PLUS: How ‘bout Those Rangers! ... WOMEN IN BUSINESS ... A Primrose School Anniversary
October 2016
your community • your magazine
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Contents October 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 10
<<< On the Cover
To help us celebrate Women in Business this month, one of Arlington’s more successful families – Dr. Joan Bergstrom and daughters Valerie Landry and Camille McDonald – share how they have risen to the top of their fields. Photo: Ken Cox, Munson-Cox Portrait Design
HIGHLIGHTS 28 UTA Today
The region’s largest university is driving the economy through education measures focusing on tomorrow’s workforce.
29 Women in Business
44
Profiles on some the Arlington area’s more successful business people.
42 A jewel in our crown
Downtown Arlington has been named a cultural district by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
44 Behold the great Rolls-Royce
52
42
Highlights from a visit to the world’s largest Rolls-Royce museum on a trip to the Austrian Alps.
52 An ode to autumn
The Arlington area features innumerable scenic fall views – all you have to do is look for them.
54 Local haunts
On Hallow’s Eve (or some other days this month), be sure to check out these area attractions.
58 True heroes
The 740th Tank Battalion Assocication holds a local reunion to honor and remember the unit’s role in WWII.
DEPARTMENTS Starting Line ... 14 This ‘n Data ... 16 Scene ... 24, 48, 64, 70 Around Town ... 26 Style ... 50 Tennis Tip ... 68 Dining Guide ... 72 Health & Fitness ... 74 Sights/Sounds ... 76 Speaking of Sports ... 78 Itinerary ... 80 Finish Line ... 82 12
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
60 An education like no other
Happy, well-adapted graduates help Primrose School celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
54
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Starting Line EXECUTIVE BOARD Executive Publisher Judy M. Rupay CEO Richard Greene
A net gain We’ve upgraded our website to help you enjoy the Arlington area even more
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say “Atari,” you say ... “Pong.” I say “Microsoft,” you say ... “Windows.” I say “iPhone,” you say ... “Oh, man, I’ve got to go spend the night outside the store AGAIN?!” What I’m really saying here is that a whole lot has been said, technologically speaking, over the past half century – in a very rapid manner. Since the 1970s we’ve removed the chord from our telephone, greatly enhanced thumb dexterity, invented an App for that (whatever “that” is) and made the Mario Brothers super. We’ve cre8ted a nu language, started our coffee maker from the bedroom and car from the sidewalk, and become bffs with someone named Siri (who, technically, isn’t someone at all). We’ve made our phone a television and our television a movie theater. But should we actually want to go to a movie theater, we can use our phone/television to purchase tickets for a reserved seat in advance, warm the seats of our car before entering it for the drive to the mall and alert every one of our friends about our trip to the movie house pre/during/post. And we’ll know how many friends we really have by monitoring how many of them “Liked” that we went to the movies. While we’re waiting to see that, we will send e-mails and Editor e-cards and e-invites – and e-pay almost all of our bills. The next Yale Youngblood day, we will attend a meeting in Cleveland without leaving Arlington (although I would suggest that people in Cleveland don’t even want to attend meetings in Cleveland, so we might also inspire the next technological breakthrough: helping Clevelanders find a new virtual home). For the final piece of evidence in defense of changing technology that, in turn, is changing the world, I offer what I’ll call Exhibit A: That small rectangular contraption in your pocket. Inside that phone shaped like a 3x5 card – and not a whole lot thicker – is circuitry so sophisticated that it can do virtually everything necessary to butt dial your boss three times in a week. So, you might wonder, where is this virtual path going? The answer is found in a URL, or actually two. Of course, none of us but the IT guys have any clue what URL stands for, and we only know that IT stands for Information Technology because the IT guy told us. No matter, you definitely need to check out these URLs: arlingtontoday.com and arlingtontodayonline.com. Both will take you to our virtual new world, which is, technically, an upgrade of our old virtual new world, aka our website. While this bigger/better web location might not rival the advent of Facebook in pure “wow” terms, we’re still pretty proud of its user-friendly nature, clean look and interaction capabilities. It features all the great information you see on this and the ensuing 70 pages, plus it will keep you posted on daily happenings in and around our fair burg, great deals from advertisers and entertainment options you won’t want to miss. It might even make your life better, which is kind of the point. Press “Like” if you agree. yale@arlingtontoday.com
Visit arlingtontoday.com, like us on Facebook 14
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
and follow us on Twitter
and Instagram
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 Corey Callaway, Donna Darovich, Michele Duskin, Karen Gavis, Bill Lace, Kenneth Perkins, Toni Randle-Cook, Sam Thomas Contributing Photographers Gary Coots, Dwayne Lee, Heather Lee, Bruce Maxwell, Bob Pruitt SALES / CIRCULATION Business Manager Bridget Dean Sales Managers Laura DiStefano, Amy Lively, Andrea Proctor, Debbie Roach, Alice J. Rogers, Tricia Schwartz Distribution Manager Sam Thomas PRODUCTION Production Manager Susan Darovich ARLINGTON TODAY is published monthly. Copyright 2016 Arlington Today, Inc., 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 308, Arlington, TX 76011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the publisher. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to readers and is not an endorsement of products.
Basic subscriptions are $33.95 for 12 issues (price includes tax and shipping). E-mail subscriptions@arlingtontoday.com
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arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
15
This ‘n Data
For the Record
Photo: lbjsports.org
RAISE YOUR HAND if were a ticket holder for the University of Texas Arlington Movin’ Mavs’ 1982 football season.
Photo: zimbio.com
Photo: massappealnews.com
Photo: dallasnews.com
How ‘bout those
RANGERS! Photo: prosportsblogging.com
Photo: spokesman.com
Now, go get yourselves a ring!
Photo: shreveporttimes.com
Photo: latestcanada.com
We’re No. 1!, says Money Magazine ARLINGTON IS THE “Best Big City” in the South in a ranking of cities in six regions of the United States, according to the publication Money Magazine. “Big cities” are defined by the prestigious financial journal as those having a population of at least 300,000 residents. Money defined “best cities” as having “a rich trove of culture, 16
dynamic street life, maybe even a little bit of grit,” along with “job growth, affordable housing, good schools, low crime, great quality-of-life factors and health of the local economy.” Money noted Arlington’s storied entertainment district, but the magazine also gave the city high marks in several other areas, notably the ample
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
job opportunities available, the University of Texas Arlington, Levitt Pavilion, Arlington Music Hall and a median home price of $169,000. In addition, the magazine lauded Arlington’s “investing in transportation alternatives like bike lanes and exploring a highspeed rail line linking Arlington to Dallas and Fort Worth.”
ARLINGTON took flight, as it were, in 1929, according to a Sept. 20 Arlington Journal story that same year. The story promoted commercial flights to the likes of Cisco, Abilene, Sweetwater, Big Spring, Midland, and El Paso. SOME OF YOU might remember Howard “Gumpy” Moore. He was called “the best Santa Claus I’ve ever seen,” by former Arlington Mayor Tommy Vandergriff, according to a note in a recent Arlington Historical Society newsletter. ARLINGTON’S newest family playground, the Martha Walker Park Development, is now complete in southwest Arlington. The 13-acre, heavily wooded site is located at 7509 Sharon Lee Drive and is now open and ready to be explored. SHOULD YOU desire to pursue an accounting degree at the University of Texas Arlington, you have four options: BBA, BS, MS and PhD. TO ACCOMMODATE the many visitors who come to our fair burg, local hotels offer 5,400 rooms. There is no record of how many of those come “with a view.”
COME JOIN THE FUN! DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON IS YOUR “CAN’T-MISS-DESTINATION” FOR MUSIC, CULTURE, DINING AND SHOPPING!
OCTOBER Various acts (check levittpavilionarlington.org for details) • Levitt Pavilion Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 13 Oct. 14-16 Oct.21-Nov. 6
Maverick Speaker Series: Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn • Texas Hall, UTA Shenandoah • Arlington Music Hall Kiarra Siato-Beckman • Symphony Arlington South Street Art Festival “Blithe Spirit” • Theatre Arlington
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arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
17
This ‘n Data
3 Scoops ...
University enrollments for $1,000, Alex ...
THIS FALL, The University of Texas Arlington reported a preliminary census count of 39,714 Texas-based students, which is an increase of 7.3 percent over the number in fall 2015. Total degree-seeking global enrollment to date has exceeded 45,000 students and is anticipated to surpass 57,000 by the end of this academic year, making UTA potentially the largest campus in The University of Texas System.
1. FnG Eats comes to GP ... As part of a unique revitalization
project with the City of Grand Prairie, a new FnG Eats restaurant is being created in the retired Fire Station No. 1 location at 321 Main St. It is targeted to open in Spring 2017. The eatery will have indoor seating for 150, two community tables, an open air kitchen, covered outdoor seating for 70, cocktail seating and an energetic bar area with 24 taps spotlighting local breweries.
2. Mansfield schools earn an ‘A’ ... In a preliminary report released
by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), all Mansfield ISD campuses received the Met Standard state rating, which is the highest rating possible. The TEA rates schools as Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard or Improvement Required. The ratings are based on student achievement (Index 1), student progress (Index 2), closing performance gaps (Index 3) and postsecondary readiness (Index 4). In order to earn a rating of Met Standard or Met Alternative Standard, a campus or district must meet the target on either Index 1 or Index 2 plus meet the targets on Index 3 and Index 4.
Photo courtesay of Brand Era, Inc.
3. Hoops, anyone? ... Signups for Arlington Parks & Recreation adult basketball leagues will take place from Oct. 1-29. The cost is $375 per team. For more information or to sign up your team, visit arlingtonathletics.multisportsystems.com.
Principals at the Mansfield City Council meeting honoring Mansfield resident and injured Dallas Police Officer Ivan Saldana: Clayton Chandler, City Manager; Michelle Elliott; Dallas PD Sgt. Phillip Elliott; Kim McCaslin, The LOT Board member; Mayor David Cook; Dallas PD Senior Corporal Ivan Saldana; Jennitza Irizarry; Robert Talley, El Primo’s Mexican Grill and Cantina; Daryle Perez, The LOT Board member; Jake Hardin, The LOT Board member; Justin Gilmore, The LOT Board member; Dr. Ronnie Goines, Koinonia Christian Church; and Rev. Greg Buckles, Mansfield Bible Church.
Concert proceeds benefit injured Dallas officer LONG-TIME MANSFIELD resident and 15-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department Ivan Saldana was honored last month during a Mansfield City Council meeting that featured a surprise donation to the officer. The July 31 #AreWeRelated? Benefit Concert, headlined by David Moore & The Moore Melodies, raised $11,853.84 for Saldana, who was injured in the line of duty on July 7 during the tragic shooting of Dallas police officers. The benefit concert was hosted by The LOT Downtown, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Creekwood Church, First Methodist Mansfield, Koinonia Christian Church and The Community at Lake Ridge. Using music as a platform, The LOT Downtown hosted this event to bring the community together – all people, all ages, all neighborhoods, all faiths – gathered in one expression of hope, love and unity. 18
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
on the right track
– words of reflection and encouragement Recently while traveling in southeast Texas, I saw a sign in a restaurant: “No worries — Wednesday & Sunday” This sign struck me as humorous and I thought to myself, “Well, it’s nice to be released from worry at least on those two days.” I continued to think about the sign. Worry, anxiety and fear fill so much of our lives. These emotional demons place a firm grip upon our hearts, shrink our perspective and reduce our lives to a single focus. Our lives take a narrowed view. Everything we do, or plan to do, every thought is about one worry. We may create a universe of little anxieties and fear, like raindrops, so our lives are in a constant shower of worry — “I’ve got to care of this, and this, and this!” Here’s a thought: Take two days this week, perhaps Wednesday and Sunday, and let yourself be free of worry. No Worries. Why not? ©Terry Ewing, Pinkink, 2016
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This ‘n Data
Former Arlington Lamar star Shane Buechele has been a key to the Texas Longhorns’ revitalized offense.
Wunderkind! Freshman quarterback Shane Buechele giving UT fans hope for the future UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS football legend Bobby Layne assembled quite a resume in the 1940s and ‘50s – on and off the field. But one bullet point no longer exists on his vitae. He is not the last true freshman to start a game at quarterback for the Longhorns. That distinction now belongs to Shane Buechele, the former Lamar High School star, who not only took the reins for Game One of the 2016 season but who led UT to a thrilling 50-47 double overtime win over Notre Dame. That avenged a 38-3 defeat the Irish handed the ‘Horns a year earlier – and quickly established the young quarterback
as a harbinger of hope for the future as Texas tries to rebound from back-toback losing seasons. Beuchele wasn’t given the heads-up that he would start the opener until shortly before kickoff, but he wasted little time rewarding the faith Head Coach Charlie Strong and Offensive Coordinator Sterling Gilbert displayed in him. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 280 yards and two scores against the Irish and looked every bit the part of a polished collegiate quarterback. At presstime, he was
Month-long Oktoberfest to be held at Laura’s Biergarten LAURA’S BIERGARTEN is marking its first year in Arlington in traditional German fashion this month, when it hosts an Oktoberfest celebration every day of the month. The restaurant is located at 6204 S. Cooper St., Suite 100. Owners Celal and Laura Photo courtesy of : Laura’s Biergarten Uslu – and a staff dressed in traditonal Old World German attire – will bring a taste of Deutschland to North Texas during the fest, which will feature a variety of foods, drinks and entertainment. “We will have German music, each night and traditional Oktoberfest music after 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday that will last until 2 a.m.,” Celal says. “We hope to capture the flavor of Germany, and I think it will be a lot of fun for our guests.” On the food front, the restaurant will offer special deals on different sausages each day – it makes eight different kinds in the Metroplex. And, the answer to the obvious question – will there be beer – is not only “yes,” but “yes with a bonus.” Celal says there will be mug giveaways for patrons who purchase beer. “Buy a beer and get a mug,” he says. For more: Call (817) 200-6643 or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page at facebook.com/laurasbiergarten.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Photo: 247sports.com
still looking like a star in the making, completing 57 of 86 throws over the first three games for 720 yards and seven touchdowns. He also looks to be a tough competitor. In the ‘Horns’ 50-43 loss in Game Three against California, he took a brutal hit to the chest, left the game, but came back to give Texas a chance in the second half. The rally fell just short. The bottom line: This kid can play!
Gala to benefit Open Arms Free Health Clinic is set for Nov. 5 at Cacharel OPEN ARMS FREE HEALTH CLINIC will host its third annual gala in the Grand Ballroom of Cacharal Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. The event will benefit the Arlington-based nonprofit clinic and help ensure free healthcare for those who are uninsured and underinsured in Tarrant and surrounding counties. Former WFAA-TV anchor Gloria Campos will be emcee for the evening. Guests will have the chance to bid on items in a live and silent auction, hear testimonials from former patients – all while enjoying music and a dinner in a picturesque venue overlooking AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park. Among items for purchase during the live auction are trips to Santa Fe, N.M., and the San Juan Islands in Washington (complete with a whale-watching tour). Last year, the gala raised $17,000. Clinic officials hope gracious donors and sponsors will help the event exceed the 2016 goal of $25,000. “This clinic serves a critical need for North Texas families, and we would not exist if not for the generous gifts of donations, time and talent from our community,” says Sue Borger, gala chairperson. “We are grateful for the support this gala has received over the past two years and look forward to meeting, and hopefully exceeding, our goal this year.” For more: openarmshealthclinic.org.
Clarification IN THE MAY ISSUE, a story “Art of Our Sake” featured various works of art in the city. The name of the artists was omitted from a pictured mural on the Vandergriff Building. That work was done by Lee & Sheri of SaxonLynn Arts.
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Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net
Arlington ISD, Moritz Dealerships partner for automotive technology program The Arlington ISD has formed a partnership with Moritz Dealerships to design the curriculum and fund all the equipment for the new Moritz Automotive Technology Program at the AISD Career and Technical Center, which will open in fall 2017. “We are pleased to partner with Moritz Dealerships for this unique program at our new Career and Technical Center,” AISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. “This program will prepare 100 students each year to enter the workforce as an entry-level service technician through certification and dual-credit courses.” The automotive technology program will prepare AISD students to enter the automotive service industry in the areas of brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, and steering and suspensions systems. Students in the two-year program will gain knowledge and skills in the repair,
maintenance and diagnosis of vehicle systems while they reinforce, apply and transfer academic knowledge and skills through problem-solving activities related to the operation of a variety of vehicles. Students will also have the opportunity to earn OSHA and Automotive Service Excellence certifications. “Partnering with the district to provide this unique opportunity for students will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to build brighter futures,” said John David Moritz, president of Moritz Dealerships. The Moritz Automotive Technology Program is one of several strong community partnerships that support the district and its programs – $13 million from Tarrant County College for the Arlington Collegiate High School facility; nearly $2.1 million from Raise Your Hand Texas, the Meadows Foundation, American Express
1203 W. Pioneer Pkwy. • Arlington, TX 76013 682-867-4611 • AISD.net Follow Arlington ISD on...
and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Sid Richardson Foundation, and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation for the Emerging Leaders Program; $1.1 million from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington for an after-school center within a new campus; $500,000 from Texas Trust Credit Union for an outdoor performance area at one of the district’s fine arts/dual language academies; more than $350,000 from the North Central Texas Council of Governments for two deceleration lanes and a traffic light at a new elementary school; and nearly $100,000 from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation for programs including the AISD Back to School Kickoff, a character training initiative for secondary coaches and athletes and funding for all fifth graders to take part in the art tour at AT&T Stadium.
Happenings in the Arlington Independent School District • aisd.net
AISD/United Sound partnership provides mentoring music program with special needs The Arlington ISD is creating a peermentoring program where high school students with special needs will learn to play musical instruments in an after-school 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 2013-2014, which coincides with the district eliminating instrument fees and also using Bond 2014 funds to purchase new instruments. United Sound is a nonprofit 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.
Opportunity AISD
Learn more about the unique programs available to students within the AISD. Thursday, Oct. 13 5:30 – 8 p.m. Bowie High School 2101 Highbank Dr. Arlington, TX 76018 Transportation from high schools provided Pick up: 5:30 p.m., Return: 8 p.m.
Find out more about: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Advanced Placement Advancement Via Individual Determination AISD Fire Academy AISD Police Academy Arlington Collegiate High School at TCC-SE Counseling Services Dual Credit & Technical Dual Credit Engineering Internship Fine Arts and Dual Language Academies Career/Technical and Ag Science Centers Health Care Rotations Instrument Repair International Baccalaureate Prekindergarten Ready, Set, Teach! STEM Academy And Much More!
Picture-perfect Moments 1
Scene
Snapshots from the gala fundraiser hosted by the Mid-Cities Chapter of Links, Inc., from meetings to discuss the upcoming election and ballpark initiative, and from moments highlighting Arlington ISD’s first month of school
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Photos courtesy of Richard Greene
Photo courtesy of Links, Inc.
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Photo courtesy of Arlington ISD
Photo courtesy of Arlington ISD
THE HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Jennifer Stimpson, co-chair; Veronica Spencer-Austin, chapter president and Arlington resident; and Angela Ross , co chair, at the Links, Inc. gala. 2. Mayor Jeff Williams visits with interested parties to discuss the upcoming election that will decide whether the city will be part of the building of a new ballpark for the Rangers. 3. Here’s the Mayor at Arlington on Tap, discussing various topics, including the ballpark vote. 4. Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos was a man about town on the opening day of the school year, visiting 11 different schools. 5. Mary Moore, namesake for Moore Elementary, recently celebrated her 88th birthday with Moore students and faculty.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Financially Speaking
Spotlight on Derrick Kinney and Associates: The Business of Life
W
hat was it that led to Derrick Kinney being asked to take over another financial advisor’s business? Because she wanted to transition her clients to someone that could be her financial advisor and would care deeply for them. It’s that simple. The team at Derrick Kinney and Associates cares deeply for their clients and what is important to them. It’s no wonder they have been helping clients reach their financial goals and dreams for more than 20 years. Recently, one of the executives Derrick and his team work with wanted to be able to retire. But she and her husband were worried that they wouldn’t have enough money. As they went through the financial planning process, the team created a plan for her to be able to retire. They began to travel and do the things they always wanted to do. Later, Derrick began receiving postcards from the different locations they were able to visit, just to say thanks. “We felt so pleased to have been able to help them reach their goals,” Derrick said. Whether it’s an inheritance, a death, divorce, retirement, or saving for college – Derrick and his team are about the business of life, and helping clients navigate through all of life’s changes. As they meet with current and prospective clients in their office, they take time to really listen to each of their stories, including where they have been and where they want to go. This is important, Derrick said, as it lays the foundation for a strong relationship. Another of the team’s clients had been recently widowed. She was worried about what she was going to do, so Derrick held a family meeting with her and her children to talk about what was really important to her. He recommended strategies that could help her keep her home and be able to stay retired.
Derrick with Max and Janice Graber
Whether it’s helping the woman who has worked hard all her life be able to retire, advising the couple who wants to have enough money to travel and invest time with their grandkids, or guiding the widow left alone to generate enough income to not run out of money - the team at Derrick Kinney and Associates is here to help make your life better. Derrick Kinney and Associates can be reached at 817-419-6001 or online at www.DerrickKinney.com.
Derrick Kinney Highlights: Seen on: CNBC FOX4 FOX Business FOX News
Derrick with Steve Noviello at FOX4
Winner
ALL STARS of
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Arlington Today
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Designations: Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Certified Long Term Care (CLTC) specialist and Certified Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®).
Specialty: Retirement Income Planning arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Around Town
Hey, aren’t you that elementary school? Not quite. But Arlington’s latest namesake educators have joined an exclusive club • By Kenneth Perkins
T Photos: Kenneth Perkins
Laura and Jimmy Jones visit with children in a music class at the school named for them, the Jimmy and Laura Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language.
Former State Representative Diane Patrick also has a school named in her honor – and writes personal notes to students there who achieve worthy accomplishments.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
here’s the Powerball Lottery. Then there’s getting your name on an Arlington ISD school building. Both are equally unlikely when considering the degree of difficulty. Take Jimmy Jones. Teacher. Assistant principal. Principal. Logged 24 years at Lamar High School. Retired in 2006. He remembers firing off a number of letters to the district board of Trustees over the years, lobbying for colleagues he felt deserved such an eternal honor. “All quite accomplished educators who had done great things for this district,” he says. “All very deserving.” He figured some would be shoo-ins. Others placed in strong consideration. None made the cut. So imagine Jones’ jolt in learning that the board had deemed him a worthy candidate as a school namesake. “Can’t even put that into words,” he says. The kicker: His wife made the cut along with him. Laura Jones began as a biology teacher at Bowie High School in 1979 and ended in 2008 as a principal at Martin High School. Students adored her. Teachers trusted her. So lightening struck the Joneses twice. Jimmy and Laura Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language began with a cohort of kindergarten students last fall occupying space at Roquemore Elementary. The other day Jimmy and Laura were getting a tour of the school’s new digs with Principal Katiuska Herrador. Jones now occupies the entire building, or will when all the renovations – dance studios, piano classes, theater rooms, etc. – are completed. Jones Academy is one of four new facilities along with Peach, Patrick and McNutt schools, a building boom designed to relieve overcrowding. The fringe benefit: an opportunity for the district to honor its most treasured foot soldiers. The almost bewildered, dream-like state the Joneses appear to be in while strolling around the school is the same bewildered, dream-like state on the face of Diane Patrick, the former State Representative for District 94 in west Arlington. (Patrick was a schoolteacher and served multiple terms, including four years, as president of the AISD Board, if you’re wondering). Likewise, on the faces of Eddy and Debbie Peach
Photo: Kenneth Perkins
Photo: Robert Spence
and Sandy McNutt, whom I visited in her office as head of the Lower School at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth. “The reasons I don’t have words for this honor is because it was nothing I ever, ever expected would happen,” says McNutt, who is prominently displaying a McNutt Elementary wall hanging. “You think about what it will be like to graduate from college or get married, but you don’t fantasize about things you never dream would occur. It’s a huge overwhelming appreciation from a district to say you are worthy to have your name on a building forever.” McNutt wasn’t necessarily speaking for the others, but she might as well have been. Namesakes are an exclusive club with exclusive emotions that, judging from conversations with this new crop, is best described as having a sort of out-of-body experience. It’s not like they dropped off a big check and waited for the naming ceremony for a building or wing; this distinction is directly tied to their career work in the trenches. The Peaches, for instance, have a combined 81 years working in AISD – Eddy for 45 years with 40 alone as the Lamar head football coach (in 2008 he became the first head coach to win 300 games in Class 5A). Debbie taught for 36 years at Bailey, Roquemore, Shackelford and Lamar, and earned the rare feat of being teacher of the year at elementary, junior high and high school levels. McNutt, whose AISD tenure spanned 29 years, started as a teacher at Ditto Elementary and would become the long-running principal at Wood Elementary. What makes the AISD naming policy a bit unique is the fact that, thankfully, you don’t have to be dead and buried to get it. “How great it is for students to be able to see and talk and be inspired by their namesakes?” says Matt Brown, principal at Patrick. “Think about it. How amazing is it to have someone as established as Dr. Patrick in the building?” True. Living, breathing namesakes help lost students find their class on the first day of school, as Patrick helped do, conduct teacher development, a task McNutt performed, even feed the faculty, as the Peaches did while staff prepared for the school year. In fact, Patrick has gone one step further. Whenever students do anything noteworthy, Patrick writes a personal note of congrats to
Sandy McNutt (left) and Eddy and Debbie Peach (above) were rewarded for their stellar work in the Arlington ISD by having schools named in their honor. The three educators spent a combined 110 years helping local students reach their potential. “It feels strange to say to a kid at Sandy McNutt elementary that I’m Sandy McNutt,” McNutt says.
the students and presents it along with a golden pencil during their lunch period. Gold represents their golden opportunity. Lead is about making their mark. The eraser is because we all make mistakes. “The idea is to give a child confidence to go on and do things even greater,” Patrick says. “We want to make it a part of the general atmosphere.” For the Peaches, it’s the three As: academics, athletics and the arts. “It’s been our whole life,” says Debbie. “We’re so excited by this.” So excited during their visit to see parents eating lunch with their kids, the Joneses burst through the doors to introduce themselves. “Just to be here is such a buzz,” Laura would say. Meeting namesakes is always a bit surreal for parents, too. Often they aren’t quite sure what to say or do (shake hands, bow, curtsy?), although children say whatever is on their minds. “It feels strange to say to a kid at Sandy McNutt elementary that I’m Sandy McNutt. I’m her,” McNutt says. During the first day of school, as all the namesakes did this year, they welcomed the students, shaking hands and giving high fives. When McNutt introduced herself to a first grader, he stared at her for a second and asked, with a perplexed look, “Why did your parents name you after a school?” Another wanted to know if you have “to be old” to have a school named after you. Well, ‘older,’ the boy corrected. “I said I hope that the reason behind it is that they knew of my love and care for kids,” says McNutt. “That’s the kind of person you want a school to be named after.”
Columnist Kenneth Perkins has been a contributing writer for Arlington Today since it debuted. He is a freelance writer, editor and photographer.
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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UTA Today
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Driving the Economy through Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce
s The University of Texas at Arlington enters the 2016-17 academic year, it stands as a transformational force, expanding academics in areas of critical need, bringing innovative researchers and leading professors to campus, building state-of-the-art facilities, and shaping students into tomorrow’s highly skilled and influential workforce. UTA’s continued leadership in higher education benefits not only its students and alumni, but the Metroplex and the entire North Texas region. Recent exciting developments on the UTA campus include the new state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Innovation and Research (SEIR) Building, a space that will support the significant growth of students in areas of workforce need while providing the basis for enhancement in research activity, and the revolutionary new Career Development Center, which offers students and alumni enhanced career development services from day one at UTA to well beyond graduation. This is a service to UTA students, alumni, and
the communities they serve as they enter the workforce focused and ready to make a tremendous impact. The SEIR Building breaks ground in October, while the Career Development Center opened this August. “Overall, our goal is to have a holistic continuum from beginning basic studies all the way to delivering results that impact the health of our community and society in general, in line with the goals of our Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions|Global Impact,” says Duane Dimos, UTA’s vice president for research. Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams called the new Career Development Center a game-changer and noted the growth and quality of prominent new faculty hires. Referencing several new improvement projects in downtown Arlington, he called UTA a major catalyst behind development. As today’s Model 21st Century Urban Research University, UTA touches all aspects of the educational journey with quality, accessibility, and affordability, imprinting its own brand of excellence and innovation on each and delivering the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
The largest university in North Texas to receive the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation
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Dr. Joan Bergstrom
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Women in Business
Joan’s story ...
helped me set up my first OB/GYN office, working in my practice for the next 10 years. Despite all the ups and downs we went through with our motel life, Mom and Dad wanted get back into the hotel business, only this time it would be a bed and breakfast. We formed a partnership and built The Sanford House. My dad supervised all the construction of the initial property. After several years of non-stop work, running The Sanford House, my parents were exhausted and decided to retire. The next seven years were extremely challenging for me. I was working full-time as an Ob-gyn, raising three daughters, and managing The Sanford House from an arm’s length. It wouldn’t be unusual for me to be on call and finish delivering a baby and head over to The Sanford House in my scrubs and white coat. When I would arrive, the staff would laugh and say, “The eagle has landed,” and run over to see what the latest issue was. Having great staff helped keep The Sanford House afloat. One special guy that has always been at the top of my favorites list is Van Anderson, who has been with us for almost 10 years. He maintains the facility, keeps the guests happy and the systems rolling. He always has a smile on his face, and no matter what happens, he says, “Hey Dr. B, We got Dr. Joan Bergstrom this! We can do it!” with Van Anderson When my eldest daughter, Valerie, graduated from Hofstra University in New York, I offered her an option to come into the business, and she decided that it would be a good opportunity. She has worked her way up from the receptionist at the spa to General Manager. Three years ago, my youngest daughter, Camille, completed her college degree at TCU and joined the company to manage restaurant506 and develop our front-of-house systems. She is working towards her Sommelier certification and broadening our wine services. My middle daughter, Michelle, is in her third year of Medical School and works off-weekends at The Sanford House, filling in every position from waitress to event staff to front desk receptionist, when needed! A small business is hard work. You live, eat, and sleep the daily staffing problems, revenue, taxes, bills, and customer reviews. When the small business is a family affair, everyone has to be willing to put on the “work hat” and the “family hat” at different times. It takes discipline and practice to keep the business problems at work and make Dr. Joan Bergstrom and her daughters, Camille McDonald and sure the family time focuses on the rest of life’s challenges. The most rewarding part of a small business is the feeling of satValerie Landry, share how they have risen to the top of ther fields isfaction that you get from the successes, whether they are small or large. It is also extremely satisfying to have the nimbleness to make decisions without having to go through channels of committees or loads of paperwork. Our philosophy is to approach every challenge with a “can do” motel clientele, I decided early on that I wanted to be a doctor. That seed seemed to attitude. If plan A isn’t going to work, what is plan B? Communication is everything. be firmly planted in my brain and I never even thought about doing anything else. Don’t let problems simmer; confront them and figure out a solution. Throughout high school, I took a second job working as a Nurse’s Aide in the local hos The future is unlimited. With my daughters taking over the reins at The Sanford pital on evening shifts and another part-time job at a doctor’s office, learning everyHouse, I have been able to expand my Ob-gyn practice to a second location and bring thing I could about medicine. several new doctors to our team at Women’s Health Services. Living and working in Ar After a 12-year-long flurry of educational life from college through medical school and lington – the bright star of North Texas – and being part of this community is a fabulous then residency in OB/GYN, with a whole multitude of adventures and challenges, I met journey that is still in progress. my husband, and we moved to Texas. My parents also moved to Texas, and my mother FAMILY BUSINESS STARTED for me at the age of 9, when my parents bought a 20-room “mom & pop” motel out on Highway 30 in North Platte, Neb. Having spent my first eight years as a normal kid, riding my bike all over creation and playing hide-n-seek until it was too dark to see, I was a little shocked at the prospect of this new venture. Thrust into a new life, my brothers and I learned to clean rooms, greet guests, sweep the pool, cover front desk shifts, and mow the lawn – although one might be hard pressed to say there was any real grass in West Nebraska – mostly keeping the weeds under wraps. During the school year we cleaned rooms before we went to school. In the summer – when business was good – we worked all day with breaks for lunch and later a cold pop and a candy bar. Being that it was always hot and windy, we sat up in the treehouse of our solitary but substantial cottonwood tree and watched the cars go by. Summer was the busy season. We always got paid for our work and learned the value of a dollar – literally as that was what the pay was – $1 per room. We split the bathrooms – Jeff did the sinks and showers, and I got the commodes and floors. I always made the beds and Jeff dusted and vacuumed – we split the buck 50/50, although I always thought he got off easy because he got to dust. Sometimes we would get a tip from travelers, which was an unbelievable novelty! Our motel was on the state highway, and when the inPhotos: Ken Cox, Munson-Cox Portrait Design terstate came through, bypassing our little establishment (Dad always said business went south), we adjusted to clients who booked for weekly stays, usually construction workers staying with us during the week then heading home to their families on weekends. My parents always worked second jobs to keep the bills paid. Through my stint working in the motel and observing the diverse lifestyles of our
SUCCESS stories
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Camille’s story ...
FIVE YEARS AGO, if you would’ve told me that as a soon-to-be-graduate from TCU earning a Pre-Med degree I would be the Maitre D’ of Restaurant506 on the path to becoming a Sommelier, I would’ve thought you were insane. Well, it turns out, life is insane, and the unpredictability has turned out to be the biggest blessing. I grew up around medicine (see the story to the left about the best OB/GYN in Arlington/the world…aka my mom!). I was fascinated and fantastically grossed out by the stories of disease, blood and guts, and babies. I was always hesitant to “follow in my parents footsteps” as so many people suggested because I couldn’t bear the thought of going to school for SO MANY YEARS. It was going to be my whole life before I could do what they did! It turns out I was a big nerd, though – I loved school – and I started to have a specific interest in my science classes, so I decided to explore the topic further by attending what I affectionately named “Nerd Camp” – aka The National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. For a week one summer in high school, I stayed at the dorms at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., with my fellow nerds of the world and debated medical ethics, watched open-heart surgery, polled people about their STD knowledge, and generally just had the best time. My mind was made up, I wanted to be a doctor. If I’ve learned anything about myself it’s that I will try so hard to make something work until it absolutely drives me to the breaking point. Once I decide that I’m going to commit to something I will give it everything until I can’t give any more. Sometimes I wish I would have had this great realization that I wasn’t meant for medicine in my freshman year, instead of torturing myself with classes like Organic Chemistry throughout my college career. But what I’m also learning is that life is totally about the journey. Of course, it would seem more convenient to take the most direct path to a destination, but my parents have always taught me to enjoy the scenic route, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t apply
Valerie’s story ...
I STARTED working for my family business, The Sanford House, at the ripe old age of 11. Summer jobs consisted of pulling weeds around the grounds, cleaning the rooms, ironing sheets and pillow cases, and helping to serve at events. As time went on, I eventually graduated to front desk jobs. Between the spa and the house, I worked both front desks, “walked-the-runway” as a model in a bridal fair, and learned the basics of how to help our guests enjoy their time with us. These summer jobs continued through college. Although I went away to Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y., summers back at home were always a great way to catch up with The Sanford House team. From booking rooms to wedding planning to setting up spa retreats for guests, I had the chance to try out new ideas and see Valerie Landry fresh aspects of the business all the time. After I graduated from college, I started working for my family full time. Initially, I was the Spa Director, and I assisted with marketing. Some of the original events we tried included a Fall Fashion Show, Oktoberfest, and a 4th of July Jubilee. My Mom and I gradually learned the balance of when the “work-hat” comes on and when the “family-hat” can come on. I think we both learned a lot about
Camille McDonald
that to my life. For example, if I wouldn’t have been Pre-Med, I wouldn’t have taken chemistry and classes about plant biology, which means I wouldn’t have the foundation to be familiar with winemaking and viticulture, which has definitely come in handy lately … more on that later. My wake-up call came when I didn’t get accepted to medical school right after college. This was the moment that finally gave me pause. The life plan had been disrupted. I heard from a lot of different professors, my peers, family members, and other doctors that “nowadays” it takes most candidates several attempts to get accepted. I had seen it first hand with my sister Michelle. She filled the year applying to medical school with surgical programs and continued to persevere. I, on the other hand, was abruptly displaced by the rejection. It finally gave me the time for introspection, though – each other and working together has brought us closer than ever. Starting my early 20s, in a management role, I learned that there are just some things school cannot teach you. Until you actually experience the art of hiring and firing a member of your team, you don’t see the delicate balances that are at play. Finding just the right member of the team who can take us to the next level, or terminating someone who just isn’t ready to put in the dedication and time to see the entire business succeed is something I struggled with initially. Finding the right members to join our team has been one of the biggest endeavors I have undertaken. When the right team comes together and you see the passion they have for service, and you hear our guests praise this work, I know that we are making the right choices. I worked my way up to become the General Manager of the property. While it was an incredible opportunity, I realized that there were aspects of the business in which I wanted to be more effective. I took the GMAT and was accepted to UT Arlington and participated in the MBA Cohort program. For two years, I worked full time and also pursued my MBA full time. I used what I learned through this program to help arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Camille McDonald (con’t)
and what I discovered was that I was fairly unhappy. I wasn’t enthusiastic enough to try and apply again. Imperative to my decision making was working as a scribe in the ER. This experience gave me intimate access to the medical world in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I wasn’t “Dr. B’s daughter here to shadow” or “Dr. McDonald’s daughter here for take-your-daughter-to-work-day.” I was just Camille, a scribe. There isn’t some dirty secret to divulge; I just realized that working in this kind of environment wasn’t for me. Instead of gaining compassion, I became bitter and removed. I was unable to cope with the environment of sickness in a positive way. Once I decided I wouldn’t apply to medical school again, there was no going back. Since I decided I wasn’t going to be a doctor, I decided I couldn’t do medicine at all. The thing as a whole had been exhausted from every angle for me, and there was no compromise. So just like that, cold turkey, I completely changed careers (not without emotional turmoil) and I transitioned from scribing in the ER to being a hostess at a fine dining restaurant in Downtown Fort Worth. Over the next five months I would contemplate a few paths with my new direction in the food and wine world. I thought about moving up at The Capital Grille to become a server, moving to California to work under a family friend at a winery during harvest, or starting as the front of house manager of Restaurant506 at The Sanford House. I weighed the pros and cons and finally came around to the family business. I expressed to my parents an importance of exploring new avenues in this career path, and they were extremely supportive. They sponsored a learning experience in Las Vegas throughout the spring. It was a class with UNLV’s Continuing Education School called Vine to Wine: The Fundamentals. Little did I know at that time, Las Vegas – particularly The Strip of Vegas – is a mecca of wine. Just as the high rollers come in to gamble their money away, they also come to wine and dine in the highest style. I was thrilled to be flying out to Vegas every Monday for 14 weeks to learn about wine. The jet setting lifestyle I had day dreamed about was kind of coming true. The first week I learned some valuable lessons – that even spitting wine all day during tastings made you feel a little drunk, that Vegas is the driest place I had ever experienced, and because Uber was recently banned I was a victim to the taxis … and cabbies do not like picking anyone up unless you’re on the Strip or at the airport. My hair felt like straw, the dehydration from travelling and wine tasting all day was amplified by the desert conditions, and I was late for my first return flight home. Thank goodness the last person leaving my class could be convinced to take their non-resident classmate to the airport
Valerie Landry (con’t)
develop a better long term vision for the business and I finessed my management style. During this time, we had some major changes in our staffing, and I really learned the value of time management. I worked a lot of weekends and overnight shifts, and through this, I learned that people are still the biggest part of success for any business – not only the people who come as guests, but especially the people who are part of our team. The team actually becomes part of the family here at The Sanford House. Flexibility, adaptability, and communication are what helped us make it through these transitions, and we came back stronger than ever. Key members of our team are Chef John Klein, who capably directs culinary team, and Krista Koen, our accomplished Event Coordinator. Throughout all this transition, Van Anderson, the Grounds Manager and Banquet Captain has continuously provided rock-solid support. We assembled layers of great staff to bring the unique attributes that our guests love. When we rebranded our restaurant506, we needed another piece of the puzzle to complete our team, and that was a Maitre’d for the restaurant. My sister, Camille, had been working at a restaurant in Fort Worth, and she was rediscovering her passion for the hospitality industry. She had even expressed a desire to someday open a restaurant. I looked at my Mom and said, “We have one of those … perhaps she could help 32
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
(to barely make their flight) on their drive home. I later befriended someone who could consistently pick me up or drop me off each week, which was a huge stress reliever. I learned a great many other things during the course of the spring, and by the end, I felt confident enough to jump right in to take (and pass) the Intro test with the Court of Master Sommeliers that June in St. Louis, Mo. This experience revealed my passion for wine. Wine somehow brought the world completely into focus. I understood history better through the scope of how wars and exploration affected wineries and varietal transfer. I found I could apply my science background to the chemistry of winemaking. I saw how geography both scientifically and culturally connected the wines we drink every day to distant and beautiful places. I am still inspired by the world of wine everyday – there is so much to be learned and shared. While taking this Vegas-adventure wine class, I was simultaneously learning how to be a manager of the restaurant – through some good advice and a lot of trial and error. The first time a customer complained, I was at a total loss of what to do besides give out free desserts like Oprah does free cars. Something sweet would solve all the problems, right? Years later I now know that effective team communication pre-empts many problems from ever occurring and, if there is a problem, the best way to deal with it is head on with honesty and reasonable compensation to win the customer back if needed. I know I look young for my position, but I feel that being direct, compassionate, and even-keeled allows me to exude professional competency. I feel especially fortunate to work with my family in Arlington because I have a lot of autonomy over how the restaurant runs. I know the style of service we are going for, and I am familiar with our community. I can make decisions on the fly, plan specialty dinners or nightly features, and empower my staff to work within parameters of their own autonomy to make our guests feel special. Effective and skillful teamwork is the best reward for me at restaurant506. We have the best employees and manager team. I feel that everyone has adopted The Sanford House into their lives and that they feel like they are a part of the family in some way. TCU provided me with a fantastic education to face all of life’s challenges, and you can bet I am thrilled to be back on campus taking a Neeley Executive Business Course on Marketing. I’m hoping to apply for my MBA (at TCU and elsewhere in DFW) in the spring. And sometime in the next year I want to take the Certified Sommelier test with the Court of Master Sommeliers. I am so thrilled to be on this path – that’s all anyone wants I think, to be happily challenged and inspired by their career. It was a journey to get here, but I couldn’t have dreamed up the result any better myself.
us run this one!” Camille started three years ago, and has done a great job of working with Chef John to move the restaurant forward to become one of the finest dining establishments in the city. Working with family is so rewarding. You can completely trust your team, and you have a chance to try something new. We are constantly looking for ways that we can improve our guests’ experience, and we have a chance to keep up with one another through the hustle and bustle of life and work. It isn’t always easy, and separating professional from personal can be tricky, but I love working for my family. I have had autonomy to make big decisions for the business. I have had the chance to try new things and expand my comfort zone. I have had the opportunity to work with so many people in the community, and this allows us to see that Arlington is more successful as a whole. My family always worked under the philosophy that success is when preparation meets opportunity, and The Sanford House is proof of this success. When you give us the opportunity to serve you, when you share some of your most special occasions with us, we use our training and preparation to ensure that you and your family and your friends thoroughly enjoy these celebrations. From my family to yours – cheers to the future!
Women in Business
Stephanie Foster Gilbert The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, P.C. 4214 Little Road, Suite 1000 (817) 277-2805 stephaniefosterlawyer.com STEPHANIE FOSTER GILBERT started her legal firm, The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, P.C., in 1992, and for the past two and a half decades she has been devoted to the practice of family law. The firm has produced a formidable team that also features Associate Attorney Michael Munoz, Legal Assistant Ashleigh Bell, Paralegal Sandra Patino and Receptionist Melodie Tappe. Together they concentrate in family legal issues, including divorce, modifications, custody, child support, spousal support, visitation, enforcement of custody/support, paternity and step-parent adoption. Stephanie Foster Gilbert says her dream of having her own law practice was nurtured as a child. “I always wanted to be an attorney,” she says. “My father, John Foster, is an attorney. When I was a child, I would beg him to take me to work with him at his law firm every summer.” Her father always sparked a lively dinner conversation by challenging his three young daughters to solve legal dilemmas. The elder Foster and his wife Barbara instilled a love of the law, a passion for learning and a strong work ethic in their girls. As they were growing up, the Foster girls woke up at dawn to tend to horses and other animals on their Arlington farm before they went off to school where they excelled in their studies. All three became lawyers. From day one, Stephanie Foster Gilbert has focused on family law at her practice. “My professional philosophy is divorce with dignity,” she says, noting that she has taken many special measures to serve her clients in the best manner possible. “I was one of the first attorneys trained in collaborative law, in 2008. Collaborative Law is a way to divorce with dignity with no courts and no war.” She believes the collaborative law process is a powerful way to generate creative solutions in family law disputes while minimizing financial and emotional damage
Photo courtesy of Stephani Foster Gilbert
to the couple and their children, all the while promoting post-divorce psychological and financial health of the restructured family. A graduate of Arlington Martin High School, Southern Methodist University in Dallas and St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, Stephanie Foster Gilbert was named a “Top Attorney” by Fort Worth, Texas magazine in 2003 and 2008. She works with other attorneys to promote collaborative divorces in Arlington, Fort Worth, Mansfield, Colleyville, Southlake, Hurst, Euless and Bedford. She is a member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and the Collaborative Lawyers of Arlington and Mansfield. She is active in the Arlington, Tarrant County and Texas bar associations. Married 20 years to Richard Gilbert, with two children, two stepchildren and a stepgrandaughter, Stephanie Foster Gilbert believes her parenting roles as a mother, stepmother and grandmother have given her insight and sensitivity to understand her clients. She is especially happy to be able to continue a family tradition started by her father in Arlington. “I take great care and pride in serving families in the community where I grew up,” she says, adding that her best service isn’t marked by a victory in the courtroom. “My proudest professional moment is when I am able to use my magic and reconcile a marriage instead of terminating it.”
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Women in Business
Melinda Richardson Parker & Richardson Certified Public Accountants 1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 311 • (817) 226-6100 parkercpas.com MELINDA RICHARDSON is the woman behind the Parker & Richardson, P.C. name. She and partner John Parker launched the business in 2004, after both spent years working in local accounting firms. While the practice is located in Arlington, it maintains a client list that spans from Alaska to the east coast. Richardson takes pride in offering an array of services you would find at a larger firm but with the personalized service you can only find at a smaller office. She details how her employees and clients are like family… Staff: “Our current staff consists of two shareholders, two CPAs, four staff accountants and two paraprofessionals. The majority of our staff has been with us for at least five years. One of our paraprofessionals, Lesa Hayen, and I have worked to34
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gether for more than 30 years. We feel one of the greatest strengths at Parker & Richardson is our continuity of staff.” Specialty: “Parker & Richardson provides assistance in many differPhoto: Southern Flair Photography ent tasks, everything from payment of the clients’ payables and payrolls to maintaining accounting records. We assist in the preparation of clients’ tax filings for payroll taxes, franchise taxes and individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns. We often act as a part-time CFO or advisor for business clients who have not yet achieved the size of a full-time financial executive.” Philosophy: “I observed very early in my career that some businesses have a philosophy of ‘everything is fair in business if it creates a profit.’ The ethics employed by some in their personal lives seem to disappear in business environments. This touched me deeply, and I have tried to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in both my business and personal lives.” Service: Richardson says she, her partner and staff strive to provide superior and personalized service to their clients. “There is a feeling of being part of an extended family when a client works with us,” she says. “We want to know our clients on a personal level and we want them to know our team of professionals, too. This promotes a comfortable atmosphere so that our clients never hesitate to call if they have questions. When you hire Parker & Richardson, P.C. you hire the entire team. Someone they know is always here and ready to help.” Proudest Professional Moment: “Being voted the All-Star CPA firm in Arlington, two years in a row.”
Kimberly Fitzpatrick Harris Cook, L.L.P. 709 E. Abram St. • (817) 275-8765 309 E. Broad St. • (817) 473-3332 harriscooklaw.com OFFICIALLY, KIMBERLY FITZPATRICK doesn’t list “juggler” on her professional resume, but when you’re one of the area’s more highly regarded attorneys and the mayor of Dalworthington Gardens, you learn quickly how keep a lot of professional balls in the air. Not surprisingly, when asked to recall her proudest moment as a professional, Fitzpatrick cites two – one from each of her areas of expertise. “It would be a tie,” she says, “between winning the first case that I argued to the Texas Supreme Court and being elected as the Mayor of Dalworthington Gardens.” It’s on the legal front where Fitzpatrick first made her name in the region. She has spent the past eight years as a principal with Harris Cook, L.L.P. She says she chose to pursue a career in law because she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. She has done just that for thousands of clients since joining the firm, where she, partner David Cook and 10 employees operate out of offices in Mansfield, Arlington and Flower Mound. “We are a full-service law firm that is able to help clients with many issues such as business litigation, contract review, entity formation, family and custody issues, injury claims, wills and estate planning, and criminal matters,” she says. “I understand that our clients want creative and timely legal solutions from attorneys who understand their needs and challenges. We also understand that clients want responsiveness and efficiency in the delivery of legal services. My firm’s goal is to deliver all of these. We pride ourselves on tailoring solutions to the particular needs of a client.” Fitzpatrick says one of the keys to the firm’s success is relationship building that is strengthened by the partners’ involvement in their respective cities. They are about as involved as possible – in addition to Fitzpatrick recently being elected mayor of
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Fitzpatrick
Dalworthington Gardens, Cook is the mayor of Mansfield. “Each of our lawyers really try to make a difference for our clients and in our community,” she says. “Everyone in our firm is very involved in our community.” Indeed, Fitzpatrick’s social callings match her professional vitae. Here are highlights of some of the Arlington area and statewide professional and service organizations with which she is involved: • The board of the Central YMCA • The board of the TAMU Law School Alumni Association • The board of the Supreme Court of Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee • The board of the Arlington Bar Association The sum of all the parts, in and out of the office, is the affirmation that she consistently makes good on her goal of making a difference in people’s lives. “A lot of our clients comment on my persistence,” she says. “One client called me a bull dog – but he meant it in a nice way. I keep working until I get the best result.” That’s for her clients, for her constituents in her hometown, and for those she serves in the community.
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Women in Business
Reba Blevens Media Matrix 6210 Ken Ave. (817) 925-7141 REBA BLEVENS IS VERY GOOD at drawing attention – to her clients. If you’ve ever had the urge to check out an automobile at the Moritz Auto Group, you likely did so because of Blevens’ handiwork, which is the fruit of marketing experience that dates nearly three decades. “I started my agency in 1990,” Blevens says. “In 1996, I sold my partnership in the agency and worked solely for the Moritz Auto Group which included Moritz BMW Cadillac MINI, Buz Post GM Buick Isuzu Kia, and the Troy Aikman Automall. Today, the Moritz Dealerships continue to be my primary client. The dealerships now include Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Kia (which currently has three locations in Tarrant County).” Getting people to take notice requires a skillset that blends art and science. Technically speaking, Blevens is involved in the following practices: • Analyzing market demographics and competitive spending • Negotiating and placing media, including radio, television, newspaper, billboards and digital advertising • Writing, producing and directing television and radio commercials • Directing art design for print materials • Auditing vendor invoices and submitting coop to manufacturers, and • Coordinating special events She works directly with the owners and managers to determine a marketing strategy and utilizes the services of multiple free-lance professionals specific to each project. “Together,” she says, “we develop a campaign that represents both shortterm and long-term goals of the company.” How Blevens came to be one of the area’s premier marketing gurus is a story unto itself. “I returned to Arlington in 1984 when my second son Spencer was born,” she says. “A high school friend, Mike O’Donnell, was the sales manager at WBAP. He encouraged me to work for him at the radio station. I was reluctant, but ultimately 36
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Photo: Farah White
worked there for five years as an account executive. Several of my clients expressed frustration with the number of media sales reps they had soliciting their advertising business. Many of those clients agreed to allow me to handle that portion of their business. The rest is history, as they say. I love the work I do. After all, I’ve been doing it for over 25 years.” Blevens says the secret to her success is simple. “I believe that if you pursue your dreams and aspirations with a passion you will achieve success both personally and professionally,” she says. “My business is special because of one-on-one personal attention, availability and accountability.” She says her proudest moments as a professional come when she has the opportunity to give back and share her success with others. “For example,” she says, “stepping into the classroom to teach Media Buying and Planning at TCU. Hopefully, my first-hand experience helped inspire the students to pursue a career that has been fulfilling for me personally.” She also enjoys numerous non-profit associations, including the Alliance for Children and the Arlington ISD Executive Foundation. She is serving her second year as co-chair of the “Great Conversation” Dinner benefitting Alliance for Children. “This year,” she says, “the event will feature special guest, former Dallas Cowboy Charles Haley interviewed by Norm Hitzges with Sportsradio/The Ticket. This event is one of the primary fundraisers for AFC.”
Women in Business
Photo: Southern Flair Photography
Brenda Cureton-Smith
BRENDA CURETON-SMITH began her career in the skin care and beauty business 10 years ago as the first United States franchisee of Faces cosmetics, a Canadian company that had a store in the Parks Mall of Arlington. Taking that experience, she founded Great Skin Spa Skin Care & Facial Club five years ago in Arlington, where the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider. ‘I’ve always loved going to spas for professional skin treatments and was always intrigued with how one could keep their skin young looking and nice,” she says. “Being intrigued with makeup, I quickly learned that makeup was only a temporary fix, and it was a nice option to go barefaced and not cause eyebrows to raise. My studies in skin and skin care started many years ago.” Cureton-Smith and her eight-person staff at Great Skin specialize in anti-aging, wrinkles and fine line reduction, hyper pigmentation, dark doors, uneven skin tone and acne. The also offer customized home skin care treatments, as well as skin wellness and upkeep treatments. “In order to fully help each client, it is necessary to understand their individual skin care/quality goals and develop treatment plans to help them reach that goal and relax, rewind and renew on each and every visit,” she says. “Each client must leave with a smile.” To that end, Great Skin offers cutting-edge technology such as Endermologie; Radio Frequency Skin Tightening and facial contouring; Fat Cavitation; Diamond Tip and I ultrasonic Microdermabrasion; LED; white light therapy; foot and body detoxing; and slimming, fruit-, enzyme- and chemical-based skin peels, as well as teeth whitening and more. Everything Great Skin does is aimed at enhancing the lives of the company’s clients. “My proudest moment involved a client who was not feeling her best due to a life-changing experience that caused weight gain and skin issues – who had been feeling down, frustrated and less than beautiful – and seeing her at the conclusion of her treatment plan,” Cureton-Smith says. “She looked and felt beautiful and awesome! My philosophy is to understand each client’s goals and partner with them to achieve or surpass those goals and see them smile and say they achieved the rewards they were looking for. That drives me to want to keep learning, keep staying excited and keep getting better and better.” Great Skin Spa Skin Care & Facial Club 3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 478-2114 greatskin4you.com 38
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Photo courtesy of Sarah Merrill-Young
Sarah Merrill-Young
HELPING OTHERS plot their financial future was literally “in the blood” for Sarah Merrill-Young. The Merrill Financial Group was founded by Sarah’s father Charlie more than half a century ago. She says she takes pride in what he taught her – and in being able to apply it on a daily basis with the company’s clients. “What has inspired me most was my mentor, my dad,” Sarah says. “I grew up around the financial service business, and thought it was awesome how he helped people with their livelihood. I wanted to do that, but it was intimidating. Financial services is heavily male-dominant. I also watched my mother, who held a director position with the Federal Government, which encouraged me to go for it!” The Merrill Financial Group staff consists of Charlie, Sarah and a part-time staffer, who work with back office support teams to help people pursue their financial goals. “What we specialize in is putting the client first, which is something my father instilled in me,” Sarah says. “When you serve people, you will get business – it is really that simple.” The company offers a wide range of financial products and services to individuals and business owners, including Investments and Tax Deferred Annuities, Employee Benefits, Planning for Business Continuity, College Savings Plans, Retirement Planning, Disability Income, Life Insurance, Group Insurance, Senior Citizen Programs, Charitable Giving, and Estate Planning. Sarah says her company tries to stay on the cutting edge as it helps clients prosper. “Technology is here in a big way in our industry,” she says. “It is definitely becoming a way of life. We are implementing much more “touches” with clients and prospects, keeping individuals informed of the changing financial environment that affects us all.” Sarah’s proudest professional moment is also her latest accomplishment – which took a year and half of juggling her life to become a Retirement Income Certified Professional. “I believe I am well equipped to assist people who are serious about their situations and want help,” she says. Merrill Financial Group 1807 W. Park Row Drive • (817) 460-4051 merrillfg.com
Photo courtesy of Linda Maggazine
Linda Magazzine
LINDA MAGAZZINE didn’t set out to become a successful and award-winning real estate professional, but her previous career kept pointing her in that direction. “I was a field editor for Better Homes and Garden Magazine for the Texas Region,” she says. “That is where I found my love of homes and realized I could make a good living doing what I really enjoyed.” So, in 1978 she changed career paths and in rapid fashion turned The Linda Magazzine Group of Ebby Halliday, REALTORS® into one of the region’s premier real estate entities. The Linda Magazzine Group specializes in luxury living. Its production over the past nine years has exceeded $100 million in sales, and she continues to stack up accomplishments, including being named Ebby Halliday’s Top Individual or Group Producer for the Arlington office for more than 10 years, earning No. 7 company-wide in sales in 2004, and being ranked in the top 5 percent nationwide for nearly two and a half decades. “We are a full-service operation, offering our clients premiere service in either buying, selling or renting,” Magazzine says. The group includes a showing agent and administrative manager, who team with Magazzine to embrace a professional philosophy founded on providing superior customer service. “The best interests of our clients will always come first, and we will place the clients’ concerns ahead of our own in each and every transaction, as we are dedicated to the development of long-term client relationships,” she says. “Our team-approach philosophy ensures your needs are important to each and every member of our organization.” Magazzine has now been in the real estate industry for 38 years, but it’s where she conducts business that gives her special pride. “I live in Arlington, I work in Arlington and I believe in my city and community,” she says. “Giving back is very important to me. I have built wonderful relationships over the years, and I truly feel our clients are our best asset.” The Linda Magazzine Group, Ebby Halliday REALTORS® 1201 W. Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 654-8589 ebby.com/agents_offices/find_agent/team/thelindamagazzinegroup
Lauren and Kay Duggan Photo: Arlington Today
Kay and LaurenDuggan “DEEP DISH IN THE HEART OF TEXAS.” That’s the tagline for Gino’s East off of Copeland Road in North Arlington. While the restaurant has a 50-year history in the Chicago area, it has only been open here a little more than a year, and has quickly become a local favorite. Kay Duggan and her daughter Lauren bought the business in June 2016. After decades of working in the corporate world, Duggan explains it’s a welcome change … Inspiration: “I wanted to invest in a business that is owned and run by women. Having a family business and working side by side with my daughter has been a remarkable experience.” Specialty: “Our business plan and strategy included finding an established business that is unique where product is the centerpiece. We felt there was an opportunity in the Italian food category. In addition to offering the best deep dish pizza in the country, we offer a full menu of options. The kitchen is a “scratch” kitchen so the quality of our food is superior.” Philosophy: “We want to provide an exceptional experience based on the quality of our food and service. We will continue to enhance menu options and vary our events, including celebrity bartenders, Italian wine dinners, craft beer sampling and make your own pizza parties, to create an exciting venue. Being good stewards in our community is also an integral part of our philosophy. Throughout the year we will designate a charity that will receive a percentage of that day’s proceeds.” Service: “The warm setting with leather tufted banquettes, a newly expanded private dining room and a welcoming bar for Game Day are big selling points in our establishment. We welcome opportunities to cater or host your private party, from rehearsal dinners and birthday celebrations to pre-game dinners.” Gino’s East 1350 E. Copeland Road • (817) 809-7437 ginoseast.com/locations/arlington#home arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Women in Business
Photo courtesy of Audiology Experts Photo: Southern Flair Photography
Connie Gauntt
CONNIE GAUNTT bought Gene Allen’s Gifts three Hallmark stores from Gene Allen in 1996 and this year is celebrating owning the business for 20 years – “even though,” she says, “people still ask me if I’m the new owner!’” Granted, Gene Allen’s Gifts has been providing quality gifts and services to the Arlington area for more than five decades, and the company’s namesake is a local retail legend. But Gauntt took what she learned from working with Gene Allen and built on the foundation he established. “I went to work for Mr. Allen in 1991 as the store manager at the Randol Mill location,” she says. “I then became the buyer and later became general manager. Mr. Allen asked me to purchase the stores in 1995, and we made it official in 1996. I’ve never looked back!” The award-winning stores focus on unique product selection and on creating a onestop shopping experience. “Our customer service is hard to find these days among other retailers,” Gauntt says. “We still do complimentary gift wrap for most purchases!” The Gene Allen’s Gifts team consists of 30 part-time and full-time employees, and additional help is added for the holidays. Gauntt says everyone who works with her is dedicated to providing the ideal shopping experience for their customers – and more. “Gene Allen’s Gifts has been in Arlington for over 50 years, and community involvement is extremely important to us,” she says. “ We give back through store-wide fundraisers that go to local non-profit organizations, such as Mission Arlington, SafeHaven, Big Brothers & Sisters and more.” Gauntt says the key to the company’s success is its ability to connect with customers. “I do all of my marketing and social media posts myself,” she says. “I use many apps to create my social media content. I also create two catalogs a year that we mail to our customers; and I do the design layout, picture taking and descriptions. I love it!” Gauntt says her proudest professional moment came when she was awarded the SafeHaven Legacy Award for Business Woman in Arlington in 2009. Another milestone moment, she adds, was “celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2015 with Mayor of Arlington Jeff Williams, City Council and Chamber of Commerce members, the President of Hallmark and his team, and of course, family and friends that have supported our business for the last 50 years. That was a crowning achievement!” Gene Allen’s Gifts 1638 W Randol Mill Road • (817) 277-7501 • 255 SouthWest Plaza • (817) 478-4788 geneallensgifts.com • facebook/geneallensgifts • instagram.com/geneallensgifts 40
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Drs. Kristin Robbins and Lisa B. Fell
THIS PAST SUMMER, Audiology Experts co-founders Dr. Lisa B. Fell and Dr. Kristin Robbins celebrated the practice’s eighth anniversary. The audiologists have clearly struck a chord with their patients – because of the way they work with them. “We are thorough,” says Dr. Fell. “We listen. We actually READ their case histories. We ask MORE questions. We dig deeper. People are MORE than their hearing loss. The people who walk through our doors or call our office are more than a sale or a set of hearing aids. They are a person with family, friends, co-workers. They have fears, worries, concerns, and all of those need to be acknowledged and addressed – even if to say ‘we hear you.’” Audiology Experts tailors appointments to each patient. The audiologists know there is no cookie-cutter recipe. They realize each person needs something different, and they look and search and work to find it and then provide it to patients if it is possible. “We are co-owners and long time friends – two women starting and operating an audiology practice is somewhat rare in the industry,” Dr. Fell says. “Especially, since many of the hearing aid places are owned by large corporations. Getting your hearing healthcare at the same place you get bulk food and paper towels just does not represent the kind of hearing healthcare people should expect or accept. When you talk to an individual (or their spouse/significant other) about their hearing loss and how it impacts life, it can stir up some emotion – being comfortable in the environment and being with a professional who obviously and genuinely cares is definitely a more effective way of managing hearing healthcare, hearing instruments and the expectations that come with them. By being independently owned and operated, we are able to insure that the people we treat are getting the very best care we have to offer.” Dr. Fell says another advantage to being co-owners is that their patients get two audiologists, who have peer-to-peer discussions on challenging cases – and that translates into better care for patients: “We trust each other in our care for our patients, which means if I’m on vacation my patients can still call if a problem arises, and Dr. Robbins will take care of them for me, and vice versa.” Audiology Experts 1261 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Suite 105 • (817) 451-4818 AudiologyExperts.com
Gloria Van Zandt REALTOR® Broker Associate
CRB, CRS, ABR, SRES, GRI, PSC gloriavz@aol.com • Past President, Arlington Board of Realtors • 2015 Realtor Emeritus, National Association of Realtors • Real Estate Sales and Broker for 43 years • 1995-2000 - Advisory Committee Chairman of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M Research Center • Certified Property Staging Consultant & Senior Real Estate Specialist Photo: Southern Flair Photography
Mary Davis
ANYTHING GOES has as apt a name for a retail business as you can find – which is just what Mary Davis was hoping for when she opened the eclectic gift shop in Pantego in February 2011. “Having lived and worked in the Arlington/Pantego area for over 30 years, I knew at some point I would love to open a store,” she says. “So in the fall of 2010, we were shopping in a small town boutique in Oklahoma, waiting for a football game, when I told my husband, ‘This is the kind of shop I would love to open,’ and he said ‘let’s do it!’” That inspiration became the Arlington area’s newest family owned gift shop, which offers a mix of traditional gifts, specialty gifts, college and school gifts and sports memorabilia. “We strive to bring in unique gifts from markets all over the U.S.,” Davis says. “These items include a large selection of jewelry, handbags, college and Greek items, home decor, baby/children gifts and much more.” When Davis says “we,” she is referring to a staff that includes the aforementioned husband Doug, herself and four part-time helpers. Besides encouraging Mary to push forward with her dream to be a retailer, Doug provides a personality for the store that is in keeping with its iconic name. “Anyone who knows my husband knows this could be interesting!,” Mary says. The Davises like to have a good time, so it’s not surprising that their retail venture follows suit. “Our goal is for each customer to have a fun shopping experience that results in finding that special gift for any person or occasion,” Mary says. “I believe what sets us apart is our one-on-one customer service and our ability to help customers ‘think out of the box’ when shopping for their friends and family. And Anything Goes is a great socializing place, too.” Mary says she is glad she and Doug acted on their initial instinct five years ago. “Our proudest accomplishment,” she says, “is bringing to Arlington/Pantego this amazing ‘hometown’ gift shop that people enjoy!” Anything Goes 2504 W. Park Row Drive, Suite A • Phone number (817) 542-0862 anythinggoesgiftshop.com
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A JEWEL in our crown Downtown Arlington has been named a cultural district by the Texas Commission on the Arts
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he Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has approved the designation of the Arlington Cultural District in downtown Arlington as one of only seven new cultural districts in the state. “For generations, fine and performing artists and arts organizations have attracted residents and visitors to Downtown Arlington,” says Mayor Jeff Williams. “In the last few years, a groundswell of community support, partnerships and investment is transPhoto: City of Arlington forming the district into a highly visible cultural magnet for our city.” According to the TCA, cultural districts are special zones that harvery evident as are efforts to attract entrepreneurs and young people. ness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic devel The panel also cited the significance of the The University of Texas opment and community revitalization. These districts can become Arlington in the district, noting its fine arts department as an influfocal points for generating business, attracting tourists, stimulating encer for growth and creativity. cultural development and fostering civic pride. Cultural district des “Downtown Arlington continues to thrive and grow through a ignation can also attract funding to stimulate arts-related developcollective commitment to placemaking,” says Tony Rutigliano, presment through tax breaks, economic incentives and financial grants ident and CEO of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporafor entities within the district. tion (DAMC). “That includes an on-going commitment to nurturing It’s the prospect for creative stimulus that excites Patti Diou, extalent; creating functional and beautiful spaces for students, artists, ecutive director of the Levitt Pavilion-Arlington and chairperson residents and visitors; stimulating economic vitality; and supporting of the Arlington Cultural District connectivity and mobility Council. The Council consists of repto and within the district.” resentatives from all major cultural A formal ceremony to cel“THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE honor and a powerful springboard organizations within the district as ebrate Arlington’s new culfor great things to come.” well as community members, civic tural district will take place leaders and artists. this month, Rutigliano said. Also within the next few weeks, DAMC “Decades of enthusiasm and support by our local community and the Arlington Cultural District Council will begin to create forhave propelled us to where we are today,” Diou says. “To have our mal processes to avail funding opportunities and other benefits of collective efforts recognized by TAC is an incredible honor and a the cultural district designation to individual artists and arts orgapowerful springboard for great things to come.” nizations. The Arlington Cultural District, which encompasses the same area “Established art institutions, grassroots organizations and indias the city’s downtown Business Improvement District, joins other vidual artists will discover more and more opportunities for creative new districts in Waco, downtown Plano, Texarkana, Salado, Amaendeavors, collaboration and visibility in Downtown,” says Mayor rillo and Rockport. TAC’s Cultural District Designation Evaluation Williams. “I am extremely excited about the future of the arts in our Panel said that in Arlington, collaboration between the arts groups is community.” 42
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
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Classic Cars
Behold the great ROLLS-ROYCE Highlights from a visit to the world’s largest Rolls-Royce museum on a trip to the Austrian Alps • By Richard Greene
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his month’s automobile feature combines an Austrian Alps excursion with a visit to the world’s largest collection of classic Rolls-Royce motorcars. The destination is Dornbirn, Austria, located in the country’s Western panhandle between Germany and Switzerland where the Rhine River flows into Europe’s third largest lake known as Lake Constance or, as the German’s call it, the Bodensee. That’s where we met Johannes and Bernhard Vonier, the two brothers who are carrying on their father Franz’s passion for the preser-
Photos: Richard Greene
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
vation and display of what is perhaps the most famous of all British automobiles. My wife Sylvia and I, along with our granddaughter Ashley, were again the beneficiaries of our son Brian’s film project for a television series featuring the world’s finest automobile museums. We got to tag along and spend the entire day looking over more than 100 of the classics, including the Safari-Touring-Car of King George V, the Limousine of King Edward VIII, the sporting Phantom II of Prinz Aly Khan, the blue RollsRoyce of Malcolm Campbell, the parade car of Dictator Franco, the personal vehicle of F.H. Royce, the Rolls-Royce of Lawrence of Arabia and many more. AMONG THOSE others is what the Vonier brothers refer to as the “Landau of Queen Mum” – that would be none other than the celebration car of Queen Elizabeth II. We tested the very same seat the monarch occupied in the specially modified rear quarter so she could famously wave to her subjects lining parade routes on special public appearances. The museum’s origin can be traced to Franz’s travels through Europe developing his transition from farmer to automobile mechanic and then as a Rolls Royce expert The Rolls-Royce Museum in and collector. Austria contains more than 100 He started collecting in 1971 in classic vehicles – each with an interesting story behind it. the family’s home, and Johannes likes to recall how he grew up there
Johannes and Bernhard Vonier literally grew up with Rolls-Royces in their bedrooms, so the brothers who operate the museum (pictured above) know a thing or two thousand about these magnificent automobiles. As the other photos here show, the Rolls – any Rolls – is a special vehicle, in every sense of the word.
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Below: Vintage Rolls-Royce memorabilia, including the 1927 Phantom I model that was hidden in a barn during World War II.
This 1930 Phantom II was transported to the top of Switzerland’s Santis Mountain using a ski gondola.
Hail to the Queen: This photo and the one to the left feature the celebration car of Queen Elizabeth II.
with a car in his bedroom bearing the RR iconic hood ornament, Spirit of Ecstasy Mascot peering down at him. Ten years later, the museum opened in an historic textile factory that was converted over time to the showplace it is today housing not only the classic cars but also another one thousand or so exhibits related to the vehicles and the era of their day. THE GUYS ARE PARTICULARLY proud of an event they staged four winters ago (12/12/12), when they managed to get their pristine 1930 Phantom II on display at the observation deck atop Switzerland’s 8,200 ft. Santis Mountain – among the most prominent summits in the Alps. The feat was made possible by attaching the 1.5-ton noble car to the bottom of a counterbalanced funicular – otherwise known as a ski lift gondola. It dangled above the frozen slopes en route to the peak of the mountain. Always a crowd pleaser is the 1933 Phantom II – a Rolls-Royce used by smugglers of diamonds from South African mines for transport to diamond cutters and then to distribution locations across Europe, even to prestigious Paris jewelry stores. It’s quite like the one owned by Mr. Goldfinger – the notorious villain planning on raiding Fort Knox in
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the 1964 James Bond film bearing his name. Johannes explains that there are five secret compartments that were built into the car’s body. “We’ve found only three of them,” he says with a wry smile, “we are still looking for the other two.” The rear window in this car is also special - it rolls down so a machine gun can be fired from the back seat. ONE OF THE MORE unusual finds currently housed in the museum is a new 1927 Phantom I that had been hidden in a barn in the South of England during WWII. The Voniers located it in the 1970’s in the condition seen in the photo here. To disguise it during the war, the car had been covered with 16 coats of white paint applied with a brush. But, with a little tinkering and tuning, the engine ran smoothly – perhaps a tribute to the engineering skills of 1920-era motor design and dependability. Other than putting fresh tires on it, the car is displayed just as it was discovered. Stories like these accompany every one of the famous vehicles. To hear about all the rest of them, plan to tour the museum the next time you are in the vicinity of this picturesque Alpine countryside.
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Picture-perfect Moments 1
Scene
Snapshots from the recent First Responders Breakfast hosted by St. Joseph Catholic School in honor of area police and fire department personnel
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Photos: Toni Randle-Cook
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THE HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Sr. Cpl. Edgar Hurtado of the Euless Police Department poses with his daughter Cecilia. 2. County Commissioner Andy Nguyen (second from left) and Sheri Capehart (Council Member, District 2/Mayor Pro Tem; third from left) join St. Joseph students for a photo opp. 3. Arington Fire Department paramedics Brandon Taylor, Wade Hood and Jonathan Miller. 4. Sgt. Mike Skarbek #1921 (Arlington Police Department) poses with St. Joseph Catholic School Principal Chad Riley. 5. A police officer who was honored by the school’s students visits with a couple of them.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
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Rust top with chambray striped skirt - Gracie Lane
Long oatmeal sweater - Jazzy Jems
Navy dress with yellow and blue stripes with long turquoise tassel necklace - Jazzy Jems
Fall Fashion Ready Grey/orange knit sweater - Gracie Lane
Camouflage pants with denim halter top - Jazzy Jems
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Necklaces - Anything Goes Own a piece of history. Peter Carl Fabergé created the first jeweled egg for the Russian Czar's wife in 1885 and in 2009 Tatiana Fabergé, his great granddaughter, ended the production of the line known to Neiman Marcus, Saks and other fine retail stores. Visit C&W Antiques for one of the largest Fabergé collections which includes crystal stemware, china, eggs and other gifts.
Seasons
An ode to AUTUMN The Arlington area features innumerable scenic fall views – all you have to do is look for them
Flora photos: Bob Brennan
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Fauna photos: Richard Greene
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Scary Stuff (and more)
Local HAUNTS
On Hallow’s Eve (or some other days this month), be sure to check out these area attractions • By Karen Gavis
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a monster lair. According to Six Flags lore, an ancient zombie burial ground rests beneath the park’s normally lazydaisy antique car track while the corpse of a witch lies buried beneath the Titan. Other supernatural tales include a mountain’s curse, a demon-driven sawmill incident, and a toxic dumpsite that breeds flesh eating animals. Fright Fest is open on select days through Halloween but is not recommended for children under age 13 who scare easily or who otherwise might become frightened by monsters, hearses or dangling, human-sized cocoons awaiting their injections of venom. “The park is family-friendly by day,” says the theme park website. “But we Fright Fest - Arlington turn up the terror at night.” Blood curdling screams are not entire Along with an assortment of hauntly unusual for those anywhere near Six ed houses, there are also monster mazFlags’ 60-miles-per-hour, double-looped, es and scare zones where visitors will encounter “blood-thirsty creatures” who are on the hunt for fresh victims. Although entrance fees vary, for $25, Six Flags season pass holders can get unlimited visits through the various Fright Fest haunted houses. Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas is a treat for serious Louis Tussaud’s Palace fans of scary stuff. of Wax – Grand Prairie Ripley’s Believe It or Not Photo: Six Flags Over Texas Museum in Grand Prairie will not host an adroller coaster known as the Shock Wave. vertised Halloween attraction this fall. However, heightened shrieks can be exHowever, group sales consultant Edie pected throughout the night when the Ibanga says Louis Tussaud’s Palace popular theme park transforms into of Wax, located inside the museum, is o bones about it – there’s a Halloween hangout in America’s dream city that navigates like a nightmare. Six Flags over Texas, a top destination for thrill seekers, may draw even heftier crowds during Fright Fest this fall since several top-rated haunted houses like Texas Scaregrounds, Terrorplex, and the Boneyard have vanished or relocated. Texas Scaregrounds has moved to Alvarado, and the Boneyard shook over to Dallas, but there still are ample local haunts to accommodate serious fright seekers, as well as pintsized trick-or-treaters.
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home to a host of year-round monsters. “We do have an area called Fear,” she says, adding that the museum’s inhouse frights include classics such as the Hulk and Freddy Krueger. Along with “lots of clowns” and rows of past and present film stars, visitors can also view a lifelike replica of war monger Adolf Hitler that may also chill their blood. Louis Tussaud, a wax sculptor, was also the great grandson of Marie Tussaud, who founded Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in London. The Palace of Wax is open 365 days a year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Ticket sales end one hour prior to closing and cost $18.99 for ages 13 and up and $12.99 for ages four through 12. Children three and under are free. After Dark in the Park – Arlington This family-friendly annual festival will be held 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly on Oct. 7-9 at River Legacy Park. Visitors can catch a hayride to the action, which will include storytelling, karaoke, balloon artists, bounce houses and more – all beneath the stars. Kids can also create crafts, get glow-in-the-dark tattoos, and pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. Tickets are $8 for ages three and up, and children 2 and under are admitted free. Food and some activities will require coupons that can be purchased on site. For more: (817) 860-6752. Haunted Hallway - Grand Prairie Traders Village is inviting trick-ortreaters to its annual Haunted Hallway,
Photos: Arno Knapen
River Legacy Parks’ After Dark in the Park offers family friendly fun – not to mention some great photo opps, as these four shots show.
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Two Grand Prairie venues – Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax (left) and Traders Village (below) – have lots of scares in store for visitors.
Photo: funny-pictures.picphotos.net
Photo: Traders Village
Mansfield’s Boo Bash offers fun activities for kids and grownups alike. Photo: City of Mansfield
which, according to the flea market’s website, is “the biggest free spooktacular for kids in the Metroplex.” Costume-clad children can do the monster mash, enjoy a fun, candy-filled day, and visit a haunted house. The Haunted Hallway will be held Sunday, Oct. 30. Traders Village is located at 2602 Mayfield Road in Grand Prairie. Although entrance to Traders Village is free, parking costs $4. Pumpkin Patch - Arlington Those searching for a jack-o-lantern to carve this Halloween can also support local farmers by visiting Viridian’s pumpkin patch which will open to the public at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in 56
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Overlook Park located at 1210 Viridian Park Lane. Boo Bash - Mansfield The Boo Bash, which is held annually at the Mansfield Activity Center, has delighted Trick-or-Treaters for 15 years but under various names, says Center supervisor Coco Garcia. This year’s event is set for Oct. 28, from 6-9 p.m. The idea is to give children a fun alternative to just walking around on the streets asking for treats, Garcia says. The hayride, which makes tracks along the Center’s back lawn, is a popular attraction, and Garcia says that though the entire trip lasts only about a quarter of a mile “the kids all love it.”
Candy, s’mores and other refreshments are provided during the event, and partygoers can also bob for apples. In addition, there will be challenging carnival games. “Of course, everyone is a winner,” Garcia says. For those who may want to sit down and take a break from the action, a Halloween-themed movie will also be shown. Garcia says that while a blowup haunted house and a giant black cat will be present, the bash is not a monster den. “It’s not meant to be scary,” she says. Cost is $7 for children (2-11) and $3 for anyone over age 11. Children under 2 are admitted free.
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arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Honoring Veterans
True HEROES
This photo of Joe Hatchel with a 10-yearold Belgian girl named Maria was taken in Belgium in 1944. Photo courtesy of Mark Hatchel
The 740th Tank Battalion Assocication holds a local reunion to honor and remember the unit’s role in WWII
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his past Labor Day weekend, eight World War II veterans and another 50-60 family members and friends met at the Embassy Suites Outdoor World Hotel in Grapevine for the 43rd Annual Reunion of the 740th Tank Battalion Association. Arlington residents Kenneth Walcott (WWII veteran of the tank battalion) and Mark Hatchel (son of Joe Hatchel of the 740th) were in attendance. The group’s previously oldest attending veteran Arlington resident, Larkin Dilbeck (age 96), had attended reunions until he passed away early this year. Mark Hatchel, secretary of the 740th Tank Battalion Association, says the 740th “Daredevil” Tank Battalion was formed in 1943 from draftees primarily from the States of Texas and Oklahoma.
“The men did their basic training at Fort Knox, Ky.,” he says, “and then were designated ‘Top Secret Special’ and sent to Patton’s Desert Training Center in Arizona.” AT CAMP BOUSE, the 740th was part of the 9th Armored Group that was being trained in a top secret program to use tanks equipped with search lights (the men called them Gizmos) to blind the enemy on the battlefield in desert warfare. All the men had to swear an Oath of Secrecy and for years they would not talk about what they did in the desert. The 740th got off to a rocky start until they got a new commander, Lt. Colonel George K. Rubel. “Rubel was a hard-boiled
These members of the 740th Tank Battalion attended the 43rd reunion of the unit: (back row, left to right) Kenneth Wallott, Arlington; George Donoghue, Oklahoma City; Jack Fryrear, Oklahoma City; and Harry Miller, Washington, D.C.; (front row, left to right) Carl Vinson, Allen, Okla.; Chigger Webster, Celina, Texas; Doug Tanner, Athens, Texas; and Jim Holley, Enid, Okla. The reunion was organized by Mark Hatchel (inset), son of battalion member Joe Hatchel.
Photos: Southern Flair Photography
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Here are the veterans and their extended families at the reunion.
former Arizona National Guardsman that had trained with General George Patton to go to North Africa with the 1st Armored Division,” Hatchel says. “The desert training took many months to complete but made the 740th Tank Battalion a much better trained [group] in working in small units, marksmanship, and map reading, and in coordinating day and night attacks with infantrymen.” Because of the desert training, the 740th did not make it back to Fort Knox until June 1944 and did not go overseas until October 1944 (after the D-Day landings). After landing at Utah Beach, the battalion was sent across France to a small village called Aubin-Neufchateau, Belgium. THE BATTALION WAS THERE waiting for tanks when the Germans attacked in December 1944 at the Battle of Bulge. The 740th was sent up the line where it met and stopped the 1st SS Panzer Division under the command of the infamous Nazi Colonel Joachim Peiper. “Following the battle,” Hatchel says, “several HQ men were sent to Malmedy to see if any of the American soldiers massacred there by Peiper’s men were members of the 740th Tank Battalion. It was a tragic site, and the men did not like to talk about it for years after the war.” The 740th then fought virtually non-stop supporting the 82nd Airborne Division, the 63rd Infantry Division, and the 8th Infantry Division. Hatchel recalls that General James Gavin of the 82nd Airborne said the 740th tankers were the best they ever served with. At the end of the war, the 740th crossed the Elbe River with General Simpson’s 9th Army and met the Russians at the Baltic Sea in Schwerein, Germany. When that area was assigned to the Russians, the 740th was assigned to the Army Occupation in Witzenhausen, Germany and then Limburg, Germany. “While in Witzenhausen, the 740th guarded Werner von Braun (the famous German missile scientist) for two weeks as the battalion helped round up the key technicians and scientists to relocate them to the United States for further missile development,”
Hatchel says. “Von Braun, who dreamed of going to the moon as a young man in Germany, was head of NASA when the first lunar landing occurred in 1969.” Thirty years after the 740th Tank Battalion was formed in 1943, a group of officers and enlisted men held their first reunion at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Ky., and formed the 740th Tank Battalion Association that has continued to this day. Mark Hatchel’s first reunion with the group was in 1975 in Dallas with his father. In 1996, Mark went with a small group of veterans back to Belgium and Germany. “In 1999, the Battalion erected a large monument in Aubin-Neufchateau, Belgium dedicated to the men who were Killed in Action and to the Belgians who welcomed them into their homes on the eve of the Battle of the Bulge,” says Hatchel. More than 100 tankers and family members attended. Since that time, Hatchel has led veterans, friends and family back to Belgium and Germany every couple of years. As the veterans have aged, the family members have taken over hosting the reunions, and the 43rd Reunion marks the 15th that Hatchel has hosted at the Embassy Suites in Grapevine. The group voted to do another reunion in 2017 in Grapevine and plans to go back to Belgium to rededicate the monument (after 20 years) in 2019. While many WWII veterans groups have disbanded, the 740th Tank Battalion and their families have kept going. Hatchel attributes this to the close bond of the men and family members through the many reunions and trips back to Europe together. He says his next challenge is to complete a book about the men, their stories, and memorabilia from his beloved “Daredevil” tankers, and to help find a permanent home for the unit’s museum. “As the 740th tankers’ Belgian friends say, ‘Freedom isn’t free,’” Hatchel says. “So, unless we know our history, our future generations may be challenged – as were those young Texas and Oklahoma Tankers were in WW2 – to fight again so that we can remain free.”
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Education
The Clute family – father Jason, mother Erin and sons Cooper and Carson – has benefited from the Primrose School.
Photos: Southern Flair Photography
An EDUCATION like no other Happy, well-adapted graduates help Primrose School celebrate its 20th anniversary this year • By Bill Lace
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t’s natural, changing schools after many years, to reflect fondly, if a bit wistfully about good times with good friends. Cooper Clute certainly feels that way, even though he’s just five years old. Cooper, a student at Arlington’s Primrose School from infancy through kindergarten, was there with his family last month as the school celebrated its 20th anniversary. Now at C.C. Duff Elementary, he sums up his Primrose years succinctly: “It was fun.” It was, in fact, much more than just fun, says his mom, Erin. “Primrose really did a lot for him. He was more than
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prepared for public school. He’s really confident and good with other kids, respectful of teachers, and I think he got a lot of that here.” Arlington’s Primrose, one of several in the Metroplex, opened in September 1996 because Lynne Groff, working in a child care center while on her way to a master’s in social work at UTA, had seen a better way. THERE’S NOTHING wrong with daycare, says Groff, Primrose’s executive director, “but there’s a big difference between daycare and an educational pre-school. I felt there needed to be a foundation that
could be built upon every day throughout the years.” Her parents, Jim and Isobel Morton, bought into that dream, and the trio decided to make it a reality. Research led them to Primrose, a school established in Georgia in 1982 that has since grown to a network of more than 300 franchises providing early childhood education to more than 60,000 students in 23 states. Primrose’s concept of Balanced Learning dovetails nicely with Groff’s vision. “Our curriculum is educationally based,” she says. “Everything is purposeful play.” The curriculum is divided into age groups – from infant through toddler
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The Primrose School of N.E. Green Oaks was started 20 years ago by Lynne Groff (left) and her parents Isobel and Jim Morton.
and pre-school to kindergarten. Learning occurs in eight areas – approaches to learning, social studies, language and literacy, social and emotional, physical, creative arts, science and engineering, and math. EVERYTHING TAUGHT, however, is balanced to the age of the student. Language, social studies and math, for instance, receive far more emphasis in kindergarten than in the toddler room, but everything builds onto and is connected with prior lessons. “We focus on what we call ‘scaffolding,’” Groff says. “Having that foundation is so important.” If foundational learning is important, so is just plain silliness. In selecting teachers, Groff looks for people who are genuinely engaged with their students – including acting goofy on occasion, getting down (literally) to the kids’ level. “You really have to have a passion for learning,” she says, “but you have to have a passion for being silly, too.” It’s a winning combination, and so is Primrose Arlington. But it is much more than just the franchise owners – Groff is the 62
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
educational expert, Jim’s the accountant and Isobel handles technology. It’s that kind of hands-on, here-every-day approach that has led to the winning of two Primrose President’s Awards – the only school to have done so. Primrose Arlington hasn’t changed much over the past two decades, and Groff doesn’t expect much more over the next two ... in ways that really matter, that is. “I think it comes down to what we have in place,” she says. “Sure, I see us staying ahead of the curve in technology and academics, but we’ll always be the same people with the same philosophy.” The Clute family sure hopes so. Cooper may have moved on, but baby brother Carson is in the infant room and the third Clute kid – gender TBD – is on the way. Says dad Jason, “We’ll be a Primrose family for a looooong time.”
CURRICULUM IS BALANCED to the age of the student. Language, social studies and math, for instance, receive far more emphasis in kindergarten than in the toddler room, but everything builds onto and is connected with prior lessons.
Picture-perfect Moments 1
Scene
Snapshots from the Dallas Cowboys’ recent visit to Pearcy Elementary School and from actor Matthew McConaughey’s recent Just Keep Livin address to students at Sam Houston High School
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Photos: Leslie Johnston
3
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Photos: Leslie Johnston
THE HIGHLIGHTS: 1. The Dallas Cowboys new starting quarterback Dak Prescott helps some Pearcy Elementary School students work on the shotgun snap. 2. Cowboys running back/kick returner Darius Jackson is greeted by students as the team enters the school. 3. Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins looms as a formidable defender against these two young Pearcy students. 4. Academy Award-winning actor and Texan Matthew McConaughey presents an inspirational speech to local high schoolers. 5. McConaughey and Texas Ranger Prince Fielder pose for pictures with the students.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
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MISD urging community to support cancer patients with a color each month
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McCabe to manage Ebby Halliday office EBBY HALLIDAY, REALTORS® has appointed Suzanne McCabe sales manager of its Arlington and Mansfield offices. “Suzanne is a longtime, top-producing agent with in-depth knowledge of the Arlington and Mansfield markets,” says Mary Frances Burleson, president and chief executive officer. “Known for always going above and beyond for clients, Suzanne possesses a thorough understanding of residential real estate and a deep appreciation for our company’s reputation for outstanding service.” McCabe will report to Betty Misko, executive vice president and director of sales offices. “Suzanne started with Ebby Halliday in 2003 and has spent her entire real estate career with us,” Misko says. “She truly enjoys the challenges and opportunities inherent in real estate transactions and her background and experience will be invaluable assets to the clients and Associates of our Arlington and Mansfield offices.” McCabe, a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, grew up in Arlington and currently lives in the city, and is active in local civic affairs. She is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington. 66
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
CANCER AFFECTS millions of people each year, and officials at Mansfield ISD are wanting each person affected to know that they do not stand alone. MISD started its Colors for Caring initiative to visibly show community support for a loved one who is battling or has battled cancer. MISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Photo: Mansfield ISD Vaszauskas was very grateful for the support he received during his bout with thymoma cancer, so he wants to continue to spread the love and encouragement through the Colors for Caring initiative implemented last school year. “It is amazing to me how many of our MISD family’s lives have been touched by cancer,” says Dr. Vaszauskas. “I can personally attest to the power of community support and want others to know and experience the same through our Colors for Caring initiative.” On the first Monday of each month in the 2016-17 school year, Mansfield ISD is encour-
The partners and staff at the Harris Cook law firm show their Colors for Caring.
aging the community to wear a color that represents a cancer that affected the life of a loved one. The Colors for Caring Days for 2016-17 are: • Monday, Oct. 3 • Monday, Nov. 7 • Monday, Dec. 5 • Monday, Jan. 9 • Monday, Feb. 6 • Monday, March 6 • Monday, April 3 •Monday, May 1 For more: goo.gl/sSFIEG
Arlington’s Hanes gets chance to study in Taiwan
SYDNEY HANES, a high school student in Arlington, has been awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship for 2016-17. Sydney will study Chinese in Taiwan for the Year. Sydney is one of only approximately 600 competitively selected students from across the United States who will receive a scholarship to study overseas this year. While in Taiwan, Sydney will receive formal instruction and informal language practice in an immersion environment. The NSLI-Y program seeks to increase the number of Americans who can engage with native speakers of critical languages. The goals of the NSLI-Y program include sparking a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, and developing a corps of young Americans with the skills necessary to advance international dialogue.
Arlington on Tap: UTA’s Duane Dimos This month’s Arlington on Tap, the popular, casual – and free – lecture series, will feature Duane Dimos, University of Texas Arlington’s vice president of research, at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at J.R. Bentley’s (406 W. Abram St.). Dimos will discuss “Research at UTA from Nano to Miraculous.” A question-and-answer session will follow his talk, and the event is scheduled to wrap up at 8 p.m. Arlington Proud, the Arlington Historical Society and Arlington Today magazine sponsor Arlington on Tap.
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Tennis Tip
‘10 and Under’ Tennis: It’s all about the kids! Would you take a 6-year-old child to play baseball on a field the size of Globe Life Park, or have a child play soccer at the FC Dallas Toyota Stadium? Of course not, but some parents believe that their child age 10 or younger should play on a full-sized tennis court with traditional yellow tennis balls. Kids learn sports best when their environment fits their own size and ability level. “10 and Under” Tennis is REAL tennis that is all about the kids! 10 and Under Tennis is a catalyst for development of good form and the skills needed to be successful at whatever level they choose to play or compete. “10 and Under” Tennis features Children age 8 and under are still courts and equipment that are geared for younger players. developing basic motor skills and need the smaller court to be successful. In “10 and Under” Tennis, children 8 years old or younger play on a 36-foot court, which has a lower net, and they use 21-inch or 23-inch racquets. The “red” tennis balls for this age group are slightly larger and have a lower level of inflation to reduce
bounce. Children who are ages 9 to 10 start play on a 60-foot court with a traditional-sized net, and they use 23- to 25-inch racquets. They use “orange” balls, which are the same size as traditional tennis balls, but contain a lower level of inflation. Once kids conquer the 60-foot court, they transition to the fullsized court, full-sized racquets and use “green dot” tennis balls. The “green dot” balls also have a lower compression level to minimize the height of the bounce. Starting at age 11, there is no turning back! Kids will be on full courts with traditional tennis balls and full-sized racquets for the remainder of their tennis careers. Photo: naturallyfun.org Start kids off in tennis the right way with 10 and Under Tennis! – Julie Fusik , USPTA Professional, Arlington Tennis Center
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington sincerely thanks the generous sponsors and in-kind donors who made the 57th Annual Party for a Purpose possible! McCullough Foundation
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Picture-perfect Moments 1
Scene
Snapshots from the annual EcoFest that took over the streets of Downtown Arlington last month. The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department partnered with Republic Services and other local sponsors to provide a wide range of ecology-related activities.
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Photos: Elizabeth Proctor
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THE HIGHLIGHTS ... 1. A rock climbing exhibit proved to be quite popular with the EcoFest crowd. 2. This noble bird was also a hit. It was part of the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center exhibit. 3. In addition to birds of prey to appreciate, the Blackand Prairie Raptor Center offered a number of hands-on activities for fest goers. 4. Michelle Packer with the University of Texas Arlington Walsh Lab helped visitors see a whole new world. 5. Making things and making new discoveries was the theme all day during the EcoFest, which drew thousands of earth-interested visitors to the downtown area.
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ARLINGTON TODAY â&#x20AC;˘ October 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ arlingtontoday.com
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jgilligans.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Dining Guide
IT OUT 1
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 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
2
3 1. Chop House Burgers 2. Blue Mesa Grill 3. Chamas do Brazil 4. Gino’s East
4
El Arroyo elarroyoarlington.com 5024 S. Cooper St. (817) 468-2557 El Primo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina elprimos.net 2300 Matlock Road, #21, Mansfield (817) 225-4140 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop fuzzystacoshop.com 510 E. Abram St. (817) 265-8226 4201 W. Green Oaks Blvd. (817) 516-8226 1601 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield (817) 453-1682
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 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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Health / Fitness
Breast cancer: an overview As millions mark this month as a time to take heed, here are some facts you should know about the disease
T
his month, much of the nation will focus on breast cancer awareness, and with good cause – a woman living in this country has a 12.3 percent, or a 1-in-8, lifetime risk of being diagnosed with the disease. The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which has a practice in Arlington and which has an acclaimed staff of cancer specialists, has prepared an overA woman living in the US has view of breast cancer. Here are some of the a 12.3%, or a 1 in 8, lifetime risk of being diagnosed with highlights: breast cancer. The breast is made up of glands called lobules that can make milk and thin tubes called ducts that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple. Breast tissue also contains fat and connective tissue, lymph nodes, and blood vessels. This year, an estimated 231,840 The most common type of breast cancer is new cases of invasive breast ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells cancer will be diagnosed among women, as well as an estimated of the ducts. Breast cancer can also begin in 60,290 additional cases of situ the cells of the lobules and in other tissues breast cancer. in the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the ducts or lobules to surrounding tissue. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include: • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue • Bloody discharge from the nipple • Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling • A newly inverted nipple • Peeling, scaling or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange When to see a doctor: If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor for prompt evaluation. Causes: It’s not clear what causes breast cancer. Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body. Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and envi74
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Women who inherit the mutated BRCA 1 gene have a 55-65% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. Women with th mutated BRCA 2 have around a 45% risk.
Breast cancer incidence rates are highest in non-Hispanic white women, followed by AfricanAmerican women and are lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander women. In contrast, breast cancer death rates are highest for African-American women, followed by non-Hispanic white women.
Image courtesy of The CenterTX
ronmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. But it’s not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It’s likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment. Inherited breast cancer: Doctors estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. What is breast cancer in men? A breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs mainly in women, but men can get it, too. Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer.
5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN
CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES! GRAB YOUR CAPES AND GET READY TO FLY...
CASA OF TARRANT COUNTY’S 3RD ANNUAL SUPERHERO RUN/WALK
OCTOBER 29 | LEVITT PAVILION | 100 W ABRAM STREET, ARLINGTON, TX POW! To register visit SpeakUpForAChild.org
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CHRIS & MONTE DOBSON
KATHLEEN DIAL MARK MCGUFFIN, CIC, LUTCF ASSURED PARTNERS arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Events, etc.
IT OUT The B-52s
Sights/Sounds Your resource for entertainment in and around Arlington MUSIC: Concerts at The LOT Downtown When: Oct. 1, 7, 14, 22 Where: The LOT Downtown (110 S. Main St., Mansfield) Show times: 7 p.m. Notes: This month, The LOT Downtown will present a free concert by Bri Bagwell (Oct. 1), a ticketed concert by Emerald City Band (Oct. 7), a free concert by Daphne Willis (Oct. 14) and a free concert by Danni and Kris (Oct. 29). In addition, the venue will present a free showing of the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 21. For more: thelotdowntown.com
MUSIC: Concerts at Arlington Music Hall When: Oct. 7, 14, 22, 28 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. Notes: This month, Arlington Music Hall will present four concerts, including “Shenandoah: Reloaded Tour featuring Marty Raybon” (Oct. 7), “Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone” (Oct. 14), “Country Gold Tour: Leroy Van Dyke, Barbara Fairchild & Claude Gray” (Oct. 22) and “Arrival from Sweden The Music of Abba” (Oct. 28). For more: arlingtonmusichall.net
DANCE: Russian Grand Ballet presents Swan Lake When: Oct. 8 Where: Arlington Music Hall (224 N. Center St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. Notes: Swan Lake is often called the ‘ballet of all ballets’. The combi76
nation of pure romanticism, the story about love and deception and Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet music all continue to reach new generations of audiences. For more: arlingtonmusichall.net
MUSIC: Timeless Concerts’ “Evening in F rance” When: Oct. 21 Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) Show time: 8 p.m. Notes: The music of composer C laude Debussy w ill be performed by violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, pianist Heejung Kang and cellist Karen Smithand sung by soprano Judith Rodriguez and tenor Sergio Cepeda. The concert will be followed by a complimentary fruit/ cheese/dessert buffet, and a pianist will play for dancing. For more: timelessconcerts.com
THEATER: Blythe Spirit When: Oct. 21-Nov. 6 Where: Theatre Arlington (305 W. Main St.) Show time: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday Notes: This classic comedy, written by Noel Coward, offers up fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, re-married yet haunted by the lovely but haunting (literally) ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by the visiting Madame Arcati. As the (worldly and un-worldly) personalities clash, Charles finds himself tormented by both wives. For more: theatrearlington.org
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Photo: fanart.tv
B-52s will rock the Levitt this month
THE B-52s, long known as the world’s greatest party band, will perform during a ticketed concert at Levitt Pavilion on Oct. 9. Show time is 9 p.m. That concert will be preceded by a performance by the O’s at 7:30 p.m. Some 35 years and more than 20 million album sales into their career, the B-52s remain one of rock music’s more beloved and enduring bands. From groundbreaking songs like “Rock Lobster,” “Dance This Mess Around” and “Private Idaho“ to chart-topping hits like “Love Shack” and “Roam,” the group from Athens, Ga., starts a party every time the music begins. Proceeds from this show will go to fund the 2017-18 free concert series at the Levitt. For this performance, there are some new Levitt rules: No chairs — chairs will be provided; no coolers — concessions will be sold at the concert; and no pets will be allowed on the grounds. For more: levittpavilionarlington.org.
MUSIC: Luke Bryan: Kill the Lights Tour When: Oct. 22 Where: AT&T Stadium Show time: 7 p.m. Notes: Bryan is the reigning Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year. His debut album, “I’ll Stay Me,” included the singles “All My Friends Say,” “We Rode in Trucks,” and “Country Man”. The follow-up album, “Doin’ My Thing,” included No.1 singles “Rain Is a Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.” For more: attstadium.com
MUSIC: Phish When: Oct. 24-25 Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 7:30 p.m. Notes: Phish is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and dedicated fan base. For more: verizontheatre.com
MUSIC: LEGACY - Celtic Thunder When: Oct. 27 Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Place) Show time: 7 p.m. Notes: LEGACY is a live show featuring a mix of lively, fast-paced and upbeat songs such as “A Place in The Choir” “Galway Girl” and “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” that represent the fun-loving nature of the Irish, as well as slower classic ballads such as “Danny Boy,” “Noreen” and “Buachaille On Eirne.” For more: verizontheatre.com
MUSIC: Party on the Patio – The Rumble Kings When: Oct. 30 Where: Tierra Verde Golf Club (7005 Golf Club Lane) Show time: 7 p.m. Notes: This classic rock concert is complemented by great food from the Ventana Grill and a cash bar. For more: naturallyfun.org/potp
Fall Fun for the Whole Family! 5 to 9 pm • October 7, 8 & 9 River Legacy Living Science Center Pre-purchase a FAMILY FUN PACK for just $45 & get 4 Admissions PLUS 20 $1 Coupons! (A $52 value - must purchase by Oct. 6 online or at the Science Center)
Gate Admission is $8 - per person ages 3 & up
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Park in River Legacy Parks & catch a FREE hayride shuttle to event entrance! Animal Encounters • Storytelling • Karaoke • Camp REI • Pumpkin Patch • Bounce House • Balloon Artists • Temporary Tattoos Crafts & Games • Nature at Night Trail • Food Trucks • And Much More! River Legacy Living Science Center • 703 NW Green Oaks Boulevard • 817.860.6752 • www.riverlegacy.org THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR: arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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Speaking of Sports
The dream starts here A tale of two local high school football stars who have gone on to even greater achievements • By John Rhadigan
M
y first memory of loving sports was when my dad would take us to the local high school on Friday nights for football games. Our neighbor Steve Guilbalt was the quarterback, his younger brother Rob was the running back. History tells us that they weren’t great players – they never made the playoffs or played beyond high school. But that did not matter to me. These guys were larger than life. They were my first sports heroes. I hope that a big city like Arlington with its six public high schools has not lost that small-town approach to Friday nights. The passion, atmosphere, athleticism and joy that fills the air at a high school football game is second to none. And – good news, if you are a fan of any of the Arlington area football teams – chances are you will be watching young men who Myles Garrett will will move on from this area to college likely be a firstround draft choice. football and beyond. Two of the best stories in college football right now come directly from, you guessed it, Arlington, Texas. I know that many of you are already bragging to your friends about how you saw Myles Garrett sack quarterbacks 20 times during his senior year at Arlington Martin. He actually had 19.5 sacks during the 2013 season his last before heading off to Texas A&M. Others will puff out their chest about the time that they watched Shane Buechele lead Arlington Lamar to its deepest playoff run in more than a decade last year. The Vikings made it to the regional semi-finals in Shane’s last season. Now he is the first true freshman to start at quarterback at the University of Texas since Bobby Layne did so in 1944. I personally can tell you that each of these young men are the kind of people that will continue to make Arlington proud. Garrett is considered to be a top-five player on most preliminary mock drafts and could actually be the first player selected when next year’s NFL Draft takes place in Philadelphia in May. More than that, he is a great person. He grew up across the street from some of our best friends in Arlington, and he was that gentle giant that roamed the neighborhood with a smile on his face. Last December Myles was a finalist for the Lombardi Award. I introduced him at the banquet in Houston and talked to him about his success. He was a picture of poise and respect. While he did not win the award last year, don’t be surprised if he does this season. Perhaps all you need to know about Myles is that he has decided to stop using his social media account on Twitter, citing: “There is a lot negativity on there that I don’t need in my life. I felt like if I want to 78
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
move forward as a person and as a football player, I don’t need other people’s opinions to be in my mind.” That’s one wise 21-year-old. As for Shane Buechele, the youngest son of Steve and Nancy Buechele is a picture of wisdom and poise beyond his years. He graduated from Lamar early so he could enroll at the University of Texas last January. The coaches told him he needed to get to the 40 Acres as soon as possible because there was a chance he would be the starting quarterback this fall. Indeed, Shane started the Longhorns’ season-opening overtime win over mighty Notre Dame. My buddy Steve Buechele took a day off from his day job to attend the game. Boo is the bench coach for the Texas Rangers, and his seat on the team plane was empty that night as we flew to Seattle. He and some 25 family members from Texas and California were watching the historic debut. I don’t know if Shane is going to have a career like Bobby Layne (in fact, some of the stories about Bobby’s off the field antics make me hope he doesn’t). But I do know this: Shane Buechele is going to approach this opportunity with the perfect mix of confidence and humility. As I interviewed Steve the day after Shane’s Photo: tigerdroppings.com debut I was getting chills. Especially when Boo shared what he felt was the best moment of the night. “The highlight of the whole day was when I saw him after the game,” Steve said. “He walked up to me and said, ‘What’s up pops?’ If you know Shane, that is exactly who he is.” In other words, Shane was not caught up in being an historic freshman quarterback. He was just glad to see his dad! The love of sports that started in the stands of my local high school became a passion, a way of life, a career and a blessing for me. I can’t promise that you will have same experience. But I can promise this: You will enjoy it, and you will get to watch kids like Myles and Shane, and that is worth the price of admission.
Sports columnist John Rhadigan is an anchor for the Fox Sports Southwest television network.
A Night With Nature at River Legacy Living Science Center River Legacy Foundation invites you to join us for an evening of lively spirits, great food, & wild entertainment!
7 to 10 pm • Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 $100 per ticket • Sponsorships start at $500 Request an invitation: reply@riverlegacy.org or 817.860.6752
FEATURING: live music | cocktail appetizers by Blue Mesa Grill | wine, Deep Eddy vodka & Division Brewing craft beer | stargazing with the Fort Worth Astronomical Society | s’mores by the fire | night nature hikes | animal encounters | silent auction of fabulous prizes | & more!
Special Thanks To:
Deep Eddy Vodka | Kent & Diane Rasmussen | Jerry & Becky McCullough | Copeland Gebbie Horton Financial Consulting Group of Wells Fargo Advisors | Stadium Parking All proceeds will benefit Phase II renovation plans for River Legacy Living Science Center’s environmental educational exhibits
ARLINGTON Today your community • your magazine
703 NW Green Oaks Blvd. • Arlington, TX 76006 • 817.860.6752 • www.riverlegacy.org
N U F Y FAMIL T U O P CAM
OCT 14-15 VETERANS PARK ARLINGTON, TX
Come celebrate fall and make memories that will last a lifetime! Spend quality time with your family enjoying a night of camping out in Veterans Park. Activities include tent decorating, s’mores, games and more! Registration $10 per person; children 2 and under free. Call 817.459.5474 for more info or to register. NATURALLYFUN.ORG • #NaturallyFun
Arlington Parks Oct2016 Ad_Arlington Today.indd 1
9/19/2016 12:26:39 arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY PM 79
Events, etc.
IT OUT River Legacy’s Artini Hours combine art projects, cocktails and socialization.
Itinerary Your official Arlington area guide to fun (and the like) Oct. 1-Oct. 23 What: Ulterior Motifs Where: Arlington Museum of Art (201 W. Main St.) When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. In a nutshell: This exhibit is a collection of Texas contemporary art across a variety of mediums, including painting, printing, sculpture and collage. It is organized by the Wheeler brothers. For more: arlingtonmuseum.org
Oct. 1, 7, 8, 13, 28, 29 What: UTA volleyball Where: College Park Center (600 S. Center St.) When: 6:30 p.m. In a nutshell: The Mavericks have home matches against the following teams this month: Coastal Carolina (Oct. 1), Arkansas-Little Rock (Oct. 7), Arkansas State (Oct. 8), Texas State (Oct. 13), the University of Louisiana-Monroe (Oct. 28) and Louisiana (Oct. 29) For more: utamavs.com
Oct. 2 What: Roller Coaster Race (10K/5K) Where: Six Flags Over Texas When: 7:30 a.m. In a nutshell: The second annual Roller Coaster Race features a 5K run/ walk or a 10K race, during which participants weave their way around roller coasters on the scenic courses. There will be post-race refreshments, a DJ, and an award ceremony, where cash prizes will be awarded to top 10K finishers. Not a runner? You can ride your way to 5K on roller coasters. For more: goo.gl/CHFo5m 80
Oct. 6 What: Maverick Speaker Series: Nicolas Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn Where: UTA’s Texas Hall (701 W. Nedderman Drive) When: 7:30 p.m. In a nutshell: Kristof and WuDunn became the first husband-wife team to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism for their coverage of China’s Tiananmen Square democracy movement. The couple, respected in their own rights, have also written four best-selling books together. For more: uta.edu/maverickspeakers
Oct. 8-9 What: Beer & Barbecue Festival Where: Traders Village (2602 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie) When: Noon-5 p.m. In a nutshell: This event features award-winning barbecue cooks preparing some of the best barbecue brisket and ribs on both days. Guests will be able to buy this barbecue, as well as a variety of Craft Beers. Chris Rivers and his country band will perform on the festival stage from 12 noon to 4p.m. each day. For more: (972) 647-2331
Oct. 9, 30 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 Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 9 and the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 30. For more: dallascowboys.com
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
Photo: wherevent.com
River Legacy to host Artini Hour
THE RIVER LEGACY LIVING SCIENCE CENTER (703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd.) will host an Artini Hour event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. Artini Hours combine upcycled art projects, signature cocktails and socialization for a fun adult affair at River Legacy. After taking a break in the summer, Artini Hours are making a fall comeback with a great lineup of refreshments and projects. Instruction, supplies, a specialty drink, wine and light appetizers are provided. At this event, participants can celebrate the season by creating candy corn-themed wine bottles. This month’s featured drink is a Bloody Mary. Each Artini Hour costs $15 per person, and registration is required. RSVP to (817) 860-6752, ext. 102 or 104. Payment is due at time of registration. Participants must be ages 21 and up only; a driver’s license is required.
Oct. 15 What: Viridian Fall Fest Where: Overlook Park (1210 Viridian Park Lane) When: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. In a nutshell: Fall Fest revelers can sample the wares produced by breweries including Legal Draft and New Main from noon to 3 p.m., visit the petting zoo and browse the farmers market while being serenaded by local musicians Tony Rey, Chris Acosta and others. Sales from a pumpkin patch will benefit the Viridian Dad’s Club. Games, a stilt walker and pet adoptions by Trinity Gap Rescue also are planned. Food truck Not Just Q will be on-site noon to 3 p.m. For more: viridiandfw.com
Oct. 15 What: Hope Tea 2016 Where: North Davis Church of Christ (1601 N. Davis) When: 2-4:30 p.m.
In a nutshell: North Texas’ largest tea party for girls and women of all ages will feature live music, make & take craft stations and scrumptious treats. The event is presented by Healing Hands International, and proceeds go to fight world hunger. For more: hhi.org/hopetea2016
Oct. 28 What: Boo Bash Where: Mansfield Activities Center (106 S. Wisteria) When: 6-9 p.m. In a nutshell: This is a great alternative to going door-to-door. Bring the family and meet your friends at the MAC for a night of games, crafts, snacks, and of course Halloween candy. Parents must attend with children. This carnival-style party will be geared toward children ages 2-6 years old, but all ages are welcome. For more: Email mary.jones@ mansfieldtexas.gov
Please join us for the 3rd Annual
Open Arms Health Clinic Gala Emceed by Gloria Campos
November 5, 2016 • 6-7:00 p.m. Registration and Auctions Open 7:00 Dinner Served Promptly Cacharel Grand Ballroom
2221 E. Lamar Blvd. • Arlington, Texas Gala features: Dinner, Music and Cash Bar Silent and Live Auctions
Free Health Clinic 817-496-1919 or email galaopenarms@gmail.com www.openarmshealthclinic.org
Halloween Pet Costume Contest!
Cash Prizes for the Most Original Pet Costume!
Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 am Email judy@arlingtontoday.com to register. Deadline is October 20.
Bring your Halloween-costumed, furry or feathered buddy to:
COUNTRY ACRES KENNELS
7817 S. Cooper • Arlington 76001
for judging!
ARLINGTON Today
your community • your magazine
arlingtontoday.com • October 2016 • ARLINGTON TODAY
81
Finish Line
Future of Arlington economy riding on new ballpark election
I
n serving with former mayors Elzie Odom, Bob Cluck along with Victor and Parker Vandergriff, we’ve had an opportunity to discuss and answer questions across the city about the upcoming election that will decide the future of Arlington’s visitor and tourism economy. If voters approve the city’s participation in building a new, worldclass retractable roof ballpark for the Texas Rangers, much more than a new facility for the team will unfold in the years ahead. Analysts specializing in measuring the effect of cities hosting major professional sports teams have determined that the new Rangers ballpark would bring $77.5 million in annual economic impacts. Assuming a conservative 2.5 percent yearly growth rate, the result would be $3.5 billion over the life of the new 30-year lease the Rangers would sign. With Arlington’s success in the current Rangers ballpark and Cowboys stadium, the city has developed considerable experience in capturing those economic gains with the use of a half-cent sales tax, the majority of which is paid by people who do not live in the city. Discussions with Rangers owners began about 18 months ago centered on the team’s plans to have a new ballpark that would address the preferAn artist’s rendering of the proposed park and ence of fans for relief from the oppresentertainment district sive heat of Texas summers. A retractable roof ballpark would also make it possible to avoid game delays and cancellations due to inclement weather. It would also become a multi-purpose special events center hosting entertainers and a variety of other activities just as has developed with AT&T Stadium. Arlington was the only city in a position to make that happen before the current lease on Globe Life Park expires. City officials, led by Mayor Jeff Williams, began negotiating the terms of an agreement that would keep the team in Arlington for at least another 30 years. Recent news reports confirmed that political and business leaders from the city of Dallas began approaching the Rangers about two years ago, expressing an interest and describing plans to move the team to Dallas. Acting quickly to ensure those discussions did not develop further, Mayor Williams explained, “The Texas Rangers’ 45year history in our city are part of our DNA, and there is no way we are going to let another city take away our team and the economic importance they mean to us. “We are one of only a few cities in the world privileged to host Major League Baseball; it gives us national exposure and identity that is directly tied to our citizens’ sense of civic pride.” Responding to questions about the future of the current ballpark, 82
ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2016 • arlingtontoday.com
• By Richard Greene
Rangers Managing Partner Ray Davis described the importance of the facility and its repurposed use. “We’ve been working closely with The Cordish Companies (the Rangers’ partner in the $200 million Texas Live! project) to find ways to repurpose the building. The Centerfield Office Building is at capacity with tenants and we hope those companies will remain. “Our existing retail store and the Hall of Fame space can both be used as retail spaces to support the development on the south side of Randol Mill Road (Texas Live!). As plans for a new ballpark development evolve, we believe the interior of the ballpark could be refitted for another purpose while still providing options for additional development. “However, I want to be clear that we can develop the solutions while still maintaining the aesthetic and character of this beautiful building.” At a recent public meeting, a gentleman raised his hand and asked, “Let me see if I understand this correctly. We can keep the Rangers in Arlington, enjoy their games in air-conditioned comfort, reap the economic benefits that are ours today and will grow greater in the future and all I have to do is agree Image courtesy of the City of Arlington to pay the same half-cent sales tax I’m paying now, which is already the lowest of any city around us?” The answer, of course, is yes. There are no new taxes proposed in the project – the financing plan is the very same as used to build AT&T Stadium. And the share of the cost of the new ballpark will work out to less than 20 percent of the total over the period of the new lease. Arlington voters face what I believe to be the most important decision in the city’s history. If the legacy of our remarkable can-do city is any guide, the opportunity to seize those economic benefits will be fully embraced on Election Day.
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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