September 2023

BRIG SERMAN, REBA BLEVENS, DR. JOAN BERGSTROM, FORMER MAYOR JEFF WILLIAMS, SAM MAROUQ

Whether you worked or played too hard, we’re here to help with your sports medicine and orthopedic care. Our specialties include emergency care, nonsurgical and surgical treatment, physical therapy, on-site imaging, and more. We’re proud to provide our friends and neighbors with the highest quality, patient-focused orthopedic care. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist. MethodistHealthSystem.org/Mansfield

To find a physician on the medical staff, call 469-551-4583

• Active Family Wellness Center

• Advanced Integrated Marketing Inc.

• Advent Trinity Marketing Agency

• Anything Goes

• Arlington Independent School District

• Arlington Parks & Recreation Department

• Central Park ENT

• CFS Advisors, LLC

• Downtown Arlington Management Corp.

• Edward Jones - Jack Webb

• Fort Worth Museum of Science & HIstory

• The Law Office Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, P.C.

• FunDentist Pediatric Dentistry

• Graham Associates

• Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

• Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce

• Harris Cook LLP - Mansfield & Arlington Offices

• Hilton’s Flooring

• Joe Hall Roofing

• Levitt Pavilion

• MEI Group

• Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

• Parker & Richardson

• Park Row Christian Academy

• Piccolo Mondo

• The Pilates Effect

• Primrose School of N.E. Green Oaks

• The Sanford House Inn & Spa

• Karen Schroeder

• The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt

• Southern Flair Photography

• Sugar Shack Salon & Spa

• Texas Appliance

• Texas Health Physicians GroupOrthopedic Medicine Specialists

• Town of Pantego

• University of Texas at Arlington

• The Welch Law Firm

• Women’s Health Services

• Zack’s Bistro

• Zang Adams

All Stars in Pantego!

Congratulations to Our Pantego Businesses who are 2023 Arlington Today All Stars!

Pantego boasts a supportive, active business community that is part of the Greater Arlington Chamber Initiative, #KeepItLocalArlington. This campaign promotes experiential and consumer-focused local businesses and connects the residents of Arlington with Pantego’s brick-and-mortar establishments.

2023 All Star Award Winners

Anything Goes

(Winner for Boutique)

The Backyard Store (Winner for Patio Furniture)

David’s Barbecue (Winner for BBQ)

Diamonds and Designs

(Winner for Jeweler)

Dr. Ravi Doctor (Winner for Cosmetic Dentist)

Nu2U Resale

(Winner for Resale Shop)

Texas Appliance (Winner for Appliance Store)

Texas Trust (Winner for Credit Union)

Urban Country Flower Co. (Winner for Florist)

Cox Jewelers (Finalist for Jeweler)

DFW Flooring (Finalist for Flooring Store)

Dr. Jeckyll’s Beer Lab (Finalist for Brewery)

Joe Hall Roofing (Finalist for Roofing Company)

Pantego Farmer’s Market

(Finalist for Farmer’s Market)

Pantego Christian Academy

(TIE for Finalist for Preschool/Kindergarten)

Pantego Christian Academy

(Finalist for Private School)

Twisted Chicks (TIE for Finalist for Boutique)

Upcoming Events

October 3

National Night Out

October 5

Ladies Night Out

October 28

Trunk-or-Treat

November 25

Small Business

Saturday

December 2 A Pantego Christmas ft. Candy Cane Parade

December 7

Ladies Night Out

December 16

AUGUST

CORRECTION:

The caption description next to Dr. Doctor’s image in the prior August edition of this magazine contained an outdated and erroneous description referring to Pantego MedSpa and the provision of anesthesia for related services. We would like to reiterate that the MedSpa is no longer in existence and such services are not provided by Dr. Doctor. We apologize for any misunderstanding.

Ravi Doctor DDS, DABOI, FAAID, DICOI

Winner: Cosmetic Dentist

When Dr. Ravi Doctor was a child in Houston, his father taught biochemistry at the dental school at University of Texas Health Science Center. Some of his earliest memories were of observing dental students, and this curiosity ignited his lifelong passion. Today, his love of dentistry has earned him his fourth appearance as a Readers’ Choice All Star.

“I feel like my patients are my family,” said Dr. Doctor, who has developed a multi-generational client base after 36 years in the Arlington community.

Dr. Doctor opened a dental practice after graduation from dental school in 1987. He loves Arlington and how growthoriented this area has remained. His practice employs seven highly trained professionals; in fact, ongoing learning and teaching are at the heart of Dr. Doctor’s success and that of his team.

Dr. Doctor completed his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University and went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Doctor offers a wide range of dental services, from basic general dentistry to advanced cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontal surgery, Pinhole Gum Surgery, implants, bone grafting, and immediate teeth replacement.

Dr. Doctor has trained with some of the best instructors in the world for these treatment options. He also values team training, so Dr. Doctor often attends conferences with his entire practice. He holds dental licenses for both California and Texas and has achieved a Board Certification in dental

implantology. He is a Diplomate and Board Certified with the American Board of Dental Implantology and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also a Fellow with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and is certified in Pinhole Gum surgery and Invisalign.

Because “sharing is also learning,” Dr. Doctor has served as an implant and surgical instructor to train dentists for Dental XP Live Implant Surgical Course, California Implant Institute, and other training centers around the world, most recently in Sarajevo.

When it comes to treating patients, Dr. Doctor abides by the golden rule: “When I’m talking with my patients, I often say, ‘This is what I would do if it was treatment needed for myself,’” said Dr. Doctor.

He is also active in giving back to his local community at Mission Arlington and throughout the world in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Sarajevo. His entire team often serves at Mission Arlington.

“Giving back to the community is an incredible feeling of gratification,” said Dr. Doctor.

Dr. Doctor’s practice is temporarily located on Mitchell Street after an electrical fire destroyed his practice in October. Beyond his thriving dental practice and his ongoing professional development, Dr. Doctor has also added design and construction to his skill set. The new building will debut in 2024 with the most advanced technology available in dentistry.

F Ravi Doctor DDS, DABOI, FAAID, DICOI 1009 W. Mitchell St., Suite C • 817-274-8667 • docdds.com

Photo: Bruce Maxwell

Venkat Rapuri, M.D.

34

Jack’s Snacks

Jack and his family share their journey, one snack at a time

Starting Line 10

Itinerary 12

This ’n’ Data 16, 18

Scene 30

Around Town 40

Speaking of Sports 56

Bulletin Board 60

Keen Cuisine 62

Finish Line 66

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Our issue this month provides an opportunity to become better acquainted with some of the city’s entrepreneurs who are shaping the future here. We have a vibrant business community providing invaluable economic opportunity and, most importantly, jobs across the city.

Take a close look at the descriptions of what these are doing as an example of the broader impact of all the rest who are succeeding as a result of their work in addressing the wants and needs of us all.

As a companion piece to them all, our columnist Kenneth Perkins provides a great example describing the “pint-sized, pig-tailed restaurant owner who can barely see over the counter when selling another round of Boba tea.” Success comes in all sizes.

The 16th season of the Levitt Pavilion is celebrated with Executive Director Letatia Teykl’s account of its history and plans for the future in a very interesting Q&A exchange you will find on page 32. Free entertainment on the lawn in the center of downtown is among the city’s most popular attractions.

We have for you another incredible story from a senior historian for the National Medal of Honor Museum (its construction here on schedule) that describes a 14-year old who claimed he was 17, when enrolling in the US Marine Corps in 1942. He earned the Medal of Honor through heroism unimagined by anyone, and ultimately made it home to carry out his promise to his mother that he would return to school.

It’s been 130 years since the Cannon family established their floral and greenhouse business on West Division and this issue provides the whole story of their success still going strong today.

John Rhadigan’s column describes “Gryffindors in Arlington. Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws too.” The Harry Potter language is in context of sports of all kinds in the city sponsored by the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Sports Commission. Most have likely never heard of it, but now you will.

Mansfield’s Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates its third class of nurses. You can meet them on page 56.

In his Finish Line column, Richard Greene provides a quick look at the city’s new budget adopted this month. The whole plan proposing a superior job in serving residents and visitors in the coming year totals more than 400 pages but his description of some of its highlights gives readers a snapshot of what to expect.

There is, of course, a great deal more here delivering on our promise to be Arlington’s publication of record of life in the communities we serve.

Enjoy it all!

Sincerely,

Judy Rupay

judy@arlingtontoday.com

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

Kenneth Perkins, Amanda Rogers, Richard Greene, Sarah Kramer

Contributing Editor

Betsy Lewis

Contributing Photographers

Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell, Ryan Brown Intern

Abby Grace Schwartz

SALES / CIRCULATION

Business Manager

Bridget Dean

Sales Managers

Paige Payne, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz

Distribution Manager

Hanna Areksoussi

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

Betsy Lewis

ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2023 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 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Downtown Arlington, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce 40 Under Forty, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Theater Arlington, Open Arms and the Arlington Police Foundation.

JUDY M. RUPAY PUBLISHER

September 23-24 • 12-6pm

GrandLawn of EpicCentral

Enjoy family-friendly fun with arts and crafts booths, local food trucks, live music, and activities for all ages. Admission is free.

Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour

September 21

AT&T Stadium • 8pm

Pink Summer Carnival Tour

September 29

Globe Live Field 6:30pm

Arlington Music Hall has a huge lineup for September! Here are just a few:

Animaniacs

Live in Concert

September 7 • 8pm

Crystal Gayle

September 16 • 6:30pm

John Anderson

September 21 • 8pm

Daughtry:

Glen Templeton

September 28 • 8pm

Spyro Gyra

September 29 • 8pm

John Tesh

September 8 • 8pm

Bare Bones Tour

September 23 • 8pm

Jim Messina and Pablo Cruise

September 30 • 8pm

It started with a full orchestra and huge student choir and finished with a junior high teacher dropping the mic after performing an original, inspirational rap.

Arlington ISD’s Connect Arlington ISD Convocation last month brought all 8,000+ district employees to AT&T Stadium to kick off the 2023-2024 school year. For the first time, the event included every employee, from teachers and bus drivers to food service workers and security guards because we are all connected, unified in our mission and commitment to give every student an outstanding educational experience. We all play a role in every kindergartener learning to read, every young scientist exploring something new, every budding musician’s recital, every student athlete’s accomplishments and every graduate’s walk across the stage. It takes everyone. We are all connected.

Thank you to the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation for allowing us to use the stadium and make for an awesome way to start the school year.

The ninth annual Arlington ISD Back to School Kickoff at AT&T Stadium was the place to be on Saturday, Aug. 5. Arlington ISD students received free backpacks filled with school supplies, dental and vision screenings and haircuts. There was also a resource fair with more than 100 vendors ready to help students and families get the year off on the right foot. More than 800 volunteers were also on hand to help wherever needed. The event couldn’t have happened without them and these sponsors: the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation, Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Fielder Church, North Davis Church of Christ, Texas Trust Gives Foundation, Atmos Energy, Gospel City Church, Rush Creek Church, All Souls Episcopal Church, Destiny Pointe Christian Center, Destiny Empowerment Enterprises, Inc., First Presbyterian Church, Inspired to Live Church, McDonald’s of North Texas, Millwood Hospital and The Excel Centers, MOWI USA, St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, The Grace Place, Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., WSS, BluSource.

Upcoming Texas Rangers Home Series

Sept 1-3 vs Minnesota Twins

Jacob deGrom Replica Jersey 9/2

Rangers Fleece Blanket 9/3

Sept 4-6 vs Houston Astros

Sept 8-10 vs Oakland Athletics

Rangers Loteria Game 9/9

Sept 18-20 vs Boston Red Sox

LAST HOME SERIES OF THE REGULAR SEASON

Sept 22-24 vs Seattle Mariners

2023 Rangers Baseball Cards 9/22

Adolis Garcia Bobblehead 9/23

Pregame Tour with Ranger’s Hall of Famer

John Blake

Tour the home of the Texas Rangers prior to the game, and have an interactive Q&A session with Texas Rangers Hall of Famer John Blake, the Ranger’s Executive Vice President of Communications. Then view Ranger’s batting practice from right behind the home dugout!

All guests will also receive a complimentary copy of the 2023 Texas Rangers Yearbook.

September 22 • 3-5pm

Globe Life Field

It’s Fall Y’all!

September Equinox

The September equinox occurs each year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe. This astronomical event typically marks the official start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. In Arlington, the equinox occurs on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1:50 am and days will begin to get shorter until the March equinox in 2024.

#atpetofthemonth

Meet Henry, the charming 13-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever with an adorable face and playful personality who has become a beloved member of our family and a source of endless joy.

Henry’s zest for life is contagious. His friendly nature and gentle disposition make him the perfect companion for everyone from young children to elderly neighbors.

Fundraising event to benefit the environmental education programs at River Legacy Nature Center. Enjoy a day of golf plus a variety of challenges and contests along the course. Event concludes with a 19th Hole celebration with lunch, drinks and awesome raffles!

September 22 • 7am-2pm Riverside Golf Club

Aside from his undeniable charm, Henry is an incredibly intelligent and obedient pup. He quickly mastered basic commands and continues to impress us with his willingness to learn new tricks.

Henry also possesses a heart of gold. He has an innate ability to sense when someone is feeling down and immediately rushes to offer comfort with a wagging tail and warm snuggles. His empathy and affection make him the ultimate therapy dog, spreading happiness wherever he goes.

This lovable English Cream Golden Retriever has touched our lives in countless ways, and we hope he can bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of many others as well.

– Courtney Stanford & Family

THE ARLINGTON FIELD OF HONOR, a local commemoration of Patriot Day, will be on display at Veterans Park (3600 W. Arkansas Lane) from Sept. 3-11. Some 911 full-size American Flags will fly over the park grounds as part of a tribute to one of the more significant occasions in American history. arlingtonfoh.org/events

3   SC OOPS

1. The HDTV video board in AT&T Stadium is 60 yards long and has over 30 million LED lights.

2. The first lake paddling trail in the metroplex is on Lake Arlington and is 10.8 miles long. The River Legacy paddling trip is 8 miles long.

North Texas Giving Day

September 21st

This online giving event is designed to empower every person to give back to their community by supporting local nonprofits and causes they care about. Last year, $62.6 million was raised through 94,385 donors benefiting 3,210 local nonprofits, bringing the fourteen-year total to over $503 million for our community. During NTX Giving Day, everyone can find their passion and give with purpose, uniting to build a stronger and more vibrant community.

Arlington by the NUMBERS

45

The number of local landmarks across Arlington that are significant to the history and culture of the city. The Local Landmark program was established in 2009.

2,069.38

Average amount in tons of residential recycling collected per month.

126,450

The number of rounds of golf played on the four Arlington golf courses as reported through May 5, 2023, which is above the goal of 123,000.

190,544

The number of participants in Arlington’s Parks programs reported through May 5, 2023.

3. Arlington is uniquely located on the crest of two distinct geological formations – a vast “grand prairie” and an oak-dominated woodland of gently rolling hills called the “Eastern Cross Timbers.”

Meet some of the entrepreneurs who shape today’s Arlington

by Sarah Kramer

Arlington, often called the “can-do city” by surrounding communities, was built through the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. This issue of Arlington Today local entrepreneurs who represent industries of all types and sizes, come from all walks of life, and share lessons in leadership. Each has a unique story, but collectively, their lessons for aspiring business owners can inspire all of us.

What does it take to succeed as an entrepreneur? So much wisdom has been

offered on the pages that follow.

• Be prepared to work long hours.

• Collaborate with others.

• Be a person of character, a lifelong learner, and a willing researcher who can accept change, “calculated risk”, and occasional failure. Understand you might not be able to

Author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek once said, “Dream big. Start small. But most of all, start.” So jump in and learn more about some of Arlington’s

L to R: BRIG SERMAN, REBA BLEVENS, DR. JOAN BERGSTROM, FORMER MAYOR JEFF WILLIAMS and SAM MAROUQ

Brig Serman Advanced Integrated Marketing Inc.

Brig Serman thrives at the intersection of business and technology.

President and CEO of Advanced Integrated Marketing Inc. (AIM), local entrepreneur Serman started his company in 2019 after a 30-year career with IBM where he worked with the mid-market customer segment, traveling all over the world and having a ringside view of the rapid evolution of technology. Less than one year into the creation of Advanced Integrated Marketing, the pandemic hit.

“It really sort of forced us to move into areas we hadn’t considered,” said Serman who found that AIM broadened its services during that time, many of which are still offered to his clients.

Advanced Integrated Marketing’s core business is Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Rapidly evolving, SEO is about making sure businesses appear on the top of search engines. Pre-pandemic, most buying research was done online, long before customers made decisions, to the tune of approximately 70 percent. Postpandemic, that number has risen to over 90 percent. “People are educating themselves about products and services before they ever walk into a business,” said Serman.

Serman likes to use the auto dealership as a metaphor. In decades past, a customer would go to a dealership to pick up brochures, learn about the vehicles, test drive a car, and negotiate a purchase. Today, most of the steps can be accomplished online, making a company’s virtual presence and brand management that much more critical.

“The dynamic of business relationships has

fundamentally changed,” said Serman who added that customers will “either find you or your competition.”

Beyond SEO, Serman’s services also include pay-perclick, reputation and social media management, managed hosting, website services, and digital marketing. An Arlington resident since 1990, Serman chose Arlington for the home of Advanced Integrated Marketing.

He believes Arlington is “the biggest small town in America” and has raised his family and his business here, citing its unparalleled opportunity. He credits Arlington’s leaders, many of whom are also entrepreneurs, for understanding what it means to bring value into a community. “We’re very fortunate to have that sort of leadership,” said Serman.

Serman also cites Arlingtonbased The Founders Arena, a first of its kind startup accelerator program for companies in the wealth technology space, as yet another example of Arlington’s entrepreneurial environment. In partnership with the City of Arlington and the business and finance community, the global reach of this program will attract the next generation of business leaders to our community.

Serman is devoted to this city he calls home, while Advanced Integrated Marketing also employs specialists from all over the world and serves a global list of clients. He is an active community volunteer and a member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International.

“This is a community of people that like to help other people,” said Serman.

Dr. Joan Bergstrom Women’s Health Services and The Sanford House Inn & Spa

Arlington entrepreneur Joan Bergstrom, MD, has plenty to celebrate.

She owns two successful businesses, Women’s Health Services and The Sanford House Inn & Spa, and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce awarded her the 2019 Star Award, the highest community service honor bestowed upon individuals that have made significant, lasting community contributions. Sanford House was 2022’s Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.

“I am blessed or perhaps cursed with a very strong work ethic, pretty good communication skills, and an innate ability to strategize,” said Dr. Bergstrom.

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

Dr. Bergstrom and her parents opened Sanford House in 1997. “Originally, we built The Sanford House as a small B&B for my parents to live in and manage,” said Dr. Bergstrom. “Once my parents retired, it became clear that the business model needed to change or close. Over the next several years I hired a variety of managers, worked there in my spare time, and tried different marketing and business strategies. Some worked and some didn’t.”

After graduating from college, Bergstrom’s eldest daughter, Valerie Landry, moved back to Texas. “She shared my vision for The Sanford House and brought much needed on-site leadership,” said Dr. Bergstrom. “Over the next 15 years we transitioned the business from a small B&B into a luxurious boutique hotel with a fine dining restaurant, full-service spa, and event facility.”

To own a medical practice as well as a boutique hotel required even more than the already significant

commitment Dr. Bergstrom had contributed to her education.

“During my 12 years of medical education, there were no courses on business or accounting,” said Dr. Bergstrom. “As I began to expand my group, I realized that I needed more business training.” She traveled to Lubbock one weekend a month for two years and earned her MBA in August 2011.

Arlington has been Dr. Bergstrom’s home since 1986 when she and husband, Dr. John McDonald, completed their residencies in Kansas City and chose this growing city for their work.

“We are lucky to have an ‘Arlington Fan Club’ of Leaders – people who devote their time and energy to support all aspects of our city,” said Dr. Bergstrom. “Through the years, I have had the pleasure of interacting with and learning from these terrific leaders, whom I greatly admire.”

It is clear that this Arlington entrepreneur has surrounded herself with like-minded individuals. She shares, “There are many people that I would love to recognize as my mentoring heroes, but the ones at the top of my list (and on my speed dial) are those I want to thank profoundly for their support and guidance.”

Among Dr. Bergstrom’s heroes are husband, John E. McDonald, MD, “a steady voice of reality”; Judy Rupay, Arlington Today publisher; Kirk King, previous CEO of Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital; David Babek, of Babek Construction, who built The Sanford House and 26 years later is contractor for her third medical office in Grand Prairie; Pat Stevenson, of Stevenson and Associates, “who has kept my feet on the ground when dealing with personnel issues”; and employee and friend, Van Anderson, “Sanford House Ambassador, the personification of ‘Excellent Customer Service’.”

Reba Blevens Media Matrix

Manyentrepreneurs got their start by solving a problem. Reba Blevens, owner of Media Matrix is a case in point.

Blevens, who was selling radio advertising for WBAP, listened to her clients. Clients were securing advertising and media placement in a truly segmented way, having multiple contacts to advance their marketing reach. To streamline the approach had great appeal: work with one company to make all the media purchasing decisions, from radio to television and newspaper to magazine.

She proceeded to make a list of clients who wanted streamlined services “to see if the idea held water” and took the leap into starting her own business in 1990.

“Literally, I walked out of radio and produced a television commercial the next week,” said Blevens, who credits her base clientele to the successful start of her business. One of Blevens’s first big clients was Moritz Group, a longtime partner with Media Matrix.

Blevens has seen significant change over the course of Media Matrix’s life. She remembers sending her first email in the early 1990’s. As technology has evolved, Blevens and her company have had their finger on the pulse of media opportunities, sometimes selling something people have not yet envisioned.

“I love what I do,” said Blevens, who has made significant contributions to the advertising industry as well as her hometown, Arlington.

Blevens has taught Media Buying and Advertising for Texas Christian University, and she has served countless nonprofit organizations, sharing her expertise to advance their work.

“I’ve taken what I’ve learned in advertising and offered it to nonprofits in our community,” said Blevens. She helped shine the spotlight on Salvation Army’s Inspiring Hope Luncheon and served the AISD Education Foundation for 10 years, including as its president.

“Having grown up in the community, and knowing we have underserved children, that’s my heart string,” said Blevens.

The child of two self-employed parents, Blevens grew up in Arlington and moved back to raise her children here. After a successful career with Monsanto, Blevens planned to take some time off and be a mom, but a friend persuaded her to try advertising.

“I agreed to help him for 30 days, and 33 years later, I am still doing this work,” said Blevens.

Media Matrix services include analysis of market demographics and competition spending; media negotiation and placement, including radio, television, newspaper, billboard, and digital advertising; television/ radio commercial writing, producing and directing; print material art direction; vendor invoice auditing; and coordination of special events.

“I like that I control my destiny,” said Blevens.

Jeff Williams Graham Associates

are visionary, innovative, lifelong learners, team builders and motivational leaders. And when you think of people with these qualities, Jeff Williams immediately comes to mind. He has been entrepreneurial in his career as an engineer and in his community service as mayor.

Entrepreneurs

first city in America to run an autonomous public shuttle to implementing the technology rideshare program called Via, one of the most successful transportation systems in the nation.

As President and CEO of Graham Associates, he has championed new technology and creativity. Graham Associates designed one of the first bioengineering projects on Johnson Creek; were first to implement the integrated Stormwater Management Design (ISWiM) techniques that were used on the Cowboys Stadium Project; and totally transformed highway design with creative enhancements, along with centerloaded bridges and ramp design that maximized access on the Interstate Highway 30 Corridor. Other innovative projects in Arlington include River Legacy Living Science Center, Viridian and Gateway Park to name a few.

Williams believes that engineers should take a leading role in testing and evaluating new technology and concepts, while also being leaders in determining when, how and if you should use them. He stated that “He is proud of his engineers at Graham Associates for being innovative and embracing change.”

Jeff Williams is a champion of technology and innovation.

“While I was mayor, we declared Arlington a technology laboratory,” said Williams who kept the revolution of technology top of mind. “We recruited innovative companies to locate in Arlington. Our city staff were quite entrepreneurial also.”

1. The innovations include everything from being the

2. Arlington was one of the first U.S. cities to venture into Esports, which is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The byproduct of this is retaining and attracting young talent.

Williams is also entrepreneurial in his approach to working on projects. He brings people together, asks questions and listens. From this valuable input, he develops a vision and implementation plan that inspires and brings people together to work on a common goal. Williams stated, “One person can have impact, but several people working together can multiply that impact by a hundred-fold, with a major byproduct being unity.”

Williams credits the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, AISD, TCC and UTA for being great champions for entrepreneurship.

Whether it be a Graham Associates, Inc. or as a community leader, Williams embraces the innovation required to make his chosen community even better. He is an advocate for Arlington’s continued growth and prosperity.

He and his wife Karen have been and continue to be cheerleaders for the city and were proud to earn the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Star Award in 2018. They love to volunteer and are currently cochairing the United way of Tarrant County 100th year celebration, Get United: The Second Century Campaign. Graham Associates, Inc., 600 Six Flags Drive, Ste. 500

Sam Mahrouq MEI Group

Entrepreneur

Sam Mahrouq lives and works in Arlington, a home he truly values.

“My gratitude and loyalty to this town and its people are beyond measure,” said Mahrouq, who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the MEI Group (Mahrouq Enterprises International). Under this business umbrella are 11 car dealerships, ikon Technologies, MEI Auto Finance, Empire Indemnity and Car Card Financial. MEI Group, a privately owned group of companies, has over 350 employees and a 30-year history in this community.

“Arlington adopted me when I was 18,” said Mahrouq, an alumnus of The University of Texas at Arlington. He chose UTA for “a superior and practical education” studying both business and journalism.

While Mahrouq was in UTA, he sold his first car. Though it was his personal vehicle, he realized that selling used automobiles was a viable business and proceeded to start the core business he operates today. He focuses on best practices and Mahrouq believes in giving back to the Arlington community.

In 2019, Mahrouq funded the $500,000 Sam Mahrouq Financial Markets Lab at UTA and continues to be involved in his alma mater by volunteering. In his December 2019 commencement address at the UTA College of Business, Sam shared, “I would not have been as successful if I had not been introduced to trading early. I want to provide tools for students at my alma mater to become intrigued and energized with buying

and selling. That’s why I funded the Financial Markets lab on campus. Students now have access to real-world experience when they step onto the trade floor.”

Most recently, he was named to the Board of UTA’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Innovation, and Mahrouq serves on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Arlington Museum of Art.

“The toughest thing about any business is finding and motivating the cohesive team members that can work together toward a common goal,” said Mahrouq. “It always remains a work in progress, but most of the time, it gets easier when the same group is convinced that we are working on a great concept,” said Mahrouq.

Mahrouq’s newest venture, ikon Technologies, is the recipient of several awards and accolades for its innovations and contributions under Mahrouq’s leadership. Ikon offers automobile dealers and drivers an app-based inventory connectivity monitoring solution. Clients have information at their fingertips and an efficient way to track their vehicles. In 2020, ikon was named one of The Silicon Review’s 50 Most Innovative Companies to Watch. It was also named one of CIO Review’s Most Promising Automotive Solution Providers of 2020.

Mahrouq lives in Arlington with his wife, Rania. They have four children.

MEI Inc. / MeiGroup / ikon Technologies

Bryan Acosta Advent Trinity Marketing Agency

Inthe vibrant heart of Arlington, Texas, the tale of a local entrepreneur stands out, painting a portrait of resilience, innovation, and a dedication to fostering business growth. Bryan Acosta, a Fort Worth native, has become a name synonymous with entrepreneurial excellence in the community.

A proud alumnus of Arlington High School and the University of Texas at Arlington, Bryan’s journey into the world of business started humbly as a sales representative for MetroPCS. However, it was at Fitness Connection where he began to make waves, shattering records by selling the most memberships in a single month - a record he still holds today. His formidable skills were further spotlighted when he aided in the grand opening of the Mesquite location, with a staggering 8,000 memberships in the inaugural month and 7,000 pre-sale memberships.

But Bryan’s ambitions didn’t rest within the confines of the fitness industry. Teaming up with his best friend, Ruben Duarte, he ventured into digital marketing, founding Advent Trinity Marketing Agency. The agency, which offers services ranging from web design to SEO and social media marketing, rapidly became a beacon for businesses looking to establish a formidable online presence.

When asked about the driving force behind his profound attachment to the marketing realm, even

after selling a previous business post-Covid, Bryan’s response reflects both his personal ethos and his deepseated Christian beliefs. “I love seeing other businesses grow. Every flourishing enterprise equates to more job opportunities,” he says. For Bryan, this isn’t just about profit – it’s a testament to his intrinsic desire to uplift those around him.

His insights into the world of entrepreneurship reveal a raw, unfiltered reality. “Growing a business isn’t a cakewalk. While social media often paints a rosy picture of achieving millionaire status sans effort, the truth is it demands hard work, countless hours, and unparalleled perseverance,” Bryan asserts. But he’s also quick to highlight the indispensable role of marketing, emphasizing, “If no one knows you exist, how can they do business with you?”

As Bryan gears up to celebrate his 30th birthday, his story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. Age, as he’s proven, is but a number. What truly counts in the unforgiving business world are hard work, persistence, and an undying zeal to make a difference. Bryan Acosta, with his myriad accomplishments and boundless ambition, is the

Dr. Kenyon Godwin Active Family Wellness Center

Kenyon Godwin knew he wanted to be a doctor when he was 12. Since then, the Arlington chiropractor and entrepreneur has achieved that goal and more.

Dr.

He is the president and lead doctor of Active Family Wellness Center, a business coach for D.R.E.A.M.S. Consulting LLC (Disciplined Radiant Entrepreneurs Achieving Maximum Success!), and the Chairman of the Board for the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Active Family Wellness Center offers functional medicine in addition to chiropractic, rehabilitation, weight loss, functional fitness, regenerative medicine, and spinal decompression. Patients who struggle with their weight, or have diabetes, thyroid problems, fatigue or an autoimmune disorder, may find that functional medicine is a perfect solution.

“Our patients love the experience they have with us at every visit,” said Dr. Godwin. “Our number one core value is five-star service.”

A 10-year Arlington Today All-Star for best chiropractor, Dr. Godwin and his team work with patients to create a customized plan to regain their health. His practice, founded in 2010, was recognized by the Chamber in 2016 as Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year.

Dr. Godwin knew he wanted to take care of people, but he didn’t necessarily dream about owning and operating his own business.

“Once I was studying at Parker, and I had a vision for a practice, I knew I had to own my own business,” said Dr. Godwin, who forged ahead on faith. His focus was on being a good doctor, and he learned the rest as he went along. “I’ve always been a student and a big fan of personal development.”

Outside of his thriving chiropractic business, Dr. Godwin is a husband, a father, a church deacon and a professional speaker. A proponent of giving back, Dr. Godwin recently returned from a medical evangelism mission trip to Africa, one of his life’s highlights and a “rich and abundant experience.”

As a business coach, Dr. Godwin focuses on helping leaders develop the pivotal character, habits and skills for maximum impact. “We help Christian entrepreneurs experience exponential growth by leveraging mental, physical and spiritual principles,” said Dr. Godwin, “therefore living their best lives and changing the world.”

Most recently, Dr. Godwin has also been sharing his time and talent with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. He has been part of the Chamber for several years and in several leadership roles, and Dr. Godwin is the first black chairman in the organization’s 77-year history.

Dr. Godwin and his wife Courtney chose Arlington for many reasons, including its safety and good schools. After his eightyear service to the Air Force, Dr. Godwin and his family moved here from Alaska.

“We have a great group of people here who came together to form a community,” said Dr. Godwin of his chosen home.

When patients and clients meet Dr. Godwin, they know they have his full attention. Patients describe Dr. Godwin as loving, sincere and encouraging.

“We’re put here to serve other people,” said Dr. Godwin in his recent American Dream video. “I want to make the maximum impact while I’m here that I can.”

South Office • 4927 S. Collins St., Ste. 105 North Office • 4120 N. Collins St., Ste. 200

Zack Moutaouakil Zack’s Bistro

Aseasoned

restaurateur, Zack Moutaouakil is no stranger to entrepreneurship in the Arlington community. His newest North Arlington venture, Zack’s Bistro, opened earlier this year.

Situated close to Arlington’s Entertainment District, Zack’s Bistro is a sister restaurant to Fort Worth’s Mercury Chophouse and Keller Chophouse, two high-end dining experiences with a combined nearly 40 years of food and ambiance. It is an American-style bistro offering Allen Brother’s meats, fresh and wild seafood, and the farm-to-table quality and freshness patrons have come to expect from the chophouses. With lunch and dinner options, Zack’s is committed to delivering delicious food.

Moutaouakil, a native of Morocco, comes from an entrepreneurial family. His father owned an array of businesses, so Moutaouakil was raised with the tools to manage and prosper in the hospitality industry. Moutaouakil’s appreciation for the

restaurant business flourished while running his father’s restaurant in Spain.

When he moved to the U.S., Moutaouakil entered the workforce in the restaurant field with plenty of experience and understanding of the restaurant industry, enabling him to successfully go from busser to server to manager within The MCrowd Group family of restaurants (Mi Cocina, Taco Diner).

Eventually, Moutaouakil was offered the opportunity to purchase Fort Worth’s Mercury Chophouse. He moved forward with the purchase; becoming the sole owner in 2001. He and partner Jim Ross opened Arlington’s Mercury Chophouse together in 2016, and Keller Chophouse opened in 2020.

“I am excited to be back in Arlington with the opening of the bistro,” said Moutaouakil. “We look forward to sharing our fine dining experience with the community.”

Entrepreneurs Come in All Shapes, Sizes, –and Ages

by Kenneth Perkins

Certainly, you’ve heard of Olivia Huynh by now.

She’s the pint-sized, pig-tailed restaurant owner who can barely see over the counter when selling another round of Boba tea.

If you’ve heard of her, you know her overthe-counter-challenge is not because she is atypically modest in size.

That’s about the right height for an 11-yearold girl.

When news got out about Olivia and her business, Rocketbelly, most thought it was cute, a terrific human interest stories beloved by TV newsies on Channel 8 and Channel 5, but hardly believable.

I’m one of them.

Not that Olivia wasn’t officially an owner of this place – on paper she is - but that she wasn’t running the business like an actual owner.

How could she be? That would be her parents, Mary and Joseph, right, propping her up and pulling the strings?

Yet the more I learned about Olivia, the more she seemed to be the real deal. She was making YouTube videos by the age of five. She got hooked on cooking and craft shows and wanted to do some on her own. She then created over 100 videos on her DIYwithOllie channel, which would lure thousands of followers.

She later sold pizza for Pizza Hut, furniture for Haverty’s, Philly cheese steaks for Chilli’s,

and floral décor for Michaels as a pitch actress in television commercials.

By seven, the homeschooler put her lessons of business and investments to the test by creating a business idea she came up with.

She wanted to create better baking mixes than those she found at other places, so she did it, finding clients not just in Arlington but around the globe. COVID helped since folks were stuck inside. As you imagine, the business took off, attracting nearly 3,000 customers a month during its peak.

She even made it to the finals of a “Shark Tank” audition process. Now that would have been great to watch.

How she got to Rocketbelly is what entrepreneurs do when business begins to slow or they hit a brick wall. They pivot.

Hers was opening a small café to sell baked goods and the trending boba tea. (That stopped when her landlord decided to sell the building where she was housed.)

Pivot again.

They found a space where they opened Rocketbelly, a self-serve bubble tea bar.

Again, right place, right time, right business call.

I went there recently and noticed the idea of customizing the tea. A topping bar and several self-serve machines full of boba tea are available. We can try as many toppings and teas as we like before deciding.

The restaurant has a scant menu of food, but the tea brought me there.

And Olivia, of course, bounced around like a little munchkin, entirely in her element. (She loves space stuff, so the place has spacethemed pictures. This explains the Rocketbelly name).

I remember her telling a reporter that she got the idea of self-service from her parents, who would get the same bubble tea out of fear of not leaving happy and satisfied.

“I don’t like customers leaving upset, angry, and sad that they didn’t get what they wanted,” said Olivia.

So instead, they leave happy and satisfied.

Each year the Arlington Chamber of Commerce partners with the Arlington ISD to present their “What’s Your Big Idea,” an entrepreneur contest where students as young as Olivia are challenged to develop ideas that might work in the marketplace.

It’s not for show, an event for parents to snap pictures of their kid crossing the stage with an award. The chamber takes the contest quite seriously, looking at each of the ideas and seeing if they could go to market.

Olivia has shown why what the chamber and AISD are doing is the right thing.

You’re never too young to be an entrepreneur.

11-year-old Olivia Huynh stands in her restaurant, Rocketbelly

Photos ©Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News/TNS

Rocketbelly’s Mars Box: eight Meteor nuggets with steamed rice covered with Mars sauce; and Beef Sticks.

13th Annual State of the District Address

Photo Credit: Terry Ip Photography

Long Live Our Levitt

Q&A with Letatia Teykl, Executive Director, Levitt Pavilion Arlington

Now in its 16th season, Levitt Pavilion remains a cornerstone of the Arlington arts and culture scene; and with hundreds of free concerts delivered over the years, it’s one of the best free entertainment options around.

We caught up with Levitt executive director Letatia Teykl, who took the helm of the organization in December 2019, to find out more about the latest at the Levitt: Arlington Today: Imagine you’re chatting with someone at Starbucks, and they ask you about Levitt Arlington. What would you say?

Letatia Teykl: “In a nutshell, I’d say the Levitt is a beautiful outdoor space in downtown Arlington where people of all backgrounds and ages can enjoy free live music spanning many genres, or gather with the community to celebrate holidays or cultural and special events that reflect the rich tapestry of our city. Then, I’d invite them to join us on the lawn for our next concert night or event date. Visiting in person is the best way to understand the Levitt experience!”

AT: What’s on the Levitt calendar this fall?

LT: “Our fall lineup is truly amazing! We kick off Labor Day weekend with a Friday night performance from singer-songwriter Coffey Anderson, star of the Netflix series ‘Country Ever After.’ The next night we have Little Joe y La Familia, who, along with our Hispanic Heritage Celebration headliner Gary Hobbs (Oct. 7), are two legendary Tejano artists appearing this fall. On Sunday, we have Ruthie Foster, a Texas Music Hall of Fame

member and multi-Grammy nominee.

“Another big date this fall is the Do Good Fest (Sept. 23, sponsored by National Life Group), featuring Mark Chesnutt, Jack Ingram, and Kaitlin Butts. Our spectacular closing weekend (Oct. 14-15) showcases Tank and The Bangas, a dynamic jazz-andhip-hop group from New Orleans featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series; and the War Hippies, a duo of military vetsturned-country rock musicians. We have tons of other great shows in between. Go to our website and get those dates on your calendar!”

AT: Beyond offering free entertainment, what is the Levitt’s impact?

LT:: “First, we are an economic and tourism driver for Arlington. Levitt guests spend

money in Arlington before and after our events, especially in downtown. Next: We add value to the performing arts community in North Texas and beyond. Through our Share The Stage initiative, we book local artists as opening acts for all Levitt concerts. When everyone else shut down during the pandemic, we still put our artists on our stage and live streamed their concerts for anyone in the world to enjoy. We don’t just feature big name musicians, we also showcase emerging artists, many of whom are women or artists of color. Last but not least: The Levitt has emerged as a vital gathering place in the heart of Arlington. We provide space for corporate events and non-profit meetings or fundraisers. Community members can rent our facility for important life celebrations, like weddings

KC and the Sunchine Band

or anniversaries. In summary: people often think of the Levitt as just a concert venue, but if you look deeper, you’ll discover that we’re so much more.”

AT: You have fans who have been going to Levitt shows for 16 years. What keeps them coming back?

LT: “The biggest draw is our high-quality, well-produced concerts featuring diverse artists, from rising stars to Grammy winners, spanning classic rock, alt country, folk, R&B, and more. Then there’s the fact that there’s not a bad seat on the lawn, even if you sit at the back. You can purchase delicious food from our eclectic food truck fleet, or you can pack a cooler with your favorite wine and snacks and keep your evening completely cost free. There’s our VIP Levitt Center, which offers an elevated deck with a grand view of our stage and downtown Arlington.

There are just so many things that make the Levitt special, including free live music under the stars—it doesn’t get much better than that!”

AT: As the Levitt’s leader, what drives you? What’s on your mind when you get up in the morning?

LT: “Running a venue like the Levitt requires tons of coordination with multiple people and organizations, so I’m usually thinking about who I need to call or email that morning to make sure we’re ready for the next event. What drives me is delivering an exceptional experience for our guests, as well as safeguarding while also expanding the Levitt’s status as a cultural and community resource. Our core product will always be free live music, but even as we were pivoting to respond to the pandemic, we began introducing new

cultural events, like the American Muslim Cultural Celebration and our Asian Heritage Celebration, among others.”

AT: If you could wave your magic wand and make three things happen for the Levitt, what would they be?

LT: “My first wish is for more companies and people to financially support the Levitt, which is a non-profit organization. Our concerts are free to the community, but producing them and paying our artists isn’t. Second wish: That everyone who visits the Levitt and loves it will come back and bring a friend. Third wish: No rain on concert nights!”

The Levitt’s fall concert season starts Labor Day weekend and runs through October 14. Find out more at levittpavilionarlington.org

Top left: Tommy Shaw of Styx

Above: Abby Brown Left: Levitt Center

TCC Graduate Appointed General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Mark Amin Credits TSLF Opportunities to His Success

by Sarah Kramer

The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau founded the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation (TSLF), a nonprofit organization, to help underserved youth and adult students through job training, scholarships, mentoring and internship placement for tourism jobs, and to aid as a talent pipeline for tourism employers.

Mark Amin was one of the first recipients of the scholarship, awarded to him as a culinary arts honor student at Tarrant County College’s Southeast Campus in 2020-2021.

Amin credits the TSLF Milestones Mentoring Program as well as the subsequent Open Door Mentoring Program as keys to his success.

Amin was paired with Dr. Nathanial “Coach” Hearne, known to many as one of the inspirations behind “Friday Night Lights”. Hearne and his wife Callie Williams Hearne are both certified trainers and life coaches who work with students in this program.

“He somehow has the magic to make you feel reflective about what exactly you want to do, where you exactly want to go, and he will take you there in your imagination,” said

Amin of his mentor, Dr. Hearne. Amin, his wife, and his young son continue to interact with the Hearnes, something he truly values.

The program was developed by Mary German, Chief Operating Officer of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and TSLF’s Founder.

“During the development of the program, it was important to find mentors who have worked with students and whose body of work has successfully impacted students’ lives,” said German. Dr. Nate and Coach Callie Hearne have worked with students in many academic environments and have decades of educational experience.

The mentoring programs were developed during the height of the pandemic to help students navigate through a difficult period. Today, the TSLF mentoring programs continue to serve as an invaluable resource for students.

There are many additional layers to the work that TSLF is doing for Arlington youth and adult students. Their programs are offered primarily to students in public high schools, public community colleges, and

four-year universities. TSLF connects the community with careers, tourism businesses with talent, and the tourism industry with a stronger future.

Mark is one of many success stories of this program, which is just a little over five years old.

“Mark’s success is an affirmation that our mentoring programs are helping to prepare students for travel and tourism careers,” said German.

TSLF has had many generous donors and educational and tourism partners, ensuring its success now and moving forward.

For Amin, it made a difference for his future. A natural leader and a people person, Amin is loving his work at Homewood Suites, and he is eager to see how his career continues to unfold. He is quick to help others in their careers as well, recently agreeing to chair an alumni group for former scholarship recipients.

“If I don’t give back to society, to other people, then what’s the point?” said Amin, humbly.

Mark Amin Mary German with Mark

Kaitlin Butts

Tank and The Bangas

War Hippies ft. Scooter Brown & Donnie Reis

Jack and His Snacks: How an Arlington Man and His Family Are Sharing Their Journey

by Sarah Kramer

Jack’s Snacks truly burst – like popcorn –when local ABC affiliate WFAA aired its story about Arlington resident Jack Richardson on April 24.

Jack, 22, was featured by Teresa Woodard, who reported about his YouTube videos, Jack’s Snacks, and his life with autism. Since then, things have continued to explode for the Richardson family: parents, Amy and Blue Richardson and twin brother, Sam.

First, the story about then 21-year-old Jack was picked up by local affiliates as well as ABC News Tonight’s feature #americastrong. Jack has also been highlighted on the social media of Autism Speaks, and he and Amy were recently interviewed by Reid Mills for his podcast, “Inside the Asperger’s Studio.” Companies like Sabra, Two Men and a Garden, and Conagra Brands have sent Jack food to try during Jack’s Snacks.

It all started with watermelon in June 2022. The family had been eating healthier, and Amy and Jack were shopping at Sprouts. He said he would like to start trying more foods, as until that point, Jack had a regular rotation of 5-7 foods that comprised his daily routine. Because of his love and admiration for his

grandfather, he decided to try watermelon, one of Grandpa Mike’s favorites.

“When we came home, he was ready to eat that piece of watermelon,” said Amy. “I took a video; I could not believe he put it in his mouth.”

Blue, who describes Jack as “kind of a ham,” said, “Looking back, I think he really liked that Amy made a big deal of it – shared [the video] with us and shared it with family members – and he got positive reinforcement.”

“I kind of thought it was a one-time thing, until the next week, he says, ‘What are we trying this week?’ It just took off from there,” said Amy.

Each time Jack tried a new food, Amy would record his experience and add it to her Facebook page. Family and friends were enjoying Jack’s experiments with new things, and “it just kept morphing from there.”

A friend encouraged the Richardsons to name the short videos, and Jack’s Snacks was born. By its one-year anniversary in July, Jack had added a YouTube channel, an Instagram account, and TikTok to the mix. Jack even sells merchandise with his catch phrases that end each segment. One of them, “Do Hard Things”, is especially poignant for the Richardson family.

“The ‘do hard things’ motto was to inspire others to do hard things,” said Jack.

And inspiring others is something Jack does best.

“When you try hard things, it can be hard at first,” said Jack. “After you try it, you realize, ‘Hey, it isn’t that bad at all.’”

As a result of the WFAA piece, Jack’s reach has extended far beyond family and friends. Amy and Blue say Jack is being recognized, from the grocery store to where he gets his haircuts. One of Amy’s friends was at a festival in Pinetop, Arizona, recently and struck up a conversation with a vendor. They started talking, and she realized that this person who

had never met Jack was watching Jack’s Snacks regularly.

“I get messages or comments from families, with or without autism, saying, ‘This is inspiring my child. My child tried a new food this week.’ People send us videos saying, ‘My child hasn’t eaten anything’ in how ever long, and now they’re watching Jack and they’re doing hard things,” said Amy.

One of Jack’s former Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists who now lives in West Virginia had a client she was trying to help. The client’s son would not try new foods, so Jack and Amy agreed to have a video chat with him.

“The kid, I think, thought he was talking to a celebrity,” said Blue. “and then he tried zucchini.”

After Jack announced on one of his taste-testing segments that he planned to sell “merch”, the family worked together to develop his Shopify site and the items he could offer. This fall, he will move his shop to Etsy. Jack donates some of the proceeds to The Rutledge Cancer Foundation in memory of his best friend, Tate Wood, who died in 2021.

“I just want to help other people who are battling cancer and honor my best friend Tate in a very special way,” said Jack.

Amy has sent t-shirts all over, from California to New York.

Jack’s Snacks and Jack’s personal journey over the past year are truly remarkable. Things were never easy for Jack, diagnosed with autism between 18 months and two years, and the Richardsons. The autism was detected when Jack was not hitting the same milestones as his twin brother Sam.

“When you think of the lifelong struggle it’s taken to get to this point,” said Amy, “It’s amazing.”

“Twenty years ago, we were learning as we went,” said Amy about their experiences with a child who has autism. After the diagnosis, Amy and Blue checked out every book they

Jack Richardson sports his Jack’s Snacks t-shirt and shows off a favorite food, gluten-free pizza.

could find at the library. They found Catherine Maurice’s Let Me Hear Your Voice especially influential. She recommended Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is all about positive reinforcement.

“ABA was the only double-blind, placebotested scientific path to proven results, so we were like, ‘I don’t care if we have to go thousands and thousands of dollars into debt, but this is what we’re doing,’” said Blue.

“When you get the diagnosis, you’ve got a million things to work on: Speech and motor skills and eye contact,” said Amy. “The list is a mile long, so when [Jack] started self restricting, he was still eating a few things, so we’re like, ‘Well, he’s eating something. He’ll be okay.’”

From his formerly short list of “safe foods” to the number of foods he eats today, Jack has made significant progress and influenced children and adults to do hard things. Almost 60 videos later, some of his new favorite foods include spaghetti, pizza, salmon, zucchini, and of course, his Uncle Dub’s chicken chili.

Jack also loves to write stories, draw, and create animated short films. He is writing a book, The Faithful Family and Friends of Jack’s Pack, where each page highlights a different family member. He draws a picture from a snapshot and writes about how each person is great.

Family and friends have played a key role in Jack’s development, and he will often feature them on Jack’s Snacks. And what does twin brother, Sam, think about Jack’s Snacks?

“He thinks it’s awesome and he’s probably pretty lucky to have a twin brother like me,” said Jack, who also made it clear that Sam is two minutes younger.

Family Resources:

Just Take a Bite: Easy, Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges! Ernsperger

Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph

Over Autism by Catherine Maurice

Online:

WFAA.com, “21-year-old Texan with autism eating new things to inspire others”

@jackrichardsonsnacks on Instagram and YouTube

Jack Richardson tries a peach while mom, Amy Richardson, chronicles the moment.

The Richardson Family, Sam, Blue, Amy and Jack, recently enjoyed some family time in Colorado.

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A Richard and Sylvia Greene Honor That Will Last a Lifetime

by Kenneth Perkins

When Dr. Jennifer Cowley was a high school student in Arlington, she remembers going to the Ballpark in Arlington for a Texas Rangers game and thinking she’d died and gone to heaven. Right there in the stadium was a TGI Fridays.

“Forget baseball,” she gushed. “Having a TGI Fridays in a baseball stadium was so cutting edge at the time I was just thinking, ‘now how cool is this?’”

Last month, Cowley, now a Ph.D. and president of UT Arlington, was standing at a podium addressing the man who helped land The Ballpark in Arlington that included that TGI Fridays. When neighboring cities circled the baseball team, hoping to lure them away from Arlington, then-Mayor Richard Greene convinced the Rangers Baseball Club to stay put. He’d developed an acceptable plan to build a new ballpark for the team as part of a proposed public-private partnership, complete with the amenities of a showplace.

Once Arlington voters approved the plan in the largest-ever turnout in a local election, Greene had etched yet another notch on his legacy belt.

Now that legacy is on full display. Students, researchers, or just the curious can learn more about Greene and his civic contributions through the materials he has donated to the UTA Libraries Special Collections Department on the sixth floor of the school’s Central Library.

UTA is slowly amassing an impressive collection of material from Arlington mayors that already includes Elzie Odom and, very soon, Tom Vandergriff and Robert Cluck.

“Part of the objective of collecting these materials is, number one, so people can have a better understanding of the political movement at the time,” said Kera Newby, director of the library’s Special Collections and Archives. “People want to know what

happened, why it happened, and people’s thoughts behind it. People often look at past events and ask, ‘How can I understand this if I can’t have a conversation with the politician?’ Well, you can look at their papers and see their notes or meeting minutes.”

Greene’s papers document his years of public service with his wife of 59 years, Sylvia. While Greene worked for the city, Sylvia toiled away on civic projects like establishing River Legacy Park and its Nature Center.

Dignitaries were plentiful during the celebratory event, which doubled as a retirement party for Greene, a professor in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs department at UTA.

“Although the whole retirement thing is a little hard to fathom,” said George Campbell, who was Arlington’s city manager when Greene was mayor. “Look at his accomplishments. You don’t accomplish that by standing on the sidelines watching everyone else.”

Greene served as mayor of Arlington from 1987 to 1997, a city council member, and an Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator before planting himself at UTA. Before all that, he had spent more than a decade of service as chairman of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and as Mayor Pro-Tem.

On his watch as mayor, public safety and infrastructure across the city were improved as the town launched a full-scale economic development initiative in partnership with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce under the direction of a council-citizen oversight committee.

Statewide acknowledgment arrived as a result, ushering in significant economic growth and new employment opportunities for residents.

Greene also helped convince General Motors to retool its Arlington manufacturing plant instead of shutting it down. It wasn’t easy. He succeeded by mobilizing the local community, the Texas governor, and the area’s congressional delegation to assist in a campaign to convince GM that the Arlington plant should be re-tooled.

Campbell, who first met Greene in 1983, said it didn’t take long to “Quickly believe he ran for the office and served the city for all the right reasons. He served the community of Arlington and not himself.”

A considerable part of his legacy is also education, said Campbell, what with his work at UTA and the Texas Rangers Richard Greene Scholars, a program in the Arlington ISD where each year, a senior from each of Arlington’s six high schools is selected to participate in a leadership program by rotating through various community services and government entities while earning a $10,000 scholarship along the way.

“What he’s done in education, in civic life, in life itself, has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Maria Martinez-Cosio, a senior vice president for academic affairs at UTA. “The students will miss him greatly. He had a profound impact on their learning.”

For all his accomplishments, Greene was modest and spent most of his remarks touting his partnership with Sylvia as the reason why he was there in the first place.

He referenced a scene from the movie “A League of Their Own,” about the first women’s professional baseball league during World War II, a favorite of the couple based on a movie line about things being too hard. “It’s supposed to be hard,” the player wanting to quit was told. “If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”

At one poignant moment at the podium, Greene confessed about at times growing weary and even semi-depressed.

“And I might say something along the lines that it is just too hard,” Greene said.

Sylvia would quickly answer, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard makes it great.”

Greene would snap out of it.

“I’m here,” he acknowledged, with Sylvia standing at his side, “because she’s here.”

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

KENNETH PERKINS

Jacklyn Lucas –Teenage Marine

by Kali Schick

August

was National Back to School month. Just over eighty years ago in August 1942, at a time when most fourteenyear-olds are preparing for high school, Jacklyn H. Lucas began training at the US Marine Corps boot camp. Unbeknownst to the Marine Corps, Lucas was not seventeen (the legal minimum age to serve), as stated in his application, but fourteen. As his peers continued their education, Lucas was starting his unconventional path to becoming a Medal of Honor recipient.

Born on Valentine’s Day 1928 (February 14), Lucas grew up on a farm in North Carolina and lived a rather normal life until his father died in 1939. Eleven at the time, Lucas was devastated by the loss and became unruly and resentful. His mother, Margaret, enrolled him in a military school in hopes that it would keep him out of trouble. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Lucas felt a cold chill run down his spine. Raised in a patriotic household, Lucas wanted nothing more than to fight, but that meant waiting until his seventeenth birthday in 1945, and the war might be over by then.

After completing eighth grade in the summer of 1942, Lucas threatened his mother that he would no longer continue school or comply with any of her wishes. However, if she would sign a consent form stating he was seventeen and giving permission for him to join, Lucas promised to return home after the war and finish school. Margaret would not consent—what parent would willingly allow their fourteen-year-old to enlist in the US Marine Corps?

Accounts vary as to whether he convinced his mother to sign or forged her signature, but Lucas successfully enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 6, 1942. After three years of military school, Lucas’s performance in basic training stood out and following further weapons training, he was held back to assist training new recruits. That did not sit well with Lucas. How was he supposed to fight if he was stuck in North Carolina training other Marines on how to use a machine gun? In the first of what became many misadventures as he attempted

to get to the frontlines, Lucas stowed away on a train to California. He was fifteen.

In March 1943, Lucas’s stepbrother was killed in action aboard a Navy ship in the South Pacific, prompting his mother to write him repeatedly, pleading for him to leave the Marine Corps. In early 1944, Lucas sought guidance from a chaplain and afterwards admitted to his command that he was not yet sixteen. His mother wrote an affidavit stating she knew he was underage but had lied. The Marine Corps should have discharged him, but for reasons not disclosed in his personal records, he was retained in service. In an oral history, Lucas claimed he told the Marine Corps he would join the Army if they discharged him—a version of the events that contradicts his letters expressing concern for his fate.

Whatever the exact circumstances of the events, Lucas was in for the duration of the war. Since the Marine Corps knew Lucas was underage by a year, he was sent to Hawaii and assigned duty as a guard and a truck driver. Months passed and Lucas was impatient. Other men were being sent to fight, so why not him? He noticed that fellow Marines who got in trouble were reassigned to combat units. Perhaps that would work for him. Lucas began to go AWOL (absent without leave) and start fights. In one episode, he went AWOL, stole a case of beer, and assaulted someone. Instead of combat, Lucas received thirty days solitary confinement on bread and water. He needed a new plan.

In January 1945, Lucas decided on a drastic measure—he would stow away again, but this time instead of a cross-country train, it was a ship bound for the Pacific. Once aboard, Lucas found out his cousin was on the ship and told him of his plan to get into combat by stowing away. Surely if he was already in the Pacific, they would let him fight. Eventually, his unit in Hawaii realized Lucas had not gone AWOL again, and he was declared a deserter. If Lucas came forward within thirty days of leaving, he would not be charged with desertion. On day twenty-nine, Lucas went to Captain Robert Dunlap and turned himself in. The punishment

was finally what Lucas had been looking for— he was assigned to a company in the 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

Five days after his seventeenth birthday, on February 19, 1945, Lucas landed on Iwo Jima. On February 20, while creeping through a ravine, Lucas and three other men were ambushed by a Japanese patrol. Two grenades landed in front of the group. Undaunted, Lucas jumped over the other men, threw himself over one grenade, and pulled the other under his body. Only one detonated, but it was enough. Seriously wounded, Lucas was left behind. He was found hours later, still alive. The teenage boy who wanted nothing more than to fight the Japanese got one day of battle before his heroic actions resulted in evacuation from the island. Lucas survived, but his war was over.

For his courage and willingness to put others above himself, Lucas was awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to him by President Harry S. Truman on October 5, 1945. Lucas returned home, was discharged from the Marine Corps, and as he had promised his mother, returned to school. The Medal of Honor recipient returned to school as his peers were graduating. Years later, Lucas joined the Army and became a paratrooper. He survived a 1,200-foot jump after his main and reserve chutes failed. A boisterous, dynamic man, Lucas was a fixture in the Medal of Honor community until his death in 2008.

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

Fourteen-year-old Jack Lucas’s enlistment photograph, August 13, 1942. From the National Archives.

HOME SWEET! HOME

It’s a well-known fact in real estate, that homes with a black front door sell for the highest price. That’s not the only thing that would bring a pretty penny for this gorgeous showstopper of a home – bold choices and a practical layout will keep this house on your most wanted list.

The “lockers” in the laundry room are practical for a busy family but still look elegant and complement

the high-end finishes throughout the home. The Butler’s pantry and bar area are something to be highlighted, and certainly not hidden away.

We continue to see bold wallpaper choices, and that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

with double islands. Enjoy the large open living space, and easy access to the outdoor retreat featuring a sparkling pool with a slide, outdoor kitchen, woodburning fireplace and an abundance of areas to sit under the cool fans and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

For more information about acquiring your dream home, contact Julie Short 682-552-4384. www.mchtexas.com. This

Family time fun and the space for entertaining friends are readily available in the spacious kitchen

gorgeous showstopper awaits you!

family law for 37 years.

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

Pearl’s Cherokee Lounge Turns 60 by

October 14 Bash to Celebrate Longtime Arlington Dive Bar

If you have driven down Arlington’s Division Street at night, one neon sign stands out: Pearl’s Cherokee Inn. Legends abound about this bar Texas Monthly writer John Nova Lomax discovered in late 2016 when he was working on an article about Texas’s dive bars and called it “a haven of good cheer.”

According to manager Lisa Parker, Lomax was on his way to another location for his feature on dive bars but stopped at Marie’s on the way. He spent his morning in Arlington and never made it to his next stop, making this the only North Texas bar in his January 2017 feature.

Pearl’s, which celebrates its 60th Anniversary Bash October 14, is probably much older than that. Arlington Historical Society executive director Geraldine Mills looked into its history, found Pearl’s Cherokee Inn in a 1963 phone book, and the rest, as they say, is history.

As legend has it, a man named Mike lived on the original property, a combination house and bar. Pearl eventually ran the business, and then Marie Williams bought the bar in 1987 from her, running it for 34 years. Today, manager Lisa Parker operates Pearl’s Cherokee, co-owned by veterans and behind-the-scenes partners, one of whom is Marie’s grandson.

Pearl’s answers to many names – Pearl’s Cherokee Inn, Marie’s Pearl’s Cherokee Inn, and these days Pearl’s Cherokee Lounge or The Cherokee. No matter what its moniker, this gathering place, open 365 days a year, is special to many Arlington residents.

“The bar has a strong regular crowd… for most folks, this is a second home to them, and for me that means a lot more than numbers on a piece of paper,” said coowner David Cowley who first visited the bar in 2012 and became a co-owner in 2018.

“We never close,” said Parker, who credits the atmosphere to the Cherokee’s success. “We’ve always thought of it as a family bar, and we always like to take care of our family.”

Pearl’s hosts the Arlington Dart League and weekly open mic nights. It has hosted a car show and a 9/11 Memorial Ride and Party, among other events and holiday celebrations. They always feature live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Community outreach is also important to them, and they have supported Meals on Wheels during the holiday season and hosted two recent Arlington Chamber of Commerce events.

“I hope that Marie’s Pearl’s Cherokee stays as a place to have a good time,” said Cowley. “I’ve noticed that no matter who is in there, people feel comfortable to walk up and meet new people or talk about how

Sarah Kramer

they feel about current situations. That is what I hope continues for the future, for folks to be friendly and discuss things over cold beer and delicious cocktails.”

“I don’t strive to be the perfect bar,” said Parker. “It’s a dive bar, and we’re very proud of that.”

About the 60th Anniversary Bash: Saturday, October 14, 5 p.m. 2607 W. Division Street

Local band Deep Cover during a performance at The Cherokee

Mansfield Reads! features Longmire book

by Amanda Rogers

For Mansfield Read’s 20th anniversary, the Friends of the Mansfield Public Library have rounded up a popular author whose best-known work became a long-running television series.

New York Times best-selling author Craig Johnson, writer of 19 mystery books about Sheriff Walt Longmire, will be the featured author of Mansfield Reads! One City, One Book.

The Friends of the Library will kick off events at 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at Market Street, 3145 E. Broad St., with food, raffle and silent auction. The kick-off party is free, as is the Evening with the Author, set for Oct. 19 at the Mansfield Public Library, 104 S. Wisteria St., where fans can meet the author and get autographs.

“I’ve been trying to get him for years,” said Carol Ann Grantham, secretary and past president of the Friends of the Mansfield Public Library. “I saw him in Fort Worth years ago. He’s really a good speaker. He’s funny, he’s not anything like you might expect. Longmire is not an autobiographical person. He lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population 25. He has a tiny ranch.”

Although the Longmire series contains almost two dozen novels based in Wyoming, Mansfield Reads! will focus on just one, “Daughter of the Morning Star,” a story involving death threats to a Cheyenne teen.

“This particular book focuses on how many Native women go missing,” Grantham said. “He got the idea for this one when he was doing a library event on the Crow reservation and saw a missing poster that was faded.

“Chances of Native woman being murdered are 10 times the national average,” she said. “Four out of five Native women have experienced societal violence. Murder is the third-leading cause of death for Indigenous women.”

In “Daughter of the Morning Star,” Johnson looks at the dangers Native women face.

“The young woman is a really good basketball player and she starts receiving death threats,” Grantham said. “Her older sister disappeared a year previously. She’s really good and they’re headed for the state championship and something happens to the coach.”

The tribal police call in Sheriff Longmire and his team to help investigate.

The Longmire series was produced as a television show, starring Robert Taylor and Lou Diamond Phillips, that aired from 20122017 on A&E and Netflix.

The “Daughter of the Morning Star” can be purchased at the Mansfield Public Library for $15.

The Friends of the Mansfield Public Library have hosted Mansfield Reads! for two decades, encouraging the community to read the same book and to discuss it.

“It’s to promote literacy and bring the community together,” Grantham said. “We encourage everyone to read the same book at the same time. It’s kind of like a gigantic annual book club. It’s based on a nationwide program called One City, One Book.”

Grantham has created a collector’s item to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mansfield Reads!

“I have made a quilt with all of the book covers for the 20th anniversary,” she said. “We will have a silent auction and it will be given out at the Evening with the Author event. It will be on display at the library.”

Amanda Rogers / Mansfield Record

Arlington-South

5001 S. Cooper Street, Suite 111

Arlington, TX 76017 (817) 557-2253

Arlington-North

Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 583-6522 839 E Lamar BLVD

Mansfield

3141 E Broad Street Suite 115

Mansfield, TX 76063 (682) 204-0235

09/31/2023

NothingBundtCakes.com

H.E. Cannon Continues to Flourish After 130 Years

by Makayla Reed

Floral & Greenhouses, Inc. has continued to bloom.

If you take a look down West Division Street in Arlington, in the middle of all the car lots, you will find a quaint floral shop. H.E. Cannon and business partner, R.T. McCarter opened that shop in 1921 and it has truly stood the test of time and many economic downturns.

Cannon and McCarter opened their first floral shop located in East Texas in 1893. They planted a few seeds in nearby towns throughout Texas, but they ended up choosing the property that now resides on West Division Street as the place they would allow their roots to sprout.

Cannon’s knack for business and community connection truly was what allowed the floral shop to gain momentum and generational trust. Cannon and McCarter ran the business for almost 50 years before they passed in 1941 and 1942, respectively.

After their passing, McCarter’s Son, Ray, took over the shop, and one of the key investments for continuing growth was through becoming a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce) in 1951.

Ray ran the shop alongside Faye McCarter until he decided to step back from the business in the 70s. Faye continued until she decided to “wuss out at the ripe age of 83.” Now, when you walk into the beautifully scented floral shop, you will find a motherdaughter duo running the show.

We had the opportunity to speak to Patricia and Jacqueline Flynt and it was truly an honor to get to hear the history of the American Dream coming true. We will admit there was a lot of laughter and a few tears as they told us stories of changing people’s lives with beautiful arrangements and memorable honors.

There was one in particular that stuck in our hearts. A story of a single yellow rose that was a gift for a couple’s first date. With sweaty palms, a man handed the beautiful rose to the woman he did not yet know would be the person he made millions of memories with, and would create a life welllived until his passing.

H.E. Cannon Floral rose to the occasion and was there for their first meeting and there to provide a single yellow rose once more as he departed the world. When a business is able to be there with you through the ebbs and flows of life, you build trust, you build community.

The Cannon family has seen a lot over the past 130 years. From the Great Depression to a few devastating fires that only made the business stronger. They have created a multi-generational community that is committed to getting arrangements from one of the most vibrant floral shops in town.

When the interview was all said and done, Jacqueline took a moment to reflect, “130 years, all those stories, it’s a special thing to be a part of.”

After speaking with Patricia and Jacquelyn, life felt brighter and more hopeful. It reminded us why we do what we do at the Chamber. Their excitement for future growth and putting smiles on customer’s faces is absolutely contagious.

For the past 72 years, H.E. Cannon Floral & Greenhouses, Inc. has found the true value of what the Chamber can do for a business. We help connect the community and facilitate long-lasting relationships. It’s truly beautiful to see all of the friendships that have flourished within our walls over the past 72 years. Thank you for sticking with us, H.E. Cannon, we love your passion and we are thrilled to see what you plan(t) to do next!

P.S. if this blog doesn’t make you immediately want to go to H.E. Cannons, the fact that they have a Saint Bernard that works with them, definitely should and if you are lucky, Patricia might just sing you a little song! She really should be on Broadway.

Cheer up, ye saints of God.

There’s nothing to worry about.

Nothing to make you feel afraid, Nothing to make you doubt.

130 years ago, a seed was planted, and H.E. Cannon

“It’s truly been a family affair, in the best way possible.” – Patricia Flynt

LANCE WELCH

Arlington brings sports of all kinds

by John Rhadigan

You may not have noticed but a few years ago there were Gryffindors in Arlington. Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws too. Believe it or not we even welcomed some Slytherin to our fair city. For those not familiar with the Harry Potter series of books and movies, those are the names of the Hogwarts Houses at the school Harry attended. They are also the names of the Quidditch teams from the school.

Those who are familiar with Harry Potter may be curious, like I was, were there really a bunch of kids flying around on brooms in Arlington? The answer is no. Arlington hosted the US Regional Quidditch Championship back in February of 2019.

Quidditch is a fictitious game from the mind of J. K. Rowling the author of the Potter books. It is like a combination of rugby and basketball. The seven member

teams attempt to score goals against each other. Difference being, the contestants at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry mounted flying brooms to play the game.

If any of the contestants in the tournament here had mastered self propulsion we, likely, would have put them on the cover of the magazine. So our Quidditch contestants remained on the ground.

It is just one of many events brought to Arlington by the Sports Commission, a division of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. You thought they had their hands full with the Rangers, Cowboys, XFL and E-Sports. But there is so much more.

“We are built for tourism,” Senior Vice President of Sports and Events Executive Director, Arlington Sports Commission Matt Wilson said. “The city of Arlington is built for tourism.”

So when the Quidditch contestants are finished competing, they go to Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor or a Rangers game. There

is no doubt they grab a bite to eat at one of seven restaurants in Texas Live or some of the great spots in downtown Arlington.

It is actually a very competitive activity. Not the Quidditch but the process of attracting these events to Arlington. Wilson begins each day asking his troops how “the competition is going today.”

Cities all over the United States compete for the right to host events like the MLB All Star Game, the Super Bowl, the Final Four and even the Quidditch Cup.

All of the people who compete in those events and, more importantly, everyone who comes to watch them, spends money here in Arlington.

“It’s a huge cash register for the city,” City Manager Trey Yleverton notes. “The sales tax that is collected from tickets and beer and hot dogs, those are all dollars raised to help our citizens get potholes fixed and 911 calls answered.”

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

September 30, 2023

9 AM to 1 PM

At Chicken ‘N Pickle

All Skill Levels • Social and Competitive Divisions

Be a player, a spectator, a virtual supporter or a business sponsor! Come see why pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport! Great sponsorship opportunities available.

Learn more: openarmshealthclinic.org

Helping to fight the nursing shortage, Mansfield’s Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing graduates third class of nurses

Saturday afternoon inside Methodist Mansfield café the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing graduated 23 nursing students from the Methodist Mansfield campus.

The nursing school opened three years ago. The class graduating Saturday was only the third group of students to complete the program. “The number of students applying for the nursing school based at the hospital has grown tremendously since it opened and has 80 students in the pipeline working to make their dream of becoming a nurse a reality,” Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Nora Frasier DNP, RN, FACHE, NEABC says, “We’re so happy to be fulfilling the need for nurses in our community.”

Mayor Michael Evans was also in attendance and congratulated the students on their success and achievements.

Every semester Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and the Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing faculty select a student who encompasses the characteristics of the SHINES Award which represents the following:

• Servant Heart – compassionately putting others first

• Hospitality – offering a welcoming and caring environment

• Innovation – courageous creativity and commitment to quality

• Noble – unwavering honesty and integrity

• Enthusiasm – celebration of individual and team accomplishment

• Skillful – dedicated to learning and excellence

This semester’s SHINES awardee was

Aubrielle Angell who is a student nurse and Methodist Mansfield Emergency Department Extern. She is always smiling and engaging with whoever she encounters and connects fast with her patients and family members. She always treats them with respect, kindness, and professionalism. She takes learning seriously and is unwavering in her commitment to seeking out learning opportunities - whether it be her clinical rotations, as an active member and officer of TNSA Mansfield, or time volunteering as a nursing student.

The nursing program graduates students three times per year.

alk to End Alzheimer’s - Arlington

October 14th, 2023

Webb Community Park

1100 Mansfield Webb Rd, Arlington, TX 76002

THIS IS WHY WE WALK.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is full of flowers — each carried by someone committed to raising funds and awareness to help end this disease. It’s time to add your flower to the fight. Funds raised go towards local support for those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

Scan QR code or visit act.alz.org/arlington for more information about this year’s event and to register/donate.

For Questions and/or Sponsorship opportunities please contact, Walk Manager, Kelsey Hayes by email or phone.

Email: khayes@alz.org

Phone: (830) 237-2390

COME STAY A WHILE.

Downtown Arlington has over 40 options for going out with family and friends. Plan your visit using our interactive directory at downtownarlington.org/eat

COMING SOON TO (DOWN)TOWN

Spiral Diner

Cow Tipping Creamery

Coops Fowl Ball

FAVORITES

Inclusion Coffee

The Tipsy Oak

Hurtado BBQ

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

Grease Monkey Burgers

2023

The Hive

Cow Tipping Creamery

Spiral Diner

Dallas Cowboys Rally Days

The day prior to certain Cowboys home games, fans get to enjoy activities in the Miller Lite®House, get a behind-the-scenes tour of AT&T Stadium and more.

Rally Days may include*:

• VIP Guided or Self-Guided Stadium Tour

• Opportunity for Dallas Cowboys Alumni Autographs

• Opportunity for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Autographs

• Exclusive Ticket Giveaways

• Food & Beverage Purchase Options

• Games & Inflatables

• Live DJ, Miller LiteHouse Access & Much More

Dallas Cowboys Home Games

Week 2 - 9/17 • 3:35pm vs New York Jets

Dallas Wings Home Games

UTA College Park Center

Sun 9/3 vs Indiana Fever 3pm

Tue 9/5 vs New York Liberty 7pm

Fri 9/8 vs Seattle Storm 7pm

(Final home game of regular season)

September BOOK CLUBS

September 16 10am

“Make and Take” Art Classes

Catalyst Creative Arts offers many guided art classes. Enjoy one of these that are only 2 hours or less! 300 West Main St., Arlington

Water Marbling Silk Scarf

September 2 • 3pm

September 24 • 2pm

Fluid Art

September 23 • 7pm

Contempo Art Glass Gallery has a variety of instructor-led art project offerings These are specifically for all skill levels. 1101 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington

Glass on Glass Mosaic

September 9 • 10am-4pm

9/13 • 11am – Southwest Morning Reading Group

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

Southwest Branch Library

9/14 • 7pm – Night Out Book Club

The Wager by David Grann

Feng Cha Arlington

9/19 • 5pm – Teen Book Club

The Loop by Ben Oliver

Woodland West Branch Library

Fused Glass Jellyfish

September 13 • 11am or 6pm

9/20 • 11am – Good Grounds Book Club

Choose your own book

Woodland West Branch Library

9/21 • 6:30pm – Texas Authors Book Club

The Longhorns by J. Frank Dobie Fielder House Museum

9/21 • 7pm – Southwest Spine Crackers

Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes

Southwest Branch Library

AMERICAN

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

Dino's Subs • 2221 S. Collins St. • 817-274-1140

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

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

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

Ricky’s Hot Chicken • 3810 S Cooper St Ste. 138 • 682-276-6600

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

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

Candlelite Inn

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

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

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

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

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

BARBECUE

Italy Pasta Pizza & Subs

David's Barbecue • 2224 W. Park Row Drive, Suite H • 817-261-9998

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

Spring Creek BBQ

INTERNATIONAL

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

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

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

Cane Rosso • 200 N East St, Arlington. • 817-533-3120

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

Prince Lebanese • 502 W. Randol Mill Rd Arlington, Texas • 817-469-1811

Local Legends Give TCU Football Sneak Peek at Event Benefiting United Way of Tarrant County

Sonny Dykes and Randy Galloway headline “Unplugged” evening

FORT WORTH, Texas (August 18, 2023) —

Distinguished guests, community and business leaders, philanthropists and supporters of United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) got an insider’s look at the TCU football season Thursday evening at “Unplugged With Sonny Dykes and Randy Galloway” presented by Frost Bank. The event benefited UWTC’s GET UNITED: The Second Century Campaign for Tarrant County, an ambitious $100 million fundraising effort aimed at making healthier, safer and more prosperous communities in Tarrant County and across North Texas.

TCU Head Football Coach Sonny Dykes and Sports Commentator Galloway headlined the event, sharing reflections on the important messages of unity, compassion, leadership and support. UWTC President and CEO Leah M. King and Tarrant Region Frost Bank President Hadley Woerner joined in a call to action to contribute to a better future for all Tarrant County residents focused on four key areas of investment: community health, community response, financial empowerment, and education and learning.

“At the heart of our organization is a simple yet profound belief: that when people come together with a shared vision, remarkable things can happen,” said King. “For 100 years, United Way of Tarrant County has been focused on transforming lives, igniting change and building programs and partnerships that address the toughest issues facing our neighbors. None of that work is possible without the support of leaders in all aspects of our community.”

During the event, emcee Brian Estridge, the Voice of TCU Football, led a rousing Q&A with Dykes and Galloway about the upcoming TCU football season and life lessons on leadership, community service and philanthropic giving.

UWTC’s King and the Honorable Jeff Williams, former mayor of the City of Arlington and co-chair of the GET UNITED campaign, additionally shared the imperative to gather as a community and support United Way’s efforts to combat major issues — like youth gun violence and veteran’s health — facing Tarrant County residents.

“None of United Way’s work, or the lives they impact, would be possible without coming together to lend our support of time and donations to those in need in our community,” said Jeff Williams. “Sharing United Way of Tarrant County’s mission to make Tarrant County a better place is exactly what the GET UNITED campaign is all about.”

Significant support for this GET UNITED event was provided by

• Frost Bank

• Anthracite Realty Partners

• GM Financial

• BNSF Railway

• Rainwater Charitable Foundation

• Graham Associates

• Kelly Hart and Hallman

• Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson

• Marty Leonard

• O. Trevino Construction

• Standard Meat

• TCU Flying T Club

• Zang Adams Real Estate

• Acme Brick Company

• EECU

• Texas Christian University

• Texas Health Resources

• The Rios Group

• Vermeer Texas-Louisiana.

Additional GET UNITED events are planned throughout 2023-2024. For more information about United Way of Tarrant County and the GET UNITED campaign, please visit GetUnitedTarrant.org.

Sonny Dykes and Randy Galloway

Brian Estridge, Voice of TCU Football

Jeff Williams, GET UNITED Chair

Photo Credit: Rachel DeLira Pictures

‘ADVANCE-DESIGN’ MAKES TRUCK HISTORY

by Richard Greene

It was 1947 and time for Chevrolet to restart truck production, so the big company introduced its first major redesign since the end of World War II.

So transformative was their new truck that they called it the “Advance-Design” model, and it would go on to dominate truck sales for most of the next decade.

Various minor changes would be made until its successor was introduced in 1955, making the 1954 model the last of the innovative body style that had put General Motors ahead of all the competition.

That bit of automotive history may help us understand why former Mansfield Mayor Wayne Wilshire is so proud of his that’s been restored to original factory specifications.

During a quick trip across town with me riding shotgun, he explains the 12,000-plus miles he has put on it since the engine was rebuilt: “I drive it anywhere (wife) Betty and I want to go.”

Our destination was a photo shoot in front of the Man House, built by Mansfield founder Ralph S. Man in 1865 and today remains the oldest known building in the city that bears his name.

Beyond all the car talk, Mayor Wilshire brought me up to date on Mansfield’s origins and early history. Understandable pride was revealed in that discussion as I also learned that he had served for 16 years on the city’s planning and zoning commission, 12 years on the school board, and another 16 years with the Tarrant Appraisal District.

During all that public service, he started his car hobby in 1980, acquiring a 1946 Ford coupe like his first car that he drove when dating Betty in high school. Since then, he has managed to buy, sell, and collect an array of classic Chevys and has the trophies to prove his commitment to maintaining them in showroom condition.

Chevrolet was so proud of the basic design of the new truck that it was used in Suburbans,

panel trucks and cab overs. But those vehicles couldn’t sport one of the principal design features of the pickup’s five windows and, with the introduction of the ’54 model, the elimination of the windshield’s center dividing strip.

There was also a revised steering wheel, updated dashboard (still rather utilitarian), and round tail lights instead of rectangular. The front grille changed from five horizontal slats to the three-slat, crossbar design that resulted in what was soon to be called the “bull nose” front end. It’s easy to see how that came about when looking head on at the imposing statement it still makes.

And the 3100 badge on the side of the front fender – that identifies the truck as having ½ ton of cargo capacity powered by the advanced, 235-inch, straight six engine.

In-dash radios had been a factory option since the model’s introduction in 1947 – all part of the innovative style. While Mayor

Former Mansfield Mayor Wayne Wilshire stands with his 1954 “Advance-Design” Chevy Truck, a model with an innovative body style that put General Motors ahead of the competition.

Wayne Wilshire started his car hobby in 1980, acquiring a 1946 Ford coupe like his first car that he drove when dating Betty in high school. Since then, he has managed to buy, sell, and collect an array of classic Chevys and has the trophies to prove his commitment to maintaining them in showroom condition.

Wilshire’s truck didn’t come with a radio, he’s not dissuaded from the possibility of adding one ... but “it must be an original, and they are not so easy to find.”

Find one, he did, however. It came out of one of the era’s trucks in a junkyard. Wayne found someone who could get it restored to working order, but there’s still some work to be done before he can get it into the dashboard behind the speaker grill and the tuner into its proper slot.

“I’m also needing the correct knobs, but I’ll find them somewhere,” he says with confidence that this missing part will one day fill in the one remaining element to make his truck as complete as he wants it.

In the meantime, heads turn when he’s driving it – I was witness to that as we drove across town and down Mansfield’s Main Street. People point and smile as they have been doing since Chevrolet brought the first of the “Advance Design” to market almost 75 years ago.

With its unique styling, practical interior and an advanced, 235-inch, straight six engine, this classic truck made a bold statement when it came out in 1954 – and still turns heads today. Wayne Wilshire’s model has been restored to original factory specifications and is one of the crown jewels in the former Mansfield mayor’s automobile collection.

New Records in Annual Budget

by Richard Greene

September is the month when the city council adopts the annual budget and sets the property tax rate. This decision affects every citizen.

Let’s look at some new records being set in the work of the city supporting the daily lives of the 400,000 people who call Arlington their home.

We’ll begin with what is, according to recent surveys, the subject of most interest and concern of all who are trying to get around the city via the vast street network and its congestion throughout the 99 square miles that defines our geographical size.

Social media discussions reveal two kinds of complaints from residents. There are those who identify streets in need of repair and those who say they are inconvenienced by the amount of building and repairing roads along their routes of travel throughout the city.

The new budget will fund a record $71 million for road construction and maintenance in response to survey findings that report just less than a majority of residents saying they find roads to be in excellent or good condition.

The long history of increasing road work year to year suggests more will come in future budgets.

The largest amount of money in the budget again goes to the police and fire departments. Together, they will get 63 percent of the general fund to achieve the highest possible level of safety and security for citizens throughout the city.

Results are noted in the public safety narrative: “The City of Arlington has experienced a reduction in crime for the past eight years. Sustaining this reduction continues to be at the forefront of the mission for the Police Department.”

The latest voter approved quarter-cent sales tax has established Arlington’s Economic Development Corporation now creating a strategic plan for projects to enhance the local economy and promote job creation. The new budget estimates annual revenues of $30 million to achieve those objectives.

This snapshot of roads, public safety, and economic development is just a fraction of all that is in the new spending program for the coming year. You can find it all on the city’s website – just enter “budget” in the search box and that will take you to a 2024 budget presentation of over 400 pages.

Now, let’s see how all this gets funded.

To no one’s surprise, property taxes are the number one source of income for the city. Some may, however, be surprised to learn that less than half of the needed revenue comes from that tax. The second largest comes from sales taxes that will produce a record $93 million for the coming year having grown from $53 million ten years ago.

Hosting a major visitor and tourism industry brings in lots of “other people’s money” (folks who don’t live in Arlington) that directly supports all of us who do and helps to keep our property tax bill lower than it would be otherwise.

Some of that revenue helps to explain how, for the eighth consecutive year, the city council can reduce the property tax rate.

The average home value of $177,500 just six years ago has grown to $317,785. That results in a monthly property tax bill of about $111 for the owner of that average valued home. That works out to less than one-fourth of everyone’s total property tax bill with the remainder going to the school district, the county and its support for the hospital and college.

To provide some perspective on that number, Arlington’s per capita tax burden is the fourth lowest and well below the average among the 14 regional and similar Texas cities used for comparison when looking at the overall property tax burden we experience.

Another way to relate to how the city is controlling its use of our tax dollars, is to discover that Arlington has the absolute lowest per capita expenditures among those 14 cities.

These record numbers reflect a thriving city with a constant commitment to help support a growing quality of life for its residents, businesses, and positive experiences for its visitors.

Richard Greene is a former Arlington mayor.

RICHARD GREENE

Voted

BEST SPA • BEST BRUNCH

BEST BED & BREAKFAST