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A network of joint specialists on the medical staff of Texas Health hospitals use advanced technology to diagnose orthopedic injuries, conditions and diseases. They then determine a care plan that’s right for you—from non-surgical to total joint replacement. Working alongside them are experienced physical therapists and joint care coordinators, all focused on your quick recovery and getting you back to doing what you love.
Find a Texas Health Joint Specialist. 866-219-1182
Step into the thoughtfully restored 100-year-old historic horse and mule barns, home to innovative food, beverage, live music, artisans and merchants with one common bond: authentic craft with iconic style.
Bowery Chandelier
42
Death by Delicious
Screw your New Year’s resolution. From sparkling sundaes to burgers oozing with cheese, here are 17 sweet and savory eats that are just … to die for.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
54 Stock Show & Rodeo: A Guide
What to do, wear, ride, see, and eat at Cowtown’s biggest Western event of the year.
BY FORT WORTH MAGAZINE STAFF
65
The Good Fight
Total K.O. Boxing Club takes bullying and childhood obesity into the ring.
BY BRIAN KENDALL
and chocolate frozen yogurt topped with a s’mores sandwich, chocolate drizzle, and on top of that, a marshmallow as big as a baby’s head. We didn’t even know marshmallows came in that size. This could be your first and last meal of 2020. Enjoy it.
Campfire from Muggle Shakes. Marshmallow
Buzz
National Cowgirl Museum Gets New Park, Inductees
16 Q&A: Ed Bass
We chat with the man who made Dickies Arena possible.
18 Fort Worthian
The Unofficial Mayor of Magnolia is more introverted than you think.
22 Lone Star Cabin Getaways
Winter glamping in Texas? It’s a thing.
24 Livin’ the Dream
Record label meets record store at this local musical venue.
26 Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
The neurological reason why resolutions don’t go as planned — and what we can do about it.
77 Things to Do in January
From ’90s rock to The Cliburn, Fort Worth’s music scene has quite the set list this month.
28 Restaurant News
Fort Worth’s sudden coffee shop explosion, how local restaurants are combining the city’s two favorite foods, and more news.
36 Rise and Rust?
A visit to Crockett Row’s new brunch spot left us feeling, well, toast.
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A Grand Idea
You might notice a tongue-in-cheek approach to this issue; I’m already imagining the cover of the January edition on newsstands next to health-centric publications with tips on living well. This thought makes me smile.
The idea came from the brilliant mind of our art director, Ayla Whittington, during the magazine’s annual editorial retreat. She thought it would be beautifully ironic — and that we would juxtapose every other publication — if we give a proverbial middle finger to New Year’s resolutions and have an over-thetop, decadent, indulgent dessert on our cover. This coming right after I proposed we do a health-themed issue (yawn). While her idea gave me whiplash, the team — and eventually I — loved it.
These annual retreats, which take place months before the start of the new year, give everyone on the Fort Worth Magazine payroll an opportunity to speak their minds concerning the direction of the magazine’s content. It can get heated at times, as can be expected, but by the end of it, we at least come away with a vague idea of what we want to do for the new year.
With that, so begins the year’s first big test. Inside this issue, you’ll find some things are a little different — tweaked, reorganized, refreshed. We’ve moved our Eat department, which used to be in the back of the book, to the front — because we figured your mouth should water a little earlier. You might also notice a few design changes, such as fonts, photo credits, and other minor design elements we’ve either added or subtracted. If you don’t notice, that’s okay; we only sweated over this for five months. All is part of the job, and it’s a job I love. Thanks to everyone who helps put this beautiful book together, and I wish everyone an indulgent New Year.
owner/publisher hal a. brown
president mike waldum
EDITORIAL
executive editor brian kendall
managing editor samantha calimbahin
online editor matt payne
contributing writers abigail boatwright, courtney dabney, david fletcher, malcolm mayhew, lauren wessinger
copy editor sharon casseday
editorial assistant madelaine woodhouse
editorial intern sadie brown
ART
creative director craig sylva
senior art director spray gleaves
art director ayla whittington
advertising art director ed woolf
photographer olaf growald
contributing photographers rodger mallison, richard rodriguez, truitt rogers
Brian Kendall EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Corrections? Comments? Concerns? Send to executive editor Brian Kendall at bkendall@fwtexas.com.
NEXT MONTH
ON THE COVER: The Ice Cream Sundae Float from STIRR on Crockett Street — yes, those are real sparklers. This is one of 17 indulgent foods that graces our main feature on page 42. Love Letters to Our City Near Southside A to Z The Future of Fort Worth Hip-Hop
ADVERTISING
advertising account supervisors
gina burns-wigginton x150, marion c. knight x135
account executive tammy denapoli x141
brand manager scott mobley x140
customer support amanda kowalski x155
MARKETING
director of events & marketing
natasha freimark x158
marketing & events coordinator
mclaren martin
digital marketing & development
director robby kyser
CORPORATE
chief financial officer charles newton
founding publisher mark hulme
CONTACT US main line 817.560.6111 subscriptions 800.856.2032
Fort Worth Magazine (ISSN 1536-8939) is published monthly by Panther City Media Group, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76116. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to Fort Worth Magazine, P.O. Box 433329, Palm Coast, FL 32143-3329. Volume 23, Number 1, January 2020. Basic Subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $4.99
Let’s Chat
Reader reactions to some of our latest stories
Great list but missed Carshon’s Deli.
-Pat Fettinger
Go Café Modern. Fabulous from its first day 17 years ago and still wonderful, due largely to a talented chef; equally outstanding kitchen staff; Roxanne, Karen, Clancy, Megan, Jesse; and all the front of the house wonders. Thanks for the joy.
-Dawn Rhoades
I just need to dine at Café Modern and SaintEmilion to be 100% on the list!
-April Smith-Long Cameron
Oh, no! Lots of good memories there. My favorite dish there was the mushroom soup! Sad.
-Anita Knapp Rockett
Do I get my RollsRoyce floor mats now?
Best Of
Hint, hint — voting for our biggest contest of the year is comin’ up real soon. Keep an eye on our social pages for the announcement.
fwtx.com/best-top/best-of
Entrepreneur of Excellence
If you know an exceptional business owner, nominate them for Fort Worth Inc.’s annual Entrepreneur of Excellence awards. Deadline to nominate is Jan. 17.
fwtx.com/business/entrepreneurof-excellence
Photo Contest
Professional and amateur photographers alike, tag your Instagram pics of the city with #arlingtoncamera and #fwtxmag for a chance to be featured in print and win a $150 gift card to Arlington Camera.
TRENDING ONLINE
Visit fwtx.com for the full story.
-Johnny David
@charlesmullins76 I love our city and
DIGITAL EDITION: The
Flip through
» Dodson Companies Expand Operations in Fort Worth Real estate developer Dodson Companies has stepped into new territory after recently acquiring a 10,000-squarefoot warehouse building in The Foundry District.
» Ooey-Gooey Cookie Lovers
Will Soon Make a Beeline to Crumbl at Left Bank Fort Worth will soon get its first taste when Crumbl opens a location in Left Bank this January.
Ed Kraus, Fort Worth’s Interim Police Chief, Accepts Job Permanently Mayor Betsy Price said in a statement after the Police announcement that “the decision to continue the leadership of the Fort Worth Police Department under Chief Kraus is the right choice.”
follow us for more @fwtxmag
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Introduces New Park
BY MATT PAYNE
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame has put finishing touches over its latest project, open to all: the Alice Walton Cowgirl Park.
“This project was borne of necessity and passion,” the museum says. “The need was to create a beautiful space that would be enjoyed by visitors to the area and the new Dickies Arena; the passion was a group of friends who came together to fund the project and name it in honor of a special woman who has been so generous to numerous projects and the city of Fort Worth.”
The park’s namesake, Alice Walton, is praised as a supporter of the museum and the museum’s 2007 Fern Sawyer Award recipient.
The park was dedicated on Nov. 13 when five Cowgirl inductees and the Sergeant Reckless award winners were celebrated at the 44th Annual National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon and Ceremony at Dickies Arena.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame has opened the new park to everyone and will host several events, exhibits, and activities in the new space.
THE HALL OF FAME HONOREES
Fort Worth athlete, businesswoman, cutting horse champion, and philanthropist Stacie Dieb McDavid.
Navy Rear Admiral (retired) Christina Alvarado Shanahan — a nurse, naval officer, and Paint Horse world champion — is from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Compton, California, community builder Mayisha Akbar started nonprofit Compton Jr. Posse to introduce inner-city youth to horses.
South Texas rancher and photographer Janell Kleberg has published a photography book about life on King Ranch, advocated for education in her area, and has supported conservation efforts for her region’s ecosystems.
Laura Wilson, noted photographer of the American West, lives in Dallas and has captured photos for internationally acclaimed publications and her five photography books about the West.
NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTS FIVE NOTEWORTHY WOMEN
BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT
Cowboy hats, turquoise jewelry, fur, rhinestones, and statement cowboy boots dominated the couture among 1,200 guests Nov. 13 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Cowgirls from around the world and right here in Fort Worth — along with the cowboys who support them — gathered to celebrate five women inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Presented by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, this year marks the 44th annual luncheon to mark the occasion, and it’s the first to be held on the ground floor of the cavernous Dickies Arena.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame’s mission statement says its goal is to “honor and celebrate women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West, and foster an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire.”
A mural created by Evergreen and the artisans of the Mellini family in Italy. This artwork of a tooled Western saddle is constructed with tens of thousands of small pieces of glass, painstakingly hand-placed together to create this bespoke mosaic.
The museum’s Sergeant Reckless statue, a memorial to a decorated war horse. The bronze sitting over the memorial sign serves as a tribute to the animal and true war hero.
TransFORTmation. That’s what we call Fort Worth’s unique neighborhood-by-neighborhood transformation into one of the healthiest cities in the nation, resulting in our city becoming the largest certified Blue Zones Community®. It can be seen in places like the Trinity Artcourt where a vibrant, full-size mural under the West Lancaster Bridge has created much more than a place to play basketball. Here, the Power 9® principles for longevity collide, bringing Fort Worth residents together to get active, connect, and take pride in their city.
THE STOCKYARDS FOUR-STAR RESORT-TO-BE SERVES AS CAPSTONE TO RESTORATION
One premier, luxury destination within the Fort Worth Stockyards is slated for completion in less than a year.
Hotel Drover, a multimillion-dollar rustic resort-to-be, is being built from the ground up with the Old West in mind. Expected to open in early October, the 200-room hotel will boast a signature restaurant in 97 West, serving regional cuisine led by executive chef Jenna Kinard. In addition, an event barn and lush backyard area dappled with hundreds of lights will complement a broad view of the Fort Worth skyline.
Hotel Drover spearheads a public/private partnership between the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County to revitalize Mule Alley. The project in total has a price tag in the neighborhood of $175 million in what’s being called a “sensitively restored destination,” including a host of culinary, creative, and entertainment tenants.
SIDESADDLE
LITTLE WHITE
LIES within Hotel Drover will be an artisan shop featuring a curation of apparel, jewelry, bags, travel accessories, and gifts.
MB MERCANTILE will be filled with rustic fixtures and vintage goods in a mixture of old and new.
SALOON from partners Sarah Castillo, Christian Lehrmann, and Glen Keely will pay homage to the spirit of the American cowgirl. Texas-style tapas and cocktails will be served up in a brick-walled rustic setting.
THE BISCUIT BAR, specializing in, well, biscuits, will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and latenight snacking.
LUCCHESE BOOTMAKER is on board for two destination stores: a retail showcase on Exchange Avenue, offering 2,000 square feet of the iconic Western fashion and footwear that have made them a legend and a firstever custom boot shop in the lobby of the Hotel Drover.
Go to fwtx.com for more city news.
Hemphill Rising
401 Hemphill Groundbreaking Symbolizes Rebirth of Neighborhood
BY MATT PAYNE
Agroundbreaking for 401 Hemphill, a new multifamily apartment complex, embodied a growing effort to make the Hemphill Road neighborhood an emerging hotspot for Fort Worth residents.
The ceremony for the 320,000-square-foot, 242unit project was held Nov. 25 at 401 Hemphill Road. The project currently under construction in the Near Southside District involves Chicago-based CRG Integrated Real Estate Solutions, Cadence McShance Construction, and Lamar Johnson Collaborative.
CRG partner Jay Case, a TCU graduate, said that while his company looks to expand reach on a national scale, Fort Worth has drawn a strong interest.
“It’s been very exciting to watch Fort Worth grow and to watch this area blossom in particular,” Case said. “We’re a national company. We’re looking to grow national exposure and here in the Fort Worth market.”
Near Southside, Inc. president Mike Brennan spoke to several dozen attending the ceremony, describing an evolving perception of the Hemphill Road area, especially with the arrival of the multimillion-dollar housing complex.
Conceptions of dilapidation and so-called sketchiness in the neighborhood lingered for a long time, says the president of the nonprofit. The day of the groundbreaking was a long time coming, with some involved noticing a suboptimal level of activity in the Hemphill locale and a lack of foot-trafficked compared to other neighborhoods. Plans to resurface the Hemphill area to include street restriping and biking lanes are currently underway to revitalize the neighborhood. New pubs and restaurants are on the way too, Brennan said, complementing development in the nearby Vickery Boulevard area.
“Clearly, you can see this activity,” Brennan said. “Those days are behind us.”
MULE ALLEY TENANTS:
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Q&A: Ed Bass
A chat with the driving force behind Dickies Arena
BY MATT PAYNE
The City of Fort Worth has gotten to experience the finished Dickies Arena for a few months now, having opened in late October. Fort Worthians have gained a world-class destination with virtually limitless possibilities for future events: the Stock Show & Rodeo, collegiate basketball, international gymnastics conferences, you name it. But what was it like carrying that vision into fruition?
Philanthropist and businessman Ed Bass played a large role in that. The chairman of the not-for-profit operating entity for the arena invested a sizable portion of his wealth into the facility, which was funded from more than $450 million from both taxpayers and private investors. Resulting from that kind of commitment is the new, ultra-nuanced home of the Stock Show & Rodeo that celebrates Texan culture every time eyes are laid upon the intricate details of Dickies Arena.
What motivates a man to help manifest such an idea? That’s what we asked Mr. Bass. Here’s what he answered.
Q:
FW: How would you briefly describe what Dickies Arena offers to Fort Worth that previous city venues have not?
Ed: Dickies Arena is Fort Worth’s fourth generation arena, preceded by the North Side Coliseum of 1908, the Will Rogers Coliseum of 1936, and the Convention Center Arena of 1968. But you might say it leapfrogs a generation and is a 5G arena. It is built to provide the highest quality of experience for audience and performers alike. Its spaces are generous; its detailing, rich and beautiful; it’s amenities, abundant; and its acoustics, truly superior.
FW: In what ways does Dickies Arena embody the concept of an arena for modern times?
Ed: The building is inspired by Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum and is a wonderful mix of traditional and state of the art. While it is designed to accommodate the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in every way, it is also
truly multipurpose. It will bring entertainment and events to Fort Worth of a variety and quality we have not seen in several decades. We want everyone in the city to find at least one show or event a year that is a must-see for that person — even better, many shows and events.
FW: Why, in your own words, would you commit so much effort into creating this multipurpose venue?
Ed: Almost 25 years ago, I set out to bring the citizens of Fort Worth a multipurpose arena befitting its site in the city’s very vibrant Cultural District. Its neighbors are three of the finest art museums in America, the country’s best equestrian and livestock events facility, and other institutions of unmistakable quality. From the beginning of the planning process to the last detail of the finished building, all involved have been determined to deliver the finest multipurpose venue in America. With Dickies Arena, I believe we have done just
that. Dickies Arena adds yet another dimension to the quality of life we so value and enjoy in Fort Worth.
FW: Dickies Arena is full of architectural details celebrating Texan culture. What are some of your favorites?
Ed: There are many wonderful details that celebrate our Texas history and culture, some obvious and some subtle — but all fantastic.
Adding to the rich tradition of public art in our city, visitors are greeted at the north and south façades by magnificent, expansive mosaic murals reflecting the heritage and diversity of our region.
In the interior, the balustrades throughout the building incorporate beautiful representations of grasses of the tallgrass prairie, intricately sculpted in metal — Indian grass, big bluestem, and the state grass of Texas, side-oats grama.
And of course, the Reliant Club features “bug-and-wrinkle” stitching, copied from the design found on the toe of Western boots, hand stitched on leather wall panels in recognition of our incredible saddle and boot makers.
FW: Who, in your mind, specifically will find the most entertainment value in Dickies Arena?
Ed: As Dickies Arena matures and becomes better known, I think it will be recognized as having a uniquely Fort Worth character. It will not only be a game changer in the realm of entertainment and sports, it will also become a central part of our Fort Worth’s identity.
If Fort Worth were a stand-alone city out in the middle of the Great Plains, with its almost one million people, surrounded by Tarrant County with another million, it would be recognized for what it is: a major city, 13th largest in the U.S., important in business and strong in culture. Dickies Arena will help bring an awareness of who, what, and where we are, establish our identity, become a key part of our brand.
Tony Green
BY
PHOTO
OLAF GROWALD
Host of “Hello, I’m Tony Green”
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
“I’m a little more introverted than people think. I’m in my mind a lot. I’m always thinking about either what’s going on or what this room is like, what people are feeling, things like that. Those things really do affect me.”
At 6-foot-3, with a flashy fashion sense and boisterous laugh showing off his signature gap-toothed smile, Tony Green has no trouble making his presence known. The “Unofficial Mayor of Magnolia” — a nickname whose origin he’s still unsure of — has built a following through both his day job slinging wine at Kent & Co and, moreso, his online talk show, “Hello, I’m Tony Green.”
But even the most social butterfly needs time back in the cocoon.
“As much as I’ll be on the social scene ... I have to take breaks,” he says.
“After the show, especially, it’s like all of my serotonin has been depleted.”
For Green, self-care involves putting on a facial mask and dabbling at the piano, along with watching anime. But even offstage, he’s always thinking about the show and what antics to pull off next. In 2019, he filmed four full-length
episodes, as well as various shorter segments — all streaming online. Eventually, he hopes to bring the show outside Fort Worth and highlight the local gems in other cities.
And, back home, perhaps get Mayor Betsy Price on set to make the “Unofficial Mayor of Magnolia” title something a little more, well, official.
“I’m trying to get Betsy Price to tell me that,” he says (before a hearty guffaw). “She hasn’t been to a show yet. We thought about having her on, actually, on the first episode. We reached out, but I didn’t get an answer back. Maybe soon. I hope she’s noticed it. I’ve served her. I know she’s had Jordan Chardonnay. She usually has one single glass … She knows who I am.”
1. “Tony,” painted by Ariel Davis. 2. Tony interviewing artist Erik Inkala — on a lift in front of his mural — at ArtsGoggle. 3. A graphite drawing of Tony by artist and friend Jay Wilkinson. 4. Tony celebrating Pride Month, wearing a flower crown made by show makeup artist Aston Evada. 5. Pam Moncrief of POP UP BAR is the star of Tony’s “What’s the Drink” segment. 6. Tony strikes a smile in front of his graphite drawing.
Tony’s go-to outfit
Lone Star Cabin Getaways
Seven spots that make for the perfect winter escape.
BY KYLE WHITECOTTON
Let’s be real; it gets plenty cold in Texas, but it rarely gets perpetual-parka-wearing or hypothermia-inducing cold. Winters in Texas are tailor-made for getting a sense of the season while still reveling in the outdoors without fear of frostbite, making cabins a perfect choice for your winter getaway. Here are some in-state spots perfect for enjoying porch-swing coffee, fireside bourbon, and the light of a lingering sunset.
Dove Rest Cabins Canyon
Just minutes from the entrance of Palo Duro Canyon State Park and 16 miles from downtown Canyon, a collection of luxury cabins overlook “The Grand Canyon of Texas.” Enjoy upscale amenities paired with stunning vistas amid the pinnacles, buttes, and mesas of this rugged landscape. Bask
in the grandeur of colorful cliff walls at Fortress Cabin, the fusion of rustic and modern luxury at El Coronado Cabin, or the history of Marshall Ranch at Maverick Cabin. Then again, perched high above the canyon’s west rim, Skyhouse Cabin offers a 500-square-foot porch and sprawling terraced patios for a couple of star-gazing lovebirds.
Barons CreekSide Fredericksburg
With 12 alpine-inspired log cabins clustered around a babbling creek and surrounded by 26 wooded acres, Barons CreekSide is like visiting Switzerland in the Hill Country. In fact, some materials used in the cabins’ construction were shipped over from
Lucerne. Each cozy cabin features a king-size bed, Jacuzzi tub for two, wood-burning fireplace, and a private porch with rocking chairs. This Swissowned and -operated estate also boasts a working vineyard specializing in petite sirah. Enjoy a private vineyard tour, an in-cabin couple’s massage, or enjoy date night at the resort’s wine bar and European-style bistro with live music and lots of Texas wine.
Cabin 71 Spicewood
Whether you’re heading to Austin for live music, touring Hill Country vineyards, or planning a weekend escape to Lake Buchanan, hide out near the charming town of Spicewood in Cabin 71. From the slate stone floors and heirloom antiques to the limestone fireplace and original artwork throughout, this place is a work of art doubling as a cabin. The stairs adorned with elk antler handrails lead to the master bedroom’s sleigh bed and claw foot bathtub. A pair of French doors off the living room open onto a covered patio framed by a rosemary and lavender garden — the perfect place for a glass of Hill Country wine.
The Granbury Cabins at Windy Ridge Granbury
At the end of a dirt drive tucked amid 10 acres of old oaks and cedars lies a boutique retreat close to home. The Granbury Cabins are a collection of farmhouse-style cabins equipped with comfortable bedding, vintage furnishings, private fire pits, and charcoal grills. Enjoy a glass of wine on the sitting porch or take a dip in the private hot tub. The cozy Hideaway and Dilly Dally cabins are perfect for a romantic weekend, while The Farmhouse, featuring two beds, two baths, and a full kitchen, is ideal for a small family getaway. Hike the property’s rustic nature trail or spend the day playing outdoor games on the lawn.
Green Acres Elgin
This friendly boutique glamping retreat connects lodgers to nature with the kind of amenities that take the stress out of traditional camping. Whether you’re a solo lodger seeking creative solace, a couple longing to reconnect, or a family on a road trip, Green Acres offers unique eco-lodging on 25 peaceful acres of Bastrop County. The Lodge is a 672-square-foot cabin that sleeps six and is constructed completely of reclaimed materials from an old Kentucky barn. There are two bedrooms, a screened-in porch with a full hanging bed, and an outdoor fire pit. Guests can tour the property’s vintage barn, walk the wooded trails, or visit the resident donkeys and alpacas.
Casa Piedra Terlingua
While they’re not your typical cabins, the hand-built adobe brick casitas at Basecamp Terlingua in the Chihuahuan Desert are an eclectic take on West Texas rustic lodging. Choose from the artistic charm of
River Road Treehouses
New
Braunfels
Casa Piedra in the heart of Terlingua Ghost Town or the seclusion of Casa Topo Chico with its bonus outdoor shower and bathtub. Accented by 100-year-old ruins, Casa Azule offers two private bedrooms straddling a spacious courtyard and outdoor fire pit for late-night stargazing. After a day of hiking, enjoy customized bodywork by one of Basecamp’s experienced massage therapists in the comfort of your casita.
To access the Guadalupe River Cabin Treehouses, guests must cross a 100-foot bridge attached to towering centuries-old cypress trees. These forest structures aren’t the rickety tree forts of your youth, though. Perched high above a picturesque wetweather creek that feeds the Guadalupe River, these fully furnished, air-conditioned cabins come with open living/dining rooms, fully stocked kitchens, walk-in showers, spacious lofts that sleep eight, and giant windows for lush forest views in every direction. Best of all, River Road guests have access to the exclusive 1.5-acre Guadalupe River Park with fire pits, hammocks, and access to fishing and tubing.
Livin’ the Dream
Meet Dreamy Life Records, the little Fort Worth record label making big moves in local music.
BY DAVID FLETCHER
It’s 3 p.m., Saturday, on the slow corner of Main and Dashwood at Main at South Side (M.A.S.S.). Dreamy Life Records co-founder Cameron Smith is manning the label’s record store and talking about the merits of different music mediums with Lamberth Carsey, guitarist for up-and-coming alt-emo band Desert Museum.
“We wanted to have a storefront,” Smith says. “It’s an actual place where people can hang out, and it feels like the lobby to this scene.”
Surrounded by the vinyl treasures one would hope to find in a used record store, Dreamy Life’s growing body of releases can be found in the center of the store alongside a plethora of other independent records.
Moving from the Fairmount Community Library to the space inside M.A.S.S. in 2018, the record store is just the latest accomplishment in Dreamy Life’s longstanding history of giving a platform to disparate voices in the Metroplex’s growing music scene.
In 2011, Smith was running a small punk label called Lo-Life Recordings when he met husband-and-wife duo Robby and Jennifer Rux of Dreamy Soundz Records, a dream pop, shoegaze, psychedelic outfit.
“We kept doing shows together, and we came up with a crazy idea to try to do a compilation together where we had Lo-Life bands and Dreamy Soundz bands,” Robby Rux recalls from the live recording that took place at the
Where House on Hemphill Street Nov. 11, 2012. “Recording Group Therapy Vol. 1 was a real communal experience where six bands were chanting and doing singalongs under each other’s stuff. We were all from different types of bands, but we were always playing together and respected the hell out of each other.”
“If anything, the point was to find the least Fort Worth stuff in Fort Worth and put all that together,” Smith adds. “There was nothing really going on here at the time. Whiskey Folk Ramblers and Quaker City Night Hawks were big, and a lot of the Americana and country was popular, but there weren’t a lot of rock bands, underground bands, punk bands, shoegaze bands, or anything like that.”
Lo-Life and Dreamy Soundz would continue to collaborate together on shows and recordings for another year and a half before Jim Vallee entered the picture and put some business sense behind the two independent labels.
“I met these guys in March of 2014 through mutual friends of ours,” Vallee remembers. “I’ve always thought about how it would be great to have a Sub Pop or Lookout Records kind of thing. We knew
Britt Robisheaux who was part of the Group Therapy sessions and opened up Cloudland Recording Studio as well. So, we had a store, label, and studio combination.”
Cloudland sits just down the street in the Fairmount-Southside Historic District, where small bands from around the country have come to record.
“Lo-Life and Dreamy Soundz found each other in this neighborhood, which is why we’re still in this neighborhood,” Smith says.
“Every town has its little neighborhood where all the cool kids — the artists and the Bohemians — live,” Rux adds. “I guess we always nestled together. That’s a weird thing about music — it seems like such a small community, but you get to know people from all over the world, and they know people that have made it all the way to the big time. You’re not that far separated.”
Since the founding of Dreamy Life Records in 2014, the label has expanded its roster of artists to 12 active bands, released 70 albums from bands around the Metroplex and beyond, and sent their 50 alumni off into the world with a clear sound with which to sell themselves.
“Our main goal is to try to push these bands out of Fort Worth,” Rux says. “We don’t want them just to be a local band. We want them to make it; we want them to achieve their dreams and go to bigger labels. We’re not doing this for ourselves. It’s always been about the art and trying to make the artwork and grow and be successful.”
Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
Failed goals have less to do with discipline and more to do with neuroscience — so here’s how to work around it.
BY LAUREN WESSINGER
Exercise more. Sleep more. Start a meditation practice. Get a handle on monthly finances and budgets. Hit all quarterly sales goals at work. The list of New Year’s resolutions is long, and by about mid-March, the list has evaporated into thin air.
Resolving to make positive life changes is a wonderful idea and is vital to personal and collective evolution. Why then, even when some real progress is made, are resolutions so hard to keep? Keeping a resolution requires more than writing it down or stating it aloud. The answer lies in understanding the brain.
It’s common knowledge in the world of neuroscience that, on average, the human brain can consciously process around 40 pieces of information per second. An example of a conscious piece of information is a New Year’s
resolution. Sounds pretty quick, right? Not compared to the 11 million pieces of information the subconscious processes in the same amount of time. This massive and powerful subconscious bucket contains all the obstacles, distractions, habits, and reasons why the best intentions get overruled. Understanding how the brain is wired is powerful knowledge to support setting and meeting goals. To get the subconscious on board with a conscious goal, create clear and concise messages. Think of how vague and disjointed dreams can be. This is how the subconscious works. It’s unorganized at best and needs clear and positively framed direction. An example of a clear, concise, and positive goal is, “Every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. attend a cross-training class.” A vague sureto-fail goal is “exercise several days a week” or “stop avoiding good health.”
A clear and concise goal at work is, “Find and contact 10 new leads every Wednesday.” A vague work goal is “make President’s Club for sales this year” or “stop being so distracted.”
Once clear and positively framed goals are established, add them as calendar tasks or appointments. If a goal is around exercise, schedule the next six months of trainer appointments so nothing else gets in the way. Better yet, prepay so there is a financial commitment too. If the goals are around work, schedule them into a daily agenda. If a task to meet a goal is particularly challenging, do it first thing in the morning every day to get it done. Otherwise, everything else will get in the way. Over time, this will create a positive habit in the brain, and the task will get easier and more routine. Lastly, know that the brilliant and complex human brain will always take detours. Distraction will always be present in this fast-paced, highly technical world. When the inevitable happens and something gets in the way, or there is simple resistance to doing certain tasks, pause, breathe, and remember the bigger picture of how good it will feel when a few potentially life-changing goals are met.
Lauren Wessinger is a yoga and meditation instructor and the owner of The MIndful Project. You can follow her on Instagram @laurenwessinger
Tacos + BBQ A Match Made in Texas
Local barbecue aficionados have undoubtedly noticed a trend at their favorite local ’cue spots: the rise of the barbecue taco. While it’s safe to say sandwiches will always have a place in the hearts of barbecue lovers, the taco is coming on strong, bringing together two of Fort Worth’s favorite food groups: barbecue and Tex-Mex. Here’s a look at some of our favorite new barbecue tacos in town:
BBQ ON THE BRAZOS
Chopped brisket tacos
Long before barbecue tacos became a thing, John Sanford was serving them at his gas station BBQ joint in Cresson. Thankfully, his tacos are still on the menu at his new spot in west Fort Worth — and they’re still outstanding. Moist brisket, chopped on the spot, is drizzled with a housemade salsa verde and wrapped in a warm, freshly made flour tortilla. You can trick them out with grated cheese and pico, but the added bells and whistles aren’t necessary. Meat + tortilla + salsa = all you need. bbqonthebrazoscressontx.com
BRIX BBQ
Beef cheek tacos
Over the past year, Brix BBQ has established itself as one of the city’s best new ’cue pop-ups, thanks to pitmaster Trevor Sales’ expertly smoked meats. Once he settles into his new spot in the South Main area in January, you’ll need to try his take on beef cheek tacos, made with silk-smooth meat and topped with chimichurri and chipotle créma. His flour tortillas are good, too, thick and soft and made by hand. brixbarbecue.com
PANTHER CITY BBQ
Barbacoa taco
Panther City BBQ’s love for tacos is so strong, owners Chris Magallanes and Ernest Morales have made them a permanent part of their menu. The barbacoa is especially fantastic, made with unbelievably flavorful and soft meat. It’s not weighted down with a lot of extras, either — just onions, cilantro, and your choice of salsa.
Later in January, Panther City will begin hosting a late-night taqueria pop-up called La Pantera Tacos Y Mas, focusing solely on tacos. That’s devotion. panthercitybbq.com
DAYNE’S CRAFT BBQ
Bacon brisket taco
Dayne Weaver and his wife, Ashley, are offering some of the city’s best ’cue at a Saturday-only pop-up at Lola’s Saloon. Among their offerings are tacos filled with what Dayne calls “bacon brisket,” which is basically pork belly that Dayne preps, rubs, and smokes like a brisket. The result is meat with a lot of flavor and character — an addicting combo of sweet, smoky, and deliriously chewy. daynescraftbarbecue.com
HEIMON THE RIVER
Pulled pork taco
The second location of this Fort Worth institution features a handful of menu items not available in the Near Southside. This would include tacos, made fresh with your choice of brisket or pulled pork. No slight to the brisket, but the pulled pork is outtasight, each coming with a smear of guacamole and streaks of salsa verde in a brisket fat tortilla. heimbbq.com
CAMPO SMOKEHOUSE
Carnitas tacos
Fans of Flores
BBQ began to freak when pitmaster Michael Wyont abruptly left this acclaimed barbecue truck and moved back to Whitney. But even though the hands and names have changed (pitmaster Chris Reale now runs the show), the food that put Flores on the ’cue map hasn’t changed a bit. That goes for the carnitas tacos, made with the beautifully fatty portion of smoked pork shoulder. Both of the available salsas — mild and not-so-mild — are made with smoked veggies, giving these tacos a one-two punch of smoke.
facebook.com/ camposmokehouse
HURTADO BARBECUE CO. Migas taco
Run by local pitmaster Brandon Hurtado, this Arlington pop-up/ soon-to-be-brickand-mortar is part of a wave of new ’cue joints specializing in craft barbecue. Hurtado also specializes in combining barbecue with Tex-Mex — one of his top dishes is smoked elotes — so tacos come naturally. Definitely try his breakfast migas taco, made with fried tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, and finely chopped brisket. On top goes cheddar cheese and a housemade salsa roja, and it all gets piled into a warm flour tortilla. Until their brickand-mortar opens, you can find them at 205 E. Front St. hurtadobbq.com
Sea Scallops
FROM TORO TORO
Opened at the tail end of 2019 in the Worthington Hotel downtown, Toro Toro Pan Latin Steakhouse is one of the city’s top new restaurants, offering an unusual but approachable menu of all things meaty, from beautifully cooked steaks to Latin-style Texas barbecue. But the restaurant also does wonders with seafood, as you’ll see with this Toro Toro recipe for sea scallops.
Ingredients:
2, 6-ounce sea scallop
2 fluid ounces brown butter butternut squash puree
1.5-ounce blistered shishito peppers
2 tablespoons charred chili aioli
1 tablespoon kabayaki sauce (eel sauce) *you can make or purchase
To taste: olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, lime juice
Directions:
1. Lightly season scallops with a couple drops of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Pan sear for a minute, turn over, and finish in oven or pan with a baste of butter.
3. Make sure the butternut squash puree and blistered shishito peppers are warm.
4. To plate: Spoon the butternut squash puree. Drizzle the charred chili aioli where the scallops will go. Arrange scallops and shishito peppers. Drizzle the kabayaki on the shishito and around the plate.
Components:
Butternut Squash Puree:
1 pint butternut squash peeled, medium dice
2 ounces melted butter
To taste: salt and pepper
Water as needed for blending
1. In a mixing bowl, lightly butter and season squash. Place in roasting pan or foil and wrap tight.
2. Roast at 375 F for about 20 minutes until very tender.
3. Place in blender. Turn on low and slowly turn to high. Drizzle water in until it spins, but do not add too much water as it is intended to be thick.
4. Puree until smooth and put into container to give final seasoning (salt and pepper to taste) and reserve.
Charred Chili Aioli:
3 shallots, sliced
6 serrano chili peppers, removed stem
4 limes, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, toasted
1/2 tablespoon cumin seed, toasted
1/2 cup blended oil
4 bch cilantro
3 cups mayo
1 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1. Fry garlic and shallots in fryer until golden brown and cool (can be done stovetop).
2. Blanch and shock cilantro and drain dry.
3. Blend coriander and cumin in blender until fine.
4. Add remaining ingredients except mayo and blend until smooth
5. Add mayo and blend until incorporated.
Blistered Shishito Peppers:
1. Lightly oil then season 1 1/2-ounce shishito peppers. Set a wide sauté pan on high and let get hot.
2. Set the peppers in the pan evenly and do not move. Let char before tossing.
3. When one side is charred, lightly toss to move on to other side — let it get a nice color.
4. When evenly blistered, remove from pan and let rest. Check for seasoning.
Kabayaki Sauce (Eel Sauce): (optional to make)
4 cups sake
2 cups mirin
8 cups water
4 cups soy sauce
4 cups sugar
1. First put the sake in a pot stovetop and cook off all the alcohol.
2. Add everything and reduce until syrup for 2 hours on low heat.
Cowtown’s Newest Coffee Mates
No one can ever say they can’t find a good cup of coffee in Fort Worth anymore. Our city is currently in the throes of a full-on indie coffeehouse revolution: More than a half-dozen new spots to caffeinate have opened or are in the process of doing so, making us coffee heads foam at the mouth. Here’s a quick look at each of ’em:
Ampersand
Last month, TCU grads Toan Luong and Mimi Lu opened a second location of their popular coffee and cocktails spot, right across the street from their old TCU stomping grounds, in the space once occupied by the famed Record Town record shop. As they do at the original West Seventh location, opened two years ago, Luong and Lu take an artisanal approach to coffee that includes single-origin coffees, blended roasts, and housemade syrups. They also use a unique air-roasting process to roast their coffee beans. Their menu includes Chemex pour-overs, nitro brew, traditional macchiatos, cortados, flat whites, and espresso con panna. Unlike the original location, there isn’t a full bar. Instead, certain drinks can be infused with booze.
Signature drink: The RFME, or “Reason for My Existence,” a shaken breve iced hazelnut latte. Anything to eat? Small bites –pastries, breakfast tacos. Etc.: 3025 S. University Drive, ampersandtx.com
Arcadia
One of three new coffeehouses in the South Main area, Arcadia comes from Carrie Collins, who ran a coffee shop and coffee trailer under the same name in and around Fort Worth and Weatherford. Housed in a refurbed warehouse in the Main + Broad
development and decorated with funky décor and furniture, her space is tiny but groovy. Arcadia offers a wide range of hot and cold coffee drinks, and Collins roasts her own beans — a cool plus. Another neat aside: There’s a no-plastic-straws policy.
Signature drink: Cosmic Latte, made with espresso, oat milk, cinnamon, and vanilla syrup.
Anything to eat: The menu of light bites is all-vegan and includes waffles, sandwiches, and salads like the tomato and avocado with honey mustard. Etc.: 326 Bryan Ave., instagram.com/arcadia.coffee
Ascension
Ascension is a new coffeehouse/wine bar/restaurant concept whose first Fort Worth location is slated to open Jan. 2. Owner and Australia native Russell Hayward landed a sweet spot for the 10th location of his North Texas chain in the WestBend development with views overlooking the Trinity River. There will be both table and trail service, with a handy pull-up window for bikers on the go and an actual dining/drinking room, plus a patio, for others wanting to sip and chill.
Signature drink: The Doki Doki, a Japanese-style cold brew made with nitro brew. In the evening, Ascension will also offer cocktails, wine, and specialty drinks. Anything to eat? The restaurant will offer
a full menu at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with sandwiches, bowls, fruits, and heavier entrees such as smoked salmon hash.
Etc.: 1751 River Run, ascensiondallas.com
Black Coffee
The east side’s need for a familyowned coffeehouse has been nicely filled by this recent arrival, run by Mia Moss, a local coffee aficionado-turnedentrepreneur. At her charming spot near Texas Wesleyan, Moss puts a lot of heart and effort into her coffee, creating her own custom blends. She offers coffeehouse staples — lattes, espressos, macchiatos, cappuccinos — along with teas and Italian sodas.
Signature drink: The Black Eye, an espresso tricked out with one of Moss’ house blends.
Anything to eat? Pastries and edibles from FunkyTown Donuts.
Etc.: 1417 Vaughn Blvd., blackcoffeefw.com
Lazy Daisy Coffee Bar
The new, second location of Wild Acre Brewing Co. will have this new coffee shop as a next-door neighbor. Slated to open this month, Lazy Daisy comes from a pair of coffee gurus — Victoria Esparza and Shayda Shah-Hosseini — who met at Craftwork, where Esparza was a barista and Shah-Hosseini was a customer. Beans will be supplied by Counter Culture Coffee, and the
menu will offer classic coffee drinks, plus a few cool twists, including two kinds of chai.
Signature drink: For a noncoffee option, try the Holly Blue lemonade, made with butterfly pea powder and tonic spritzer. Anything to eat? Pastries from Stir Crazy Baked Goods, including glutenfree options.
New, airy, and bright coffeehouse in the burgeoning River East area is a spinoff of Davis Street Espresso and Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters in Dallas.
Located in a former bail bonds office — ironically, owned by a fella named “Joe Coffey” — the small, colorful shop offers coffee-drinking essentials: lattes, pour-overs, espressos, and iced coffee drinks. Nitro brew on tap will be added soon, along with additional specialty drinks.
Signature drink: Peppermint mocha latte, made with housemade syrup. Anything to eat? Bagels for now; bigger bites soon.
Etc.: 3201 Race St., racestreetcoffee.com
Roots
Also in the South Main area, this newly opened spot is the second Roots location for owner Janice Townsend, who opened the original North Richland Hills store in 2009, long before artisan coffeehouses became a thing. As she does at the NRH location, Townsend serves locally made Novel Coffee Roaster and focuses primarily on coffeehouse classics, from lattes to macchiatos. She also offers a small list of rotating seasonal specials.
Signature drink: Maple bourbon latte, an espresso with milk and housemade maple-bourbon sauce, topped with orange zest.
Anything to eat? At breakfast, there’s a frittata with housemade tomatillo salsa, plus breakfast sandwiches and baked goods. At lunch and dinner, there are sandwiches, such as Fox & Otter Sammie,
made with cheddar, sliced chicken, housemade honey mustard and pickles on sourdough or gluten-free bread. Etc.: 400 Bryan Ave., rootscoffeehouse.com
Summer Moon Coffee House
This Austin coffeehouse concept continues to stretch its legs in Tarrant County. After opening a location in Keller in 2018, owner Greg Richardson now sets his sights on the south side of Fort Worth, where he’s hoping to open in a brand-new building by
Jan. 1. Summer Moon does things a little differently than others, woodfire roasting its coffee beans with an 1800s hearth and making its own sweet cream — called Moon Milk — for lattes, espresso, cappuccino, cortados, and other coffee drinks.
Signature drink: The matcha + Moon Milk latte, made with Summer Moon’s special seven-ingredient blended cream. Anything to eat? Breakfast tacos from Taco Heads and pastry items from Grapevine’s Main Street Bakery and Southlake’s Pinch of Salt Pastries.
Etc.: 609 S. Main St., facebook.com/summermoonfortworth
The Moon Lands New Restaurant, BirdieBop
Local club owner Chris Maunder recently resurrected his live music venue The Moon, moving it from its original perch next to the old Hop/Aardvark music club on West Berry to the Americado building at 2000 W. Berry St. Now, The Moon’s patrons have a place to eat.
Located inside the new club, in the form of a walk-up window, BirdieBop is a new fried chicken venture between North Texas chef Josh Harmon and Fort Worth musician and bona fide foodie Adrian Hulet.
To call it a fried chicken spot doesn’t do it justice, though. “It’s not your typical assembly line, three-pieces-tossed-on-a-paper-plate kind of joint,” Hulet says.
Rather, the restaurant’s recipes encompass both Southern and Asian flavors. “We’re doing Southern-fried chicken, wings, nuggets and chicken and waffles, along with Korean and Japanese-influenced fare like fried chicken steamed buns.”
A fried chicken necessity these days, there’s a Nashville-hot chicken sandwich, called the Night Ninja, made with housemade slaw and mayo on buttered toast.
Sides included a kimchee and mac and cheese mash-up called Mac N’ Kimcheese; warm potato salad; waffle fries; and Korean deviled eggs.
Hulet is a local musician who played in a string of well-known bands, including Oso Closo. He also gained a following in local foodie circles with a series of pop-up events called Frankenkitchen, in which local chefs used Hulet’s collection of vintage cooking wares to prepare unique dishes.
Harmon is a Dallas-based chef who ventured into Fort Worth with Butler’s Cabinet, a gourmet sandwich shop at the Fort Worth Food Hall. Butler’s Cabinet closed in December.
For now, BirdieBop is open evenings 5 – 11 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Brunch will soon follow, with dishes such as Katsu chicken-fried chicken and eggs and cream cheese waffles. Lunch hours will be added, too, Hulet says. birdiebop.com
Restaurant news writen and compiled by Malcolm Mayhew. You can reach Malcolm at malcolm. mayhew@hotmail.com or on Twitter @foodfortworth.
Rise and Rust?
Crockett Row’s new all-day breakfast spot is lacking a bit in luster.
BY COURTNEY DABNEY
Since TOASTED Coffee + Kitchen opened in early November, the weekend brunch crowd has made a pilgrimage to Crockett Row in hopes of mimosas and Instagrammable eats. But, in the notoriously nightlife-centric area, TOASTED might struggle to find a footing — at least, judging from a visit of our own.
The counter service restaurant is billed as a place to hang out with your laptop all day and sip lattes. The environment seems well-suited for that task. When we visited recently on a Saturday night, one lone ranger was holed up in the corner doing just that.
TOASTED also has a full bar, so studious types can take a break with an adult beverage in hand. The cocktail menu is not elaborate but priced accordingly, with a rum and Coke on the low end at $3 and an Old-Fashioned on the upper end at $8, making these some of the most affordable beverages in Crockett Row.
Coffee drinks are made with beans by Dallas-based Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters and cover all the bases — from drip to pour over and nitro cold brew to Vietnamese — with housemade syrups like peppermint and lavender. Trendy offerings include the Primal Coffee ($5.25) featuring grass-fed butter and MCT (mediumchain triglyceride) oil, which is typically coconut oil.
There are 10 savory and sweet toast offerings on the menu. The fresh-
Serenity and Elegance for Your Home and Garden
Few things inspire cravings more than a hot juicy hamburger, fresh off the grill. Add a warm bun with a variety of toppings and you’ve got the perfect meal. The Hamburger Man has been cooking on site since 1980.
Perfect for a company picnic, backyard party, school function or a church event. Let us do all the hard work, while you and your guests enjoy our delicious food cooked to order. Our team will bring the grilling experience to your doorstep.
From our Legendary Burger Bar to our Fiesta Fajitas, you can rest assured that you are getting the freshest meal in town.
baked breads are Milano (which is a lot like Texas toast), wheat, marble rye, brioche, and a gluten-free option.
We sampled the Toast Ma Goats ($7.25). I was not a happy camper for the hefty price tag. The thick Milano bread was chewy rather than toasty. Topped with a thin swipe of sweetened goat cheese spread and an arrangement of paper-thin pear slices, the dish had a dusting of walnut crumbs and a drizzle of honey — not the artisanal toast we were expecting.
The Chilaquiles Amigos! ($11) was unfortunately no better. The menu described the dish as eggs scrambled with assorted cheeses, mixed peppers, onions, tortillas, and green cilantro sauce with a side of black beans. The cup of mashed black beans was flavorful and fine, but the tiny entrée portion (served on a metal cafeteria tray) was only a mound of slightly soggy corn tortilla strips, with no visible peppers or onions or cheese, topped with overcooked scrambled eggs — not worth the price.
The biggest disappointment was the Baconado LT ($10.50), served on
thin-sliced Milano bread. The slender sandwich, served with basic potato chips, was toasted but not warm and dry as a bone with only a dab of Sriracha mayo on one side only. What it lacked in moisture and avocado, it made up for in green leaf lettuce and crisp bacon. The sandwich was missing one other key ingredient — tomatoes. When I brought it back to the counter and explained that my sandwich had no tomatoes, another was prepared with precisely two slices of a small tomato — one on each half of the sandwich.
TOASTED
Location: 2972 Crockett St.
For Info: 682.703.5000, toasted.coffee
What We Liked: The all-day breakfast concept is always an appealing one. What We Didn’t: The dishes did not live up to the hype and were overpriced for the quality of the product.
Recommendations: Students and professionals can stop by to take advantage of the full coffee bar.
A handful of people joined the dinner service, but Crockett Row doesn’t fill up until well after 9 p.m. anyway. I am told that weekend brunches have been far better attended. But, with other quality options for breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salads, and coffee so nearby — take, for instance, Press Waffle Co. and Butler’s Cabinet, which are mere steps away inside the Food Hall, or the brand new STIRR located just around the corner — TOASTED doesn’t really measure up.
The best dish we tried was an order of Hottie Hotcakes ($8) — a large meal by comparison. Three giant homestyle pancakes came dusted with powdered sugar and overflowing the confines of the metal tray — perfect for carb-loading athletes or hungover college students. The basic hotcakes came with whipped honey butter and maple syrup on the side.
To make a go of it in a saturated area like Crockett Row, TOASTED Coffee + Kitchen really needs to focus on better staff training and become more welcoming and informative, as well as up the quality of the dishes and consistency of execution. It’s an interesting concept, but it won’t thrive without an upgrade in both areas.
Seventeen extravagant, outlandish — and dangerously delectable — dishes and desserts that’ll ruin your New Year’s diet. And also probably kill you.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
For many of us, Jan. 1 is it — the day we turn our lives around. No more procrastinating. We’re going to apply ourselves. We’re going to better our relationships. We’re going to get up earlier, work out, work harder, sleep more, drive safer, be nicer, gripe less, hit our deadlines, and, yes, above all, most important, priority No. 1, we’re going to eat better.
Gone are the late-night snacks, the fast food burgers, the beer, the pizzas, the ice cream — you’re done with that. You are a new person. A 20-pound lighter me, here I come!
In other words, it’ll be just like last year. And the year before that. And 2016. Well, you did last a few days in 2016. Good for you!
But you know as well as we do that New Year’s resolutions are meant to be broken. No need to bum yourself out over it. We all stumble. We all fall. We’re only human. There’s 2021, after all.
Your fall from grace should be spectacular, though. Why blow your diet on something as simple as chips or cheesecake when there’s a whole world of over-thetop cuisine that’ll kill you?
This is why your favorite Fort Worth magazine has come up with this — the list of 17 local foods that will completely annihilate your New Year’s resolutions. Now go forth and break promises!
12,700 calories in this list only
Loco Moco
FUEGO BURGER
Normally, this would be the time and place to recommend one of the many fabulous burgers at this southwest Fort Worth boutique burger joint, run by local couple Carlos and Christie Rodriguez. But one of the couple’s newest menu additions sounds even more sinful: their take on the Hawaiian food staple, loco moco. A pile of freshly fried fries is piled high and mighty with chili, American cheese, a half-pound burger patty, and a fried egg. We. Can’t. Even. 4400 Benbrook Highway, facebook.com/fuegoburger
Gigante O.D. Burger
ZOLI’S PIZZA
Newly opened in southwest Fort Worth, Jay Jerrier’s upscale pizza joint doesn’t mince words. This is food that will destroy your diet in one single bite: huge pastas, decadent pizzas, over-the-top desserts. The O.D. Burger, ordered “Gigante”-style, is a great way to go down: Crafted out of two burger patties, American and Farmhouse cheddar cheeses, horseradish pickles, a Thousand Island-inspired sauce, a patty of fried mozzarella, and a smearing of soppressata marmalade, this is one monster truck of a burger, good to the last “I can do it, I can do it” bite. 3501 Hulen St., zolispizza.com
Deluxe Cookiewich
INSOMNIA COOKIES
Late-night hours and cookies go together like “Grateful” and “Dead,” which many of you are undoubtedly listening to when the urge for cookies hits you at 1 a.m. Thankfully, this TCUarea cookie shop can sate your munchies — we mean, appetite — with cookies both big and small. But why stop with cookies? The hungry can indulge in an even greater joy: a Cookiewich, a selfexplanatory combo in which ice cream is placed between two cookies. We suggest the Deluxe Cookiewich, made with two jumbo-sized cookies of your choice, from s’mores to chocolate chip. Even better: Insomnia delivers, so you don’t even have to move. Which is probably best for all of us, dude.
2868 W. Berry St., insomniacookies.com
TAQUITOS IN A BURRITO
BAD
AZZ BURRITO
At this north Fort Worth burrito shop (the original Saginaw location opened nearly a decade ago), burritos come stuffed with a variety of unusual ingredients, but none stranger than taquitos, fresh from the flash-fryer. And what keeps the crisp taquitos from jostling around inside the burrito’s soft flour tortilla? A mound of guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and gloriously oozy nacho cheese. 2020 N. Main St., badazzburritos.com
Ice cream sundae float STIRR
New in the West Seventh area, this buzzy, upscale American spot — an offshoot of the Dallas original — would truly like to celebrate your failure. Seriously. You see, the restaurant crowns its insane ice cream sundae float — a chocolate-dipped goblet filled with Mexican vanilla ice cream, Coke, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, and rock candy — with an item designed exclusively for the sake of garnering you as much attention as possible: sparklers. When those babies are fired up, everyone in the restaurant will know you have given up on everything.
3028 Crockett St., stirrrestaurants.com
Frito pie pizza PIZZA SNOB
TCU students looking to wreck their New Year’s resolutions with tools other than the obvious — beer, pot, Wilco — can take solace at this University Drive mom and pop pizza shop, which recently unveiled an 11-inch heart attack. Named after one of the decidedly unhealthiest snacks to ever invade roller rinks and Friday night football games, the Frito pie pizza is just that — a Frito pie tossed on a pizza. Chili meat? Check. Crushed Fritos? Check. Red onions? Of course. Plus, cheddar and Asiago cheese and, as a base, a chili sour cream sauce. Hey, TCU kid, after you die, can I have your Maserati?
3051 S. University Drive, pizzasnob.com
Big Boi
HOT BOX BISCUIT CLUB
From the original pop-up events to its newly opened full-service restaurant in the booming South Main area, the folks behind Hot Box Biscuit Club have done a stupendous job of keeping us full and content and sometimes barely movable. Credit this to Sarah Hooton and Matt Mobley’s chef-inspired Southern cuisine, including their absolutely stunning biscuit sandwiches. Our favorite is the Big Boi, made with brined and fried chicken tenders, housemade pickles, pimento cheese, and a special “Hot Box ranch” dressing, all of which tumbles out of a freshly made buttermilk biscuit. Long may they reign.
313 S. Main St., hotboxbiscuitco.com
MUGGLE SHAKES
2020 should be the year you discover the deliciously wicked ways of Judith Garcia’s undiscovered gem of a shakeatorium in north Fort Worth. Here, Garcia and her small crew have come up with ridiculously inventive ways to expand our waistlines, namely shakes, all of which utilize various flavors of frozen yogurt. Shakes come topped with cotton candy, powdered doughnuts, Rice Krispies Treats and — I can’t believe I’m about to say this — Strawberry Pop Tarts. Do what? Garcia’s either a genius or a serial killer — you decide. But her crowning achievement, the image that should go on her tombstone and ours, for that matter, is the Birthday Wish, a birthday party-inspired shake made with cake batter frozen yogurt, marshmallow drizzle, sprinkles, a huge block of a Rice Krispies Treat and a sour ribbon topped with a gummy bear. Oh, did we mention the cotton candy? You are going to be buzzing for days. 9409 Sage Meadow Trail, muggleshakes.org
AVOCADO SOUFFLÉ
RISE
NO. 3
This French-inspired café in The Shops at Clearfork specializes in its namesake dish, made with egg yolks and whites, in both sweet and savory varieties, most of which are decadently dressed in diet-busting ingredients. Same goes for this off-the-menu special. Inside the soufflé are pieces of avocado, poblano and serrano peppers, and melted Swiss cheese. Its exterior comes crowned with a plop of shrimp ceviche, but that small hump of healthiness cannot be upstaged by a far more powerful topping that drips from the soufflé’s exterior like lava from a volcano: streams of melted cheddar cheese. Bon appétit. 5135 Monahans Ave., risesouffle.com
Breakfast sandwich
DOUGH BOY DONUTS
Angry Meatball
DOC B’S
More than a year old and still hopping in The Shops at Clearfork, this Chicago-based casual American spot serves dishes both easy and heavy on the stomach. From the latter department comes the Angry Meatball, one of Doc B’s signature dishes. Served in a piping-hot skillet, the meatball is about an eight-ball’s worth of Wagyu beef floating in a spicy tomato sauce. Each comes crowned with fresh ricotta and honey, giving it a sweet/spicy flavor. On the side, because obviously this isn’t nearly filling enough, come four thick slices of toasted brioche for dipping. 5253 Marathon Ave., docbsrestaurant.com
“Wake up — time to die,” actor Brion James says to Harrison Ford in “Blade Runner.” James may as well have been talking about getting up early for the breakfast sandwiches at Dough Boy Donuts on the city’s west side. Owner Melvin Roberson takes morning gluttony to a whole new level with a sandwich made from eggs, sausage, cheese, and Sriracha bacon. So far, not that big a deal, right? But remember: This is a doughnut shop. So instead of plain ol’ buns, the goods come stuffed inside a glazed doughnut, sliced in two, sandwich-style. Wash it down with a Red Bull to get this death party started. 4910 Camp Bowie Blvd., doughboydonutsdfw.com
Mac and cheese
chicken waffle
BREWED
Chicken and waffles has been fairly easy to find in Fort Worth since, years ago, when local chef Keith Hicks introduced the comfort dish to the city at his Ovation restaurant. But BREWED’s version features a cool little twist that makes it different than others. Pieces of fried chicken rest not on a traditional waffle or even a Belgian waffle but rather a waffle made from mac and cheese, freshly pressed into a waffle iron. Coat it all with the restaurant’s housemade thyme maple syrup, and you’ve reached your calorie count for the year. 801 W. Magnolia Ave., brewedfw.com
EXCESSIVE LIBATIONS
All this sweet and savory fare has made us a little parched. The cure? Not any of these beverages. Here are some over-the-top spirits you can find about town to wet your whistle while keeping you dehydrated.
BEER FLOAT FLYING SAUCER
If you’re appending alcohol to your debaucherous end to a turnaround year, why not pack on some additional calories, too? This concoction includes a North Coast Old Rasputin imperial stout and one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Add it all together, and that’s 9% ABV and 520 calories. Sweet. beerknurd.com/ locations/fort-worth-flying-saucer
2
SOUR PATCH JUICE LANDMARK BAR & KITCHEN
Conceding that a half liter of candied, alcoholic liquid streaming through your gullet sounds enticing, then your resolution never stood a chance. After all, just a few sips of this “juice” — a robust blend of Smirnoff watermelon and apple vodkas, peach, Sprite, Red Bull, soda water, and Sour Patch Kids — could necessitate a shot of insulin. A half liter? We wish you well. landmarkfw.com
3
THE ‘BLOODY BEST’ BLOODY MARY CHEF POINT CAFÉ
With a decently sized piece of fried chicken, waffle fries, grilled shrimp, jalapeño pepper, a pickle spear, bacon, and a freaking slider, this libation manages to test the idea that there’s no such thing as too many flourishes on a bloody mary. Don’t worry, somewhere beneath it all, there is a drink. We promise. chefpointcafe.org
gelatoShake
POPBAR
The WestBend location of this New York chain serves gelato, sorbet, and yogurt on a stick, from a menu of 50-plus flavors, along with toppings, drizzles, and dippings. But for next-level indulgence, try Popbar’s otherworldly gelatoShake. It starts simple enough — pick any gelato flavor to have it easily liquefied into a highly drinkable shake. This is where it gets weird: That shake is then crowned not with a lid and not with a straw and not with a spork but with a chocolate-dipped waffle cone filled with whipped cream. Let’s review: This is a gelato shake — OK, you got that part? Topped with a chocolate-dipped waffle cone. Understand now, the waffle cone goes on top of the shake, OK? Not next to it; no one’s going to hand it to you separately. It goes inside the opening of the shake cup. And then, the cone is filled with whipped cream. And how do you eat this? They put a lonnnngggg straw in it. You don’t believe us, do you?
1621 River Run, pop-bar.com
Cookies and Cookies and Cream Beignet
THE DUSTY BISCUIT BEIGNET BAR
This new food truck from local beignet aficionado Trey Smith offers the famous French-style pastry with toppings both simple and not. You’re going to want the latter. Specifically, the Cookies and Cookies and Cream. No, that’s not a typo. That’s double the cookies. For this particular beignet, Smith begins by spraying it with a vanilla creme glaze. Once that’s good and sticky, the beignet then gets a double dusting of crushed cookies — chocolate chip and Oreo — for a match made in sugar-rush heaven. Smith recently announced on Instagram he’ll be selling his New Orleans-inspired sweet and savory beignets, plus coffee and light breakfast items, out of a Locavore Airstream starting in January. instagram.com/thedustybiscuit
BY
PHOTO
OLAF GROWALD
place uses gluten-free bread or offers a nice petite salad. No, the food here wants to make you fat. This local franchise of a national chain makes no apologies for its belt-busting menu, which includes making burgers with three patties and deep-fried dessert items like Twinkies and chocolate chip cookies. The dish du jour
item on the menu: cheesesteak, chicken fingers, jalapeño poppers, french fries, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings, all crammed into a 6- or 12-inch sub roll. But who’s gonna order a 6-inch here?
2858 W. Berry St., fatshack.com
PINSTRIPES
BISTRO BOWLING BOCCE
Rodeo Fans come to Pinstripes for dinner, show us your rodeo ticket and receive a free appetizer or dessert. Free shuttle service to and from the Rodeo if you have dinner with us.
Pinstripes is an Italian American Bistro with a made from scratch kitchen located in Clearfork at 5001 Trailhead Bend Way, Fort Worth, TX 76109, just 10 minutes from Dickies Arena. (Limited 1 appetizer or dessert per table. Bus service has limited dates and times)
& a guide STOCK SHOW
Enraged bulls. Tamed horses. Long-haired rock stars. People in boots and Stetsons as far as the eye can see. These things converge but once a year, and when they do, it can be a tad overwhelming. This Stock Show season, we did the grunt work and put together this guide to help you along. From what to wear, who to see, and where to be, we answer all your questions to ensure you’re not getting roped into the wrong rodeo.
THE SHOW
A Chat with Brad Barnes
President/General Manager at Southwestern Exposition and Livestock
Show
BY BRIAN KENDALL
For 14 years, Brad Barnes has been steering the gargantuan ship that is the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, known colloquially as the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo — in case you didn’t already know. Despite a hectic schedule manning the logistics of the city’s biggest annual event, Brad took some time to answer a few of our burning questions.
FW: Can you explain the kind of work that goes on behind the scenes to put on an annual event of this caliber?
Brad: We have a full-time staff of 21 men and women that put in a tremendous amount of work in preparation and execution of the Stock Show. Beginning in the late fall, seasonal employees start coming on board, and by the time the show begins, we’ll have more than 950 employees and 1,700 volunteers who help ensure the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo goes off without a hitch. The staff and volunteers do everything from painting, move in and set up of exhibits, parking, ticket sales, accounting, visitor safety assurance, and many other jobs to ensure our 1.2 million guests have a fun and enjoyable time.
FW: Outside of Dickies Arena, what improvements have you overseen at the Stock Show & Rodeo since the beginning of your tenure in 2005?
Brad: We’ve worked closely with the City of Fort Worth to continually expand and improve the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Our public-private partnership has allowed the Will Rogers Memorial Center to become the premier equestrian and livestock facility in the U.S., attracting millions in spending and tax revenues from not just
Stock Show but the many other equestrian events held there throughout the year. The Stock Show has invested more than $60 million in improvements and expansion at Will Rogers since moving here in 1944. Moreover, the collaborative mentality has enabled the Stock Show, City of Fort Worth, and some of our neighbors such as the Cowgirl Museum, Museum of Science and History, and BRIT [Botanical Research Institute of Texas] to make this part of the Cultural District a fun and enjoyable place for everyone throughout the year.
FW: What additional improvements or changes can we expect in the near future?
Brad: We’re in the middle of a four-phase renovation of the original livestock facilities and barns built in 1948. Phase III will renovate the sheep and swine barns, and Phase IV will complete the project with
BOOTS & BOLOS: WHAT TO WEAR
Hey, no one’s gonna judge you if you’re rocking corduroys and sneakers — Fort Worth welcomes all walks of life, after all. But we do have some recommendations if blending in happens to be a priority. Whether you’re a boy or girl, Brad Barnes, president/general manager of FWSSR, recommends Justin boots, Wrangler jeans, a Dickies shirt, and a Resistol hat. Easy enough.
improvements to Cattle 3 and Cattle 4. Of course, we’ll continue to add new entertainment features to the Stock Show format. For 2020, we’re adding concerts in the Will Rogers Auditorium. The acoustics are so wonderful in there, we like to refer to it as “Fillmore Fort Worth.” Some awesome bands and acts have played the auditorium in years past, and we hope to bring back some of that excitement. We already have the classic rock band Foreigner booked as well as a great a cappella country group, Home Free. A mariachi competition is also added for 2020, and we’re expanding our popular Mustang events to include something called Extreme Mustang Makeover, which has a strong national following. Besides moving our Bud Light Roadhouse to the Simmons Bank Plaza at Dickies Arena, we’re adding a wine destination called The Corkyard, which will serve wine by the glass as well as light fare. Fort Worth is a diverse community, and we can continue expanding our features to make everyone feel welcomed and have fun at the Stock Show.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS:
Bulldogger: A steer wrestler
Bullfighter:
Rodeo clowns? Bullfighters might wear makeup, but they are no clowns. They’re athletes who protect the bull rider after he dismounts or is bucked off, sometimes stepping between the bull and the bull rider
Chute:
A pen that holds an animal safely in position
Hazer:
In steer wrestling, the cowboy who rides on the right side of the steer from the contestant to make sure the steer runs straight
Hooey:
The knot that a cowboy uses to finish tying the calf’s legs together in tie-down roping
Piggin’ string:
In tie-down roping, the small rope used to tie a calf’s legs together
Roughstock:
The bucking horses and bulls used in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding
Stock Show:
The main colloquialism for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. If you wanna shorten it, don’t dare call it the rodeo.
*Courtesy of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
Yeah, but What If I Don’t Like Rodeos?
The rodeo ain’t for everyone; we get it. But Western wear skeptics, those who detest the smell of animal feces, and lovers of our four-legged friends need not feel out of place. While it is a rodeo in a city that claims the moniker “Where the West Begins,” we think you’ll find there’s something for everyone.
MARIACHI
COMPETITION
Far more than flashy dress and dinnertable entertainment, mariachis are worldclass musicians who can wail on a great polka tune. If you’re into the use of stomping as a form of percussion, this should be right up your alley.
Will Rogers
Auditorium
Jan. 25
FOREIGNER
The band had its heyday when mullets were in fashion, but its tunes, unlike its mullets, remain pretty timeless. Beware of potential riots if they refuse to play “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Will Rogers Auditorium
Feb. 5
PRO TIPS FOR THE NOVICE
While this ain’t our first rodeo, it could be yours.
Check Out Mutton Bustin’
Whoever thought a child riding a distraught sheep was a good idea is, well, brilliant. No joke, child on a sheep > man on a bull. Fortunately, mutton bustin’ takes place during the first three rodeo nights and Jan. 21 – 22, making this singular event worth the price of admission.
Don’t Sleep on John Justin Arena
Located just east of Rip Johnson Drive in the Richardson-Bass Building, this small arena is where you’ll find most of the horse activity, including the cutting horse show, miniature horse show, and the donkey and mule show. Bottom line, if you dig equines, we wouldn’t blame you for camping out around John Justin.
Shopping
Okay, this might not be too big of a secret, but there’s some serious Black-Friday-like shopping that goes down at the Stock Show. Inside the Richardson-Bass Building, dozens of merchants, from soap makers to leather goods to fudge, will be vying for your precious dollar; and they’ll likely get it, too.
Food
For culinarily picky cowboys and cowgirls, the Stock Show offers more than stadium nachos, hot dogs, and Hampton Farms peanuts. We recommend taking a stroll to the Amon G. Carter Food Court, located, weirdly enough, near the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits on the west end
BUD LIGHT ROADHOUSE
Grabbing a beer and enjoying the company of others is a universally enjoyed pastime. And, during the Stock Show, there’s no better place in town to grab a brewsky than at the Bud Light Roadhouse, where a mix of booze, live music, and dancing will manifest into a headache the following morning.
TAKE A WALK DOWN MAIN STREET STOCK SHOW
If you enjoy peoplewatching, you’re sure to catch some characters when you take a stroll down Burnett Tandy Drive (also known as Main Street Stock Show). Serving as the main thruway for the three-weeklong event, this is the place where Fort Worthians merge to strut their stuff.
of the Stock Show grounds. Here, you’ll find organizers didn’t skimp on delicious cuisine, as you’ll get to munch on some Mama’s Pizza, Coburns BBQ, or A Taste of New Orleans.
Parking
Look, during the busiest times (weekends and weekday nights during the rodeo) parking won’t be easy, so Uber or Lyft is the way to go. But if you’re either smartphone inefficient or just don’t feel like clogging your data with another app, you can pay $15 to park near the Stock Show or $5 to park near Billy Bob’s in the Stockyards, where a shuttle will take you to the main Stock Show entrance. Your decision depends only on how much you value convenience.
THE PLACE
Making the Stock Show World-Class
Inaugural rodeo at Dickies Arena promises unprecedented action.
BY MATT PAYNE
Fort Worthians have perhaps never experienced the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo exactly how the one-of-a-kind layout of the brand-new superdome hosting the 2020 rendition will enable. Dickies Arena, which stakeholders call “Texas’ crown jewel,” touts a specially designed, interchangeable layout to accommodate a wide spectrum of events, including a major emphasis on “rodeo culture” that’ll be witnessed by thousands in the inaugural rodeo at the destination. From Jan. 17 to Feb. 8, the typical hardwood underneath the squeaking and shuffling of basketball shoes will give way to good, simple, ruddy dirt.
The classic dirt ground proper for hootin’ and hollerin’ rodeo fans will be trodden upon at this year’s stock show and rodeo events. Philanthropist Ed Bass, the man who helped spearhead manifesting Dickies Arena, has called the design “true Texas vernacular.” Typical rodeo fanatics love sitting front and center toward the action, an intentional accommodation Bass has said allows guests to get dirt kicked in their face.
“It’s part of the experience,” Bass said in an October tour of the facility.
In fact, part of Dickies Arena architecture was crafted to suit this Old West mess. Beams up above in the rafters are so arranged to prevent too much dirt
buildup from the underneath action. And for fans who want to step back for a broader view of the action and socialize with fellow cowpokes and cowgals, there’s standing room just outside the rodeo boxes to catch their breath. With access to 12 concession stands and three concession bars, Dickies Arena promises incredible sight lines from every seat, dedicated concession seating, and ample end-zone views.
Beyond logistics, notes of carefully crafted tributes to the Fort Worth area and Lone Star State decorate Dickies Arena. Both the pedestrian experience on the exterior and the ornate design of the interior make for a venue never before seen in Cowtown. Immediately noticed upon walking outside Dickies Arena is the Fort Worth skyline just beyond the Trinity River, something eventgoers will always be able to enjoy for years to come at Dickies Arena.
Chandeliers inspired by the Prairie Rose flower and terrazzo floor comprise the overarching motif of the Texas prairie life. Deeper inside Dickies Arena, guests will notice the minutiae of leather panels with bug-and-wrinkle stitching in tribute to saddle and boot makers.
The two clubs — Avion Club and Reliant Club — are premium seating that offer ease of access for concessions while also maintaining pristine viewing
angles. “We like people to see what’s what and where to go,” Bass says. “As you walk around the building ... every time you turn the corner, you’re reoriented.”
Bass, when asked in October why he invested so heavily in Dickies Arena, said using his wealth for the benefit of the community is a responsibility, not a privilege.
“I could make plans for that wealth after I die, make plans for foundations, for charitable giving, and those things are very important to me ... but it occurred to me, ‘Why make all this planning, wait till you die, and worry that whoever is in charge of this will not follow instructions?
“I am giving to the people of Fort Worth ... I am giving a piece of my wealth at a time where it is immediately useful, when I can participate, and I can help guide it the way that I envision.”
CAN’T-MISS EVENTS
With a slew of events, legions of bulls, and stockpiles of, well, stock, calling the Stock Show a daunting event is an understatement. With the understanding that there’s too much to do and too little time to do it in, we’ve put together a small list of must-dos to make your experience as complete as possible.
BEST OF MEXICO CELEBRACIÓN
In Texas, it’s hard not to appreciate and celebrate Mexican culture on a near daily basis (and if you’re not, you should be), but this is a party you won’t want to miss. Entertainment will include trick riders, mariachis, and folklorico dancers.
Dickies Arena Jan. 19
EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER
Can you tame a wild horse in four months? That’s the maybe-not-so-futile task that entrants hope to accomplish in this inaugural event, which will display the trainability of a horse with a top prize of $50,000.
Will Rogers Coliseum Jan. 23 – 25
PRORODEO TOURNAMENT
According to Brad Barnes, this event is “designed for the first-timer to understand, appreciate, and follow rodeo action from beginning to the crowning of Fort Worth Stock Show rodeo champions.” It’s this year’s signature event with a bracket format to make the competition more accessible. Oh, and there’s more than $1 million on the line across eight competitions. So there’s that.
Dickies Arena Jan. 24 – Feb. 8
BULLS’ NIGHT OUT
Hair braiding and watching “Dirty Dancing” will not be on the Bulls’ itinerary during this night out. Instead, these prickly, horned creatures will treat attendees to several hours of the rodeo’s most exciting (and brutal) show: bull riding.
Dickies Arena Jan. 21 – 22
Life’s a Roller Coaster
A chat with Talley Amusements vice president Mary Talley.
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
Running the midway at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo isn’t all fun and games — take it from Mary Talley, the woman in charge of the whole operation.
Talley is vice president of Talley Amusements, a Fort Worth-based company she runs with her husband, Tom. Or, as she puts it: “I decide where we’re going to go, how long we’re going to be there — and he executes.”
It’s a match made at the top of the Ferris wheel, really. Long story short: Her family was in the carnival business; his family was in the carnival business. In almost-“Romeo and Juliet” fashion, their families’ companies were competitors — that’s until 1995, when Mary and Tom formed a company all their own. Today, Talley Amusements runs carnivals in California, Tennessee, and Ohio, as well as Texas. They also own the Texas Star in Dallas’ Fair Park.
Mary, a “Fort Worth girl” as she calls herself, grew up around the Stock Show and has run its midway since 2003. She still appreciates a good 140-foot plunge down the Mega Drop. But when it comes to grounds layout, hiring ride operators, and keeping everyone safe, she’s all business.
FW: Where do you keep all the rides when it’s not carnival season?
Mary: They’re all portable. If they’re not trailer mounted, then we mount them on semitrailers. Like, we bought a 33-meter wheel in 2018. It came from the Netherlands in, I don’t know, seven or eight containers; and we had to rack this machine onto trailers so we could transport it from one location to another. We have a property we’ve pretty much outgrown on the north side of Fort Worth.
FW: Where do the rides come from?
Mary: My big Ferris wheel over at Fair Park is Italian. We have rides from England. Some rides are built in the U.S. We’ve got some from Germany. So, Germany, Italy, and England … In Germany, it’s built a lot heavier. That’s why we buy carnival rides over there, because they’re built heavier and usually have a much more spectacular appeal. They’re the Bentley of amusement rides.
FW: What’s your process when building the midway at the Stock Show?
Mary: [My husband, Tom] knows all the dimensions of everything, how tall things are, and how much swing that it has. My husband’s done it so long he doesn’t even
have to use a measuring thing anymore. He can just step — because he knows how many feet his step is. He lays them out himself, then brings all the rides in and sets them up.
FW: It’s easy to assume, “Oh, you run rides. Everything’s fun.” But what’s the most challenging part of the job?
Mary: Labor. And the reason is because our business is transient in nature, moving from one location to another. We work nights, weekends, and holidays. I’ve never had the Fourth of July off my whole life. Holidays I’ve not worked in my life are Thanksgiving and Christmas, so every other holiday we work. So, when we try to find U.S. workers to take the jobs, nobody wants to apply because they don’t want to be away from their families.
So, we’ve been using a program with the Department of Labor called H-2B guest worker program ... We hire foreign nationals legally and bring them over here the right way. The cap has already been met for 2020. For the whole year, only 66,000 visas are given out by the Department of Homeland Security — not only for carnivals and circuses but for forestry, landscapers, the seafood industry. The cap was completely met in
six weeks when it opened up on Oct. 1. I got lucky, and I got my visa approval Nov. 8. It’s a real problem right now.
FW: Are your kids in the carnival business too?
Mary: Yes, ma’am. My fifth generation are working. I have three daughters. My oldest daughter … her husband manages my Texas Star and the other Ferris wheel and works in the shop. He welds; he does all kinds of things. My middle daughter is in the food and ride business, so she has independent rides and some food stands. Then my youngest daughter owns a couple of amusement rides, and she’s been operating them and helped pay for her college at TCU. It’s definitely a family affair. Everybody comes together and works out there as a family.
1930s
NEW RIDES FOR 2020
Sky Liner
A 100-foot-tall swing tower.
Downdraft
Thrill ride in which riders travel in a circle while descending.
Orbiter
Thrill ride in which the center spins at 24 revolutions per minute while the seats spin at 26 revolutions per minute.
FW: What are the challenges working together as a family?
Mary: You know, it doesn’t really bother my husband and me. I mean, like any marriage, if you spend a lot of time together, you’re going to have differences of opinion when you’re married and then you have the business. I have my own way of seeing things; Tommy has his own way of seeing things. We usually end up coming together and compromising. But generally, we’re usually on the same page because we want the same things. We want to offer a better product
than anybody, and we’re trendsetting.
FW: Okay, enough with the challenges. What’s the most fun part of the job?
Mary: Traveling. Being able to see so many different places. Like, we do the San Diego County Fair. We set up the carnival across the street from the ocean. We’ve watched the sunset for 30 days, and we got to be around that beautiful town called Del Mar, California. It’s beautiful there.
FW: What makes the Fort Worth Stock Show different from other carnival events you run?
Mary: It’s my hometown, so that makes a big difference. I really enjoy working with the Stock Show officials. [Ed] Bass is the chairman of the board, and he is just as nice as he can be. I’m excited about Dickies Arena, and I’m hoping it brings more people. I’ve been asking him to build a bigger arena, probably since 2005 or ’06. It’s come to fruition, and I’m so proud for them.
FW: Got a ride that’s your personal favorite?
Mary: Mega Drop, probably. It’s not as popular to ride, but it’s the tallest piece out there. It’s 140 feet tall. It really looks good when you’re coming down from Lancaster, and you get over there by Farrington Field at nighttime. It’s a really beautiful sight at night.
Spot these five animals on the Stock Show grounds:
Pro tip: Animals are on property at different times, but the best days to see these five are between Jan. 24 – 26 and Jan. 31 – Feb. 2.
Late 1800s Tom Talley’s family owns a business running portable roller rinks.
1910 Bill Hames (Mary Talley’s greatgrandfather) runs a merry-go-round pulled by a real horse, charging a nickel a ride.
Hames trades his horse-drawn merry-go-round for a steampowered one and continued to add more rides. The Fort Worth Stock Show asks him to run the carnival. Around this time, Tom Talley’s family also begins adding rides alongside their roller rinks.
1990 Buster Brown (Mary Talley’s father) dies in a car accident, and the family sells the business.
1995 Tom and Mary start Talley Amusements.
1996 Tom and Mary get married.
2003 Talley Amusements partners with Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo to run the midway.
Polled Hereford Cow
Mustang Horse Dorper Sheep
Barred Rock Chicken Goose
PRINT
The Good Fight
BY
BRIAN KENDALL | PHOTOS BY OLAF GROWALD
There were soft, audible grunts as the 3-foot-11-inch boxer expertly shifted from side to side, throwing jabs and big right hands at the punching bag that served as a stand-in for a sparring partner. The bag’s swing became more prominent with every hit landed, and the boxer kept his hands tucked closely to his cheeks — as if the bag would retaliate with a combination of punches at any moment. Despite my best efforts to distract him with attempts to get a picture for Instagram, his eyes remained fixated on the bag, and he stayed in motion, bouncing, shifting, pivoting, punching, until a loud buzzer sounded. His small frame stopped in its tracks, but there was hardly a sign of exhaustion. At most, a single bead of sweat ran down the left side of his face.
“This kid is amazing,” Jonathan Saenz, co-founder and president of Total K.O. Boxing Club, says. “He’s a natural. If he keeps this up, he is seriously going places.”
The kid’s name is Cannon Martin, an 8-year-old who attends elementary school by day and is frequently seen at Total K.O. Boxing Club at night — a rugged, warehouse-like gym just north of The Foundry District. Here, on any given night between 7 and 8 p.m., you’ll find dozens of children going through high-intensity workouts. The kids, whose ages range from 5 to 18, travel from workout station to workout station, where they jump rope, shadow box, perform speed-bag workouts, and even spar. Every three minutes (the length of a round of boxing) a loud buzzer rings, signaling the young patrons to change stations and begin their new sweat-inducing workout. Near the center of the gym is a boxing ring — where, yes, children box — and in the rear are rows of giant punching bags, a single one likely outweighing the average size of one of the gym’s patrons. The action and environment are something straight from a “Rocky” montage, only replace full-grown men with children — both boys and girls.
According to Cannon’s mom, Roxanne Martin, at this boxing sanctuary, Cannon gains far more than muscle mass or the ability to knock down trouble that might come his way; he’s also acquired the tools necessary to succeed at school.
“It [Total K.O. Boxing] has taught him a lot of discipline and to
work hard,” Roxanne says. “If they don’t come to practice and practice four days a week, and they don’t put in the effort, then they’re not going to let them in the ring with anyone else.
“He loves to spar, so he knows he has to put in the hard work.”
Cannon has flappy blond hair and the energy of a Jack Russell Terrier; for a spectator who’s unused to the sport, it’s difficult to imagine him going toe to toe with someone else in boxing gloves. But, as is emphasized, the sport of boxing is not a fight but, rather, using skill, technique, and discipline to outsmart and outclass an opponent.
Total K.O. Boxing is the brainchild of Rita Serrano, Jonathan’s mother, a professional boxer who was once ranked No. 5 in her weight class. After a brief break following the end of her boxing career in 2005, Serrano began training only women.
“She was focusing on just the women because there wasn’t that many at the time whenever she was doing it,” Jonathan says. “So, she wanted to give back in that sense. She had her own thing [training facility] going on in her backyard.”
One of her backyard students was Sarah Saenz, the future wife of Jonathan and the future main cog at Total K.O. Boxing.
“My father used to tell me, ‘You’re a pretty girl,’” Sarah says. “‘You’re not doing boxing.’”
Jonathan credits Sarah as being the one who works most with the children and the one who carries the brunt of the work.
“She’s been carrying the load for two out of the three years we’ve been open now,” Jonathan says.
Jonathan himself is an ex-infantryman who spent six years in the United States Army and served in the Iraq War. Following his deployment overseas, Jonathan received his bachelor’s in business and criminal justice at TCU. The pair married in 2014 and took
over operations at Total K.O. Boxing when Rita began experiencing health problems.
Initially aimed at recruiting young girls only, Total K.O. Boxing eventually extended its services to young boys, as well.
“It felt so bad because we would have dads come in with their sons,” Sarah explains. “I guess they talked to other gyms because most gyms around here ... they’re good. They only will take some kids if they’re wanting to compete right away or just stuff like that. But some kids, they’ve never done it before.
“It’s like being thrown out to the wolves, you know? I know that’s the old way, but it doesn’t have to be like that. You can gradually get them there.”
This all aligns with Total K.O. Boxing’s approach to teaching. They’re here to help kids not just improve in the sport of boxing, but to improve in life, and they have a not-so-crazy theory that two are not mutually exclusive.
Total K.O. Boxing doesn’t have a singular cause or mission, but several. While their website highlights the organization as a health initiative fighting childhood obesity through exercise, Jonathan also emphasizes the importance of character development, increasing self-esteem and confidence, and combating bullying.
Ubaldo Rivas, a soft-spoken yet charismatic DHL driver who has three children who regularly come to Total K.O., has seen positive changes in all of his children since they started punching bags and training as boxers.
“My daughter, who’s been there about year, she was very shy,” Ubaldo says. “She was very behind-the-scenes. She didn’t want to speak up. But she didn’t want to do any kind of sports. Unfortunately, nowadays in school, there’s a lot of bullying. I was telling her, ‘You know what? This sport’s going to build your confidence.’ Just because you learn how to fight doesn’t mean you’re going to go fight around. It means that you’ll keep calm, that you’re just very comfortable; in case you have to defend yourself, you can.”
It can seem a little ironic, the idea of boxing, one of the world’s most violent sports, keeping kids from getting in trouble — keeping kids from bullying or being bullied. But, the importance of exercise and physical well-being is a proven antidote to com-
bating many obstacles in life, including teen depression, obesity, and bullying.
According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, there’s an 8% decrease in sadness for bullied students who say they exercise regularly. And it doesn’t just stop with assisting in minimization of sadness. The study also reports a decrease in hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.
“My wife at first was scared that if you teach him boxing, he’s going to be picking fights,” Ubaldo says. “Actually, it’s the opposite. He’s very calm. There’re times where there are kids messing with him, and he just smiles and walks away. A lot of people are scared that because he knows how to spar, because he knows how to fight, then he’s going to be a bully — and it’s the opposite.
“I ask him, ‘What makes you walk away [from bullies]?’ He says, ‘If I really want to, I can probably hurt them.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, you can.’ So, he’s very confident, so now he walks away.”
There’s no firm evidence that boxing in particular helps reduce bullying, and we have only anecdotal evidence that it builds the self-esteem for bullied teens to psychologically combat bullying. However, one of the few children I spoke with at Total K.O. Boxing, Sophia Aguilera, 7, gave the most honest insight.
“It [Total K.O. Boxing] has helped me in school because I get bullied a lot,” Sophia said. “It’s helped with my confidence.”
In the fall of 2018, Total K.O. Boxing partnered with Metro Opportunity High School, an alternative school a mere two blocks from Total K.O.’s gym. For those who don’t know, this school is largely for kids who have had disciplinary issues in school.
The idea was to take students from Metro Opportunity and, once a week for 45 minutes, teach them the sport of boxing.
“Not teaching them how to fight,” emphasizes Glenn Taylor, health and physical education teacher at Metro Opportunity High School. “But teaching them the discipline and the hard work required to get into the ring.”
The program proved to be extremely popular, according to Taylor, and it gave the children a tool to work out and removed their desire to be aggressive.
“There are so many disciplinary parallels between life and boxing,” Taylor says. “If they didn’t learn the techniques and the right way to box, then they didn’t get in the ring. They had to work hard to get what they wanted.
“There are different ways to fight obesity and stay in shape, and these kids don’t want a redundant routine. They want something to spark their curiosity. Half the time, they didn’t even realize they were working out.”
Total K.O. Boxing has started allowing adults to use their training facilities to help subsidize their income. Jonathan and Sarah both have acting gigs where they perform stunts — much of this to help make ends meet. Those involved in the program believe in it and sacrifice to be part of it. The hope is to one day make the program free for all children, and Jonathan and Sarah are working hard to make that a reality.
“We’re always striving to do more things or add more technology,” Jonathan says. “But our priority right now is just to keep the doors open. We also have some kids that say, ‘Hey, I want to visit for free.’ So that’s the priority: to make this as free or close to free as possible.”
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EXPERTADVICE
Fort Worth Magazine asked the following advertisers to provide our readers with Expert Advice in the individual field in which they are specialists. Just like you, we rely on others with experience in their specialized fields to provide us with useful information. Whether you are searching for a cosmetic surgeon, an attorney, a financial planner, or any specialist in between, Fort Worth Magazine’s Expert Advice section is a great place to begin your selection process.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The process of searching for a financial advisor can be daunting. When you entrust someone with the job of managing your investments, you want comfort with your choice. And that should involve asking a lot of questions.
I recently started working at Argent Trust as market president of its Fort Worth office. Before coming to Argent, I spent 27 years as a fiduciary officer for a large bank, building many great relationships along the way. I wanted the next step in my career to be with a company that shared my core values and commitment to clients. So, I also asked a lot of questions.
Several qualities drew me to Argent. One is that, despite its size, it feels like a small-
town company in the ways that matter most — such as giving customers truly personalized service. If clients have questions about their investments, they don’t have to call an 800 number and sit on hold. My clients can call me directly, or they can stop by my office. I’m easily accessible, as are all our advisors.
Some other companies’ advisors work on commissions, which can introduce a conflict of interest. I appreciate that Argent is a fiduciary, which means that the solutions we recommend for clients can’t benefit us financially in any way.
Our client relationships are at the core of our work. That said, I’m careful to let my clients know that they’re not hiring me individually; they’re hiring all of Argent. That means we can utilize the knowledge
of experts in 31 markets across 12 Southern states to address clients’ specific needs. I enjoy solving clients’ financial puzzles and putting them on a solid path forward. Whether a client simply needs to update their estate documents or they have a more pressing need to structure their financial affairs, I don’t see these situations as problems — they’re just things that need to be addressed.
To me, the biggest characteristic of a good advisor is to always have the client’s best interest at heart. You’ve got to be ethical, respectful and true to yourself. I couldn’t do it any other way, and neither could my colleagues at Argent.
What is the most effective approach to weight loss? When it comes to weight loss, there are so many different philosophies out there. From keto or paleo to intermittent fasting, the selections can become quite overwhelming. The most efficient way to make progress is to find something that works well for you. It’s important to determine what works best for your body type and preferences.
At SciFit Center, we’re unlike any other place out there, because we focus on helping our clients reach their fitness and wellness goals from every aspect possible. We formulate personalized nutrition and fitness programs that are tailored to our client’s schedules, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
What’s the best way to stay consistent on a program? One of the main reasons people deviate or give up on a plan is due to an unsustainable approach. Forcing perfect
execution of a diet or fitness program that’s too strict or demanding can decrease motivation. Another main culprit for poor results is lack of accountability which leads to inconsistency and decreased progress.
SciFit is unique in the way that we provide weekly accountability meetings to ensure our clients are successful. These consultations also provide clients with the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance. We also take the time to educate our clients on nutrition and exercise so that when they are finished with the program, they can continue to apply a healthy lifestyle and maintain the progress they have made.
Which methods will work best for my body type? SciFit provides DNA and Food Sensitivity Testing which reveals food sensitivities, how your body metabolizes certain foods, and which exercise methods are most effective for your particular genetic makeup.
This takes out the guesswork and allows you to do exactly what benefits you the most. Is there any new technology available to help me reach my goals? At SciFit Center, we utilize the Fit3D Body Scanner which provides you with the most accurate body composition data such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and anatomical measurements. This helps us monitor our clients’ progress and ensure that they are getting the results that they need. The comparison overlay feature allows you to see visual changes so you can identify the specific areas of improvement. By viewing these changes, you will be more engaged and motivated throughout your journey.
DR. BRYCE CALVILLO & ANGELA CALVILLO SCIFIT CENTER 817-975-7583 scifitcenter.com
Dr. Bryce Calvillo, Health & Fitness Specialist
Angela Calvillo, BS, Nutritionist
INTERIOR STYLE: WWSD WHAT WOULD SUSAN DO?
WHY HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
An interior designer brings expertise, resources, and creative vision to a client’s home design ideas. There is great benefit to hiring a professional who understands the complexities of implementing a holistic, cohesive plan within a given scope and budget. To achieve an outcome that is beautifully curated and polished, one must consider every aspect of space, scale, function, and aesthetics. Contrary to the common misconception that working with a designer can be intimidating and expensive, in reality, hiring an expert helps bring peace of mind and prevents design mistakes that have the potential to be very costly in the long run.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN INTERIOR DESIGNER? Look for an interior designer who will partner with you to create the vision you have for your home, adding their skills and talents to your desired outcome. The goal isn’t for someone to tell you what you need for your home; it is to be heard and understood first and foremost, then the process flows from there. Be sure to do your homework, look at portfolios, read reviews, and ask for recommendations within your community. Once your list is narrowed, set up consultations to see how their personality and professionalism resonate with yours, ask about their passions and what makes them unique; in doing so, you will most likely find the key that will lead you to just the right fit.
HOW DO I UPDATE MY HOME WITHOUT CHANGING EVERYTHING? Design elements like new fabrics and paint can work wonders to change the whole landscape of a room. That said, it is of benefit to consult with a designer
to determine which aspects of your home design should be altered to bring about the most dramatic facelift. The best and most proficient interior designers have a host of resources and product lines available to their clients, they know how to expertly assess your home and choose the right elements to incorporate into your existing design in a way that flows beautifully and seamlessly. It takes a seasoned eye to evaluate a room and know just what to tweak to create the most significant impact.
WHAT IF I HAVE A LIMITED BUDGET?
Interior designers know how to work within the financial boundaries of a client, and most have experience accommodating a wide range of project requests in size, scope, and budget. After all, it comes down to a simple equation consisting of the client’s desired outcome combined with their available resources; together we can form a budget and I will tell you precisely what we can accomplish with that amount, and where you are going to get the most bang for your design buck. A savvy designer can work some pretty spectacular magic on a limited budget.
HOW DO I MAKE
MY SPACE LOOK
LARGER? A soft, neutral palette will always win the day when it comes to creating visual space in a room. Layering various shades of the same color family creates an effect that is continuous and soothing. Consider bringing sightlines up by taking the drapery to the ceiling in a similar color to the walls. Always utilize natural light to create depth and dimension; mirrors are an excellent decor choice as they capture and reflect the light throughout the room. Be careful of clutter in the way of décor and storage; less is more. An
experienced designer will be able to maximize utility in a room without crowding the view.
WHAT IF MY STYLE IS NOT THE TREND OF TODAY? Your style needs never match the trend of today to be classic and stunning; after all, it is your home, your sanctuary, and it should authentically reflect your personality and your lifestyle. Trends serve as great inspiration, and you can adopt certain elements to refresh your design without completely changing your style. When you walk in your door every day, your home should feel timeless, a full expression of your passion and originality. When considering interior design trends, just like art, you can appreciate an aesthetic for someone else’s home without adopting it for your own.
WHAT IS SUSAN SEMMELMANN INTERIOR STYLE? At Susan Semmelmann Interiors, we often tell our clients, “our style is your style,” meaning that we are wellversed and experienced at implementing many design styles, and we know how to work expertly within them all. Our signature is not so much tied to a particular style as it is to beautifully executing the plans and visions of each client, and doing so with uncompromising excellence. We provide our passion, our time, and our talent so our clients will adore the return on their investment because it is a full extension of who they are and how they want to live and give to those around them.
* SUSAN SEMMELMANN
OWNER, SUSAN SEMMELMANN INTERIORS
4374 W. Vickery Blvd., Ste. 1000 Fort Worth, Texas 76107
940-577-1000
www.semmelmanninteriors.com
LUXURY HOMES: A BRIEF YEAR IN REVIEW AND WHAT TO
EXPECT
IN 2020
2019 proved to be an interesting year in luxury real estate. We sold more luxury homes than ever before, and our average luxury home price went up again for the third year in a row! Sellers tested a robust market with record high prices. Buyers became more discerning and patient. As a result, sales slowed the first half of the year. Consequently, sellers reconsidered their pricing. Prices came down and sales picked up for a very strong Q4. Dallas-Fort Worth collectively sold 3,699 luxury homes with the average luxury home price settling in at $1,279,119. There was a modest growth of 2% in the overall luxury market.
What should we expect this year? The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex continues to see rapid growth, and there are no signs of it slowing down in 2020. There are large companies relocating to the area, with more on the way and a steady influx of people moving here. It is a positive that we haven’t seen a large spike in the number of luxury homes sold or a huge increase in the average luxury home price since 2014. Mostly steady growth with no bubble to burst. It stands to reason we will continue to experience steady growth with a slight increase in the sales price of the average luxury home.
* JOHN GIORDANO
Christie’s International Real Estate ULTERRE
4838 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76114
817-882-6450
www.ulterre.com
johng@ulterre.com
PRINT IS MEMORABLE.
Print creates an emotional connection. Print builds relationships.
Physical material is more “real” to the brain, involves more emotional processing, is better connected to memory, with greater internalization of ads—all important for brand associations.
(FORBES)
(Marketing Sherpa, 2017)
Breaking Ground
Siratt family welcomes dozens in ‘groundblessing’ of scenic Montrachet development.
BY MATT PAYNE
Colby and Donnie Siratt were surrounded by family and many friends Nov. 20 when they dedicated the land of the future Montrachet community.
Several who have been involved in the west Fort Worth project, including those affiliated with the John Zimmerman Group, Compass Real Estate and the City of Fort Worth, attended the “ground-
blessing,” which followed the official groundbreaking last week.
“It’s a pleasure to hear your ideas and be creative together,” Donnie said to those gathered for the event. “We just want to do what’s needed to be done so we can have more people experience it.”
The expansive countryside nestled within thousands of trees features over 45 acres of green space, including miles of hiking and biking trails, riverside verandas,
and a private grove gazebo. Many have already taken interest in the development just purchased by the Siratts over the summer, with 53 of the 139 initial lots already spoken for, according to the family.
Montrachet, just off Ranch-to-Market Road 2871 and a stone’s throw away from Mary’s Creek, expands off of the exquisite Montserrat community. Lot prices on the new development range from $200,000 to $2 million.
District 3 Councilman Brian Byrd also helped dedicate the land and described the reaction of city staff as collectively “ecstatic.”
“Let me tell you: I was impressed,” Byrd said whenever the Siratts showcased a map of the land. “I see this as a celebration of what Montserrat is and has been, and we’re getting to see more of it with this expansion.”
Construction on roads and various infrastructure within the Montrachet development is set to ramp up next year.
The Piano Man Chopin, Liszt, and Busoni highlight the repertoire Stephen Hough has planned for the Kimbell.
JAN. 11
Happy #*@!’N Yoga Pop-Up
Nothing screams Zen like shouting expletives while in Sun Salutation — for a good cause, of course. A ticket not only pays for your class and a craft brew but also benefits the Here’s Your Reminder Project, which helps those battling depression.
Panther Island Brewing 501 N. Main St., 972.882.6522 itsforcharityevents. eventbrite.com
JAN. 12
Plant-Based Sushi & Sake Tasting
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just queasy when it comes to raw fish, this class explores the making of nigiri, maki, temaki, and more using plant-based ingredients.
The Table 120 St. Louis Ave., Ste. 103, 682.703.1092 thetablemarket.com
JAN. 13 – 15
Chisholm Challenge 2020
A competition featuring more than 225 equestrians with disabilities, showcasing their skills in horsemanship at the Will Rogers Memorial Center arena.
Will Rogers Memorial Center. 3401 W. Lancaster Ave. chisholmchallenge.com
JAN. 14 – 19
Hello, Dolly!
The New York matchmaker is back where she belongs — Fort Worth, duh — for a performance of Jerry Herman’s Broadway classic.
Sips, smooth jazz, and gourmet bites highlight this year’s Vine to Table, which celebrates the winners of the FWSSR/ BRIT Texas Sustainable Winegrowing competition and BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing competition.
USA vs. The World American football teams from Japan, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the U.S. clash on the turf at AT&T Stadium for International Bowl 2020. AT&T Stadium. 1 AT&T Way, Arlington,
JAN. 17
Blue Water Highway at The Post
The Post’s intimate ambiance will play host to an acoustic set by the popular roots-rock band.
The Post at River East 2925 Race St. thepostatrivereast.com
JAN. 17
Bobcat Goldthwait
The acclaimed comedian with an anxious speech pattern stops by downtown to give his candid takes on politics, divorce, and the hilarity of life in general.
Toast a Del Frisco’s bloody mary while you take in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s All-Western Parade through downtown Fort Worth. The event benefits a Wish with Wings.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House. 812 Main St., 817.469.9474, awww.org
18
JAN. 19
Best of Mexico Celebración
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo celebrates the cowboys and cowgirls of Mexico with colorful Folklorico dancers, an equestrian ballet, and mariachis.
Dickies Arena
1911 Montgomery St., 817.402.9000, fwssr.com
JAN. 24 – 26
Revolution: Music of the Beatles – A Symphonic Experience
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra adds The Beatles to its repertoire in a multimedia performance of the band’s hits, from “Hey, Jude” to “Penny Lane.”
Bass Performance Hall
525 Commerce St., 817.665.6000, fwsymphony.org
Crimson & Silk: A New Year Art Party
A “Great Gatsby”-style shindig featuring conceptual art, cocktails, s’mores, and a “surprise announced at midnight.” Dress code is vintage glam meets Western, however your interpretation.
Cliburn Sessions: WindSync + Ivan Trevino, Percussion
Wind quintet WindSync and percussionist Ivan Trevino offer their take on songs by Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and Son Lux, along with original music and a little singing.
Scat Jazz Lounge. 111 W. Fourth St., Ste. 11, 817.870.9100, cliburn.org
JAN. 30 – 31
Stephen Hough: Piano
The Kimbell hosts renowned musician
Stephen Hough for two nights of breathtaking performances and your own personal regret for not practicing piano as a kid.
Kimbell Art Museum 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.332.8451 cliburn.org
JAN. 31
Lost in Nostalgia ’90s Rock and More
Rock your Doc Martens for a throwback concert that smells like teen spirit.
On Nov. 2, at Ridglea Country Club, The Assembly presented the 2019 Assembly Debutantes at the Annual Assembly Ball.
President Mrs. Peter Lindsay Philpott
2019 Debutantes (from left to right)
Miss Annabelle Marie Doswell, Miss Meredith Hay Berry, Miss Serena Polan Ginsburg, Miss Olivia Chandler Woodson
2019 Fall Dream Home VIP Party
Guests got a sneak peek at Fort Worth Magazine’s 2019 Fall Dream Home on Sept. 27 in the Walsh Ranch development.
Gil Gilchrist, Elizabeth Middlemas
Kathy Mott, Melissa Williams, Brenda Mc Gayhey
Anne & Tracy Tomlin, Tammy McBee
Amy Reed, Audrey Cammock, Alexa Hensley
Bexie Nobles, Meagan Barney, Linda Surratt
Deanna & Mitchell Young
Holly Johnston, Rebecca Faris, Daniel Lee
Monster
Music Mash
A masquerade party took place at the River Crest Country Club on Oct. 25 benefiting the The Women’s Center of Tarrant County.
Child Care Associates
Child Care Associates raised money for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in North Texas during the Early Childhood Investors’ Luncheon, Oct. 16, at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. The event also honored Happy Baggett, who chaired the event a final time before he died in November.
Nigel & Bhavini Garraway
Jennifer & Craig Christopher
Judy Bernas, Jennifer Allie
Keri Steele, Jacqueline Todd, Brandy DePlante
Rachel Arellano, Monica deLaGarza
Michael Jr., Aquile
Sandra McGlothlin, Cheryl Chapman
Freddie Jones, Happy Baggett, Dionne Anglin, Susan Medina
Hearts of Gold Luncheon
The Rutledge Cancer Foundation held its Hearts of Gold luncheon on Sept. 19 at the Ridglea Country Club. The Rutledge Cancer Foundation works to ease the impact of cancer on the lives of teens and young adults, raise survival rates, and find a cure for sarcomas and other solid tumor cancers.
Caroline Dorris Grace, Julie Dorris
Allison Wagner, Terri Sexton, Debbie Kalas
Bill Penny, Elizabeth Schmid, Mary Llewellyn, Cynthia Hickman
Lou Martin, Jan Peterson, Elizabeth Peterson
Carla Thompson, Patricia Ryan, Tamara Reese
Gill Children’s Services
Gill Children’s Services hosted the 40th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon at River Crest Country Club to mark four decades of service to the community. The children of Gill’s founders, Martine Ginsburg and Ginny Richards, served as honorary chairs of the luncheon.
Cowtown Ball
Whiskey Ranch was the setting for the Cowtown Ball on Oct. 4. Guests were entertained by country rock band Reckless Kelly. The American Cancer Society tradition has raised more than $7 million for cancer initiatives.
Tod Miller, Paul Ray III, Peyton Salavarria Paige & Reagan Casey
Robert Ginsburg, Shannon Ray
Christinna Oldham, Carlee Hughes, Madison & Preston Sawyer
Butch & Sandra Luskey
Reckless Kelly
Elizabeth Sparks, Katie Semple, Anne Wright
2019 Design Awards
Fort Worth HOME announced the winners of its third annual Home Design Awards on Dec. 3. at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in The Shops at Clearfork. Winners were announced in various categories including Best Whole Home Design and Best Kitchen. The Capital Grille catered the food for the evening.
Kristi Hopper, Brian Kendall
Jeff Jones, Shauna Glenn
Samantha Karcher, Carlos Silva, Robert Calderon, Marissa Moore
Meredith Latimer, Meredith Okruhlik, Kelly Carameros
There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back and making a difference in the lives of people in this great community. As the city’s magazine — which has the eyes and ears of some of Fort Worth’s most affluent and philanthropic citizens — we feel a responsibility to give back to the people of the city that is our namesake, which is why Philanthropy is one of our core values.
Every year, Fort Worth Magazine sponsors more than 100 charity events, which range from luncheons to black-tie galas. The following promotional section is devoted to these charities and their fundraisers. We invite you to consciously peruse and consider lending a helping hand by either making a donation or attending these events.
GIVE BACK
Be an Angel Be an Angel
BECOME AN ANGEL AND JOIN US!
LEAP DAY | FEBRUARY 29, 2020
DICKIES ARENA
Jewel Charity Angel donors are the cornerstone of our organization. Your Angel gifts provide access to care for the precious patients at Cook Children’s.
Since 1953 the Jewel Charity Ball has honored our Angel donors at Fort Worth’s longest-standing black tie event.
Honoring Jolie and Sonny Burgess with the 2020 Rosie Moncrief Wings of Hope Award
25TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTING SPONSOR
Bell POINSETTIA
Paul Dorman and Terri Anderson
Virginia Street Smith
Holly
Anne and John Marion
Jere C. Robertson
Carol Sweeney
Mistletoe
Frost Bank
Dan Lowrance
The Radler Foundation
Texas Capital Bank
Ivy
Baird, The Ryan-Jones Group Balcom Agency
Gala Coming Home for the Holidays for 25 Years Anniversary Silver
Dr. Jason Biggers and Kaci Roan
Bourland, Wall, and Wenzell, P.C.
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation
Frank Neal
Joy and Scot Pierce
Michele and Fred Reynolds Sanders Travel
Sam and Zoe Sexhus
Mitch and Molly Snyder
Jodi and Todd Spake
St. Stephen Presbyterian
Media Sponsor
Fort Worth Magazine
2019 Committee Members
Co-Chairs:
Kim Dillon and Levi Dillon
MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Matt Dufrene Committee:
Charity Aughinbaugh • Cintya Segoviano Auld
Betsy Beaman • Meghan Gehrke
Lauren Griffin • Emily Jones
Rachel Navejar Phillips • Alicia Newburn
Jennifer Potts • Kaci Roan
Sara Robinson • Molly Snyder • Jodi Spake
Courtney Tulbert • Jennifer Wesson
Fay Wooten
PRESENTED BY
thank you to our generous sponsors and committee members!
we are grateful for your continued support in helping us pave the road home to new beginnings.
Benefitting
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF FORT WORTH
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
GRAND CHAMPION
Sasha C. Bass and Edward P. Bass | Madelon Leonard Bradshaw | Double Eagle
Martha V. Leonard | Anne & John Marion
WINNER’S CIRCLE
Basin Oil & Gas | Bebee & Pelley Families | Folsom Point
The Roach Foundation | Amber & Troy Robertson | Teresa & Luther King/Luther King Capital Management
SILVER SPUR
Brazos Midstream | Dorado Petroleum | Debbie & Albon Head | Pheasant Energy
Sewell INFINITI of Fort Worth & Sewell Lexus of Fort Worth | Tarrant Property Tax Service
I was placed on life support after suffering a cardiac arrest at work. My family was told I would not make it. Nine years later, I am thriving. I am passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and rely on a defibrillator implanted in my chest. One in three women die of cardiovascular diseases each year – I strive every day to ensure I beat the odds.
Pictured Monic Lowe
Photographer Leobardo Loera snapped this image on an early morning visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards. It was October when the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering was afoot. And with hardly any visitors or tourists around, the scene could very well have taken place in the 1800s — minus the plastic bottle of vegetable oil. “To me, this shot captures the essence of the cowboy lifestyle back in the day — waking up early, getting the fire started, and enjoying a cup of cowboy coffee with breakfast,” Loera says.
So you’ve snapped a cool pic of the city. We want to see it. Tag your photos on Instagram with #arlingtoncamera and #fwtxmag. The winning image will get published in the Close section of the magazine, and the winning photographer gets a $150 gift card to Arlington Camera — so hit us with your best shot. main line 817.560.6111 | subscriptions 800.856.2032 | website fwtx.com
@leoloeraphoto
PHOTO BY LEOBARDO LOERA
60 years now. 60 years next.
SHARED Values
The Barry and DeeAnn Moore family shares an admiration for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Barry, a vice president with an international software development firm, currently drives a 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63S, a performance sedan that appeals to his love of fast cars. Whereas DeeAnn, owner of Moore Real Estate, appreciates the amenities galore of her spacious, sumptuous 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560, which often functions as her mobile office. And their son, Bryce, owner of RocketBoy Solutions, a graphic and web design firm, cruises around in a brand-new 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Coupe, an elegant car in every sense. So, whether they are commuting to work or spending free time on the tennis court, a Mercedes-Benz gets them to their destination.
Over the years, the Moore family has returned to Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth to purchase more than 18 vehicles. “They are just down the street from our office. The service they provide us has been second to none,” Barry said. “Park Place is My Place because where else can you buy a luxury four-door sedan, all-wheel drive, with 603 horsepower!”
When choosing an automotive dealership to provide their family with everything they need, the Moore family routinely selects Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth “for the outstanding service, quality, expertise, inventory, and attention to detail,” Barry said. “We will be customers for life.”
