Madeworthy Nov/Dec 2017

madeworthy

art by Lauren Foster

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Fun for your kids.

When is your Birth-Year?

Find 2 Quarters

Find 3 Dimes

with your birth-year on them?

with your birth-year on them?

Put them in this box.

Put them in this box.

Find 4 Nickels

Find 5 Pennies

with your birth-year on them?

with your birth-year on them?

Put them in this box.

Put them in this box.

Now, how much money do you have?

#HAPPYCAMPERMD

Ways to Make Your Holidays Wonderful

1. Go on a date to a new local restaurant

7. Go ice skating with your kids

2. Get a manicure

8. Drive around town and look at the holiday lights

3. Enjoy a home cooked meal with family & friends

9. Buy gifts for your loved ones

4. Do a random act of kindness

10. Sip hot chocolate by the fire

5. See the tree lighting in Sundance Square

11. Play board games with your family

6. Get a sweet treat for your family

12. Document your family’s holiday traditions

Follow us at @stevencampmd to see our holiday specials!

It’s more than a catchy phrase

Become a Happy Camper CAMPPLASTICSURGERY.COM | 817.228.4315 | 3455 LOCKE AVENUE #320, FORT WORTH, TX 76107

madeworthy PUBLISHER Victoria Wise

EDITOR Lee Virden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Angle Edward Brown Jackie EH Elliott Jocelyn Tatum Christy Ortiz Kam Phillips-Sadler Tricia Schniederjan Nicole Shaffer Angela Weaver Joey Turner William Wise

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jodie Miears Beth McElhannon Jeffrey Wooten

Madeworthy Magazine, printed by Cockrell Enovation, is an extension of Tanglewood Moms, LLC, and serves to tell community stories for a family audience. For website and magazine advertising opportunities, please contact: Victoria@MadeworthyMedia.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Sovic Designs Lauren Foster

CONTRIBUTERS’

What's the best gift you've ever given?

A:

I took my parents on a cruise years ago. It was a beautiful shared experience and memory.

- Sarah Angle

A:

The best gift I've ever given is my time. I spend a lot of time in the community helping folks and teaching them about God’s purpose and our hope for a peaceful future.

- Christy Ortiz

A: One year I treated my mother, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law to Holiday High Tea at The Ashton Hotel. I wanted them to have one relaxing afternoon before the rush of the Christmas season set fire to everyone's schedules.

- Jackie EH Elliot

A:

The best gift I've ever given was a diamond ring I purchased to ask the love of my life to marry me. She said yes, by the way!

- Joey Turner

A: I can’t remember the single best

gift I’ve given to someone but more a type of gift. A random handwritten note to a friend telling how lovely and unique they are and that I am grateful they are in my life.

- Jocelyn Tatum

A:

I love to give coffee table books that will be meaningful to the recipient.

Wine country is one of Zac and my favorite trips, and I got him From Napa with Love recently. Loved watching him pour over it with a glass of wine!

- Nicole Shaffer

A: The best gift I’ve given was the

gift of confidence and the power of believing in yourself to my students with learning differences. I told them they could, I believed that they could, and they trusted me and did!

- Tricia Schniederjan

4

A:

A: My favorite gift I've ever given is a

A:

For my goddaughter’s birthday, I taped 50 one-dollar bills together end to end, rolled them up, and put them in a box, dispenser style.

She pulled them out one by one with the cutest glee ever!

- Kam Phillips-Sadler

I love giving the gift of an experience. When my nephew was about three, I got him a pony ride at a local stable. He had the time of his young life!

- Lauren Foster

A: Being a creative, I believe that the

A: Last year, I surprised my oldest

Through unspoken words, I am often reminded that the best gift can be that of an open and lending ear.

Making sense of those unexpected events takes time and friends who are willing to listen. I strive to offer an empathetic and attentive ear when the people I value need it most.

-Edward Brown

best gifts tell a story. The best stories connect us in ways that transcend time and distance. I've learned that every gift you give can be the best if you are mindful of this wisdom.

- Jeffrey Wooten

pair of custom Leddy's cowboy boots that I gave my husband after our first son was born with our son's initials on the back and a mariachi skull and yellow roses that were designed by a good friend of ours.

- Angela Weaver

A:

daughter with a trip to NYC. Woke her up at 5 a.m., handed her tickets to Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, and told her we were leaving for the airport in an hour. It was our first ever mom and daughter ONLY trip and so much fun!

- Jodie Miears

Issue 2 | Nov/Dec 2017

FROM THE PUBLISHER

FROM THE EDITOR

Victoria Wise

Lee Virden

As we were printing, launching, and celebrating the inaugural issue of Madeworthy Magazine, the Texas coast was being crushed by Hurricane Harvey. We all watched

the devastation unfold on TV and social media, and our hearts broke for our friends to the south.

Many people from Fort Worth and around the world mobilized to help strangers who had lost everything. The indomitable spirit of human kindness was on full display in those following weeks, and we at Madeworthy wish to salute the selfless and the brave who dropped everything without a thought and rushed to the aid of people they had never met.

In this issue, you’ll find ways you can help people in our city during this holiday season. The adage that it’s better to give than to receive is the path to fulfillment in

my opinion. And giving comes in all shapes and forms. To some, it’s time, to others, it’s material things, and in the simplest form, it’s a smile. It’s passing on a piece of

goodness so that others can be uplifted, too. As always, our goal with Madeworthy is to put a smile on your face. To make you think about your community in a different

way. To help you find opportunities to support the positive things happening in

our city, and most importantly, to bring all of us closer together. As you gather your tribes together for the November and December holidays, know that it’s the togetherness that makes the event special. It’s the memories created and the meals shared together that your little ones will especially remember.

My favorite memories of the holidays are that even though we were gathered at the same family table, even though it was the same group of people, we treated the

meal with reverence. We dressed a little nicer, we prayed, we gave thanks, and we took our time just to be together.

I have a confession. I used to dislike the holiday season. I didn’t just dislike the holiday season, I was a first cousin, once removed to the Grinch. Little Cindy Lou Who who was no more than two? Awful. I would grumble and groan, moaning about all the extra work and all the money being wasted. I really hated the holidays.

As a single mother, I was, quite frankly overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed with working out a schedule so that my children could be with both their father and their mother on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was overwhelmed with the quest for the perfect gifts. Struggling to put up a 7-foot-tall Christmas tree by myself almost always brought me to tears. But last year, I took a minute to sit in the dark, looking at the Christmas tree all lit up and decorated, and something clicked. The decorations mark milestones in my life, as well as my children’s lives. So what if the tree was sort of cattywampus instead of straight and true? So what if the decorations are battered and loved and were not evenly spaced? That tree was our little family.

It is so very easy to get caught up in the minutiae of the holiday season. We want everything to be impeccable, and we tend to run ourselves ragged in pursuit of that Pinterest-perfect, Instagram-worthy holiday gathering. But in doing so, we lose sight of what makes the holiday season so special. The excitement of our children in seeing the decorations. The gathering of family, some of whom we may see only once a year. The recipes that bring back memories of loved ones who are no longer with us. We need to take a breath and focus on what’s important. We need to be thankful for what we have. This issue of Madeworthy is dedicated to what is really important about the holiday season. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by the stories here.

This year, my little family has welcomed a new member. I was fortunate enough to have married my oldest and best friend in October. We will be working together to make new traditions for our blended family. I’m sure we will disagree on some things, but we will both try to keep the bigger picture in mind. It’s not about the color of the lights on the tree. It’s not about the recipe for the gravy. It’s about creating our family. It’s about creating traditions that our children will carry to their families. So we will be present. We will breathe. And we will be thankful.

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True City: SHAPERS

friends by bringing them together for amazing experiences. It didn’t take long before Curtis Needs a Ride began gaining in popularity, playing venues like the famous Hideout in Austin, and appearing with 4 Day Weekend in downtown Fort Worth. They even curated their own pop-up event called Dessert & Comedy Nights before pop-ups become cool.

by Joey Turner

Over the past five years, in the process of helping to create the restaurant BREWED on Magnolia Avenue, I have been awed and inspired by the many people serving our city. These are regular people, many with run-of-the-mill jobs, who seem to have unlocked what it is that really matters, what makes them tick.

They are local heroes, or as I call them, City:SHAPERS. These City:SHAPERS are not perfect, nor do they profess to have everything together. In fact, they are people who understand pain, who have suffered setbacks, and who have experienced what many would consider failure. They are not storybook heroes on a white steed who are blameless and only experience success. They are ordinary people who have found their calling and are adding value to our city in all sectors.

My goal in creating the non-profit named after these City:SHAPERS is to recognize or highlight these amazing heroes and do whatever possible to encourage them and others to stay in the fight.

I want to let them know that what they’re doing matters and that others have noticed.

City:SHAPERS wants to be their advocate. We want to bless their socks off. One way to do that is to highlight their stories, which is something they would never do themselves.

With that said, allow me to introduce you to a few City:SHAPERS.

If a smile is worth a million bucks, then Michael Flusche, Ricky Anderson, and Austin Hines are making millionaires all over the city. These guys make up the comedy improv group Curtis Needs a Ride. They met in 2004 while attending TCU. By 2006, the guys set out to bring smiles to their

For the next seven years, these men used their gifting to bring smiles to faces all over Texas. Over time, however, as the shows grew in number and frequency, their responsibilities, as they began building their own families, also grew.

We at BREWED have experienced their gifting and selflessness first hand. The group has been the host behind our monthly Bingo & Brews for a Cause for the past 2 years. Their willingness to donate countless hours and partner with us to help raise funds for different non-profits has been inspiring. Watching our guests laugh and interact with the guys is really magical. Michael feels it, too.

“Making people laugh is a powerful thing. I believe you can build a positive climate or culture around laughing,” he says.

Michael said they encountered a crossroads, as many performers do, while trying to juggle family and careers.

This was a defining moment for the members of Curtis Needs a Ride. As these men matured, and their personal lives changed, their lives developed a bigger “why,” a larger purpose. The group needed to change, as well. The group needed a larger purpose.

While throwing in the towel was a viable option, they decided instead to redefine their mission based on was most important to them as young adults. After wrestling for days on the future of Curtis Needs a Ride, a new mission, a new purpose, a new Curtis Needs a Ride was born.

These days, you can find Curtis Needs a Ride using their comedic gifts to serve others. The heartbeat of the group is to be selfless, give back, and collaborate with those who are doing the same for the city they love.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the group and discuss what makes them continue to do what they do. Without hesitation, Michael explained, “Our mission is not just performing shows just to perform, but to truly serve and give back.”

For the past three years, Curtis Needs a Ride has been laser focused on doing just that. They are using professional comedy to help businesses and non-profits strengthen their mission and further their cause. The group has truly found their “sweet spot” and can be found partnering with non-profits and companies all over Fort Worth.

EVE N T S

This philosophy has helped open doors of collaboration and service to organizations like Fort Worth Independent School District. Curtis Needs a Ride’s ability to help educators in FWISD emphasize their values and training through humor has been well-received.

If you would like to see Curtis Needs a Ride in action, follow them on Facebook, and be on the lookout for their signature event called Comedy in Community. And, whatever you do, be sure to be there for their Comedy Beer Dinner partnering with Rahr & Sons held at BREWED in November.

You might just find out who Curtis is and why he needs a ride.

Our city is filled with local heroes, those people using their gifting to bring joy to our city in a meaningful way. Be looking for them. Encourage them. Help them to stay the course. Let them know they’re making a difference and are appreciated.

They truly are City:SHAPERS.

A CT IVI T I E S

November 3 Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Hollywood Hits | fwsymphony.org

November 11 | 7:30 pm Worthington: Margarita Ball fortworthmargaritasociety.com

November 24-January 6 Modern Art Museum: The Modern Lights themodern.org

December 6 | 6 pm Stir Crazy Baked Goods: Photography Workshop elleboonephotography.com

November 2 River Ranch Stockyards: Feast in the Fort theparentingcenter.org

November 11 | 9 am Log Cabin Village: Fire Pit Cooking Class logcabinvillage.org

November 24-December 31 Enchant Christmas Light Maze and Market enchantchristmas.com

December 7 | 7 pm Cadillac Wines: Grower Champagne Tasting cadillacwines.com

November 3-5 UNT Health Science Center: Startup Weekend startupweekend.org

November 15 | 12 pm Will Rogers Memorial Center: 4th Annual Bring the Conversation to Light jordanharrisfoundation.org

November 24-26 Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays fwsymphony.org

December 8-24 Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker texasballettheater.org

November 4-12 Casa Manana: Evita casamanana.org

November 14-19 Bass Hall: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical basshall.com

November 24-December 23 Casa Manana: Santa Claus: A New Musical casamanana.org

November 7 | 7:30 pm Bass Hall: Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald Live | unthsc.edu/legends November 7 | 2 pm Will Rogers Memorial Center: 2017 Feast of Sharing centralmarket.com

November 17- January 7 Six Flags: Holiday in the Park sixflags.com November 18 | 5:30 pm Sundance Square: Christmas Tree Lighting sundancesquare.com

November 8-12 11th annual Lone Star Film Festival lonestarfilmfestival.com

November 18-19 Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience| funkyfinds.com

November 10- January 1, 2018 Gaylord Texan: Lone Star Christmas: ICE ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas christmasatgaylordtexan.com

November 19 XTO Energy Parade of Lights fortworthparadeoflights.org

November 10 | 10:30 pm Billy Bob’s Texas: Willie Nelson & Family billybobstexas.com

November 21 | 11 am National Cowgirl Museum: 2017 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction cowgirl.net

November 10-12 Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Enigma Variations fwsymphony.org

November 21-22 Bass Hall: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer: The Musical basshall.com

November 10 | 7 pm Martin House Brewing Company: Tech Fest martinhousebrewing.com

November 23 | 7 am Fort Worth YMCA: Turkey Trot fwtrot.org

November 11 | 7 pm Hyena’s Comedy Club: Pauley Shore hyenascomedynightclub.com

November 24 | 11:30 am Historic Stockyards: Santa’s Stockyards Arrival stockyardsstation.com

November 28 | 7:30 pm Bass Hall: Helping Texans: A Hurricane Harvey Benefit Concert presented by Clint Black, Don Henley and Lyle Lovett basshall.com November 30 | 7:30 pm Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah fwsymphony.org December 1 | 7:30 pm Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: It’s a Wonderful Life fwsymphony.org December 1 | 8:30 pm Kimbell Art Museum: The Red Party kimbellart.org December 2 | 2-4 pm Amon Carter Museum of American Art: Cookies with Santa cartermuseum.org December 2 | 11:30-5 pm Historic Stockyards: Christmas in the Stockyards stockyardsstation.com December 2 | 1-4 pm Log Cabin Village: Holidays at the Hearth & Santa Photos logcabinvillage.org

December 15 Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi fwmsh.org December 16 2nd Annual Its Christmas Market Expo Will Rogers Memorial Center December 18 | 7:30 pm Bass Hall: Michael Martin Murphy’s Cowboy Christmas basshall.com December 23 | 9 am Amon Carter Stadium: Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl armedforcesbowl.com December 30 | 7:30 pm Bass Hall: Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas from the Fam-O-Lee basshall.com December 31 | 7:30 pm Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: New Year’s Eve: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald fwsymphony.org

Tricia Schniederjan, TanglewoodMoms.com Fun in the Fort contributor, brings you the top Fort Worth experiences. You do not want to miss these!

FUNKYTOWN FINDS

by Angela Weaver

For these Fort Worthians, living their dream is what they do. Each of these local companies are owned by people who have pursued a career handcrafting products with serious love. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite local shops with some of the most delicious and decadent products you’ll find from each. From the best coffee sourced from all over the world to locally sourced jams and drool-worthy pies, I’ve got you covered. With the holidays sneaking up on all of us, may I suggest gifting your mother-in-law, best friend, teachers, co-workers, or even yourself (because I know you deserve it the most) with some of the finest local treats Fort Worth has to offer.

Sweet Lucy's Pies

One stroll through the Clearfork Farmer’s Market is all you need to know that Sweet Lucy’s Pies are a force to be reckoned with. Owner Lindsey Lawing bakes her delightful pies from scratch, and they are made with all the love in the world. Sweet Lucy’s is named after her daughter, who serves as the inspiration behind this local business. Lindsey says, “It was through baking these pies that I found myself and what I love to do.”

As a single mom and self-taught baker, Lindsey has a pie shop bucket list that leads her to travel in search of finding the next great slice of pie.

Pies range from $25-$30. They offer mini pies, fried pies, turnovers, and pot pies. You can find the menu on their Facebook page. With no store front, Sweet Lucy’s is a made-toorder business. You can also find them popping up on Saturdays at the Clearfork Farmer’s Market and at other local events and festivals!

For gifting, we recommend the mini pie sampler boxes for holiday events for $12. Mouth-watering holiday flavors include apple with brown butter streusel, eggnog with a ginger snap crust, and a brûléed sweet potato pie. If you’re not drooling now, then we just can’t help you.

Salty Pig Sausage Co.

Nicholas Walker and Rachel Upson are a husband-and-wife team from Fort Worth who created the Salty Pig Sausage Co. over a year and a half ago. Nick started working in a family-owned butcher shop in Washington when he was 19 and has been cutting meat and making sausage professionally ever since. When Rachel was a child, her parents owned a gourmet food store in Shreveport, Louisiana, and her dad made the smoked hams for the holidays. One of Rachel and Nicolas’ favorite things to do as a couple is cook together. They love food and Cuppa Craft Fort Worth-born Cuppa Craft sources and brews some of the best coffee from around the world.

Buddies since college, Chase Barnett and Corey Jones have always had a shared interest in good coffee. When asked where their love of coffee stems from, Corey said, “Having grown up in Brazil, coffee was always abundant, and… I began really getting into the science of brewing and trying new beans in college...” In 2013, Chase and Corey decided to launch their business. Their goal is to “provide other coffee lovers with a decadent world tour of these beans through our roast, become more of a positive thread in our community, while being part of the support of the small farms around the world that grow coffee for us.” The guys still have their day jobs, which allows them to grow their business just as organically as their beans are grown.

Cuppa Craft, to date, has been a cash business and has managed to grow solely on the quality of the product without having to take on investors or bank loans to supply our city with hundreds of pounds of fresh coffee every week.

Moore Jams

Life is a lot like making jam.

Sometimes you just gotta smash the snot out of it. And then add 7 cups of sugar! Owned by Erin and Billy Darrell Moore, Moore Jams is the epitome of a locally-owned and made-with-love kind of business.

Erin, who goes by “Jam Lady” and her husband Billy, the “Jam Assistant Extraordinaire,” started this business out of their home kitchen in 2009.

Erin says, “After jamming ALL the fruits, ALL the time, it turned into a business that I still enjoy and [which] brings people happiness.” Erin still uses the same spoon and measuring cup that she started cooking with on Day One. With flavors like Peach Pecan, Sugar Plum, and Carrot Cake, you cannot go wrong giving this as a gift.

Moore Jams are available at Spiral Diner (Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton), Stir Crazy Baked Goods (Magnolia Ave.), Great Harvest Bread Co (Magnolia Ave.), Omni Hotel (Fort Worth & Las Colinas), and Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. (whiskey jam only). Jams range in price from $7-$10 a jar.

want to bring that passion to their customers with their products. “A lot of people assume Nick makes all of the sausage and recipes, but we both make the sausage… and I come up with most of the seasonal sausage ideas… He's the knowledge, I'm the creativity”, Rachel says. What they don’t grow themselves, they try to purchase from local growers. As close-to-home as this sounds, they have customers from all different parts of the world who buy their sausage.

A pound of sausage ranges from $10 to $12. They offer delivery in Fort Worth, sell at the Clearfork Farmers Market on Saturdays, and at different events around town. You can track them down on Facebook and Instagram to find out where they will be next. This year Salty Pig will be doing a limited number of holiday gift boxes and prices vary from $35 to $40. Options include breakfast sausage, chorizo, bratwurst, Italian sausage, and jalapeno cheddar, as well as seasonal offerings.

Their coffee comes from microlots around the world, where contracts are written in the native languages of the families who own them. They keep their overhead low so that they can spend more on premium green beans for a price that sustains these families. In addition, Cuppa Craft does not stock roasted beans. All their coffee is roasted to order, meaning every bag sold is roasted to order.

Currently, their coffee is being brewed at Great Harvest (Magnolia St.), Bentley’s (Magnolia St.), Leah’s Sweet Treats (Camp Bowie), The Edge Coffeehouse (Boat Club Rd/199), and Coffee: Experience – a mobile coffee bar that supplies events. They also ship everywhere in the continental US. Their coffee is sold for $13 for 10 oz. bag. Online orders have additional shipping charges, but local Fort Worthians can catch them most Saturdays at the Clearfork Farmers Market. Make sure you check out their website for details or to order.

Calidia Handmade Soaps

According to the folks behind this handmade soap and candle company, Calidia is a family affair.

Heidi McKee and her husband, Justin, create their products at home alongside their children Caleb (Ca), Lily (Li) and Lydia (Dia). Justin cuts the bottles that will be used to make their beer and bourbon-scented candles, while Heidi handcrafts the heavenly scented soaps and candles.

Heidi started making homemade products because her dry skin was getting scorched by the Texas sun.

Three years into their business, they have been able to reach their goal of creating well-made products while giving to charity in the process. A portion of all proceeds are donated to Tarrant County Hands of Hope.

Prices start at $4, and products can be purchased on their website.

You can also find them at local farmers’ markets and holiday craft fairs throughout the holiday season.

Just a note: the bath bombs and bubble bars make for a fun stocking stuffer or teacher gift!

photography by Jeffrey Wooten 7

FORT WORTH FOODIE

by William Wise keep it going because it was the conversation I wanted to be having.”

For five years, Crystal published Fort Worth Foodie.

Initially, she did almost all of the work herself, but her efforts attracted the attention of other foodies who wanted in on the conversation and were willing to pitch in to make sure the magazine was a success. After a couple years, Crystal had built a local foodie tribe.

By 2013, the tribe had dispersed a bit, and the local food scene was drawing the attention of other publishing outlets, thereby getting print space from them. Crystal shut down the magazine and turned her attention to social media. Although the magazine is no more, her passion for food has never waned, and the success of her Instagram account is a testament to that.

With over 18,000 followers, FWFoodie is a gorgeously-curated visual cornucopia of Fort Worth’s culinary offerings. Crystal’s deep knowledge of food and her photography skills combine in a vibrant presentation that moves beyond the mere sense of sight to makes one’s mouth water and stomach growl.

An avid traveler, Crystal is passionate about exploring other cultures, customs, and, of course, cuisines. To chronicle her food and travel adventures outside our city limits, Crystal has launched a second Instagram account called Beyond the Fort that is every bit as visually inspiring as FW Foodie. Crystal doesn’t just talk about food and photograph food, though. She also heads the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival’s volunteer group. With a volunteer force of 250 people working a half-dozen major events, Crystal is helping shape the culinary landscape we all get to enjoy.

When Fort Worth native Crystal Vastine moved to Chicago for work after finishing her MBA at TCU, she knew nobody. All alone in a new city with no friends around, she decided she would just make some new ones. So, she started cooking.

Armed with the knowledge that nothing brings people together like a shared meal, as well as some recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother, Crystal started inviting people she met to Sunday dinner. Every week, she prepared a meal for her new friends, and she discovered a passion for food and cooking.

Being in Chicago, away from her usual rotation of restaurants, Crystal’s culinary horizons were broadened. As the self-appointed hostess to an evolving group of weekly guests, she was driven to explore and grow as a chef. She was whimsical in choosing what she wanted to learn but methodical in her approach. “I would just say to myself, ‘I want to learn to make candy, or I want to learn to make pastries, and for the next month or two, I would be a candy-maker or a pastry-chef”. During those times, she would pour herself into whatever discipline she had chosen, learn all she could, and test her new skills on her weekly audience.

It was in Chicago that Crystal truly became a “foodie.” When she moved back to Fort Worth, she brought that love of food with her and enrolled in The Culinary School of Fort Worth to hone her skills and learn as much as she could about the subject she loves so much.

During her time in culinary school, Crystal discovered a magazine called Fort Worth Foodie. When she learned the publisher was moving having published only a single issue and that Fort Worth Foodie would be no more, Crystal arranged to buy the magazine and keep it going. “Now there are food columns everywhere, but at that time, nobody was really talking about the local food scene and independent restaurants. I really wanted to have that conversation, so I read everything I could. Then I found Fort Worth Foodie. I knew I had to

The (Hop)Fusion of Beer and Community What is the quintessential craft brewery experience?

Does a brewpub’s reputation float on the quality of its suds alone, or are factors like ambience and location more important? For HopFusion Ale Works co-founders Matt Hill and Macy Moore, being a family-friendly destination was the priority. The beer came second. A close second, but still second.

As we chatted in their spacious Near Southsidebased business, Hill and Moore described their vision.

“We both have kids,” Hill said. “We wanted a place where kids and dogs can hang out.”

In keeping with their family-friendly attitude, HopFusion offers several non-alcoholic drink options, including cold-brew coffee, lemonade, craft root beer, and kombucha. The lemonade is made in-house, but by far the most popular drink with kids is the root beer.

After trying a small pour, I could tell why it is so popular.

The golden-hued, fizzy drink has a pungent sassafras scent and a subtle honey flavor. The nectar, Hill said, is sourced from Walker Honey Farms in Temple, Texas.

Now I would never say that there’s a stereotypical “mom palate,” but Hill and Moore said many mothers who frequent HopFusion opt for shandy beers: Summer (Feisty Blonde with lemonade), Winter (Fur Slipper with lemonade), and French (Les Fauves with lemonade). “I love when someone says they don’t drink beer,” Hill said. “We’ll pour everything and mix things together.”

And there are things to keep the kiddos occupied.

Moore pointed toward a nearby merchandise stand.

Dozens of board games awaited the next rush of patrons and families. Most were donated by visitors, he said.

Dogs get the red-carpet treatment, too. Fresh water bowls are a fixture

of the outside patio, and dog treats baked from spent HopFusion brewing grain are free while supplies last.

Local canine lover Amanda Cox donates her time to make the doggie snacks. There’s also a popular Facebook group, Dogs of HopFusion, where you can post a selfie with your pooch enjoying all that HopFusion has to offer.

Besides offering a great place for families (and dogs) to simply enjoy themselves, Hill and Moore book regular events. Wednesday nights are saved for openmic karaoke. There’s always live music on Fridays and Saturdays. In the coming years, the two owners plan to make events like bike rides and movie nights part of the HopFusion experience. In fact, anyone who bikes to HopFusion gets $1 off their tab, Hill said. The brewing duo are both avid bikers and supporters of the biking community and want to encourage their community to get out and start cycling. “We’ve met so many of our friends through biking,” Moore said. “It’s the reason for the chainring on our logo. Cycling and craft beer go together.”

For now, much of the guys’ free time is taken supplying their brews to 453 pubs, restaurants, and specialty stores. The beer may have been number two on the priority totem pole, but it has garnered many awards and rave reviews by customers. The Feisty Blonde, an aromatic honey blonde ale, has become the brewery’s most popular offering, but Hill and Moore believe their most iconic beer is yet to be brewed.

HopFusion’s growth is indelibly tied to the broader Near Southside community renaissance. While the row of restaurants and bars along West Magnolia Avenue has been bustling for years, the stretch of South Main

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by Edward Brown Street just below I-30 has only recently blossomed back into life. The brewery now counts a craft vodka distillery (BLK EYE Vodka) and a boutique tea and book store (Leaves Book and Tea Shop) as neighbors. Several trendy restaurants are opening nearby. In true Near Southside spirit, HopFusion supports and collaborates with many of these businesses.

Nearby gastropub Pouring Glory offers several HopFusion brews on tap, and they infuse the brews into their culinary offerings from time to time. Great Harvest Bread Company recently collaborated with HopFusion, using the locally made beer for one of its upcoming bread offerings. Just two blocks away, The Collective Brewing Project regularly partners with HopFusion for events.

November 25 will be HopFusion’s all-important one-year anniversary. Getting to this point has been a journey. I joked that it felt like the brewery has been open far longer than a year. Hill agreed but reminded me of the arduous two-year construction and permitting process they went through before opening. While it was not an easy process to open, the results have been gratifyingly spectacular.

As befitting such a significant anniversary, you can expect a proportionally large party to celebrate the milestone. Moore said every beer offered over the past year will be one tap — no small feat for the prolific brewers. In the end, they are pleased with the community they are creating. “We’re very happy to see families here,” Moore said. “On weekends, you’ll see a lot of groups. Sometimes, you’ll see six or eight couples with their kids here. I think it’s wonderful.”

photo by Leo Wesson

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the GIFT of GRATITUDE

by Lee Virden

photography by Jodie Miears, Reverie Photo Co.

photos of Jana Clark taken by Jessie Clark

C

an you teach gratitude? Is it possible to tell someone to be grateful? Or is it like that old chestnut about leading a horse to water? In October, I was fortunate enough to sit down with Jana Clark – design genius, owner of LTO Design Studio, co-owner of BREWED, one of the guiding lights of the new 4 Eleven on historic South Main Street, wife to Scott, mother to Callen and Jessie – who designed our adorable children’s table for this issue of Madeworthy, and I asked her if she thought you can teach gratitude.

“You can’t make someone grateful,” Jana said.

“You have to cultivate it. Gratitude comes from serving others.” This gift of serving others runs deep throughout Jana’s whole being. Whether it’s designing the perfect room (“changing the atmosphere,” as she calls it) for a client or cooking a holiday feast, Jana is continually giving her love, encouragement, enthusiasm, and presence to her family, her friends, and her community.

The holiday season is extremely important to Jana and her family. They all love entertaining their family, friends, and neighbors, and they open their home and their hearts, hosting parties and dinners from Thanksgiving through the new year. This love of hosting comes from Jana’s mother.

“When I was a little girl, my mother worked.

A lot of times, we didn’t start cooking for the Thanksgiving dinner until late on Wednesday night, and sometimes, we cooked through the night,” Jana recalls. What makes Jana smile when she remembers those evenings are the conversations, as well as the cooking. Questions were asked.

Problems, both personal problems and world issues, were discussed and solved. Loved ones were remembered. “When we were cooking, we were holding onto the past, we were being in the

moment, and we were anticipating the future.” This ritual of late-night cooking, along with a little latenight snacking (“We sometimes ate Thanksgiving dinner at 4 a.m.!”) and a lot of late-night talking and laughing, made a huge impression on the young Jana.

“My mother worked, but she came home and made making the table a priority. It was a space to sit down together, let down together, breathe, and enjoy each other.”

The cooking of the holiday feast is special, Jana thinks. The creation of food for loved ones fosters connections. Almost every recipe she creates is connected to a loved one. Whether it’s her mother’s signature crispy dressing or her son’s favorite mashed potatoes, she is reminded of that particular person when she cooks that particular dish. “My mother made the best crispy dressing,” Jana remembers, “And we just have to have it every year. Although my brother-in-law doesn’t like crispy dressing, so we’ll have to make something for him now!”

The fondness for cooking carries Jana through the holidays from Thanksgiving to Christmas, where she loves repeating the ritual of preparing a meal for her loved ones. In addition to cooking Christmas dinner, she looks forward to decorating her family’s Christmas tree. Almost every ornament is a Christopher Radko collectible ornament, which signifies a milestone in either her life, her children’s lives, her husband’s life, or their family’s life. The actual decorating process is laborious – each delicate glass ornament has to be tied on by hand, but when she’s done, she has what is, in essence, a scrapbook of her family.

Jana’s love of togetherness and tradition drove Jana and Scott to emphasize dining together with their children every night. Even when Callen and

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Jessie’s schedules were at their most frenetic, the family fought to carve out what she calls Table Time.

“Table Time is a valuable way to stay connected,” Jana says. “It creates a space to talk about our failures and successes… to be present for our kids and for each other.” In letting their children see and hear about their parents’ failure, Scott and Jana have given Callen and Jessie a great gift. The children have learned that it is okay to fail, that they will still be loved and accepted through the highs and the lows of their lives. Jana and Scott have given their children the gift of vulnerability.

It delights Jana when she sees her passion for and her devotion to Table Time paying off in her children. When daughter Jessie, a senior at Covenant Classical School, turned eighteen, she wanted to host an intimate dinner party for twentysix of her best friends. Twenty-six high school seniors got all dressed up to eat a lovely, homecooked gourmet meal, complete with china, silver, and crystal. But what impresses Jana most is that Jessie laboriously hand-lettered and decorated a note for each of her guests, a note in which she explained why that friend was so special. Jana said, “She’s EIGHTEEN! I wasn’t that giving when I was eighteen!”

And while big brother Callen isn’t as extroverted as his sister or his mother, Jana sees the influence of Table Time in him. A mechanical engineering student at Baylor, Callen likes to gather his college friends for family-style dinners. “He says he has to tell them all to get in the car!” Jana proudly reports. When he’s home from Waco over the school holidays, one of the first things he asks is if they are going to have a meal together. “Do I get to be at the table with y’all?” Even if it’s just having a quick lunch together with his mother, Callen recognizes the importance of sharing a meal with his loved ones.

This concept of Table Time has also influenced Jana professionally. In her interior design work, she truly listens to what the clients say they want out of a space. “I’m here to create that space for others, not for myself,” she says. It is very easy to get lost in the designing process. Clients see something on HGTV, and they forget what they really want and need. Jana sees that her job is to hold the project true to her client’s original vision.

By opening herself up to her client, she is able to create spaces, or atmospheres, that fit the client’s life. What good is a formal dining room if you are only going to use it for one or two meals a year?

“The formal dining room is the dinosaur of home design… let’s be creative in the space and make something you can LIVE in.”

The atmosphere of Magnolia Avenue’s BREWED is, in large part, a reflection of this same ethos. After all, BREWED calls itself “the locals’ living room,” inviting people in to drink and eat and converse and be together. Sort of sounds like what Jana and her family do, doesn’t it?

The collaboration that created BREWED is so successful that they created the brand new 4 Eleven on historic South Main Street. The 4 Eleven is set in beautifully renovated warehouse in an area which is experiencing something of a renaissance and offers restaurant space, retail space (Jana’s design business LTO is located in the 4 Eleven), and event venues for weddings, corporate gatherings, and parties. Of the group behind the 4 Eleven, Jana says, “We’re a group of friends, following our dreams. We’re just better together… it’s significant getting to work with those you love.”

So, is it possible to teach gratitude? Can you make someone grateful? Jana doesn’t think so.

She believes that you have to cultivate gratitude.

Rather than telling her children that they should be grateful, Jana and Scott have modeled gratitude, through their professional lives (Scott is a co-owner of BREWED and the 4 Eleven with Jana), through their love of opening their home to their family, friends, and neighbors, and through their fierce determination to make Table Time a priority for their family.

“In serving others, gratitude comes naturally, as a gift.” To Jana Clark’s way of thinking, it is through giving of yourself – your talents, your love, your time, and your presence – that you can begin to understand and be grateful for others.

Resources Designer: Jana Clark Rug, Throws, and Poufs: ltofw.com, 411 South Main St Party Decor: berrypomandjames.com Cookies: vcrumb.com Pumpkins: Central Market, 4651 West Fwy Kids Clothing: BKids Fort Worth, 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd #151

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T R I N I T Y VA L L E Y S C H O O L

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BE SEEN

We asked our readers to send us an update about their lives. We think you matter and want to help tell your stories. If you would like to send us a note to be included in future issues, please email lee@madeworthymedia.com

UP DAT E S F R O M O UR C O M M U N IT Y

by Kam Phillips-Sadler

Tanglewood native Katherine Milling will return from Zambia to wed Kyle Curry on October 21st. Katherine and Kyle met in the Peace Corp; now alums, they run a beekeeping operation and social enterprise throughout Zambia. Katherine’s parents, Karen and Charles Milling, are buzzing with joy.

Fort Worth Bike Share Executive Director Kristen Camareno led a team to Mbabane, Swaziland, where they built a bike shop, taught entrepreneurship to local residents, donated bicycles and wheelchairs, and formed friendships that will last forever.

Marketing maven Lisa Lankes will be lending her industry expertise to some of Fort Worth’s most promising companies such as The Fractional CMO. The strategic marketing partner will draw on her experiences at companies like Justin Boots to provide trustworthy visioning and execution. photo by Jill Johnson

Merrill Lynch financial advisor Laura Soben Gonzalez and her team, including father Gary Soben, will have a new home in the Bank of America Center downtown. This new office space will allow the team, with over 48 years combined investment experience, the opportunity to continue to serve clients in the Merrill Lynch way.

Civil engineering firm, The Rios Group, snagged a superstar in the hiring of Rachel Navejar Phillips as Marketing Coordinator. TRG has more than 30 associates with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, and they are proud to serve customers’ utility and subsurface utility engineering needs throughout Texas

photo by Fort Worth Business Press/ Glen E. Ellman

Former Como Community Center director Carol Brown has created Como Lions Heart, Inc. Having served the community for over 30 years, Brown will continue to support the needs of children, families, and seniors through educational programming, athletic support, and upcoming events such as Halloween festivals, Thanksgiving meals, and partnering with Cowboy Santas to provide toys to children in Como.

Health Markets has a new home! Insurance agent Leslie Shields’ business has grown and can now be found in a private office suite in Ensemble Coworking on Park Place Avenue. Leslie helps businesses, individuals, and seniors navigate their health and life insurance and benefit options. Stop by Park Place and say hi!

Artists Kristen Soble and Brooke Collins announce the formation of SoCo Collective. Their company may be new, but they’re off to a huge start – more than 5,000 square feet of creative space! Their mural, titled #youarenear, will celebrate the Near Southside with recognizable imagery and icons, along with interactive selfie spot locations at 400 W. Vickery. Together, they are making Fort Worth even more beautiful, one paint stroke at a time.

Matthew Barnard, an outstanding senior at Key School, has found his passion in racing his US Legend car #2 and a Southern Dirt Sports Modified Car # 60. Racing since November 2013, Matthew has attended Key School since he was in the second grade. Matthew races all over the country and has earned many championship awards. This kind and humble young man brings great pride to his school as he unleashes his fierce talent on the competitive track every weekend.

Cortney Gumbleton has joined the Fort Worth Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Coalition (FWAYAOC) as its first Executive Director. Gumbleton lends her energetic expertise in strategic planning and organizational development to serve in this new and exciting role. Cortney is eager to work to ensure that cancer patients in our community will receive the best care possible.

photo by Jenny Reitz

Anna Boulware, chair of Do You Back the Blue, a subcommittee of Fort Worth Bike Support Group, is working to address literacy in the Caville neighborhood of southeast Fort Worth through the development of a new initiative, Read With the Blue. Boulware of M-Pak, Inc., will work with law enforcement to create safe opportunities to promote reading with the community and beyond.

Kenyé Pierce is the owner and Creative director of Red Velvet Ink, a creative branding and design studio that helps women entrepreneurs achieve their dreams through purposeful, stylish, and functional design.

With over fifteen years of experience as a graphic designer, Kenyé loves helping women effectively market themselves to accomplish their professional goals and personal dreams.

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photo by Megan Weaver

H E A LT H Y F O R T H E H O L I D AY S

— CHRIS DEVERO STYLE

After his doctors performed surgery, he started a low-grade chemotherapy treatment that required him to just take a pill. That was the first year. Then, his life really started to change.

“Literally, on the way home from the hospital, we bought a juicer,” says Chris. “I’ve been juicing since day one.” Chris and his wife Katy went vegan and incorporated cooking and exercise into their lives in a big way; they went to Mexico for three weeks to participate in a detox program. They read and learned about how the food we eat and the daily stress in our lives impact our bodies and minds.

Chris says there’s no real way to know why people get brain cancer, or any other kind of cancer, but studies show that diet plays a role. In the United States, over 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2016, according to the National Cancer Institute. By 2030, it is predicted that worldwide cancer cases will increase by 50 percent and cancer deaths will go up by 60 percent. Brain cancer diagnoses are much fewer than those of other cancers, affecting just 700,000 people in the United States. photo by Lisa Montgomery

by Sarah Angle Chris Devero, 44, looks like a Fort Worth hipster. He’s wearing a Yeti t-shirt, dark jeans, thick black-rimmed frames, and a series of funky bracelets on his wrist.

He doesn’t look like he has brain cancer.

Eight years ago, Chris got married. That same year, doctors found a small cancerous brain tumor growing near the top of his head called an astrocytoma.

But it wasn’t the end of this Texas Christian University alum’s life; rather, it was a new way to live.

“For me, it’s different,” says Chris. “I have brain cancer. But what I suggest to other people is to get off fast food. Eat more vegetables and cut out as much meat and dairy as you can.” If you can do that, he says, then you can try going deeper and doing more to protect your body at the dietary level.

However, food is just one part of the cancer puzzle.

Another culprit is stress. Chris says that stress is a big precursor to cancer. Many times, people get diagnosed with cancer after an extremely stressful event in their life: divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one, to name a few. Learning to manage the stress of life and prioritize what’s really important seems to be key in staying healthy.

Today, competitive racing is part of the way Chris manages his stress, and it’s also the way he’s working to raise money to fight pediatric brain cancer. Since his diagnosis, he’s competed in over a dozen races and raised money to fight the disease and support its continued research.

The next big race is the World Marathon Challenge in January — it’s seven marathons, on seven continents, over the course of seven days. Racers are tasked with running 26 miles on each continent, starting in Antarctica and ending in North America in Miami, Florida. They’ll have to take a charter plane to make it to all the sites during the very tight and extremely tiring seven-day time frame.

“I’m blessed with being in some of the best shape of my life,” says Chris, “even with a brain cancer that’s still active.”

He believes that there’s life — a big beautiful life — beyond his cancer diagnosis. There are ways to live with cancer without getting consumed by fear.

“I’ve learned how to have more gratitude and love in my life. And those are things that really carry me through. I’ve had some of my best years since I’ve had cancer. And I’ve created stronger bonds with family, especially my wife.”

For Chris, helping others is something that’s woven into his daily life. “Once you start trying to give back, there’s a giant healing process that happens in your body. It truly happens.”

Join the fight against brain cancer with Chris by supporting his World Marathon Challenge in January. Learn more at www.chrisdevero.com. And check out his upcoming book, Don’t Panic! It’s Just Cancer, coming out soon.

H E A LT H Y H O L I D AY R E C I P E S Simple Vegan Stuffing

Green Salad Morning Juice

You’ll need: 1 large loaf whole-grain bread or 2 small baguettes, cubed & set out to dry overnight (9 cups loosely packed) 3/4 cup uncooked green lentils 3 Tbsp. olive oil or vegan butter (Chris uses a mix of both) 1/2 cup white onions, diced 3/4 cup celery, diced Salt and pepper 3 to 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth (plus more for cooking lentils) 1 Flax egg (1 Tbsp. flaxseed meal + 2 1/2 Tbsp. water) 3/4 teaspoon dried sage, or 1 1/4 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped

You’ll need: 1 green apple, cored 3 stalks kale (or 2 handfuls spinach) 3 stalks celery 1/2 English cucumber 1 lemon, rind removed 1/2-inch piece ginger root Pinch of sea salt

Instructions 1. The night before, cube your bread and set it in a large bowl to dry out; you want it to be the texture of day old bread: noticeably dry but not rock hard.

2. The day of, if you haven’t already cooked your lentils, do so now by thoroughly rinsing 3/4 cup lentils in cold water then adding to a small saucepan with 1 1/2 cups veggie broth or water. Cook over medium-high heat until a low boil is achieved, and then lower to a simmer and continue cooking uncovered for 20 – 30 minutes. Set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 350° F (176° C) and line a 9x13 pan (or comparable sized dish) with foil or spray with nonstick spray. Also prepare flax egg and set aside.

4. Sauté onion and celery in the olive oil or vegan butter and season with a bit of salt and pepper.

Cook until fragrant and translucent (about 5 minutes). Set aside.

5. To the bowl of bread, pour some of the broth then add the remaining ingredients (sage, cooked veggies, flax egg, and lentils) and mix with a wooden spoon. The key is to make sure it is about the consistency of a meatloaf. If it’s too dry, add more broth and mix again. If it’s gotten too wet, add more bread.

6. Transfer to the prepared pan and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the top layer of foil so the top can brown. Increase heat to 400° F (204° C) and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the top is well browned and crisp.

7. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven, though this is best when fresh.

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Instructions Run all ingredients through juicer Drink right away!

Fall Harvest Juice You’ll need: 1 cup pumpkin flesh, peeled and seeded 2 carrots, scrubbed 1 green apple, cored 1 mandarin orange, peeled 1/2 lemon, rind removed 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to taste Ice Instructions Run all ingredients through juicer Drink with ice immediately!

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Co mo Gozar de tu V i aj e con N i ñ o s Tr a v e l i n g w i t h k i d s

by Christy Ortiz

Como Gozar de tu Viaje con Niños Siempre me ha encantado viajar. Desde niña me fascinaban los mapas. Me gustaba planificar las mejores rutas y paradas que tomar antes de llegar a nuestro destino final. Cuando llegó mi primer hijo pensé que ahí terminó mi estilo de vida nómada para siempre. Sin embargo, a los cinco meses embarcamos en nuestro primer viaje con mi hijo Jon Jon a San Antonio, TX (exótico, yo se). Ahora, casi ya seis años y una hija más, hemos llevado a nuestra familia a conocer todo el país. Hemos aprendido muchas cosas practicas a través de los años. Aquí hay algunas sugerencias que han hecho los viajes mas divertido para todos.

El Camino Nunca nos vamos de casa sin algunas cosas esenciales. Cada niño siempre lleva su propia mochilita con su peluche, un juguete, libros, y cuadernos de actividades compradas de la tienda de dólar. La tienda de dólar también es un buen lugar para comprar pequeñas ‘sorpresas’ para esconder en mi bolsa y sacar cuando los niños se aburren. Si viajen en coche, paren a descansar a menudo. A veces, simplemente una parada para estirar las piernas y comprar una merienda, jugar en un parque, o tomar una foto en un marcador histórico es suficiente descanso para ganar varias horas más en el camino. Siempre llevamos nuestra propia Wi-Fi, películas, y una tableta con juegos o sus programas favoritos descargados por internet previamente por si no hay señal por el camino. Usualmente evitamos usar la tecnología durante tiempo de familia, así que utilizamos estas cosas solo como ultimo recurso. ¡De veras ayudan!

Elija Bien tu Alojamiento Al escoger un hotel o alquiler, varias cosas son importantes incluyendo su ubicación en relación a los lugares que quieres visitar. Si te vas a hospedar con familia, es importante comunicar con ellos las necesidades exactas de tu familia.

Asegúrate de que se dispone de un lugar tranquilo para descansar o para que los más pequeños tomen una siesta igual como un lugar amplio para jugar. Vale la pena el costo adicional el rentar un hogar o apartamento por su espacio y la privacidad que proveen. Si nos quedamos en hotel, siempre escogemos uno que sirve desayuno porque nos permite empezar el día más temprano.

find the english translation on tanglewoodmoms.com

Planea de Ante Mano Crear un itinerario flexible te puede ayudar a ahorrar tiempo y dinero. Siempre averiguo primero cuales son las atracciones más populares que son gratis.

Además, confirmo los horarios de los lugares de interés que voy a visitar. Me gusta hacer una lista de lugares como ‘plan B’ en el caso de mal tiempo o si encuentro espacio y energías para añadir al itinerario. Recomiendo planear solamente una atracción o evento grande por día, pues más que eso puede ser agotador, en particular si están visitando una zona de hora o altitud diferente.

Finalmente, investiga de ante mano restaurantes locales por internet y las redes sociales. Es más divertido probar lugares pequeños y locales que restaurantes cadenas que ya conocemos.

Sé Realista Honestamente, viajar con niños a veces es un RETO, por lo regular somos nosotros los adultos a los que nos gusta escapar de casa para salir de la rutina.

Los niños prefieren y necesitan su rutina, así que es razonable esperar algunos problemas como el mal comportamiento, quejas, o dificultad para dormir cuando andamos de viaje. Prepararnos mentalmente para estos inconvenientes de ante mano nos ayuda a superarlo y concentrarnos mejor en las memorias bonitas que también estamos formando. Ayuda a tus hijos a aguantar el cansancio y el estrés del viaje al simplificar el horario, la cantidad de artículos que llevas, incluso tus propias expectaciones. Además, los niños necesitan jugar. Puede ser una gran ayuda para todos localizar un parque natural o de ciudad conveniente para descansar y jugar un poco.

Más que nada, el mejor consejo que puedo dar es TÓMALO SUAVE y aprovecha el tiempo que tienen para volver a descubrir el mundo a través de los ojos de tus pequeños. El tiempo vuela cuando estas de vacaciones, así que, disfruta el tiempo juntos y ¡goza de tu viaje! definición del éxito verdadero.

Spanish Vocabulary for Kids!

Coche (Car), Avión (Plane), Mapa (Map), Maleta (Suitcase), Boleto (Ticket), Aeropuerto (Airport), Turista (Tourist)

A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

by Sarah Angle

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S ECUR

price. That means donors get a bigger tax writeoff at the end of the year, along with the priceless feeling that they just dramatically improved a family’s life in North Texas.

Without a car, Amanda says, “You start thinking about how to get to the grocery store. And how you’re going to get to work to make the money you need to get your car fixed.”

Without a support system or family nearby, people like Amanda aren’t left with many viable options. Even with a good job and hard work, things happen. Cars break. Expenses add up. Things like this can prevent a woman from leaving an abusive relationship, says Margret. “It’s those dynamics that keep people in [abusive] situations because they don’t have an alternative.”

According to Safe Haven of Tarrant County, one in three women living in Tarrant County will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetime.

Nationally, domestic violence hotlines get nearly 21,000 calls a day. Sometimes, a new car is the escape vehicle a woman needs to make a fresh, safe start with her children.

Each day is a new opportunity to create the life you want to lead. “You don’t have to be better than anybody else,” Amanda says. “You just have to be better than you were yesterday.”

GIVE A RIDE. CHANGE A LIFE. How to donate your car to Project-44 in just hours: Make sure the car has a clean title.

Make sure the car is running — that makes repairs easier and more affordable for Project-44.

Email Margret Fields: margret@actonumc.org.

Drop the car off at Ben’s Family Car Care Center shop in Fort Worth located at: 2731 W. 6th St. Fill out five minutes worth of paperwork to make the tax-deductible donation.

Enjoy the feeling that you just made the world a better place.

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When Amanda found out that her 2008 Ford Expedition was going to cost $1,700 to fix, she didn’t know what to do but cry.

She left an abusive marriage last year and took her children with her. Some are her biological children while the others were adopted when Amanda was working with CPS as a foster mom.

Getting her tribe to school, doctor’s appointments, work, and daycare is a feat unto itself.

And without a car, it’s nearly impossible. However, it’s a predicament many Fort Worth residents face at some point in their lives — especially in a city that lacks a strong public transportation system. That’s why Project-44 started giving away cars in 2008.

To date, it has gifted 350 vehicles to families and individuals in need, just like Amanda.

Project-44, run by Ben and Margret Fields, is a local faith-based nonprofit that works to “go

beyond the four walls of the church to help those in need.” As part of that mission, it also provides free counseling services and is currently looking for a new piece of land to grow its former Granburybased Project-44 Farm. The farm gives away organic produce to local food panties and churches. Like the rest of the nonprofit’s ministries, the majority of funding for the farm comes from individual and church donations.

"Getting a car can change somebody’s life," says Margret Fields, "because it opens up a world of possibilities." There’s a world of need in Fort Worth when it comes to transportation. Margret says 250 people are waitlisted for a car through Project-44, and she still gets up to ten applications a week from people needing a vehicle.

Not all applicants are a good fit. Good car candidates have a plan for self-sufficiency and are enrolled in school or gainfully employed. “We give more cars to single parents who are about to lose their jobs because they can’t get to work,” says Margret.

That includes mothers like Amanda. She moved to Fort Worth for a promotion but left her family and support system in her home town. When her nowex-husband added physical abuse to the emotional abuse she was already enduring, Amanda made the hard emotional and financial decision to end the marriage.

One of the best gifts Amanda ever got showed up in her driveway this August. It was a 2000 Chevy Suburban. It was washed, waxed, and loaded with a VHS player and sunroof. “My kids think it’s the greatest thing ever,” says Amanda. Project-44 supplied all the paperwork Amanda needed to get the car registered and paid for the first three months of car insurance.

For car donors, Project-44 does something unique: It provides a tax-deductible donation that’s the actual value of the vehicle rather than the sales

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Helping our friends and neighbors for over 30 years.

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Fort Worth, TX 76102

Merry & Mayoral: HO L I D AY T R A D I T I O N S WITH MAY O R BE T S Y P R ICE

by Jackie EH Elliott

photo by Glen E. Ellman

‘Tis the season for turkey, tinsel, and traditions, and the First Family of Fort Worth has a deep and meaningful history of old and new traditions.

I caught up with Mayor Betsy Price in October to hear about her holiday memories.

A deep vein of tradition runs through Mayor Price’s holiday season, one first established when she was just a little gal longing for a new dolly. Her family spent every Christmas Day in Goldthwaite, Texas, where her grandparents owned a ranch, but every Christmas Eve was spent in Fort Worth, waiting for Santa to come that night.

“Every Christmas Eve, we would always have dinner, and then either my oldest sister – there were four of us by the time the younger two came along – or my mother or dad would take us somewhere,” said Price. “And by the time we came home, Santa Claus had been there. It was always fun… because we knew full well that when we got back home, Santa Claus had come by while we were gone.”

What came in Santa’s pack stayed somewhat consistent through the years, too. “I had a big thing for dolls, and I always got a doll until I was pretty good-sized. My brother would always make fun of them.” she laughed. Mayor Price remembers Santa surprising her with several Madame Alexander dolls, a couple of baby dolls, and even a Tiny Tears doll, which has become a highly sought-after collector’s item. “It was the first doll you feed a bottle to, and it would wet, had a diaper and everything.” she explained. “I still have her in the suitcase she came in.”

Around the age of seven, the future mayor found a life-sized doll that walked under her parents’ bed. Of course, she never told her parents what she found, fearing that St. Nicholas might take the doll back if her discovery were to be found out. Later as a parent, the same logic was passed on each of her children. She said, “When our kids were growing up, we always said Santa Claus would come as long as you believe. Until our kids were college-aged, they still got a Santa Claus gift, and they knew full well not to say anything.”

Mayor Price and her husband Tom have three children together, all of whom graduated from Tanglewood Elementary School. Their oldest daughter turned forty this year and has two sons, ages nine and ten, with her husband, who is from the panhandle town of Dalhart. The Prices’ middle son, 36, is married to a fellow Tanglewood alumna, who was in his younger brother’s class, and who his big sister babysat. They now have a four-yearold son and a two-year-old daughter. Mayor Price’s youngest son, 30, and his wife were expecting their first child in October.

Having so many little Prices to keep track of, the family has developed a rotating schedule for holiday celebrations. “For years we’ve alternated back and forth… [our oldest and her husband] go to Dalhart at Thanksgiving one year and Christmas the next year. [Our youngest and his wife] go to San

Antone at the same time,” said Price. “So every year we have one small holiday and then a bigger one, a big Thanksgiving or a big Christmas.”

No matter the schedule, though, on Christmas Day, the mayor heads to Dallas, where she enjoys a big lunch with extended family at her niece’s home.

“There’ll be fifty people there or more, and it’s really fun,” said Price. “It used to be that everybody brought their favorite dishes, and now [my niece] has it catered. But now everybody brings a dessert instead, and that’s really fun to do.”

For dessert, the Price family has tasted and rotated through a few tried-and-true favorites. As a young girl, Mayor Price remembers her mother, Mary Elizabeth Cornelius, making Tin Lizzies, which she describes as a fruitcake in cookie form. Although she doesn’t care much for fruitcake in loaf form, her mother’s version was deliciously memorable.

Price’s children, on the other hand, always pleaded for her sweet potato bread. Now that the children have grown, she can enjoy the sometimes sweet, sometimes savory rewards of others’ cooking.

“All three of my girls are really good cooks,” Price said of her daughter and daughters-in-law. “[My oldest] makes all kinds of stuff that it’s hard to say specifically what she’ll make this year… Our middle son’s wife owns [her own cookie and cake bakery], and she makes custom cookies that are just fabulous… Our youngest son’s wife makes a great corn relish and a great bruschetta, too.”

As her family grew bigger, keeping up with gift giving became a lot of work, so instead, the family shares white elephant gifts, and the funnier, the better. One year’s exchange brought a Dolly Parton wig, she recalls, and every couple of years a Santa Claus cap that dances and plays music gets passed around, as does a tube of infant diaper cream that gets rewrapped every year. Price said she’s also given a box of t-shirts as a joke because anyone that knows her knows she tends “to get t-shirts for everybody.”

Gag gifts aside, the mayor always has surprises wrapped and ready for her grandkids. For all her children, she'll sometimes plan experience gifts, such as two years ago when she took her family to Watercolor, Florida. "We didn’t take them until summer," she said. "But we took them all there and on a trip to Disney World, too… We’ve taken a trip to the Texas coast, too. We’ve kind of been all around, and that’s really fun. Makes my job easy because I don’t have to shop as much."

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Price will take some time off from her busier-than-normal day job, to venture out to the Fort Worth Holiday Parade of Lights, a new tradition for her family, and to partake in some older holiday traditions.

Husband Tom and the other men in the family go hunting while Betsy trims the family’s two trees.

The bigger of the two trees is decked in Texasthemed ornaments and family heirlooms that have weathered many holiday seasons.

“I’ve collected some ornaments from my parents’ tree, my grandparents’ tree, and my husband’s parents’ tree. They’re all pretty beat up and tend to go on the back of the tree,” she said.

“But they’re always there.”

Her other, smaller tree is also stacked with sentiments “only a mother could love."

“With three kids, I [had] a lot of ornaments.

Every year when I put them out, I think about their Tanglewood days,” she explained. Back then, the Price family still lived on Westcliff West, located in a quiet cul-de-sac. Every year, every one of her children would bring home a new ornament made during classroom holiday parties – for which the mayor was often a room mother in addition to always serving as a member of the Parent 20

Teacher Association. She remembers how all the neighborhood kids would jet out to try their new bikes, skateboards, and doll strollers on the street, while the adults sat on front porches drinking coffee.

One of her favorite traditions between Thanksgiving and Christmas was taking pictures with St. Nick. “I have a whole series of Santa Claus pictures with my kids, from the time they were born to the time they were in high school and said, ‘We’re not taking another picture with Santa Claus!’” she joked. Most years, she took her children to a Junior League of Fort Worth event that brought Santa in for pictures at Thistle Hill. She laughed a little louder when she said that one of her children would always have a meltdown over posing on Santa’s lap.

One year her second child, then two years old, didn’t want any part of the Santa experience. One day, however, Price was out and about with her kids, and her son requested ice cream.

“He and [my daughter] wanted to go to Dairy Queen, and Santa Claus was there!” she laughed.

“So I have the funniest picture of him with Santa Claus eating a Dairy Queen ice cream. It was the only way we were getting that picture that year.”

Another memory she and other Fort Worthians remember fondly is the Christmas of 1987.

Although the mayor likes a warm Texas Christmas as much as the next Funkytowner, she enjoyed the heavy snowfall that came that year, saying, “We went to church, and when we came out of church, it was snowing.” She’ll never forget stepping outside in matching green jumpers with her then ten-yearold daughter and feeling very pregnant with her youngest son.

With so many happy holidays under her belt, Mayor Price serves up some wonderful advice for successful holiday preparations. “Just enjoy the holidays,” she said. “[The holiday season] goes too fast. Tanglewood moms in particular are in a very blessed spot. All of us in Fort Worth are in a great place. It’s a great place to live and a great place to raise children.”

photo courtesy of Sundance Square

This year's Christmas tree will be a 65-foot concolor fir tree and will be lit on November 18th. Santa will be available for visits starting that day. Find specific hours on the website calendar: SundanceSquare.com

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Holiday Gift Guide for her

by Nicole Shaffer

I am beyond thrilled to introduce my favorite picks for this holiday season. I hope it can serve as a shopping guide for you and those on your list.

It’s almost 100% “local,” as Fort Worth has so many gems that you never have to leave the city to find that special someone something that she can’t live without!

photo by Beth McElhannon

clothing photography by Jeffrey Wooten

For the Chic Lady: I think anyone who has opened a magazine or combed through a fashion blogger’s Instagram is very aware that fabrics such as velvet and brocade are here in a major way. The beauty of velvet is that it's truly timeless, especially as it gets cooler. It screams of fall and pumpkin spice lattes, no? With this in mind, my first pick is for the chic lady in your life. She likely buys herself the latest and greatest, so why not surprise her with your fashionable knowledge? Also, it's a bootie, which is THE fall/winter shoe of choice that is here to stay. I've lined up two great options for you. One is from the high end, red soled, iconic house of Christian Louboutin. This is an investment piece and is something she will pull out year after year. The other, Sam Edelman, is equally beautiful, but also provides wiggle room in the budget for the other must-haves on this list.

1 Beehive, $82 2 Byrd + Bleeker, Finn, $95 3 Bloomingdales.com, Sam Edelman $150

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For the Passionista: 4

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4 Talbots, $119 5 Neiman Marcus Fort Worth, Edie Parker, $1695 6 Beehive, $38

Carly Burson, founder and CEO of Tribe Alive, is a former coworker and longtime friend and Fort Worth resident. When she first approached me about the idea of beautifully designed products, created by providing female artisans an income in otherwise impoverished communities, I was so excited. I knew if anyone could bring this passion project to life, it was Carly. As we enter an era with an increasing awareness of the importance of the role women play in our communities, I find it increasingly important to support companies who do the same. This pick is for the woman in your life who values giving back over receiving.

All of Tribe Alive’s products are on my favorites list, but this Maya Brocade Small Carryall and beautiful Continuum cuff are truly unique. They will serve as a constant reminder, every time she jaunts off on a special trip or gets dressed for a memorable occasion, that she is supporting a woman somewhere around the world, helping create a better life for her, her family, and her community. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I also highly recommend following the Tribe Alive Instagram account. Breathtaking!

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For the Edited Classic: This Talbots coat (disclaimer: I work for the company!) is a must-have this season, not only because the military trend is very much alive, but also because she will keep it in her closet for decades. Between the classic gold buttons, gorgeous cut and red piping detail, it is truly a stunner. My daughter has already claimed it as hers at nine years old, and with Talbots’ quality and classic design, it will stay with her for a long time. For the lady in your life with discerning taste, who is never fazed by trends or each new season’s whims, this piece is a win-win. The turquoise beaded corsage sweater can be dressed up for holiday parties or dressed down for a Saturday brunch. Furthermore, Talbots’ offers an amazing concierge service: if our local store does not have your size in stock, they will do everything in their power to find it.

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7 Talbots, $179 8 Beehive, $92 9 Tribe Alive, $58 8 9

10 Beehive, $68

For the Trendsetter:

11 Byrd + Bleeker, Sarah's Bag, $450 12 Neiman Marcus Fort Worth, Christian Louboutin $945

I recall special occasions by what I was wearing. It is the way my brain forms memories, and likely why I have worked in the retail industry my entire career!

Over the last several years, I can mark most of memories with a beautiful dress or top I found from Beehive. What I love about this boutique is their eye for trends (sometimes even before they occur!) and their incredibly curated collection each season. From Gucci’s whimsical cherry collection, to the Saint Laurent Lou Lou sunglasses (a la Giovanna Battaglia), to the feminine blooms from Dolce and Gabbana, Beehive captures the spirit of many of these trends without attempting to replicate them. For those of us with competing priorities to our fashion budget each season, I love that I can pop in and find new things every month, always with friendly price points. My picks from their current collection had me at ruffles and bright colors. I am always in search of a statement blouse, and how perfect is this one to pair with high-waisted denim and heels this season? Or this yummy flair sleeve sweater and acrylic bee clutch? If you are like me and do not always have time to pop in as they rotate through collections, their manager, Chelsea, is amazing. I follow their Instagram account and send direct messages of my “wants” to her. If she does not have it, she finds it at one of their other locations or online – truly Fort Worthy service!

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For the Accessorized Gal: Byrd + Bleecker is that wonderful boutique where, once inside, you can completely lose yourself. There are far too many pretties to name just a few favorites. For the paper lover, you must see the classic stationery, as well as some not-so-classic finds. The eclectic mix of items is what makes this store so interesting. My picks from this shop with a non-conformist flare are this darling Sarah’s bag, which is hand beaded in Lebanon, and Finn statement necklace.

For the gal who loves her accessories to be conversation starters, you can check her off your list!

Esther Penn is another wonderful gem in Fort Worth with remarkable service and a well-stocked collection of the latest trends. From a night out with your girls, the ballet or even a trip to Coachella, they have you covered. I’m currently in love with all their ruffles and color because everyone needs a little (or a lot) of color in their wardrobe. This ruffled, off-the-shoulder, leather-like top is fabulous and can be paired with so many things. From distressed denim to a feminine skirt, throw on these bright earrings and a great bootie or heel. They also boast Fort Worth charm in every interaction, as well as an Instagram account to highlight their latest wares.

Definitely a shop to add to your monthly “errand” list.

While these items on my list are wonderful gifts, I would be remiss if I did not mention other gifting ideas specific to Fort Worth, for the woman in your life who values the experiential over the material.

Edie Parker is known for her accessories, specifically her handbags, which can be personalized. For the gal in your life with Fort Worth pride and a fondness for Cowtown, she will absolutely love the charm of this clutch, found at Neiman Marcus at The Shops at Clearfork. It can absolutely be dressed up or down and will provide years of joy, as it is absolutely heirloom quality.

For the Travelista: TCU offers some of the most incredible extended education trips, which pair travel with enrichment. You can call the extended education department and receive their beautiful brochure. I promise it will spark the wanderlust within you.

For the Sports Lover: TCU, and not just football. From season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and so much more, our hometown school has big town offerings.

For the Art Afficionado: Museum memberships come with so many perks:

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from dining to first previews of new collections and exhibits.

For the Theater Buff: Bass Hall, Casa Mañana, and Amphibian Stage

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Productions showcase some of the most renowned traveling theatre productions, as well local acts we have the privilege to support through

13 Esther Penn, $88 14 Esther Penn $35 15 Tribe Alive, $198

memberships and ticket sales.

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For the Dance Enthusiast: The Texas Ballet Theater puts on numerous

professional ballets each year at Bass Hall, including a gorgeous rendition of the Nutcracker every holiday season. There are many ways to patronize the ballet, all of which are listed on their website.

Happy Holidays!

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FTW to BENTONVILLE Dale Chihuly

A FAL L BREAK T RAV EL IDEA

Azure Icicle Chandelier, 2016

by William Wise

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, installed 2017, copyright © Chihuly Studio.

Tucked unobtrusively in the northwest corner of Arkansas, Bentonville is, by all outward appearances, a fairly typical American city of 47,000 people.

Except that it isn’t. Like any city, Bentonville has all the characteristics one might expect to find: schools, churches, neighborhoods, families. However, it also has its unique characteristics that set it apart from other similarly-sized cities, namely, Walmart and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Tokyo. But no. It’s in Bentonville, Arkansas. While outside the norm, its location is not a mystery, but rather a function of where Walmart was founded and where the Walton family’s roots deepened as they grew their global empire.

What is surprising, however, and wonderfully so, is that Bentonville is also home to one of the finest art museums in the world. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is, simply put, singular, superlative, and fantastic. The permanent collection boasts many of the most significant works by American artists from the Colonial era to the present. Included in the collection are paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and installations by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Georgia O’Keefe, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol.

When I say Walmart, I don’t mean a Walmart, or even a pair of Walmarts, or even a Super Walmart. I mean WALMART. Bentonville is the birthplace and home of Walmart, Inc., the world’s largest company by revenue. One might expect to find the headquarters of the world’s largest company in New York, Beijing, or 25

View of dining bridge at dusk; photography by Dero Sanford. Courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas.

The building that houses this wonderful collection of art is itself art. Designed by renowned architect, Moshe Safdie, Crystal Bridges is architecturally significant and is beautiful, but it is more than that. Set atop a stream in a peaceful, wooded valley, the museum itself acts as dam and bridge. It’s very existence creates a series of serene ponds that it also spans. The museum buildings, like something created and placed by a race of superior beings, fill and create and fill voids in a spectacular dance with nature that verges on the sublime.

On the museum grounds there are other interesting and architecturally significant buildings including the Bachman-Wilson House, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home that was disassembled and relocated from New Jersey, and a Buckminster Fuller-designed Fly’s Eye Dome. Apart from these structures and the incredibly diverse and comprehensive permanent collection, Crystal Bridges serves as the temporary destination to some of the world’s most sought-after travelling exhibitions and installations.

Currently on display is the visually stunning and aptly named Chihuly In the Forest featuring the works of American artist Dale Chihuly. Famed throughout the world for site specific-installations of his sense-defying glasswork and glass sculpture, Chihuly has almost single-handedly changed the way we view glass as an art medium. In the hills above Crystal Bridges and accessed by a paved and lighted trail through the Ozark forest, Chihuly In the Forest is a breathtaking collection of Chihuly’s marvelous works in myriad mind-bending shapes and colors.

While Bentonville may not be a destination for many, a trip to experience Crystal Bridges is well worth the effort. If, however, you hail from Northwest Arkansas and are travelling that way for the holidays, Crystal Bridges should be

Dale Chihuly Azure Icicle Chandelier, 2016 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, installed 2017, copyright © Chihuly Studio.

on your itinerary. If you are fortunate enough to be heading that direction before or during Fall break, you will be happy to learn Chihuly In the Forest has been extended to November 27th and seeing this exhibit before it ends should be a priority. Doing so will be a gift to yourself and your children.

Although it was rainy and grey, the day our family spent at Crystal Bridges this summer was one we won’t soon forget. We had driven well out of our way and arrived at the museum at the same time as about a thousand other people right as the sky opened and the rain came down in sheets. Dropping wife and kids at the door, thus getting separated, and then searching for a parking spot soon had me a little on the grumpy side. Once inside though I quickly cheered up. “This place is amazing”, I thought.

With family reunited and rainstorm passing, we set out to explore the wonders within and without. Having been to museums of all kinds all around the world, my wife and I quickly realized we had come upon something magical.

The art and the architecture on display all around us was truly moving. We had a leisurely lunch that was affordable, tasty, and served by kid-friendly staff. The children engaged in a fun, Chihuly-inspired craft while I contemplated nature and building in one of the most inspiring and inspired settings I have ever seen.

So, how is it that Walmart and Crystal Bridges both share the hometown of little ol’ Bentonville, Arkansas? As it turns out, it’s not really that much of a surprise. Walmart’s best known legacy is one of easy access to affordable items in large quantity, but Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the permanent collection of which is free to all visitors, is Walmart’s true gift to the world. The Walton Family and Walmart, along with other generous donors, have given us all the invaluable gift of art. For that we should be very thankful.

Dale Chihuly Neodymium Reeds, 2014 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, installed 2017, copyright © Chihuly Studio

Dale Chihuly Calendula Persians, 2017 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, copyright Š Chihuly Studio.

CHIHULY INS PIRED CRAFT FOR KIDS MATERIALS NEEDED: Clear Plastic Plates Sharpie Markers Heat Gun* Pliers Heat-resistant gloves (optional) 1. Color clear plastic plate with colorful sharpie markers in the design of your choice.

2. Hold plate by the edge with the pliers.

3. Heat areas of the plastic plate with your heat gun.

4. Rotate plate as you apply heat, carefully re-clamping pliers on the plate for even heat distribution.

5. Allow plate to cool on metal or concrete surface before handling.

6. Enjoy your Chihuly inspired art piece!

7. Repeat as often as you like or as long as your supplies last *Parental supervision or handling required for heating element, depending on your artist’s age!

photo by Victoria Wise

FORT WORTH

5473 Night Sage Lane | 76109| $1,359,000

mary carolyn Gatzke mgatzke@briggsfreeman.com 817.291.2345

6321 Rosemont Avenue | 76116 | $889,000

4132 Clayton Road W | 76116 | $445,000

Christa holbert

JOHN ZIMMERMAN

Amy trott

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jzimmerman@briggsfreeman.com 817.247.6464

1913 Ben Hall Ct | 76110 | $364,900

5700 Westover Court | 76107 | $3,250,000

3824 Lands End Street | 76109 |Sold

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Carley j Moore

Cecile Montgomery

laurie brants

cmoore@briggsfreeman.com 817.734.8185

cecile@burtladner.com 817.992.9620

lbrants@briggsfreeman.com 817.919.9110

MATH IS FUN! ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS THEN HAVE MOM, DAD, OR A FRIEND GRADE YOUR WORK 1. Count or use multiplication to figure out how many homes are in the spread.

2. Circle all the homes with an even number address.

6. Total the homes within each zip code 7. What is the mean, median, mode and range home sales price?

8. How many different agencies are being represented?

3. Draw a star by all the homes with an odd number address.

4. How many homes are under $800,000?

BONUS Question

5. How many homes are over $800,000?

(This question requires online research) Which home has the largest square footage?

R E A L E S TAT E

22 Valley Ridge Road | 76107 | $4,498,000

3701 Encanto Drive | 76109 | $1,325,000

6417 Garland Avenue | 76116 | $368,700

joseph berkes joseph@williamsTrew.com 817.266.1355

4205 Bilglade Road | 76109 | Sold

mitzi lemons mitzi.lemons@cbdfw.com 817.291.9969

4409 Overton Crest STreet | 76109 | $1,550,000

3717 Lenox Drive | 76107 | $829,000

john giordano johng@gwwrealestate.com 817.991.1862

2425 Colonial parkway| 76109 | $1,000,000

3600 Hamilton Avenue | 76107 | $2,100,000

Ida duwe-olsen, ted olsen ida@williamstrew.com | 817.723.5166 ted.olsen@williamstrew.com | 817.862.5662

3521 Hilltop Road | 76109 |Sold

JERRY taylor

KATHRYN Cashion

Richard farrelly

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kathryn@burtladner.com 817.366.5355

richard.farrelly@cbdfw.com 817.296.6789

6809 Meadows west drive South | 76132| $430,000

3766 W 4th Street* | 76107 |SOLD

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mary perry

Karen Holcomb

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Christmas As an Evacuee

by Jocelyn Tatum

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he was living on the first floor of her apartment complex in the coastal town Port Arthur when Hurricane Harvey plowed across the Texas coast as a Category Five hurricane that was followed by days of deluge that left haphazard lakes all over southeast Texas.

Lawanda Keller, a 50-year-old grandmother with physical disabilities caused by a fire while working in an oil refinery, is one of many who lost everything in the storm and the torrential rains that followed.

“The apartment complex where I was living said that we had five days to get there and pull all of our belongings to the side of the road [for the garbage trucks],” Keller said.

This included all her furniture, clothes, and meaningful memorabilia, including decades’ worth of collected Christmas decorations.

As the media’s lens turns to North Korean missile attacks, political turmoil in D.C., and the devastation in Puerto Rico and Mexico, the average media consumer may think South Texas residents’ lives have been resolved. But the reality is that this is just the beginning of their long journey into a new life in Fort Worth.

The to-do lists to rebuild the evacuees’ lives are long. They include waiting on hold with insurance companies (sometimes finding out they do not qualify for assistance), getting public transportation in new city figured out, enrolling their children in new schools and daycares, finding a permanent place to live and clothes to wear. These are just a few of their worries. Do you ever remember a time when you were just trying to get your basic needs met, that finding toys for your children on Christmas wasn’t even on the agenda? And it is all happening at the beginning of the holiday season.

Most Christmas songs are about going home for the holidays, spending time with family and friends, and being jolly, but nearly all of the people who evacuated because of Hurricane Harvey will spend their holiday season trying to find tables and chairs so their families can dine together. And

evacuees like Keller wonder how they are going to buy the food for their holiday meal to feed her daughters and grandchildren, who also plan to stay in Fort Worth for good. They are tired of running from hurricanes that are becoming stronger and more frequent.

Keller can’t work because she has burn scars all over her hands, arms, ears, and legs. She lives in constant pain. Catholic Charities was able to give her an air mattress and help move her into an apartment – an empty apartment. She recently received $17 to buy some groceries.

According to Marie Francis, human services manager with Community Action Partners (CAP), more than 60 families are permanently relocating to Tarrant County that she is aware of, but that number is actually much larger because many families did not go through the city of Fort Worth for housing and help. Some went through other social service agencies like Catholic Charities if they went through a social service agency at all.

CAP “works with families and individuals to help them overcome barriers to achieve self-sufficiency.”

They help with paying energy bills, finding housing and emergency rental payment assistance, and really anything that fits the needs of each unique individual. Francis said she once bought a man a bicycle with their government grants.

CAP also allows evacuees access to their annual Cowboy Santas who distribute donated toys, books, and games for children from infancy to 12 years old, even if they don’t fall within the 175% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines that is their usual requirement.

Bryan Knox, a case worker with Catholic Charities assigned to helping Harvey evacuees, said at least ten new families a day are coming to them for help to find housing, jobs, cars, and food.

This is a result of all the shelters suddenly closing all over Texas, turning out people who go back to their homes to find there is nothing left. They don’t want to go through this experience ever again.

They are tired of running from hurricanes.

Francis and her team have been there to

hold the hands of evacuees from five hurricanes in recent years— hurricanes Rita (2005), Katrina (2005), Gustav (2008), Ike (2008), and now Harvey (2017). She said this time the evacuees seem more exasperated. Never again.

“I couldn’t even tell you what that number is going to look like,” Knox said of final number of people relocating to Fort Worth.

Evacuees were all shocked, and soon to be homeless, in September when they got word that city officials agreed it was time to shut down the shelters they were living in. They were given a matter of hours from the time of the announcement to find another place to live. Keller said Catholic Charities came in and took over from there. She was relieved.

Keller speaks in a very despondent tone. She’s tired and feels her spirit has been razed to the ground like a bulldozed building, but her tone lifts when she speaks of Catholic Charities and the endless efforts they are putting into helping her family. Knox also gave them some gift cards to Wal-Mart to get a microwave and some silverware so they could attempt to prepare some meals at home. Francis said FEMA does not help those who plan to relocate. They stick to rebuilding lives at Ground Zero.

Knox said Catholic Charities also spent $1,200 on 15 bus passes worth $80 a piece for their clients. But these passes will expire in a month, right around Thanksgiving. However, many families have said that many churches and other organizations in the area have helped them so much. They appreciate the warmth in Fort Worth.

But as media fatigue sets in, and we start to forget, it will be the most important time to remember these families who have endured the tragedy of these super storms. These storms are the ultimate equalizers – it doesn’t matter if they came from a good job in an upper-class neighborhood, or from an efficiency living paycheck to paycheck, everyone is starting over in the same situation.

These storms don’t discriminate.

What Can We Do to Help Evacuees Relocating to Fort Worth During the Holidays?

Cowboy Santas – collection Dec. 2 – They need volunteers to bag the goods. While this is usually an event limited to low-income families, they are not restricting this event to them. Any evacuee may participate this year. If you want your donation to go to a specific evacuee, please specify.

Please go to www.cowboysantas.org for ways to help.

Have your children craft and write the evacuees Christmas cards welcoming them to their new homes.

Have your family create a holiday care package complete with scented candles, decorations, lights, etc.

Take a day to bake holiday goodies or make a holiday meal.

Toys are needed for the children – stocking stuffers, candy, fruit are all good options.

If you have old furniture sitting in storage, pull it out and give it to one of these families who don’t have a table to sit around have a holiday meal together.

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HIGH-VALUE INSURANCE SERVICES Anna Pamplin I Senior Consultant I Personal Lines I (817)529-5347 I anna@gusbates.com

www.gusbates.com Any events and their results portrayed in the material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed to represent future results. Each person’s experiences will be of their own and not necessarily indicative of future success.

P.O. Box 101704 Fort Worth, TX 76185

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