July 2024

TUESDAY-FRIDAY, 11AM-2PM

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Seasons.

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Caring for you is what motivates us.

Baylor Scott & White Arlington has been ranked among the top hospitals in the nation once again. From joint replacement and spine surgery to overall patient experience and safety, we strive to provide nationally-recognized, high-quality healthcare that’s close to home.

ARLINGTON HIGH STUDENTS EXCEL IN and OUT OF CLASSROOM

There are high school stars in the classroom and then there are high school stars who shine on the field.

At Arlington High School, the Class of 2024 had both in the same students.

Nine of the 13 seniors who made up the top 2% of the graduating class at Arlington High were also standouts for UIL athletic teams.

Both the valedictorian (Addison Gardner, cheerleading) and salutatorian (Cooper Peach, football) led the way, but they had plenty of company at the top of the Colt academic ranks.

So, was there something in the water fountains at Arlington High? Maybe.

“I really feel like it’s the environment here because everybody encourages you to do things, and people will work with you if there are conflicts whether it’s academics, clubs or sports,” said Gardner, who will attend Texas A&M and study forensic and investigative science. “It’s just the people here are willing to work with you.”

And because of the schedules the students keep, there’s a lot to work with.

Three of the standout students played volleyball – Hannah Harber, Alyson Robbins and Hannah Russ –and Russ also played soccer.

The trio didn’t just play either. They excelled and earned academic all-state honors in volleyball.

As for Russ, once she finished with volleyball she joined Anjali Menezes, Mia Greer and Emma Stewart on a soccer team that won a district title

“Time management is very important... I aways had to make sure I was staying on top of my work and getting things done before we had a game. Knowing my schedule was very important.”

~Hannah Harber

and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

That didn’t provide a lot of down time for studying, but it didn’t slow down Russ, who plans to study nursing at Ole Miss.

“It was tough, but the communities in both volleyball and soccer made it something I wanted to prioritize,” she said. “Academics have always been a big part of my family. My parents have always wanted us to try and be the best at everything we do.”

And for Arlington High principal Stacie Humbles, the best students at her school are the ones who are exposed to the most opportunities.

“A big thing for us at Arlington High is we make an entire student,” Humbles said. “A 360-degreee student is what I call them. I like to see both sides. It’s equally as important when you become citizens. Academics yes, but having charisma, integrity and knowing how to be competitive. You’ll see it serve them well beyond school and into the workforce. They are an entire human.”

School support, family support and community support helped all nine students, but in the end they had to get the academic work done by themselves.

It wasn’t easy but planning sure helped.

“Time management is very important,” said Harber, who will study civil engineering at Auburn. “I feel like school comes first most of the time, but volleyball is very important still. I aways had to make sure I was staying on top of

my work and getting things done before we had a game. Knowing my schedule was very important. If I was going to be out late for a game or practice, I would have to be prepared to have my work done.”

Athletics isn’t done for some of the Colts’ finest. Peach will play football at Washington University in St. Louis, Robbins is continuing her volleyball career at the University of Texas at Tyler, Stewart will play soccer at Hill College and Arlington athletic trainer Libby Spencer will continue that path at Hardin-Simmons.

One trait that all nine share is their desire to compete. That, too, may have played a role in their classroom success.

“There’s a competitive nature of it, too,” Peach said. “We are all athletes, but we see the other kids up top early in our freshman year. I see Addison is in the top 20, and it’s something I want to compete against.”

Peach was also driven because of his last name. His father is Scott Peach, the football coach at Arlington. His mother Kim is an assistant athletic director for the district. His grandparents Eddy and Debbie have a school named after them as his grandfather is one of the winningest football coaches in Texas history.

That provided a little extra motivation for Cooper.

“There was definitely a chip on my shoulder growing up to try and prove everything my name is and proving to the world I belong to the Peach family,” he said.

All nine now leave Arlington with nothing left to prove.

Starting Top, Left to Right: Hannah Russ – Mississippi, Alyson Robbins – UT-Tyler, Hannah Harber – Auburn, Russ, Emma Stewart – Hill College, Mia Greer – North Texas, Anjali Menezes – Rice, Addison Gardner – Texas A&M, Cooper Peach – Washington University in St. Louis and Libby Spencer – Hardin-Simmons

July 2024 • Volume 11 • Issue 7

6

Arlington High School

The Colts of AHS shine in the classroom as well as on the field.

22

Miss Arlington Teen Macie Krause

This talented dancer is also bringing awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.

24

Healthy Living

See our section devoted to ways to achieve health and wellness.

32

Allies in Youth Development

The Mansfield nonprofit seeks to improve the lives of orphans in more than 60 countries.

HIGHLIGHTS

Starting Line 10

Itinerary 12

This ’n’ Data 16, 18

Around Town 22

Scene 14, 30, 34, 45, 52, 55, 58

Speaking of Sports 54

Bulletin Board 60

Kindness Initiative 61

Keen Cuisine 64

Finish Line 66

MEET THE EXPERT FOR YOUR FOOT AND ANKLE CARE.

Drew Stal, M.D.

Get more from your orthopedic care.

Whether you're training for a specific sport or simply the sport of life, Texas Health Orthopedic Specialists is ready to provide you with patient-centered care. From sprains and strains to tears and fractures, our comprehensive foot and ankle care has you covered. And with surgical and nonsurgical approaches, you can rest assured you'll receive personalized care tailored to your needs. That's how Texas Health cares more.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Executive Publisher

Judy M. Rupay

CEO Richard Greene

EDITORIAL

Sports Columnist

John Rhadigan

Website & Social Media Manager

Bailey Woodard

Graphic Artists

Francisco Cuevas

Betsy Lewis

Contributing Writers

Richard Greene, Kacie Howard, Bob Kowalski, Ashlea Pierce, Kenneth Perkins, Amanda Rogers, Kali Schick

Contributing Editor

Betsy Lewis

Contributing Photographers

Ryan Brown, Erin Grindberg, Terry Ip, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell, Joshua Stephen

SALES / CIRCULATION

Business Manager

Bridget Dean

Sales Managers

Laura DiStefano, Paige Payne, Andrea Proctor, Tricia Schwartz

Distribution Manager

Hanna Areksoussi

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

Betsy Lewis

ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly.

Copyright 2024 Arlington Today, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products. Basic subscriptions are $33.95 annually. To subscribe, e-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com

Phone us at (817) 303-3304

ARLINGTON TODAY GIVES BACK

Arlington Today magazine proudly sponsors Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrrant County, Dental Health Arlington, Downtown Arlington, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Levitt Pavilion, National Medal of Honor Museum and Theatre Arlington.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

JUDY M. RUPAY

Our cover story this month begins like this: There are high school stars in the classroom and then there are high school stars who shine on the field. At Arlington High School, the Class of 2024 had both in the same students. Check the details that honor the accomplishments of these high-achieving students. You’ll be impressed.

There’s also a new path to qualifying for a teaching certification at UT Arlington. It’s an all-online program designed for candidates with a bachelor’s degree who are pursuing careers in teaching.

Arlington takes center stage hosting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week and we have the complete schedule of events along with commentary by columnists John Rhadigan and Richard Greene.

The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Arlington Today, has launched the third year of the 40 Under Forty initiative. Nominations for young professionals who are making a difference in our community are now being accepted through August 2.

We’ve paid tribute to the remarkable journey of UT Arlington professor Dr. Allan Saxe who has left behind a singular record of philanthropy serving others throughout his lifetime.

Our columnist Kenneth Perkins’ story this month will inspire you as he unfolds the story of dedicated community service through Miss Arlington Teen Macie Krause’s winning performance in dance. She delivers a compelling commitment to partnering with student organizations.

You will discover six full pages of our Healthy Living focus that features multiple routes to achieving outcomes designed to improve your everyday wellness. Check out all of them and see how they can make lives better.

Headquartered in Mansfield, Allies in Youth Development is a nonprofit that seeks to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in more than 60 countries across five continents. We’ve got the details along with images of those whose lives are served by the organization’s hallmark initiative.

Looking for a way to cool off in this Texas summer heat? The Arlington Parks & Recreation invites you and your kids to experience the four park splash pads now open from 10 am to 8 pm through Labor Day.

Discover how ShareFest Texas was founded by John Thielman in 2013, with an eye toward engaging area high school students in cleanup projects on their campuses. Its mission now has turned to creating a welcoming home environment for families escaping domestic violence/child abuse circumstances.

Our monthly focus on recipients of the nation’s highest award for valor in combat features the only US Coast Guardsman to receive the honor. It’s appropriately presented on a page adjacent to scenes of the city’s Memorial Day Celebration at Veteran’s Park.

This month’s Kindness Initiative features 25-year-old Kelyn Browning’s miraculous rescue of a youngster apparently drowned lying at the bottom of an apartment pool.

There’s the usual array of scene images of events recently celebrated throughout the life of this very busy community. And, most importantly, the offer of goods and services of all our advertisers who make Arlington Today possible.

Please enjoy it all.

Judy Rupay judy@arlingtontoday.com

PREPARING AISD TEACHERS

UT ARLINGTON OFFERS NEW PATH TO TEACHING CERTIFICATION

The College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington is creating a bridge to Texas classrooms through its Alternative Certification Program (ACP)—a 100% online program designed for candidates with a bachelor’s degree who are pursuing careers in teaching.

The 300-hour program is a non-credit approach to alternative teacher certification. It was designed by the college’s faculty and staff, in collaboration with district partners, using the framework of UTA’s existing educator programs.

During the two-phase process, candidates will first receive training and mentoring to ensure they are prepared for certification exams and their future roles as classroom teachers. They then will complete either an internship or clinical teaching stint in a classroom to fulfill Texas Education Agency requirements.

“There are students who want to give back to their community by becoming teachers. This program is just another means of supporting their preparation as they embark on successful careers in the classroom,” says

College of Education Dean Tim Jacobbe. “The ACP adds to our commitment to mobilizing highly qualified educators who can meet the high demand in our state’s classrooms.”

School districts in North Texas and across the state continue to struggle to fill vacancies with highly qualified teaching candidates. According to state records, nearly one in three new teachers hired across Texas last year lacked certification. The ACP is an alternative pathway to combat the national teacher shortage and bring qualified teachers into classrooms.

“This new partnership with UT Arlington represents a groundbreaking investment in top-tier educators, ensuring our students have every opportunity to excel,” says Dr. Matt Smith, superintendent, Arlington ISD. “We are excited to welcome highly qualified and passionate teachers through this collaboration.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE ACP WEBSITE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM Arlington Music Hall

2024 Peruvian Festival “Culture and Tradition”

This vibrant cultural event is presented by This is Peru Academy. July 14 • 4:30pm

Donny Edwards – An Authentic Heart & Soul Tribute to THE KING Multi-award winning Elvis tribute artist.

July 20 • 7pm

k-voncomedy.com

K-VON

A night of laughter and fun. July 25 • 7:30pm

The Purple xPeRIeNCE –The Premier Prince Tribute

A vibrant and electrifying Purple Xperience.

July 27 • 8pm

Piano Men Generations The music of two legends: Billy Joel and Elton John. August 3 • 7:30pm

There are summer activities of all kinds for all ages at local libraries. Here are just a few of the adult events:

Art After Dark: French Edition

Enjoy an enchanting evening of Frenchinspired crafts which include creating a beautiful painting in the style of pointillism and hand-crafting your own candle. Northeast Branch.

July 12 • 5:30pm

Open Mic Night

Calling all comedians, poets, singers, and musicians to showcase your talent at open mic night at Woodland West library! July 19 • 6:30pm

July 21 • 5:00pm Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie

Totally Tubular 80s Trivia Night

Bring your friends to test your knowledge of the 1980s! Dr. Jekyll’s Beer Lab, 2420 W. Park Row Dr, Pantego. July 18 • 6:30pm

Spice Club

Discover a new spice every month! You’ll receive a take-and-make kit featuring a variety of unique spices, herbs, or blends. Southeast Branch. July 20 • Noon

Morgan Wallen: One Night at a Time Tour 2024

July 25 & 26 • 4:30pm AT&T Stadium

K-pop sensation ATEEZ is heading to Globe Life Field for their ‘Towards the Light : Will to Power’ World Tour! July 28 • 7:30pm • Globe Life Field

ATEEZ

Advanced heart care with serious heart for our community

From diagnosing symptoms to managing and treating existing conditions, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center can help you develop a personalized care plan and navigate complex heart issues. Here, you’ll also find skilled specialists on the medical staff, innovative technologies, and minimally invasive options. Providing the advanced heart care our friends and neighbors depend on. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist.

Caring for a wide range of heart and vascular conditions, including:

Aortic aneurysm

Arrhythmias

Carotid artery disease

Congenital heart disease

For more information, visit us at or call 469-837-7260 MethodistHealthSystem.org/Mansfield

Coronary artery disease

Heart attack

Heart failure

Heart valve disease

Peripheral artery disease

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Rated a top attorney in 2023 by The American Registry

Stroke family law for 37 years.

Donna J. Smiedt and her team of fine Lawyers have nearly 4 decades of family law experience.

Donna J. Smiedt is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been so certified for 33 years.

Donna J. Smiedt has been practicing family law for 38 years.

Donna J. Smiedt is collaboratively trained to provide clients with a private form of dispute resolution to avoid litigation.

Donna J. Smiedt is collaboratively trained to provide clients with a private form of dispute resolution to avoid litigation. The American Registry rated her one of the top attorneys in 2023

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County

2024 Youth of the Year Gala

Thank You

2024 YOUTH OF THE YEAR GALA SPONSORS!

WE OWE THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT TO OUR SPONSORS, DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND STAFF! JOIN US IN FEBRUARY 2025 TO CELEBRATE THE 2025 YOUTH OF THE YEAR. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!

DID YOU KNOW?

Fireworks have been a tradition since the first Independence Day anniversary celebration in 1777.

July 4th became an official holiday in 1870.

The oldest 4th of July parade began in Bristol, Rhode Island.

More than 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4th.

Americans spend about $1.5 billion on fireworks in July.

Source: thefactsite.com/independence-day-facts

BLOOD DRIVES

July 5 • Quarterfinal 8pm AT&T Stadium

Someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds. 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate. Help save lives and bring relief to thousands in your community by donating at one of these blood drives.

July 6 • 9am-5pm

AT&T Stadium

(Guest appearances from Cowboys Players and giveaways throughout the day.)

July 19 • 11am-5pm

George W. Hawkes Downtown Library

3 SCOOPS

1. Texas Animal Facts: Texas has many native animals and birds. There are more than 540 bird species, which is about three-fourths of all those found in the United States. There are also more than 142 species of mammals in the state. The official state mammal symbols are the Texas longhorn, the armadillo, and the Mexican free-tailed bat. Texas also has more white-tailed deer than any other state – about three- to four-million!

2. Globe Life Field Facts: The official groundbreaking was on September 28, 2017 and construction was completed in under 30 months. Globe Life Field is 1.8 million square feet, more than 400,000 feet larger than Globe Life Park. It is 278 feet from the field to the top of the 5.5 acre retractable roof. The retractable roof is the largest singlepanel operable roof in the world. The roof weighs 24 million pounds and can open in approximately 12 minutes. The playing field grass is a specially-designed synthetic grass. The subsurface is completely flat and covered with a drainage mat and a shock-resistant mat. The pitcher’s mound is retractable so it doesn’t interfere with other events.

3. Arlington Trails: There are more than 122 trails in Arlington, covering approximately 513 miles. There are easy walking trails, bike trails, hiking trails and running trails. A great source for trail hunters is traillink.com. One can search out trails of all types and lengths across the country. There are over 40,000 miles of trails with maps and locations available on the website, so why not start exploring? The data is compiled through the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

TALK

SEPTEMBER

July 17 is National Hot Dog Day

On the heels of All-Star festivities, there’s one more day to celebrate the ultimate ballpark staple. Ballparks currently sell roughly 22 million hot dogs every year. Cities with major league teams tend to rank highest in total sales. In pounds sold, our area ranks #3.

When is a hot dog humanitarian?

76

The number of schools in the Arlington Independent School District.

56,297

2024 enrollment in all of Arlington Independent School District.

Top 1%

Arlington ISD ranks in the top 1% of public school districts in Texas in the categories of Diversity (most diverse schools) and Community Size (largest number of students).

3,779

The number of teachers in the district. The student to teacher ratio is 15:1.

Source: publicschoolreview.com and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education

When you head over to Nearly Famous Burgers and Hot Dogs, enjoy a delicious dog, then buy a meal to place on their “Pay it Forward” wall for someone less fortunate to enjoy one too. Nearly Famous Burgers and Hot Dogs 2502 Little Road • Open 7 Days

We rescued Pinot ten years ago, and ever since then, Pinot has become an integral part of our family. Pinot insists on sitting on our granddaughter’s personalized chair. No matter where the chair is placed or what other comfortable options are available, Pinot always seems to find the way to that particular spot. It’s a charming and endearing sight that never fails to bring a smile to our faces. – Ginger Baker

Arlington Parks and Recreation is proud to celebrate its centennial in 2024, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of Meadowbrook Park. This year promises even more #NaturallyFun than usual, with a calendar full of special events, self-led activities, historical features, spotlights, giveaways and more! arlingtontx.gov/parks100

A Singular Lifetime of Caring About Others

So much has been said and written about the life of Dr. Allan Saxe since his passing last month that it’s difficult to contribute further to his story other than to share some portion of personal experience with him.

To begin at the beginning seems the right place. For me, it was when I stepped out on my campaign to become Arlington’s mayor in 1987.

Allan called me, said he was glad I was going to seek that office, but wanted to show me a part of the community he was sure I didn’t know about. To accomplish that, he wanted me to join him on one of his Meals on Wheels routes taking food to people who couldn’t prepare their own food.

When I accepted that invitation, I discovered he was right in his conclusion that there was something more for me to learn about the lives of some of our city’s residents.

But, I also witnessed Allan’s heart for others that spanned his lifetime.

By now, most people have heard or read that Allan gave away all of his money except for what he needed to support his modest life. That included a substantial six-figure inheritance from his mother.

I asked him why. His answer was as simple as it was profound. He said it was because there were many people “out there” who needed it more than him.

Arlington is greatly blessed with philanthropic individuals who share their wealth across the city’s many public and private entities, non-profit, and community service organizations. But, none of them that I know of, give away all their money.

Only Allan did that and it qualifies a conclusion that he was truly an original, one-of-a-kind supporter of the place he called home for most of his 85 years. His financial support spanned countless organizations helping and serving others.

For 54 of those years, he served as a professor of political science at UT Arlington which reveals another aspect of his life that was formed by the same values that motivated his generosity. He loved his students. Often I got to see that revealed as a guest speaker in some of

by Richard Greene

his classrooms. He wanted them to know how our country had developed the most successful political system in history.

So, he taught them about how it worked or, how it was supposed to work, and how to evaluate outcomes so they could contribute to its ongoing success and preserve our rights and privileges as the freest people in the world.

He also was not above appearing in ways that some may consider inglorious. If it helped others, he was all in.

The best example I can provide is when he suited up in the oversized costume of River Legacy Foundation’s mascot, Forest the Squirrel, at the gala opening at The Ballpark in Arlington with then candidate-for-governor George W. Bush in attendance.

The occasion was to receive the Texas Rangers Baseball Club’s substantial donation to

the Foundation’s Nuts About Nature fundraising program. Of course, Allan had made his own contribution and many more in years to come.

Forest (Allan) approached the future president and engaged him in some back-and-forth tomfoolery much to the apprehension of Bush’s campaign staff who feared the appearance of some photos that might be seen as fodder for a political opponent.

A few years ago, Arlington Today ran a feature on his and his wife Ruthie’s wedding that took place following their 40-year-long courtship. Her name appears alongside his own on commemorative plaques, signs, and tributes recognizing the role of this remarkable couple in the life of our community.

Allan is greatly missed but his legacy is now an integral part of Arlington’s fabric. We are very fortunate that he came our way.

Macie’s Mighty Message of Dance, Dedication, and Direction

KENNETH PERKINS

I wish I could have seen the jaws of the handful of folks judging the Miss Arlington Teen pageant after Macie Krause left the room. I suspect that they were somewhere on the floor.

The rising senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is one of those dancers who can connect movement and emotion, interpret the music’s often complex rhythms fluidly, and be agile, strong, and graceful.

That wasn’t why the jaws dropped, though.

She’s also one of those precocious outliers able to deliver well-structured answers to rapidfire impromptu questions, whether it comes from a flurry of pageant judges trying to whittle down the contestant pool or a journalist wanting to know what drives her passion.

That wasn’t it, either.

It was the origin of Macie’s community service initiative, which has, over the years, become an integral part of the competition’s interview phase.

Distracted driving.

I know. It doesn’t sound all that weighty.

Until you consider the life of Katie Jo Vaughn.

Or, better yet, the death.

Like Macie, Katie was young and pretty, a talent with the gravitas to have won a pageant crown of her own. That’s how she and Macie bonded as friends.

The teen, along with two friends, were killed when Katie lost control of her vehicle while rounding a sharp curve on a rural road in Bowie County, which is in East Texas.

The car hit one of those concrete culverts, went airborne, and flipped

“They found the car upside down in the pond,” Macie told me.

Yet here’s the kicker that takes courage to discuss.

“Katie died in a distracted driving accident,” Macie said.

Ah, distracted driving. We all do it.

“My goal is to educate my peers who are now of driving age about the dangers of distracted driving and how to keep themselves safe,” Macie said.

iStockphoto.com

As Miss Arlington Teen, she’s sharing her “Take 5 and Arrive Alive” Initiative on TikTok and Instagram by partnering with student organizations.

• Make phone use physically impossible.

• Allow a limited number of people in the car.

• Curfew restriction.

• Is your seat belt on properly?

• Explore directions before driving.

“I also plan to partner with online driver’s education companies, as I believe this topic is only briefly discussed in current training curriculums,” she said. “I want to remind teenagers that someone is waiting for them at home and the importance of “Take 5 and Arrive Alive.”

Hmm. It’s a challenging initiative. While adults are just as guilty of that, the audience she’s trying to reach is an elusive, head-strong bunch.

Of course, Macie knows that. She’s with them every day.

She’ll push the same initiative if she becomes Miss Texas Teen, Miss America Teen, or anything beyond that.

“Even if I don’t win any of those titles, I will still be passionate about implementing that initiative

in my daily life,” she said. “I want to lead by example, whether I have a crown or not.”

I can’t imagine we won’t hear from Macie again. After Booker T., Macie, who has a 4.0 GPA and enough awards and honors to make you dizzy, wants to dance in college with an eye on Broadway. It makes perfect sense. Watching her move and interpret, embody, and execute her dances, you see a young performer perfecting a unique style of her own.

For Macie, this is what passion looks like.

She loves expressing herself through dance because, as she says, “You can connect to people on an emotional level. That’s when I feel I am at my highest point.”

Yet, with her initiative, that connection goes even deeper.

“A lot of my dances are dedicated to Katie,” Macie said. “I believe that my God-given gift is to share His word and love in dance. I feel that He gave me this special way of connection to share with others, and that is my purpose.”

Kenneth Perkins has been a contributing writer for Arlington Today for nearly a decade. He is a freelance writer, editor and photographer.

Photos coourtesy of Macie Krause

HEALTHYLiving

Articles by Ashlea Pierce

Robotic Surgery is a Reality at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital has a new surgical robot for minimally invasive procedures. The da Vinci 5 robotic system comes with 150 new enhancements and will aid surgical precision. Along with a 3D display, it enables surgeons to feel more and see more during procedures.

This month, 12 Texas Health hospitals will have the new system and will use it for minimally invasive urologic, gynecologic, thoracic, colorectal, bariatric, and general surgeries. Patient benefits could include reduced trauma to the body, shorter hospital stays, reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, and less scarring.

“This expansion of robotic support for our care teams further demonstrates our capabilities in robotic technology and the future of robotic surgery,” said Brian Craft, senior vice president, Hospital Channel Financial Operations and chair of the Texas Health Robotic Governance Committee. texashealth.org/locations/texas-health-arlington-memorial

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center: Caring for Our Community for More Than 17 Years

Our 294-bed acute care hospital is also a Level III trauma center, a Level III neonatal facility and a maternal Level III subspecialty care facility. These designations highlight our experience managing high-risk births.

Methodist Mansfield takes pride in achieving Magnet recognition with 12 exemplary findings – the highest distinction in nursing excellence. As healthcare pioneers, we were the first in the DFW area to receive the AMSN Prism Award for nursing practice leadership and patient outcomes.

Moreover, our facility holds the prestigious Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center. At Methodist Mansfield, we go beyond being a healthcare provider; we are your dedicated partners in well-being, embodying the values of compassionate care, quality healthcare, and innovative medical treatments. methodisthealthsystem.org

Pain is Not a Lifestyle – You CAN Achieve Your Goals and Live Your Best Life

Located near Viridian in Arlington, Chiropractor Dr. Kenyon Godwin and his team have one goal for their patients: results.

They believe chiropractic care is just as essential for your body as a charger is for a cell phone with a low battery. When a phone’s battery is low, some apps won’t function properly. The only solution is to charge the phone so that everything works as it should. Our organs and extremities are like those apps. If the spine isn’t fully charged or aligned, the body can’t function properly. Active Family Wellness Center wants to be your charging station.

We often see people with headaches, neck pain, herniated discs, sciatica or prenatal and pediatric concerns. We treat folks of all ages; infants with colic just starting out in the world, adults who wish to experience everyday wellness, and seniors who wish to feel active and mobile throughout their golden years. We help the whole family.

txwellnessdoc.com

Revitalize Your Senses: Unwind and Pamper Yourself at The Sanford House Spa & Salon

Just across the street from The Sanford House Inn and Restaurant506, lies our award-winning, full-service day spa and salon, offering an extensive menu of services for both men and women.

The spa has several treatment rooms for massages, body treatments, and facials, including dermaplane, microdermabrasion, and waxing services. We also offer hand and foot treatments, and hair salon services by our master hairstylists and barbers. All services are performed by our certified technicians.

Our relaxation room is beautifully appointed with an Italian tile waterfall and an artistically rendered blue skylight with wispy clouds for a relaxing lunch or rest between treatments.

thesanfordhouse.com/spa

HEALTHYLiving

Articles by Ashlea Pierce

When It Comes to Living Healthy, Don’t Forget Your Skin

Great Skin Spa and Skincare helps you care for the largest living organ of your body – your skin. Through facials, chemical peels, full body waxing, LED treatments, non-surgical face, brow and eye lifts, microresurfacing, microdermabrasion, and other treatments, Great Skin Spa’s specialists revitalize your skin, and deter the effects of aging and the elements.

Your skin is the first feature that people see when they lay eyes on you. The spa’s knowledgeable professionals select the products that work best for your skin type and help you achieve your skincare goals. Great Skin offers revolutionary products that are gentle to your skin but powerful in treating unwanted blemishes. At Great Skin, they believe once you experience them, you will feel refreshed and be amazed at the results.

Great Skin also offers makeover services for weddings, proms, graduations, quinceañeras, and other special events. They also customize a make-up collection for your skin type and style. Experience beauty, relaxation and pampering at Great Skin Spa & Skin Care. greatskin4you.com

Transforming Your Body and Mind Doesn’t Have To Be A Chore

Cami Grasher opened The Pilates Effect in 2017, nine years after she fell in love with the practice. Her studio offers reformer classes, mat Pilates, and one-on-one sessions. She is both the owner and one of several instructors.

“We work with professional athletes, college athletes, stay-at-home moms, cancer patients, neurologically impaired, ballet dancers, those with injuries, aging bodies and everyone in between,” said Grasher, who noted her clients are between the ages of 14-85.

“We don’t run a workout facility,” said Grasher. “We are heavily trained in anatomy and physiology of the body, so we are prepared to help people reach their goals as well as heal their body.

She believes the work done in the studio will pay off outside the studio.

“We help our students overcome physical imitations related to posture, weakness, injuries or wear and tear,” said Grasher. “We enable them to function properly and more efficiently in day-to-day living.”

Grasher is STOTT PILATES® certified. thepilateseffect.com

HEALTHYLiving

Unwind and Rejuvenate at the Ultimate Sanctuary of Serenity and Wellness

Introducing The Spa at Loews Arlington, our newly curated spa and fitness center designed to elevate your sense of well-being.

Nestled within the heart of the hotel, our spa and fitness center promise a sanctuary of serenity with six luxurious treatment rooms, locker facilities, a coed relaxation lounge, and a cutting-edge salon.

Complementing this oasis of tranquility is our expansive fitness center featuring top-of-the-line Technogym equipment, awaiting your arrival for invigorating workouts.

The Spa at Lowes Arlington employs licensed aestheticians, nail technicians, massage therapists, hair stylists and fitness instructors. Immerse yourself in a world dedicated to wellness and recovery, where each detail is meticulously crafted for your comfort.

loewshotels.com/arlington-hotel/spa-services

Where Women Can Find Compassionate and Comprehensive Care While Pregnant

Women’s Health Services is an all-female OB/GYN practice that delivers compassionate, comprehensive care to women in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Dr. Joan Bergstrom started Women’s Health Services in 1986 when she moved to Arlington. “Initially in solo OB-GYN practice, my idea was to develop a group of well-qualified physicians to offer comprehensive, safe and innovative health care for patients,” said Dr. Bergstrom.

From preconception counseling, pregnancy care, and birth control to LEEP procedures, colposcopy procedures, in-office hysteroscopy, ablations, and hormonal consultations, Women’s Health Services has the skills, facility, and resources to suit every patient’s unique needs.

What sets the Women’s Health Services team apart from other women’s health practices is their commitment to working together to deliver the proper care to all patients. Patient safety, satisfaction, and comfort are their top priorities.

womenshealthservices.com

Texas Health to Expand Its Surgical Robotic Program With da Vinci 5

Twelve hospitals will have the innovative system at the end of June

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, Jun. 13, 2024 — Texas Health is expanding its surgical robotic fleet to enhance surgeon precision with the goal of improving patient outcomes across the system. By the end of June, Texas Health plans to have da Vinci 5 robotic systems at 12 hospitals.

“This expansion of robotic support for our care teams further demonstrates our capabilities in robotic technology and the future of robotic surgery,” said Brian Craft, senior vice president, Hospital Channel Financial Operations and chair of the Texas Health Robotic Governance Committee.

The da Vinci 5 by Intuitive is designed to aid surgical precision, with more than 150 new enhancements to support surgeon autonomy and care team efficiency. This system enables surgeons to feel more and see more during procedures, with a next-generation 3D display and image processing.

The robotic system is used for minimally invasive surgical procedures for urologic, gynecologic, thoracic, colorectal, bariatric and

general surgeries. Patient benefits may include reduced trauma to the body, shorter hospital stays, reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection and less scarring.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas was the first in Texas to acquire the da Vinci 5 system in April. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth was the first in Tarrant County when it deployed in May. Now the health system plans to add the da Vinci 5 at 10 additional hospitals.

Facilities receiving the technology are:

• Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

• Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance

• Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital

Hurst-Euless-Bedford

• Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth

• Texas Health Hospital Frisco

• Texas Health Hospital Rockwall

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano

• USMD Hospital at Arlington

With the da Vinci 5, the surgeon is fully in control, with the robotic system translating their hand movements into the smaller, more precise maneuvering of tiny instruments.

“These advances in technology truly enhances the care we provide our patients and helps us continue our Mission of improving the health of the people in the communities we serve,” Craft said.

BioNTX Announces 10th Annual iC3® Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit

iC3® is hosted by BioNTX in collaboration with Arlington Economic Development Corporation

DALLAS - June 06, 2024 — BioNTX, the leading biotechnology and healthcare innovation trade organization in North Texas, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated 10th Annual iC3® Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit. Scheduled to take place on October 3-4, 2024, at the prestigious Loews Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, this landmark event promises to be the pinnacle gathering for bioscience and healthcare innovation leaders across the region.

The iC3 Summit, which represents the formula of Innovation = Capital × Collaboration × Commercialization, serves as the annual meeting for leaders in the industry and academia to converge and explore business strategies, investments and market trends and learn about new, cutting-edge North Texas bioscience research, innovation, products and services.

BioNTX is proud to partner with the Arlington Economic Development Corporation to bring forth this exceptional summit. Together, the organizations have demonstrated a tangible

commitment to driving innovation, fostering growth and advancing the healthcare landscape for patients around the world.

With a projected attendance of over 1,000 industry professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders, the iC3 Summit is poised to be the largest yet. Attendees can expect unparalleled networking opportunities, insightful keynote presentations, engaging panel discussions, and access to a diverse array of exhibitors showcasing the latest advancements in bioscience and healthcare.

“We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iC3 Summit,” says Kathleen Otto-Rosenblum, CEO of BioNTX. “This event symbolizes a decade of collaboration, innovation, and progress in the North Texas bioscience and healthcare ecosystem. We are grateful for our partnership with the Arlington Economic Development Corporation and the unwavering support of our sponsors, who are instrumental in making this summit a resounding success

year after year. We look forward to delivering unparalleled insights, connections and opportunities for all attendees at this year’s iC3 Summit.”

Marty Wieder, executive director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation, adds, “The Arlington Economic Development Corporation is excited to host BioNTX and the iC3 Summit at the new Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. Cutting-edge biotechnology is crucial to our state, regional and local economies, and we are eager to support the innovative work being done through BioNTX members.”

For more information and to register for the iC3 Summit, please visit https://biontx. growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/ aPdmQAlL?mode=Attendee.

Photo credit: Intuitive

Dental Health Arlington‘s Casino Night Fundraiser

On behalf of everyone at Dental Health Arlington we would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of our “Love That Smile” gala at Ruthe Jackson Center on June 15, 2024

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies, Bryan Weatherford. And many thanks to our amazing band, “Love Letter.”

by Ashlea Pierce

Orphaned children find hope with Allies in Youth Development

Last year, while his mother spoke at the Allies in Youth Development banquet, former NBA player and TV sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal made a surprise appearance and generous donation. This year, the group has asked former NFL player and son of pastor Dr. Tony Evans, Jonathan Evans, to headline its fall fundraiser.

Headquartered in Mansfield, Allies in Youth Development is a nonprofit that seeks to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in more than 60 countries across five continents.

The organization’s hallmark initiative is a mentorship program. In-country leaders organize and train groups of local-to-them volunteers who visit orphanages regularly. As mentors, these volunteers build relational bridges, model the character of Christ, and teach life skills the orphans may not otherwise receive but desperately need to be successful. Emotional, spiritual, educational, and material support are all components of the program. Allies wants the children to know they are not forgotten and they are loved and chosen. This proven methodology lays the foundation for long-term success in the lives of these children.

In Texas, partners like churches, businesses, and organizations provide in-kind donations to the nonprofit’s Mansfield warehouse. There, volunteers pack and ship hygiene items, shoes, clothing, school supplies, and toys.

Unfortunately, the life expectancy of an orphan is less than 30. Depending on location, a child may age out of an orphanage as young as 15, often without life skills or guidance. This is why orphans are at a high risk of falling victim to human trafficking, as well as homelessness, addiction, and suicide. Allies Mentoring Program (AMP) seeks to prevent orphans from becoming another statistic.

Allies in Youth Development invites the community to join its “Color Their World” fall banquet. The free event includes dinner, a short program and live auction on September 22nd at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Mansfield. A similar event will be held the following month in Keller at Venture Church on October 20th.

Photos courtesy of Allies in Youth Development

Harris Cook, LLP is a team of problem solvers with deep experience in numerous areas of the law. Our attorneys can help you tackle virtually any legal challenge you are facing.

by Christine Vo

Photos

COOL OFF THIS SUMMER AT ONE OF ARLINGTON’S FOUR SPLASH PADS

Splash Pads are fun, free, and a great way to beat the summer heat.

The park splash pads, which opened Memorial Day weekend, are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day. After Labor Day, they are open weekends only, through the end of September.

Each location includes different water features from spraying palm trees to ground jets.

3 FREE PARK SPLASH PAD LOCATIONS

Don Misenhimer Park Splash Pad

201 E Lonesome Dove Trail, 76002

Don Misenhimer is a neighborhood spray ground featuring fountains and fixtures perfect for younger children, including a dolphin fountain, spraying palm tree and jets reaching upwards of ten feet. The park also features a basketball court, pavilion, two playgrounds and a practice field. This park also has public restrooms.

Brantley Hinshaw Park Splash Pad

2121 Overbrook Drive, 76014

Brantley Hinshaw park has a spray ground perfect for younger children. The spray ground features a spiral, spraying tunnel and arch as well as ground jets. The park also features a basketball court, practice fields, picnic area and two playgrounds.

California Lane Park Splash Pad

2001 California Lane, 76015

California Lane Park’s spray ground features a spray tunnel and arch, ground jets and a spinning water play station. The park also features a pavilion, practice fields, basketball courts and two playgrounds.

BEACON RECREATION CENTER SPLASH PAD

The Beacon Recreation Center 1100 Mansfield Webb Road, 76002

The splash pad at the Beacon Recreation Center in southeast Arlington features a water maze and spray ground as well as covered shelters available for rent. Splash pad use is available for members or enjoy access with a $8 day pass. The Beacon’s splash pad is open through October, pending weather. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

In 2022, the Parks and Recreation Department developed the Bakari Williams Protocol, which puts additional checks and balances in place for aquatics facility maintenance, and also made recommended upgrades to the aquatics facilities’ chemical testing, controllers, and secondary sanitation systems to ensure facilities are safe for public use. For more information on those protocols, visit bit.ly/3VS0bR7.

By Arlington Parks & Recreation at arlingtontx.gov

MLB 2024 All-Star Week is Here!

Fan events are taking place in Arlington, Fort Worth and the North Texas region from Friday, July 12th - Tuesday, July 16th

The 94th Midsummer Classic will be played at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, July 16th, marking the second All-Star Game to be hosted by the Rangers following the 1995 All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington.

GLOBE LIFE FIELD EVENTS

In addition to the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, Globe Life Field in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District will host the HBCU Swingman

Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) on Friday, July 12th, the All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Celebrity Softball on All-Star Saturday on July 13th, as well as the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 15th.

CAPITAL ONE ALL-STAR VILLAGE

MLB’s marquee fan festival, Capital One All-Star Village, will welcome fans from around the world for four days from Saturday, July 13th – Tuesday, July 16th. For the first time, All-Star Village, which includes the youth participation-focused Capital One PLAY BALL PARK, will take place in a former Major League Ballpark – Choctaw Stadium. All-Star Village will also encompass Esports Stadium and the North Lawn to create a uniquely one-of-akind baseball theme park in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District.

MLB DRAFT

For the fourth consecutive year, the MLB Draft will also take place during All-Star Week. The opening night of the Draft will take place on Sunday, July 14th at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the heart of Fort Worth Stockyards and be open to the public. After opening night, the remainder

of the Draft will take place Monday, July 15th and Tuesday, July 16th

YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS

Two hallmark MLB youth tournaments, the All-Star Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic presented by ARM & HAMMMER, will be played at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy in Dallas from Friday, July 12th – Monday, July 15th. The All-Star Commissioner’s Cup features teams of youth baseball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies from around the country and in Puerto Rico. The All-Star Jennie Finch Classic, named after the legendary Olympic Gold Medal Winning softball player and MLB Youth Softball Ambassador, features teams of youth softball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies and Jennie Finch softball programming.

ALL-STAR RED CARPET SHOW

The All-Star Red Carpet Show, where MLB All-Stars showcase their personal style and greet the worldwide media with their families, will again take place prior to the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 16th For additional details, visit AllStarGame.com.

Exploring Our Surrounds

Last spring on one of my first astrophotography expeditions I happened upon this barn in Milford at about 2 am. I was immediately smitten. It was beautiful and only about an hour south of my Arlington home. It also had a very, very isolated road behind it with zero traffic.

I always prefer to announce my presence, but sometimes at 2 am that’s not an option, so I stay in public spaces. I figured the roadway would be safe enough and I got one of my first shots with this barn that I was really proud of shooting. After getting a few more shots of the barn I went to the road behind and got some pretty decent shots of the Milky Way, especially for being so close to home.

I visited the barn and the road a few more times, but could never get there early enough to introduce myself to the folks that lived adjacent to the structure (opposite side of the street).

Fast forward to now:

I hadn’t been there since last year, so Monday night I took off before sunset with the mission of meeting the barn owners before bedtime. Sure enough, as I crested the hill that led to the barn I could see two trucks in the driveway. Success. As I walked up the driveway, I started to rehearse the conversation in my head.

“Hello, you don’t know me, I’m not selling anything. May I take pictures of your barn and then hang out on the road behind your house all night?”

There had to be a better way to say it. I rang the doorbell while still deep in thought of how to initiate this conversation.

The door opened much more quickly than I would have anticipated and I was greeted by a tall, older man in his mid- to late 70s. As he cautiously cracked the storm door a ball of fur escaped between the crack, through my legs, and out into the yard. It was a BEAUTIFUL tricolored Australian Shepherd.

I learned quickly that the homeowner’s name was Perry and his pup’s name was “Mick,” as in “Dundee.” I loved them already. Mick and I were almost immediately engaged in a decent wrestling match in the grass as he lapped up the attention. Perry told me that he was especially excited to have company because he hadn’t been feeling well and It had been a few days since he’d felt up to playing fetch with his pup.

Then it hit me…

“Would you be willing to trade thirty minutes of fetch for permission to take pictures of your

by Rafe Grigar

barn after the sun sets?”

“The old barn there? You want pictures of it?”

“To be honest, it won’t be my first time taking pictures of your barn, but it will be my first time stepping foot on your property. I’m a big fan of your barn!”

I showed him the shot I had gotten a year prior.

He looked up at me and said, “I can’t believe that’s my old barn. My goodness. You are more than welcome anytime you want here and behind the property. Is there any way you could get that picture to me?”

The smile on his face made me very happy. I told him I’d absolutely give him any picture he wanted. He gave me his email address and phone number and said I was welcome anytime. After a long game of fetch, I bid Mick and Perry a fantastic evening and thanked them for their hospitality.

Today I ordered Perry and Mick a nice canvas print of this shot. I’m excited to see his face when I pull up next time with my pups to give Mick some company while I shoot, and a big ol’ canvas that Perry can hang above his couch of his “ugly” barn.

All Star Boutique

ShareFest Texas provides stricken families with a welcoming home

An Arlington organization that has its roots in school beautification projects evolved into an uplifting presence in the Tarrant County community.

ShareFest Texas was founded by John Thielman in 2013, with an eye toward engaging area high school students in cleanup projects on their campuses. Its mission now has turned to creating a welcoming home environment for families escaping domestic violence / child abuse circumstances.

“Our goal was campus cleanup, in the Arlington ISD and Mansfield ISD,” said Thielman. “We also did neighborhood cleanups, painted murals, planted gardens, and things like that.”

Thielman, who retired after a career in IT, has a track record of working with students, going back to the years he spent leading groups on cleanup projects around schools in the Los Angeles area.

“Coming back to Texas got me back into working with at-risk youth,” he said.

The COVID pandemic, however, forced a change in course. He had been working through the Kiwanis Club of Arlington with student groups at Sam Houston High School and the AISD’s other high schools. But because of social distancing, student groups weren’t allowed to participate in such activities.

The pandemic also gave Thielman, and many families in North Texas, time at home to clean out garages and storage areas that had held unused – but quality – furnishings.

As he, like many others in North Texas, began donating furniture, an outlet developed for the quality items being discarded. After multiple trips to deliver goods to Safe Haven of Tarrant County, an organization that assists domestic violence family victims, officials there noticed his efforts –and the quality of goods he was providing.

SafeHaven was clearing safe housing units because of COVID and asked Thielman if he could help move furniture. “I asked, ‘When do you need me to start?’ and they said, “Next weekend” Thielman recalled.

From there, the group has branched out to aid other agencies, including Mission Arlington, Arlington Urban Ministries, the Arlington Night Shelter, Arlington Housing Authority, Tarrant County Child Protective Services, and dozens of others.

That helped launch efforts for donors and volunteers to furnish apartments for families suffering domestic violence. In July, the organization is expecting to furnish its 300th apartment since 2020.

Thielman emphasizes that the apartments are more than a roof and walls. His aim is to give the occupants a welcoming home.

“We don’t just give them regular vanilla items and decor. We put rugs on the floor, artwork on the walls, fine furniture throughout” he said. “Everything is sanitized from the bathroom to the kitchen.”

Through an arrangement with Sealy, ShareFest receives a shipment of queen-size mattresses each quarter.

With the help of benefactors and donors, ShareFest has expanded from its original 10-by20 storage cube to its current 4,200-squarefoot warehouse, which Thielman said is now perpetually full.

One of the most significant moments in the development of ShareFest occurred when Thielman visited an estate to obtain any items they were willing to donate. When the trustees managing the pickup relayed his story to the family, wheels were set in motion for an unexpected and epic donation.

The family had decided to make a $100,000 initial donation to ShareFest with a check that was presented at a dinner. Thielman said that he and his board were astounded at the generosity. But that was only the beginning. A second installment for $310,000 stunned the organization a couple of weeks later.

Thielman said the family’s donations connected squarely with ShareFest’s mission statement. “That was the tie, providing hope,” he said. “There’s a connection in the big sky!”

ShareFest continues to grow, working with real estate agents who connect the organization with home sellers and buyers who donate furnishings from their home prior to moving them. They can move the content to a local storage unit at a low rent where the family can view it, select what they want to keep in the family, then donate the rest to ShareFest.

The group also collects bicycles, which are repaired and donated to unsheltered and sheltered homeless individuals who need transportation to and from jobs, and suitcases for foster children families who sometimes are forced to change homes with only the clothes on their backs.

Support also comes from fund-raisers, such as a recent “percent-of-sales” event at Moni’s restaurant in Arlington, and from the Arlington ISD, whose students both assist and benefit from the efforts.

Students help provision welcome bags that are distributed to DV families as they arrive in

by Bob Kowalski

their apartments, and sometimes help move furniture.

“It gives them a view of what is involved with community service, receive copius amounts of gratitude and also learn how good they have it,” Thielman said.

One of the emotional elements of ShareFest’s efforts is a lamp that is given to each apartment recipient that has their name etched in it. It’s in the shape of a house with the recipient’s name engraved, along with hands and hearts to signify the donors and volunteers responsible for the strong support they receive. The lamp has a remote which allows the change of light colors and action.

“If you saw the level of gratification that pours out of the recipient mom and her children, and see the emotional transformation as they go from traumatic home environment to the shelters to their “model-like” apartment in very public space,” said Thielman. “That has an immediate impact on everyone involved; i.e., the donors, the SFT team, and of course the recipients. Every single move has been a Kleenex moment where joy-filled tears flow freely.” The impact comes full circle when prior recipients come to serve with the ShareFest team, a practice that has had a positive impact on their recovery.

More information on how to get involved with ShareFest Texas can be found at www. sharefest-texas.org.

LOEWS HOTELS IN ARLINGTON PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THEIR 2024 SUMMERFEST CELEBRATION

CULTURE - Loews Hotels in Arlington x Read with Jenna Summer(fest) Reading List

Live! by Loews – Arlington and Loews Arlington Hotel are delighted to announce an exclusive summer celebration with TODAY’s Read with Jenna, Jenna Bush Hager’s esteemed book club. Embracing the burgeoning trend of indulging in literary escapes while on vacation, guests will have access to a handpicked Summer(fest) Reading List curated by Jenna herself.

As part of this celebration, guests will enjoy the convenience of purchasing books through Shop TODAY, providing the flexibility to stock up in advance or acquire e-books and audiobooks during their stay. This initiative, which will include additional touch points, including curated kids’ reading lists and access to Jenna’s summer travel picks, aims to encourage exploration both within and beyond hotel walls.

CRAFT - Free Spirited by Loews Hotels

Free Spirited by Loews Hotels program, launched this year, offers craft libations focusing on locally sourced ingredients and unique flavor combinations sans-booze. Summerfest 2024 will offer revamped beverage offerings to enjoy this summer season. Using the same care, attention to detail, and local flavors guests know and love, the on-site beverage talent will refresh their free-spirited creations with seasonal ingredients.

Available at Live! by Loews Arlington will be the Cranberry Sangrita, made with cranberry, pineapple, orange and lemon juice, topped off with ginger beer, and the Watermelon Nojito consisting of watermelon puree, lime juice, simple syrup, mint and club soda.

Loews Arlington Hotel will offer the No Fashioned with Lyre’s American Malt, maple and soy, and the Something Sour, made with Lyre’s American Malt, lemon, and Fever Tree ginger beer.

Photos courtest of Loews Hotels in Arlington

Pride of the Coast Guard: Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro

by Kali Schick

Ofthe more than 3,500 Medal of Honor Recipients, only one US Coast Guardsman has been awarded the Medal—Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro. His commitment to others continues to be a source of pride and inspiration for members of the Coast Guard today.

Born in Vancouver, Canada, to an American father and British mother, Munro moved to Cle Elum, Washington, as a child. From a young age, Munro was moved to help those in need. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, Munro gathered wood in the forests near his home and delivered it to those who needed it to keep warm in the winter months.

Marines. At midday, the boats were away, headed towards the shore. Closing in, Munro noticed a reef, and led the group of landing craft around it. The Higgins boats beached, unloaded the Marines and returned to Lunga Point. Munro and his crews were still refueling their boats when word came down that the Marines were already in trouble and needed to be pulled out. Without hesitation, Munro gathered his men and sped off to return the Marines.

Helping others quickly became a passion for Munro, and it was no surprise to his family when he decided to join the Coast Guard in 1939. Aware of the worsening situation in Europe, Munro knew the possibility of compulsory military service was likely and preferred to have a choice in how he served his country. His choice was simple, as he told his family, “What I like about the Coast Guard is fundamentally their reason for being is to save lives, rather than to take them.” What Munro could not have known was that in saving lives, he would sacrifice his own.

Munro met fellow recruit Raymond J. Evans while enlisting in the Coast Guard. The two quickly became inseparable as they moved through training together. In 1940, Munro and Evans were stationed aboard USCGC Spencer (WPG-36). As the ship participated in Neutrality Patrols in the Atlantic, Munro worked towards earning the signalman rate. He learned Morse Code, how to communicate with signal flags, and to encode and decode messages. Munro successfully achieved the rate of signalman third class in September 1940.

On August 7, 1942, American forces landed on Guadalcanal, the Florida Islands, and Tulagi in Solomon Islands. Stationed aboard USS McCawley (APA-10) at this time, Munro had qualified as a small boat operator, and piloted landing craft (often called Higgins boats), taking Marines ashore in the third wave at

Tulagi. With the beachhead secured, Munro went ashore with this signalman’s gear to provide communication between the Marines ashore and the ships out to sea. The following day he evacuated casualties, returning them to McCawley.

With his skills as a signalman and boat driver, Munro was selected for transfer to a newly assembled boat pool at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. Living in makeshift accommodations on the still contested island, Munro and Evans moved supplies, ferried casualties out to hospital ships, and rescued downed airmen.

By late September 1942, Japanese forces had withdrawn to the western side of the river, requiring the insertion of Marines to hold the area and prevent Japanese forces from holding ground near American lines. A message from Marines fighting in the area was either misinterpreted or ambiguous but led the 1st Marine Division headquarters to believe they had crossed the river and were fighting there. This resulted in the order for three Marine companies to land via landing craft on a beach west of Point Cruz to enter the attack from the rear.

On September 27, Munro was put in charge of the Higgins boats assigned to land the

Upon reaching the pickup point, Munro’s small group of boats came under fire. Urged by other boat pilots to fall back, Munro refused. He had put those Marines ashore and would take them off. Munro positioned his landing craft parallel to the shore so Evans could provide covering fire for the Marines. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Munro held steady as the Marines swam out to the waiting landing craft. As the last men were picked up, Munro began to turn towards Lunga Point when he noticed a landing raft stuck on a reef. As crews worked to free it, Munro pulled his boat in behind the stuck craft, putting himself in the line of enemy fire.

Evans watched in horror as a bullet struck Munro in the back of the head. He grabbed the wheel and returned to Lunga Point as fast as the landing craft could go. Beaching the boat, Evans knelt to Munro, who had collapsed on the bottom of the landing craft. Munro, who had just regained consciousness, asked Evans, “Did they get off?” As Evans assured his friend the Marines were safe, Munro died. He was twenty-two years old.

In May 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to Munro’s parents, James and Edith. Not long after, Edith joined the women’s unit of the Coast Guard, the SPARS. Past the age of enlistment, an exception was made for her, and as a lieutenant she ran the Coast Guard Barracks in Seattle. Today, Munro is remembered with pride by the Coast Guard and with appreciation by the Marine Corps.

Kali Schick is Senior Historian for the National Medal of Honor Museum

Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro

Memorial Day Celebration at Veteran’s Park

HOME SWEET! HOME

WELCOME

HOME! Discover this beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located in a peaceful, established neighborhood.

The spacious layout creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for relaxation and entertainment alike. The updated kitchen boasts an island, plenty of cabinetry, and beautiful countertops.

Stepping outside you’ll discover a backyard complete with a covered patio and plenty of room for friends and family. This home was MADE for gathering!

Windows were replaced in 2019

ensuring both style and energy efficiency. Don’t miss out on this perfect blend of modern upgrades and comfortable living in a great location.

SELLERS are OFFERING $5000.00 in closing costs! Conveniently located near I-20 and Hwy. 161, this home offers modern luxury and everyday ease in one perfect package!

Schedule your showing today. Home qualifies for a $7500 Home Buyer Grant with Chase Home Lending! Contact Shelley Whatley, REALTOR®, HIGHTOWER REALTORS at 469-222-9795.

Mainstage Classic Theatre delivers high-level drama

When Marty Fredrick arrived in Mansfield in 1994, there wasn’t much drama going on – at least not on the stage. In the past three decades, Fredrick has watched the city and the theatrics flourish. And she can take credit for a lot of the growth of theater.

Fredrick, who now directs productions for Mainstage Classic Theatre, has been involved in community theater for 56 years.

“We’ve just attracted really good talent,” she said. “People don’t realize the talent they have. I love drawing it out. Character development is the single most important thing in an actor’s development. We have had people who grew up to be professionals.”

Mainstage Classic Theatre produces two to three productions each year, plus holding summer camps for youngsters. The campers stage their own production at the end of their summer term.

This summer, the campers will stage Godspell, the 2012 revival of the musical play and feature film based on the parables from the Gospel of Matthew, on July 19-20 at Willie Pigg Auditorium, 1520 N. Walnut Creek Drive.

The campers will have two weeks to rehearse before they hit the stage, Fredrick said.

“Our camps are hard,” she said. “We call them intensive camps.”

by Amanda Rogers

Mainstage Classic Theatre productions feature large casts, a full band, great costumes, and sets built by a master carpenter and scenic artist.

“This is a team effort,” Fredrick said. “This is not your typical community theater. We all do the work together. There’s never yelling.”

Mainstage Classic Theatre, which began as Mansfield Community Theatre in 2009, started with eight original members, including current president John McClain, Scott Ferrell, worship arts director at First Methodist Mansfield and Fredrick.

The theater group has produced huge productions including My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Music Man, and The Sound of Music. In June, Mainstage Classic Theatre staged Fiddler on the Roof.

When Fredrick began producing theater in Mansfield, she was quickly embraced by the community.

“Live theater was nothing then, in 1994, when we moved here,” she said. “We had one high school theater and no one had a group. I rented a place on Cooper Street to give voice, piano, guitar and drama and rented the Scott Theatre in Fort Worth (for shows).

“Scott Ferrell and I did The Wizard of Oz at the Scott and then everyone wanted to take lessons,” Fredrick said. “That just kind of set it off.”

Since then, Ferrell and Fredrick have collaborated on classes, camps and productions at the Art Institute of Mansfield and Mansfield Community Theatre. In 2018, the theater group became Mainstage Classic Theatre.

“We were drawing from more than Mansfield,” Fredrick said. “We were doing plays in Kennedale.”

In the past 30 years, the city has grown and added five community theater groups and all five Mansfield ISD high schools have active theater departments.

Fredrick doesn’t know what the future looks like now that there’s so much drama in Mansfield.

“When we started, there was a need for us,” she said. “We can continue to do two works a year and the camps. We don’t have a technical director. We need to have help. I think we need to do what we do really well.

“We’ve enriched lives,” she said. “I know I will continue to oversee productions and I will direct the big ones. If people would come and see, these are really good shows.

“There is still a niche for live theater done at a high level,” Fredrick said.

For more information, go to mainstageclassic theatre.org.

Photos courtesy of Mainstage Classic Theatre

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

FROZEN JR.

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

The wait is over, H-E-B is here!

After an eight-year wait, Mansfield’s H-E-B has finally opened.

“I know we all appreciate the end to the question, ‘When is H-E-B going to open?’” said Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans at the ribbon cutting of the 118,000-square-foot store at 1670 East Broad Street.

The San Antonio-based grocery opened its sixth store in North Texas on June 26, finally delivering the most anxiously awaited addition to the fast-growing city.

H-E-B purchased 28 acres at the southeast corner of US 287 and East Broad Street in 2016, but didn’t break ground until February 2023.

Mansfield residents have eagerly anticipated the store’s opening, even forming a Mansfield H-E-B Foodie Group on Facebook that has drawn more than 20,000 followers, many of them purchasing T-shirts to celebrate the Mansfield opening.

A crowd of more than 200 attended an invitation-only VIP tour and ribbon cutting, easing the fears of Juan Carlos Ruck, executive vice president of the North West Food Drug Retail Division at H-E-B.

“I’m always afraid that no one’s going to come,” Ruck said.

Shoppers started lining up the afternoon before the 6 a.m. store opening.

The Mansfield H-E-B will reflect the community, said Shannon Crites, manager of the new store.

“We have hired just under 800 partners, 90 percent of them locally,” he said.

Those local employees will have a lot to do, keeping the massive retailer running.

Mansfield’s H-E-B will feature a True Texas BBQ with a drive-thru and sit-down restaurant, plus a pharmacy with a drive-thru and in-store facility.

Other features include:

• Bakery featuring handmade artisan breads, cakes and in-store made, warm tortillas

• Deli department with an expansive cheese selection and charcuterie station

• Sushiya offering handmade sushi selections made in-store daily and an Asian grill with rice bowls, teriyaki and more

• H-E-B Meal Simple with fresh, convenient chef-inspired meals prepared in store

• Cooking Connection with live demonstrations and samplings for easy recipes to make at home

• Produce section with large organic and Texas-grown selections

• Meat market with Prime, natural and organic meats, and fully cooked options

• Expansive selections in grocery and general merchandise departments such as dairy, frozen foods, baby, and seasonal

• Blooms floral department, offering online ordering and delivery service

• As the No. 1 beer and wine retailer in Texas, the store has an extensive craft beer and wine section with sampling station

• Healthy Living department with bulk food items, sports nutrition products and supplements

• Texas Backyard department, featuring plants, pottery, grills and outdoor essentials

• Beauty department with a wide selection of cosmetics and other beauty items

• Pet department featuring pet toys and treats as well as Heritage Ranch by H-E-B pet food, where 1 percent of sales from the product line supports Texas animal shelters

• Household Essentials department with seasonal disposable plates, bowls and utensils, and Texas Tough brand, including Texas Tough value pack with storage bags in one easy-to-use box

• A gas station and car wash near the entry off East Broad Street

In addition to the hundreds of new employees, the Mansfield H-E-B will have a significant economic impact, said Jason Moore, executive director of the Mansfield Economic Development Corporation.

“Theres the property tax, sales tax and outof-town spending,” Moore pointed out. “The trade area for an H-E-B is bigger than any other grocery. People will drive 28 minutes to get to an H-E-B, while regular grocery stores only have a 15 to 20 minute range.”

Mabrie Jackson, managing director of H-E-B Public Affairs, was happy to finally open the Mansfield location.

“It is an honor to work with the Mansfield Mayor, city council and wonderful city staff to make this store possible,” Jackson said. “They have been wonderful partners and we look forward to serving the Mansfield community, offering an exceptional shopping experience and fresh quality products with our everyday low prices.”

by Amanda Rogers

The Arlington Woman’s

Club held its annual Philanthropy Dinner on April 12 with a Casino Night theme. The event benefitted AWC Scholarship MS and Phased In, a program for young ladies who have aged out of foster care.

Peggy Martin, Linda Black, Joy McKee

Nancy Courtwright, Mark Calderon, Madeline Fontanelli

Kim Murphy, Sandra Harris, Karen Bornsen, YY Lee

Kay Biggs, Norma Dickey

Gene and Sharon Elrod, Cynthia Berend

Kind Acts Earn $$!

Baseball history will be made in Arlington

Baseballhistory will be made in Arlington this month. When considering baseball history it is somewhat mind-boggling after all “modern day” baseball started 149 years ago. The National League formed in 1875. The American League came along in 1901 which is why it is called the “junior circuit” to this day.

The historic event that will take place here is that a stadium that once hosted the All-Star Game will now be the centerpiece of another All-Star weekend. Choctaw Stadium, then The Ballpark in Arlington, will be home to All-Star Village after hosting the game itself in 1995.

That game in ’95 was a seminal moment in the continuing growth of Arlington. Our colleague and friend Richard Greene was the Mayor then and remembers getting a call after the game from no less than Rudy Guliani, the Mayor of New York. He asked if he could send a team from NYC to Arlington as they tried to determine how we did it. How did we get such a beautiful ballpark built with community support in such a short amount of time?

It took the New Yorkers until 2009 to get their stadium built. By which time the people of Arlington had voted on, approved, and helped build another stadium. AT&T Stadium officially opened just one month after the new Yankee Stadium.

The spirit of cooperation shared by the City of Arlington and its people is unlike any major

league city in America. Now there is another new stadium in town and it is what attracted this AllStar Game and allowed for history to be made.

“I think it speaks to the Rangers’ approach to how they developed Arlington over the last few years,” said Jerimiah Yolkut, Vice President for Events, Major League Baseball.

”They are very forward thinking when it comes to how they could best use space to offer their fans the best product possible.”

Unlike 1995, this time virtually all of the big weekend events will be right here in Arlington on the campus that has become known as the Entertainment District.

“We have this crown jewel historical ballpark right in the middle of the district,” Yolkut said and wondered, “Could we build something around it?”

The answer is yes! It will be called All-Star Village and it will extend from Globe Life Field north to the Esports Stadium and include everything in between. The Village that will have something for everyone all weekend long.

“One ticket gets you into everything,” Yolkut explained. “You want to go and do gaming, great. You want to go on the field at Choctaw, that is also great. Would you rather listen to music on the side of Mark Holtz Lake, that’s in the mix as well.”

It all begins on July 12, that Friday night you could attend the HBCU Swingman Classic. This is a chance for baseball student athletes from HIstorically Black Colleges and Universities to showcase their talent on a national stage and a chance for you to see some great baseball at Globe Life Field.

On Saturday the 13th the All-Star Village

opens as fans from around the world will flock to Arlington for a weekend of baseball. Inside Choctaw will be the Play Ball Park along with food, fun, and festivities focused on baseball.

Saturday is also when the All-Star Futures game will be played. This event features some of the best young talent in the game today. It will include many of the players you will be watching for years to come. Former Futures game players include Mike Trout, Justin Verlander, and Neftali Feliz to name a few. There is also a celebrity softball game on Saturday.

The Village is open all day Sunday. The showcase event of that day is the MLB Draft. Formerly known as the June Draft, it has been moved to All-Star weekend. It will be held in the Cowtown Coliseum in the historic Stockyards area of Fort Worth.

Monday is All-Star workout day. It is the fans’ first chance to see this year’s crop of all-stars as both teams take batting practice during the day. Monday evening features one of the favorite events of every Midsummer Classic. It is the Home Run Derby. The village is open all day Monday and Tuesday as well.

Finally, on Tuesday, July 16th the game will be played. The eyes of the baseball world will be on Arlington again. Perhaps Mayor Ross should expect to get a call after the game from the mayor of Chicago or Los Angeles or London or Paris asking, “How does Arlington do it?”

Of course, we know how Arlington does it, with style, class, and good old-fashioned Texas Hospitality.

Sports columnist John Rhadigan is an anchor for the Bally Sports Southwest television network.

JOHN RHADIGAN

Photos by Dwayne Lee/Southern Flair Photography

40 Under Forty Returns for a Third Year in Greater Arlington

Recognizing young leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds is crucial for our community. Building on the success of the past two years, The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Arlington Today Magazine, is now accepting nominations for the third annual 40 Under Forty program. This is your opportunity to honor a peer, mentee, or someone you admire and to share an inspiring success story with a wider audience.

“To ensure Arlington’s bright future, it’s our responsibility to cultivate the next generation of business and community leaders,” said Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber, “This program enables us to showcase up-and-comers with everyone in greater Arlington.”

Arlington ranks as the 49th largest city in the USA, surpassing New Orleans, Orlando, and Pittsburgh in size. Our success hinges on having a steady stream of responsible, community-focused leaders who can serve as elected officials, lead our businesses, and contribute to our local nonprofits as board members and volunteers.

We welcome all of those under 40 to be nominated (full eligibility details are listed at the end). Think of the employees in your office as well as the entrepreneurs you interact with. Maybe, it’s a client or vendor that has impressed you; reach out to them and tell them you want to nominate them. Under 40? Ask a mentor, boss or community leader to nominate you and tell them why you feel you deserve this recognition.

by Britton Merritt

After a selection committee from the Chamber evaluates all nominees, the top 40 will be announced, and each honoree will be recognized in a dedicated 40 Under 40 issue of Arlington Today Magazine as well as at a celebration dinner.

“Arlington Today could not be more excited to continue this program,” said Judy Rupay, co-creator of the magazine and former City of Arlington councilwoman. “We must continue to identify future leaders and nurture their growth by connecting them to each other and our community.”

Nominations are open now and close Friday, August 2. You can find all the details at Arlingtontx.com/40under40.

ELIGIBILITY: (1) Highly encouraged to live AND work in Arlington or a city that touches Arlington (Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Kennedale, DWG, Pantego) (2) Only one person per small business will be selected as an honoree. For larger businesses or organizations (500+ employees) two nominees will be considered if they’re from different departments (3) In order to be considered eligible, nominees must be 39 years old or younger as of January 1, 2023 (4) Chosen honorees are required to attend the awards presentation Nov 16, 2023. Inability to attend the awards event is an automatic disqualification from the program. (5) Self-nominations are NOT permitted (6) Chamber membership is NOT a requirement.

Britton Merritt is Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce

95th Birthday Celebration

Former Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom’s

8:00am Breakfast

9:00am Shotgun Start

Lunch Following Play

Special Thanks To

To Support The Arlington/Mansfield Area Salvation Army and North Texas Youth Education Town (YET)

The mission of The Salvation Army is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Family Life Center helps families avoid homelessness and regain self-sufficiency and houses families in need. The YET provides programs to support children, youth and adults, primarily from low-income families.

For more information:

Lt. Anna Maslenikova (470) 270-9591 or register by using this QR code or by typing this link https://bit.ly/4etXNXW

Make and Take: Fluid Art

A fun and exciting way to create beautiful abstract art. Artists will instruct you through fluid art techniques and work with you as you complete your project.

July 19 • 7-8:30pm Catalyst Creative Arts

300 West Main St.

JULY BOOK CLUBS

Southwest Morning Reading Group –7/10 • 11am

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See Southwest Branch Library

Night Out Book Club – 7/11 • 7pm Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan La Madeleine - 4201 S. Cooper

Good Grounds Book Club – 7/17 • 11am

Bring any book and enjoy coffee Woodland West Branch Library

Texas Authors Book Club –7/18 • 6:30pm

TBA – check website for updates Fielder Museum

Southwest Spine Crackers –7/18 • 7pm

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Southwest Branch Library

Silent Book Club – 7/27 • 11am

Bring any book and enjoy refreshments

The Coffee Shoppe, 5321 W Main St, Grand Prairie

LOCAL SPORTS CORNER

World Series Champion TEXAS RANGERS

July 2-4 vs San Diego Padres

7/2 – Nathaniel Lowe Gold Glove Bobblehead

7/3 – Josh Jung Replica Postseason Jersey

July 5-7 vs Tampa Bay Rays

July 19-20 vs Baltimore Orioles

July 22-25 vs Chicago White Sox

7/23 – Adolis García Replica World Series Ring 7/24 – Jonah Heim Gold Glove Bobblehead

August 2-4 vs Boston Red Sox

August 5-7 vs Houston Astros

North Texas Soccer Club

7/3 vs Minnesota United • 7:45pm

7/27 vs St. Louis • 7:15pm 8/10 vs Sporting Kansas City II • 7:15pm Choctaw Stadium

WNBA Dallas Wings

7/3 vs Phoenix Mercury • 7pm

7/5 vs Atlanta Dream • 6:30pm

7/13 vs Los Angeles Sparks • 2:30pm 7/17 vs Indiana Fever • 6:30pm College Park Center - UTA

Major League Cricket’s Second Season Begins Matches are held nearly every day in July. Our home team schedule is featured here.

MLC Texas Super Kings

7/5 Texas Super Kings vs Los Angeles Knight Riders

7/14 MI New York vs Texas Super Kings

7/19 Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings

7/23 Seattle Orcas vs Texas Super Kings

7/24-26 Eliminator, Qualifier and Challenger Matches

7/28 Championship

These matches and many more can be seen at Grand Prairie Stadium 7:30pm

In life, there are kind and sympathetic gestures that remind us there are still compassionate people walking among us. A friend who brings a meal when you are too weary from illness or overwhelmed to even think about what’s for dinner. A stranger in the check-out line who offers to pay for groceries when you’ve left your wallet at home but everything on your list just went down the conveyor belt and into bags. A neighbor who brings in a package delivered to your doorstep while you’re out of town.

And then there are people who decide in a split second that someone’s life is worth saving and they will do all they can to help.

25-year-old Kelyn Browning is one of those people.

He’s a ramp agent with Delta Airlines who is working to earn his private pilot license. On a Tuesday evening in May, he was in his apartment studying and suddenly heard yelling from the pool.

“This little girl was yelling, ‘Help! Help! My little brother is drowning, he’s drowning!” said Browning. “And I stepped on the balcony to see what was going on and

Who’s Doing Some Good in Our Neighborhood?

FEATURED THIS MONTH:

Kelyn Browning

when I saw the little girl, she was about seven years old screaming, I instantly ran downstairs from my apartment, jumped over the metal fence, and dove into our nine-foot pool.

“There was a six-year-old boy at the bottom, unconscious. I swam to the bottom and grabbed him and pulled him up to the concrete to give him CPR. Once CPR started, after about 15 seconds he opened his eyes and started vomiting.

“Another neighbor had called 911. I honestly don’t know how he was on the deep

end of the pool, but I feel like God had me at the right place at the right time. I’m so happy I was there and could save him.

“The paramedics and police showed up about five minutes later and they took the little boy to the hospital. I gave the police report and the officer thanked me for saving the boy’s life. I haven’t seen the little guy since, but I do know that he is safe and he’s doing well and lived to tell the story. I’m just happy that I could save him.”

Kelyn eventually hopes to fly for Delta Airlines.

“Where did I ever get the energy to do this?”

Jim Chappel’s renovated ’35 Chevy is a classic ‘before/after’ project • by Richard

Jim Chappel started working on cars when he was 14 years old. He especially liked turning old ones into hot rods. When he was dating Susan, and she showed him her great uncle’s 1935 Chevrolet stored in the family barn, he expressed a courteous interest. But seeing that it was a four-door sedan and not at all suited for transformation into a racer, he thought little more of it at the time.

Besides, the vehicle was pretty well worn out. Uncle Bill Moore had bought it new in Burlington, KS, and had accumulated just over 30,000 miles on it around the farm, including using it to haul hay in the back seat.

Jim and Susan were married in 1966 and it would be almost 30 years before deciding the old Chevy had an afterlife after all. No, it wouldn’t be as a converted hot rod, but actually restored to its original showroom condition. Chevrolet Motor Division would be really proud of the result, as you can plainly see from the pictures here.

The couple did all the resurrection themselves, except for the paint and upholstery. It was no small task dealing with the old sedan that most would have thought was better suited for a trip to the junkyard. Jim explained the process like this: “Over time the car was completely dis-

assembled, every part removed, labeled, bagged and stored. All frame and body components, as well as most other parts, were sandblasted before the restoration work started.”

They decided to make an exception to the original condition objective when it came to the mechanical workings so it could be driven safely and reliably in today’s traffic.

Unlike so many vintage automobiles of the 1930s, the Chappels’ car can be driven pretty much anywhere they would like to go. The engine is a custom-built, 355-cubic-inch, smallblock Chevrolet that produces 403 horsepower; the transmission is a Chevy TH350 automatic – but the rear end is a high-performance, eightinch Ford type.

Okay, so nobody has to know about that little departure from the otherwise-all-Chevrolet purity. Even the original clutch pedal remains, and the automatic shift lever is the same size and in the same location as the original shift lever so that it appears the car is still equipped with the original standard transmission. “The body, fenders, doors and grill shell were completely stripped before starting the bodywork process,” Jim said. “And the interior of the body and the doors had sound deadening material and insulation added.

“Interestingly, 1935 was the last year that Chevrolet used wood for internal body supports, and, with the exception of four pieces which we fabricated, all the wood was in excellent condition and was sealed and reused.”

They found almost all the original parts of the car scattered around the barn so the steering column, steering wheel, and dashboard could be rebuilt and recalibrated to use with contemporary engine management systems.

Describing the beautiful wood graining on the dash insert, Jim gladly credits the faithfully recreated work of “an old gentleman in East Texas that had done this type of work at the GM factories in Detroit in the 1930s.”

Details of the upholstery were made from the original design using exact patterns and mohair just like it first came with. The rear seat assist handle located on the back of the front seat and rear window roll-up shade complete the passenger comfort features.

With all the details so realistically attended to, it’s hard to image a better example of what Chevrolet called their “Master American” passenger vehicles manufactured between 1933 and 1942.

Eighty years later, this one remains in the family of its original owner and that may be the best part of this car’s remarkable story.

Greene

Jim and Susan Chappel pose near their pristine, remodeled 1935 Chevrolet.

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published in November 2015.

The process of getting Jim Chappel’s 1935 Chevrolet from the barn to the road was an arduous undertaking. But, as the photos on these pages show, it was a rewarding one, as well.

Photos by Richard Greene

Jim Chappel kept an original tire (seen here). But almost all of the rest of his renovated automobile is new or completely refurbished – and spectacular.

Inn

AMERICAN

Candlelite Inn • 1202 E. Division St. • 817-275-9613 • candleliteinnarlington.com

Dino’s Subs • 2221 S. Collins St. • 817-274-1140 • dinossubs.com

The Grease Monkey • 200 N. Mesquite St. • 817-665-5454 • greasemonkeyburgers.com

Hearsay Lounge & Restaurant • 1711 E. Randol Mill Rd. • 817-591-1700 • hearsayarlington.com

Mercury Chophouse • 2221 E. Lamar Blvd. • 817-381-1157 • mercurychophouse.com

Tipsy Oak • 301 E. Front St. • 817-962-0304 • thetipsyoak.com

The Tin Cup • 1025 W. Abram St. • 817-303-5518 • tincupdeli.com

Zack’s Bistro • 900 E. Copeland Rd. • 682-323-8789 • zackbistro.com

ITALIAN/PIZZA

Café Sicilia • 7221 Matlock Rd. #3409 •817-419-2800 • cafesicillia.com

Moni’s Pasta & Pizza • 1730 W. Randol Mill Rd. • 817-860-6664 • monispastapizzamenu.com

Italy Pasta Pizza & Subs • 2221 Browning Dr. • 817-276-3200 • italypastapizzasubs.com

Old School Pizza Tavern • 603 W. Abram St. • 682-310-6266 • oldschoolpizzatavern.com

Roma Trattoria • 6204 S. Cooper St. • 817-962-0064

Vietalia Kitchen • 1220 S. Cooper St. • 817-460-1945 • vietaliakitchentx.com

Piccolo Mondo • 1829 E. Lamar Blvd Arlington. • 817-265-9174 • piccolomondo.com

David’s Barbecue

BARBECUE

Piccolo Mondo

David’s Barbecue • 2224 W. Park Row Dr., Suite H • 817-261-9998 • davidsbarbecuetx.com

Hurtado Barbecue • 205 Front St. • 682-323-5141 • hurtadobbq.com

Bodacious Bar-B-Q • 1206 E. Division St. • 817-860-4248 • bodaciousbarbq.com

Spring Creek Barbeque • 3608 S. Cooper St. • 817- 465-0553 • springcreekbarbeque.com

INTERNATIONAL

Gangnam Rice • 4638 S. Cooper St. #190 • 682-320-8720 •gangnamrice.com

Sunny Thai • 4306 Matlock Rd. #108 • 817-617-2216 • sunnythaitx.com

Tic-Taco • 715 W. Park Row Dr. • 817-617-2980 • tictacogo.com

Cane Rosso • 200 N. East St. • 817-533-3120 • canerosso.com

Gyros To Go • 710 E. Sublett Rd. #101 • 817-419-2878 • gyrostogo1.com

Spicy Bites Indian • 1220 S. Cooper St. • 817-642-5005 • spicybitesarlington.com

Prince Lebanese • 502 W. Randol Mill Rd. • 817-469-1811 • princelebanesegrill.com

Prince Lebanese Grill

Candlelite

3141E.BroadSt.Suite115

Remarkable Baseball Art Exhibit by Arlington’s Own Steve Moya

Asthis year’s MLB All Star week unfolds to national attention centered on Arlington, there’s a unique companion event featuring the work of one of our city’s own premier artists, Steve Moya.

Many will recognize Steve as the creator of Arlington’s “Best Outdoor Festival” that premiered in 2012 as Art On The Greene in the shadow of The Ballpark in Arlington and is now an annual event as the South Street Art Festival. It’s the longest-running and only fine art exhibit in the city.

Inspired by the 1995 Emmy Award-winning Ken Burns documentary series featuring the history of baseball, Steve launched his idea of creating a baseball art exhibit in 2018. Six years later, we all get to see the remarkable results of that brainstorm.

He explains, “When I was watching that documentary, I was intrigued with the history of

the 1800s and early 1900s. There was something about the baseball players of that time that I felt would make for great subject matter.

“As a kid growing up playing baseball and even all the way up into my 40s, my love for the game made the thought of creating this exhibit even more exciting.”

The results of that ‘great subject matter’ has captured, up close and personal, the images of some of the greatest players from the history of America’s Game.

Seeing what, at first, may appear as vintage black and white photos, his work is truly exceptional. I asked Steve how he does that.

“When I create a portrait of someone, I always start with their eyes … to me, that is the most important part, then I work on completing the rest of their face. Once I am happy with the way their face has turned out, then I move on to the rest of drawing.”

Okay, so I then asked how long does that take?

“Most of the drawings take a couple of days to complete, if I was to work uninterrupted on them. Because I am usually working on 5 or 6 drawings

at a time, I will get all the faces completed, then work on one for a bit, then switch to another one … doing this repeatedly until I’ve completed them. Then I start on a new group of drawings.”

He makes it seem like others could do that but his work is a definitive example of a one-of-akind result.

Steve has no plans to sell the images. “My goal is for The Art of Baseball to become a traveling exhibit that would go to every MLB city across the country.”

So, when and where will we all get to see these heroes of baseball portrayed by Steve? Glad you asked.

He gives the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the city, credit for being “100 percent behind the exhibit, their help has been huge.”

It all unfolds in the lobby of the ACV Bureau’s office at Choctaw Stadium from July 13-17. Tickets are available on the event’s website, moyaartevents.com/art-of-baseball.

Richard Greene is a former mayor of Arlington.

RICHARD GREENE

Discover the Art of World-Class Dining at Loews Arlington

The new Loews Arlington Hotel introduces five new dining experiences, including Farena, a three-meal Italian restaurant with wood-stone pizza ovens and a Pasta Lab. Other options include Veranda, Tomar El Sol, Railbird, and a lobby bar.

Women’s Health Services, Tarrant County’s largest all-female OB/GYN practice, has now opened an office in Grand Prairie!

Dedicated to providing OB care in Grand Prairie and the Arlington/Mansfield area, our top priority is addressing all expectant mothers’ needs in a caring and supportive setting.

Our team of board-certified physicians* understands the unique experiences faced by each expectant mother. Our approach emphasizes building a strong sense of trust with open communication and exceptional prenatal care.

Embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood, knowing we are here to support and care for you every step of the way.

Contact us to book your appointment today. 817.277.9415 www.womenshealthservices.com

Pictured: Dr. Carter, Dr. Nangrani, Dr. Puffer, Dr. Spotts, Dr. Bergstrom, Dr. Brown, Dr. Peppler, Dr. Brasher-Giles and Dr. Kuriakose