


When it comes to North Texas, we’re all in. We don’t just work here, our leaders and employees make their home here too. And as one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, Texas Health delivers the care and compassion North Texans deserve, including hundreds of millions of dollars in charity care and community benefit last year alone.
We are proud to say more North Texans choose Texas Health hospitals for their care than any other system in the area. We are successful in effectively managing the total cost of care. And, with more than 350 locations – from hospitals and physicians’ offices to surgery and imaging centers – we offer the care you need, where you need it.
Our commitment to North Texas goes far beyond health care. In fact, Texas Health is also among the area’s top five largest employers. Plus, we have been nationally recognized as an exceptional workplace for culture, as well as for diversity, women and millennials.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR 2017 DESIGN AWARDS FINALISTS:
BEST CHILDREN’S ROOM/NURSERY
Beckley Design Studio
MTK Design Group
Urbanology Designs
BEST DINING ROOM
B Smart Builders
Brooke Sweeney
KL Milam Interior Design
BEST KITCHEN
Beckley Design Studio konstrukcio studio Paxton Place Design
BEST LIVING SPACE
B Smart Builders
KL Milam Interior Design
BEST MASTER BEDROOM
Kay Genua Designs
KL Milam Interior Design
BEST OUTDOOR SPACE
Heritage Design Studio
That’s Haute Paxton Place Design
BEST SPECIALTY ROOM (Media, Game, Office, Library, Sunroom)
KL Milam Interior Design
KL Milam Interior Design
BEST WHOLE HOME DESIGN
Norman D. Ward
Urbanology Designs WRARE Design
The 2017 Fort Worth HOME Design Awards recognizes the top well-designed spaces in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. In this inaugural competition, we received nearly 80 submissions. We will profile these finalists and winners in the December issue of Fort Worth HOME.
Join us! Design Awards Ceremony
Thurs. Dec. 7, 6 pm
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
The Shops at Clearfork
Purchase Tickets at fwtx.com/fwhome/home-design-awards
Presenting Sponsor: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Supporting Sponsor: John Zimmerman, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s | Catering Sponsor: The Capital Grille
December 2017
To Hell and Back
Inside the Fort Worth organization hoping to put an end to wrongful convictions throughout Texas. by Linda
Blackwell Simmons
“I have been trying to locate you since 1995 to tell you I wish to confess...”
64 Getting Away With It
Step into the world of forensics and see how advances in science and technology are changing the way Fort Worth investigators are solving cases. by Jennifer Casseday-Blair
74 Crime Time A longtime crime reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram steps into the world of podcasting to shed new light on cases gone cold in North Texas. by Sean Chaffin
82 A Friday in January It’s been 13 years since 77-year-old Laura Lee Crane was kidnapped in a Tom Thumb parking lot and later murdered. Now, one of her killers tells her story for the first time. by Linda Blackwell Simmons
122 Top Attorneys Need a lawyer? Here are the best ones in the Fort WorthDallas area.
At Texas Oncology, our patients are as remarkable as our care. They’re part of a cancer-fighting community the size of Texas, with 420+ physicians, 175+ locations and thousands of patients on clinical trials. In fact, we care for more Texans with cancer than any other provider — including patients like Rodger. After cancer treatment, Rodger found strength and balance thanks to a horse named Dakota. See his story at TexasOncology.com/Rodger
pounds.
The most anticipated openings of 2018 and more news for the new year.
fwliving Notorious hotels, “terrible” music, and deep, dark sweets. Happy holidays.
These hotels are the perfect mix of fame and infamy. by Kyle Whitecotton
artsy
Cooking What is that amazing smell? ...chocolate.
Style A holiday gift guide for the TCU fan, the foodie and other loved ones in your life.
Goodwill A new program has the blind making glasses for the seeing, and teamwork makes the dream work for UNT Health Science Center.
Snapshots ‘Tis the season for giving. But really, Fort Worth has been giving back all year. Check out photos from some of these events.
118 Up Close Why Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson lets a dog roam free in the office. by Samantha Calimbahin
215 fwevents The world’s largest Christmas light maze comes to town, and other holiday events.
243 fwdish Big breakfasts, familial fajitas, savory soufflés and news from the food front.
260 Dish Listings A celebrity pizza chef teams up with a local restaurant to make one cheesy pie.
272
Parting Shot
Fort Worth’s original gangster.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT SOMEONE BY CLICKING THROUGH THEIR DVR. For instance if you look at mine, you’ll see that perhaps I have multiple personalities. There is an episode of “Meet the Press” alongside episodes of “The Real Housewives of (Enter Any City Here).” There are also about 12 unwatched “Dateline” and “48 Hours” episodes. I used to watch them regularly and hardly ever missed a mystery. And then something changed. While once they were captivating, they became scary. I’ve heard that happens as you get older — things get more frightening. It seems counterintuitive at first, but it makes sense when you realize that innocence fades. Plus, it doesn’t help that my husband falls asleep at the first sound of Keith Morrison’s soothing voice — leaving me to watch alone.
But there are some stories you just can’t turn away from. And that’s where we find ourselves with this issue — taking a look at the real crime and cases right in our backyard. Our fearless writers visited with grieving families, drove to state prisons, interviewed murderers and perhaps most dangerous of all, dared to interrupt overworked attorneys. Sure, December might not be the most obvious time for an issue dedicated to crime, but this is our muchanticipated annual Top Attorney issue, and it was only fitting that we spend some time concentrating on the criminal justice system.
So, this issue is darker than the rest, and there’s no way around that. But when you really read through the feature stories in The Crime Issue, you’ll find stories of redemption, cautionary tales, celebrated lives, tireless warriors of justice and champions of technology and change.
You might need to read it twice. Just don’t read it alone.
Executive Editor
A gift basket is only as good as the gifts it holds! And nobody has the selection of hard-to-find spirits, world-class wines, craft beers and gourmet goodies like Spec’s. Create your own unique basket or we have ready-made baskets to grab and go! CHEERS TO SAVINGS!
We love it when you @ us. Follow the magazine on Instagram @fwtxmag, and tag us or use the hashtag #fwtxmag for a chance to be featured
On The Best New Restaurants of 2017…
“Great list, but it would be fun to see a list of just restaurants that originated in Fort Worth lots of transplants on the list. But I guess the adage ‘I wasn’t born in Fort Worth but got here as soon as I could’ applies ”
Kathryn Davitt
“Taste N See is so worth the drive to my hood.”
Chris Martin
On Just Like That, Americado Will Open Again…
“Doing this on purpose to stress me out…”
Kaylee Nordt Landon
On Meso Maya Opens in Historic Downtown Spot…
“It is soooooo good.” Raymond-Fran Collins
On Dining Destination With Park Views
Coming to Alliance Town Center…
“Fun times ahead are planned for Alliance Town Center. Our entire area is really developing and booming. I'm so grateful to live in such a thriving place!”
Marcy Clapp Barkemeyer
On Fixture Chef Plans New Restaurant in Surprising Location…
Good to see locals caring about the community ”
Tommy Chapman
“Growing momentum on the east side.”
Mitch Whitten
On Grand Opening Date Set for O.B. Macaroni Building…
“It's always great to see old buildings being revitalized! Def initely a Fort Worth landmark!”
Dakota Joyner
On Fall Dream Home Tours 2017…
“Yay! Awesome frozen margaritas! Needs live music. ”
Martine Burton
“This area has a lot of potential.
All the new happenings around Fort Worth have our readers talking. Here’s what some of you have been saying online. ul ng a I ew it ners ” pa
“It's a beautiful home benef iti great cause Glad I was able to vi before the owners take possession Giovanna Ciampa Phillips
If someone beat you to the last newsstand copy, don’t worry. The virtual ed tions of both
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1
Jennifer Casseday-Blair once served as executive editor at Fort Worth Magazine and continues to contribute via the writer’s chair. On page 64, she finds out how CSI really works in Fort Worth. She switches gears on page 244 when she visits downtown breakfast spot Yolk — a place where portion control goes out the window. Finally, on page 252, she visits a new restaurant that’s, ahem, on the rise at The Shops at Clearfork.
2
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer based in Crandall, Texas. His article on area cold cases in the December 2016 issue of Fort Worth Magazine is a finalist for the Press Club of Dallas’ Hugh Aynesworth Award for Excellence in Journalism. This year, he returns with a feature on a locally produced podcast that looks to shed new light on Fort Worth cold cases (page 74).
3
Plano native Linda Blackwell Simmons has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington (where she currently serves on the alumni board) and worked on a master of business administration at TCU. She began writing about 10 years ago. This month, she contributes two features for Fort Worth Magazine The first — a harrowing interview with one of the people responsible for the 2004 murder of 77-year-old Laura Lee Crane (page 82). The second — an inside look at a Fort Worth organization fighting to end wrongful convictions (page 92).
4
Courtney Dabney is a hometown girl, having graduated from Arlington Heights, TCU and Dallas Theological Seminary. On page 17, she gives a rundown of some of the most anticipated openings of 2018. Then on page 42, she steps inside one of Fort Worth’s newest fitness studios in the River District.
5
In the spirit of The Crime Issue, our frequent traveler Kyle Whitecotton takes us inside a few hotels with infamous pasts, having housed notorious criminals and misbehaving celebrities — and maybe a few ghosts. Turn to page 28 if you dare.
6
World-romping writer Shilo Urban has found her way back home to Fort Worth after living in Maine, Paris, Seattle, New Zealand and Los Angeles. She sits down with Oil Boom to talk about their new album Terribility (page 34). Then on page 38, she shows us a couple artsy ways to celebrate the holidays. On page 40, she goes one-on-one with the director of the Texas Music Office to find out why Fort Worth was named a “Music Friendly Community.”
7
Born and raised in Fort Worth, TCU alum Celestina Blok is a fitness instructor and freelance food news writer. With La Familia under new ownership, she pays a visit to see if the fajitas are still holding up. Read about her experience on page 248.
8
Kat Barclay somehow missed her calling and ended up with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Abilene Christian University, but she rediscovered her love for stories and went back to school to get another degree in journalism from Auburn University. Now interning at Fort Worth Magazine, she has the details on TCU’s football stadium expansion on page 24.
9 Originally from Connecticut, Meg Hemmerle’s passion for celebrating life and sharing stories has led her to TCU, where she is currently a senior journalism major and English literature minor. Turn to page 102 for her story on how the UNT Health Science Center utilizes teamwork to help students and patients alike.
Let’s take it to the next level. Search “Fort Worth Magazine” on Facebook and hit the like button to stay up to date with what’s going on around Fort Worth.
We’ve rounded up a guide to dozens of events and activities in and around Fort Worth to get you in the spirit. Find the story on our Culture blog.
The holidays have put us in a giving mood, so with the help of some local places, we’ve put together a series of gifts we’re giving away this month. Sign up for our Nine Days of Giveaways contest for the chance to win prizes. Think $100 gift cards to places like Meso Maya and Cannon Chinese Kitchen — or a light fixture from Nuvitrium. It all adds up to more than $20,000 worth of prizes The contest runs Dec. 11-20. Visit fwtx.com for details.
If you aren’t following the fwtx.com blogs, why not? Here are a few of the exclusive online stories you missed this month: bonappétit
Former Wag Store on Foch Street Gets a Trendy New Tenant fwvoice
TCU’s 2018 Football Schedule Features Non-Conference Matchup Against a National Champion fwculture
Trinity River Distillery to Host Mural Contest
“We
Staying connected with the latest local happenings
Carolyn Phillips has grown Alchemy Pops by peddling her frozen treats all over town for the past two years. Now she will open her first brick-and-mortar Alchemy Pops Shop in South Main Village. Fans can expect new offerings, such as chocolate dipping, Alchemy Pops Cookies, and fun new flavors. Expected early 2018.
As Fort Worth’s newest address for shopping and dining continues to fill in, The Shops at Clearfork kicks off the new year with a bright, new Mesero serving upscale Mexican dishes in January. Chicago-based Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen makes its debut in February, adding a varied menu of locally sourced fare to Clearfork.
The first quarter will also welcome two new entertainment options to The Shops
at Clearfork. AMC Clearfork 8 will open the doors to its 36,000-squarefoot complex. As the name suggests, the theatre will have eight screens with 800 luxury recliners. MacGuffins Bar and Lounge will serve craft beer and moviethemed cocktails as well.
Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling and Bocce will open its first Texas location in The Shops at Clearfork. With 12 bowling lanes, six bocce courts, fire pits and an event space for large parties, it will be a big draw. Pinstripes includes a bistro of its own and will serve wine, craft beers and cocktails.
203 Café by The Reata Group will open in February on the second level of Fire Station No. 1 in Sundance Square, adding convenience for the busy
lunchtime grab-and-go crowd.
Crockett Row announced the addition of the Food Hall at Crockett Row which will house 14 different food and drink spots under one roof. The Dapper Doughnut and Knife Burger by John Tesar were the first announced. The Food Hall could open as early as January but will arrive more likely in February or March.
MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza will turn out a taste of Naples, under the shade of an olive tree growing inside an upscale, yet casual restaurant. Owner Michael Crain is hoping to open his new restaurant by January in Left Bank.
Nekter Juice Bar joins the mixed-use Left Bank development off of West Seventh in February. Nekter has a full range of coldpressed juices, cold-brew coffees, freshly made juices, smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, as well as juice cleanses.
Taco Heads owner Sarah Castillo will open Tinie’s Mexican Rotisserie and Cocktail Lounge in the newly redesigned South Main Village. The two-story Tinie’s will have a family-style Mexican rotisserie on the first floor and cocktail lounge, El Escondite, on the second. Castillo expects to open by the end of the first quarter, around February or March.
Luna Grill is set to open in The Shops at Clearfork in the spring. The popular Mediterranean eatery with a relaxed, counter-service scheme focuses on fresh kebabs, salads and wraps.
Chef Ben Merritt of Fixture – Kitchen & Social Lounge is opening a new concept as part of the Rosedale Renaissance near Texas Wesleyan University at 3016 E. Rosedale St. The casual 3,400-squarefoot restaurant will be called Ben’s Triple B: Biscuits, Burgers and Brews. The new concept is scheduled to open in late spring. Expect great biscuits and breakfast items, as well as burgers and a full bar.
May will welcome two new restaurants by Dallas-based Apheleia Restaurant Group to Crockett Row at West Seventh. Pakpao Thai will fill the former Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse spot with dishes with regional roots in Thailand and popular street food found in Bangkok. El Bolero will open in the former Fort Worth Market + Table location with a regional Mexican menu that covers everything from ceviches and tacos to lobster-tail fajitas.
Texas Live! in Arlington will bring a bevy of new attractions to Arlington next spring. The mixed-use complex has already scored some major draws including PBR Country Bar. Guy!
spring or early summer. Pulling from a broad palate of spicy, bold flavors from the Mediterranean, Asia and beyond, the 4,853-square-foot space will overlook the Trinity River. Bartaco combines fresh, upscale street food with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment. The minimalistic décor will be light and breezy, with the air of a rustic beach shack.
District. Its second location will be known as Heim Barbecue on the River. So, the surrounding neighborhood will be smoking hot with tender brisket, burnt bacon ends and a full bar. It is still under construction and estimated to open in summer 2018.
Roots Coffee House will expand its craft coffee shop this year to South Main as well. The original location in North Richland Hills has become a gathering place for the community. Roots is hoping to break ground on the project this year and open in late 2018.
by Guy Fieri will be the flagship for the popular bleach-blonde chef and television personality. Five-year-old Revolver Brewing (brewers of Blood & Honey) will open its second brewery (the original is located in Granbury), after being acquired by the craft division of MillerCoors last year. And the awardwinning barbeque joint, Lockhart Smokehouse, will arrive with its ridiculously good smoked meats and sausage. The development will also be home to Live! by Loews — a $150 million luxury hotel.
Operated by Barteca Restaurant Group, Bartaco will make its Texas debut at WestBend, off of University Drive in late
Residential options will increase with the opening of Alexan Summit on Summit Avenue. The complex is currently under construction, and when completed by the end of 2018, it will add 373 residential units to the urban mix. The 345-unit apartment community known as Broadstone 5th and Summit, which will open on Pier One Way, should see its first units ready for move-in by summer of 2018.
Heim Barbeque is completely redesigning the former VFW Hall on White Settlement Road in the River
The Left Bank will welcome 85°C Bakery Café. The bakery, with over 1,000 locations worldwide, specializes in European and Asian-style baked goods. Customers shop for themselves, perusing cases filled with delicacies, and filling a cafeteria tray with their selections, before proceeding to check out. At press time the date had not been announced yet.
Downtown will also welcome a host of new hotels and residential developments. Expect three new boutique hotels to expand occupancy in the coming year. The long-awaited Aloft Hotel will light up the middle floors of One City Place Tower. Marriott Autograph Hotel will add 164 rooms inside the 16-story Sinclair Building at 512 Main St., and a similarly sized Hilton Garden Inn is expected as well.
The Historic Carver Heights neighborhood has a new way of remembering its past. On Nov. 4, the neighborhood dedicated a sculpture meant to commemorate the founders of Carver Heights and the community’s place in black history. The work, titled The Ancestors, was created by local artist Julia Ousley and is located in the 5900 block of Plaza Circle, just south of East Rosedale Street and west of Interstate 820.
The Ancestors features a walking labyrinth with plaques that have the names of Historic Carver Heights’ founders, along with significant moments of the civil rights movement. Three steel towers of differing heights stand at the center of the labyrinth, and on those towers are cutouts of men, women and children, “symbolizing generations of the community standing on the shoulders of their ancestors.”
| by Kat Barclay |
the university is planning an expansion worth $100 million.
The Board of Trustees granted permission Nov. 14 to proceed with fundraising for the project, which will expand premium seating on the east side of the stadium.
“We are very grateful to our Board of Trustees for their support on this project,” TCU director of intercollegiate
athletics Chris Del Conte said in a press release. “In this ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, you need to reinvest in your facilities. This project will position us well for the future.”
The plans for the project include two new levels of luxury seating above the current upper deck on the east side of the stadium. It also will include 48 loge boxes (small suites) with two private clubs, over 1,000 club seats and 20 luxury suites, as well as a 100-foot outdoor balcony that will overlook Frog Alley, the TCU campus
and downtown Fort Worth. There will also be additional premium space that can be used for outside events on game days, and a new video board will be installed in the north end zone.
Construction would begin May 2018, assuming all necessary funds have been secured.
“The expansion would not be possible without the passion of our fan base,” said Del Conte. “We are confident the TCU Horned Frogs family will again be up to the challenge as they have been for our other recent projects.”
A version of this story appeared on fwtx.com.
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As a Tarleton political science major, Scott Summy credits the phenomenal faculty who provided individual attention, instilled confidence, and fully prepared him for the rigors of law school and his career.
As an attorney, Summy has earned a national reputation as “The Water Lawyer” at one of the largest and oldest firms in the United States specializing in environmental litigation. In his career, Summy has received many accolades:
Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White, Inc, 2006-2015)
Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, 2003-2013)
Finalist – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year (2009 and 2013)
Best Lawyers in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (D Magazine, 2003)
Ghosts, criminals and misbehaving celebs — these hotels offer luxury mixed with a little mischief.
| by Kyle Whitecotton |
TO BE RECOGNIZED AS FAMOUS, A HOTEL MUST MAINTAIN AN AGREEABLE ASSORTMENT OF LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS, TOP-NOTCH GOURMET OFFERINGS, AND A HARDEARNED REPUTATION FOR PHENOMENAL SERVICE. Palatial
bathrooms, swanky bars, and prime real estate certainly help, too. Envision the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Hotel Jerome in Aspen, or the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta.
On the other hand, to be branded infamous, a hotel merely needs a registry of devoted apparitions hovering around, a handful of disobedient celebrity guests,
or a name forever coupled with some historic scandal. Noteworthy examples include the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their “bed-in” protest in Room 1742 in 1969, and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, where the spectral figure of Kate Morgan is said to reside on the third floor. And then there
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is the Palace Station Hotel and Casino, made infamous in 2007 by the unlawful escapades of O.J. Simpson. Such hotels are not altogether unsavory, though. In fact, this month’s roundup of memorable hotels includes some of the most luxurious offerings in the country. So leave your bags with the
bellboy, and embrace the company of disreputable superstars, lingering spirits and mischievous pasts that make some hotels eternally infamous.
Bardstown, Kentucky From 1797 until 1987, the Nelson County
Jail housed some of Kentucky’s most violent criminals and was the state’s oldest operating jail. Today, it’s a quaint bed and breakfast, where the souls of former inmates work hard to entertain their guests. Most hauntings, which include curious sensations and brief discourses with well-mannered jailbirds, happen within the limestone walls of the courtyard where the jail’s executions took place. There’s no reason to fear, though. The pleasant apparition of Mrs. McKay, the original jailer’s wife, is said to keep watch over her guests while they sleep.
In 1974, Stephen King spent the night in an otherwise unoccupied Stanley Hotel. After waking from a terrifying dream, he smoked a late-night cigarette and plotted the bones of his famed book, The Shining. This grand mountain resort is a hotbed for paranormal activity in almost every room. Flora Stanley, the original owner, often tickles the keys of the music room piano; Ms. Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper who was electrocuted during a lightning storm, still resides in Room 217; and the fourth floor hallways are said to be filled with children’s laughter late into the night.
When it comes to rock ‘n’ roll hotels, the newly renovated Hotel Chelsea is the gold standard. More than 100 years old and an official New York City landmark since 1966, this infamous hotel has a storied past written by the likes of Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Madonna, Jackson Pollock and the poet Dylan Thomas, who died there of pneumonia in 1953. Hotel Chelsea is where Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road, where Arthur C. Clark penned 2001: A Space Odyssey, and where a brief romance with Janis Joplin
inspired Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel No. 2.” The most notorious guests, however, were Sid Vicious, the bassist for the Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen who was found murdered there in 1978. Vicious was charged with her murder.
Through the years, this Hollywood landmark has been featured in films, books and songs. But since it was opened in 1929, it’s maintained such a notorious reputation for mischief that Columbia Pictures founder Harry Cohn once advised young stars, “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.”
At the Chateau, Howard Hughes was busted for spying on sunbathing women, James Dean jumped through a window, Jim Morrison fell from a drain pipe, Led Zeppelin rode motorcycles through the lobby, John Belushi overdosed in Bungalow 3, Billy Idol trashed his room after a botched room service order, and Lindsay Lohan and Brittany Spears were banned from the hotel for misbehavior.
Though it’s curvaceous design may have received criticism from conservative D.C. residents when it opened in 1965, it was the country’s largest political scandal on June 17, 1972, that branded The Watergate Hotel an exemplar of infamous
hotels. Since that fateful day, the hotel has been remodeled several times, and its most recent remodel pays homage to the past. Today, Room 214, where E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy operated during the burglary of the Democratic National Committee, is newly renovated with original newspaper and magazine covers, framed quotes along with a vintage recording device and typewriter.
Established in 1933, The Georgian was one of the first skyscrapers on Ocean Avenue and one of the most modern facilities of the time. However, it was the downstairs speakeasy — one of the last bastions of the Prohibition Era — that made this hotel popular. The Georgian appealed to Hollywood film stars looking to hide away, like Clark Gable who would meet his mistress Carole Lombard there for an evening out. What’s more, the hotel’s secluded location drew a host of notorious regulars, including “Bugsy” Siegel, “Fatty” Arbuckle and Al Capone. Best of all, the old watering hole is said to be haunted with these former patrons.
Throughout the ’20s and ‘30s, The Biltmore was the South Beach hot spot for elegant gatherings, including fashion shows, golf tournaments and poolside bashes. Al Capone owned a suite in The Biltmore and is said to have run an underground casino here. But in 1929, the hotel’s infamous reputation began with the murder of New York mobster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh on the 13th floor. During World War II, The Biltmore was repurposed as a military hospital for sick and wounded servicemen, and for many years after, the massive building stood abandoned until it was remodeled in the early ‘80s. Since then, stories of hauntings and strange happenings have spread.
| by Shilo Urban |
Photo by Annie Nelson
“TERRIBILITY IS THE IDEA THAT EVERYTHING IN LIFE, NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT SEEMS AT THE OUTSET, HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE TERRIBLE,” Oil Boom’s bassist Steve Steward says as he divulges the concept behind the band’s new album, Terribility. “Let’s say you regularly listen to a classic rock station while driving your car, and the station advertises a ‘Classic Rock Block Weekend.’ It’s Saturday morning, you have an errand to do, and to get there, you’ll be in the car for 20 minutes. So you hop in, flip on the station, but it’s almost to the top of the hour, and all you get are 10 minutes of commercials. When the music starts up again, instead of being a Rock Block of Thin Lizzy or Bachman Turner Overdrive, it’s three Mellencamp songs in a row, which is kind of a letdown. That’s Terribility in action.”
Inspired by classic rock and endlessly amused, Oil Boom’s Terribility is 10 powerhouse songs with a loud and gritty lo-fi vibe. Each track is tinged with a different psychedelic flavor — playful, dreamy, dark, disheveled, neon honkytonk, and sarcastic retro blues. Listening to the LP feels like putting on a comfortable, well-worn pair of jeans — and then finding a glow-in-the-dark Waffle House coupon in the pocket. It’s part Lynyrd Skynyrd, part Stevie Ray Vaughn, and part Weird Al.
NPR, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post have all taken notice of this Fort Worth-Dallas band. Oil Boom is guitarist/vocalist Ryan Taylor, guitarist Zach Edwards, bassist Steve Steward, and drummer Dugan Connors. The quartet followed different paths to the area — Steve moved here to go to TCU, Ryan and Dugan came for jobs, and Zach just wanted to get out of Aledo. Today the band is spread across the Metroplex, with practice space in Haltom City and homes in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Richardson.
Released in October 2017 via Fort Worth’s Dreamy Life Records, Terribility is the band’s second full-length album following Red Metal in 2014. Heavier and subtly eccentric, the new LP was recorded at Electric Barryland in Justin — but the process wasn’t always easy, guitarist Ryan Taylor reveals. “At one point while recording the album, there was a snake loose in the studio. For real. And Dugan had to use this snake grabber tool [which is an actual thing] to get rid of the snake and deposit it outdoors. And that was
probably the least challenging part of making the album.”
While Oil Boom’s emotional soul owes a debt to ’60s and ’70s rock, its spirit is an immediate modern thrill. The band’s smart, humorous approach is refreshing in an era of stupidity and anger. They chose the title Terribility because “we knew it would look damn good on a tank top,” Ryan explains.
Terribility’s songs are well-developed and instantly accessible, each filling in the classic rock-shaped hole in your soul. Some cut a blistering pace, raw and ragged. Some lean back just a little and wink. Grammy Award-winning producer Jordan Richardson (Ben Harper, Quaker City Night Hawks, Charlie Musselwhite) gifts the album with his magic — he’s been good friends with Steve since their TCU days. Ryan shares why the producer’s impact has been so profound. “Having known and worked with each other for so long, you just kind of soak up each other’s influences and writing style to a certain degree through osmosis. He’s a really great songwriter in addition to his talents as an instrumentalist and producer. He has a knack for melding engaging lyrics with memorable melodies in a really unique way, and that’s something I aspire to as a writer myself. Plus, he’s hilarious and has a Grammy, which is all I really ask for in a collaborator.”
Listening to the LP feels like putting on a comfortable, well-worn pair of jeans — and then finding a glow-in-thedark Waffle House coupon in the pocket.
Fort Worth has also influenced the band, Steve admits. “I think Fort Worth has a certain underdog sensibility that occasionally turns into a chip on the shoulder, and as a city, it loves classic rock. There’s also plenty of Terribility to be found, and as a band, I think we kind of mirror those sensibilities to varying degrees. For example, on the underdog to shoulder-chip scale, we’re probably a 5.3. On the classic rock love scale (where one is keeping it on a Thin Lizzy or BTO song but changing the station when you hear Mellencamp and 10 is you have never listened to anything but 92.5), we’re a solid eight. On the Fort Worth Terribility scale, we’re between falling out of a rented canoe into the Trinity and waiting in a long line for Heim on a hot day.”
Terribility often ventures into more creative territory at the beginning and end of each song, showcasing Oil Boom’s prowess for avant-garde audio. Trippy flicks of chiptune, synthesized
beatbox drums, and gurgled distortions add nuance to the classic rock sound — and let the band’s affection for absurdity bubble through.
Lead single “Earful” grinds open the album with jagged edges, woolly and upbeat. “Last Call for Milkshakes” bursts out of the garage and rushes wild-eyed into oncoming traffic. A sliver of existential dread shadows the hazy afternoon in “Angelo No. 9,” dripping through the song like a melting grape Popsicle.
“Pro Tools” drives out wide, expanding triumphantly toward the stars before whipping back down. The song slides out the door on a delightful carnival juke. Pull up on “Nosedive 10-85,” a maxedout wash of sound with barely a moment to catch your breath. Scrappy “Yung Bullion” falls off a bar stool, and “By Degrees” canters through a dream. Let loose in “Horseclothes” and dive head-first into an intense, gut-gripping race.
Laced with flannel and an ominous stare, title song “Terribility” plunges into a midnight rainstorm. “Tangiers” is gripped in the greasy jerk of bluesrock until it slips into a glassy-eyed outro, ending the album with a slowsmoked sigh of satisfaction.
“We’ve probably made the best album of our career, and amazingly, only half of us will turn 40 next year,” Steve shares. Ryan adds, “I think you always want to best your last output as a band. It’s like vanquishing the next opponent in Mike Tyson’s ‘Punch Out.’ Sure, you could stop at Piston Honda, but why not at least try for Bald Bull? And then, who knows what could happen from there?”
Terribility is available online digitally and at Dreamy Life Records on vinyl, which is Ryan’s favorite thing about the album.
“So now when that one guy that comes up to the merch counter at every third show and meekly offers, hands in pocket, ‘Do y’all have vinyl?’ We can say, ‘Why yes, sir, we do!’ And then he can probably still not buy it.”
Oil Boom has long stated that their goal is to impress their parents. So, are they impressed? “Actually, yes,” Ryan says. “I just asked them this question, and they said, in unison no less, ‘Yes, of course, we’re impressed.’ My mom then went on to suggest I look into cheap jeans at Old Navy, and my dad mentioned something about my car needing a wash.”
FROM ALL OF US AT VALLIANCE BANK, WE WISH YOU A VERY
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will be illuminated for the holiday season, and the reflecting pool will serve as a festive mirror for colorful lights.
Every night through Jan. 6, more than 30 trees around
the museum’s exterior and pool area will be decked out with LED lights.
It’s all in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Modern, the oldest museum in Texas. On Dec. 9, the cultural landmark opens its doors for a proper birthday party: the 125th Anniversary Community Day. All of the exhibits at the museum will be free of charge from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Texas Boys Choir and Amphibian Stage Productions Stilt Walkers will perform. The day will also include photos with Santa, holiday refreshments, unique gallery tours, photo stations – and the premiere
of the Modern’s 125th Anniversary documentary in the auditorium.
Extended viewing hours will also be in effect through Jan. 6. The museum will stay open until 8 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Café Modern will also be open late on these days during the holiday season, with bar service and a menu of light appetizers (plus a full dinner on Fridays).
MAKE YOUR OWN GLASS ORNAMENTS THIS MONTH AT SINACA STUDIOS. Located on West Magnolia Avenue, the school is offering two different types of ornament workshops with experts: glass blowing and kiln forming.
Glass Blowing Ornament Workshop: Color, shape and blow molten glass to create a round ornament in this 30-minute class. Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. ($50)
Kiln Forming Ornament Workshop: Work with glass in a solid state for greater precision in this 90-minute class. Use heat from a kiln (oven) to craft three ornaments in different styles and colors. Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 9 at noon and Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. ($65)
Ornaments are fired after class and ready to be picked up a few days after. Class size is limited – reserve your space at SiNaCa’s ornament workshops at sinacastudios.org or by calling 817.899.0024. Class fees include all materials.
Featuring 402 lots of turn-of-the-century to mid-century Texas paintings, works on paper and sculpture by some of the most important names in early Texas art; as well as some lesser known, yet distinctive finds. Several important collector estates are represented in the upcoming sale.
Auction & Auction Preview Location: Wildman Art Framing, 1715 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
Auction Preview: January 15 – 19, 2018
Auction Date:
Saturday, January 20, 2018. Doors open at 10 AM. Bidding starts promptly at 12 Noon, CST.
| by Shilo Urban |
FORT WORTH IS WIDELY KNOWN AS A FRIENDLY CITY and now we’ve been certified as the first “Music Friendly Community” by the Texas Music Office. Director Brendon Anthony shares insight about the new program and his office’s efforts to enhance the Texas music industry. And he should know; he’s been involved in music his entire career, including 15 years of touring as a fiddle player with Pat Green. Today, his office champions Texas musicians by providing resources, creating connections, and fostering engagement throughout the industry.
So, why was Fort Worth named the first Music Friendly Community? Fort Worth moved really fast to put together its workshop. It participated every step of the way, hearing out the concept and beginning to act quickly. The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau and Hear Fort Worth were extremely supportive of the concept.
What makes Fort Worth’s music scene special? Fort Worth’s musical contributions go back generations. It’s a place where folks can thrive locally and where large, nationwide acts can come and perform. The city has been a thriving music economy for years, and it continues to maintain its own identity. It operates venues that host interesting live music almost every night of the week and produces artists who are known throughout the world. It absolutely is one of the coolest towns in Texas, for sure.
Where is your favorite place in Fort Worth for live music? Billy Bob’s Texas holds a special place in my heart. I love it. I’ve been playing there since last century. I love what the Magnolia Motor Lounge guys are doing. White Elephant is such a great place to go see music, and The Aardvark is always so gritty and so fun for so many rock bands coming up. I really don’t want to leave anybody out, but those are some of my favorites.
Favorite Fort Worth artists? Leon Bridges is absolutely killing it. He is going to be one to watch for years. He is a favorite because he’s so unique in the musical landscape today. I think he’s a genius creative. A guy I played with for a decade and a half, Pat Green, lives up there, and he’s a Fort Worth lover now. He’s a huge fan of that city. I could go on and on about folks I know in Fort Worth whom I love, that’s for sure. Those are a couple of standouts — one who’s been at it for a while, and one who’s just getting started.
What was the most important lesson you learned during your 15 years of touring with Pat Green? I spent some of my very most formative years on the road with these people and amongst the national touring community. Suffice
to say, I learned a lot of valuable lessons either directly or via the experiences of others. Probably the most important lesson I took away was, just try as hard as you can to be nice to everyone and do your best to treat others with respect, either on the way up or the way down. Seems easy, right?
Are there any Texas Music Office initiatives that are particularly close to your heart? Our license plate grant. With the purchase of each license plate, funds go directly [with no admin fee on our end] to kids who need instruments to continue their musical education, lessons for kids that need those, and community programming in underserved communities throughout the state.
Do you still play the fiddle? Not as much as I used to. I play all the time at home for my 20-month-old daughter, but I don’t play out and about that much anymore.
Does your daughter like it? I think she’s confused … but I think she does like it.
Connect today. Find the Texas Music Office on social media and visit gov.texas.gov/music to sign up for the newsletter.
| by Courtney Dabney |
ABUNDIO’S FIT SOCIETY OPENED A NEW 4,500-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY ON OCT. 30 IN THE RIVER DISTRICT. All workouts now include a beautiful view of the unspoiled Trinity River bluff. “Our new facility has immediate access to the trails. We are right on the river, making it both safer and more convenient for our clients to enjoy the nature that surrounds the studio here in River District,” he says.
The new studio space, sleek and calming with coastalinspired colors of blue and sand, boasts a light-filled, open floor plan with high ceilings. Large glass doors and retractable garage doors open to the view, bringing the outdoors in. The upgraded changing rooms now have his-and-hers steam rooms available as well, and the space is available to host private events.
Owner Abundio Munoz began teaching taekwondo back in 1991. This led to personal training which has allowed him to collect a loyal clientele over the years. “Some of my clients have been with me for over 20 years,” he says.
As Munoz continued catering to the fitness needs and goals of those clients, his studio has evolved with the goal
As 2017 closes and we look forward to a healthy 2018, our team at Center for Neurological Disorders would like to thank physicians, patients, family, and friends for continued support and referrals. We are passionate about serving the North Texas community with an ardent commitment to innovation. We are dedicated to our patients and take pride in our practice of medicine.
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
CND is located in Fort Worth’s historic Flatiron Building, built in 1907 by prominent physician Bacon Saunders.
of becoming what he calls a “community-inspired boutique fitness studio.”
The Yoga Room is a 16-by-24-foot space utilized for Shadowbox — combining cardio kickboxing and plyometrics, and flow, or power vinyasa yoga. The expansive back deck is lined with punching bags for Box (reinvented boxing) and hosts Suspend (gravity defying TRX suspension training). The cardio room is lined with weight equipment utilized in HIIT (high-intensity interval training), and it has glass garage doors that remain open when weather is pristine.
“We are very personal,” Munoz says. “We are not your typical gym. We designed it to feel refreshing, less like work. No matter where you are in the studio, you can see nature.”
How It Burns Down
Class: Shadowbox (Cardio Kickboxing)
Calories burned: 800-1000*
Duration: 50 minutes
Class: Suspend (TRX)
Calories burned: 300-400*
Duration: 30 minutes
Class: HIIT (High-intensity Interval Training)
Calories burned: 800-1,000*
Duration: 50 minutes
Class: Flow (Power Vinyasa Yoga)
Calories burned: around 200*
Duration: 45 minutes
*calorie burn varies from person to person according to size, body composition, gender, age and physical activity.
THE BIGGEST AND BEST SELECTION OF TILE, STONE AND COUNTERTOPS. Anywhere. Period.
Pull out the chocolate and put away the diet plan. These holidayinspired sweets are made for ensuring your home — nay, your kitchen — is the go-to gathering place this season.
HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE WITH DRIED FRUIT
Approximately 8 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Chilling time: 45 minutes
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3 cups bittersweet chocolate, at least
70 percent cocoa solids, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups crispy chocolate cereal
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Spread out raisins on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until puffed and shiny. Remove to a cooling rack to cool.
3. Grease and line a 10-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, making sure the paper overhangs the rim all the way around.
4. Place chocolate and salt in a heatproof bowl and set over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted.
5. Remove from the heat when melted and pour into the prepared sheet, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
6. Top with the dried cranberries, freeze-dried strawberries, puffed raisins and cereal. Chill for 45 minutes until set.
7. Once set, lift the chocolate out of the sheet using the paper to help. Cut into pieces before serving.
Approximately 18 servings
Prep time: 45 minutes
• 2/3 cup bittersweet chocolate, at least 70 percent cocoa solids, chopped
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 small eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and place over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted. Remove from heat and let cool to one side.
3. Beat the sugars with the butter in a large mixing bowl until pale and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the melted chocolate in three parts, mixing well between each addition.
4. Beat in the eggs, one by one, and then mix in the vanilla extract. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, stirring well.
5. Stir in one-third of the pecans, mixing really well until you have an even cookie dough.
6. Drop generous tablespoons of the dough onto the baking sheets, spaced apart. Top with the remaining pecans, gently pressing them into the dough.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until set and slightly cracked on top. Remove from the oven to cooling racks to cool.
8. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature for a chewier texture.
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE & CARAMEL BARS
12 servings
Prep time: 1 hour
For the bottom layer:
• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate, at least
70 percent cocoa solids, chopped
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
For the nougat layer:
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons evaporated milk, divided
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 cups marshmallow cream or fluff
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
For the caramel layer:
• 2 1/4 cups chewy caramels
• 4 tablespoons evaporated milk
For the top layer:
• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate, at least 70 percent cocoa solids, chopped
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
To serve:
• cocoa powder, for dusting
1. For the bottom layer, grease and line the base and sides of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Combine chocolate, corn syrup and cream in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a halffilled saucepan of simmering water and leave to melt, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and then spread the mixture onto the base of the lined dish. Freeze until needed.
4. For the nougat layer: Combine butter, sugar and evaporated milk in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Warm over a moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Bring to a boil and then cook steadily for 6 minutes, timing for precision. Remove from the heat after 6 minutes and stir in the peanut butter, marshmallow cream, vanilla extract and half of the peanuts.
6. Working quickly, spoon the mixture over the chocolate base in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Scatter the remaining peanuts on top in an even layer. Return to the freezer as you prepare the caramel layer.
7. For the caramel layer, combine caramels and evaporated milk in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water and leave to melt, stirring occasionally.
8. Remove from the heat and leave to cool briefly before pouring over the peanut layer in the dish. Return the dish to the freezer.
9. For the top layer, combine the chocolate, corn syrup and cream in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water and leave to melt, stirring occasionally.
10. Remove from the heat and then spread the mixture over the caramel layer in the dish. Freeze for 10 minutes until set.
11. To serve, cut into square bars and dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional leaders in the Greater Fort Worth business community and award the second annual FW Inc. Entrepreneur of Excellence in the following business categories:
Commercial Construction
Health Care & Life Sciences
Hospitality
Manufacturing & Distribution
Media, Communications and Public Relations
Professional Services
Real Estate
Residential Construction
Retail Services
Transportation & Logistics
Supporter of Entrepreneurship “Special Recognition Award”
Thursday, January 11, 2018 | Fort Worth Club
6:00 pm - Cocktail Reception
6:30 pm - Welcome + Dinner 7:30 pm - Awards Program
Black tie optional Program emceed by Four Day Weekend
EARLY BIRD RATE THROUGH DEC. 10
$200 - Individual ticket | $1,800 - Table of 10
$250 - Individual ticket | $2,500 - Table of 10
To purchase tickets, visit fwtx.com/fwinc/eoe
Presenting Sponsor
Whitley Penn
Supporting Sponsors
Frank Kent Cadillac | Origin Bank
BLUEBERRY HOLIDAY BISCUITS
12 servings
Prep time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
For the purple batter:
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons almond meal
• 3 cups blueberries
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
For the base layer:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 cups sugar cookies, about 12 in total
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
To garnish:
• good-quality milk chocolate, at least 30 percent cocoa solids
1. For the purple batter: Preheat oven to 350 F. Pulse together the oats and almond meal in a food processor until the oats are ground. Pour into a bowl and set aside until needed.
2. Purée the blueberries in a food processor. Pass through a fine sieve into a bowl.
3. Grease and line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
4. Cream the butter with the vanilla extract and sugar in a mixing bowl until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one by one, mixing well between additions.
5. Gently stir in flour, salt and baking powder, taking care to avoid overmixing the batter.
6. Stir in the prepared blueberry purée and the prepared oat and almond mixture. Chill the batter until needed.
7. For the base layer, melt the butter in a small saucepan set over a medium heat. Set aside to cool.
8. Pulse the cookies in a food processor until they resemble breadcrumbs. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the sugar, salt and enough melted butter so that the mixture resembles wet sand.
9. Pack the mixture into the base of the prepared pan, smoothing its top with the back of a damp tablespoon. Bake for 10 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and scrape the blueberry batter on top. Gently tap the pan on a work surface to help settle the batter.
11. Return to the oven for about 35-40 minutes until the purple layer is set and dry to the touch on top; a cake tester should come out virtually clean from the center. Remove to a cooling rack to cool.
12. To garnish, once cool, turn out and cut into rectangular bars. Use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to shave some milk chocolate on top of the bars before serving.
See creative gift wrap ideas on page 26 in the December issue of Fort Worth HOME.
Those people you buy presents for, they’re not just moms and dads and husbands and wives; they’re travelers, sports fans, food lovers and die-hard Fort Worthians. Expand your gift prowess with these ideas for all the hobby lovers in your life.
57 The Local | 58 The Foodie | 60 The TCU Fan | 62 The Wanderlust
Fort Worth Embroidery Floral Hoop, And Other Adventures, West Elm Fort Worth, $30 16” X 20” Photograph of the Fort Worth, Texas, train yard, Tucker
Fort Worth Zoo Adoption Package, fortworthzoo.org/ adoptions, $40+
Includes color photo of animal, plush and adoption certificate
The Tacos of Texas by Mando Rayo and Jarod Neece, IndieBound.com,
Jarod Neece, d $19.95 Ja W w $
Maggie Louise Neiman Marcus Exclusive "Texas Y'all" Chocolate
Jacobsen Salt Co. Library, Williams Sonoma, williamssonoma.com, $279.96
se Neiman s Box, $62
Brown & Blue Aromatic Smoking Fuel, No 4 St. James, fourstjames. com, $12
Combine the flavors of pecan shells and juniper d berries for s a special smoking recipe.
Runamok Maple Gift Box, shop.runamokmaple.com,
Runamok Ma M ple Gif shop.runamokmap
ft Box, t le.com, $64.96
Asher Market Cypress Alpaca Blend Throw, ashermarket.com, $160
$26
Remarkable
advances in forensic technology and training are putting North Texas on the
forefront in the ability to solve criminal
investigations, including cases that have been cold for decades.
BY JENNIFER CASSEDAY-BLAIR
ON A SPRING EVENING IN THE MID-80S, 18-year-old Teresa Branch and her friend, Lisa, were having car trouble. Teresa’s red Pontiac Sunfire kept stalling out, causing her to pull off and park in an apartment complex lot. Because her home was only a half-mile away, Teresa decided to run back to the house and get help while her friend stayed behind with the car. It was just an hour later that a truckload of teens spotted Teresa’s lifeless body in the parking lot of the Harmony Baptist Church in Arlington. She had been raped and shot below the heart with a large-caliber gun.
AFIS: Automated
Fingerprint Identification System
AFTE: Association of Firearm and Tool
Mark Examiners
BAC: Blood Alcohol Concentration
CCSI: Certified Crime Scene Investigator
CODIS: DNA Index System and is the generic term used to describe the FBI's program of support for criminal justice DNA databases as well as the software used to run these databases.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar group and a nitrogen base. The four types of nitrogen bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). The order of these bases is what determines DNA's instructions, or genetic code.
ECU: Evidence Control Unit
FIRS: Forensic Information Retrieval System
GSR: Gun Shot Residue
ICE: In-Coming Evidence
LIMS: Lab Information Management System
NAMUS: National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
NIBIN: A national database of digital images of spent bullets and cartridge cases that were found at crime scenes or test-fired from confiscated weapons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) manages the system and provides the equipment to crime labs around the country
PMT: Post-Mortem Toxicology
When Teresa was murdered, the use of DNA in criminal cases was barely emerging. As DNA research advanced over the years, biological evidence that was recovered from the crime scene yielded a DNA profile. However, comparisons to suspects led nowhere, and there were no matches in the national DNA database.
Last month, more than three decades after the horrific crime, Arlington police released a composite sketch of the suspect. In a recent interview, Arlington police Sgt. VaNessa Harrison said, “Thirty years ago when we collected this evidence, we had no idea what the technology would be today.”
DNA phenotyping is the latest tool being used by investigators to solve murders. Parabon NanoLabs, based in Virginia, analyzed a DNA sample from Teresa’s case to predict the suspect’s physical appearance, including hair and eye color and ancestry. This technology also makes it possible to predict skin color, freckling, baldness, hair curliness, tooth shape and age.
Teresa’s two brothers, her mother and
father were left to mourn the loss of their family member. Her mother, Mercedes Branch, shortly thereafter experienced a nervous breakdown resulting in admittance into a psychiatric care facility. Months after her daughter’s death, Mercedes died from a prescription medicine overdose.
While no arrests have been made, it’s hopeful that the sketches will prompt solid new leads. It’s the intention of law enforcement to bring peace and closure to the families of the victims left with lingering questions about what happened to their loved ones. Rates in which crimes are solved and guilty verdicts are secured greatly rely on how quickly technology advances.
Forensic Division Manager for the Fort Worth Police Department, Michael Ward, is responsible for the administrative, operational and quality management at the crime lab on East Lancaster. Ward is also on the Texas Forensic Science Commission's Licensing Advisory Committee. He says, “Texas has become the first state to require a forensic license. You have to get a license to be a doctor, a nurse, a beautician, but there was nothing in place for forensic analysts.”
Accreditation of crime laboratories is required in Texas; however, certification of individual forensic scientists is not cur-
rently required. During the 84th legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed a bill requiring all forensic analysts in Texas to be licensed beginning Jan. 1, 2019.
Ward runs a tight ship and says that preserving the integrity of the evidence is not simply a lab function but a function of everyone involved. “It is critical that the legal chain of custody is maintained … If the chain of custody has not been properly documented, attorneys can argue that the evidence is not admissible in court,” he says.
It takes a strong constitution and certain mentality to do this type of work.
This technology also makes it possible to predict skin color, freckling, baldness, hair curliness, tooth shape and age.
“I remember years ago, a young woman who had attained her masters in forensics science and got a job in our biology unit. It’s what she had always wanted to do. After six months, she left her employment with the crime lab. She had been assigned to screen sexual assault kits, and reading the reports got to her. It was sad to see someone work so hard to get their degree and then find out this field isn’t for them,” Ward says.
According to Ward, the industry has evolved significantly since he began in 1994. “This used to be a male-dominated industry, and today we have more women than men working in the crime lab.” He also thinks the multitude of crime shows depicting criminal investigations and the crime lab functions is unrealistic. Glamorizing forensic scientists on these shows has made the field more popular and intensified competition for positions. “I only wish it was as simple as they make it look in those shows. You can’t wear high heels and a skirt; this is a dirty job. You might be climbing up on a water tower to take photographs or digging something out of a river or a lake. It’s nothing like they portray on TV,” Ward says. Instrumentation and complex com-
puter programs have evolved how crime scenes are processed. “You used to sketch a scene by hand and could then turn it into a diagram; then we moved into computer-generated scenes, and now we have digital screening instruments. This state-of-the-art equipment typically does multiple 360-degree scans to fully capture a scene. Where you might have left something out of a sketch years ago, now with Point Cloud technology, it’s all right there. You can tell the distance between paintings hanging on the wall or the measurement from the victim’s left hand to their right hand,” Ward says. “Technology is constantly evolving the science in this field.”
Several government and private forensic databases can help law enforcement and the scientists who support their work in the lab. Not only are there databases for DNA and fingerprints, but also sophisticated systems in place for investigating tire tracks, footprints, ink, glass and paint chips. These databases allow law enforcement to share information and cooperate easily, making them more effective in solving cases.
In the late ’80s, the federal government built the foundation for a system of national, state and local DNA databases for the storage and exchange of DNA profiles called CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System. CODIS can compare crime scene evidence to a database of DNA profiles obtained from convicted offenders and link DNA evidence obtained from different crime scenes, thereby identifying serial criminals.
For CODIS to be used to its full potential, states began passing laws that required offenders convicted of certain offenses to provide DNA samples. Now the federal government and all 50 states require DNA samples to be collected after certain offenses. “Fort Worth has one of the highest CODIS hit rates in the country,” Ward says.
The National Integrated Ballistic In-
formation Network (NIBIN) is the only automated ballistic imaging network in operation in the nation that automates ballistics evaluations and provides investigative leads in a timely manner. Firearms examiners enter cartridge casing evidence, which is compared against the database and allows law enforcement to search against evidence not only in their jurisdiction, but against neighboring jurisdictions and across the country. Employing technology to automate the processing of arrest and applicant fingerprint card reporting to the DPS, the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is capable of processing a fingerprint submission in a fraction of the time it takes using the manual process. A network of remote input devices located at police departments and sheriffs’ offices throughout Texas give access
for local law enforcement.
A national fingerprint and criminal history system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation also exists, known as IAFIS, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Maintaining the largest biometric database in the world, the IAFIS contains the fingerprints and corresponding criminal histories for nearly 50 million people.
Other elaborate coordinated systems are in place to efficiently store and share forensic information, such as the National Automotive Paint File, which contains more than 40,000 samples of car paint from manufacturers. A Glass Evidence Reference Database contains 700 glass samples for comparison, and TreadMark, a commercial product, uses pattern, size, damage and wear to identify individual outsole impressions and compares them
with the shoe print data from suspects in custody and crime scenes.
Forensic biologists deal with subsets of physical evidence that contain DNA, such as hair, semen, saliva and various tissues. They may also examine bones, insects or plant and animal remains to support criminal investigations in determining the time and cause of death.
DNA can now be used to provide police
with a composite phenotype profile of a suspect (see sidebar: Developments in DNA). Another relatively new development is the Touch DNA Method. It analyzes skin cells left behind when criminals touch victims, weapons or anything else at the crime scene. Cassie Johnson, forensic supervisor of the Biology Unit of the FWPD Crime Lab, says, “Because humans shed tens of thousands of skin cells each day, they can be transferred to any surface the person touches.”
Johnson explains that often, deciding the order in which the lab processes biological evidence can be a tough call.
“Let’s say you have evidence from a homicide case where the suspect is in jail and he won’t be in court for a year, and at that time you also have evidence from a case where there is a prolific burglar that hasn’t been apprehended and he is repeatedly hitting businesses or homes. We need to decide what is our priority,” Johnson says.
Law enforcement officers or investigators out in the field will often employ a presumptive test to analyze a found substance. This form of analysis is presumptive only and helps the officer determine if the substance could be illegal so he or she knows the appropriate action to take. The collected material is then submitted to the Chemistry Unit of the Crime Lab. FWPD’s Chemistry Unit basically has two primary functions. It examines for controlled substances and performs toxicology for blood alcohol content. Each laboratory has procedures for analyzing evidence. In general, the analysis includes a weight test, presumptive screening and confirmatory testing.
Sharon Patton is a senior forensic scientist in the Chemistry Unit of the FWPD Crime Lab. She explains, “Presumptive tests in the lab are done to determine general characteristics of the sample, and that allows us to narrow down what further testing will be done.”
Confirmatory testing is more in-depth and includes the separation and identification of the material. Once the components are separated, highly advanced instruments are used, such as a mass spectrometer or infrared spectrometer for identifying each component.
Patton’s workspace is covered in evidence envelopes full of unidentified pills and other illicit drugs. She explains that one of the challenges she encounters in her work with synthetic drugs is that manufacturers continually change the formula. Once an ingredient becomes controlled, they quickly replace it with something else.
The term “latent” implies that prints are not easily detected or seen without the aid of equipment or physical, chemical, photographic or electronic development. Prints collected can be from fingers, palms, feet or virtually any area of friction ridge skin impressions. Fingerprints that weren’t detectable in the past can now be developed with some of the new
techniques and technology.
The two fundamental principles that lend merit to the science of fingerprint analysis are as follows: (1) Fingerprints are persistent in that they remain unchanged throughout the life of an individual, from before birth until after death, barring significant injury or disease. (2) No two people have ever been found to possess the exact same fingerprints, or the exact same friction ridge characteristics in the exact same formation. Before the advent of automated fingerprint databases, when a latent fingerprint was the only clue, comparing it to hundreds of thousands fingerprint cards was a severely arduous task.
To understand this unit of the crime lab, it’s necessary to know the basics. Firearms have several metal parts. When a gun is manufactured, the machining process leaves distinct, microscopic markings on some of these parts. When a firearm is discharged, the tool marks are transferred to the fired cartridge casings and bullets. Additional imperfections may arise from use over time that can be easily detected.
Firearm examiners can also analyze for distance determinations, operability of firearms, serial number restorations, ejection patterns and trajectory, as well as compare tools with the tool marks found on the crime scene. For instance, chisels, hammers, wrenches and many other tools can create impression tool marks, defined as any marking created by one object on another.
As people place more and more of their lives online, digital forensics has taken on a larger role in court cases and
criminal investigations. In addition to catching murderers, computer forensics has led to the conviction of many terrorists, who utilize the internet to recruit members, and sexual predators, who use social networks to stalk their victims.
Created in 2004, the FWPD’s Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL) is a support unit within the Criminal Investigations Division. Examiners in this division are capable of acquiring data from seized computers, mobile devices and surveillance video. They are also able to locate information that a criminal thought they may have deleted but is actually still on the drive. Global Position System (GPS) software embedded in smartphones and satellite systems also act as an aid in tracking the location of a suspect.
The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) combines its forensic anthropology and DNA expertise to aid investigations of missing persons and unidentified remains. Its forensic anthropological team evaluates and analyzes skeletal trauma to aid criminal investigations and assists in cause and manner of death determinations.
Bruce Budowle, Ph.D., is executive director of UNTCHI and a highly regarded global expert in the field of forensic genetics. His experience includes 26 years at the FBI laboratory developing, validating and implementing DNA typing methods used worldwide. Budowle was also one of the original architects of CODIS.
“The array of services we provide makes us one of the most comprehensive forensic DNA laboratories in the United States. In addition to partnering with agencies across the nation to assist on criminal investigations through anthro-
Fingerprints that weren’t detectable in the past can now be developed with some of the new techniques and technology.
29,083 forensic and missing persons cases the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) has assisted
2,235 successful hits
60% of DNA profiles in the FBI missing persons databases generated by the UNTCHI Missing Persons Unit
210 Texas counties UNTCHI has assisted in DNA identification cases
4,787 law enforcement agencies located throughout the United States to which UNTCHI has provided assistance
15,188 DNA samples processed in the UNTCHI Forensic Casework program since 2011
3,858 sexual assault cases completed since 2011
50 professionals make up the UNTCHI team
pological and forensic DNA casework analyses, we also manage missing persons programs, use DNA to combat human trafficking, conduct research and development, and provide training to students, scientists, law enforcement personnel and the legal community,” Budowle says.
NamUs, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, is a national clearinghouse for information related to missing or unidentified persons cases across the United States. Through secure online databases, medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officers, family members of missing persons and concerned citizens can access varying levels of information in NamUs to assist in the resolution of thousands of unsolved cases.
NamUs also provides data management and forensic resources for missing and unidentified cases at no cost to investigating agencies or searching family
members. Currently there are more than 950 missing people registered in Texas.
A collaboration between NamUs and the FBI’s Latent Print Unit has resulted in hits to 206 unidentified person cases in less than eight months. In February 2017, the NamUs Fingerprint/AFIS Unit and the FBI Latent Print Unit initiated a project to ensure that all fingerprint images submitted to NamUs for unidentified decedents (the term used for a deceased person whose identity is unable to be determined) are searched through the FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system.
Of the 206 hits to date, case resolutions resulting from this project include:
• A 1978 double homicide involving victims found in Arkansas and Missouri was renewed after one victim was identified, providing a new lead to the second victim’s identity.
• A missing migrant was identified as a decedent found in Tennessee in 2015.
• A missing man suspected of murdering his girlfriend in 1993 was identified as a decedent killed in a pedestrian-automobile accident in New Jersey that same year.
• A decedent found floating in a Washington waterway in 2009 remained unidentified until 2017 because he was never reported missing.
• A man missing from Colorado since 1986 was discovered to have drowned in a Hawaii waterfall one year after his disappearance.
• A homicide victim found in 1986 in an abandoned house in California was identified as a juvenile who was never reported missing.
Located a few hours southwest of the Metroplex is Freeman Ranch and the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility (FARF) at Texas State University. It is home to 50 donated human
corpses that serve as a resource for forensic anthropology students, researchers, as well as state and national law enforcement agencies.
This 26-acre outdoor human decomposition research lab is the largest of its kind in the world and one of only five in the nation. Students research the decomposition processes for human remains under various conditions. FARF is also used for the training of law enforcement and medical/legal personnel on searching for and recovering human remains.
Formally opening in 2008, FARF was initiated from a need to develop patterns, rates and sequences of human decay in the Texas climate. Research has been conducted on 150 individuals to date, with another 200 living people on the donor list for this unique forensic program.
Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State, Dr. Daniel Wescott, says that all bodies on the ranch are donated specifically as part of the Texas Uniformed Anatomical Gift Act. “We accept two types of donations. There are living donors who have preregistered, completed all the paperwork and come here upon death, but we also accept next-of-kin donations as long as they aren’t estranged from the family member,” Wescott says.
Currently several projects are being conducted at Freeman Ranch. Researchers are examining whether clothing affects scavenging rates, comparing the rates and patterns of the desiccation of the skin to those in colder, drier environments, validating methods of insect development pertaining to interaction with a body and studying microbes in the soil and how those change through
Currently there are more than 950 missing people registered in Texas.
the decomposition process.
Wescott says, “Most of our students want to be forensic anthropologists after graduating. Their exposure to watching human remains decompose in a longitudinal manner gives them more experience than many practicing anthropologists. Most of the students are involved in multiple research projects, collecting data to answer questions about how long someone has been dead using a multidisciplinary approach.”
Robyn Kramer is a graduate research assistant at Texas State. She says that working at FARF has made her fully appreciate the people who donate their bodies to science.
“Without our donors and their families, we would not be producing the outstanding research that can be applied in a variety of contexts. We are extremely lucky in the United States to be able to perform research on decomposition, taphonomy and human variation. Many countries lack the funding or institutional support to perform this type of research, so I feel it is our duty to put in our best efforts and produce information that can impact not only forensics and anthropology, but also society as a whole,” Kramer says.
Once the donor bodies are removed and processed, usually six months to a few years after arriving, they are kept in the permanent Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection. Wescott says, “The skeletons get used for literally hundreds of different research projects.”
Closer to home, future forensic experts can get their education and training in the University of North Texas Forensic Science Program. Through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, students can pursue a Master of Science in Forensic Genetics degree, which prepares graduates for work in crime labs using DNA technologies. Forensic training, technology and techniques are improving every day. As we continue to hone our capabilities in forensics both inside the lab, out in the field and in the classroom, it will become harder for those committing evil acts to get away with it and leave fewer families like Teresa’s wondering.
DNA phenotyping predicts an individual’s physical characteristics from DNA. It can be used by law enforcement to generate leads in cases with the absence of a suspect. By determining how genetic information translates into physical appearance, it is possible to “reverse-engineer” DNA into a physical profile. Parabon NanoLabs — with funding support from the U.S. Department of Defense developed the Snapshot Forensic DNA Phenotyping System.
PREDICTING FACIAL FEATURES Using sex, ancestry and thousands of genetic markers can determine a suspect’s facial measurements, such as lip size and width of the skull. Other physical traits that can be accurately predicted include genetic ancestry, eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling, baldness, hair curliness, tooth shape and age even among individuals with mixed ancestry.
DNA PROFILING VERSUS DNA PHENOTYPING
Traditional DNA profiling, also referred to as DNA fingerprinting, uses DNA as a biometric identifier. Like an iris scan or fingerprint, a DNA profile can uniquely identify an individual with very high accuracy. For forensic purposes, this means that investigators must have already identified and obtained DNA from a potentially matching individual. DNA phenotyping is used when investigators need to narrow the pool of possible individuals or identify unknown remains by learning about the person’s ancestry and appearance. When the suspected individual is identified, traditional DNA profiling can be used to prove a match, provided there is a reference sample that can be used for comparison.
GENOMIC ANCESTRY Using DNA phenotyping, a person’s precise ancestry can be determined on a global level. There are seven principle populations in the world: Africa, Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, East Asia, Native American, and Oceana.
ALTERED REALITY A model/ sketch of a suspect can be altered by forensic artists to reflect different ages and weights.
BY SEAN CHAFFIN
It’s a tough day for Deanna Boyd, but even tougher for the family she’s interviewing. As her recorder rolls, tears well in her eyes as yet another family tells a story of murder and anguish.
The longtime crime journalist is working on the case of Jose “Martin” Munoz for her new podcast delving into North Texas cold cases, fittingly titled “Out of the Cold.”
Martin’s widow and two daughters relive the nightmare, detailing how he was shot dead at his shop in January 2007 over an argument with a customer. The family’s grief is as raw today as it was a decade ago. Reliving the pain is a struggle, but the family is hoping the podcast can help find some justice for someone who meant so much to them.
Boyd says, “It is heartbreaking and a case that really illustrates the collateral damage that happens to the family members left behind after a murder.”
For Boyd, it’s been a life of crime — reporting and studying that is. As a child, she snuck into her parents’ bedroom to leaf through true crime books her
mother checked out at the library — reading tales of murder and mayhem. She may have been too young for the bloody crime scene photos, but perused them nonetheless, fascinated with what motivates someone to take another’s life and what the families of the victims face in the aftermath.
Years later, her interest and fascination have become not only a passion, but a career. Born in Illinois, her family moved to Bulverde, Texas, (north of San Antonio) when she was in fifth grade. She attended the University of Texas and then went on to intern with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She has been a crime reporter for the publication for 22 years.
And while tackling cases as a reporter has been rewarding, Boyd recently began taking on an additional role with the Star-Telegram. Along with editor Lee Williams and producer Steve Wilson, Boyd writes and narrates the new podcast delving into Metroplex cold cases — both solved and unsolved.
With two decades of chasing leads and interviewing victims, Boyd seems like the perfect host for a crime show. She’s worked on some of the biggest cases in North Texas. Among those was the 2001 “Windshield Murder Case,” in which Chante Mallard struck 37-year-old Gregory Glenn Biggs with her car in Fort Worth. Biggs, who was homeless, became lodged in the windshield of the car, and Mallard, who was believed to be intoxicated at the time, drove home and left the man in the windshield in her garage. He died several hours later. Boyd also covered the 1996 Arlington abduction and murder of Amber Hagerman, for whom the AMBER Alert warning system is named.
As the newspaper industry evolved in the last decade, Boyd’s role has changed.
“Crime is kind of my passion,” she says. “Obviously not committing it, but writing about it. So I’ve really been reporting on crime pretty much the entire time. People always ask me, ‘When are you going to burn out on crime?’ And it’s like, ‘There’s nothing else I want to do. It’s what I find the most interesting.’”
No longer required to be in the office early to handle breaking crime news, she focuses her time on following up on murder cases and enterprise stories that involve more investigation and digging.
“A lot of times I’m not the one doing the first-day stories on a murder, but I’ll come in and follow up on them when police make an arrest and try to explain what’s happened,” she says. “It’s never boring. True crime is just something that has always intrigued me. To me this is the perfect job.”
In recent years, true crime tales have become popular with podcasting. The Star-Telegram and its parent company have taken the pod plunge as newspaper companies look to expand their offerings in a changing industry.
“I knew at some point they probably
wanted me to try one, but I have to admit I was not a podcast listener,” she says. “Between covering crime and my home life, I am so busy that I always feel like I’m behind the times on things. I’m the girl who didn’t start watching Netflix until five years after everyone was already binging on shows.”
Co-workers and friends suggested checking out the popular podcast “Serial,” which debuted in 2014 and details the Baltimore murder of Hae Min Lee and the subsequent conviction of her boyfriend, Adnan Syed, over several episodes. According to the Washington Post, the first season had been downloaded more than 80 million times by February 2016. After giving it a shot, Boyd was hooked — not only on the show, but on the platform as a whole to tell crime stories.
“As I was listening, I could just see myself talking about our own cases in our
own backyard on this platform,” she says.
The new interest in the medium set Boyd in motion. Should she focus on a current case, as her editors originally thought? There were some problems with that approach. Police often don’t want to share much information about an active investigation. And families may not be willing to talk in the beginning of a murder case.
“Cold cases obviously are where police have worked every angle they can work and still don’t have an arrest,” she says. “So they’re usually frustrated and therefore more willing to talk and get some exposure on the case.”
Multiply investigators’ frustration by 10 for families affected, Boyd says, and a podcast opportunity is born — to tell a story from the angle of both investigators and family members.
“The family is still grieving a loss and,
on top of that, still having to deal with the fact that no arrest has been made in their loved one’s case,” she says. “I just figured there would probably be more people willing to participate, and thus far, they have been.”
She also sought out help from area cold case investigators to make sure they were willing to participate and also to uncover lesser-known cases that may just need some fresh media attention.
Police have opened up their files — and families have opened up to share their stories.
“There are a lot of cases out there that have been talked about and people have theories on what happened, but I wanted to make sure that we could separate fact from fiction.”
After finding her first case, the podcast debuted in September. Boyd conducts all the interviews and writes a script for the show. Williams reads and edits the script, and Wilson produces.
Boyd, who has had limited experience in broadcast, has learned the ins and outs of writing and narrating for broadcast on the fly. Making the switch to broadcast hasn’t been easy. Williams offers help during production to make sure the narration sounds smooth and story-like. Boyd also says he gave her some key advice to help ease the transition to an audible narrative.
“I kept wanting to write it like a news story, and Lee kept saying, ‘Stop. You need to pretend you’re at a bar and you’re telling your friend the story; it’s not a news story,’” she says. “The first one, Lord knows there were a lot of revisions. And it took a while to get comfortable in that conversational tone speaking because I’m reading from a script, but I don’t want you to realize I’m reading from a script. That is harder than you think. I have a whole new respect for people who work in radio and do podcasts.”
But the result is a high-quality show that will thoroughly satisfy true crime aficionados. Beyond the crimes them-
selves, Boyd has a folksy storytelling style and smooth voice that make for a pleasant audible experience.
From beginning to end, it takes the three-person team about two and a half weeks to finish an episode. But for Boyd, finding time isn’t always easy as she carries on her regular duties covering the crime news of the day. She works on the production piecemeal — working on interviews and script writing when she can. Williams and Wilson also have other duties, and Boyd credits them with being a major force in the show’s success.
“Lee and Steve are a big part of putting this thing together; I couldn’t do this without them,” she says. “We just somehow manage to get it done in time. I don’t know how, but we do.”
For its first two episodes, “Out of the Cold” focused on the 1973 murder of 14-year-old Donald Rodgers, who was shot in his neighbor’s house while spending some time with his friend,
ment four months after the murder and got lost through the years despite deep suspicion of Melvin’s story.
Cold case detectives began reinvestigating the case in 2015. The agony of the family members is palpable as they discuss the case. The podcast details the breaks in the case and the unique sequence of events that led to Knox’s confession and guilty plea in July after 44 years. Now 59, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison — welcome news to family who had waited so long for justice.
“For the last 43 years, [Knox] has lived his life, though it hasn’t been a great one from what I understand,” Donald’s older brother Jeff Rodgers Jr. tells Boyd. “But he’s been free, he’s been alive, he’s been with his family. My brother didn’t get that.”
The show’s third episode focuses on the unsolved murder of Margarett Terry, who lived through many heartaches before being murdered in her home. Terry’s son died at age 4 and her daughter died at age 25 after an auto accident left her bedridden for four years. Only 10 years
“The family is still grieving a loss and, on top of that, still having to deal with the fact that no arrest has been made in their loved one’s case.”
DEANNA BOYD
Melvin Knox, who was 15.
At the time, Knox told police that a stranger had entered the house and shot Rodgers in the face with a shotgun that had been in the home. The victim had also been stabbed multiple times. Knox, who would have other run-ins with the law in the following years, was the only other person in the home at the time. The case was dropped by law enforce-
later, her husband would also pass away, leaving her a widow.
Then on Aug. 25, 1989, the 68-year-old grandmother and Avon saleswoman was sexually assaulted in her home in southeast Fort Worth. Police found her body by her bed. She died from blunt-force injuries to her head. No valuables were taken, and there was no forced entry to the home. “Out of the Cold” details the
... Boyd’s ultimate goal is that someone may provide information that just might help bring a murderer to justice.
story of the sweet woman who faced so much tragedy and the search for her killer after 28 years.
On the episode, Fort Worth cold case detective Jeremy Rhoden speaks of the challenges of solving decades-old murders. Memories fade. The crime scene was altered long ago, and investigators must rely on photos. Witnesses may have disappeared or are even deceased.
Despite this, Rhoden believes the case is solvable. Because DNA was in its early stages in 1989, police did collect some material to obtain a DNA profile from Terry’s possible killer.
“There are some things that were done and some things that were collected that could possibly point to a suspect,” he says. “But so far, none of those things that they did back then have totally
come to fruition yet.”
Investigators hope someday that profile will match with someone arrested who is required to submit a sample of his DNA. In the meantime, Terry’s granddaughter Renee Roach is left to wait.
“My hope is that there will be someone who knew someone a long time ago, but was afraid to give it up,” she says. “And maybe now they feel the time has passed enough that they can come forward, because someone has to know besides the person who committed the crime.”
—
Finding a niche in the world of podcasting may take some work, but Boyd has been pleased with the results. The Star-Telegram is taking a wait-and-see approach.
“It’s been really good,” she says. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback, and I’ve actually got some people who have written in and said, ‘Would you please write about my loved one’s case?’ And I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from these true crime enthusiasts who are out there who swallow this stuff up. And even other true crime podcasters out there who are sharing it. I just didn’t realize how much of a community that the true crime enthusiasts really is. There have been tons of people interested.”
Throughout the process of putting the show together, family members have been willing to bring the story of their loved one’s murder to light. Desperate for answers and a resolution, most are eager to talk. As the podcast continues, Boyd hopes to spotlight dormant cases that have not received much media attention.
“I’m telling the detectives who I’m working with, ‘If there’s a case that has gotten only one news story, but you think it is a good case and one that has been on your mind, and you want to solve it and you think it’s solvable, then let’s do it,’” she says.
In December, the podcast features the case of Cheryl Lynn Springfield. A mother of a young son, she was found dead
on Christmas Day 1980 at her home on Whittier Street in Fort Worth. She and her ex-husband, Scott Springfield, were working on their relationship and getting back together. They planned to spend Christmas together with their son.
However, Scott found Cheryl dead that morning near her Christmas tree. Police say she was beaten and strangled and that Scott was eliminated as a suspect. A neighbor saw her speaking with someone in the early morning hours past midnight but was unable to give police a thorough description, and the case was never solved. By shining a light on cases like that of
Springfield, Boyd’s ultimate goal is that someone may provide much-needed tips for police — a kernel of information that just might help bring a murderer to justice.
“Maybe it’ll shake something loose,” she says of the crimes highlighted. “And someone who knows something will talk.”
—
“Out of the Cold” is available on the Star-Telegram website and on audio services like Apple iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher.
by Linda Blackwell Simmons
Laura Lee Crane
The day began cold, but the sun finally appeared, making that Friday morning, January 30, 2004, mild and pleasant. It was 11:15 a.m. The parking lot at the Tom Thumb grocery store at Hulen and Bellaire, just southwest of downtown Fort Worth, was active with shoppers stocking up for the weekend, going to and from their cars. One woman, 77-year-old Laura Lee Crane, retired director of the Starpoint School at TCU, lived near Tom Thumb, and Friday was her regular shopping day. She was still in her car when a man approached and opened the driver’s door. “Slide over,” he said. She complied. That man was Edward Lee Busby. A woman accompanied him — Kathleen “Kitty” Latimer. Kathleen owed someone money for drugs, and they wanted to get out of Fort Worth — fast — and needed a car to do so. Busby drove, Kathleen sat in the back, and Mrs. Crane in the front passenger seat. They headed up Interstate Highway 35, but not before they stopped at the back of a vacant house near Airport
Thirteen years ago, a 77-year-old Fort Worth woman named
Laura Lee Crane was kidnapped and murdered. Now, one of her killers tells her side of the story.
Freeway and Beach, where they put Mrs. Crane in the trunk. Two days later, on Sunday, Feb. 1, they were pulled over in Oklahoma for a traffic violation. The following Tuesday, Mrs. Crane’s body was found down an embankment off an Interstate Highway 35 service road near Davis, Oklahoma. An autopsy showed she had died from asphyxiation. Busby was convicted and sent to death row at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. Kathleen pleaded and is serving a life sentence at a women’s prison in Gatesville, Texas.
I had just moved to Fort Worth in 2005, and I remember Busby’s trial. The media covered it, but little was written about Kathleen. Who was she? How did she come to be in that situation that Friday morning? After she pleaded, she became invisible. Not long ago, I began an online search. There was little. I learned that in 13 years she has never granted an interview. After going through many obstacles with the Texas criminal justice bureaucracy and writing Kathleen three
times to assure her that I had no motive to hurt anyone, she finally granted a onehour interview. Before my visit, I spent the better part of two days at the Tarrant County Courthouse, reading Kathleen’s depositions and Busby’s trial transcripts, trying to learn more about her.
Early on March 21 of this year, a sunny Tuesday morning, I got in my car and started the two-hour drive to the Mountain View facility at Gatesville, one unit of the women’s prison, just southwest of Waco. I was given strict instructions on what to bring — well, mostly what not to bring. I had a notebook, a pen, a camera and a wireless recorder. No iPhone, no laptop. I was searched, checked in, and instructed to wait in a visitor’s area.
Soon Kathleen appeared across from me, behind glass, with a small opening so we could hear each other. No phones were necessary. She appeared nervous, but she soon realized that I, too, was nervous. Her smile was gracious, her voice low, and she looked older than the one picture I had seen in her file. This is her story.
Kathleen Latimer
Good morning, Kathleen. I hope it’s okay if I call you Kathleen. And thank you for deciding to see me. Since we only have one hour, I want to get right to my questions. How did you meet Busby? And would you describe that Friday morning back on Jan. 30, 2004, and how you happened to be at that particular Tom Thumb grocery store. How did you get there? Where had you been the night before?
JB, that’s what I called him, and I had not slept for almost two weeks. We were high on crack cocaine most of that time. We’d been staying at a motel at Lancaster and Riverside since mid-2003. That’s when I first met him. One day I was standing in my hotel door, and a truck pulled up. JB stepped out. He was talking and laughing with the guys — the “dope boys.” I saw him looking at me — asking the others who I was. He walked over and we started talking. I let him come in, and we started getting
high together. He was charming, saying all the right things. He never asked me to pay for the drugs. I had gotten into a life of drugs, and he had plenty of ’em. That began our on-and-off relationship. After about a month, he asked me to move to the Northside with him, a place called Cowboy Motel on 28th Street. Not even one day passed before he asked me to help with money, pimping me out. In late 2003, we moved back to an apartment on Vickery.
That Friday morning, JB and me got a ride with this guy to the west side of town. I think he was taking us to get a car; I can’t even remember his name. I can’t remember why we stopped at the grocery store. JB went inside, and this guy who had the car tells me to get out, so I get out and he takes off. I knew JB would be so mad. Now we were carless. I went into the store to find him. I was crying. The manager comes over and asks me if I’m okay. I say yes and go outside and sit down. I remember there were black benches up close to the door. I think JB got kicked out of the store, and pretty soon I hear that loud whistle, that familiar sound he always did when he wanted me to come. He was getting in the car with this older white woman, and he told me to get in the back. I asked him what he was doing, and he told me to shut up. I’ll never forget what Mrs. Crane did. She turned to me and said, “Hi, darling,” and then turned back to JB and said, “What would your mother say if she knew you were doing this?” She was calm.
Tell me about JB.
He was mean. For a while in 2003, we
had an apartment at Vickery and 287, just a little efficiency. I paid the rent. The manager was nice. He would let us go for weeks without paying. Then JB got arrested right before Christmas 2003, for stealing bicycles I think. Then right after Christmas, he got out. The apartment manager told him to leave, and he did, but then in the middle of the night, I woke up to him on top of me, hitting me. The next day I went up to the Northside and stayed with a friend at the Peppermint Motel on 28th Street. I don’t even know if it’s still there.
Then a week or so later, I moved down to Joshua, and even applied for a job at Dollar General. I was clean. I felt good about my interview. I figured I’d get the job. But one night a neighbor woman came over and asked if I wanted to do some cocaine. I did, and after that, I hitched back up to Fort Worth and forgot about the life I might have had in Joshua. The drug drew me back to Lancaster and Riverside where JB found me. So many times I’ve thought, If only I hadn’t answered the door the night my neighbor came over. So many what ifs.
What happened after you left the Tom Thumb parking lot? And on the ride to Oklahoma?
“Not even one day passed before he asked me to help with money, pimping me out.”
Kathleen Latimer
I don’t remember everything. I was so out of it. We went to a station, Fast Track, I think, over by Beach and 121. JB told me to go inside and get as much money as I could from the ATM using Mrs. Crane’s card. He said, “Kitty, don’t be stupid.” When we left there, he pulled somewhere off Beach behind a deserted house. He told me to get out, and then he got Mrs. Crane out and walked her to the back of the car. He opened the trunk and told her to get in. I stood there staring, and he told me to get back in the car unless I wanted to get in there with her. Then we left and went up North I-35 and stopped at a few more stores. At the second one, JB told me to go inside and buy some duct tape. I bought the duct tape and two
“But one night a neighbor woman came over and asked if I wanted to do some cocaine. I did, and after that, I hitched back up to Fort Worth and forgot about the life I might have had in Joshua.”
Kathleen Latimer
“JB
Kathleen Latimer
scratch-off tickets. I remember he kept honking the horn for me to hurry up.
We got a room at a motel, and then went together to look for some crack cocaine. JB had talked to the motel clerk and asked her where the “hood” was. We didn’t find anybody with any crack. Later, I do remember when the policeman stopped us. I think it was for a traffic stop; I looked up at the policeman and said, “Just get me out of the car.”
What responsibility do you hold for Mrs. Crane’s death?
A lot. I hold a lot of responsibility. There were so many times I could have told someone, done something. But I didn’t. How did I ever get caught up in such ugliness in hurting so many people. I turned 53 years old this year, and I feel like my whole life has been one big mistake after another.
Earlier this year, a federal court allowed an appeal to move forward that questions whether Busby is eligible for the death penalty the rationale being that he’s mentally impaired and had insufficient legal help at his trial. What is your response?
He’s not mentally nothing. Just plain mean. About five years ago, an investigator came and asked me about JB. Does he know how to read and write, things like that. JB may not have finished school, but he definitely knows how to read and write. In fact, he has beautiful handwriting. To think he has all these people fooled.
Where do you think it all went wrong?
Things didn’t really start going crazy until about 1990-91. I wasn’t that young. Alcohol started my troubles. I had plenty of it working at bars. But then I got into cocaine. It draws you in fast. They call it a poor man’s dream and a rich man’s nightmare.
Why did you plead instead of going to trial? Tell me about your defense.
I didn’t want to put my mother or anybody else through that. I had a courtappointed attorney. I think I saw him maybe two or three times at the most during two years. There were witnesses who could have been interviewed about JB’s abuse, but I never heard it come up.
Let’s go back in time a little bit. Tell me about your family and where you grew up. I was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. Then after high school, I moved to New Orleans and worked at a bar, then on to Houston, where I worked at a bar called Cloud 9. And I was very much a part of the Houston Ship Channel life. I worked in clubs that catered to foreigners that came in from all over the world. Then I moved to Fort Worth in 2002 and lived a bit with my mother and sister on North Riverside.
Do you have visitors who come to see you?
No, no one. I have a daughter who is 32. But she got into drugs and is now serving time at the Lockhart facility here in Texas. I have a son, age 27, but I’ve had no contact with him since he was six. He doesn’t come to see me.
Describe a typical day here at Mountain View. Have you made friends here with any of the other inmates?
We get up early for chow. I stay active. I got my first certification in Braille. Took
me 1 1/2 years. We transcribe textbooks for schools. We are very proud. We are one of the best in the country.
How do you deal with the boredom, the isolation, the lack of privacy? Describe your surroundings.
We are creatures of our habitat. We adapt. I don’t get into trouble. We have a dorm with 34 beds, and each inmate has a cubicle with red brick walls up to about chest high. I spend lots of time on the floor writing and doing my devotionals. Our toilets and showers all have curtains in front of them.
Have you experienced violence?
Not really. I have a small group of friends and a whole lot of acquaintances. They call me “Mama Kitty.”
What’s been the hardest part in losing your freedom?
Not being there when my mother died. (She begins to cry.) I miss my dad. He died in 2008. I remember he used to tell me we are given many choices, but it’s our decisions that make us who we are.
You are eligible for parole in 2034. You will be 70 years old at that time. Are you hopeful for the future?
I never lose hope. My choices were so bad back then. I’m not the same person now. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m worth something with my Braille work. I have a skill. If only I knew then what I know now.
“She turned to me and said, ‘Hi, darling‚’ and then turned back to JB and said, ‘What would your mother say if she knew you were doing this?’”
“I looked up at the policeman and said, ‘Just get me out of the car.’”
Kathleen Latimer
Busby’s depositions and trial transcripts tell his own story:
“Kitty wanted me to get her a car. She was walking the streets. Me and Shawn picked her up at Valley View Motel on Lancaster. I love Kitty, I always will. She wanted to leave Fort Worth. She said, ‘You don’t love me — look at how all these white people stare at me, like I’m trash.’ [Kitty, herself, is white.] So when I come across this old lady at that grocery store, I told her to scoot over, that we just wanted a ride. I remember she had some envelopes in her hand. Kitty found $12 in her purse. I remember the lady had on a black sweater and black pants with a red shirt and black gloves. She was so sweet and nice. We stopped at a store. Then we stopped at a deserted house off the highway and put the lady in the trunk. The lady asked me why we was doing this. She stayed calm. She talked to us a lot. Then up closer to Oklahoma, we stopped at another store. Kitty went in and bought some electrical tape. She said, ‘Tape her whole head up.’ I prayed with the lady. Kitty was the brains behind it.”
Other than Busby and Kathleen, no one will ever really know what happened during those 36-48 hours in the final weekend of January 2004. Even after piecing together information from those involved, reading the depositions and trial transcripts, and interviewing Kathleen, it’s still a guess. There was no evidence linking Kathleen to the duct tape — only Busby’s fingerprints were found. Who was the leader, and who was the follower? Suzanne Escalante, a police officer who worked the Eastside during the months prior to the murder, says, “I dealt with those two a lot on my beat. JB was very confident and had issues remembering to call me officer, not babe or sweetie. Kathleen had a broken arm and other injuries from being assaulted, but she would always say a ‘john’ did it. We all knew it was JB. Others on the street would tell me about Kathleen getting assaulted by him and how he was a jerk. Kathleen was always respectful to me.”
After the interview with Kathleen and after reading Busby’s documents, I contacted the prosecutor, a detective who interviewed Kathleen, and also Steve Humble of the Squire Shop, a men’s clothing store adjacent to the Tom Thumb. Humble spotted the pair as they headed toward the grocer. “I was getting my mail outside my store that morning about 11 a.m., when I saw this very blonde woman walking fast. I said, ‘Good morning,’ and she looked at me and said, ‘Good morning.’ Then I noticed she was trying to catch up with a man about 30 yards away, a man I made eye contact with as he was testing the door to a car parked close to my store. He stopped when he saw me. Then they took off toward Tom Thumb.”
Two lives crossed paths with another on that fateful Friday morning. The one who should not be forgotten is Mrs. Crane who was, by all accounts, beloved by all. The provost at the time, William Koehler, was quoted in TCU’s Skiff newspaper saying the university was saddened by her tragic death. “Mrs. Crane had a profound impact upon the lives of many children and families through her work at Starpoint. She will be missed tremendously.” In a recent conversation I had with Mr. Koehler, he added, “Her death was more than tragic. It was devastating to those at TCU who knew her personally, but it was her students who suffered the most. Her leadership at Starpoint was invaluable. She loved her students, and they loved her.”
Busby and Latimer, in their separate interviews, did agree on one thing, and that was they needed transportation. The question lingers — why did they not take the car and leave Mrs. Crane behind? The answer may never come.
“She said, ‘Tape her whole head up.’ ... Kitty was the brains behind it.”
Edward Lee Busby
Anna Vasquez spent 22 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit — until a Fort Worth lawyer got her exonerated last year.
It began on a hot summer night in 1994 in San Antonio.
Three young women were visiting a fourth friend, Elizabeth Ramirez, in her apartment. Ramirez’s two nieces were also visiting — sisters, ages 7 and 9. Several weeks after that fateful night, the nieces falsely accused all four of sexual abuse and rape, even though it remains questionable if all four women were ever even in the apartment at the same time. That evening resulted in a 22-year nightmare for the women, now known as “The San Antonio Four” — Ramirez, Kristie Mayhugh, Cassandra Rivera and Anna Vasquez. The reason for the nieces’ false accusations is still unclear. One theory is that Ramirez had refused sexual advances from their father, causing him to plant ideas in the young girls’ heads. No DNA evidence was present, and the girls’ stories, and their retelling of that night, were inconsistent. Prosecutors argued that children often forget exact details, and that — along with a doctor’s “expert” testimony affirming that one of the girls had genital scars — was enough to convince a jury to convict. All four of the young women had recently come out as gay, and they were easy targets for false allegations. Ramirez was sentenced to 37 and a half years, and the others to 15 years each for sexual assault and indecency.
Another has not, nor has the doctor who testified at the trial, nor has the prosecutor. Is she bitter? No, she realizes to be bitter about the past would ruin her future. “Shortly after my exoneration, I felt lost. Being free was all I had fought for, for 22 years of my life, and although I was over the moon, I seemed to find myself without a sense of purpose,” said Vasquez. “So earlier this year, when ITX offered me a job, I jumped at the chance. I regained my purpose and my self-worth. I always said that I would continue to help with this amazing organization, somehow someway, but thought only as a volunteer. I was honored that they even considered me for the position. I believe I can be a huge asset in communicating with people still on the inside because I know firsthand what they are going through — the hurt, the disappointment, the sense of defeat,” Vasquez says.
“Southwest of Salem,” an award-winning documentary about the unraveling of these four lives and the efforts of ITX to attain justice for them, was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in April 2016. It went on to win a Peabody award in 2016, a GLAAD award (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) for outstanding documentary in May of this year, and received a nomination for an Emmy Award.
“It is rare that a wealthy innocent individual is wrongfully convicted.”
Decades went by, and for these four women, no one, outside of family and friends, believed their cries of innocence until years later, two individuals read about their case. Darrell Otto, a Canadian professor, was doing research on female sex offenders and knew that rarely do females engage in sexual abuse. The story didn’t sound right to him. He, along with Debbie Nathan, a journalist with Texas roots, began studying their case. The genital scar theory, an example of “junk” science, had been disproven in 2007. In 2011 their case was brought to the attention of Innocence Texas (ITX), which fought fervently to have them exonerated — and, on Nov. 23, 2016, all were. The nieces are now in their 20s. One niece has apologized.
A recent study by the National Registry of Exonerations indicates over 1,700 wrongly convicted people have been exonerated in the U.S. since 1989. Of these, about 700, or 40 percent, were convicted of murder, and of these, about 115 were sentenced to death. Most of these exonerations have been due to DNA testing done after the convictions, utilizing new technology on sometimes decades-old evidence. The Innocence Project (IP), founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, was created for those wrongly convicted. The nonprofit celebrated 25 years this year.
Texas’ branch of the organization, ITX, is based in downtown Fort Worth, and Mike Ware, a criminal defense attorney,
is executive director.
Ware was instrumental in obtaining the exonerations for the San Antonio Four. “They were young, they were gay, and they didn’t have a lot of money. They were vulnerable targets for the police and prosecutors, who would not have pursued such an investigation against members of a more mainstream society,” he says. He believes all of these factors contributed to their wrongful convictions.
Ware is a “hometown” boy, who grew up on the Southside and attended Paschal High School. His career is distinguished. After graduating with honors from the University of Texas with a degree in philosophy, he earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law School in 1983, where he was research editor for the Houston Law Review. In 1984 he began private practice, specializing in criminal defense. From 2007–2011, he was the Special Fields Bureau Chief for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office, where he headed the conviction integrity unit, the first of its kind in the country. In April 2009, he was featured in “Dallas DNA,” a six-week television series on Investigation Discovery (ID). In 2011, Ware opened a private practice in Fort Worth, and in 2014 he received the “Percy Foreman” Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year award. His honors didn’t stop there. In July of this year, ITX received the 2017 State Bar of Texas’ Warren Burnett Award for its contributions toward improving the
“They were young, they were gay, and they didn’t have a lot of money. They were vulnerable targets for the police and prosecutors.”
Mike Ware
quality of criminal legal representation, particularly on behalf of indigent defendants. In the formal announcement addressed to Ware, the State Bar of Texas termed ITX’s contributions as
Ware minces no words about the number of other innocent people behind bars today. His passion and tenacity in helping those wrongly convicted is compelling.
qu qual a it i y of crimiina n l leggal represen ti tion o , parrti t cu c laarl r y on behal a f of ind de defe f nddan a ts t . In h forma m l annouun me ment adddress s ed e t to the , Staate Tex e as f ter e me m d ITX T ’s contribbutio “truly y excceppti t onnal a .” Wa W re minceces no worords number of other innocent peopl behind bars His passion a in y those wrongl convicted is
It’s become common to see news stories about an individual who has been exonerated, sometimes after spending decades in prison, and some who have even been exonerated from death row. “Mistaken witness identification appears to be the most frequent reason. Detectives want to solve, and prosecutors want to win, sometimes at a high cost,” Ware says. “Perhaps when detectives are displaying pictures, they keep their finger on a particular one a second longer than the others. Or they display body language to the victim or eyewitness during a lineup, suggesting a particular person to pick. Sometimes the picture the detec-
tive wants the witness to pick is the wrong person. Poverty is also a factor. It is rare that a wealthy innocent individual is wrongfully convicted.”
As was the case with the San Antonio Four and the genital scar theory, junk science often plays a part in wrongful convictions. The analysis of a “forensic expert,” sometimes in a white coat using medical jargon, may have no real scientific basis. Sometimes, it is the “science” itself that is junk, or the science is good, but it’s improperly applied. Scientific methods such as bite mark comparisons are now seen as subjective. Judges may not understand the science, so they may allow the jury to hear false testimony offered by the prosecution. Ware says he is often asked why a person would plead guilty to a crime he didn’t commit. “Many times, innocent defendants have absolutely no faith in the ‘justness’ of the justice system. They understand the truth may not stand a chance against the efforts of the police, prosecutors, and even sometimes the judge, to convict them. They may see their
The analysis of a “forensic expert,” sometimes in a white coat using medical jargon, may have no real scientific basis.
attorney, many times court appointed, as not skilled enough or not having the resources to overcome the powerful institutions trying to convict them. They may accept a deal that requires them to plead guilty but limits their time in prison. This is unfortunate because convicting the wrong person does nothing to protect the public’s safety or serve justice.”
DNA exonerations have shown coerced false confessions to be another leading cause of wrongful convictions, particularly for the young and for those who may be mentally unstable. Most of the time, the videotape will support the police version of the interrogation, so it’s hard to understand why the police have historically mounted organized efforts opposing such a require-
ment. Because of legislation recently pushed through by ITX, the police are now required to record interrogations in most cases.
“ITX reviews about 1,000 cases annually, but ultimately takes legal action on only a small percentage. We have to be convinced that the person is innocent before we initiate litigation,” Ware says. He oversees a small staff and also utilizes the help of volunteers, all of whom strive to improve the fairness of the Texas criminal justice system. Intake and triage are a time-consuming and difficult part of the work. Weeding out those who are telling the truth from those who are not is a lengthy process. “There is a common misconception that everyone in prison claims he or she is innocent. It is my experience that most convicted inmates own up to what they did. And there are
those who say they are innocent, but who are not. Sometimes there are fairly straightforward ways to corroborate their version of the facts. They may be given polygraphs. Or perhaps their story makes more sense than that of the prosecutor offered at trial. Consistency of story is another; the truth never changes,” Ware says.
It takes years from start to finish to reverse a conviction. Ware says sometimes the police and prosecutors will fight to avoid admitting a mistake. The law requires a post-conviction claim to be filed in the same court where the defendant was originally convicted. Sometimes the judge will be loath to concede that he or she presided over such a travesty of justice. The system was set up to err on the side of letting a guilty person go free to prevent convicting the innocent. It was never really set up to correct serious errors, other than procedural errors.
The San Antonio Four made their way to hell and back, but there are still many who are not “back.” Ware agrees that Texas has had more than its share of wrongful convictions, but the state has recently become a leader in criminal justice reform. Prosecutors, in order to obtain a conviction, may be willing to trust the testimony of someone they would not trust in other circumstances. “Jailhouse snitches have long been a problem. Recent legislation pushed through by the ITX now requires prosecutors to keep thorough records of all jailhouse informants they use, their testimony, their criminal history, and the benefits those informants received as a result of the information they provide. The information must be disclosed to defense lawyers if it will be used by prosecutors in a particular case,” said Ware. Others have even proposed banning the use of compensated informants
altogether, especially in cases involving capital crimes.
Ware is also an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Law School. Tim Godwin is one of his third-year students. Slightly older than the other students, Godwin’s previous careers included U.S. Army, a Texas State Trooper, and also Boyd and Newark Police Departments. He brings a unique perspective to the classroom. “I take the approach of an officer looking at the case in order to send it to the district attorney for prosecution. I am not necessarily looking for guilt or innocence; I am looking to see if I would have made the same arrest, and then analyze the case from arrest to prosecution,” said Godwin. Another ITX exoneration of a wrongful conviction hits close to home. Tim Cole, a Fort Worth native, had served four years in the U.S. Army and was a student at Texas Tech in 1985. On March 24 of that year, a young woman, Michele Mallin, also a student, became the fifth woman raped in four months on the Texas Tech campus. In each case, a young woman was driven outside of town at knifepoint and raped after being approached at her car. Three of the victims identified the man as a smoker, including Mallin who testified that he smoked during the ordeal. Mallin, white, chose Cole, black, out of a photo spread and also picked him out of a lineup. A jury convicted and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. He was later offered parole if he would admit guilt. He would not. He died of an asthma attack in 1999 after serving 13 years in prison. Cole’s brothers and friends had testified that he was at home that night playing cards and that, due to his asthma, he had never smoked. Another man confessed to the rape in 2007, and Mallin admitted that she had been wrong in her identification. A DNA test conducted long after Cole died confirmed that the man who confessed to the crime was the rapist. In 2010, Rick Perry, then governor of Texas, acknowledged Cole’s innocence and pardoned him posthumously. Perry came to Fort Worth and signed a pardon with Cole’s family present. A historical marker stands today honoring Cole in Mount Olivet Cemetery at Sylvania and Northeast 28th Street, and the City of Lubbock erected a 19-foot-tall statue of Tim across the street from the main entrance to Texas Tech.
But, Vasquez of the San Antonio Four is one of the “lucky” ones who is still here to speak about her travesty of justice. “We want to prevent wrongful convictions, not correct them after they are made,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez says she knows that there’s still a long way to go with what she calls our “imperfect justice system,” but she’s confident we are moving in the right direction with the ITX and Mike Ware’s leadership.
“Not one innocent person should ever spend one minute in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Unfortunately, I have become very familiar with the justice system. ITX was a godsend, and I want to do what I can to give back. I think they hired me to weed out the bull…well those who aren’t telling the truth,” she says with a smile.
He died of an asthma attack in 1999 after serving 13 years in prison.
A new program creates jobs for individuals with visual impairments, giving them an unlikely task that makes a difference for those with and without sight.
| by Samantha Calimbahin |
WHEN LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND LAUNCHED ITS OPTICAL LAB IN FEBRUARY, THE GLASSES MANUFAC TURING PROGRAM PRODUCED 10 PAIRS OF GLASSES IN ITS FIRST MONTH. By the time November arrived, the lab had produced more than 2,500.
But the real surprise isn’t in the number of glasses produced, but the people who produce them — the blind.
“We refer to it as wonderful irony,” says Platt Allen, CEO of Lighthouse for the Blind. “We have folks who are blind making glasses for people who can see.”
The Optical Lab is part of Lighthouse’s mission to promote independent living and provide employment to the blind community. According to Will Frederick, Lighthouse’s head of sales
Here’s how the Lighthouse Optical Lab puts together a pair of glasses:
1. The lens arrives in the shape of a disc with the prescription in the center. The disc, however, has not been shaped to fit the frame of the glasses. That’s when the Optical Lab’s
work begins.
2. The lens is marked according to the shape of the frame. The technician must be especially careful that the center of the lens aligns correctly. For example, “if it’s bifocal, we have to make sure that flat top of the bifocal is square to the
visual impairments is 70 percent.
The lab is one of several employment opportunities Lighthouse for the Blind provides. The average pay is $10.75 an hour, plus benefits and a retirement program. Other jobs include repackaging copy paper and manufacturing military-grade phone cushion boxes. Lighthouse is also currently setting up an ultrasonic welding lab to manufacture both oral fluid and urine-based drug testing devices. Lighthouse currently has 62 employees, 40 of which are blind.
Eventually, Platt says Lighthouse hopes to get the Optical Lab into a position where it’s making 1,000 pairs of glasses a day.
patient’s eyes,” Allen says. “If it were to be crooked, you wouldn’t be able to use the bifocal pretty well. It would probably give you a bad headache.”
*This is where blind labor comes in.
3. A plastic is placed on the lens, and the lens is mounted onto
an edger. The edger then uses a series of grinding stones to remove the outer material on the lens that is not needed.
4. Once the lens comes out of the machine, its edges are extremely sharp and must be hand polished and beveled.
5. The lenses are mounted into a plastic or metal frame.
6. The glasses are cleaned and placed in a case; then they’re ready to be shipped to optometrists or ophthalmologists around the U.S.
Collaboration is key for UNT Health Science Center.
| by Meg Hemmerle |
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER HAS BEEN BUSY AS OF LATE, from preparing to open a medical school with TCU in 2019 to managing a mobile health clinic that reaches out to the more than 75,000 uninsured children in Tarrant County — not to mention its sold-out Legends Concert Series to benefit the mobile clinic on Nov. 7 at Bass Hall. Oh yes, and UNT is a graduate academic medical center by day.
According to Paul Bowman, chairman and professor of pediatrics at UNT, what drives students to succeed and patients to get better is teamwork and collaboration with the community.
One way UNTHSC fosters collaboration is through mentorship between its
faculty and students. The mentorship program is something that draws people back to UNT, which has generations of mentors and mentees working together again. Currently, there is a senior faculty member whose mentee is now on staff and acting as a mentor to a student.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” said Bowman. “All the students here have a faculty mentor, someone who is a go-to person to help them overcome problems, to help anticipate their future career path and give them guidance.”
UNTHSC also collaborates with local hospitals like Cook Children’s and John Peter Smith and will soon open a medical school in partnership with TCU. The school, which is due to accept its first class in 2019, is the first of its kind in
terms of being a partnership between a private and public university.
“It’ll be very community focused,” said Bowman. “Hopefully, one that’ll catalyze more of an emphasis in Fort Worth on graduate medical education.”
UNT’s partnerships extend beyond hospitals to the local Fort Worth community with its pediatric mobile clinic. The mobile clinic takes staff to underserved communities where there is limited access to patient services due to either lack of transportation or insurance.
“We partner with those communities where they acknowledge they have a need,” said Bowman. “We help them so that their kids have access to immunizations, well-child care and the best prospect to be healthy little citizens.”
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To see all the photos from the hottest events
On Oct. 28, at River Crest Country Club, The Steeplechase Club presented the 2017 Steeplechase Debutantes at the 101st Annual Steeplechase Ball. Photos courtesy of Rick Bettinger/Gittings
Steeplechase Debutantes: (Listed Alphabetic ally) Miss Cassidy Elizabeth Bates, Miss Shelby Ellen Butt, Miss Gracie Lee Chambers, Miss Kendall Elizabeth Conway, Miss Darbi Laine Holt, Miss Madison Mellissa Jennings, Miss Caroline Grace
Miss Sarah Caroline McLaughlin, Miss Margaret Cherry Moritz, Miss Lauren Patricia Nolan, Miss Christina Saroj Paulus, Miss Alyssa Anne Phillips, Miss Sarah Marie Ransom, Miss Carlyle Elizabeth Rascoe, Miss Katelyn Anna Tierney, Miss Merrick Elizabeth White
Steeplechase Officers: Mr. John Weldon Closuit, Mr. John Barron Parker, Mr. Peter Campbell Ray II, Mr. George Young, III
The Rivertree Academy hosted its second annual Dinner Under the Stars at the Cendera Center on Oct. 3. Dr. Vernard Gant was the keynote speaker, while Chef Jon Bonnell provided food. Photos by Nicholas Sanders
The annual Jewel Charity Men’s Chance Ticket Event was held at The First Tee of Fort Worth at the newly renovated Rockwood Golf Course on Oct. 18. Guests spent the evening playing golf on the putting greens, testing their swing and purchasing Chance Tickets. A special live auction was held for Ben Hogan's personal 4-wood, won by Jerry Conatser. Co-Chairs Michele Reynolds and Judy Strong hosted a fun, relaxing evening for the men of Jewel Charity.
The first-ever Jewel Charity Care4Kids Carnival was held on Oct. 26 at Mopac Event Center. Children were entertained by a balloon artist, yard games, clowns and arts and crafts. Sonny Burgess and Jolie Holliday serenaded the crowd, and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. provided beer for the adults.
Carolyn Osborne and Lauren Perkins of Lola + Lina hosted an exclusive first look at B&B Butchers’ new Fort Worth location on Oct. 19. The partygoers were greeted by two live longhorns on which they posed for a fun photo op before entering the construction site that had been transformed into a classy cocktail party.
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The Legends Concert Series, UNT Health Science Center’s signature fundraising event, featured rock ’n’ roll headliners Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald at its fifth anniversary presentation, Nov. 7, at Bass Performance Hall. Photos by Jill Johnson.
The 24th Annual Cowtown Ball raised funds for the American Cancer Society on Oct. 28 at River Ranch in the Stockyards. Emcee Doug Dunbar from CBS 11 took the stage before the award-winning Duo Thompson Square entertained at the westernstyle gala. The popular Tarrant County event featured casinostyle gaming, auctions, pig races and dinner from Reata. Proceeds benefited American Cancer Society’s programs and research. Photos by Ross Reitzammer Photography
The Fort Worth Can Academy Lancaster Avenue named a new childcare center in honor of Louella and Nicholas Martin. The dedication ceremony was held Oct. 4 for the Louella and Nicholas Martin Wee Can Academy. The academy will be able to enroll approximately 79 children.
The annual Jewel Charity Ladies’ Event was held at the home of Mary Bates on Sept. 19. Co-Chairs Kathleen Reeves, Melinda Spence Smith and Melissa Tapp coordinated an elegant evening benefiting Jewel Charity’s Care4Kids programs.
Guests were dazzled by gorgeous gowns from Lela Rose and furs from Gorski, both featured by Neiman Marcus Fort Worth.
Winstead’s Fort Worth office is home to attorneys who have lived in the city for generations. Our attorneys serve on boards and committees of many Fort Worth organizations and participate in several local community activities. Winstead shares the love of the city’s heritage and supports Fort Worth’s vision for growth and prosperity.
Not pictured: Elizabeth Tiblets
Extraordinary personalities shaping Fort Worth
| by Samantha Calimbahin |
Shortly after she became Tarrant County District Attorney in 2015, Wilson, who announced her bid for reelection in August, proposed bringing a dog into the office to help comfort victims and witnesses needing to testify.
So in January 2016, Brady — a mild-mannered golden retriever rescued from a shelter in Midland — became the “DA Dog,” joining the office to provide emotional support for not just victims and witnesses, but even employees, lawyers and police officers. On some days, Wilson takes the dog home with her to join her husband and their own dog, Bob, a mutt who serves as “Brady’s emotional support dog,” Wilson says.
Aside from bringing an emotional support dog to the office, Wilson has a list of much more serious accomplishments as district attorney. She was responsible for creating the county’s first Conviction Integrity Unit, which keeps up with changes in forensic science and reviews claims of innocence and wrongful convictions. Passionate about putting an end to domestic violence, Wilson also created a special unit for prosecuting intimate partner violence.
At home, Wilson starts her day by — well, feeding the dogs, for one thing — but also praying and planning the Sunday school lesson for her church.
“I’m an early riser; my husband’s not,” she says.
So early, in fact, that she’s usually out of the house by 7 a.m. Then her day is filled with everything from meetings with lawyers and city officials to attending Commissioner’s Court. The agenda is different every day — printed out on a sheet of paper that gets “sent to my husband and my mom so they know why I haven’t called them all day,” Wilson says.
That’s what happens when you’re in charge of over 300 employees and a $42 million budget. Despite the busy work schedule, and often emotionally taxing issues that comes with criminal law, Wilson says she likes her job.
“It’s just interesting,” she says. “The fun thing about criminal law is it’s about right and wrong. When I was a judge, and we would get a verdict, I would always tell the parties that it’s the nature of criminal law that somebody wins and somebody
loses. That is the nature of criminal law. In civil law, you can kind of split it down the middle, and everybody gets to leave with a little something. That is not criminal law. Criminal law is right and wrong.”
Wilson, an Amarillo native, grew up around the criminal justice system — one grandfather was a DPS motorcycle officer, the other was a justice of the peace. She found the field so interesting that she sought a law degree, and after getting it from Texas Tech, she came to Fort Worth and worked for former district attorney Tim Curry (the Criminal Justice Center downtown is now named after him). She served as assistant criminal district attorney and eventually became chief of the misdemeanor department. Wilson would eventually become judge of Criminal District Court No. 1, where she served for 23 years before running for district attorney.
She’s the first woman to hold the position.
“It was the weirdest thing because I never even thought about that,” she says. “On election night, people were saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re the first female,’ and I was going, ‘Oh yeah.’ Like everybody else, you just do what you’re good at, and you just keep doing it.”
Now she’s knee-deep in her DA duties. Wilson’s office is on the fourth floor of the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, with a good view of the north side of downtown Fort Worth — and signs of a dog. A large doggy bed sits in the hall. Toys are hiding here and there (attorneys are “forever buying him toys,” Wilson says).
Wilson says Brady is doing what she appointed him to do, though. She recalls one teenage girl who had to testify and requested that Brady be with her. He did just that, serving as a comfort during a difficult moment.
“He doesn’t do a whole lot,” Wilson says. “He shakes hands, does high-fives, sometimes he rolls over if he wants to, so it’s not that he’s all that. It’s that he just will sit with them. That’s huge.”
And it was her idea.
Texas’ largest group of estate planning attorneys offering intelligent solutions to save taxes and protect assets. The Blum Firm has twenty-eight attorneys devoted to estate planning, tax planning, probate, asset protection, business planning, charitable planning, tax controversy, business succession planning, family legacy planning, fiduciary litigation, guardianships, and mediation. For over thirty-five years, The Blum Firm has remained on the cutting edge of new developments and proactive planning.
| by Scott Nishimura and Samantha Calimbahin |
Need a lawyer? Start here with Fort Worth Magazine’s 2017 Top Attorneys, our annual listing of the best lawyers in town, as voted for by their peers.
This year’s list contains 832 lawyers, broken down by specialty and whether they’ve been in practice for more or less than five years. Lawyers voted online at fwtx.com earlier this year. The magazine applied a minimum number of votes it took to make the list, giving bonus weight to lawyers who made the list any of the prior three years. We asked a group of 25 highly regarded lawyers in the area to review the list prior to publication, and make recommendations on other lawyers who should be on the list, and even ones who should come off for any reason. With this input, we finalized the 2017 Top Attorneys list. By including a lawyer on these lists, the magazine does not recommend or endorse his or her service. Lawyers whose names are in bold type received 20 or more votes. Lawyers whose names are in bold italic received 10-19 votes. Lawyers licensed as of December 2012 are considered to have more than five years in practice for this list.
Research contributed by Kat Barclay and Sarah Jane Grisham
More than Five Years in Practice
ADMINISTRATIVE
Issues regarding the body of rules, regulations, orders and decisions created by administrative agencies of government
Christopher Gee
Tyler Wallach
Andrew Wambsganss
ADOPTION
Issues in adoption law
Heidi Cox
Eric Freeby
Kellye Hughes
Zoe Meigs
Susan Paquet
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Practice of resolving legal disputes through mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, or other nonlitigation methods
John Allen Chalk Sr.
Christian Dennie
John Dowdy
Thomas "Trey" Gordon III
Tom Henry
Kight Higgins
Bruce James
Roland Johnson
Beth Krugler
Richard Alan Maples
Wade McMullen
Dale O'Neal
David Seidler
Len Wade
Kevin Walker
APPELLATE
Issues regarding appeals of a lower court ruling
Marianne Auld
Russell Barton
Dabney Bassel
Jerry Bullard
Donald Ferrill
Thomas F. Harkins Jr.
Steve Hayes
David Keltner
Jennifer Lovelace
Thomas Michel
Chris Nickelson
Misty Pratt Schneider
Karen Precella
Fredrick Quast
Brittani Rollen
Jody Sanders
Brent Shellhorse
Joe Spence
Matt Stayton
Steve Tatum
Philip Vickers
Shelby White
ATTORNEY AD LITEM/ GUARDIAN AD LITEM
Attorneys appointed by a court to act as an advocate for a minor, proposed ward, or unknown heirs in a legal action
Kim Catalano
BANKING
Issues regarding state and federal statutes on bank regulations
Elliott Garsek
Bruce McGee
More than Five Years in Practice
Nicholas Pappas
Trey Penny
Sierra Quinonez
BANKRUPTCY
Issues regarding the rights and responsibilities of debtors and creditors in bankruptcy proceedings
John Bonds
Josh Eppich
Letty Evans
Bobby Forshey
Katherine Hopkins
Jim Ince
H. Brandon Jones
Matthias Kleinsasser
D. Michael Lynn
Matt Maben
Michael McBride
Michael McConnell
Jim Morrison
Mark Petrocchi
Steve Pezanosky
Jeff Prostok
Robert Simon
Lindsay Steele
Clay Taylor
Behrooz Vida
Patrick West
BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL
Issues involving the formation and financing of business enterprises
Amber Altemose
Gerald Bates
Paul Bradford
John Broude
Chad Cacciotti
Stephanie Daley
Russell Devenport
Zachary Garsek
Constance Hall
Emily Mundt
Andrew Norman
Orsen Paxton
B. Scot Pierce
Brian J. Smith
Andrew Wambsganss
Jared Wood
Sexual abuse trial attorneys representing secular and ministry organizations and victims of sexual abuse
Greg Love
Kim Norris
Litigation seeking damages or specific performance in noncriminal cases
Robert Aldrich
Geffrey Anderson
Michael Anderson
Chad Arnette
Mary Barkley
Dan Bates
Lars Berg
Grant Blaies
Bob Bodoin
Richard Bourland
Rickey Brantley
Bryan Bruner
Gina Bruner
J. Kirk Bryant
Caleb Bulls
Bill Campbell
Patrick Canon
David Childress
Lee Christie
Vincent Circelli
Chris Collins
Hugh Connor
Michael Cooke
Monika Cooper
Larry Cotten
Kelly Curnutt
Lindsay Daniel
Randal Dean
Richard DeBerry
Russell Devenport
Lydia Dews
Roger Diseker
David Drez
Mark Dugan
Preston Dugas
Ralph Duggins
Rebecca Eaton
Laura Elkind
Joey Fabela
Jacob Fain
Kimberly Fitzpatrick
Michael Forman
Larry Fowler
Walker Friedman
Toby Galloway
Terry Gardner
Brian Garrett
Jeff Gilmore
Paul Goetz
Chris Greer
Doug Hafer
Alyson Halpern
George Haratsis
Stephen D. Harrison
Albon Head
Jennifer Henry
Wes Hightower
Timothy Howell
Brandon Hurley
Bruce James
David Johnson
Roland Johnson
Michael Johnston
Dee Kelly Jr.
James Key
Koy Killen
Bryce King
Bill Kirkman
Ezra Kuenzi
Markus Kypreos
Jeff Lacy
Scott Lindsey
Grant Liser
Sandy Liser
John Lively Jr.
John Lively Sr.
Trey Loftin
Justin Malone
Brant Martin
Hunter McLean
Chase Medling
Shelly Messerli
Shayne Moses
George Muckelroy
Preston Mundt
Jennifer Munoz
Christopher Neal
Christopher Nezworski
Shane O'Dell
Keith Ogle
David Palmer
Raymond Palmer
Jeff Parks
Michael Peck
Alex Pelley
Allen Pennington
Scott Phillips
B. Scot Pierce
Robert Piwetz
Olyn Poole
Misty Pratt Schneider
John W. "John" Proctor
Christopher Pruitt
Joseph Regan
Guy Riddle
Jerold Rinehart
Jerry Sawyer
Roland Schafer
Bronwyn Scharar
Allison Schluckebier
Michael Schneiderman
David Schulte
Marshall Searcy
26 Attorneys 25 attorneys recently awarded Top Attorney in Fort Worth Magazine’s December 2017 issue Serving clients for over 120 years 13 attorneys named 2017 Super Lawyers by ThomsonReuters 27 honors in 360 West Top Attorneys List
6 attorneys named “Power Attorneys” by Fort Worth Business Press: ChuckMilliken,Rob Kelly,RandyHall, JanetHahn, CynthiaHill andMattMotes
3 attorneys awarded “40 Under 40” from Fort Worth Business Press: Patricia Cole, Stephen Polozola and LeslieHunt
More than Five Years in Practice
Worth hosted the first State Bar of Texas convention in June 1940.
Source: State Bar of Texas
Michael Sheehan
Brent Shellhorse
Andrew Sims
Brian J. Smith
Brian Stagner
Dan Steppick
Jon Suder
Mack Ed Swindle
Stephen Taylor
Joe Tolbert
Rob Vartabedian
Paul Vitanza
Matthew Walton
Rick Ward
William Nolan "Bill"
Warren
Scott Wheatley
Jeff Whitfield
Jay Wieser
Eammon Wiles
Tom Williams
John Wolffarth
Shauna Wright
George Parker Young
Jim Zadeh
CIVIL LAW, TRANSACTIONAL
Protection of the interests of a business, individual or multiple parties working together
Ryan Damiano
David Drez
Adam Fulkerson
Amy Hochberger
Phil McCrury
Michael Moore
Ricky Torlincasi
COMMUNICATIONS
Crisis communications
Judd Pritchard
CONSTRUCTION
Construction disputes or litigation
Toby Burke
Ed Cox
Randal Dean
Christian Ellis
Elisa Fox
Stephanie Harrison
Stephen D. Harrison
Andrew Keetch
Cara Kennemer
Hunter McLean
Luke McMahan
Matt Motes
B. Scot Pierce
Stephen Polozola
Brad Rice
Patrick Sheridan
Ross Vitek
Steve Yungblut
CONSUMER
Issues regarding regulations within the consumer marketplace, including warranties, credit cards, and e-commerce
Jerry Jarzombek
CORPORATE COUNSEL
In-house legal counsel
Eric Alexander
Hurshell Brown
Andrea Cottrell
Carolyn Hyman
Andrew Lombardi
Heather Raiden
Aimee Williams-Ramey
CORPORATE FINANCE/ MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Formation and financing of business, issues involving mergers and acquisitions
Brian Barnard
Tom Boswell
Benton Cantey
Doug Clayton
David W. Cook
Sharon Cooper
Dee Finley
Charlie Florsheim
Bill Greenhill
Justin Hoover
Cary Jennings
Rob Keffler
Kris Landrith
Robert Lydick
Evan Malloy
Charles Milliken
Jason Pierce
Vernon Rew Jr.
Patrick Rose IV
Andrew Rosell
Jacob Smith
Ken Wenzel
Dustin Willey
Jared Wood
Craig Woodcook
CRIMINAL
Crimes and their prosecution
Sherry Armstrong
Bruce Ashworth
Devin AuClair
Brandon Barnett
Bruce Beasley
Lanny Begley
John Brender
Tiffany Burks
Blake Burns
Frenkel
More than Five Years in Practice
Fort Worth, made of pink Texas granite, was built in 1895 and took more than two years to build. It’s listed on the National
of Historic Places.
Danny Burns
Cass Callaway
Kara Carreras
Virginia Carter
Cody Cofer
Mimi Coffey
Craig Dameron
Mark Daniel
Nick Davis
Clemente De La Cruz
Tanya Dohoney
Brian Eppes
Lance Evans
Tim Evans
Abe Factor
Taylor Ferguson
Curtis Fortinberry
Brandon Fulgham
Steve Gebhardt
Steve Gordon
Brian Goza
Brock Groom
Jeff Hampton
Daniel Hernandez
Francisco Hernandez
Kyle Hogan
Jeff Hoover
Jason Howard
Robert Huseman
DeWayne Huston
Christy Jack
Steve Jumes
Jeff Kearney
Tracie Kenan
Alex Kim
Emily LaChance
Trent Loftin
Trey Loftin
James Luster
Trent Marshall
Leticia Martinez
Chelsi McLarty
Tim Moore
Thomas Murphree
Jayson Nag
Bill Ray
John Robinson
Santiago Salinas
P. Micheal Schneider
Justin Sparks
Ty Stimpson
Anna Summersett
Samuel Terry
Andrea Townsend
Benson Varghese
Brian Walker
Greg Westfall
Luke Williams
Bonnie Wolf
Jerry Wood
EDUCATION/SCHOOL LAW
Teaching or issues involving laws and regulations that govern education
Neal Adams
Ben Barlow
Tom Myers
Rik Sehgal
Jim Whitton
ELDER LAW
Broad range of issues dealing with older or disabled people
Michele Audet
Monica Benson
Rick Weaver
FAMILY
Issues regarding marriage, divorce, spousal support, and child custody (See Adoptions, separate category.)
Barbara Armstrong
Genevieve Barr
Leslie Barrows
BRUCE CAMPBELL Personal Injury - Defense
CLAUDINE JACKSON Labor & EmploymentEmployer
Professional Malpractice (Non-Medical) - Defense
LAURA DOCKER Personal Injury - Defense
VERONICA CHAVEZ LAW Real Estate
BRUCE
Personal InjuryDefense
DUSSAULT Medical MalpracticeDefense
Law
Norma Bazan
Stephanie Beamer
Robert Blankenship
Kay Lynne Boll
Deborah Boone
Catherine Borum
Sonya Carrillo
Tawanna Cesare
John A. Clark
Mark Cochran
David L. Cook
Shelley Cooper
Theresa Copeland
B.C. Cornish
Anita Cutrer
Lori Dally
Rachel Dalton
Lori DeAngelis
Ami Decker
Kelly Decker
Michele DeLotto
Kristina Denapolis West
Stephen Farrar
Stephanie Foster
Lisa Gavia
Lauren Gaydos-Duffer
Nancy Gordon
Vicki Hafer
Brenda Hasenzahl
Tom E. Hill
Mary Holland
Robert Hoover
Lisa Hoppes
Greg Housewirth
Marshall Jacobini
Jessica Janicek
Jim Jay
Jill Johnston
Tracey Justice
Jeffrey Kaitcer
David Kelley
Heather King
J. Steven King
David Kulesz
Mark Lane
Stephen Lawrence
Bob Leonard
Jerry Loftin
Trey Loftin
Cade Lovelace
Jim Loveless
Sean Lynch
Dana Manry
Kenneth McAlister
Taylor McPherson
Larry Mike II
Lynne Milford
Tyler Monahan
Cassie Mullen
Michael Munoz
Kimberly Naylor
Stephen Naylor
Lyndsay Newell
Chris Nickelson
Gary Nickelson
Barbara Nunneley
Elizabeth "Betsy" Parmer
Alison Porterfield
Richard "Dick" Price
Shannon Pritchard
Lester Reed
Elizabeth Rivera
Laurie Robinson
Stephanie Sabelhaus
Kevin Schmid
Michael Schneider
Sarah Seltzer
Justin Sisemore
Curran Skinner
Donna Smiedt
Dwayne Smith
Kate Smith
Susan Smith
Joseph Soto
Lori Spearman
Keith Spencer
Kimberly Stoner
Melissa Swan
Jamie Taylor
Chrissy Tefera
Anna Teller
Donald Teller Jr.
Michael Tresidder
Tom Vick
Diane Wanger
Wayne Ward
Kyle Whitaker
Pamela Wilder
Weir Wilson
Monroe "Mike" Windsor
Samantha Wommack
Doug Wright
Glenn Orman
Lewis Schwartz
Richard L. "Rocky"
Schwartz
David Skeels
Mack Ed Swindle
James Walton
Brian Yost
HEALTH
Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to health care
Ross Carmichael
Wayne Whitaker
Issues related to federal rules that determine who’s allowed to enter the country and for how long
Edwardo Meza
Christopher Taylor
Melissa Wilks
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYEE
Issues regarding rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers
Zoe Courtney
Richard Griffin
Jason C.N. Smith
Tara Tankersley
Rod Tanner
Issues regarding securing an idea, patent, trademark or invention
Decker Cammack
Joe Cleveland
Heath Coffman
Clark Cowley
Leslie Darby
Scott Fredricks
Dave Gunter
Charles D. Gunter Jr.
Mark Handley
Dustin Johnson
Cheryl Leb
Geoff Mantooth
Stephen Mosher
Warren Norred
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYER
Issues regarding rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers
Tom S. Brandon Jr.
Russell Cawyer
Karen Denney
Brad Dowell
Laura Hallmon
Caroline Harrison
Cynthia Hill
Leslie Hunt
Michael Hutchens
Claudine Jackson
Lu Pham
Henry Robinson
Julie Ross
Jay Rutherford
Jennifer Sweeny
Pruitt Wambsganss Ferrill & Dean, P.C.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
More than Five Years in Practice
Source: texasbar.com
LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT
Issues regarding environmental and developmental law
Ray Oujesky
Jim Schell
MUNICIPAL
Issues involving the governance of cities
Gerald Pruitt
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, DEFENSE
Issues regarding defense of health care providers against claims of injury to a patient
Jennifer Andrews
Greg Blaies
Henri Dussault
Randy Hall
Jordan Parker
David Speed
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PLAINTIFF
Issues regarding representation of clients who claim injury by a health care provider
Geno Borchardt
Darrell Keith
Michael McGartland
Randall Moore
MOVING VIOLATIONS
Defense of clients who receive traffic tickets
James Mallory
Sommer Walker
NONPROFIT LAW
Counsel to nonprofit associations
Tom S. Brandon Jr. Steven Goodspeed
OIL AND GAS
Issues regarding energy sources and disputes between landowners and energy companies
Prichard Bevis
Bill Bredthauer
Cole Bredthauer
Jamie Bryan
Eric Camp
Michael Dawson
Justin Dolan
Bob Grable
Meg Guerra
Conrad Hester
Kristi Jones
Raymond Kelly
Jeff King
Michael Malone
Timothy Malone
Mark Matula
Michael Moore
Aaron Moses
Elizabeth Murphy
Stephen O'Neal
R. Mark Oliver
Hunter Parrish
Adam Plumbley
Katey Powell Stimek
Shawna Rinehart
Clark Rucker
Bart Rue
Christina Sherwood
Brian J. Smith
Todd Spake
Jim Strawn
John Thompson III
Ricky Torlincasi
Preston Ward
PERSONAL INJURY, DEFENSE
Defense of clients against claims of injury
Bruce Campbell
Laura Docker
David Flowers
John Greene
Chad Kimble
Charlie Mitchell
Richard "Bruce" Moon
Brad Poulos
Jackie Robinson
Coby Smith
James L. Williams
PERSONAL INJURY, PLAINTIFF
Issues pertaining to proving a defendant is liable for a plaintiff’s injury and is responsible for damages
Mark Anderson
Seth Anderson
Brandy Austin
Wade Barrow
Bruce Beasley
George Boll
Art Brender
Gene Burkett Jr.
Rieker Carsey
John Cummings
Gil Daley
Dwain Dent
Scott Frenkel
David Frisby
Partners: Geffrey W. Anderson, Guy H. Riddle, Jon Harrison, Jim Kiser Associates: Ellen Flint, Andrea M. Palmer, Allison T. Schluckebier, Kristin Newman
Anderson & Riddle, LLP consistently sets and achieves courtroom goals for clients of any size, from major corporations to individuals. The firm’s unconventional approach to litigation provides a framework for success. The statewide respect for the collegiality and professionalism demonstrated by the firm’s lawyers allows for quick resolution of most cases. If an agreement cannot be reached, the courage to perform under fire allows each of the attorneys to thoroughly present the dispute to the jury. This combination of common sense and talent sets the firm apart from all competitors.
More than Five Years in Practice
Patrick Gallagher
Mark Haney
Andrew Hawkins
Michael J. "Mike" Henry
Rob Henry
Greg Jackson
John Jose
Robert Kisselburgh
C. Lyndon Laird
Steven Laird
Steve Maxwell
Kent McAfee
Chris Medlenka
Alfred Pandolfi
Brad Parker
Anna Patterson
Travis Patterson
Anthony Pettitt
Kelly Puls
Jim Ross
John W. Shaw
Todd Smith
James Stanley
Jason Stephens
Chris Stoy
Randall Turner
Sommer Walker
Tennessee Walker
Rocky Walton
Natherral Washington
Coby Wooten
Jim Zadeh
PROBATE, ESTATES, TRUST
Issues regarding distribution or management of an estate while client is alive, or after his/her death, and determination of authenticity of last will and testament
Michael Appleman
David Bakutis
Craig Bishop
Marvin Blum
Michael Bourland
Natalie Brackett
Keith Branyon
Cole Bryan
William Campbell
Patricia Cole
Kandice Damiano
James Davidson
Matt Davidson
Kelly DeBerry
Clint Dennis
Tena Fox
Catherine Goodman
Karen Gordon
Ross Griffith
Geary Grimes
Chandler Grisham
Janet Hahn
Laura Haley
Beth Hampton
Shelli Harveson
Kelcie Hibbs
Amanda Holliday
John Hunter
Lisa Jamieson
Roger Jones
Michael Kaitcer
Steven Katten
Lynn Kelly
Kevin Kuenzli
Terry Leach
Bob Loudermilk
Dan McCarthy
Dyann McCully
Kory Nelson
Blair Norman
Amy Ott
Hank Paup
Julie Plemons
Gary Post
Rachel Saltsman
Joel Sawyer
Aaron Shutt
Jimalee Splawn
Dana Stayton
Louis Stefanos
Aimee Stone
Karen Telschow Johnson
Leslie Thomas
Lewis Wall
Melinda Watts Smith
Michael Wiist
PRODUCT LIABILITY
Issues regarding claims that a product is defective and causes injury
Steve Howell
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE, NONMEDICAL, DEFENSE
Defense of a professional against a malpractice claim
Heath Coffman
Denise Collins
Monika Cooper
Blake Cox
Donald Ferrill
PUBLIC FINANCE
Issues related to financial activities of government or public-sector organizations
Dan Settle
REAL ESTATE
Issues regarding the right to possess and use real property and the improvements on it
Ken Adair
William Babb
Chris Baker
Prichard Bevis
Mark Bishop
Veronica Chavez Law
Susan Coleman
Martin Garcia
Noelle Garsek
Bob Ginsburg
Bryon Hammer
Jared Harrell
Sadie Harrison Fincher
Timothy Harvard
Alan Hegi
Joel Heydenburk
Brandon Hill
Justin Huston
John Charles Johnson
Chad Key
Richard Kilgore
Jared King
Bill Kuhlmann
Ryann Lamb
Kris Landrith
Lisa Leaton
Matthew Luensmann
Travis McNellie
Pati Meadows
Sharon Millians
Gary Moates
Greg Monroe
Frank Newman
Sarah Powers
Jeff Rattikin
Pollard Rogers
Jennifer Rosell
Rick Sorensen
Kenneth Stogdill
Dan Sykes
Tom Turet
Jody Walker
Ginger Webber
Bob West
Stephen Westermann
Dan White
Rafael Ylanan
Fort Worth Magazine is the only magazine in the city that subscribers pay for, and we prove our worth month after month. Other magazines might claim higher circulation numbers, but they aren’t telling the whole story. Those magazines are free. The result? Many of those publications end up in the trash or in forgotten piles of mail. Our magazine carries our city’s namesake and only arrives in homes where people have requested us by that name. It’s worth every penny.
More than Five Years in Practice
SECURITIES
Issues regarding issuance and sale of securities
John Fahy
Toby Galloway
Cal Jackson
Michael King
Patrick Reardon
SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
Issues regarding Social Security claims and related issues
Roger Allen
Daniel Gregory
July 2017.
2,124 passed.
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Sports law typically involves issues related to labor, antitrust, contracts and torts. Entertainment law typically involves issues related to intellectual property, first amendment and right to control the commercial use of one's identity
Jordan Woy
TAX
Issues regarding regulations that authorize collection of income, gift, estate, inheritance and business taxes
Gordon Appleman
Tom Hegi
Brandon S. Jones
Rodric "Bruce" Medley
Jessica Morrison
James Pritchard
Ryan Scharar
James Stripling
Len Woodard
TECHNOLOGY/VIRTUAL
Issues regarding data security, intellectual property, technology and social media
Brian Kirkpatrick
Under Five Years in Practice
There were 1,374,060 new civil cases statewide in 2016 — Almost half were in municipal courts.
ADOPTION
Issues in adoption law
Alyssa Jacobs
Schyler Parker
Adam Simmons
Kyle Voss
Shelby White
APPELLATE
Issues regarding appeals of a lower court ruling
Adam Arrington
Kyle Fonville
Joe Greenhill
CIVIL LAW, TRANSACTIONAL
Protection of the interests of a business, individual or multiple parties working together
Elizabeth Hatch
BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL
Issues involving the formation and financing of business enterprises
Sean Buckley
Adam Chilton
Paul Elkins
CONSTRUCTION
Construction disputes or litigation
Taylor Paris
CIVIL LAW, LITIGATION
Litigation seeking damages or specific performance in noncriminal cases
Whitney Beckworth
Grant Boston
Katie Carr Rae
DaNae Couch
Anthony Cuesta
Alix Dean
Zachary Farrar
Joshua Graham
Kathy Kassabian Reid
Kristin Newman
Katie Owens
Andrea Palmer
Daniel Paret
Andrea Paris
CORPORATE FINANCE/ MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Formation and financing of business, issues involving mergers and acquisitions
Jarratt Watkins
Chelsea Wood
CRIMINAL
Crimes and their prosecution
Deborah Bankhead
Ashley Gilmore
Phillip Hall
Kim Knapp
Christopher Lankford
Bria Larson
Zane Reid
Michael Schneider
Jordan Stimpson
Rajeev Sunkara
Rachel Taft
Cynthia Terry
Alex Thornton
Veronica Veyhl
Bryan Wilson
FAMILY
Issues regarding marriage, divorce, spousal support, and child custody (See Adoptions, separate category.)
Marquetta Clayton
Katie Copeland
Jennifer Dillon
Rashelle Fetty
Bodie Freeman
Aulstin Gardiner
Courtney Harbaugh
Jeff Johnson
Amy Lee
Brenna Loyd
Brent McMullen
Jerold Mitchell
Spencer Nilsson
Kathlynn Pack
Schyler Parker
Jessica Phillips
Mia Rainey
Brad Scalise
Turner Thornton
Janine Wilson
Paul Youngblood
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Issues regarding securing an idea, patent, trademark or invention
Enrique Sanchez, Jr.
The first bar association in Texas was formed in Galveston on April 11, 1868.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYEE
Issues regarding rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers
Robyn Trosper
PERSONAL INJURY, PLAINTIFF
Issues pertaining to proving a defendant is liable for a plaintiff’s injury and is responsible for damages
Jesse Calderon
Matthew Meyer
Caleb Miller
Ben Westbrook
Source: Texas State Historical Association
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYER
Issues regarding rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers
Lauren McDonald
PROBATE, ESTATES, TRUST
Issues regarding distribution or management of an estate while client is alive, or after his/her death, and determination of authenticity of last will and testament
Ryan Heath
Maggie Hill
Corey Williams
OIL AND GAS
Issues regarding energy sources and disputes between landowners and energy companies
Elizabeth Babb
Seth Burt
Jeff Gilmore
Garrett Martin
REAL ESTATE
Issues regarding the right to possess and use real property and the improvements on it
Amanda Anderson
Jarrod Cone
Brett Epstein
Robby Reeb
Grant Sorenson
Hannah Watkins
Founded by Judge Jesse Brown, this premiere civil litigation firm specializes in solving its clients’ problems in aviation, business, commercial, condemnation, construction, railroad and insurance defense/subrogation cases. During its more than 90 years of legal practice in downtown Fort Worth, the firm has been rated “AV Preeminent,” the highest rating possible by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and its offices have been located on the second floor of the historic Fort Worth Club Building since 1959. Attorneys from the firm have been represented in the Fort Worth Magazine “Top Attorneys” issues from 2002 to the present, and have been voted by their peers for other national, state and local awards, including the American College of Trial Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, Texas SuperLawyers and Rising Stars, Attorneys of Excellence, and the Blackstone Award from the Tarrant County Bar Association.
They stand by us through some of life’s more memorable moments. They guide us through everything from an adoption to starting a company. They are some of Greater Fort Worth’s brightest, most-sought-after professionals, and they want to tell you how hiring them will benefit you.
The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.
SPECIALTY: The firm focuses on injury cases. We handle all facets of motor vehicle collisions: car wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, and catastrophic 18-wheeler crashes. In addition, we work on cases involving dangerous/defective drugs and/or products, such as automotive defects. AWARDS/HONORS: Scott Frenkel – Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2002 and 2007-2017; Texas Super Lawyer, 20112017; Best Lawyers in Fort Worth, 2017; Million Dollar Advocates Forum & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mark Frenkel – Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2009-2017; Texas Super Lawyer, 2014-2017; Million Dollar Advocates Forum & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Gene Burkett – Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2015-2017; Best Lawyers
in Fort Worth, 2017; Million Dollar Advocates Forum & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Readers of Addison Magazine have voted Frenkel & Frenkel their favorite law firm, 2013-2017. MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: State Bar of Texas; State Bar of Missouri (Mark and Scott Frenkel); Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Board of Directors Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (Mark Frenkel, vice president, 2018); Fort Worth Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Bar Association. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Creating this firm, which has helped tens of thousands of individuals who could not have helped themselves. In terms of what we do daily, the deck is stacked so much against the individual that it is a blessing to be able to even the play-
CONTACT INFORMATION: TruckWreck.com
ing field and give our clients the ability to take on any adversary. We will not be outworked or outspent. WHAT SETS THEM APART: We can fund any size case; we employ advanced techniques we have learned while continuing to hone our craft; we perform a multitude of focus groups and mock trials; and our experience on the defense side of the docket gives us insight into knowing how the opposition works. APPROACH TO LAW: Clients first; results-oriented. We hold careless and negligent companies and individuals accountable for their actions, which makes the community safer for everyone. MOTTO: Integrity. Safety. Results. FREE ADVICE: If you’ve been in a wreck, call us immediately. The other side is not there to help you. They are there to get your claim settled as inexpensively as possible. PICTURED: Scott B. Frenkel (Partner), H. Gene Burkett (Partner), and Mark D. Frenkel (Partner). NOT PICTURED: Jason L. Boorstein (Associate), David I. Adest (Associate), Aaron C. Spahr (Associate), Joshua A. Cohen (Associate), Carlos A. Fernandez (Associate), Andrew M. Gross, MD, JD (Of Counsel).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
SPECIALTY: Personal injury (automobile accidents; workplace injuries; boating accidents; slips, trips and falls; dog bites; brain injuries; defective products; cycling/pedestrian injuries; etc.). EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Baylor University, BBA, 1994; Baylor University School of Law, J.D., 1995; Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2001-present. AWARDS/HONORS: Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County, 2006; Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year, 2005; AV Peer Review Rating, 2005-present; Texas Super Lawyer, 2009-2012, 2014-present. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Texas Bar Foundation, Tarrant County Bar Foundation. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Board certification after only six years of practice. WHY HE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: I wanted to fight for those unable to fight for themselves. APPROACH TO LAW: Take care of clients like they are family, fight for their rights to the limit of the law, conduct myself in a professional manner so as to bring honor to the legal profession. FREE ADVICE: Go to the hospital or see your doctor as soon as possible after an injury, even if you think the injury is minor. The injury may turn out to be more serious than you thought. Not seeing a health care provider early can be used against you later in the claims process. PICTURED: Greg Jackson.
SPECIALTY: The attorneys practice all phases of family law including divorce, collaborative law, child custody and support issues, grandparent rights, enforcements, and modifications. In addition, Justice Law Firm provides professional counsel in business law including entity selection and formation, contracts, leases, asset protection, employment contracts, and buy-sell agreements. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Tracey Justice - B.A., Baylor University; J.D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law; Certified Mediator; trained and experienced in Collaborative Law; licensed to practice law in Texas and the Federal Court, Northern District. Kristina Denapolis West – B.F.A., Texas Christian University; J.D., Loyola College of Law; former judicial law clerk and state prosecutor.
Marshall F. Jacobini – B.A., University of Texas at Austin; J.D., TWU School of Law. Curran Skinner – B.S., Texas Christian University; J.D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Establishing a reputation in the community as honest, ethical and well-respected attorneys. MISSION: Justice Law Firm attorneys strive to use their specialized knowledge and experience to help people navigate through very difficult times.
MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Justice – Member of Northeast Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Tarrant Collaborative Divorce Counsel, Collaborative Institute of Texas, and the Legal Center for Ethics; founding board member for Stepping Stones Foundation; served on the board of OhLook Performing Arts Cen-
ter; and board member of Spiritual Outreach Worldwide. Denapolis – member of the State Bar of Texas, the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, and officer in her department in the Junior Woman’s Club of Fort Worth. Skinner – member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, the American Bar Association, and the State Bar of Georgia. Jacobini – member of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar College, the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, the Texas Young Lawyer’s Association, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and the DFW B2B Business Resource Group. HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney in Family Law; Texas Rising Star, Super
Lawyer. APPROACH TO LAW: The attorneys at Justice Law Firm specialize in providing protection and peace of mind, avoiding problems as well as handling any that come up. They provide the experience, knowledge and dedication necessary to help their clients obtain the best possible results. PICTURED: Curran Skinner, Kristina Denapolis West, Tracey Justice and Marshall F. Jacobini.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 1100 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 400 Southlake, Texas 76092
justicelawdfw.com
Norma A. Bazán
Gary L. Nickelson
Chris Nickelson
CONCENTRATION: The firm is uniquely qualified to handle the most complicated matrimonial cases in trial or appellate courts throughout Texas. CERTIFICATION: Gary and Norma are board certified in Family Law through the State Bar of Texas. Chris is board certified in Civil Appellate Law through the State Bar of Texas. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Gary has been the Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar, President of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - both the Texas Chapter and national organization, and is Director of the State Bar of Texas. He is also a diplomate in
The American College of Family Trial Lawyers, which is by invitation only and limited to 100 Family Law attorneys nationwide. Chris is past President of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Appellate Section and currently on the Family Law Council of the State Bar’s Family Law Section. Father and son are frequent authors and lecturers for the State Bar and other organizations. Norma was chair of Tarrant County Bar Association Legal Line in 2015, is President of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, and a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas. HONORS: Gary holds many prestigious awards and has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer,” a Thomson Reuters busi-
ness, as published in Texas Monthly magazine since 2003. Chris has been named as “Texas Super Lawyer,” a Thomson Reuters business, in the Super Lawyer issue published in Texas Monthly since 2014. Gary and Chris have won the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas’ highest and most prestigious award, The Dan Price Award, in 2003 and 2013, respectively. Norma has been designated as Top Attorney in Fort Worth Magazine from 2015-2017 and named TCC Distinguished Alumni in 2015. EXPERIENCE: Gary has handled family law cases exclusively over 30 years. His experience allows him to handle all types of family law cases throughout Texas. Chris,
garynickelson.com
an 18-year attorney, clerked in El Paso Court of Appeals, appeared as an attorney in many of the appellate courts in Texas and is an accomplished family law attorney. Norma, a nine-year attorney, has handled many family law cases, including handling child-related cases for the state. CONTACT INFORMATION:
SPECIALTY: Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Product Liability. EDUCATION: University of Alabama, B.S., Business and Commerce, 1973; University of Alabama, J.D., 1976. AWARDS/HONORS: MultiMillion Dollar Advocates Forum; Million Dollar Advocates Forum. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Seeking social justice for clients. APPROACH TO LAW: To treat every client individually and to advocate on their behalf to the best of my God-given ability. FREE ADVICE: Time is of the essence. When a wreck occurs, trucking companies and insurance companies begin their investigation and preparing their defenses almost immediately. Accident victims should contact a qualified
attorney as quickly as possible to preserve evidence and protect their rights.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
PRACTICE AREAS: Our attorneys focus on litigation in the practice areas of business law, personal injury, family law, trusts and estates, probate, elder law, and criminal law. EDUCATION: Brandy Austin – Baylor Law School, 2008; East Carolina University - English, Creative Writing, Political Science, American Government Systems; Mediator. Larry Mike, II – Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 2011; Bellevue University, 2007 - Criminal Justice Administration. AWARDS/ HONORS: Brandy Austin – Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2015-2018); Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine (2015-2017); AVVO 10.0 Rating; Top Attorney, 360 West Magazine (2017). Larry Mike – Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine (2017); Top Attorney, 360 West Magazine (2017), Texas Bar College. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Brandy Austin – Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors; Texas Bar Association; Tarrant County Bar Association; Arlington Bar Association; Arlington-Mansfield YMCA, Cooper Street, Board of Direc-
tors; Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Texas Bar Foundation; Arlington Chamber of Commerce; and Professionals Serving Seniors. Larry Mike – Arlington Young Lawyers Association, President; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association; Arlington Bar Association. MISSION: To educate our clients and the community on legal topics and issues in Texas. See us weekly on Facebook Live, Fridays at 2 p.m. facebook. com/brandyaustinlaw. ADVICE: Do not allow your emotions to control your actions or your case. PICTURED: (left to right) Jennefer Lowe; Larry Mike, II; Brandy Austin; Yesha Patel.
CONTACT INFORMATION: brandyaustinlaw.com brandy@brandyaustinlaw.com
SPECIALTY: Representing victims of personal injury and wrongful death. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.A., Baylor University; J.D., University of Texas; LLM in Trial Advocacy, Temple University; Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, TBLS, Civil Trial Advocacy, NBTA. AWARDS/HONORS: Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2012; Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney, 2010-17; Super Lawyers 2013-17; Rising Stars 2008-13; PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors; Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, President; American Board of Trial Advocates. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Trying 42 civil cases before my 42nd birthday. WHY HE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: When I was a kid,
I saw unfairness in the world and wanted to do something about it. APPROACH TO LAW: Treat every client like a unique person and case. FREE ADVICE: Always meet with the attorney who will actually be handling your case in person and have all of your questions answered before you sign a contract with the attorney. Make sure the attorney you hire specializes in the legal matter for which you are seeking help and is board certified in that area of the law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. PICTURED: Wade Barrow.
CONTACT INFORMATION: barrow-law.com
EXPERTISE: Bill Berenson has successfully represented thousands of victims of truck and auto collisions for the past 37 years. He focuses on helping people injured by 18-wheelers and intoxicated drivers. EDUCATION: B.A. with honors, UT Austin; J.D., SMU School of Law. MEMBERSHIPS/HONORS: Board of Directors, Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Top 100 Attorney, National Trial Lawyers; Fellow, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation; Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine multiple years. BOARD CERTIFICATION: Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law (since 1994). PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Berenson has been involved in high-profile lawsuits ranging from the 2000 presidential election to the “affluenza
teen case” and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other national media. He has obtained many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. WHAT SETS HIM APART: Berenson harnesses the drive that has enabled him to run marathons in all 50 states (with 40 qualifying for the Boston Marathon) to passionately fight to get his clients the maximum recovery. MOTTO: Hire an attorney who can go the distance.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
817.885.8000
BerensonLaw.com
Kaye Lynne Boll
Law Office of Kaye Lynne Boll & Associates
PRACTICE AREA: Ms. Boll has chosen to limit her practice exclusively to family law matters including divorce, custody, property division, child support, visitation and adoption. She offers her clients a full spectrum of legal services to meet their specific family law needs, which may involve litigation, mediation, arbitration or collaborative law. WHAT SETS HER APART: Ms. Boll is a litigator and mediator who has practiced family law exclusively for more than 25 years in Tarrant County. Ms. Boll has served as president, officer and director of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association. She has significant experience in family law and knowledge of the courts, judges and their policies. Her firm treats each client with respect and in a holistic manner to effectively meet that client’s individual needs and prepare them
CONTACT INFORMATION:
for the future. ADVICE: You should always hire a family law attorney that specifically practices before the courts and judges in the county in which your case will be filed. Family law is complex. To protect your children, your property and yourself, it is not enough to simply go online and access child support calculators and legal forms. An experienced family law attorney is crucial.
Law Office of Kaye Lynne Boll & Associates
bollfamilylaw.com
SPECIALTY: Our areas of expertise include Bankruptcy and Debtor/Creditor Rights, Construction Law, Business Litigation, Insurance Law, and Oil and Gas. HISTORY: The firm celebrated its first anniversary on November 1, 2017. However, its members have been practicing in Fort Worth for many years. The partners all have “big firm” experience but have chosen to practice in a smaller firm environment in which they can effectively and efficiently serve their clients. AWARDS/HONORS: “Best Law Firm,” U.S. News-Best Lawyers, 2018 Edition; Best Lawyers; Super Lawyers; Rising Stars; Forty Under Forty. D. Michael Lynn served as a Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth prior to joining the Firm. GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Breaking away from “big law” and creating a firm that is focused on providing excellent legal work for our clients, without the “big firm” bureaucracy and
inefficiencies. APPROACH TO LAW: Our law firm is founded on the simple idea that providing excellent legal work leads to success for our clients and our firm. Each attorney at the firm is dedicated to this passionate pursuit of excellence. Our law firm is made up of hardworking, talented attorneys who work to create lifelong relationships with our clients. PICTURED: “Top Attorney” honorees: Brandon Jones, Patrick Sheridan, Roland Schafer, Joshua Eppich, Christian Ellis, Clay Taylor and John Bonds.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
connect@bondsellis.com bondsellis.com
SPECIALTY: General Civil Litigation: emphasis on personal injury, business disputes, investment fraud, probate, wrongful death and other civil trial matters. EDUCATION: Rickey Brantley – Baylor Law School, Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law. Alex Pelley – Texas Wesleyan/A&M Law School. AWARDS/HONORS: Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Texas Super Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Best Law Firms in America. MISSION: We have been successful in helping individuals and businesses obtain justice for over 30 years. Our firm will be an advocate that can be trusted to solve your most serious problems. Our successful record is evident both in the compensation awarded to our clients as well as the recognition received
from the legal community. FREE ADVICE: It never hurts to speak with a lawyer if you believe that you may have a legal issue that you are unable to resolve yourself. Most legal problems are not quick or easy, so when you are faced with a legal issue, make sure that you hire someone whom you believe will relieve the additional stress and feel comfortable working with on a daily basis. PICTURED: Rickey Brantley, Alex Pelley and Cathie Smith.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
RickeyBrantley.com cathie@rickeybrantley.com
John Brender and Art Brender
CONTACT INFORMATION: brenderlawfirm.com
SPECIALTY: Personal injury and criminal law. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: John Brender – B.A., University of Texas; J.D., Baylor University School of Law; Former Felony Prosecutor. Art Brender – B.A. and J.D., University of Texas; Board Certified, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Personal Injury Trial Law and Criminal Law. AWARDS/HONORS: John Brender is a highly successful criminal defense attorney in the DFW area. John’s reputation for courtroom excellence across the Metroplex has led to him being chosen as a “Top Attorney” by Fort Worth Magazine in 2009-2017 and named a “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly magazine in 2009 and 2018. While working with Art, John handled a variety of cases ranging from personal injury lawsuits to first-degree felonies. John was an Assistant Dallas District Attorney for six years where he handled misdemeanors and felonies. Due to this vast experience, John is skilled in DWI defense, drug-related offenses, white-collar crime and felony offenses. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Since 1973, Art Brender has successfully represented, tried and won hundreds of cases in Fort Worth, Tarrant and surrounding counties involving personal injury, products liability, insurance bad faith, civil rights, medical negligence, mass torts, class actions, sexual harassment and employment discrimination. MOTTO: Experienced Lawyers Who Get Results!
SPECIALTY: Criminal Law and Sports Law. EDUCATION: SMU Law School, 1977; Texas Board of Legal Specialization Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. AWARDS/HONORS: Tarrant County Criminal Lawyers Association, Roland Hill Award, 2014; The National Trial Lawyers Award, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Getting client Nelson Gongora off of Death Row. WHY HE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: I wanted to help people get their lives back on track, guilty or innocent, and I was impressed by Percy Foreman when I was a kid. APPROACH TO LAW: Continuously study the law and work to know the facts better than the prosecution. FREE ADVICE: Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police or prosecutor. PICTURED: Danny D. Burns, Attorney at Law.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 817.870.1544
Jesse A. Calderon
Juneau, Boll, Stacy & Ucherek, PLLC
SPECIALTY: Personal injury trial law specializing in death and catastrophic injury cases arising from trucking, auto and motorcycle collisions, oil field accidents, defective products, unsafe premises, drownings and general negligence. EDUCATION: B.A., cum laude, University of Texas at Arlington; J.D. Texas A&M University.
AWARDS/HONORS: Top Attorney, 2017, Fort Worth Magazine MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Helping my clients get the answers and justice they need and deserve after a traumatic injury. MISSION: My mission is to provide personal and
professional attention to a low volume of clients who have suffered a tragic injury or loss. I strive to provide strength and compassion when my clients need it most. FREE ADVICE: Be sure that you actually meet with an attorney before you hire one. Personal injury attorneys provide representation to respond to life-altering and traumatic events so you must make sure that you find the right attorney for your case.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
juneauboll.com jcalderon@juneauboll.com
FOCUS: The resolution of business and real property disputes through negotiation, litigation, arbitration, mediation, early case evaluation, and settlement counsel work for all types of business and commercial transactions – domestic and international; and State and Federal regulatory compliance, administrative hearings and appeals.
EDUCATION: Freed-Hardeman College; Tennessee Tech University; University of Texas Law School. YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE: 44. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Bar Association* (former Chair of ADR Section); Texas Bar Foundation; District of Columbia Bar Association; American Bar Association; American Bar Foundation; Tarrant County Bar Association (Past President); TCBA Foundation; Mahon Inn of Court (Past President and Master Emeritus); American Health Lawyers Association (Past Member of ADR Service Task Force and Council); Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Chartered Arbitrator, Fellow);
College of Commercial Arbitrators (Fellow); London Court of International Arbitration; Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine University School of Law. HONORS: 23rd and 24th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© 2017 in Arbitration; Blackstone Award (2013) by TCBA; Fellow, College of SBOT; Credentialed Distinguished by Texas Mediator Credentialing Association; Certified Mediator, IMI, the Hague. WHAT SETS HIM APART: “As a working lawyer and a long-time dispute resolver, I give my clients the candid advice that I would want from my own lawyer.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
jchalk@whitakerchalk.com
*Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
CONCENTRATION: DWI, Criminal Defense. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Mimi Coffey – Baylor University, Texas Tech School of Law, Board Certified in DWI by the NCDD; SFST Practitioner and Instructor training, Borkenstein Technical Supervisor School for both drugs and alcohol; Axion Analytical Labs - gas chromatography, DRE classification course. Lanny Begley – Austin Peay State University, Baylor University School of Law. AWARDS/HONORS: Mimi Coffey – Regent to the NCDD, national speaker on DWI, published in The Champion and The Voice, author of Texas DWI Defense, Texas Lawyer: 2015 Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law. Lanny Begley –Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney Under Five Years 2017, published in The Voice SPECIAL INTERESTS: Mimi Coffey – Helping young people; Texas Tech School of Law: Dean Darby Dickerson Writing Award, Coffey Diversity Endowment Scholarship; Brewer High
School: Five Legacy Scholarships and DBA Volunteer Mock Trial Judge. APPROACH TO LAW: Mimi Coffey – With my scientific background, I’m able to better understand the technical issues underlying breath and blood testing. I feel it’s my duty and honored privilege to fight for what is right. EXPERIENCE: 22 years of experience, over 300 trials. FREE ADVICE: Be respectful to police, but know that you can decline to take any tests and choose to not answer any questions. PICTURED: Mimi Coffey, Principal Attorney, and Lanny Begley, Associate Attorney.
CONTACT INFORMATION: mimicoffey.com
SPECIALTY: All areas of Labor and Employment Law, Wrongful Discharge, Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Discrimination; Personal Injury; and Probate. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
B.A. – Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, 1975; Juris Doctor – St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1978; Certified Mediator. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: For 36 years, from her days as a Texas Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division under Jim Mattox and two decades at the Law Offices of Art Brender, to the establishment of the Law Offices of Zoe Courtney in 2014, Zoe has fought the good fight, never wavering in her efforts to provide legal representation to those hard-working men and women who have suffered harm at the hands of those more powerful. WHY SHE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: To right wrongs.
APPROACH TO LAW: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. – Atticus Finch” –Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird FREE ADVICE: Let me live your lawsuit, you live your life. PICTURED: Zoe Courtney.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Southlake Town Square
courtneylaw.pro zoe@courtneylaw.pro
Law Office of Rachel E. Dalton, A Professional Corporation
SPECIALTY: Family law. EDUCATION/CERTIFICA-
TIONS: Dalton – B.A., University of Oklahoma; J.D., Texas Wesleyan University, School of Law; certified to practice in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas and before the United States Supreme Court. Mullen – B. A., Texas Tech University, Magna Cum Laude; J.D., Baylor Law School; certified to practice in the Northern District of Texas. HISTORY: “With more than 38 years of combined experience, we started practicing together in 2006 and formed The Law Office of Rachel E. Dalton, A Professional Corporation in 2008.” WHAT SETS THEM APART: “We work cases in tandem, playing to each of our strengths. When you hire us, you get a comprehensive team.”
MEMBERSHIPS: State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association. APPROACH:
“Preparation is key to meeting our clients’ goals, whether the case involves settlement or protracted litigation. Each case is different, so we avoid a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.” FREE ADVICE: “Be honest and up front with your lawyer so that they (and you) don’t get surprised in court. Having advance notice of the good, bad and ugly aspects of your case will provide the opportunity to diffuse any potential hazards.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
racheldalton@daltonfamilylaw.com cassiemullen@daltonfamilylaw.com daltonfamilylaw.com
SPECIALTY: Civil Litigation, Family Law, Probate & Real Estate. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Kelly Decker – Board
Certified in Family Law; J.D., Texas Tech University; B.A., University of Texas at Austin. Olyn Poole – J.D., South Texas College of Law; B.A., McMurray University. AWARDS/HONORS: Top Attorney, 2005-2017; Rising Star, 2013-2017; Great Woman of Texas; 40 Under 40. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILI-
CONTACT INFORMATION: deckerpoole.com karie@deckerpoole.com
ATIONS: Tarrant County Bar Association, Texas Bar Foundation, Fort Worth Club. MISSION: The mission of Decker Poole, PLLC is to provide excellent legal representation to clients who want their matter handled correctly, professionally, quickly and affordably. It is a law firm for people and companies who want it done right. Confidentiality and ethics are of paramount importance to the attorneys and staff at Decker Poole, PLLC. FREE ADVICE: If you aren’t going to read the contract before you sign it, at least read it after. PICTURED: Dawn King, Kelly Decker and Olyn Poole.
CONCENTRATION: Criminal Law (including DWI Defense) and Juvenile Law. We also provide representation regarding Personal Injury matters. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: TCU, M. J. Neely School of Business; TWU, School of Law. AWARDS/ HONORS: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney; 2013 and 2016 National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers; Law Review Editor, Texas Wesleyan School of Law. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Tarrant County Bar, TCCDLA, TCDLA, MABA, Saint Andrews Catholic Church, Leadership Fort Worth. MISSION: The Law Office of Clemente De La Cruz strives
to provide the highest quality of service on a personal level. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Clemente, his wife and children reside in Fort Worth. He is a 34-year Fort Worth Fire Captain and proud member of the elite firefighting team, better known as The Fire Frogs. PICTURED: Clemente De La Cruz.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dwain Dent
CONCENTRATION: Wrongful death, pharmaceutical, insurance and injury. EDUCATION: Dwain Dent – St. Mary’s School of Law. REASON FOR BEING LAWYER: They share a passion for fighting the giants, i.e. David versus Goliath. The law gives them an opportunity to help others. HISTORY: The Dent Law Firm, founded in 1990, has successfully represented thousands of clients in serious injury and death claims, claims against insurance companies, car wrecks, social security, aviation and other personal injury cases. HONORS: Recognized Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation, Washington, D.C., 2011; Pre-eminent Lawyers in America; Who’s Who in American Law; Million-Dollar Advocate Forum Member; voted “Top Attorney” in Fort Worth Magazine, 2003 - present; voted “Texas Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly magazine every
year since 2003; St. Mary’s Law School Distinguished Graduate, 2012; St. Mary’s Law School Hall of Fame, 2013; Best Lawyers in America. MOTTO: Represent clients with commitment, integrity and professionalism. ADVICE: “Never assume an insurance company will do the right thing.” SERVICE: The Dent Law Firm is dedicated to service and committed to supporting the Texas community, both professionally and personally.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
thedentlawfirm@cs.com thedentlawfirm.com
SPECIALTY: Real Estate Transactions & Litigation; Liability Defense Litigation (Trucking, Premises, Product, Food Product, Construction and Hospitality); Employment (Employer); Commercial Transactions & Litigation; and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). HISTORY: Dorsett Johnson & Swift, LLP was founded in 2008. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM); Texas Land Title Association (TLTA); National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA); Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA); Risk Management Society (RIMS); Real Estate Council of Fort Worth. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Communication; Client Service Orientation; and Attitude (“We still play to win”). MOTTO: “Come and Take It.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. FIRM MEMBERS: Fort Worth: J. C. Johnson (Co-Founding Equity Partner), Trey Gordon, Martha Trujillo, Andrew Etter II, and Thomas L. Brackett; Austin: Bob Dorsett, Jr. (Co-Founding Equity Partner), Jim Ballard, Doug DuBois, Allison Chandler, Kevin Leahy, Liz Brooks, Jessica Putonti, Tara Stanislans, Nicholas Knowles; Houston: Brian Swift and Doug Walla. PICTURED: Trey Gordon and J. C. Johnson.
DorsettJohnson.com jcjohnson@dorsettjohnson.com
SPECIALTY: My concentration is predominantly probate and commercial law. More than 90 percent of the cases I mediate are probate contests. HONORS: I am blessed with a wife (Sarah), who has put up with me for over 50 years, two daughters (Rebekah and Susannah), four grandkids (Logan, Lauren, Diego and Sophia) and two sons-in-law (Mark and Jeff). These are my top honors. Whatever other honors I have just consist of stuff to hang on the wall. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: State Bar of Texas; Association of Attorney-Mediators (National President, 2004-2005); Tarrant County Bar Association; Tarrant County Probate Bar Association. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Helping people stay out of the courtroom. WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART: I don’t know if it sets my firm apart because I’m
sure other firms try to do the same. I try to practice preventative law, focused on solving problems and managing conflict. This is one of the reasons I moved from the courtroom into mediation. IN THE COMMUNITY: Bible teacher in Bible study for Internationals, First Baptist Church of Arlington; Member of the Board of Trustees for Mission Arlington. OUTSIDE THE OFFICE: I am a PADI certified Open Water Scuba Instructor. Other than this, I try to avoid “getting in over my head.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
SPECIALTY: Personal Injury. EDUCATION: Texas Tech School of Law; Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. AWARDS/HONORS: Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers – Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, AVVO Superb Rated Attorney, National Association of Distinguished Counsel – Nation’s Top 1 Percent, Order of the Barristers – Texas Tech School of Law. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, College of the State Bar of Texas, American Association for Justice, State Bar of Texas. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Running an organization that puts people first, whether it be our clients or our employees, we treat people the right way. APPROACH: My approach is to treat our clients and employees like family. Our
professional mission is to give everyone a chance at grasping justice and to be treated fairly and with compassion through a difficult process, regardless of their income or education level. FREE ADVICE: Be kind. We have far more in common than we often appreciate. Also, if you make a mistake, own up to it and make it right. PICTURED: Amy Witherite.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 10440 N Central Expressway, Ste. 400 Dallas, Texas 75231
ewlawyers.com amy.witherite@ewlawyers.com
Lisa Hoppes
Anita Cutrer
Whitney Vaughan
FOCUS: Family Law: divorce, property division, child custody disputes. WHAT SETS US APART: Lisa, Anita and Whitney bring the most important criteria to the table when seeking an attorney: expertise, experience and ethics. The trio has more than 50 years combined experienced in family law. What does this mean for you? They know what to expect and will be prepared. Lisa and Anita are board certified in family law and rank in the top 5 percent of family law attorneys in the state. How will this help you? Clients can choose litigation, settlement, mediation or collaboration and know they are getting the best legal counsel. A hallmark of the firm is putting the client first, listening and keeping them informed. Why is this important for you? Clients know their options, rights, and consequences of any course of action.
EDUCATION/BACKGROUND: Lisa graduated from Louisiana State University School of Law in 1993. Anita graduated from South Texas School of Law in 1993. Both have been named a Texas Super Lawyer and are frequent lecturers for Texas State Bar Continuing Legal Education courses. Whitney graduated from Texas A&M School of Law in 2015 and is a member of the Tarrant County Family Bar Association.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
info@hoppescutrer.com hoppescutrer.com
SPECIALTY: Jared M. King, P.C. is a firm that assists clients with drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial real estate transactions — including commercia l leases (retail, office, warehouse, industrial) reciprocal easement & operating agreements, sales contracts, development agreements, construction contracts, and brokerage agreements. A large part of the practice is dedicated to counseling clients in the shopping center, retail, luxury student housing, and multi-family/mixed-use real estate industries in connection with transactions, operations, and, occasionally, litigation. Jared M. King also represents commercial and residential condominium owners’ associations, as well as various homeowners’ associations. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.A. in English, Brigham Young University; J.D., Gonzaga University School of
Law; Managing Editor, Gonzaga Law Review. MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Member of International Council of Shopping Centers. APPROACH: “I dedicate my energy to understand the industries I serve so that I may be best positioned to offer the most relevant legal counsel (given industry-specific demands) and provide custom-tailored work product (given clients’ industry-specific needs), while adding value to my clients’ respective business interests.”
PICTURED: Jared M. King.
CONTACT INFORMATION: jking@jmkinglaw.com
J. Steven King
Jill L. Johnston
SPECIALTY: J. Steven King and Jill L. Johnston have over 45 years combined experience in family law. This practice includes nonadversarial cases, as well as high conflict and complex divorce and custody matters. Steve has practiced exclusively family law for over three decades and is board certified in family law. He has extensive experience settling and litigating cases. Jill practices primarily family law and does estate planning. MEMBERSHIPS: Steve is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and a fellow of the American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers. Jill serves on several committees for multiple bar associations and is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas. HONORS: The King Firm has received a Tier 2 ranking in the Dallas Metroplex in Family
Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” Steve has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© and as a “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly. Steve and Jill have both been recognized as a “Top Attorney” by Fort Worth Magazine CASE GOALS: We strive to be honest with our clients about their expectations based upon the law and facts of their case and utilize a team of experts, such as therapists, accountants and business evaluators to accomplish those goals.
CONTACT INFORMATION: kingfamilylaw.com
SPECIALTY: General business, personal injury, and construction. EDUCATION: BBA, Baylor University, 1983; J.D., Baylor Law School, 1985. AWARDS/HONORS: Peer rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell, recurrent Fort Worth “Top Attorney,” member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, admitted to practice before United States Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all Texas Federal District Courts. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: The successful representation of Johnson County landowners in a multi-million-dollar class action lawsuit against a Colorado oil and gas company. The oil and gas company hired one of the nation’s premier law firms to defend it. After two years in court, 50 depositions, and numerous Motions to Dismiss, my clients recovered on their claims. MISSION: For 32 years, I have gotten top
results for Fortune 500 companies, businesses of all sizes, and individuals. My gift, honed from decades immersed in business and legal strategy and the art of persuasion, is the ability to accurately assess a case, conceive the most effective approach, judge the case’s value, and resolve the case in my client’s favor. FREE ADVICE: Call me first for business disputes and personal injury matters. I will tell you what the case is worth and how it should be approached.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Whitakerchalk.com
Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P. C.
Steven C. Laird and Seth McCloskey
SPECIALTY: Serious Injuries & Wrongful Death. EXPERIENCE: Laird – Almost 40 years of significant personal injury experience in handling 18-wheeler collisions, wrongful death cases, serious car wrecks, burns, paralysis, and permanent impairment cases on a contingency fee basis. McCloskey – Since 2014 McCloskey has represented hundreds of injured parties or their families in serious injury or death cases. Prior to this, McCloskey was a prosecutor and worked in the justice of the peace, misdemeanor, and felony divisions as an Assistant District Attorney. McCloskey has tried over 200 civil or criminal jury trials.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Laird – B.B.A., Texas Tech University; M.B.A., Texas Christian University; J.D., South Texas College of Law-Houston; L.L.M. in Trial Advocacy, Temple University School of Law. Laird is among the less than 1 percent of Texas lawyers who are
triple board certified; Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and also certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. McCloskey – B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University; J.D. University of Toledo College of Law. AWARDS/HONORS: Laird is the only Tarrant County Personal Injury Lawyer to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers for 11 of the last 12 years out of the 100,000 lawyers in the state of Texas.
CONTACT INFORMATION: texlawyers.com
Mark Lane Law Office
SPECIALTY: My firm practices family law, including complex divorce and custody litigation, property settlements, custody modification and family law trial cases through an aggressive maverick style of lawyering. EDUCATION: B.S. in Psychology, Lamar University; J.D., Texas Wesleyan University; retired Judge of Roanoke after 14 years. EXPERIENCE: Established over 20 years ago with approximately 6500 cases to date. AWARDS/HONORS: Past board member of Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Texas Family Law Bar Section, Tarrant County Family Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, North District, U.S. District Court. GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Winning custody and property division cases that help that person continue in life with a fresh start. APPROACH TO LAW:
Establishing an effective game plan to help my clients by using wisdom, experience and litigation by providing a personal and direct contact through very difficult events. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Fellowship of the Sword, New River Fellowship Church, Vision Life Ministries and Dressing Souls. FREE ADVICE: “Hire me before your spouse does!”
CONTACT INFORMATION: marklanelaw.com hiremebeforeyourspousedoes.com mark@marklanelaw.com
Loe, Warren, Rosenfield, Kaitcer, Hibbs, Windsor, Lawrence & Wolffarth, P.C.
SPECIALTY: Civil litigation, complex family law matters, personal injury, business, trust and estate planning and real estate. For more than 40 years, our firm has helped clients resolve their legal problems by providing litigation and business expertise and advice. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Our firm incudes attorneys who are Board Certified in Family Law, Civil Trial Law, Estate Planning and Probate Law, and Personal Injury Trial Law. AWARDS/HONORS: Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers as Texas “Super Lawyers,” and listed as “Top Attorneys” in Fort Worth Magazine WHAT SETS THEM APART: Instead of becoming a “boutique” firm where all of our attorneys practice in one area of the law, we have joined attorneys with various specialties and experience that resolve our clients’ prob-
lems as a team. We believe that this approach provides our clients with broad-based knowledge and problem-solving skills that they might not receive at other firms. ADVICE : Whether your legal matter involves trial litigation and appeals, divorce and family law matters, business advice and counseling, or estate planning and probate, we are here for you. PICTURED: (left to right) Bill Warren, Stephen Lawrence, Kelcie Hibbs, Jeffrey Kaitcer, John Wolffarth and Mike Windsor.
CONTACT INFORMATION: loewarrenlaw.com
SPECIALTY: We are a full-service Family Law Firm that provides representation in all facets of family law. EDUCATION: Sean M. Lynch graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law, 2007. Stephanie Sabelhaus graduated from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law, 2011. AWARDS/HONORS: We have been named a top family attorney in Tarrant County in Fort Worth Magazine in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Tarrant County Bar Association; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association. Lynch is on the board of the Tarrant County Family Law Association GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Our firm’s greatest achievement is providing effective, efficient, and affordable representation to all our clients no matter what challenge they face. APPROACH: Each client’s case is unique. We tailor our approach to maximize the benefit to our client and reduce cost.
Everyone deserves to have effective low-cost representation, which we strive to provide to our clients. MOTTO: Everyone’s Attorney. FREE ADVICE: It’s less expensive to have an attorney do it right the first time. It’s costly to try a lawsuit or attempt to modify orders yourself to save money. Even if you have an uncontested divorce, you want to make sure the divorce decree is thorough and enforceable. Printout forms are generic and do not allow for your unique situation. PICTURED: Stephanie Sabelhaus and Sean M. Lynch.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
seanmlynch.com sean@seanmlynch.com
SPECIALTY: McAfee has been a Texas attorney for over 33 years serving injured victims in Fort Worth and throughout Texas.
CONCENTRATION: Personal injury (plaintiff), civil litigation.
EDUCATION: B.S., University of Tennessee; Graduate Studies (M.P.A.), Memphis State University; J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. EXPERIENCE: McAfee began practicing law in 1984. His decision to pursue the legal field was prompted by a desire to serve the public and a chance to make a difference. “Focusing on personal injury allows me the opportunity to give a voice to individuals and to ‘level the playing field’ against powerful corporations and insurance companies.”
MEMBERSHIPS: Licensed by the Texas Supreme Court; member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, Christian Trial Lawyers Association, and Tarrant County Bar Association; served on the State Bar of Texas District 7 Grievance Committee
for six years. WHAT SETS HIM APART: “Communication is paramount ... the client must understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and participate in that process.” MOTTO: “Never accept ‘NO’ for an answer.” SPECIAL INTERESTS: The WARM Place, Ronald McDonald House, Lighthouse for the Blind, SafeHaven of Tarrant County, American Cancer Society, and Beat Leukemia of Texas.
ADVICE: “Do not hire an attorney who won’t talk with you in the initial meeting. It won’t improve in the future.”
CONTACT INFORMATION: One Legal Place
onelegalplace.com Kent@onelegalplace.com
SPECIALTY: The Law Offices of Jason Mills was established in 2001 as a full-service immigration and compliance law firm specializing in Immigration Law. Established by Jason Mills, the first-ever board certified specialist in immigration and nationality law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Fort Worth in 2006, it is a successful multidisciplinary practice focusing on all aspects of U.S. immigration law, including consular processing, waivers, removal defense, family-based visas, business visas, and investor-related cases. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Mills–Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M, 1995; Juris doctorate from Texas A&M School of Law, 2000; international studies, Cambridge Law School, England; and State Bar of Texas, the Northern District of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for 15 years. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVE-
MENT: Creating an honest environment for people to come in and get advice. APPROACH TO LAW: It is essential to be honest and efficient with clients. The firm’s approach in maintaining clients begins with keeping the client informed. The firm emphasizes a progressive and hands-on approach to problem solving and effectively and efficiently handling legal matters. FREE ADVICE: Check references in the form of former clients before hiring an attorney.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
immigrationnation.net info@immigrationnation.net
Legal Group, PLLC
SPECIALTY: Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Support, Adoption, Termination, Litigation, and Mediation. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Texas Wesleyan School of Law, J.D., 2012; Texas Tech University, BBA, 2006; Certified Mediator, 2012.
AWARDS/HONORS: DBA Civil Trial Academy, 2014; Mensa; 2015 Fort Worth Top Attorney, 2016 Fort Worth Top Attorney; National Advocates Top 40 Under 40; 2017 360 West Top Attorney; Lead Counsel Verified, 10 Best by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.
MEMBERSHIPS: State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Phi Delta Phi, Animal Legal Defense Fund. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Helping our clients get through what is probably the hardest time of
their lives. WHY HE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: I thrive on copious amounts of stress and virtually no sleep. APPROACH TO LAW: “As one person, I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” – Paul Shane Spear. FREE ADVICE: Don’t confuse my law degree with your Google search. PICTURED: Donna Owen, Heather Lawrence, Stuart Adrian and J. Spencer Nilsson.
CONTACT INFORMATION: ftwlegal.com spencer@ftwlegal.com
MOTTO: When you’re in shark-infested “divorce” waters, we’re not intimidated. FIRST STEP: When marital problems become insurmountable, it’s time to take action. Call expertly trained, family law attorneys to advocate on your behalf. FOCUS: We are exclusively divorce, property division and custody focused. With that concentration comes a depth of expertise in complex family law matters. NFL attorneys deal with these life-changing circumstances frequently and strive to prepare clients to be ready and informed before, during and after the court proceedings. CERTIFICATION/EXPERIENCE: Barbara is Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Stephen has been practicing for more than 25 years in Probate, Personal Injury and Family Law. (Not pictured) Patrick Clabby is Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization with more than nine years’ experience. HONORS:
With more than 37 years of experience in North Texas, Barbara has been recognized as an elite “Super Lawyer” (2003-2017) as featured in Texas Monthly and as a “Top Attorney” (2001-2017) by Fort Worth Magazine. As the founder of Nunneley Family Law, she is dedicated to helping clients protect their financial future and their children. REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS: Business owners, C-level executives, spouses and baby boomers. FREE ADVICE: Seek expert legal advice before you begin the divorce process. PICTURED: Barbara Nunneley and Stephen Farrar.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
nunneleyfamilylaw.com
(“Tony” or “TFP”) Pettitt & Kimball, PLLC
SPECIALTY: Trial Lawyer in the fields of Personal Injury (Defense and Plaintiffs), Commercial Disputes and Agriculture. Fluent in Spanish. EDUCATION: B.A., TCU, History/Spanish, 1993; St. Mary’s School of Law, 1997; TCU Ranch Management, 2001. AWARDS/ HONORS: “AV-Preeminent,” the highest possible peer rating; licensed in U.S. Supreme Court in 2001; Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a recognition afforded to only one-third of 1 percent of Texas Attorneys; Texas Monthly Rising Star/Super Lawyer: Personal Injury Defense, 2005-2008; Plaintiffs, 2009-2011; previously named in Fort Worth Magazine as a top trial attorney in Tarrant County, 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2016. MEMBERSHIPS: Board member, Friends of the Fort Worth Herd; Dallas Safari Club, Life Member; NRA, Life Member. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Having achieved extensive trial experience and an eventual
partnership in a large Dallas-based firm, Tony got back to his roots and opened his own law office over ten years ago in the Livestock Exchange Building located in the heart of the Stockyards. He now achieves a healthy balance between his family, his trial practice, and his passion for hunting/fishing worldwide. His partners, Joe Kimball and John Nix, practice real estate, landlord/tenant, criminal, family, and immigration. APPROACH: Boots and Jeans Attitude, Coat and Tie Service. ADVICE: Work hard, then play hard. (Pictured in Namibia playing hard.)
CONTACT INFORMATION: tpettitt@stockyardslawfirm.com
SPECIALTY: We specialize in business law, civil litigation and real estate. We have extensive experience in other realms such as probate, family and criminal law. As a result, we are a full-service firm that can fully advise our clients on the multifaceted aspects of their cases.
EDUCATION: Scott Phillips – B.S., Texas A&M, 2001; MBA, Texas El Paso, 2007; JD, Texas Wesleyan, 2012. Licensed in the Eastern District of Texas. Bryce King – B.S., Texas Tech, 2006; JD, Texas Wesleyan, 2011. Licensed in the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. AWARDS/HONORS: Phillips – Top Attorney in Fort Worth 2016 for Civil Litigation; currently has a 10 rating on AVVO. King – Top Attorney in Fort Worth 2017, Civil Litigation; voted as the December 2011 Texas Wesleyan School of Law graduation speaker. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Building this firm from
the ground up with little start-up capital and no debt to what is now a full-service law firm with multiple offices. APPROACH: Both of us worked in our own businesses prior to law school, where we learned the importance of providing value to our clients and building mutually beneficial long-term relationships. This is an approach we have carried over to the practice of law. PICTURED: Bryce King, Justin Lewis and Scott Phillips.
CONTACT INFORMATION: phillipsking.com contact@phillipsking.com
CONCENTRATION: Personal Injury/Torts, Construction, Corporate/Transactional, Family, Litigation, Guardianships/Trusts, Intellectual Property, Family Law Litigation. EDUCATION: Mark A. Haney – University of Texas at Arlington, 1983; University of Tulsa College of Law, J.D., 1987. W. Kelly Puls – Texas Christian University, B.F.A., 1982; California Western School of Law, J.D., 1986. CERTIFICATIONS/HONORS: Haney – Past President and Board Member of the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association; rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell; Top Attorney in Fort Worth in personal injury trial law since 2003; Texas Law & Politics, Super Lawyer in personal injury trial law since 2003; Texas Monthly, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas in personal injury trial law. Puls – Board Certified - Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Board Certified - Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy; Life Fellow - Texas Bar Foundation; rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell; Super Lawyers, 2003-2016; selected Lead Counsel in the XTO Class Action
Litigation. APPROACH TO LAW: Representation of clients by experienced trial lawyers in a variety of litigation matters throughout the State of Texas, including wrongful death, personal injury, fraud, fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, Texas Theft Liability Act, DTPA, patent and trademark infringement, negligence, and gross negligence. PICTURED: W. Kelly Puls and Mark A. Haney.
CONTACT INFORMATION: kpuls@pulshaney.com mark@pulshaney.com pulshaney.com
SPECIALTY: Commercial and residential real estate law, energy law, business and banking law, estate planning, probate, guardianships and civil litigation. CERTIFICATIONS: Jeffrey A. Rattikin and Thomas R. Turet are both AV-rated attorneys, Board Certified in Residential and Commercial Real Estate Law, respectively. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Our firm has been a recognized leader and go-to source of professional transactional legal services in Fort Worth for over 75 years, assisting generations of Fort Worth families and their businesses in their legal needs. WHAT SETS THEM APART: RattikinLaw breaks through the traditional barriers of legal representation by offering our services both online and in-person, at a flat fee rather than hourly billing, utilizing the latest in technology and social networking platforms. APPROACH TO LAW: RattikinLaw strives to deliver efficient, convenient and cost-
effective legal services to consumers and small businesses across the state of Texas, both online and in-person. MOTTO: RattikinLaw strives to put deals together, not tear them apart. FREE ADVICE: When choosing a provider of goods or services, work with someone who lives, works and plays in Fort Worth, one who shares a love of and commitment to this blessed place we are lucky enough to call home. PICTURED: (left to right) Brett L. Evans, Rachel Patman, Thomas R. Turet, Jeffrey A. Rattikin, Jake Robinson, Matt Loeffelholz and Robert L. Loudermilk.
CONTACT INFORMATION: rattikin@rattikinlaw.com
SPECIALTY: The firm’s concentration is on litigation in the practice areas of Personal Injury, Family Law, Criminal Defense, Business Litigation and Probate/Wills. AIM: Straight talk: It’s the foundation of their practice. With over 70 years of trial experience, they tell things as they are and value honesty above all else. Sometimes, this isn’t easy to do. The news isn’t always good. But the associates at the Jim Ross Law Group firmly believe that all clients deserve the truth. Clients deserve to have unyielding support from a tough legal team that delivers on its promises. EDUCATION: B.S., Criminal Justice, Dallas Baptist University; J.D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. AWARDS/HONORS: “Family Law Lawyer Worth Knowing,” 2012-2016; “Best Attorney in Arlington and Mansfield,” Living Magazine ; “Face of Personal Injury” and “Top Attorneys,” 2015-2016, Fort Worth, Texas magazine; “Top Attorneys of North America,” 2015-
2016; “Best Attorney,” Arlington Today Magazine ; Super Lawyers, 2015-2016. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Veteran Owned Business; American Bar Association; Texas Bar Association; Tarrant County Bar Association; Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association; Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; American Association for Justice; Better Business Bureau Accredited Business; Arlington Chamber of Commerce; Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce; Ft. Worth Chamber of Commerce. PICTURED: Jim Ross.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
FIRM FOCUS: Family Law and Criminal Defense. PREFERRED CASES: High Conflict Divorce Litigation; Custody Fights, including Jury Trials; Family Violence Defense; Sex Crimes Defense. WHAT SETS US APART: “We have a team of attorneys with a mastery of procedure, evidence and trial dynamics. We bring experience, knowledge, resources and determination to your case from the initial client meeting through final disposition. We use these skills to even the playing field and ensure that our clients have the best opportunity to achieve a favorable result.” FIRM’S MISSION: Win every case. MOTTO:
No matter what, go in court and be a tiger!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
TeamSLF.com info@clientdrivenlaw.com
CONTACT INFORMATION: arlingtondivorces.com
SPECIALTY: Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Family Law Mediator and Collaborative Attorney. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.A., Southern Methodist University; J.D., Southern Methodist University School of Law; Board Certified by State Bar of Texas in Family Law. HONORS/AWARDS: Texas Super Lawyer; Arlington Family Law Attorney of the Year; Top Attorney, Family Law, Fort Worth Magazine PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists; Arlington Bar Association; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association; Tarrant County Bar Association. GREATEST PROFESIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Being sworn in by Chief Justice Rehnquist to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2000. APPROACH TO LAW: We strive to provide the highest level of legal expertise tempered with an empathy and understanding of the great emotional challenges clients are facing in their family law cases. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Experience and expertise. MOTTO: When your family and finances matter, experience counts. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Girls Inc.; Arlington Animal Shelter. FREE ADVICE: Do not marry with the expectation you can change your spouse. The only person you can change is yourself. PICTURED: Attorneys Donna J. Smiedt, Rashelle D. Fetty, Desaray R. Muma and Amanda N. Rodriguez.
FOCUS OF PRACTICE: Collaborative Law, Family Law, Mediation, Estate Planning. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Board Certified in Family Law; J.D., Texas Wesleyan; LL.M, Pepperdine University School of Law; B.A., University of Houston. AWARDS:
Nominated by peers as a Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2014 and 2015. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Past President of Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association, Chairperson of the Collaborative Law Section of the Tarrant County Bar, graduated second in law school class, magna cum laude. WHY I CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: I was a mediator prior to going to law school, and I mediated family law cases. In the process of going to law school to become a better mediator, I discovered collaborative law, a field I am passionate about. MISSION: I am proud to have dedicated my practice to
solving disputes by utilizing alternative methods such as collaborative law, mediation and arbitration. I strive to help families navigate through tough times and empower clients to make decisions for their families without asking for court intervention, if at all possible. ADVICE: Always consider alternatives prior to litigation. Thoroughly research all your options before deciding on counsel, and make sure that whomever you choose to represent you shares your method of problem-solving and that you have a shared vision of the general direction of your case.
PICTURED: Kate Smith.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, L.L.P. Jason Stephens, Seth Anderson, John Cummings, Adam Drawhorn
FOCUS: Righting wrongs. It’s what we do. We believe in just compensation for those whose lives have forever been disrupted. SPECIALTIES: Plaintiff’s personal injury, commercial truck, motorcycle and motor vehicle wrecks, product liability, oil/gas accidents, bad faith insurance, and business litigation. WHAT SETS US APART: We don’t care how big or rich the other side is, we’ll stand toe-to-toe with anyone on behalf of our clients. We have the resources to fight to the finish. We’ve obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in Texas and the U.S. since 2004. We don’t let county or state lines hold us back. Our firm handles cases all across Texas and Oklahoma, and we’ve handled select cases in Louisiana, Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico, and Ohio. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Stephens,
Anderson and Cummings are Members of American Board of Trial Advocates; Named Texas Super Lawyers by Texas Monthly, Top Attorneys by Fort Worth Magazine, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers; “AV” rated (highest) by Martindale-Hubbell; Seth Anderson and John Cummings are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS: We are lawyers for the people. We represent the Davids of the world, not the Goliaths. Let’s Win This®
CONTACT INFORMATION: StephensAnderson.com
EXPERTISE: The firm’s practice is focused on labor and employment law, civil trials and appeals in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitration. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Rod Tanner – B.A., English Literature with Honors, University of Texas at Austin, 1973; J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 1976; Board Certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990. Charles Hairston -- B.A., Post Soviet and Eastern European Studies, University of Texas at Austin, 1994; J.D. With Distinction, Emory University School of Law, 1998; EXPERIENCE: Tanner, the founding shareholder of Tanner and Associates, PC, has 41 years of legal experience. Hairston has 20 years of legal experience. WHAT SETS THEM APART: The unique practice niche. The firm has a national union-side labor law practice and a statewide employment law practice. Tanner, a Fellow in the
prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, is widely recognized as one of the country’s preeminent labor lawyers. MISSION: Recognizing that the noble purpose of our labor laws is to establish justice in the workplace, the firm’s mission is to provide legal services in labor and employment matters of the highest quality. MOTTO: Always exhibit grace under pressure. FREE ADVICE: Employees, unions and employers must be proactive in legal matters so as to avoid being overtaken by events. PICTURED: Rod Tanner.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
rodtannerlaw.com rtanner@rodtannerlaw.com
Chrissy R. Tefera, Attorney at
The Tefera Law Firm
SPECIALTY: Family Law, Estate Planning & Probate. EDUCATION: B.S. in Economics from University of North Texas and J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University. EXPERIENCE: 10 years (licensed June 29, 2007). AWARDS/HONORS: Super Lawyers Rising Star for Estate Planning & Probate, Bankruptcy, and Family Law 2017. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Texas Bar, Tarrant County Bar, Tarrant County Probate Bar, Family Section of the State Bar. GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Coming from living in a two-bedroom home that was managed by a single mother of five to managing a thriving law practice is my greatest accomplishment. WHAT SETS HER APART: Personal service provided by the attorney. My clients do not have to go through a gatekeeper to get to me.
I’m here for them! MISSION: My mission is to practice law in such a way that I have happy clients and thus abundant referrals. INTERESTS: Junior League of Fort Worth, Van Cliburn Piano Competition, and Fellowship of the Parks. FREE ADVICE: Always be completely honest with your lawyer. Lawyers cannot zealously advocate for you if they are missing facts.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
teferalaw.com crt@teferalaw.com
SPECIALTY: Real Estate, Title Insurance, Probate and Family law. EDUCATION: Kenneth L. McAlister – Texas Tech School of Law, Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Martin A. Garcia – Texas A&M School of Law (fka Texas Wesleyan School of Law). Kirsten M. Green – University of Oklahoma College of Law. L. Taylor Anderson – Texas A&M School of Law (fka Texas Wesleyan School of Law).
AWARDS/HONORS: McAlister – 2017 Outstanding Mentor Award, Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney, Texas Super Lawyers for 17 years. Garcia – Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney for four years, Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star for two years. Anderson – Fort Worth Magazine Rising Star in Civil Litigation, 2015. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Starting Texas Secure Title Company, an independent Texas title agency, in 2014 and more than tripling its size since then to eight DFW locations. MISSION: We take pride in counseling clients on significant decisions in their lives
including some of the largest investments they’ll ever make in real estate purchases. We represent the industry standard by creating growth and opportunities in our community, facilitating real estate transactions, and providing extraordinary customer service. PICTURED: (left to right) L. Taylor Anderson, Martin A. Garcia, Kenneth L. McAlister and Kirsten M. Green.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ken@McAlisterGarcia.com
Martin@McAlisterGarcia.com
KGreen@McAlisterGarcia.com
TAnderson@McAlisterGarcia.com
G. Thomas Vick, Jr. Vick Carney LLP
SPECIALTY: Complex family law matters throughout North Texas, whether in litigation, mediation or collaborative law. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Austin College; South Texas College of Law; Board Certified - Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Fellow - American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers. AWARDS/HONORS: 2017-2018 President, State Bar of Texas; Former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Texas Bar Foundation; Former Commissioner, Texas Access to Justice Commission; Past President, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; Past Chair, State Bar of Texas Family Law Section; 2008 State Bar of Texas
Family Law Section Dan Price Award; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Judge Sam Emison Award; and presidential citations for service to the State Bar in 2008 and 2012. ADVICE: “The outcome of your family law matter can have a lifelong impact. Find the lawyer who is right for you and right for your case.”
CONTACT INFORMATION: 111 York Ave. Weatherford, Texas 76086
vcslaw.com
SPECIALTY: Personal Injury Trial Law. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: J.D. (Cum Laude), St. Mary’s School of Law, San Antonio, 1992; Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1999. AWARDS/HONORS: John Harlan Society, AV Preeminent (Martindale Hubbell). PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). WHY CHOOSE THEM: I have worked with referring attorneys and clients to obtain positive results for more than 25 years. I strive to get to know my clients, their injuries and all the damages they’ve suffered in order to effectively advocate their claims and maximize their recoveries. I will litigate your claim and take it to trial. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Some of the largest cases my firm has handled
throughout the years were referred by other attorneys in the Texas legal community. I pledge to treat your clients the way you would and love making a difference in their lives. I actually enjoy paying your referral fee and will work with you at whatever level of involvement you like. APPROACH TO LAW: Start with compassion for your clients, do the right thing by them, and everything else will follow. I aggressively advocate for my clients and give them personalized legal representation. PICTURED: Rickey G. “Rick” Ward.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
SPECIALTY: Plaintiff’s Personal Injury. EDUCATION: Nate –BBA, University of North Texas; MBA, University of North Texas; JD, South Texas College of Law. Katrina – BBA, University of Houston; JD, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Keshia – BBA, Southern Methodist University; JD, Southern Methodist University School of Law. AWARDS/HONORS: Life Member of the Million Dollar Forum, Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Forum, Lawyers of Distinction. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Obtaining a confidential seven-figure settlement for a young man with catastrophic injuries from an insurance company that denied all liability just two months earlier. WHY THEY CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: To be a voice for those that are unable to speak for themselves. APPROACH TO LAW: Our approach is based upon something that a great judge once told us: “If you prepare for
a settlement, you get a trial. If you prepare for a trial, you get a good settlement.” We assume from the start that we are going to have to tell our client’s story to twelve strangers at trial. FREE ADVICE: Protect the family. Our relationships with our families matter more than money or titles. When the Washington Firm tackles a serious injury or wrongful death case, our goal is to achieve an outcome that protects the family. PICTURED: Nate Washington, Esq.; Katrina Washington, Esq.; Keshia Barnes, Esq.
CONTACT INFORMATION: theWfirm.com info@thewfirm.com
SPECIALTY: Personal Injury – car wrecks. EDUCATION: Texas A&M, B.A. in English; Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. AWARDS/ HONORS: Graduated third in class at Texas A&M School of Law.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS:
CONTACT INFORMATION: westbrooklawfirm.com office@westbrooklawfirm.com
Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors; Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. WHY HE CHOSE THE LEGAL FIELD: I wanted to help those that could not help themselves. APPROACH TO LAW: Our practice is based on three principles: 1) Educating our clients on the confusing legal process their case involves; 2) Keeping our clients updated and informed on their case status; 3) Fighting for justice for our clients. FREE ADVICE: Insurance companies will try to lowball you with their first offers. Speak with an attorney before accepting the first offer for settlement. PICTURED: Ben E. Westbrook.
SPECIALTY: Criminal and Family Law. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: B.A., North Texas State College (1986); J.D., Louisiana State University Law School (1993). AWARDS/HONORS: 233rd District Court advisory board (2007–2008); American Inns of Court Foundation; Who’s Who in Law; Leadership Fort Worth Class of 2009; “Top Attorney,” Fort Worth Magazine, and “Best Attorney,” Southlake Style magazine. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Tarrant County Family Bar Association, Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Tarrant County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Mental Health Association board member, Leadership Fort Worth advisory board, All Children’s Home Board of Directors and Finance Committee, Board of Directors for the Jordan Harris Founda-
tion. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Establishing a successful law practice after leaving the district attorney’s office. WHY HE CHOSE LAW: To empower those without a voice. MISSION/APPROACH: I advocate for my clients with integrity, common sense, and fierce tenacity. FREE ADVICE: Even in the most difficult situations, conduct yourself with dignity, and you will always prevail.
CONTACT INFORMATION: kylewhitaker.com
CONCENTRATION: Personal injury plaintiff litigation concentrating on representing people who have been injured or killed due to the negligence or gross negligence of others. EDUCATION: Texas A&M School of Law, 1996; Texas State University, 1990. HONORS: Top Attorney in Fort Worth Magazine, 2008-2010, 2012-2017; AVVO Superb 10+ rating and AVVO Client’s Choice award. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Directors); Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2014, Board of Directors, Present); American Association for Justice; American Board of Trial Advocates; Million Dollar Advocates Forum; Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum 2014 National Litigator Award; State Bar of Texas; Tarrant County Criminal Law Association. MISSION: To be able to provide complete, fair and competent representation while
advocating on behalf of my clients. We represent those who are in need of legal assistance against insurance companies and big businesses. As a boutique law firm, your case gets personal attention. We strive to ensure that those who desire, require and are entitled to the jury trial system have access to it. ADVICE: Be open and honest when retaining an attorney. The first meeting will be the foundation of your relationship.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Coby@CobyWootenLaw.com CobyWootenLaw.com
Fort Worth Magazine produces branded events throughout the year offering advertisers a faceto-face opportunity with our readers. Top Doctors, Top Attorneys, Top Chef and Best Of are just a few of the exclusive events our subscribers look forward to each year. We bring every party to life.
Fort Worth Magazine. Where Events Begin. Where the Best Begins.
THROUGH DEC. 31
Enchant Christmas Featuring the world’s largest light maze, VIP lounge and kid zone, ice skating and more, Enchant Christmas has set up shop at Globe Life Park for the first time. Don’t worry, Enchant isn’t ousting Texas Christkindl Market — it’s still there, this time located inside Enchant. Shop around the holiday market for handcrafted items and gourmet treats, or stop by one of the 21 different food trucks. Ticket information is on the website. Parking is free. 1000 Ballpark Way. enchantchristmas. com. 817.273.5222.
Send calendar information to Fort Worth Magazine, c/o Kendall Louis, executive editor, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, or e-mail ideas to kendall.louis@fwtx.com. Special consideration will be given to submissions that include photographs. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue.
THROUGH JAN. 6, 2018
The Modern Lights
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will be open for extended hours on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays until 8 p m to showcase festive lights in celebration of the holiday season and the 125th Anniversary of the museum
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 866.824.5566.
DEC. 1
Here Comes Santa Claus! Santa Claus will be visiting Sundance Square this holiday season, Wednesdays through Sundays. All visits with Santa are $20 cash, and the proceeds will benefit the
Fort Worth Sister Cities International Youth Program. Sundance Square. 420 Main St. sundancesquare.com. 817.255.5700.
DEC. 1-17
Little Women The Stolen Shakespeare Guild brings the Louisa May Alcott classic to life at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. 1300 Gendy St. stolenshakespeareguild.org. 817.988.2058.
DEC. 2
Holidays at the Hearth
Celebrate the holidays with historic traditions, music, crafts and more. Make your own holiday ornament while listening
to an old-time string band. The event is from 1-4 p.m. and admission ranges from $5 to $6.50 depending on age. 2100 Log Cabin Village Lane. logcabinvillage.org. 817.392.5881.
DEC. 2
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead This is the last day to catch the screening of the play starring Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 866.824.5566.
DEC. 7-JAN. 27, 2018
Sussie, An Exhibition of Small Works Artspace111 opening reception of Sussie, an exhibition made up of small paintings, sculptures, and prints created by different Texasbased artists, takes place from 5-8:30 p.m. 111 Hampton St. artspace111.com. 817.692.3228.
DEC. 2-3
A Candlelight Christmas in Ryan’s Place Tour the historic homes of Ryan Place — from a 1919 Wiley G. Clarkson house to a midcentury traditional ranch home — all decked out in Christmas decor. Ticket information can be found on the neighborhood website. Funding goes toward revitalization projects in Ryan Place. ryanplacefortworth.com
DEC. 9-JAN. 28, 2018
Figures from the Collection Various artists, including Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, show their perspective on people and their surroundings in the exhibition, Figures from the Collection. The exhibition includes paintings, photographs, videos, prints, and drawings — the earliest being Suite Vollard, a set of etchings by Picasso The exhibition will also showcase new acquisitions to The Modern’s collection from Alex Katz The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 866.824.5566.
DEC. 2, 16
Breakfast with the Beasts Enjoy breakfast with some of Fort Worth’s cutest at the zoo. Designed for children ages 3 to 10, Breakfast with the Beasts is from 9-10 a.m. in the zoo’s education building. Guests will get to meet and learn about some of the zoo’s animals while enjoying a continental breakfast. Tickets are $30 for adults and $22 for children. 1989 Colonial Parkway. fortworthzoo.org. 817.759.7555.
DEC. 2
Winter Chill The up-andcom
commun
n Arlington
ng in 120,000 pounds of snow for sledding, snowball fights and snowmenmaking. The event is free and open to the general public from noon-3 p m at the Viridian Lake Club. 1200 Viridian Park Lane. viridiandfw.com. 469.422.7722.
DEC. 3
The Greater Fort Worth Community Band, conducted by Dr. Christine Beason, is performing a free holiday concert at Texas Wesleyan’s Martin Hall at 3 p.m. 1201 Wesleyan St. txwes.edu 817.531.4992.
DEC. 13-17
Varekai Falls from the Sky for Last Time in DallasFort Worth Cirque du Soleil is coming to Fort Worth-Dallas to tell the story of Varekai, which means “wherever” in Romany language. The theme is evident in the show’s eclectic costumes, acrobatics and aerial acts. Tickets start at $40 and the performance is at the Fort Worth Convention Center 3401 W Lancaster Ave. cirquedusoleil. com/varekai. 817.392.7649.
DEC. 6
Leontine Linens Pop-Up
One of Fort Worth’s newest design studios, LOCAL, will host a pop-up event featuring Leontine Linens and owner Jane Scott Hodges from 10 a m -6 p.m. The brand’s bed, bath and table linens will be available for purchase, and Hodges will also be on hand to sign her book, Linens: For Every Room and Occasion, from 11 a mnoon. LOCAL Design Studios + Gallery. 3610 West Vickery Blvd. localdesignstudios.com.
DEC. 3
Ensemble Concert Series: TCU Combined Choirs Christmas Concert TCU’s combined choir is performing its Christmas concert at the Ed Landreth Auditorium. The holiday event is free and open to the public from 7-8:30 p.m. 2800 S. University Drive. finearts.tcu. edu. 817.257.ARTS.
DEC. 3-7
The Littlest Wiseman The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir is performing “The Littlest Wiseman” at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. The show tells the story of the nativity scene. Tickets are free. 1300 Gendy St. fwcac.com. 817.924.3640.
DEC. 7
Ryan Wilcox At Lola’s Saloon, performing talent doesn’t come from too far away. One of those talents is Ryan Wilcox, who hails from Mineral Wells. Lola’s Saloon. 2736 W. Sixth St. lolassaloon.com. 817.877.0666.
DEC. 9
Parents Night Out Enjoy a night out while your kids enjoy a night in at the zoo. Kids in grades kindergarten through fifth grade take part in crafts, pizza, and a hike through the zoo. The event is from 6-10 p.m. Cost is $35 per child. 1989 Colonial Parkway. fortworthzoo.org. 817.759.7555.
DEC. 9
Holiday Round Up The Sid Richardson Museum is hosting a free, family holiday party filled with museum tours, live performances, root beer floats, crafts, and more. There is a scavenger hunt from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and the event is from 1-3 p.m. No registration is required. 309 Main St. sidrichardsonmuseum.org. 817.332.6554.
THROUGH DEC. 30
DUETS 2.0 Vibrant colors
Geometric shapes Glimpses of humanity. DUETS 2.0 picks up where Fort Worth Arts’ previous 2016 exhibition, Duets A Comparison of Realities, left off, showcasing seven artists from all over the country and their works of similar themes and styles DUETS 2.0 is on display along with curatorial team Tax
Collection’s exhibit, New Pop (a pop culture-inspired exhibit that includes artwork that portrays sociopolitical undertones), and local artist Jana Renée’s debut exhibition, Reverie Fort Works
Art. 2100 Montgomery St. fortworksart.com. 817.759.9475.
THROUGH FEB. 4, 2018
Constance Jaeggi: Aspects of Power, Light and Motion
This photography exhibit highlights the dynamic and powerful movement of horses captured in their natural state National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. 1720 Gendy St. cowgirl.net. 817.336.4475.
DEC. 9
125th Anniversary Community Day In honor of its 125th anniversary, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is hosting a free event from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., featuring gallery tours, visits with Santa, and live performances. End the night with hot chocolate on the Great Lawn and watch the Modern Lights. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 866.824.5566.
DEC. 9
Holiday Art and Cocktails Art on the Boulevard is hosting a Holiday Art and Cocktails party from 6-8 p.m. on Dec 9. Wine, other drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served at the casual holiday party featuring new, holiday-themed artwork. 4919 Camp Bowie Blvd. artontheboulevard.com. 817.737.6368.
At KXT 91.7, so are we. We’re your commercial-free, member-supported, listener-driven, local-music-playing public radio station. All day. Every day. With local hosts. Local shows. And the best mix of live, local, new and legendary music. Welcome to the Republic.
THROUGH DEC. 10
Nature/Culture This exhibit examines the relationship between nature and culture. Free tours are available upon request. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
DEC. 15
Interlochen Christmas Lights
Interlochen Christmas Lights, one of the largest holiday light displays in North Texas, is back for its 42nd year. The Arlington Police Department will help you navigate your way through the light show made up of over 200 homes from 7-11 p.m. Entrance at Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road. arlington.org.
DEC. 12
FESTIVUS! The Space by Kent & Co is hosting its fourth annual FESTIVUS! this year, featuring refreshments, carolers, activities, crafts and a holiday bus tour through Fairmount to view Christmas lights. There will also be a stop at Santa’s Village at the Rosen House Inn for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The holiday party is from 5:30-8:30 p m Ticket prices are $10 for adults and either $8 for children 12 and younger or $5 if you come with an unwrapped toy to donate 1309 S. Adams St. historicfairmount.com.
THROUGH DEC. 24
Stockyard Station Photo with Santa Cowboy Santa will be visiting Stockyard Station this holiday season to meet and take pictures with all visitors.
Santa will be there every Friday-Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. 130 E. Exchange Ave. stockyardsstation.com. 817.625.9715.
DEC. 30
Robert Earl Keen Christmas may be over by the time Robert Earl Keen takes the stage at Bass Hall, but the holiday spirit won’t be, as the country singer brings his band to perform bluegrass-infused holiday classics for Keen’s “Fam-O-lee Back to the Country Jamboree.” 525 Commerce St. basshall.com. 817.212.4300.
THROUGH DEC. 31
An Act of God Performances for this Broadway hit comedy end Dec. 31. 821 W. Vickery Blvd. stagewest.org. 817.784.9378.
DEC. 9
Cowtown Indie Bazaar
Perfect for last minute holiday shopping, this one-day event showcases products like handmade items, jewelry, bookmarks, bath and body products and more. Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall. 3400 Burnett Tandy Drive. cowtownindiebazaar.com. 817.392.7469.
THROUGH JAN. 7, 2018
Wild Spaces, Open Seasons: Hunting and Fishing in American Art This exhibition showcases wildlife, hunting, fishing and the outdoorsman lifestyle through a wide variety of portraits, landscapes, still lifes and sculptures by various artists. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
THROUGH JAN. 12, 2018
FOCUS: Katherine Bradford
Katherine Bradford’s vibrant, abstract paintings inspired by ocean scenery are
THROUGH DEC. 31
on display at the Modern at Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 866.824.5566.
THROUGH JAN. 14, 2018
Dornith Doherty: Archiving
Eden This exhibition showcases the photography work of Dornith Doherty as he captured the transformation of seeds to plants. Amon Carter Museum of American
Casanova: The Seduction of Europe This exhibition gathers paintings, sculptures, furnishings and period costume from all across 18th century Europe to highlight the life of Giacomo Casanova, famous for his love escapades in Italy, France and England. Kimbell Art Museum. 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. kimbellart.org. 817.332.8451.
The Winter issue of Fort Worth HOME is on newsstands now.
Want to be one of the first to get the next issue of Fort Worth HOME? Subscribe to Fort Worth Magazine at fwtx.com/subscribe to receive both publications before they hit newsstands. Already a subscriber? Look for Fort Worth HOME in your mailbox in March.
DEC. 31
New Year’s Eve at Billy Bob’s Texas After a slew of big names from Lee Brice (Dec. 1) to Old Dominion (Dec. 15) lined up to play at Billy Bob’s in December, the honky tonk will close 2017 with a bang, bringing in the Randy Rogers Band to play on New Year’s Eve. Hailing from Cleburne, the band will play country tunes starting at 10:30 p.m., and two-steppers can dance the night away until it’s time to ring in 2018 with a balloon drop. Fort Worth Stockyards. 2520 Rodeo Plaza. billybobstexas.com. 817.624.7117.
Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
THROUGH JAN. 15, 2018
Panther Island Ice Panther Island Ice is back this holiday season. Skate around Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink open seven days a week, including holidays. Regular admission is $12. Panther Island Ice. 223 N.E. 4th St. pantherislandice.com. 817.698.0700.
THROUGH FEB. 19, 2018
Happy Trails: A Tribute to Roy Rogers Happy Trails showcases the horses of Roy Rogers and Dan Stevens, Trigger and Buttermilk. The display also includes Bullet the Wonder Dog. Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. 128 East
Exchange Ave. texascowboyhalloffame. org. 817.626.7131.
THROUGH FEB. 11, 2018
Caught on Paper Made up of more than 30 works on paper by different artists from the permanent collection, this exhibition showcases American artists’ affinity for the outdoors. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
THROUGH FEB. 18, 2018
Hugh the Hunter “Hugh the Hunter,” a film directed by Zachary Heinzerling, discusses the topics of race, class and the practice of hunting. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
THROUGH MARCH 25, 2018
Darryl Lauster: Trace Texas-based artist Darryl Lauster created 10 fragmentary Carrara marble tablets and carved phrases in them for his sculptural installation, Trace. The phrases obscure the original meanings of American founding documents, parts of the inscription of the Statue of Liberty and more. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. cartermuseum.org. 817.738.1933.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 1,
Our eyes are one of our most precious gifts. That’s why it is important that we maintain good vision and eye health as we age. To help you select a vision care specialist who will meet your needs, the following experts want to tell you more about themselves, their practices and how their services can help improve your outlook on life. The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.
SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology – adult eye care including but not limited to 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. 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 Symfony, Trulign, Crystalens, ReSTOR, Tecnis Multifocal and the Toric lens using the latest techniques with Femtosecond laser, which give many patients a wide range of vision for near or far distances without 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: C. Amy Hong, M.D., and Ronald Barke, M.D.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Among the country’s most advanced and comprehensive ophthalmology pr actices, specializing in BladeFree LASIK, Visian ICL, Corneal Inlay, LifeStyle Lens ® Procedures, Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery, advanced glaucoma treatment and more. WHAT SETS THEM APART: KE was founded by internationally renowned surgeons, Drs. David Kleiman, Anthony Evangelista, Michael Minadeo and Stacy Wood, and each member of the team is highly skilled within their individual specialties. In 2017, Kleiman|Evangelista Eye Center expanded with new clinics and surgery centers in Dallas, Gun Barrel City and Mount Pleasant, becoming KE Eye Centers of Texas, to better serve both their patients
and optometric partners. With a team of experienced surgeons, they work together to determine the ideal procedure for every patient’s unique vision. With concierge-style patient care and advanced technologies, KE Eye Centers of Texas is an excellent choice for five-star eye care. ACCOLADES: KE Eye Centers of Texas has received numerous awards and honors over the years. What they are most proud of is the commitment to be a Center of Excellence and to build that from the inside out. Today, they have world-class facilities and technologies, some of the finest doctors in the world and a culture that empowers every member of the team to create “wowments”patient experiences that “wow”! This virtuous circle starts with the
belief that KE Eye Centers of Texas can be leaders in the industry, wow the world and that caring to win for their patients is a noble calling. KE Eye Centers of Texas is a proud organization that relishes serving patients, their families and their communities. INNOVATIONS: Always a leader in the latest ophthalmic advancements, KE Eye Centers of Texas leads clinical research teams focusing on the most innovative vision correction technologies and procedures available today. ADVICE: Isn’t it time you had the vision you want and deserve? See Life Today. Great vision awaits at KE Eye Centers of Texas. PICTURED: (left to right) Deepak
David
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Watch for the Southlake office opening in 2018!
SPECIALTY: Adair Eyewear is an independent, full-scope luxury optical store. We offer an assortment of sunglasses, prescription frames/lens materials, reading glasses and eyewear-related accessories. We blend the traditional art of optical dispensing with modern technology and style. EDUCATION: Boston University, B.S.; Tyler Junior College, AAS (Opticianry Program); American Board of Opticianry (Certified); Guild member of Opticians Association of America; Certified with DFW and Love Field NCTRCA (North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency). RECOGNITIONS: Hats Off to Mothers, Madam C.J. Walker Award, 2014 Eagle Award - Small Business of the Year from the Black Chamber; Top 50 Tarrant County WomenOwned Business. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Board member of the Women’s Center; member of Texas Women for the Arts and patron of The Modern Art Museum. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Serving and styling the people of this great city and metroplex
for more than 37 years. INNOVATIONS: With access to innovative technologies, Adair Eyewear provides optimal vision, clarity and protection. Our partnerships with companies like Essilor and Zeiss enable us to take advantage of modern digital technologies. ADVICE: Coupled with innovation and quality products, trained and experienced staff are essential to looking and seeing at your best. A computer screen or inexperienced sales associate cannot replace the valuable practices of traditional optical dispensary. PICTURED: Alyce Jones, Melanie Jones, Tram Tran, Robert Perez and Tiffany Maxey.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
817.377.3500
adaireyewear.com
alyceadair@gmail.com
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 and 2012, Fort Worth Magazine PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Texas Medical Association. AFFILIATIONS: Plaza Day Surgery Center, Plaza Medical Center, Calloway Creek Surgery Center. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Davis is trained in the Arquederma technique for fillers, a method that gives more lift using less filler. She has also added Dermapen to the treatment regimens available at her office. This is a unique micro-needling
technique that improves skin texture and fine lines with minimal downtime. It is especially suited for lines on the upper lip. Dr. Davis is also pleased to now offer Voluma, a new filler for the cheeks that lasts two years, and to introduce Kybella, a nonsurgical, injectable treatment for “double chin,” which can be done in the office with minimal downtime. Please call the office for details.
CONTACT INFORMATION: drmaylidavis.com
Aaleya Koreishi, M.D. and Patricia Ple-plakon, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Dr. Koreishi and Dr. Ple-plakon are fellowship-trained, board-certified ophthalmologists providing compassionate, cutting-edge specialty care in cornea transplantation, cataract, and refractive surgery. They are experienced in specialty lenses, laser cataract surgery, and LASIK surgery. They perform the only FDA-approved corneal crosslinking procedure for keratoconus (Avedro). EDUCATION: Dr. Koreishi completed her B.S. and M.D. at University of Michigan, followed by ophthalmology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the No. 1 ranked eye hospital, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Ple-plakon earned her B.A. at Rice University, followed by her M.D. and ophthalmology residency at University of Michigan, and fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. PATIENT CARE: Dr. Koreishi and Dr. Ple-plakon are committed to providing quality and
state-of-the-art care in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. They believe patient education is the key to successful treatment and strive to educate their patients so that they can play a more active role in their treatment and recovery. Dr. Koreishi and Dr. Ple-plakon are humbled by the trust their patients put in them and honor that trust by providing the best care possible. The entire Cornea Consultants of Texas team strives to provide exceptional and individualized care to every patient.
CONTACT INFORMATION: corneaconsultantstx.com
SPECIALTY: Our physicians provide a wide range of services including comprehensive eye exams for children and adults, CustomVue® LASIK, Crystalens®, Restore and TECNIS® Symfony and Symfony Toric IOLs, advanced cataract surgery, contact lens fitting, eye muscle surgery, glaucoma care, diabetic eye exams, and dry eye treatment. The doctors also provide cosmetic injections including Botox®, Juvéderm®, Juvéderm Voluma®, Restylane®, Kybella®, and Lastisse®. This summer Fort Worth Eye Associates welcomed Dr. Tyler Moore to the practice.
EDUCATION: Ann Ranelle, D.O. – Saint Mary’s University, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Tyler Moore, M.D. – University of Texas, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Kacy Pate, O.D. – University of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University College of Optometry. AWARDS/HONORS: Ann Ranelle – President, Tarrant County Medical Society. MEMBERSHIPS:
Ann Ranelle – board certified member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Medical Center of Fort Worth, Baylor Surgicare of Fort Worth, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Texas Pediatric Surgery Center, Weatherford Regional Medical Center.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Serving the greater Fort Worth area for over 40 years. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Warm, friendly, compassionate and professional. FREE ADVICE: Be an active participant in your healthcare – ask questions! PICTURED: Ann Ranelle, D.O.; Tyler Moore, M.D.; Kacy Pate, O.D.
CONTACT INFORMATION: ranelle.com
SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology: Cataract Surgery, Premium Lens Implants (Crystalens, ReStor, Tecnis, Toric Lens), Laser Refractive Surgery (LASIK with Intralase, VISX, Allegretto), 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 Surgical Hospital at Las Colinas, Baylor Scott & White-Grapevine, Baylor Scott & White-Irving, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. 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.
CONTACT INFORMATION: reinke.southlake@gmail.com dfwlasercataract.com
Jawad Qureshi, M.D.
Johnathan Warminski, M.D.
Kruti Dajee, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Retina Specialist; Board-Certified, FellowshipTrained Ophthalmologists specia lizing 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, and epiretinal membrane.
EDUCATION: They are honored to have had the opportunity to train at leading institutions for their ophthalmology training, including the Johns Hopkins Hospital Wilmer Eye Institute, Duke University Eye Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
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. With communication, we strive to educate our patients every day. We are humbled by the trust our patients put in us and feel that trust is a strong foundation upon which our relationship is built. Finally, much of being a good physician is providing compassionate care to our patients. 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.
CONTACT INFORMATION: RetinaCenterTx.com
and concert
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 1, 2017
7:00 PM
Celebrity Cutting
Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum Fort Worth, Texas
Every ticket helps us save a life. George
Care
CELEBRITIES
Tom Watson
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Midland
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Malone Ranger
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Jolie
Holiday Burgess
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Hal Brown And More
COMMENTATORS
Lindy Burch
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CO-FOUNDERS
Lyn Walsh
Beverly Branch
Providing
For more information on area restaurants, go to fwtx.com.
Break out of your shell and visit Yolk, Fort Worth’s latest breakfast (and lunch) spot, where the griddles are hot, the juice is freshly squeezed and the eggs are just how you like ’em.
| by Jennifer Casseday-Blair
|
IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY, so they say. Breakfast for me is usually eating the last few bites of what my daughter didn’t finish before I wash the plate, so a visit to Yolk the other morning was a welcomed change of pace.
The Midwest-based mini-chain with many locations in Chicago and Indiana has settled in just a few blocks from the courthouse in Sundance Square in the space once occupied by Cowtown Diner, and before that La Madeleine Country French Café. Yolk’s narrow entryway is deceptive and leads to a coffee bar that then opens up to a large cheery space with
many intimate alcoves for dining. Multiple picture windows and the bright yellow, blue and white color scheme will perk guests up faster than a shot of espresso.
There’s no shortage of caffeine at Yolk. We began our a.m. experience with a few cups of the restaurant’s private label, premium coffee as we pondered the extensive menu of not-so-heart-healthy five-egg omelets, three-egg scramblers, benedicts, French toasts, pancakes and waffles. Yolk’s lunch menu looks tasty as well with an array of burgers, hearty sandwiches, soups and salads. While waiting for our food to arrive, I scoped the tables around us that had received their meals to see what looked good. The crowd was diverse. Parents with young syruphanded kids and older couples intermixed with tables of hungover frat boys and business folks.
A carafe of freshly squeezed/smashed Strawberry Orange Juice (glass $3.50/carafe $12) made its way to the table first. I appreciated the beverage but not the massive amount of pulp.
Location: 305 Main St. For Info: 817.730.4000, eatyolk.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
What We Liked: Yolk has a bright, cheerful spot downtown with amped-up breakfast (and lunch) basics. What We Didn’t: Portions are too large, and the freshly squeezed juices have too much pulp.
Shortly thereafter, my Very Berry French Toast arrived in dramatic fashion. Yolk did not get the memo about portion control. Six mammoth halved slices of challah bread were stair-step stacked atop one another, topped with strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, a dollop of house-made Greek yogurt and drizzled with honey. It was eggy without being soggy, and the creamy yogurt and tart berries cut through the sweet, cinnamony battered challah. I conquered one and a half pieces of the dish that could have easily been shared between three people.
Our Recommendations: If you visit on the weekend, be prepared to wait nearly an hour at this popular breakfast spot.
My accompanying side of thickly sliced Hickory-Smoked Bacon ($4) was cooked to perfection. It’s amazing how many restaurants can screw up the bacon by overcooking it, not eliminating grease or serving paper-thin variants. Yolk’s porky
strips are crisp without being burnt and chewy without being sinewy.
I sampled a few bites from my dining companion’s plate. He ordered the Croque Madame ($11.50), a grilled ham and turkey sandwich utilizing two slices of challah French toast to hug the main ingredients. Dijon sauce was layered among the mound of meat and Swiss cheese, and it was topped off with a sunny-side-up egg. Again the portion was comically colossal, but the combination of ingredients was masterful. It is much sweeter than other versions I’ve had in the past and lacked the traditional béchamel sauce, but the smokiness of the ham and turkey and the sharpness of the Dijon made Yolk’s Croque Madame successful.
With locations currently adding up to a baker’s dozen, Yolk has clearly cracked wide open what the public is hungry for in the upscale breakfast scene. We morning people are just happy to have another restaurant in the city open before sunrise.
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A West Seventh Tex-Mex spot gets a second chance, thanks to new ownership and juicy fajitas.
| by Celestina Blok |
WHO ENJOY TEX-MEX WILL REMEMBER LA PALMA, a North Side favorite through the 1980s, owned and operated by the Pedroza family, and known for tender marinated fajitas. After a family member was diagnosed with cancer, La Palma closed. Its friendly atmosphere and sizzling fajitas have been missed for decades.
Fortunately, both can be found again in what was recently the home of another family-owned Tex-Mex restaurant. The Pedrozas partnered to buy La Familia in 2015 and are now sole owners of the Tex-Mex mainstay, serving their thinly sliced, incredibly juicy and flavorful fajitas “Gilbert’s way” (named for owner Gilbert Pedroza) topped with pico de gallo, just the way La Palma fans will remember.
Unfortunately, too many people think La Familia is still owned by the first familia.
At 7 p.m. on a recent Friday night, La Familia was virtually empty. The dimly lit restaurant had maybe four tables occupied amid a sea of open seating. Given our time of arrival, when
nearly every restaurant in Fort Worth (especially in the busy West Seventh Street corridor) has a guaranteed wait for a table, we were floored. A weekend night used to mean patrons were lined up at the door, where former owner Al Cavasos used to greet each customer with a handshake.
But Cavasos and the lines are now gone, thanks to a 2012 lawsuit filed by a handful of former La Familia employees. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2013, but not without tarnishing the restaurant’s reputation and presenting an image challenge for the Pedrozas, who opted not to change the restaurant name. The former employees claimed mistreatment, denied paychecks, and even death threats by the Cavasos family. The story made headlines, service began to suffer, and even regular customers began to disappear. It didn’t help that flashier new restaurants were opening at lightning speed all over Fort Worth.
The Pedrozas have been left with many confused customers wondering where Al went. But more are slowly realizing the new familia has strong restaurant roots in Fort Worth. Here’s hoping they’ll change the restaurant name, remove all
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This event broadened support for programs such as the Peer Support Program, which provides education, support, and opportunities for growth to individuals with mental health conditions, and the LOSS Team Program, which helps individuals and families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
of the black-and-white Cavasos family photos from the walls, and start from scratch, because the fajitas alone are worth a rebranding.
After devouring a bowl of crispy tortilla chips, thanks to the accompanying fresh and piquant red salsa, our dinner started with chilled shrimp cocktail ($12.95) served in a schooner. The appetizer — which was somewhat thin with just a few nubs of avocado and a handful of smallish shrimp — paled in comparison to the main courses. A combo enchilada plate ($11.45) was prepped to our liking, with one shredded chicken enchilada topped with salsa verde, one ground beef doused in chile con carne, and one cheese covered in red tomato ranchero sauce. The entrée was served with creamy refried beans and plain Mexican rice, and while the meal was perfectly tasty, the ensemble was a little too close to room temperature.
Location: 841 Foch St. For Info: 817.870.2002
What We Liked: The tender beef fajitas. Ask for them topped with pico de gallo or visit on Wednesday and have them “Gilbert’s way.” What We Didn’t: The store-bought flour tortillas. Our Recommendations: When looking for a lesscrowded weekend dining option, visit now while the crowds are still thin. Word is bound to spread about Gilbert Pedroza’s fajitas.
But the sizzling beef fajitas ($17.95) made up for it. It was evident steps were taken to heavily tenderize the beef. Served with the typical sides of guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese and iceberg lettuce, the dish was devoured, albeit with store-bought flour tortillas. Visit on Wednesday, we were told, and patrons can get the fajitas “Gilbert’s way,” prepped with a special marinade and topped with pico de gallo. On any other night, customers will have to ask for the pico as a special request.
There are still touches from the original La Familia that remain, like complimentary bean soup with each entrée and flaming margaritas. The Pedrozas will continue those traditions and hopefully start a few more.
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French fare has descended upon The Shops at Clearfork. Like magic, Rise’s star menu items, sweet and savory soufflés, use nothing more than air to evolve a common egg into a delicate masterpiece.
| by Jennifer Casseday-Blair |
Rise imports custom-made ovens from France that allow its soufflés to be cooked to order in less time (between 16-25 minutes) without affecting the integrity of the dish.
ICONIC CHEF JULIA CHILD DESCRIBED THE SOUFFLÉ AS THE “EPITOME AND TRIUMPH OF THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING.” Rise founder Hedda Gioia Dowd, daughter of a French mother and an Italian-American father, shares Child’s sentiment.
The matriarchs in Dowd’s family made soufflés for decades, and her memory of those meals inspired her to bring the
European bistro concept to North Texas. Now with three locations in Dallas (rise no°1), Houston (rise no°2) and Fort Worth (rise no°3), it’s evident that Texans have embraced the decadent cuisine and Dowd has a monopoly on the soufflé market. Still settling in after opening in midSeptember, Rise offers its guests a cozy and whimsical retreat to enjoy a selection of 16 soufflés, with savory options
such as the Truffle Infused Mushroom and Crabmeat or the sweeter alternatives including Apricot, Raspberry or Dark Chocolate Mint. General Manager Brian Boulanger says the luxury shopping district was just calling for a unique restaurant concept like Rise. “As far as I’m aware, there isn’t another restaurant like ours out there,” he says.
Rise imports custom-made ovens
French, [ soo-fle ]
A baked egg-based dish which originated in early 18th-century France. It is made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites combined with various other ingredients and served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert. The word soufflé is the past participle of the French verb soufflér, which means "to breathe" or "to puff."
from France that allow its soufflés to be cooked to order in less time (between 16-25 minutes) without affecting the integrity of the dish. However, don’t expect them to tell you anything else about them. From the manager to the wait staff, it’s as if everyone had to sign
a nondisclosure agreement to keep information regarding the ovens under wraps. “We don’t talk a lot about our ovens to ensure that our concept remains protected,” Boulanger says.
Megan Potts, executive chef, will share her fail-proof trick for cooking the perfect soufflé. She says that mixing the ingredients well has a lot to do with the process. “You also need to just leave it alone and don’t keep checking on it. The fresher the ingredients, the better the product. That applies to anything you’re making,” Potts says.
Prior to the launch of Rise, Dowd founded Antique Harvest, a unique company that plucks rare treasures from the countryside of Southwest France. Dowd's creative touches from the Antique Harvest collection lend an authenticity to each Rise location, and guests are able to purchase merchandise including linens, glassware
and French tools for their home kitchens. Rise to the Occasion, a cookbook featuring many of the recipes served in the restaurant, is also available for purchase. Bon appétit.
’Tis
Rise will serve an Egg Nog soufflé this month to get guests in the mood for the holidays.
The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever® Gift Card is like any other traditional retail gift card; the difference is that the funds on the card are used to make charitable contributions to any of the 21 great organizations featured in the catalog, rather than buying material things. The purchaser of the card receives the tax deduction and the recipient gets to direct the funds to the programs and charities that are most meaningful to them.
Coffee shop-meets-cocktail bar Ampersand celebrated its grand opening at 3009 Bledsoe St. in November. While the shop will serve a menu of air-roasted coffee (which is meant to make drinks smoother and flavors more consistent), it will also serve coffee/cocktail mixes like A Whole Latte Love (vanilla latte with vanilla vodka) and the Ampersand Mule (a Moscow mule with Ampersand’s cold brew). Dallas-based Coevál Studio designed the 3,200-square-foot space, which features modular furniture and concrete walls painted in a geometric design.
Mexico City-style market Americado closed and then it opened. On Oct. 30, the West Berry Street eatery announced via Facebook that it would close Nov. 5, citing rent cost and a lack of traffic in the area. But, on Nov. 7, Americado announced it would open again, saying in a Facebook post, “We love Fort Worth, and we want to bet on this town. So, we have raised more capital and decided to re-open and hope that we can get more traffic to this area.”
What used to be the Wag pet shop at Foch Street is now Chills 360, a dessert shop that specializes in rolled ice cream. This is the third location for the Dallas-based company, which serves flavors like Monkey Business (banana and Nutella) and What the Fudge (fudge brownie). Chills 360 is located at 1005 Foch St.
Mexican restaurant Meso Maya opened its second Fort Worth location in November, inside the historic Kress Building downtown at 604 Main St., Ste. 100. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes entrees like Budin Azteca and enchiladas. Meso Maya’s other location is at 3050 South Hulen St., Ste. A.
Shell Shack and Grub Burger Bar are among other restaurants joining Parkside at Alliance Town Center, a 3.5-acre dining and entertainment destination in Alliance. The development will overlook Bluestem Park, just off of Heritage Trace Parkway, and feature a patio and green space for games like cornhole and bocce ball. Shell Shack and Grub Burger Bar are expected to open in the spring of 2018. According to developer Hillwood, other tenants will be announced at later dates.
After eight years, music venue Capital Bar has closed. The bar, which opened before the West 7th (now called Crockett Row) development, has been credited for being one of the first live music venues in the West Seventh Street area. Singer/songwriter Skylar Payne played the last show on Nov. 5.
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You know you’re a Fort Worthian when you still crave a Bakon Burger from Carlson’s Drive-Inn or Sammy’s potato soup seriously, whatever happened to those places? Our food writer Celestina Blok ventured to find out in her new book, Lost Restaurants of Fort Worth. Published by Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, the book tells the story of some of Fort Worth’s most beloved eateries from back in the day, from Richelieu Grill to the Seibold Café, where old Hollywood movie stars like Bob Hope and Gene Autry used to dine. The book will be published Dec. 4, and the official launch will take place Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the TCU Campus Store.
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We’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s auction the most memorable yet. A very special thank you to the following:
Lead chef
Molly McCook, Ellerbe Fine Foods
Event chairs
Lindsey and Ryan Dickerson and Ashley and Hans Peeders
Ambassador family
The Wooleys: Kelly and Shawn and their daughter Avery
Silver sponsors
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Helicopter, Black Mountain Sand, BNSF Railway, Cook Children’s Medical Center, FROST Bank, GE, Hobbs Charitable Trust, Joseph
Berkes Group at Williams Trew, Legacy
Texas Bank, Matador Land Services, LLC., Pier 1 Imports, Pricewaterhouse
Coopers (PwC), Texas Health Care
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas
Health Resources, Turner-Monahan
PLLC and Marsh & McLennan Agency, Wells Fargo
Chefs and restaurants
Molly McCook — Ellerbe Fine Food
Jon Bonnell — Bonnell’s Restaurant Group
Terry Chandler — FRED’S Texas Café
Sarah Hooton — Central Market
Marcus Kopplin — Shinjuku Station
Lanny Lancarte — Righteous Foods
Ben Merritt — Fixture – Kitchen and Social Lounge
Marcus Paslay — Clay Pigeon and Piattello Italian Kitchen
Carolyn Phillips — Alchemy Pops
Stefon Rishel — Texas Bleu Steakhouse
Melvin Roberson — Doughboy Donuts
Joe D. Rosario — River Ranch Stockyards
Katherine Sasser — Hurley House
Michael Thomson — MICHAELSCUISINE
Derek Venutolo — The Capital Grille
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For more information on area restaurants, go to fwtx.com and click on dish.
The Listings section is a readers service compiled by the Fort Worth Magazine editorial staff. The magazine does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for the listings. Listings are updated regularly. To correct a listing or request a restaurant be considered for the list, contact Kendall Louis at kendall.louis@fwtx.com. pricing: $ - Entrees up to $10, $$ - Entrees $10-$20, $$$ - Entrees $20-$25, $$$$ - Entrees $25 and over
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House 230 N. Center St., 817.801.0300. Lunch Hours 11am-2pm Mon.Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-9pm Mon.-Fri; All Day 11am-9pm Sat. and Sun. $
BJ’s Restaurant And Brewhouse 201 E.
Interstate 20, 817.465.5225. 11am-midnight Mon.-Thur.; 11am-1am Fri.; 11am-1am Sat.; 10am-midnight Sun. $-$$
Chef Point Cafe 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, 817.656.0080. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.; 7am-10pm Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. Breakfast Saturdays. $-$$
Dave & Busters 425 Curtis Mathes Way, 817.525.2501. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thur.; 11am1am Fri.-Sat. $$
Houlihan’s 401 E. 1-20 Hwy., 817.375.3863. 11ammidnight, bar 1am Mon.-Thu.; 11am-1am, bar 2am Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm, bar midnight Sun. $$-$$$
Humperdink's Restaurant And Brewery 700 Six Flags Drive, 817.640.8553. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$
J Gilligan's Bar & Grill 400 E. Abram. 817.274.8561. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11ammidnight Thu.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.; drafthouse open nightly 11am-2am $
Mac’s Bar & Grill 6077 W. I-20 Frontage Rd., 817.572.0541. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-2:30pm and 3pm-10pm Sun. $$ No Frills Grill 4914 Little Rd., 817.478.1766.
Other locations: 801 S. Main St. #109, Keller, 817.741.6344. 2851 Matlock Rd., Ste. 422, Mansfield, 817.473.6699. 1550 Eastchase Pkwy., Ste. 1200, Arlington, 817.274.5433. 11am-2am daily. $ Rose Garden Tearoom 3708 W. Pioneer Pkwy., 817.795.3093. 11:30am-3:30pm Mon.Sat.; closed Sun. $ Restaurant 506 at The Sanford House 506 N. Center St., 817.801.5541. Closed Mon.Tues.; 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Fri.; 10:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Sat.; 10:30am2pm Sun. $$
Southern Recipes Grill 2715 N. Collins St., 817.469.9878. 11am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-9pm Sat.; 8am-4pm Sun. $-$$
Steve's Garden & Grill 223 Depot St., Mansfield. 817.473.8733. Tues.-Thur. 11am-9pm; Fri. 11am10pm; Sat. 4 pm-10pm; Sun.-Mon. closed. $-$$ Ventana Grille 7005 Golf Club Dr., 817.548.5047. 6:30am-9pm daily $-$$
BURLESON
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House 120 S. Main St., 817.447.3400. 11am-2pm lunch and 5pm-
9pm dinner Mon.-Fri.; 11am-9pm Sat.-Sun. $
Dalton's Corner Bar & Grill 200 S. Main St., 817.295.5456. 11am-2am Mon.-Sun. $$ The Porch 140 S. Wilson St., 817.426.9900. 6:30am-8pm Mon.-Thu.; 6:30am-9pm Fri.-Sat.; 9am-8pm Sun. $$
Market Street 5605 Colleyville Blvd., 817.577.5020. 6am-10pm daily. $
Trio New American Cafe 8300 Precinct Line Road, Ste. 104, 817.503.8440. Closed Sun.-Mon.; 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm Tue.-Sat. BYOB. $$
Bird Cafe 155 E. 4th and Commerce, 817.332.2473. 11am-midnight Mon.-Thur.; 11am1am Fri.; 10am-1am Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $$ Bluebonnet Café 2223 Haltom Rd., Haltom City, 817.834.4988. 6:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat. $ Brewed 801 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.945.1545. 8am-10pm Tue.-Wed.; 8am-11pm Thu.; 8ammidnight Fri.-Sat.; 9:30am-2:30pm Sun. $-$$ Buffalo Bros Pizza Wings & Subs 3015 S. University Dr., 817. 386.9601. 11am-2am daily. $$ Buttons 4701 W. Freeway, 817.735.4900. 11am10pm Sun.-Tues.; 11am-midnight Wed.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri; noon-2am Sat. $$$ Cork & Pig Tavern 2869 Crockett St., 817.759.9280. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11:30pm Fri.; 9am-11:30pm Sat.; 9am - 9pm Sun. $$$ Cast Iron Restaurant 1300 Houston St., 817.350.4106. 6am-11am Breakfast; 11am-2pm Brunch, Sun.; 11am-2pm Lunch, Mon.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Dinner, daily. $$ Cat City Grill 1208 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.916.5333. Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; Brunch: 10:30am-1:30pm Sun. $$-$$$ Charleston’s 3020 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8900. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ Clay Pigeon 2731 White Settlement Rd., 817.882.8065. 4:30pm-10pm Mon.-Sat.. $$$
Curly’s Frozen Custard 4017 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.763.8700. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $
Del Frisco's Grille 154 E. 3rd St., 817.887.9900. 11am-4pm Lunch, Sat.; 11am-3pm Lunch, Sun.; 4pm-10pm Dinner, Sun. and 4pm-11pm Mon.-Sat. $$
Dixie House Cafe 3701 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0883. Other locations: 6200 Calhoun St., 817.451.6180. 5401 S. Hulen St., 817.361.8500. 5401 Blue Mound Rd., 817.625.4115. 6:30am8:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 7am-3pm Sun. $ Drew’s Place 5701 Curzon Ave., 817.735.4408.
10:30am-6pm Tue.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $-$$
Ellerbe Fine Foods 1501 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.926.3663. Closed Sun.-Mon.; 11am-2pm and 5:30pm-9pm, Tue.-Thu.; 11am-2pm and 5:3010pm, Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm, Sat. $$-$$$ Fred’s Texas Cafe 915 Currie St., 817.332.0083. 10:30am-midnight Tue.-Sat.; 10am-9pm Sun. 10:30am-9pm Mon. 2730 Western Center, 817.232.0111. 10:30am-midnight Tue.-Sat.; 3509 Blue Bonnet Circle, 817.916.4650. 10:30am-midnight, daily. $$
HG Sply Co. 1621 River Run, Ste. 176, 682.730.6070. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11ammidnight Fri.; 10am-midnight Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $$-$$$
Hookers Grill. 213 West Exchange Ave., 817. 773.8373. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. $$ Little Red Wasp 808 Main St., 817.877.3111. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am-10pm Sat.-Sun.; Brunch to 4pm Sat.-Sun. $$-$$$
Lucile’s Stateside Bistro 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.4761. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.; 9am-11pm Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun. $$
The Lunch Box 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.2181. 8am-2:30pm, daily. $ MAX's Wine Dive 2421 W. 7th St., Ste. 109, 817.870.1100 4pm-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 4pm-midnight Fri.; 10am-midnight Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun.; Brunch 10am-3pm Sat. & Sun.; Happy Hour 4pm-6pm Mon.-Fri.$-$$
Pappadeaux 2708 W. Freeway, 817.877.8843. Other location: 1304 E. Copeland Rd., Arlington, 817.543.0544. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Montgomery Street Café 2000 Montgomery St., 817.731.8033. 6am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7amNoon Sat.; Closed Sun. $ Old Neighborhood Grill 1633 Park Place Ave., 817.923.2282. 7am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-9pm Sat.; Closed Sun. $
Ol’ South Pancake House 1509 S. University Dr., 817.336.0311. Open 24 hours. $
Paris Coffee Shop 704 W. Magnolia, 817.335.2041. 6am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Breakfast Only 6am-11am Sat. $
Park Hill Cafe 2974 Park Hill Dr., 817.921.5660. 10am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am1pm Sat.-Sun. $-$$
Pop’s Safari 2929 Morton St., 817.877.0916. 9am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 9am-midnight Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$-$$$
Press Cafe 4801 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 105, 817.570.6002. 7am-10pm Mon.-Sun. $-$$
Rise & Shine 3636 Altamesa Blvd., 817.423.3555. 6am-2pm daily. $
Secret Garden Tearoom 2601 Montgomery St., 817.763.9787. 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat.; Noon6pm Sun. $
The Rose Garden Tea Room 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.7673. 11:30am-3:30pm Mon-Sat.; 12pm-3:30pm Sun. $$
The Social House 840 Currie St., 817.820. 1510. 11am-2am Mon.-Sun. $$
Twin Creeks Café 3400 W. Loop 820 S. (inside Frank Kent Honda), 817.244.9600. 7:30am3:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-3:30pm Sat. $
Vidalias Southern Cuisine 200 Main St., 817.210.2222. 6am-10pm daily. $$
Varsity Tavern 1005 Norwood St., 817.882.6699. 11am-2am Mon-Sun. Brunch 11am-4pm SatSun. $$
Westside Café 7950 W. Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.560.1996. 6am-9pm Sat.-Thurs.; 6am10pm Fri. $
GRAPEVINE
Mac's on Main 909 S. Main St., Ste. 110, 817.251.6227. 11am-3pm, Lunch Mon.-Sat.; 4:30-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 4:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-2:30pm Brunch, Sun.; 4:30pm-9:30pm Sun. $$
Tolbert's Restaurant 423 S. Main St. 817.421.4888. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am9:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-8:30pm Sun. $$ Winewood Grill 1265 S. Main St., Grapevine, 76051 817.421.0200. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$-$$$ KELLER/LAKE COUNTRY
FnG Eats 201 Town Center Ln., Ste. 1101, 817.741.5200 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 10:30am-10pm Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. $$ ROANOKE
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House 104 N. Oak, 817.491.2900. 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-9pm Mon.Thurs.; 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-9pm Fri.; 11am-9pm Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. $ Classic Cafe 504 N. Oak St., 817.430.8185. Lunch Hours 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri. & Sat.$$-$$$
Dove Creek Café 204 S. Hwy. 377, 817.491.4973. 6am-8pm Mon.-Fri.; 6am-3pm Sat. & Sun. $ Reno Red's Frontier Cooking 304 S. Hwy. 377, 817.491.4855. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm Sun. $-$$
Café Express 1472 Main St., 817.251.0063. 7am9pm Sun.-Thu.; 7am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$
The Cheesecake Factory 1440 Plaza Place, 817.310.0050. 11am-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 11ammidnight Fri.-Sat.; 10am-11pm Sun. $$
Del Frisco's Grille 1200 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.410.3777. 11am-11pm Mon.-Sat.; 10am9pm Sun. $$
Modern Market 1161 E. Southlake Blvd. Bldg. O, Suite 260. 817.442.0123. 8:30am-9:30pm, Mon.Sun. $$ Wildwood Grill 2700 E. Southlake Blvd.,
817.748.2100. 11am-10pm, daily. $-$$
Fire Oak Grill 114 Austin Ave., 817.598.0400. Lunch: 11:30am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$
Iron Skillet Restaurant 2001 Santa Fe Drive, 817.594.0245. Open 24 hours. $$
Weatherford Downtown Café 101 W. Church St., 817.594.8717. 7am-3pm Mon.-Wed.; 7am-8pm Thu.-Sat.; 8am-3pm Sun. $
Bethany Boba Tea House 705 Park Row Dr., 817.461.1245. 11am-10pm daily. $
Genghis Grill 4000 Five Points Blvd., Ste. 189, 817.465.7847. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat; 10am-10pm Sun. $$
Orchid City Fusion Cafe 2135 Southeast Pkwy., 817.468.3777. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$
Pei Wei 2100 N. Collins St., 817.299.8687. Other locations: 4133 E. Cooper St., 817.466.4545. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ Piranha’s Killer Sushi 859 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., 817.261.1636. Other locations: Arlington Highlands 309 Curtis Mathes Way, Ste. 149 817.465.6455 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.; noon-11pm Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $$
Sukhothai 423 Fielder North Plaza, 817.860.4107. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Sat.; $ Taste Of Thai 2535 E. Arkansas Lane, 817.543.0110. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; Noon-10pm Sat.; Noon-9:30pm Sun. $
BEDFORD
MK's Sushi 2400 Airport Fwy., Ste. 130, 817.545.4149. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 4:30pm10pm Sun. $$ Thai Jasmine 3104 Harwood Rd., 817.283.8228. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-9:30pm Fri.-Sat. $
BURLESON
Taste Of Asia 130 NW John Jones Drive, Ste 206, 817.426.2239. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sun. $
FORT WORTH
Asia Bowl & Grill 2400 Lands End, Ste. 115, 817.738.1688. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am9:30pm Fri.-Sat. $
Blue Sushi Sake Grill 3131 W. 7th St., 817.332.2583. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11ammidnight Fri.; noon-midnight Sat.; noon-10pm Sun. $-$$
Cannon Chinese Kitchen 304 W. Cannon St. 817.238.3726. 11:30am-2:30pm Lunch, Tues.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Dinner, Tues.-Thurs.; 5pm-10pm Dinner, Fri.-Sat. Closed Sun. $$
Edohana Hibachi Sushi 2704 S. Hulen, 817.924.1144. Other locations: 5816 S.W. Loop 820, 817.731.6002. Lunch 11:15am-2:15pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner 5:15pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 4:45pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 4:45pm-9:30pm Sun $$ Hanabi Ramen & Izakaya 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.420.6703. Lunch 11am-2:30pm Mon.Sat.; Dinner 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$
HoYA Korean Kitchen 355 W. 3rd St., 817.334.7999. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sun. $ Japanese Palace 8445 Camp Bowie W., 817.244.0144. 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$
Kona Grill 3028 Crockett St., 817.210.4216. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm Sun. $$
Little Lilly Sushi 6100 Camp Bowie, Ste. 12, 817.989.8886. 11am-2pm Mon.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$
My Lan 4015 E. Belknap St., 817.222.1471. 9am9pm Mon.-Sun. Closed Wed. $
Pappa Chang Asian Bistro 1526 Pennsylvania Ave., 817.348.9888. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $
Pei Wei 5900 Overton Ridge Blvd., Ste. 130, 817.294.0808. Other location: 2600 W. 7th St., Ste. 101, Montgomery Plaza, 817.806.9950. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $
P.F. Chang’s 400 Throckmorton, 817.840.2450. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $
Pho Little Saigon 1712 Mall Circle., 817.738.0040. 10am-9pm Mon.-Sun. $
Phu Lam 4125 E. Belknap St., 817.831.9888. 10am9pm Daily $-$$
Piranha Killer Sushi 335 W. 3rd St., 817.348.0200. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am11pm Thu.; 11am-midnight Fri.; noon-midnight Sat.; noon-10pm Sun. $$
Shinjuku Station 711 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.923.2695. 5pm-9pm Mon.; 11am-9pm Tues.Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 5pm-10pm Sat. $-$$
Sushi Axiom Japanese Fusion Restaurant 4625 Donnelly Ave., Ste. 101, 817.735.9100. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; Noon-10pm Sat.; Noon9pm Sun. Other locations: 2600 W. 7th St., 817.877.3331. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.; noon-11pm Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$
Szechuan 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd., Cityview Plaza, 817.346.6111. 11am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am9:30pm Sun. Other location: 5712 Locke Ave., 817.738.7300. 11am-10:30pm Fri.; 11am-9:30pm Sat.-Sun. $-$$
Taste Of Asia 4484 Bryant Irvin Road, Ste. 101, 817.732.8688. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 9324 Clifford St., Ste. 116, 817.246.4802. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat,; 7420 Beach St., 817.503.1818. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $
Thailicious 4601 W. Freeway. Ste. 206 (Chapel Hill at I-30 & Hulen), 817.737.8111. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thu. 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$
Thai Select 4630 SW Loop 820, 817.731.0455. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $
Thai Tina’s 600 Commerce St., 817.332.0088. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-midnight Bar, Sun.-Sat. $$
Tu Hai Restaurant 3909 E. Belknap St., 817.834.6473. 9am-8pm Mon.-Sat; Closed Sun. $ GRAPEVINE
Edohana Hibachi Sushi 1501 W. State Hwy. 114 Ste. 100, 817.251.2004. 11:15am-2:30pm Lunch, Fort Worth
Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm10pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9:30pm Sun. $$
P.F. Chang’s 650 W. Highway 114, 817.421.6658. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine 977 Melbourne Rd., 817.268.2899. Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-9:30pm Sat.; 11:30am-8pm Sun. $-$$
Sake Hibachi Sushi And Bar 100 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield, 817.453.5888. 11am-10pm, Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10:30pm, Fri.-Sat.; noon10pm, Sun. $-$$
Kobeya Japanese Hibachi & Sushi 1230 Main St., 817.416.6161. 11:30am-2pm Lunch, Mon.-Fri.; Noon-3p.m. Lunch, Sat.; 5pm9:30pm, Dinner, Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-10:30pm Dinner, Fri.-Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun. $$ Pei Wei 1582 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.722.0070. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $
RA Sushi 1131 E. Southlake Blvd. Bldg. L. 817.601.9590. 11am-12am Sun.-Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.-Sat. $$
Sushi Sam 500 W. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 138, 817.410.1991. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9:30pm Sun. $-$$
David's Barbecue 2224 W. Park Row Dr., Ste. H, 817.261.9998. 11am-9pm Tues.-Sat. $
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 5530 S. Cooper, 817.468.0898. 1801 Ballpark Way, 817.261.6600. 11am-9pm daily. $
Oh My BBQ 901 E. Arkansas Ln. 817.303.1499. 10am-8pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $ FORT WORTH
Angelo’s 2533 White Settlement Rd., 817.332.0357. 11am-9pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am10pm Thu.-Sat.; closed Sun. $
Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk Kitchen 2520 Rodeo Plaza. 817.626.2340. 11am-9pm Mon.Wed.; 11am-10pm Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.-Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $
Billy's Oak Acres BBQ 1620 Las Vegas Trail North, 817.624.7117. 11am-8pm Tue.-Sat.; 11am3pm Sun. $
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que 301 Stockyards Blvd., 817.626.6464. 11am-8:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-9:30pm Fri. and Sat. $
Cousin’s Pit Barbecue 6262 McCart Ave., 817.346.2511. Other locations: 5125 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.346.3999. 9560. Feather Grass Ln., 817.750.2020. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 451 University Dr., 817.231.8813. 11am-9pm daily. Other locations: 951 N. Beach St., 682.647.0222. 11am-9pm daily. 1989 Colonial Pwy., 817.759.7400. 11am-9pm daily. 5412 Blue Mound Rd., 817.289.0027. 10:30am8:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $ Heim Barbecue 1109 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.882.6970. 11am-10pm Wed.- Mon. Closed
Tues. $$
Railhead Smokehouse 2900 Montgomery St., 817.738.9808. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $
Red Hot And Blue 3000 S. Hulen St., 817.731.8770. 9143 Grapevine Hwy., 817.605.1333. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Riscky’s 6701 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.989.1800. Other locations: 140 E. Exchange Ave. 817.626.7777. 300 Main St., 817.877.3306. 9000 Benbrook Blvd., 817.249.3320. 10:30am-8:30pm Mon.-Sat. $
Sammie's Bar-B-Q 3801 E. Belknap, 817.834.1822. 9am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 9am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-5pm, Sun. $-$$
Smokey's Bbq 5300 E. Lancaster Ave. 817.451.8222. 11am-"until we run out" Mon.-Fri.; 8am-"until we run out" Sat.-Sun. $
The Smoke Pit 2401 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0455. 10:30am-3:30pm Mon.; 10:30am-7pm Tues.Wed.; 10:30am-8pm Thurs.-Fri.; 10:30am-6pm Sat. $-$$
Trailboss Burgers 140 E. Exchange Ave, 817.625.1070. 11am-7pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-9pm Fri.; 11am-10pm Sat. $-$$ HURST
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 1858 Precinct Line Rd., 817.656.0200. 10:30am-9pm daily. $ WHITE SETTLEMENT
Soda Springs Bar-B-Q 8620 Clifford St., 817.246.4644. Mon.-Sat. 11am-2pm; Thurs. 4 pm-8pm; Fri. 11am-8:30pm; Sat. 11am-8pm; Sun. closed. $-$$
Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse 2932 Crockett St., 817.862.9800. 11am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm Fri.; 4:3010:30pm Sat; 12pm-3pm, 4:30pm-9pm Sun. $$$
Texas De Brazil 101 N. Houston St., 817.882.9500. 11am-3pm Brunch, Sun.; 11am3:30pm Lunch, Sun.; 11am-2pm Lunch, Fri.; 5pm-9:30pm Dinner, Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.; 4:30pm-10pm Sat.; 4pm-9pm Sun. $$$
GRAPEVINE
Boi Na Braza 4025 William D. Tate, 817.251.9881. 5pm-9:45pm Mon.-Sat.; 5pm8:45pm Sun. $$$
Al’s Hamburger’s 1001 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd.. Ste. 103, 817.275.8918. 7am-9pm, daily. $ Chapps 2045 N. Hwy. 360, 817.649.3000. Other locations: 153 Southwest Plaza (1-20 & Little Road), 817.483.8008, 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. 2596 E. Arkansas, 817.460.2097. 10:45am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am9pm Sat.-Sun. $ Chop House Burgers 2230 Park Row Drive, Ste. A, 817.459.3700. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $
Kincaid’s 3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd., Ste. 113, 817.466.4211. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am7pm Sun. $
Tom's Burgers & Grill 1530 N. Cooper St., 817.459.9000. 6am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 6am-9pm Sun. $-$$
Dutch’s 3009 S. University Dr., 817.927.5522. 11am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thu.-Sat. $ The Great Outdoors 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.877.4400. 9am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. $
Kincaid’s 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.2881, 11am-8pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. Other locations: 4825 Overton Ridge Blvd., 817.370.6400. 3124 Texas Sage Trail, 817.750.3200. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-7pm Sun. $
The Love Shack 110 E. Exchange Ave., 817.740.8812, 11am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thurs.; 11am-1am Fri.-Sat.$
M & O Station Grill 200 Carroll St., 817.882.8020. 11am-4pm Mon.; 11am-9pm Tues.-Sat. Closed Sun. $
Rodeo Goat 2836 Bledsoe & Currie, 817.877.4628. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11ammidnight Fri.-Sat. $-$$
Shaw's Patio Bar And Grill 1051 W. Magnolia Ave. 817.926.2116. 11am-2:30pm Mon.; 11am9pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10:30am-11pm Sat.; 10:30am-8pm Sun. $-$$
Tommy’s Hamburger Grill 5228 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.569.1111. Other location: 2455 Forest Park Blvd., 817.920.1776. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-8pm Sun. $
Woodshed Smokehouse 3201 Riverfront Drive, 817.877.4545. 8am-11am Breakfast, Mon.Sat.; 8am-2pm Brunch, Sun.; 11am-10pm Lunch, Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun.; until midnight, Bar, Wed.-Sat. $-$$
Z’s Café 1116 Pennsylvania Ave. 817.348.9000. 10am-2pm Mon.-Fri. $
SOUTHLAKE
Johnny B’s Burgers & Shakes 2704 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.749.0000. 10:30am-8:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 10:30am-9pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am3pm Sun. $
Kincaid’s 100 N. Kimball Ave., 817.416.2573. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-7pm Sun. $
Continental
ARLINGTON
Café At Daireds 2400 W. I-20, 817.465.9797. 817.465.9797. 12pm-6pm Sun.; 9am-6pm Mon.; 9am-7pm Tue.; 9am-9pm Wed.-Thu.; 9am6pm Fri.; 8:30am-5:30pm Sat. $-$$
FORT WORTH
Six10Grille 610 Main St., 817.332.0100. 6:30am10:30am Mon.-Fri. $-$$$
Delis & Bakeries
ARLINGTON
Iris Bagel And Coffee House 5801 W. Interstate 20, 817.561.9989. 5:30am-2pm Mon.-Sat.; 7am-2pm Sun. $
Baker Bros. American Deli 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 244, 817.989.1400. Other locations: 501 Carroll St., Ste. 658., 817.332.0500. 3300 Heritage Trace Pwy., Ste. 110, 817.750.6666. 10am-9pm daily. $
Black Rooster Bakery 2430 Forest Park Blvd., 817.924.1600. 7am-6pm Tue.-Fri., 8am-4pm Sat. $ Bluebonnet Bakery 4705 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.4233. 7am-6pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-4pm Sat. $ Boopa’s Bagel Deli 6513 N. Beach St., 817.232.4771. 5:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 6:30am-2pm Sat.; 6:30am1pm Sun. $
Carshon’s Delicatessen 3133 Cleburne Rd., 817.923.1907. 9am-3pm Mon.-Sat. $ Corner Bakery Café 3010 S. Hulen St., 817.665.9949. 6:30am-9pm daily. $
The Cupcake Cottage 5015 El Campo Ave., 817.732.5670. 10am-4pm Tues.-Fri.; 10am-2pm Sat. $
Esperanza’s Mexican Café & Bakery 2122 N. Main St., 817.626.5770. 6am-7pm daily. Other locations: 1601 Park Place Ave. 817.923.1992, 6:30am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 6am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 6am5pm Sun. $
J. Rae's 935 Foch St., 817.332.0090. 9am-7pm Mon.Fri.; 9am-5pm Sat. $
Jason's Deli jasonsdeli.com. Hours vary. $-$$
McKinley’s Fine Bakery & Café 1616 S. University Dr. Ste. 301, 817.332.3242, 7am-6:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-6:30pm Sat.; 11am-5pm Sun. $ Panera Bread 1700 S. University Dr., 817.870.1959. Other location: 1804 Precinct Line Rd., 817.605.0766. 1409 N. Collins, Arlington, 817.548.8726. 2140 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. S. 817.416.5566. 4611 S. Hulen St. 817.370.1802. 6:30am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 7am-8pm Sun. $ Pearl Snap Kolaches 4006 White Settlement Road. 817.233.8899. 6am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-2 pm Sat.Sun. $
Sweet Sammies 825 Currie St., 817.332.0022. 11am-9pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thurs.-Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun.$
Swiss Pastry Shop 3936 W. Vickery, 817.732.5661. 7am-6pm Bakery, 7am-11am Breakfast, 11am3:30pm Tues.-Sat. $
The Snooty Pig 2401 Westport Pkwy., Ste. 120, 817.837.1077. Other locations: 100 Country Club Rd., 940.464.0748; 2940 Justin Rd., 972.966.1091, 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-2pm Sat.-Sun. $ Yogi’s Deli and Grille 2710 S. Hulen St., 817.924.4500. 6:30am-3:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am3:30pm Sat.; 7:30am-3pm Sun. $ Yolk 305 Main St., 817.730.4000. 6am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-3pm Sat.&Sun. $
GRAPEVINE
Breadhaus 700 W. Dallas Rd., 817.488.5223. 9am6pm Tues.-Fri.; 9am-4pm Sat. $$
Main Street Bistro and Bakery 316 Main St., 817.424.4333, 6:30am-3pm Mon.; 6:30am-9pm Tues.-Thurs.; 6:30am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 6:30am9pm Sun. $
The Snooty Pig 4010 William D. Tate, 817.283.3800. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-2pm Sat.-Sun. $ The best use us for their catered events! Contact
Mash’d
No, this isn’t a stuffed crust pizza from a delivery chain. This is the Motor City Pizza — now on the menu at Mash’d with cheese woven into the dough. It’s the brainchild of Mash’d executive chef David Kazarian and lauded pizza chef Peter Reinhart, who’s known for his TED Talk, “The Art and Craft of Bread,” and online show, “Pizza Quest.” Wisconsin brick cheese, DiNapoli tomatoes and Farmland pepperoni make up this pie, served on a board designed by a local artist. mashd.com
2948 Crockett St.
817.882.6723
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-9 p.m
Weinburger’s Deli 601 S. Main St., Ste. 100, 817.416.5574. 10am-7pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $
HUDSON OAKS
Ultimate Cupcake 3316 Fort Worth Highway, 817.596.9090. 10am-5pm Tue.-Fri.; 10am-1pm Sat.; Closed Sun.-Mon. $
Elegant Cakery 5351 Nolen Drive, Ste. 200, 817.488.7580. 10am-6pm Tue.-Fri.; 10am-3pm Sat. $-$$
Weinburger’s Deli 3 Village Circle, Ste. 116, Westlake, 817.491.9119. 8:30am-7pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $
The Melting Pot 4000 Five Points Dr., Ste. 119, 817.472.9988. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm11pm Fri.; 3:30pm-11pm Sat.; 3pm-9pm Sun. $$-$$$
FORT WORTH
Café Modern 3200 Darnell, 817.738.9215. 11am-2:30pm Lunch, Tues.-Fri.; 10am-3pm Sat.-Sun.; 5pm-8pm Dinner (during lecture series), Tues.; 5pm-8:30pm Dinner, Fri.; Bar: 10am-4:30pm, Tues.-Sun.; 10am-9:30pm Fri. $$
Fixture - Kitchen and Social Lounge 401 W. Magnolia Ave., 817-708-2663. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 10am-10pm Sat.; 10am-2pm Sun. $$
Kimbell Art Museum 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.332.8451, ext. 251. For reservations call 817.332.8541 ext. 277. Lunch 11:30am-2pm Tue.-Thu. & Sat.; noon-2pm Fri. & Sun.; Dinner 5:30pm-7:30pm Fri. $$
Lili’s Bistro 1310 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.877.0700. Lunch Hours 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat.; Dinner Hours 5:30pm-9pm Tue.Thu.; 6pm-10pm Fri. & Sat. $$
Reservoir Bar, Patio And Kitchen 1001 Foch St. 817.334.0560. 3pm-2am Mon.-Fri.; noon-2am Sat.-Sun. $-$$
Righteous Foods 3405 W. 7th St., 817.850.9996. 7am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-9pm Sat.; Closed Sun. $$
Simply Fondue 111 W. 4th St., 817.348.0633, 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thurs.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$
Spiral Diner 1314 W. Magnolia, 817.332.8834. 11am-10pm Tue.-Fri.; 9am-10pm Sat.-Sun. $
Winslow’s Wine Café 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd. 817.546-6843. Mon.-Thu. 4pm-11pm; Fri. 4pm-midnight; Sat. 10:30am-2pm and 4pmmidnight; Sun. 10:30am-2pm and 4pm-10pm. $-$$$$
Tandoor Indian Restaurant 1200 N. Fielder Rd., Ste. 532, 817.261.6604. 11:30am-2:30pm Lunch, 5:30pm-10pm Dinner, daily. $-$$ FORT WORTH
Bombay Grill 4625 Donnelly Ave., 817.377.9395. 11am-2pm Lunch, Mon.-Thurs.; 5:30pm-10pm Dinner, Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-2pm Lunch, Fri.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Dinner, Fri.; 11:30am-2:30pm Lunch, Sat.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Dinner, Sat.; 11:30am-2:30pm Lunch, Sun; 5:30pm-9pm Dinner, Sun. $
Byblos 1406 N. Main St., 817.625.9667. 11am4pm and 5pm-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-2am Thu.-Fri.; 4pm-1:30am Sat.; Sunday available for private parties. $$
King Tut 1512 Magnolia Ave., 817.335.3051. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat. 5:30pm-9pm Mon.Sat. $$
Maharaja 6308 Hulen Bend Blvd., 817.263.7156. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am-2:30pm Sat.-Sun.; 5:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Spice 411 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.984.1800. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$
La Madeleine 2101 N. Collins St., Arlington, 817.461.3634. 6:30am-10pm daily. Other location: 4201 S Cooper St., Arlington, 817.417.5100. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am11pm Fri.-Sat. $
La Madeleine 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.654.0471. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Other locations: 4626 SW Loop 820. 817.717.5200.; 900 Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.251.0255. 6:30am-10pm daily $ Saint-Emilion 3617 W. 7th St., 817.737.2781. 5:30pm-9:30pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.Sat. $$$
Edelweiss 3801 Southwest Blvd., 817.738.5934. 5pm-9:30pm Wed.-Thu.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun. $$
Greenwood’s 3522 Bluebonnet Cir., 817.921.6777. Lunch: 11am-2pm Thu. & Fri. 4pm-9pm Tue. Thu.; 4pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.$$
Greek
FORT WORTH
Café Medi 420 Grapevine Hwy., Ste. 101A, Hurst, 817.788.5110. Other location: 129 E. Olive St., Keller, 817.337.3204. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Tue.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $ Greek House 2426 Forest Park Blvd., 817.921.1473. 11am-8pm Mon.-Sat. $ Jazz Café 2504 Montgomery St., 817.737.0043. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-3pm Sat.; 9am-2pm Sun. $
The Vine Greek Taverna 2708 W. 7th St., 817.334.0888. 11am-2pm Tue.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Tue.-Sat. $
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 3
MANY THANKS TO OUR 2017 HOMEOWNERS
John McCain Road - Colleyville
Hidden Knoll - Southlake
Remington Park - Colleyville
Remington Park - Colleyville
Timarron - Southlake AND FEATURING
SANTA’S SWEET STOP
Hidden Knoll - Southlake SPONSORED BY
HOME SPONSORS
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM supported by over 38 years of
Area homeowners graciously open their lovely homes to the public for one day only.
TICKET OUTLETS
*$30 Tickets available on day of Tour
COLLEYVILLE
Albertson’s* Bear Creek Wine & Spirits Market Street* Vineyards Antique Mall*
HURST Apple Annie’s* SOUTHLAKE The Christmas Shoppe OR ONLINE AT
FORT WORTH
Route 66 100 E Altamesa Blvd. 469.605.9684. 11am-9pm every day. Buffet every day, specials at dinner. $$
Birraporetti’s 668 Lincoln Square, 817.265.0555. 5pm-10pm daily. $$
Italianni’s 1601 Precinct Line Rd., Hurst, 817.498.6770. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
La Bistro 722 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst, 817.281.9333. 11am-9:30pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am-9:30pm Fri.; 5pm-9:30pm Sat.; 11am9pm Sun. $$
Mama’s Pizza 1200 N. Fielder, 817.795.8700. Lunch buffet: 11am-2pm daily. Delivery through Entrees-To-Go: 11am10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; noon-10pm Sun. $
Mellow Mushroom 200 N. Center St. 817.274.7173. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Moni's 1730 W. Randol Mill Road, Ste. 100, 817.860.6664. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am9pm Sun. $$
Nizza Pizza 1430 S. Cooper, 817.274.5222. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $
Palio’s Pizza Café 5712 Colleyville Blvd. Ste. 130, 817.605.7555. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $
Piccolo Mondo 829 E. Lamar Blvd., 817.265.9174. Lunch: 11:30am-2:15pm Mon.Fri.; Dinner: 5:30pm-10:15pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun. $-$$
Prespa's 4720 Sublett Road, Arlington, 817.561.7540. Other location: 3100 W. Arkansas Ln. B, Dalworthington Gardens, 817.459.2775. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ FORT WORTH
Avanti 150 Throckmorton St., Ste. 140, 817.991.6455. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. $$
Aventino’s Italian 5800 Lovell Ave., 817.570.7940.11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri. & Sat. $$$ Bella Italia West 5139 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.1700. 11:30am-1:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 6pm9pm Mon.-Thu.; 6pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ Café Bella 3548 South Hills Ave., 817.922.9500. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 4pm-10pm Sat. Closed Sun. $-$$
Campisi's 6150 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.916.4561. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sun. $$
Cane Rosso 815 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.922.9222. 11am-3pm Lunch, Tue.-Sun.; Brunch 11am-3pm Sat.-Sun.; Dinner 5pm10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sun. $$ Fortuna 5837 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.737.4469. 11am-10pm, daily. $ La Piazza 2930 Bledsoe St., 817.334.0000, 5pm-
10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. (in the summer). $$$
Mama’s Pizza 1813 W. Berry St., 817.923.3541. Other locations: 5800 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.6262. 5811 Bryant Irvin, Ste. 101, 817.346.6262. Lunch buffet: 11am-2pm daily. Delivery through Entrees-To-Go: 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $
Mancuso’s 9500 White Settlement Rd., 817.246.7041. 10:30am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-9pm Sun. $ Margie’s Original Italian Kitchen 9805 Camp Bowie W., 817.244.4301. 5pm-10pm Wed.-Thurs., Sun.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Mellow Mushroom 3455 Bluebonnet Circle, 817.207.9677. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Milano’s 3416 W. 7th St., 817.332.5226. 11am10pm Mon.-Sat. $
Nizza Pizza 401 University Dr., 817.877.3900. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-11pm Fri.Sat. $
Nonna Tata 1400 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.332.0250, 11am-2pm Lunch, Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-8:30pm Dinner, Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm9:30pm Fri.; 5:30pm-9pm Sat. $-$$
Piattello Italian Kitchen 5924 Convair Drive, Ste. 412, 817.349.0484, Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-2 p.m, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. Brunch 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun.-Sat. Coffee Bar 7 a.m.-Close $$ Piola 3700 Mattison Ave., 817.989.0007. 11am2pm Mon-Fri; 5pm-10pm Mon-Sat. $$ Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill 300 Houston St., 817.885.8667. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thu.; 11ammidnight Fri. & Sat. $
Taverna Risotteria 450 Throckmorton St., 817.885.7502. Sunday brunch. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $-$$
Thirteen Pies 2949 Crockett St., 817.769.3590. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Sat. $$ SOUTHLAKE/ COLLEYVILLE
Brio Tuscan Grill 1431 Plaza Place, Southlake, 817.310.3136. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $-$$ Buca Di Beppo 2701 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.749.6262. 11am-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$
Ferrari’s Italian Villa 1200 William D. Tate Ave., 817.251.2525, 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$-$$$ Nizza Pizza 3930 Glade Rd., Ste. 101, 817.283.4700. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am11pm Fri.-Sat. $
Ruggeri’s Ristorante 32 Village Ln., Ste. 100, Colleyville, 817.503.7373. Lunch: 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ Fireside Pies 1285 S. Main St., Grapevine, 817.416.1285. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Sat. $$
Gloria’s Colleyville: 5611 Colleyville Blvd., 817.656.1784. 11am-10pm daily. Fort Worth: 2600 W. 7th St., 817.332.8800. 11am-9pm Sun.Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. Arlington: 3901 Arlington Highlands Blvd., Ste. 137, 817.701.2981. 11am-11pm Fri.Sat. $-$$
Trevino's 1812 Montgomery St., 817.731.8226. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 10am9:30pm Sat.; 10am-8:30pm Sun. $-$$
Yucatan Taco Stand 909 West Magnolia Ave., 817.924.8646. 10am-10pm Sun.; 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-midnight Fri.; 10am-midnight Sat. $$
Chadra Mezza & Grill 1622 Park Place Ave., 817.924.2372. 11am-3pm Mon.-Tues.; 11am10pm Wed.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $-$$ Istanbul Grill 401 Throckmorton St., 817.885.7326. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun. $-$$$
Saffron Sky 449 N. Beach St., 682.708.3901. 11am-6pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-4pm Sat.; Closed Sun. $-$$
Terra Mediterranean Grill 2973 Crockett St., 817.744.7485. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm, Mon.-Fri.; 11am-11pm, Sat.; 11am-3pm Lunch, 5pm-9pm Dinner, Sun. $-$$
Luna Grill 1141 E. Southlake Blvd. Suite 530. 817.488.8811. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sun. $-$$
Chipotle 5001 S. Cooper St., Ste. 125, 817.522.0012. Other location: 2151 N. Collins St., 817.459.0939. 11am-10pm daily. $ Chuy's 4001 Bagpiper Way, Ste. 199, 817.557.2489. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $
El Fenix 1620 E. Copeland Rd., 682.558.8890. Other location: 4608 S. Cooper Rd., 817.557.4309. 11am-10pm daily. $
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 510 East Abram, 817.265.8226. Other locations: 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, 817.516.8226. 2030 Glade Rd, Ste. 296, Grapevine, 817.416.8226. 480 W. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 101, Southlake, 817. 488.2500. 7am-midnight Mon.-Wed.; 7am1am Thu.; 7am-3am Fri. & Sat.; 7am-10pm Sun. $
Rio Mambo 6407 S. Cooper St. 817.465.3122, 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-1:30am Sat.; 10am-9:30pm Sun. $$ COLLEYVILLE /
El Fenix 401 State Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.421.1151. 11am-10pm daily. $ Esparza’s 124 E. Worth St., 817.481.4668.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS!
2017 LEAP FROG COMMITTEE | FOUNDING CHAIR | JEAN ROACH | COMMITTEE CHAIRS | DIANE AYRES | AMY YUDISKI | HONORARY CHAIRS | LAUREN AND MARK YAMAGATA HOSTS | ANGELIQUE & MICHAEL DE LUCA | DEAN, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | MARY PATTON | DIRECTOR AND JEAN W. ROACH CHAIR OF LABORATORY SCHOOLS | MARILYN TOLBERT
SPONSORS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2017 | HORNED FROG SPONSOR-$15,000 | FORT WORTH MAGAZINE | KINDERFROG SPONSOR-$10,000 | TARA AND CODY CAMPBELL
KEVIN EHRINGER / DATA CENTER SYSTEMS | THE DE LUCA FAMILY | JEAN AND JOHN ROACH / THE ROACH FOUNDATION | LEAP FROG SPONSOR-$5,000 | AMON G. CARTER FOUNDATION
KAREN AND LARRY ANFIN | MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM DAVIS | ONCE UPON A TIME… | SEWELL LEXUS OF FORT WORTH | LISSA NOËL WAGNER | AMY YUDISKI AND SAM TALLIS FROG SPONSOR-$2,500 | GARVEY TEXAS FOUNDATION | GENERAL MOTORS FINANCIAL | LEE AND J.J. HENRY | TERESA AND LUTHER KING / LUTHER KING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | DAN LOWRANCE
MCDONALD SANDERS, P.C., ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS | SAORI AND CURT MATTHEWS | LAUREN AND MARK YAMAGATA | PURPLE SPONSOR-$1,000 | DUNAWAY ASSOCIATES, L.P. | KATIE AND JEFF FARMER
CAROLYN AND JEFF FRALEY | SUE AND JOHN HARVISON | CARMEL AND KRIS HELSLEY | RONDA AND TOM HILL | JEANIE AND KEN HUFFMAN | SARAH AND JOHN JEFFERS | CHRISTINA AND MARK JOHNSON
CAROLINE AND FRANK LAMSENS | REID REININGER | AUDREY AND JEFF ROGERS | JOAN AND TOM ROGERS | MARTHA HACKLEY SALMON | ADRIENNE AND MARK SULLIVAN | THE GARY PATTERSON FOUNDATION CHRISTY AND JASON SMITH / WINN-DUNAWAY FAMILY FOUNDATION VALET SPONSORS: RENT A FROG VALET, LLC AND SEWELL LEXUS OF FORT WORTH
11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9:30pm Sun. $
La Hacienda Ranch 5250 Hwy. 121, Colleyville, 817.318.7500. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Rio Mambo 5150 Hwy. 121, 817.354.3124.
11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am-9:30pm Sun. $$ FORT WORTH
Benito’s Restaurant 1450 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.332.8633. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu., 11am2am Fri.; 10am-2am Sat.; 10am-9pm Sun. $$
Cantina Laredo 530 Throckmorton St., 817.810.0773, 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. Other location: 4020 William D. Tate, Ste. 208, Grapevine, 817.358.0505, 11am-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $-$$
Chimy’s Cerveceria 1053 Foch St., 817.348.8888. 11am-midnight Mon.-Sat. $ El Fenix 6391 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.5584. 11am-10pm daily. $
El Rancho Grande 1400 N. Main St., 817.624.9206. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$
Enchiladas Ole 901 N. Sylvania Ave., 817.984.1360, 11am-3pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am8pm Thurs.; 10am-9pm Sat.; Closed Sun. $$ Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 2917 W. Berry St., 817.924.7943. Other Locations: 2719 Race St., 817.831.8226. 5710 Rufe Snow, 817.465.3899. 6353 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 101, 817.989.8226. 5724 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.292.8226. 9180 N. Fwy., Ste. 500, 817.750.8226. 7am-midnight Mon.-Wed.; 7am-1am Thu.; 7am-3am Fri. & Sat.; 7am-10pm Sun. $
Joe T. Garcia’s 2201 N. Commerce, 817.626.4356. Cash only. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm Sun. $$
La Familia 841 Foch St., 817.870.2002, 11am9pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am-9:30pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun.-Mon. $ La Playa Maya 6209 Sunset Dr., 817.738.3329. Other locations: 1540 N. Main St., 817.624.8411. 3200 Hemphill St., 817.924.0698. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ Los Asaderos 1535 N. Main St., 817.626.3399, 11am-10pm Mon.; Closed Tues.; 11am-10pm Wed.-Thurs.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat.; 10am10pm Sun. $-$$
Los Molcajetes 4320 Western Center Blvd., 817.306.9000. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.; 9am-10pm Sat.; 9am-9pm Sun. $ Los Vaqueros 2629 N. Main St., 817.624.1511, 11am-9pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-10pm Fri.Sat. Other Location: 3105 Cockrell Ave., 817.710.8828, 10:30am-9pm Sun.; 11am-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Crown Valley Golf Club, 29 Crown Road, Weatherford. 817.441.2300, 11am-9pm Tues.-Sun. $ Mi Cocina 509 Main St., 817.877.3600, 10:30am9pm Sun.; 10:30am-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Other locations: 4601
W. Freeway (I-30 and Hulen), 817.569.1444, 11am-10pm Mon.-Sun. 9369 Rain Lily Trail. 817.750.6426, 11am-10pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $
The Original 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.6226, 11am-9pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $
Pappasito’s Cantina 2704 W. Freeway, 817.877.5546. Other location: 321 W. Road to Six Flags, Arlington, 817.795.3535, 11am-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am10pm Sun. $$
Pulidos 2900 Pulido St., 817.731.4241. Other location: 5051 Hwy. 377 S., 817.732.7871. 11am9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ Revolver Taco Lounge 2418 Forrest Park Blvd, 817.820.0122, 11am-10pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat.; 11am-5pm Sun. $$ - $$$$
Rio Mambo 6125 SW Loop 820, 817.423.3124, 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am-9:30pm Sun. 1302 S. Main St., Weatherford. 817.598.5944, 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am-9:30pm Sun. $$ Salsa Limon 4200 S. Freeway, Ste. 1099, 817.921.4435, 10am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 10am2am Fri.-Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun.; 2916 W. Berry St. 817.675.2519, 7am-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 7am2am Fri.-Sat.; 8am-8pm Sun. $ Torchy's Tacos 928 Northton St. 817.289.8226. 7am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 7am-11pm Fri.; 8am11pm Sat.; 8am-10pm Sun. $ Uncle Julio’s 5301 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.2777. 11am-10:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11:30pm Fri.; 10am-11:30pm Sat.; 10am10:30pm Sun. $$
Velvet Taco 2700 W 7th St., 817.887.9810, 10am-midnight Mon.-Wed.; 10am-3am Thurs.; 10am-4am Fri.; 9am-4am Sat.; 9am-midnight Sun. $ Wild Salsa. 300 Throckmorton St., Ste. 180, 682.316.3230. Mon-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday Closed; Happy Hour Mon.-Sat. 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.Sat. 9 p.m.-Close; Brunch Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $$-$$$$
Mi Chula’s 1431 Southlake Blvd., Ste. 551, 817.756.6920. 11am-9pm Sun-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Fish City Grill 3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd., 817.465.0001. 11am-10pm Mon.- Thu.; 11am–11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am- 9pm Sun. $-$$
Pappadeaux 1304 E. Copeland Rd., 817.543.0544. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Razzoo’s 4001. S. Cooper St., 817.467.6510. 11am11pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$ Rockfish 3785 S. Cooper St., Arlington, 817.419.9988. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-
11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Blu Crab 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.763.8585. Mon.-Sat. 11am-10pm; Sun. 11am-9pm. $$$$
Daddy Jack’s 353 Throckmorton St., 817.332.2477. 11am-2pm Mon.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Eddie V’s 3100 W. 7th St. 817.336.8000, 4pm-10pm Sun.; 4pm-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 4pmmidnight Fri.-Sat. $$$$
J&J Oyster Bar 612 N. University Dr., 817.335.2756. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thu.; 11am2am Fri.-Sat. $
Lone Star Oyster Bar 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.370.0030. 11am-2am Tue.-Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun.-Mon. $
Pacific Table 1600 S. University Drive, 817.887.9995. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am10pm Sat.; 9am-9pm Sun. $$
Pappadeaux 2708 W. Freeway, 817.877.8843. Other location: 600 W. Hwy 114, Grapevine, 817.488.6220. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
Razzoo’s 318 Main St. in Sundance Square, 817.429.7009. Other locations: 4700 Bryant Irvin Rd. in Cityview, 817.292.8584. 2950 Texas Sage Trail, 817.750.0011. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$
Zeke’s Fish & Chips 5920 Curzon Ave., 817.731.3321. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $
Fish City Grill 2750 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 130, 817.748.0456. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$
Rockfish 228 State St., 817.442.0131. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$
Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House 1420 Plaza Pl., 817.912.0500. 5pm-10pm Sun.Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$
Fish Creek 4899 E. I-20., 817.441.1746. 11am9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; noon-10pm Sat. $$
Blue Mesa Bar & Grill 612 Carroll St., 817.332.6372. Other Location: 550 Lincoln Square, Arlington, 682.323.3050. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun. $$
Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.738.5489. Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Tues.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm Tues.-Sat. Closed Sun.-Mon. $$$
Buffalo West 7101 Camp Bowie W., 817.732.2370, 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 10:30am8:30pm Sun. $-$$$
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro 2406 N. Main St., 817.740.8810. 11:30am-2:30pm Tue.Sat.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$
Michaels Restaurant & Ancho Chile Bar 3413 W. 7th St., 817.877.3413, 11am-11pm Dining and Bar, Mon.Wed.; 11am-midnight Dining and Bar, Thurs.-Sat.; 11am-11pm Kitchen, Mon.-Fri.; 11ammidnight Kitchen, Thurs.-Sat.; 11am-4pm Brunch, Sun. $
Reata 310 Houston St., 817.336.1009. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10:30pm daily. $$
The Tavern 2755 S. Hulen St. 817.923.6200 11am10pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-10pm Sat.; 9am-9pm Sun. $$
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar 4001 Arlington Heights Blvd., Ste. 101, 817.465.3700, 4pm-11pm Mon.-Sat.; 4pm-10pm Sun. $$$ CLEBURNE
Fly by Night Cattle Co. 2705 CR 1125, 817.645.7000. 5pm-10pm Thurs.-Sat. $S-$$$$ FORT WORTH
Bob’s Steak and Chop House 1300 Houston St., 817.350.4100. 5-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5-11pm Fri. and Sat.; Closed Sun. $$$$
The Capital Grille 800 Main St., 817.348.9200. Lunch: 11am-4pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 4pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 4pm-11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat.; 4pm9pm Sun. $$$$
Cattlemen’s Steak House 2458 N. Main St., 817.624.3945. 11am-10:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$$
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse 812 Main St., 817.877.3999. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$$
Grace Restaurant 777 Main St., 817.877.3388. 5:30pm-9:30pm daily. $$$$
H3 Ranch 105 E. Exchange Ave., 817.624.1246, 11am10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 9am-11pm Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun. $$$
Hoffbrau 1712 S. University Dr., 817.870.1952. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$
M&M Steakhouse 1106 N.W. 28th St., 817.624.0612. Cash only. 5pm-11pm Tue.-Sat. $$
Riscky’s Steakhouse 140 E. Exchange Ave., 817.626.7777. 11am-9pm Sun.-Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$
Ruth’s Chris 813 Main St., 817.348.0080. 5pm-10 pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 4pm-9pm Sun. $$$
Silver Fox Steakhouse 1651 S. University Dr., 817.332.9060. Other location: 1235 William D. Tate, Grapevine, 817.329.6995. 4pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. $$$ GRAPEVINE / SOUTHLAKE / COLLEYVILLE
J.R.’s Steak and Grill 5400 State Hwy. 121, 817.355.1414. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$$
Kirby’s Steakhouse 3305 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.410.2221. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$
Old Hickory Steakhouse Restaurant Gaylord Texan Hotel & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, 817.778.2215 (after 5pm, 817.778.2280). Nightly, 5:30pm-10pm. $$$$
If you attended an event recently sponsored by Fort Worth Magazine and we took your picture, you can find it even if it didn’t make it in the magazine Go to fwtx.com and click on Snapshots
which is one of the Junior League’s signature fundraisers.
Laughter dances in the air with the smell of cinnamon-orange spice. Shoppers crunch on fried pecans and coo over feather necklaces. Cheery Christmas carols spill onto a sparkling marketplace.
The first festivities of the holiday season arrive in Fort Worth long before Santa and his reindeer. Every year in mid-October, the Junior League hosts the Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market. In addition to four days of shopping, the merry weekend includes the Cocktails in Cowtown Preview Party, High Heels & Holly Private Shopping & Luncheon, and Cookies & Cocoa with Santa. Fort Worth Magazine is a proud media sponsor of the market and events at Christmas in Cowtown,
“Christmas in Cowtown is scheduled to raise about $600,000 this year,” shares Junior League President Natalie Martin. Now in its 11th season, the gift market has raised over $3 million total to give back to the community. The Junior League of Fort Worth is a women’s volunteer organization that donates a great deal of time and money to a broad range of agencies throughout the year. You may have seen their members working in local schools, shelters, and hospices. “We give back 75% or more of our funds into the community,” Martin explains. Fifteen different agencies in Fort Worth received support this year from the Junior League with the funds raised at Christmas in Cowtown.
Overflowing with unique gifts and goodies, the market lures shoppers looking for an early start on the season. It feels like a party – and it’s impossible not to get swept up into the holiday spirit. The halls are decked Texas-style with giant Nutcracker characters and colorful, 6-foot tall boots. Golden chandeliers glow above twinkling Christmas trees.
Men in cowboy hats line up at bars draped in red velvet, and the champagne is flowing.
It’s not a treasure hunt – it’s a treasure explosion, with more awesome gifts than would fit into a magic sleigh. Aisle after aisle of thoughtfully curated booths fill the floor of the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall at Will Rogers Memorial Center. You could shop for days on the jewelry alone. Boutiques sell everything from cowgirl-chic clothing to funky crafts: birdseed birdhouses, wine bottle lamps, and dog pajamas. You can buy personalized Styrofoam party cups and serving spoons engraved with “Just a Taste.” Holiday décor is a hot commodity. Shoppers snag hand-made wooden sleds and Horned Frog ornaments.
Christmas in Cowtown is an interactive affair. Food and drink samples are flying: hatch chili margarita mix, jalapeno sausage, and hunks of chocolate toffee. When your shopping bags get too heavy, there are plenty of cushy couches and long picnic tables to rest your legs. Grab a green salad or a glass of pinot noir before you head back out for more.
Martin has been involved with Christmas in Cowtown since the very first one, and has witnessed the market grow and get better every year.
“I just love the way that our team comes together. There are so many moving parts. We bring so many wonderful merchants and have a good reputation in the industry. More and more
people show up and go shopping every year. I see so many people in the community that are just so excited to find new merchandise and new gifts.” Missed the market this season? Christmas in Cowtown will be back next October – and the Junior League of Fort Worth will be active in the community all year long.
Fort Worth Magazine is also excited to sponsor the Junior League’s next big fundraiser, the Grand Entry Gala on January 6, 2018. LeAnn Rimes will be performing at this dinner party, which kicks off the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. You’ll also find Junior League members selling programs at the rodeo every night to raise additional funds for local organizations. Interested in the Grand Entry Gala? Buy your tickets now at juniorleaguefw.org.
PERHAPS NO OUTLAW HAS REACHED THE LEVEL OF FAME AND INFAMY AS BUTCH CASSIDY, the notorious bank and train robber of the early 1900s. His real name was Robert Leroy Parker, and he would often hang around Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre in between heists. His group of cohorts, which included Harry Longabaugh (that is, the “Sundance Kid”), was known as the “Fort Worth Five” or “Wild Bunch.” A life-size bronze statue of the crew sits near the Flatiron Building downtown.