December 2016 by Arlington Today

PLUS: Local stars are shining ... FINANCIAL PROS ... Arlington’s new radio show December 2016

your community • your magazine

Seasons Greetings!

Serving Arlington, Mansfield, Kennedale and SW Grand Prairie

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O u r V i s i o n i s Yo u r V i s i o n

Visit our Arlington office at: 350 E Interstate 20 Arlington, TX 76018

ARE YOU HAVING A STROKE? STROKE SYMPTOMS

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

AN EVENING OF

remembrance

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

Saturday, December 10, 2016 candlelight service in the chapel

Two Services Offered 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Luminary Park Tour 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Enter the Gardens at the Randol Mill Entrance to see the Luminaries and Live Nativity Scene. From December 1st – 15th we will be accepting canned food donations in benefit of Mission Arlington. CALL TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW TO INCLUDE YOUR LOVED ONE IN OUR SPECIAL DVD PRESENTATION

817-275-2711

MOORE FUNERAL HOME 1219 N. DAVIS DRIVE, ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76012

Moore-FuneralHome.com prepaidfunerals.texas.gov

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We wish you a 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.

How may we serve you? TOP ROW: LEFT TO RIGHT: LINDA MAGAZZINE 817-654-8589, lindamagazzine@ebby.com

MARY ANN HEUGATTER 817-654-8507, maryannheugatter@ebby. JULIE DEMOTT 817-654-8457, juliedemott@ebby.com MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM 817-654-8445, michaelcunningham@ebby.com JANE HAYNES 817-312-1366, janehaynes@ebby.com BILLIE REDDEN 817-654-8470, billieredden@ebby.com PATT KLEMMER 817-654-8427, pattklemmer@ebby.com DOROTHY HOWARD 817-654-8474, dorothyhoward@ebby.com FRONT ROW: LEFT TO RIGHT: LAURA BUMGARNER 817-654-8436, laurabumgarner@ebby.com SUZANNE BERRY MCCABE 817-654-8453, suzannemccabe@ebby.com CAROLYN CASSELBERRY 817-654-8462, carolyncasselberry@ebby.com com

Arlington Humane Society invites you to join The Fun! A Non-Killing Humane Society Since 1984

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FREE Obedience Training Classes Enjoy a well-behaved dog!

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7817 S. Cooper Street • Arlington, TX 76001

arlingtonhumanesociety.org

THANK YOU,

Thank you for electing to keep the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been proud to share our home with you and look forward to creating a lifetime of memories for many generations. RangersNewBallpark.com

Dr. Joy Carter

Dr. LaTasha Jarrett

North Office:

South Office:

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Services announces the opening of our second

1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 Arlington, TX 76012

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

office, located in South Arlington. Dr. LaTasha Jarrett and Dr. Joy

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

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. 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!

Contents December 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 12

<<< On the Cover

To help you better celebrate the holidays this year, we’ve put together a special section, full of winter-iffic events and ideas. See page 28. Photo: Richard Greene

HIGHLIGHTS 24 UTA Today

A research team led by D.J. Seo is harnessing technology to deliver faster, more precise information about severe weather and flash flooding.

40 Home SWEET! Home

To celebrate the season, we’re focusing this month’s feature on the Mansfield Holiday Home Tour.

46 Financial professionals

Here are the people and institutions you need to know to help you with your financial matters.

40 52

50 Live from Arlington ...

The new ‘Mark Joeckel Show’ gives regular airplay to issues and items that affect the city of Arlington.

52 One primo limo

This car provided transportation for a couple of Consulate Generals of France in New York.

56 Restoring history

The Arlington Historical Society and a local DAR chapter teamed to clean up graves at Johnson Cemetery.

DEPARTMENTS 56 Starting Line ... 12 This ‘n Data ... 14 Around Town ... 22 Scene ... 26, 44, 66, 70 Style ... 36 Tennis Tip ... 68 Dining Guide ... 72 Health & Fitness ... 74 Sights/Sounds ... 76 Speaking of Sports ... 78 Itinerary ... 80 Finish Line ... 82 10

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

58 The gift of independence

Arlington-based Helping Restore Ability is celebrating 40 years of assisting area residents overcome disabilities.

60 Local star update

Two Arlington-rooted singing sensations, Pentatonix and Maren Morris, have plenty to celebrate this year.

62 Restore Hope

How an Arlington organization makes a significant impact helping crisis victims all over the world.

64 Community Corner

Here are four reasons for you to check out the 2017 International Bowl Series.

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Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay CEO Richard Greene

A gift like no other This Christmas, I will be counting a blessing – and savoring the chance to do so

repare to put up your dukes: Our Christmas present will be better than your Christmas present. Ours has sandy blond hair, beautiful blue eyes and a smile that melts hearts – and she pretty much fits in one of the bigger gift bags you find at Target. That is appropriate, because she will be the most significant gift any member of the Youngblood family ever received. She was born a year and a half ago to a mother who hasn’t caught or made a break during many of her 23 years on earth. What she has made is babies, five in all, each dispensed upon birth to a foster family in her general proximity. It should be understood that this woman is not a bad person – just woefully equipped to manage her own life, much less those of five babies. My son and his lovely bride might be the best-equipped people for that chore of anyone I’ve met. They gave birth and a full life to a first child, my grandson, who will realize how blessed he is soon enough. When he was born, he came into the world with a rare blood disorder, the product of a genetic incompatibility between his father and his mother. He flew in a jet plane on his first day on earth – from a good hospital in Abilene to a great one in Fort Editor Worth. He spent nearly a week in the neo-natal intensive care unit, Yale Youngblood undergoing a series of transfusions to ensure that the antibodies his mom gave him at birth didn’t devour the platelets he started with on his own. Her antibodies ate roughly 200,000 platelets during his first six hours. If you don’t have platelets, your blood can’t clot. If your blood can’t clot, you can die. A bruise ... a cut ... it doesn’t matter. You can die. Eventually, he began to produce his own antibodies during his NICU stay, and his bloodstream ceased to be a battleground. Now he’s as normal as a 5-year-old can be. But his situation prompted doctors to warn my son and daughter-in-law that “next time,” they might not be so fortunate. They wanted more children – they were created to have more children – so they chose to adopt Baby II, via the foster-to-adopt program. That’s the one where kids often are born to parents who aren’t created for parenting – and also where massive jostling can take place among the parents who aren’t equipped and their family members who didn’t equip them for the rights to a child they have no business raising. Fortunately, this child’s mother was convinced by her attorney that the best thing for her baby was to let someone else raise her – particularly the someones who were raising her already: my son and his wife. On Dec. 9, Nevaeh (Heaven spelled backwards and pronounced Ne-VAY-uh) officially will take on the last name Youngblood. And most members of the extended family will be there when the judge signs the document that makes that her new last name. OK. It’s your turn. Try to convince me your gift is better.

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.

yale@arlingtontoday.com

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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• Phone number: (817) 303-3304

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This ‘n Data

Adrian Beltre Photo: zimbio.com

Mitch Moreland Photo: pinterest.com

Image: fox4news.com

Now that city voters chose to build a new retractable-roof stadium, the Rangers’ new facility will soon gradually transform into reality

Your Texas Rangers! City votes to build new ballpark; club creates website to get fan input LAST MONTH, an Arlington proposition to help fund at least half of the new ballpark passed by a 60%-40% margin, ensuring that the Texas Rangers baseball club will stay in the city at least through the 2053 season. Mayor Jeff Williams, who helped spearhead the “Vote Yes” team that helped land nearly 70,000 of the 116,650 votes cast, was ecstatic over how the balloting transpired. “It’s a phenomenal thing how so many generations now have grown up going to the Texas Rangers here in Arlington,” Williams told the crowd at a pro-stadium watching party at the Hilton Arlington. “And now we have an opportunity for us to say that we want the Rangers to be here for our kids and grandkids. It is a historic time in which all of our leaders have come together here to work hard to ensure that we kept the Rangers now.” Shortly after the measure passed, the Rangers announced the launch of a new website designed to gather public feedback for the new ballpark that will be built near the club’s current home, Globe Life Park in Arlington. At RangersNewBallpark.com, club officials are 14

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

asking fans to offer suggestions for what they would like to see in the new facility, which is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2020 baseball season. “This is an exciting time for the Rangers as we begin to design and program what we believe will be the best ballpark in the Major Leagues,” says Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick. “Our great fans are a big part of this process, and we are looking forward to gathering their feedback. “We also want to thank the citizens of Arlington, Mayor Jeff Williams and all of the city leaders, and the hundreds of volunteers who helped to pass [the Nov. 8] referendum that will allow us to make this fabulous project a reality.” The design for a new ballpark will include a retractable roof for climate control and shelter for fans during the hot summer months as well as provide a premiere baseball experience. The new park is expected to have similar design concepts featured in the construction of Globe Life Park.

More Rangers news: Beltre, Moreland win Gold Glove awards WHILE THE BALLPARK vote was front and center on one ballot last month, another election also brought good news to Texas Rangers fans – and to two team members in particular. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Mitch Moreland were selected as American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners for defensive excellence at their positions during the 2016 season. Both players were keys to helping the club win its second consecutive American League West division championship. This is the fifth time Beltre has won a Gold Glove award, and a first for Moreland. Beltre also won in 200708 and 2011-12. He is just the fifth infielder to win a Gold Glove award at age 37 or older. Beltre is tied for seventh all-time for most Gold Glove Awards by a third baseman. Brooks Robinson is the leader with 16, followed by Mike Schmidt with 10, Scott Rolen with nine, former Ranger Buddy Bell with eight, and Eric Chavez and Robin Ventura with five each.

The light of the Christmas star to you The warmth of home and hearth to you The cheer and good will of friends to you The hope of a childlike heart to you The love of a thousand angels to you The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.

With Christmas love and New Year’s wishes.

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

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This ‘n Data

CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! Claud Smith III takes the reins of Arlington Music Hall’s 2016 ‘Celebration of the Season’ ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL will present CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! – the Magical, Musical Celebration of the Season – on Dec. 2-11. When Claud Smith III was cast as a performer at Six Flags Over Texas in the late 1980s he couldn’t have imagined the career trajectory that awaited him. The following years led Smith to work for some of the biggest names in entertainment – from Disney to Nickelodeon to Busch Gardens – where, for decades, he wrote, produced, and directed world-class musical productions. Having taken his work to stages all over the world, it seems only fitting that Smith has returned to his Arlington roots, where he now serves as Creative Curator at the historic Arlington Music Hall. Smith is passionate about developing new programs that provide a platform for local musical theater enthusiasts to spread their wings. It was with this in mind that CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! was born – an original production featuring Texas talent in a musical experience unlike any other in the Lone Star State.

CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! – written and directed by Smith himself – boasts the best in local singers, dancers, actors, and children, beautiful sets, special effects, a kickline featuring drill teams from Arlington and Martin High Schools, and, of course … a visit from Santa. Also contributing to the production is an array of DFW “Who’s Whos’ – from Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams to Miss Arlington Claire White and more – all lending their voices to narrate the sacred portion of the production. CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! will run the first two weekends in December and features matinee and evening presentations. Tickets start at $15 for children, $20 for adults, and group rates are also available. To purchase tickets for CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! or for upcoming 2017 Arlington Music Hall concerts (Bellamy Brothers, The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Milsap, Chubby Checker, Rich Little, Gene Watson, and more), contact the ticket office at (817) 226-4400 or visit the website ArlingtonMusicHall.net.

Viridian adds two home builders on the Right Track ... – words of reflection and encouragement IT IS A SEASON of Gifts & Promises. There are gifts beyond what we expect. A Gift of a new day in our lives, a Gift of good news about who we can be, a Gift of memories and warm associations. There are Promises of hope, Promises of healing, Promises to ourselves – another chance to fulfill what we hope for ourselves and who we can be. There are Promises that will change the world. There are Promises that will simply bring a smile and a quiet recollection of memories, of great wonder and what can be. May you know the fullness of this Season of Gifts & Promises. May you find and keep what is best, what is good and what will bring you Life.

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

VIRIDIAN, North Arlington’s master-planned community, is expanding its array of homebuilders, adding Highland Homes and Grenadier Homes to its builder list. Dallas-based Highland Homes is the most recent builder to join the Viridian team, and will offer homes on 40- and 65-foot homesites. Home designs and pricing has not yet been determined. “Highland Homes has successfully partnered with Johnson Development Corp. in several communities over the years, and we are thrilled to partner with them in Viridian,” says Aaron Graham, vice president of operations at Highland Homes. Grenadier Homes is showcasing its Villa designs in Viridian, a collection of nine floor plans ranging from 1,304 to 2,283 square feet priced from the $230,000s. The single-story homes feature front porches, granite countertops and hard-surface flooring. In addition, Grenadier is including its “Universal Lifestyle Design” features, such as lever door handles, wider doorways, roll-in showers and raised appliances.

Correction A Scene in the November issue incorrectly identified an event. The event was the ribbon-cutting for renovations at Medical Center Arlington.

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This ‘n Data

3 Scoops ...

1. Lifeguards, take note ... Arlington Parks and Recreation offers a variety of training and classes for lifeguards. Registration is now open for classes in lifeguard training, lifeguarding review, water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor at Hugh Smith Indoor Pool. For more: (817) 275-0513.

2. Y, indeed ... During its recent Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner, the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA announced that 2,355 children have taken part in the Summer Day Camp and After School programs in 2016. Other noteworthy numbers: The YMCA had 3,026 children in its swimming programming and 7,598 seniors participating in its Active Older Adult Program. Additionally, the organization awarded $474,152 in financial assistance to those in need in the Arlington and Mansfield communities. 3. Mansfield just got healthier ... Methodist Urgent Care, an affiliate of Methodist Health System, recently opened its fourth Methodist Urgent Care location in Mansfield at 1718 U.S. 287 Frontage Road, Suite 100. The center offers a wide range of services to individuals suffering from non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.

Operation Pathways earns literacy grant THE DOLLAR GENERAL Literacy Foundation recently awarded Arlington-based Operation Pathways, Inc., a $4,000 grant to support youth literacy. “Literacy is fundamental to lifelong success, and our housing-based afterschool programs serve economically disadvantaged youth who face many obstacles when working towards academic success,” says Kenneth White, Operation Pathways’ executive director. “We’re thrilled to have the support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation as a means to bolster the literacy components of our afterschool program at Stone Ridge.” Operation Pathways’ Brighten Up afterschool program provides an academically enriching learning environment for economically disadvantaged youth during after school to support youth development. The curriculum utilizes both innovation and solid academic instruction practices towards raising academic achievement. For more: (682) 235-8912. 18

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

IKEA coming to Grand Prairie CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE officials and IKEA USA representatives broke ground in late October for the new store opening on the east side of SH 161 and Mayfield Road. Construction of the 290,000-square-foot store is expected to be complete in Fall 2017. IKEA Grand Prairie will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a “Children’s IKEA” area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. In addition to the more than 500 jobs that are expected to be created during the construction phase, more than 300 people will work at the store.

For the Record SINCE OPENING in 2009, Levitt Pavilion Arlington has hosted performances by notable artists such as (Arlington’s own) Pentatonix, The Polyphonic Spree, The Quebe Sisters, The Band of Heathens, The Killdares, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Asleep at the Wheel and The B-52s. The venue is named for philanthropist Mortimer Levitt, who with wife Mimi created a foundation in 1963 to support arts, culture and education.

Photo: pinterest.com

RAISE YOUR HAND if dodged cannon fire on La Salle’s Riverboat ride at Six Flags Over Texas.

IN 1923, Arlington High students were part of an election that chose Colts as the mascot and the colors of kelly green and white, replacing the former colors of black and crimson. THE GENERAL MOTORS Arlington Assembly Plant has been building vehicles in Texas since Jan. 6, 1954. It was the company’s first air-conditioned automobile factory. During its first years of production, GM Arlington produced Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Chevrolet passenger cars. The plant converted to truck production in 1997 and now is the only GM facility in the world to produce and export GM’s portfolio of full-size

sport utility vehicles – Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade. THEATRE ARLINGTON was established in 1973 with the goal of providing the city with a professional live theater. The once small theatre has since become a 199-seat building, providing entertainment and education, and is one of the larger community theatres in the nation. THERE ARE 21 different zip codes to represent the residents of Arlington

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Grand Prairie | $425,000 | 6/4.1/3 Kathy Lakatta | 817-905-3229

Mansfield | $395,000 | 3/3/3 Julie Owens | 817-307-8050

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Arlington | $350,000 | 4/4.1/2 Linda Magazzine Group | 817-654-8589

Mansfield | $345,000 | 4/3/2 Dorothy Howard | 817-654-8474

Mansfield | $309,900 | 4/3/2 Kathy Lakatta | 817-905-3229

for more information, contact — MAnsfiELD OffiCE 1600 Highway 287 n., suite 100 682-422-0333

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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/United Sound partnership provides mentoring music program with special needs students The Arlington ISD is creating a peermentoring program where high school students with special needs will learn to play musical instruments in an afterschool club atmosphere. The unique program, in partnership with United Sound, is the first of its type in the state of Texas. The program will pilot at Arlington High School. Approximately eight students with special needs – New Musicians – and 24 orchestra peers will meet once per week in an after-school club setting to begin learning how to play musical instruments. The program will culminate in a public concert performance. “We feel that this will be a fantastic program and opportunity for our students,” AISD Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jeremy Earnhart said. “Partnering with United Sound will help us more fully realize our mission and vision by providing even greater student access to instrumental music education.” The AISD continues to be a leader and innovator in fine arts education. Secondary band and orchestra

participation is up 16 percent since 20132014, which coincides with the district eliminating instrument fees and also using Bond 2014 funds to purchase new instruments. United Sound is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide musical performance experiences for students with special needs through peer mentorship. The United Sound program, only two years old, piloted with six programs but will expand to 30 programs this year.

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

Around Town

Bigger than you How Christmas in Arlington evolved over the years to become the Great Unifier • By Kenneth Perkins

ime was, when Arlington residents wanted a shot of pre-Christmas cheer, they loaded up the car, jumped on Division Street and headed westbound until they rolled into downtown Fort Worth. Back then, Christmas was something of a voyeur sport, where everyone descended on downtown Fort Worth to gawk in wonder at the cheerfully colorful department store windows of places like Stripling’s, Monnig’s, and Leonard’s, which was famous for its Toyland Monorail. It was about the midway point of the 1940s when Arlington City Hall, then at Pecan and Main Street, began dressOne of the more recent Arlington holiday ing up in lights and holiday wreaths traditions is the and having Santa pop in to put a stamp lighting of the on the festivities. Christmas tree outside of City Hall. “It was really the first of what we would call Community Christmas,” says Geraldine Mills of the Arlington Historical Society. We’re on the society’s computer perusing photographs that go back some 70 years, showing Arlington at Christmastime. How times have changed. Community Christmas in Arlington grew along with the city to where it is now – a spirited parade, a giant tree towering over Abram Street, wreaths blanketing every downtown post, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and lines of cars snaking through Interlochen neighborhood to see the decorated homes in full splendor. Way back when, Christmas fun was the Arlington Masonic Lodge, which would offer up a Nativity scene complete with lifesized camels. In the 1970s, neighborhoods began a more concerted effort to light up each home. “It was huge back then,” says Mills. “Neighborhoods became popular places to drive for lights, and more of them started to band together and do it. East Arlington, West Arlington. One of the neatest ones was along Davis. Talk about lights.” Another was in Shady Valley. “I remember a home that had a big polar bear right inside the window,” says Wanda Marshall, also of the Arlington Historical Society. “I used to wonder if they actually killed that Polar bear.” 22

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Mills thinks neighborhood lights fizzled as residents aged and simply grew tired of the crowds and annual undertaking. “A lot of those homes didn’t change hands unless someone died in them and didn’t have a family member who took it over,” says Mills. “They just quit after a time. Sometimes traffic just got so bad they figured, ‘well, let’s end this.’ Or maybe when you get a little older you don’t like people coming by staring at your home.” That shows why Interlochen remains the current main attraction here when it comes to neighborhood lights, with about 200 homes participating with holiday-themed displays. But even Interlochen is starting to show its age with fewer homes lighting up and car lines getting longer. The Historical Society has its own holiday festivities, by the way. The first Friday of December is a good time to drop in on their celebration. The annual Christmas at Knapp Heritage Park features local elementary school choirs singing carols, giving tours of the cabins and schoolhouses and carriage rides. A highlight is resident artisan and blacksmith of Knapp Heritage Park James Ryan giving demonstrations in his Blacksmith Shop. Just another example of Community Christmas, says Mills, Photo: star-telegram.com with emphasis on community. “What I like best about the season is how it brings people together in a common way,” she says. “It’s about Christmas. About Jesus Christ. But it’s secular enough that everyone can come and enjoy it. When you really think about it, it’s about being a part of something that is bigger than you.”

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

UTA research helps anticipate, avoid flooding

n emerging research powerhouse with expenditures in excess of $85 million in 2016, The University of Texas at Arlington continues to achieve new heights of excellence and make a difference in the lives of North Texas. One UTA research team led by D.J. Seo, associate professor of civil engineering, is harnessing technology to deliver faster, more precise information about severe weather and flash flooding. Dr. Seo’s new Android cell phone app called iSeeFlood makes it easier for the public to file timely reports when they see flooding of varying severity on the streets, in and around their houses, and in streams and creeks. Such flooding can be dangerous to pedestrians and motorists alike. The free Google Play app is a new addition to the tool kit that researchers, forecasters, and emergency management professionals are using to improve their ability to protect lives and property. An iPhone version is under consideration.

The app works with the regional Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere, or CASA, radar system that in recent years has delivered faster, more precise information about severe weather and flash flooding. Seo was instrumental in hosting the first CASA unit in North Texas on top of UTA’s Carlisle Hall in 2012. Ali Abolmaali, chair of UTA’s Civil Engineering Department, says Seo’s work illustrates the University’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban communities and data-driven discovery under the Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact. “This is data-driven research with a direct impact on saving lives,” Dr. Abolmaali says. “The app makes it very easy to report flooding conditions, and we are using sensors to gather additional information in real time. That information is useful not only during floods but in providing guidance on managing water-related hazards in future development.” Visit uta.edu/strategicplan for an interactive look at UTA’s strategic plan.

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Picture-perfect Moments

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Snapshots from the recent CASA Super Hero Run, which was held at Levitt Pavilion and which benefited CASA of Tarrant County’s advocate efforts for abused and neglected children

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Photos courtesy of CASA of Tarrant County

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‘Tis the Season

Home for the HOLIDAYS Here’s your guide to fun and meaningful activities that will make your season brighter • By Karen Gavis A HOLIDAY WONDERLAND of festive concerts and long-time traditions – as well as a fresh twist on a classic Christmas tale – await Arlington residents and visitors this yuletide season. Here are some highlights ... Holiday in the Park When: Dec. 1-Jan. 1 Now through Jan. 1. Where: Six Flags Over Texas. In a nutshell: Six Flags Over Texas dazzles during the holiday season when Arlington’s popular theme park transforms into a winter wonderland where, among other things, guests can sled down a snow-covered hill and visit Santa and Ms. Claus. Live holiday entertainment sprinkled throughout the park provides cheerful sounds of the season while Christmas light shows deliver the sights. For more information and park hours, visit sixflags.com.

Photo: Six Flags Over Texas

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas is one of the area’s more popular winter playgrounds.

Lawson describes the play as mysterious and explains how that during the 1800s, when “A Christmas Carol” was written, ghost stories were told not just during Halloween but during the holidays, as well. Harovitz’ version allows for some fantastic, special effects. “And then, in the end, it is ‘God bless us everyone,’” she says. Tickets prices are $23 for adults and $21 for students (with valid ID) and seniors age 62 and up. Groups of 10 or more are $18.50. Show times are Thursday-Sunday with an added production on Wednesday, Dec. 14. For tickets, show times, or more information, visit theatrearlington.org.

CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! When: Dec. 2-11. Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.). In a nutshell: This musical, holiday adventure, created by Claud Smith lll, blends Christmas melodies, dancers and special effects for a show that Smith said he hopes is destined to become an annual Tavern Carols Photo: Texas Christkindl Market event. The production is sponsored by Bell When: Dec. 2. Where: Legal Draft Beer Co. (500 Helicopter and incorporates a range of talentE. Division Street). In a nutshell: This craft ed, local artists. brewery will ring in the holiday season with “The show’s performers are drawn from auclassic Christmas carols from 8-10 p.m. ditions and referrals, and they come from ArTEXAS CHRISTKINDL MARKET, one of lington and Burleson,” Smith says. “We utilize A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley the larger open-air markets in the Southwest, singers, dancers, and even drill teams from two When: Dec. 2 -18. Where: Theatre Arlington will take place through Dec. 23 at Globe local high schools. The performers range in age (305 W. Main St.). In a nutshell: Adapted by Life Park. For details on this event, check out from 8 to over 50.” Israel Harovitz, this holiday production proThe Finish Line on page 82. Smith began his career as a performer at Six vides a fresh look at Charles Dickens’ classic Flags’ Crazy Horse Saloon then went on to characters Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Bob work for the Walt Disney Company. He returned to Arlington about Cratchit and Tiny Tim. a year ago to become the creative curator at Arlington Music Hall. “It is really more about Marley,” says Kim Lawson, Theatre Ar “My job is to see that the guest experience is all that it can be and lington’s marketing and development director. “It’s just a different to help in the development of new programming, such as summer way to tell the tale.”

Texas Christkindl Market will run through Dec. 23

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Hannah Kirby from the television show “The Voice” will perform prior to the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade.

This year’s winter performance by Symphony Arlington will be “Holiday Safari,” which will be followed by an audience sing-along.

Photo: holidaylightsparade.com

Photo: Symphony Arlington

camps and this show – CHRISTMASPECACULAR!,” he says. For show times, tickets, and more information, visit arlingtonmusichall.net.

as Arlington’s website. Other Christmas classics will accompany the original tune, as well as four No. 1 singles from their latest album, “Run Wild. Live Free. Love.” The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Arlington Holiday Lights Parade When: Dec. 3. Where: Downtown Arlington. In a nutshell: This Breakfast with Santa spectacular, annual procession of lights features about 100 entries When: Dec. 13. Where: Cliff Nelson Recreation Center (4600 W. Barand draws thousands of guests to downtown Arlington. The padin Road). In a nutshell: Morning mealtime will take place from 8-11 rade officially begins at 6 p.m., but pre-parade festivities, which a.m. and includes a pancake breakfast, holiday crafts, entertainment, will include music and concessions, and a photo with the world-famous, will start at 2 p.m. in Founders Park rotund elf. The event, which costs across from City Hall. $10, is open to all ages. To register, call Plato’s Theory, Miss Persis Studio (817) 561-2819. and The Elf Show, Arlington Master Chorale, and Hannah Kirby from Holiday Safari NBC’s “The Voice,” are scheduled to When: Dec. 15. Where: Arlington be part of the holiday entertainment Music Hall. In a nutshell: Symphony lineup. Following the luminous cavArlington has “gone wild” this holialcade, Santa Claus and Mayor Jeff day season. More than a dozen pieces Photo: prairielights.org William will team to turn on the lights will be performed during the show, of a 50-foot Christmas tree at City Hall. including “Sheep May Safely Graze” Santa will then hang around Levitt by J.S. Bach, says symphony employPrairie Lights, located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Pavilion for photos with the kiddos ee Alice Ford. Prairie, is the premier holiday light park in Texas. This year’s light in Founders Plaza until 8:30 p.m. be Maestro Robert Carter Austin will show runs every night through Jan. 1. For more: prairielights.org. fore heading off to load his sleigh. provide occasional commentary For the parade route and other inabout how the music was inspired formation, visit the event’s website at holidaylightsparade.com, which and where it came from, Ford says. And special guest Christina Pecstates the parade will go on come “rain, snow, or shine – but not ice.” ca will lead in a sing-along of family favorites during the latter half of the performance, which starts at 7:30 p.m. A “For King & Country” Christmas Because of the symphony’s feral-themed season, organizers tried When: Dec. 10. Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.). In to select music about or inspired by animals, Ford says, which means a nutshell: Australian-American brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, “Rudolph will fit right in.” However, concertgoers may want to purthe Christian pop duo behind For King & Country, will debut their chase their tickets early, because Symphony Arlington’s concerts are new Christmas song “Glorious,” according to the University of Texusually sellouts. >>>

Check out Prairie Lights

arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Photo: designbolts.com

Home for the HOLIDAYS Interlochen Lights When: Dec. 16-25. Where: Entrance at Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road. In a nutshell: For more than 40 years, Interlochen has hosted a free neighborhood display of festive, Christmas lights. The attraction, which draws thousands of visitors each year, has been voted “Texas Best Christmas Lights” by viewers of the Texas Country Reporter TV show, according to Arlington.org. Visitors can expect lengthy lines of traffic as they navigate this holiday zone filled with unique and delightful displays of Christmas cheer. Adventure to Santa When: Dec. 1-24. Where: The Parks at Arlington Mall. In a nutshell: Last year it was Shrek; this year get in the holiday spirit with KungFu Panda! Adventure to Santa takes the timeless chance to meet

A favorite HOLIDAY recipe CHEF LARRY D. ROSS prepares quality gourmet food for almost all occasions. To have him prepare your family a meal, email ldross@ymail.com. Here is his recipe for Mini Caramel Apple ...

Indredients: • 3 lbs. – sliced and peeled apples • 2 cups – brown sugar • 2 tbsp. – cinnamon • Spray oil • Pie crust ( pre made ) or make from scratch • Muffin tin • Zip lock bag (large) Directions: Place apples, sugar and cinnamon in the zip lock and mix, hold in the refrigerator over night. Spray the muffin tin. Cut dough into rounds big enough to fill the cup sides. Heat the apples over medium heat for 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon fill each cup with apples. Cover each with same size dough and pinch together. Cut slits into the top of each pie. Milk brush each pie. Place in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until brown. Let cool completely before removing from the tin. Serves 12. 30

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Santa and turns it into an immersive holiday adventure for parents and kids alike amplified with technological wizardry that leads the whole group to the North Pole to have a private meeting and photo session with Santa. Our tip is to make a reservation, as lines at the mall can get long. For more: dreamplaceexperience.com/locations/ detail/parks-at-arlington. Hansel & Gretel When: Dec.2-4, 9-11. Where: Uptown Theatre in Grand Prairie (120 E. Main St.). In a nutshell: The Grand Prairie Arts Council presents this fairy tale opera written by 19th-century composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Show times are 8 p.m. on Dec. 2-3; 2 p.m. on Dec. 4; 8 p.m. on Dec. 9; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 10; and 2 p.m. on Dec. 11. For more: uptowntheatergp.com.

A letter from Santa

ARLINGTON RESIDENT GERALD MILLER is best known as Santa Claus every year, when he sets up shop at Lincoln Square. Here, he answers one of the questions he is most-often asked: “Santa, what’s the North Pole really like”? Well now I’ll tell you, if you have one of these World Globes at your house, you’ll notice right here, on top there’s a big white space up on the top. Well now, that’s because up at the North Pole where the Elves, Mrs. Claus and I live it’s cold and snowy all the time. Why, when I left home just this morning, the wind was blowin’ real hard, n’ the snow was blowing something fierce; and cold? My goodness, it was about -34 degrees below zero. Now that’s even colder than your Mom’s freezer. According to the Snow Gauge (that’s actually the pole up at the North Pole) the snow was 39 feet deep! Now then, if you’ve ever seen the movie “Polar ExNorth Pole City press,” you already know about North Pole City and about the 50,000 or so Elves who live there. But my TOY SHOP isn’t located there. Nope, it’s actually four miles directly north of the city. You see, when Admiral Byrd discovered the North Pole, it was on a day when there was a terrible blizzard, and it was difficult for anyone to see. He missed the exact North Pole. Now, had it been a better day he would have seen where Mrs. Claus, the Elves and I work. Way back when my Great Great, Great, Great GrandImage by Jerry Miller father (Santa Claus # 9) was alive, he and the Elves dug tunnels under that deep snow that connected the house with the Toy Shop and Barn where the reindeer live. Since then more buildings have been added – and snow tunnels to connect them. Why, a few years ago we even added a Dormitory for the Elves to live up near the Toy Shop and put a tunnel there, too. Now all 386 Elves who work with me making toys each year live up there and don’t have to walk or ride snow mobiles to get to work every day. Back to North Pole City, which was your question, right? Okay now, lets see. No one but the Elves live at North Pole City. The houses where the Elves all live are pretty small by your standards. Shucks, I can’t even stand up in them. They have 6-feet-high ceilings and narrow doorways. I can’t get through the doors front ways or sideways; in fact I don’t even try. Now they’re fine for the Elves because there’s a whole lot less to heat, and they have to be heated year-round ‘cause it is so cold all the time. North Pole City is pretty much like your town. Lots of stores (shops, drug and hardware stores), bakeries, churches, schools and such, which are the places for the Elves’ parents to work. There’s a nice City Hall, a big (by Elf standards) new hospital, a nice library, and of course, North Pole University where I got my first undergraduate degree. Now, because the snow is so deep, almost every adult drives a snowmobile or dogsled to get around. Even though they’re adults, they can’t drive automobiles because they’d always be getting stuck in the snow. The real truth of the matter is that Elves simply are so short that their feet can’t reach the pedals! The Elf children do a lot of playing outside. They don’t play baseball, football or things like tennis. The snow’s too deep. But don’t let an Elf talk you into a hockey match or some kind of skiing or snowshoe race. Man, oh man, you’ll real-

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C&W Antiques is the largest collector/dealer of Fabergé products in Texas FABERGÉ IS THE VERITABLE HOLY GRAIL OF GIFTWARE. Since the 18th century, when the Frenchborn Fabergé family fled to Russia to avoid religious persecution and Peter Carl Fabergé began crafting exquisite ornamental accent pieces, the decór that bears his family name has been the stuff of kings and queens. Now, thanks to the collective keen eye and persistent nature of two local art aficionados and collectors, Faberge is also the stuff of Arlington-area residents. And they can own a piece of history for prices from $95 to $22,000. Jim Carpenter and Patrick Walsh, who have collected art and antiques for 18 years, opened C&W Antiques eight years ago and methodically acquired sought-after works of art and collectibles, the likes of which this area had never seen before. In their showroom at 2100 N. Highway 360, Suites 705 and 706 in Grand Prairie, Walsh and Carpenter routinely present visitors with a sensual feast. Those customers not only can have access to the array of glittering items resting on tables, they can purchase the tables themselves. It’s the ultimate toy store for adults with good taste and a desire to have or give the best. Which brings us back to where we started: Fabergé. C&W, indeed, carries an extensive line of authentic Fabergé, but the photos complementing this article tell just part of the story. The fact is: C&W Antiques is the largest collector/dealer of Fabergé products in the state of Texas. “I don’t know just where we stand nationally,” says Carpenter, “but I’m fairly certain we’re one of the biggest in the country, as well.” Carpenter and Walsh came about their collection as art dealers often do: They walked the aisles of gift markets and traveled the world to find not only what they liked, but what they believed customers would like – and purchase. One such trip to the World Trade Center led them to meet John Walker, one of the collection realm’s foremost figures – and a friend of the last living descendent of Peter Carl Fabergé, Tatiana. Walker and the C&W Antique owners struck up a friendship, and soon the former started pointing Walsh and Carpenter to Fabergé of all manners: the famous eggs, clocks, tea sets, crystal and the proverbial more. Walker eventually retired and sold Walsh and Carpenter most of his Fabergé collection. Inside the showroom rests one of only 50 pieces of a Fabergé glassware design ever made. “Elton John owns one of the other pieces,” Walsh says. “We haven’t seen the other 48 anywhere.” Carpenter admits that such a vast collection is a double-edged sword in that as much as the owners enjoy selling Fabergé, they also revel in owning it. “All this is really fun,” he says. “We’re privileged to be a part of history.” C&W Antiques is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday-Sunday this month. For more: (817) 637-7637. Photos: Southern Flair Photography

A letter from Santa (con’t)

ly be outmatched there. They build a lot of snow forts and igloos and are pretty well able to get the snow to do whatever they want it to do. Lots of boys and girls in Arlington ask me, “Are all Elves Small?” Well, the truth to that is almost all are short. But, do you know what? That’s why you’re so lucky. You live where vegetables can be grown ... and lots of them. It’s too cold to grow vegetables up at the North Pole. You see, once the Elves dig down deep enough to where you’d think dirt would be, all they find is rock hard ice. You see, unlike where most humans live here on planet Earth, the North Pole really isn’t a continent like North America, South America or Europe, to name a few. Those places are on actual dirt and rocks, or, as some people call it ...”Terra Firma.” All the countries on the Earth’s surface are like where you live. But one isn’t! That place is the North Pole up in the Arctic Ocean. There’s no dirt or rocks up there ... The North Pole is nothing but an iceberg. Now that may be a new term to you ...”Iceberg.” An iceberg is nothing but a huge chunk of ice. Scientists have estimated that the ice up at the North Pole may be a mile or two thick and hundreds of square miles in every direction. So you see, the Elves are small because 32

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

they don’t get vegetables everyday like you do. That’s why you’re so very lucky. Oh, I could go on for hours talking about the North Pole because that’s where I spend most of my time. But Mrs. Claus says I talk too much! But if you want to learn more about where the Elves and I live; where most of the Christmas toys are made and pose for a picture with me too, then just bring your Mom or Dad to Santa Land at Lincoln Square about six blocks north of Cowboys Stadium. Every child gets to sit on my lap for a few minutes, ask me questions, get a free toy to take home and talk with one of my friendly Elves. Photos are only $15, $20 or $25 dollars depending upon the size desired, and the best part is that 100 percent of what’s paid goes directly to a children’s charity known as “A Wish with Wings.” They provide “magical“ wishes for little Texans with life-threatening conditions. All this is through the courtesy of the Merchants and Management of Lincoln Square Shopping Center. The hours when the Elves, Mrs. Claus and Ol’ Santa will be there for personal visits may be found on the websites of either “A Wish with Wings,” awishwithwings.org or Lincoln Square Shopping Center, lincolnsquarearlington.net.

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Holiday Travel

Arlington-based Dan Dipert Tours offers a pair of holiday trips you’ll want to check out.

ROAD TRIP, anyone? Local tour company specializes in stress-free travel • By Sarah Martinez

ately, more people are choosing to skip the crowds, long lines and other hassles that plague airlines. “Remember when getting there was part of the fun?!” is their rallying cry. Local company Dan Dipert Tours has made it their business to serve these folks, offering stress-free road trips in safe, comfortable coaches. They have perfected this level of service over many years. Dipert Travel & Transportation has been family owned and operated since 1972. The company is a member of the National Tour Association, the International Motorcoach Group, United Motorcoach Association as well as the Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Not only is Dan Dipert based in Arlington, it is proud to support a number of worthy organizations in the North Texas area including Arlington ISD School Foundation, Mission Arlington, Salvation Army, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlinton and Junior League of Arlington. In keeping with their “neighborly service,” Dan Dipert Tours offer multiple pick up/ drop off points in the city. Here’s a peek at 34

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo courtesy of Dan Dipert Tours

Dan Dipert Tours’ upcoming ventures that are sure to delight. Mountain Holiday At Chateau On The Lake Departs: Dec. 8 for 4 days, 3 nights Cost Per Person: $999 double; $1,299 single Notes: This Ozark Mountain getaway is all about fun, entertainment and unpretentious luxury. Your destination is Chateau on the Lake Resort, perched atop a beautiful Ozark mountaintop overlooking the pristine waters of Table Rock Lake. Four great shows are included in this package, including a Christmas light tour. New Year’s In Nashville - Gold Star Tour Departs: Dec. 30 for 5 days, 4 nights Cost Per Person: $1,299 double; $1,669 single Notes: Usher in the New Year with an unforgettable visit to “Music City.” Your first stop is an overnight sojourn in Memphis, the “Home of the Blues.” On day two, travelers arrive at the majestic Gaylord Opryland Hotel, which has been turned into a land of enchantment, with two

million twinkling lights and acres of largerthan-life decorations. Of course, no trip to Nashville would be complete without seeing the Grand Ole Opry, and you’re in for a treat, as the holiday edition is held at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. After the Opry, you’ll have the opportunity to ring in the New Year on your own or with your newfound friends at the hotel or one of the many nearby festivities. The next day, travelers can explore the Gaylord’s “ICE” Exhibit and take in the beauty of the hotel at their leisure before an evening of dining and entertainment. Day four of this whirlwind tour is back in Memphis and capped by a visit to Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate. After that is a quick stop by the Peabody Hotel to watch the famous March of the Ducks. Are you ready to hit the road this holiday season? You can learn more about the tours at dandiperttours.com/tour-schedule.php.Or give the Dan Dipert team a call: (800) 433-5335. You can also keep in touch with the company via Facebook and Twitter. Dan Dipert will announce tours for 2017 very soon.

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Holiday Homes

Here’s a great view of the Thomas’ living area from a perch on the second floor.

Home SWEET! Home Be sure to check out Mansfield’s Holiday Home Tour – which includes the Thomas dwelling • By Karen Gavis

Photos: Southern Flair Photography

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

n all-decked-out-in-Mansfield Holiday Home Tour is set to provide plenty of Christmas eye candy this holiday season. The winter journey, which takes place Sunday, Dec. 4, comes on the heels of the City’s two-day Hometown Holidays celebration. Tickets for the tour cost $25 in advance, or can be purchased at any of the five, festive homes along the route for $30 during the event. Some of the homes are elaborately decorated for the Christmas season while others are more simply stated, says Kathleen Powers, Mansfield Women’s Club chair. “It’s fun to see all the different types,” she says. “It’s our main fundraiser. We donate that right back to our community to those in need.” People recommend homes to be included in the holiday expedition, Powers says. The Women’s Club then selects from the pool of residences. This year, a two-story wonder belonging to the Steven and Lori Thomas family is but one of the merry stops along the way. A front and center turret, one of the home’s many highlights, whips up reminders of famed architect Charles Dilbeck’s storybook-style structures. The Thomas family, according to Lori, is a blended one consisting

of Steven, his four children, herself, and her 15-year-old daughter, Bailey, as well as a Yorkie named Lulu. “We love golf, traveling, hanging out with our friends and family,” says Lori, who now runs a specialty flooring company since her father retired recently. “That’s pretty much our life.” Although Lori has amassed an assortment of Christmas decorations over the course of about 20 years, she says she did have some decorating help this year from the Mansfield Women’s Club. “I think we have about 12 Christmas trees,” she says during a walkthrough of the home, where various shades of poinsettias, as well as oversized, green and gold flowerpots, are sprinkled throughout the rooms. In the living area, a lean, silver-streamed tree nearly brushes the ceiling, while a paper mache nativity, one of the home’s several manger scenes, rests on the fireplace hearth. Lori says the nativity scenes are among her personal favorites. But she also enjoys painted ceramics as well as “whimsical, Christmas stuff.” “I like anything that’s painted ceramics,” she says. “Anytime of the year, I’ll buy it. I’m not a seasonal shopper.” >>>

Almost every area in the home of Steven, Lori and Bailey Thomas (above right) features a holiday accent (or several).

arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Between the Nativity scenes adorning various parts of the home interior and the Christmas trees in almost every room, Lori and Steven Thomas have crafted one tour-iffic home.

Nestled near a dining room window, a big-eyed frog can be seen among the home’s many ceramic treasures. A Frosty the Snowman cookie jar and a cheese tray painted with apeppermint swirl also take their place atop the kitchen’s ample, granite countertop. Across the way, a formal dining table, completely set with napkins of holiday plaid and sprigs of glittery accents, awaits a party of eight. “If you were here this morning, it was a glitter bomb,” Lori says. An assortment of Kris Kringles, white crosses, blue swags, and a collection of Willow Tree angels add additional Christmas charm. “Saturday, all of the elves were running around,” says Steven, an Arlington-based restorative and cosmetic dentist, who has practiced dentistry for more than 30 years. SEATED AT A WOODEN, farmhouse table, with its Santa Claus astride a reindeer centerpiece, Steven talks about how the couple “stumbled upon” the home six years ago. A board sign that Lori had crafted hangs on a wall nearby. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” reads the stenciling. The seemingly weathered sign, Steven says, will remain after Christmas. He also has no qualms with strangers trekking through the home during the holidays. “It’s just stuff,” he says. Plans are for the outside of the house to be adorned with Christmas lights, and perhaps a few reindeer for the tour, while cheerful sounds of Christmas music will pipe through inside. Although Lori prefers gospel, Steven says he’s alright with “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” The family says their decorating style has evolved over the years going from a family tree to more of a themed design. “I did my 42

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

room, my trees,” says Bailey, who attends Pantego Christian Academy. “I wanted to do my own thing.” A cheerleader with a busy lifestyle who also runs track, Bailey opted to keep things simple. In her two rooms upstairs, a giant-sized, teddy bear and an equally giant, floppy, grey elephant shared the spotlight with a clear-lighted, white Christmas tree. Bailey also noted that she did have to tidy her room a little for the occasion. “Her rooms are always clean, but not tour clean,” Lori says. Opposite a trio of Christmas trees in an upstairs hallway is a game room and bar, which Lori said is the family’s favorite space. Also amid the upstairs holiday mix sits a lighted, ceramic, tabletop Christmas tree. The family became involved in the Holiday Home Tour after Powers approached Lori about helping out with the fundraiser. “I was happy to accommodate my friend and raise money,” she says. The Holiday Home Tour, now in its third year with the Mansfield Women’s Club, usually draws about 600 people, Powers says. The locations of the five homes are printed on the admission tickets, which can be purchased at Tom Thumb in Mansfield, or at the Poured wine store, which is also located in Mansfield. POWERS NOTES THAT THE TOUR does not accommodate children, and because the homes are also private residences, they are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Photographs of the mostly two-story, brick homes, which can be toured from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the Holiday Home Tour, in any order, are available on the Mansfield Women’s Club website, themansfieldwomensclub.com. Powers says one of the great takeaways of the tour is that it allows

people to get a glimpse of what other people do for the holidays, “and everyone gets lots of decorating ideas.” She also says the tour has proven to be a successful fundraiser for the Mansfield Women’s Club. “All proceeds benefit many qualified non-profit organizations in the Mansfield area who serve women and children in need,” she says. In addition to the sightseeing, raffle tickets will be available at each home, giving tour takers a chance to win one of the following: a diamond, snowflake pendant necklace designed by John Pressley at Mansfield Fine Jewelry, a $500 cash balloon, and a $250 cash balloon sponsored by Becky Hearne, RE/Max Pinnacle Realty. Tickets for the raffle cost $10 each. SINCE ITS FIRST MEETING in 1998, the Mansfield Women’s Club has, according to its website, directed more than half a million dollars back “to the community through various fundraisers, including major gifts to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Mansfield Cares, Harvesting International Food Bank, & Feed the Kids Summer Program.” Mansfield, over the past century, has grown from a rural, Texas farming community to having a current population of more than 60,000 people, according to the city. Yet despite its growth, Lori says Mansfield has not lost its small town appeal, which makes the seasonal, Holiday Home Tour especially fun and enjoyable. “You, like, pretty much know everyone,” she says. “It’s kind of like a reunion.” arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Picture-perfect Moments

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Snapshots from the recent Night with Nature at the River Legacy Living Science Center

Jennifer Price, Ronnie Price, Mike Ames and Joy Ames

Leslie Friedman, Richard Greene and Ann Cavender

Photos: Arno Knapen/River Legacy Foundation

Linda Dipert

Nicole Horton and Mischelle Copeland

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Mayor Jeff Williams speaks to Clyde and Virginia Godfrey.

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FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS you need to know

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Wells Fargo Advisors WELLS FARGO ADVISORS, ARLINGTON BRANCH, has 13 experienced financial advisors and four support staff members dedicated to the financial well-being of their clients. Averaging more than 15 years of experience, Wells Fargo Advisors financial professionals help their high-net-worth clients navigate the ever-changing financial markets and pursue their long-term investing, income and retirement goals. As committed as Wells Fargo Advisors is to the well-being of its clients, the firm is equally committed to the city of Arlington. While other major investment firms have decided to leave Arlington, Wells Fargo Advisors has renewed its commitment. The Arlington office recently completed a remodel and expansion of its office suite. In addition, the number of financial advisors in the Arlington branch has nearly doubled in the past three years as several quality investment professionals have made the decision to move their practice to Wells Fargo Advisors. Combining the research, support and overall capabilities of one of the elite financial services firms in the world and the experience and personal attention of its financial advisors, the Wells Fargo Advisors Arlington branch is dedicated to achieving a brighter future for all of its clients and to the growth and prosperity of the city of Arlington.

WHEN YOU NEED A BANK, you need Real Bankers that can meet your needs with personal, business, or estate planning, trusts and investments. Your bank should be a community leader to meet the needs of all of the community, and that is why you should bank with Prosperity Bank Arlington and their team of REAL BANKERS. Billy W. Allen, President, Cathy S. Allen, EVP/Lender, Wendy Scribner, SVP Trust Officer and Jamey Binford, VP Lobby Manager are your REAL BANKERS. Their philosophy is to offer each customer excellent customer service with educated, experienced and tenured bankers in the banking industry. Whether it is identifying estate-planning needs, retirement solutions, or loans, including mortgages and deposit products, they work together to find solutions. Prosperity Bank is a $21.4 billion Houston, Texas based regional financial holding company formed in 1983, operating under a community banking philosophy and seeking to develop broad customer relationships. Based on service and convenience, Prosperity Bank has 245 full-service banking locations in Texas and Oklahoma with 36 locations here in DFW serving the Metroplex. Prosperity Bank’s Mission Statement is: • Greet every customer with a Smile • Address our Customers by Name, if possible • Try to say Yes instead of No • Thank the Customer for Banking with Prosperity Bank

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The Plains Capital Bank Team: (front row) Emily Eskridge, Mark Warren, Wendy Washington. Back Row: Tabor McMillan, Kyle Smith, Roy Whitfill, Brad Hays. Not Pictured: Andy Friedericks

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Mark Warren and Brad Hays PlainsCapital Bank TITLES: Mark Warren, Fort Worth Region Chairman; Brad Hays, Arlington President. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Mark Warren: Forty years in the banking industry. Named Fort Worth region chairman in 2013. Prior to that, served as Arlington president for six years, from 2007 to 2013. Brad Hays: Twenty five years in the banking industry. Named Arlington president in 2013. Both men were with Chase Bank prior to joining PlainsCapital in 2007. THE BANK’S PHILOSOPHY: Our professional philosophy is embodied in our company’s culture – we are empowered to take care of the needs of our customers and deliver results. This message is communicated from the top of our organization on down. We are supported and encouraged to work on behalf of our customers and offer solutions that best suit their needs. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: We participate in many community business organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce; we are actively involved with area schools through the Junior Achievement program; and we support several local causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington and the River Legacy Foundation. WHAT SETS THE BANK APART: Our business culture is unique to the industry. We truly are empowered to deliver results for our clients based on their individual needs. Our hands are not tied by corporate bureaucracy. We have the ability to make decisions as each case presents itself. We are a large community bank with the “operating style” of a small community bank. IT’S A GOOD DAY AT WORK WHEN ... We can exceed our customers’ expectations, earn a new customer from the referral of an existing one, help make a difference in the community AND our employees go home happy.

PlainsCapital Bank 1501 N. Center St. • (817) 698-4750 plainscapital.com arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

B ETTE R BANKING STARTS AT HOME.

FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS you need to know

Texas Trust Credit Union

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TEXAS TRUST CREDIT UNION has been serving its members since 1936. In 1990, it opened its first branch in Arlington, and it now has a team of roughly 250 staff members at its headquarters and in 16 branches, including six in Arlington. Texas Trust’s primary services include checking accounts, savings accounts, personal loans, real estate loans, insurance products, and investment services, as well as a full suite of digital money management tools. The company also offers several unique, cutting-edge services. Each of the company-offered checking accounts comes with the member’s choice of debit card, including a spirit debit rewards card, which gives members a way to support local students with every swipe. Further, its Checking20 account holders can receive up to $20 per month in bonuses. Since June 2015, Texas Trust has given members nearly $710,000 in Checking20 bonuses. The credit union’s mobile app is a full-service app, including mobile deposit and “Card Controls,” which allows members to freeze and unfreeze their credit or debit card. Additionally, Texas Trust offers an 80-day CD (certificate of deposit) at the member-friendly rate of .80% annual percentage yield. The staff embraces the company philosophy: “Building Brighter Financial Futures.” They know their members are friends, neighbors, and local business leaders, and have been helping them to live brighter since 1936. The ages-old credit union philosophy is “people helping people,” and Texas Trust serves that philosophy by focusing on its members’ best interests and on the education of local students. Every swipe of a spirit debit rewards card directly supports education in the communities Texas Trust serves. Because of its commitment to the community and to service “so great our members will brag about it,” Texas Trust has grown into a network of neighborhood branches with assets worth nearly one billion dollars. Despite phenomenal growth, the team maintains the spirit of a member-owned, personal financial cooperative with the same small-town, friendly service Texas Trust has offered their members since opening their doors. For example, in 2011 the company launched a program to give back to area students. A Spirit Debit Rewards card comes with any Texas Trust checking account and with every swipe, Texas Trust donates to the school, district, or organization Member FDIC depicted on the card. In December 2015, Texas Trust celebrated a milestone when it reached the $1,000,000 mark. In June 2015, it created the Checking20 account. Eligible members receive up to $20 in bonuses each month by simply doing the things we all do: financing a vehicle, shopping with a credit card, and buying a home. As of October 2016, Texas Trust has given back $709,798 in Checking20 11/19/15 3:58 $1,000,000 PM bonuses – and can’t wait to celebrate another milestone.

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ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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Local Media

LIVE from Arlington ... New ‘Mark Joeckel Show’ gives regular airplay to issues & items that affect the city of Arlington • By Donna Darovich

“A

ll Arlington, all the time” has long been the personal and business mantra of Mark Joeckel, founder of the community advocacy organization, “Arlington, Texas – Proud to Call It Home, “and now he has his own radio show to Mark Joeckel recently started spread the word via the air waves. hosting his own radio show on Mondays through Fridays on “The Mark Joeckel Show” on BizTalk Radio spotlights 870 AM. Arlington citizens and events and offers advice for small Photo: Donna Darovich businesses in a variety of areas, including social media marketing, Joeckel’s personal area of expertise. Thursdays, Joeckel focuses on how to market small businesses. He The show began airing a month ago, Monday through Friday, from also shines the light on a local non-profits. So far, those have included 3 to 5 p.m., and is the only Arlington show on the station. It airs on the Arlington Life Shelter and the 4th of July Association. Fridays are 870 AM and online at http://player.warpradio.com/BizTalkRadio/ devoted to the music scene in Arlington. David Conant, founder of index.php?t. Arlington Nights, a local organization that promotes musicians (per BizTalk Radio is a syndicated radio and television broadcast netforming in Arlington and the top five places to hear them). The show work with 189 radio stations in the U.S. and is owned by KFJZ radio, also includes an in-studio performance by a musician. long a familiar name in the Metroplex media market. BizTalk reaches Recent guests have included UTA political science professor Alabout 3.6 million area residents. len Saxe, president of the Arlington 4th of July Association Kevin “It is unbelievable asset to have this media giant in Arlington,” Donovan, Dance Theatre Arlington director Persis Ann Forster of Joeckel says. Dance Theatre Arlington and Yoko Matsumoto, director of Arlington Each day of programming on the show takes a different, but alLibraries. ways Arlington, spin. On Monday programs, owners of small, local Joeckel’s goal is to build Arlington’s presence on the station to 8 to businesses are interviewed and on Tuesdays, a community roundta10 hours a day of programming. ble of citizens talks about a variety of issues that impact the city (for Radio is a new gig for Joeckel, an Arlington High graduate who is an example, recent elections, including the vote for a new Texas Rangers ordained minister and has a degree in radio-television. “I’ve learned ball park). Joeckel’s station intern, Linah Mohammed, recently talked that in radio you have to just be yourself,” he says, “but the harder part about diversity on the UTA campus. is selling all the hours you want to be on the air.” Also on Tuesdays, retired Arlington Star-Telegram publisher and Joeckel, who has lived in Arlington since 1977, says building an aucolumnist O.K. Carter is a regular guest on the 4 to 5 p.m. segment. dience so that listeners can call-in is a challenge, but he thinks the mix Carter and Joeckel discuss the next and most recent Arlington On of topics will grow the listener base. Tap programs and other urban issues. Arlington on Tap is a monthly The radio studio at 808 E. Abram St. makes it one of the newest adevent in downtown Arlington featuring local speakers talking about ditions to the downtown Arlington business district. Arlington issues. Anyone with an idea for an individual, event or organization for the Wednesdays, high school football games are previewed and experts show (“or to advertise,” he quickly adds) should contact him. make their picks for winners. “After football season, we’ll focus on The show’s website is Biztalkarlington.com, and he can be reached good kids in Arlington and interesting things going on in the high via email at mark@biztalkarlington.com or mark@markjoeckel.com. schools,” Joeckel says. 50

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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Classic Cars

One PRIMO limo Albert and Debra Mahanna stand by their luxurious Cadillac limousine.

This car provided transportation for a couple of Consulate Generals of France in New York • By Richard Greene

Photos: Richard Greene

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

popular Christmastime children’s song celebrates traveling “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go; the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, through white and drifted snow!” When the song was originally published in 1844, it actually was about a trip to grandfather’s house to celebrate Thanksgiving – so now you know the answer to a trivia question that nobody will probably ever ask you. Today, if you happen to be a member of the Albert and Debra Mahanna family, as many as nine of you could make the same scenic trip in their 1954 Russet Red Landmark Fleetwood Edition Cadillac Series 75 Limousine.

The 1954 Russet Red Landmark Fleetwood Edition Cadillac Series 75 Limousine features sleek styling and an engine with plenty of get-up-andgo. The photo to the left shows just how long the auto stretches, even if it doesn’t technically qualify as a stretch limo.

Photos: Richard Greene

And, you could do so in the warm comfort of Bedford Cord Upholstered seats instead of being exposed to all that wind and snow on the way to Grandma’s. While it doesn’t actually qualify for the exact definition of “limousine” due to the lack of an optional roll up window between the passenger compartment and the driver, it served as one when this very car toured successive Consulate Generals of France around New York in the mid-1950s. Its most recent distinction was winning the trophy perched in front of the windshield (in the picture on the preceding page) in a recent Arlington classic car show. The Mahannas collectively became only the third owner of one of just 50 of these special, limited editions that Cadillac built. With a little over 34,000 actual miles, everything except the tires on this exceptional vehicle is original. Just to be sure, even that, too, is included when showing off the car – the spare tire in the trunk is the one that came with it off the show room floor 62 years ago. >>>

arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Under the hood of the expansive four-door sedan is an eight-cylinder, 331-cubic-inch, 230-horse power engine necessary to move the two-and-a-half-ton behemoth down the road. The car’s prodigious passenger capacity came from two jump seats that, as a result of the extended wheelbase, provided plenty of back seat room and a high-headroom, taller passenger compartment. Cadillac featured the Series 75 with a lower, sleeker-appearing body than previous models, a new cellular grille insert, inverted gull wing front bumpers and tapered, dagmar-style bumper guards. Round jet-style dual exhaust outlets were incorporated into the vertical bumper extensions, and the rear bumper was entirely redesigned. A wide ventilator intake was stretched across the base of the windshield, and a chrome visored headlamp look was emphasized. V-Shaped ornaments appeared on the hood and deck lid with Fleetwood script, leaving no doubt that the owner was driving the premier version of the luxury brand. While Cadillac’s iconic Flying Goddess hood mascot had taken many forms over its history, the one in ’54 advanced the low-profile, streamlined abstract look without detail in her wings or feathers. In 1954, these cars sold for just under $6,000 – almost three times the price of GM’s Buick Special that year. According to the big classic car insurer, Hagerty, one like the Mahanna’s would cost you about five times more than that today, if you could find one. Hagerty’s website says, as far as they know, none are listed for sale anywhere. So, if you want to take your group of nine to Grandma’s for Christmas in one of these, you will need to get in contact with Albert or Debra. Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced their phone number so, good luck with that.

The interior is spacious and luxirious, marked by state-of-the-times equipment. The upholstery pictured above is the original that came with the car. Right: The trademark Fleetwood V. 54

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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Past to Present

Restoring HISTORY Arlington Historical Society, local DAR chapter team to clean up graves at Johnson Cemetery • Karen Gavis

Photos: Toni Randle-Cook

As about a dozen volunteers moved from grave to grave with their cleaning utensils, tombstones and grave markers at Johnson Cemetery were returned to pristine condition. 56

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

bout a dozen volunteers recently met at an historic Arlington cemetery, determined that the graveyard, and its markers, would be properly cleaned, identified, and cared for. Some were armed with spray bottles, others wore straw hats, and one maneuvered dousing rods. Arlington Historical Society Director Geraldine Mills says nearly 80 graves have been identified at Johnson Cemetery, also known as Mill Branch or Mill Creek cemetery, where some of the region’s early African American graves are located. Many of the volunteers were Daughters of the American Revolution members performing service work for a sought-after grant to help the graveyard, which is located on Arkansas Lane just east of Matlock Road. “In this small, historic, family cemetery lie the remains of one of the principal figures in the history of Arlington and Tarrant County, together with those of his family, his slaves and their family members,” reads the City of Arlington’s website. “Colonel Middleton Tate Johnson was a member of the Congress of the Texas Republic, namesake of Johnson County, and known as the ‘Father of Tarrant County.’ He arrived in this area in 1846, as commander of a company of Texas Rangers.” Catrina Whitley, with the Tarrant County Archeological Society, has been working in the area with ground-penetrating radar. She says that while the technology can’t completely identify a grave, it can reveal when something is underground. Five sus-

Catrina Whitley of the Tarrant County Archeological Society and the Arlington Historical Society’s Geraldine Mills spearheaded the cleaning efforts.

pected graves were located in a northwest section of the property using the radar. Whitley points to a pile of sandstone rocks, including one in the shape of an obelisk. She says she believes some of the markers may have been moved around by people not realizing they were tombstones. She also wonders if the road that once ran though the property was a dividing line with the Johnson family together “and everybody else that are poor, regular folk” elsewhere. Graveyard plots sold in the early 1900s seemed to be concentrated on the property’s outer edges, Whitley says. In addition, GPR shows an unexplained, larger-than-what-a-single-grave-would-be area of what could possibly be ground disturbance near a tree. The Arlington Historical Society has been trying to get a wrought iron fence put up around the property, Mills says, but funding for

the project has not been forthcoming. “Each [fence] section will cost $300,” she notes. “And we need 147 sections to fix the entire cemetery.” Mills’ reasoning for the fundraising effort is this: Asking for individual sponsors of $300 per fence section would give residents “a sense of ownership,” plus it would be easier than asking for $50,000 for the entire project. Mills and Whitley say they were motivated to care for the cemetery partly because of Eulyssee Pointer, whose family members – including his mother, father, brother and first wife – were buried there. Pointer, who is now deceased, “raised cane,” Mills says, when at one point the cemetery gate had been locked and he could not get inside to visit the graves of his relatives. “He was about the only one who was fighting for [the cemetery,]” she says. Mills says she feels Pointer’s need to take care of cemetery, “and make it known that there were important people buried out there not only important to him but important to the town.” Mills says that includes Arlington residents who had “started businesses in The Hill, raised kids, cooked in people’s houses, and did all the labor that was done.” She is hopeful that people will realize the important, historical element that the small, historic graveyard adds to the city: “Cemeteries, they tell stories.”

Before and after: The ladies’ work has returned an historical cemetery to the shrine it was when it was founded in the early 1900s. arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Community Service

The GIFT of independence Helping Restore Ability is celebrating 40 years of assisting area residents overcome disabilities • By Donna Darovich

Photo courtesy of Helping Restore Ability

ohnny, 55, injured his spine in a 1980 diving accident and is unable to dress or bathe himself or cook meals. But he lives alone and works full-time. Double-leg amputee Kay, 68, lives alone and drives herself to Tarrant County College where she teaches a French class. Sandy, 51, has muscular dystrophy and no hand/arm control, but works as a Mary Kay consultant and recently competed in the Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2016, and won. All have the desire to live independently, pursue a career and enjoy life. And they are able to do so because the Arlington-based non-profit Helping Restore Ability (HRA) provides each with attendants who assist them with everything from bathing, dressing, cooking and errands to feeding and applying make-up. HRA is the largest non-profit in Texas providing independent living services. Persons with any disabling condition, physical and 58

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

intellectual, are eligible for their services, many of which are free or based on one’s resources. Cerebral palsy, autism, spinal cord injury, developmental delay, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, quadriplegia and spina bifida are the most common diagnoses for which HRA provides care. Its network of more 1,700 care attendants across Texas cares for those diagnosed. HRA, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, was established in 1977 as the Arlington Handicapped Association by UTA student Sam Provence, who had polio but was determined to wean himself from the iron lung he lived in, so he taught himself to “frog breathe” (gulp in large gasps of air that forced his body to absorb the oxygen, so that pneumatic belt on his wheelchair would squeeze his body and force the air back out of his lungs). Over time, he was able to lengthen the time “frog breathing” from a minute or two The Helping Restore Ability to more than two hours so that he could team operates the largest non-profit in Texas providing fly to Washington D.C. and meet with his independent living services. Congressmen to advocate for funding to It was founded by Sam start the organization. An award in his Provence (inset) in 1977. name is given each year to recognize an individual who works diligently for disability rights. The name of the association was changed in 1999 to better reflect its goals and mission, without the implied restrictions of the word handicapped, says Vicki Niedermayer, the organization’s chief executive officer for 15 years. “Our primary goal is simply to assist individuals to remain in their own homes (and out of institutions, including hospitals and nursing homes) for as long as possible,” she says. About l9 percent of those HRA serves are in Arlington. “But there are likely thousands of Arlingtonites or members of their family who have disabilities but just aren’t aware that we can help,“ she says, noting that the number of clients has grown from 80 clients in 2001 to 1,000 this year. Niedermeyer is recognized as a state leader in in the field of home health care and is on the board of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice. HRA is funded through grants, individuals and corporate donors, and recently received a grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation that funded enrollment costs for 50 new clients this past year. HRA has also been selected for inclusion in the Greatest Gift Catalog Ever for the fourth year in a row. The catalog helps connect donors and potential donors by noting the impact of their giving. The link to the catalog is thegreatestgiftevercatalog.org. HRA will celebrate its 40th anniversary May 20 at Park Place Motorcars Mercedes in Arlington. Details are on its website at helpingrestoreability.org It also has a Facebook page.

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Celebrity Watch

Pentatonix

Maren Morris

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Photo: Erika Goldring, FilmMagic

PENTATONIX will host MAREN MORRIS named holiday TV special on Dec. 14 best new artist at CMAs

entatonix, the popular, Arlington-rooted a cappella group that first made a splash nationally via a television program on NBC, will host its first network holiday special on Dec. 14 on that very network. “A Pentatonix Christmas Special” will mark the quintet’s return to NBC, where the group became the Season 3 winners of the network’s a cappella singing competition, “The Sing-Off.” The hour-long special will feature group members Avi Kaplan, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Mitch Grassi, headlining an all-star ensemble that also includes Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson, with other special guests to be added at a later date. The website deadline. com reports that one rumored to be in the mix is Dolly Parton, whose recent cover of her 1974 song “Jolene” with Pentatonix has gone viral, giving the country star a Top 20 hit for a sixth consecutive decade. The website notes that Parton has a strong relationship with NBC, where she has a deal for TV movies based on her songs. “A Pentatonix Christmas Special” will be executive-produced by Brad Lachman Productions, Inc. in collaboration with RCA Records and Pentatonix. The show will come on the heels of Pentatonix’s recently released third holiday album, “A Pentatonix Christmas,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The new album features the group’s arrangement of the Leonard Cohen classic, “Hallelujah,” which debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart. The music video received more than 20 million views in its first week.

Local

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

ast month, we noted that Maren Morris was getting set to perform at the annual Country Music Association awards show. Now we can add another exclamation point to the Arlington native’s rapidly ascending career: She not only performed in Nashville last month – she left the ceremony as the winner of the CMA’s “New Artist of the Year” award. Much like last year’s CMA Awards’ breakout star Chris Stapleton, Morris started as a songwriter in Nashville before launching a career as a performer. And, she performed her breakout hit “My Church” with gusto – right before hearing her name called as “New Artist of the Year.” “Y’all! I can’t win this award right after performing, I’m gonna fall apart,” she said during a press conference at the CMA event. Morris will long remember 2016 as special, no doubt, given that she earned five CMA nominations after releasing her eclectic, critically-acclaimed debut album, “Hero.” She also is a favorite to be nominated for a Grammy in the “Best New Artist” category, as well. During her acceptance speech at the CMA program, Morris noted that just a year ago, she wasn’t always the face standing in front of her songs. “Last year I sat across the street at a bar and watched this show,” she said. “I never thought as a songwriter I’d be standing here today. Thank you all so much for voting for me. My songwriting community here in Nashville, you gave me the courage to do this.”

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Faith in Action

Restore HOPE How an Arlington organization makes a significant impact helping crisis victims all over the world • By Michele Duskin

ost of us remember the heartbreaking news reports of the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in the Summer of 2014. More than 28,000 cases of the deadly disease were reported in three West African countries, and an estimated 11,000 people lost their lives. It was the most widespread outbreak of Ebola virus disease in history. What many of us don’t know is that an organization called Restore Hope, based in the heart of downtown Arlington, is credited with making a huge impact during the rescue phase of this devastating health crisis. “Restore Hope is a non-profit organization that assists the faith community and others in addressing the holistic needs of people and communities worldwide,” says the organization’s Executive Director Cindy Wiles. “It was formed in 2006 when a group of Texas church leaders were looking for means of engaging the broad spectrum of global challenges that deplete people and communities of hope. Whether poverty or hunger, conflict or disease, illiteracy or spiritual lostness, orphan or widow, Restore Hope provides avenues for intervention in some of the most challenging places in the world.” Prior to the Ebola outbreak, Restore Hope had a presence in West Africa. Two interim care homes had been in place for about six years, providing refuge for vulnerable children between the ages of 4 and 12

The photos on this and the ensuing page show West African children whose families were assisted by Restore Hope via the etablishment of Interim Care Homes.

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

who were victims of abuse, abandonment, labor trafficking, and sex trafficking. Once the epidemic hit, those homes as well as a large community center were eventually filled with Ebola orphans and survivors. San Antonio-based BCFS (Baptist Child & Family Services), assisted in developing protocols and systems to care for Ebola specific orphans. The collaborative efforts were able to provide medical treatment, counseling, food, shelter and educational intervention for children who were orphaned by Ebola or who were affected with the disease. Outside the walls of the interim care homes, Restore Hope reached more than 85,000 people with education on Ebola Virus Disease prevention through a 120-member Ebola Response Team. They also played a very important role in providing much needed medical supplies to local hospitals and clinics during the outbreak. Because of the efforts of Restore Hope, more than 30 U.S. partner organizations and 35 Sierra Leonean partners were able to provide much needed food and other forms of relief throughout the crisis. While Restore Hope’s outreach has touched people all over the world since its inception over 10 years ago, Wiles says the organization’s response to the Ebola epidemic has been one of their most effective interventions. “We felt like God had placed us there for a reason,” she says. “We were very blessed that we had the facilities and people already in place to respond to the Ebola crisis.”

Cindy Wiles is executive director of Restore Hope. The organization was founded in 2006 by a group of Texas church leaders looking to provide assistance to areas of the world facing acute challenges.

Church of Arlington, have been an integral part of Restore Hope’s The Ebola epidemic officially ended in March. To date, 110 orsuccess over the years. Most recently, Cindy was recognized by the phaned children have been the recipients of Restore Hope’s emergenChristian Women’s Job Corp of Tarrant County for her extensive work cy relief program in Sierra Leone. Seventy-eight of those have been in worldwide global mission service. She has served as Restore Hope’s permanently placed in homes. By April 2017, the plan is to have 140 executive director since 2006 and is also a member of the Board of Adorphaned Ebola children placed. vocates for Baylor University’s Di The Ebola story is just one example ana Garland School of Social Work; of the work Restore Hope has done Restore Hope’s West Africa serves on the board of trustees for on an international level. Aside from Baptist University of the Americas; disaster relief and recovery, Restore Ebola Virus Intervention and is involved in a host of other Hope works diligently with other • Provided 1,850 households with soap, hand sanitizer and houseChrist-centered organizations. church-based organizations around hold cleaning supplies for Ebola prevention Restore Hope’s board members the world to make life better for pover• Distributed 1.8 million relief meals to 4,200 households are composed of several Arlington ty stricken countries by offering train• Distributed 2.4 million vitamins to women and children leaders, including Mayor Jeff Wiling in community development and •Distributed 1,800 pairs of shoes to need families liams and City Council Member economic empowerment, and creating • Trained and mobilized 12 contact tracing teams to contain local Kathryn Wilemon. ways to improve access to quality edoutbreaks and provide support to quarantined homes The organization is primarily ucation and healthcare. The organiza• Provided approximately 6 tons of medical supplies, preventing 12 funded through individual and tion also offers an Orphan Sponsorship hospitals and clinics from being shut down private donors. More detailed inprogram, which provides education, formation about Restore Hope can necessary food, clothing, healthcare be found on its website, restorehopetoday.org, or by calling the main and other needed supplies to orphaned or abandoned children. office at (817) 276-6494. Cindy and her husband, Dr. Dennis Wiles, pastor of First Baptist

arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Community Corner

4 REASONS for you to check out the 2017 International Bowl HIGH SCHOOL-AGED U.S. National Teams will compete against teams representing Canada and Japan when the International Bowl Series returns to Arlington next month. The games are a collaboration of the sport’s national governing bodies in each country – USA Football, Football Canada and the Japan American Football Association – and they will feature top student-athletes in football’s greatest annual international competition. The eighth-annual event will feature a week of practices and activities for teams on each age level culminating in games played Jan. 16-17 at AT&T Stadium. Here are four reasons why you won’t want to miss the series of high school football competitions:

Photos: usafootball.com

1. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! As the national governing body of football, USA Football builds the U.S. National Team with some of the better talent in the country, players who represent the United States in international play across the world. The International Bowl is the pinnacle and final step for the National Teams program. 2. The chance to see future professional stars A number of players who competed for the National Team in past International Bowls went on to play in the National Football League. The list includes Josh Huff (2010 National Team) – Eagles; Tyrann Matheiu (2010 National Team) – Cardinals; Todd Gurley (2012 National Team) – Rams; Devin Funchess (2012 National Team) – Panthers; and Jameis Winston (2012 National Team) – Buccaneers. 3.Our stadium is better than their stadium (whatever their stadium is) AT&T Stadium has been the site of a Super Bowl and a national collegiate championship game. Now, it’s an international football mecca, as well. In addition to enjoying the game, fans can take in the spectacle of the gold standard of venues. 4. An international experience The country’s favorite game doesn’t take the international stage very often. This is one of those times. Better yet, attending the International Bowl Series will give fans an opportunity to see the action up close and personal on the sideline, as they can purchase a field pass and experience football like never before. For information about the game, the rosters, the schedules and tickets, visit internationalbowl.com. 64

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Last year’s International Bowl Series featured exciting action between teams from the United States and Canada. This year, Japan is part of the mix.

PARK HERE! Walnut Creek Linear Park Trail connects Town Park, Rose Park and McKnight Park East and West and features bird watching stations, scenic overlooks and picnic stations.

Meanwhile, in Mansfield ... THROUGH THE REFUNDING of its bonds, Mansfield Independent School District has saved taxpayers approximately $63.1 million. Bond refunding allows the district to exchange its higher-interest debt for that of a lower rate. The savings were accrued through 11 different bond series since 2010. MISD has maintained outstanding ratings from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Fitch Ratings, the top three credit rating agencies. Those ratings allow MISD to achieve the lowest interest rates available for all bond financings. “The MISD Business Services Department continually looks for ways to make the most out of taxpayer dollars,” says Dr. Karen Wiesman, associate superintendent of business and finance. “We will continue to effectively manage the district’s debt and finances and ensure economical and efficient operations.” •••••

Photo: City of Mansfield

EIGHTH GRADERS Tyler Henson and and Brianna White are among the finalists for the Bobby Bragan Scholarship. In the fall of each year, eighth-grade students are asked to apply for a scholarship by completing an application which includes extensive information about their academic achievements, extracurricular and athletic activities and community involvement from 6th through 8th grade. Students are also required to write an essay on their favorite role model. Each participating school then nominates the two most worthy applicants for consideration by the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation. Only 34 applications are selected for this award. Tyler and Brianna are in the process for a $2,500 college scholarship.

ARLINGTON ON TAP: The spring lineup Here’s the schedule of upcoming Tap talks, all of which begin with THE FREE LECTURE SERIES Arlington on Tap returns for the second half of a 6 p.m. happy hour, followed by the speaker coming on promptly at its season in January with, Tap co-creator O.K. Carter says, “an even 7 p.m. RSVPs are not required or expected. more eclectic series of speakers.” Topics will range from the phenom Jan. 10: “Things You Wish You Hadn’t Learned About the Texas enon of an astonishing increase in the numbers of unattached (or at Legislature” – Diane Patrick, Gilligan’s Bar and Grill, 400 E. Main. least unmarried) women to a rare retrospective on the not-quite-funPatrick is an educator, long-time former legislator and current Tarny, not-quite-serious Texas Legislature as seen by a veteran of a derant County College trustee. cade of elected service on the Feb. 15: A Valentine’s tribute lawmaking body. to women – sort of – as City The entertaining series of Councilwoman and political happy hour, barstool philosscience professor Dr. Victoria opher talks revolve around a Farrar-Myers delves into “All variety of downtown bars and the Single Girls,” a look at a new bistros. Sponsors include the phenomenon of women marryArlington Historical Society, ing much later in life (if at all), Arlington Proud and Arlington and the political, economic and Today magazine. Diane Dr. Victoria David Bud Donna sociological implications there “We wanted to keep the Patrick Farrar-Myers Hopkins Kennedy Darovich of, Hooligans, 310 E. Abram St. crowd to a manageable hun March 14: “My Spin on the dred people or so,” says ArUniverse” – humor writer and cartoonist David Hopkins, Division lington Proud’s Mark Joeckel, who with Carter created the Tap sesBrewing, 506 E. Main Street. Hopkins has a unique worldview, and sions. “So we were a little surprised when 246 people showed up for maybe he’ll tell the crowd about once wrestling a mountain lion. the first Tap in September at Legal Draft.” April 11: Bud Kennedy, Star-Telegram “Eats Beat” columnist on The Tap event has even kicked off its own radio show featuring Jowhat he’s learned dining at more Tarrant restaurants than anybody eckel and Carter every Tuesday on KFJZ radio, 870 on the AM dial. else in the world. Legal Draft, East and Division streets. The station’s new offices are in downtown Arlington on Abram Street. May 9: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Pressroom,” “We even call the show Arlington on Tap, but we talk about all a humorous look at how the Arlington Citizen-Journal disappeared things Arlington, as well as chatting with future speakers,” says Join the digital age – Donna Darovich, former city editor of the Arlingeckel, who also hosts the “Mark Joeckel Show” 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the ton Citizen-Journal, Maverick’s Bar and Grill, 601 E. Main St. station Monday through Friday.

The spring speakers ...

arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Picture-perfect Moments

Scene

Snapshots from the recent Timeless Concerts event, the North Arlington Little League’s “Pink Out” Fundraising event and the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner

Suzy Springob, Sharon Holmes, Dennis Hevia, concert producer and violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, John Meek, Lisa Brown and Janey Meek

Ana Aguilar, Melanie Juarez and Rosa Montes

Photo courtesy of Texas Health Health Resources

The North Arlington Little League’s recent “Pink Out” fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness raised $1,948 for the Texas Health Foundation for Texas Health Arlington Memorial. Pictured are Tabitha Reyanall, Jane McNelis, Dr. Scott Fleischauer, Beth Gonzalez and Kim Stelwagen.

Tamra Cooper, Paloma Cepada and Sergio Cepada

Bill Bowie, Shari Bowie, Kathryn Stone and Dave Stone at the YMCA event

Clockwise from front left: Rodney Johnson, Dave Stone, Kathryn Stone, Bill Bowie, Shari Bowie, Charlie Patterson, Glynda Patterson and Roberto E. Aguirre

Photos: Dennis Hevia

Photos courtesy of Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Tennis Tip

Selecting a racquet: a PERFECT match!

You have the tennis bug, and you want to buy a new racquet! Before you open your wallet, there are a few factors that should go into your selection process. If you are just starting out, look for a basic, pre-strung aluminum frame that you can purchase at your local tennis club or sporting goods store for round $25. These frames generally do not last for long periods of time, and they are not meant to be restrung. If you are past the introductory level frame, you are looking for what is often called a “performance” racquet. These racquets may range in price from $100 to $250 and up. It is recommended you consult a trained tennis professional at your local tennis club, as several factors need to be considered. • Age: 10 and Under tennis players have racquets specifically made for their age and level, with a maximum length of 25 inches. Adult racquets are 27 inches-plus in length. • Level of play and racquet performance goals: Recreational player? High School JV player? Need power? Want control? • Weight and Balance: Light or heavy? Head light or head heavy? • Grip size: Trends in recommended grip size change. The decision sometimes comes down to personal preference. Remember: You

can always build it up a grip size, but you cannot make it smaller. Narrow the options to a few frames, and always demo the racquets before you make a purchase, ideally several times, hitting all shots (e.g., serves, returns, groundstrokes, volleys). A ball machine is excellent to demo against, as the ball comes to you consistently. Lastly, a great time to buy a performance racquet is just before or after a Grand Slam. Pro shops often put the “old” models on sale to make room for the new frames being unveiled at the Grand Slam tournaments. You can find an excellent performance racquet at great savings. Stop! Before you buy … If you already have a racquet, and you just want a new one, go for it. But if you are unhappy with your current racquet’s performance, consider having it restrung, and tweaking the tension. That option can breathe new life into an old frame. Still want to buy a new racquet? Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a tennis racquet is what feels good to you, as the player. You do not have to spend high dollars to find a frame that fits your game. If it feels right, you will always play better! – Julie Fusik, USPTA Professional, Arlington Tennis Center

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Picture-perfect Moments

Scene

Snapshots from Theatre Arlington’s opening night of Blithe Spirit and from the 43rd Annual Stony Awards, celebrating outstanding performances, technical staff, volunteers and community partners

Photos: Brendon James

Stephanie Rudy, Judy Keith and Sara Ragsdale

Dwain May, Ira Steck, Steven D. Morris and Nancy May

Brandi Andradi, Best Director of a Play and Best Play (Calendar Girls)

David Joeckel, Kelly Joeckel and Callie Cunningham

Pam Hardaway (TA Guild Volunteer of the Year), Kim Lawson and Beth Marshall (TA Guild Lifetime Achievement Award) 70

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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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 1. VB Steakhouse 2. Candlelite Inn 3. Cafe Sicilia 4. David’s Barbecue

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 • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

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

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Health / Fitness

Ditto, that! Renovations will take one of Arlington’s storied golf courses, Chester W. Ditto, to a whole new level over the next year

n the near future, ground will be broken to begin renovations on Chester W. Ditto Golf Course (801 Brown Blvd.). The project comes on the heels of two public meetings this past summer, during which city residents and the Arlington City Council convened to discuss how the “new” Ditto would be shaped. A final plan of action should be available to the public before year’s end, according to city officials, who shared a proposed artist’s rendering (pictured here) of what the revisions might look like. Chester W. Ditto Golf Course is a 164-acre facility located in North Arlington. The golf course was opened in 1982 and has served Arlington residents for many years without major renovations to the course or clubhouse. The 18-hole facility also features a practice driving range and golf cart and maintenance buildings. A 2008 Park Bond Program included $1.5M for design and construction of high-priority improvements at the course. To create a long-term vision for Ditto, and to identify renovation alternatives and priorities, the Parks and Recreation Department developed a renovation plan to guide future construction. Now that public meetings have been conducted, that plan will soon come to fruition. The city cited increasing competition from surrounding courses, most with modernized clubhouse amenities and course designs, for the immediacy of the update, noting that course renovations are necessary to maintain patronage and cost recovery. In addition, this project opens the door to discussing how the renovation and rebranding of Ditto could play into the redevelopment of north Arlington and development of Arlington’s Entertainment District. The revisions are designed to improve playing conditions, especially fairways and greens, and will re-route a number of hole locations. The project also will enhance on-course amenities and clubhouse and maintenance facilities, including the placement and relationships between the clubhouse and supporting infrastructure. 74

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Image courtesy of The City of Arlington

Colligan Golf Design was selected from five bidding golf course architectural firms to perform the renovation, which will include the following: 1) Golf course improvements, including revised hole locations, alignments and enhancements necessary to improve playability and experience, as well as new and enlarged water features, an enlarged practice facility, cart path realignment and improvements to course drainage and collection improvements. 2) Clubhouse improvements, including a new Clubhouse/Pro shop, enhanced cart storage and interior space, as well as renovated parking and drop off areas, new indoor and outdoor rentable event space, outdoor seating with pavilion/gazebo, an entrance drive and sign improvements on the course and along Hwy 157, and a new, relocated maintenance facility area. City officials say the Arlington-based Colligan was was selected to complete the project because of its qualifications and experience with similar renovation projects. Updates on the project can be found at arlingtongolf.com/cwditto_home.

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Events, etc.

IT OUT >>>

Sights/Sounds Your resource for entertainment in and around Arlington THEATER: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever When: Dec. 2-3 Where: St. John Lutheran Church (1218 Debbie Lane, Mansfield) Show time: 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday Notes: Mainstage Classic Theatre presents this holiday classic, in which a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids--probably the most inventively awful kids in history. For more: mainstageclassic theatre.org

MUSIC: Arlington Music Hall’s CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! When: Dec. 2-4, 9-11 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sunday Notes: Showcasing sensational singers, dynamic dancers, charming children, a kick-line of lovely young ladies, colorful costumes, sparkling special effects and a visit from Santa himself, each segment of CHRISTMASPECTACULAR! brings to life memory-making moments that will last a lifetime. For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

THEATER: A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley When: Dec. 2-18 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 76

Notes: Famous the world over, the heart-warming story of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the others is a classic of world literature. Israel Horovitz’s adaptation is brilliantly theatrical and adds elements of inventiveness and creativity that will delight audiences of all ages. For more: theatrearlington.org

MUSIC: Dolly Parton’s Pure & Simple tour When: Dec. 3 Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 8 p.m. Notes: Country Music pioneer and legendary performer Dolly Parton brings her largest North American tour in over two decades to our area. For more: verizontheatre.com

MUSIC: All Community Band Holiday Concert When: Dec. 4 Where: South Oaks Baptist Church (5925 US 287 Frontage Road) Show time: 7 p.m. Notes: Area musicians will perform a selection of beloved holiday favorites, ranging from “Sleigh Ride” to Russian Christmas music. For more: (817) 467-0158

MUSIC: Acoustic Sundays with Jesse Jennings & Friends on the Patio When: Dec. 4, 11, 18 Where: Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Cafe (781 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield) Show time: 7 p.m. Notes: Jesse Jennings is a singer,

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

A holiday concert to remember

TWO OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC’S more powerful and lasting performers will present “Christmas with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 32 No. 1 songs, earned three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and more than 40 Dove Awards. Grant has earned six Grammy Awards and numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, as well as three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums. In addition to those two, Jordan Smith, generally regarded as the best singer in the history of “The Voice” television series, and the Plano Symphony Orchestra will perform. For more: verizontheatre.com.

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

COMEDY: Here Comes the Funny Tour, featuring Adam Sandler, David Spade, Nick Swardson and Rob Schneider When: Dec. 7 Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 7:30 p.m. Notes: Four iconic comedians turned actors headline this blockbuster show, which comes with a “Mature Audience” warning. It also promises to bring plenty of laughs for the fans of Sandler, Spade, Swardson and Schneider, who frequently collaborate on projects for the stage and screen. For more: verizontheatre.com

TRIVIA: Live Trivia with the PubGuys When: Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 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: Symphony Arlington Holiday Safari When: Dec. 15 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. Notes: Symphony Arlington will perform this special holiday concert, which includes works such as “Sheep May Safely Graze” by J.S. Bach, “We Three Kings” by James Stephenson and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson. For more: arlingtonmusichall.net

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Speaking of Sports

All I want for Christmas is ... ... For fans of the Texas Rangers to experience the sheer joy that comes from a championship • By John Rhadigan

ll I want for Christmas is Delirium. Now Webster defines delirium as, “a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of surroundings.” That is exactly what I am talking about. It is also exactly what I saw Cubs fans experience last month when their team won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. There are very few fan bases that have suffered like the Cubs fans, so to match their level of delirium would be difficult, but there is one High on my Christmas team in town that could come close. You wish list: keeping Ian Desmond. guessed it – the Texas Rangers. A 108year drought is significant, but it pales in comparison to Never! The Rangers are on a list of eight teams never to have won the series. It includes our neighbors to the south in Houston, the divisional rival Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League. San Diego, Milwaukee, Colorado and Washington are the National League teams never to have won it all. Of the teams on that list the Rangers are the closest to ending the drought. To do it they need Santa to squeeze a big gift down the chimney at Globe Life Park in Arlington. That gift would be at least one and perhaps two starting pitchers. The Rangers still have a great one-two punch at the top of the rotation in Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish. Martin Perez will be back, too, but after that nothing is certain. It is my sincere hope that Colby Lewis gets another contract. The soon-to-be-38-year-old has out run father time so far and is a quiet, confident leader in a clubhouse full of youth. He started his career here, he loves it here, and he should finish his career here. His influence on other veteran pitchers could be significant, too. Age and injuries robbed him of his power. So all he does is pitch. He can be a living visual aid as others on the pitching staff get older, too. The list of free agent pitchers available this season is not startlingly strong. To me, it would be worth kicking the tires on Edinson Volquez. The one time V in DVD, he spent last season in Kansas City. He might make a nice fourth starter at a relatively low price. However, this may be a year when Jon Daniels must go the trade route to acquire starting pitching. The other priority of the off-season will be to figure out first base and center field. Two of my favorites occupied those positions last 78

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

year. Mitch Moreland won his first Gold Glove for work at first base last year. He is another player born and raised a Ranger. And Ian Desmond played center field for the first time in his career. He rolled the dice and signed a one-year deal with the Rangers last March. His gamble paid off. Someone is going to pay him a lot of money this off-season. I sincerely hope it is the Rangers. To me the greatest gift of this holiday season was delivered last month when Arlington voters chose to keep the team in town. That new, air-conditioned stadium is going to make going to games so much more enjoyable in the hot summer months. And when the weather permits, which is often, the roof will be open. Dirt is also being moved at Texas Live, the exciting entertainment district being built adjacent to Globe Life Park in Arlington. The same company built the same kind of complex in St. Louis (as well as several other cities). I was in the complex in St. Louis this season. Thousands Photo: zimbio.com of fans congregate there before and after games to enjoy food, fun and fellowship. The vibe is awesome. This is going to be an important off season for the Rangers, who are right on the cusp of being the next team to win its first World Series. Yet it has already been a great off-season because the new stadium will ensure that the Rangers will stay in the middle of the Metroplex forever. Well, maybe I shouldn’t say forever. Forever is a long time. Just ask Cubs fans.

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

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arlingtontoday.com • December 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY

Events, etc.

IT OUT >>>

Itinerary Your official Arlington area guide to fun (and the like) Dec. 1-Dec. 23 What: Sixth Annual Texas Christkindl Market Where: Globe Life Park When: Noon-8 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Saturday); Noon-7 p.m. (Sunday) In a nutshell: Inspired by a cherished German tradition, this family-friendly market features a unique shopping experience for gifts and holiday decorations, along with authentic German cuisine, holiday beverages, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more. For more: txchristkindlmarket.com

Dec. 1-Jan. 1 What: Holiday in the Park Where: Six Flags Over Texas When: 2-10 p.m. In a nutshell: This popular event is back for select days, when the park transforms into a winter wonderland where you can enjoy shows, submit your Christmas wishes to Santa and indulge in the foods of the season. For more: sixflags.com/overtexas

Dec. 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 do80

nated to the UTA African Art Collections. For more: goo.gl/JzC3FG

Dec. 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 Twentieth 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

Dec. 2-3 What: Arlington Historical Society’s Annual Christmas at Knapp Heritage Park event Where: Knapp Heritage Park (201 W. Front St.) When: 6-8 p.m. on Friday; Noon-4 p.m. on Saturday In a nutshell: Each year, the Arlington Historical Society sets aside a special weekend for residents to kick off the holiday season, pioneer style. On Friday, local students will adorn the park with handmade Christmas stars in preparation of lighting the tree. Also, resident artist and blacksmith James Ryan will give demonstrations in his blacksmith shop, and elementary choirs will sing holiday songs. On Saturday, children can celebrate a pioneer Christmas by making cornhusk dolls and pine cone bird feeders, and decorate their

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo courtesy of Viridian

Viridian’s Winter Chill is Dec. 3

DECEMBER IS GUARANTEED to “brrrring” snow this year — at least in Viridian – during the community’s Dec. 3 Winter Chill event. Free and open to the public, Winter Chill is set for 2-5 p.m. at the Viridian Lake Club, 1200 Viridian Park Lane in Arlington. Activities include sledding down a mountain of snow, train rides and photos with a longhorn “rein-steer.” A toy soldier stilt walker will amuse the crowd, who will also enjoy holiday snacks. For more information, visit viridiandfw.com.

own tree and grind their own corn. Saturday’s event cost $3 per child. For more: (817) 460-4001

Dec. 3, 11, 18, 29, 31 What: University of Texas Arlington men’s basketball Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) When: Check below for tipoff times In a nutshell: The UTA Mavericks women’s team will host Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 3 (2 p.m.); Eastern New Mexico on Dec. 11 (5 p.m.); Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 18 (5 p.m.); Appalachian State on Dec. 29 (7 p.m.) and Coastal Carolina on Dec. 31 (2 p.m.). For more: utamavs.com

Dec. 5, 31 What: University of Texas Arlington men’s basketball Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) When: 7 p.m. on Dec. 5; 4:30 p.m.

on Dec. 31 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 Dec. 5, they play host to the University of Texas Dallas, and on Dec. 31, they entertain Coastal Carolina. For more: utamavs.com

Dec. 18, 26 What: Dallas Cowboys football Where: AT&T Stadium When: Check website for kickoff times. In a nutshell: The Cowboys have two home games this month. They play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 18 and the Detroit Lions on Dec. 26. For more: dallascowboys.com

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

Honor Your Favorite Arlington ISD Teacher with a Nomination for the

AWARE Foundation Award of Excellence The AWARE Foundation encourages innovation and excellence in AISD classroom instruction. For each of the past 27 years, the AWARE Foundation has recognized outstanding AISD teachers at our annual spring banquet. Winners and runners-up receive unrestricted cash awards. In the past four years, the AWARE Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in cash and prizes! Intent to Nominate cards requested by December 13, 2016. Nomination packets due by January 10, 2017. The Awards banquet will be held May 9, 2017, 7 p.m. Bluebonnet Ballroom, University of Texas at Arlington

Visit www.awarefoundation.com for additional information.

arlingtontoday.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ ARLINGTON TODAY

Finish Line

Texas Christkindl Market This not-to-be-missed Arlington tradition is bigger and better than ever this year • By Richard Greene

he Sixth Annual Christkindl Market is underway at Globe Life Park in Arlington with extended hours, entertainment features, new vendors, and food selections to make your visit more enjoyable than ever before. You won’t want to miss this enchanting Christmastime experience in the spirit of markets held throughout Germany during the holiday season. Ours feature Texas-German cuisine like brats, goulash, potato pancakes, gingerbread, baked goods, Gluhwein and German beers. Celebrate the season with unique handmade gifts, artwork and clothing, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, steins, ornaments, collectibles, jewelry and more. A centerpiece of the market experience is the world-famous Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store – the market leader in traditional German Christmas items. You will find an overwhelming selection of Christmas decorations and individual gift ideas for the whole year. Kathe Wohlfahrt prides itself in products from their workshops designed and made by creative artists and expert craftsmen. Only high-quality materials such as glass, wood and tin are used in these items, exclusively available in their stores across the world. The Arlington market brings them to North Texas via a short drive from anywhere in the region. There’s lots for the kids, including this year’s introduction of Peppermint Park – a holiday attraction featuring children activities, winter carnival games, kid crafts, puppet shows and a holiday themed train ride. You won’t want to miss the new Artic Blast Tubing Run that uses state-of-the-art snow technology to create “the closest thing you’ll find to snow in DFW,” according to Southern Star Events spokeswoman Joe Horan. He says professional athletes who specialize in winter sports train on this new amazing technology, and Texas Christkindl Market is the only place in the Lone Star State to offer the technology to guests. And, of course, there’s the opportunity to visit Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, in his own Santa Haus, where anyone can visit him, pick up some free candy, and purchase a professional photo to capture the moment of forever memories. USA Today has named Arlington’s market as one of the best German Christmas markets, declaring, “Forget shopping malls – more 82

ARLINGTON TODAY • December 2016 • arlingtontoday.com

people are finding the Christmas spirit in these markets.” Here’s a handy question and answer guide to help plan your visit: Q. How long is the market open and which days? A. The market runs through Dec. 23, is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Q. How do I get to the market? A. If arriving in Arlington along I-30, take the southbound exit at FM-157, Collins Street and drive the few blocks to the Randol Mill Road intersection, turn east and proceed to Globe Life Park. Q. Is there an admission charge and what about parking? A. There is no admission charge, and parking at Globe Life Park is free, too. Just follow the signs. Q. Is the market outside? A. Yes, along the North side of the ballpark. Q. May I bring my dog? A. Friendly canine companions and service dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and cleaned up after. Q. Do the vendors take credit cards? A. While it varies by vendor, most of Photos courtesy of Texas Christkindl Market them happily accept credit cards. Food and drink are available with Christkindl tickets that can be purchased at the market and ATMs are available onsite. Q. What kind of drinks are available? A. Non-alcoholic beverages include soft drinks, water, cider and Six Flags Over Texas’ famous hot chocolate. Alcoholic selections include Glüwein and beers. Q. What else can I do before or after visiting the market? A. The holidays are always brimming with events in Arlington. From viewing the nationally famous Interlochen lights to experiencing Six Flags Holiday in the Park right next door to the Texas Christkindl Market. Visit arlington.org for a comprehensive list of things to do, see and experience. Q. Is there more information available on the web? A. Of course – check out txchristkindlmarket.com or find the latest updates and discussions on the Texas Christkindl Market Facebook site. Richard Greene served as Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997 and currently teaches in the University of Texas Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

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