Fluffy eggs. Crispy potatoes. Savory chorizo. All snug in a warm tortilla. Is your mouth watering yet? Because breakfast tacos are so rad, we took a tour around the city, sampling both the authentic and the artisan, to bring you the 13 best places to grab a breakfast taco en la mañana.
by Malcolm Mayhew
Our food stylist, Amber North of foodstylist.com, creates breakfast tacos for our cover photo. Tabletop and Talavera dishware courtesy of Rios Interiors (riosinteriors.com).
50
The Trinity River Vision Take a closer, in-depth look at Fort Worth’s future riverwalk and other developments around Panther Island. by Courtney Dabney
60 Fort Worth’s New Direction Sitting down with four local directors from the Lone Star Film Festival to hear their candid thoughts on the city’s film scene. by Brian Kendall and Samantha Calimbahin
66 A Not-So-Kitschy Tour Before heading out to a Wish with Wings’ Kitchens Tour, here’s a quick look at the story behind each design. by Sheila Ellis
According to Ginny Chatting with accordion-toting musician Ginny Mac before she takes off to Germany for one of the world’s most prestigious festivals.
30
Heel Yeah Hello, boot season. Here are the styles trending right now.
32
Texas Decked Out Ten holiday festivals worth a road trip.
eat 87
Fort Worth’s Best-Kept Secret An inconspicuous fire station turns into a sandwich shop worth your attention.
90
Breaking Barriers on the Gridiron Trinity Valley’s first African-American quarterback has bigger dreams than the NFL.
20
Fort Worthian Sons of Liberty Coffee wouldn’t have opened — had it not been for a little divine intervention.
The Feed Crockett Row’s anticipated food hall can open any day now. This and more restaurant news.
94
76. Ten Things to Do
This Month What’s better than a Thanksgiving feast? Puppies, of course.
capture
72. Cowtown Ball, Home of Dreams VIP Party
close
112. A bird’s — er, fisheye view of Fort Worth.
Restaurant Listings A comprehensive guide to area restaurants.
I Love Tacos So Much
» Confession: I grew up hating Mexican food. I know this is blasphemous for anyone calling themselves a Texan to proclaim, but I blame this on the majority of my preteen Mexican eatery experiences coming via Taco Bell and other generic establishments that veer far from what we good Texans know to be authentic and delectable Mexican cuisine.
You see, I grew up in a military family, and, while this afforded me the opportunity to live in beautiful and diverse parts of the country, I never fully realized what good, legitimate Mexican food was until my family moved to San Antonio. Of course, I have since recognized the errors of my younger years and am a full-blown taco convert. And, now that I’m a Fort Worthian, I find my obsession with the cuisine to border on the obsessed.
I’ve had the fortune of living in many cities in the Lone Star State (San Antonio, Austin, San Angelo, Dallas), and I can say that every one can justify staking a claim as having the best tacos in the nation. And Fort Worth is no different. Yes, breakfast, lunch or dinner, we have the best tacos.
Malcolm Mayhew, our local foodie writer, takes a stab at naming Fort Worth’s best spots for breakfast tacos. Despite this nearly impossible task, Malcolm was able
to cull a very extensive list down to 13 taco joints everyone in Fort Worth must try. But, even if you are unfortunate enough to be like my younger self and have very little interest in these delicious eateries, there’s still something in this issue for you. In these pages, you’ll get a first look at new renderings from the Trinity River Vision, hear what local directors have to say about Fort Worth’s burgeoning film scene, and meet Ginny Mac, an accomplished songwriter and accordionist, who will be touring Germany next spring. Thanks for reading and cheers,
Brian Kendall Executive Editor
Have any corrections? Comments? Concerns? Send to Executive Editor Brian Kendall at bkendall@fwtexas.com.
COMING NEXT MONTH » 20th anniversary issue. 20 moments that shaped our city.
ON THE COVER: With help from foodstylist.com and Rios Interiors, art director Ayla Haynes and photographer Olaf Growald spent an early Monday morning piecing together this beautiful stylized cover of delectable breakfast tacos. Read all about Fort Worth’s best breakfast tacos on page 38.
Editors Brian Kendall and Samantha Calimbahin moderate the directors’ roundtable. Read the full story on page 60.
» This month, we feature a guest writer, Sarah January, who meets with Trinity Valley School’s first African-American starting quarterback on page 17. She’s a Texas native, a book lover and a self-proclaimed nerd. Let’s get to know her a little more.
You’re a big bookworm. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This is an easy question for me because Jane Eyre defies all the rules when it comes to a novel. It’s a romance, a thriller and a coming-of-age story all at the same time. The characters are so real and compelling. Read it! You won’t regret it!
You also run a blog called “A Nerd Named Sarah” (nerdnamedsarah. com) — what are you nerdy about? I am nerdy about music, books, plays, musicals and lots more. I am currently doing my first book challenge to read 40 books in 2018. I geek out over drama-filled history, like when Julie Andrews got passed over for the lead part in “My Fair Lady” (which Julie originated on Broadway) but then won an Academy Award for “Mary Poppins” instead!
You also recently earned your master’s degree in history. If you could live in any time, any place, where would it be? I would choose to live in the Industrial Era in New York. I could have been one of the first female journalists like Nixola Greeley-Smith of the New York World! She worked for John Pulitzer and interviewed people like Helen Taft and Thomas Edison. It was a time of great change and innovation for our country. I would like to have been a part of that — just like I enjoy being a part of the changes in our world today.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?
Courtney Dabney: Louise Lamensdorf [chef at Bistro Louise] taught me a lot of things when I had the good fortune to work with her at Cafe Aspen nearly 30 years ago. For Thanksgiving, I love to make her poached pears in red wine sauce. That ruby red, satiny sauce has a touch
of cinnamon. It’s an alluring presentation, and when you slice the tender pears in half, revealing their red wine stained flesh, it’s worth the effort. I don’t make it every year, but when I do, it’s a real show-stopper.
Malcolm Mayhew: I never really cared too much for turkey and dressing and some of the other Thanksgiving essentials. But I’d plow my way through them just so I could get a slice of my mom’s sweet potato casserole,
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 11, NOVEMBER 2018
owner/publisher hal a. brown
associate publisher diane ayres
editorial executive editor brian kendall creative director craig sylva art director spray gleaves, ayla haynes
advertising art director ed woolf managing editor samantha calimbahin
photographer olaf growald contributing writers courtney dabney, malcolm mayhew, sheila ellis style contributor jenny b. davis travel writer kyle whitecotton proofreader sharon casseday
Fort Worth Magazine (ISSN 1536-8939) is published monthly by Panther City Media Group, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76116. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to Fort Worth Magazine, P.O. Box 433329, Palm Coast, FL 32143-3329. Volume 21, Number 11, November 2018. Basic Subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $4.99
which she served as dessert. She made it with cinnamon, brown sugar, probably an entire stick of butter, honey, walnuts, did I mention the stick of butter, and top it off with mini marshmallows. Love ya, Mom.
contact us
For questions or comments, contact Brian Kendall, executive editor, at 817.560.6178 or via email at bkendall@fwtexas.com. For subscription questions, please call 800.856.2032.
Crazy things can happen on the job — like when your photographer (Olaf Growald) and intern (Marissa Alvarado) venture out to shoot breakfast tacos and sample the sauces that come with them. Let’s just say taste buds are still recovering.
Marissa:
Olaf and I made our first stop on our taco journey at the Tortilleria La Original de Zacatecas. I went in to explain what we were doing, and the server promptly brought out three tacos, all containing meat. I don’t eat meat. So, I told Olaf to have at it. He asked me if I thought the green or red hot sauce would be worse. Forgetting that I have the strong tongue of a thousand Mexicans, I told him to try the red hot sauce. Olaf took the first bite and knew it was the wrong choice — he even began hiccupping uncontrollably. I told him he needed milk as he drank from a cup of water. I felt so bad!
Olaf:
I bit into the taco — which, by the way, tasted awesome — but was then hit with a wall of fire! I immediately started hiccupping every heartbeat! It was so hot! My lips were burning as well. After a few minutes, the hiccups went away but not the burning feeling. That lasted at least an hour and changed the way I felt about “sampling” breakfast tacos for the rest of the story. the culprit!
DELETED SCENES
Hey, cinephiles — go online to check out our extended Q&A with the local directors from the Lone Star Film Festival. fwtx.com
YOU’RE INVITED
Join us Dec. 6 at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams as our sister pub, Fort Worth HOME, announces the winners of its 2018 HOME Design Awards. fwtx. com/fwHOME/Home-DesignAwards
Want to Intern at Fort Worth Magazine?
Maybe you’re an avid writer. Or maybe you’re an InDesign aficionado. If so, we want you. Visit our website to apply for an internship for the spring 2019 semester. fwtx.com/jobs/ internships
In Case You Missed It
If you aren’t following the fwtx.com blogs, why not? Here are a few of the exclusive online stories you missed this month.
bonappétit
A First Look at BREWED’s DFW Airport Location fwvoice Spa Service Coming to Crockett Row fwculture
Fort Worth Launches Initiatives to Support Up-and-Coming Musicians
A CULINARY ADVENTURE
INTO THE FRESH, BOLD & EARTHY FLAVORS OF AUTHENTIC INTERIOR MEXICO
“Meso Maya pays homage to Mexican and Mayan food”
– FORT WORTH MAGAZINE
TANGLEWOOD
3050 S. HULEN STREET
BELLAIRE & S. HULEN
DOWNTOWN FT. WORTH
604 MAIN STREET
SOUTH OF SUNDANCE SQUARE
BRUNCH • LUNCH • HAPPY HOUR • DINNER
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Join us for fresh Stone Crab claws from our traps to your table in hours.
Every Monday night, dive into all the Florida Stone Crab you can devour for one low price. We look forward to serving you the freshest crab in Southlake.
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know
CITY | BUZZ | PEOPLE | TRENDS
» Up for grabs. Though off to a shakier start, Trinity Valley School looks to repeat last season’s successes, while rival Fort Worth Country Day hopes for redemption when the two meet Nov. 2.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 »
Battle of Bryant Irvin Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
BY JENELLE LANGFORD
The Fort Worth Country Day Falcons face off the Trinity Valley School Trojans in the Battle of Bryant Irvin on Friday, Nov. 2. The high schools have a long history of competing with one another, dating back to 1966 until 1979, when the teams took a break competing until 1993. The official start of the Battle of Bryant Irvin kicked off when TVS moved to its current location on Bryant Irvin Road in 1998, and the teams have competed for the trophy ever since.
Representing the final regular-season game for both Country Day and Trinity Valley, the Falcons seek redemption after a 49-0 thumping last year. Despite the Trojans remaining clear favorites, the intense rivalry of the Battle of Bryant Irvin is still set to attract large crowds.
Breaking Barriers on the Gridiron
Kingsley Ehiemua, the first African-American to start at quarterback for Trinity Valley School, is hoping to lead his team to another state title.
BY SARAH JANUARY
When Kingsley Ehiemua took to the field on Sept. 1, 2017, as the starting quarterback for Trinity Valley School, he became the first African-American to do so.
The high school senior is a towering boy of 6 feet, 4 inches, with broad shoulders and an eye for fashionable footwear. He is a true Southern 17-year-old who says “yes, sir” and “no, ma’am” when asked a question.
“When people say, ‘the first African-American quarterback,’ I take it as a blessing. It really makes me play no different,” Ehiemua says. “I try to stay grounded, and I look at myself just like everybody else. Everybody’s equal. Trinity Valley is a very diverse environment. You name it, we got it.”
Unaware of his distinction at Trinity Valley until someone told him, Ehiemua began playing quarterback when he was only 4 years old, and he’s been taking snaps ever since.
After spending his freshman year at two different schools, Ehiemua transferred to Trinity Valley in the spring of 2017 and won
the starting quarterback role. Though they lost their first game to Southwest Christian, they ended the season hoisting the state title trophy.
Head football coach Aaron Mattox said his goal for each student, including Ehiemua, is for them to feel included.
“I’d hate for someone to come to Trinity Valley and not feel the family atmosphere we provide,” he said.
Ehiemua hopes to lead his team to backto-back state championships and will work hard to do so.
“Hard work has no color to it,” Ehiemua said. “If you work hard and you do the right thing, anything is possible.”
His grandfather, who owns his own pharmacy and teaches free classes for underprivileged kids, taught Ehiemua all about hard work. And Ehiemua says he never takes a day off. Rather than dreams of NFL drafts and brand endorsements, Ehiemua wants to become a physician assistant. He wants to help people just like he does on the field and just like his grandfather does in the classroom.
Even though Ehiemua is breaking boundaries through football, he is just like any other
kid and finds ways outside football to destress and express himself.
“I write for fun,” Ehiemua said. “Anything that comes to mind, really. I write about my day. It’s a way to get the stress off of you.”
Ehiemua makes sure to set goals for himself and always pushes himself to do one more, just like Coach Mattox taught him. When he’s working out, do one more set. When he’s reading, read one more chapter.
Some might look at Ehiemua and see the first African-American quarterback at Trinity Valley, but to his team members, his coaches and his family, he’s Kingsley, their brother, leader and teammate.
Kingsley Ehiemua
Eder Teixeira
Owner of Sons of Liberty Coffee
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
The dream began at age 16 when Eder Teixeira asked his mother for $15,000 to open his own coffee shop. She didn’t say no, Teixeira says, but he did hear “no” from building owners who wouldn’t take the young teen seriously at the time.
Ten years later, Teixeira has made good on his promise. Last December, he opened Sons of Liberty Coffee on Lancaster Avenue — a shop that’s quickly become one of the hottest hangouts in downtown Fort Worth. Teixeira continues to run Sons of Liberty alongside his web design and SEO company, Creative Mind Lab. As the coffee shop approaches its one-year anniversary, Teixeira visited with Fort Worth Magazine to talk about the future of SOL — one that includes a few secret menu items.
Q. So, Sons of Liberty was basically a teenage dream come true for you. A. To me, the goal was to work on businesses I was passionate about — I have always been passionate about design and coffee. With Creative Mind Lab, I have helped open or reopen many coffee shops like Society Coffee, Kindred, Trio — either completely designed their branding or consulted with them. I felt like by having Creative Mind Lab and working with so many coffee shops, I was a little more qualified by the time we opened ours.
Q. You also work behind the counter at Sons of Liberty, correct?
A. Yeah, we took the whole month, trained like everybody else. A lot of times, my wife and I would just send [the staff] home and close ourselves so they could get some rest. Even last night, I was there until 1:30, prepping for the rest of the week. I have found myself really enjoy ing being there. When I am there, I have noticed people are more motivated. It brings in a little bit of energy.
Q. What challenges did you have to overcome opening Sons of Liberty?
A. I knew two things — not to get a partner and not to go into debt. There was this fear it wasn’t going to happen. The space was almost $150,000 more than I thought it would be, and God provided. One day, I was like, “Lord, I have to pay 50 grand this week.” I had an investment that took off and gave me a $60,000 profit. Little things like that kept happening; it was insane.
Eder’s Essentials »
Q. So, Sons of Liberty is debt-free?
A. Sons of Liberty is debt-free. I get asked who is my partner a lot, and being a Christian, I honestly believe He is my partner.
Q. For a little while, you were living in the apartments right above the coffee shop. What was it like being so close to work?
A. The first year, it was important for us to live close because there were a lot of late hours and early mornings. Starting a business is like raising a child; you want to be as close to your child as possible. If she cries, if she hints at anything, you want to be there. So, it was important for me that if they needed anything, I was accessible. It was fun. Lots of free coffee.
Q. What is your go-to drink at your coffee shop?
A. Right now, my go-to drink is a secret menu item. It is half chocolate milk, half nitro coffee. A lot of people know about it now. It’s incredible; it tastes so good. I am actually going to create a secret menu probably in the next month or two.
Q. Speaking of secret menu, what other plans do you have for the future of Sons of Liberty?
A. I do want to roast, open a roasting facility. And then, too, I want to open more loca tions, preferably here in Fort Worth. We are launching a pregame menu you can come get right before you go out for the night. We are going to have a really delicious espresso shot that is really concentrated but really delicious. Then, the secret menu we are going to launch will have the coffee and chocolate milk [and] a few other things.
3. Phone.
4.
Because Eder doesn’t like plain water.
5.
Q. OK, whose idea was it to do the chocolate milk on tap?
A. I stole the idea ... so what we didn’t steal, and what was unique to us, is that we push it out through nitrate. We wanted to have a slight infusion of nitro to make it thicker. There are like, three other shops in the country that do chocolate milk, so I cannot claim [it].
listening
6.
7. Coffee grinder. Eder uses this to make coffee, especially when traveling.
8. Grooming gel. “Always have this in my bag. Don’t judge.”
Topo Chico.
Beats headphones. Lately he’s been
to Leon Bridges, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Onyx coffee. This is what’s brewed at Sons of Liberty.
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All military members with a DD214, their spouses and dependents.
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According to Ginny
Local songwriter and accordionist, Ginny Mac, makes a habit of taking the road less traveled. »
BY BRIAN KENDALL
When Ginny Mac came to the Fort Worth Magazine offices for an interview and photo shoot, there were only a couple of us hanging around the photo studio when she started playing her accordion and belting out classic tunes in her powerful Bobbie Gentry-meets-Big Mama Thornton voice. Slowly but surely, employees awoke from their working hibernation, escaped their cubicles, and filed in to watch her play. By the time she started taking requests — Mac can play almost anything on her accordion — nearly the entire office had surrounded her.
The crowd seemed a comfortable setting for Mac, and her confidence with the instrument is obvious and not without warrant. A previous member of Denton’s polka/rock group Brave Combo — who’ve been name-dropped by no less than Bob Dylan — Mac’s released two solo studio albums, has played with a list of top-notch sessions musicians that would make anyone with knowledge of musical history drool, and is set to represent all U.S. accordion players at next spring’s Akkordeonale, a festival that will travel through Germany, featuring the world’s most prestigious accordionists.
A native Fort Worthian, Mac’s prowess with the instrument is understandable; after all, she’s been playing the accordion since receiving one for her seventh birthday — an unconventional instrument for a child introduced to it only a short time earlier. “My parents asked me what I wanted for my seventh birthday,” Mac says. “And I said, ‘an accordion,’ and they wondered where on earth I got that idea. The reason is someone had played one at my school during an assembly, and I was so fascinated. I guess it just kind of stuck in the back of my head.
“I remember them saying, ‘Are you sure you don’t want a violin, or a piano, or a guitar
or something else,’ and I was like, ‘No, no, no, it has to be the accordion.’ So, they rolled with it.”
And a quirky selection in musical instruments led to an eclectic taste in music. At a time when TLC, Boyz II Men and Goo Goo Dolls were topping the charts, Mac found herself enthralled with Western swing, old jazz and big band music.
“I loved everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Dean Martin, to Bob Wills; I really didn’t listen to a lot of accordion music, which is funny,” Mac says. “There are a few accordion players that I really grew up loving; Art Van Dame and Frank Morocco are great jazz musicians, but I was more influenced by fiddle players and steel guitar players and horn players.
“It’s funny, I don’t tend to think of myself as an accordionist; I’m more like a musician that plays accordion, if that
makes any sense?”
Her love of music and musical influences run so deep, she even refused to get braces to correct her overbite because her fear was it would affect her singing, and so she could have this in common with Freddie Mercury — another one of her influences.
Now, Mac’s taking her encyclopedic knowledge of music to Germany for the Akkordeonale festival in April 2019. If you’re still indifferent about the sound of an accordion, be sure to look up the bevy of YouTube videos that showcase the amazing sounds from the festival. You’re sure to become an accordion convert.
At a time when TLC, Boyz II Men and Goo Goo Dolls were topping the charts, Mac found herself enthralled with Western swing, old jazz and big band music.
“They’ve been doing it at least a few years,” Mac says about the festival. “It’s just accordion players selected from all over the world, and then there will be a small little ensemble accompanying us, but each artist does a few selections of their own with the musicians backing us, and then at the end of it, we all play a piece together.
“It will be really incredible, all these master accordionists from all corners of the globe that I’ve never met.”
Before she heads to Germany, Mac will continue her frequent shows in the DFW area. You can catch her every Monday at Magnolia Motor Lounge.
GINNY’S TOPS
Heel Yeah
Take winter by storm with a bold boot that demands attention.
BY JENNY B. DAVIS
» This season, top designers built their runway looks from the ground up, starting with the statement boot. Earning second glances from fashionistas: over-the-knee styles, striking colors and furry accents from top designers like Off-White, Dior and Chloe. From saturated color to unconventional materials, the trend is clear: Boots are basic no more.
1. Rodeo Red
Polo Ralph Lauren’s uber chic, scarlet leather Selene cowboy boot gives a runway vibe to classic Western style. $1,500, ralphlauren.com.
2. Orange Crush
Made by Los Angeles-based Sun Fun, the bright, slip-on Linnie Bootie is made from a plant-based, sustainably sourced neoprene alternative. $395, sunfun.co.
3. Bright Stripes
The Borneoflo Pieced Suede Knee Boot by legendary Manolo Blahnik is a Neiman Marcus Exclusive. $1,645, Neiman Marcus at The Shops at Clearfork.
4. Fur Real
The Rebel Bootie, from New York City fashion veteran Ritch Erani’s eponymous collection, combines the unconventional, organic texture of fur with a rich, wearable denim blue hue. $550, ritcherani.com.
5. Ultra Violet
Seated or standing, these Balenciaga stretch, pointed-toe, over-the-knee boots make an unparalleled style statement. $1,690, neimanmarcus.com.
Photo: Samantha Jane Beatty | Model: Audrey/Wallflower Management | Hair and Makeup
Artist: Walter Fuentes | Fashion Styling: Jenny B. Davis | Styling Assistant: Mary Monroy
ClubDesign Associates, a local 25 year old design firm keeps hitting down the straight away with a new office in Beverly Hills!
With genuine zeal for astonishing design, the talent to create a unique, inviting atmosphere and commitment to excellence, ClubDesign Associates sets the standard in the hospitality design industry. Passionate perfection, unparalleled excellence, and the personal touch of our premium designers all culminates in a spectacular, yet highly functional use of the design space. CDA gives you the competitive advantage through the power of design. When you are choosing a designer, choose ClubDesign Associates and let the experts create your personal masterpiece!
Texas Decked Out
Hop in the car and get in the holiday spirit at one of these in-state winter festivals.
BY KYLE WHITECOTTON
Despite cool weather and runny noses, the winter makes a habit of blowing in a host of holiday festivals. While cozying up by the fire or taking part in local happenings is never a bad idea, there are some festivities throughout the Lone Star State worthy of a quick road trip. So, don your favorite holiday sweater, pull on that goofy elf hat and hit up one of these holiday festivals.
Moody Gardens Festival of Lights
Galveston Island | Nov. 17–Jan. 6
Billed as eight attractions in one venue, this festival’s wintery attractions include ice carvings, a holiday circus, train rides and tons of live entertainment. The main draw, however, is the mile-long trail of lights winding through Moody Gardens. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy millions of twinkling lights along with remarkable views of Galveston Bay. There’s even an outdoor ice rink, an arctic slide and holiday movies in 3D.
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin | Dec. 10–23
Despite humble beginnings more than 50 years ago, this community-wide celebra-
tion is now one of Austin’s largest events and has gained national exposure. Besides the more than 40 displays, interactive environments and 2 million lights, Zilker Park hosts Austin’s best food trucks and other unique food offerings, local musical entertainment and a bustling holiday marketplace. To be one of the first to see this phenomenal attraction, join the Trail of Lights Fun Run and Festival on Dec. 1.
Harbor Lights Festival
Corpus Christi | Dec. 1
This festival begins with the children’s parade along Shoreline Boulevard and continues at Bayfront Marina for a storybook holiday. Kids will enjoy face painting and holiday crafts in the Children’s Activity Area, roughhousing throughout the Children’s Fun Zone, and lots of fun and games at the Elves Gift Shop. The festival concludes after sunset with the ceremonial tree lighting, followed by the Illuminated Boat Parade through Corpus Christi Bay.
Holiday at the Heard
McKinney | Dec. 14–15
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 289-acre preserve set aside in 1967 for the sole purpose of educating children about nature. In December, lights and holiday décor adorn a half-mile nature trail, enhancing the landscape’s natural beauty. Along with family-friendly fun and live holiday music in the outdoor amphitheater, kids of all ages can get their picture taken with Father Christmas and Mother Nature.
Tropical Christmas Festival
Rockport | Dec. 1
For 14 years, the Rockport Festival Grounds near the Rockport Harbor hosts a winter festival full of food, fun and lots of great downtown shopping. Cast in Bronze, the festival’s featured entertainment and crowd favorite, is a must-hear, 4-ton medieval folk carillon loaded with 35 brass bells. After sunset, witness the lighting of the giant community Christmas tree, an illuminated night parade along Rockport Beach Park and a stunning fireworks display over Aransas Bay.
Magical Winter Lights
La Marque | Nov. 16–Jan. 6
This larger-than-life lantern festival spans seven weeks and covers 20 acres in 100 spectacular lantern sets. Lantern art depicting the Houston skyline, world landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Coliseum, a full Christmas village, castles, dinosaurs and much more create a mesmerizing wonderland of lights. The festival also includes cultural events like Chinese acrobatic shows, as well as carnival rides, games and food.
Christmas Wine Affair
Fredericksburg | Nov. 30–Dec. 16
While you don’t need an excuse to visit the winegrowers of the Texas Hill Country, toasting to the holiday season is a fine reason to embark on this winter wine experience. Your Tasting Passport, valid throughout the event, includes complimentary tastings at over 40 participating wineries like Pedernales Cellars, Becker Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery and William Chris Vineyards, as well as exclusive holiday discounts and a collectible Christmas ornament.
Ford Holiday River Parade
San Antonio | Nov. 23
Preceded by the lighting of nearly 1.5 million Christmas lights, this hour-long floating parade follows the San Antonio River Walk and features professionally decorated river barges, costumed riders and holiday music. This year’s theme is “Christmas in San Antonio” and will depict traditional San Antonio Christmas scenes. Free and reserved seating options, as well as dinner packages, are available along the 2.5-mile parade route.
Wassail Weekend
Denton | Nov. 30–Dec. 1
For 30 years, the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival has packed the square with live local music and performances, tasty food and lots of hot wassail. Merchants from the Denton Main Street Association will stay open late and serve up their secret wassail recipes as they battle for the prestigious wassail crown. Don’t miss the Holiday Express Train, all the holiday happenings at the “North Pole” and the nearby Historic Homes Tour through the Oak-Hickory Historic District.
EmilyAnn Trail of Lights
Wimberley | Nov. 24–Dec. 28
The EmilyAnn Theater’s Tree Lighting ceremony officially opens the theater’s Trail of Lights, a free winter festival full of down-home Texas charm. The walking tour meanders through an 8-acre musical garden decorated by community volunteers, school groups and local businesses who work to create a winter wonderland of Christmas lights and themed installations. Sip free hot chocolate while roasting hotdogs and s’mores at the festival favorite Ye Olde Yule Log.
Magical Winter Lights
Ford Holiday River Parade Tropical Christmas Festival
Tacos TOP BREAKFAST
A Michelada with Texas Prima makes a fine accompaniment to breakfast tacos at Taco Heads.
Taco Heads’ bacon, egg and cheese taco, topped with optional pico and avocado.
Grilled jalapeños are an optional add-on at Taco Heads, pictured here atop a veggie, egg and cheese taco.
We’re well aware of the fact that A-town is regarded as the epicenter of Texas’ breakfast taco scene. We’ve clicked on the websites devoted to Austin’s surplus of breakfast taco options, watched the TV shows and even skimmed the book, Austin Breakfast Tacos: The Story of the Most Important Taco of the Day. Yes, yes, yes, we know the breakfast tacos in Austin are to die for. We get it, OK?
While Fort Worth doesn’t have a book or a TV show devoted to its variations of these handheld delights, we certainly have our breakfast taco bases more than covered. East, west, north and south, every area of Fort Worth is lined with taquerias of various sizes and stature, offering these culinary wunderkinds comprised of eggs, meat, veggies and salsas wrapped inside warm tortillas. Some get rolling at the crack of dawn, others linger past last call. Some are fullservice restaurants, others are tiny shacks where, because there’s nowhere to sit, you get your food and split.
1812 Montgomery St., tacoheads.com
So numerous are Fort Worth’s breakfast taco choices, a guide is a necessity. Here, then, is our highly subjective, completely unscientific, 100 percent biased look at 13 (in no particular order) of our favorite Fort Worth breakfast taco spots.
Fort Worthian Sarah Castillo’s popular taco joint on Montgomery Street started out as a food truck parked behind a bar. Part of Taco Heads’ appeal was Castillo’s fantastic breakfast tacos, served after hours to the nightcrawler crowd. People used to stand around and wait for the clock to strike midnight — the time when Castillo and her crew would start cracking open eggs. At her brick-and-mortar, those tacos are available anytime. Our faves include the bacon and egg, made with long, thick planks of Wright bacon, still sizzling when served, and piled with shredded, aged cheddar; and the veggie taco, a mix of eggs, cheddar, calabaza, spinach, bell peppers and mushrooms. Castillo says you can mix and match toppings to create your own super taco. “If you really need to knock out a hangover,” she says.
Good to know: Several Fort Worth coffeehouses also sell Taco Heads’ breakfast tacos, including Craftwork Coffee Co. They’re delivered each morning.
Chorizo and egg taco from Esperanza’s
1. TACO HEADS
TRES BETOS
2418 N. 28th St., 817.624.1250
Open for 15 years, this family taqueria near Interstate 35 in north Fort Worth starts feeding the hungry early, early, early, starting at 5:30 a.m. daily. The two small dining rooms get packed in a flash. Calling in your order might be the wiser choice. The breakfast tacos are cheap and delicious, in your choice of bacon, sausage, chorizo or ham, and served on house corn tortillas or locally sourced flour tortillas. If you’d like to try each of the meats, order the Taco Loco, which has a little bit of everything, including beans and cheese. It’s worth every penny of the ridiculously affordable 20-cent upcharge. Good to know: It’s cash only, but there’s an ATM on-site.
3. MELIS TAQUERIA
4304 W. Vickery Blvd., 817.377.8484
Melis is the Fred’s of taquerias, an institution that draws every walk of Fort Worth life, from lawyers zooming to and from downtown, to the down and out, to the construction workers jackhammering along Vickery Boulevard. All come together, to this rickety shack built in 1945, for some of the city’s most popular breakfast tacos. There are only two seating options: picnic table No. 1 and picnic table No. 2. Most opt to get their food to go or use their dashboards, truck beds and car hoods as tables. Crudely stenciled on the side of the building, the menu is comprised of breakfast
taco standards: potato and egg, chorizo and egg, ham and egg, bacon and egg. But the tacos are of good size — especially for being less than $2 each — and quality, and come accompanied by excellent green and red sauces. Watch out for that superhot red sauce; it’ll get ya. Good to know: Expediency is not Melis’ strong suit. Be prepared for a wait. Also: cash only.
ESPERANZA’S
1601 Park Place Ave., esperanzasfw.com
There are two locations of this offshoot of Joe T. Garcia’s: the original on North Main and this south side branch, located in a strip mall on Park Place. We prefer the latter, which opens earlier and stays open later, and serves breakfast tacos all day, starting at 6 a.m. Those tacos come in either corn or flour tortillas. Be wise, choose corn. Made in-house by hand, they’re full of bumps and ripples and other imperfections that give them character and nuance, like a fine antique. Best of the meats is the housemade chorizo, a Mexican sausage with an almighty kick. Good to know: Wash your tacos down with a housemade agua fresca.
6. VELVET TACO
2700 W. Seventh St., velvettaco.com
Taco purists may turn their noses up at Velvet Taco — and other gringo taquerias
Breakfast tacos from Tres Betos
Breakfast tacos from Tortilleria La Original de Zacatecas
Tacos at Melis Taqueria run for about $2 or less.
Watch out for the red sauce at Melis Taqueria. It packs quite a punch.
Pictured: potato and egg (top), chorizo and egg (bottom).
Esperanza’s Park Place location serves breakfast tacos all day.
The steak and eggs taco from Velvet Taco comes drizzled with Sambal hollandaise sauce.
Velvet Taco serves its classic bacon and eggs taco with chili butter and charred tomato poblano salsa.
Salsa Limón’s downtown location is open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Velvet Taco’s chicken and waffle taco comes in a tortilla made from French toast batter.
like Fuzzy’s and Torchy’s — but this West Seventh staple has two things going for it: Most of the food is made in-house, including the corn tortillas, and the restaurant keeps super-late hours, until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Velvet Taco recently revamped its breakfast taco options, introducing several unusual choices. These include a chicken and waffle taco, made with chicken tenders, peppercorn gravy, green apple slaw, peppered bacon and red chile aioli, all served on a tortilla made out of French toast batter; a steak and egg option with grilled flank steak, eggs and hollandaise; and the Monte Cristo, made with honey ham, strawberry jam, Gruyere cheese, strawberry jalapeño salsa and, of course, powdered sugar. God bless Velvet Taco. Good to know: Breakfast tacos are available anytime.
7. LOS PAISANOS TAQUERIA & RESTAURANT
1446 N. Main St., 817.625.8226
A staple of Fort Worth’s North Side and maybe the area’s most underrated Mexican food emporium, Los Paisanos is a charm-
ingly festive neighborhood restaurant, filled with regulars, tourists and families. Colorful murals adorn the walls, and on weekends, local bands fill the dining room with mariachi music. Here, you build your own breakfast tacos, using freshly made corn tortillas, so hot they’ll scald you if you’re not careful, and your choice of plates of ham and eggs, sausage and eggs, potatoes and eggs or huevos rancheros, plus rice and beans, all for $6.50. Free refills. Good to know: Los Paisanos is an excellent late-night option, open until midnight on Friday, 4 a.m. on Saturday. And, yes, they serve breakfast all day (and night).
SALSA LIMÓN
Multiple locations, salsalimon.com
Run by brother-sister duo Milo and Rosalia Ramirez, this mini-chain of taquerias had humble beginnings — food trucks, a storefront at the La Gran Plaza mall — but the company has since grown into a small empire with four locations; a fifth just opened on Magnolia Avenue. Breakfast taco options are many: bacon, cheese, refried beans, chorizo, chicken, pastor. But pay special at-
tention to the potato filling. It’s not the usual cubed and fried blocks of potato. Rather, the potatoes are served mashed and bathed in garlic. Throw on a couple slices of avocado, and you’re good. Barbacoa is another fine breakfast taco option. The meat — cow cheek — is silky smooth and absurdly rich. Good to know: The downtown location is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and breakfast tacos are available open to close.
9. LUCITA’S MEXICAN COCINA
3912 E. First St., 817.720.5505
Opened eight months ago on the city’s east side, Lucita and Manuel Duran’s ode to simple, scratch-made Mexican food is one of Fort Worth’s best new restaurants. Its breakfast tacos are available all day, but on the down-low — they’re an off-the-menu special. Ask for any breakfast plate to be turned into a breakfast taco, and the Durans will deliver, first a knowing wink, then eggs cooked with your choice of bacon, chorizo, ham or chicharrones (pork rinds) wrapped in golden corn tortillas, made inhouse. Chicharrones are the way to go: The soft pork rinds are bathed in a complex
Bacon and egg taco from Salsa Limón
tomatillo sauce that is as addicting as it is spicy. Good to know: Ask for the tacos to be made with the house corn tortillas.
10. EL MIL TACOS
4117 Hemphill St., 817.926.3201
On a street lined with one Mexican restaurant after another, El Mil Tacos has been standing strong for 23 years. The secret to its success: late night hours. It’s open until 4 a.m. on weekends. You’ll need to get there early for the breakfast tacos, though; they’re served only two hours a day, from 9 to 11 a.m. But you’ll find here what’s hard to find elsewhere: exotic fillings like buche (pork stomach) and tripe (cow/sheep stomach) mixed in with the more common carne asada and pastor. This is a good place to have a meatless breakfast taco: Scrambled eggs are excellent on their own, brandishing the perfect balance of grease and seasoning. Good to know: Patience will come in handy here; service is a little slow.
11. TACOS CANTU
1401 Cooks Lane, tacoscantufw.com
At this 8-year-old spot on the east side, breakfast tacos come with an optional side of “unleaded.” Housed inside a Shell gas station, Tacos Cantu is the handiwork of husband-wife team Cadreyta and Jose Cantu, who spend more time preparing the food of their Nuevo León homeland than making sure you have a comfy place to sit. If one of the few stools isn’t available, feel
free to eat off the cases of beer stacked up in back. Breakfast tacos are made with corn tortillas, and they’re sheer delights. Made in-house, they’re outlined in crispy edges and cradle fluffy scrambled eggs and your choice of bacon, ham, chorizo, barbacoa and sausage. Our go-to is the machaca, beef shredded so finely, it practically dissolves at the touch of your tongue.
Good to know: There’s a second location in Dallas, in a standalone building, at 2507 S. Lancaster Road.
12. TACOS LA BANQUETA PURO DF
2621 Hemphill St., 817.923.8846
Here’s a breakfast taco spot for people who don’t like to get up early. The weary can stumble into this south side restaurant for breakfast anytime from 9 to 11 a.m. Breakfast tacos are served on flour tortillas, and while they’re not made in-house, they’re locally sourced and the stars of these tacos. They’re thrown on a flat-top for a minute or two to give them a crisp backbone, but not enough to cause cracking or crunching. Then they’re filled with seasoned scrambled eggs and generous portions of bacon, ham, chorizo or potatoes, or any combination thereof. This is a penny-pincher’s paradise, too: Tacos are only $1.75.
Good to know: Closed on Sundays.
TORTILLERIA LA NUEVA DE ZACATECAS
4241 McCart Ave., 817.921.0440
Pull up to this taqueria and tortilla factory in south Fort Worth, part of the family-run Grupo La Nueva chain of local restaurants, and the writing is on the wall, literally. Etched on a window are the words: “We make the best tortillas, the best tacos, the best everything ... Be prepared to speak Spanish.” All good to know as you step inside this matchbox of a spot, where the roar of tortilla-making machines competes with the upbeat jangle of Spanish radio, creating a wall of sound so loud, you have to point to what you want on the menu, no matter your level of Spanish-speaking skill. Definitely point to the carne asada breakfast taco, made with tender bits of seasoned flank steak, and request it come on a freshly made corn tortilla. Good to know: There’s no seating; everything is to-go.
Mexican-style eggs from Los Paisanos Taqueria & Restaurant
Ham and egg (left) and chorizo and egg (right), from Lucita’s Mexican Cocina
Tacos La Banqueta Puro DF has a reputation for its generous servings of bacon, ham and potato.
Tortilleria La Nueva De Zacatecas makes its tortillas inhouse. Pictured: potato and egg (left), chorizo and egg (right).
A potato, bean and egg burrito from El Mil Tacos.
Tacos Cantu offers an atypical chicken and eggs taco (middle).
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THE TRINITY RIVER
After decades of paddling hard against the current, the Trinity River Vision is really starting to flow. Here’s the latest from those bringing the vision to life.
BY COURTNEY DABNEY
photo by Joseph Haubert
Note: At press time, news broke that federal funding was not included in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget for Panther Island construction. So, we wanted to update this article, which had been turned in prior.
According to Matt Oliver with the Trinity River Vision, the Corps of Engineers submits its proposed fiscal year budget expenses to Congress, and after review, the Corps allocates money based, in part, on those recommendations. “Between the time the Corps submitted their proposed budget for 2018 and the time Congress decided on how to allocate federal monies for the year — Hurricane Harvey happened,” he said. “The bulk of that money had to be reprioritized and went to disaster relief.” This is not an indication that Fort Worth’s flood control needs are not going to receive federal money in the future, just that the budget needed to focus on Houston’s devastation this year. “We still have federal funds to work with, from a previous budget, and nothing has shifted on our schedule,” Oliver says.
For years, Fort Worth residents, new and old, have heard tales of the Panther Island Project and the potential of having a San Antonio-type riverwalk in our own backyard. Unfortunately, it seemed the Trinity River Vision (TRV), a master plan for 88 miles of Trinity River shoreline in Fort Worth, took a backseat to other Tarrant County developments popping up in all directions. But, after years of being stalled by unforeseen circumstances, the project is finally taking off.
The Birth of the Trinity River Vision
“I came up with the concept of TRV while I was mayor,” U.S. Representative Kay Granger says. Surveying the landscape, she recognized Fort Worth had a hidden asset.
“Fort Worth has a river that connects the historic Stockyards, the revitalized
A very successful example of this type of planning is the San Antonio River Walk. The River Walk was born out of flood control issues. While addressing these flood control issues, the city was able to transform the whole area.”
- U.S. Representative Kay Granger
downtown and the nationally renowned museum district,” she says. “Unfortunately, because of how the flood control had been constructed in the past, the levees hid the river and broke up access to the three key areas of Fort Worth.”
You see, everything changed after the great flood of 1949, which completely swamped the West Seventh corridor and forced residents to maneuver the streets in fishing boats.
Miles of levees were constructed in the ’60s to guard against the next catastrophic storm. The levees solved one problem: holding the Trinity safely within higher banks. But it also isolated residents from one of the city’s best features − the river itself.
Representative Granger was one of ten mayors invited to attend the Mayors’ Institute on City Design. “The premise of this institute was that the future of cities was contingent on planning and design,” she says.
“A very successful example of this type of planning is the San Antonio River Walk. The River Walk was born out of flood control issues,” Kay says. “While addressing these flood control issues, the city was able to transform the whole area.”
“When the Army Corps of Engineers said that our levees no longer provided the flood protection Fort Worth required, I remembered what I learned at that institute. Fort Worth needed to address this issue head on,” she says. “TRV gave us the opportunity to increase flood protection while also developing the river and improving the local economy.”
The Trinity River Vision was born in 2003. It will ultimately move Fort Worth from our current levees to livable neighborhoods with greater access to the water.
Panther Island
The creation of a bypass channel will allow for floodlevel water to be diverted and will help restore a more natural view of the Trinity River, resulting in a man-made island –Panther Island.
The design for flood control and drainage, as well as for the eventual flooding of the bypass channel and creation of the long-awaited Panther Island, is nearing
PROJECT: UNIVERSITY DRIVE TRAIL BRIDGE
Parallel to the existing University Drive vehicular bridge, this project will afford pedestrians the ability to cross the Trinity River at University Drive via foot or bike.
completion by the Corps of Engineers.
Much of the current land resting just below the Tarrant County Courthouse is aging and industrial, withering in the shadow of Fort Worth’s vibrant downtown. The design will restore more than 800 acres of currently underutilized land, which has long been a dead zone stretching between downtown and the Stockyards.
The bypass channel will not only create an island, it will also add miles of new riverfront development opportunities.
“Panther Island will be a new waterfront district with parks, places to live, canals to stroll, as well as a 33-acre town lake.
Based on a study completed by the Center for Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas, Panther Island will contribute over $3.7 billion in annual economic activity to our region and will employ over 29,600 full-time workers,” Matt Oliver, director of communications at the Trinity River Vision Authority, said.
Three bridges will divert traffic to and from Panther Island. Bridge construction is well underway, and the Texas Department of Transportation is now working on the public road deck structure on the White Settlement Bridge. The Henderson Street and Main Street bridges are also under construction.
Infrastructure is Not Sexy
After the passage of a $250 million bond package last year, many residents are now wondering what the first parts of the Trinity River Vision they can expect.
“The bond election passed by a 2-to-1 margin, which shows the enthusiasm behind the project,” J.D. Granger, executive director of the Trinity River Vision Project, said. “That money will be spent on the public infrastructure part of Trinity River Vision. It allows us to keep up with the progress of the Corps of Engineers and to make way for the creation of the bypass channel.”
Laying the groundwork is not the sexy part of the project, and so far, that has been the bulk of work. “To date, we have completed 52 environmental cleanups and
PROJECT: WETLAND HABITAT PRESERVATION
moved 200,000 cubic feet of hazardous material,” J.D. says.
For those growing impatient, J.D. says they are finally getting to the part that people will see. He expects the excitement will continue to build.
Riverside Park is expected to open before the end of the year. To give some perspective as to what a massive project the park has been, “the Corps of Engineers moved one-half of the volume of Cowboy Stadium to make way for it,” J.D. says. Following its completion, the Corps will begin construction on Gateway Park.
PROJECT: FOREST PARK BOULEVARD ENHANCEMENTS
J.D. anticipates the north half of the bypass channel design to be complete in 2019; after that, the Corps will begin its design of the south section.
Once design is complete on the north half, the federal government will get to work on excavation in 2020. The entire bypass channel is a huge undertaking and will require 1.8 miles of earth to be moved altogether.
“Our population was around 350,000 in the ’60s,” J.D. says. “We have now exceeded 900,000 people, and we have simply outgrown the current levee system. If we had another flood like 1949, our levees would be topped with flood water.”
“In the 1960s, we had to raise taxes to pay for the installation of our levee system,” J.D. says. The best part about the bond package is that the Panther Island District is designed to pay for itself over time, meaning that Fort Worth will have the benefit of a vastly improved levee system without the tax burden of paying for it.
The bypass channel will relieve that strain and create an efficient removal of flood water from the city. It will not only provide an attractive riverfront to enjoy; the bypass channel is necessary for flood control.
“We also broke ground this year on a 300-unit, multifamily residential development,” he says. “It should open in February 2020 along with the first section of riverwalk.” J.D. anticipates the announcement of at least two more developments in 2019.
Land Swap Hopes to Save LaGrave Field The Trinity
Regional Water District (TRWD)
Running along the eastern bank of the Trinity River, these improvements to one of Fort Worth’s major arteries will enhance the street’s landscaping while providing more accessibility for pedestrians.
While this peninsula will eventually make way for a dam, plans propose a temporary art installation to enliven the space until then.
exists to maintain our water supply, ensure flood protection and enhance recreation in Tarrant County.
“Twenty years ago, the river wasn’t really in people’s minds,” Jim Oliver, general manager of TRWD, said. “Now every new development wants to identify with it and is named after the river – like Clearfork, Waterside and Left Bank. The river, which was once considered Fort Worth’s backdoor, has really become our front door again.”
Oliver says one of their main missions is to enhance recreation, so TRWD has been actively involved in the trail system and trailheads for decades. “Fort Worth is fortunate by geography,” he says. “Most people don’t realize that the water they see flowing down the Trinity was in either Eagle Mountain Lake or Benbrook Lake just a few hours ago.” That also means that the section of the Trinity running through town is naturally one of its cleanest sections.
A recently approved land swap between the Water District and Panther Acquisitions Ltd. (approved by the board last June) makes way for more development opportunities and gives LaGrave Field another chance to shine.
The Save LaGrave Foundation now has a 40-year lease on the historic field and has been raising funds to do just that — save the stadium from a wrecking ball. The current stadium was rebuilt in 2002 but had since fallen into disrepair.
The former home of the Fort Worth Panthers, nicknamed the Cats, had its heyday from the 1920s to the 1950s when the team served as a minor league farm team for the (then) Brooklyn Dodgers. Now in the hands of the Save LaGrave Foundation — hopes are high for a comeback.
“When it was active, the field drew between 4,000 to 5,000 people to the area regularly,” Oliver says. “It will be a real draw to get people to visit Panther Island.”
Performance requirements in the deal make a baseball team the ongoing centerpiece of LaGrave. Plans are to restore the stadium and make it a venue that adds to the district. It might host concerts and community events as well, but LaGrave will remain primarily a baseball field.
The best part about the bond package is that the Panther Island District is designed to pay for itself over time, meaning that Fort Worth will have the benefit of a vastly improved levee system without the tax burden of paying for it.
PROJECT: ZOO TRAIL CONNECTION + OXBOW KAYAK LOOP
Currently, a gap exists in the Trinity Trail between the zoo and a pedestrian bridge to the north. This project will connect the zoo and trail bridge, as well as add a navigable waterway for kayaks.
The Trinity connects all of us. Over the coming decade, we plan to knit the community together using the river as the fabric.”
- Stacey Pierce, executive director of Streams & Valleys
A New Vision Emerges
In case you are not familiar with the efforts of Streams & Valleys, it works to increase the accessibility and enjoyment of our greatest natural resource — the Trinity River.
The organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019. Streams & Valleys manages Fort Worth’s trail system with river access for fishing and kayaking and has installed routes for horseback riding, pedestrians, cyclists and jogging. So, from trailheads to protected habitats, Streams & Valleys is steering the rudder of development.
The original master plan of the Trinity River Vision came out in 2003. “While Panther Island was the centerpiece of that plan, our new masterplan will look forward to the next 10 years,” Stacey Pierce, executive director of Streams & Valleys, said.
Called “Confluence,” the plan will be unveiled on Nov. 15, 2018, at its annual meeting. “The Trinity connects all of us,” Pierce says. “Over the coming decade, we plan to knit the community together using the river as the fabric.”
The new vision will ultimately use our trail system to join Fort Worth to Dallas. North Texas is home to two of the most populated cities in the country (Dallas currently sits at No. 9 and Fort Worth at No. 17). Pierce envisions the Trinity connecting the two and adding a 219-mile trail system, which will be an amenity that no other region in the country will be able to match.
Of course, all this will take time and money and will involve both public and private partnerships, as well as local, regional and federal resources and the leadership of more than one city. “That’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen,” she says. “Our main focus will be keeping everyone on the same track and moving in the same direction.” It will also require neighborhoods to take ownership of their section.
“We currently boast 72 miles of trails, and our vision is to connect them — for a total of 219 miles of trails. We will be using the river as a springboard to connections within and between communities along the same river,” Pierce says.
Confluence wants to design approaches that suit the unique personalities which make the river an asset for the diverse residents and communities living alongside it for decades to come.
PROJECT: BOMBER SPUR
Once a railroad track, the Bomber Spur will give runners and cyclists a safe place to cross the busy intersections of Highway 130, Interstate 30, Camp Bowie Boulevard and West Vickery Boulevard.
“It’s a vision for the whole river. We’ve looked at every fork in the river and every tributary, and we’ve taken into account the unique character of each of the neighborhoods along the way,” says Pierce. She is frankly a little giddy with excitement about the impact Confluence could have and the 70-plus projects that make it up.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price has watched the Trinity River Vision unfold and is ready to embrace its future. “Every city with a river knows that it has a huge impact. It’s really an economic driver tool,” she says.
“Active tourism is also a growing sector,” Price says. People want to visit cities that provide them the opportunity to explore on foot or by bicycle. Our growing trail system is a real selling feature in that regard. “It’s sometimes the deciding factor in bringing tourists to our city,” she says.
“I was chairman of Streams & Valleys about 14 years ago. We really wanted every neighborhood to show its unique characteristics. I think I’m most excited to see this new vision begin connecting those neighborhoods,” Mayor Price says.
Confluence will not be a top-down, cookie-cutter approach. It will allow community leaders along the river to decide how to best design the green spaces, habitats and access that makes sense for them. At the same time, it will encourage them to take ownership of their stretch of the Trinity.
“Our new vision will raise the profile of the river. The goal is to ultimately connect us to Arlington, and eventually to Dallas, and to bring all of our residents better access,” Mayor Price says.
PROJECT: SYCAMORE CREEK
To increase connectivity between trails in the Trinity Trail System in East Fort Worth, this project will link Sycamore Park to West Fork East by way of onstreet walking and biking paths along Conner Avenue.
Along the river, developers hope to add areas for community gatherings and events.
Fort Worth’s New Direction
Forget Hollywood; Cowtown is where it’s happening.
BY BRIAN KENDALL AND SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN |
BY OLAF GROWALD
PHOTOS
Ahead of the Lone Star Film Festival screening their latest projects, we invited three local filmmakers — Tim Stevens, Gregory Beck, Rob Smat — and Lone Star Film Festival Director, Chad Mathews, to chat with us at the Fort Worth Magazine offices. We broached many topics, including current and future projects, the stresses of the moviemaking industry and Fort Worth’s burgeoning film scene.
Continue reading for a transcript of our roundtable.
FW: What are you guys most excited about for this year’s festival?
Gregory: Being in it. Getting to participate in something like this, it’s a big deal. This is why we do what we do. I didn’t know that until I did another festival earlier in the year, but this is why you do this. Being in this is fun. You’re with your people. I don’t think it’s an ego thing; I’m with my people now, I can talk.
Tim: I hate film festivals on the outside of the filmmaking group. I want to go to the mixers, I want to meet people, and I want to talk to the director after the Q&A. What I love about Lone Star is, I’ve never been to a film festival that treats filmmakers so well. Like, I’ve been to festivals where I am a part of the festival, and I never meet another filmmaker, which is crazy, but it happens. Everybody disperses, everybody goes to the hotel room, and that’s the end. That’s awful. I might as well not go to the film festival at that point, you know?
Chad: That might be the beauty of Fort Worth. It’s a welcoming, hospitable city where the audiences seem to gravitate together; the filmmakers seem to let their hair down when they come to Fort Worth. They might leave LA with this ego, but when they get here, they’re like, “I’m gonna relax this weekend and have a good time and have a conversation.”
Rob: That was one of the stars on the movie — he shows up, gotta be from LA. And he comes up to me, and I haven’t met him in person,
we’ve just talked through email. And he goes, “There is a horse out front of this festival, and I am just having the best time.” And that’s what I’m most excited, is to bring the movie back to the people that helped make it. We shot so much of “Last Whistle” in Fort Worth; so we’re gonna get to bring it back to the people who made it possible in the first place.
Tim: Same thing with my film. It’s a film about a rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon, which is just about as far removed, geographically, from Fort Worth, but it’s the same culture. And you can show a rodeo film in Los Angeles or New York, and they might think it’s kind of quaint and exotic, but the people that are gonna watch it here are gonna understand the value of the story.
Which is great, you know? It’s not like people looking at a monkey in a zoo. They’re like, I understand this, you know? Which is cool.
Chad: I like the diversity of the lineup; I think we do a pretty good job of mixing in the local films with the international films, with really intriguing documentaries. That’s been a fun challenge as a programmer, being part of the programming team. And with you guys, I love being able to bring that content to our audience. And then, of course, having that shared experience with our filmmakers. For me, the best part of film festivals is having the story behind the stories.
So, I’m looking forward to having filmmakers talk about their experience, share their stories; and I want that to kind of bleed
over into the audience, so they get hooked on film festivals, and maybe they’re inspired to follow their passion, whatever that may be.
Festivals have that ability, you know? You can be an artist, whatever kind of artist, walk out of a film festival, and be like, “I’m ready to work now; I’m inspired by these guys.” That’s a cool aspect of it.
FW: I feel like you’re all in the same boat.
Gregory: Yeah, definitely. It’s a being-with-your-people thing. Safety in numbers here. Hopefully, they’re not too hard on me, but I would like to hear about it.
Chad: Well, in the creative world, it can be so lonely sometimes. When you’re editing, you’re sitting behind a computer, or you’re writing, and you’re just taking days and days alone, and you’re just trying to figure things out.
Rob: Especially as a director/ producer, which I assume describes a lot of us. You know, after-production is fun; we’re a big group and it’s great, but then afterward, it’s just you and the editor, and the editor’s job is done sooner rather than later, and suddenly it’s just you. And that is kind of lonely.
FW: I guess that’s a good segue to the next question. What are some of the hardships that you guys face being independent filmmakers?
Gregory: Participation. Finding people to buy into your vision. As an independent, you’re begging, stealing and borrowing a lot. If you’re paying, you’re not paying much. So, getting other talented people that are willing
to participate is a big part of filmmaking. And this is not LA. It can be difficult to find good talent.
It’s a small world here and they’re great, but it’s a small pool. So, getting that participation and other people involved with you, it’s difficult. You can make the mistake of setting the bar pretty high, and then you’re held to that standard, and, therefore, you’re going back to those same people saying, “You wanna do it again?”
Rob: Jumping off that, too, the thing that I always find the most difficult is listening. I think that listening is a rare skill to find.
It’s listening and then knowing when to trust your gut. That’s the hardest part. You educate yourself as much as you can on what’s gonna happen, and then you actually get to the practice of it, and when it gets to the decisions, the talking heads show up. And they say, “We’ve got experience, we’ve got connections, you should do X, Y and Z.” And you come back to them and say, “I know that X, Y and Z is what’s in the textbook, but I don’t think Z works anymore. I think the industry has changed to where Z is not the right thing to do.”
Tim: I think for me, I run into this in every frigging project I’ve ever done, even corporate stuff, is vision versus reality. So, I have a bad habit of having a grand vision for everything I do. Maybe that’s good, because it sets the bar really high. But then, budget and time and all those other things, like the triangle of, what is it?
Gregory: Doing it good, fast or cheap?
Chad Mathews is the executive director of the Lone Star Film Festival, a position he’s held since 2015. Prior to joining LSFF, he wrote, directed and produced several short films that have screened at over 35 film festivals throughout North America. He has a film and television degree from TCU.
Gregory Beck directed “You’re Served,” a film shot in Fort Worth that follows a process server and his darkly comedic adventures working in family law. Beck runs a production company, Two Trees Productions, which also creates promotional videos for clients like Dickies Arena and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Tim Stevens is the director of “Let ’er Buck,” a documentary about the storied Pendleton RoundUp rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon. Stevens is a writer, director and editor for RIDE TV, a cable channel dedicated to American horse culture.
Rob Smat is the director of “The Last Whistle,” a sports drama that tells the story of a football coach facing the consequences of his excessive expectations. This is Smat’s first feature. He’s also written and directed music videos, commercials and short documentaries.
Tim: Yeah, yeah. It’s sort of similar to that, you know? Reality hits and then you can do one of two things. You can say, “Screw that, I’m gonna do what I want,” and then run into a lot of trouble and make a lot of people unhappy, and you’re unhappy. Or you can accept reality and try to keep your vision on a different scale or a different form.
We only raised $1,000 for my very first short film, and it was a weird film. It wasn’t something that was gonna go viral. And so, we said, “Okay, how can we make it for $1,000?”
We went back to the drawing board and rewrote the script, and I found, in the end, the vision was the same; it just looked different. I think the acceptance of reality is the hardest thing. The limits of what you can do as an independent filmmaker when everything’s limited.
Chad: And those limits are where the magic happens too.
Tim: Oh yeah, it was a much better film in the end. And I didn’t need a gun fight and explosions, I didn’t need that.
FW: Filming here in Fort Worth isn’t necessarily easy. Do any of you ever have dreams of getting to LA, or do you enjoy staying here and staying independent?
Tim: I would say any feature filmmaker finds themselves, at some point, in LA. I mean, I’ve been to LA as part of a project. I personally am in love with Texas, and I keep writing scripts or working on documentary projects that make sense in Texas. And I
was talking to a producer recently about a project that’s set in Texas and needs to be in Texas. He goes, “Could you film that in Oklahoma?” I went, “No, no I can’t.” And the phone call ended there. Gregory: I don’t know, even if I were based out of Los Angeles, a lot of the stuff I was doing would still be based in Texas.
I want to tell stories, and I kind of gravitate toward telling my stories. That’s not saying I wouldn’t tell somebody else’s story if the opportunity and circumstances are correct, but that’s not what interests me.
You aspire to the level of success that LA might denote, but I don’t know that that geographical place is where I’d end up or where I’m striving to be. I would like to be in a film festival and have a feature-length film that’s going to move people and change attitudes. Rob: I think that the internet and camera technology have changed everything. And that’s something I saw ... so I’ve been in LA now for five years. The first four in school at USC to do their whole film school track, which is dated by a little bit. The school does a great job of teaching the critique, and it teaches the practice. A lot of the students there, they don’t get a lot of the business. And it’s not for lack of trying on USC’s part; it’s just people in LA can get fooled into thinking this is about the art. Because LA gets so heady like that. And so, one of my favorite things about coming back to Fort Worth is the people. The people in Fort Worth are excited about movies, they’re excited
about entertainment. A lot of them go and watch the big superhero stuff, and a lot of them like the independent stuff. Where in LA, it’s more heavily slanted toward the independent stuff. There’re only one or two theaters in LA that feel like it represents the average demographic of moviegoers.
I think the bottom line is just what you all said; it’s more about the people at the end of the day, and you’re always going to have a talented person in a Metroplex of 4 million people. And it’s all about finding people who are excited about a project.
Chad: When I graduated from school, you had to move to LA because the digital technology wasn’t here yet. So, if you wanted to be in the industry, you kinda needed to go to Los Angeles or New York. And the only thing I would say in my time in LA is that I got to learn a lot about the industry while I was there, and a lot of what I liked and didn’t like. Now, the technology has caught up, so you can make a film anywhere. And I’ve seen the film industry in Fort Worth grow. I’ve seen it with these guys around me, and meeting these production companies, and it’s exciting. It shows that it’s happening even when the state itself doesn’t incentivize filmmakers, people are choosing to stay here.
FW: So, what does the state need to do to incentivize filmmakers to come here?
Tim: I went to a panel on this with the commission, the Texas Film Commission. And what they told me is that a lot of our congress-
men, Texas state congressmen, just don’t understand the film industry. They don’t understand how incentives work; they think that these LA-based companies are filming in Austin and taking all that money and not leaving anything behind, which is just not the case. This is anecdotal, but somebody from the film commission said they were talking to a representative and they explained the incentive program, and he said, “Oh, that’s how it works? I didn’t know that.” And it instantly changed his mind. Apparently, the word isn’t getting to them.
Gregory: Let me ask you guys a question: What is the benefit of big Hollywood coming to Texas, to you? I don’t see it for me. I’m not a DP [director of photography], I’m not an audio guy. For those guys, I can see it for sure. If I’m a director or producer… Rob: Our crew for “The Last Whistle” was half LA, half Fort Worth. Because I had a few people in LA that I trusted a lot that were willing to take a van across the country for this movie. But the other half of it, we didn’t want to have hair and makeup, and things like set design ... I know there’s somebody in Fort Worth who knows how to do these things. And sure enough, they’re here. And they’re ready to work. And I think that as long as we have schools like TCU that are growing these film programs, there’s gonna be people ready to work and ready to be crew members. Chad: For me, there’s no attraction to getting one big Hollywood film into
the state. I’d rather have 10 medium-sized films, these indies that are making good products and using our workforce consistently. If Texas is just looking for those big Hollywood blockbuster movies, then, yeah, it’s always gonna stay this way. But why don’t we focus on the smaller films that need that assistance and support. And we could all work consistently. I think that’s where the focus should go.
Tim: I recently saw “A Ghost Story,” which was made by David, somebody help me out ...
Gregory: Lowery?
Tim: David Lowery, who’s a Fort Worth guy. He’s been to Lone Star a bunch of times. And I don’t know what the budget of that was, but I know it was tiny. And I know he used almost exclusively Fort Worth talent. All my friends were on it. My director of photography for “Let ’er Buck,” Ron Gonzales, did all the steady cam work on that film. While he did pull in Los Angeles-based actors for pieces of it, 95 percent of that was Fort Worth resources. And if you can do that here, why wouldn’t you? And it’s more meaningful, has more substance. Makes me feel, you know?
Chad: And there’s a snowball effect to that, too. Because if someone like David Lowery’s choosing to make movies here, or someone like Richard Linklater is doing his films here, it’s just gonna grow. When you get to that level and you’re making a choice to stay in Texas, other people see that, and they follow suit.
FW: I think the Cohen
Brothers shot part of “True Grit” in Texas, near Austin. Same with Quentin Tarantino, who’s shot in Texas many times. So how do we get those guys to Fort Worth?
Gregory: I think you need those filmmakers to talk it up. We need to invite them to the Lone Star Film Festival and make sure that they’re welcome and comfortable and fed.
Chad: And the Fort Worth Film Commission is doing a good job getting the word out, because just this week they had an article in Variety with David about “Old Man & the Gun,” and specifically about how we wanted it to be in Fort Worth. And that’s what we need.
Tim: I’ve got total respect for that movie already.
Gregory: And just as a note, the Fort Worth Film Commission isn’t just catering to feature filmmakers, either. I do a lot of commercial work, and they are extremely helpful with everything we do. Finding locations, scheduling street blockage, the little technical logistics that as a small production unit, you need a little bit of help.
Rob: One of my favorite moments when we were doing that production coordination for “The Last Whistle,” so we had some help from the Film Commission, we were considering this one location, and [they] told us to fill out this paperwork; this is what the last production used. And it was from “The Old Man & the Gun.” And I was like, “I’m using the same paperwork they used in Old Man & the Gun!”
FW: So, what do we have to look forward to, filmwise,
at Fort Worth? Any projects in the future?
Gregory: We’re all developing something. If you got a pen or a computer, you’re developing something.
Tim: So, RIDE TV is a production company for “Let ’er Buck.” They’re mostly a cable network, and this is the first — well, second — but the first major feature film endeavor we went on. So, we’re producing hundreds of hours of content every year. It’s a lot of documentary stuff, and a lot of people story-type stuff. And the one thing I’m excited about that we’re working on is a series called “Cowgirls.” It’s about these girls who do block riding, and they’re nuts. They jump on these horses that are the caliber that they’re riding in the NFR.
And they’ve got the world telling them that they don’t have the chops to do it, and they’re in business to prove them wrong. And Texas is, besides a few other states, really the only place where the cowboys don’t care. They’re just like, “Well, if you can ride, then get on; we’re not gonna stop you.” You know? So, in order to compete, they have to come to Texas. And they’re coming to Fort Worth, and they’re coming to various places like this.
So, I’ll be involved in that in various ways on the production side of things.
Rob: And then for us, we’re very excited to premiere “Last Whistle” at the Lone Star Festival. I know this piece is coming out in five or six weeks, so I’m not sure what the status will be, but the next thing for us is getting “Last Whistle” out there,
doing distribution, doing maybe a theatrical run after the festival, and making sure that people get to see it. And then seeing how that does, and if the business model works, then we’ll go in and do it again.
FW: Chad, anything from you with Lone Star Film Festival in years coming up?
Chad: You know, we are actively trying to keep up with what’s going on in the city, with our filmmakers that are local. It’s important to us to showcase and celebrate what’s happening here. We, of course, bring in movies from all over, but we always have to have that local talent involved in the festival. So, yeah, I’m excited to see again where these guys go with their products, what we get to see in the future. I’m excited about it this year because I feel like the lineup is really strong, but every year is just a new opportunity. And we work closely with the Fort Worth Film Commission, so sometimes we’ll get some insight as to what’s going on.
Chad: I feel like we’re fortunate to be in a community that cares, and we have those organizations in play that make things happen, from RIDE TV to Red Productions, to Musicbed, to the local independent filmmaker. We’re just beginning right now. There’s a good future ahead of us.
You can view their latest films at this year’s Lone Star Film Festival, held Nov. 7–11 in Sundance Square.
For more information, visit lonestarfilmfestival.com
A Not-SoKitschy Tour
Five luxury kitchens showcase style and elegance in this year’s Kitchens Tour, benefiting a Wish with Wings.
BY SHEILA ELLIS
BY OLAF GROWALD
PHOTOS
The Taylor home
»
The kitchen is no longer everyone’s favorite room just because
it’s
where you go to get food; it’s also become one of the most stylized parts of any household. If you have a dated kitchen, you have a dated home.
In conjunction with Fort Worth Magazine and a Wish with Wings, the Kitchens Tour, which exhibits local chefs in a variety of luxurious kitchens across Fort Worth, is back for another year. The tour will take place Saturday, Nov. 17, in the city’s oldest neighborhood — Historic Ryan Place — as well as local retailer Mustard Seed Jewelry. All proceeds will go toward supporting children with lifethreatening illnesses. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect at this year’s tour.
The Taylor home
Cabinets in the Johnston home
Sink area in the Johnston home
The Johnston home
Marble countertop in the Parham home
The Glenn home
The Parham home
Mustard Seed Jewelry
The Papa home
THE TAYLOR HOME
2501 Willing Ave.
Renn and Keith Taylor
The Taylors’ kitchen used to be a crowded area of the house — finished with low-quality materials — instead of a central gathering space for dinners, relaxation and socialization. When designing their new kitchen, Renn and Keith agreed that functionality, storage and plenty of natural light were vital to make the space their own. Everything in the kitchen serves a purpose, but Renn’s favorite features are the open shelving and drawer units that exemplify functionality and storage. Also fulfilling artistic intentions, the kitchen embodies a “modern but timeless complement to our 1929 Craftsman bungalow,” Renn says.
On choosing how to start your own journey into designing, Renn advises, “If you have a ‘go-to’ color that you often wear and love, odds are you will love it in your kitchen, too.”
She attributes the decision to use and trust her love for a variety of colors, textures and finishes in the kitchen to its contemporary but comfortable design.
THE JOHNSTON HOME
2318 Fifth Ave.
Karla Johnston
Lamps, light fixtures, sunshine — Karla Johnston is all about brightening her living spaces up. Her kitchen is no different, so when it came time to personalize it, letting as much natural light in as possible was nonnegotiable. Johnston also drew inspiration from her neighbor’s kitchen, which is where the functional yet stylish design for her drawers came.
Johnston wanted a lively, bright kitchen, with the words “candy store” making an appearance while she talked about her vision for it. However, it’s her timeless greige cabinets that are a favorite.
“Try not to do anything too trendy,” she said. “Something really bold and fun gets old fast.”
Like plenty of other families, the Johnstons find that their kitchen is a place to let creative design loose but also a centerpiece for family and practicality.
“We love cooking and snacking because it’s an enjoyable place to be,” Johnston said. “I swear I was 5 pounds less when I had a frumpy kitchen and always wanted to get the hell out of there.”
THE PARHAM HOME
2516 Ryan Place Drive
Lin and Randy Parham
A kitchen is a place where “family discussions, life decisions, and memories” are made, according to the Parhams. It was important, then, to create a space up to the task of hosting these things. Besides that, the Parhams wanted to ensure their kitchen reflected its history as a home built in 1922 for oil millionaire Floyd J. Holmes. Design elements like hardwood floors, a farmhouse sink, and a carefully selected backsplash work together to pay homage to the house’s origins. Although every piece is symbiotic, Lin Parham notes that one standout is the Carrera Bella marble countertop that accents the kitchen with “movement and colors that is really quite stunning.”
The kitchen is not all historical, though — studded with appliances
from Wolf, Sub-Zero, Asko and Kitchenaid, Lin says these fixtures are a modern convenience in the classic space. Finally, Lin encourages thoroughness.
“As you’re designing your kitchen plans, open every cabinet and drawer in your current kitchen,” she advises. “Can you visually place all your items in the new cabinets/drawers you are designing?”
And the next step? Measure everything you plan on putting in your cabinets, just to be certain it will have a place in your new kitchen.
THE GLENN HOME
2423 College Ave.
Sunny and Wells Glenn
While the Glenns were in the process of looking for houses, this kitchen triggered that special feeling when you know that a house can feel like a personal, cozy home. Because so many facets of the Glenns’ life take place in their kitchen, a beautiful design was not the only thing on their mind. It had to be a hub for their family with a practical design that accommodated busy days, leisurely mornings, midnights snacks and holiday meals.
“Puzzles, laptops, gingerbread houses at Christmas, standing around the island with cheese and wine,” Sunny Glenn muses. “We love to live in our kitchen.”
Soapstone countertops and a tasteful chandelier are some of Glenn’s favorite elements in the kitchen, but simple features that help foster family time like a spacious island and dining table make the room special. Some of her favorite memories are made in the kitchen, like teaching her son how to make French toast on their griddle. When choosing a kitchen, Glenn says to ensure it fits with your lifestyle.
“Design trends come and go, but memories last a lifetime,” she says. “And definitely splurge on the warming drawer.”
THE PAPA HOME
1001 Elizabeth Blvd.
Tracy and Frank Papa
History runs through the Papas’ kitchen, originally built in the 1920s. Whether it be the coal chute under the sink, a chimney that sits above their stove and oven, or an old doorbell notification system in the corner, the house’s past is at the forefront of presentation. Updated with new looks in 2009, Papa still has old, passed-down photos of the house that make her think about its history. There’s a rose bush and crepe myrtles outside of the kitchen window, maybe a relic of the house’s beginning or maybe a detail that tagged along at some point in the journey.
The Papas are making their own memories in their kitchen, though. With a large Italian family, Papa laughs and notes that a generous space with logical layout was a must. Among the family, she and two of her sons have been through culinary school, making choices about more practical items like appliances a serious process.
“Everybody has their specialty,” Papa says. “I do pastry, my oldest son grills, and my second oldest does pizza and pasta.”
While the Papas might love to tailor the kitchen to each specialty (Papa would like have a pizza oven someday, although that’s more of an outside installation), instead they work together and use the luxurious kitchen with a lot of Italian love.
ARMED
FORCES MEMBERS GET 4 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
DEC. 22, 2018 | 2:30 PM | AMON G. CARTER STADIUM GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT ARMEDFORCESBOWL.COM/VETERANS
On behalf of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl & our corporate sponsors we would like to honor our past and present armed forces heroes with up to 4 free tickets to this years bowl game.
Cowtown Ball
The American Cancer Society celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Cowtown Ball on Sept. 28 at Whiskey Ranch.
Photos by Kelcee Harwood.
Home of Dreams
VIP Party
Guests got a sneak peek at Fort Worth Magazine’s 2018 Home of Dreams on Sept. 28 in Westlake’s Granada development.
by Honey Russell.
Photos
Elizabeth Humble and Wendy Wright
Julia & Tim Howarth
Diamond Rio Band
Israel & Holly Bernal
Debbie Vincent & Dona Robinson
Jenn Kautsh & Renee Kyser
Brent & Kimberly Tipps, Mary Ann Ginnard
Debbie O’Neal, Ginga Guidroz, Chelsea Clinton, Emily Orr
Getting consistent year-round home comfort you can count on doesn’t happen by accident. Trane systems endure rigorous testing to ensure reliability and long lasting performance for you and your family. Combine that with No Interest if paid in full within 72 Months on qualifying purchases made between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 and you have an offer that’s too good to let pass and it’s only available through Trane Comfort Specialist dealers!
Pupsgiving Nov. 17
Thanksgiving is going to the dogs, apparently. Clearfork’s newly opened dog park, MUTTS Canine Cantina, is hosting a Pupsgiving with vendors like pet boutique Dharma & Frank and dog treat bakery La Barkeria. Humane Society of North Texas will also be there for on-site adoptions, and if you purchase MUTTS’ special LunaZul pumpkin margarita, the dog park will donate the proceeds to the shelter. MUTTS Canine Cantina. 5317 Clearfork Main St. muttscantina.com
2
Cinderella
Nov. 15–18
No, this isn’t Disney’s “Cinderella.” Rodger and Hammerstein’s rendition, famous for songs like “In My Own Little Corner” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” comes to Bass Hall with a contemporary twist, combining award-winning costumes, sets and sound design. Tickets range from $44 to $116 for the four-day showing. Bass Performance Hall. 525 Commerce St. basshall.com. 817.212.4280
3
Cowtown Geek Fair
Nov. 3
Before you put your Halloween costume to bed at the back of your closet, give your Spider-Man suit one last go-round at the Cowtown Geek Fair at Coyote Drive-In. The event is a celebration of anime, comics,
steampunk and all things geek with food trucks, a playground for the kids and beer for the adults. Best part — it’s free. Coyote Drive-In. 223 NE Fourth St. cowtowngeek.com. coyotedrive-in.com
4
Parade of Lights
Nov. 18
Celebrating its 36th year, the Parade of Lights will feature over 100 floats, giant balloons and half a million lights throughout downtown Fort Worth. Expect decorated horsedrawn carriages, antique cars, festive marching bands and a special finale appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The parade theme, “Through the Eyes of a Child,” pays tribute to Cook Children’s Centennial Celebration, commemorating 100 years of pediatric medical care services. Downtown Fort Worth. fortworthparadeoflights.org. 817.335.3113
Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” Fort Worth Parade of Lights
5
Camp Bowie District Fall Festival
Nov. 10
Celebrate the first Camp Bowie District Fall Festival + Makers Market, a free event that will showcase more than 30 local artisans like Kendall Davis Clay and West 7th Wool. There will also be oversized yard games like Connect Four, Yard Jenga and others, along with food and drink from Camp Bowie vendors and live music. East Lawn of Boulevard Heights School. 5100 El Campo Ave.
6
Dia de los Veggies
Nov. 2
Righteous Foods is celebrating life on the last day of Dia de los Muertos — the health-conscious café will host a 5K fun run around
Greenwood Cemetery before ending the night back at the restaurant with drinks, live music and works by local artist Adam Werner. Righteous Foods. 3405 W. Seventh St. eatrighteously.com. 817.850.9996
7
Gabriel Kahane
Nov. 3
Composer Gabriel Kahane — whose major label debut recording was deemed “one of the year’s very best albums” by Rolling Stone — will perform at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Kahane’s latest work, 8980: Book of Travelers, is based on his 8,980-mile train trip across the U.S. without internet or phone connection. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. themodern.org. 817.738.9215
Texas Taco Festival
Nov. 17–18
If the cover of this magazine didn’t entice you enough, the Arlington entertainment hub that sits between Globe Life Park and AT&T Stadium will play host to the Texas Taco Festival, featuring more than 30 restaurants and 75 varieties of tacos — for $3 each.
Come thirsty too — the event promises a “Texas-size margarita bar.” General admission is $9.95, and parking is free.
Texas Live!. 1650 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington. tacofests.com
Gabriel Kahane
Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation
Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (required by 39 U.S.C. 3685). Title of Publication: Fort Worth Magazine Publication No. 1536-8939 Date of filing: 10/1/18 Frequency of Issue (Monthly) Number of issues published annually: 12 Annual subscription price is $23.95 Complete mailing address of Publication: 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Complete mailing address of Headquarters of general business office of publisher: Panther City Media Group, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Names and complete mailing address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor, Publisher: Hal A. Brown, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, Editor: Brian Kendall, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Managing Editor: Samantha Calimbahin, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Owners: Panther City Media Group LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, Hal A. Brown, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste.130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, Robert L. Patton, 5201 Camp Bowie, Suite 200, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amounts of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None Tax status: has not changed during preceding 12 months Publication Title: Fort Worth Magazine Issue date for circulation: 10/2018 Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months Total no. copies printed (Net Press Run) 19,073 Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution(By mail and outside the mail): Mailed Outside-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 35: 11,833 Mailed In-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0 Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid or Requested Distribution outside USPS: 1,275 Requested Copies by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0. Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b, (1), (2), (3) and (4): 13,108 Total Nonrequested Distribution: Outside County Copies stated on PS Form 3541: 1,604 In-County Nonrequested Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 Nonrequested Copies Distributed through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 1,982 Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 0 Total Nonrequested Distribution (Sum of 15d, (1), (2), (3) and (4): 3,586 Total Distribution (sum of 15c and 15e): 16,694 Copies not Distributed: 2,379 Total (sum of 15f and g): 19,073 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by 15f times 100): 78.5% Requested and Paid Electronic Copies: 1,907 Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): 15,015 Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15f) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): 18,600 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies)(16b divided by 16c x 100): 80.7% No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest To Filing Date: printed (Net Press Run) 19,069 Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By mail and outside the mail): Mailed Outside-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 11,156 Mailed In-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid or Requested Distribution outside USPS: 932 Requested Copies by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0 Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b, (1), (2), (3) and (4): 12,088 Total Nonrequested Distribution: Outside County Copies stated on PS Form 3541: 1,886 In-County Nonrequested Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 Nonrequested Copies Distributed through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 1,886 Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 0 Total Nonrequested Distribution (Sum of 15d, (1), (2), (3) and (4): 4,583 Total Distribution (sum of 15c and 15e): 19,069 Copies not Distributed: 2,398 Total (sum of 15f and g): 19,073 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by 15f times 100): 72.5% Requested and Paid Electronic Copies: 1,900 Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Requested/ Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): 13,988 Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15f) + Requested/ Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): 18,571 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies)(16b divided by 16c x 100): 75.3% Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2018 issue of this publication. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Hal A. Brown Date: 10/08/2018 I certify that all information furnished in this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties.)
9Sundance Square Five and Funky
Nov. 1–2
Sundance Square Plaza is turning five and spending two days celebrating. The first day will feature a pep rally to kick off the 2018-2019 TCU basketball season, with appearances by the TCU basketball teams, Showgirls, marching band and SuperFrog. The second day will feature a “5-shaped” doughnut giveaway by Funkytown Donuts, a random $5 Sundance Square gift card giveaway and performances by Four Day Weekend (temporarily changing its name to “Five” Day Weekend) and disco band Le Freak. Sundance Square Plaza. sundancesquare.com. 817.255.5700
10
6th Avenue Homes- House Show
Nov. 9
Millennial-run real estate company 6th Avenue Homes has combined its love for music, community and real estate with open houses featuring acoustic shows by local musicians. Musician Josh Weathers will be performing at the next one, and tickets sell out fast, so don’t sleep on it. 6th Avenue Homes. 6thavehomes.com. 817.382.7566
Sundance Square. Photo by Photos by Barry
Josh Weathers
Thank you to the Fort Worth community for the amazing support of Delicious Wishes.
And thank you to Lead Chef Juan Rodriguez, Owner of Magdalena’s Catering & Events, Honorary Chairs Mr. and Mrs. Rick Merrill on behalf of Cook Children’s Health Care System, and Event Chairs Nancy and Bob Lohman for hosting this unique event. To our talented chefs and dedicated sponsors, this unforgettable evening would not be possible without you!
Thanks to our community of supporters, Make-A-Wish® will be able to grant even more life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses when they need it most.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
“You don’t realize how much it changes the children and families’ lives until you get involved. For what they’ve all gone through – being able to bring smiles to their faces, give them hope and something to take their minds off their daily battles, that’s what it’s all about. I hope what we do inspires others to get involved as well.”
Brian Grossman Co-Owner, Grossman Design-Build
Grossman Design-Build has built 10 backyard playhouses for wishes across Texas, including Tyler’s Batcave (left). I wish to have a Batcave Tyler, 15 neurological disorder
» A hidden gem. Few sandwich shops can say they have an executive chef. But one bite of a Hot Mess at 203 Café will scratch that foodie itch. »
Fort Worth’s
Best-Kept Secret
Keeping a low profile on the second floor of downtown’s Fire Station No. 1, 203 Café serves up some of the city’s best cuisine.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
Until a big sign finally went up a few weeks ago, you might have never known 203 Café existed — unless you just happen to be strolling along the second floor of downtown’s Wells Fargo building.
For the past few months, this tiny café wedged between the Wells Fargo and Bank of America twin skyscrapers has been downtown’s best-kept secret, known only by a handful of local foodies and those who work in the adjoining buildings. There’s been no advertising blitzkrieg, no marketing kaboom — odd, considering the restaurant is an offshoot of one of the city’s most popular restaurants, the nearby Reata.
At a time when the plethora of recently opened restaurants are vying for press and patrons, 203 has taken the direct opposite
203 Café isn’t the only hidden gem among downtown’s thriving community of eateries. Here’s a look at some other d-town hidden restaurants:
Caffini’s Café & Deli:
Open for nearly a quarter-century inside what is now the StarTelegram building, this old-school breakfast and lunch café serves breakfast platters, blue-plate specials and made-to-order sandwiches. You might not find a better pot roast in town. 309 W. Seventh St., facebook.com/ caffinisftworth
Six 10 Grille: Not many know of this secluded breakfast spot, tucked away in the Ashton Hotel. It’s styl-
approach, keeping, until recently, a low profile. Owner Mike Micallef had his reasons.
“The restaurant industry is the most-reviewed industry in the world,” says Micallef, who also owns Reata. “Google, Yelp, Facebook — you can review a restaurant on 20 or so different apps. We wanted to be ready for them. We wanted to build slowly, then make a big bang.”
The big bang officially went off over the summer when a hard-to-miss 203 sign was draped over the façade of downtown’s Fire Station No. 1, where, on the second floor, the restaurant officially resides (its entrance is only accessible through the bank buildings).
Word, finally, is beginning to spread about this hidden gem and its superb sandwiches and soups. They do here, in a pindot of a kitchen, what places two, three their size should be doing. Meats for sandwiches, for example, are roasted inhouse, up to 24 hours, while their dressings and fixins are scratch-made by executive chef Jason Klein.
The restaurant’s must-tries include the Chicago roll ($6.95), comprised of garlic and herb-
ish and quiet, perfect for those who don’t like to be bothered until they’ve had their coffee. The small menu includes housemade pancakes, egg dishes and pastries. Snag a seat by the window for a ringside view of Main Street. 610 Main St., theashtonhotel.com
T&P Tavern: On the south tip of downtown
roasted roast beef piled on a toasted hoagie roll, then topped with pickled veggies; a grilled cheese ($7.95) with smoked Gouda, Swiss, white American cheese and bacon, a glorious mess pressed into a buttered brioche; and a pimento press ($8.95), comprised of housemade pimento cheese, laced with a crunchy surprise: bits of fried green tomato.
The signature sandwich is the Hot Mess ($7.95), made up of pecan-smoked brisket and a house queso. “I named it after my fiancé,” says Klein. “No one else I can think of is smoking brisket for 20 hours, then frying it on a flat top in its own fat.”
Certainly no other café. Then again, for a place this size to have an executive chef is out of the ordinary. Klein spent 10 years between Ellerbe Find Foods and Reata.
“You walk by here and think, ‘yeah, it’s just another office building café,’” says general manager Gigi Howell. “But one bite of that Hot Mess and you’ll see that it’s not.”
The way the restaurant came together is a little unusual, too. After the space’s previous occupant closed, Sundance Square management approached Micallef about taking over the spot with a new concept. Instead of coming up with the idea himself, he tossed it to the Reata staff.
203 Café
Location: Commerce St., Ste. 203 For Info: 203cafe.com
Hours: 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Friday »
is this lively restaurant and bar, hidden inside a repurposed 1930s diner that was once a part of Texas & Pacific Railway Station. Many of the diner’s original fixtures remain, including art deco chandeliers and red-cushioned bar stools. There are craft drinks galore, along with a bar-bites menu of sandwiches, flatbreads, and other
“We turned it into a game, basically,” he says. “People from different departments — catering, front of house, back of house — were split into four teams, and they each had to come up with a concept and a name. Then we took the best of those ideas and made the groups smaller and so on, until we ended up with one idea. It was a great way to figure out what kind of restaurant we were going to open.”
handheld edibles. On Saturdays when the weather’s nice, employees grill hamburgers and hot dogs. 221 W. Lancaster Ave., facebook.com/tptavern
Thai Tina’s: There’s just a tiny sign outside the Embassy Suites alerting passersby of the hotel’s permanent guest: this elegant, family-run Thai res-
taurant. Nice place: all white tablecloths, candlelights and pampering servers. A big menu includes standard rice and noodle dishes but also some cool surprises, such as slow-cooked oxtail in a massaman curry sauce. 600 Commerce St., thaitinasfortworth.com.
Citrus and herb roasted turkey breast with housemade cranberry sauce, arugula, red onions and whole grain mustard on a croissant.
Fort Worth will get a better class of food courts when the Food Hall at Crockett Row opens soon. Tentatively scheduled to open late November or early December, in a new 16,000-square-foot space in the Crockett Row at West Seventh area, the hall will feature a half-dozen storefront eateries, along with indoor/outdoor seating, a separate bar area and a stage for live music. Picture a hipster version of a shopping mall food court, and you’ve got it.
The concept is similar to Legacy Food Hall in Plano and will even share some of the same vendors, including Knife Burger from Dallas chef John Tesar and the Press Waffle Co., a gourmet waffle shop. There will be two spots with ties to TCU: Not Just Q, a brick-and-mortar version of former TCU football player David Hawthorne’s popular barbecue truck, and Rollin’ N Bowlin’, an acai-bowl spot from Sophia Karbowski and Austin Patry, both TCU grads.
Rounding out the lineup will be Abe Froman’s, the cheekily named Italian spot from local chef Victor Villarreal. The name, as you know, is a nod to Ferris
The Feed
A taste of what’s new and notable.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
Freelance food writer Malcolm Mayhew can be reached at malcolm.mayhew@hotmail.com or on Twitter at @foodfortworth.
Bueller’s Day Off – and if you didn’t know that, there’s no way we can be friends. Villarreal, who has worked in some of the city’s top restaurants, including Grace and Clay Pigeon, will make his own sausage, gnocchi and pizza. 3000 Crockett St., crockettrow.com
Happy anniversary to downtown fine dining gem Grace, which this month celebrates its 10th anniversary. Swing by and toast owner Adam Jones and his crew for a job supremely well done. 777 Main St., gracefortworth.com
The burgeoning South Main area will welcome two new restaurants late October/
early November: Four Sisters, a new Vietnamese concept, and Hecho, an upscale Texana restaurant.
Four Sisters comes from local chef Tuan Pham, who cut his teeth at Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Café. The name was inspired by his quartet of sisters, two older and two younger, and his menu is made up of family recipes. “This restaurant is all about family,” he says. “My mom came up with a lot of the recipes, and some of my family will be working here. This is a true family restaurant.”
The menu includes skewered beef wraps, lobster fried rice and pho made with housemade noodles, a rarity in Fort Worth. “This is the food I grew up eating,” Pham says. “And the food I still eat today.” 1001 S. Main St., foursistersfw.com
Just north of Four Sisters is Hecho, a West Texas-inspired concept from local chef Michael Shaddox, who worked in the corporate restaurant industry for nearly three decades before moving to West Texas and starting his own food truck, called Hecho. Now back in Fort Worth, he landed a sweet brickand-mortar spot in The 4 Eleven, a boutique shopping center housed in a 1920s warehouse.
Shaddox describes Hecho’s food as a fusion of Southern, Latin
and Western flavors. Menu items include lobster empanadas, cheeseburger tacos, chipotle ribs and various cuts of steak, his signature item. Much thought was put into the restaurant’s décor. Award-winning visual artist Sarah Ayala has provided several pieces of mandala art, and acclaimed Texas photographer Emily McCartney was recently commissioned by Shaddox for a special photo project to be displayed at the restaurant. 411 South Main St., the4eleven.net
Fort Worth could certainly use a few more all-day breakfast spots — reason enough to celebrate the arrival of Snooze, a Denverbased breakfast and lunch chain that opened a branch in the Left Bank shopping center in October. The restaurant specializes in quirky, decadent breakfast/ lunch/brunch fare, from a breakfast pot pie draped in rosemary sausage gravy to pineapple upside-down pancakes to Benedicts stuffed with mashed avocado, prosciutto, pulled pork and steak. Cool touches: The restaurant utilizes seasonal ingredients, even in cocktails, and a
percentage of all sales benefit local charities. 2150 West Seventh St., snoozeeatery.com
Fans of authentic Greek food, take note: The annual Fort Worth Greek Festival is happening Nov. 9–11 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. For the uninitiated, it’s like a big Greek food potluck: Church members serve homemade dishes such as dolmas, gyros, spanakopita, moussaka and flaming saganaki –cheese set ablaze with liquor and served on pita bread – against a lively
backdrop of music and dancing; it’s a major blast. Admission is $1, and all food items are purchased with tokens, sold for $1 each. 2020 NW 21st St., fortworthgreekfestival.com
PREFER TOPICAL TO TYPICAL? GO PUBLIC.™
Think with Krys Boyd on KERA 90.1, features indepth interviews on topics ranging from history, politics, and technology to food and wine, travel and entertainment. Go for the compelling guests. Go for the engaging conversation. Go to listen, learn, engage and think. Go Public.
THINK WITH KRYS BOYD
MONDAY-THURSDAY, 12-2 PM, FRIDAY, 1-2 PM
to list a restaurant
The Listings section is a readers service compiled by the Fort Worth Magazine editorial staff. The magazine does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for the listings. Listings are updated regularly. To correct a listing or request a restaurant be considered for the list, contact Brian Kendall at bkendall@fwtexas.com.
pricing: $ - Entrees up to $10, $ $ - Entrees $10-$20, $ $ $ - Entrees $20-$25, $ $ $ $ - Entrees $25 and over
American
ARLINGTON/MID-CITIES
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House 230 N. Center St., 817.801.0300. Lunch Hours 11am-2pm Mon.Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-9pm Mon.-Fri; All Day 11am-9pm Sat. and Sun. $
BJ’s Restaurant And Brewhouse 201 E. Interstate 20, 817.465.5225. 11am-midnight Mon.-Thur.; 11am-1am Fri.; 11am-1am Sat.; 10am-midnight Sun. $-$$
Chef Point Cafe 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, 817.656.0080. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.; 7am-10pm Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. Breakfast Saturdays. $-$$
Houlihan’s 401 E. 1-20 Hwy., 817.375.3863. 11am-midnight, bar 1am Mon.-Thu.; 11am1am, bar 2am Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm, bar midnight Sun. $$-$$$
Humperdink’s Restaurant And Brewery 700 Six Flags Drive, 817.640.8553. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$
J Gilligan’s Bar & Grill 400 E. Abram. 817.274.8561. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11ammidnight Thu.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.; drafthouse open nightly 11am-2am $
Mac’s Bar & Grill 6077 W. I-20 Frontage Rd., 817.572.0541. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-2:30pm and 3pm-10pm Sun. $$
No Frills Grill 4914 Little Rd., 817.478.1766. Other locations: 801 S. Main St. #109, Keller, 817.741.6344. 2851 Matlock Rd., Ste. 422, Mansfield, 817.473.6699. 1550 Eastchase Pkwy., Ste. 1200, Arlington, 817.274.5433. 11am-2am daily. $ Rose Garden Tearoom 3708 W. Pioneer Pkwy., 817.795.3093. 11:30am-3:30pm Mon.-Sat.; closed Sun. $ Restaurant 506 at The Sanford House 506 N. Center St., 817.801.5541. Closed Mon.-Tues.; 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Fri.; 10:30am2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Sat.; 10:30am-2pm Sun. $$ Southern Recipes Grill 2715 N. Collins St., 817.469.9878. 11am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-9pm Sat.; 8am-4pm Sun. $-$$
Mac’s on Main 909 S. Main St., Ste. 110, 817.251.6227. 11am-3pm, Lunch Mon.-Sat.; 4:30-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 4:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-2:30pm Brunch, Sun.; 4:30pm-9:30pm Sun. $$
Tolbert’s Restaurant 423 S. Main St. 817.421.4888. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am9:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-8:30pm Sun. $$ Winewood Grill 1265 S. Main St., Grapevine, 76051 817.421.0200. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$-$$$ KELLER/LAKE COUNTRY
FnG Eats 201 Town Center Ln., Ste. 1101, 11am9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 10:30am10pm Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. . $$ Main St. Cafe 900 S. Main St., 817.741.7600. 6am9pm, daily. $
Panther City BBQ has gotten quite the hype since Texas Monthly’s BBQ Snob, Daniel Vaughn, gave the Fort Worth food truck a glowing review. Now, Magnolia Avenue coffee shop-meets-gastropub BREWED is teaming up with Panther City BBQ for a couple new menu items — a brisket biscuit and brisket mac ‘n’ cheese. BREWED co-owner Joey Turner says the dishes will run as a special through the end of November, and if customers like them enough, they’ll become permanent menu items. brewedfw.com
McKinley’s Fine Bakery & Café 1616 S. University Dr. Ste. 301, 817.332.3242, 7am-6:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-6:30pm Sat.; 11am-5pm Sun. $
Panera Bread 1700 S. University Dr., 817.870.1959. Other location: 1804 Precinct Line Rd., 817.605.0766. 1409 N. Collins, Arlington, 817.548.8726. 2140 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. S. 817.416.5566. 4611 S. Hulen St. 817.370.1802. 6:30am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 7am8pm Sun. $
Pearl Snap Kolaches 4006 White Settlement Road. 817.233.8899. 6am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-2 pm Sat.-Sun. Other location: 2743 S Hulen Street. 817.233.8899. 6am-12pm Mon.Fri., 7am-12 pm Sat.-Sun. $ Sweet Sammies 825 Currie St., 817.332.0022. 11am-9pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thurs.Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun. $ Swiss Pastry Shop 3936 W. Vickery, 817.732.5661. 7am-6pm Bakery, 7am-11am Breakfast, 11am-3:30pm Tues.-Sat. $ The Snooty Pig 2401 Westport Pkwy., Ste. 120, 817.837.1077. Other locations: 100 Country Club Rd., 940.464.0748; 2940 Justin Rd., 972.966.1091, 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am2pm Sat.-Sun. $
Yogi’s Deli and Grille 2710 S. Hulen St., 817.924.4500. 6:30am-3:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am3:30pm Sat.; 7:30am-3pm Sun. $
Yolk 305 Main St., 817.730.4000. 6am-3pm Mon.Fri.; 7am-3pm Sat.&Sun. $
GRAPEVINE
Breadhaus 700 W. Dallas Rd., 817.488.5223. 9am-6pm Tues.-Fri.; 9am-4pm Sat. $$ Main Street Bistro and Bakery 316 Main St., 817.424.4333, 6:30am-3pm Mon.; 6:30am9pm Tues.-Thurs.; 6:30am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; 6:30am-9pm Sun. $
The Snooty Pig 4010 William D. Tate, 817.283.3800. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am2pm Sat.-Sun. $
Weinburger’s Deli 601 S. Main St., Ste. 100,
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La Madeleine 2101 N. Collins St., Arlington, 817.461.3634. 6:30am-10pm daily. Other location: 4201 S Cooper St., Arlington, 817.417.5100. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ FORT WORTH
La Madeleine 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.654.0471. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Other locations: 4626 SW Loop 820. 817.717.5200.; 900 Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.251.0255. 6:30am-10pm daily $ Paris 7th 3324 W 6th St. 817.489.5300.
Buca Di Beppo 2701 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.749.6262. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$
Ferrari’s Italian Villa 1200 William D. Tate Ave., 817.251.2525, 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$-$$$
Nizza Pizza 3930 Glade Rd., Ste. 101,
Teresa’s Bartending & Serving
Teresa’s Event Staffing & Bartending will do whatever it takes to make everything perfect for your special day. What sets Teresa and her staff apart from the rest is their willingness to go that extra mile. From coming at the last minute when somebody doesn’t show to thinking fast on her feet when a bride drops the cake, Teresa’s Event Staffing & Bartending will make sure your party goes smoothly.
Four-passenger hatchback / Porsche Panamera / 330 HP / 3.0 liter turbo V6 / Rear-wheel drive / Porsche Communication Management system / Panoramic sunroof
The diagnosis is just the beginning of a very long journey for many cancer patients. Our goal is to save lives and stay involved, helping and supporting patients through their journey, giving families hope and keeping them focused on healing.
CAREITY BEGINS AT HOME
W E K E E P I T L O C A L
When Beverly Branch and Lyn Walsh both lost their mothers to cancer, it sparked an even bigger flame under their get-going-and-do-something spirit. In 1999, 10 years after first joining forces as volunteer philanthropists/horsewomen/entrepreneurs, Lyn Walsh and Beverly Branch created Careity Foundation in 2003 to honor the memory of their mothers. Lyn and Beverly recognized the void in services for cancer patients who were without adequate insurance. As a result, their formidable talents are aimed at helping cancer patients who have limited resources. Together they have received recognition and awards for their unique approach providing care for local cancer patients.
AWA R D - WINNING TEAM
2017 AFP Philanthropic Foundation Award
Association of Fundraising Professionals
This award is presented to an organization with a proven record of exceptional generosity that, through direct financial support, demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, and whose generosity encouraged others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a community, national and/or international level.
HEALTHCARE HEROES MILESTONE AWARD
Fort Worth Business Press
2010 ART OF GIVING AWARD
Fort Worth, Texas The City’s Magazine Lyn Walsh
2015 ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD Lyn Walsh
2015 PAPPY THOMPSON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Beverly Branch 2013 AND 2014 CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Parker County Today
Lyn Walsh
2016 ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD Beverly Branch
2014 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Weatherford Chamber of Commerce
ANNUAL SERVICES
CANCER NAVIGATION
850+ Patients!
A cancer patient navigator is an oncology nurse who is trained to help identify and resolve real and perceived barriers to care, enabling patients to adhere to care recommendations and thus improve their cancer outcomes. They help patients by meeting with them and their families, calling them and going to doctors visits with them when needed. Personal guidance is provided to patients as they move through their cancer journey. Patients who have nurse navigators are more involved in their care, more informed as to how their cancer affects their life, and are usually better prepared to deal with their cancer.
MAMMOGRAMS, DIAGNOSTICS, B IOPSIES AND SURGERIES
900+ Medical Procedures
Careity offers free early detection and a critical comprehensive indepth program for patients who are diagnosed. Access to our team of physicians for consults and surgery is rapid. A timely communication of treatment plans is vitally important. Within 48 hours of diagnosis, patients are contacted by a Patient Coordinator, through our team at The Center For Cancer and Blood Disorders. Careity patients are also eligible for clinical trials.
DIETICIAN SERVICES, NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
1500+ Services & Supplements
Nutrition plays an important role in cancer treatment and recovery. Registered and licensed dietitians help patients in their fight with cancer. A good nutrition plan helps keep the body stronger. Nutritional supplements are also provided to economically challenged patients.
PATIENT GAS CARDS
800+ Gas Cards
Cancer patients quite often exhaust their finances due to loss of employment, loss of insurance or lack of both. Many patients in our community have very long distances to travel for treatment and doctor visits. Radiology patients face a situation of having to commute to treatment on a daily basis for a long period of time. Many are forced into a position to choose between food and fuel. Our team of social workers determine the needs of economically challenged patients within our community.
PSYCHOTHERAPY, SOCIAL WORKER AND CHAPLAIN SERVICES
2500+ Patient Services
Psychotherapy counseling sessions are offered to cancer patients and their families as they are dealing with various emotional issues stemming from their cancer diagnosis. Depression, anxiety, grief, anger, fear, stress, insomnia and feeling overwhelmed are typically addressed.
MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPY, REFLEXOLOGY, ACUPUNCTURE
700+ Patient Treatments
These medical therapies are provided to patients to help them manage and better tolerate pain and nausea. It gives them a better opportunity to consider the positive aspects of the drugs in spite of some of the negative impact on the body.
Amanda and children
Celebrity Cutting
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
7:00 PM
Careity.org
Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum
Fort Worth, Texas
Presenting Sponsors
Sponsors will enjoy a Celebrity Concert following the Cutting Horse event
HONORARY CHAIRMEN Tom and Hilary Watson
To order tickets or sponsorship information visit Careity.org or call 817.994.0201
EVENT CHAIR
Kim Locke
COMMENTATORS
Lindy Burch
Tom Holt
CO-FOUNDERS
Lyn Walsh
Beverly Branch
COLLEYVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB
SUNDAY
TICKETS TICKETS
DECEMBER 2 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM supported by CWC’s 40 years of
MANY THANKS TO OUR 2018 HOMEOWNERS
Frank & Bonnie Carroll
Lakes of Somerset - Colleyville
Kevin & Brandi Elder
Woodland Hills - Colleyville
Lakes of Somerset - Colleyville
Woodland Hills - Colleyville
Jason & Tara Strickler
Timarron Cascades - Colleyville AND FEATURING
SANTA’S SWEET STOP The Legacy - Colleyville SPONSORED BY
Area homeowners graciously open their lovely homes to the public for one day only.
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON! * $30 Tickets available on day of Tour COLLEYVILLE
Albertson’s* Bear Creek Wine & Spirits Market Street* HURST Apple Annie’s* SOUTHLAKE The Christmas Shoppe OR ONLINE AT
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» Living on the 13th floor of a downtown high-rise has its perks — especially for a photographer. Take it from Brian Luenser, who captured the sunrise over downtown with an 8 mm fisheye lens from his balcony in The Tower. Maybe we’re biased, but the sunrise just looks prettier here.
PHOTO BY BRIAN LUENSER
CONTACT US For questions or comments, contact Brian Kendall, executive editor, at bkendall@fwtexas.com. For subscription questions, please call 800.856.2032. To subscribe, visit fwtx.com/subscribe
LOVE of Driving
Sara Lytle, a Dallas police dispatcher and Arbonne entrepreneur, often travels to new places simply by booking spontaneous trips to locations with the cheapest airfare. But she says the smartest spontaneous decision she’s ever made is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe recently purchased from Park Place Motorcars Arlington. “Clyde [Rodriguez] was so helpful and genuinely nice that I was instantly sold on the vehicle after our test drive,” Lytle says. “I absolutely love that I bought this car. If I could hug it, I would!”
Boasting head-turning exterior, state-of-theart features and beautifully crafted interior, Lytle’s Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe is the ideal vehicle for this busy Tulane University
alum. A self-professed Mercedes-Benz fan, Lytle says, “I love Mercedes! I love driving it. I get giddy every time I walk out to it, excited that I actually own it. Sport mode is particularly fun. It’s truly a beautiful car.”
Although Lytle is smitten with the luxuries of her high-performance coupe, it is the dealership’s unparalleled service that exceeded her expectations. “I never thought much about a relationship with a car dealer until Park Place. Now I can see how big of a difference that can make. It’s been wonderful having Clyde check in on me and my vehicle and to now have all of the great services I can use at Park Place dealerships.”
