December 17

TWO CLIENTS THAT CHANGED PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR DERRICK KINNEY December 2017

your community • your magazine

Today

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COLLINS

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Please join us at our candlelight services celebrating the lives of our loved ones.

Saturday, Dec. 9th, 2017 Candlelight Service in the Chapel Two Services Offered 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm Luminary Park Tour 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Enter the gardens at the Randol Mill entrance to see the luminaries and a live nativity scene.

Frequently Asked Questions Who Places the Luminaries?

Family members or friends can place a luminary on their loved one’s resting place or in another designated area if the burial is not in Moore Memorial Gardens. Cemetery gates will be closed between 5-6pm.

where do i get the luminary?

The luminaries are located behind the funeral home and inside the gates at Randol Mill Road.

The luminaries will be available from 9am-4pm on the day of the program.

what about flowers or christmas decorations?

Grave blankets, Christmas vase bouquets, wreaths and other arrangements can be placed beginning December 1st. Our florist will also have arrangements on hand to purchase on the day of the program.

Please visit our website at: moore-funeralhome.com to order all of your floral needs for the Holiday Season.

charitiable Contributions Canned food donations will be accepted for Mission Arlington from December 1st to December 15th.

Include Your Loved One in our special dvd presentation If you would like a photo of your loved one included in this presentation, you may bring the photo to the location or e-mail it to moorefuneralhome@dignitymemorial.com prior to December 4th, 2017.

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Contents

December 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 12

highlights

N OW A PA RT OF

20 An enduring institution

T H E WOR L D ’ S L A RG E S T

For the past 42 years, The Lights of Interlochen have brightened holiday spirits.

HRIS TMAS LIGHT MAZE & MARKET

on the Cover Enchant, the world’s largest Christmas Light Maze and Market – and Arlington’s newest winter tradition – is taking the local holiday scene to a new level.

Read all about it on page 26.

Photo courtesy of Arlington CVB

28 Home for the holidays

Here are some of the ways local people and organizations will celebrate Christmas and Chanukah this year.

28

36 Home SWEET! Home

David and Susie Sargent have decorated their Arlington dwelling for the holidays.

You’ll want to check it out.

44 Runing with a purpose

The upcoming Jiggle Butt Run will benefit women affected by domestic abuse.

46 Deja vu

36

56 Con-grads!

In a testament to persistence, a local mother and daughter team will receive diplomas this month from Texas Woman’s University.

46

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

60 Driven

GM Michael Coleman leads a championship team at BMW of Arlington.

64 Yum’s the word

A former head pastry chef for the Dallas Cowboys recently opened The Cakery.

66 The great outdoors

66 8

50 Focus on finance

Here are some outstanding financial professionals and institutions.

Departments Starting Line ... 10 This ‘n Data ... 12 Scene ... 22, 58, 62, 68 Around Town ... 24 Style ... 42 Tennis Tip ... 70 Dining Guide ... 72 Health/Fitness ... 74 Sights/Sounds ... 76 Speaking of Sports ... 78 Itinerary ... 80 Finish Line ... 82

Bob, Brenda and Lori Woods are reliving days gone by in style in their ‘57 T-Bird.

Arlington’s Southwest Nature Preserve celebrates its fourth anniversary.

Sanford Spa Holiday Special

Sure to bring a smile!

This full day package includes a 60 minute massage, Renewal Facial, peppermint spa pedicure, shampoo and blow-dry and a delicious Spa Lunch prepared by our executive chef and includes a glass of wine or champagne. $285

Call 817-277-0115 to order or visit www.sanfordspa.com and click on specials.

The Sanford Spa & Salon 501 North Center Street

• Arlington, Texas 76011 • 817-277-0115

www.sanfordspa.com

Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay

holiDay magiC

CEO Richard Greene EDITORIAL Editor Yale Youngblood

Here’s hoping your Christmas season is as blessed as mine

I

still recall my favorite Christmas present from back in the day. The year was 1971 (AD for those guessing otherwise). I had convinced myself – and, apparently, my parents – that being behind the 8 ball was, in fact, a good thing and that the perfect gift for yours truly that year would also feature 15 other balls of various colors, and that six symmetrically placed pockets made just the right fashion statement for 15 year olds living in 1971 AD. I – and, again, apparently, my parents – also figured I would become decidedly more popular with the young people in the neighborhood when they realized that Youngblood Manor featured the only pool table on the block.

I was right on all counts. For about a month.

My Christmas billiards games experience mirrored my electric football games experience that occurred on the same calendar date some five years earlier. And some four years earlier. And some three years earlier. You see: my paternal grandfather, who I don’t recall ever meeting, apparently felt guilty about that around Christmas time each year, and he paid his pennace at the Sears Roebuck store, because the Sears Roebuck store had a catalog, and gifts ordered by catalog could Yale Youngblood Editor be shipped to my house.

Each December, like clockwork, a large rectangular box arrived at our home, the contents of which vibrated mightily enough to propel little plastic gridiron heroes toward the end zone – until they did a U-turn at about the five-yard line and headed in the opposite direction. In retrospect, I see that as kind of fitting, given that my paternal grandfather did the same thing with regard to my paternal grandmother.

I write that not to lament. My grandmother, Grace, married a better man, Don, later in life, and he became the grandfather of note on that side of the family. The two of them, in fact, helped show me that it’s not what you receive on Christmas Day that matters. It’s who you’re with when you receive the presents that creates the greater joy.

This year, I’ll be with caring parents who have weathered more than eight decades, and with an equally compassionate sister who shared most of the past six of those with me. I’ll wake up on Christmas morning beside a more lovely spouse than the one beside whom you wake up.

Shortly thereafter, our front door will open four times to signify the arrival of children my lovely spouse and I were blessed to rear, two of whom will be accompanied by my bright-eyed grandchildren longing to open boxes containing whatever is their equivalent of a pool table and an electric football game.

I will smile, and I probably will cry.

Because I’ll know, finally, what the perfect Christmas present really looks like.

yale@arlingtontoday.com

Visit arlingtontoday.com, like us on Facebook 10

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

and follow us on Twitter

and Instagram

Contributing Editor Marla Thomas Sports Columnist John Rhadigan Style Editor Tricia Schwartz Website & Social Media Manager Courtney Lackner McCoy Contributing Graphic Artists Susan Darovich, Susan Youngblood Contributing Writers Michele Duskin, Karen Gavis, Bill Lace, Kenneth Perkins, Toni Randle-Cook, Amanda Rogers Contributing Photographers Gary Coots, Hasson Diggs, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell Toni Randle-Cook, Amanda Rogers SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Amy Lively, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Logan Taylor PRODUCTION Production Manager Susan Darovich ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2017 Arlington Today, Inc., 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 308, Arlington, TX 76011. 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 for 12 issues (price includes tax and shipping). E-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com

• Phone number: (817) 303-3304

Season’s Greetings s the year wraps up, The University of Texas at Arlington reflects on the tremendous achievements and growth we’ve been privileged to accomplish,

in teaching and research. Student-athletes brought home conference titles, and staff members and administrators received recognition in their professional fields.

The campus is growing with construction of the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research building and the west

due to the exceptional work of our faculty, staff,

campus parking garage, dining hall, and residence hall.

and students.

The University expanded its educational outreach with

Our Maverick family has grown to historic numbers, and our national rankings continue to climb. Our students

partnerships with Arlington and Grand Prairie school districts to give students a head start on their dreams.

distinguished themselves in the classroom and out serving

And, of course, everyone at UTA appreciates the

the community. The faculty earned honors for excellence

unwavering support of our alumni and community.

We look forward to 2018 with unfailing optimism for what’s to come.

Have a safe and joyous holiday season and a happy and productive new year.

This ‘n Data

The Boss

Park Place Motorcars’ new GM Terry Powell has spent 30 years in the automotive business

T

erry Powell, the new general manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington, is a people person.

“The thing I love most about the car business is meeting new people all the time,” he explains. “It’s all about Terry Powell relationships.”

Photo courtesy of Park Place Motorcars Arlington Powell began working at Park Place in 1987 as a parts advisor. He worked his way up through the Parts and Service departments to become a new car sales manager and fixed operations director before being recently being promoted to general manager. He credits Park Place University, the company’s extensive training program, for helping him grow in his career.

“Park Place has a motto,” says Powell. “They hire for attitude, then train for success. From the very beginning, they’ve challenged me in different roles while having the confidence in me to succeed. When tasked with a project, my natural tendency would be to try to complete it start to finish by myself. I’ve learned it’s easier to form a team of impact members (Park Place employees from different departments) and allow them to participate, creating a higher success rate for my projects while building community with a team.”

Powell and his wife Debra have been married 17 years. They have three daughters: Marissa, Samara and Madison.

Park Place Motorcars Arlington is a 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership located at I-20 and Collins that opened in 2015. The dealership won Mercedes-Benz’s coveted Best of the Best award its first year in operation. This prestigious award honors the top 20 percent of 345 Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide for outstanding sales, service and customer satisfaction.

A “new look” Richard Simpson Park will be unveiled late next year.

Work has begun on Richard Simpson Park renovations

C

onstruction preparation on phase one improvements to Richard Simpson Park in West Arlington began last month with the installation of a green wire construction fence and job trailer.

Richard Simpson Park is a 9-acre city park on the shoreline of Lake Arlington. It is one of only two Arlington parks that provide public access to Lake Arlington for recreational usage.

The $3.5 million project, scheduled to be complete by December 2018, will feature development of a new lake house, a resurfaced/re-striped parking lot, a new lighting layout in the parking lot, concrete walks from the park to the dock, landscaping and irrigation around the lake house and parking lot, a new park monument sign, automatic gate entry into the parking lot and cleanup and re-grading of the lake shore edge.

Medical City Arlington introduces new pacemaker procedure

M

edical City Arlington is now offering the world’s smallest pacemaker for cardiology patients. The Micra® pacemaker provides patients with the most advanced pacing technology at one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker. Medical City Arlington is the first hospital in southeast Tarrant County to perform the first Micra procedure.

The Micra pacemaker, comparable in size to a large vitamin, specifically treats bradycardia – a condition characterized by a slow or irregular heart rhythm, usually fewer than 60 beats per

12

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

minute, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath or fainting spells.

Pacemakers treat bradycardia to help restore the heart’s normal rhythm and relieve symptoms by sending electrical impulses to the heart to increase the heart rate. The Micra pacemaker does not require cardiac wires or a surgical “pocket” under the skin to deliver a pacing therapy. Instead, the device is small enough to be delivered through a catheter and implanted directly into the heart – all while being cosmetically invisible.

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This ‘n Data

Photo: arlington-tx.gov

City starts ride-share program

A

Austin Leach Photo: austinleachmusic.com

The Music Man

Arlington native Austin Leach releases new single off of his debut EP

A

rlington native Austin Leach recently released “Mama,” the first single off his debut EP, “The Empty House,” and if the initial buzz is any indication, the singer/songwriter is well on his way to a stellar musical career.

Just days after the release, “Mama” had 14,000 Facebook hits and 200 shares, culminating many months of work inside – and outside – of the studio.

According to soundandshutter.com, the new single is a poppy, but somewhat sassy tune. In the track, Leach sings about a time a relationship did not work out quite like he planned, something about which his mother had cautioned him from the beginning.

“Many of us have been in relationships that we thought were ‘perfect’ or ‘the best thing since sliced bread ...,’ when in reality they were not,” Leach told the website. “This is exactly where I wrote this song from. It was my way of venting about my situation coming to an abrupt end while admitting that sometimes ‘Mama’ knows best.”

Leach, who now calls Dallas home, says he is devoted to “writing music that means something to someone, somewhere.”

In addition to “Mama,” he also has released videos for two other singles, “Wished It Was You” and “Looking,” both of which can be found on his website, austinleachmusic.com.

SteelTex is relocating to Mansfield S

teelTex, a division of Utex Industries, announced last month that it is relocating from Venus, Texas, to a 135,000 square-foot facility in Mansfield.

The company, which manufactures specialty metal coating for high-pressure pumps, currently employs 75 people at its Venus facility but 14

announced that it expects to expand its operation to 130 employees in Mansfield over the next five years.

“The addition of SteelTex represents another in a long line of industries that have found a home in Mansfield,” says Scott Welmaker, director of economic development for the city. “They are a leader

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

in their industry, and their continued growth will add to the Mansfield economy.”

SteelTex, which was started in 2009 as a steel fabrication supplier, was acquired by Utex in 2016. Following the acquisition of SteelTex, operations and product lines were expanded, necessitating the need for additional space.

rlington will launch a new, innovative transportation pilot project this month to help residents, workers, students and visitors get around the city by booking a shared ride for a flat-rate fee.

On Nov. 7, the Arlington City Council approved a contract with Via to develop and operate an on-demand rideshare program that will provide service to select areas of the city during a one-year pilot project.

Customers will be able to book a seat in a premium shared vehicle through the Via app or by a dial-in phone number, and Via’s sophisticated technology will match them with others going their way.

The rideshare pilot program will replace the Metro ArlingtonXpress, or MAX, commuter bus service, which ends Dec. 31. Up to 10 vans that seat six passengers each will be available to pick up riders during the pilot program.

For more, visit http:// ow.ly/wsf630gsQ7H.

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©2017. Equal Housing Opportunity.

This ‘n Data

Juleah Sessom (left) led a breakfast fundraiser at the Arlington Water Utilities South Service Center that raised $800 for charities helping victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Memory Lane

Photo: arlington-tx.gov

A KIND deed, indeed

Juleah Sessom led a project that raised money for Hurricane Harvey victims

W

RAISE YOUR HAND if you took an elevator to the observation decks of the “new” Oil Derrick at Six Flags Over Texas when it was introduced during the park’s 1969 season.

Keep that hand up if you slid down the 12-lane slide attached to the first balcony back in the day.

3 16

Scoops

hen Arlington Water Utilities employee Juleah Sessom heard about the devastation Hurricane Harvey was causing, she wanted to help the victims. So, she and others at the Arlington Water Utilities South Service Center went right to work.

The result was a biscuits and gravy breakfast on two dates for field operations employees who were arriving for work. Through those employees’ donations, the breakfast fundraiser collected $800 for charities helping those affected by the hurricane.

Water department employees also donated diapers, clothing, and other items to help families during the recovery.

“I am beyond impressed and extremely grateful to all of the employees that came together in this time of need so we may be able to touch the lives of many victims,” Sessom said afterward.

The hurricane relief and recovery fundraiser is just one of numerous examples of Arlington city employees’ compassion and giving spirit.

The City of Arlington is spotlighting acts of kindness happening throughout our community as part of its Kindness Initiative, which launched earlier this year. Mayor Jeff Williams has challenged residents to report acts of kindness through the city’s free Ask Arlington mobile app, on the Acts of Kindness website, or by posting using #ArlingtonKindness and @CityofArlington over the next year.

Arlington, which is also participating in the #ChooseKind City initiative, encouraged residents and visitors to participate in acts of kindness as a prelude to World Kindness Day, which was celebrated last month.

1. Park Place Motorcars Arlington

2. Arlington Classics Academy

3. More than 300 people celebrated

recently hosted the Boys & Girls

recently earned a “superior”

at Methodist Mansfield Medical

Clubs of Arlington’s annual Party for a

financial rating from the Texas

Center’s recent second NICU

Purpose gala. The Vintage Carnival

Education Agency. Receiving a

reunion. Of the 2,000-plus babies

Extravaganza event raised $125,000,

perfect score of 100 points, Arlington

born at Methodist Mansfield this year,

the second highest amount ever

Classics Academy has earned the

more than 160 spent time in the NICU.

netted for the gala. Co-chairs included

highest financial rating for the third

The NICU is equipped with the latest

Kara Connor, Carol Camp and Robyn

year in a row. TEA released the final

technology, and offers an intimate

Barrere. More than 320 guests

state’s annual ratings on Nov. 7 for the

environment to help stimulate babies

attended the event.

2015/2016 school year.

to grow.

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

New AISD Agricultural Science Center opens for students The brand new AISD Agricultural Science Center is officially open with students and staff occupying the building, along with goats and a heifer.

The districtwide Agricultural Science Center, under construction since the spring, provides a state-of-the-art facility for agriculture education and houses agricultural science projects, including heifers, sheep, goats and rabbits. The 23,000 square-foot, net-zero facility includes 54 flexible-fencing pens for goats and sheep, 14 heifer pens, rabbit pens, an animal exercise area, metal construction lab and two classrooms.

Christmas Spirit

An endearing, enduring

INSTITUTION For the past 42 years, The Lights of Interlochen have brightened holiday spirits and spread Christmas cheer Photos: arlington-tx.gov

The Lights of Interlochen celebrate their 42nd anniversary this year.

20

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

F

or more than four decades, one of the larger holiday light displays in north Texas has called Arlington home and captivated visitors by the thousands. This year, from Dec. 15-25, The Lights of Interlochen will continue to shine bright and help inspire not only Christmas spirit, but pride in a community that has spread glad holiday tidings since 1975.

Each night from 7 p.m.-11 p.m., Arlington Police Department officers will navigate drivers through this wonderland of lights, setting up their annual control posts to help facilitate safe travel for tourists and neighbors.

What will they see? Every year, hundreds of homeowners in this northwest Arlington community near Interstate 30 celebrate the season by adorning their homes and property with festive lights and holiday-themed displays.

Admission is free.

To help you plan your “Interlochen experience,” community members and the police department offer the following instructions: Enter the Interlochen neighborhood from Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road.

From Westbound I-30, take the Fielder Road exit and go south to Randol Mill Road. Turn right on Randol Mill Road and follow it to Westwood Drive.

From Eastbound I-30, take the Eastchase Parkway exit, turn east on Meadowbrook Boulevard to Randol Mill Road, then right on Randol Mill Road to Westwood Drive.

All other streets to the Interlochen neighborhood are closed. Left turns are prohibited from northbound Bowen at Westwood and northbound Oakwood at Randol Mill. All traffic will be forced to turn southbound on Crowley Road. Tour buses and limousines will not be allowed on Porto Bello Court.

Here are some safety tips: Traffic must keep right at all times, leaving the left lane open for emergency vehicles and Interlochen homeowners.

Adults and children must be properly secured by safety belts and child safety seats. Pedestrian traffic is permitted. Roller skating in the street is prohibited by the Arlington Municipal Code. No solicitation or sales by any vendors or group will be allowed from any public roadway or public rights-of-way.

Visit during the week. Weekends are the highest traffic-volume days.

Pack a little patience. Traveling through the area could be slow.

But it’s worth the wait – The Lights of Interlochen have been voted “Texas’ Best Christmas Lights” by the viewers of the Texas Country Reporter TV Show and, even after 42 years, continue to be the gold standard of light displays.

COASTERS

JEWELRY

544 West Randol Mill Road | Arlington, Texas 76011 817-261-8131 • 1-800-313-6748 Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6 www.arlingtoncamera.com

Picture-perfect Moments

Photos: City of Arlington

Grand Marshal Taya Kyle, wife of the late Chris Kyle, at the Veterans Day parade

Mayor Jeff Williams, Gerald Alley, Arlington Visionary Award honoree Dr. Robert Cluck and Ron Price at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau luncheon

Mayor Jeff Williams waves to the crowd during the Veterans Day parade.

sCene

Ron Price interviews Blake Cordish at the CVB event.

Snapshots from the Arlington Veterans Day parade and from the annual Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau luncheon at Arlington Convention Center

Photos: Arlington CVB

These veterans proudly display the flag during the parade.

22

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

As usual, the Arlington CVB event drew a large crowd to the Arlington Convention Center.

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Around Town

the front line

Mission Arlington’s Front Room is an emotionally tough, glorious place • By Kenneth Perkins

O

ne morning a bearded man in tattered jeans and a faded Cincinnati Bengals hoodie stood stoically at the corner of South and Oak streets. He lingered there, as if paralyzed, or confused, or in some deep contemplation.

Said his name was Charles. Just Charles. Said he grew up in Ohio and came to Dallas to live with a brother who was shot to death in a card game gone wrong. Said his brother’s wife, feeling insecure with his presence, asked him to leave sooner than later, so he did, with $400 and his brother’s motorcycle.

Once the $400 was gone and the motorcycle broke down, he lived “the best way I could,” which meant outdoors. No roof. No food.

This corner is a popular one for people like Charles because it’s a few feet from Mission Arlington, perhaps the most readily identifiable brand in the city. Ask someone about this non-profit organization, and they can probably tell you what it is and where it is (210 W. South St.).

For some, Mission Arlington was their first foray into volunteerism.

Few non-profits have such a headlock on the giving hearts of supporters, whether it is civic organization, school, business, family or individuals.

As Executive Director Tillie Burgin put it, “if you can give us 30 minutes, we’ll take the 30 minutes.”

For Charles, this is about receiving, not giving. That’s fine for Mission Arlington, whose medical and dental clinics just last year doled out well over $2 million in free care and medication to about 6,000 people. Its famed Christmas store helps roughly 30,000 people a year; 25,000 or so are on their Thanksgiving meal list, and another 9,000 children pick up free school supplies.

Burgin is the first to say how Mission Arlington is made up “of many moving parts” that include some 2,500 volunteers. While no one volunteer is more vital than another, it is clear that not all of them can be – or wants to be – in what’s called “the Front Room.”

That’s the room you first see when entering the place, where chairs

24

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

are lined up and bodies are always in them. Well over 200 families file through here each day, six days a week – more at this time of year. Front Room volunteers are the laborers of the high-end crisis, the people who sit with those in need to find out what’s going on in their lives and what can they do to help.

Death, loss, homelessness, bad health, violence, abuse – it comes with a face, often solemn, often desperate. That’s not easy to psychologically digest, especially.

Which is why Burgin says The Front Room “is not for everybody.”

“The front room can be a very emotional and sometimes difficult place to be depending on what people need,” says Leila Magill, who knows. She’s a 14-year volunteer, all in the Front Room. “The stories are Leila Magill says of her Front not always good.”

Room work, “It’s’ a God-given calling.”

When volunteers want out of the Front Room, it’s understood why. “Sometimes,” Magill says, “it’s tough to deal with some of the emotional issues we face in trying to figure out how to help someone who has come in.”

Magill’s longevity is a testament to her God-given calling. “I’m here by the grace of God,” she says pointedly. “He brings me here two days a week. It’s just my kingdom work. He keeps me faithful. So I have no one to thank but Him.” Photo: Kenneth Perkins Both Burgin and Magill say how wonderful it would be if Mission Arlington were no longer needed for people like Charles, who eventually stepped inside the Front Room.

“You pray for that. You hope for that,” Magill says. “But the reality is we open the doors, and people keep coming through. As long as they come, we’ll be here to help them.”

Columnist Kenneth Perkins has been a contributing writer for Arlington Today since it debuted. He is a freelance writer, editor and photographer.

Cover Story

Enchant, featuring millions of dazzling lights, is open Tuesday through Sunday through Dec. 31.

Photos: Enchant

A BRIGHT idea

Enchant becomes the city’s newest holiday tradition – and what a tradition it will be!

E

nchant, the world’s largest Christmas Light Maze and Market, officially became Arlington’s newest holiday tradition with its opening during Thanksgiving weekend. This month – all of this month – the figurative light will continue to shine on the literal lights beaming from Lot F of Globe Life Park, as Enchant takes the local Christmas scene to a new level.

How much so? Consider these features, which will be part of the Enchant experience from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until Dec. 31: Millions of Dazzling Lights – Enchant won’t be hard to find off of I-30 – just look for the lights glowing just north of Globe Life Park, and you’ll know you’ve found Enchant.

The Maze – Visitors can experience the largest light maze in the world as they help Santa find his nine-missing reindeer and save Christmas.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

VIP Event Lounge – The VIP experience provides exclusive access to Enchant and the world’s largest light maze, along with fine dining with festive foods and sweets from John Coleman, Executive Chef of the Dallas restaurant Savor.

Santa’s Palace – Kids of all ages can visit Santa Claus in his one-of-a-kind golden palace.

Enchant Christmas Market – Here’s where the new local tradition incorporates a time-honored one. Enchant’s market huts feature Texas Christkindl Market Lane and will be home to an elite group of vendors selling all manner of gifts, including home decor, jewelry, gourmet foods, holiday specialty items and more.

Food and Drinks – Enchant has 21 local food trucks lined up to provide snacks, dinner, beverages and sweets.

Skating Pond – Visitors can rent ice skates and glide around a magical pond, making for an excellent date or family experience.

Kid Zone – The name says it all. Parents can sit back, enjoy a beverage and let their children run free in this secure kid-specific play area.

Main Stage – Each night of Enchant will feature live music and entertainment.

In addition to all of this, parking is free, and visitors can find ample space for their vehicles in various Globe Life Park lots.

Enchant is presented by the Vancouver-based Shine Lighting Group, Inc., which introduced light-themed holiday entertainment to local audiences in Canada before teaming with the Texas Rangers to bring the extravaganza to Arlington this winter.

The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), through its partnership with the Rangers, became partners with Enchant.

Decima Mullen, senior director of marketing and public relations for the ACVB, says the buzz about the event has grown from the moment Shine Lighting Group and the Rangers finalized the deal to bring Enchant to the city.

“It has been tremendous!” she says. “Overwhelmingly, the response has been positive to Enchant, from all over DFW.” Mullen notes several factors that make the event an easy sell.

“First, the location of Enchant in Arlington is a plus,” she says.

“Enchant will bring a magical element to the American Dream City for the holidays. The buzz in DFW is already so strong, and the amazing experience that visitors will have at the newest, biggest Christmas event in North Texas will be the difference – real snow, real ice skating pond, and the world’s largest Christmas light maze!”

Making Texas Christkindl Market a part of Enchant was deemed an ideal way to help tie the past to the present – and to give the historical event a more prominent place in local holiday tradition, Mullen says. “They had already planned on having a very large market in their event, so incorporating Texas Christkindl Market into it as Texas Christkindl Market Lane made sense from all directions we looked at,” she says.

“Christkindl Lane makes up about 20 percent of the overall market they had planned. It’s important to remember that change is one thing that is constant in a great city, in order for things to evolve and keep up. Events like our Christkindl Market have to be nimble and open to growth. Incorporating Texas Christkindl Market into Enchant makes it a different experience by making it an even more magical one!”

Mullen says the ACVB compiled over six years of questionnaires, surveys, vendor feedback, guest feedback, social media feedback – and everything pointed to the need to try something different. “By incorporating and partnering our event into theirs, we could expose our smaller market to a larger audience, which is what any event needs to survive,” she says.

“So, that’s what we did, and we couldn’t have found greater partners than the Rangers and Enchant group!”

Enchant organizers suggest that visitors plan to allow for at least two hours to take in all the sights and activities – and even more if they want to shop the Market. A ticket to Enchant includes full access to the Christmas light maze, to the Market with 85 unique vendors, to Santa’s Palace, and to entertainment at the music stage. For more: enchantchristmas.com.

Here are just some of the wonders of Enchant.

Enchant arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Traditions & More

Home for the

HOLIDAYS Here are some of the ways local people and organizations will celebrate Christmas and Chanukah this year

For updates on holiday events in the area, be sure to visit the Arlington Today Facebook Page

Photo: star-telegram.com

A parade, a huge tree and one hilarious Elf THE HOLIDAYS OFFICIALLY BEGIN in Downtown Arlington on Saturday, Dec. 9, with the city’s annual Holiday Lights Parade at 6 p.m. Thousands of people will gather for the pageantry, which will conclude with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the steps of City Hall.

There’s also live holiday entertainment before the parade, a presentation of the movie “Elf” on a big screen at Levitt Pavilion, and a visit by Santa Claus, during which children can have their picture taken with the jolly one.

Here’s the schedule: • 2 p.m. – Holiday entertainment • 6 p.m. – Holiday Lights Parade • 7 p.m. – Arlington Tree Lighting • 7:15-8 p.m. – Pictures with Santa (don’t forget your camera) • 7:15 p.m. – The screening of the film “Elf” 28

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

In keeping with tradition, the parade will start at the corner of Main and Center Streets. The parade travels west on Main Street, south on West Street, east on Abram Street and ends at the corner of Abram and East streets. Handicap parking is available in the lot at South Street and Oak Street.

On the entertainment front, children can play in the Reindeer Games area from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Plato’s Theory will perform at 2 p.m., followed by a presentation by Miss Persis Studio of Performing Arts/Dance of “The Elf Show” at 3 p.m.

The Arlington Master Chorale will sing at 4 p.m., and Hannah Kirby, a finalist from NBC’s “The Voice,” will wrap up the live performances with a concert that starts at 4:45 p.m. The parade starts shorlty after her show concludes.

“Elf” is a 2003 American Christmas fantasy comedy film directed

by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell as the title character.

Speaking of elves, check out what this family does

IT’S DECEMBER ONCE AGAIN, which means soon our trio of elves will be merrily decking the Christmas tree with underwear, building snowmen out of toilet paper rolls, baking elf-sized pancakes and whatever other mischief they come up with while our dear children are asleep at night.

Our family’s Elf on the Shelf tradition started in 2012, when our oldest son was 6. My husband and I enjoyed creating silly scenes each night with Red, which included ziplining through the living room and making a “snow” angel in spilled sugar. We even set up a night-vision camera to catch our elf in action. It was a joy to see the amazement on our son’s face and hear his laughter as he discovered Red’s latest adventure.

On the day our daughter was born in 2013, Red appeared with a pink cupcake to help celebrate. Shortly after, he welcomed his own sister, Holly.

Our newest elf, Scout, arrived last December shortly after our youngest son was born. Over the years, these elves have helped my husband and I create some magical memories for our kids (and reminders to be good and avoid ending up on Santa’s naughty list). But I’ll admit we’re both a bit relieved when these little guys head back to the North Pole each Christmas Eve. – Susan Schrock, Communications Coordinator, The City of Arlington

Photo: Congregation Beth Shalom

A Christmas classic

THE NUTCRACKER, a Christmas staple since it was introduced to the world in 1892, will be performed at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 by the Arts Ballet Academy. The performances will take place at Mansfield ISD’s Center for the Performing Arts (1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield).

The Nutcracker, a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration.

Alexandre Dumas Père’s adaptation of the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann was set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa.

The Arts Ballet Academy’s rendition will feature all the classic favorites: the Nutcracker’s Sugarplum Fairies, waltzing snowflakes and dancing toys bringing to life Tchaikovsky’s legendary score.

For more: (817) 299-1230 or visit center.mansfieldisd.org.

Chanuka celebrations

THE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD of Congregation Beth Shalom (1212 Thannisch Drive) will hold their annual Chanuka party at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Congregation Beth Shalom was founded in 1980. In 2011, the synagogue’s Religious School building was remodeled to include a sanctuary, social hall and classrooms, all serving the area Jewish community. For more: (817) 860-5448.

In another Chanuka celebration, Chabad of Arlington & Mid Cities (1861 Brown Blvd., #213) will host the Third Annual Chanukah in Rustin Park at Southlake Town Square (1349 Main St., Southlake) at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.

The event will feature a live sculpture demonstration of an ice Menorah; greetings from local dignitaries; food fare including latkes, donuts and chocolate gelt; and a fire show.

Chabad of Arlington & Mid Cities is part of a worldwide movement that spreads Jewish awareness. Chabad’s goal is to serve the spiritual and physical needs of each Jew regardless of affiliation, wherever he or she may be. For more: (817) 451-1171. arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Home for the

HOLIDAYS

A special kind of choir

Prairie Lights: A road trip you won’t soon forget PRAIRIE LIGHTS, located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, is one of the premier holiday light parks in Texas. Throughout the month of December, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, thousands of holiday revelers will venture to Prairie Lights for a show like no other.

Visitors will be dazzled with four million lights set along two miles of path. Hundreds of new displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Halfway through the drive, you can get out of your car for a stop at Holiday Village where you will find food, gifts, Santa, the new indoor Snow Maze, and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest. Once back in your vehicle, the second half of the drive ends with the very animated light tunnel – the perfect finale to a special holiday experience.

Here are details about some of the attractions: Holiday Village – Under a giant tent perched halfway through the journey, visitors can enjoy pictures with Santa, concessions, a gift shop and other attractions. For an additional charge they can get tickets to the Cosmic Holiday, an indoor Holiday laser show, and the Holiday Magic Walk-Through Lighted Forest.

The Snow Maze – This new feature invites you into the whimsical world of a snowman wonderland. With bright, vibrant, friendly snowmen welcoming guests on the outside, the inside is a playful labyrinth of twists and turns that will have you smiling and laughing as you try to find your way out.

Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest – Visitors can stroll through the trees that will be lit up with tens of thousands of lights. Arranged in scenes depicting how the holiday season is celebrated around the world along with a new Gumdrop Alley, this new attraction is sure to have the kids saying, “WOW!” Gift Shop and Vendors – Visitors can take care of a few gift items on their holiday shopping list inside Holiday Village.

For more: prairielights.org.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

MUSICAL MEMORY SINGERS, a newly formed chorus for persons with mild to intermediate Alzheimer’s/Dementia, their care partners, community volunteers and UTA student volunteers, will hold rehearsals Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at the Pantego Lions Club, 3535 Marathon.

Velma Bogart organized Musical Memory Singers during the summer, and since then, an average of 30 singers have regularly participated in rehearsals, which take place on Thursdays.

The choral group focuses on singing songs that are familiar or are longtime favorites – including Christmas carols. As a result, the singers with Alzheimer’s/Dementia often recall the tunes and enjoy a time with friends that includes not just the singing, but a social gathering that accompanies each rehearsal.

Bogart says the group is open to anyone interested in singing.

For more, email Bogart at vlbogart@flash.net.

Viridian calls for snow on Dec. 2

SNOW DAYS AREN’T A NORMAL Texas occurrence, but Viridian is predicting one in anticipation of its Winter Chill event, which will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Viridian Lake Club, 1200 Viridian Park Lane.

The forecast calls for 160,000 pounds of snow to be brought into the community for a day of sliding, snow angels, snowball fights and plenty of frosty fun.

In addition to the snow, Winter Chill will offer a trip on the Texas Trackless Train, rides on ponies and holiday treats.

For more: viridiandfw.com

Don’t miss Mansfield’s Hometown Holidays

THE CITY OF MANSFIELD will kick off the holiday season the first weekend in December with Hometown Holidays, which will feature a weekend of fun and entertainment for the whole family.

The events begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 night at City Hall with the official tree lighting, visits with Santa, entertainment, food, games and fireworks.

The fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 2 with the Fa La La 5k run/walk and a holiday parade in Historic Downtown Mansfield. Saturday night, Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts will be rocking with a special concert benefiting the district cultural arts programs. Hometown Holidays will feature ice sledding, bounce houses, a petting zoo, music and, of course, a visit by Santa Claus. The stunning fireworks show will cap off the evening. For more: mansfieldtexas.gov/hometown-holidays.

Homes, holiday style

MANSFIELD’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR will be held from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 3. Attendees can visit beautifully decorated homes to get into the Christmas spirit with the event’s sponsor, The Mansfield Women’s Club.

A $25 ticket will allow you to tour five beautifully decorated homes offered by Mansfield residents. You can tour these homes in any order – the tickets contain directions, pictures of the homes and a map. The homes are not handicap-accessible, and the tour is restricted to persons 12 and over. Proceeds will benefit women and children in the Mansfield area with scholarships, food, medical care, training and more through The Mansfield Women’s Club’s 501 (c) 3 non-profit.

You will also have the chance to buy raffle tickets at each of the homes for $10 each. There are four prizes, including diamond earrings from Mansfield Fine Jewelry, two $500 gift cards – one donated by Becky Hearne with RE/MAX Pinnacle Realty and one donated by members of MWC, and dinner for eight at Fontana’s Fine Dining.

For more: themansfieldwomensclub.com.

Photo: cityofkennedale.com

Kennedale holiday events

KENNEDALE’S ANNUAL Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on Dec. 5 at TownCenter Park (405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale).

Attendees can meet Santa, watch the tree lighting, hear live music, play games, try crafts and snack on treats from community groups.

They also can stop by the Kennedale Professional Firefighters Association booth to find out how to help donate to children in need with their Angel Tree. In addition, they are urged to stop by the Kennedale Public Library before the event to pick up an entry to the Gingerbread competition.

For more: cityofkennedale.com. arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Home for the

HOLIDAYS

A multicultural take on holiday light shows Guess who’s coming to Dottie Lynn Rec Center OLDE TOWN CHRISTMAS will take place Dec. 1-2 at Dottie Lynn Recreation Center (3200 Norwood Lane). The craft fair opens Friday, Dec. 1 at noon and goes until 7 p.m. The fair continues Saturday, Dec. 2 and is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Santa Claus will be stopping by Saturday at noon for photo opportunities.

In addition to his appearance, Olde Town Christmas also will feature vendors and family friendly activities such as homemade goodies and concessions and the annual Craft Fair. Entry into the fair is free. For more: (817) 277-5001.

One-of-a-kind holiday gifts

MAGICAL WINTER LIGHTS is a spectacular, larger-thanlife, lantern-based light festival that presents a fresh, multicultural take on traditional holiday light shows. It will run daily from Dec. 1-Jan. 7 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.

Festival hours are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Admission to the festival includes full access to all the lantern attraction sections, Chinese acrobatic performances and character appearances.

Chinese lantern festivals began about 2,000 years ago, during the Han Dynasty. Although no one knows the origin, it’s believed the festival was meant to celebrate the “declining darkness of winter,” the ability to move through the dark with humangenerated light.

Today, lantern festivals have gone global and are celebrated annually around the world. Magical Winter Lights is Lone Star Park’s unique take on these grander-than-life lanterns, and will also feature an array of fascinating exhibits, nightly cultural performances and more.

For more: magicalwinterlights.com/dfw.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS POP-UP MARKET offers a unique shopping experience. Handcrafted, many-one-of-a-kind creations by local artisans fill the front room of The Sleepy Cottage (500 E. Front St., #150). Hosted by 817 Arts Alliance, the market will run from Dec. 8-23.

Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, and noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

A wide range of fabulous finds, including ceramics, woven baskets, framed and unframed art, jewelry, Christmas decorations, handmade soaps and candles and more will appeal to you and the people on your gift list.

For more: (612) 787-2564.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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

Home for the

HOLIDAYS

Charity begins at home

How some organizations are helping enhance their community

ARLINGTON Cookies with the Clauses When: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 1 Where: Junior League of Arlington, 4002 Pioneer Parkway Cost: $5 admission; $5 photo with Santa Claus Contact: (817) 277-9481; Jlarlington.org Info: Wear your Christmas pajamas for cookie decorating, crafts, games, dinner and photos with Santa Claus. Proceeds go to abuse prevention and services in Tarrant County.

Project Santa When: Dec. 1-Dec. 24 Where: Arlington Life Shelter, 325 W. Division St. Contact: (817) 548-9885; Arlingtonlifeshelter.org Info: Donate gift cards, gifts or funds to help families at the Arlington Life Shelter have a happy holiday.

Arlington Urban Ministries Christmas Party When: Dec. 3 Where: Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 2020 S. Collins St. Cost: AUM welcomes donations Contact: (817) 861-8585; arlingtonurbanministries.org Info: The event will feature pictures with Santa (donated by Cantrell Photography), snacking on holiday goodies, making Christmas crafts and playing fun, interactive games. Each child will receive a new bicycle and helmet and a monogrammed stocking filled with stocking stuffers, as well as participate in this year’s new popup shop to shop for their parents (thanks to donations AUM received at its Nu2U Resale store). The children are carefully selected from families AUM has financially assisted within the year and through a partnership with Dunn Elementary to identify families in need of assistance this Christmas season.

Saturday Story Time When: 11 a.m.-noon Dec. 16 Where: River Legacy, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd.

Cost: Free; space is limited.

Contact: (817) 860-6752; riverlegacy.org Info: Listen to a holiday tale from a librarian from the Arlington Public Library, and stay after for a craft or activity.

Arlington Charities Christmas Food Drive When: Throughout December Where: 811 Secretary Drive Contact: arlingtoncharities.org Info: Arlington Charities is accepting donations of holiday food, gift cards, cash and toys to go to children in need at Christmas.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Arlington Charities has provided over $2 million in food assistance this year. More than 550 families will shop for holiday items.

GRAND PRAIRIE Holiday Posada When: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 7 Where: Pioneer Event Center, 1025 W. Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie Cost: $25; RSVP by Dec. 1 Contact: (972) 480-7501; grandprairiechamber.org Info: Enjoy dinner, live band, silent auction and prizes to benefit Hispanic Heritage Ambassadors DFW community initiatives.

KENNEDALE Holiday Craft Fair & Santa Pancake Breakfast When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9 Where: Kennedale High School, 901 Wildcat Way, Kennedale Contact: (817) 360-3834; email KHSBandCraftFair@gmail.com Cost: Free admission to fair; $7 for breakfast Info: Have breakfast with Santa and then shop at the Kennedale High School Band Booster Craft Fair.

MANSFIELD Common Ground Angel Tree Program When: Dec. 1-Dec. 25.

Where: 150 S. 6th Ave., Mansfield Contact: commongroundmansfield.org Info: In coordination with Mansfield Cares, Common Ground enlists churches and civic groups to “adopt” groups of children and provide them with food, gifts and clothing during the holidays.

Amos Lee Benefit Concert When: 8 p.m. Dec. 2 Where: MISD Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield Contact: (817) 299-1230; center.mansfieldisd.org Cost: $35-$75 Info: Amos Lee and Mansfield ISD choirs perform a benefit concert for the MISD Arts Program.

Toys for Tots When: 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Dec. 6 Where: MISD Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield Contact: (817) 299-1230; center.mansfieldisd.org Cost: Free; bring a new unwrapped toy Info: Watch the parade, visit with Santa, try arts and crafts, ride ponies and trains and check out the goodies at Food Truck Alley.

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35

Local Homes

Here’s the nighttime view of the front of David and Susie Sargent’s North Arlington home during the holiday season.

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

Home SWEET! Home

Each November, David and Susie Sargent decorate their home for Christmas. As you can see, they’re good at it.

One of the living areas, adorned with elegant decorations

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

E

ven before the vast expanse of subtle accent lights are installed and each holiday decoration is meticulously placed in its proper spot in the house, the North Arlington dwelling that belongs to David and Susie Sargent is awe-inspiring.

Indeed, for about 10 months each year, here’s what the owners, neighbors and visitors see: a 2.5 acre lot and a 7,500-square-foot structure that contains four bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, two bars, a theater and an exercise room – all spread over three stories.

And that’s just inside.

Outside, there’s a beautiful pool, a guesthouse and a deck from which the Sargents can see heaven – or, at least, their heaven-onearth view of the Trinity River flowing a short distance from their backyard.

Nestled in the Forest Hills subdivision, the Sargents’ home is part of a safe, friendly neighborhood, the kind that is spotlighted in magazines because of the views of sunsets – and the vistas, in general. >>>

Inside and outside, the Sargent home is marked by subtle – and beautiful – accents. Even the swimming pool pictured in the middle has soft lights that lend a sense of tranquility to the backyard setting. arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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All that noted, what really makes the Sargent home spectacular is what they do with it beginning each November and continuing throughout the succeeding month. If you turned to this story and took a while to get to this text, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The Sargent home is a standard bearer when it comes to elegant holiday decorating.

“We love the Christmas season!” David says with enough emphasis to warrant an exclamation point. “We love the lights, music and celebrating our Lord’s birthday. We used to do everything ourselves but now have a lot of help, saving the special touches for us to do.”

The help comes from a variety of artistic friends, not the least of whom are Patrick Walsh and Jim Carpenter, owners of C&W Antiques in Grand Prairie, where some of the finer holiday decor

in the world temporarily resides before moving to homes like that of the Sargents’.

“Patrick and Jim are great with ideas for decorating, gifts and unusual decor,” David says.

The Sargents also call on Pettigrew Luxury Furnishings in Dallas, which attends to the chandeliers. Aaron Phillips, owner of Terra Firma, takes care of all the special landscaping. Designer Tony Houston, who frequently works with C&W Antiques on holiday projects, helps with the Christmas trees.

The inside of the house gets the most emphasis during the decorating process. Each holiday season, the Sargents make a point to put out a couple of nativity scenes, as well as trees and Santas.

“One scene is hand-carved olive wood from a recent trip to Israel,” David says. “That nativity scene was purchased in Bethlehem.” >>>

David and Susie Sargent

Almost anywhere the eye looks, it sees a celebration of Christmas.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

rs y u o a H nd ay Su d i & ol ay m p H r rd o 7 e b tu t m e , sa am c y 1 e D ida 1 Fr

2100 N. Hwy. 360 Suites 705 & 706 (NE corner of 360 & Carrier Pkwy.)

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Open Saturday & Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday-Friday by appointment 817-637-7637

Fabergé, Mark Roberts Collection, Williamsburg by Winward, Katherine’s Collection, Arthur Court, Aromatiqué, Market Candles, Vagabond House, Antique Furnishings, Fine Art, Christmas Décor and Gifts

David, president of the Grand Prairie-based pavement marking company Stripe-A-Zone, says he and Susie simply want to help others enjoy Christmas the way they do.

“We strive to create a sense of ‘special celebration’ centered around family, Jesus’ birth, great food and the excitement of the grandsons,” he says.

To that end, they welcome family and friends to the home during the holidays for ... well, a special celebration.

“The week before Christmas we have all of our family and several friends together, between 40 and 60 people,” he says. “Even Santa stops by on Christmas Eve. Our kids and grandkids, who live nearby, come for more family times and gift exchanges. I love seeing the magic in each grandson’s eyes as his surprise is opened.

On Christmas day, we have a traditional Christmas dinner.”

Both David and Susie have their “special spots” in the home. At any given time, David enjoys the ambiance provided by the bar and the theater indoors and the sunsets and the river views from the deck when he ventures outside.

During the holidays, he is partial to the front yard and the entryway that welcomes guests and suggests to them that they are about to visit a place that gives special meaning to the term “elegant holiday magic.”

“Susie’s favorite part is sitting by the fireplace listening to music, enjoying the spirit of Christmas,” David says.

In the end, he says, enjoying the spirit of Christmas is at the heart of their decorating endeavors – and their home, in general.

“What makes a home special during this time of year is family,” he says. “You finally slow down to all come together.”

David Sargent says he and Susie strive to create a sense of “special celebration” at their home.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Holiday Gift Giving Ladies Gift Ideas

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Home and Host/Hostess Gift Ideas

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3

Great Christmas decor

by C W Anti ues

Tyler candles - Dixie’s

2

Decorative wooden antlers - Anything Goes

4

Eat Well Tray and salad servers - Anything Goes

Kid Gift Ideas

1

Christmas pajamas (available in youth adult sizes) - Gracie Lane

2

“Smile Lights,” great idea for kiddos - Anything Goes

Sterling Silver charm bracelet, variety of charms available - Dixie’s

3

“Warmies,” adorable stuffed animals that can be warmed for soothing Anything Goes

Christmas kitchen towels, great hostess gift - Gracie Lane

Luxury Gift Ideas

1

3

2

MW F48 SU - MW of Arlington

BMW new 5 Series G30 - MW of Arlington

5

eautiful pearl and gemstone jewelry - Troy Inson

Red - Lovesick Stud rown - Mas uerade - Lane oots

4

Men’s Gift Ideas

1

Mini Big Green Egg w/ carrier - Texas Appliance

3

Great leather/ canvas toiletry bag and wool scarves - Anything Goes

2

Leather canvas messenger bag, great for work travel - Anything Goes

4

Fabulous novelty socks - Anything Goes

5

Jan arboglio leather recliner - Brumbaugh’s

Dallas Cowboys drinkware - Anything Goes

Worthy Causes

This group of women attended one of the six “Get Your Butt Out of Bed” Saturday morning training sessions – something new Jiggle Butt Run has done this year. The last one is at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 at River Legacy Park.

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Running with a PURPOSE

The upcoming Jiggle Butt Run will benefit women affected by domestic abuse • By Michele Duskin

M

ost races are all about who crosses the finish line first. to individuals currently experiencing domestic violence,” says But for Mansfield resident April Mathis, this year’s Safe aven’s Director of Donor Relations, Emily ancock.

Jiggle Butt Run will take on a whole new meaning.

“Annually, the run plays an important role in the ability to work The January event that benefits Safe aven of Tarrant toward our mission of ending domestic violence through safety, County will mark a year since her 1 -year-old daughter was rescued support, prevention and social change.” from an abusive relationship.

In addition, collection bins will be available for runners and “This will be my fourth year to do the Jiggle Butt,” Mathis walkers to bring needed items for Safe aven, which include says. She and her fellow “Butt Jigglers” (their team name), enjoy blankets, clothing, women’s toiletries and baby care items. In Tarrant partaking in the annual event County alone, one in three women because it is such a worthy cause. It will be affected by domestic violence also helps them to start off the new throughout her lifetime. year right and set fitness goals.

“What makes us unique is that “This year is a game changer, you don’t have to be a serious however,” she says. “We are runner to do the Jiggle Butt,” says running and walking in honor of one of the race’s co-founders, Mary my daughter, Caitlin.” Mathis says ibbs. “Regardless of your athletic Caitlin will participate in the race ability, you will walk away with the and hopes someday she can help satisfaction that you have helped another woman escape domestic other women in need.” violence.

This year the Jiggle Butt Run The 12th annual women’s only, committee started something USATF-certified Jiggle Butt 5k new by offering six Saturday BENEFITS: SafeHaven of Tarrant County Run Walk will take place on the morning training sessions in WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 University of Texas at Arlington various Arlington parks to help campus on Saturday, Jan. 27. women get prepared for the race, WHERE: The University of Texas at Arlington’s E. The race starts at a.m., but the whether walking or running. A 5k H. Hereford University Center (300 W. 1st St.) ereford University Center doors prep schedule is also available for REGISTER: jigglebuttrun.com open at 7 a.m. and will host exhibits, download on the website. food, coffee, spirit wear and pre-race Registration is still open and warm-ups. packet pick-up will take place on Jan. 25-26 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded in many The Runner, located at 3535 W. Pioneer Pkwy. The Runner will also different categories. host a pre-event party from 7 p.m.- p.m. on Jan. 25. You can register “ ast year, the Jiggle Butt Run’s generous $50,000 donation online at jigglebuttrun.com, during packet pick-up, or at the event, helped Safe aven of Tarrant County continue to provide services which will take place, rain, snow, or shine.

About the 12th annual Jiggle Butt Run ...

44

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Classic Cars

Deja VU

Bob, Brenda and Lori Woods are reliving days gone by in classic style in their ‘57 T-Bird • By Richard Greene

S

omething many of us who grew up in decades past have in common is lamenting the reality that we didn’t hang on to our first cars of that era. When able to afford one of the latest models that manufacturers were rolling out year after year, we just routinely traded our “old” cars for the shiny newer ones. ooking back now at what have become collectible classics, we see that acquiring one of them again satisfies our passion of bygone days and allows us to get behind the wheel and relive our memories. Bob and Brenda Woods did just that earlier this year when this pristine, firstPhotos: Richard Greene

Lori, Brenda and Bob Woods recreate a scene from their past after the family recently acquired a 1957 Thunderbird that closely mirrored the one they had previously.

46

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

generation 1 57 Flame Red Ford Thunderbird came up for auction and they made the winning bid.

Their first one was white, and the old photo to the left features their daughter ori sitting on the top of the seat at age four. This was their Christmas card picture that year.

She remembers asking her mom if she could have the T-Bird when she died. er response was, “of course, I will leave it to you in my will.”

Innocently, ori responded, “That’s okay, you can just leave it in the garage – I’ll come and get it ” All grown up now, ori still likes to sit on top of the seat that she once shared on summer evenings with her cat, which “loved the wind in his face.”

Bob, a longtime University of Texas at Arlington mechanical engineering professor and Formula SAE advisor, is one of Arlington’s most recognized experts in the automotive field.

The Thunderbird purchased by the Woods family features all the high-end amenities that made the car an instant classic – including a 312-cubic-inch, V8 engine that can get them “from here to there” in rapid fashion.

arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

47

^ Before Whether “coming” or “going,” this T-Bird gets there in style.

The most recent honor came through a gift from entrepreneur and businessman Paul E. Andrews, Jr., who established an endowed chair in Bob’s name to promote research, innovation and development of best practices in automotive engineering and design.

Bob, who joined UTA’s College of engineering in 1 74, founded the student racing program in 1 2. The team has since won eight championships in the United States and international titles in England, Japan and Australia.

UTA President Vistasp Karbhari congratulated Woods for the generous gift from Andrews: “Bob Woods stands as a giant among faculty nationally, setting very high standards of excellence and commitment to student success.”

Bob has capped off a good year with winning the statewide Piper Professor Award for excellence in teaching and as a recipient of the prestigious Regents Outstanding Teaching Award. is 60-year-old ’57 Thunderbird takes its place in automotive history as a great example of Ford’s entry into the sports car field.

48

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

After World War II, foreign car makers had found success in selling roadsters such as the MG and Jaguar to Americans.

In an attempt to deal with the competition, Chevrolet rolled out its first Corvette in 1 53. Ford followed two years later with the T-Bird, and by the time the ones like the Woods’ were produced the vehicle sported a reshaped front bumper, larger grille, tailfins and lamps.

The Thunderbird was certainly sleeker than Ford’s “regular” models, more muscular in shape with features like a hood scoop and a 140-mph speedometer.

With a 312-cubic-inch, V engine and a four-barrel carburetor, horsepower reached the 300 mark, and Ford saw Thunderbird sales rise to a record-breaking 21,3 0 units for 1 57.

The second Thunderbird generation was ushered in the following year, and today’s models still carry the distinctive stylings that launched Ford’s iconic classic.

“Yeah, it’s been a good year for us,” Bob says with a big smile.

“Some nice recognitions and acquiring the T-Bird. I’ve done several updates on the tires and suspension and drive it regularly now.”

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FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS you need to know

Texas Trust Credit Union Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Mark Warren and Brad Hays PlainsCapital Bank

TITLES: ar resident.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: ar arren industry. a ed ort orth region hair an in rlington president or si years ro to an ing industry. a ed rlington president in an prior to oining lains apital in .

rad ays rlington

years in the an ing . rior to that he served as . rad ays years in the . oth en ere ith hase

THE BANK’S PHILOSOPHY: ur pro essional philosophy is e odied in our o pany s ulture e are e po ered to ta e are o the needs o our usto ers and deliver results. This essage is o uni ated ro the top o our organi ation on do n. e are supported and en ouraged to or on ehal o our usto ers and o er solutions that est suit their needs.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: e parti ipate in any o unity usiness organi ations in luding the ha er o o er e e are a tively involved ith area s hools through the unior hieve ent progra and e support several lo al auses in luding the oys and irls lu s o rlington and the iver ega y oundation.

WHAT SETS THE BANK APART: ur usiness ulture is uni ue to the industry. e truly are e po ered to deliver results or our lients ased on their individual needs. ur hands are not tied y orporate ureau ra y. e have the a ility to a e de isions as ea h ase presents itsel . e are a large o unity an ith the operating style o a s all o unity an .

IT’S A GOOD DAY AT WORK WHEN ... e an e eed our usto ers e pe tations earn a ne usto er ro the re erral o an e isting one help a e a di eren e in the o unity our e ployees go ho e happy.

PlainsCapital Bank . enter t. plains apital. o 50

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

TEXAS TRUST CREDIT UNION is on a mission, a mission to Build Brighter Financial Futures. The credit union has been serving its members since 1936, and in opened its rst ran h in rlington. ive ore ran hes in luding a lo ation on the T a pus have ollo ed in the ensuing years. nd earlier this year, the credit union invited the community to help celebrate the grand opening o their rlington head uarters uilding.

Te as Trust o ers an array o financial services: he ing a ounts o plete ith a e it e ards aster ard savings a ounts or short id and long ter savers redit ards or those everyday pur hases personal loans or vehi les ho e i prove ent va ations and ore real estate loans in luding ortgages and ho e e uity loans insuran e overage or your auto ho e pet or in ase o flood invest ent servi es to help you plan or your retire ent and anage your assets usiness a ounts in luding all usiness d inistration loans nline and o ile an ing or anyti e any here anage ent o your a ounts ard ontrols so you an ree e your de it or redit ard to ease your ind The redit union puts into a tion one o its ore values to be the agent of positive change, through its support o the rlington o unity so e o hi h in ludes Spirit Debit Rewards program provides unding to and T . lready this progra has helped und the onstru tion o the outdoor theater at the ones ade y o ine rts and ual anguage and has given over to the T thleti s eneral holarship und.

Scholarships ill e presented in the a ount o to ea h e er o the inaugural lass o s arly ollegiate igh hool ho ill e graduating in the spring o .

Volunteering many hours to the community is as important to Texas Trust as the dollars they donate. That s hy on resident s ay this past e ruary the entire sta o ould e ound at ission rlington sorting donations o loading supply tru s organi ing lothing and relo ating i les and other reading aterials.

Partnering with Downtown Arlington Management Corporation as a re ier artner Te as Trust supports the . t also originated and ontinues to sponsor the annual rea uilder a ard to re ogni e those iti ens ho have had a signi ant and positive i pa t on the do nto n rlington o unity. anage ent and sta are proud to have een voted on e again to e the eaders hoi e ll tar in the an redit nion ategory and to have re eived onora le entions in the ategories o inan ial ervi es usto er ervi e and ortgage o pany. nd they ish to than everyone ho voted or the and invite everyone to o e e a part o their ission to Build Brighter Financial Futures.

Texas Trust Credit Union Headquarters: . ioneer

. y.

Branches: . ardin oad ittle oad o en oad Te asTrust .org

. enter t. ollandale ir le

Two clients and their lasting impact on Private Wealth Advisor Derrick Kinney

“Derrick, I’ve got cancer and the doctor doesn’t give me long to live.” I asked my well-loved client and friend, “Bob, how can I best serve you right now?” Faced with the end of his life, Bob wanted to make sure that his family would be taken care of. I suggested we hold a family meeting to share with his family what was important to him. His wife, his children, and each of his grandchildren gathered together to hear him share the values he wanted to pass to the next generation. It was one of the most difficult conversations I’ve ever led. It was an emotional time and many tears were shed, but it was one of the most rewarding moments I’ve experienced as a private wealth advisor. His family, who remain clients to this day, regularly thank me for helping their Dad speak to them in such an affirming and lasting way.

“That’s why we do what we do.

One client. One family.

One legacy at a time.”

- Derrick Kinney

www.DerrickKinney.com

817-419-6001 Recent Accolades: “Favorite Financial Advisor” - Arlington Today Magazine

“Best Investment Firm of Tarrant County” - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“Best Financial Advisor in North Texas” - Living Magazine “Five Star Wealth Manager” - Texas Monthly Magazine

“Put your hand on my chest.” No client had ever said that to me. “Derrick,” Ted said, “I want you to feel my pacemaker. If it ever stops, Mary is going to need you. I want you to promise me you’ll be there for her.” I assured him we would. Ted and Mary had worked with our team for many years. We had designed a retirement plan they were enjoying together, but we also discussed a Plan B if something happened to either of them. Early one Saturday morning I received the call that Ted had passed away. As promised, we walked alongside Mary, helping her with this difficult life transition. It was beautiful to help her get back on her feet and empower her to make decisions for what she wanted to do financially. Her children are very thankful for us honoring our promise to Ted and being there when Mary needed us the most.

FINANCIAL NEWS you need to know

HEAD of the class

University of Texas at Arlington Executive MBA program is ranked best in Texas by CEO Magazine

T

he University of Texas at Arlington’s Executive MBA program ranked first in Texas among CEO Magazine’s North American MBA rankings, which were released earlier this year. UTA was 21st among Global MBA rankings and 16th in the United States, according to the magazine, which has been highlighting top business schools from around the globe since it launched in 200 .

This is the second consecutive year UTA’s College of Business appeared in the ranking. In 2012, the publication introduced its annual Global MBA Rankings, profiling MBA, Executive MBA and Online MBA programs. Designed with applicants in mind, this ranking examines the details of an MBA: the learning environment, class sizes, tuition fees, faculty, delivery methods, international diversity, gender makeup, work experience and professional development. The objective is to identify schools that marry exceptional quality with great return-oninvestment.

“We are extremely honored to achieve this recognition,” says Dave Mack, associate dean of Communications Executive Education. “We are very proud of our EMBA program and even more so of our outstanding graduates.

I would like to thank the great faculty and staff that have helped to make this happen. Developing a successful program, such as ours, is definitely a team effort.”

Rebecca Neilson, director of Graduate Business Services, says the ranking is important because “it is nice that our students, faculty and staff are recognized for their hard work. It takes all of us together to create the kind of educational environment that enhances student’s learning. This leads to successful and effective business leaders for our communities.”

The aforementioned recognition from CEO Magazine typifies what has been occurring in recent years at the UTA College of Business, which is robustly in the top 100 nationally and top 50 public business schools, as it is recognized for its programs and faculty research contributions. ere are some examples: MBA Program No. 50 public (No. 2 overall) Best Part-Time MBA Program, U.S. News and World Report (2017) Top 50 Best Business School for Vets, Military Times (2016) Tier 1 in Global Ranking both MBA and EMBA programs, CEO 52

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Magazine (2016 and 2017) The Best 2 4 Business Schools, The Princeton Review (2017) Undergraduate Program No. 2 public (No. 131 overall) Best Undergraduate Business School, U.S. News and World Report (2016) Accounting Master of Professional Accounting Program: No. 3 overall Best Master of Accounting Program, The Financial Engineer (TFE) Times (2017) Undergraduate Accounting: No. 22 overall Top 30 Affordable Undergraduate Accounting Programs, Accounting Degree Review (2016) MS in Taxation Program: No. 10 Top MS in Taxation Program, TaxTalent (2016) MS in Taxation: No. 17 overall Top 40 Values in Master of Taxation, Online Accounting Degrees (2016) Economics MS Economics Program: No. 6 overall Best Master of Economics Program, The Financial Engineer (TFE) Times (2017) Health Care Administration MS ealthcare Administration: No. 25 Best Value Dual MBA ealth Management Degrees, Value Colleges (2016) Finance MS uantitative Finance Program: No. 45 overall Best Master of Financial Engineering Program, The Financial Engineer (TFE) Times (2016) Management MS uman Resource Management Program: Top uman Resource Master’s Degree, BetterBuys.com (2016) Marketing Top North American Universities for Professional Sales Education, Sales Education Foundation (2016) Best Schools with Marketing Research Programs, Study.com (2016) MS Marketing Research: No. 3 overall Best Master of Marketing Program, The Financial Engineer (TFE) Times (2017) Faculty Research No. 7 nationally for Accounting and No. 26 nationally for Information Systems faculty research publications, UT Dallas Top 100 Business School Research Ranking (2014-2017) No. 61 nationally for Accounting faculty research productivity and No. 23 nationally for Audit Accounting faculty research productivity, BYU Accounting Rankings (2016)

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FINANCIAL TIPS you need to know

Are you prepared for a DISASTER? W

e are very busy in our day-to-day lives and day-to-day tasks. We easily ignore the many risks we face. ave you thought of what would happen if a pipe or water heater busted and flooded your home, or, in my recent case, one of my office suites Do you have the right insurance Is the deductible too high What data could you lose if your computer got wet and shorted out My tenant and I had to work through this recently. Five a.m. I was called by my tenant to find that water was gushing from the ceiling.

It was not raining outside.

I rushed to get to the office, took a quick look at where the water was coming from and climbed into the attic and shut the water valve to the water heater off. ucky for me the valve worked. I have been in situations where the valve was stuck. It was great fun. (Sarcasm) We had an inch or more of water in the entire office suite and a small amount of water seeping into the next suite. I contacted my agent, who was awake and took my call early in the morning.

She gave me a name of an individual who owned a remediation company. e showed up within an hour of the call. is employees began to show up and started cleaning up the water.

My tenant lost one monitor but luckily did not lose any PCs nor the server. As we all know loss of data can be disastrous if not very

costly. The office took five days to dry out with the use of fans and de-humidifiers after the water was vacuumed up. The plumber was there on the first day and had the water heater replaced on the next.

The take away: ook around at your office or home and determine what risks you may face in the event of a water pipe or water heater failing. Even worse, a fire. Make sure you have adequate insurance. Also, make sure you can afford the deductible in the event you have a claim.

Make sure you have a backup of your data. Preferably a dual back up, one on site and one in the cloud, encrypted. Make sure your electronics are not on the floor. Also, make sure neither the power supplies nor isobars are on the floor. My tenant had two PCs on the floor. uckily, only one isobar strip shorted and took out a monitor.

Check the age of your water heater. If you are not sure if it is too old, contact and consult with a trusted plumber.

If you are a renter and you rent your home or your office, purchase renters insurance. It is cheap and it will cover your valuables and protect you from liability for incidents caused by your negligence.

Take time now to be sure you can withstand a disaster.

– Corey Callaway, investment advisor representative at Callaway Financial Services

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Mary Johnston, Rayma Hawkins, Morrie Minshew, Karen Kuczek, Chuck Wilson, Debbie Coke, Debbie Seymour

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

55

Community Corner

CON-GRADS! In a testament to persistence, a local mother and daughter team will receive diplomas this month from Texas Woman’s University • By Amanda Rogers

S

andy Gregory doesn’t have to worry about getting a good seat at her daughter’s college graduation. She’ll be on the floor of Kitty Magee Arena with her, picking up her own bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Gregory, 62, hadn’t planned to return to college until her daughter, eianne Babaa, 35, started thinking about it.

“I’ve worked since I was 16,” the Arlington resident says. “Something was missing. I always wanted to get it, but I wouldn’t have gone back if it wasn’t for eianne. It was more of a support role.”

Gregory has worked for Comet Cleaners’ corporate office for the past 27 years and doesn’t plan to leave. But having a bachelor’s degree doesn’t hurt, she says.

For Babaa, who lives in Mansfield, the need was more pressing.

“My stepson was graduating from egacy igh School in 2017,” she says. “I said, no way he’s getting his college degree before me ’” She has worked at Timberview igh School as an administrative assistant for the past two and a half years, but wants to go into human resources.

Both attended college before. Gregory graduated from the Fort Worth School of Business after finishing school at Western ills igh in 1 73.

She got her associate’s degree in mid-management from Tarrant County Junior College (now TCC) in the 70s, and took a few classes at the University of Texas at Arlington in the 0s, but did not finish her degree.

Babaa was a home school graduate in 2000, then headed to TCC. She got married and started having children before she could finish.

The mother-daughter team set out together in fall 2016, taking classes from TCC and Texas Woman’s University simultaneously.

“We were taking up to 24 hours at a time (in addition to working),” Gregory says. “I had to go back to TCC to get core complete.”

The pair took weekend, night and online classes from a variety of campuses. Babaa took math at TCC Southeast, and Gregory took biology at TCC Northeast. Microeconomics was at TCC’s Trinity River campus.

All their TWU classes were online, as were most of the TCC classes, so that cut down on travel time. “We were determined ” Babaa proclaims.

And they weren’t messing around. Both were on the Chancellor’s ist (4.0 GPA) at TWU last fall and the past spring, and they’re on track to do it again this fall. Gregory will graduate magna cum laude with a 3.

GPA, while Babaa’s 3.4 GPA just misses cum laude.

56

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

hotos

anda ogers

Mother Sandy Gregory and daughter Leianne Babaa will share the stage this month during the Texas Woman’s University graduation ceremony. To the left is their custom-made graduation announcement.

“I am so mad at myself,” Babaa says. “If I hadn’t messed up before, we both would be summa cum laude.”

Both have student loans in excess of $20,000, but say that it has been worth it.

“It means a much better career opportunity,” Babaa says. “Plus, I feel like it’s being a role model for my kids.”

Gregory says she doesn’t know what she’s going to do with the degree, but she’s proud to have it. “ er dad asked me, You’re not going to walk across the stage, are you ’” Gregory says. “I said Why not I’ve earned it.’”

On Dec. 16, Babaa will receive a bachelor’s degree in senior human resource management, and Gregory will take home a bachelor’s in business administration.

So what’s next Masters degrees “We may want to take a semester off,” Gregory says.

“She’s so funny,” Babaa replies.

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57

Picture-perfect Moments

hoto rlington Today hotos ourtesy o

ia usso

ignitaries o

ially ut the ri on or the ne s hool at rlington lassi s

Tarrant ounty o

ade y.

ar us oung oun il o an r. i toria arrar yers Bruce Payne and Stacy Schooler

. . orton

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Scene

napshots ro the ribbon cutting for the Arlington Classics Academy intermediate school, ro the ribbon cutting for the D.R. Horton facility and ro Party for a Purpose

e utive ire tor raig i s and Te as tate epresentative ill edler

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Business Beat

Michael Coleman poses with Roger Staubach at a recent charity event.

DRIVEN

GM Michael Coleman leads a championship team at BMW of Arlington

L

ike the “ultimate driving machines” that surround them daily and span the lots of their workday home at 1105 E. amar Blvd., the members of the Group One Auto team at BMW of Arlington are taking excellence to a new level.

To wit: Arlington’s premier luxury automobile dealership recently opened a 45,000-square-foot Showroom and Service Facility, complete with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.

The perks for customers include complimentary coffee, fruit, and a pastry bar – all offered in a spacious, quiet, comfortable waiting area that features WiFi. In essence, the new facility affirms the BMW experience – and provides the latest testament to the quest for perfection that drives General Manager Michael Coleman and the dealership’s ensemble of salespeople, customer service specialists and highly trained and experienced technicians to satisfy every customer.

Coleman has been associated with the company for nearly three decades, notably leading BMW dealerships in Rhode Island for 13 years and in ilton ead, S.C., for three more before moving to his position at the Arlington facility on May 2, 2016.

home or office while your BMW is being serviced. Customers receive a loaner BMW during their service, and upon completion, the customer’s car is hotos ourtesy o o rlington returned sparkling clean.

“When you call to schedule an appointment for service with BWM of Arlington,” Coleman says, “we are committed to accommodating your needs as soon as possible. Often, we are able to say, Bring your car in now.’”

Coleman and irschel eagerly share their common vision with their employees. Consequently, they attract employees that are well matched to the BMW clientele and ultimately assist their employees in becoming successful in their individual roles.

“Our goal is to hire the right people and provide them with the leadership they need to succeed,” Coleman says. “Others may be able to replicate these philosophies, but they cannot duplicate them. Everyone at BMW is dedicated to providing each Here is the recently opened, customer with the highest level of service possible. And 45,000-square-foot BMW of today, we are delivering this goal one customer at a time.”

Arlington facility.

Coleman says he is excited that many of those customers are already friends. After moving to Arlington, he quickly became active in civic and social opportunities, serving as a board member for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and spearheading the dealership’s corporate sponsorship of SPCA of Texas. “One of my commitments is to be more involved in our community,” he says.

In the meantime, he is leading his team to unprecedented success. The dealership has 135 employees, with plans to expand to more than 150. The new additions will join a group Photo: Richard Greene that is used to creating – and meeting – lofty expectations.

And, as one customer says, it’s a team that delivers. “It’s not Five of the stores he managed were awarded the top recognition just about customer service at BMW of Arlington; it’s about from BMW, the “Center of Excellence” Award. BMW recognizes relationships,” says Blake Walker, CEO of Arcis Golf. “Michael’s team 30 dealers across the U.S. every year, and this award is based on focuses on excellence and hospitality. They create customers for life.”

Customer Satisfaction and Overall Customer Experience.

Arlington Chamber President Michael Jacobson agrees: “Just “My goal,” Coleman says, “is to make BMW of Arlington my like the City of Arlington, BMW of Arlington is running at peak sixth store to receive this prestigious award.” performance and making dreams come true. Their investment in To that end, he works daily with Service Manager Marvin a new world-class facility demonstrates a strong commitment to irschel, a 35-year veteran in the automotive industry, to make their customers and to our community. Through their support of BMW of Arlington the premier dealership in the region. The new the Arlington Chamber of Commerce they are fueling our mission BWM Service Center is the only one in the Metroplex to offer to champion economic and community prosperity.” complimentary valet service with pick up and delivery at your 60

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Picture-perfect Moments

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Scene

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by Loews Flagship Hotel and ro the Mansfield Veterans Day parade

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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63

Sweet Treats

YUM’S

the word A former head pastry chef for the Dallas Cowboys has opened The Cakery to share treats with Arlington fans • By Karen Gavis

N

orth Arlington has a brand new bakery, but its owner is no stranger to the American Dream City – or to one of its best-known residents.

Katie Kennedy, a former head pastry chef for the Dallas Cowboys, moved The Cakery from Southlake to 2430 N. Davis Drive in September. The Arlington resident is lucky, she says, to have a loyal customer base from Southlake that is willing to come to her new, centralized location.

“And now, the exciting thing is Arlington is starting to hotos discover us,” she says, adding that she hopes her most recent customers will be more than just curious.

Kennedy, who once oversaw the creation of 100,000 desserts for Super Bowl V , says the bakehouse will soon be cooking and decorating Christmas cookies around the clock.

And that’s not all.

In addition to The Cakery, which whips up custom cakes with buttercream frosting for individuals and corporations year-round, Kennedy also owns its sister catering company, Marcona Kitchen, which will soon prepare and deliver holiday meals. Preorders for the heat-and-serve dinners, which can also be picked up, can be made up to a few days before Christmas.

Something new at the bakery this year is a bourbon pecan, cheesecake pie. And while Kennedy’s s’mores pie is nothing new, she says the recipe is wildly popular. The highly requested pie has chocolate and coconut with a graham cracker crust and a merengue topping. “ The recipe stems from years ago; I was at a bakery, and I was making a pie filling, and I started to burn it a little bit,” she says. “And I was, like, that’s kind of toasty; that just turned into a s’mores pie.’”

This holiday season, Kennedy says cheesecake pops and eggnog cake pops, as well as candy cane cake pops and cupcakes, will be part of the fare.

64

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Katie Kennedy recently relocated The Cakery to Arlington.

aren avis

“ oliday cookies seem to be the most popular,” she says. “And those are the most time-consuming.”

Depending on the bakery’s orders, Kennedy’s team of pastry chefs will sometimes show up for work at 5 a.m. To meet the holiday demand and help with corporate parties, Kennedy says The Cakery will nearly double its staff in early December.

Kennedy says she got her start helping her mother and grandmother in the kitchen. She later attended e Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Austin and then worked for the Dallas Cowboys for five years before leaving to start her own business.

At this point, word of mouth seems to be working well, she says.

And because of her experience with the Cowboys, she still does some things for AT T Stadium’s egend’s ospitality, as well as preparing desserts for the principals at the heart of the Cowboys’ enterprise, the Jerry Jones family.

“I still get the opportunity to help Mrs. Jones with some of her specialty cakes,” Kennedy says. “I don’t do thousands and thousands of desserts.”

Also, carrying on a tradition she learned while working at the stadium, Kennedy donates any excess food items to local charity.

“Stuff we can’t use for parties, we deliver to Mission Arlington,” she says. “They love it when we show up with produce.”

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65

Milestones

Photo: Bob Brennan

Jan Miller, Annabelle Corboy, Mayor Jeff Williams, Bryan White, Laura Capik, Lynn Healy and Jim Frisinger took part in the anniversary celebration for Southwest Nature Preserve, which, as the other photos show, is a city treasure.

Photos: Donna Darovich

The GREAT outdoors

Arlington’s Southwest Nature Preserve celebrates its fourth anniversary • By Donna Darovich

A

diverse crowd of biologists, botanists, herpetologists, master naturalists, an artist, photographers, and citizens who just appreciate the naturally wild topography of Arlington’s Southwest Nature Preserve gathered to celebrate its fourth anniversary on Oct. 28.

The preserve is the fourth and largest Arlington park to be kept as a natural area (others are the O.S. Gray Natural Area, the Blackland Prairie Park and Crystal Canyon Natural Area). But the heavily wooded, 60-acre property almost became a residential housing development in 2004. The City of Arlington saw its potential as a wildscape and partnered with The Trust for Public Land, which purchased the property in 2005 and held it until the city could arrange funding.

The celebration was hosted by the volunteer organization, Friends of the Southwest Nature Preserve, who keep a watchful eye to preserve the site through invasive exotic plant management, aquatic habitat restoration, and trail development and management. They also offer monthly educational programs.

The day began with a Bird ID Workshop, a quarterly event at the preserve, and included a hike to the sandstone bluff atop its Kennedale Mountain that has a panoramic view of downtown Fort Worth. Fly fishing demonstrations, exhibits of dragonflies and aquatic life were presented on the pier of one of its four ponds that includes a terraced outdoor seating and education area.

The preserve is a remnant of the Eastern Cross Timbers habitat, and has some 300 native plant species, including the endemic Glen Rose yucca and the farkleberry tree. An array of mammals and birds live on the preserve, including herons and foxes.

The Friends also debuted the preserve’s latest addition – two acres of newly turned sod on its southwest corner that will be dedicated to creating grasslands consistent with the Eastern Cross Timbers 66

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Eco-Region (the geographic strip of land that forms part of the boundary between the more heavily forested eastern part of the country and the almost treeless plains).

During the event, participants sowed white tridens native grass in the area that will be native pollinator friendly and a virtual outdoor classroom. Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate David White, the preserve also debuted a new trail-head kiosk and trail signage.

White volunteered to enhance its trail system with interpretive signage about the preserve’s natural features and strategic placement of color-coded markers along the trails that will make them easier to find and navigate. The kiosk will offer free educational materials, including natural history information and online links for reporting wildlife sightings and species ID. White and his fellow scouts worked on the design and partnered with Arlington Parks and Recreation on the construction. The project will help guests to have a more enjoyable experience and greater appreciation of the preserve while also establishing easily recognized trails and reducing erosion and its damaging effects on wildlife habitat, Friends members say.

“We are very fortunate to have this preserve that is so rich in natural and human history,” says Friends member Jan Miller.

Friends member Laura Capik counts “being able to restore one of the preserve’s major trails by recreating the switchbacks and regaining what had become an erosion trail” as two significant accomplishments during the past four years. “Applying for grants to help the parks department with projects in the preserve has also been a major step,” she says.

For more, visit swnp.org or the preserve’s Facebook page. The Southwest Nature Preserve is located at 5201 Bowman Springs Road in Arlington. Hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. More info is also on the Arlington Parks and Recreation website, naturallyfun.org.

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67

Picture-perfect Moments

Photos: Arno Knapen

Sharon Little, Leslie Friedman and Judy Malone at Night with Nature Photo: Rose Youngblood

Mike Rhyner, founder of The Ticket radio station, was named this year’s winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award during UTA’s Homecoming festivities.

Shannon Porter shows off one of the center’s snakes to Dr. John Boudreaux.

Scene

Keynote speaker Shannon Miller, Karen Williams and Sam Morrow at the Pink Teal event

Snapshots from Night with Nature, from UTA’s Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony and from the Pink Teal Luncheon for cancer awareness

Photos courtesy of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

The silent auction setting at Night with Nature

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Tennis Tip

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ehydration is a serious health concern for tennis players, and it also can affect performance in less than an hour (sooner if the athlete begins play dehydrated). Three percent or more body weight dehydration can also increase the risk of heat-related illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke).

Additionally, as fluid is lost, the body temperature rises, and the heart works harder. Here are some tips to avoid dehydration.

Water or electrolyte-enhanced drinks: • Two hours before play, drink at least 16-20 ounces.

• During play, drink 4-8 ounces (double for heavy sweaters) every changeover.

Electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate drinks: • If play exceeds 60 minutes, these drinks may be a better option than water, though they can be diluted some with water.

• After play, drink at least 20 ounces per pound of body weight lost within a two-hour period.

Drinks containing more than 7- carbohydrates slow fluid absorption and are not recommended. Ideal drinks will contain 6-8% carbohydrates and electrolytes.

• Protein aids recovery, and adding sodium may speed rehydration.

Physically fit players are less susceptible to heat-related issues.

Players should drink a combination of water and electrolyteenhanced beverages throughout the day, and drink consistently.

The body may be 2% dehydrated by the time thirst is experienced.

Salt is the major electrolyte lost in sweat, so replace it throughout the day. Remember to keep the body cool before, during and after competition to maintain appropriate body temperature. However, avoid putting ice directly on muscles and joints during play because of possible muscle and joint stiffening.

Light colored, breathable, loosely woven fabrics help sweat evaporate easily, and sunscreen can prevent short-term sunburn that increases skin temperature and susceptibility to heat-related problems. Remember to acclimate the body to a hot, humid environment in advance, and reduce contact with direct sunlight when not playing. Dehydration can occur in any environment.

Play it safe 365 days a year, and stay hydrated!

– James Helvey, Head Tennis Professional, Arlington Tennis Center This article includes information from USTA Sports Science.

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Dining Guide

Recipe of the month: ARANCINI

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Local eateries you definitely need to check out

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MEXICAN/TEX-MEX Blue Mesa Grill bluemesagrill.com 550 Lincoln Square • (682) 323-3050

Fontana’s Fine Cuisine fontanasfinecuisine.com 6407 S. Cooper St., Suite 101 (682) 323-5704

El Arroyo elarroyoarlington.com 5024 S. Cooper St. • (817) 468-2557

The Keg Steakhouse • Bar kegsteakhouse.com 4001 Arlington Highlands Blvd.

(817) 465-3700 Mercury Chophouse mercurychophouse.com 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910 (817) 381-1157 Piccolo Mondo piccolomondo.com 829 Lamar Blvd. E. • (817) 265-9174 restaurant506 at The Sanford House restaurant506.com 506 N. Center St. • (817) 801-5541 AMERICAN Candlelite Inn candleliteinnarlington.com 1202 E. Division St. • (817) 275-9613 Dino’s Subs 2221 S. Collins St. • (817) 274-1140 The Grease Monkey greasemonkeyburgers.com 200 N. Mesquite St. • (817) 665-5454 J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill jgilligans.com 400 E. Abram St. • (817) 274-8561 Mac’s Bar & Grill macsteak.com 6077 West-I20 • (817) 572-0541 72

El Primo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina elprimos.net 2300 Matlock Road, #21, Mansfield (817) 225-4140 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop fuzzystacoshop.com 510 E. Abram St. (817) 265-8226 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd.

(817) 516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield (817) 453-1682 Rio Mambo riomambo.com 2150 E. Lamar Blvd. • (817) 795-4555 6407 S. Cooper St. • (817) 465-3122 ITALIAN/PIZZA Café Sicilia cafesicilia.com 7221 Matlock Road • (817) 419-2800 Gino’s East ginoseast.com 1350 E. Copeland Road • (817) 809-7437 SEAFOOD Pantego Bay Gulf Coast Café 2233 West Park Row • (817) 303-4853 BARBECUE Bodacious Bar-B-Q bodaciousbbqarlington.com 1206 E. Division St. • (817) 860-4248

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

ARANCINI are rice balls that are stuffed, coated in bread crumbs and then deep fried. This popular Italian street food is said to have originated in Sicily during the 10th century when Sicily was under Arab rule. The use of saffron in the arancini is probably also part of the Arab influence. The Arabs introduced citrus fruit to the Sicilians, and today this is one of Sicily’s most important exports to the European market. Orange groves are plentiful and in season the trees are heavy with sweet and delicious oranges. The name arancini is translated as “little orange,” very apt thanks to its’ color and shape. Every year during the festival of Saint Lucia, which takes place in Palermo on Dec. 13, the city fills up with the wonderful aroma of fried arancini.

Kiosks and carts serving this wonderful snack pop up all over the city.

Vendors tempt festival attendees with all kinds of flavor combinations, even chocolate arancini! The most popular are the traditional arancini that are stuffed with ragu (meat sauce), peas and mozzarella, but it is very adaptable. Prosciutto and cheese or left over roast chicken and mushrooms are great alternatives. In fact, arancini is often made with left over risotto and whatever else is on hand!

Sicilian Arancini For the rice: 2 cups Arborio rice; 1 1/2 cups of water; 1 generous pinch of saffron; salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 4 teaspoons unsalted butter.

Place the rice, water and saffron in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to gently simmer 15-20 minutes or until all the water has absorbed. Add the Parmesan and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread into a shallow dish and leave to cool for at least four hours.

For the filling: Cold left over beef ragu or meat sauce; 1/2 cup cooked peas; 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced.

For the Arancini coating: 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup allpurpose flour; 1/2 cup of water; pinch of salt; 2 cups Italian breadcrumbs; vegetable oil for frying; Marinara sauce for serving, optional.

Method: Take about 2 tablespoons of rice and shape into a shallow cup.

Place a spoon of ragu, a few peas and a cube of cheese in the indentation.

Gently close the rice around the filling and shape into a ball or pear shape.

Continue in this manner until all the arancini have been shaped. Set aside.

Whisk together the eggs, flour, salt and water until smooth. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Gently roll each rice ball in the egg mixture.

Allow the excess to drip off. Coat in the breadcrumbs. Repeat until all the rice balls have been coated. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Heat the oil to 375°F in a large pot or a deep fryer. Fry the arancini in batches until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper towels. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Buon Appetito!

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

73

Why You Need to Stay Heart Smart During the Holidays “I only eat and drink like this around the holidays.”

“I thought it was just heartburn. I didn’t want to make a fuss and ruin everyone’s good time.”

Do these sound familiar? They’re why doctors coined the terms “Christmas coronary” and “holiday heart” to describe the more than 30% increase in heart attacks and heart-related problems that occur in winter — especially Christmas, the day after Christmas and on New Year’s Day. That’s because many Americans celebrate the holidays with binges of alcohol and food that puts added stress on hearts.

They’re also more inclined to ignore or mistake the warning signs of heart attack at this time of year.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. Someone has a heart attack every 43 seconds. And holiday heart doesn’t discriminate — it crosses all ages and genders and can appear in young people as dangerous heart rhythms.

Left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFIB), stroke and diabetes.

6 holiday heart attack stressors: • Overindulging in alcoholic beverages, rich foods and higher salt consumption.

• Cold weather, which constricts blood vessels, increases blood pressure and makes blood clot more easily.

• Sudden strenuous outdoor activity in extremely cold weather.

• Skipping or not taking medications on time.

• Greater emotional stress and disrupted sleep.

• Delaying treatment for symptoms of a heart attack so as not to disrupt holiday activities. Every second counts to save a life and prevent damage to heart tissue.

Reduce the risk of holiday heart attacks: • Keep calm. Manage emotional stress and avoid anger.

• Stay well. Get a flu shot, wash hands frequently to prevent cold and flu and get plenty of rest.

• Eat right. Avoid binges and select healthier food choices. Drink plenty of water.

• Keep moving. Continue normal exercise routines to maintain cardiovascular health and ward off weight gain. When engaging in outdoor activities, dress warmly, go slowly, rest often and listen to your body.

• Mind the time. Stay on schedule with prescription medications and if traveling, carry enough for the trip (in original prescription bottles) plus a few extra.

• Stay warm. Dress in layers for the weather and avoid heavy physical exertion in the cold.

Know the symptoms of a heart attack and call 911 immediately if you experience: • Pain or discomfort in the chest, arms or shoulders • Shortness of breath • Feeling lightheaded, weak, faint or unusually tired • Heartburn, nausea or vomiting How healthy is your heart? Take our free heart risk assessment at TreatingTexasHearts.com.

To find a physician near you visit MedicalCityArlington.com or call (855) 868-6262.

Thurs., Dec. 14, 2017 | 7:30PM

Thurs., Jan. 18, 2018 | 7:30PM

Holiday in Vienna

Ivan Donchev, Piano

Holiday Favorites plus Symphony Arlington’s Annual Sing-Along!

Program:

Oliver Weder, Guest Conductor

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B b Major

Piero Romano, Guest Conductor

THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS

ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL 224 N. Center St. • Arlington, TX 76011

For more information, visit www.symphonyarlington.org

817.385.0484 info@symphonyarlington.org

Help Us Make Their Holiday Bright Please donate.

Arlington Charities is in need of holiday food, gift cards, financial donations and of course, toys for the children.

Please help us make this holiday special for the families, seniors and children we serve.

For more information contact us: info@arlingtoncharities.org or 817-275-1511 www.arlingtoncharities.org arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

75

Nightlife & More

SightS/SoundS

Your resource for entertainment options in and around Arlington MUSIC: Christmaspectacular!

When: Dec. 1-3, 8-10 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show times: 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sunday Notes: Sweet singers, dynamic dancers, a kick line of lovely ladies, sparkling sets, a 20-foot-tall Christmas Tree and a “Sing-Along” with Santa are all part of Arlington’s newest Christmas tradition. It’s a family-friendly “feast” for the eyes and ears … and heart.

For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

THEATER: Plaid Tidings When: Dec. 1-17 Where: Theatre Arlington (305 W. Main St.) Show times: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday Notes: Filled with Christmas standards that have all been “Plaid-erized,” this holiday musical features a riotous three-minute-andeleven second version of “The Ed Sullivan Show” – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas number.

For more: theatrearlington.org

Performance Place Grand Prairie) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Two of the top names in both Christian and pop music will team for this Christmas concert.

Also scheduled to perform is Jordan Smith.

For more: verizontheatre.com

N. Center St.) Show times: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: This month’s featured performers/performances include Crystal Gayle’s “A Crystal Christmas” (Dec. 7), The Texas Tenors (Dec. 13) and the Chris Milyo Big Band’s “Swingin’ Christmas (Dec. 20).

For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

MUSIC A Glorious Christmas Tour

MUSIC: KSCS Country Fest ‘17 featuring Chris Young

When: Dec. 3 Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) Show times: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Grammy award-winning artists Casting Crowns and FOR KING & COUNTRY join forces for a special holiday concert. This tour features two top-selling Christian acts, along with a special appearance by Rebecca St. James.

For more: utacollegepark.com

MUSIC: Jessie Jennings & Friends When: Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 Where: Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Cafe (781 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield) Show time: 7 p.m.

Notes: Jesse Jennings, originally from Dublin, Texas, is a singer, songwriter and musician based in Fort Worth.

For more: fatdaddyslive.com

MUSIC: Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant

MUSIC: Arlington Music Hall Concerts

When: Dec. 2 Where: Verizon Theatre (1001

When: Dec. 7, 13, 20 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

When: Dec. 8 Where: Verizon Theatre (1001 Performance Place Grand Prairie) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Chris Young, the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, headlines this concert, which also will feature Kane Brown and Tucker Beathard. An international ambassador for country music, Young performs to packed houses around the world, including his recent appearance at the sold-out C2C Festival in the UK. For more: verizontheatre.com

MUSIC: Symphony Arlington presents Holiday in Vienna When: Dec. 14 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Symphony Arlington welcomes guest conductor Oliver Weder for this holiday concert, which also will feature the annual carol singalong and lots of holiday favorites.

For more: symphonyarlington.org

Where: Levitt Pavilion (100 W. Abram St.) When: 8 a.m.

In a nutshell: This family-friendly 5K run and 1-mile Fun Run, hosted by CASA Photo: 225batonrouge.com of Tarrant County, will attract hundreds of people dressed in masks, capes and original costumes, all joining together to support abused and neglected children in foster care.

CIRQUE DREAMS Holidaze For more: casatarrantsuperherorun.com lights up the 2017 season with its 10th Anniversary National Tour, which will feature performances on Dec. 15-16 at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. for the Dec. 15 performance and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for the Dec. 16 show.

This critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza is a cirque spectacle/Broadway musical/ family show – all in one.

The show has been hailed

by The New York Daily News as a “delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleighload” and “so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil!”

It features more than 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, outstanding singers, original music and seasonal favorites, snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, and, of course.

Santa. The gravity-defying feats, production numbers and illusions will leave you asking, “how did they do that?”

For more: verizontheatre.com.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF HOLIDAY MAGIC

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ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine

arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

77

Speaking of Sports

iS thiS the year?

The UTA men’s basketball team, coming off its best season ever, eyes an NCAA berth • By John Rhadigan

D

owntown Arlington is dominated by and being revitalized by three-letter combinations. In 2009 it was NFL-HKS. In 2020 it will be MLB-HKS and in 2012 it was UTA- KS. Did you realize that The same firm that designed AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, the same one that is designing Globe Life Field for the Texas Rangers of MLB, also designed the College Park Center home of the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks.

If you have never seen College Park Center, do yourself a favor and take in an event there. This $78 million facility is not only a jewel of downtown Arlington, but it is arguably the best building in the Sun Belt Conference. It hosts UTA men’s and women’s basketball, Of the six times the UTA volleyball and concerts. It is also home men’s basketball team has recorded 20 or more wins, of the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. four of those seasons For anyone who ever went to Texas came during the tenure of coach Scott Cross.

Hall for a Mavericks game, you must witness and experience of the difference at College Park Center.

From the moment you walk in you will notice the big-time feel. And, whereas at Texas Hall it felt like an adaptation of Hamlet was about to ensue, here you will have no doubt that you are in a big-time college arena.

Even if there was any doubt at all, that would be erased when the Mavericks men’s basketball team takes the floor. After compiling a 27- record last year and advancing to the NIT quarter finals, the Mavs have much bigger plans this season.

“This is definitely a team that can win games in the NCAA tournament,” says 11th year coach Scott Cross. “But you can’t win games unless you get there.”

Those 27 wins last year represent a school record. It is the sixth time in school history that the basketball team has won 20 or more games, and four of those six have happened under the watchful eye of Coach Cross. But the Mavericks didn’t get into the NCAA tournament because they did not win their conference tournament.

“It has been a one-bid league for a while, so if you come up short in your conference tournament, your chances of getting there (the

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

NCAA Tournament) are slim and none,” Cross says. “So we have to be playing our best basketball that weekend in March.”

Besides, if records are made to be broken, then the record set last season may fall just one year later. Consider that the Mavs have eight seniors on the squad, and when it comes to March Madness, senior leadership and experience make a huge difference.

“I’m a basketball junkie, and I have watched the NCAA Tournament since I can remember,” says senior Kevin Hervey, who has been selected as the Preseason Player of the Year in the Sun Belt conference. “A lot of those Sweet 16 teams and Cinderella stories have had a lot of older guys. I think having experience definitely helps you win games.”

Cross is the winningest basketball coach in UTA history, having guided the Mavs to 202 victories. Like so many great coaches before him, he says team defense is the key to this squad’s success. “You can’t always predict whether you’re going to hit shots, but if your guys are playing the defense they are capable of playing, then we are right there knocking on the door,” Cross says.

Last year during the NIT run, there were crowds of 5,000 packing College Photo: UTA Shorthorn Park Center. Cross hopes that trend continues throughout the season this year.

“Who knows?” he says. “We may be able to pack this place throughout the season, and that would be awesome. It would be a huge home court advantage.”

The Mavs truly believe that with a senior-laden team, and a sixth man – aka UTA students and basketball fans from Arlington packing the arena – this could be their year. If it is, there will be a four-letter acronym present in downtown Arlington. That is NCAA, as in NCAA Tournament team.

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

FRIDAY, FEB. 9 • 7-9 PM SATURDAY, FEB. 10 • 4-6 PM, 7-9 PM Bob Duncan Center • Arlington, TX

You’re invited to be our guest at the Royal Daddy Daughter Ball! We will have a magical night for you and your daughters to spend an evening together. Bob Duncan Center will be transformed for dancing and enchanting. Individual tickets include a corsage, refreshments, dessert and punch, parting gift for daughters and a professional photograph.

For more information, and to register, visit us at NaturallyFun.org or call 817-459-5474.

Presented by:

500 E. Broad Street • Mansfield, Texas 76063 817-226-6100 • Fax 817-226-6622

www.parkercpas.com

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“All Star CPA/Tax Preparer” arlingtontoday.com • December 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

79

Events, etc.

itinerary

Your official Arlington-area guide to fun and the like Dec. 1 - Dec. 31 Donray Traveling exhibiTs Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. on Sunday In a nutshell: This exhibit demonstrates the majesty of Western American landscapes, birds, and performers.

For more: arlingtonmuseum.org

Dec. 1 - Jan. 7 holiDay in The Park Where: Six Flags Over Texas When: 2-10 p.m.

In a nutshell: It’s the most magical time of the year at Six Flags Over Texas, where the park transforms into a holiday wonderland filled with enchanting experiences that will help create those special family fun outings again and again. This breathtaking and colorful tribute to fall and winter holidays features a variety of delightful and interactive activities to help attendees capture the holiday spirit.

For more: sixflags.com/overtexas

Dec. 1 - Jan. 14 salvaDor Dali exhibiT Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. on Sunday In a nutshell: Dali is a well-known Spanish artist who was one of the leading figures in the Surrealism movement. He was a painter, designer, sculptor, writer and 80

set designer, as well as a master engraver who could produce equally outstanding work in drypoint, etching, woodcut or lithography.

For more: arlingtonmuseum.org

Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 31-Jan. 1 PlaneTarium shows Where: UTA Planetarium (700 Planetarium Place) When: Check website for show times In a nutshell: UTA Planetarium is one of the three largest planetariums in the State of Texas located in a groundbreaking research facility. With its 60-feet dome projection surface, fully digital projection system and advanced software, UTA Planetarium provides its visitors views of realistic night sky, the Solar System, stars, and distant galaxies complemented with Dolby surround sound.

For more: uta.edu/planetarium

Dec. 3 Tour of holiDay homes Where: Mansfield When: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

In a nutshell: Check out some of Mansfield’s most beautifully decorated homes all decked out for the holidays on this annual tour sponsored by the Mansfield Women’s Club.

For more: email mansfieldwomensclub@yahoo.com

Dec. 9 naTure walk Where: River Legacy Living Science Center (703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd.)

When: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

In a nutshell: Explore the nature trails surrounding the Science Center on a family-friendly guided Nature Walk. Walks are free, but space is limited. RSVP to the number below.

For more: (817) 860-6752

Dec. 20-23 Texas uil fooTball ChamPionshiPs Where: AT&T Stadium When: Check website for game times.

In a nutshell: Championships in each of the state’s various divisions will be decided this month at AT&T Stadium.

For more: attstadium.com

Dec. 24 Dallas Cowboys fooTball Where: AT&T Stadium When: Check website for game time.

In a nutshell: The Cowboys will have one home game this month, hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 24.

For more: dallascowboys.com

Dec. 29 gooDyear CoTTon bowl Where: AT&T Stadium When: 7:30 p.m.

In a nutshell: The 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will feature two top-10 teams in the country squaring off in primetime at AT&T Stadium. Participating teams will be determined by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on Dec. 3.

For more: attstadium.com

Photo: newsok.com

BIG 12 TITLE WILL BE DECIDED HERE THE 2017 BIG 12 Football Championship Game will kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 at AT&T Stadium, which will also host the game each season through 2021.

Unlike the other Power 5 conferences that have division winners meet in the title game, the Big 12 championship game will match the top two finishers in the overall conference standings.

The Big 12, which has 10 teams, is the only conference that features a round-robin schedule, meaning all the teams play each other during the season.

“There is great anticipation with the return of the Big 12 Football Championship, and we look forward to hosting the event in AT&T Stadium for the next five years,” says Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

“The building is a state-of-the-art facility and offers many amenities that will be enjoyed by our institutions and fans.”

FOX will televise this season’s game and in odd-numbered seasons through 2023. ABC/ ESPN will televise the 2018 contest and ensuing games in even-numbered seasons through the year 2024.

Save T he Dates!

Champions for Kids Breakfast With Guest of Honor Jeff Banister, Texas Rangers Manager Wednesday, February 7th at Globe Life Park - Cholula Porch

Register Today at CFKArlington.org 58th Annual Cinderella Charity Ball Hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary Saturday, March 31st at the Arlington Convention Center

CinderellaCharityBall.com

28th Annual Par for the Kids Golf Tournament Monday, June 18th at Walnut Creek Country Club

ParfortheKids.com

Party for a Purpose Gala Saturday, September 22nd at Park Place Mercedes-Benz Arlington

BGCPFP.com All Event Proceeds Benefit

Finish Line

in review ...

It has been an eventful year in the communities we serve – to say the least • By Richard Greene

H

ere at Arlington Today we constantly pursue a promise to our readers of being the source of news and information about the people, places, events, and changes taking shape in the communities we serve. Here at year-end seems a good time to look back and review how we are working to meet that commitment.

So, here’s a month-by-month snapshot of just a few of the things, in addition to our regular columnists, features on homes of interest and classic cars, we’ve shared on the pages and in the electronic media of our magazine.

In January, we featured the mayors of Mansfield and Dalworthington Gardens as our cover feature and then did stories on how UT Arlington is helping cancer patients stay active, the remarkable journey of Tarrant County College celebrating 20 years at its southeast campus, the progress of downtown Arlington’s resurgence, breaking ground for Texas Live!, and reviewing the success of The Sanford House in making guests feel right at home in the center of the city.

Our medical edition in February included stories of the Arlington Youth Symphony, how Grand Prairie’s mayor is successfully pursuing his vision for the city he serves, the work of Mansfield artists Mary Elizabeth and Eddie Phillips, and Mansfield Cares’ annual fundraiser to continue their services to those in need.

We put the newest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame on our March cover and reviewed the storied career of the great Pudge Rodriguez. In that issue, we also celebrated local businesses, took a look at the highlights of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA, learned what was behind the compelling smile of VanDella Menifee, checked in on the best-selling author Sandra Brown, and covered the surprise birthday party of one of the community’s nowretired military chaplains.

In April, we featured the inaugural year of the Concours d’Elegance of Texas in Arlington in our bride’s edition, covered the annual Miss Cinderella event of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington, wrote about Mansfield’s upscale South Pointe development, described how Cheryl Mitchell has helped preserve a treasure trove of valuable works at UTA, and how Arlington has become one of the testing grounds for the new technology of driverless cars.

When May came around, we put Robert Jordan on the cover and wrote about the success of his home remodeling business, took a

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look at some of the area’s premier lawyers, noted the launch of the Levitt Pavilion season, and did a story on educational options to help children make the most of summer.

Entrepreneur, philanthropist and good guy Mark Caffey made the June cover, and we marked the 93-year history of Meadowbrook Park (Arlington’s first public park), shared the success of students, organizations and teams that made the past school year a success, covered the inaugural year of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market featuring works from around the world and reported how downtown Arlington venues were opening doors for local musicians.

In July and August, we celebrated our nation’s founding, wrote about how to make the most of Summer, and revealed the winners of our readers’ choices of All Stars ranging across 100 categories of community businesses and organizations serving the half-million residents of the area.

In the September and November issues, we featured the remarkable progress of our public schools in Arlington and Mansfield, both of them having achieved new heights in preparing the next generation for the world of traditional careers along with those in the advancing age of technology, trades, and professions ensuring bright futures for them and all the rest of us, as well.

In between, our October edition, with Texas Rangers Chief Financial Officer Kellie Fischer on the cover, focused on women in business and covered wide-ranging stories from how UTA’s CARS program is putting interns in the trenches where drug addiction thrives, and the kickoff at Martin igh School of the unique competition among North Texas High School students using robots for firefighting.

So, there’s scratching the surface of just a fraction of the ways we are working to share the stories unfolding every day in the remarkable place we call home.

On behalf of our publisher Judy Rupay and editor Yale Youngblood, we welcome you to let us know what you would like to see in our magazine in the year ahead.

Richard Greene served as Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997, was appointed by President George W. Bush as Regional Administrator to the EPA, and currently teaches in the University of Texas at Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

- Matthew 1:21 NIV

The Wade Family would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

4140 W. PIONEER PARKWAY • ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013 • 817-274-9233

www.wadefamilyfuneralhome.com