January 2017

What’s NEW in Downtown Arlington

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Real Estate Professionals You Need to Know January 2017

your community • your magazine

LEADERS

in the courtroom in the community

David L. Cook and Kimberly Fitzpatrick of Harris Cook, LLP

Don’t be fooled by advertised ER wait times What happens when you actually go behind the waiting room doors?

HOSPITAL-BASED ER

FREESTANDING ER

Average time in the waiting room

24 minutes

5 minutes

Ability to do laboratory tests

Yes

Yes

Ability to do X-rays

Yes

Yes

Ability to do CT Scans

Yes

Yes

Ability to do Ultrasounds

Yes

Yes

Wait time for CT Scans

5 minutes

Average time to be discharged

60 minutes depending on other patients 171 minutes

Patients leaving without being seen

3% of patients

0

Time before Admission

336 minutes

60 minutes

Transfer Time

198 minutes

30 minutes

(Average time patients spent in the emergency room before being admitted to the hospital.)

(Among patients admitted, additional time they spent waiting before being taken to their room.)

30-60 minutes depending on complexity

Source: http://projects.propublica.org/emergency/hospital/

At PrimeCare we strive to offer the highest standard of quality care to make lives better. Our aim is to provide outstanding care services that surpass our customers' expectations.

We use a dedicated and focused approach towards the community and our patients with a vision to become the best emergency center available.

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Our PRIME focus is your CARE 5912 S Cooper St, Suite 110 • Arlington, TX 76017-4498 • 682-323-8899 • pcec247.com

A

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masters of real estate TOP ROW: LEFT TO RIGHT: LINDA MAGAZZINE 817-654-8589, lindamagazzine@ebby.com com

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JULIE DEMOTT 817-654-8457, juliedemott@ebby.com

817-312-1366, janehaynes@ebby.com

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MARY ANN HEUGATTER 817-654-8507, maryannheugatter@ebby.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM 817-654-8445, michaelcunningham@ebby.com

BILLIE REDDEN 817-654-8470, billieredden@ebby.com

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You get more with a Master Widely admired for their professionalism and exceptional customer service, the 11 members of the Masters of Real Estate network have built their reputations by exceeding client expectations. Among our area’s foremost sales and marketing experts, the Masters offer countless connections and a shared commitment to each client’s success.

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facebook.com/MastersofRealEstateTX ©2015. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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Contents January 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 1

<<< On the Cover

David Cook and Kimberly Fitzpatrick are partners at the law firm Harris Cook, LLP, as well as mayors of their respective cities.

In our cover story on page 26, we learn how they deftly balance those jobs – and more.

Photo: Bruce Maxwell

HIGHLIGHTS 24 UTA Today

A University of Texas Arlington program helps cancer patients stay active.

30 Earning straight A’s

A look at some of the remarkable goings-on at local schools – including Tarrant County College Southeast, which just turned 20.

38

38 The (re)making of downtown

With unprecedented vigor, principals of all kinds are giving the 140-year-old city hub a fresh look & feel.

44 Texas Live!

Ground has been broken on the $1.25 billion multi-use complex, and city officials are ecstatic about its prospects for greatness.

DEPARTMENTS 44

45 Real estate pros you need to know

Starting Line ... 12 This ‘n Data ... 14 Around Town ... 22 Scene ... 28, 42, 68, 74 Style ... 34 Health & Fitness ... 70 Dining Guide ... 72 Sights/Sounds ... 76 Speaking of Sports ... 78 Itinerary ... 80 Finish Line ... 82

Meet some of the area’s premier principals in the realms of residential and commercial real estate.

56 Home SWEET! Home

Amy and Spencer Cearnal take us on a tour of their renovated – and stunning – dwelling.

60 The ‘in’ inn

The Sanford House has been making guests feel at home for the better part of two decades. Find out why.

64 Taking safe to a new level

56 64

10

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Chrysler literally went over the cliff with the debut of the Airflow, one of which is featured in our monthly Classic Car feature.

Dr. Sheri Puffer, Dr. LaTasha Jarrett, Dr. Joan Bergstrom, Dr. Joy Carter, Dr. Dawnette Peppler, Dr. Kiran Nangrani Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Services announces the opening of

our second office, located in South Arlington.

Dr. LaTasha Jarrett and Dr. Joy Carter joined WHS in July of 2016. Dr. Bergstrom, Dr. Nangrani, Dr. Puffer, Dr. Jarrett and Dr. Carter are seeing patients in both office locations.

North Office:

South Office:

1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 Arlington, TX 76012

5005 S. Cooper St, Suite 275 Arlington, TX 76017

Phone 817-277-9415 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax 817-277-0360 Email info@womenshealthservices.com

The doctors of WHS provide full Ob-Gyn services including well woman exams, Nexplanon insertions, evaluation of abnormal pap smears, surgery for uterine bleeding, uterine prolapse, bladder suspensions (without mesh), vaginal hysterectomies, in-office ablation for heavy periods and Essure tubal ligations. All obstetrical deliveries are performed at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital.

Visit our new website and make your appointments on-line at www.womenshealthservices.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay

A new year dawning In the past, when I looked toward the future, I’m not sure I envisioned this

S

o, it’s a new year, the 18th to bear a “20” at the beginning of its name. It seems like only yesterday when “19” and I used to hang out. In the early days of that relationship, I recall us playing a lot of baseball, riding on the truck with the milkman and exploring the vast expanse of woods just beyond my backyard fence. Today, I watch a lot of baseball and wonder if I might be becoming lactose-intolerant. The ground that spawned those woods now lies beneath the foundation of an apartment complex that extends to a road that connects its navigators to all manner of commercial enterprises. One even has a few trees in front of it.

As “19” and I became more familiar, we earned our first “A,” won our first trophy, drove our first automobile and received our first speeding ticket. When your first automobile is a 1962 Ford Galaxy, you feel somewhat compelled to take advantage of that V-8 engine. I didn’t say “19” and I always made the right decisions.

We did once, though, when we mustered the courage to ask “her” out and got to experience our first kiss. We didn’t once, though, when we broke “her” heart after another “her” emerged Editor on the scene a couple of years later. But justice was served because Yale Youngblood that “her” broke our heart. Mercy was served a short time after that by a third “her,” the one who walked down the aisle to give me the best kiss ever. She also gave me the four best children ever, one of whom gave me the two best grandchildren ever.

By the latter part of my relationship with “19,” we were busy juggling job and homelife – and dropping the ball more than either of us would like to admit. We were laid off once, and the best children ever deemed us “outdated” a few times too many. But we persevered and found a new job and watched MTV and listened to Mix 102.9 and somehow avoided having to pay bail money as the offspring started their own relationships with “19.”

Then ... suddenly ... “19” was gone.

Its successor, “20,” is different from “19.” It moves at a faster pace and spawns a lot of different looks, very few lasting more than a few months. “20” seems to value style over substance.

It’s also not so concerned about the journey, but it sure loves reaching the destination. That makes sense, given that it has most destinations at its fingertips – literally. “20” can call one friend, text another, email a third, schedule a nail appointment, purchase stock, watch a sporting event, download a song, and regulate the temperature of the house – all from its phone. One thing I’ve discovered: “20” sure loves its phone.

And, now, “20” is 18, even if the number associated with this birthday says 17. I’m curious to see where “20” and I will go as we embark on the new year. I’m guessing that, wherever it is, it won’t be as fun as playing baseball.

yale@arlingtontoday.com

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

and follow us on Twitter

and Instagram

CEO Richard Greene EDITORIAL Editor Yale Youngblood Contributing Editor Marla Thomas Sports Columnist John Rhadigan Style Editor Tricia Schwartz Website & Social Media Director Whitney Hoang Contributing Graphic Artists Susan Darovich, Susan Youngblood Contributing Writers Donna Darovich, Michele Duskin, Karen Gavis, Bill Lace, Kenneth Perkins, Toni Randle-Cook, Sam Thomas Contributing Photographers Gary Coots, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell, Bob Pruitt SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Amy Lively, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Alice J. Rogers, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Sam Thomas PRODUCTION Production Manager Susan Darovich ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2016 Arlington Today, Inc., 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 308, Arlington, TX 76011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher.

The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products.

Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues (price includes tax and shipping). E-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com

• Phone number: (817) 303-3304

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This ‘n Data

Former Rep. Diane Patrick to unveil lessons learned in the Legislature

REELED in

UTA grad tabbed as cinematographer for the film ‘All Creatures Here Below’ LIFE ISN’T EXACTLY imitating art for Bongani Mlambo. The fact is: his life is art – specifically the art of filmmaking, where the 2010 film/video graduate from the University of Texas Arlington has quickly become a go-to cinematographer for directors and producers longing for “just the right” look and feel for their movies.

After graduation, Mlambo shot his first feature film, “Three Days in August.” His second, “All Creatures Here Below” was produced by another prominent Arlington filmmaker, Amy Greene, and stars David Dastmalchian and Karen Gillan.

Bongani Mlambo That movie is now in post-production.

Recently, Mlambo discussed his budding career – and shared his ideas about filmmaking – in a feature in UTArlington magazine.

On the subject of creating mood through cinematography, he points out how lighting is virtually everything.

“The varying properties of brightness and darkness can evoke different emotions and psychological responses in a person or even when watching them on a screen,” he says.

“In my work as a cinematographer, the goal is

to create the right combination to direct one’s attention and achieve the desired effect.”

Mlambo notes in the article how gratifying it is to make art through film.

“Movies, specifically, I consider a unique art form because they incorporate the best of multiple disciplines, crafts, and talents to create an immersive experience and story,” he says. “The feat of creating memorable ones is challenging, and working on great projects can inspire.”

He says he is especially thrilled to have been chosen to shoot the film produced by Greene, who, as he does, has Arlington ties. One Skype Photo: UTArlington magazine meeting with director Collin Schiffli sealed the deal.

“It was a magical moment,” he says. “I really wanted to work on the film because the story was gripping, stirring, and emotional. I wanted the creative challenge to do it justice and bring it to life.”

As for Greene, her film “Chronic” recently earned a 2016 Independent Spirit Award, and the movie won the award for best screenplay for screenwriter Michael Franco at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

THE POPULAR happy hour, barstool philosophers monthly lecture series Arlington on Tap resumes Jan. 10 with former state Representative Diane Patrick spilling the proverbial beans.

Patrick’s topic: “Things I Wish I Hadn’t Learned About the State Legislature.”

The location: J. Gilligan’s Bar and Pub (400 E. Abram St.).

The time: 6 p.m.

Your hosts: The Diane Patrick Arlington Historical Society, Arlington Proud, Arlington Today Magazine and – of course – J. Gilligan’s.

“Patrick’s experience in elected office is virtually without parallel in Texas,” says O.K. Carter, co-founder of “Tap” with Arlington Proud executive director and KFJZ radio personality Mark Joeckel. “Besides a decade of service in the legislature she’s also been an Arlington School Board trustee, the Texas Education Board and currently serves as a trustee on the Tarrant County College Board. To add to that she’s a college professor and a national authority on teacher preparation.”

Joeckel echoed the sentiment.

“Patrick has a lot of stories to tell,” he says, “and I can’t wait to hear them.”

RSVP? Not required. Tap is free … but beer and Irish nachos are not.

Grand Prairie ER facility given excellence award BAYLOR ORTHOPEDIC Medical City ER Grand Prairie, a Department of Medical City Arlington, been named a 2016 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, an industry leader in measuring, understanding,and improving the patient experience.

The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally-recognized symbol of achievement in health care.

14

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Presented annually, the award honors medcial facility clients that consistently sustain performance in the top five percent of all Press Ganey clients for each reporting period during the course of one year.

As a free-standing emergency department, Medical City ER Grand Prairie is able to provide a complete range of emergency services.

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This ‘n Data

Food for thought

Local author Linda Altoonian releases ‘Kitchen Stories Cookbook: Comfort Cookin’ Made Fascinating and Easy’ LOCAL WRITER Linda Altoonian, a former Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist and author of “Living Agelessly,” shifts from writing about how to age fabulously to how to eat fabulously. In her new book, “Kitchen Stories Cookbook: Comfort Cookin’ Made Fascinating and Easy,” she and co-author Lael Morgan feaLinda ture delicious regional dishAltoonian es that can be prepared with ONLY six ingredients. Easy and economical, each recipe is introduced with historical information or a fascinating story about their kitchen adventures. “I am so proud to announce the endorsement of the cookbook by the Tarrant Area Food Bank and our partnership with them to raise funds to fill pantry shelves for the holidays and beyond, Altoonian says. “Every book we sell will generate a donation to the Food Bank.”

To promote the book – and the worthy cause that benefits from its sale – Altoonian will be at the Trinity Courtyard in Fort Worth on Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. and at the Richland Hills Library on Jan. 4 from 11 a.m.-noon for that facility’s first Local Authors Event.

As the Editor-in-Chief of a variety of national publications, Altoonian always featured a food column that complemented that issue’s theme. Her love of preparing delicious food was equaled only by writing about it or styling it for photo shoots. “Lael and I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world…writing, eating, cooking and borrowing the secrets of chefs in both exotic and down-home kitchens,” she says. “Great cooking can be a simple pleasure again and the way to shower love on your diners.”

Although better known for her award-winning writings about the Far North, Alaskan author and longtime journalist Morgan admits to being a huge foodie with rough edges. “I am not really a hard–core gourmet,” she says, “because I love ease just as much as great flavor and variety.” “Kitchen Stories” is Morgan’s 17th book and a throwback to her first publication about cooking at sea.

This is the first collaboration for both writers.

For more: kitchenstoriescookbook.blogspot.com.

16

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

A new transportation advisory committee looks to the future WITH THE COMING DEVELOPMENT of the world’s finest major league baseball park complex and a population approaching 400,000, the Arlington city council has launched a new study of the city’s transportation needs.

A citizens committee composed of 31 people representing the city’s diversity as well as its broad geographic character spanning 100 square miles has taken on the assignment to address the challenge of meeting the mobility needs of its residents.

And, you can add the needs of Arlington’s rapidly expanding numbers of visitors – more than 15 million of them last year – many of whom would be better served if there were means of getting into and out of the city in ways other than with their own personal vehicles.

Bill Verkest, who is especially qualified to lead the effort as a retired transportation and public works professional who has worked in both Arlington and Fort Worth, chairs the committee.

The volunteers have accepted the task of reporting their findings to the city council after examining both the traditional means of public transit as well as newly developing technologies, methods, and possibilities.

The public is welcome to attend and participate in the monthly meetings of the committee that are expected to continue throughout most of the year and conclude in the fall with a full report of the findings and recommendations.

Mayor Jeff Williams has identified their mission in the broadest possible terms: “We want the committee to articulate community needs and issues, gather information, analyze data, and develop a strategic approach to frame future transportation decisions.”

Details about the place and time of their meetings, as well as a complete description of their work and who they are, can be found on their own website that has been set up by the city – you can find it here: arlington-tx.gov/tac/.

on the Right Track ...

– words of reflection and encouragement © Terry Ewing, Pinkink, 2016 RECENTLY, AN AUTHOR described an awkward goodbye between two characters and suggested that one is “an uncoordinated man thrown off-balance when he tries to wave the wrong hand over his shoulder.”

Here I am, stumbling about, reaching behind my back, stretching unnaturally to grab “one more” – to bring “one more” issue or situation in my life. Work. Money.

An illness. A relationship. Maybe the traffic or a faulty appliance. So many ways to be twisted around I can hardly walk.

We bear within us our own movement and bearing by which we navigate each day. Our own balance. It is in alignment with our greatest gift, our deepest strength and an incredible resilience. You are capable of walking straight and true, no matter what comes your way. You are not “thrown off balance” by the slightest happening.

Go inside to reach your balance. Open yourself, to yourself.

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COME JOIN THE FUN! Downtown Arlington is your “Can’t-Miss-Destination” for Music, Culture, Dining and Shopping!

New Year’s Resolution: Stay on top of what’s happening in Downtown Arlington!

Bookmark it!

DOWNTOWNARLINGTON.ORG

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

17

This ‘n Data

For the Record

Gerald Alley

Photo: littlerocksoiree.com

Gerald Alley honored by Fort Worth journal GERALD B. ALLEY, chairman of the board of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, was recognized by the Fort Worth Business Press at the recent Minority Leaders in Business Awards.

Alley and Joseph Breedlove of Con-Real were named the 2016 Minority Leaders in Business at the event, which was held at the Fort Worth Club.

FROM THE TRUTH is stranger than fiction department, a recent special-edition Arlington Historical Society newsletter tells the story of how on Dec. 6, 1941, the Texas Air Fair at Arlington Downs was orchestrated to bring the terror and capabilities of aerial warfare to ticket buyers willing to be thrilled and scared out of their wits. With added pyrotechnics galore, the show depicted what Photo: HappieDaze an air bombing might look like from the RAISE YOUR HAND if you once watched a performance at the amphiteater at the late, great Forum 303 Mall. ground. A day later, Japanese airplanes attacked the Hawaiian base of Pearl Harbor in a real-life air battle to launch World War II. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ARLINGTON has one of the more ethnically diverse campuses in the THE ELEVATION of Dalworthington Gardens is 571 country. Here’s the demographic breakdown, per the feet, for those scoring at home. For those scoring at university’s website: 37.8 Caucasian; 24.6 percent homes where the metric system is used, that’s 174 Hispanic; 15.1 percent African American; 10.2 meters. percent Asian; 12.3 percent International.

THE TEXAS SKYSCREAMER at Six Flags Over Texas is officially the World’s Tallest Swing Carousel ride, according to Guinness World Records. Speaking of Six Flags, the El Sombrero ride dates to 1965 and has a top speed of 22 RPM.

3 Scoops ...

1. A grant for the girls ... Arlington-based Girls Inc. of Tarrant County recently received a $50,000 grant from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / Telemundo 39 for the organization’s new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Programming.

2. “V” for Viridian ... A large-scale expansion project is underway in master-planned Viridian that will include new homesites, parks and model homes. The expansion opens up 138 homesites in the North Arlington development, as well as four additional parks including two waterfront parks in the community’s newly opened Trinity Park neighborhood.

Construction also is beginning on a new model home park where builders will be showcasing 14-16 models.

3. Hearty thanks ... Two Mansfield ISD employees – Jennifer Young, principal of

Mansfield High School, and Jeff Brogden, associate superintendent of facilities and bond programs – have been added to the MISD Heartbeat Team. The Heartbeat Award recognizes employees, nominated by their peers, who display heart in their lives and inspire other district employees through their actions.

18

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

IN AUGUST 1952, the Arlington Women’s Golf Association was formed by nine ladies playing at the only course in the city, “little” Meadowbrook.

Competition was for nine holes with two flights.

Dues were $1 per month.

Moore Funeral Home to honor local organ donor at Rose parade

MOORE FUNERAL HOME AND MEMORIAL GARDENS will honor local organ donor, the late Philip John (P.J.) Wolf, at the 128th Rose Parade Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif.

Family members and volunteers will pay a tribute to Wolf, who died 25 years ago at the age of eight, by decorating a “floragraph”— a portrait made of floral and natural materials — to be featured on the Donate Life float at the parade. The floragraph portrait is a way to honor Wolf and raise awareness of the need for organ, eye and tissue donors. In addition, P.J.’s family will meet the recipient of his heart valves who will also be riding on the parade float.

“Moore Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens is proud to celebrate the life of P.J. Wolf and the impact he’s made in the lives of so many through his donation,” said Brad Masters, General Manager of Moore Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. “We hope the floragraph portrait and the Donate Life float at the Rose Parade bring awareness to the importance of being a registered donor and giving others the chance at a new life.”

Hosted by Arlington Parks and Recreation

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arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

19

Applications now open for unique AISD programs!

Career and Technical Education Programs

High school students can apply to participate in programs such as the AISD Fire and Police Academies, cosmetology, health care rotations, sports and entertainment marketing, technical dual credit, culinary arts, HVAC, accounting, and many more.

Arlington Collegiate High School at TCC-SE This innovative high school allows students who likely would not otherwise consider attending college the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously.

STEM Academy

Applications accepted through Feb. 24.

Students in this academy located at Martin High School will have the opportunity to earn high school and college credits along four pathways - engineering, biology/ biomedical science, computer science and math/science.

Corey and Jones Academies of Fine Arts and Dual Language Elementary students have the opportunity to learn Spanish, Mandarin, visual arts, music (choral, strings and piano), dance and theater. Both fine arts instruction and second language acquisition help students increase cognitive abilities, improve thinking and verbal skills, enhance motor skills and problem-solving ability, and improve SAT scores.

Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net

AISD receives grant from Rainwater Charitable Foundation The Arlington ISD’s innovative Emerging Leaders Program will continue to strengthen the leadership skills of aspiring principals and assistant principals thanks to a generous $150,000 grant from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.

The program, in partnership with national nonprofit New Leaders, will use the grant for continued operational support. The Emerging Leaders Program includes a summer induction session, monthly in-person meetings, one-on-one coaching and ongoing webinars that help develop these school leaders’ application of learning, which will promote increased student outcomes.

“The Rainwater Charitable Foundation’s mission is to support school leadership programs with proven, measurable success, and the AISD’s Emerging Leader Program has that track record: participants lead real achievement gains during their training year and are prepared to enact meaningful school improvement as principals,” New Leaders Chief External Relations Officer Stephanie Morimoto said. “This partnership represents a perfect alignment of goals and mission.”

“Both the Arlington ISD and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation believe that with effective teaching and leadership students can excel,” Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. “This partnership is very important in that it will help us continue to build and develop quality school leaders.”

Funding for the Emerging Leaders Program has come from Raise Your Hand Texas ($1.3 million), the Meadows Foundation ($90,000), American Express and the National Association of Secondary School Principals ($330,000), and the Sid Richardson Foundation ($200,000).

2017

1203 W. Pioneer Pkwy. • Arlington, TX 76013 682-867-4611 • AISD.net Follow Arlington ISD on...

Around Town

Just try!

Lamar High School junior Brittany Breen is impressive. Period • By Kenneth Perkins

B

rittany Breen doesn’t like easy. Never has. Which is interesting when you consider that by the time she was eight months old she couldn’t see a thing, the result of a rare retinal disease. When you are that young and don’t remember seeing trees or birds or a deep blue sky, life is what it is – you don’t know anything beyond the darkness.

You figure everyone lives there with you. Mom. Dad. Aunt. Uncle. The kid across the street. It wasn’t until elementary school that Brittany began to learn she wasn’t like her peers, partly because they told her so. It was a tough time and a revelation, yet one she had to experience and eventually master.

Here’s the thing: She’s doing just fine.

Exceptional, in fact.

Last month she stood near the doorway of UTA’s indoor pool utterly pumped, saying how happy she was to have dropped her time in the Girls 200 Yard Freestyle, finishing fifth in her heat.

Yeah. Brittany swims.

She was just as satisfied earlier this year when she performed in the Lamar High School theater production of “To Despite being blind since Be Young, Gifted and Black.” infancy, Brittany Breen Yeah. Brittany acts on stage. swims, acts and makes A’s as a student at Lamar.

Her teachers are hardly surprised by this since Brittany’s classes in math and English and the sciences and history are all advanced placement.

Yeah. Brittany is an “A” student fretting about what college to attend, what her entrance essay should say, whether she wants to stay in Texas or hightail it out of here.

To Brittany, now midway through her junior year, she’s just being what she’s always been: fearless. Persistent. Not always thrilled with some rules laid down by her parents.

Talking with her one day in the Lamar High School library, I learn that Brittany is fine with this attention even though she’s not the best on her swim team, isn’t No.1 in her class and hasn’t snagged a lead in a theater production.

She wants to avoid being portrayed as some kind of stereotype, heroic for simply getting out of bed and facing the world. She doesn’t want assumptions to be made that just because she can’t see and still function that she’s an inspiration. “We all have our challenges in life,” she tells me. “My friends have their challenges. Mine are dif22

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

ferent. Just that. No more. No less. I come to school, go to my classes, try to get good grades. I have friends I hang out with who accept me and understand me and treat me like everyone else. I try to integrate myself into the society of the high school and have friends who help with that by including me. I went to homecoming.”

The stereotype of which Brittany speaks is the one where we raise expectations that everyone with a disability – it doesn’t have to be blindness – is or should be an inspiration to the rest of us. The truth that shuts off our complaining.

You don’t want to inadvertently imply that a person with a disability lacks skill or has limited skills. Or unusual gifts.

Still, watching her swim competitively put me in the category of awe, even though she didn’t win. As she slithered through the water, Debbie Agorichas, a retired school teacher, walked along the side of the pool holding a long stick with a tennis ball at the end, giving Brittany a gentle tap on her head signaling time to flip and head back. Or stop.

“She’s one of my favorite people,” says Brian Dangelmaier, Lamar’s swim coach. “She’s tenacious. She’s has great leadership ability. Intelligent. People Photos: Kenneth Perkins are always asking how are you going to do this or that. Once people hear that, they often turn back. They quit. Even those of us who are not blind.”

Which brings us to Brittany’s motto: try. Just try.

“If there’s something you want to do in life, just try to do it,” she says. “I can’t control my blindness. I don’t think that something I can’t control should control my life. That’s just my attitude.”

It’s a good one. For anyone.

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

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UTA Today

S

UTA program helps cancer patients stay active

tudies show that one of the best ways recently diagnosed cancer patients can improve their health is by staying active.

But it’s not always easy to find the time, energy, and motivation to stick to an exercise regimen, particularly for those battling the disease.

Thanks to a partnership between The University of Texas at Arlington and the Cancer Foundation for Life, patients can now access free nutrition and exercise programs to help them return to full health.

Called FitSTEPS for Life, the program is designed to help cancer patients increase mobility and boost endurance while undergoing treatment. It’s tailored to the individual and includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching techniques. It’s also designed to mitigate the debilitating effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Anne Bavier, dean of UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, describes the program as an important part of the University’s long-term objectives in teaching, research, and service. She notes that improving health and the human condition is one of the four guiding themes of UTA’s Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact.

“A community’s greatest asset is a healthy, thriving population,” Dr. Bavier says. “While scientists have yet to find a cure for cancer, the strides made in recent decades have been very encouraging. Partnerships of this kind help ensure better survival rates for cancer patients in our community and a better quality of life. Helping tackle such real-life problems is a critical part of our mission as a health-focused college and a 21st-century urban research university.”

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HEB ISD is the #1 DISTRICT IN TEXAS for Academic Performance and Financial Efficiency As rated 8 of the last 10 years by the Education Resource Group

HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: •

•

100% of our schools earned at least two state awarded academic distinctions.

1 of only 10 Districts in Texas to earn Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction two years in a row.

EMPOWERING TODAY TO EXCEL TOMORROW: •

Students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program have exceeded the IB Degree World average for the past 6 years.

• 96% pass rate on technical certifications and industry licenses.

UNIQUE SCHOOLS OF CHOICE PROGRAMS: • •

Elementary World • Languages • Suzuki Strings •

International Business Initiative Spanish Immersion

S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

hebisd.edu facebook.com/hebisd @hebisd

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

25

Cover Story

Leaders in the COURTROOM Leaders in the COMMUNITY David L. Cook and Kimberly Fitzpatrick are principals at the law firm of Harris Cook, LLP – while serving as mayors of their respective cities

A

sculpture representing the scales of justice sits at the heart of a conference room in the Arlington office of the law firm Harris Cook, LLP. That’s not surprising – the iconic symbol of the balance between truth and fairness sought after in the justice system is standard law office fare.

What’s not conventional, however, is a second metaphor this particular scale represents.

While the firm’s principals, David L. Cook and Kimberly Fitzpatrick, do score daily victories while representing clients in a variety of legal endeavors, both are also civil servants who have been elected as mayors of the cities in which they live.

Consequently, the sense of balance depicted by the scales extends beyond the courtroom and into the farthest reaches of the very communities they call home.

For Cook, that’s Mansfield. Fitzpatrick serves Dalworthington Gardens. And just like Photo: Bruce Maxwell the founder of the firm, the late Senator Chris Harris, they parlay the same mix of wisdom, experience and tenacity that makes them stellar attorneys into a “can do” brand of civic leadership that helps point their respective cities toward a brighter future.

And then they lead them there.

COOK’S ROOTS IN LAW AND PUBLIC SERVICE run deep – and wide. As a student at Mansfield High School, his interest in both pursuits was piqued by school counselor R.L. Anderson. “He got me a job with Harold English, a local attorney,” Cook recalls. “And through that I got to know Hon. Roy English (a judge and state legislator) and became interested in public service, as well. After graduating from Stephen F. 26

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

David L. Cook and Kimberly Fitzpatrick

Austin, I began working for Senator Harris’ law office in 1993. I became licenced in 1997, and was made a partner with Chris in 2004, at which time we formed Harris Cook LLP.” Harris proved to be a treasured mentor to Cook, both in the legal and civic realms. “He taught me what to do – and what not to do,” Cook says. “It was an invaluable education that, I believe, prepared me well both for serving my clients as an attorney and serving the citizens of Mansfield.”

He began doing the latter in 2008, when he was elected mayor. The city’s “before” picture wasn’t particularly pretty, he recalls. “There was a lot of infighting going on, and there was a petition to recall the

To mark Mansfield ISD’s Colors for Caring cancer awareness project last year, the Harris-Cook staff donned matching blue shirts to honor Kimberly’s mother, Joanne Tyra, who died of cancer.

mayor,” he says. “A group of citizens asked me if I would run. I already had a desire to be a public servant, and I always felt that in the mayor’s job you get a lot of opportunities to assist. So I ran.”

Mansfield’s “after” picture, nearly a decade later, shows that to be a sound decision. From the day he began campaigning for the position under the motto “Working Together,” Cook walked the walk. He focused on unifying parties with disparate agendas. He tapped the experience and expertise of the city’s administration team led by 30-plus-year veteran City Manager Clayton Chandler. He made development a top priority for his hometown.

The sum of those parts, as well as his commitment to become involved in all manner of community endeavors, was a citywide – and, peripherally, a region-wide – renaissance, culminated during Cook’s tenure by Mansfield’s routine designation by Money magazine as one the “Best Places to Live in America.”

“I’m working with the city council to get us all on the same page,” she says. “We have fenceposts we’re working on together. And we identify every time we reach one.”

ALL THE WHILE, Fitzpatrick and Cook continue to manage their often-honored law firm, which has offices in both Arlington and Mansfield. Harris Cook, LLP, has built a reputation for professionalism and effectiveness in a wide range of legal matters to give clients a wealth of expertise when they have legal issues. Because the firm has a variety of practice areas to offer clients, the office can handle multiple legal isues for the same client.

WHILE COOK’S CALL to become an attorney came early in life, Fitzpatrick Cook’s areas of practice include family law, business litigation/ heard hers even sooner. “When I was a little girl in Virginia, I wanted formation, real estate law and public sector law. Fitzpatrick is a to be a lawyer,” she says. “I like setting goals and reaching them, and skilled litigator with experience in a range of disciplines, including I was always fascinated by the prospect of helping people who have civil and commercial litigation, business formations, personal injusuffered a loss or who are at a disadvantage to get what they deserve.” ry and estate planning.

Like her colleague, Fitzpatrick prepped for her eventual career In addition to their legal and with gusto. As a student at civic endeavors, Cook and FitzTexas Wesleyan University, she patrick also are devoted family worked full-time as a waitress members and active particito pay for her schooling and pants in community projects. worked as a paralegal at a local Cook and wife Tonya have law firm.

Established: 1971 by Senator Chris Harris four grown children (Stefan, After earning a degree with Arlington office: 709 E. Abram St. • (817) 275-8765 Blake, Cecilee and Christian). double majors in business and The mayor is the chair of the psychology, she went straight Mansfield office: 309 E. Broad St. • (817) 473-3332 Arlington/Mansfield advisory to the TWU Law School (now a Website: harriscooklaw.com • alamofeeattorney.com council of the Salvation Army part of the Texas A&M system), and helped start Mansfield earned her law degree and beChurches FOR the City, a group gan working at Harris Cook in of pastors and church-goers serving spiritual needs of the city of Mans2008, the same year Cook became mayor of Mansfield. field. He is enthusiastically involved with Mansfield Cares and vol At the time, she didn’t aspire to go into public service, but after atunteers with the Feed the Kids initiative that provides food for undertending a number of DWG city council meetings, she saw, as Cook privileged children in the city. did, a city government divided. And, like Cook, she had the backing Fitzpatrick and husband Ryan have two children (Ella, 11, and Claire, of a number of locals who realized that the compassion and tenacity 4). She serves on the board of directors of the Central YMCA, Texas she brought to the courtroom would translate well in local politics. So A&M Alumni Board, and the State Bar of Texas’ Unauthorized Practice she decided to run for mayor. of Law Committee.

Six months into her first term, Fitzpatrick says she is focusing on As the Vice President of the Arlington Bar Association, she also works balancing the city budget, helping the town’s residents realize the with Mission Arlington and Legal Aid of North Texas, providing free benfit of responsible development, making sure there is transparency legal service for those who can’t pay. with regard to local issues, and creating a brand for her hometown. arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

27

Picture-perfect Moments

Wayne and Heather Ogle with children Nathan and Vince (and dog Dude)

Mayor Jeff Williams with Texas Rangers Six Shooters and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Scene

Snapshots of some of the Salvation Army Christmas bell ringers and from the River Legacy bus trip to Texas Motor Speedway with a stop at Legal Draft Photos: Richard Greene

Kathy Goodrich, Kate Goodrich, Hope Nussbaum, Jacqueline Finn and Teresa Finn

Sherry McCarthy and Kelley Vander Veen 28

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

The DiStefano family, including Al, Laura, Amy, Ryan, Shaun and Lauren

Compassionate Service

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Evangelizing Students To Be Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Education in Faith, Formation in Hope, Perseverance in Charity

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For a personal tour of our campus, please contact Lisa Griffith 817-395-0436 or lgriffith@nchstx.org

Education

Earning straight A’s Here are some innovative – and tried-and-true –ways local schools are helping students to become better prepared for the future

AISD earns kudos for commitment to underrepresented students

The Arlington ISD was recently recognized by White House Cabinet Secretary and My Brother’s Keeper Taskforce Chair Broderick Johnson at a celebration hosted

by Equal Opportunity Schools and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, for its work to ensure that historically underrepresented students have the opportunity to succeed in challenging high school courses.

Through its work in the AP/IB Equity and Excellence Project, the district found that 1,164 low-income students and students of color participated in AP and IB programs, which was 30 percent of all 11th- and 12th-grade low-income students and students of color. By contrast, 40 percent of middle- and upper-income white and Asian students in 11th and 12th grades participated in these programs. The district identified 932 low-income students and students of color for AP and IB courses. In partnership with each high school campus and the AP/IB Equity and Excellence Project, the district established an enrollment management team designed to assist in the process of identifying, enrolling and supporting these students.

Arlington Classics Academy helps students appreciate what they read

Arlington Classics Academy’s Griffins Book Club challenges students in grades 1 though 8 not only to read, but to comprehend and appreciate the ma-

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

terial. Each quarter, participating students complete a book and then choose one essential question to answer by submitting a project to their homeroom teacher.

Prospective project ideas include: • Creating a multimedia presentation (e.g., video, Powerpoint, Prezi, slideshow, etc.)

• Writing a series of journal entries or essays from a particular point of view • Construct a diorama • Illustrating a comic book or book jacket • Researching an outside topic that is connected to a theme in the book • Designing a poster or advertisement • Creating a mock interview of a character in the book • Demonstrating their understanding using multiple Thinking Maps The focus of the Griffin’s Book Club is answering an Essential Question, not necessarily designing or creating the prettiest project. Students who complete all four Griffins Book Club projects during the year will be invited to compete in the Griffin Book Club championship in May 2017.

Grean Oaks School serves students with intellectual disabilities

As a unique Christian school for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Green Oaks School and Green Oaks Adult Learning (GOAL) have been an answer to prayer for students and their families. The school

was brought into existence through the efforts of a dedicated and talented group of community leaders, including educators, medical professionals, and concerned parents. Frustrated with the lack of educational opportunities for children with special needs and tired of watching them struggle to belong, the founding board members turned a vision into reality.

A primary focus of Green Oaks School is teaching academics at the level of ability and interest of its students. Other areas of focus include social skills, fitness, computer skills, speech and occupational therapies, music, art and bowling. Now in its 17th year, Green Oaks School is serving students through young adulthood and beyond. The older students in GOAL continue to study academics, but also focus on careers, self-responsibility skills, independent living skills and job training in our community.

Although the primary emphasis is not on inclusion, the Green Oaks staff desires to provide inclusive opportunities in the school and community. It works with many local groups, schools, colleges, and individuals to ensure students have opportunities with a variety of people. In addition, older students are integrated in the community through job training and other community based activities. Ultimately, Green Oaks desires for its students to have the skills to be a valued, active part of their communities.

The school opened in August, 2000 with four students, ages 11 to 14. With each new school year, it increased the highest age level and then added a program for adults, GOAL. Green Oaks School currently serves 94 students between the ages of seven and 53 years old, all of whom have an intellectual disability. The school is planning a new, three-year college program, which is scheduled to open by 2018. Green Oaks Christian College (the proposed name) will emphasize personalized independence and vocational training leading to employment.

Hurst-Euless Bedford ISD is ‘Different by Design’

The mission of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD is to continue its proud tradition of excellence as a diverse, high-performing organization committed to ensuring each student is empowered today to excel tomorrow.

This is just one way HEB ISD is “Different by Design.” Students graduate with the tools necessary not only to meet the standards of some of the most prestigious universities in the country, but they also are provided an opportunity to learn skills that will provide them with an invaluable head start when en-

tering today’s competitive job market.

In addition to nationally recognized athletic teams and visual and performing arts programs, students can study engineering and robotics, culinary arts, pre-law, pre-med, cosmetology and more in a stateof-the-art Career and Technical Education Academy.

District students have a 96 percent passing rate on technical certifications and industry licenses.

HEB ISD’s Schools of Choice Program includes Suzuki Strings, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), and the World Languages Program, in which students are equipped to become global leaders through the unique academic challenge of learning Arabic, Hindi, or Mandarin Chinese beginning as early as the first grade.

In HEB ISD, students don’t have to leave their friends to participate in an elite academic setting, because the most advanced academic curriculum possible – the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program -- has been offered at both high schools since 2002. For the past six years, students in the IB program have exceeded the world average for IB degrees attained.

Balanced Learning approach practiced at Primrose School of NE Green Oaks.

Balanced Learning is research-informed and combines the best thinking of renowned early learning philosophers like Montessori, Piaget, Gesell and Vygotsky, along with modern wisdom from the latest child development studies.

Research shows that introducing a skill when a child is truly ready leads to mastery instead of frustration.

Then, building on that skill to learn the next one comes naturally. As a result, learning becomes fun!

Before you know it, you have a confident child who loves learning.

And what could be more rewarding than that?

Nolan Catholic High School prepares students for college

Mansfield ISD students learn how to “Crack the Code”

Mansfield ISD students are proving that it’s so easy to master computer coding that a kindergartner can do it.

Students from various grade levels are engaged in learning computer science. It’s all part of the Hour of Code, a global movement where people of all ages spend an hour learning the basics of coding and solving problems in fun ways. The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. This school year, it landed on Dec. 5-11.

Technology teacher Jami Davis from Annette Perry Elementary School says she can see the difference in her students when they begin to decipher code. “Code develops higher-level thinking and problem solving,” says Davis. “Once they start coding and solving the questions, they start feeling good about themselves and getting more self-esteem.”

Balanced Learning is helping Primrose School students develop

It’s a fact: children learn better when they are engaged. That’s why purposeful play and nurturing guidance from teachers are key components of the

The bill created a District of Innovation designation that gives districts more local control in several areas over a five-year period, including setting their start dates, adjusting teacher-student ratios and establishing their own teacher certification criteria.

The state’s certification process has sometimes had a chilling effect on hiring professionals with industry experience to help teach students who are enrolled in one of Grand Prairie’s 29 CTE programs. Thanks to the district’s new designation, dozens of professionals now work with GPISD students.

Texas Education Agency approval is not required for districts to become Districts of Innovation, although the TEA must monitor long-term results. In addition, districts must remain in good academic standing. All of the district’s CTE teachers have at least some practical experience, says Traci Davis, Grand Prairie’s area superintendent of innovation and choice.

Grand Prairie ISD is a District of Innovation

Grand Prairie ISD is among a small number of districts in the state to take advantage of House Bill 1842, which allows school districts to get exemptions from certain provisions of the Texas Education Code – including teacher certification.

As a result, professionals with vast experience in various fields – and who are quality teachers without the previously needed certification – can share their expertise with the district’s students in a way that transcends the conventional classroom setting.

Nolan Catholic High School provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, requiring 30 Carnegie units for graduation. A student’s coursework includes theology classes each of his/her four years, and weekly attendance at Mass. The school offers Dual Credit, Advanced Placement and Honors courses in multiple disciplines.

Nolan Catholic students learn in an environment nurtured by a dedicated and caring teaching staff who help young people develop their talents. The result is a record of high achievement: On average, 99 percent of Nolan Catholic graduates attend college.

Students graduate with either a Distinguished Diploma that includes endorsement or an Honors Diploma. Like many private schools, Nolan Catholic does not rank students. Instead, it uses grade and performance data that satisfy college and university admission applications, and meet Texas state law in reporting the school’s top 10 percent.

Nolan Catholic High School strives to encourage students to reach beyond the communities’ expectation in their academic and outreach achievement.

Its students prove annually that Nolan’s educational influence in their life is top standard. Some 99 percent of all graduating students attend top-rated

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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TCC celebrates 20 years in Arlington

TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE SOUTHEAST CAMPUS celebrated 20 Tarrant County years of service to the Arlington-Mansfield area late last fall, and Lynette Commissioner Andy Henshaw has been there for all of them ... and one more to boot.

Nguyen (center) presented a resolution The campus opened its doors to students in August 1996, but Hento current President shaw had been there since February 1995 as part of the team overseeing Bill Coppola and construction. “There was nothing here ... no buildings ... nothing,” she founding President Judith Carrier at the says. “My office was in an old, abandoned frame house, and we had to Nov. 18 anniversary enter the site on a dirt road over at the southeast corner.” celebration.

Henshaw was one of several Southeast Campus pioneers who shared two decades of memories, first at fun-and- games party for staff and students, then for an invitation-only soiree at which dignitaries made speeches and munched goodies served up by Culinary Arts students.

Prominent among them was Dr. Judith Carrier, campus president from its inception until her retirement in 2011. “The years kind of flow by and Photo courtesy of Tarrant County College Southeast run together,” she says. “It really doesn’t seem like it’s been 20.”

She recalls how the campus, designed for only 5,000 students, lost even some Henshaw says. “We haven’t grown much in terms of space, except for the Science of that too-small space to cost overruns. In addition, a labor problem resulted in and Computer Technology Building, and it’s quite an effort to get all those students only the eastern half of the complex being ready on opening day. “But, no one from one place to the next.” cared. To us, it was heavenly,” she says. “We were still registering students on laptop That campus’ camaraderie and its bond with the community is often called the computers. We didn’t have everything we wanted and wouldn’t in the future, but “Spirit of Southeast,” and, according to current president Bill Coppola, is the one we had what we needed to be successful.” constant in Southeast’s 20-year history.

It was heavenly for the community, as well. Carrier embarked on a program of That special vibrancy can trace its roots back to a summer day in 1996 that outreach to every school, church and civic group in the area, and the response was Henshaw well remembers. “It was our first day in the building,” she says. “Dr. overwhelming. “We were received by the community immediately,” Carrier says, Carrier had arranged for all of us, the first faculty and staff, to have matching t-shirts. “because we were, and are, their community college.”

We all gathered in front of the main entrance and then marched in together. It was The response was reflected in the student count, 3,993 in the first semester. something I’ll never forget.”

Enrollment shot past the 5,000 estimate in only the second year, topped 10,000 “That feeling of community – both the campus and wider community – spread in 2007 and was at 12,271 last fall, not counting the thousands who take only like a fever,” Carrier says. “And you know what? It’s never gone away.” online courses. “The growth, the sheer number of students has been amazing,” – Bill Lace

universities with 54 percent of its students being offered scholarships.

St. Joseph Catholic School develops students of character

St. Joseph Catholic School offers a challenging curriculum steeped in Catholic tradition and delivered by teachers who hold high academic and behavioral standards. Students are developed to demonstrate: Faith Students love, keep and can defend the Catholic faith.

Students grow in learning and faith in Jesus Christ.

Students listen to God’s call and follow it faithfully.

Social Justice Students know the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Students can identify and correct problems with social justice, as well as understand the importance of service to others.

Academic Life Students are lifelong learners.

Students can analyze issues and solve problems.

Students can use high levels of critical thinking skills.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Students have familiarity with a foreign language.

Students can think independently.

Students are prepared to enter high school.

Students can write with proficiency.

Application to Life Students communicate effectively.

Students lead others by example.

Students take initiative.

Students solve problems effectively.

Students interact in a variety of social situations.

Students accept differences in others.

Students manage time well.

Students know how to apply what has been learned.

Students make decisions intelligently.

Students listen to others.

Students make the best of difficult situations.

St. Maria Goretti School’s Five-Year Plan helps chart a course for the future

The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School, established in 1954 and serving students in pre-K through the

eighth grade, has implemented a Five-Year Plan that is a “living” document used by the St. Maria Goretti School Advisory Council to set the strategic direction of the school and to monitor its progress on a periodic basis.

The purpose of the Strategic Planning Committee, a committee of the School Advisory Council, is to review the Five-Year Plan document on a periodic basis, collect and review data from various school constituencies, including, but not limited to the organization and facilitation of focus groups to discuss strategic direction for the School Advisory Council.

This plan is designed to maintain the St. Maria Goretti tradition of providing: • Quality education • Financial stability • Good facilities • Parent and school partnerships According to the school, each of the four goals will be achieved through subgoals, objectives, and strategies developed to help St. Maria Goretti School and its students flourish in the future.

Christian-based programs serving individuals with intellectual disabilities

Green Oaks School      



Now enrolling for 2017/18, our 18th year!

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An Exemplary Choice in Public Education • STRENGTH | WISDOM | COURAGE | VIGILANCE arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and Balanced Learning® are registered trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2016 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

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Development

The (RE)making of downtown Arlington With unprecedented vigor, principals of all kinds are giving the 140-year-old city hub a fresh look & feel • By O.K. Carter The new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library will open later this year.

Image courtesy of the City of Arlington

R

edevelopment of downtown Arlington – think of it as milewide circle radiating from Center and Main streets – meandered through its ups and downs over the past seven decades, but this much is crystal clear: It’s now on an energized and astronomical warp drive upper unlike anything this fast-growing city has ever seen.

The evidence sprouts everywhere, from new brew pubs, live night music, theater, museum art exhibitions and restaurants to massive mixed-use housing projects, a state-of-the-art new library, walkable and bikeable street projects and expanding research amenities at UTA. More than half a billion dollars of new construction will come on-line within the relatively small, 140-year-old downtown area in the next 18 months alone – with more to come.

“Downtown is on its way to becoming a live, work and play kind of place,” says an elated Tony Rutigliano, executive director of Downtown Arlington Management Corp., a non-profit entity dedicated to

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redeveloping the area with a style espoused by famed urbanist Jane Jacob: A blend of old and new materials, architecture and ideas – a place where history mingles with the promise of tomorrow.

THE HISTORY: The Texas and Pacific Railroad created “downtown” Arlington in 1876, surveying a small city with Center and Main streets – and a railroad stop – as its core. A traditional frontier Texas city grew up around the train station, featuring small stores, blacksmith liveries, cotton gins and a smattering of saloons.

That area served Arlington well enough as a downtown until the early 1950s, but then the city began booming as Texans discovered suburban lifestyles, two-car garages and interstate access. As Arlington rocketed outward with new rooftops and shopping centers, much of a neglected downtown disappeared to the wrecking ball.

“What we discovered, almost too late, was that cities need a sense of central place, a downtown that can be, as Arlington Councilwoman Lana Woolf describes it, everybody’s neighborhood,” said Jerry Jordan, a now-deceased early advocate for a redevelopment process that began more than two decades ago.

Jordan and downtown zealots Woolf and banker Tom Cravens, along with mayors like Richard Greene, Bob Cluck and current mayor Jeff Williams, steadily emphasized redevelopment of the downtown area, with results that ranged from the Levitt Pavilion to collaboration with UTA for the College Park arena area.

Rutigliano credits them for “turning things around” to the extent that developers, entrepreneurs and future residents became increasingly interested – then excited – about possibilities, and today are investing in the area.

WHAT’S HAPPENING? New investment in the area and that which will take place over the next 18 months will likely exceed everything that

Image courtesy of UTA

The University of Texas Arlington recently broke ground on the $125 million “SEIR” building, located as an iconic south entrance to the campus at Cooper Street and Nedderman Drive.

Photo: O.K. Carter

The evolving brew pub presence downtown has been well received. Wade Wadlington recently opened Division Brewing at 506 E. Main St.

Image courtesy of The Dodson Company

The recently opened 404 Border, a 135-unit apartment project by The Dodson Company, exceeded 90-percent occupancy commitment in its first 30 days.

DOWNTOWN IS ON ITS WAY to becoming a live, work and play kind of place, dedicated to the notion that redevelopment should be a blend of old and new materials, architecture and ideas.

Photo: O.K. Carter

Image courtesy of Catalyst Urban Development

101 Center, a mixed-use project headed by Catalyst Urban Development, will be ready for occupancy later this year and will feature high-end residential units over a ground level of retail, restaurants and loft office space.

Rick Helton, Greg McCarthy and Amy Kunkel celebrate at the recently opened Legal Draft at 500 E. Division St. in the Urban Union complex.

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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The DREAM sculpture, located at 200 W. Abram Street, was conceived by Bob Pruitt and created by artists Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg to celebrate Arlington’s brand as The American Dream City. It was the city’s first downtown public art piece.

occurred over the previous decade. A catalyst in that process will be the conversion of Abram Street to a more landscaped, pedestrian friendly format in the near future. Here’s just a partial list of new downtown entities: 101 Center – The mixed-use project, located at Abram and Center streets (where the old downtown library was) is headed by Catalyst Urban Development and will include high-end residential units over a ground level of retail, restaurants and loft office space. The project will also include a structured parking garage with ground level public parking spaces. Catalyst principal Paris Rutherford calls the project a “game changer” for downtown. It will open in 2017.

A new downtown library – Located across the street from 101 Center, the new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library under construction now will be Arlington’s 21st-century library, a possibility that excites Director of Libraries Yoko Matsumoto.

“The new 80,000-square-foot, multi-use facility will completely transform the user’s experience through a modern design, the latest technology and invaluable public programming tailored to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population,” Matsumoto says. “It will house a collection of 200,000 print and audiovisual resources and provide areas for users of all ages, including dedicated space for children, teens and adult literacy. Its prime location in the heart of the city will

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

bring new life to Downtown Arlington by enhancing the economic, social and cultural vitality of the city.”

The library will open in conjunction with the 101 Center facility in 2017.

The Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building, UTA – The university has already broken ground on the $125 million “SEIR” building, located as an iconic south entrance to the campus at Cooper Street and Nedderman Drive. The ambition it represents is simple but vast: The 220,000-square-foot glass and steel building is a key component of a strategy to make the university a leading science and engineering research center in the country.

It is designed to bring several research departments – a dozen academic “neighborhoods” – that will be separated only by glass walls.

The project will add 900 teaching seats in lecture halls and classrooms, which will support enrollment growth across campus, especially the planned growth in the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and the College of Science.

“This is going to be one way of focusing what we do in bringing together people in the sciences – biology, bioengineering, computer science, the college of nursing and kinesiology,” says Duane Dimos, UTA’s vice president for research. “It’s really a way to bring all of that research under one roof.”

Photo: Bob Pruitt

Dodson Company Projects – Few developers have shown more interest in downtown Arlington projects than Ryan and Jerry Dodson. The most recent projects include the recently opened 404 Border, a 135-unit apartment project that exceeded 90-percent occupancy commitment in its first 30 days. The company also has plans for a townhouse style development at 901 W. Abram Street.

The company’s most interesting downtown project, however, is Urban Union, essentially the conversion of eight Division Street buildings that were previously an auto dealership into a 70,000-square-foot complex of restaurants, offices and stores across seven acres. Company President Ryan Dodson predicts the present of modern, unique office spaces will result in far more professionals opting for a downtown business location.

Brew pubs – Not all new business in downtown is big, but the evolving brew pub presence downtown has been well received.

Those include Division Brewing, run by one-time-cowboy-turnedbrewmaster Wade Wadlington, 506 E. Main St., and Legal Draft, the presence of which represents a 15-year dream by Legal Draft Beer Company CEO Greg McCarthy and “Chief Tasting Officer” Curt Taylor. Legal Draft is located at 500 E. Division Street in the Urban Union complex. Add to their efforts a new “growler bar” addition to Kool Keg, 207 S. East St.

Arlington Music Hall – Though not new – Arlington Music Hall began as a movie theater in 1949 – the Center and Division street facility has been so remodeled and re-branded that it has become a unique live entertainment entity. Since the renovation, it has evolved from “historically quaint” to “urban cool.”

Besides serving as performance headquarters for the Arlington Symphony, it also offers upcoming performances by big names like the Bellamy Brothers, Ricky Skaggs, Shoji Tabuchi, Kentucky Thunder and the Tommy Dorsey Band, making it virtually a new downtown attraction.

“WITH SO MUCH HAPPENING DOWNTOWN in the way of entertainment and arts, it’s no surprise that downtown was recently designated an official Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts,” Rutigliano says.

“It blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Downtown is home to a top tier public university, prolific fine and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Downtown Arlington brings together a plethora of cultures and inspirations with a character all its own.”

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Picture-perfect Moments

Photo: Ashley Nostalgia Studios

St. Nicholas makes his annual appearance at the Texas Christkindl Market

Jay Pritcher and Sylvia Greene place a wreath on their father’s grave as they volunteered with Wreaths Across America at DFW National Cemetery.

Scene

Snapshots from the recent Wreaths Across America Ceremony at DFW National Cemetery and from the 2016 Texas Christkindl Market at Globe Life Park in Arlington Kendal Allen, Ashley Greene, Kaylin Phillips and Tara Hennessy

Photos: Richard Greene

Representatives of every branch of military were part of the wreath ceremony.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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43

Development, Part 2

Texas LIVE!

Ground has been broken on the $1.25 billion multi-use complex, and city officials are ecstatic about its prospects for greatness • By Karen Gavis

I

t is a typical, action-packed day for Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, yet between a string of City Hall meetings and other official endeavors, he revels in the opportunity to share his thoughts about breaking ground on Texas Live! The now-in-the-works $1.25 billion stadium-and-mixed-use district will feature dining, entertainment, a hotel and a convention facility – not to mention, as Williams suggests, the future of Arlington.

“I am very excited,” the mayor says. “I think it will be bringing people here to Arlington seven days a week.”

The complex is slated to open April 1, 2018, with an adjacent 300room hotel expected to take in visitors later that fall. There is already a prospective list of those in waiting.

“Our sales team has already had interest from conference meeting planners ready to book the new hotel when hosting a future meeting,” says Ron Price, president and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

WILLIAMS BELIEVES THAT, once the complex is completed, those – and all – visitors will not just come and go but will stay, shop and dine in the area. There certainly will be ample entertainment options available at a venue ensemble that will consist of three main hubs: “Rangers Republic,” “Live! Arena” and “Arlington Backyard.”

The complex will have 12 restaurants surrounding a huge event room with a middle stage, video screens, and surround sound, according to the master plan. In addition, a huge, outdoor plaza will allow guests to spill over from the stage area.

“They are naming this ‘Arlington Backyard,’” the mayor says, beaming while pointing to a section of an artist rendering (pictured on page 42).

“Arlington Backyard” will boast an outdoor pavilion designed to accommodate 5,000 people, while “Rangers Republic” will allow for “the ultimate fan experience,” per the website texas-live.com, which

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

will feature updated information about the project as it is available.

“Live! Arena” will feature a two-story, retractable glass facade that flows into an open-air beer garden. Texas Rangers spokesman John Blake said plans for the first phase of the mega-entertainment center, which include “Arlington Backyard,” along with hotel, convention facility, and dining and entertainment space, have swelled to a total of more than 500,000-square-feet of future development.

THE COMPLEX WILL SEEK TO SATISFY a range of palates, Williams says, noting that celebrity chef Guy Fieri and Granbury-based craft beer maker Revolver Brewing have already linked with Texas Live! Some of Revolver’s flagship beers include the popular Blood and Honey, as well as a Southwest pale ale called the Sidewinder. The hotel has yet to be branded, Williams says. Likewise, no anchor stores have staked

Here is an overview of Texas Live!. Mayor Jeff Williams says once the complex is completed, visitors will not just come and go but will stay, shop and dine in the area, given that they will have plenty to do at a venue ensemble that will consist of three main hubs: “Rangers Republic,” “Live! Arena” and “Arlington Backyard.”

their claim at Texas Live! “But stay tuned,” he says, adding that the complex hopes to rope in the Academy of Country Music Awards.

In November, Arlington voters approved extending an already-inplace, half-cent sales tax to help build the Texas Rangers a new ballpark. Williams admits he shouldered a steady concern about the politically-charged ballot. “I always had that concern, because this was so important for the future of our city,” he says, noting how happy he is that the majority of voters shared his zeal for a future that kept the team in Arlington. “The Rangers are a huge economic engine. They add to our image across the nation, and they are part of who we are.”

WILLIAMS SAYS HE LOVES that the entire Texas Live! complex will center on family entertainment and that the ballpark itself will become an impressive special events center. “The ballpark, it won’t just be a

ballpark,” he says. “It will have a retractable roof, and we can have concerts and performances inside it. It will be a special events center like AT&T stadium. When there’s not a sporting event, they will have a concert going on or comedian performing, that kind of thing.”

A 35,000-square-foot convention center will also be part of the package. According to the Texas Live! website, the complex will “host community events year-round, many of which will be free to the public or in partnership with local charities.”

For instance, Williams says, non-profits like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington or the YMCA might host community or invitational events.

The Cordish Companies, frontrunners in sports-anchored, mixeduse, entertainment developments, are partnering with the baseball team to move the project forward, Williams says. An advisory com-

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Live! Arena

Rangers Republic

The Backyard

A walkway connecting venues

mittee made up of Arlington citizens provided input about how the complex should look and feel.

Williams says he envisions Texas Live! becoming like Saint Louis’ Ballpark Village, Philadelphia’s Xfinity Live!, and Kansas City Live!, some of the developer’s other projects.

According to their website, the Cordish Companies are also leaders in gaming development and operations. However, Williams says legalized gambling is not likely to happen in Arlington anytime soon.

The $250 million first phase of Texas Live! is part of a greater $4 billion vision of the Arlington stadium district that includes additional phases of Texas Live!, the new Rangers Ballpark, and the preservation and repurposing of Globe Life Park, according to the project’s press release, which notes, “Texas Live! is envisioned to set a new standard in sports-anchored developments and will cement Arlington as the premier sports, entertainment and hospitality destination in the country for decades to come.”

WILLIAMS SAYS THE CITY does have some tax incentives on the table, “but they will have to perform and generate the tax revenues to realize all of that.”

Tax money generated from Texas Live! will help improve the quality of life for Arlington residents and help pay for city services such as police, fire, streets and parks, Williams says. In addition, the project expects to generate an economic output of more than $100 million annually in Tarrant County and create more than 3,000 jobs, about a third of which would be permanent.

As might be expected, Rangers officials are as excited as city administrators about the prospects of Texas Live! “The Rangers are

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

proud to be partnering with Arlington on this very significant project,” Rangers co-chairman Ray Davis says. “We are also extremely pleased to have selected The Cordish Companies as our development partner to help us fulfill this vision.”

THE COMPLETION OF THE I-30/ SH 360 INTERCHANGE is going to be a huge help to the development, Williams says, because there is a bottleneck situation in that area. Arlington’s website says that project is scheduled for completion in 2020.

“We will have a tremendous added capacity to move people in and out of our entertainment district,” he says. “It will help the traffic flow in all of the city streets all around that area.”

Price says Arlington welcomes 14 million visitors per year, and “Texas Live! has already brought an exciting new element to the city for promotion.”

The megaplex will attract three million new visitors to the city when it opens in 2018, according to the Texas Live! website.

“This is really going to be a spot for everyone – visitors and locals alike,” Price says.” The excitement the visitor will experience is going to be the same excitement locals will feel.”

One of the best parts about the whole thing, Williams says, is that the city was able to stick within its budget. Arlington has momentum, he says, noting that tourism has increased 40 percent, and its stature is growing. He points out that being named “The Best Big City in the South” by Money magazine helped with that.

“Arlington is on the move,” he says. “It is very exciting to see how our image has come up throughout the nation. The opportunities that present themselves in Arlington are tremendous.”

Real estate professionals you need to know

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Real estate professionals you need to know

Amy Cearnal Photo courtesy of Beyond the Blue Studios

Amy Cearnal, CearnalCo SPENCER AND AMY CEARNAL founded CearnalCo Real Estate in January 2014 to help agents maximize their professional potential and to help clients foster wealth creation through property ownership. Here, Amy Cearnal shares insights on her company – and on the market, in general ...

About CearnalCo: We’re about improving lives. Where you live is such a big part of our clients’ lives that really impacts life in general. We want to make sure that transition from home to home is a life improvement. Our team is passionate, trained and ready to work. Staff: We support 24 full-time Realtors who are energetic and fierce negotiators. They perform at a high level, and we’re excited to see the impact they are making in the community. Services: CearnalCo focuses on the local residential market through existing home sales and new construction. Most of our clients are making in-town moves to accommodate their lifestyle. Maybe a new baby made it necessary for an extra bedroom, or empty nesters are looking to

downsize. We also have a property management company, CCPM, that assists owners in building an investment portfolio in real estate without the hassle of dealing with day-to-day issues. We also are excited to help making the vision for a remodel update a reality. Stay tuned for more in 2017. Philosophy: We love Arlington and are committed to keeping it great. Our friends and clients come to us for referrals, information and any local issues that they’re having since we just might know of someone who could help. We serve on several boards and are excited to continue that service into 2017. Some of our favorite groups are Arlington Urban Ministries, AWARE, Leadership Arlington, Fielder Church, Hill PTA, plus so many more. Happy to help. What makes CearnalCo special: We’re from here. And we’re not going anywhere. We perform at 110% for every client to keep our reputation strong. It’s a great day when: We get to help. That could be a family finding their next home for the coming years or someone who decides they can do what I do and helping them get started. Love it all!

CearnalCo Real Estate • 500 E.Front St., #120 • (817) 543-0000 • cearnalco.com 48

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Real estate professionals you need to know

Viridian, located in North Arlington, is an oasis in the heart of the Metroplex.

Photo courtesy of Viridian

Viridian VIRIDIAN IS A PICTURESQUE master-planned community that features a vast array of amenities for its residents. Here are some of the highlights of the ever-growing North Arlington development.

About Viridian: Teeming with wildlife, Viridian boasts a 2,000-acre master plan that includes five major lakes, 500 acres of open space and an additional 500 acres of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. These new homes in Arlington will be just steps away from a thriving town square with retail, business and medical offices as well as endless amenities for active lifestyles. As part of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Viridian Elementary School is part of a school district recognized for its superior curriculum, low teacher-student ratios, and a singular focus on instructional spending. With miles of nature trails connecting to the River Legacy Park and the Living Science Center, Viridian is unlike anywhere else in the metroplex. A noteworthy achievement: “It’s the first Audobon International Gold Signature Standard community in Texas,” says Robert Kembel, general manager at Viridian, a project of the Johnson Development Group. About the community: Viridian is an open door to fun and relaxation for the entire family. From sunny days at Viridian Lake Club’s four pools to letting your little ones dig for dinosaur “bones” at Fossil Park, there is always something to do for the entire family and even more is on the way with several planned amenities. With 850 acres of open space and lakes and a 150-acre wooded area to explore, interacting with neighbors and nature is simple. Other features include catch-and-release fishing, bird watching, meeting neighbors for bridge or poker, canoeing on Lake Viridian,

letting Rover romp at Arrowhead Park, enjoying a girls’ night out at the Women’s Wine Down, or jogging or cycling along miles of pathways that connect with existing River Legacy trails — having fun is easy in Viridian. Another perk: Viridian has alleys and tree-canopied streets amidst ample natural outdoor amenities, which spurs residents to explore, interact with neighbors and enjoy their neighborhood. The “nature” element: Nature is the heartbeat of Viridian, and sustainability is a way of living. The community’s nature- and family-friendly amenities package (No. 1 in the Metroplex for versatility and uniqueness) complements the array of townhomes and single-family homes available and priced from the $230,000s to more than $2 million. Collectively, those features have made Viridian a refuge from the chaos of life – and the No. 1 selling community in Arlington. Continuous enhancement: Last Memorial Day weekend, Viridian opened a sailing center complete with an array of docks that accommodates a sailing club geared for boating enthusiasts of all ages and offers racing opportunities for “captains” of several types of sailing crafts. The sailing center is open to the public. The public can purchase annual passes so they can be part of the fun. Additionally, an events center is scheduled to open in July.

New on the home front: A large-scale expansion project is underway that will include new homesites, parks and model homes. The expansion opens up over 700 new homesites in development, as well as four additional parks including two waterfront parks in the community’s newly opened Trinity Park neighborhood.

Construction also is beginning on a new model home park where builders will be showcasing 14-16 models.

Viridian • 3104 N. Collins, Unit 7 • (817) 200-6543 • viridiandfw.com 50

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Real estate professionals you need to know

David L. Cook, Alamo Title Photo: Bruce Maxwell

Alamo Title Company Chris Harris & Associates, P.C. Fee Office for Alamo Title Company Company history: Since the 1970s / over 40 years. Staff: We have five employees in our Arlington location and four employees in our Mansfield office.

Services: We provide title insurance and escrow closing services for buying, selling and refinancing real estate. Our office assists clients with Residential / Commercial / Builders / Foreclosure / REO Closing Services, and also offers in-house Document Preparation. Philosophy: Our goal has always been to provide our clients an unparalleled level of service through all phases of real estate transactions. What sets the company apart: Our firm offers clients meaningful, customized products and services, the expertise and passion for finding solutions to customers’ problems, and the desire to establish long-term business relationships based on a mutual exchange of value. We believe in reaching decisions and implementing effective solutions quickly while providing our clients professional guidance through every step of the closing process. As a fee attorney for Alamo Title, together with its parent company (Fidelity National Financial), Alamo Title Company is one of the nation’s largest title insurance companies offering unmatched financial strength for your residential or commercial real estate transactions.

Community involvement: Attorney David L. Cook serves Mansfield as mayor and is very engaged with many charities in our city, including Mansfeld Cares, the Advisory Council for Arlington/Mansfield Salvation Army, and Feed the Kids.

David is also actively involved in Mansfield Churches FOR the City, the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mansfield Historical Society and the Southeast Tarrant Transportation Partnership.

Alamo Title Company

Gloria Van Zandt Photo courtesy of Gloria Van Zandt

Gloria Van Zandt About Gloria: I’m a local, award-winning Realtor and broker associate with more than four decades experience helping my neighbors buy – and sell – beautiful homes in the unique, prestigious communities of Arlington and the surrounding area. Why the Arlington area? Because it’s the place to be in single-family living. Arlington offers exceptional quality, prestigious housing in the midst of the Metroplex, extraordinary public services, terrific schools and low taxes. These homes steadily gain value and they’re sheltered by rapid-response public safety systems envied everywhere. Specialty: Corporate relocation.

Philosophy: What I really love is person-to-person contact and helping people either buy or sell upscale homes. I plan to do so by keeping my company small, compact and specializing in communities I know best and in which I live. Testimonial: ”No Realtor in Arlington has more name recognition or industry plaudits than Gloria Van Zandt, a veteran of the business who for many years owned and operated one of the largest residential and commercial real estate businesses in the booming Arlington area. The award-winning Realtor’s claim to fame has always been a combination of personalized service and speedy results, often finding prospective buyers a home before it hits the MLS list, and selling a new listing in days – sometime hours.” Real estate trends for 2017: I see interest rates slowly increasing and prices on preowns staying on a slower but positive upward slant and new builds up more due to increasing costs of land, materials, i.e. labor demands, concrete and legal fees.

Nicest thing a client has said: When Grandpa and Grandma and Mom and Dad asked me to sell their newly weds a home as I had done for them. I believe that ANYTHING the mind can conceive, you CAN achieve. The harder you work, the luckier you’ll be. What she’s working on now: I’m currently offering an estate/ranch on a top of a hill in the heart of DFW with the feel of a private country resort.

Chris Harris & Associates, P.C.–Fee Office for Alamo Title Company

Arlington: 1309-A W. Abram St. • P: (817) 860-2294 Mansfield: 309 E. Broad St. • P: (817) 473-3332 alamofeeattorney.com

Gloria Van Zandt 1501 Wagon Wheel Trail, Pantego • (817) 939-8425 email: gloriavz@aol.com

Real estate professionals you need to know

Shannon Johnson and Adam Noss Photo courtesy of The Johnson/Noss Realty Group

The Johnson/Noss Realty Group with Keller Williams History: 2017 will mark our fourth year in business. Staff: We have a staff of four: Three full-time agents and a full-time operations manager. Services: Whether you are a buyer, seller or investor, we would love to help you with any of your real-estate needs in the DFW Metroplex. Philosophy: Our life is a beautiful journey full of peaks and valleys. Relationship-based journeys are the excitement of our soul.

Choosing to go on the journey together will be worth the positive impact we will have on each other personally and professionally. What sets the company apart: Our business is based solely on building relationships. Our hope is that at the closing table your experience with our team has been nothing but positive and we took the stress off of your plate. We are a referral-based business and would love to help your friends and family buy or sell a home. Real estate trends for 2017: We are busier than we have ever been and don’t foresee that changing in the near future.

The Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex is still the hottest place to buy or sell a home in the entire country, and it is an exciting time to be a part of the action. Nicest thing a client has said: I made sure that their experience of buying a home was about them and their needs and not about my commission.

The Johnson/Noss Realty Group with Keller Williams 1301 S. Bowen Road, Suite 125 Adam Noss: (817) 929-0743 Shannon Johnson: (817) 881-7900 premierhousesearch.com 52

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Todd Baker Photo courtesy of Todd Baker

Todd Baker Service First Mortgage, Legacy Branch SERVICE FIRST MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICERS are experienced mortgage professionals with the knowledge and skills to guide you through a hassle-free lending experience. Whether you’re interested in purchasing a home, or refinancing your current home, Service First Loan Officers such as Todd Baker will help you select the right products for your specific situation. Here, Todd shares how he and his fellow team members strive to provide a rewarding lending experience ...

Company’s history in the Arlington area: We have been here 19 Years. Staff: We have 20 staff members. Services: Residential Home loans. Philosophy: To deliver a better home financing experience by being an innovative, principle-based company of highly trained professionals. What sets the company apart: Our Vision to be America’s best home lender, building stronger communities through meaningful lending. Real estate trends for 2017: Rising interest rates will create the need to work with a true professional who can deliver a fast and easy loan transaction. The nicest thing a client has said: “You are an amazing man of noble character, pureness of heart, wisdom, faith and patience.”

Service First Mortgage, Legacy Branch (972) 890-9155 www.toddbaker.us

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Real estate professionals you need to know

Julie Short Photo courtesy of Julie Short

The Julie Short Team

The Brandee Kelley Group Photo: Bruce Maxwell

Brandee Kelley Group/ Keller Williams Realty

JULIE SHORT, WHO HEADS THE JULIE SHORT TEAM, has been in business for over five years. Here, she tells how her company takes the extra steps necessary to best serve the area’s residential and commercial real estate needs ...

Company history: We have been serving real estate clients in the Arlington area for 11 years. Staff: Six professionals: Brandee Kelley, Owner; Georgann Puddy, Lead Agent; Gail Burdine, Lead Buyer Agent; Libby Wren, Agent; Mary Sprague, Office Manager and Closing Coordinator; Debi Campbell, Listing Coordinator.

Services: We meet our clients’ real estate needs in buying and selling, both locally and globally in the residential and commercial sectors. Philosophy: We serve our clients with the highest standards of integrity using our extensive real estate experience and strategic teamwork. What sets the company apart: Our group has lived in the Arlington/Fort Worth/Dallas area for decades, allowing us to develop an extensive network of associates, colleagues, friends and family. Extensive community service has further fortified those fellowships. Real estate trends for 2017: We anticipate continued growth due to migration, corporate relocation, job creation, and public and private development projects. Nicest thing a client has said: Selling a home we built and raised our family in was emotionally challenging. The Brandee Kelley Group supported, encouraged, and celebrated with us throughout the entire process. Everyone was so helpful. For more testimonials, please visit brandeekelley.com.

Staff: Five team members. Services: We are a full-service real estate team: Residential, Commercial and Relocation Specialist. Philosophy: Committed Connected - Compassionate. We are COMMITTED to giving our clients the best service possible. We are CONNECTED in the community. We are COMPASSIONATE – we realize real estate transactions can be stressful, so we do our best to ensure that things run smoothly by anticipating hurdles and helping our clients prepare and overcome. What sets the company apart: I feel like our connections in the community is a huge advantage to our clients. We are often able to connect buyer and seller from our contacts. Also, we really work to put our clients’ needs first. It is never about the paycheck; we strive to treat our clients just like we would want to be treated. The Golden Rule never fails. Trends to watch for: I believe we will continue to see sellers and buyers become more and more educated about the market. Realtors really need to bring their “A” game because clients are doing their research before they ever call us. More buyers will continue to opt for new construction to get what they want. Our background in the building industry is extremely helpful with so many clients purchasing new construction and walking through the building process. Nicest thing a client has said: I had clients that had considered selling their own home and then decided to let us help them through the process, and, hey, I understand thinking that you can save money on commissions. About halfway through the process they expressed how thankful they were that they did not try to navigate the process with our help. She said, “Thank God that we made the decision to have you help us with this! You have been an answer to prayer and there is no way we would want to do this without you!”

Brandee Kelley Group/Keller Williams Realty 1301 S. Bowen Road, Suite 125 • (817) 635-1141 www.brandeekelley.com

The Julie Short Team 26 E. Debbie Lane, #110, Mansfield • (682) 552-4384 julieshort.cbintouch.com

THE BRANDEE KELLEY GROUP has sold more than 3,000 homes in their tenure, Here, Brandee shares what makes the company special ...

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Instead of Wondering...  How can I Afford A Home?  Will I Qualify For A Mortgage?  When Can I Start Searching?  How Much Is My Home Worth?

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L to R: Lacreta Beaney, Mary Dietz NMLS# 219164, Tracey Goins NMLS# 90560, Aaron Spaight NMLS# 1391936 Back, L to R: Paul Beaney NMLS# 217433, Karyn Goen, Tommy Jones NMLS# 230512 your community • your magazine

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© 2014 SWBC. All rights reserved. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. SWBC Mortgage Corporation NMLS #9741 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), Corporate Office located at 9311 San Pedro Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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Local Homes

Front of the home before

Front of the home after

Home, SWEET! Home (‘before’ & ‘after’ version)

My husband and I decided to fix up an old home we were trying to sell. Here’s how we did it • By Amy Cearnal, Realtor

M

Living room before

Living room after

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y husband Spencer and I were showing this home to another couple one Sunday after church, and they were walking through seeing all of the negatives. The house smelled stale because the owners had moved out some time ago and had smoked in the house for many years. The entire place was dingy and dirty.

So, as we made our way to the all-concrete backyard, and they confirmed again they didn’t want to make an offer, I told Spence that I thought this was one we should consider.

He laughed but quickly realized I was serious. When we looked at the stats on the house – four-bedroom, study, three-car garage, pool and single story in Shady Valley at the heart of #the013 – he agreed that we could make it into a great home.

Our vision with the remodel was to keep the house somewhat true to its 1968 construction date but give it a fresh look. Since it was largely still in original condition, it meant we needed to be prepared to touch every room. We started lists of all that needed to be done and went about hiring contractors to work on individual needs. We were blessed with many artisans and workers that were able to make this vision become a reality.

Demo day looks more fun on TV, because in reality it is awfully depressing to see a home you paid good money for destroyed by your own hand. But after you’ve started, there’s no going back!

Popcorn ceilings came down first, then the demo crew took out a wall between the dining room and hallway and half of the kitchen to allow room for an island. All of the paneling was removed. The master bedroom and bathroom had a pink tiled granite that we also

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Dining room before

Dining room after

Family room before

Family room after

Master bedroom before

Master bedroom after

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“THIS HOME ALLOWS US to honor the history of where we and Arlington have been – and to craft a future look to signify where we are going. “ ••••• decided to remove during demo as well as the shower and sauna. The bathroom for our boys was also completely gutted to prepare for a new floorplan. All carpet was removed and most light fixtures.

The one thing that made it through the redo was the Saltillo tile that was in the entry way and through the kitchen and hallways. We had hopes of refinishing the tile but then talked to several people who said it probably wouldn’t turn out like we would like it. It would be shiny and lose the cool antique patina that it currently had (although obscured by tons of dust). One kind contractor taught Spencer his method for cleaning the tiles and that did the trick. There was lots of wax on/wax off type work on his hands and knees to restore it to its updated condition. Spencer did a similar treatment to all of the interior stonework to get rid of the smoky smell and make it like new.

Of course, after demo comes the renewal! Ceilings and walls Pool before were drywalled where needed, textured and painted. Can lighting was added to brighten the home, as were pretty new light fixtures with a retro vibe.

A swinging door was added to create a private mud room with a spot for “boy things,” too. Exterior paint and landscaping work was being done outside, too, to create that finished look.

All bathrooms got fresh tile and were recreated into a better Pool after version of their former selves. To keep the original feel, we opted to keep two of the sunken bathtubs with new matching granite surrounds. The guest bath is probably our favorite, and, even though we lost the 360 degrees of foiled wall paper with carpet, the tiled accent wall turned out great!

One of our big wants in the house was a dining room large enough to accommodate a big group. With the expansion into the hall area, we were able to create space for a 10-seat table that we are loving using for hosting. Since that area now flows into the kitchen, it is a

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natural gathering spot to stand around the oversized custom island that was created to follow the interesting lines of the original kitchen floorplan. We painted cabinets and changed out all appliances, but the thing people keep commenting on is the leathered dark granite.

It’s low-maintenance and adds a little bit of uniqueness to the room that we spend the most time in.

The area that had the biggest impact wasn’t within the walls. The backyard had been made into a large aggregate patio with a tiered pool that was covered prior to our purchase. After uncovering the pool, we were surprised to find that it had been filled with leaves that had been there for some time and that stained the gunite. After several attempts to clean it, we drained it and had the pool acid-washed, which removed the staining. But the biggest impact was adding a new “yard.” Since we have young boys, we needed some grassy area for them to play in, but with the trees, our assumption was it would be difficult to get grass to grow. Thanks to modern turf technologies though, we were able to cover a majority of the concrete with a beautiful turf to mimic grass. Since the home is a horseshoe with windows facing the backyard throughout, this changed the entire feel of the house to really turn it into home.

Growing up in Arlington and now making the decision to raise our family in Arlington, we wanted to create more of a permanent place since we’ve bounced around a bit doing smaller projects. This home allows us to honor the history of where we and Arlington have been – and craft a future look to signify where we are going. We’re excited to share our home with friends, family and neighbors and look forward to many years of continuing to build our community. We think we’ll be here a while!

Amy and Spencer Cearnal own the real estate company, CearnalCo.

Hall bath before

Hall bath after

Master bath before

Master bath after

Conversation pit before

Conversation pit after

Back yard before

Back yard after

arlingtontoday.com â&#x20AC;˘ January 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ ARLINGTON TODAY

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Local Treasures

Photos: thesanfordhouse.com

The Sanford House offers rooms with a view, even if you never leave your room

The ‘IN’ inn

I

The Sanford House has been making guests feel at home for the better part of two decades • By Karen Gavis

t was early morning, and the faint sound of whizzing lawn equipment could be heard near the Grand Courtyard of The Sanford House. The trim lawn and flower beds surround the spacious, stone-paved courtyard that serves as an event space for weddings and receptions.

The family-owned and operated Arlington bed and breakfast has been a home away from home for guests for 20 years. Its Manor House, Carriage House, Villas, and Cottages combine to give quests a choice of 12 accommodations for a memorable and luxurious getaway experience. For events, the Renoir Room can accommodate 50 guests indoors; the outdoor Courtyard can provide space for up to 200 people.

“The Manor House was constructed in 1996,” General Manager Valerie Landry says. “We wanted it to look like a classic, Southern mansion, full of elegance and style but with the amenities of modern times.” She explains how her grandmother and mother bought the vacant lot and designed the B&B, which was constructed from the ground up. A year later, The Sanford House expanded by renovating adjacent duplexes into one-bedroom Cottage Suites, which Landry says are the most requested rooms.

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The cottages sit on the north border of the property with a gated entry for added privacy. The luxurious suites are tastefully decorated for a jaw-dropping experience upon entering. Each cottage suite is individually stylized with king beds, two-person Jacuzzis, and stand-alone showers, as well as cozy fireplaces.

“The cottages offer a little bit of everything you need, especially for people who are looking to come in for more than just an overnight stay,” Landry says. “The spacious living areas are very relaxing.”

The Sanford House Cottages rent for $220 per night plus tax Sunday through Thursday and $275 per night plus tax on Friday and Saturday.

To the west side of the property lie the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Villa Suites. Added to the property in 2009, these rooms are $275 per night plus tax Sunday through Thursday and $330 per night plus tax on Friday and Saturday nights.

Inside the Manor House, laughter can be heard above the vocal and instrumental jazz music that pipes throughout the building. An emerald-colored carpet trail leads up the winding bannister staircase past massive antique oil portraits to rooms decorated in classical composer themes. “Our family has always been passionate about music,” Landry says. ”Which is why some of the rooms have

The Sanford House, the family-ownedand-operated bed and breakfast, has been a home away from home for guests for 20 years.

Photos courtesy of The Sanford House

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been named after composers.” A hallway library and cozy reading area adjoin the Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms rooms, while additional Bach and Strauss rooms are located in the Carriage House.

Both of those rooms are on an upper level overlooking the Grand Courtyard and have a separate entrance. All the rooms in the Manor House have king size beds and full baths. Manor House Rooms cost $165 per night plus tax Sunday through Thursday with weekend pricing of $220.

The Sanford House also has an indoor private event space, the Renoir Room, which serves as a popular site for corporate meetings, wedding and bridal showers, as well as specialty “House Events,” such as Cooking with the Chef and Wine School.

Other amenities are a full-services salon and spa located across the street.

Landry says the Manor House dining areas were renovated in 2008 to add dark walnut wood floors throughout the dining areas and the Van Gogh Bar and Lounge.

“It’s an intimate, cozy bar,” Landry says, ”where you can get a drink and have some great food. It’s just a nice, quiet place to come and relax.” The Van Gogh bar is an extension of restaurant506, which features Inspired American cuisine.

“This was an incredible find in Arlington, wrote one guest on Trip Advisor, “A quiet, intimate five-star restaurant on the The Sanford House is more than an inn. It also hosts weddings, features a luxurious spa and offers fine dining at restaurant506. property of a gorgeous inn. The dining exgeneral manager at The Sanford House for seven years and obtained perience was amazing from the food to the service to the decor.” her MBA through UTA. She says Arlington has provided her many The Sanford House Executive Chef, John Klein, leads a culinary wonderful opportunities to grow both professionally and personalteam whose creations combine classic cooking methods with fresh ly, plus she loves being part of a family-run business. ingredients for delicious and artfully presented food. “We rebranded Camille McDonald, Valerie’s youngest sister, is the Food and Bevthe restaurant in 2013 to clearly define that it was open to the public, erage Manager of The Sanford House. She joined the family busiand people don’t have to be an overnight guest to dine here” Landry ness full-time after completing her college degree at TCU. Camille says, adding that the restaurant’s crab cakes and chocolate destrucdeveloped the fine dining service of restaurant506 and is the point tion are a few customer favorites. “We have just started our new winof contact for private events. She is currently earning her Sommelier ter menu, and it’s been received quite well!” she notes. certification and has upgraded the wine cellar to include many ex Many of The Sanford House’s overnight guests are looking for clusive wine offerings. something new and unique, while others are in town for stadium “It’s really been a cool opportunity to work with my mom and sisevents. However, restaurant506 also draws Arlington residents and ter,” Landry says. “We have a lot of autonomy to make decisions for other diners from all around North Texas. The Sanford House is in the business – while a family business is challenging, there are some the process of developing an improved on-line presence, Landry really fun times when you get to meet people that would otherwise says, adding that many guests learn about the property through not be on your radar.” Landry says that actor Adrien Brody who websites like Yelp, OpenTable, and TripAdvisor. played in “King Kong,” “Angels in the Outfield” and “The Pianist,” Landry recalls how her mother, Dr. Joan Bergstrom, an Arlingfor which he won an Academy Award, has stayed at The Sanford ton gynecologist and owner of the Inn, managed the enterprise for House. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Rooney family, and several years after her parents retired. Landry came onboard after former Governor, Rick Perry have also dined in restaurant506. finishing college at Hofstra University in New York. She has been

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

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Classic Cars

WHEN THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION PRODUCED what they said was the safest automobile ever built in 1934, they backed up their claim with an extraordinary demonstration of the strength of its breakthrough unit-body steel construction.

They took the car to the top of a 10-story cliff and shoved it off. It tumbled end over end and landed right side up on its tires. Immediately, a guy walked over to it, opened the driver’s side door, sat down behind the steering wheel, and drove it away.

Among the car’s other distinctions there were these “firsts” achieved upon its arrival at dealerships across the country: first to have an automatic overdrive, first of all-steel construction, first to have the engine mounted over the front axle instead of behind it, first to carry rear seat passengers in front of the rear axle, and one of the first designed in a wind tunnel with Orville Wright as the consultant.

The reason it’s likely you haven’t seen one of these cars is not just because they were built more than 80 years ago, it’s a story of bad timing and a reputation that it did not deserve.

We get the explanation from Chandler Smith, who owns this 1936 Airflow C-10 sedan that is the focus of this month’s car feature story. “Airflows were popular with pilots, celebrities, and those who considered themselves forward-thinking and technologically sophisticated,” he says. “The Airflow did

Taking SAFE to a new level Chrysler literally went over the cliff with the debut of the Airflow • By Richard Greene

Photos: Richard Greene

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Chandler Smith stands beside his 1936 Airflow C-10, which was billed as the safest automobile ever made at the time.

not sell well. Unattractive styling? Too far ahead of its time? Not exactly. When the Airflow debuted in 1934 at the New York Auto Show to mark the 10th anniversary of Chrysler Corporation, hundreds of people placed orders on the spot, so they must have liked it.

“But back at the assembly plant, where it was rushed into production to meet the anniversary deadline, they were still sorting out how to get this first-ever unit-body chassis around a structural pillar in the factory (they eventually had to tip the cars on their sides to round the tight corner), and some fit-and-finish issues plagued this all-new construction concept.

“AUTO SHOW PURCHASERS HAD TO WAIT almost four months before the first Airflows were delivered, which gave Ford and GM time to spread rumors that the cars were ill-conceived, unsafe, and unreliable, all of which were untrue.

“Still, people canceled their orders and bought Pontiacs and Fords, and the Airflow never recovered from this misinformation, even despite Chrysler’s legendary film to prove the car’s structural integrity.

“Plus, it was an expensive car in the middle of the Depression, so Chrysler’s revolutionary baby was only produced for four years (1934-37) and nearly bankrupted the company. Yet, it is a comfort-

Despite features that were state-of-the-art for the period and a unique engine mounted over the front axle, the Airflow became victim to negative rumors started by competitive auto makers and came with too pricey a cost during the Great Depression. As a result, manufacturing lasted only four years. It’s rarity has been a boon to Smith, though, as he has won numerous awards at car shows with this now-prized vehicle.

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In addition to a stylish look that appealed primarily to sophisticated buyers early on, the Airflow’s primary selling point was its revolutionary design. It was this country’s first automobile to have all-steel construction, thus making it among the sturdier cars on the road.

able, reliable, fast, overbuilt, well-engineered automobile that is at home even in 21st century traffic with no modifications.”

Chandler’s car has about 110,000 original miles on it. It was first delivered to Riverside, Calif., into the hands of a man who had owned a Model T and then a Model A before receiving this big, heavy and fast automobile.

IT WAS TOO MUCH CAR FOR HIM – he hated it. He was invited to drive it in a stretch of the opening procession of the Pan American Highway from Vancouver to Mexico City, during which he had two flat tires.

It was impossible to find the correct size, so they put on what they could find. It then handled so badly and was such an embarrassment that he retired the car to his ranch in Ridgecrest, Calif., where his sons

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occasionally drove it on the desert highways up to 95 mph, and they said it still had more to give. They later sold it to a man who 10 years later sold it to his cousin who eventually restored it faithfully to factory specs in 1983. He drove it sparingly and always garaged it.

Chandler acquired it in 2003, and in just the past 13 years he has driven it without incident on round trips from Fort Worth to Fredericksburg, Amarillo and Canadian in Texas, as well as to Bartlesville, Okla., Eureka Springs, Ark., Reno, Nev., Saint Joseph, Mo., Lexington, Ky., Durango, Colo., Dayton, Ohio, Springfield, Mo, and Baltimore, Md. And it still wins trophies at national meets – including Best of Show!

The Chrysler Airflow – proclaimed by Walter Chrysler himself as “The first real motorcar since the invention of the automobile.”

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arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

67

Picture-perfect Moments

Photos courtesy of Cindy Dake

Linda Lummus, Linda Dunson and George Anna Collins

Melanie Elis, Robin Bishop and Cindy Wiles

Robbyn Steele, Pat King and Jacque Cummings at the Ruby Awards event

Scene

Snapshots from the Ruby Awards Luncheon sponsored by Christian Women’s Job Corps of Greater Arlington and from the Inspired Women’s luncheon Photos: Glenda Beckwith/Alexander Portraits

Rising Star winner, Arlington Police Department Deputy Chief LaTesha Watson, and Councilwoman Victoria Farrar-Myers at the Inspired Women’s luncheon

Hero Award Winner, Judge Mary Tom Curnutt, and Kelly Curnutt at the Inspired Women’s event.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Here are the Dr. Judith J. Carrier Scholarship Winners.

Many thanks to our sponsors, guests and volunteers for making the 2016 Home for the Holidays event the best one yet!

www.ArlingtonLifeShelter.org

325 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76011

817-548-9885

Health / Fitness

Local wellness

Here are measures taken by local medical centers to help you improve the way you and yours live in 2017

M

edical Center Arlington has a new name after one of the region’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare providers — HCA North Texas — announced a unifying name change to Medical City Healthcare. The market wide brand reflects the company and its 13 DFW hospitals’ shared commitment and investment in the North Texas community.

“Medical City is a trusted name with an immediately recognizable reputation for quality healthcare,” says Erol Akdamar, FACHE, president of Medical City Healthcare. “We’ve always been a family, and now the public and our patients will be able to immediately identify A new lung-screening program at Texas Health Arlington Memorial our expansive system of care in their Hospital could help save lives. own communities.”

The new name affects 13 DFW hospitals and seven off-campus hospital ERs. The Medical City Healthcare system also includes 11 ambulatory surgery locations, six children’s urgent care centers and the CareNow urgent care network.

The unifying name change coincides with a major capital investment initiative at the hospital of more than $1.5 billion spent or committed over three years. Medical City Arlington recently completed construction on two projects totaling $30 million, part of a $100 million facility expansion and renovation investment. The latest completions include a suite for a 3-D Biplane, leading-edge technology that allows for 360-degree radiological imaging, and an expansion of the existing intensive care unit.

A NEW SCREENING PROGRAM at Texas Health Arlington Memorial aims to catch deadly lung cancers earlier, hopefully doing for lung cancer what mammograms have done for breast cancer.

The hospital was recently designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology for their safe, effective diagnostic care for those at high-risk for lung cancer. Patients are screened using low-dose computerized tomography that helps

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

detect lung cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage compared to the standard chest X-ray. Identifying lung cancer in the early stages can lower the risk of dying by 20 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. “Lung cancer usually progresses silently, and many symptoms don’t appear until the disease is advanced and at a non-curable stage,” Mahin Masoumalizadeh, R.T., CT team leader at Texas Health Arlington Memorial, says. “This screening is a game-changer for those at risk. It provides lung cancer patients a better chance of survival and it also gives peace of mind for those at risk to know that their lungs are clear.”

The U. S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening for: • Adults aged 55-80 years old, with ...

• A 30 pack per year smoking history, and ...

• Who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

In 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Medicare now covers yearly lowdose CT lung cancer screening for Medicare beneficiaries who fit within the recommended guidelines and receive a written order from a physician or qualified Image: greensbororadiology.com non-physician practitioner.

For more: (817) 960-5601.

METHODIST MANSFIELD MEDICAL CENTER celebrated its 10th anniversary last month. When it opened on Dec. 27, 2006, the 88-bed community hospital was Methodist Health System’s first health care facility in Tarrant County.

Today, Methodist Mansfield has grown to a 254-bed hospital, offering the latest in medical technology and innovative treatments through dozens of specialties.

The hospital recently added four new operating rooms with a focus on neurosurgery and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery,

Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington has expanded its facilities to better serve patients.

Photo courtesy of Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington

as well as award-winning cardiology services at the Amon G. Carter Foundation Heart and Vascular Center.

In these 10 years, the hospital has grown and achieved exceptional safety scores, outperformed other hospitals in key quality measures to provide the best patient care, and has become one of the preferred hospitals in the area. During the decade, Methodist Mansfield has treated 772,498 total patients, 438,114 in the emergency departments, and delivered 15,136 babies.

Recently, Methodist Mansfield received the highest rating possible by the independent hospital watchdog The Leapfrog Group. The Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety.

The Hospital Safety Score is free to the public and designed to give consumers information they can use to protect themselves and their families when facing a hospital stay.

“Methodist Mansfield’s A grade is a powerful reminder of our commitment to saving and improving lives,” says Methodist Mansfield president John Phillips, FACHE. “Our families, neighbors, colleagues and friends deserve a hospital that puts safety and patient care above all else.”

BAYLOR ORTHOPEDIC AND SPINE HOSPITAL AT ARLINGTON (Baylor Arlington) has expanded the hospital at 707 W. Highlander.

The expansion adds four new operating rooms for a total of 10 operating rooms. Nine new post-anesthesia care units (PACUs) have been added including three private, for a total of 21 PACUs

for inpatient surgery patients to recover before moving to a hospital room, and for outpatient surgery patients to recover before going home.

The north entrance features a new lobby with a large waiting room that includes an Electronic Tracking board so loved ones can track where the patient is in process.

Two new admission bays have been added to speed admission times. The expansion also includes a new, dedicated Pain Management Center, a relocated emergency entrance with dedicated admissions rooms and an ambulance entry, plus added parking along the back of the property near the new North Lobby entrance. The South Lobby will remain the entrance for surgery patients.

The new expansion also provides advanced technologies that allow interfacing with new medical equipment in the education room for education conferences as needed.

With these expanded capabilities Baylor Arlington staff can provide secure external patient education, even to patients internationally.

“We are excited to open our expansion that includes accommodations for surgery and non-surgery patients,” says Allan Beck, Chief Executive Officer at Baylor Arlington. “This expansion extends our commitment to provide the best comprehensive outpatient and inpatient treatment of orthopedic and spine disorders in North Texas, and adds a new dedicated center for patients in need of pain management care.”

arlingtontoday.com • January 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

71

Dining Guide

IT OUT >>>

Keen cuisine!

Here are local restaurants you should check out UPSCALE Cacharel Restaurant cacharel.net 2221 E. Lamar Blvd.

(817) 640-9981 Chamas do Brazil chamasdobrazil2.tru-m.com 4606 S. Cooper St. (817) 618-2986 Piccolo Mondo piccolomondo.com 829 Lamar Blvd. E. (817) 265-9174 restaurant506 at The Sanford House restaurant506.com 506 N. Center St. (817) 801-5541 VB Steakhouse vbsteak.com 2009 E. Copeland Road (817) 801-1440

AMERICAN Candlelite Inn candleliteinnarlington.com 1202 E. Division St. (817) 275-9613 Chop House Burgers chophouseburgers.com 2230 W. Park Row Drive, Suite A, Pantego (817) 459-3700 Grease Monkey greasemonkeyburgers.com 200 N. Mesquite St. (817) 665-5454 72

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill jgilligans.com 400 E. Abram St. (817) 274-8561

1 2

Mac’s Bar & Grill macsteak.com 6077 West-I20 (817) 572-0541 Dino’s Subs 2221 S. Collins St. (817) 274-1140

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

3 4

El Arroyo elarroyoarlington.com 5024 S. Cooper St. (817) 468-2557 El Primo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina elprimos.net 2300 Matlock Road, #21, Mansfield (817) 225-4140 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop fuzzystacoshop.com 510 E. Abram St. (817) 265-8226 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd.

(817) 516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield (817) 453-1682

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

1. Chop House Burgers 2. J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill 3. Blue Mesa Grill 4. Gino’s East

Photos: yelp.com

Rio Mambo riomambo.com 2150 E. Lamar Blvd.

(817) 795-4555 6407 S. Cooper St. (817) 465-3122

ITALIAN/PIZZA Cafe Sicilia cafesicilia.com 7221 Matlock Road (817) 419-2800 Gino’s East ginoseast.com 1350 E. Copeland Road (817) 809-7437

Mama’s Pizza mammaspizzas.com 1200 N. Fielder (817) 795-8700

SEAFOOD Pantego Bay Gulf Coast Café 2233 West Park Row, Pantego (817) 303-4853

BARBECUE David’s Barbecue davidsbarbecue.com 2224 West Park Row (817) 261-9998

Coming in February

The Medical Issue

info@arlingtontoday.com

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73

Picture-perfect Moments

Photo: Holiday Lights Parade Facebook page

The weather outside was frightful, but the music inside at J. Gilligan’s was delightful.

Photo: Holiday Lights Parade Facebook page

Neither the rain nor the Grinch could steal Christmas joy from these members of the Arlington Police Department.

Photos: Holiday Lights Parade Facebook page

Mayor Jeff Williams, Santa Claus and a host of residents watch the tree lighting ceremony

Scene

Snapshots from the recent Tree Lighting event, the Holiday Lights Parade and Celebration event and the Texas Rangers dinner featuring players and club officials Photo: Holiday Lights Parade Facebook page

Singing star Hannah Kirby performed during the city’s holiday celebraton.

Photo: Brian Greene Photo: Richard Greene

Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy visits with Fox Southwest broadcaster Emily Jones.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Arlington Today magazine, represented by Yale Youngblood, Sylvia Green and Judy Rupay, took part in the parade.

Nightlife & More

IT OUT >>>

Sights/Sounds

Your resource for entertainment in and around Arlington Photo: verizontheatre.com

TRIVIA: Live Trivia with the PubGuys When: Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 Where: World of Beer (5005 S. Cooper St.) Show time: 7 p.m.

Notes: Here’s a tip to help you make the most of the evening: Bring your smart friends for the answers, and your rich friends for the tab.

For more: worldofbeer.com/locations

MUSIC: The Bellamy Brothers When: Jan. 6 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Howard and David Bellamy continue to prove that the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself — music that is now celebrating 40 years of success.

The musical odyssey of brothers Bellamy started creatively smoldering in their home state of Florida, before exploding nationally amidst the ’70’s pop music culture of L.A. For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

MUSIC/DANCING: Salso Nights at Rio Mambo When: Jan. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 Where: The Rio Mambo Ballpark location (2150 E. Lamar) and the Rio Mambo South Arlington location (6407 S. Cooper St.) Show time: 9:30 p.m.

Notes: Each week this month, Rio Mambo will host Salsa Nights (on Fridays at the Ballpark location and on Saturdays at the South Arlington location). Entertainment includes old school salsa, merengue, bachata, a DJ 76

and dance lessons.

For more: riomambo.com

MUSIC: Acoustic Sundays with Jesse Jennings & Friends on the Patio When: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 Where: Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Cafe (781 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield) Show time: 7 p.m.

Notes: Jesse Jennings is a singer, songwriter and musician based in Fort Worth. His lyrics are reflections of his personal experiences: love, loss, heartache, small town life, life on the road and more.

For more: fatdaddyslive.com

THEATER: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) When: Jan. 13-29 Where: Theatre Arlington (305 W. Main St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday Notes: In this enthralling presentation, audience members get all 37 of the master’s plays in 97 minutes!

Three madcap men in tights weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies in one hilarious ride.

This play was London’s longest-running comedy.

For more: theatrearlington.org

DANCE/THEATER: Dance!Texas in Downtown Arlington When: Jan. 14-15 Where: UTA Maverick Activity Center (500 W Nedderman St.)

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds

MUSICAL ICONS DAVE MATTHEWS AND TIM REYNOLDS will perform what they’re billing as an “intimate concert” on Jan. 26 at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

Show time is 7:30 p.m.; doors will open at 6 p.m.

The local performance will be a pre-curser to the duo’s upcoming spring concert tour of Europe. It will kick off with a two-night stand at Eventim Apollo in London on March 20-21 and wind its way through Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy, ending in Portugal on April 11.

Matthews, who fronts the Dave Matthews Band, has recorded hits, including “Crash Into Me,” “#41” and “Crush.” Reynolds is a guitarist known for his masterful command of melody.

For more: verizontheatre.com.

Times: Check website for information Notes: Dance!Texas is a weekend musical theatre and dance workshop.

The workshop includes a variety of master classes in hip hop, contemporary, acting, singing, tap, jazz, ballet, and professional sports team dance.

For dancers age 10 and older.

For more: dancetheatrearlington.org

MUSIC: An Evening of Soul When: Jan. 15 Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: This concert features soul legends Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson and Gerald Albright.

For more: verizontheatre.com

MUSIC: Symphony Arlington with featured pianist Konstantine Valianatos When: Jan. 19

Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Konstantine Valianatos has attracted attention in both the United States and in Europe, winning awards at international competitions.

Featured selections will include Mendelssohn’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor,” Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

For more: symphonyarlington.org

COMEDY: Miranda Sings Live When: Jan. 21 Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 7 p.m.

Notes: YouTube sensation Miranda Sings will bring a hilarious night filled with comedy, hit songs, magic tricks, dramatic readings of hate mail, and never before seen videos!

For more: verizontheatre.com

GIRLS INC. OF TARRANT COUNTY

40

Thank you to our sponsors, past and present board, and everyone who supported the event.

Together we raised more than $123,000 for Girls Inc. scholarships!

th

Anniversary Gala

Speaking of Sports

Eye on the prize

UTA’s men’s basketball team could be putting together its best season yet • By John Rhadigan

A

rlington is a great place to call home. Families have known this for generations. That is why there are so many great neighborhoods in Arlington. Suddenly sports teams are proving that this is a great city to call home for them, too.

The Rangers have won back-to-back American League West titles, the Cowboys have won two of the past three NFC East titles and have a chance to be the best team in the National Football League.

And then there is the local basketball team, the Mavericks of UTA. They have UTA Coach Scott spent the past couple of seasons shocking Cross has led the Mavericks to wins the world. over Texas and Last year, the Mavs beat Memphis and St. Mary’s already.

Ohio State on the road to capture the atThe best, though, might be yet tention of the basketball world. This year, to come. the first two months of the season have been downright historic. It all started on Nov. 29, when the Mavs went to Austin to play the Longhorns for the 11th time in school history. All 11 had been at the Frank Erwin Center, and all had been losses. Oh, the Mavs got close last year.

They took the Longhorns to overtime before losing 80-73.

This season, the Mavs started slowly against Texas and proved it is not how you start but how you finish. UTA led by as many as 16 and held on to win 72-61.

Needless to say, the Mavs were excited after the game. “To say the least, I’m over-ecstatic right now,” Guard Drew Charles said following the victory. “It’s a game I’ve been waiting three years to win.”

It’s a game the program had been waiting 27 years to win. The two teams first played on Nov. 28, 1989. The Horns won those first 11 games in the series by an average of some 22 points. Twenty seven years and one day after the first meeting, hundreds of Mavs fans chanted “U-T-A” in the stunned silence of the burnt orange Erwin Center.

Head coach Scott Cross knew this was possible, and he knew it was special. “This will definitely go down as one of the biggest wins in the history of our basketball program,” Cross says.

Little did he know that 10 days later his team would win a game that was as big or bigger than the upset of Texas. Last month, the Mavs were in Moraga, Calif., take on the 12th ranked team in America. The Gaels of St Mary’s College were undefeated.

Still, before the game, Cross told his troops that they had a chance to make history. “He was like, ‘This would be the biggest win in 78

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

school history,’” guard Erick Neal recalls. “That just added fire to it and made us want to play harder.”

They played hard, indeed – especially on defense. “Our guys probably played as good of basketball as we could have, especially defensively,” Cross says. “Watching them (SMC) on video, I honestly thought it was the best offensive team I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The Mavs beat that team 65-51! In the process, UTA snapped an 0-28 drought against ranked teams. The Mavs first played a Top 25 team back in 1967. They lost 28 in a row to the best of the best in college basketball. “It’s a humongous deal,” Guard Kevin Hervey says. “We’re excited, and hopefully we can build on this.”

That is the challenge now. Last year the Mavs started 13-3, including those wins over Ohio State and Memphis.

Then Hervey hurt his ACL. With him out, the Mavs went 11-8 the rest of the way to finish 24-11.

Hervey has been named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year. With him healthy, the Mavs have a chance to keep it going throughout conference play and possibly beyond.

Photo: utamavs.com In the first 46 years of UTA basketball, the Mavs made one trip to a postseason tournament. In the 11 years under Cross, they have made a tournament four times. Twice they have made it to the “big dance” known as the NCAA Tournament. They could do it again this year; if they win their conference they get an automatic bid to the tournament.

How great would that be? If the Mavs follow the Rangers and Cowboys and win the regular season crown, they’ll enjoy a postseason. That’s where the fun is, and clearly Arlington is where the fun begins. What a great place to call home!

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

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79

Events, etc.

IT OUT >>>

Itinerary

Your official Arlington area guide to fun (and the like) Jan 1-Feb. 12 What: Pablo Picasso: Ceramics Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

In a nutshell: One of the more iconic artists of the 20th Century, Picasso was introduced to ceramics in his 60s and instantly immersed himself in the medium. Working out of the Madoura Pottery in Southern France, he was given free rein to design as the mood struck him. The Spanish artist spent 25 years near the end of his life developing these ceramic pieces.

For more: arlingtonmuseum.org

Jan. 1-Jan. 31 What: ‘Beyond the Mask: Portraits of Cultural Identity’ Where: Visual Resource Commons & Gallery in the University of Texas Arlington’s Fine Arts Building (700 Greek Row Drive, Suite 2109) When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday In a nutshell: This exhibit includes works by various groups of indigenous people, including paintings by alumni Jason Lujan, a Mayan Pre-Columbian power figure, and two new works donated to the UTA African Art Collections.

For more: goo.gl/JzC3FG

Jan. 7 What: Jiggle Butt Run Where: UTA’s E.H. Hereford Center (300 W. 1st St.) When: 8:30 a.m.

In a nutshell: Celebrate your jiggle on a 5K run for women of all ages, abilities and sizes. The event benefits SafeHaven, the largest and most 80

comprehensive agency in Tarrant County providing services at no cost to domestic violence victims.

For more: jigglebuttrun.com

Jan. 21 What: Texas Rangers FanFest (presented by AT&T) Where: Globe Life Park When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

In a nutshell: Events include autograph sessions by current and former players; Rangers Q & A sessions, photo opportunities with current and former players, free play in the Rangers Kid’s Zone, free tours of the Rangers clubhouse and dugout, the Rangers Baseball Foundation sale, food and beverages on sale at Ballpark concession stands and merchandise on sale at Ballpark Gift Shop locations For more: texas.rangers.mlb.com

Jan. 10 What: Upcycled Art in the Park Where: Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park (1650 Matlock Road, Mansfield) When: 10 a.m.

In a nutshell: Attendees of this event can turn something old into something new! Each participant will complete three craft projects for each class session.

For more: mansfieldtexas.gov

Jan. 14 What: UTA Basketball Viewing Party Where: The Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club (200 N. Mesquite St.) When: 4 p.m.

In a nutshell: Come out and watch

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Image: danielsfoods.com

Learn the art of ‘couponing’

IF YOU’VE EXPERIMENTED WITH “couponing,” but gave up because it left you frazzled and overwhelmed, Natalie Reid, the Coupon Crazy Mommy, can help. In her workshop, “Couponing 101: Is The Price Right?,” she teaches the bargain-hunting secrets of the pros and gives insider tips on sales trends and clearance deals – plus you’ll discover how to get stores to pay you for merchandise.

Reid will lead a class at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 at Grand Prairie’s Betty Warmack Library (760 Bardin Road), where she will focus on the importance of meal planning, stockpiling and combining coupons with sales.

For more: goo.gl/iuNKM5.

the Mavs at the Grease Monkey as they blaze their way through the season.

There will be food and drink specials, as well as a chance to win fun UTA Maverick prizes.

For more: greasemonkeyburgers.com

In a nutshell: The UTA Mavericks women’s team will host the University of Louisiana at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and the University of Louisiana Monroe at 2 p.m. on Jan. 21.

For more: utamavs.com

Jan. 16-18 What: International Bowl Series VIII Where: AT&T Stadium When: Check website for game times.

In a nutshell: A series of eight games will showcase top amateur football players from the United States, Canada and Japan. More than 500 outstanding U.S. high school and junior high athletes will represent their country.

For more: internationalbowl.com

Jan. 21, 23 What: University of Texas Arlington men’s basketball Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) When: 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 21; 8 p.m. on Jan. 23 In a nutshell: The UTA Mavericks, the preseason choice to win the 2016-17 Sun Belt Conference championship, play two home game this month. On Jan. 21, they play host to the University of Louisiana Monroe, and on Jan. 23, they entertain the University of Louisiana.

For more: utamavs.com

Jan. 19, 21 What: University of Texas Arlington women’s basketball Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) When: Check below for tipoff times

Do you have an Itinerary item? Email it to yale@arlingtontoday.com.

SAVE THE DATE

MAY 3RD, 2017 • 12PM • ON THE FIELD OF AT&T STADIUM For the 3rd Annual

Karen Borta

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Mistress of Ceremonies

The Honorable Mayor Jeff & Karen Williams

The Honorable Mayor David & Tonya Cook

Special Guest Singer

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Luncheon Chairman MARK CAFFEY • CLAIRE WHEELER Luncheon Vice-Chair

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Tickets available at inspiringhopeluncheon.eventbrite.com

All proceeds go to support the Youth Education Town North Texas The Salvation Army Family Life Center and Youth Education Town 712 W Abram • Arlington, TX 76013 • (817) 860-1836 • www.sayet.org

Finish Line

A study in persistence

How Winston Churchill indirectly helped lead the Texas Rangers to a city called Arlington • By Richard Greene Editor’s note: This month’s Finish Line is one in an occasional series that former Mayor Greene calls “How our community was shaped by 10 things that didn’t happen.” Today’s commentary is the fifth of those 10 things.

D

uring my first campaign seeking to become Arlington’s mayor, I arrived one day at the office of Tom Vandergriff where he had agreed to do a television ad endorsement for me.

As I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice that there was but one picture on his wall. It was that of Sir Winston Churchill. Tom had photos of his family members on his desk and credenza, but only Churchill hung on his wall.

I commented on it, and his response was something like, “Yes, I greatly admire Churchill. He has always inspired me.” He didn’t explain anything more.

As time went on and I learned more and more about Tom’s 13-year quest to bring major league baseball to Arlington, I think I figured out more of the reason he so respected the iconic figure who refused to be conquered by Adolph Hitler.

Although securing a baseball team for a town is not quite the same task as defending a country being destroyed by an overwhelming invading force, there’s lots to be learned about tenacity, determination, resolve and perseverance in the life of Churchill.

Churchill described himself as being alone – “desperately alone,” he emphasized. There was no one to help, yet he was determined to keep fighting.

He explained how “when a thing has to be done and put through to the finish, even if it takes months – if it takes years – you do it.”

Those Churchillian characteristics would be applicable in Tom’s long journey that would result in Arlington becoming the smallest city in the country hosting a major league baseball team.

Among the earliest of news reports about the possibilities of luring a major league team to the region was a big spread in a local newspaper describing how Dallas and Fort Worth leaders had organized themselves for the effort and formed something called the Dallas – Tarrant County Park Commission.

They revealed plans for a “fabulous” domed stadium that would be built in Arlington and promised to Major League Baseball should they award one of the 1961 expansion teams to the region. Notably, Tom Vandergriff’s name doesn’t appear in the announcement. Dallas and Fort Worth somebodies were identified leaders, but Tom was not.

The news report did say the ballpark would be built near the old Ar82

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

lington Downs racetrack site in Arlington, but there were no quotes to be found from Arlington’s still youthful mayor.

Never mind that he had landed a General Motors plant, spearheaded the development of a new lake, and was supporting the development of a major industrial park – reporters apparently didn’t ask him about the plans for a baseball team.

As it turned out in 1961-62, the major leagues added four new teams, including the new Washington Senators to replace the original team in the nation’s capital that had been relocated to Minnesota. Unfortunately Texas only received one of the new teams, and it was awarded to Houston. With that disappointing outcome, the collective Dallas-Fort Worth voices declared the quest was over, and they just gave up.

But the Arlington guy did not. With his mentor’s words echoing in his head, and with no one to help, only Tom was determined to keep trying.

It would take a book to describe all of what he did during the course of the next 10 years.

He made contact with every executive at the headquarters of Major League Baseball, with every owner, every key front office official of every team, every political figure who might Sir Winston Churchill help him, and everyone else connected with baseball.

The worst that could happen is they would say “no” to his petition to put Arlington into consideration for a team. And, “no” is what every one of them said. In 1969 four more new franchises were added but Arlington was again shut out.

With everything else that was going on in one of the fastest growing cities in the country, no one would have even noticed if Tom had just let it go. But, he couldn’t and he wouldn’t.

Then a breakthrough finally came. The Senators were not doing well in the nation’s capital. Their owner was going broke with his team attracting the third fewest fans in all of baseball. They needed to move to a city that held the promise of bigger crowds and a better future.

His fellow owners, recognizing and perhaps sympathizing with their beleaguered colleague’s financial problems, finally approved the move that would transform our city.

Vandergriff had won the day and the team. The Texas Rangers would open the 1972 season in Arlington Stadium. I can only speculate, but I’ll always believe that among the thoughts on Tom’s mind as he made his way home had to be the words of the man whose picture hung on his wall that reminded him over and over to never give up.

And Tom didn’t.

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