Fort Worth Magazine - March 2023 by fwtx

Best Bars

DANIEL NORMAN MEETS GHOSTS IN MINERAL WELLS AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE NEW COUNTRY: C'ing Jerome Infuses Hip-Hop With Twang / FINE DINING: 61 Osteria Opens its Doors FROM DODGY DIVES TO TASTEFUL TAVERNS, WE FOUND 36 WATERING HOLES WORTHY OF YOUR OPEN TAB.

Michael Rivas drink slinger at TBD

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VOLUME 26

Saloon City

From swanky cocktail lounges to bars clad in flat-screen televisions to divey watering holes with a 1998 Zenith in the far corner, we honor the best spots in Fort Worth for a night of putting one’s inhibitions on the backburner.

BY JOHN HENRY, BRIAN KENDALL, MALCOLM MAYHEW, AND MARK MOURER

Something in the Water

We ain’t ’fraid of no ghost. We sent a fellow out to Mineral Wells in search of the paranormal, and we’ll be damned if he didn’t find something, at the very least, abnormal. Hashtag: Shivers.

BY DANIEL EARL NORMAN

the fort

: know

14 Buzz

Texas A&M doubles down, almost quite literally, on its plans to build a campus in Fort Worth, increasing the construction budget because of increased demand. That truly merits a “whoop!”

20 Calendar

What’s goin’ on, Marvin Gaye?

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s homage to Motown, that’s what. The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and, yes, Marvin Gaye. Oh, my.

22 Fort Worthian

He’s invisible, but his impact is loud and clear. Well, he hopes it is. Blake Barker, who has toured internationally with electrofolk duo Tall Heights, makes the room pop as the sound technician at Tulips.

: live

26 Art

Gerald Bell is a self-taught artist whose work has been exhibited in several prominent galleries, including the inaugural show at Daisha Board Gallery.

28 State Lines

Let’s explore Marble Falls, three hours south-southwest of Fort Worth and home to a massive dome rock that shines with the same warm pink glow of the Texas State Capitol building.

30 Closet Raid

Artist and local fashion icon Sunflowerman takes us on a tour through his impressive fits and tells us all about the stir he made in Florence.

34 Music

C’ing Jerome lives on a ranch that overlooks downtown Fort Worth, the perfect place to create the genre-bending tunes he’s dubbed “hood country.”

: eat

36 Restaurant News

Adam Jones and chef Blaine Staniford present diners a literal tour of Italy with 61 Osteria, the pair’s new concept in downtown.

etc.

: snaps

82 Beyond the Bag, benefiting the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center, was back in-person with festive and righteous partygoers.

DREAM STREET

86 Oak Alley is the home of this year’s Fort Worth Magazine Dream Street, a tour of three million-dollar luxury homes that will take place in October.

CLOSE

104 Photographer Rebecca O’Toole catches a flamingo setting down its weary head as only flamingoes can do.

More Than Drinks

It was a couple of years ago when a few friends and I went to a local bar for my birthday (I won’t say celebrate because I admittedly stopped celebrating once the odometer hit a certain number). Requiring a numbing agent for the occasion, we decided to get shots. But, like, not a straight-up shot. Not a shot that would light a flame to my esophagus and induce a gag reflex. No, we wanted something diluted. Something with something else in it. When we asked the bartender for her recommendation, being none-the-wiser to our true wishes, she shrugged and responded, “Whiskey.”

My friend immediately quipped, “Oh, no, we were, uhmm, thinking of something a little wimpier. Something a wimp would drink.” I don’t 100% recall if the word “wimp” was used or if it was another less appropriate word, but the bartender’s response was one of the most exaggerated eyerolls I’ve ever witnessed (a full 360 degrees if that is even possible) followed by a quick pour of lemon drops. She was half-joking, taking it all in stride, and we were eating it up. I don’t know if it’s just a Fort Worth thing, though I’m not sure if it’s entirely universal, but, in this town, a communal spirit exists between patron and bartender. It’s a mutual understanding akin to a wink and nod that says, “I got you.” I enjoy bars. And I enjoy bars not because they’re a place to collectively partake in guzzling down libations. No, I enjoy bars because they’re a place to collectively partake in turning off the world outside, no matter how above or below the legal limit one is. I enjoy bars because they’re the only place where

Brian Kendall EXECUTIVE EDITOR

one can ignore the use of their inside voice without fear of repercussion. I enjoy bars because, these days, it seems to be the only place where everyone is open to a conversation about any topic of one’s choosing without judgment. While there are plenty of reasons to dislike bars, I elected to turn a blind eye to such negativity and focus on the positives. So, in case you’re not a drinker and don’t like places where drinkers drink, please excuse my exuberance. Regardless, putting this list together, informing our readers about the best places where they can do everything I listed above, was a pure joy. Yes, I visited every place on this list. I did not have a drink at every place on this list — I am, in fact, protective of my liver. And, yet, I had an incredible time at every place on this list. If, while thumbing through the 36 bars we’ve branded the best, a specific watering hole piques your interest on the opposite side of town, I sincerely hope you break from your comfort zone, chat with the bartender about drink recommendations, order a spirit to your liking, take in the atmosphere, and order an Uber home. Enjoy and drink responsibly, y’all.

when

to wear some old-fashioned garb and pose for some potential cover shots at Nickel City. The two bartenders, despite being away from their home bases, turned out to be a couple of the best models we’ve ever commissioned for a photo shoot. Go figure. And Nickel City obliged every request we made. We thank everyone for their help and hospitality.

NEXT MONTH

The Great Camp Bowie Motel Adventure

The Art of Dying

ON THE COVER: It was a Wednesday morning

our director of photography, Crystal Wise, recruited two local bartenders, Michael Rivas and Dexter Blake,

Top Doctors

Let’s Chat

A few words from our readers

I worked for Tim for two years and opened Gemelle. He isn’t as bad as everyone says he is; we got along just fine. He told me that I was a very talented chef. Now, his upper management is a joke!!! Because of management, he lost all of the talent that was working at Gemelle. But it’s ok, I have my own food truck now. So, I guess it all worked out.

3d.cuisine

I really enjoyed hosting @ cheftimlove on my live show and listening to all his creative ideas and hearing about the success he’s experiencing through hard work and dedication to the culinary arts. He’s a professional creative thinker who is always moving forward, NEVER BACKWARD. treyschowdown

owner/publisher hal a. brown

president/director of sales mike waldum

EDITORIAL

executive editor brian kendall

contributing editor john henry

digital editor stephen montoya

contributing writers hannah barricks, shasta haubrich, malcolm mayhew, mark mourer, daniel norman, shilo urban

copy editor sharon casseday

ART

creative director craig sylva

senior art director spray gleaves

advertising art director ed woolf director of photography crystal wise

ADVERTISING

advertising account supervisors

gina burns-wigginton x150, marion c. knight x135

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administrative assistant kaitlyn lisenby

MARKETING

director of digital robby kyser

marketing director sarah benkendorfer

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marketing intern kiana nemati

CORPORATE

chief financial officer charles newton

founding

CONTACT

jocelyntatum Hao! She’s the best and deserves this spotlight

HERE, LIFE MEANS MORE.

“We’re busier now than we ever were. Our children call and they can’t get us and they wonder where we are now. And I have to reply: we were at bingo, we were at lunch, we were at dinner, oh no – we are going down to trivia. It’s endless, what you can find to do. It’s just one fun-filled, lifetime vacation.”

- STEVENSON OAKS RESIDENTS RON & JOYCE STULTS

At MRC Stevenson Oaks, our philosophy is that no matter how old we are or what challenges we live with, life is about continuing to grow. We fight back on thieves like loneliness, helplessness and boredom. We resolve to make every day one that confirms the seven domains of well-being through identity, growth, autonomy, security, connectedness, meaning and joy.

Fort Whoop

Texas A&M doubles down on Fort Worth campus with increase in construction budget

BY JOHN HENRY

The Aggies have stepped on the gas in their trip north to Fort Worth.

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents almost doubled the construction budget — from $85 million to $150 million — for Phase One of the Texas A&M-Fort Worth research campus.

Responding to greater-thanexpected demand for space in the Law & Education Building, the regents authorized approximately 225,000 gross square feet — an estimated nine floors to house programs in law, engineering, business, and health sciences, among others.

“There is so much opportunity for the Texas A&M System to serve Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and all of North Texas, we had to go bigger and taller in the first building,” says Chancellor John Sharp in a statement.

Only a few weeks before, the Aggies were in town to drive stakes in the ground.

They ain’t going anywhere.

Sharp and A&M President Katherine Banks and dozens of dignitaries gathered on the second floor of the Burnett Plaza to formally christen the Aggies’

intention to develop the campus in Fort Worth.

Sharp unveiled the name of the three-building complex — Texas A&MFort Worth — to be built on four blocks of the southeast corridor of downtown during a mid-afternoon reception featuring wine and hors d’oeuvres in what amounted to a marital engagement party.

That it sits on the old Hell’s Half Acre is an Aggie joke waiting to manifest. You know full well the Aggies were in Hell’s Half Acre raising, well, hell.

Sharp also announced that Stantec would serve as the architect of record for the first building, the Law & Education Building. Stantec will provide lab planning services on the project in partnership with the design architect, Pelli Clarke & Partners.

The construction management teams on the first building will include Turner Construction Company, CARCON Industries, Fort Worth-based Source Building Group Inc., and Dikita Enterprises.

Workers will break ground on the Law & Education Building this summer. It is expected to be completed by 2025. All three buildings are expected to be

completed in five or six years.

“A top-10 public research institution ensures Fort Worth’s future is rooted in the next economy driven by an educated workforce, whether it be lawyers, engineers, health care professionals or technology workers whose jobs don’t even exist today,” says Sharp. “Thanks to our partners, the city of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the Texas A&M System is investing in a unique publicprivate sector endeavor that will be a magnet for economic growth for the North Texas region.”

The campus is being called transformational as a catalyst for economic growth in the city and region. Construction for the campus will also coincide with a renovated Fort Worth Convention Center and the streets that surround it.

Texas A&M got its start in Fort Worth with the purchase of the Texas Wesleyan Law School in 2013. Two years ago, Fort Worth and Tarrant County officials, along with representatives of the business community, specifically Fort Worth Now, an organization led by billionaire developer John Goff, invited the Texas A&M System to bring its research and academic infrastructure to the city. Fort Worth is the largest Texas city without a Tier 1 research university, according to officials.

Until now.

“I may be a tea-sip,” Goff said of his education at the University of Texas, “but I can tell you that when it comes to Fort Worth and Tarrant County, I am totally agnostic. I am 100% on board.

“This was the No. 1 focus of mine personally, as well as Fort Worth Now, to get this deal done. It is a game changer. This will have so much impact. I can’t tell you how many companies have embraced this and are chomping at the bit to be a partner.”

Fort Worth Now has been renamed the Fort Worth Tarrant County Innovation Partnership.

The high-rise complex will include classrooms, labs, and flexible research and maker spaces that can be used by the public and private sectors for academic programs, workforce training, and collaborative research in the fields of engineering, emergency management communications, agriculture, health sciences, and visualization, among others.

The Texas A&M System will construct the Law & Education Building. It will be financed with bonds backed by the Permanent University Fund and other sources.

The other two facilities, the Research and Innovation building and the Gateway Conference Center and offices, will be financed with cityissued bonds secured by leases to the A&M System and private sector development firms.

The Fort Worth City Council in January approved an interlocal agreement that spells out the general terms and conditions the city and Texas A&M will follow in developing the downtown campus.

The Research & Innovation Local Government Corp., also approved by City Council, will oversee a large portion of the campus, including construction of the Research and Innovation Building, Gateway Conference Center, and a campus plaza.

A developer, who is yet to be chosen, will be responsible for developing and leasing the space for the private firms. Start dates for the two buildings have not been announced.

“Today, we are here to celebrate A&M’s continued nature of being both big and bold and their dreams of a Fort Worth campus,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck, who represented the city in Mayor Mattie Parker’s stead. Parker was in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

“A&M could have updated their law school and called it a day. Instead, they decided to dream big and invest physically with three buildings, culturally, educationally, and economically in our community.”

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) were also present. The 80-yearold Granger, a 13-term member of the House and currently the chairwoman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, made what appeared to be some news by saying she would remain in Congress until the project is complete.

“This will be something we will always remember,” Granger said. “A great negotiation is one where each partner secretly thinks he made a better deal than the other one. Texas A&M and Fort Worth are both getting an incredible deal.”

A Different Tune

Inaugural Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference set this month

BY STEPHEN MONTOYA

The inaugural Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference at the Stockyards is March 2-4 at multiple venues in the ’Yards. It will include panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and, yes, live performances.

Produced by Live Nation, in partnership with chef Tim Love and Larry Joe Taylor, this forum has been set up to generate awareness surrounding the Texas music scene while working to build an infrastructure where artists can establish and grow their careers.

“Our vision is to celebrate the musical heritage and history of the Stockyards and to create an experience that unites this landmark district in the heart of Texas,” says Love. “The Stockyards is home to so many iconic venues, it couldn’t be a better time to showcase the destination through the lens of live music.”

Event passes for the conference are available at ticketmaster.com. One pass will get attendees into all panel discussions, attend workshops with established artists, network with industry experts, and see new, emerging Texas-based talent in the heart of Fort Worth. The schedule is subject to change.

DAILY LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP »

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

Dusty Moats, Saints Eleven, Jacob Armitage, Race Ricketts, Midnight River Choir, Shaker Hymns, Tejas Brothers, Josh Weathers, and a Texas Independence Day Jam with Ray Wylie Hubbard, Radney Foster, Michael Martin Murphey, Deryl Dodd, Dave Perez & Larry Joe Taylor.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Randy Brown, Jake Bush, Nick Brumley & Presley Hailie, Graycie York, Jake Castillo Trio, Prophets & Outlaws, Max & Heather Stalling, Cameron Wrinkle, Gary P. Nunn, Roger Creager, and Treaty Oak Revival.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

Honey, Kerri Lick, Amanda Kate Ferris, Angel White, Jake Odin, Tommy Alverson, Jesse Jennings, Jack Barksdale, Courtney Patton, September Moon, Larry Joe Taylor, Johnny Falstaff, Jarrod Morris, Stoney LaRue, Davin James, Mike Ryan, and THEBROSFRESH.

CONFIRMED CONFERENCE PANELISTS

Keynote Speaker: Rick Lambert – Miranda Lambert Management

• Josh Abbott – Entertainer

• Radney Foster – Entertainer

• Quinn Donahue - C3 Presents

• Larry Joe Taylor – Entertainer

• Brendon Anthony - Texas Music Office

• Eddie Kloesel – WHY&HOW Management

• Henry Glascock – WME

• Tim Love

• Martha Taylor – Promoter, Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival

• Dave Perez – Entertainer

• Ray Johnston – Entertainer Conference panel topics include:

• State of the Texas Music Industry

• Songwriter Q&A

• Booking/Management: Insight for Artist & Promoter

• The Art of Co-Writing

• Event Food, Beverage & Hospitality

• Music Distribution & Publishing

• Concert Marketing & Promotion

• The Promoter, Artist, Agent and Manager Relationship

» Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Screams can be heard coming from an old box computer monitor, now sideways, attached to a keyboard and small speaker on the second floor at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. A field of plastic debris fans out from what appears to be a point of contact on the floor where gravity pulled this once complete object into a fractured mess.

On the screen, playing on a loop, is a pixelated video. But this object isn’t the casualty of a workplace accident; it’s part of a new exhibit at the museum titled, “I’ll Be Your Mirror: Art and the Digital Age.” This new exhibition, which will run through April 30, has taken two years to curate and features more than 60 works by 50 artists that include Andy Warhol, Hito Steyeri, and Gretchen Bender, just to name a few.

The main theme of this exhibit is to examine the screen’s vast impact on art beginning in 1969, the year of the Apollo moon landing, to the present. The artists included examine screen culture through a broad range of media such as paintings, sculpture, video games, digital art, augmented reality, and video.

Alison Hearst, curator at the MAMFW, says this exhibition started

during the pandemic.

“I was forced, as we all were during this time, to view life through screens,” she says. “For a while there, the only way we could interact with our colleagues and friends is with the mediation of a screen between us.”

Hearst says it was this daily reminder that inspired her to research to see how far back she could pinpoint where technology began to intertwine with art.

“For me it really starts in 1969 because that was the year of the televised Apollo moon landing and the release of ARPANET, which is the prototype to the internet,” she says. “This was really the first time that people were becoming more connected through screens … through new technologies. I mean 650 million people watched the moon landing, and that really marked the era when television, or screens, became a major part of our homelife.”

According to Hearst, it was during this era of time that artists began using the media of the screen to create new digitally inspired work.

One such art installation on display for this exhibition is titled “TV Buddha” by artist Nam June Paik.

This art installment shows the Buddha statue facing its own image on a closed-circuit TV, creating what Hearst calls a “closed loop echo chamber.” “I think this piece really hits upon the vanity of modern social media.”

Another art piece on display for this exhibit that really conveys the banal and meta of everyday life is an art installment of more than 150,000 photographs that take up the entire center wall of the second floor of the museum. This piece, titled “Thousand Little Brothers v7” was artist Hasan Elahi’s way of getting back at the FBI when they targeted him as a terrorist post-9/11.

“I was taken in by INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] after returning to the U.S. post-9/11, which began a six-month-long investigation by the FBI, where I had to justify my existence,” Elahi says. “So, I figured, why not help them out and decided to monitor myself for the benefit of the FBI.”

Elahi says that in order to achieve this goal he began taking photos of his everyday life to chronicle where he was and what he was doing.

“I took pictures of the food I was eating, the toilets I was using, and some of the beds I had been sleeping in,” he says. “When I started this project over 20 years ago, people would look at me funny for getting out my camera and taking a photo of what I was eating, and now it is just so normalized.”

Hearst reiterated that this is the largest group of artists to ever display a themed work at the same time in the museum’s history.

— Stephen Montoya

“Paik is considered the father of video art and started working with camcorders as early as 1965,” she says. “What I think is really amazing about this piece is he is combing this 18th century sculpture of the Buddha with the cutting-edge technology of the time.”

Toast of the Town

TCU opens No. 150 with different receptions for football team, Oklahoma

BY JOHN HENRY

TCU formally kicked off its yearlong sesquicentennial celebration in January the Fort Worth way.

We drank to it. Well, not the way Charlie Sheen or perhaps a fraternity kegger would do it, but rather a toast by Chancellor Victor Boschini, who called the gathering at a reception at the Brown-Lupton University Union to raise its glasses and drink together in tribute to the glorious past of the university and its future.

Hear! Hear! We all clinked in wholehearted agreement.

And it wasn’t just any wine I was drinking, either. Rather, a special blend called the “TCU 150,” a cabernet sauvignon made specially for the occasion of TCU’s 150th birthday, all manifested from grapes grown in the vineyard of Saarloos and Sons of California. That’s the same Saarloos family who has given us Kirk Saarloos in service to the TCU baseball program.

He’s the coach, and it goes without saying that when you can bring this

kind of product to the party, you’ve provided yourself job security.

From there guests toured a fantastic exhibit, “The Story of Us: An Immersive TCU Experience,” which took the viewer through a history of TCU with video and a display of objects of historical and cultural significance.

Davey O’Brien’s jersey and Heisman Trophy are included, as is the original handwritten charter of AddRan College. Plus, iterations of Super Frog’s ensemble.

That doesn’t do it justice. A full 150 years was represented there.

A planned drone show was postponed while Mother Nature did her rudest interruption.

Afterward, we all went over to the basketball game for perhaps the best kept secret in town. The Frogs were than ranked No. 11 in the country and turned the screws on Oklahoma in front of the second-largest crowd to see a basketball game at Schollmaier Arena. More than 8,500 watched TCU open a can of whoop-ass on the Soon-

ers, beating the visitors by 27 points, 79-52. (Yes, I checked my work on the complicated mathematical equation.)

This was a mere three days after handing Kansas, the Big 12 basketball colossus, a 20-plus-point defeat in Lawrence. That simply doesn’t happen. In fact, just winning in Kansas is an event.

It’s always so fun to beat a team from the traitorous institutions who engaged in such treachery just over a year ago. Oklahoma and Texas announced in 2021 that they were taking off on the family like a drunken, deadbeat father, appropriately enough, for the wife-beater regions of the Deep South.

Well, our Frogs have defended the honor of the Big 12 family by giving the Sooners a beating with the Iron Skillet in both football and basketball. Texas, you’re next. TCU gave the Longhorns a backhand in football, but the basketball team let one slip away in Austin. Put March 1 on your calendar. Texas comes here. Two out of three ain’t bad, I’ve heard.

TCU’s venerable athletics communicator, Mark Cohen, reminded us by tweet that TCU’s largest victories over Oklahoma in school history in both football (55-24) and men’s basketball (79-52) have come this season.

Insert a “Bam! Pow! Thwack!” graphic from the old “Batman” TV series here.

If the outcome of Tuesday’s game wasn’t enough, the highlight was certainly a welcome home to the football team, which was honored at halftime. Lyndon Johnson came to the exact place in 1964. Not even LBJ could hold the audience in the hollow of his hand like football coach Sonny Dykes, named in January as Fort Worth Inc.’s Person of the Year.

“It’s been an unbelievable year,” Dykes said. “The greatest gift I’ve ever been given is the opportunity to be here at TCU. It’s pretty amazing what can happen when a group of people get together and work their tail off and doesn’t care who gets the credit. It’s amazing what they can accomplish.

“This group is special, and I think they will go down in history as one of the great TCU teams. I want to say one more thing … that was a heckuva ride last year. Let’s do it again. Go, Frogs.” Make it so.

MEMBERSHIP IS THEIR WINDOW to the WORLD

A membership to the Fort Worth Zoo o ers a year of extraordinary adventure. Discover the world’s most awe-inspiring animals, visit new places and experience the best of wildlife conservation through hands-on, enriching exploration. Plus, members get exclusive savings and benefits that bring you closer to nature all year long.

BECOME A MEMBER

Open a window to the world with a Zoo membership.

FORTWORTHZOO.ORG/

MAR. 2 – 4

Fort Worth Music Festival

This first-of-its-kind country music festival will take place at several venues, including Tim Love’s music venue, Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall. Makes complete sense considering one of the festival’s founders is none other than Mr. Love himself.

Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall

122 E. Exchange tannahills.com

MAR. 3 – 5

Dancing

the Street: The Music of Motown

The FWSO’s homage to this era of ear-grabbing hooks and meaningful melodies is sure to evoke feelings of nostalgia as the orchestra performs hits by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and more.

Bass Performance Hall 330 E. Fourth St. basshall.com

MAR. 4

Soul of DFW Food & Black History Bus Tour

Dive into DFW’s rich Black culture while riding in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. This curated tour allows guests to visit historical landmarks and learn about the contributions of the North Texas metro area via cuisine and history. soulofdfw.com

MAR. 9

Spring Night Hike

Nature enthusiasts have a chance to view nocturnal wildlife at the Botanic Garden with the aid of a guide and good old flashlight. Hike approximately 1.5 miles of a curated trial that goes off the beaten path. Cocoa and cookies will be provided.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. fwbg.org

MAR. 16

Diplo Presents: Thomas Wesley with Paul Cauthen

Electronic dance music producer Diplo likes to dip his toes into the country music world under the pseudonym Thomas Wesley every once in a while. He’ll be coming to Fort Worth in support of his latest country single, “Wasted” with Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel. He’ll also be joined by Paul Cauthen.

Billy Bob’s Texas 2520 Rodeo Plaza billybobstexas.com

Art fans have a chance to view seven installations that span sculpture, photography, paper, and textile fabrications for this exhibition. This collection’s focus visualizes what freedom looks like for Black Americans today and the legacy of the Civil War in 2023 and beyond.

Amon Carter Museum of American Art 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. | cartermuseum.org

MAR. 18 – 19

Southside Spillover

This two-day festival will feature more than 15 bands, authentic local cuisine, and visual arts. This year’s spillover is expected to be one of the biggest homegrown parties of the year.

Tulips 112 St. Louis Ave. tulipsftw.com

MAR. 19

Fort Worth 5K Run/ Walk

Join the fight to end colon cancer by getting your rear in gear for a charity event that involves exercise. Stay fit by helping the Colon Cancer Coalition raise funds to continue its efforts in raising colon cancer awareness.

Trinity Park 2401 University Drive donate.coloncancercoalition.org

PysankyEgg Decorating

MAR. 21

Our Planet Live in Concert

Enjoy some breathtaking HD cinematography while listening to Oscar-winning composer Steven Price unveil all new orchestrations based around this landmark Emmy Award-winning series on Netflix. Narrated by legendary broadcaster David Attenborough, this mesmerizing concert will highlight some of the most spectacular images that make up our home planet.

Bass Performance Hall 525 Commerce St. basshall.com

MAR. 25

The Bones of J.R. Jones

Enjoy some American-roots music courtesy of Jonathon Robert Linaberry – the songwriter, storyteller, visual artist, and one-man-band behind The Bones of J.R. Jones. Listen to Linaberry croon about his take on the American Southwest via an acoustic guitar and forwardthinking folk music stylings.

Tulips

112 St. Louis Ave. tulipsftw.com

MAR. 25

Flickerstick

Following a spate of reunion shows last year, Fort Worth art-rock troupe Flickerstick is now back permanently, with a slightly tweaked lineup. Longtime members Brandin Lea, Rex Ewing, and Todd Harwell are now joined by Beau Wagener of DARYL and Fatima Thomas of the Crash That Took Me.

Tannahill’s Tavern & Musical Hall 122 E. Exchange tannahills.com

MAR. 28

Pysanky Egg

Decorating

Participants will learn an ancient Ukrainian art technique for decorating eggs that is supposed to ward off evil spirits and welcome the spring. These colorful art pieces are created by applying beeswax to each egg’s surface in carefully choreographed layers.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. fwbg.org

MAR. 30 – APR. 2

Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival

This is one of North Texas’ most celebrated cuisine and beverage festivals, which will take place over four days and nights in venues around Fort Worth. But this festival isn’t just about showcasing local cuisine; it’s also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to local grant programs and culinary scholarships. fwfwf.com

MAR. 30 – APR. 15

The Mountaintop

This is a gripping reimagination of events that happened the night before the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The setting takes place in Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel after King delivered one of his most memorable speeches. This one-act play is filled with symbolism from the civil rights movement.

Circle Theatre 230 W. Fourth St. circletheatre.com

MAR. 28 – APR. 2

Annie

This classic musical about an orphan named Annie, who tries to always see the bright side of things, will feature the iconic music and book written by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. This celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

Bass Performance Hall 525 Commerce St. | basshall.com

The Bones of J.R. Jones

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

Sound technician and musician Blake Barker sits comfortably on the opposite side of a cross-hatched, iron patio set at his professional home base, Tulips. Bespectacled and wavyhaired, he takes a long drag from a cigarette before clearing his throat.

“I was a barback at Scat Jazz Lounge,” Barker says impishly. “And the bartender handling sound that day got too busy. He needed me to help, and I had no idea what to do. So, he drew on a cocktail napkin signal flow: microphone, cable, mixing console, amplifier, and speaker.”

It was one of those sink or swim moments for Barker; he was either going to succeed or fall flat on his face. “I did it. And I liked it.” Barker was hooked — the signal flow he saw that day made sense to him. “It was just a straight line,” he laughs. And the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of equalization in sound has kept Barker hooked for 12 years. “I’m still not 100% sure how it works, but I can make it happen.”

Born in Galveston, Barker’s a little hesitant to talk of his childhood, when he frequently packed his bags and bounced around the Houston area. But Barker would eventually find a home in Fort Worth, where his fateful first sound technician experience would catapult him into the music industry professionally.

Barker worked at the Scat with local singer/ songwriter Luke Wade, who Barker would tour with and who he also credits with ushering his entry into the sound technician lifestyle. While on tour with Wade, Barker would frequently wear any hat necessary. “I know a lot of things

now,” Barker says. “If I can get into something and reverse engineer it, I can probably figure it out.”

While he’s often the man behind the crowd, largely invisible to attentive concertgoers, Barker’s also had his fair share of time in the spotlight, touring internationally with electrofolk duo Tall Heights — going as far as Germany as the group’s front of house audio engineer — and playing mandolin for Tripp Mathis from 2012 to 2017. Despite the rush of playing in front of large, cheering crowds, Barker admits, these days, he prefers being behind the scenes. In many ways, it’s the challenge he loves. “Typically, when people listen to music, it’s by themselves,” he says. “My job is to recreate the emotion you felt experiencing that song alone, except you’re in a stadium with thousands of people.

“When I transform the songs into live versions, the band is trust-falling into me. They want me to interpret the music in an honest way, and the audience is hoping I do that, too.”

Barker started working at Tulips a couple months before the venue opened in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. According to Blake, Tulips’ owner, Jason Suder, asked him to check out a few things, and he simply never left.

“I got my squatter rights,” Barker jokes. But since his time at Tulips, the music venue has developed a strong positive reputation due in no small part to Barker’s nuanced approach to sound.

“The human ear doesn’t really want to hear anything perfect,” Barker says. “The skill comes in dancing around notes and making them stand out.”

FOOD AND COFFEE JOINTS

1. Tall Heights March ’22 sold-out show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. 2. Barker carries a range of point and shoot cameras on tour to capture cool moments. 3. A 1921 Remington Standard 10 typewriter he found next to a dumpster. 4. Barker enjoys digging through piles of old records. 5. Barker has toured with these dudes since 2017. 6. The scarf he crocheted for his daughter, Averie, this year

Envision simple moments.

You won’t believe what’s possible with Realtors ® like us.

Getting Artsy with Gerald Bell

Meet the local artist whose diverse oeuvre has resulted in universal praise and stirring collaborations.

BY SHASTA HAUBRICH

Artist Gerald Bell knows one thing for sure: He knows nothing. At least, it is this very thought that inspires him to explore the world around him through his art. The prolific artist started painting as early as he can remember but didn’t begin selling work until 2006. Fast-forward to today, and his work has now been exhibited in several prominent galleries, including the inaugural show at Daisha Board Gallery.

The self-taught visual artist studied music at Texas Wesleyan, and it’s easy to see how the frenetic energy of jazz relates to his work. Although he selfdeprecatingly contends “people are tired of me,” he continuously creates diverse series, including a show of “isms” for Dang Good Candy and his

Educated Negro series which he calls his “neo-expressionist work that deals with critical race issues.”

When expanding on his influences, he says, “I’ll see a certain color I want to work with or I’ll see a commercial that I want to play upon or a product that I want to play upon or something that I’m going through or struggling with, and I’ll address it. Generally, [my art is] a way for me to communicate what I have going on in my mind.”

Yet, Bell still considers the relationship with his audience a priority, and he uses this connection as a barometer to see if he’s creating from an authentic place. “My favorite pieces are the ones that resonate with people,” Bell says. “That people don’t forget. That people can connect with and start conversations. I can create any old thing, but if I don’t really paint what I’m

feeling inside, then I’m doing myself an injustice.” One of his particularly emotional series is a set of 100 diary pages he created beginning in 2020 when his dog, Charlie, passed away. “It’s really something how people can connect with loss. People don’t really like to talk about it, and I never dealt with loss except for losing a girlfriend (through a breakup) or something like that. But this type of loss is a much deeper, much more profound loss. And to be able to heal from that [by getting it on paper] was, for me, one of the most profound things I’ve ever done.”

Sometimes, Gerald’s work garners the opposite reaction when people don’t like what he is trying to say — something he’s taken in stride. “I’ve lost a lot of friends, but they’re really not friends to begin with, and that’s what I learned. It takes a courageous soul to stay true to yourself.”

Haters aside, Gerald understands it has nothing to do with himself or his art and is grateful for the people who have stayed around through his artistic journey. “What I’m learning is that when somebody doesn’t accept me, when somebody has a problem with me, it’s not me, it’s them. I see [my art] coming inward to show my appreciation for those who have always been there and who will always be there no matter what I do or what I say.”

Despite his body of work focusing inward, Bell’s upcoming projects are all about collaboration. In October 2022, Fort Worth Bike Share released the first of 13 bikes he painted, and they will continue to roll out through 2023. And he’s partnering with downtown clothing and record shop, Union Station, on a shoe design.

Despite the opportunities, Gerald remains humble about his work. “I know nothing about art. Once you accept that fact, you can actually grow. People that think they know everything, the ones that are close-minded, they can’t really learn. But people that admit they really don’t know much. Those are also the ones that continue to grow, and they’re hungry.”

ART: GERALD BELL

Please visit our showroom or call and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members to help you with your new or replacement garage doors and operator needs.

Open Up Garage Doors & Services has been servicing the metroplex for over 22 years! We would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to everyone who has allowed us to be a part of their projects and look forward to many more years together. Here are just a few of our team members that help us everyday make our company successful.

Left to Right: Joshua Cross, Derrick San Miguel, Christina DeLeon and Cameron Hieb. We specialize in custom garage door design and application as well as offer standard garage door options. ¡ Cedar Wood Overlay Doors ¡ Fullview Glass Doors with numerous choices for frame finishes ¡ Flush Garage Doors including side window options ¡ Accent Wood-Tone Steel Doors in multiple color options, with the appearance of wood but not the maintenance ¡ Carriage House Style Doors ¡ And Many More.

Marble Falls, Texas

Population: 7,227

BY SHILO URBAN

You will find neither marble nor falls in Marble Falls, Texas — but you will discover easy-on-the-eyes water views, outdoor adventures, and come-as-you-are appeal. Perched on the Colorado River about three hours south-southwest of Fort Worth, Marble Falls makes its home in the less-congested northern region of the Texas Hill Country.

To be fair, the falls did exist once upon a time. Early arrivals encountered a cascade that cut across the river, water tumbling over a limestone ledge embedded with blue-gray veins

of chert rock (located just west of the Highway 281 bridge today). The settlers mistook the stone for marble, and the name endured. The falls, however, did not. They were submerged in 1951 after a series of dams were erected on the Colorado River, creating six new Highland Lakes. Inks Lake, Lake Travis, and Lake LBJ are all the children of this midcentury effort to produce hydroelectricity and control flooding downstream. The falls still lurk underneath the surface of linear Lake Marble Falls, revealing themselves only when the water level is lowered for maintenance on the nearby dam.

But it wasn’t marble that put the town on the map — it was granite. Sunset red granite, to be exact. One mile west of Marble Falls, a massive domed rock rises from the horizon and shines with the same warm pink glow as the Texas State Capitol building. Indeed, this very stone was chosen to construct our superlative seat of government (as well as the Galveston Seawall). The venture required a new railway to Marble Falls, which delivered 16,000 carloads of the granite to Austin — and brought new growth and prosperity to the town.

Today, most arrivals are searching not for granite but for fun on the shimmering lakes and in the surrounding hills. Pontoon boats, kayaks, jet skis, and stand-up paddleboards are popular rentals; dry landers will find UTVs and dirt bikes. Come springtime,

new attractions arise: Lupinus texensis. The Hill Country’s heralded bluebonnets pop into bloom along the roadsides that ring the town. To determine the best days and places to see them each year, you can call, email, check the website or stop by Marble Falls’ modern Visitor Center. The limestone building is easy to locate because it’s right next door to the town’s most famous landmark: Blue Bonnet Café.

Opened in 1929, this Texas institution (named after a lady’s hat, not the flower) is where you’ll face the toughest question of your trip: Which pie to choose? Your waitress might have words with you if you try to order a fruit pie (you can get that anywhere!), and the mile-high meringues are hands-down the most dramatic. But the real stars of the show are the velveteen cream pies: coconut, lemon, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. When in doubt, order several slices — it’s pie happy hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Savor: Marble Falls’ compact core starts at Old Oak Square, where a cluster of culinary outlets tempt the palate: Sugar Mama’s Cookies, Fiesta Winery, and Choccolatte’s (where the “World’s Best” pecan toffee lives up to the hype — especially the dark chocolate). Sample a balsamic mocktail at The Oil Tap and try enticing combinations of their olive oils and vinegars: roasted onion and bourbon, lime and coconut, lemon and honey ginger. Pack your picnic basket with cut-from-the-wheel delights from The Cheese Shop, which also puts together a mean charcuterie board. The floorto-ceiling windows at Bay View Restaurant are perfect for taking in the sunset while noshing on pan-seared trout or “slow ‘n’ low” pork belly with prickly pear glaze. Local favorites include River City Grille, Bear King Brewing, and The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant — and of course, no trip to Marble Falls is complete without a sweet slice of heaven from Blue Bonnet Café.

Shop: The shopping scene belies Marble Falls’ modest population size, with most stores clustered around Old Oak Square and the downtown strip (just a couple of blocks from the water). Browse a cleverly curation of new and vintage home furnishings at Redid, where the sisters who own it merge their earthy taste with modern farmhouse style. Birdie’s Market and Third Street Treasures also score high in the home goods domain. Fashion spots include Eve Couture and Smartie Pantz, two vibrant boutiques on Main Street, both steps away from the inspiring artwork at Marta Stafford gallery. If you’re looking for Talavera ceramics, there’s a smashing selection five miles outside of town at the Pottery

Ranch megastore (plus yard art and a little bit of everything else).

Enjoy: Unplug at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a peaceful place for wandering that’s home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (the only bird species that nests entirely in Texas). Pick up the pace at Hidden Falls Adventure Park and romp over 2,000 acres of off-road trails; you can rent vehicles on-site. Nearby is Spider Mountain, the state’s only mountain bike park with a chairlift. Explore Longhorn Cavern State Park on a tour (choose the “walking” or “wild” version), or you can hit the water at Inks Lake State Park or on a Vanishing Texas River Cruise. Starting in March, Sweet Berry Farm offers pick-your-own tulips and strawberries (bonus: baby goats), followed by blueberries and blackberries into the summer. In autumn, you can stuff your own scarecrow.

Snooze: Stay in the heart of town at Market on H (boutique suites) and McKenzie Guest House (historic B&B) or opt for a waterfront home rental via Vrbo or Airbnb. Nearby Horseshoe Bay Resort offers a classic dose of upscale R&R, including sweet tea massages, beautiful swimming pools, and 72 holes of golf. You’ll also find numerous out-of-the-box sleeping arrangements in the area that cater to adventure-minded travelers, including train cars (The Antlers Inn), treehouses (Cypress Valley), shipping containers (Container City), a stargazing dome and teepees with AC (The Retreat on the Hill), glamping yurts (The Retreat Ranch), and even a spectacular Bavarian-inspired fortress (Falkenstein Castle).

How to Get There: Drive south from Fort Worth on the Chisholm Trail Parkway to Cleburne, following U.S. Route 67 through Glen Rose. Turn left onto TX-220 S in Bluff Dale, then hop on U.S. Route 281 in Hico. You’ll stay on U.S. Route 281 all the way to Marble Falls, passing through Hamilton, Lampasas, and Burnet along the way.

Jacket: Custom Fashion World Jacket on Dickies Eisenhower, Cowtown Edition

Jeans: End by Edwin, Gwen Meharg Custom Shirt: Studio 74 Vintage

Eyewear: Eyebuydirect

Hat: Borsalino

Shoes: New Balance XC 72

Watch: Brew Watches HP1 with custom blue dial

Rings: Atolyestone and Cary OKeefe Jewelry

Closet Raid: Sunflowerman

The internationally renowned artist and fashion connoisseur takes us on a wild ride through his eclectic and distinct wardrobe.

BY BRIAN KENDALL

It’s hard to know when one takes that pivotal leap from admirer to connoisseur. When someone is not just being a hobbyist or dabbling in an artform or an aesthetic but becoming an expert — an ambassador, even. When it comes to fashion, Sunflowerman is a connoisseur. To put it in layman’s terms, he knows his shit.

An artist whose work has become internationally renowned, his paintings, in many ways, mirror his love for fashion — a large portion of his oeuvre being dedicated to painting timepieces and men in suits. This January, he, along with five other Fort Worthians, visited Florence, Italy, for Pitti Uomo, an international fashion fair for men’s clothing. A Hajj of sorts for those interested in men’s fashion, the sextet saw themselves as representatives of the city from which they came. And their Texas fashion senses created quite a stir.

“There’s a thing called peacocking, which is people who dress up just to be seen. But that wasn’t our intention. Our intention was, ‘Hey, we’re from Texas, and we want to represent Texas in some way. I was trolled on Twitter after the first night. But, generally, the sense was, ‘You guys are bringing something new.’ There was a lot of good feedback.

It’s hard to believe, but when Sunflowerman was a kid growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his daily “uniform” was basketball shorts and a T-shirt. “Typical Midwestern guy,” he says. Yes, the gentleman who one could only assume would never be caught dead wearing athleisure outside of his home wore such humdrum duds almost exclusively for a spell. Though he’s always been an artist, he hasn’t always been a fashion icon. As he puts it, “I was born with a pencil in my hand and no sense of style.”

My, how things change.

PHOTOS

Fashion Tips:

“If you wanna lean into cowboy, now is the time to do it. It’s very cool right now.”

“One thing that’s in fashion is a slightly larger suit. Right now, a slightly more full suit, something that allows you to walk and breathe a little bit more is becoming more fashionable.”

Suit Jacket: Franklin & Anthony with Sunflowerman lining

Trousers: Studio 74 Vintage

Shirt: Franklin & Anthony

Eyewear: Eyebuydirect

Hat: Borsalino

Shoes: New Balance 420

Watch: Longines Heritage 1951

Rings: Atolyestone and Cary OKeefe Jewelry

Style Tips:

“Feel comfortable. I will go out of my way to feel uncomfortable so I can understand what makes me comfortable. I will push myself in a direction I’m not familiar with, and maybe in that moment I’m not comfortable with it, but how do I feel once I’m out into the world? If I’m still uncomfortable, then I know it’s not for me. Style is whatever you pull off comfortably.

Suit: The Man’s Shop, via Austin Roberson

Shirt: Franklin & Anthony

Tie: Vintage Bill Blass

Eyewear: Robert Graham

Shoes: New Balance 420

Watch: Brew Watches Metric Chronograph Retro

Rings: Atolyestone and Cary OKeefe Jewelry

Jacket: Apolis Chore Jacket

Trousers: Jack Donnelly from Chieffalo Americana

Scarf: Chieffalo Americana

Shirt: Studio 74 Vintage

Eyewear: Robert Graham

Hat: Vintage Shudde Bros.

Boots: To Boot New York

Watch: Longines Heritage 1951

Rings: Atolyestone and Cary OKeefe Jewelry

No one knows Fort Worth like The Schweitzer Group.

Experts in every neighborhood and nuance of this city, these four agents know Fort Worth’s homes, schools, shops, restaurants and attractions.

■ Between the four of them, these agents have spent a combined 126 years living and working in Fort Worth. Barbara wins with 44 years in Cowtown, while Thurman has been here 37 years. Trey has called Fort Worth home for 23 years and Shelly has been a resident for 22 years.

RAVE REVIEWS

The Schweitzer Group gets a lot of love from clients — whether they are buying, selling or just dreaming big. What are they saying?

Thurman

Schweitzer

817-475-4060

tschweitzer@briggsfreeman.com

Trey Young 817-680-6611

tyoung@briggsfreeman.com

Barbara Schweitzer

817-821-2694

bschweitzer@briggsfreeman.com

Shelly

Forrest 817-521-8113

sforrest@briggsfreeman.com

■ Barbara and Thurman are passionate about the community and support local education through their involvement in Fort Worth Country Day School. In 2022, they served as the ambassador family at the Signature Chefs Auction for the March of Dimes.

■ When they’re not hard at work, these agents have a wide range of interests. Barbara is a lifelong tennis player; Thurman is active with the Boy Scouts of America; Shelly is a professionally trained chef and yoga instructor; and Trey devotes his free time to his two young sons and volunteering at Trinity Valley School.

One of the smartest decisions we made was using The Schweitzer Group to sell our parents’ home. Losing both Mom and Dad in the same year — and parting with a home chock-full of our childhood memories — seemed like a daunting task. The Schweitzers and their team of amazing professionals literally rolled up their sleeves and went to work on our behalf. They did their research, applied sound marketing strategies and partnered with us for the successful sale of a unique property. We recommend them highly!” —Diana J. & Kimberly B.

“Thurman is the best! He is knowledgeable and upto-date on the current market. Great communication, always helpful and timely when getting answers to any questions. He does a fantastic job and does whatever needs to be done. Thurman has the client’s best interest in mind. He’s not just trying to get the deal done, he’s there for you!” —Gary S. —

Where Cowtown Meets Funkytown

While he might be a rancher first and foremost, singer/songwriter C’ing Jerome’s genre-bending music that he dubs “hood country” is poised to become the new Fort Worth sound.

BY BRIAN KENDALL

There’s a 14-acre ranch in East Fort Worth that overlooks downtown. And when I say it overlooks downtown, I mean it overlooks downtown — you can spot all of the recognizable buildings that make up Cowtown’s skyline: the Omni, Burnett Plaza, and the Bass Tower. The way the crow flies, these structures are maybe a mile away. But despite this urban setting, this plot of land is unmistakably a ranch. There are horses (14 of ’em), pigs, dogs, and roosters that crow incessantly, and one gets the occasional whiff of all these animals’ defecation.

This spot, which is the quintessence of where town meets country, is the residence of C’ing (pronounced King) Jerome, one of the city’s up-and-coming singer/songwriters. I hesitate to put C’ing, now 26, in a box and call him a country singer or a rap artist or a pop star. Truth is, he’s all of the above. Look him up on Spotify and hit shuffle, and you’ll hear bayou-driven slide guitar, deep bass, drum machines, and auto-tuned twangy vocals that shift seamlessly from melodic George Strait-like country ballads to fast-verse hip-hop. In many ways, this 14-acre plot of land

is the embodiment of C’ing’s music. And, in many ways, his music is the embodiment of Fort Worth’s own dichotomous nature: where Cowtown meets Funkytown.

“I was always into music, but I didn’t think that I’d be taking it on as a career,” C’ing says. “About four years ago, I kind of started doing it. Then I switched over to the country lane and decided to add the pop.”

But the marriage of country and hip-hop/R&B shouldn’t be anything shocking. Perhaps more than any other form of music, both are genres that speak directly to a distinct culture. They’re both on the fringes of the mainstream but popular enough to cross over into the pop charts. The two have more in common than not, and when one grows up with one foot in one culture and one in the other (an image of a cowboy boot and a sneaker immediately comes to mind), the synergy of the two seems only natural.

“The way I grew up, I call it hood country,” C’ing says. “I grew up both ways. I ain’t gonna say I’m a cowboy, but, I mean, I’m a cowboy. I’m a horseman. I grew in the ranch lifestyle. But I’m also from Polytech. That’s the hood part of it.” His parents were owners of the well-known Poly Grill but ended up moving to Mansfield, where C’ing graduated high school.

So, to C’ing, the sound came naturally. The moment he stood in front of a microphone, it’s just what came out. “I swear to you, it’s just how it played out. I started doing R&B, right? I started doing R&B traps, but then when I

switched to country, it automatically had an R&B twist to it. And then I got on this wave where I was doing a high-pitched voice and started adding a pop beat to it. It just happened. I really don’t know how. It all just blended together.”

The whole hood country thing isn’t a schtick. It isn’t an act. C’ing isn’t deep down a city slicker who happens to enjoy wearing a cowboy hat for fashion’s sake. No, C’ing’s a real damn cowboy who, when asked, will hop on a bareback horse and proceed to impress with horseman skills akin to a trick rider — he didn’t hesitate to lie horizontally on the horse when prompted. The horses he has, he’s raising for standardbred horse racing. You might know this as the kind of racing that has a two-wheeled buggy trailing the horse, a sport C’ing’s been involved with for 10 years.

“That’s what I do. That’s my everyday thing. I prepare [my horses] through the winter to get ready for the summer.”

It doesn’t take much for C’ing to admit that it’s his first love.

“Oh, this is everything to me. There are a lot of paths I coulda took. This [riding] saved me.”

But he’ll have to find time between his ranching hours to continue his music career. After all, he’s currently mulling offers from a number of record companies (you might know a few) to sign a deal, and he’s got some important gigs coming up in Nashville. But, like all ranchers, he’ll work from sunup to sundown to ensure everything is well taken care of.

A Tour of Italy, Paisano

Housemade pastas and stunning décor powers the new 61 Osteria restaurant, an Italian masterpiece for mind and body.

BY MALCOLM MAYHEW

Over the past few years, Italian fine dining has enjoyed a renaissance in Fort Worth. It started with the 2018 opening of Piattello Italian Cuisine, a restaurant that emphasized its modern décor as much as its housemade pastas. It wasn’t, in other words, your typical Italian restaurant, with piped in Sinatra music and dishes heavy on red sauce.

Piattello opened the door for other local like-minded Italian restaurants, including Il Modo, found on the first floor of the Kimpton Harper Hotel downtown; Tre Mogli in the South Main area; and, even more recently,

Caterina’s, chef Tim Love’s modern Italian restaurant in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

All subscribe to similar aesthetics, eschewing the usual Italian restaurant trappings — dishes draped in the aforementioned red sauce, tables draped in checkerboard tablecloths — in favor of modern vibes and modern food.

New to this circle of restaurants is 61 Osteria, the highly anticipated new spot from the same culinary team — owner Adam Jones and executive chef Blaine Staniford — that brought Fort Worth two of its finest eateries: opulent fine dining spot Grace and its more casual

sibling, upscale diner Little Red Wasp.

61 Osteria opened in January at 500 W. Seventh St., on the ground floor of the First on 7th building, known to most Fort Worthians as the First National Bank building.

If Piattello was the first to rejuvenate Italian fine dining in Fort Worth, 61 Osteria, with its crisp, sophisticated design and expansive menu, perfects it.

The menu brings together food inspired by more than a dozen regions in Italy.

“We didn’t want to focus on just one region, but all 20 regions of Italy,” says Jones. “Over the years I have developed great relationships with local farmers and vendors and wanted to showcase Texas products in an Italian way.”

Practically everything, Jones emphasizes, is made from scratch, from mozzarella cheese to the wide assortment of pastas.

“We always use fresh, seasonal products, and the same goes with our pasta program,” Jones says. “All of the pasta is made using local farm eggs and handmade in our pasta kitchen. We have a crew of about six that makes the pastas by hand or by using our pasta extruders daily.”

The lunch and dinner menus feature

61 Osteria’s Vegetable Bagna Cauda, a collage of petite raw vegetables served with roasted garlic and anchovy aioli.

The dining room offers ringside views of Burnett Park.

a half-dozen pastas, such as Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, a semolina pasta with cracked black pepper and pecorino fulvi; serpent tail pasta stuffed with house ricotta cheese, with hen-ofthe-woods mushrooms, black truffle, and preserved lemon; and Tagliatelle Bolognese made with braised brisket, veal and pork-based sugo, and topped with aged Parmesan.

The menu also includes grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, prepared in a custom-made wood-burning hearth, and housemade salumi, which will rotate, Jones says. The restaurant’s brunch menu is made up of items from the lunch menu, plus dishes specifically for bunch, such as a Dutch baby, housemade granola, and a shaved porchetta sandwich.

There’s a large wine list, with an emphasis on Italian producers, plus a cocktail program, and bottled and draft beers, from imports to locals.

Designed by Fort Worth-based architecture firm Ibañez Shaw Architecture, the restaurant cooly combines design elements that are both modern and midcentury modern.

Hovering above the main dining room is the restaurant’s visual centerpiece: A series of rectangular sculptural elements designed to emulate the famous chandelier at the Four Seasons hotel in New York. A wall made of rain forest marble separating the bar from the dining room is equally impressive. And there’s art everywhere, including the stunning “Fly Away,” a collage of butterflies created by Jones’ wife, Joey, a noted visual artist. It’s on display in the main dining room.

There’s a bit of Jones in each of his restaurants, but 61 may be his most personal yet. He jokes about the number of coincidences that led to the restaurant’s numeric name.

“The building was originally completed in 1961,” he says. “And last year, when we announced the restaurant, was the year I turned 61. And what’s even funnier is, I was born in 1961.”

61 Osteria, 500 W. Seventh St., 61osteria.com

Sweet Dreams, Made of This

The city’s first vegan doughnut shop, Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops, will open this spring on the Near Southside. Meet the nostalgia-loving chef who’ll be making your plant-based doughnuts.

BY MALCOLM MAYHEW

For most of us, foodies or not, there’s a certain food in our lives that conjures nostalgia: your first Happy Meal, your first chicken-fried steak, your first piece of sushi.

“My dad would take me on the weekends to our local doughnut shop,” he says. “I grew up in Springfield, Illinois, and we’d go to this little place called Mellow Cream Doughnuts. We went in the ’90s, and it hadn’t changed from the ’70s — it was all wood paneling, stains from when people used to smoke, a real down-home place. They were all sweet, sweet people who knew what doughnut I was

going to order. I’d like to think of it as the ‘Cheers’ of doughnut shops.”

The 34-year-old chef is hoping others’ nostalgic for these sweet stalwarts will dig Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops, the city’s first all-vegan doughnut shop. Slated to open this spring at 1204 Sixth Ave., as part of the new PS1200 mixed-use development, Dreamboat is one of three new vegan concepts coming this year from Amy McNutt, the founder of vegan restaurant and bakery, Spiral Diner. In addition to Dreamboat, she’s opening a fine dining concept called Maiden: Fine Plants & Spirits, as well as an Arlington location of Spiral Diner.

The city’s first all-vegan doughnut shop will offer more than a dozen types of plantbased doughnuts.

“I think the time is right for this many vegan concepts,” says Howard, a vegan himself. “Look how far we’ve come. Ten years ago, you had very few vegan or even vegetarian options. Today, you can walk into Walmart and get a pack of Beyond Meat.”

Howard will lead Dreamboat’s kitchen. For the past several months, he and McNutt’s husband, James Johnston, have been working on recipes for cake and yeast-raised doughnuts. The menu isn’t finalized yet, but Howard dropped several potential flavors: peanut butter and Oreo crumble, matcha ginger, lemon poppyseed, strawberry chocolate, cookie butter, Boston crème, and Earl Grey lavender.

Other menu items will include soft-serve, soy-based ice cream, doughnut ice cream sundaes, and various pastries.

Like Spiral Diner, Dreamboat will have a midcentury vibe, with pink Formica countertops and white tile floors. It’ll mostly

be a to-go store but with an outdoor patio and seating area.

Howard has been a part of the Spiral Diner family for 11 years.

“I started out as a dishwasher there,” he says. “Everyone starts out washing dishes. That’s your first day of training. I worked my way up through management and was eventually named executive chef.”

He was a good fit for Spiral Diner, having flipped from being a carnivore to vegan. That transformation took place while Howard was a student at the University of North Texas.

“This guy made a bet with me that I couldn’t last a week as a vegetarian,” says Howard, also a musician who has played in several local punk bands. “Not only did I win the bet, I made a choice to change my life. I felt better. I had more energy. Over time, my health improved. It was the best decision I ever made.”

Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops, 1204 Sixth Ave., dreamboatdonuts.com. Opening this spring.

Bits and Bites

Olivella’s Pizza & Wine, which last year moved a few miles east from its original home on Camp Bowie to tinier digs on Camp Bowie, recently completed a 1,200-square-foot expansion that makes the place not so tiny anymore. With a total of 3,000 square feet to play with now, the restaurant recently added a dining room, complete with full service and a bar. The expanded footprint also means more wine. The restaurant’s sommelier-curated wine list includes more than 60 red, white, and sparkling wines from around the world, with price points ranging from $18 to $140 per bottle and $8 to $25 by the glass. The fullservice bar also features housemade red and white sangria, domestic and imported draft beers and craft cocktails. 4910 Camp Bowie Blvd., olivellas.com

Finally, a reason to go to Flower Mound: Fort Worth’s Del Campo Empanadas has opened a second location there, at 901 Long Prairie Road. Run by husband-wife team Andrea Cacho and Leo Gigante, who originally hail from Buenos Aires, and their children, the original Del Campo was an instant hit when it opened in a north Fort Worth strip mall in 2020. Del Campo offers a dozen permanent and rotating varieties of its freshly baked empanadas in both sweet and savory options, such as guava cream cheese, Argentine-style beef, chicken, spinach, and bananaNutella. delcampoempanadas.com

A round of applause for two Fort Worth restaurants that recently nabbed nominations for James Beard Foundation awards — the Grammys, essentially, for the restaurant industry. Don Artemio, the lavish new interior Mexican restaurant in the Cultural District, is a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category, while the three owners of Goldees BBQ are semifinalists, collectively, for the Best Chef: Texas award. Finalists will be announced March 29, and the winners will be awarded June 5.

West side sushi staple Little Lilly’s Sushi is adding a second location, in Keller at 1004 Keller Parkway, No. 106. Ann Liu, daughter of owner Danny Liu, said the new location will open, hopefully, this fall.

CultureMap made my day when it recently reported 85C° Bakery & Café has leased a spot in Asia Times Square, the Asian supermarket and restaurant emporium in Grand Prairie. 85C made a go of it in Fort Worth a few years ago, attracting what I thought were pretty big crowds. But apparently, it wasn’t big enough; it closed in 2019. Look for the Asia Times Square location to open this spring.

PHOTO BY CRYSTAL

Parker Howard will lead the kitchen at Dreamboat Donuts and Scoops.

Restaurant news written and compiled by Malcolm Mayhew. You can reach Malcolm at malcolm. mayhew@hotmail.com or on Twitter @foodfortworth.

New ’Cue Call

More than 30 years after opening one of the most well-known restaurants in the country — Chili’s — its founder returns with a new barbecue joint.

BY MALCOLM MAYHEW

Utter the name Larry Lavine in North Texas restaurant circles, and the first thing that comes to mind is Chili’s.

They’d be right, of course. In 1975, with partners Malloy Buckner and John Foshee, Lavine opened the original Chili’s Grill & Bar in Dallas on Greenville Avenue. The restaurant took off, and by the time Lavine sold the company to Norman Brinker in 1983, there were nearly 30 locations.

Chili’s only skims the surface of Lavine’s lifelong love affair with the restaurant industry. The North Texas native has spent the past several decades opening and investing in several other concepts.

But none, he says, are as close to his heart as his latest one: Loop 9 Barbecue, slated to open March 6 at the new 172-acre entertainment center in Grand Prairie, EpicCentral. The family-centric complex includes an indoor waterpark, recreation center, and boardwalk.

Loop 9 will be one of several restaurants there.

Loop 9 isn’t Lavine’s first brush with barbecue. In 2014, he helped open, then left, the well-regarded Ten50 BBQ in Richardson. He’s taking what he learned there and applying it to Loop 9, he says.

“Barbecue’s not hard once you learn it,” he says. “But you gotta buy great product, and you have to be

faithful to how you prepare it.”

For his ’cue, Lavine will utilize a pair of wood-burning J&R smokers, with oak being his wood of choice. His menu will feature prime brisket, both moist and lean, pulled pork, turkey, St. Louis ribs, and Meyer’s Elgin sausage. Meats can be ordered by the pound or sandwich.

Sides will include brisket-studded queso, potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread, all made fresh daily, Lavine says.

Sharing the Loop 9 space will be a pie shop. The product will be made by Lavine’s wife, Ann, in flavors such as chocolate and banana cream pie. There will be beer, craft sodas, and cocktails, too.

“Not too many barbecue joints serve cocktails and have their own pie shop under the same roof,” Lavine says. “I know there are a lot of other barbecue restaurants out there, a lot of really good ones, so I wanted to set ourselves apart.” 2951 S. State Highway, Grand Prairie, loop9bbq.com

They’ve got the meats: The new Loop 9 BBQ restaurant in Grand Prairie will feature beef ribs, pork ribs, moist and lean brisket, sausage and all the fixin’s, such as cole slaw, potato salad and fresh-from-the-oven corn bread.

Noche del Soul

Local food star Juan Rodriguez takes a flavor journey from his family kitchen to the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival.

BY SHILO URBAN

Chef Juan Rodriguez spent many childhood hours cooking tortillas with his grandmother in Monterrey, Mexico.

“My grandma made it look so easy,” Rodriguez says.“We made a lot of corn tortillas, but the hardest thing she made us do was the flour tortillas. You’d try to do what she was doing, and you’d just F it up,” he laughs. “They’d be fat, they wouldn’t blow up or inflate like they normally do … the flour tortillas I’ll never get.”

Somehow, we doubt that. Rodriguez has grilled, seared, and simmered at an impressive array of North Texas restaurants, including eight years as Reata’s executive chef. He and his wife, Paige, now run the catering business/ pop-up supper club Magdalena’s (named for his tortilla-ninja grandmother), and the couple has two little boys, ages 5 years and 9 months. They’re also opening an intimate new Spanish/Mexican restaurant in “early fall, maybe September” called La Coqueta, with small plates and paella as its signature dish.

But first, Rodriguez will be cocaptaining Noche del Soul, the opening extravaganza for this year’s Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival. His conspirator is celebrity chef Tiffany Derry, a Texas native who has come a long way since her first job at IHOP at age 15. Now the restaurateur behind Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch and Roots Chicken Shak in Plano, Derry’s soulful cuisine has garnered national acclaim. Her warm personality pairs well with the affable Rodriguez, a beloved Fort Worth chef with an easy way about

him. “Just being around Tiffany Derry is fun,” he says. “We got on the phone a couple of weeks ago, and it’s like we’ve known each other forever…I think she’ll bring a really good vibe to the dinner.”

Taking place at the Fort Worth Club on March 30, the sit-down meal will feature three appetizers and four savory courses, plus wine, cocktails and a dessert by the venue’s pastry chef Rocio Urbina. Rodriguez and Derry will handle the rest, taking turns with each dish. While the full menu is still being nailed down, diners will start with persimmon carpaccio: an artistic swirl with pears, goat cheese, candied pecans, Texas olive oil, and tarragon. Rodriguez plans on making jamón serrano croquettes, a teaser of the tapas to be served at La Coqueta. And you can count on Derry serving her famous fried shrimp and grits — arancini-inspired balls of jalapeñocheese grits and diced shrimp that are battered, fried, and to-die-for delicious.

But Noche del Soul will go beyond Mexican and Southern cuisine to bring in unconventional flavors from around the world, like tamarind short rib with yucca and hamachi crudo with yuzu lime, fennel pollen, and kiwi pico de gallo. “It’s really showcasing ingredients and sauces that not a lot of people use,” explains Rodriguez. “Come open-minded.”

He’s most excited about cooking his mole blanco with mushrooms. “Mole blanco is a traditional sauce you rarely see. It’s unexpected.” Hailing from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, mole blanco is made with lightly toasted nuts; Juan likes a combination

of Marcona almonds, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, and peanuts — plus a touch of white chocolate. “It will have some sweet notes to it, but the mushroom is going to be slightly spicy.” He plans to grill oyster mushrooms, chanterelles and lion’s mane mushrooms with sherry vinegar. “Trust me, the mushroom is going to be nice and steaky.” Toasted pine nuts and cotija cheese will top off the dish. Yucatan cuisine will shine again in Rodriguez’s pork carnitas tacos, which he’ll serve with sikil pak — a “super traditional” Mayan sauce made with pepitas (pumpkin seeds). For the carnitas, however, he’s drawing on his personal background as a chef, which started so many years ago in his grandmother’s kitchen. “I’m doing like I’ve always learned to do, and that’s using Coca-Cola, a little bit of condensed milk, a little bit of cinnamon, and some OJ.” The succulent pork will be wrapped in homemade tortillas — but will they be flour or corn? “This go-round, I’m going to do corn,” laughs Rodriguez. Corn or flour, perfect or not — no doubt Grandma would be proud.

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival takes place March 30 through April 2 at various venues. Tickets for Noche del Soul ($195) and other events ($55-$199) are available at fortworthfoodandwinefestival.com.

Chef Juan Rodriguez

Sidesaddle Saloon

SALOON

It’s a pleasure to live in a city rife with places where cowboys and cowgirls can partake in one of civilization’s favorite pastimes: drinking. But if you’re looking to venture outside of your usual watering hole, this list of 36 bars (yes, just bars; no restaurants allowed) is a perfect place to start.

BY BRIAN KENDALL, MALCOLM MAYHEW, JOHN HENRY, AND MARK MOURER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL WISE

When discussing Fort Worth’s relationship with libations,

one could easily argue the city’s past is a little sordid. After all, back when barfights were often won by the person who drew their revolver the fastest, getting inebriated and lippy could result in, well, a gunfight.

Cowtown’s colorful history includes its fair share of such drunken duels within the confines of the infamous Hell’s Half Acre, where saloons, brothels, and gambling parlors were as common as pearl snaps in the Stockyards. Only the squalid would frequent such places — the cowboys, the gamblers, and the outlaws. They would pack the wooden halls, gun in belt, and guzzle whiskey made from raw alcohol, burnt sugar, and chewing tobacco.

It’s safe to say things have improved significantly — even beyond the lawlessness of this, thankfully, bygone era. Today, bars are clean (relatively), offer suitable restrooms (mostly), and serve and cater to a diverse clientele. Bars are no longer just places to get well-oiled on some hair of the dog. No, bars are well respected establishments that hire culinary kings and serve as makeshift headquarters for community organizers. Mixologists are minor celebrities, and bouncers keep the riffraff at bay. Bars, we’d say, are having a moment. Then again, maybe they were always having a moment. Regardless, we thought it was high time to try our hand at recommending to our readers the best bars in Fort Worth.

Which reminds us, one must understand that the following list is of bars and bars only. In other words, this list does not contain any restaurants or music venues that just so happen to have long, high wooden countertops behind which they serve alcohol. No, these are the purebreds. These are the joints that open well past noon and don’t close till well past midnight. At these bars, it’s likely the only music you hear comes from the jukebox and the only dancing you do is

on top of the bar. They serve alcohol and, honestly, not much else. We hope that clears a few things up. Drink responsibly and enjoy.

Cocktail Bars

Where drinking is a craft.

Best Worst Kept Secret THE AMBER ROOM

A snug, beautifully decorated speakeasy hidden inside the South Main-area restaurant Wishbone & Flynt, The Amber Room is hardly a secret anymore. Heck, this very magazine did a story on it. But there are always newcomers, and those newcomers certainly feel special when they pass through the secret door to enter this charming bar. Decorated with cool, vintage furniture, colorful rugs, and antique photos and pictures, the vibe is meant to take you back a few decades. Ditto for the drinks menu, spiked with old-fashioned selections such as the Aztec, a must-have made with rye whiskey and chocolate bitters. There’s a nice wine selection, too, plus small plates from Wishbone & Flynt. 334 Bryan Ave. wishboneandflynt.com/theamberroom

Best Bar That Features an Exercise Component, Going Up and Down the Stairwell THE BASEMENT LOUNGE

The craft cocktail is back, perhaps now at its peak after reemerging in recent decades. The Basement Lounge, though Lilliputian in size, is a giant on the West Side in the craft cocktail genre — those elegant drinks with garnishes served in fancy stemware. This is a great, little quaint spot down the stairs, in the basement below Oscar’s Pub on Camp Bowie. Don’t be in a hurry; you’re not ordering a beer or vodka soda. Making these is, well, a craft. We’re not simply popping the top of a Budweiser with a bottle opener. 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 125

Best Bar Where You Can Actually Talk to Someone PROPER

Since it opened in 2014, Lisa and Phil Adams’ stylish, quaint bar has become known as a conversationalist’s bar — a place where you can talk and drink and not have to scream over a TV or Rage Against the Machine or some doofus sitting next to you to be heard. Proper has an excellent rotating cocktail program, too; it’s not just beers and wells here. And

Sidesaddle Saloon

if you do feel the need to be boisterous, you can always take a step outside onto the breezy patio.

409 W. Magnolia Ave. propermagnolia.com

Best Bar That Honors Cowgirls SIDESADDLE SALOON

Cowboys get all the attention, it seems. But not at Sidesaddle Saloon, one of several projects dreamed up by Taco Heads founder Sarah Castillo. Opened in 2021 in the burgeoning Mule Alley area of the Stockyards, Sidesaddle pays homage to the spirit of the American cowgirl. Drinks are named after famous and infamous females, such as Belle Star, and walls are covered in images of unforgettable women who’ve made indelible marks on us and our country. The name itself is a reference to how women used to ride horses, with both legs slung over one side of the horse.

122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 240 sidesaddle-saloon.com

Best Bar Where You Can Probably Find a Lawyer THOMPSON’S

BOOKSTORE

What was once a pharmacy and bookstore has been transformed into one of downtown’s most popular bars. Craft cocktails and an upscale vibe attract a lively crowd heavy on downtown professionals who don’t bat an eye at drinks that cost in the double digits. Made with high-end liquors and fresh ingredients, by hand, by mixologists, the drinks are worth every penny. Thompson’s also houses a cozy speakeasy, accessible only with a password, which can be found on Thompson’s social media channels. 900 Houston St. thompsonsbookstore.com

Best Bar for Private Time in a Booth THE USUAL

Thanks to signage that veers more toward camouflage than showy and a windowless, yellow-bricked façade that screams seedy strip club more than cocktail bar, The Usual might be the largest watering hole you’d miss if you got distracted for a split second. Despite its understated outside appearance, once

you walk through its circa 1975 front door, a swanky cocktail bar with a modern, minimalist aesthetic greets you. The original craft drinks are varied and tasty, and we give the bar additional kudos for the seating arrangement that includes ultra-private booths that could make for a romantic nightcap.

1408 W. Magnolia Ave. theusual.bar

Sports Bars

Where the order of the day is stiff drinks and flat-screen TVs.

Best Bar to Feel at Home in a Cowboy Hat

COWBOY CHANNEL BAR

While this saloon’s name might not win any awards for creativity, we do appreciate its straightforward message: This is a bar that is owned by the Cowboy Channel and also plays the Cowboy Channel on half a dozen flat-screen TVs. The Cowboy Channel Bar opened its doors in November of 2021, making it one of the Stockyards’ newest additions — it still has that newcar smell. And, unlike almost every other bar on this list, it’s well lit (perhaps even too well lit) and has some of the most comfortable barstools in town — they got cushions and arms and everything. Just don’t let us catch you snoozing after you’ve had a couple.

112 E. Exchange Ave. cowboychannelbar.com

Best Bar to Have a Medical Emergency in the Morning (a nurse sipping on a glass

of wine just got off her all-night shift) THE RABBIT HOLE

Emerging from the venerable VIP Lounge on White Settlement Road is the Rabbit Hole Pub, a completely remade sports bar and patio with plenty of flat-screen TVs and an eclectic décor, including Alice in Wonderland-themed murals by Murals by Svetlana. The Chef Taco food truck enjoys a permanent place serving up prized Tex-Mex nourishment for the thirsty, err, hungry. Music bingo is conducted at 7 p.m. each Wednesday, and the bar hosts a vendor fair once a month, attracting upwards of 40 vendors. Do you work the graveyard shift? No problem. Happy hour starts at 7 a.m. for you.

3237 White Settlement Road rabbitholefwtx.com

Best Bar on Magnolia Avenue That Is Not Pretentious at All, Not Even a Little Bit UPPER 90

Opening a sports bar on Magnolia Avenue may seem as unwise as opening

Thompson’s Bookstore

a vegetarian restaurant in the Stockyards. After all, MagAve is a magnet for hipsters, not sports nuts. But Upper 90 is a refreshing change of pace from the sometimes-pompous atmos and attitude you can get in the Near Southside, where U90 has called home for seven years. Here, you can shoot pool, watch the game, yell for the home team, play pinball, drink beer that doesn’t cost $8 a bottle, buy a round for everyone without having to take out a small loan, yell for the home team some more, and no one’s gonna blink an eye. God bless this place. 961 W. Magnolia Ave.

Best Bar to Find a Pittsburgh Steelers Fan (this is local headquarters) WOODY’S

TAVERN

Innovation, not foofaraw, is the hallmark of this bar, which sits atop a spot on the old Edwards Ranch off of Bryant Irvin Road, looking back into the city. This is home to the city’s first turtle races. At 21 years old, the bar is now old enough to drink the products it sells. It opened as a base for Texas country bands but has evolved into a sports bar all day long every day. Games of every sort are broadcast from the TVs and more TVs that line

every wall. Lively day drinking regulars resemble a throwback to the Algonquin Round Table. Or something like that. 4744 Bryant Irvin Road, Ste. 946

Dive Bars

Seedy, cheap, and utterly charming.

Best Bar to (Potentially) Get Rich on $1 Bills BASEMENT BAR

We recommend not confusing this similarly named establishment with Basement Lounge — the night will not turn out the way you initially expected. Below the depths of Star Café in the Stockyards (but, you know, on the other side of North Main) is this seemingly roughand-tumble joint with decently priced beverages, great service, and a dance floor with disco ball to boot. It’s no place for the modest, as the décor is made up entirely of $1 bills on which patrons get to write or draw anything. And we do mean write or draw a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g.

105 W. Exchange Ave.

Best Bar to Have a Patio Debate Over The Beatles’ Best Album

BOILED OWL

A popular spot among the Fairmount folks (Fairmountonians?) thanks to its convenient location next to the infamous Yucatan Taco Stand, the Boiled Owl’s outside patio — that faces Magnolia Street — is typically packed with highly loquacious patrons on any given night. It’s a place to see and be seen, but not in an ostentatious way, more in an I-might-need-someone-from-this-groupto-remind-me-exactly-what-I-did-tonight way. And be sure to save enough in your back pocket for a very kind man named Ruben, who walks around Magnolia Avenue selling some of the tastiest tamales you’ve ever eaten.

909 W. Magnolia Ave.

Best Bar Where Regulars Have Their Own Nickname (Chat Rats)

THE CHAT ROOM

As the story goes, Harrison Ford — who travels to our lovely city biannually to renew his helicopter pilot’s license — once took a single step in The Chat Room before doing an about-face and exiting … quickly. While we can’t confirm this did, indeed, happen, the tall tale might tell you everything you need to know about this rugged watering hole. And we mean that in the best way possible. Having a drink on the bar’s large patio — rife with large cups of half-drunk mixed beverages, cigarette smoke, wooden picnic tables, and a single TV — might be one of the most communal experiences in all of Cowtown. The Chat Room is a bar that, more than any other, exudes personality.

1263 W. Magnolia Ave.

Best Bar Out in the Middle of Nowhere THE HORNY TOAD

The Westland area of Fort Worth continues to develop, with burgeoning housing developments and new restaurants like J.D.’s Burgers and the soon-to-open Dayne’s Craft BBQ. But right this second, The Horny Toad is still out in the middle of nowhere — or more specifically, down a dusty stretch of Camp Bowie West. But talk about a hidden gem. The Horny Toad is a bar-lover’s dream come true: There’s karaoke, pool tournaments, drink specials,

The Usual

and a fun patio. Enjoy it before newcomers to the area crowd it up.

9530 Camp Bowie West

Best Bar to Walk to After a Steak Dinner at Reata RED GOOSE SALOON

When paint starts to peel, wood starts to weather, and ceiling tiles start to chip, some establishments take it as a cue for a makeover. Others wear the imperfections with pride and call it décor. Red Goose Saloon is the latter. Existing on the edges of Sundance Square, the shotgun-style bar, which once had a sign that prominently displayed the words “Cheap Drinks,” perfectly juxtaposes its surroundings, which includes the likes of the highfalutin Reata, Worthington, and Istanbul Grill. It’s not unusual to find well-dressed, date-night goers popping in for a mixed drink and a second helping of food. We can’t blame them.

306 N. Houston St. red-goose-saloon.business.site

Best Bar That Shares a Wall with a Convenience Store

SARAH’S PLACE

There’s a permanent sign outside Sarah’s Place that reads “We’re Open.” While the bar’s dimly lit exterior might require such a reminder, the parking lot filled with cars should tip off any potential patron — it’s open and packed. The neighborhood bar, as they call it, is a favorite among West Siders who just want a gosh darn drink and some decent service. The bar is, in fact, owned by a lady named Sarah Ten Brink, who opened the quaint tavern in 2005. Wednesday nights are karaoke nights, and if you buy a beer, they give you a free koozie. You’d be hard-pressed to find a literal cool hand at Sarah’s Place. 5223 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Best Bar Next to an Historic Burger Joint SHOWDOWN II

From its facade, the five-decade-old Showdown II — located next door to the original Kincaid’s — looks like a Westernthemed saloon, but it’s really just a big bar full of regulars and bartenders who don’t take a lot of crap from them. Beer

The Ballad of the Mule Pub

Among those bars we miss, the Mule stands apart.

By John Henry

Among the shabby, most soiled dives in the world — yes, I said it, the entire world — the Mule Pub holds perhaps a singular place.

In it was a vibe and culture that could leave one feeling right at home and in his element, and another utterly and unreservedly repulsed.

The Great Smog of London, which history recalls as those five days of lethal pollutants hanging over The Square Mile, had nothing on this place. The stem glasses hanging upside down gave a good indication as to what was happening to your innards as the Marlboro carbon footprint opened large holes in organs. God only knows what else floated along like a Chinese Maoist, ahem, weather balloon over Montana awaiting an F-22 greeting.

If you spent any extended time in the Mule, COVID likely ran away from you.

One always also needed to watch his or her step at the Mule. As you entered from the front, there was a hard-to-see step down into the bar area that bit a many like an insulted, growling Chihuahua. Down further, closer to the bathroom was a hole in the floor, which, granted, ownership had patched at least once.

And then there was the men’s bathroom, an homage to the Third World.

There were dice games, too. The game was called “aces.” Not to worry. Management took no cut. It was one of the few things the Mule did completely aboveboard.

But this is the bar we miss most. Or at least one guy does.

You see, it was here that Fort Worth’s Generation X, at least on the West Side or nearby, came of age, displaying its most totally awesome characteristics of not giving a damn, always insouciantly aloof in staying above the fray, while living out a work-life balance unique to all the generations of the free world that came before it.

It might have been unspoken,

but the Mule, the phenomenon in the 5700 block of Locke Avenue, just off Camp Bowie, was in open rebellion against the decadence of the world we grew up in. It was indeed a dump — our dump — and it was indeed world famous. There were very few things anybody, particularly owner Robbie Turman, cared about except a good time. (And a paid tab, naturally.)

It was an institute for fun and nonsense, which manifested itself in all sorts of ways. And the experience was worth the value of the money and time wasted (I think).

Like “Cheers,” in addition to its regular cast, celebrities were known to drop in.

Would you believe that one of them was Van Cliburn. Yes, the Van Cliburn, who came as part of a birthday party to watch and perform karaoke (he did not perform) on a Sunday night.

It was quite the sight, the stately Cliburn sitting among the shot glasses and crumbled napkins, a lone stuffed monkey, attached by Velcro, flying above on a ceiling fan that hadn’t seen a duster since the 1970s.

There was nothing — nothing — that said “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1” in the Mule.

Only days after a heartbreaking defeat in the NBA Finals in 2006, Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks legend, came to let his hair down in an appearance as epic as any of his Hall of Fame NBA career. The Germans have a culture of imbibing that dates back centuries. Dirk did his people proud.

Of course, as far as I’m concerned, Poo Live Crew, America’s favorite cover band, was discovered at the Mule. One guy actually lived there. His name was Larry, and he — or she — was a rat who generally appeared only after 2 a.m.

The Mule certainly isn’t the only bar we miss. Well, some we missed altogether, but they sounded like great times.

J&J’s Hideaway, home of the

draft beers and bobbing green olives, was always an eclectic mix, starting with the scions of Fort Worth’s most notable families, born to a credit line as far as the eye could see, to those of us, who, well, weren’t.

You were as likely to sit next to a banker or lawyer as you were one who felt like an outcast.

The Hideaway was sentenced to a bulldozer in the name of progress, the Museum Place development.

The Rangoon Racquet Club was before my time, but I’m told it was beloved as a trendy watering hole for the city’s noble blue bloods and visiting celebrities in the 1970s. It has been mentioned in books and movies.

Could you imagine being at the Blue Bird in 1975 when T. Bone Burnett and Bob Dylan stopped by? The Como blues nightclub was an institution, owned by Robert Ealey, described as the elder statesman of Fort Worth Blues. This place, too, was said to have attracted every race and creed to Horne Street.

The Oui Lounge was an institution on Bluebonnet Circle for more than 40 years, hosting TCU students and neighbors who lived nearby.

As for the Mule, a lease dispute spelled its end. Turman and the landlord couldn’t agree on terms. After 17 years, the Mule closed its doors, leaving Larry behind, in 2016.

Our world hasn’t been the same. And neither has the building. One bar tried a run there, but apparently failed.

It would come as no surprise to find that no one can fill the shoes of the Mule Pub.

mugs hang from the ceiling, each belonging to one of those regulars. Drinks are cheap enough that, we bet, you’ll soon be hanging your own mug up there. Opened since 1972, it’s a spinoff of the even older original in Arlington. 4907 Camp Bowie Blvd. showdownfortworth.com

Pubs

You won’t be tricked into thinking you crossed the Atlantic, but these spots still give it the old college try.

Best Bar Where You Can Throw Darts

THE ABBEY PUB

This spacious, dimly lit, dark woodcolored Irish bar has gone by different names over the years: It was the original home of Poag Mahone’s and, for several years, housed the Shamrock Tavern. In 2012, it became The Abbey Pub — its Irish name a tip-o’-the-hat to places where monks took care of weary travelers. Not much changed from its days as the Shamrock. There’s still a great selection of beers and dart-lovers still swear by its boards. With several TVs, it has a sports-bar vibe to it, too, but mainly people come here to throw darts, drink beer, and chat — a cool combo, if you ask us. 2710 W. Seventh St. abbey-pub.com

Best Bar to Grab Free Grub on Monday Nights

FINN

MACCOOL’S PUB

This Near Southside joint is so steeped in its identity as an Irish pub that we hesitate to call it by any other name. It’s a pub, not a bar. While the pub was originally a shotgun-style watering hole, it eventually expanded widthwise and now houses a couple of pool tables and dart boards on a side patio — where patrons are allowed to smoke. The friendly staff serves decently priced cocktails, a solid beer selection (including Guinness on tap), and good food to boot. And the owner prepares a Monday family-style dinner for anyone who wants to brave some spirits on the first day of the week.

1700 Eighth Ave.

A Cocktail Called Fort Worth

We had wondered aloud why Manhattan and Moscow had the rare distinction of being two cities (or island, in the case of Manhattan) bestowed with the honor of having popular cocktails named after them. Why couldn’t Fort Worth, with its unmistakable culture and distinct flavor, be given its own delicious libation? Well, our dream of having a Cowtown-centric cocktail became a reality when we asked local mixologist Dexter Blake of The Usual to go to the drawing board. Here’s what he came up with:

Ingredients: 1/2 ounce lemon

1/2 ounce cassis

2 dashes umami 1 ounce fernet

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients into tin with ice. Serve in a rocks glass with crushed ice and lemon peel.

Best

Bar with a

Double-Meaning Name DURTY MURPHY’S IRISH BAR

“Durty” is bar slang for “alcoholic,” of which you may find in abundance at this downtown Irish pub, housed in a historic building on Houston Street. We sat next to a guy who downed three Guinesses, the dark, dark, dark ones, in about an hour. It takes US an hour to drink ONE of those. These are professional drinkers here, alternating their swigs of Irish beers with trash-talking and game-watching. Bartenders are friendly and attentive — and intuitive about when to cut you off. Bonus points for clean bathrooms, almost a rarity in the bar world.

609 Houston St.

Best Bar That Really Does Live Up to Its Name

THE MAD HATTER NEIGHBORHOOD PUB

For many Fort Worthians, the name Mad Hatter’s will forever be linked to

a revered punk rock club on Magnolia Avenue — gone but hardly forgotten. For others, it’s the name of a neighborhood bar near West 7th but, thankfully, not in West 7th, where fratty bars, and the idiocy that goes along with them, run rampant. Opened in 2014 by local Chris Jordan, Mad Hatter is small and charming, with bartenders who remember regulars but make newcomers feel welcome, a laid-back atmosphere, and lots and lots of drink specials; it’s the very definition of a neighborhood pub.

706 Carroll St.

Best Service Industry Bar MALONE’S PUB

In the same way that some restaurants attract people who work at other restaurants, this nearly quarter-century-old pub is often filled with people who work at other bars. Its proximity lends itself to such. It’s nestled on the east side of downtown, within walking distance of downtown eateries and drinkeries and where there’s a ton of street parking. Back when the Star-Telegram had a downtown office, it was a major drinking stool for Star-T writers, who had a deep appreciation for its congenial atmos, impressive beer list, and buzzing pinball machines. Most people here know each other, and if they don’t, they will by night’s end. It’s that kind of place.

1303 Calhoun St. malonespub.com

Best Bar to Avoid Relatives and Enjoy a Beer You’ve Never Heard Of Ye Olde Bull & Bush

This long-running, British-themed bar on Montgomery Street, not far from Dickies Arena, is a hideaway for those fleeing their families on holidays; it’s open every day of the year. Of course, it’s worth visiting for other reasons, too, like the nice patio that overlooks Montgomery Street and the overall warm and welcome vibes. It’s a goldmine for beerknurds: B&B stocks a seemingly uncountable number of bottles, cans, and taps from around the world.

2300 Montgomery St. yeoldebullandbush.com

Basement Bar

An Ode to Drinking in the Fort

By Mark Mourer

It ain’t that we can’t push away from the table, Or the bar or the tailgate or the fridge in the stable In the barn where the cattle will drink from a trough. Hell, we mix honey with whiskey to undo a cough.

We enjoy a good drink ‘round here most of the time. Some even knock a few back while making words rhyme. This ode aims to capture what a lot of you’re thinking: In Fort Worth, we take us some pride in our drinking.

That “drinking” and “thinking” align often in verse Is a linguistic coincidence and not really a curse Of the struggling poet, or the freelancing writer, Or the Strait-like troubadour who’d sing an all-nighter When fueled by Firestone and Robertson’s TX, Or the Martin House Saison that’s brewed with Wheat Chex.

No, the moons will align in Fort Worth over booze More often than other locations you’d choose Because Jacksboro Highway has spilled more whiskey and gin Than burgundy swirled at the Italian Inn. And a lotta them joints that served hussies and dicks Would start pouring at lunch for those eating at Rick’s On the Bricks, which personified most of us good Fort Worth folk Who, not long ago, voted out all the smoke

In the bars and saloons and the booths at Old South, Where bacon and pancakes would hit the mouth Of coeds leaving The HOP or The Pub

Before dudes headed west to the Alta Mere hub And Illusions, or Sinbad’s Oasis of Delight. Or Rick’s Cabaret, nee New Orleans Nights.

We drink ‘round here to make ourselves much more interesting, And to make Irish Travellers more tolerable as they’re grifting. Fort Worth would drink 13 months out of each year

If the good Lord would grant us three more weeks of the steer Sales and rodeos that kept the Anfins and Ben E. Keith folks alive, Along with the Miller brewers off of I-35.

Before the Near Southside was so hip, cool and trended, Hemphill Street bars served those whose shifts had just ended At hospitals, warehouses and – of course – the newspapers

Along with those still looking for capers

To appease the frontier-like thirst and mentality

That’s blessed (perhaps cursed) our fair burgh with the reality

That there’s always time for one more bloody final Longneck, shot or double. Or a glass for the wino.

The good stuff at Shady may be preferred over the harder Stuff that flows fairly common ‘round Amon G. Carter, Where TCU has won more of late than they’ve lost, Letting Frogs drink at games for a reasonable cost.

We’re more common and humble than our friends to the east. Not lesser in stature, and – of course – not the least

In wearable couture or the latest of fashion.

But Fort Worth intends to drink with a passion Conveyed often with toasts lead by a testimonial

Following dozens of cocktails knocked back at Colonial In May every year when we dress to be sure

We resemble the golfers on the PGA tour.

Celebrating Fort Worth for its obsession with drinking

Means nothing to the officer who’s counting our blinking

On the side of the road, where this ode finds its close

With a lesson that many an old barfly knows:

Call a cab, an Uber, a friend, or a Lyft

After crushing your cold ones, as we’d hate you to drift

Left of center, or off of Nine Mile Bridge Road

Where life’s debts have been paid and some souls have been owed

To the heavens, or even the devil. Who knows?

In Fort Worth, sometimes that how drinking goes.

Hotel Bars

You don’t have to be a guest of a hotel to be a patron of its bar.

Best Bar with a Swimming Pool and $1,000 Per-Night Rooms HOTEL DROVER

The return of lobby culture, when the lobby levels of hotels were for more than out-of-towners shacking up for a night, is undeniable when one walks through the front doors of Hotel Drover. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, or whether you’re staying at this hotel or another hotel, when you’re perusing the Stockyards, you’ll make your way through the Hotel Drover lobby. The bar, which sits adjacent to the hotel’s restaurant, 97 West, serves up delicious if steep-priced cocktails to anyone willing to fork up the dough. While there aren’t too many seats at the bar itself, the lobby’s plethora of leather chairs and couches welcome anyone with a beverage.

200 Mule Alley hoteldrover.com

Best Music at Any Bar LOBBY BAR AT HOTEL DRYCE

“The place to be” is an oft-overused phrase that we will gladly apply to this hip lobby bar on any night of the week. The boutique hotel has received national attention for both its breezy utilitarian style and for its convenience to one of the best bars in town: its own lobby. The aesthetic — rustic and chic yet minimal and diverse — is what we imagine our city’s visitor’s bureau had in mind when they coined the phrase “Modern West.”

The original in-house craft cocktails are delicious (all of them), and the music, often supplied by guest DJs or the owner, Jonathan Morris, is always on point. Yeah, we get its popularity.

3621 Byers Ave. hoteldryce.com/thelobbybar

Best Bar to Find Super Frog Chillin’ LOT 12

You’ll notice the color purple at the rooftop bar of the Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU hotel, which sports appropriately a Horned Frog-inspired motif.

The bar, named for the parking lot where the hotel now stands, features a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, along with shareable bites like peanut butter and jelly wings, sandwiches, and loaded nachos and fries. Among Lot 12’s most notable highlights are two Topgolf Swing Suites — rooms outfitted with simulation technology that allow guests to play a virtual round of golf, baseball, football, or any other sport of their choice.

2512 W. Berry St. lot12tcu.com

Winner of the Wiley Clarkson Best in Architecture Award

SINCLAIR ROOFTOP

A relic of Fort Worth’s oil-and-gas history, the contemporary Sinclair, sitting on property supposedly once owned by K.M. Van Zandt and lost by him in a card game, today is a hotel with a rooftop bar providing as envious a view as any in town. Mix and mingle from the top of the 16-story building with panoramic views of the cityscape, including a breathtaking view of downtown Fort Worth’s pride and joy, the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse, as well as views of Sundance Square. Small plates, cocktails, desserts, and more cocktails are all available from the peak. 512 Main St. thesinclairhotel.com

Best Bar for a New Romance Because It’s Connected, Conveniently Enough, to a Hotel WHISKEY &

RYE

Bars and hotels go together like marriage and divorce — one could possibly lead to the other. That’s certainly the case at W&R inside the downtown Omni hotel. It’s a mostly well-heeled, often cowboy-hatted crowd — people in town for conventions, corporate takeovers, oilfield maintenance, and other events that smell of money and loneliness. Outof-towners sure do dig on the handsome Western theme — there’s enough leather here to open an S&M shop. There’s more than 100 whiskeys up for gulps, plus a good wine and cocktails list. A small food menu all but guarantees you’ll never have to move from your seat —

good news if you’re looking for someone to fill the one next to you.

1300 Houston St. omnihotels.com/hotels/fort-worth/dining/ whiskey-and-rye

Just GoodDang Bars

Resting somewhere between dive and swank.

Best Bar to Take Kids and Dogs

BIRDIE’S SOCIAL CLUB

The new Birdie’s Social Club is sort of a more family-friendly version of its predecessor, Lola’s Saloon. Lola’s walls have been given a bright, pastel makeover, and there’s a road-trippin’ theme, with various murals emphasizing as much. Since the bar area is partially outside, dogs and kids who sometimes act like dogs are welcome,

making it not a bad option for families, at least on weekend afternoons, when parents can munch on food-truck fare and doze in comfy outdoor seating, while their dogs and kids run loose. There’s a huge selection of beers and a brand-new bourbon bar, called Bourbon & Shine, just opened next door.

2736 W. Sixth St. birdiessocialclub.com

Best Bar Where One Can Drink in Peace in the Near Southside DISTRIBUTION BAR

While we’ll pour one out for the building’s previous tenant, the famed Shipping & Receiving, we’ll also give a toast and put one down the hatch for its yet-to-be-discovered replacement. As far as vibe goes, the similarly named Distribution Bar shares little with its predecessor, opting for a surprisingly stylish aesthetic

Finn MacCool’s

— chandeliers, Afghan rugs, and pinup girl posters. But we appreciate the eclecticism. The bar also serves solid cocktails at a reasonable price, frequently has live music, and infrequently has any commotion, making this joint the chilliest nighttime spot near South Main.

201 S. Calhoun St., Ste. 701 distributionbar.com

Best Use of the ‘Miami Vice’ Color Palette in a Bar

DOWN ‘N OUT

As the Near Southside continues to erect new apartment buildings for the influx of people waking up to Fort Worth’s many positive traits, new bars will have to open to indulge their cravings for a fun night. The latest is Down ‘n Out, a neon-infused trip to 1977, where you’ll find some reasonably priced (albeit not 1977 prices) cocktails and a couple pool tables for good measure. It’s become a go-to spot for Near Southsid-

ers who’ve grown disillusioned with the popularity of their previous favorite bar, whatever that may have been. But locals will just have to accept that massive success for places as spectacular as Down ‘n Out are seemingly imminent, and that’s quite all right.

150 W. Rosedale St.

Best Inclusive Bar LIBERTY LOUNGE

The eye-catching mural on the plainwhite façade of Liberty Lounge says “Wild Brave & Free” — words of encouragement directed at the bar’s diverse group of patrons. Liberty Lounge is a community bar whose owners and staff are actively involved in neighborhood and city improvement. Operating like a community center that happens to have its liquor license, the tavern routinely promotes shopping local, has an active book club, hosts paint nights, and organizes art markets for local artists. Oh, and it doesn’t

hurt that they serve stiff drinks and routinely spin killer playlists.

515 S. Jennings Ave. libertyloungefw.com

Best Bar That Has a Theme That Isn’t ‘Western’

MCFLY’S PUB

Outside of the Wild West, Fort Worth has very few, if any, themed establishments. So McFly’s, a “Back to the Future”-themed bar, is a welcomed departure from your typical Cowtown saloon. But this isn’t the two-year-old pub’s only distinction. It’s also the only bar near or around River Oaks, including the River District. End of sentence — the only bar! A shocking statistic for a growing region of the city. As one would assume, the pub’s décor is made up exclusively of knickknacks, posters, and murals that reference the popular trilogy, and there’s a solid outdoor patio for those wanting fresh air or a cigarette. The bar also has your standard pool table and occasional live music acts.

6104 LTJG Barnett Road mcflyspub.com

Best Bar Whose Origins Are, Unfortunately Enough, in Austin NICKEL

CITY

Thanks to the delectable sliders, wings, and Detroit-style hot dogs served out of the bar’s permanent food truck, Delray Café, I’ve often quipped that Nickel City is lowkey Fort Worth’s best restaurant. Latenight bites aside, the Austin-based bar, which expanded to Fort Worth in late 2020, also offers great deals on boilermakers — the shot-of-whisky-and-a-beer combo for which the bar is primarily known. Service is also outstanding considering the bar’s growing popularity, especially during their annual holiday pop-up, which results in max-capacity crowds. But don’t get us wrong, the food, drinks, and decor are all well worth the wait.

212 S. Main St. nickelcitybar.com

Best Bar Mantra: ‘Be Nice or Go Home’ OSCAR’S

PUB

Owner Robbie Turman wanted to name his first-born son Oscar, but his wife

Down ‘N Out

exercised veto power. So, he used the name for his second bar, at 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd. Oscar’s is a charming pub and doubles as fellowship ministry for many loyal regulars, who came over from the now-defunct Mule Pub, Turman’s first entry as a proprietor on the bar scene. For nice spring and fall days, the patio is alluring. A food truck serves some strong tacos and a top-five-ever burrito. On Sundays, it’s an all-you-caneat brunch that sets up a nice nap on the Sabbath. There’s usually live music on the weekends.

6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 125

Best Bar in a Freaking Train Station

T&P TAVERN

The whole bar in a train station thing might seem a little gimmicky, but this is a legitimately great bar with a lot of seating, a solid selection of beers on tap, and tasty craft cocktails. Located on the bottom level of one of the city’s most prominent architectural feats, T&P Station, the bar stays true to the building’s art deco façade. The 30-foot-tall ceiling and bright fluorescent lighting (this is still a train station, after all) can be a little much for those tipping toward the inebriated side of the scale, but the large outside patio more than makes up for it.

221 W. Lancaster Ave. tptavern.com

Best Bar to Feature a Regular Named Ignatius J. Reilly TWILITE LOUNGE

The Near Southside’s recent enhancements over the years include this dimly lit, swanky piece of New Orleans on Lipscomb Street, tucked away behind Vickery and South Main, a spinoff of a haunt with the same name in Dallas’ Deep Ellum. We’re told not to sleep on the frozen Irish coffee or the Cajun loaded fries, but the po’boys are a highlight, particularly the roast beef with debris and shrimp, fried or blackened. Served with red beans and rice with andouille sausage, jazz from the stage, and Louisiana Bulldog. Enjoy.

Nickel City

SOMETHING WATER IN THE

The quaint town of Mineral Wells has something dark lurking beneath its surface. And we couldn’t help but try to figure out what the heck it is.

BY DANIEL EARL NORMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL WISE

sic, nostalgic aesthetic as the Baker Hotel except that the Crazy Water is restored and open. Its lobby looks just like the pictures that I’ve seen from back in the glory days. There are shops inside and a coffee bar. The mineral water sold from the wells today is named Crazy Water. In many ways, the Crazy Water Hotel is what the Baker hopes to be someday.

The paranormal experiences of the Happy Days Diner are usually linked to the Crazy Water Hotel. There are stories of little girl ghosts and customers in the restaurant not appearing on CCTV. A regular sat in the same booth in the back every day. One day, he is in his usual spot when something cold enters him and says, “Get out.” From that time on, he took a seat across the restaurant.

Walking into the place, you don’t feel a bad energy. There’s an ice cream parlor and a bar to order food from. The ambiance is great, the wait staff attentive, and the coffee is strong. But I had my target in mind — that back booth.

We slid into it and started our session with a device called the Onvoy. It cycles through letters until triggered by environmental changes. The thought is that it should be impossible for random words to be spelt out.

“Is there anyone here with us?” I asked to the air. A few moments of silence passed. Then a hit. J. The scroller swung around the alphabet and selected E and F. We had a name. Jeff. We ran some of our other equipment to find out who Jeff is, but whoever it was left.

Which was all right, because we had another appointment. The Haunted Hill House, built back in the 1800s, was fitting us in. It’s the hottest paranormal spot in town. In the heyday of the Baker Hotel when celebrities flew in for spa treatments, the Hill House was a brothel and speakeasy that catered to the visitors. It even had its own mineral water well in the back. It sits right at the foothills of East Mountain, just under the Welcome sign built across the mountain, like the Hollywood sign. In fact, the builder of the Mineral Wells sign sold the idea to Hollywood and retired in riches.

The Hill House is difficult to get into, but the owners agreed to show us around. They’re a friendly couple named Kathy and Sonny Estes. Kathy, a lively and calming blonde, brought us into the first room.

A doll leered at us, and an open coffin was shoved up against the wall. A plastic skeleton had been placed inside, looking like it was surprised to be there. Kathy laid on the bed and told us how just the night before, it jumped and rattled. My cousin and I passed glances at each other. This might’ve been a little more than we were expecting.

She took us into the house itself, through a room plastered with

photographs of paranormal investigators and Ozzy Osbourne’s son, into a living room. Dolls sat smiling on every flat place, and a bloody red light oozed through the rooms. On the couch, a doll in a velvet dress sat with its hands on its knees. I took a closer look and got face-to-face.

“That’s Belle, one of the good spirits.” Kathy said. “Her eyes follow you around the room, and she blinks.”

“Oh, wow,” I said and made up my mind to never look at the doll again, if I could help it.

“Come on through here,” she said and opened a peeling door. My cousin insisted that I go first. Chivalry isn’t dead after all. It was another bedroom and colder than sin, bristling with more dolls. She took us into the bathroom, and we squeezed in. I leaned on the wall. “This is the site of a murder-suicide. We found the brain matter, right here on this wall.” I stood up straight. “It was confirmed by cadaver dogs.”

She showed us room after room. A poker room where over 200 people have been scratched, a scrying room shared with a cursed doll, an ax room where an angry spirit chokes and batters the sleeping.

Just when I thought we were done with the dolls, Kathy took us into a child’s room with clowns and stuffed animals dangling from the ceiling. A ventriloquist’s doll grinned on the bed. “Oh, no. That’s a lot of dolls,” I said, always quick with an idea.

Her husband, Sonny, had been milling around, not really saying anything, and Kathy passed us off to him for the upstairs tour. I learned later that she refuses to go to the second floor, and soon I’d find out why. Now, standing in a bedroom haunted by a deformed child, Sonny came alive. For the first time that afternoon, I felt something twirling a finger in my beard. A fly, I thought, and swatted at it until we were in a dark attic, sitting in gothic chairs. We

The Baker Hotel attracted celebrities in days gone by and, according to legend, ghouls. However, the Baker was not where we encountered the weird.

were the only living people in the house, and I felt the floors vibrate and creak like someone was walking around. Something somewhere watched me. I tried not to look at the door, afraid of what I’d find peeping around the corner.

Sonny broke the news to us that this house wasn’t home to just ghosts. No, there was something insidious creeping around — an abysmal entity, diabolic, a midnight-spirit summoned by seances and rituals conducted in that very room where I sat swatting at my beard. They called him Toby, though his revealed Latin name was infernal. And it was time to make our introductions in his special room.

I hesitated at the threshold. The room was Bible-black and the air thick as gravy. I dived straight in.

A semicircle of chairs and a blacked-out window. I saw a white face down by my knee in the darkness, and my heart seized in midpump. When the face didn’t bite me, I looked closer. It was a Halloween decoration, a ghoulish child on a rocking horse. Sonny whacked the head, and the child’s eyes lit up red and eerie nursery music played. “You’ve got to hit this thing really hard, and then the eyes start up. That’s one way that we communicate.” I hated that room and turned my back on it to listen to Sonny.

He told us how, just the night before, a group stood at that threshold. They called out to Toby, and he answered with a vicious stomp right at their feet. Sonny showed us a video of the stomping, and then he showed me a photo of the devilish creature itself.

Sonny grinned at me. “Do some of the girls working here want Daniel?” I leaned forward in foolish hope, but the toy didn’t go off. I decided that the only way I would be leaving that room was in a pack. Sonny asked more questions, rubbing his knees with excitement. I tried to find somewhere safe to look. The entire house was charged with electricity. It felt like sitting in a thunderstorm. I could’ve bet my mother’s life that something was looking at me. It’s a shame, she’s a good mother, but that’s how certain I was.

“Do you want us to quit?” Sonny called out, and the toy lit up again. “I think they want us to quit.” A deep voice boomed out of the mechanical churning of the spirit box. “Quit.”

“This house wasn’t home to just ghosts. No, there was something insidious creeping around — an abysmal entity, diabolic, a midnight-spirit summoned by seances and rituals conducted in that very room.”

When the picture was taken, they didn’t know what they were talking to. They thought it was a child spirit, and someone snapped a picture. In the doorway, clutching the frame with a clawed and furry hand, was a beast. That’s the closest word. It looked like a werewolf, baring its fangs and twisting its face in savage hatred. That put a face to the name. The uneasy feeling of being watched blossomed into full-fledged fear for the first time.

Sonny invited us to step into the hall, to my relief. But instead of giving us a cup of tea and some comfort, he broke out a spirit box. A spirit box is a device that sweeps through radio frequencies at a rapid pace. The idea is that spirits can speak through the white noise. A deafening chug-chug-chug rolled out of the speaker, and we went to yet another room where we could listen and see the Halloween decoration at a distance from our chairs.

Sonny was gleeful now that he had the chance to feed me to a dark spirit. “Do you want Daniel in there?” The toy’s eyes lit up and rocked back and forth before my name was all the way out of his mouth. I leaned back in my chair so I couldn’t see it. The wisdom of the ostrich. On the spirit box, a deep male voice said my name three times.

“Go in there, Daniel!” Sonny said. I’d already decided to exit by the window, so I declined his offer. A woman’s voice came through the spirit box.

“Daniel…” it said.

Leaving the room and heading downstairs, my cousin and I huddled so close, we could’ve shared a necklace. The downstairs felt fresh and airy after the floor above. My cousin and I excused ourselves for a few minutes to get some fresh air outside and try to process what happened.

We had no answers. The toy was real. It was in the other room. And as we stood outside, both of us realized that we had felt the floorboards under us tremble like someone else was walking around. It was impossible. I went back inside to use the restroom. I left the door open and refused to look in the mirror.

Kathy met us in the kitchen, a safe rest area, even though a brutal murder has happened there too. She told us about the history of the house and of Mineral Wells. But I kept getting distracted by my cousin’s ringtone.

“Put your phone on silent.”

“It is.” He looked toward the door. “I hear it too.”

“Are you hearing the voices?” Kathy asked, grinning. I could. Someone was walking around and talking upstairs. As clear as anything, someone was talking. Talking in anger, spitting out their words, and kicking things around.

Kathy carried on, but I couldn’t focus. Behind her, the CCTV showed all the rooms in the house, and I saw lights buzzing around. I thought they were bugs, but something wasn’t quite right about them and the way they flitted and hovered. I looked at the legend and saw that it was in Toby’s room, the same room that someone was talking in.

It’s the most impossible thing to explain. It’s like meeting an alien. You know it can’t be happening, but your brain runs up against a brick wall because you can hear it right there and feel the weight of footsteps above you. It’s there, but it shouldn’t be. You begin to wonder if you can trust your own senses.

We talked with Kathy and Sonny for another hour until the time came to leave. I made her mark my forehead with holy oil, and we piled into the car with our gear and drove out, waving at them. The rest of the drive was quiet. We stared ahead at the road, and I drove mechanically. A bomb could’ve dropped, and we wouldn’t have noticed. There was too much to think about. We’d gone to Mineral Wells to find the real story, the ghouls underneath. And right at the last moment, we got what we were asking for and more.

Breast Cancer Care –Lymphedema Prevention and Management

By Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS Texas Breast Specialists

Lymphedema, the swelling in an extremity caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, can be a long-term side effect of some cancer treatments, according to the American Cancer Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). In fact, treatment for breast cancer is the leading cause of lymphedema in the United States. March is Lymphedema Awareness Month – here’s what breast cancer patients and caregivers should know about this condition.

Learn the Risks

Breast cancer patients who receive an axillary lymph node dissection, axillary radiation, mastectomy, and/or sentinel lymph node biopsy are at risk of developing lymphedema after treatment. The likelihood of developing lymphedema increases with the amount of breast tissue removed, the number of lymph nodes removed, and the amount and extent of radiation treatments. Other factors that increase the risk of lymphedema include obesity, lack of exercise, and previous cancer complications.

Know the Signs

The most common sign of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is a heaviness or weighted feeling to the arm that is on the same side as surgery or radiation. Patients should also look for swelling in the affected arm, hand, and/or fingers, which may cause clothing, rings, watches, or bracelets to become tight. Some patients may also notice a color or temperature change and/or pains and aches in the affected arm. Lymphedema usually develops within 24 months after surgery or cancer treatment. However, in some cases a small incident can stimulate lymphedema several years after surgery or treatment. The swelling from breast surgery is not considered lymphedema unless it is persistent and doesn’t improve over time.

Take Preventative Measures

All patients undergoing breast surgery for cancer should consider lymphedema screening in order to detect lymphedema in its early stages. The Lymphedema Prevention Program at Texas Breast Specialists aims to reduce a patient’s risk of

developing life-long lymphedema through screening and early detection – with the goal of preventing it from getting worse.

To screen for lymphedema, a patient’s care team should measure the fluid status and tissue composition in the arms and legs before surgery (to establish a baseline), every three to six months after surgery for up to five years, and annually thereafter. By tracking small changes in an extremity over time, providers can identify lymphedema in its earliest stages and prescribe treatments to manage its progression.

In addition to screening, patients can also take proactive steps to reduce the chance of developing lymphedema after breast surgery such as avoiding trauma, cuticle injuries, needle sticks, blood pressures, tight jewelry, and carrying handbags on the treated side. Other ways to decrease the risk of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment include avoiding saunas and extreme heat, limiting sun exposure and minor cuts/abrasions by using sunscreen and gloves, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS, is a surgeon at the following locations:

• Texas Breast Specialists–Fort Worth Cancer Center 500 South Henderson St., Fort Worth, TX 76104

• Texas Breast Specialists–Southwest Fort Worth 6500 Harris Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76132

• Texas Breast Specialists–Granbury 1310B Paluxy Rd, Suite 2000, Granbury, TX 76048

For more information on breast cancer screening and early detection, visit TexasBreastSpecialists.com.

Our breast care experts all specialize in one thing:

Texas Breast Specialists provide leading edge surgical approaches and integrated care that includes a multidisciplinary team. From 19 dedicated breast surgeons in the DFW area to our experts in medical and radiation oncology, genetic risk evaluation, and supportive care, we compassionately collaborate with you to help you better understand your disease and develop a personalized surgical treatment plan.

Alison Unzeitig Barron, M.D., FACS Carrollton, Dallas and Plano

Katrina E. Birdwell, M.D., FACS Dallas, Mansfield and Midlothian

W. Lee Bourland Jr., M.D., FACS Dallas

Mary B. Brian, M.D., FACS Bedford

Lynn Canavan, M.D., FACS Denison, McKinney and Plano

Bindupriya Chandrasekaran, M.D., MRCS

Dallas

Tuoc N. Dao, M.D., FACS Dallas

Allison A. DiPasquale, M.D. Dallas

Amy Eastman, M.D., FACS Rockwall

Archana Ganaraj, M.D. Dallas

Meghan Hansen, M.D. Frisco and Plano

Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS Fort Worth and Granbury

Melissa Kinney, M.D., FACS Flower Mound and Lewisville

Martin L. Koonsman, M.D., FACS, CPE Dallas

Jeffrey P. Lamont, M.D., FACS Dallas, Paris and Plano Raulee Tessa Sirina Morello, M.D. Bedford

Kerri L. Perry, M.D., FACS Denton

Angela E. Seda, M.D.

Top Dentists

The complete database is available at usatopDentists.com. For information email help@ usatopdentists.com or visit usatopDentists.com.

Endodontics

Chad R. Allen

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Charles “Trey” Brown III

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Ray C. Gillespie

Pei Kang

John W. Loeffelholz

Deborah C. Loth

Francisco J. Nieves

Rajiv Patel

Todd W. Remmers

Jeffrey L. Saunders

Casey L. Turner

Ryan M. Walsh

General Dentistry

Franklyn Alexander

Kevin M. Altieri

Stephen P. Anderson

Kimberley A. Baker

John E. Barroso

Barrett L. Bartell

Garron Belnap

Amy N. Bender

Gina A. Biedermann

Jessica H. Brigati

Brian L. Britton

Stephen G. Brogdon

Jacob S. Brown

Kent R. Brown

Timothy S. Casey

Sean M. Cerone

Johnny S. Cheng

Thomas F. Cockerell Jr.

Michael A. Colangelo

Barry Cole

Stacy V. Cole

Mitch A. Conditt

Katie M. Coniglio

William L. Cook III

P. Brent Cornelius

Reid Darnell

Rupal B. Davé

Daniel H. Davis

N. Dakota Davis

Paul G. Davis Jr.

Ravi V. Doctor

Lee C. Dodson

Chad L. Drennan

Lauren Drennan

Michael R. Drennan

Terry L. Drennan

Chad C. Duplantis

T. Paul Dyer

Caitlin Flosi

Jason R. Fowler

Tonya K. Fuqua

James B. Getz Jr.

Mark S. Givan

Michael J. Goulding

Gary R. Granger

Nikki P. Green

David J. Greer

Justin B. Harlin

John C. Harris

Christopher Hawkins

Victoria C. Heron

D. Brent Hicks

Lindsey A. Horwedel

Timothy M. Huckabee

J. Edward Irving

Kelly R. Kemp

Zane V. Kemp

Christopher Kim

James R. King Jr.

Kenneth D. Kirkham

Timothy S. Knight

Ronald Lee

D. Michael Mabry

Patrick R. Malone

Yahya M. Mansour

Gregory Martin

D. Keith Metzger

David Kyle Metzger

Jason M. Miller

Mark S. Moore

Sarah J. Morris

Partha Mukherji

Ashley K. Murrey

Karen L. Neil

David M. Nelson

Brett A. Nielsen

Kathleen Ong

Depal P. Parikh

Sahil K. Patel

Chad Perry

Gary N. Pointer

J. Richard Polson

William H. Ralstin

Diana H. Raulston

Michael Rogers

Amos B. Ross

John S. Rubin

William W. Saunders

Michael D. Shelby

Joshua T. Smith

Brent A. Spear

Lewis H. Stephenson

Brooks M. Stevens

John B. Struble

Mark E. Studer

J. Tyler Tate

Steven W. Thomas

Gregg H. Tillman

Jean A. Tuggey

Bryan S. Wall

Timothy M. Warren

Eric S. Wear

Gary L. White

Todd White

William C. Whittle

Eric M. Wilson

Gregory B. Wright

Marshall H. Wright

Saam Zarrabi

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Brandon R. Brown

Craig E. Buchmann

Ryan Carmichael

Mazen Duraini

Eduardo A. Humes

David K. Hunter

Haroon Ismaili

Herman Kao

David W. Kostohryz Jr.

Todd A. Kovach

Timothy A. Lew

Diana Lois

James Macholl

John P. McPhillips

David E. Parmer

Charles R. Payerle

Robert B. Peak

Mau K. Pham

William F. Runyon Jr.

Gregory B. Scheideman

Michael D. Sheppard

John V. Shroyer III

John P. Stella

Gregory D. Taylor

Chris L. Tye

Michael R. Warner

Fayette C. Williams

Orthodontics

J. Moody Alexander

J. Andy Barron

Daniel J. Bekish

Sheila G. Birth

Jae Brimhall

Jose G. Chow

Monte K. Collins

Brian Dugoni

Basma M. Fallah

Cristi L. Fletcher

Ronald D. Groves

Bradley S. Hall

Cameron Jolley

John M. Kelley Jr.

Jeremy R. Lustig

David C. McReynolds

David M. Mikulencak

Tamara S. Miller

Robert J. Montoya

Scott A. Myser

Mike Obeid

Anthony Patel

Evan Perkins

Nicholas R. Ridder

Paul Robinson

Jesse N. Schroeder

Christopher A. Sorokolit

Aaron V. Swapp

Shane R. Tolleson

Andrew N. Young

Pediatric Dentistry

Sandra L. Armstrong

Michael Ball

R. Nelson Beville III

Jerod W. Brazeal

Austin R. Church

Jody D. Cremer

Christopher M. Davis

Daniel E. Donohue

Debra C. Duffy

John R. Gober

Aishwarya Indiramohan

Drew M. Jamison

Jennifer P. Ketchel

Manivara P. Krone

Elizabeth M. Laborde

Mark C. Lantzy

E. Dale Martin

Bridget D. McAnthony

Charles W. Miller

Jack W. Morrow

Arti Patel

Janell I. Plocheck

G. Stan Preece

Elizabeth Gold Rector

Robert Casey Stroud

Meghan Thorburn

Chris Walton

Amy K. Watts

Ed Watts

John B. Witte

Daniel E. Wright

Jason A. Zimmerman

Periodontics

Amjad Almasri

Elise Anyakwo

Scott Bedichek

Farhad E. Boltchi

Steven K. Britain

Brent F. Gabriel

William M. Grover

N. Joseph Laborde III

Shelby Nelson

Paula A. Ortiz

Matthew R. Steffer

Daniela A. Zambon

Prosthodontics

Hanife C. Bayraktaroglu

James C. Fischer

Steven J. Fuqua

Jorge A. Gonzalez

Shab R. Krish

Annie C. Wilson

Beyond the Bag

Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center

Beyond the Bag, benefiting the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center, was back in-person on Jan. 21, raising funds to inspire hearts with hope. Attendance and fundraising goals at this year’s event at the Champions Club at Amon G. Carter Stadium were shattered as guests enjoyed a celebratory evening filled with dinner, live entertainment, and high-caliber silent and live auction items.

Shirley & John Dean

David & Nichole Shipman, David & Francene Shipman, Lily & Andre Le

Amy Adkins, Debbie Dolins Hyde, Molly Snyder, Joan Katz

Bridget Hall, Malathi Ravi, Molly Snyder

Glen & Janet Hahn

Matthew Wallace, Danielle Le Blanc

Charlie & Beverly Powell, Henry Borbolla

Luxury Made Easy

Atwood Custom Homes is the premier luxury home builder specializing in designing and building high-quality, luxury homes in Southlake, Keller, Westlake, Colleyville, and surrounding cities. From transitional clean lines to traditional estates, Atwood Custom Homes is committed to personalizing each home to the lifestyle and dreams of their clients.

Jon Atwood

Wranglers & Wishes

Make-A-Wish North Texas

On Nov. 17, Make-A-Wish North Texas hosted its second annual Wranglers & Wishes event at the River Ranch Stockyards to raise funds to help grant more wishes. The Westernthemed fundraiser featured a barbecue dinner, a live and silent auction, and live country music by Dan Roberts of Old Boots Music. Suzy and David Nark served as this year’s honorary chairs. The event raised $264,000 and helped communicate the organization’s vision, which is to grant the heartfelt wish of every eligible child battling a critical illness.

Macee Shealey, David & Suzy Nark

Kim Elenez, Christina Rodgers

FiFi Jordan, ReBecca Jordan

JoAnn Royer, Marilyn Kobs, Tricia Anderson, Jerri Watt, Cathy & Shawn Studer

Jacob Pletan and his parents, Gretchen & Ray Pletan

Dream Street 2023:

Introducing the Upscale Oak Alley Community in Colleyville

This year’s Dream Street will take three of the 34 acreage lots available in the picturesque subdivision.

BY FWTX STAFF

As it’s a slight trek for Fort Worthians who sway toward the idle side of things and big attractions like a Six Flags or AT&T Stadium decided to call Arlington home, Colleyville probably doesn’t get many weekend visitors from Cowtown.

Outside of a few parks and corner drugstores, Colleyville is, for the most part, a mid-city that is entirely residential. It’s a neighborhood, but also an incredibly nice neighborhood. Of the cities that lie between

Fort Worth and Dallas, Colleyville has the second highest individual median income at $70,011 (trailing Southlake). For those who prefer a quieter yet upscale existence, few places check as many boxes as Colleyville.

Lying in the heart of this mid-city is Oak Alley, an exclusive luxury community, which is where this year’s Fort Worth Magazine Dream Street — three of the region’s top builders erecting three state-of-theart homes — will take place. The

homes will showcase three distinct, eye-catching styles: Mediterranean, English Arts and Crafts, and Tuscany. The builders — John Webb of Heritage Homes, Nick Smith of Kensington Custom Homes, and Brian Demma of Brian Michael Distinctive Homes — will work with an all-star team of different subcontractors (flooring, landscape, roofing, kitchen, lighting, etc.) to ultimately build homes that inspire future projects.

The three homes are already under construction and will open for touring in October 2023. Proceeds from touring will go to a Wish with Wings, a local nonprofit that grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.

Oak Alley, a shotgun-style neighborhood with a single parkway that butts up against the picturesque Timarron Country Club, rests on the north side of Colleyville, just a short drive from Southlake Town Square. The community is free from the hustle, bustle, and noise of interstate traffic and the everyday stresses of big-city life. Oak Alley defines itself as a new upscale community that offers luxury living. The neighborhood offers 34 home sites, each on acreage lots, and design guidelines and architecture styles that were thoughtfully planned by award-winning architecture firm Heritage Design Studio. This will ensure that Oak Alley will endure home trends and retain its beauty for generations.

The community’s developer, Burk Collins & Co., has been in the business for 47 years and has more than 9 million square feet and $1 billion of commercial real estate development on its impressive resume. All of which includes but isn’t limited to retail, industrial, office space, and subdivisions.

Three impressive luxury homes in one impressive luxury community. We look forward to seeing everyone in Colleyville come October.

Dream Street 2023 Project Partners

FortWorthMagazine’sDream Street wouldn’t be possible without the partnerships of local home industry professionals. Our project partners bring talent, passion, and experience to the project and are an integral part to bringing the homes to life.

HERITAGE HOMES

Appliances: The Jarrell Company

Architect: Arch House Collaborative

Artificial Grass: Wintergreen Synthetic Grass

Cabinets Kitchen: The Kitchen Source

Cabinets Closets: Closet Factory

Countertop Fabrication: Absolute Stone & Tile, Inc.

Countertop Materials: Klz Stone Supply, Inc.

Drywall and Texture: Alliance Drywall Inc.

Electrician: Powered Solutions

Fireplaces Interior: Fireside Hearth & Home

Flooring Wood & Carpet: Premier Designs Flooring

Flooring Tile Material: Daltile

Framing: Lone Star Framing & Construction LLC

Garage Doors & Openers: Open Up Garage Doors

Glass (Shower-Mirror-Etc): Galactic Glass

Gutters: Loveless Gutters

HVAC (Materials and Labor): Interior Climate Experts

Insulation: Texas Insulation

Interior Designer: Susan Semmelmann Interiors

Landscape/Irrigation/Grade: Guardado Landscaping

Lighting: Passion Lighting

Low Voltage/Security/Av: Multimedia Solutions

Painting: J&V Painting

Patio Furniture: Yard Art Patio & Fireplace

Plumbing Fixtures: Expressions

Plumbing Labor & Supplies: Pro Serve Plumbing

Roofing/Flashing: Tarrant Roofing

KENSINGTON CUSTOM HOMES

Appliances: The Jarrell Company

Architect: Heritage Design Studio & Interiors

Cabinets Kitchen: The Kitchen Source

Countertop Fabrication: Absolute Stone & Tile, Inc.

Countertop Materials: Klz Stone Supply, Inc.

Drywall and Texture: Alliance Drywall Inc.

Electrician-X: Prewitt Electrical Services

Fireplaces Interior: Overhead Door Company of Fort Worth

Flooring Wood and Carpet: Vintage Floors

Flooring Tile Material: Daltile

Front Door & Gate: Silverado Custom Door & Window

Garage Doors & Openers: Overhead Door Company of Fort Worth

Glass (Shower-Mirror-Etc): Galactic Glass

Insulation: Texas Insulation

Interior Designer: Heritage Design Studio & Interiors

Landscape/Irrigation/Grade: Guardado Landscaping

Low Voltage/AV/Security: H Customs

Patio Furniture: Yard Art Patio & Fireplace

Patio Screens (Motorized): Blinds Brothers

Plumbing Fixtures: The Jarrell Company

Pool: Claffey Pools

Roofing/Flashing: Texas Tile Roofing

Stairs and Railings: Aaron Ornamental Iron Works

BRIAN MICHAEL DISTINCTIVE HOMES

Appliances: Expressions

Cabinets Kitchen: The Kitchen Source

Countertop Materials: Levantina

Drywall and Texture: Alliance Drywall

Fireplaces In/Out Isokerns: Fireside Hearth & Home

Fireplaces Interior: Fireside Hearth & Home

Flooring Wood & Carpet: Galvan Floors

Flooring Tile Material: Daltile

Garage Doors & Openers: Open Up Garage Doors

Glass (Shower-Mirror-Etc): Galactic Glass

Insulation: Texas Insulation

Interior Designer: Elements Of Design

Landscape/Irrigation/Grade: Guardado Landscaping

Patio Furniture: Yard Art Patio & Fireplace

Plumbing Fixtures Expressions

Plumbing Labor & Supplies: Pro Serve Plumbing

Pool: Blue Water Pools

Roofing/Flashing: Texas Tile Roofing

MAR. 3

Street Style Fashion Show and Luncheon

Colleyville Woman’s Club

MAR. 4

Jewel Charity Ball

Jewel Charity (Cook Children’s Foundation)

MAR. 9

Reserve Wine Tasting

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

MAR. 9

Dinner Party for Life

Cuisine for Healing

MAR. 30

The Big Party

The Big Good

MAR. 30

Tacos + Tequilas

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

MAR. 30

Annual Meeting

Fort Worth Chamber

MAR. 31

Roadhouse

Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth

MAR. 31

Night Market

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

MAR. 31

The Main Event

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

APR. 1

Rise + Dine

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

APR. 1

Burgers, Brews, Blues

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

APR. 1

Medicine Ball

Tarrant County Medical Society

APR. 2

Ring of Fire Cookout

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

APR. 2

Hunt & Gather: A Southern Brunch

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

APR. 6

Project Goodwill

Goodwill North Central Texas

APR. 8

Cinderella Charity Ball

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of Arlington

Back

Calendar

Give

Give Back

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.

APR. 14

ABLAZE

Alzheimer’s Association

APR. 14

Butterfly Wishes Gala a Wish with Wings

APR. 15

Syndicate Smokedown Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate

APR. 20

TCU Night of Champions Fellowship of Christian Athletes

APR. 21

Black Dog Dinner Black Dog Charity

APR. 21

Purple Party

Safehaven

APR. 22

Tarrant County Heart Ball American Heart Association

APR. 30

Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth

Big Brothers Big Sisters

April 30, 2023 | VIP Wine and Spirits Tasting - 5 PM | Main Tasting - 6 PM The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel

Join us for an evening of cocktails, wines distilled spirits culinary cuisine entertainment, and silent & live auctions at the Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tarrant Attendance is limited so get your table today at www BigTaste org

Honorary Committee

Honorable Kay Granger | Honorable Mattie and David Parker | Honorable Betsy and Tom Price | Honorable Roger and Patty Williams

Carole and Scott Murray | Emily and Marcus Paslay | Nada and Dwight Ruddock

-B&B Butchers and Restaurant

-Bonnell s Fine Texas Cuisine

-Bob's Steak & Chop House

-Del Frisco s Double Eagle Steak House

-Don Artemio Mexican Heritage

-Fitzgerald

-Fixe

-Michaels Cuisine

-Old

-Tokyo

-Toro

Presenting Sponsors

-Hal Brown

-Chris Cassiday

-Deborah Ferguson

-Steve Lamb

-Eric Nelsen

-Sainty Nelsen

-Marcus Paslay

Chairs: Joy Ann & Bob Havran Lead Chef: Jon Bonnell

Honorary Chairs: Karen & Larry Anfin

Master of Ceremonies: Scott Murray

FACT SHEET

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

The JLFW Diaper Bank launched in 2019 in partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

We are a National Diaper Bank Network member and are the only diaper bank serving Fort Worth/Tarrant County.

We provide both children and adult diapers in an effort to assist all individuals experiencing diaper need.

Our operations rely heavily on donated diapers.

We are even able to accept open diaper packages!

420,000+ diapers distributed to 31 partner agencies SEP 2021 NOV 2019

Diaper Bank soft launch MAY 2020 Official diaper distribution begins

Approximate cost for a one week supply of newborn diapers

Diapers the

Baylor Scott & White All Saints Health Foundation thanks the generous sponsors of the 12TH ANNUAL

Thank you!

THE CHIC BAG

Mary Lowe

THE CUSTOM BAG

Anonymous

Bell

Shirley and John Dean

Joan and Howard Katz

THE CLASSIC BAG

Ben E. Keith Company

CBRE

Mr. and Mrs. William S. Davis

Fenom Women’s Care

Frost

GM Financial

LKCM Headwater

Lily and Andre Le

Michelle and Dan Lowrance

Lara and Jim Newman

Rozanne and Billy Rosenthal

Ralph Sears

Vivi Women’s Health

Lisa and Burch Waldron

Toni and Keith Young

THE CLUTCH BAG

Bank of Texas

Richard and Connie Bertel

Kristi and Lennard Christensen

Ciera Bank

The Dolins Family

Haydn Cutler Company

JPMorgan Private Bank

Vaishali and Chris Kent

Debra and Aaron Koppelberger

Kathy and Frank Kyle

Lou Martin / Beth Rivers / Karen Simon

Pamela D. Nelon

Pope Hardwicke/Sue and Lee Christie

Jamie Rambo

Michele and Fred Reynolds

Satori Capital

Molly and Mitch Snyder

Donna and Hollis Sullivan

Mary Frances and Jim Wood, Jr./ Wood’s Landscape & Sprinkler Service

Media Sponsor

The The Medicine Medicine Ball Ball

13th Annual Charity Ball

Cocktail Reception Sponsor

LE FREAK LE FREAK LEFREAK

Omni FORT WORTH Hotel

April 1, 2023

Benefitting:

Vaccines Defend What Matters

Allied Health Scholarships

Project Access Tarrant County

Hard Hats for Little Heads

Dr.

William Jones

Justin Boots

Olivia and Jeff Kearney

Dana and Dee Kelly

Jeanice and Don King

Teresa and Luther King / Luther King Capital

Management

Teresa and Luther King / Luther King Capital Management

Mason D. King

Jane Klabzuba Korman

Holly and Josh Korman

Dr. Jon and Mrs. Mel Kurkjian

Dr. Brian Ranelle

Family Charitable Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Reynolds

Juleigh and Arlie Davenport

Fash Foundation

Terri and Kim Gill

Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Reynolds

Dr. and Mrs. Ray N. Rhodes Jr.

Terri and Kim Gill

Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hanley II

Dr. and Mrs. Ray N. Rhodes Jr.

Beth Rivers and Woody Grossman

Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hanley II

Carolyn Hardgrove

Beth Rivers and Woody Grossman

Kelley and Gordon Roberts

Meg and John Rubin

Dr. and Mrs. Todd Samuelson

Carolyn Hardgrove

Christina and Mark Johnson

Cindy Bryant Lawrence

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Morris

Dr. and Mrs. Todd Samuelson

Suzanne and Travis Sanders

Julie and Joel Sawyer

Dr. Jon and Mrs. Mel Kurkjian

Jack Labovitz

Gail and Bill Landreth

Paula and Bob Lansford

Lauri Lawrence

Dr. Danielle LeBlanc and Matt Wallace

La Reve Skincare & Laser Center

Julie and Joel Sawyer

Skipper and Randall Schmidt

Deborah Schutte and Kevin Ullmann

Heidi and Philip Schutts

The Scout Guide

Marisa and Bruce Selkirk

Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Simon Jr.

La Reve Skincare & Laser Center

Barbara and Jay Lesok

Mrs. John R. Lively

Michelle and Dan Lowrance

Faith and James R. Mallory

Dr. and Mrs. G. Scott Marlow

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Morris

Pat and Harold Muckelroy

Laura and Michael O’Brien

Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Packer

Martha and Rob Park

Paige and Graham Pate

Kelsey and Gary Patterson

Peggy and Jim Rhodes

Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Simon Jr.

Peggy and Bill Sims

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lee Siratt, II

Jobe and Helen Richards Foundation, The Chicotsky Family, Trustees

Jobe and Helen Richards Foundation,

The Chicotsky Family, Trustees

Paige and Bob Russey

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lee Siratt, II

Judy and Colby Siratt

Mary Nan and Stephen Skillman

Paige and Bob Russey

Margaret and Jay Scheideman

Dr. and Mrs. Louis L. Strock

Mary Nan and Stephen Skillman

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Slimmer

Dr. and Mrs. G. Scott Marlow

Natalie and Brant Martin

Lauren and Ryan Matthews

Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mays

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde S. McCall, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Louis L. Strock

Lina and Brett Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Slimmer

Christy and Jason Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Smith

Kindel and Quinton Smith

Maeve and John Solberg

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde S. McCall, Jr.

McCallum Family Foundation

Maeve and John Solberg

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Sorenson

McCallum Family Foundation

Gregory L. McCoy

Margaret and Stuart McDonald

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Sorenson

Carol and Vern Spurlock

Laura and Mark Standish

Margaret and Stuart McDonald

Mr. Pat McDowell and Mrs. Lou McDowell

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McGee Jr.

Laura and Mark Standish

Helen and John Stephens

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sterling

Alicia and Chris Steuart

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McGee Jr.

Patti C. and Robert H. McLean

Alicia and Chris Steuart

Mandy and Rich Storm

Patti C. and Robert H. McLean

Larkin and Richard McMillan

Mandy and Rich Storm

Ronda and Walter Stucker

Larkin and Richard McMillan

Laura and Rick McWhorter

Susan and Victor Medina

Evelyn and Rick Merrill

Michelle and Dan Miles

Maribeth and Robert Miller

Mrs. W. A. Moncrief III

Lezlie and Joe Monteleone

Ashley Mooring and Marshall Sharp

Ann and Russ Morton

Lara and Jim Newman

Alann and Bill Nolan

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Nolan

Ronda and Walter Stucker

Mr. and Mrs. Leo C. Taylor

Texas Christian University

Cami and James Thompson

Tower Medic Pharmacy

Sue Ann and Don Van Winkle

Lina and Brett Taylor

Melinda and David Teitelbaum

Toy Works

Dr. David and Priscilla Turbeville

Elle and Emily Whisenhunt

Paula and Joe White

Drs. Keith and Susi Whitworth

Jewel

Sue Ann and Don Van Winkle

Miller and Byron Vance

Julia and Mark Wade

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Wagner

Lisa and Burch Waldron

Blair and Andrew Ward

Winnie and Andrew Wayne

Elizabeth and James Webb

Karen and Tom Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Nolan

Noel and David Nolet

Robin and Mark Nurdin

Ida and Ted Olsen

P.S. The Letter

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Chad

Parsons

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Chad

Parsons

A. M. Pate Jr. Charitable Trust

Karen and Tom Williams

Jennifer and Philip Williamson

Andrea and J.W. Wilson

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Wright

Wendy Wright

Susan and Bobby Wroten

A. M. Pate Jr. Charitable Trust

Sherri and Bobby Patton

Anne S. and Henry B. Paup

Mr. and Mrs. H. Richard Payne

c heru B a ngel , D azzling g e M

Mr. and Mrs. H. Richard Payne

The Perkins Family

Erica and Sean Pifer

Pam and Reed Pigman

Lisa and Todd Podell

Richard and Mary Anne Polson

Carol J. and R. Denny Alexander Foundation

In Memory of Marcella (Marcy) Baird

Mr. and Mrs. Michael K. Berry

Jineen and Mike Bessire

Richard and Mary Anne Polson

Tamara and Daniel Pullin

Elizabeth and Kyle Pyron

Rachael and Cam Quisenberry

Jineen and Mike Bessire

Annette and Jerry Blaschke

Susan and Stephen Butt

Janie and Steve Christie

Rachael and Cam Quisenberry

Dana and Cody “Bear” Quisenberry

Janie and Steve Christie

Leslie and Matthew Daly

Dana and Cody “Bear” Quisenberry

Leslie and Matthew Daly

Drs. Nancy and Mark Dambro

Rebecca O’Toole captures stunning images of wildlife in an attempt to spread the word of conservation. “I’ve always loved animals and nature, and I was recently inspired to do conservation photography,” O’Toole says. O’Toole tells the magazine that the flamingoes’ natural habitat is slowly being taken over, which makes the work of the Fort Worth Zoo — where O’Toole captured the above photo — very important. O’Toole snapped the image of a flamingo resting with a Nikon B500.

Get your photo on this page and win a $100 gift card to Fort Worth Camera. Just tag Fort Worth Magazine (@fwtxmag) and Fort Worth Camera (@fwcamera) and use the hashtags #fwtxmag and #fwcamera on all your amazing Cowtown images. main line 817.560.6111 | subscriptions 817.766.5550 | website fwtx.com

@rebeccaevanphotography

REBECCA EVAN O’TOOLE

PICTURED: left to right: Chris Bonnett, GM, cbonnett@gilchristautomotive.com, Southwest Ford, Weatherford; Jonathan Franco, GM, jfranco@gilchristautomotive.com, Platinum Ford North; Stephen Gilchrist, Dealer Operator, Gilchrist Automotive; Adam Vincze, GM, avincze@gilchristautomotive.com, Platinum Ford; and Dustin Rodgers, GM, drodgers@gilchristautomotive.com, Triple Crown Ford and Lincoln, Terrell, TX.

Electric Luxury

Mansfield resident Richard R. Garcia is an avid Mercedes-Benz fan. Garcia’s current fleet, all from Park Place Motorcars Arlington, includes a 2022 Mercedes Benz EQS 450+, a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ SUV (his wife Jessica’s), and a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. “Safety, luxury, and style were the most important factors in making the vehicle choices,” says Garcia, a real estate investor and a pastor whose time is split between work, church, and mission work in Kenya and India. “I’m personally in love with the electric ones — super comfortable,” he says when asked what it’s like driving the EQS 450+ — the first fully realized EV from the brand, with up to 350 miles of range and the wild glass Hyperscreen dashboard inside. The 2023 Mercedes Benz EQS 450+ SUV is spacious and chock-full of innovative features and sophisticated infotainment systems. And the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a fantastic

luxury car that bristles with technology and offers a smooth ride.

A repeat customer, Garcia returns to Park Place Motorcars Arlington time and again for myriad reasons. He’s committed to the awardwinning dealership for its friendly service and knowledgeable staff. “My salesperson, Shawn, helped us a lot with the options and whenever we need service. The Service Department team is also awesome,” he says. “Park Place is My Place because I have the opportunity to create a relationship with the team at Park Place.”