February 2023

The Sanford House marked its 25th anniversary by performing 25 acts of kindness.

UTA researchers Shouyi Wang and Wei-Jen Lee craft an AI-driven deterrent to the pests.

This month's featured dwelling offers and ode to the great outdoors (and indoors, as well).

How one local non-profit uses its music to help other non-profits thrive.

Dr. Mike Thomas makes classic smiles and cars – just check out his 1965 Mustang

Shelly Lanners retires after serving The City of Mansfield for more than two decades.

This month, we pay tribute to a group of special people who help us be and

DEPARTMENTS

Itinerary 12

This ‘n Data 14

Around Town 22

Scene 24, 44, 50

Style 38

Bulletin Board 60

Keen Cuisine 62

Speaking of Sports 64

Finish Line 66

HELPING CUPID

Check out these seven romantic ideas to help win his/her heart this Valentine's Day.

See page 36

My Valentine date is better than yours

Where I was concerned, Cupid drew his bow, let loose with the arrow, and hit me smack in the middle of Kip's Big Boy. I'm pretty sure the lovely person sitting in the booth across from me doesn't share my enthusiasm for this particular recollection. She was dating my best friend's brother at the time, and there was nothing that ensued after we were seated to convince her I was "the one."

But I knew she was, even as I dabbed the mustard off my chin following the first bite of my oversized burger. "Suave" is not my middle name.

Susan Richtman was a co-worker at the time. Our shifts at Musicland ended at the same hour, so I asked if she might be hungry and would like to grab something to eat. She said, "Sure." I remember being relieved that she didn't respond, "Knock off, four-eyes."

We had begun a conversation at the store about something so important I don't remember it now. But I do remember this: I liked talking to this person. And I reveled in the chance to do it some more.

EXECUTIVE

Executive Publisher

Judy M. Rupay CEO

Richard Greene

EDITORIAL Editor

Yale Youngblood

Sports Columnist

John Rhadigan

Special Columnist

Evan Phifer

Website & Social Media Manager

Bailey Woodard

Graphic Artist

Francisco Cuevas

Contributing Writer

Kenneth Perkins

Contributing Photographers

Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bobbie Jo Majors, Bruce Maxwell

SALES / CIRCULATION

Business Manager

Yale Youngblood

I call it our first date. She doesn't. But she doesn't get to write a column. Not long thereafter, her relationship with her beau ended – not acrimoniously, thank goodness. And while the "they lived happily ever after" might have been inserted here in someone else's story, ours took a more circuitous route to the state of bliss. I'm not sure there was a plan to what followed, but Susan and her sister began doing "nondate but still fun things" with my best friend and me. I don't know what his brother did during that time.

We played miniature golf. We bowled. We went to movies. The routine was just that: Chris would drive, and Amy would sit in the front seat. Susan and I would sit in the back. We'd go wherever, and we had a good time.

Then Burton Cummings changed everything.

Some of you might recall he was the lead singer of the Canadian rock group, The Guess Who, and the guy had some of the best pipes I have ever heard.

Especially THAT NIGHT!

We had returned to Susan and Amy's house late and were just sitting in the car, listening to the radio. Chris dozed off first. Amy went down next. Then the sound of the voice of Burton, by that time a solo artist, filled the car's cabin. He didn't sing, "Kiss her," but "I did." Two years later we said, "I do."

This Feb. 14, I will gladly add one more word: "Still."

I'm probably not the ideal person to compose a proverbial swan song. I'm, at best, an ugly duckling, and I'm probably the only person ever asked NOT to sing in the church choir. But that's what this column represents. After some 36 years in the magazine realm – and four decades-plus as a journalist – I'm retiring following this issue. I do it joyfully, largely because the past 10 years with Arlington Today have represented a highlight of my career. Because of what has already been noted, I'll simply say – and not sing – this to you, my many good friends in the Arlington area: Thanks for the memories.

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 2023 Arlington Today, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products. Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues.

To subscribe, e-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com.

ITINERARY ...

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Arlington Music Hall

Arlington Music Hall will present a wide range of musical artists this month.

Scheduled performers/ performances include: Ronnie Milsap (8 p.m. on Feb. 2), Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone (8 p.m. on Feb. 3), Back in Black (7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4), Collin Raye (8 p.m. on Feb. 9), An Evening with J.D. Souther (8 p.m. on Feb. 17), Haley Reinhart (8 p.m. on Feb. 22), Riders in the Sky (7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23), Sawyer Brown (7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24), and Moira (7 p.m. on Feb. 25).

arlingtonmusichall.net

UTA BASKETBALL

A WAC attack of the highest order

The University of Texas at Arlington men's and women's basketball teams will play six Western Athletic Conference home games between them this month. The men's team will host Sam Houston at 4 p.m. on Feb. 4, Southern Utah at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, and Utah Tech at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. The women will host Southern Utah at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 2, Utah Tech at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4, and Sam Houston at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16. Games are at College Park Center. utamavs.com

Photo:utamavs.com

GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE

Theatre Arlington to present a classic

Theatre Arlington will present "Gypsy: A Musical Fable" from Feb. 10-March 5. Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, "Gypsy," Arthur Laurents’ landmark show, explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. theatrearlington.org

ART (FOR YOUR SAKE)

AMA hosts works by LJ Eidolon

THINGS TO DO ...

FIGURE DRAWING CLASSES

Feb. 8, 22 (6-9 p.m.) – Learn to draw like the masters. No easels will be provided. Bring your own supplies. Space is limited to 15 attendees for each session. 18+ to register and participate.

downtownarlington.org/do/ figure-drawing

HANDS-ON HISTORY

Feb. 11 (noon-2 p.m.) –The Mansfield Historical Museum and Heritage Center offers residents a chance to discover local history at the Man House Museum during a tour and a hands-on history activity that is fun for all ages.

817-728-3324

KIDS FISHING DAY

Feb. 11 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

The legendary band Toto will bring its Dogz of Oz Tour to Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Texas Trust Way) on Feb. 21. Show time is set for 8 p.m. texastrustcutheatre.com

• the date:

Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) will host "LJ Eidolon: Dreams, Allegory, & Gestalt" through Feb. 12. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday-Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. LJ Eidolon has a love for context, color, art history, and the surreal, and this exhibition represents a continuation of her finelyhoned techniques in a digital realm. arlingtonmuseum.org

– Come reel ‘em in at Mike Lewis Park pond in Grand Prairie (2600 N. Carrier Pkwy.). This popular event is free for children ages 16 and younger. The pond will be stocked with trout. There is no registration or entry fee to participate, but there will be an on-site sign-up table.

REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR CHILDREN'S CLASSES

Feb. 13 – The River Legacy Living Science Center will begin registering students for Home School and Nature School programs, as well as for Summer Camps. riverlegacy.org/education

Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour will be at AT&T Stadium on March 31-April 2. attstadium.com

Image: Theatre Arlington

Image: Arlington Museum of Art

Photo: City of Grand Prairie

Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie

THIS ‘N DATA ...

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

LIBRARY TO OFFER A FULL SLATE OF PROGRAMS

February is Black History Month, and The Arlington Public Library has a full slate of events scheduled to honor Black culture and contributions, past, present, and future. Here are the highlights, presented by library staff:

Book Talk with Author and Illustrator Jerry Craft, Saturday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join the Arlington Public Library for a special author visit with best-selling children's author and illustrator, Jerry Craft. The event will include a presentation from the author, a brief drawing session showcasing how his characters came to life, Q&A, and a book signing. This event is free and open to the public, and the first 50 kids will receive a free copy of "New Kid" for the author to sign.

Old School VS New School Music Battle, Friday, Feb. 10, Noon - 1:30 p.m., Virtual Take a lunch break and join us for this exciting battle where old school Hip Hop & RnB go head-tohead with new school remixes of the classics. Who will take the crown? Only you can decide!

"Beginning African American Genealogy Research" presented by Sabra Johnson — Arlington Genealogical Society (In-Person & Virtual), Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Explore your family history guided by African American genealogist, Sabra Johnson! No matter what ethnic background you have, you are sure to learn new and interesting research techniques from her examples.

Afrofuturism: Aesthetic, Culture, Movement, Thursday, Feb.16, 2023, 6 - 7:30 p.m., VirtualRegistration Required

Join us for an engaging round-table discussion on Afrofuturism in literature, media, and beyond. Afrofuturism: a wide-ranging social, political, and artistic movement that explores the culture and experiences of the African diaspora through the lens of science-fiction, history, and fantasy. Panelists will include Ytasha Womack, critically acclaimed filmmaker and Dr. Kathy Brown, professor of art education at the University of North Texas.

Cricut: Black History Month T-shirts, Friday, Feb. 17, 3 – 5 p.m., Downtown Library

Create a beautiful heat press design using Cricut Design Space software and heat transfer vinyl. Bring a solid color t-shirt and we will provide the vinyl. This class is limited to first-come/first-served attendees and is appropriate for ages 13+.

A Black History Month Panel Discussion on STEM Careers with Black Professionals & Students, Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 – 8 p.m., Downtown Library

Join us for a robust and honest conversation with Black STEM professionals and students from the National Society of Black Engineers Dallas/Fort Worth Professionals and UTA's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Members of the panel will discuss their educational journeys, describe current challenges, and celebrate successes. All to encourage the next generation to follow in their footsteps

BHM Reception: An Evening of Jazz & Art, Saturday, Feb. 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Downtown Library

– Registration Required

Enjoy an intimate evening of jazz celebrating the music of icons Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Peruse a stunning artist gallery by local Black artists and partake in tasty refreshments during this night of class and elegance. Cocktail attire requested.

RAISE YOUR HAND if you remember visiting the petting zoo at Six Flags

Over Texas when you were a youngster. Keep that hand up if you touched the elephant's trunk. (That's for you, faithful reader Chuck Anderson!)

3.6

The amount of water, in square miles, that runs through or is a part of Arlington's 99.44 squaremile total area.

Source: kiddle.co (.co, not .com)

50

Where Arlington ranks among the most-populated cities in the United States. (We're bigger than Cleveland!)

Source: census.gov

(+/-) 680,000

The number of volunteer hours contributed by students, faculty and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington annually.

Source: uta.edu

$210,800

The median value of owneroccupied housing units in the city (based on research from the years 2017-2021).

Source: census.gov

EAT YOUR ART OUT, a fundraiser for Arlington Museum of Art, will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the museum (201 W. Main St.). The event will feature confectionery masterpieces and more. arlingtonmuseum.org/EYAO

RENEGADES TO PLAY XFL SEASON OPENER ON FEB. 18

The Arlington Renegades will open the 2023 XFL season at 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Choctaw Stadium against the Vegas Vipers.

The Renegades represent one of eight teams that are part of the re-created XFL. They will play five of their 10 games at home. Other home dates include:

• March 5: Orlando Guardians

• March 26: San

Antonio Brahmas

• March 31: Seattle

Sea Dragons

• April 23: Houston

Roughnecks

All 43 XFL games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, one championship) will be featured on ABC (7 games), ESPN and ESPN2 (22 games), and FX (15 games).

All XFL games will be streamed on ESPN+ and simulcasted in 142 nations

For Renegades' ticket information, visit xfl.com/teams/ arlington

T3R TEXAS REGIONAL RADIO MUSIC AWARDS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 27

The T3R Texas Regional Radio Music Awards will hold its 13th Annual Texas Music Awards show at 7 p.m. on March 27 at Texas Live!

TheT3R Texas Regional Radio Awards show weekend kicks off with the Sunday Gathering, a large worship service at Texas Live!, followed by the T3R Texas Regional Radio’s Future Faces Show at the PBR Cowboy Bar inside Texas Live! on March 26.

The T3R Texas Regional Radio live music awards show will feature Texas country stars and radio personalities from all over the nation with performances from The Great Divide, William Clark Green, Ariel Hutchins, Kylie Frey, Sundance Head, Bri Bagwell, Brodie Lane, William Beckmann and more surprise artists to be announced.

The Future Faces show is the T3R Texas Regional Radio Music Awards version of Nashville’s New Faces show and like American Idol or The Voice. Eight “future faces” of the Texas Red Dirt format are chosen to compete at the Future Faces show the night before the awards show. The Future Faces artists of 2023 are Jordan Rainer, Landon Heights, Olivia Harms, James Robert Webb, Amanda Kate Ferris, Chaser Crouch, Sandee June, and Ryder Grimes. The live audience votes on the best artist of the night who then performs on the awards show the following evening.

The Texas Regional Radio Report and T3R Texas Music Awards is the only staterecognized Texas music chart and Texas Music Awards Show as proclaimed in 2019 by Gov. Abbott, the Texas House of Representatives, State Representative Matt Krause District 93 and Congressman Ron Wright, 6 th District House of Representatives –Washington, DC.

In memory of the late Red Dirt Legend, singer/songwriter Brandon Jenkins, the name of the Songwriter of the Year award was changed in 2019 to the “Brandon Jenkins Memorial Songwriters” Award. Cody Jinks was presented the first memorial award for his song “Must Be The Whiskey.”

The 2022 show was moved to Texas Live! and was attended by Texas/Red Dirt Music royalty such as Flatland Cavalry, Jon Wolfe, Bri Bagwell, Kyle Park, Kylie Frey, Mike Ryan, Josh Ward, Curtis Grimes and the Chad Cooke Band, as well as thousands of music fans.

Tickets to all the weekend’s events can be purchased at TRRMA.net

Meet CABO! Cabo is a mixed-breed mut and will be 10 years old. He has lived in Texas most his life but was rescued from a shelter in Chicago as a puppy. He loves to swim, go on the trails and chase birds. He is loved by his entire family (mom, dad, and grandpa). He is very spoiled and knows exactly how to get what he wants! Cabo is honored to be Arlington Today Magazine's Pet of the Month.

Photo: Arlington Renegades

– Alyssa Beck

Kylie Frey & Bri Bagwell Kylie Frey & Ariel Hutchins Hutchins Girls just want to have fun. Girls just want to have fun.

Photo: Amy Smith Photography

Photo: Greg Roach Photography

Photo: Greg Roach Photography

ROSS IS BOSS!

MAYOR GETS TO SHINE ON TWO FRONTS

These are busy – and rewarding – times for Mayor Jim Ross, who, in addition to helping keep Arlington at the forefront via his usual duties, recently engaged in a pair of significant endeavors.

Last month, Ross participated in the prestigious "Future of Cities: Mayor Forum" during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The event was presented by The Hill, a website that has become a standard bearer for its coverage of national politics.

Ross joined mayors from Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Edina, Minn.; Burnsville, Minn.; and Toledo, Ohio, for a virtual round-table discussion that focused on challenges and opportunities facing cities large and small. During the discussion, he got a chance to tout the city's "can do" spirit that has been at the heart of steady growth, economic prosperity and quality of life in the nation's 50th largest city. But that was just part of the Mayor's busy month. He also was in the final stages of preparing a new fine-dining experience for the city. Hearsay Arlington Restaurant & Lounge is set to open this month in Choctaw Stadium, the multi-use facility that was previously known as Globe Life Park. Ross, whose "day job" is serving as one of the city's more celebrated attorneys, also has a background as a restaurant owner. He opened Mercury Chophouse in Arlington a half decade ago.

His newest addition to the local cuisine scene, Hearsay, will feature fine dining, live music, and a cocktail lounge, as well as The Chambers Cigar Bar and Patio. For more: hearsayarlington.com

CHAPLAIN STOGLIN ORDAINED TO THE SACRED ORDER OF PRIESTS

Chaplain Richmond Earl Stoglin was recently ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The ordination took place at St. Peter & St. Paul Anglican Church.

Chaplain Stoglin became the first African American ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at the church.

3 Scoops

1. The Arlington Black Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural D/FW Military & Veterans Power Networking Brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Cherry Moon Grill & Bar (3610 S. Cooper St., Suite 120). Special guests include Mansfield Mayor Dr. Michael Evans, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, a U.S. Marine veteran.

2. Work began last month to replace the uneven sidewalk and resurface the aging parking lot at the Southeast Branch Library branch, located at 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd. near Arlington Animal Services.

3. The Salvation Army of North Texas last month named the City of Mansfield the winner of the 2022 Mayoral Challenge during the recent holiday season. City Council members and city staff raised $125,230, which was the highest total raised in the 14-year history of the challenge. The challenge featured leaders of several cities in the region.

The Arlington Parks & Recreation Department advises that when you prune your trees, lop the docodominant stems (the stragglers) to ensure healthy growth.

Knowing our self-worth one mirror visit at a time

Not long ago, Lindsay Whittenberg was on a zoom call with members of the Corey Academy PTA when she brought up the idea of helping children’s self-esteem by “talking to kids through a mirror while we sit in a closet and hide.”

There was a pause as if the screen had locked into a freeze frame.

“I said, I know, it’s really outside the box, really weird,” Whittenberg recalls, referring to the Magic Mirror that offers sweet and positive affirmations to those who sit in front of it. Little by little, though, Whittenberg began to hear voices trickle from the screen.

“That’s amazing,” muttered one.

“Wish I had a mirror like that when I was that age,” said another.

With that, Whittenberg knew she was onto something in starting a kindness campaign at her beloved school.

Kenneth Perkins

She was passionate and pumped, and for a reason none of her PTA cohorts knew at the time.

Two months before her zoom call, Whittenberg had received one of those phone calls no one wanted to get. Her brother-in-law had committed suicide.

“If that has ever touched you,” Whittenberg says, “you know that feeling. It’s a feeling I don’t wish upon anyone. The PTA didn’t know I was raw and on a mission to create change.”

They certainly do now. The former elementary art teacher is the Kind Facilitator Program Director of The Kindness Campaign (TKC), which spearheads the effort to create Kind Campuses across the country.

The Kindness Campaign, a non-profit based in Austin, provides accessible emotional health curricula and programs to individuals and schools. It has grown spirited legs and moved around the country like a quick-footed cross-country runner. It isn’t a campaign as much as a movement. Thanks to Whittenberg, it is infiltrating Arlington.

KindGym, Kind Campus, and KindMusic are just three of the offerings of TKC, along with that uber-popular Magic

might respond to her idea about an interactive mirror for the school's students. But it was warmly accepted, and it has proven to re-enforce to children that they are, indeed, special.

Mirror, an interactive experience for participants to learn about self-worth and affirmation through open dialogue in front of a mirror.

On Jan. 18, in the AISD Performance Arts Center, children sat in a chair, big headphones over their tiny heads, smiling at a mirror that talked back to them.

“TKC wants to provide a community for you and your children, where students feel safe and learn how to empower themselves,” says TKC Founder and President Andra Liemandt. “We provide the tools needed to activate an emotionally healthy lifestyle. And it helps individuals reimagine and reconnect to their values, purpose, and joy.”

Last month, dozens of people filled the auditorium during TKC’s “It’s a Year of Kindness Kickoff Event,” which also served as a recruiting tool to certify others officially to go into their schools, much like Whittenberg went into Corey.

The idea, of course, is to start in the elementary schools and shift to the junior highs and high schools, City Hall, Mission Arlington, every Arlington nook and cranny.

A TKC backdrop is mental health, which seems to have taken center stage lately. The kindness connection is one of those underlining forces we rarely consider. Kindness helps reduce stress and deepens friendships; being kind to ourselves can prevent shame from corroding our sense of identity and boost self-esteem. It certainly improves feelings of confidence and optimism – watching the faces of the children as they listen to a voice say something like “You’re beautiful. I love your eyes” goes a long way.

Whittenberg doesn’t just want a Kindness Week in Arlington but a Kindness Year.

“I remember when we first did it at Corey; teachers stopped me in the building saying, ‘my gosh, my kids got back from their mirror visit telling them they are smart,’” she says. “It hit home to them that it’s an affirmation not from a parent or a teacher – they expect that. It’s coming from a mirror.”

Faculty and staff stood in front of the mirror and experienced it as well.

“I was a puddle,” Whittenberg says. “Teachers felt valued. The cafeteria staff felt appreciated. Why? Every single person in this community needs to know their self-worth.”

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

Lindsay Whittenberg wasn't sure how her fellow PTA members

Photo: Kenneth Perkins

SNAPSHOTS OF ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE AREA NEWSMAKERS

Jr. "Advancing the Dream" gala

Dr.

Dr.

Jr. "Advancing the Dream" gala

University of Texas at Arlington conducts milestone research

University of Texas at Arlington conducts milestone research

Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, received the Living Legend Award for her decades-long effort to lobby the federal government to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Attendees of the celebration's annual gala were able to revisit a timeline marking milestones during and after the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

University of Texas at Arlington and City officials honored Godfavour Aigbona and Rhane Bishop during the gala for their work in furthering Dr. King's dream.

Pengfei (Taylor) Li, a civil engineering researcher at UTA, is leading a project to improve smart traffic signal management through state-of-the-art traffic signal simulation techniques and big data.

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King

Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans urged audience members to dedicate their lives to service during a gala at UTA that was a highlight of the 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

Benjamin Smithers, physics doctoral candidate at UTA, is part of a team in Antarctica studying the role supernova-spawned particles in the ice might have played in the universe's development.

Photos: UTA

Photos: UTA

Dr. Kenyon Godwin featured in 'American Dream Stories' series

Dr. Kenyon Godwin, founder of the Active Family Wellness Center and current chairman of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, was recently featured in the City of Arlington's "American Dream Stories" series that is broadcast periodically on youtube.com. In a story accompanying the video, the City's Office of Communication wrote this about Dr. Godwin:

Dr. Kenyon Godwin is living his American Dream right here in Arlington as a chiropractor and owner of the award-winning Active Family Wellness Center and founder and lead success coach at D.R.E.A.M.S. Consulting.

When Dr. Godwin was 12, his mother had a heart attack. As a single mom with no insurance, she didn’t get the help she needed. Dr. Godwin decided he wanted to be a doctor so he could help others.

His anatomy teacher was a chiropractor who told stories about his office. It interested Dr. Godwin. After joining the U.S. Air Force, he had a medicalbased position that reignited his passion for health care. He decided to attend chiropractic school.

Originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Dr. Godwin earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker University (2010) and his bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University (2007). A leader in the Arlington community, he has received recognition such as the 2016 Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year, Arlington’s Favorite Chiropractor Reader’s Choice Award (20142020), Patient’s Choice Award (2015), and the Delta Sigma Theta Community Leader in Health & Wellness (2013). Dr. Godwin currently serves on the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Board as its chairperson, Center for Transforming Lives Board and Koinonia Christian Church Core Leadership Team. Dr. Godwin has been married to his wife, Courtney, for more than 20 years. They have three daughters.

Dr. Godwin’s passion is personal growth and development and helping other business owners succeed. He believes people should have the freedom to pursue their God-given purpose without limitations. txwellnessdoc.com

Arlington Foot & Ankle Centers is headed by an expert team of physicians who treat patients so they can enjoy active lifestyles free of foot and ankle pain.

Physicians John Landry, DPM; Joe Southerland, DPM; R. Warren, DPM; Linnie Rabjohn, DPM; and Ryan Lawrence, DPM, are committed to the use of the latest cutting-edge technologies – including digital X-rays, CT scanners, lasers, and shockwave therapy – to produce the most accurate diagnosis and ensure optimal results for each patient.

The practice provides care for everything ranging from common concerns like ingrown nails and gout to injuries, sprains, and fractures.

The team of physicians also has experience with diabetic and athletic patients of all ages. footanklecenters.com

Arlington Foot & Ankle Centers provides an array of solutions to address your issue

Photo: City of Arlington Photo: City of Arlington

Oh, my aching back!

Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital - Arlington can help get rid of the pain

Almost everyone will experience low back pain at some time in their lives, since aging causes degenerative changes in the spine.

These changes can start in your 30s — or even younger — and can make you prone to back pain, especially if you overdo it or lift or bend incorrectly.

The pain differs greatly from one person to the next. It can range from mild to severe, intermittent or constant. It can be short-lived or long-lasting, start slowly or hit suddenly.

Specific causes of low back pain include:

• Over-activity

• Disk injury

• Disk tear

• “Slipped” or herniated disc

• Disk degeneration

• Degenerative spondylolisthesis

• Spinal stenosis

•Scoliosis

However it happens, low back pain can make even everyday activities very difficult. Thankfully, many cases of back pain resolve on their own within a few

• Diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections

• Minimally invasive surgery

• Cervical surgery

• Pediatric and adult scoliosis care

• Artificial disc replacement

• Microdiscectomy

• Kyphoplasty

• Reconstructive spinal surgery

• Treatment of spinal compression fractures

weeks. But some will require a back specialist’s intervention.

The healthcare team at Baylor Scott & White – Arlington performs a variety of back and spine procedures, including surgery, to rid you of back pain for good. Common treatments include:

Minimally invasive procedures are performed through one or more dime-sized incisions, with much less trauma to the body. For most patients, this leads to significantly less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and, in some cases, a better overall outcome.

Minimally invasive surgery may also allow more people — some of whom might not be candidates for open surgery — to undergo surgery. bswarlington.com

Women's Health Services offers this advice if you think you are in labor

Women’s Health Services is an all-female OB/GYN practice featuring seven physicians who offer a wide array of innovative treatments, therapies, and in-office procedures. Practice founder Dr. Joan Bergstrom has delivered tens of thousands of local babies over the past three and a half decades, and she offers this advice if you think you might be going into labor:

If you are having hard, regular contractions that are uncomfortable, occurring at least every five minutes for more than two hours then you should go to the hospital to be assessed by the nurse.

If you think that your water has broken, you should go to the hospital.

If you feel like your baby is not moving, call the office during the daytime or go to the hospital at night so the baby’s heart can be checked.

If you start having vaginal bleeding that is similar or heavier than a period, go to the hospital immediately.

womenshealthservices.com

Urology Partners of North Texas is a family of more than three dozen skilled and compassionate physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners bolstered by a stellar support team.

UPNT has clinics in Arlington, Mansfield, Fort Worth, Alliance, HEB, Irving and Weatherford, delivering exceptional, timely and affordable patient care.

UPNT helps men and women overcome kidney, bladder and prostate cancers, as well as assisting patients reclaim their sexual function and put incontinence, painful kidney stones, UTI infections, and so many other conditions behind them.

Patients always have easy access to the expertise and care of not just one doctor, but a cohesive network of more than 38 skilled and compassionate physicians. Together, they provide patients with exceptional, timely and affordable care. upnt.com

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center puts patient care first

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, a 262- bed acute care hospital, has served the community for more than 15 years while it continues to expand to meet patients’ needs.

Here are just a few of the hospital’s recent enhancements: Methodist Mansfield achieved Magnet® recognition for the second time with 12 exemplary findings. This is 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 Trauma Center, Level III Neonatal Facility, and a Level III Maternal Facility with sub-specialty perinatal care, signifying our proficiency in managing high-risk births.

Additionally, the hospital collaborated with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing to open the first Texas Tech University System satellite campus in Tarrant County at the hospital. The first class of nurses graduated last December. The school offers a BS in nursing to help mitigate the critical nursing shortage in North Texas.

A generous grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has allowed nursing students at the Mansfield campus to gain access to high-quality education, real life clinical training and career development opportunities in our community.

Methodist Mansfield is also home to The Breast Center, which offers a beautiful, tranquil office with a fellowship trained breast radiologist, advanced breast imaging technology services, women’s health services, and bone density scans, all under one roof.

The hospital recently completed renovations on the fifth floor in patient Tower B and hospital administration has announced plans for further expansion that will take place this year. methodisthealthsystem.org/methodist-mansfield-medical-center

Photo: Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

Urology Partners of North Texas: A true team to help you

This award-winning team of physicians and staff has taken emergency care to whole new levels

n Arlington Today magazine

Editor’s Choice selection for the past four years, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital offers full emergency services in an exemplary and award-winning fashion.

The emergency department is staffed by independent, full-time physicians who are board certified in emergency medicine and by nurses certified in emergency care and advanced life support.

Many Texas Health Arlington Memorial nurses have also earned the title of Certified Emergency Nurse and have completed the Trauma/Nurse Core Curriculum, as well as training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Emergency physicians on the medical staff at Texas Health Arlington Memorial and the nurses and technicians all participate in ongoing continuing education programs to keep abreast of current trends and

developments in emergency care.

A Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

A little more than five years ago, the hospital began an innovative outreach program in collaboration with the Arlington Fire Department to help hundreds of patients with chronic conditions avoid emergency room visits.

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the hospital staff showed its resourcefulness by enhancing the manner by which caregivers interact with patients in isolation in the Emergency Department. ED physicians and nurses were able to communicate with patients virtually, using specially programmed tablets to minimize exposure and conserve personal protective equipment (PPE). The tablets are placed in patient rooms and controlled by “home tablets” kept outside the rooms.

As a Level IV Trauma Center, Cycle III Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center, the medical center offers the communities of Arlington, Kennedale, Pantego, Mansfield and Grand Prairie advanced life-saving care close to home.

With advanced medical treatments and an experienced staff that provides compassionate care, the hospital ever evolves to achieve its mission to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves.

texashealth.org/arlington

FunDentist is a practice that really makes patients smile

FunDentist Pediatric & Adolescent

pre-visit tours at any of the practice's offices (three in Arlington and another in Mansfield).

During the tour the patient and his/her family members can meet the team of dentists and staff, walk through the office and treatment areas, and learn more about the treatments that are available.

The office staff will gladly work with you to make sure that appointments are scheduled at your convenience – yet another reason FunDentist makes its patients smile.

safe, and welcome, FunDentist offers

fundentist.com

David Warren, DPM John Landr y, DPM Joe Southerland, DPM Ryan Lawrence, DPM

Kindness at work: How The Sanford House marked its 25th year

As The Sanford House rounded the quarter-century mark at the close of 2022, its owners, management, and staff celebrated by performing 25 acts of kindness in the community throughout the year.

“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community, because without this community, we wouldn’t be here,” says Valerie Landry, General Manager of The Sanford House. Here is how Landry recapped the various acts of kindness as she and her team at the The Sanford House prepare for a second quarter century that begins this year:

Together, the team came up with an incredible list of events and non-profits to support.

1 of 25: We provided snacks for donors at a blood drive hosted by The Rotary Club of Arlington. In case you missed it, visit Carter BloodCare to find a nearby donor center – supply levels are critically low.

2 of 25: We held a book and board game drive among our staff and made a

donation to the Friends and Foundation of Arlington Public Library for their Spring Book Sale.

3 of 25: After a busy few days of responding to calls on icy roads, the crew from Arlington Fire Station #1 enjoyed dinner at Restaurant506 as a thank you for keeping us all safe.

4 of 25: We provided a gourmet breakfast for the cafeteria ladies and custodial staff of nearby Kooken Elementary School.

5 of 25: We participated in a Miracle League baseball game – Cubs vs Bears! The Miracle League provides children and young adults the opportunity to play baseball regardless of their abilities. Volunteer registration for the 2022 spring season is open. Visit miracleleagueDFW.com

6 of 25: I spoke at UTA Business Week for Roger Wehr's class. A longstanding tradition in the College of Business, Business Week is a full week set aside to connect faculty and students with business and community leaders. Executives and leaders share their

experiences and present case studies from their companies to a new generation of business leaders.

7 of 25: We donated supplies for the Junior League of Arlington‘s Glass Slipper Boutique – all the items were donated by our spa staff and spa guests. Each spring, JLA collects new or likenew prom dresses and shoes to make prom more affordable for area high school girls. The Boutique allows selected girls to borrow dresses, accessories, and shoes free of charge to wear to their prom. Donations may be dropped off at the Center for Community Service, 4002 W Pioneer Pkwy in Arlington or contact glass.slipper@jlarlington.org for more information.

8 of 25: We organized and completed a cleanup of the Speer Elementary School atrium in partnership with Lonestar Landscaping.

We provided a reception for parents and students at Speer Elementary School’s Spring Fine Arts Showcase.

10 of 25: Each of the 260 students at Kooken Educational Center received a new summer toothbrush and toothpaste provided by Dr. Mary Robb.

11 of 25: A big group of our staff participated in the Fort Worth Runner’s Club Memorial Day 5k to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

12 of 25: We provided Cones for Cops at the Arlington Police Department on a hot summer day.

13 of 25: We provided breakfast for the teachers at Kooken Elementary School.

14 of 25: We donated over 150 towels to Arlington Animal Services. There are many ways you can support/donate/ volunteer to help these sweet pets –visit arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/ departments/animal_services to learn more

15 of 25: We proudly hosted First3Years for their fundraising event, where they raised over $10,000.

16 of 25: We helped break down the Arlington Field of Honor at Veterans Park after 9/11.

17 of 25: We provided lunch for the custodians, nurses, and admin team at Speer Elementary School.

18 of 25: We happily hosted a Flights & Bites fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Arlington to benefit their Polio Plus fund.

19 of 25: We partnered with Yelp Elite for a fun event to gather must-have items for Alliance for Children.

20 of 25: We hosted hospitality and culinary students from the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center for a tour and lunch.

21 of 25: We signed on to sponsor The Kindness Campaign‘s Mirror Project at Speer Elementary School – coming in 2023.

22 of 25: Our spa staff wrote “I See You” letters for the organization Hagar’s Heart, to be delivered to women in

domestic violence shelters.

23 of 25: We raised canned and dry food donations for Christmas Providers with our Santa event.

24 of 25: We served hot chocolate to students and parents at Kooken Elementary School on the last day before Christmas break (one of our favorite annual traditions).

25 of 25: As part of Wreaths Across America, we helped place wreaths at the headstone of every American veteran in the Arlington and Parkdale cemeteries at Christmastime.

BONUS: We helped additional organizations by providing gift cards to be included with their auctions and fundraising events.

In total, the value of goods, services, and raised funds in 2022 was over $25,000. Plus, our staff logged 150 volunteer service hours giving back. We are so proud!

For more: thesanfordhouse.com

Photos: The Sanford House

Things to make their hearts go all a-flutter

On (or around) Feb. 14th, make sure you check at least one of these romantic boxes

If, as has been noted on many occasions, the way to a person's heart is through his/her stomach, Nothing Bundt Cakes can help you help make your loved one (or all your loved ones) feel special this Valentine's Day.

The popular purveyor of confection perfection has cooked up a variety of holiday-centric delicacies. If you want to go big with your affection, there's the Valentine's Day bundt cake. If you're in love but also in love with the notion that less is more, the Bundtlet will hit the heart's bullseye. And, if you want to spread love all around, you'll want to consider "Love Heart" Bundtini toppers by the dozen.

And here's more heart-warming news: There are two Nothing Bundt Cake locations in Arlington and another in Mansfield.

nothingbundtcakes.com

There's a new restaurant option that will be available in Arlington this month, just in time for you and your loved one to take the Valentine's Day experience to the next level.

That is, if you consider the next level to include fine dining, listening to live music, and enjoying a favorite beverage in the cocktail lounge (plus, in this case, relaxing in a cigar bar and patio).

Hearsay Arlington Restaurant & Lounge is set to open in Choctaw Stadium, the multi-use facility that was previously known as Globe Life Park. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, who gave us Mercury Chophouse a half decade ago, is a principal at the new eatery, and if you've ever been there, you know the Mayor knows a thing or two dozen about operating great restaurants. hearsayarlington.com

The tradition of Valentine’s Day gift giving dates to a time slightly before the opening of Anything Goes in 2010. However, some 13 years after owner Mary Davis first opened the doors to her unique store, the tradition of giving the ideal Valentine’s Day gift generally includes a visit there.

Anything Goes is recognized as one of the area’s premier shopping destinations for pretty much anything that ends with “and more” (and, certainly, anything that warms the heart).

You'll find jewelry, candles, box signs, purses, wine accessories, soaps, college and school gifts, and sports memorabilia. In other words, there's something for everyone, especially that special someone in your life.

anythinggoesgiftshop.com

Given that the description of the conventional Valentine's date often begins with the words, "Dinner and ... ," let us take the opportunity to suggest that you amend your personal "invite" to say, "Dinner at Restaurant506 and ..."

Even on days that don't fall in the middle of February, Restaurant506 at The Sanford House is one of the region's more romantic eateries. But the crew goes above and beyond its usual "above and beyond" for this special holiday.

Restaurant506 combines classic cooking methods with fresh ingredients to create delicious tasting food that is artfully presented. Add a stellar team of servers and a luxurious dining environment, and you wind up with a Valentine's Day experience that you and your loved one will long remember.

thesanfordhouse.com

magine, if you will, a brisk winter stroll taking place under a blanket of twinkling stars. Hand in hand, you and your honey pause to take in the wonder of the Flamme d' Illuminacion woven steel sculptures. But that's not your destination; it's simply part of the journey. As you continue to explore Downtown Arlington you are excited that whenever you take your next turn, the path you follow next will lead to some place special. It could entail cocktails, wine or beer. It might be a favorite eatery – or a coffee house just down the street, where you can sip on a favorite warm beverage and gaze into your loved one's eyes and decide that this Valentine's Day is the best one yet. Your adventure is bound only by your imagination and your thirst to make the most of your romantic evening downtown. Now, don't just imagine – do it! downtownarlington.org

If you’re looking to hit a Valentine’s Day home run, you have two chances to add a Timeless Concerts performance to the romantic itinerary. Timeless Concerts will present its Valentines Special at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the Holt Hickman Center (3712 Wichita St., Fort Worth). Then the ensemble will do it again at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Show Me the Monet in Gracie Lane (4720 S. Cooper St., Arlington).

Both concerts will feature romantic music from the Timeless Concerts crew: Violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, violist Tim Angel, cellist Oliver Schlaffer, pianist Heejung Kang, soprano Sabrina Romero-Wilson, tenor Sergio Cepeda, and newcomer soprano Youna Hartgraves. Wine, soft drinks and snacks are part of the package, as is partying and dancing following the performance. timelessconcerts.com

When 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 at home, via the Great Skin Facial Club.

Skin and body care services run the gamut and feature a full line of awardwinning 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.

Take that, you pesky fire ants!

Shouyi Wang and Wei-Jen Lee craft an AI-driven deterrent to the pests • By

Anyone who has walked Texas fields has probably dealt with the scourge of a fire ant mound.

Common Internet solutions call for dousing the mounds with gasoline or some other combustible liquid, setting them on fire, or using an environmentally unsafe product to rid or reduce the unwanted pests.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington are taking a different approach: developing a high-tech, insecticide-free solution to eliminate the little varmints.

Shouyi Wang, associate professor in the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems

an innovative, artificial intelligencedriven autonomous smart system to automatically deliver fire ant mound treatment using insecticidefree solutions. The team members also include Jianzhong Su, professor in the Math Department, and Chen Kan, assistant professor in the IMSE Department.

“We want to use artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to find these fire ant mounds and deliver treatment solutions autonomously,” Wang says. “The USDA pest control researchers have found that hot water or water with detergent can be effective green solutions to eliminate fire ants. However, those insecticidefree, water-based studies are very limited.”

Engineering (IMSE), and Wei-Jen Lee, professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, initiated a new project with entomologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They are using a $99,453 USDA grant to develop

He says the team will study those methods more in depth and provide scientific guidelines to evaluate them.

“We will use machine learning to study the relationship between fire ant mound size and the required

Herb Booth

quantity and frequency of water solutions to eradicate the entire colony,” Wang says.

The project also will explore using steam as an alternative method of eliminating fire ant mounds.

The second goal of the project will be to develop a UAV system to monitor a target field or pasture to identify fire ant mounds using deep-learning and remote-sensing technologies. The UAV would send the detected fire ant mound location to a UGV system, which will be deployed to automatically dispense the water-based solutions. This UGV system will be equipped with a water tank and a robot armcontrolled water injection tube and be run by an integrated artificial intelligence system.

According to Texas A&M University AgriLife Research and Extension, the economic impact of fire ants is about $1.2 billion annually. About 14 million people are stung annually. While most mounds are about 18 inches or shorter in height, some can be several feet tall.

Paul Componation, chair and professor in IMSE, says Wang’s work is addressing an everyday problem that so many Texans and people across the southern United States experience.

“As researchers, our goal is to use the power of engineering to find solutions to real-world problems,” Componation says. “Dr. Wang’s project is an excellent example of engineering solutions in action.”

Shouyi Wang and Wei-Jen Lee are using a USDA grant to create an innovative, artificial intelligence-driven autonomous smart system to automatically deliver fire ant mound treatment using insecticide-free solutions.

Photo: UTA

SNAPSHOTS OF ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE AREA NEWSMAKERS

Lunar New Year celebration Lunar New Year celebration

Arlington ISD board meeting Arlington ISD board meeting

Leadership Mansfield conference Leadership Mansfield conference

Rotary Club of Arlington Board of Directors meeting

Rotary Club of Arlington Board of Directors meeting

City Council members Raul Gonzalez and Long Pham took in the Lunar New Year festivities at Ben Thanh Plaza.

Mansfield City Council member Casey Lewis was a featured speaker at the Leadership Mansfield conference.

City Manager Joe Smolinski discusses the city's organizational structure during the Leadership Mansfield conference.

Students from Blanton Elementary, Butler Elementary School, Farrell Elementary, and Gertrude Johns Elementary showcased their musical talents at a recent Arlington ISD board meeting.

Derrick Kinney (foreground) joins fellow members for a panoramic selfie at a recent Rotary Club of Arlington directors meeting.

Photo courtesy of Raul Gonzalez

Photo courtesy of Derrick Kinney

Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans shared insights about the city during the recent Leadership Mansfield conference.

Photo: AISD

Photos: City of Mansfield

Home SWEET! Home

An ode to the great outdoors (and indoors, too)

his month, we stray from the beaten path – both literally and figuratively – to focus on a unique property brought to our attention by Chris Hightower, founder of Hightower Realtors.

As this array of photographs shows, rustic and modern tastes don't have to reside at opposite ends of a spectrum. In fact, both can be satisfied with some clever design concepts and good, old-fashioned hard work.

This country home is part of property that features a barn and a pond, but its fascinating blending of quaint and luxurious makes it an instant conversation starter. (And we won't tell anyone if you decide to "borrow" a few of the concepts used in this home's evolution.)

The house and barn anchor 3.88 acres. The dwelling features three bedrooms and one bathroom, spread over 1,066 square feet of living space, but, as the photos to the left show, there's plenty of other "living space" located at various points in the property. Take, for example, the outdoor fire pit, which is an ideal gathering place for family and friends on cool winter evenings. And, in addition to the barn, the property has a spacious patio area, which affords magnificent views of the surrounding woods. Inside, there are modern amenities galore, from the spacious, open living area to cleverly construed lighting and ventilation concepts that marry the then-and-now feel of the home.

For information about this property or others in the Hightower Realtors portfolio, visit hightowerrealtors.com

Rustic and modern tastes don't have to reside at opposite ends of a spectrum. In fact, both can be satisfied with clever design and hard work.

Awakening the spirit of giving

• By Amy J Schultz

The members of Awaken Ensemble share at least two things in common: musical talent and a unifying belief that “we can make a difference.”

A non-profit choir based in Arlington, Awaken Ensemble consists of music educators and students who raise awareness for other local non-profit organizations. Since its inception, Awaken Ensemble has raised awareness and donations for many non-profits, including Tarrant County College food pantry, AISD Families in Transition, Refugee Services of Texas, and Hagar’s Heart.

“In 2017, my husband Sean and I learned about AISD’s Families in Transition program,” says Mary Hale, music educator and co-founder of Awaken Ensemble. “Did you know there are thousands of Arlington ISD students who are homeless or in transitional housing? Thousands! FIT provides services to those students and families such as counseling, food, transportation, and much more. While the program is funded by the school district, private donations help fill gaps.”

Mary and Sean decided to help fill that gap. They organized a benefit concert including choirs from Martin High School, the University of Texas

at Arlington, Arlington Children’s Chorus, FUMC Chancel Choir, and a small choir of their musical colleagues, students, and friends. Over 500 people attended the performance, and they raised more than $2000 for FIT.

“That small choir left us all with such happiness in our hearts,” says Mary. “We knew our world needed more of this: more beautiful music,

See/Hear Awaken Ensemble

May 7 at 3 p.m.

First United Methodist Church Sanctuary

313 N. Center St, Arlington

more happy feelings, more gathering of musical friends who just get it, and more raising awareness for other helping organizations in and around Arlington.”

After that first performance, Sean and Mary continued to develop the small choir until in 2019, when Awaken Ensemble officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Sean Hale, Director of Music at First United Methodist Church Arlington, serves as the choir’s conductor. For each concert, Sean selects a theme and builds a program inspired by their non-profit partner. Sometimes Awaken

will partner with other choirs, too, just as it did for its first performance.

“There are so many benefits when people and organizations work together,” says Mary. “We find motivation and encouragement from one another, we keep each other accountable in positive ways, we are strengthened by combining resources, and we find commonalities with one another, not to mention celebrating successes with friends is far better than celebrating successes alone.”

Awaken Ensemble’s combination of talent, energy, philanthropy, and collaboration has caught the attention of the Texas Choral Directors Association. The choir has been invited to perform at the TCDA 2023 Summer Convention in San Antonio.

“I love singing in Awaken because it’s a different kind of singing,” says choir member Cesar Vélez. “It’s the kind of singing coming from multiple people lending their talents for an altruistic cause; doing it solely for the joy that music brings. That kind of experience can sometimes be hard to find, and I’m glad we have it here in Arlington.”

To help Awaken Ensemble cover its travel expenses to San Antonio, visit awakenensemble.wordpress.com.

How one local non-profit uses its music to help other non-profits

Photos: Amy J Schultz

A Night inParis

SNAPSHOTS OF ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE AREA NEWSMAKERS

MLK Day of Service Festival MLK Day of Service Festival

The final day of Arlington's celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King featured the MLK Day of Service Festival, which offered many activities for children.

There is dancing, and then there is dancing in celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King. (This is the latter, which took place at the

Grand

Dallas Cowboys playoff watching party Dallas Cowboys playoff watching party

Despite the best efforts of fans who ultimately gathered at a watching party at Miller Lite®House, the Dallas Cowboys fell 19-12 to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs.

festival held Downtown.)

This youngster was determined as he concentrated on constructing a sculpture at the festival.

Here's another youngster living "The Dream."

During his January message, Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen highlighted the GetFitGP health initiative for residents who would like to improve their health in 2023. gptx.org/getfitgp

Photos: City of Arlington

Photo: City of Arlington

Photo: City of Grand Prairie

Prairie's GetFitGP health initiative Prairie's health initiative

BLAST from the PAST

To celebrate the more than 100 classic cars featured in this space, we're recalling one of our favorites, which was featured in the January 2015 issue. The story of this highpowered Ford Mustang remains one of the favorite tales we've told over the past decade.

Horse power, indeed

Dr. T makes classic smiles and cars – just check out his 1965 Mustang • By Richard Greene

When Ford Motor Company was designing the 50th anniversary version of its famous Mustang, CEO. Mark Fields, knowing what was at stake, declared, “You don’t want to screw up an icon.”

One look at Arlington dentist Mike Thomas’ classic 1965 beauty, and you know immediately what the Ford boss was talking about.

The company ushered in a whole new era of muscle-car mania with the debut of what is affectionately known as the “pony car” when it first appeared in showrooms for less than $2,500.

The Mustang’s inspired long hood and short deck introduced a styling trend that has characterized both the popular sportster and racing versions since then.

Dr. Thomas and his lifelong friend

Brad Burris have been restoring cars together for a couple of years, and their Mustang project was completed in November of 2014.

They have produced this “resto-mod” custom Mustang and now are turning heads on local streets and attracting lots of attention at car shows.

While their car passion is a hobby, they enjoy the financial rewards that

Dr. Mike Thomas and his lifelong friend Brad Burris completed work on this “resto-mod” custom Mustang in November of 2014. The car is turning heads on local streets and attracting a lot of attention at car shows.

come with reproducing the timeless appearance of the original along with the performance, comfort and safety features of modern parts and equipment.

That makes it possible to move on to the next projects, which include a 1968 Dodge Super Bee and 1965 Shelby Daytona.

“Brad and I started working together several years ago as he was recovering

from stage 4 cancer,” Thomas explained. “I would go over and lend a hand with projects that he already had going.

“We had so much fun that we decided to team up on our hobby to produce some great muscle cars. We enjoy buying old cars that are rather rough and bringing them back to their former glory.

“The problem-solving keeps our brains active, and the creative process

fills a deep need. Most of all we get to drive some really cool cars – then we sell them off and start over again.”

After pursuing his passion for dentistry for 30-plus years he is still excited every day to get to the tasteful Texan-themed office and “see what God has in store for me.”

“I love to create beautiful smiles, and I tell my patients that if I can build an

entire car, I can rebuild your teeth.”

Mike and Brad’s Mustang features a big, 302-cubicinch, V8 high- output engine, along with a five-speed floor mounted shifter between the adjustable driver, and passenger bucket seats.

Ford’s production of the ’65 model included front seat belts, a light for the glove box and a padded dashboard. It officially rolled into the spotlight at the 1964 World’s Fair, where crowds gathered along a circular railing to see it rotating on a giant pedestal in the middle of the show.

If you visit Mike’s Facebook page you will find three movies that he identifies as his favorites. It will come as no surprise that the first one listed is the 1968 action thriller Bullitt staring Steve McQueen.

If you know anything about the film, it features what is regarded as one of the most exciting chase scenes ever on the big screen.

While driving his Mustang GT, McQueen’s character speedily pursues a couple of hit men in a Dodge Charger through the famous hilly streets of San Francisco in a scene that ends with the bad guys crashing into a gas station, resulting in an explosion that will still take your breath away.

Mike’s Mustang makes the same throaty roar as McQueen’s.

Fantasies aside, Dr. Thomas has it all in just the right perspective. “God has blessed me with a great profession, a wonderful wife and family, a terrific hobby, and I am very grateful.”

Mansfield’s Deputy City Manager Shelly Lanners retired last month, capping a 34-year career in public service.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve this community,” Lanners says. “We build great facilities, we have a great community, and we have great people who live here. It’s been a wonderful career here.”

Early in her tenure in Mansfield, Lanners established a reputation for being a hard worker who was dedicated to the people she served.

She attributes her work ethic to her "PaPa" and wanting to make him proud. Lanners grew up in the farm town of Sunray, Texas, before moving to the DFW Metroplex upon completion of her postgraduate studies at West Texas A&M University.

Lanners began her 22-year career with the City of Mansfield in Parks and Recreation in August 2000. She served multiple roles, including Recreation Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Director,

Lanners retires after serving Mansfield for more than two decades

Community Services Director, and Deputy City Manager.

Through the course of her career, Lanners supported departments like Parks and Recreation, Library and Historical Services, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“The things that make a community a community are its park system, special events, the experiences we provide over and above the basic services; and Shelly Lanners has been vital to all those things,” City Manager Joe Smolinski says. “So when you

Bureau administrative offices, located at 1164 Matlock Road, the Shelly D. Lanners Administrative Offices.

“I have had a job since I was 14 years old, and I’m ready to relax,” Lanners says. “I plan to travel with my partner for extended vacations, seeing major league ballparks and national parks.”

notice Mansfield is a special place to be, that it’s a special hometown, we have Shelly to thank for a lot of that.”

In recognition of Lanners’ contributions to Mansfield, the city is naming the Parks and Recreation and Convention and Visitors

Following Lanners’ retirement, Chief Financial Officer Troy Lestina was named the new Deputy City Manager, and Vanessa Ramirez was named Assistant City Manager. These appointments fill the office, which also features Smolinski and Assistant City Manager Matt Jones.

“The strength of an organization is its people, and these two provide proven leadership that guarantees continued proactive financial stewardship, innovative thinking, and professional operations,” Smolinski says.

Shelly Lanners (seventh from left) was honored by Mansfield city officials at City Hall after she announced her retirement last month.

Photo: City of Mansfield

"WE BUILD GREAT facilities, we have great people who live here. It’s been a wonderful career here.”

Curnutt & Hafer, LLP, commissions mural

by Chris Gonzalez

CURNUTT & HAFER, LLP, a downtown Arlington law firm, recently commissioned a mural painted by Arlington-raised artist, Chris Gonzalez. The richly painted mural is located on the East and North sides of the firm's Abram Street headquarters.

Known commercially as C. Joseph Art, Gonzalez’s work was done in collaboration with the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation’s Business Improvement District grant.

The “Merciful Wisdom” mural has been in the works for almost a year now. Firm partners, Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer, wanted to create a lasting gift to Downtown Arlington while elevating the aesthetics of their office exterior, but were waiting for the right artist and an inspired concept. Chris Gonzalez was the perfect choice for this initiative.

Once the artist and partners discussed potential ideas, it became clear the mural should not only be a nod to each partner’s respective life’s work, but should also align with the firm’s motto, “Seek. Serve. Do.”

“After speaking with partners Curnutt & Hafer, I knew it would have to involve their passions," Gonzalez says. "When they mentioned ‘mercy and fair’ in the context of law, the first thing that popped into my mind was an owl and the wisdom which the owl symbolizes. The partners also wanted to have words that they live by and follow incorporated into the mural. The Law of Living, The Law of Believing and The Law of Praying are inscribed in Latin. Finally, I embedded the Curnutt & Hafer logo at the center of it all."

Brock has been named new audit partner at PSK LLP

PSK LLP, an Arlington-based accounting firm offering expertise in audit and assurance services, financial consulting and tax services, last month named Kevin Brock as the firm's newest audit partner.

Brock concentrates his efforts within the commercial sectors of manufacturing, transportation, and construction along with performing similar services for churches and other nonprofit organizations. He conducts financial statement audits and reviews, audits of employee benefit plans, agreed-upon procedures and consulting services.

“We are delighted to have Kevin join us as a partner in PSK," says Managing Partner Casey Campbell. "Kevin possesses a high degree of character, and is someone who integrates leadership and technical skills in everything that he does. We are confident that he will continue to bring our clients the personalized expert services PSK prides itself in providing locally and nationally."

A graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, Brock worked with KPMG in the audit department for five years before joining PSK, where for the past 17 years he has served as Audit Senior/Manager and Audit Principal.

College Baseball Showdown will feature Big 12 and SEC teams at Globe Life Field

THE 2023 College Baseball Showdown presented by Higginbotham, featuring three teams each from the Big 12 and SEC, will be played Feb. 17-19 at Globe Life Field. Here is the schedule:

Friday, Feb. 17 – 11 a.m.: Oklahoma State vs. Missouri; 3 p.m.: Vanderbilt vs. TCU; 7 p.m.: Arkansas vs. Texas. Saturday, Feb. 18 - 11 a.m.: Oklahoma State vs. Vanderbilt; 3 p.m.: Texas vs. Missouri; 7 p.m.: TCU vs. Arkansas. Sunday, Feb. 19 - 10:30 a.m.: Vanderbilt vs. Texas; 2:30 p.m.: Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State; 6:30 p.m.: Missouri vs. TCU For more: shorturl.at/oDFIN

Kevin Brock Kevin Brock

Arlington's culinary royalty, Preston Nguyen, will join 'Next Level Chef' after the Super Bowl

AFTER THE SUPER BOWL on Feb. 12, stay tuned to catch Arlington’s own Preston Nguyen on the television program "Next Level Chef."

The Martin High School graduate and former practicum student and youngest star of the kitchen at Prince Lebanese Grill continues to find success in the culinary world, as he joins Gordon Ramsey’s team to create dishes under the pressure of alternating kitchen environments.

The latest big news follows Nguyen's most notable competitive cooking-scene triumph. As a 19-year-old college student he took home the first place award at the 2021 World Food Championship, topping numerous renowned international chefs.

ACA honors Board President Debbie Sterba with a building in her name

DEBBIE STERBA, who has served on the Arlington Classics Academy board of directors for 23 years, was honored last month when the school named one of its classroom buildings "Deborah Sterba Wisdom Hall."

During Sterba's time on the board, ACA has grown from 249 students in 2003 to serving more than 1,500 today, and evolving from one building to three campuses over the past 18 years. The charter school has maintained the highest rating from the Texas Education Agency and the highest rating for Financial Integrity. ACA received recognition from the State Comptroller for developing high achievement in students at a low cost.

Sterba, an IT specialist, has been involved with the school since her oldest son Drew became a student in 2002. She joined the board of directors a year later. Over her 20 years as a board member, she has served as secretary, vice president, and most recently president since 2016.

Under her direction, ACA managed to grow enrollment, develop a "brand" and prosper. The primary campus opened in 2005 and has been expanded twice. ACA purchased property for a middle school, and ACA's bond rating improved to B++. Academically and athletically, students in grades K-8 at the school routinely have won or shown well in competitive endeavors all over the state.

"As a community member, ACA strives to lead by example and educate our stakeholders in how to be the best possible participant and neighbor in all our communities," Sterba says. "I will continue to invest in the future of ACA because there is nothing more noble than helping a child see just how smart they truly are."

Duo promoted at The Jones Financial Cos.

JACK WEBB, CRPC® , an Edward Jones financial advisor in Arlington, and TRACY PLACKEMEIER recently have been named limited partners in The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P.

"I am honored to be invited to become a limited partner in the firm," says Webb. "I value working at a firm with such a strong sense of purpose – to make a positive difference for our clients, colleagues and community."

"I couldn't agree more," Plackemeier says. "I've always enjoyed my job and the Edward Jones culture that promotes personal relationships, teamwork and doing what's right for our clients."

Jack Webb and Tracy Plackemeier recently became limited partners with The Jones Financial Companies.

Debbie Sterba

KEEN CUISINE ...

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 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

ITALIAN / PIZZA

Café Sicilia • 7221 Matlock Road • 817-419-2800 • cafesicilia.com

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

Restaurant506

frieddaze

The Grease Monkey

LaIsla Restaurant

Recipe of the Month (with Dr. T)

Yummy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup of white beans (preferably cannilenni)

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 TBSP peanut butter

3 TBSP rice vinegar

1 TBSP lime juice

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, adding water (1 TBSP at a time) slowly until you reach the desired thickness

Cover in a glass jar and store in the refrigerator. The sauce will thicken over time.

Add water to thin.

Patricia Thomson, aka Dr. T, is a recently published author of “WFPB20 - A Step-by-Step Guide to Adopting a Plant-Based Lifestyle, a certified plant-based nutritionist, and geeky scientist. She is the coFounder of Wellness20 along with author, former vegan restaurant owner, chef, and certified nutritionist Brooke Ali. They have created classes, workshops, summits, markets and coaching services, all designed to successfully assist people who want to live a healthier and more fulfilling life. They aim for the whole person approach including nutrition, mindfulness, spirituality and incorporating physical movement into daily lives. They also meet people wherever they are on their health and wellness journey. wellness-20.com

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC

c a l s c o m

The Rangers are making a pitch for greatness

It’s funny how two words can say so much. Like if I say, “bacon and eggs.” You get hungry for breakfast. You say, “peanut butter and jelly,” and I feel like I am in fifth grade when I ate a pb&j every day. You say, “beer and pretzels.” I say, “let me finish writing this column first.”

But if I say, “pitchers and catchers,” you can feel the warm sun on your face, hear the pop of the glove and know that baseball season is nigh upon us.

Even fans of teams that are not expected to be good are excited when they hear that pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training. No fans should be more excited about the start of this season than Rangers fans. This offseason has been unlike any in the 50 off-seasons since the team moved to Arlington. In fact, this off-season may be unique in the history of baseball.

At the end of last year Jon Gray was the only veteran pitcher who was sure to be in the rotation next season. But getting four starting pitchers in one off-season seemed an impossible task. Instead, Rangers President and General Manager Chris Young helped the Rangers acquire five. They signed Martin Perez, who had a great season for Texas last year, to a qualifying offer, thus keeping him from testing the free agent waters.

Next they got Jake Odorizzi from Atlanta for almost nothing. The Braves have an abundance of pitching; they needed room on the roster. Atlanta is even paying a good portion of Jake’s salary. Then things got really interesting.

One of the best pitchers in the game opted out of his contract with the New York Mets. Once free, Jacob DeGrom became the target of every team in the market for pitching. Armed with Ray Davis’s checkbook, Chris Young began his recruiting process. His goal was to convince DeGrom that the Rangers had a vision for getting back to the World Series. A vision that started to take shape last off season when they spent over a half a billion dollars on free agents.

A vision that included wooing a manager out of retirement. Not just any manager but Bruce Bochy, for whom Young

played when both were in San Diego. “Boch” took the Padres to one World Series before leading the San Francisco Giants to three World Series championships.

All of it was enough to convince DeGrom that Texas would be his landing spot. He signed a five-year deal worth $185 million. He brings credibility to the Rangers like no free agent pitcher since Nolan Ryan. He also brings two Cy Young awards and four All Star Game appearances just to sweeten the pot.

Next up, a new pitching coach. How about a new/old pitching coach. Not that Mike Maddux is that old, he’s 61. Instead of old I might have said former. Mike was the pitching coach here previously under Ron Washington. Which, by the way, was the last time the Rangers were in the World Series. He has had success at every stop along the way, including Washington and St. Louis after leaving Texas.

If they had stopped there it would have been a fantastic offseason. But Young said at each introductory press conference, “You can never have enough pitching.”

So he went out and got more. Andrew Heaney is a left hander who bedeviled Rangers hitters for years when he pitched for the Angels. The Oklahoma City native was with the Dodgers last season where he posted a 3.10 earned run average and struck out 110 batters.

Young was not done yet. He went back to the hometown of the aforementioned Nolan Ryan and signed Nathan Eovaldi. The hard-throwing right hander from Alvin, Texas was part of a World Series winning team in Boston in 2018 and an American League All Star as recently as 2021.

So there you have it. The Rangers signed, or acquired five starting pitchers in one off-season. That is an entire rotation. Add them to Jon Gray and a wealth of young pitching prospects like Dane Dunning, Glenn Otto and Taylor Hearn, and you might think that for the first time in a long time the Rangers will have enough pitching. Chris Young would still beg to differ. Still, the Rangers President and GM can take a bow after this off season.

Now, as for that beer and pretzels you mentioned...

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

John Rhadigan

Among the five new pitchers acquired by the Texas Rangers in the off-season was two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob DeGrom.

Happy 80th, Randy Galloway

It took 80 years, but Randy Galloway finally got his name in lights.

The marquis of the newly renovated Isis Theater in Fort Worth was the place, Galloway becoming an octogenarian was the reason. The longtime writer, radio talk show host and sports icon turned 80 last month.

Ironically, Galloway never intended to have his name in lights. He started his career as a journalist who wrote stories about sports. He covered all sports but really began to make a name for himself locally when the Rangers moved to Arlington in 1972.

The party was standing room only at the 400-seat theater and a surprise for the guest of honor. As he entered the lobby he was greeted with 80 years of memories, 80 years of laughs, 80 years of friends.

The birthday boy was seated center stage. The Voice of Globe Life Field, Chuck Morgan, was master of ceremonies as 12 friends roasted and toasted Randy on his fantastic career and his memorable and impactful life.

So many stories were told. Like Nolan Ryan sharing how he saw Randy and several other 50-something sportswriters shirtless every day in Port Charlotte, Fla. They would sit atop the press box during spring training games and sun themselves. They were uncovered as they covered the Grapefruit League games.

Dale Hanson told one about the time he and Randy “borrowed” the limousine of NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The Cowboys were playing in Mexico City, and after the commissioner exited the vehicle they entered and told the driver to take them to the horse track. Tagliabue had not given them permission to take the limo, but, then again, he never said they couldn’t take it.

Three time Super Bowl Champion Nate Newton shared stories about a different side of the grizzled, irreverent sports influencer from Grand Prairie. When you think about it, Randy was an influencer before influencers were cool.

Nate remembered how kind Randy was in helping a former football player make the transition to a new chapter. It became the theme of the night – one radio colleague after another praised the kindness and loyalty that Randy demonstrated. They all appreciated that he was so willing to share the success and fame that came with being a part of a sports radio station.

It took about four hours to cover 80 years. And while there were no gifts exchanged, the stories reminded all the guests that the life and the career of Randy Galloway was a gift to everyone who enjoyed his work. The bottom line of the Isis marquis said it very well, “We love you Gallo.”

– John Rhadigan

Photo: DC Vault

How you can help pave the way to a better city

Most citizens share a common interest in their city providing a plethora of public improvements to support their quality of life and pride in their community.

Things like better streets, police and fire protection, enhanced park and recreation opportunities, and a host of other projects are very popular. In turn, that gives rise to expectations that those interests will be addressed as an ongoing priority by those they elect to the local governing body.

There’s also the challenge to achieve desired outcomes without increasing property tax burdens on homeowners. These projects are expensive, so the question arises – is it even possible to be constantly improving streets, civic buildings, and public facilities across the city without a tax increase?

efficiently and safely move around the 400,000 people who live here, as well as those who visit the city or those just passing through.

Other items include more than $24 million in park improvements, a new $14 million fire station, $6 million for sidewalks, a variety of maintenance and major building components, new construction for the public works department, construction materials testing, and support for safe routes to the city’s schools.

These numbers still must be finally resolved by the city council, and that provides an opportunity for anyone in the city to participate in these final decisions as it will all unfold in public meetings before the council.

You may find the details on the list of projects being proposed, the amounts allocated for them all, and the dates and times of the council meetings when public engagement is not only possible but highly desired. Visit the city’s web site, arlingtontx.gov and navigate to the bond proposal details and the city council meetings schedule.

Richard Greene

Fortunately, the answer is yes, and we will explore how that is accomplished in a couple of minutes. However, ultimately, citizens have the final say in all of this because coming up with the money means going into debt to finance these projects, and that can’t happen without the majority of voters agreeing to do so.

Such an opportunity is likely to be on the ballot in the upcoming May elections, along with the selection of a mayor and some city council members.

All of this has been set into motion, as it is about every four or five years, after the city council has received a recommendation from a citizens committee on which projects have been deemed a priority for the next cycle of public works to serve us all.

The final report from a 19-member advisory group known as the Citizens Bond Committee has been delivered to the city council, and they will be making final decisions of what to include among $213 million of improvements to the city.

The largest sums proposed, more than half of the total, will be to build and improve city streets. This has always proven to be the most popular item, as it ranks as the top need to

Oh, about how all this can be achieved without increasing property tax rates: Actually, that is all a part of the process of deciding how much money the city proposes to borrow by issuing municipal bonds over the next several years.

The simplistic explanation (the hard part is managed by the city’s finance professionals) is this: As long as the city doesn’t acquire more debt in any year that is greater than old debt being paid off that year, then there is no need to raise tax rates.

That will be the promise of putting this proposal before voters and, based on a long history of managing these public improvement projects in this fashion, we can count on the promise being fulfilled. City councils over the past several years have consistently reduced the property tax rate, the latest in the new budget being the largest reduction of all.

So, we can get traffic moving better, enjoy our parks more, enhance fire protection, and all the rest without the burden of new taxes.

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

Streetimprovement projects will take up a large part of the $213 million dedicated to making Arlington a better place in which to live or visit.

Photo: Getty images