMONS ESTATE JEWELRY

DR. VINCE AND MELANIE TAM

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WINSTEAD PC

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THE CAPITAL GRILLE - FORT WORTH

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RLB AUTO GROUP

SANDERS TRAVEL CENTRE

ALEXIS AND ROBERT SCHLEIDER

THE SCHWEITZER GROUP

MRS. PRATIBHA TANNA AND FAMILY

DR. KRISTEN AND MR. BRAD TRAPNELL

VARGHESE SUMMERSETT PLLC

TARIN AND BRAD WALLACE

ZYDO ITALY

SILVER ANGEL, MARQUIS GEM, TOPAZ JEWEL

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ADAIR EYEWEAR

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ATTICUS CUSTOM FURNITURE

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BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE ALL SAINTS

MEDICAL CENTER - FORT WORTH

BEN E. KEITH FOODS

TAYLOR AND RHETT BENNETT

MARSHA AND BARCLAY BERDAN

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH BERKES

BLACKWELL’S PERSONAL TOUCH

PRINT & DESIGN

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES E. BLANTON

CATHY BLOCK

DAVID BONDERMAN

BECKY RENFRO BORBOLLA AND HENRY BORBOLLA III

LEIGH AND MICHAEL BORNITZ

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BRYAN BRASWELL

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CAMELLIA FARM FLORA

DRS. KATHLEEN AND ALEX CAMMACK

TONYA AND DECKER CAMMACK

DR. SAMSON AND CLARA CANTU

CAPITAL ONE

KIM AND DAN CAREY

CENTRAL MARKET

MARY KATHERINE AND ROBBIE CLARKE

THE CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC

KIM AND DAVID COOKE

LAURA AND KEN COPELAND

GENE PUMPHREY AND STEPHEN COSLIK

COURTSIDE KITCHEN

BARBARA AND RALPH COX

JOANNA AND MICHAEL D. CRAIN

DR. AND MRS. JAMES C. CUNNINGHAM

MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. CYCHOL III

LESLIE AND MATTHEW DALY

DRS. NANCY AND MARK DAMBRO

CARI AND BILL DAVIS

ASHLEY AND CODY DAVIS

CAROLYN AND STAN DAVIS

ELIZABETH AND EDWARD DEEGAN

RENEE AND BRAD DEERING

KERRY DICK, PLANSTYLES BY KERRY DICK, INC.

STEPHANIE AND MICHAEL DIKE

JENNIFER AND JASON DISNEY

DR. DAVID AND ANGELA DONAHUE

MELISSA AND KEVIN DUKES

DURO HOSPITALITY

MR. SCOTT AND DR. GRETCHEN EAMES

ENCORE BUILDERS

BONNIE AND MARC EPSTEIN

MR. AND MRS. ALAN W. FARQUHARSON

DR. AND MRS. MATT FIESTA

MARTHA J. FRY

MR. DAVID AND DR. MARSHA GABRIEL

MR. AND MRS. ARNOLD G. GACHMAN

NANCY AND MIKE GAFFNEY

BRYANT GAINES

AMANDA AND JAMIE GALATI

GARVEY TEXAS FOUNDATION

MR. AND MRS. SCOTT J. GERRISH

WARREN GOULD AND MARY KATHRYN ANDERSON

CAROL AND ROBERT GOODWILL

THE RALEIGH GREEN REAL ESTATE GROUP

MICHELLE AND KEVIN GREGORY

DR. AND MRS. DAN GUZMAN

JANET AND GLEN HAHN

NANCY L. HALLMAN

NELL AND DANIEL HANSEN

MR. AND MRS. HUNTER HARRIS

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JUDY AND GARY HAVENER

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DR. AND MRS. ERIC H. HUBLI

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KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

DANA AND DEE KELLY JR.

SARA AND JAMES KELLY

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LA VIE STYLE HOUSE

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CHRIS LEITO

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MRS. JOHN R. LIVELY

LOCATIONS PHOTOGRAPHY

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THE MARLOW FAMILY

HALLIE AND TAYLOR MARTIN

LAUREN AND RYAN MATTHEWS

VIVIENNE AND BOBBY MAYS

MR. AND MRS. CLYDE S. MCCALL JR.

MCCALLUM FAMILY FOUNDATION

DR. AND MRS. TERENCE MCCARTHY

MARGARET AND STUART MCDONALD

PATTI AND ROBERT MCLEAN

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CHUCK NOTEBOOM

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P.S. THE LETTER

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MR. AND MRS. H. RICHARD PAYNE

THE PERFECT LIGHT

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PRESERVATION REAL ESTATE

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SAINT LAURENT

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THE SCOUT GUIDE FORT WORTH

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FASH FOUNDATION

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LANE AND JOE GALLAGHER

BLAIR AND DAVID HAMBURG

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM G. HANLEY II

CAROLYN HARDGROVE

DR. DAVID HENDRICKS AND MS. VICKI RAY

MONICA AND MARC IACOBUCCI

DRS. JOSÉ AND JEANNETTE IGLESIAS

CHRISTINA AND MARK JOHNSON

JANEEN AND BILL LAMKIN

M. L. LEDDY’S

MRS. TED D. MAYO III

GREGORY L. MCCOY

DR. AND MRS. MARK MCCURDY

KELSEY AND GARY PATTERSON

LINDY AND BILL PENNY

MS. EMMY LOU PRESCOTT

KATHLEEN AND JAMES REEVES

STEPHANIE REID - IN HONOR OF KATHY SNEED

PEGGY AND JIM RHODES

JOBE AND HELEN RICHARDS FOUNDATION, THE CHICOTSKY FAMILY, TRUSTEES

MR. AND MRS. JAY SCHEIDEMAN

SELMA SHERMAN

LYNDA AND GRADY SHROPSHIRE

THE TERRELL AND PATSY SMALL FAMILY FOUNDATION

MR. AND MRS. PETER STERLING

BETH AND MICHAEL STEVENER

MR. AND MRS. BRETT J. TAYLOR

DR. AND MRS. DAVID TEITELBAUM

MARY KATHERINE AND DEAN TETIRICK

DR. CHIP AND ASHLEY UFFMAN

MR. AND MRS. BRYAN WAGNER

PAULA AND JOE WHITE

DRS. SUSI AND KEITH WHITWORTH

MS. CAROL WILLIAMS

Listings current at time of printing. JEWELCHARITY.ORG

There are 81 different dragonfly species that have been observed in the DFW area. But that accounts for only a small percentage of the dragonfly species that exist in the world — over 5,000. This dragonfly, whose specific species is unknown to this writer, was captured by local photographer Tammye Nash at her parents’ home. “Dragonflies and bees are two of my favorite things to photograph,” Nash says. “Bees because they are so vital to the ecosystem, and dragonflies because they are, to me, symbolic of transformation but also because they are a link to the spiritual world. A friend of mine who lost her mother at a young age once told me that every time she sees a dragonfly, she sees it as a message from her mom. That stuck with me.”

Get your photo on this page and win a $100 gift card to Fort Worth Camera. Just tag FortWorthMagazine (@fwtxmag) and Fort Worth Camera (@fwcamera) and use the hashtags #fwtxmag and #fwcamera on all your amazing Cowtown images.

Tammye Nash @tammyenashphotography

Extraordinary Luxury, Exceptional Service

A Fort Worth native and TCU grad, Jason Perkins values a quality product and unparalleled client service. As a REALTOR® at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties, he seeks to provide the highest level of service for his clients. Once he decided to purchase a 2024 Lincoln Navigator, choosing Triple Crown Lincoln in Stephenville was a natural because, like Perkins, it is well known for its exceptional customer service. “They made it so easy! I picked out the vehicle online, and they delivered it to my house the next day,” Perkins says. “Being able to call or text whomever I need to talk to almost any time of day, from a sales consultant to the GM to the owner, makes working with Triple Crown Lincoln important to me.” After purchasing his 2024 Lincoln Navigator, Perkins enjoys the large luxury SUV’s combination of impressive features and lavish comfort. “Being behind the wheel of the Navigator is a very nice place to be,” he says. “The seats are all heated, cooled, adjust 30 ways, and can massage as well.”

But it’s not just Lincoln that has earned Perkins’ loyalty. “The Gilchrist Platinum Promise is a great value addition — having the dealer pick up my vehicle for service and providing a loaner so I can go about my day is a game-changer for me,” he says. “I have already and will continue to recommend Triple Crown Ford and Lincoln to my friends and family.”

PICTURED: Jason Perkins, customer; Stephen Gilchrist, Dealer Operator

All in the Family

As a 20-year Government Accountability Office (GAO) retiree, Michael Rives is enjoying the perks of retirement, including motoring around Grand Prairie in the epitome of luxury and comfort. In the past four years, he and his son, Aaron, a UPS professional driver, have purchased or leased four MercedesBenz vehicles from Park Place Motorcars Arlington and have one more on order. A loyal Mercedes-Benz customer, Michael currently owns two of the performance vehicles: the 2021 AMG 43C Cabriolet and the 2023 MercedesBenz EQE 350+ SUV. “Aaron got a hankering for an AMG since he liked mine so much,” Michael says. “In May 2023, he found his first real sports car in the 2023 AMG Coupe C43 — one test drive with our sales rep, Shawn Santos, was

all it took,” he says. Finally, to complete their vehicle inventory, Aaron’s fiancé, Stephanie Spindor, a USPS rural postal carrier, has an order for her first Mercedes-Benz — a 2024 AMG GLE 53 S Coupe.

For the Rives family, Park Place isn’t merely a place to purchase a vehicle. Instead, it’s now a family tradition founded on trust, reliability, and real relationships. “Shawn’s winning personality and professional approach have been the ‘driving force’ behind our repeated visits to Park Place — that, plus the lounge, snacks, and personalized car care in the service department,” Michael says. “That’s what makes them Experts in Excellence.”