February 2022 by Arlington Today

February 2022

your community • your magazine

Today

your community • your magazine

BECAUSE WE CAN

I f you are like many readers of printed publications who open the magazine to the table of contents page – and if you did just that after you picked up this month’s edition of the publication of record for the Arlington Mansfield Grand Prairie area – you were treated to a veritable smorgasbord of enticing reading options. There’s the staple “On the Cover” spot touting a quintet that does some great things while “selling” our great region. You would be well served to get to know Brandee Kelley, Jim Maibach, David L. Cook, and Joy and Chad Bates better by delving into their respective stories, beginning on page 24. There, too, is a collection of interesting pictures designed to lure you into various parts of the magazine, where information about a local home, a local wedding, a local car and a bunch of local ways to keep resolutions will also keep you satisfied that your decision to read this issue was a good Yale one. Youngblood What you probably won’t Editor catch is, to me, anyway, one of the more significant items on the page. In small type just under the Contents heading, it says, “January 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 1.” That’s publication parlance for, “yes, dear readers, we’ve just turned the corner on our ninth year of celebrating Arlington and its surrounding burgs.” During the course of that time, the celebration has been virtually non-stop. Consider, for a moment, how the city has been transformed: Where there once were two world-class stadia (I’m going all Latin on you, here), there are now three. Where a parking lot once stood now sits the entertainment capital of North Texas, Texas Live! High up in the air in that locale rises the Live! by Loews hotel, which soon will be joined by a big brother across the street. If you hop in the car and drive just a slight way, you’ll see a real downtown, with vibrant dining, shopping and living options, all close enough to Levitt Pavilion that you are likely to be able to hear the music from your table, checkout stand or patio. We’ve had three mayors since the start of the magazine, and each has left or is about to leave indelible legacies that can be summarized in one sentence: “He made Arlington better.” Two more of their ilk lifted or are lifting Mansfield to unprecedented heights,

yale@arlingtontoday.com

Today

EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay CEO Richard Greene EDITORIAL Editor Yale Youngblood Sports Columnist John Rhadigan Special Columnist Major General Patrick Brady Website & Social Media Manager Bailey Woodard Graphic Artist Francisco Cuevas Contributing Writer Kenneth Perkins Contributing Photographers Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Hanna Areksoussi PRODUCTION Production Manager Francisco Cuevas ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2021 Arlington Today, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products. Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues.

ARLINGTON TODAY GIVES BACK

Arlington Today magazine proudly sponsors Alliance for Children, the Arlington Museum of Art, the Arlington Police Foundation, Levitt Pavilion Arlington,

EVANS-COWLEY NAMED THE NEW PRESIDENT OF UTA

Contents T

he UT System Board of Regents last month named Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of North Texas, as the new president of the Univeristy of Texas at Arlington. The move from Denton will represent a homecoming for EvansCowley, who grew up in Arlington attending summer camps and classes at UTA and who has taught an annual professional development workshop a the university in the past decade.

communities to help UTA achieve its full potential as it serves the people of Texas Jennifer Evans-Cowley through education and discovery.” She succeeds Dr. Teik C. Lim, who In the research arena, Evanswas UTA’s interim president before Cowley headed a collaborative being named president of the New group to help faculty better Jersey Institute of Technology early engage in UNT’s research mission. last month. She also was instrumental of the Regents voted unanimously to establishment of a UNT campus in select Evans-Cowley, who has risen Frisco, Texas. through the ranks of academia Before joining UNT, she was at over the past 20 years and has held The Ohio State University, serving as numerous positions at the vice provost for capital planning and academic program, college regional campuses, associate dean for “I AM EAGER TO BEGIN working with faculty, staff, and university levels. academic affairs and administration students, alumni, the UT System, and the broader As provost at UNT, which in the College of Engineering, and Metroplex and statewide communities to help UTA enrolls 42,000 students, department chair and professor in achieve its full potential as it serves the people of she launched a strategic City and Regional Planning. Texas through education and discovery.” effort in 2017 that increased Evans-Cowley holds a bachelor’s the three- and four-year degree in political science and graduation rates. Like UT Arlington, “I am honored to have the master’s degree in urban planning UNT is one of the nation’s few opportunity to return my hometown and doctorate in urban and Carnegie Tier 1 research universities to play a leadership role in shaping regional science from Texas A&M that is also recognized as a Hispanicthe future at UT Arlington, and University. She earned master’s Serving Institution. Under her I enthusiastically accept this degrees in public administration leadership, UNT has increased opportunity and responsibility,” and interdisciplinary studies from the representation of women and Cowley says. “I am eager to begin UNT. Her research and work in underrepresented groups serving working with faculty, staff, students, urban planning has been published in faculty and academic leadership alumni, the UT System, and the and referenced in numerous positions at UNT. broader Metroplex and statewide publications.

VEGE-MATIC Use these tips from the Arlington Parks & Recreation Department to create raised garden beds this spring • By Danica Dodson

Map It Out Much like any major gardening project, the first step to building a raised garden bed is to map out your area and decide where to place the bed. You’ll need an even surface cleared of any plants, dirt piles, or debris. Dig out the area and get it as flat as you can by using a shovel and a level. Once the surface is flat, you can tap on the ground to make the dirt hard and compact.

Think Through The Process Before your building process is complete, think about how you will fill the bed with soil. One smart option is to leave a gap in one side of the bed large enough for a wheelbarrow to fit through. This will make it much easier to fill the bed without having to dump soil over a finished wall. You’ll also want to think about which types of plants will go in your bed. “I got a dump truck delivery of nice garden soil,” says Wendy. “I wanted to grow vegetables, so I had a special veggie soil mix delivered. I recommend knowing what you want to grow and having soil delivered that has lots of organic matter and other nutrients added.” Irrigation Make a plan for how you’ll provide water for your raised bed. Soaker hoses and timers are great options, especially if you can’t see yourself going outside everyday to water by hand. “I designed my own little watering system,” explains Wendy. “I found a timer that would water the beds for me. I got a splitter on the timer and attached 4 hoses to that. I then ran solid hoses from my water faucet on the back of the house under the existing flowerbed and along the ground to each of the raised beds. I then got some soaker hoses and ran them around the raised bed after all the soil was in place. Next, I attached it all to the

February 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 2

7,000

6.7

34,878

HOME SWEET! HOME

“I WANTED TO GROW VEGETABLES, so I had a special veggie soil mix delivered. I recommend knowing what you want to grow and having soil delivered that has lots of organic matter and other nutrients added.”

Start Building After creating a flat spot for your bed, you can start building the bed itself. There are many materials available that you can use for building the walls of your bed. Some

HIGHLIGHTS

Photos courtesy of Mansfield Custom Homes

This house, built by Mansfield Custom Homes, has all the deluxe basics in place (and they’re virtually timeless)

e hear a lot about houses having good bones, referring to the structural integrity of the home, and no doubt that is extremely important. But have you thought about a home having good bones in the sense that all the basics are in place and timeless, now all you have to do is accessorize? We think this home is a perfect example of this exact scenario and hope that it inspires you when you are building or remodeling to stick with classic, good bones and then showcase your style in the accessories. This house has a well-blended balance of paint, stain, print, texture, openness, and coziness. We love the stained cabinets, unique built-ins and beams paired with the high-gloss cabinets and trim. The texture of the interior brick and the bold print of the tile are classic design elements. In 10 years, these aspects will still look amazing. Being able to accessorize this home with your particular style of furniture and décor will only bring out these features in an even bolder way. As styles change in décor, it will be easy to change out shapes and colors without having to change the design “bones” of this house. – Julie Short, Mansfield Custom Homes, 682-552-4384

Bowery Farming plans to open a new, smart indoor farm in Arlington in 2023 BOWERY FARMING, the largest vertical farming company in the U.S., serving major e-commerce platforms and more than 800 grocery stores, is building its newest smart indoor farm in Arlington. Joining its network of vertical farms in Kearny, N.J.; Nottingham, Md.; and Bethlehem, Pa., the new Arlington farm will be powered with 100% renewable energy and will create more than 100 year-around green jobs. Produce from Bowery Farming’s Driven by explosive demand in Texas planned indoor farm in Arlington for safer, traceable, Protected Produce, will be produced using 100% renewable energy. and propelled by the BoweryOS – which integrates software, hardware, sensors, computer vision systems, machine learning models, and robotics to orchestrate and automate the entirety of operations – Bowery’s Arlington commercial farm will serve a population of 16 million people within a 200-mile radius. The farm is expected to open in the first quarter of 2023. Photo: Bowery Farming Bowery’s smart indoor farms grow local, pesticide-free Protected Produce 3 5 days a year, regardless of weather conditions. In 2021, Bowery doubled revenue and opened Farm X, a state-of-the-art innovation hub for plant science in Kearny, N.J. Bowery’s produce is harvested yearround at peak freshness and is delivered to stores within a few days of harvest – a stark contrast to the 90% of leafy greens grown in the U.S., which are transported over 3,000 miles across the country. Within this new farm, Bowery’s Protected Produce will reach a new region of the U.S., advancing the company’s goal of expanding access to local, traceable, pesticide-free food to people in every major city of the U.S. and around the world. For more: boweryfarming.com

Are you ready for some (college) baseball? THE 2022 COLLEGE BASEBALL SEASON is once again kicking off at Globe Life Field on Feb. 18-20, with six teams from four conferences slated to play in the State Farm College Baseball Showdown. Big 12 Conference members Kansas State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Texas Tech University will face the University of Arizona from the Pacific-12 Conference, Auburn University from the Southeastern Conference, and the University of Michigan from the Big 10 Conference, with each school playing three games. Tickets to the State Farm College Baseball Showdown are available online at

ON THE COVER 44 48

38 Safe at home!

A study by MoneyGeek determined that Arlington is among the top-ranked safest large cities in the United States

40 Along for the ride

The City of Arlington recently earned an award for the success of its vastly popular Via rideshare service

This month, we salute Health Care Heroes, such as Dr. Kelly Frasier, Medical Director of Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas. See Page 26

DEPARTMENTS

Starting Line 10 Itinerary 12 • This ‘n Data 14 Around Town 22 • Scene 24, 42, 64 Style 52 • Bulletin Board 68 Speaking of Sports 70 • Dining Guide 72 Finish Line 74

44 Only 9 of these factory originals still exist

There aren’t many 1934 12-cylinder Packards around any more, but David Oberle has one

UTA TODAY

48 Here’s a ‘honey, do’ list everyone will enjoy

If you’re wondering where to go and what to do on (and around) Valentine’s Day, we’re here to help

54 Vege-matic

Use these tips from the Arlington Parks & Recreation Department to create stellar raised garden beds this spring • By Danica Dodson

56 Home SWEET! Home

This month’s featured house, built by Mansfield Custom Homes, has all the deluxe basics in place (and they’re virtually timeless)

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

UT-Arlington recently earned high marks among U.S. universities for its intense research activity. See page 58

ShareFest Texas keeps on helping SHAREFEST Texas, an Arlington-based non-profit that helps the underserved in the community via a variety of altruistic partnerships, had an impactful 2021. Organization spokesperson John Thielman says ShareFest Texas fully furnished 60 women’s shelter family apartments for domestic violence victims. In addition, the organization provided 50-plus bicycles to the homeless and raised more than $40,000 in grants and donations that will be used on future aid efforts. ShareFest Texas serves victims of domestic violence, the homeless, foster children, at-risk children and senior citizens in need. Its partners include SafeHaven, Misison Arlington/Metroplex, Refugee Services of Texas, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. For more:

Starting Line your community • your magazine

A HEART A-FLUTTER

s of the middle of this month, I will have presented some 492 pieces of chocolate to the former Susan Carol Richtman, mainly because, prior to our exchange of vows, she swore that she had never received a box of candy on Valentine’s Day. “Not even the crummy hard ones with mushy writing on them?” I asked, in the early days, when I really wanted to experience a second Valentine’s Day with her and really didn’t want to purchase a dud. Ironically, that’s just what I did – she said her favorite kind of candy was Milk Duds. I added a box of Russell Stover, a thoughtful card and some nice flowers for good measure, and a year and a half later, I was bound to a ritual that has now spanned more than four decades. The journey began with the words, “I do.” I am fairly certain I exclaimed them. And I know for a fact that “I still do!” Here’s why: Susan is the most well-intentioned person I’ve ever known. As a wife, she has consistently striven to sustain a flourishing marriage. That’s no small feat, given that her parents couldn’t (and given who her husband is). As a mother, she has sacrificed, not just occasionally, in order to put her children in a better way than she experienced. She had a good life; they have great ones. As a teacher of pre- and young teens, Yale she has been relentless in her Youngblood pursuit to make them understand Editor that a grade on a paper isn’t the true measure of a young person’s worth. Much more important is the process of learning – how to work hard, how to get along, how to overcome adversity, how to laugh every so often. She has been advocating all those things for more than three decades, and a year doesn’t go by that she doesn’t hear from a former student who says, in essence, “You, Mrs. Youngblood, never gave up on my like the other teachers did. Thank you for believing in me.” Susan and I now have three grandchildren, the youngest of whom lives but a few miles away. We see him a lot. Pretty much every visit goes like this: He arrives at the house. I say, “Who’s at my house?” He says, “Where’s Grams?” She is clearly his favorite person in all the world. I would like to be tied for that honor, but the truth is that he would rather spend an evening playing Candyland with his paternal grandmother even more than he would like to eat pizza. That’s true love from a 5-year-old. The best this 65-year-old can offer is not another box of candy, but rather another exclamation point, offered here for all of my little world to see. I hope she likes it.

yale@arlingtontoday.com 10

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Today

EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay CEO Richard Greene EDITORIAL Editor Yale Youngblood Sports Columnist John Rhadigan Special Columnist Major General Patrick Brady Website & Social Media Manager Bailey Woodard Graphic Artist Francisco Cuevas Contributing Writer Kenneth Perkins Contributing Photographers Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Hanna Areksoussi PRODUCTION Production Manager Francisco Cuevas ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2022 Arlington Today, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products. Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues. To subscribe, e-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com.

Phone us at (817) 303-3304

ARLINGTON TODAY GIVES BACK

Arlington Today magazine proudly sponsors the AISD Education Foundation, Alliance for Children, Arlington Charities, Back the Blue Bash, Greater Arlington Chamber Women’s Alliance, Levitt Pavilion Arlington, Mansfield Cares, the Mansfield Pickle Parade, The Salvation Army and Theatre Arlington.

Events, etc.

MAKING MUSIC

ITINERARY... MONSTER JAM Monster Jam returns to AT&T Stadium at 7 p.m. on Feb. 19. This event teams famous trucks with worldclass drivers who push these perfectly Photo: Eric Stern engineered vehicles to their limits in Freestyle, 2-Wheel Skills and Racing competitions. Pit Party passes are also available for an up-close experience with the drivers and machines. monsterjam.com

ART EXHIBIT The Arlington Museum of Art will present Oblivious Sensation, featuring the works of Christopher Rabb, through Feb. 27. The title comes from two of Rabb’s favorite art pieces in this series, 12 Cent Oblivious Image: Christopher Rabb Suspense and Amazing Sensation Universe: “For me, the act of creating art is an escape from the world, during which I become oblivious to my surroundings and become hyper-focused on the process.” arlingtonmuseum.org

SYMPHONY ARLINGTON TO PERFORM ‘MOZART CON AMORE’ ON FEB. 17

ymphony Arlington will present “Mozart Con Amore,” featuring pianist Raúl Canosa, at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 at Arlington Music Hall. The concert will feature, among other classical Pianist pieces, Raúl Canosa Mozart’s “Overture to Idomeneo,” SaintSaëns’ “Piano Concerto No. 2,” and Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 3 (‘Scottish’).” symphonyarlington.org OTHER CONCERTS OF NOTE: Arlington Music Hall will present Ricky Nelson Remembered, starring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10; Ray Scott with special guest Scott Sean White at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11; Lucia Micarelli at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12; Sons of the Pioneers at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18; Zach Rushing with special guest star Jesse Payton at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19; and the Zeppelin Project & Strange Brew at 8 p.m. on Feb. 25. arlingtonmusichall.net

UTA HOOPS Here’s this month’s home schedule for the University of Texas at Arlington basketball teams: Men – Coastal Carolina (7 p.m. on Feb. 3); Appalachian State Photo: UTA (5 p.m. on Feb. 5); Little Rock (7 p.m. on Feb. 17); Arkansas State (2 p.m. on Feb. 19). Women – Appalachian State (2 p.m. on Feb. 5); ULM (11:30 a.m. on Feb. 10); Louisiana (2 p.m. on Feb. 12); Little Rock (7 p.m. on Feb. 24); Arkansas State (2 p.m. on Feb. 26). utamavs.com 12

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

CIRCLE THE DATE The 17th annual Dallas Blue Festival will be held on March 5, beginning at 7 p.m., at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie (1001 Texas Trust Way). Tickets (ranging from $59-$125) are available at AXS.com

This ‘n Data

EVANS-COWLEY NAMED THE NEW PRESIDENT OF UTA

he UT System Board of Regents last month named Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of North Texas, as the new president of the University of Texas at Arlington. The move from Denton will represent a homecoming for EvansCowley, who grew up in Arlington attending summer camps and classes at UTA and who has taught an annual professional development workshop at the university in the past decade.

communities to help UTA achieve its full potential as it serves the people of Texas Jennifer Evans-Cowley through education and discovery.” She succeeds Dr. Teik C. Lim, who In the research arena, Evanswas UTA’s interim president before Cowley headed a collaborative being named president of the New group to help faculty better Jersey Institute of Technology early engage in UNT’s research mission. last month. She also was instrumental in the Regents voted unanimously to establishment of a UNT campus in select Evans-Cowley, who has risen Frisco, Texas. through the ranks of academia Before joining UNT, she was at over the past 20 years and has held The Ohio State University, serving as numerous positions at the vice provost for capital planning and academic program, college regional campuses, associate dean for “I AM EAGER TO BEGIN working with faculty, staff, and university levels. academic affairs and administration students, alumni, the UT System, and the broader As provost at UNT, which in the College of Engineering, and Metroplex and statewide communities to help UTA enrolls 42,000 students, department chair and professor in achieve its full potential as it serves the people of she launched a strategic City and Regional Planning. Texas through education and discovery.” effort in 2017 that increased Evans-Cowley holds a bachelor’s the three- and four-year degree in political science and graduation rates. Like UT Arlington, “I am honored to have the master’s degree in urban planning UNT is one of the nation’s few opportunity to return my hometown and doctorate in urban and Carnegie Tier 1 research universities to play a leadership role in shaping regional science from Texas A&M that is also recognized as a Hispanicthe future at UT Arlington, and University. She earned master’s Serving Institution. Under her I enthusiastically accept this degrees in public administration leadership, UNT has increased opportunity and responsibility,” and interdisciplinary studies from the representation of women and Cowley says. “I am eager to begin UNT. Her research and work in underrepresented groups serving working with faculty, staff, students, urban planning has been published in faculty and academic leadership alumni, the UT System, and the and referenced in numerous positions at UNT. broader Metroplex and statewide publications.

Arlington By the numbers

7,000

6.7

34,878

The seating capacity at the University of Texas at Arlington’s College Park Center for an athletic event.

The percentage of Arlington residents under the age of 5 years old, per the 2020 census.

The city’s population growth since 2010. That represents a 9.54% bump during the decade-plus.

Source: utamavs.com

Source: census.com

Source: worldpopulationreview.com

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

This ‘n Data

#atpetofthemonth Meet Yakonay, also known as YaYa. She’s part Husky and German Shepherd. We adopted her eight years ago and are so glad that we did! Yakonay’s Favorite Things: Treats, Tug of war, Fetch, Tummy rubs and playing with our cat Tiggs. Funniest Characteristic: She yodels whenever she wants to play, go outside or share your food. She’s the sweetest 85 pounds of fluff! – Keri Robbins

ARLINGTON FOUNDATION GRANT WILL HELP REPLICATE FAMOUS CITY LANDMARK!

he Arlington Tomorrow Foundation recently awarded a gift of $1,000,000 to Arlington’s Parks and Recreation department for the creation of a new cultural landmark – a Mineral Well Tower Fountain designed by James “Jim” Richards, a national award-winning landscape architect and designer. The art installation will include a clock tower featuring four lion sculptures by local artist Janice Hart Melito. THE 40-FOOT-TALL urban fountain This landmark project will clock tower will serve as a centerpiece of be dedicated to Arlington’s community pride in the plaza between historic Mineral Well that was the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library torn down in 1951 due to the and City Hall. City’s growth and increasing traffic, and was permanently capped under the intersection’s pavement at Main and Center streets. Established in the 1890s, the original mineral well was a major Arlington landmark. Mineral water flowed through lions’ head sculptures mounted on four-sides of the fountain. The central well was the focal point for rallies, parades, cotton sales and the sale of mineral water. Although the new piece will not contain mineral water, recreating this historic well as a contemporary 40-foot-tall urban fountain clock tower, with welcoming walk-ability and relaxing seating space, will serve as a centerpiece of community pride in the plaza between the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library and City Hall. The new well, due to be completed in 2022, will be central to Arlington’s redevelopment and collective history, benefiting both Arlington residents and the City’s tourism efforts. “All of us at the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation are delighted to support this project as a way to memorialize our past and, at the same time, adding a beautiful new structure to our downtown landscape,” says Carolyn Mentesana, Executive Director of the Tomorrow Foundation. 16

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Eshan Singhal

OAKRIDGE STUDENT EARNS AWARD FOR RECYCLING PROJECT

shan Singhal, a junior at The Oakridge School, was named the Texas District Six winner for the 2021 Congressional App Challenge. Singhal created “Cleaner Together,” which streamlines the recycling process via an app that allows users to determine the disposability of an item and has a public forum. The competition encourages students to learn how to code by creating their own applications while highlighting the value of computer science and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. More than 7,174 students nationwide registered for the 2021 Congressional App Challenge and 2,101 apps were developed.

This ‘n Data

SCOOPS

5 LOCAL COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NLC POSTS

ive Arlington City Council members were recently appointed to serve on National League of Cities committees. As committee members, these Arlington City Council representatives will play key roles among a diverse group of local leaders in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home. THE ARLINGTON Council members will Helen Moise was play key roles in helping shape National appointed as member League of Cities policy positions and of the Finance, advocating on behalf of cities and towns. Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Raul Gonzalez and Rebecca Boxall were appointed as members of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Nikkie Hunter was appointed as member of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. And Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley was re-appointed to a one-year term as vice-chair of the National League of Cities Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee. For more information on NLC’s federal advocacy committees, visit: nlc.org/advocacy/committees.

1. This month, the Texas High School Coaches Association will present longtime Arlington ISD coach Anthony Criss with the Grant Teaff “Coaching Beyond the Game” Award at its leadership summit in Arlington. Criss is being honored for his impact on the team, school and community because of his passion and commitment to coach beyond the game. 2. Grand Prairie residents with qualifying improvement projects to enhance the public facing exterior of their home may apply for a rebate of up to $5,000 with the City of Grand Prairie. Applications should be submitted within no more than two weeks of estimated project(s) start date. For more: ow.ly/2HA850HrXUN 3. Residents and workers in the City of Mansfield donated a record-breaking $101,039.64 to The Salvation Army and helped Mayor Michael Evans win the 2021 Salvation Army Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge during the holiday season. The donations will go to support 2022 mission projects at The Salvation Army of North Texas.

RAISE YOUR HAND if you took in a concert (or two dozen) at the Johnnie High’s Country Music Review at Arlington Music Hall back in the 1990s. Keep that hand up if you continue to enjoy the music mix at the venerable venue.

KINNEY SHOWS HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND DO MORE GOOD Derrick Kinney, who recently launched Good Money Framework and the A rlington’s popular Good Money Podcast, has written a book, “Good Money Revolution,” which

Derrick Kinney

will be on the market on Feb. 22 (2-22-22). “For everyone who worries about their future and can’t afford to get it wrong, this book is for them,” Kinney says. “They need a financial plan that fits their unique goals and dreams. I wrote this book to empower them to make more money and do more good in the world.“ goodmoneyframework.com 18

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

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Around Town

HE DRIVES FOR SHOW – AND FOR DOUGH

ichael Furrh is a professional golf entertainer. I’ll let that sink in. Thing is, he can smack golf balls with a custom-made 8-foot driver, which for you non-golf aficionados (like me) is double the length of a regular driver, making it an arduous, if not unattainable, feat for some. Probably most. He can tee balls six feet off the ground and whack them off a ladder. He also performs Dorf Golf routines made famous by the skillful funnyman Tim Conway. (Look it up. You’ll get the idea.) Furrh adds an extra measure of danger to these showy presentations by hitting golf balls off the top of people’s heads. All of this is done within a trick shot show, a sort of Harlem Globetrotters on the Green sort of thing, which Furrh calls Michael Furrh’s Cheat4Charity Challenge. He has raised over $400,000 for various fundraisers, usually staged during charity golf tournaments. There’s more, of course. Furrh is the reigning Guinness World Record Kenneth holder for swinging the Perkins world’s longest usable golf club. It’s so long, in fact, it takes a couple people to actually swing the thing. He and partner Mike Rausch drove a golf ball 145-feet with a 49.3-foot driver, which was 65 feet longer than what was required to capture the record held by the actor Anthony Anderson (he of Blackish fame). Furrh had held the same world record four times previously. Each time he made a longer club and hit the ball a longer distance, someone, at times on the other side of the world, made one even longer and hit it even farther. “The golf clubs are comprised of 61 separate steel shaft segments epoxied together to create one continuous steel shaft,” Furrh told me via email, which is good, considering that I have no idea what that means.

Michael Furrh of Arlington has turned trick golf shots into an art form. Of course, there’s also some science to what he does, as he continues to write and rewrite world records while raising money for local charities. Photo courtesy of Michael Furrh

So I went to my old standby: YouTube. These clubs have so much shaft lag in them it looks like a flimsy rope when making contact with the ball. Even seeing it, it doesn’t look real. Furrh has lived in Arlington since 1980. He’s a product of Duff Elementary, Bailey Junior High and Arlington High, where he was, coincidently, not a golfer but captain of the tennis team. Acclaim aside, Furrh is most thrilled with the funds he has raised for Restore Hope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Oakridge School’s Owl Club, and as a booster for both Martin and Arlington high schools. He’s also a proud product of Fort Worth’s terrific First Tee program, which teaches kids not just how to play the sport but how to live by a code of conduct: respect yourself, others, and your surroundings. “That message parallels my journey and perseverance throughout my career,” Furrh said. “It’s a message we want the public to know about and what it means to the participants of the program.” You’d think Furrh’s incredible world-beating feat stands alone in Arlington when it comes to Guinness records. Not quite. Last summer, Arlington ISD’s Sherry Hall pieced together the largest homecoming corsage (mums as they are known in these parts) at 119.18 feet. Then there’s UT Arlington’s Brett Williams who broke the record to the highest standing jump at 5-feet-5 inches. As for Furrh, he knows there’s a plateau of how long he can make these drivers, and it’s getting close. Furrh said he and Rausch actually attempted to hit a ball with a 61-foot driver but the club broke in half. “My goal has been to take this world record and make it such an extremely difficult task to break,” Furrh said. “We do have one more club that we are prepared to swing in case anyone breaks our current Guinness World Record. But they’ll just have to stay tuned and see how long that one is.”

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

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Scene SNAPSHOTS OF NOTE FROM ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE EVENTS

Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce events The Greater Arlington Chamber Veterans Business Council recently met at Texas Rangers Golf Club.

TotalCare Arlington ER celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 20.

#Furever Friday

Photos: Arlington Police Department

Jennifer Pena, office assistant/off-duty coordinator for the Arlington Police Department’s Personnel & Recruiting Unit, tried to find home for her new pal, Fitzgerald.

Arlington Police Department Officer Cody Adams, a member of the Traffic Unit, also touted the city’s #FureverFriday program by trying to find a new home for Frederick.

Texas Live! Dallas Stars watching party

Photos: Texas Live!

Last month, Texas Live! hosted its first Dallas Stars watching party of the new year on the venue’s many big screens.

The Texas Live! Stars event wasn’t confined to simply watching hockey. These fans took a few shots on goal as part of the festivities.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Sip & Shop Thursday, Feb 17th 6-8pm

817-277-3131 arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Health Care Heroes

Dr. Melissa Danchak has a quarter century of experience helping patients address hearing issues.

Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids

r. Melissa Danchak began working at Kos/Danchak Audiology in 1997. She has owned the practice since 2002 and continues a tradition of excellence associated with the practice since it opened more than 35 years ago. With a quarter century of experience helping those with hearing challenges in the Arlington and surrounding communities, Dr. Danchak’s passion for providing unparalleled care and service for her patients is on full display with the hundreds of online reviews her patients are sharing. A major key to the practice’s success is that Dr. Danchak believes that learning is a lifelong process. “Like any small business, we experience change, adversity, success, and a whole host of other ‘stuff’ on a regular basis,” she says. “We try to learn, every day. We evaluate how we help people and we try to make the hearing health care experience better for the people that we meet with each day. Our goal is for each person to have a better experience with us every time they visit. The fact that we have thousands of patients that have been trusting us with their hearing needs for 10 and 15 years tells us that we are doing a good job of providing a positive experience for our patients.” Dr. Danchak and her team live by a fairly simple (professional) philosophy: do our absolute best to serve our patients and fellow employees to the best of our ability; continue to learn and grow, every day, so that we can accomplish that in the best way possible! “We make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “We see it on their faces when they hear and understand clearly what a loved one is saying. We see it when a spouse or child experiences the feeling of being able to communicate again without raising their voice or repeating themselves. Patients and their families share with us that their investment in better hearing, and us, has changed their lives.”

Dr. Renju Raj and the team at IVFMD offer a full range of fertility testing and state-of-the-art treatments.

IVFMD

state-of-the-art fertility center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, IVFMD offers basic and breakthrough diagnostic and treatment choices to unlock your fertility potential. IVFMD, located at 600 W. Mayfield Road in Arlington, provides IVF that is both effective and affordable. Established in 1997, IVFMD is one of the few fertility centers in Dallas Fort Worth that can claim 20 years of experience with consistently high IVF pregnancy rates year after year – at a reasonable price. “We believe in making leading-edge fertility technologies accessible to as many families as possible by reducing the financial stress during the journey toward parenthood,” says Dr. Renju Raj, one of three fertility specialists and gynecologists at the practice, along with Dr. Beverly Reed and Dr. Sy Le. “Our Global IVF Fee is one of the most affordable in the country. We are also transparent in treatment cost. You can find clear information about IVF cost on our website. We are also an in-network IVF facility for Aetna, Cigna and United Healthcare. Covered patients do not have to pay out-of-network fees when they use our centers.” IVFMD offers a full range of fertility testing and state-of-theart treatments, including ovarian reserve and male testing, HSG; minimally invasive reproductive surgery and tubal reversal; IVF, ICSI, PGT/PGD, egg cryopreservation; Invocell IVF, Mini IVF; and donor egg and surrogacy cycles. Dr. Raj says the practice’s unparalleled personal care sets IVFMD apart: “We are committed to making you a mom.” IVFMD

2700 600 W. Mayfield Road • 817-701-1290 • ivfmd.net

Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids

101 West Randol Mill Road • 817-277-7039 • northtxhearing.com 26

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

exas Health Arlington Memorial is a 369-bed, acute-care hospital that is ranked among the best hospitals in Dallas-Fort Worth by U.S. News & World Report. With a mission of improving the health of the people in the community, the hospital and physicians on its medical staff are committed to every patient’s well-being. Texas Health Arlington Memorial offers the gamut of health care services, including: behavioral health; cancer care; cardiac rehabilitation; Diabetes care; digestive health; emergency department; ear, nose and throat care; fitness center; heart and vascular; hospice care; imaging; neurosciences; nutrition; orthopedics; rehabilitation; respiratory therapy; sports therapy; women and infants care and wound care. In addition to the aforementioned services, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital fortifies its bond with the community by offering regular classes focusing on health-related topics, such as childbirth education, family education, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and wellness and prevention. The hospital has received acclaim on many fronts in recent years. Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital has received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Fragility Fracture Certification, the first health care facility in the country to receive Joint Commission certification for a fragility fracture program. It is also designated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor that recognizes hospitals for excellence in nursing, and was the first facility in Arlington to earn the designation. In 2019, Texas Health Arlington Memorial received a Get With The Guidelines® award for stroke and/or heart failure care, earning Gold Plus and Target Heart Failure Honor Roll award levels.

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

800 W. Randol Mill Road • 877-847-9355 texashealth.org/locations/texas-health-arlington-memorial

Photo: Charles Davis Smith

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

ethodist Mansfield Medical Center celebrated its recent 15th birthday with a drone light show that was a fitting tribute to one of the community’s brighter healthcare beacons. Since opening its doors in 2006, Methodist Mansfield has welcomed more than 23,000 new lives into the world, performed more than 53,000 surgeries, and treated nearly 1.2 million patients. The hospital is one of the larger employers in Mansfield, with nearly 1,300 nurses and employees. In addition, some 256 independently practicing physicians have joined the medical staff. Methodist Mansfield has grown from 88 beds to 262, and its medical services have expanded to include some of the latest in medical technology. The hospital has also achieved Magnet® recognition, the highest distinction bestowed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to healthcare organizations for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. The hospital is also designated a Level III Advanced Trauma Center, a Level III Neonatal Facility, and a Maternal Level III sub specialty care facility in perinatal care. Last year the hospital also joined Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing and the City of Mansfield to bring the first Texas Tech University System satellite campus to Tarrant County. “It has truly been a privilege to serve our patients and families here in Mansfield and in the surrounding communities,” Methodist Mansfield President Juan Fresquez Jr. says. “We have a beautiful, patient-centered, advanced facility, but it is our dedicated people who are highly skilled and honored locally and nationally who are the heart and soul of this hospital. This year to keep pace with the more than 699,000 emergency room visits and increasing number of patients who place their trust in us, we will be adding new employees and new physicians to our medical staff and expanding our services, and we look forward to being a part of the health of this community for many years to come.” Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

2700 E. Broad St. • 682-242-2000 methodisthealthsystem.org/methodist-mansfield-medical-center 28

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital-Arlington

vercoming chronic neck, back or joint pain can bring incredible improvement to your quality of life – but not if you put off dealing with it. Some have endured the pain for so long that they have forgotten what “normal” feels like. Does this sound familiar? If so, you (or a loved one’s) relief begins with having a plan and then taking action. Your plan begins with a place. Arlington is fortunate to have one of the nation’s top-rated facilities for treating and solving the issues that cause these types of pain. Helping people “get back to normal” is Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington’s reason for being. This unique, industry-leading specialty hospital centers on comprehensive outpatient and inpatient treatment and provides orthopedic surgery, spine treatment, joint replacement, diagnostic imaging, pain management, sports medicine and physical therapy and rehabilitation. This is Dallas-Fort Worth’s only hospital that concentrates strictly on providing orthopedic and spine care. This allows Baylor Scott & White Arlington to provide a safe, serene and focused health care environment to reduce the tension or apprehension patients might feel about going to a hospital. Combining exceptional care with personal attention and compassion is the hospital’s priority, whether treating a simple neck strain or a complex joint surgery. The boutique-style facility offers an exceptional staff and 10 operating rooms, complete diagnostic imaging capabilities, and a Pain Management Center. The hospital also has a full-service ER open 24/7 making it a great alternative for emergency care. When you are ready to get back to getting around, Baylor Scott & White Arlington is ready, too. Visit www.bswarlington.com for a full list of physicians, services and to schedule an appointment. Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital-Arlington 707 Highlander Blvd. • 855-41-ORTHO • Fax: 817-583-7107 bswarlington.com 30

Dr. Joan Bergstrom

Dr. Jessica Brown

Dr. Joy Carter

Dr. Kiran Nangrani

Dr. Dawnette Peppler

Dr. Sheri Puffer

Dr. Maya Kuriakose

Women’s Health Services

r. Joan Bergstrom, founded Women’s Health Services in 1986 when she completed her residency in Kansas City, Kansas, and moved to Arlington to become the first female Ob-Gyn in the city. Her practice now has six other women physicians serving women patients: Dr. Jessica Brown, Dr. Joy Carter, Dr. Maya Kuriakose, Dr. Kiran Nangrani, Dr. Dawnette Pepper and Dr. Sheri Puffer. WHS has two locations in Arlington. The North office is located adjacent to Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, where the group does all deliveries and inpatient surgeries. The South office is at Cooper and Wimbledon, just south of I-20. Women’s Health Services has been a steady provider of women’s healthcare for more than three decades. Patients can count on Dr. Bergstrom and her colleagues to be accessible for any female issues from puberty through menopause. The doctors of WHS provide services for pregnancy, birth control, heavy periods, treatment for uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence, menopausal hormonal changes and well woman exams. The group performs all their in-patient hospital services at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, Arlington’s Community Hospital, which promotes the highest standard of health care for all patients in the Metroplex. Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital finished a complete renovation of the Women’s Services facility just over two years ago. Women’s Health Services offers full obstetrical and gynecological services. The team’s philosophy is to promote a comfortable atmosphere with expert services in all aspects of female health. The practice has an electronic appointment booking system and are upgrading the system to include an app to access and update patient health records and communicate with the staff and doctors of WHS through your cell phone. Women’s Health Services

1101 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 • 817-591-2715 • 5005 S. Cooper St., Suite 275 817-677-1003 • womenshealthservices.com

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Restore Your Health in 2022 with

Chiropractic, Nutrition & Mental Health Holistic Solutions for Everyday Problems! 2 additional locations available!

is now

Book an Appointment at GOCURIS.COM

same doctor, same team, same results, new name, and new services! arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Dr. Kenyon Godwin, Curis Functional Health

Dr. Rene Perez, Jr.; Dr. Stuart Thomas; Dr. Tyler Scoresby; Dr. Dana Gibbs; and Dr. Chris Lee comprise the Central Park ENT physician team.

Central Park Ear, Nose and Throat

he board certified physicians of Central Park Ear Nose Throat work as a team to provide the best quality of service to their patients. Drs. Rene Pena, Jr.; Stuart Thomas; Tyler Scoresby; Dana Gibbs; and Chris Lee have devoted their careers to helping people with allergy issues, ear infections, hearing impairments, colds and sinus infections. The Central Park ENT healthcare providers believe that by assisting others through education and compassion, they can improve and restore quality of life for patients and their loved ones. With offices located throughout the Metroplex (including sites in Arlington, Mansfield, Dallas and Fort Worth), Central Park ENT has experienced and compassionate doctors and practitioners who can help with any ear, nose, or throat condition you may have. From allergy treatment to hearing aids, sinus surgery, thyroid conditions, and much more, the team of caring ENT doctors is easily accessible to help patients and their families. The doctors encourage patients to take a few moments to visit the practice website, centralparkent.net, for information on allergies, preparing for your visit and the doctors. You can also view videos, and, once your visit is complete, you can take a short satisfaction survey. The in-depth explanations on the website can help you determine if and when visiting the clinic will benefit you the most. For general health information, Central Park ENT’s blogs are posted on a regular basis to help patients get information on how to prevent diseases, illness and discomfort in their daily lives. The Mission at Central Park ENT is to provide the highest quality treatment for all ear, nose and throat problems by emphasizing patient education, incorporating the latest technology and making your individual needs a first priority. Central Park Ear, Nose and Throat

Arlington: 409 Central Park Drive • Mansfield: 221 Regency Pkwy., Suite 111 817-261-9191 • centralparkent.net 32

r. Kenyon Godwin recently moved his wellness practice to the Curis Functional Health team, believing that the transition was a natural extension of his long-held quest to improve the lives of area residents. “Curis Functional Health is growing and focused on providing complete holistic patientcentered care within the communities they serve,” he says. “I love the model: chiropractic, counseling, and functional nutrition. The model is in alignment with my model of mind, body, and spirit. The people and teams involved are awesome, and the potential to advance the health status of our Dr. Kenyon Godwin community leveraging the resources of a group is exciting.” Curis Functional Health has four offices, including Dr. Godwin’s two offices in Arlington. “What that means,” he says, “is that we can now leverage each other’s strengths and refer for specific issues.” Curis Functional Health

4927 S. Collins St., Suite 105 • 4120 N. Collins St., #200 817-557-2770 • gocuris.com

Arlington Family Practice

rlington Family Practice was established in 1977 by Dean Peyton, DO. Now led by Dr. Sherley Aramath, M.D., and Dr. Tien Truong, D.O., the practice continues to carry out his dream of providing quality medical care in a fun and loving environment. The Arlington Family Practice health care team serves patients of all ages from Arlington and surrounding communities with a wide range of medical and health services. The practice offers annual physicals, immunizations, x-rays, EKG, pulmonary function tests, DEXA scans and more. Drs. Aramath and Truong also treat minor injuries and have family planning Dr. Tien Truong and services. Dr. Sherlely Aramath “We believe you receive the best care when you consistently see one doctor who is able to gain a detailed understanding of you and your family’s medical needs,” Dr. Truong says. “Our staff can also work with you to help you choose a doctor that fits you best.” Arlington Family Practice

2415 Matlock Road • 817-277-6444 • arlingtonfp.com

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

A team with serious heart for Mansfield. From diagnosing symptoms to managing and treating existing conditions, Methodist Cardiovascular Consultants has assembled a team of doctors and professional staff ready to help with even the most complex issues. With decades of experience and specialized training, we’re proud to provide the exceptional, advanced cardiovascular care our friends and neighbors deserve. That’s community. And why so many people Trust Methodist.

Primary address: 2800 E. Broad Street, Suite 522, Mansfield, TX, 76063 Phone number: 682-242-8970 Secondary address: 4560 Lake Ridge Parkway, Suite 300, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052 ARASH MANZORI, DO

LEVI RICE, JR., DO

CURTISS MOORE, MD

Methodist Cardiovascular Consultants is owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services at this site are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

A temporary, drive-thru COVID-19 test site is open near Choctaw Stadium through Feb. 8

seen in our journey with COVID thus far,” says Tarrant County Commission Devan Allen. “We know testing is a critical tool in developing plans to mitigate the spread and the community is understandably concerned about appointment availability and wait times. We have been working diligently to increase capacity throughout the county, and I want to thank everyone who has helped stand up this new FEMA surge testing site near Choctaw Stadium so quickly.”

he Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Texas, Tarrant County and the City of Arlington announce a partnership to open a temporary, drive-thru COVID-19 test site near Choctaw Stadium. The testing site was created in response to the rise of COVID-19 cases and the surge of Omicron transmission, which is driving an increase in demand for testing countywide. The site, which will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 8, will be located in Texas Rangers’ Sienna Lot M at 1205 Pennant Drive. The testing site can only be accessed by entering southbound on AT&T Way. “The Omicron variant has brought a pandemic high of illness that has triggered a demand for testing unlike anything we’ve

About the Drive-Thru Test Site • Testing is free and open to all ages. No insurance information will be collected. • Each individual seeking a test is asked to preregister online to provide contact information for results and to select an appointment time

slot. Multiple people in the same vehicle can receive a test during the same time slot. A QR code will be provided for each person receiving a test and must be shown at the test site as appointment confirmation. On-site registration is possible, but pre-registration is highly recommended to reduce waiting times. • Results will be available between 24 to 36 hours. Register at: ineedacovid19test.com and then select Texas and then Choctaw Stadium, Parking Lot M, 1205 Pennant Drive, Arlington. • The test is a self-collected shallow nasal swab test. Individuals will swab the inside of their nose with direction from on-site staff. Parents or legal guardians will need to swab small children. Anyone under 18 years of age will need a parent or guardian to register them online and their consent to receive testing.

UTA researcher develops a headset that can detect when an epilepsy seizure occurs

P Nguyen, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Arlington, has developed a wearable headset that detects when epilepsy patients are having seizures and records data that doctors can monitor and review. The device would allow millions of people worldwide to receive treatment on an outpatient basis, rather than having to stay in expensive inpatient epilepsy monitoring units. The sensors on the headset transmit information wirelessly to the cloud, allowing physicians to access data at any time. “The headset is less expensive, less restrictive and allows patients to live a more normal life,” says Nguyen, assistant VP Nguyen professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. “It could also offer greater security for patients who live alone because it could send a message to a family member, friend or health care provider that a seizure is occurring so help can be dispatched.” More than 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, 34

making it one of the more common neurological diseases. With proper diagnosis and treatment, up to 70% of those people could live seizure-free. When a patient suffers a seizure, his or her body can shake due to involuntary muscle spasms, and brain activity and heart rate change. The headset contains multiple sensors that detect brain and muscle activity, heart rate and head motion to detect the onset of a seizure. The information collected can help doctors determine when seizures are happening and what type of seizure a patient is experiencing, allowing for the creation of a better treatment plan. Nguyen has tested the device on 17 patients in the UT Southwestern Department of Neurology since August 2021. The study is ongoing and will include up to 150 patients. He says that the doctors there have been supportive of the device, and he hopes to advance past the validation phase of testing to see how it performs in real situations. Nguyen’s research is funded in part by the Sony Research Award Program. He was one of 13 researchers worldwide to receive grants from the program in 2020. – Herb Booth, UT-Arlington Communications

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center is the first hospital in Southeast Tarrant County to perform a TCAR procedure

Dr. Kenyon Godwin recently became the second sponsored Arlingtonian to graduate from the Paths Forward Leadership Program.

Photo courtesy of Chaplain Rich Stoglin

Dr. Kenyon Godwin is a member of the Paths Forward Class of ‘21

r. Kenyon Godwin, owner of an Arlingtonbased wellness practice that is part of the Curis Functional Health team, is a recent graduate of the 2021 Paths Forward Leadership Program conducted by the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. This graduating group was the last class started under the leadership of the late FWMBCC President and CEO Devoyd (Dee) Jennings. Thanks to Mike and Becky Gerro of Arlington, Dr. Godwin became the second sponsored Arlingtonian to graduate from the Paths Forward Leadership Program. The program is designed to prepare promising African-American professionals to participate as leaders in the local community.

ethodist Mansfield Medical Center now offers a new minimally invasive surgical procedure called Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to treat high-risk patients with carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke. Chris Henry, MD, vascular surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield, and operating staff successfully completed the first TCAR procedure in Southeast Tarrant County last month on an 85-year-old woman from Johnson County suffering from atherosclerosis. TCAR is clinically proven to be a safe procedure that temporarily reverses blood flow during the procedure so that any fragments of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain, preventing a stroke from happening. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, improve blood flow to the brain, and minimize the risk of a future stroke. “It is exciting to offer this new innovative technique to fight against stroke to individuals with carotid artery disease in our community,” says Methodist Mansfield Medical Center President Juan Fresquez Jr. “This procedure can provide patients with a faster recovery time and a lower risk of complications due to age or medical history.” Produced by Silk Road Medical Inc., the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection and Stent System are the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. For more information on Methodist Mansfield Medical Center visit methodisthealthsystem.org/Mansfield.

Grand Prairie launches a new health program: Get Fit GP

he City of Grand Prairie and community partners have initiated Get Fit Grand Prairie – a citywide wellness initiative connecting residents to local resources for improving health through physical fitness and healthy food options. Get Fit GP is designed to encourage Grand Prairie residents of all ages to improve their health. 36

The initiative offers Get Fit Videos, a Healthy Kids program, a Diabetes Prevention program and a schedule of Get Fit events. Community organizations and businesses are invited to partner with the City of Grand Prairie on the health initiative For more: gptx.org/getfitgp.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Rankings

The 15 Safest Large Cities in the U.S. 1. Virginia Beach, VA 2. Honolulu, HI 3. Henderson, NV 4. El Paso, TX 5. Mesa, AZ 6. San Diego, CA 7. Raleigh, NC 8. Anaheim, CA 9. San Jose, CA 10. Santa Ana, CA 11. New York, NY 12. Austin, TX 13. Arlington, TX 14. Las Vegas, NV 15. Riverside, CA

SAFE AT HOME!

A study by MoneyGeek determines that Arlington is among the top-ranked safest large cities in the United States – in fact, it comes in at No.13

recent study by Money eek finds Arlington among the top-ranked for safest in the country. Arlington placed in the No. spot on the personal finance technology company’s newly released Safest Large Cities list. To calculate each city’s cost of crime and cost of crime per capita, MoneyGeek analyzed the most recent crime statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation combined with research on the economic cost of crime by type of crime to estimate the cost of crime in nearly 300 cities across the United States. The total societal cost of crime for these cities was estimated to be $203 billion in 2020, up from $176 billion in 2019. Among the findings is that the average cost of crime in the U.S. is $1,734 per capita. The 20 safest cities have crime costs below $352 per capita, with the lowest crime cost in Naperville, Ill., at $187 per capita. St. Louis has the highest cost of crime, at $11,574 per 38

capita. The cost of crime in Arlington was $1,303 on a per capita basis, according to the report. Additionally the report found that the average city saw a 15% increase in the cost of crime from 2019 to 2020. The median increase in crime costs across the nearly 300 cities analyzed was 11%. While perceptions of safety are vital, crime statistics do not capture any city or community’s whole story, MoneyGeek said. “Behind all these averages that people like to cite about the crime rates in different communities are individual people and their decisions about how they choose to engage in their community,” says Jesse Bruhn, Annenberg assistant professor of education and economics at Brown University who researches education issues and inner-city gang violence. “There’s a lot more heterogeneity in these patterns that we just can’t measure.” For more: moneygeek.com/living/safest-cities

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Transportation

ALONG FOR

THE RIDE

The City earns an award for the success of its vastly popular Via rideshare service Photo: City of Arlington

the service as an alternative to private car ownership. he City of Arlington has been named a “Leader • With Arlington On-Demand in place, residents can in Equitable Regional Transportation” in the now affordably access almost 50% more of the city’s jobs, 2021 Via Impact Awards, which recognize hospitals, and schools within 30 minutes than they could cities and transit agencies who have delivered prior to the launch of the service. exceptional service to their communities by leveraging “Thousands of Arlington residents each week are Via’s TransitTech. The City of Arlington is one of two transit choosing Arlington’s Via On-Demand service, whether agencies being recognized with the award this year out of out of convenience or out of necessity, for reliable Via’s 500+ global partners. transportation around town or to reach one of our regional In this first iteration of the awards, Via is specifically commuter rail stations,” says Alicia Winkelblech, Senior celebrating the impact tech-enabled services have had on Strategic Initiatives Officer for the City equity, from providing high-quality of Arlington. “This on-demand public service to riders with disabilities to WHAT FREQUENT RIDERS transportation service is improving expanding access to jobs, education, SAY ABOUT THE SERVICE: the quality of life for so many in healthcare, and other opportunities. our community, including those Via launched in 2017 to provide public, – “I don’t have a car. Via is an affordable who require mobility assistance and affordable shared rides to residents and way to get to doctor appointments and students without their own vehicles. visitors. Today, the service covers the other places around town. Plus, my We are honored to be recognized for entire Arlington population of nearly granddaughter uses Via every day to get our partnership with Via’s TransitTech 400,000 residents, a majority of whom home from school.” over the past four years to get our identify as people of color, and spans residents where they want to be, when nearly 100 square miles. – “It’s awesome to know I don’t need a car they need to be, in an affordable way.” New Arlington On-Demand rider right now and still have [transportation] “Without question, Arlington is a survey results and demographic at a low cost.” global leader for efficient, accessible, data illustrates how the service is – “It has been so convenient and tech-enabled public transportation expanding access to affordable, inexpensive moving from point A to point — which is why we’re so excited equitable transportation in the region: B in Arlington.” to recognize them as a Leader in • The majority of riders use Equitable Regional Transportation Arlington On-Demand to access jobs, for our first-ever Impact Awards,” says Dillon Twombly, healthcare, education, and more – with high-quality service Chief Revenue Officer at Via. “The Arlington community regardless of where they request a trip. should be proud to be part of a city dedicated to innovative, • Nearly 90% of riders make less than the City’s median equitable mobility.” household income of ~$50k, and many riders report using

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Scene SNAPSHOTS OF NOTE FROM ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE EVENTS

UTA starts the spring semester

Photo: UTA

Though there has been a nip in the air during the past few months, the first day of the new semester at the University of Texas at Arlington was sunny and bright for these diligent students.

Want to decorate a Grand Prairie traffic signal box?

Photos: City of Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie is taking applications from artists interested in decorating the city’s traffic signal boxes. Deadline for entry is April 28. For more: ow.ly/ErMT50HAm6p

Thanking the AISD school board

Photos: AISD

To help recognize and thank the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees during School Board Recognition Month students from Ousley Junior High presented artwork they had done for the members of the board.

Our librarian is better than your librarian

Photo: City of Arlington

Yuliana Aceves, community programming librarian at the Arlington Public Library, won this year’s I Love My Librarian Award over more than 1,300 candidates nationwide.

Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge winners

Photo: City of Mansfield

State Rep. David L. Cook congratulated Mayor Michael Evans, who led a team of Mansfield volunteers that raised $101,039.64 for The Salvation Army to win the 2021 Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Behind the Wheels

ONLY 9 OF THESE FACTORY ORIGINALS STILL EXIST Story and photos by Richard Greene

ere’s how the Packard Motor Company advertised this remarkable 1934 12-cylinder member of the celebrated family of luxury automobiles that dominated the decade of the 1930s: “Notice that, in appearance, this car is unmistakably a Packard, with the famous identifying lines that make Packard America’s most distinctive car. Then drive this Packard and ask it to do everything you would like a fine car to do.” While such claims were considered debatable by Packard’s competitors, they may be even more appropriate today as classic car collectors everywhere value theirs as much as any others of the era. For David Oberle, pictured here with his, it’s a passion that gives support to Packard’s ad from 88 years ago. Regular readers of our monthly car feature may be doing a bit of a double take as David and his Packard look familiar. That’s because about three years ago, we featured him with his 1937 model that he had acquired for his collection to honor his grandmother’s birth year. But when he found this totally original 1934 fivepassenger model that is one of only nine that still exist, he could not pass up the opportunity to make it his. “I found it in upstate New York and became only its second owner,” he says. “It was used by the first for driving to church on Sundays and has only 9,366 original miles on the odometer.” That works out to an David Oberle stands with average of just 106 miles his 1934 Packard. The spectacular vehicle is in per year. original shape and, when he bought it, it had been David continues, “It has driven just 9,366 miles. never been restored and is original throughout – including everything under the hood. That’s even though Packard had described the engine capable of being rebuilt seven times before reaching the 100,000-mile mark. “It’s the last Packard with a fold-out windshield and with running lights that match the headlights.” >>> 44

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

WHEN DAVID OBERLE FOUND this totally original 1934 five-passenger model that is one of only nine that still exist, he could not pass up the opportunity to make it his.

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

PRICES FOR THE ’37 Touring Sedan were just under $2,000, resulting in the company’s success with consumers – more than 50,000 of them rolled off the Packard assembly line.

The 1934 Packard represents a lesson in automotive history and how car makers navigated though one of the more challenging periods in the United States: The Great Depression.

As confirmation of the special place this Packard holds in automotive history, the prestigious JBS Collection web site identifies the 1934 series as arguably the most sought-after of all the Packards. Hyman, Ltd., describes the car as a “careful evolution” of the previous series, boasting new fenders that “gave it a fuller, more elegant look that today makes it among the most attractive and highly prized American Full Classics. “Performance was strong but the Twelve was best suited for effortlessly traveling in silence and impeccable style. A standout among its peers, few cars could touch the Packard Twelve for its quality, presence and pace.” The 12-cylinder models of the first half of the decade had established the Packard as the premier brand, but growing headwinds of the collapsed U.S. economy would bring change. Recall that David’s 1937 model was produced as a mid-priced eightcylinder car in a marketing strategy to compete with the Chrysler Airstream, the Lincoln Zephyr and General Motor’s LaSalle like the one we covered in our last issue. Prices for the ’37 Touring Sedan like David’s were just under $2,000 resulting in the company’s success with consumers as more than 50,000 of them rolled off Packard’s massive assembly line in Detroit. That marketing strategy kept the company going during the final years of the Great Depression, still providing buyers the cachet of owning what was then considered as one of America’s most prestigious cars. The result is that David not only has both terrific cars for us to admire, but they represent a lesson in automotive history and how car makers navigated through one of the more challenging periods of American enterprise prior to the outbreak of the second world war.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Knowledge for a Lifetime

OPEN ENROLLMENT FEBRUARY 1-28, 2022

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Valentine’s Day

Here’s a ‘honey, do’ list that everyone will enjoy On (or around) Feb. 14th, make sure you check at least one of these romantic boxes

f you’re looking to hit a Valentine’s Day home run, you can seldom go wrong by including Timeless Concerts as part of the romantic itinerary. Timeless Concerts’ annual love month event, “The Valentines Special and Fundraiser!,” will take place at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the Rose Garden Tea Room (4720 S. Cooper St.). The concert will include the whole Timeless Concerts crew: violinists LeeAnne Chenoweth and Tim Angel, cellist Oliver Schlaffer, concert pianist Heejung Kang and post-concert party pianist Erik Barnes, soprano Sabrina Romero-Wilson, mezzo soprano Rachel Moon and tenor Sergio Cepeda. The fare for this heartwarming concert will feature musical variety, from instrumental tangos to the classics of Brahms, Mozart and more. Be sure to hang around after the concert for a delightful combination of food, drink and more music. timelessconcerts.com

he Town of Pantego is making Valentine’s dates easy, with a simple planner that touches all the bases that touch the heart. You can find gifts for your sweety at Anything Goes, Twisted Chicks Boutique and Jazzy Jems. You can get all gussied up with a stop at any or all of Ash+Co Hairdressing, Lash Cove, Elgan’s Park Place Salon and Touch of Grace Day Spa. If your relationship has evolved into – or still flourishes as – something serious, and you want to dazzle him/her, check out the fares at Cox’s Jewelry, Diamonds & Designs and Arlington Gold & Silver. And when it comes time to drink and dine in a most romantic manner, Pantego is there for you, specifically, via My Bobo Tea, Fattoush Restaurant and La Isla Restaurant. shoppantego.com

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

hen it comes to pampering, no holiday begs for it like Valentine’s Day, and virtually nobody pampers like the team at Great Skin Spa & Facial Club (3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd.). Owner Brenda Cureton-Hunt and Co. can help you create and maintain beautiful skin via state-of-the-industry technology and products. She also has championed the practice of receiving professional spa services as part of personal care, as opposed to a special occasional visit or gift due to affordability. Facial Club members receive a wide range of treatment options at the spa, as well as guidance and products they can use at home. Skin and body care services run a literal gamut, which features a full line of award-winning skin care products, as well as skin and body care for men, women and teens. The bottom line: Great Skin is a great holiday gift choice. greatskin4you

Photo: Dixie’s

he tradition of Valentine’s Day gift giving dates to a time slightly before the opening of Gracie Lane in 2014. However, we hear it on good authority that the tradition of giving the ideal Valentine’s Day gift generally includes a visit there. To get “there,” just load the address 4720 S. Cooper St. into your GPS device, follow the instructions, and then smile at the notion that you’ll be a hero/heroine, come Feb. 14. Gracie Lane is recognized as the Arlington area’s premier shopping destination for pretty much anything that ends with “and more.” As long-time connoisseurs of the best shopping venues, the members of the Gracie Lane team have gathered the most impressive local collections – featuring all manner of delightful items that generally fall under the category of “the perfect something for the perfect someone.” And, get this: They put them for sale under one delightful roof. When you visit Gracie Lane, you will be pleased with the quality and excited by the experience – plus you get an added bonus that comes in the satisfaction of supporting local businesses, those that treat every customer like family. gracielanecollection.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

hile your heart races at a virtually uncontrollable pace at the breathtaking view of the lovely person sitting across from you at the table on your Valentine dinner date, he/she likely won’t hold it against you if you let your eyes wander a bit when you go to Mercury Chophouse. The view there, from atop one of Arlington’s tallest buildings, is downright spectacular, as well. But that’s just the start. The menu and attentive service has won over a vast crowd since the upscale eatery opened three years ago. Oh, and be sure to appreciate the classic steakhouse vibe with wood paneling, piano bar and fellow diners appreciating a great meal and a great time. The Mercury Chophouse menu includes (among many options) steak, lamb chops, chicken cordon bleu and seafood, along with a slew of mouthwatering enhancements. mercurychophouse.com

here are few better ways to wrap up the dining out portion of the evening than dining in – at least when said dessert comes from Nothing Bundt Cakes. With a pair of Arlington-area locations (5001 S. Cooper St., Suite 111 and at 839 E. Lamar Blvd.), Nothing Bundt Cakes wins Valentine’s Day with the sweet aroma and scrumptious taste of fresh-baked goodies. You can score big Valentines’ Day points by ordering a “love”ly option (or several), but if your favorite date has a favorite Nothing Bundt Cakes staple item, you can get that, as well, from 8- and 10-inch varieties to tiered cakes, from Bundtlets and Bundtlet Towers to the very popular Bundtinis®. Each recipe uses the finest ingredients (i.e., real eggs, butter and cream cheese) to bring you Bundt Cake perfection. nothingbundtcakes.com

f both of your hearts beat a bit faster at the notion of your favorite sports team, a Valentine’s date at No Frills Grill & Sports Bar might be just what the doctor ordered. With locations in Arlington, Mansfield and East Fort Worth, No Frills Grill is exactly what a sports bar should be. The popular eatery offers sports action on wall-to-wall TVs that carry the NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, ESPN Game Plan, NHL Center Ice, and MLB Extra Innings to ensure that you won’t miss any of the action. The friendly staff provides a comfortable atmosphere, which features spacious game rooms with pool tables and the latest video games. Then there is one of the more diverse menus you will find. With American Pub food to Tex–Mex and many Seafood entrees, you can always discover something new to eat, and there’s always something great to drink. nofrillsgrill.com

magine an evening dinner, experienced where the food is scrumptious, the drink pours freely, and even the view beyond that of your favorite person takes your breath away. That can become your experience during this year’s holiday via a visit to Live! by Loews-Arlington. The city’s premier hotel has a special Valentine’s weekend deal on Saturday, Sunday a Monday that features a $75-per-person, four-course meal, as well as a complimentary glass of prosecco upon arrival. Of course, you can prolong your romantic time by staying in one of Live! by LoewsArlington’s 300 luxury rooms (including 23 suites), all with floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining options include the acclaimed Cut & Bourbon restaurant, as well as the Arlington Clover Club. loewshotels.com/live-by-loews-arlington-texas

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

In the Garden

VEGE-MATIC Use these tips from the Arlington Parks & Recreation Department to create raised garden beds this spring • By Danica Dodson

ave you ever wanted to construct a raised garden bed at home but don’t know where to start? Maybe your soil is too rocky to grow your desired plants, or you like the idea of not having to lean down to do your gardening. Raised garden beds keep your plants separate and provide a unique look with clean lines of plants. APRD’s Urban Forestry Land Manager, Wendy Pappas, provides these instructions and tips for building your own raised garden bed at home to bring a new look and convenience to your garden! Map It Out Much like any major gardening project, the first step to building a raised garden bed is to map out your area and decide where to place the bed. You’ll need an even surface cleared of any plants, dirt piles, or debris. Dig out the area and get it as flat as you can by using a shovel and a level. Once the surface is flat, you can tap on the ground to make the dirt hard and compact. Start Building After creating a flat spot for your bed, you can start building the bed itself. There are many materials available that you can use for building the walls of your bed. Some affordable options are natural cedar or pressure-treated lumber, which you can simply arrange in a rectangle box shape and nail together. You can also use cinderblocks, 54

which are very durable and can last for many years. Be sure the bed’s width does not exceed 4 feet so you’ll be able to reach all areas of the bed from each side. Wendy constructed her own bed laying out the first layer of blocks and making sure they were level. For the second layer, she put re-bar in each block so they would stay together and put a bead of caulk to attach. She staggered the blocks so the seams wouldn’t match up, then filled the inner holes with sand. Think Through The Process Before your building process is complete, think about how you will fill the bed with soil. One smart option is to leave a gap in one side of the bed large enough for a wheelbarrow to fit through. This will make it much easier to fill the bed without having to dump soil over a finished wall. You’ll also want to think about which types of plants will go in your bed. “I got a dump truck delivery of nice garden soil,” says Wendy. “I wanted to grow vegetables, so I had a special veggie soil mix delivered. I recommend knowing what you want to grow and having soil delivered that has lots of organic matter and other nutrients added.” Irrigation Make a plan for how you’ll provide water for your raised bed. Soaker hoses and timers are great options, especially if you can’t see yourself going outside everyday to water by hand. “I designed my own little watering system,” explains Wendy. “I found a timer that would water the beds for me. I got a splitter on the timer and attached 4 hoses to that. I then ran solid hoses from my water faucet on the back of the house under the existing flowerbed and along the ground to each of the raised beds. I then got some soaker hoses and ran them around the raised bed after all the soil was in place. Next, I attached it all to the timer and now my garden beds water themselves.” After all soil is in place and irrigation is set up, the final step is to plant to your heart’s desire!

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Local Dwellings

HOME SWEET! HOME Photos courtesy of Mansfield Custom Homes

This house, built by Mansfield Custom Homes, has all the deluxe basics in place (and they’re virtually timeless)

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

This house has a well-blended balance of paint, stain, print, texture, openness, and coziness. It features stained cabinets, unique built-ins and beams paired with the high-gloss cabinets and trim.

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

UTA Today

he University of Texas at Arlington again has been named to the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the definitive list for the top doctoral research universities in the United States. “I am immensely proud of our continued designation as a Carnegie R-1 university and congratulate our distinguished scholars, exemplary students and dedicated staff and supporters on this achievement,” says Teik C. Lim, interim president. “Our continuous pursuit of excellence has advanced the University’s reputation for impactful research and high-quality education, placing UTA among the nation’s top research institutions.” UTA earns high marks among U.S. universities for The Carnegie Classification analyzes data its intense research activity • By Linsey Retcofsky from all U.S. post-secondary institutions and evaluates measures of research activity, including research and development expenditures; science and engineering research staff; and doctoral conferrals in “Our continuous humanities, STEM fields and other areas such as business, education and social pursuit of work. UTA was first designated as R-1 in 2015, and the status was renewed in 2018. UTA’s total research expenditures were approximately $125 million in 2020, with excellence has restricted and federal research expenditures of $52 million. Faculty and students advanced the engage in research on health disparities, gerontology, critical Texas infrastructure University’s for transportation and natural disaster planning, advanced aviation technology, reputation for composite materials and much more. Last year, UTA became just the fourth institution in the state to achieve impactful research designation as a Texas Tier One university, an attribution of excellence in and high-quality academics and research that brings with it access to the state’s National Research education, placing University Fund. Texas Tier One status not only signifies that UTA is a leading research university, but also provides additional resources to ensure the University UTA among continues to recruit top faculty, pursue groundbreaking research and prepare the nation’s students to enter the workforce. top research James Grover, interim vice president for research, says the announcement by the Carnegie Classification affirms the University’s position as a growing research institutions.” powerhouse. “This recognition is a testament to the University’s commitment to the advancement of knowledge that will improve the human condition,” Grover says. “UTA is on a strong trajectory of growth in research related to health care access and equity, sustainable urban communities, information management and other areas that tackle the globe’s greatest challenges.”

ELITE STATUS

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Mainly Mansfield

PRIORITY 1 (THROUGH 5) Residents’ committee recommends capital improvement projects

committee of 27 Mansfield residents recently recommended that the Mansfield City Council pursue five capital improvement projects. The committee studied the concepts in-depth throughout the fall. “Mansfield is a great place to live, it’s a great place to work, and it’s a great place to play,” says Michael Mainer, chair of the 2022 Bond Election Steering Committee. “Our committee is confident the projects we are recommending will provide superior activities for families, young and old alike. Mansfield is our hometown, and we are encouraging our friends and neighbors to learn more about the City Council’s goals for enhancing our collective lifestyles.” The committee recommended that the City Council include the following projects on the ballot in May: a library, recreation, events, aquatics/ fitness center; a Miracle League baseball field; a park in the city’s southwest quadrant coupled with upgrades to Michael L. Skinner Sports “These exceptional Complex; and expansions to the Walnut Creek and Pond residents are Branch linear trails. playing a “It’s our recommendation tremendous role that each project be a separate in shaping the proposition on the ballot. However, we believe that a future of the city of new park in the southwest Mansfield.” quadrant of Mansfield and upgrades to Skinner Sports Complex should be presented as one,” Mainer said in his presentation to the City Council. He also noted to the council that the committee believed implementing one without the other would be “challenging.” From 60

early September through early December, city staff presented various concepts in detail with cost analyses. The committee was tasked with deciding which and how many projects to recommend to the City Council for consideration. “The Mansfield City Council is enormously appreciative of the hours that the committee members dedicated to learning more about the staff’s extremely detailed concepts,” Mayor Michael Evans says. “Additionally, we thank them for recommending projects they believe will provide Mansfield with remarkable experiences. These exceptional residents are playing a tremendous role in shaping its future.” Presentations from city staff to the committee and answers to anticipated questions about these efforts are available at mansfieldtexas.gov/1871/Steering-CommitteePresentations. The City Council is considering calling a bond election as a method of funding these projects and will decide which ones would be placed on the ballot. The members of the 2022 Bond Election Steering Committee are: Russ Arnold; Paul Beaney; Demetria Bivens; Scot Bowman; Michael Crnkovich; Ronnie De Manna; Henry Ellis; Carlos Figueroa; Ben Heefner; Craig Holland; Caleb Hollingshead; Jenny Kralicke; Kraig Kunkel; Michael Mainer (chair); Melissa Moreira; Daryle Perez (vice chair); Laura Power; Kathleen Powers; Karen Self; Tamika Shorten; Amber Simon; Ron Snouffer; Christopher Sunderman; Ashley Swapp; Tobi Tajomavwo; Elon Werner; and Clay Wilkinson.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

In Memoriam

MICHAEL JARRETT: REVERED BUSINESS & CIVIC LEADER

embers of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation will pay tribute to the late Michael Jarrett at the organization’s DreamMakers Banquet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Tarrant County College Southeast Campus. Jarrett, President of Worthington National Bank and a member of the Foundation board, died in a single-car accident on Dec. 2. He was 72. As news of his passing spread, friends and business leaders throughout Arlington rallied with Foundation members to find ways to celebrate Mike’s life, which touched many professional, civic and personal Michael Jarrett during a special realms. The DreamMakers Banquet moment with his family was deemed to be an ideal setting to salute a man who so enthusiastically supported local education. He served on multiple committees and held several titles with the Foundation, including Board President and Vice President of Finance. Michael especially loved that the Foundation assists teachers through grants that help them implement innovative curriculum ideas to enhance their success in teaching enrolled students. When asked which grants are most meaningful to him, he replied, “Any grants associated with libraries and assisting students in learning to read. I consider learning to read, and to read well, as a basic building block for future success in the classroom and life.” Michael grew up in the east side of Fort Worth, was married for 48 years to Teresa and had two daughters (Lesley Hagan and Melanie Jarrett) and two grandchildren (Jarrett and Hayley Hagan). He earned his BBA degree from University of Texas at Arlington and an MBA from SMU. He was a Graduate of Texas Tech School of Banking and a Graduate of Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Michael was President of the Arlington Market for Worthington National Bank. He was heavily active in the community, participating in various leadership roles for area non-profits, including the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, Arlington Advisory Council for The Salvation Army, Arlington Downtown Rotary Club, Theatre Arlington, and Arlington YMCA. As those accomplishments would suggest, Michael was enthusiastically altruistic, so much so that his life became a model for others. In fact, during the eulogy his daughter Melanie presented at the service celebrating his life, she encouraged others “to be like Mike” by loving hard, valuing your family above all else, and being content. “He just never missed anything,” Lesley Hagan said in a tribute to Michael that appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I don’t know how he made time for everything he did, but he never missed anything.” “Mike was the living embodiment of a game-changer,” added Greg Morse, CEO of Worthington National Bank. “We were able to learn from him over the 10 years we were fortunate enough to work with him. Being in banking for 51 years allowed him to share with us his knowledge. Our bank family, including our customers, will miss him and his God-given talents.” Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Jacobson added yet another salute: “Just as a father, as a businessman and as a community leader, he left a lasting legacy that we’re all proud of, and it points to a life well lived.” 62

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

JIM WAGNON: THE ‘ENGINEER’S ENGINEER’

he City of Arlington and the local engineering community lost a legend with the recent passing of Jim Wagnon, longtime owner of the Arlington-based engineering firm, Graham Associates, Inc. Jim Wagnon was often referred to as the “Engineer’s Engineer” who loved to perform civil engineering design and solve difficult problems. He began his career in Oregon, where he owned his own consulting firm. Jim Wagnon In 1984, he was recruited to join Arlington-based Graham Associates, Inc., a civil engineering and surveying firm. He was a remarkable engineer and grabbed the attention of Jack Graham, the owner of Graham Associates, who sold the firm to Jim upon the former’s retirement in 1988. Jim performed the civil engineering design on many projects in North Texas, beginning with Lakepointe Development and over 3,000 acres in Lewisville. He designed countless city thoroughfares, including North Cooper Street and Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard in Arlington, among others. He loved designing road grades, it was like a hobby for him. Two of his favorite projects were landmark projects: the Ballpark in Arlington and Viridian here in Arlington. Jim loved to mentor and teach his young engineers. One of those was Jeff Williams, to whom Jim eventually sold the firm. Jeff stated, “Jim made a tremendous impact on my life, teaching me important engineering and life lessons. In addition to Jim’s engineering expertise, I was always impressed with how much Jim loved his family and they loved him. He also had a passion for helping people in their time of need. He will be greatly missed. Jim has left a rich legacy!” Jim’s wife Teresa has invested decades of community service in a number of Arlington nonprofits. Jim often provided assistance, following Teresa’s directions putting on major charity events such as Silver Spurs. They were quite a team, and Jim loved her very much! Jim was also very committed to supporting Mission Arlington, notably the wrestling program for the youth of Mission Arlington started by Viridian General Manager Robert Kembel.

Scene SNAPSHOTS OF NOTE FROM ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE EVENTS

Mansfield State of the City event

Photos: City of Mansfield

Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans discussed the current and future plans for the city during a meeting at Walnut Creek Country Club presented by the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Ross speaks in Washington

Photo: City of Arlington

Mayor Jim Ross shared how to best support, recognize and thank our veterans during a panel discussion at the United States Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington D.C.

Park Row Drive sidewalk celebration

Photo: City of Arlington

Mayor Jim Ross joined Heart of Arlington Neighborhood Association members to celebrate the long-awaited completion of a new sidewalk along west Park Row Drive.

City Manager Joe Smolinski addressed the crowd at the event and expressed optimism about Mansfield’s place as one the area’s more vibrant communities.

AFD Station 2 shares with the community

Photo: City of Arlington

Members of the Arlington Fire Department’s Station 2 read stories to and danced with children at the East Library and Recreation Center.

UTA to join a new athletic conference

Image: UTA

The University of Texas at Arlington announced late last month that it has accepted an invitation for its sports teams to play in the Western Athletic Conference, beginning on July 1.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Leading the Way

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

t St. Joseph Catholic School, located in South Arlington, we are not only committed to academic excellence, we are also committed to serving the people of the greater Arlington Community. What better way to teach our students to seek virtue, wisdom, and truth than by raising funds to help families in need! For example, over the past few months, our students in the National Junior Honor Society have been raising funds through bake sales and teacher contests to offer support to the Embrace the Homeless Program in conjunction with the Arlington Life Shelter. After raising the funds needed, groups of NJHS students had to manage a strict budget while shopping at Walmart for four children living with their families at the shelter during the Christmas Season. Our students eagerly shopped for warm outfits, pajamas, jackets, shoes, socks, and items on the allimportant wish list of toys! Once back at the school, they gathered together and lovingly wrapped all of these items, knowing they were helping to make a child’s Christmas more enjoyable. By merely letting these children know they are loved and not forgotten, our students’ lives are enriched as well; “For it is in giving that we receive,” in the words of St. Francis of Assisi. We offer a challenging curriculum at St. Joseph Catholic School, but it is through our faith and service projects that our students learn the Christian moral values and virtues needed to navigate the modern world with integrity. We welcome all families to join us in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness. stjosephtx.org

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Honoring Grant Recipients with a special tribute to Michael Jarrett Tickets On Sale Now at: www.arlingtonef.org/dream-makers-2022 SPONSOR TABLE $600

SINGLE TICKET $75

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

AISD EMPLOYEE TICKET $50

Bulletin Board

Bowery Farming plans to open a new, smart indoor farm in Arlington in 2023 BOWERY FARMING, the largest vertical farming company in the U.S., serving major e-commerce platforms and more than 800 grocery stores, is building its newest smart indoor farm in Arlington. Joining its network of vertical farms in Kearny, N.J.; Nottingham, Md.; and Bethlehem, Pa., the new Arlington farm will be powered with 100% renewable energy and will create more than 100 year-around green jobs. Produce from Bowery Farming’s Driven by explosive demand in Texas planned indoor farm in Arlington for safer, traceable, Protected Produce, will be produced using 100% renewable energy. and propelled by the BoweryOS – which integrates software, hardware, sensors, computer vision systems, machine learning models, and robotics to orchestrate and automate the entirety of operations – Bowery’s Arlington commercial farm will serve a population of 16 million people within a 200-mile radius. The farm is expected to open in the first quarter of 2023. Photo: Bowery Farming Bowery’s smart indoor farms grow local, pesticide-free Protected Produce 365 days a year, regardless of weather conditions. In 2021, Bowery doubled revenue and opened Farm X, a state-of-the-art innovation hub for plant science in Kearny, N.J. Bowery’s produce is harvested yearround at peak freshness and is delivered to stores within a few days of harvest – a stark contrast to the 90% of leafy greens grown in the U.S., which are transported over 3,000 miles across the country. Within this new farm, Bowery’s Protected Produce will reach a new region of the U.S., advancing the company’s goal of expanding access to local, traceable, pesticide-free food to people in every major city of the U.S. and around the world. For more: boweryfarming.com

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Going to set sail? Get a permit first IT SOON will be boating season at Lake Arlington, and 2022 Boat Permits are now available for purchase online at tinyurl.com/35hj4pch. Boating permits are required on Lake Arlington. This includes all rowboats, canoes, kayaks, motorboats, sailboats, barges, personal watercrafts, and sailboards. Boat Permit Fees Residents - $45 Non-Residents - $60 Kayak Fee - $30 Seniors - $25 Daily Fee - $5 Weekend Fee - $10 (Weekend permits are a 2-day pass good for Saturday and Sunday.) Permits can be obtained at the Kathryn Wilemon Lake House Event Center (6021 Arkansas Lane) between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends. You also can call the Lake Arlington Office at 817-451-6860 to have a permit mailed to you.

UTA student journalists win multiple national awards STUDENT JOURNALISTS from The University of Texas at Arlington closed out the fall semester by taking home more than 30 national awards for their work at The Shorthorn and UTA Radio. The Shorthorn earned 30 awards, six of them first place, from the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association during the virtual Fall National College Media Convention. UTA Radio also received awards this fall from organizations that reward excellence in college media across the country. UTA’s student-run newspaper won first place in social media reporting, infographics and frontpage design. Individual awards included first place in breaking news photography by Elias Valverde II, video advertisement by Danny Mudvari and advertising campaign by Rama Al Taba. “Our students and staff have continued to provide an indispensable service both to our UTA community as well as our wider Arlington community through a tumultuous time,” says Will Parchman, director of student publications.

New resource will keep Commercial areas attractive A NEW RESOURCE is available for Arlington business owners to help with commercial property maintenance. The new Commercial Rapid Reference Guide accompanies the newest initiative by Code Compliance to improve the attractiveness of major commercial corridors and thoroughfares in Arlington. In September, Council approved a position for a code officer specifically dedicated to working in partnership with commercial properties. The assigned officer partners with the business community offering guidance to help gain and maintain property compliance while making the community more safe and visually appealing. For more: 817-459-6777

ShareFest Texas continues to help the under-served in the Arlington community SHAREFEST TEXAS, an Arlington-based non-profit organization that is devoted to helping the underserved in the community via a variety of altruistic partnerships, had an impactful 2021. Organization spokesperson John Thielman says ShareFest Texas fully furnished 60 women’s shelter family apartments for domestic violence victims as they left secure facilities. In addition, the organization provided 50plus bicycles to the homeless and raised more than $40,000 in grants and donations that will be used on future benevolence efforts. “It was a great year,” Thielman says. However, 2022 is a new year, and Thielman says ShareFest Texas volunteers are even more dedicated to their quest to bring better lives to community groups that are under-served, including victims of domestic violence, the homeless, foster children, at-risk children and senior citizens in need. To that end, ShareFest Texas partners with other altruistic non-profits, including SafeHaven, Mission Arlington/Metroplex, Refugee Services of Texas, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Arlington Ministries, and Tarrant County Hands of Hope. It also has an alliance with Kiwanis Arlington, which sponsors clubs designed to engage Arlington ISD and Mansfield ISD high school students and University of Texas at Arlington students in benevolent projects in the community. To donate, volunteer and/or learn more about Sharefest-Texas, visit sharefest-texas.org.

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Speaking of Sports

2022 RANGERS WILL ... (HOLD THAT THOUGHT)

s there anything worse than the music they play when you are on hold? My record is 56 minutes! Yes, that is just four minutes short of an hour. On Hold! Now let me explain, it was an insurance company, and I was waiting to learn that the other driver had accepted responsibility (good thing, since the other driver was at fault). So this wait saved me a lot of money and preserved my pristine record with my insurance company. Nevertheless, it was 56 minutes of jazzy, upbeat, modern country, pop with a hint of classic rock playing on a loop. Plus the occasional rejoinder reminding me that this insurance company also offered boat, motorcycle and life insurance. I swear I heard that song in my head for days. Months later, on Dec. 2nd, I swear I began hearing it again. Not that there was another accident, thank God. No, I heard it then because the game I love was placed on hold. One day earlier the Rangers held an all-day press conference to announce that they had signed Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Kole Calhoun and Jon Gray to free agent deals totaling $561.2 million. Rangers President Jon John Daniels and General Rhadigan Manager Chris Young hinted that the team was not done signing free agents. And then the”hold music” began. It is so difficult for fans to understand or accept this, in part because there is so little information available. This one is officially a lockout – not a strike – but the result is the same: Baseball was placed on hold. We did not hear of a proposal from the owners until Jan. 13th. That’s 42 days after the lockout began. I know we had the holidays in there, but, really, it took almost a month and a half to even begin negotiating? That first proposal was summarily dismissed by the players association because that is how this works. We go back and forth until one side blinks. I think watching a staring contest is worse than “hold music.” Rangers fans’ eyes were opened to a whole new world

New Rangers infielder Corey Seager could be a cornerstone for the future, assuming the players and owners allow the future to unfold. Photo: dallasnews.com

on Dec. 1st. Jon Daniels characterized it as working backwards. Typically a team will build a strong nucleus of home-grown players and supplement it with a few free agents. JD and Chris Young looked at this free agent class and said, “these guys are perfect for the culture we are trying to re-establish here.” So they grabbed the free agents before their top 10-ranked farm system produces the talent that they expect it will. Corey Seager is the big fish. At 27 years old, he is considered the best offensive shortstop in the game; he is also a great veteran presence in the clubhouse with a World Series Ring, ironically won in Arlington when he was with the Dodgers in 2020. He also has a great relationship with Rangers Manager Chris Woodward. Marcus Semien finished third in MVP voting in two of the past three years. The 31-year-old second baseman hit 45 home runs for the Blue Jays last year. He was a thorn in the side of Rangers teams for years during his time in Oakland. Like Seager, he is a great leader who will help mold the likes of Josh Jung, Sam Huff, Jack Leiter and Cole Winn – youngsters still – into championship caliber players. Clearly, Chris Young is a great salesman. He convinced those two, as well as Calhoun and Gray to sign with a team that lost 102 games last year. His sales pitch was simple, effective and outlined at the General Manager meetings last November. He told free agents, “You want to be a part of something that’s never been done in Texas Ranger baseball history: Be a part of a world championship team that is being built from the ground up. If you’re buying stock, now’s the time to buy stock in the Rangers.” Some of the best in the game have bought in. That allowed the Rangers to spend more on free agents in one day than any team had ever spent in an entire off season. Now we wait to see them build, see them lead, see them play. And we really hope that none of them will choose jazzy, upbeat, modern country, pop with a hint of classic rock as their walk up song.

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

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

Itʼs that time again. Balloting that will determine the winners of our annual Readerʼs Choice Awards is open at arlingtontoday.com. Be sure to cast your votes.

arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Dining Guide

KEEN CUISINE ...

Piccolo Mondo

UPSCALE Chamas do Brazil • 4606 S. Cooper St. • 817-618-2986 • chamasdobrazil2.tru-m.com Cut & Bourbon • 1600 E. Randol Mill • 682-277-4950 • loewshotels.com/live-by-loews-arlington-texas Mercury Chophouse • 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910 • 817-381-1157 • mercurychophouse.com Piccolo Mondo • 829 Lamar Blvd. E. • 817-265-9174 • piccolomondo.com Restaurant506 at The Sanford House • 506 N. Center St. • 817-801-5541 • restaurant506.com

AMERICAN Candlelite Inn • 1202 E. Division St. • 817-275-9613 • candleliteinnarlington.com Dino’s Subs • 2221 S. Collins St. • 817-274-1140 frieddaze • 5005 S. Cooper St., Suite 159 • 817-472-6666 • frieddaze.com No Frills Grill • 4914 Little Road • 817-478-1766 • 1500 Eastchase Pkwy., Suite 1200 • 817-274-5433

frieddaze

2851 Matlock Road, Suite 422, Mansfield • 817-473-6699 • nofrillsgrill.com The Grease Monkey • 200 N. Mesquite St. • 817-665-5454 • greasemonkeyburgers.com J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill • 400 E. Abram St. • 817-274-8561 • jgilligans.com

MEXICAN / TEX-MEX Cartel Taco Bar • 506 E. Division St., Suite 150 • 817-200-6364 • carteltacobar.com El Arroyo • 5024 S. Cooper St. • 817-468-2557 • elarroyoarlington.com El Gabacho Tex-Mex Grill • 2408 W. Abram St. • 817-276-8160 • facebook.com/elgabachotexmex Fuzzy’s Taco Shop • 510 E. Abram St. • 817-265-8226 • 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd. • 817-516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield • 817-453-1682 • fuzzystacoshop.com La Isla Restaurant • 2201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. • 817-459-1498 • laislarestauranttx.com

No Frills Grill

ITALIAN / PIZZA Café Sicilia • 7221 Matlock Road • 817-419-2800 • cafesicilia.com Gino’s East • 1350 E. Copeland Road • 817-200-6834 • ginoseast.com/arlington

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

INTERNATIONAL Prince Lebanese Grill • 502 W. Randol Mill • 817-469-1811 • princelebanesegrill.com R'haan Thai Cuisine • 2500 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd. • 817-795-9188 • facebook.com/rhaanthaicuisine

J. Gilligan’s 72

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

4th Annual

Featuring Arlington’s Next Generation of Chefs BRANDON HURTADO Hurtado BBQ

April 21, 2022 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM SCOTT MURRAY Emcee

AZIZ KOBTY ELIZABETH KOBTY Prince Lebanese Grill

MAURICE AHERN Gold Ribbon Confections Grounds and Gold

For Tickets And More Information, Visit: www.arlingtoncharities.org

https://arlingtontoday.com/registration/ arlingtontoday.com • February 2022 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Finish Line

A MILESTONE FOR ARLINGTON TODAY MAGAZINE

ext month we will publish the 100th edition of this magazine. That commemorates more than eight years of doing something for this community that had never been done before. It celebrates our effort to deliver on our promise to our readers and advertisers that we would achieve a milestone of providing news and information about the place where we live that no other publication or electronic media was delivering. Unlike most other cities in the region, Arlington didn’t have its own monthly magazine. So, in 2013 former city council member and community activist Judy Rupay took the initiative to fill that empty space. She asked me to join her in that effort, and I eagerly agreed. We published our first issue in the fall of that year featuring Nolan Ryan on the cover in front of The Ballpark in Arlington – one of the most significant achievements in the city’s history. It was well received throughout the cities we serve – a confirmation that Judy’s notion of the need was spot on. I had long been frustrated that there was no effective way to keep the people of our hometown informed about the events, activities, people, places, and things happening in our daily Richard lives. Greene In reality, the traditional news outlets focus on what they believed their audiences wanted to see – controversies, violations of the law, politics and such, but only occasionally reporting on much of anything positive that would suggest the development of a higher quality of life for our citizens. I am not only a long-time witness of this experience but was a member of the local newspaper team for three years after stepping down from my mayoral service. The old saying of “if it bleeds, it leads” was and is a principal guideline throughout the world of journalism. That’s never going to change, and I respect the authority of the traditional media to decide what they will report. But the Arlington Today team felt it should not be the only way to apprise and empower people throughout the community with information that would make them better

citizens. Knowledge is the force behind a system of democracy where “We the People” oversee building better lives. With the help of our experienced and professional editor, Yale Youngblood, columnists, and other content contributors, we’ve focused every single month on achieving that result. Here’s some brief examples: We tell you about what the community service organizations are doing to address and serve the needs of people, ranging from those providing fundamental support for those in need, to other non-profits delivering service and opportunities to citizens that the local government is not doing and is not purposed to do. Every issue contains reports and stories of the work of the business community investing in the cities where they are located and providing job and career opportunities throughout. Every issue delivers news and information about the city’s privilege of hosting the Tier One University of Texas at Arlington preparing graduates for success in almost every field of work. That’s a companion to our focus on the successes of the Independent School Districts and the community’s private schools. The city’s largest tourism and visitor economy has risen to national prominence and provided unlimited opportunity for the rapidly expanding entertainment district that drives revenues into city treasuries that support ever-expanding services to all citizens. We keep you informed about all of that. Downtown Arlington has emerged as a premier success story in the revitalization of the city’s central business district. Almost every issue features the latest developments. Evidence of all of this can be seen by just thumbing through our “Scene” pages and enjoying the pictures of people engaged in the life of our community in an endless variety of ways. Finally, I must mention how we are able to do what we do – it’s our faithful advertisers that make it possible. Without strong participation by them, we don’t exist. So, please – read the ads and consider doing business with those who support Arlington Today. Stay tuned. There are another 100 issues in our plans for the years ahead, and we look forward to that challenge every day.

Richard Greene was Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997 and currently teaches in UT-Arlington’s graduate program of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

ARLINGTON TODAY • February 2022 • arlingtontoday.com

February 2022

Articles inside

Only 9 of these factory originals still exist

Safe at home

Vege-matic